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- [00:00]
A
Gatorade is the number one proven electrolyte blend designed to hydrate better than water so you can lose more sweat and raise your game. Gatorade is it in you? This is Matt and Myron the podcast.
- [00:20]
B
It is Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio. Matt Myron, presented by Progressive Insurance. With insurance for cars, homes, boats, motorcycles, rv, commercial vehicles, basically everything Myer Metcalf owns, you can ensure it 1-800-progressive and progressive.com during the break we were just talking about man of constant sar or you know. Excuse me. Yeah. Oh brother, where art thou? Have you seen that movie, Myron, in your day?
- [00:46]
A
I have seen a brother out there.
- [00:47]
B
Yeah, I've seen you have. I would say you are bonafide. That's my highest compliment I can give you. Is that you? You are. You are bona fide. I'll tell you who also is bona fide is Michael Parsons. Because he's going to be worth four years.
- [01:03]
A
You do good at that. You've been working at that. I feel like you've always been good to those transitions, but I feel like you've taken it to another level in the last couple years.
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B
It's natural. You either have good feedback.
- [01:13]
C
I'll put it in.
- [01:14]
A
Thanks, James. Put that in the notes.
- [01:16]
B
Four years, $188 million extension makes him the highest paid non quarterback in NFL history. History. And he's now on the Packers. You and I talked about this last week and I think you took the position that there's no way that Michael Parsons would get traded. But you weren't. It's not like you were the only person to say that. That was pretty much what everyone said. But there were one or two voices out there close to Cowboys going, well, this might be different. Were you shocked when the news came out this week that Jerry did it and pulled the trigger and traded maybe his best player?
- [01:52]
A
I mean, I think it might be the most surprising NFL trade of my lifetime because Jerry does this a lot. He did it with Dak Prescott, he's done it with CD Lamb, he did it with Zeke Elliott. Like Jerry goes through these dances with different players and ultimately they sign with the Cowboys. Right? So I didn't think this was different. So I assume no matter what was said that A, Micah Parsons wanted to play with the Cowboys. That's probably gonna be his best chance to win because Jerry Jones wouldn't trade him to A contender. And B, even if Jerry decides to trade him, who's going to have $200 million for him to just sign on the spot? And I was wrong. We all were. Because Green Bay not only signed him, they gave him 47 million a year. I mean, he's the highest non paid non quarterback. Highest paid non quarterback in the history of the league. Matt, I know you're always talking about don't overpay a quarterback who's not elite. What do you think about giving a guy like Michael Parsons NFL starting quarterback.
- [02:51]
B
Money in the abstract? A terrible idea, you know, I mean, but for me it's not so much. Okay, so, so he averages what? 47 million.
- [03:02]
A
47 million, which TJ Watt just signed the record breaking deal. He's at 41, so they gave him a 6 million dollar raise.
- [03:09]
B
Okay, so, so let's just say that, let's use that as the example. So would you assume that at a minimum Micah would make 41? Right. So let's just assume that as a minimum. So then the question is, is that extra $6 million too much? My answer is probably yes. But is it like disqualify you from winning too much? No, because it's only four years. Clearly Green Bay's got the cap space to do it, at least initially. You know, Jordan Love is expensive, but you know, there'll be quarterbacks who make more than him here fairly soon. So I'm not, I'm not just totally against it. Let me go, let's go through some questions it raises for me. First of all, let's just quickly for the packers. Are they a contender to win the super bowl now?
- [03:58]
A
Yeah, I think they're right.
- [03:59]
B
Or at least go to the Super Bowl. Go to the Super Bowl.
- [04:01]
A
Yeah, they're right next to Philly in the nfc. They should be in the NFC Championship game. Who knows what happens from there.
- [04:07]
B
They took it, they went from a team that could have even been fourth out of four in the NFC north to a team that people say might be the second best team in the, in the nfc, period. That's a pretty big jump. I'm not sure I'm ready to do that. I don't think defensive players, one person can change your, your life like that. But I do think if anybody can, he's the one. Micah had this to say. I, I do want to ask you about this. He said he, he had something to say about his personality. Thought was kind of interesting. Go ahead.
- [04:40]
D
You'll realize as I, as I'm here, I'm probably one of the most authentic person you meet. I probably, I'm going to say things I probably shouldn't say off emotion. And that's just me I'm going to do as I like because that's just me. All I know is go. And I don't feel like if I feel like you can't be around me cuz you're not on go to. We probably shouldn't be friends or probably be in the same room. So I just don't be around you. So, you know, I think in terms of all our twisted minds of being elite competitors and a guy that's like, well, this is a, you know, I grew up, you know, watching Sean Taylor in the Pro Bowls and I'm like, wearing pads is best on best. Let me see what I can do a little bit, you know, so that's how I take advantage. So all I know is go.
- [05:26]
B
Yeah, that's a lot. It's like, you know, I mean, when you. First of all, anytime somebody says I'm the most authentic person you'll meet. Yeah. I'm always like, yeah. Who's going to say the opposite? Opposite. Who's like, I'm the most inauthentic person that you have ever seen in your life. So I always think that's kind of a meaningless statement. But then he goes, if you're not like me, get away from me. I thought that was kind of a weird thing to say.
- [05:49]
E
Yeah.
- [05:50]
A
He's like, I don't want any friends here. I'm. I'm on go. And if you're not on go, he, he also, Matt, he sounds 26 and 26 with $200 million, right? Like, he sounds a little bit of like, okay, I'm coming in. Everyone knows I'm the top defensive player in this league, along with T.J. watt and Miles Garrett. You want your best players to have that edge in that flair. The question is going to be, is it more than that? The question will be, can you play that way but also jail with this locker room in this organization? Because I'll tell you what, he's a big deal. He's getting paid a ton of money in the Green Bay packers organization. You're not going to be one of the top guys. The legacy is too strong of that organization and the great players they've had. So.
- [06:38]
B
And they also. They don't. It's different. Explain to. Well, we don't have to. It's different. You would agree. Let me ask you about Jerry. Why do you think Jerry ends up doing it?
- [06:50]
A
He doesn't know. I mean, he's. There's no valid excuse. He traded him in the nfc, which makes no sense if you're going to do it. I can't believe you trade them to a contender. Literally the team that's kicked him out of the playoffs the last three times they've gone, I believe have been the Green Bay packers. Most recently a couple years ago when Jordan Love went down to Dallas and they beat up the Cowboys. So it makes no sense. He's saying they can win more in the future. He's saying that, you know, this is a team that can do all these things in the years ahead. You signed Dak Prescott to be to win now. You signed CD Lamb to win now. You traded for George Pickens to win now. Were going to pay Trayvon Diggs to win now. So you don't go from now to rebuild. I just think Jerry's pride got the best of them. They said, I'll show you. You can't play here. Get out of town. I'm frustrated. And he just said, whatever, go to Green B.
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B
It's an old man pride thing, 100%.
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A
There's no gotcha to it.
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B
If it's an old man pride thing, which I think it is. What are the chances though, that maybe it still works? Okay, let me. You know, this reminds me of the Luca deal, okay. The Luca deal happens. Everybody says, worst trade in history, and now you go a year later and it still doesn't look great. But you did end up with Cooper Flag and you do have a Dallas team, that there's a pathway to a future. And maybe people, while still upset, don't think it's the train wreck disaster that it was. It's. Is there any chance that. That, you know, Jerry saying, hey, football's bigger than one player, even if it's because of pride and ego, that it could still end up working out for him.
- [08:31]
A
Possibly. But I, I think it's.
- [08:33]
E
It.
- [08:33]
A
There's only slim chance, right? These first round picks that they got, the packers haven't picked in the top 15 in many, many years. Like they're. That pick's going to be. Those picks will be in the 20s, right? You get Kenny Clark, who was a Pro Bowler a couple years ago, had one sack last year, is not. It doesn't look like he's in the prime of his career. So you're losing what is a real generational talent. Like the only guy that had 12 sacks or more in the first four years of his NFL career, along with who else? Reggie White, who helped the packers win a Super Bowl. Like so. It just doesn't make sense. I hate when people talk about the draft, Matt, and they go, don't worry, we have picks. Basketball people love doing that. They love telling you about the first round pick they have in the year 2038. And they're like, no, no, no, no. We got this guy. It's going to be a great pick. You're not going to pick a Micah Parsons with the package of picks you got from the Green Bay Packers.
- [09:21]
B
Here's what. If I, if I'm a Dallas fan and it's already happened, here's what I would try to talk myself into. Okay, we make the trade. Let's say we're not very good this year and we get like the 8th or 9th pick or 10th pick, maybe I can package that and the packers pick to trade up to get the quarterback of the future. I mean, is, is, isn't that potentially what you're looking at maybe doing?
- [09:47]
A
But, but like, when did we get rid of Dak? I mean, that, that's the thing. The weird thing is they're in some weird gray area where they're talking about what these picks can do in the future. But they just gave Dak $6 a year.
- [09:58]
B
No. Yeah.
- [09:59]
A
George Pickett's like, so it doesn't line up. You're either. And you always tell me this, Matt, you never pay a quarterback who's not elite or you don't. Or, or on a rookie deal, like, you don't build a team around a guy in the middle. And that's exactly what Dallas is trying to do. They're saying the future is bright, but also we're trying to win now, like, which one is it? No, I think doesn't align with that idea.
- [10:20]
B
That, that, to me, what you just said is the reason I don't like the trade. I don't hate the trade, because you can't trade a guy like Micah Parsons. I think in the NFL, outside of elite quarterbacks, you can get rid of anybody and you can be all right. I mean, I really believe that in the NFL. I think the NFL players are more fungible outside of elite quarterbacks than anywhere else. With that said, though, you do have to have a plan of when are we going to win a Super Bowl. And your point is, they have built to be good now, and this is not a move you do if you're built to be good now. So it's not consistent with what your plan is, which says to me you did it out of pride, not intelligence, and that it, like, if you, if you were done with Dax and you were ready to get a new quarterback, this would move, would make sense to me, but they're not. And so because of that, then I, I'm kind of like, I, I don't really get what the goal is.
- [11:18]
A
And Jerry hasn't done anything to explain what the goal is. Like, he just, he, there's a point in this where you're like, and you listen to press conference, you're going, this guy didn't use any rationale. Like, he just, he did it out of ego. I'll show you, Micah. And this is what it led to.
- [11:34]
B
Ego is very rarely the reason to do anything, you know, unless you're like Ryan Day and you're trying to have the perfect beard. And then at that point, I think ego can be, can be, can be okay. But Byron hates when I talk about college coaches because he has to go on the campus and it makes him very, very nervous that they will take it out on him. We will do more on the NFL. The season begins Thursday here on Sunday morning on ESPN Radio.
- [12:07]
A
Matt and Myron the Podcast.
- [12:14]
B
If you've.
- [12:15]
F
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. Com network. Go to shopify.comnetworkshopify.com Network.
- [13:29]
B
Mint is still $15 a month for premium wireless. And if you haven't made the switch yet, here are 15 reasons why you should. 1. It's $15 a month.
- [13:39]
E
2.
- [13:39]
B
Seriously, it's $15 a month.
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A
3.
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B
No big contract.
- [13:44]
E
4.
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B
I use it.
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A
5.
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B
My mom uses it Are you playing me off? That's what's happening, right? Okay, give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch upfront.
- [13:52]
G
Payment of $45 per three month plan. $15 per month equivalent required. New customer offer first three months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. Cmo.com.
- [14:03]
A
This is Sunday Morning with Matt and Myra on ESPN Radio. And on the ESPN app, word on.
- [14:10]
B
The street is we have a quote. Special caller online 5 a special caller.
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A
Who is this?
- [14:16]
E
The special caller is the person who.
- [14:18]
A
Was on the show with you last.
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B
Night when this news didn't break.
- [14:21]
E
And I. You get to talk about one of the biggest trades in the history of the NFL. And I've been listening this whole time.
- [14:29]
A
And I'm trying to figure out why.
- [14:30]
E
We didn't get this dude.
- [14:32]
B
Not only that, Emmett, I said this trade would never happen.
- [14:35]
A
You know what happened?
- [14:36]
B
24 hours later, that's exactly what happened.
- [14:38]
E
So I'm just calling to let you.
- [14:40]
A
Know how jealous I am that you.
- [14:42]
B
Get to break this down.
- [14:43]
A
That's all.
- [14:47]
B
Was that you?
- [14:49]
A
That was me.
- [14:51]
B
Wow. I couldn't really tell it was you. It sounded like he has a different voice. Were you just on the phone?
- [14:59]
A
Yeah.
- [15:00]
B
Sounded different.
- [15:00]
A
Now Matt thinks I talk different to black people. That's all he thinks. Yeah.
- [15:04]
B
I mean, that's kind of true, though.
- [15:07]
A
It's not.
- [15:08]
B
You kind of do. I mean, I think you kind of do. But to be fair, I do the same thing. Like, if you heard me when I went to Middlesboro, Kentucky, I'm like, how you doing, buddy? What's going on? You know, I mean, I, I ramped the accident up a little bit. Yeah, no, no, I'm very professional and. But if I, if you hear me down there, I'd be like, you've been up in the holler, you know, so it's a little bit. It's a little bit different.
- [15:33]
A
They play Nelly. I saw Nelly last night. So they played that and you know.
- [15:37]
B
You saw Nelly? Was that exciting?
- [15:40]
A
Nelly and Ja Rule. I mean, it was a good. It was a good show.
- [15:42]
E
Yeah.
- [15:42]
B
The only, the only B plus I got in law school was because of Nelly.
- [15:49]
A
What do you mean?
- [15:50]
B
Well, I. It's a long story, but. What, but it was a law school final. It was a law school final exam in intellectual property. I was fairly certain I had it. I knew it was good. Nelly was playing in Durham that night. I was like, I think I can go to the Nelly concert, still be good for the final. And then I got to Nelly concert. It Was, you know, it was so hot in there and then things started happening and next thing you know, I didn't get to study enough and I, and I didn't, I didn't do as well on the final. So anyway, that happened to me. Let's go to headlines. Extra, extra. Read all about it.
- [16:29]
A
The Sunday Headlines.
- [16:33]
B
This is where we give you some of the stories that maybe aren't at the top of the news, but that you still need to know. James, what's first?
- [16:42]
C
All right, so the 2 LE. 2 lane Green Wave opened up their 2025 season by beating up 1 Northwestern at home. They beat Northwestern 23, 3. But Tulane wasn't happy with Northwestern because they denied a request to. For them to wear the white uniforms. Here is their coach, John Sulmerall, talking about that.
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H
Proud of our guys, man. For this to be the, you know, we wore the green helmets today for the 20th anniversary of Katrina. I'm going to say one thing. I'm not trying to take a shot, but we requested to wear white jerseys because that's what that team wore. It got denied by the other team. That's their prerogative. But when you show disrespect to the city of New Orleans, that's what's going.
- [17:23]
B
To happen to you.
- [17:24]
H
You're going to get. You're going to run into a team like this. They had a chip on their shoulder because I wanted them to wear the same exact uniform that that team wore 20 years ago. Request got denied. We might have used that for a little bit of motivation to represent the city. So don't disrespect New Orleans ever.
- [17:39]
C
So Northwestern said the request came in late and they had already planned out their uniforms. What do you guys think about this, man?
- [17:47]
B
Yeah. So this was supposed to be the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. First uniforms Tulane was going to wear after the same one they wore 20 years ago. You think Northwestern and all their journalism grads screwed up here?
- [18:01]
A
Yeah. I mean, man, I'm always like, dumbfounded when I try to figure out, like, why aren't the PR people in the room, like, why isn't someone who represents the how is this going to look audience? Like, you need those people at the table because those people would have told you, I don't care what you have to do. You cannot make this a storyline. You cannot deny them on the 20th anniversary Katrina. So I'm just always baffled when the smartest schools in our country end up doing stuff like this.
- [18:28]
B
Just go shirts and skins if you need to. Like, you can't be the guy. You cannot be the team that did not allow them to. To wear the Hurricane Katrina uniforms. Pretty big mistake there by Northwestern. What's next?
- [18:41]
C
All right, you're going to have to. You're going to have to help let.
- [18:43]
B
Me do this story because, you know the Champions League, Myron, you know I'm interested in European soccer. All right, The Champions League are the best teams in Europe and they play. And this year they have a qualifying so that even the smallest countries have a chance to get in. And they never usually make it. But this year, a Kazakh. Danny, team from Kazakhstan. What's the name of the team? James Kairot or K Rot Almighty.
- [19:10]
C
Yeah. Krod Almani.
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B
K Rot Almaty. Okay. They're from Kazakhstan. They are ranked like 9 millionth in the world. They want a penalty shootout to get to make it. So now the Champions League, which will have 36 teams mirroring their group stage, which will include teams like Real Madrid and, you know, Arsenal and all these teams, psg that, you know, Kyrat Almani will be playing in it. And this is the part I like. They get to host four home games and they drew Real Madrid. Real Madrid is going to have to go 5,000km to Kazakhstan and play in a stadium of 7,000 people. It will be the smallest stadium Real Madrid has played in in 25 years. And. And I don't care what I'm doing. I got to watch it. They are saying it will be the biggest moment in Kazakhstan sports history.
- [20:06]
A
I mean, I love this story. I love that professional soccer in Europe is like that, where you have situations where you have to go and play in these little small towns. You know, like if the Lakers had to go play at Sioux Falls, South Dakota against their best little local team, like, it's just cool for a moment like that to happen. I can't imagine being in Kazakhstan, how many Real Madrid fans are probably there just because they're the biggest team and now they're coming to your. Your home stadium. I just love that, man. I love those.
- [20:36]
B
I wish we had this in, like, NCAA basketball. They should have something where the teams might have to go to those places. Like, it would. I think it would be hilarious to see Kentucky or Duke, like, have to play, I don't know, Indiana of Pennsylvania, which, by the way, is an actual school. Like, I think that would be kind of cool. And that' what you get there in Europe. What's next?
- [20:58]
C
One more. This is from a tweet that I saw yesterday from @WPS Forever. And it's from the Arkansas game.
- [21:07]
A
Why'd you say it like that, James? I don't know.
- [21:10]
C
That's what it said.
- [21:11]
A
Why'd you say that's what it is.
- [21:12]
C
For the number four and I don't know how I say that.
- [21:18]
A
Anyway, The Razorbacks, an 18 year a 17 year old on TikTok a little bit the Razor.
- [21:23]
C
I mean that's what I was reading.
- [21:25]
B
But let's get a matcha. WPS Forever has recommended this place.
- [21:31]
C
The Rangerbags beat the Alabama A and M Bulldogs by a lot yesterday. But this tweet is a picture and it's of the scoreboard and it reads congrats on the divorce, Grant. Plenty more fish in the sea. How do we feel about this? We are the driving, the driving people behind Scoreboard Romances here on ESPN Radio.
- [21:52]
B
Sometimes people should be congratulated for their divorce, their marriages that need to end and rather than just assume they're sad, sometimes they're happy. Myron. Sometimes a union needs to end. I have no problem publicly congratulating Grant on his divorce.
- [22:09]
A
I'm fine with that. But you also got to take a hard look in the mirror before you talk about this plenty of fish in the sea thing, right? Like you might have a.
- [22:17]
B
We don't know what Grant's like.
- [22:19]
A
You know, you, you might have a puddle. Like you don't really know what you have. So you got to be honest with yourself about that fish and thing.
- [22:26]
B
I need to see Grant's bank account, what he looks like. Goldfish tank.
- [22:31]
A
You know that's right.
- [22:32]
B
You know, Grant, there might not be that many fish in the sea, especially in Arkansas, if we're being honest. Do you have Matt and Myron?
- [22:41]
A
The podcast.
- [22:56]
G
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- [24:00]
B
Yeah, Here we go. It is Sunday morning on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance, Matt Jones, Myron metcalf, Tonight, Phillies host the Braves coverage. Sunday night baseball begins at 6 Eastern on ESPN radio, ESPN app 7 Eastern on ESPN. Eduardo Perez, ESPN's Major League Baseball analyst, he's joining his, he's joining Myron up there with me with Herm for our my favorite recurring guests, which is amazing because it's baseball and like he's still able to keep me interested, Myron. So I appreciate that.
- [24:33]
A
I appreciate it too.
- [24:34]
B
Eduardo. Thank you very much for joining us. You got the Braves and the Phillies tonight. Two questions. First of all, the Phillies have enough to win the whole thing. And then what happened to the Braves this year? Why? Why did they struggle so much?
- [24:49]
E
Man, that's two questions that first of all, I want to say hello to both of you. And, and second, those are two very complicated questions and I'm going to try to condense it as easy as possible here. And the answer to the first one, Phillies, yes, they do have enough. And they have enough because they have Christopher Sanchez who will at least and what we saw from yesterday can be that ace pitcher that they need because Zach Wheeler is done for the year and with the blood clot situation a serious condition and, and because of Christopher Sanchez, I believe that they do, they got the offense. We know about the offense. We know about Kyle Schwaber, we know about Bryce Harper, we know about the month that Trey Turner is having in August. And so yes, they do have a great offense. But it's still going to come down to pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies and for the Atlanta Braves. It's just been a long year. It's been a long year of injury early on. It's been, you know, they missed Max Freed and Charlie morton. They represented 59 starts last year. They represented a lot of innings pitched from a very good staff. And because of the injuries that they sustained to Chris Vail and because of the injuries that they had sustained to the other starting pitchers, they depended a lot on young starters. Spencer Strider being one of them. Coming back from injury, it's just, it was just tough. No Ronald Acuna early, the jerks and profile testing positive for PEDs, missing as many games as he did in the start of a three year deal. I think all that played into them just not being as good as a lot of people thought they were going to be. Austin Riley done for the year Michael Harris. The second first half of the season was terrible. All those things accumulated into what has been a very long season for Brian Snicker in the Atlanta Braves.
- [26:58]
A
Eduardo the Shohei Ohtani people will tell you that the NL MVP race is over, especially now that he's pitching again, even though he's been a kind of up and down on the mound. But then I turn on the TV and I see Kyle Schwaber hitting four home runs for the Phillies over the Braves on Thursday. They go up 19 to 4, 49 home runs this season. You've got the Zach Wheeler Wheeler injury, which to me makes them even more valuable. Why aren't we putting Kyle Schwaber next to show, hey, maybe, maybe even above Shohei in that NL MVP conversation right now?
- [27:31]
E
Well, I have them right there and I think, I think a lot of it has to do with the people that are voting are going to look at the ops, they're going to look at the advanced metrics and they're going to say, well, Shohei Ohtani has a higher OPS than Kyle Schwaber. They're going to probably go to that. But the reality is Kyle Schwaber is catching up every day to Shohei Otani. And Shohei Ohtani opened the door for a designated hitter to be an mvp. That's what he was last year, right? And because he was that last year, we cannot discard or use it against Kyle Schwaber. This could be the best in history as far as designated hitter. But the reality is we saw it last year in show Otani. Plus he stole bases last year and I think that was the difference. Now, I'm not saying Kyle Schwaber can't steal a base. He's in double digits and stolen bases. He has 10. But what Kyle Schwaber is doing with the Philadelphia Phillies on a walk year when they needed him most. Plus, he's a leader off the field, he's a leader on the field. He's a leader in that clubhouse that plays. That plays. His batting run value is in the 99th percentile that plays. But guess what? Shohei's is in the hundredth percentile. And when you look at those advanced metrics, it's hard not to vote for Shohei Ohtani. And I understand the argument in la, but I also understand the argument in Philadelphia. And I cannot wait to see how the voting pans out this year, especially if both win their divisions. I think it's going to be really.
- [29:26]
B
Interesting talking to Eduardo Perez, ESPN Major League Baseball analyst. Eduardo I'VE always kind of believed strength of schedule in baseball is overrated. But then something like the Yankees happen. So just, you know, it was just last week that everybody said the Yankees were in trouble because they lost the first three games against Boston. Now they've won seven straight and they're rolling. But six of those wins are against the Nationals and the White Sox. They now lead the wild card race. People are now, because of this win streak going. Yankees are back. Are they back or was it just the schedule?
- [30:07]
E
We'll find out next week. Right? You got.
- [30:10]
B
Yeah, because they got Houston and Toronto. Yeah.
- [30:13]
E
Yeah. And let's not. And let's not leave Detroit behind either. That's who they have after Toronto. What a home stand they're going to get after going through Houston. Yeah, I think you're right. I think. I think the schedule definitely plays in their favor when it comes to that, because after they're done with Detroit and Boston, then it becomes teams that are just below.500 for them. They got to face Minnesota three times, Baltimore a total of seven more games, and the Chicago White Sox a total of three more games. I'm not concerned if the Yankees are going to make the postseason. I believe they are. I believe they could even win the division over the Toronto Blue Jays. And if that's the case, then, yes, you have a, You. You have a team that I personally. I personally like. I like their offense. They're. They're winning without really Aaron Judge being. Aaron Judge taking over. And I think he still has a strong run in September. That we're going to see something special from them. And because we're going to see something special and I believe from Aaron Judge in September, I think the Yankees are an interesting subject moving forward, but, yeah, the strength of schedule definitely plays into every team down the stretch. You look at the San Diego Padres and LA Dodgers, their schedule down the stretch is also going to be team favorable to them. And I think it's. And because of that, you know, you have to look at those two teams and say, will they be. Will one of those two teams do enough to get out of the wild card seating and still have one of the two best records in the division to be able to get away from the wild card? And I hope not because we cover the wild card in postseason.
- [32:07]
A
Eduardo. I'm from Milwaukee and it's been hard for me. You know, there's so much talk about, are the Yankees and Dodgers. Well, listen, because it's like, are the Yankees and Dodgers okay? Are the Mets okay with their billion Dollar payrolls. Everybody's worried about them. Everybody's worried about the Phillies. Everyone's thinking about everyone else. Except a Brewers team that just beat the Blue Jays. And that could be a World Series matchup. What did you make of that win, that series, and what that might tell us about the future with Milwaukee?
- [32:37]
E
Yeah, it's a pretty darn good series right now for. For Milwaukee. I think it's a statement being able to go there, beating the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday, 41 coming in and doing the same thing on Friday, and beating the Blue Jays as well that time, if I'm not mistaken, it was a 72 score. So they're doing a really nice job of being able to beat the teams that they need to beat. And what I mean by that is, if you look at the Milwaukee brewers record record against teams that are above.500, they have the best record by far. It's 41, 23. They're that good against teams. And they're built for the post season. And what I mean by being built by the post season is they can play small ball. And in the post season, we're going to see things, and every year it happens. We see players that don't, but being asked to buck. We see players that don't move runners over during the regular season asked to be able to move runners if it's by pulling the ball of your lefty or hitting the ball the other way as a righty. The little things is what Milwaukee is good at. They don't get blown out of any game during the regular season. It seems like they're in every game and they don't beat themselves up. And teams like Toronto that can control the running game really well. That was one of my biggest concerns going into this series against the Brewers. The brewers still have come up and won those two games against a team that can control the running game. And that's why, if I'm you, I let people talk about the Dodgers. I allow people talk about the Padres, let them talk about the Mets. Milwaukee's doing just fine. I'd be more concerned if I was a Colorado Rocky fan. I'd be more concerned if I was a Washington national fan right now. But the Milwaukee brewers, man, you guys have the best record in baseball, and let's own it.
- [34:42]
B
Yeah, but they're still boring. Nobody cares. Let me go to a team that everybody does care. The brewers are born.
- [34:47]
E
You said.
- [34:49]
A
That's what I deal with, Eduardo. That's the kind of nonsense I deal with.
- [34:52]
B
Actually, my question is about the Reds but it's actually bigger picture, Eduardo. It goes to what you just said about the Blue Jays. So Terry Francona's the Reds manager, and he. He is clearly managing an old school style like first and second. We're down two and he bunts to try to get the runners over. It's driving me crazy. It's actually probably, in my opinion, cost him some games, but he still does kind of the old school thing that people don't like. Ellie was hitting home runs all year last year. Now he's only hit one in the last three months because he asked him to cut down on his swing. They try to play small ball in what is a home run ballpark in Cincinnati. Does that stuff. Is that still what you would recommend? Like, I know there's a balance between small ball and analytics, and I've always kind of been on the analytics side. And then I'm seeing the small ball in person, and it's kind of driving me crazy. Is a guy like Terry Francona who wants to manage like that. He basically said he wasn't allowed to manage like that in Cleveland and Boston. Does that still work in 2025?
- [36:00]
E
Does it? I don't know if it works in that ballpark. I think that ballpark takes a toll of a lot of. Takes a toll on how you manage. It takes. You still need to put the ball in play. And that's one of the things that Tito wanted to do when he came in as the Cincinnati Reds manager. When he met with the players, he's like, we cannot have all this swing and miss. We left too many opportunities. And there is a way of being able to cut down on your swing without being able to cut down on your power. I remember the great hall of Famer, Red Shamdes, who was the second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals and then managed the St. Louis Cardinals hall of Famer. He asked me one time when I was with the Cardinals. He said. He said, you have five home runs so far this year. Can you remember those five home runs? And I said, yes, sir, I can't. And I said, what do you want me to do with it? He goes, I want you to tell me what the counts were when you hit those home runs. And I told him, I said, One was a 3 2, another one was a 1 2. I remember I hit one on an O2 count. The other one was a 2 2, and the other one was a 22 count. He goes, okay, so you realize all of them you did with two strikes. What did you do with two strikes? What do you do with two strikes that I choke up off of that. And at the time he goes the best hitter in baseball, Barry Bonds chokes up all the time. So why don't. So what. What about if you check your ego at the door and just choke up the entire time and find Bell and that way you know where the bat head is and you make hard contact and it'll take care of itself. It changed my career. I never once looked back at the minor leagues. I became more of a slugger. I became a major leaguer. I became a threat against left handed pitching. I was able to hit not one, not two, but three and four home runs off Randy Johnson as I was choked up with the bat. To me it made a difference and I use that as an example of cutting down on your swing without having to give up on power and putting the ball in play more.
- [38:14]
B
I hope you're right. I hope you're right. I'm watch. I'm watching this go from eight games over 500 to 500 and it makes me sad. Eduardo Perez, thank you very much. You're on the call. Phillies and Braves tonight, six eastern. We really appreciate your time.
- [38:30]
E
You got it. Thank you guys.
- [38:31]
B
There you go. Arch Manning. Myron seems to think his career is over. Can it be resuscitated? That's next here on ESPN Radio.
- [38:40]
A
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
- [38:56]
G
The Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University helps you go from I know the way to I've arrived with our top 10 ranked online MBA. Gain skills you can learn today and apply tomorrow. Get ready to go from make it happen to made it happen and keep striving. Visit strayer.edu Jack WelchMBA to learn more. Strayer University is certified to operate in Virginia by Chev and its many campuses including at 2121 15th Street north in Arlington, Virginia.
- [39:26]
B
This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Checking off the boxes on your to.
- [39:30]
G
Do list is a great feeling.
- [39:32]
B
And when it comes to checking off coverage, a State Farm agent can help you choose an option that's right for you. Whether you prefer talking in person on the phone or using the award winning app, it's nice knowing you have help finding coverage that best fits your needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.
- [39:54]
A
This is Sunday morning with Matt and Myron on ESPN Radio. And on the ESPN app I brought.
- [40:02]
B
Broke up a fight once involving Carrot Top. Okay.
- [40:05]
E
What?
- [40:06]
B
What? What are you laughing at? Scarrot Top. I was at a casino. I was watching Carrot Top play blackjack.
- [40:13]
A
Okay?
- [40:14]
B
And then this guy was Chirping. And he stood up Carrot Top like he was gonna fight. And I looked at Carrot Top and said, hey, man, it's not worth it.
- [40:21]
E
Right.
- [40:21]
B
So you.
- [40:22]
A
You saved Carrot Top's career?
- [40:24]
B
Well, I'm not saying I saved it. I just was thinking, like, you're better than this Carrot Top.
- [40:28]
A
I've definitely never heard that story that. You tell a lot of random stories. That's probably the most random.
- [40:38]
B
That's not even close to my most random story, by the way. Like. Like, if you.
- [40:42]
A
If you want random stories, you.
- [40:44]
B
You want. You want a random story real quick as we come back from break. That's even more random than.
- [40:48]
A
I don't know if we have a choice. You just tell stories like, you. Yeah, you always. Like, you want.
- [40:51]
B
I just want to know if you want it. If you're not. If you're not. Is if you're not open to a random story. We can get right to Arch Manning. But if you would like to hear a random story, that's a part of.
- [41:01]
A
Who you are as random stories.
- [41:02]
B
Okay, so Las Vegas airport. I'm flying out with my. With Drew for the Breeders Cup. The Breeders Cups. Gonna be at Santa Anita. For whatever reason, my connection is in Las Vegas to not even the good LA airport. What's the other one? Like John.
- [41:18]
A
Orange county something.
- [41:19]
B
Yeah, yeah. So I'm flying into John Wayne Airport, and I'm waiting in the terminal, and we see Marilyn Manson. Okay, okay. The singer Marilyn Manson. And he looks like Marilyn Manson. Like, he's not incognito. He's got the. The goth look. And he's dressed like. He's. He's all that. And he's looking at one of those. I don't know, one of those little stores where you can buy, like, goods, right? Like, one of those little, like, you can buy, like, massagers and stuff like that. So I go up to him and I say. I said, I want to ask for a picture because when are you gonna see Merrill Manson again, right? Like, you're never gonna see.
- [41:53]
A
Yeah.
- [41:54]
B
So I go up to him and I'm like, hey. I throw Drew under the bus. I go, my buddy's a big Marilyn Manson fan, which he was. And he said. I said, can we get a picture? And he looks at me and he goes, only if you each will hold one of my shoes. I'm not making.
- [42:15]
A
Okay, okay.
- [42:16]
B
So he takes off his shoes, and he hands me one, and he hands Drew one. And I have a picture of me holding a shoe, Drew holding a shoe, and Marilyn Manson's in the middle. I feel like, small pet price to pay to have that picture. We think that's the end of. So first of all, you think that's worth it? Yes or no?
- [42:41]
A
I'm not holding another man's shoe.
- [42:43]
B
Even if it's somebody like Mary. Like, even if it. You know. What if Barack Obama said it to you?
- [42:48]
A
I'm not holding a shoe, you know?
- [42:50]
B
Okay, like, all right, fine. Well, I held the shoe. Okay? So I think that's the end of my Marilyn Manson. Like, that's it. You know, that's gonna be my. I'm not gonna have any more interaction with him.
- [43:00]
A
Yeah.
- [43:00]
B
This is my story. Get out of plane. It's Southwest. You know, that's where you pick your own seat, right? Like, you go get on. He's on Southwest.
- [43:08]
A
The royal rumble.
- [43:10]
B
Drew and I are both tall. He takes one seat, I take the other. We leave the middle open because we don't. We don't think anybody will sit there, right? Because we're two big guys. Marilyn Manson comes on the plane, sees us. There are many open seats. Sits middle seat between me and Drew. Okay, I'm not kidding. You think I'm making this up? Sits middle seat between me and Drew. He said, can I sit with you guys? My shoe guys. We're like, sure. Marilyn Manson sit middle seat. Now, he's big, too. He's taller than I. Right? So we got, like, three guys. Six. Three or taller now in this airplane. We're like. Drew and I are looking each other like, this is crazy. We're riding with Marilyn Manson on a Southwest flight, and he's sitting middle seat. He proceeds. It's a very short flight from Vegas to John Wayne.
- [44:00]
A
Okay?
- [44:01]
B
Myron, he never shuts up. The whole plane ride. Will not shut up. Just. Yeah, Babbity yabity. He asked me what I do. At the time, I was doing television. He said, oh, I have a television show. And I go, what is it? And he was like, it's a show. It's like a judge show, but the judge is a dragon. I don't even know what that means, right? Like, the judge is a dragon. What does that mean? Like, he shoots fire out of his mouth. I was like, oh, that's a great idea, Marilyn Manson. He goes, would you two like a drink? We're like, sure. Next thing you know, my man orders drinks. They bring them.
- [44:36]
A
Yeah, okay.
- [44:37]
B
He looks at me and goes, this guy's got him. Makes me pay for him. Made you pay for him, presumably. When he asked us if we wanted drinks. I assumed he was going to pay for them.
- [44:50]
A
No.
- [44:51]
B
Middle seat, Maryland makes me pay for the drinks. Middle seat, Maryland. There. So then he will not shut up. By the time we land, I am done with Marilyn Manson. Please get off the plane. And this is the craziest part. When we get out, his girlfriend starts yelling at him because she was on the plane too. He didn't sit next to his girlfriend. He sat in between me and Drew instead of sitting with his girlfriend.
- [45:17]
A
Listen, I gotta be honest. That's crazy. I also feel like Marilyn Manson was setting y' all up to invite y' all one of them parties we can't talk about.
- [45:24]
B
He did invite us to a party, and I turned it down. But that part of Cuz Drew wanted.
- [45:30]
A
To go.
- [45:33]
B
To that part. So just for the rest, completely worth it.
- [45:35]
A
This is awful.
- [45:36]
B
That was a random story a minute ago. That one is more random. What? Sunday morning. Next.
- [45:45]
A
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
- [45:51]
F
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