Baseball Beat: Monday, July 16th

Here is the rundown for the Monday, July 16th edition of Baseball Beat with Charley Steiner. All times eastern:

1:05 p.m.
Guest: Bob Nightengale, Sports Weekly
1:25 p.m.
Guest: Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune
Song: Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder
1:45 p.m.
Guest: David O’Brien, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Braves Beat)
Song: Oh, Atlanta by Little Feat
2:05 p.m.
Guest: Bill Rhoden, New York Times
2:25 p.m.
Guest: Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Brewers Beat)
Song: Slow Turning by John Hiatt
2:45 p.m.
Guest: Bill Conlin, Philadelphia Daily News
Song: Born to Lose by Ray Charles

Guest Summaries:
Nightengale discussed national headlines including his article today on Jason Giambi’s meeting with George Mitchell. He is in Chicago this week, so he discussed Barry Bonds at Wrigley including his current slump. Rogers discussed the surging Chicago Cubs in the National League Central including Alfonzo Soriano success and Carlos Zambrano’s contract. O’Brien discussed the soaring Atlanta Braves including the weekend sweep over the Pittsburgh Pirates, club’s interest in Julio Franco, and John Smoltz return on Wednesday. Rhoden discussed his Saturday piece on Ken Griffey and Barry Bonds including the chase for Hank Aaron’s home run record. He also discussed the issue of negative media coverage during Aaron’s pursuit of Ruth’s home run record and how the same is occurring to Bonds today. Finally, Rhoden discussed Gary Sheffield and Kenny Lofton’s comments. Haudricourt discussed the Milwaukee Brewers including the club’s shrinking lead over the Chicago Cubs, Ben Sheets finger injury, Ryan Braun’s superstar potential, and Prince Fielder as clubhouse leader. Conlin discussed the Philadelphia Phillies 10,000th loss last night and the franchises losing ways throughout his decades covering the organization.

Tunes Summary:
1:25 p.m.
Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder
1:45 p.m.
Oh, Atlanta by Little Feat
2:25 p.m.
Slow Turning by John Hiatt
2:45 p.m.
Born to Lose by Ray Charles