Steve interviews John Feinstein (00:16:59) author and columnist from the Washington Post. John joins us to promote not one but two new books. First, The Ancient Eight, is a look at football played in the Ivy League. Next, Five Banners, is a deep dive into the five National Championship victories by Coach K and Duke basketball. Steve and John talk about things unique to sports in the Ivy League, Christian Laettner, Butler's near miss, and Mike Lupica. John also tells us where he was when Laettner his his famous shot against Kentucky and tells us how he felt watching Butler's half court heave headed towards the basket. Steve starts the show with First Things First and discusses the Saints finally firing Dennis Allen, the end of the World Series and start of the MLB off-season. Also, thoughts on Italy and Mike Tyson. The show ends with one last thing about trying to slow down and take in all the magic of the Christmas season. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Sean McDonough (00:32:03) from ESPN. Sean joins us to talk about his difficult journey through last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sean also talks about criticism of announcers on twitter, the problem baseball has with its broadcasts, and the low energy vs. high energy debate. Sean also talks about his call during of the Atlanta Braves walk-off hit to win game seven of the 1992 NLCS, the NHL's upcoming 4 Nations Face-off, and calling Boston Red Sox games. Steve starts the show with First Things First and discusses the upcoming World Series, MLB payrolls, and the interest Ohtani has created in Japan. Also, some thoughts on Francesco Camarda, the Deshaun Watson injury, and LeBron and Bronny playing together in an NBA game. The show ends with one last thing celebrating 34 years of Pearl Jam. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

On the 54th episode of the 24 Inch Podcast (Season 4 Episode 9), Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into the house show from Madison Square Garden on 02-23-1992. On this night, Hulk Hogan wrestles in a 20-man over the top battle royal against 19 of the biggest wrestlers in the world. At the top, it's just Paula and Steve. We learned Paula has many boyfriends, won a cheerleading competition, and has a very unusaul Halloween costume. After the break, Steve catches up with Davey Caffeine or Hollywood (FL) Dave as some know him. After some jibber jabber, Steve and Dave play a few rounds of a game called. blind rankings. Following the fun we go over the bio of Sid Justice. Last, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in February of 1992. Steve reads the news from February of 1992 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with news from some of he biggest trials of the decade, a major movie debuts in theaters the day before a huge announcement from Motley Crue, and the Winter Olympics. Steve and Dave break down the entire card from MSG on February 23, 1992, including a match between Roddy Piper and the Repo Man, a weird outing from Hercules, and a match featuring Warlord who is jacked out of his skull. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the huge 20-man over the top Battle Royal. Also on this episode, Steve and Dave read listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the 55th episode of the podcast. Intro: 00:01:43 History of: 00:10:11 The News/Matches: 00:59:16 Plugs/Emails: 01:39:53 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: [email protected] Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

Steve interviews Chad Finn (00:17:29) from the Boston Globe. Chad makes his debut and kicks it off by telling stories about covering the 1992-93 Maine hockey team that featured Paul Kariya and ended with a National Championship. Chad talks about his journey to achieving his dream of becoming a columnist for the Boston Globe. Chad also discusses announcers during the baseball playoffs, the 2004 Boston Red Sox, and the book he helped put together that features hundreds of columns about the Celtics from the Globe. Also, author Daniel Bukszpan makes his debut on the podcast (01:15:25) to chat about his new book, Rush 50. Daniel talks about how he became a Rush fan, discusses his favorite deep tracks, and gives his personal hot takes about Rush. Daniel also explains how the book came together and what goes into creating a beautiful coffee table book. Steve starts the show with First Things First and tears into the New Orleans Saints and their coach, Dennis Allen. Also, Italy's triumphs during the Nations League, the Braves fire some coaches and the Sabres still stink. The book club has two books on the way out and several more on the way in including two books by, John Feinstein. The show ends with one last thing about Drew Brees being inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Joe Posnanski (00:14:54) from joeblogs.joeposnanski.com. Joe is back to promote his sixth book to be featured in The Sports-Casters book club. Why We Love Football is the next in a line of books Joe has written dating back to the Baseball 100. Joe talks about making the list, leaving out Tracy Porter's pick-six, Steve Gleason's punt block, and Joe Theismann's leg running into Lawrence Taylor. Joe also gives his thoughts on the 2024 Braves, Max Fried, and the Greg Maddux documentary. Also, Marco Messina from IFTV and Paramount+ makes his debut on the podcast (00:54:52) to chat about Italian football (calcio). Steve and Marco talk about young talent in Italy, the future of the Italian National team, and Serie A's place in European football. Marco also explains what Italy needs to do to win the 2026 World Cup, discusses the future of IFTV, and goes over his role at Paramount+. Steve starts the show with First Things First and gives a eulogy to the 2024 Braves. Also, some thoughts on Dennis Allen, the Sabres, and the rest of the MLB playoffs. The book club has a new baseball book and a new hockey book by Scott Morrison. The show ends with one last thing about how ridiculous DirecTV is. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Jay Mariotti (00:16:12) from jaymariotti.substack.com. Jay is back on the podcast and of fire after having just returned from a trip to Chicago to watch the pathetic White Sox. Jay goes off on poor ownership in baseball, the Chicago Bears, and the first few weeks of the NFL season. After Steve is fooled by a pinned article, Jay does speak on a column he wrote two years ago about life after ESPN. Also, Christopher "Bulldog" Parker returns (01:08:48) to chat about being on the radio in 2024, his relationship with Mike Schopp, and the upcoming Sabres season. The guys spent a lot of time talking about The Tragically Hip's new documentary on Amazon, "No Dress Rehearsal." Chris also talks about the Bills hot start, looks back at being on location for big Sabres games. Steve starts the show with First Things First and covers the latest disaster facing the 2024 Braves, the incredible Italia victory over France, and the 2-1 start by the New Orleans Saints. The book club has a new baseball book about busts and a new Joe Posnanski book. The show ends with one last thing about an amazing night at Fenway Park watching Pearl Jam. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

On the 53rd episode of the 24 Inch Podcast (Season 4 Episode 8), Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into the season premier of Saturday Night's Main Event on 10-29-1988. On this night, Hulk Hogan wrestles Haku with the lovely Miss Elizabeth at his side. At the top, it's just Paula and Steve. We learned Paula has started third grade, a new season of cheerleading, and went to see the new Beetlejuice movie. After the break, Steve catches up with Davey Caffeine or Hollywood (FL) Dave as some know him. After some jibber jabber, Steve and Dave go over the bio of Haku and the Baltimore Arena. Last, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in October of 1988. Steve reads the news from October of 1988 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with news from the upcoming presidential election, a major debut on television, and one of the biggest moments in the history of Major League Baseball (yes, Dave had no clue). Steve and Dave break down the entire card from SNME on October 29, 1988, including a match between Jake Roberts and RicK Rude, a tag team title match, and a showcase squash for the Big Bossman. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the huge main event of Haku vs. Hulk Hogan. Also on this episode, Steve and Dave read listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the 54th episode of the podcast. Intro: 00:03:26 History of: 00:08:04 The News/Matches: 00:35:43 Plugs/Emails: 01:22:00 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: [email protected] Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

Steve interviews Carson Breber and Logan Camden (00:15:02) from Nerd Sesh. The boys join us to talk about meeting at Arizona St, creating content for YouTube, and sports in the 21st century. The guys also explain their love for sports history, appreciating players from all eras, and Carson explains how he became a Bills fan. There is some sports trivia, talk about chicken wings, and Steve even worked in some Pearl Jam. Steve starts the show with First Things First and covers Spalletti's first Italy call ups since the Euros. Also, have the 2024 Braves become the best underdog story in sports? Dennis Allen is an idiot. College football in September is boring and the NFL starts in two days. The show ends with one last thing about birthdays after 40. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Stewart Mandel (00:13:10) from The Athletic. Stewart joins us to preview the 2024 College Football season. Stewart explains what teams are in what conferences, how the new playoff is going to work, and other changes new to college football this season. Mandel also talks about that snake Lincoln Riley and tells us if USC will (they should) fire him if they have another bad season. Stewart also tells us who might make the playoffs, gives us his final four, and picks a Heisman winner. Also, Aaron Schatz returns (00:50:27) to chat about the upcoming NFL football season. Schatz has done one million simulations of the NFL season using DVOA and joins us to discuss the results. Why is he high on the Saints? Why is he low on the Giants? Who might be a surprise team? Who is going to be in the Super Bowl? Steve starts the show with First Things First and covers the unbelievable amount of injuries the Braves have suffered this year, the start of calcio season in Europe, and the pathetic product that is the NFL pre-season. The book club has a new baseball book about busts. The show ends with one last thing with Paula Bennett about her summer vacation. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Kostya Kennedy (00:22:32) former senior writer for Sports Illustrated. Kostya joins us to talk about his book, 56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number in Sports. Kostya makes his debut to talk about Joe DiMaggio, the Italian-American experience, DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak and his life after baseball. Kostya explains his attitude later in his like and the impact his divorce with Marilyn Monroe had on it. Also, the pressure of the hit streak, hoe close it was to being 73 not 56, and the alleged abandoned trade of DiMaggio to the Red Sox for Ted Williams. Kennedy also previews his upcoming book on Paul Revere, talks about his favorite work from his time at SI, and discusses what SI means to him. Also, Giles Richards debuts (01:12:57) to discuss his new book about Formula One racing. Giles explains his love for Formula One, the reason he chose to focus his book on the people behind the scenes that make F1 go, and other insights and stories fro the F1 beat. Steve and Giles also have some fun ribbing about the then upcoming Euros. This interview was recored in June before the hiatus. Apologies to Giles for not getting it posted sooner. Besides a few minutes of Euros banter the interview is evergreen content. Steve starts the show with First Things First and covers the Azzurri disappointing at the Euros, the Braves and their outlook post-trade deadline, and the first week of the Olympics. The book club has a retuning friend for his annual contribution to the club. The show ends with one last thing about the revenue for the four major sports leagues in North America and how that money is earned. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

On the 52nd episode of the 24 Inch Podcast (Season 4 Episode 7), Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into the WWF house show at the Boston Garden from 08-09-1986. On this night, Hulk Hogan tags with George "the Animal" Steele to take on the Macho Man Randy Savage and Adrian Adonis. At the top, Dave, Paula and Steve are all together for the first time in a while. The gang talks about Dave being in love and upgrading from RC Cola to Pepsi, the 4th of July, and the retirement of John Cena. After the break, the gang give the bio of Buffalo native, Adrian Adonis. Next, a brief (very) recap of the history of the Boston Garden. Last, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in August of 1986. Steve reads the news from August of 1986 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with news from the MLB hall of fame, big releases in music and movies, and a play that opens on Broadway and then closes one news story later. Steve and Dave break down the entire card from the Boston Garden on August 9, 1986, including a match between Sheik/Volkoff and the Hart Foundation, a classic between Ricky Steamboat and Jake Roberts and a stinker from Tito and Cowboy Bob. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the huge main event of Macho Man Randy Savage and Adrian Adonis vs. Hulk Hogan and George "the Animal" Steele Also on this episode, Steve and Dave read listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the 52nd episode of the podcast. Intro: 00:02:39 History of: 00:15:40 The News/Matches: 00:34:41 Plugs/Emails: 01:16:29 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: [email protected] Instagram: 24_inch_podcast