Archive for April, 2009
Here’s what went down Tuesday at G&A
Power Outage - The Diamondbacks dropped their third-straight and five of the first seven in their April-heavy home schedule. Gambo thinks some of the younger players need to be sent down for confidence - especially Justin Upton who has zero hits this season and possibly Mark Reynolds. He still feels Upton will be a superstar. Ash isn’t so sure even though once Mark thought he could be a “right-handed Ken Griffey, JR.” Yes, the talent is there, but when will Upton live up to his potential? Gambo thinks some of the onus falls on Eric Byrnes to light a fire under this underachieving team. John believes Matt Williams may be the club’s hitting coach in the near future. Skipper Bob Melvin joined the guys.
Our ESPN baseball insider Tim Kurkjian shared his thoughts on yesterday’s sudden passing of Mark “The Bird” Fidrych and Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas. Tim thinks no broadcaster means more to their team, other than Vin Scully, than Kalas did in Philly. He also believes the hot-starting Padres and Mariners will falter long before the home stretch.
Manny Being Manny - Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez wants to finish his career with the team he started-the Cleveland Indians. G&A are perplexed at how Manny can simply brush off his current team-the Dodgers. This being the same team that just gave him $45 million this spring to return to LA as a free-agent. Rumors are swirling that Jim Thome might join him. The guys wonder why this even came up with nearly two years left on his deal with Los Angeles.
Tie-Breaker - Easton (PA) High and Phillipsburg (NJ) will play football this season, but it just won’t be another game between these two rivals. The 1993 game ended in a tie and now, at a time and place TBD, these two will play again-with players from the ’93 class. The guys agree this is a fascinating concept-especially since the old players want to play-regardless of their current “playing shape” or lack there of. Gambo says if the event, which is being sponsored by Gatorade, is televised he would definitely watch it. Turns out a similar story might be unfolding here in the Valley where Brophy Prep and Marcos de Niza High, who tied the 1990 state soccer final, are trying to organize a game to determine a true champion.
Schedule Strength - The NFC Champion Cardinals have the 27th toughest schedule in 2009. The slate was released this afternoon and G&A broke it down. Gambo’s early prediction is 9-7 with a nasty stretch of games at the Giants, home to the Panthers, at Chicago. Ash is stoked for the Red Birds Sunday night tilt against the Colts in Glendale. Gambo wonders why the Birds are only on MNF once-in San Fran against the Niners. Ash feels Sunday night games are more valuable than Monday night. The Bears are in primetime an NFL-high five times. Is the NFL showing the Birds enough love?
Sports 620 KTAR reporter Johnny V. checked in from Cardinals headquarters to share what Ken Whisenhunt thinks of the new schedule. V. said Whiz was happy with the home game-heavy beginning and ending stretches and said more primetime games serves as a show of respect from the league-something the franchise has craved in the past.
Sunset - The Suns are out of the playoffs and will wrap up their season tomorrow against the Warriors. Gambo thinks it’s going to be tough to stay interested in the post-season with no real rooting interest. Ash still feels the Lakers are the team to beat. Gambo says, with home-court throughout, LeBron and the Cavs are the team to beat.
Bob Melvin [11:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (55) Tim Kurkjian [12:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (56)
Loading …Give your opinion below. Do you agree with Gambo or Ash?
Former Arizona State University head football coach Bruce Snyder, who took the Sun Devils to a Rose Bowl and three other bowl games in his nine years as coach, died Monday after a battle with cancer.
In rememberance of him, Gambo & Ash had many guests on the show Monday with ties to either playing for, coaching against, or covering Bruce Snyder during his time at Arizona State.
Giants offensive lineman Grey Ruegammer will discuss being recruited and playing for Bruce Snyder during his 4-year career in Tempe.
Former Sun Devil Scott Peters checked in. Peters played 3 years for Snyder during his tenure at ASU.
We were joined by former Sun Devil All-American and member of the 1997 Rose Bowl team Juan Roque. He shared his thoughts on playing for Snyder.
Local standout and former ASU football player Willie Daniel joined the show to discuss his time playing for Bruce Snyder.
Former Arizona State quarterback Jake Plummer remembered Bruce Snyder and his days as a Sun Devil.
Sun Devils Terrelle Smith and Eric Fields called in to talk about the passing of Bruce Snyder.
Former University of Arizona head football coach Dick Tomey joined the guys to about Bruce Snyder.
Grey Ruegammer [7:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (83) Scott Peters [7:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (70) Juan Roque [10:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (67) Willie Daniel [9:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (73)What a weekend of great golf!
* The Masters was absolutely phenomenal this weekend! It was almost like we had two separate tournaments in one. The battle between Tiger and Phil was an instant classic even though neither of them won the tournament. I could watch those two guys play golf all day. It was hard to see Phil throw his tee shot in the drink on 12, and pretty much wrap up his chance of getting a 3rd green jacket. It didn’t help that he missed two six foot putts down the stretch as well.
* The other tournament, you know the one that actually counted, was just as exciting. I thought it was over when Kenny Perry almost holed out on 16. That birdie gave him a two shot lead with 2 to go. Unfortunately, for the man who would have become the oldest major winner in the history of golf, the bogey train started. He hadn’t bogeyed in 23 straight holes, but the pressure got pretty thick and he bogeyed out allowing for a 3 man playoff.
* Who didn’t think Angel Cabrera was toast when his tee shot found the trees on the first playoff hole? I did! Then Campbell and Perry both hit terrible approach shots and let the Argentine right back in it. One hole later he is wearing the green jacket. He just jumped into a different class with the 2nd major in his career.
* I will attend next years Masters! It is number 1 on my bucket list!
* D-backs are in a bit of trouble if you ask me. They drop 2 of 3 to the Dodgers and now see their ace go on the DL. I have some serious concerns about Webb’s health. I hope I am wrong. On another note, can someone tell Eric Byrnes that the season has started?
* Nice job Coach! Sean Miller has wasted no time in helping to rebuild the program down at the UofA. Miller landed two big commitments this weekend. Solomon Hill, who always wanted to be a wildcat, is back where he belongs. Miller also landed the last good big man in the country who had yet to sign a letter of intent. Kyryl Natyazhko is a 6′10″ big man who was considering ASU, but instead chose the UofA. Maybe the streak wont end in Miller’s first year in Tucson.
* The NBA playoffs start this weekend and even though the Suns aren’t in it I am really starting to look forward to the possibilities of a Cavs/Lakers finals. The Cavs don’t lose at home and have home court throughout the playoffs. They made Boston look silly on Sunday. Last year’s NBA Finals was good, as the Laker/Celtic rivalry was renewed, but the prospect of Kobe vs LeBron is too good to pass up. Unfortunately we have weeks of less desirable games before we get to this match up.
Here’s what went down Thursday on G and A…
Worried about Webb?- The Diamondbacks decided not to extend Brandon Webb’s contract because they were worried about concerns that insurance companies had with his right shoulder according to Ken Rosenthal. Gambo said the premium to cover Webb would have been too expensive. Ash is nervous about the injury even though the Snakes are saying that B-Webb missing his next start is precautionary. Steve Gilbert from MLB.com gave us the latest, including Webb’s visit with Dr. James Andrews in December.
The Sun sets on Planet Orange - The Phoenix Suns were officially eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since Frank Johnson was fired and Mike D’Antoni was the interim head coach. G&A looked back at what went wrong this season and started to break down an important off-season for Steve Kerr and Robert Sarver. Mark Cuban said the Dallas Mavericks are not interested in Shaq, the guys think it makes the most sense for the Suns to trade O’Neal to an Eastern Conference team. Suns assistant Coach Bill Cartwright joined Gambo & Ash to talk about the season and the passing of his teammate with the New York Knicks Marvin Webster, “The Human Eraser”.
New and Old Wildcats - The Arizona Wildcats continued Lute Olson’s tradition of making the NCAA tournament this year with interim Head Coach Russ Pennell. Pennell was not retained by AD Jim Livengood. Pennell joined G&A to discuss his time with Arizona and his decision to take a D-2 job at Grand Canyon University. Both G&A thought he would land a mid major job after leading the Wildcats to the Sweet 16. Coach Pennell had very high praise for new U of A head coach Sean Miller - he hopes University of Arizona fans have patience with him. Later in the show the guys caught up with the new Wildcats Head Basketball Coach. Miller, the former Xavier head coach, said it was very difficult to leave the Musketeers, but this was too good of an opportunity. Miller stated that he never turned down the U of A job.
Liar, Liar- Former Arizona Diamondbacks and current Los Angeles Dodgers 2nd baseman Orlando Hudson checked in with G&A. Orlando told the guys that the Diamondbacks never offered him a contract, a little later in the interview it sounded like he back tracked when he said “it was nothing interesting”. We opened up the phone lines to get the callers’ thoughts on if they thought O-Dog or Diamondbacks management was lying.
Steve Gilbert [8:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (66) Bill Cartwright [11:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (73) Russ Pennell [11:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (72) Sean Miller [13:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (205) Orlando Hudson [11:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (82)Doug, Wolf and Yoda paid up on their loss in the Bracket Beatdown. The morning show wore Ketchup, Mustard, and Relish costumes while running in place after the second inning on Wednesday.
Here’s what went down Tuesday on Gambo & Ash
Tar Heels tops of college basketball - Again - Tar Heel domination nets North Carolina another championship and Ash some cash. North Carolina’s latest title run was hardly a surprise for Ash nor G&A’s resident college hoops expert, Bill Frieder. (Both picked NC before the season). Tyler Hansbrough will likely be a late 1st to early 2nd Round pick this year, but according to Gambo his days of being the biggest star on the court are over.
Unlucky 7 - Jack Elway’s collegiate career is also over, and it ends without the son of the great John, even hitting the field. G&A discussed the pressure the progeny of superstar athletes face nowadays, and who may be the best father-son combo of all-time. Bobby and Barry Bonds are among those considered, as are Archie and Peyton Manning.
The Big Diesel in Big D? - While partying it up in Dallas, just hours removed from the Suns unofficial playoff elimination, Shaquille O’Neal made it well known that an offseason trade to the Mavs is under serious consideration…at least to him. To G&A a package involving Eric Dampier and Jerry Stackhouse makes a trade to Cleveland for Ben Wallace seem like a Kasparovian gambit. But Gambo says sacrificing Shaq for salary cap space seems inevitable for the moment.
ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian joined the guys a bit early this week, and although it’s early in the season he was left with a very underwhelming impression of the Yankees newest ace (CC Sabathia) and cleanup hitter (Mark Teixeria). Kurkjian was impressed by former D-Back Emilo Bonifacio’s stellar debut, one that may make the D-Backs regret sending him to Washington for Jon “Tattooed” Rauch.
Diamondback manager Bob Melvin also joined the show
Bill Frieder [10:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (51) Tim Kurkjian [11:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (53) Bob Melvin [12:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (56)Here’s what went down Monday on G&A
Short show this afternoon after Opening Day Baseball at Chase Field.
First Impressions - The Diamondbacks got a season-opening win this afternoon over the Rockies and, in the process, may have found a more-than-serviceable replacement for Orlando Hudson at second base in Felipe Lopez. Lopez homered from both sides of the plate and played solid defense behind some shaky Diamondbacks’ defense. The guys were encouraged by Lopez, but think the D-backs have some work to do - especially in the bullpen. Gambo is anxious to see how Eric Byrnes performs coming back from injury. Ash thinks something may be up with Brandon Webb who got lit up this afternoon. Gambo is taking a wait-and-see approach with Webby.
It’s Miller Time - UA has a new head basketball coach and it’s former Xavier coach Sean Miller. The Herb Sendek pupil will make a nice chunk of change switching addresses to Tucson. Ash wonders why AD Jim Livengood didn’t pursue the well-respected Miller in the first place - instead of slimy Tim Floyd. Gambo likes the hire. Ash feels he will stabilize the rocky state that is UA basketball. The coaching carousel continued with former Wildcat assistant Josh Pastner replacing John Calipari at Memphis.
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