He had been working with Post-Dispatch sports columnist Bryan Burwell in the 9 a.m.-noon slot and they had the top market share at that time among the three major sports stations' target demographic — men ages 25-54. And they were No. 5 overall on the sports-banter list. Still, they had 101.1 FM's lowest-rated show.

Sources said station management didn't like their chemistry and bought out Parris' contract.

"Pat was a valuable member of our team and played an important part in our success the past 10 months,'' WXOS program director Jason Barrett said. "I am personally grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him and truly appreciate the commitment and professionalism he brought to our building."

Parris, whose primary job is as a host on Fox Sports Midwest, said he was comfortable with the decision.

"We mutually agreed that if the show needed to go in a little bit different direction that I was willing to be the one to step aside because I have other responsibilities that didn't allow me to be as flexible as Bryan,'' Parris said. "To me it was an easy decision to step aside and say, 'Hey I tried and it didn't work out this time.'''

A replacement hasn't been named, but Barrett said the show will be cut by 60 minutes beginning Nov. 16, ending at 11 a.m. That hour will be picked up by Bernie Miklasz, who has the top-rated show in the format and currently airs from noon-2 p.m.

"Bernie Miklasz has been a dominant force on our airwaves for the past seven months and the audience demand for his show to be extended has been very strong,'' Barrett said.

Parris said he'd like to do radio again, but under different circumstances.

"I would have to say that if it meant having to be the lead guy on a show for three or four hours a day, Monday through Friday, that I probably wouldn't do that again,'' he said. "It seemed to be a little bit more than I had bargained for.''

But he said he's glad for the experience.

"It was a positive situation for me,'' he said. "The station is really good and solid, I think they are doing the right things in the right way. But although we were No. 1 in our time slot we weren't getting the ratings (of the station's other shows) so I can see why they were concerned.''