By SteveKaplowitz on 10/4/2008 9:38 PM

Two weeks ago, many Miner fans were so upset with their team's 9-game losing streak that they had enough of their head coach.   "Mike Price isn't doing his job so it's time for a coaching change," these fans said.  Since then, the Miners have won two straight games, including a 45-point blowout win against the defending league champs and a double overtime thriller in Hattiesburg tonight.  UTEP's resurgence couldn't have come at a better time.  The team is 2-0 in conference play and will host Tulane next Saturday night at the Sun Bowl.  I hope the fickle UTEP fans will get back on the bandwagon again and support the Miners against the Green Wave.  Despite UTEP's defensive shortcomings, Price's team is starting to put things together and still has a chance to contend for a bowl game.      

By SteveKaplowitz on 10/2/2008 1:05 PM

OK, finally.  After 162 games and 6 months, Major League Baseball has finally reached the postseason.  Eight teams from both leagues will slug it out (no pun intended) for a World Series crown.  Here's my predictions for the first round:

NL Division Series

Cubs over Dodgers in 5 - this one is tough to call.  After Ryan Dempster imploded in Game 1, many fans will be ready to write the Cubs off for another season.  I'm not one of those fans.  Chicago was clearly the best team in the Senior Circuit for most of the season, and they have too many big game players to lose to the relatively inexperienced Dodgers.  LA does have two things going for them: Joe Torr ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 9/8/2008 6:48 PM

Like a lot of people, I can't believe Don Haskins passed away Sunday afternoon from congestive heart failure.  If there was ever a person who I thought would live forever, it was Coach Haskins.  Although he gave up smoking years ago, The Bear never quit his second love, a shot of tequila.  Forget the high-end stuff...Cuervo was Coach's choice.  And I was lucky enough to partake in Coach's favorite pasttime over the years.  

I'm going to miss the trips in his truck, talking basketball and other sports.  I loved getting a ride in the passenger seat of his truck and always paid close attention to the stories.  I used to love to ask him about different legends I heard involving The Bear over the years.  Like the one about him beating Minnesota Fats in billiards.  "Not true," ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 7/25/2008 2:20 PM

Last night, program director Johnnie Walker and I attended "The Beatle's Love" performance at the Mirage.  The show was visually spectacular and the music soundtrack speaks for itself.  I was so impressed in the athleticism and choreography of the performance, it's a must-see.  Dinner was also memorable, and I think the Bellagio Buffet lived up to its reputation. 

Things starting to pick up here at the media room at the MGM Grand.  We had a box lunch, which was surprisingly good and then taped a few interviews.  Bob Arum and Max Kellerman will be on today's show, and we're hoping to get Jim Lampley from HBO Boxing.  The fight weigh-in will be taking place at 3:30p, and we hope to have more guests to announce soon after that.

By SteveKaplowitz on 7/24/2008 10:00 AM

It's 10am and I'm in the media room at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas preparing for the first of two live broadcasts.  Miguel Cotto will try and take Antonio Margarito's IBF Welterweight title on Saturday night, and people are calling this showdown a potential "fight of the year" candidate.  Johnnie Walker, my program director is along for the ride and will be assisting me with the technical aspects of the live broadcasts.  He's also blogging on krod.com and will have live running commentary and pictures.  When we left El Paso, Carol Gutierrez, at the Southwest Airlines checkout counter referred to Johnnie as "Kojak."  I had a good laugh and wondered why Johnnie left his cherry lollipop in El Paso.  Johnnie actually dressed up for this trip, and is even sporting his blue KROD polo shirt.  He's already been approached by ten women in the hotel bar, plus a few of the fli ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 7/19/2008 9:31 AM

I've had a chance to get over some jetlag and it's good to be back in El Paso.  Denmark was amazing! Great people, incredible food, and some beautiful scenery.  While I was gone, the Brett Favre soap opera included some new plot twists, a couple of big trades occured in baseball, and Rafael Nadal and Roger Federrer played one of the greatest matches in the history of tennis.  Congratulations to "The Monster", Mando Medina for becoming the new host of Crunchtime.  Mando's enthusiasm and his desire to return to the KROD airwaves should make for a very entertaining three hours every Saturday morning from King's X.

It's funny how different the sports coverage is in Europe.  Soccer is king, and many Danish sports fans root for Liverpool because of Danish star Danny Agger.  I must have see ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 7/2/2008 10:31 PM

I'm beginning a nice vacation tomorrow and will be in experiencing Europe for the first time ever! Denmark and Sweden to be exact.  The only thing I'm not looking forward to are the long flights.  In the meantime, enjoy KDBC's Lou Romano, who will be filling in for me during the next 7 shows (No show on July 4th).  I'll be back on Tuesday, July 15th, and by then we'll know who will be the new host of Crunchtime.  We have three strong candidates, so we can't make a bad choice. 

By SteveKaplowitz on 6/27/2008 1:29 PM

Before I get out of here and hawk beer at the Streetfest for two nights, I need to get in a sports preview for the weekend.  There's plenty of interleague baseball on the schedule, including the battle for the Big Apple.  Besides watching the Mets-Yanks series, I am actually looking forward to the Euro 2008 Finals on Sunday.  I'll admit, I don't know much about soccer, but Germany and Spain interests me.  Maybe it's because these teams don't usually play for the Euro Cup Title.  Maybe I like watching good soccer in HDTV.  Maybe I just don't have a life anymore.  Regardless of the reasons why, I will be checking out the match on KVIA this weekend.  Also looking forward to Brandon's Crunchtime hosting debut.  Brandon promises a lot of shtick and is pumped to host the show, and I can honestly say I don't what the heck he's going to do when he gets on the air.  ... Read More »

By SteveKaplowitz on 6/12/2008 8:52 PM

People will look back at Game 4 of the NBA Finals and wonder how the Lakers blew a 24-point lead to the Celtics.  The answer is easy.  Boston was able to get their usual production out of their "Big 3", but had a huge game from their bench.  Ray Allen kept the Celtics from getting blown out in the first half, and the Paul Pierce helped fuel the 2nd half comeback.  Led by James Posey and Eddie House, Boston's bench easily outplayed the Lakers bench and provided the spark they needed to win the game.  lamar Odom and Pau Gasol had nice statistical games, but where was LA's defense in the last 18 minutes?  Nowehere to be found, which is why Boston is on the verge of winning their first title in more than 20 years.

By SteveKaplowitz on 6/5/2008 8:51 PM

Paul Pierce isn't Willis Reed, but you can compare the inspirational performances both had in the NBA Finals.  Reed's appearance at MSG in 1970 helped the Knicks topple the Lakers to win their first NBA Title.  We're not sure what effect Pierce's 3rd quarter reappearance from his sprained knee will have on the entire series, but it provided a huge lift to the Celtics.  Pierce finished with 22 points and 4 rebounds and gave Boston the lift they needed.  Kobe Bryant and his teammates really struggled over the last 15 minutes of the game.  No Laker came up big with that key outside shot they desperately needed.  Los Angeles will need to make some key adjustments in time for Sunday night.