Hey gang,
It's been a while since I've posted on here, but wanted to once again reach out and thank everybody who takes the time to listen to our show on TSN 1200. I've mentioned in the past that I would like to drop by and sometimes give everyone a little preview of what to expect on our show that day.
So today, I'm going with a no-guest format. I sometimes feel like by booking guests, it causes the show to lose flow/rhythm and forces us to talk about a certain topic at a certain time. If we're having a great discussion about something, I sometimes resent the fact that we have a pre-booked guest for the next segment - which disrupts our flow. My rationale is that we can create and foster good conversations and topics on our own.....and try and elicit response from our listeners.
Any way, here's what we're aiming to do today. This is the outline I send off to Simmer and our producer each day, to give them a sense of what we should be hitting on:
NHL TOPICS:
Caps-Pens Game 4 tonight. Surprised the league handed out a 3-game suspension to Tom Wilson for that hit on Aston-Reese? Was that similar to Gryba on Eller - where the catastrophic nature of the injury caused the suspension?
Also, some Caps players -- and Barry Trotz -- are claiming that perhaps Sidney Crosby spit on Evgeni Kuznetsov in Game 3. Video does look suspicious to say the least. Any chance Crsoby spit at him?
https://deadspin.com/the-capitals-p...ter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true
Predators-Jets have a Game 4 tonight. Can Nashville rebound after their collapse in Game 3? Are you surprised that both Rinne/Hellebuyck have been this vulnerable so far?
Which one of last year's Stanley Cup Finalists - Pittsburgh or Nashville - do you have more faith in to come back and win their series?
Now do the Boston Bruins look a little tired to you? And does Tampa's rested legs give them an advantage now? How cool was it seeing Pedro Martinez and Bobby Orr getting the crowd fired up last night?
San Jose responds with a 4-0 shutout win over Vegas. Can you get a handle on that series at all?
Canadian Senator bemoans how Americans have been able to change hockey jargon & terminology over the years. And he's upset about it. Does this really warrant the time of our politicians?
Canadian senator blames American commentators for ruining hockey with "odious" slang terms
Turns out the Chicago Blackhawks were the ones who were actually closest to winning the Rasmus Dahlin sweepstakes. Wouldn't fans have been really upset if Chicago won the draft lottery?
The Chicago Blackhawks were oh-so-close to winning the NHL Draft Lottery
What do you think of both Sedins being combined into one nomination for the King Clancy award - along with PK Subban/Jason Zucker of the Wild. Is there any way the Sedins don't win this thing?
NBA TOPICS:
Here we go, Game 2 of Raptors-Cavs goes tonight. First of all, what do you think about the 6pm start time of this game? Do you wish NHL staggered its start times like the NBA?
This might be hyperbole, but does the entire future/legacy of Demar Derozan, Kyle Lowry & Dwane Casey rest on this game tonight? There's no way the Raptors can lose this game and win the series, right?
Any chance you think Drake won't be sitting courtside tonight? Apparently, the NBA has told Drake they would appreciate if he was a little more chill during the games.
Interesting note from Bill Simmons podcast - Cavs reporter Brian Windhorst says the Cavs have a $100 internal fine for any player who bites on a Demar Derozan pump fake.
Charles Barkley issues an apology last night -- sort of -- to Draymond Green for his comments made on Tuesday night.
MLB TOPICS:
Sammy Sosa conducts rare interview about his relationship with the Cubs. Issues a half-apology for PED use and says he wants to come back to Wrigley now for the fans.
Sammy Sosa apologized to the Cubs for using PEDs — sort of
Albert Pujols sitting just two hits shy of 3,000. Are you suspicious of his career numbers and possible PED use?
Pujols is one of the first post-PED era superstars.
James Paxton sets Canadian record for most strikeouts in a game with 16 -- but his Mariners still manage to lose.
James Paxton sets MLB record for strikeouts (16) by a Canadian pitcher, Mariners proceed to blow game like a bunch of jerks
MISC TOPICS:
CFL Draft goes today. This event never seems to get any traction or hype. Should fans/media be more invested in the draft? Good primer on the draft here:
https://www.cfl.ca/2018/05/02/primer-need-know-2018-cfl-draft/
FIFA considering a mini, 8-team World Cup to be played every two years.
FIFA president Infantino proposes a new mini World Cup called the 'Final 8': Four things to know
CONTROVERSY OR NONTROVERSY:
Sharks fans boo portion of anthem that includes the word "night" -- leading to anthem singer messing up next line. Is it OK for fans to boo the national anthem at any point -- even if it's to make fun of the other team?
https://www.bardown.com/cmlink/shar...t-leading-singer-to-botch-next-line-1.1075046
ON THIS DATE SPORTS HISTORY:
1936 - Joe DiMaggio collects 3 hits in his MLB debut for the Yankees
1969 - Richard Nixon becomes first sitting US president to attend the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
1980 - Fergie Jenkins becomes the 4th pitcher to win 100 games in both the AL and NL
LEFTOVER FIVE ON THE DRIVE:
High school baseball coach being sued for telling player to slide.
A high school baseball coach is getting sued for telling a kid to slide
Yoenis Cespedes' necklace breaks while he's going to second base for a double - sending tiny diamonds all over the place.
https://www.bardown.com/yoenis-cespedes-chain-broke-and-diamonds-went-all-over-the-infield-1.1074727
Former Redskins tackle signs as free agent with NY Giants -- and takes parting shot at Washington by saying it's logo is racist.
https://deadspin.com/former-washing...tter&utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter
Writer takes up poker to start research for a book on the subject, but she's won so much money that now the book project is on hold.
https://deadspin.com/writer-picks-u...ter_impression=true&__twitter_impression=true
Lebron James' investment in Liverpool has increased in value five-fold since he purchased a small stake in the team in 2011.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23389022/liverpool-advancing-uefa-champions-le