PHOENIX — Just one week ago, the sports world was buzzing after the Arizona Diamondbacks won two games in Philadelphia to win the National League Championship and advance to their second World Series in team history.
One of the major storylines surrounding that victory came from longtime sports radio talk show host Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo who said he would retire if the D-backs won the NLCS after going to Philadelphia on the brink of elimination.
The D-backs did just that but Russo did not retire.
Instead, he has been working at the World Series and has even been at Chase Field and 12Sports found him in the outfield stands before Game 5.
"They threw me in the centerfield bleachers and the fans have been coming along this railing here the whole three or four days," Russo said. "And I would say about 80% of them have been really nice. It's about 20% of them that have given me a hard time, 'Thought you'd retire, get out of here! What are you doing in Phoenix?' But for the most part, they've done a nice job here the fans. they've been cordial."
Russo said he was actually happy to be wrong about the D-backs winning the NLCS because it meant he got to come to Phoenix and see his son, Tim, who is an assistant coach for the Northern Arizona University men's basketball team.
"I got the NAU guys tickets to come down to see the ballgame in Game 3," Russo said. "I hadn't seen him since August. So Little Timmy Russo comes down with his coaching staff, (NAU Head Coach) Shane Barcar and all these guys. They came down, we hung out with him for 45 minutes in Game 3 the other night too. So that was good."
When 12Sports spoke with Russo, he was wearing a Torey Lovullo Diamondbacks jersey, which was given to him by the D-backs manager. Russo said that is his punishment for not retiring.
"(Lovullo) told me to wear it as long as I'm in Phoenix," Russo said. "And of course as long as this series goes, if Arizona wins (Wednesday), I will wear it as we move it along."
Russo added that he doesn't regret what he said, but that he feels the retirement comments got blown out of proportion.
"Listen, if you're a talk show host and you're on as much as I am on the radio, you are going to say some things that might get a little misconstrued," Russo said. "And this probably got a little misconstrued but give Lovullo credit. Remember his father was the executive director, executive producer of 'Hee Haw.' And he grew up on a set of 'All in the Family.' So he kind of knows entertainment. And he never once got mad at me. Players (were) a different story, but not him. So I give him credit."
Russo also said he loved the impression of him done by Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall.
"What a good guy he was," Russo said. "You have to take it. It's sports. There's enough issues in the world. Have some fun with it."
12Sports also asked Russo if he thinks the Diamondbacks will win Game 5.
"I don't put it past them," Russo said. "But (Rangers starting pitcher Nathan) Eovaldi is going to be very difficult to beat and the thing that bothers me about Arizona is Texas has won 10 straight games on the road in the postseason. That worries me a little bit. So from that standpoint, I think I have to give the edge to Texas."
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made the State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers also play at the Footprint. Phoenix has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall; and Cactus League Spring Training.
12Sports on YouTube
Watch more of the latest sports videos on the 12News YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe!