Cade Horton's Historic Run

Summary

Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – "Cade Horton's Historic Run"

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Episode Date: September 4, 2025

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Overview

In this episode of "Dan Bernstein Unfiltered," Dan and Matt dive into Cade Horton's extraordinary pitching streak for the Cubs, exploring what makes him special and the context of his achievement in historic terms. They also reflect on evolving attitudes toward pitcher health, no-hitter significance in today's game, and transition into a sharp discussion of a growing NBA salary cap scandal involving the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard, as reported by Pablo Torre. The show rounds out with listener feedback, a quick glance at the future of the Bears’ offense under Ben Johnson, and an update on the oversaturated Michigan marijuana market.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Updates, Listener Feedback & Evolution

• The hosts acknowledge the positive feedback from their previous episode with Terry Boers and announce the start of a "Friday Feedback" segment to further engage listeners.
  • "The show is evolving and growing. Our first goal was to get the podcast up and running and really learn how to make sure we're doing this on a daily basis." – Matt (04:13)
• Feedback includes suggestions and personal stories, including a humorous anecdote involving Terry's granddaughter on ad reads (03:18).

2. Cade Horton’s Dominant Pitching Run

(Main segment begins at 06:30)

• Historic Numbers: Cade Horton, since the All-Star break, has thrown 47 innings with 4 earned runs, 44 strikeouts, and an ERA of 0.77, second only to Jake Arrieta’s legendary 0.75 in 2015.
  • “Cade Horton is at 0.77. He is number two on that list.” – Matt (07:25)
• Comparison to Cubs pitching legends (Arrieta, Rick Reuschel, Bill Lee, Hippo Vaughn).
• Notable Pitch Mix: Horton’s pitch arsenal is dissected—the speed differential between his fastball (96 mph), curveball, slider (83.4 mph), and split change confuses hitters.
  • “His slider is slower than his curveball. And that split change is his second fastest pitch. So it’s a really interesting pitch mix he’s got.” – Dan (10:04)
• Modern Anxiety: Both hosts candidly discuss the collective anxiety Cubs fans feel about young pitching arms eventually succumbing to injuries (i.e., Tommy John).
  • “When is that arm going to fall off? ... I can’t keep thinking like this. Why can’t I just sit there and enjoy the fact this guy is making people guess?” – Dan (11:15)
• Tommy John Timeline: Analysis of how longer-term pitcher health has changed; 5–7 years is now considered the post-TJ shelf-life (12:34).
• No-Hitters Less Special: The hosts quiz each other and reflect on how no-hitters, even by the Cubs and White Sox, have become less memorable due to bullpen usage and increased frequency.
  • “They're not that big a deal anymore. They're forgettable. This is not a forgettable pitcher.” – Dan (22:03)

3. Changing Attitudes Towards Pitch Counts and Pitcher Protection

(15:00)

• The days of outrage at a manager pulling a pitcher from a no-hitter have faded; most fans now accept health-focused decisions.
  • “Almost every observer says, yeah, I’d much prefer that he have a better chance of being healthy and effective and maybe the ace in a short wild card playoff series.” – Dan (16:04)
• Anecdote about family superstition and the “jinx” around no-hitters still alive at home (16:35).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On No-Hitter Hype and Memory:
  • “Can you name the last Cubs no hitter? … The Cubs last no hitter was on this day last year.” – Dan (17:10)
• Trivia Spiral:
  • “I don't remember last week’s games. That was four years ago.” – Matt (19:17)
• On Pitcher Anxiety:
  • “Enjoy this while you can. Because eventually the stuff, it all kind of deGroms on you or it falls off completely.” – Dan (11:14)

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4. Bears’ Offensive Future Under Ben Johnson

(24:05)

• Dan transitions to football, focusing on Ben Johnson’s self-awareness about what can and can’t work in his offense, especially with rookie QB Caleb Williams.
• Brad Biggs’ Tribune quote from Johnson suggests honest self-doubt mixed with necessary optimism:
  • “We’ll have a real good feel as a coaching staff for what we’re going to get out of Caleb on Monday night with how he approaches the next few days. It’s going to help dictate how I call the game as well.” – Ben Johnson (26:20)
• Both hosts agree Johnson appears to be a “truth-teller,” open to learning what his scheme can or cannot do once real games begin.

5. NBA Clippers Salary Cap Scandal: Kawhi Leonard & Aspiration Partners

(35:10)

• Pablo Torre’s investigative report reveals alleged efforts by the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer to pay Kawhi Leonard $28M off the books, through a no-show job at Ballmer’s own company.
  • “A pure circumvention of the salary cap … A $28 million contract outside the league’s salary restrictions.” – Dan (36:31)
• Ballmer and the Clippers deny wrongdoing, shifting blame toward company co-founders; Mark Cuban publicly backs Ballmer, which Dan and Matt view with skepticism.
• Discussion of historical precedent (Joe Smith/Timberwolves scandal under David Stern) and potential penalties: multi-million dollar fines, lost draft picks, suspensions.
  • “This is bigger than that. This is straight cash, homie.” – Dan (47:46)
• Commentary on player responsibility, especially for Leonard and his agent in recognizing the deal as cap circumvention.

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6. Michigan Marijuana Market Oversaturation

(50:29)

• Dan revisits his observation of weed dispensary proliferation in Michigan and confirms via local reporting that the market is oversupplied and many businesses are struggling, despite anecdotal claims to the contrary.
  • “Michigan Marijuana market cratering amid oversupply, ‘difficult market’.” – Dan (51:34)
• 75 of Michigan's 83 counties have at least one marijuana business; more than 850 statewide—driving prices down and threatening survival.
• Light-hearted wrap-up about edible (mis)adventures and dispensary tourism, including stories about Toronto (56:13).

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Listener Feedback & Show Growth: 02:53–06:30
• Cade Horton's Pitching Streak (main): 06:30–23:00
• No-Hitter Debate & Baseball Nostalgia: 17:10–23:00
• Bears/Ben Johnson’s Offense: 24:05–31:00
• Clippers/Kawhi Leonard Salary Cap Scandal: 35:10–48:06
• Michigan Marijuana Market: 50:29–54:38
• Dispensary Culture Anecdotes (Toronto): 56:13–59:24

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Summary & Tone

The episode balances sharp sports analysis, historical context, and relatable Chicago sports anxiety, paired with the banter and accessible tone fans expect from Dan and Matt. Quotes from both segment anchors and newsmakers (like Ben Johnson) are woven in to underscore access and credibility. The style remains witty, quick, and distinctly Chicago: "Unfiltered" in every sense.

Final thought: While Cade Horton’s run is statistically historic, Dan and Matt use it to reflect on how both baseball and the wider sports world have changed: greater care for players' long-term health, and increasing scrutiny on off-field dealings—whether in the form of potential NBA scandals or the business of legal weed.

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To follow up:

• Feedback Friday debuts in the next episode
• More in-depth Bears talk: subscribe to "Forward Progress"
• Eyes on the next developments in the Clippers cap-circumvention saga

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For listeners:
If you missed the show, you’ll leave with the context, the stats, the scandal, and a few laughs—plus, you’ll never think about “yard” and “nuts” the same way again.

Transcript

[A]

What is it that makes the all new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid an incredible suv? Is it the spacious interior that's comfy for the whole crew? Or the capability to go off road? Maybe it's up to 600 plus miles of range. What if it's all of that and more? What is it then? The all new Hyundai Palisade hybrid. Is it the driver behind the wheel? No. Are you sure? The all new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid. So much more than just another SUV. Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for more details.

[B]

Dan Bernstein, Unfiltered. Unfiltered on 312 Sports.

[C]

Dan Bernstein Unfiltered is here. I am he. Dan Bernstein. He is Matabaticola. What? Already?

[B]

Nothing.

[C]

Nothing.

[B]

I am he.

[C]

What am I saying? I am him. That's wrong.

[B]

Nothing. No, fine. Yeah, you're right. No, grammatically, you're.

[C]

Seriously. Yes.

[B]

No, you're fine. You're good.

[C]

Unbelievable. What? What? Like already you're shaking your head at me. I haven't said. I say the first thing out of my mouth.

[B]

I wasn't. I had the AC on and a stiff breeze came through and it made me.

[C]

Oh, that's what it was. Yeah, sure. Okay. We haven't said it. We've agreed. At 70, by the way.

[B]

Yeah. It's still too hot.

[C]

It is not. I think it's still too cold.

[B]

Sorry. You are he and I am him. And hear me roar.

[C]

Never the twain shall meet. Dan Bernstein unfiltered on 312Sports is brought to you in partnership with my bookie. On today's show, a premature celebration of Cade Horton and an increasing understanding of what used to be something that would cause an uproar and now just doesn't. And that's all. Okay. That our agreed understanding of how baseball has changed. And that's cool. We're going to talk a little bit about Ben Johnson and maybe getting an answer to what he understands about the Bears offense is canned. Can be and or isn't quite yet. This Kawhi Leonard Clippers story that Pablo Torre is breaking is potentially an enormous and kind of insane but believable based on the NBA's history. Based on the Clippers history and Steve Ballmer as well. But it would send shockwaves throughout the NBA and drop a big old steaming turd on the desk of Adam Silver because there is precedent to how his beloved predecessor dealt with this. So we'll get to that. I've got a follow up on a story that we Did a couple of days ago. Got a little bit of reporting from the field from a listener on that one. And thank you. And also, first of all, thanks to everybody for the wonderful reactions to the hour we spent, the delightful hour we spent with Terry Bors yesterday.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

And there was a ton of feedback and a lot of people just expressing joy and gratitude and a little bit of sadness, you know, of hearing what Terry's going through as well. But he's okay enough. He texted me and just said he had a great time. I noticed in the comments one of his grandkids said, stop interrupting my grandpa with your ad reads and let him yap.

[B]

Did he really?

[C]

I didn't see that. She.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, that's great.

[C]

His granddaughter had notes for us, which is awesome. And thank you. When I mentioned this feedback, too, that's been coming in through various modalities, we are going to steal something from our friends up in Minneapolis at Score North. Yes, very successful. Phil Mackey and the folks up there have been very successful with something they've called Friday Feedback. And we're going to devote some time to that tomorrow. And it's going to be the plan on Fridays to sort through the YouTube comments and maybe stuff that we get elsewhere that we can glean. I'll have you go through my Twitter mentions because I want no part of that, as I mentioned, bad for me. Or maybe there's probably a bot or some AI that will do it now and do it for me. But we're gonna pull a lot of stuff and then react so you can be a part of things.

[B]

Yeah. And I know we've had lots of feedback come through so far, and I just wanna share with all of our listeners that with you, the listener. With you, the listener, that the show is evolving and growing. And remember our. It's been a week, we're in stages, and our first goal was to get the podcast up and running and really learn how to make sure we're doing this on a daily basis.

[C]

Yeah, you're learning with us and we're learning to get this up in time for Bears season.

[B]

That's our goal. And we will add to it. We will expand, we will have regular segments that will come up on the show, some that we creatively design, some that will happen organically that we'll implement and start to use regularly. We do want to include you in on the show, whether, you know, there's even opportunities down the road to bring listeners in on the podcast. I mean, we have that capability and we're working towards that we will have opportunities for you to send in emails to us to communicate with the show outside of social media as well. So all of those things are in the works. We hear your feedback, we see it, we read it. And again, we're building in stages. The main thing was getting the show going, getting forward progress up and running, getting Dan Bernstein unfiltered up and running. And that's where we're at. We're getting it daily. I know the other day we had a technical issue on DBU that was. That was something that was fixed. It was avoidable and will be avoided permanently moving in the future. So, you know, thanks again for all of that feedback there. We will include you. Don't worry. And we will have more guests. The show will evolve. It's a week old.

[C]

I've got my home set up taken.

[B]

Oh, yeah, we did a practice run.

[C]

We're testing that again this weekend. We might do a little bonus show over the weekend, perhaps getting ready on Sunday.

[B]

You could maybe see a Bears Vikings preview show come up.

[C]

So on forward progress.

[B]

Yes, Just keep that, keep that in mind. And we will, of course, share that with you on all of our social media outlets as well. You know, there's. There's X, there's TikTok, there's Instagram, there's Facebook.

[C]

Blue Sky.

[B]

Blue Sky. We're everywhere.

[C]

We got a lot of action on Blue Sky.

[B]

You can connect with myself, you can connect with Dan, you can connect with 3, 1, 2 sports, you can connect with Dan Burns. And unfiltered and forward progress, it's all there. It will grow and continue to evolve as the days and weeks come forward.

[C]

Kate Horton was just awesome last night, and he has been. The guy has been absolutely spectacular. Some of the stuff that he's doing. I know you've got a list for me that we've shown during the.

[B]

It was shown during the game, you know, so this is since the All Star break.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

What he's been doing. And if you look at his numbers since his first start after the All Star break, he said 47 innings pitched, Dan, four earned runs, 44 strikeouts, and an ERA of 0.77.

[C]

Okay, okay.

[B]

Now, since now.

[C]

This.

[B]

This flashed up on the screen last night on Marquee. I couldn't find the list online. I'm sure someone listening can send it in somewhere to us. Since 1933. Okay, these are the lowest, lowest pitching eras post All Star break with a minimum of nine starts. Okay?

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Cade Horton is at 0.77.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

He is number two. On that list. Okay. The only reason I remember number one, because it's very near and dear to my heart. Do you know who is the top of that list? This is again, lowest ERA after the All Star break with a minimum of nine starts. And this goes back to 1933. Number one on that list.

[C]

Is it 84? Rick Sutcliffe. It is not because he was pretty spectacular.

[B]

He was pretty.

[C]

That was more of a one loss record thing too.

[B]

Think newer.

[C]

Was it Arietta?

[B]

It was Jake Arietta in 2015. Remember his post?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

All Star Break. Era was 0.75.

[C]

Pretty incredible.

[B]

Special year that he had. So it will. I'll try to find that whole complete list that they put up. It was just. It's flashed on the screen. I couldn't find it anywhere. Going online, but. But he's number two right now. Again. Minimum nine starts since 1933, an ERA of 0.77, 47 innings pitched, four earned runs, 44 strikeouts in that time.

[C]

This was posted yesterday by Megan Montemuro of the Tribune on blue sky. That 0.77 ERA in the last nine starts since 1920. Only four other Cubs starters have posted a lower ERA in any nine start stretch during a single season.

[B]

So Arietta's gotta be on there.

[C]

Arietta in 2015. Rick Rushell in 1977.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Bill Lee. And I saw the name Bill. Not Spaceman Bill Lee. Not the Bill Lee. You know, it was a Bill Lee in 1938.

[B]

Okay. Yeah, I was gonna say how old?

[C]

And Hippo Vaughn in 1920. So pretty spectacular company there for Kate Horton. So immediately this is how my mind works because I. This is. What is your total anxiety issue, how I deal with it. And actually that was something about the. As a side note, I really was heartened when I said that to Terry yesterday about how to hear his optimism about things in general, like, you know, waves arms in all directions. That really helped me.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Somebody as much of a. Of a curmudgeon as he is and a cynic as he is to be remain largely hopeful about, I think what I referred to yesterday as the better angels of our nature. The more that really resonated with me. That made me feel good all day.

[B]

Yeah, I loved when he said that there has. He hasn't seen a mess big enough where people haven't been able to clean it up. Right.

[C]

That there aren't enough good people remaining to clean it up. So I loved that.

[B]

Yeah. No, very much so. And I was really. I really loved when asked him, like, what's One thing he's learned, he wished he knew sooner in life. And he was like, buy less cars.

[C]

Don't spend money on cars. So when I watch the way that my anxiety works, and you know this, you know me well enough that I'm watching Kate Horton and I'm seeing that he's got the two different braking balls and he's got the true curve. And then he has a slider that isn't a classic sort of hard slider. It's a. It's a movement slider. If you start looking at his average velocities this year, his fastball is 96, right around 95. Triple it was 95.8. So, you know, call it 96. And his slider is 83.4. That's a big drop. His slider is slower than his curveball. And that split change is his second fastest pitch. So it's a really interesting pitch mix that he's got. But as he is making all the. All these angles and all this movement and being able just like Arrieta did. Remember when Arrieta had the feeling for the. We called it a slutter. It was a slider or a cutter somewhere in between when he. And then when he lost the feel for it, he lost it. Yeah, but you remember the overlays that get done about that release point?

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

And the. How minimal your decision time is when that. With the same arm slot and not giving away that grip, you don't have a chance sometimes outside of guessing with that stuff. And the velocity difference is as significant as the movement. So I'm thinking, man, when is that arm going to fall off? Because it's fair and it sucks. It sucks. But you can't tell me that it's not fair about every good young pitcher to say, oh, geez, whether it's Paul Skeens or anybody else that you watch and you think, oh, man, enjoy this while you can. Because eventually the stuff, it all kind of degroms on you or it falls off completely.

[B]

Yeah, no, it dissipates. The. And then, yeah, that arm eventually is going to give way. You're doing things to it that aren't.

[C]

That aren't natural, of course. So I figured, all right, when does he have tj? He had it. The TJ is out of the way. And I know his first one is right. You can do it twice. It does happen. But 20, 21. So it used to be eight to 10 years. Was your owner collateral replacement lifespan Okay? I mean, we're thinking about these like trolling Motors now.

[B]

Right.

[C]

We're thinking about these. Or like your garage door spring. It's amazing how many opens you have, how mechanical it is, or, you know, how many times you can turn on and turn off your coffee maker before it blows up on you. But now we're at, I believe five to seven years. Is the expectation depending on pitch load.

[B]

Depending on 20, 21.

[C]

He was 2021. So my worry is, at first I'm like, yes, he's already had Tommy John surgery. And then I started looking at the data and thinking, it's not too early to worry. I can't keep thinking like this. Why can't I just sit there and enjoy the fact that this guy is making people guess? He got so many checks. Bad check swings, like when major league hitters. Oh, there's a lot of that. I. And that's fun because you mentioned. Do you remember the bad swings? Areatta was getting bouncing pitches, guys looking at one that they just.

[B]

I don't.

[C]

I guess he got me on the fastball.

[B]

Yeah. I just. I love to see the just. Just past halfway check swing. Lot of them barely. But they barely swing, though. It's like, oh, you know, they just fighting it, fighting that urge, but they can't help it.

[C]

Completely in between.

[B]

Yeah. I love seeing it and seeing his. His progression this year and his growth this year. And again, it's hard for me as the Cubs fan to not say, what if? You know, what if? It's so frustrating. You see this kid develop and you know you lose, you lose, your ace shota goes down. He's been fantastic. But, you know, you lost him for a couple months. Yeah. But early on, oh, he's been so good.

[C]

You know what he is. He's been like. Like vintage Quintana as far as quality starts.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. He always had quality starts.

[C]

And then in 70% correlation between a quality start and a win.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Like the fact it's one thing I say keep you in it, but you should win his starts just because he's giving you six plus innings and three or fewer earned runs.

[B]

Yeah. But then I get excited about it, and then I start thinking, what if? And then it takes me back to the lack of activity at the trade deadline that wasn't quality activity. Fair. It's just really frustrating.

[C]

And the main reason I wanted to talk about last night was because you start to see, you know, the broadcasters might be tiptoeing around it or not. And these guys don't. There's no jinx. We know that you say There's a no hitter going. He hasn't given up a hit. Nobody. And I know that Boog and JD don't believe in any of that garbage because they're intelligent, rational people and call the game in that way. But you're watching it, okay? And then you come back the next inning and Ben Brown is out there. Now we can debate the fact that you chose Ben Brown. I don't know what they keep seeing in Ben Brown. I don't see what they see. I see a relief pitcher.

[B]

I didn't see it this year at all.

[C]

I see a relief pitcher. Yeah. And maybe there's more. That's sort of on the bone there. But right now, I don't have the trust in him that the Cubs seem to have. Okay, whatever. And I can make a strawman argument. I could very easily say, well, they're. And try to say that these people clamoring for him to stay in and they don't understand modern baseball. The fact is, nobody's clamoring for him to stay in. Almost every observer says, yeah, I'd much prefer that he have a better chance of being healthy and effective and maybe the ace in a short wild card playoff series.

[B]

Right.

[C]

That's so much more important. And everybody gets it. Everybody gets it. I didn't hear anybody grumbling. Well, this modern baseball and this pitch counts. And. Yeah, and what? And what?

[B]

Yeah, it's very different now. And to see that shift, that swing of that belief and that outright anger when you mention it, but it's still alive in my home. I mentioned when the wake your kids.

[C]

Hands, wake your patsy. Did you wake all four of the boys?

[B]

Oh, there was a hit given up. And I'm like, well, there goes the no hitter. And Natalie and Hank were both like, oh, you jinxed it. You ruined it.

[C]

I'm like, okay, you can cancel postgame show.

[B]

Yeah. Hawk's at the kitchen table.

[C]

Darn. It. Takes a swig out of a handle of Smirnoff.

[B]

Yeah. Except it's full of water and he pretends to be drunk.

[C]

No. How about no, I'm in at my house. Can you name the last Cubs no hitter? I want to illustrate the significance or lack thereof.

[B]

I can, but I won't do it.

[C]

You can. You can name the last Cubs no hitter.

[B]

Yeah, because we discussed it about 30 minutes ago, remember?

[C]

Well, then you can. Yes. That's a really good.

[B]

You don't remember that.

[C]

That's a really. I don't remember. I was talking to you. I was talking to Sherman and Tingle.

[B]

I know you like you're the mayor of the hallways.

[C]

Oh, I always go see. I'm Bill Walton.

[B]

Yes. I'm. I'm like getting ready and you're like to see you. I'll be back. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go.

[C]

I'm gonna go meet fabulous day. What an excellent day to be alive.

[B]

So to answer your question, yes, I can an no, I won't. Okay, I'll leave it to the listener.

[C]

Well, it's not the only question I have. Damn it. The Cubs last no hitter was on this day last year was exactly a year ago. Happy birthday. Last Cubs no hitter. It was show to Imanaga the aforementioned along with Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge.

[B]

My guy.

[C]

They no hit the pirates in the first no hitter at Wrigley Field since 1972. I believe that was the Milt Pappas no hitter. That.

[B]

That's correct.

[C]

That he would tell you should have been a perfect game.

[B]

Oh, it was a great, beautiful day at Wrigley. I remember it.

[C]

No, I was. I was three and I was not there. Can you name the no hitter before that one?

[B]

The Cubs no hitter before that one?

[C]

Yes, this is. I'm.

[B]

See now, we didn't discuss that, so I might be able to answer that.

[C]

Trying to illustrate the way our brains work regarding no hitters right now. As long as I can be transparent about the way mine works. When I see a really terrific young pitcher and I'm worried about his elbow exploding.

[B]

It was Kyle Hendricks.

[C]

It was.

[B]

No, it was Jake Arietta. No, Jake area was Porter Hodge, Shota Imanaga and Nate Pearson.

[C]

No, it was four Cubs pitchers.

[B]

Four.

[C]

Okay, can you name one of the four? If I tell you it was on my birthday in 2021. June of 2021, can you name any.

[B]

Of the four Cubs Jr. 2021? Yes, I can.

[C]

Name Chavez Ravine. Can you name any of the four pitchers who were part of this in 2021?

[B]

God, that's a long time.

[C]

And you're a huge Cubs fan.

[B]

Yeah, but I don't remember last week's games. That was four years ago. 2021, June of 2021 at the Dodgers.

[C]

None are. None is a Cub.

[B]

None. None is a Cub now.

[C]

None is a Cub now. Not one. So none.

[B]

Nor is he. Yeah. I don't know. Give it to me. Give it to me. Nate.

[C]

Nate. Zach Davies started that game.

[B]

Oh, God. I never guess that he was on the team.

[C]

He blanked him over I don't know X amount of innings. And he was followed up by Ryan Tapera.

[B]

Oh, Jesus.

[C]

Ryan Tapera came in. And then when they got all they could out of Ryan Tapera, in came the sheriff, Andrew Chafin.

[B]

Oh, really?

[C]

Yeah, the lefty.

[B]

The Dodgers start their kids that day.

[C]

I don't know what happened. The Dodgers might have taken the. Might have been the split squad game, maybe for the Dodgers. So Zach Davies, Ryan Taberi, Andrew Chafin. But he didn't close it out, you know, closed it out for him.

[B]

No idea.

[C]

Craig Kimbrell. Ooh. Davies, Tapera, chafin and kimbrell. June 4, 2021.

[B]

Forgettable no hitter.

[C]

Now, the Cubs no hitter before that one.

[B]

Oh, Christ. What year Was that?

[C]

Was 2020, and it was an actual individual no hitter. The only complete game up to that point this guy had ever thrown.

[B]

Yeah, I'm sure people know.

[C]

Of course they know who is. But do you know?

[B]

I don't know. It's five years ago.

[C]

I think this guy's out of baseball.

[B]

Who started last night for the Cubs? See, I totally forgot.

[C]

Oh, it was Kate Horton on our dryer.

[B]

Oh, yeah. We just talked about it too. I know.

[C]

See, I forget the answer. Alec Mills.

[B]

Really?

[C]

Yes. You don't remember the Alec Mills?

[B]

Oh, I don't. Have there been any more unimpressive no hitters thrown by other baseball teams?

[C]

I don't know what to tell you, but he is. He is indeed out of baseball. Alec Mills.

[B]

What's he doing now?

[C]

I'm not sure. I remember a bright guy. I liked talking with him, but just says he is a current free agent.

[B]

All right, maybe they can bring him back. I think maybe he's got one more no hitter left in that arm.

[C]

The way this staff has gone. Look, they did it with Drew Pomerantz. Oh, God. Nice pitch. What was that? What are you doing, bruh? Yeah, why am I calling you bruh?

[B]

Because that's what you are. You're. You're a total bro.

[C]

I don't know. Yeah, but either way, can you name the last White Sox no hitter?

[B]

Jesus. I didn't know it was trivia day.

[C]

I'm just. I'm doing this to illustrate the fact that we don't really remember them.

[B]

No, we're not. Unforgettable.

[C]

They're not that big a deal anymore. They're forgettable. This is not a forgettable pitcher.

[B]

All right? Okay. What year was this for The White Sox?

[C]

2021, man.

[B]

2021. Oh, I know who it was. It was. It was. Yes, I know this. 2021 Chicago White Sox. It was. I don't know. Who was it?

[C]

Carlos Rodan. April 14, 2021. The one before that was Lucas Giolito and that was August 25th of 2020.

[B]

Remember, remember when the White Sox were on a they were upward climb?

[C]

Yeah. You know there's some green shoots. There are some green shoots in the land of the White Sox.

[B]

Yeah. And I don't know, five or six years you might, I don't know, they'll grow into anything.

[C]

But there's not. There are. If you really, if you really squint, you can see some things.

[B]

Carlos Rodin. I'm gonna jot this down. I'm gonna leave it on a post it note.

[C]

Hey, you know that one guy in your group chat who hits the five leg parlay week one of the season and then you're hearing about it the entire year and you know you want to be that guy. And it could be you with my bookie because my bookie makes it stupid easy to get in on the action. With NFL college ball, super contest and survivor pools, it's everything you want. All the spreads, the player props and in game lines under one roof. If you're new to my bookie, if you're just starting, there's a great deal for you. Use the code DBU for Dan Bernstein unfiltered those three letters DBU. And then any bet you pick up to 500 bucks, four fully covered, make your play. If it doesn't hit, you get it right back. Just opt in using the bet back bonus token. There's no better time to start and no better place to play. So use that code dbu. Football is back. So make some money with my bookie in football. We have got a gotten an answer perhaps to what I believed was the looming question around the Chicago Bears. And to me it's as we stated.

[B]

On this show, is this your biggest question going into the season?

[C]

Well, I think it depends how you define it. I think to me the most important thing to understand is Ben Johnson came in with all these offensive ideas, right? The limiting factor in his brain getting to the field is him actually confronting when he game plans, what he can block and what he can't, what Caleb Williams can see and react to and what he can't and we don't know until that ball is kicked off Monday night. And the question I had was going into the job was Ben Johnson himself aware of that immutable truth about offense and taking over a team. It happens in basketball, it happens in football. Ultimately the game will show us what he thinks his offense can do correct and sometimes you have to get kicked in the teeth before you realize that. Sometimes it has to be beaten into you like well I can't do this, I can't do that, I can't do this, I can't do that. Some of that happened with Nege where we saw Nick Foles saying oh we can't block this. I don't know why they're calling this. You can't call plays that players think you can't run right and that is dialogue with your players, that is an openness about their comfort level, making sure on install for the game plan that you have a two way street with your quarterback receivers and understanding where everybody's got to be. Now there's a I saw a quote here. This is from a Brad Biggs story in today's Tribune and this is Ben Johnson. He said we'll have a real good feel as a coaching staff for what we're going to get out of Caleb on Monday night with how he approaches the next few days. It's going to help dictate how I call the game as well. Are we going to put the ball in his hands and on his shoulders to carry us through? Everybody on the offense is going to have to carry the load at some point in this game. Since I became a coach, Ben Johnson, I go in early in the week and I have a lot of concerns about what it's going to look like on game day and I don't know if this is going to work. Blah blah blah. He said. By the end of the week I usually have a high degree of confidence in our guys because of how they've gone about their business. I already feel that right now with this group. Now that feels a little tacked on. I think he gave us a glimmer. He gives a glimmer of honesty and then realized he quickly had to say I already feel that right now with this group. I don't know if he really does or doesn't, but I liked the answer because it does tell me that he is aware of and say I go in early in the week and I have a lot of concerns about what it's going to look like on game day. Good, good. And I hope the defense is bringing that out of you. I hope that Dennis Allen is telling you I got you here, I got you here. I'm loading up on this guy. I'm going to clobber your left tackle and thinking like the defense and having those conversations. But that's the exciting part here is he could Also be saying this stuff and just putting it out there. This could mean nothing. Right. And I think you mentioned in a previous show that you think that at the moment you're defaulting to Ben Johnson being a truth teller and not a smoke screener.

[B]

Correct. That's just, that's. That's the vibe I get when I, when I listen to him, when I, When I see him speak, I just get that he's being. He's being transparent and honest.

[C]

And this is.

[B]

These are his true feelings. Because I think at times he, like you just mentioned, he catches himself a little bit and, and that, that, that being honest and truthful and transparent isn't always like ultra positive, maybe what Bears fans want to hear. And he'll catch himself and he'll add that little tagline to it. But that's what I'm. And I could be wrong. He could be a great showman too, but I just don't see that in him. I think he's more of a guy like, loves the nuts and bolts, loves getting into it, loves designing the plays. Right. I'm still doing that.

[C]

I know.

[B]

I do it all the time.

[C]

I'm still yarring every nuts I possibly can.

[B]

All the time. All the time. It's been years.

[C]

I know.

[B]

And years I still do.

[C]

Yar. I know I'm still public with it.

[B]

It doesn't matter where. I just hear it. And I see like a package of nuts and I'm just. I point at them, Yar.

[C]

And hey, man, if you're new to the culture, I should explain. If you're like, really new here. New here. I don't know what planet you've been on for the last 30 years, but if you are new here, it's a pirate walks into a bar with a steering wheel sticking out of his pants.

[B]

I love this.

[C]

And he comes walking in and he bellies up to the bar and she's steering wheel is kind of getting in the way as he's trying to lean on the bar. And the bartender kind of leans over, looks over, goes, hey, man, what's the deal with the steering wheel? And the pirate says, yar, it's driving me nuts. Yeah.

[B]

So whenever you hear the word nuts or you see the word nuts, you just have to give it an audible yard.

[C]

There it is. No nuts has gone unyard in our household for many, many years.

[B]

Yeah. And so I just think he. I think he really is a truth teller. And he'll catch himself at times that, hey, maybe that too much or I'm being too open or too honest or not as positive. Because I think, and I don't think he's being deliberately, like, derogatory about his players, but I think at times he delivers these backhanded compliments because he has already spoken too much truth.

[C]

And there's one of those that we're certainly going to get to in the very next episode of Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast. If you're enjoying Dan Bernstein Unfiltered and you're also a big Bears fan, we get deeper into the Bears three times a week on Forward Progress because generally it's going to be Mondays, Thursdays, and for now, also immediate post games.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

Whenever that may be, it's going to be Monday night. And maybe, obviously when something huge happens, we have the capability of getting right on and dropping something in there. But make sure it's got its own YouTube feed. Make sure you are subscribing. If you're subscribed to DBU, you should also be subscribing on YouTube to forward progress, a Chicago Bears podcast of three one, two sports because that, that's where we devote it entirely just to Bears, NFL stories, NFL.

[B]

And so we're gonna have a Ford Progress later today.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

That'll drop out. It's also available on your favorite podcast platform as well. So go make sure that you, you sign up for that there and, and you listen to it on, on your favorite podcast formats. For me, it's, it's Apple, so you can you, but you can get it anywhere, though.

[C]

And for those who have reached out and said, I'm old and I have trouble figuring out how to listen to a podcast, if I can figure it out if I'm doing it. Yes, if I can do a podcast, you can figure out how to listen to one.

[B]

Yeah, you can do it on your phone.

[C]

It's just not that hard.

[B]

As long as it's a smartphone, not like a rotary phone, it doesn't work. There's still where you can dial into that. We're still working on that. Be like old sports phone, but it's gonna be DBU, your rotary phone.

[C]

Pick it up, dial in 9, 7, 6, 13, 13. That's Fred Huebner in the score. Here's the podcast.

[B]

But if you, yeah, if, if you have a smartphone, you have a computer, even if it's an old desktop that's attached to a desk somewhere in your home, you can, you can get this done. It's not that difficult. If you need help, reach out to Dan. He'll. He'll give you step by Step instructions.

[C]

Or your children or your grandchildren.

[B]

That's better. That's right. Not Dan, your children.

[C]

My bad. Right? And don't. But don't like go to some neighborhood kid and be a weirdo about it. Come here, sonny. Come on into my house.

[B]

I don't offer him candy to help you get this podcast up and running.

[C]

I would advise against that. And then there's bad headlines and we do not want that. No. Hey. Want to welcome a dear old friend to Dan Bernstein Unfiltered. And that old friend is here for you. It's Omaha Steaks. And I don't know if you walked out your front door today and felt what what I felt, oh, it's shorts and hoodie weather. It's this, it's the autumnal feel of today in Chicago. And we're going to get to some warmer days still. But the little preview there was glorious. I'm going to take a nice long walk after our, our work here is done today because this is what it's all about. And it's perfect time for grilling, fall grilling and or some convenient weeknight meals. Everybody's looking for that tailgating season. Fall grilling. Whatever you need, Omaha Steaks has it. Handcrafted steaks, usda. Now they've achieved what's called USDA certified tender. And the fan favorite filet mignons that you've had USDA certified very tender. Their burgers are absolutely spectacular. They now have, they have chicken wings, smash burgers and those big deli style beef hot dogs. And during the red hot sale event they have 50% off for you site wide at Omaha steaks.com plus just for listening, you get an extra $35 off when you use the promo code Bernstein at checkout. That's it's just my last name but go to Omaha steaks.com put a massive package of spectacular meat together that arrives in your front porch. Use the code Bernstein at checkout. And I know this because my family goes back with Omaha Steaks. You know, my family's from Omaha that my dad's side and this Omaha Steaks has been around since 1917 and I've known it all of my life. That feeling of when that big styrofoam box shows up on the porch. And it is the perfect time to stock up. Handcrafted flavor and convenience. Every steak aged to maximize tenderness. It's grass fed grain finished so it's better marbled for exceptional flavor. And that's what a lot of steakhouses and professional chefs use is Grass fed Grain finished burgers, chicken, pork seafood desserts get fired up for fall Omaha steaks.com 50% off site wide. The code is Bernstein. It's the red hot sale event. Extra 35 off with my name minimum purchase May apply Seaside for details Big thanks to our advertiser Omaha Steaks we have budding controversy, if not scandal in the NBA.

[B]

Scandal for sure.

[C]

Well, if in fact these allegations prove true. Absolute massive scandal and a huge issue for Adam Silver.

[B]

And there is an ongoing investigation. Correct. And they open an investigation.

[C]

They are according to the NBA. The official comment was we are aware of this morning's media report regarding the LA Clippers and are commencing an investigation because Pablo Torre, who does a wonderful job on his podcast Pablo Torre finds out and there should be more Pablo Torres out there. Everybody should aspire to have this kind of curiosity and the wherewithal to follow up on that curiosity. When I talk to kids who want to get into journalism, this is what you want to get into. It isn't just reading press releases and parroting what agents say. As was once said, I believe by George Orwell, journalism is reporting what people don't want reported. All else is public relations. This is journalism because Pablo Torre says he has gained access to more than 3,000 pages of internal documents and spoke with multiple unnamed sources that allege a 2022 scheme to pay Kawhi Leonard a four year $28 million contract outside of the league's salary restrictions. A pure circumvention of the salary cap for a no show job with a now defunct company called Aspiration Partners that fronted the money again according to the allegations, that fronted the money to Kawhi Leonard without reporting it to the league, without the league knowing. And it's a Steve Ballmer owned company. He is also the primary owner of the Clippers and their anonymous source says I didn't so much discover the deal as I was told about it. This is somebody from Aspirations finance department who was told oh by the way, we have a marketing deal with Kawhi Leonard for 28 million. An organic marketing sponsorship deal with Kawhi. I was told if I had any questions about it, don't ask because it was to quote, circumvent the salary cap. Lol. Like actually those words were used according to the source. And Steve Ballmer.

[B]

That's still kind of gray though. There's a little bit of gray area there.

[C]

Put $50 million in aspiration in 2021. The team is den a statement of the athletic. The team said neither Mr. Ballmer nor the Clippers circumvented the salary cap or engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration. Any contrary assertion is provably false. The team ended its relationship with Aspiration years ago during the 202223 season when aspiration defaulted on its obligations. Neither the Clippers nor Mr. Ballmer was aware of any improper activity by Aspiration or its co founder until after the government instituted its investigation. The team and Mr. Ballmer stand ready to assist law enforcement in any way they can. Aspirations described as a financial technology and sustainability services company. Okay. They filed for bankruptcy in March. So from this statement it sounds to me like they are trying to pin this on the co founder. And I don't think it matters because I think the NBA would have to say that an owner of an NBA team must be aware of these things and is responsible for being aware of these things, as is the player right now.

[B]

What's Ballmer's relationship to Aspiration?

[C]

Co founder. But when they say Mr. Ballmer was not aware of any improper activity by Aspiration or its co founder, I want to know who their fall guy is going to be. Right.

[B]

It sounds like that's who they're pointing. They're creating that path to lead to that guy.

[C]

That's what I thought. And I believe that the Clippers in I think 2015 had a minor fine regarding a cap circumvention issue of something like $250,000. So for the franchise it's pre Ballmer, I believe. But for the franchise that would be another strike.

[B]

So hang on a second here. I'm an idiot. So Steve Ballmer owns the Clippers.

[C]

Correct.

[B]

He is a co founder of this company. Aspiration.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

Puts money and puts $50 million into the company.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

Then this company signs an endorsement deal.

[C]

With Kawhi Leonard, a no show marketing deal.

[B]

So he doesn't.

[C]

Not even an endorsement.

[B]

He just gets $28 million. He's supposedly planting trees. Okay. Doesn't have to do anything. Gets $28 million through aspiration, which Steve Ballmer is a co founder and put $50 million into. And yet he wasn't aware of anything they were doing. And yet it's quoted as saying more.

[C]

Than half of his initial investment total in this company was supposedly given to Kawhi Leonard. Okay. I don't think it's reasonable to think if this existed that he couldn't have known.

[B]

Again, that's. It's just the easiest default. I didn't know. I mean that's what coaches, owners. I just didn't know. I wasn't aware.

[C]

The Pat Fitzgerald, right. I wasn't aware. How was I supposed to know? I'm only the head coach of the team.

[B]

You know, Mark Cuban, he jumps in and he had, he had something to say about it on X he says, I'm on team Baller. Ballmer. Sorry. As much as I wish they'd circumvented the salary cap first, Steve isn't that dumb. If he tried to feed KL money knowing what was at stake for him personally and his team, do you think he would let the company go bankrupt knowing all creditors would be visible to the world? They got scammed by aspiration. Along with many others, crimes for which they pleaded guilty last week. So how. How could he get scammed by aspiration if he's a co founder and put money into it?

[C]

I also want to know what the NBA feels about the obligation of the player. Where Kawhi Leonard, he's smart enough to know that this is a salary cap circumvention. He can't play dumb at some point what responsibilities the player have to be like, I don't think this is kosher. I don't think I'm allowed to get it. You can't just hand me this money from a company that the owner of the Clippers also owns. He and his agent.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And whoever is. Because he may not be his primary agent and maybe his market.

[B]

And while I understand what you're saying and I agree with you to a certain extent, if you're a player and someone says, hey, here's a $28 million endorsement deal and your agent present it to you, are you really, as a athlete going to say, let's really dig into this and help me understand if these are people that you trust.

[C]

Well, somebody's got to have a responsibility there accredited agent. That agent should be stripped of an accreditation.

[B]

Yeah, no, I agree. It's just. It's hard for me to put it all on the player if these are.

[C]

I'm not putting it all on.

[B]

And you have to be smarter than that as an athlete as well. Sure, of course.

[C]

These are corporations now. NBA players are massive multi billion dollar corpor. Okay, but tell me how responsibility comes with that.

[B]

No, you're right. You're 100% right. But tell me, how does Steve Ballmer get scammed if he's a co founder and put money into it?

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

How does he get scammed by that same company?

[C]

That's a question from Mark Cuban.

[B]

That's what I don't get.

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

I do love his line though, that scammers do scammy things. That's true.

[C]

I agree. Because my phone keeps ringing with somebody who says my loan is approved. Right.

[B]

I'm telling you. Take it, Take it. Maybe we go out to lunch.

[C]

It's coming from Bizarre.

[B]

Bizarre.com?

[C]

Bizarre area codes. Strange area codes.

[B]

Where do you get your loans from?

[C]

Bizaar.combizarre.com? would you like a loan? Why are you talking like that? I don't know. I have money. But they keep saying. And it's also these really. It's clearly AI generated, but it's really casual voicemails. Hey, it's Susan. I just got your loan documents. Where just have a couple things that we need from you. And like even.

[B]

Just send it to them.

[C]

Even there's a point where like, you hear the phone get set down. Oh, sorry about that. I got it. Yeah. And like talking to somebody off the phone, it's A.I.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And they make it sound super conversational.

[B]

Oh, nice.

[C]

But.

[B]

And you fell for it.

[C]

Just stop the bottom line. Stop leaving me these voicemails because I keep thinking it's like my dentist or something. So stop.

[B]

Cuban also says it actually makes perfect sense that if they stole money from investors and want the Clippers to succeed, why not give stolen money to help keep their best players? Come on, Mark.

[C]

He seems smarter than that. Yeah, if you think he's smarter than that, I know he's smart.

[B]

And then he says it's sad that Pablo Torre didn't take the time to find out how these scammers pulled off their scam. The idea that the default is Ballmer is the bad guy is going to backfire on him. I don't. I don't see that.

[C]

Or it could be his fault for not sniffing out a scam.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

Like at some point you can't just say, I don't know. It's not like credit card fraud.

[B]

But he's a co founder, invested in it.

[C]

Right.

[B]

It's. It seems too logical that it was an opportunity to circumvent the salary cap. It just seems too logical.

[C]

And Pablo Torre also said now he is training his sights on the Knicks and Jalen Brunson and.

[B]

And not that Pablo Torre couldn't make a mistake at time, but this guy is pretty thorough.

[C]

They have lawyers.

[B]

Yeah, he's not gonna. He's not gonna put something out there without.

[C]

It's owned by the Athletic. I mean, it's New York Times. They've got lawyers, right. There are certain standard they don't want to get.

[B]

So is this, is this just one owner coming to the aid of another.

[C]

Owner and I don't know. So you ask what happens? Let's say there's something shady that goes on. What's the precedent? And the answer is this. And it involves a former Chicago Bull, Lu Al Deng. Why do you hate Lu All Deng?

[B]

No.

[C]

Although Lu All Deng could afford to pay this off. You see the money he's making with his commercial real estate business? No. Oh my God. Mogul.

[B]

Really?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Good for him.

[C]

Yeah. And also bringing. He is the benefactor of South Sudan basketball as a national team. The guys had amazing off the court post ball life. And why do you hate him? And a hell of a career. Why do you hate him then? After 2000, Joe Smith, the number one overall pick from the Timberwolves was involved in a salary cap evading scandal. This was Glenn Taylor and then GM Kevin McHale. Glenn Taylor's the owner. He was allegedly promised a future multimillion dollar deal if he signed with the team for below market value, allowing them to make some short term moves. Three one year contracts for less than $3 million apiece. So the T Wolves kept bird rights, then go over the cap to re sign him and at the end of the last one year deal he could have signed a new long term deal for 86 million. That's 86 million in money 25 years ago.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

So there was all kinds of chaos involving his agent Andrew Miller, who got in a legal argument with Eric Fleischer who owned the sports marketing firm. And Fleischer sued. And because of the lawsuit and in discovery they learned about all of these off the books deals. So David Stern fined the T wolves 3.5 million, voided all those short term contracts, voided Joe Smith's bird rights, barred Glenn Taylor from being involved in the T wolves operations until 2000, August of 2001, suspended Kevin McHale. It was a forced unpaid leave of absence. And took away The T Wolves first round picks in 01, 02, 03, 04 and 05. Yeah, that's the, that's the case precedent.

[B]

Now if I, if I remember correctly though going back and talking about this, that weren't some of those first round picks were given back eventually?

[C]

Yes, I think 03 and 05.

[B]

So it gave two. But he took three first round picks away. Oh one. Yeah. 01, 02.

[C]

And that is. Yeah, that's. And this is bigger than that. Yeah, this, this is cash money. If this Proves true.

[B]

Straight cash.

[C]

This is straight cash, homie. And the. But the best part about it is Joe Smith was bad.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Nice guy.

[B]

But that's. Yeah, that's five. You know, David Stern.

[C]

I shouldn't say bad. He just wasn't really. Never played up to his pedigree.

[B]

Right. I mean, you didn't like him. Not as much as you hate Lou Aldan.

[C]

Are you gonna do this?

[B]

I'm not doing anything.

[C]

Please stop. Please don't. Just come on.

[B]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[C]

Unbelievable. 15 year old bit. And I guarantee you I'm gonna get. Bernstein hates Lu Oldeng for everything he does in South Sudan.

[B]

People. He hates the South Sudan.

[C]

You know how people are. You know. It's going to be giant article being critical of South Sudanese basketball program. Ancient tribal reasons story by Matt of Atticola.

[B]

I'll write it.

[C]

Yep. Hi.

[B]

It'll be the first article on 312Sports.com.

[C]

So keep your eye on this. This is. It is a massive story. I was in touch, especially when the news came out about the Jalen Brunson thing. I was in touch yesterday with a former high ranking Knicks executive and I just was breaking his balls over and I'm like, Jim Dolan would never do something like this. Not Jim Dolan, Joe. Are you kidding? Of all. No, no. Some of these other owners, sure. But Jim Dolan never. So I can't wait, I can't wait to see what happens there with what they find out about what may be going on with Brunson and how Pablo Torre has people coming to him now like, hey, by the way, hey, I got a little information for you. And things kind of, kind of fall in your lap in that regard. So we will watch for follow ups. Speaking of follow ups, I have one to something that we were discussing a couple of days ago and I was, I was laughing at a lot of the reaction because on what day? On Tuesday. I was talking about my experience in Michigan harbor country over the weekend and driving up and around in southwest Michigan and all the bizarre appearance of all the weed stores on like Red Arrow highway and near 94 and just over the border and how that was completely unsustainable, that there was nobody there and everything looked strange and I didn't understand the business. What's the business? How can this possibly work now? There were a couple of YouTube comments that, you're an idiot. They're all doing great and it's so much cheaper. And it isn't just people from Indiana, it's people From Chicago and you don't know and everything. I was just there and all those places are packed.

[B]

I thought, was it, was it, you are an idiot or was it talking about your idiot that you, you own?

[C]

I, you know, I'm sure there were some Y o u r in there. I didn't, I didn't check. But. But guess what? This was published last month in a local newspaper, the Michigan Bridge, which is sort of like block club here, kind of a localized hyper local. And the headline is, Michigan Marijuana market cratering amid oversupply, Quote, difficult market. Unquote. So the answer is. It's exactly what we thought it was. It said marijuana sales are slowing and prices are dropping in Michigan, choked by increasing competition and oversupply. Last month, Toronto based cannabis company Terrasend announced it would completely exit the Michigan market, closing 20 retail stores and four cultivation facilities. The company's executive chairperson called Michigan an extremely difficult market. And I didn't know this. Michigan doesn't capture the number of dispensaries allowed in the state and communities that have tried to do so have faced lawsuits. 75 of Michigan's 83 counties.

[B]

83.

[C]

Thank you. Now count at least one marijuana business. There are more than 850 such businesses statewide.

[B]

Wait, say that stat again.

[C]

75 of Michigan's 83 counties. 83 now count at least one marijuana business. Okay, so they've got all the charts and graphs here. And the industry is approaching a quote, saturation point where new dispensaries that start are cutting into the business of others, said Nathan Joyal, who studies and teaches about cannabis issues at Northern Michigan University. He said that phenomenon is what's driven the price down of the competition off up. It's saturated.

[B]

So that dude teaches a class at. About cannabis.

[C]

He must. Or he just happens to be an expert because of some.

[B]

So what, what, what are the other eight counties waiting for? Like, let's go get on board here.

[C]

Maybe they're deeply religious counties.

[B]

They're the people smoke weed who love Jesus.

[C]

But like around, maybe around Grand Rapids, because that place is weird. Oh, it's so weird.

[B]

Like culty weird.

[C]

Yeah, that religion. Okay. Yeah, that's. That's like the Dominionist. That's the devos family.

[B]

Okay, so they don't.

[C]

That's am. We're not gonna smoke weed. I don't know.

[B]

Of course they do.

[C]

Everybody does. They're just gonna say that they don't. You know how that all works? You know the hypocrisy there.

[B]

Yeah, well, I don't smoke weed. I haven't years. I would love to, but I don't think I should. I don't think I should smoke. That's the whole thing.

[C]

Edibles, man.

[B]

You know, I. I did an edible once, and I think I maybe had too much.

[C]

I don't know how many grams.

[B]

I couldn't tell you.

[C]

Well, you're not allowed.

[B]

No, I don't know. I can't tell you. It's a secret. I don't know. I don't know. I just. I ate what. What was shared with me by.

[C]

You got to be careful.

[B]

Yeah, it was. It was. It was not. I did not. I did not like the way I felt.

[C]

It is that. That is a bad feeling.

[B]

So that was. Yeah, that was a one and one.

[C]

And done thing for me. I've had somebody look at me and say, you ate the whole cookie.

[B]

Are you not supposed to.

[C]

You gotta know.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Because it was like, you weren't supposed to eat the whole cookie. Like, oh, boy.

[B]

Oh. How'd that go for you?

[C]

It was great. Okay. Yeah. No, it ended up being. We had nowhere to go. Everything was fine. But apparently that in Wisconsin and in Indiana, that's where everybody's been targeted because. And same thing goes when you drive near the border here and you see everything clustered up, up at the border. And that's where in Michigan, everything is clustered. So we've noticed that. That in Iron county, gojubic and Menominee counties along the Wisconsin state line, and Branch and St. Joseph County. I gave you the direct reporting for St. Joseph county alongside Indiana. Each has more than three dispensaries per 10,000 people.

[B]

That's a lot.

[C]

That is a lot.

[B]

That is.

[C]

So we got our answer to that. So there.

[B]

Start smoking more weed, people, if you're in Michigan.

[C]

I didn't say that. I just. I just. It's. I didn't say.

[B]

You said that.

[C]

It's satisfying to get an explanation.

[B]

Yeah. No, no, you're. You're good.

[C]

Okay. All right. Well, if you're waiting for Sunday to start betting, you're missing half the fun and you're missing half the money. College football is already cooking another weekend of it coming up. We'll actually have our. Our spectacular picks tomorrow because so far.

[B]

Hey, I've given you a couple winners so far.

[C]

I gave you one. And we're gonna. We're gonna pick out more tomorrow because you just know that we're famous for our picks, our reputation.

[B]

People asking questions about, when are you giving your picks?

[C]

Well, my bookie lets you hit it all game Lines, player props, and more. Everything you need before the pros even kick off. So when Sunday rolls around, you're already up. My bookie has it all under one roof. You win big on the NFL super contest and survivor pools. The deal is here. If you're new to my bookie, use the promo code DBU. Any bet you choose up to $500 is fully covered. You make the play. If it doesn't hit, you get it right back. Opt in using the bet back bonus token with the code dbu. It's my bookie where bettors win together because bragging's good, but cashing in is better. And that will do it for this episode of dbu.

[B]

Yeah, real quick, though, because, you know, talking about the weed thing, a couple years ago, we went to Toronto for a long weekend. Natalie and I were up there for a long weekend. We did like, a food walking tour. There's like this. This international.

[C]

Did you get Indian, by the way?

[B]

We did.

[C]

In Toronto's great.

[B]

So this, this, the food tour on. It's this really eclectic area of Toronto that has. It's like all international food, and it's one shop after another. And so we're going around and you go to. And you get different. Different types of food, but every other store, it felt like every other store was a dispensary and people just walking down the streets and. And so I was like, all right. So it's the first time I ever went to a dispensary.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

So we go in and had no idea. And it was like. It was like walking into a really nice boutique. I mean, it was like red carpets and I mean, it was like, it was beautifully lit, and it was just. It was. And, you know, sir, can we help you? And so, like, I'm walking. I'm like, whispering, like, because I'm. I'm like, you know, I'm uncertain about what I'm doing. And I said, hey, man, it's Dave.

[C]

I got this. I got the stuff, man.

[B]

I was like, so we're sitting there at the counter, and I was like, hey, I just. Just. I just want. I just. I just want, you know, like a, you know, a joint. Can I get. Can I get a joint?

[C]

Can I get a joint?

[B]

And he's like, well, what are you looking for? And I go, well, I just. I want to, like, I want to be able to walk and, like, I want to giggle and have a little fun.

[C]

Sativa.

[B]

I just want to relax.

[C]

Yeah, so you want to. You want a little bit of sativa? Well, those are different things. If you want to giggle. You want a hybrid? Maybe.

[B]

Yeah. I had no idea what I wanted. That's why I. I talked to the expert, and so he gave me. And, you know, and I was like, well, what about rolling them? And he's like, oh, no, they're already rolled. And I'm like, really? I'm like, oh, my God, this is amaz, what this industry has done. And then they're, like, given to you in a little, like, medicine container. And. Yeah.

[C]

And then you gotta show your id, like, six times.

[B]

Feel free. Feel free to sit right here in our lounge, you know, which is like an open. Like a garage door was pulled open. It was like, their lounge is open to the street. And feel free or just if you're gonna wander around, go ahead and enjoy. First time I'd ever done it, but literally, I had no. It was like every other store was a dispensary. So it was like, amazing food weed. Amazing food weed. Amazing food weed. And it all worked out because in the very last spot we ended up at, we were at. It was a Chinese restaurant, and we ordered some ramen. And the menu was in Chinese, except.

[C]

Below it, and you understood it below.

[B]

It, in smaller font was English, but I couldn't see the English. So I'm looking at the menu. Natalie was like, what is wrong? And I go, it's in Chinese. How am I supposed to order? And then she's like, well, there's the English right underneath the Chinese, you idiot. I'm like, oh.

[C]

Or. I thought it was actually all in English and you were just seeing it as Chinese because of the weed. Possible.

[B]

Yeah. So that's. Anyway, have you been to Toronto?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

You have?

[C]

Yeah. Beth and I, before, we had kids and we used to just go away on a whim to places.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Which we need to start doing again. We did that with.

[B]

You should. Yeah, it was. Yeah. Maybe shorter trips. Maybe not go as far.

[C]

We're going to. We're going to go visit Jason in New Orleans in a couple of. Couple of weeks next month at some point. So, yeah, he said that we'll say hi to him and then we'll go on about our business.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And. But yeah, we have been. We went there. We went to Montreal. We did a bunch.

[B]

I've never. Montreal is a place I want to get to.

[C]

Oh, it's great.

[B]

Yeah. I've heard great things about Montreal. I love Toronto, though, and I can't wait to get back to Toronto.

[C]

That's going to do it for DBU He's Matabaticola. I'm Dan Bernstein. Today's show has been brought to you in partnership with my bookie. And once again, a couple things. Tomorrow you can Hear me at 8 on WDRV. The drive. The drive 96. I gotta say it like Bob Stroud. The Drive.

[B]

But Sherman and Tingle.

[C]

I'll be on with Sherman and Tingle. Those idiots love those guys. They're an absolute delight, by the way. And I, I've listened to them in the past, but they're, they're awesome. And I love going on. And Mondays and Fridays, regularly, 8:15, we'll be in talking bears and life and things. They like to throw all sorts of stuff at me because they're goofballs.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

But Bernstein at 8:15 tomorrow. And then we're gonna do our first feedback Friday from stuff that you've sent in. And it's not really a mailbag. It's just kind of reacting to your reactions. Yeah.

[B]

Because it's been a week and we want to, you know, just share some of the, the thoughts that we've gotten from people. And I do appreciate all of your, your feedback to the show, all the, all the suggestions as well. Again, you know, we're taking everything in place and, and we're going to evolve the show as we, as we keep moving forward. But also today, though, forward progress.

[C]

Yeah, forward progress. Good one. Today. So make sure that you subscribe to the YouTube channel for forward progress as well, and make sure that you like this podcast and rate it and subscribe to it as well wherever you get your podcast. Talk to you tomorrow.

[B]

Dan Bernstein, Unfiltered.

[C]

Unfiltered on three.

[B]

One, two, Sports.