Podcast Summary: KSR - Hour 2 (July 7, 2025)

Introduction

In the second hour of the July 7, 2025 episode of KSR, host Matt Jones along with co-hosts Drew Franklin, Billy Rutledge, and Shannon "The Dude" engage in lively discussions primarily centered around baseball, local sports updates, and a notable segment on garbage workers' strike in Philadelphia. The episode is peppered with engaging banter, insightful sports analysis, and interactive conversations with listeners.

1. Baseball Season Analysis

Discussing Team Performance and Strategies

The crew delves deep into the current state of the baseball season, analyzing team performances and potential outcomes leading up to the all-star break.

• Drew Franklin shares his weekend performance insights:
  "I went into this weekend at Boston at Philly... ended up going two and four, winding up facing the Phillies' best pitchers, which hurt us." [02:00]

• Matt Jones emphasizes the importance of upcoming games:
  "You've got the Marlins and the Rockies seven games in a row at home... gotta win them." [02:15]

• The discussion highlights the necessity for a strong record to secure a wild card spot:
  "If they go less than five and two, I think it's going to be hard to get done." [03:00]

Pitching Strategies and Player Performance

The team analyzes pitching techniques and their impact on the game outcomes:

• Shannon The Dude raises a critical point about pitching tells:
  "When they throw an off-speed pitch, like his leg kick was going at a different angle... they knew it was an offspeed pitch." [04:34]

• Matt Jones explains subtle pitching variations:
  "Pitchers might do something different when they're going to throw an off-speed pitch versus a fastball... something as simple as how they tilt their glove." [04:18]

Notable Player Highlights

The crew spotlights emerging talents and exceptional performances:

• Billy Rutledge praises Jasper Johnson from Team USA:
  "He got better every game... averaging eight points a game with forty-seven percent shooting from the field." [07:12]

• Drew Franklin discusses a standout defensive play:
  "A guy on the Pirates threw a ball from the outfield at one hundred-six miles an hour... the fastest thrown baseball they've ever seen." [06:04]

2. Philadelphia Garbage Workers' Strike

Overview of the Strike and Its Impact

A significant portion of the discussion addresses the ongoing strike by garbage workers in Philadelphia and its broader implications:

• Drew Franklin introduces the topic:
  "Garbage workers are on strike in Philadelphia right now... people in the city are mad." [09:00]

• Shannon The Dude humorously compares the situation to a "stinky" scenario:
  "This is a really stinky situation." [10:44]

Listener Interaction and Solutions

The hosts interact with callers to explore potential solutions for garbage disposal during the strike:

• Caller from Philadelphia explains available options:
  "In a normal time, you can bring your recycling or trash for free... now they have sixty-five additional centers." [28:04]

• Billy Rutledge provides insights into the cost of landfill usage:
  "The average to use a landfill is forty to sixty dollars per ton." [14:08]

Historical Context and Environmental Concerns

The conversation touches upon historical events and environmental safeguards related to waste management:

• Drew Franklin references Martin Luther King Jr.:
  "Martin Luther King was killed... he was there to protest with the garbage workers." [30:24]

• Billy Rutledge discusses landfill safety measures:
  "They put plastic mats down underneath everything... to capture garbage waste juice." [30:39]

3. Player Spotlight: Ponotoski from Molar

High School Athlete Feature

The hosts shine a spotlight on a promising high school athlete, Ponotoski, drawing comparisons to established sports figures:

• Caller highlights Ponotoski's versatility:
  "He throws ninety-seven miles an hour as a shortstop and has an elite arm like an Ellie type." [32:43]

• Drew Franklin draws parallels to Joe Burrow:
  "He's Joe Burrow... he puts the ball right on target." [42:46]

Viewer Engagement and Future Prospects

Discussions revolve around Ponotoski's future and potential impact on Kentucky sports:

• Shannon The Dude praises his cerebral approach:
  "He's extremely accurate and very cerebral; he doesn't make bad decisions." [33:35]

• Matt Jones and Billy Rutledge express excitement about his prospects:
  "He has a great opportunity to take over quickly." [35:00]

4. Tour de France Highlights

Race Developments and Incidents

The hosts provide updates on the Tour de France, focusing on dramatic moments and rider performances:

• Drew Franklin describes a collision incident:
  "Two riders were sprinting on cobblestones, and one lost control, crashing into the other after crossing the line." [25:16]

• Billy Rutledge emphasizes the importance of control:
  "You've got to keep both hands on your rig on cobbles." [26:43]

5. Audience Interaction and Lighthearted Segments

Donut Eating Contest and AI Humor

The episode features a humorous segment involving Ryan Lemon and AI-generated images:

• Drew Franklin shares a funny moment where Ryan mistook an AI image for himself:
  "Ryan thought the AI picture was him, but it was clearly a fatter version." [37:30]

• Shannon The Dude and Billy Rutledge engage in playful banter about the authenticity of the images:
  "The picture of me with two donuts was real." [39:05]

Upcoming Events and Listener Shout-outs

The hosts discuss upcoming local events and acknowledge listeners:

• Shannon The Dude invites listeners to upcoming games:
  "We're going to do the donut contest on Friday... taping an episode this afternoon." [42:10]

• Caller praises a local athlete and encourages attendance at events:
  "He's only a junior and has a great opportunity to win the Gatorade Player of the Year again." [41:55]

6. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with final thoughts and teasing future content:

• Matt Jones and Drew Franklin express their anticipation for ongoing sports seasons:
  "We have another great Ryan Lemon moment during the break... looks like we'll take a break." [43:22]

• Shannon The Dude reminds listeners about the upcoming activities and engages in a light-hearted discussion about home security due to show popularity:
  "Even though some people found my house last year... hiding it this year." [43:27]

Notable Quotes

• Drew Franklin on pitching strategies:
  "If they're picking up on the pitcher's tells, they can light him up, especially a big leaguer." [05:02]

• Shannon The Dude on team standings:
  "A big window has opened for you at this point in the season." [03:21]

• Billy Rutledge on waste management costs:
  "The average to use a landfill is forty to sixty dollars per ton." [14:08]

Conclusion

This episode of KSR offers a comprehensive look into the current sports landscape, particularly focusing on baseball strategies and player performances. It also raises awareness about real-world issues like the Philadelphia garbage workers' strike, blending serious discussions with lighthearted interactions. The hosts’ dynamic chemistry and active listener engagement make for an informative and entertaining hour, suitable for both regular listeners and newcomers seeking insightful sports commentary.