KZSM — Sports then, now and always
Our sports commentary show “The Blitz” now returns to KZSM.org at a new time, 4-5 p.m. Sundays, after a hiatus while host Damian Entrican adjusted to the altered state of the sports world during the pandemic.
“The Blitz” began with the birth of the station in 2017, as “Anything But Soccer” because of co-host Len Hickey’s antipathy to the game. Craig K eventually replaced Hickey as co-host, and discussions expanded to “everything in the sports world and beyond.” “We’d get off on tangents, and we’d roll with it,” Entrican explains.
Baseball held a special place in the wide-ranging sports talk on “The Blitz.” Entrican worked on the ground crew and operated the scoreboard at Wrigley Field in Chicago for thirteen years. His connection to the Cubs brought pitchers Turk Wendell and Randy Wells on to his show.
Entrian interviewed prominent sports figures beyond baseball as well, including Tuff Hedeman, “one of the best bull riders ever.” Mike Holbridge, Muhammed Ali’s personal chef, shared anecdotes from The Greatest’s training camp.
“On the local level, Entrican recalls, “I’ve had Simon Sanchez of Aftermath Boxing,” a non-profit San Marcos gym that offers programs for young people. “He has an eleven-year-old girl that boxes for him—she’s one of the more enthusiastic boxers in his group.”
The new version of “The Blitz” will also range widely though the world of sports. With fewer games to talk about because of the pandemic, Entrican and his guests will sometimes take a larger perspective: “Something I enjoy, and will try to do with the new show, is talk about things that will stand time. Instead of just talking about today’s games, talk about what’s happening overall in a sport, especially historical stuff.” The new show will feature both nationally know sports figures and local guests like Simon Sanchez.
Like all of our radio hosts, Entrican is a volunteer. Volunteers sustain our programming, but space and equipment cost money, and KZSM.org is a self-supporting nonprofit. To help sustain our programming, find the “donate” button on our website, KZSM.org.
Tune in, stay in, help out.
