Safe to say we are the sports talk radio jinx. Back in September, we wrote an article “touting” (so to speak) the best sports talk shows from the standpoint of the sports bettor. Two of the best, Joe Benigo of WFAN in New York and Rick Ballou of 1010 XL in Jacksonville, were taken off solo gigs and partnered with co-hosts. The two purists were likely watered down in the name of “guy radio,” a bigger ratings winner that adulterates sports discussion with shtick.

Benigo now shares airtime with Evan Roberts while Ballou is diluted by former Jacksonville Jaguar Tom McManus.

In one of the great twists of irony, WPEN in Philadelphia is now part of the ESPN Radio Network. In the process, they are putting behind the mic one of the loudmouths they railed against. Then known as SR950, WPEN often ran commercials taking potshots at their rival 610 WIP.

“You’re a moron, you’re an idiot and if you listen to that, you probably are,” correctly bragged an oft-run commercial on WPEN. Problem is the slam is a not-so-subtle reference to former WIP personality Mike Missanelli, as well as Missanelli’s separated-at-birth mudslinging monger Steve Martorano and sports talk Dean Howard Eskin.

Unfortunately sports talk purist Jody McDonald gets demoted to mid-mornings to make room for the ad hominem merchant Missanelli.

Guy radio is fine, but that’s why we have Phil Hendrie, Dennis Miller and others as viable alternatives. Sadly though, that format continues to debase sports radio.

The anti-smear ads on Sports Radio 950 have been replaced with promos about Missanelli returning to drive time. The irony is duly noted.

The author is Joe Duffy. His sports betting selections are at www.GodsTips.com   He is former General Manager of the Freescoreboard scorephone network and CEO of OffshoreInsiders.com, the premier hub of world-class handicappers.