Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode: June 25, 2025 Host: John Holmberg Co-Hosts: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo

1. Introduction and Initial Discussion

The episode opens with host John Holmberg briefly acknowledging the show's sponsorships before diving into the main topics. The primary focus centers around two major stories:

1. Confusion Over the Death of Chandler Jones
2. Incident Involving Diamondbacks Player Cattel Marte

2. Confusion Surrounding Chandler Jones' Reported Death

Trey Farrow initiates the conversation by addressing a confusion in recent news reports:

[01:01] Trey Farrow: "Former Arizona Cardinal Chandler Jones is alive and well. Different Chandler Jones, you."

He explains that a report mistakenly conveyed the death of a different individual named Chandler Jones, leading to widespread confusion among listeners. The mistake arose because the deceased Chandler Jones was a lesser-known San Jose State receiver, not the prominent NFL player.

Brett adds to the confusion by mentioning the incorrect nickname used in the reports:

[01:54] Brett: "Yeah, he didn't have a nickname. It said Chandler the Jet Jones."

Trey Farrow elaborates on the implications of this mistake:

[03:12] Trey Farrow: "It's somebody in the know. It has to be somebody involved in it, somebody who's got a piece of it."

This segment highlights the challenges of accurate reporting and the potential emotional distress caused by such mix-ups, especially for families involved.

3. Incident Involving Cattel Marte and a Heckling Fan

The most significant portion of the episode revolves around an unfortunate incident where a White Sox fan heckled Diamondbacks player Cattel Marte about his deceased mother, leading to the fan's banishment from Guaranteed Rate Field.

Trey Farrow expresses disbelief and concern over the incident:

[04:18] Brett: "I needed Jim Gray there for an interview afterwards. Ask him what was said."

[04:23] Trey Farrow: "What actually just happened to you out there, that was terrifying. It's just awful."

He speculates on the nature of the harassment and its deep personal impact on Marte, who lost his mother eight years prior.

John Holmberg reflects on personal loss, making the conversation more poignant:

[06:01] Trey Farrow: "And both of you seem pretty okay with this being a real. Oh, sure. But I'm, I'm. But what would I. But I asked you this because I've not lost a parent. What would it take for me to say something as a stranger to you that would knock you into an emotional frenzy?"

Brett and Trey discuss the rarity of such intense emotional reactions from public interactions, emphasizing the personal nature of the attack:

[07:42] Brett: "Sometimes that's just the combo of what else Maybe that was going on still week that day."

[07:49] Trey Farrow: "How did that dude know? I mean, it's a perfect storm."

They theorize that the attacker might have personal connections or inside knowledge about Marte's life, making the verbal assault even more distressing.

Trey Farrow further explores the possible reasons behind the attack, questioning the motives and the extent of the fan's knowledge:

[10:08] Trey Farrow: "Had to. Not just. Not just one for five years."

He underscores the severity and personal vendetta implied by the incident, indicating that such harassment goes beyond typical fan interactions.

4. Discussion on Emotional Resilience and Public Persona

The conversation shifts to discuss emotional resilience in public figures dealing with personal tragedy. John Holmberg and Trey Farrow ponder the extent to which individuals can maintain composure in the face of public scrutiny and personal loss.

[06:28] John Holmberg: "Nothing at this point."

[09:56] Brett: "It's got to be something that connects to."

They debate whether Marte's reaction was genuine or a façade masking deeper emotional turmoil, considering the time elapsed since his mother's passing.

5. Highlighting a Tall Women's Basketball Player in China

Transitioning from the heavy discussion, the hosts introduce a lighter yet intriguing topic: a 7'5" female basketball player in China who struggles to dunk despite her impressive height.

Trey Farrow expresses fascination and amusement at the player's inability to dunk:

[19:53] Brett: "Well, we don't know."

[19:54] Trey Farrow: "I just watched her. She had 42 points and 25 rebounds in one game. And the whole time they're showing her. She's just reaching and kind of bouncing it off the backboard. She's not the most coordinated per, but she's 7 5."

Brett and Trey engage in a humorous exchange about bringing her to the WNBA, highlighting the novelty and entertainment value she brings to the game despite her technical shortcomings.

[21:40] Trey Farrow: "She can almost reach the rim. And none of them can reach the rim. So this is the first time I've ever said season tickets, please."

6. Addressing Listener Questions and Comments

The hosts interact with listeners, addressing questions about stadium bans and the logistics of enforcing them in a digital age. They touch upon the practicality and effectiveness of banning individuals from sporting events, considering modern technologies and ticketing systems.

[24:37] John Holmberg: "I was so fat on both sides."

[24:39] Trey Farrow: "Of the family, that one got me. But would you cry? No. No."

7. Concluding Remarks

The episode wraps up with light-hearted banter and anticipation for upcoming segments, including a feature on the towering Chinese basketball player. The hosts reflect on the emotional weight of the topics discussed and segue into more entertaining content.

Notable Quotes:

• Trey Farrow on the Chandler Jones confusion:

  [01:01] "Former Arizona Cardinal Chandler Jones is alive and well. Different Chandler Jones, you."

• Discussion on the heckling incident:

  [06:28] "Nothing at this point."

• On the tall basketball player:

  [19:54] "She's 7 5, a woman. She's not done growing. And if the WNBA has not got her in the league next week, they're idiots because I would buy tickets to that Barnum and Bailey's nightmare in a heartbeat."

Insights and Conclusions:

1. Media Accuracy Matters: The confusion surrounding Chandler Jones' death underscores the critical need for accurate journalism to prevent misinformation and unnecessary distress.

2. Emotional Vulnerability of Athletes: The incident with Cattel Marte highlights the intense pressures athletes face and the profound impact of personal attacks, emphasizing the importance of mental health support in sports.

3. Diversity in Sports: The discussion about the exceptionally tall female basketball player brings attention to the diverse range of athletes and the unique challenges they may encounter, suggesting potential areas for improvement and inclusion in professional leagues.

4. Fan Behavior and Enforcement: The conversation sheds light on the complexities of managing fan behavior in large venues, especially in an era where digital ticketing and surveillance add layers of enforcement.

Overall, the episode blends serious discussions about personal loss and media responsibility with lighter topics, providing a comprehensive and engaging narrative for listeners.