Fred Toucher is currently hosting a fresh morning show on 98.5 The Sports Hub with his colleague, Rob “Hardy” Poole. This new show, Toucher & Hardy, kicked off in January and marked a new chapter after Fred’s previous 17-year collaboration with Rich Shertenlieb on the same station. Rich left the station last November, which sparked curiosity and a sense of longing among the audience, feelings that still linger with the new show.
During a recent episode, a listener inquired about Fred’s last interaction with Rich and whether they still kept in touch. The pair had begun their journey together at WBCN-FM, a rock station, before transitioning to sports talk radio with the launch of 98.5 The Sports Hub in the summer of 2009. The listener was eager for some inside scoop and cautiously broached what seemed like a sensitive subject.
Fred admitted that he had not spoken to Rich since receiving a text message from him shortly after Rich was taken off the air. He also shared that none of the former Toucher & Rich team members had been in contact with Rich for a long time. Jon Wallach, the update anchor, mentioned a Thanksgiving text from Rich about the band Bell Biv DeVoe, but that was the last he had heard from him.
Also Read: Former ESPN South America Host Michelle Troconis Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Murder
Fred clarified to the listener that he and Rich were not close friends and that it was not unusual for them not to communicate. He speculated that if Rich did reach out, it would make him feel anxious and uncomfortable, even if the interaction was pleasant. However, Fred mentioned he might consider a brief appearance with Rich if it involved a significant financial incentive.
The conversation shifted to reflect on the nostalgia associated with the Toucher & Rich show and brought up Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo’s successful solo career post his partnership with Mike Francesa. Fred and Jon Wallach agreed that Russo was doing well on his own, perhaps even better than when he was part of the Mike and the Mad Dog show.
Russo currently runs his own SiriusXM show, appears on MLB Network’s High Heat, and makes weekly appearances on ESPN’s First Take. The split between Russo and Francesa garnered public interest, which Fred attributed to the personal connection listeners form with radio personalities. He asserted that changes in radio shows can feel strange to regular listeners, even if the new format is an improvement, as he believes is the case with Toucher & Hardy compared to the previous years of Toucher & Rich.
Fred concluded the segment by stating he had addressed the question about Rich and had no further information on his whereabouts or activities, as neither he nor anyone he knew had been in contact with Rich.
This rephrased content provides a simplified and expanded explanation of the original text, adding context and background information for better understanding. It avoids plagiarism by using different words and sentence structures while maintaining the essence of the original message. The added details offer a more comprehensive view of the situation and the relationships between the individuals involved.
I am a passionate technology and business enthusiast, constantly exploring the intersection where innovation meets entrepreneurship. With a keen eye for emerging trends and a deep understanding of market dynamics, I provide insightful analysis and commentary on the latest advancements shaping the tech industry.