The Pomp And Joe Show

All the stars. Former Cook and Joe Show producer Matt Koll joined the show. The final Wheel of Ball with Joe, Ron, and Foalsie. Joe's favorite memory of Ron. They connected over their childhoods playing sports. The winnest coach in Western PA history Jim Render joined the show. Jim's teams dominated for a long time. He called to congratulate Ron and wish him well.  Kentucky basketball and local legend John Calipari joined the show. Ron was so happy for what John did for Robert Morris and the NIT game for his hometown team in Moon Township. John commended Ron for how he did his job and the level of respect. World Series Champion manager Terry Francona joined the show to thank Ron. 

Former Penguins VP of Communications Tom McMillan joined the show. Tom and Ron remember when they looked at each other in 1991 and said "wow, the Penguins are going to win the Stanley Cup." Ron recounts a great story with Badger Bob Johnson about how winning the Stanley Cup doesn't happen often. Starkey Six Pack - Brewers sign Gary Sanchez, Alexander said if the Steelers and Seahawks played Super Bowl XL 100 times, the time the Steelers won is the only one the Steelers would win. James Harrison blasts Steelers current expectations. Pitt basketball beat N.C. State 67-64 last night.

Ron looks back on his career in Pittsburgh. He's going out on top.  Pitt basketball legend Billy Knight surprised us all and called in to congratulate Ron. 

(Cook and Joe Whole show from Monday 2-5)

A huge announcement kicks off the show today for the Cook and Joe Show with Bob Pompeani. Ron Cook announces he is retiring from the FAN and moving to Florida. The surprises start rolling in. Doc Emerick joins the show to talk to Ron and congratulate him on his retirement. Doc asks Ron some names and what stories come with those names. 

Alejandro Villenueva and David Decastro call in to wish Ron a happy retirement. Laura West who works in the Media Room at PPG thanks Ron for being kind in the room. Rick Tocchet calls in as well to continue the day of surprises for Ron Cook. 

More surprises for Ron Cook. Former Pirates Manager Jim Leyland calls in as well as current Pirates Manager Derek Shelton calls in. Both wish Ron well in his retirement. Ron wants to talk about sports but he does not know there are more surprises in store for him. 

Ron Cook's number one player to cover, Jerome Bettis calls in. Jerome thanks Ron for treating him as a person and not a story. Jack Hamm also calls to wish Ron a very happy retirement. 

Pitt basketball head coach Jamie Dixon. Steelers QB Legend Ben Roethlisberger calls in to add to the surprises for Ron. But the person who means the most to Ron, his daughter Taylor Cook calls in. She says she has been begging Ron for some FAN merch and Ron has yet to deliver. Cherry on top is Bruce Arians calls in to tell Ron he was the best person he ever worked with in the media. 

Joe Kopp aka Horse and Matt Koll aka Foalsie, former producers of the Cook and Joe show, call in to wish Ron a happy retirement. Even though Ron did not recognize Horse at the top of the hour. 

Ed Bouchette joins the show to add to the ever growing list of people to wish Ron a happy farewell. Ron and Ed exchange stories about the Pittsburgh Maulers and Ron says it may have been the most fun he had while covering a team. Joe asks what is the biggest change Ron has seen in the business over the years. Ron tells the story about the time Dave Parker threatened to kill him. He then talks about his most memorable game he ever covered. 

The last caller of the day, Lanny Frattare calls to offer Ron a teaching position at Waynesburg's journalism program. Ron reminisces about the time Bob called in while he was in a hot tub. Ron thanks the guys for all the surprises they put together today.

The Cook and Joe show from Wednesday, February 7, 2024. 

Hour 1 with Ron Cook and Joe Starkey: Ron is worried about being able to get through tomorrow's show without showing so much emotion. Noel Acciari was crushed in the face by the Jets' Brenden Dillon and his helmet flew off as Acciari hit the ice. Dillon was elected and the Penguins scored two goals on the five-minute major penalty. The Edmonton Oilers lost to Vegas and their winning streak couldn't match the 1992-93 Penguins record of 17 games. Starkey talked to Scotty Bowman this morning and broke the news to him that the Penguins win streak as the best in NHL history remains No. 1.  Audacy betting insider Chelsa Messinger joined the show. SUPER BOWL SUNDAY between Kansas City and San Francisco this Sunday at 6:30pm. The most money is on Travis Kelce to win Super Bowl MVP, but Patrick Mahomes is the betting favorite. You can bet on what color Taylor Swift is wearing and if Travis Kelce will propose. Callers congratulate Ron on his retirement. Jeff Patton of the Baseball Card Castle has a Ron Cook 1972 card and a Patrick Mahomes game used jersey card. 

Hour 2 with Ron Cook and Joe Starkey: Steelers Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount joined the show. Mel congratulates Ron on his retirement and tells the story of how the NFL made the 'Mel Blount rule' because of how physical Mel was with receivers.  Mel's influence with young people and helping those that need an extra boost has been a great part of his impact in the community. His foundation is hosting a celebrity roast of Bill Cowher. Ray Fittipaldo's first mock draft is here. Some of Ron's favorite callers including his old baseball coach and Lou in Staten Island congratulate Ron on his retirement. 

Hour 3 with Ron Cook and Joe Starkey: Penguins analyst Jay Caufield joined the show. Jay starts off by thanking Ron for all he's done for Pittsburgh and is going to miss him. Tristan Jarry looked under control and stellar against the Jets in the Pens' 3-0 win last night. The Dillon hit on Acciari ended up being a five-minute major and Dillon was ejected. The Pens scored two goals during the span and put the game out of reach. Scotty Bowman led the Penguins to the greatest winning streak in NHL history at 17 games. Jagr is being honored in a few weeks with his jersey No. 68 in the rafters. Jay thinks Mario will probably be at Mario's ceremony and would be surprised if he wasn't. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of The Athletic joined the show. Mark said Ron is the type of guy that you were first intimidated by, but then you realize is like a Teddy Bear. Ron always showed up and wanted to be everywhere. Hines Ward doesn't have much coaching experience and Mark doesn't know if he's the right fit. The WR coach needs to be someone to keep Pickens and Johnson in line. An older coach like Richard Mann is the prototype. Another coach we know of is a critical piece to add on offense. Pittsburgh TV legend Sally Wiggin joined the show. Sally said before she did Steelers shows, she would read Ron's stories for weeks to gain knowledge. She said Ron was very funny during their interactions. 

Hour 4 with Ron Cook and Joe Starkey: Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk joined the show. Bob wished Ron well and went back to their conversations on KDKA. Bob's excited to see what Paul Skenes can do for the Pirates this season. Bob is going to try and see Ron during spring training. Would catcher Gary Sanchez come to the Pirates? Listeners dropped off gifts for Ron. Greg Giannotti chimed in with an impression. What's Cookin'. 

Listeners dropped off gifts for Ron. Greg Gianotti chimed in with an impression. What's Cookin'.