National Radio Hall-of-Famer John Lanigan abruptly retired from radio during the middle of the hour long “The Spew” talk show on iHeartMedia News/Talk 1100 WTAM Cleveland that he co-hosted with Mike Snyder and Mike Trivisonno.
Lanigan told listeners, “I guess it came down to the fact that – with the elections and everything else that’s going on, I have to come up with something and sound halfway intelligent, and I don’t think I’m doing that. So I don’t care what happens in politics anymore that much. I don’t care about the tariffs. I don’t care about Trump. I don’t care about the rest of the stuff and I think a lot of people are like that. You want to get on with your life and live it and enjoy it. So with that in mind, that’s it for me. I am done on The Spew. I won’t be back.” He had been hosting his portion of the show from his home in Colorado.
The 75 year-old Lanigan has been a staple in Cleveland since 1971 when he replaced Don Imus in mornings at 1220 WGAR. After leaving that station in 1984 and a brief stint in Tampa, he joined 105.7 WMJI as morning co-host alongside John Webster the following year. He would remain at WMJI until 2014 before joining sister WTAM in 2015 as part of the 9-10am debate show.
Former Cleveland Indians Pitcher Jensen Lewis will join the station on August 20th as Lanigan’s replacement. Lewis will continue as co-host and analyst for Indians pre and post-game coverage on SportsTime Ohio.
Former Indians pitcher and Sports Time Ohio broadcaster Jensen Lewis is joining WTAM 1100 as co-host of “The Spew” heard weekdays 9am-10am with Mike Trivisonno along with Mike Snyder starting on Monday, August 20th. Lewis, who graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, is not only up to date on the latest sports news, he’s well versed in current events.
Lewis was selected by the Indians in the 3rd round (102nd overall pick) in the 2005 Major League draft. He played for the Indians organization from 2005-2011 and spent four season from 2007-2010 on their big league roster. He finished his professional career with a single season both in Arizona (2012) and with the Chicago Cubs (2013). Lewis helped lead the Indians to the 2007 AL Central Division title and within 1 win of reaching the World Series that postseason. He filled multiple bullpen roles during his tenure, including a perfect 13-for-13 in save opportunities as the club’s closer at the end of the 2008 season. He finished his big league career with a record of 7-11, 3.68 ERA while collecting 14 saves & 177 strikeouts in 198 career IP.
WTAM Program Director Ray Davis said, “Jensen is one of the brightest and most entertaining broadcasters in Cleveland. I’m glad to have him come out of the bullpen into a starting role”.
Lewis will continue in his primary role the co-host & analyst on “Indians Live” on FOX SportsTime Ohio, the pre and post-game shows for Cleveland Indians’ telecasts. He also appears on the Indians’ in-game television broadcasts as well as a fill-in host on “Drennan Live.”
