The Big Weekend

Ernest Lawrence Thayer's 1888 poem Casey at the Bat is about unrealized hope, hubris, and the importance of jumping on first-pitch fastballs. It's stood the test of time to emerge as one of the most indelible pieces of baseball writing. From Vaudeville stages to cartoonist easels, the tale has come to life, entertaining generations with its timeless simplicity and unsatisfying ending. I've heard it recited scores of times. Despite this, last night — in a desperate attempt to find new bedtime material for my sleep-adverse son — a whole new element of the story presented itself upon reading. Why did the opposing manager pitch to Casey? Given all available evidence, shouldn't the strategy have been an intentional walk? Or, outside that, to pitch around him? Plus, Ancelmi Arollo of the Cardinals joins the show to break down his team's huge victory against the Cubs on Sunday and what it means for the top of the International Baseball League of West Michigan.

John Gonzalez, who recently joined Sports Illustrated, debuted the outlet's newest podcast today. He stopped by to talk about the pilot episode of Sports Illustrated Weekly, what to expect in the future, and what the opportunity means to him as someone who grew up reading SI. He also is forced to answer a few Ben Simmons questions in his capacity as a Philadelphia sports enthusiast. Plus, revisiting his excellent Q&A with comedian Ben Schwartz.

The Big Lead's Ryan Phillips drops into the podcast to discuss the reeling Los Angeles Lakers, a team in serious trouble and in jeopardy of playing in the NBA's new play-in tournament. Is it too early to write off LeBron James and Anthony Davis or have the wheels truly come off? Also, the curious case of Justin Fields and pre-NFL Draft narratives. 

FanSided's lead NFL writer Matt Lombardo joins the show for a recap of Super Wild Card weekend. Are the 49ers or Bengals a team of destiny? What's next for the Cowboys after a particularly gruesome defeat? Was there actually too much football on television? Plus, why the winner of Chiefs-Bills could be the eventual Super Bowl champion. 

International Baseball League of West Michigan commissioner Javi Sanchez joins the show to talk about his 18 years in the league and reflect on the state of play. How have things changed since it was the Hispanic league and how have they stayed the same? How does he he view the challenge of growing while still keeping a connection to the past? What, exactly, does a commissioner do? Plus, a look ahead at the future of the IBLWM. 

The Bowl Game makes a Friday appearance with half-baked thoughts on Big Ten basketball, Tecmo Super Bowl, NFL coaches we'd live to see slimed, Home Improvement plot points, the Wordle phenomenon, Jeopardy box scores, How To With John Wilson, and just how hard Good Charlotte continues to go. 

Lauren Shehadi has been a staple at MLB Network for 11 years and can be seen daily on MLB Central. She is also hosting TBS' Tuesday night showcase pre- and post-game. Shehadi joined the show to talk about her path to this point, how exciting it is to begin something new, the joys of being around so many incredible baseball minds, and how thankful she is for the opportunities. Plus, some thoughts on Jimmy Butler, a man on a mission. 

Nabil Karim is joining Turner Sports on a multi-year deal. There he'll serve as a host and reporter across basketball and hockey programming. The native Canadian, who has previous stops at TSN and ESPN, stopped by to talk about why this is the right fit and who is most excited to work alongside. Plus, a look back at his career to this point and a few minutes on fashion. 

Britt Ghiroli, a senior writer for The Athletic who covers Major League Baseball, joins the podcast to discuss her career journey, the face of the sport, how to negotiate extra innings, and how baseball can connect with more casual fans. She also talks about the effort by former Michigan State swimmers and divers to save the program. 

Sports media news has been flying in at an alarming rate over the past few days, dictating a Friday podcast. Why ESPN got it right in retooling the Sunday Night Baseball booth and spinning off an alternate broadcast with Alex Rodriguez and Michael Kay. Plus, after much speculation, The New York Times will pay $550 for The Athletic. What does this mean for sports journalism and can such a model be replicated?

With the PGA Championship teeing off at Tulsa's Southern Hills in just a few days, we check in with esteemed local resident Bunkie Perkins to hear about the course, vibe, and get some John Daly stories. Plus, praising ESPN and CBS for their terrific golf coverage with thoughts from some of executives and on-air talent. 

Tony Reali has a new multiyear contract at ESPN, where he's been on-air for 20 years already. On the longevity of Around The Horn and its unique host, who has quietly put together a remarkable career already, with decades still to go. Plus the pleasant surprise improvement in Detroit Tigers broadcasts and what Shohei Ohtani needs to do to make people appreciate his brilliance. 

The Phoenix Suns won 64 games this year to ensure a Game 7 would take place on their court. It didn't help as the Dallas Mavericks curb-stomped Chris Paul in company in what will go down as one of the most dreadful do-or-die performances of all time. What the heck should we make of that. Then, the big story. Week 3 of the International League of West Michigan is in the books and contenders are starting to separate themselves from the pretenders.

Adam Chernoff, senior strategist for Covers.com and host of the Simple Handicap, joins the show to talk about the state of the NFL and how this unprecedented year has manifested for oddsmakers and the public alike. How big of a hit will losing Antonio Brown be for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Is there any reason to think Aaron Rodgers won't win the MVP? Should we believe in the Bengals? All that and more, plus a reminder that Jim Harbaugh isn't leaving Michigan.

Instant replay in sports is under the spotlight yet again after Sunday night's Atlanta Braves-Philadelphia Phillies game was decided by an inexplicable call. At this point, does the one argument for replay in sports carry any weight? Plus, Ronald Acuna can do it all, including play harder than anyone else, so what is his ceiling? Plus, wondering if Hideki Matsuyama's Sunday stroll was a good sign sports have returned to full normalcy. 

The Detroit Tigers started 2021 with a dreadful 9-24 stretch, then rebounded to play winning baseball for five months. A busy offseason was cause for optimism this season, but somehow the team has stumbled to an equally awful start. They can't hit. They have no life. They have no reserves waiting in the wings to solve this. All of this should make Tigers fans, who have suffered through years and years of an entirely unproductive rebuild, angry. Someone please fix this. 

The Brooklyn Nets look unbeatable now that Kevin Durant is back. Does the rest of the league have any hope at all? Plus, Greg Gutfeld's new show on Fox News is already a phenomenon three days in, quickly establishing itself as one of the most unique shows on television. How long can that last?

What would it have sound like if Larry King had turned his dot-and-dash column into a podcast? A bit like the Bowl Game. Better, obviously. But similar. Today's episode includes thoughts on Ben Roethlisberger, Uncrustables, the ManningCast and much, much more. 

Fox delivered a lightning bolt of news this morning by announcing that Tom Brady will become its lead NFL analyst whenever he decides to hang up his cleats. Rumors of a massive contract abound. On one hand it's monumental news, and an enormous victory. But there's reason to wait to spike the football. Then, in much more important news, Jeremy Stokes hops on the podcast to break down Week 2 in the International League of West Michigan, with several newsy and juicy nuggets. 

Alabama and Georgia each rolled in their respective College Football Playoff semifinal games, creating another sleepy New Year's Eve experience. What can college football do about the lack of buzz and excitement come playoff time? The 12-team tournament will help but getting the timing right will be both challenging and important. The Big Lead's Kyle Koster offers a modest proposal of what such a schedule would like in terms of television. 

ESPN parted ways with Paul Pierce on Monday night after the NBA analyst posted a risque video over the weekend. There's a good argument that such a decision will be best for both parties. The Big Lead's Kyle Koster explains why. Plus, making sense of Akil Baddoo's incredible start for the Detroit Tigers.

The Big Lead's Ryan Phillips joins the show to talk about five NFL coaches who are sitting on hot seats right now and may not survive Black Monday. What went wrong in each of these situations, is there anything that could be done to salvage the relationships, and if not, where do these organizations turn? 

The Big Lead's Kyle Koster and Liam McKeone look ahead to the challenges and opportunity presented by LeBron James' injury and how limping to a title would change his legacy. They also discuss an experimental idea for NFL broadcasts and dive into the controversy surrounding Steve Kerr and podcast aggregation. 

Chris Paul was involved in a bizarre incident yesterday in Dallas. New video showing the fracas behind the Phoenix Suns' bench only makes the whole thing weirder. Plus, a look at the worst MLB umpires among a crowded field, thoughts on Fox Sports bringing in Craig Carton to the fold, if the Bucks-Celtics series winner will win it all and the Golden State Warriors 3.0. 

With just two days until Christmas, The Big Lead's Stephen Douglas joins the show to discuss 2005's The Family Stone with your fearless host, who has suffered through an annual showing for over a decade. They try to answer some unanswerable questions like: what the hell is going on with the plot? Who would like this? Why are the characters acting so erratically? Has there ever been a more awkward moment than the dinner scene? And finally, how does one even begin to scratch the surface in only 60 minutes?

The Chicago Bears are coming to the end of the Matt Nagy era and sent America off with an absolute stinker against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. Why it was the furthest thing from a bad beat and why change is needed. Plus, there are more standalone games than ever in the NFL. Which means more terrible television product. Is this unavoidable or is there something that can be done to improve the product?

It's never been easier to have a podcast. But it's never been harder to land a great podcast guest. Where does one even start? In this episode, Kevin learns some tips, tricks, and background from some of the best show bookers in the country, including: Todd Fritz from The Dan Patrick Show Danny Zederman from ESPN 1000 Danni Wysocki from NBC Sports Chicago What's it like to book Will Ferrell? Adam Sandler? What can go wrong? Are there unwritten rules? A lot to handle for an unpaid intern. Hopefully some of it sticks.

The Miami Heat are having their way with the Philadelphia 76ers through two games of the series and some fans have taken up an annoying coping mechanism. Why attendance-shaming is incredibly lame. Plus, thoughts on Luka Doncic being trapped in a defensive hell and getting no help, wide receivers unfollowing their teams on social media and the raging debate over using slurp juice on your apes. Then a 10-minute journey into a warped mind full of incomplete thoughts and half-baked theories. 

On this episode, Kevin regales and horrifies Kyle with stories of torment from an older brother growing up (1:00-8:41), and a pivotal road trip to Boston is remembered through a new lens (8:46-20:57). Plus, Fox Sports' Ben Verlander on his playing days, Detroit Tigers' history, and his new role on the network's digital platform (21:08-47:45). 

Sports. Pop culture. Spoken word. What you missed from the night before in 10 minutes. Let's play a bowl game. 

An otherwise boring Tuesday turns into something much more exciting as Stephen Douglas, a writer for The Big Lead, goes viral for a tweet about the upcoming Cruella de Vil movie. Contained in this episode is potentially the first real-time interview series with someone caught up at the center of a social media storm. It may also be the last. 

Kevin James is playing Sean Payton in a new movie and we are absolutely here for it. Then, Big Ten research manager and MSU alum Harold Shelton joins the show to talk about a surprisingly successful non-conference campaign and what the ceiling could be for this team. 

Baseball is a game played by human beings and officiated by human beings. It's a game of errors and imperfection. Of rough edges and managing expectations. Pitching, at once one of the most solitary endeavors in all of sports, also requires fostering a working relationship with the person calling balls and strikes. The job of establishing the canvas upon which to paint is sometimes messy, and never without some push and pull. Perhaps when the machines usurp yet more control and all decisions are outsourced to cold artificial intelligence, a uniform strike zone will change the sport for the better. But even if that concession is made — and it's a big one considering the lack of evidence to this point and the undeniable damage of eliminating the artistry and importance of the catcher —we will lose that fabric. And maybe it's not important to you. It is to me, and so many others who don't need a flawless and disconnected ecosystem in which to enjoy the game.

EA Sports announced the return of the much-beloved college football video game sometime in the future, sparking an eruption of joy online. In this episode, Kyle and Kevin try to figure out what it is about this title that's allowed such a meaningful connection, exploring a now-defunct Chicago media league and reliving the Jacob Hester Incident. 

ESPN gave Francisco Lindor a microphone during Sunday Night Baseball's presentation of a particularly engaging Philadelphia Phillies-New York Mets matchup and it proved to be a tremendous decision. The effervescent shortstop provided insight, humor and more than anything, allowed the joy of playing baseball to seep out on the air. Why this is the best idea the sport has had in a long time. Then the internet's one and only International Baseball League of West Michigan wrap-up show debuts and Jeremy Stokes joins to discuss the Cubs' Opening Day loss to the dreaded A's and what else the Week 1 results can tell us about how the season will shape up.

The Big Lead presents its annual Sports Media Awards, a project to identify and honor those in the industry who stood out through the year. Episode includes a full rundown of the winners and the thought process behind selecting them. 

The Big Lead's Kyle Koster pays homage to Larry King and laziness by offering a brain dump of thoughts from the sports and pop culture world. Sit back and let the vibes engulf you. Plus, college football figures itself out again. 

Racked by self-doubt and the realization that he's never scored a monumental scoop, a mid-30s sports blogger sets out to break news on the Super Bowl's start time. Follow him as he navigates through treacherous terrain and stiff competition chasing the story of his life. Plus, a special comment from a transplant living in the Tampa Bay area on the Buccaneers' surprise Super Bowl run. 

The Detroit Tigers went for Coke with Carlos Correa but ended up with Javy Báez, who is a particularly tasty brand of Pepsi. Rogelio Castillo of Fansided's Tigers Radio Pod joins the show to talk about the mood of the fanbase and why there's reason for optimism. Then, Beth Mowins on her play-by-play duties for the Sixers-Hawks game on ESPN and making some history in the process. 

Reacting to the first night of the NFL Draft, which is a completely bewildering viewing experience. Why is so much stuff going on all the time? Is any of this completely necessary? And why do we love it so much? Plus thoughts on the suddenly competent Detroit Lions, the suddenly awful Detroit Tigers, Adam Schefter's mid-graduation reporting, the next Dennis Miller, the most useless analysis after a player is picked, what type of person attends one of these things, and so much more. Then, Stephen Douglas beams in from Midstate/Upstate New York to talk about Chris Paul's perfect game, Lamar Jackson's WTF and to clown on The Batman. 

After arguably the wildest and most shocking week of college football coaching news, The Big Lead's Ryan Phillips joins the show to discuss the current state of play. He talks about how the Lincoln Riley-USC deal came together, and what that means for the Trojans program long term. The two also react to Brian Kelly's surprising new gig with LSU and what Notre Dame's plan should be going forward.

Ja Morant is more unique than the usual unicorn because he is an amalgamation of all the NBA's most kinetic live wires and twisted steel. A terrific flying machine the likes of which the Wright Brothers could never imagine. A walking, talking Red Bull Flutag entry that not a single person fears will crash into the water. At the ripe age of 22, with his whole life ahead of him, he's capitalizing on the biggest moment of his basketball life on the brightest stage with the same undeniable panache and beautiful violence that's become synonymous with his name. Plus a nice, dumb thought on baseball. 

Something about Kevin Durant has caused sports pundits to consider the bus. Who rides it? Who drives it? And what are the lessons this staple of public transportation can teach us about the world? Exploring the latest sports media phenomenon. Plus, a 1990s sports radio guy phones in to pepper us with thoughts from last night's NBA action. And finally, a look at the candidates to fill Kay Adams' soon-to-be departed chair on Good Morning Football. 

Gear Patrol editor and former TBLer Tyler Duffy joins the show for a victory lap following Michigan's decisive and long-awaited victory over Ohio State. The Michigan alum re-examines the Jim Harbaugh era through the years and tries to make sense of the prevailing narratives. The two also talk about what the future holds for the Wolverines and the Big Ten in general. 

Ben Simmons will not play in Game 4 for the Brooklyn Nets as expected as his year-long campaign to ruin his career continues. At what point do we start wondering if his days as a productive basketball player are done? And what do we do with him in the interim. Plus thoughts on the pesky New Orleans Pelicans attacking Chris Paul in the best way possible, Charles Barkley ripping Kevin Durant for doing things he was never able to do, and why Lions fans should welcome Aidan Hutchinson to Detroit with open arms. 

The College Football Playoff selection committee is out with new rankings and reasons for people to get all worked up. On why none of this matters yet, but is excellent television. Comedian Mike Camerlengo, known for his unique takes on sports and pop culture, joins the show to talk about his creative process and finding humor in highlights. 

In a special Press Pass crossover episode of the show, Kyle peels back the curtain to talk about how he ended up at The Big Lead while providing some background on the site's past, present, and future. Liam McKeone joins for an introspective conversation on approach and the challenges an opportunities that come with operating one of the world's longest free-standing sports blogs. Plus, an honest plea for feedback from our audience, both old and new.

Reflecting on Miguel Cabrera's one-of-a-kind career as he goes for his 3,000th hit. One of the best righthanded hitters of all time has done it his own way, in a way no one else could ever do it. On what makes him so great and what makes him so uniquely frustrating. Plus, would it be too much to ask for First Take to stop talking down to NBA cities who are minding their own business?

Big Ten Network anchor Mike Hall joins the show to react to the College Football Playoff selection committee's first rankings and what they mean, if anything. We talk about his experience winning ESPN's Dream Job and the opportunities and challenges that went with it. He shares how he approaches studio work, sideline reporting, play-by-play calls, and other things before offering some shoutouts to those who have helped him along the way. 

Jerry West is understandably displeased with the way he is being portrayed in the HBO series Winning Time and is demanding an apology? The Big Lead's Stephen Douglas joins the show to discuss the beef, as well as the NBA Playoffs, streaming service sports frustration, and his latest television recommendations. Plus essays on the Golden State Warriors, Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs, the almighty ratings, and Nick Wright's height controversy. 

Joe Buck is often unfairly maligned but has been at the top of his field for decades. Why he's best in a his jam-packed Octobers. Then, Eduardo Perez, in Atlanta for the call on ESPN Radio, joins the show to talk about the World Series and share what he loves about broadcasting this time of year.