Chicago Bears fans, stop whining!

Summary

Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary

“Chicago Bears fans, stop whining!”

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Dan Bernstein, Co-host: Matt Abbatacola
Date: October 15, 2025
Duration: ~1 hour

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Dan Bernstein and executive producer/co-host Matt Abbatacola tackle the grumbling of Chicago Bears fans about the team’s media coverage and discuss why local sports fans need to stop seeking validation from national broadcasters. They dive into the psychology behind “homer” expectations from TV/Radio calls, reflect on the Ben Johnson regime, the Bears’ optimistic 3-2 start, media narratives, public funding for a new stadium, and the pressures of public jobs (in and outside of sports). Lighthearted stories and local sports banter round out the episode, along with quick news and restaurant tips.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Chicago Bears Fans & National Media:

• Bernstein is exasperated by Bears fans’ complaints about national sports broadcasters being insufficiently positive or “homerish” (01:22 – 05:10).
  • “You gotta stop bitching about what a national broadcaster thinks about a game that’s going on in front of him. That it’s his job to describe that.” – Dan Bernstein [02:55]
• Criticism of fans who expect national media to love the Bears as much as they do, especially upset over broadcast opinions on players like Caleb Williams versus Jaden Daniels.
  • “A guy having an opinion about your team that doesn’t rise to your level of fanboying and optimism is just not a legitimate reason. It’s a bad, small-time look.” – Dan Bernstein [03:45]
  • “Jaden Daniels was without a doubt the better player last year. As a rookie quarterback, he took his team to the NFC Championship. That’s why the Bears were 5 and 12.” – Matt [05:17]
• Advice: Earn respect through performance, not through demanding positive coverage.
• Call for fans to stop obsessing over external validation, “If you need a homer cast…listen to the radio. You may want to mute the television.” – Co-host [07:17–07:26]

2. Bears’ Outlook & Ben Johnson Era:

• Cautious optimism for the Bears under coach Ben Johnson.
  • “You’ve got all sorts of tangible reasons to be excited and optimistic. They’re maybe better than you thought… They’re setting all kinds of franchise records, which all of their franchise records for offense should be completely obliterated.” – Dan Bernstein [01:22–02:55]
• Emphasis on realistic expectations and patience for development.

3. Broadcast and Sports Media Critique:

• Defends national broadcasters Troy Aikman and Joe Buck.
  • “I think Aikman’s really good in general. I think he calls the game in front of him... I don’t think he gives any quarter to favorites. He is unflinchingly honest.” – Co-host [06:53]
  • “If you need everybody to love your precious players as much as you do, listen to the radio.” – Dan Bernstein [07:26]
• Wider commentary on fan tendency to “hate-watch” or seek out things just to complain about them.
  • “Some people need to hate things to feel alive…and there’s nothing wrong with –” – Co-host [10:05]
  • “Well, that’s not healthy, though, Dan. That’s not healthy.” – Dan Bernstein [10:11]
• Bernstein says he avoids pandering or populism:
  • “It would be real easy for me to pander. It’d be real easy to play populist and surf the wave. Yeah, screw Troy Aikman. Go Chicago. I’m not here to do that either.” – Dan Bernstein [12:51]

4. What Fans Want from the Media:

• Discusses fans’ desire for broadcasts and news to be “positive” or pro-local team, and why that’s “your job, not theirs.”
  • “All a national broadcast wants to do: they love complimenting people. They love it. They can’t wait. There’s no larger agenda against your team.” [12:02]
  • “If in a football game someone is not positive enough or rooting hard enough for your team, that’s a you problem. That’s your job. Do your job.” – Dan Bernstein [15:14]
• Makes analogy to negative news:
  • “You don’t report a plane landed safely. You report the plane crashing…The day the news is positive, we are in a dystopian hellscape.” [14:23, 14:45]

5. Chicago Bears Stadium Deal and Public Funding:

• Bernstein critiques the Bears’ proposed tax incentive deal for a new stadium as rushed, under-scrutinized, and too broad (43:43 – 29:44).
  • “It’s a bad bill…it’s undercooked, underdeveloped, [and] under sunlighted. This is a no for the Bears…” – Bernstein [43:43]
  • Supports targeted infrastructure funding but opposes excessive tax breaks for wide-ranging “mega projects.”
  • “It’s okay to have some public money…[for] infrastructure. It shouldn’t be building stuff to enrich private business.” [29:52]
  • Advice to legislature: “Slow your roll.” [31:53]

6. Sports Broadcasting Quality:

• Praise for specific national broadcasters, critique of others (e.g., Collinsworth “corn pone”, John Smoltz “bad at his job,” etc.)
  • “I have to tell you all day. I think John Smoltz is bad at his job. He says things that are wrong.” – Bernstein [02:55]
  • “I generally like Chris Collinsworth…didn’t like the stupid stuff he was saying about Tyson Bagent last year.” – Bernstein [12:51]
• Banter about game show host wardrobes and old TV credits. [16:45–18:33, light segment]

7. Health, Football Injuries, and Medical Humor:

• Bears’ WR DJ Moore’s groin injury and speculation about medical issues (testicular torsion, sports hernia), with light banter about doctors and physicals.
  • “You get a twisted nut.” – Dan Bernstein [24:19]

8. Mental Health, Pressure and Threats in Sports:

• Discussion of Padres manager Mike Schilt’s resignation due to physical and mental health:
  • “I can tell you I was sick a lot…I just wasn’t feeling good. I was run down. I wasn’t sleeping. It’s nobody’s fault. It’s just day-to-day stress, you know, just unhealthy, man. And sometimes you gotta take care of you, you know?” – Mike Schilt (read by Co-host) [38:35]
  • Commentary on the increase of threats against players and sports professionals due to gambling, social media, and public scrutiny.
  • Dan recounts his own (and show colleagues’) experiences getting threats for taking stand on hot topics (Penn State, Dale Earnhardt), not being told by management of threats at events [41:24–43:43].

9. Other Notable Sports News and Banter:

• MLB notes: Dodgers’ Yamamoto complete game; speculation on potential Alex Bregman free agency, discussion of Cubs prospects [49:27–51:33].
• New York sports fans’ suffering due to bad runs by Mets, Yankees, and Rangers (NHL record for home scoreless streak to start season) [51:46–53:30].
• Podcast updates: Organizations Win Championships Chicago Bulls podcast returns, and news on new YouTube channel [47:03–49:17].
• Betting tips, responsible gambling reminders, and in-jokes (e.g., “He who gambles lives in shambles” – Doug) [35:48].

10. Personal Stories and Chicago Life:

• Warm anecdotes about Italy (Florence, Rome), family trips, and local restaurant recommendations (Tanuda’s Italian market in Kenosha, Il Latini in Florence) [55:05–61:19].
• Shout-outs to friends (Brendan McCaffrey, his expected second son, his trip to Florence) [55:05].

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You gotta stop bitching about what a national broadcaster thinks...it’s his job to describe that.” – Dan Bernstein [02:55]
• “A guy having an opinion about your team that doesn’t rise to your level of fanboying and optimism is just not a legitimate reason. It’s a bad, small-time look.” – Dan Bernstein [03:45]
• “If you need a homer cast, if you need everybody to love your precious players as much as you do, listen to the radio. You may want to mute the television.” – Co-host [07:17]
• “It is not Troy Aikman’s fault for anything that you’re dumb.” – Co-host [15:55]
• “If in a football game someone is not positive enough or rooting hard enough for your team, that’s a you problem. That’s your job. Do your job.” – Dan Bernstein [15:14]
• On media haters: “Some people need to hate things to feel alive...that’s not healthy.” – [10:05–10:13]
• On Bears stadium funding: “Slow your roll.” – Dan Bernstein [31:53]
• “You don’t report a plane landed safely. You report the plane crashing.” – Dan Bernstein [14:23]
• On the Padres’ Schilt: “I just wasn’t feeling good. I was run down. I wasn’t sleeping…Just unhealthy, man. And sometimes you gotta take care of you, you know?” – Mike Schilt via The Athletic [38:35]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:22–05:10 | Bears fans' complaints about national broadcasters | | 07:17–09:58 | Advice: Listen to local radio if you want pro-local-team commentary | | 09:58–10:17 | “Hate-watching/listening” and fans’ anger with media | | 12:02–15:14 | National broadcasts, positivity, and “it’s your job to root for your team, not theirs” | | 29:44–31:53 | Bears stadium deal/politics; call for transparency in public funding | | 35:48–36:18 | Gambling banter, responsible play advice | | 38:35–39:47 | Mike Schilt resigns for health: reading from The Athletic | | 41:24–43:43 | Death threat stories in sports radio; lack of communication from producers | | 47:03–49:17 | Organizations Win Championships (Bulls podcast) relaunch; YouTube, Apple Podcasts update | | 49:27–51:33 | Dodgers pitching; speculation on Alex Bregman free agency; Cubs’ Matt Shaw | | 51:46–53:30 | New York sports woes: Mets, Yankees, Rangers NHL record, Jets and Giants | | 55:05–61:19 | Italy anecdotes, shout-outs; restaurant recommendations (Florence, Kenosha) |

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Closing Thoughts

This episode delivers the classic Bernstein blend of sharp sports critique, Chicago fan real talk, and candid storytelling. Dan and Matt urge fans to take pride in their team’s progress, stop fussing over national narratives, and demand more substance from public policy. Interwoven are humorous medical discussions, firsthand radio war stories, and affectionate restaurant tips—offering both sage local wisdom and the breezy banter that defines their show.

Transcript

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[Dan Bernstein]

Unfiltered Unfiltered on 312 Sports.

[Co-host]

Presented in partnership with my bookie, I am Dan Bernstein. That's our executive producer. Oh, we got a new guy to add to the team. We're at adding Adam Balls. Oh, and don't forget Mrs. Batts.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, yeah, I forgot Mrs. Batts.

[Co-host]

Yes, we definitely have to add Adam Balls.

[Dan Bernstein]

Let me get her on the list.

[Co-host]

And Mrs. Batts and Ms. Batts, because they're both our kindergarten teachers that help out. All right, well, Ms. Batts just. She's the teaching assistant that helps Mrs. Batts who is going to put the kids.

[Dan Bernstein]

We got quite the roster going. Yeah.

[Co-host]

Okay. Well, we'll. We'll touch it up, but thank you. Yeah. Thank you for grabbing Adam Balls. Adam Balls. Yep. Good player. I'm happy that he's on the Cubs and he's not up for arbitration yet, so he'll. He'll be there. So listen, if you're a Bears fan, I would say be happy about your team. Be excited that they're three and two. If we are looking for reasons to buy into the Ben Johnson regime, think big picture here. I think it's great. I think you've got all sorts of tangible reasons to be excited and optimistic about your football team. They're maybe better than you thought a little bit. They're setting all kinds of franchise records, which is all of their franchise records for offense should be completely obliterated. They shouldn't just be beaten. They should be gone. They should be forgotten. This should be the year where you set all of them. Just because Even if you're a.500 team or all your passing records should be completely reset for. For a single season just because you have a real coach here and you're running a real offense, then you'll get a real running back and everything will happen and things will get better. In a hurry, they'll incorporate the tight ends. But one thing you've got to stop doing is you got to stop bitching about what a national broadcaster thinks about a game that's going on in front of him. That it's his job to describe that. As always, I'm gonna get the caveats out of the way. There are all kinds of absolutely valid reasons to be off at a broadcast or a broadcaster. I understand that and I will tell you all day. I think John Smoltz is bad at his job. He says things that are wrong. He doesn't avail himself of all of the information. There is actual disdain for information that would make his work better. There is too much pining for the old days that don't exist anymore. There is a failure to understand that there might be metrics that see more baseball than you do. Add him to the team. See more baseball. What is that for? Are you just playing around with sounds? No. Yeah, you are.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm not. Oh, no. Is it Smoltz?

[Co-host]

I know we played. Is this Smoltz? But a guy having an opinion about your team that doesn't rise to your level of fanboying and optimism is just not a legitimate reason. It's a bad small time look. Don't do it. Avoid it. You know how you have someone, an analyst, say nice things about your team, Put down a track record of consistent winning, production, development. Earn it. Earn it. And what bugs me is the crossover of the Venn diagram that was up in arms in the highest of dudgeon over the. What was the. The. The Petty brewers waving the L flag. Take that, Chicago. Oh, that's petty. That sucks. How dare they. That's small time.

[Dan Bernstein]

Classless.

[Co-host]

Class. Classless. Yes. I thought it was hilarious. Because that's a team doing it. Because it. It's funny. That kind of rivalry is great. I don't see any downside to all that silliness. They kicked your ass and they made you like it and you stole their. Their manager who now they hate and whatever. I didn't bug me at all. But to say, how dare Troy Aikman not like Caleb Williams as much as I do. Stop doing that.

[Dan Bernstein]

And it's not even that. It was more of why does he love Jaden Daniels so much more than he likes Caleb Williams?

[Co-host]

Jaden Daniels was without a doubt the better player last year. As a rookie quarterback, he took his team to the NFC championship. That's why the Bears were 5 and 12. That's why. You want an answer? You want to ask that You Want to ask that rhetorically? That's why Jaden Daniels established himself as a better football player, a more valuable football player. Any, Any general manager asked to pick one of those guys to start a game for him is likely to take Jaden Daniels. So what? It's such a waste of time to get angry and then it's. And now it's a topic that's being brought up to the Bears. If the coaches grab for anything. Nobody respects us. Hell. And that's. I have. I have a bigger problem with Pat Murphy doing what he's doing with his team in la, saying, nobody knows the names of these players. Those guys on the Dodgers don't know who we are. Of course they do. They've all played together.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right. And they're up to.

[Co-host]

Oh, yeah, they're up to. They know exactly who you are even before the series. They know everything about you. You're all teammates. You're all in the unions together. So that's, that's ridiculous.

[Dan Bernstein]

By the way, if he thinks that they're, like, coming in under the radar. They have the best record in the nl, like, relax.

[Co-host]

Yeah. And they, They're. They've established themselves as. Every year a team that you, you know is going to be good.

[Dan Bernstein]

You know what's funny? I think I can't know if it was game four, game five. I, I put a comment out online about the broadcast just to see the, the reactions to people, and it's just to be able that, like that, like, clog onto it and get so upset about the broadcast not being pro Cubs, not their job. Yeah, I know it's funny.

[Co-host]

It's not. And it's not Troy Aikman's job to feel the way you feel. I think Aikman's really good in general. I think he calls the game in front of him. I don't think he, in large part gives any quarter to favorites. I think he is unflinchingly honest about what he sees and what he thinks. That's all that matters. If you need a homer cast, if you need everybody to love your precious players as much as you do, listen to the radio. You may want to mute the television.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, listen to the radio.

[Co-host]

You may want to. You may want to avoid that. The Bears can earn that. And I think Ben Johnson, to his credit, when asked about it, said, you, you earn that kind of respect. The other team in that game got to the NFC Championship last year with a rookie quarterback. With a rookie quarterback who, despite the fact that I did think that pressure got to him. I think the Bears knew that with some of their blitzes and they got him to drop his eyes a little bit. Guy still had three touchdowns without his number one receiver and his number three receiver. So, you know, I don't know what, why you want to be that person right now. Isn't it enough that your team is 3 and 2? I also thought on the play that is being shown in. In question where Aikman was talking about Luck, I didn't read that he or hear that the touchdown was luck. The DeAndre Swift catch, he slithers by one guy and goes in for the touchdown. I thought it was what he said happened before on that play.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I'd have to go back and rewatch.

[Co-host]

I thought what he thought was Luck was, was the, the improper positioning of the one that you had somebody jump it. There were two guys defending and one guy went inward when he should have gone outward and he said that was a lucky break, not the fact that they scored a touchdown.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I didn't go back and rewatch, but I don't.

[Co-host]

I even. I even feel icky breaking it down to that extent. Stop. Just stop. Root for your team. Like your team, Love your team. I, I hate it that we've gone back to this, that it's someone else's job to like your team as much as you like your team. I know what happens with the. Like my sport people. I like this sport better than this sport. Talk about my sport. There's thousands and thousands of places for you to get information and entertainment about your team, your players, your sports. And if you need to be coddled as a fan, you need. You're an idiot.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, the easiest thing to do is then just turn the volume off like you said, and then you can. You could listen to a home broadcast and make it really, really simple for yourself. Again. We. And we've talked about this a couple different times on, on the podcast, Dan. It's this need to listen or consume things that you don't like and to get riled up over things you don't like. I don't know what that is, what that is in a person's character, what they. What they need from that.

[Co-host]

Let me.

[Dan Bernstein]

The ability to. To take it in and then complain about it.

[Co-host]

That's different, though, just.

[Dan Bernstein]

Then just stop.

[Co-host]

That's different. Some people need to hate things to feel alive, and there's nothing wrong with.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, that's not healthy, though, Dan. That's not healthy.

[Co-host]

Hate watching or hate listening at certain things.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's not a good place to Be.

[Co-host]

But at that point, then to then get angry with the person for making you mad because the person doesn't have the same opinion as you do. That's the line that I find strange. When you feel that, you then have to say, what's wrong with this guy? He doesn't feel exactly the way I feel about someone or have the same opinion. I. Okay, Big deal, man. Big deal.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right?

[Co-host]

Well, that's just like your opinion, man. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, dude. Yeah.

[Co-host]

Right? I'd say, like, channel the dude a little bit. That's just his opinion. It's his job.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. And I think Buck and Aikman are really good. I don't. Buckman does. Or Aiken.

[Co-host]

Buckman.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Buck does a great job in calling the game. Aikman, he, you know, he'll share his perspective, what he. What he sees. And he's not really teaching you a whole lot. He just shares what he sees as a. As a former quarterback and a Hall of fame player, like Greg Olson, like, I learned things with his broadcast, which makes a big difference.

[Co-host]

I don't think Troy Aikman violates the rule. I don't think he makes people dumber.

[Dan Bernstein]

He doesn't. And he doesn't distract from the game either. And there was a play that I mentioned where they swapped out the ball before the kick, the game winning kick. And I said that he. And I misspoke because I misheard him. And he. Actually, what he said on the broadcast was they swapped out the ball as it was sitting there getting all wet, put the kicking ball down.

[Co-host]

So he did see that.

[Dan Bernstein]

He saw it, acknowledged it. Someone corrected me on the comments. So thanks for that. But, yeah, I just misheard him. And maybe on the luck thing, you heard me misheard him.

[Co-host]

I don't know.

[Dan Bernstein]

I didn't hear that at all. I was so. I was so ecstatic that. That. That Swift scored.

[Co-host]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

I was screaming. I had no idea what was being said.

[Co-host]

Yeah, I was. I was too excited.

[Dan Bernstein]

I couldn't believe it. I was like, what. What just happened?

[Co-host]

And then you chose to. To get angry at a broadcaster instead of getting excited about your team screaming, that's on you.

[Dan Bernstein]

Off the couch. I can't believe it.

[Co-host]

That's on you. I don't understand the need for that kind of validation that comes with success. All a national broadcast wants to do. They love complimenting people. They love it. They can't wait. There's no larger agenda against your team. And these conspiracies, it's a complete waste of your time as a fan to get worried about that. And when the winds come, everything will be okay. It'll be okay. Don't worry about an opinion. As long as that broadcaster is not making you dumber. I don't mind somebody who's got a little bit of grit and has strong opinions and isn't afraid to feel strong and isn't pandering. And that comes also.

[Dan Bernstein]

Leave Tom Brady out of this.

[Co-host]

That also comes down to people in our position. It would be real easy for me to pander. It'd be real easy for me to play populist and surf the wave. Yeah, screw Troy Aikman. Go Chicago. I'm not here to do that either. That's silly and it's stupid. And I don't want to make you dumb. And if I do that, I'll make you dumber too. If I'm gonna get on somebody I've got. I generally. I generally like Chris Collinsworth. Little, little hokey corn pone for me. Sometimes. Not hokey Gajan. He's the late Hokey Gajan, but he's. He can be a little bit corn poned for me. But I think Collinsworth's pretty good. I didn't like the stupid stuff he was saying about Tyson Bagent last year because a lot of it was really stupid. I thought he was making you dumber. And I'll call somebody out for saying something that just. That just isn't correct or is not. Is leaving out aspects of information that are available or is trying to steer somebody the wrong way because of. Because. But if it's an opinion by a broadcaster, if it's specifically not being supportive enough or this whole idea of positivity, and this goes back for years and people used to complain about the news. Well, the news is so negative. It's the news. You don't report a plane landed safely. You report the plane crashing. You don't report somebody going into a 7 11, buying a Reese's Nut Regis and going back to their car and driving home. You report if that person was shot and killed.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I wonder why they don't report like the hundreds and hundreds of like family get togethers and parties around Chicago. Yeah.

[Co-host]

Why like report those news is just. The day the news is positive, we are in a dystopian hellscape. The day the news is positive, we are in a dystopian hellscape. It is a great sign. If the news is negative, that means it's news. That means it's outside of what's expected and it's outside of what's normal. And if in a football game someone is not positive enough or rooting hard enough for your team, that's a you problem. That's your job. Do your job.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Because their job is to.

[Co-host]

Your job is to broadcast the game. Your job is to love your team, root for your team. And that. And there's a spectrum of that, too. There are those of us that can sit quietly and not react to everything during a game. I'm not one of those people when it comes to the Bears.

[Dan Bernstein]

But again, there's a really simple solution. Just you can get like Sirius XM on your phone and you can listen to the hometown broadcast and turn the TV volume down, watch the game and listen to your home broadcast if you need that. Love your team the entire game.

[Co-host]

It is not Troy Aikman's fault for anything that you're dumb. It is not Troy Aikman's fault that you're dumb. And I look forward to games that they do because it's better than some of the garden variety chuds out there that are, you know, whether it's.

[Dan Bernstein]

Leave Arch out of this.

[Co-host]

Well, I mean, some of those middle tier people. And this week, I think it's Kevin Coogler and Moose Johnston and always well dressed. Yes. John man. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

He really goes out on extreme levels.

[Co-host]

Patterns. And I like the earth colors.

[Dan Bernstein]

Him and Kurt Warner always, always got different colors and patterns going. I like it.

[Co-host]

Yeah. If you have a clothing allowance for your job or you're allowed to deduct it.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I think, I think their stuff's provided by Botany 500. Who does. Is it Smoltz?

[Co-host]

Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

When I do that show, I get.

[Co-host]

The other one, the game Mr. Guy. Whose wardrobe?

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, God, I don't even remember that one.

[Co-host]

Look it up. It was, it was a logo and it said, like, Mr. Guy. Mr. Guy. Mr. Guy. I think it was out in Burbank, California. But it was either Botany 500 or there was one of the. One of the game show hosts had wardrobes supplied by Mr. Guy. Or maybe it was French and it was Monsieur Guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

Does it come up? Well, yeah, this is.

[Co-host]

Wow. The logo. It was always at the end of the show. It was like a Mark Goodson, Bill Todman production. And then it was like, Wink Martindale. Is wardrobe provided by Mr. Fascist? Because all the game show hosts retired and then became screaming Nazis.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, the, the search for Mr. Guy wardrobe game show host brings up Steve Harvey in the family.

[Co-host]

No, what it says, There's Mr. Guy was like from 1974.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's the most recent one. No, maybe that's. That's what came up.

[Co-host]

Mr. Guy doesn't exist anymore. Find Mr. Guy and book him. Put him on. We need to. We need to talk to Mr. Guy or Monsieur Guy, either one, whoever it may be. But just do me a favor. Do me a favor. Just stop being stupid when it comes to national broadcasters. And I hope the Bears don't have to latch on to this. We gotta get respect. We gotta make. We gotta get respect for the broadcaster. Just block people and tackle people. And then someone's going to say, hey, good block, good tackle. The player who does this more often is then good. And if you have a lot of players who are good, your team is good.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, unless this is a different Mr. Guy. This is Mr. Guy. They've been in business since 1976.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

And it's a. It looks like a couple. Terry and Carla, and they're in St. Louis, Missouri. Is this a different Mr. Guy than the game show?

[Co-host]

I don't know.

[Dan Bernstein]

Maybe they provide the suits to Steve Harvey.

[Co-host]

Maybe they do.

[Dan Bernstein]

Maybe.

[Co-host]

I don't know. I don't know.

[Dan Bernstein]

He knows them.

[Co-host]

It's in St. Louis.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Do they provide stuff to Chris ronge? Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Beer.

[Co-host]

Mr. Beer.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's different.

[Co-host]

Mr. Beer.

[Dan Bernstein]

You know, I would love to talk to Steve Harvey.

[Co-host]

Yeah. You're not allowed to look at him, though.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's a. He's a. Yeah, that's a great. That's a great conversation.

[Co-host]

No, you're not allowed to look at him. You're not allowed.

[Dan Bernstein]

Chris Range.

[Co-host]

No. Steve Harvey. Remember the rules in NBC Tower? Oh, yeah. Don't you remember there was a whole thing of, like, don't look at him, don't acknowledge him, don't make eye contact with him.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I actually don't remember that.

[Co-host]

It was a thing on the elevator. That it was.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, there was that one time you jumped on him, wrapped your legs around him.

[Co-host]

Right. Don't jump out of his head. Ask him to give you a piggyback ride. Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

You kissed his neck and you're like, can I have a ride?

[Co-host]

Yeah. Then, Right. That's when the memo came out. Yeah, Right.

[Dan Bernstein]

I forgot that was the start of your downfall. Steve Harvey in the elevator.

[Co-host]

Judge Mathis.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I don't. It might have been. It might have been. I just remember. I mean, so many encounters with the Springer people.

[Co-host]

Yeah, they were cool.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, yeah, they were great.

[Co-host]

Steve Wilkos used to come hang out.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Yeah. Remember that? He used to just come down to the studio. Hey, what's going on. And his sister was my orthopedic surgery. His sister was my nurse for my knee reconstruction.

[Dan Bernstein]

Awesome.

[Co-host]

Yeah. And I kind of didn't know who he was when she mentioned him. It surprises me because I didn't watch the show. Yeah. My brother is Steve.

[Dan Bernstein]

You always had that show on in our office.

[Co-host]

Okay. My sister's Jill. I didn't. Great. Your brother is Steve. She's like, no, Steve. And I said, I'm sorry, I don't know who that is. So I kind of felt bad. I would like to welcome a new sponsor to Dan Bernstein Unfiltered. Because every athlete knows the difference between good enough to sometimes win and game changing. Championship teams don't win by showing up unprepared. And the same applies to your game in the bedroom. Rug yet ready is the three in one ED treatment that actually prepares you for the moment. Rougiet is designed to prime your brain, boost blood flow and start working in as few as 15 minutes. That's not just showing up, it's winning by a huge margin. It's an ED med that primes the brain because apomorphine boosts arousal at the source. That's your brain and combines active ingredients. Sildenafil for fast action, Tadalafil for the long game. It's sublingual, which means it absorbs faster, works in as few as 15 minutes. It's way faster than most pills. And there's up to a 36 hour active window. So it's ready when you are. And that doesn't just mean in the first quarter. So like an elite athlete, you got to dial in that pregame routine. Nutrition, mental prep, physical readiness. So visit rougiette.com r u g I e t.com and get your game plan from a licensed ED doctor. We have a promo code for you at checkout. Make sure you use the promo code DBU at checkout for a special offer treatment ships discreetly to your door. Time to get back in the game with Rougiette. That's rug.com and your code is D BU I doubt that if you're waiting for Sunday to start betting, you're missing half the fun and half the money because college football is already cooking. That means upsets, blowouts, wild covers, coaches getting fired right and left. And my bookie lets you hit at all. Roll with us. By the way, DBU pick's been hot. Game lines, player props, more everything you need before the pros even kick off. When Sunday rolls around, you are already up in my book. He's got it all under one roof. Win big on the NFL super contest and Survivor pools. And if you're new to my bookie, we have a code for you for this show. DBU for Dan Bernstein. Unfinished filtered. That code allows any bet you choose up to $500 to be fully covered. So you make your play and if it doesn't hit, you get it right back when you opt in using the bet back bonus token. It's my bookie where betters win together. Because bragging is good, but cashing in is better. I guess we'll find out too, later on about what happened with DJ Moore. He was held back. It was. The reporting was that it was a groin injury of some kind for which he was taken to the hospital. He is apparently back in Chicago now. So hope for the best for him. I don't know what it could be. What it could be in a groin injury that would necessitate him not traveling or not flying or what that would be.

[Dan Bernstein]

Or just requiring the night. The night stay in the hospital. Unless it's some kind of testicle issue.

[Co-host]

It could be. It could be testicular. It could be. I would also worry too, when usually somebody. When they say groin, it could be like inguinal hernia. Like sports hernia, potentially.

[Dan Bernstein]

Could you take a shot in the balls and have it get twisted? Is that possible?

[Co-host]

A testicular torsion can occur anytime.

[Dan Bernstein]

Can that occur from trauma from, like a shot, like getting hit, tackled?

[Co-host]

Theoretically, sure. Because these guys don't wear protection there anymore.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, you get a twisted nut.

[Co-host]

That's yar.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's no bueno.

[Co-host]

I know. And actually, my cousin, the ER specialist, prides himself, he said he will put his untwisting skills up against anyone. Oh, no.

[Dan Bernstein]

I know. I saw him.

[Co-host]

I told him it's because he grew up with. He wouldn't take his hand out of his own pants. But apparently he says no. He said no. He realized he's really good at untwisting testicular torsions.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. During the BNB roast, I was in the men's room. He followed me in and kept asking, untwisting it. I didn't even ask for it. And it wasn't twisted.

[Co-host]

Just checking.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I was at the urinal. He just reached around and started checking.

[Co-host]

Just making sure you're all right there.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Just keeping a close eye on it for you.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. We came really, really close that day.

[Co-host]

Well, good. You know what that is? It's preventative medicine.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. A good doctor untwisted before it's twisted.

[Co-host]

A good doctor would just come over and make sure they're properly untwisted for you.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, good for him. I hope he has it on his business card.

[Co-host]

It just changes. He would pride himself on. What was it?

[Dan Bernstein]

The nut twisting.

[Co-host]

The perfect spinal tap.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Co-host]

Where you have to get like. It's like 000% of anything. Like, getting it. Exactly.

[Dan Bernstein]

But when he walked in the room and announced, this is spinal tap, that was a bit unnecessary.

[Co-host]

I didn't think he needed that because everybody kind of got the joke. Yeah, but I just thought it was, you know, there were all sorts of little metrics that you can get from. He's like, no, I'm just good at it. Or there was a doctor. Who was it? Back when they used to.

[Dan Bernstein]

Doctor, who was it?

[Co-host]

That's his brother. No, back when they used to do the manual rectal exams for prostate issues. They don't do it anymore.

[Dan Bernstein]

What do you mean? They don't do it? Since when?

[Co-host]

A couple of years ago. A couple of years ago. And I actually have my physical today, but I was gonna request one. Well, that's the joke was because I went in one year and I said to the doctor, I said, well, are you gonna do the thing? It's like, yeah, we don't do that anymore. We just test for the PSA antigen and it's really nothing. We don't do the manual. I'm like, why do you think I'm here? Come on, man, let's go. He's like, I can do it if you want. No, I don't. And then another friend of mine said, his doctor said, I don't have to do it. He said, but another doctor said, look. He says, I'm really good at it. He said, I have outperformed machines and tests before because over my career, I've got a very good sense for finding prostate abnormalities, et cetera. And he kind of gave him a look, and he goes, no, I'm serious. And then he said, it's my bread and butter. He's like, don't use that idiom.

[Dan Bernstein]

You've heard the joke about the guy who goes in, gets the rectal exam from the doctor. Doctor walks in the room and he's like, all right, here we go. We're going to get started.

[Co-host]

Why are your hands on my shoulders?

[Dan Bernstein]

No. And he goes, all right, here we go. Don't get hard this time, Steve. And the patient turns around and goes, my name is Bill. And the doctor goes, no, I'm Steve.

[Co-host]

I heard that. I Just heard, why are your hands on my shoulders? Or the guy who goes in and the doctor says, well, I'm going to need a stool sample, I'm going to need a urine sample and I'm going to need a blood sample and a sperm sample. And the guy goes, take my underpants.

[Dan Bernstein]

That was a true story, though. That wasn't a joke.

[Co-host]

Every great joke has a little bit of truth.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, for sure.

[Co-host]

No, on this stadium bill, by the way, I didn't think it was gonna look quite like this. The Bears are in Springfield and there have lobbyists there and lawyers there and everybody trying to convince in this veto session to take up this particular mega project tax dollar tax certainty bill. It's a bad bill. It's based on the reporting that I've read, this is undercooked, underdeveloped, underscrutinized, under sunlighted. This is a no for the Bears and they're trying to rush this through. And I'm glad that there are smarter people downstate basically telling the bears no, not yet. Because what they're referring to as mega projects to get all sorts of tax certainty. I'm cool with it. For an actual mega project, if we're talking in the billions of dollars. No, not this one. That says a qualifying development would have to invest at least 100 million, create at least 100 full time jobs and operate for at least 20 years. That could be anything. You know what costs $100 million? A building. Like there's all sorts of things. If you're talking about in any sort of big building with multipurpose, residential, commercial, retail, you're exempting way too much. And that's not fair to these tax districts. It's certainly for the Bears to claim that they're a mega project. Yes. The Bears stadium is a megaproject.

[Dan Bernstein]

A hotel is not restaurant facility is.

[Co-host]

Not a single hotel. Is that. No. But the problem is that this is a way for, for too many people. And in this state in particular, once all of the horse trading and illegality starts and favors start getting doled out with these being the guidelines and the thresholds. No, no, no, no, no, no.

[Dan Bernstein]

And quick reminder to the Bears were just recently valued at 9 billion.

[Co-host]

Yep. Is that right? 9 billion?

[Dan Bernstein]

9 with a B billion.

[Co-host]

So I like the fact. Good job, state legislature, you know, punt the Bears down the road a little bit. Let's have more public hearing about this bill. More people weighing in. Because this is my money as a Cook county taxpayer as part of this. This is, this is make it, make it Better. I've. I wanted to be clear. I'm okay with the Bears getting some with the project. I shouldn't say the Bears. I'm okay with the project receiving some public help for infrastructure. That's what public money should do. It shouldn't be building this stuff to enrich private business, but it should make everyone's life easier and better who's using this area and availing themselves of this area. And that means exits and traffic control, parking, all of these things. There, there are going to be ways to make this right. And it's okay to have some public money and as part of this, but to stiff the schools because you're giving a guy that's building a multi purpose building somewhere to give him low tax incentives, that's bad for the schools, it's bad for the kids, it's bad for the taxpayer. So it's okay down the road for this all to work, but this is too hurried. There's too many holes in this. So make it better and then we'll talk about it later when you got a little more time. The Bears are just in a hurry to get shovels in the ground because of how long it's taken Kevin Warren to do all this stuff. But I would say in three words, slow your roll. And I appreciate the fact that there are some people downstate who are aware of that being the smart thing to do. And while we're talking about smart things to do, get new windows before it gets cold. Because as football season is here and basketball season is starting and hockey has started, it means it's gonna get cold. And it means you're gonna be like, oh, I forgot. I was, I was intending to call Chicago window guys and call Russ Armstrong and have him put in all these new good low emissivity windows that were going to keep the heat from kicking on. But you got to do it. You got to do it. You got to make sure that you get on the schedule and then. And believe me, Russell, get right on it. And when I say Russ, I mean it. This is not just a name and a guy. And he's going to send. He comes out and Russ will show you the same windows he's putting in my house. The same windows that I've recommended to friends, to neighbors, to coworkers recommending to you right here. Yes, a friend and coworker. Russ will match any price. And all these buy one, get one free sales gimmicks that he'll explain why they aren't what they seem that they are. He's just going to give you the best product at the best price guaranteed. Call 847-302-9171. I'll give you the number again, 847-302-9171. Check out his five star reviews at chicagowindowguys.com Lifetime warranty on parts and labor. So if your kid breaks the glass throwing a baseball out front, Russ is going to replace it free. You don't have to wait for weeks for replacement to come in from some far flung place. His factory is here in Chicago. He uses no subcontracted labor. So you're going to know everybody who is in and around your house. Chicago window guys, Russ Armstrong, 847-302-9171. Check out 5 star reviews at ChicagoNowdownguys.com.

[Dan Bernstein]

And have your kids stop hitting balls towards the house.

[Co-host]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Turn them around a little bit.

[Co-host]

Yeah. Or use the squishy balls. Use the stress balls. Those were the basement balls. We hoarded those when we would do the remotes at the auto show. And they had those little. I used to bring home as many as I could fit my pockets, because that was always for batting practice in the basement. Boom, boom, boom, boom.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, it probably brought home a lot because you always wore cargo pants.

[Co-host]

So you had a problem with cargo pants?

[Dan Bernstein]

No, I just thought you had a lot of pockets.

[Co-host]

Yeah, I know.

[Dan Bernstein]

I like to bring home a lot of squishy pants.

[Co-host]

Squishy balls.

[Dan Bernstein]

Squishy pants.

[Co-host]

I do squishy balls in my squishy pants.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, that's why your cousin was there.

[Co-host]

Right there.

[Dan Bernstein]

Back to.

[Co-host]

He can untwist them for me. I don't know if he can unsquish them, but he could certainly.

[Dan Bernstein]

He could certainly squish them, though, but not unsquish them.

[Co-host]

Right. Anybody? Oh, by the way, I've already. I want you to know, for DBU for Friday. Yeah. I have already started my work on top 10 saints.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Co-host]

This is going to be awesome.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, boy. All right. Okay. I trust you.

[Co-host]

I know the committee is deep in work. I know the committee is deep into their activities.

[Dan Bernstein]

But, yeah, if you dig deep again like you do for your DBU picks, it could be pretty interesting.

[Co-host]

Well, you know, I like to find little fun things.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, you find good things. I give you risky parlays that hit, and it's all good to go.

[Co-host]

Okay. That's that. I'm, you know, I don't trust. I don't have a lot of confidence in my ability to make picks. I don't. You're a swaggering wagering machine.

[Dan Bernstein]

I told you, I gave you Falcons plus three and a half, Bears plus five and a half. They both won outright.

[Co-host]

I know. I'm just. I'm surprising myself a little bit.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Starting to enjoy it a little bit, too. But it does add anxiety.

[Dan Bernstein]

See, that's not good for you, though. I mean, you shouldn't do something that adds anxiety. It doesn't add any anxiety. Anxiety for me. It just. It adds more excitement watching games that are meaningless to me.

[Co-host]

I know. That's why I sort of. I've never understood a lot of the people who. Every game there's always got to have the action. Got to have the action. For me, that would just be like.

[Dan Bernstein]

Especially if it's something that you can't lose, and to have that level of stress, like the money you're betting is something you can't lose, and then to have that level of stress added on top of it is just. It's not.

[Co-host]

It's not healthy. Yeah. Well, that. That means you might have a little problem. So you should probably call 1-800-GAMBLER.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Co-host]

If that's the issue. Because if. Yeah, you don't. Don't endanger your livelihood or your kids. College.

[Dan Bernstein]

Remember what Doug used to always say?

[Co-host]

He said, buddy, he who gambles lives in shambles.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's it. Buddy.

[Co-host]

But not necessarily, though.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, he wasn't always. True. But it was. It sounded good coming from Doug.

[Co-host]

Right. It sounded good, but it wasn't. It didn't really apply to everyone. Yeah, right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Not always.

[Co-host]

Did you see, by the way, that Padres manager Mike Schilt is stepping away? Yes, it came as a bit of a surprise. And usually when these things happen, my thought is, oh, okay, well, he was gonna get fired and he's stepping away, and that's that. There's always tension with the front office or whatever it may be, or they brought in some young hotshot special assistant to the GM or special assistant to the president, and he could see the writing on the wall and knew that somebody was gonna be looking over his shoulder. And look, how much did we see with the Cubs when it was clear that they weren't trusting Joe Madden anymore? And, I mean, eventually they did fire him, but I don't know that he wanted to see the handwriting on the wall. David Ross, Obviously, that came as a complete surprise, but I was really kind of moved, in a sad way by what Schilt said. First of all, he's only 57.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Co-host]

Now I always. I'm 56. And I look old? Do I look that old?

[Dan Bernstein]

No, he's a. He's a different level.

[Co-host]

Okay. All right. I'm just, I'm just making sure.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, that's. That was a bit of a surprise during the Padre series when I was doing some reading, reading on him and saw his age, I. I expected it to be in the 60s.

[Co-host]

I did, too. Yeah. How old's Pat Murphy? 67.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I think he's in his mid.

[Co-host]

To late 60s, something like that. I thought that's where Mike Schilt was and I know I look older. Older. White hair will do that, but yeah, it's that hard.

[Dan Bernstein]

San Diego living, right?

[Co-host]

Yeah. But apparently it was to read this, this is from the Athletic. He said he began thinking in late August about retirement. He said during this past season he experienced poor sleep, chest pains, hair loss, and in an age of pervasive sports, gambling, death threats from strangers.

[Dan Bernstein]

Those are the ones that get you. It's the ones, the death threats from family and friends that just kind of.

[Co-host]

Roll off your back a little bit, he said. After the Padres season ending loss, he told AJ Preller he wanted to head home for a week to recharge and reflect. Here's the quote. Mike Schiltz said, I can tell you I was sick a lot. I just wasn't feeling good. I was run down. I wasn't sleeping. It's nobody's fault. It's just day to day stress, you know, Just unhealthy, man. And sometimes you gotta take care of you, you know? He plans to retire to his beach house in North Carolina and he has no plans to seek another job in baseball.

[Dan Bernstein]

Good for him. Hopefully he's seen a doctor recently.

[Co-host]

Although he said that while one can never say never, he has no plans to seek another job in baseball. He is walking away without a buyout. He had at least $4 million left on his contract that would have been paid had he stayed for two years or been fired. So to read his quotes and to hear about what's going on, let me just say, I hope he's okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, for sure.

[Co-host]

But usually when it says, that's it, I'm leaving, screw you guys, I'm going home and I'm going to my beach house.

[Dan Bernstein]

Beach house in North Carolina sounds pretty nice.

[Co-host]

Yeah. When there's no hurricanes, sure. You know, if there's a beach left.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, yeah, you want to avoid the hurricanes. That's what my realtor told me once.

[Co-host]

Yeah. And because it's hard to get, you can't really get insured anymore. That's the problem.

[Dan Bernstein]

You possibly die, too. I don't. Yeah, that's the problem.

[Co-host]

No, I just mean, obviously, insurance. The property is.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, I got. I'm sorry.

[Co-host]

Concern. You can.

[Dan Bernstein]

I got you. I understand.

[Co-host]

Get out of there. Yeah, I was just reading that in the new. The new David Sedaris.

[Dan Bernstein]

When the hurricane comes, Move.

[Co-host]

No, they leave. They were talking about the new David Sedaris collection, which is. Which is just excellent. It's excellent. And they've got a beach house in North Carolina, and they're always dealing with hurricane worries. And then finally one day, it finally happened, and everything was collapsed, and they're trying to rebuild it, but of course, he finds humor in it, because that's what he does. But I just. The death threats I know, are a real thing. And I know that a lot of the people that. The individual athletes get targeted and have had to remove themselves completely from social media just because of people who lost a parlay or had some individual prop bet on what somebody does, and then it doesn't come in, and it's. It's too bad.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I remember when we had security escorting you to and from your car because you were speaking out against, you know, molesting children. Yeah. People hated you for it.

[Co-host]

Yes. Well, see, I came by that honestly, that I took the controversial stance of child rape being no good.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Being bad. Yeah. Yeah. That was one of three times I had security.

[Dan Bernstein]

What were the other two? I don't recall. The Penn State stuff was number one.

[Co-host]

The Penn State stuff when Dale Earnhardt died.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, that's right.

[Co-host]

That was early. That was back on Belmont when I said. When the guy who said, I'm shocked Dale's dead. And I said, you can't. I said, you could be sad. You can't be shocked. And everybody got really mad at me. How dare you disrespect Dale. Okay, I'm gonna kill you. Oh, and then there was the time in Downer's Grove. I forgot why that death threat came in when we were on remote and they didn't tell me. Ever tell you the story?

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, I remember that. Yes.

[Co-host]

The score knew and didn't bother. And they didn't tell me that there was a death threat.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Yeah. I actually took that all the way up to hr, and I was considering that being actionable at the time because we got to the remote and there was a plain clothesman there. Hey, by the way, I'm here. Security because of the death threat. And I said, what death threat? He said, they didn't tell you yeah. Like, no. And then they tried to just. The guy at hr, he's like, well, we didn't want to worry you. Like, don't you want the very first line of defense of something looking a little out of order to be mean?

[Dan Bernstein]

Is knowledge. Yeah.

[Co-host]

Don't you want me to maybe say, that guy is acting weird, or I've seen that guy before, that maybe you want to tell me. And then it's an inside job.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

The funniest part of it was we got there and it was in downtown Downers Grove. And our back, where they had us set up, my back was to a plate glass window.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

On the street.

[Dan Bernstein]

My back. That was my call to an open window. Sorry about that.

[Co-host]

Or like a clear window. And I said, do you think this is the best idea for the set? That's what made me think you're trying to kill me. This is an inside job.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, when they first proposed the idea to me of killing you, I, I, I thought about it. Then I said, I'm gonna pass on this one. Let it go. So I should have told you. My bad.

[Co-host]

Yeah. Well, it's part of the job. We've all been there.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. I mean, Terry was like, I think we should get rid of this guy. Will you, Will you do it? I said, yeah, Terry, maybe.

[Co-host]

Right. I can't do it. Can we wait till after the show?

[Dan Bernstein]

If I know Beth and the kids, I just, I couldn't do it.

[Co-host]

I understand. I, I do appreciate it.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. And then did you think it was weird, though, when I put the big red and white target on your back? You're facing the window, just in case.

[Co-host]

I thought it was weird when you put the burial shroud on me during Dan wear this.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

You asked me to.

[Dan Bernstein]

What's this for? Don't worry about it. Just put it on.

[Co-host]

You asked me to wear a burial shroud.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's a new sponsorship. They need you to wear it for.

[Co-host]

And I also thought it was strange that the floor was covered with plastic sheeting.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Co-host]

And they said, look, it's just the promotions.

[Dan Bernstein]

You sat in your chair and I said, miska. And then he got you up out of the chair.

[Co-host]

Put it down there. They call this gaffer's tape. I'm gonna use the gaffer's tape.

[Dan Bernstein]

Put the chair back over the plastic.

[Co-host]

You ever at the end of a movie, they've heard of gaffers? It's the people that use this tape. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Here, Dan, put this on. There's a target on your back. Sit back to the window. All right, let's get rolling. We're good to go.

[Co-host]

And then the plainclothes detective is there going. I can't figure out what's going on. It's probably. It's probably the same detective that thought TB Diddlers.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's who they hired. They hired that guy to protect you. You know, y' all haven't told us the address of TB Diddlers yet because.

[Co-host]

You know, you keep running these commercials for TB Diddlers and you never say where it is or the phone number is. Well, I said, you know, it's a bit.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Oh, what do you do for a living? I'm a detective.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yep. That was.

[Co-host]

That is. And I want to say.

[Dan Bernstein]

And the score hired me to protect you, Dan.

[Co-host]

I know it's not feedback Friday, but shout out to the emailer who actually sent that in who sent a note that said, you keep talking about my bookie, but you never say who your bookie is. And then it said, yes, I'm a detective.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, that was good.

[Co-host]

Yeah, it was cute. That was cute. And yeah, we do. We like to talk about my bookie because my bookie is going to help you be the annoying guy. And when I say that, it means the guy in the group chat that hits the five leg parlay game one and doesn't shut up about it the rest of the season. So it can be you instead of somebody else and you can just be lording it over all of your friends because my bookie makes it so easy to get in on the action. College ball, NFL, their super contest, their survivor pools, whatever you like to do and how you like to do it, all the player props, I like those. All the spreads, the in game lines, it's all under one roof. And if you're new to my bookie, we have a code. DBudan. Bernstein unfiltered those three letters DBU. And that makes any bet you choose up to $500, fully covered. The way you lock it in is you make your play and if it doesn't hit, you get it right back when you opt in using the bet back bonus token. So go there, set up your account, make your deposit, play along with us. There's no better time to jump in. No better place to play football is back. So go ahead and make some money with my bookie.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yep. And we'll have picks for you on Friday during DBU picks. Also, remember that we've moved our top 10 list to DBU. So this week our top 10 Saints will be during DBU. Ford progress will be all Bears and NFL focused top 10 Saints on DBU with feedback Friday and DBU picks as well.

[Co-host]

I also want to let you know that we had a return yesterday to the 312Sports family. We welcome back the organization's Win Championships podcast. So we now have three full time podcast under the 31 2, sports banner. We have this show, we have Forward Progress a Chicago Bears podcast and we have Organizations Win Championships, a Chicago Bulls podcast. It was episode 114 yesterday because of all of the ones that we have been doing for the past several years. But we are back now. We are starting a YouTube channel from scratch. So when you search Organizations Win championships make sure that you are on that particular you're subscribed to that particular channel right now. The if you were on Apple podcasts on Spotify with the RSS feed it should transfer over. We've kept the same rss but when you want to follow your Bulls at the moment we're going to do a minimum of weekly, usually on Tuesday late afternoon is when it's going to it's.

[Dan Bernstein]

You and Ball Sec Biombo.

[Co-host]

Yeah, yesterday he was Ball Sack Biombo for a brief period of time.

[Dan Bernstein]

Some of those names but it looked.

[Co-host]

Good when you put it up there. But yes, Jason Bernstein, who is a junior now at Tulane and is writing columns, sports columns as the sports editor of their student newspaper and covering basketball down there, covering football. He will also be taking in some Pelicans games and we're going to have all sorts of Bulls and NBA stuff for you. So everything that you have enjoyed in the past. A lot of people enjoyed our trivia showdown that we do where he routinely beats me like a, like a rented mule. I should have gotten that one yesterday that he got me on. But Organizations Win Championships has returned. So there is obviously going to be Bulls coverage here and I'm looking forward once the season starts to, to hanging out there. Now I got the chance to go to games again. Yeah a little bit now because I used to not want to bug our reporters or you know, step on anybody's toes. But I think getting back in the field a little bit and going to check out some of that stuff's going to be really fun.

[Dan Bernstein]

Look forward to it.

[Co-host]

I indeed am looking forward to it as well. There were some notes on here as I'm looking at our whiteboard. I want to make sure that we left some room here for Matt's notes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Just a couple things really, really fast, nothing too crazy urgent, but Dodgers take game two last night over the Brewers Yamamoto with a complete.

[Co-host]

Oh my God, was he gorgeous.

[Dan Bernstein]

So good.

[Co-host]

It was, it was.

[Dan Bernstein]

That really helps when the guy goes nine.

[Co-host]

Nine is nine is good to help your bullpen out. Well, how do I cobble this pitching staff together to get 27 outs?

[Dan Bernstein]

This guy will take all 27.

[Co-host]

Yoshi, can you get me 27 outs?

[Dan Bernstein]

Good, good to go.

[Co-host]

Go get him.

[Dan Bernstein]

One other, one other baseball note, very, very, very near to opting out of his of his 2026 deal is Alex Bregman, who could very well become available through free agency. And I don't know if you're, if you're interested in a guy like he is acting out. Yeah, he has done it yet. No, he's very near to doing it. That's, that's what all the, all the rumors have said. People in, in, in Boston have, have said that he's, he's going to opt out. Okay. Making him a free agent. He is a career.336 on base ops of 8,46 ops plus of 132. He's setting himself up for a long term deal. Is Alex Bregman. Bregman, a guy that you would, you would go after for a long term deal, lost. Did he lose two months during the season with a hamstring injury?

[Co-host]

How old is he?

[Dan Bernstein]

Alex Bregman? 33. Yeah.

[Co-host]

No, I don't like big money at that age. I don't. I think you got to give Shaw a little bit more.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, no, he's. No, no, no, he's 31.

[Co-host]

31.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Born in 94.

[Co-host]

Okay. It's better I, if Shaw is a first round pick and at some point you've just got it, you got to give him the Runway at the major league level and you Hope for a PCA like jump next year in year two.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

You hope for a PCA like jump.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. I mean, because that's $820,000 next year.

[Co-host]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

For Matt Shaw.

[Co-host]

I mean, if you have all the money, you could spend all the money. I'm talking more about development.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm just saying, I mean, you can't.

[Co-host]

Block him now if he's a guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

That can take a jump and grow and develop and you have them under that type of salary for the next few years, that's, that's significant because you need to spend that money elsewhere. And then one, one final thought. I have some thoughts and prayers for the people of New York City.

[Co-host]

Dan, what happened?

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, on the heels of the Mets missing out on the playoffs, losing out to the Reds by a game Yankees get bounced by the Blue Jays and the alds. This did not need to happen to New York fans. The New York Rangers, Dan, I don't know if you saw this. Have really cemented themselves in NHL record books. They've opened their season by being scoreless the first three home games. That is an NHL record. Not scoring their first three home games to open a season. This is the longest streak ever in NHL history. Okay, they, the good people of New York City did not need that coming off this baseball season. So I just wanted to recognize the good people of New York, the great sports fans they are, and just send thoughts and prayers my way their way from me for what's happening with the Rangers in the start of their season.

[Co-host]

Well, in a wide open NBA Eastern Conference, perhaps the Knicks can provide some kind of redemption now that they have made the coaching change. Thibodeau is out and Mike Brown is in. And that maybe they will start to take enough three pointers.

[Dan Bernstein]

Maybe, maybe that will help get over what's happened in the baseball season. And then the disappointment of the Rangers starting the Islanders. I'm not even sure what they've done.

[Co-host]

You didn't even talk about the Jets.

[Dan Bernstein]

That. Who. Oh, the jets are. Owen six. That's right. Forgot about the Jets. The Giants though, they have Jackson Dart. They have. They have your guy, Cam.

[Co-host]

Scatter. Boo.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, Kim. Scatter. Boo. But just thoughts and prayers, Rangers fans. Hang in there. It's fine. You guys, you guys will, you'll. You'll score a goal at home. I promise.

[Co-host]

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[Dan Bernstein]

Hey, I talked to an old friend today and want to just give out a shout out to Baldy McGrindy, our good friend Brendan McCaffrey.

[Co-host]

Hey, how's it doing?

[Dan Bernstein]

So I reached out for a particular NFL reason.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

And he'd be a good source to go to for what I needed. And he responded almost immediately in text and said, hey, I'm in Florence, Italy.

[Co-host]

Good for him.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. I'm like, what? Why are you texting me back? He was finishing up a couple beers sitting at a bar. His wife Katie is. They're expecting their second son in January.

[Co-host]

He's in Florence and he's not drinking wine.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's balding McGrindy. He's not, he's not going to drink wine.

[Co-host]

I mean, I do like a. It used to be that you couldn't get a Peroni Nostro Zorro. I love Pierroni.

[Dan Bernstein]

I love Peroni.

[Co-host]

But the Nestrozura, I discovered it on our honeymoon in Italy back in the day. But. Oh, good for him.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. So he was having a couple, couple pops and so we chatted for a little bit. So congrats to Brendan and Katie, their second son arriving in January. Danny is there now. They're. So they're on a multi faceted trip of delayed honeymoon, 10 year anniversary baby moon trip and then the celebration of second and final child coming in January.

[Co-host]

Did I tell you? Then when Beth and I did our honeymoon and we did Rome, Florence and Venice in 1999 and a restaurant was recommended to us in Florence that was absolutely fabulous and it was called Il Latini and there wasn't really a menu, it just whatever they served. There was a 7 o' clock seating and a 9 o' clock seating and they would just say meat or no meat and they would start bringing stuff and they had all these different. The ribolletta and all of the classics and bisteca and roasted rabbit and you just ate and it's like Communal seating. They just put you wherever. And we sat with a couple from Hollywood, from la. They were sitcom writers. And we polished off. Between the four of us, we polished off one of these giant jugs of unlabeled Chianti. Sure. Nice. It was just wherever their house was. We had a blast of an evening, and I never forgot the restaurant. And we went back a few years ago with the kids, and it was 19 years later, so the restaurant had changed. It was a little more modernized. There was a menu now, and it's still wonderful. And the owner was there, the same guy.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, wow.

[Co-host]

They call him the Little bull, because when you see him, his hair was black. When I say now, it's just here's, you know, like mine.

[Dan Bernstein]

Was it Randy Brown.

[Co-host]

And I. I came over to him and I. And I told him, and I said, hey. I said, you know, you obviously don't know us. I just want you to know that we were here many years ago for our honeymoon.

[Dan Bernstein]

Did he tell you he remembered you?

[Co-host]

Oh, you're that guy. You're not allowed back. And. And I said, these are. These are our kids. You know, we were. We were here shortly after we got married. And he walks out from behind the bar, gives me a bear hug, goes over to his personal wine rack, pulls a bottle of wine out of there, and he was just so. He was so happy. He's just so here. You guys enjoy this.

[Dan Bernstein]

He said that then Jason drank most.

[Co-host]

Of it, even back then. But it was just one of those really cool things, just to have a. To have a restaurant for that, to still be there in the same place and to be able to come back with another generation. And I told the kids, I said, I hope you can come back here with your kids.

[Dan Bernstein]

What was the recommendation you gave me in Rome? I can't remember if we spoke about.

[Co-host]

It after El Morro.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. Did I text you or tell you that we didn't get in because they closed for the month?

[Co-host]

Were you there in August?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

Well, everything's closed in August.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's not everything.

[Co-host]

Okay, well, that. You know what?

[Dan Bernstein]

Obviously, we ate at several restaurants, so not every closed, but you've got a.

[Co-host]

Reason to go back.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. No, and we found it down the little alley, and I was so excited. And we get there, and there was a sign they were closed from, like, August. I think it was, like, August 7th.

[Co-host]

It's right behind the Trevi Fountain.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

It's like. You say it's in an alley.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Co-host]

And you go. And you go downstairs and they do a Tableside pasta. It's their version of a carbonara.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

That uses guancial. It's the jowl.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, that's. You have to. That's if you want to do it right.

[Co-host]

That's what you should do. And they put the egg yolks in, the pasta comes out and you see them just stir in the egg yolk next to your table and then they just put it right onto your plate.

[Dan Bernstein]

We found a couple places that did it tableside and was so good. But I wanted to go to your recommendation. So we might have to get back out there.

[Co-host]

Might just have to.

[Dan Bernstein]

And if. If you've never had guanciale. And so it's as Dan said, it's the pig jowl. And you can't find any. If you don't have a butcher or meat guy you go to.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

And it might be a little bit of a drive for you, depending where you live in. In Chicago area, In Kenosha, there's a Italian market called Tanudas, which is.

[Co-host]

Is that the one? It's like right off an exit.

[Dan Bernstein]

Isn't it outstanding?

[Co-host]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's unbelievable.

[Co-host]

Why have I heard of it?

[Dan Bernstein]

They always have it. They always have guancha. Every time I've been there, there's always guanchali. So if you ever need it, can't find it. Take a little trip to Kenosha. Get all your supplies there. It's a great. They have a great beer and wine and liquor department as well. And an Italian market. Everything you need. But you take the ride up there and you get a sandwich, too.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

So you get yourself a sandwich, you make a day out of it and you get. Eat lunch, you get all your shopping. So I. I go for my Christmas Eve shopping. That's when I'm doing all my Italian stuff and I go up there and that's where I do all my shopping. And you have. You have to get like the holidays. You have to get there when it opens. I got there in the middle of the day. It was late. We did a couple different things before we got there. And it was. I mean, the deli was about a 45 to 60 minute wait. That's how packed it gets.

[Co-host]

And worth it.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, my God. Absolutely worth it. This stuff is fucking fantastic. So if you never had guanciale, there's your poll quote. It's fucking fantastic.

[Co-host]

Yeah. Maddie says S E, Z.

[Dan Bernstein]

But it's worth it, though, so. Yeah. I was so disappointed though, that they were closed for the month of August.

[Co-host]

That is going to do it. For today's edition of Dan Bernstein Unfiltered, make sure that you check out forward progress today as well. We have much to discuss in specificity regarding your Chicago Bears, but that's dbu and it is brought to you, presented in partnership with my bookie, Dan Bernstein.

[Dan Bernstein]

Unfiltered unfiltered on three 1.

[Co-host]

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[Dan Bernstein]

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[Co-host]

Whatever they get.

[Dan Bernstein]

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[Co-host]

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[Dan Bernstein]

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