The Bob McCown Podcast

A familiar face to Blue Jays fans everywhere, JOHN GIBBONS, joins Bob and John on the podcast to discuss some of Bob's favourite topics surrounding Major League Baseball. We learn about John's role with the Braves, the players John is scouting and who is easier to evaluate, Pitchers or position players? As today's show is about baseball, it is only natural that the gentleman spend some time on the pitching problem that is plaguing the league. Does the former manager think it's as much of a problem as the other two do? If so, how do we change it. Also in the show, the three cover the analytic side of the game, cheating, player management and is Mike Trout still the best in the game? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sportsnet's SHI DAVIDI hops on the podcast today to discuss the Blue Jays and some of Major League Baseball's glaring issues surrounding their starting Pitchers. With an increase in injured pitchers, not only on the Blue Jays, but across MLB the gentleman wonder if the way Pitchers - especially the starters - are being trained is the issue. With pitchers throwing less balls and player less inners than ever before, why do they keep getting hurt? is the commitment to velocity ruining the sport? The three also discuss the overuse of analytics and how the "Win every matchup" mentality using statistics can actually have a negative effect on a teams future. To end the show the three shift their talk to the Blue Jays, their future and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s potential to be a star. They also question Nate Pearson's future with the club - is it too early to say he's a bust? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

STEVE SIMMONS, columnist for the Toronto Sun & BRUCE ARTHER from the Toronto star join the podcast for an Olympic themed roundtable talk with Bob and John. Despite losing thousands of volunteers, vaccination complications and the fact that there is still a global pandemic - The Tokyo Olympics are still scheduled to begin in just over a month... today the gentleman discuss if this is still a good idea... or ever was. With all four having worked countless Olympic events over the years we discuss how different the games will look this year due to the virus and the complications that comes with it. Many questions remain unanswered with threats of potential outbreaks and lack of a vaccination rollout plan - are we setting up for failure? To end the show, the gentleman discuss the IOC's bidding process over the years, noting the games negative economic effect for the majority of host countries has deterred many from even wanting to host the games. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NHL Agent, ALLAN WALSH, joins the podcast to give Bob and John a better idea of what the Player Safety hearing process is like. The three discuss the steps the league takes as well as the player when a hearing is set up and what the process looks like on a day to day basis. We also talk about the NHL's inconsistency when it comes to dishing out punishments for the players with the belief that the only way the NHL can measure intent is with strict liability. Analytics is also brought up as Allan doesn't discredit the practice but believes it is relied on too heavily in all sports, not just hockey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian IndyCar racer, JAMES HINCHCLIFFE joins Bob and John to talk about his return to Andretti Autosport and his upcoming races. James also gives us an idea of what the training process of a racer is like as well the difference between various engine manufacturers. We also discuss how his mindset changed after his injury and what it feels like to drive in a car made to hit speeds upwards of 200MPH. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Hockey's living legends, Hall of Fame Inductee and Scout for the Seattle Kraken, CAMMI GRANATO, joins the podcast with her husband, RAY FERRARO, in the couples first appearance together on a podcast. We learn about what life is like balancing the busy life of being a hockey broadcaster AND raising a family... and then multiply it by two. Not only do we get an inside look at the careers of both Ray and Cammi, the couple gives us some behind the scenes stories about their time between the benches calling games and their interactions with the players. As Cammi transitions into a scout for the Seattle Kraken, we learn how she watches the game differently in preparation for her new role. And to end the show, with Cammi being one of the greatest American Hockey players of all time... and Ray being Canadian... Bob and John find out what side of the border the Granato/Ferraro household cheers for on the ice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 years and a day since being hired by the Montreal Canadiens, SCOTTY BOWMAN joins the show to talk some hockey and to look back on his legendary career. Bob and John let Scotty do most of the talking as we take a look back at where the most winningest coach in NHL history started his coaching career. From St.Louis to Montreal to Buffalo the gentlemen get Scotty's opinion on what role he prefers to play with his teams - Coaching or Managing as he has done them both and more often than not at the same time. We also talk about some of the great Canadiens as Bob couldn't resist asking Bowman to rank his top 5 players and goalies to ever wear the red white and blue. As the show ends, we discuss who the favourite in this years playoffs is and what a championship calibre team needs to have when you make a deep playoff run. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now in his second stint as President of Hockey Operations for the Columbus Blue Jackets, JOHN DAVIDSON, joins the podcast to talk to Bob and John about his recent departure from the Rangers, the coach hiring process and the future of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Davidson shares his opinion on John Tortorella, and what not only he looks for in a coach in todays NHL but what the players want out of their bench boss as well. We learn about the many offers the executive had, just days after leaving the Rangers and why he decided to go back to the Blue Jackets - further more, Bob and John pry into the Seth Jones contract negotiations and if we'll see him back in Columbus next year. And finally, to end the show the three discuss a little bit of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as they are right now and who has the best shot to win it all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BOB RYAN, columnist for the Boston Globe, makes his return to the podcast to discuss Boston sports, the Celtics recent front office decisions, and the rest of the NBA. With Brad Stevens replacing Danny Ainge as President of Basketball Operations in Boston, the three take a look back at Ainge's tenure with the Celtics. Is 1 title considered a success over the 18 years Ainge ran the team, and what was the reasoning to have Stevens as a replacement? Now, with no one behind the bench, who would be best suited to coach a team like the Boston Celtics? The gentlemen also talk about the NBA playoffs and speculate whether the Kawhi Leonard experience in LA is coming to an end... is there a chance that fans can see Leonard back in a Raptors uniform? And to end the show, we discuss Major League Baseball, the Red Sox and when will we get a second team in Canada?! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just Bob and John today - much to Bob's dismay -as scheduling conflicts left the two to talk about a variety of topics amongst themselves. The gentlemen discuss the Canadian governments decision to allow NHL teams to cross the boarder once the 3rd round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin. Conversation moves to the Montreal Canadians and how their injury riddled season may have benefitted them in the long run as it is becoming clear that everyone has underestimated this team. From the underrated to the overrated - Bob and John also talk about Kyle Dubas and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who deserves the most blame for this season and what changes should be made next year. To wrap up, we talk about the Golden Knights and their likelihood of pulling off an upset against the Avs and fit in some Blue Jays talk before we go. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.