Beyond The Game

Benson and Barletta discuss the drama and difficulties surrounding the New York Mets and manager Mickey Callaway. Benson suggests its time for a change, for the benefit of both the club, and Callaway. He brings out some biblical principles and shares how God is a loving father who holds us accountable in order to bring us to a place of getting right with Him. In this week's 'Shenanigans' segment, Zac wonders if Toronto Raptors' GM Masai Ujiri was snubbed for the NBA's Executive of the Year award, if Callaway will be baseball's first manager fired this season, and if the New Jersey Devils will make the playoffs next season. Plus, encouraging stories in 'You Like That' and 'One More Thing' discussing Giancarlo Stanton and a biblical thought on dealing with frustrations.

Benson and Barletta discuss the 'Vandy Whistlers'. What do you do when you come across annoying people at a ballgame? Could you be that annoying person? As the guys discuss, Benson brings a thought from God's Word. In this week's 'Shenanigans' segment, Zac asks if the NY Yankees' trade for Edwin Encarnacion didn't help since he isn't a pitcher, that the Houston Rockets are better off keeping Chris Paul, and if the Anthony Davis trade makes the LA Lakers the favorites in the west next season. Plus, 'You Like That' and Benson closes the show with a thought about a video which went viral showing a bunch of adults fighting at a youth baseball game.

Benson and Barletta are joined by friend and former co-host, Darren Metzger. The guys discuss the injury to Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant while Benson makes a biblical application to things not necessarily always having to be someone's fault. Sometimes things just happen and God shows His greatness by doing amazing things in our lives through those unfortunate events. Plus, in his 'Shenanigans' segment, Zac wonders if the Yankees will wait until the trade deadline before making a move to strengthen their roster, if it was unsportsmanlike for the USWNT to trounce Thailand 13-0, and if a Game Seven is more exciting in hockey than in other sports. Plus, 'You Like That' and for old time's sake, Darren goes off on one of his 'Unreasonable Rants'. And lastly, a little encouragement to close out the program with 'One More Thing'.

On this week's broadcast, Benson and Barletta discuss yet another situation of umpire Angel Hernandez blowing an obvious call in a baseball game. Despite the blown call, Benson says players have to stay focused and in control and makes a Biblical comparison to believers having to stay focused on Christ despite the distractions of the world. Zac asks during his 'Shenanigans' segment if Baker Mayfield's comments about a teammate were inappropriate, if the Yankees' Clint Frazier was wrong to not talk with reporters following an error-filled game, and if the MLB draft is the most boring of America's four major sports. Plus, 'You Like That' and Benson closes out the show by talking about a bench-clearing incident over a bunt to break up a no-hitter during 'One More Thing'

On this week's program, Benson and Barletta recognize the passing of two sports legends, Bart Starr and Bill Buckner. Despite how great a player Buckner was, he is of course remembered for one error which caused a lot of anger and negativity to be directed at him. Benson gives a biblical perspective on handling negativity. Zac's 'Shenanigans' statements include wondering if it's time for Dustin Pedroia to hang them up, if Ezekiel Elliott's latest trouble should be the last straw, and if a rule should be implemented in baseball clearing players taken out of the game under the concussion protocol to return if they are healthy. Plus, Benson shares 'One More Thing' to close out the show saying it's time for Major League Baseball stadiums to put netting up all the way down the lines to protect fans and 'You Like That' features two encouraging happenings this week from sports.

Happy Anniversary BTG! It's been five years of Benson and Barletta mixing a biblical perspective into sports talk. This week, the topic is disappointment and how to respond to it. We all deal with it from time to time, and Benson talks about how NY Knicks fans may be disappointed after missing out on the top pick in the draft, but he says they may not need to be for long. Plus a quick look at the New York Jets trying to make it work between their GM and Head Coach. Zac's 'Shenanigans' topics are should Joe Flacco be grooming his potential replacement?, Should the Lakers trade LeBron James?, and is Boston the premier sports city in the country? Plus of course, 'You Like That'

It's vacation week and that means a 'highlight' episode of BTG featuring previously recorded segments from earlier in the year. Starting off, from April 19th, Benson and Barletta talk about the Orioles' Chris Davis finally breaking out of a record slump and offering some biblical advice for thinking positively and focusing on the right things, even in the midst of struggles. Then, from March 22nd, Benson and Barletta discuss poor fan behavior at sporting events. Just because you bought a ticket does not give you the right to say anything you want.

Benson and Barletta discuss the NFL Draft, specifically what the New York Giants were doing taking Duke's Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick. Will Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins, who was taken by the Redskins, hold a grudge against the Giants for overlooking him? Benson takes a biblical perspective on holding grudges. Plus, in 'Shenanigans', Barletta says the Yankees Luke Voit could be the AL All-Star first-baseman. He also wonders if LeSean McCoy will still be on the Bills' roster come opening day, and if the Carolina Hurricanes are the biggest surprise of this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. Benson addresses Browns' draft choice Greedy WIlliams' comments about Cleveland going to the Super Bowl in 'One More Thing', and as always, the guys will share what it is they like this week from the world of Sports in 'You Like That'.

Benson and Barletta discuss the wild ending to game seven between the San Jose Sharks and Las Vegas Golden Knights and Benson shares some thoughts from Scripture on handling failure. Plus, is this the worst that baseball umpiring has ever been? And are the Oakland Raiders dysfunctional because they sent their scouts home before the draft? And of course there's 'You like that', 'Shenanigans', and 'One More Thing'.

On this week's broadcast of BTG, Benson and Barletta talk about the Orioles' Chris Davis finally breaking out of a record slump and offering some biblical advice for thinking positively and focusing on the right things, even in the midst of struggles. Plus, Zac's 'Shenanigans' statements include wondering if the Tampa Bay Lightning's first round playoff loss was the biggest choke in NHL playoff history and whether or not the Yankees should make trades to bolster their lineup now before the season gets away from them. And lastly, Benson has one last thought about White Sox' Tim Anderson's being thrown out of a game this week, seemingly without just cause. He shares a verse from scripture encouraging us not to show impartiality. 

In a 'highlights' edition of the Beyond the Game program, Benson introduces two previously aired segments. One from the February 22, 2019 broadcast when he and Barletta talked about money, discussing outfielder Bryce Harper reportedly turning down over $300 million and golfer Matt Kuchar getting criticized for paying a fill-in caddie more than what he had originally agreed to pay him. Benson shares a parable from Matthew 20 and explains how God's distribution of blessings and grace may not always make sense, but are always right. In the second previously aired segment, Benson and Barletta discuss the rift between the Cubs' Kris Bryant and the Cardinals' Yadier Molina. Benson segues into a biblical discussion on being cautious about what we say and being determined to be encouraging. 

Benson and Barletta talk about why some pro athletes seem to have an aversion to playing in Buffalo. They welcome in Zac's brother Spencer (@SCB_Sports) into the conversation as well. Plus, during the 'Shenanigans' segment the guys debate what Rob Gronkowski's retirement means for the Patriots, if the rash of contract extensions signals a change to baseball's free agency, and who won the NFL off-season. And of course, the guys share something encouraging in the weekly 'You Like That' segment.

Baseball is back and it's time for BTG's baseball preview show. Benson and Barletta predict their playoff teams for the 2019 baseball season as well as discuss some of the proposed rule changes being tested in the independent Atlantic League.  Plus, the guys share their 'You Like That' for the week.

Benson and Barletta discuss poor fan behavior at sporting events. Just because you bought a ticket does not give you the right to say anything you want. Plus in 'Shenanigans', Zac wonders if the Ryan Fitzpatrick will win the Dolphins too many games for it to be a tank job; if the NY Giants were lying when they said they did not intend to trade Odell Beckham, Jr; and if Carlos Santana's breaking TVs in the clubhouse is just good, fiery leadership. Plus, 'You Like That'.

Benson and Barletta welcome into the program once again, JJ Garwood who coaches basketball at Northstar Christian Academy in Rochester, NY. JJ has appeared on the program a number of times before, but this time is joined by his son Ryan who plays on the team. The guys discuss tough losses, coaching your own son, and Ryan shares how he first became a believer in Christ.

Rik Benson and Zac Barleta discuss NFL Free Agency, moving the mound back in Major League Baseball, and whether or not NCAA automatic bids prevent better teams from being in the tournament. Plus, the guys welcome back to the program, JJ Garwood who coaches basketball at Northstar Christian Academy in Rochester, NY. JJ has appeared on the program a number of times before, but this time is joined by his son Ryan who plays on the team. The guys discuss tough losses, coaching your own son, and Ryan shares how he first became a believer in Christ.And of course they won't close the show without including the 'You Like That' segment.

After the weekly 'Shenanigans' segment where the guys discuss Jason Whitten, Bryce Harper, John Tavares, and an obscure NY Rangers play - Benson and Barletta then discuss Robert Kraft's situation and Benson makes a biblical application about taking joy when someone else falls. Plus, as always, the weekly 'You Like That' segment

In a special Beyond the Game program, a great deal of the program is dedicated to Benson's conversation with Adam Metz, a Columbus, Ohio Pastor who has written a book called 'Elite? A Christian manifesto for youth sports in the United States'.  An interview rich with insight - among other things, Metz talks about the high price parents pay in both time and money to have their child playing on specialized teams and the great opportunity the church has in impacting families through sports.

Benson talks to Adam Metz, a Columbus, Ohio Pastor who has written a book called 'Elite? A Christian manifesto for youth sports in the United States'.  An interview rich with insight - among other things, Metz talks about the high price parents pay in both time and money to have their child playing on specialized teams and the great opportunity the church has in impacting families through sports.

Benson and Barletta talk about money, discussing outfielder Bryce Harper reportedly turning down over $300 million and golfer Matt Kuchar getting criticized for paying a fill-in caddy more than what he had originally agreed to pay him. Benson shares a parable from Matthew 20 and explains how God's distribution of blessings and grace may not always make sense, but are always right. During this week's 'Shenanigans' segment, Zac says that Kareem Hunt is deserving of a second chance, that Colin Kaepernick's settlement with the NFL means he will soon be on a team, and that the AAF will still exist in five years. Do you agree or would you call 'shenanigans'? Plus, there's also some talk about paying college athletes after the injury this week to Duke's Zion Willamson and of course, the guys will share their 'You Like That'.