Big Blue Insider

Best of the BBI with comments on the Kerr Kriisa case; (12:00) an ex-Cat with a big league home run; (18:00) Cole Parke of the Cats' Pause; (39:00) ex-Cat Jamal Mashburn and Shaquille O'Neal; (47:00) UK guard Trent Noah; (58:00) Christi Thomas of the UK Sports Network and an homage to Coach Ditka

With the World Cup consolation game set for Saturday, we re-visit a time with the NCAA basketball tournament included a consolation game; (10:00) Jack Givens on what he's liked so far in practices he's seen; (18:00) Cole Parke of the Cats' Pause at the Peach Jam in Georgia; (39:00) Christi Thomas of the UK Sports Network and SEC Plus (58:00) La Familia team members and... back off. He's a scientist.

La Familia GM Twany Beckham; (11:00) the ACC tweaks its tie-breaker system; short but strong field for the Haskell; (18:00) Will Stein with SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic; (34:00) is the broadcaster no-hitter jinx really a thing? (39:00) ex-Cats on the La Familia entry in TBT; (58:00) UK sports podcaster Vinny Hardy

Grayson Willoughby on pulling out of the draft and signing with UK over U of L; (11:00) an SEC basketball coach says too often, recruits (and their families) and deluding themselves; (18:00) UK baseball coach Nick Mingione; (39:00) UK football analyst Jeff Piecoro looks ahead to the SEC Media Days; (58:00) West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore and let's face it -- some people are more equal than others...

Tubby Smith to the College Basketball Hall of Fame; (14:00) the new HR Derby format is a smashing success in more ways than one; (20:00) sportswriter/author Dr. John Huang; (39:00) Derek Terry of BatCatCentral.com on the recent MLB Draft; (58:00) Tyler Bell's big moment when he was drafted by the Rockies (1:13:00) legendary announcer Jack Buck speaking with Ted Williams and Joe Dimaggio prior to the 1991 baseball All-Star game...

Tyler Bell is a Top 10 MLB Draft pick; (13:00) World Cup semi finals are set and now there's talk of expanding the tournament; (18:00) UK baseball radio voice Darren Headrick; (39:00) former WKYT reporter Lanny Brannock joins me in the garage to talk about his upcoming documentary, "49 Doves," about the crash of Comair flight 5191 in Lexington 20 years ago...

Ex-Cat Ron Mercer is heading for the Tennessee sports Hall of Fame; how he used to battle with his pal Derek Anderson in practice; (12:00) the rise in white collar crime and sports; (19:00) ex-FBI agent Clay Mason on the Kerr Kriisa case; (39:00) talk show host and UK network producer Billy Rutledge; (58:00) UK AD J Batt has a start date on his calendar; (1:07:00) a devout UK fan's excited call to our radio brother Terry Meiners and a pre-Wimbledon rant to set up the weekend....

UK adds to its TBT roster two familiar faces; Candace Parker weighs in on the WNBA nonsense involving Caitlin Clark; (11:00) Charles Barkley on what should be the next stop for LeBron; (23:00) more fallout on Team USA's World Cup loss to Belgium...

Kroger Field made quite the impression on two different SEC football opponents; (12:00) John Wall on his loyalty to his alma mater; (18:00) UK women's coach Kenny Brooks; (39:00) Jeff Piecoro of the UK Sports Network; (59:00) West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore...

We re-visit interviews with Kerr Kriisa, now accused in a multi-million dollar fraud scheme; (11:00) UK SS Tyler Bell on how playing at Ky benefitted him going into pro baseball; (18:00) Cole Parke of the Cats' Pause on the Kriisa mess and the current basketball Cats; (39:00) UK women's basketball standouts Clara Strack and Asia Boone; (50:00) where the UK men rank in the way-too-early predictions; (58:00) Adam Revelette of BatCatCentral.com and a great pitcher knows when to take a little something off...

We talk FIFA controversy; (11:00) ex-Cat Jamal Mashburn on learning a tough lesson from Larry Bird; (18:00) UK guard Trent Noah; (29:00) the future is bright for UK SS Tyler Bell; (39:00) former Sunday. Morning Sportstalk host Mark Buerger...

Milan Momcilovic meets the UK basketball media corps; (10:00) different coaches with different approaches; (18:00) Matt Stein, ex-UK defensive end and father of UK head coach Will Stein; (39:00) ex-Cat Van Hiles on football AND holiday grilling; (58:00) West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore and a classic call by a legendary NFL broadcaster as a drunk fan takes the field...

On the retiring Mitch Barnhart; (15:30) it's Bobby Bonilla Day! (20:00) Jeff Piecoro of the UK Network; (39:00) Cole Parke of the Cats' Pause; (58:00) West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore and a veteran NFL radio announcer paints a word picture of a drunken fan about to be hammered by security...

Once and future Wildcats in the MLB baseball draft; (9:00) Rick Pitino eulogizes Kenny Klein; (18:00) WHAS-TV Sports Director Kent Spencer; (39:00) UK football PR chief Susan Lax; (58:00) UK power forward Justin McBride; (1:06:00) huge upset in the FIFA World Cup and, as always, Who's On First?

More pre-season accolades for UK football; ex-Cat Andy Green is a MLB manager (again); (12:00) Will Stein takes to social media to hype UK football; (19:00) we find out why he's called "Zoom" Diallo; (31:00) high expectations for UK G/G Brayden Hawthorne; (39:00) Keith Farmer of Lex18 BBN Tonight; (48:00) Ky Pro Football Hall of Famers Chad Pennington and Jerry Blanton; inspiring words from an actor, playing an inspirational coach...

It's the Best of the BBI with Mark Pope responding on line to the BBN; (12:00) we remember Ted Turner and the time he tried to make Pete Rose an Atlanta Brave; (18:00) UK All-American Jack Givens; (39:00) Rick Pitino on Cawood Ledford's 100th birthday; (46:00) more Mark Pope answers; (58:00) Caroline Makauskas of the Herald-Leader...

Best of the BBI with UK coach Will Stein; (18:00) La Famillia GM Twany Beckham; (39:00) Malachi Moreno; (51:00) retiring NBC racing reporter Donna Brothers...

Best of the BBI: ex-Morehead St QB Phil Simms on coach Bill Parcells, who at one point showed interest in the UK job; (11:00) sizing up college baseball; (17:00) UK sports network analyst Jeff Piecoro; (39:00) Cole Parke of the Cats' Pause; (58:00) West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore....

On the Best of the BBI, we re-visit the Knicks' incredible comeback in game 4 of the NBA finals; (11:00) we visit with NYC bureau chief Mike Safo who was actually at the game (and wanted to leave early); (32:00) radio call of the frantic final moments; (39:00) sports doctor Ben Kibler; (58:00) WDKY Sports Director Colby Wilson and the all time Shaq vs Chuck...

Best of the BBI with Aaron Torres on UK retaining Malachi Moreno and snagging Milam Momcilovich; (12:30) Will Stein making the national talk show rounds; (19:00) ESPN/SEC play-by-play voice Tom Hart; (39:00) H-L UK basketball beat writer Ben Roberts; (59:00) Fox 56 WDKY Sports Director Colby Wilson and Shaq vs Chuck never disappoints...

Best of the BBI with Aaron Torres on UK retaining Malachi Moreno and snagging Milam Momcilovich; (12:30) Will Stein making the national talk show rounds; (19:00) ESPN/SEC play-by-play voice Tom Hart; (39:00) H-L UK basketball beat writer Ben Roberts; (59:00) Fox 56 WDKY Sports Director Colby Wilson and Shaq vs Chuck never disappoints...

New basketball Wildcats on joining the UK program; (9:30) where ex-Cats fit into a mock NBA Draft; (18:00) the day Ralph Sampson chose Virginia over UK; (33:00) it's SEC vs ACC in the College World Series final; (39:00) UK All-American Kenny Walker on the 40th anniversary of his being drafted by the New York Knicks; (1:02:00) still another gambling scandal in European soccer and be careful whom you speak to when trashing a millionaire...

A "whiff" by Mark Pope admits UK was never really in his plans, even though he paid a visit; (8:30) Charles Barkley's advice to young NBA stars who are suddenly wealthy; (17:00) UK Sports Network analyst Jeff Piecoro on Ky's new AD and pre-season accolades for football Wildcats; (39:00) Cole Parke of the Cats Pause on J Batt and the state of UK sports; (58:00) West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore. Everything is "all right" x 3...

J Batt speaks for the 1st time as UK's new AD; (11:30) we re-live Karl Anthony Towns' address to last year's UK team; (21:00) Mark Story, sports columnist for the Herald-Leader; (39:00) WKYT Sports Director Lee K. Howard; (59:00) Tom Izzo is unhappy that MSU lost Batt; KAT and teammates on with Jimmy Fallon; (1:09) re-visiting KAT's UK Hall of Fame induction and not everyone gets the respect they deserve...

UK has a new AD -- goes by "Battman" on Twitter; (10:00) KAT gets a ring; Grayson Willoughby on his decision: MLB or UK baseball? (18:00) ex-Cat Anthony White of Sunday Morning Sports Talk; (39:00) Derek Terry of BatCatsCentral.com; (58:00) Hannah Hamelback of LEX18 and BBN Tonight and sometimes, tenderness gets it done...

Will Stein on what drives him to succeed; (12:00) an apology to Taylor Swift from a Knicks broadcaster; (18:00) recruiting analyst Josh Edwards; (39:00) retiring EKU radio voice Greg Stotelmyer; (58:00) WLKY Sports Director Kent Taylor and fashion tips from a big guy...

The Knicks and Karl Anthony Towns make history with an incredible comeback; (11:00) BBI's NYC Bureau Chief Mike Safo was courtside for the comeback (but admits he wanted to leave early); (32:00) TV and radio calls of the Knicks' winning play; Texas Tech might be immune from any further action re: Sorsby; (39:00) sports doctor Ben Kibler on overuse in pitchers today; (58:00) WDKY Sports Director Colby Wilson and Shaq can always end any argument with the Chuck Wagon...

Would Bill Parcells worked as UK head coach? (11:00) 2 UK top baseball recruits may never get here; (18:00) Jeff Piecoro of the UK Sports Network; (39:00) Cole Parke of the Cats' Pause; (58:00) West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore and a classic call from legendary SEC football announcer Larry Munson....

KAT has to wait a while for his NBA title; could there be a boycott of Texas Tech? (7:00) a UK baseball/football recruit REALLY wants to go pro ASAP; (18:00) Noah Cierzan of BBN Tonight/LEX18; (39:00) C.L. Brown of the Courier-Journal; (58:00) Maggie Davis of BBN Tonight; (1:12:00) Ky's Mr Baseball also will weigh his options in the MLB Draft and, how about an orange whip?

UK's recruiting haul; (11:00) KAT looks back fondly on his days at UK; ridiculous ruling that frees Brendan Sorsby to play at Texas Tech; (18:00) Ben Roberts on Mark Pope's roster additions; (39:00) ex-Cat Jerry Blanton on his induction into the Ky Pro Football Hall of Fame; (54:00) UK radio network voice Darren Headrick; (1:00:00) oddities on this day in history and don't leave too soon -- you'll miss the espresso...

A non-sports look at D-Day and a plug for the movie, "Pressure;" UK baseball players on being mentored by Nick Mingione; (19:00) Cats Pause editor Darrell Bird; (39:00) UK football network analyst Jeff Piecoro; (58:00) Cole Parke, beat writer for the Cats Pause and here's hoping your team isn't a bunch of lollygaggers...

UK players react to the addition of Milan Momcilovic; (12:00) Will Stein making the rounds on the national talk show circuit; (19:00) Tom Hart of the ESPN/SEC Network, who worked the Morgantown baseball regional; (39:00) ex-Cat Karl Anthony Towns is one win closer to an NBA championship ring; (48:00) looking back on Ky's win in the '09 Liberty Bowl; (58:00) West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore and someone is here to help Homer -- but it's not a super hero

Special edition as we wrap up the NCAA baseball regional from Morgantown; we break down Monday's loss in the finale with sportswriter/author John Huang, as well as the portal acquisition of Milan Momcilovic; (39:00) a look back at the path that brought the Wildcats to within three outs of another super regional; (1:08) a look ahead to the upcoming season for Mark Pope and his new roster + Randall Cobb now on the ballot for the college football Hall of Fame...

UK vs Wake Forest in NCAAs; (9:00) a war of words at the SEC meetings; (19:00) Georgetown-based journalist Kal Oakes on Malachi Moreno; (39:00) an ex-Cat is mentoring a future Cat; (45:00) racing writer Steve Haskin on his excellent piece remembering the '96 Ky Derby...

We talk about the Momcilovic Sweepstakes; (12:00) ex-Cat Jon Sumrall, now the head coach at Florida, lobbying for CFB changes; (23:00) Maggie Davis of BBN Tonight/WLEX; (39:00) UK HOF baseball coach Keith Madison previews the Wildcats' NCAA regional appearance; (54:00 Nick Mingione is proud of where the UK baseball program is right now; (58:00) Jeff Drummond of On3 talks UK baseball and more...

Coaches, ADs and SEC officials are chattering away at the league meetings in Florida; (12:00) how many wins for UK football, according to a gambling expert; (19:00) UK Sports Network analyst Jeff Piecoro; (39:00) Cole Parke of the Cats' Pause; (59:00) West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore and what was it the Dalai Lama said after he teed off and drove his ball into a 10,000-foot crevice?

Malachi Moreno returns to the fold; the baseball Wildcats are dancing; (7:00) incredible finish to the Indy 500 yet some fans are complaining about the TV PBP announcer; (19:00) Jack Givens of the UK Sports Network on Malachi's return; (39:00) UCLA's Mick Cronin says coaches today have to re-set their respective missions; (49:00) more with Nick Mingione and the baseball Cats on their NCAA tournament draw; (58:00) UK baseball radio voice Darren Headrick and what better time to find out, Who's On First?

Will Stein lands another recruit; UK isn't the only baseball program struggling this season; (12:00) a Big 12 AD says, if the SEC and Big 10 want to go, let 'em go; (19:00) Keith Farmer from WLEX/BBN Tonight; (39:00) the shocking death of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch; (47:00) we re-visit a conversation with Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News; (58:00) Connor Sturgill from WDKY Fox 56; and when the man orders wheat toast, forget about the chicken salad..

It's the Chain Gang, gathering in the garage to talk baseball, college sports, music -- we cover it all. But if you're listening to the podcast version via the internet, you won't actually hear the music because of copyright laws...

Ex-Cat Karl Anthony Towns and the Knicks with an incredible comeback; (8:00) UK football coach Will Stein; (28:00) backlash surrounding LSU coach Will Wade; (39:00) Jeff Piecoro of the UK Sports Network; (59:00) West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore -- we finally settle which NFL club is America's team...

Another tough weekend for Kentucky Baseball; (8:00) the winner of the Preakness Stakes triggered some memories of TV spy shows of the '60s; (19:00) Twany Beckham, General Manager of La Familia, the UK-based entry in TBT (The Basketball Tournament), the 2 million dollar winner-take-all event coming up in July, with a new format; (39:00) our own Billy Rutledge checks in; (58:00) Cole Parke of the Cats' Pause and if a man sitting across from you at the poker table wins, you've got to pay him his money... Garage opens at 6 pm on WLAP-AM 630...

Potential quality transfers for UK; More answers from Mark Pope; Will Stein is all about UK-UofL football rivalry; (13:00) the SEC is playing hands-off with HS football; (18:00) Ryan Black of the Courier-Journal on UK hoops/football; (39:00) UK volleyball All-American Brooklyn Deleye, now the president of the campus Student Athletic Advisory Committee; West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore and wisdom from Ferris Buehler...

UK baseball cancelled so it's the Best of the BBI: We talk about Cawood Ledford's 100th heavenly birthday and his relationship with Rick Pitino; (10:00) Kenny Rice of NBC Sports looks back on the Ky Derby; (31:00) ex-UK baseball coach Keith Madison; (49:00) impact of sports gambling; (56:00) sportswriter/blogger John Huang; (1:07:00) Jeff Piecoro of the UK Sports Network

More from Mark Pope's Q&A on Twitter; (9:00) it's a huge week for UK Baseball; (18:00) Lindsey Gough of WKYT on UK football and basketball recruiting, as well as the Ky Derby; (39:00) retired sportscaster John Lewis on the new UFL team in Louisville and rule changes that could find their way to the NFL...

Mark Pope responds to the BBN; (12:00) how Ted Turner tried to make Pete Rose an Atlanta Brave; (19:00) UK radio voice Tom Leach on the Derby & Mark Pope; (39:00) UK radio voice Darren Headrick on Kenny Brooks' recruiting haul; (58:00) Jonathon Bruner of Bat Cats Central previews UK-Florida baseball series

Mark Pope reaches out to the BBN (with some predictably foolish responses); (8:00) a national talking head takes up for the Kentucky Derby and Secretariat; (19:00) UK Sports Network/WTVQ's Jeff Piecoro on UK basketball recruiting & Wildcat football; (39:00) HL's Caroline Makauskas on her Derby experience and roster construction for UK women's coach Kenny Brooks; (58:00) West End Bureau Chief Gary Moore and sometimes snobbery is hilarious...

Nick Mingione on the return of Hudson Brown to his UK baseball lineup and the drive for more consistency; (12:00) financial wiz Warren Buffett on sports gambling (thinks it's stupid); (19:00) sportswriter/author Dr. John Huang on the propsed selling naming rights for Historic Memorial Coliseum; (39:00) Cats Pause GM Darrell Bird on the outcry over UK basketball recruiting and the future of UK football; (58:00) Keeneland's Jim Goodman talks Ky Derby and looks ahead to the Breeders' Cup and some vital questions about a particular brand of cereal...

Derby 152; a great baseball radio voice falls silent; another great voice sings "Star Wars;" (7:00) Rick Pitino remembers Cawood Ledford; just how badly are college sports messed up? (18:00) NBC's Kenny Rice on Derby 152; (39:00) Keith Madison on UK Baseball's series win over Tennessee...

Quick segment ahead of UK baseball: More scratches in the Oaks and the Derby; Lexington trainer Kenny McPeek is livid that his horse was scratched; big NBA nights for 2 ex-Cats; Reds do it again and DG's picks for the Oaks and the Derby...