May 23, 2012

Signing more of a status symbol for Pujols (PODCAST)

Albert Pujols’ signing with the Los Angeles Angels may not be about the difference in dollars between what the Angels were willing to pay and what the Cardinals can pay, but more of a symbollic signing. That’s according to KMOX radio personality Kevin Wheeler.

“Pujols is not gaining much ground in terms of net value of what he’ll get for that money if he moves his family to Los Angeles, buys a house, pays taxes,” said Wheeler on my latest Pressbox Podcast (14:00)

“My belief is, it’s more about the symbolism of $250 million dollars…Making $25 million dollars a year…it’s about that number,” said Wheeler, who is the pre and post game host for Cardinals baseball.

What’s the next step for the Cardinals? Wheeler believes the Cardinals need to get another bat in the lineup, perhaps some help for the outfield. Allen Craig had knee surgery and may not be ready in April. It looks like Lance Berkman will play first. Wheeler thinks a former Royals player would fill the role.

Birmingham writer thinks Missouri will struggle in the SEC (PODCAST)

Jon Solomon writes for Birmingham News and covers the Alabama Crimson Tide and the SEC and joins me on this Pressbox Podcast to talk about the BCS title game and what the future holds for Missouri and Texas A & M.  He thinks Missouri will do better than A & M initially because the SEC East is a weaker division than the West where A & M will play.  I agree with him.

I joked on my Missourinet sports report this morning that Jon is a SEC homer. I agree with Jon that Missouri has a lot they need to do in terms of building resources and recruiting if they want to be a sustainable success in the SEC, and maybe I’m just protecting our home turf here a bit, but I think the Tigers can hold their own in the SEC and do it right away. 

I was also impressed with some things he had to say about Oklahoma State as I put him on the spot to make a case why the Cowboys could have been considered for the BCS title game.

Enjoy!  Pressbox Podcast with Jon Solomon (9:20)

Palko or Orton? Flip a coin (PODCAST)

Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com joins me to answer the question, how long before Chiefs head coach Todd Haley pulls the plug on Tyler Palko this Sunday at Chicago and puts in Kyle Orton against his former team? Looney says even though Haley said Palko was the starter, he wouldn’t be surprised to see Orton in the game, even possibly as the starter.

At this point in the season with the top quarterback, running back, tight end and safety out with injuries, things don’t look good, but the players still feel they have a shot at making the playoffs in the topsy-turvy AFC West. As I talk with friends and fans in Missouri, I hear more of the “fire Todd Haley” talk. Looney says Haley still has the player’s respect, but if this season goes in the tank, GM Scott Pioli will have decisions to make.

You’ll also be surprised to hear what a Chiefs’ insider has to say about a division rival and their quarterback. Yeah, I’m talking about Tebow.

Enjoy the Pressbox Podcast with Josh Looney (13:00)

LSU’s perspective on our Tigers (PODCAST)

Don't expect to see Les Miles stalking the sidelines at The Zou next season.

LSU-Georgia gets set to meet in this weekend’s SEC Championship game. It’s hard to find any reason, even a Georgia blowout win, to keep LSU out of the BCS title game against Alabama. LSU is 12-0 for the first time in school history, which includes seven wins over teams ranked in the Top 25 this year. Let me put that into perspective for Mizzou fans. Coming into this season, Missouri has gone 7-10 against Top 25 teams since 2007, it took them 3.5 seasons to accomplish something that LSU has done in one season.

Jeff Palermo from the Louisiana Radio Network joins me on this Pressbox Podcast as we talk about the SEC Championship game and discuss Missouri’s chances of success next season. You might be surprised to hear Jeff’s take on just what he expects from our Tigers next year.

Listen to Jeff Palermo’s take on the SEC, LSU and Mizzou (15:00)

Pinkel can turn arrest into a valuable lesson (PODCAST)

This past Wednesday’s arrest of Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel should not be a black eye against the University of Missouri, the football program or Pinkel himself. What happened was unfortunate and a poor lapse in judgment by Pinkel. However, he hasn’t lost respect from his players. In fact, this could be a great teaching opportunity.

I was invited as a guest on KWTO Radio to talk Mizzou sports and how Pinkel can bounce back from his arrest.  Pinkel made a mistake, and he is ready to accept the consequences. He can teach his players that if you make a mistake, man up, take responsibility and then take the proper steps to make amends.

Bill Pollock discusses Pinkel and Mizzou athletics (14:00)