Chris “Mad Dog” Russo said he understands why MLB Network dropped his High Heat show after 11 years, but he doesn’t want to be viewed as a “victim.”
Russo announced last Friday during High Heat it would be the show’s final broadcast after more than 2,200 episodes. He is still expected to be a regular contributor to MLBN.
The veteran broadcaster shared his thoughts about High Heat’s demise on the latest edition of the SI Media with Jimmy Traina podcast. He pointed out that while MLB Network likely canceled the show for budget reasons, he’d thought about leaving it last year.
“There’s a couple of things,” Russo said. “Number one, I was even debating whether I would do it this last year. And, you know, the media landscape has changed an awful lot from where I first started doing this 11 years (ago), as far as cable access and all those things. You know, the media business, you know how tricky it is right now as far as companies trying to save money left and right. MLB is no different there.
“Probably from a bang for their buck with ratings, putting me in at 11 a.m. for the money they pay, they may not think they’re getting enough value for that based on ratings. They can put on a lot of day games as it is. They can extend the morning show that they have with [Mark] DeRosa and Lauren Shehadi and Robert Flores. So, I mean, I’m replaceable, to make a long story short.”
Russo’s High Heat co-host, Alanna Rizzo, said this week she is “exploring new opportunities.”
“Listen, 11 years is a long time,” Russo said. “I feel more bad for Alanna than I do for myself because Alanna, you know, this is an important piece of income for Alanna. She loves doing it. I love doing it, too. I have other things that I can do to occupy my time. Alanna doesn’t have as much. So, I do feel a little bit more for Alanna … and the producers as well.”
The bottom line for Russo: High Heat had a great run, but he has plenty to keep him busy.
“I don’t want to come across as the poor victim here, that’s not fair,” Russo said.
“Maybe it’s time. I have three jobs. I’m 65, kids all over America. Maybe take a little blow. And this was an opportunity to take that little blow.”
