Episode 373 - Help Wanted: World Champs Looking for a Running Back

RUNDOWN

Mitch and Hotshot react to the growing likelihood that the Seahawks could lose star running back Kenneth Walker in free agency, debating whether John Schneider's reluctance to franchise tag him signals a different plan at running back. The conversation explores possible draft options, Seattle's roster strategy after a Super Bowl season, and the risks of relying on a rookie backfield solution.

Jason Hamilton joins Mitch to discuss his decision to step away after 24 years as the radio analyst for Washington Huskies basketball, reflecting on his journey from UW player to assistant coach to broadcaster. Hamilton explains how the move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten dramatically changed the travel demands of the job, making it increasingly difficult to balance with his career and family life.

Brady Farkas and Joe Doyle join Mitch to analyze the biggest storylines emerging from Mariners spring training, including the development of top prospects Colt Emerson, Cole Young, and Cade Anderson. The discussion covers roster realities heading toward Opening Day—why Emerson likely starts in the minors, how Brendan Donovan stabilizes the top of the lineup, and whether Brennan Davis could force his way into the outfield mix later in the season.

RJ Eskanos and Dylan Travers join Mitch to break down the Seattle Kraken's precarious playoff positioning with 20 games remaining, describing the Pacific Division race as a "turtle derby" where nearly every contender is struggling. The trio discuss the team's inconsistency, the addition of volume-shooting forward Bobby McMann, Jordan Eberle's contract extension, and the surprising resurgence of goaltender Philipp Grubauer.

GUESTS

Jason Hamilton | Former University of Washington point guard and longtime Huskies basketball radio analyst
Brady Farkas | Host, Refuse to Lose podcast
Joe Doyle | MLB analyst, Over Slot
RJ Eskanos | Emerald City Hockey
Dylan Travers | Emerald City Hockey

TABLE OF CONTENTS

0:00 | Seahawks Running Back Drama, Draft Speculation, and a Classic Mitch Birthday Quiz

23:25 | Jason Hamilton: Reflects on 24 Years on the Huskies Broadcast and Why the Big Ten Era Helped Prompt His Exit

52:28 | Mariners No-Table: Mariners Spring Training Check-In: Prospect Buzz, Opening Day Roster Battles, and Rotation Futures

1:19:16 | Kraken No-Table: Kraken Cling to Playoff Spot as Pacific Division "Turtle Derby" Keeps Seattle Alive

1:43:48 | Other Stuff Segment: Netflix dinosaur series recommendation with Steven Spielberg and Morgan Freeman, World Baseball Classic excitement and Shohei Ohtani's hot start, Julio Rodríguez and other Mariners contributing across WBC rosters, Trent McDuffie becomes highest-paid cornerback and joins Rams secondary, Maxx Crosby says goodbye to Raiders and heads to Ravens, March Madness bracket week and projected No. 1 seeds, Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos call off wedding, Jurickson Profar gets 162-game PED suspension, McDonald's CEO mocked for awkward Big Arch promo video, Britney Spears arrested for DUI, ancient pyramid vandalized by tour guide, Argentine youth viral animal-identifying trend, professional bowler Cameron Crow arrested on drug charges, missing woman found alive 24 years after disappearing during Christmas shopping RIPs: Robert Carradine, Neil Sedaka, Lou Holtz