The Sports-Casters

On the seventeenth episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into SummerSlam 1988 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. At the top, Steve and Dave talk about the loss of two more wrestling legends, promote a very important podcast that debuts this fall, and Dave gives us a review of the Guns N Roses concert he attended at Giants Stadium. After the break,...

Steve interviews Stewart Mandel (00:11:23) from The Athletic to talk about college football season. Stewart is joining Steve for the tenth consecutive August to preview the upcoming season but instead they burn almost all of the time talking about realignment. Why did OU and Texas bolt for the SEC? How will it effect the College Football Playoff? What happens to the Big 12? Does this benefit Texas...

Steve interviews Leigh Montville(00:16:38) the Hall of Fame sports writer and author of a new book that is part memoir and part recap of the 1969 NBA Finals. Leigh is a legend as is treated as such during the interview. He talks about working on teams loaded with other amazing sports writers at the Boston Globe and Sports Illustrated. Leigh also talks about being on the Howard Stern show after wor...

On the sixteenth episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Hulk Hogan's world title defense against Ravishing Rick Rude inside the Boston Garden on January 9, 1988. At the top, Steve and Dave give their thoughts on John Cena’s WWE return, CM Punk, and a brief rundown of the 24 Inch Podcast archives. After the break, the guys give a brief bio of Ravishing...

This episode of the 24 Inch Podcast is dedicated to the life and memory of Calvin Crowell. On the fifteenth episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Hulk Hogan's heel turn at the 1996 Bash at the Beach in Daytona, Florida. At the top, Steve and Dave talk about the tragic passing of Paul Orndorff and their friend Calvin Crowell. After paying tribute, Ste...

Steve interviews Kenny Albert (00:12:23) from NBC Sports and FOX Sports. Steve and Kenny talk about Kenny's first ever Stanley Cup FInal as the voice of hockey for NBC Sports. Kenny also talks about being hired by TNT to continue to call hockey, working with Jonathan Vilma, and his upcoming assignment for the Olympics. Kenny also looks back on the legendary career of his dad, Marv Albert and share...

Steve interviews Jimmy Traina (00:16:30) from Sports Illustrated and SI. com. Steve and Jimmy catch up on the latest sports media news. Jimmy explains he doesn't like soccer, the olympics, or much else on the sports calendar this summer. Steve and Jimmy talk about Howard Stern's vacation, the future of the Sunday Ticket, and the Maria Taylor/Rachel Nichols controversy. Jimmy also gives his thought...

On the fourteenth episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Hulk Hogan's match against Boris Zhukov on Prime Time Wrestling in May of 1988. At the top, Steve and Dave talk about the sad video of a dying Paul Orndorff, a book about the summer of 1984 called, Glory Days, and get ready for another jam packed show. After the break, the guys give a brief bio...

Steve interviews L. Jon Wertheim (00:08:59) from Sports Illustrated and 60 Minutes to talk about his new book, Glory Days. First, Steve and Jon catch up talking about the reaction to the column that Jon wrote about The Sports-Casters. Next, Jon talks about writing Glory Days, the Karate Kid, Cyndi Lauper, Vince McMahon and more from the summer of 1984. Finally, Jon tries to explain the controversy...

Steve interviews Jay Mariotti (00:10:11) to talk about his career, tell his side of the story, and to remember The National. Jay is on for the first time and Steve gets into his career at The National, at ESPN, and of course writing about sports in Chicago. Jay does most of the talking, explains why he left ESPN, and mentions that Roger Ebert once called him an impolite name. Jay also talks about...

Steve interviews Jon Champion (00:05:16) from ESPN and the Euro2020. Jon joins the show to preview the Euro 2020 that he will be calling from Bristol with Taylor Twellman. Steve and Jon talk about the Italy side and why it will look different this year. Also, a preview of the favorites to win, Jon picks a dark-horse, and Steve keeps asking him about Italy. Jon also talks about how Covid will effec...

On the thirteenth episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Hulk Hogan's match at the Survivor Series in November of 1987. At the top, Steve and Dave talk about wrestling in the mainstream, the Mare of Easttown, and get ready for another jam packed show. After the break, the guys give a brief bio of Slick. Also, Steve and Dave look back at the many times...

Steve interviews Pete Weber (00:09:22) from the Nashville Predators radio network. Pete joins the show to talk about calling 20 periods in five games, fans being back in the stands, and the Predators solid play against the Hurricanes so far. Pete talks about MLB returning to Buffalo, calling Buffalo Bisons games, and has a lovely story about Ted Darling. Also, Mike Schopp (00:48:05) from WGR 550 j...

On the twelfth episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Hulk Hogan's match against Macho Man Randy Savage at Madison Square Garden in December of 1985. At the top, Steve and Dave talk about an article about Steve that appeared on SI.com and the world seemingly opening up overnight. After the break, the guys give a brief bio of Randy Savage. Also, Steve...

On the eleventh episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Hulk Hogan's match against Mr. Perfect on Saturday Night's Main Event in April of 1990. At the top, Steve and Dave talk about the most recent lapsed fan wrestling content on cable television and discuss what they did during the show's spring break. After the break, the guys give a brief bio of Cur...

Steve interviews Neil Best (00:15:07) from Newsday. Neil joins to talk about a variety of sports media topics. Neil responds to Carton and Roberts beating The Michael Kay show in the ratings book, tries to explain why Michael Kay doesn't like him, and discusses gaining the trust of Mike Francesa. Best and Steve also talk about the NHL rights package, the possibility of more Mike and the Mad Dog, a...

Steve interviews Keith Law (00:13:37) from The Athletic. Keith joins us to talk about some of his recent work at The Athletic and his book being released on paperback. Keith explains why this isn't a great MLB Draft to hold the 1.1 pick, talks about the best prospects in the upcoming draft, and talks about the best prospects not in Major League Baseball on opening day. Keith also talks about his b...

On the tenth episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Hulk Hogan's match against The Rock at WrestleMania XVIII in March of 2002. At the top, Steve and Dave talk about the most recent WrestleMania and Steve talks about his relationship with Adnan Virk, the new broadcaster on Raw. After the break, the guys give a brief bio of The Rock (very brief). Also,...

Steve interviews Andrew Marchand (00:18:04) from the New York Post. Andrew and Steve talk the new NFL television contracts and some of the changes that they will bring. Andrew also talks about JJ going to the Ringer, Michael Kay attacking Neil Best, and the New York City sports radio ratings battle. Also, Mike Triplett (00:59:20) from ESPN joins us to look back at the career of Drew Brees. Mike lo...

On the ninth episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Hulk Hogan's match against SID at WrestleMania VIII in April of 1992. At the top, Steve and Dave talk about the WWE Hall of Fame and talk about Peacock cutting up WrestleMania VI and question if they are going to ruin the network for lapsed fans. After the break, the guys give a brief bio of Sid Eudy...

On the eighth episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Hulk Hogan's matches against Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff on Saturday Night's Main Event in October of 1986 and January of 1987. At the top, Steve and Dave talk about the WWE Hall of Fame and read an important piece of feedback from a Sports-Caster's listener. After the break, the guys talk about the...

Steve interviews Joe Buck (00:07:06) from Fox Sports. Joe and Steve talk about broadcasting during COVID, looking forward to the vaccine, and life during the pandemic. Joe also talks about why baseball is at the root of his polarization, the Mount Rushmore of sports broadcasters, and how he reacts to rumors that Troy Aikman might leave the booth for a GM job. Also, Al Strachan (01:12:15) formerly...

On the seventh episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Hulk Hogan's victory over David Schultz at The Met in Minnesota. At the top, Steve and Dave talk about more snow, becoming lapsed fans, and the Miz becoming champion for the first time in a decade. After the break, the guys talk about the history of wrestling in Minnesota and give the bio of David...

Steve interviews Sal Iacano (00:09:36) from Jimmy Kimmel Live. Sal joins to talk about his new book and explains why he decided to write it now. Sal also talks about being in the most famous Fantasy Football league (and getting kicked out of it), doing podcasts with out old friend Dameshek, and the insanity that was the first few months of Jimmy Kimmel Live. Also, Michael McCarthy (00:43:04) from...

On the sixth episode of the 24 Inch Podcast, Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Hulk Hogan's victory over Roddy Piper at The War to Settle the Score. At the top, Steve and Dave talk about the Super Bowl, snow storms, and the passing of Butch Reed and Rusty Brooks. After the break, the guys explain the origin and history of the rock and wrestling connection. Also, they give biogr...