STOP THE REUNION

What the Free World does not need is another Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa/Chris (Mad Dog) Russo reunion. The Gasbags used the release of the ESPN documentary chronicling their turbulent WFAN partnership to tease their fans about the possibility of them getting back together in some way, shape, or form. By no means is this the first time they have raised the possibility of reuniting, which they already have done in abbreviated sessions.

Throwing out the possibility always gets FranDog a heavy dose of publicity. It also starts a new wave of speculation. This time around it was Russo who, during an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Maggie Gray, opened the door for the pontiff, who claims he will retire from FAN in December, to join him at SiriusXM’s “Mad Dog Sports Radio.” Russo made the same offer last year.

As stated here at that time, Russo is not part of SXM’s management team. He has no authority to offer anyone a job at SXM. But that doesn’t mean some SXM suit wouldn’t make an unconscious decision and take Francesa in. Of course, that’s assuming the Pope would “lower” himself to 1) Go to work at SXM and 2) Take peanuts in return for delivering his incredible insights to a national satellite radio audience while playing microphone share-zees with Doggie.

Something else to consider: While Francesa and Russo appear to be chummy, a two-man Love Train, there is no way, no way, Russo wants to re-enter the Twilight Zone and once again work with Francesa. Dog is doing just fine as a solo act on SXM and MLBN’s “High Heat.” Why open the door to aggravation at this point in his career?

A radio mole put it the following way: When asked how Russo would react if faced with the realization that he was reuniting with Francesa on a regular basis, the dude put an IMAGINARY knife to his throat and made a slicing gesture.

Beyond the reality of their relationship, there is one overriding factor why FranDog reuniting, on any basis, is a terrible idea. The ESPN documentary captured the natural brilliance of their radio relationship. For whatever reasons — the angst, the passion, the comedy — their radio alliance more than clicked. It was spontaneous artistry born from a collision between confidence and insecurity.

In their cameo appearances together since they split, the natural combustion has been replaced by formulaic prattle. Try as they might to return to the sounds of their past, they will never be able to come close to duplicating the noise. Or recapturing the magic. It’s hard to win when pitted against your own past greatness. As a team, Francesa and Russo set the bar high.

If they ever decide to come together again, they will never again measure up to it.

TALKING ESPN

Beyond the anxiety, sadness, and uncertain future of losing a job, those who lost their gigs at ESPN were subjected to another reality of the times we live in.

Cutting 100-plus people from the payroll was a business decision from ESPN management. Sadly, parts of the media treated it like some sort of event. In the days — in some cases weeks — before the pink slips were issued, there was all this speculation on who might go and who might stay.

Sadly, it resembled coverage of football training camps where getting cut is part of the script. In the case of ESPN, many of those who were released were veterans, who had already contributed to any success ESPN has enjoyed over the years, not rookies looking to win a job.

Anyone in the media who has lived with similar conditions, with other media members speculating on your future, knows it’s not cool (that’s putting it mildly) living under that spotlight.

For those who decided to speculate, we sincerely hope you are never the subject of similar speculation and scrutiny.

GET ROCKIN’ ON ROBIN

ESPN suits will be all smiles in the middle of May when they make their traditional “Upfront” pitches to advertisers in Manhattan. Look for plans for Mike Greenberg’s new TV show to see the light of day at this session as well as the new-look radio show hosted by his soonto-be former partner Mike Golic. Industry sources say Trey Wingo, who replaced Chris Berman hosting the NFL Draft, will be Golic’s new radio partner.

Golic’s son, Mike Jr., also will be a featured player on the radio show.

Which brings us to Golic Jr.’s former early morning ESPN Radio partner, Robin Lundberg, who was one of the ESPN mouths booted during the recent purge. Lundberg might have fared better if he had changed his last name to Golic.

Seriously, though. Lundberg is real. A cat who has paid his dues and always comes to the microphone with original material. The man has an edge but is also likeable. He’s smarter than the rest but doesn’t talk down to the unwashed masses. He’s not trying to be cooler than you are.

Get it? We would not have fired him. But what do we know? One final burning question: If Mike Golic Jr.’s name was Mike Smith Jr. would Robin Lundberg still have a job?

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

While there are legitimate complaints, some from voices calling baseball games, about replay review interrupting the “flow” of the game, one fact of the procedure is ignored.

Many of the replay reviews are sponsored. For example, when there is a review during a Mets tilt on SNY, Gary Cohen informs viewers the review is brought to you by the XYZ company. Then, he or Keith Hernandez or Ron Darling may start complaining about the length of the review.

Perhaps they should speculate on what portion of their salary is paid by that sponsor.

PRAISING CAIN

With Max Kellerman on a boxing assignment, ESPN called on America’s Pest, Will Cain, to co-host “First Take” Friday from some bar in Philly with Stephen A. Smith. Cain didn’t disappoint, basically insulting numerous innocent bystanders, including SAS who was backed up on the ropes by the words exiting his partner’s mouth. Clearly delusional, SAS claimed victory saying: “Going up against you is the equivalent of shadow boxing.” What fight was Smith participating in? We had Cain way ahead on points. And h e didn’t even have to question the nutritional value of a cheese steak to win.