7-27-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this program by expression his excitement over what the next four days will bring with the MLB trade deadline approaching. He then jumps into discussion on why we as fans talk about everything else other than winning and losing when it comes to our favorite sports teams. Why does there always have to be a reason? Sometimes wins and losses are separated by the narrowest of margins. John questions why we do not see wins and losses being as powerful as they are. Sometimes it distorts is in believing a team is better or worse than we thought, but the record is still what it is. John then talks about Star quarterbacks in the National Football League and how the worst things teams do is try to develop a successor to the star QB while the star QB is still there. It creates resentment and the star QB wants to dictate how long they will be there. John talks about some dynamics with Aaron Rodgers, Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Tom Brady, and others and why it is not a good football move to have a star QB’s successor on the same roster as the star QB. John suggests the one way a team should move on from their star QB. Finally, he makes it clear that there is no way one could tell if the selection of Jordan Love with their first round choice two years back was a good or bad one. We will know once he plays.

Passed Ball Show

Passed Ball Show #564 (7/27/2021)

7-8-2021 Passed Ball Show. John jumps right into his take on the excerpts of Scottie Pippen’s book “Unguarded.” John thinks Pippen comes up bitter and expresses his disappointment over a player he referred to as a “hero.” As the most underrated all time great in the history of the sport, it seems as if he uses the book to air dirty laundry about Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan. It is extremely unlikely that race was the reason that Toni Kukoc got the shot with 0.8 seconds against the Pacers. John then takes baseball to task for moving the All Star Game away from Atlanta. What a horrible way to disrespect Hank Aaron in the heels of his passing of last year! Chris Paul, similar to Pippen, is one of the most underrated all time greats. John talks about the path of a player that has won a ton of games and is now closing in on a championship. Finally, listen to John’s take on MLB teams as “independent contractors” and how the should not concede to the media’s categorizing them as either “buyers” or “sellers.”

Passed Ball Show #562 (7/8/2021)

6-19-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this baseball discussion by talking about the inexplicable decision by Ronald Acuna, Jr. to try to stretch a double into a triple with two outs in the ninth inning and the defending National League Most Valuable Player coming to bat. Yes, players make mistakes. But there has to be some sort of accountability when it comes to said mistake. That is why manager Brian Snitker was 100 percent in the right for his criticism of Acuna’s only self serving decision. The last person anybody should need to hear from is Acuna’s father. What is this, Little League?! John blasts Acuna’s father for potentially living vociferously through his child, ala LaVar Ball. John then takes the time to question what exactly a manager does in a game of baseball anymore. Managers do not write their own lineups, position their fielders, and John explains why they likely do not even control which pitchers come in games at given times. When it comes to cheating, John talks about the history of cheating and deviousness as it imply to baseball and it’s inception. John then spends a couple minutes questioning the 1914 World Series and whether it was on a level or not. John then explains how baseball is “tainted” and it is impossible to be a baseball fan and not root for some deviousness/ cheating in the game as it is played.

Passed Ball Show #561 (6/19/2021)

6-12-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up the program by defending his take about Bob Brenly’s reference to Marcus Stroman’s DuRag. While the reference itself is not racist, and the mere mention of it is not worthy of cancellation or one losing their job over it, the way it was said downgraded Stroman’s classification because he was wearing the DuRag. The insinuation that Tom Seaver would never wear a DuRag implied that Seaver was from a higher class of people. Brenly’s apology and decision to undergo sensitivity training is proof that Brenly understands he was wrong, or at the very least is admitting wrong because he wants to keep his employment. If the latter is true, it means Brenly’s employer is admitting he was wrong. John then talks about the changing of the nicknames of sports franchises and how he has evolved from his original point of view. In acknowledgment of the Tennessee Titans trade for Wide Receiver Julio Jones, John constructed a list of the top 15 Wide Receivers to ever play for the Houston Oilers/ Tennessee Titans. Finally, he reconstructs and reorders the top ten players taken in the 2018 NBA Draft and explains why the Phoenix Suns would have not taken DeAndre Ayton if they had the number one overall pick if they had it to do over again.

Passed Ball Show #560 (6/12/2021)

6-2-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this program by talking about the terrible comment Arizona Diamondbacks broadcaster Bob Brenly made about Marcus Stroman’s head covering. There should be repercussions for it, yet John stands by the fact that a firing should not come with a life sentence. Assuming Brenly is contrite, he should be allowed to work in baseball again. That being said, a terrible look for Brenly and the entire Diamondbacks organization. John then talks about why both the Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants could not be good this year, in fact, he explains why one had to be good and one had to be bad. He then spends a little time talking about the impact of former MLB relief pitcher Mike Marshall on baseball and what he did that we will never see again. John then talks about why there needs to be a limit to how many pitchers a team can have on a staff at a given time. He then expounds to why there needs to be some reform in regards to the usage of pitchers to increase the amount of contract and balls put into play. He finishes off this show by talking about the Los Angeles Lakers and why, in spite of a very deep roster, they are doomed if Anthony Davis does not return to full health.

Passed Ball Show #559 (6/2/2021)

5-29-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this show expressing his comfort with the decision MLB made to deem former MLB Coach and Manager Mickey Callaway ineligible through the end of the 2022 season. John felt that it was not fair for him to not get the equivalent of a trial after being accused by women of lewd conduct. Should he never work in baseball again? John believes sports have picked and chosen which athletes/ coaches get additional chances after screwing up. Of course, it is assumed that the violator was contrite and are not going to do the same thing again. John mentions the former manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, Tim Johnson, and the fact that he has been blackballed from the sport because he fabricated his military experience. Leo Durocher, AJ Hinch, and Alex Cora all continued to work after their suspensions. John also cites Plaxico Burress and Michael Vick and wonders aloud whether what they did, particularly Vick, was worse that what Callaway or former Mets GM Jared Porter did. John then mentions the potential comeback of Brandon Jacobs, who is apparently thinking about coming back as a defensive end after a nine year career as a running back. John equates it to Tim Tebow or Tiki Barber, reiterating that nobody will make it into the NFL based solely off of name recognition. If a player cannot play at the highest level, they will get cut. Finally, John talks about a couple destinations for Atlanta Falcons Wide Receiver Julio Jones amid the terrible job Shannon Sharpe did by calling him during a live television show.

Passed Ball Show #558 (5/29/2021)

5-22-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this show by previewing the upcoming NBA Playoffs while stating the 7th and 8th seeds should have to earn their respective playoff berths. He picks a couple upsets. He then breaks down four major points in the media/ Chicago White Sox players/ Tony LaRussa saga. First, he mentions the fact that the fans and media wanted him gone since the day he was hired. Then, he brings up the fact that LaRussa screwed up by airing the dirty laundry to the media, something Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil did not do and something Joe Girardi refused to do. When it comes to the 3-0 take sign LaRussa gave to Yermin Mercedes, there is no excuse for the player to ignore the sign- insubordination should not be tolerated at any job at any level. Finally, John refuses to exonerate the Minnesota Twins, who quit competing in the game by throwing a random position player on the mound. The Twins do not have the right to dictate to their opponent whether their opponent should compete or not. He then compares LaRussa’s situation with the White Sox to the 2012 Red Sox and Bobby Valentine and the 1965-1966 Yankees and Johnny Keane. John finishes off the program by knocking Jim McMahon for taking a shot at Bill Belichick, something he never earned the right to do. He compares McMahon to Jimmy Garappolo in regards to his inability to stay healthy.

Passed Ball Show #557 (5/22/2021)

5-15-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this version of the program by knocking those that overrate the release of the new NFL Schedule. His two reasons are 1. The parity of the NFL is unlike any other sport. How does anybody know how good any team is going to be? You cannot logically predict records for your favorite game based on the opponent in the month of May. 2. The opponents of each team are known well before the announcement of the new schedule. Each team knows it will play their division rivals twice, each team in an in conference division once, and each team in a non conference division once. Those divisions rotate each season and are known well before the release of the schedule. John then spends a couple minutes talking about Tim Tebow and his attempted comeback in the NFL. It is simple, either he can play or he can’t. The NFL will not give him similar privileges he got in minor league baseball. Ask Tiki Barber. If Tebow cannot play, he will be cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Finally, John spends a couple minutes on the Colorado Rockies and their dysfunction. They have been blessed with some incredible offensive players but have been unable to retain them. They may be the worst team in baseball for the next five years

Passed Ball Show #556 (5/16/2021)

5-8-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this version of the show by reminding the viewers of the ignorant/ racist comments made by former Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Al Campanis and CBS NFL Today host Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder. While both statements made by each men could be considered reprehensible, John questions whether the statute of limitations have run out and they should finally be forgiven. John makes a comparison to contrite criminals who have served their time and in some cases, are given a chance to rehabilitate. Should Thom Brennaman and Jared Porter have the opportunity to work again? John then spends a little time talking about the Atlanta Hawks and their turnaround under new Head Coach Nate McMillan. He talks about the difference between coaching changes in the NBA and NHL and those in the NFL and MLB. Finally, John spends a little bit of time talking about the Rangers/ Capitals animosity over the past week. John compares the fighting in the NHL and wonders if MLB should eliminate allowing pitches coming in from the bullpen during altercations.

Passed Ball Show #555 (5/8/2021)

4-29-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this version of the program by talking about the difference Chris Paul has made for the Phoenix Suns and why they should be taken seriously when it comes to the upcoming NBA playoffs. He also asks out loud whether the Los Angeles Lakers at full strength can be stopped and when the Los Angeles Clippers’ players, mainly Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, will be held accountable for the team not winning a championship or getting to the Finals. He then talks about the problems with Major League Baseball as it is currently played and the advantage that pitchers have over the hitters. For the first time in the history of baseball, the percentage of time a hitter strikes out is actually higher than the league’s collective batting average. John drives that point home when talking about the complaints fans have when watching the game. Fans don’t want gimmicks, they want a more entertaining product. But quite simply, fans do not want to see a bunch of strikeouts and walks. That is what bores them. Not extra innings, not too many pitching changes. Excessive walks and strikeouts lead to less action, hence the reason popularity of the game is down. John finishes off this show by talking about the upcoming NFL Draft and why a couple teams will be making a mistake by selective a quarterback.

Passed Ball Show #554 (4/30/2021)

4-15-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this version of the program by talking about baseball fans disconnect with who is to blame when things go wrong for their favorite baseball team. Fans still believe MLB managers are responsible for more than they are. John talks about some of the things MLB managers are responsible and then some things they no longer do, such as writing lineups and arrange defensive alignments. John then compares the responsibilities of a MLB manager to that of an NFL Head Coach. Should Kyrie Irving retire from playing professional basketball? John wonders how many personal days any average American worker could get away with taking in a given year. He then finishes off the program by talking about the Chicago Bears quarterback situation and why they should draft one this year. Then, he wonders how many of the QB’s drafted this year will turn into busts in the NFL

Passed Ball Show #553 (4/15/2021)

4-8-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up the least watched talk program in the country by talking about the decision MLB made on its own to change the site of the 2021 MLB All Star Game. Their political stance punishes nobody but the Atlanta Braves and their fans. It also is an insult to the legacy of Hank Aaron, who should have been honored in the stadium of the team he was most known for the first All Star Game after his death. John then talks about anti-trust and why baseball should not have special powers to govern itself when no other sport has such right. John then talks about how the game has thrown rules changes in our face that we can do nothing about. Even if one was to leave a game before the runner is automatically put on second base in the start of extra innings, baseball has already gotten that person's ticket money and any revenue for food and merchandise. John recommends not attending seven inning double headers and shares the story of the Washington Nationals offering the first game of a seven inning double header as equal to the price of an overpriced opening day game ticket. JT Realmuto is better than James McCann- John is astonished that he even has to say that. What gives James McCann the right to tell another MLB player what to do? A leader needs to have a track record, right? Finally, John talks about the obsession that exists when it comes to college football quarterbacks and why the first four players (all likely quarterbacks) will not be the four best players taken in the draft.

Passed Ball Show #552 (4/8/2021)

3-18-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this program by talking about Shohei Ohtani's value when it comes to fantasy baseball. John once again gives his top 20 players that should be drafted in order. He then breaks down the top players at each position, and gives a sleeper player as well as a player he believes is overrated. John takes a little time to share his belief that there is a good chance women's sports can gain more popularity over time. John then debates with himself which team is better right now, the Brooklyn Nets or Philadelphia 76ers? He finishes off talking about the offseason the New England Patriots are having and how the AFC East looks at this very moment.

Passed Ball Show #550 (3/18/2021)

3-12-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this show talking about the Nolan Ryan trade from the New York Mets to the California Angels. Hindsight says the trade was one of the worst in the history of the Mets franchise, but is it that easy to assume Ryan would have been great for the Mets. Imagine a 1970’s starting rotation of Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, and Ryan? After the trade to the Angels, his walk rate went down two walks per nine innings pitched and he proceeded to give up the fewest hits per nine innings pitched in baseball history, signs he never showed for the Mets. John then talks about the first two times a player (or players) were granted free agency in Major League Baseball. Looking back, John explains why the Catfish Hunter and Andy Messersmith contracts did not work out. Finally, John provides some insight when it comes to what to expect for the upcoming fantasy baseball season. He talks about how the game has changed, gives his top twenty players he would take, then gives his top sleeper or keeper eligible picks. Stay tuned for the sleeper/ keeper eligible players to stay away from, some insight on Shohei Ohtani, and some other players that may be undervalued on the next PBS which is scheduled for Thursday March 18th.

Passed Ball Show #549 (3/13/2021)

3-11-2021 Passed Ball Show. John opens up this version of the program by talking about how the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is watered down and this year's "finalists" are an example of how watered down the Hall of Fame is. John then profiles the coaches in every major sport (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB) that have the highest winning percentage in their respective history. After that, John spends some time reminding the general public they are being selfish when it comes to the cancel culture that exists today. Just because somebody has a notable position, the general public cannot wait to see them eliminated from the workforce and hope that they never work again. John cites several examples of figures such as Greg McDermott, Andrew Cuomo, Mickey Callaway, and Jared Porter- obviously all different circumstances and levels of evidence and the public's interest in seeing them fired from their employer and banned from ever getting a job again. John explains why cancel culture has gone too far.

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Passed Ball Show

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