In The Zona - All Sports. All Phoenix. - Fanster.com

[Audio] STBNL for July 17 - Thank God bad regular season baseball is back!

Fanster.com — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:13:14 +0000

Chuck Powell from 98.7 The Peak joins me, Vince Marotta, for Friday’s edition of the “Show To Be Named Later” here on Fanster.com.

Friday’s Random Reference File : Sally O’Malley, Boomhauer and Rupert Everett.

Doug Davis should be a popular target for MLB teams that are looking for a solid veteran left handed starter with cool facial hair (Photo: Al Behrman/AP)

Segment 1 - (0:00) - Chuck and I discuss the 2nd half of the season for the Diamondbacks, who may be dealt and Mark Reynolds’ chase for baseball immortality. We also pick Chuck’s brain on the All-Star Game, and how badly managed this particular one was (especially by a certain NL manager.

Segment 2 - (26:52) - More baseball talk, as we explore the possibilities of where Roy Halladay may end up, and different strategies employed by several teams–why some teams “get it” and some don’t. And I reveal what is the biggest, strongest curse in all of sports, and no, it has nothing to do with a goat.

Segment 3 - (42:09) - 59-year old Tom Watson is at the top of the leaderboard at the British Open at Turnberry. He’s 59, and was dominant on the PGA Tour 30 years ago. By the way, did we mention he’s 59?

STBNL for July 17, 2009 - Chuck Powell and Vince Marotta

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[Audio] STBNL for July 16 - A new Cactus League home for the D-Backs

Fanster.com — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:27:00 +0000

Michael Kossett joins me to discuss the events (or lack thereof) on Thursday.

In the random reference file today: Goody Two-shoes, Chicago’s new lefty, the Kool-Aid Man, and Rawhide (the tv show, not the pseudo-Western town in Scottsdale).

The Arizona Diamondbacks have called Tucson Electric Park their Cactus League home since their first season in 1998. Next season, 2010, will be their last in Tucson.

Segment 1 (0:00) - Good news for the Diamondbacks, bad news for Tucson. The Diamondbacks, the Colorado Rockies and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community have struck a deal for a brand new Cactus League facility for both teams, including an 11,000 seat stadium, office space and 12 practice fields that should be ready for Spring Training in 2011. The facility is the first spring training facility in the United States to be built on Indian land. Obviously that’s great for Diamondbacks’ fans in the Valley, who will be closer to their team during Cactus League play, but how does this affect Tucson, who loses another sporting option?

Segment 2 (22:44) - More All-Star Game reflection, which is good, because nobody will be talking about this game in a week, and nobody will remember it 20 years from now. And, I actually agree with something Bud Selig said. It hurts to say, but I do.

Segment 3 (40:11) - Kossett goes off on the Suns, still believing they don’t show any true direction with their offseason plans, while I take a more optimistic approach. That’s right, NBA championship, baby! Just kidding. Nobody’s that optimistic about the Suns.

STBNL for July 16, 2009 - Vince Marotta and Michael Kossett

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Grant Hill: Winning Is Important But I Wanna Play

Fanster.com — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:15:50 +0000

Grant Hill is unlike other NBA veterans because simply, he hasn’t played much. Injuries have hindered what was sure to be a Hall of Fame career, but enough with the past, G-Hill is looking to the future even at the age of 36 (37 in October). As you’ll read below, Grant was offered a contract by several teams on different rungs throughout the league, but he chose to stay with a borderline playoff team in the Phoenix Suns. What comes out of Grant’s mouth below is not often heard in the sporting world - he’s far more intrigued by the challenge in Phoenix than playing limited minutes with a great team in Boston, even if that means a greater chance at a ring. Hill joined KTAR in Phoenix to discuss if Steve Nash assured him he was returning to Phoenix, the other teams which offered him deals, and what his decision came down to in the end.

Other than Phoenix, were Boston and New York the front runners?

“There were some other teams too; those two teams, they seem to get a lot of attention, but I had some really good talks with George Karl and Denver, and then Pat Riley and Miami. I’d say those were probably the five teams through the whole process.”

Some people would say your nuts for not signing with one of the contenders:

“Winning is important but, you know, I wanna play. I love the game and I’ve fought like crazy through the injuries and all the setbacks through the years; it’s not even necessarily about being guaranteed a starting position, but just having an opportunity to come in and compete for it, and whatever happens, happens. I can live with that. Going in to that situation, there are only so many minutes, and I have a lot of respect for the guys that are there. People may say whatever, call me crazy or whatever, but one thing I missed more than anything was playing. So, yeah, the opportunity to come off the bench and play limited minutes and go through a whole opportunity to try and win a ring, especially in a city like Boston, the Celtics’ tradition there is certainly appealing but, I don’t know, it’s kind of the safe thing to do. And, it’s a little bit of an adventure for us in Phoenix.”

Did Steve Nash assure you he was coming back before you signed?

“He didn’t necessarily assure me he’s coming back, I think he will, but at the same time I think he’s gonna try and figure out what’s best for him and his family. I think he has a great opportunity both on the court and I think the Suns are making a substantial financial commitment to him, so I hope and pray that gets resolved, but I kind of made that commitment without knowing for sure whether or not Steve was coming back.”

What does it really come down to when you make your decision?

“It really comes down to the basketball, it comes down to your role, it comes down to a comfort level with the organization, your teammates. There’s a lot of factors involved but those are the few that are a lot of times the most important.”

Listen to Grant Hill on KTAR with Gambo and Ash

[Audio] STBNL for July 15 - Anyone else snooze through that All-Star Game?

Fanster.com — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:31:42 +0000

I have a confession to make. Today is my birthday. Which it makes it even more depressing that I couldn’t find a co-host for today’s “Show To Be Named Later” on Fanster.com. FML.

Here’s some random references to listen for: a bad Jeff Foxworthy impersonation (aren’t they all bad?), Gorman Thomas, and Superdawgs.

Segment 1 (0:00) - I talk about what could have been the most boring baseball All-Star Game I’ve ever seen. It was missing big names (none of the ten leading active home run hitters were there), it was missing villains (A-Rod, Barry, Manny), and more than half of the runs scored came on errors, fielders’ choices and sacrifice flies. The biggest thing we found out is that our country’s Commander-In-Chief kinda throws like a girl. It would have been more interesting if Pres Obama attacked Joe Buck and Tim McCarver Artie Lange-style. Yawn…

Segment 2 (9:53) - I interview Andrew Carless, a local author who after losing his job, set out on the highways of America visiting MLB ballparks for his upcoming book called “Next Stop”. Andrew and I talk about the first half of his trip, the good stadiums and the bad, and how he ended up in Derrick Hall’s office with A.J. Hinch for a “talking to”. You can read updates about Andrew’s trip at his Next Stop blog here. Entertaining stuff.

Segment 3 (25:44) - There’s no way to sugarcoat it…the Diamondbacks have been bad this season. But that doesn’t mean there’s not anything to look forward to in the 2nd half of the season for the D-Backs. In segment three, I talk about some of the intrigue remaining in the Snakes’ season (and I didn’t have to dig as deep as you may think).

STBNL for July 15, 2009 with Vince Marotta

Download audio file (show715.mp3)

The 2009 All-Star Diary

Fanster.com — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:50:00 +0000

Pregame notes:

We’ll be doing this by inning marker rather than by time because I’m watching it DVR style. When/if I catch up to live, maybe we’ll switch to time codes, if only because it makes predictions that much more exciting.

I’m not a believer in this whole “St. Louis fans are the best in sports” business. With that out of the way, I will give them credit for nice ovations for former Cardinals like Joe Torre, Dan Haren and Jason Marquis, and for St. Louis native Ryan Howard. That said, they should have booed NL Manager Charlie Manuel for picking Marquis and Howard, but that’s neither here nor there.

Ryan Franklin gets a big ovation from the home crowd. It’s expected, and I’m absolutely not the first person to bring this up, but where is all the anger over the fact that this known steroids user is in the All-Star Game? It seems like there are some steroids users who get absolutely slayed, and others, like Franklin, who just seem to get a pass. Just not sure I understand the double standard, but it seems to just be star-driven. Like how everybody gets all upset when Manny Ramirez plays minor league games while on suspension. But where was everybody when JC Romero was doing the exact same thing? Oh, he’s not a big star, that’s right.

Said it in last year’s blog and I’ll say it again: I really love watching Roy Halladay pitch. He’s fun. And while I might have picked Zack Grienke to start the All-Star Game, I’m fine with Halladay as a starter.

Sheryl Crow gets a big thumbs up for not stylizing the national anthem. Come on, we don’t need you to give it pop rhythm or play your mandolin with it. Just sing it like its written folks.

What’s not to love about Stan Musial? Nothin’. That’s what.

President Obama gets a huge thumbs up from this blog for wearing the logo of his favorite team (the White Sox) rather than some random MLB jacket which, let’s face it, most politicians would have done.

Prediction time – The AL wins it. Maybe not in a runaway, but they pull away after Lincecum and Haren leave the game. I’ll say AL 7-4 and the MVP goes to Adam Jones, who hits a homer late.

With respect to Bill Simmons, from whom I’m absolutely taking this fabulous idea, we’re off. As mentioned in last year’s diary, every word was written in real time, so predictions that come true are real and predictions that don’t are, unfortunately, also real.

Top of the first:

Tim Linceum is on the mound. As noted with Halladay, he’s awesome to watch. And while I’d have picked Haren, I may be biased and I’m cool with Lincecum. I said this last year at a D-backs game and I’ll say it again: the next half-dozen years of watching Lincecum vs. Justin Upton every year is going to be awesome.

First McCarver gripe of the night: contrary to what McCarver tells you, Lincecum does not have a “frail frame.” The guy is pretty damn muscular. They described him in Sports Illustrated last year as having a body like a gymnast. He’s not heavy, but come on, he ain’t frail either.

You know it’s an All-Star Game if Ichiro leads it off by stepping in the box. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but it’s a thing. Ooooh, he didn’t miss a home run by much on the first pitch, roping it almost homer distance down the line but foul.

Does Ichiro really adjust to a two-strike pitch better than Albert Pujols? I disagree with the broadcast team here. Pujols almost never strikes out and hits for power and crushes the ball with two strikes.

Derek Jeter gets hit on what looks like the elbow. You’ll get no complaint here. But seriously, Lincecum is already buzzing the tower quite a bit. I think that’s four pitches to Ichiro and Jeter than went very high and very tight, at least one of them a curveball that didn’t break. Perhaps he’s nervous?

Another very high non-breaking breaking ball, this time to Joe Mauer. I’m going to go all main-stream-media columnist here and just assume he’s nervous and run with it. So there you have it.

Hell of a play/throw by Yadier Molina to nail a very fast runner at third base. A better throw from David Wright would have completed a very tough double play.

Wow, Pujols boots one at first. Most scouts, I think, would tell you he’s the best defensive first baseman in the game. Everybody makes mistake, I guess (maybe he was nervous because the game is in St. Louis).

It won’t get brought up while they discuss how awesome Jason Bay has been in Boston, but he’s been downright awful the last month or six weeks. Then again, everybody but Pujols goes through those pretty much every year, if anything else he’s probably just regressing from that impossibly hot start As I say that, he rips a liner to center field. But still.

Bottom of the first:

Roy Halladay serves as perfect notice for why fans should be patient with their teams’ prospects. His first three years in the big leagues, Halladay posted a 5.77 ERA with 13-14 record in 231 innings. Since then, he’s practically been a god — 128-55 with a 3.16 ERA in 1699 2/3 innings.

Nothing eventful here. Pujols hits a rocket to third, but Michael Young is in the right spot. Like so many Halladay innings, it’s a pretty smooth cruise.

Top of the second:

I almost picked Aaron Hill for MVP of the game. Probably the right choice to avoid him as he grounds out in his first at bat.

Halladay is wearing an unmarked, blue helmet. This is pretty clearly not a Blue Jays helmet. And the broadcasters note the same thing. Good call by Buck, actually. That looks like a Tampa Bay Rays helmet.

By the way, why doesn’t the All-Star Game feature the DH at all times, regardless of park? Even the most staunch NL supporter can’t defend pitchers batting in an All-Star Game, right?

Bottom of the second:

Lincecum and Ichiro is actually one of the coolest pitcher/batter matchups in the game. As people who know me know, I love unique pitching motions. Big fan. So to see a unique pitching motion facing a unique batting motion, well that’s really cool.

Even the President makes jokes about the Nationals! Really Washington, that’s how bad your franchise is. Barack Obama says there’s parity and every team has a chance to win (apparently he hasn’t watched a Pittsburgh or Kansas City game lately) and then says, “except maybe the Nationals.” Even a politician refuses to give them a chance.

Tim McCarver thinks the American League is ahead of the National League because of the designated hitter, despite the fact that they had the DH in the 1980s when the NL was the better league. Jesus. Leave it to Joe Buck (of all people!) to be the voice of reason to point out that the American League has just been the better league for the last few years.

Bloop single, bloop single, bloop single, throwing error and two runs score. My god, I feel like I’m watching a Pumpkin Porters softball game.

Finally there’s a hard-hit ball for the Senior Circuit. Prince Fielder smokes one down the line. Neither Lincecum nor Halladay has been shelled by any means. Five runs have scored with three (Ichiro, Bay and Fielder) hard-hit balls.

Top of the third:

“Ryan Franklin has been a (pretty lucky) revelation in the first half (which will almost certainly turn into a career-numbers regression in the second half).” Quote was that of the broadcast, parentheses are mine.

Well, I had predicted (offline) that this game would get out of hand when Franklin and Marquis checked in. Well, my Franklin prediction didn’t come through, but I still have Marquis!

Bottom of the third:

Many people insist that nobody will ever win 300 games again. I am not one of those people. The first two pitchers for the AL, Halladay and Mark Buehrle, as well as another AL pitcher who is not on the team this year (C.C. Sabathia) will all get there if they stay healthy. Maybe I’ll play it safe, assume some injury, and say one of those three guys gets there.

This game might go by fast. A quick 1-2-3 inning and we continue to sail along. A lot of ground balls tonight.

I will not see G Force. I will also not watch Brothers, the comedy starring Michael Strahan (?!?!?) on Fox. As Steve noted, “It’s supposed to be a comedy and the commercials aren’t even funny!”

Top of the fourth:

Here we go! Danny Haren is in now. I assumed we’d see him tonight, not just because he deserves it, but because Wednesday would have been his day to pitch, so he’s pretty rested. Pitchers I bet we don’t see: Josh Beckett, Justin Verlander and Josh Johnson. They all pitched Sunday, but then again, we saw Buehrle and he pitched Sunday. So what do I know.

Tim McCarver is going on about the strategic importance of Dan Haren’s pause in his wind up and I can’t kill McCarver here. I had Doom write a story about that very thing last year, but at least we beat them to the punch by a few months.

Nice easy inning by Haren. Nice to see.

Bottom of the fourth:

Intro to the inning with “Rollin’ On the River” by Tina Turner. Turner is from St. Louis, so it wouldn’t have been a bad choice to invite her to do something at the game, maybe “God Bless America” or something.

Wow, Zack Grienke gets David Wright on some kind of a filthy curveball. They called it a slider on the broadcast, but that looked like a curve to me. Whatever it was, it was pretty awesome.

Who are the only two MLB legends to win the triple crown twice? That’s the trivia question. I’m pretty sure about Frank Robinson doing it twice and the other one has to be a Cardinal, right? I don’t think Musial ever did it, but I’m pretty sure Joe “Ducky” Medwick did it at least once. So I’ll go with Ducky and Robinson.

Top of the fifth:

Brad Hawpe is in the game in right, and Ryan Braun has switched to left. I think (and hope) that after Braun’s next at bat, we see Justin Upton for at least one plate appearance.

Carl Crawford lines a single into center. I’m glad to see him here. At the 2007 All-Star Game on Media Day, Crawford told me (because I specifically asked about it) that it was pretty lonely being a solo All-Star rep, which he had done, I believe, twice to that point. So lonely, in fact, that I was the only writer at his table. He said he looked forward to the day that he’d have teammates there with him, and insisted it would be soon. Well, lo and behold, in 2008 the Rays sent multiple reps to the game for only the second time in their history, yet Crawford didn’t make the team. This time he’s got teammates and a manager (Joe Maddon), so that’s good.

Chase Utley makes a strange choice on a ball to his left, throwing out Crawford at second rather than the easy out at first. I say this because, to me, Utley is the least of the story. First, if Crawford had slid directly into the base rather than off to the right, I bet he’s safe. Second, Hanley Ramirez makes a nice play that makes it look like he could be a nice first baseman if he ever outgrows the left side of the infield, like former teammate Miguel Cabrera has done.

And THAT is why Pujols is considered the best first baseman in the game. He makes an awesome diving snare on a hard Derek Jeter grounder, nailing Ichiro at second after Pujols was holding Ichiro on the bag. Very nice.

Hey, another extra-base hit! Joe Mauer pops a double down the left-field line to tie this baby up. Looked a lot like Fielder’s double, actually. Steve suggested Mauer as MVP before I went with Jones. My guy hasn’t played yet, but so far, Steve’s looking good here.

Another awesome diving play by Pujols. He’s good.

Bottom of the Fifth:

My boy Adam Jones checks in, hoowah!

Edwin Jackson is a fun story. He was, like, the best pitching prospect in baseball about seven years ago. Then he was awful, just awful. He went to Tampa and couldn’t even crack their rotation when they stunk. He was lef tout in the playoffs last year in favor of Andy Sonnanstine, which should tell you a lot. And he gets traded in the offseason and here he is. How often does a guy who is a great pitching prospect absolutely bottom out, and then totally live up to expectations many years later?

McCarver goes and says, “In his first year back in the American League…” about Edwin Jackson, as if Tampa, who he played for before, isn’t in the American League.

Top of the sixth:

I am shocked — SHOCKED — at the year Trevor Hoffman is having. I thought that would be the worst free agent signing of the offseason, but he’s been damn good (so far) for the Brewers.

Adam Jones crushed one, but caught. Damn. Thought my MVP pick was coming through there.

Double play ends the inning and the most briskly paced All-Star Game I can remember moves on. This pace is eerie in an All-Star Game.

Bottom of the sixth:

Worst TV ad of the night, and there is NO competition here, is the Taco Bell “All About the Roosevelts, Baby” commercial. I’ve said this about bad movies and TV shows before — I would love to have been a fly on the wall in the pitch meeting in which they actually green-lighted this thing. Ugh. And it’s extra-long, too!

King Felix checks in. He’s been getting better and better every year, and he’s been in the big leagues for parts of five seasons now, so it’s easy to forget that he just turned 23 (!!!). Man, he’s going to be an absolute force if he stays healthy. And he’s going to be an extremely expensive free agent in 2011.

Speaking of very young superforces, we’re going even younger as Justin Upton stpes in. Woo hoo! He grounds out. Oh well. He should still have another at bat, I figure.

Top of the seventh:

Is this the first inning Justin Upton has ever played in left field in his life? Or at least his professional career? It’s the kind of thing that comes up in an All-Star Game, but it’s interesting. He was a center fielder in the minors and a right fielder in the Majors.

Coco Cordero cruises through a super fast seventh. Man, this is a strange game. It’s so bland I’m having a hard time writing pithy comments.

I have never heard of Sara Evans, the “God Bless America” singer tonight. Must be a country singer, judging by the voice. I still would have picked Tina Turner, if they wanted to go with a St. Louis native. Eh, definitely not the best GBA I’ve ever heard. Not the worst. Much like St. Louis itself, she’s right in the middle.

Did Dunkin’ Donuts have to pay to be included in that Palm Pre commercial? They had to have, right? Because that would be all kinds of crazy free advertising, to have their name and logo in Palm’s commercial like that.

Bottom of the seventh:

Movies/Shows Advertised Tonight That I Will See:
Funny People, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Movies/Shows Advertised Tonight That I Will Not See:
Brothers, G.I. Joe, G-Force

Jon Papelbon checks in. I suppose this means they’re saving Mariano Rivera for the ninth? Uh oh. Brad Hawpe crushes one to left… and Crawford saves it. Looks like it might have been a homer otherwise. On further review, yep, would have been a homer.

There’s some Spanish-language music playing as Miguel Tejada checks in. Do they play each batter’s at-bat music in the All-Star Game? It would appear so. If so, that’s cool. Uh oh, Tejada gets a hold of one… out at the warning track.

Papelbon has given up about 750 feet of flyball outs to the first two batters. Yikes. I just traded a really good keeper (David Price) for him in a fantasy league. Let’s hope this isn’t a sign of anything.

He blows away Jayson Werth to tend the inning. At least there’s some vintage Papelbon.

Top of the eighth:

Gotta say. I absolutely agree with Jason Bartlett being here, because he’s having an awesome year. But man, if you’d have told me a year or two ago that Bartlett would go to an All-Star Game, I’d have guessed that he’d be some team’s lone rep, not that he’d be spending the first half crushing the ball.

Eeeehhhh, a Granderson ball gets over Upton that he didn’t seem to track well. This might be the problem with never having played left field before. Triple for Granderson and he’s in the mix for MVP.

If I’m an Indians fan I’m a little upset. Their rep, Victor Martinez, is getting intentionally walked to set up a double play possibility. This will probably be V-Mart’s only at bat unless this game goes into extra innings.

Here we go: Adam Jones. Here is my shot at the MVP pick!

Damn, Adam Jones does drive in the go-ahead run with a sac fly, but I don’t think that will be enough for an MVP. We’ll see. That’s the second pretty damn hard hit ball he’s had to right field tonight.

Kevin Youkilis with a rope to center field. Heath Bell better put this away quickly, because we’re in danger of the AL making a little run here.

By FAR the most unlikely deserving All-Star, Ben Zobrist, is at the plate. He’s having one hell of a year. I say ‘deserving’ because Zach Duke is here as an injury replacement, but come on, really. Speaking of which, I should have included Duke among the pitchers who would not get into this game. Oh well, still looking good on all of the other three guesses.

Tough slider (or something like it, maybe a changeup) gets Zobrist and we move on, with the AL up by one and Rivera soon to get up in the ‘pen. Might want to get those bats going right now, NL.

Bottom of the eighth:

With Adrian Gonzalez on first, Orlando Hudson hits a single first off the mound and then off Bartlett’s glove. I bet if that gets over the mound cleanly, Barlett fields it and Gonzalez is gone at second. Instead, he’s on third, Hudson is on first and Howard is at the plate. NOW this game is getting interesting!

On a side note: It’s nice to see the O-Dog here. I will always like that guy. He’s good people.

Nathan busts him high with hard fastballs to get up 0-2, and I hate to say it, but McCarver and Buck are right. This is exactly how you attack Howard. Now, after a foul pop, if Nathan is confident in his breaking ball, here’s a good time to us it… ooooh, Hudson steals second, and the go-ahead run is a single away.

Nice. Nathan goes to the breaking ball (see, I should be a pitching coach) and fans Howard on a check swing. We’re going to the ninth!

Top of the ninth:

Werth makes a nice catch to take away a double from Justin Morneau to end an otherwise uneventful inning with Francisco Rodriguez on the hill. I like Morneau’s swing. It’s sort of a bail-and-wail thing, yet it’s balanced at the same time. Interesting.

Bottom of the ninth:

Upton is leading off against Mariano Rivera. Just throwing this out there: If he goes deep here, I’m gonna go crazy. In fact, Upton might not be the worst match-up here. He has a lot of power to the opposite field, so he might be able to take one of those cutters to right. Come on, J-up!

Oh well, ground out to short. If this game ends after this inning, at least we can feel good about the fact that Upton might have another 12 or 13 of these things ahead of him.

Fun note here: We’re on four consecutive All-Star Games that came down to (at least) the bottom of the ninth inning. The AL won it in the ninth in Pittsburgh in 2006, held off an NL rally in the ninth in San Francisco in 2007 and went to extra innings in New York last year. Pretty good run of All-Star Games we’re on, now if only the NL could win one here and there, it’d be even better. I mean, really, they haven’t won since Bill Clinton’s FIRST term as president. We were still weeks away from the Atlanta Olympics. Independence Day was the biggest movie at the box office. My goodness, what a run.

Zobrist catches the final out, and its just another ho-hum save for Rivera. Not sure who gets the MVP here, nobody really stands out. Steve’s pick of Mauer and my pick of Jones still very much alive, though.

At least my hunch was right: shortest All-Star Game in history, 2:31.

Crawford wins the MVP and this is a nice pick. His catch was fantastic, probably the highlight play of a relatively boring game. Nice to see Fox’s broadcaster bring up exactly what I mentioned earlier — it’s pretty cool for Crawford to be here with fellow Rays after being a Scott Cooper Honorary All-Star twice before.

Maybe I’m wrong here, but did we ever see the answer to that trivia question? I don’t think we did. Well, I just looked it up and I was wrong on both guys. Frank Robinson (1966) and Joe Medwick (1937) did win it, but only once each. Ted Williams did it twice in ‘42 and ’47 and I obviously picked the wrong Cardinal. ‘Twas Rogers Hornsby in ‘22 and ‘25.

Anyway we’re out. That’s almost 4,000 words and enough for the night. There’s plenty of writing that I actually get paid to do in the morning.

[Audio] STBNL for July 14 - Is the HR Derby over yet?

Fanster.com — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:30:51 +0000

Mark Weber joins me for Tuesday’s “Show To Be Named Later” on Fanster.com.

Here’s some random references you should listen for: Darva Conger (and a certain body part of hers), the whereabouts of Melissa Stark, and the Cold War.

Anyone remember this guy? Conor Jackson of the Diamondbacks has been sidelined for most of the season by Valley Fever.

Segment 1 (0:00) - The baseball season is at its midway point, with the All-Star Game on tap tonight in St. Louis. Mark and I take a look back at the first half of the Diamondbacks’ season, and hand out midseason awards. Not all of them are flattering, don’t worry.

Segment 2 (28:16) - We recap All-Star Monday–the HR Derby, the Celebrity Softball Game (where else can you watch Chingy play catcher?)–and look ahead to tonight’s All-Star festivities.

Segment 3 (43:47) - The focus shifts to basketball, and how Robin Lopez will carry the Suns to a championship following his monster Summer League performance on Monday. OK, it’s getting pretty deep in her right about now. We discuss the signing of Channing Frye and the re-signing of Grant Hill.

STBNL for July 14, 2009 - Vince Marotta and Mark Weber

Download audio file (show714.mp3)

[Audio] STBNL for July 13 - The Midway Point Show

Fanster.com — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:34:00 +0000

We’re at the midway point of the Major League Baseball season, and Chuck Powell of 98.7 The Peak and I break it down here on “The Show To Be Named Later” on Fanster.com.

Here’s some random references you should listen for…Goo Goo Cluster Ice Cream, McBain from the Simpsons, and Casey McGehee’s girth. Trust me, they’re all in there.

Segment 1 (0:00) - The Diamondbacks have wrapped up their first half in disappointing fashion. The Snakes are 38-51, and in 4th place in the National League West. We discuss what has been the biggest disappointment pre-All-Star break in Diamondbacks’ Country.

Segment 2 (24:03) - We discuss baseball’s pennant races, and who were our first half award winners for MVP, Cy Young, Manager and Rookie of the Year, Most Surprising and Most Disappointing Team and Player, and what will happen in the 2nd half of the MLB season.

Segment 3 (50:46) - Brock Lesnar ruffled some feathers with his post-fight antics at UFC 100 over the weekend. Will UFC go down the route of professional wrestling and make it more about the show, and less about the event? And would the sport suffer or benefit from it?

STBNL for July 13, 2009 w/ Chuck Powell and Vince Marotta

Download audio file (show713.mp3)

The Ten Most Exciting Athletes in Phoenix History

Fanster.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:09:00 +0000

In the spirit of Sports Illustrated discussing the 10 most exciting athletes of all time in every sport (come on, Mike Tyson at No. 9….. really? There were eight more exciting boxers than Mike Tyson?!?) The Greg and Mark Show discussed the 10 most exciting athletes in Phoenix sports history.

Now that we’re done, it seems a little hard to believe that Luis Gonzalez and Amare Stoudemire didn’t make either of our lists, but what are you gonna do when there are only 10 spots?

Mark’s 10:

1. Randy Johnson
2. Steve Nash
3. Charles Barkley
4. Larry Fitzgerald
5. Connie Hawkins
6. Jake Plummer
7. Dan Majerle
8. Curt Schilling
9. James Harden
10. Pat Tillman

Greg’s 10:

1. Randy Johnson
2. Charles Barkley
3. Kevin Johnson
4. Steve Nash
5. Jake Plummer
6. Larry Fitzgerald
7. Connie Hawkins
8. Anquan Boldin
9. Tom Chambers
10. Justin Upton

Regretfully omitted from both:

Luis Gonzalez
Steve Finley
Amare Stoudemire
Brandon Webb
Ike Diogu
Adrian Wilson

Here's the sound:

Part 1 (7-8-9 and also-rans):

http://www.mypodcast.com/fsaudio/gregandmark_20090710_0127-460665.mp3

Part 2 (1-6):

http://www.mypodcast.com/fsaudio/gregandmark_20090710_0135-460668.mp3

[Audio] STBNL for July 10 - That’s the way you end a winning streak

Fanster.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:05:55 +0000

Chuck Powell of 98.7 The Peak joins me for Friday’s “Show To Be Named Later” on Fanster.com.

STBNL - July 10, 2009 - Chuck Powell and Vince Marotta

Download audio file (show710.mp3)

Former St. Mary's High School and Arizona star Channing Frye will reportedly sign a deal with the Phoenix Suns.

Segment 1 (0:00) - The Suns are doing something! They’re re-signing Grant Hill. They’re bringing in free agent and local product Channing Frye. And they’re close to working out an extension with Steve Nash. So, are they a playoff team? We talk about it.

Segment 2 (11:55) - Leave it to the Diamondbacks. The had a 5-game winning streak snapped, and were well on their way to a 6th straight beating Florida 7-0. Then the Marlins scored two touchdowns to beat Arizona 14-7. Chuck and I talk about how the Diamondbacks will respond to that historic loss, and why don’t people think the Marlins are any good?

Segment 3 (21:54) - Is ESPN turning into TMZ for sports? Chuck is convinced they are after yesterday’s blitzkrieg non-stop coverage of LeBron James being dunked on by Xavier’s Jordan Crawford in a camp. Oh, and the big news is…we find out what type of person could finally make Chuck propose marriage.

Shawn Marion: Phoenix Wasn’t Pursuing Me

Fanster.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:00:37 +0000

Shawn has been around the block and now he’s back again. High-flying success in Phoenix - his unhappiness got him shipped out of ‘Zona - a couple stops later and now he’s back with a winner in Dallas. There’s an old team in the hands of Mark Cuban - Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, Josh Howard (almost 30), Erick Dampier, etc. It’s really astonishing how every competitive team seems to be restructuring their roster in order to go for it; San Antonio, Boston, Dallas, Cleveland, Orlando, and Los Angeles have all attempted to get better. When you look at the Spurs, Celtics, and Mavs, these are three older teams that are trying to keep that championship window ajar for as many years as possible. Will they pay for it in a couple years? There is that chance, but it’s impossible not to happy if you’re a fan of any team mentioned above. Marion joined KTAR in Phoenix to discuss the Suns’ pursuit of him, why teams can’t run the fast break, and what number he’ll be wearing next year.

Would you have considered the Suns if they signed / traded for you?

“I don’t know if there’s any truth behind it; I don’t think they was pursuing me, man. I don’t think they was mentioned in any of my calls or any talks with any teams; they never came up.”

Do you think Dallas has the potential to push the ball more like you guys did with the Suns?

“The biggest key when you getting up and down or when you trying run a fast break, you gotta have a point guard that’s gonna give up the ball and pass the ball. That’s all you really need, is someone to distribute the ball because he gotta be able to see things when he’s in the middle of the court handling the ball that somebody else couldn’t see. That’s the problem I think that’s been going on - a lot of these teams wanna get up and down the floor but a lot of these guards are not able to do that. So, I’m saying that, I think that’s why there were so many guards drafted in the first round this year, ’cause a lot of teams don’t have point guards.”

How tough was it to go from winning in Phoenix to losing situations?

“It’s definitely a little tough. Put it this way, when I left Phoenix and we was winning, and I went to a losing situation that was really tough, but I was excited because it was a new challenge for me. I’m a competitor so I’m gonna go in and make a bad situation a good situation… At the same time, everything happens for a reason; those were some great experiences. I met some great guys, went to some great organizations, and went through a losing phase, that’s all it was.”

Jason Terry wears your number, 31, how are you gonna deal with that?

“I think me and him came to an agreement already. Me and my man, JT (Jason Terry), he’s gonna let me wear 31.”

Listen to Shawn Marion on KTAR in Phoenix

Shawn Marion: Phoenix Wasn’t Pursuing Me

Fanster.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:00:37 +0000

Would you have considered the Suns if they signed / traded for you?

Do you think Dallas has the potential to push the ball more like you guys did with the Suns?

How tough was it to go from winning in Phoenix to losing situations?

Jason Terry wears your number, 31, how are you gonna deal with that?

“I think me and him came to an agreement already. Me and my man, JT (Jason Terry), he’s gonna let me wear 31.”

Listen to Shawn Marion on KTAR in Phoenix

The Lee Smith Episode

Fanster.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:37:00 +0000

Well, 46 wasn't the strongest number in the bunch. Still, we wound up with a pretty good one, the once-all-time saves leader Lee Smith.

We discussed the most exciting athletes in Phoenix sports history, talked about what we think the Suns should do, and broke down the Tour de France with friend of the show, Mike McNally.

We even brought you our first-ever Tour de France themed Song of the Week!

http://www.archive.org/download/GregAndMarkShow-Episode46/Episode46.mp3

[Audio] STBNL for July 8 - When Mark Reynolds talks, people listen

Fanster.com — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:07:01 +0000

Chuck Powell of 98.7 The Peak joins me, Vince Marotta on Wednesday’s edition of “The Show To Be Named Later” here on Fanster.com.

STBNL for July 8, 2009 - Chuck Powell and Vince Marotta

Download audio file (show708.mp3)

Segment 1 (0:00) - Is it a coincidence that the Arizona Diamondbacks are 4-0 since third baseman Mark Reynolds called out his teammates’ play? The Diamondbacks have won 4 straight, and actually try for their first series sweep against the Padres on Wednesday. Also, we break down the trade of Tony Pena, and discuss whether or not Roy Halladay will get moved from Toronto…

Segment 2 (26:47) - The Suns interacted with the media on Wednesday, but it had nothing to do with free agency or trades. They introduced their 2009 Las Vegas Summer League roster…even though only 2 or 3 of them will get to wear the real uniform come November. What will the Suns do with Amare? What will they do with Grant Hill? What will they do with Steve Nash? More importantly, what will they do to convince fans that they’re actually trying in 2009-10?

Segment 3 (41:46) - Football players are rough, tough killing machines. Oh and they use Twitter too! We discuss the latest NFL Twitter news from Cardinals’ defensive lineman Darnell Dockett and Bengals’ wide receiver Chad “Hey Look At Me” Johnson. I still refuse to call him Ochowhatever. By the way Chad, if you want your last name to be ‘85′ in Spanish, make sure it’s the right word.

Where’s the 24?

Fanster.com — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Fun fact:

There is not a single player on either the NL or AL All-Star teams that wears the number 24. None.

The National League team has two 55s, a 57 a 58 and a 75. I bring this up only because this is a really common number. I'd wager that every team in baseball has a 24. Part of it is because Miguel Cabrera didn't make the team, and Manny Ramirez switched to 99 (and didn't make it anyway). But still...

Note: It's also, of course, my softball number. That's why I'm so peeved. Mark wears a blank jersey. He's too cheap to spring for the number, but I think he'd wear 72 if he did. So I say, "Hey, nice catch, seven-two" and he never seems to object.)

We'll use this as a segue to say that unless something comes up to change it, we'll be having a running diary of the All-Star Game here on the Greg and Mark Show. Here's the link to last year's diary.

[Audio] STBNL for July 7 - Are the Diamondbacks showing signs of life? Or are they teasing us again?

Fanster.com — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:13:10 +0000

Michael Kossett joins me for Tuesday’s edition of the “Show To Be Named Later” here on Fanster.com, and there’s a lot to talk about in Phoenix sports. Hell, we even spill into pop culture and talk about the Michael Jackson memorial too. See, it’s all about diversification.

STBNL for July 7, 2009

Download audio file (show707.mp3)

Segment 1 - (0:00) - Michael and I discuss the Diamondbacks, and how, for the third straight game, they’ve found a way to win. Did Mark Reynolds’ comments really resonate with his teammates? We also discuss the “crowd” at Chase Field, which was the 2nd smallest ever for the Diamondbacks, and exactly why I can’t blame the fans for not showing up right now.

Segment 2 - (19:51) - Will Shawn Marion be a Sun again? Or will he end up in the clutches of the only NBA owner to embarrass himself on “Dancing With the Stars”? The Mavs are after Marion in a sign-and-trade deal with the Raptors, but is there any interest from Steve Kerr, other than speculation?

Segment 3 - (37:11) - Darnell Dockett is Twittering “big announcements” to the fans and the media…but are they really announcements at all. The guys discuss Dockett’s Twittering habit, and talk about Anquan Boldin’s future with the Cardinals after his name is showing up in trade rumors again!

[Audio] STBNL for July 6 - Everyone Loves Federer

Fanster.com — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:44:53 +0000

Ok, so I don’t hate Chuck Powell. I used that Wednesday as a cheap ploy to get you to listen to the “Show To Be Named Later” on Fanster.com. It was underhanded, and for that I’m sorry. But hopefully, it worked.

Chuck joins me again today to talk about Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon Men’s Final. Yes, we’re talking tennis…you got a problem with that? Also on the table today, is there possibly a leader surfacing in the Diamondbacks’ clubhouse, and we talk NBA Free Agency, and we’re still waiting for the Suns to tip their hand on what direction they’re taking this offseason.

STBNL - July 6, 2009

Download audio file (show706.mp3)

Segment 1 (0:00) - Is Roger Federer the best player of all-time? Isn’t comparing his accomplishments to Tiger Woods’ accomplishments like comparing apples and oranges?

Segment 2 (19:44) - Mark Reynolds finally did it…he spoke up in the media ripping his team for their recent play–and they’ve responded so far with back-to-back wins. Is Mark Reynolds the leader this franchise is desperately in need of?

Segment 3 (39:38) - We are two days away from NBA players being able to sign their names on dotted lines of contracts, and the only talk we’re hearing from Planet Orange is about Grant Hill and Channing Frye. What exactly is Phoenix up to? And, did the Lakers screw up by signing Ron Artest?

[Audio] STBNL for July 2 - Bruce Jacobs’ triumphant return to Phoenix sports

Fanster.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:19:10 +0000

Trade Amare? That's un-possible, says Bruce Jacobs, co-host of today's 'Show To Be Named Later' on Fanster.com (Photo: Matt York/AP)

Longtime Valley radio host Bruce Jacobs joins Fanster’s Vince Marotta to talk about all of this issues of the day…and Bruce even makes his first public comments since ending his stint as the morning show host at Newstalk 550 KFYI last month.

STBNL for Thursday July 2, 2009 - Vince Marotta and Bruce Jacobs

Download audio file (show702.mp3)

Segment 1 - (0:00) - Day two of NBA free agency and still nothing on the Suns’ front. Bruce thinks the Suns even considering a trade that includes Amare Stoudemire is absolutely crazy. But more importantly, do the Phoenix Suns have a strategy?

Segment 2 - (24:25) - The talk shifts over to the Diamondbacks, and their struggles in 2009. Who’s on the untouchable list as far as trades go? Hint: the list may be shorter than you think.

Segment 3 - (45:19) - Manny Ramirez will be back in the lineup tomorrow for the Los Angeles Dodgers following his 50-game suspension for a positive PED test. The guys get into it, and Bruce declares Manny as his “favorite steroid player” ever. That’s just the tip of the iceberg on this subject.

Kurt and Brenda Warner Chat With Dan Patrick

Fanster.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:00:59 +0000

Does any wife in the NFL garner more attention than Brenda Warner? Ever since her husband Kurt emerged from the obscure ranks of the Arena Football League and burst on to the scene with the St. Louis Rams earlier this decade, the media has been fascinated with the fairy-tale story of Kurt, his pious lifestyle and his past bagging groceries. That means wife Brenda has gotten her fair share of pub, partly because people wanted to learn more about the personal story of this Kurt Warner guy that was just tearing up the league out of nowhere. Her totally bitchin’ 90s hair-do also provided comedic relief, of course.

The happily married parents of seven children joined The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday to talk about Kurt’s decision to re-sign with the Arizona Cardinals for two more years, what they’ve been up to since the Cardinals’ captivating run to the Super Bowl last year, how their lives have changed since Kurt became a star, and for good measure, even a little bit about how Kurt’s been forced to scrape his child’s refuse from the wall after a raucous wall painting session.

Brenda on Kurt’s perpetual five o’clock shadow and whether or not Kurt intentionally shoots for the scruffy look:

“No. I’ve been with him for seventeen years and this last year he finally shaved and I felt skin for the first time. So I said, look, you know I changed my look why don’t you just try to change it every fifteen years, so finally last season he shaved for me. But honestly, he was scratchy by that night so I understand how frustrating it would be to do everyday if he were to do it.”

Kurt and Brenda - Then & Now

Brenda on their new book about the Warner’s life raising seven kids amidst the chaos and often times immoral glamor of NFL life:

“I’m not worried just because we aren’t that. When you read the book, you read about how I have my jealousy issues and that I know that I’m naturally chubby and that I have to work at it, and that Kurt drives me crazy in so many ways and that we’ve done it wrong so many times. So it’s not all doing it right; it’s just us trying to do the best we can, making our mistakes and hoping that they’re not that bad and that we can overcome it and learn from it. But it’s a fun read - it shows real life incidents where nobody’s flushing the toilet or where Kurt’s taking poop off the wall where a child has finger painted. I mean it’s real life situations.”

Kurt on whether it was harder for him or his wife to handle the barrage of fame and success he had after getting another shot in the NFL with the Rams earlier this decade:

“I think early on, it was harder for me to handle it all and I guess, feel like I deserved any of this stuff that I was getting. I just wanted to play and that’s all I was focused on so it was hard for me. You know, you get the big contract and have to deal with some of that stuff - it was difficult early on. So I think I was able to accept it at some point; but you know, I still think Brenda has a harder time with the autographs and people constantly coming up, and having to interrupt us. I think that’s where - and still to the day - if she could get rid of that stuff where we could just kinda go in our little home and be our own little family, she would want that. So that part’s been very difficult for her.”

Kurt on whether or not his ‘tough’ wife (self proclaimed by herself) could beat up former Cards kicker Martin Gramatica and on which of his current teammates his wife might be able to take in a fight:

“Oh yeah, definitely. I would go for our kicker but our kicker, Neal Rackers is a pretty tough kicker so I don’t know who I would go with. I can’t say Matt Leinart because he’s doing like kickboxing so…”

Listen here to the Warners on the Dan Patrick Show

[Audio] STBNL for July 1 - Chuck’s back from the disabled list

Fanster.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:36:29 +0000

Grant Hill probably shouldn't be the primary free agent target for a team that seemingly lacks a strategy. Chuck and Vince talk about it on today's STBNL.

He’s back from a mystery illness that kept him out of action on Monday’s “Show To Be Named Later”…Chuck Powell of 98.7 The Peak returns to join Fanster’s Vince Marotta. Today, the guys discuss the bleak outlook of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the bleak outlook for the Phoenix Suns, soccer in America and what it would have been like if Michael Jackson was Chuck’s dad instead of Chuck’s dad.

I ask you this….where else are you going to get sports entertainment like that?

STBNL for July 1, 2009 - Chuck Powell and Vince Marotta

Download audio file (show701.mp3)

Segment 1 - (0:00) - Yes, things are pretty sad in D-Back land right now, and Chuck brings up the point that Sunday’s Little League performance pretty much sews up the fact that the Diamondbacks are going to be sellers at the trade deadline, which begs an interesting question? If you trade the veterans on this team, who’s going to show up to watch more youngsters play after the All-Star Break? Told you it was bleak.

Segment 2- (25:22) - Free agency is upon us in the NBA, and as of right now, Amare Stoudemire is still a member of the Phoenix Suns. Will that change? What will the Suns do in free agency? And most importantly, what is the plan for this team moving forward?

Segment 3 - (45:09) - If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a million times, “why is soccer so popular all over the world, and not in the U.S.?” You want to know the answer to this burning question, you’ll find it right here on STBNL.

[Audio] STBNL for June 30 - Where did this list come from?

Fanster.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:34:47 +0000

The big redhead, Mark Weber, joins Fanster’s Vince Marotta for Tuesday’s “Show To Be Named Later” and the guys talk about everything from Bill Walton to Zavada’s stache to steroids in baseball to the continuing Amare saga.

STBNL for June 30, 2009 - Vince Marotta and Mark Weber

Download audio file (show630.mp3)

Segment 1- (0:00) - The guys start with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who begin a 3-game series in Cincinnati tonight, and wonder if there’s any good reason to even watch this team for the remainder of the season? Well, there is. One of them is on the mound tonight, and the other is a left-handed rookie with a handlebar mustache who has yet to give up an earned run to this point of the season.

Segment 2 - (21:57) - We don’t know how this list was generated, but somebody’s posted a list of the 103 players who tested positive for steroids in 2003. The list appeared on the blog The Big Lead.com, and there’s a ton of big names on it. And hey, we’re only speculating on a published list, so everyone’s fair game, right? If nothing else, it’ll be good to see the ‘commish sweat a little bit and concern himself with how these names were leaked as opposed to the actual names that appear on the list.

Segment 3 - (42:35) - Free agency in the NBA is nearly upon us…will Grant Hill be in a Suns’ uniform in 2009-10? More interestingly, Amare Stoudemire is tweeting again that he wants to go to the Lakers. OK, we’ll take Kobe straight up. Is Amare headed to Golden State, or is he just trying to push the Suns into unloading him somewhere? It’s pretty obvious that through his actions, STAT doesn’t want to be in Phoenix anymore.