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

Steve interviews Andy Martino (00:12:40) from SNY. Andy joins us to talk about his new book, The Yankee Way. Andy explains why he wrote the book, answers if he thinks it's a Brian Cashman book, and discusses the long history of Yankee superstars. Andy also talks about the future for Aaron Boone and Cashman, explains why he thinks they haven't won since 2009, and discusses the Juan Soto contract situation. Also, Andy McCullough debuts (00:59:05) to discuss his new book about Clayton Kershaw. Andy explains why he wrote the book, how he got Kershaw on board, and how he balanced writing a book while having a full-time job. Andy also explains why he thinks Kershaw is the last of his kind, how he perceives Kershaw as a playoff performer, and his unique relationship with his wife. Steve starts the show with First Things First and covers the NHL and NBA Finals, the struggling Atlanta Braves, Marshon Lattimore, and the decision to leave Caitlin Clark off of the olympic team. The book club has four books and is keeping this podcast going. The show ends with one last thing about the Euros and why they are so important. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

On the 51st episode of the 24 Inch Podcast (Season 4 Episode 6), Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into the WWF house show at the Spectrum in Philadelphia from 08-04-1984. On this night, Hulk Hogan defends the WWF title against Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. At the top, Paula joins us to get the show moving. Paula discusses her upcoming birthday, the end of school and he upcoming dance recital. Before she goes, her and I play a round of blind rankings. After the break, Steve brings on Dave and welcomes him to the show. Dave, like usual, has mayhem to report. After our update on all things Hollywood, the guys give the bio of Greg Valentine. Next, a brief recap of the history of the Philadelphia Spectrum. Then, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in July/August of 1984. Steve reads the news from August of 1984 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with news from the 1984 Olympics, the Republican National Convention, and of course, a play ends its run on Broadway. Steve and Dave break down the entire card from the Spectrum on August 4 1984, including a match featuring Andre the Giant against Big John Studd, the Haiti Kid in action, and the last match for Bob Backlund in the WWF for 8 years. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the huge main event of Greg "The Hammer" Valentine vs. Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship. 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: 00:04:30 History of: 00:15:40 The News/Matches: 00:54:06 Plugs/Emails: 01:39:46 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: [email protected] Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

On the 50th episode of the 24 Inch Podcast (Season 4 Episode 5), Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Saturday Night's Main Event from 11-28-1986. On this night, Hulk Hogan defends the WWF title against Hercules. At the top, Paula is back. Paula explains why she missed the last show, talks about her dance recital, and has a few emails she would like to read (one is just her trying to say she fell off a zip-line without saying it). After the break, Steve brings on Dave and welcomes him to the show. Dave, like usual, has mayhem to report. After our update on all things Hollywood, the guys give the bio of Hercules. Then, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in November of 1986. Steve reads the news from November of 1986 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled sports news, awards shows, and a song neither of us had ever heard of. Steve and Dave break down the entire card from SNME VIII, including a heel vs. heel match, the Killer Bees vs. The Hart Foundation, and a showcase match for Koko B. Ware. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the huge main event of Hercules vs. Hulk Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship. Also on this episode, Steve and Dave read listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the 51st episode of the podcast. Intro: 00:02:25 History of: 00:12:27 The News/Matches: 00:50:06 Plugs/Emails: 01:38:00 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: [email protected] Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

Steve interviews Field Yates (00:11:52) from ESPN. Field is fresh off covering the draft in Detroit and has opinions on the Atlanta Falcons strange pick, the Buffalo Bills trading with the Kansas City Chiefs, and the New Orleans Saints pick of Spencer Rattler. Also, Field talks about how the first round of the draft was chalky and void of surprises and how the first round of rookie drafts might play out. Also, Jay Mariotti returns (00:34:14) to chat about some of the things going on in the world of sports. Jay has strong opinions on Lebron James and the Los Angelas Lakers, the future of the NBA, and the rise of basketball's new stars. Jay also dishes opinions on the NFL draft, Roger Goodell being a clown, and the struggles Major League Baseball is having. Jay and Steve also debate if Ohtani is the biggest heel in sports. Steve starts the show with First Things First and covers the first Atlanta Braves vs. Dodgers series of the season. Steve also talks about Max Fried, the NHL playoffs, and a potential new stadium in Cleveland. The book club has one book. The show ends with one last thing about an idea to take a last minute trip to Las Vegas for Pearl Jam. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]