After 40 years of covering sports and talking about it in Pittsburgh, Ron Cook is officially retired.
It was an emotional final show for Cook, who was surprised with even more guests that wanted to say goodbye and thank you.
Monday’s show, when Cook made the announcement, had names like Jerome Bettis, Jim Leyland, Ben Roethlisberger, Jack Ham, Mel Blount and many more!
But Thursday rivaled that.
Growing up in Beaver Falls Joe Namath was Ron Cook’s childhood hero.
After a week of stars and Hall of Famers, it was fitting that “Broadway Joe” was the last guest ever on Cook & Joe.
The hero of Super Bowl III told stories of growing up in Beaver Falls with Cook telling him he used to pretend to be Namath during backyard games.
“You were a hero to me, man,” Cook told Namath.
The person before that wasn’t too bad either, just the greatest Steeler of All-Time.
Live from Las Vegas for the Super Bowl, Joe Greene called in to congratulate Cook as well.
“So, you just got tired of the fuss, huh?” Greene asked Cook.
Greene and Cook have had a relationship for years. Ron expressed how grateful he was for all the time that “Mean Joe” gave him and Greene explained why, it was simple.
“That’s because you’re a straight shooter, you know that,” said Greene.
Doesn’t get much bigger than Joe Greene and Joe Namath.
But, others also called into Ron’s final show
Pitt basketball legend Billy Knight
Former Penguins VP of Communications Tom McMillian
Former producer Matt “Foalsy” Koll
The winningest coach in Western PA history Jim Render
Kentucky basketball and local legend John Calipari
World Series Champion Terry Francona
Former co-host of Ron Vinnie Richichi
Pirates World Series Champion Steve Blass
He also had calls from Mr. Hester, Ron’s Geico Rep and Bob Beall of Mr. Rooter.
It’s hard to put into words what Ron Cook meant to us at 93.7 The Fan and Pittsburgh sports in general so we’ll keep it simple.
Thank you, Ron. Enjoy your retirement.