Steve interviews Stewart Mandel (00:32:04) from The Athletic to discuss the upcoming college football season. (NOTE: audio issues for the first 2 minutes and then it's resolved) Stewart summarizes some of the off-field news from the offseason like the evolving playoff expansion and the potential college football legislation from Washington. Stewart moves to the field and goes over the Pre-Season Top 25, updates the odds that snake Lincoln Riley being fired, and tells us who he thinks could win the Heisman Trophy. Steve starts the show with First things First and discusses the Atlanta Braves extending their lead in the NL East to 9.5 games, Jimmy Traina leaving Sports Illustrated, and some notes from New Orleans Saints training camp. The show ends with One Last Thing about Steve's incredible weekend in Canton, Ohio. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Stephen J. Nesbitt (00:34:53) from The Athletic to discuss the winners and losers of the Major League Baseball trade deadline. Nesbitt gives his take on a disappointing day for Atlanta Braves fans, the Dodgers landing Tarik Skubal, and the Padres being aggressive. Also, Nesbitt tells us who he thinks will make the playoffs in the American League this year, predicts there will be baseball in 2027, and gives us a state of the union on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Steve starts the show with First things First and discusses the Atlanta Braves disastrous decision to not add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Also, Italy finally have a director and a coach, the Saints have a big injury on day 1, and ESPN Jeopardy debuts on HULU. The show ends with One Last Thing about Steve's neighbors and their son turning 17. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Aaron Schatz (00:28:19) from FTNFantasy to discuss the annual football almanac. Steve and Aaron discuss the 2026 NFL Season. The simulations hate the New Orleans Saints. Why? Was Tyler Shough bad last season? Who do the simulations think could make a big jump next year? What do the numbers think about Fernando Mendoza? Ty Simpson? We discuss these things and many more during our annual discussion with Aaron. Steve starts the show with First things First and discusses the Atlanta Braves great start out of the All-Star break. Also, ESPN and USA Today are not what they used to be, Alvin Kamara is back, and Italy have a new technical director and manager. The show ends with One Last Thing about repeating myself for 15 years on over 500 podcasts. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Sal Licata (00:16:03) debuts to discuss his new podcast, The Sal Licata Show. Sal joins the show and talks about the value of his time, working with Jimmy Traina, and creating a new podcast after leaving WFAN. Sal looks back at the Knicks winning the NBA Finals, the Juan Soto contract, and working at SNY. Steve starts the show with First things First and discusses another tough week for the Braves, Italy crashing out at the u19 Euros, and some big results at the World Cup. The show ends with one last thing about Steve taking care if his Nonna's grave. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Kenny Albert (00:30:43) returns to review the incredible start to 2026 that he has had. Kenny looks back to the Olympics and recaps his time in Milan, the men's and women's gold medal games, and his historic call of the Jack Hughes golden goal. Kenny also talks about returning to the NFL booth this fall with Jonathan Vilma, his Dad's reaction to Knicks winning the NBA championship, and the 2025-26 Sabres Steve starts the show with a packed First things First with discussion about AC Milan's disastrous transfer market, the struggling Braves, and the Sabres strange offseason. The show ends with one last thing about Steve and Paula taking the stage for the long awaited daddy/daughter dance. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Ken Davidoff (00:25:22) makes his debut on the podcast to promote his new book (with Harley A. Rotbart), 101 Lessons from the Dugout. Ken is a Michigan graduate and he and Steve talk a tad bit of college hockey while Ken mentions appearing on The Rich Eisen Show. Ken looks back on his time covering the Yankees and remembers the ACLS home run by David Justice, the wild moments during the 2001 World Series, and being there for the Derek Jeter flip play. Ken and Steve then get into the book. Ken explains how the project with Harley came together and discusses a few of the chapters and lessons that can be learned from the book. Steve starts the show with a packed First things First that includes the thrill of Italy winning the u17 Euros but the despair of not being a part of the World Cup. Also, the 2026 Braves reach 24 games over .500, the Sabres come away with 0 NHL awards, and Alvin Kamara makes a surprise appearance at Saints OTA's. The show ends with one last thing about time and the tricks it plays on us all. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Tim Brown (00:25:30) who returns to the podcast to promote his new book about Nolan Ryan. Tim discusses why he decided to write a book on Nolan Ryan and explains why Ryan's principles made his such a good subject. Tim and Steve talk about Ryan's unbreakable records, his relationship with Texas, and his failures in the playoffs as a player and as an executive. Tim also looks ahead to his future, gives his thoughts on the E:60 on Jim Abbott, and discusses the modern pitching arm. Steve starts the show with a packed First things First that includes talk about the end of the 2025-26 Buffalo Sabres, the 2026 Braves first slump, Milan and Juventus failing to make Champions League, and news on who will play for Italy this June. The show ends with one last thing about trying to stay busy during a rainy holiday weekend with trivia, movies, and chicken wings. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Jay Mariotti (00:30:02) who returns to the podcast with a list of topics that he is anxious to sound off on. Jay talks about the end of the LeBron James era, watching sports in Paris, and Pablo Torre winning a Pulitzer Prize. Jay also rants on sports writers that are holding back, weak sports commissioners, and the Russini/Vrabel scandal. Jay also shares his memories of Roger Ebert and a letter that Gene Siskel wrote to him about a flowered sweater. Steve starts the show with a packed First things First that includes talk about the Buffalo Sabres in the playoffs, the 2026 Braves, Inter winning the Scudetto, and an exciting draft for the New Orleans Saints. The show ends with one last thing about everything that has went on the last month including Steve's trip to Florida, his struggles at dance class, and the progress of his failed hockey comeback. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Chad Bishop (00:25:34) from the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Chad a few weeks into his rookie season as a Atlanta Braves beat-writer and is making his Sports-Casters debut. Chad and discuss a good start for the Braves, the incredible bullpen, and quality starting pitching. Chad also looks at a blazing start for Drake Baldwin, the struggles of Austin Riley, and the consistency of Matt Olson. Chad also talks about Braves Vision, working on a baseball beat, and predicts the Braves win total. First things First kicks us off with the Buffalo Sabres ending their playoff drought, the fallout from Italy failing the make the World Cup and a strong start for the Atlanta Braves. The show ends with One Last Thing about Steve preparing to travel to Florida to visit with his brother, Anthony. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

For the second time in podcast history, this episode doesn't have a guest. Steve returns alone to do the hardest podcast he has ever had to do. Italy has failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. What went wrong? Who is to blame? Now what? Steve tries to answer all of these questions, tells us why he's more sad than mad, and explains why he still believes in the blue shirt. There are tons of emotions here. Be gentle. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Mike Vaccaro (00:25:31) the author of a new book about Yankees ownership called, Bosses of the Bronx. Mike is making his debut on the show and talks about writing a book with more modern subjects as opposed to those in his book about the 1912 World Series. Mike and Steve go back and forth about Joe DIMaggio, Aaron Judge, classic Yankee Stadium moments, and David Justice's home run in the 2000 ALCS. Mike also recalls Jeter's flip-play from his spot in the Oakland press box, discusses George Steinbrenner in pop-culture, and debates the Yankee Mount Rushmore. First things First covers Italy's big game against Northern Ireland, the already injured 2026 Braves, and the incredible Buffalo Sabres. The show ends with One Last Thing and bit more on Italy's playoff game (s) and what it will mean to qualify. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]