Baseball Beat: Wednesday, September 19th

Here is the rundown for the Wednesday, September 19th edition of Baseball Beat with Charley Steiner. All times Eastern.

1:05 p.m.
Guest: Buster Olney, ESPN Magazine
1:25 p.m.
Guest: Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
Tune: Free Falling by Tom Petty
1:45 p.m.
Guest: Ben Shpigel, New York Times (Mets Beat)
Tune: Disorder in the House by Warren Zevon
2:05 p.m.
Guest: Dave Anderson, New York Times
2:25 p.m.
Guest: Gary Matthews, Broadcaster, Philadelphia Phillies
Tune: When You're Hot You're Hot by Jerry Reed
2:45 p.m.
Guest: Rick Telander, Chicago Sun-Times
Tune: When This Battle is Over by Delaney and Bonnie

Guest Summaries:
Olney discussed national headlines and pennant races including comparing the Mets/Phillies and Red Sox/Yankees races as well as Eric Gagne’s struggles. Massarotti discussed the Boston Red Sox including his belief there is no reason to panic if they lose the division, the club setting their playoff rotation, comparing the Detroit Tigers 2006 September run with the Red Sox present run, and how home field advantage doesn’t mean anything in today’s game. Shpigel discussed the New York Mets current struggles including the fact some of the players seem out of touch, Jose Reyes second half fall and lack of maturity, and the clubhouse believing their own hype. Anderson discussed his semi-retirement from a New York Times Sports of the Times columnist including his career, changes in journalism today, and covering the final season of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Matthews made his debut on Baseball Beat and discussed the Philadelphia Phillies including his first year broadcasting, Charlie Manuel’s success in managing this year, Aaron Rowand’s impact on the team, and the core of Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard. Telander discussed the Chicago Cubs including his piece today on Carlos Zambrano, National League East race, and the possibility of playoffs in Wrigley Field.

Tunes Summary:
1:25 p.m.
Free Falling by Tom Petty
1:45 p.m.
Disorder in the House by Warren Zevon
2:25 p.m.
When You're Hot You're Hot by Jerry Reed
2:45 p.m.
When This Battle is Over by Delaney and Bonnie