The Bob McCown Podcast

EP 233 - JIM HUGHSON on his retirement from broadcasting.

Just a few days after the legendary broadcaster announced his retirement from the game, Bob and John have JIM HUGHSON on to look back at his hall of fame worthy career and figure out what he is up to next.

The three chat about what got Jim into broadcasting in the first place, his time working with John Shannon and other fond memories after years in the business on todays episode.

 

EP 232 - RICHARD ZOKOL & IAN LEGGATT previewing the Ryder Cup.

Today, we bring on our resident Golf experts, RICHARD ZOKOL & IAN LEGGATT on the show to let us know what we should expect as we get set to watch the Ryder Cup.

The four wonder if this Europe vs. USA style tournament is the only true rivalry in the sport, and as a Canadian... who do you root for?

The foursome break down the differences between match and stroke play and how the different game style changes a golfers approach to the tournament. 

To end the show we discuss the Bryson DeChambeau vs Brooks Koepka drama... and if there even is any as well as what to look for in a captain for the Ryder Cup.

EP 231 - PAT LEONARD on the start of the NFL season, Deshaun Watson, and the New York Giants.

NFL Giants beat writer/columnist for the New York Daily News, PAT LEONARD joins the show for a long overdue chat about the NFL.

We talk about Aaron Rogers and his performance last night, get into the future of Deshaun Watson's football career and have a discussion about the NFL's overall ignorance towards players' issues off the field.

We also talk about the Giants who surprisingly aren't the worst football team in New York City, Peyton Manning's show on ESPN and a little bit of Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals in a rare NFL themed episode.

EP 230 - ZACH HYMAN on leaving Toronto, joining the Edmonton Oilers and how he spent his offseason.

Former Maple Leaf forward and Current Oiler, ZACH HYMAN, joins the show to chat with Bob and John.

Before we get into some NHL talk, Bob asks Zach about his time at Michigan, playing for the Wolverines. We get to hear why Zach thinks his 4 years at college is a big reason for his success as a pro.

The three talk about his move from Toronto to Edmonton, the similarities between the two markets as well as their two franchise players and what Zach has done already to get to know his new teammates. 

To end the show, we dig a little bit into what Zach's next book could be and if we should expect anymore children's books from the NHL'er in the near future.

From The Vault - EP 57 - PAUL BEESTON joins to talk a possible new stadium for the Blue Jays and the legacy of the Skydome.

With the Toronto Blue Jays playing so well, we thought we may as well bring out one of our favourite Jays related episodes with PAUL BEESTON.

This episode was originally posted on December 1st, 2020.

"EPISODE 57 - PAUL BEESTON, President Emeritus of the Toronto Blue Jays, joins to talk about the legacy of the SkyDome-Rogers Centre. Also, what benefits would a new stadium bring? Where should it go? And what are the reasons behind building a new stadium for the Blue Jays?"

EP 229 - SHI DAVIDI on the Toronto Blue Jays, their expiring contracts and & expensive future.

SHI DAVIDI returns to talk some Blue Jays with Bob and John.

The three quickly talk about why they think the Jays have been playing so well lately and how much actually being in Toronto has benefitted the young team.

John, Bob & Shi then move on to some of the expiring contracts the front office will be faced with this off-season. The three speculate on how much both Marcus Semien & Robbie Ray will get on the market this year and what Toronto's best plan of attack is - Sign them both, keep one or let them both walk?

Will either of them even want to stay?

We also get into the inevitable problem that will be paying all of these young stars. How much will their budget be, and when the time comes, can the Toronto Blue Jays afford to keep this core together? 

EP 228 -GLEN GRUNWALD on developing the National Basketball Program, Team Canada and the bright future for Canada Basketball.

Former GM of the Toronto Raptors & New York Knicks, Athletic Director of McMaster University and the recently retired President & CEO of Canada Basketball - GLEN GRUNWALD - joins the podcast days after announcing his retirement.

We have a lengthy conversation about all things Canada Basketball.

Glen voices his disappointment in both the men's and women's results this summer but gives us many reasons to look forward to the future of the sport in Canada.

We talk about the inability to get our top Canadians to commit to the national program and what we are doing to make it more enticing for them to play.

Glen shares some of the plans put in place to ensure success on all levels internationally and gives us some hints as to what he has planned moving forward.

EP 227 - MICHAEL DOWNEY on the rising stars in Canadian Tennis.

President and CEO of Tennis Canada - MICHAEL DOWNEY - joins the show for a very informative Wednesday episode. 

The three ponder the question, with so much recent success, is this the golden age of Canadian Tennis?

Michael tells us everything we need to know about what Tennis Canada has done over his time to cultivate the next generation of professional Tennis players in the country.

We talk about the National Tennis Centre located in Montreal and what the program has meant for the success of our high performing athletes on the ATP right now.

We find out about the different approaches they have taken to find and develop success, what they plan on doing going forward and discuss the success we have already seen from our young stars today.

EP 226 - RON FRANCIS on building the Seattle Kraken.

Today, Bob and John are joined by none other than RON FRANCIS, General Manager of the NHL's newest team - the Seattle Kraken.

The three have a long chat about the conception of the franchise - from when they brought Ron in until now - How much was he involved in the branding of the team?

We talk about Ron's admiration of Seattle as a city, how the team has managed to re-locate their players and staff members to Washington & gives his opinion on whether or not Seattle is a "hockey city".

Ron also gives us some insight on what the organizations plans were when it came to the expansion draft, how much they learned from the Vegas Golden Knights,  what we should expect from his club this year and much more in episode 226 of The Bob McCown Podcast.

EP 225 - PASCAL SIAKAM on his injury, trade rumours, Kyle Lowry & what to expect from the Raptors this year.

PASCAL SIAKAM joins Bob and John today, making his first appearance on the podcast.

We find out about the status of Pascal's injury, where he is at in his rehab and if he expects to be on the court in time for their season opener. 

Bob and John ask about the trade rumours that involved Pascal all summer -How much communication was there between Siakam and the organization and was there ever a point where he actually believed them? 

To end the show, we talk about the impact Kyle Lowry has made on him as a leader and what the team will have to do now that he is gone. Who is going to fill that role?

Pascal also discusses some of the struggles the team faced last season and shares his excitement to return home to Toronto after spending so much time away.

EP 224 - Head Coach of The Vancouver Canucks, TRAVIS GREEN, on the upcoming NHL season.

Weeks before NHL training camp is set to begin, Bob and John talk to TRAVIS GREEN, head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, on what we should expect from his team this year. 

We talk to Travis about some of the new pieces on his team from the players to the coaches. We also discuss some of the key players who have yet to sign with the club, how much he plays a part in bringing them back and whether they will be signed in time for the beginning of camp.

Before he goes, we also talk about the pressure it takes to play in a Canadian market and his childhood in British Colombia.

EP 223 - KYLE DUBAS on the Toronto Maple Leafs, their playoff Struggles and what to expect from them this season.

General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, KYLE DUBAS, stops by to check in with the boys on todays episode.

We get to hear about what the GM has been up to this offseason, his opinion on the teams playoff performance last season and their overall post season struggles over the last 5 years - how much longer can this keep happening before big changes are made?

We also pick his brain about their captains health and whether or not we will see John Tavares in the lineup to start the year, Morgan Rielly's contract situation and how confident he is in his goaltending.

 

EP 222 - BUCK MARTINEZ on the Toronto Blue Jays and their playoff push and the Hall of Fame Inductees.

The voice of the Toronto Blue Jays, and friend of the show - BUCK MARTINEZ - joins Bob and John on todays episode.

The three talk about the Blue Jays hot play as of late and why they wouldn't be a team to sleep on if they make the playoffs. 

the three also put on their baseball historian caps for the ladder half of the show as we discuss MLB pre and post salary cap, the old Kansas City Royals, the recent Hall of Fame inductees and Marvin Miller.

EP 221 - NICK NURSE on Canada Basketball, Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors.

The Head Coach of the Toronto Raptors, NICK NURSE, stops by to chat with Bob and John.

The three talk about the future of Canada basketball, after Nick re-upped to be head coach through 2024. We find out about his approach heading into the next three years and whether or not we will see consistent commitment from some of the countries top players.

The gentlemen also talk about Scottie Barnes, the Raptors 4th overall pick in the draft this year and what made Toronto decide on him of Jalen Suggs. We talk Siakam, Lowry and much more with the coach on todays episode of the podcast.

EP 220 - The FedExCup, Canadian Men‘s Soccer, the US open & the Toronto Blue Jays.

Bob and John are back from their vacations and ready to get the ball rolling once again.

The two kick off their return with a solo episode and go over the latest news in sports from this weekend.

The two begin the show with some Gold discussion after Patrick Cantlay took home a 15 Million dollar payout.

We also talk about Alphonso Davies and the Mens national Soccer team - Does Canada stand a chance to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar?

To wrap up, the gentlemen talk about the success our Canadians have had at this years US Open as well as the rolling Blue Jays who seem to be playing meaningful baseball this late in the year after all.