The Bob McCown Podcast

EP 133 - ROB LONGLEY & DAVE PERKINS on The Toronto Blue Jays.

ROB LONGLEY from the Toronto Sun and DAVE PERKINS of the Toronto Star are back on the podcast to chat some MLB but more specifically, The Toronto Blue Jays and their recent health issues:

Do the Jays put too much emphasis on high performance training?

The gents also talk about George Springer's long awaited debut as a Blue Jay and the lack of offence generated by the teams top players.

As always, Bob brings up the never ending pitching issue that is plaguing Major League baseball, and the foursome throw out some ideas to help change it. 

To end the podcast - as Major League Baseball is starting to lose generations of fans - Bob, John, Dave and Rob discuss how the league can fix baseball before it becomes another "niche" sport.

EP 132 - GREG COSELL previews the 2021 NFL Draft.

With the NFL draft only a day away, Executive Producer and Analyst for "NFL Matchup on ESPN" Greg Cosell joins the podcast to talk some football.

The three discuss various aspects of the draft, from which position is toughest to evaluate to why they think running backs are getting taken lower and lower each year.

Greg shares his opinion on who he thinks the most talented football player in the draft is, and why he won't get picked 1st overall.

The gentleman also spend some time on the Quarterback position, how much age plays a factor plays a factor for them and the potential of having 3 consecutive QB's picked to start the night.

 

EP 131 - TOM DUNDON on changing the culture of the Carolina Hurricanes

Majority Owner of the Carolina Hurricanes, TOM DUNDON stops by to talk about his team but first the gentleman discuss another one of his business ventures - Top Golf. 

Then it's all hockey talk, as Bob and John ask about the owners plans with their current head coach, Rod Brind'Amour, and his expiring contract. Will he be back? Or will the canes have a different boss behind the bench next season?

Dundon stresses the importance of finding a balance between Analytics and the age old "Eye test" when it comes to building an NHL team, and talks about some of the surprises he's faced as a team owner.

To wrap up, Tom shares his strategy for building the game in North Carolina - focusing more on the entertainment value in a non traditional hockey market like Raleigh, leading us to the origin of their famous "Storm Surge" celebration.

EP 130 - NHL ROUNDTABLE W/ ARTHUR STAPLE & ADRIAN DATER : Playoff Preview

ADRIAN DATER, writer for the Colorado Avalanche, and Islanders columnist for The Athletic, ARTHUR STAPLE join us to talk about their respective teams and all of the other playoff teams that us Canadians haven't seen much of this year.

 

Th gentlemen break down what it will take for both the Islanders and the Avalanche to take the next step in the playoffs, as well as debate whats more important come playoff time - Stanley cup experience? or team chemistry.

 

The gents wrap the show up with some goalie talk, who's the top net-minder in the league, and are they being pampered just a little too much?

EP 129 - JAYSON STARK, are the Blue Jays turning into a baseball behemoth?

Baseball columnist for The Athletic, JAYSON STARK, joins the podcast to discuss his recent article "Can The Blue Jays Be Baseball's Next Behemoth?" with Bob and John.

Jayson has spent some time in Dunedin, and believes that the Toronto Blue Jays are building something unique with their club, as he tells the gentleman that the Jays have an upside unlike any other team in Major League Baseball.

The three talk about the teams nucleus and how difficult it will be for them to keep around.. but Jayson believes it wont be as hard as Jays fans think.

As always, Bob complains about the evolution of Baseball but this time he is met with a pretty good solution from Jayson Stark. 

 

EP 128 - DAVID BRANCH, commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League talks about the state of the OHL.

Former commissioner of the CHL and current commissioner of the OHL, DAVID BRANCH joins the podcast to talk about the Ontario Hockey League as it heads into the second straight year of no hockey.

Fresh off of the announcement that the league won't be playing again this year, Branch talks about their proposed bubble plan for the league and why it didn't happen.

We discuss the implications this shutdown will have on the leagues players, eligibility for next year and a potential "Top Prospects" event that could be played later on in the summer.

David is here to make sure we know that he and the OHL are doing everything they can to make sure it's players receive the proper exposure in order to further their playing career while staying healthy at the same time.

EP 127 - JAMES SHARMAN tells us everything we need to know about the failed European Super League

Soccer AND meat pie expert, JAMES SHARMAN, joins the podcast to tell us everything he knows about this failed Super League idea that has taken over the footy world. 

James talks about where the idea came from, the fan reaction, the influence American ownership had, and UEFA's swift response to the plan.

We end the podcast by talking about the progression of the sport in North America and we learn about James' newest venture - Meat Pies.

EP 126 - PIERRE MCGUIRE on the best players in the NHL, Sidney Crosby and does playoff experience matter?

NBC hockey insider, PIERRE MCGUIRE joins the podcast to let Bob and John know why Sidney Crosby is the most disrespected superstar in the NHL.

That leads the gentleman to discuss the top talents in the league, and who is at the top of Pierre's list when it comes to the greatest hockey player playing in the NHL today.

The three also chat about how the size of goaltenders equipment has gotten out of hand, the shelf life of an NHL coach today and Pierre informs us as to why thinks having playoff experience isn't going to make or break your post season performance. 

EP 125 - NICK FOLIGNO, the newest member of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Former Columbus Blue Jackets Captain, NICK FOLIGNO joins Bob and John while he is in quarantine. 

The three talk about what it was like for Nick to be traded as the leader of a franchise, the high expectations set in Toronto and how he can help the team in the playoffs. 

Nick also gives us a little insight on who John Tortorella is as a person and a coach, and what role he expects to have as a Maple Leaf as he makes the transition to the North Division.

We also find out if Nick has "re-kindled the flame" with his former teammate in Ottawa, Jason Spezza, and who he is most excited to play with in Toronto. 

 

EP 124 - FRIDAY ROUNDTABLE W/ ROD BLACK & ERIC SMITH on the Toronto Raptors

ROD BLACK, from TSN, and Sportnet's ERIC SMITH come in to discuss whether the Toronto Raptors have had a fair shake this season... spoiler alert, they have not.

The roundtable discussion leads the gentleman to debate the skill level of Toronto's "Big Three" of the future, and whether or not we'll see Kyle Lowry in a Raptors uniform next year. 

The foursome also talk about Pascal Siakam’s ceiling, Masai Ujiri’s future with the team and are the Raptors tanking or competing?

 

EP 123 - KEN DAVIDOFF on the Yankees slow start, the emerging Mets and The Toronto Blue Jays

KEN DAVIDOFF, baseball columnist for the New York Post, jumps in to talk Major League Baseball with Bob and John.

We talk about the Yankee's slow start, their pitching and whether or not he has any concerns, the Toronto Blue Jays and the emerging New York Mets. 

The three also discuss whether they want more or less inter-league play, and naturally, Bob finds out what side Ken is on when it comes to "The evolution of pitching."

EP 122 - JOHN OURAND on how the Pandemic is changing Sorts Media, The declining Masters ratings and the new NHL and NFL TV deals.

From The Sports Business Journal, JOHN OURAND, joins the podcast to talk about why the viewership for the Masters was so low this year. 

Bob and John also pick their guests brain on the ever changing outlook of sports media and how the Pandemic has forced it to change... and is it changed forever?

Mr.Ourand gives us some insight on the new NHL and NFL TV deals and his opening on what direction sports gambling will take us in.

Finally, whats going on with the MLB's antitrust exemption?

EP 121 - MIKE ZEISBERGER & MIKE HARRINGTON recap the NHL Trade Deadline

Sabres columnist, MIKE HARRINGTON, and NHL.com writer MIKE ZEISBERGER join Bob and John following the NHL Trade deadline. 

The four chat about who won and who lost as they go in depth on all the moves the Canadian teams made. 

They wonder if "Dealin' Dubas" made too many tweaks this year considering where they are in the standings and look at teams who should have been more active

And finally, with both players being moved, the gentleman ask the question; Would you rather have Taylor Hall, or Anthony Mantha? 

EP 120 - ALLEN ABEL on the politics of sports reporting, and the difference between reporting on sports and politics

Award winning journalist, ALLEN ABEL, joins the show once again to chat with Bob and John.

Not short for stories, Abel remembers when he was a beat reporter for the Toronto Blue Jays and Maple Leafs, the greatest athletes he's ever seen and the difference between the ABA and the NBA. 

Abel also shares why he was respected as a sports reporter in Toronto, as he remembers interactions he had with some of the star players and finally, he lets us know the difference between reporting on sports and politics. 

EP 119 - FRIDAY ROUNDTABLE W/ DARREN PANG AND GREG MILLEN on The NHL Trade Deadline and Expansion Draft

Two former "targets" as Bob calls them, DARREN PANG & GREG MILLEN join the podcast to go over the NHL trade deadline as it fast approaches.

The two former goalies and now broadcasters give their take as to why so many goalies transition to broadcasting after their playing days are over, and remember their first audition tape they sent to our very own John Shannon.

The roundtable discusses whether or not the Canadian media over-dose it's coverage on the deadline, and how this years expansion draft will be considerably different for Seattle than it was for Vegas.