Who needs a Sports God?

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The reason you haven't heard Dave Smith doing either morning (co-hosting with Roger Lodge) or afternoon weekday sports talk shows on the Angels' KLAA-AM 830 is pretty simple: They've let him go. For a couple of weeks now.

Smith's extended contract ran out on June 30, when Angels team president/program director Dennis Kuhl told him that he wasn't going to be renewed. He had been at the station since March 31, 2008, and had a three-month extension through the end of June.

"The only explanation I got was that they didn't have any money," said Smith, the Chatsworth resident and a former two-time No. 1 pick in the Daily News annual best/worst of L.A. Sports Talk Show hosts.

"I was shocked. The whole year they'd told me I was doing a great job and they'd take care of me. I'd been doing a double shift for nine months."

And that, apparently, meant nothing much. Co-hosting from 6-to-10 a.m. -- especially effective during the Nick Adenhart coverage -- and then from 3 to 7 p.m. was a ridiculous thing to ask anyone to do, but Smith was willing to help the station get its feet planted.

Smith, an L.A.-based sports-talk show host for 15 years, now finds out what many former hosts already know: It's a tough job market to find any kind of work.

"I just hope I don't have to move out of town," said Smith. "I'm hanging in. There was no severance pay. I've got another month or so but them I might be in trouble."

Smith still has his website (http://thesportsgod.com/) that's in need up an update on his situation.


7 Comments

SportsRadio101 Author Profile Page said:

About time you gave us an update on Dave Smith Tom. If it had been your boy Fatty McDonnell you would have written about it the same day. Dave was treated like s**t by KLAA and the Angels. The guy is a true Angel fan & showed loyalty to the station and that's how they treat him? They then decide to keep a NO TALENT HACK & former dating show TV host Roger Dodger Lodge on. Dennis Kuhl doesn't know what he is going at KLAA. That station is a joke!! Biggsy is a nice guy, but he is not drive-time material. Let's hope KSPN is smart and hire Dave.

para's Author Profile Page said:

Dave would fire up the useless am570 noon to 3 p.m. slot. How does Chris Myers have a slot here in LA over Smith is just a sign of the sports talk radio times. What a shame.

MODEVIL Author Profile Page said:

I agree about Smith. He'd probably be a good addition to the Mychal Thompson and Siciliano show on 710. A 3 man show worked well for 570 for Mychal because of his constant travel with the Lakers.

Meyers and Hartman show is awful and I never listen except from 3-4 when Petros and Money give them shit.

dmitriy2000 Author Profile Page said:

What a shame that Dave Smith was laid off, what a HUGE mistake!!!
He is the BEST radio host in entire Los Angeles!
How can you do it to him, bastards!
Now the show sucks without Dave. Rodger Lodge SUCK!
I will not turn on this radio station one time anymore, same for ALL MY FRIENDS!!!

dmitriy2000 Author Profile Page said:

What a shame that Dave Smith was laid off, what a HUGE mistake!!!
He is the BEST radio host in entire Los Angeles!
How can you do it to him, bastards!
Now the show sucks without Dave. Rodger Lodge SUCK!
I will not turn on this radio station one time anymore, same for ALL MY FRIENDS!!!

sexybackdoc Author Profile Page said:

Why is it that Dave keeps getting laid off... is he that hard to get along with ? Dave has some great opinions ,funny and alot of betting advice if you read between the lines(words in his case).I think his best partner was Arnie. I had to e mail Steve Kim at maxboxing to get updates on him,when he disappears from sight.Dave...I know you'll read these comments,Alot of people are waiting your return.Please update us on whats going on with you at your website

socalredsfan Author Profile Page said:

Well the station monkey needs to be fired!! How the hell do u keep Roger Lodge over Dave Smith! The show was great with them both, Roger tries to hard!! I no longer listen to the show!) o = was the best part of my moring drive.Dave hope u find a new show soon cuz alot of us miss the hell out of u!!!Roger if u want to save your radio show, demand Dave back! u blow by your self brother!!! FIRE HE MONKEY ARTIE!!!!!

Dave Pasadena/socalredsfan

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Tom Hoffarth writes about sports and sports media for the Los Angeles Daily News.

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This page contains a single entry by Tom Hoffarth published on July 21, 2009 2:30 PM.

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Recent Comments

socalredsfan on Who needs a Sports God?: Well the station monkey needs to be fired!! How the hell do u keep Rog ...

sexybackdoc on Who needs a Sports God?: Why is it that Dave keeps getting laid off... is he that hard to get a ...

dmitriy2000 on Who needs a Sports God?: What a shame that Dave Smith was laid off, what a HUGE mistake!!! He i ...

dmitriy2000 on Who needs a Sports God?: What a shame that Dave Smith was laid off, what a HUGE mistake!!! He i ...

MODEVIL on Who needs a Sports God?: I agree about Smith. He'd probably be a good addition to the Mychal Th ...

para's on Who needs a Sports God?: Dave would fire up the useless am570 noon to 3 p.m. slot. How does Ch ...

SportsRadio101 on Who needs a Sports God?: About time you gave us an update on Dave Smith Tom. If it had been you ...

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