Andy Pollin
Quick Facts
Biography
Andy Pollin is an American radio and TV personality. He currently co-hosts, with Rob Long, about half of the episodes of The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report on MASN. He helped launch Washington, D.C. sports talk station WTEM in 1992 and continues to hold the title of Sports Director. For 13 years, Pollin co-hosted The Sports Reporters with Steve Czaban, until getting sacked in July, 2013. The last "Sports Reporters" aired July 31, 2013. He acted as sidekick on The Tony Kornheiser Show between 1992 and 2006. He also co-hosted GameDay with Mel Kiper Jr. on ESPN Radio between 1998 and 2004.
Biography
Pollin grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland and graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in 1976. After enrolling in American University he became involved in that school's radio station and left to start his radio career in Beaumont, Texas. He later graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio.
Pollin served as reporter for sports talk radio pioneer WFAN in New York City from its inception in 1987 until leaving for WTEM. Prior to that he reported for the UPI Radio Network in Washington, D.C. (1983–1987), and WFAA-AM in Dallas (1981–1983).
Pollin is the co-author of The Great Book of Washington, D.C. Sports Lists with Leonard Shapiro.
When Pollin was with The Tony Kornheiser Show on ESPN Radio, he was nicknamed "Andy Polley." A listener angered by Pollin's comments about baseball player Rafael Palmeiro had called the show and mispronounced Pollin's name, screaming, "Andy Polley, you are an idiot!" Show producer Denis Horgan, Jr. recorded the "Andy Polley" soundbite and the staff often aired it when Pollin spoke.
The nickname stuck, and the gag was later extended into a now-defunct website, [www.andypolley.com], which featured photos and comments about Pollin often related to current Kornheiser radio shows. Polley evolved into a full character, who drives a beat-up old Honda, with orange juice on the leather seats.
Andy Polley’s rules:
- AP Rule # 1: All computers are different.
- AP Rule # 2: Big screens skew the TV ratings. Big screens = lower rating with more people watching one TV
- AP Rule # 3: Leather seats in your car are a waste of $$.
- AP Rule # 4: $200 a year for his clothing allowance.
Although no longer hosting a program of his own, he is working for ESPN 980 (formerly WTEM) as a summer fill in for Kornheiser.
Pollin was moved to WTEM's sister station, WSPZ 570AM, and is doing a solo show from 6am to 9am on weekdays.
Effective Friday, January 20, 2017 Pollin's contract with ESPN 980AM (broadcasting out of Rockville, MD and serving the Washington, DC market) has expired.