November 11, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, The Olympics In Beijing

Graham Bensinger talks about the effects of the Olympics being held in Beijing, China in 2008.

November 4, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, Football outside the U.S,

Graham Bensinger talks about the NFL’s decision to play a regular season football game outside of the U.S.

October 27, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, Joe Torre

Our Graham Bensinger tells us about Joe Torre and his decision to longer manage the Yankees.

May 12, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, The Kentucky Derby

This Week, Graham Bensinger tells us about his experience at the Kentucky Derby.

May 5, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, Is the NFL draft overrated?

This week, Graham's commentary addresses the hype surrounding the NFL draft and how people are willing to stay glued to their televisions for an entire weekend to watch college football players being hired by future employers.

April 29, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, Hank Aaron's stance on Barry Bonds

This week, Graham's commentary discusses the unwarranted criticism that baseball's all-time homerun king is facing because he refuses to speak on his opinions of Barry Bonds, the man closing in on his record who has also been associated with steroid use

April 22, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, Public responds to Imus scandal

This week, Graham's commentary addresses the reactions to last week's segment about Don Imus and his inappropriate comment about the Rutgers women's basketball team.

April 14, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, Was Imus' punishment too extreme?

This week, Graham's commentary questions whether syndicated talk show host Don Imus should have received such a severe punishment for an inappropriate comment directed at the Rutgers women's basketball team.

April 8, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, MLB's Opening Day

This week, Graham's commentary deals with the ups and downs of Major League Baseball's Opening Day.

March 31, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, NFL players' behavioral problems

This week, Graham's commentary addresses the need for the NFL to take action and impose stricter penalties on players on break the behavioral code of conduct.

March 24, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, Are college coaches' salaries too extreme?

This week, Graham's commentary deals with the fact that college coaches are often the highest paid employees at institutions of higher education.

March 17, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, The assimilation of Daiske Matsuzaka.

This week, Graham's commentary addresses the major adjustments that Boston Red Sox pitcher Daiske Matsuzaka is facing since coming from Japan.

March 10, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, NFL franchise players.

This week, Graham's commentary deals with Lance Briggs' displeasure after the Chicago Bears designated him as a franchise player. Briggs wants out of Chicago, but the franchise tag means he must stay with the team for another season.

March 3, 2007

Time Out: Watch the Video

This Week, Negativity in pro sports.

This week, Graham's commentary deals with the idea that negativity is engulfing the sports world as of late and overshadowing everything that has made professional athletics something we love.

February 25, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, Questionable Decisions.

This week, Graham's commentary deals with athletes and their sometimes questionable choices.

February 17, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, The All Star game.

This week, Graham's commentary addresses participation in All Star games.

February 11, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

This Week, Graham Bensinger reflects on the Super Bowl.

One week ago the Colts had just won the Super Bowl.

Following the game, Bears and Colts players are brought to the post-game interview room. Then they're ushered into their respective locker rooms. Shortly thereafter, it's open to the media.

I stood in the Indianapolis locker room and just observed. Players were trying to shower and change. Tony Dungy gave a speech. The ubiquitous press engulfed everyone. People slowly trickled out.

There was no celebration. Not an ounce of alcohol in sight.

I even talked to RB Dominic Rhodes the next day. He equated the team after-party to a luncheon. He said they sat at tables until almost 5 a.m. All they were doing was talking to family and taking pictures.

Typically, lockers are covered in plastic. Champagne is sprayed everywhere. That's how it is for winners of the World Series, Stanley Cup finals, and NBA finals.

This isn't the average day at office. You don't have to be the consummate professional. You just won the biggest game of your life.

Take a timeout and think about that.

February 3, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

The biggest day in sports

This week, Graham's commentary addresses the hoopla surrounding the Super Bowl.

January 27, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

The social significance of Jim Brown.

This week, Graham's commentary deals with the impact that Jim Brown has had on society on so many different levels.

January 21, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

Is Beckham worth the high salary?

This week, Graham's commentary addresses the five-year $250 million contract that the L.A. Galaxy is paying international soccer star David Beckham.

January 8, 2007

Time Out:  Watch the Video

Should McGwire be inducted?

In today's Time Out Graham talks about Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gwynn, Mark McGwire, the three most notable names on this year's Baseball Hall-of-Fame ballot. Ripken and Gwynn are locks, but what do you do with Mark McGwire? Ripken and Gwynn are locks, but what do you do w/ Mark McGwire?

December 23, 2006

Time Out:  Watch the Video

Can you blame O.J. for trying to make a buck?

This week, Graham's commentary questions whether O.J. Simpson was wrong for attempting to release a book entitled "If I Did It" and scheduling a two-part interview to air on FOX that ultimately ended up being canceled.

December 17, 2006

Time Out:  Watch the Video

Mediocre players get superstar contracts

This week, Graham's commentary deals with mediocre players receiving superstar contracts.

December 2, 2006

Time Out:  Watch the Video

Should college athletes receive a stipend?

This week, Graham's commentary deals with the fact that college athletes devote all their time to their sport and schoolwork, and they have no time to hold down a job as a result. With all the revenue the NCAA takes in, wouldn't it make sense to provide a little pocket change to these athletes?

November 26, 2006

Time Out:  Watch the Video

Instant replay in MLB

This week, Graham's commentary addresses the issue of using instant replay in Major League Baseball.

November 13, 2006

Time Out:  Watch the Video

Packers, 12-time World Champions?

This week, Graham's commentary deals with the idea that teams that don't play outside of the US are called "World Champions".

November 4, 2006

Time Out:  Watch the Video

When refusing to compromise for the integrity of your profession backfires.

This week, Graham's commentary deals with the idea that reporters investigating the professional baseball steroid controversy are receiving more jail time than those directly involved with the scandal simply because they refuse to reveal their information sources in the court of law.

October 28, 2006

Time Out:  Watch the Video

High definition TV or World Series tickets?

This week, Graham's commentary addresses the outrageous ticket costs of major sporting events like the World Series or Super Bowl. Bringing your family to a single game can be as expensive as a week-long vacation.

October 21, 2006

Time Out:  Watch the Video

Tiki Barber contemplates retirement

This week, Graham's commentary deals with New York Giants pro bowl running back and his announcement that he is leaning towards retirement at the end of this season. Barber plans to pursue a career in broadcasting.

October 14, 2006

Time Out:   Watch the Video

Why was Buck O'Neil left out?

This week, Graham's commentary deals with the fact that one of baseball's greatest ambassadors, Buck O'Neil, was shockingly ignored by the Hall of Fame induction committee.

October 7, 2006

Time Out:    Watch the Video

Derek Jeter vs. Alex Rodriguez

This week, Graham's commentary deals with the idea that Alex Rodriguez is never good enough in the eyes of Yankee fans despite being the youngest player ever to reach milestones in numerous offensive categories.

September 30, 2006

Time Out:    Watch the Video

Terrell Owens? OD?

By: Graham Bensinger

This week, Graham's commentary deals with the controversy over Dallas Cowboy Terrell Owens overdose. Accident, or intentional?

September 24, 2006

Time Out:     Watch the Video

New Orleans Saints have a higher meaning

By: Graham Bensinger

When the Saints and Falcons take the field tomorrow. It's going to signify so much more than just another Monday Night Football game.

Just over a year ago, the Superdome held refuge to some 25,000 people. It was a place that most thought would have to be torn down because of its immense damage.

Saints players were distraught not knowing if they had played their last game in New Orleans.

Now, following the largest roofing reconstruction project in history - the Superdome is reopening. Last week, I spent two days in New Orleans touring Hurricane Katrina ravished areas with Saints wide receiver Joe Horn.

We began the tour in the Lower 9th Ward - a place destroyed by the levee breeches following Katrina. Today, the devastation is still everywhere.

We saw an entire house on top of a car. How is that possible? Homes literally came off their foundations and were floating. There are many homes where the municipal address is still unknown.

Horn and I ran into several locals along the way. These were people that were doing whatever they could to make ends meet and mind you, this is an area that doesn't even have safe drinking water yet.

What amazed me was how much the Saints mean to these people. I never previously believed that sports served a higher purpose, but the team really does give people a few hours of entertainment each week in a city that otherwise has none.

Walking through the tunnel and out onto the new field with Horn last week, he said tomorrow's game will be the equivalent of a Super Bowl for him.

With the tremendous destruction still evident and the levees still unable of securing a city, New Orleans still has a long way to go.

The Superdome reopening may not be a new beginning, but it's a continued statement of hope.

Take a timeout and think about that.

September 17, 2006

Time Out:     Watch The Video  
Have performance enhancers blurred pro sports reality?

By: Graham Bensinger

With performance-enhancing drugs seemingly popping up in every professional sport, including some of the more obscure ones like cycling, one must wonder if what they are seeing is true talent or drug-induced.

Players such as Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds all have surpassed the 37-year-old homerun record of 61 once held by Roger Maris. However, all of these players have been associated with performance-enhancing drugs. Now, the Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard is also closing in on that mark. But, with Major League Baseball's upgraded drug policy, could Howard be the only clean candidate to rival 61?

August 19, 2006

Marc Topkin is the national baseball writer for the St. Petersburg Times.
John Paul (J.P.) Ricciardi) is the current Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays. Ricciardi was hired as GM on November 14, 2001. Ricciardi was given more freedom to move after Blue Jays owner Ted Rogers expanded the team's payroll to $210 million over three years prior to the 2005 season. After the season (in which the Blue Jays posted an 80-82 record), Ricciardi began improving Toronto's pitching, signing free agent starter A.J. Burnett and closer B.J. Ryan. He also secured two big bats in first baseman Lyle Overbay and slugging third baseman Troy Glaus via the trading block, and signed Gold Glove-winning catcher Bengie Molina as well.

Jason Sobel, who joined ESPN in 1997, earned four Sports Emmy awards as a member of ESPN's Studio Production department. He became ESPN.com's golf editor in July 2004.

Andrew Friedman, as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, is responsible for overseeing and directing overall baseball operations. Prior to assuming his current role, Friedman spent two years with the Rays serving as Director of Baseball Development where he was involved in every facet of baseball operations. In March 2005, Friedman led the negotiations that resulted in the Rays signing Carl Crawford to a long-term contract.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr. is widely regarded as one of the purest passers and best point guards in the game's history. He has won championships at every level of competition - high school, collegiate, professional, and international. His professional career consisted of 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he won five NBA championships, was named to the NBA All-Star team 12 times, was league MVP three times, and NBA Finals MVP three times. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, and was voted to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.

Damon Hack is a sports columnist for the New York Times.

-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

August 12, 2006

Paul Hagen is the national baseball writer for the Philadelphia Daily News.

Reggie Jackson, nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting ability, is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1967 to 1987. He was the second selection in baseball's 1966 amateur draft, chosen by the Kansas City Athletics. He played for the Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, and the then California Angels. Reggie Jackson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993 in recognition of his talents.

Steve Williams is a New Zealander who has served as caddy for several top professional golfers. Since 1999, he has been the regular caddy for Tiger Woods, who has been the top-ranked golfer in the world for much of Williams' tenure as caddy.

Kevin Frazier is currently the weekend host of Entertainment Tonight. Formerly, Frazier was an employee of ESPN, where he hosted SportsCenter as well as a multitude of NBA themed programming (including NBA Shootaround, NBA Fastbreak and NBA Fastbreak Tuesday).

Mike Massaro is a racing analyst at ESPN, who often commentatoes on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. He can be seen reporting for ESPN at every track on the circuit for NASCAR.

In hour number one, Graham discussed one of sports most prevalent issues: does an athlete need to win a championship to be considered great? Graham recapped Friday nights baseball action, and then broke down the hot stories in MLB with Paul Hagen, the national baseball writer for the Philadelphia Daily News. He brought on MLB Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson next to discuss a cornucopia of topics, including the player championships, and going around MLB as well. Graham then closed out hour #1 by talking about the sad story of former Ohio St. RB Maurice Clarett.

In hour number two, Graham did quick hits of all the big topics in sports this week, from Floyd Landis to Justin Gatlin. We followed this up with a candid conversation with Tiger Woods’ personal caddy, Steve Williams, who shared many stories about his relationship with Tiger, and what it means to be a professional caddy. We closed out the hour with Graham discussing his “Moron of the Week” award winner.

In hour number three, we started things out with our NFL recap. Graham then chatted with Entertainment Tonight host Kevin Frazier in our weekly “Keeping You Informed” segment, discussing topics ranging from celebrity hookups to their thoughts on the movie “World Trade Center”. From there, Graham talked Nascar with ESPN analyst Mike Massaro, who broke down the intricacies of the sport to those who don’t know anything about it. Then, Graham closed out the show with a preview of the weekends action in sports.

-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

August 5, 2006

Ken Rosenthal is a senior writer MLB Writer for The Sporting News and also contributes to Foxsports.com. You can also catch Ken reporting from the dugout on Fox Saturday Afternoon Baseball.

Loren Mooney is the deputy editor or Cycling Magazine. She has closely covered Floyd Landis and the testosterone saga over the course of the past month.

Warren Moon is a Hall of Fame Quarterback who had an illustrious NFL career with the Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He got his great start in the CFL where he led the Edmonton Eskimos to 5 consecutive Grey Cups. Moon was also the Rose Bowl MVP in the 1978 victory over Michigan.

Frankie Andreu is a former professional cyclist whose career highlights include riding as team captain of the U.S. Postal Service cycling team along with Lance Armstrong in 1998, 1999 and 2000. He currently holds the American record for competing in nine Tour de France bicycle races from 1992 to 2000. He is best remembered by the professional cycling community as his role as a "super cycling domestique", particularly for sacrificing personal gain for the benefit of other teammates during many races. He has served as a bicycle race commentator on the Outdoor Life Network since retiring from professional cycling in 2001 and remains active in domestic pro racing.

Dusty Baker is currently the manager for the Chicago Cubs. Baker managed the Giants to the World Series in 2002. Baker is a three-time manager of the year who also enjoyed a prestigious playing career, spending nearly 16 full seasons with Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland.

Harvey Robert Levin is a producer, lawyer, legal analyst, and investigative reporter.He started as a legal reporter on KCBS-TV in Los Angeles. He became a producer for Celebrity Justice, and takes comments about cases from onlookers in Times Square on The People's Court, another one of his productions. In 1996, Levin moved to New York for The People's Court, and inactivated his California bar license. He is currently the managing editor at TMZ.com, a celebrity news and gossip site launched by Time Warner-AOL in December 2005.

In the 11th edition of the SSS-GB, Graham did what he does best, and that’s cover every corner of the sports world. He opened the show talking baseball with Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal evaluating the big deals of the trade deadline. From there, Graham broke down the Floyd Landis positive B-Test results. In the 2nd hour, Graham opened things up by talking with one of this year’s NFL Hall of Fame inductees, Warren Moon. From there, Graham continued to talk Floyd Landis with former Cyclist and current OLN Cycling Analyst Frankie Andreu. In hour #3, Graham went back to the baseball diamond and chatted with Cubs manager Dusty Baker. To wrap up the show, Graham brought on Harvey Levin to talk about Mel Gibson’s “little mishap” from earlier in the week.
-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

July 29, 2006

John Clayton started at ESPN in 1995 after a long career covering the NFL as a newspaper reporter in Pittsburgh and Seattle. His work can be seen, heard, and read on ESPN.com, Sportscenter, NFL Live, ESPN Radio and ESPN the Magazine. John is a 1976 graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2001.

Jayson Stark is an award winning journalist for the Philadelphia Inquirer and now serves as one of ESPN’s top Baseball insiders.
Greg LeMond is a former professional road bicycle racer from the United States. In 1986, he became the first American cyclist to win the Tour de France. He won the Tour again in 1989 and 1990, becoming one of only eight cyclists to have won the Tour three or more times. LeMond began racing professionally in 1981. In 1992, LeMond became the first American to win the Tour DuPont, a short-lived American answer to the Tour de France that took place from 1991 to 1996.

Bruce Bowen is a small forward for the San Antonio Spurs. Bowen played four seasons at Cal State Fullerton and then spent some time around the CBA before bouncing around the NBA. He joined the Spurs in 2001 and became well known for his defense and clutch shooting. He is also a 2-time NBA champion (2003 and 2005).

Michael Irvin is a former wide receiver from the Dallas Cowboys. He spent his entire playing career in Dallas and was drafted the 11th selection in the first round of the 1988 NFL draft. Irvin finished his career with 750 receptions (10th all-time in the NFL) for 11,904 yards (9th all-time in the NFL) and 65 touchdowns. He was selected to five Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls.

In a jam-packed 10th edition of SSS-GB, we opened the show on the gridiron with John Clayton. After a tour around the training camps and some Marshall Faulk talk, we went to the world of baseball with ESPN Insider Jayson Stark and broke down whose buying and selling at the trade deadline. In hour #2, we dove in to the Floyd Landis doping scandal with Sports Illustrated’s Austin Murphy and then brought in cycling legend Greg LeMond. In the 3rd hour, Bruce Bowen checked in from the Bahamas to talk USA Basketball with Graham. To wrap up the show, Graham chatted with Michael Irvin about T.O. and all things football. Graham also looked back on the week in entertainment and took your calls.

-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

July 22, 2006

Cameron Morfit is a senior writer for Golf Magazine and
Golfonline.com. Cameron covers all major golf events for the
magazine.

Jim Ornstein is Graham's agent. Jim also represents Kelly Ripa, Thea
Andrews, Chris Booker, DeMarco Farr, Fred Gaudelli, Tyler Hilton,
Kelly Packard.

Barry M. Bloom is a columnist for MLB.com and has closely covered
Barry Bonds over the past few years.

Will Carroll is a senior writer for baseball prospectus. He has a
bi-weekly column thats called "Under the Knife" which examines
baseball injuries with a sabremetric twist.

Skip Bayless is a columnist for ESPN.com who was previously a
columnist for the San Jose Mercury News. Skip co-hosts "1st and 10"
on ESPN's Cold Pizza with Woody Paige. Skip has also wrote numerous
books about the Dallas Cowboys.

Brian Bartow is the director of media relations for the St. Louis
Cardinals.

Pat Hanlon joined the Giants in April 1993 as the team's director of
public relations. In his current position, Hanlon serves as the
organization's chief liaison with the local and national media, both
print and electronic, who cover the Giants and the National Football
League. In 1998 Hanlon began hosting a segment on one of the Giants’
weekly television shows, Giants Today. In his “On the Beat” segment
on Giants Today, Hanlon engages one of the team’s beat reporters in
candid and lively discussion of timely issues regarding the team.

In the 9th edition of SSS with Graham Bensinger, Graham opened the
show with a commentary on Le Tour De France and the improbably run
Floyd Landis is having. From there, Graham checked in at the British
Open with Golf Magazine's Cameron Morfit and got a live update on
Tiger Woods return to dominance. In hour 2, we discussed Barry Bonds
with MLB.com's Barry Bloom and Baseball Prospectus writer Will
Carroll. In the third hour, we dived in to everyone's favorite
football player, Terrell Owens, with ESPNs Skip Bayless. From there,
we had a PR round table, breaking down the intricacies of how to
handle the press with Pat Hanlon of the New York Giants and Brian
Bartow of the St. Louis Cardinals.

-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

July 15, 2006

Bob Nightengale is a baseball columnist for USA Today Sports Weekly. Bob goes around the bases every week and has closely covered all things Barry Bonds.

Chris Carmichael was the personal coach for six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong as well as George Hincapie and swimmer Ed Moses. He's been honored as the United States Olympic Committee's Coach of the Year. Athletes under his tutelage have reportedly won a combined total of 33 medals at the Olympics, World Championships, and Pan American Games. Chris was also a part of the first American team to ride in the Tour de France in 1986.

Stuart Scott is a lead anchor on ESPN’s Sportscenter. Scott graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1987 and got his start as a reporter at a small South Carolina television station. In 1993, he joined the cast of Sportscenter, and has been there since.
Keenan McCardell is a wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers. He has spent time playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, and Washington Redskins. He was selected in the 12th round out of UNLV in the 1991 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. On December 4, 2005, in a game against the Oakland Raiders, McCardell became the 13th player in NFL history to record 800 career receptions. He is also 20th on the all-time list for yardage by a receiver. At the end of the 2005 season, he careers totals are: 825 catches, 10,680 yards, and 62 touchdown passes.

Stone Phillips is the lead anchor of Dateline NBC, a newsmagazine TV show. He has also worked as a substitute anchor for NBC Nightly News and Today and as a substitute moderator on Meet the Press. He has also hosted Weekend Magazine with Stone Phillips. In 1986, he landed his first major on-air role as a correspondent for 20/20. That year, he also acted as substitute host on Good Morning America and as sports anchor on ABC’s World News Sunday.

Len Berman is a multiple Emmy award winning sports anchor and reporter on WNBC-TV's News Channel 4 and is a reporter for NBC Sports. Berman has been with WNBC/NBC since 1985. He was previously with WCBS-TV from 1979-1982, and before that at WBZ-TV in Boston from 1973-1979.One popular monthly feature Berman is responsible for is Spanning the World, which airs on WNBC and The Today Show. Spanning is a reel of odd and interesting sports highlights from the past month.

Mark Roithmayr is the President of Autism Speaks, the organization which reaps the financial benefits of the American Century Golf Tournament. Mark works hard to raise awareness for autism, which he calls an “epidemic” in the United States. He was previously employed by the March of Dimes.

Joe Theismann is a former Washington Redskins quarterback and current television football announcer for ESPN. He played football for the University of Notre Dame and was a runner-up in the 1970 Heisman Trophy voting which went to Jim Plunkett of Stanford University. Late in the season, his hallmates in Zahm House hung an enormous banner out of a 4th story window proclaiming, "Theisman for Heisman," changing the original pronunciation of his surname, "THEEZ-man," to rhyme with "Heisman," which he has continued to use since then. Theismann led the Redskins to a win in Super Bowl XVII and an appearance in Super Bowl XVIII and would go on to set several Redskins franchise records, including most career passing attempts (3,602), most career passing completions (2,044) and most career passing yards (25,206), while also throwing 160 touchdown passes, with 138 interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 1,815 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was the NFL's MVP in 1983 and played in two Pro Bowl games, earning the player of the game award in the second game. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

Nick Geber and Steven Cohen are the hosts of World Soccer Daily on Sirius Sports 123. The show was established in 2002 and is part of the World Soccer Daily family of shows which include The 2 GS and The Treble. Geber and Cohen also host the TV show Fox Football Friday. World Soccer Daily airs every day, Monday-Friday, from 1 PM until 3 PM EST and is currently the most popular soccer radio program in the United States.

After a 1 week hiatus where you heard some of the best interviews from the first few weeks of the show, Graham took Sirius Sports Saturday on the road to the American Century Golf Tournament live from Lake Tahoe. In the first hour, Graham talked about Barry Bonds’ legal issues with Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports Weekly. Graham also dived deeper in to the Lance Armstrong doping issue with his former trainer Chris Carmichael. In the 2nd hour, Graham brushed shoulders with some of the celebrities at the Lake Tahoe Golf Tournament. He opened the hour with ESPN’s Stuart Scott to preview the ESPY awards. From Stu, we went to the gridiron to talk end zone celebration issues and Chargers football with WR Keenan McCardell. Graham then moved on to talk news issues with NBC’s Stone Phillips. Staying with the NBC theme, Graham talked to NBC Sports News Anchor and creator of “Spanning the World,” Len Berman. To wrap up the 2nd hour, Graham talked to the President of Autism Speaks, Mark Roithmayr. In the 3rd hour, Graham continued to talk NFL with ESPN Monday Night Football Analyst Joe Theismann and then moved on to talk Chiefs football with head coach Herm Edwards. To wrap up the show, Graham wrapped up the World Cup with Sirius’ own World Soccer Daily Hosts Nick Geber and Steven Cohen.

-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

July 1, 2006

Jon Wertheim is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. He joined the magazine in 1997 and covers tennis, sports business issues and the NBA. Wertheim's most memorable piece at SI was "Where's Daddy?" a May 1998 cover story about athletes and their out-of-wedlock children, which he co-authored with another guest of the Graham Bensinger show, SI's Grant Wahl. Wertheim also covered David Wells' perfect game at Yankee Stadium in 1998.

John Schuerholz is the current GM of the Atlanta Braves. Before joining Atlanta, he spent twenty-two years with the Kansas City Royals organization, including nine as the club's GM. Among the teams he has built are the 1985 Royals and 1995 Braves, both world champions. His teams have also won their division 15 times. He is considered the king of scouting credited with an amazing farm system. In 2006, Schuerholz published a book, Built To Win, which chronicled his tenure with the Braves and shed light on some of his most important moves as GM.

Frankie Andreu, born September 26, 1966 in Dearborn, Michigan, is a former professional cyclist whose career highlights include riding as team captain of the U.S. Postal Service cycling team along with Lance Armstrong in 1998, 1999 and 2000. He currently holds the American record for competing in nine Tour de France bicycle races from 1992 to 2000. He is best remembered by the professional cycling community as his role as a "super cycling domestique", particularly for sacrificing personal gain for the benefit of other teammates during many races. He has served as a bicycle race commentator on the Outdoor Life Network since retiring from professional cycling in 2001 and remains active in domestic pro racing.

Sal Ruibal, the cycling reporter at USA Today, is mountain biking's biggest advocate in the mainstream media. Since he began covering the sport in 1995, he's introduced mountain biking to a mass audience. His articles in the nation's largest newspaper reach more than 10 million readers every day – people who wouldn't normally pick up a cycling magazine. Sal is the first mainstream reporter to take mountain biking seriously. Instead of treating it as a "wacky, extreme sport" with "crazy dudes," he has always covered mountain biking like a regular sport, writing stories about the personalities, tactics and equipment, as well as the culture and the societal impact of the sport.

Steve Madden is the editor of Bicylcing Magazine. The quintessential magazine for cycling can be found at www.bicycling.com

Gregory Anthony is a former NBA player who played for the Knicks, Grizzlies, Sonics, TrailBlazers, Bulls, and Bucks during his career. He was drafted out of UNLV in 1991 by the Knicks and served as a backup point guard and defensive specialist. Anthony currently works as an NBA analyst on ESPN and ABC.

Billy Bush is the co-host of the NBC Universal-owned syndicated television entertainment program Access Hollywood along with Nancy O'Dell. Prior to his leading role on the show, he was an East Coast correspondent in New York City from early 2002 until mid-2004, when NBC did not renew Pat O'Brien's contract, and he left the show to host the new television program, The Insider. Bush is known for his light-hearted sense of humor and on-air high jinks with celebrity interviewees. Before his TV career, Bush hosted the radio morning show, Billy Bush and the Bush League Morning Show, on WWZZ-FM (Z104) in Washington, DC until 2001.

In the 6th edition of SSS, Graham continued his weekly trek around the world of sports. In the first hour, Graham made a visit to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club with SI’s John Wertham to wrap up the first week at Wimbledon and look ahead to the 2nd week. From there, Graham chatted Atlanta Braves baseball with GM John Schuerholz and discussed why the team is underachieving this season. In the 2nd hour, Graham went back across the pond to discuss the doping scandal at Le Tour De France with Frankie Andreu. Steve Madden of Bicycling Magazine and Sal Ruibal of USA Today then joined us in a round table discussion to further discuss the doping in cycling as well as Lance Armstrong. In the 3rd hour, ESPN’s Greg Anthony joined us to dissect the NBA Draft. Billy Bush of Access Hollywood also checked in during the weekly “Keeping You Informed” segment to talk about Star Jones as well as Lindsay Lohan. We also took your calls, so keep dialing and keep the e-mails coming.

-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

June 24, 2006

Tim Kurkjian is an analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight. Kurkjian regularly appears on the show analyzing stats and situations. He is also a contributor to ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com. Kurkjian has an extensive background in covering baseball. He was a senior writer for Sports Illustrated from 1989-1997 as well as a reporter for CNN-SI from 1996-1997. He began covering baseball as the Texas Rangers beat writer for the Dallas Morning News where he worked from 1981 to 1985 and then moved on to cover the Orioles for the Baltimore Sun beginning in 1986 before moving on to Sports Illustrated in 1989.

Mark Landler is a writer for the New York Times and is currently covering the World Cup for the “Paper of Record.” Landler regularly covers international affairs for the Times.

Tim Ryan is currently a sportscaster for NBC. Tim has covered the Olympics, Tennis, and the NFL for “The Peacock” in the past. Ryan was also co-host of The Olympic Desk with Mike Yam and will be co-hosting Wimbledon: All Access with Andrew Bogusch on Sirius Sports 123.

Mark Shapiro was the Executive Vice President, Programming and Production of ESPN, until this past October He served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Programming at ESPN from July 2001 to September 2002. Prior to July 2001, he was Vice President and General Manager of ESPN Classic and ESPN Original Entertainment. Shapiro is now President and CEO of Six Flags, Inc.

Jerry Colangelo is a respected Arizona sports mogul. Owner, or part owner, of most of Arizona's professional sports teams, Colangelo became the first GM of the Phoenix Suns in 1968 after a stint as an assistant coach of the Chicago Bulls. Colangelo has also had a hand in bringing the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Phoenix Coyotesthe Phoneix Mercury, and the Arizona Rattlers to the state of Arizona. Colangelo has been named the NBA's Executive of the Year four times, was elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004, and is the sole director of USA Basketball.

Ann Curry was named co-anchor for Dateline NBC in May 2005 and news anchor for NBC News’ Today, in March 1997. Curry was named NBC News correspondent in August 1990, and “Today” news anchor in May 1997. She has extensive experience in national and international reporting. Curry reported live from ground zero every day in the first two weeks after 9-11. When the United States bombed Al Qaeda targets in Afghanistan in November 2001, she reported extensively from the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Arabian Sea, and landed the first exclusive interview the war’s military commander, General Tommy Franks. Curry has distinguished herself in humanitarian reporting. She was the first network news anchor to report from inside the tsunami zone in southeast Asia, filing live and taped reports from Sri Lanka for Dateline, Today and NBC Nightly News. She was also the first network news anchor to report on the humanitarian refugee crisis caused by the genocide in Kosovo, filing live and taped reports from Albania and Macedonia.

In the first hour, Graham covered Ozzie Guillen and the over-sensitivity of the retaliation pitch in baseball with Tim Kurkjian. From there, we moved on to preview Wimbledon while Tim Ryan was on his way to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Graham also had an update on the World Cup with Mark Landler of the New York Times. In hour 2, Graham tackled the media part of the sporting world and took your calls with former ESPN Executive Mark Shapiro. In hour 3, Graham covered the world of hoops with the godfather of Arizona sports, Jerry Colangelo. In the final interview, Graham talked with NBC’s own Ann Curry about covering some of the biggest and most difficult stories over the past few years. Keep sending those e-mails to sportssaturday@sirius-radio.com

-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

June 17, 2006

Scott Van Pelt is an anchor for the television show SportsCenter on the ESPN network. Van Pelt signed on with ESPN after a stint with The Golf Channel. This explains the fact that he is also one of the network's golf correspondents, covering the Grand Slam events. Van Pelt is known for his catch phrases during highlights like "Don't bring that Kool-Aid to no gin party!" (Used when a basketball player blocks a shot)

Ian Eagle is the host of Full Court Press with Kenny Smith on Sirius Sports 123. Eagle also calls games for the NFL CBS, and fills in for New Jersey Nets games on YES Network. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and also hosts NBA TV's "NBA Action," a weekly highlights and features show.

Steve Kerr is a former NBA player who is one of the most accurate three-point shooters of all time. Kerr is a 5 time NBA Champion (including 4 in a row – Chicago Bulls 1996-1998, San Antonio Spurs in 1999). Kerr also made the game-winning shot in Game Six of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. Kerr is currently and NBA Analyst for TNT.

Tommy Smyth is best known as a color commentator for ESPN, which he joined in February 1993 as a soccer analyst. He provides commentary and analysis for UEFA Champions League, Italian Serie A and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. He also commentates on Gaelic games, horse racing and harness racing for ESPN. Smyth moved to the United States in 1963 following a brief football career with a local Irish team. In America, he played with the Shamrock Club in the German American Soccer League.

Grant Wahl joined Sports Illustrated in November 1996 as a reporter and was promoted to his current position of senior writer in October 2000. Wahl's writing includes college basketball, soccer, investigative reporting and features on a variety of topics. He began his career as an intern with the Miami Herald in 1996. Wahl has covered 10 NCAA basketball tournaments, four World Cups and two Olympics for SI.

Tim McCarver is a current baseball analyst for Fox Sports and is a former MLB Catcher. He spent his playing career primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals but also spent time with the Phillies, Expos, and Red Sox. He is currently paired with Joe Buck on the Fox and had previous stints with ABC, CBS, and was also a color analyst for the New York Mets during the late 80’s and early 90’s. McCarver also has his own show: The Tim McCarver Show, which is in its seventh season and has recently been signed for five additional seasons
Chip Reid is based in Washington, D.C., where he covers Congress and politics for “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams,” “Today” and MSNBC. Chip traveled the globe during the two years following 9/11. In his most recent overseas assignment he was embedded with the 3rd Battalion, Fifth Marines, in Kuwait and Iraq. Following 9/11, he reported from Ground Zero and the Pentagon, then spent much of the next year in hotspots around the world, including Afghanistan, Israel, Uzbekistan and Egypt.

In the 4th edition of Sirius Sports Saturday with Graham Bensinger, we started off on the links with ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt and talked about Tiger Woods’ early exit at Winged Foot. We then moved on to the hardwood and got a double-dose of NBA analysis with Sirius’ own host of Full Court Press (Mon-Fri 12-3PM ET) Ian Eagle as well as 5 time NBA Champion Steve Kerr. In the 2nd hour, Graham hosted his 2nd edition of a roundtable discussion on the World Cup with Grant Wahl and Tommy Smyth and analyzed the troubles of US Soccer. In the 3rd hour, we talked all things baseball with Fox Baseball analyst Tim McCarver. From there we spoke with NBC News Correspondent Chip Reid about the misappropriated FEMA relief funds to non-Katrina victims in the “Keeping You Informed” segment. We also took plenty of your calls, so keep dialing.

-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

June 10, 2006

Stan McNeal spent more than 20 years in editing jobs at newspapers in Florida and San Diego, McNeal then moved on to join the Sporting News in 2000 and has been coordinating coverage of Major League Baseball and the NBA as well as writing about both leagues himself.

Chris Broussard launched his sports-writing career at the Cleveland Plain Dealer in 1990. Four years later, he started covering the NBA for the Akron Beacon Journal. He spent 2½ seasons as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat writer before going to the New York Times to cover the Nets for two years, the Knicks for three and then the NBA for one. He joined ESPN the Magazine in September 2004.
Dave Anderson has been a sports columnist at The New York Times since November 1971, after having been a general assignment sports reporter since joining the newspaper in 1966. Mr. Anderson is a Pulitzer Prize winner, capturing the 1981 award for distinguished commentary for his sports column. Prior to joining The Times, Mr. Anderson was a member of the sports staff of the now defunct New York Journal-American for 11 years. Before that, he was a sports writer with the Brooklyn Eagle, which folded in 1955. He is the author of 21 books and has written more than 350 magazine articles.

Lance Berkman made his first big splash in the world of baseball when he was named the 1997 National College Player of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association while playing at Rice. Lance made his first appearance on the Astros roster in 1999 and has been starting the outfield or at 1B since the 2000 season. He is a 3 time All-Star and has made the post season 3 times.
Chris Fowler is a sports broadcaster for ESPN known best for his work on College GameDay for college football. Since 1989, Fowler has been the primary studio host for college football and men's college basketball on ESPN. He started anchoring College GameDay in 1990 and then expanded to ESPN's other Saturday college football segments in 1991. Fowler has also worked with ESPN's Summer X Games since 1995 and the Winter X Games since 1998 as well as ESPN’s Tennis coverage and horse racing coverage.

In the 3rd edition of Sirius Sports Saturday with Graham Bensinger, the show started off with the week’s juiciest story: Jason Grimsley and the steroids issue in baseball. To wrap up Hour 1, Chris Broussard joined us to break down the finer points of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat. In hour #2, New York Times Columnist Dave Anderson and NBC Sports Golf Analyst Dan Hicks had a fascinating roundtable discussion with Graham about Michelle Wie playing on the men’s tour. After we took your calls, we moved on to hour #3 where we talked Roger Clemens and all things Houston Astros with first baseman Lance Berkman. We also had a French Open update live from Paris with ESPN’s own Chris Fowler. As always, we wrapped up the week in sports history and came to the conclusion that thanks to low TV ratings, the Stanley Cup Finals fit our “Who the Hell Cares?” segment.
-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

June 3, 2006

Buster Olney is currently a columnist for ESPN: The Magazine, ESPN.com, and was formerly lead Sports Editor at The New York Times. He is also a regular analyst for the ESPN television program Baseball Tonight. In 2004, Olney also published "The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty", a nonfiction account of the Yankees' most recent run of championships wins and failures.

Austin Murphy is a writer for Sports Illustrated and covered Lance Armstrong closely throughout Lance's many runs of the Tour de France. Murphy also covers college football for SI as well.

Robert Link is a very experienced mountain climber who has just finished scaling Mount Everest. Other mountains that he has scaled are Mt.Rainer, Mt. McKinley, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and the Italian side of the Matterhorn.

Rick Barry was an All-Pro forward for the NBA's Golden State Warriors and the New York Nets of the ABA from 1966-1979. Named one of the 50 Greatest Players ever by the NBA, Barry is still considered one of the best forwards in history. He is the only player in history to have led the NCAA, ABA and NBA in scoring for an individual season.

Anderson Cooper is a television journalist currently working for the CNN television network. He anchors Anderson Cooper 360°, which since November 2, 2005, has aired from 10 p.m. to midnight Eastern Time. The program is normally broadcast live from New York City, except during Cooper's frequent trips to sites of major stories. In Graham's second show, myriad topics were discussed, everything from the legitimacy of Barry Bonds' 715th home run, to Lance Armstrong's doping scandal, to conversation on the entire NBA, to Anna Nicole Smith's pregnancy rumors. Graham went around the world with Anderson Cooper, and spoke eloquently about the thrill of summitting a major mountain with Robert Link.

-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

May 27, 2006

Steve Cauthen was the last Triple Crown winning jockey back in 1978. He rode Affirmed to victories at the Kentucky Derby, The Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes. After he finished his riding career, he returned to Kentucky, where he is an executive at Turfway Park

Peter King is one of the most respected football journalists. He takes part in all sorts of NFL media including Sports Illustrated, HBO's Inside The NFL, and NBC's Football Night in America starting this season. During the season, you can catch his "Monday Morning Quarterback" column in Sports Illustrated

Bob Costas is a man who needs no introduction. Bob will rejoin his work with the NFL as he is scheduled to return to studio hosting duties on "The NFL on NBC" after nearly a ten year hiatus. Costas last hosted NFL telecasts for NBC in 1992.

Walt Jocketty is the General Manager for the St. Louis Cardinals. He's been with the Cardinals since 1995, in which the Cardinals have had 6 straight winning seasons under Jocketty, including 100 or more wins the last two years. Jocketty has been named the Executive of the Year in MLB twice, in both 2000 and 2004.

Mark Steines is the co-host of Entertainment Tonight and enters his fourth season on the #1 magazine television show in syndication. Steines was awarded two Emmys and a Golden Mic Award for work he did prior to Entertainment Tonight on KCAL Television in Los Angeles.

In the first show, the sports world and beyond was covered from sideline to sideline. Graham hit many topics with his guests, including steroids, Terrell Owens in Dallas, Sky Diving, American Idol, and why we shouldn’t care about the number Reggie Bush wears and Danny Almonte’s personal life.

-- Adam Bernard & Nick Kostos

May 13, 2006

Mo Rocca is author of All The Presidents Pets in bookstores now.

Paul Bettany is starring in The Da Vinci Code premiering May 19th.

D’Marco Farr cohosts West Coast Bias w/ Gary Miller on ESPN Radio 710 KSPN-Am Los Angeles.

May 6, 2006

Dan Abrams is host of The Abrams Report on MSNBC. It airs weeknights from 6 – 7p est.

Dan Hicks joined Graham from California where he was broadcasting the Michael Douglas and Friends Celebrity golf tournament. It airs June 10th on NBC.

April 29, 2006

Donny Deutsch is host of The Big Idea on CNBC. It airs weeknights from 10p & 1a est.

April 22, 2006

John Salley is cohost of The Best Damn Sports Show Period on FSN. It airs weeknights at 10:30p est.

Kevin Frazier is an Entertainment Tonight correspondent. Check your local listings for show time.