You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has sports radio. And the quality of sports radio needs to be guarded by listeners with opinions. Who's gonna do it? You, Spiegel? You, Mac? We have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Chet Coppock and you curse the message board. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what we know: that Coppock's early retirement, which won't be tragic, will probably save sports radio. And our existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves sports radio...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, on boats and camping trips and in places like Wrigleyville and Mackeyland, you want us on that board. You need us on that board.

We use phrases like integrity of the segment, ass-licking society and more attitude, more bite...we use these phrases as the backbone to idle time spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. We have neither the time nor the inclination to explain ourselves to two large men who rise and sleep under the blanket of the very listenership we provide, then question the manner in which we provide it! We'd rather you—Mac and Spiegs—just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, we suggest you improve your show and answer our posts. Either way, we don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!

You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has sports radio. And the quality of sports radio needs to be guarded by listeners with opinions. Who's gonna do it? You, Spiegel? You, Mac? We have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Chet Coppock and you curse the message board. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what we know: that Coppock's early retirement, which won't be tragic, will probably save sports radio. And our existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves sports radio...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, on boats and camping trips and in places like Wrigleyville and Mackeyland, you want us on that board. You need us on that board.

We use phrases like integrity of the segment, ass-licking society and more attitude, more bite...we use these phrases as the backbone to idle time spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. We have neither the time nor the inclination to explain ourselves to two large men who rise and sleep under the blanket of the very listenership we provide, then question the manner in which we provide it! We'd rather you—Mac and Spiegs—just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, we suggest you improve your show and answer our posts. Either way, we don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!

We read you, and we love that you're listening and thinking about the show.

Some of your points are solid, and the feedback is genuinely helpful.

Some of your points are venomous, and seem perhaps intended to just try and be mean-spirited for sport, but we can handle that too.

All taken in context. I look at the hate, the loathing, as skin thickener. I asked for this gig, and welcome it. I'm well aware that I'm a pin cushion often talking to pin pushers.

I'm having a great time. I feel like I'm getting better at this particular job every day, which is the goal, with everything in my life. As a host, I'm not a finished project, and lord knows the show isn't, so some bumpy rides are par for the course. That said, I know how to do this, this radio show thing, and I'll keep on believing in what I think is good radio. Getting there is a process.

I had a great time driving this week...with the cavalcade of sportswriters, none of whom I chose by the way, but all of whom I enjoyed for different reasons. Some days better than others; different guys, different strengths. I know some of you listened...imagine many of you punched the freaking button, so be it. It was a good week.

Driving the bus, like this week and with Hit and Run on Sundays, is nice, to get me back in touch with a level of calm, simply conversational Spiegel which has been occasionally hard to access with Mac...I'll give you that. We're going to talk about that, and a lot of stuff, tomorrow. One thing you guys have written about is the manic energy sometimes, and us fighting over air space and funniness, and guess what; you're right.

Evolution, people. I ain't skeered. Mac and I communicate well, even when one of us is being a dipshit. We're gonna be stronger every week.

Not "worried" about the critics....bring it on. It's what it's all about. It's what makes The Score unique...like Terry ripping me and me standing up to him in transition, or him shitting on Bruce Wolf and then Bruce calling in.

Just letting you know that we hear it, we read it, and then we disregard what's useless. What percentage of it I find useless, well, that's personal discretion.

Heh. That's a remarkably inaccurate depiction of my mental state there Hussra.

Picard was pretty good at his gig though, so thanks.

Tea, Earl Grey, hot.

You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has sports radio. And the quality of sports radio needs to be guarded by listeners with opinions. Who's gonna do it? You, Spiegel? You, Mac? We have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Chet Coppock and you curse the message board. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what we know: that Coppock's early retirement, which won't be tragic, will probably save sports radio. And our existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves sports radio...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, on boats and camping trips and in places like Wrigleyville and Mackeyland, you want us on that board. You need us on that board.

We use phrases like integrity of the segment, ass-licking society and more attitude, more bite...we use these phrases as the backbone to idle time spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. We have neither the time nor the inclination to explain ourselves to two large men who rise and sleep under the blanket of the very listenership we provide, then question the manner in which we provide it! We'd rather you—Mac and Spiegs—just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, we suggest you improve your show and answer our posts. Either way, we don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!

I guess he'll fill in sometimes, not sure. Not my concern.

Sorry Beardown, as I told you before, that's not my job. My job is to book guests and do audio production for the show.

I think Murph has value

I get along with Murph, to clarify any assumption there. Maybe it comes from me being the youngest of 5 very different kids, but I get along with most people.

Murph solo is true Murph, if you're into it or not.

By the way, you guys see how pissed Jenks was after he barely held on just now? Fuck that was fun to watch..screaming in his glove, throwing the chew out with vitriol, and then it looked like he was gonna hurl or cry, or maybe both. He's entertainingly nuts.

I think Murph has value...nobody loves baseball like he does....

My dad loves football but couldn't explain what a spread formation is, much less why it's become so popular.

Heh. That's a remarkably inaccurate depiction of my mental state there Hussra.

Picard was pretty good at his gig though, so thanks.

Tea, Earl Grey, hot.

I get along with Murph, to clarify any assumption there. Maybe it comes from me being the youngest of 5 very different kids, but I get along with most people.

Murph solo is true Murph, if you're into it or not.

By the way, you guys see how pissed Jenks was after he barely held on just now? Fuck that was fun to watch..screaming in his glove, throwing the chew out with vitriol, and then it looked like he was gonna hurl or cry, or maybe both. He's entertainingly nuts.