BURKE HANGS UP ON RADIO HOST

Leafs GM Brian Burke hung up on a radio host during a live interview Tuesday after being asked about his job security, but said he had good reason to do it.

“The producer asked if I would do an interview regarding two issues,” Burke said in an email Tuesday evening. “When I became convinced a coaching change was needed, and what I thought our chances were of making the playoffs. Then I get ( Hockey Night in Canada commentator Don) Cherry and a personal challenge, which I ignored. Then a second personal challenge, so I snapped at him.”

Burke and Newstalk 1010 host John Moore discussed the GM’S difficulty in firing longtime friend Ron Wilson, the Leafs’ playoff chances and Cherry’s rant on Coach’s Corner on the weekend.

But the interview turned sour when Moore said: “Changing coaches is always an option, but a lot of people on a panel I was hosting this weekend said it was time for the general manager to be changed.”

Burke responded: “Well, I haven’t heard that. . . . That’s up to ownership. I wish you’d told me before you asked me to do this interview that that was going to be your last question, a nice little cheap shot . . .”

Moore: “I’m giving you a chance to answer it.”

Burke: “Well, that’s up to ownership, when the GM gets changed. But I wish you’d told me that off the air before, you were going to take a little swing on the way out. But I guess that’s what people in your line of work do.”

Moore: “Well, Brian Burke, I’m not taking a swing. The possibility of a general manager being changed when a team isn’t performing well is always there. So I’m asking you if you feel like you’re close to the door.

Burke: “No, I don’t. And I think it’s an ignorant question, and a gutless one, too.”

Click.