The Sports-casters

On the fifth episode of the fifth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Jimmy Traina (Fox Sports) and Jeff Pearlman (Author). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about life after football the mid point of the basketball season, and the debacle that was the GRAMMYs. The book club changes course and focuses on a sports documentary, and the show ends with One Last Thing. -Jimmy Traina is making his second appearance (00:29:44) on the podcast. Traina is finally back to set the record for the longest gap between his first and second appearance on the podcast. Traina talks about Howard Stern, the future of the Howard Stern Show, and explains why he thinks Howard is the GOAT. Traina also talks about his move to Fox Sports, being careful on twitter, and the difficulty of booking a podcast. -Jeff Pearlman is making his fifth appearance (01:28:50) on the podcast. Pearlman joins us to talk about his book Showtime (recently released on paperback), his negative experience w

On the fourth episode of the fifth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Bryan Curtis (Grantland) and Sean McIndoe (Down Goes Brown, Grantland). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the Super Bowl, the host of problems that several NFL players are already having in the offseason, and Bill Raftery and Grant Hill getting a promotion. The book club changes course and focuses on a sports documentary, and the show ends with One Last Thing. -Bryan Curtis is making his third appearance (00:35:23) on the podcast to to talk about his time in Arizona covering the Super Bowl for Grantland. Curtis talks about the bizarre Marshawn Lynch interactions with the media, the reaction to the final seconds of the game in the press box, and explains the mood in the Seahawks locker room after the game. Curtis also talks about his role at Grantland as a sports generalist, explains why he sometimes misses being on a specific beat, and why he thinks he has the best job in sports wri

On the third episode of the fifth season of The Sports-Casters, Don is still out handling other business. Steve goes at it alone for the second time in podcast history. Steve welcomes Katie Baker (Grantland) and R.D. Reynolds (WrestleCrap, Author), and Bryan Alvarez (Wrestling Observer, Author) to the podcast. Steve starts the show by recapping the NFL conference championship games, giving a few thoughts on the first half of the NHL season, and explains why the UFC reminds his a little of the WWE. The book club update closes out a batch of books and looks ahead to what might be next. Finally, the show ends with a recap of the Pick4 season and One Last Thing. Katie Baker is making her fifth appearance (00:19:44) on the podcast. Baker joins us to talk about traveling to Green Bay for a Packers playoff game at Lambeau, the mood of the press box after the Dez Bryant catch, and how her experience there changed her perspective on the Packers game against the Seahawks. Katie also talks about getting married, gives

On the second episode of the fifth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome SL Price (Sports Illustrated), Ken Reid (Sportsnet) and John Hayden (USNTDP, Yale Hockey). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL playoffs, the college football playoffs, and the Sabres retiring Dominik Hasek's number. The book club update starts to focus on "The Death of WCW," "Hockey Stories," and the new Al Michaels' book. Finally, the show ends with Pick4. -SL Price is making his fifth appearance (0:42:36) on the podcast. Price joins us to talk about his well received SI piece on John Elway. He jokes about Steve's "obsession" with twitter, talks about how authoring his Elway piece changed his viewing experience of last weekend's Broncos game, and tries to put Peyton Manning's legacy into historical perspective. -Ken Reid is making his first appearance (01:16:12) on the podcast. Ken joins us to promote his book, "Hockey Card Stories". Reid talks about picking out the hockey c

On the season premier of the fifth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Tom Verducci (Sports Illustrated) and Dan Wolken (USA Today). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL playoffs, the college football playoffs, and Canada finally winning gold at the World Junior Championship. The book club update starts to focus on "The Death of WCW," "Hockey Stories," and the new Al Michaels' book. Finally, the show ends with Pick4. -Tom Verducci is making his third appearance (0:44:25) on the podcast. Verducci joins us to talk about calling his first World Series for Fox, working in a three man booth, and replacing Tim McCarver. Verducci also explains why he chose Madison Bumgarner to be the SI Sportsman of the Year, puts Bumgarner's World Series accomplishments into historical context, and examines the future of Sports Illustrated. -Dan Wolken is making his seventh appearance (1:09:33) on the podcast. Wolken joins look back at the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl,

On the thirty-fourth episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Luke Winn (Sports Illustrated) and Corey Masisak (NHL.Com). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL, the college football playoff, and the Heisman Trophy finalists. The book club update continues to focus on "The Death of WCW," "Hockey Stories," and the new Al Michaels' book. Finally, the show ends with Pick4. Steve is red hot so pay special attention to his picks. -Luke Winn is making his seventh appearance (00:28:01) on the podcast. Winn joins the podcast to talk about the college basketball season. Luke explains the impact of the one-and-done freshman this season, explains why he wrote about Wisconsin in the SI preview issue, and picks a few mid-majors that could make an impact come tournament time. Luke also talks about the evolution of his power rankings column, Oklahoma's improved defense, and St. Bonaventure's fancy uniform. -Corey Masisak is making his first appea

On the thirty-third episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Stewart Mandel (Fox Sports) and Steve Hyden (Grantland). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL, the MLS Final featuring Buffalo native Bobby Shuttleworth, and the inappropriate behavior of sports blogger. The book club update starts to focus on "The Death of WCW," "Hockey Stories," and the new Al Michaels' book. Finally, the show ends with Pick4. -Stewart Mandel is making his seventh appearance (01:00:12) on the podcast. Stewart joins us to talk about the last weekend of the college football season and how it will effect the first ever college football playoff. Stewart explains what will happen if Alabama loses, why the committee hasn't been impressed with Florida State, and breaks down the arguments from TCU and Baylor. Stewart also handicaps the Heisman race, wonders if any programs other then UAB are in trouble, and sets up the Fox Sports coverage the rest of the seaso

On the thirty-second episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Mike Harrington (The Buffalo News) and Matt Crossman (SB Longform, Bleacher Report, Rolling Stone). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL, the start of the Major League Baseball hot stove, and Connor McDavid's injury. The book club update starts to focus on "The Death of WCW," "Hockey Stories," and the new Al Michaels' book. Finally, the show ends with Pick4. -Mike Harrington is making his second appearance (00:30:48) on the podcast. Harrington talks about the divide between himself as someone covering the Buffalo Sabres and the fans cheering for the team to finish dead last. Mike explains his reservations about the current group of Sabres prospects, speculates if fans would be patient enough to let Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel develop enough to lead the Sabres to the playoffs, and wonders if Terry Murray is the right general manager to accomplish the rebuild. Before he

On the thirty-first episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Richard Deitsch (Sports Illustrated), Chris Burke (Si.Com) and David A. Dorsey (Fort Myers News-Press). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL, Steve's trip to Monday Night Raw, and the start of another Yale Hockey Season. The book club update closes out Fourth Down in Dunbar and looks ahead to two new books. Finally, the show ends with Pick4. -Richard Deitsch is making his twelfth appearance (00:31:24) on the podcast. Deitsch talks Major League Baseball playoffs, Erin Andrews, and the first year of Fox Sports 1. Steve and Richard talk about the WWE Network, the Artie Lange controversy on twitter, and who Richard is currently sparing with. -Chris Burke is making his tenth appearance (1:04:25) on the podcast. Burke talks about the incredible rookie wide receivers, tries to figure out the Saints, and explains why the AFC might come down to another Brady vs. Manning showdown

On the thirtieth episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters, Don is still out so Steve goes at it alone for the first time in podcast history. Steve welcomes Christopher McDougall (Author) to the podcast. Steve starts the show by recapping the World Series, giving a few thoughts on the New Orleans Saints, and by wishing Cleveland and LeBron James well as they start the NBA season. The book club update features Fourth Down in Dunbar and several other books and looks ahead and what is coming. Finally, the show ends with One Last Thing. -Christopher McDougall is making his first appearance (0:16:09) on the podcast. McDougall joins us to talk about editing The Best American Sports Writing Anthologies 2014 edition. McDougall explains how he was picked to the guest editor of the book, picking the articles, and the reaction from the writers who had their pieces selected. McDougall also talks about the success of his book "Born to Run." Before ending, Steve and Chris discuss Chris' next project, the pressure

On the twenty-ninth episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters, Don is out celebrating the birth of his son so Steve is joined by Adam Lazarus. Steve and Adam welcome Bob McKenzie (TSN, NBCSN) and Lee Jenkins (Sports Illustrated). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Adam talk about the NFL, the World Series, and the NHL's decision to suspend a player for domestic violence. The book club update features Fourth Down in Dunbar and several other books. Finally, the show ends with One Last Thing. -Bob McKenzie is making his first appearance (1:11:04) on the podcast. McKenzie joins us to promote his book, "Hockey Confidential: Inside Stories from People Inside the Game." Bob talks about picking the stories for the book and why his kitchen at the cottage motivated him to write it. Bob and Steve talk about Connor McDavid, The Tragically Hip, and deciding between major junior hockey or the college route. -Lee Jenkins is making his nineteenth appearance (1:42:54) on the podcast to discuss the start of t

On the twenty-eighth episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Greg Wyshynski (Puck Daddy Blog, Yahoo! Sports), Jenny Vrentas (theMMQB) and Dan Wolken (USA Today). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL, the Major League Baseball playoffs, and look back at a upset filled weekend of college football. The book club update features Fourth Down in Dunbar and makes a big announcement. Also, the show has some technical difficulties and ends with Pick4. -Greg Wyshynski is making his ninth appearance (0:23:38) on the podcast. Puck Daddy joins us to preview the start of the NHL season. Greg says the Blues could end the Kings and Blackhawks dominance of the Western Conference, wonders if anyone can beat the Bruins in the East, and handicaps the race for Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. -Jenny Vrentas is making her second appearance (0:46:12) on the podcast. Jenny joins us to discuss the pros and cons of a NFL team in London, explains her feeli

On the twenty-seventh episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Mike Tirico (ESPN, Monday Night Football), Jeff Passan (Yahoo! Sports) and Jim Florentine (That Metal Show). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL, look ahead to the Major League Baseball playoffs, and preview a loaded weekend of college football. The book club update introduces Fourth Down in Dunbar, and the show closes with Pick4. -Mike Tirico is making his third appearance (0:24:36) on the podcast. Mike talks about spending his summer in Brazil covering the World Cup, the positive reaction to the coverage, and the disappointment in knowing ESPN won't be covering the next World Cup. Mr. Tirico also talks about social issues in the NFL, having an opinion in the 21st Century, and explains why he has decided to use the word Redskins. Also, Mike talks about dealing with criticism, chasing the perfect broadcast, and the future of John Gruden. -Jeff Passan is making his ei

On the twenty-sixth episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Andrew Sharp (Grantland) and David Shoemaker (Grantland). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL, insult the commissioner, look ahead to the baseball playoffs, and wonder if Jameis Winston is a good teammate. The book club returns for the long awaited book of the year announcement and show closes with pick 4. -Andrew Sharp is making his first appearance (0:31:48) on the podcast to talk about his time in Buffalo covering the Bills for Grantland. Sharp also talks about living in Washington as Cowboys fan, what D.C. thinks about the team's name, and what the future holds for RGIII. Also, Sharp declares Buffalo the most beautiful city in the world, wonders if EJ Manuel will ever be the quarterback the Bills hoped he would be when they drafted him, and looks ahead to the rest of the NFL season. -David Shoemaker is making his third appearance (0:59:28) on the podcast to talk ab

On the twenty-fifth episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Jane Leavy (Author) and Sal Capaccio (WGR Radio). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL, the change to Penn State's sanction, and the U.S. Open. Five on Fantasy looks back at week 1 and ahead to week 2 and the show closes with the return of pick 4. -Jane Leavy is making her sixth appearance (0:30:11) on the podcast. Jane joins us to discuss the end of the historic career of Derek Jeter, how Mickey Mantle would have fared in 21st century America, and where the Yankees go now that the last of the "core four" is retiring. Jane also updates us on her upcoming book about Babe Ruth, gives her opinion on the Ray Rice incident, and continues to resist my pleas for her to join twitter. -Sal Capaccio is making his first appearance (1:53:26) on the podcast. Sal joins us to talk about the Bills staying in Buffalo thanks to new owner Terry Pegula. Sal also talks about his new job as

On the twenty-fourth episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Trey Wingo (ESPN), Michael Fabiano (NFL Network, NFL.Com), and Stewart Mandel (Fox Sports). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL, MLB and Tony Stewart's return to racing. Five on Fantasy tracks the players that rose and fell during the month of August, Steve and Don each give four over/under NFL win total predictions, and the show closes with a wedding themed One Last Thing and Super Bowl predictions. -Trey Wingo is making his second appearance (0:30:30) on the podcast. Trey talks the house that RGIII built at Baylor, the new sets at ESPN studios, and how the HD era in television has changed the way we look at sports. Trey looks back at the offseason in the NFL, talks about the summer of Manziel and Sam, and addresses social issues in sports. Moving to the playing season, Trey talks about the importance of home field in the NFC, the potential regression of the Panthers

On the twenty-third episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Aaron Schatz (Football Outsiders) and Phil Taylor (Sports Illustrated). Starting the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the NFL, MLB and other news in the world of sports. Five on Fantasy makes a return to the show, and the guys give their over under predictions. -Aaron Schatz is making his third appearance (00:35:44) on the podcast. Aaron and Steve talk all things NFL, including their shared wish to know more about offensive line play. -Phil Taylor is making an appearance (01:19:59) on the show to discuss the Ray Rice suspension and the fan and media backlash.

On the twenty-second episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Jason LaCanfora (CBS Sports) and Jeremy Taggart (Rock Star). Kicking off the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the Ray Rice suspension and the subsequent fallout, Derek Jeter becoming 7th on the aft-time hit list, and go around the league with several NFL stories. Also on the show, a brief book club update that doesn't update much, and the show ends with one last thing. -Jason LaCanfora is making his sixth appearance (00:33:16) on the podcast. Jason and Steve look back at the World Cup and look ahead to the future of soccer in the United States. Jason also talks about covering the 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings and the delicate nature of covering the Vladimir Konstantinov tragedy and Jason speculates on how it would have played out in the twitter era. Finally, Jason and Steve chat about the National Football League. Jason recaps what he has heard about the Bills sale and the chance that Terry

On the twenty-first episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Jon Wertheim (Sports Illustrated, SI.Com), Jeff Passan (Yahoo! Sports) and Ian Rapoport (NFL Media). Kicking off the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about Lee Jenkins breaking the Lebron James news and the impact on the NBA, the final week of the World Cup and Brazil's worst nightmare, and a bizarre MLB All-Star game. Also on the show, five on fantasy looks at rookies and potential break out players this season, a quick book club update that doesn't update much, and the show ends with one last thing. -Jon Wertheim is making his twelfth appearance (0:24:03) on the podcast to give background on Sports Illustrated and Lee Jenkins breaking the Lebron James story. Wertheim is very candid about his role as executive editor of the magazine and what part he played in helping to shape the story. Mr. Wertheim also answers questions about criticisms that SI has received about the article, the decision t

On the twentieth episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Robert Klemko (theMMQB) and Dan Levy (Bleacher Report). Kicking off the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about the World Cup and the devastating fall of Brazil, look at a few NFL stories, and look back on an incredible Wimbledon final. Also on the show, five on fantasy looks at different rules and ways to tweak a standard league and the show ends with one last thing on DGB and Derek Jeter. -Robert Klemko is making his second appearance (0:30:49) on the podcast. Robert stops by to talk about his experience at the NFL Rookie Symposium, how theMMQB has handled its first off season, and articles he thought no one would read that were a huge hit. Robert also talks about what he has planned for training camp, talks about JFF's maturity, the Bills losing Kiko Alonso, and the Jimmy Graham decision. -Dan Levy is making his fourth appearance (1:09:34) on the podcast. Levy joins us to talk about his role a