Sports in the Waiting Room

Chris breaks down many of the week’s major NBA & NHL transactions, including four rather historic front office and coaching hires throughout pro hockey. He also discusses the impact of Chris Taylor’s injury on the Dodgers, and the majestic return of Joey Chestnut & Miki Sudo to the corner of Surf & Stilwell.

The Colorado Avalanche have again gained immortality, and Chris is breaking down the impact of stars like Cale Makar, Nathan McKinnon, and Nazem Kadri, as well as Tampa’s long defense of the cup. Chris also argues why this was the worst officiated postseason in recent memory, and takes a deep dive into Connor McDavid’s historic run. This episode also marks the Blackhawks’ hiring of Luke Richardson...

In the summer’s first episode, Chris goes over the NBA Finals, including where Stephen Curry ranks all-time in multiple categories. Chris breaks down the Stanley Cup Final and why Brayden Point’s absence may be a blessing in disguise for Tampa. He also discusses the major NHL awards, the U.S. Open, and whether Rob Gronkowski’s second retirement will actually last.

Chris closes spring by evaluating the NBA Finals and previewing the Stanley Cup Final. He also discusses how mutually beneficial the Golden Knights’ hiring of Bruce Cassidy is, and carefully discusses the political and moral implications of golfers joining the LIV Tour.

Chris breaks down the first two NBA Finals games in Golden State, as well as the NHL Conference Finals and why Beliebers want the Rangers-Bolts series to end quickly. He also highlights some recently announced NHL award winners and questions the Bruins’ firing of Bruce Cassidy. Chris discusses the passing of Marion Barber, as well as several major NFL retirements, before closing with Rafael Nadal’...

In his triumphant return from spring allergy season, Chris breaks down the NBA Finals and the respective Stanley Cup conference finals. He breaks out an average Robin Williams impression thanks to a speaking error, explains why the four best teams remain in the NHL postseason, and discusses the Buccaneers’ improved defense.

Chris recaps the Mets’ no-hitter, suspensions, and release of Robinson Cano. He offers reasoning for why the Trevor Bauer suspension is overdue, and discusses Dusty Baker becoming the first African-American MLB manager to 2,000 wins. Chris also talks about the NFL Draft and the career finishes of Zdeno Chara and Buffalo Sabres announcer Rick Jeanneret, as well as picks for the NBA’s second round a...

Chris discusses the impact of Guy LaFleur & Mike Bossy, as well as goal records broken by some of their successors. He takes the listener through the first round of the NBA Playoffs, including the multiple distractions for the Nets. The episode also features a dialogue about Miguel Cabrera’s all-time ranking among right-handed hitters, some disgraceful acts in the Guardians-Yankees series, and the...

On the first podcast in a month, Chris discusses subjects like Tom Brady’s return, the Claude Giroux trade, and Kansas’ comeback, as well as his connections to Saint Peter’s’ magical run and Seton Hall’s march to the WNIT Final. He also breaks down the reasoning for the weeks-long absence, including losing his laptop in Minnesota, before going into lengthy discussion about the 2022 Frozen Finals....

Chris emphasizes the importance of both sides of the MLB negotiating table putting fans first. He discusses how one can interpret Derek Jeter’s tenure in Miami a success, as well as a couple of stories across the Tampa area.

Chris evaluates Jim Harbaugh’s contract extension and how the Steelers sent the league a message by hiring Brian Flores, and pays tribute to Charley Taylor. In Olympic news, Canada wins the latest battle for women’s hockey, and Finland draws comparisons to the Miracle on Ice team amidst the crisis in Ukraine. Chris honors Pekka Rinne’s service to southern hockey and the late Emile Francis’ impact...

Chris closes the NFL season by accounting the many tales of Super Bowl LVI, from make-up calls to poor pass blocking to miracle babies, and giant men riding off into the sunset. He also discusses the stories between the stories, including how the Chevy Silverado essentially gave us an exit map of the New Jersey Turnpike. Outside of football, he takes on the Harden-Simmons trade, Sidney Crosby’s 50...

Chris predicts Super Bowl LVI, recaps the NHL’s first all-star weekend since the lockdown, and discusses the retirement of Tuukka Rask & Dominique Ducharme’s firing. He also goes over Team USA Women’s Hockey’s group stage and shares his own mental health experience following Mikaela Shiffrin’s emotional post-race interview. Chris closes with excitement over the return of Old Timers’ Day to Citi Fi...

Brian Flores may have sacrificed his coaching career in claiming racist and unethical practices among NFL teams. Chris tries to honestly but carefully address the situation, why the Rooney Rule may be hurting job candidates and interviewers alike, and the need to stop supporting tanking. He discusses the logic-defying career of Tom Brady and the way he could make the normal extraordinary. That’s a...

Chris highlights a divisional round that featured four games decided on the final play, including perhaps the three most thrilling minutes ever to grace Arrowhead Stadium. He also discusses the departures of Sean Payton & Wink Martindale, and the Giants’ new GM, Joe Schoen. This week’s episode also investigates the possible tainting of David Ortiz’s Hall of Fame induction and questions of hypocris...

Chris discusses Super Wild Card Weekend, including Mike Mayock’s firing in the aftermath, and predictions for the divisional round. He also gives thoughts on who should and shouldn’t be elected on the writers’ ballot to the Baseball Hall of Fame this year. Chris opines on Novak Djokovic & Kyrie Irving’s continuing unwillingness to get vaccinated, and the Montreal Canadiens’ new GM.

Chris breaks down each of the NFL’s Week 18 games with playoff implications, including a Charger-Raider game that ranks among the best of the year. He also picks apart the Brian Flores firing and the argument for Dave Gettleman being fired instead of retiring. He pays tribute to Don Maynard, summarizes Jon Lester’s career, and highlights the historic hiring of Rachel Balkovec as the Tampa Yankees’...

Though it has nothing to do with sports, Chris honors Betty White for being perhaps the most beloved person in the history of civilization. He also makes a HOF argument for the recently passed Dan Reeves. Chris gives a timeline of Antonio Brown’s troublesome behavior over the last decade and makes a sincere plea for someone to help him figure out his mental state. Chris recaps Ben Roethlisberger’s...

Chris returns from a precautionary quarantine and holiday break to pay tribute to John Madden as a coach, broadcaster, video game entrepreneur, commercial pitchman, and pop culture icon. He also breaks down the CFP Semifinals and recaps the NFL’s Week 16 action, as well as the NHL’s withdrawal from the Olympics due to COVID surges.

Chris recaps his experience at the Army-Navy game and a full circle experience between the game and New York itself. He discusses the career of the recently passed Demaryius Thomas, as well as the week’s NFL matchups. Chris also breaks down the final CFP picture, Stephen Curry breaking Ray Allen’s three-point record, and highlights from NYCFC’s title & Sergio Agüero’s career.

Chris returns with a tribute to Ed Lucas, a baseball writer and friend who did his job as well as anyone in spite of being blind before his passing in November. Chris also outlines his first experience with sled hockey, Thanksgiving week’s NFL action, and some NHL hirings and punishments. He expresses disappointment in everyone involved with MLB negotiations, discusses the free agency period that...

Chris goes over Odell Beckham, Jr’s release and the NFL’s decision to fine Aaron Rodgers and the Packers regarding COVID protocol. He also recaps the on-field action, including the Chiefs surviving Green Bay and the Titans making a case for best team, even without Derrick Henry. Topics also feature Ottawa’s much-needed captaincy filling by Brady Tkachuck, the Jack Eichel trade, and the MLB’s major...

As we surpass one year since the first episode, Chris talks about why he started the podcast, what’s happened since then, and how you can help improve the podcast. He also breaks down every storyline from the 2021 World Series and discusses the impact of the late Jerry Remy on New England and American baseball. Chris goes over the NFL week’s highlights, like Mike White’s breakout performance, as w...

This week’s episode gives a timeline of the sexual assault allegation and cover-up made by members of the Chicago Blackhawks organization, as well as the comparisons to the handling of the DeShaun Watson case. Chris breaks down the World Series, including Hank Aaron’s impact on it, Deep South baseball fandom, and the impact of Charlie Morton’s injury. He also goes over the NFL’s Week 7 action, mos...

Chris recaps the messy ending to the Dodgers-Giants series and remarks on the LCS, including questioning a 2PM start time on a Tuesday, and why the Dodgers should keep Corey Seager. He also recaps the NFL week and terrible decisions by the Dolphins & Bills, and Aaron Rodgers’ ownership of the city of Chicago. Lastly, Chris breaks down Ben Simmons’ detrimental conduct and Evander Kane’s suspension.