Passed Ball Show

12-6-2022 Passed Ball Show. John spends this program talking about MLB and its free agency. John discusses some of the issues that have gone on for years between the MLB players and the owners. John believes that the players that are free agents will hold out for every dollar and year they can get and that the owners should pay full price for a free agent they really want. John then talks about the baseball hall of fame and wonders what is it about baseball that keeps the best players from being enshrined with the game’s highest honor. The three other major sports honor the players with the best statistics. Would baseball have found a way to not put Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, or Tom Brady in had the all time greats dominated baseball? Also, a big time kudos to deserved Baseball Hall of Famer Fred McGriff.

12-3-2022 Passed Ball Show. John opens up by congratulating the Texas Rangers for winning the sweepstakes for Jacob deGrom. Jacob did not want to come back to New York and John believes he is not the only one. Could Aaron Judge follow him out of town? If he does, the NY Sports Fans and the NY Media need to held responsible for letting this happen. John asks when was thr last time a top three (or even ten) NBA player chose the Knicks? As far as the Baseball Hall of Fame, John can only dream that all time greats Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Rafael Palmeiro finally get their do call. If not, it will still be a great day for baseball to see Curt Schilling and Fred McGriff get their deserving place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. John finishes off by wondering how the Mets respond after not keeping deGrom and wonders how the Yankees will react if Aaron Judge leaves.

11-30-2022 Passed Ball Show. John spends this program talking about how it is uncommon for a team to give up on a quarterback they drafted in the top of the first round, or is it? John makes the case that the Zach Wilson benching is not so common and the patience for an organization to stick with any QB is at an all time low. John has some fun by discussing some top of the first round QB’s of Christmas past and points out how the hype of a successful college QB does not last long. John then makes the blanket statement that the grass is always greener and the most popular player is the backup QB. Then, John talks about two Head Coaches that could be on their way out after one season, then cites some others that have had the same fortune. He finishes off his filibuster by question whether Russell Wilson has been given enough of the blame for the struggles of the Denver Broncos.

11-29-2022 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this show by criticizing Houston Astros Owner Jim Crane for his failure to relinquish handling of day to day baseball operations of the team. John describes several examples of not only owners meddling in sports front offices and influencing decisions, but making them and makes an argument that there is no example of an owner being successful in that role. John’s belief is that the Astros are headed down the wrong path if they do not hire a new team President or General Manager with the autonomy that was given to Jeff Luthnow. Listen to John’s takes on Jerry Jones and George Steinbrenner as well as Ted Turner and Jim Irsay. John talks about how illogical it is for there to be serious discussion about the job status of Ohio State Head Football Coach Ryan Day (45-5). John then talks about the hiring of new Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule and why he could have easily gotten a ten (10) year contact. Finally, John continues his assault on the Baseball Hall of Fame, the BBWAA, Bud Selig, and Jane Forbes Clark but discussing the current state of the ballot, fluff, and why many undeserving players will be getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame soon.

11-26-2022 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this program by ripping into Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder for thinking he has earned his right as a player to not only ask for and demand a trade, but to have the audacity to refuse to play until a deal is completed. And he plays for a good team that was in the NBA Finals two years ago. John then gives a massive amount of confidence in the 2022-2023 Portland Trail Blazers and makes a claim that they will prove to be a top two (2) or three (3) team in the entire NBA and then explains why. He then salutes all time great NFL Head Coach George Halas for being among the GOATS at the position, but questions his logic in his decision to move on from George Blanda as his Quarterback. Blanda, of course, went on to a Hall of Fame career, leading the 1960 and 1961 Houston Oilers to the first two AFL Championships, On rivalry weekend, John asks if there is a better rivalry in sports than Michigan/ Ohio State. He cites some others, please add one if your favorite rivalry was omitted.

11-19-2022 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this program by talking about Geno Smith being a backup quarterback succeeding as a starter in the NFL and why it is not a bad thing. He compares Geno to some of the best backup quarterbacks in NFL history such as Earl Morrall, Craig Morton, Steve Young (when he was Joe Montana's backup), Steve Beuerlein (with Dallas), Jeff Hostetler, and Nick Foles. He then laughs at the hypocrisy of the former NFL players complaining on their talk programs about Jeff Saturday becoming the Head Coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Saturday became the HC for the Colts for the same reason the players got jobs as NFL analysts- BECAUSE THEY PLAYED THE FRIGGIN eGAME! The same nepotism they are criticizing Saturday for getting is the same reason they got their jobs. After giving some credit to 2022 NFL Draftees Christian Watson and Treylon Burks, John blasts the draft as possibly being the worst in the history of the league when it comes to the quarterback position. John doubles down on that by stating that five years from now there will be zero (0) starting QB's from this draft class with the likeliness that all nine that were drafted in 2022 will be out of the league. Finally, when NoBody is Listening, John gives a destination for free agent outfielder Brandon Nimmo that would improve that team more than either Toronto or New York.

11-12-2022 Passed Ball Show. John opens this program by talking, in detail, about the similarities between now former Houston Astros General Manager James Click and perhaps soon to be former New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom. Click is leaving the Astros organization, not because he did not produce the appropriate amount of results, but because the team’s owner Jim Crane did not want to retain him. That is the only way to explain the one (1) year contract offer he was given after leading the Astros to their second World Series Championship. deGrom, on the other hand, heads to open free agency knowing he just played for the team that has the resources to give him anything he wants to finish his career in New York. Jake does not get to free agency if he truly does not want to leave the Mets. Just like Click does not get a one (1) year contract offer if the Astros truly want him to return. John talks about the possibility of deGrom pitching in Texas with the Rangers and manager Bruce Bochy. He also wonders whether any of the major New York free agents (Jake, Aaron Judge, Brandon Nimmo, Anthony Rizzo, Chris Bassitt, Jameson Tallion, Taijuan Walker) actually want to return to New York with the way their teams are treated by their fans and the media. John then proposes a too perfect fit for Aaron Judge before bullshitting about the three major free agent shortstops. Finally, John gets into what you (YOU) can do to influence the program going forward.

11-5-2022 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this program by asking whether it will be the two (2) time World Series Champion Houston Astros or the three (3) time WS Champion Philadelphia Phillies. He then dunks on Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay claiming he has instructed the Colts to quit this season. John talks about how unprecedented it is for a team to quit and give up on an entire season after being only 3-3. John then looks for a different take when it comes to Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets. After stating some of the obvious, he talks about Irving’s apology, forced or not, and whether he should have the opportunity to learn from his support of a hate infested film that was antisemitic. John examines soon to be former Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver’s apology and wonders if he can be forgiven and use his platform to become a better person. John accepts Kyrie’s apology and also accepts Sarver’s with the hope they become better human beings and prove it with their future actions. John cites racists during the time of Jackie Robinson to show that people can become more inclusive even if their parents and grandparents were not. Finally, John talks about Brandin Cooks’ decision to not play last Thursday because he was not traded by the NFL trading deadline. After expressing that he has never forgiven James Harden for doing the same, he gives his respect to Houston Texans Head Coach Lovie Smith for clarifying why Cooks did not play and taking ownership of it. Once Cooks’ returned to Texans practice on Friday, John was willing to forgive him as well.

10-29-2022 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this program by stating the obvious about JT Realmuto and Justin Verlander. He then talks about the perspective free agency of Aaron Judge and Jacob deGrom and makes a case for why they do not need New York. This is a far cry from years ago when NY was considered the destination for any top athlete. Reggie Jackson and Mark Messier believed winning in New York was better than winning anywhere else, but what players of today believe the same to be true? John mentions the fact that the amount of money may no longer be greater in NY and that other states do not have income taxes. Has the NY fans treatment of players become a deterrent when it comes to players staying/ wanting to play in NY? John cites Aaron Judge being booed in the playoffs and explains why there might have been something to the Mets "Thumbs Down" message of 2021. John laughs off the 'New York sports fans are the most passionate in the country" schtick by making one statement, what other region or sports city believes this? Obviously, it is all subjective. He finishes off by asking, have the fans and media of NY ruined what used to be a draw playing in the very city they support their sports?

10-25-2022 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this program by laughing at the fact that University of Texas Football Head Coach Steve Sarkisian had to apologize for not signing the school’s Texas song after following their loss to Oklahoma State. He then cuts into the fact that it would have not been an issue had the team won. This launches him into his rant about the under respecting of the basic win or loss when it comes to the teams we root for. Win and loss is too basic for most, we need to tell the public we (the media and fans) are much smarter than anybody who thinks, simply, : the team that wins is good and the team that looses is bad. John claims that is all it is. He talks about the NY Football Giants great start and how everybody believes it all about the coach. He asks you if you feel the same way if the Giants lose their next five? (This is not a prediction, just a question.) He then talks about the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears and asks if you would be still down on the Denver coach if they won their next five? Would you believe the Bears are still headed in the right direction if they shit the bed next week? He then finishes off his point by discussing the careers of Hall of Fame Baseball managers Casey Stengel and Joe Torre. Finally, he advocates a Bruce Bochy/ Jacob deGrom combo in Texas (providing Jake really wants out of New York) and why Hideki Matsui belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame.