Thursday the Phillies leave Florida to come north. The new baseball season is looming and I am so excited. No more crying that there isn't anything good on TV tonight....Harry and Wheels will be there for me! Unfortuntely Gary Mathews will be there for me too, but thats just my personal taste I guess. One of the most attractive things about major league baseball is that its such a long run from beginning to end of season....162 games. Starting out, you'll be going to the park all bundled up, hoping the concessions stands haven't run out of hot chocolate. Then before you know it, the goal is to wear as little as possible without getting arrested cause its going to be 99 in the shade. Through it all, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, J-Roll, and company will be pounding that ball and we'll be praying the pitchers can hold them. My optimism on the new season is guarded I must confess. I fear that J=Roll is not going to have the year he did last year. Of course, I think Ryan might hit 60 homers this year while batting .300 and driving in 150 or so. Chase should put up great numbers, and I think Phillies fans are going to like Pedro Feliz at 3rd a lot. He's not much of an average hitter, but he's clutch and hit 20 home runs every year in San Francisco, where its not easy to hit dingers. Heck, I even think Pat Burrell is going to shock everyone with one of his "up" seasons...after all it is a contract year for him, and the light seemed to go on for him after the all-star break last year. Hopefully it was one of those CFL lights so it will stay one for a long time. Still there is nagging dread clawing at my soul when it comes to this year's team. The pitching looks frightengly similar to last year. Believe me, last year was the worst pitching staff to make it into the playoffs, and with the improvements to the Mets (and Atlanta always hanging tough), the same results as last year will doom us to 2nd or even 3rd place! Oh the drama's to be played out!! They are just a few days away...starting with exhibition games this weekend at Citizen's Bank Park and up at the brand new Lehigh Stadium...home of your Allentown Iron Pigs. They're certainly not MY Allentown Iron Pigs....I wouldn't let some nice innocent ballplayers take the field with that Albatross hanging around their necks! Hey....the Allentown Albatross...i like that much better. Do we know who coined that Iron Pig name?? You bring the tar and I'll bring the feathers!! Aaaaah, baseball!

RIP!

God Bless. Thanks for the smiles.

We are going to miss you! Godspeed!

All of Philadelphia has lost a radio legend.

RIP Ron.

Gonna Miss Big Ron. So thankful to have heard him originally while he was at KFI. :( John

BIG RON - you will be missed!

God Bless you Big Ron....You will be missed!

You will be dearly missed.

you will be missed big guy

Big Ron, I am going to miss you. Since Oct, 2001 when you came to WOGL you could always be there to lift up my mood if I had a bad day. You are a legend in Philadelphia. I won a T-Shirt from a WFIL Happy Hour in 1977 because I knew a trivia question about you. May God be with you.

Condolences to all of Ron's family, friends, colleagues and listeners. Very sad indeed. God bless you, Big Ron.

My brother worked with Big Ron during his days at KIIS FM in L.A. and I got to meet him quite often. As loyal listeners during his time at KFI, we were in awe one we got to hang out with him. I always dug his style and his weather reports where "they were enjoying 69 (degrees)" in any given city. There was a beach ball in the KIIS FM studio that all the jocks signed and Big Ron's read, "In the twilight of another mediocre career." I beg to differ. The man was just an awesome air personality and will be missed. God bless you, Big Ron.

I loved listening to Ron on the way home from work every evening. His sense of humor was great & I loved his picking on Bob Kelly. He was so quick witted. I'll miss him.

I miss Ron SO much already. He was such a wonderful friend to me...and the "top of the heap" in radio. God bless you, Big. I hope you're in a much better place now - pain free. - Jeffrey T. Mason

I used to love to hear Big Ron after work. My prayers are with his family (radio family, too!)

You gave me so many smiles, now there are only tears. KISS...

Heaven has a new DJ. Big Ron will be missed.

rest in peace big ron.

Incredible Talent. Also worked at the World Famous K-ROQ as "Eugene Oregon"

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Big Ron's passing. We love you ans miss you, Big Ron. Rest in peace.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of your passing. We love you and miss you. Rest in Peace.

big we all will miss you a lot you where a a great person to chat with you plz rip big ron

What a shock to hear about Big Ron's Passing. We live you and miss you. Rest in Peace.

Ron O'Brien was the inspiration for my start in radio...rest in peace Big Ron.

unbelievable I had hoped you were the one to call my name for the vacation a day give away you cracked me up and were a pleasure to listen to. goodbye and God Bless

Ron ... you were a good friend. RIP with the angels .. start a radio station up there so those that go up and not down will have a gig when they arrive! Much love sweetie .. you know that and knew that always.

well, Ron .. ain't that the truth! So honored you were my friend. You know and knew I loved you .. Start a station up there for those of us who end up there where you are with the angels .. and we'll do it all again! Much love and peace to you .. RIP!

You were the best part of my afternoon. I always looked forward to hearing you in the afternoon. God Bless.

you were the best big ron- you made the ride home bearable- you will be missed

What a great guy and Voice you had and still have!!!!:))

God Bless, you always put a smile on my face when I listened to you. You always made me think of the good times with the music you played. Heaven will be rocking tonight, goodbye Boss Jock.

we'll miss you but now your working that big radio station in the sky

I listened to you while at work and truly enjoyed your program on a daily basis. WOGL will not be the same without you! My deepest condolences to your mother and the rest of your family. You will stay in my prayers.

WOGL will not be the same without you!

My thoughts are with everyone who holds Big Ron near and dear to their heart!

What a Voice!!!!

So sad, and will miss him so bad. You are one of the finest, Big Ron, and will be a tough act to follow.

you will be missed, dearly

Big Ron you were the best DJ I've heard in the ten years I've been in the listening area. We had a lot of fun on the phones! RIP my buddy! Beatle Bob Newtown,Pa.

We will miss you dearly! Rest in Peace

hey ron say hi too whitey when you see him. you made listening enjoyable, thanks forever h

You & Bob Kelly made my ride home so enjoyable. I actually would just start laughing at the two of them. He was a fun DJ putting smiles on your face and that is special

All of Philadelphis will miss you Big Ron. Job WELL DONE!

I never had the pleasure to meet Big Ron but he came into my place of work my ride home and into my home every Monday thru Friday. I feel like we have been friends and just like all friends it is hard to say good by. He had to be one of the happiest men on the radio. You could just feel the love for what he did come thru. Ron you will be missed and thought of always.May God open his arms and hold you thee forever. L.S.

RIP---MISS U

My condolences to Ron's mother. May you find some peace in knowing how much joy Ron gave us all who enjoy this station. God Bless...

I'll miss your upbeat style. Heaven got a winner

We will miss you!

Will miss a fellow passionate Beatles fan! Say hi to John and George!

Blessings to BIG Ron and his family. We Have truely lost a GREAT man and on air personality! You had many loyal fans here in Philly. May you rest in peace big guy.

My afternoons will never be the same. We will miss you much.......

Talk about a jock who never was off in terms of his excitement level. Ron was the consumate pro. As a former jock, Ron and I would share stories and when I would call him, he always remembered my voice. Coming from him, that was a huge compliment. Rest in peace. Paul Troy (aka Gary Phillips)

Big Ron you will be greatly missed thnaks for the memories..Go with the Angels

God Bless you, you will be missed.

I will miss the ride home from work

You were alwys my afternoon pick-me-up at work. You will be sorely missed.

I already miss your jolly voice on my ride home from work each day. Keep the music playing in heaven. God Bless you Big Ron

I met Ron while in school at the University of Iowa. He was working on of his first jobs in Indianola, Iowa at KBAB. Even thenhe was one of the greatest jocks I had ever heard. He was born to do this. God bless you.

Your incredible wit and humor helped me through the daily drove home. I will be lost without it.

He made you smile on a rainy day..he made you smile every day! You are deeply missed!

You will be missed, rest with the Lord!

Gonna miss you big ron. you will be dearly missed.

I listened to you in Cali for years, and then on the Web in Philly. I'll miss you very much! Bette in California

Philadelphia has lost one of the kindest radio host on the air today. I always told Big Ron that it was HIS program that got me home from work every single day. He was a true legend. You will be greatly missed my friend. R.I.P..in that big Rock n Roll Heaven in the sky.....(your friend Lynne from Warminster)

I listened to you every day while at work. You were my pick-me-up when things got hectic. Thanks for the laughs. You will be sorely mssed.

GOD SPEED BIG RON.YOUR CHEERY VOICE WILL BE SORELY MISSED

wogl has lost another legend in the radio business. we will miss you big ron.

You were a sweetheart. RIP Big Guy. You will be greatly missed

We'll see you in the rock n roll hall of fame in the sky.

The ride home won't be quite the same. God Bless you Ron

THE DRIVE HOME WON'T BE THE SAME! HEAVEN JUST GOT A LITTLE RICHER

You were a sweetheart. You will be surly missed

big ron and hi lit together rock and rollen for rich ashburn gonna miss your voice man god bless ya...

God Bless Philly's Best! Class Broadcaster and always brought smiles when we listened. We will miss you.

I'll miss you on my ride home from work.

Heaven has a dance party today..Big Ron is there. Thank you for the good times!

Listening to you made me laugh-I felt young again. I'll miss those moments dreadfully when your laugh would shake me out of the doldrums...

Song we both loved- "I Will Always Think About You" (New Colony 6) Aloha & God Bless-Debbie S*M*I*L*E

You were a sweetheart. RIP

I so enjoyed listening to you tease Bob Kelly

You made the last 2 hrs at work fly by with your sense of humor... You will be missed.

That you Big Ron for all the memories. I loved tring to call in for your lost hit. didn't always get though but it was fun. A great radion personanlity. Your big heart came though t he air ways. May you be at peace & in God s care.Thank you & we will miss you. Steve

Thanks for the hours of entertainment and helping to ease my commute home Ron. RIP.

I loved your afternoons on my drive home from work

WE WILL KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN OUR PRAYERS

I had such fun working down the hall from Big Ron when I was at WPHT. He was one of the best and will be sorelymissed! RIP Ron!! Jeff Katz

Thanks for the hours of entertainment and to help ease my commute. RIP Ron.

My Ride Home From Work Will Never Be The Same Without My Co-Pilot BIG RON To Make it Bearable Thanks For All The Great Memories... YOU WILL BE DEARLY MISSED

You were bigger than life and will be truly missed!

I will miss hearing your voice and i will only have the memories of you when i was one of your favorite interns when you worked at another station.

Always pleasant on air & phone- How's that "Stairway to Heaven?" Aloha Sweetie! S*M*I*L*E

Ron was my inspiration, a gentle friend and true talent. All of radio is less without him. (J.R. Russ)

Thanks for the laughs & smiles on the ride home

Sure gonna miss you... heard you first at the Great-138 KUDL

Gonna miss the Big way you impacted our lives... God Bless

Too young to be gone. I am sure you are in radio heaven.

You would light up my day...You will be missed.

You were the best. I enjoyed listing to you on my why home from work. You made me laugh. You will be missed

Another golden voice silenced. Big Ron we will miss you. From all your fans!! God Bless.

Your incredible wit and sense of humor helped me through my daily drive home. I will be lost without it.

Thanks for the laughs and smiles.

It was always so nice to have you around the kitchen when I was preparing dinner and cleaning up the mess. Rest in peace big guy. You will be missed. someone has very big shoes to fill.

It was always so nice to prepare dinner and clean up the mess with you in the background. You will be missed. someone has really big shoes to fill.

big ron you will be missed by alot of your fan's but not forgotten. god bless you and RIP!

RIP big guy.You will be missed as you always kept me company while I was preparing dinner and clenaing up afterwards. RIP

I'll miss your voice forever, Big Ron! God Bless!

I will miss those little gems you brought back if only for one afternoon.

Know wonder you were BIG Ron, you gave big to your radio fans and we loved every minute of your broadcast. Many condolences to your wonderful mother an d your great staff at WOGL, you will be always be a part of making us feel happy, just by the tone ofyour voice, we knew we were in great company. Thanks we are a better people knowing you.