Will Mad Dog Russo actually retire after promising to “retire on the spot” if the Arizona Diamondbacks ousted the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS?
That’s a question many people are asking themselves after Arizona’s 4-2 win at Citizens Bank Park in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series on Tuesday night.
It appears Russo might have answered the question himself on Tuesday morning, with an appearance on The Howard Stern Show.
Russo appeared on the show to talk about his vow, and what he would do to not follow through with it.
It appears that the solution was Russo wearing a Diamondbacks bikini while walking through the streets of New York City with a sign saying he was a “liar and dope.”
“If this is the only way I can get back my good name, I’ll have to do it,” Russo said.
Russo said that besides his public humiliation, he would also make a donation to a Diamondbacks charity.
He also said he wanted to beg for Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo’s forgiveness.
“I have to get him on the air before the World Series,” Russo said on the air. “I have to beg forgiveness from the Diamondbacks manager.”
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Chris Russo’s retirement vow before end of Diamondbacks vs. Phillies series
Before the Diamondbacks faced the Phillies in Game 6 on Monday, Chris Russo, a sports talk host, famously (or now infamously) said:
“To make a long story short, I’ve been wrong on Arizona from Day 1,” Russo said on Mad Dog Radio. “I’m stunned they beat Milwaukee, I thought they’d be swept by the Dodgers, I never thought they’d even go back to Philly for a Game 6. I’ll try it one more time: I would not be stunned if they won tonight (Monday’s Game 6), I’d be floored.”
He continued: “I’ll say this right now … write it down,” Russo said. “If they win the next two days, they win the next two games and win this series in seven games, if they win, I will retire on the spot.”
More:If DBacks beat Phillies, sports talk host says ‘I will retire on the spot’
Oops?
The Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo had some fun with Russo’s comments before Game 7, telling reporters:
“That type of stuff is kind of entertaining to me because I know Mad Dog has a show and he’s got to do his thing, but I would love to see him quit if we won today,” Lovullo told reporters. “You know what I mean? There’s nothing better than a wise guy New Yorker saying something and then having to chomp on those words, so that’s how I’m processing it and it will be great. He’s a friend of mine. I love Mad Dog and I know that he’s going to end up hearing this.”
‘Love to see him quit’:Arizona Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo responds to Mad Dog Russo
Social media has fun with Chris Russo’s retirement ‘promise’
Interestingly, Russo posted a message on social media before Game 7, writing: “I stand by my promise.”
The Diamondbacks, and others on social media, had fun with Russo’s retirement vow after Arizona’s win to advance to the World Series.
So did Russo’s son, Tim, who is an assistant men’s basketball coach at NAU.
The Republic’s Richard Ruelas contributed to this story.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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