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I'm back in the New York and podcast groove as I have the first of two podcasts this week to close out the first half of 2023! What the sports world had to offer over the past seven days? Here's what's on deck:

(3:12) It's officially here, sports fans. I know NBA & NHL free agency is upon us. Even the NHL Draft with a potential generational star about to be selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in a one, Connor Bedard. Wimbledon is next week. Of course, there's baseball. But the time has come, we have reached this part of the sports calendar where we all dread. Welcome to the Sports Dead Zone, Part 2.

(5:41) Since there wasn't a regularly scheduled podcast this past Thursday, the reason being is because I visited the Caribbean over the past five days at Grand Cayman. I'll share what took place and give it a plug for those who are interested or have it on their radar but never actually made accommodations as a wonderful destination to unplug and relax.

(9:33) MLB is front and center as one of the only sports standing on a day to day basis. I'll get into Marcus Stroman's blister that he suffered during the London Series vs. the Cardinals (which I'll also discuss with the Mets & Phillies playing there next year) He is at or near the top of the rumor mill when it comes to the trade deadline. What this injury does to hinder his value? Commissioner Rob Manfred fessed up to not making the best decision to give the 2017 Houston Astros players immunity during the sign stealing scandal during that season. Why is this coming out now? I'll delve into the exciting, upstart Cincinnati Reds coming off of a 12 game winning streak. The Giants had a 10 game winning streak of their own. The Marlins continue to play well as star pitching prospect Eury Perez shines through a 21 inning scoreless streak. Then, you have the Mets after another rough week (losing 4 of 6 to the World Series finalists, Houston & Philadelphia) and how they found another brutal way to lose a game like they did to the Phillies yesterday. Tampa Bay is on a pace to win 108 games this year, but there have been a couple of hiccups this past week. (Wander Franco benched without All-Star production. Shane McClanahan leaves start with bad back) Aaron Judge's toe and return back in the lineup is uncertain. I'll have that and much more as I take a trip throughout the major leagues.

(32:26) The Association has been wheeling and dealing over the past week. Of course, I'll get into my thoughts on Victor Wembanyama, the #1 pick by the San Antonio Spurs and piggyback mildly on what I said during last weeks' podcast. The Celtics & Warriors made moves to secure potential final pieces to their championship puzzles. Kristaps Porzingis goes to Boston in a three way trade with Washington & Memphis. What are the keys for KP to take his game to the next level? Thoughts on Marcus Smart going to the Grizzlies in this deal as his nine year tenure in Boston concludes. As for Golden State? Chris Paul (aka CP3) goes from the Wizards to the Bay Area where Jordan Poole comes back East. Is Draymond Green's return forthcoming due to this move? I'll also discuss how the NBA Draft played out, with which top players are headed to after Wembanyama's selection by San Antonio.

(48:46) The NHL will have their draft with Round 1 Wednesday night, followed by Round 2 on Thursday. Connor Bedard is the one guy that everyone has their eyes on as the next big thing in the sport of hockey. The Blackhawks have that selection awaiting them two nights from now. How the parallels between he and the Spurs first pick in the NBA draft this year are similar to another big duo many moons ago (Shaquille O'Neal & Eric Lindros in 1992) who came in with tons of hoopla and hype, similar to these guys coming out this year.

(55:51) I'll wrap up with some NFL news regarding Tyreek Hill and his recent allegations regarding assault at a Miami Beach marina. And the untimely death of one time Steelers LB, Clark Haggans, who was part of a big play in Super Bowl XL which changed the complexion of not only the game, but possibly the outcome of the Seahawks chances to win in Detroit that year.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast  

Many thanks for all of your love and support.  

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On this Juneteenth holiday, there is some sports chatter to get to, but a respite upcoming for your favorite little podcast host as I get into all that's happening. On deck:

(2:57) To begin, I bring up the fact that today is a holiday that must be mentioned as we honor June 19th. Otherwise, known as Juneteenth.

(3:35) A brief programming note as there will NOT be a Thursday podcast this week. I'll be off to the Caribbean on a four day getaway to relax and recharge from midweek through the weekend.

(4:55) The third major golf tournament of the year (US Open) took place at the LA Country Club where unknown Wyndham Clark made himself a household name, winning his first ever major tournament. But it was the close calls for two guys who haven't won a major in quite some time or never won one at all (i.e. Rory McIlroy & Rickie Fowler) that was the underlying story from the weekend. Do those two have any momentum going into The Open next month for another shot at capturing that elusive major championship?

(19:17) The National League was put in a blender over the weekend as some surprising teams have taken a big leap and become relevant as we approach the month of July. The Marlins are 10 games over .500 for the first time since 2011. The Phillies have gotten themselves in order as they're in the middle of a six game win streak. The Brewers took care of the Pirates as they swept Pittsburgh at home and leapfrogged them in the NL Central. Is this the end of the Pirates good play as they're in a tailspin? Now the Cincinnati Reds are making a charge, winners of eight straight, breathing down the necks of the front running Brewers in the division. Out West, the Giants embarrassed the Dodgers sweeping them out of LA the past three days as they zoomed past them into second place. Even the Angels have overtaken the Astros in the AL West. Will these teams continue to stay hot and make some waves for an early pennant chase pursuit? Then you have the underachieving Mets as they're heading nowhere fast. This could be a telling week as they face the Astros and Phillies on the road this week. Quite a bit has transpired here as more teams have put themselves in the early playoff mix, which could lead to an intriguing summer.

(37:44) The NBA Draft is this coming Thursday. All of the talk and attention will be directed toward the consensus #1 pick, Victor Wembanyama. Is it too early to buy into all the hype surrounding him? The Suns look to build off of a disappointing ending to their season, in agreement to trade for Wizards guard, Bradley Beal. Why I'm probably in the minority as to not being in favor of this deal? There's the 25 game suspension handed down to Grizzlies guard, Ja Morant. Was it too harsh? Too light? Just right? Lastly, Michael Jordan sold his majority stake of the Charlotte Hornets to a couple of men who had a minority stake in the organization. Although MJ will have a minority stake himself, why he still comes out winning after 13 lackluster and mostly non winning seasons in the Buzz City?

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast  

Many thanks for all of your love and support.  

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

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A new day. A new week means a new podcast, but the same passion and fire as I deliver all that the sports world has to offer on this latest edition. On deck:

(4:04) The showdown in the NL East is about to begin. The Mets and Braves meet up for three huge games down in Atlanta starting tonight, with the Mets holding a 1.5 lead in the division. How will this play out? Which team does this series means the most to? I'll have a preview. The Yankees come out of Boston with a split of a four game set. I'll dissect what's the one thing we've learned over the weekend about the Bombers and how it could play an enormous factor, not only down the stretch of the regular season, but more importantly, the postseason. I'll take a lay of the MLB land and get into the Rays and Blue Jays recent stumble and the Dodgers resurgence, among other things as we're one week away from the All-Star Break.

(29:39) Wimbledon, tennis's third leg of the Grand Slam has officially completed. Elena Rybarkina is your surprise winner on the women's side. There's been a hint of controversy surrounding her win because players from Russia were banned for the tournament, but she represents another nation despite being born in Moscow. I'll explain further. Then there's Novak Djokovic winning his fourth Wimbledon in a row, seventh overall and 21st Grand Slam Final over Nick Kyrgios. Djokovic has gone on record stating that he doesn't anticipate playing in the US Open. How come? Also, how does Kyrgios perform moving forward now that he's made it to a Grand Slam Final?

(38:03) The NHL Draft had a little surprise at the top where the hometown host Montreal Canadiens, expected to take Shane Wright as their #1 choice, pivoted and chose Juraj Slafkovsky instead. Were the fans in the building elated by the selection? The Blackhawks were wheeling and dealing over the past few days sending a few players and draft picks as it looks as if they're in rebuild mode. Will Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane be next? Quite a few goaltenders were moved (i.e. Alexander Georgiev, Ville Husso and Vitek Vanecek) as well. Now, free agency looms over the sport as Wednesday will be the first day teams can spend on players like Evgeni Malkin, PK Subban, Phil Kessel, Claude Giroux, Johnny Gaudreau and many more as the offseason is in full swing.

(47:07) James Harden takes a pay cut to stay in Philadelphia as they look to add free agent PJ Tucker to the squad. How will he shape up when training camp comes around? Damien Lillard gets an extension to stay in Portland. He felt that if he were to go elsewhere, it wouldn't be fulfilling, when it comes to winning a championship. As commendable as it is for him to do so, the likelihood of that happening is slim and none.

(50:53) Sandra Douglas Morgan and the Las Vegas Raiders made history as she was hired by the team to be the president of the franchise. What this could possibly mean for all of sports moving forward?

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

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Episode 77 welcomes in summer, closes out June and prepares us for another sports talk podcast party for the masses. On tap:

The second sports 'Dead Zone' of the year has arrived. I'll explain.

An eventful week that was for the Mets included, the firing of their pitching coach and bullpen coach. Pete Alonso’s record breaking rookie season, not securing a road series win since the beginning of April at Wrigley Field, leading up to some salty post game comments by manager, Mickey Callaway, at a Newsday reporter AND pitcher Jason Vargas intervening. Is Mickey Callaway on his way out? My biggest fear for Pete Alonso in 2019?  I have LOTS to say about this, as you might expect!

The Yankees weren't able to pay back the Astros with a sweep at home, but come off of an eight game winning streak as their big guns (i.e. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge) are back in the starting lineup. They have a trip across the pond at the end of the week in London vs. the Red Sox. You'll get my take on why I don't like these games being played overseas?

I'll recap the NBA Draft, get into some NBA free agency stuff as we're exactly a week away. Plus, my thoughts on the Celtics this offseason. Are they looking to re-tool? Re-load?

I'll touch on the Devils and Rangers going 1-2 in the draft and what that means for the rivalry and organizations moving forward. Also, my Hero and Zero of the Week.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify and Luminary. Many thanks for all of the love and support.

Music by Bensound.

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