We knew about the departure of KJR 950's Mike Gastineau since earlier this week--we probably should of seen the writing on the wall for Ken Schram, since the budget cuts at Fisher this year reduced his presence to small radio commentaries and TV 4 "Schrammie" awards.
Schram, who had been at KOMO since 1977 as reported in the P-I
"My position here at KOMO 4 News has been eliminated," Schram wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday morning. "Today is the last 'Schrammie' and next Monday will be my last commentary.
"I'd be less than candid if I didn't acknowledge how disappointed I am to have my 35+ year career at KOMO end this way. Still it's been a great run. I don't know what the future holds, but I'll keep you posted here on Facebook. Thanks for all the years that you've allowed me to share."
In a 2001 P-I feature story, Schram said he tries to answer each of the hundreds of e-mails he receives, even the ones calling into question his sanity or his parentage. He said it's part of his desire to make a connection, to provoke thought.
"There's a void in intelligent journalism," Schram told the P-I's John Levesque. "We need to bring thoughtful directness back."
Schram spent nearly two decades writing and reading KOMO editorials on the air and hosted "Town Meeting' for 18 years until it was canceled in 1999.
As far as Mike Gastineau his seperation was voluntary according to his statement from KJR:
Sports Radio 950 KJR AM, Seattle’s live and local sports station, announced today that Afternoon Drive Host, Mike “Gasman” Gastineau, has announced he will leave the station after more than 21 years as a talk show host. Gastineau’s final show will air on Thursday, December 6, 2012 from 3-7:00 p.m. PST.
“I can’t thank Mike enough – both personally and professionally, for his talent, dedication and passion. Mike has been a pillar for Sports Radio KJR and a sports icon in the Seattle market,” said Rich Moore, Program Director, Sports Radio KJR. “His voice on Sports Talk in the afternoon will be missed and his relationship with listeners in the market will not be forgotten. We wish him nothing but the best in his next chapter.”
Gastineau arrived in Seattle in June of 1991. KJR made the switch to an all Sports Talk format in October 1991, when he teamed up with Rick DuPree to co-host the midday show. Since September 1993 Gastineau has anchored the afternoon drive which led him to the center of discussions that helped shape public opinion to build Safeco Field, CenturyLink Field, Emerald Downs and more recently the proposed new basketball arena in SoDo. Gastineau also spearheaded a yearly auction, the “KJR Kares-a-thon,” which has raised more than $1.5 million over 17 years for various Puget Sound charities.
Let's not forget that the Mariners are looking for a full time announcer, to replace the "microphone by committe" it used to replace Dave Niehaus. Could Gas be the one chosen?
Posted by: Mike Barer | December 05, 2012 at 07:51 PM
when you have nothing to say but blaber you get a schrammie.it abour 25 years late.
Posted by: Krcolvin | December 05, 2012 at 11:08 PM
Maybe Gas is moving to the New CBS Sports radio network...
Posted by: MartiniMonkey70 | December 06, 2012 at 10:49 AM
3 RIPs. One for real.
http://orbusmax.com/
On November 8th, Jim Walker (a.k.a. "The Orb") passed away peacefully in his sleep. Jim had many passions in life, he was deeply committed to his family, his faith, friends, music and politics just to name a few. He was a good and honorable man, and he will be deeply missed.
For those of you just finding out about Jim's passing, we're very sorry to have to break the news to you in this way. Jim had so many friends, acquaintances, and followers that we were simply unable to contact everyone directly.
Orbusmax.com will return as the news portal so many of you have come to rely on. We think Jim would have wanted it that way.
We'll try and be back up and running around mid-December.
Sincerely,
The family and friends of Jim Walker
I still have some very angry email exchanges between me and Jim. Despite all political differences, my condolences to his family and his memory.
Posted by: Merciful Nate | December 06, 2012 at 05:16 PM
Good post, Nate !
As for Schrambo and Gas, life goes on, but they will both be missed on the local airwaves.
Posted by: KS | December 06, 2012 at 10:42 PM
Past competitor's in Gasman's timeslot, Robin and Maynard, Tom Leykis, who can think of some others?
Posted by: Mike Barer | December 07, 2012 at 08:58 AM
Maybe, the Gas man will resurface on 710 ESPN. BTW, Marni Hughes from Q-13 looks kinda like Jenny Jones & almost like Kerry Sayers, formerly of FSN/Root Sports.
Posted by: T-Bag | December 13, 2012 at 04:22 AM