A Wrinkle in the Game: Alternate Sports What Ifs and Realities

There are many what ifs and hypotheticals when it comes to sports. Listen to Rob and Phil discuss how titles, careers, and the history of sports could be different if things had just played out differently.

What if the St. Louis Stallions had become an NFL franchise?

The St. Louis Stallions might be the only team that attempted to become an NFL franchise twice and failed twice. What would have happened if the St. Louis Stallions had become an NFL franchise?

07-21
25:07

What if Wayne Gretzky was never traded to the Los Angeles Kings?

In 1988, the greatest NHL player ever, was traded to the west coast. Before this trade, hockey was thought of as a northern sport. How would the NHL have been different if Wayne Gretzky had stayed up in Edmonton?

07-07
26:38

What if Dee Ford was not offsides in the 2018 AFC Championship Game?

Every dynasty has one play that launches it. Most often it happens in a win. Plays like the Immaculate Reception, the Catch, and the Tuck Rule all happened in victory. However, one play that helped launch a dynasty occurred in a loss. Today, we will answer how things might have ended up differently if that play never happened.

05-27
24:39

What if Lance Armstrong was caught cheating earlier in his career?

Lance Armstrong is known for three things: Surviving testicular cancer, dominating cycling races, and using PED's throughout his career. He was caught cheating in 2012. However, it is assumed that he had been cheating since 1995. How would his career be different if he had been caught cheating earlier? How would his cancer research foundation have done if this is the case? Listen to this episode to find out.

05-12
19:28

What if Thurman Munson did not die in a plane crash in 1979?

When we think of great Yankees, we often leave one name off of our list. When we think of great catchers, we also leave one name off of our list. Thurman Munson was a 7-time all star and an AL MVP. However, he's often lost to the annals of history. How might his legacy have changed if he did not die prematurely.

04-21
29:21

What if "the catch" never happened?

There are a few NFL plays that every NFL fan knows. One of these plays is "the catch". What if this play never happened? Would the 49ers' dynasty still have happened? Would the Cowboys have another Super Bowl victory? Would Joe Montana still be considered one of the best QBs in NFL history? Listen to this episode to find out the answers to these questions.

04-02
22:00

What if the Seattle Seahawks had won Super Bowl XL?

Nobody ever wants a referee's call to decide a game. However many people feel that the Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL with some very beneficial, yet controversial, calls. How would some legacies be different if those calls were not made and Seattle had possibly won Super Bowl XL?

04-02
28:33

What if Tyreek Hill was not dismissed from Oklahoma State?

There are few Bedlam football wins that have come with OSU on the winning side. In 2014, OSU, against all odds, won the game in large part to Tyreek Hill. Hill was dismissed from the Oklahoma State team after that game. How would the 2015 version of the Oklahoma State Cowboys have fared if Tyreek Hill had been on that team? Rob and Phil take you deep into this conversation as they get to also talk about their fandom.

11-19
26:08

What if the "Malice at the Palace" never happened?

On November 19th, 2004, an event occurred that would change fan interactions in the sports world. A game occurred that was thought to be an Eastern Conference Finals preview. However, once the game ended, the actual basketball was not on anybody's minds. How would sports be different if this event had never happened?

11-06
28:52

What if the Dodgers and Giants stayed in New York?

It is often forgotten that both the Dodgers and the Giants used to be in New York? In 1957, both teams packed up their belongings and headed west to California. How would Major League Baseball be different if these two franchises didn't leave for greener pastures?

10-15
27:44

What if Paul "Bear" Bryant never left Texas A&M?

"Bear" Bryant is considered one of the best college football coaches ever. When he is thought of, it's often his many years at Alabama that come to mind. However, he did coach a few years before that in College Station. Might A&M or Alabama be viewed differently if he had never ventured back to his alma mater in Tuscaloosa?

10-01
19:35

What if Bert Jones's injuries didn't catch up with him?

Bert Jones is the best quarterback that you've never heard of.  Also, now that you've heard of him, he still might be the best quarterback that you have heard of.  He had an amazing 3 year run in the 70's, but as we all know the Steelers ruled the decade.  Listen to this episode to find out a few "what ifs" surrounding the amazingly talented, Bert Jones.

07-31
19:12

What if Muhammad Ali lost to Sonny Liston?

In February of 1964, Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) was an up and coming boxer fighting against the champion, Sonny Liston.  Ali won the fight and it helped propel him to super stardom.  Might things have been different if he hadn't won that fight? Also, might Liston have thrown this fight or the rematch?   Listen to this episode to hear these questions discussed and more!

07-17
20:18

What if the Chicago Bulls received the 1st pick in 1979 and drafted Magic Johnson?

There was one player in the 1979 NBA draft that everybody wanted.  That player was Magic Johnson.  As everybody knows, the Lakers picked him with the 1st draft pick, thus starting the Showtime era.  However, they only received that pick because they won a coin toss against the Bulls.  What if the Bulls received that pick and picked Magic Johnson instead of the Lakers?

06-12
16:10

What if Trent Dilfer was not released after the Ravens won the Super Bowl?

The Baltimore Ravens had a magical run through the 2000 season, culminating with winning Super Bowl XXXV.  After the season, the team made the unprecedented move of releasing their Super Bowl winning quarterback.  What if Trent Dilfer stayed on the Ravens for the upcoming season and beyond?  Listen to this episode to find out.

05-29
18:49

What if Dale Earnhardt did not die while racing in the 2001 Daytona 500?

In 2001, Dale Earnhardt was racing in the 2001 Daytona 500.  On the final lap, he was racing alongside Michael Waltrip and his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr.  However, we wouldn't finish the race.  What would have happened if Dale Earnhardt did not die on that day?  Listen to this episode to find out!

05-15
23:43

What if Aaron Rodgers was picked 1st in the 2005 NFL Draft instead of Alex Smith?

The 2005 NFL Draft is known for Alex Smith being taken as the #1 overall pick ahead of Aaron Rodgers?  What would have happened if Rodgers had been picked #1 by the 49ers?  Would San Francisco have won a few Super Bowls over the last 17 years?  Would the Packers have not been contenders at all? Listen to this episode to find out the answers to these questions and more!

05-01
24:03

What if Christian Laettner missed the game winning shot in the 1992 Regional Finals against Kentucky?

There are a few iconic moments in NCAA tournament history.  You'd be hard pressed to find one moment for iconic than Christian Laettner's made bucket against Kentucky in 1992.  What if Laettner missed that shot?  What if, instead of going 10-10, Laettner goes 9-10?  Rob and Phil dive into this topic.  Join them on this journey through the 1992 NCAA Tournament.  

04-17
28:06

What if Vince Carter did not put on a show in the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest?

In 2000, the slam dunk contest was near extinction. Luckily, Vince Carter (and Steve Francis) came to the rescue.  What would have happened if this epic contest had never happened.  Phil and Rob also discuss how to possibly save the dunk contest going forward.

04-03
27:22

What if Michael Jordan had signed with the Knicks in the summer of '96?

As we all know, Michael Jordan won 6 championships in 6 Finals appearances in the '90's.  All of these championships were with the Bulls.  However, there was the opportunity for him to sign with the Knicks after the 1996 NBA Finals.  How close was this to happening?  If this had happened, how many NBA players would have been impacted?  How many legacies would have been impacted?  Join us to as we discuss this wrinkle in the game!

03-20
27:15

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