The Sports Plus Show: Recent Episodes
Joe Capraro
The Sports Plus Show with Baker, Big D, and Joe originates on WXOJ radio in Northampton MA (103.3 FM and valleyfreeradio.org)
In our last show on WXOJ, we talk about George Costanza's tariffs and reflect on the last five years.
George Foreman's legacy, a WV couple gets hundreds of years in prison, the happiest and healthiest nations on earth, and some school closings.
A possible WNBA lockout, everyone isn't welcome in Meridian Idaho schools, and Europe changes its priorities as the U.S. bombs Yemen.
How Spain rescued its economy, a coffee shop bans work on the weekends, and our usual rundown of the ongoing dismantling of the U.S. government
Kendrick Lamar's halftime masterpiece, a few animal stories, and our weekly government disaster roundup.
A listener weighs in on creepy massage guys, Kanye and Bianca Censori make a scene at the Grammys, and UMass does right by a student. Plus government stuff.
A Tinder trap, a $2.1 billion mistake, another NFL player who doesn't understand what massages are for, and the destruction of the American government
Pardons handed out like gumdrops, a brave Tiawanese doctor, more money for Massachusetts teachers, and dogs in hospitals.
Palling around at Jimmy Carter's funeral, Trump's non-sentencing, foreign investment in data centers, threats against Greenland and Canada, and a few streaming recommendations.
The Bourbon Street and Trump Tower attacks, Facebook goes full Cyberdine systems, and the Joe Biden Awards.
A listener letter, a Biden veto, the second Trump administration (gag) takes further shape, the UHC insider trading story, and a brutal NYC subway murder.
,After a quick primer on the history of Presidential pardons, we discuss the German market attack and Madison, WI school shooting before lightening things up with a $6 million banana and a Chewbacca breakup.
Matt somehow finds it in himself to stay calm while Joe advocates for killing the rich and powerful, President Biden's mass pardons/extensions of clemency, the big drone mystery, and some streaming video recommendations.
Brian Thompson's murder and its media coverage, Hunter Biden's pardon, drones over New Jersey, and Springfield's Adult Court of Hope.
Some Trump stuff, a few international crime stories, a dangerous new Federal policy, and Oklahoma doubles down on making public schools into religious indoctrination centers.
A cruise line offers a way to escape Trump II's attempt to dismantle the federal government department by department, and Matt learns about Idiocracy.
President-elect Trump fills his cabinet with sewage, and a few extended takes on the election and its aftermath from around the globe
After Matt pays tribute to his family's dearly and newly departed Charlee, he and Joe dissect the results of the 2024 elections and what is in store for the nation if the electorate isn't presented with better Presidential choices in the future.
Joe reports on the floods in Valencia, a Polish radio station backtracks on AI, the WNBA's coaching purge, and election endorsements and vote-shaming.
Joe's Spanish big-city adventure, the LeBrons play together, a new CBA for the WNBA, Texas football fans' misbehavior, and the election's ripples abroad.
How not to behave in public, absentee ballot issues, troops in Israel, a couple of animal stories, the Menendez brothers docu-drama, and Pulp Fiction turns 30.
Joe's first Spanish Feast Day, buying a car in a foreign country, teachers drugging students in Spring, Texas, the NCAA's impending Superconference Superfiasco, and athletes abused on social media by degenerate loser gamblers
In Joe's first episode as a Spanish resident, los hombres discuss a few notable celebrity deaths, the flooding in and around Asheville NC, Joe's absentee vote in the 2024 election, and the WNBA's attendance record.
A tragedy with purpose, a tragedy averted thanks to Jon Bon Jovi, some AI nonsense, a squirrel and some idiots disrupt public transportation, and an old boat is found.
Tyreek Hill's arrest, Matt's horrific dream, Joe hates America, X gets in trouble, and a Norwood ice cream stand fiasco
Matt is busy with back to school stuff this week, so Joe chats with journalist and author A.J. Jacobs about his books "The Year of Living Biblically" and "The Year of Living Constitutionally"
Unclean seats, stoning adulterers, AI James Madison, Election Cakes, and more!
RFK Jr's continued wildlife adventures, a DNC scam, a Denver Post columnist's feud with Coach Prime, and the NWSL dumps the draft.
A DNC wrapup, a few sports-adjacent stories, Disney being Disney, and RFK Jr. drops out.
Matt's at the beach this week so Joe sits down with Diggin' Oak Island host Dave McBride for a chat about the 230-year old mystery and the History Channel program "The Curse of Oak Island."
Triathletes in the Seine, Imane Khelif's tough win, RFK Jr's decade-old idiocy, and more
Matt's thoughts on the DNC's latest big move, a quick rundown on the Olympics, and JD Vance's inflammatory words.
Further analysis of the Trump shooting with help from a former Secret Service agent and Trump's choice for VP - JD Vance of Vance Refrigeration
Shark attacks near Cape Cod, a Springfield school security guard arrested on gun charges, ammunitino vending machines, Supreme Court impeachments, the Global Peace Index, and a quick report on the shooting at the Donald Trump rally in Butler, PA
Presidential immunity for "official acts," Joe Biden sticks it out, Project 2025, the WNBA All-Star voting, and the disappointing third season of The Bear
Another state wants to obliterate the separation of church and state a Paris poop protest, the demonization of cell phones, and Reggie Jackson's stark honesty.
So long to the Say Hey Kid, An Idaho bar owner does a very Idaho thing, the Massachusetts 911 outage, and the Portland Pickles' concessionary innovation.
Joe is officially a Spanish resident, Caitlin Clark is left off the primary Olympic team roster, and Hunter Biden's conviction.
Chennedy Carter hip-checks Caitlin Clark and the rest of the world suddenly discovers the WNBA, and some other stuff.
The death of Bill Walton, Donald Trump is guilty 34 times, massive cuts in the Enfield, CT school budget, John Kirby's foot-in-mouth day, Scottie Scheffler's charges are dropped, and MLB makes an empty gesture to the Negro Leagues
Quick follow-ups on orca attacks and the Butker backlash, campaign promotions, Scottie Scheffler, a Bluey fiasco, and Massachusetts raises $1.8 billion taxing millionaires.
Another orca attack, Aja WIlson and Caitlin Clark's statements on race and marketability, Harrison Butker's religious ignorance, and the new Netflix/NFL deal
Colleges respond positively to campus protests, the power of student journalism, the WNBA gets charter flights, a worm eats RFK Jr.'s brain, and Baby Reindeer.
Training AI on creating art with Rhode Island School of Design professor Griffin Smith, plus an update on pro-Palestine protests on college campuses and administrative reactions to them
Women's basketball deepfakes, an interesting WNBA funding proposal, protests on college campuses across the nation, and TikTok and non-compete clauses are banned
The WNBA Draft, Tennessee teachers get guns, Maine takes a step toward sanity, and the Curb Your Enthusiasm Finale
OJ expires, the liberation of education, more charges in the Abby Zwerner shooting, and Yesterday
The NCAA Final Four and the Washington Post Kim Mulkey profile, Literally Anybody Else for President (literally), OpenAI's new voice cloning tool, and Danica Patrick is wrong again.
The Francis Scott Key bridge collapse, abuse of Arizona ESA funds, Caitlin Clark's $5 million offer from Ice Cube's Big 3, cat pics for library fines, and betting scandals in pro sports.
Trump's promise of a bloodbath, financial trouble for school districts, Volkswagen refuses to help find a kidnapped child, and a couple of disturbing Netflix docuseries.
A sentencing in the Rust shooting, the Supreme Court weighs in on Trump's ballot eligibility, Super Tuesday results, Barrett Reid's pardon, The Rock's trademarks, and some streaming recommendations.
More on the Alabama IVF ruling, Donald Trump might skate on Jan 6, a victory for college athletic recruits, and a WIlly Wonka fiasco
America's most watched TV broadcasts, how much longer we have as a viable species, and the Alabama State Supreme Court decision regarding in vitro fertilization.
A borderless world and a quick Super Bowl recap including our thoughts on the Taylor Swift "controversy" and that ridiculous RFK, Jr. commercial.
The border deal collapses, Connecticut cancels medical debt, and we bid adieu to a unique voice in music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC8jBHvy9G8
Neck guards mandated in youth hockey, the E. Jean Carroll verdict, Vince McMahon resigns, and the Texas border 'crisis'
Republican dropouts and New Hampshire Primary results, Tara VanDerveer makes history, fans on the court, and the best places for expats
Alec Baldwin faces new charges, the Supreme Court rules on jailing unhoused people, Donald Trump does Donald Trump things, and a pervy flight attendant.
The Supreme Court decides to decide Donald Trump's fate, and Chris Christie, Nick Saban, and Bill Belichik drop out.
We start by discussing Donald Trump's exclusion from the Maine Republican Primary ballot, and everything goes rapidly sideways from there.
Deja Taylor gets two more years, Chat GPT goes on vacation and the NYT sues, Texas and Colorado taunt the Supreme Court, and a glimmer of hope for the 2024 election.
A tiger gets a very fresh meal, Artificial Intelligence in the military and music industry, the Rolling Stones brought to you by the AARP, and the mess that is college football.
Massachusetts' Blue Envelope Law, a Texas Mom sneaks into middle school, Mark Cuban quits, and are you bettter off than you were four years ago?
Hacking with Mr. Cooper, Patrick Beverley stands up for the WNBA, the SAG strike ends, and reality and other TV matters.
Adam Johnson's gruesome on-ice death, the James Harden Trade, the crisis in NJ schools, and Clay Travis' idiotic challenge to the Las Vegas Aces.
A teacher fired for flatulence and other misdeeds, a football uses an inappropriate line call, Elon Musk is a man-child, and the SAG makes a unique offer.
A rehash of last week's Kevin Hart debate, the WNBA finals, a Pew Research poll indicating a declining interest in sports, Kim Ng's resignation, and Caleb Williams possibly blowing off the NFL draft.
Hamas' brutal attack on Israel and the Republican candidates' reaction to it, Louisiana student Kaylee Timonet loses a scholarship for dancing, a NJ judge issues a ruling on discrimination in public schools, student loan semi-forgiveness, and more.
a follow-up on last week's discussion on transgender athletes, another tragic shooting, a Missouri teacher on leave for appearing on OnlyFans, banned books, and our Congressional poopshow.
Damian Lillard heads to Milwaukee, the WNBA playoffs, the end of the WGA strike, Joe Biden's rough week, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson's comments on how to integrate transgender athletes into the current model of interscholastic/intercollegiate athletics.
- Draft Kings' tasteless' 9/11 parlay
- Luis Rubiales
- Aryna Sabalenka's racket smash
- Kevin Porter Jr.'s brutal assault of Kysre Gondrezick
• ChatGPT's plan for the destruction of humanity
• determined dogs
• Chase Grffin's enlightened comments
• Deion Sanders' drawing power
- a ChatGPT intro to our show
- Massaschusetts' proposal to house migrants on college campuses
- College students lagging behind in math aptitude
- Swamp Kings Netflix docuseries
Michael Oher speaks out on the Touhy family's deception, Randall Park's comments on the success of the Barbie movie, and the unseen costs of EVs.
we break down the state of Maassachusetts' guidelines for Physical Education and Health classes, including guidelines on intercourse and instruction regarding gender identity and seeking protection from sexual abuse.
• Massachusetts legislature funds school lunches
• Toni Harris
• Dwayne Johnson's million dollar donation to the SAG-AFTRA charitable fund
• Olivia Dunne's unfortunate semester
• Trader Joe's recall
• ChatGPT
• Trying that in a small town
• concert misbehavior
• Bryan Cranston's rallying cry
• Danica Patrick's baffling comments
• Congress responds to the NIL's evolution
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• White House Cocaine reprise
• Dwayne Wade buys into the WNBA
• the concurrent Writer's and Screen Actor's Guild strikes explained
• AI job theft
We're joined by author Theo Hayman to talk about his debut novel Heat of the Sun Dragon, his writing process and inspiration, and what his future plans are for Quat, Stinky, and the rest of his dragon and human characters.
• Ja Morant and Jack Jones being careless with their guns
• NHL backs down on Pride Night
• exploding submarine
• Davante Adams criminal charges dropped
• The Bear
Attorney Mark Nicholson joins us to talk about his book "The Law: From Prison to the Street" and his path from unhoused and formerly incarcerated veteran to attorney representing some of Indiana's most vulnerable populations. Buy his book here: https://www.amazon.com/Law-Prison-Street-Mark-Nicholson/dp/1954506627
• acid on a playground (not the fun kind)
• legal developments in the Abby Zwerner shooting
• Orcas unite!
• Daniel Penny's indictment
• Britney Griner and teammates accosted in the DFW airport
• The deaths of Pat Robertson and The Iron Sheik
• Deja Taylor's guilty plea
• the LIV/PGA merger
• Gavin Newsom threatens Ron DeSsantis with kidnaping charges
• a brilliant solution to our election problems
• Ja Morant's spiral
•. a creative escape from a math test
• orcas get their revenge for matricide
• State Farm bails on California
• The Sports Bra wins in Portland
• British Airways fails Bluebell
• a near tragedy at the Indianapolis 500
Another tragic and senseless shooting sets off a rather contentious discussion about where the blame for Americans' increasingly irresponsible behavior lies, with not much agreement between Matt and Joe but lots of yelling.
• a "hero" dog from 1908 Paris
• real heroes from the Albany HS girls' track team
• a Joe's thought experiment regarding jury duty
• Steven Wright's incredible new novel
We recorded later than usual this week, so we might have been a little groggy, but after a little bit of happy and uplifting news we were quickly back to the old gloom and doom, including;
• Deja Taylor's puzzling interview
• Tiger Woods' shameful treatment of Erica Herman
• Donald Trump's CNN interview
a hearty thank you to a legendary mentor and friend; reckless and unneccessary firearms use across the country, legal action in the Abby Zwerner shooting, the Aaron Rodgers trade, Ime Udoka's new job, and the 2024 Presidential election
we finsh up our fascinating story from episode 19 about the messages received by a high school teacher living in a rural English village in the mid-80s that come from a man lliving on the land in the 16th century and also from a formless collective entity from the year 2109 that is conducting an experiment using theoretical quantum particles. yes you read that right.
• Donald Trump's arrest
• the NCAA WBB tournament and karma
• the Bud Light rainbow packaging "controversy"
• Kansas genital checks for sports physicals
• arming Tennessee teachers
A high school teacher in the mid-1980s starts receiving messages on his computer from someone claiming to be living in the 16th Century, and another entitiy from the year 2109. Timse slip, hoax, quantum entanglement, or sleeptyping?
two big NFL court cases, Chad Johnson's unique living arrangements, an excellent New Yorker piece on Kyrie Irving, and out of touch media blowhards (not us).
The University of Alabama's shortsightedness MArjorie Taylor Greene's "national divorce," Tony Dungy and Tiger Woods' regressive ignorance, and NBA All- Star weekend
Super Bowl reactions including the NFL's continued exploitation of Pat Tillman, Rhianna's spectacular halftime performance, and the atrocious ending to a good game. plus; intergalactic warfare and hazing in sports
Chinese spy balloons, WNBA offseason upheaval, a busy NBA trade deadline, tthe new Pro Bowl, Marjorie Taylor DeVille's disgrraceful behaviour at the State of the Union address, and more.
fatal flaws in the US law enforcement system and how to fix them, Florida doing things wrong (again),Damar Hamlin's proof of life, and Joe's least favorite athlete's third retirement.
Ed Reed Instagrams his way out of a job, updates from Abby Zwerner's shooting and the mess that is the Newpor News school district, the Damar Hamlin, moon landing, and 9/11 conspiracies, and the Mike McCarthy camera shove.
charges inHalyna Hutchins' death, the Joe Biden Files, The travesty that is Congress,the Olivia Dunne mess, and the USA's racist history.
Charges in Halyna Hutchins killing, the Joe Biden Files, the disaster that is Congress, Olivia Dunne and fan entitlement, and the USA's racist history in brief
Top marks for Denny Kellington, Peyton Hillis,and Abigail Zwerner, and a big raspberry for the College FOotball playoff
Damar Hamlin's scary injury, The WTA's China decision,Congressional Republincans doing their best Democrat impersonations, and Chris Beard's firing.
Pele's death and legacy, a hero in Buffalo and an inspiration in Denver, along with a real-life poop sandwich in Texa and a brilliant parable courtesy of Sarah Marshall, plus our grades for the year as a whole.
Too many deaths in Qatar supporting the World Cup, the whitewashing of Mike Leach's true legacy, Fortnite goes to the Canadian Supreme Court, and the NCAA's new leader.
Celebrating the release of Brittney Griner, The NY State Legislatures messed up priorities, Deion Sanders' new job, and the Washington Commanders and Daniel Snyder in more trouble.
With Darryl off traveling the world, Joe and Matt are joined by Indianapolis attorney Mark Nicholson, host and Executive Producer of Circle City News, the second most interesting show on the internet. After a tribute to Joe's old friend Phil Wall, Mark talks about his non-traditional path to the law and what it's like to represent sovereign citizens in court.
Happy Anniversary to Matt and Jill, the Trump subpoena, another F- for Antonio Brown, and additional failing marks for Bill Murray, publicly funded stadiums, mixed assessments of Davante Adams' collision with a photographer, and the powerful words of William Shatner after coming back from space for real.
Joe's thought experiment gets solid Ds from Matt and Darryl, Herschel and Christian Walker at opposite ends of the scale, Happy Birthday To You, a potential Trump-Biden rematch, Bobby Wagner and the protester he decked, and Aaron Judge's head-of-the-class season.
With the new name and format finally in place, we welcome actor and writer Ronnie Marmo to talk about his one-man show, "I'm Not a Comedian, I'm Lenny Bruce," Aaron Judge's history-making season, and more.
With Matt off doing adult type things, Joe and Darryl are left to discuss the Las Vegas Aces championship, Ime Udoka's suspension, Boston's racist history [again], team vs. league punishments, and Brett Favre's theft of public funds.
Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott's inhumanity, two poop sandwiches, the impending economic apocalypse, and furries.
If that doesn't get people to listen, we give up.
A sports smorgasbord (sportsgasbord?) - Flag vs. tackle football, pickleball, tennis, WNBA playoffs, and the MLB homestretch; plus "Winning Time," Tom Brady's marital troubles, and everyone on earth moving one step closer to the British throne.
The Netflix Manti Te'o "documentary," Shohei Otani's historic season, fan behavior and BYU's response to the latest racial attack, and more.
We celebrate our centennial episode with the second half of our chat with former Russian journalist and current high school math teacher Slava Malamud about leaving journalism for education, toxic hockey culture, what it takes to be an elite athlete, and the bleak news from Ukraine.
We are joined by former journalist, current teacher, and Soviet Union native Slava Malamud to talk about the Deshaun Watson settlement, the 2002 and 2014 Olympic scandals, Putin's long-running war on Ukraine and Alex Ovechkin's support of him, Brittney Griner's arrest and conviction, and whether the US is going the way of the USSR in the early 90s.
Join us next week for part two!
Help those affected by the war in Ukraine at https://www.ukrainetrustchain.org/.
Learn more about Slava Malamud at https://www.slavadoesamerica.com/ and follow him on twitter at https://twitter.com/slavamalamud.
We welcome the newest addition to Team Clark, Adrian Kite Clark born August 9; congratulations to Leah and Cornelius and the entire Clark family.
Also: Deshaun Watson, Brittney Griner, Serena Williams, and Alex Coffey's Stanley Jefferson piece and Pete Rose experience.
The Deshaun Watson and Brittney Griner travesties, the deaths of Bill Russell, Nichelle Nichols, and Vin Scully, Aaron Rodgers' psychedelic journeys, and MLB trade deadline action.
With Matt working on his handicap in Myrtle Beach, friend of the show Dave Hock joins Joe and Darryl once again to talk about Kyler Murray's contract, Hockey Canada's sexual abuse problem, Kevin Durant trade possibilities, the Red Sox' collapse and the Yankees' semi-big trade, Juan Soto, and Better Call Saul.
Being lost in an unfamiliar place, close losses vs. blowouts, Tennessee football's 'violations,' superdupermegaconferences, Matt resurrects his no-draft plan, LeBron James trademarks 'Shut Up and Dribble,' an auto racing update, a plug for the SVRA and other affordable fan entertainment, James Harden's selflessness and Russell Westbrook's untradeability, Charles Barkley joins the LIV tour, and our own low-level athletic failures and successes.
Amanda Ripley's powerful Washington Post op-ed, good news/bad news regarding education policy, the shift rule, and the Texans' non-admission of non-guilt.
The gaslighting of America continues, and we're here to break it down. Brittney Griner's guilty plea, Sandra Morgan's hire, Demaryius Thomas's brain, the Democrats' "plan," and Kevin Durant's escape plan.
Getting up at 3:30 am to watch television but getting paid for it, Matt's apology to Kadarius Toney, Brittney Griner's traveshamockery of a trial, Clevelandfreude, and the lesser of two evils being the worst for everyone.
With Matt out, Joe's cousin and former high school athletic director and football and golf coach joins Joe and Darryl to discuss blood money for pro golfers, the Celtics finals loss, the Mets' and Yankees' start, Brittney Griner's upcoming trial, Sue Bird's retirement, plastic bags, campaign finance reform, Shohei Ohtani, and more.
The lads are joined by Jon Ronneberg of The Jersey Boys Sports Talk to discuss gun control, the Stanley Cup and NBA playoffs, homophobic Tampa Bay Rays, and more.
Two Guys on Your Head: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-guys-on-your-head/id845287058
An early release this week brings talk about gun laws, the NBA finals, hype pieces, athlete evolution, Josh Donaldson, the magic of Madison Square Garden and the Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup win, the minor league sports experience, and more.
Our thoughts on the senseless school shootings, George Bush's slip of the tongue, Jimmy Butler's struggles, terrible national anthems, and J.J. Redick's blasphemy.
Special guest Dr. Cornelius Masuku joins us to discuss the gender pay gap in sports and academia, intergender competition past and future, the NBA playoffs, Florida, Nick Saban vs. Jimbo Fisher, and rugby.
Personal disorganization, solutions for election reform, who to blame in Washington and Philadelphia, Brittney Griner's detention, the Wunderlic test, and why quarterbacks are like avocados.
WXOJ fund drive:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=NQJ8ZZFJPKNNY&source=url
The demise of reproductive rights, Trump's chances in 2024, Matt preaches patience, NFL draft hangovers, the stellar NBA playoffs, and MLB's narrow and limited appeal.
Andy Quach of The Trail Babblers and nbaanalysis.net joins us to talk NBA playoffs and Kadarius Toney.
Clayton Kershaw's missed moment, the NBA playoffs, Jackie Robinson's legacy and the NFL's failures, marathon runners, and Daniel Snyder.
The lads are joined this week by University of Massachusetts at Amherst Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford to discuss the emergence of the women's basketball program, the Don Brown and Frank Martin hires, and the new frontier of NIL payments.
Journalist/author/podcaster Jessica Luther (Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Loving Sports when they Don't Love You Back, Burn it all Down, American Prodigies) joins Darryl and Joe for a talk about the Title IX's legacy after 50 years and her investigative work on the Baylor sexual assault story.
https://www.jessicawluther.com/
https://www.burnitalldownpod.com/
Telemarketers, student loan forgiveness or lack thereof, Kyrie Irving, Russia, Frank Martin, the Dolphins and Browns make questionable moves, Ash Barty, March Madness, and Darryl's battle for self control
The return of MLB, the start of the NCAA tournaments, Brittney Griner's ongoing situation, Naomi Osaka's mindset, Deshaun Watson's new home, and New York's vaccination inconsistencies.
Will Russian sanctions work? Will the new CBA help MLB? Is there too much pressure on college athletes? Did Evan McPherson do anything wrong at the Super Bowl halftime break? What will the final stretch of the NBA season bring? And should the NFL be allowed to use the word "integrity?"
Old man TV, the relationship between youth and professional sports, the role of league commissioners, Joe's boxing career, Darryl's dedication to football and wrestling, Ben Simmons' dedication to nothing, the Liberty's big fine and what constitutes responsible franchise ownership?
"They hate us 'cause they ain't us" syndrome, World War III, China's failed Olympics, Juwan Howard's anger issues, Hope Solo's reaction to the USWNT settlement, Fit vs. talent and the NBA standings.
No Matt this week but Joe and Darryl are joined by special guest Victor Arocho of Jersey Boys Sports Talk to discuss the Super Bowl and The Rock's shameless awful "performance" as well as Florida fanbases, Phil Mickelson's unbelievable comments, NASCAR's broadening, and MLB's de-broadening.
The Fyre Festival Olympic Games, the Lakers, Harden's path and trust in Daryl Morey, bad NBA drafts, and that football game tomorrow.
Brian Flores and his lawsuit against the NFL, what makes a racist, how to tank properly, the Blazers' awful trade, and Brady finally getting off the stage.
How NIL money could boost HBCUs, bye-bye Brady, OT rules, Bruce Arians, Mark Cuban, LeBron James and the Lakers, the NBA's "stance" on sneakers made with slave labor, and the fragmentation of truth.
Australia sends Novak Djokovic home without any tennis, Celebrity Death Week, Lusia Harris, Blazers-Celtics, snow shoveling high school football players, Tatiana Calderon, the new Giants GM and what comes next, safer tackling, a Greased Lightning golf cart, and the Cowboys/49ers ending.
A sad Trail Blazers update, The Curse of Joe, Novak Djokovic, Matt's happy week, Matt Corral's almost disastrous week, the SEC's dominance, and faint praise for Nick Saban.
Darryl gets a new pacemaker, Howard Stern vs. Don Imus, Don't Look Up and Netflix's mastery of cringe inducing reality-based programming, the mess that is Antonio Brown, Becky Hammon finally gets a head coaching job, the US Women's Golf Open boosting its prize money, and Satan vs. Hitler.
John Madden's unique legacy, Darryl springs two amazing surprises on us, online life vs. real life, Jets and Giants woes and a Joe Pisarcik story, NBA's COVID situation, the IOC and other international sporting organizations take their usual abuse from us, more F1 101, and players opting out of bowl games.
Sports Illustrated and NPR legend Frank Deford spoke to Joe in 2012 about a host of issues surrounding college athletics: The John Calipari experiment, traumatic brain injuries in football, activist athletes, the value of a scholarship, and changes in sports reporting. Enjoy our conversation and your holiday; we will be back next week.
WARNING: UNBLEEPED PROFANITY AND LOTS OF IT
Joe Manchin ruins what little Trump had left; Tik Tok, bombs, and parenting; the NFL's international marketing "plan" and how the Rams made out like Raiders; a Jacksonville trifecta of Urban Meyer, Charlie Strong, and Trevor Lawrence; Kyrie Irving's impending half-return, and chasing the carrot of herd immunity.
Technical difficulties, Bill Belichick possibly being a time traveler, Joe hates short passes, the WNBA pay gap, Peng Shuai and money over ethics, ritual and holidays, F1 101 and money over ethics II, the Blazers' plan for Damian Lillard and why he should be Matt's favorite player.
The death of reproductive rights in the USA, anti-vaxxers eating dirt, Neil Olshey fired for being a jerk, COVID, opiods, college boosters, Antonio the bleep Brown, athletes in mental health crisis. Bonus: Motorama, perhaps the weirdest movie ever made.
...and why it doesn't belong on the Thanksgiving table, Pats-Titans, Jason Garrett and head coach/coordinator dynamics, the business of sports in China and the WTA's failure, Lebron James' busy week, and Aaron Rodgers' COVID toe. Also: is SEO killing journalism?
The beauty of college hockey, the disappearance of Peng Shuai, no justice for Joseph Rosenbaum or Anthony Huber and the horrifying and disheartening reaction from conservatives, the red-hot Patriots and Bill the genius, the value and necessity of elite running backs, NBA GMs cry foul on the Neal Olshey investigation but exactly zero people step up to defend him, and NBA surprises.
Donate to WXOJ-FM here:https://valleyfreeradio.org/donate/
We welcome back Dave Hock, our first repeat guest ever, so he can officially forsake Aaron Rodgers. Also: Mayim Biyalik and Ken Jennings, Odell Beckham going to the Rams, Jon Gruden suing the NFL, Daniel Snyder's secret Hotmail account, an admission from Darryl, Adam Schefter digs himself deeper, Cam Newton returning to the Panthers, and Pumpsie Green.
The three of us discover a shared childhood experience, and lots of NFL talk: Mike White Mania, Henry Ruggs, Aaron Rodgers making us all play the 'who knew what?' game, and Odell Beckham Jr. leaving Cleveland. Also: early-season NBA overreactions
Congress blows its chance to help those who need it the most and the Jets are caught shortquarterbacked. Also: Packers/Chiefs and Aaron Rodgers' rightful place on GOAT mountain
Kadarius Toney is the Phoenix rising from the ashes of the Giants' offense, Fall is dead, the Knicks/Celtics opener, the Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving situations, Candace Parker's homecoming title, an apology from Matt to Lamar Jackson, NFL franchises that actually help quarterbacks, and Roger Goodell as Joseph Smith and living in the LDS community. Also, some Netflix: Squid Game, OITNB, Money Heist, and Wentworth.
The substitute teaching crisis, Darryl looks at Kyrie Irving through Celtic green-colored glasses, leaky email servers, Freedom of Information laws, ESPN's lack of journalistic integrity, evil chicken sandwiches, the Kadarius Toney roller coaster, and the WNBA finals. Also: Matt reveals his titanic ability to compartmentalize and Joe tries to play the iceberg.
Darryl pulls off the highway on his way to Vermont so we can talk Paul Riley, a Citizen Kane correction, TBIs, the MLB one-game playoffs, Candace Parker, Kyrie Irving, the true victims of anti-vaxxers, an insult to toilets, and the QB baton being passed in Foxboro. Also: Urban Meyer digs a neck-deep hole and Joe makes him a promise.
Brooklyn Harker, Sofia LaSpina, AbbyDiCenzo, the WNBA playoffs, the Ben Simmons fiasco-drama, judging The Process, five rookie QBs, a musical revelation that will change your life, and MLB's final weekend. (Just of the 2021 regular season, not for eternity. That's still at least a couple years off.)
Human, environmental, in the Giants and Red Sox front offices, in youth football, and in Joe's brain. Also: Tom Brady's HGH supplier says Bill Belichick is just another coach, the importance or lack thereof of MLB regular season series wins, and our TV watching habits and histories.
Pantsless interviews, undisciplined Giants, one game playoffs, Penn State's institutional judgment, and the bottom of the NFL barrel.
Traumatic imagery in childrens entertainment, highway robbery, the war on a woman's right to body autonomy, caring for a dying spouse, memories and the legacy of 9/11, the politicalization of public health, government conspiracies and cover-ups, the death of the American Dream, and baseball's gambling and drug scandals.
• Contains adult language •
Selfish idiots (no not us), Cam Newton and NFL cuts, hanging on too long (also not us), Matt sings the Big Blue Blues, the Met fans respond to Javy Baez' thumbs down, and getting wealthy from NIL endorsements (once again, not us).
Darryl is back and we cover lots of familiar ground: COVID classroom havoc, the death of baseball, putrid UMass football, NIL implementation, Pats and Giants questions, Yankees/Red Sox, and Joe has a crabby outburst.
With Darryl still in California, Joe and Matt are joined by Nkwa Asonye of Fox61 in Hartford to celebrate breaking Jeopardy news, along with a sadder discussion of Trevor Bauer, framing athletes' mental health issues, the Malice in the Palace documentary, and back to school concerns.
With Darryl off visiting family in San Diego, fellow WMUA Sports alum Dave Hock joins Matt and Joe for corny cornfield baseball, the long-awaited draft abolition debate, and the NFL and NHL's horrendous excuses for sexual assault investigations.
SI article by Jenny Vrentas: https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/08/13/the-problems-with-deshaun-watson-nfl-investigation
Gendered language, Joe's new favorite Yankee, NBA moves, Olympic legacies and memories, and the Giants' implosion. Links mentioned in opening segment:https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2020/07/08/how-to-use-gender-neutral-language-and-why-its-important-to-try/
https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/what-is-gendered-language
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/12/15/guide-how-gender-neutral-language-is-developing-around-world/
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/gender-inclusive-language/
Joe is finally home and back to rising early, this time to discuss getting old, the NBA draft, Zach Wilson and Gregg Knapp, the Yankees' big deals, Simone Biles, 3x3, and COVID vaccine resistors.
For the first time ever, all three of the gentlemen are in the studio together, and were joined by Deadspin senior editor Julie DiCaro to talk about her book Sidelined: Sports, Culture, and Being a Woman in America. Also: Trevor Bauer, Chauncey Billups, ESPN, Social Media, NIL opportunities, investigative journalism, QB development, the Bulls and Bears, and the Cosby case.
Fried clams, climate change, Red Sox/Yankees, the infantilization of black athletes, Dame Lillard, Bill Cosby, and Trevor Bauer.
While Matt enjoys his Cape Cod vacation, Darryl and Joe have some extra room to babble on about Joe Paterno, the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry, Carl Nassib, the Blazers' mangled coaching search and the Celtics' moves, along with Jennifer Nettles, Robert Plant, Tool, The Jonas Brothers, and the Backstreet Boys (not live on the show, just in stories).
Darryl prepares for his last day and a half as a teacher, the top-heavy NBA playoffs are somehow still surprising, Joe's head injuries, and MLB pitchers gooping up their fingers. Plus: the Muppets and Peanuts
Jason Tatum, Becky Hammon, Portland, Lebron's "walkoff" and AD's fragility, and Naomi Osaka. Plus: Ethel Kennedy
We say goodbye to our unquestioned number one fan, plus the Indy 500's various walls, Jayson Tatum, LeBron being maybe anti-vax but maybe not, the magic of Madison Square Garden, the reputation of Boston fans, and Phil Mickelson.
Special guest Mike Freeman and a traveling Joe join Matt and Darryl for a peek into New Jersey high school sports and academics in the pandemic era and the requisite amounts of baseball and NBA chatter.
The deterioration of the human body, mask freedom, contact tracing, the evolution of the NBA 7-footer, a play-in lovefest, the worst reason for anything, and Amy Bockerstette. Plus, is it ok to hate Tim Tebow?
Did Gleyber Torres kill the shift once and for all? Whither the Nets and Lakers? Should Tom Wilson and George Parros be banished from the NHL? Is there a NFL franchise worse at handling quarterbacks than the Green Bay Packers? Plus Matt's catastrophic solution to a nonexistent problem.
Tabletop PONG, Florida Men, the death of amateurism, and the curses of the New York Jets and New York media.
Darryl is loving San Diego, Matt wants college athletes to get a proper education, and Joe wants it to happen in a year; plus Derek Chauvin and COVID vaccination policy.
You'll get every permutation of two-on-ones in this episode: Joe and Matt sharing Darryl stories, Matt and Darryl finding Joe's sore spots, and Joe and Darryl finally agreeing on a point.
While Darryl waits for his immunity to kick in so he can get back in the classroom, we welcome special guest Emily Niemann for a frank and revealing look at her experience as a member of the 2005 national championship Baylor team, and living on a campus that had written policies hostile to LGBTQIA students.
Special guest Aisha Rodney, a nurse and former college basketball player, joins us with harrowing tales from the COVID front lines and the NCAA transfer portal. Bonus: Matt's hoop dreams
Baker is back from ninja gymnastics for a talk about the NBA All-Star game, revisionist Kobe Bryant history, disgusting things coming out of Oklahoma, and the best and worst of Fenway Park. Bonus: Pumpsie Green reference
While our Matt is busy with ninja gymnastics, we welcome Matt Vautour of masslive.com for a talk about how to improve some sports by fine-tuning how they are played and how to completely ruin others by the same method.
The gents are joined by special guests Aida O'Brien and Yoomi Park for an educational discussion about how to fit transgender/non-conforming athletes into systems built from obsolete notions of gender.
Tom Brady, growing up in New Jersey, The Dolans, Tyreek Hill and Antonio Brown, and Super Bowl commercials.
The gents are joined by special guest coach/teacher/parent Vincent Gioffre for a squaretable discussion of school sports, pro fandom, and hating Tom Brady.
A special guest fills us in on the latest from Agawam kindergarten, and Darryl shares his sports fan origin story.
Matt reveals the unique rooting habits of his two sons, Joe gets agitated about a lot of things, and Darryl does his best to keep the FCC fines at bay
The boys are joined by not one, not two, but THREE special guests for a discussion of all things squicky about sports these days.
James Harden, Kyrie Irving, dueling college basketball coaches, and why are we even bothering?
The gentlemen are joined by Minnesota native Michelle to talk fandom, disgust, entitlement, and The Social Dilemma.
The spread of COVID-19 doesn't seem to be interfering with pro or college sports; and what is Lamar Jackson's ceiling?
Matt is celebrating a family birthday today so Darryl and Joe ramble on about curses, nightmares, demons, and holidays with family.
All the things Darryl loves, all the things Joe hates, and Commissioner Matt's plan to save the NFL season
Lotsa COVID-19 talk; and Darryl thinks back to the good old days when children could buy cigarettes.
Is Joe Biden a good candidate? To where do we expatriate ourselves? What is the Patriots' ceiling? All this and more...
(sorry this is a little late coming; we're producing this show from an Anarchist jurisdiction)
The west coast is literally on fire, but the hottest team in pro sports right now is the Boston Celtics.