Sports With Friends

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Introducing: Men in Blazers Nov 22, 2022

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Introducing: Men in Blazers Men in Blazers is North America's No. 1 Soccer Podcast. Hosts Roger Bennett, Michael Davies, and a slew of athletes and celebrity guests bring you daily coverage of the month-long, soccer-themed bar mitzvah that is the World Cup. Celebrate every goal, moment of transcendent human wonder, and ill-judged neck tattoo with us. Soccer's Coming Home. Follow MEN IN BLAZERS wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen ad-free on the Amazon Music or Wondery app. bit.ly/mib-spw

377. Antisemitism in Sports Nov 16, 2022

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After Kyrie Irving was suspended by the Brooklyn Nets for posting a link to a film filled with antisemitic tropes, the topic of prejudice, antisemitism, and racism has come to the forefront of sports discussion. Irving has been suspended and at the time of this podcast has not returned to the team. Antisemitism has been on the rise, with a recent FBI warning on various New Jersey synagogues. This episode does not strictly focus on Judaism but rather prejudice towards all minorities, which is uncalled for. Rabbi David Vaisberg joined the show to discuss the issue, and react to the film Irving posted, as well as the damage that social media can do. Vaisberg is a Rabbi at Temple B'Nai Abraham in Livingston, New Jersey.

376. New Jersey Devils TV Play-by-Play Announcer Bill Spaulding Nov 09, 2022

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Throughout the 7-year history of Sports with Friends, there have been many Syracuse University alums on the show. Bill Spaulding is one of those alums. He was recently named the newest television voice of the New Jersey Devils on MSG Network. Spaulding most recently served as a play-by-play broadcaster for college hockey on NBC Sports and college football on ESPN. While at NBC Sports, he also worked on four Olympic Games and two Paralympic Games, covering events such as track and field, speed skating, ski jumping and more. In this episode, Bill speaks in detail about his emergence as a young broadcaster from Syracuse, and then the story of getting hired by MSG and working with Ken Daneyko and the rest of the MSG/Devils crew. The beginning of this episode is a tribute to former NHL player/broadcaster Peter McNab, who died at the age of 70 aftger a battle with cancer. McNab was profiled recently on Sports with Friends (Episode 362) and there were plans to have him on again. Follow Bill Spaulding on social media @billspaulding.

Introducing Don't Call It a Comeback Nov 07, 2022

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There are few moments in sports more thrilling, compelling, or inspiring than a comeback story. From the resurgence of a sports figure to a team that defies the odds for an unexpected win, to someone who never quite made it, finally getting their shot, these stories are the lifeblood of sports. Nobody knows this more than former NFL star linebacker, Ryan Shazier who scratched and clawed his way back from paralysis after a devastating on-field hit, to walk back on a football field just a few years later under his own power. It's the stuff movies are made of… and now it's the stuff Don't Call it a Comeback will bring you each week. Don't Call it a Comeback will spotlight the biggest sports comeback story of the week and dive deep into every aspect of what makes each tale more incredible than the last. Hosted by Ryan Shazier and his pal, TV writer, radio personality, and sports superfan, Dave Dameshek, they'll shout out the underdogs, Cinderellas, unlikely heroes, and surprising achievements all across the sports landscape and explore the highs, lows, and hurdles each subject faced on their triumphant comeback journey. Listen to Don't Call it a Comeback: wondery.fm/SWF_DCIAC

375. Jeff Pearlman on Bo Jackson, The Last Folk Hero Nov 02, 2022

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New York Times Best-Selling Author Jeff Pearlman makes his 3rd appearance on the podcast to discuss his 10th and latest book, “The Last Folk Hero, The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson.” Bo Jackson has been labeled as the best athlete ever. He played two sports professionally, Major League Baseball as an all-star outfielder and the National Football League as an all-pro running back. He was internationally known for the “Bo Knows” ad campaign for Nike. Still, Pearlman explained the process of writing the book, where he interviewed over 700 people. Order “The Last Folk Hero” Here: https://a.co/2omxy2k Pearlman has previously been on the podcast for his book on the USFL (Episode 165) and again when the HBO Series “Winning Time” based on his book on the LA Lakers premiered. Follow him on social media @jeffpearlman.

374. 'Bronx Zoo' Author, Baseball Historian Peter Golenbock Oct 26, 2022

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In the late 1970s, no book turned baseball on its ear more than the Bronx Zoo, written by then-current Yankee reliever Sparky Lyle. That book was co-written by longtime author and baseball historian Peter Golenbock. Golenbock has written more than sixty books, including ten New York Times best sellers. In addition to the Bronx Zoo, his best-selling books on baseball include Dynasty: The New York Yankees, 1949-1964; Bums: An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers; Balls (with Graig Nettles); Amazin': The Miraculous History of New York's Most Beloved Baseball Team; Idiot: Beating “The Curse” and Enjoying the Game of Life (with Johnny Damon), and Valentine's Way (With Bobby Valentine). His newest book is called Whispers of the Gods is his newest book, where he relays his conversations with stars from baseball's past, including Roger Maris and Ted Williams. In this episode, he continues to share his expert insights into what he considers the sport to still be America's favorite pastime, especially during the current playoff season. Golenbock discusses the recent Aaron Judge home run chase, his belief that Barry Bonds is the true home run champion, and why he always rooted for an American League team.

373. Paul Olden, Play-by-Play Announcer, Voice of Yankee Stadium Oct 19, 2022

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Longtime play-by-play announcer Paul Olden is currently the public address announcer for the new Yankee Stadium. He's been the only PA announcer since the new Stadium opened in 2009. His storied career started in southern California. Over the years he has called games for ESPN, the then-Cleveland Indians, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the New York Yankees, New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, UCLA Bruins, and even more. He was a WFAN sports anchor when Seth Everett was an intern at the station in the summer of 1994. They were together when calls started coming in about a possible OJ Simpson murder case. He also was the reporter who interviewed Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda and infamously asked what he thought of Dave Kingman's performance. He is also an avid photographer and went back to school in his 50s. This episode was recorded before Game 5 of the 2022 American League Division Series between the Yankees and Cleveland Guardians.

372. Seattle Times Reporter Geoff Baker on the Seattle Kraken Oct 12, 2022

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Longtime Seattle Times reporter Geoff Baker joined the podcast. He has a new book due out in November entitled, “Rising From the Deep: The Seattle Kraken, a Tenacious Push for Expansion, and the Emerald City's Sports Revival” https://tinyurl.com/2rw3w2j3. In the book, he chronicles the origin of the newest NHL franchise. The story behind the Kraken's arrival is deep-rooted in Seattle sports history, beginning with the departure in 2008 of the Seattle SuperSonics. The Kraken lead to the remodeling of Key Arena into the new Climate Pledge Arena. Still, Covid-19 and construction delays made it difficult for the Kraken to get off the ground. Baker explains the whole process and discusses how the Kraken may be a pawn in Seattle's real goal to return the Sonics back to the Pacific Northwest. Follow Geoff Baker on social media @GeoffBakerTIMES.

371. "Coney Island" Dave Cohen Oct 05, 2022

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Recorded on the campus of Syracuse University in October 2022, former play-by-play announcer Dave Cohen joined the show. “Coney Island Dave” (a nickname given to him by his dear friend Bob Costas) was the TV voice of the New York Yankees from 1995-1996. He was also the TV voice of the then-Washington Bullets and the original host of Mets Extra. Dave was an original play-by-play announcer for ESPN in 1979. He called Syracuse Football, Basketball, and Lacrosse during the 1980s for a cable outlet called Super Sports. In this episode, Cohen discusses how his career was a combination of being in the right place at the right time. He won an Emmy award for his commentary during Dwight Gooden's 1996 no-hitter. He discussed the strategy of giving Syracuse broadcasts to new cable networks across the country on tape delay and the impact that had on the athletic programs during the 1980s.

370. Tennis Commentator Cliff Drysdale, ESPN Sep 28, 2022

Show notes

Former Tennis player turned broadcaster Cliff Drysdale is this week's guest. Drysdale was a highly ranked professional player in the 1960s and early 1970s. Then, when ESPN started in 1979, Drysdale became a tennis announcer. He evolved into a strong play-by-play announcer and has been with the network since its inception. In 2013, he was elected into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. In this episode, Drysdale talks about his transition to the booth from the court. He also discussed what ESPN was like when it was from a fledgling startup to the juggernaut it has become. He also discussed some of the mechanics of tennis and weighs in on the debate of 2 out of 3 vs. 3 out of 5 sets being more entertaining. He also discussed some key players on the tour including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, Ash Barty, Nick Kyrgios, Victoria Azarenka, and many more.

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