Cigars And Curveballs

Thom welcomes on Redskins QB great Joe Theismann for a variety of topics as football season is ramping up. Joe's thoughts on the new NFL rules controversy, Alex Smith, and the addition of Adrian Peterson. Also, Joe talks about his love of baseball and following the Nationals." 

Thom chats with former MLBer Eric Soderholm, looking back on his career that included playing alongside Harmon Killebrew & Reggie Jackson . Eric tells Thom how he had a successful post playing career in business, among them being ticket brokering & overseeing a wellness center.

Thom brings you the rare podcast episode that combines Joe Montana talk & Missile Defense. Former 49ers Linebacker Riki Ellison joins the show to discuss his championship filled career with his unique post playing endeavors.

Thoms chat with a man with quite the resume. TV screenwriter/producer and also MLB play by play man Ken Levine. They cover his time working on MASH and his season behind the Orioles mic.

In honor of the recent "Bobby Bonilla Day" this month, Thom replays the initial episode of this podcast with former MLB great Bobby Bonilla, one of Thom's favorites.

Thom interviews D.C. native Maury Wills, best known for his record setting season of stealing 104 bases in 1962 as the shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Maury talks about how he was able to latch onto the Dodgers' organization after learning the game in D.C., the influence Ty Cobb, playing in D.C. as a National League All-Star and more. A replay from last year in case you missed it.

Washington Kastles and Washington City Paper owner Mark Ein joins the podcast. Mark tells Thom about his love for tennis, the area's excitement for the Caps championship, what the Kastles look like this year, why he bought the City Paper, and more.

Thom welcomes on his favorite manager ever to cover, Davey Johnson. Davey discusses playing on those great World Series winning Orioles teams under Earl Weaver, being teammates w/ Hank Aaron, his distinguished managing career, and more. Among the managerial topics of note, his grudge against the other skipper in the 86 World Series, his relationship w/ Peter Angelos,and was he OK with the Strasburg Shutdown.

Thom's next guest is sportscaster Lesley Visser. Lesley discusses her days as a sports writing where she was the first ever woman to cover the NFL as a beat reporter, when she got a random phone call from Bear Bryant, covering Final Fours, Olympics, and more.

Former Heavyweight Champion of the World Larry Holmes joins Thom for more than just a discussion on their love of the Lehigh Valley. Larry talks about being Muhammed Ali's sparring partner at one point prior to eventually fighting him. They look back at his bouts against Ken Norton, Ernie Shavers, Gerry Cooney, and more.

Thom brings on the former sports editor of the powerhouse Washington Post sports section, George Solomon. They go over his early newspaper career, covering the 70's Redskins, working with and editing for big names in the "biz", and being the ombudsman for ESPN."

Thom chats with former Maryland football player & NFLer Pete Koch. They look back at his time in College Park playing for Jerry Claiborne & Bobby Ross (10:30), time in the NFL that included playing for Mike Shanahan in LA (18:55), his famous scene with Clint Eastwood in "Heartbreak Ridge" (34:34), and more.

Longtime broadcaster Charley Steiner is this week's guest as he & Thom reminisce about the days they both covered boxing, working for Donald Trump when calling USFL games (11:12), moving from radio to ESPN (16:27), calling both Yankees and Dodgers games in his career & more (29:30).

Super Agent Leigh Steinberg joins Thom this week to discuss his past & new A list clients. They cover how NFL GM's have changed (21:55), new safety measures in the NFL (23:30), and the obligatory Jerry Maguire question (30:25).

Thom brings on former MLB Outfielder Eric Byrnes, known as a colorful character in his playing days. They start with his brief stint in Baltimore, his recent speed golf achievements, hard playing style, experience with Lee Mazzilli. The they close with the human element in the sabermetrics era and being involved in a brawl in his first game.

Thom is joined by former All Star Center Fielder Andy Van Slyke. They cover his career that began in St. Louis before he was traded to Pittsburgh where we saw much success alongside his teammate Barry Bonds. Thom lets Andy know how he shares some responsibility for him landing with the Orioles, Andy's post playing career that includes writing, and his thoughts on Bryce Harper & the Nats.

Thom welcomes on recent Nats Manager Dusty Baker to talk about the immediate aftermath of his life following the 2 NL East Titles in Washington. Conversation begins with Dusty returning to the Giants organization, how he dealt with his tenure ending in DC (10:01), the time he was Dave Martinez's skipper in San Francisco (23:56), his relationship with Bryce Harper (28:36), and more.

Thom has the pleasure & the honor to be joined by former All Star & NL Manager of the Year Felipe Alou. Felipe talks about growing up in the Dominican Republic, playing with and against so many baseball legends, and the 4th Alou brother. He also tells Thom his memories of the 94 Expos and his current thoughts on baseball in Washington.

Thom welcomes on longtime ESPN announcer Mike Patrick after he just ended his accomplished career. He talks about working w/ Lefty Dreisell, his memories of Howard Cosell (15:00), the greatest moment of his life w/ Arnold Palmer (23:30), being at the early days of ESPN & calling 3 decades worth of ACC action (27:08), and finally calling Sunday Night Football for years.

Thom is joined by Hall of Fame legend John Thompson. They start with his time as a dominant high school player in DC and he says who he thinks is the best local basketball player of all time. They cover the Hoyas program growth and Thom asks him how some of the biggest names in Georgetown history came to the Hilltop (18:27). Plus his thoughts on Patrick Ewing's first year (30:33).