Steve Summers Reflects on His Journey with WFAN
When Steve Summers joined WFAN back in 1987, he was pretty sure he wouldn’t last long—maybe not even a year. “I always thought I was going to get fired,” he shared in a recent phone interview. He recalled a tough moment during his first year in San Francisco, where he found himself crying to his parents. It was a mixed bag of happiness and anxiety. He felt refreshed yet unsure if his style would resonate. “I figured I’d do well in New York thanks to my humor—a bit sarcastic and symbolic, I guess. My one friend believed I’d be fine, but he was literally the only one,” Summers explained.
Fast forward 34 years at one of America’s most notable sports talk radio stations, and it’s safe to say Summers proved his doubts wrong. He highlights this transformation in his upcoming memoir, Me Here, You There: My Three Decades Overnight, Under the Covers, Schmoozing SPORTS as Captain Midnight for WFAN, set for release on November 18.
Growing up in San Francisco, Summers became an integral part of New York’s sports radio scene until he retired in 2021. Though he doesn’t host regularly anymore, he still makes occasional appearances and runs a weekly podcast, showcasing his unique perspective.
During the nearly hour-long chat, Summers recounted how he navigated his mother’s worries about job security in New York. “She thought I should play it safe and sell shoes instead. I told her I wasn’t about to start a career based on a foot fetish,” he joked.
The phrase “fearless forecaster” stuck with him since his teenage days when he first entered high school sports. That’s where his trademark “Summerism” emerged.
And then there’s his memorable term “Icelanders.” “I stirred things up between the Rangers and Islanders, which didn’t sit well with many Islander fans,” he mentioned, emphasizing the intense rivalry between the two teams. “I loved the dynamic—city versus country, Broadway against Old Country Road.”
Summers even recalled playing “The Sally with the Fringe on Top” from *Oklahoma*, illustrating how passionate fans could get. An Islanders publicist once invited him to lunch, urging him to stop calling the team “Icelanders” due to the frustration it caused. However, Summers wasn’t inclined to change his tune. The fans eventually found out—much to their chagrin.
“I’m not trying to be harmful. I’m not out to destroy anything. It’s just a way to provoke certain fans for fun,” he stated with a grin.
Summers distilled his creative approach to broadcasting into one simple principle: avoiding clichés. “I aimed for metaphors and wordplay. Sure, clichés happen sometimes, but I always sought originality,” he remarked.
He equates his achievements on WFAN to reaching Broadway, and occasionally feels incredulous when reflecting on his career. “The people I met? Unforgettable,” he added.
Among his many fans is comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who wrote the foreword for Summers’ book. For years, Seinfeld would call into the show as “Jerry from Queens.” Actor and comedian Robert Klein also made contributions.
Reflecting on his journey, Summers noted, “When I first joined WFAN, I would’ve paid to be there. Finally getting to Broadway felt like a long flight that took 22 years. But we made it.”
He hopes readers will take away one vital message: “Don’t take no for an answer. With luck and perseverance, anyone can achieve their dreams. It sounds like a cliché, but it truly resonates with everyone.”
