Cigars And Curveballs

As the NCAA Tournament rolls on, Thom brings on Basketball Coach Pete Strickland. They talk about how he is now the National Coach for Ireland, playing for the famous Morgan Wooten at DeMatha (10:51), his encounters some of the most famous coaches today including Calipari, Izzo, and Coach K (21:23), and finally the evolution of the 3 pointer on the college game (29:33).

Thom brings on the man who pitched the last Senators game & the first Rangers one. Throughout the episode they fill in the before & after of that stretch including playing for Ted Williams the manager (15:49), final season in Washington (20:01), pitching a no hitter (33:31), getting into coaching (40:42), and more.

Thom brings on one of the key behind the scenes figures in Washington landing the Nationals, Bobby Goldwater, this is a must listen for DC baseball fans. They start with his long career as an executive at Madison Square Garden (7:40), his 1 on 1 meeting with Muhammad Ali (13:17), moving to LA to manage the Staples Center (25:27), coming to DC to among other things try and get a MLB team (30:55), educating those high up in Baseball about how the city was changing and ripe for a franchise (32:25, & finally how he realized that the Navy Yard neighborhood was the perfect spot for a new ballpark (36:32).

Thom welcomes on former Washington Senator slugger Frank Howard. They discuss getting into the Nats Ring of Honor (4:21), playing for the Dodgers (7:34), playing basketball at Ohio State (18:20), homering in the 1963 World Series (21:23), being traded to Washington (29:01), having Ted Williams as a manager (33:06), DC now as a baseball town (38:01), how he landed the nickname "Hondo" (39:45) & did he actually hit a homer out of Yankee Stadium (42:51)?

While covering Spring Training in Palm Beach, Thom chats w/ the new Nationals Manager Dave Martinez. They look back at his well traveled playing career under many different skippers, which included a stop in Montreal (8:40), being with his now predecessor Dusty Baker in San Francisco (12:04), his developing knowledge of pitching (18:02), & learning from Bobby Cox (22:30).

Thom chats with the only man in the last 100 years to be a World Series winning Cubs manager, Joe Maddon. They discuss how he's known Nats GM Mike Rizzo since the early 80's (7:45), his idea for fantasy baseball in schools (13:34), what kind of manager Dave Martinez will be for the Nationals (18:16), & his memories of the 2012 pine tar controversy with Davey Johnson (20:08).

Thom is joined by DMV native and famous sportscaster James Brown. James attended Dematha High School on his way to a long accomplished career in sports television at the highest stage. They discuss his passion for baseball at a young age (7:25), James' thoughts on Bill Belichick (14:23),  his interactions and interviews with Michael Vick (27:36), and getting chances to anchor the CBS Evening News (28:36). ​

Thom chats with one of the few Redskins to have been on all the Super Bowl teams in the Joe Gibbs era, tight end & 3 time champion Donnie Warren. Donnie shares his story of coming to Washington (6:13), his favorite John Riggins story (20:23), his theory on why they lost Super Bowl 18 (32:15), Gibbs leaving & his affection for the coach, & more.

Thom welcomes on one of the all time great voices of Boxing, "Colonel" Bob Sheridan. He talks about his distinguished Hall of Fame career including (15:18) calling the "Rumble in the Jungle", (23:55) "Thrilla in Manilla", (35:26), the night Tyson bit Holyfield, and (41:10) being in Tokyo for Buster Douglas' upset. 

Thom welcomes on former Dallas Cowboys All Pro Defensive Tackle, Co-Super Bowl MVP and Terp Randy White. They discuss what led him to Maryland (6:46), playing for Tom Landry in Dallas (10:10), the Redskins/Cowboys rivalry in the 70's & 80's (26:21), & Joe Jacoby's Hall of Fame credentials (27:31).

Thom is joined by former Terp player and assistant coach when they won the National Title Billy Hahn. Billy talks of why he left the state of Indiana to play at Maryland (7:30), his favorite memories of playing for Lefty Driesell and of Cole Field House (13:26), how he started to work for Gary Williams at his alma mater (25:58), Billy's take on Maryland's rivalries with Duke & UNC (36:34), his tenure as Lasalle's Head Coach (42:02), and more.

Ernie Baur is a DC TV producer who saw it all. He and Thom reminisce on his illustrious career. 6:23 how he got his start in the biz, 12:39 Hanafi Siege coverage, 16:30 Birth of Warner’s catchphrase, 21:10 working w/ Glenn Brenner, and 25:28 getting to know and become friends with Sonny Jurgensen"

Thom welcomes on former longtime Capitals GM George McPhee. They discuss his long tenure in Washington, highlighted by a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Jaromir Jagr acquisition, and the beginning and middle of the Alex Ovechkin Era in DC. Plus, his new role as GM for the expansion Las Vegas Knights, and the excitement it's brought to that city.

Thom is joined by a man who has seen it all in the boxing world, starting with Muhammed Ali at a young age. An expert story-teller who has worked with Howard Cosell, Don King, Mike Tyson, and more.

Thom is joined by Hall of Fame Safety Ken Houston. Ken remembers growing up in Texas and playing for the Oilers. He then covers his time as a Redskin that includes his famous game saving tackle. He achieved an amazing run of 12 straight Pro Bowls.

Thom welcomes on DC native author and George Pelecanos. George has incorporated Washington into many of his works and he also has been part of the writing team on many HBO hits such as "The Wire", "Treme" and "The Deuce".

Thom takes a trip down memory lane ahead of the Redskins visiting Dallas by chatting with former Redskins defensive tackle Diron Talbert. They discuss the rilvalry and his many seasons in Washington in the 70's.

Thom brings on Roy Firestone, a man best known for his riveting interviewing skills on Up Close, but also a man with more talents than you realize. They cover his time as an Oriole batboy as a kid, some of his more famous interactions, and what his current projects are.

Thom chats with former Redskins & Cowboys TE Jean Fugett. Jean is a Baltimore native who had a unique route to the NFL via Amherst. He also has a can't story about his time interning for the Orioles

Thom is joined by Al Bumbry, not only a World Series champion outfielder with the Orioles, but also a Vietnam Veteran. They discuss his unique background on this week's podcast.