Charlie Voelker is the co-host of The Drive every weekday afternoon from 3 pm to 7pm. Charlie has been a part of the Capital Region Sports scene for over the last 25 years. In 1996 he joined Big Board Sports host and NewsChannel 13 sports director, Rodger Wyland in the UAlbany broadcast booth for football and basketball. Charlie spent 6 years in minor league baseball, then spent the next 17 years as the Associate Athletic Director for the University at Albany before retiring from that position in 2020. Charlie and his wife Kim live in Albany County with his son Andrew.
Charlie Voelker
39 Years Ago This Band Rocked Albany “Mayfest”
Mayfest at SUNY Albany, SUNYA, Albany State or whatever else they had students call the school in those days, was one of the best college events on the campus. In the days, before uptight administrators and faculty took "learning how to have fun responsibly" out of the college curriculum, events like Mayfest and Fountain Day put that college campus, sandwiched between Washington and Western Avenues, on the map.
Texas Manager Mocks Iconic New York Yankee Stadium
One person's junk is another person's art. Some people like New York style thin crust pizza, while others enjoy Chicago style deep dish pie. To each their own. One thing you shouldn't do, is make condescending remarks about another person's or team's house, especially while you are there for a few days. Then it is personal and it may get uncomfortable.
New York Yankees Cheer & Chug On New York Rangers
When you are in first place in the American League East and you just took another series from the team everyone predicted would win the AL, you can kick back a little on your off day. That is exactly what New York Yankees sluggers Anthony Rizzo, Aaron Judge and DJ LeMahieu did on Thursday night.
DEC: Should Wild Turkey Shot Size Change in New York?
Wild turkey hunting season began this week and runs through May 30th. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing some changes that may make hunting the feathered species more challenging. There are more than a few hunters already concerned with by the scarcity of the wild prize. The NYDEC wants to hear from those anxious hunters by June 5th.
Aaron Boone Brings The Heat For New York Yankees Dugout
If you want to win a World Championship in Major League Baseball, one thing is for sure, the players have to feel that the manager has their back. You hear all of the time about "team chemistry" within winning organizations. That starts with the skipper and in the New York Yankees clubhouse, there is no doubt about where Aaron Boone stands.
MLB Scouts See Castleton Pitcher Do Something Incredibly Special
For a pitcher, throwing a no-hitter is very difficult. So many factors have to go your way. These pitching gems are rare in Major League baseball, a little more frequent in the college ranks and even more in high school. That said, no-hitters don't happen often and are very tough to accomplish. When you throw 3 no-hitters in a row, at any level, well, no that's something to talk about.
Important Capital Region Focus: Student-Athlete Mental Health
Being a student-athlete is not easy at any level. Competing in a sport with the best of your peers can be extremely challenging, physically and mentally. High school student-athletes are going through intense bodily chemical changes as they grow and compete at the same time. Collegiate student-athletes are usually on the back end of the growth spurt but most are living on their own for the first time and are faced with brand new expectations, challenges and temptations.
Why Are Huge Fish Heading Up The Hudson River To Albany, NOW?
Some people don't believe me when I tell them that 30 and 40 pound fish are being caught in the Hudson River, in the area between Albany and Troy right now. Each year in the spring, Striped bass or Morone saxatilis, for you fish species experts, can be caught in the Hudson River all the way up to the Troy dam. BIG ONES!
A Valuable Lesson The New York Yankees Get From Queens
"Make the right baseball decision." That is what New York Mets owner told general manager Billy Eppler on Sunday when faced with the roster reduction deadline Monday from 28 to 26 players. Cohen did what Major League Baseball owners as an entirety should do but especially the New York Yankees. Cohen realizes that the $37.6 million owed to Robinson Canó pales in comparison to the value of bringing a championship to his team's desperate fanbase.
New York Mets Eat $37.6 Million “Canó Sandwich”
On Monday at 4pm, Major League Baseball teams have to reduce their rosters to 26 from 28. The first place New York Mets were wrestling with different scenarios. The first move was painful but easy. Relief pitcher Sean Reid-Foley was put on the Injured List on Saturday. The pitcher that replaced him for Sunday's game was Yoan López.
(Updated) New York Little Leaguer Tragically Dies During Game
Little League baseball seems like a right of passage for boys and girls. 2.6 million kids play Little League baseball each year. Though, the experience is mostly fun and happiness, tragedy comes to the plate at times and sadness prevails.
Siena’s ‘Big Ben’ Secures National Weekly Baseball Award
He stands six foot, six inches tall. On top of a regulation collegiate baseball pitchers mound, make that seven and a half feet and he is listed at 245 pounds. Siena's #47 throws from the left side and with his imposing size, can be a challenge for any hitter. Niagara University certainly found that out last Saturday.
How Will New NCAA Leadership Shape Capital Region College Sports?
On Tuesday, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced that current President Mark Emmert would step down by June 30, 2023. Running an organization that governs the athletic operations of hundreds of a colleges across the country, with different financial models, is an impossible task for the most part. However, having worked at one of those institutions' athletic department for a few decades, Emmert doesn't get a pass for his performance or lack there of.
WATCH! Ex-Capital Region Manager Takes Down New York Mets Polar Bear
As kids, my father would tell us not to fight but if we did, choose your battles wisely. On Wednesday afternoon in St. Louis, as the New York Mets were taking on the Cardinals in the final game of a three game series, a former manager of the Tri City ValleyCats decided he was going to pick the guy they nicknamed the 'Polar Bear.'
Which Capital Region Counties Are Ranked The Healthiest In NY?
Can which New York county you live in determine your life expectancy? Well, it can be a factor. In a cool report compiled by the Princeton, New Jersey based Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Health Population Institute, they ranked all 62 counties in New York State in order of the healthiest to the not so healthy. The annual rankings compile data from the past several years from multiple sources, such as the National Center for Health Statistics.
This New York Mets Squirrel Is Driving Opponents Nuts Again
It's no secret that the New York Mets are hot, winning their record setting sixth straight series to start the season on Tuesday. Sure, you can point to Buck Showalter or Max Scherzer, even Mr. $341 Million, Francisco Lindor, is playing great. However, there is one Mets player, that has been around a few years, who is not getting as many headlines. Maybe he should.
The Unwanted Truth Confirmed By The New York “Yankee Letter”
Some things are pretty simple. Cheating is cheating. There is no, "well, they sort of cheated" in Major League Baseball, where franchises are worth billions and players salaries are predicated on performance. Or maybe there is. On Tuesday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred's 2017 infamous "Yankee letter" was released, as directed by a judge.
Wins Come As Boone Plugs Holes In New York Yankees
Poker players will tell you that you are only as good as the hand you are dealt. Major League managers will privately tell you the same thing. Seasoned big league skippers, at times, know when to push the right buttons to get their teams going. New York Yankees top dog Aaron Boone did a terrific job pushing some key buttons this weekend that may have resulted in wins but, more importantly, are crucial for the Yankees long-term success.
Rexford Native Flashes World Series Bling While Supporting Friend
Life is pretty good when you are a World Series champion in the city of Atlanta or any city for that matter! You are almost ensured the best seats in the house. When your old buddy from high school is the shooting guard for the local NBA team, well then you two have each other covered with those good seats!
A Costly Gamble By The Brooklyn Nets Pays Nothing
When Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks traded James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in mid-February, he was essentially making a big bet. Now, down 0-3 to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, we may be seeing how that bet paid off. Essentially, the 46-year-old Nets executive bet on three players in that transaction and unfortunately for Brooklyn fans, it appears that he got it wrong.
Out Of Control Yankees Fans Ruin New York’s Celebration
It should have been an awesome celebration. Gleyber Torres came off the bench and delivered a pinch-hit single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 5-4 comeback victory for New York Yankees over the Cleveland Guardians. Fans should have been cheering and players should have been jumping up and down with happiness. That happened briefly, then the ugliness in right-field began.
Explicit Photo Accusation Haunts Newest Buffalo Bills Star
If you are a Buffalo Bills fan, all you have to do is look to the Cleveland Browns and Deshaun Watson and you may feel better about this story. However, if you are the team that just invested $120 million in a player that is being accused in court of distributing "sexually explicit photos," well then this may be a bit tougher to digest, especially if you expected this player to be the "defensive face" of the franchise.
New York Yankees Intentionally Pass On History
Home team fans always want to see a victory. On days like Thursday afternoon in Detroit, when the Tigers hosted the New York Yankees in the final game of the three-game series, some in attendance were there for another reason as well, history. Sometimes history has to wait as a result of the opposing team's strategy to win the game and let's just say, that made the Comerica Park faithful less than happy.
Ex-Mets Star Gets Unwanted Interest From New York Baseball Team
Two weeks ago, the New York Yankees offered outfielder Aaron Judge $230 million to remain in the Bronx for the next 7 years. Judge said no. The surprising answer reminded many Mets fans of a similar situation involving one of their stars during spring training of 2021. Now that former Mets player is getting offers from teams he doesn't really want to hear from.
Blueprint For New York Jets Turnaround May Change Quickly
Fans of NFL gossip and rumors love mid-April. The Draft is next Thursday and the New York Jets, with 2 picks in the top 10 in 2022, are in the midst of many of those whispers. Wednesday afternoon, within a few hours of each other, ESPN reported that San Francisco 49ers All Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel and Arizona Cardinals All Pro quarterback Kyler Murray were both tied to the New York Jets.
Red Hot New York Mets Will Be Buck-Less
The New York Mets are red-hot coming off of their doubleheader sweep of the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. The 9-3 Amazin's sit in first place going into Wednesday's game. ESPN's Buster Olney told The Drive with Charlie & Dan that new manager Buck Showalter is a big reason in that turnaround.
New York Yankees Facing Another $250 Million Dilemma
Weeks after New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge turned down a contract extension worth north of $230 million, Pinstripe general manager Brian Cashman is facing another money problem. This time the issue isn't with spending money, it's with money already spent. Tuesday night was a great win on the field for New York but individually there are some glaring costly issues.
Amos Lee Puts The Egg In Albany On A Slow Simmer
Folk, rock and soul performer Amos Lee returned to The Egg in downtown Albany on Monday night. The singer/songwriter has played the venue before and seemed right at home as he stopped by with a few more friends. The six-piece accompaniment was a departure from the previous solo-acoustic shows that the performer had played in Albany. The multi-talented ensemble added a unique depth to his wide ranging vocals.
A Cloud That Hangs Over The New York Mets Clubhouse
The New York Mets are rolling. Going into Tuesday's double-header with the San Francisco, the Amazin's are off to a great start under new skipper Buck Showalter with an impressive 7-3 record. Timely hitting and great pitching are the perfect formula for success. However, the veteran manager of over two decades in the dugout knows that simple things can derail a great team. One of those things is chemistry.
Buck Sharpens An Edge For The New York Mets
Coaching young baseball players can be frustrating. Instructors are constantly imploring them to watch more Major League Baseball to reinforce how to play the game the right way. However, time after time, we see MLB players making Little League mistakes. Knowing the rules can be one of those costly mistakes, unless you are one of those teams that take advantage of knowing the rules.