tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391Wed, 25 Sep 2024 02:22:28 +0000World CupBest Lines Hall of FameThe SmorgasbordSteelersListen To The David Todd Show 3-7 pm On 970 ESPN Pittsburghhttp://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (David Todd)Blogger301125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-8032110370750213173Mon, 24 Feb 2014 16:51:00 +00002014-02-25T08:12:35.071-05:00Here are links to three great articles from the past week. They don't need much introduction from me. Roger Angell of the New Yorker is 93. He will receive the J.G Taylor Spink Award for "meritorious contributions to baseball writing" during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown in July. This isn't a piece about baseball. It's about life and aging and...well, I really http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2014/02/some-great-reads-on-life-sochi-and-who.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-7546715982251573516Sat, 18 Jan 2014 17:45:00 +00002014-01-18T12:49:42.552-05:00Time to get back at it. I don't know exactly how The Hammer Speaks is going to evolve this time around or exactly how much time I'll be able to devote to it on a daily basis, but there's so much good stuff out there I want to use it as a way to share links to the best analysis, profiles, articles, stories and videos that I come across, while including some of my own thoughts and commentary.http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2014/01/back-to-life-rekindling-hammer-speaks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-8557204719445484795Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:15:00 +00002012-12-18T10:15:55.561-05:00The Steelers lost to the Cowboys at Jerry World 27-24 in overtime on Sunday. The loss dropped them to 7-7 but they still control their own playoff fate. Winning two may seem a stretch when they have lost four of the last five, but they get both Cincinnati and Cleveland at home and they will be favored in each. Here are my thoughts on the game on my blog at 970ESPN.com and here is Monday's http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-bunch-of-steelers-cowboys-recap-stuff.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-423950349754742718Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:50:00 +00002012-12-03T10:50:35.689-05:00Since 2007 the Steelers and Ravens have played 12 times in the regular season. Each team has won six. The Steelers have scored 222 points, the Ravens 221. Seven of the eight games since 2009 have been decided by three points. The definition of close. I posted a bunch of things on my blog over at 970 ESPN. Here is my take on what went down at M&T Bank Stadium. If you missed Mike Tomlin http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/12/steelers-beat-ravens-all-your-info.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-8322695922906386409Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:02:00 +00002012-11-05T13:26:28.047-05:00The Steelers played their best game of the season Sunday in New York dominating the Giants and overcoming the refs to earn a 24-20 victory. I recapped it over on 970espn.com. I also recorded a new edition of The Terrible Podcast with Dave Bryan Monday morning.http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-marquee-game-marquee-win.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-2985426599694947426Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:22:00 +00002012-10-25T12:23:05.254-04:00A big matchup for the Steelers Sunday at Heinz Field against the Washington Redskins. Is it as simple as Dick LeBeau against Robert Griffin III. As a matter of fact, yes, I think it is. My thoughts on the matchup and Wednesday's edition of The Terrible Podcast with Mike Jones of the Washington Post breaking down the Skins. You can also hear Mike with me on my show on 970 ESPN Friday at 3:15.http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/10/does-dick-lebeau-still-have-his-fastball.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-8684870034280746600Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:51:00 +00002012-10-22T15:48:00.379-04:00Lots to discuss with the Steelers finally getting a road win as they defeated the Bengals 24-17 Sunday night. You can hear Dave Bryan and me on today's edition of The Terrible Podcast and you can read my recap on my blog on 970ESPN.com. Thanks for checking in.http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/10/recapping-steelers-24-17-win-over.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-2027900851697237271Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:06:00 +00002012-08-27T14:49:12.193-04:00I'm happy to announce I will have my own show on 970 ESPN Pittsburgh. It will run 2-4 pm Monday-Friday starting this Wednesday, August 29. The first hour will be general sports talk and the second hour will cover the Steelers, during their season. You can listen here and all the shows will be podcast as well. I will also be hosting the two hour show Tailgate Talk, which will take place four http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-david-todd-show.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-7779827066351105871Mon, 02 Jul 2012 15:56:00 +00002012-07-02T12:44:33.630-04:00I'll be hosting The Joe Bendel Show on 970 ESPN for the next three weeks. Joe's no dummy, he knows when to take vacation, so it's you and me. You can listen here. If you want to get involved the phone number is 412-922-2874. Join the party. And tell your friends. Also, you can find my podcasts in the following locations: The Terrible Podcast: It's on the right side of this page. It's also on http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/07/on-radio.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-7499616628296865719Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:53:00 +00002012-04-27T16:31:22.414-04:00A busy day on the airwaves. Dave Bryan of SteelersDepot.com and I cut Episode 101, Season 2 of The Terrible Podcast this morning giving our thoughts on last night's opening round of the NFL Draft and previewing rounds 2-3 tonight. Suffice it to say we scored the Steelers' effort the same as our podcast number--101. Lots of good stuff in this one which runs about 40 minutes. You can find us/http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/04/more-podcasts-steelers-pirates.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-8526094271301996240Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:01:00 +00002012-04-09T13:06:29.067-04:00The article I posted over at BucsDugout.com this morning. Dear Clint, Long time no talk. Congratulations on a fantastic opening to the season. The home opener was not the most rousing offensive display, with 27 outs after two opening singles, but the pitching was great on both sides and it was a beautiful day at the game's most beautiful park. Then the weekend brought great excitement and http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/04/clint-hurdle-you-outsmarted-charlie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-1744030677066093554Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:57:00 +00002012-04-06T16:53:05.118-04:00As most of you know I do a thrice weekly podcast covering the Steelers and the NFL with Dave Bryan of SteelersDepot.com. You can find these podcasts on the right side of this blog about halfway down the page. You can also listen and subscribe on iTunes here. This time of year we spend most of our time talking about the upcoming draft. Today we spent about 45 minutes talking gap technique http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/04/podcast-central-steelers-pirates.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)83tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-3952584798226338989Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:37:00 +00002012-03-08T11:37:39.747-05:00This is an article I published on BucsDugout.com a few days ago. The ink didn't even dry on Andrew McCutchen's new contract before everyone turned their attention to who's next in line for the big money. As WTM has posted, Neil Walker is the candidate that seems to be first on everyone's list. Pat over at WHYGAVS also shared his thoughts on the matter. Let's takehttp://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/03/neil-walker-and-bob-nuttings-money.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-7453801133444317676Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:02:00 +00002012-02-21T13:04:52.772-05:00I will be filling in for Stan Savran on his show from 10:00-noon this Wednesday (Feb 22) through Friday and again on Monday while he takes a much deserved vacation. I'll have some great guests including EJ Hradek of NHL Network, Jim Callis of Baseball America, Charlie Wilmoth of Bucs Dugout, Dave Bryan of Steelers Depot and more. You can listen on 970 ESPN in Pittsburgh or on the iHeartRadio http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/02/programming-note-on-espn-970-this-week.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-4790547012026840819Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:55:00 +00002012-02-08T11:57:13.850-05:00Yesterday I gave you a little Jeremy Lin. Today he's getting equal billing with Eli Manning and Tiger Woods, who's making his season debut at Pebble this week. I'm not sure what people find more interesting, the fact that the guy went to Harvard or that he's the first Asian-American to play in the NBA. Stir fry together and you have a media frenzy. Here's a taste: Some dude got the fever and http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/02/nba-all-jeremy-lin-all-time-with-dash.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-5310306088599837937Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:51:00 +00002012-02-07T15:42:11.790-05:00Yea, SB XLVI. I'm guessing you heard about it. Here are some things you probably didn't hear about because of it. You are officially on the clock. Identify the athletes before you read the stories. A) Kyle Stanley B) Jeremy Lin C) Alberto Contador ------------------- A) You might have heard about Kyle Stanley last week. He's the PGA golfer who had a seven-shot lead during the http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/02/under-radar-three-stories-you-missed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-2938914808221053714Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:14:00 +00002012-02-05T10:14:34.772-05:00Is there anything in the world that is more hyped than the Super Bowl?*. I don't think there's an original word left to be written. Here are my thoughts and some of the better articles I've came across over the past two weeks. Hopefully this keeps you busy until kickoff. *Boxing matches have titles-Rumble in the Jungle, Thrilla in Manilla--Super Bowls only go by their Roman numerals. That needs http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/02/super-bowl-notebook-some-thoughts-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-1512539070736794307Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:42:00 +00002012-02-02T11:42:28.519-05:00After the AFC Championship Game I can't take it any longer. The NFL is a multi-billion dollar business that not only dominates the sporting/entertainment landscape in the US, but has also managed to weave itself into the very cultural fabric of American life. The lockout this past offseason damn near took on the air of a national crisis as the possibility of games being cancelled became real http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/02/will-one-of-coaches-blow-super-bowl-too.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-5462654041857894238Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:11:00 +00002012-02-01T12:11:41.276-05:00ICE: Pittsburgh 5 Toronto 4 (SO) Last night's Penguins-Maple Leafs game in Pittsburgh was one of the more entertaining games you'll probably miss all year. (highlights from NHL.com) The Leafs had a 2-1 after two and scored two quick goals early in the third to go up 4-1. They hadn't lost a game when leading after two all season and a three goal lead suggested the Penguins win streak was going http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2012/02/nails-from-toobox-potpourri-of-sporting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-3989058945384654985Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:25:00 +00002011-11-22T10:22:30.534-05:00I was in attendance. December 27, 2000. The Civic Arena. Mario returned. He scored, helped on two others and the Penguins rolled the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-0. I remember having tears in my eyes when Mario hit the ice. That night epitomized the reason I attend sporting events. It sounds silly to call it magical, but that's the best word to describe it, for me. I was there last night. The Consol http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2011/11/sids-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-4913169504871760915Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:41:00 +00002011-08-22T11:54:26.456-04:00I have taken a bit of a hiatus from the blog this summer because of my duties covering the Pirates. As most of you know my baseball writing is usually posted here and here because it is often pretty detailed and better suited for the hardcore baseball fans. Now, with the Pirates season winding down, it's again time to crank up the blog. Season 2 of The Terrible Podcast is in full swing and we http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2011/08/back-up-and-running-programming-note.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-8076229603961801515Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:57:00 +00002011-07-21T15:57:43.220-04:00I'm introducing a new format for all the episodes of The Terrible Podcast. There is now a widget on the sidebar on the right which will allow you to see and play any episode. "Playlist" will list all the episodes and "Details" will give you a couple of paragraphs describing the content. The 66th and final episode of Season 1 was just added. Season 2 will get underway as soon as the CBA is signed,http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2011/07/terrible-podcast-episode-66-football-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-4463528551461427570Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:58:00 +00002011-07-18T11:58:29.490-04:00One of the many appealing aspects of the game of baseball is its rich statistical record. By looking at a box score a fan can recreate what happened over the course of a game without having seen it. By looking at seasons of data, players from different eras can be compared and bar stool debates become enlivened. Over the last thirty years, through the development of sabermetrics, our http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2011/07/illusion-or-one-of-best-in-baseball.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-4175144875725288431Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:08:00 +00002011-07-06T14:12:26.901-04:00A lot has been written about the roster crunch the Pirates are going to face in December when a large group of prospects will be have to be protected on the team's 40-man roster or become subject to the Rule 5 draft. It is a new problem, and a good one, as it shows the increasing organizational depth the Pirates have developed during Neal Huntington's stewardship. But the Pirates face a much http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2011/07/that-roster-crunch-is-comingin-july.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8848081407839099391.post-2501616341088337946Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:47:00 +00002011-06-30T14:47:39.972-04:00That's Clint Hurdle's new favorite phrase when asked how the Pirates are winning these days. As WTM's signature line says at BucsDugout, "You are entitled to you're own opinions, You are not entitled to your own facts." I think some Pirates fans have started bordering on irrationality when it comes to assessing the Pirates' performance. Last night I was listening to a talk show host talk http://thehammerspeaks.blogspot.com/2011/06/chicken-wire-duct-tape-and-spit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Todd)10