5.30: The Last Dance Hour 1

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
I don't want to say that this is the first
time this has ever happened, because that would probably be
a lie. And I don't want to start my last
show here at Sports Talk seven ninety by being a liar.
But I can't think of which doesn't mean it didn't happen.
But I can't think of a day where I have
really not wanted to hit this button to the far

(00:22):
left of this huge board in front of me that
looks like a spaceship and just start talking sports because
today will be the last day for me, and I'm
not really worried about getting emotional. And again I'm not
the hesitation there is not because I'm about to lose it,
trust me, because I actually had that happened earlier today,
which I think was a good thing. But today is

(00:43):
my last day here, and we're going to have a
fun day. I don't really know what to expect for
a variety of reasons. I don't really know what to
expect from me. We do have a lot of folks
that are going to be joining us today throughout I'm
not going to tell you who they are. We're just
going to let you find out when we bring them on.
And I don't want to miss you as if there's
some huge names, some never before heard guests or anything.

(01:04):
I mean, these are people that if you are a
regular listener, or maybe even not even to that level,
you're just somebody that's familiar with the show and what
we do here, you'll know these people, and I hope
you like them. If not, I don't care. They're going
to join us. And if you listen a little bit consistently,
then you know, I would assume you like these people.
But if you don't, doesn't matter, because today there really

(01:25):
are no rules, right. I mean, I could technically do
something stupid and get myself fired. I wouldn't do that.
But yeah, today's the last day, so this will be
the last time I start a show saying it's coffee
and Company fuel by Thornton's on Sports Talk seven ninety
And I've tried throughout the last few weeks to not
really think about and I guess I'll just be real

(01:45):
with you. I've it was, it became public and we
talked about it on this show for the first time
two weeks ago today, and I'm not really sure if
this has come up in the last I don't know, however,
many weeks it's been, but this is something that I
was aware that was potentially going to happen for almost
a year, so you never know, I didn't want to

(02:07):
get my hopes up as far as in Again, for
those who don't know, I'm not leaving the market, I'm
not leaving Louisville. I'm not retiring. I didn't get fired.
I'm just moving down the hall to take over for
Tony Cruz, who also today had a big day, much
bigger day than this one. I mean, he retired after
a legendary career. So for those who don't know, that's
what's happening. This will be my last show here and
then starting Monday, you'll hear me at five am on

(02:28):
news Radio eight forty whas. But despite knowing that this
day was going to be here, and theyre being real
excitement about the opportunity that I've been given to take
over for Tony Cruz, I guess I hadn't really thought
much about what this day would be and maybe I've
been internally just putting it off. But it's here and
I'm going to do what I have done the last

(02:52):
non plus years. And by the way, thank you to
all those who've reached out to me today, mostly friends, family,
and others who have worked with me along the way,
including somebody who shared the calculation. And I don't know
if this is the exact number, but two two hundred
and twelve live shows I've done here on Sports Talk
seven ninety which doesn't include pre and postgame shows. And

(03:13):
it's been over nine years. And I've said that a
lot nine years, nine years, because I don't think I've
ever really considered that along this nine year run, because
without really forcing it, I think I've just enjoyed it,
lived in the moment, and appreciated that I'm able to
do this, and that's what I want today to be.
So again, I wish I could be a little bit

(03:36):
more comfortable myself, but it's a day, but it'll be fun.
And not only did I want to bring on a
handful of close friends of mine who have been a
part of the show here and there. Guess that you hear,
because I want to have them a part of this
because they mean a lot to me, but also because
it'll keep me from you know, it's just rambling and

(03:56):
then maybe getting caught up and having to go to breaks.
So anyways, I'm this is it for me, but I'm not.
I'm not leaving for good. I'm just again moving down
the hall and moving. I guess up on your radio
dial from seven to nine zero to to eight four zero.
But again, you know the drill. We are fueled by Thornton's.
That's that's that might be my crutch today, that might

(04:17):
be what just gets me is back to where this
is just any other show. I just talk about Thornton's
because you guys know I love Thornton. So we are
fueled by Thornton's. Make sure you sign up if you've
not yet, to become a member of their Refreshing Awards
program because you'll save money at the pomp and last
I checked. People like saving money, especially on something that
you know, unless you have an electric vehicle, you need

(04:38):
and that's that's fuel. So again, go to Refreshing Awards
dot com or download the app, and I think that
you'll be you'll be happy that you did. So let
me let me start by telling you how my day
started this morning very early, and I'm I'm proud of myself.
For the last few days, I have set my alarm
clock as if I had to get up and be

(05:00):
on the air at five am, just so it's not
such a shocker come Monday. And it's been good for
me to get in that routine just a little bit.
And I don't know if I can blame it on
maybe me still being tired, But this morning I was
up at about three forty five, got in the shower,
and I got on the road. I came here. We
had to send off for Tony Cruz here at the station,
as well as out at Tony and Dwight's live show,

(05:23):
which was a lot of fun. Good to see a
lot of people, and what a great day for Tony
and congrats to him once again on a career that
not many can say that they will ever have, So
congrats to him. But I was driving in and I'm
not just saying this because they're a sponsor, It's the truth.
I stopped at Thornton's and the show had just started

(05:43):
and Tony was talking about his just you know, kind
of sharing his story, and I told him this, and
I mean it sincerely. With what that show is, it's
a new I mean, it's a resource for people. It's news, traffic, weather,
and really you can just put your own flavor in
seasoning and between, but you really don't get a whole
lot of latitude, a lot of range to really get creative.

(06:05):
And I guess you can. You can do that, you
just don't have a lot of time, because again, there's
things built into the show that will always be that
people rely on, like traffic, weather, news, those kind of things.
But in the last couple of weeks, as Tony's made
his retirement public and it's been a nice send off
for him, he's talked a lot about himself and his story,
and I feel like listeners probably connected with him more

(06:26):
so in the last couple of weeks than they maybe
ever have, and I just I wanted to tell him
that that's been great for me to hear. I could
listen to him tell these stories all day and I'm
sure listeners appreciate it too. And it hit me about
fifteen minutes later after I texted who I thought was
Tony Cruz. So this was the ultimate goof and now

(06:48):
that I'm talking about it, many many hours later, it
was a real dumb ass move on my part, and
it's harmless. I'm glad it was. I'm glad it worked
out the way that it did, but I have a
friend whose name is Derek Cruse, and he's a good
friend whom min I've known him for a long time.
He's actually the high school football coach where we grew
up in North Bullet And he is in my phone
as Cruise and Tony Cruise is in my phone as

(07:10):
Tea Cruise. So I'm driving doing talk to text by
the way, which I'm not sure if that is Could
I get canceled for that? Is that safe? I think
they invented that technology so people aren't texting on their
phone when they're driving. But anyhow, I'm you know, and
anytime I do talk to text, I realized I should
not do that as much because then if I send

(07:31):
it to somebody, it's like I wrote a novel. I mean,
you know, makes sense. I talk a lot. That's what
I do. It's I'm a radio host. But anyways, it
was a very heartfelt message and I can't tell maybe
I was too embarrassed to ask, But my friend Derek
kind of played along with me for a minute, and
I'm of the belief that he knew that I sent
it to the wrong Cruise. I believe that he knew

(07:54):
and he just was having fun with me, but also
you know, I do think the world of him, and
I don't know if I don't know if I would
have said the same things to to Coach Cruise as
I did Tony Cruse, but both great guys. But that,
you know, a heavy day of emotions to get started
me having a ultimate me moment. It kind of calmed

(08:17):
me a little bit. So I'm sure that's not the
only stupid thing I'll do today, and I'm sure it's
not the only thing I've done up to this point.
But yeah, that was that was how my day started,
and I already got a goof out of the way,
so I've been a little bit more comfortable. And when
it comes to just emotions that that that I really
I was telling my wife this earlier, and I'm sure

(08:38):
she's tired of hearing me talk about it. I'm sure
you guys over the years, non plus years have thought, Man,
this guy talks a lot. He's repetitive. Does he ever
shut up? I mean, she lives with me, and she's, uh,
you know, she's I'm the host. She can't turn the
station to unless she just you know, shuts the door
in my face and tells me to shut up what
she doesn't do. She's great. But anyways, I'm a talker,

(08:58):
but I haven't you know, anytime. I thought about throughout
today and even yesterday to an extent, about sort of
what I wanted today to be and how I was
gonna balance having fun doing what I love doing every
single day, but also really using the time I have
left here on the station to let everybody know how
grateful I am of one that I got the chance

(09:20):
to do this and those that joined us along the way.
So trying to find that comfortable balance is difficult, and
I'm going to try my best to do it, and
if not, you know, it's okay. The show will be
over after today, so you know, not you can do
about it after that point. But when I thought about
sort of how I wanted to balance that, and I
thought about the emotional side, without any real indicator internally,

(09:45):
I just I lost it. I would get I would cry,
not like a baby, not like a you know, wouldn't
as if I was boohooing to a crazy extent. But
it was the first time really that I can think
that I didn't feel it coming, and it just it
just happened. I started crying and I'm hopeful that that
got it out of the system to where that won't
that won't take place today and we can get you know,

(10:07):
we can get that out of the way, and I'm
hopeful that that's what ends up happening. But I mean,
I any time I've ever and I'm not somebody all
I'm not someone that it is in any way afraid
of being emotional. I mean, I'm not somebody that is
super emotional, but I'm not I'm not a guy or
man that is uncomfortable expressing emotion or sharing that I

(10:29):
do express emotion. So usually, you know, I can feel
when that's about to happen. Usually, you know, you try
to fight it and then it just happens. But today
it was more so not even really thinking about it,
and then you know, just start tearing up. And it's
because I this is something that is fun for me.
It is a job. I've never told the people that
hired me that I would do this for free, but

(10:50):
I think I kind of would. I'd have to find
a way to make ends me, you know, I'd have
to have to figure something out, but I'd love doing
this and I'm so lucky to be able to do
something that I love, and when you're in that position,
I guess for me, I can't speak for anybody else,
but I suppose if to make it make sense for me,
you don't really you know, you're in the moment. It's
there's not emotion, there's you know, there's stress that comes

(11:12):
with it. You know. Obviously if I would if I
if I was terrible at this, I wouldn't still be
able to do it. And it was a different world
whenever it became what I do, meaning I didn't have
another job, I didn't have any other income. This is
this is my life and it better work or I'm
gonna have to figure something else out. And obviously I
would be devastated if I gave this a shot and
it didn't work out, And who knows what the future holds.
But to be able to say that I've been able
to do this as long as I have is something

(11:33):
that's still saying it out loud just doesn't seem real.
But it's been real, and it's been it's been a
lot of fun. But I think because of the nature
of what this is, trying not to take myself too
serious on the air, Clearly self deprecation is a big
part of my game, and I think because of that,
when I do get to that point where I'm reflecting

(11:54):
and realizing, oh wow, it's ending, that's when it becomes emotional.
So anyways, we'll take you up till six o'clock. How
many times have I said that? In the last few years.
I used to say take you up till ten am
or three o'clock, But we'll go till six and then
that's That'll be it. This is the last dance and

(12:18):
we've got many guests going to join us throughout today,
although there's a couple that I did tell them, like,
you don't you know, if you feel like you're doing
this just because you feel like, you know, you need to.
Like it's a Friday, people probably want to be out,
you know, hitting a happy hour or something. So if
you're listening now and you're on the schedule and like
you don't want to do it, let me know. I

(12:39):
hope that doesn't happen, but we'll see and trust me,
there'll be no hard feelings. So and then back to
the balance, right, trying to find the balance. I do
want to talk about some things that are worth talking
about on a sports talk show In this market because
that's what I've always done, That's what I like doing.
In fact, who am I gonna talk? I mean, I'm
gonna talk sports on has, but not to the extent

(13:00):
that we do here, and certainly not the same kind
of show. So I gotta find a way to to
get my fix at some point. But anyways, there are
a lot of things. I mean, last night and be
a playoffs, the Pacers just completely laid an egg, and
I'm not worried like that. They're in big trouble here,
but I don't want to go back to New York,
and I don't think Tyrese Haliburton wanted to be in

(13:23):
New York last night. Yikes. I don't know how somebody
can be so good the game prior talk about an
old time performance that you just don't see very often.
In fact, I think that's exactly what it was. I
think the numbers he put up, the triple double with
zero turnovers, I think that was the first time anybody
had put together that type of triple double. And then

(13:45):
last night eight points didn't even look like he was
If you just watched that game last night, you would
not believe that he had thirty plus points, fifteen plus assists,
ten plus rebounds, five threes, made zero turnovers the game
prior because he just wasn't engaged enough. And look, guys
have bad games, it happens, but superstars have bad games

(14:06):
with a lot of shot attempts. And he's a guy
that does distribute and it's been a big factor in
the pac for success this year. But I hope that
he's not getting tight as this moment is here, because
now they've got a chance to close this at tomorrow,
which I believe they will because I think they're the
better team. But man, going back to Indy, I'm sorry,

(14:27):
going back to New York for a game seven would
not be an ideal situation. And yes, they were there
last year in the same spot, game seven to either
continue your season or go home, and they prevailed, but
I wouldn't feel as confident about that this time around,
So we can get to that. Also, how about this,
this is very fitting. I can tell you how much

(14:49):
I hate the nc DOUBLEA on my last day doing
sports talk, because they are going to expand the NCUBA tournament,
which is not necessary. In fact, it didn't need to
be expanded to sixty eight. But they're gonna do it.
I'll still watch, I'll still love it because I'm not
sure anybody could do anything when it comes to college
basketball that would make me not want to watch, and
you know I love it. It's you know, I'm not

(15:09):
the only one. Clearly, we are really passionate about college
hoops around here, but expanding all the tournaments and postseasons
and every sport at every level is really not necessary.
But when it comes to college sports as well as pros,
it's another way to make a lot of money. And
least I checked, that's a big factor people like making
a lot of money. Speaking of college basketball, can I

(15:31):
do and I told you so because I've never been
and I told you so, guy, Unless I can be
and I told you so guy, which is rare. But
it does make me feel good knowing that something I've
been screaming, not angry but just happy is now being
talked about. I feel like more than it ever has,
and that is that there is no question that the
new world of college athletics, with players getting paid within

(15:52):
il you essentially have free agency because of the transfer portal,
there's no doubt that college basketball is benefit from that
in every way, and because of all the guys that
decided to come back this year, remove their name from
the draft, and really there really aren't that many that
turned down an opportunity to be like a top pick.
There was a kid from Alabama that I believe was

(16:13):
expected to be a first rounder. He decided to come back,
and it's because he can go to the NBA next
year and he'll make plenty of money in college. And
I think a lot of people would do the same thing.
So to me, it's been evident, and I love it
because I was worried about college basketball for a long
time because it just didn't It didn't it was no
longer worthwhile for high level college players who have no

(16:35):
future in the NBA. Right, you've got two years in
it's quite clear you can still play college hoops and
you're a decent player, but you're not going to the NBA. Well,
in the previous world, you just have to sit back
and you know, you were living a good lifestyle. You
had a scholarship, you had a room and board, you
had your stipend. I mean, you were not going without.

(16:57):
But you're also wasting years where you could actually be
playing professionally and making legitimate money. And now I mean,
guys who you just know we're not gonna go to
the NBA were bypassing college because they they're content with
going and playing in Europe or whatever. And now you
got guys turning down the NBA to stay in college.
And I mean the product is better. Selfishly, I think

(17:20):
it's great for fans because programs like Louisville, Kentucky and
even Indiana, there are gonna be many, if any seasons
where you are on you're on the outside looking in
as far as those who were able to benefit from
this whole situation, So again, we got a lot to
get into. Of course, the SEC really more than anything,
I think it's just Greg Sankie. Obviously, I wouldn't be

(17:41):
shocked if the coaches feel the same way. But this
is the first time I can't really tell if Greg
Sanki completely locks awareness or just doesn't care. Part of
me says he knows what he's doing, and he's able
to He's able to just operate in his own world
with that delusion and enough people will believe him and

(18:01):
run with it. He's really good at a job. But
the extent that the SEC is going to try to
prove that what happened in previous seasons, maybe you know
thirty seasons ago, two seasons ago should be a factor
in how you get to the college football playoff is
really really stupid, meaning none of that matters. I mean again,

(18:25):
it's crazy hypothetical. Throughout there, we all know the SEC
is not going anywhere in football. In fact, they may
be more dominant in years to come. But that shouldn't
that shouldn't You should never walk into automatic spots that
give you a chance to play for a national championship
before you've played a game. I mean, say it out loud.
It's really really stupid. So anyways, quick break, we'll come back.

(18:49):
On the other side, our first guest will join us,
and he's somebody I think the world of. I'm a
huge fan of his and it's been great bringing him
on the show in recent years, to to get his
to get his knowledge, to get his takes, because it's
not something you typically get a lot of in his gig,
but I'd pay to get it because he's that good.
He's awesome. And you'll find out who it is on

(19:11):
the other side. I'll let you know. Also we will Well,
I was gonna say I'm already. I'm already stumbling spinning
my wheels here. I was gonna say, you could take
us with you wherever you go. Listen live on the
out Radio. I've also listened live at seven ninety Louisville
dot Com and let's finish strong. It's Coffee and Company,
the Last, the last edition. Feel about Thornton's right here

(19:34):
on Sports Talk seven ninety on my last show here
at Sports Talk seven ninety. I'm doing something for the
first time, and it's kind of exciting. I've not let
anybody as far as listeners know who who is going
to be joining us. I kind of like the anticipation,
and you're in for a real treat here. Because I'm

(19:55):
a huge fan of this guy. I know you guys
have to be as well. Seen him on television talking
sports for a long time, and he's been on this
show pretty regularly over the last couple of years, and
I've really enjoyed it. It is mister Kent, Spencer Kent,
You've had a lot of honors in your career. Where
does this one rank? Being able to say you're on
the Sindhoff edition of Coffee and Company. It's got to
be up there. Pretty High.

Speaker 2 (20:15):
I mean, honestly, I'll probably just above the birth of
every one of my kids.

Speaker 1 (20:20):
That's fair.

Speaker 3 (20:21):
This one is this one right here for me, it's fair.
I get it. Let me, let me just start.

Speaker 2 (20:27):
I just want to say this. I want to get
it off by chest before we get before we get
rocking and rolling, strutting strolling. First off, I am so
happy for you, and I know that today is a
little bittersweet, but you're going You're going into something that's
so exciting. And I can only imagine because the seat
that you're going into is such a such a coveted

(20:51):
position around here and has been so for a long time.
Could you imagine when you were growing up and you
were at North Bullet High School that if somebody said,
you know what, at some point you're going to be
in that seat and and that's gonna be your gig,
and you're and and that's and somebody they wanted you
in that seat, it would probably be like maybe too

(21:15):
far for you to even imagine that. But I'm I'm
super super pumped for you, buddy, and I'm super happy
for you.

Speaker 3 (21:21):
I think it's I think it's awesome.

Speaker 1 (21:23):
Thank you, Thank you so much.

Speaker 2 (21:24):
Man. That does.

Speaker 1 (21:24):
That means a lot, and it's something that that I
really can't I don't think i've been If somebody asked me,
have you processed sort of what it is, I don't know.
I don't think I have because I don't know that
you can. I think you kind of just roll with it.
And uh, I was chatting with Terry Miners before his
show today and recorded something that he's going to play,
and I guess I just better not screw this up.
It's a pretty big deal and I am honored in

(21:46):
in a big, big way. And and that is something
that I haven't talked about a lot on this show,
but yeah, to hear that there have been such few
people that have been able to have that position over
a long long time, long before you and I were around,
long before our parents were. It's an opportunity that I'm
certainly appreciative of and I'm going to make the most
of it. That's certainly what I'm going to try to do.

(22:06):
But I want to I want to fan out a
little bit with you, Ken, because I remember listening to
this station before I got hired long ago. So it's
been over nine years and you were on with the
Dogs The Afternoon of Dogs pretty regularly, and I don't
remember that I got. I was gonna mention this, but
I may get it wrong. I think did they call
you the wrong Kent? Was it Jennings or Benetti that
referred to you as Kent Taylor or vice versa, because

(22:30):
he was a real contentious thing.

Speaker 2 (22:32):
Yeah, well it always is and it's still let me
tell you something, it is still to this day still
be Yeah, Pete, Well people call me Kent Taylor. I
mean they're they're just dead to me. Yeah, I get,
and I always mention it. I always mentioned it.

Speaker 3 (22:45):
You know, that's not Kent Taylor, that's John Taylor.

Speaker 1 (22:47):
Yep, that's right. I remember that happening, and I remember
at the time, I was working a different job, and
I you know, at the time, I was never of
the belief I would ever have a chance to even
to do anything like this. But I remember noticing that
your your interviews with those guys, it's just a different
style than what you do on television. It's it's a
different thing. And I got a chance to hear you

(23:08):
that I in a way that I don't that I
don't hear you on TV. And you're great on TV.
But as you know, it's just a different it's a
different thing. You don't have a whole lot of time
to share a lot of opinions, and that's really not
typically what that is. But once I got the gig
here and moved to afternoons, I wanted to bring you
in because I feel like you are, first of all,
your your former athlete, yourself, you know sports, your professional
You do have what I think are good opinions that

(23:30):
that that you know people would enjoy hearing. That's why
I love having you on. You've been a great asset
to the show when we when we've done it. But
I guess my question is what did when you got
into the industry that you're in now, and you've been
you've been at it for a long long time. Did
did you always want to do that? Were you considering
different I guess, different mediums when it comes to sports coverage,

(23:50):
sports broadcasting, sports television? Did you always want to be
the guy where you are now? Did you do stuff differently?
I'm just again, I'm fanning out here on my last
show with with with Ken Spencer here.

Speaker 2 (24:00):
Yeah, honestly, like when I got number one, I think
I got the bug to go into this profession.

Speaker 3 (24:08):
When I was in high school, we had a like.

Speaker 4 (24:11):
Just a communications one communications two class, and so I
took all of that and I just enjoyed the work, right,
and so I didn't really know exactly what what avenue.

Speaker 3 (24:23):
That it would be.

Speaker 2 (24:25):
And then when I went to when I went to
Borehead State, we had a news.

Speaker 1 (24:29):
Center football team, by the way, yeah, and I and
I got.

Speaker 2 (24:33):
To dabble in things that in the spring semester, like
I got to I got to do sports, I got
to do news that, you know, just a bunch of
different things. And once again, like I really liked it.
But when I got when I got out, like I
went in just to like strictly news, I wasn't in
sports at all. Uh. Some of that was just because
I thought there were way more opportunities and news, which

(24:53):
by the way, there are.

Speaker 3 (24:54):
Yeah, but that's that's the avenue that that I wanted
to go.

Speaker 2 (24:58):
And then you know what, some point, because of my
background and kind of my knowledge, everybody that I worked
for was like, hey, would you would you be interested
in this? And so that you know, I kind of
slowly started to gravitate towards that and then you know,
when I got there to be honest, like, I love
I love all aspects of it, right, Like I love
to have fun on air when it's time to have

(25:22):
fun on air, and when there's time to you know,
be serious and there's in and you know, the stories
are serious, and yeah, that's that, that's what needs to happen.

Speaker 1 (25:32):
Yeah, you're a pro when it's necessary. Not that you're
not a pro with you're having fun, but I know
exactly what you mean.

Speaker 2 (25:37):
Yeah, but I love I love to do it all
and I just want people if it's if it's a
lighthearted day, then then man, let's have a good time.
And I want people at home to feel like they're
they're having a good time. But and you're right on
TV for the you know, for for all of it,
you're just being you know, like I got you know,

(25:57):
at six o'clock tonight, I got two minutes and forty
five five seconds. So I gotta whatever it is, I
gotta smash through. We're only really dealing with the facts there.
So I love opportunities in this form to be able
to just shoot the breeze.

Speaker 1 (26:11):
And that's why we like that leads to that's why
I asked the question because I feel like, I mean,
there's got to be I mean again, it's just a
it's a different thing, and and you're good at it,
and I you know, obviously you're doing really well where
you are, and I'm sure you're not looking to have
a new career doing something else. But that's the reason
I asked the question, because I you know, you're When
it comes to just shooting the breeze, I mean, it's
it's it's very enjoyable and uh, you know you've been

(26:33):
You've been a real asset to the show. Now let
me ask you this, when it comes to the news
side of it, did you feel I mean again, you're
you're always a pro, but did it seem a little
less like work when it was sports because that's a
big part of your life growing up, If that makes sense.

Speaker 2 (26:50):
Yeah, I always I always thought of it this way too.
And then this is what I continue to say. Nine
percent of the time when we show up for sports,
people say us for being there, and they thank us
for the coverage and they're very welcoming. Ninety percent when
you show up for a news story, they look at
you with a side eye and they're like, what are

(27:10):
you doing here?

Speaker 3 (27:11):
What do you want?

Speaker 1 (27:12):
You know what I mean, like, oh, yeah, I wouldn't
never thought of that, But I I'm not surprised at all.

Speaker 2 (27:16):
And and that's just that's just the nature of the beast.
And so you know that that's that's a big difference
in in the in the two aspects. Now, the one
one of the things that really sealed the deal was
I was working on a story. I had to I
had to go out on a shoot and it was
actually a shooting, and a firefighter was ended up ended

(27:40):
up being shot and killed at this at this scene.
And when you're in news, when you go to a
shooting scene, you know most of the time when you
get there, they've already got the suspect apprehended, like it
is it, It's already done by the time that you
get there. Well, in this one, I get out thinking
that it's probably already an undone deal. And by the

(28:01):
time we got there, we didn't even know any of
the details what had happened or if anybody had been shot.
We just knew there was a shooting. We roll up,
we see a bunch of police cars. I come out
and I just hear I see people hiding behind a tree,
and then I heard a voice says, get the f down, wow,

(28:22):
And then I heard boom, boom boom, And I went
down underneath a thing, and I hear the bullets over
top of the head. The next day, they actually asked
me if I would be the weekend sports aaker, and
I said, yes, absolutely.

Speaker 3 (28:35):
I'm in.

Speaker 2 (28:36):
So you know, it's fun, it's not, you know, it's
just weird how things can kind of transpire in your
life and lead you into a certain direction.

Speaker 1 (28:45):
In that situation, I'm sure as well as others during
your time in news that's not sports related, it probably
puts you in a better spot to just dive into sports.
And you know it was always probably going to come
natural to you. But you know, what you just described
as scary as hell a lot different than when you
show up to Trinity High School to cover high school football,
because one, you probably enjoy doing that. Also, as you mentioned,

(29:07):
there's there's appreciation for the coverage, especially for local That's
something that I've really really noticed in recent years is
that you know, when there is local coverage still and
there is and there should be for local high schools
and whatnot, it's it's it's a service to the community.
And that's actually now a big part of what you know,
what eight forty whas is, and it'll be kind of
part of of what I do. Now. Another question I

(29:30):
have for you when it comes to all the the
Derby's college basketball is king here as far as our
market there, it's not necessarily positive news if you're a
Louisville fan, but man, there's a lot of crazy stories
that come from u of L. But that has been
a part of coverage for you in the time you've
been in Kentucky and you know, forced to say what

(29:52):
in the moment at that time, felt like this is
one of the biggest stories I'll ever cover.

Speaker 3 (29:58):
The dilho but I'll lead it's a good one.

Speaker 1 (30:01):
Yeah, not that that's a good thing that happened. That
you could feel that every eyeball in the world seemed
to be on Loivell when that was going on.

Speaker 2 (30:08):
Yeah, and and and not only was that a big thing,
so you know, it was always such a big thing.
And and we had so many corporate leaders from our
the company that owned us at the time, the station
that came in for that because it was you know,
it was such a it was such a massive story.

(30:28):
And I remember on the day of the funeral, I
was on the new set that day for eight straight hours,
and it was it was myself, it was Doug Prophet,
it was Rachel Platt, it was Renee Murphy was out there,
and then we just had just a string of guests

(30:49):
that came and joined us on the set, and you know,
we were on there for eight straight hours and we
had the entire you know, procession through town that that
we had and some time, to be quite honest with you,
like it was that was that was big stuff. That
was pretty heavy stuff and and extremely emotional for just

(31:10):
you know, our entire city here. But that was the
biggest story I think that I've ever been a part of.

Speaker 3 (31:18):
And it's probably not even.

Speaker 2 (31:20):
Close, to be quite honest with you, just because of what,
you know, who he was, what he meant to this city,
and there was a finality of it all.

Speaker 1 (31:31):
And another aspect of that is if you are someone
and there's millions I'm sure that were interested in just
following along the celebration of life and just the coverage
of him passing such a legendary human being in Muhammad Ali,
there's probably plenty that we're seeking out. I want to
hear and see what the reaction is in his hometown
where he clearly made it a huge part of his brand,
his entire life. I mean, and a lot of people

(31:53):
across the planet, if they know of Louisville and they're
not and they're not, you know, from this country, they
probably think louis of slugger, they think Mouhammad Ali. And
I remember, Actually, I'll be honestly, I was gonna lie.
I remember it, and it was it was clearly a
big deal, but I think I was too young, can't
even kind of realize what was actually happening. I knew
it was a big deal, but just to the reach
you can get when something like that happens, and clearly

(32:15):
the story is connected to in Louisville, where he's from,
and his celebration of life. So all right, can't one
more thing? I wanted to say, you should start a podcast,
because I'm not kidding you. Some of the guys who
do TV on sports, some of the guys who do
sports television are I would. I would be loyal listener.
Like friends I've made over the years, and there have
been many people that that I've got to know. But
as far as guests that I would bring on the show,

(32:36):
because like I thought, they really brought they helped me out.
They were helping me with the show. At you my
buddy Dan Kobe, who used to be here in the market,
Love my buddy John Lewis, Like these are people that
I got to hear aside and just you know, shoot,
shoot the breeze and talk sports in a different way
from television. So if you ever want to start a podcast,
you and you should do it with your son. He
can talk. You all can talk wrestling, talk local sports.

(32:57):
And I don't know how many listeners you had. I'm
sure you'd have many, but I would certainly be one
of them.

Speaker 2 (33:02):
Well, let me tell you something. If I did it
with my seven year old son, the only thing that
he would.

Speaker 3 (33:06):
Want to say over and over his yeek.

Speaker 1 (33:10):
Oh my goodness, that's that's his favorite thing.

Speaker 2 (33:13):
In fact, we did go to Monday Night Raw when
it was at the Young Center. I saw that and
it was let's just say, big boy had a big time.
But man a, thank you so much for having me
on over the years. Thank you, congratulations on the get.
I could not be more thrilled I'm so I'm so
locked in on the adventures of Moose and that sweet

(33:34):
baby angel girl of yours.

Speaker 1 (33:35):
Yep, thank you so much. Ken. I really appreciate you
and appreciate all the coin words, and I won't be
a stranger. And I hope you're okay with that. Take
care brother, Thank you so much.

Speaker 2 (33:43):
Absolutely be good.

Speaker 1 (33:44):
All right, that's Ken Spencer from WHS eleven. How about that.
I told him I was good fan out and I
kind of did. All right, let's get to a quick break. Actually,
I don't know how quick it's going to be, but
we have a break coming up. And if anything, I'm
consistent I didn't manage the clock very well, so we're
kind of up against it here.

Speaker 3 (34:01):
We do.

Speaker 1 (34:01):
This may work out well because the guest that is
set to come on did have a tight window. We
may have gone past said window, so this is a benefit.
Another thing if and by the way, I'll tell you
who it is if he doesn't come on, just because
you know, it's not some big deal, but this person,
if he's able to join us for the brief segment
we have to close out the show. He's the first

(34:22):
ever guest that I had on a show. That I
had here at seven ninety nine plus years ago, and
some of you longtime loyal listeners may know who it is.
If not, stick around you'll find out one way or
the other he's here or not. I'll let you know.
It's Coffee and Company. Feel about Thorton's right here on
Sports Talk seven ninety. I'm telling you I learned something

(34:44):
new on my very last show here at Sports Talk
seven ninety. This is I mean, I would have run
out of suspenseful guests to bring on, but I like
not letting anybody know who's actually next up to join
us on the show. I didn't really even plan on
doing that until the show started. I was like, why not?
But anyways, this guy, you know him, and he he's
actually been a part of our trivia contests over the years.

(35:04):
Because the question has come up, who was the first
ever guest on on my show? And it was a
long time ago, so you probably don't remember. If you're
you may not remember it all because it was a
long time ago. He probably didn't even know it. It
should be on his resume, but it's Jeff Greer, formerly
of the Courier Journal of the Athletic uh Low CITYFC
and Racing Louisville. Now he's the VP of Communications at
Gotham's Gotham FC. He's up in the big Apple. It

(35:26):
is Jeff Greer. Jeff, how are we doing, sir?

Speaker 5 (35:29):
I'm doing great, Nick. I actually I had a personal
award made up for that appearance. I don't know if
you knew this. I have, like it's like a shield.
It's got the family crest on it, and it's got
your show logo.

Speaker 3 (35:42):
And it's like on my mantle at my house.

Speaker 1 (35:45):
Don't be afraid, and I can do it if you want.
Maybe let the brass at Gotham FC know they'll think
even more highly about you and feel better about about
hiring you. But Jeff, you may not even remember this,
but you actually came on the show before we went live.
This was long ago, and it's been so long since
this happened, and a lot of things run together. But
I asked my old boss this earlier today. Did we

(36:06):
do this? Because I think we did, and he said, yes,
we did. We did a mock show, which, now that
I've done this as long as I have, that's a
really stupid thing to do. I don't know if i'd
be able to do a show knowing that it's to nobody,
it's just to one person evaluating. But I did a
mock interview with you and then asked you the next week,
can we do that same thing again? And you came on.
And when I knew that you were my guy was

(36:27):
not only with your great coverage of UFL sports and
really everything, but you're my Seinfeld guy and I and
we we connect in that way. And I don't mean
just you and I, but those who are really lifers,
that are that are in the game, the Seinfeld game
that will defend the series at all costs and continue
to maintain it's the best show of all time. So
you and I have talked Sonfeld over the years. I

(36:48):
don't know if I've ever asked you this. I'll start
a two part question. I'll start with the first one.
Is there an episode? Because I don't I can't answer this.
I think there's just too difficult, But is there an
episode that you think is superior to all the others?
Oh my god, it's impossible, right.

Speaker 5 (37:02):
Uh yeah, I mean this is this is probably uh
sad to admit publicly, but I mean I watch Seinfeld
every single night as I'm falling asleep.

Speaker 3 (37:12):
It's the last thing I do every.

Speaker 1 (37:13):
Single day, which is it makes you feel comfortable, right,
I'm with you. Yeah, this help.

Speaker 5 (37:18):
I helped them fall asleep. I I would say the
contest is always just like, every single line is so good.
Obviously I probably shouldn't get into too much of the
plot details on a on a family on a family show,
but but uh, but that's one of my all time favorites.

(37:38):
That's very high up there. And then of course, I mean, look,
the soup Nazi is everybody's favorite. The marine biologist with
the hole in one and the in the blowhole of
the whale. I mean, there's just too many. There's too
many to count. But if I had to pick one,
I'd say the contest.

Speaker 1 (37:54):
This this uh, this is a question that I I
ask others who are who like us that are that
are lifers in the game. And it's really a trick
question because I'm maintained. Again, you could feel differently. But
if you had to remove any of the characters of
the main four, the core four, I don't think the
show would be as successful. So you know, if you
had a lot of people say Elaine, Elaine is so

(38:14):
much more important to that show than she ever gets
credit for. And she's, by the way, still the most successful,
at least currently it seems as of now. Not that
the others aren't, you know, doing well, but like that's
an impossible question, right, Like they all serve a very
big role for it all being a magical, magical show.

Speaker 2 (38:30):
Yeah, you can't.

Speaker 5 (38:31):
You can't remove any of them.

Speaker 3 (38:33):
And she has proven time and again now that she is.

Speaker 5 (38:36):
I mean, she is so funny. Veep is also one
of my favorite shows.

Speaker 1 (38:41):
She's a legend.

Speaker 5 (38:41):
Yeah, I mean she's a legend and like, and you
could even expand it beyond that, like, can you imagine
Seinfeld without Jerry Stiller, No, you can't like it.

Speaker 3 (38:52):
He just like, you know, he made the show.

Speaker 5 (38:54):
Mister Costanza is is like, in my opinion, maybe the
greatest supporting cast member in the history of television. Oh yeah,
I mean he's really high up there. And Estelle Costanza
is also hilarious. The actress I never can remember.

Speaker 1 (39:10):
Her name, but if you show me, if you show
me Jerry Stiller highlights as if you know somebody's putting
together an NBA edit for TikTok, I would then say, yeah,
he's actually the best character of all time on the show.
He's ahead of Jerry, He's ahead of George because he's
I mean, he was electric And uh, now are you
if you who's your like who brings you the most laughter?

(39:31):
On Seinfeld?

Speaker 3 (39:32):
Because yeah, for sure, Frankstanz.

Speaker 1 (39:34):
What about the of the Core four? Because to me
it's his son and it's not close. And the older
I get, the more I realized the George Costanza is
just he's I think it might be because I'm kind
of him, which may not be a good thing, but
you know, he he they're all great, but he to me,
he's the best.

Speaker 5 (39:48):
I would that's a that's a tough player comp for you, now,
I probably Kramer for me, just I enjoy the I
enjoy it kind of the wild slapstick stuff.

Speaker 3 (40:01):
And just like the terrible ideas that he's my guy.

Speaker 5 (40:05):
I'm a big.

Speaker 1 (40:07):
He's unrelatable, but in a brilliant way.

Speaker 3 (40:09):
Right, yes, for sure?

Speaker 1 (40:11):
All right, last question for you, and I appreciate you
making time for us here on short notice, and I'm
sorry I was late. It's anything I'm consistent. I can't
manage the clock very well. But you you've lived in Louisville.
A couple of different times. We stole you, I believe,
from Florida, and then I know you spent some time
in the Northeast, went to school at Pittsburgh and all
that you're now back in New York. Give me something
that you will miss about Louisville when you're not here.

(40:32):
I'm sure you're gonna come back and visit and whatnot,
but in something that you know, like, tell us what
we could do better as a city, Jeff, You've been
a lot of places, and I know you love us,
but like, what could we improve.

Speaker 5 (40:41):
At Oh, I'll be honest with you, Nick, And I've
told there's you know, there's a common reaction in New
York just about pretty much anywhere, and it's just kind
of like, oh, you know, like, hey, there's not like
you know, unless the people have been there, and then
I'm like, oh, yeah, I really, but I mean I

(41:02):
really enjoyed my time there. I know you've got a
family too, like it's a great place to raise your kids.

Speaker 1 (41:07):
Yep, you know I I So one thing that I
would say improve is just say potholes. It's an easy out.

Speaker 3 (41:18):
Potholes is an easy out.

Speaker 5 (41:20):
And also and I know you and I have talked
about those one hundred times, like literally everything everything becomes UK.

Speaker 3 (41:27):
Versus UFL and it's just exhausting.

Speaker 1 (41:30):
I mean I could see it, absolute exhausting, especially if
it doesn't consume you because you just like it's yeah,
I get it. I totally get it.

Speaker 5 (41:37):
I'm with you, like, come on, man, but yeah, the
pothole will go potholes.

Speaker 1 (41:40):
Yep, that's an easy out.

Speaker 5 (41:41):
It is also what makes it great, So it's kind
of a it's a polar opposite type of thing.

Speaker 1 (41:45):
Jeff. You know, I appreciate you and I'm so happy
for your success. Keep doing your thing up there with
Gotham FC. I know you're super passionate about soccer and
you've done a phenomenal job throughout your career. So thank
you for making time. And congrats for being a part
of this man, I mean, big deal for your resume, right,
first ever guest and one of the and a guest
on the last show ever.

Speaker 5 (42:05):
No, man, you're the one who deserves a congrats.

Speaker 2 (42:07):
This is super cool for you.

Speaker 5 (42:08):
I'm excited. You work as hard as anybody I know,
and you know, I hope people recognize how hard you
how hard you work because you.

Speaker 3 (42:15):
Are a treasurer for the city.

Speaker 5 (42:16):
So keep it up and I'll be following from Afar
as always.

Speaker 1 (42:19):
Thank you, Jeff pre Chach prea Chach, you brother, stay well.

Speaker 5 (42:22):
All right, you two buddy, see take care.

Speaker 1 (42:24):
That is Jeff Greer, good stuff. I really just wanted
to nerd out on Sinfield because he's my son Field brother.
All right, let's let's let's do this. Let's take a
take a time out. We'll come back at the four
o'clock hour started. We've got two hours left and uh,
let's let's make it count. I mean, I'm really sure
what you guys can do when it comes to that,
but I'm gonna make account. I'm gonna enjoy every second
of this. So thank you all for hanging out with us.

(42:45):
Don't go anywhere, keep it locked right here. On Sports
Talk seven ninety