Pardon My Take: Episode Summary – June 9, 2025

Hosts:

• Big Cat
• PFT Commenter

Guest:

• Ryan Whitney – Sports Analyst and Host of the Chiclets Podcast

1. Stanley Cup Final Excitement

Discussion Highlights:

• Ryan Whitney shares his enthusiasm about the Stanley Cup Final, highlighting the exceptional quality of the games between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.

  "I don't remember the start of a Stanley Cup Final ever being this not only entertaining, but just back and forth."
  (Ryan Whitney, 51:16)

• The series has seen two overtime games, prompting Ryan to express his desire for the series to extend to seven games, emphasizing the high level of competition.

  "I figured there'd be a little feeling out process and boom, like not at all. They just flying around."
  (Ryan Whitney, 51:16)

• Big Cat and PFT discuss Connor McDavid's unparalleled skills, with Ryan affirming McDavid's dominance and the Oilers' strong chances of winning the cup.

  "I can't see him losing this series. It's going to be the worst thing ever if somehow this ends on the wrong side with the Panthers winning."
  (Ryan Whitney, 53:08)

• A notable moment includes Ryan's admiration for Marshawn, a 37-year-old player, who scores a pivotal overtime goal.

  "He's just so skilled. And... He's a genius out there when he plays."
  (Ryan Whitney, 60:07)

Notable Quotes:

• Big Cat: "Marshawn... feels like watching that overtime, he had the most gas out of anyone on the ice."
  (Big Cat, 60:21)

• Ryan Whitney: "This is a guy who... He's a guy who is, like, better because he's smaller."
  (Ryan Whitney, 61:08)

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers Series

Discussion Highlights:

• The series between the Thunder and the Pacers is tied at 1-1. PFT Commenter expresses skepticism about the Pacers' ability to sustain their success despite occasional appearances of dominance.

  "The Pacers are, are winning this series. One. One right now."
  (PFT Commenter, 04:01)

• Big Cat notes the strategic play of Thunder's key players like Chet Holmgren and Tyrese Haliburton, emphasizing the depth and versatility of the Thunder team.

  "They are an elevated role player... Stanley is at another level."
  (Big Cat, 05:24)

• The hosts discuss the potential for the series to extend to seven games, debating the resilience and strategies of both teams.

  "I'm not going to sleep on the Pacers at home. I'm not going to do it."
  (Big Cat, 08:18)

Notable Quotes:

• PFT Commenter: "Aaron Wiggins felt like he hit a big three every time the Pacers were creeping back."
  (PFT Commenter, 05:12)

• Big Cat: "The Thunder are back and hungry, and their bench stepping up is crucial."
  (Big Cat, 05:26)

3. US Open and Epic Tennis Match

Discussion Highlights:

• Ryan Whitney recounts one of the most thrilling matches of the French Open between Carlos Alcaraz and Yannick Sinner, lasting five hours and 29 minutes with multiple championship points overturned by Alcaraz.

  "He came back from dead and won that game, won that set, won the match."
  (Ryan Whitney, 17:11)

• The hosts praise Alcaraz's resilience and skill, suggesting that tennis is in good hands with emerging talents like Alcaraz and Sinner stepping up as legends like Federer and Nadal have retired or aged.

  "It's an incredible test and I think... the moment that was insane was Sinner was up five, three in the fourth set."
  (Big Cat, 16:34)

• PFT Commenter discusses the possibility of future innovations in the sport, such as "ice tennis," blending traditional tennis with ice skating.

  "Somebody should make ice tennis happen. I would watch ice tennis."
  (PFT Commenter, 22:55)

Notable Quotes:

• Big Cat: "It's match of the year. And not only that, boys, I think tennis is in good hands."

  (Big Cat, 20:43)

• Ryan Whitney: "It's the perfect team for him... He's got Bennett, he's got [another player], and they're just animals."

  (Ryan Whitney, 55:10)

4. "Who's Back of the Week" Segments

Highlights:

• Hank highlights Magnus Carlsen winning the 2025 Norway Chess Tournament, marking his comeback and reaffirming his status as a chess legend.

  "He won the 2025 Norway Chess Tournament. Of course he did."
  (Hank, 36:44)

• Hank also shares personal anecdotes about attending concerts and casual golf outings, reflecting on the hosts' weekend activities.

  "I saw Billy Strings. Nice Couple Trulies."
  (Hank, 37:17)

• PFT Commenter celebrates Gronk and Wimby returning to the spotlight, adding a humorous twist to the segment.

  "Gronk is back because it's 69 today."
  (PFT Commenter, 41:00)

  "Wimby has been training to be a monk this offseason."
  (PFT Commenter, 41:44)

5. Social Media and Memes

Discussion Highlights:

• The hosts engage in playful banter about viral memes related to the Pacers, including PFT's viral tweet comparing the Pacers' defense to a lottery team if they played only the first 45 minutes.

  "They've actually given the Pacers a lot of love."
  (Big Cat, 09:00)

• PFT Commenter and Big Cat discuss the impact of their memes on social media, noting the high engagement and humorous backlash from fans.

  "It was a pretty good ratio. I'd say half of those retweets are probably quote tweets."
  (PFT Commenter, 09:29)

Notable Quotes:

• PFT Commenter: "I actually meant that as a compliment to the Pacers."

  (PFT Commenter, 08:59)

• Big Cat: "When you see the numbers tick up and it gets past, like, I'd say 75 retweets, you know that it's officially gone from the awls retweeting it."

  (Big Cat, 09:44)

6. Golf and Personal Stories

Discussion Highlights:

• Ryan Whitney shares his past obsession with golf, recounting his rigorous training regimen during his NHL career and his current approach to the sport balancing family life.

  "I started playing... I was obsessed, like, insanely obsessed with golf. It was crazy."
  (Ryan Whitney, 97:10)

• The hosts discuss the challenges of maintaining a true handicap versus actual performance, delving into the concepts of sandbagging and reverse sandbagging in golf.

  "A lot of people pick those up and then they end up a one handicap."
  (Ryan Whitney, 92:07)

Notable Quotes:

• PFT Commenter: "Just pour powder on your grundle... It's a bad feeling if you get the Icy Hot on the boys."

  (PFT Commenter, 47:00)

• Ryan Whitney: "Golf's just the hardest sport in the world. It drives you insane."

  (Ryan Whitney, 87:58)

7. Runaway Zebra Update

Discussion Highlights:

• The hosts conclude the episode with an amusing update on a runaway zebra named Ed in Rutherford County, Tennessee, who was recaptured and returned to his owner after nearly a week on the loose.

  "The search for a runaway pet zebra that had evaded capture for nearly a week in Rutherford County, Tennessee, came to an end."
  (Big Cat, 100:25)

• Humor ensues as the hosts imagine fanciful scenarios involving Ed, including interactions with other animals and the challenges of zebra ownership.

  "Let Ed back free. Let it just be the zebra of Tennessee."
  (Big Cat, 103:03)

Notable Quotes:

• Big Cat: "He put it somewhere. We got to send Shane back to Italy."

  (Big Cat, 31:22)

• PFT Commenter: "I think if you have a horse harness for a helicopter, you have to use it at some point."

  (PFT Commenter, 103:17)

8. Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

Discussion Highlights:

• Ryan Whitney announces his plans to attend the remaining games of the Stanley Cup Final, including potential travel for a Game 7 in Edmonton, expressing both excitement and commitment to covering the series.

  "I'll be on a plane probably to Denver, then to Calgary with the stock, get to Edmonton, 12-hour travel day, get to the arena, start drinking and just maybe paint my face."
  (Ryan Whitney, 69:17)

• The hosts encourage fans to support their favorite teams and engage with the ongoing sports events, emphasizing the passion and camaraderie that fuels their discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• Ryan Whitney: "I love that E is out there cruising through a neighborhood suburb. Good for Ed."

  (Ryan Whitney, 102:39)

• Big Cat: "We alluded to this earlier, but there was a story. Runaway zebra recaptured in Tennessee county."

  (Big Cat, 100:25)

Conclusion

This episode of "Pardon My Take" offered a dynamic blend of passionate sports analysis, humorous banter, and engaging personal stories. From the thrilling Stanley Cup Final and an epic US Open tennis match to quirky updates on a runaway zebra, Big Cat, PFT Commenter, and Ryan Whitney delivered a memorable and entertaining discussion for sports enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

Notable Quotes Compilation:

• "I think the NBA is back." – Ryan Whitney (10:24)
• "Bullying works." – PFT Commenter (13:09)
• "Just win with the two overtime games, you split them or do you think that the Oilers are happy with this result?" – PFT Commenter (55:02)
• "Golf's just the hardest sport in the world. It drives you insane." – Ryan Whitney (87:58)
• "Let Ed back free. Let it just be the zebra of Tennessee." – Big Cat (103:03)

For more episodes, visit Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.