Hour 2: Party Animals

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron
Episode: Hour 2: Party Animals
Release Date: June 22, 2025

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Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," hosts Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf delve into the vibrant world of sports, blending insightful analysis with lively banter. The primary highlight is an engaging conversation with Sean Fluke, the pitcher for the Party Animals, a team affiliated with the Savannah Bananas—a popular team known for their entertaining style of play.

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Main Discussion: Party Animals vs. Savannah Bananas

Guest Introduction: Sean Fluke
Timestamp: [02:15]

Matt Jones introduces Sean Fluke, emphasizing his role as a pitcher for the Party Animals, positioning his team as the more rugged and authentic counterpart to the Savannah Bananas' flamboyant persona.

Sean Fluke on Team Dynamics
Timestamp: [02:21]
Sean confidently asserts, "We are definitely the more fun team you said that, right?" highlighting the Party Animals' commitment to serious gameplay while maintaining their own unique flair.

Why the Bananas Dominate the Spotlight
Timestamp: [02:45]
Matt challenges Sean on why the Savannah Bananas receive more cheer despite the Party Animals' superior performance, asking, "Why is everybody cheering for the stupid Bananas over you?"

Sean's Response on Brand Building
Timestamp: [04:32]
Sean explains, "They're the original team that started the whole banana ball... we became the bad boys to start," illustrating the Party Animals’ strategic branding efforts to carve out their niche in a social media-driven sports environment.

Growing Popularity of the Party Animals
Timestamp: [05:22]
Sean shares, "We have over a million followers in the past couple years, and we have our own fan base now," emphasizing the team's successful expansion beyond the shadow of the Bananas.

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Behind the Scenes with Sean Fluke

Sean's Journey to the Party Animals
Timestamp: [06:23]
Matt delves into Sean's background, revealing his transition from a pest control job to becoming a starting pitcher for the Party Animals. Sean narrates, "I snuck in with [the Bananas] to start the Party Animals wanting the thing... and now here we are, starting pitcher, dominating four years down the road."

Balancing Party Life and Professionalism
Timestamp: [08:02]
Matt inquires about the Party Animals' reputation for partying, to which Sean affirms, "Yes, I would have to say, yes, we are. We definitely do live it up."

Humorous Anecdote: The Infamous Roach Infestation
Timestamp: [09:03]
Sean recounts a memorable pest control story: "This lady had these roaches inside her bird cage... I couldn't kill these dang cockroaches."

Highlight Moment: Playing at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium
Timestamp: [09:41]
Sean shares the surreal experience of pitching in front of 81,000 fans at Clemson's Memorial Stadium, stating, "It's just a dream come true, honestly. Or ESPN. It's just... it's wildlife, man. It really is."

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Sports Headlines and Hot Topics

Ellie De La Cruz’s Puke and Rally
Timestamp: [13:29]
The hosts discuss Ellie De La Cruz's performance during a hot game where he vomited but still hit a home run. Matt remarks, "Ellie De La Puke yesterday... he stays in next at bat, home run to put the Reds up."

Chase Burns: Rising Star to Watch
Timestamp: [15:00]
Matt introduces Chase Burns, the number two draft pick from Wake Forest, highlighting his dominance in the minors and upcoming major league debut against the Yankees.

Cleveland Browns’ Rookie Quarterback Shador Sanders’ Speeding Tickets
Timestamp: [17:22]
The conversation shifts to Shador Sanders' recent speeding citations, with Matt noting, "Shador Sanders got two speeding citations this month. What do you guys think of speed demon Shador here?"

Wrestling News: Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Potential Return
Timestamp: [20:27]
Fanny Pac Medcalf brings up rumors of Stone Cold Steve Austin considering another match, leading Matt and Myron to express excitement: "I would love to see Stone Cold wrestle again."

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Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Segment: Jon Jones' Retirement

Jon Jones Announces Retirement
Timestamp: [36:41]
The hosts discuss the abrupt retirement of Jon Jones, labeling him as potentially the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. Matt shares a clip of the announcement: "Jon Jones is officially retired."

Impact on UFC and Tom Aspinall’s Ascension
Timestamp: [38:19]
Myron analyzes the implications, stating, "I've never seen maybe the greatest ever, just kind of exit stage left like that," and discusses Tom Aspinall being named the new heavyweight champion.

Dana White’s Handling of the Retirement
Timestamp: [40:20]
Myron critiques the UFC president’s approach: "Dana White just does it a lot. But I think Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall would have been a mega fight..."

Current UFC Landscape
Timestamp: [42:04]
The discussion touches on the UFC's personality issues post-Jon Jones and the lack of major stars, with Myron mentioning Amanda Nunes as one of the few prominent names.

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Lighthearted Banter and Closing Remarks

Hosts' Personal Anecdotes and Humor
Throughout the episode, Matt and Myron engage in humorous exchanges, including Matt’s mishaps with forgetting his identity on a show and playful jabs at each other about speeding and personal stories.

Upcoming Hosts and Announcements
Timestamp: [26:43]
Myron mentions hosting an upcoming show on the 4th of July, leading to a playful conversation about previous interactions with Chris Canty.

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Notable Quotes

• Myron Medcalf on the Fanny Pack Criticism
  [01:22]: "This is something that changed my life. If you introduce something to me you said was good for you, I would celebrate it."

• Sean Fluke on Party Animals’ Success
  [05:22]: "We’ve grown enough to where we don’t need [the Bananas] anymore to sell out stadiums. We can kind of do that on our own."

• Sean Fluke on Playing at Clemson’s Stadium
  [09:41]: "It's just a dream come true, honestly... I'm still holding my own."

• Myron Medcalf on Ring Chasing Culture
  [31:43]: "I'm just saying when they try to minimize it when it's the number one thing that they've been chasing."

• Myron Medcalf on Jon Jones’ Retirement
  [38:33]: "I've never seen anything like it... fighters sometimes."

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Concluding Thoughts

This episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" provides a comprehensive look into the dynamic narrative of the Party Animals, the intricacies of sports fame, and the ever-evolving landscape of MMA. Through candid conversations and entertaining exchanges, Matt and Myron deliver a rich and engaging experience for sports enthusiasts seeking both information and entertainment.

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Tune in Next Week

Join Matt and Myron next week as they continue to explore the latest in sports, including more on the NBA Finals, major league updates, and exclusive interviews. Stay connected with "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcript

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[Matt Jones]

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[Sean Fluke]

The numbers look good.

[Matt Jones]

Brad, you're on mute.

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[Myron Medcalf]

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[Matt Jones]

It is Sunday morning here, Matt Myron on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance, Matt Jones and Fanny Pac Medcalf here ready to go get you. NBA Finals tonight, six eastern on ESPN Radio. Sunday night baseball is also on ESPN Radio. What's the game tonight? Do we know? It's probably, it's probably the Yankees and the Red Sox. But, but is there. What, what, what is the game?

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

Mets, Phillies, Mets.

[Matt Jones]

Phillies. Okay, good Mets. Been on a little bit of a reeling streak. Hopefully they get it back. One person writes, Matt, I'm trying to figure out the exact moment Myron's life when he looked in the mirror and said, yep, time to strap a fanny pack on me. Because personally, if I'm carrying around enough junk that I feel like I need it, I need to reevaluate my life. How would you respond to that, Myron?

[Myron Medcalf]

I think you all are being more critical than you need to be. This is something that changed my life. If, if you introduce something to me you said was good for you, I would celebrate it. So the fact that people are knocking something that's really helping me is, is it says a lot about people more than anything else.

[Matt Jones]

It does. Well, you can write in 772-774-5254. It is now time to be joined by Sean Fluke. He is a pitcher, if you've been listening to show that I've been fascinated with the whole Savannah Bananas thing. They were up here in Cincinnati last week, the Red Stadium, two nights in a row. And so you know about the Savannah Bananas, but I'm more interested in the team, one of the teams they play, which is the Party Animals. The Party Animals seem to be a lot more fun and Sean Fluke is one of the pitcher for the Party Animals. Sean, thank you very much for joining us.

[Sean Fluke]

Yes, sir. And yeah, you got it right. We are definitely the more fun team you Said that, right?

[Matt Jones]

So. Yeah, well, the reason I say that is everybody focuses on the Bananas and their stupid yellow color and all their dancing. But you. You guys are supposed to be like the heels, but you wear cooler uniforms. They've got, like, splashy colors everywhere. You seem to talk a lot more trash, Sean. Why is it everybody's cheering for the stupid Bananas over you?

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah, we lost him. I heard the beat. I think we lost them.

[Matt Jones]

What do we. I set up that question so well.

[Myron Medcalf]

Did you hear the beep, though? Did you hear the drop?

[Matt Jones]

What beep? I didn't hear any beep. Sean, tell me, are you. Do the phones work in the Party Animals Club?

[Myron Medcalf]

They give y' all phones?

[Sean Fluke]

Yeah, so we do have. It's funny you bring that up. We do have some issues in our clubhouse right now. We just had a game on Juneteenth. We actually had a noon start, and also our AC was out in the locker room, so.

[Matt Jones]

See, that's what they do to the Party Animals. The party Animals. They're trying to get in your heads. That's what I don't. I don't trust the Bananas for this reason.

[Sean Fluke]

Yeah. So whenever you beat the bananas 10 games in a row on their home field, they got to do a little bit of stuff to try to throw you guys off your game a little bit.

[Matt Jones]

So you all have won 10 straight games against the bananas?

[Sean Fluke]

We. 10 straight in Savannah. We were. I want to say, we're like 16 and 4 in our last 20.

[Matt Jones]

So why are they. Why are they the show? When you guys see more fun, you're better. You talk better trash. Why is the world cheering for the Bananas and not the party?

[Sean Fluke]

So they're the original team that. They started the whole banana ball. I mean, they. Up and coming CPL. They've been around for about. Almost. About 10 years now, probably. And just they were the first team with the up and coming, the dancing, the social media, all that good stuff. And then they kind of needed somebody to play, so we became the bad boys to start. And we're a darn good baseball team. Or a banana ball team, I should say. So they get all the social media love. But the one thing I tell everybody is that you come to the game for the Bananas, but you leave as a party animal fan.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, nice. And your girlfriends, too, I heard. That's what I heard.

[Myron Medcalf]

Here's my other thought, though. I can imagine being in all of this, and people will come up to you and probably say things like, what's it like to play the Savannah Bananas? Like, how annoying does that get? That, like, everyone wants to know what you think of that team and less about your team?

[Sean Fluke]

We definitely get a lot. Whenever we're traveling and whatnot, and it's like, oh, you guys are the Savannah Bananas. It's like, now we're the Party Animals. So, like, we're slowly building our brand. It's come from. I mean, nothing to. We have over a million followers in the past couple years, and we have our own fan base now. We go on our own tour where we don't even play the Banana. So we've grown enough to where we don't need them anymore to sell out stadiums. We can kind of do that on our own. So that's pretty cool.

[Matt Jones]

Who needs the Bananas? You're the Party Animals.

[Myron Medcalf]

You.

[Matt Jones]

You.

[Myron Medcalf]

So I. But, like, does it. Does it make you upset, though? Like, do you get to a point where, like, the ninth time this week, someone's like, tell us about the Bananas. And you gotta be like, come on, man. Like, leave me alone. What is it?

[Sean Fluke]

Like, it definitely happens a lot, for sure. But, I mean, we love all teams. Don't get me wrong. It's all one big family, regardless of what team you're on. But once we step in between the lines, it's. It's time to.

[Matt Jones]

Now, where are you all based? Where is Party Animal Central?

[Sean Fluke]

So we are. Every team in Banana Ball is currently based out of Savannah, Georgia. There's four teams now. There's. There's technically five teams now this year, and then next year there'll be 16.

[Matt Jones]

It was. There was one that was here that was like the Texas Tornadoes or something.

[Sean Fluke]

What's the Bananas played the Texas Tailgaters in Cincinnati.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Sean Fluke]

And we played the Firefighters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. So we're in two different cities at the same time playing, which is pretty cool.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, I gotta ask you a question first about you for a second. So just Sean Fluke, he's the pitcher for the Party Animals. Sometimes they mic him up, which is kind of cool. I've seen it on. You grew. You played at something that I didn't know was a place called Pasco Hernando State College. And you worked for a pest control company before you got the call to play the Party Animals. How did you end up in this with that background?

[Sean Fluke]

Yeah, yeah. I definitely only played juco baseball. I mean, I dominated at the juco level, but then didn't make it anywhere past that. But I had a friend of mine who's now the head coach of the Party Animals. He was Catching bullpens for the Clearwater Threshers affiliate, the Philadelphia or the Phillies affiliate. And they had a pitcher get hurt. This was back in 2021. I snuck in with. I was on the bananas to start the party animals wanting the thing. And then crazy story that I tried out again the following year after having a great year with them, and they cut me from the team. Originally, this was back in 2022. Didn't party cut. And then they freaking called me one weekend and they're like, hey, we got a two month contract. We want you to come back. I'm like, dude, I have a full time job doing pest control. Like, I don't know if I can just take a risk on a two month contract, but I sure as hell did. And now here we are, starting pitcher, dominating four years down the road.

[Myron Medcalf]

I love that.

[Matt Jones]

You don't hear that a lot. You know, the Phillies call, Somebody's like, look, man, I got pest control to do. You're gonna have to up the offer. And then it works out. I like that. Now, do the party animals really party? Like, are you all actual party animals?

[Sean Fluke]

Yes, I would have to say, yes, we are. We definitely do live it up.

[Matt Jones]

Because I saw a tick tock.

[Sean Fluke]

That wasn't a party animal. Then I'd have to play in the bananas or something.

[Matt Jones]

You know, I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna put Sean on the spot because he might have a girlfriend. But Myron, I saw a tick tock of a woman that was. That said something to the effect of. It was like when you and your friends all have a story of making out with a party animal. Now, Sean, I don't know if that. I'm not saying that's. But there are tick tocks out there that are floating around those lines.

[Sean Fluke]

Oh, man, that's that. Next question.

[Myron Medcalf]

I mean, just be honest. Y' all are killing it on Tinder, ain't y' all? Y' all are just like, you just post, I'm with the bananas. And then just everything goes great, right?

[Sean Fluke]

I imagine I know nothing about that.

[Myron Medcalf]

Okay, so pest control. I'm gonna go back to pest control. What's the craziest thing you saw in your pest control gig?

[Sean Fluke]

I mean, we definitely. I did some crazy roach infestation houses that were the craziest one ever, which was this lady, she had these roaches and they were. They were inside of her bird cage, and that's where they were laying their eggs and hatching. I couldn't find them. I was like, I thank God I Quit exterminating. Because I couldn't kill these dang cockroaches.

[Matt Jones]

And they were in her bird cage. In her bird cage?

[Sean Fluke]

In the bird cage. Like in the pipe. In the lining of the bird cage. It was unbelievable.

[Matt Jones]

Wow, those roaches, they were.

[Sean Fluke]

I felt terrible for it. I was at her house every week for about three months, just hanging out.

[Matt Jones]

Well, let's. We'll finish with this. You played in Clemson's Memorial Stadium back in April. 81,000 people. I believe you were the pitcher during the game. Did you take a moment at some point to look around and go, I was at Pasco, Hernando State. How did this happen? And just sort of realize what a good fortune you've had?

[Sean Fluke]

Oh, yeah. I mean, like, I've got it my whole life. Fluke is no Fluke. So, I mean, it's definitely crazy to be here with. I mean, I'm the. Probably one of the only JUCO guys in the whole organization. We got nothing but minor leaguers, D1 guys, and I'm still holding my own. Throwing about 83, 84 miles an hour. But, yeah, we had one play where a foul ball got hit, and I was miked up and whatnot, and I was like, man, talking to our Biko and Josh, our announcers. I'm like, this is crazy, man. Like, we're on ESPN, and me and my dad used to watch ESPN every morning, top 10 plays before I got on the bus. So, like, full circle moment. I mean, just unbelievable. Just playing on Sports Center. It's just a dream come true, honestly. Or espn. It's just. It's wildlife, man. It really is.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I am anti banana. I'm pro party animal. I need you all to send us some. We've done like three or four segments on you guys here on Sunday Morning on Matt and Myron. Have somebody send us a hoodie or something. And Sean, Keep it going. Sean. Fluke party animals. Pitcher, thank you very much for your time.

[Sean Fluke]

Yes. I appreciate you guys. Come check out again sometime, man. I'll take care of you guys.

[Matt Jones]

Women on TikTok. Sean, I'm. Well, I've seen the videos. Just be careful, all. Thank you. There you go.

[Myron Medcalf]

He's like, oh, no, the phones are broken. The phone, the phone.

[Matt Jones]

He seemed like a nice guy. What a cool story, by the way. You're out doing pest control, and next thing you know, you're playing baseball in front of 81,000 people, Myron.

[Myron Medcalf]

Pretty amazing.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. We will do some headlines from across the world of sports and more on game seven. That's coming tonight. This is Sunday Morning. Matt, Myron.

[Myron Medcalf]

Matt and Myron the pod.

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[Matt Jones]

It is Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance, Matt and Myron. You remember, you can get the podcast available wherever you get your podcast. We have had a fun morning here so far. We're only halfway through, but you can't get too far without seeing what's going on in the world of sports. It's time for headline. Extra. Extra. Read all about it.

[Myron Medcalf]

The Sunday headlines.

[Matt Jones]

All right. You never know what's happening out there. We try to give you the news that's important to use. Who's up first?

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

All right, let's start with your. One of your favorite teams here. First, Matt Ellie De La Cruz. And yeah, got sick on the field because of the extreme heat yesterday. Threw up on the field. Trainers came out and checked on him. He stayed in the game and then ended up hitting a home run in the seventh inning. Rent still lost, but what did you think about Ellie's puke and rally?

[Matt Jones]

Ellie De La Puke yesterday, he, he, he hurls in the sixth inning on the field because it was so hot in St. Louis. It was like over 100 degrees during the game. Stays in next at bat, home run to put the Reds up. They end up losing in the end because they. Their relief pitching stunk. But Myron, Ellie De La Cruz, you know, I've been talking about him since he was in the minors on this show. Do you like the puke and rally?

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah. I mean, it was an interesting moment. Like, wasn't there a time when, like, if you puked in a game, you had to Leave. You know, I mean like that kind.

[Matt Jones]

Of signal that maybe you think that was.

[Myron Medcalf]

Things aren't okay. I mean it feels like, you know.

[Matt Jones]

I don't think there was someone official puke. But you know, sometimes you can throw up and feel. And feel better and feel ready to go. I know I. You've partied somewhere that's happened. So I don't know why you can't keep playing baseball. Are you on the La De La Cruz bandwagon? You know, I know you've held out against him because I was such a fan and you don't want to give me the satisfaction, but are you on board now?

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah, I mean he's great. I mean clearly, like he's a special talent. It's just, you know, with the. He's the SGA a little bit. Without the.

[Matt Jones]

No, he's not sga. He's got a huge personality. A huge personality.

[Myron Medcalf]

But I mean the talent. A lot of people are going to know him once he ends up with like the Yankees or Dodgers. Right? That illustrator.

[Matt Jones]

What do you mean once? Why has he got to leave Cincinnati? Why are you doing that?

[Myron Medcalf]

He will, he will. You know he will. He's going to either the. He's going to the Cubs, Yankees, Mets or Dodgers guaranteed at some point in the next.

[Matt Jones]

I need you to apologize. We all you need to apologize to that. He is sensitive. Yes. He may have been born in the Dominican, but he bleeds Cincinnati red. Myron, you know this. And his agent, it's not like his agent is Scott Boris. Oh wait, yes it is. And so that's always a good sign too for small market teams.

[Myron Medcalf]

He's gonna be the first billion dollar player.

[Matt Jones]

Can I give you another guy to watch? This is another person for you to write down. Look up Chase Burns. He was the number two pick in the draft last year. The Reds from Wake Forest. He has been dominating the minors. The Reds just called him up. He will debut Tuesday. They made a smooth opening for him. He's pitching against the Yankees in the first game of his major league career on Tuesday. So write it down.

[Myron Medcalf]

This is a young brother. It's a young brother doing okay.

[Matt Jones]

First of all, I don't. I don't say things like that but I did think you would like the fact there are not a lot of young African American pitchers. American. We have one in Hunter Green and my.

[Myron Medcalf]

And like the Negro leagues dudes, it was like him, Dave Stewart and the. And the dudes who used to do the wind up, you know, before they pitch, they do the circle you know, and then, and then they throw a spitball. Like those dudes. Like, I feel like those pitchers would tell you what pitch was coming. Like, you have Dwight Gooden for the Smoke.

[Matt Jones]

You have Dwight Gooden, you have Dave Stewart, you got Cece Sabathia, CC Sabathia.

[Myron Medcalf]

There's a debate about whether or not we get, you know, some of the Cubans and Dominicans. Like, you know, I'm not going to.

[Matt Jones]

Wade into that debate. I'm just going to say to you, as far as American, you have Hunter Green and now we have Chase Burns. Maybe you should adopt the Reds, Myron, as your team. What's next?

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

It'll be great to watch Ellie and Paul Skeens be teammates with.

[Matt Jones]

I saw Paul Skins, just so you know this truth. I saw Paul Skeens pitch in AAA and when I saw him, I said, that is the most dominant pitcher I've ever seen in the minor leagues. I saw Chase Burns pitch last week right there with him. I mean, what Paul Skeens did to the team aaa, Chase Burns did the same thing. I'm just saying. What's next?

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

All right. Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shador Sanders got two speeding citations this month. One for driving 101 and another for 91 in a 65 mile an hour zone. What do you guys think of speed demon Shador here?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean I can't get on people for speeding, Myron, because I speed. I was. While he went 101, that was fascinating. I was more fast fascinated by Zach Edie going 101 in a Kia Sorento this week as well. That one to me was a lot more entertaining, but should do it probably should be slow down a little bit.

[Myron Medcalf]

Wait, go back to. I'm not offended by speeding because I speed. I don't think that's how it works. I don't think that's like, I don't think that's a good message for society.

[Matt Jones]

But you've never like, you've never, you've never been on an open interstate and been like, let's just go over 100 just for a second to see what it's like.

[Myron Medcalf]

What's wrong with you? Are you, are you thrill seeking on the highway?

[Matt Jones]

Like, have you really never talked about it? You've never gone over 100 miles an hour just for a second? Sure.

[Myron Medcalf]

But it was dumb and I didn't recommend other people do.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, well I didn't say it was smart.

[Myron Medcalf]

I'm just saying like I don't offended by speaking.

[Matt Jones]

Here's the thing. I don't like when people get in the media and get high handed over something they've probably done. I'm just acknowledging that in my life a couple times I went over 100 miles an hour. So I can't act like it's a bad statement about Shador Sanders as a person. He did it. He shouldn't have. But like I did it, so I can't think. It's like it'd be hypocritical to say it's awful.

[Myron Medcalf]

Okay, that's one thing. But you started by saying, I'm not offended by speeding, which to me is like, you know, are you maybe on a NASCAR track but then like race.

[Matt Jones]

Are you telling me you don't speed for real?

[Myron Medcalf]

Have I. Have I have definitely been. I've had a speeding ticket like in my life. Right. But I'm not supposed to.

[Matt Jones]

I understand you're not supposed to, but I'm not going to sit here like some people have done and try to make statements about Shador Sanders as a person for speeding when I bet almost everyone that has talked about this has sped at some point.

[Myron Medcalf]

Sure, we all have done it, but that doesn't condone exactly on the open highway and been 125 with the rooftop open. And you, Zach.

[Matt Jones]

My point is Zach Edie did the same thing in a kiosk. Sorrento.

[Myron Medcalf]

No one cares. It's different.

[Matt Jones]

But does anybody say Zach Edie needs to watch what he's doing?

[Myron Medcalf]

But they don't care though. I mean, this is Deion Sanders. It's different.

[Matt Jones]

That's fine. I just think that's we go a little far and trying to beat up on Shador Sanders. Last one.

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

All right. I sent this to the group chat last night. Big news in wrestling. Sean Ross Sapp at Fightful reported that Stone Cold Steve Austin told multiple people around WrestleMania week that he might quote, have one more in him. That's another match. What do you guys think about that?

[Matt Jones]

That would be awesome. I mean, I don't know if he'll do it, but I'd love to see. I'd love to hear the glass. You know when they say when you hear the broken glass, that means it's time to kick some ass. I think if I, if that happened one more time, Myron, I would enjoy it.

[Myron Medcalf]

It's got to be him versus Cena. It's got to be something with Cena. I think that's to me now.

[Matt Jones]

Don't wait.

[Myron Medcalf]

I would want to see.

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

There's one match, Myron. It's Stone Cold And Tupac.

[Myron Medcalf]

What is that?

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

That's it. That's the only one it can. CM Punk. It has to be CM Punk.

[Matt Jones]

I thought you said Stone Cold and Tupac. No, no. I would pay to see Stone Cold in Tupac.

[Myron Medcalf]

Don't tell Chris. Candy.

[Matt Jones]

Stone.

[Myron Medcalf]

I'm still laughing at you. I gotta show you, Dear Mama lives on Mother's Day.

[Matt Jones]

I understand no one's gonna probably. People don't remember that, but Shout out to Chris. Chris Canty gives very nice messages. I would love to see. To answer your question, James, I would love to see Stone Cold wrestle again. Whoever it's against. I think it would be cool. One more time. See those Gene shows.

[Myron Medcalf]

Give us a name. Give us a name.

[Matt Jones]

He's right. I mean, for wrestling fans. We want to see CM Punk. If you're. If you're a wrestling fan, you would like to see that man for like a decade. Yeah, that. That's the one. If you. If you were gonna do it. LeBron had some strong statements this week and more. We'll deal with it next on ESPN Radio.

[Myron Medcalf]

Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Advertiser]

In 1979, the first words spoken on ESPN weren't just an announcement.

[Matt Jones]

If you're a fan, they were a sports prophecy.

[Sean Fluke]

What you'll see in the next minutes, hours and days to follow.

[Matt Jones]

Glad you're with us tonight may convince.

[Sean Fluke]

You you've gone to sports heaven. And right now you're standing on the edge of tomorrow.

[Advertiser]

This fall, the next era of ESPN begins Sports Foreign.

[Matt Jones]

See why they gotta reignite this?

[Myron Medcalf]

Candy's gonna beat us up.

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

I didn't.

[Matt Jones]

I. I didn't. They didn't have to reignite it. I'm just saying that was not necessary.

[Myron Medcalf]

Gonna beat both of us up at the same time.

[Matt Jones]

The worst part about all that is Michelle Smallman didn't know my name. That's the worst part of it. She thought I was Q Myers. That's the worst part. Like, the worst part. And I. I texted her about this and I said, you know who I am? Like, we have. We did a show. We did shows together. And she. She laughed and she was like, I just thought Myron only did shows with Q. And I'm like, myron and I have hosted a show on this network together for seven years. We've been here. And I love Michelle Smallman, but I've been here six and five and a half years longer than she has, and she still didn't know who I was. So the guy who called in earlier and said, most underrated show, you're Right. Because you'd have to be rated to be underrated.

[Myron Medcalf]

I knew you took offense to that. Yeah, I do.

[Matt Jones]

But I didn't like that. With that said, Sean Canty is a big man, and he's a.

[Myron Medcalf]

He's giant.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, I said Sean Canty. Chris Canti.

[Myron Medcalf]

Speaking of underrated, you didn't even get his name right. Like, who's Sean Canty? Like, what? Messing up your name. And then you're like, oh, Sean Camp.

[Matt Jones]

I was thinking about Sean Casey, the Reds baseball player who tore his hands.

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah, that's not Chris Canton. That's not Chris Canty. Chris is gonna beat us up for you all that, though. Chris Candy is like 6 foot 8, a former NFL player who would. Who would choke slam both of us at the same time.

[Matt Jones]

Look, just a little background. I didn't meet. See, this is all James and Rachel's fault. I did was this. We are past Father's Day now. There was no reason to bring all this stuff up. The problem is, years ago, I did a show during COVID or whenever it was with Chris Canty, and we started talking about the LIV tour. And I didn't realize how passionate he was about to live tour. He was very passionate about the live tour. He said the live tour was gonna work. I said the live tour wasn't gonna work. And we got in this debate, and it kind of upset him, and I don't think he liked it. I don't know what Myron and his problem is. They probably had some kind of be. Why does he not like you? What's that about?

[Myron Medcalf]

No, Candy likes me and I like Candy. No, we don't have an issue. I just thought the dear mama thing was funny.

[Matt Jones]

I had no issue with Candy. Of course that's what they would say. You're telling me he didn't think. He wasn't talking about you. He was only talking about me.

[Myron Medcalf]

You're right. He maybe. Maybe, maybe he doesn't like me as much as I like him. That's possible. That's possible. I hope it's not the case, but it's possible.

[Advertiser]

Good thing, Michelle, if he has a problem with you.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, but, yeah, he thinks I'm cute. And then.

[Myron Medcalf]

Michelle, like, the whole crew, man.

[Matt Jones]

Q was good with the.

[Myron Medcalf]

I posted the show a few times. I'm hosting the show on fourth of July. You know I'm good with that crew.

[Matt Jones]

You're hosting the show on 4th of July? Just you and Canty?

[Myron Medcalf]

No, man, I don't know who I'm with, but I'm hosting on 4th of July.

[Matt Jones]

I'll tell you who it's not with me, because they never asked me.

[Myron Medcalf]

I did. I just answered the phone, man. I don't know.

[Matt Jones]

I know who's on. I got it. Anyway. Sunday morning is presented by Progressive Insurance. Progressive is here for all of life's needs. The fourth of July on the Sunday morning show, and I'm not on it. You, you, you. You're going to doing it with somebody else.

[Myron Medcalf]

Listen, at ESPN Radio. I'm like Shaq with ads. Like, if you say, myron, do you want to do it? I probably will say yes. You know, I'll probably.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, just the record, I wouldn't have done it, but I would have liked to have been asked.

[Myron Medcalf]

You just wanted to be asked.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. Home auto business and more. From timely repairs to customizable coverages and payment options. We make it easy. See if you could [e-mail]. i mean, I would have done if it was because that's a big show. It's on television. Are you gonna be on TV that day? Yeah. I still have the equipment, though. James. Don't tell anybody. I still have the equipment for when I did it, like three years ago.

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

Secret safe.

[Matt Jones]

Why'd you say it back? I'm not trying to steal it. It's just. It's a big box of equipment, and it's hard to take that all the way down to UPS. LeBron James was on Mind the Game podcast. What is Mind the Game podcast?

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

That's his podcast with.

[Myron Medcalf]

That's his podcast.

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

Steve Nash.

[Matt Jones]

Steve Nash podcast with Steve Nash.

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

Yeah, Steve Nash.

[Myron Medcalf]

Because J.J. redick isn't on anymore, so he got coaching, so now he's got Steve Nash. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Well, it seems like it's probably a very successful podcast since I didn't know it existed. But he was on that podcast talking with Steve Nash. Nash. And he had this to say about ring culture.

[H]

You sit here and tell me, you know, Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley and Steve Nash, you know, you know, are. Wasn't unbelievable. Like, oh, they can't be talked about or discussed with these guys because this guy won one ring or won two rings or one. Like, it's just. It's just weird to me. It's like saying Peyton Manning can't be in the same room with Brady or Mahomes because he only has one ring. They don't ever discuss that in esports.

[Myron Medcalf]

Right.

[H]

Or telling me that Dan Marino is not the greatest slinger of all time, or he can't be in the room with Those guys, because he didn't win a championship, they don't discuss those things.

[Matt Jones]

He didn't need to cuss. But I also am not exactly sure what he's. What. What he's talking about there. So he's saying that he basically seems to be suggesting we focus too much on rings in conversation. Do you. Do you agree with that, Myron?

[Myron Medcalf]

I mean, it's just weird to me. Like, it's always somebody with a mansion on the beach saying it doesn't matter if you have a mansion on the beach or not.

[Matt Jones]

Right? Like, money isn't everything. While I sit here. Dollars.

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah, it's helped. It's helped you. So I don't. I don't know what he's talking about. His whole mission has been chasing MJ and Kobe and trying to get as many rings as possible, and he switched teams to do that multiple times in his career. So the whole ring chasing culture, it's like, well, you're a guy that's made your entire legacy about.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Well, let's look at some of the things LeBron has said. This is when he first got to Miami, but we also know you three kings came down here to win championships. Not one championships, not two. LeBron, tell us about that.

[H]

Not two, not three, not four, not.

[Myron Medcalf]

Five, not six, not seven.

[H]

And when I say that, I really believe it.

[Matt Jones]

Did he mean not one, not, not two, because he was gonna win less, or what did he mean by that?

[Myron Medcalf]

Did he think that team was gonna stay together until they were 54? Like, what?

[Matt Jones]

I think so.

[Myron Medcalf]

Like, how many years would they.

[Matt Jones]

And then he later asked for some respect.

[H]

We just want our respect. Rob wants his respect. Coach Vogel want his respect. Our organization want their respect. Laker Nation want their respect. And I want my damn respect, too.

[Matt Jones]

There you go. Because that was after they won the title in 2020. And then when asked if he was the goat once, he had this to say.

[H]

I was super, super ecstatic to win one for Cleveland because of the 52 year drought. The first wave of emotion was, y' all. Everyone saw me crying. Like, that was all. For 52 years. Everything, the sports going on in Cleveland. And then after I stopped, I was like, that one right there made you the greatest player of all time. No, everybody was just taught how they were. Greatest team of all time. Like, there was the greatest team ever assembled. And for us to come back, you know, the way we came back in that fashion, I was like, you did. You did something special.

[Matt Jones]

So now, I mean, that's three different times where he Basically equates his legacy to winning. Do you find it weird to then do that and have this response?

[Myron Medcalf]

No, because LeBron does that. Like, I mean, I feel like maybe because he's sitting next to Steve Nash, he's like, oh, man, don't worry, you don't have a ring. So they're not that big of a deal. But like, but like, Steve Nash wouldn't be in the rooms that he's in in terms of the great ones he mentioned, like Dan Marino. Dan Marino had the greatest statistical season in NFL history. I'll always say that. 1984, 5,000 plus yards. No one was doing anything near that, and he did it. No one talks about Dan Marino among the grace because he doesn't have a ring. So, I mean, yes, the whole point. I hate when pro athletes who live their entire lives to chase a championship get to this point where they're like, well, rings don't mean everything. Then why are you doing it? Like, that's the only thing that we care about ultimately when it comes to legacy. This is why we all exist in this space. So it's just weird to me when they try to minimize it when it's the number one thing that they've been chasing.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, look, do I think rings should be the only thing? No, of course not. Because if you think like that, then there are these random dudes who have won rings. You know, I. We. The other day on my Kentucky show, we were talking about Kentucky players that had won rings and we forgot some because no one remembers. Like, for instance, Antoine Walker won a ring for the Miami Heat. But was he a big player on that team? No. My God. Nazi game, huh?

[Myron Medcalf]

He was like 10 a game for that Heat team, I think.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Okay. Nazi Muhammad won a ring with the Spurs. Do you remember the Nazi Muhammad spurs era fondly?

[Myron Medcalf]

I do not.

[Matt Jones]

So, I mean, there's a part of this where just winning a ring. There was the year that Karl Malone and Gary Payton went to the Lakers. Had they won that title, it would have had nothing to do with them. They just were sitting on the bench. So I do think there's a little bit too much emphasis on rings. But when you are the best player on the team, the ring, or lack thereof, Myron, should matter. It should matter that. That LeBron's career is different if he doesn't win four. And Steve Nash's career, as great a player as Steve Nash was is different because he didn't win one.

[H]

Yeah.

[Myron Medcalf]

Just to be clear, Antoine Walker Average 12.2 points per game on that championship team. No, it is.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, so let me. Let me take my disrespect back for Antoine. 12. 12 points a game on that team is.

[Myron Medcalf]

Go ahead.

[Sean Fluke]

Yeah.

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah. But I mean, it's. It's weird to me when folks try to decide that that's not the most important thing, and it's really the only reason that sports exist. And if you're trying to be great, you got to win a championship. It's not fair. Right? You always tell me, like, nothing's fair, Right? It's not fair that Damarino didn't get a championship, doesn't have a Super bowl to go with all his big numbers, but it's the reality. We're never going to mention Dan Marino with Peyton Manning. You want to know why he doesn't have a ring, and that's okay. It doesn't mean Damarino wasn't a really good player. It means he's not in that group of the greats that will remember for all of eternity.

[Matt Jones]

And I think LeBron also took one away from Peyton.

[Myron Medcalf]

He did take one from.

[Matt Jones]

He was like, oh, Peyton only has one. Don't. Don't disrespect Peyton, man. He has two. One of them for Denver, one for Indianapolis.

[Myron Medcalf]

When he said he can't be in the same room as room as Brady, he can be in the same room, but Brady's at his own table because he has more reasons.

[Matt Jones]

Are these where. Pete, what room is it where people are like, all right, Tom, you get to come in. Peyton, you have to wait outside. I don't think there's any room where anyone's gonna. Where anyone's gonna say that. By the way, did you like the old Peyton Eli wrestling thing at that Fanatics event this week?

[Myron Medcalf]

I didn't see that. I didn't see the. I was in Vegas all week. I didn't see that.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, you were in Vegas all week?

[Myron Medcalf]

Well, I was at the Cosmo. Really good room, double balcony, multiple two bathrooms, kitchen suite.

[Matt Jones]

You had to buy your fanny pack. You didn't have time to.

[Myron Medcalf]

To follow.

[Matt Jones]

Follow what was happening in the news. Well, there was also.

[Myron Medcalf]

What happened?

[Matt Jones]

Well, they just did, like, a WWE entrance with the two of them. I think it's all a little silly, but. But it was, you know, it got some attention. So I guess we're talking about it, so I guess it's positive. We had a strange retirement announcement yesterday in the world of sports. We'll deal with that. And Myron will probably say something to make Chris canty mad again. It's Matt.

[Myron Medcalf]

Myron ran Matt and Myron the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

What is Dadication?

[I]

The thing that drives me every day as a dad is Dariona. We call him day Date for short. Every day he's hungry for something, whether it's attention, affection, knowledge. And there's this huge responsibility in making sure that when he's no longer under my wing that he's a good person. I want him to be able to sit back one day and go, we worked together. We did a good job.

[Matt Jones]

That's dedication. Find out [e-mail] brought to you by the U.S. department of Health and Human Services and the Ad Council. It has been a hard day's night for Myron. He was in Vegas with his man purse all weekend. Sunday morning ESPN Radio. Matt Myron in a lease matchup tonight met some Phillies battling for first in the NL east on ESPN radio covers begins at 6 Eastern. Matt's been on a little bit of a slide here recently. Will they be able to turn it around? We'll find out. Are you following the baseball pennant races and all that, Myron, or you do. You don't care?

[Myron Medcalf]

No, I've been.

[Matt Jones]

I've been following.

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah. Just kind of getting caught back up because I've been in Vegas all week.

[Matt Jones]

So you just try to say that. Is that just gonna be your excuse for any of these topics? I've been in Vegas all week.

[Myron Medcalf]

So for the next month. Yeah, next month I'll say I was in Vegas. I'll say I was in Vegas.

[Matt Jones]

Whatever happens. Oh, what's happening in the world? I've been in Vegas all week.

[Myron Medcalf]

I don't know.

[Matt Jones]

You. You. You are my entry into the bro sphere world of mma. I've watched. I think I've watched three MMA fights in my life. I think I watched the Conor McGregor fight. I watched CM Punk get beat up one time. And I think I watched the guy. What was the guy name? The guy. He wasn't in ufc. He was in the other one. And he, he was like. Had been homeless and he'd been homeless and then he fought and he was on. He was on like cbs. What was the guy's name?

[Myron Medcalf]

Not Kimball Walker.

[Matt Jones]

Not Kim. Walk. Kim. Kimbo. Slice. Those are the three. So I'm not really an immigrant. I'm not really an MMA guy. I would watch Kimball Walker.

[Myron Medcalf]

Me too.

[Matt Jones]

But you are, and you love ufc. And so you. Last night, Jon Jones, who is a name that I know even though I've never watched one of his fights. Some people say the Greatest mixed martial artist of all time. He has retired from competition at the age of 37 years old. What did you think when you heard about the retirement? Dana White announced it at a press conference last night.

[Myron Medcalf]

It was really odd.

[Matt Jones]

John, can we play it real quick? Let's play what he said right here.

[Myron Medcalf]

Here you go.

[J]

You said the timeline for Jones, two weeks to decide what to do with the title, whether it takes the fight or you're going to strip him. What do you think is more important? To keep the belt there so he can uphold his legacy, or we move the heavyweight division, take the title away from him.

[Fanny Pac Medcalf]

Jon Jones called us last night and retired. Jon Jones is officially retired.

[Sean Fluke]

Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the ufc.

[Matt Jones]

So that is seems kind of abrupt. What did you think?

[Myron Medcalf]

I've never seen anything like it. I mean, you know, Tom Aspinall is like the next big heavyweight. There was a lot of talk that John Jones would fight him. I think the UFC wanted him to fight Tom Aspinall as the champion at the heavyweight spot. But it.

[Matt Jones]

It's just.

[Myron Medcalf]

I've never seen maybe the greatest ever, just kind of exit stage left like that. Like, it wasn't even Jon Jones that put out a statement at that point. The statement came after Dana White kind of spoiled his. His party a little bit and saying, yeah, he's done. And I don't know the last time a great player like that just sort of walked away without a bigger kind of moment attached to it. So I think that was the weird part.

[Matt Jones]

Do you think Jon Jones wanted that to be how it was announced? Was Dana White sort of in a dismissive way saying he's retired?

[Myron Medcalf]

No, I don't think that was the plan. I mean, so to compare it, Chuck Liddell, you know, one of the great UFC fighters of all time, one of the most popular fighters of all time, when he retired, they did an entire press conference. They brought him, you know, to an event so he could take questions. Jon Jones, who knows where he is, but like, to just announce it. And the card they were at last night was somewhere in Europe, so it was just a very weird thing. And I think the UFC was saying, I think they're upset that he wouldn't take this fight, but I just thought, you gotta treat. And Jon Jones had a lot of problems, but you got to treat the greatest of all time a little bit differently. But, you know, fighters sometimes.

[Matt Jones]

So I don't know what I'm talking about. Okay? So the only thing I know about a title is WWE title, which does not have necessarily a rule book that is followed. But generally speaking in the WWE over the years, when, when someone retires or is hurt, they have like a tournament or they do something to get the belt. They don't just say the belt is now Bob's. Is it weird that they just go, jon Jones is not the champ anymore. Now this guy's the champion?

[Myron Medcalf]

And that's not weird because they do it a lot. You know, shouldn't there be a fight.

[Matt Jones]

For who gets to be the champion?

[Myron Medcalf]

You would think, but I mean, he'll. The thing about the UFC is you got to fight everybody. So Tom Aspinall will fight the next ranked guy.

[Matt Jones]

Why don't they just have him fight when they just be vacate and then they fight to see who wins, why does he just get it?

[Myron Medcalf]

I think Dana White's just into always having someone fight for the title, especially on pay per View cards. Like he'll, he'll make an interim champion.

[Matt Jones]

Out of nowhere and he just says he's the champion.

[Myron Medcalf]

Yeah, yeah, he just does it. But I think that's the weird part is like, I think Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall would have been a mega fight. I mean, it would have been a million plus pay per view buyers, you and your bar, you would have got to fight. Like, it would have been one of those fights if Jon Jones had announced he was fighting this guy who seems invincible. And I think Dana White is mad about business. You know, he's not getting this big time fight. So he's like, yeah. By the way, Jon Jones is retired.

[Matt Jones]

Great career. So the guy. So our new champ, the new heavyweight champ's name is Tom Aspinall.

[Myron Medcalf]

Tom Aspinall. He's British and he's. Well, he's. Yeah, I think he's British.

[Matt Jones]

It just sounds like a dude who'd be like a dermatologist. Like, go see, he's tough.

[Myron Medcalf]

Well. And you know, the UFC has a personality problem right now. There's no Conor McGregor. There's no Ronda Rousey.

[Matt Jones]

I probably could name you. I, I'm almost certain to you, I could not name you one current, like active UFC fighter. Is there one who is the biggest star in the UFC right now?

[Myron Medcalf]

Well, well, now that, now that Jon.

[Matt Jones]

Jones is apparent, I mean, forced to retire.

[Myron Medcalf]

Kayla, Amanda Nunes is coming back.

[Matt Jones]

I've heard of her.

[Myron Medcalf]

Like Kayla Harrison.

[Matt Jones]

I've heard of her. So she's active.

[Myron Medcalf]

One of the biggest. Yeah, she's coming back now. I mean, I don't. It's hard to say, like, you know Alexander Volkanowski is a big name but.

[Matt Jones]

Don'T know who that is.

[Myron Medcalf]

Do the casual fans know him? Probably not as much.

[Matt Jones]

I do. I've. I mean Tom Aspinall is a name I've never heard. You know Aspinall, I think I take it for one of my disorders but otherwise I don't know. I don't know. I Is he and he's British.

[Myron Medcalf]

He's British. But my guess is Dana White also is a little bit like you're retiring now as we're negotiating our next TV deal I'm sure that may be a factor in how Dana White.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah I will say there was a time that I thought I'm going to have to care about UFC to be able to have sports competitions with friends and on radio. Feels like that time has passed that like it's just not. It's not quite the same. We same thing. We've got a lot more to get to including the NBA Finals are tonight Game seven. That's next here on Matt Myron.

[Myron Medcalf]

Matt and Myron the podcast.