Is This A Great Game, Or What?

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Jawn Duran Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to another episode of "Is This A Great Game, Or What?" and for those who are new here, Tim and Jeff Kurkjian will take you through the happenings of Major League Baseball in a way only a father and son can do. But in this episode, we actually hear a bit about the Little League World Series regional rounds Tim is covering. So we are more than just the big leagues here on the podcast, we are about the little leaguers too!

Keeping in mind, we will be at the Little League World Series on August 18th with our friends at GameChanger, hopefully you can join us! How are these trades shaking out for teams? One closer seems to be making quite a theatrical impact on their new team.

The Quirkjians are loaded with so many great stats around the game, of course confirmed by our friend Frank from the Elias (and his brother too). Tim came prepared with amazing things that happened on this date in baseball history.

And thanks to a member of our family, we have DOUBLE the Team Tims!! If you ever want to send us something for the show, do so at GreatGameOrWhat.com.

Visit GreatGameOrWhat.com to contact the show with your questions, quips and insights.

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BONUS: Trade Deadline Takeaways Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

Tim Kurkjian in Bristol in between shows at ESPN, Jeff Kurkjian in between dinner and diaper changes at his house but they came together for you, the members of the family. What is HAPPENING at the trade deadline? Well Tim will tell you the team who came up on top.

Relievers seem to be the hot commodity this year and it's necessary because they are pitching 40% of the innings, which is crazy to think about.We also had a very special appearance from a very smart baseball writer who just happened to be walking in the background

Thank you so much for taking time for this baby bonus episode we put together, we love keeping you in the loop when it comes to all things about the game we all love the most! Thanks for listening and thanks for being.a part of our family!

Visit GreatGameOrWhat.com to contact the show with your questions, quips and insights.

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trading Places Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Today's show is packed with almost too many things to count. We release the morning of the trade deadline, exciting things buzzing around Major League Baseball right now. Remember, we will release a special bonus episode the morning of Friday, August 1st to discuss all of the crazy trades that went down, so be ready for that.

But in this episode, we pay homage to the great Ryne Sanberg who we lost this week. Tim Kurkjian tells two stories about his defense that we bet you've never heard before. Cubs fans are hurting right now and we are right there with you.

Some of the best Trade Deadline stories are outlined in our Team Tim this week, that's at the end of the show but very much worth the wait. The ALL BLT TEAM created by Josh, a member of the family, makes the show as well. If you know, you know on that one (see Tuesday's episode).

A lot of incredible things happened on this day in baseball history. Babe Ruth with a fungo, Peter Gammons received an incredible honor and Nolan Ryan dazzled, just to name a few. The best players to wear number 31 and 32, have a disagreement? Let us know GreatGameOrWhat.com we would love to hear from you.

Thanks for listening and as always, thanks for being a part of our family!

Visit GreatGameOrWhat.com to contact the show with your questions, quips and insights.

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Gwynn Jr Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

Nobody more perfect for this father-son show than the son of one of the best to ever play the game. Tony Gwynn Jr. was a good Major League player, and now is a really good Major League broadcaster.

Right off the bat (ha!) you can tell the similarities, just the way that Jeff is so much like Tim. We revisit Cooperstown 2007, the year Tony Gwynn was inducted into the Hall of Fame. We also talk about the challenges you face as a player turned broadcaster and the difference in playing baseball over the other major sports.

As you know, Tony Gwynn was a very good basketball player and his son, well he's a crazy great athlete all around. The apple doesn't fall far, folks. Thanks for listening, share this show with someone who loves baseball and thank you for being a part of our family!

Visit GreatGameOrWhat.com to contact the show with your questions, quips and insights.

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kurtz So Good Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Was this the greatest offensive performance by a player in the history of Major League Baseball? It could be! I mean, we did kind of make that argument last year but we think this one might take the cake. And it was done by a rookie? Absolutely insane.

Tim Kurkjian is back from Cooperstown after a really important National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction weekend. He has stories from talks with Ken Griffey Jr, Cal Ripken Jr, Mike Schmidt, and more. It's a magical weekend and we encourage anybody and everybody to go to Cooperstown, New York, even during a non-induction weekend, to experience what it is like.

Riley Greene is having a tough month but not as tough as June for this superstar. Is hitting for the cycle even really that hard to do, or more luck or impressive? The Rockies, though we don't like to pile on, are up there doing things some of the worst teams in MLB history did. And we wrap with a Team Tim honoring the greatest players at each position, all Hall of Famers of course!

Thanks for listening and we appreciate you taking time to rate and subscribe/follow. It really helps get the show to new people!

Visit GreatGameOrWhat.com to contact the show with your questions, quips and insights.

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Stop, Cooperstown! Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Tim Kurkjian, with his son, Jeff, preview the 2025 inductees to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dick Allen and Dave Parker will be enshrined into the hall, and Tim has a breakdown of each of these amazing hall of famers and argument for each and every single one.

The greatest number 30 and 31, not sure there is too much debate there but you decide. Words can be hard for Jeff, including two words he hates as a radio host. Plus, a breakdown of a Walk-Off Catcher's Interference during the Phillies-Red Sox game that had baseball fans and seamheads absolutely baffled.

Thanks for listening and sharing with friends and family.

Visit GreatGameOrWhat.com to contact the show with your questions, quips and insights.

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billy Wagner, 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

People used to call him "Fence Post" and now he's a Hall of Famer! From "rags to riches" in his words, he waited a bit too long on the ballot in our opinion but he made it!

In honor of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Inductions happening this weekend, we had one of the many going in this year. This hard throwing lefty talks about actually being right-handed and how he made that transition. He also told us about where he was when he got the call that he got in and when he got the word that he WASN'T in the Hall just yet.

Tim and Billy have known each other a long time and we cannot thank him enough for his time!

Thank you for listening, don't forget to share the show with a friend who loves this game as much as we do.

Visit GreatGameOrWhat.com to contact the show with your questions, quips and insights.

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seconds, Please! Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

It's hard not to get pumped up for baseball when the second half of the season has begun. The Brewers are on a tear, tied for the best record in the National League with the Chicago Cubs. Someone might be pulling some strings there.

Aaron Judge is doing something only Aaron Judge has done, we call Elias about Elias and David Wright is honored at Citi Field. Many Mets fans would debate, where does he fall among the greatest Mets of all time, let us know in the comments.

The auction item any fan would love to bid on (I would think) and Hunter Brown's love and respect for one of the best managers of all time. Thanks for listening or watching to our show, it means a whole lot.

Follow wherever you're listening right now and make sure to share it with a friend!

Visit GreatGameOrWhat.com to contact the show with your questions, quips and insights.

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"That Was Madness!" Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Tim Kurkjian takes us to Atlanta for what was a fascinating week of All Star Game magic. The Homerun Derby was electric, with exclusive moments from Cal Raleigh's dad. Plus the amazing honor for Hank Aaron in Atlanta, core memory for us all.

And then of course, the All Star Game finish was just UNREAL. Some purists didn't love it, but we sure were obsessed. The fans, the players, the managers, all were into and it made for incredible television. We dive into that.

Both Nolan Ryan and Bob Gibson share this common thread plus just how good was Joe DiMaggio's streak? We have a reason to go into it.

Thanks for listening or watching, make sure to hit that subscribe or follow button and share this podcast with a friend. Thanks for being a part of our family!

Visit GreatGameOrWhat.com to contact the show with your questions, quips and insights.

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chipper Jones, Hall of Famer Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Happy All Star Week! We had Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves legend, on the show the week that Atlanta hosted the All Star Game, how fitting!

The Hall of Famer shares his experiences in baseball, from memorable moments with teammates to his competitive spirit and preparation for games. He reflects on his early career, the importance of education, and the impact of legends like Cal Ripken Jr. and Greg Maddux. Chipper also discusses the talent of current players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and the bond he shares with Freddie Freeman, highlighting the significance of teamwork and mentorship in sports.

Thanks for listening or watching and make sure to share the show with a friend!

Visit GreatGameOrWhat.com to contact the show with your questions, quips and insights.

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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