THE GODFATHER OF SPORTS TALK RADIO
Arthur George Rust Jr. paved the way for today’s Sports Talk Stations
Before there was “Mike and the Mad Dog” and “The Michael Kay Show”, sports talk radio was basically non-existent in the New York metropolitan area. Growing up in suburbia central New Jersey in the 1980’s all my media consumption (Radio & T.V.) was from New York City affiliates. Then something wonderful happened to avid sports fans like myself, a sports talk radio show called “The Art Rust Jr. Show” became the “little engine that could”.
Sports talk radio and general sports coverage was limited to 5 minutes on the evening news and spot shows on the radio. ESPN was born in 1980 nationally and was limited in the scope of sports coverage. “The Art Rust Jr. Show” was a creation out of a terrible time in Baseball, the 1981 player/owner strike. Hired originally to do the Yankees Pre-Game show, Art Rust Jr. was on every night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. while the strike was in progress and to satisfy the disheartened baseball fans. However, something wonderful happened, radio found an audience to launch an all sports talk radio show.
Arthur George “Art” Rust Jr. was born, October 13, 1927 in Harlem New York. He was a successful sports broadcaster for half a century. He was also a sports historian and author. Rust graduated from Long Island University and was hired by WWRL Radio in Woodside, Queens in September 1954. He began in their merchandising department, but within 2 months he was on the air. At WWRL, Rust hosted the “Schaefer Circle Sports” for 14 years, becoming one of the first African American Sportscasters. Rust interviewed sports icons such as Hank Aaron and Sonny Liston. As a music lover, rust mixed up show with interviews with artists like James Brown and Miles Davis, who was a close friend.
In 1967, Rust landed a position as a sports announcer for NBC TV. After six years with NBC, Rust decided to return to radio as a sports director at WMCA, and as a sports broadcaster and commentator for WINS radio.
1981-START ME UP
Art Rust Jr. signed on with WABC for his sportstalk show. He interviewed everyone from Joe DiMaggio to Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.
Unlike today’s Sports Radio format, “The Art Rust Jr.” show was a lot more fan friendly. For example, a frequent guest on his show in the 1980’s was retired Yankees outfielder Roy White. When you would call the show you not only spoke with Mr. Rust but you were also allowed to speak with his guest. I was lucky enough to call and speak with Roy White a few times. Today, “The Michael Kay Show” or “The Mike Francesa Show” will have an in-studio guest to be interviewed and they do not take calls at that time or allow any interaction. Much like today’s baseball games where it is much more difficult to interact with the players for autographs due to post “911” safety concerns. The game and the media are much more distant from the avid fan.
ROY WHITE
Frequent guest on “The Art Rust Jr.” show.
WRITING WITH A PURPOSE
Art Rust Jr. was not only an accomplished Broadcaster and Sports Talk Show host he was a writer of several books and newspaper columns for “The New York Amsterdam News” and “The Daily News”. His books were collaborated with his wife Edna Rust and some covered the critical African American issues as they related to sports in society. Published in 1976; “Get that “N” off the Field” explored the rocky beginnings of blacks in baseball and was as controversial for that time as it possibly could be. The title alone lit up the uncomfortable conversation about racism. A conversation we are still having today. “Art Rust’s Illustrated History of the Black Athlete” celebrated greats like Jesse Owens and Althea Gibson. He co-wrote the book “Darryl” with one-time troubled African American baseball player Darryl Strawberry in 1992.
Edna Rust, Art’s loving wife and collaborator on his books died suddenly in 1986. In her memory at the end of each radio sports show he would always say “Good Night Edna Baby”. He eventually re-married in 1991 and was father to Suzanne Rust, a writer based in New York, and grandfather to her two children.
THE FINAL CHAPTER
Rust worked with New York Radio Station WBLS from 1991 to 1994, but his last few years found him working selectively. He was a contributor for “Black Issues Book Review” and kept up with the world of sports through books, newspapers and friends in the business. His favorite pastimes were doting on his two grandchildren and listening to his extensive collection of jazz records. Arthur George Rust Junior died on January 12, 2010 at the age of 82.
Growing up in the 1980’s as an avid Yankees fan my friends and I were obsessed with “The Art Rust Jr. Show”. Remember, his daily sports talk show was the first of it’s kind and was far ahead of ESPN programming. Like I had stated earlier, I was lucky enough to call into the radio show and speak with Art and his guests several times. Mr. Rust was always respectful and kind and never made you feel stupid with any question or thought you had. Unlike some of the “shock” sports shows today where being rude is common place and cutting you off before you make your point is customary. He paved the way for African American sports broadcasters and show hosts of today; Dave Simms (WFAN — Seattle Mariners), Stephen A. Smith (ESPN), Mike Tirico (NBC) to name some. Art Rust Jr. will forever be the pioneer and Godfather of Sports Radio. Good night Art!
