The Bob McCown Podcast

Sports Columnist for The National Post, SCOTT STINSON, and Radio play-by-play announcer, ERIC SMITH, join the podcast to talk everything Toronto Raptors with Bob and John. The four start the show debating whether or not the Raptors intentionally tanked to end the season, and if they did, should the NBA punish the Raptors? Or has the season in Tampa given them a free pass for the year. We then get into the future of this team, seeing the core group of talent they already have - how will they look next year? And finally, we look at Kyle Lowry and his contract. How much should Toronto be willing to spend to bring him back... if they intend to bring him back at all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays, Buck Martinez comes in to talk about the team as they inch closer to the 60 game mark of the season, and prepare to move to Buffalo. The three talk about the Jays pitching problems, and whether they need to start looking outside of the organization to balance their rotation. A lot of time is spent on the teams young core of players, with Buck stressing patience when it comes to dealing with inexperienced players. The Gentleman also address the Blue Jays injury issues, have the new facilities in Dunedin been working? an who he is most excited about on this Jays roster. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Owner of the Ottawa Senators, and friend of the podcast, EUGENE MELNYK, hops on the show to have a conversation with Bob and John. After a tough season with a young core of players, Eugene shares his optimism about the teams future - believing that the Stanley Cup Playoffs are well within sight for next season. The owner also gives us an inside look at his teams re-build strategy, stressing patience, discipline & attention are the keys to building a successful hockey team. The three spend some time discussing the future of some of the teams young studs, and what Eugene is looking for in the next captain of the Ottawa Senators. To end the show - Bob, John & Eugene get into a lengthy conversation over the Senators plans for a new arena... and where exactly that might be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BO LEVI MITCHELL, QB for the Calgary Stampeders, joins the podcast to update Bob and John on the Canadian Football League, the only North American pro Sports league that has yet to return to play since the beginning of the global pandemic. It may be an unpopular opinion, but Bo believes the recent talks between the XFL and the CFL would actually be good for the growth of the game up North as the three brainstorm ways to keep the oldest professional football league in the world relevant. The gentleman talk about Bo's NFL dreams, his affinity to Canada, making Calgary his home, his new podcast "Benny and Bo" and how much of the Canadian game he knew about growing up in Texas... and it wasn't a lot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With another season in the books, Head Coach of the Dallas Stars, RICK BOWNESS joins the podcast to talk about his time in the NHL as a player, assistant and head coach, his coaching style and his experience coaching hockey during the pandemic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEVIN PAUL DUPONT of the Boston Globe and MIKE ZEISBERGER from NHL.com join the podcast today to preview the 2021 NHL Playoffs. On todays roundtable, the gentlemen cover the entirety of the NHL playoff matchups as the season comes to an end. The four cover it all, from post season favourites to potential playoff surprises, we go through each first round matchup as the group gives their opinion on the must watch games across the league and who we should keep an eye on in the race for the Stanley Cup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No guest on today's episode, leaving Bob and John to chat amongst themselves about the NHL and their coaching carousel. The two discuss the recent departures around the league and speculate as to where John Tortorella, Rick Tocchet and David Quinn could go next - Is a Torts/Rangers reunion likely? Bob and John also wonder what's taking the Carolina Hurricanes so long to re-sign Rod Brind'Amour - with Seattle looking for their first coach in franchise history, John thinks their target could be Rod the Bod. Also on the show, we talk about how Bruce Boudreau could make a great fit in Arizona, what coach is next on the chopping block and whether it is even fair to judge a coaches performance during the pandemic season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former baseball columnist for the Toronto Sun, BOB ELLIOTT and Canadian broadcast great, DAVE HODGE join Bob and John to talk Major League Baseball, and the Toronto Blue Jays. The gentleman begin the show discussing the problem both the NHL and MLB are going to face with their Canadian teams come playoff time. Will the Leafs and Blue Jays have to play in Buffalo when the time comes? or is hosting games in Toronto a realistic option - the four look into it. The gentleman also talk about the uptick in soft tissue injuries around the league to start the season, the injury problems in Toronto and the importance of having patience with young pitchers. To end the show, the four talk about Vladdy G's recent performance, Cavan Biggio and look for the Blue Jays answer to their 3rd base problems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DOUG SMITH, from the Toronto Star, joins the podcast today to talk about the Toronto Raptors one day after they have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. The three discuss whether or not the Raptors tanked on purpose to close out the season, and if Toronto should make a competitive offer to keep Kyle Lowry this offseason. Bob, John and Doug also debate on who they think the greatest Raptors of all time is, comparing the impact Vince Carter had on the game in Toronto opposed to Kyle Lowry. To end the show, the three address the teams needs this offseason and who Doug thinks will make the biggest leap in development for next season See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sportsnet baseball columnist, SHI DAVIDI, joins the podcast to talk about what's been going on with the Toronto Blue Jays. The three start the show by addressing Nate Pearson's shaky season debut - Should we be concerned? The conversations moves from Pearson to Alek Manoah, and whether or not he's ready for the jump to big leagues as the Jays bullpen situation gets more and more dire. Pitching problems aside - Bob, John and Shi discuss the best options for George Springer and agree that maybe keeping him as a DH for the rest of the season would be best for his health and the team. To end the show, we discuss they Blue Jays 3rd base problems, Randal Grichuck and what kind of potential Cavan Biggio brings to the table. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.