June 28: What You Missed

THE LEAD:

Russell Branyan is once again a Seattle Mariner. Despite letting Branyan find a new home this past off season, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik orchestrated a trade over the weekend to bring back the power-hitting first baseman to add some much needed pop to the lineup.

Zduriencik joined Paul Silvi and the “Go 2 Guy” Jim Moore on the show today to talk about his reasons behind trading for Branyan this late in the season, with the team currently 14 games out of first place.

On why he made the move for Branyan:

I knew all along that that [the lineup] could be an issue but if we had guys play up to their ability that we might be able to get through this thing…so I had been trying to get a bat for a while but nothing materialized and just recently this one presented itself so we went ahead and brought Russell back to familiar territory.

There were concerns with Branyan’s back last year. On what has changed since then:

Well he has been playing and has been very productive…I’ve talked to our medical people and you know they’ve had discussions with Cleveland’s people and we’re kind of assured that Russell is diligent in his program and that he can come in and contribute and he’s healthy.

On whether this trade is a sign that they still have hope for this year:

Your focus has to be, with a big picture, on building this organization, but you also have to concentrate on winning games and helping your club do the best you can at the moment that you’re in… we have a lot of guys here that have to taste winning because part of developing an organization is to try to change the attitude.

To listen to the entire interview with Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, click here.

On a Lighter Note:

Independence Day is coming up, and the holiday weekend wouldn’t be complete without the ‘Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.’ If you’re at all familiar with the history of the contest, then you know who Kobayashi is. What you might not know is that he is currently in the middle of a contract dispute with the IFOCE (International Federation of Competitive Eating), which may keep him out of this year’s contest.

We were joined by Richard Shea, president of the IFOCE, who filled us in on all of the latest developments.

To listen to the interview in its entirety, click here.

In Other News:

In his daily spot on the Kevin Calabro Show, ESPN’s John Clayton addresses the continued speculation regarding the Seahawks’ interest in Terrell Owens. Yes, this is thee same Terrell Owens who infamously pulled a sharpie out of his sock on Monday Night Football in 2002…at Qwest Field.

Is Clayton actually warming up to the idea that Owens may be wearing a Seahawks jersey next year?

To find out what Clayton has to say about all of this, click here.