Loading summary
Apple Card Announcer
This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Shave ice by the beach, a trip to the state fair and a throwback flick at the local drive in. They're more than just items to check off the summer bucket list. They're also opportunities to earn 2% daily cash back when you use your Apple Card with Apple Pay. Apply for Apple Card now and use in minutes with Apple Pay. Subject to credit approval. Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City branch terms
Matt
and more@applecard.com this is Matt and Myron on ESPN Radio.
Myron
And that guard, six four from Kentucky, Matt Jones.
Myron Metcalf
I was always fascinated with the boy
Myron
band that had one dude in it that was kind of ugly and like 98 degrees had a guy.
Myron Metcalf
Wait a minute, man. I think you're mixing up groups. You said 98 degrees. Did I swear?
Myron
All for one.
Myron Metcalf
Did I swear?
Myron
I'm sorry. All for one.
Matt
You're right, Myron Metcalf.
Myron Metcalf
But this was when you could be in those groups, when you. It didn't have to be just about the marketing. It was about good singing.
Myron
I've been convinced that the guy in all for One. I think he did their taxes and so they let him go along,
Myron Metcalf
man. Well, if I had said that, that might be crossing a lot. I don't know if we can. Hold on a second.
Myron
Oh, man.
Matt
Matt Myron on ESPN Radio and on the ESPN app.
Myron
Yeah, that was small for one slander back in the day. Yeah, but it was true, man. Go look all for one. You're gonna know which guy I'm talking about. Not trying to be rude. He looked like me in middle school. I know what it was like to look like that. But that's the way it goes. It's Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio. We are presented by Progressive Insurance. Progressive can protect your home, your auto, your boat, your motorcycle, your atv, your RV and more. In short, a lot of things bundled today@progressive.com now we are doing King of the Mountains. This will be a regular weekly segment where you as will give your best take. We want it to be sports, but it can be a little bit off of sports occasionally. But no politics and nothing that gets people mad, right? It's supposed to be fun. The winner retains the belt and will come back next week to defend it. 888 say ESPN. We have callers, but as people hang up, you can still get in. Now, one person wanted me to start it with this. Myron and I like this. This is Megan. She listens from New Zealand.
Myron Metcalf
How about that?
Myron
We have a listener in New Zealand. She says she cannot call. And she said, I have become a fan of university sports, which is a good. That's how you know she's not from the United States. She says university sports. I think there are too many teams whose nicknames are Wildcats or Bulldogs. I think each team should have to have their own unique mascot. That hurts me as a Kentucky fan, but do you think that's correct?
Myron Metcalf
I'm 100% in favor. Like. Like, to me, we shouldn't have any new Bulldogs or Wildcats, that. That's for sure. But there are too many. That's just.
Myron
Do you think we should have to get rid of some? Like, should one team be Wildcats and one team be Bulldogs? I would say maybe Kentucky should get to keep Wildcats in. Georgia keeps Bulldogs, maybe. And then everybody else gets a new one.
Myron Metcalf
Let's flip forward. That's how I say. Let's, you know, let's bring everybody together
Myron
to be a Wildcat. Kansas, Arizona, Arizona, and Villanova.
Myron Metcalf
Arizona, Villanova.
Myron
Else or Bulldogs?
Myron Metcalf
Georgia, Gonzaga, Gonzaga, Butler.
Myron
I think Kentucky and Georgia get it. Everybody else has to change. All right.
Producer James
I think you. I think you play for it, right? Set up a tournament.
Myron
Tournament to get to be a Wild
Producer James
and a Bulldog tournament and, you know, the Baske.
Myron
Well, if you had Kentucky, Villanova, Arizona,
Myron Metcalf
Arizona, that's a good. That'd be a good tournament.
Myron
That'd be a great tournament.
Myron Metcalf
There's probably another one out there, too, that we're forgetting.
Myron
Who am I in Kansas City? They are, too. There's a foursome right there. All right, let's get started. It's time for King of the Mountain.
Matt
Call now with your hottest taste.
Louis Kalb
Hello.
Matt
And then Matt and Myron will announce the hottest of them all.
Myron
Is his destiny gonna be fulfilled? My destiny awaits. This is the king of the mountain champion.
Matt
The king of the
Myron
somebody. Today is going to go down in history forever. As long as this show runs and we don't know what it'll be, you will have been the first one. So let's get started. Jeremiah in Louisiana. 30 seconds. Go.
Caller
Saints won the division. Kellen Moore gets coach of the year.
Myron
That one's not going to win, but thank you very much. You got to go. Place you got. You got to have a take. But then some rationale for it. See, you can't just. You got to have some. Something to say about it, right?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. And he just woke up. You know, give yourself a little time to. To get out, get some coffee.
Myron
888, say ESPN. Kevin in Nebraska go.
Caller
The 49ers got to take a serious look at moving on from John lynch as a gm.
Louis Kalb
They don't win because of him. They win in spite of him. His picks either don't work out or
Caller
they can't keep them. The signings he does, they're basically no brainers.
Louis Kalb
You pay your best players. Any GM can do that.
Myron
That's a hot take, Myron. The 49ers win despite John lynch, not because of him.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I think John lynch is just going to point to Brock Purdy. Anytime anyone questions personnel guy, what they've done with him, they've had a bunch of issues, but a lot of it's been injuries and disgruntled receivers. I don't. I don't agree with that.
Myron
Take Stephen. West Virginia.
Caller
Go Major League Baseball or college football. One next season will have implemented a salary cap. We're already talking about it with baseball, possibly. And every year it gets bought up with college football with the highest. With the top ranked teams having the most money.
Myron
All right, so the thing about this Myron, the college sports bill we're going to talk about this next segment doesn't look like it's on strong footing. Baseball is going to head for a labor dispute. Will he be right? Will one of them have a salary cap?
Myron Metcalf
I pick baseball. I think there's a. I think baseball. There will be. I think that has the best chance between the two.
Myron
See, I would have said. Until today, I would have said college sports, but now I kind of am inclined to say neither of them are going to have it. They'll end up having something else. 888 say SPN. Let's go to John in Buffalo. Go John.
Caller
Matt, you're totally wrong about Patrick Mahomes
Louis Kalb
being better than Josh Allen. What does Patrick do better than Josh?
Caller
Is he bigger? No. Is he stronger?
Louis Kalb
No.
Caller
Is his arm better?
Louis Kalb
No.
Caller
Does he have an hall of Fame offensive play caller who can help him out? Absolutely. Josh has a defensive coach who just got fired.
Myron
All right. I mean, that's a case. I would argue, though, you left out a very important stat. Who wins when they play? Oh, yeah. I think it's Patrick Mahomes. I think he's usually the one that ends up getting the victory. All right, so there's John in Buffalo. We have four contestants so far. No offense. The first guy, he's not going to make it. 888 say SBA. Kane in Indiana. Go Kane.
Caller
Everyone wants to talk about these big moves in the NBA. No one's talking about The Indiana Pacers, they come back healthy. They come back as a very deep team. They're winning the East. They're winning the championship.
Myron
What do you think? Pacers? Are they going to win the championship, Myron?
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I like the thought, you know, Tyrese Halliburton's injury kind of wiped them off the map last season. If he's good to go and they're healthy, I think there's a reason to be confident in them making a run.
Myron
Even though she didn't do it in person, I think my early leader would be Megan with the Wildcats and Bulldogs.
Matt
Comment?
Myron
Don't you think that was a text? Yeah, I don't know that. I don't think I could give it to a texter, but I think that's the hottest I want, you know, 888 say ESPN. Yeah, let's go to. Yeah, so far it's like my team is good. Come on, do this.
Myron Metcalf
Got a PBS show are y' all doing, man? It's espn. Bring it.
Myron
I need you to bring it and I need it to be creative, maybe funny, maybe interesting.
Myron Metcalf
Personality.
Myron
Personality, Come on. I know you got this in you. You're listening to this show. You gotta like it for some reason. LS in Virginia Go ls.
Caller
Yes. I think Brock Pretty is the one of the. Is in the top 10 of quarterbacks and he should be get better respect than what he's getting because he's better than Jared Goff, he's better than Baker Mayfield, and he's better than Dak Prescott.
Myron
Oh, wow.
Caller
I would like. Yeah, I would like for everybody to though, give him some props every once in a while. Got a brand new weapon. Mike Evans.
Myron
Okay, that's enough. That's enough. You get 30 seconds. Myron, do you think Brock Purdy is better than Dak Prescott?
Myron Metcalf
No, I don't think.
Louis Kalb
But.
Myron Metcalf
But I think, you know, but I also think we just don't know how to assess Brock Purdy sometimes. But I think he's a good quarterback. I think He's a top 12 at his best.
Apple Card Announcer
For sure.
Myron
He's the guy I have the hardest time ranking right. I don't know if he is. There are days I could make an argument for him as the 11th or 12th best quarterback, and then there are days I think he's like 18th, 19th, 20th. So I don'. I never really know where to put him.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, it's hard because he, like, he's very efficient, but it's not like he does anything that's sort of all pro, but they Win like, imagine who they'd be without him.
Myron
That's right.
Myron Metcalf
I don't think they'd be the same team.
Myron
Get in here now. 8, 8, 8. Say ESPN if you're trying to win the first one. Chris. In Indiana. Go, Chris.
Caller
Hey. I'm just gonna say, as good as women's basketball has gotten with the NBA, undeniable quality has gotten better. If they don't watch what they're doing by having their owners attacking kids on the sidelines and all of this other political crap they're pulling, it's going to become an east west coast league. They're going to lose the entire middle part of the country.
Myron
Chris, I got a question for you. You're in Indiana. What's your favorite player in the wnba? But that doesn't play for the Fever.
Caller
Probably Aja Wilson out there in Las Vegas Asia. All right.
Myron Metcalf
I think he was called that from a Fever game. I think he called. I think he was in the stands.
Myron
I'm not saying Kevin in Alabama. Go, Kevin.
Myron Metcalf
We need somebody to win.
Caller
My hot take is, is Baker Mayfield won't get the contract that he's wanting by end of the season with the Buccaneers. He gets the free agency and he's going to be a Viking next year.
Myron
Okay, now there we go. Now we're starting to see something.
Myron Metcalf
I like it.
Myron
What do you think of Baker as a Viking? You're a Minnesota guy. Would you like that?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. I mean, because I think if caliber is good, he's going to leave. You know, this is sort of a year for him to get that next big deal. I could see that with Baker Mayfield. He'd work out in Minnesota.
Myron
Okay. 888 CSPN. Let's go to Michael in Kentucky. Go, Michael.
Louis Kalb
Yeah.
Caller
I think LeBron signed with Philly, but the Cavs are going to make the Finals. They improve every year with Mitchell. They're going to get better with Harden, and I think this will be their year.
Myron
That would be really ironic, Myron. If you end up signing LeBron in Philly and then the that as their excuse to actually go and make the Finals, that.
Myron Metcalf
That'd be an hilarious storyline. It just seems unlikely. You got the Knicks, the defending champs. Boston is going to be good again even without Jalen Brown. And then Philly looks incredible. Don't forget Giannis is in Miami. It's going to be an uphill climb for Cleveland this year.
Myron
I'm going to do three more, and then we're going to pick our winner. 888. Say ESPN. Let's go to Michael in Kentucky. Go.
Myron Metcalf
Or.
Myron
I'm sorry, that was Michael in Kentucky. Let's go to Gary in Ohio. Go ahead, Gary.
Caller
Yeah. With Major League Baseball, if they get the floor of the salary cap, the Cleveland Guardians are going to be taking off for the next 10 years. They're going to dominate.
Myron
The Cleveland Guardians are going to dominate.
Myron Metcalf
Why?
Caller
They are constantly bringing up the young players through the farm system. They're awesome at developing pitchers. Their farm system is.
Myron
All right. That's more Guardians talk than I can take. I appreciate it.
Myron Metcalf
That's a lot of guardians talk.
Myron
All right, last one. Jesse in California. Let's finish strong.
Caller
Hey, the 76ers are going to win the title next year. On the way to the title, they're going to beat the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics. Then Jalen Brown will be Finals mvp.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, it's not a hot take.
Myron
I mean, that's not a question. Well, it doesn't. I mean, that's like. But if it's true, is it. Isn't there value in something that would end up being correct?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, but like, so. So the. The goal is to add information, personality, flair, all coming together. When LeBron went to Philly, most people had them at the top of the Eastern Conference right away, and I think that's going to be the case going forward.
Myron
Okay. All right, so we have. It's clear. We have new listeners from our Sunday morning show.
Myron Metcalf
We need.
Myron
Which is good. We. We want new listeners.
Matt
Right?
Myron
We need. We want New list.
Myron Metcalf
We love you.
Myron
And it's good. We. We start here with the king of the mountain here, and we set a precedent to rise. But the goal is to say something interesting, fun, exciting. We'll see who did it. The best so far. I'm going to give you the choices. Jeremiah, L.A. said the saints win the division. Kevin from Nebraska says the 49ers are good despite John Lynch. Steve from West Virginia on the salary cap. John from Buffalo says Josh Allen is the best quarterback, came from Indiana, said the Pacers will win it all. Chris said whatever he said about the wnba. Kevin says Baker will be a Viking. Michael in Kentucky says Cavs to the Finals. And then Jesse says the 76ers win it all. Who would you vote for?
Matt
Meyer?
Myron Metcalf
Yes. Good question. I mean, I guess if I have to vote, I might go with if
Myron
you have to vote. You don't want to vote.
Myron Metcalf
I do. I do.
Myron
Maybe we call this a Prince of the Mountain for week one.
Myron Metcalf
Maybe this is like practice. Like, that's how I feel about
Myron
People are going to get better. I know they will. Over time, people will get better.
Myron Metcalf
I'll go with Cade. I'll go Indiana. I'll go with.
Myron
Let's do this.
Caller
Yeah.
Myron
This is like our hall of Fame game,
Myron Metcalf
And everybody call it in.
Myron
This is Cardinals versus Panthers.
Caller
Every.
Myron Metcalf
Kitty Pickett called in nine times.
Myron
It's okay. But somebody had to win that game. Three and four, actually. Who won that game last night? The Panthers.
Producer James
The Panthers won? Yeah.
Myron
Panthers. Haynes, King there at the. At the end of the game. So your vote is for who?
Myron Metcalf
The Indiana Pacers guy. That's all I can come up with at this point.
Myron
Kane in Indiana.
Myron Metcalf
Yep.
Caller
All right.
Myron
I'm gonna ask my producer, James. Can I give it to the texting woman, or did you need to call Megan saying that about the Wildcats and the Bulldogs?
Producer James
Well, I mean, as long as she can text in another. Another hot take.
Myron
Well, but that is an advantage. It's sometimes easier for people to text than to communicate verbally. What?
Myron Metcalf
She said she couldn't call. What time is it in New Zealand? Is it. Isn't it, like, Monday or something over there already?
Producer James
I guess she's listening to Monday show right now.
Myron Metcalf
Well, the time zones are all crazy, right? Yeah, it's like. Aren't they, like, two days ahead or something like that?
Myron
I don't think it's two days.
Producer James
I mean, what the.
Caller
The.
Producer James
Kevin in Nebraska with his John Lynch 49er steak was pretty good.
Myron
That's probably the hottest take.
Producer James
And then. And then Kevin in Alabama with the Baker and Viking steak was pretty good, too.
Myron Metcalf
I think the major Vikings was good. I like. I'm gonna switch.
Myron
I'll tell you what, I'm gonna switch
Myron Metcalf
to the Baker Vikings guy.
Myron
I agree. All right, so here's what I'm gonna do. Kevin in Alabama is going to be our hall of Fame game King of the Mountain winner. I'm not going to give him the first award because I want to have the sound for eternity for the first one. But Kevin is our preseason winner. So, Kevin, here's what I'm going to do. Because you're winning, you get to go first next week, and you have a week to get yourself ready. Does that sound like a good idea to you, Myron?
Myron Metcalf
That. That makes a lot of sense. And I think what we'll do next week as well, we're going to have our three or four best takes from Sunday morning so people get an example of what has won in the past.
Myron
So people have an idea of what we're talking about.
Myron Metcalf
Yes.
Myron
And I also to Megan in New Zealand. You can call next Wednesday.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah whatever. Whatever day it is.
Myron
Even though I liked your idea of a take, you actually have to give it verbally. So maybe Megan in New Zealand will also compete next week. But Kevin in Alabama is going to be our preseason king of the mountain. Congratulations.
Myron Metcalf
Just put him on a scout team. Basically Kevin's base he on the scout team.
Myron
Kevin is Haynes king. He just beat Boston College. With Rodney Jones on the call, we
Myron Metcalf
decided to a training camp deal for now. We'll see what happens Going.
Myron
You guys are going to get better. I know it. Conference realignment. I thought that thing was kind of over. But some comments today in of all places Congress means we might see a shuffling of the deck again. That's next here on Matt Myron I
Vivgard Hytrulo Advertiser
like things my way. My coffee, my schedule and my treatment. So I talked to my doctor about self injecting with the Vivgard Hyrulo pre filled syringe, which contains fgartigamide alpha and hyaluronidase qvfc. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment, my way. Visit vivgardmyway.com that's V Y V G-A-R-T myway.com and talk to your doctor about Vivgard Hytrulo brought to you by Argenics.
Grainger Advertiser
As you know, managing maintenance, repair and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by.
Myron Metcalf
Shohei Ohtani's interpreter was fired today. Ippei Mitsuhara ran up gambling debts to
Myron
a Southern California bookmaking operation. The inside story of the biggest scandal in modern baseball. He was absolutely bananas. The amount of bets he was making.
Myron Metcalf
I've never seen anything like it.
Myron
From 30 for 30 podcasts this is the Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani, presented by Gusto.
Shopify Advertiser
New episodes available now. Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Matt
Matt and Myron the Podcast
Myron
Matt Myron Here on the SPN Radio, you can tune in to baseball action Sunday. Padres host the Astros. Coverage begins at 7:30 Eastern on ESPN radio and the ESPN app. A couple people have asked me to say the texting number a little slower. So I will do that. 772-7745254. One person writes, Matt, I'd never heard of you two until you got on here Tuesday. I'm listening in New York. I think you guys are great. I love Freddie and Harry, but now I have five hours I can listen to and that makes it even better. So that's great. Good to hear from us. You can do Freddie and Harry from 5 to 8 and then everybody, everybody's happy.
Myron Metcalf
Listen to Golics, Rich Eisen, Amber and Ian Q. Game night, Emmett, the whole crew, everybody.
Myron
I just, since Myron forgot he's on there.
Myron Metcalf
I didn't, I didn't, I didn't forget Canty and Evan and Michelle and the whole crew. I'm just happy to be a part of it. Man. It's just been fun to do that this week.
Myron
I agree. And it's a fun lineup. So, so we will continue to make it happen. Now, college sports, for people who don't know it, it goes back and forth on whether or not you're going to end up with a bill to, quote, unquote, save college sports. Earlier this week, it looked like it was going to happen. Donald Trump privately threatened to sort of criticize the SEC and Big Ten commissioners if they didn't back it. So they then backed it. And a lot of people thought it might go for an initial vote today. But in the last 24 hours, we have seen what happens sometimes when you get politics involved in sports, which is senators deciding to endor add their own pet projects to bills which can often derail them, in this case, Myron. Two senators, Ashley Moody of Florida, she added an amendment to the bill that would allow teams to transfer to transfer conferences within 90 days of the bill's passage with no punishment. She, of course, represents the state of Florida, which makes you think maybe Florida State and Miami would be interested in getting to a new conference. And then Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana had added, added an amendment that said no school can raise ticket prices by more than 4% in a year. Both of these are parts of the provision that were not initially part of the bill. And the it looks like that's going to lead to no vote happening until at least September, if not later. It seems like now you will not see a college sports bill. But let's take the part that was added by the senator from Florida. What do you think of a provision that for 90 days would allow Conf would allow teams to leave their conferences with no charge. What would happen in college sports if that took place?
Myron Metcalf
I think if you're the ACC in the Big 12, you're terrified about that possibility because we've been talking for years about the SEC in the Big Ten who are now in a position that if they call, you're going to answer. I don't care what school you are, if you're outside of those leagues. And if there was a bill that made it easier for a Florida State, obviously Clemson has been those conversations. North Carolina, Virginia. I think it would be the setup to those super conferences that we've been talking about for years, because I do think the Big Ten in the SEC would just sort of pick the four or five, six, seven schools that made sense for them and kind of leave everybody else behind.
Myron
Well, let's play a thought process game because the bill, as it stands now, would allow no conference to have more than 20 teams, which is a ton
Myron Metcalf
of teams, by the way.
Myron
I mean, that's, that's, that's. There used to be 10 in these leagues. I think the big 10 now do they have 18, Myron, is that right? The SEC has 16. So if it were to then only be 20 teams a conference, let's just say that it was like free agency. And for 90 days, the Big Ten presumably could add two and the SEC could add four. Who are those conferences adding in that free agency period?
Myron Metcalf
If it were to occur, I think North Carolina's at the top of the list.
Myron
Are they number one? I don't think a lot of people would realize it. I'm with you. I think they're number one. But I don't think most people would. Would think that's true, but I think it is.
Myron Metcalf
I think they check every single box. I think, you know, if you're talking about free agents, I mean, they're not a free agent. But if, if these other schools were free agents, North Carolina would be the number one pick, and I think both leagues would want them. But I think the Big Ten is where they would end up. The question will be, does North Carolina say, well, you got to take Duke or I don't know, or North Carolina State, Like, I don't know the other rules attached to that. But if you're the Big Ten, though,
Myron
wouldn't you, if you were the Big Ten, wouldn't the most obvious thing to do go be get North Carolina and Duke?
Myron Metcalf
Yes, yes.
Myron
At which point then you could have their programs, which in North Carolina and Beduk, that's basketball, but there's also an academic prestige to those programs. Wouldn't you do that?
Myron Metcalf
Yes, I think that would be at the top of my list. If you were the Big Ten and the sec, but I think certainly North Carolina and if Duke is a part of that, that's what the ACC is fearing, I'm sure. Teams trying leagues, trying to get those two teams.
Myron
I think if the SEC were to have four teams, I think they would have probably five teams that they're most considering North Carolina and Duke. I think they would have some interest in Virginia for a variety of reasons. Even though football doesn't seem good, they're really good at all the other sports. And Miami and Florida State. I think if you were. If you were the SEC and you got to have four spots, I think if you asked them, they'd probably take North Carolina, Duke, Virginia, and then maybe Florida State. But then if you didn't get one of them, I think they'd throw in Miami and then I think six would probably be Clemson, although I don't think they're as interested in Clemson as you might think they would be.
Myron Metcalf
What's fascinating is if we had had this conversation five, six years ago, Clemson might have been. Clemson might have been number one. And the idea that Clemson might not make the cut is incredible considering the legacy that they've had over the last decade. Why do you think that is? Like, why did Clemson go from what most people would think would be at the top of that list to number six?
Myron
Dabo. Dabo.
Myron Metcalf
Dabo's the root.
Myron
I mean, he stinks, so I can't. I am. You know, that was. That was actually kind of juvenile, wasn't it? Why did I say stinks, though?
Myron Metcalf
I don't know. Well, that's the show. I don't know.
Myron
Yeah, I don't know why I did that either. But I think Dabo was so stuck in his ways. He won a national championship, and so he took the view of, I can do whatever I want, I'm smarter than everyone else. And I think he realized, like, he tried to keep an old school view in a new era, and it just didn't work. And I think they're very close to just being left behind, period. So I think you're right. In five years, Clemson has seen its marketability just be shredded.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. Yeah. And I think both of those leagues, too, you know, the schools you mentioned are all connected to gigantic markets.
Louis Kalb
Right.
Myron Metcalf
If in North Carolina, there's the Charlotte market and then the rally market. If you're Virginia, obviously There's Richmond and some major cities there.
Myron
D.C. yeah.
Myron Metcalf
You know, so I think Clemson is probably at a disadvantage as a result of that because if you're the sec, you don't just want a big name, you want a big market that expands your.
Myron
And do you really need two teams in South Carolina?
Caller
Right.
Myron
I mean, that, that, that's. They already have that in like Mississippi. Do you really need it? What's interesting is every team we just mentioned is in the ACC. Are there no teams in the Big 12? Because I will tell you a team that I think the Big Ten would want more than people think, and that's byu. BYU has got all the money in the world, right? Like you don't think about that, but we've seen it in basketball and they do it a little in football. They spend big nil money. I actually think BYU would. Of all the teams in the Big 12, you might think it would be others teams. I actually think BYU might be the most attractive.
Myron Metcalf
I think that's a really good answer. I think BYU and I've been to Provo multiple times in the last year or two. A ton of money, a ton of backing for those sports programs and we're just talking about major markets. I wonder if Houston might end up being of interest. And then we're also leaving out a school that probably should be in the conversation. What do you do with Arizona, Matt? I feel like Arizona is going to be of interest as well to either one or both of those leagues.
Myron
I think that's true, but. And my initial reaction would be, well, it's too far away. But honestly, the Big Ten essentially has a west coast league right now with Washington, Oregon and UCLA and usc. Also the ACC people forget they have Cal and Stanford. So actually, you might be right. Arizona might be a team where, where somebody would want them as well. What about Notre Dame? You think there's ever a time that they go in one or do they just solely say stay solo going forward?
Myron Metcalf
I mean, we've had this conversation year after year in Notre Dame has. Like, you know, we've been talking about money schools, how Indiana kind of jumped into the mix because they had all these money people behind them that people didn't realize. Like, there's no secret about the Notre Dame money. If you've been to Notre Dame, like that's a different kind of money that they have. And they've survived all the realignment, all of the TV changes, and they still have maintained the same stance. So I don't know that they're ever going to join a conference because they know they can do this on their own. So I'm past that world of Notre Dame joining a league. I just think they're realizing they can do it by themselves.
Myron
If you can do it on your own and take all the money, why wouldn't you do it? And I think they still believe they can do that. And at least recently they've been able to. Now, you may remember yesterday we talked about one of the coolest stories of the week, which was a man who won a contest in order to be able to call. He won an auction in order to be able to call an inning for the Philadelphia Phillies on the radio. He came on the radio as an amateur and he sounded like a professional. He crushed it. And now he's been a huge story nationwide. He will join us next. The Philadelphia Phillies guest announcer will be the first ever Matt Myron, celebrity guest picker. That's next here on ESPN Radio.
Matt
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
Myron
It's Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio. My favorite moment of the week, it came in a Phillies game. Now this is also the first week of our show. And as part of what we do every week, we will pick games on Friday afternoon and have a celebrity guest picker, someone that for whatever reason sticks out to us. And our first one will be Louis Kalb. Lewis won a contest or want an auction to be able to call an inning of the Philadelphia Phillies on the radio. Let's play a little taste of it.
Louis Kalb
We are headed to the third inning, Phillies on top two to one. And we're pleased to welcome Lewis Kalb from Medford Lakes, New Jersey. He is our Phillies fantastic auction winner. He outbid the competition to spend an inning and do some play by play in the booth. And Louis, welcome. Glad to have you here. Thank you, Scott. It's a thrill to be here. It's a lifelong dream to be in the Phillies broadcast booth. So here we go. Painter with the first pitch to Ortiz. It's in there for strike one call. Painter checks the runner
Caller
right now.
Myron Metcalf
O'Reilly Auto Parts gets you back to savings. Pick up select Royal Purple Fuel system additives. Buy one get one free plus receive four times O rewards points. Stop by your local O'Reilly Auto Parts store or shop online at O'ReillyAuto.com if
Shopify Advertiser
you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business. Powered by Shopify. You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout, the one that makes buying so incredibly easy? That's Shopify. And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business. Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. Shopify gives you a leg up with hundreds of beautiful ready to go templates to express your brand style and forget about the code. Tackle all those important tasks in one place from inventory to payments to analytics and more. Spread your brand's word with built in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers. And did I mention that iconic purple Shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world? It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. Your customers already love it. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify shopify.comnetwork. go to shopify.comnetwork shopify.comnetwork Life insurance is one of those things that's easy to put off because it doesn't feel urgent today. But it's not just another financial box to check. It's about having a plan in place so if life throws something unexpected at your family, they're not left dealing with the financial side without support. Ethos makes getting life insurance fast and easy. It's 100% online so you can get a quote in seconds, apply in minutes and get same day coverage. There's no medical exam, you just answer a few simple health questions. Online you can get up to $3 million in coverage and some policies start as low as $30 a month. Ethos has also earned strong customer feedback with a 4.8 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot based on more than 4,000 reviews. Take 10 minutes to get covered today with life insurance through Ethos. Get your free', @ethos.com sports that's ethos.com sports application. Times may vary, rates may vary. Trust Pilot rating as of June 1, 2025 now delivers.
Louis Kalb
Swung on and missed. He got him. Andrew Pater picks up the strikeout and that'll do it for the Nationals. No runs here in the top of the third. We go to the bottom half. Phillies lead it 2 to 1.
Myron
An amazing job Myra, and for someone to come off the street and it sounded like he was a pro. Lewis Cobb Louis is joining us as our first ever celebrity guest picker during the week. Louis, thank you very much.
Louis Kalb
Hey guys. So Great to be with you. Thank you.
Myron
So, Louis, give me the story. There's an auction, and you. You saw it, and you decided this was something you wanted to do. Talk me through your decision.
Louis Kalb
They have done this auction for a few years, and I was aware of it generally going back about five or six years. And then a couple of years ago, I did get involved in the bidding. I came up short. Last year, I missed it altogether. And then this year, I said, you know, it's about time. I really go for this. They have two versions of it. They have the television version, which was on a Monday night. And I went up against somebody. He just wasn't going to get beat. He just kept going and going and went to 24,000. And I said, okay, whoa. The next night, he went to 24,000.
Myron
Wow.
Myron Metcalf
So.
Myron
So what was the radio?
Louis Kalb
So radio. It used to be around 5 to 6. I think most of the. Back to their history came in somewhere around that. Once again, I've got a strong competitor. And he kept bidding me up and up and up, and believe it or not, I went in for $22,000.
Myron
Wait a minute. Hang on. Because you. Is he breaking up or is that just me?
Myron Metcalf
Yes, he is. He is a little bit.
Myron
Louis, we might need to reconnect, so we're going to call you right back. Okay? All right, we'll call him right now. All right. We got. While we're waiting, $22,000. That is 22,000. That's for charity. So that's great. But that's a lot of money.
Myron Metcalf
It's a lot of money for. For just sort of one moment with the. With the team. That's a ton of money.
Myron
I'll tell you what. I'll have to talk to my. We can probably get a charity. If somebody wants to pay $11,000, you are more than welcome to sit here and deal with Meyer Metcalf for a segment. I will completely let you do that. Right.
Myron Metcalf
We gonna have one of them aspiration deals where I'm getting something on the side, too. You better. You better what? You better watch the fund. You better have somebody in charge of it.
Myron
Are you gonna get them just.
Myron Metcalf
I'm just saying you can send it to me directly, that's all.
Myron
Meyer Metcalfe's new sponsor is Daktronics. $2,000.
Myron Metcalf
That's a lot of money.
Myron
The amount of money I was going to guess was going to be nowhere close to that. All right, Lewis is back. So, Louis, you win. First of all, you really wanted to do it. Have you ever called a game before?
Louis Kalb
I've never called a professional game. I did sports reporting back in the day. I was a student at Penn State, so I covered the Nittany Lions in various sports. And then I did work as a stringer. I worked as a reporter back in the late 80s and early 90s. But the only play by play I have ever done was actually just on YouTube.
Myron
Wait a minute, on YouTube?
Louis Kalb
So you would just call games on
Myron
YouTube on your own?
Louis Kalb
Yes.
Myron Metcalf
Wow, that's kind.
Myron
That's. So you love it then, right? Like you love it?
Louis Kalb
I love it so much. I grew up as a huge baseball fan and it was something I always wanted to do. And there is this unbelievable auction opportunity which the other 29 major league teams don't offer. And I knew it was going to be pricey. As I said, I didn't think it was going to go to 22,000. But you only live once. I don't need a Mercedes. I said, this is my lifelong dream. I'm going to spend the money. And fortunately I got in the booth.
Myron Metcalf
Have you received any other offers? Because we've been talking like you could do this. Has anyone reached out? It said, come join our team and do games for us.
Louis Kalb
Not to this point. My age of 73 may have something
Myron
to do with that.
Louis Kalb
Okay, I would love another shot at it. I don't think I'm in the market to become a full time announcer. I think those days have passed. But I would love to get back in the booth and do more than one inning and, you know, maybe get a chance to call a home run. I didn't get a lot of action. The Phillies went down 1, 2, 3, and the Nationals had only a looping single. So, yes, I would like another chance.
Myron
Are you surprised that it got this much traction? I mean, it went viral on social media and everybody loved it. Were you surprised by that?
Louis Kalb
I was shocked by that. I. We started to get messages
Caller
at the
Louis Kalb
ballpark in the fourth inning and
Caller
by
Louis Kalb
the time I got home, I had heard that it was up to 10 million views, 15 million views, and then the next day 20 million. And I just had no idea. I mean, I could never have anticipated this. You know, I've been hearing from all corners of the country with media requests, and that wasn't what I thought was going to happen. I thought, thought I could go, hopefully do a competent job and impress my friends and neighbors here at Medford Lakes. I just, you know, wanted to put forth a professional effort, but I certainly didn't expect that it was going to come to this over these.
Myron
Well, it clearly worked. You did more than impress your friends and neighbors. You got on ESPN radio and across the country. So, Louis, I'm happy for you. I think it's a great feel good story. Are you ready to pick some baseball series for us?
Louis Kalb
I am ready to do that.
Myron
Let's go. It's time to take your pick. Take your pick. You take your pick.
Matt
It's time to take your pick with Matt and Myron.
Myron
All right, so here's what we're going to do. Three game series this weekend. Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Who wins the series? We're going to go through six of them here. James, what's up?
Producer James
First, the Reds, who are fourth in the nl. NL Central. Your rents at the Nationals, who are fourth in the NL East. Matt, I'll have you go first. Who you got this weekend?
Myron
It's a big for both of them. If any of the either of these teams gonna have a shot of wild card, they need to win this weekend. The Reds have lost Hunter Green. I'm going to take the Nationals to win the series at home. Myron?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. The Hunter Green move, I think, is what makes me pick the Nationals as well in this series. Give me the Nationals to win.
Myron
Louis.
Louis Kalb
I agree. The Nationals are coming off losing three out of four to the Phillies, but they need it. And with the Green injury, I'm also going to complete the trifecta here and
Myron
say Nationals, the voice, it's so good. What's next?
Myron Metcalf
The best. It's incredible.
Myron
Much better than mine. Go ahead. What's next?
Producer James
I will go. Twins, who are second in the AL Central against Myron's brewers, who are first in the NL Central. Best team in baseball right now. Myron. We'll go. We'll have you go first. Who you got this weekend?
Myron Metcalf
It's going to be the Brew Crew. And you know, you got the Savannah Bananas playing in Minneapolis. Minnesota's on the road. I think the brewers win this game. And I do think the brewers are the best team in baseball. Will they be the best team in the playoffs? We'll find out. But they win this series.
Myron
Brewers get the sweep. They're on a roll. They're going for the top seed in the nl. Give me the Brewers.
Louis Kalb
Lewis, I gotta go again with the consensus. The Brewers.
Myron
There we go. All right.
Myron Metcalf
Like it.
Producer James
All right. Up next, the Braves, who are first in the NL east, playing some really good baseball. And the Yankees, who are second. The AL East. They're fighting for the wild card in the AL Matt, who you got in this series?
Myron
Great series. Braves are on a roll. They've won, I believe, eight straight. I'll take the Braves to go into New York and win the series and sort of get revenge on their many World Series losses there. Myron?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, The Braves have all the momentum, I think, going into this series against the Yankees, who still have a bunch of question marks at this point in the season. Give me the Braves.
Myron
Louis.
Louis Kalb
I'm going to take the Yankees in this case. The Braves certainly are on a roll and with the Yankee injuries, but I just have a feeling that the Yankees are going to do something this weekend.
Myron
I like it. What's next?
Producer James
Let's go Dodgers, who are first in the NL west and the Diamondbacks, who are second in the NL West. Diamondbacks fighting for that third NL wildcard spot. Matt, who you got here?
Myron
Six straight losses for the Dodgers. I think they turn it around, they'll have more fans in Arizona than the Diamondbacks will. So I will take the Dodgers. Myron?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I mean, I feel the same way. Obviously they bit on this slide right now, but I think they bounced back this weekend. Give me the Dodgers.
Louis Kalb
Lewis, in my best Vin Scully voice, it is the Dodgers.
Myron
You know, people thought you sounded like Vince Scully as well. Yeah. Then when you do impersonation, it's even more. What's next?
Producer James
All right, last but certainly not least, had to get this one in here. Blue Jays, fifth in the AL east against Lewis's Phillies, who are second in the east, fighting for the second wild card spot. Matt, who you got?
Myron
Let's just let me and Myron sit this one out. Louis is the expert. Blue Jays, Phillies, who you got?
Louis Kalb
The Blue Jays have struggled all year. The Phillies are coming off three out of four. They have Louis Surrog a little banged up after the other game, but I still gotta go.
Myron
Phil's Cats, your hometown team.
Myron Metcalf
Can you do something real quick? Can you call it as if there's a game winning home run for the Phillies? Can you give us like 10 seconds?
Myron
10 seconds go.
Louis Kalb
Absolutely. Here's Kyle Schwaber at 2, 2 count, bottom of the ninth, a 2, 2 tie. Chuyon, there's a drive to right.
Caller
It's deep and it is gone.
Louis Kalb
A game winning home run for Kyle Schwaber.
Myron
Louis Cobb, call that man. Give him a. I love it.
Louis Kalb
I like that.
Myron
The very first celebrity Lewis picker knocks the champ. Louis, thank you very much. Freddie and Harry is next.
Matt
Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the podcast. You can listen to Matt and Myron live weekdays from 3 to 5pm Eastern on ESPN radio.
Uber Eats Advertiser
You know those tiny back to school emergencies that somehow become your problem? That's why I love Uber Eats. You can order school supplies, snacks and lunchbox essentials for $5 or less. So when your kid casually drops I don't like peanut butter anymore or I need five green highlighters for a project due tomorrow, Uber Eats has you covered. Get everything you need for Back to School today from your favorite brands like Aldi and Staples on Uber Eats. Order now ends 97$5 or less before taxes and fees. Select items only. Availability varies. See app for details.
Date: August 7, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones, Myron Medcalf
In this hour, Matt and Myron blend their trademark humor and insight with spirited listener participation and deep dives into the biggest stories in sports. The new weekly “King of the Mountain” segment debuts, inviting callers to fire off their hottest (yet fun and non-political) takes. The hour also features a much buzzed-about feel-good story: Louis Kalb, the Phillies fan who went viral for his impressive inning of play-by-play after winning a charity auction, joins as the show's inaugural celebrity game picker.
Megan from New Zealand (Text Submission)
Highlight Calls & Takes
Standout Take
Decision & Reflection
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Highlight | |-----------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:03 | Myron | “I’ve been convinced that the guy in All-4-One… did their taxes and so they let him go along.” | | 02:57 | Myron Metcalf | "I'm 100% in favor. We shouldn't have any new Bulldogs or Wildcats, that's for sure." | | 05:20 | Matt | "That's a hot take, Myron. The 49ers win despite John Lynch, not because of him." | | 07:35 | Myron Metcalf | "I think there's a reason to be confident in [the Pacers] making a run." | | 16:35 | Matt | “Kevin in Alabama is going to be our hall of fame game King of the Mountain winner…” | | 22:56 | Myron Metcalf | “…it would be the setup to those super conferences that we've been talking about for years…” | | 26:34 | Myron Metcalf | "Dabo's the root." (on Clemson's decline in desirability) | | 38:21 | Louis Kalb | "You only live once. I don't need a Mercedes. ...this is my lifelong dream, I'm going to spend the money." | | 39:53 | Louis Kalb | "I thought ...I could go ...do a competent job and impress my friends and neighbors... I certainly didn’t expect ... this..."| | 44:46 | Louis Kalb | "There's a drive to right. It's deep and it is gone! A game-winning home run for Kyle Schwarber." |
Skip ahead to 31:14 or 44:46 to catch Louis Kalb’s moment if you’re short on time!