Neil Best continues to give us a “behind the scenes” look at the character that is Mike Francesa. Best spent 90 minutes talking to Francesa this week at his WFAN office. They revisited the “break up” and how everything transpired.

This is the first of two pieces that Best will have over the next couple of days. He describes a Mike Francesa that we very rarely see. He is thoughtful, insightful, and contrite. These characteristics rarely translate to the airwaves in recent years. The big takeaway for me is how it might have been the Don Imus situation, and subsequent morning fill in, that broke this duo up.

I have listened to both Chris and Mike since their August breakup. They just don’t seem to be translating well to their new roles. Each needs a partner that will elevate the others personality. This is not easy task for any programming director. On air chemistry can’t be fakes or forced, it has to come natural. Add in the fact that the radio industry fails to procure new talent and you have a shallow pool of options.

Regardless of the financial health of Sirius, I believe Chris Russo will never translate outside of the New York City market. Take it from someone ,like me, who talks to sports fans from coast to coast: there is no place like New York for sports talk. Sports here is life and death. In other parts of the country it’s something to do before they go to the carnival. Unless Dog starts to talk serious college and high school football, no one will get riled up about how overrated Derek Jeter is defensively. Fans in Oklahoma don’t care that Mad Dog takes pleasure in a Mets September collapse.

If WFAN is to survive and remain relevant in the future they need to find Francesa a partner and fast. Chris Russo may become rich over the length of his contract, but the price will be steep: irrelevance. Both should find a way to come to grips with this reality and move forward. Mike, Chris, and Mark Chernoff should brainstorm through the holiday’s and come to the conclusion they all need each other.

We have heard from Frank Isola, Kim Jones, Evan Roberts, Chris Carlin, Sweeny Murti, Ed Coleman, and Joe Benigno. They all bring something to the table. None of them has the ability to work with the “big guy”. I go on record today as saying Francesa’s new partner should be his old one. Bring back Chris Russo and save the future of WFAN.

Tags: Chris Russo, Mike Francesa, New York Mets, New York Yankees