Sports With Friends
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Jim Duquette was a longtime baseball executive. He served as General Manager of both the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles. He began working as a broadcaster first for MLB.COM, then Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. In 2009-2010, he hosted “Power Alley” with Seth Everett. Recently, he has also been a baseball analyst for Sportsnet New York (SNY). In this episode, Duquette reflects on the transition from the front office to the broadcast booth. He also discussed the various shows that he hosted with Seth. He then gives his take on the current way baseball is played, and how analytics have changed the overall product. In 2012, Duquette was in the Mets radio booth for Johan Santana's no-hitter, the first no-hitter in New York Mets history. Finally he gives a medical update on his daughter, who is thriving after Jim donated his kidney to her, also in 2012.
Ronnie Lane is a longtime talk show host in many markets over his long and illustrious career. For the last decade, he has been a host on “Ronnie and TKras” on WDAE sports radio in Tampa, Florida. Recently, Ronnie announced he was leaving the long-running talk show to take a hosting role in Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coverage for the station. In this episode, Ronnie explains what led to this decision, and how the role has evolved over the years. He also talked about the ability to discuss the state of the Rays franchise and their stadium woes as well as on-field daily stories. He also explained how in the post-Tom Brady era, Bucs football is at an all-time fever pitch in the city. He also laments that the Tampa Bay Lightning have created an event around their games, and the fan base has taken off just as the population in Tampa/St. Petersburg has grown.
Everett Fitzhugh has been the radio voice of the NHL's Seattle Kraken since the team's inception in 2021. Fitzhugh has the distinction of being the first and only African American play-by-play announcer in the NHL or any other level in hockey. His career began in various minor leagues including stops in Cincinnati and Youngstown. He called a pre-season game between the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins in 2018. In this episode, Fitzhugh speaks about the significance of being the first black NHL announcer. He tells the story about how he got connected to the Kraken and his upbringing in Detroit. His fandom for the Red Wings in the mid-90s sparked his passion for hockey. Fitzhugh also has the distinction of being the first “Everett” interviewed on Sports with Friends.
Longtime sportscaster Matt Dery joined the show. Dery is a Syracuse alum, and he and Seth went to school together. Recently, another member of their Syracuse brethren passed away unexpectedly. Mike Cranston was a sportscaster and reporter in multiple cities and is the former play-by-play voice of Winthrop University. MD joined the show to reminisce about their fallen friend and tell some Syracuse stories. He also discussed the Lions' resurgence in the NFL and the recently released Barry Sanders documentary. MD also compares his adopted city of Detroit to his childhood hometown near Cleveland, Ohio. Check out Matt Dery's Locked on Lions show here: https://apple.co/4c5G73Z.
On February 17th and 18th, 2024, the NHL held two regular-season outdoor games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The first game featured the New Jersey Devils hosting the Philadelphia Flyers, while the second game was between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. The Devils played their first game at the Meadowlands since 2007. They spent the first 25 years in New Jersey playing at the Meadowlands Arena, which is across the parking lot. Flyers Pre/Post-Game Host Jason Myrtetus joined the podcast to review the Stadium Series and compare this outdoor to the five others that the Flyers have participated in. In this episode, they discuss the improvements made to the outdoor game since its beginning in 2008. Myrtetus also spoke about new Team President Keith Jones. The episode also addresses the 2018 Canada Junior Hockey scandal that has led to the arrest of Flyers goalie Carter Hart Devils forward Mike McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote. They also address the legacy of former #1 pick Nolan Patrick.
NY-Area-born Tyler Adams is a soccer star in the English Premier League for AFC Bournemouth. He is also a key component of the US Men's National Soccer Team. Adams began his career with the New York Red Bulls and then moved to England to play with the sport's elite. He first joined Leeds United, and then was recently transferred to Bournemouth. He is recovering from injury at the time of this recording. Bournemouth is competing in the 5th round of the FA Cup, England's oldest trophy. The competition includes clubs from all levels of English football. Fifth Round matches feature 16 remaining Clubs, including Tyler's Bournemouth who take on Leicester City on February 27th. The iconic Emirates FA Cup Trophy heading to the United States for a historic first visit. Intentionally, New York was chosen as the first American destination, a traditional first point of US entry for visitors from other countries and home to some of the nation's most active and diverse soccer fans. The Emirates FA Cup 'New York Takeover' is a weeklong celebration of the competition, kicking off on Thursday, February 22nd. The Emirates FA Cup ‘New York Takeover' will include multiple stops where fans may take a photo with the iconic trophy plus two watch parties on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 27th-28th where fans can come join in SoHo to watch a selection of 5th Round matches, meet FA Cup and USMNT legend Tim Howard, experience the magic of the FA Cup through amazing, augmented reality and win amazing FA Cup prizes.
During Super Bowl week, it was revealed that FOX, ESPN (Disney), and Warner Bros. Discovery were creating a new streaming app that would incorporate live sports content from all three companies. Super Bowl 58 averaged 123.4 million average viewers, making it the most-watched television program ever. Regional sports networks are on the brink of elimination, and yet sports rights have never been in higher demand. The College Football Playoff just signed with ESPN and the NBA national rights are currently being negotiated. Demetri Ravanos, writer for Barrett Sports Media, joined the show to discuss this and many sports media topics. Ravanos is also the host of College Football Bubble Bath, found on YouTube and other social media. His recent story on the new streaming service can be found here: https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2024/02/13/disney-spiderweb-for-espns-future/.
This episode previews the Super Bowl 58 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Aaron Taylor played six seasons in the NFL, playing in two Super Bowls, and winning one. Taylor is a 2021 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, having played his collegiate career at Notre Dame. In this episode, Taylor sets the scene in Las Vegas, which is hosting its first Super Bowl. He talks about the impact of Taylor Swift's attendance at Chiefs games, and how that may impact viewership of the Super Bowl. Taylor does take issue with Seth Everett's coverage of Super Bowl 32, where his Packers lost to the Denver Broncos, a team and game that Seth covered. Aaron Taylor is involved in Future Fans, a game designed to help kids understand that the game is the hardest part. For more information, visit futurefans.com.
Longtime NFL reporter turned author Gary Myers makes his third appearance on the show. (Episodes 49 and 117) Myers has been covering the NFL since 1978. He wrote for the New York Daily News starting in 1989. He's been an insider/analyst for HBO's Inside the NFL and the YES Network's This Week in Football. His new book, Once a Giant: A Story of Victory, Tragedy, and Life After Football, chronicled the New York Giants 1986 championship and focuses on the years after football. In this episode, Myers previews the Super Bowl 58 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. They discuss the impact Taylor Swift has had on the league, including the vitriol. Get Once a Giant here: https://a.co/d/aO3xNJl
On January 8th, 2024, the University of Washington was playing in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the University of Michigan. The Huskies hadn’t won a national title since 1991. After the build-up of unprecedented proportions, the Huskies lost to the Wolverines 34-13. Four days later, Washington’s head coach Kalen DeBoer was named the new head coach of the University of Alabama, replacing the legend, Nick Saban. Soon after, several players, including starters entered the transfer portal. Between that and graduation, suddenly the Washington roster was dissolving. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks missed the playoffs finishing 9-8. After 14 seasons, including two Super Bowl appearances and one championship, the Seahawks fired head coach Pete Carroll, the most successful coach in franchise history. This roller coaster of emotions brought back Dave “Softy” Mahler from 950 KJR in Seattle. The long-time radio host makes his second appearance on the podcast, his first being Episode 190.
Longtime sports reporter/broadcaster Sam Adams recently announced that he was retiring from covering sports after three decades to pursue stand-up comedy full-time. Adams is best known for being a reporter for the Rocky Mountain News until the paper's demise in 2009. Since then, he has done various radio and TV shows, while honing his craft as a stand-up. In this episode, Adams talks about his extensive experience in the Denver sports media scene, highlighting the 1996 Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Championship and the 1998 Super Bowl Championship for the Denver Broncos. One career highlight that Adams considers is the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He also tells the origin story of his stand-up comedy career. During the podcast, he pays homage to legendary Denver radio host the late Thierry Smith, who has a unique connection to this podcast. Follow Sam's stand-up career at samadamsdoescomedy.com.
Steve Gelbs has been the New York Mets on-field reporter for regional cable network SNY since 2015. In 2014, he took over for Kevin Burkhardt, in the 10 years since Gelbs became the studio host for SNY’s New York Jets coverage. Two years ago, he began freelancing as a commentator on NHL Network. In this episode, the Syracuse alum talks about the 2014 season, where they met, and where Steve was introduced to the Mets broadcast. He also talks about the evolution of baseball over the decade on the field, and the recent rules changes in baseball. He also discussed the Jets 2023 season, and how the Aaron Rodgers injury was covered on TV. He also talked about working with the NHL; his passion is for the New York Rangers.
The first episode of 2024 discusses College Athletics and the role Name, Image, and Likeness money is impacting athletes. While NIL has been in college sports since 2019, the changes to the transfer portal have been similarly consequential. In 2021, the NCAA changed transfer rules that eliminated an athlete from having to sit out a year when changing schools. David Kelley PhD, CAA is a Professor and Master's Program Coordinator of the Sport Administration Program at the University of Cincinnati. He recently attended the National High School Athletic Directors Conference where the subject was NIL and the Transfer Portal. Kelly is also a coordinator of the Cincinnati Public Schools first annual CPS All-Star Showcase. Proceeds from this event will go to CPS Project Connect, a program founded in 1996 that helps provide CPS students experiencing homelessness with backpacks, school supplies, uniforms, transportation, after-school tutoring, and more. For more information go to https://abccincy.org/cpsallstarbb23/.
Like the 5 episodes before it, this show is exactly what the episode title says it is. Scott Seidenberg, now with Pre-Game.com, joins the show for a record-tying sixth time, tying LaTroy Hawkins and Eli Manning. The story behind this episode is that the show fell on Christmas six years ago, and was going to be skipped. That wouldn’t work with a new sponsor, so Scott came to the rescue. The success of that episode (177) led to it being done again the next year. A new tradition was born. In this episode, Scott reflects on the year that was. They discuss sports and streaming, the impact of Taylor Swift, outdoor hockey games, and various other sports topics. On behalf of everyone who is a part of Sports w/Friends, we wish you a Happy Holiday and a wonderful New Year.
Acclaimed actor and director George Clooney directed a new sports movie entitled “The Boys in the Boat,” which is being released in theaters on December 25th, 2023. The story is based on the 1936 United States Olympic Rowing team, which took gold in Berlin, Germany during the height of the Nazi regime. The story involves the University of Washington junior-varsity rowing team that qualified for the Olympics against all odds. Clooney appeared at a press junket for the film. Also appearing on the podcast are stars Joel Edgerton, who plays the coach Al Ulbrickson, and Callum Turner, who plays rower Joe Rantz. The episode also features a conversation with Terry O'Neill, an Olympic rowing coach who coached the team from Great Britain in the 1988, 1992, and 1996 Olympic Games, who was convinced by Clooney to teach the actors how to look like Olympic rowers.
In March 2023, Steve Cohen left his position as the Senior Vice President of Sports Programming at Sirius/XM Radio. He recently created The Content Lab and is looking for new projects. He still advises Sirius/XM and hosts a Sunday show on the NFL Channel. Cohen was an early employee of WFAN-New York in the late 1980s/early 1990s before leaving to join Sirius Satellite Radio. In this episode, Cohen explains the thought process of walking away from his position. He also comments on the current state of Sports Programming at Sirius/XM and the company in general. He weighs in on the debate between live radio and podcasts. He also explains what he’s looking for in his new venture.
John Kincade is the morning show host on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia and has been for the last 3 years. He recently faced his second bout with cancer, and after declaring on social media that he was cancer-free, he came back to the show. Kincade’s first appearance was Episode 195. Before Philly, John hosted in Atlanta and nationally on both ESPN and CBS Radio. This episode is divided into 3 segments. First, John addresses his battle with cancer. Second, he talks about his radio show and the challenges that go with it. Finally, he answers questions about the sports teams in Philadelphia, his hometown teams. The Flyers, 76ers, Eagles, and Phillies are all covered.
Former Tennis player and current ESPN Tennis Broadcaster Patrick McEnroe returns to the podcast after a six-year absence. He previously came on Episode 59. Since then, he started his own podcast, “Holding Court.” As a player, McEnroe won one singles title and 16 doubles titles, including the 1989 French Open. His career-high rankings were world No. 28 in singles and world No. 3 in doubles. His younger brother is John McEnroe, a tennis legend. The McEnroe brothers have opened the John McEnroe Tennis Academy in many New York area locations. They are also embarking on a trip to Tanzania from December 1st-8th, 2023 to bring tennis to a part of the world that hasn't been exposed to the sport. In this episode, McEnroe discusses the current state of the sport of tennis and its surge in popularity. They discuss the potential for Carlos Alcaraz, the amazing staying power of Novak Djokovic, and the balance on the women's side. They talk about the growth of tournaments beyond the four major tournaments.
In 2009, Jenson Button won the prestigious Formula-1 championship for the newly-branded Brawn GP team. The saga of that season has been the subject of a new documentary that recently premiered on Hulu called: Brawn: The Impossible F1 Story. Hosted and produced by actor Keanu Reaves, the story tracks the incredibly improbable 2009 season. Jenson Button won 6 of the first 7 races. Then, a controversy about his car surfaced. That was followed by a massive slump and economic problems. Button joined the show to recount that wild story. In this episode, Button discusses what he learned from seeing the documentary vs. what he knew during that year. He also discusses the various players in the film and his relationship with them. He also addressed the current surge in F1 popularity, and what a sports documentary can do for that sport. Also, Button addresses the differences in F1 racing now as opposed to 14 years ago.
Jon Bloom was recently named the new full-time 'Voice of the Suns' this 2023-24 season on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. He replaces the legendary Al McCoy, who retired after 51 seasons calling Suns' games. Bloom graduated from Syracuse University and began his career in Detroit. In 2003, he moved to Arizona, and in 2008, began working with the Suns in various roles. Bloom started doing Suns road games for McCoy dating as far back as the 2016-17 season. In this episode, Bloom talks about getting the job and replacing a Suns legend. He also discusses how his career really started at Syracuse, and the lasting legacy that had. He also discusses the NBA's new In-Season Tournament and the recent injuries that have hampered the Suns.
Since 1992, the Premier League in England has been the top-ranked soccer league in the world. This episode focuses on the league's growth through streaming, and how popular it really is. Laurent Courtines is the host of the “Squeaky Bum Time” podcast and has covered the EPL (English Premier League) and released over 200 episodes of his Premier League soccer-specific show over the last 3 years. In this episode, Courtines explains the origin of the EPL and the media deals that have evolved over the years. He explains the differences between soccer and other American sports, namely football and baseball. He also explains where Major League Soccer ranks on the global stage. Follow Laurent's podcast and social media https://www.squeakybumtimepodcast.com/.
Roy Firestone is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning and seven-time cable ACE Award-winning host, interviewer, narrator, writer, and producer. As the ground-breaking, original host of ESPN’s legendary Up Close, Up Close Classic, and Up Close Primetime, Firestone has interviewed more than 5,000 athletes, musicians, actors, and political figures, as well as scores of writers and filmmakers. As an actor, Firestone was featured in the Academy Award-winning film, Jerry Maguire, where he played himself in an unforgettable (and often repeated) scene with Academy Award-winner Cuba Gooding Jr. His numerous television credits include Everybody Loves Raymond and Married with Children. Fans of The Simpsons remember him as the voice of ‘Bart Starr.’ No stranger to talk shows, Firestone’s appearances include Late Night with David Letterman, Later with Bob Costas, Larry King Live, and The Tonight Show. Firestone is also an accomplished musical vocalist. In this episode, Firestone tells many stories from his over 6,000 shows. Included gems are stories about Dean Smith, Elton John, and Muhammad Ali.
Jerry Schemmel is currently a radio play-by-play announcer for the Colorado Rockies. He is also the Radio Voice of the University of Northern Colorado Basketball. Before the Rockies, Schemmel spent 20 seasons broadcasting radio and television in the NBA, two years for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the last 18 with the Denver Nuggets. Schemmel is a survivor of United Airlines Flight 232 which crashed in Sioux City, IA on July 19, 1989. The crash took the lives of 112 people. In this episode, Jerry talks about covering the Rockies and their manager, Bud Black. He also reminisces about the days with the Nuggets. He also is very transparent about his faith, and how his Christianity became a part of his life after the plane crash. Schemmel is an inspirational person and a motivational speaker.
Connor McKemey played lacrosse during both high school and Division 1 at High Point University. When Connor was 13 years old, he survived a propane tank explosion in his backyard and was given a 1% chance of survival. After his college graduation, he became a coach at High Point. His story is incredibly inspirational. Knowing that he had the potential to inspire student-athletes and burn victims alike, Connor recorded his journey and published it in his book “Life Ignited: A Hopeful Journey Sparked by Fire.” In this episode, McKemey explains the story of the accident, and how his recovery was enhanced by friends and family. He explained why he stayed connected to sports. There are stories about his parents showing him sports he missed while he was in a coma after the explosion. He is now a motivational speaker. His journey is inspiring other athletes who are facing adversity. Connor played football, basketball, lacrosse, golf, and more while growing up. His story speaks to professional and aspiring athletes everywhere. For more information on Connor and the book, visit https://macmentality.com/. He can also be found on Instagram @mac_mentality.
This episode was recorded on October 1, 2023, at Syracuse University's Goldstein Auditorium. Legendary broadcaster and Syracuse alum Bob Costas interviewed recently retired Hall of Fame Syracuse Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim. The event was a part of an alumni weekend entitled Orange Central. Boeheim guided the Orange to ten Big East Conference regular season championships, five Big East tournament championships, and 34 NCAA tournament appearances, including five Final Four appearances and three appearances in the national title game, culminating with the 2003 National Championship. In those games, the Orangemen lost to Indiana in 1987, and to Kentucky in 1996, before defeating Kansas in 2003 with All-American Carmelo Anthony. Costas was a broadcaster for NBC Sports from 1980 through 2019. He has received 28 Emmy awards for his work and was the prime-time host of 12 Olympic Games from 1988 until 2016. He currently is calling the MLB Playoffs for TBS and works occasionally for MLB Network. Costas was on Sports with Friends on Episode 82. This conversation will continue across the country. On November 10th, Boeheim will sit down with Adam Schein the night before Syracuse football plays Pittsburgh at Yankee Stadium. For more information on that event and that weekend go to http://bit.ly/OrangeCity2023. Costas will continue his conversation with the head coach on November 15, 2023, in San Francisco and November 18 in Los Angeles. That same link will have info for those events.
For 15 years, Darren McKee was the voice of afternoon drive for 15 years on 104.3FM The FAN in Denver, Colorado. He was recently let go by that radio station and joined the podcast to discuss his next steps and reflect on his great years in Denver. Three other personalities — ex-Denver Broncos Orlando Franklin and Nate Jackson, plus Chad Brown, a University of Colorado Boulder legend who played in the NFL, were also let go. McKee is a graduate of Syracuse University and explained in the episode just how that set the bar for McKee's entire career. He tells great stories about Denver sports, including Nikola Jokic, Russell Wilson, and Deion Sanders. All four Denver pro sports teams, namely the Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, and Colorado Avalanche were all covered. DMac has been sharing everything he can with his social media following since being taken off the radio. Follow Darren McKee on social media @DMacRadio.
This podcast was recorded on September 6, 2023, at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center as part of the 2023 US Open Championship. The U.S. Open conducted a mental health forum, "Mental Health and Sport: Why It Matters." It featured Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps, former WTA #1 Tennis Player Naomi Osaka, and the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Phelps is the world's most decorated Olympic champion, with a total of 28 medals, and 23 gold, both world records. Osaka is a 4-time major tennis champion, having won the Australian Open twice and the U.S. Open twice. Murthy has served as the 19th and 21st surgeon general of the United States under Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden. The wide-ranging discussion addressed topics ranging from changing social norms, mental toughness vs. mental wellness, social media, and its impact on mental well-being, among other issues. This appearance is courtesy of the U.S. Open and the United States Tennis Association.
This episode focuses on several topics involving the business of sports. Eric Fisher is a newsletter co-author at Front Office Sports. Fisher is a nearly three-decade veteran of the news business, having previously covered sports business in editing and reporting roles with SportBusiness, Sports Business Journal, and The Washington Times, and he started his career with the Easton (Md.) Star Democrat. This episode covers the Tampa Bay Rays' new Stadium plan, the latest with the NBA's new TV contract, the future of the two remaining Pac-12 schools, Saudi influence on sports, streaming service's impact on future rights deals, and if team values indicate the health of a particular sport. Check out Eric Fisher and the Front Office Sports newsletter at https://frontofficesports.com/newsletters/.
The second season of the HBO series about the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is currently airing Season 2. Series basketball producer Idan Ravin joined the show to discuss his role in the creation of the new season. Ravin was charged with transforming the Lakers cast and other notable players into the silhouette of their characters, including casting, choreography, interpreting, and advising on basketball-related matters in the scripts. An integral part of bringing the basketball gameplay within the series to life, Ravin spoke about how he worked with the series producers, cast, and more. Ravin has worked as a basketball trainer with some NBA stars such as Lebron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, former Sports with Friends guest Blake Griffin (Episode 170), and countless other players including the late Kobe Bryant. In this episode, Ravin talks about his role on the show, as well as how he began working with such NBA greats. Follow Idan on social media @IdanWan.
The second season of the HBO series about the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is currently airing Season 2. Series basketball producer Idan Ravin joined the show to discuss his role in the creation of the new season. Ravin was charged with transforming the Lakers cast and other notable players into the silhouette of their characters, including casting, choreography, interpreting, and advising on basketball-related matters in the scripts. An integral part of bringing the basketball gameplay within the series to life, Ravin spoke about how he worked with the series producers, cast, and more. Ravin has worked as a basketball trainer with some NBA stars such as Lebron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, former Sports with Friends guest Blake Griffin (Episode 170), and countless other players including the late Kobe Bryant. In this episode, Ravin talks about his role on the show, as well as how he began working with such NBA greats. Follow Idan on social media @IdanWan.
