Storyline: Rick DiPietro should be credited for making the most of his second career in the media, not for taking on NY radio talk show giant, Mike Francesa. But let’s face it: this feud has legs. Written by Leslie Monteiro, Fort Lee, NJ
Rick DiPietro in his new media career (photo, newsday.com)
Rick DiPietro has been making news lately, involved in a feud with Mike Francesa.
DiPetro called Francesa “Fatso” last week after the WFAN blowhard talkie ripped the Islanders for being a third-rate organization. Francesa expressed disgust about the Islanders for not coming on his show.
Francesa fired back Tuesday by calling the former Islander a “Stooge,” saying that he would kiss up to the Islanders, too, if he had been “paid to do nothing” as a player. While mocking DiPietro in the process, Francesa then compared himself to Gordie Howe when it comes to excellence on sports radio. DiPietro’s response: he called New York’s #1 talkie “Gordie Chowe.”
What’s the take away here? DiPietro should be credited for making the most of his second career in the media–not for taking on Francesa or for being mocked for having a short NHL career.
It would have been easy for DiPietro to hide and not be heard of again. It would have been tempting to collect money while sitting at home. But, instead, he decided to work in the media. He does sports radio with 98.7 ESPN New York/MSG Network’s Alan Hahn in the afternoons, taking about sports and interacting with callers. He covers the Islanders on MSG+, giving his take on the team during and after games. He also does locker room interviews when the Islanders play at home.
Of all the hockey analysts in this town, DiPietro is the best of them all. Hockey fans learn from him. He’s honest, too, is definitely not a shill. DiPietro will rip the Islanders when it’s called for.
Mike Francesa on WFAN, New York (photo, thebiglead.com)
DiPietro is also entertaining and has a way with people. Unlike Francesa, he doesn’t come off as a guy who thinks he knows everything. He’s not afraid to admit he’s wrong–something Francesa never does.
That’s why he has become so popular on Islanders’ telecasts and is a hit on sports radio. He’s willing to take anyone, so it wasn’t surprising he went after Francesa. It wasn’t a ploy for attention. The response came from his heart. He was defending a team that he’s passionate about.
DiPietro is like one of the guys. He’s also a “fan’s fan.” He’s no different than your typical radio caller. With a self-deprecating manner, DiPietro is a grinder at his job. That makes him an easy guy to root for in a media business that features so many egos.
Even though he’s getting better and better at his craft, in another universe DiPietro would be playing right now for the Islanders. He would be difference maker in the nets, trying to win a Stanley Cup. He would prefer living in Thomas Greiss’s world.
DiPietro during his short-lived career with the NY Islanders (photo, CBC.ca)
The Islanders drafted DiPietro with the idea he would lead them to respectability, even win a Stanley Cup. But concussions and knee problems ended his career and he ended up being mocked as “Rickety” DiPietro.
But rather than feeling sorry for himself, he didn’t hide from criticism and admitted that he had failed. And. now, he’s making the most of a new career. It’s reinforcing to see that good things can happen to good people.
It’s just fine if people like Francesa want to mock him. DiPietro is too busy having fun in his new career.
