The Drill 08.30.18: Our freelance partner in L.A. Stories digging, David Davis, joins us to talk all sorts of his recent projects. Including a piece on the oral history of Muscle Beach in Venice, an “L.A. Baseball” exhibit at the downtown public library, and his outstanding biography of Hawaiian Olympic swimmer and surf legend Duke Kahanamoku.

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The Drill 08.21.18: After a break of about six weeks, we get back into the studio. We’re not sure why after all the mistakes we made. Producer Jon tries to save us with a new picture-in-picture interruption. We’re not sure it works, but it is different. You be the judge:

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The Drill 07.09.18: There is never enough LeBron James’ business to sift through on the day he officially signs his Lakers contract. Steve, Tom, Jon, Elizabeth and Nicole discuss art vandalism, how you heard about the news, “Space Jam” remakes, obscure sports, John Smoltz, how to avoid getting “Steinered,” a new MLB Network documentary on the ’88 Dodgers and a Lowery essay about how height matters.

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The Drill 07.06.18: The Hawai’i edition: Anthony Pignataro is fresh off a career stop at MauiTime for the last 15 years, back in California as a freelance journalist. Also an author of a series of noirish novels set on Maui, Pignataro allowed us to pick his brain about why the Lakers remain the favorite team of Hawai’i, if surfing deserves to be the official sport of California (or is it not a sport, or is skateboarding a sport, or …) and other World Cup-related updates. But at about the 30 minute mark, we take a deeper dive into a piece he did for the @OCWeekly about coming to grips with losing a childhood friend all these years later when new evidence appears to be a suicide instead of an accident.
Running time: 44 minutes

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The Drill 07.02.18: LeBron James says he’ll be a Laker. Los Angeles has realigned itself as a sports city. Tom Hoffarth, Steve Lowery, Jon McKelvy and interns Elizabeth and Nicole try to process all this, as well as the latest in the World Cup, and some crazy “Back to the Future” MLB uniforms.
Running time: 44 minutes

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The Drill 06.28.18: The latest nothingness about LeBron James news is nothing that a stuff cup of truckers’ coffee won’t cure. Tom Hoffarth, Steve Lowery, Jon McKelvy, plus interns Elizabeth and Nicole, try to make sense of how journalists try to stay journalistic in the wake of rumor mongering about the NBA free-agent period, plus an extended “Two Minute Business Drill” that covers how LeBron will make his decision, the Disney-Fox merger details, and what makes a Hall of Fame selection.
Running time: 38 minutes

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The Drill 06.21.18: Jim Thompson, the long-time sports illustrator/political cartoonist/bronze sculpture and part of The Drill Team as a valuable contributor, came into the studio for this special edition vodcast/interview/exchange on the news of the day and show us some of his most prized pieces of art. In the process, Tom Hoffarth, Steve Lowery, producer Jon McKelvy and interns Nicole and Elizabeth talk about the NBA Draft, the Lakers’ pursuit of Kawhi Leonard, the LeBron James update, Reggie Bush’s St. Louis court victory (Jim’s a lawyer, he knows stuff), and World Cup-related news that led to a reveal about all our most embarrassing episodes involving a sports referee.
Running time: 45 minutes

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The Drill 06.18.18: Who in their right mind would get into the mental performance business with an athlete today? Those who have some insight on what can take someone from very good to excellent in their field. We try to wrap our heads around this subject with Dr. Darren Treasure, part the Oregon Project at the University of Oregon.
He talks about all sorts angles into this fascinating field, as well as some insight on how a weekend warrior can help himself (or herself) with just the right perspective and attitude adjustments. (And you don’t have to run 130 miles a week like Olympian Galen Rupp does).
Running time: 45 minutes

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The Drill 06.12.18: Special Guest Ned Colletti, talking about the human side of MLB roster moves, his ‘Gram account, why the Las Vegas Golden Knights achieved something special, and a Father’s Day tattoo story you’ll want to have by your side.
Running time: 44 minutes
More background at this link

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The Drill 06.06.18: After a month-long break, Tom Hoffarth, Steve Lowery, Jon McKelvy and Eric Herbert go over all stories they would have covered that didn’t materialize. We talk about the President Trump White House dis-invitation of the Eagles and how the ownership of the Rams and Chargers fits into the Trump pro-or-con side, the new business of sports and gambling, and more about raccoons and peacocks. And Cal State Fullerton’s college baseball run. Intern Nicole joins the show as well.
Running time: 45 minutes
More background at this link

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The Drill 05.08.18: Tom Hoffarth and Steve Lowery talk Zlatan calling out the rest of the Galaxy, the Lakers’chances of landing LeBron James after the Cavs’ sweep of the Toronto Raptors. Steve apologizes to Mike Trout. And Tom addresses the controversy around SportsNet LA reporter Alanna Rizzo high-fiving manager Dave Roberts after the Dodgers combined no-hitter. 
Running time: 33 minutes
More background at this link

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The Drill 05.01.18:  Tom Hoffarth and Steve Lowery mourn the Dodgers’ predicament, discuss the budding Spanish-language controversy at LAFC, and ask former Dodgers manager Joe Torre his thoughts on baseball today (extracted as a Drill Bit). And the Hockey Minute with Eric Hebert.
Running time: 31 minutes

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The Drill 04.25.18: Tom Hoffarth and Steve Lowery talk about the NFL Draft with Eric Herbert and Jon McKelvy. Steve tackles the Chargers draft needs, and why it should be Lamar Jackson. Also, why wouldn’t the Dodgers go after Madison Bumgarner?  In The Buisness, Tom talks the takeover of the Draft and the new LAFC stadium.  We also end with zombie raccoons (later to be extracted in the first Drill Bit)
Running time: 33 minutes
More at this link

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The Drill 04.24.18: Tom Hoffarth and Steve Lowery discuss The NBA playoffs and the Lakers’ shopping list, the beautiful silence coming from LaVar Ball, Clayton Kershaw no longer being the best pitcher in baseball, and their experience trying to watch a Dodger game in a local sports bar. Eric Hebert also has his hockey minute.
Running time: 37 minutes
More at this link

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The Drill 04.17.18:  Beto Duran talks about doing an ESPN boxing telecast where Rod Salka wore his “America First” trunks, Tom Hoffarth and Steve Lowery talk Josh Rosen and the NFL Draft,  the Clippers and Lakers off-season wants and needs, the Dodgers slow start, and Eric Hebert corrects his previous hockey predictions.  Tom, handing out his new business cards, also talks about his interview with Hank Azaria as the new episode of “Brockmire” returns.
Running time: 50 minutes
More at this link

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The Drill 04.10.18: Beto Duran offers his critiques of when he wasn’t there for Episode 5. Steve and Tom offer their takes on who is in best position to captivate Los Angeles for the summer, Patrick Reed winning the Masters and the story that wasn’t being told. Plus Tom’s business rant is about his dislike of broadcasters who take part in superstitions
Running time: 50 minutes
More background at this link

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The Drill 04.04.18:  Steve Lowery and Tom Hoffarth, with Eric Hebert and Jon McKelvy, wonder where in the world is Beto Duran. We talk last weekend’s El Trafico between LA Galaxy and LAFC, The Rams trading for Brandin Cooks, ESPN’s new stand-alone service, the NBA 2K League, and the great Elgin Baylor
Running time: 40 minutes
More at this link

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The Drill 03.27.18: Beto Duran, Tom Hoffarth, and Steve Lowery talk the Final Four, the arrival of Zlatan (or is it Zoltar?), Bill Walton, and there’s a gift pack to open from the Clippers.
Running time: 50 minutes
More at this link

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The Drill 03.21.18: Beto Duran, Steve Lowery, and Tom Hoffarth discuss Justin Turner’s injury, The ESPN Magazine 20 most dominant, A-Rod’s CNBC Show, and Steve and Tom’s favorite moments from the Forum.
Running time: 48 minutes
More at this link

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The Drill 03.12.18:  Beto Duran, Tom Hoffarth, and Steve Lowery talk the NCAA tournament as Tom went to Las Vegas for the Pac-12 Championship, LeBron James’ chances of coming to L.A., Tiger Woods, The Santa Anita Racetrack and more. Plus Tom’s tirade on LA Dodgers radio broadcast in spring training.
Running time: 46 minutes
More at this link

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The Drill 03.05.18: The inaugural episode where Beto Duran, Tom Hoffarth and Steve Lowery talk about the ridiculous legacy of Kobe Bryant winning an Oscar, the LAFC and LA Galaxy start their season, and what happens when Tom loses his phone.
Running time: 37 minutes
More at this link