I am very fortunate to be part of a live, interactive show, so that we get instant feedback from sports viewers–both on sports issues as they are happening and also about our “SportsTalk” program. I get some great comments, questions and opinions from our viewers and they never fail to amaze me with their creativity with different topics and acuteness to the things we do on the air. I thought it would be fun to post some of the messages that I receive from our audience.
Below are several emails I’ve received over the last few months (along with my thoughts) regarding still-relevant sports topics.
Q: Do you think the Phillies can contend this fall?
A: Probably the most asked-sports question I’ve gotten this baseball season. If I thought the Phillies were legitimate playoff contenders, I would be very concerned about the teams’ hitting—especially the lack of power. They would probably need a big-time power hitter for the clean-up spot in the batting order, a front-of-the-rotation pitcher, and a closer with a proven track record for closing in big time situations.
Because I DON’T believe they have more than an outside chance of getting the last wild card spot, I hope the Phillies don’t look to add any of these pieces—with the exception of picking up a player with no more than one year remaining on his contract. The Phillies can afford to add a large salary through 2017, but to add an older name (like a Ryan Braun-type) will just block the way for a possible future superstar (eg., Nick Williams, Dylan Cozens, et al) and that doesn’t make sense to me at this point.
Q: What did you think of Washington HS basketball this season?
A: It impressed, as it always has. RCN broadcast a few high school games a number of years ago in the DMV region, most notably the “City Series” Championship, which, that year, featured Ballou versus DeMatha. A few of those players (the biggest name was Victor Oladipo), went pro, and everyone on the court that day was playing above the rim, and at a level that many schools elsewhere simply cannot match.
I think HD Woodson’s undefeated season was one of the top scholastic sports stories in the RCN viewing area—if not the entire country—and it was our pleasure to feature their team highlights on a number of our “SportsTalk” shows this past season.
Q: Who’ll win the NFC East this fall?
A: Teasingly, I asked that question of our NFL beat writers on our show following the NFL Draft—knowing full well any prediction could very easily change between April and the start of the season.
But, since I was asked (and reserving the right to change my mind after training camp), let’s go with:
- Redskins
- Cowboys
- Eagles
- Giants
Q: Do you and Joe Craig really argue as much in person as you do on TV?
A: Probably more.
Q: What do you think of the PIAA’s decision to go to six classifications?
A: I personally am reserving judgment on this, for at least a few years. I know some people are openly despising it, and I’m afraid others will start complaining instantly once issues/problems pop up. I think there are some exceptionally bright people who are 100% in favor of this, so I’m willing to wait and see how it shakes out over time.
I do know it’s going to create a lot of nightmares for many of us in the media as far as trying to cover the increase in playoff games. In past years we tried to preview ALL of the boys AND GIRLS basketball league and district playoff games—barely getting everything in the allotted time on “SportsTalk” (not to mention, all the time it takes to prepare, getting up to speed on teams many of us have not seen all year long). This will be a challenging school year coming up, getting use to the new alignments, and it will not be an easy transition. But, again, I’m taking a cautious, but hopeful, outlook.
Q: How ‘bout them Flyers?
A: I got this email after their miracle finish to the regular season, and I was thrilled that the team not only make a return to the playoffs this year, but they did it with a younger and more passionate brand of hockey that I hadn’t seen in the Delaware Valley in a few years.
The fact that they have so many people coming back, along with some talent coming up through the pipeline, should make die-hard followers for the Broad Street Bullies very happy for some time to come.
Feel free to send your questions…and opinions…to us via email at rcnsportstalk@rcn.com & tune in to our live “SportsTalk” program and/or hear our podcasts at rcn.com/atvn/sports-talk
Also, you can see our show in person this Thursday at the Buffalo Wild Wings on Grape Street in Whitehall, PA for another live, on-location edition of “SportsTalk Gets Wild,” to benefit the American Cancer Society – Relay for Life . Our special guest will be long-time/retiring Wilson Area Head Basketball Coach Bob Frankenfield and a couple of his long-time friends and coaching assistants.
