Thank you for listening to Baseball Beat with Charley Steiner over the last four years. Our goal was to provide an intelligent and entertaining show that gave listeners the necessary daily information to enjoy the game of baseball better.
The Beat was designed to give listeners a chance to eavesdrop on Charley chatting with your local and national media while giving you a greater picture of the life and career of writers and broadcasters covering the game. We celebrated when a writer broke a story or a broadcaster painted the canvas to a dramatic game. It has been an wonderful ride that we shared with you daily. Thank you.
Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments on this post or e-mail the Baseball Beat staff at BaseballBeat@gmail.com.
UPDATE: Be sure to check out Tyler Kepner’s piece in the New York Times BATS blog entitled XM’s ‘Baseball Beat’ Signs Off.
33 responses so far ↓
Deaner // January 16, 2009 at 12:06 pm |
Charlie,
I have been a subscriber of XM radio for four years and have listened to your show religiously. I’m sorry to see your show go, but I just wanted to say, thanks for doing it. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of Baseball Beat and the way that reliable information was discussed in a chatty and folksy manner. Nothing but class my friend.
Grant Shorter // January 16, 2009 at 12:53 pm |
Thank you so much for a wonderful show! I’m sad to see it go. It was one of the reasons i turned my XM on during the day. Insightful, entertaining and wonderful guests. Your show was like talking to an old friend. Thank you so much and i hope to hear you on the air waves in the future.
mark // January 16, 2009 at 1:04 pm |
Charley-
I just wanted to take a minute to thank you so much for everything you brought to the table in the past four years. I’ve been a loyal listener for a long time now and without a doubt, your show was the most informative, and gave the best insight into what was happening locally with baseball. Too many of the shows on national radio focus on the teams on the coasts, and oh yeah, we’ll give short mention to the Cubs whenever they play well, but your show went well beyond that. You took the time to bring in reporters and broadcasters from all 30 teams to discuss what was going on in their town. That is something that I will miss. I especially looked forward to hearing from your guests because it brought me closer to what was happening outside of Milwaukee.
You will be missed, and one day the suits that work for Sirius will figure out what a stupid mistake it was in letting you go.
Stephanie // January 16, 2009 at 1:42 pm |
Charley, Brent and Ian…
You’ve been my constant two hour companions the last four years and it’s been a blast listening in on your conversations with your friends. Sometimes I can imagine they are my buddies too. That I will miss very much.
The Baseball Beat format idea was so great. If I wanted to hear what Joe Blow thinks, well, I’d go listen to him. Guys and gals on the beat might not dress well (I’ve seen you guys) but you sure gave us insightful “stuff”. XM hasn’t a clue anymore…
Charley, my friend, if you ever find yourself on the coast of Oregon (Bandon) I would love to buy you an adult beverage of your choice.
Sure will miss the cockamamie little radio show.
Stephanie
Daniel // January 16, 2009 at 2:32 pm |
Thanks Charlie for everything!! I looked forward to your show every single day! You will be missed!!
Erin // January 16, 2009 at 3:10 pm |
Thanks for the company, the humor, and the education you brought to the many baseball fans who enjoyed your show everyday. You will be missed. I hope that your show will be picked up on another station–your many fans will surely follow!
Trevor // January 16, 2009 at 6:37 pm |
Mr. Steiner,
The BB was by far my favorite production on Home Plate. I have had both XM and Sirius for the past four years or so. It really troubles me to see that they are trying to turn Home Plate into their NFL station.
PEOPLE ARE SICK OF LISTENING TO ALL FORMER JOCKS ALL OF THE TIME. These staffing decisions have made both ESPN and the NFL Network unwatchable. Home Plate had an outstanding mix of former players, managers and broadcasters working. They had a wide range of talent, full of baseball knowledge that all brought their own unique perspective to the table. That is slowly being whittled away, replaced with more of the same ole, same ole. I’m not anti-jock (I wore one for many years); I’m just pro-quality and variety.
Anyway, shalom, my friend. Thanks for an outstanding show that was truly unlike any other currently available. Damn the monopoly.
Trevor in Indy
Ross Levine // January 16, 2009 at 6:40 pm |
Charley
I can’t believe that XM didn’t do everything possible to keep you. All the rest of the shows on 175 sound just about the same and most of it isn’t very good. Without question you were the best show on home plate and will be missed. Like to say I’ll listen to you do the Dodger games, but I have no intention of renewing my subscription to XM. Continued success and thanks for four fun and informative years
Ross
Kenny // January 16, 2009 at 6:42 pm |
Charlie,
I have been a XM subscriber of XM radio since September of 2007 and the baseball beat was a fun show to listen to. It was fun having all the writers, broadcasters and people that cover the game on a daily basis especialy the interviews with Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plan Dealer those where fun to listen to. You will be missed, and one day the people that work for Sirius will figure out what a dum mistake it was in letting you go.
Dave Swift // January 16, 2009 at 6:48 pm |
this is what I left on “XM’s ‘Baseball Beat’ Signs Off” XM’s ‘Baseball Beat’ Signs Off
by Tyler Kepner”s Blog in today’s NY Times:
I am seriously sad..I loved Charley’s XM show…
I have had the good fortune to have spoken to every host in the last 4 years on MLB..and Charley’s show was the finest!
Great intellectual discussion about our national past time…
Selena Roberts was wonderful the other day: she said ..” The Monument to Excess” was the new Yankee Stadium…Charley’s guests were delicious to the baseball fanatic’s appetite! My highest regards,
Dave From Delaware :-(
— David C. Swift
mfrankmph // January 16, 2009 at 8:07 pm |
Thanks for an outstanding show these past four years. It provided some of the most intelligent and enjoyable baseball conversations anywhere.
Always enjoyed David O’Brien talking about the Braves. Oh, and the song selections were always dead on. Another loss for XM.
paul davis // January 16, 2009 at 9:19 pm |
Charley,
I will miss your show greatly. It was very refreshing to hear you smile and having a great time talking about this game we all love.
Thank you
Paul
fmofmlb // January 16, 2009 at 9:20 pm |
HI Charlie
Thanks to give me the Opportunity to listen
the BEST baseball Radio Show ever
Growing up in Quebec and big Fan of the Montreal Expos….since the leaving our Province
I don’t have anything to get the Baseball beat
Good coverage by local media etc etc, and that’s the reason why I subscribe to XM.
I love the Media Work and inside stuff than the reporter can get. Your show was too simply amazing. Each time i listen your interviews with all your friends I got the feeling to have a “local beat coverage for each teams” God it was so interesting. That’s i call “intelligent stuff”
Your hosts know what they talk about that,
Inside new around each team and around Baseball
Made THE BASEBALL BEAT my best radio show on XM. Your show will miss me a lot
Your voice. so warm……. etc
I’M a big hockey fan and I never understand why NHL home ice don’t have this kind of same show
Like I can’t understand why XM or MLB home pate stop your show. Since the merge We lost all our great stuff, I really don,t know where XM goes
So Thanks for all your great show and wish one day to listen you again somewhere the same kind of show
Hope to listen you again in a near future
Good Luck
fmofmlb
Danny // January 17, 2009 at 4:17 pm |
Dave from Delaware, you calling in everyday along with zero talent left on 175 is the reason I plan to cancel.
Roger MacDonald // January 17, 2009 at 10:58 pm |
Chas (to address you as does the inimitable Edes, and I hope as cheerfully!), what a horrible loss this is to all true baseall fans and to me especially. For three years now I have timed my afternoon walks to coincide with your broadcast, leaving home in Halifax, NS at 2:00 (Atlantic Canadian Time, 1:00 Eastern). There is going to be such a void from here on. Your fantastic rapport with an amazing scheduled of guests, your sense of humor, and, generally, the zest you brought to this broadcast, can NEVER be replaced. This was a unique experience, plain and simple.
Since your show represented about 75% of the time I listened to XM each week, I’m resigned to cancelling my subscription at the end of March.
Your show was so special (and, as so many of your guests said this week, so influential), is there a hope the format can be revived elsewhere? (A consummation devoutly to be wished.)
In any event,
Thanks so much, Charlie, for so many pleasant hours and so many fond memories. In bidding farewell, seriously, it’s like parting with a best friend.
Bestest,
Roger MacDonald
Dick Williams (but not "the" Dick Williams) // January 18, 2009 at 12:00 pm |
I was really disappointed to hear that “Baseball Beat” was being terminated by XM/Sirius. For my money your show was the best of all of them on XM Channel 175, and I will sorely miss it. The thing I liked the most about it was the fact that Charlie and his guests didn’t give you the usual pap that you get on most of the other sports talk shows. No clichés, no bromides, no non-answers to questions, no athletes who obviously didn’t want to be there and their innocuous ramblings. No, your guests were not afraid to voice their opinions, and tell it like it is, usually with a dash of humor sprinkled in.
Why the powers that be at XM/Sirius decided to pull the plug on your show is a moot point now, so I’ll just say “thank you” for providing me and many other folks with a lot of pleasant and informative listening. Good luck to all of you in your future endeavors.
Marty B // January 18, 2009 at 6:55 pm |
Hi Charlie,
As a baseball fan, I feel I will lose a great deal of knowledge on a regular basis by not having you along as part of the daily grind. Your show was excellent and you will be missed.
Thanks for the memories!
Cliff Shelton // January 19, 2009 at 9:50 am |
Hi Charley and everyone,
I have already emailed, but wanted to leave a comment here too. Loved the cockamamie little radio show and I was one of the countless dozens who listened since I got XM in Dec. 2007. It was a great, great show that was a highlight of my radio listening every weekday. I really loved listening to you banter with the likes of Tyler Kepner and Paul Hoynes and especially Gordon Edes, but the best part was that you took time out to talk about ALL 30 teams, not just Those Two in the Northeast. Thanks for all the fun, and you’ll be really missed.
Adam // January 19, 2009 at 7:00 pm |
This truly does suck. Sirius/XM has truly messed up a great station, as it seems they have done with a great many stations since this little merger.
Loved that cockamamie show and the lightheartedness of it in the process. It was great to get amazing insight from all over the majors from the people that know the teams the best and are paid to express their views and share what they know, something you don’t always get when talking to executives, players, etc
I also loved the musical selections, reminded me of a great many songs I had forgotten about through the years.
Take care Charley and Ian and Brent, yall were great also. Should have put a bit on Nashville Cats in the last little bit, as that would have been good for a couple of good laughs, but I digress.
Thanks for it all and wish you all well in all your future endeavors.
Jeff // January 20, 2009 at 11:35 am |
Charley,
You show was the it was humorous and educational
thanks for the last 4 years!
Best,
Jeff
Rob McMillin // January 21, 2009 at 8:49 am |
XM’s non-game baseball programming was worthwhile in inverse proportion to the quantity of time devoted to call-in shows. Sorry to see you go, Charley.
Jerry // January 21, 2009 at 9:28 am |
Don’t forget to write in to XM feedback (all you will get is an automated response telling you about all the great programming) but at least you can let them know your displeasure.
Here is the link: http://www.xmradio.com/help/emailus.xmc
Dick Williams (but not "the" Dick Williams) // January 21, 2009 at 1:52 pm |
I e-mailed XM, and got the automated response. But today I received the following from XM:
Dear Mr. Williams,
Thank you for contacting XM.
We apologize for the difficulties you are experiencing with the programming change on channel 175 (MLB Home Plate). Please be advised, we have forwarded your email in regards to Baseball Beat onto our Programming Department. As always, we will continue to monitor subscriber feedback to re-evaluate our channel decisions. In the future you can contact our Programming Department directly at programming@xmradio.com.
So maybe a few more e-mails to the Programming Department might do some good. Certainly can’t hurt.
Dave Vergano // January 21, 2009 at 4:42 pm |
Thanks for the show. I will miss it. I looked forward to it every day. It was always thoughtfully produced and a real alternative to standard sports radio fare. I really enjoyed hearing from the writers.
Mike // January 23, 2009 at 9:36 pm |
You will be missed.
At least here in LA i can still listen to you during Dodger games.
Dean Lucas // January 27, 2009 at 1:35 pm |
I’m a charter XM subscriber I drive a truck,and its my primary source for my news/entertainment,Baseball Beat was where I kept up to speed on what was going on in the only sport that matters,the cancellation of BB is like like losing an old friend.At least I can hear Charlie on the Dodger broadcasts[or until Sirius cancels MLB]
Jim Pirrie // January 30, 2009 at 2:36 pm |
OMG, WTF this is an outrage. I am in shock. How can ths happen? I am really trully gonna miss “The Beat” and Mr. Steiner. The absolute best show on radio…We must start a petition there is strength in numbers, viva la revolution!
Lacy // January 30, 2009 at 4:51 pm |
Charley (and Chuck), This is terrible news. Your show was the one program during the week on XM175 that I enjoyed listening to. Trading the insight of the likes of Gordon Edes, Paul Hoynes, Tom Haudricourt, Richard Justice, Tom Verducci or Rob Neyer for more dreck from the callers is an Instant Blunder. Every day from 1 to 3, I just can’t bear seeing that toll-free number on my display instead of Baseball Beat / Guest’s Name.
tracey // February 1, 2009 at 8:55 am |
I have little to say, but wanted to add my name to the growing list of XM listeners who love Charley, loved the “Beat,” and are disappointed with the direction 175 is taking. Charley, I hope you will be back on the air soon — I greatly miss your cockamamie little show.
Jon // February 10, 2009 at 8:03 am |
I followed up with XM to let them know my thoughts…
“The Baseball Beat is still sorely missed one month after its cancellation (by at least this long time XM Radio subscriber). Though I still love XM Home Plate coverage, the current shows bleed together in a wash of fanatic and repetitive call-in programs with callers who simply must hear their opinions splashed over the airways in an attempt to vindicate their love of the sport or simply parrot the show’s host for the sole purpose of being heard on air. This is a rather far digression than actually learning the insider “scoop” and lesser-covered intricacies of the game. I know Charlie and staff are fine in their careers, but I am still saddened that the ‘Beat is no more.”
Allan // February 26, 2009 at 9:58 pm |
I really miss The Baseball Beat, and so do a lot of other people. (I used to look forward to it each weekday).
Could the show be reconstituted and picked up in another format/venue?
What do others think of this suggestion?
Mike // March 1, 2009 at 3:22 am |
Just passing by.Btw, your website have great content!
_________________________________
Making Money $150 An Hour
Rich // March 6, 2009 at 7:02 am |
This was my favorite XM show – by far – except for the MLB broadcasts themselves. Now XM 175 is a bunch of idiots calling in with their “opinions” instead of the guests on Charley’s show relating their experiences of watching the teams every day. The leftover hosts aren’t much better. Charley, you added more to my weekday afternoons than you realize. This merger is a total disaster.