The Bob McCown Podcast

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.