Is This A Great Game, Or What?

Latest Episodes:

Doing Our Best For ALS Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

We had the opportunity to record this episode in person at Citizens Bank Park on Lou Gehrig Day. Thank you to the Phillies for being so hospitable! We go through the takeaways from the week in Major League Baseball plus our Quirkjians seemed extra quirky this week. Submit yours at GreatGameOrWhat.com.

Tim came up with his top team using only players who wore number four, there might be some disagreement in the infield on those. We hear about the New York Mets and even talk about both Tim and Jeff's mascoting experience (kind of).

During our live streamed Lou Gehrig Day episode on Sunday, June 2nd, we spoke with two current players; Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola, whose uncle passed away from ALS, Brandon Crawford, who is deeply connected to the cause. We also hear live from Mike Piscotty, who's wife, Gretchen, passed away from the disease. Their son is pro ballplayer Stephen Piscotty. And also, Sam Hilliard, in the Colorado Rockies system, joined the show to talk about his father's battle with the disease.

This is our chance to wrap up our weekend dedicated to ALS, if you missed Sarah Langs and Boog Sciambi, they were featured in their own episode released back on Friday, so scroll back to hear that. Thank you for supporting this cause and helping us raise awareness.

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

Joy Pop Productions LLC

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ALS Awareness with Matt Kurkjian, Sarah Langs and Boog Sciambi May 31, 2024

Show notes

This is an emotional episode for both Tim and Jeff. Tim's brother, Matt Kurkjian, passed away from ALS on Labor Day 2023. This is the first Lou Gehrig Day that the Kurkjian's will be at a ballpark without him since his diagnosis.

Tim retells an amazing story about what Matt's alma mater did for him shortly after his diagnosis. Plus, we hear some amazing stories from our guests, Sarah Langs and Boog Sciambi.

Sarah was diagnosed with ALS but continues to be a beacon of light in Major League Baseball. Her knowledge and love of the game shines through her social media accounts where she shares her love of stats and observations. Sarah's recurring hashtag "Baseball Is The Best," has become a rally cry in the MLB/ALS community. She asks friends and family to support Project ALS that raises money for more research to better understand and ultimately cure this disease.

Broadcaster Boog Sciambi lost a dear friend, Tim Sheehy, to ALS almost twenty years ago. Since then, he has dedicated so much of his life raising money for Project Main Street, an organization dedicated in the name of Sheehy that helps families deal with the financial burden of care of an ALS patient.

We thank you for taking the time to learn more about this disease that has dismantled our family along with so many others. Thank you.

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

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yogi & More Heroes May 28, 2024

Show notes

Today is an important show, our Memorial Day episode. Tim Kurkjian breaks down his all-military baseball team, every position and a full starting rotation. We talk to Lindsay Berra, the granddaughter of Yogi Berra. She describes her grandfather's service to this country as being MORE important than his Hall of Fame baseball career.

We also convinced Tim to do Immaculate Grid on the podcast and as always, we rip open some baseball cards and rifle through them (with a little added surprise Jeff wasn't expecting).

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

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japanese, Dominican and Rushin May 21, 2024

Show notes

Week 9 of the baseball season leads us to the 9th episode of "Is This A Great Game, Or What?" which features Steve Rushin, one of the greatest writers of our lifetime. We discuss with him his love of the Twins as a child, some of the best games he ever covered and how he met his wife, WNBA Legend Rebecca Lobo.

What is the baseball significance of May 21st or 5/21? We get into that along with Elly De La Cruz isn't human, we tell you why. And also, don't miss our GameChanger of the Week.

We open a new pack of cards for "It's In The Cards" and end up chatting Seattle Mariners' baseball from our League In Lids segment.

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

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buck, Skenes & Everything In Between May 14, 2024

Show notes

This is our eighth episode and right off the bat (no pun intended) we have to say thank you. This is only possible because of your love and support of what we are doing. This week we have a real treat for you. Paul Skenes is our "GameChanger of the Week," his Major League debut, his character and charitable actions all factored in.

We talk with Buck Showalter and he tells us stories of his gnome, seeing some of the best players of today in the minors and a triple play that never touched leather. In addition, you get a fresh "It's In The Cards" along with an Arizona Diamondbacks break-down during "League In Lids."

If you didn't know this already, you can WATCH our show on YouTube or continue to listen wherever you get your podcasts, just don't forget to hit "follow" so you are up to date.

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

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrate Mothers, Padres and Twins May 07, 2024

Show notes

We dive into Tim's All-Fruit/Veggie Team which was inspired by Trey Cabbage's return to the Majors. Great mom stories including Dallas Braden's huge moment with his grandmother. Willie Mays is a legend but I would guess you didn't know which Major Leaguer he didn't recognize when they were face-to-face.

And finally, a Kurkjian Quandary that only good baserunners can debate. That and so much more this week on the show!

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

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seamhead’s Heaven, Mason Miller’s Heater, Wyatt Langford’s Homer Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

It’s the Seamhead edition complete with Quirkjians, another installment of In The Cards plus Jeff's new dog has a baseball name. Mike Schur talks Tony Gwynn, Leslie Knope, Jarrod Dyson, Andy Dwyer, Manny Ramirez and Chad Ogea.

Up until this point, we have had former players and managers as guests but we switched it all up this week to share the love of the game with someone who loves it as much as Tim. Mike Schur speaks of this game the way one speaks of their children, even describing baseball as a his "first love," which is relatable to all of us.

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

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tito Francona Laughs, Verlander Returns, John Sterling Retires Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

We've been waiting to bring you Tito Francona for some time now. Phillies, Red Sox and Guardians fans will bond together over their love of their former manager. Plus he adds on some stories about being Michael Jordan's minor league baseball manager.

We catch you up on Verlander's return. Plus we have a new "GameChanger of the Week," this one will surprise you. We open another pack of cards for "It's In The Cards" and a hypothetical that will kick your socks off.

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

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jackie Robinson Day, Andrew McCutchen's 300th and Jackson Holliday's First Hit Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Jerry Hairston Jr. joins the show to dive deep on Jackie Robinson the player and the man. Hairston's grandfather played in the Negro Leagues before being the ninth Black player to join Major League Baseball. Plus he adds that Mookie Betts could play point guard for the Lakers today!

We open another deck of cards from Topps for "It's In The Cards" including a story of Kenley Jansen behind the plate instead of on the mound.

Jackson Holliday had his first Major League hit and we award Andrew McCutchen with our very first GameChanger of the Week.

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

Joy Pop Productions LLC

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Masters Week With John Smoltz, 50 Cent Lyrics and No-Hitter Facts Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

Tim Kurkjian is joined by his son, Jeff, every week to give a fresh take on baseball. This week is a lead up to The Masters Tournament so we had to call in John Smoltz, an incredible golfer and Hall of Fame pitcher.

We begin by reading some of your really sweet messages about the show. Visit GreatGameOrWhat.com to send us your own message, it might get read on the show.

After a first week of baseball that included a no-hitter, we dive into some of Tim's favorite stories surround the impressive pitching feat. Also, Hank Aaron stories remember 50 years ago when he broke Babe Ruth's record. We ask you a question; would you take $10,000 now or have 24 hours to hit a hole-in-one on a 135 yard Par 3 for $1 million? Which one are you picking?

Visit our social channels @GreatGameOrWhat to vote. Finally, you will not want to miss our chat with John Smoltz. He played golf with Tiger Woods for goodness sake!

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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