In this heartfelt episode of Fans First, Jim Powell reminisces about his 13-year tenure with the legendary Bob Uecker at the Milwaukee Brewers. Powell shares hilarious and touching stories, illustrating Uecker's incredible sense of humor, humility, and the unique bond they created. The episode also features a discussion with Tony Barnhart, 'Mr. College Football,' on the upcoming national championship game, addressing topics from the NIL to the future of college football, and insights on various college teams, including Ohio State and Notre Dame. Listeners are also invited to participate in upcoming episodes and join the Fans First community on social media.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Starting with the Milwaukee Brewers
• (00:27) First Impressions and Icebreakers
• (02:10) Spring Training and Bob's Advice
• (02:49) Life on the Road with Bob Uecker
• (03:53) Bob Uecker's Loyalty to Milwaukee
• (06:02) Upcoming Special Episode Announcement
• (06:21) Personal Reflections on Bob Uecker
• (09:11) College Football Playoff Discussion
• (12:02) Analysis of the Notre Dame vs. Ohio State matchup and why Tony views Notre Dame as a "team of destiny”
• (18:20) Future of college football: NIL challenges, transfer portal, and the need for collective bargaining agreements
• (24:20) Future of College Football
• (29:15) Closing Remarks and Farewell

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Bob Uecker’s natural humor and kindness were integral to his character. He was able to ease the tension in the room with his jokes, helping others feel comfortable, and he always treated people with respect.
• While the playoff system has added excitement, flaws remain in how teams are ranked and seeded, causing mismatches.
• Tony believes Notre Dame has intangibles that could make them a "team of destiny," even if Ohio State has more talent on paper.
• The NIL and transfer portal have fundamentally changed college sports. Solutions like salary caps or collective bargaining agreements could help stabilize the system.
• Tony predicts 2026, when current contracts expire, as a pivotal year for addressing these challenges and reimagining the sport’s structure.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Tony Barnhart is a former reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution who currently appears as a college football insider for CBS Sports on their college football coverage.

Barnhart graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia in 1976. He began his career as a reporter for the Greensboro News & Record. He moved to Atlanta in 1984, where he covered mostly ACC action. In July 1987, he started as the college sports editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Before going to CBS, he was a reporter for ESPN's college football coverage beginning in 1993. He started appearing as a regional beat reporter on their "halftime blitz." Starting with the 1997 season, he began appearing on

This tribute recounts heartfelt memories of working with the legendary Bob Uecker, known as 'Mr. Baseball,' and his profound influence on the Milwaukee Brewers Radio Network. The host shares personal anecdotes about meeting Bob Uecker, their first broadcasts together, and the unique charm that made Bob Uecker endearing to everyone he met. From spring training stories to the reasons why Bob Uecker remained loyal to Milwaukee despite lucrative offers from other teams, this tribute highlights Uecker's humility, humor, and unwavering love for his roots and people. The episode will also preview an upcoming special featuring fan-favorite Bob Uecker stories.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Meeting Bob Uecker: The First Impressions
• (0:34) Spring Training and the Breath Mint Incident
• (02:05) First Spring Training Game: Words of Wisdom
• (02:49) Life on the Road with Bob Uecker
• (03:53)Why Bob Uecker Stayed in Milwaukee
• (05:13) Bob Uecker’s Legacy and Humor
• (06:07) Final Thoughts and Upcoming Tribute

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Bob Uecker’s natural humor and kindness were integral to his character. He was able to ease the tension in the room with his jokes, helping others feel comfortable, and he always treated people with respect.
• Despite his fame, Bob never forgot his roots in Milwaukee. He loved the blue-collar people and made sure to stay grounded, rejecting offers from larger teams like the Yankees to remain in Milwaukee.
• Bob Uecker had a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life, and his genuine kindness made him beloved by fans and colleagues alike. His legacy as a friend and broadcaster is unforgettable.
• Bob's humor was impactful yet never relied on profanity or shock value. His ability to entertain and make people laugh in a clean, natural way set him apart from others in comedy.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Jim Powell is an American radio and television sportscaster, previously employed with Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers (1996–2008) and Atlanta Braves (2009–2023). A native of Roswell, Georgia, Powell was educated at the University of Georgia. He began his baseball play-by-play career with the minor-league Columbia Mets (1987–89, 1993–94) and Charlotte Knights (1990–91, 1995), also calling games part-time for the Minnesota Twins in 1993–94 before being hired by the Brewers in 1996. Teaming with Bob Uecker, Powell called games for the Milwaukee Brewers Radio Network and was Uecker’s longest-tenured partner. Powell was named Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year in 1998. In 2009, he began teaming with Don Sutton to call games on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network and continued his play-by-play role through 2023. In addition to his baseball work, Powell has called college football (for the University of South Carolina and CBS Radio) and college basketball (for Davidson College and South Carolina) at various points in his career. Powell was a National Merit Scholar and is MENSA-qualified. He was inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2020.

RESOURCE LINKS

X: https://x.com/Jim_Powell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-powell-38715a5/

Website: Fansfirstpodcast.com

Legendary sportscaster Jim Powell continues an in-depth conversation with Hall of Famer John Smoltz, focusing on the future of the Braves' off-season and the significance of developing young pitchers. They discuss changes in pitching philosophy and the impact of health on career longevity. The dialogue also shifts to the evolving landscape of college football, touching on issues like NIL deals and the controversy surrounding biological men in women's sports. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of fundamentals and the influence of social media on sports culture. Tune in for expert insights and engaging discussions on key issues in sports today.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:33) Holiday Bonus Edition with John Smoltz
• (00:59) Braves Offseason Prospects
• (01:34) Pitching Strategies and Challenges
• (05:50) College Football Dynamics
• (09:48) Controversies in College Sports
• (14:03) Reflections and Future Plans
• (21:17) Closing Remarks and Fan Engagement

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Braves' success hinges on staying healthy and fostering young pitchers’ long-term development.
• Modern baseball's analytics-driven approach risks stifling player autonomy and longevity.
• The shift in college sports dynamics poses challenges for coaches and athletes alike.
• Advocating for fairness and tradition in sports is essential amidst evolving societal norms.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

John Smoltz, a Hall of Fame pitcher, is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and dominant players in Major League Baseball history. Known for his impressive career with the Atlanta Braves from 1988 to 2008, Smoltz achieved 213 wins, 154 saves, and a career ERA of 3.33. He remains the only pitcher in MLB history to record both 200+ wins and 150+ saves.

As part of the legendary Braves rotation alongside Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, Smoltz was instrumental in Atlanta’s 1995 World Series championship. He also earned the 1996 National League Cy Young Award, thanks to his standout 24-win season.

Following his retirement in 2009, Smoltz transitioned into broadcasting, becoming a respected MLB analyst known for his insightful commentary. Beyond baseball, he is an avid golfer, a philanthropist, and a passionate advocate for youth sports development. Smoltz's legacy extends both on and off the field, embodying excellence, adaptability, and leadership.

Stay connected with us:

• X: https://x.com/Jim_Powell
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-powell-38715a5/
• Website: http://fansfirstpodcast.com/

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Send in your voice memos or written submissions to Jim@fansfirstpodcast.com and join the conversation on our next episode.

BaseballCommonSense, JohnSmoltz, FansFirstPodcast, PitchingPhilosophy, MLBInsights, GoldenAtBat, BaseballHealth, RuleChanges, MLBContracts, HallOfFame, TylerFlowers, JimPowell, MLBLegends, SportsPodcast, PitchingEvolution, BaseballTalk, AthleteHealth