Evan & Tiki

Carson Benge making the Mets as the Opening Day right fielder sparks a bigger conversation about what fans should realistically expect from a top prospect thrown straight into the spotlight. Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber dig into the excitement around Benge’s debut, the pressure that comes with being a first-round pick, and why a very good all-around player can still be unfairly viewed as a disappointment if he is not an instant star.

They also branch out into a wider New York baseball debate, from patience with young players to how teams handle development when early struggles show up. The discussion touches on comps for Benge’s long-term ceiling, what history can teach through names like Michael Conforto and Anthony Volpe, whether Aaron Judge leading off makes sense for the Yankees, and why trade chatter around young talent like Jasson Dominguez says a lot about how both teams are thinking right now.

Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber dive into a spirited Yankees debate over how much analytics should shape a lineup and whether the numbers are pointing toward changes fans may not want to hear. At the center of it all is a bold idea Roberts has pushed for years: Aaron Judge leading off to get more plate appearances and create more scoring opportunities.

From a data-built lineup that puts Trent Grisham in a premium spot to a larger argument about Aaron Boone, Brian Cashman, and the balance between information and feel, the conversation touches every nerve Yankees fans have. They also get into growing doubts about Jason Dominguez, what the team really believes about its young talent, and how long the Yankees should stick with struggling veterans before making a change.

On Opening Day Eve, Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber set the stage for baseball season with a mix of hype and controversy, zeroing in on a swirling question: was Aaron Judge actually booed during spring training? As the anticipation builds for Yankees and Mets fans alike, the conversation quickly shifts from excitement to investigation, with Evan claiming he’s uncovered the truth behind the Judge moment.

That leads directly into a fiery debate over the Yankees lineup, as Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone push back hard on the narrative that the front office controls it. Evan defends the idea that Boone makes the calls, while others argue the influence of analytics and organizational input tells a different story, sparking a passionate back-and-forth about perception, accountability, and how much fans should really believe.

The hosts of WFAN react to the Red Storm punching its ticket to the Round of 16 for the first time since 1999, setting up a showdown against the tournament's No. 1 overall seed, Duke.

From 'Rico Brogna' (subscribe here): We get closer and closer to the final opening day roster. Who will make the cut? Which last minute injuries create openings? Plus, it's time for your yearly Mets Yankees bets with the one and only Chris McMonigle, co-host of "the Carton Show with Chris McMonigle" and the brand new Yankees podcast "Go Get Em".

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

St.Johns wins at the buzzer and is partying like it is 1999. Opening Day week is here with some questionable roster decisions

St. John’s looked headed for disaster before delivering one of the program’s biggest wins in decades, and Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber break down every twist from the dramatic victory over Kansas. From late-game panic to full-on euphoria, they dig into why this wasn’t just a thrilling finish, but a defining moment for Rick Pitino’s turnaround of the Red Storm.

They spotlight Dylan Darling’s fearless game-winner, Bryce Hopkins’ enormous late three, and the calm Pitino projected as Kansas erased a double-digit lead. Evan and Tiki also get into the coaching decisions, the emotional reaction from St. John’s fans, and what this escape could mean with Duke waiting next in a massive Sweet 16 matchup.

St. John’s has New York dreaming again, but does a Red Storm title really count as ending the city’s championship drought? Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber dig into that debate while expanding the conversation into what fans actually mean when they talk about a “New York” championship and why those arguments always seem to take on a life of their own.

From parade-route hypotheticals and college hoops pressure to frustrations over baseball’s streaming-era Opening Day, the hour covers the full New York sports experience. The episode also taps into Mets intrigue as Carson Benge’s roster situation fuels speculation, while the conversation takes a few entertaining detours into fantasy drafts, emotional sports movies, and the kind of off-the-rails storytelling that keeps the whole ride fun.

Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber dive into a classic New York sports mashup, from the Yankees’ strange opening stretch to the growing buzz around St. John’s. They debate Cam Littler’s pitch count, whether Will Warren starting the home opener is a real problem, and why the Yankees’ early off days could leave fans more frustrated than refreshed. The conversation also turns to the team’s Netflix opener and the bigger question of how much streaming is changing the way fans follow baseball.

The energy only ramps up from there with St. John’s optimism hitting another level as the guys revisit the biggest moments of Evan’s lifetime as a fan and look ahead to what could be next. They also get into the Knicks’ push for playoff positioning, why a win over the Nets mattered more than it looked, and the usual mix of sharp opinions, fan therapy, and New York sports chaos that keeps the conversation moving.

Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber dive into a packed New York sports conversation led by St. John’s thrilling win over Kansas and the bigger question that followed: does one March Madness moment make Dylan Darling a forever legend in this city? They also get into the rarity of Rick Pitino and Bill Self barely crossing paths, John Rothstein’s over-the-top college basketball passion, and what it really takes to become unforgettable in New York sports.

The episode keeps bouncing with the kind of energy only this show can deliver, from Yankees Opening Day and Netflix concerns to Mets roster debates, Barry Bonds stories, and a spirited back-and-forth over Cam Skattebo’s controversial comments. They also dig into whether the Giants should even think about taking a running back in the draft, revisit old draft scars, and mix serious sports talk with the offbeat moments and laughs that make the conversation feel totally unpredictable.