Philly Pressbox Radio

It's our 99th show! Really. On this special episode, Carl Henderson of Carl's Cards & Collectibles joins Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko to talk about the trade of long-time Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, plus whether the Eagles could improve on last year's 7-9 record, and a championship for the Philadelphia Soul! Also, since this is our 99th show, we'll also give you an extremely fun, fast-paced overview of our first 98 shows, with highlights of our chats with guests including Merrill Reese, Tom McCarthy, Ray Didinger, Mark Eckel, Kevin Cooney, Brandon Lee Gowton, Brian Propp, Larry Christenson, Glenn Wilson, Fran Duffy, Fred Barnett, Bill Bradley, Barrett Brooks, Vince Papale, Andre McCarter, Dei Lynam, Leslie Gudel, Judy Arnold, John Brazer, David Raymond, Dr. Joel FIsh and Frank Fitzpatrick. You have our word: Even if you've heard most of our first 98 shows, you will enjoy this highlights show immensely. What better way to get you prepared for our 100th show next week with Seth Joyner and Merrill Ree

With the NFL regular season just a few weeks away, it's the perfect time to welcome Mark Eckel back to Philly Pressbox Radio. Mark, who covers the Eagles for NJ.com, joins Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko to talk about the outlook for the Birds as they head into their third preseason game, how the 53-man roster is shaping up and where the Eagles stand in the NFC East. Mark will also preview his forthcoming book, "The Big 50: Philadelphia Eagles," due out Sept. 15. In addition, Bill and Chet will discuss the state of the Phillies, including the depleted pitching rotation, and give their take on the just-concluded Olympics. Of course, there's also our Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy Carl’s Cards & Collectibles. It’s all brought to you by shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network of the Kisses for Kyle Foundation.

It was 10 years ago next week that the movie "Invincible" hit theatres, but do you know why it took nearly 30 years for Vince Papale's story to make it to Hollywood? We'll find out exacty how the film came to be when "the invincible one" himself, Vince Papale, makes a return visit to Philly Pressbox Radio. Vince will join Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko to talk about the making of the film, his friendship with star Mark Wahlberg, and - naturally - what Vince thinks about the 2016 Eagles under new head coach Doug Pederson. Also on the program, Bill and Chet will talk about the Phillies and the Olympics ... and announce which legendary Philly sportscaster will be enshrined in the Philly Pressbox Radio Hall of Fame. In addition, there's our Philly sports trivia question and prize giveaway courtesy Carl's Cards & Collectibles, Inc. This week's prize is an awesome 8x10 autographed picture of Vince Papale, arms raised, in front of the Art Museum.

Philadelphia Inquirer award-winning columnist Mike Sielski this past weekend noted that fans of all four of the city's major pro teams are still playing the waiting game - waiting for the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers and Flyers to become more competitive, more interesting. In a return visit to the Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable, Mike joins Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko to assess where the four teams stand in seeking that renaissance. Expect to hear the names Carson Wentz, J.P. Crawford, Nick Williams, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Ivan Provorov and Travis Konecny during the discussion! We'll get to Lane Johnson and the Olympics, too, and Bill and Chet will also profile Philly's legendary sports broadcasters before giving listeners the chance to vote on putting ONE of them into our Philly Pressbox Radio Hall of Fame. There’s also our Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy Carl’s Cards & Collectibles. The prize this week: an 8x10 autographed pic of former Flyers Dave Poulin and Shjon Podein. Join us

A busy Philly Pressbox Radio episode, including a visit from legendary Eagles defensive back (1969-76) Bill Bradley, who still holds a share of the team's all-time interceptions record. "Super Bill" will no doubt have some great stories about playing for Ed Khayat, Mike McCormack and Dick Vermeil and about teammates including Tim Rossovich and Tom Dempsey. We'll also get his take on the 2016 Eagles. In addition, Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko will unveil this year's inductees for the Philly Pressbox Radio Hall of Fame - three selected by fans' votes and two chosen by Bill and Chet. We'll squeeze in some Phillies talk, too. (No trade-deadline deals? Really?) In addition, there's our Philly sports trivia question and prize giveaway courtesy Carl's Cards & Collectibles, Inc.; this week's prize is an 8x10 pic autographed by both Charlie Manuel and the Phillie Phanatic's best friend. It's all brought to you by by shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network of the Kisses for Kyle Foundation.

It's our 3rd Annual Philly Pressbox Radio Sports Hall of Fame show! We’ve put 15 Philly greats into our Hall over the two previous summers, and now we’re preparing to add five more. Bill Furman and Jim “Chet” Chesko will run down this year’s candidates, give some thoughts on all of them … and seek your input, too, ahead of an online vote and next week’s “inductions.” You – our listeners – will vote in three more of the Philly sports world’s finest and Bill and Chet will select one new member each. Also on this week’s show, we’ll talk about the start of Eagles training camp and the latest Phillies news and rumors just days ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline. Of course, there's our weekly Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy of Carl's Cards and Collectibles, too; this week's prize is an 8 x 10 pic of Phils 2008 World Series Manager Charlie Manuel (to be signed this weekend)!

You know him from Comcast Sportsnet and WIP (and his expert analysis of the Philadelphia Eagles), and now Hall of Famer Ray Didinger returns to the Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable to talk about "Tommy and Me," the play he's written about his relationship with his boyhood idol, Birds great Tommy McDonald. Ray joins Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko to reflect on his initial meetings with McDonald, the wide receiver's great NFL career, and why Tommy chose Ray to induct him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. In addition, Ray and the guys will talk about the upcoming Eagles training camp and other Philly sports topics. Plus, there's our Philly sports trivia question and prize giveaway courtesy Carl's Cards & Collectibles, Inc. It's all brought to you by by shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network of the Kisses for Kyle Foundation.

She was one of Roller Derby's biggest stars in the 1960s and '70s, skating with Philly's Eastern Warriors for much of her career, and now Judy Arnold visits the Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable. Judy will tell Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko why Roller Derby was so popular in that era, discuss some of the sport's other big stars (Judy Sowinski, Buddy Atkinson Jr., Little Richard Brown, etc.) and talk about acting as Raquel Welch's stunt double in the 1972 movie "Kansas City Bomber." Today, Judy Arnold travels the country as an evangelist. Also on the program, Bill and Chet will discuss the resurgent Phillies, Odubel Herrera being named an All-Star, and how new 76ers Ben Simmons and Timothe Luwawu have looked in NBA Summer League action. There’s also our Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy Carl’s Cards & Collectibles, with this week's prize an autographed picture of Phillies Carlos Ruiz and Matt Stairs; Carl Henderson himself visits the show, too! It’s all brought to you by shopforkisses.org

Former Phillies All-Star Glenn Wilson makes a return visit to Philly Pressbox Radio, giving Jim "Chet" Chesko, Bill Furman and you his view on the Phillies' rebuilding effort, his advice for top draft pick Mickey Moniak, plus "Glennbo's" memories of playing for legendary managers Sparky Anderson in Detroit and Jim Leyland in Pittsburgh, where he was a teammate of Barry Bonds. Bill and Chet will also discuss the passing of former Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan and the news that former Flyers Eric Lindros is heading to the Hockey Hall of Fame. In addition, there's our Philly sports trivia question and prize giveaway courtesy Carl's Cards and Collectibles; we'll try again this week to give away that 8 x 10 autographed picture of Eagles great Wilbert Montgomery. It's all brought to you by shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network of the Kisses for Kyle Foundation. 

He’s the perfect Philly Pressbox Radio guest for NBA Draft Night Eve: 76ers beat writer Tom Moore of Calkins Media joins Bill Furman and Jim “Chet” Chesko to talk about the likelihood of the Sixers drafting LSU’s Ben Simmons with the first overall pick, the outlook for dealing Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel, the health of Joel Embiid and whether we might see Dario Saric in a 76ers uniform this fall. The guys will also talk about the fast-fading Phillies, that huge contract given to Eagles star Fletcher Cox and what LeBron James’s NBA Finals performance does for his legacy. There’s also our Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy Carl’s Cards & Collectibles; this week's prize is an 8 x 10 pic autographed by Eagles great Wilbert Montgomery. It’s all brought to you by shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network of the Kisses for Kyle Foundation.

She's ba-aack! Yes, Comcast SportsNet Phils Reporter Leslie Gudel is making a return visit to the Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable to talk with Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko about all-things Phillies. We'll also get an update on "Kendall's Crusade," which Leslie set up to raise awareness about arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a rare health problem that has afflicted her daughter since 2014. Leslie will give us all the details about a major fundraiser that's coming up in mid-July! Also on the show, Bill and Chet talk about the passing of the legendary Muhammad Ali - expect some disagreements! - and will discuss whether or not we root for Philly athletes after they leave town. (Chase Utley? Yes. Donovan McNabb? No.) Of course, there will be our weekly Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy of Carl's Cards and Collectibles, too. We'll try again to give away that autographed 8 x 10 picture of Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks. It's all brought to you by shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network o

He's a former Eagle who has a Super Bowl ring (earned with that other team from Pennsylvania) who these days is a co-host of Comcast Sportsnet's "Breakfast on Broad," and this week he makes his first-ever visit to the Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable. Barrett Brooks, who played 12 years in the NFL, joins Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko to talk about the Eagles' many off-season moves, the outlook for rookie quarterback Carson Wentz and new head coach Doug Pederson and much more. We'll talk Phillies and 76ers too, and even some NBA and NHL Finals. Of course, there's also our sports-trivia question and prize courtesy of Carl's Cards & Collectibles. This week, the prize is an 8 x 10 picture signed by Birds linebacker Jordan Hicks. It's all brought to you by www.shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network of the Kisses for Kyle Foundation.

When your job title is "director of fun and games," you're bound to have lots of cool stories. We'll likely hear some good ones when the Phillies' John Brazer joins Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko on this week's Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable. John will talk about the many promotions he's come up with over the years, how social media has changed things over the past decade and his relationship with the Phillie Phanatic. There will be plenty of baseball talk as well, including the future of struggling first baseman Ryan Howard. Of course, there's our weekly Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy of Carl's Cards and Collectibles, too; we'll try again to give away that autographed puck by Flyers Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent!

She's from Virginia, but she's a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan. She's also the host of 'The Sports Gal Pal' podcast, and this week Ramona Rice visits Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko on the Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable. Her show was recently named one of Inc.'s "35 outstanding podcast picks," so maybe she'll offer tips to budding bloggers and podcasters during her visit. (We liked Ramona the minute we noticed that one of her podcasts was entitled "It's Dirty to Cheer for the Cowboys.") Bill and Chet will also talk about whether the surprising Phillies might somehow be able to stay in contention this season, and the future of the Sixers now that they have the NBA's No. 1 draft pick. Of course, there's our weekly Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy of Carl's Cards and Collectibles, too; this week's prize is an autographed puck by Flyers Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent.  

Something different for you this time: Nationally recognized sport psychologist Dr. Joel Fish visits the Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable to talk about the mental aspect of sports and the upcoming Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame's 19th annual induction ceremony. (Dr. Fish was a 2015 honoree.) Also on the show: superfan Fred Hugo stops by to talk with Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko about the Eagles' 2016 draft picks and the red-hot Phillies. Of course, there's our weekly Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy of Carl's Cards and Collectibles, too; this week's prize is an autographed puck by Flyers Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent.

NFL Draft Night Eve is the perfect time for Bleeding Green Nation Editor-in-Chief Brandon Lee Gowton to make another visit to the Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable. Brandon joins Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko to talk about last week's big trade between the Eagles and Browns, netting the Birds the second overall pick in the draft, and whether Carson Wentz (or Jared Goff) is the long-term answer at quarterback - and Sam Bradford's desire to be traded. The guys will also discuss the Eagles' other needs, and how the 2016 squad is shaping up. Also on tap: a discussion about the Flyers' ouster from the NHL playoffs and a look at the Phillies 20 games into the season. Of course, there will be our weekly Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy of Carl's Cards and Collectibles, too. It's all brought to you by shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network of the Kisses for Kyle Foundation.  

The Eagles made a big trade and now have the 2nd overall pick in next week's draft! On this week's Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable: Philadelphia Eagles Video Content Manager Fran Duffy, an NFL Draft guru, returns for a third year to discuss the trade, his view of quarterback prospects Carson Wentz and Jared Goff and the Birds' mid-round draft needs. Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko talk draft for the bulk of the hour with Fran, so listen in and feel free to give us a call with questions, comments or opinions at 929-477-2855. It's all brought to you by shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network of the Kisses for Kyle Foundation.

With the NFL Draft fast approaching, Hall of Fame football writer Ray Didinger makes a return visit to the Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable to provide insight into what the Eagles might have in mind. Ray, Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko will discuss whether the Birds might try to trade up from the 8th overall pick to snag a quarterback or stay put and draft an offensive lineman, running back or cornerback. Also, Capitals Insiders Chuck Gormley stops by to preview the Flyers-Caps playoff series that begins Thursday night and to reflect on the passing of Flyers co-founder and owner Ed Snider. The guys will also talks about the departure of 76ers General Manager Sam Hinkie and give their early impressions of the 2016 Phillies. Of course, there's our weekly Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy of Carl's Cards and Collectibles, too. It's all brought to you by shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network of the Kisses for Kyle Foundation.

Two terrific guests on this week's Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable! Author and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Frank Fitzpatrick joins Bill Furman and Jim "Chet" Chesko to talk about Villanova's NCAA Championship and the legacy of Jay Wright's squad. And, with the regular season winding down and the Flyers closing in on a playoff berth, Hockeybuzz.com's Bill Meltzer makes his first visit to the program to assess the Flyers' postseason prospects, potential first-round playoff matchups and the state of the franchise moving forward. Also on the show: Allen Iverson's election to the Basketball Hall of Fame, and the start of the Phillies' 2016 season. It's gonna be an action-packed show! Of course, there will be our weekly Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy of Carl's Cards and Collectibles, too. It's all brought to you by shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network of the Kisses for Kyle Foundation.

Villanova is in the Final Four, and we have a Philadelphia basketball legend on this week's Philly Pressbox Radio Roundtable to assess the Wildcats' chances of going all the way. Overbrook High School Hall of Famer Andre McCarter, a starting guard on John Wooden's final UCLA championship team, will also provide stories of playing for that legendary coach, discuss how the game has changed over the last 40 years, and give his take on what's happening with the 76ers. Join Bill Furman and guest co-host Carl Henderson at 7pm Wednesday for what's sure to be an entertaining show. Also on tap: an update on the Flyers' playoff prospects and how the Phillies look less than a week before the start of the 2016 season; Bill, Carl and Chet will make their predictions on how many wins the Phils will have this year. As usual, there will be a Philly sports trivia question and prize courtesy of Carl's Cards and Collectibles. It's all brought to you by shopforkisses.org, the online shopping network of the Kisses for Kyle Founda