MLB's 'Dream'ing, Tatis Jr., Sale, Cole Return & A No-No First? NFL Young Gun QB's Camp Progress. Kawhi: 100% Trustworthy? The End Of Roger Federer?
Taking you through the dog days of August as there’s plenty of sports content to analyze and dissect. Episode #209 has it all for the diehard or casual sports fan. On deck:
(4:52) Despite college & pro football in the not too distant future and the winter sports (hockey and basketball) opening up training camps next month, it's all about baseball as the pennant races start to shift a little bit. I'll share my thoughts on the Field Of Dreams game in Iowa between the Yankees vs. White Sox and how this is a positive if they were to put this event on the schedule year in and year out. I'll also get into the returns of Fernando Tatis Jr. and what he means to the Padres. The unlikelihood of history being made by Diamondbacks pitcher, Tyler Gilbert throwing a no-hitter in his first start. Chris Sale's first time on a major league mound since 2019 and what he means to the Red Sox? Will Gerrit Cole be rejuvenated after a stint on the COVID health and safety protocol list? Plus, all of the latest up to the minute pennant races as I go across the entire MLB landscape.
(36:17) I'm tracking the early progress of the QB's that were drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft (i.e. Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence, New York Jets Zach Wilson, San Francisco's Trey Lance and Chicago's Justin Fields) as they headline what's going on in training camp to date. Some news regarding a smart trade by the Steelers. Have the chances run out for talented but troubled DE Aldon Smith? And what's happening in New Orleans as the Saints aren't able to get out of their own way with personnel issues, no starting NFL corners and is Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill the answer at QB?
(50:14) There were a couple of major signings in the NBA as Luka Doncic re-ups with the Mavericks, but more of the talk is the Kawhi Leonard contract with the Clippers. While that may not come as a surprise, it does beg the question, can you trust him 100% to deliver despite his basketball resume? Speaking of the Clippers, they've made an upgrade at the guard position which'll help them battle it out for Western Conference supremacy. And the Celtics sign a point guard who's an 'irrational confidence' guy, but will it pay dividends with the young guys on the team?
(1:02:10) A huge injury from one of the NHL's top stars in Toronto (Auston Matthews) may be sidelined right up until the start of the season. And a veteran (Joe Thornton) going on two decades in the league signs with the upstart Florida Panthers. Also, the sad passing of legendary goaltender, Tony Esposito.
(1:07:02) Roger Federer will miss 'many months' as he needs another surgery on his right knee. Is this the beginning of the end for the all-time great?
(1:08:38) Boxing takes another hit as Errol Spence Jr. had to step away from his fight with Manny Pacquiao as he deals with an eye issue. Will his substitute bring any attention to the boxing/fight fan out there?
(1:10:42) As always, I close out with my Hero and Zero of the Week.
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.