Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Transition: City declares this 'The Score Day' in Chicago

Episode Date: February 2, 2026

Marshall Harris and Mark Grote welcomed on Matt Spiegel and Laurence Holmes for the daily transition segment.

The score! They do keep winning. I don't want to break time. I want to yell at Marshall. That's why I always leave part on the show on Rahimi Harrison Grotie. If Anthony Heron is on, he needs to tell score hosts what they've gotten wrong. It's not necessarily jumping in on the hot topic of the day. It's what does Marshall said lately?

That's ridiculous. I do the same thing when I'm on with anybody else ever. So I completely get it. I know exactly where he's coming from. I do too. We all do. the essence, man. It's the score. That's the thing. That's the thing about it. We're all listeners, too. We do this stuff because we like this stuff. We like the talk. We like the

sports. We do for sure. Who are you guys? Who are you guys again? We are Rihimi Harris and Grody. Yes, we are. He's Grody. I'm Harris. We should be asking you guys that question. Who are you guys? It's been so long. I've seen y'all in a minute. Since you guys have been together. Yeah, yeah. We'll get to you at a second. Thank you to Anthony Heron, one of our guests here today. On 104-3, The Score, on FM debut day. Cole Comette was on the show today. Ian Hap jumped in and talked some Cubs and FM with us as well.

Yeah, that's right. It's all about the FM. Thanks to Ray Diaz and Tyler Buterbaugh, both doing a great job on this big day at the score. Our video producers probably working overtime like they do. Connor O'Donnell, Jacob Studs, and Max Curtis. Thank you to all. Thank you to everybody for listening, whether on 670 a.m.

Or the all-new 104-3 FM. Our latest test sample now, the Spiegel and Home Show. They are back together, and they are on 104-3, the score. What's happening, gentlemen? It's so nice to have people be able to hear the bass in our voices now. Now, it's a different audio experience on 104-3. Now, for those are like, wait, what's going on? Look, we're still on 670 a.m.

And if you live outside of like a 45 to 50 mile radius, that's probably where you should still listen to us in your car. But if you're in the city, I know that I came in today listening to Rahimi Harris and Grotie. And I was not cut off when I got into the garage. And that was great. That is a bonus. That is a serious bonus. Yeah, I got to tell you, I was listening this morning on the Odyssey app. And when the big switch got flipped, I didn't see that.

the visual. Was there a big switch in here? Like there was a giant switch? There was. There was a giant switch. Because I heard the confetti and like the shock in Mully and Hall's voice was just wonderful radio. And John Vincent sounded incredible at that

early hour as a singer. That's what you need. That's hard to do. But like, and I was but it didn't really change on the app. I was like, yeah, okay. All right. Yeah, the app is the app. The app is the app. The primary way I listen to these shows. The app on my noise-canceling headphones as I was in an Uber at the time.

Whatever, but it was the same. But then as I was driving in, Lawrence, to your point, I put it on the FM and I was like, oh, this sounds pretty good. They should have told people about this. They should have talked about this. Maybe you should have done some kind of launch party or something like that. Had heard anything about it until today. That's what you're saying.

I told Speegs that I was thinking about wearing something score branded for today, and I was like, oh, all my stuff says $670 on it. So it wouldn't make sense. You're so AM. I know I'm so analog. But now people get wherever you live, we can reach you now. Like that's the whole point of this is that

the folks who are listening on FM can hear us and hear us clearly and not lose us when they're underneath the viaduct or if they are in a parking garage or any of that stuff. Lower whacker. Lower whacker. Car wash. We had come up. All of that.

Something happened though in here like, I am so triggered by free food at work. Like, I want to eat all of it. There's just too much. You get anxiety. I get anxiety. I'm like, I need to eat that and I need to eat that. And what's going to happen to that?

Are there any to go containers? What's going to happen to that? It's going to get bad. I want a grover box. My bad speech. They should have provided some grover boxes. No, Amanda, but you did it. You did it too.

But there is just so much. I am disgusted and enraged and aroused by the amount of free food that is here. I do pictures. I do pictures of it. I didn't. Disgusted, enraged, enraged, aroused. There's three different meals here today. That's a drop. There's three different

meals over there that are all like consolidated together. There's like French toast and casadias and bagels and cupcakes and Spunky Dunkers. Yeah, thanks to Spunky Dunkers, they gave me my own, because I love Spunky Dunkers. So you guys got all of the donuts that they brought, except

for the special package that they sent for me. You tried to send me one of those. I was like, do you want me to go to sleep before we do transition? The chocolate cream puff donut from Spunky Dunkers is elite. and they know that I feel that way and as part of the drop-off they put a little something aside

for your boy and then I as I often do I will offer it to speak and I'll be like hey would you like one of these I did I had half of it it's basically like a chocolate old fashion with cream on the inside it's like a whoopey pie on steroids or a so good

it's unbelievably good so I had that and then I walked in the other room and saw nine meals on a table so do you have an anxiety attack at a buffet Like, how do you handle buffet? I don't go. Yeah. You and I are more similar than you know because I feel that same sense of anxiety.

Like, I want everything. I want to be hungry for thirds and fourths. Yes, yes. And then you start getting everything on a plate and you're like, maybe if I only have three bites of this, I can go back and get another plate. Right. It's a problem. So the thing with buffet is real.

And I got to tell you all, in my current state, as opposed to when I was younger and wearing the husky jeans, I used to attack the buffet with such passion. and fervor. And now I can only do a buffet. I've got like maybe once every three to four months I will hit a buffet because otherwise... Yeah, no, I can't do it. I mean, actually, just the other day, I was in New York over the weekend and had the breakfast buffet and I was triggered all again.

I took my time. I listened to an entire podcast at the breakfast buffet. Gentlemen. How many trips? What's that? How many trips at the buffet? Two and a half. Three.

I can't say two and a half. You go home now. You've been here for four hours. Gentlemen, if I may, if I may, before transition started, right before we came back on the air. That is a nice folder. One of our bosses, Ryan Porth, came in here. Ryan Porth handed me this blue folder, which if you're watching on Twitch, you can see, but it's a nice blue folder. It says, City of the emblem, the gold emblem on the front says, City of Chicago, incorporated 4th March 1837,

and then it says mayor. So ladies and gentlemen, I am opening the folder. This is from the office of the mayor. This is the mayor speaking. The mayor of Chicago? City of Chicago. Brandon Johnson. Glad we can make up.

Is that what's happening right now? Maybe that's what's happening. I was also told, I was, Ryan Porth was very careful with me specifically to say, Grody, we want to preserve this and maybe even frame it. So do not put it in your. little messes. There was no maybe framing. He told you we're going to frame it, so please be fragile, delicate. You've made

sure you've made I caught Grotty. Are you looking at me? Are you listening? Are you listening to what I'm saying? You can't get food and stuff on this. Y'all got to make sure it's clean before we put it in the glass. Pardth! Okay, I will now read it. Proclamation, it says.

That's how we do proclamations. It's Matt Spiegel on the trumpet, everybody. I was wondering what you were directing over there. Nice job, Spiegel. Thank you very much. Really good. Whereas, for more than three decades,

the score has been a cornerstone of Chicago sports culture delivering trusted commentary, insightful analysis, and live play-by-play coverage that connects fans across every neighborhood of our great city. And whereas, since it's founding, the score has exemplified the passion, grit, and community spirit that define Chicago. giving voice to our city's loyal and knowledgeable sports fans

while celebrating the triumphs and challenges our beloved teams. And where is the scores expansion to the FM dial marks a historic milestone bringing Chicago's leading sports station to FM for the first time while continuing its long-standing presence on AM radio. And where is? Yeah, another where-hance. Whereas, beginning with the 2026 season flagship coverage of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bulls will air on the Scores FM broadcast, offering fans expanded access to the sound stories and excitement of Chicago's most iconic sports franchises. And where is?

Another one. This milestone reflects not only a new chapter for the score, but also a celebration of Chicago's enduring sports legacy, passionate fan base, and the important role the local media continues. to play in uniting the uplifting of our communities. Now, therefore, I, Brandon Johnson, mayor of the city of Chicago, do hereby proclaim February 2, 2026 as the score day in recognition of the scores more than 30 years of service to Chicago sports fans and its continued commitment to connecting and inspiring our city through the power of sports. dated second day of February

2026. Wow. So here's, yeah, hold that up for the camera for the so people on Twitch and on YouTube can see it. So there, it's official you know, you can see the right here. Right there. So here's what's amazing

about this. In the time that the score has been on the air and now with this level of history that we can look back, we know that this station has been listened to by multiple mayors. multiple governors, at least one president, and a pope.

And a pope. And a pope. Ladies and gentlemen, the pope, no, the pope's not here. Do you imagine? He walks through the balloons in the hallway, grabs a donut, takes a shot of champagne, and the pope is here. Don Paul. Don Paul has entered the studio.

Don Paul. It's just Don Paul. It's amazing. Lawrence, you're right. It speaks to the, the unintentional. legitimacy of the establishment. You know? Like it was just like, well, let's talk some sports, but we can get some commercials and that'll

be fun. But then it ends up actually sort of similar to the stuff we realized last week in a very different way in terms of the emotional resonance and the historical resonance of what has now become an institution in this town. It's crazy. And you were here before I was. So you were here when it was even more outlaw radio back then what was going on and obviously like when you're around this long then at some point you become the establishment right and and that's okay there's still some raging against the machine that can go on even inside of an establishment oh certainly property and there'll be some later on today uh as a matter of fact that's something that's going to happen but but the fact

that this place has grown and the fact that you know i've i've had people come up to me that I would not have expected listen. I've had people over the last couple of months during the Bears Stadium thing that have reached out and been like, oh yeah, we listen. Yeah. Oh, really? And then you're like, oh, you work for that. Okay.

Cool. That's what so he does. He does? All right. That's what's up. So knowing that Brandon Marshall, and he told us when he first got elected, he told me and Layla and Dan. He said Brandon Marshall. Does I say Brandon Marshall?

Sorry, Brandon Johnson. It's going to happen a lot. he told us when he, after he got elected, how much he loved the station. So I appreciate him sending that and us having that relationship between different mayors have been on the station.

We know that a couple of governors have listened and we know for a fact that a president is listening. And a Pope. So Brandon Johnson's coming on at what time today? I don't know who's going on this show again. This is good enough right here. I don't know if he wants some of that smoke right there. He didn't one time.

It's how you win. journalism awards. And I would like to not spend any times, specifically in this segment, wondering how much of our tax dollars were under the production of that. Oh, almost none. Right? That's easy. It's pretty standard.

Okay, good. That's a word document. That's why I'm not bringing it up. That's why I'm not bringing it. There's a folder. Because I'm classy like that. No, and there's been. I know.

I'm just having a joke. That's kind of the thing that we're supposed to do, too. A hundred percent. Pull people accountable for things. That is absolutely. That's part of the charter of this place, and it's been good. And it's part of the fun. Yeah, all of it.

That is an amazing, amazing thing to think about. And it's like, and here we are with the 104.3. Can I, I kind of, it's weird. Having grown up on the quality of AM, it takes a little getting used to. It's going to take a little getting used to. I'm so used to the lo-fi aesthetic being part of the classic AM radio charm of our youths. But that's why I noticed today, if you're an app listener, you have not noticed a single difference.

If you're a stream listener, you have not noticed a single difference. The real difference is going to be, especially in your cars or your cubicles where it has been a challenge is now an opportunity. That's what we're adding today, which is just freaking awesome. And to our friends downstate, too, because I had a lot of people texting. And I spent a lot of my career down there in Peoria and Lincoln and Bloomington Normal, Springfield, and they listened to the score. Now, a lot of them were like, hey, we're not getting you on the FM as well.

No, no, no, that's why we got that a.m. still, which on clear days, I've heard stories from just about every state in the country saying, or at different times that they can pick up the score. I know a ton of people that listen downstate to the score. Believe me on that. But yeah, you stick with 670. I mean, you can probably get the FM, but it's probably, you're still going to get a clear shot with the 670, I think, downstate.

Or you can go to the app. Or you can go to Twitch. Or you can go to Twitch. Or YouTube. Wherever you live, like we're going to be there for you. Hey, man. Like, you know, we had listeners in Canada that reached out last week, and they had to find different ways.

And they found it on Twitch and YouTube was the easiest way for them to find it. So internationally. And the good news now is that all the numbers all connect. And we know that wherever you find us, we will have found you finding us. Still 38 states in Canada, a clear channel station at night. I know that when we first moved. moved over to 670. I was covering, I think,

a great Midwest tournament that DePaul was in, down in Memphis. And then I drove to Tunica, to the casinos in Tunica, Mississippi. And I was... It's 20 miles from Memphis. You're right, but I just...

Yeah. What? Why can't I go to Tijuana? It's a big poker tournament community down there. I did very well in Tunica. Did you really? And I also was able to listen to MIRF. that's amazing. On 670 to score because at night and AM signals go like this. It was a novelty at the time, man.

Every day about the time my friend Jason Griffin, who was producing Tommy, producing Tommy Harris. No, not Tommy Harris. Not Tommy Harris. Tommy Williams. See, now we've both done it. Tommy Harris was a great tree technique.

He's producing Tommy Williams one night on the score 1160 and he forgot to turn it down from 50,000 to 5,000. And he got to call. He's like, hello, I'd like to talk about the Panthers. What Panthers do you mean? The Carolina Panthers. Because the call was coming from North Carolina hearing Tommy loud and clear.

I wonder what this guy thinks of my Panthers. So be careful out there. Yes, be careful out there. But we couldn't be happier that we're now going to be in every place that people need. And Lord knows that there's been fights about car production. And they're not being AM radios in certain car models. So the fact that we're going to be on FM, and we were on FM HD for a while,

and some people didn't have the HD experience. And I'm telling you, when you hear the next Bulls game, when they are down 54 points, it is going to sound so good to hear Chuck try to figure out how to explain what he's seeing when they're three from 39 from three point land. Cubs games this year are going to sound so crystal clear. There are going to be elements of the broadcast that you just didn't get before. And now you're going to get them. Especially for the Coz's Cubs broadcast, our guy Paul Zerang, Ziggi Zerang,

is a master with the crowd mics. He's got multiple crowd mics that he mixes in beautifully, unlike just about any radio broadcast for baseball in the country. He's as good as it gets with that stuff. No doubt. Is Pat's voice just going to drop out of the booth? I mean, hit Pat Hughes in FM. It's going to be delightful.

Well, you're going to get an opportunity. What? Is Pat calling the game on the 20th and you're calling the one on the 21st? I think that is correct. So on February 20 is Cubs White Sox on our air. White Sox. And Pat and Ron will have that. And then Saturday the 21st is me,

along with Ron Coomer doing Cubs and Rangers from Sloan Park and Mesa. It's a whole new deal. It's going to be a lot of fun for people that are experiencing FM. And like across the country, this has gone on. Stations have moved over to FM signals. It's been a dream of both of the program. All three of the programs that I've worked for here is to get us on FM and Mitch Rosen getting it done. It's a big deal.

I'm told it's Zach and Ron on Friday, Feb 20. And then you. And then me and Ron on the Saturday. Nice. Kumer was here in studio today. Amazing. Looking good, wearing a sharp blazer. How will ye handle?

Good to see you, by the way, Lawrence. Welcome back, man. I missed you. Same, gross. Yeah. You're a good man. Thank you. And thorough.

Here's what we're going to do on today's show. Kurt Warner's going to join us at 3 o'clock. We've got some questions for him. He's calling the Super Bowl, too. He is calling the Super Bowl, and we can ask him about an OC leaving, and what does an O.C. and name do, and does any of that matter, and what type of person should be hired now by Ben Johnson? We're going to do that.

The White Sox and Frank Thomas had a thing yesterday. We need to talk about that. We also need to talk about, like, on the field. old White Sox? Yeah, I think we can say one up, one down for White Sox News. Perhaps. Or one down and I think one up. We'll discuss.

Seth Wickersham is going to join us at four. We can ask him about Caleb's season. Our buddy Matthew Collar is going to join us to talk about what the hell is going on in Minnesota and what's happening with the Vikings. Speggis was in New York yesterday. He was at the Knicks Lakers game yesterday. You went to the Garden? New York City? Wow.

I was at, I was at the Madison. Square Garden for a great, great game last night. You can see him sitting next to Spike? I wasn't far. Okay. I like that. I was across the way, but I could see him. Not me. Not me. My big bro. My big bro hooked it up.

He took care of a little bro. So he's a baller. He took care of me. That's awesome. That's what we're going to do today. We're going to also hang out and catch up. Hello. Yeah. Hi there. Some of that other stuff. Not yet, man. Not yet. Wait until you start to show then you do

that thing. Hi. Hello. My name is we can do all of that stuff. We're also going to share some of the Cole Commet stuff on Declan Doyle and talk about the role that he played. And the Bears kind of got screwed. A couple times.

Kind of got screwed. So we need to discuss that. They screwed themselves. No, they didn't. Well, maybe. We'll discuss. But we'll talk a little bit about Declan Doyle getting a new gig and what that means for the Bears. That's coming up next after Tanny's open, which, by the way,

if you are experiencing an FM is a completely different thing. If you are on 670 a.m., just out of habit, I need for you to go to 104.3 just to hear Tannies open and how different it sounds on the FM signal. I like that. They're going to look at this. Well, a lot of people turned over at 8 o'clock, and then a whole bunch more people did it at 224.

What was that about? Uh-huh. You'll find out why next here on the score. And this segment is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Human Services. When you find yourself betting and thinking about gambling all the time, when you lose more than you win, and when gaming is affecting your job, relationships, and more, are you really winning?

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