On the twenty-first episode of the fourth season of The Sports-Casters hosts Steve Bennett and Don Russ welcome Jon Wertheim (Sports Illustrated, SI.Com), Jeff Passan (Yahoo! Sports) and Ian Rapoport (NFL Media). Kicking off the show with 3Things, Steve and Don talk about Lee Jenkins breaking the Lebron James news and the impact on the NBA, the final week of the World Cup and Brazil's worst nightmare, and a bizarre MLB All-Star game. Also on the show, five on fantasy looks at rookies and potential break out players this season, a quick book club update that doesn't update much, and the show ends with one last thing.
-Jon Wertheim is making his twelfth appearance (0:24:03) on the podcast to give background on Sports Illustrated and Lee Jenkins breaking the Lebron James story. Wertheim is very candid about his role as executive editor of the magazine and what part he played in helping to shape the story. Mr. Wertheim also answers questions about criticisms that SI has received about the article, the decision to ghost write it as a first person narrative, and the preparations required to post a story that would receive 6.5 million hits. Wertheim also talks about SI's continued transition from print magazine to multi-media platform, the business of podcasting, and difficult business decisions. Also, Wertheim recaps his time at Wimbledon.
-Jeff Passan is making his seventh appearance (1:10:25) on the podcast from Target Field in Minnesota just hours after the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Passan talks about Adam Wainwright and his comments about grooving a pitch or two to Derek Jeter. Passan also gives his opinion on Mike Trout being named the All-Star Game MVP, blasts MLB for "making the game count," and speculates on how the All-Star game shapes Bud Selig's legacy. Passan also talks about a dreadful Home Run Derby, looks ahead to the second half of the season, and gives more insight on his upcoming book about the pitching arm.
-Ian Rapoport is making his first appearance (1:49:42) on The Sports-Casters proper but his third appearance on one of our podcasts. Rapoport starts by talking about being a new father in the 21st century and being away from home. Steve and Ian then discuss the non-playin season in the NFL, why Ian loves the NFL draft, and the issue of tiping draft picks on twitter. Rap also discusses the Jimmy Graham arbitration and eventual long term contract, explains why the Saints system prevented bad blood between Graham and the club, and looks ahead to exiting summers in Buffalo and Cleveland.
