Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – Arizona

Episode: 08-26-25 – Story Of Brady Being A Tennis Dick Leads To Stories Of Rec Softball's Over Achievers
Date: August 26, 2025
Host(s): John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo

Episode Summary

Overview

This lively and irreverent episode centers on the hosts' competitive streaks in recreational sports, starting with a story about Brady's notorious tennis court antics, and naturally spiraling into wild anecdotes from their days playing rec league softball. The main themes involve over-achieving in casual sports, the fine (or not-so-fine) line between competitiveness and being "a dick," and a parade of hilarious war stories about rec league shenanigans—especially those involving their ultra-competitive teammate, Dave Cooper. The camaraderie and self-awareness in revisiting their outlandish moments make this both a roast and a fond reminiscence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brady’s Reputation as a Tennis “Dick”

• Scene: John interrupts a conversation to tell Brady about a fan recounting their experience playing doubles with him.
• Incident Recap:
  • A tennis player recognized Brady from KUPD and recounted to his friend how Brady, as his doubles partner, became explosively angry when he missed a volley, flexing and giving a “King Kong scream” at his own teammate. (04:20)
  • The group roasts Brady for acting like he’s playing for championships in a casual game.
• Key Quote:
  • "The guy hit the fence, and Brady turned and flexed on him and just screamed. Tanked his volley in the net. And you flexed on your own teammate and gave him a King Kong scream. And the guy's like, what a dick." – John (05:20)

2. Rec League Softball – Seriousness vs. Fun

• Transition: Holmberg recounts how Brady’s competitiveness was not limited to tennis.
• Brady as Softball Pitcher:
  • Brady’s calls for seriousness—his “Knock off the circus!” catchphrase—became legendary as soon as the team started losing focus or after beers at the Dirty Drummer bar.
  • "Enough with the circus!" – Brady (regular refrain during games, c. 09:10)
• Dynamic:
  • The tension of "we're here to have fun" vs. "let's win at all costs" surfaces, illustrating typical rec league group dynamics.
• Team Characters:
  • Dave Cooper, perhaps even more intense than Brady, emerges as the ultimate example of taking rec league competition too far.

3. Dave Cooper and the Notorious “No Defense for Good Hitting” Incident

• Story Highlight:
  • In a close game, Cooper, recognizing the required rule that each team play a woman at the typically least-targeted position, deliberately bats left-handed and smashes a ball directly into the female second baseman, knocking her down (ovaries referenced with cartoonish exaggeration). (13:30–17:00)
  • As she’s down, Cooper rounds first, yells, and claps: “No defense for good hitting!”
• Memorable Quotes:
  • "He bats left handed and drives a ball directly into her guts… and he's circling first and screams, 'No defense for good hitting!'" — John (13:50)
  • [On Cooper's pride] "Pride. He took great pride in the fact that that was his goal. Smash it at the weakling and hit her as hard as you can in the puss box and drop her. And then taunt her." – John (14:20)
• Reaction: Condemned and laughed about in equal measure, this incident becomes legend among the group as an example of what happens when competitiveness overshoots decency.

4. Other “Dick Move” Anecdotes

• Holmberg’s Own Incident:
  • John discusses a time he almost injured a girl with an errant thrown bat out of frustration, causing immediate bruising, and the cyclical anger that followed when onlookers assumed he did it on purpose. (21:10)
  • "Like I planned that. And now I'm mad at him, right? And then she comes around the corner crying. And then Dave Cooper comes up, and he goes, no defense for good... And I'm like, oh my God. Not now, Dave." – John (21:30)
• On Hyper-Competitive Players:
  • Cooper kept personal stats and took rec league as if it were his profession.
  • “Coop was serious about softball. I mean, uncle Rico serious about... And he was good.”—John (27:10)
• Joe Niekro’s Daughter Anecdote:
  • John throws a hardball to first base, the first baseman (Natalie Niekro) moves out of the way, and Cooper kicks her off the team for not catching it.

5. Mockery of “Uniformed” Rec League Tryhards

• Under Armour Guy Riff:
  • Jokes about men who show up geared up head-to-toe in Under Armour, acting like they’re sponsored athletes in a casual D-league. (47:00)
  • “You're just jealous, aren't you?” — Under Armour guy
  • “Oh, I'm wildly envious of your tight—F you, man. I'm like, it's softball. Calm her down a little bit, Kingman... The word 'under' is placed all over your body. Where's the over armour? I want to see what religion you are. Put that thing away.” — John (47:30)

6. Reflection on Rec League Glory and Absurdity

• Self-Awareness:
  • They mock their own pride and overzealous performances in retrospect, criticizing—and laughing at—how worked up they got about games that, in the grand scheme, meant nothing.
  • “Because really in, you know, you can say, oh, I wanted to be good at this. And then when you walk away and go, what did we really just do?” – John (54:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brady’s Tennis Dick Moment:

  • “You flexed on your own teammate and gave him a King Kong scream.” — John (05:20)

• Brady in Softball:

  • “Enough with the circus!” — Brady (09:10)

• Cooper’s Ruthlessness:

  • “No defense for good hitting!” — Dave Cooper (13:55, 21:32, 41:10, recurring)

• On Hitting the “Weak” Player:

  • “He bats left-handed and drills her... and then taunts her with, ‘No defense for good hitting!’” — John (13:50)

• After Bat Incident:

  • “Now I’m mad at him, right? And then she comes around the corner crying. And then Dave Cooper comes up, and he goes, ‘no defense for good...’ And I’m like, oh my God. Not now, Dave.” — John (21:30)

• On Rec League Perspective:

  • “Because really... what did we really just do?” — John (54:15)

• Mocking “Pro” Players:

  • “You look ridiculous. You're in Under Armour. It says it all over. The word under is placed all over your body. Where's the over armour?” — John (47:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Brady’s Tennis Dick Story: 03:30 – 07:00
• Rec League Softball: The “Circus” & Brady’s Pitching: 07:10 – 15:00
• Dave Cooper’s “No Defense for Good Hitting” Incident: 13:30 – 21:00
• Holmberg’s Bat Throw Story: 21:10 – 23:30
• Joe Niekro’s Daughter / Cut from Team: 25:00 – 27:00
• Rec League Divisions & Uniform Jokes: 43:00 – 49:00
• Mocking “Under Armour” Guy: 47:00 – 49:00
• Reflection on Rec League Fetish: 54:00 – End of main segment

Conclusion

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode is a hilarious, self-aware exploration of how competitive people can get in low-stakes leagues—sometimes to the point of absurdity or outright “dick” behavior. From Brady’s King Kong antics to Dave Cooper’s infamous mantra, “No defense for good hitting,” the hosts walk the line between playful shame and proud nostalgia, making it abundantly clear: never take rec sports (or yourself) too seriously.

End of Summary