Replacing Rod Simons at KSTP

It’s hard to imagine, really, that Rod Simons won’t be on our TV screens much longer.  So many good memories gone by the wayside.

Like that time when…

Or how about when…

And remember when…

OK, we couldn’t come up with any definitive on-air memories of Rod Simons’ time at KSTP.  He’s got a creepy grin, and his incessant homerism is admirable in a Hillary Clinton-like never-give-up sort of way.  That is to say we don’t really like it, but it must take considerable effort to keep up the facade. So we appreciate the lengths he must go through on that.

So now, it’s time to move on with a heavy heart and talk about just who can fill his capable shoes.  Let’s count up the possibilities from 5 to 1:

5.  Justin Conzemius.  KSTP says they’re considering non-traditional options.  How about a former Gopher athlete who has been quite good in his limited media appearances thus far?  Conzemius’s weekly college football previews on KFAN are solid and he’s done a little game work on the side.

4. Jeff Grayson.  Former KMSP guy has stayed in market, and worked with the WIld. 

3.  Mike Max.  One of the few persons in town who can match Simons’ uncanny ability to relentlessly cheerlead for the home teams.  Max, though, is tied to WCCO across both TV and radio.   KSTP could offer Max a spot on 1500-AM, and perhaps “The Sports Show” could be ported in to replace the now-departed “Sports Wrap”.

2.  Anne Hutchinson.  The internal heir apparent.  Since moving to KSTP, Hutchinson has largely avoided the career-killing unprofessionalism that marked her time at WCCO.  Of course, she has also proven to be bland and not terribly insightful.  But since when has that mattered?

1. Eric Perkins.  I find him, and “Perk at Play” to be nails-on-chalkboard annoying.  But, he’s been in the market a long time, and apparently has something of a devoted following.  He’s probably best as a weekend guy/reporter, but if he’s looking for a shot to be the main guy instead of being Randy Shaver’s caddy at KARE, this could be it.