Claim OwnershipBLEAV Sports with Fred and The Fantastics
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Fred Wallin, veteran local and national radio/television sports talk host, explores sports from every angle – media, business, collectibles, and wagering. Tune in and discover all you ever wanted to know about sports … and so much more.
212 Episodes
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Fred, Art, and Laura are less than enthusiastic about the New England Patriots’ latest jersey color, but marvel at their NFL lead, powered by rookie quarterback Drake Maye's impressive development. Can they sustain this unexpected surge? Is Matt Stafford the MVP favorite, having thrown 20 touchdowns without an interception over six games and positioning the Rams atop the power rankings before Sunday's Seattle showdown? Does Lincoln Riley's deceptive play against Northwestern, which drew Big Ten sanctions for USC, cross ethical lines? And as fifth-ranked Arizona visits undefeated UCLA in college basketball, will Mick Cronin's volatile coaching style help or hurt the Bruins?
Fred, Art, Laura, and Matthew weigh in on the latest Baseball Hall of Fame candidates, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, and Fernando Valenzuela. Will steroid-era controversies prevent Bonds and Clemens from reaching the required 75%, while clean candidates like Mattingly and Murphy gain induction? Is Don Mattingly’s rumored new position with Philadelphia as bench coach a trial run before replacing Rob Thomson? As the Cowboys struggle following Micah Parsons' trade, has management's decision poisoned team morale? And will the 49ers stick with hot hand Mac Jones or honor Brock Purdy's $300 million contract?
Fred, Art, Mark, Laura, and Matthew handicap the 2025 World Series as heavy 2-to-1 favorites Los Angeles Dodgers face the Toronto Blue Jays. Has Dave Roberts’ strategic deployment of his roster in the postseason laid the foundation for a World Series win? Will Shohei Ohtani's spectacular power surge continue as the Blue Jays counter with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.? Could the frigid 40-degree Toronto weather slow the dominance of L.A.'s finest? Can UCLA keep up the winning streak against Indiana? And is Aaron Rodgers ready to conquer his former division rivals as the Packers battle the Steelers in Pittsburgh?
Fred, Art, and Laura wonder if UCLA’s DeShaun Foster was at a disadvantage going into the Big Ten, resulting in his firing. Who should the Bruins bring in to help turn around the floundering team? Why hasn't Eric Bieniemy gotten a shot at a major program after decades of success as an NFL coordinator? With NFL officials unable to properly referee Jalen Hurts' nearly unstoppable “tush-push” play, should the league ban this rugby-like formation? And could Jake Retzlaff, who left BYU for Tulane after honor code violations, upset Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss squad amid disappearing traditional rivalries?
Fred, Art, Mark, and Laura marvel as Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes emerges as baseball's newest phenom, 65 years after Sandy Koufax's perfect game against the Cubs. Can he sustain his Koufax-like dominance? Is Aroldis Chapman's streak of retiring 50 consecutive batters, which finally ended when Oakland's Shea Langeliers connected for a double, one for the history books? Will Pete Carroll's proven turnaround magic work in the Raiders' matchup against the Chargers, despite Las Vegas being three-point underdogs? And as UCLA faces New Mexico at the Rose Bowl, is this game a critical test for coach DeShaun Foster?
Fred, Art, Laura, and Matthew join the debate over the NFL’s scheduling conflicts with high school football as the league expands globally with Friday's Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo, Brazil. Should international growth override traditional Friday night protections? LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer faces potential sanctions for allegedly circumventing salary cap rules to pay Kawhi Leonard an extra $28 million through a sham sponsorship deal. Will there be serious penalties? And as Buffalo's Sean McDermott enters Sunday's Ravens matchup carrying seven playoff losses, while UCLA's DeShaun Foster is under scrutiny after a 43-10 defeat, can either coach overcome their recent struggles?
Fred, Art, and Laura are concerned about college football’s future as the sport returns with a packed weekend. Has the transfer portal and NIL fundamentally changed the emotional connection between fans and constantly shifting players? Will expanding the College Football Playoff from 12 to potentially 28 teams destroy the traditional bowl system and regular season significance? Can Ohio State overcome its inexperienced defense and untested quarterback Julian Sayin against Texas and Arch Manning in Saturday's marquee Columbus showdown? And should players receive direct compensation from the $4 million schools earn per playoff victory, as Nick Saban suggests?
Fred, Art, Mark, and Laura are surprised to see the San Diego Padres overtaking the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the NL West, after the Blue Crew lost a nine-game lead. Can San Diego capture its first championship in decades? Will Max Muncy continue to lead the offense for the Dodgers? Should superstars agree to reduced salaries to help teams afford roster-boosting players? And as the sports world mourns the loss of Hall-of-Famer Lionel Taylor, will the news of Jerry Jones’ battle with melanoma spur players to heed the dangers of sun exposure?
Fred, Art, and Laura debate the MLB power rankings, showing the New York Mets at seventh and the Yankees at 12th despite both teams' pitching struggles and Aaron Judge's stint on the IL. Can either team recover? The Milwaukee Brewers lead while the Dodgers climb to second, but will L.A. pitchers stay healthy? Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater's season-ending patellar tendon injury after signing a $113 million deal begs the question: Should NFL starters be benched in preseason games? And are complex subscription requirements driving fans away from sports, as confusion mounts amid ESPN's NFL Media acquisition and streaming platform shifts?
Fred, Art, and Mark worry about the mounting CTE plight affecting NFL stars like Junior Seau, Demaryius Thomas, and Aaron Hernandez, raising questions about the league's responsibility to care for affected players. Can football survive if parents withdraw children from the sport as safety concerns grow? Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred's failed salary cap pitch to Phillies’ Bryce Harper exposed the sport's power dynamics. With such a strong players’ union, will baseball ever implement spending limits? And with the MLB pursuing gimmicks like 150,000-fan games at Bristol Speedway and in-game player interviews, are these innovations attracting young fans or alienating traditionalists?
Fred, Art, Mark, and Laura are shocked at the immigration enforcement disrupting Southern California high school sports as three schools report athletes skipping practice and parents avoiding games. Should sports facilities be considered sanctuary spaces for student-athletes? The Pittsburgh Pirates face trade deadline decisions involving ace Paul Skenes and top prospect Konnor Griffin, but will they trade generational talent like Skenes for immediate help? Professional basketball is struggling with fan engagement, with the WNBA demanding higher pay amid financial losses. And where are today's charismatic superstars like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to bolster declining NBA ratings?
Fred, Art, and Laura applaud Scottie Scheffler’s British Open triumph while marveling over golf's redemptive power in Australian golfer Ryan Peake's remarkable journey from federal prison to major championship qualification. Could his story inspire other struggling athletes? The NFL's decision to stream all Christmas games exclusively raises concerns about pricing out working-class fans, as Commissioner Roger Goodell’s salary skyrockets. Will the organization alienate its core audience? And after the WNBA All-Star Game faced a projected 35-40 percent viewership drop without injured rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, can the league protect their star from increasingly aggressive targeting from opponents?
Fred, Art, and Laura contemplate the Dodgers’ distressing losing streak and hope the offensive struggles of stars like Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani are short-lived. Can Ohtani’s dominance on the other side of the plate pick up some of the slack? How long can a team with this much talent afford to wait for their stars to break out of their slumps? Does manager Dave Roberts’ bullpen management and the organization’s decisions to trade away future stars add to the team’s difficulties? And is there a disconnect between Juan Soto’s massive Mets contract and expectations for his on-field performance?
Fred, Art, and Laura speculate on the Atlanta Braves' dimming playoff hopes as injuries pile up, with pitchers sidelined and Michael Harris II struggling offensively. Can they overcome this adversity without organizational depth? Legal troubles continue to plague athletes, including Bills draft pick Maxwell Hairston and BYU's Jake Retzlaff, who face various allegations apiece. How should the justice system handle cases involving wealthy athletes? And will veteran leadership be able to manage potential locker room conflicts and team chemistry as questions surround the Lakers’ newest acquisition, Deandre Ayton?
Fred, Art, Mark, and Laura consider Giannis Antetokounmpo's potential move to the Lakers and how it would affect the storied franchise amid all the changes on tap. Can three superstars truly coexist on one team? Despite Wander Franco's legal troubles, Tampa Bay sits just half a game behind the Yankees. Could the Rays win the pennant without their suspended $100 million shortstop? Eagles running back A.J. Dillon's praise for WNBA player Sophie Cunningham protecting Caitlin Clark raises intriguing questions - will cross-sport advocacy elevate women's basketball, and is the physical play affecting Clark's recent struggles?
Fred, Art, Mark, and Laura are shocked at the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers by Jeanie Buss and her family to Mark Walter of Guggenheim Partners for a record $10 billion, ending decades of ownership. Will Dodger-owner Walter's corporate approach maintain the Lakers' championship culture that flourished under the Buss family? Pirates ace Paul Skenes emerges as a Cy Young candidate despite his team's struggles, but can Pittsburgh justify keeping their star pitcher? Or will financial pressures force another talent exodus? And what was so controversial about Nezza singing the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium?
Fred, Art, and Laura explore the possibility that underdogs are going to end up being top dogs as several championship titles are at stake. Will J.J. Spaun, a diabetic golfer from East L.A. who has already overcome many obstacles to rise from 800th in the world, surprise everyone on the U.S. Open’s brutal Oakmont course, or will it be Norway’s Viktor Hovland? Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance help Oklahoma City’s Thunder triumph over Rick Carlisle’s more seasoned Indiana Pacers in the NBA Playoffs? And is this the year that the Stanley Cup goes home with our neighbors to the North?
Fred, Art, Mark, and Laura are amazed to learn that former MLB outfielder Eric Anthony is the son of Dodgers legend Willie Davis, who himself found out only after Davis had passed away. How will this change their legacies? Andrew Luck, amongst other NFL players, is retiring before age 30 due to CTE worries, as more retired players are dealing with long-term health issues. What does this early retirement trend mean for professional football's future? And with the dramatic transformation of amateur athletics into a commercialized enterprise, highlighted by Duke's Cooper Flagg reportedly earning $28 million in endorsement deals, is the NIL extending into high school sports?
Fred, Art, Laura, and Matthew DiBiase question the wisdom of the Dodgers’ acquisition of Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, given their injury histories, now that they’re sidelined and there’s only one ace left in the rotation. Will trade options be on the horizon? Can the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by coach Mark Daigneault, keep up their momentum as they face a lengthy layoff before the Finals in June? And just how much has the Indiana Fever’s attendance been impacted by basketball phenom Caitlin Clark’s injury?
Fred, Art, Mark, Laura, and sports historian Matthew DiBiase wonder how college athletics could have become such a tangled web in the last several years. Has the NCAA lost control of amateur sports? Could Mark Emmert have foreseen the potential upheaval from changing the rules? Will Rick Carlisle’s Indiana Pacers emerge as the dark horses in the NBA playoffs after delivering a heartbreaking defeat to Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks? And can any NFL franchise match Kansas City's sustained excellence without a Patrick Mahomes-caliber quarterback?
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