Different Time, Same Tony

The Sports Reporters was on a different time today (3-5 ER) and without both Andy Polley (filling in for Dan Patrick) and Czabe (still at the beach). On the plus side, the fill-ins were regular third guest Chris Knocke and ESPN's David Alridge. And with the show on during PTI's normal taping time, TK called in at the top of the show.

"Carlos Boozer is a snake" is what TK said, without mincing words. Hard to argue with that. TK compared the situation to what happened with Juwan Howard and Les Boulez.

According to DA, the people most angry about the whole thing were other agents, since this screws up things for everyone in the future.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Tour De Lance

IN Listen Up News, the first wive cast has been replaced. I'd never heard of either, so there's no need for you to worry about it.

Tony slams Continental Airlanes, as they were the carrier that TK's son Michael flew when he was in London. They told him he would have to wait 2 days to get a shuttle from Newark to DC. Apparently, the trip involved lots of golf.

There was also a brief discussion of Lance Armstrong and his popularity despite participating in a sport most people don't care about in the US.



Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

More on Coach K

Both Tony and Wilbon wrote about Coach K staying at Duke.

IN his column, TK compared Coach K to Spurrier and Andy wondered about today's athlete. TK poo pooed the idea, noting that Larry Brown and Gregg Poppovich seem to handle them well enough.

TK again pointed out that he wouldn't trade Shaq and would let him sit rather than trade him.

There was also a discussion of Eric Gagne's save streak ending, as well as other baseball streaks and records.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Tall Drink of Water

Today, in the studio was former Bullet George Mureshan. So, TK told a story...

In the Cap Center, there was an athlete entrance that the press had access to in the back of the arena. In George's first year, TK brought Michael to a game and he was outside the locker room. And after the game, George gave Michael a roll of Lifesavers like candies. And, according to TK, this was the nicest thing he ever saw an athlete do.

On the Coach K topic, TK said there were only three teams you must listen to when they come calling: The Knicks, Celtics and Lakers.

TK thinks that Gary Williams might be the happiest man in America today. (I'd say it might be Dean Smith, too.)

And briefly, we discussed the holiday weekend. Czabe loves the 4th of July. TK< as we know, hates it, since it's just an excuse to get "sticky and blitzed."

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

No whining

Tk was late today, since he was out playing golf (no PTI today). Lightning warnings sent him in early, only finisheing thru 16.

There was a brief talk about the Coach K/Lakers story, since TK really hadn't heard about it before now.

Instead, we talk about the tendinitis Tony has is in his right forearm. There were doctors and kvetching, but no shots, yet.

Probably more about this tomorrow.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Keeping Up with Jones

Today, we discuss Tony's column today about Marion Jones and USADA, which was a refutation of Mustang Sally's column fron over the weekend.

Although it's not the side TK is usually on, he wonders about all teh circumstancial evidence and whether there's fire to go with all the smoke.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Nailing Bud to the Wall

Yesterday's PTI made the news, as Tony and Ryan were talking about the Boner Drugs. TK asked where all these horny women were, that men need to take so much of these drugs?

There was a discussion about the articles in the Post about Bud Selig. Tk's short version: "Bud belongs in prison." And the Post skewering Bud probably doesn't help the city's chances of landing Les Expos. But Tony think there might be a reverse psychology thing at work and Bud will bring baseball to DC in spite of the articles.

This dovetailed into another discussion about where the best place for a staium would be, inside the city. This, in a round about way, led to Tony's greatest line ever. "I'm glad Jack Kent Cooke named his son Ralph and john (the "city" where Fed Ex Field is) and not Peter and Enis."
Peter and Enis.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Purple Parking

Tony got primo parking, which, as you know, is all that matters.

Tk walked 9 holes early Sunday morning with John Daly's group. Daly's drives were 60-70 yards past his playing partner. And they went super quick.

Tony also talked about the story making the rounds about the North Korean president who shot, in his first round of golf, shot 5 holes-in-one and went -38 under par. BWAH HA HA.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Draft Redux

Tony watched a good portion of the first round and didn't know anyone. Like many people, TK didn't understand why Telfair was taken over Jameer Nelson, other than the conspiracy theory about adidas advertising with the Trail Blazers in exchange for taking Sebastian.

TK wondered about the success rate of high schoolers vs european players.

There was a brief discussion of the Booz Allen. People are shooting amazingly low numbers, especially compared to the treachery of the US open last week.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Bye Bye Stack

We begin with TK talking about the Kemper Open, which is now the Booz Allen Classic, the PGA tour stop this week and from where Andy and Steve are broadcasting. TK is not going this year, since TK has not gotten a preferred parking spot for the tournament.

As for the Jerry Stackhouse/Christian Laettner for Antoine Jamison trade, TK says it's about time that the Boulez has a real player on it.

We segue into talking about the Mavericks part of the deal and TK thinks Cuban would be Steinbrenner if the NBA didn't have a cap.

At the end of the segment, WTEM head honcho Todd Casselberry comes up with the blue parking pass. So, we have a happy ending.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Whither the Expos?

There was a discussion about where the stadium would be Les Expos come to DC. Tony thinks anywhere but DC (downtown) is a stupid idea.

There was also more MD vs VA arguing, as Andy (MD) and Steve (VA) did for most of yesterday's show.

And now for something completely different... Regis was at PTI today (and made a cameo to boot). TK used the word parapetic (look it up) to describe the Reeg.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Curse of Les Boulez (again)

Tony's column today was about Les Boulez and the upcoming draft. Andy called the column "tough, but fair," mainly due to the hopelessness of the tone.

Tony doesn't have anything against Eddie Jordan and Ernie Grunfeld, but they have tons of history against them.

The draft is nothing but projects anymore. Stanford's Josh Childress said "I have college experience and high school ability."

TK also briefly talked about Ralph Wiley's funeral, which he went to a few days ago. One of the speakers told a story about how he had serendipitiously run into Ralph in Los Angeles, just a few days ago before he died. Tony said the anecdote could very well be the beginning of a movie.

Many of the country's biggest African-American sportswriters, including Stephen A. Smith, J.A. Adandae and Bryan Burwell, came from all over the country for the funeral.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Tiger, Phil and More

Vigilante Justice is how Tony described Tiger's caddie Steve Williams bashing cameras. But, he wonders why there's more about Tiger than about Phil gagging on the last two holes at the Open.

There was also discussion about the conditions on the Island, Butch Harmon and, oh yeah, Goosin, the guy that won the tournament.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

The Chase

Today is the 10th Anniversary of the White Bronco.

Lots of OJ talk. TK didn't remember what he wrote at the time. He suggested asking Junior.

Also, Maggie started acting up in the background and MR. Tony threatened to put her on the phone.

Both TK and WIlbon had columns today about the NBA Finals. You can guess the subjects.

No PTI Today (golf).

No Tony on the radio tomorrow.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

The Camp Counselor Wins

Of course, Larry Brown talk.

TK hasn't talked to Larry yet, btw.

Anecdote time: After Larry won the NCAA title with Kansas, he told his agent and Tony "It's good, but not being [the summer camp rival all those decades ago]."



Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Lost in Translation

Tony got lost the other day. His subscription to OnStar lapsed and he chose not to renew, given the cost.

Tony was in Northern Jersey this weekend, but when by way of Pennsylvania.

So, a missed turn here and there and Tony was totally lost.

Did Tony call for help? No, he called home and yelled at everyone.

Eventually, a happy ending. But getting there.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

RIP Ralph Wiley

Sportswriter Ralph Wiley passed away last night (after being on ESPN radio Sunday morning with Dan LeBatard). Tony and Mike both talked about him today on the radio.

Tony talked about a time a few weeks ago when Ralph was on the radio and they talked about Ralph's son gradutating from Hampton and going on to Harvard Law School.He also told a story about an airport mix-up in DC involving Tony and Ralph and how people of different colors were treated with identically incorrect tickets.

Wilbon also had many good things to say. Wilbon actually got a call from Ralph's son (since Wilbon's number was in his phone), and so he had to make many phone calls last night.

They also did a tribute to Ralph on PTI.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Be True to Your school

Tony talked about his graduation speechat Mariet today.

Tony talked about his famous "Driver's Ed" story.

Tony didn't read his speech, which impressed a lot of people, but he does have 12 years of radio. Also, he had rehearsed it plenty over the last week.

There was a brief discussion of Zach hosting Around the Horn this week. It's nothing permanent, according to TK, and if he was making the decision, they would give the job to Stat Boy.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

Pomp(ous) and Circumstances

Tomorrow is when TK gives the Graduation Speech at Mariet. Tony will not give away any of his material today. Tune in tomorrow to hear some of it.

Talking about the Senior dinner the other day segues somehow into a discussion of ANIMAL HOUSE.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine

The Camp Counselor

Lots of discussion about last night's Game 2. As you would imagine, TK sticks up for Larry Brown.

During the gab fest, you could hear Mayor McCheese yelling in the background, disagreeing with TK.

Also, the Larry Bird "white guys inthe NBA" topic came up. Tony said if Larry and Magic agree on the issue, he agrees with them.

Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine