Saturday, August 1, 2009

David Ortiz tested positive for steroids in 2003.  This revelation propels fans of Ortiz, whose charming personality and clutch playoff hits made him an icon, through the full gamut of emotions.  The Boston Globe’s Tony Massarotti joins Bill to gauge the reaction of Boston sports fans.

Professional football in the United States is a multi-billion dollar industry.  In Japan, it is a profession populated by workers who suit up after they are finished at the office.  Notre Dame, a the symbol of the American obsession with football, recently sent a team of “Legends” to Tokyo to compete against the Japanese national team in an effort to gain publicity for the sport.  Correspondent Akiko Fujita was there.

This month marks the 25th anniversary of one of the more remarkable and underappreciated Olympic achievements in United States history.  Jeff Blatnick overcame cancer and the U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics to win a gold medal, and pave the way for generations of wrestlers to come.  Only A Game’s Brian Mann has the story.

Author Eric Adelson joins Bill to discuss his book, “The Sure Thing: The Making and Unmaking of Golf Phenom Michelle Wie.” The book chronicles Wie’s promise and her disappointment, and leaves open the possibility for a happier and more successful future chapter in her life.

Only A Game analyst Charlie Pierce joins Bill to discuss the newest members of the steroid club, the always entertaining Stephon Marbury, and a story that has them both wishing for the good old days when a sore loser at Monopoly would simply flip over the board.

The story of Jeff and Taylor Turner is refreshing.  In a sports age where motives are often as blurry as polluted water, the reasons behind the Turner’s mission to fish 50 trophy waters in 50 states in 50 days are pure: building a father-son relationship, and adventure.  Gary Waleik caught up with the Turners on the 40th day of their excursion.