Hot Takes with Angelo Cataldi
Angelo on mic for his final show.
Favorite thing about Philadelphia fans?
“Loyalty. They’re always there for you, tell you what they think. I love that.”
Favorite Philadelphia athletes?
Wilt Chamberlain. “He was the reason I love sports. He will always be my favorite.”
Allen Iverson “was a great player and a fun guy to talk about.”
Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins: “Those were spectacular guys who really resonated with the city. “
Nick Foles. “Nick gave us a gift. He gave us a championship.”
Most underrated Philly athlete?
“Nobody ever talks about Brad Lidge. He saved all 48 games in ’08.”
Jake Elliot, the Eagles’ kicker. “He won a championship for me with his foot. No one ever gave him any credit.”
Favorite Philadelphia sports moment?
“I don’t know if it’s a moment. It was the whole Super Bowl LII. The ball hitting the ground on the final play and, and that amazing realization that the dream had come true. Nothing in my life as a sports fan will top that. Doug Pederson was never on our show where I didn’t thank him for that game.”
Worst Philadelphia sports moment:
“The final game ever at Veterans Stadium. The Eagles needed to beat Tampa to go to the Super Bowl. Things are going fine, and then there’s a pass over the middle to Joe Jurevicious of Tampa and he starts running and he never stopped. And the Eagles lost the last game ever at Veterans Stadium. It’s still awful.”
Favorite radio show guests?
“There were so many great ones. Mike Lombardi was a phenomenal guy on football. Todd Zolecki was a great baseball guy. Ross Tucker was great on anything we needed him for. Among coaches and managers, I really enjoyed talking to Nick Siriani. And Pete Mackanin, was such a good guy, only a Phillies manager for a couple of years, honest, forthright gentleman, loved talking to him. Among players, Brandon Graham and Jason Kelce are at the top of my list. Jason just understands the role of a Philadelphia sports figure.”
Favorite sports journalists?
“Ray Didinger will always be #1. The late, great Stan Hochman – phenomenal, fearless, brilliant wordsmith. Among the current guys, I love Marcus Hayes, he writes difficult things and proves his point. Mike Sielski is as good as we’ve ever had as a sports columnist in this town. We’ve been very blessed in this city with the sports journalists we’ve had.”
Favorite word?
“Wunderkind”
Was the Super Bowl LVII holding penalty legit?
“No! It was not legit for a simple reason. They had already established that they weren’t calling that all day. They set the template, then changed it with the game on the line. No, it should not have been called. See, I’m still mad.”