Fitzgerald and Papa uneasy on Comcast Warriors' Broadcasts; A little history between the two; Thursday dish

Awkward.

That's the best way to describe the brief, but very pointed tosses between Comcast Sports Net Bay Area's Greg Papa and Warriors cable PBP-broadcaster, Bob Fitzgerald. To the average viewer who doesn't know a little bitter history about the two, the short encounters would seem to reveal no big deal--both handle their responsibilities as professionals, but there is a frosty element that many Bay Area sports fans have little knowledge of, but still resonates on the radar.

Papa was the original Warriors PBP broadcaster in the 90's, (he actually got the gig in 1986-87 replacing the late, great Bill King, who had to give up the Warriors concentrating on his A's and Raiders' radio responsibilities). Ironically, after Papa secured his W's radio gig, he would soon land the A's gig as chief PBP man, (then "SportsChannel") and was widely praised for his efforts.

Midway through the 90's, a problem developed. The Warriors wanted exclusivity from their chief broadcaster. They, (actually Robin Baggett, ex-owner Chris Cohan's right-hand guy and legal counsel) were unhappy with Papa's committments with the A's and wanted more games from the Syracuse broadcast alum.

Enter Fitzgerald, then a KNBR talk host who had some PBP experience, who managed to maneuver his way, into the Warriors/Cohan/Bagget entourage. And in the process, many of those in the know insist, essentially ace Papa out of his Warriors gig and take over. Papa was privately seething over Fitzgerald's backroom tactics and the two have never spoke since. The affair made for spicy, local industry chatter and "Fitz" was belittled by the Papa supporters as a weaselly, nasty backstabber.

After dropping his "Chronicle Live" duties, Papa, (who is also the Raiders PBP radio broadcaster), began doing more pre-and post game show on CSN Bay Area, who, of course, broadcast Warriors' games. Papa's dishes to Fitz aren't long enough to view any real drama and even if they were, I would doubt any sign of friction would be discerned--again, both are professional enough to know that the slightest bit of on-air- nasty would harm both, that's pretty much a given.

But the usual cheery back and forth between studio and on-scene report from the arena is noticeably absent of any emotion. It's as if both are looking at an empty camera and trying dutifully to perform their chores without the slightest bit of laugh or giggle. And while the encounters are straight and simple, there is a definitive sense, still, that both can't stand each other. (More so on the Papa side--with good reason).

Where Papa is generally regarded as a more adept and non-homered professional tonsil, "Fitz" is perceived by many local observers, (and throngs of Warriors followers) as nothing more than a company shill, frequently toeing the organization line even amidst some of the franchise's most trying times.

That's most evident on Fitzgerald's KNBR talk show, (Noon-3PM M-F) where he's constantly defending personnel moves, has, from time to time, opine of the "talented" Andris Biedrins and making umpteen excuses for the team's overall meager displays over the years. It doesn't help matters too, that the smarmy Fitzgerald is most testy with the few callers that make it onto his Knibber show to dare question the team's tactics or play. Frequent "Fitzisms": "They have tons of injuries"..."They're the second-youngest team in the NBA"..."When healthy, this team, (pick a year) can compete with the Lakers" and  so on and so on. It's one thing to defend your team every now and then. Fitzgerald goes overboard, and his churlish persona, accented by frequent condescending giggles have been red meat for long-suffering Warriors fans annoyed with his "hack"-ness.

This is little potential drama worth watching. Concentrate "little", but interesting nonetheless.

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