Here’s what went down Friday on G&A

Dave Burns sat in for the vacationing Ash.

Big Deal? The “top” two teams in the NL West face off tonight at Chase Field. The Dodgers have lost 9-straight road games and the D-Backs’ were just swept by the hapless Padres. Gambo & Burnsy don’t feel the series has lost any luster with both teams struggling. They also discussed the club bringing up Justin Upton and Max Scherzer from Tucson. Both will be available tonight. We took calls on the series and what is becoming a very cluttered outfield.

D-Backs’ skipper Bob Melvin joined Gambo and Burnsy to break down the disaster in San Diego. BoMel knows his club must hunker down and player better all-around baseball if they want to keep their lead in the NL West.

Former St. Mary’s High and ASU star, now Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier previewed this weekend’s big series against the Diamondbacks which starts tonight at Chase Field. Ethier seemed a bit peeved the D-Backs didn’t draft him once his Sun Devil career came to an end.

Renowned sports handicapper and good friend of the program Brandon Lang checked in for his weekly segment to preview the opening weekend of college football. Lang says be very wary of picking college games when teams are still “getting their identity” the first couple weeks of the season.

Passing Judgment The jury is still out on Cards’ “starting” quarterback Matt Leinart. A column is Sports Illustrated defended Leinart and says it’s too early to tell if Leinart will ever turn out to be the quarterback they hope he will. Gambo thinks NFL players, especially quarterbacks, have very tender egos and the Cardinals are doing that with Leinart. Burnsy thinks Leinart is a bust because he’s had three years to win the job and he hasn’t…at least not yet. Both agree he could blossom in another system if the Red Birds decide to deal him.

No show Monday.

Ash returns Tuesday, but Gambo’s off until Wednesday. We’ll be joined by ESPN baseball insider Tim Kurkjian

 

 Bob Melvin [13:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (306)

 

 Andre Ethier [13:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (352)

 

 Brandon Lang [11:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (354)

Here’s what went down Wednesday on G&A.

Short show after Diamondbacks baseball at Petco in San Diego.

No Answers - The Diamondbacks bullpen has done it again. After a 4-0 lead in San Diego, the Diamondbacks gave up five runs in the seventh and eighth innings and lost 5-4. The supposedly hot Chad Qualls was the person Bob Melvin turned to today. Gambo has no answers. Ash says this is what they have - either figure it out or sink - no more prospects given out. We took numerous calls.

Tomorrow:

Jerry Colangelo, Director of USA Basketball

Mike Stoops, Univ. of Arizona football coach

Selvin Young, Broncos runningback

Lisa Love, Arizona State director of athleticsc

Tony Verna, the man who invented instant replay

Here’s what went down Monday on G&A…

Quarterback Carousel. Reports are surfacing that the Cards are going to insert Kurt Warner under center in place of Matt Leinart who threw three terrible interceptions Saturday in Oakland. Gambo thinks it’s time for the Cards to cut their losses and trade Leinart who has problems with accuracy and throwing the deep-ball. Ash says don’t trade Leinart, but feels Warner now has the “swagger” he had when he was back with the Rams. Both feel Warner has proven in camp that he is the better quarterback- at least right now. Gambo thinks the organization has no confidence in Leinart and were waiting for a chance (Saturday) to make the switch.

Redemption! Team USA completed the mission, knocking off gritty Spain in the Gold Medal Final over the weekend. G&A feel this win was huge for the morale of American basketball. Gambo feels you can’t compare any team to the Dream Team- especially on the front line. Gambo feels the game was more team-oriented when the Dream Team made their mark. Ash was impressed with how the Redeem Team handled themselves on and off the court.

Late-Inning Issues. The D-Backs lost two out of three to the Marlins over the weekend, but remain three games ahead of the LA, thanks to the Phillies’ sweep in The City of Brotherly Love. G&A agree the Snakes’ bullpen is in shambles and it starts with closer Brandon Lyon, who struggled again yesterday against Florida. Gambo hasn’t been enamored with John Rauch’s appearances of late, including Friday’s late-inning meltdown at Chase Field. The guys wonder which, if any, relievers will return in 2009.

Tuesday we’ll be joined by ESPN baseball insider Tim Kurkjian, college football analyst Mark May, and ASU safety Troy Nolan

Here’s what went down Thursday on G&A

A True Loss - Hall of Fame guard and 25-year NFLPA leader, Gene Upshaw, suddenly passed away from pancreatic cancer today at the age of 63. G&A discussed how this will affect the NFL moving forward in dealing with the owners-players’ relationship. Ash is wondering who will pick up where Upshaw left off.

13-time All-Star, 3-time batting champion, 1980 AL MVP, 1985 World Series Champion, 3000 Hit Club Member, and 1999 Hall of Fame inductee George Brett checked in to look back on his amazing career and the infamous pine tar incident at Yankee Stadium which celebrated its’ 25th anniversary last month. Brett says the players today are much better, smoother athletes than when he played.

Best Ever? - G&A debated who is the best 3rd baseman of all-time. Gambo is torn between Brett and Mike Schmidt, but feels no one was better defensively than Brooks Robinson. Ash thinks it’s too tough to tell because they played in different eras.

Losing a Good Thing? - The seemingly invincible veteran U.S. Softball team was upset by Japan 3-1 in the Gold Medal game in Beijing. Softball is one Olympic sport that may not be back in 2012. Some say the U.S. may have thrown the game. G&A couldn’t disagree more. Gambo thinks the loss may actually help the U.S. in London-should they come back.

The guys caught up with Padres’ All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. He discussed growing up in San Diego and now playing for his hometown team after being traded from the Rangers. He also previewed facing Brandon Webb tonight at Chase Field. Gonzalez leads the Padres in homers (28), RBI’s (92), and hits (137).

Patience at the Plate - The Diamondbacks have drawn 50 walks in the last eight games since acquiring Adam Dunn from the Reds. G&A agree Dunn’s presence in the middle of the order has made the rest of the Diamondbacks better hitters.

G&A also visited with Mark Reynolds. The Diamondbacks starting third baseman had a big 2-run double in last night’s win over the Padres at Chase Field. Reynolds leads the D-backs in RBI’s with 85 and is 2nd in homers with 24. He also said he loves playing with Dunn and hopes the team makes a run to re-sign him this off-season.

Friday: G&A will visit with new Suns’ analyst Scott Williams

 

 George Brett - Part I [12:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (348)

 

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 Adrian Gonzalez [7:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (346)

 

 Mark Reynolds [10:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (350)

Here’s what went down Tuesday on G&A

Shut Up & Play! - Anquan Boldin announced last night that he and Ken Whisenhunt don’t have a relationship and don’t speak to one another. Coach Whiz disputed that point today in Flagstaff. G&A agree Boldin needs to shut his mouth and play football. Ash wants to see the Cards deal Anquan before the season. Gambo thinks a trade would be foolish as the Cards appear to be so close to being a playoff team and certainly Q is a big piece to that puzzle. G&A agree both parties, to a certain degree, are at fault here.

Our ESPN baseball insider Tim Kurkjian checked in to share his thoughts on the Adam Dunn deal last week, the dead-even race in the NL West between the D-backs and Dodgers, and everything else making headlines around Major League Baseball.

Big Start - The Diamondbacks open a 6-game home stand tonight with the first of three against the bottom-feeding Padres. Struggling Doug Davis takes the hill for the Snakes. G&A think it is imperative Double D has a good outing tonight if the D-backs hope to sweep because Haren and Webb are scheduled to pitch the next two nights.

Suns 2nd round pick Goran Dragic discussed his potential new deal with the club that may not be made official until sometime next month. He also shared stories about playing against Tony Parker overseas and how excited he is to play with Shaq and Amare and learn the NBA game from Steve Nash.

Getting to the Point - The Suns have their back-up point guard and his name is Goran Dragic. G&A discussed his role on the roster under new coach Terry Porter. Gambo feels Dragic will develop into a solid pro.

Former Pennsylvania Freedom High School baseball player John Challis, who overcame the odds battling cancer for two years-passed away today at his family’s home the age of 18. Challis’ courage and inspiration made national headlines when the story broke back in May. We re-played our interview with him this afternoon.

 

 Tim Kurkjian [13:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (341)

 

 Goran Dragic [12:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (344)

 

 John Challis [14:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (342)