Here’s what went down Wednesday on Gambo & Ash…

The Day After…Sammy Sosa was busted Tuesday.  Long rumored as a possible steroid user, it was made official Wednesday when Slammin’ Sammy reportedly tested positive back in 2003.  Gambo wonders how baseball can “move forward” when these big-time, tainted stars are exposed one at a time.  He argues it would be better for baseball to release all the names at once, take the publicity beating, and move past this once and for all.  Ash is certain people “within baseball” knew who was juicing and turned a blind eye knowing these exaggerated offensive numbers were attracting people back to the ballpark following an ugly strike in the mid-90s.  Wednesday, news broke that a congressional committee will look into Sosa’s denial that he used illegal performance-enhancing drugs in light of the report that surfaced yesterday afternoon.  White Sox slugger Paul Konerko won’t believe the reports until Sosa publicly comes clean.

Distracted?…ASU jumped out to a 6-0 lead Tuesday night against Texas, only to give up 10 unanswered runs and lose 10-6 in the College World Series.  The most shocking aspect of the setback was watching ace Mike Leake struggle after being staked with an early six-run lead.  Leake, picked 8th overall in last week’s draft, was 16-1 entering the game with an ERA under 2.00.  Gambo is wondering if Leake was more concerned about what he was going to do with new big MLB contract, than how to approach a Texas lineup which struggled most of the season.  Money talks, right?  John wonders if MLB would be better suited to push the draft back until the completion of the CWS.  Ash countered Gambo’s argument by pointing out North Carolina’s Dustin Ackley who went 5-6 in yesterday’s win over Southern Miss to become the CWS’ all-time hits leader.  Ackley was drafted 2nd overall by the Mariners.

Everybody DOES Love a Parade…Los Angeles donors have stepped up and will cover the cost of the Lakers championship parade after LA defeated the Magic 4-1.  With LA residents losing jobs left and right, the city will now no longer have to foot the bill.  The parade is expected to end in the LA Coliseum.

Award-winning golf author and good friend of the program JOHN FEINSTEIN joined us LIVE from Bethpage Black to preview the U.S. Open, which gets underway Thursday.  Feinstein has a new book, Are You Kidding Me?, which takes you inside the showdown at last years’ U.S. Open where Tiger Woods edged out Rocco Mediate for the title.  He said ASU-alum Phil Mickelson, with wife Amy fighting breast cancer, received an arousing ovation during a practice round earlier Wednesday.  He is expecting another great four days of golf at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.

Tiger Watching…The U.S. Open starts tomorrow and G&A are looking forward to seeing how this plays out.  Ash is thinking there will be a repeat victory for Tiger Woods.  Gambo would not be shocked to see the sentimental favorite Phil Mickelson hoist the trophy on Sunday.  The guys discussed why the four majors are such a big attraction and draw even the most casual golf fans to their televisions.

One Month…Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth is getting 30 days in jail, must pay various fines and fees, and serve several community service hours after pleading guilty for killing a pedestrian for driving drunk in Miami.  Gambo is shocked Stallworth is getting off so easy for committing such a terrible crime-like killing a person.  Ash is also surprised, especially since some people get up to 10 days in jail for just a DUI, not manslaughter like Stallworth committed.  G&A debated what action Roger Goodell should take in terms of a suspension.  Will the NFL commissioner cut him slack for cooperating with authorities and showing remorse following the incident?

Arizona State Director of Athletics LISA LOVE checked in to discuss the Sun Devils’ disappointing loss Tuesday night to Texas and what to expect Thursday in their elimination game re-match with North Carolina in the CWS.

We caught up with our ESPN baseball analyst TIM KURKJIAN from ESPN who shared his thoughts on Tuesday’s breaking news regarding Sammy Sosa, high school phenom Bryce Harper, and the surging Dodgers who continue to run away with the NL West.  Kurkjian wasn’t really surprised with the news regarding Sosa’s positive test.

The Next Big Thing?…Sophomore Las Vegas prep baseball star Bryce Harper is attempting to skip his junior and senior years of high school.  Projected by nearly every scout as the top pick in the 2010 draft, the 16-year-old Harper is going to get his GED and play junior college baseball in Vegas.  ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian told G&A that Harper isn’t ready to make the jump at such a young age and this won’t set a positive precedence for future high school stars.  Gambo thinks Harper, who dominated high school baseball for the past two years, is mature enough to take this step and play against better competition and this will better prepare him for playing pro ball.  He argued the point that Harper has been playing against older competition his whole life so why is this any different?  Ash disagrees, thinking the big pro dollars will be there in two years and Harper should “experience high school” like the everyday teenager.  The guys agree we are seeing more and more stories of amateur athletes skipping stages to get to the pros quicker.

Thursday we’ll break down first round play of the U.S. Open and be joined by former All-Star pitcher and all-around character Jose Lima at 2:10

 

 John Feinstein [10:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (21)

 

 Lisa Love [5:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (20)

 

 Tim Kurkjian [9:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (22)