Watch Stoney's sign-off on 97.1 The Ticket: Mike Stone says thank you

So long, Stoney! At least, until March 1, when he'll be on call from the bullpen whenever needed at WXYT-FM (97.1) The Ticket.

Friday morning was Mike Stone's final run as a full-time radio host, a career that began more than 30 years ago.

Stone, 65, announced in August he would step down after the NFL season, and transition to a spot starter and reliever for at least two years, filling in where needed on air. He will continue to do the Detroit Lions postgame show and has a few podcasts.

Among the dozens and dozens of notables thanked by Stone, as he read off several pages of prewritten copy: WDIV-TV’s Bernie Smilovitz, who hired him from Philadelphia as a producer in the 1980s, and Free Press columnist Mitch Albom, who put Stone on-air in 1988 on WLLZ-FM (98.7) on "The Sunday Sports Albom."

Albom and Stone also spent seven years as roommates.

“I owe a ton to Bernie and Mitch for all of this,” Stone said. “Many people have been important in my career, but they helped lay the foundation.”

Stone wrapped up his farewell with a thanks to his audience.

"Finally, I want to thank you, the listener,” Stone concluded. “It’s unfathomable that you have been with me for all or parts of 31 years of sports talk radio. Thank you for making me a part of your life. ...

“I am somewhat sad that I will not be on the air every day, but I know that sadness ends when there’s no frickin’ alarm at 4:30 in the morning."

Jim Costa will take Stone's seat alongside Jon Jansen and Heather Park for the station's morning show, weekdays from 6-10 a.m.

Watch and listen to Stone's extended sign-off Friday:

THE GODFATHER: Mike Stone (Stoney) reigns as Detroit's 'godfather of sports radio'

Stone spent the past 14 years at WXYT, co-hosting the morning show, first with Bill McAllister and then with the late Jamie Samuelsen. He was the afternoon drive-time host on WDFN-AM, first with Rob Parker and then with current Detroit News columnist Bob Wojnowski, from 1994-2009.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Watch Stoney's sign-off on 97.1 The Ticket: Mike Stone says thank you