Here’s what went down Monday on G&A

Heavy Medal - U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps did what everyone hoped he would - win eight Olympic gold medals in Beijing. He even caught the attention of NBA stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant who attended the weekend event where Phelps finished his quest for history. Phelps wants to take the sport of swimming to another level. G&A agree much of the Olympic intrigue is gone with Phelps no longer competing. What can Phelps do to make swimming mainstream? Ash thinks it’s impossible because swimming interest only peaks during the Olympics - every four years. Gambo is still in awe that Phelps lived up to the pre-Olympic hype, but knows people will forget about swimming quickly - especially with football coming shortly.

One and Done? - Team USA Basketball continues to roll, picking apart Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Kaman, David Hasselhoff and Germany earlier today. Gambo wonders if Kobe, LeBron, and others will return in four years if/when they wrap up the Gold or will they turn it over to “the next generation?” The guys agree young stars like Brandon Roy, Kevin Durant, and Greg Oden might be the next in line to succeed certain members of the “Redeem Team.” Gambo wonders if Jerry Colangelo’s 3-year commitment to TEAM USA will scare off NBA stars - like it did with Kevin Garnett.

Jupiter Hammerheads manager Brandon Hyde discussed the up-and-down career of 2003 Florida Marlin top pick Jeff Allison who, like Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton, battled substance abuse and legal problems, before turning his life around and resuscitating his dream of playing in the big leagues. Hyde is Allison’s manager and close friend. Allison is 8-7 with a 4.72 ERA in 22 starts with the Single-A Hammerheads.

Bouncing Back - The D-backs wrapped up their 6-game road trip 4-2 and G&A agree Adam Dunn has had a big impact on their recent offensive outbursts. Gambo feels the team has become much more selective with Dunn wedged in the middle of the order. Ash thinks Dunn’s mere presence has made a big difference. Both agree the starting rotation - sans Doug Davis, has been lights out. Gambo thinks Webb is on pace to win 23 or 24 games this season. The guys debated if Webb’s efficiency is just as “sexy” as Randy Johnson’s and Curt Schillings’ high strikeout total.

Compare/Contrast - Brandon Webb won again on Friday to improve to 18-4. Gambo thinks Webb is on pace to win 23 or 24 games this season. The guys debated if Webb’s efficiency is just as “sexy” as Randy Johnson’s and Curt Schillings’ high strikeout total when they were at their peak (2001) with the D-backs. Gambo doesn’t think Webb holds the same fear factor as Unit or Schill did because he’s not a power pitcher.

Boldin Boltin’? - Reports are circling that the Cards will deal Anquan Boldin this next off-season. Gambo applauds the Cards for sticking to their guns and granting Q a new deal like he’s requesting. That being said, Gambo knows Boldin will leave it all on the field this season-regardless of how much money he’s playing. Ash doesn’t feel the Cards will get even close to equal value for Boldin because most NFL trades are made for picks, not players. He wouldn’t be too disappointed if this was Q’s final season in Arizona.

 

 Brandon Hyde [13:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (315)

Here’s what went down Thursday on G&A

Short show today after day baseball at Coors Field

A View from the Couch - NBC opted not to send several announcers and analysts to Beijing to cover events like archery, badminton, tennis, baseball, soccer, and softball.  G&A wonder why NBC, which is already spending millions of dollars in coverage expenses, not foot the bill for the remaining commentators - especially popular ones like former U.S. Soccer star Brandi Chastain.  Ash wonders why they’re not there for “big” sports like baseball and softball.  Gambo thinks they could miss out on a possible controversial play by not being on-site to broadcast.

Age Rule - The Chinese women’s gymnastics team is under a microscope because many feel they are falling far short of the minimum age of 16.  Ash doesn’t have a problem with these “kids” experiencing so much success at a young age but feels the official rules must be followed - even with the Games being held in Beijing.  Gambo feels the Chinese “system” of intense training - often away from her parents for up to a year, benefits them more than the “traditional system” like we run here in America where many gymnasts lead fairly “normal” lives.

Redeem Team - Team USA whacked Greece today to stay perfect in Beijing.  Gambo thinks the biggest reason is an upgraded backcourt (Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd) from a former roster which featured Kirk Heinrich at the point and Joe Johnson at the two.  He thinks Spain, with several NBA players on the roster, will easily serve as the toughest test yet.

Big Inning - The Diamondbacks pick up another win in Colorado this afternoon to keep pace with the Dodgers in the NL West.  Gambo thinks, with the acquisition of Adam Dunn, the Snakes are content to play for the big inning and let their two aces (Webb & Haren) do the rest.  Ash has been impressed with the way Haren has really come on in the past couple months.

Here’s what went down Tuesday on G&A

Bitter? - Olympic swim records are falling left and right due to a number of intricacies surrounding Beijing’s pool. One Olympic swimming great Mark Spitz, isn’t in China because he wasn’t invited by the U.S. Olympic Committee. Spitz isn’t interested in seeing Michael Phelps likely break most of Spitz’s records. Gambo wonders if Spitz doesn’t want to see his records fall and maybe that is the reason he is not attending. Ash thinks Spitz needs to be real careful to not come across looking selfish because this is Phelps’, and the United States, time to shine. He doesn’t see Spitz making the trip overseas. The guys debated if the U.S. should have invited him to be a part of it.

I’ll Pass - Gambo broke down some of the items that were removed from popular restaurants around Beijing during The Games including dog, scorpion on a stick, sheep penis, seahorse, mice on a stick, and centipede. Ash wouldn’t touch any of those “entrees” even if promised a large sum of money.

Lucky Charms - Padraig Harrington wrapped up the PGA Championship this past weekend in Michigan to go back-to-back in “major” championships. G&A agree Harrington is stepping up in place of the injured Tiger Woods when others-like Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson are not. Gambo is sick of the excuses from Sergio and wants to see him man up and win his first major. Ash loved seeing Sergio choke away another chance at winning a prestigious tourney.

Tying the Knot - Ash is hearing that embattled UA basketball coach Lute Olson is engaged - just a couple months after ending his previous marriage to Christine Toretti. The guys re-capped what has been a busy year, both on and off the court, for Cool Hand Lute.

A Swap of #44’s? - Gambo is hearing D-backs starter Micah Owings might be one of the players-to-be-named in the Adam Dunn deal that went down Monday morning. He says the D-backs won’t have any problems dealing Owings because they previously tried to ship him to Washington for Jon Rauch. G&A hope they haven’t given up too soon on Owings, like they did with Carlos Quentin. G&A debated how much Dunn (a free-agent-to-be) will command on the open market at the end of the season.

Stupid Spaniards - A photo making the rounds on the Internet shows the Spanish basketball team (including Lakers’ star Pau Gasol) making “slanted eyes” in a recent team photo. Obviously, the Chinese are offended. G&A wonder just how stupid and disrespectful a group of athletes can be pulling a “joke” in a time when countries are supposed to be united in Olympic competition.

Tomorrow: D-backs skipper Bob Melvin joins the show.

Here’s what went down Friday on Gambo & Ash.

Ash was off - Gambo went solo.

What better way to celebrate the 80’s like on 08-08-08!!

Bird Watching - The Cards opened their pre-season last night with a loss to the Saints. Gambo took away more positives than negatives in the setback. Where is the pass defense? Gambo was impressed with how Matt Leinart led the offense in his two series. He wonders if the Cards might look to move Kurt Warner if Leinart continues to shine. He also was impressed by rookie running back Tim Hightower.

D-backs skipper Bob Melvin discussed the club’s modest two-game losing streak and the struggles of hard-throwing reliever Tony Pena.

Suns Shopping - With point guard Jason Williams off the market after signing yesterday with the Clippers, Gambo is reporting the Suns are looking at free-agent veterans Sam Cassell or former UA star Damon Stoudemire.

Braves’ centerfielder Mark Kotsay, who homered in last night’s win over the Diamondbacks last night at Chase Field, joined Gambo this afternoon. Kotsay is a .282 career hitter. He won The Golden Spikes Award and was the CWS Most Outstanding Player in 1995 leading Cal-State Fullerton to the title and has an above-average looking wife.

Former Arizona Wildcat and hard-throwing lefty Daniel Schlereth, the first-round selection of the Diamondbacks (26th overall) in this summer’s draft, checked in from Montana. Skipper Bob Melvin said Schlereth can be a “fast-riser” thru the system with a mid 90’s fastball and a high 80’s slider. Schlereth currently pitches for Rookie League Missoula Osprey.

The Choice Is Yours - The opening ceremonies for the Beijing games took place early this morning. There are 3600 scheduled hours of Olympic coverage spread out over several designated channels. NBC hired 96 announcers to provide wall-to-wall coverage. Will more coverage lead to higher ratings? Will it persuade you to watch more of the Olympics since you can pick-and-choose your events? Gambo is interested in following the Games. We took calls.

 

 Bob Melvin [14:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (305)

 

 Mark Kotsay [10:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (312)

 

 Daniel Schlereth [12:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (304)

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

Short show this afternoon after Diamondbacks’ matinee baseball at Chase Field.

Pulling for Perfection? - Chris Young broke up Jeff Karstens’ quest for a perfect game with an 8th-inning double this afternoon at Chase Field. G&A proposed the question - were you rooting for the perfect-o - even against the D-backs? The guys would pull for the perfect game because it’s so rare (only 17 in baseball history) but not a no-hitter. They also found it ironic that Randy Johnson was on the losing end-especially after he was the loser when Jose Jimenez no-hit the Snakes and Ron Villione one-hit Arizona back in 1999. To add insult to injury, Burnsy reminded us that Jimenez two-hit the Unit-led D-backs later that same year.

Tomorrow: “The Hawk” Andre Dawson will join us