W-b Fire Victims Improving, Hospitals Say

Angelo F. Grasso

Wednesday, February 05, 2003 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1B 





OPINION 
 New York Yankees' fans from Northeastern Pa. who don't have access to the
YES Network on their cable television systems would be wise not to get all
giddy over the news that WARM-AM (590) radio has signed on to broadcast the
team's games. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Unless you're into static, lotsa luck tuning in. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Frankly, when the station powers down at night, WARM's signal is weak,
distorted and damn annoying. That covers a significant portion of the
listening area, too. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Don't take my word for it. Just ask any local Phillies' fan who has
suffered with this problem for years. They'll likely tell you that on certain
nights, skunk scents have been known to travel farther than the melodic tones
of Harry, Larry and Wheels. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With the Yanks finding a home on ``The Mighty 590'' (ahem) and the
Phillies' teamed up with ESPN Radio (630, 1240 AM), that leaves the New York
Mets as the only ``local'' Major League club without a home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Not a problem, considering powerful WFAN-AM (660) can easily be picked up
around here, at all times of the day and night. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As for all you pinstriper diehards who either don't have YES or simply
prefer listening to nine innings while relaxing on the veranda during a warm
summer night, you folks might want to stock up on the Extra Strength Tylenol
now and beat the Opening Day rush. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Here's your coming attraction: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``The Red Sox are nursing (((())))) the Yanks have 'em lo((((()))) two down
(((()))) Martinez checks ((((()))) and delivers. ... ((((Fas))))ball, Giambi
lines one to (((())) grabs it on a hop (((())))) the throw hom (((()))) Posada
bloc((((()))) He's gonna be(((()))) I can't believe what (((()))). ...'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 See ya! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 SPEAKING OF BASEBALL, Adelphia Cable, which once threatened to pull the
plug on the MSG Network after acquiring YES last season and had area Mets fans
seriously considering changing over to DirecTV, apparently is committed to
keeping both networks on its channel lineup for area subscribers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's great news for Mets fans, who would have been shut out of all their
team's games had MSG been scrapped. The Madison Square Garden Network
broadcasts 50 Mets games each season (usually on Tuesday and Wednesday), and
also offers next-day coverage of additional New York games. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Of course, Adelphia is already a hit with Yankee fans, who can watch about
90 percent of the team's games on YES, and Phillie followers, who turn to
COMCAST Sports Net to watch Larry Bowa's blood pressure rise. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Heck, even Pittsburgh Pirate fans - if there are any left - are
accommodated with the addition of FOX Sports Pittsburgh. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With ESPN Classic long in the mix, Adelphia has a package that's tough to
beat for local sports fans. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Here's hoping it stays that way. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Reach Jerry Kellar at 829-7243 or jkellar@leader.net &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

590 Not So Mighty With Yanks' Games