The Norris & Davis Show Best Of - Week Of July 9th
This week's edition of The Norris & Davis Show best Of includes interviews with Brian Kenny of MLB Network, former tennis player Pam Shriver live from Wimbledon, and U.S. Men's Gymnastics team alternate for the Rio Olympics and Baltimore native Donnell Whittenburg.
BRIAN KENNY
Brian started out by talking about how fans need to get with the times and embrace baseball analytics saying "we all speak analytics we all talk baseball metrics...the founding fathers of baseball in the late 19th century set the rules for what made sense for the game at the time." As for why it took so long for analytics to takeover the statistical conversation from the old days Brian said "it wasn't like these guys didn't know what was going on, they understood baseball...had they lived into the live ball era they would've adjusted."
When Brian was asked about the Orioles re-signing of Chris Davis and whether it was a smart move or not he said "it's almost always a bad idea to sign the lumbering first baseman going into his 30's...it feels good this year and year one it should but it will cost you down the line." As for the possibility of signing Manny Machado long-term Brian said "almost anybody that's good enough to start for your team...you should definitely extend his contract and make the guy rich early on but rich to the tune of how Andrew McCutchen and Paul Goldschmidt got rich."
Brian also went on to discuss the topics in his new book which is currently available for purchase.
PAM SHRIVER
Pam started out by talking about Roger Federer and his win to advance to the semi finals at the age of 35 saying, "it's like we have these three mid-thirties brilliant institutions still carrying the tennis flag with the Williams sisters and then Roger Federer." As for the performance by Federer yesterday Pam talked about having the best seat in the house saying, "I was lucky enough to be on center court yesterday when he made his miraculous two sets to love comeback, he took it from a US Open champion...he fought off match points he hit brave second serves when he needed to."
As for the the women's side of the tournament Pam said, "Serena looks like she is a sure thing, what's unsure about a Williams sisters final is Venus." Pam went on to say that Venus will need to play her best match of the tournament to advance against her opponent.
DONNELL WHITTENBURG
Donnell was asked about how surprised he was for being an alternate on the Olympic team saying, "it was definitely a shock to me too, but in gymnastics you just have to stay with it and push yourself as hard as you can." As for how he got started in the world of gymnastics Donnell said, "I used to do back hand springs and hand stand walks around my house, my Mom thought it was super dangerous and was scared I was going to hurt myself so we found a local gym."
Donnell went on to talk about being just happy to be a part of the team and doing whatever is necessary to help the US medal in gymnastics because "that's all that matters."
