The story has been out there for a while but today it was official: Morning Sports Page Co-host Gavin Dawson is leaving us at 95.5 The Game after today for a new opportunity. It’s a big station in a big market and he’s going to be doing afternoon drive — which means, best of all, the guy actually gets to live a normal life. Or at least as normal as Gavin can live it.

We wish him the best of luck and we’ll be carrying on in the mornings from 6-9 with Chad “The Body” Doing. We’re very excited about the show moving forward.

And one last thing, Gavin — thanks for the nickname. I’m going to stick with that “Godfather” thing for a while. It seems to have caught on.

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“Talkin’ Ball” airs after the next two Blazer games and I’ll be there. You probably knew that. We’re on after EVERY Comcast Sportsnet game, home or road.

Am also a regular every day from now until the Civil War on the Morning Sports Page with Gavin and C.I.P. from 6-9 a.m. (other than Thanksgiving day). It’s a lot of fun hanging with those guys and I think you’ll enjoy it — also available at 955Thegame.com.

And man, don’t miss it tomorrow as the MSP boys get to sit in for vacationing Jim Rome from 9 a.m. to noon on 95.5 The Game. In the first chance for the rest of the country to hear them, I expect them to hit it out of the park. I have heard just a tiny bit about what they’re planning and you’re going to love it.

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From 6-9 a.m. I’ll be with CIP on the Morning Sp0rts Page, on 95.5 The Game. Always love working with Chad, even when it’s in the early morning. And this time, we’re going to do a whole hour on college football and at least that long on the big UFC card Saturday night — with some great guests.

You don’t want to miss it.

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Pretty cool stuff announced up in Longview, Wash., today at a news conference in the Mark Morris High School gym, the site of Portland’s first-ever exhibition game.

Portland’s exhibition game this Oct. 14 will be in Memorial Coliseum, as you all know, with Bill Schonely sharing play-by-play duties with Brian Wheeler. I was actually kind of hoping for a reappearance of either Dave Twardzik or Geoff Petrie alongside The Schonz, but hey — just happy to see Bill get one more game, just a couple of days before he turns 80 years old.

They’re already apparently selling tickets for that game at $19.70 — reflecting, of course, 1970, Portland’s first NBA season. Just remember to bring your radio.

It sounds as if the team will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in high style with events throughout the season that bring back key players and coaches from the past.

I’ll have some more details from that news conference later, including a Terry Porter update.

Also need to mention that I’m doing the Morning Sports Page on 95.5 The Game with Chad tomorrow so you won’t see any early blog posts. Just the idea of getting up at 4:30 so I can go on the air from 6-9 a.m. is daunting enough — without worrying about the blog. I’d appreciate it if you’d give us a listen in the morning.

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Today and tomorrow Chad Doing (CIP to you insiders) and I will be hosting the Bald-Faced Truth from 3-6 p.m. on 95.5 The Game. And then next Tuesday, we will be together again on the Morning Sports Page, from 6-9 a.m. I’m already attempting to stockpile sleep.

Chad is great to work with and I’m very excited about the opportunity to ride his coattails again. And, of course, “Talkin’ Ball” continues its summer run every Wednesday night on Comcast Sportsnet at 6 o’clock. By the way, that show is going to be expanding even more come next Trail Blazer season — stay tuned for details.

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I’m telling you, once you get back into sportstalk radio, you really miss not doing it. Especially in times like this — the eve of the free-agent signing period — when there is so much to talk about.

Join Chad Doing and me today on the Bald-Faced Truth, from 3-6 o’clock on 95.5 The Game. And if you want to call, please do it — just remember to be ready to go with a pretty good take or CIP will shut you down in a New York minute.

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All week long, today through Friday, it’s me and Chad Doing filling in for John Canzano on the Bald-Faced Truth, 3-6 p.m.,  on 95.5 The Game. At some point, give me a call and identify yourself as a reader of this blog. There will be NO special prize for doing that, other than the personal satisfaction you will get from identifying yourself as a member of a very exclusive and elite club.

Talkin’ Ball, of course, at its usual summer time slot at 6 p.m. Wednesday on Comcast Sportsnet.

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I’ll be sitting in today with Chad Doing as John Canzano takes the day off from The Bald-Faced Truth, 3-6 p.m. on 95.5 The Game. It’s your opportunity to engage me on a phone call rather than an e-mail — and I prefer the former to the latter. Always have a great time with CIP.

On Wednesday night on Comcast’s “Talkin’ Ball” I’ll be the guest host again, with special guests Blazer assistant Dean Demopoulos and Comcast Sportsnet NBA reporter Laura Green. Show begins at 6 o’clock and I’m sure the playoff talk will be hot and heavy.

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You can find the podcast here, when yesterday, as guest hosts on the Bald-Faced Truth, Chad Doing, John Strong and I had the opportunity to interview city commissioner Randy Leonard.

Among other things, the commissioner said he expects Commissioner Dan Saltzman (the swing vote on the City Council) to make up his mind this week. And it sounded as if Leonard expects Saltzman to vote for the proposal to put the new Triple-A ballpark at Lents Park.

Leonard was also critical of the Trail Blazers’ role in steering the ballpark away from the Rose Quarter. I think you’ll want to listen.

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Going on the MSP this morning around 8 to chat with CIP and Gavin. Will be working with Chad the next two days at 3 o’clock, filling in for JC on the Bald-Faced Truth (95.5 The Game).

Also, on “Talkin’ Ball” Wednesday at p.m., Willamette Week’s Hank Stern. That sounds like Jim Pasero’s arch-enemy, doesn’t it?

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