A to Z Podcast

Knicks figure it out in Atlanta and end the series with authority.  The path to the ECF is there and there is no excuse for failure.  Offensive adjustments for games 4, 5, and 6 worked to perfection and everyone seemed to be banging on the all cylinders.  Mets are the worst team in baseball, but at what point will changes be made?  Should the be made, and what changes can be made?TRIVIA!

In a series where the Knicks are head over heels better than their opponent, they continue to lose big leads at home with poor play and questionable coaching.  The series shifts down to Atlanta for Game 3 in what feels like a must have for the Knicks to take any life out of the Atlanta locker room.  If the Knicks lose this series, where do they turn? The Mets lost 12 games in a row until they finally snapped the streak at home against the Twins.  Who is to blame?  Does Cohen care?  Is Stearns on the hot seat? NFL Draft Preview for the locals!Trivia!

Rory goes back-to-back at the Masters.  But it wasn't without some controversy.  Did he have an unfair advantage coming into the tournament?  Were the conditions on Friday unfair?  The Islanders season is done.  It's what A to Z predicted, but how the Isles got there makes it disappointing.  The last three weeks have been miserable, but there is finally some hope for the future.  The Yankee bats have gone ice cold.  This can't be the roster moving forward.  What changes can be made?Trivia!  

The Wolverines are National Champs.  They proved too deep, too big, and too good.  UCONN kept it close but in the end the better team won.  Overall, the tournament was a dud with a lot of chalk, very few upsets and and even less buzzer beaters.  Isles season is on life support and Darche makes a huge change at head coach.  Pete DeBoer in, Patrick Roy out.  Desperate or the right move at the wrong time?  Not much to complain about with the Yankees, but the end of their lineup will be a platoon and seems to be a place that can be improved.  

What has been a somewhat lackluster March Madness got a real jolt when UCONN and Duke matched up in the Elite 8.  Did UCONN with or was this just another joke job by the Blue Devils?  Isles are are on a two game slide at the exact worse time letting points slip away.  What do their playoff chance look like?  Yankee are off to the exact start they needed.  Is this offense sustainable?  

The WBC ended is exiting and heartbreaking fashion for the USA.  What can be adjusted and how can MLB capitalize on what appears to be a huge event for them!  March Madness is upon us, with several teams poised to win it all.  NFL Free Agency....the New York Ravens?  Thats what it feels like!

The United States win golds in both the mens and woman's hockey after two OT thrillers.  Two amazing games and two amazing outcomes for the country.  Did 3 on 3 ruin the event and the outcome?  The Islanders come out hot after the Olympic break with Matthew Schaefer continues to dazzle.  Where is the limit for the kid?  What should the Isles do at the deadline?Has the World Baseball Classic lost its juice?

Are the Olympics lacking juice this year with the lack of storylines?  Does USA Hockey have enough to overcome Hockey Canada?  Does the NBA need to adjust to the changing times for the All-Star game and skills competitions?  Yankee roster shaping up for Opening DayTRIVIA!  

Super Bowl LX will be know more for the Halftime Show rather than the play on the field.  The Patriots were exactly who everyone thought they were.  A team with a cupcake schedule, fueled by an exceptional defense.  They road an easy path into the Super Bowl and then no showed.  The question will be what will the Patriots do next year when their schedule becomes exponentially harder?  The Rangers finally traded Artemi Panarin for pennies on the dollar.  Did Chris Drury overplay his hand or did Panarin paint the GM into a corner?  How did a team that won the President's trophy two years ago fall into a rebuild this quickly?  What other moves could be on the horizon? Winter Olympics!Trivia!

Its Super Bowl Week!  The whole country wants the Seahawks and nobody is ready for another Patriot Super Bowl victory.  Except for maybe the New England area and even they aren't too keen on it.    So many questions on both sides and we shall see who can make plays when they need too.  Isles are showing warning signs headed into a much needed Olympic break.  But they rally at home and get two huge points against the Penguins.  Rally Bird!  And the Giants and Jets hire Offensive Coordinators.  TRIVIA!

The AFC/NFC Championship Weekend recap.  The Seahawk/ Ram game did not disappoint. Both team are loaded with talent but the Seahawks made more plays when they needed them.  And as everyone would have guessed, Sam Darnold has a chance to win the Super Bowl  The AFC Championship was hard to watch.  Not only because of the teams involved but because the weather was the deciding factor in the game.  Nobody, and I mean nobody wants to see the Patriots win another Championship.  But here we are.  Bill Belichick was snubbed and not voted into the pro football HOF.  How can that happened?  TRIVIA!

Indiana Outlasts Miami in a thrilling National Championship Game.  Mendoza confirms why he was the Heisman Trophy winner and solidifies his status as the Number One Overall Pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.  Major drama in Denver between the Bills and Broncos.  Were the Bills screwed?  And who should be favored to head tot he Super Bowl headed in the Championship weekend.  And it turns out the NY Rangers were full of BS.  They release the Letter 2.0, waiving the white flag on the season indicating a seismic shift for the franchise.  The boys continue to wonder how Chris Drury has a job.  

Mike Tomlin was let go by the Steelers and enters the mix in crowed and competitive group of coaches looking for jobs.  Wild Card Weekend in the books and the boys preview the upcoming Divisional Round!  TRIVIA! 

The Giant and Jet seasons are mercifully over.  Leaving more questions than answers.  Is Aaron Glenn the man for the job?  Is the lack of fight the last few games a cause for concern?  Is there a plan moving forward?  Who do they take at number 2?  The Giants sabotaged their draft status by winning the last two games but they may have gotten a gift from the football gods with Harbaugh becoming available.  They should move heaven and earth to get him.  USA Hockey released their roster and there were notable snubs.  Adam Fox and Jason Robertson being at the top of the list.  Many questions headed into the Olympics.  Trivia!        

John Cena goes out with a tap out.  As it should be or did it leave a lot to be desired?  The Cup is finally coming back to the MSG. . . through the Knicks.  Does the NBA Cup mean anything or is this Knick team for real?  Old Man Rivers returns to the NFL and plays decent for the Colts.  A ton of injuries to major players as the NFL playoff pictures takes shape.  ARMY-NAVY!  TRIVIA!

Both NY baseball teams have had a miserable off season thus far. The Evil Empire LA Dodgers steal Edwin Diaz right from under the Mets leaving the  Mets  like a rudderless ship with no direction and limited options.  And the Yankees have been dormant.   The CFB election committee have spoken and Notre Dame has a real bone to pick for why they were left out.  And finally, the Isles are stringing some wins together against quality opponents.  Can they sustain this and can it lead to a playoff berth?  TRIVIA!

The Jets have the Butt Fumble and now the Giants have a Phantom Kick.  Which will be more remembered?  Giants no show in New England and the Jets crush their draft chances by winning a game.  And is Lane Kiffin a genius or simply a mercenary?  Is this move good for college football and the epitome of everything that is wrong with the sport right now?  Islanders are treading water, but they have been hit by the injury bug which will test their roster depth.   TRIVIA!

Episode 100 the Thanksgiving Edition!  New York Football continues to disappoint but on the horizon  appears to be another NY team that may not be the hero that we need, but its the hero that we deserve. . . the New York Islanders!  Are they for real?  Can they keep this brand of hockey up?Hal's tone deaf comments about the financial state of the Yankees leaves fans confused and angry!    Trivia!  

Who will be the Giants next HC and how will change affect Dart's development?  The Jets make a QB change. . .why and should it have happened weeks ago?  The Isles are cooking but where do they stand in a mediocre Eastern Conference?  Trivia!

Was that the greatest World Series in the last 30 years?  Did the Dodgers win or did Toronto lose?  An epic Game 6 followed by an unforgettable Game 7.  But will bad pitch selection, worse execution, and poor base running be the thing fans remember?The Jets began to offload talent on defense, but should they have been more aggressive at the deadline?  How long will this rebuild take?Trivia!

With special guest the Six Train, the boys discuss the tragic passing of former NFL player Nick Mangold and what he meant to the Jet organization.   They analyze the New York Jets' recent performance and quarterback situation, while also discussing the Giants' loss, the Skattebo devastating injury, and the controversial "tush push" play. They debate sports integrity, including potential rigging in NBA games and finish with the New York Rangers' roster changes and the job Chris Drury has done.  TRIVIA!

The Giants had an epic collapse where they blew and 18 point lead with 6 mins left in the game.  Who should be blamed?  The head coach, the defensive coordinator, or the players?  The Giants are showing signs of life, but they keep shooting themselves in the foot.  The Jets are hoping they hit rock bottom.  They don't have a legit quarterback and can't score more than 10 points in a game.  Is Glenn in over his head?  The NHL season has started and the Islanders #1 overall pick, looks like the real deal!  TRIVIA!  

Aaron Glenn coached in London not to lose instead of coaching to win.  His inexplicable decisions at the end of the first half and the game left everyone scratching their head.  Then Justin Fields indecision and inaccuracy,  coupled with the O-line inability to block left the team with -10 net passing yards.  Thats almost impossible.  The Giants seem like a stock on the rise.  But how high is the ceiling for this team in what is a weak division?  The NHL has begun!  Isles start with duds and the Rangers can't win at home.  Trivia!   

Yankees are eliminated from the postseason and the flaws this team showed all year, were their undoing in October.  The inability to manufacture runs.  Lack of consistent contact.  Up and down bull pen.  What changes need to be made for 2026?  The NHL season is upon us!  What are the local teams expectations?  And Week 5 in the NFL recap.  Trivia!  

What was looking like a beat down at Bethpage turned into a classic on Sunday.  But what went wrong for the Americans?  And was the Bethpage crowd too harsh on the European team?  Yanks choke away game 1 with Aaron Boone unable to manage the bull pen.  And Jaxson Dart Era has begun in NY.  The team looks re-energized but can it continue?  And will the Jets ever figure it out!  

Is this the low point for NFL Football?  The Dart Era has begun!  Is that the right choice?  Ryder Cup come to Bethpage, will the NY crowd be respectful and how will USA show?  

Aaron Judge moves up the all time HR list in Yankee history but where does he rank among the greats?  Will he deserve a plaque when he retires?   Jets provide some hope in Week 1 and then remove all hope in Week 2.  Finally, it was a battle of what team wanted it less in Dallas.  Has FG kicking in the NFL gotten out of hand?  Week 3 picks and TRIVIA!  

NFL Week 1 is in the books.  The locals looked....better but still lost.  Both 0-1.  Which local impressed more and which do you have more faith in?   Is the Jet Defense this bad?  How loud will the noise around Russ Wilson get and when is a change at QB necessary?  

Week 1 of the NFL season is upon us.  The boys break down this week's picks and the expectations for the local teams.  MLB is slated for expansion, but will they geographically realign?    

Does the NFL Pre-Season have any worth whatsoever?  Giants and Jets certainly hope so as both teams looks exceedingly better than they did all of last year.  There seem to be a purpose in their play and real talent on both sides of the football.  Can either the Yankees or Mets salvage what is left of their season?  What started out so hopeful has turned abysmal and it appears to be a slow death.  MASCOT TRIVIA!  

The Boys review two summer blockbusters.  Happy Gilmore 2 and Fantastic Four.  One is nostalgic for a generation and the other is the beginning of something big.  MLB deadline rapidly approaches, what do the Yankees need and how can they make that happen.  And we say goodbye to a wrestling legend, Hulk Hogan.  TRIVIA!

Scottie wins the Open Championship and is on a heater the likes of which we haven't seen since Tiger Woods.  Are the comparisons justified or too soon?  The Yankees are honoring the 2000 WS Championship team but the Captain of that team will not be in attendance.  Who is in the wrong?  What should the Jets realistic expectations this year?  Should the Giants already have name Wilson the starter already?  TRIVIA!

The boys recap the HR Derby and MLB All Star Game and try to figure out how Aaron Boone could screw up lineup decisions in an All Star Game.  Zanni reviews the new Superman movie and you may be surprised.  And a question that is sweeping the internet right now. . .Joey Chestnut vs. Usain Bolt....The boys weigh in!  

The doldrums of the sports year is upon us.  NHL and NBA is done.  NFL doesn't start for another month, and baseball still has 70 games left.  The Yankees are in a tail spin and Aaron Boone's seat feels as warm as it's ever been.  Lineup decision are being questioned, in game strategy always at issue, injuries are mounting and players seem a touch disgruntled.  Have they hit a low point on the season and where do they stack against the rest of the American League?    

The boys recap the NHL Draft, the Isles Draft Party, and NHL Free Agency.  Islanders don't make any big splash in free agency, but there is a clear path forward and type of player being targeted.  Rangers get their guy, as usual, in signing Gavrikov.  What other wholes need to filled before opening night?  TRIVIA!

The Indiana Pacers nearly pulled off a monumental upset, instead they lose and derail next season because of the injury to Halliburton.  The NBA East is wide open, but the Knicks have yet to hire a coach.  Why??  The Yankees continue to try to fit a square peg into a round hole.  How can Cashman alter this roster at the deadline?  And where do the Isles go with the first pick in the NHL draft?  Defense or Offense?  And do they trade back into the first pick and take the home town kid in Hagens?  A lot of balls in the air for first year GM Darche!  TRIVIA!

The cockroach Indiana Pacers force a Game 7.  Nobody thought they would be here, especially A to Z, but give them full credit.  JJ Spaun pulls off a stunner at Oakmont.  Shoots a 40 in the opening 9 on Sunday only to birdie 17 and 18 with a 65 foot putt on 18 to win the championship.  Finally, is this Florida Panther team a dynasty yet?  Trivia!

The Pacers just never go away and figure out a way to win games in the fourth quarter.  Tyrese Halliburton is quickly creating his legacy as a big game performer, and the Pacers are feeding off his confidence.  Do they have enough to overcome OKC?  The Oilers looked like juggernauts in  Game 1 but they tried to bully the bully in Game 3 and failed miserably.  Can they punch back against the Panthers in a can't lose situation in Game 4?  TRIVIA!

Knicks do what the Knicks do, and fire the best thing that's happened to them in 25 years.   They fired a coach who poured his heart and should into an organization that didn't deserve him.  It's a loser move by a loser franchise and will ultimately back fire.  Two steps forward and 14 step back.  Classic Dolan.  The NBA finals has no juice and we have an NHL Final rematch for the ages.  How can Edmonton end up on top?  

Can the Knicks recover from what may be the worst playoff collapse in NBA history?  Was it simply execution or did the Knicks run out of steam?  Is Game 2 a must win?  Will the Maple Leafs ever win or is the pressure in Toronto too much?  Will the Islanders ever hire a new President and GM?    

Are the Knicks about the shock the world?  How does the Tatum injury shift the narrative of this series?  Do they have a chance to win it all?  Islanders win the first overall pick, but still do not have a GM, when will this search end?  Is Pete Rose about to be voted in the baseball HOF?  TRIVIA!  

The Giants and Jets both had drafts to be proud of.  Giants had a clear plan and direction and the team seems to finally have an identity.  Jets got great value for where they drafted and filled holes in a porous roster.  Shedeur Sanders slipped to the fifth round.  Collusion of his own doing?  Bill Belichick was once the most feared man in the NFL.  Now he's scared of his 24 year old girlfriend.  What is going on!?

Lots going on in the sports world!  Lou is out as GM/President of the NY Islanders.  Why now and where does the team go from here?  Lavi was fired for the NY Rangers.  Is this still a desirable job in the NHL?  Why is Drury never on the hot seat?  NFL Draft preview.  Where should the locals look and why the Giants should pass on a QB.  WrestleMania recap!  TRIVIA!

Rory narrowly escapes another heartbreaking loss at a Major and is able to capture his career Grand Slam as he wins the Masters.  His final round was a complete roller coaster but he showed incredible mental strength when he birdied the playoff hole a short time after making bogey on the same hole to send the match into the playoff.  Will the propel him to win more majors this season with the monkey off his back or is the pinnacle for Rory?  TRIVIA!

The Final Four finally lived up to the hype but overall it was complete dud of a tournament.  Duke couldn't inbound the ball and struggled on the line costing them a trip to the final.  In the final, Houston led for 38 minutes but couldn't finish.  And OV breaks the goal record on Long Island.  Did the NHL do enough to promote the milestone?  

The NCAA is all chalk this year, have we seen the end of the Cinderella?  Yanks sweep opening weekend, but the story of the weekend is the shaped bats they used.  Is the torpedo bat the way of the future for MLB?    TRIVIA!

The NCAA has kicked off and through two rounds.  Not many upsets and the first time in a while, the chalk is prevailing.  MLB Opening week, what to expect from he locals.  And the Isles are doing their standard end of the year run.  They were robbed when a goal was waived off at UBS against CBJ.  Will they have enough runway to make the playoffs?  

The boys pretend to follow college basketball and give their picks for the NCAA Tournament.  Happy Gilmore 2 trailer released.  Tracey Morgan vomits court-side.  Trivia!

NFL Free Agency Frenzy has begun.  The boys recap the big moves and look to see what the locals did and what holes still need to be filled.  Disaster strikes in the Bronx as Gerrit Cole gets Tommy John Surgery.  What does this mean for the season and can the Yankees recover?  The Islanders actually traded away a core piece in Brock Nelson, but should more have been done?  

The boys record on the eve of the NHL Trade Deadline.  Will the locals be sellers or buyers?  Will Lou finally move on from this core that has clearly run its course and will Drury continue to shack up this disappointing roster?  Elimination Chamber was stunner with Cena turning heel.  What does this mean for Wrestle Mania?