In this episode, Keith Moreland (Zonk) and Greg Swindell (Zeke) welcome college baseball expert Mike Rooney to discuss the evolving landscape of college baseball, including the impact of NIL, the transfer portal, and coaching changes. They explore the transition of coaches from college to major leagues, the challenges faced by programs like Florida, and the future of West Coast baseball. The conversation also highlights the excitement surrounding alumni games and the dominance of the SEC in college baseball. Rooney shares insights on player loyalty and the implications of recent changes in college baseball dynamics, culminating in a discussion about standout performances like Gage Wood's in Omaha.

Follow Mike on X at Mike_Rooney or on Instagram at
@coachrooney6605

00:00 Introduction to College Baseball Experts
00:55 Mike Rooney's Off-Season Life
02:19 Transition from College to Major League Baseball
03:53 The Changing Landscape of College Baseball
08:54 Mississippi State's Alumni Game
12:01 The Future of West Coast Baseball
19:25 NIL and the Transfer Portal in College Baseball
28:20 The Changing Landscape of Hiring in Sports
30:02 Building Team Chemistry in a Transient Environment
32:04 Reflections on College Baseball Coaching
35:22 Contrasting Coaching Styles: Murphy and Counsell
37:45 The SEC's Dominance in College Baseball
41:17 Emerging Teams to Watch in College Baseball
42:34 Memorable Performances in College Baseball History

In this episode of 'Zeke and Zonk: Inside the Game,' hosts Keith Moreland (Zonk) and Greg Swindell (Zeke) bring on special guest Curt Schilling, a former MLB pitcher known for his exceptional career and competitive spirit. The trio discusses Schilling's experiences, including his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies, the importance of fastball command, and memorable moments from his career. They also touch on the human elements of baseball, such as the evolution of umpiring and the impact of preparation and mentality on the game. Additionally, Schilling shares personal insights into his charitable work with ALS and his life managing an animal rescue farm. The episode concludes with reflections on the Dodgers' successive World Series wins and updates on Longhorn football.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

00:53 Catching Up with Kurt Schilling

02:02 Fantasy Camp Stories and Umpire Tales

05:05 Pitching Strategies and Umpire Relations

09:20 The Art of Pitching and Preparation

17:19 The Impact of Teammates and Competition

23:35 Career Turning Points and Fastball Command

29:41 Pre-Pitch Thoughts and Veteran Insights

31:07 Philly Fans and Baseball Culture

32:33 Boston vs. New York Rivalry

35:14 World Series Memories and Reflections

44:09 ALS Advocacy and Personal Impact

45:33 Animal Rescue and Life After Baseball

46:37 Coaching Aspirations and Baseball Philosophy

49:00 Challenges in Modern Baseball

54:54 Get Out of Town Moment and Longhorn Football

In this episode of Zeke and Zonk, hosts Greg Swindell and Keith Moreland welcome former MLB pitcher and broadcaster Rick Sutcliffe. The conversation covers Sutcliffe's journey from player to broadcaster, memorable moments in baseball, the transformation of the Chicago Cubs, and personal reflections on relationships within the sport. They also discuss the impact of family, particularly grandchildren, on Sutcliffe's life and career. The episode concludes with insights on Texas football and humorous anecdotes from Sutcliffe's experiences in the game.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Zeke and Zonk Podcast
02:58 Rick Sutcliffe's Broadcasting Journey
06:09 Memorable Moments in Baseball
09:03 Friendships and Anecdotes in Sports
12:13 Transitioning from Cleveland to Chicago
15:15 Reflections on Major League Baseball
21:11 From Player to Coach: A Journey Begins
22:36 Broadcasting Breakthrough: The Start of a New Career
24:00 Roommates and Road Trips: Bonds in Baseball
25:49 The Cubs Transformation: A Miracle Year in 1984
28:38 The Sandberg Game: A Turning Point for the Cubs
32:24 Celebrating Success: The Cubs' Playoff Journey
34:44 Reflections on Legacy: Family and Future Goals
39:40 Weekend Highlights and Future Plans
39:46 Memorable Player Relationships
43:26 Humorous Stories from the Field
46:36 World Series Game Insights
52:27 Texas Football Comeback Discussion

Takeaways

• Rick Sutcliffe emphasizes the importance of authenticity in broadcasting.
• He shares valuable advice from Don Drysdale about appreciating the game.
• Sutcliffe reflects on the camaraderie and friendships formed in baseball.
• The transformation of the Cubs in the 1980s was pivotal for the franchise.
• Sutcliffe's broadcasting career was influenced by his playing experiences.
• He highlights the significance of family, especially his grandchildren.
• The impact of personal relationships in sports is profound and lasting.
• Sutcliffe recalls humorous and memorable moments from his playing days.
• The importance of teamwork and dynamics in achieving success is discussed.
• Insights into Texas football and the current sports landscape are shared.

In this episode of Inside the Game, Zeke and Zonk sit down with radio and television personality Bobby Bones for a candid conversation about fandom, persistence, and the emotional power of sports.

Bobby shares his 20-year pursuit to interview icons like David Letterman, Sting, and Mark Grace, and opens up about how his stepdad’s love for the Chicago Cubs shaped his own lifelong connection to the team. The trio dive deep into what it means to be a fan — the nostalgia, heartbreak, and sense of identity that sports bring out in all of us.

From chasing dream interviews to reflecting on what makes fandom so personal, this conversation reveals the cultural heartbeat behind the game itself.

Key Takeaways:

• Bobby’s 20-year list of dream interviews includes David Letterman, Sting, and Mark Grace
• How the Chicago Cubs became a family bond and lifelong passion
• The emotional and nostalgic pull of sports fandom
• What it’s like to write about your heroes — and wait for their call back
• Why sports can be both brutal and rewarding for the fans who love them most

🎧 Tune in for stories, laughs, and real talk from Inside the Game with Zeke & Zonk and special guest Bobby Bones.

In this episode of the Zeke and Zonk Inside the Game podcast, hosts Greg Swindell and Keith Moreland welcome legendary pitcher Roger Clemens. The conversation covers a range of topics including World Series experiences, the transition from college to professional baseball, pitching techniques, and the importance of injury prevention. Clemens shares personal anecdotes from his career, insights on the current state of baseball, and reflections on mentoring younger players. The episode provides a deep dive into the life and career of one of baseball's greatest pitchers, along with valuable lessons for aspiring athletes. In this engaging conversation, Roger Clemens, Greg Swindell, and Keith Moreland delve into various themes, including the competitive spirit in sports, philanthropy through Roger's foundation, and memorable moments with friends like Toby Keith. They also analyze the Texas Longhorns' football performance and discuss the resurgence of the split finger pitch in baseball, culminating in Roger's recent experience pitching for the Savannah Bananas.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Studio Z: Introduction to the Podcast
00:57 World Series Memories and Insights
03:03 Roger Clemens: Early Career and First Start
08:51 Transitioning from College to Professional Baseball
11:59 Pitching Techniques and Strategies
15:50 Injury Prevention and Training Insights
20:00 Reflections on the Game and Future Generations
22:52 The Competitive Spirit in Sports
24:42 Giving Back: Roger's Foundation and Philanthropy
26:37 Remembering Toby Keith: A Tribute to Friendship
29:50 Texas Football: Analyzing the Longhorns' Performance
32:58 The Resurgence of the Split Finger Pitch
40:14 Roger's Comeback: Pitching for the Savannah Bananas

In this episode of Zeke & Zonk's Inside the Game podcast, hosts Greg Swindell and Keith Moreland dive into the world of sports, focusing on Major League Baseball playoffs and the Texas vs. Oklahoma football rivalry. They discuss the dynamics of playoff baseball, the importance of pitching, and the strategies that come into play during high-stakes games. The conversation also touches on the expansion of playoffs in MLB, the significance of team chemistry, and the excitement surrounding college football. With insights from their own experiences, the hosts provide a comprehensive look at the current sports landscape.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Zeke & Zonk Podcast
01:28 Playoff Baseball Dynamics
06:32 Pitching Strategies in the Playoffs
10:02 Base Running and Game Management
14:48 Changes in the Game: Umpiring and Hitting
16:02 Expansion of Playoffs and Its Impact
17:22 Texas vs. Oklahoma: A Rivalry Renewed
28:05 Major League Playoff Predictions