Shaquille O'Neal - The BIGGER, the BETTER!...it's the American Way.

Bo Jackson - Ok, ok...so he WAS the greatest athlete I have ever seen too.  But just because you can do more than one thing, it doesn't make you a swiss army knife like Todd Howard.

Lance Armstrong - To avoid the bandwagon jumping death sentence, Armstrong "fans" must name one other cyclist...just ONE!

Mike Tyson - What insecure testesterone-filled male that grew up in the 1980's would NOT get goosebumps when Iron Mike performed his infamous ringwalks, which often lasted longer than the fight itself!  I can see clearly now, the rain is gone...the Tyson that even I fell for hook line & sinker only beat two big boxing names:  Larry Holmes & Michael Spinks...and they were BOTH past their primes.  Can anyone say "P.T. Barnum"?

LeBron James - The ol' "I have followed that guy since HIGH school" excuse can no longer be an accepted in the MODERN sports world.

Jeff Gordan - Help me out here Nascar fans...I am proud to say I am Nascar ignorant, yet somehow I know he belongs on this list.

Michael Jordan - Oh where, oh where have you gone, Bulls "fans" of the 1990's?

Tiger Woods - Help me out here golf fans...I am not-so proud to say I am golf ignorant, yet somehow I know he belongs on this list.

Larry Bird - With a well-deserved pass to Ike the Insider for being a TRUE Larry Legend fan, the majority of sports fans are like Bird...they are slow, white & ugly.  The simple-minded masses would simply rather watch people to which they can more easily relate.  What better city could the NBA have better sold this from than from Boston?

Muhammad Ali - Maybe it's a Louisville thing, but he seems to have come a long way from being labeled a "loud mouth problem causing draft dodger" by the wealthy white.  I wish I could say it was more of a generational thing, but I still know more than one angry wealthy right winger my age who thinks it's "God's will" to hate all Muslims, yet has Muhammad Ali memorabilia front and center in their plush office or den.  Ok, I feel better now.

Honorable Embryo Mention:  The Tennis Baby of Andre Agassi & Steffi Graf - I know how this is going to sound, but I really HAVE been following this kid since before conception!  He will likely have to hold a press conference to announce his choice for DAYCARE.

   1980 USA Olympic Hockey Team (GOOSEBUMPS GALORE!  Exactly what our country needed during the Iranian Hostage Crisis, but let's not forget the country as a whole did not know who these kids were until they beat the evil Russians in the semifinal.  Not to mention, it was shown on tape delay, so imagine hearing the news that David beat Goliath, then having to fight the temptation to jump on the red white & blue bandwagon just in time for the Gold Medal game.  "Do You Believe in Miracles?"...sure, if I already know it's going to happen I do.)

   The New York Yankees (If you are not already part of this evil empire, you probably HATE them...rightfully so.  Considering this franchise won nearly a quarter of the World Series played in the 20th Century, it's no wonder their "fans" have infested this planet...nothing breeds bandwagon jumping like success.) 

   2002 Valley Sports Little League Team  (Aside from the close friends and family of twelve kids from PRP, no one in this area with half a heart could possibly avoid the bandwagon labels we all earned just five summers ago.  The entire southend of Louisville became a bandwagon cesspool.  Everyone knew someone who knew someone on the team.  I don't know about you guys, but for me, the label was WORTH it!) 

I could not agree with EZ more about bandwagon jumping.  (I AM A BANDWAGON JUMPER!)  I consider myself to be a "lifelong" fan of both the Lakers and the Reds.  I was born in 1970, so you don't need to be a math major to figure out how each neatly pre-packaged dynasty reached out and grabbed me during different stages of my impressionable youth...

The only legitimate claim I have to the Reds (other than it being the closest MLB city to us) is that my dad grew up there so he always took us to Reds games when we visited his side of the family in the Cincinnati.  But here is where honesty becomes tougher for me...I wish I could say he took us to see the famous Big Red Machine (1970-76).  In actuality, the first game I attended in person was not until 1978.  (Rose, Bench, Morgan, Sparky, Concepcion, Foster, Griffey & Geronimo were all still there, but the loss of quiet clubhouse leader Tony Perez to the first free agency draft and the addition of ace hurler Tom Seaver solidified the end of the REAL Big Red Machine and its pennant and World Series-winning ways.)  The fact of the matter is that when the Big Red Machine dynasty was at its peak, winning the 2nd of its back-to-back World Series titles by sweeping the Phillies (3-0) and the Yankees (4-0) in our country's bicentennial year of 1976, I likely did not even know what baseball was.  :(

My Lakers bandwagon jumping experience is slightly different, yet still almost as humbling.  As a huge Magic Johnson fan, I wish I could say I was paying attention when he and Larry Bird faced off in the highest rated made-for-TV NCAA Championship Game ever in 1979...nope.  I was still solely in love with baseball.  Again, as a huge Magic Johnson fan, I wish I could use the "NBA games were shown on tape delay back then" excuse when he played the game of his life (42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals & 1 block!) when he started at center for Kareem as a rookie in the final game of the 1980 NBA Finals...nope.  It took an older neighborhood kid (who I wanted to be because I thought he was "cool") to get me to pay attention to the 1982 NBA Finals, of which the Lakers were already in control against Dr. J's 76ers.  (Who WOULDN'T fall in love with a 6'9" point guard throwing no-look passes at full speed in front of Hollywood A-listers?!..ok, I also thought their uniforms were cool.)  Although the championship-winning ways of Showtime finished in 1988, it still wasn't completely painful to watch the Lakers until Magic's shocking HIV announcement forced him into retirement in 1991.  The Showtime dynasty (1980-88) and 3-peat titles of the Shaq/Kobe LakeShow dynasty (2000-02) neatly bookend some very frustrating Laker seasons (Sedale Threatt was our point guard for crying out loud!), in which I continually made my annual trek to Indy for one game of the year at Market Square, but do you think that is enough to shake the bandwagon jumper label?...not when I am honest with myself.

In summation, if you still think I HAVE somehow legitimately paid my dues or NOT spoiled myself with my neatly pre-packaged sports dynasty selections, just ask the nearest Chicago Cub fan what he/she thinks.  I don't have time for all that logic...I got to find my next bandwagon opportunity.  Better yet, I need to get to a Bandwagon Anonymous 12-Step Group.  ("Hi, my name is 'Old Skewl Steve Shively', and I am a bandwagon jumping addict.")  ;)

Since this seems to be my own little soapbox now, I'll answer EZ and The Freak here.

I'd love to do the Melee recap everday, in fact as long as I'm not podcasting or answering phones, I will recap the beautiful show that is the Mid Day Melee. 

But one thing is for sure... it's getting lonely here on the blog zone.  EZ stops by when he has the chance, Rob comes in an rambles from time to time, but it's still lonely. Can a brotha get some company more often on here?

Your favorite blogger,

Kenny Colston.

By Kenny Colston

Welcome in for the Thursday edition of the Big EZ show! Whether it's just another day to you or a Thirsty Thursday, hopefully you're starting it right by listening in. 

EZ started the show with his news bit rundown before stopping on a little tidbit about everyone's favorite Wildcat, the beautiful Ashley Judd. When asked if Judd likes new UK basketball coach Billy Gillispie, Judd responded with "I like Patrick Patterson." EZ wondered if Ashley didn't like Gillispie or if she was just glad that BCG could recruit.

EZ took the next issue yard, thinking that all this coverage on A-rod's personal life was getting out of hand.  Saying that only Jordan was the only athlete that got so much coverage, EZ thought it was crazy how a general assignment reporter would go as far as write a story about A-Rod entering a hotel with a blonde woman who wasn't his wife.  No word on whether A-Rod has an opt-out clause on his wife like he does the Yankees.  Better question, can Scott Boras double as a divorce lawyer?  I think he'd be a good one.... for all reasons that anyone who follows baseball knows.

Hour 2 started off with a major letdown when EZ read the decision that Street Sense is skipping the Belmont. EZ said all his Belmont interest is gone, to which I agree.

EZ then brought up an arguement he had with Rock N Jock host Dave Ragone which led into a discussion of defending their "fan status". EZ then went on to say that at one point, he was a bandwagon fan.  EZ then went on to say that everyone that has ever watched sports has been a bandwagon fan at some point of their life. Relating to junior high, EZ said you always had your eyes on the hottest girls and stayed away from the braces girl.  One summer passes and guess what, some girl just grew up and you chase her.  Bandwagon time.  Citing being so busy, EZ admitted he's a fairweather Reds fan.  Callers jumped on the issue as well, giving their opinions.

Back from a break, EZ got onto a discussion about the Scripps Howard Spelling Bee and ESPN's coverage of the events.  EZ and I went back and forth about how big the event really should be.  It came down to ESPN just know how to market their events, to which I agree.  Sports Mob host Rob Giddell called in for his brief thoughts on the bandwagon fans, the spelling bee and the Louisville Fire.

Taking another timeout, it was back to the S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G B-E-E.  But after our little D-E-B-A-T-E, EZ introduced the game of the week, taking place of How Low Can You Go, is The Big EZ's own spelling bee with winners getting Bats tickets. Look foward to the game in Hour 3!

Back for Hour 3, Joey Adams from TripleCrownSelections.com joined the show for his daily horse racing discussion.  Post position 1 was given to Street Sense's skipping of the Belmont. Post Position 2 fell to more Triple Crown talk and the possibilities of putting more time inbetween races. Tune in to Joey Adams 9-10 AM on Saturday morning for Today @ The Races on 1570 The Zone!

Back from a break it's game time on the Big EZ show with How Low Can You Go replace with... The Big EZ Show S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G   B-E-E!  Congrats to Dustin, Mike, Intern-Michael, Huntlanta, and  Greg for passing the Big EZ spelling bee and winning Bats tickets.

Back for the last segment of the show, EZ popped right back up on bandwagon fan debate before Joe wanted to play the spelling game again.  Tough for Joe, he didn't get his name right, but EZ got back on his roll, before messing up.  EZ then quickly brought up the UFL, the new football league looking to rival the NFL with Mark Cuban as one of the owners. The show ending with some more spelling.

It was another good Big EZ Show.  Thanks to everyone who L-I-S-T-E-N-E-D.  Tune in tomorrow for the last show of the week, here on 1570 The Zone! Check out hour 2 of the show at bigezpod.blogspot.com.

By Kenny Colston

It's a Wild Wednesday... or hump day as I like to call it, because after today we are over the hump of the week. 

EZ took straight to the dogs this morning, giving his take on the whole Mike Vick/dogfighting scandal.  Quoting from SI.com EZ described how black houses with black fences were tucked behind Vick's white-painted house.  EZ went on the attack some more talking about what the black "outhouses" contained--breeding stations, blood splattered walls, training stations.  It was a very graphic first segment hopefully you held onto your cookies.

Back from a break, EZ played the Reds celebration song quickly adding after to "not get use to the song." Callers waited patiently during the break to unleash their thoughts on Vick and dogfighting.  One caller wanted an over 1-year ban, another talked about Vick being a coach-killer. 

Back from another quick break, EZ tried to spell a few hard sports names in honor of the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee starting this week.  EZ then went onto a little Cavs/Pistons talk and LA Lakers owner Jerry Buss' DUI before having to end Hour 1.

Hour 2 started with IU head basketball coach Kelvin Sampson! EZ joked a little bit with Sampson before asking for a year in review. Sampson talked about never seeing the some of the IU kids before yet said he was impressed with the way they handled things. Sampson then gave credit to the fan base, saying they helped contribute to the Hoosiers great home record. 

Sampson then said the transition to IU was just a numbers game--more people at press conferences, more coverage from more newspapers, but otherwise not a lot of change from the Oklahoma to Indiana.  Coming off the bench was the Joey Shaw topic to which Sampson said transfers aren't always bad, but sometimes coaching changes just brings transfers.  Sampson supported Shaw for making a decision that he was comfortable with.

EZ then wanted Sampson's opinion on the pushing back of the 3-point line.  Sampson said he didn't have a problem with the current line, but doesn't mind much and is waiting to see how it will affect games.  Sampson said 7-8 years down the road, will kids remember where the original line was? 

J. D. Arney from redreporter.com joined the show to talk a little baseball from our Ohio River city up north.  Arney attributed the failure to signing past their prime vets to multi-year contracts. Arney said the Reds could benefit again this year from a crappy NL Central.  Asked what the Reds could do to help right the ship Arney had two words: Homer Bailey.  Saying the prospect has done enough in AAA, bringing up Bailey would at least give fans excitement and possibly inject life in the team.  Arney doesn't think the Reds are completely done, but still thought the team should trade some vets with value left and build for next year with some prospects. 

Coming back from a break, EZ referenced website JoeSportsfan.com, which created a myspace page for NFL Commish Roger Goodell. EZ then took a caller and hit back on the Vick/Dogfighting mess.  EZ got around to the pigskin, bringing up how Florida's president is trying to rally other SEC coaches and presidents to push for a playoff system.  UK head coach Rich Brooks is one of the coaches resistant to change according to an article TheState.com.  EZ wondered why Rich Brooks is so opposed to a playoff when it could really benefit his team down the road and his conference.  Throwing a flag on the whole "extra game causes so many problems," EZ thought it was bogus. Citing that basketball players miss a lot of school, EZ saw no reason why football couldn't be expanded. 

Hour 3 came back to the gridiron with more college playoff talk.  But it's time for our daily horse-racing talk with Joey Adams of triplecrownselections.com.  Coming from post 1 was the news that Derby winner Street Sense worked out today and will decide on the Belmont soon.  Joey went on to say that the lack of a triple crown possibility has really hurt the Belmont.  EZ and Joey discussed the way the list for the Derby is made right now with some changes that needed to be made.  Check out Joey Adams 9-10 am Saturday mornings here on 1570 The Zone!

The 3rd Quarter of the college football playoff debate started back up after a break.  EZ took the opening kickoff back with his college football playoff scenario.  Take the 6 BCS conference champs and then the next two and play them in the BCS games.  EZ also wanted to boot conference affliations out the window.  EZ then said to deal with travel concerns, the highest seeds will get a home-field advantage. After the semifinals, take a two week break and play again at one of the BCS bowl site that would rotate every year. 

Back for the last segment of the day, EZ popped up the question of a Mets relief pitcher Mota returning after a 50-game steroid suspension against the San Fran Giants.  EZ wondered if it would be hypocritical of the Mets fans to cheer Mota and boo Bonds?  EZ thought Mota should just still the whole series.  Callers weighed in on the situation with EZ on Bonds. 

Another great show, check out today's podcast of Hour 2 with Kelvin Sampson and our other guests at http://www.bigezpod.blogspot.com/. Check out tomorrow's Big EZ show 10am-1pm on 1570 the Zone AM! 

Well, I am back from a relaxing vacation.  We went to Sandestin Beach Resort in Destin, Fl.  What a great time.  Not a drop of rain (they deperately need it, evidently).  Thought I'd share a couple of photos of my fat ass relaxing and playing a little golf, just to make you jealous!

My trip buddy Todd and I about to hit the links at The Raven at Sandestin, which is hosting the Boeing Championship this weekend (June 1-3, 2007).	Todd and I in front of one of the signs at the tee box	A putt from the tough 17th hole, with the corporate boxes in the background

And finally, Lady EZ and I at the Baytowne Wharf.  Now, that's a good lookin' woman!

You guys be good, and if you want to listen to an hour of the show each day, subscribe to the Big EZ Show podcast on iTunes (just search "big ez" in your iTunes Music Store) or just click here (this link makes it easy).

Good to be back.

If you tuned into the Big EZ show today (or check out the podcast, link below) then you heard EZ and two of the interns try to break down the Big East into four divisions. Here's the list EZ, Derrick and Kenny (myself) came up with.

EZ Divsions

Division 1 - Louisville, Depaul, Marquette and Notre Dame.

Divison 2 - Georgetown, South Florida, Cincinnati, West Virginia.

Division 3 - Connecticut, Syracuse, Providence, Rutgers.

Division 4 - St. John's, Villanova, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall

DJ's Divisions

Division 1 -Louisville, DePaul, Cincinnati and Marquette

Division 2 - Connecticut, Syarcuse, Providence and Rutgers

Division 3 - G-town, S. Florida, West Virginia and Notre Dame

Division 4 - St. John's, Villanova, Pittsburgh and Seton Hall.

My Picks (with actual Division Names)

Great Lakes Division - Cincinnati, Louisville, Marquette, Depaul.  You can't lose the UL/Cincy rivaliry no way.  UL/Marquette has always been a great matchup, why ditch it?  Depaul against everyone else is just old C-USA buddies, can't go wrong there.

Coastal Division - Georgetown, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, South Florida. Yes I know none of these cities are in actual coastal towns, but deal with it.  Pitt/WVU is a nice rivalary and with G-town in D.C. it's in close range of everyone except S. Florida.  The fact of the matter is USF is out of place geographically and this is the best opporunity.

Mid-East Division - St. John's, Villanova, Seton Hall, Notre Dame. Everyone but ND is very close and South Bend isn't a far reach.  Think of it as a non-football division since Notre Dame wants to stay independent. The problem with splitting to four divisions is that some teams are just going to be outliers.

Northeast Division - Connecticut, Syracuse, Providence, and Rutgers. I agree with the other two on this division.  Big rivaliries here, regionally works well. If they do break down the four divisions this HAS to be one.

UK signee Duran Jefferson has been jailed and could be seeing 10-20 years in prison for stealing not one, two or three guns .. but nine guns from his former coach in a breaking and entering situation at the coaches private home, last week. Coach Brooks in a statement said he was concerned and will be monitoring the situation. He can't do much if Jefferson's in jail for 20 years anyways, so I doubt he'll even need to respond other than saying how greatly disappointed he is to hear that Duran was caught.

UK fans responded by saying that they didn't want to become Louisville. My response: Why not? 

My thoughts - as has been with the situation at UL - winning is everything in collegiate sports. If the kid does anything on your campus, than by all means, set an example. But if he's a great player and he can help your team win, bring him aboard and give him a second chance. If it helps bring more wins, than who cares? Florida, Miami, Florida State play by this standard and it seems to be going okay for them. Why try to win a PR battle with the media? All that has given you is 2-9 football seasons and countless head coaching hires.

Former law-breakers Willie Williams and Nate Harris were perfect examples of guys that are well worth the risk in comparison to the reward. They screw up? Dump 'em. They don't? You get a great linebacker for a year or two.

I know the general sentiment is to not be honest in situations like this in the public and for yapping heads like myself to play the role of a watch dog and say that UL or UK can't bring in criminals. I just won't do it. Second chances are what life is all about and winning is what college sports is all about. The fact it's the Christian thing to do, or the right thing to do is irrelevant. If UK or UL can help themselves by bringing in someone that can help there team, then by all means, try to help them resurrect there lifestyle and perhaps, your team. Let others play nice with the PR game. They can gain more respect points in the post-game news conference before they're fired in the off-season. UofL's lost the PR game for years in comparison to UK's poster boy image, but the series has been lopsided towards the Cards. UK's celebrating Music City Bowl championships, while UL's celebrating an Orange Bowl and a possible national title. 

I can count on my hand programs that did it the right way with a bunch of poster-boys who you'd allow your daughter to date. All of there respective runs of dominance lasted less than I did in the backseat of a limo on prom night.

Former Miami head coach and Dallas Cowboy legend Jimmy Johnson seemed to do okay. He'll let you kiss his national championship rings. That program seemed to have recovered from its negative PR quite well. They're ridiculed constantly, but yet continue to produce great athletes. The University of Miami has seen more dollars come into its hallways then ever before and smarter students became more attracted to the private institution because of its football programs glory days.

I never got the barking hacks who believed it best to sit around and cry about bringing in convicted felons. If anything, guys like Nate Harris and Willie Williams came to campus and were under a larger microscope, making it nearly impossible for them to get away with anything. IF they did, then you cut them loose. What is lost? Nothing but positive PR, which with a dollar can purchase you a ride on any local bus in town.

All this is not a rant to justify Duran Jefferson, because UK has no choice in this matter since he has not even gotten to campus, but let's say Duran gets off by some legal technicality? Do you not take him? My opinion - if it helps your football team - yes. Jamil Paris, a recruit from last year had his case thrown out because of a technicality, yet UK reaped the benefits and in turn, I applauded.

You play nice and win the war in the newspaper. I'll take winning games and bringing large chunks of cash to my University and to my athletic program. 

By Kenny Colston and Derrick Johnson

He's Baaaaaaaaack!  The Big EZ is back for his own show and gave a big thank you to all his guest hosts for last week, it was a great week, hopefully you tuned in.  EZ also said anyone with a Kentucky State Police inside-track, he'd like for you to handle his ticket of going 76 in a 55-mph zone. 

Next up was "Uncle" EZ's tips for vacation.  You might want to bookmark this online. 

1.  Laying out at the beach or pool with your significant other is a must.

2.  Limited to one round of golf every 3 days on vacation.  EZ played twice in 7 days/6 nights. (I stand by my earlier predictions that didn't sound too far off on Wednesday. 

Then EZ gave a tip to nabbing the ladies:

If you try to pick up a girl on the dance floor, PLEASE know how to dance.  Guess there was a bad experience there somewhere.

After a break, EZ took to an issue he saw on vacation about the Big East/SEC Invitational to start play this year. First off, EZ wondered why only 4 games will be played between the two conferences.  EZ then took on whether the Big East was too BIG.  Citing Syracuse being 10-6 in the league last year but not making the NCAA tournament, EZ wondered if the NCAA was using the Big East's size against them.  EZ then offered breaking down the conference even more, 4 divisions with 4 teams.  Each division foe would face-off twice and then play the other 12 teams in the conference once.  Then take the top 3 in each division and that's your Big East conference tournament. 

Back from another break, EZ and  Intern-Derrick tried to break down the four divisions if EZ had his way.  Debating rivalries and geographical locations, the two got at least two divisions down before going back try out the rest.  Callers chimed in with their take on how BIG is the Big East as well at some divisions that needed to happen. 

Hour 2 started with some congrats for all the local teams who made the NCAA baseball tourney before taking back to the hardcourt to shoot more ideas for a more divided Big East.  Check back for EZ's divisional breakdown as well as mine and Derrick's.  EZ brought up the Big East/SEC Invitational again, saying the Big East should be a favorite in at least 2 games of the 4.  What The EZ Chair doesn't understand is why the Big East is sending their big dogs and the SEC isn't?  No Tennessee, No UK?  The SEC West is the worst of the two basketball divisions yet they receive three of the games?  The first U of L fan that says the Big East is better after this Crapational gets punched.  Hard. 

EZ then went on to announce that Russian tennis star Anna Kournikova is now single, splitting with Enrique Ingelas after five years.  EZ thought the break-up might have to do with Enrique coming out a week ago saying he's got a little buddy to work with. EZ reasoned that Enrique probably wanted to come out with it before Anna did.  Either way, fire up google, yahoo and the other search engines, it's Anna time! 

Back from a break, EZ just couldn't get off the topic of way, way, way, little Enrique.  EZ said that it must have been love since Anna dated it for 5 years. The conversation then went to growth in the male and female parts if you have enough money for it.  EZ then baited out the callers wanting to know:  big little man and no fame or lots of fame and little little guy.

EZ then asked if anyone hated the Spurs as much as he did, being the whiners that they are and how they are ALWAYS in the conference finals or finals. EZ then said the Spurs will finish off the Jazz and whoever comes out of the East.  EZ then went out on a limb to say that Deron Williams was the best point guard before being reminded of Steve Nash.  EZ then flipped the script to if you had to start a team from stratch and needed a young PG do you take Deron Williams or Chris Paul.  EZ picked Williams and has just fallen in love with Deron and wishes he's leave the boring Jazz. 

EZ then went on to Boston losing out on the NBA Draft Lottery.  Calling it the Pitino curse, EZ just laughed before saying more NBA rumors are surrounding Pitino.  EZ said that Pitino should go and that as many times as the coach has cried wolf, EZ doesn't believe a word out of Rick's mouth.  Callers got EZ back on the PG debate before the heading to the second break of the hour. 

Hour 3 started off with EZ bashing Mark Story's latest article in the Lexington-Herald Leader for bad information.  Story listed UL receiver Harry Douglas as Henry Douglas in the article and EZ jumped on Story like a safety on a badly thrown ball over the middle of the field. 

Joey Adams from TripleCrownSelections.com joined EZ to discuss the ponies.  EZ caught up with Joey about the Preakness Stakes since he was off all last week.  EZ asked Joey his opinion of who the best 3 year old in the country was.  Joey couldn't give a definite answer but narrowed it to the big three, Street Sense, Curlin, and Hard Spun.  Talk then turned to the Belmont.  Joey said that if the race was held tomorrow, there would only be four horses confirmed for the race including Curlin, Slew's Tizzy, Imawildandcrazyguy, and Tiago.  Joey also said there is a short list of maybes, with the field consisting of maybe six or seven horses.  Tune in to 1570 the Zone on Saturday from 9-10 for Today At The Races, with Joey Adams.

Back from a break, EZ went back to tiny Enrique, who's without Anna Kournikova now.  EZ then picked up the ball on the Point Guard debate again, hyping Deron Williams again and the BIG problem with the Big East.  Howie Lindsey from LouisvilleSportsReport.com, thought the Big East should split to two conferences--an 8-team conference of the teams who play football and then the other 8 who don't play football. EZ then asked Howie about the baseball Cardinals making the NCAA regionals. 

The last segment of the show focused on one of tomorrow's guest, IU basketball coach Kelvin Sampson and then to the text message ban going into effect.  EZ threw out a big thank you to Tubby's Pizza.  It's great pizza and we'd like to give them a big thanks for taking care of us as well.  Big EZ then went through multiple topics before ending the show including takes on Barry Bonds being reclutant to donate items to the Hall of Fame and UK backing out oif the UMass game. 

It was nice to have EZ back! Tune in again tomorrow from 10 am-1 pm for more Big EZ show on 1570 The Zone AM!  Didn't get enough of today's show? Check out the Big EZ Show podcast at http://www.bigezpod.blogspot.com/.   

An EXACT Old Skewl e-mail quote to EZ from back on May 3rd:  "3 things you can count on:  death, taxes and a sudden resurrection of the Kobe vs Phil Jackson woulda/coulda/shoulda finger-pointing blame game in the media...my Lakers still miss Jerry West and his class."  :(

By Kenny Colston

TGIF! It's the Friday edition of the Big EZ show which means it's our last day to try and see if we can't replace EZ! Our contestants today are Monday Evening Quarterback Dugan Ryan and Brad Knoop.

The show started with a trip down memory lane with Brad and Dugan sharing some Little League baseball memories. After returning from the trip, the guys discussed the Indy 500.  More importantly, why the winner of ther 500 pours and drinks milk all over them.  It's hot as hell, you're hot as hell and they give you milk?  Bad choice.

A news story about the Dodgers concessions got the guys on a tear about food spreads (or lackthereof) at athletic events for media members. Brad told a story of how UK basketball use to only provide popcorn, until Dickie V went on a rant on-air on C.M. Newton about how hungry he was.  Ever since, UK's had a meal like everyone else.

Hour 2 started with Abby, Volunteer Director for the Senior Games, due be to held in Louisville in late June/early July. Abby said the games are still looking for volunteers for a range of activities. Abby said about 12,000 athletes were participating with the average age being 67-68 and at least two participants being over 100. Most of the events will be held on U of L's campus and range from track and field to badminton. Visit 2007Seniorgames.com for more information and to sign up as a volunteer!

the hosts then took a few calls about the Eastern Conference Championship.  Ike thought it was a classic Eastern Conference battle and praised Detroit.  Ike just praised the entire game, NBA and everything David Stern touches. Brad said he just had lackluster interest in NBA since the Brawl in the Palace.  Ike said one incident shouldn't tune you out and Brad said he might give the NBA again try.  Dugan then asked if Ike thought that LeBron is at the stage is his career where he gets thast foul called or not?  Discuss then went to if LeBron had the supporting cast that MJ ended up getting with Pippen, Kerr, etc.

Back from a break, Joey Adams of TripleCrownSelections.com joined the show for his daily Churchill run-down.  Brad then asked about former trainer Kenny McPeak and some other trainers around the barns. Joey ran down some of the Churchill picks before talking a little Preakness with Dugan.  Joey also discussed a little bit about the Belmont field, in which Street Sense seems to be opting out for.  If you are going out to the track today, make sure to check out TripleCrownSelections.com and maybe you can get on the same Big EZ streak Joey's on!

Roger Burkman, member of the 1980 Louisville Cardinal National Championship team and Spalding University Athletic Director joined the show right before Hour 3.  Burkman talked about his time at Louisville and his decision to play basketball for the Cards and fishing with Denny Crum. 

Hour 3 returned with Burkman and Knoop discussing Spaulding's move from NAIA to NCAA Division III. Burkman said that Division III is all about academics with a strong athletic program.  Brad and Roger discussed more about Division III and the other D-3 schools in the state of Kentucky.  Burkman then offered anyone interested in Spaulding Athletics to contact him.  Knoop and Burkman then talked about the 1980 championship season, re-living some games.

After a break. a caller chimed in to check on the Spaulding baseball team, which was knocked out in the super regional this year. Knoop then brought back up the other Kentucky schools that Spaulding will fasce with their D-3 move.  Brad and Roger kept up on their conversation, talking like old buddies.  Brad then asked Burkman why the mascot change from the Pelican to the Golden Eagles.  Burkman cited the change as just turning over a new leaf, trying to seperate the past from the present.  Brad and Roger then discussed who will use the downtown arena when U of L doesn't, bringing up all kinds of situations. 

That's it! EZ is back on Tuesday so enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, take it easy and join us on Tuesday, 10am-1 pm for the BIG EZ SHOW!  Check out Hour 3 from today on the Big EZ Podcast at www.bigezpod.blogspot.com

2 great games in Motown that the Cavs just fell a lil short on......People were trying to give LeBron a hard time about his aggressive (or lack of) offense in the later parts of the game....first of all, lets glorify the Cavs first trip to the Conference finals since 92.(those great Cleveland teams of Mark Price, Larry Nance,Brad Daugherty, Ehlo, and company)....That year they beat my Celtics in Bird's final playoff series, then lost to the Bulls (think of how many players would have had a ring if not for the Bulls----Ewing, Malone and yes even this Cleveleland team----what?, the Blazers out of the West?...please, the Cavs would have beaten that team)......seeing LeBron come up a lil short against the Pistons reminds me of the book "the Jordan Rules" in which it emphasises the Bulls quest to get past the Isiah-led Pistons...LeBron is only 22 player with all 2nd tier players against a great Detroit team that has studs at every position....No, they might not sell the ads and jerseys like others, but if you love and know basketball, the Pistons are the real deal.....and I think its funny when people just bash rasheed Wallace......all he does is take care of business.....and what are thinking not doubling him in the post?.......thats like money in the bank......live and learn......I look for Cleveland to win at least one in the town of the Rock n Roll Hall of fame.....but getting 2 will be hard.....what people fail to realize is that LeBron is not MJ.......he is a guy that is more in the mode of Magic, in that he sets up his teammates......the difference is that Lebron is so much more talented than both at that respected age that we forget that.....When Magic was 22, the other teams would just back off of him and force him to shoot a jumper that he didnt craft until like 84 when he was like 24 or 25......he also had Norm Nixon to run the show and take the pressure off of Magic until 83 (his 4th yr in the league)....Magic was great at the unexpected.....like playing center in Philly in the championship in 1980 when Kareem was hurt (who was the MVP that yr).......and also running the break in different situations to create havok for the opponents his first four seasons from time to time......but he never had to be the man with the ball in his hands at all times until his freakin 5th season.....most folks forget or didnt know that......give LeBron a break and sit back and enjoy the greatness of him.......He is very special.......Props to Tayshwn making the US team........he deserves it and will be a thorn in the side to all opponents......Now to the Spurs.....why do people hate the Spurs so bad?....especially a town like Louisville....they are everything we could be.....a small market that has made the right choices, that, with the collective bargaining rules, have maintained excellence for a long while......the Kentucky Colonels (and the City of Louisville) were so much more stable than the franchise in San Antonio when the ABA disbanned.......look where their city has gone, and look at ours.....how many dirt digging ceromonies and ribbon cutting events are we going to have before they start building the freakin arena?.......have we even got the bridge painted yet?.......San Antonio has hosted 2 Final fours also......but to call Robert Horry a "thug" is just ridiculous.....what is a thug?......well its not a basketball player who is a good family man and stays out of trouble off the court....a thug is someone who has no other reason to live than to use force on the "streets" to get what he wants at all cost with weapons and extreme violence.....take that "thug" comment down the road man......these kinds of things happened all the time in the 80's, but it was ok then....Hell, Robert Parish beat the $hit out of Laimbeer and put him to the ground faster than Tyson put Spinks down, but it was ok then....but now, you cant touch precious Steve nash?......please.....I wanted to see the Suns win the series too, but they just are a bunch of offensive minded "softies" that cant stop a High School team.....I here people say thaT  they dont want to see Detroit vs the Spurs....Are you kidding me?.....these are two great TEAMS.....I love that mathup.....tony Parker's tear drop, Ginnobli's lefty drives to the hole and clutch three's....of Course Duncan (the best power forward of all time).....then you have a team of guys that everyone had given up on....Chauncy Billups (traded more in 4 yrs than most any in a career)....Rip Hamilton (you gave up on this guy Jordan?.....remember MJ was running the Wizards but got jealous because Rip played his position so he traded him---dumba$$ move)......Tayshawn (how many passed on this "freak of nature" 4 yrs ago?....a lot.....he was a late 1st rounder)......Rasheed Wallace (does anyone even remember who he was traded for?....hell no, because people just wanted to emphasise the bad and just let him go on the cheap.....well, change can be good..... wheather you like it or not, he is probably a hall of famer now.....it will take a while to get in though.....have to let all the LOD (Legion of Doom) guys in the media die off first).....And if I hear some other sap talk about ratings I am going to puke.....are you even a basketball fan?.....The NBA is so much bigger a game world wide than MLB and NFL......and if you say you are a true basketball fan, but arent watching these games than there is a Styx song you need to listen to...("You're Foolin yourself, and you dont believe it")........Just sit back and enjoy basketball for a couple more weeks......after that is when the summer really gets boring "sports wise".....Unless John McEnroe comes out of retirement and wins the US Open...........IKE

By: Kenny Colston

EZ's still on vacation, which means more guest hosts to try and take his job! Today's host were WHAS-11's sports guys, Eric Waxler and Kyle Draper.

The Dynamic Duo kicked off their show with some NBA talk, mostly on the lottery and the good/bad luck of the teams in it. After the first segment, the guys brought on AVP volleyball players Jen Boss and April Voss, who are in town with all kinds of friends and opponents from the Crocs AVP Tour Louisville Open, starting today through Saturday/Sunday down on the waterfront. The Dynamic Duo served questions left and right to the teammates, Boss and Voss, who returned the answers back with ease.  Speaking on life on the AVP tour and their favorite destinations, the players have spiked their way up the top of the AVP standings.

After a break, Draper and Waxler took on UK basketball, wondering how good Patterson really will be, how Jasper will fit into the lineup this season, and other topics that might just have UK fans coming out of the stands to light up some shots of their own.  A quick transition to U of L basketball took the Dynamic Duo to what exact expectation the Cardinals have this season.  Callers chimed in with their take on who will be the better team as well as on Draper's mini-rant about Tubby. Friend of the station, Henk (the real one we'll assume) called in to say that without Tubby we wouldn't have had such players as Tayshaun Prince, Chuck Hayes and others. As the usual with UK/U of L basketball discussion, expect things to come back with a rematch.

Hour 2 started where Hour 1 let off, picking up the press on UK/U of L basketball. Callers filled the phone lines to throw up shots from all over the place, trading shots with the Dynamic Duo. Taking a timeout from the basketball conversation, Svend Jackson from the Louisville Bats joined the guys to talk a little baseball.  After a road trip, the Bats return home for 1 dollar Bud night. Svend talked with the guys about the recent troubles the Bats have had, mainly not having a closer and other troubles our lovable AAA team is having.

Gary Brackett, linebacker for the Super Bowl champ Indianapolis Colts called into the show to talk some football with the Duo. Talking of a repeat and Dwight Freeney's contract situation. The Duo and Brackett joked around while discussing everything that has happened since winning the Super Bowl.

After a break, the show returned back to Jackson and the Bats, as well as other baseball discussion.  Waxler then threw the fastball at Jackson, asking about pitching prospect Homer Bailey. Jackson said that Bailey certainly has drawn attention, but that promotions actually bring in attendance. The Dynamic Duo and Jackson continued on with the Bats talk all the way to the last pitch.

Coming off the field, Waxler and Draper took some calls and briefly returned to some basketball conversation and other topics before winding down Hour 2.

Hour 3 started off with Preakness-winning jockey Robby Albarado joined the show to talk his Preakness experience and being back at the daily Churchill grind.  Robby put to rest the idea that Street Sense jockey Calvin Borel pulled up too early and that it didn't cost Street Sense the Preakness.  The Dynamic Duo fired the questions out of the gates to Robby, asking about everyday racing, what the Preakness is like and how tight the turns are at Pimlico.  Make sure to get out to Churchill and to check out TripleCrownSelections.com for all your handicapping purposes!

Back from a short break, our of the Zone's own, Intern Bryan called in to check in with the Dynamic Duo for today's show.  A former WHAS-11 intern as well, Bryan trading some comments with the guys on WKU basketball and football.  Callers then got on the Brian Brohm Heisman debate quicly before the Duo brought on another special guest, Indy 500 driver Roger Yasukawa calling in. Roger went on to say that the field is going to be tougher than ever this year with the top 10 becoming really dominated by super teams.  The topic then came to the 3 women drivers in this year's 500, to which Roger said he thinks will be competitive, he just doesn't know if they can win.

Thanks again to Kyle Draper and Eric Waxler for filling on today's Big EZ show, make sure to tune in tomorrow for our last set of guest hosts, 10 am-1pm on 1570 The Zone AM! Want to relive a part of today's show? Check out the Big EZ Show podcast at www.bigezpod.blogspot.com.  

As I sit here watching arguably the worst movie of the mid 90's entitled Chase with Charlie Sheen, I am reminded first, how hot Kristy Swanson was in her prime (my goodness, what happened to that girl) and second, I am reminded just how poor of an actor Charlie was and am completely baffled by those that wonder aloud why he hasn't been able to land a big movie deal since his move to night-time television. In case you missed the 1994 classic, here's a short synopsis: Sheen who innocently was charged in robbing a bank in a clown suit, kidnaps Swanson hours after a verdict proves him guilty, who falls in love with him while involved in a high-speed chase with police. Swanson proceeds to have intercourse with him while driving, and ends up kidnapping Sheen at the end as police take him away. The movie is as close to a scam as ever seen, yet HBO plays the flick every two or three days, in an effort to obviously make people appreciate Entourage and Sopranos more.

But, of course, Sheen's show Two-and-a-Half Men on CBS doubled the NBA Western Conference Finals ratings, so who am I to bash him?

Let's put it this way, sports is secondary to say the least to ... well everything. You've got the NBA dying as we speak. Major League Baseball boring us to tears and its not even June. You've got the Stanley Cup Finals going on, but yet the majority of America doesn't even know where to find them on their television dial and last, you've got negative NFL news coming in hour-by-hour from Cincinnati Bengals camp.

Boring.

As far as the Bengals are concerned, its coach continues to embarrass himself. Marvin Lewis' latest rants on the Bengals being the subject of racial profiling is another in a long line of disingenuous remarks coming from the mouth of the NFL head man. Will Lewis ever come to grips with the fact he's as much to blame as his players? Discipline is contagious. Lewis was expected to be a hard nose coach, not a whining baby.

Sorry for not putting this in the recap, but check out the Big EZ show podcast at www.bigezpod.blogspot.com. Today's podcast was from Hour 2 with Pat Forde and Scott Davenport with our guest hosts, Jody Demling, Kent Taylor and Kendrick!

By Kenny Colston

It's a Wild Wednesday on the Big EZ show and hosting today's show from Kent Taylor and Kendrick Haskins from WAVE-3 and Jody Demling from the Courier-Journal.

The guys started the show joking around and just throwing out tidbits and taking callers to break themselves in. The trio then tee'd off  with Kelly Meyers, U of L women's golf coach to talk about the great run the team in having in the NCAA tournament, tied for second after the first round.

After a quick break, the Terrific Trio talked about the Preakness infield with Kent Taylor saying the rule is "you can bring in all the beer you can carry," but not in a shopping cart, as an officially made sign says.  Taylor said it was an experience you have to do once in your life. 

Hour 2 starting with ESPN.com senior columnist and former Courier-Journal writer Pat Forde joining the show. Pat talked about his role with ESPN, saying that they want him to write about all kind of topics, with college sports being his favorite.  The EZ trio joked around with their old buddy.  Forde went on to say that this favorite event he's covered while at ESPN was last year's Feista Bowl. Forde went on to say that not having publication deadlines is a great and that being with ESPN just gives all kind of access that Forde just couldn't get at the Courier-Journal. 

The EZ Trio then asked Forde about UK/U of L nationally, in which Forde said ESPN  isn't happy about not having that Sunday game it usually aired.  Pat then said that Steve Kragthrope was considered the biggest coaching change in college football.  Pat always thought the move of the game was a cowardly move by Mitch Barnhart and Rich Brooks.  Forde and Taylor then zoned out everyone else to talk about Denver Broncos football.

After a break Scott Davenport, head basketball coach at Bellarmine, joined the show to bring out the whip on some horse racing, a little hardcourt talk and other sports talk.  Davenport talked about his upcoming team and about how excited he and the rest of the team is about the upcoming season.  The other hosts offered Kent Taylor to Davenport as an assistant coach saying that Kent can teach the players his jump shot, but Davenport countered by saying he needs a coach to teach the guys how to make the jumper, which takes Kent out of the running for a coaching position. 

Back from the second break of the hour. the guys full-court pressed Jody for some recruiting/college basketball news, before the trio wondered exactly what EZ was doing/where he was at. The ball was bounced all over the place, with the Reds coming into the crosshairs for the trio next.

Hour 3 started with Courier-Journal writer Brett Dawson coming on the show.  Dawson started on the ball UK dropped when it dropped the UMass basketball game. Jody said dropping games is common practice, but because it's UK basketball with a new coach, it makes ESPN.com's front page.  Dawson then shared his experiences with Billy Gillispie (no Clyde, we don't refer to you as John Bill), saying the coach is a lot more accesible and easier to work with. The in-studio trio then talked about UK's lineup for next year and how things might turn out.

After a break, Greg Brohm joined the show to talk some U of L pigskin. Greg told the guys that he's going to be busy soon, with one-day camps and a high school 7-on-7 tournaments.  Having participated in two of the 7-on-7 tournaments myself, it's a great time for the players and almost every big team in Louisville and Southern Indiana comes out to showcase talent.  The trio and Greg then talked about little brother Brian's Heisman promotion, to which Greg said that it's just going to come down to performance. The trio then took a few callers before heading to the last break of the day.

The last segment of the day started off the namesake himself, The Big EZ calling in from the 14th hole at The Raven golf course. EZ confirmed my predictions from earlier in the week, saying at Hole 14 he's already 22 over.  If you know anyone in need of a golf writer/whatever, you know where to come.

It's been a Wild Wednesday, big thanks to Kent, Kendrick and Jody, make sure to tune back in tomorrow, 10 am- 1pm on 1570 The Zone for more Big EZ Show! 

Here is the imfamous Henk impostor picture from Bud's Tavern on Saturday night with Kevin Otting and Johnny "The Freak" Renshaw singing karaoke in the background.  "M'mm, that samich is goooooood!!!

By Kenny Colston

It's the Tuesday edition of the Mid Day Melee, which means it's time to pour salt into yesterday's wounds. Nate laid down the first punch on LeBron James passing up the lay-up to tie the Game 1 in last night's Eastern Conference Championship. Callers wanted to jump into the brawl in favor of Nate and in favor of King James (if the game is Pretty Pretty Princess, win a title before you're crowned is what The Throwdown thinks). Nate and the callers traded blows on the subject before going to the first commercial break.

The song say that The Freaks comes out at night, but The Zone's Johnny "The Freak" Renshaw joins the show after the first commercial break to try to verbally beatdown Nate once again. A little LeBron talk, some playoff talk entered the fray before Nate asked The Freak about Houston's new coach.  Nate and The Freak went back and forth on a range of NBA topics with callers coming in to drop their two cents here and there.

Nate and Renshaw then decided to talk about another fight, more specifically, Clinton Portis defending Vick's right if he was dogfighting, even if it's a felony.  Nate and The Freak just got a kick out of Portis's lack of caring about illegal dogfighting, wondering if what the Redskins were going to scramble to do?

Hour 2 started with the Clinton Portis interview about dogfighting, which Nate played on air. Nate and Katherine thought that Clinton just hadn't realized what he was actually saying, while The Freak wondered if Portis had been drinking but in the end Portis was just an idiot.  Nate and The Freak traded lefts and rights about the intelligence of NFL athletes.

A few callers came in to weigh in even more on the dogfighting/Mike Vick/Clinton Portis issue. Nate said he thought it was a big an issue as everyone was making it, while The Freak just shrugged the illegal activity off saying there are bigger fish to fry. Nate and The Freak really lit into each other, both passionate about their side of the story but letting a few callers weigh in as well.

After a break, a caller joined the show to say that he's been to dogfights before and that he doesn't own fighting dogs, but he knows people that do.  But Reggie says he thinks it's no different than deer hunting or any type of animal killing and that if you are brought up in it, it has no effect on those people. Nate took advantage of the knowledge of dogfighting from Reggie, trying to pick his brain about the bloodsport.

It was almost a real fight today on the Mid Day Melee, let's hope everyone takes it easy tonight. Check back tomorrow for more Melee, 1-3 pm on 1570 AM! 

By Kenny Colston

It's another Monday Evening Quarterback edition of The Big EZ show and Kevin Otting and Dugan Ryan started the show hyping up the big guest host for the day, U of L great Darrell Griffith.

The first news bit of the day was A,J. Nicholson, a linebacker drafted in the 3rd round by the Bengals who was released for his legal troubles.  Callers flooded in wondering why Criminnati  kept drafting athletes with character issues.  But the frustration turned to good memories, in which one of the host fumbled the snap on, but we won't name who.

After a break, Dugan invited callers to ring in with their favorite Dr. Dunkenstein memories.  Friends of the station told stories of Alumni games and the national championship runs.

Hour 2 was all over the court, with Jordan/LeBron talk and chatter from excited callers, with a little more Griffith memories/hype.

But The Doctor was in Hour 2, Dugan, Kevin and Darrell took a loooooong walk down memory lane talking of radio station B96 and inviting Griffith to share his many memories of Louisville while asking what he was getting into right now.  Dugan asked The Doctor to talk about his time as a player at Louisville, his time in Utaz and other rumblings from the Louisville Legend.  Griffith went on to say winning the National Championship in 1980 was the greatest event of his career.

The hosts then went on to talk some current U of L basketball. Talking of some of the freshmen, last year's tournament and how tough press clippings can be on young athletes.  Griffith says you just learn to deal and it makes you tough.  Dugan, Kevin and Dr. Dunkenstein had a great time talking on the show, hopefully you tuned in! If not, check out www.bigezpod.blogspot.com where the entire Griffith segment will be on the web!

Hour 3 started off with more Darrell Griffith, before heading to the usually break.  After the break, callers just jumped the phone lines with more stories about the Louisville Legend and Dugan Ryan's hero. It seems like the phone lines just seemed to be buzzing with post-DG talk.

It was another great Big EZ show, tune in tomorrow again from 10 am- 1 pm when Kent Taylor from WAVE-3, Jody Demling from the Courier-Journal and others will be our guests on the show while EZ's away on vacation! Make sure you tune in!

By Kenny Colston

It's time for the Melee and hopefully not too many of you are still on the sidelines from the Freak Festival this weekend.  Nate even admitted he still has a little alcohol-induced fog on him today.

Nate's first topic was the left hook UK threw UMass by buying out the game this season with the Minutemen.  Nate said he wasn't sure all the details, but promised to take on whoever to find out what the real reason for the buyout was.

Callers threw in some topics of their own on this weekend and some baseball news. One callers argued with some comments from an earlier show, saying that Borel didn't pull up Street Sense. Nate agreed, saying Curlin was just a better horse that day. 

Nate then threw out some sports tidbits, giving a brief take on the Indy 500, some tennis news and then Soprano's news. Nate and Katherine had a little Soprano's moment before moving onto another HBO show, Entourage. Nate thought the guys were making a horrible decision, before promising to bring more up when The Freak comes on.

Nate then couldn't believe that Chris Henry would push the boundaries again by failing a court-ordered drug test and will spend 88 days in jail.  Derrick and Nate then thought Henry would be suspended further from the NFL, like Pacman Jones. 

Back from the break, The Freak joined the Melee to thank everyone for his trip back to Louisville this weekend before thanking Nate for being a guy, since they have been talking for a month now.  The Freak then gave take and stories from The Freak Festival. There is no way I can give any justice to the stories but even trying to repeat them here. Hopefully you were there for the memories! 

Back from a timeout, Nate said that he wasn't really impressed with the Preakness or the state of Maryland itself.  The Freak gave excuses like the track isn't in the best neighborhood and the TV coverage didn't help.  Both Nate and The Freak showed disappointment that the Triple Crown chase is over.  Saying that there is no race like the Derby, Johnny then went on to say that everyone wants to see a chance at a Triple Crown at the Belmont, but once again, this isn't the year.

Moving onto the hardcourt, Nate said the two worst teams in the world ended up making the Western Conference finals-- Utah and San Antonio. Both The Freak and Nasty Nate absolutely hate the matchup.

Callers lit up the phone lines, giving their takes on the sports news of the day and sharing their stories of the weekend before heading to the break.

Nate then came back from break with an update on Chris Henry.  Citing stuff from ESPN.com that says Henry's agent denies that Henry failed the test.  Both Johnny got back on his soapbox about professional athletes just throwing away their careers with problems.  The Freak just thought it was crazy.

More callers chimed in with stories from The Freak Fesitval this weekend, with Renshaw and Nate just laughing and adding a little here or there. Rob Gidell stopped in to talk with the guys for a little before he went on the air.  Rob told stories of being hit on at Bud's by "people who hit for the other team" even getting a business card and giving away the station number instead of his actual phone number. 

Tune back in tomorrow for more Mid Day Melee with Nasty Nate Muncy and Johnny "The Freak" Renshaw, 1-3 pm on 1570 The Zone!

By Kenny Colston

What a weekend!  Sorry for no recaps on Thursday and Friday, things were a little different with our remotes.  That being said hopefully everyone joined The Freak Fesitval with the rest of the crew this weekend at one of the many locations.  With the Big EZ on vacay, Monday Evening Quarterback Kevin Otting and Nasty Nate hijacked the show today.  The first topic of the show had to be this weekend, which I didn't get to join in on.  At only 19, I'd never thought I'd still be considered a baby.

Next up was a little Preakness talk, with Kevin and Nate giving insight on Saturday's race.  Kevin threw out that he thought Calvin Borel might have pulled up Street Sense a little early.  One thing is certain, the Belmont isn't going to get many horses, many viewers, which means there will be some pissed off New Yorkers.  The question from the EZ chair is this: Does Anyone Care about the Belmont now? Here's my pick for the Belmont (if Street Sense decides to enter), I'll stick with the sure pick, trifectia with Street Sense, Curlin and Hard Spun.  It's a sure bet, trust me.

Out of the break, Nate in-bounded some news that UK has canceled the UMass game at the price of 50,000 dollars.  Nate hadn't seen the main reason why, but enticed readers to listen to the Mid Day Melee for when he had more. Kevin and Nate then wondered if EZ was teeing off yet before wondering if EZ really met Nick Saban.

Side Note:  I offered Thursday to travel with EZ to recap every shot, every round of his golf game, I never got an answer though.  I'll try to predict a round right now anyway. 

Hole 1- Double Bogey, Hole 2 - Par,  Hole 3 - Triple Bogey, Hole 4- Plunked into the water, broke his 9 iron, +8, Hole 5- ???.

Back to the show, Nate talked about how he attended his first ever Fire game this weekend.  Nate said he was unsure about ever showing up, but said he saw two of the best touchdowns catches he's ever seen during the game.  Nate loved the game, so hopefully we can get him to tag along more often. 

Kevin, Intern Derrick and Nate then talked about how tough arena football really is with having a short field.  Kevin said that the Fire were back in first and a championship here in Louisville would be great. Nate then liked how close fans can get onto the field.  Off the net, into the boards, a Louisville Fire game is something every should experience.

Starting Hour 2, Birthday Boy Dugan Ryan took over for Nate to talk more about the Freak Fesitval this weekend. Kevin applauded the listeners and host bars for treating them well and having so much fun.  Both Dugan and Kevin really appreciated the turnout all weekend.  All the stories can in no way be re-told here, not because they are bad... but it just wouldn't do the weekend any justice. Dugan then swore off alcohol on his birthday, saying that the Thursday through Sunday Freak Festival wore him out.  It's here in print Dugan, let's see how it turns out.

Side note:  I've got updates as EZ just finished the front 9. Hole 5- Birdie, Hole 6-  Slices into the woods, but EZ semi-recovers, bogey.  Hole 7- Wasn't pretty, +6, Hole 8 -  Par, Hole 9 - EZ drives into a tree, bounces off, lands on the edge of the water, but an alligator chomps the ball...plus +12.  More updates as they come in!

More callers rang in, talking mostly about all the fun they had this weekend. Whether you joined the Melee on Friday or joined the Freak Festival at night at either The Left Field Lounge or Bud's Tavern, it was a great weekend as everyone seemed to agree.

Back from the break, Dugan dropped a half-court shot on listeners, Dr. Dunkenstein, Darrell Griffith, will be part of a the guest hosts for the Big EZ show tomorrow!  Freak Fesitval attendees kept calling in with their stories and takes on the past weekend.

Hour 3 started with EZ himself calling into the show. EZ confirmed he saw Saban, before saying he hadn't gotten to the beach yet today because EZ got ROASTED yesterday on the beach. EZ then wanted to talk a little Preakness with the guys. Kevin repeated his earlier assumed that Borel let off Street Sense too early, becoming the Leonard Lett of Horse Racing. EZ didn't like the idea of Street Sense skipping the Belmont, saying he'd have no desire to watch the Belmont if Street Sense doesn't race in the Belmont.

Commerical Break Golf Update: Here's the back 9 as I see it. Hole 10 - Eagle! (everyone gets lucky every now and then), Hole 11- Bogey, Holes 12- 16- Double Bogey. Hole 17- Par. Hole 18- EZ gets over excited, hits a sand bunker, takes 4 stokes to get out of it, 3-putts to the hole. +9.  Overall score 49 over.  Even Charles Barkley can shoot better.

Back from a break, Kevin and Dugan shared more stories from the Freak Festival. Dugan then brought up some Soprano's talk, being a little upset about only 2 shows remaining.  Recapping basically the last couple of shows and things they would like to see happen as well as what they like or don't like about each character, Dugan and Kevin went on a tear about the Soprano's. 

A caller got all upset about horses who skip Triple Crown races to only show up in the Belmont or Preakness to upset Triple Crown chances.  Citing that the other horses are fresher, the caller thought that something needs to be done to level the playing field for the horses who have raced in the previous Triple Crown races. Dugan and Kevin agreed, saying that it's becoming almost impossible to win the Triple Crown with fresh horses entering after the Derby.

That was today's Big EZ show!  Continue to check back to see who will settle into the EZ chair the rest of this week and definitely tune in tomorrow as Darrell Griffith and others will be on the air here on 1570 The Zone AM!

I've got to be honest folks, I'm DYING not being able to be on the air.  I feel like I got a TON to say, and have no platform to say it all right now (which pleases many, yet they continue to listen).  But this blog will suffice.

Now, onto some things that are bugging me at the moment:

1. I'M SUNBURNT! It's bad.  And I'm scheduled to play some golf in a little while.  It could be fairly miserable.  I was putting on the sunscreen with some serious regularity.  But to no avail... and I'm pissed.

2. Junior varsity place kicker and resident drunk Nasty Nate is BOASTING on my show (without me there, mind you), that he correctly predicted the triefecta in the Preakness Stakes.   Wow, Mr. Kicker, what a fabulous prediction.  What'd that tri pay? $2.60?

3. Speaking of the Preakness, to the novice horse racing eye (a.k.a. my eye), it appeared as though Street Sense jockey Calvin Borel just wasn't real sure what kind of trip he wanted to take in the Preakness.  Borel got the trip of a lifetime in the Derby.  But in the Preakness it seemed as though Borel wanted to steer away from the eight other jockeys that know that he likes the rail, and tried to go elsewhere, and it just didn't seem comfortable. 

And Street Sense's "other gear" had to show up a little earlier to get back up front, and he fizzled late.  Call me critical, but it doesn't seem that Borel is the jockey to lead a dominant horse to a Triple Crown.  But I'll say this... Borel is undoubtedly my favorite new jockey.  Not a more gracious winner and loser, and he sounds like Dell, the mouse-loving prisoner, from The Green Mile (a fantastic movie).

4. UK fans are calling ESPN.com's Andy Katz a 'hater' today.  And I can understand where they're coming from.  I don't necessarily agree with them, but I can understand.  This after Katz reports that Kentucky is bailing out of the UMass game this year. 

Hey, if UK wants to change the schedule, they did it by the rules.  That's cool with me.  They abided by the contract.  UMass can be upset because they lose out on potential money that would've been brought in with the game.  I guess UMass should've made the buyout a little higher.

But, I am a bit confused by the fact that Gillispie basically says he's in the dark on this whole mess.  I find that SO hard to believe.  If you want more home games, that's fine.  But, Billy, you are in control of one of the most prestigious programs of the country.  Tell us that you have some say in YOUR schedule.  PLEASE!

Well, it's time to throw some aloe on this sunburn and then get out the Cleveland 9 1/2-degree driver.

And until I get back, enjoy some of New Albany Tribune/Jeffersonville Evening News sports editor Mike Hutsell's favorite celebrity, 'The Hoff.'

It's Sunday here at The Blog Zone and for those of you who were out at Bud's a little too late last night...well...we gotcha' covered, sit back and let the preachin' come to you...

Hello folks.  Currently, it's a little after 3 AM and I'm somewhere between Tuscaloosa and the Gulf of Mexico.  We spotted Nick Saban here in 'Bama country at around 1 AM as Lady EZ, myself, and the other couple we're vacationing with, decided we were going to pull an all-nighter to get down to the Gulf of Mexico.

We were all actually trying to get a cup of coffee, and Saban was in my ear telling me that anyone who does something as risky as take over a program with a more wacky fan base than Kentucky basketball has to be "very well endowed" (as illustrated in the above picture).

Nevertheless, we left him at the gas station and are now just an two hours away from completing the road trip and quickly diving in to the booze while whispering sweet nothings into Lady EZ's ear and then going to go play a round of golf at Kelly Plantation here in Destin on absolutely no sleep.

I love it.  I feel like I got out of town at a great time.  The basketball signing period ended this week (thankfully), the Reds have already been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and I got to see The Freak try and make out with former junior varsity place kicker Nasty Nate.  I will sleep in peace here all week.

The e-mail box will be open all week so feel free to shoot me a line at ez@1570thezone.com.  And I'll make sure to call in from a nearby tee box to see what the guest hosts are up to during the shows all week.  See ya soon.

p.s. I listened to the Suns-Spurs game on XM during the trip.  Sounds like Nash didn't decide to show up until it was too late.  I'm still real pissed about what went down in that series.

Five conference championships in a row!!!!....Hats off to Joe Dumars and the Pistons....Its not the easiest thing in the world to it in Motown.....this is not Tinsletown....bad weather (hurts free agency), bad reputation with the main stream media, the Brawl, Rasheed Wallace (who is a bad MF'in player), tough spots to draft from (Tayshawn Prince---great pick-up), 3 coaches in 5 yrs, small media maRKET compared to the "who's your daddy?" cities, and target on their chests.....Wow, I love this team.....to think that Rick Pitino traded Chauncey Billups and kept Ron Mercer when running the Celtics "MAKES ME WONDER" like Robert Plant on Zeppelin IV......they are like a great college team controled by guards.......but lets be honest, Rasheed Wallace is a bad man.....OK, I know he gets on your nerves when he gets mad about a call (and mine too), but as an emotional person myself, I can understand.....His main problem is the way he looks.....he is just a big scary man....all those teeth makes him look like a dangerous dinosaur.....but I respect the hell out of his game.....and lets not forget that in football you have dudes like this too.....the difference is the fans and cameras are a lot further away, and the players have all those pads and helmets on.....you cant see all the tattoos up close and personal, and you cant see them getting fired up and hollering in the helmets.....But that is just the diffence in the sports and the intimate relationships with the players and fans with basketball......I hope Lebron makes the conference finals.....I love watching that guy play......he should have been 1st team all NBA over Stoudemire......but they do that damn position thing....c'mon, would Amare be on there w/o nash?.....no way......Speaking of the Suns/Spurs series, I was very dissapointed with Stern's decision to suspend Stodemire and Diaw......Yea, I know its a rule, but these were just humans reacting to a chicken $hit foul by the spurs.....Stern is just trying to pacify the non-NBA haters that stereo type his league as a thug league....whatever....those people aint ever going to be happy w/o complaining.......they are the same miserable saps that say that the Muhamad ALI museum is a waist in our city.....hey F#ck you!!!!......ALI is the most recognized sports figure around the world today in his 60's....and a great ambassador for what is right in the world.....OK he had some "Bill Clinton- lady's man" in him.....so what!!!.....He is so important and stood for so much.....and I am so proud he is from Louisville......OK, off my soap box......back to the playoffs......I have lost a lot of respect for San Antonio....And I did respect them so much....they are a very good team, are they this desperate?.....or is it that they know that Phoenix teams from the start of their franchise have always been a lil soft?.....probably a lil both......I want to see Phoenix get thru.....they have to step up......I LOVE THIS GAME......IKE

This is my first blog ever.  I have also never played Dungeons and Dragons.  I am waiting to do a real BLOG after you bitches tell me what  A F*#king Blog is.  Is it a daily rant?  Is it hourly with reports from my toenail clipping sessions?  Help....me.......help....you..........!

Can't wait to meet the Freak tomorrow! (Johnny The Freak) Shenanigans on Norris Place tomorrow.  If there is one guy in the world of radio that will get me, drink for hours, then get a 12 year old Dominican boy for desert, it's Johnny The F'n Freak.

by: Nathan Muncy

Is it wrong of me for wanting Johnny "the freak" Renshaw to stay in Houston? I am scared out of my mind that he will show up and completely ruin my life. But, it's also very arrogant of me to assume that my life isn't already ruined anyways. 

Well, hallelujah!  Patrick Patterson will be a Wildcat.  A couple of quick observations on this:

1. UK fans need to be careful not to annoint this guy the next coming.  Yes, he's a great player and will make an immediate impact for Gillispie and Co., but according to many in the know, Patterson got WAY more pub than his game deserves--all because he was the last to sign a letter of intent in this class.  For the record, I think he's a damn good player whose been stuck in the shadow of OJ Mayo and could've easily been a 30-point scorer in high school without Mayo.
2. Don't thank Billy Gillispie without first thanking Tubby Smith.  Patterson was obviously always interested in UK, due to it's close proximity to home.  But Tubby got the ball rolling on this commitment and many people much closer to the situation than me thought that Patterson to UK was a (oh, the dreaded phrase) "done deal" before Tubby left.  The waters got murky ONLY AFTER Tubby left.  Credit Gillispie as well for having his ducks in a row and continuing what Tubby had started when it came to recruiting Patterson.
3. Anyone else have the thought that maybe Patterson was just plain tired of hearing from Lucas that Lucas wanted the two to play together?  I spoke about this today with Jody Demling, recruiting writer for the Courier-Journal (check out the podcast at http://feeds.feedburner.com/bigezshow) and he may have felt the same way.  Do you think there was a time where Patterson just said "ok, I'll go where you go, just have your press conference and I'll have mine." And then Lucas said Florida, and Patterson basically says "Gotcha."  Now, THAT would be the recruiting version on "Punk'd."

Now, thank the Good Lord it's over.  now we can all move on with our lives.  If you have an opinion on the NBA powers-at-be suspending players that leave the bench, then this may be one of the best columns I've read in quite awhile from Bill Simmons.

"The Freak" gets in town tomorrow night.  I leave for vacation Friday.  So tomorrow night, we're definitely going to THROW DOWN.  If I sound like sh*t on Friday, blame Johnny.

By Kenny Colston

Nate started off the show going straight for the Haymaker, telling fans it's time to go ahead and call-in to give their take on the Patrick Patterson decision today. Nate immediately went to the phone lines as a caller said that the Huntington Post-Dispatch is reporting that close to 50 fans from UK wanted to be at Patterson's press conference and that Patrick had no problem at all.  Nate wasn't sure if it was a sign he's coming to UK or just Patterson holding his cards close.

Nate then brought up the NBA suspensions, claiming it was the worst decision possible.  Nate argued if you would make the rule on a case-by-case basis instead, tonight's game would be through the roof.  Nate said the NBA made a big mistake and lost all hype they could have for tonight game, deciding to make the focus on the suspensions.

A caller pointed out that Horry sitting two games is nothing to the Spurs. Horry is a small-role player, while Diaw and Stoudimire are big dogs for the Suns.  The caller also was tired of the the Patrick Patterson talk, saying he wanted UK football to start entering the discussions.

The Freak joined the show after the break and immediately Nate had to inform Johnny that his pick for Patterson, Duke, seems to have lost out on the circus.  Somehow Nate and Johnny blindsided the listeners by saying that they were a team and if the Melee was a horse race, they would be 1 and 1A.  How sweet.

Callers then got the hosts into discussion over Chicago's whipping of the Pistons last night.  It seems to be a 360 degree turn, yet Nate still thought the Pistons would close the deal.  Another caller had a Freak-question concerning Dan Marino and a Nate question asking why local media would be so happy about UK's recruiting problems.  Nate explained that with recruiting being such highly publicitized and coming into such unchartered waters as a program, helps explode the negative news.  The Freak chimed in with saying that negativity has just started dominating all sports coverage.

Nate then touched on a Sports Mob interview with Beas Hmaga where Hmaga seemed confused about UK and didn't seem to have as much interest as it was said. 

Back from the break, Freak took on the Marino debate by saying that Jimmie Johnson sucked the life out of Marino while he was there. The Freak has a little soft spot for Marino before moving onto more NFL news.  Johnny said that Reggie Bush was shocked that the Saints took Antonio Pittman in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.  Nate said it was a steal for the Saints and that Bush shouldn't worry.

Hour 2 returned with more punches to be thrown with a caller thinking the Warriors got robbed by the refs last night to help Jazz win the series.  But Nate and The Freak said that the Jazz won it themselves and the foul calls weren't that big of a deal. More NBA talk came through the phone lines before The Freak said that Robert Horry may be one of the smartest guys alive for taking out two high-impact guys while he's just a small role player. Renshaw then asked Nate if the NBA should open up the bench-leaving rule.  Nate's responded quickly with an " F the rule" thinking the NBA should take each cases individually.

Renshaw then went out to say that there is no way the Spurs win tonight, with the game in Phoenix and the Suns feeling screwed, The Freak thinks the Suns will BLOW OUT the Spurs. Nate and Johnny made a little 5 dollar bet on air, Nate on the Spurs, The Freak on the Suns. Check back tomorrow to see who gets the beer money.

Back from the break, Nate talked about an article on ESPN about a climber who scaled Mt. Everest a record 17th time.  Nate wanted to know if you could call the guy the greatest athlete of all time and The Freak agreed with Nate's assumption. The Freak was shocked Nate would give time to something as dangerous as climbing Mt. Everest, which Nate just shrugged off.

A caller then wanted to know exactly what the Joey Shaw, a freshman at IU, deal was.  Shaw is transferred to the JUCO College of Southern Idaho, while Nate told everyone Shaw was his favorite player and had no idea why he would transfer. Nate said no one on the IU roster would seem to take a bunch of minutes from Shaw if he stayed. The caller then got The Freak going down memory lane with the Maryland basketball program.

The last segment brought on more throwdowns, as a caller continued coversation from earlier about good NBA "fights". The caller then got a little upset that the Melee wasn't giving enough credit to IU's incoming recruits.

And that was today's Mid Day Melee, Rest up and join us back tomorrow from 1-3 pm on 1570 The Zone AM!

By Kenny Colston and Derrick Johnson

It's time to get back into the EZ chair this Wednesay for the Big EZ show. The show started with EZ recapping his night last night and informing listeners about being a little upset this morning, specifically at the way the NBA handed out suspensions for tonight's game.

Before that, EZ and Nate talked about IU redshirt freshman Joey Shaw transfering to JUCO College of Southern Idaho.  Nate and EZ were both upset that the newest Golden Eagle as someone who had such promise for the Hoosiers.

But EZ got back on track saying that Tim Duncan and Bruce Bowden should be suspended just like Amare Stoudimire and Boris Diaw, because the two Spurs left the bench in a different incident than Horry's hip-check on Steve Nash.  EZ thought it was insane the favoritism the Spurs were getting and all because Duncan complained about the Joey Crawford issue at the end of the season.  Nate tried to say that the NBA should open the rule to interpretation, but EZ argued that it was already open since Duncan was getting the special treatment.  Callers flooded in and gave their take, some saying Duncan wasn't on the floor, others agreeing with EZ.

Nate then brought up Patrick Patterson and wanted EZ's odds on where he thought Patterson would go. EZ went 60/40 with Patterson going to Florida.  Yet EZ was wondering just how much Patterson would want to play with Jai Lucas, since he just had a feeling Patrick wasn't that into it.

Jody Demling, recruiting writer for the Courier-Journal, called in to talk more recruiting with EZ.  Jody echoed EZ's thoughts, saying that Patrick has never seemed as excited as Jai about playing together.  Demling also stuck to his pick of UK as Patterson's destination, saying that mama usually wins and it seems like Tywanna Patterson likes UK.  EZ then asked Jody about Mark Sanchez and Beas Hmaga snubbing UK.  Jody said he always thought Hmaga was a stretch, but credited former Cat and current Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey as going a stellar job of landing Sanchez.

Hour 3 started with Joey Adams giving his picks on today's Churchill card as well as updating with Preakness news.  Make sure to check out more of Joey Adams on triplecrownselections.com as well as Today @ The Races, Saturday's 9-10 am on 1570 The Zone AM!

After a break Greg Hammond from WTVQ in Lexington joined the show to give his take on the Patterson decision today.  Hammond stuck to his pick of Duke, before giving his thoughts on the Suns/Spurs. Hammond then dropped a bomb of a thought on EZ before heading off-- Andre Woodson should have more Heisman hype than Brian Brohm because he has better numbers and plays against tougher defenses.

In the last segment, callers wanted to weigh in on Hammond's QB comments. One caller said that Woodson had better numbers because he always had to throw the ball, yet Hink called in to say the the 23rd best player isn't going to New York for the Heisman. More callers weighed in with one "hoping to be the last guy to say something about this"--before saying there is no way Andre Woodson is better than Brian Brohm. EZ said Andre Woodson is the 2nd or 3rd best QB in the nation, notably behind Brohm.   

It was a good show, check back tomorrow with the Big EZ Show, 10 am- 1 pm on 1570 The Zone AM! And check out today's podcast of Hour 2 on www.bigezpod.blogspot.com.  

by: Nathan Muncy

Does anyone hate Carlos Mencia as much as I do? I loath him with every ounce of my being.

by: Rob Gidel

Leave it to the NBA to return to its clueless roots.

"Cheap-Shot" Bob, formerly Robert Horry, gets two games for cold cocking a 2-time MVP Steve Nash in the final minutes of Game 4, while Nash's teammates Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw got suspended just one game less for simply walking six steps. I can't emphasize enough how big of a joke this has become. The Spurs-Suns series is your Western Conference Finals. Who cares about the Jazz-Warriors series, honestly? This announcement basically says to fans, "In an effort to avoid hearing an unending amount of annoying bitching from Tim Duncan and his compatriots, we'll assure they'll make the NBA Finals, by giving them Game 5." Tim Duncan and the Spurs are the dirtiest team in the NBA. They whine about every foul call and our easily the most hated franchise in the world. Don't believe me? Watch a Spurs game. Any male that's married can attest. The Spurs are the equivalent of your wife. Constantly annoying and bitching at you, to where you'd just rather not deal with 'em, so therefore you just allow them to do whatever they want. You could make a case, that if Duncan played in the NFL, Roger Goedell would suspend Duncan just for image purposes. At least Baseball will get better ratings now, since no one will be watching San Antonio in a few months.

If Amare Stoudamire and Boris Diaw are suspended for game five of the Suns/Spurs series for leaving the bench, it will only be appropriate that the NBA ALSO eject Tim Duncan for leaving the bench as well (this is from the second quarter of game four).  Watch the Spurs bench closely... uh oh Timmy-boy.

Thanks to The Big Lead for the clip.

Just to reiterate what I said on the show today regarding the Jai Lucas decision to go to Florida.  Civil UK fans (and I know you're out there, you called and e-mailed today), please smack your wacky UK cohorts and tell them not to call into radio shows or post on message boards and spit out something like "oh, we didn't need Jai anyway."  Uhhh, that's NOT what you said for 18 FREAKIN' MONTHS. 

You, Mr. wacky UK fan, sound like Mr. Popular high school jock who was the coolest guy ever before the head cheerleader finally decided she was going to break up with you.  That guy was saying "oh, I didn't need that skank anyway," but was crying himself to sleep that night and nights after that.

Just say "man, that sucks... would've really liked to have him.  But Coach Gillispie will right the ship."  This is what I think will happen and that's what civil UK fans said on the show today.  If you ALWAYS sounded like that, this world would be a lot better.

Now, onto Playboy.  US olympic swimmer and gold medal-winner Amanda Beard will pose nude in the July issue of Playboy.  Fan-freakin-tastic.  Now, there's a good number of female athletes that are way better looking than her, but she's still way up there.

For all you women out there that say that stories like this are bad for female sports, GIVE ME A BREAK!  Why don't you go and find me a female whose career was NOT elevated by a Playboy photo shoot.

It's a win-win for everyone.

Now, if we can just get LPGA golfer Natalie Gulbis to pose, we'll be in some serious business.

If you don't know who Gulbis is, now you do (she's below).

by: Kenny Colston

Lick your wounds, it's time for another throwdown with Nate Muncy and Johnny Renshaw for a Tuesday Mid Day Melee. Nate opened the show with NBA playoffs talk, more importantly the Suns-Spurs game that Nate was just overly impressed.  Nate said it was a horrible idea to crown the MVP before the playoffs and last night's game just showed why.  You don't take a half-court shot if you're down by 2 in the third quarter and you don't crown an MVP before the playoffs.

Nate took a few callers on the NBA playoffs and Griffey's hot streak. Nate admitted that Griffey has made him look pretty foolish as of late.  The caller suggested that Nate dog the Reds' bullpen and maybe they'll play better too! Nate seemed to take the advice and thought about dogging the bullpen before jumping on Harang and other starting pitchers.

The Super-Kid jumped back on the MVP problem before picking on Vince Carter and he's wacky knee braces.

After a break, The Freak joined the show and immediately jumped on the topic of the day--UK's Black Monday yesterday. Renshaw gave Gillispie 3 F's for each recruit he missed out on.  Nate was more lentient saying that you can't fail a guy who started the race so far behind everyone else.  Renshaw did say that if Patterson does land at UK tomorrow, Gillispie's GPA would be a solid B. 

The phone lines again went into full court press mode with one calling saying Florida fans were lighting up the message board congratulating Duke on landing Patterson. Nate said he believes message boards are like 8th grade rumors and would just wait and see from a better source. Renshaw said it all comes down to Patterson's decision tomarrow, yet no matter what, Gillispie will still win at least 20 games next year.

After the break, Nate and The Freak talked about old movies and bands and Renshaw was really hyping up the Grateful Dead. Johnny told Nate that the music he plays out of breaks is horrible and that Nate needs to learn to like the Grateful Dead.

Nate started Hour 2 with another jab at the MVP debate still saying that the MVP shouldn't be judged before the playoffs.  Renshaw countered with asking if one month of playoffs should determine an MVP instead of an entire season. Renshaw wanted to know how Nate could rip Nowitzki for the season the Mavericks had, while Nate returned with a left hook of his own by saying that Dirk is done, so how can he be the best player? 

The conversation somehow turned to American Idol. Nate claimed the show was rigged, while Renshaw was just sick of all the media coverage the show gets.  Both Nate and Renshaw claimed to not to watch the show, but knew a lot to have "never watched the show."

Returning from a commerical break, Dave called in and told The Melee crew that no one cares about the NBA, not even at playoff time and that American Idol is even worse!  Renshaw then gave his solution to watching the NBA playoffs, leave the game on, do some chores, and if the game is close watch the last 2 minutes of the third quarter and watch the entire fourth quarter. Dave then got the Freak talking about the Dolphins which just sent Renshaw into one helluva tangent.  Like most Dolphin fans, The Freak is still holding onto The 1972 Undefeated Team and Having the best QB to never win a SuperBowl.  Way to champion the best loser.

After a commerical break, Nate and Johnny returned for what Nate called "the best segment of the show."  Johnny reminded the listeners that in 56 hours, he returns to Louisville to a little Freak this weekend. Make sure to tune in tomorrow for more Mid Day Melee with Nasty Nate Muncy and Johnny "The Freak" Renshaw 1-3 pm and join us this week when the Freak returns to The Ville! 

By: Kenny Colston and Derrick Johnson

EZ started the show off with the hottest sports topic of the day, Kentucky losing out on three recruits, most notably, Jai Lucas, the prized player out of Houston Texas.  Lucas held a press conference on Monday where he declared himself a Florida Gator by revealing a Florida Basketball t-shirt at his press conference.  EZ rejected the idea that Lucas was still in limbo just hours before the press conference was to take place.  EZ argued he knew what his decision would be but did not want to break it to UK fans. 

EZ then went on to bash the Kentucky faithful at how they change their arguments and points of view once news breaks that doesn't go their way.  He compared it to the high school homecoming king and queen that date for four years and then break up during their senior year at which time the king bashes the queen saying he never needed her anyway.

Callers lit up the phone lines with mixed sentiment on the issue.  Some thought UK got what they deserved after forcing Tubby out, while others thought it wasnt such a big deal.  The phone lines were on a constant fast break for the entire first hour.

Hour 2 started how Hour 1 ended, with more on UK's 0-for-3 day yesterday.  EZ lashed out at the fanatic UK fans for flip-flopping so much saying that they needed Lucas so bad and yet now they acted like losing Lucas is no big deal.  The phone lines picked up the press again after EZ got off his soapbox.

EZ hit the boards to fuel the discussion that UK fans have been going too far overboard and that the flooding of the Myspace and Facebook profiles could have lead to at least one recruit--Beas Hmaga--to NOT pick UK.

Having enough of the UK talk, EZ turned to another local school, U of L and Rick Pitino's offer to a player he had never even seen play before. Preston Knowles was given a scholarship solely on what U of L's assisstants has seen, but Pitino.  EZ called a foul on that decision, saying he disagrees with such practice because it seems like it was just trying to fill a roster spot because you need him.  EZ claimed it was an odd business move and wanted callers to give their take on the issue.

EZ took to the pool for the next topic on the show, Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard posing nude for Playboy. EZ took the listeners his choice for adult mags, saying Playboy is the way to go if you're shedding the clothes. EZ didn't understand the reasoning when people say that Beard's decision is bad for women in sports.  EZ just didn't see that, listing celebrities and women athletes who had their careers boosted by such decisions to pose nude. When asked, Nate said he would be opposed to his girlfriend wanting to pose nude, but EZ had no problem saying if Lady EZ wanted do it and her father approved, EZ wouldn't care.

Trudy, a rather masculine-sounding caller, noted that she/he would love to pose for Playboy and that Nate is just a girlie-boy.

Joey Adams from TripleCrownSelections.com joined EZ to begin hour 3.  Joey provided EZ with news that Chelokee, the Michael Matz trained Derby hopeful will not run in The Preakness Stakes, but rather he will run in the Barbaro Stakes, an earlier stakes race on Preakness Day at Pimlico. Tune in this Saturday for Today @ The Races, 9-10 am on 1570 The Zone with Joey Adams!

Mike Hutsell joined us for a little Preakness talk himself. Favoring Street Sense, both Mike and EZ want Triple Crown coverage and hope for Street Sense to take the Preakness. Back to the Playboy issue, EZ brought up ESPN reporter Erin Andrews to pose, but Mike shut that down, since Disney owns ESPN.   The show then ran the across the board with attractive women athletes who should pose for Playboy.  Some of the most popular choices were team USA softball pitcher Jennie Finch, soccer player Heather Mitts, and professional golfer Natalie Gulbis.

Talk then returned to the UK situation.  Hutsell noted that he was worried UK fans would have nothing to talk about after the recruits signed.  EZ then threw the last segment to Hutsell, telling him to debate the callers to "get back in the groove". But instead EZ took back the reigns agreeing with a caller saying that Hmaga was the biggest loss, not Lucas.  Hutsell chimed in saying that losing Lucas and possibly Patterson to in-conference rival Florida just is dumping salt into the wound. 

Playboy, Recruiting, Jai Lucas is a floozy (according to Nate), and other crazy topics filled today's show. Check out the Hour 1 podcast at www.bigezshowpod.blogger.com and tune in tomarrow, 10 am-1pm for another edition of The Big EZ show on 1570 The Zone!  

LISTS[1].doc (36.5 KB)

Sorry…… Here is the link to the Neil Young concert described below

http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/ConcertDetail.aspx?id=1085|5023

I AM 3 NIGHTS AWAY FROM DRINKINING ICED COLD VODKA AND VIOLATING NATHAN MUNCY IN MID EVIL, BIBLICAL, TARETINO WAYS!!!!

Kenny Colston is the man.....Tonight’s concert is amazing. Then again all of my musical offerings are. Neil Young and Crazy Horse are in the starting gate tonight, and I am betting that you will enjoy the jams. More info on tonight’s show lies below, see you there……….Is it wrong that I want to be with Kelly Clarkson? Don’t know what it is, but it is……..Doesn’t the center for the Cleveland Cavilers look exactly like that wimp, Justin from the first American Idol? I can’t even believe I am writing about this show. I swear on my mom, I have never watched 2 seconds of it, but I still want to pound Kelly and I know that Justin dude looks like the Cav’s European afro looking freak……I talked to my friend of ten years tonight, Dugan Ryan, and he really got me even more excited about coming to Louisville this weekend, if that is possible. I was already jacked!!!    TEN YEARS AFTER!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dugan and I OFFICALLY CHALLENGE  the SPORTS MOB to a two on two basketball game this weekend……..I want to live with a cinnamon girl…….is it me or are the NBA playoffs actually decent this year? I think I have discovered the secret… keep an eye on the scores, while your doing other chores, then if it is really close watch the last two minutes of the 3^rd quarter and all of the fourth, until it gets out of hand…My Magic Johnson is NEVER out of hand……..Hello cow girl in the sand……My roommate is watching the bachelor, officer and a gentleman, I am going to stab her pinky toe with a spork……..  Hello Ruby in the dust….  What is the best invention?........... The remote control, microwave oven, or internet?   It is a tough call. My most attractive quality is laziness, which hits all 3 of the above inventions, I can cook a pizza in 4 minutes, I can lie on my couch for 6 hours and watch a million different worlds on TV without moving, and I can lie my ass off on the radio, acting like I watched a game, when all I really have to do is read the newspapers online from the town of the pertinent game. To me this is an impossible question to answer , but leave this on my tomb stone…..a 60 second burrito hits the spot like a champ…….Isn’t a shame that the SUPER KID, NATHAN MUNCY INDIANA BASKETBALL JONES neglects his job on the weekends?? Everyone knows that there are trade offs in life. One is that if you are lucky enough to work on air at a sports radio station Monday thru Friday, your real work week starts on the weekend, when all the sports take place. But our boy Nate does have something in common with INDIAN JONES… the whip, give me the whip…the late and not so great NATE  is whipped like a champ and not allowed to watch sports on the weekend. Then again if we all had a girlfriend as hot as Nates’ we would blow off sports too. But at least we know he is weak of mind, lets little nate do all the thinking, and is not dedicated to his job……YES I AM JUST JOKING, HE IS THE ---- SUPER KID---- BUT I AM GOING TO GANGSTA SLAP HIM JUST LIKE MY DOLPHINS HAVE ALWAYS GANSATA SLAPPED HIS BROWN’S  …..Whatever,,,, it is getting late, going to watch the 4^th quarter of the Suns game, and hope that the U.S. Mail is in a good mood tomorrow. I hate you if u have not jammed to the musical gifts I have provided in the past, but as you know the word HATE is not in a GREATFUL DEAD fan’s vocabulary…….So enjoy this Neil Young offering, the link is below, as is a critics review. My highlights are DOWN BY THE RIVER, CINNAMON GIRL, AND COW GIRL IN THE SAND. But I was rocked by the intense rockabilly nature of the rest of the show… BE BAD, AND NEVER TELL THE TRUTH…PEACE….  P.S. JOEL DONIGAN IS MY BOY, BUT HIS CHIEFS, JAYHAWKS, AND ROYALS SUCK.

By: Kenny Colston

Hope your wounds are healed as the Mid Day Melee is back for this Monday edition. The started out with Nasty Nate holding The Big EZ over to talk about Fred Lewis, the San Francisco Giant would hit for the cycle yesterday. Touching on an earlier debate between the two, Nate and EZ touched on the event a little before EZ headed off into the sunset.

The topic to kick off the first hour was the 5 greatest retirements ever. Nate read off the list will inviting callers to ring in with what they thought were some of the best retirements ever. Cal Ripken, John Wooden and Rickey Henderson as well as other great players in their respective sports were given a chance by either callers or Nate.

After the commerical break, Johnny "The Freak" Renshaw joined the show and Nate had a little Sopranos/Drug discussion for The Freak. After a rather in-depth lesson on Acid, LSD, Mushrooms and other substances, the Melee got back to sports. Just like it's namesake, the show violently switched from topic to topic. A little bit of golf, a little Jai Lucas and a some Louisville football and UK basketball talk. Although Nate was surely looking for a fight when he compared Gillispie and Kragthrope's situations as similiar. Ouch.

Starting the second hour of the show was David Fox, a senior writer of college football from Rivals.com joined the show to continue the gridiron talk. Renshaw and Nate gave David the 2-minute drill on what he expects from Louisville this season as well as touching on the Cardinals biggest conference rival, the West Virginia Mountaineers. From WV's one-two punch backfield and Rick Rodriguez's decision to stay to what Kragthrope can do this season dominated the conversation. Nate asked Fox what he thought about Brohm's Heisman chances and Fox thought that whichever team can win the conference will have their candidate most likely knock out the others. Brian Brohm, Ray Rice, Pat White or Steve Slaton could all make it, if they don't run all over each other first. Football is a knock-down, drag-out type of game and it looks like the Big East Heisman candidates are going to do just that. Fox closed the segment with saying South Florida will be his surprise Big East team before saying Louisville will again be fighting West Virginia and Rutgers for a conference championship.

Back from the break, Nate and Johnny talked some of their favorite TV movies before returning to the Sports Illustrated's list of the top 5 best finishes. The Freak wanted to throwdown his favorite finishes discarding the SI list. A quick turn to the report that Farve wanted to be traded, Renshaw noted that new reports have Farve saying that he never wanted to be traded. Renshaw thought Farve has been hanging around too long anyway.

Nate then asked Renshaw about the report The Freak read that said that Ray Buchanan, a former Falcon himself, told media that Vick IS involved in dogfighting. No word on if Ron Mexico is a business partner.

Nate and The Freak went all over the board in the final segment talking Golf and various other subjects. It was a good Monday show, check back in tomarrow, 1-3 pm for more Mid Day Melee with Nasty Nate Muncy and Johnny "The Freak" Renshasw on 1570 The Zone AM!

The NBA Playoffs ... the best 3 months .. ever!

Honestly, if the NBA wants us to get excited about the playoffs, why not shorten the playoffs a tad? Perhaps allow less teams in. It's bad enough I have to endure an 82-game schedule that the players actually care about for 10% of 'em, now we have to question whether or not the regular season means even less than that after the 67-win Maverick team lost in the first round to a Golden State Warrior team that needed to win their final game of the regular season to even get in. The NBA is a joke. The playoffs are too long and the future of the professional ranks looks bleak even with Durant and Oden. The life of an NBA player resembles a high school junior on his prom night, so therefore fans get no chance at gaining a relationship with the players and half of the guys that continue to play, get paid so much they could care less about winning or losing.

I guess it could be worse ... the NBA could be the NHL.

Which reminds me ..

Bud Selig needs to be punched in the face. Seriously. He's by far the worst commissioner of our time and Major League Baseball is at a place where they have to re-schedule the World Series around HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL?!?!?! Next year, they might consider starting it on Tuesday afternoon to compete against Days of our Lives. What a joke. But, wait, attendance is up, Rob!!?!?? Who cares. The game sucks and Selig is to blame. Now we have the most treasured record being overtaken by a guy that's head is the size of Jupiter both figuratively speaking and in actuality. We have great pitchers pitching well into late 40's replacing pain killing addictions with viagra on the MLB circuit, because younger prospects are a joke in comparison to some of our more refined pitchers - of course, who knows why that is? Perhaps that's not Viagra being injected into their fannies? In short, Selig let the game get out of control by allowing owners total control from the beginning. The owners, who care only about their own respective situations in comparison to the game they are meant to protect, continually prove they have zero credibility. Unlike the NFL or NBA, major league baseball hired a selfish owner as their head man and watched as the game we love has turned into a comedy class.

At least, I'll be able to tune into American Idol re-runs this fall, instead, and I won't have to worry about missing PRP-Central on Friday.

by: Nathan Muncy        aka Nasty Nate

Does anyone else recognize how bad-ass Johnny Boy looks in his picture on the website's opening page?  It must be really hard to look so tough standing in front of a Dolphins poster. Especially, cause the Dolphin is recognized as one of the friendliest and loving mammals in the animal kingdom. But, if anyone could do it, we know it would be our one and only Johnny "the freak" Renshaw.

by: Kenny Colston and Derrick Johnson

It's another Margarita Monday on the Big EZ Show.  EZ started off the show taking a shot at the "dirty" issue of the Spurs playing the Suns dirty.  EZ stated he thinks if Amare Stoudemire thinks the Spurs were playing him dirty, he should stand up for himself and defend himself.

Talk then turned to Mother's Day festivities.  Nate went out to eat with his mom and EZ stayed in and cooked for his.  Conversation took a whack at the latest Soprano's episode before getting back to sports.

The show teed off on The Players Championship and more specifically Sean O'Hair's decision to go for the pin and quadraple bogey that cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars.  EZ took the question to the phone lines: go for the pin or play it safe, hit to the green and get 950,000 dollars at second place.  Nate wanted to play it safe while EZ said he would have man-up and went for the pin.  Callers mostly agreed with EZ, but weren't so anxious to keep lighting up the phone lines.  In the end, Sean O'Hair will live on to have a good PGA career and this decision will just be experience to use later.

Before the break, EZ and Nate had a little prom talk, because EZ thought it was crazy how many kids he saw all dressed up at Green Tree Mall this weekend around 4:30.  Wondering if the kids had nothing better to do, EZ made fun of what he considered attention-seeking high schoolers.  In reality, it's just the Southern Indiana kids have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do because well, it's Southern Indiana and not Louisville.  We know deep down Nate and EZ just wish they could live on the better side of the river.

Hour 2 started with quick recaps of topics touched in Hour 1, before Papa EZ came on the show to defend himself and talk about the O'Hair decision. Papa EZ shot right down the middle, saying O'Hair should have done the same to be between Mickelson and the hole. But EZ said Papa EZ was doing a lot of flip-flopping from a conversation they had yesterday. EZ brought Papa EZ back to his original arguement that he would have settled for second place and the money, which EZ thought was as good as hitting into the water.  

Callers and Nate brought out the 9 iron and took a few swings themselves in the debate, siding with the decision to play for second, not for the win.  Although one caller pointed out that Tiger Woods wouldn't have played for second or many other top golfers, which EZ agreed with. EZ brought in a basketball analogy saying that you don't shoot a two-pointer if you're down three with five seconds left.

After a commercial break, Big EZ read off an article from USA Today that says that FOX and MLB will push back the World Series into November and will change the start day to Wednesday instead of Saturday to be more "media-genic".  The article also noted that there would be no Friday night game this year either.  EZ thought the idea was a grand slam, noting that he doesn't want the Friday night game anyway, he TiVo's it to watch Saturday.  EZ lobbied for all sports to stay off Friday and Saturday nights, but that might be more of a wild pitch.  Game 4 of the World Series would be played Sunday night against Sunday night football and Game 5 would stare down Monday Night Football on ESPN.  EZ thought day parties could spring up and it was absolutely a game-winning decision by Fox.

Rick Bozich, sports columnist for the Courier-Journal joined the show after the second commercial break for his usual monday call. Bozich weighed in saying that if it was all about money, many golfers wouldn't make it and that he can't criticize a guy who went for the win.  The news of the World Series change surprised Bozich who wished they would play a day game on the weekend but mostly agreed with EZ that it was a good idea. 

Discussion took the the gridiron when EZ brought up the fact that reports are saying that quarterback Brett Farve wanted to be traded from Green Bay after the draft because the Packers didn't land Randy Moss.  Bozich said that Farve had that leverage to demand such a thing and that the Packers would be in trouble if Aaron Rodgers because the next QB for the Cheeseheads.

EZ then commented on a column Bozich wrote over the weekend in which Bozich said that Pitino leaving UK in 1997 was the biggest decision of Pitino's career and shaped the state of basketball in the bluegrass from that point to the present.  EZ asked Bozich what he thought Pitino's best season was and Rick rattled off the 1992 Unforgetables UK team that no one will forget.

Hour 3 started with Joey Adams from TripleCrownSelections.com to talk about his picks from Friday and some Preakness news. Adams said Derby horse Teuflesberg was for sure out and there is now a chance that Chekolee drops out of the Preakness field as well.  With a possible 9 and more likely 8, the Preakness field is shortening quickly.  Adams didn't have any picks yet for Wednesday's card but check back tomarrow for more horse racing talk from Adams and tune in Saturday's from 9-10 a.m. on Today @ The Races here on 1570 the Zone.

Eric Waxler joined the show for a little sports talk with the EZ.  Eric brought his little bundle of joy and warned listeners that crying is probably little Waxler, not Nasty Nate.  Eric decided to have a little fun, saying that he had a little recruiting news that a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy and so on said Lucas was going to Florida.  EZ and Eric then went on to talk a little about how far people can go with recruiting news.  EZ then asked Eric if he ever wanted to tell people to just untwist their panties after so much hype about recruits.  Eric said that often times the hype is overdone and the kid just never pans out like everyone thought.

After a commerical break, EZ just couldn't resist going back to the Sean O'Hair decision with Eric still with the show.  A few callers e-mailed their inputs while EZ just maintained that winning should be the key, not the money.  Somehow the conversation went to golfing video games where Eric asked EZ if he was so competitive that he wears a glove to play the video game.

A left turn focused on a little NASCAR talk from Hink, a faithful caller and Jeff Gordon's second win in a row.  Eric weighed in on the debate, saying that Gordon was second fan-favorite, behind the obvious, Dale. Jr. EZ then played for Eric what seems to be his favorite clip--James from Okolona's Wrasslin' clip. Eric then had a confession to make, when he was growing up in Florida he attended many wrestling events.  EZ seemed to be surprised by the popularity of wrestling in the Louisville area.

Sopranos talk dominated the end of the show, with Nate, EZ and Eric Waxler debating how the show should end. Nate said Tony has to die, no questions asked.  Papa EZ then made his second call of the day, special for Waxler to weigh in on Sopranos talk before RETURNING to the golf discussion. A caller then said he hated wrestling and could he get Bats tickets, but EZ informed him it was just a clip from another day. One more caller then called in to agree with Papa EZ but EZ wasn't moving on his stance. 

It was a great show to kick off the week so make sure you tune in tomarrow, 10 am- 1 pm for more of The Big EZ Show on 1570 The Zone AM!

As you know Johnny "The Freak" Renshaw will be out and about with 1570 the Zone this weekend.....But these aint just some remotes and "some ol bars"........First, Friday afternoon at Shenanigan's will be great.....For those that dont know Shenanigan's, it is  the best neighborhood bar in town......the neat thing about it is that it's totally 2 different places all in one......if you are on a date or out with your buddies, the dining side is one of the best in town with great service.....you have your own intimate space, but still feel like you are "out" because of the vibe of the place.....the other side is a great bunch of people unwinding together......some of the best sports talks will go down in this place....Why do I love it so much?.....I watched the Cats win the Championship in there...and, oh yea, the black bean nacho (thanx emily).......Next the show will take you to Left Field Lounge.....Wow, what a place....Left Field used to start off a lil slow in the afternoons, but with the addition of the grat jukebox and the economical pool table, it is a place to check out.....but Left Field Lounge is all about the Nightlife.......this place takes a lil while to get hopping, but will never let you down "when the night comes"......Some of the best looking women from all over town come in and out of Left Field......and they pretty much have to get a crow bar to get people to leave at closing time.....Finally you have Bud's Tavern.....Oh lordy, I am getting goose bumps just talking about it.....Bud's Tavern is in the heart of Shively...(or as co-owner Travis said, its the LUNG of Shively).......This place had been off the radar for a while.......But since the new owner's have taken it over, it is probably the best bar in town to watch or perform Karaoke........I mean this....I am a Karaoke freako....and I have sang in probably 40-60 places around the area.....Why is Bud's so different?....well, the people are so soulful......and Daryl who runs the show, is probably the best in town.....he can download you about any song you want......the CD days are over.....but the people and song choices are what gives it the Vibe......you wont here the "same ol songs" in Bud's, and thats what makes it special for those who just want to watch....hey, i like live music and bands as much as the next guy, but those covers they always do over and over in the same mold gets very tired very fast......but the talent and passion is what makes BUD's so unique....people from all over venture over to Germantown from time to time and understand and love the people and neighborhood....well, the same can be said for BUD's.....once you come in, I will pretty much guerentee you will be back......Dawg, I cant wait till this weekend........IKE

1570 The Freaks Come Out At Night Date: Next Weekwnd Time:  All Weekend Place:  At Our Co 1570: THE FREAKS COME OUT AT NIGHT DATE: NEXT WEEKEND TIME: ALL WEEKEND PLACE: AT OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS

I can’t believe that Ricky Williams allegedly tested pot positive again. It is good to know that I am not the dumbest person on the planet Earth. Then again I think that Ricky Don’t Lose That Number is not from Earth. It’s Ricky to rock around, It’s Ricky to rock around, rocks around, rock around, it’s RICKY…………..It was a mellow Friday night after the infamous wine bottle incident on Thursday. I ran two miles and laid out by the pool all day yesterday and I plan to do the same again today. It has been like 90 degrees like every day here in Texas, and I have the sun burn to prove it……………. Of course I will watch the Players Championship and see if Phreaky Phil can hang on over the weekend……….I am very happy that my Orioles won at first place Boston last night. I know it is stupid to dream, but, if we can sweep them, we will be right back in it……………..I will be right back in one of my favorite towns in the world this weekend, Louisville, Kentucky. Me and my boy Nate Muncy will be broadcasting The Mid Day Melle from Shenanigans on Friday, and hanging out at the Left Field Lounge on Friday night. After a Preakness party at the legendary Nutt Mansion on Saturday afternoon, it is off to Bud’s Tavern on Saturday night……………..Wow, just saw where Tiger shot another 73 today, he is 10 back of Phil, who has not teed off yet………..I always trip out on the movies that the regular old cable channels show on the weekend, TBS, SPIKE.etc..this Saturday doesn’t look too food so far, Ghost, Jumanji, The 6^TH DAY,Notting Hill, Mask, Scary Movie 2, The Matrix 2. The only two of those I liked were Ghost and Mask, but I have been there done that. Actually went on my first date with a girl I fell in love with, and we saw Ghost. Her name, Courtney Wollaston. She snuck frozen yogurt in her purse and it spilled all in it. I love Mask, it just makes me cry, and I don’t want to cry today. The last scene, when he dies, is enhanced by the beautiful Grateful Dead song, RIPPLE. I hate all the Matrix movies, and if u don’t you are a vicious dork.Also on, Lake Placid, maybe the worst movie ever, Firestorm, and Waterworld, this is a movie list from hell.……………..Shilling just walked in a run, got pulled and my Orioles have tied it up at 4…………..Sergio Garcia was on fire but choked 16, 17, and 18. I don’t know what has happened to my boy Vijay Singh, he has been horrible the last month or so. I can’t wait to tape a NBC golf tourney one day and prove my point on SATAN, I mean Johnny Miller. All he does is ask all his reporters’ questions he already knows the answer too, and they just say yes Johnny, that’s right Johnny. Even if he knows that answer, he should ask the reporter a question and not make a statement to him. I will tape his broadcast one day, edit al these pieces together, and u will see what I am talking about………….I wonder what Phil Mickleson looks like with his shirt off??? What is wrong with me? I wonder what Tiger is doing right now. He finished his third round 2 hours ago and he is 11 shots back. Does he watch the telecast on TV? Does he go shopping? Does he drink like a fish? One of my favorite reality show ideas is the true behind the scenes of the PGA tour. Geoff Ogilvy, one of my favorite golfers is on fire. H e has gone birdie, eagle, birdie; and has a chance for birdie at 17……………As soon as I dogged that as munch Schilling, the red sox re-took the lead, 5-4, in the 7^th………the Red Sox are now winning 8-4, I am such a sucker………….I am officially rooting for Jose Coceres in this golf tournament. He is so cool, mellow, and unassuming……..well I finished watching golf and just got back from a 2 mile run. Sean O’Hare birdied 17,17,and 18, and will be paired with Phil. I do think the Players is a little over rated as a tourney. But 16, 17, and 18 are the best finishing holes in golf. 16 is an eagle hole that can push you right back into the mix, 17 is a double bogey hole that sent 50 balls into the water on Thursday, and 18 is one of the most difficult tee shots out there, but it you nail it u can birdie 18All this golf blog from me, a guy that has never come close to breaking 100.But I have watched it all of my life………..My run was awesome. 2 miles, in 89 degree heat, but I still feel like a fat blob. Don’t you hate when you are still sweating like 10 minutes after you are out of the shower? I will leave you with that image for now………Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and that makes me sad. Make sure you spend as much time with your mom, everyday, while you still can……….Peace

By Kenny Colston

It's about time someone tried to explain what goes on during the Midday Melee, so let's throw down and get on with today's show.

Nate opened the show with news about Ricky Williams testing postitive for majiuiana use while trying to be reinstated to the NFL.  It just didn't make sense to Nate to throw away a career to toke it up a little bit.  But it's obvious, Ricky has the need for weed. Nate put the issue on the backburner to wait for Johnny "The Freak" Renshaw to address the issue.

Next up, Nate brought up his most hated athlete, Rory Sabbanti and asked the callers to chime in with their most hated athlete.  Joakim Noah, Bobby Petrino and Chrisitan Laettner were some of the bigger names and I think it's no secret why callers would want to have a melee with those three villians. One caller brought up a report saying PacMan Jones was going to repeat his Las Vegas strip club incident right before he met with NFL Commish Roger Goddell. If PacMan wants to ever come "make it rain" here at the Zone, I'm sure we can get Nate or someone to take off their shirt too.

Callers just kept ringing in to say which athletes they hate the most, with Noah getting a few repeats as well as another showoff--Jeremy Shockey.  One caller noted he'd love to take out Barry Bonds because of his steroid use. Oddly enough, the caller himself had taken steroids as a bodybuilder and his problem with Bonds comes with how appealing Bonds makes taking steroids look to younger players.

Johnny "The Freak" Renshaw joined the show and Nate immediately asked The Freak who he hated.  Renshaw started listing half the radio station before later saying he hates all announcers as well. A little golf talk took over as Renshaw was interesting in Tiger possibly making the cut.  Renshaw then quickly brought up that him, Nate and the Midday Melee got a little press in the Kansas City Star today as they did a little bit about The Freak returning to the air.

The talk went back to ahtlete's the hosts hate the most with Latrell Sprewell making the NBA list and The Freak jealously hating Roger Clemens and the loud-mouth Curt Schilling. The show went to a quick commerical break as Renshaw promised more talk on "athletes who are feces".  After the break, the puck was passed to Hockey, with Nate hating Todd Bezzuri. Surprisingly, Johnny said he didn't hate anyone in hockey or tennis, just sports announcers and the New York Yankees.

Renshaw tuned the listeners in to where the Melee crew will be at next week, make sure to join Nate and Johnny next friday at Shenaggins and Bud's Tavern! Conversation then wondered over to when The Freak's Big Screen TV was stolen our hearts go out to Jeffrey... whose probably being heavily used, just not by The Freak.

Starting the second hour of the Midday Melee was Scotty Farrell, a Sirius Satellite Radio host to weigh in on Clemens and the Yankees. Scott said it didn;t make where the Rocket starts, it's going to be a circus and even if he loses his first game at Fenway, in the end The Rocket will help land the Yankees safely. Scott also discussed all the heat on manager Joe Torre, who is sure to be on the chopping block if the Yankees underachieve again, by saying he doesn't believe tossing Torre is the answer. 

The Freak wanted to know Scotty's fave Clemens subject-- the fact that Clemens is taking his time back to the majors.  Scotty shrugged it off before blazing a fastball right at Curt Schilling's and David Well's heads.  Telling both pitchers to shut up and pitch, Scotty had enough of both of their mouths.

Talk of all the trouble athlete's getting in trouble nowadays was just enough for Scotty.  Stating he's had enough that the media will even target no names in trouble because the media needs the fill stories.  And that PacMan Jones appealing is crazy.  Maybe PacMan should take Goodell out to "make it rain" one night to see it's not so bad after all. Scotty just wants the sports media to focus on the games and not all the trouble.  Worry about the touchdowns on the field, not who's trying to score off of it.

After a quick break,Captain Thunder a NASCAR fan and owner of CaptainThunderRacing.com joined the show for some left turns and laps around the track. Dale Junior talk took the pole quickly as Renshaw and Capt. Thunder had a rundown of the price Junior wanted to pay to his 51 percent of DEI. Capt. Thunder made the connection between Dale Sr. going to Richard Childress Racing at 31 and Dale Jr. between a 31-year free agent as well.

Nate then asked Capt. Thunder about Toyota's problems at the trick so far this year and Thunder was shocked at the problems that have been springing up.  Thunder says that Toyota's focus on the Car of Tomarrow hurt them with the current cars and in turn hurt them in the COT as well.  For those of you who aren't NASCAR fans, turning left is harder than it looks.

The last segment of the week featured the former Steeler's linebacker that was arrested on charges relating to prostitution.  Renshaw echoed earlier guest Scotty on saying that all this crime, crime, crime and it's enough.  Nate thought the funniest charge was "living off the funds of a prostitue".  

Renshaw wanted to pay tribute for the sports mom's across the nation for taking kids to every practice, game and staying and cheering the whole way through. The Freak said that sports moms are underrated and The Midday Melee sends love out to sports moms and all moms this Sunday on Mother's Day.

Put the weapons away because the Midday Melee is down for today.  Hope everyone made it through with only minor cuts and brusies. Heal up over the weekend and come back ready for more Midday Melee on Monday, 1 pm to 3 pm on 1570 The Zone AM!

By:  Kenny Colston and Derrick Johnson

It's a Feel Good Friday and EZ kicked off the show talking about his feel good time at the Bats game last night.  EZ ate a little and drank a beer or two-- root beers that is.  No word on whether EZ sat next to James from Okolona, but seeing has EZ doesn't have a black eye, we doubt it.

Next up was hardcourt discussion as word leaked that Dirk Nowitzki was going to be named NBA MVP on Tuesday. EZ quickly T'ed-up that idea sayng that Dirk's performance in round 1 of the playoffs ruined any MVP chances he should have had.  The fact that the MVP is choosen before the playoffs is a crazy idea to the show. EZ wanted to give Steve Nash his third MVP award, while callers jumped between Nash and LeBron James.  EZ suggested that an MVP of each team be selected and then the MVP of the league be choosen from those guys.  But Nowitzki as MVP is as ugly as a missed dunk.

The topic stayed on the court with a column on CBSsportsline.com stating that more people would rather have a Top 10 recruiting class than a Top 10 team.  EZ ripped off the suit jacket and loosened the tie quickly and fired off that all the recruiting hype was getting as crazy as a half-court shot.  Stating that there was no way you can say that a UK recruiting class can beat a U of L recruiting class when not a single player has put on a team's jersey is crazy.  The phone lines started ringing with people throwing in their two cents on the issue.  Some callers said that a Top 10 recruiting class is more favorable because it means a Top 10 team for the future.  

After a quick timeout, EZ and the callers were back on the court to discuss more.  Specifically referencing the way UK fans are crowning Billy Gillispie and his recruiting already, EZ just said there was no way to know how things would happen for sure. EZ ended hour 1 by stating that he'd take a Top 10 team over a Top 10 recruiting class anyday.

Hour 2 started with a little Ebert and Roeper... well more like EZ and Nate trying to do their best impression as the two movie reviewers.  Running through some of their favorite movies and then wandering to the phonetic alphabet the first 15 minutes.  Then Bob Domine, sportscaster for WAVE 3 called in to give his two cents on MVP and Recruiting classes.  Domine disagreed with EZ on MVP, saying Chauncy Billiups deserved the honor.  Domine's best moment came when he gave his reasoning on why a 10 top recruiting class is better, "I'd rather have a humid dream than rejection in the backseat of a car."

The conversation then turned no-holds-barred as EZ and Bob talked about their time at the Bats game, with Domine saying that EZ was a Class-A player hitting in the major's with lady EZ.  Things went all over the map before a commercial break broke up all the fun. After the break, G-Spot gave a quick rundown of the full phonetic alphabet, since he used to be in the Army.

The Recruiting talk couldn't stay away for too long and Game 2 of the discussion kicked off.  EZ said that recruiting must be more important to fans because recruiting was the major problem people had with Tubby.  Recruiting is the same reason Gillispie is being honored without coaching a game so far.  While EZ doesn't agree with it, it's a fact that recruiting dominates, at least in our area.  Give recruiting a 2-0 lead.

Tom Dienhart, a SportingNews magazine writer came out listing all 66 BCS coaches. Deinhart's List

As said on the show, here's the link to the article:  Topping the list is Pete Carroll, USC's mastermind of a coach.  Jim Tressell, Ohio State's sweater-vest of a coach came in second and as usual and after that the list goes down the toliet.  EZ immediately rips the third and fourth choices, Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia and Jim Grobe of Wake Forest.  Urban Meyer, head coach of the national champion Florida Gators came in 12th.  EZ threw out the list and created his own, stating Meyer as first, Tressell as second, Carroll as third and Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops coming in at fourth.

The last hour of the week jumped around the time zones with EZ saying that he wants to announce multiple time zones since the show can be accessed globally.  The e-mails pouring in from listeners about the BCS coaches rankings, saying Kragthrope at 27 wasn't right. The link to the blog can be accessed above. 

Joey Adams from TripleCrownSelections.com joined the show with the daily Churchill rundown.  Joey said the EZ streak was still alive with a good day yesterday.  With no new Preakness news, talk turned to today's races.  Adams gave a few free picks on air, but for all of Adam's picks go to TripleCrownSelections.com and be sure to listen to Today @ The Races Saturday's 9-10 a.m. here on the Zone.

The BCS Coaches discussion went into overtime with EZ further analyzing the list.  A lot of callers, including Carolina Steve thought that Kragthrope should have been rated lower since he has never coached a game as a BCS head coach.  As with any list, only a few coaches were correctly placed, the rest should be flagged for stupid judgement.

A listener e-mailed asking EZ to replay the wrasslin' clip from James from Okalona for his work, it's always good to take a trip down memory lane and EZ led the way, letting everyone laugh one more time.  To end the show, EZ answered a few reader's e-mail before ending the show.

It's been a good week in the EZ chair, make sure to return to the Big EZ show as Rick Bozich will call-in. It's the Big EZ Show, back on the air 10 am-1 pm on Monday on 1570 The Zone AM!  

Below you will find the link to tonight's concert. A gig by the most underrated band of all time - THE BAND-

BIG NEWS Nate and I will be broadcasting our show from Shenanigans on FRY-DAY the 18^th at 4519 Bardstown Rd.I hope u get a chance to come out and say hi,,,,if not, on FRY-DAY NIGHT we will be at  THE LEFT FIELD LOUNGE , 2282 Bardstown Rd Louisville, KY40205 Phone: (502) 458-3098 ALL NIGHT LONG,, don’t worry if FRY-DAY is bad for you , we will all catch a buzz at BUD’S TAVERN 4014 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40216  on Saturday night......

Props to the Golf Channel for showing the Players Championship for 6 hours today. 46 balls went in the water at the infamous 17th hole. But if I hear one more person call this the 5th major, I will drink a Jim Jones slurpee...........My radio co-host Nasty Nate Muncy makes fun of me for hating 99 percent of all TV sportscasters, it is true however. But at least I am not alone on hating Johnny Miller, the fat, arrogant, know it all, pig .In this month’s Sports Illustrated’s annual PGA Tour player survey, CBS Sports lead analyst Nick Faldo was recognized as the players’ favorite. When asked “Which TV analyst do you prefer, Nick Faldo or Johnny Miller?” 82 percent chose Faldo and 18 percent chose Miller. Players also were asked who their most and least favorite playing partner is. The least favorite was Rory Sabbatini at 25 percent, followed by Ben Crane, Garrett Willis and Phil Mickelson (each at 8 percent.)The most favorite? Tiger Woods at 6 percent.............Rory Sabbatini is a weasel- hedgehog looking punk. He was so irritated by the slow pace of Ben Crane at a tournament two years ago that he walked off the green in protest. Once, when he was paired with Nick Faldo at The Players, his wife wore a shirt that read, "Keep Up."..........You have to check out this annoying female lead announcer on the Golf Channel. Her name is Kelly Thilghman, or something like that. You will trip out-- she is the chick re-incarnation of Jim Nantz. She trys to make her voice all over professional and golf geeky while, just like Nantz, sucking up to every single aspect of the game. I love golf, but Nantz and this Kelly person are parodies of themselves.........I told you I hate everybody. Do me a favor and listen to Johnny Miller this weekend. He asks all of his field reporters worthless, rhetorical questions that he already knows the answer too. As a matter of fact he answers the questions for his reporters, before they even answer. And man oh mad do they kiss his ass. Just check it out and tell me if I am wrong.........

I am in a little uncomfortable position. I really like my co-host, Nasty Nate Muncy, but he keeps e- mailing me naked pictures of himself. Should I say something? Or just go with the flow? I am so jacked for my TRIP to the VILLE. I can't believe I get to stay at the HOTEL C. An I-pod with my favorite tunes and a 42 inch LCD TV. LCD and lsd-- whatever it takes...I can't wait till Dugan Ryan sees my mini bar bill. Hell he will probably drink most of it!! Speaking of Dugan, one of my 3 bosses, I can't wait to see my old fried again. We partied like you read about in 1997 at T.K.'S Pub, and we are going to hit it hard again in T- MINUS 7 DAYS!!! I am excited to meet all the crew for sure. But I definitely have grown the closest to Nate and Katherine, since we work together. Of course it will be special to pull a peaches and herb with David Nutt, the man who kidnapped me in 1996. He is a dear and special friend. When he kept me in that underground bunker he always fed me peanut butter and jelly sandwiches 3 times a day. I am serious though, he did kidnap me, and I had to jump out of his car at a red light, and now I will be watching the PREAKNESS OR FREAKNESS at his house next Saturday....... by the way hotel c asks u to email them your favorite groups so that they can program your I pod. my list was, the Beatles, the dead, the stones, jimi, bob Dylan, the band, led zep, the alman bros ,pink Floyd, and ah-ha....ha ha ...............

man u should hear the thunder outside right now in the Houston night. I have this BAND concert jamming in my headphones and I can hear the thunder like a champ. My mom always told me that thunder was the angels at a bowling alley.

BIG NEWS Nate and I will be broadcasting our show from Shannigans on Friday the 18^th at 4519 Bardstown Rd.I hope u get a chance to come out and say hi,,,,if not on FRYDAY NIGHT we will be at  THE LEFT FIELD LOUNGE , 2282 Bardstown RdLouisville, KY40205 Phone: (502) 458-3098 ALL NIGHT LONG,, don’t worry if FRYDAY is bad for you , we will all catch a buzz at BUD’S TAVERN 4014 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40216  on Saturday night......

Ok. Now on to tonight’s concert. Here is the link

http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/ConcertDetail.aspx?id=20049612|7129  don't worry about the sign up form, it is free and painless.  It is a concert by the BAND. I have pasted a critic’s review below. I want to tell u about my favorite songs in this crystal clear concert. By far the first song is my fav. It is called DONT DO IT, and it is the most rocking, heartbreaking love song ever. THE SHAPE I'M IN WILL RIP U TO YOUR BONES. I don’t think I have to tell you about THE WEIGHT, THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN, and OR UP ON CRIPPLE CREEK. But if u have not heard them, nate and cute ass kat, you are in for a treat!!!!! I love King Harvest WILL SURELY COME, almost as much as what harvest they are talking about. Finally CHEST FEVER is one of the greatest organ fueled jams ever........well the critics review of this show is below, and I hope u have a great night.... two big time guests on the show tomorrow, Scott Ferrell from Howard Stern 101 on Sirius Satellite, and the most brilliant NASCAR expert I have ever met- john nevins, aka CAPTAIN

Thanks to Joe Sports Fan for giving me a nice little laugh this morning.

Ladies and gentlemen... I give you... the MOST IMPORTANT MEDIA DARLING EVER.

 Itdoes make one wonder, Quis custodiet ipsos?         

                                                                        s

At any rate, here's one from Jimbo to help sum it all up....

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2865999

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2864704

http://collegebaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=671313

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/bucky_brooks/05/10/personnel.questions/index.html

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/cory_mccartney/05/04/shoes.to.fill/index.html

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0704/gallery.canon.tielemans/content.1.html

http://cfn.scout.com/2/629794.html

http://www.sportsline.com/golf/story/10173775

http://www.theredzone.org/news/showarticle.asp?ArticleID=5133

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/don_banks/05/09/vick/index.html

Just some random thoughts today after finding out that our call screener "G-Spot" would "screw the system" in the Army.  You see, the Army lets their basic training students out for church on Sundays, according to G-Spot.  So G-Spot, not being a Mormon and being in basic training, would choose to go to a Mormon church since the services lasted THREE HOURS.  It's safe to say that G-Spot is probably going straight to hell.

First some e-mails...

"Hello Again,

Once again, you have shown the need to use the REAL ESPN shows and not some local idiot. The BigEZ is the worst sports show in this area. He doesn't know what he is talking about. Saying that O.J. Simpson has paid his debt to society is crap. He owes the Goldman family 33.5 million. He is a murder and is walking the streets because of inept prosecuters.

You and your station owe the Goldman family an apology for taking O.J. Simpson's side in this matter. You are probably in the 1% minority that actually believes he should have been allowed to eat at the restaurant.

Please bring back Dan Patrick and all the regulars so we don't have listen to anymore of this crap."
-- Ray
EZ: Hello again Ray.  Once again, you have shown the need for me to tell you that YOU SUCK.  Also, you loyal listener you, we're not ESPN anymore! You freakin nimrod.  Thanks for listening.

"I think the BigEZ, and his sorry excuse of a show should be kicked off the air for his comments about O.J. Simpson. If that was his sister or daughter, maybe he would think Jeff Ruby should have allowed a murderer to eat in his restaurant."
-- John
EZ: Thanks John.  And if it were my sister or daughter, I'd probably kill him myself.  Keep listening.

"Thanks for taking up for me on your radio station. You want to come to my book signing for my new book, "HOW TO COMMIT MURDER AND NOT GO TO PRISON." "
-- O.J.
EZ: O.J., I think you did it, but I'd still let you eat at my restaurant.  Just don't kill anyone.  And you're a good man for listening.

"O.J. Simpson has paid his debt to society???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
ARE YOU INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
-- Roscoe
EZ: Maybe, Roscoe, maybe.  Just don't f*** with me.  Thanks again for listening.

Anyway, onto the thoughts of the day.  First off, "Lady EZ" and I went to the Bats game on Tuesday night.  It was my first time this year to go to a game without my media pass.  Just being a fan.  Went out on a little date with the lady.  I'll be honest... I forgot how much fun it was to just go to a Bats game when I'm not working.  And Lady EZ likes it too (when a woman shares a sporting interest, I'm in), so we're going again tonight.  This time, there's a little more motive.  HAPPY HOUR!  Dollar beers on the overlook deck before the game.  I'm pumped.  Hope to see you out there.

We ended the show today discussing an article put out by AskMen.com ranking Derek Jeter's ex-girlfriends.  And look, there's no doubt that Jessica Alba is the only right way to go here.  But like I said on the show, there's something about Mariah Carey that just gets me.  One night with her, and you would come out a whole new man my friend.

We had a caller on today's show named Judy, who was thoroughly upset with me and my disagreement with Jeff Ruby's decision to kick OJ Simpson out of Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse.  See, I know Ruby CAN do it, I just don't think he should've.  I think it was nothing but a publicity stunt.  But it was genius.  Kudos to Ruby.  Anyway, Judy got really upset with me.  She let me know that I ruined her late morning as she was taking her dogs to the vet.  It actually turned out to be her very own little show.  And for awhile, it was kind of sexy.  But then she called in a second time and got on my nerves.  But for awhile it was very interesting.  Check out that clip below (click on the speaker).

JUDY IS MAD AT EZ (AND MAY OR MAY NOT BE DRUNK)  (it may take a couple minutes, be patient)

By: Kenny Colston and Derrick Johnson

The Big EZ show started off the show thristy with conversation about O.J. returning from yesterday's show.  But EZ had another gem in the story, calling out owner Jeff Ruby for kicking out O.J. Simpson on Oaks night just for the publicity.  Callers chimed in on the issue mostly agreeing EZ, while still getting a few chops to the chest to a caller yesterday, James from Okolona, on attending the TV taping of OVW wrestling last night. 

But one caller decided to take things into her own hands.  Judy from Crestwood came on the air "all fired up" at The Big EZ for accusing Ruby of such a publicity stunt.  Judy got all un-"EZ" the minute she got on the phone, completely disagreeing with EZ's assessment.  Saying that Ruby needed no more publicity than he had before the Simpson ordeal.  But the host put his name to the test, calming Judy and her three dogs--keeche, moe and barcardi and inviting Judy out for a steak dinner at Ruby's steakhouse.  Nate summed the whole Judy segment best with his closing words, "This is what happens when you mix pills and alcohol before 11 am."

Hour 2 took a left turn by briefly discussing Dale Earnhardt Jr. announcing that he wasn't returning to DEI next year.  EZ took one more caller on the Ruby/Simpson debate but closing the discussion.  Seems like there wasn't anymore reason to cry over spilled O.J.

EZ went to the mound for the show's next topic, bringing up Curt Schilling's remark that Barry Bonds had "admitted to cheating on the game, cheating on his wife and cheating on his taxes."  Claiming it was just another case of Schilling having dirrahea of the mouth, EZ also said he believed Schilling wouldn't just make those comments up.  Calls from the bullpen poured in weighing in from all sides of the issue.  In the end, the issue is as messy as a bloody sock.

Jerry Bonkowski, a NASCAR columnist for Yahoo! Sports got the engine running for Hour 3 with more talk on Dale Jr. leaving DEI.  Bonkowski thought that Junior might end up racing for his own team, JR Motorsports but that Junior and DEI would both prosper in the end.  The speculation is endless right now, but one thing is for sure--DEI won't have an Earnhardt grabbing any checkered flags anytime soon.

After a quick conversation break to religion, Joey Adams of TripleCrownSelections.com and Host of Today @ The Races joined the show to talk horse racing.  Adams talked a little about yesterday's hits before entering the gate with Preakness talk.  Derby horse Seigefield scratched, while Mint Flewlep decided to enter the second leg of the Triple Crown. Check back tomorrow for more track news from Joey Adams.

The last segment of the show took a wicked turn with a poll on AskMen.com rating the girlfriends of Derek Jeter. Tyra Banks, Mariah Carey and Jessica Alba were the only three rated, with Alba gaining top honors.  The conversation jumped all over the place somehow falling on whether the 1996-1997 Mariah Carey would be better than current Jessica Alba. 

There is no telling what The Big EZ show will turn to next.  Another array of topics and callers will be sure to fill out tomorrow's show.  10 am- 1 pm on 1570 The Zone AM! 

John Ameechie vs Tim Hardaway

Pete Rose vs Jim Gray (or Bud Selig)

O. J. Simpson vs Ron Goldman

Mike Tyson vs Don King (Winner takes all $$$ King stole from Tyson!)

Howard Stern vs Howard K. Stern

Manute Bol vs William Perry (It was so funny the first time, I want to see a REMATCH!)

Don Imus vs Grace Jones

"Fan Man" (Parachuted into midaction at the 1986 World Series, Bowe-Holyfield II, etc) vs "Rainbow Man" (First to start holding the 'John 3:16' signs in camera view at nationally televised sporting events in late 1970's)

Laila Ali vs Tonya Harding

MAIN EVENT:  Bobby Knight vs Latrell Spreewell (NO HOLDS BARRED!)

http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/ConcertDetail.aspx?id=50565|1787

DEREK AND THE DOMINOS...10-23-70-FILMORE EAST- NY CITY

Brothers and sisters i will never steer you wrong. i will turn you on to a different concert every night that will change your life. For young bucks like Nasty Nate and Cute Ass Katherine, it is a chance for you to catch up on the greates rock and roll ever played. I am the older brother you never had. The one that was supposed to turn you on. And to my fellow music loving freaks...enjoy...below is a critics review of the show. Put some headphones on, and thank me in the morning..

oh Nate oh Nate

your not so great

and each and every break your late

you have 2 favorite football teams

and little sports knowledge it certainly seems

naked bobby knight lives in your deams

i'm not from kentucky i live in indiana

like thats a red badge of courage bandana

and your favorite  all timemovie is zoolander

whose Jack Ruby Nate? i dont know

why on earth do i have a show

i guess it is who and not what you know

all of these words are a nasty little joke

if Nate were a marley, id take a big  toke

as a matter of fact he is my favorit bloke

he is my brother, this strange super kid

i dont even mind his embarrasing skid

as my little sports slave, he's spectacular bid

Just wanted to get some things off of my chest.  First off, about the OJ Simpson in the 'Ville story--how come Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson don't come to Simpson's rescue?  Is he not good enough?  Do Sharpton and Jackson pick and choose who they stand up for?  Just wondering.

Also, I'm still kind of steaming over the story that Sen. George Mitchell is leaking some names to find out more information about them pertaining to steroids.  The New York Times article says that there's other "unexpected" names yet to be uncovered.   Why weren't they uncovered?  How come Mitchell throws out some names and basically throws all of them under the bus (which include Sosa and Palmeiro--which we could've figured out on our own--and then three others that none of us care about), but no others?  I think that's ridiculous that no other names are leaked.  How dare Mitchell just throw these guys under the bus and none of the others.  Very unfair.

Before I go, God bless our zone slave Nasty Nate, but on the Midday Melee today Nate was doggin' Johnny Renshaw's state of Maryland, saying that he's never heard about Maryland's fame for seafood, especially crab (one of my favorite foods of all time).  Hopefully this picture will help it make more sense for Nate.  Muncy, I freakin' love you.

by: Nathan Muncy   aka Nasty Nate

  I have revised my arguement about Maryland and it's seafood. I will agree that Maryland may (or may not) have the best Crabcakes in the world. However, Maryland is not the Seafood capitol of the world. Excelling in one particular seafood item and/or dish does not give Maryland the over-all right to claim themselves as the seafood capitol of the world. That would be a very irresponsible and arrogant for that region to make such a claim, but it's okay because they have Johnny "the freak" Renshaw around to make those claims for them.

By: Kenny Colston and Derrick Johnson

Batting leadoff for today’s show was another baseball debate.  Pumped up by a New York Times article discussing the on-going steroids debate, EZ went past the normal banter to ask if the increase in home runs brought people back to the game.  Like millions of other fans EZ called baseball out at home plate after the 1995 strike.  With the Sosa and McGuire long-ball chase in 1998 bringing EZ as well as other fans back to baseball, the question had to be asked—even with the knowledge that the majority of baseball was tainted with steroids or other performance enhancers; did those players bring fans back?

The question handcuffed both EZ and fans like a Johan Santana changeup. Callers and Nate said that it ruined the highly-regarded records that brought people back.  EZ argued that call by saying that like the Black Sox scandal and any other baseball problem, fans need to live with the fact that a steroids era happened.  Whether you prefer the cream or think the issue isn’t so “clear”, the records are still broken.

Hour 2 started a full-court press on a list by bracketologist Joe Lunardi of the top 10 teams of the last decade.  Leading the list was the current national champions, Florida, making the rest of the nation Gator Bait as they won their second straight title.  EZ wanted to bench the rest of the list saying that 04-05 Illinois deserved to be higher than 10.  Lunardi notably left off the 1998 UK championship team by saying they were only a 2 seed. 

The studio got a laugh when EZ told a caller he would give him two tickets to the Bats game if the caller could name the place UK played Duke in 1998.  The caller guessed right, St. Petersburg, FL., but declined the Bats tickets because “if I didn’t go to wrasslin’ tonight, my girlfriend would kill me.” After a commercial break, James from Okolona called back to give EZ his top 10 wrestlers of all time. Topping the list from James was Stone Cold Steve Austin.  EZ agreed with the top choice, but body slammed James’ second place wrestler by saying Hulk Hogan needed be up there not Jack Briscoe.  After a few more minutes of wrasslin’ talk, EZ pinned the topic 1…2….3 to end Hour 2.

Hour 3 tipped off with EZ rejoining the college basketball discussion from the previous hour.  Scott from Shelbyville joined in to the discussion giving his top wrestlers before giving memories of the Kentucky-Duke Regional Final game in 1998.  EZ then wrapped the segment up by claiming only he could turn a wrestling conversation into a UK-UL bashing.

Joey Adams, of TripleCrownSelections.com joined the show with his picks for today’s Churchill races.  It was the first day of racing since the Derby and Adams noted it was a nice 9 race card that is a good return to Churchill Downs.  Make sure to check out Joey on Saturdays as host of Day at the Races here on 1570 The Zone.  

Next up on the show was a little tidbit about O.J. Simpson being denied service to Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse on Friday.  EZ refused to go into the murder conversation, but said whatever your thoughts are, don’t treat O.J. differently.  EZ says he would let the man eat no matter what.  Other patrons to Ruby’s Steakhouse applauded as O.J. left.  It seems the people of Louisville aren’t fans of The Juice.  

The Big EZ show is the only show that can make college basketball, steroids, horse racing and wrestling all relate easily.  Make sure you tune in tomorrow to hear what The Big EZ can come up with next, 10 am to 1 pm on 1570 The Zone AM!

https://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/05/08/0509smoltzmaddux.html

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6778852

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/6516202

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4787724.html

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_verducci/05/08/players/index.html

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/don_banks/05/08/notes/index.html

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/luke_winn/05/01/power.rankings/index.html

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2863684&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab5pos1

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2862455

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=667617

I am listening to an insane Rolling Stones concert right now, at10:36 pm est. It is from the Pontiac Siverdome, Detroit, 1981. You have to check it out. I am going to show you how to get there. It is totally free. Click and play. All u have to do is throw down and e mail address and a pass word. Here is a little run down of the show The crowd opens this show clapping and chanting before His Royal Highness, Mick Jagger and the legendary Rolling Stones take the stage for what would be one of the final shows on the band’s 1981 Still Life tour. The band opens with their classic 1966 single “Under My Thumb” (only the Stones could have gotten away with singing such a chauvinistic song), then blasts into “When The Whip Comes Down.” After introducing himself to the crowd, Jagger leads the Stones into another gem from the past: “Let’s Spend The Night Together,” the song that got them in trouble with Ed Sullivan, when, in 1967, Jagger refused to modify the lyrics for the TV show by singing, “Let’s spend some time together.”

After a few newer tracks such as “Shattered” Jagger pays homage to the Detroit area audience: “Ok, in the land of Motown, here we go,” he says before taking the group into the Temptations hit, “Just My Imagination,” an 11-minute version highlighted by a lengthy solo from saxophonist Ernie Watts. Jagger then declares the band will do two rock ‘n’ roll oldies that they had never recorded before - Eddie Cochran’s “20 Flight Rock,” which slides smoothly into another Motown classic, “Goin’ To A Go Go.” The latter was written and originally recorded by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. The song went down so well in its live incarnation that the band eventually recorded it for their next album.At the time of this show, the Stones were out working their Tattoo You LP, arguably one of their last truly strong albums. “Let Me Go,” a little known Stones rocker, sounds appropriate alongside other songs from that album, including “Waiting For A Friend,” “Little T & A,” and “Hang Fire.” Still, in the end, it is the older gems such as “Let It Bleed,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “(Time) Is On My Side,” “Miss You,” “Honky Tonk Women” and “Brown Sugar,” which remind us why the Stones are called the greatest rock ’n’ roll band in the world, still crankin’ it out. 

The clarity is near perfect and Keith is especially hot…..ok here is how u can listen to it… copy and paste the link below,, or go to www.wolfgangsvault.com

http://by123w.bay123.mail.live.com/mail/ReadMessageLight.aspx?Aux=4%2c0%2c633142471031230000&FolderID=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&InboxSortAscending=False&InboxSortBy=Date&ReadMessageId=d612bd67-e1a5-47da-b387-c55da84176f3&n=1015276936

Of course you must know by know that the greatest free music site on the web, is www.sugarmegs.org   I have never seen or heard anything like it

Unfortunately, the little fancy boy, my radio partner in crime on the mid day melee, Nate Muncy, will never listen to these unreal concerts. He wouldn’t know good music if it straight up slapped him in his fat ass beer belly. I don’t know how Lisa puts up with him

Good lord. Keith Richards is shredding my laptop like the boys at Enron in their dying days.

I hate Roger Clemens I hate Roger Clemens I hate Roger Clemens I hate Roger Clemens I hate Roger Clemens I hate Roger Clemens. What I am really mad about is that I learned several days ago that he was going to be rehabbing in Lexington, and I wanted to break the story, but I forgot and now it is old news… what makes me even more sick, is that he is only pitching in Lexington so he can be near his son. Oh how sweet. This old piece of crap not only gets 4.5 million a month, he gets to pitch with his boy. This is mean, but honest; I hope Clemens rips his biceps in game one for the devils baseball team. This whole story is a microcosm of what is wrong with sports. Put Clemens and Bonds on the same poster and I’ve got a new dart board.

Beckett is 7-0 for the Red Sox. I bet you if he goes 8-0, espn will spend hors upon hours debating whether or not he can win 30..if he played for Milwaukee, they wouldn’t pimp it till he went 11-0

I will turn on the spurs – suns game when the 4^th q starts. I hope it is a close game then… What if Cleveland wins the NBA title? It kind of seems that the King James hype has died down, but can u imagine the hype if the Cavs do it… and to be honest, they have a 50 – 50 shot of making the nba finals.

I like the way the interns, for the BIG EZ do a show recap on the blog zone. It is a great idea, and if I did it, it would be pure theft. Plus none of the mid day melee shows are worth recapping, well only the last segment, which is the best segment of the day- ha ha sleep well nasty nate

First of all, do i have a major problem with the deal that "everyone's favorite good ol' boy", Roger Clemens cut with the Yankees?.....I guess I could say not really, because this is America and you have to "get yours".....the major problem I have with the deal is the hypocrisy that there is in the media and the fans when comparing Roger Clemens to say, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson or Dirk Nowitski for that matter.......can you imagine the outrage that folks would have if any of those 3 guys would try and pull something like this off?....no training camp, no hanging with your team.....no road trips and coming and going as you please......hey, as the Big EZ said, thats the way the Bronx Bombers do business....and I agree....and I am not personally mad at Clemens for the situation....But c'mon man, It's a no brainer....have a guy in the NBA try to do this and all the NBA haters that wear that badge of Honor on their sleeves would be in an uproar.......and the irony is the NBA players play 82 regular season games, playoffs and training camp.....chasing the best athletes 3 or 4 times a week for 48 minutes up and down a 94 foot court.....a lot different than some Texas dude throwing fastballs.....dont get me wrong, I will tune in when Roger is playing....but if he gets rocked I wont feel sorry for his A$$.....I guess at the end of the day the old school baseball purist really get a kick out of bashing the guys in the NBA for some reason, but an NBA fan, who is a casual baseball fan, could give 2 $hits whats going on at the ballparks until the playoffs start anyway.....But hey, thats just the way of the world.....but it does need to be pointed out....IKE   

By: Kenny Colston and Derrick Johnson

To Drink or Not to Drink-- that was today's main question as discussion turned to the report that alcohol was a factor in St. Louis pitcher Josh Hancock's death. The Cardinals have already banned alcohol in their clubhouse, but not the visitors.  But the big debate was on an MLB survey asking teams what their clubhouse alcohol policies were.

EZ balked at the idea of MLB restricting alcohol access in clubhouse as a wild pitch. EZ claimed it was personal responsibility for players to either control their alcohol intake or get a driver.  The phone lines lit up with callers agreeing and disagreeing with EZ.  Ideas ranging from no regulation to absolute banning came from callers.  The discussion went into extra innings with EZ spending the entire first half of the show on the debate.  With all the discussion the alcohol debate got, you can expect the possibility of a return to the topic.

With baseball on the mind, the Roger Clemens debate rolled over to today's show.  Current and former players have attacked Clemens for not traveling on road trips where he doesn't pitch, even though it was the same deal he had in Houston.  EZ threw a curveball of his own by saying that anyone would take the same type of deal.  Callers claimed that it was disgracing the game, but EZ just said it was the way the Yankees do business. 

Howie Lindsey with Cardinalsports.com joined the show from sin city, Las Vegas, to talk Pitino's contract and recruiting.  EZ suggested that the raise may have been in response to that coach down the road's contract, Billy Gillispie. Lindsey didn't disagree, but one thing is for sure-- Pitino sure can buy a lot of new suits this year.  EZ then wanted to know who the latest football Cardinals would be.  Coach K seems to be laying the pipes down in Texas, California and Utah while keeping the talent flowing in from the Louisville area.  Lindsey told listeners and EZ to expect the big guys from the big states to commit late, but to look for Sam Robey and Dexter Heyman to keep te locals from flying away.

Out of the Gate for Hour 3 was Preakness talk with Joey Adams from TripleCrownRacing.com and Host of The Zone's Day at the Races.  Adams scratched Slew's Tizzy from the Preakness field already before saying that third place finisher Curlin will have his fate decided this weekend.  The biggest news from the track involved the thing a guy hates the most--the possibility of a girl beating them.  Oaks winner Rags to Riches has the possibility of joining the Belmont field.  Fans have been looking for a Triple Crown winner for years, but Rags to Riches could show the boys that anything they can do, she can do better.

EZ then injected some strong comments about Bonds and steroids when an ESPN poll showed that 60 percent of blacks and 30 percent of whites believe that Bonds had never taken steroids.  Shocked by the high numbers, EZ wondered how fans could be so niave when someone in their 40's has increased their shoe size within the past five years.  Callers joined in to not prosecute Bonds, but to say that no one knows whether or not Bonds has taken any drugs.  EZ and Nate argued that call by claiming that there is no way he hasn't and that just because there weren't steroids rules it doesn't give Bonds a free pass. 

Those were today's thoughts from the EZ chair, make sure to kick back and keep listening to 1570 The Zone the rest of the day and check back for more thoughts tomorrow by listening to the Big EZ show, 10 am to 1 pm on 1570 AM!  

I'm not sure what Mark Story was smoking when he wrote this, but I'd love to have some.

Story, a friend of the show who I enjoy reading, is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Evidently he writes what is now an annual column called the Kentucky 25. The subtitle to the column explains the list as "A LOOK AT THE STATE'S MOST INTRIGUING STARS AND STORIES BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT YEAR'S DERBY."

I'll put it this way. If Brian Brohm is less intriguing in the next 12 months in the Commonwealth than Jerry Carroll's attorneys, I'll get a NASCAR tat and make out with Brian's ex-girlfriend.

Bottom line: Brian Brohm should be number one or two on a list like this. Easy.

Rick Pitino and Jodie Meeks will be less intriguing than the new women's basketball coaches at UK and U of L? Come on! Tell me that's a joke.

Now, I read Story on a regular basis, so to criticize the column is to show that I am a regular reader. But more like this, and I'll be turned off in a hurry.

FREAK SPEAK – 5-7-07…….. Seems like someone has a case of the Mondays. Hey didn’t you used to be the main character in the movie Office Space? Oh yea, you do phone commercials now…….just got back from a mile run, it is 90 degrees outside. I am weird. You already know that. But I love running in very hot weather wearing a hooded sweatshirt. The key to staying young is sweating. If you sweat each day it makes you feel like a little kid again. I am so tired of being over weight. So I hope running everyday in the brutal South Texas heat, will help out……..1570 THE ZONE listeners are in for a treat with the Arnie Spanier show at 7:00-10:00pm Monday thru Friday. He is one of the most talented and funniest broadcasters I have ever met. I hope you heard him on The MID DAY MELLE with Nasty Nate and Me today……Tomorrow, Tuesday, at 2:03 pm we are having Bob McClellan on the show. He is the senior college basketball writer for Rivals.com, and he just came out with his pre season top 25. He will also be on at 2:03 pm........So I am a logo freak. I love collecting all things with sports logos on them, pennants, coke bottles etc. Well there is a grocery store next to the church I go to , and they have the coolest gum ball machines. Instead of gum, they sell mini college and pro football helmets. 75 cents apiece. I started out getting a pro helmet, because they are different than the simple plastic ones we collected as kids. They are still mini- helmets, but they have padding on the inside of the helmet and they are made of unbreakable plastic. So the first team I got was the San Diego Chargers. Soon there after, I decided to just get the college helmets, because I have never seen them sold anywhere. Even though they are they are not as well made as the NFL ones, I am now addicted to collecting the college helmets. I am searching under the couch for quarters. The first team I got was Colorado, and yesterday I got three. It’s all luck, you never know which helmet is going to come out. So after church last night I got, Virginia, Tennessee, and Tulane. I want to go and buy the whole machine. Hey, anything that gets you to church is a good thing right? And the irony. How many times have I missed church to watch football, and now the two have joined together, But being a Dolphin fan I need to go to church EVERYDAY. I will keep u updated on my helmet collection, I know you will be sitting on the edge of your seat…..I think LITTLE PEOPLE BIG WORLD is on TV tonight.  You should watch it.It is a good and uplifting show……I watch news TV all day long. His real name can’t be Wolf can it? Wolf Blitzer? If he chose that name, what a dork……I hope the Queen Of England kicks Bush in his family jewels…..speaking of family jewels, I love the band KISS, but Gene Simmons TV show is the worst ever…Wow they are making a big deal of Mickey Rooney kissing the Queens hand. I guess that is against the rules. Give me a break, give me a break, break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar!!!!!...... Speaking of kiss rules being broken. How about those freaks in India that went ballistic over Richard Gere kissing his fellow actress in public? It was an innocent little peck, and they acted like he molested her—unreal--.  PEACE OUT

Well, it's back to the studio after a fun weekend of Oaks and Derby watching/partying.

I said on the show today that this year's Derby seemed a little more exciting than in any recent years.  I was pumped about it, and I thought that it lived up to the billing.  Why was this year's race great?  I'm not sure.  But here are a couple reasons why I could be thinking this way.

1. I didn't have to cover the Derby from Churchill.  Usually a rarity.  Don't get me wrong, I love my job and feel fortunate to have worked the Derby from a sports media standpoint.  But this year was different.  My duties here at the station were finished by 12:15 or so.  After that, it was smooth sailing.  I watched a number of races from my house, then went to the liquor store, then off to a couple different Derby parties.  It was great.  In previous years, I would spend 25-30 hours at Churchill Down over the course of just two days.  When you do that, then once the Derby race actually occurs, you're drained, and ready to go home.
2. I made money.  Again a rarity for the Derby.  I spent about 30 dollars wagering on the Derby this year and got a ton more than that in return.  A lot of that is thanks to Street Sense, who came out of absolutely nowhere to win the race.  Maybe THAT'S why it was exciting.
3. I was drinking White Russians.  Again, a HUGE rarity.  I was feeling good and when I went to the store to pick up my beverage of choice, I just wasn't really feeling my usual Crown Royal or occasional Blue Moon.  So I went "off the board" and picked up a gallon of White Russian.  It was a hit at the party, no doubt.
4. This race was fairly close.  Last year, Barbaro won GOING AWAY.  That's never very interesting.  Street Sense came from 19th to 1st.  That's fun to watch, especially when you're keeping tabs on him during the entire live broadcast of the race.
5. The Barbaro factor.  Even though I'm still a little perplexed as to why the horse got so much pub, the fact is that familiarity with last year's champ Barbaro has boosted the sport a little.
6. Lady EZ and I won the Horse Pull.  Probably the rarest of them all.  We pulled Street Sense out of a horse pull.  You know what that is right?  Where everyone "buys" a horse (usually pulling the name out of a cup or something) and if that horse wins, you win the pot.  Ahhh, straight cash homey.

Maybe it's a mixture of all these reasons.  But one thing is for sure: I'm more excited for the Preakness than I've been in a LONG TIME.

By: Derrick Johnson and Kenny Colston 

It was back to work Monday for Big EZ and the topic on everyone's lips was about the street--Derby winner Street Sense, not West Broadway. Bragging of a big exacta win, EZ complimented Derby announce Tom Durkin on alerting on-lookers of Street Sense's amazing drive from 19 to eventual winner.

The banter turned to arguing when EZ and Nate argued about celebrity coverage within the Derby coverage.  Nate stood by his earlier claim of the Derby is bigger than the celebrities, while EZ disagreed.  In the end, EZ laid claim as winner by noting that Churchill Downs used a concept he promoted the past few years-- a red carpet for the celebrities.

Rick Bozich, Courier-Journal Columnist joined the show to talk Derby and other random sports talk.  Great minds think alike, as Bozich laid claim to hitting the exacta just like EZ.  The up-coming Preakness Stakes dominated the conversation as both Bozich and EZ were un-"ez" with a pick for the Preakness.  While Street Sense was both EZ's and Bozich's early favorite, anything could change as more horses enter the second leg of the Triple Crown.

After the Derby talk died down, the conversation heated up with discussion about The Rocket, Roger Clemens, returning to the Yankees.  EZ liken the move to a business holding on to out-dated upper-level management when younger, possibly better employees are there.  EZ couldn't comprehend latest move of Brian Cashman, but admired Clemens for his massive $28 million paycheck for only 4 months of work.

No longer waiting to pull punches, Nate turned to the "fight to save boxing", Floyd Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya.  Nate and EZ thought the fight lived up to it's billing, but Nate thought that Mayweather's Mexican flag-colored trunks was a hit below the belt.  Wanting justice for wearing the trunks and sporting a sombero to the ring, Nate was determined to find out why Mayweather wasn't punished for such actions.  EZ shrugged off the accusations was just Cinco de Mayo celebrations, while callers flooded the line to give their input on the who won the fight as well as Mayweather's trunks. I think we'll call this discusion a draw.

EZ then brought up what he called the most comical list he's read in a while, Lexington Herald-Leader Columnist Mark Story "Kentucky 25" list of most intriguing sports figures between this Derby and next Derby.  EZ laughed at the Kentucky Speedway trial receiving the number three slot on the list, while Brian Brohm, Andre Woodson and other figures were farther down.  EZ presented a list of his own, claiming Brohm would be the top story between now and next Derby. 

The show ended with a wrap on Mayweather-De La Hoya and the Derby.  Stay tuned tomorrow from 10 am till 1 pm to hear what the Big EZ will throw out next!

Yea, the Villebillies at the Hill........I went to Wilders to pre party for the early 7 oclock concert......after a half pint of Old Forester talking to Tim and Kel (thanx for the Ginger ale), it was time to go to the show......it was raining Cats and Dogs at the time but I was getting dropped off at the door.....and the show was about to begin......"hey dawg they have a stage outside".....too bad for those bands....but I cant worry about that now, I goota show to see.....I get inside and I see that everyones favorite 80's cover band, the Velcro Pygmies, are set up to play in the saloon....I go up to one of the dudes in the yellow Jackets and ask if the Villebillies are playing on the roof Garden......no he says.....and he points outside to the flood.....Are you kidding me mullet guy?.......the Villebillies are the hottest thing to come out of this town since I can remember......but, I started thinking this is Louisville Kentucky.....the town I love so much, but get frustrated with......the guys who are playing originals will be out in the rain, while the cover band gets treated like the royalty......Dont get me wrong, I love a Pygmies show......I ussually try to go see them 3 or 4 times a yr.....beautiful women between 30 and 40 and they love hair bands!!!!.....thats cool with me.....but cmon, can we at least move these guys upstairs?......they deserve that......It aint gonna happen I was told.....Wilder trys to calm me down so we go to the bar and he orders me a double shot of Forester and a splash of coke.....What, no Forester?.....are you kidding me.....a brown Foreman great blend (thats basically Woodford)......Is someone trying to tell me something?.....like "slow down on the Brown clown".....maybe tommorow, tonite its whiskey time......hey, Billy Ray, you do have ET dont ya?......smacked that down and the best thing happened......the rain stopped.....lets get outside......what a show......I was at Ear Xtacy one day when they were playing the CD.....went to the counter and asked "Who is this?" to the hippie....thats the Villebillies...we got it on sale....bam, bought it and burned it out.......then, I had to see them live so i went to Coyotes a few months ago and was so impressed with their star power and stage presnece......you gotta see these guys.......and the ladies love em too!!.....and yes, I stuck around to watch the Pygmies and they didnt dissapoint either....but cmon dawg, a pink belt?........IKE

Well I came close on my derby bet. I had Street Sense, Curlin, and Scat Daddy boxed. I got 2 out of three and am still waiting for Scat Daddy to finish. My radio partner, Nasty Nate, had the 12 horse across the board so he won money. And his better half, Lisa, has Street Sense to win. So as they lay out at the pool today, I hope they are buying the cocktails. Speaking of drinking, I have consumed 15 Mich Ultras 5 days in a row. The madness stops today. I have to save up my drinking energy for my trip to Louisville on the 18^th of May……… So I live in Houston, and I am about to puke. On every T.V. channel, there is a running ticker announcing that Roger Clemens has signed with the Yankees. I am so sick of Roger Clemens. Fu$k Clemens. The most over hyped athlete of the day. Just another valid and pure reason to hate the Yankees. If I were him I would have signed with the Red Sox, it could have been a really cool ending, but I don’t really give a sh&T. Not exactly a great two days fro the city of Houston, as the Rockets choked game 7 at home against the Jazz last night……… Right now I am watching Tiger Woods run away from my favorite golfer Vijay Singh. I am actually blown away, the announcers are kissing Tigers ass, never heard that before………..I am also watching this documentary on Evel Kieneval, I am sure you have seen it. When I was a little kid, there was nothing like watching Wide World of Sports, when Evel Kienval, was going to make a jump. The anticipation hanging in their air in my neighborhood of Greensboro, North Carolina was unreal. Nothing matched the day he tried to jump the Snake River canyon in Idaho. But of course that whole deal was a fiasco. As a little kid you did not really think of him as a man, he was a super hero. But after you watch the documentary, you realize what an S.O.B. he was. But you had to be a bastard to do the job he did………..Hey good news, my boy from Fiji, Mr. Singh is only one back of tiger now!!!!! 5 holes to go……….You know what? It is time for us to start having more fun, and spending less time in the men’s room!!! Who says spending time in the Mens room isn’t fun? I am just kidding. That commercial creeps me out like a champ!!!!............ Sing just bogeyed 14; I am going to stab myself with a spork. Hey didn’t you used to be Steve Stricker? He just tied Tiger…….Memo to Patrick and Jai,, ANY DAY NOW!!!!!!!!!   Going to church in an hour, sure hope their isn’t a golf playoff….Sports has officially entered the dark ages; nothing really matters until fall football practice starts. That is unless Street Sense wins the Preakness. How about my boy Gary Williams hanging with Coach Pitino at the derby?.............Can you imagine Paris Hilton in Jail for 45 days?? There is no way she is going to be able to poop on that stainless steel toilet in front of other people. You know the other inmates are going to go one of two ways, literally. They are going to offer her protection, for cash at a later date. Or they are going to beat the crap out of her. Man I wish I was a prison guard at her jail. I know she is a joke, but I still think, as one of my favorite bands sang, she’s hot, hot, hotter than hell. …..I leave u with this, a song I wrote about Paris Hilton about a year ago….peace out……

Watchin the ballgame and flipped to E

I was all alone, then Paris and me

I love sports, now get me right

But I went to France on a nonstop flight

The game was tied and getting late

Her grin a spell I can’t escape

 A sports writer, that’s my career

But I chose Paris and an iced cold beer

I flipped back and its extra innings

Game freaking 7 but I knew I was winning

A head first slide in the 14^th frame

I just entered the Paris hall of fame

CHORUS

I’M IN LOVE WITH PARIS HILTON AND THAT I CAN’T DENY

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH ME, PLEASE TELL ME WHY

WE ALL KNOW THAT SHE’S SKINNY, FILTHY AND FREAKED

I find my self at quick stores, both near and far

Flippin the Enquirer, People, and Teen Star

Yea there is Paris in a tiny white bikini

Another French riot just to get her beneath me

She don’t know me, and that’s ok you see

At every single Hilton I’ve got a skeleton key

So come on baby baby, just tell me why not

Have I told you lately, you video, that’s hot!

I’ll never be a millionaire

Come on Paris you don’t care

We’ll just live a simple life

Drop your cell phone be my wife

CHORUS

I’M SO DOWN WITH PARIS HILTON, THAT I CAN’T DENY

WEB SITES, PEN PALS, FAN CLUBS, AND DREAMS OF MILE HIGH

HECK HERE COMES MY WIFE I NEED TO CHANGE THE CHANNEL

DO ME A QUICK FAVOR AND THROE ME THAT THERE FLANNEL

They say she’s dumb and all to famous not

Like I really give a hoot, I’m telling you she’s hot

I love the way she just don’t care

And you know I dig that short blonde hair

I like the way she walks and poses

I bet she smells like fresh pink roses

A Mail-order poster, hell they tricked me

This aint Paris, it’s Nicole Ritchie

I was rocked, my alarm clock  blasted

This songs’ a dream that should have lasted

I fell stupid; I’m a real gay Pari

Oh its not that bad, I still got channel E!

CHORUS

SEE YOU LATER PARIS HEAVEN

I’LL SEE YOU AT THE 7-11

YOU HAVE NO CHOICE IN THIS MESS

I AM MOST DEFINITLY TAKING OFF THAT DRESS

Well...the best 2 minutes and 2 seconds in sports is over and now the race to the triple crown begins in earnest...a hearty congrats to both beast and burden!

Welcome to the first addition of FREAK SPEAK- The Demented Musings of John Renshaw. I promise only one thing. My spelling and use of grammar will be embarrassing. But as my 11th grade English teacher once told me, spelling and grammar are for chumps. I do find Tori Spelling to be quite tasty however……..It is Derby Day. I am watching all the pre races on espn that is until Hank Goldberg comes on the air. I hope the Any Given Saturday tramples his larynx. My pick to win the Derby is Scat Daddy. I have placed two wagers. I boxed Curlin, Street Sense, and Scat Daddy. I also boxed Circular Quay, No Biz Like Show Biz, and Great Hunter. How can you not go with Great Hunter, after reading the Hunter S. Thompson story already posted on the Blog  Zone……The is a really hot chick reporter at the Derby on espn, I can’t remember her name, but you know who I am talking about. I could switch back to espn, but I am now watching the movie Traffic. Funny huh? Traffic being a horse term and all…….My sister is all a wreck today because she is such a Barbaro fan. She has already cried twice today, because she saw a special on him on the Today show and a special on his little brother being born….It is also Cinco de Mayo, and game 7 of the rockets –jazz series. I would like to start drinking margaritas as soon as possible. Go Rockets by the way. They are my favorite NBA team……Holy Lord; did you see the tornado damage caused in Greensburg, Kansas? I have never seen anything like that in my life. I have been through it all though, lived in L.A. and went through a really bad earth quake. Lived in Miami, through two hurricanes. Lived in Kansas City, and saw lots of tornadoes, and was living in Virginia during one of their worst floods ever. You know what I hate? Sports teams that name themselves after things that kill people. On Saturday’s Miami Hurricane fans root for the Canes. The rest of the week they pray that a hurricane doesn’t kill their family. Pretty Stupid…… Another movie that I was just flipping back and forth two was THE GOOD GIRL. It is a horrible movie, but Jennifer Aniston has sex in it.Nuff said. …I will be checking in, writing more, like all the time. So you do the same…Make sure you listen to our radio show- THE MID DAY MELLE- everyday from 1pm-3pm. I co host it with the SUPER KID, NASTY NATE MUNCEY…..I leave you with this, as my boys The GRATEFUL DEAD sing - -
---------------------------
Now the race is onand here comes pride in the backstretchHeartaches goin' to the insideMy tears are holdin' backThey're tryin' not to fallMy hearts out of the runnin'True love's scratched for another's sakeThe race is on and it looks like heartachesand the winner looses all...

Never Forget To Take Your Medicine

The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved(CLICK ME)

If Taylor Hasslehoff and Ireland Baldwin turn out to be 2009's version of Paris and Britney...We will have to consider them mostly blameless...years from now family psycologists will refer to the summer of 2007 as the golden age of Hollywood paternal-induced dissassociative non-cognitive-based debauched behavior...there are fortune's to be made, so if you just graduated from U of L with what you deem to be a worthless degree in psychology...fear not...abandon all notions of grad school and head WEST...opportunity awaits!

We don't know what is better about the following video: 1)  Gene Sobowlski  starting this interview with "one of the most recognizable faces on the planet Bruce Wilson"...we at theBLOG ZONE like to think we are somewhat fluent generally speaking in pop culture but we had to google Bruce Wilson(pictured below)  

well... we are still at a loss but when the esteemed Gene Sobolwski declares a man a global brand...who are we to argue

2)  The earnestness with which young master Michael attempts to answer what must be his world-debut on live televison with his 5 star drunken mentor imploring him to focus his 3 beer-buzzed eyes directly into the camera

3)  The softball pitch Sobowlski serves up that ole' Bruce knocked for at least a double allowing Cybill Shepard to be thrown under the bus

4)  The neck veins

or, 5) well, just click and watch the end...

Meet Matt Lorch whose career ambition seems to have slightly outkicked his ability coverage...if Lorne Michaels doesn't scoop this guy up just on raw improv skills alone then I'm sure second city will make them pay for years to come

M-V-P-LEASE

Attaboy Dirk...no-one can ever accuse the European NBA fancypants brigade of being 82 game wonders now...can they?  Or being effeminate lushes who can't hold their liquor...next they'll start with that sh&t about Germans not starting to look like their beloved yard gnomes after a while...when everyone knows that's just plain crazytalk...

BUT AT LEAST THAT SIT DOWN TONY HAD WITH YOUNG VITO SPATAFORE JR SEEMS TO BE STARTING TO PAY OFF....BUT IF THE LITTLE BAMBINO AIN'T GONNA FOLLOW IN HIS OLD MAN'S ULTRA-LIGHT STEPS... HE'S GOTTA DO MORE THAN PUT ON A PLAID SHIRT AND A FRAT-BILLED HAT...BUT HEY PROGRESS IS PROGRESS...RIGHT?