<description>Steve interviews James Horncastle  (00:29:53) from The Athletic and the author of a new book called, The Soccer 100. James is making his debut on the podcast and he is there to plug a new book about the 100 best players in soccer history. Before we get to that, Steve and James have a long discussion about Italian football. Why are Italy struggling to qualify? How can young Italian players get playing time in Serie A sooner? Who is better for Italian football, Cagliari or Como? How great is Francesco Camarda? Finally, we do get to the book. Why isn't Maldini the highest rated defender? Why isn't Buffon the highest rated goalkeeper? Also, a discussion about Francesco Totti. 

Steve starts the show with first things first. Tyler Shough looks pretty good and the national media is starting to notice. The Sabres are healthy again, but why do they have three goalies?  Also, college football stinks, Lane Kiffin is a jerk, and the Awful Announcing rankings of the best broadcast booths in sports. The show ends with one last thing about Steve scoring his first goal in a hockey game in over eight years and Paula being there to see it. 

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters
Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com</description>

Steve interviews James Horncastle  (00:29:53) fro…

Steve interviews James Horncastle  (00:29:53) from The Athletic and the author of a new book called, The Soccer 100. James is making his debut on the podcast and he is there to plug a new book about the 100 best players in soccer history. Before we get to that, Steve and James have a long discussion about Italian football. Why are Italy struggling to qualify? How can young Italian players get playing time in Serie A sooner? Who is better for Italian football, Cagliari or Como? How great is Francesco Camarda? Finally, we do get to the book. Why isn't Maldini the highest rated defender? Why isn't Buffon the highest rated goalkeeper? Also, a discussion about Francesco Totti. 

Steve starts the show with first things first. Tyler Shough looks pretty good and the national media is starting to notice. The Sabres are healthy again, but why do they have three goalies?  Also, college football stinks, Lane Kiffin is a jerk, and the Awful Announcing rankings of the best broadcast booths in sports. The show ends with one last thing about Steve scoring his first goal in a hockey game in over eight years and Paula being there to see it. 

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters
Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com

Season 15 Episode 28- James Horncastle

<description>Steve interviews Mark Hebscher (00:34:37) the author of a new book called, "Madness: The Rise and Ruin of Sports Media." Mark is making his debut on the podcast and he starts off with a bang. Mark and Steve disagree with the outlook of Blue Jay's fans after a devastating World Series. Mark proclaims he knows more about baseball than anyone else to appear on the podcast. Mark talks about the state of sports media in Canada, the control teams have acquired over the narrative since COVID, and gives his Mt. Rushmore of Canadians in the sports media. Mark and Steve also talk about Canadian rock music and eating Chinese food in Fort Erie. 

Steve starts the show with First things First and his thoughts on the Italian National Team, the yo-yo that is the 2025-26 Sabres, and a few pieces of Atlanta Braves news. The sports media story of the week looks at Donald Trump's appearances on  the Pat McAfee Show and inside the booth during an NFL game on Fox. The show ends with one last thing about red sauce just not being the same since Nonna and Bisnonna died.

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters
Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com</description>

Steve interviews Mark Hebscher (00:34:37) the aut…

Steve interviews Mark Hebscher (00:34:37) the author of a new book called, "Madness: The Rise and Ruin of Sports Media." Mark is making his debut on the podcast and he starts off with a bang. Mark and Steve disagree with the outlook of Blue Jay's fans after a devastating World Series. Mark proclaims he knows more about baseball than anyone else to appear on the podcast. Mark talks about the state of sports media in Canada, the control teams have acquired over the narrative since COVID, and gives his Mt. Rushmore of Canadians in the sports media. Mark and Steve also talk about Canadian rock music and eating Chinese food in Fort Erie. 

Steve starts the show with First things First and his thoughts on the Italian National Team, the yo-yo that is the 2025-26 Sabres, and a few pieces of Atlanta Braves news. The sports media story of the week looks at Donald Trump's appearances on  the Pat McAfee Show and inside the booth during an NFL game on Fox. The show ends with one last thing about red sauce just not being the same since Nonna and Bisnonna died.

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters
Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com

Season 15 Episode 27- Mark "Hebsy" Hebscher

<description>Steve interviews Jay Mariotti (00:37:26) who returns to the podcast with a list of topics that he is anxious to sound off on. Jay talks about the phenomenal World Series, the dominance of the Dodgers and the momentum that baseball has. Jay also gives his opinions on the Heisman Trophy, the rest of the NFL season, and the Winter Olympics in Milan. 

Steve starts the show with a visit from the beautiful, Paula Bennett. First things First is loaded with Steve's thoughts on Italy, the Braves, the Sabres, and Tyler Shough. The sports media story of the week in a takedown of the obnoxious standoff between ESPN and YouTube. The show ends with one last thing about the golden era of television and why it isn't now. 

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters
Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com</description>

Steve interviews Jay Mariotti (00:37:26) who retu…

Steve interviews Jay Mariotti (00:37:26) who returns to the podcast with a list of topics that he is anxious to sound off on. Jay talks about the phenomenal World Series, the dominance of the Dodgers and the momentum that baseball has. Jay also gives his opinions on the Heisman Trophy, the rest of the NFL season, and the Winter Olympics in Milan. 

Steve starts the show with a visit from the beautiful, Paula Bennett. First things First is loaded with Steve's thoughts on Italy, the Braves, the Sabres, and Tyler Shough. The sports media story of the week in a takedown of the obnoxious standoff between ESPN and YouTube. The show ends with one last thing about the golden era of television and why it isn't now. 

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters
Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com

Season 15 Episode 26- Jay Mariotti

<description>Steve interviews Ken Belson (00:23:23) the author of a new book about the business of the NFL called, "Everyday is Sunday." Ken is making his debut on the podcast and explains what its like working a sports beat for the New York Times but not working for The Athletic. Ken talks about the Buffalo Bills getting a new stadium, PSLs, and the NFL's desire to keep a football team in Western New York. Ken and Steve discuss Gayle Benson and her reign as owner of the New Orleans Saints. Ken explains what he thinks the dangers are for the business of the NFL and gives his thoughts on the farce that was BountyGate.

Steve starts the show with first things first. The 2025 New Orleans Saints have bottomed out, the Buffalo Sabres are sucking all of Western New York back in, and the World Series is tied 1-1.
One Last Thing is about Steve injuring his hamstring at hockey and the dog that still burns inside of him. 

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters
Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com</description>

Steve interviews Ken Belson (00:23:23) the author…

Steve interviews Ken Belson (00:23:23) the author of a new book about the business of the NFL called, "Everyday is Sunday." Ken is making his debut on the podcast and explains what its like working a sports beat for the New York Times but not working for The Athletic. Ken talks about the Buffalo Bills getting a new stadium, PSLs, and the NFL's desire to keep a football team in Western New York. Ken and Steve discuss Gayle Benson and her reign as owner of the New Orleans Saints. Ken explains what he thinks the dangers are for the business of the NFL and gives his thoughts on the farce that was BountyGate.

Steve starts the show with first things first. The 2025 New Orleans Saints have bottomed out, the Buffalo Sabres are sucking all of Western New York back in, and the World Series is tied 1-1.
One Last Thing is about Steve injuring his hamstring at hockey and the dog that still burns inside of him. 

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters
Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com

Season 15 Episode 25- Ken Belson

<description>Steve interviews Adrian Dater (00:36:20) his friend and a longtime beat writer for the Colorado Avalanche. The former co-host of the Lonely End of the Rink podcast returns to the podcast to talk about the Colorado Avalanche, the Buffalo Sabres, rock concerts, and Adrian's trip to England. Steve and Adrian talk about the individual brilliance of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, the return of Gabriel Landeskog, and the outlook of the 2025-26 Avalanche. Adrian gives his opinion on the Sabres, discusses the future of Kiss (this interview was recorded before the news of Ace Frehley's dire heath situation broke), details his experience at Anfield to see Liverpool take on Newcastle.

Steve starts the show with first things first. Italy has an incredible international break at the senior and u21 levels, the baseball playoffs have been fantastic, the Saints always play the same game, and the sports media story of the week is about the future of the broadcast booth for the MLB playoffs. The show ends with one last thing and Steve waxes poetic about the return of his favorite Gatorade flavor (seriously). 

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters
Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com</description>

Steve interviews Adrian Dater (00:36:20) his frie…

Steve interviews Adrian Dater (00:36:20) his friend and a longtime beat writer for the Colorado Avalanche. The former co-host of the Lonely End of the Rink podcast returns to the podcast to talk about the Colorado Avalanche, the Buffalo Sabres, rock concerts, and Adrian's trip to England. Steve and Adrian talk about the individual brilliance of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, the return of Gabriel Landeskog, and the outlook of the 2025-26 Avalanche. Adrian gives his opinion on the Sabres, discusses the future of Kiss (this interview was recorded before the news of Ace Frehley's dire heath situation broke), details his experience at Anfield to see Liverpool take on Newcastle.

Steve starts the show with first things first. Italy has an incredible international break at the senior and u21 levels, the baseball playoffs have been fantastic, the Saints always play the same game, and the sports media story of the week is about the future of the broadcast booth for the MLB playoffs. The show ends with one last thing and Steve waxes poetic about the return of his favorite Gatorade flavor (seriously). 

For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters
Email: thesportscasters@gmail.com

Season 15 Episode 24- Adrian Dater

Steve Bennett is the host of this podcast about sports, sports media, and the way sports and sports media intertwine in the world around us.

The Sports-Casters

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