D.A. Blows the Whistle
06.2010 Think Tim Donaghey's credible? I do.
Officials keep mucking up games and outcomes and goals, so now they're in the crosshairs. Tough noogies.
Jim Joyce blows a perfect game. An official costs the U.S. a win against Slovenia in the World Cup. And the NBA Finals had a faint whiff of... Tim Donaghey.
The NBA playoffs are always an exercise in restraint when it comes to going postal on referees. But this summer it seemed to be kicked up even another notch.
The Globe's Chad Finn did an excellent piece on how both our show and WEEI reached out to Donaghey in the wake of the hand-wringing.
While they dismissed him as non-credible, but simply a lightning rod - I disagreed. The guy was in the middle of NBA gambling and fixes. How could he not have some cred?
"I can explain easily why we had him on - there's no one else willing to talk about the skepticism regarding the officials in the NBA. It's that simple."
Enjoy the read - and if you see Donaghey in a sports book in Vegas, buy him a rum and coke and lay the points.
D.A. Goes Inside the Fort
05.2010 We're kicking it soccer-style again.
Always been soccer friendly, always will be. From coaching my youth soccer team last year to glory on the Media Game pitch, there's always been a place for The Beautiful Game with Team D.A.
Wiz Wagons, youth camps and now... Inside the Fort.
Every week I'll do a little Q & DA with a member of the Revs. Hard-hitting stuff like "Are your dogs allowed inside your Lamborghini?"
First up, Cory Gibbs. Ole.
D.A. on Devone Bess
04.2010 NFL Films on the Dolphin's incredible story. Been an NFL Films junkie since I was eight.
One Saturday afternoon, a young Damon was dazzled by "Alcoa Presents: The NFL's Greatest Endings" on television. It was another NFL Films masterpiece, highlighting "The Immaculate Reception," "The Sea of Hands," and "The Hail Mary."
I taped it on my family's old twin-deck VCR and watched that video at least 30-40 times.
It began my lifelong fascination with NFL Films; the mythology of professional football.
When NFL Films asked me to opine for their "Top 10" series which runs on the NFL Network and "NFL Films Presents" for ESPN2, I might as well have died and gone to John Facenda's heaven.
Here's one of the pieces, an awesome profile on Miami wideout Devone Bess' triumph in the face of hardship.
D.A.'s Cable Access Debut
03.2010 John in Medford's legend grows.
Actually, this is not my cable access debut. I actually began my career back in high school in the mid-90s on Warwick, NY's TKR-8.
That was my hometown's cable access station and my first gig was calling Section 9 girls high school soccer. Good gig.
Today, John in Medford, one of our favorite callers, hosts his own show on Medford's TV-3. He invited me on. I partook. In a top hat and tux.
We haven't hit the meat of Red Sox spring training and the good ol' drama that annually unfolds in Ft. Myers. We're months away from Celtics or Bruins playoff games - and the Winter Olympics have put an even deeper freeze on the sports landscape by closing down the B's for two weeks.
Good thing for women's curling.
But that's why we at the D.A. Show are paid the big bucks (in the form of Chili's gift certificates).
We know, we know. Brilliant.
Quoth the Ravens and Damon.
01.2010 The Pats playoff implosion.
Well, that sucked.
The Patriots' defense decided not to show up, yielding 235 yards on the ground including an 83-yarder on the game's first play.
The Patriots' offense decided to hibernate, committing three turnovers and rarely sniffing the Ravens red zone.
The Patriots' special teams were grisly, continually giving up field position and missing a key FG.
And the coaching was atrocious considering the staff couldn't fix any of this.
And now we wade into the shallow end of the sports abyss, waiting until those trucks leave from Fenway.
D.A. Does the Winter Classic
01.2010 New Year's with Bruins Nation.
A day of hockey celebration couldn't have ended any better for puckheads in New England.
The weather cooperated, the Bruins won a thriller in overtime and Fenway looked festively fantastic.
Oh, and hundreds of hockey fans had the privilege of being needled by D.A. at FanFest.
In the Verizon Wireless V-Cast tent, Bruins and Flyers fans squared off in "Ice Breakers," an NHL trivia game show with D.A. doing his best Wink Martindale impersonation (except instead of a leisure suit, a Bruins pom hat and a Lucic jersey).
Thanks to all who came through the FanFest and said hello.
A perfect (and perfectly freezing) weekend of hockey in Boston.
Sports Guy Meets Sports Hub
11.2009 D.A. braves the book tour.
Been a quiet week around these parts.
In the middle of bizarre Red Sox hot stove rumors (decrepit Matsui to patrol the Green Monster? Really?) and Manning-Brady megahype, the Sports Guy has been embroiled in a tiff with (cough) another sports radio entity in town.
(The aforementioned high road appears well below sea level after the use of chicken sound effects and a segment labeled "Fraud of the Week.")
Lost in the mix was two appearances for book signings here in Boston by the Sports Guy. After waiting in line with the rest of the loons at the Barnes and Noble at the Pru, it struck D.A. - Why not get out there and document the scene later in the day down near the Garden at Hurricane O'Reilly's?
What follows is... well. You be the judge. Yup, these are his readers (and maybe our listeners).
Media Mess
11.2009 Overexposure is back. But it's not our fault.
Look, we're not afraid to admit it.
We have crowned ourselves the King of Overexposure for a reason.
Local television station needs a last-minute guest to dissect the Bruins powerplay? We're in.
Boston sports blog needs a quote on whether Hub Headlines Anchor Chucky Perks is really that awesome? Sign us up.
Boating insurance conference needs an emcee? Principal looking for a detention room speaker to keep kids off drugs? Check and check.
But the recent string of D.A. Show media coverage is not our fault this time around. No really!
Start with this recent blog post by loyal D.A. Show listener and emailer, BHL. (BTW Anonymous, eh? Coward! Who goes by initials!? Oops.)
"The purpose of this article is to document D.A.'s clear cut proclamation on Sept. 28 that Joey Galloway is finished, and this author's opinion that D.A.'s proclamation was extremely and potentially embarrassingly premature."
Maybe. But it was right. In fact, waiting until Week 4 to declare JG a disaster was too late. (To be fair, the author called the show and apologized when Galloway was eventually released. No worries. There'll be plenty more times I'll be wrong.)
Meantime, our friends over at The Batter's Box on NESN, taped a segment with us and threw it up there on YouTube. The editing and camerawork is outstanding. It's like Larry King meets "Cribs." Live the magic!
And finally, the man, the myth, the legend Perks decided to document behind the scenes of the D.A. Show (like him driving on the Mass Pike). Could it get more exciting?
With all of this meaningless show fodder swimming around the portals, you may not be able to wrangle it all. Fear not. When there is D.A. overexposure on the intrawebs, we promise to bring it to you.
Going Global
10.2009 The Boston Globe sends love.
So far, so good at 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Just two months into the the brand-new station and our launch has been much better than the Bruins' season!
The Globe has published a few pieces on both the Sports Hub and The D.A. Show, so we figured we would send them along (goodness knows the good pub won't last much past D.A. calling out the impending doom of newspapers yet again).
In Sunday's Boston Globe Magazine, D.A. was named "Rookie of the Year" in the sportstalk battle (helps that there's no competition for the spot. Who are we to argue!?).
"He's prepared, easygoing, engaging - never mind he's from New York." Um, thanks, we think.
"An unfamiliar voice who makes an effort to be deeply knowledgeable about his subject matter is a considerably more appealing option than a familiar voice that does not." That sounds less like a vote for us and more a vote against the existing hacks on the air... but hey, we'll take it!
"There was natural skepticism when Amendolara, a New Yorker via Miami, was hired. What insight could this outsider possibly provide about Boston sports? The answer: A lot more than the majority of longtime sports radio hosts in the market. Amendolara has proven himself to be beyond informed and even progressive."
We're getting the feeling the bar was set really low around here for Boston sports talk.
D.A.'s in the room to respond to some of the more critical feedback in the comments section to these articles:
"I lived in Kansas City back when he had a morning show there. I haven't listened to him since he started here, but at that time he was just Jim Rome Lite. Maybe he's improved since then."
Classic. Phenomenal. Rack that!
"I've given the new guy a chance, but it's clear he has no idea what he's talking about, from an inability to pronounce Junichi Tazawa's name correctly, to encouraging "Nick Green to the bullpen" talk."
We should all be happy I didn't attempt to pronounce his birthplace (Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture). And Nick Green's VORP is off the charts!
"I only get to hear this guy briefly (10-20 mins) on my way home from work and I do NOT like him. He sounds like he is arguing with me. He just sounds like a know it all with no sense of humor. I am not impressed."
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I'M NOT ARGUING WITH YOU! BUT I'M DEMANDING AN EXPLANATION! EXPLAIN YOURSELF!
"DA is a DB. Easily the worst fake radio voice I've ever heard. Drives me nuts."
Uh oh. I need to get a new fake voice.
Thanks everyone for listening! Love you too!
D.A., The Sports Hub and the Facebook/Twitter Movement
08.2009 Yeah, we're geekin' out too. Everyone's doin' it.
When the NBA Playoffs are on Twitter, something's wrong ("The Disney Corp. is hoping for Lakers-Cavs!").
SportsCenter has a Facebook page? I need nothing to do with "poking" Steve Levy.
As Jimmy Fallon drones on about his Kindle, one has to wonder when it will all stop.
Yeah, the techie, geekoid world is simply there to make old people and corporate suits more embarrassing as they try to keep up.
But it's impossible to fight. So, guess what? We all 'bout it!
Basically, any possible way you wanna chat with D.A. (or send him feedback that his last segment sucked) is now available to you.
You think we're gonna let the suits have all the fun?
Hello, Beantown!
8.13.09 A new destination for The D.A. Show: 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston.
After two years sleeping afternoons away at the beach and moving down 34 rows at Marlins games, D.A. takes you though the evenings from 6p-11p every night on New England's new home for sports.
We are thrilled to launch Thursday, August 13th, with a complete airing of the three Patriots championships, followed by Boston veterans Mike Felger and Tony Masserotti (good to have a fellow Paisan on board) and the Pats first pre-season game.
The Sports Hub is the home of the Pariots and Bruins and D.A. will be taking you through each and every night on one of the best signals in the Northeast.
We'll bring you insight on the night's action, energetic opinions on all the Hub's home teams, a hard-hitting lineup of guests and a sense of humor while doing it.
D.A. has spent plenty of time in Beantown, especially at Fenway. Both his brother Jay and cousin Greg attended school here in Boston (Emerson and Boston U., respectfully), lending itself to more than a few (ahem) inebriated weekends at the homes of the Sox, Pats, C's, Bruins, Terriers and Eagles.
In fact, in July '99, D.A. witnessed the Steroid Era in all its glory, standing on Landsdowne Street watching Big Mac's bombs sail over his head and onto the Mass Pike. What juice!?!?
The listeners will be a vital part of the show. In fact, they'll have their own name: Team D.A. Via phone lines, email, Twitter, Facebook or text, we'll use one of the most passionate fan bases in the country as the biggest contributor to the show. The 98.5 Sports Hub army will drive the show.
We smell better than the old Garden's visiting locker rooms, we dress better than Dick McPherson and sound better than a Duck Boat's muffler. But just barely.
Boston knows its sports. Now let's hear it every night. View More
Featured
Audio Below
BEST OF: The Panthers Dancers stop by and don't stop talking for twenty minutes. Wait, you're home schooled? BEST OF: Heat legend Glen Rice in studio on dropping 56 on the Magic, Final Fours and MMA. BEST OF: "The Obama Guy" now has D.A.'s old job! He asked the Prez a question, then he joined the show. BEST OF: Phil and Chris Simms drop by the broadcast to rap about dad's career and son's future. BEST OF: Why so few minority college coaches? DA answers with one word: Boosters. BEST OF: When a Super Bowl MVP and Hall of Famer talks, you listen. The immortal Lynn Swann. BEST OF: TNA Wrestling's Traci Brooks on being blessed with, ahem, great dimensions. DA LOVES THE KIDS: After Marlins summer-camp day, the next gen of Fish Fans might be in trouble. DA LOVES THE KIDS: Part 1 Heat charity camp shows us D-Wright's defense needs a little work.
DA LOVES THE KIDS: Part 2 Not everyone is thrilled with the hiring of Eric Spoelstra. INSTANT CLASSIC: Free-agent Joe Horn blasts his old coaches and asks for Dolphins forgiveness, all live on the show! INSTANT CLASSIC: The man who took down Kimbo Slice: overnight celebrity Seth Petruzelli talks about the fight that stunned the fight world. BEST OF: Author Jeff Pearlman on the controversial Cowboys dynasty. Uh, ew. BEST OF: Heat rookie Mario Chalmers needs help hot-boxing. Cough, cough.. BEST OF: DA is named a Godfather. Can he handle the responsibility or will he sleep with the fishes? BEST OF: DA witnesses the greatest kids game ever. Rock, paper, scissors, space! STAR WARS GEEKS: Part 1 DA goes where no sportstalk host has gone before: Star Wars premier night.
STAR WARS GEEKS: Part 2 Will DA make it out alive or turn into an extra from the Cantina Bar? INSTANT CLASSIC: Legend of the MMA Dan "Hendo" Henderson on the circus attraction to Kimbo and the rise of UFC. BEST OF: New UFC Champ Forrest Griffin on the belt and bouncing out of fighting while the gettin's good. INSTANT CLASSIC: Zo's youth clinic brings us immediate joy: Heat Kids Say the Darndest Things BEST OF: Miami boxer Joey "Twinkle Fingers" Hernandez found himself on the streets. How he got his mojo back. BEST OF: CBS4 Weather Wizard and Miss Florida Lissette Gonzalez on the jet-stream and the wave. BEST OF: Marino delivers a commencement speech and DA's own graduation horrors. INSTANT CLASSIC: Cats winger Nathan Horton is married to a Playmate? Oops. INSTANT CLASSIC: What does JoePa really mean at pressers? Ask Penn State 101. INSTANT CLASSIC: St. Patty's Day means celebrating Irish sports legends: DA Show style. INSTANT CLASSIC: Canes Big Man Dwayne Collins has his Aladdin DVD stolen. The Horror! INSTANT CLASSIC: Dontrelle says peace to South Florida with DA. Here's his Top-3 movies of all-time. SUPER BOWL XLII: NYG's Lawrence Tynes stops by after the ticker tape parade. INSTANT CLASSIC: Is Shaq becoming M.C. Hammer Jr? Say it ain't so. INSTANT CLASSIC: DA melts down as his alma mater brings brings back the dimwitted Greg Robinson for more SU pain. INSTANT CLASSIC: This placed DA squarely on the Chiefs blacklist forever. DA and King Carl in THE Battle Royale. BEST OF: Where it all started: Herm
and Carl agree... Damon is a nice name. SUPER BOWL XL: D.A. does his best investigative work ever. It's the field turf press conference from Detroit. INSTANT CLASSIC: The Mark Mangino Montage tastes better than ever! INSTANT CLASSIC: The 2007 Herm-Gasm. 'Nuff said. INSTANT CLASSIC: The Chiefs Dept. of Misinformation is at it once again. Are the Chiefs wearing white or not? Don't ask them. INSTANT CLASSIC: Chicago's legendary Mike North joins DA to preview Chiefs- Bears. Da Bears! INSTANT CLASSIC : The annual DA Show NBA Mock Draft is here... with a return from Stormbot. FEATURED AUDIO: Royals legend Denny Matthews has bought his first cell phone. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as 6-4-3. FEATURED AUDIO: A fond DA Show farewell to Buddy Bell. He really was "Our Buddy." FEATURED AUDIO
: Lauren Nichole has made quite an impression with her traffic reports. Great or gross? You decide. The
one, the only, Zach Greinke from Royals Spring Training. The
2007 One NIT NIT Moment.
The 2006 Caller Hall of Fame Track One: Christopher Walken's legendary roast
of the new class
First the staff. Then listeners. Now LJ has the Herm-gasm? Crazy
Ray sings the Growing Pains theme song. The
Royals 70's jingle that puts a smile on your face during another horrid season
in KC. The
local TV anchors slip up on the broadcast and luckily the D.A. Show was rolling
tape. 6-6-06:
The Crypt Keeper's Holiday Crazy
Ray displays his talent for singing. Could he make a run at the next American
Idol? Oklahoma
takes it on the chin with this famous call from R.B. Missed
any of the NIT NIT action? Check out the recaps of the games and a special
edition of The One NIT NIT Moment. We
couldn't leave Alex the Intern out of the mix, check out the drunk dial message
Alex left for D.A. The
D.A. Show tribute to Alan Thicke.
Is
Crazy Ray really crazy? Take a listen to find out.
A
D.A. Show Investigation reveals color commentators handing out the pink slip
to local college coaches.
Quinner's
feeling a bit down. We ask, what's wrong with Quinn Snyder? Herm Edwards gave us quotable material right from jump street. He gets a montage based on his introduction presser. A
staple of any good office party. It's the Dick Vermeil montage XP: final edition.
Duh, ok.
DA's Hometown Hottie contest created controversy throughout KC. Radio superstar Johnny Dare stuck his nose in the middle of it. The
callers finally had their own chance to put their stamp on the Vermeil montage Why
do the sista's hate the show? It all started here: Yvette's call of the day The original D.A. Show parody of Jim Rome's smack-off (circa '04). The '05 D.A. Show parody of Jim Rome's smack-off, complete with a certain national columnist. The '06 smack-smack, which brought all the D.A. Show legends together for one fab event. You asked for it. We delivered. DA Show icon Alan Thicke's first appearance.
Officials keep mucking up games and outcomes and goals, so now they're in the crosshairs. Tough noogies. 
Look, we're not afraid to admit it. 
When the NBA Playoffs are on Twitter, something's wrong ("The Disney Corp. is hoping for Lakers-Cavs!"). 
After two years sleeping afternoons away at the beach and moving down 34 rows at Marlins games, D.A. takes you though the evenings from 6p-11p every night on New England's new home for sports. 
