Our sports contributor Kevin Drake joins Just Talking for our Let’s Talk Sports segment. Baseball has finally arrived! Opening Day for the 2023 MLB Season is today, Thursday, March 30. The season kicks off with action from all 30 teams with 15 games on the slate.
Episode 1404: Let’s Talk Sports with Kevin Drake and Pop Punk LA Band Londynne’s Falling
Let’s Talk Sports with Kevin Drake
Our sports contributor Kevin Drake joins Just Talking for our Let’s Talk Sports segment. What’s sports world been talking about? Let’s start with Super Bowl, The two best teams for most of the NFL season, this will be a battle between more than just two top teams. It will be a matchup of two top quarterbacks and two of the best at their positions in Jason Kelce for the Eagles and Travis Kelce for the Chiefs – Philadelphia Eagles.com. LeBron James has done it. With a fallaway 15-footer in the final seconds of the third quarter against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer on Tuesday night – CBS Sports Rodgers at Pebble Beach Pro-Am: “The predominant team that we hear as we’re walking is Raiders” – CBS Sports. Plus so much more!
STRIKE A CHORD
Los Angeles Rockers Londynne’s Falling joins STRIKE A CHORD to discuss their new single “911.” It’s always interesting to hear a band's origin story. How did it begin? Who likes cake and ice cream? AND as long as we’re in a pandemic isolated from society let’s form a band! “911” instantly gives you Fail Out Boy vibes. The music video takes you back to high school teen angst, finding yourself, getting frustrated when definition doesn’t match description. Lead singer Londynne hints there’s a full album waiting for release—BUT why hold back? Is this a rock band fetish to get song fans desperate for another track? OR do fans want to be tickled, teased, given dribbles of singles rather than albums? To AI or not to AI? That is the song writer’s question! Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay. However, just because an AI can write a song doesn’t mean we should let an AI write a song. Are we scared the AI will do a better job? Guitarist Jacobi.e says, “isn’t this just using a thesaurus to write a chorus?” If you get into trouble, CALL 911—BUT if you’re looking for a new millennial pop rock band CALL Londynne’s Falling. Follow, support and listen: https://www.instagram.com/londynnesfalling
Episode 1114: Alt Indie Rock band Leaving For Arizona and Andrea Van Landingham, author of Hollywood Horrors: Murders, Scandals, and Cover-Ups from Tinseltown
Episode 1114: Andrea Van Landingham, author of Hollywood Horrors: Murders, Scandals, and Cover-Ups from Tinseltown
JUST TALKING
Author, Andrea Van Landingham joins JUST TALKING to discuss her new book: Hollywood Horrors: Murders, Scandals, and Cover-Ups from Tinseltown. The title is mouth full — hmmmm, that’s how you get past the green room folks. What makes a Millennial want to write about old Hollywood scandals? Salacious celebrity affairs have always captured the imagination of fans. Hollywood Horrors… is a collection of naughty adventures, gossip tales and hotel rendezvous—kinda like “the TMZ of dead people.” American playwright David Mamet joked about writer’s block on REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER — “I can’t afford to have those moments.” Andrea’s advice, find artistic inspiration, do other things, go into chill mode and keep typing till something clicks. How does one find the time to write a book? — have a “pandemic baby.” From the off screen debauchery of the silent era, to countless dramatic and mysterious deaths, to the sinister past lives of world-famous LA landmarks, vestiges of Hollywood’s checkered past can still be found all over the city. Check out the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Horrors-Scandals-Cover-Ups-Tinseltown/dp/1493060074
Episode 1114: Alt Indie Rock band Leaving For Arizona
STRIKE A CHORD
Charlotte, North Carolina 5 piece band Leaving For Arizona puts the camera on wide angle to include: Lance Johnson (Vocalist), Jonathan Aviles (Guitarist), Alex Tyner (Guitarist), Aubrey Hollopeter (Drummer), Cameron Gainey (Bassist) on STRIKE A CHORD. Aubrey has enough “Big Boy Energy” to keep Will Smith in check—if they get out of hand there’s a drumstick to set things right! The band is still in North Carolina, so why call it Leaving For Arizona? — legend’s say it was over a girl… we’ll never know. Millennials need to learn how to live in the moment. The band's brand new single—AND World PREMIERE: “Number Stations” sings out—“stop wishing away those years, enjoy them while you’re here, they’ll be gone before you know so hold on and don’t let go.” What comes first, the chicken or the egg? Or in music terms, the lyrics or the melody? Leaving for Arizona starts with the melody, then a baseline, then drum-line and by that point the lyrics write themselves — it’s so easy. “Déjà vu” is about “instant chemistry”, a collection of past dating experiences from all the band members. “Conversations,” the last song on the track, finds yourself reminiscing about past emotions and simple conversations—BUT an open book where you get to create the next chapter. Leaving For Arizona is headed in a new, more purposeful direction and you can hear it on their EP “MISSING OUT.” Follow and Support at: www.leavingforarizona.com
Episode 1113: Let’s Talk Sports with Kevin Drake, MLB OPENING DAY
Episode 1113: Let’s Talk Sports with Kevin Drake, MLB OPENING DAY
LET’S TALK SPORTS
Well MLB OPENING DAY is finally upon us with some new notable rules—the universal DH?! I'm not sure how I feel about that one. I'll have to see how it goes this season before commenting. However the starting pitcher can remain in the game as a hitter after being pulled from the game. That's great news for Shohei Othani! MLB eliminated the shift. We'll see what transpires out of that change.
Tiger Woods makes his colossal comeback to golf by playing in the Masters. Just to be on the course competing is a major accomplishment in itself. It would ROCK the sports world if he wins it all!!!
The NBA playoffs start next week. It’s really sad to see the Lakers implode. Defense is nonexistent! The team explains the losing along with AD'S injury woes—however the Suns will win the West. Their final opponent will most likely be the Bucks unless the Nets get it figured out. Will the Suns get their revenge like the Lakers did in beating the Celtics in the 2010 finals?
Seismic changes in the NFL and trades continue to happen. The Rams showed that teams can win by trading away top future picks for experienced great players—AND win a Super Bowl! Cincinnati has that similar model which has caused a Seismic change in the NFL with more shaking and baking all the way up to the draft. Exciting time of the Sports year!
Check out the Let’s Talk Sports Blog: https://www.chriscollinsshow.com/lets-talk-sports-kevin-drake
Does the punishment fit the crime
I'm sure most of you heard or read that NFL wide receiver "Calvin Ridley" was suspended for the entire 2022 season for placing $1500 of parlay bets on NFL games while on leave last season. Why is this serious? Does the punishment fit the crime? Let's first look at past suspensions of more serious offenses.
Ray Rice (Beat Fiancé) 2 games
Greg Hardy (Beat girlfriend) 4 games
Adrian Peterson (Felony Child Abuse) 6 games
Ezekiel Elliott (Hitting Girlfriend) 6 games
Josh Gordon (Smoking Weed, failing multiple drug tests) 6 seasons
Calvin Ridley suspended 1 season for placing bets with Hard Rock Sportsbook App
The suspensions listed may or may not fit the crimes committed. BUT the NFL needs to do a better job of protecting the integrity of this sport! Especially now that they are partnered with FanDuel. The NFL is treading into new waters by partnering up with the FanDuel gambling site now that more States are legalizing gambling. AND Fantasy Sports brought in a whopping $22 billion dollars last year!!! The NFL wants a piece of that pie!
Gambling on one's own sport is a serious offense! Pete Rose was banned for life for gambling on baseball. Pete repeatedly bet on the Reds to win whereas Calvin made some casual bets over 1 weekend. Pete should never hold any job in the MLB—BUT he should be in the HOF! David Ortiz was caught and suspended for using HGH and is in the HOF! MLB has issues to work out.
Did Calvin get the help that he needed when he took his leave from the team? I really hope Calvin Ridley gets the help that he needs and is able to return in 2023. He made a mistake and deserves a 2nd chance. He should chat with Pete Rose and be grateful that he was only suspended for 1 year. Calvin is out $11 million in salary. Ouch! That hurts!
The Winter Olympics
The Winter Olympics have begun in Beijing China and not without all of the controversy that is surrounding the games. It used bring the world together, but after what happened in the last 2 years with the out break of the Corona Virus says otherwise.
The opening ceremony was way down in viewership than the 2018 South Korea Winter Olympics. I have mixed feelings about this Olympics, part of me thinks that the USA should've not sent any athletes there and part of me says I'm ok with them going. Let's begin with why the USA should' not have sent our athletes there to compete.
For starters, Homeland security urged the athletes to take a burner phone leaving their cell phones behind. Is it safe or what. Then they live in a bubble after they quarantine for 2 weeks. Normally the athletes are shielded from the public living in their own village, nut not this time. Then they have to get a Covid19 test everyday with getting a giant swab down their throat. That doesn't sound comfortable at all. Yikes!
When competing there are no fans in the stands and yet in Los Angeles. CA, while under a state emergency and mask mandates, they are hosting the Superbowl. That brings 100,000 plus to the City. Yes we are talking about Communist China though. With no fans kills the electricity of the fans cheering their country on. Lastly why should anyone trust China. They violated everyone's trust ,but we're having trust issues with our leaders in America.
Now the other side of the coin. On the business side, why not capitalize on the opportunity at hand. Building their brand, winning medals and taking advantage on the world stage. China is close to becoming the #1 Economy in the world as they evolved so rapidly in the last 40 years. Why not cash in and make money off of them like they have been doing to America and other countries.
I guess my argument is more for NOT sending our athletes if it were my choice, but I'm glad that they are hopeful that this does bring people together or just an escape even if you watch your favorite events. I'm focused on the Superbowl, then hopefully Baseball if MLB gets their act together and settle this strike, but that's a topic to discuss another time.
Game, set, match: Djokovic leaves Australia
As most of you have heard, Novak Djokovic was recently deported
from Australia for not being vaccinated. He has won the last 3 Aus Opens and has a record 9 Aus Open titles—but will not be defending his title this year. Being deported from Aus carries a possible 3 year ban.
This is unfortunate news for the tennis fans around the world. Why did the Aus Gov make a big spectacle out of Novak? After talking with some of my close contacts in Melbourne they told me that the Aus Gov didn't want to let him in unvaccinated, because it would promote anti-vaxxers. While I respect a Country for protecting their citizens with a strong secure border, why are they ignoring natural immunity? Novak already had Covid19 a year ago and is naturally immune.
Did you know that the CDC is NOT keeping track of unvaccinated people who have survived Covid19, and now are naturally immunized to see if they are spreading the disease? Wouldn't you want to know that? I certainly do. Pushing an emergency use vaccine may be good for some people, but not all. I support Novak for not wanting to get the Jab. He knows what is good for his body and is not a health hazard to other people.
Back in November Packers QB Aaron Rodgers tested positive for Covid19. Then the world found out that he was unvaccinated. He had to be quarantined for 5 days and missed the KC game. He is back now playing NFL football traveling with the team unvaccinated, but naturally immunized. NBA star Kyrie Irving is also unvaccinated and is playing in road games for his team. The state of NY will not allow him to play at home, however they will allow unvaccinated visiting team players play in NY.
Are you confused? I am! It seems States, Countries are all over the place on how to deal with Covid19 and all of its variants. Let's face it. The cat is out of the bag! We'll have to live with this just like the common cold. Why is getting vaccinated the only solution? The double dose vaccine is only FDA approved for emergency uses and should be for the people who desperately need it.
Now that Djokovic has been deported, he remains at 20 Grand Slams tied with Nadal and Federer. The Big 3 have dominated tennis for the last 18 years. Rafa Nadal and especially Roger Federer are in the twilight of their careers. Djokovic still has time to get #21, however the Aussie's will not get to see that live in Melbourne.
I feel that each individual and their doctor should decide what is best for them—NOT Big Pharma. Next Slam for Novak is to defend the French Open, but if the King of Clay is healthy, that will be a tall order.
MLB is in a lockout!
Once again MLB is in a lockout! This time it's the owners locking out the players over an expiring agreement where labor is the main issue. Luckily this is happening in the off-season where the NFL, NHL and the NBA are in full swing—but this could linger.
My frustration with the MLB is that I'm a fan of the Cincinnati Reds. Now the MLB didn't force me to be a Reds fan—but they aren't able to compete with larger market teams in keeping or signing big time free agents to a long term deal. No salary cap and free agency has opened up to the huge sports agent business, where certain sports agents are very aggressive with these massive contract deals that price out the smaller market teams. The Cincinnati Reds go from a World Series champion in 1990 to becoming a farm system for the rich teams in the last 25 years. Frustrating to say the least! Losing players that became stars in smaller markets to go play for a larger market really hurts the fan base.
I understand the players association wanting to improve the income situation for younger players who have to serve 6 full seasons in the MLB before they are able to hit free agency and sign large contracts—but both sides will need to dig deep and work out these issues before the start of the next season. The owners also need to figure out how to level the playing field for small market teams. Maybe a salary cap could be the answer. Hopefully the MLB addresses this issue in the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.
OK MLB you need to figure out a way to induct Pete Rose into the HOF while he is still alive. A 33 year suspension is long enough, especially that the DraftKings is a co-exclusive sports betting partner of MLB. Get this right MLB!