Ap Sports Weekly

Hall of Fame pitcher and FOX analyst Jon Smoltz talks candidly about the trends threatening to make baseball unwatchable and how to fix it. Then co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg train their sights on another season in serious need of fixing _ even before college football really kicks off _ and ask former LA Timesman and founding tmgcollegesports.com writer Chris Dufresne for help. On the menu: There was actually a game once named the “Salad Bowl.”

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg wade into the white-hot debate over NFL players demonstrating during the national anthem with some common-sense solutions, then try to temper their excitement over Tiger Woods being back on the prowl. Also on the show: AP racing writer Jenna Fryer asks whither NASCAR in the wake of CEO Brian France’s DUI arrest and soccer writer Rob Harris reviews the Premier League’s opening weekend. On the menu: pasta, veal and ‘No Heimlich for you!’

Terrell Owens skipped the Pro Football Hall of Fame festivities and threw his own party. Guest host Rob Maaddi, an Associated Press Pro Football writer, sticks up for T.O. while fellow AP NFL writer Barry Wilner gives a voter’s perspective and shares his views on Brian Dawkins’ inspiring speech in Canton and the NFL’s new helmet rule. Tennessee AP sports writer Teresa Walker gives an insider look at T.O.’s party. Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson shares his journey from player to high school coach to Super Bowl champion coach in a special interview, and Rob defends millennials from critics blaming them for baseball’s decreased attendance.

Ice Cube’s crossover dribble into the sports world has him leading the BIG3 basketball league for a second season. Guest host Larry Lage of The Associated Press kicks it with the entertainment mogul about 3-on-3 hoops, music and movies to tip off a star-studded lineup of guests. Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter opens up about the lives of his children along with his passion for the Chicago Cubs and music. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford discusses how fatherhood has changed his perspective. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league wants a cut of the action from gambling profits if anyone wants to use its assets. NBC Sports and MSG Network hockey analysts Anson Carter wraps up the podcast, expanding on his thoughts about a move he didn’t like made earlier this year by USA Hockey.

It's two years until the 2020 Olympics, and so there's plenty of Olympic sports to talk about right now - golf, basketball and swimming among them. Guest host Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press talks to four-time Olympian Sue Bird about the state of the WNBA and her future plans, as well as has a chat with four-time Olympian Ryan Lochte about his latest turbulent chapter. Plus, Tim Dahlberg and AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson wrap up the British Open, golf’s third major of the year. Finally, we tell the tale of how an act of kindness by a now-departed football coach changed one kid's life.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg look back on a quarter-century covering Tiger Woods and wonder what he has left heading into the final round of the British Open. Then AP golf writer Doug Ferguson weighs in on a generation that only saw Tiger’s best on TV and wonders how they’ll respond if Woods can wake up the echos. On the menu: if you want to make an omelet, you have to break an egg ... or nine.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg zoom in on the moment at major tournaments that make champions, then bring Doug Ferguson on-board to recap the second round and preview the third at the British Open. Also on the show: another day without luggage and anything good to eat.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg take a personal interest in the story of Jhonattan Vegas’ lost golf clubs at the British Open, then AP golf writer Doug Ferguson weighs in on Tiger Woods and the rest of the first-round results at Carnoustie. Also on the show: cameos by Jordan Spieth and Tony Finau, as well as the AP’s Steve Douglas. On the menu: when eating Indian food, why choose chicken when there’s lamb?

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg get you ready for Round 1 of the British Open at Carnoustie with Associated Press golf writer Doug Ferguson and an interview by AP’s Steve Douglas of Iceland’s first major championship golfer, who always carries a “lava club” in his bag. On the menu: eating innards and a pizza with Tony Finau.

Jim Litke and guest co-host Rob Harris suss out how a tiny nation became a soccer superpower while previewing Croatia’s World Cup final against mighty France. Former Croat hero and 1998 star Davor Suker and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino also make appearances on the World Cup review segments of the show. On the menu: The never-ending cup of coffee.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg worry whether England has gone bonkers ahead of its World Cup semi against Croatia, then assess the Three Lions’ chances to advance with former English star and FOX analyst Warren Barton and the AP’s Rob Harris. Also on the show: an interview with Sir Geoffrey Hurst, hero of England’s 1966 Cup triumph, and a wrap-up of France’s 1-0 win over Belgium in the first semi with Chris Lehourites. On the menu: R.I.P. Pillsbury Dough Boy.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg recall the wackiest World Cup celebration they’ve seen before being joined by FOX analyst and former US national team member Aly Wagner to preview France vs. Belgium and talk about the audience response to women broadcasters calling the games. Also on the show: AP soccer writer Steve Douglas from St. Petersburg on the semifinal matchup. On the menu: What dunderhead at Costco banished polish sausages from the menu?

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg pay their respects to the late Jim O’Connell, a giant of college basketball, then bring on newly minted U.S. citizen and “Men in Blazers” co-host Roger Bennett to demonstrate soccer really can explain the world. Also on the show: AP’s Chris Lehourites recaps/previews the games and then the hosts recap a week’s worth of eating in the City of Big (Pork) Shoulders.

Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo talks about Neymar's credentials to be crowned world player of the year and calls for his fellow Brazilian to get more protection from referees at the World Cup. Another former world champion, Lothar Matthaus, talks us through the quarterfinal matches in Russia. We also discuss the female pundits and presenters shaking up the male-dominance of World Cup broadcasts. FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani gives an insight into what a member of soccer's ruling executive does at the World Cup and whether the United States is missed at the World Cup. On the road in Russia, Rob Harris goes deep into Stalin’s bunker in Samara. And we hear how the AP’s Ron Blum is finding his eighth World Cup.

Former Colombia forward Juan Pablo Ángel recalls moving into now England-coach Gareth Southgate's house when they were playing in the English Premier League and he looks ahead to the World Cup round of 16 meeting between their countries. Also on the show: AP soccer writer Rob Harris talks you on a tour around Russia speaking to the supporters and AP journalists at the heart of the soccer showpiece and reviews the stunning progress of the host nation.

Welcome to the knockout stage of the World Cup, with eight great matches over the next four days. Guest host Tim Reynolds is no fan of penalty-shot shootouts to decide anything, especially a World Cup, and he rants about this with Stuart Holden of Fox Sports and AP colleague Chris Lehourites. Much more importantly: The guys talk about the pressure on Argentina, Mexico and others, who might emerge as the champion and they even break down the mind game between striker and goalkeeper in critical moments of matches.

Guest host Tim Reynolds breaks down how your World Cup bracket is busted, now that defending champion Germany has been sent home even before the knockout round. We talk with Fox Sports analyst and longtime U.S. goalkeeping great Tony Meola about this tournament, about defense and what the Americans have to do before they can compete for greatness on soccer's biggest stage. AP Sports Writer Chris Lehourites calls in from Moscow to sum up all of Wednesday's action, look ahead to the group-play finales on Thursday and drop a little Rolling Stones knowledge on the pod. Plus, a shoutout to the team that finished third in the 1988 Old Forge Columbus Day Soccer Tournament.

Co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg trace Mexico’s soaring World Cup hopes to the top of a pyramid, then ask ESPN’s Hercules Gomez and the AP’s Carlos Rodriguez what will happen if El Tri lost their footing. AP international deputy sports editor Chris Lehourites boils down the last-minute action that saw both Spain and Portugal survive in a lightning recap/preview segment. On the menu: Who’s got the tab?

Co-host Jim Litke examines soccer’s reluctance to deal with concussions, asking why Moroccan star Nordin Abramat was allowed to violate FIFA’s guidelines and return to play just days after being hospitalized with a severe bout of temporary amnesia. Joining him are AP global sports editor Michael Giarrusso, European columnist John Leicester and soccer writer Rob Harris. On the menu: Uzbek hot stone chicken and belly dancing.

Former U.S. National Team captain Marcelo Balboa and filmmaker Michael Zimbalist join co-host Jim Litke to recount the sequence of events that led to the tragic “own goal” in the 1994 World Cup and the murder of Colombian defender Andres Escobar. Also on the show: a recap/preview of important games with deputy international AP sports editor Chris Lehourites and an NBA draft segment by Tim Reynolds. On the menu: a 14-year-old shall feed them.