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ESPNRadio.com

  (11:31 AM)

Join the chat to ask Scott about anything you like, whether it's sports, radio, TV, his golf handicap, anything! It all begins at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday but send in your questions now!

ESPNRadio.com

  (12:30 PM)

Scott's walking in the door now...with a Diet Coke. I know...big surprise.

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:30 PM)

What's up people? Glad to be here once again...fire away!

Daniel (Tx)

Can enough be said about what Brad Lidge did this season? after all the heat he took in Houston and he handled it all with class my hats off to him

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:32 PM)

It was one of the best stories of the playoffs. This guy looked like his career as a closer was done. You kept waiting for his first blown save of the season...and it just didn't happen. Not sure they would have won it this easily without him.

Dan (Buffalo, NY)

Scott, Philadelphia has their title, the Cubs ahve had their chances the last few years and choked them away, so is it finally the year the Indians/Cavs win a title? Cleveland is STARVING for a parade.

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:34 PM)

I really like the moves the Cavs made this off-season. I'm interested to see how Mo Williams fits in with Lebron. Could be a good year for them...but I think the Eastern Conference may be too strong. And the Indians...well...we'll wait til the Spring to pass judgement on that.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Van P: So do you think Philly fans will finally give Charlie Manuel his due (I mean until the first loss of the 2009 season)?

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:35 PM)

They don't have much of a choice. He just won you a World Series. Sure, the players do most of that...but the Manager I'm sure has a lot to do with it. So yeah, be nice to him at least until the first loss of '09.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Van P: So are you all ready for the trick-or-treaters tomorrow? I hear Golic is giving out full-sized candy bars.

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:36 PM)

I love candy...but I think I'm working. Wait...am I? I better go check the schedule.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Van P: Hey the Knicks won a game! How soon before they can put the Isiah Thomas years behind them?

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:38 PM)

That's a great start...now the worst they can do is 1-81!!!

Kylie (Austin)

What are your plans for the Texas v. Texas Tech game Saturday? Who you got? You can't hate on the home of SRV can you??

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:39 PM)

The thing about Texas Tech is they look at this game as the biggest game of the season. The thing about Texas is they look at this as the next game on their schedule. Sometimes all that hate can blind you. I think Texas Tech is good enough if they can just relax...and not want to win too much.

Dan (Buffalo, NY)

Scott, Carolina is going to win it all, right? Is there any reason to believe this team doesn't go down as the most successful in school history?

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:40 PM)

So far they screwed up a 10 point lead against Georgetown in a regional final..and were behind Kansas by about 40 ten minutes into a Final 4 game. They need to cut down nets to be considered the most UN-successful team in Carolina history. (But I do think they'll cut down the nets...too good not to.)

John (Dallas)

Good games this weekend, who wins Dal vs NY, Colts vs NE and Pitt ws Wash?

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:41 PM)

Winners coming...Friday...3:40 PM ET. Stay tuned!

John (Dallas)

To early to be impressed with the Lakers?

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:42 PM)

Not really. The Clippers are no measuring stick...but you can look at that team and see that they are going to be awfully tough to deal with.

Alec (Cincinnati)

SVP, you seem like the kind of guy who would pass out beers to teenagers on Halloween.

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:43 PM)

It's Reese's and Kit Kat...the beers stay in the fridge...but just found I am working. Sorry kids, light will be off.

Andy (Mt.Airy, NC)

how tall are you?

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:43 PM)

6'6". Easiest question of the day.

Jenny (Detroit)

You impressed with Derrick Rose?

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:44 PM)

I think he's going to be a fantastic player...people compare him to Deron Williams. But you have to remember Deron stayed at Illinois for three years and he wasn't really great until his third year. Let's give Derrick some time before we pass judgement.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Winners at 3:40 PM ET Friday? Are you SURE that's how you want to bill it?

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:45 PM)

We always bill it that way...whether we deliver it that way is an entirely different matter!

Andy (Mt.Airy, NC)

ask me a question!!

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:45 PM)

Andy - what do you think about the Nashville Predators Power Play Unit...I think it's missing something...you?

Mike (OKC)

How big of a superstar will Kevin Durant turn out to be?

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:47 PM)

The Thunder are/is (i can't figure that one out) really going to stink. For a while. He can't do it on his own there. So I don't know how we'll know the answer for a while...

Andy (Mt.Airy, NC)

absolutely awful..it's like they don't realize they have the advantage

John (Dallas)

Mr. Van Pelt, did you get a chance to see Love's stats from his first game last night? There is the ROY.

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:49 PM)

The guys not flashy enough to win a ROY award...he does all the dirty stuff that makes the team better. Kevin Durant won ROY last year and played on a garbage team. Love is the kind of guy that may actually make his team better without the flashy numbers.

Andy (Mt.Airy, NC)

Thanks SVP...made my day !!!

Josh (Oklahoma City)

The Dark Horse for Rookie of the Year is Russell Westbrook!

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:50 PM)

I like his game...but again he's part of that Thunder problem.

Tom (Chicago)

Scott, did you enjoy Popovich's decision to hack a Shaq off the opening tipoff as much as I did? My favorite part was when he put his hands up and started laughing...

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:51 PM)

Yes...I thought it was VERY funny. I enjoy his reaction because he's always so stoic. You saw a playful side of the guy. The beard...on the other hand...is tragic. It must be addressed.

Kylie (Austin)

I'm always making the wrong starts/sits on my fantasy team. My season is trashed. Any advice on how to at least finish strong??

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:52 PM)

It's very simple Kylie...stop playing fantasy and begin gambling immediately. Then you'll be a winner in MY book!!!!

john (cincinnati)

scott, are we going to be any closer to an 8 team playoff in cf after this season? what do fans or coaches or espn anchors have to do to get commishes to vote FOR a playoff???

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:53 PM)

There's nothing we can do. I'm resigned to the fact that there's nothing we can do. The one thing we can root for is Texas, Bama, and Penn State to finish unbeaten. Because if one of those powers is left out, then there will be hell to pay.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Do you think you can persuade Carl and Meatwad to join us for a chat sometime?

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:54 PM)

They're make believe characters. But I know the guy who plays them on TV...so that's a maybe.

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:54 PM)

Time for two more...make them good!

Tim (Chicago, IL)

What do you think about Da Bears? If the D gets going are they for real or pretenders? They could do some damage due to the fact that NYG are the only NFC team lookin legit

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:56 PM)

I like the Bears. You could make a case that they could have/should have won every game. That Tampa loss might haunt them later. But I think they are going to be a hard out in the playoffs.

Alec (Cincinnati)

Scott, Im eating Toasteds seasame crackers and the dont even compare to Wheat Thins.

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:57 PM)

Then eat Wheat Thins holmes!

Scott Van Pelt

  (12:57 PM)

Okay...show time! Time to talk about the Phillies and football. Thanks for chatting! See you same time same place next Thursday!

ESPNRadio.com

  (12:58 PM)

Go to ESPNRAdio.com and click "Tirico and Van Pelt" to continue chatting! Also check out Scott's webcam and listen live to Peter Gammons and JC Romero!

ESPNRadio.com

  (1:02 PM)

The chat continues without Scott. Be sure to tune into Tirico and Van Pelt while you continue to send your thoughts!

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Wow thanks for giving me no credit in knowing that Carl and Meatwad aren't real.

Alec (Cincinnati)

Any South FLorida fans?

John (Dallas)

I think every game that Phoenix plays this year the opposing coach should hack a Shaq the first play of the game until Shaq goes off and his head explodes or he learns to shoot free throws which ever comes first.

jeff (Denver, CO)

the problem with baseball in late Oct is the weather. Nobody wants to reduce the number of games in the season. You can't start earlier in the spring for same weather reasons as late Oct. Her's mysuggestion: Play 5-10 doubleheaders during the year. Same number of games are played, regular season ends 1-2 weeks earlier and playoffs/world series have a much better chance for good weather. PS Neutral site=bad idea. Fans want to embrace the playoffs of their team in their city, they don't come around that often.

Joaquin (Tucson)

I think has a good chance Chalmers for ROY

Roger

Hey SVP! Thanks for that great interview with JMU's Mickey Mathews. How bout the Dukes 2 miracle wins in a row!?

Paul (Nashville)

Predators Power Play is decent. Should be a lot better.

Alec (Cincinnati)

Scott, why are you not in Cincinnati for the game? Get out fo the studio!

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Van P: I wanted to thank you for picking THE Ohio State last week. Would you mind picking Iowa, Indiana and Michigan State to beat PSU as well? Thanks.

BRIAN (HOUSTON)

HEY SCOTT. YOU THINK THE TEXANS STILL HAVE A SHOT AT THE WILDCARD PLAYOFF SPOT?

Dale (Richmond, KY)

I loved it when I was a child and the games were played in the afternoons.

woody (nyc)

baseball is for old farts why football rule it's controlled argessive violence!!!! baseball stinks

Dale (Richmond, KY)

Sorry my question was deleted before it was not enitrely cmpleted, but, what is the big deal other than money and ratings with a prime-time telecast. Is not America a tad bigger than that than to kinda put a $ sign on one of America's "pastimes". But then again, I am not an owner......

Alex (Pamona, CA)

Scott Can You believe We might actually have to see another Osu USC game in the rose bowl your thoughts

John (Sierra Vista, AZ)

With the retirement of Olsen at UofA was the doctor that released that Olsen had a stroke correct in saying so or do you think he was obligated to stay quiet?

Rob (Oklahoma)

I can't understand why I keep hearing all of this talk of changing baseball. It's all Collin can talk about....but all he wants is something to discuss on his show. He really doesn't care. What do you think you can change??? I don't know about life in the northeast but in Texas baseball is still a big big deal with kids and younger crowd. Football has always been king here, but it's not accurate to talk about an entire generation of kids missing and getting tired of Baseball.

Tony (DC)

Maryland basketball stinks!

Joaquin (Tucson)

You think Rivera can help turn around the Charger D

Josh (Portsmouth, OH)

Instead of a netural site for the World Series, MLB should begin the season a couple weeks earlier and/or play several more double headers each year (like the old days). Then the World Series would be at the beginning of October instead of the end.

Andrew (Oklahoma)

The world series should never be played at a neutral site. As Mike and Mike said this morning what happens when you are a "megafan" and travel to San Diego or somewhere for a game 6 and 7 and the series ends in 5 games!! Now, your whole trip planned for baseball has turned into crap!

Chris (Kansas City)

The idea of moving the World Series to a neutral site is just plan crazy! I totally agree with Scott. You guys havent touched on the economic side and how much money is generated, hotels, resturants, tixkets by finally having your local team make it to the show. just my 2 cents.

Mike (not that Mike) (Ann Arbor)

Have teams play one double header a month, that would end the season a week earlier.

Ricky (Springfield)

The season should never be played at a neutral site. How about you start the season two weeks earlier in March. You could also play double headers like the used to do in the good old days.

Mike Stone (Denver)

The season is too long. Of course, we can't reduce the number of games, but maybe we can increase the number of double headers and reduce the off days. Didn't the world series used to end in early/mid october?

Rob (Oklahoma)

having a neutral site for world series is ridiculous. You would steal away the legendery home fields like Fenway, Wrigley, Dodger stadium that add so much to the appeal of the series

Mike Stone (Denver)

A neutral site is a terrible idea. Baseball is a local/regional fan base. Only football can travel well, and even then, the SB is a corporate networking/party event more than a game. Over 7 games, it just won't work. Which is precisely why baseball would do it in a minute if they could get some fat corporate $$$ out of it.

Josh (Iowa)

Playing at home gives a team a homefield advantage, and weather factors into that. A neutral site World Series is a knee jerk reaction like giving home field advantage to the All Star game winner.

Kevin (Atlanta)

Bad weather in recent World Series games is a direct result of the extended season- shorten it, take out a few off days- play double headers, etc- neutral site doesnt do anything to help baseball gain ground on the NFL. 'hey- pull for your team for 190 games or some ridiculous number with no chance of seeing a celebration of the last out in your city.

Rob (Oklahoma)

if there is a serious need to have the season over sooner, there are other ways to shorten the season, than a neutral site for the world series

Nathan (Raleigh)

We cannot have the World Series on a neutral site. Baseball could start earlier, play sunday double headers again, and have predominatly southern teams have home games in early months. Also if the games did not end long after my bedtime.

ESPNRadio.com

  (2:00 PM)

Thanks for stopping by and taking part, everyone! Scott will be back at 12:30 p.m. next Thursday. Until then, stay safe.