Comments on: Approval Ratings - Bob Lobel

By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:47:18 +0000

Bob Lobel still has plenty to offer the local sports scene. One of the 2 sports radio stations (WEEI & ESPN radio, Boston locally) would be a good semi retired gig, which I’d love to see. Also CSN “Sports Tonight” once in a while would be great also. He brings a “lighter side” of sports to the scene. Maybe even NESN for this baseball season could use a touch of his wit a knowledge!
Good luck Bob, you deserve it!!

By: Dick Essam

Dick Essam — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:39:09 +0000

Have not been able to watch him the last year and for the last 10 years could only get Sports Final ( Best Patriots show ever). You people who criticize Lobel should be forced to watch Providence’s sports shows.

By: hank durod

hank durod — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:40:42 +0000

Sports Final ruled in the 80’s, but this is 2008.
He has been unwatchable for almost 20 years.
Disapproved.

By: Will

Will — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 20:24:00 +0000

Agreed. And Steve Burton is the most classless sports-guy around. Miss Sara Underwood and Scott Wahle, too. BZ is shooting itself in the foot. Hmmm…maybe both feet.

By: Fred West Lynn

Fred West Lynn — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:50:16 +0000

And she looked less leathery then, too.

By: Fred West Lynn

Fred West Lynn — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:49:23 +0000

Wow. It’s hard to believe that I lived through an era where Dick “The Salamander” Stockton was a breath of fresh air as a PBP guy and Lobie incarnated a new insouciance in sports broadcasting. But things change. I voted Approve as a salute to what once was, with full recognition that those days ain’t comin’ back … for any of us.

By: John

John — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:22:05 +0000

He is probably a real nice guy, and he may have been THE sports personality in his day. But showing my age here, I remember when Willie Mays used to be a great, great, ball player. I also saw him play for the NY Mets.

If the rating is for the last 5 years, I find it hard to approve (although like many of our local TV personalities, he’s better in a less pressured-to-perform medium like radio). If we’re voting on hall of fame then let’s hope that the recent performance doesn’t cloud the perspective of the voters.

If we are voting relative to Steve Burton, how can you not like Lobel.

By: MarkB

MarkB — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:30:32 +0000

The guy spent years barely able to get a coherent sentence out. He must have pictures of someone in management, because he’s been a disgrace since the last century. He did perfectly good work - a generation ago - but his “well… uhhh… yeah…” act has spent down his good will for me. He does get points for dumping that hag Wornick though.

By: Sluggo

Sluggo — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:46:34 +0000

Totally split on this one. Did not vote either approve or disapprove.

But based on his body of work, especially 1980-1990, I would have voted APPROVE without hesitation. Lobel came down from Manchester in 1976 as a host of WBZ 1030’s old “Calling All Sports” talk show, and when he was paired with Upton Bell in the late 1970s it was a fantastic sports talk show. Great guests, smart callers, and great chemistry between Lobie and Uppie. This was before the Breezy One became a TV star.

By: 02062

02062 — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:31:15 +0000

He was big in the 80’s but so were parachute pants, stone washed jeans and cocaine.

Seems like a nice guy (i wouldn’t want my sister marrying him based on his track record).

In recent years came off to me as smarmy (i.e. why can’t we get players like this.).

Ripped Pitino and Calipari when they were both long gone - but cashed the checks when given the opportunity to work with both of them on shows.

I believe Channel 4 & 5 were always 1 & 2 in the ratings back in the days of the 3 channel universe - now as he departs Channel 4’s a distant 3rd.

As most members of the Boston Media was willing to hump, pimp or promote anything that got him a freebie - from tee times to free lunches to fitness equipment for the home.

Took every opportunity to rip Dan Duquette whenever possible - yet would show up every friday to collect a check with the likes of Mike Barnicle and Will McDonough.

But all in all - I say approve. The job’s changed since Bob first came on the Dumont network back in ‘56.

However, he did force the like of Steve Burton, Steve DeOssie and Scott Zolak on us.

Also, thought it would be a neat idea to show a Larry Johnson cartoon on the air every sunday night on sports final.

His piece with Mike Milbury f-bombing a referee in front of a priest after a B’s playoff loss in 91 or 92 was priceless.

Adios, breezy one.