The Sports-Casters

Steve interviews Chris Wittyngham (00:31:15) from CBS Sports/Paramount+. Chris debuts to discuss being the lead play by play voice for Italian football in the United States. Wittyngham talks about calling games in a studio, working with Matteo Bonetti, and learning about the history of calcio. Chris and Steve talk about the issues with Italian football and how to fix them. Also, people who seen England win a trophy are a dying breed, foreign coaches in Serie A, and the passion that fuels Italian football.

Steve starts the show with First things First and discusses the Buffalo Sabres excellent trip to California, Roma's disaster class in Manchester, and elite NFL broadcast booths dating back to 1979, The show ends with One Last Thing about being nostalgic for how places and things used to be,.

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters

Steve interviews Sean McIndoe (00:26:48) from The Athletic. Sean returns to the podcast to discuss his new book, The Hockey 100. Sean discusses putting the list of the top 100 hockey players together, the criteria for it, and then having to defend it. Steve and Sean debate the rankings of Patrick Kane, Connor McDavid, Pavel Bure, Ray Bourque and others.

Steve starts the show with First things First and discusses the Milwaukee Brewers winning the World Series, the New Orleans Saints falling to 2-5, and the Buffalo Sabres slow start to the season. The show ends with One Last Thing about Steve's indifference towards Halloween.

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters

Steve interviews Tony Reali (00:34:40) the former host of Around the Horn. Tony joins us to discuss being a free-agent in the sports media world, creating his own podcast, and trying to talk about sports the way that Anthony Bourdain spoke about food. Tony also discusses his relationship with Jay Mariotti, wearing black, and having pride in his Italian-American heritage.

Steve starts the show with First things First and discusses the New Orleans Saints improving to 2-4, the Buffalo Sabres having a mediocre start, and good week in the Champions League for the Italian teams. The show ends with One Last Thing about Steve's trip to Las Vegas to see Pearl Jam on their tenth birthday.

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters

Steve interviews SL Price (00:37:10) one of the greatest sports-writers of all-time. Mr Price returns to discuss the passing of Mike Ditka. Price looks at Ditka's legacy, discusses his decision to not give Walter Payton a touchdown during Super Bowl XX, and debates his famous trade for Ricky Williams. Mr. Price and Steve also discuss SL's latest book on lacrosse, the demise of Sports Illustrated, and his feature on Chris Drury.

Steve starts the show with a loaded First things First and discusses the New Orleans Saints hitting rock bottom, a terrible week for Italian football, and the decent start to the NHL season by the Buffalo Sabres. Also, Hutson Bowl 1, the breakup of Aikman and Buck, and the Dodgers being swept out of the MLB Playoffs. The show ends with One Last Thing. Steve looks back on Francisco Cabrera's walk-off hit in the 1992 NLCS and texting with Sean McDonough about it 34 years later.

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters

On a special episode of The Sports-Casters, Steve recaps a crazy three weeks of sports that had all four of his teams playing at once. Steve breaks down the Atlanta Braves being eliminated from the playoffs, the New Orleans Saints being humiliated in the SuperDome, the Italian National team starting anew, and the start of the Buffalo Sabres season.

The Braves are eliminated from the MLB playoffs (00:01:44) at the hands of the Los Angelas Dodgers. Steve discusses the dreadful hitting, the surprising pitching, and the end of the 2026 Braves.

The New Orleans Saints (00:15:12) melted down against the Oakland Raiders and got embarrassed by the Atlanta Falcons. Kellen Moore has lost the fans, the defense is in shambles, and the injury to Kelvin Banks Jr has Tyler Shough running for his life. Is the season over or can the Saints turn it around?

The 2026-27 Buffalo Sabres (00:23:26) season is off to a good start. Owen Power has arrived, Jack Quinn looks like he can score 40 goals, and the third period Sabres have returned. Steve has his first thoughts on the team after three games.

The Italian National team (00:26:19) won two, tied one, and lost one as Roberto Mancini returned to lead the team. Steve breaks down all four games, talks about the players that were up and the players that were down and looks ahead to the next international break. Steve also recaps an incredible break for the u21 side.

FTF ends with some sports media news. Tony Romo is out at CBS (00:50:07), the Sunday Ticket might be dissolved, and Kenny Albert had to reschedule his colonoscopy.

The show ends with two new books for the book club and OLT about making Paula laugh.

Steve interviews Mike Vaccaro (00:51:00) from The New York Post. Vaccaro joins us after a crazy few weeks in New York. Vaccaro pays tribute to Ernie Accorsi, looks back on the career of Howie Rose, and gives his thoughts on the Mets fans cheering for Pete Alonso. Mike also has thoughts on the Yankees, Cashaman and Boone, the Jaxson Dart injury, and the Jets more competent start. The interview ends with Vaccaro playing Switzerland when asked if he was Chris Russo guy or a Mike Francesa guy.

Steve starts the show with a loaded First things First and discusses the Atlanta Braves winning the NL East, the New Orleans Saints starting the season 1-1, and the return of the Italian National team. The show ends with One Last Thing about Steve's brother Greg turning 40.

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters

Steve interviews Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg (00:21:51) the authors of a new book about the National Football League called, "The Playbook." Robinson and Clegg return to promote their third consecutive book on TSC. The boys explain how they fell in love with the NFL growing up in the UK, discuss their love for the Raiders and the Giants, and talk about their work as writing partners. Steve challenges them on some of the things they wrote about the New Orleans Saints cap management, their plan after Drew Brees, and GM Mickey Loomis. Also, talk about Sam Bradford, the upcoming NFL season, and Fernando Mendoza.

Also, Fred Segal (00:58:19) returns to discuss his new book about the coldest takes in college football history. Fred made his podcasting debut on TSC years ago and he's back for the second time to promote a book. Fred talks about researching for the book, the reaction of people who find themselves in it, and if he plans to do another book in the future. The guys also talk about bad takes on Vinny Testaverde, the Heisman Trophy, Nick Saban, and Ron Powles.

Steve starts the show with First Things First and talks about the surging Braves, a frustrating week of Italian football, and the Saints trimming their roster down to 53. The show ends with one last thing about Steve turning 46 years old.

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters

Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Andrew Marchand (00:25:39) from The Athletic and Marchand Sports Media. Andrew and Steve discuss the fallout from CBS's decision to suspend Tony Rome, the promotion of JJ Watt, and the rest of the booths for the upcoming NFL season. Andrew and Steve also discuss Jimmy Traina leaving Sports Illustrated, the sports media podcast landscape, and future of Sports Illustrated.

Steve starts the show with First things First and discusses the Atlanta Braves really bad week, the Saints getting blown out by the Rams, and the return of Italian football (calcio). The show ends with One Last Thing about Steve's summer hockey session.

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters

Steve interviews Stewart Mandel (00:32:04) from The Athletic to discuss the upcoming college football season. (NOTE: audio issues for the first 2 minutes and then it's resolved) Stewart summarizes some of the off-field news from the offseason like the evolving playoff expansion and the potential college football legislation from Washington. Stewart moves to the field and goes over the Pre-Season Top 25, updates the odds that snake Lincoln Riley being fired, and tells us who he thinks could win the Heisman Trophy.

Steve starts the show with First things First and discusses the Atlanta Braves extending their lead in the NL East to 9.5 games, Jimmy Traina leaving Sports Illustrated, and some notes from New Orleans Saints training camp. The show ends with One Last Thing about Steve's incredible weekend in Canton, Ohio.

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters

Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Stephen J. Nesbitt (00:34:53) from The Athletic to discuss the winners and losers of the Major League Baseball trade deadline. Nesbitt gives his take on a disappointing day for Atlanta Braves fans, the Dodgers landing Tarik Skubal, and the Padres being aggressive. Also, Nesbitt tells us who he thinks will make the playoffs in the American League this year, predicts there will be baseball in 2027, and gives us a state of the union on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Steve starts the show with First things First and discusses the Atlanta Braves disastrous decision to not add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Also, Italy finally have a director and a coach, the Saints have a big injury on day 1, and ESPN Jeopardy debuts on HULU. The show ends with One Last Thing about Steve's neighbors and their son turning 17.

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters

Email: [email protected]