Grab a seat on the bench and tune in to the latest Riding The Pine episode, as I get things started highlighting some games from week 2 of the NFL season that stuck out the most, and I rank my top five player performances for the week as well. I then move into a discussion focused on the MLB playoffs, and giving my thoughts on the potential matchups that we could see in October, and which teams could make the most noise in the postseason. I finish up episode 49, with an incredible interview with former NBA and overseas pro basketball player, Ennis Whatley. Ennis and I discuss his career in college at the University of Alabama, his time playing in the NBA and the adjustment he had to make going from playing in the NBA to playing in Lithuania. He also shares some interesting stories from his time being teammates with Michael Jordan and much more! 

I am joined by another phenomenal guest for episode 48 of Riding The Pine as Tim Kurkjian, current senior baseball writer and TV journalist and analyst from ESPN, joins the show. In this interview only episode, Tim and I discuss the career path he took getting to ESPN and everything he has had to overcome along the way. Tim talks about his time as a beat writer for the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles, his role at Sports Illustrated before arriving at ESPN and how he adjusted from a mostly writing role, to appearing more on television. He also shares some memories from his early days as a journalist and what birthed the love he has for baseball. 

I jump into episode 47 discussing the latest news going around the NBA and any and all updates on the playoffs in the bubble. I then give my predictions for the conference finals and who I could see potentially advancing to the Finals. I am then joined by a past guest who has appeared on Riding The Pine many times giving his basketball expertise, current Director of Player Development for the Duquesne men's basketball team Ashton Gibbs. Ashton and I go back and forth and discuss what we've liked so far in the bubble, which players have been putting on a show, and what the future holds for certain NBA stars in this offseason. Ashton also shares what it's been like coaching at the collegiate level during the pandemic.  

Pull up a chair and join me for episode 46 as I open things up talking about the opening night of the NFL season and giving my thoughts from the Texans vs. Chiefs game on Thursday, September 10th. Afterwards, I dive into my Wild Card Watchers segment, discussing the teams that are currently outside of the top 8 in the MLB that could potentially make a push for the final two wild card spots. The episode ends with a great interview with a special guest who is a current pitcher for the LSU Tigers baseball team, Trent Vietmeier. Trent and I talk about his career at LSU, how his pitching style has changed since he entered college and a whole lot more! 

I'm back on the bench in episode 45 giving the latest updates on the NFL's Covid-19 testing protocols for this year, and whether or not the league will run into the same issues that the MLB has had this season. I then dive into a new topic, ranking the top five greatest cinderella teams in college basketball history and discussing the runs they had in the tournament. The episode finishes out with a fantastic interview with current track and field runner and former men's basketball player at the University of Maryland, Travis Valmon. Travis and I discuss his role as a walk-on for the men's basketball team, how he juggled being a dual sport athlete at the D1 level and much more! 

Join me for another interview only episode as I sit down with former NBA All-star and Rookie of the Year Buck Williams. Buck and I discuss his lengthy 17 year career in the NBA that featured numerous all-defensive team selections, two trips to the NBA finals and finishing ranked 15th all-time in career rebounding. Later on, Buck discusses his time as the President of the NBA Player's Association and the impact he's had on the players and the league to this day. 

In the latest episode of Riding The Pine, I dive right into an update on the NBA and NHL playoffs as well as a breakdown on some of the biggest trades in the MLB. I then get into my topic for the episode, sharing my top 5 teams to watch this season in the NFL, and who could make a lot of noise this football season. The episode closes out with a phenomenal interview with a great guest, current defensive lineman for the William and Mary Tribe Carl Fowler. Carl shares his story on what made him choose football over baseball, his career at W&M and much more! 

Episode 42 opens up with some baseball talk, discussing the possibility of the MLB playoffs being played in hub cities, and where the most likely World Series destination will be in the fall. Afterwards, I dive into yet again another Road Trippin segment, following the lineage of the Chicago White Sox and going stop by stop discussing where they were before they landed in Chicago, and some interesting facts about the team. To close things out, I am joined by current St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer Ben Baird, as we talk about his career in college, how he stayed in shape during the quarantine and the advice he's been given by other professional athletes in his family. 

Episode 41 opens up with a discussion on the idea of realigning college football for this year amid the pandemic and the benefits it would have if it were to happen. I also give my realigned conferences, and which teams regionally could have been paired together. I stick with the college sports theme, as I move into my new topic for the episode which is Best College Mascots. I rank my top five best mascots in college and close out the episode with another fantastic interview with current Attackmen for the Denver Outlaws and the 2020 MLL Offensive Player of the Year, Ryan Lee. Ryan shares a lot about his career both professionally and collegiately, and what this MLL season was like with the pandemic occurring simultaneously.  

In this episode of Riding The Pine, we are joined by another show first, play-by-play and PA announcer in the Pittsburgh area Brandon Rossi. In this interview only episode, Brandon discusses the life of an announcer and how he first got interested in wanting to work behind the mic. Brandon also shares some interesting sports he's been on the call for, and which sports he enjoys commentating the most.