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KNBR Fires Krueger, PD Agnew, Producer

BossRadioDJ

BossRadioDJ

I'm not sure I understand why Larry Krueger was fired now ... did he have anything to do with the sound clip being played on Tuesday morning's show? Or did Tony Salvadore figure that, since Felipe Alou wouldn't accept Krueger's apology -- I'm sorry, make that the messenger of Satan's apology -- there was no other option than to fire him?

http://www.knbr.com/homestory/statement.html

STATEMENT BY TONY SALVADORE,
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER,
KNBR, SAN FRANCISCO

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of recent events at
KNBR.

As you may know, late on August 3, Sportsphone 680 Host Larry Krueger
made regrettable comments about Caribbean baseball players in
lamenting the Giants' loss to the Colorado Rockies. In the heat of
describing his disappointment with the Giants' season, Krueger
characterized some of the players by their nationality and made a
wholly inappropriate analogy. The following day, Krueger apologized on
the air for his remarks, which were unacceptable under any
circumstances, and requested the opportunity to apologize personally
to Giants manager Felipe Alou. On August 5, KNBR suspended Krueger for
one week without pay, while weighing the gravity of his offense.

On August 9, the KNBR Morning Show opened with a discussion of Felipe
Alou's related comments on ESPN's Outside the Lines, which aired the
previous evening. The segment, featuring inappropriate comedy sound
bytes, demonstrated an utter lack of regard for the sensitivity of the
issues involved and a premeditated intent to ridicule Felipe Alou's
commentary.

KNBR will not tolerate such behavior and has taken decisive action
against the individuals responsible for these unfortunate events.
Effective August 10, Program Manager Bob Agnew, Morning Show Producer
Tony Rhein and Sportsphone 680 Host Larry Krueger are no longer
employed by KNBR.

KNBR deeply regrets the comments and actions of these individuals,
which do not reflect our beliefs or values as an organization. We
would like to express our deepest apologies to Felipe Alou, his
players and the Giants organization for this offense to the Caribbean
community.
 
> I'm not sure I understand why Larry Krueger was fired now
> ... did he have anything to do with the sound clip being
> played on Tuesday morning's show? Or did Tony Salvadore
> figure that, since Felipe Alou wouldn't accept Krueger's
> apology -- I'm sorry, make that the messenger of Satan's
> apology -- there was no other option than to fire him?

I really don't get it either.

I guess, now with the 49ers on KNBR now, all the hosts get the message loud and clear, "Root Root Root for the home team." How boring is that morning show going to be now. A couple of novices trying to get a voice and now this happens. I guess we will be getting a lot of interviews with the backup linebackers on that show now.
 
#1 Good Riddance
#2 You're not sure why LK was fired now? ... did he have anything to do with the sound clip being played on Tuesday morning's show?
The sound clip wouldn't have been played if the comments weren't made on that Wednesday show.
#3 Stations for sale. Good way to dump some salaries.

> I'm not sure I understand why Larry Krueger was fired now
> ... did he have anything to do with the sound clip being
> played on Tuesday morning's show? Or did Tony Salvadore
> figure that, since Felipe Alou wouldn't accept Krueger's
> apology -- I'm sorry, make that the messenger of Satan's
> apology -- there was no other option than to fire him?
>
> http://www.knbr.com/homestory/statement.html
>
> STATEMENT BY TONY SALVADORE,
> SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER,
> KNBR, SAN FRANCISCO
>
> It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of recent
> events at
> KNBR.
>
> As you may know, late on August 3, Sportsphone 680 Host
> Larry Krueger
> made regrettable comments about Caribbean baseball players
> in
> lamenting the Giants' loss to the Colorado Rockies. In the
> heat of
> describing his disappointment with the Giants' season,
> Krueger
> characterized some of the players by their nationality and
> made a
> wholly inappropriate analogy. The following day, Krueger
> apologized on
> the air for his remarks, which were unacceptable under any
> circumstances, and requested the opportunity to apologize
> personally
> to Giants manager Felipe Alou. On August 5, KNBR suspended
> Krueger for
> one week without pay, while weighing the gravity of his
> offense.
>
> On August 9, the KNBR Morning Show opened with a discussion
> of Felipe
> Alou's related comments on ESPN's Outside the Lines, which
> aired the
> previous evening. The segment, featuring inappropriate
> comedy sound
> bytes, demonstrated an utter lack of regard for the
> sensitivity of the
> issues involved and a premeditated intent to ridicule Felipe
> Alou's
> commentary.
>
> KNBR will not tolerate such behavior and has taken decisive
> action
> against the individuals responsible for these unfortunate
> events.
> Effective August 10, Program Manager Bob Agnew, Morning Show
> Producer
> Tony Rhein and Sportsphone 680 Host Larry Krueger are no
> longer
> employed by KNBR.
>
> KNBR deeply regrets the comments and actions of these
> individuals,
> which do not reflect our beliefs or values as an
> organization. We
> would like to express our deepest apologies to Felipe Alou,
> his
> players and the Giants organization for this offense to the
> Caribbean
> community.
>
 
> I'm not sure I understand why Larry Krueger was fired now
> ... did he have anything to do with the sound clip being
> played on Tuesday morning's show? Or did Tony Salvadore
> figure that, since Felipe Alou wouldn't accept Krueger's
> apology -- I'm sorry, make that the messenger of Satan's
> apology -- there was no other option than to fire him?
>
> http://www.knbr.com/homestory/statement.html

"inappropriate comedy sound bites"? Come *ON*. Alou calling Kreuger "the messenger of Satan" is a ripe-for-satire statement if ever I've heard one. If Jon Stewart had made fun of it everyone would think it was brilliant. The morning show did what morning shows are supposed to do. Once again the tail (Giants) wags the dog (KNBR). Biggest surprise: Agnew, who I assumed was bolted to the floor over there.
 
> STATEMENT BY TONY SALVADORE,
> SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER,
> KNBR, SAN FRANCISCO
>
> It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of recent events at KNBR... KNBR will not tolerate such behavior and has taken decisive action against the individuals responsible for these unfortunate events. Effective August 10, Program Manager Bob Agnew, Morning Show Producer Tony Rhein and Sportsphone 680 Host Larry Krueger are no longer employed by KNBR.
>
> KNBR deeply regrets the comments and actions of these individuals, which do not reflect our beliefs or values as an organization. We would like to express our deepest apologies to Felipe Alou, his players and the Giants organization for this offense to the Caribbean community.>


No doubt this will result in a 20-game winning streak. KNBR, like any other business, regrets only one thing: the potential loss of revenue, whatever shape or form in which it may come, from generated sales revenue to sale of the station itself.

Even in an extemperaneous environment there are lines that should not be crossed, but this is a bit much. The dismissal of all three people, two of whom said nothing? That sort of heavy-handedness appears to have from much higher up.

Condolences to messers Kreuger, Agnew and Rhein, but none for the person who ultimately made the firing decision or for the people who may have demanded it.

On the other hand, there might be an opening or three at Infinity in the near future. In fact, we can expect several openings at the SF Giants organization in the near future as well.
 
It's really hard to believe because Larry uttered the truth on a talk show
about the crappy ass Giants and the reason that they're such big losers.. that he was let go. The players were Carribean, correct? They suck. Correct? The guy even apologized. The Giants should be the one's firing staff.. not KNBR.

The Program Director must have jumped on the save LK bandwagon and went down with the ship. Man, o man ...

My better half loved listening to LK. He's not a radio person, but a sports fanatic and P1 to the station. He called me on his way into the office to alert me of the shake up.

This is just another case of management being more concerned with todays dollars than with the reason they're able to make the money. Gosh.

I've spent most of my adult life in this business and I hate it more everyday.
 
I'm not much of a Larry Kreuger fan...However, the man should still have his job...Kreuger was ignorant about the meaning of his words, but there was no intended racism. I have lost a lot of respect for Felipe Alou in all this. He has every right to be angry, but he sure handled it like a 4 year old, not like a 70 year old who should know better. Calling Kreuger a 'messenger of satan' is just ridiculous.


Krueger can partially thank the morning show for getting him canned. He might still be there if they hadn't done that comedy bit...Whoever thought it was a good idea to make fun of Alou in the wake of the brou-ha-ha should've been let go...But, no one really knows who's idea it was.

I think Agnew's firing was a salary dump...I also notice they didn't go near the morning team...Fire the low paid Producer instad...

Great, now I have to listen to the brain dead Bruce MacGowan...ugh.






> It's really hard to believe because Larry uttered the truth
> on a talk show
> about the crappy ass Giants and the reason that they're such
> big losers.. that he was let go. The players were
> Carribean, correct? They suck. Correct? The guy even
> apologized. The Giants should be the one's firing staff..
> not KNBR.
>
> The Program Director must have jumped on the save LK
> bandwagon and went down with the ship. Man, o man ...
>
> My better half loved listening to LK. He's not a radio
> person, but a sports fanatic and P1 to the station. He
> called me on his way into the office to alert me of the
> shake up.
>
> This is just another case of management being more concerned
> with todays dollars than with the reason they're able to
> make the money. Gosh.
>
> I've spent most of my adult life in this business and I hate
> it more everyday.
>
 
> I'm not much of a Larry Kreuger fan...However, the man
> should still have his job...Kreuger was ignorant about the
> meaning of his words, but there was no intended racism. I
> have lost a lot of respect for Felipe Alou in all this. He
> has every right to be angry, but he sure handled it like a 4
> year old, not like a 70 year old who should know better.
> Calling Kreuger a 'messenger of satan' is just ridiculous.
>
>
>
> Krueger can partially thank the morning show for getting him
> canned. He might still be there if they hadn't done that
> comedy bit...Whoever thought it was a good idea to make fun
> of Alou in the wake of the brou-ha-ha should've been let
> go...But, no one really knows who's idea it was.
>
> I think Agnew's firing was a salary dump...I also notice
> they didn't go near the morning team...Fire the low paid
> Producer instad...
>
> Great, now I have to listen to the brain dead Bruce
> MacGowan...ugh.

I think that one more big loser in this might be morning new guy, Brian Murphy. Having read his stuff in the Chronicle, I thought he was a funny, interesting writer. When he used to be a guest on KNBR, he was also very good. He just does not have the experience to carry a morning show.

Now, there is going to be a big audience out there come 1/1/06 with a demo right in KNBR's wheelhouse when Stern leaves.

But, I am going to guess the last thing that Murphy will want is a funny "bit" in his timeslot and now he will then fall back to his days as a 49er beat writer and interview all the Niners. Alot of "giving 110%" type answers then with those players. And then, you follow him up with Radnich, who show is not really even a sports show, but general interest with a sports spin, I just don't see an audience.
 
This is total B.S. - You can't say anything anymore in this country without it being spun into something racist. Political correctness has gone way too far. Land of the free? Ha! That's a joke...if you are white and male, you are screwed.

Yet Dusty Baker makes a comment a few years ago and he still has a job? Come on!

Krueger only said the truth and was stating his opinion which he gets paid to do. And he at least had the nerve to say it - The Giants Suck.

Total B.S.




> > I'm not much of a Larry Kreuger fan...However, the man
> > should still have his job...Kreuger was ignorant about the
>
> > meaning of his words, but there was no intended racism. I
>
> > have lost a lot of respect for Felipe Alou in all this.
> He
> > has every right to be angry, but he sure handled it like a
> 4
> > year old, not like a 70 year old who should know better.
> > Calling Kreuger a 'messenger of satan' is just ridiculous.
>
> >
> >
> >
> > Krueger can partially thank the morning show for getting
> him
> > canned. He might still be there if they hadn't done that
> > comedy bit...Whoever thought it was a good idea to make
> fun
> > of Alou in the wake of the brou-ha-ha should've been let
> > go...But, no one really knows who's idea it was.
> >
> > I think Agnew's firing was a salary dump...I also notice
> > they didn't go near the morning team...Fire the low paid
> > Producer instad...
> >
> > Great, now I have to listen to the brain dead Bruce
> > MacGowan...ugh.
>
> I think that one more big loser in this might be morning new
> guy, Brian Murphy. Having read his stuff in the Chronicle, I
> thought he was a funny, interesting writer. When he used to
> be a guest on KNBR, he was also very good. He just does not
> have the experience to carry a morning show.
>
> Now, there is going to be a big audience out there come
> 1/1/06 with a demo right in KNBR's wheelhouse when Stern
> leaves.
>
> But, I am going to guess the last thing that Murphy will
> want is a funny "bit" in his timeslot and now he will then
> fall back to his days as a 49er beat writer and interview
> all the Niners. Alot of "giving 110%" type answers then with
> those players. And then, you follow him up with Radnich, who
> show is not really even a sports show, but general interest
> with a sports spin, I just don't see an audience.
>
 
Folks, don't forget that all the Susquehanna stations are for sale and that one of the bidders is current management. All that Susquehanna (or the bidding mgmt) needs is for investors to get all squeamish about an incident like this one. Much better for them in terms of PR/politics to dump the show AND the PD to show that they can act decisively and also to cut off the "fruit of the poisonous tree."

Of course this is pretty ridiculous in terms of what it says about this business but it might partially explain the actions.
 
> Folks, don't forget that all the Susquehanna stations are
> for sale and that one of the bidders is current management.
> All that Susquehanna (or the bidding mgmt) needs is for
> investors to get all squeamish about an incident like this
> one. Much better for them in terms of PR/politics to dump
> the show AND the PD to show that they can act decisively and
> also to cut off the "fruit of the poisonous tree."
>
> Of course this is pretty ridiculous in terms of what it says
> about this business but it might partially explain the
> actions.
>

I don't think it says as much about the business as it does about our ultra-sensitive society where people are actively looking for an opportunity to be offended. The general media mindset that amplifies those outraged voices to create stories out of non-stories does serious harm to fighting legitimate racism, sexism and other isms as well as every American's right to free expression. Think about it. We're losing our right to freely express ourselves not through law, but through cultural intimidation. Fear of bad press, being labeled a racist, losing you job, etc.

Carlin's list of 7 dirty words is growing gang and there are crackpots out there just waiting to add new ones to the list. Sad but true.

I do agree with seaqkumba. Salvadore had no option. His job is to protect the business, not protect Krueger free speech.
 
> Folks, don't forget that all the Susquehanna stations are
> for sale and that one of the bidders is current management.
> All that Susquehanna (or the bidding mgmt) needs is for
> investors to get all squeamish about an incident like this
> one. Much better for them in terms of PR/politics to dump
> the show AND the PD to show that they can act decisively and
> also to cut off the "fruit of the poisonous tree."
>
> Of course this is pretty ridiculous in terms of what it says
> about this business but it might partially explain the
> actions.
>
Susquehanna has never been particularly courageous when it comes to standing up to special interest groups. I blog about one of their atlanta radio stations and have written about Susquehanna's spinelessness.
 
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