Rick DiPietro has done well for himself in the radio business after a promising NHL career later floundered. Despite his radio success, he shared he doesn’t need validation from listeners for his second career.
During DiPietro & Rothenberg Monday, the pair were discussing an email sent to the show that credited Dave Rothenberg for the business success of a listener. The listener claimed that a Rothenberg line saying a former Mets manager failed to “manage with conviction” led to his downfall. The listener reported the line motivated him in his career, and led to a promotion.
DiPietro joked that the email said nothing about him or his radio prowess, so Rothenberg read another email praising the former New York Islander.
“‘Rick is the best one at the station. He’s the reason to listen to the radio’,” the email read. “How’s that make you feel?” questioned Rothenberg.
“I don’t need that. I didn’t need that,” reiterated DiPietro.
“What do you mean?” Rothenberg asked. “You said nobody ever says anything nice about you.”
“Well, that’s over the top nice,” said DiPietro. “I don’t feel like I’m the best at the station. The combination of you and I is real solid.”
Rick DiPietro was the first overall pick in the 2000 NHL Draft by the Islanders. He signed a whopping 15-year contract with the franchise in 2006, before his career was derailed by injuries. He officially retired in 2013 before joining 98.7 ESPN New York.
