You read it where I wrote it ...
This was my first Dana Farber Jimmy Fund radio telethon and I was blown away at the amount of money raised in just 36 hours. Mired still in a pandemic, with so many people lives having been changed the last 18 months, our listeners gave what they could and in total came up with a number that reflects positively on them as much as it does those involved. The words of our guests who inspired the kindness in your hearts that got you to donate, will truly help keep people alive. And if you’re on twitter, head over to @greshkeefe (follow us) then search Bill Arienti and watch the interview Rich Keefe and I did with him. I PROMISE you it is one of the wildest stories you will ever hear.
- When we visited with Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy during the telethon, he told us he’s very excited to get to tinkering with his lines come training camp. With some of the acquisitions this offseason by Don Sweeney, ‘Butch’ has a lot of interesting pieces that can be mixed and matched.
- After worrying about a historic collapse by the Red Sox last week in this space, if the Yankees bludgeon Oakland this weekend and the Sox don’t start playing like the Orioles, we should be headed for a one-game Wild Card play-in between the Sox and the Yanks in the Bronx. Alex Cora would get to start Chris Sale who has looked great so far, and would have a chance to validate the Sox season. Not bad after all this awful play the last six weeks.
- C.M. Punk returned to pro wrestling and owned the United Center in Chicago when he debuted on “AEW Rampage” last Friday night on TNT. Fans of the genre talk about the crowd “pop” when a wrestler’s theme music hits. Only ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin’s glass-shattering brought out a reaction as loud as when Punk’s theme “Cult of Personality” started. It gives ya’ chills.
- College football starts this weekend with a small slate of games. I like San Jose St., who at this writing is a (-24) favorite at www.sportsbetrhodeisland.com against Southern Utah. As for my national championship futures, I like Ohio St. at +600, and Oklahoma at +750. The full $100 unit on both. Alabama is a big favorite to win it all at +260.
- The fact that Cam Newton hasn’t made himself available to answer questions about WHY he entered into Covid-19 protocols shows a lack of leadership. If he WANTED to speak on it, he could.
- And now, Cam has made it easy for Bill Belichick to sit him.
- Three random NFL thoughts:
1) There were reports this week that the Las Vegas Raiders either made a trade offer, or considered making one, to the Chicago Bears for Khalil Mack. The same Mack who the Raiders traded to Chicago in the first place. Seems right for John Gruden and Mike Mayock.
2) I read where some players on the Jacksonville Jaguars are already growing tired of the coaching style of new head coach Urban Meyer. And Meyer will promptly get rid of those disgruntled’s next offseason.
3) The Buffalo Bills are already having issues with Covid. Just sayin’.
- For those who listen to ‘Gresh & Keefe’, yes. I am that picky an eater. FORMER FAT GUY NOTE:
I like bananas. But the banana split is without question the most overrated in the ice cream sundae category.
- Congrats to Glenn Ordway who on Thursday ended a hell of a run in the radio business. Kudos to you.
--Thanks to Rob Bradford for allowing me to spew my B.S. each week.
Gresh is co-host of ‘Gresh & Keefe’ 10a-2p, Monday-Friday on the WEEI Sportsradio Network. He is also co-author of ‘The Great Book of Boston Sports Lists’