10 Questions with ... Bob Harvey

NAME:Bob Harvey TITLE:Sports Anchor/Sports Investment Analyst STATION:Metro Networks -- KFWB COMPANY:Metro Networks MARKET:Los Angeles BORN:March 23, 1953 RAISED:Southern California

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

36 years in radio. 25 years of sports radio in Los Angeles. Host of Dodger Talk from 2003 - 2007. My sports background includes play by play of division one football, basketball and baseball. My country music experience includes programming morning and afternoon air talent. Stops include KZLA, 93.9 Los Angeles. Producer and host of PBS TV television series ("Country Connection").

1. How did you get your start in radio? Why radio?

Straight out of high school, the first station I applied at was KROP in Brawley, California. I was waiting for an interview. And unknown to me, the General Manager was in the process of firing his evening air talent. It was a classic case of being at the right place at the right time.

It was a passion I had as a teenager while listening to Vin Scully.

2. About what are you most passionate these days?

Being on the air and my web site.

3. You got a lot of attention when your (and callers') criticism of the Dodgers while you hosted the team's "Dodger Talk" post-game show drew the wrath of the team. Do you think it's possible for a sports talk show on a station that carries a local team's games to be totally fearless about criticizing the team? In retrospect, would you change anything about how you approached "Dodger Talk"?

I would not change a thing.

I think that every show should be fair and balanced. Most sports talk listeners that I know despise homers. Those listeners want a forum in which they can both vent and praise. Otherwise, it is a one-sided very vanilla, very boring show. In a market like Los Angeles, sports talk listeners are very passionate and deserve a show that presents both sides.

4. You're doing sports handicapping now -- how did that come about, and what will make you stand out from the large pack of handicappers out there?

I was looking for a career that complimented my radio work. I've always been a sports fan and extremely fascinated by the statistics involved in all sports. I became serious about sports handicapping about 12 years ago, when it became a second career. I would to think my work ethic, my honesty and reputation along with my dedication to the industry will make me stand out from the rest. I'm hoping that my sports background along with my radio and television experience will give me an added advantage.

5. Who are your inspirations, mentors, influences?

Inspiration - Vin Scully
Mentor - My Mom

Influences - Hall of Fame DJ - Bob Mitchell; Handicapper Danny Sheridan; and my wife and partner Rose.

6. You can pick one sports event as your most memorable -- which would it be?

That's an easy one. I covered game one of the 1988 World Series for KFWB and witnessed Kirk Gibson's historic home run.

7. Of what are you most proud?

My family! Career would certainly be second on the list.

8. If you hadn't gone into radio, what do you think you'd be doing right now?

I would either be a sports writer or sports agent.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____________.

...my computer and the Internet.

10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?

Best advice is listen to your wife, she's usually right.

The worst advice I got was vote for George Bush (I didn't)!