The Bob McCown Podcast

Two Canadian broadcasting legends, CHRIS CUTHBERT and JIM HUGHSON join the podcast for a rare "Play-By-Play" edition of our friday roundtable talk. To start the show, Bob finds out who inspired the two game callers to pursue their careers. The gentlemen also discuss the nuances of calling a game and whether or not they are conscious of their respective "styles" in the booth. We find out what the two prefer when it comes to TV or radio and given the option, if they could call one sport for the rest of their career, which would it be, and why is it hockey? To wrap up, Jim, Chris, Bob and John wonder about the future of sports broadcasting as the pandemic has shown that you can do just as good of a job remotely as you can at the game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 time Olympian, 4 time Gold Medalist, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, and one of the greatest hockey players of all time - Just days away from becoming an official Doctor, HAYLEY WICKENHEISER joins the podcast to have a conversation with Bob and John. To begin the show, we learn about "This is Our Shot", a campaign to battle vaccine hesitancy and encourage Canadians to get inoculated, something Hayley has spearheaded from the start. Hayley shares her first hand experiences battling COVID-19, as she spreads awareness across Canada about the severity of the pandemic, and the importance of vaccination. The three also discuss Hayleys role on the International Olympic Committee, what it will take for Canada to attend the summer Olympics in Tokyo and her experience speaking up against the idea of Japan hosting the games. Finally, as a former member of the team, we get her opinion on the cancellation of this summers World Championships and the potential for a tournament in Calgary in August. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MLB broadcaster, JON MOROSI, is back on the podcast for some baseball talk with Bob and John. As he is known to do from time to time, Bob and Jon ask Morosi to put on his "hockey hat" to start the podcast as they look for his opinion on NHL and how they've been dealing with the recent Tom Wilson issue. Moving the discussion over to baseball, Jon compares the difference between player punishment and accountability in the NHL and MLB and why Major League Baseball has proven to be more successful in that department. The gentleman also chat about the inconsistencies in todays strike zone. As hitters continue to be at a disadvantage, is an automated strike zone the only answer? To wrap up the show, the three address Roberto Alomar and how not only did the Blue Jays handle the situation properly but so did Major League Baseball. Now why is he still in the HOF? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today needs no introduction, as most of the world already knows him as "The Great One".... WAYNE GRETZKY stops by to talk some hockey with Bob and John. To start the podcast the gentlemen pay their respects to Wayne's late father, and one of the hockey worlds most recognizable hockey dads - Walter Gretzky. Wayne looks back on some of his fondest memories with his father, how just about all of Southern Ontario has seen his basement and what he said to him on the drive over to his last game as an NHL'er. Wayne gives his perspective of the game and how it has changed during the pandemic, wishing he could have played in todays era of skill and speed. The Great One also tells us what advice he gave to a current Oilers super star. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh off of the Toronto Raptors win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Raptors play-by-play announcer, MATT DEVLIN, joins the podcast to talk basketball. The gentleman talk about the Lakers and how Matt seems to think they look a little disjointed. That leads them to discuss the loaded Western Conference... if not the Lakers who else has a shot to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy? The three also talk about the top teams in the Eastern Conference before diving into the issues surrounding Toronto Raptors, as they could potentially miss the play-offs for the first time in 8 seasons. Does Kyle Lowry stay? How close are the Raptors to being a top 3 team in the East again? Matt, Bob and John talk all about it on todays show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not too often listeners get Bob McCown and John Shannon all to themselves... today is that day. In a rare guest-less episode, Bob and John talk some hockey but more specifically, The Toronto Maple Leafs. The gents talk about their goalie situation and debate who they should start come playoff time : A hot Jack Campbell or a healthy Frederik Andersen? Bob wonders if Andersen could ever be good in the playoffs, and asks whether or not Toronto should even keep the Danish net minder once his contract is up. We end the show with raised voices and red faces as both John and Bob get into a spirited debate over some of the best Goalies to ever play - Should Grant Fuhr be in the Hall of Fame? Bob sure doesn't think so. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.