The Over Ponder

I've been away for two months and now I'm back! I do have a good reason! In this episode, I give much props to my fellow higher education colleagues, share my overflowing joy for this season of New York Knicks basketball, and even make a wacky prediction for the Knicks in their first-round matchup against the Hawks! A prediction I may just regret!

Major League Baseball recently announced a set of new rules that will be implemented in the minor leagues as they experiment and tinker to find the best way to evolve the game of baseball. In this episode, I give my thoughts and opinions on the new rules being implemented, and I yes, offer up a pretty wacky rule of my own! Give it a listen!

It's an all-baseball episode ranting on the ridiculousness of MLB "service time" rules after the incident regarding former Seattle Mariners President, Kevin Mathers, as well as naming my All-Black baseball team heading into the 2021 season. The tasks bring up glaring holes in baseball, such as - where the heck are all the black catchers in baseball?! Give it a listen!

The New York Knicks have given all of us Knicks fans many reasons for hope - for this season and the future. Yes, actual REAL HOPE! Of course, some (only some) Knicks fans - scarred for the torment of the last twenty years - just don't know how to handle the brief, minor success. This Knicks fan uses a rare empty Friday Night without the Knicks to tackle some of the craziness that is happening in the young season. I talk Quickley, Payton, potential trades, developing young guys, and so much more.

It's been a long time since I had a Knicks rant, and this episode was evidence of that.

The Colorado Rockies traded their franchise player in third basemen, Nolan Arenado, to the St. Luis Cardinals for a consensus return that has been questionable. Of course, the trade has exposed a continual problem in baseball, as well as the sketchy investment a Colorado Rockies fan might have. In this episode, it's ranting Arenado, talking a bit about baseball needing more Trevor Bauers, and I give my Super Bowl prediction. Give it a listen!

It's that time again - time for the Royal Rumble Match! Yes, I very much miss hearing Howard Finkel say those words. As we gear up on this Royal Rumble weekend, in this episode, I'm sharing my picks for the Royal Rumble, which includes, an interesting theory on who wins the Men's Royal Rumble. It may sound crazy, but it could happen. And I want it to headline Wrestlemania!

What happened to the Chicago Cubs?! Four years ago, the Cubs ended a century-long playoff drought with a World Series victory and were primed for what looked like a team on the brink of a dynasty. Much like all reflection from four years ago, the Cubs are tearing it down leaving us all wondering - what happened?!

The LeBron vs. Jordan debates (and hot takes) heated up following Lebron James winning his fourth NBA Championship. While the narrative continues to go down the (tired) James vs. Jordan perspective (i.e. championships, finals record, etc...), this episode brings on a guest, a super fan of LeBron, Chris. We dive into looking and LeBron and Jordan from a deeper perspective - eras, social media, myths, social justice, and more. It's a much different and deeper dive into everything that is LeBron AND Jordan, as well as who the forgotten GOAT contender in the discussion is, and of course, plenty of basketball in-between.

It was a crushing loss to a rival that certainly stings in the aftermath of it all. However, in the wake of the usual Yankee fandom trauma of shouts and claims to fire everyone, sign the top free agent, and to reign hell, fire, and brimstone on anyone and anything for the loss, it has occurred to me that yes, no one hates the Yankees more than Yankees fans. And you know what? The Rays were a better team this series - yup, they were. Here are my post-2020 Yankee thoughts after the devastation of the ALDS.

The NFL has missed so many opportunities - many of them, easy decisions - in getting a handle of social justice responsibilities (or even public relations maneuvering) in the current climate. Some would say that the rise of Colin Kaepernick served as a catalyst for others to use sports as a platform to close the gaps seen in society - a rise the NFL allowed to happen through inaction. This episode takes a look at the NFL's latest attempt to "do better" and how the recent action of boos by its fanbase has exposed a fundamental conflict of a league trying to adhere to public movements, do good by its players, but still, serve the good ol' boy leadership of its league.