Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron – Hour 3: "King of the Mountain!"

Release Date: July 6, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf
Description: Join Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf every Sunday morning as they delve into the latest happenings in the sports world, offering insightful analysis and engaging discussions.

1. Introduction and Segment Launch (00:32 - 05:47)

The episode kicks off with Matt and Myron introducing a new interactive segment titled "King of the Mountain." This segment invites listeners to share their "America's Best 30 Second Take," where fans provide their succinct opinions on various sports topics. The goal is to crown the week's top take, with the winner maintaining their position atop the mountain until they are bested by another listener's input.

Matt:
"We’re launching 'King of the Mountain' this week. Every show we’ll crown the best listener take, and they stay on top until someone can knock them off next week."
(02:19)

2. Critique of Paul Finebaum’s Commentary (01:39 - 04:20)

Before diving into listener takes, Matt and Myron discuss a controversial comment made by Paul Finebaum regarding Arch Manning's prospects in college football. Finebaum had lauded Manning as a potential Heisman finalist, a possible national championship winner, and even compared him to Tim Tebow.

Matt:
"Paul Finebaum worked himself up, jumping from Arch Manning being a Heisman finalist to the best quarterback since Tim Tebow. It was ridiculous."
(03:07)

Myron:
"College football often overlooks past greats. Arch Manning needs to prove himself before being labeled one of the best."
(03:34)

The hosts emphasized the importance of letting athletes prove their worth on the field before making lofty comparisons.

3. America's Best 30 Second Take (05:47 - 43:54)

The segment featured multiple listener calls, each presenting their unique sports opinions. Below are the highlights and analyses of each submission:

a. Glenn from Atlantic City on Baseball’s Strike Zone (05:47 - 07:00)

Glenn:
"Baseball allowing umpires to call balls and strikes their way is egregious. Tennis uses technology for smoother games; why doesn’t baseball take a page?"
(05:55 - 06:27)

Analysis:
Matt and Myron appreciated Glenn's call but noted his minor factual error regarding the use of technology in tennis.

Matt:
"Glenn’s take on umpires is the best this week. It’s bizarre how such a clear issue persists in baseball."
(06:41)

b. Ron from Florida on College Football Playoffs (07:13 - 08:06)

Ron:
"The College Football playoff should not have been expanded. Bowl games make football special. Use old alignments and pick top four teams for the playoffs."
(07:19 - 07:52)

Analysis:
Ron’s perspective was polar opposite to Glenn’s, suggesting a return to traditional methods. However, Matt and Myron favored Glenn’s take over Ron’s.

c. Anthony from Raleigh on Pittsburgh Steelers (08:32 - 09:18)

Anthony:
"I'm tired of Mike Tomlin’s winning seasons. Either take us all the way or have a losing season for a better draft pick."
(08:34 - 09:06)

Analysis:
The hosts interpreted Anthony’s frustration as a desire for significant changes within the Steelers’ management. This take, while direct, didn’t surpass Glenn’s.

d. William from West Palm on LeBron James (09:41 - 10:23)

William:
"LeBron is more like Wilt Chamberlain than Michael Jordan. His championships rely on others’ shots, unlike Wilt."
(09:41 -10:02)

Analysis:
Matt critiqued William’s analogy, arguing that Wilt was a dominant force, unlike LeBron who relies on teammates. Glenn’s take remained superior.

e. Jake from Huntsville on Tour de France (19:05 - 20:25)

Jake:
"You spent an hour talking about the Tour de France when the U.S. team is in the CONCACAF final. Men in tights aren’t relevant during the Fourth of July."
(19:05 -19:28)

Analysis:
Despite minor inaccuracies in the tournament name, Matt and Myron found Jake’s passion commendable but did not elevate his take above Glenn’s.

f. Corey from Nashville on LSU’s Brian Kelly (15:12 - 16:09)

Corey:
"If Brian Kelly loses the season opener again, he should be gone. Playing back in Baton Rouge won’t fix anything."
(15:12 -15:33)

Analysis:
Due to an overly lengthy introduction, Matt and Myron dismissed Corey’s take without substantial consideration.

g. Jason from Oklahoma on Arch Manning’s Passing Yards (16:43 - 17:23)

Jason:
"Arch Manning hasn't accomplished anything until his passing yards match Barry Sanders’ rushing yards at Oklahoma State."
(16:43 -16:55)

Analysis:
The hosts found Jason’s comparison nonsensical, reducing his take’s credibility.

h. Caitlin Clark on All-Star Game Captaincy (17:49 -19:05)

Caller:
"Caitlin Clark is trash and shouldn’t captain the All-Star Game. She’s only played half the games yet is praised excessively."
(17:59 -18:34)

Analysis:
Despite valid points about Clark’s participation, Matt and Myron maintained Glenn’s take as superior.

i. Lawrence from Huntsville on SGA as an NBA Superstar (21:25 -22:14)

Caller:
"SGA should be in the NBA superstar conversation. He’s an MVP with a high salary, and national media recognition."
(21:25 -21:46)

Analysis:
Matt critiqued the caller for presenting a "straw man" argument, but Myron found it marginally better than previous takes.

j. Beer Man from Kansas on Hot Dog Eating Contest (20:29 -21:00)

Beer Man:
"What if they dipped buns in whiskey and ate 70 hot dogs soaked in whiskey buns?"
(20:29 -21:00)

Analysis:
Humorous but lacked a solid opinion, rendering it ineffective for the segment.

k. Ellie De La Cruz on NBA Skills (29:41 -30:25)

Caller:
"Elliot De La Cruz has seven tools—teleportation, speed, and more. He embraces all facets of baseball, making him a complete player."
(29:41 -30:25)

Analysis:
Although enthusiastic, the overstated attributes didn’t outweigh Glenn’s clear take.

Conclusion of Segment:
After evaluating all submissions, Glenn from Atlantic City was crowned "King of the Mountain" for his incisive critique of baseball umpiring practices.

Myron:
"Glenn remains our king of the mountain with his solid baseball take."
(12:03)

4. Guest Appearance: Doug Glanville on Major League Baseball (45:09 -37:09)

Matthew and Myron welcomed Doug Glanville, ESPN’s Major League Baseball Analyst, to discuss the current state of baseball.

Key Discussion Points:

• National League Central Division Competitiveness (24:36 -26:08):
  Glanville highlighted the resurgence of teams like the Cubs, Brewers, and Cardinals, making the division more entertaining than in the past decade.

  Glanville:
  "Terry Francona’s leadership with Cincinnati has reignited the team, and the Cubs’ strategic signings are paying dividends."
  (25:15)

• Emerging Players and Team Dynamics:

  • Pete Crowe Armstrong:
    Glanville:
    "Crowe’s multifaceted contributions on both offense and defense make him a standout player with no apparent limits."
    (26:28)

  • Pitching Prospects:
    Discussion on players like Tarek Skubal and his potential to redefine pitching roles in modern baseball.

• Trade Deadline Strategies:
  Glanville explained how the addition of a third wild card has intensified trading strategies, leading teams to make more lateral moves rather than high-risk acquisitions.

  Glanville:
  "Teams now focus on creating win-win environments, swapping needs rather than going for marquee players due to limited sellers."
  (35:26)

• Brewers’ Consistency and Future (33:32 -34:55):
  Glanville praised the Brewers for their consistent performance despite challenges like key player departures.

  Glanville:
  "The Brewers understand their market and maximize their resources, maintaining a strong team despite losing free agents."
  (34:00)

Notable Quotes:

• Glanville on the NL Central:
  "The Central division has become the most entertaining in recent years, thanks to the competitive teams and strategic management."
  (25:15)

• Glanville on Player Development:
  "Players like Pete Crowe Armstrong showcase a rare combination of offense and defense, contributing significantly to their teams."
  (26:28)

5. Interactive Bets and Predictions (43:54 -44:41)

Following Doug Glanville’s insights, Matt and Myron engaged in friendly banter, making predictions on upcoming games:

• Wimbledon Match:
  Matt confidently backed Carlos Alcaraz to win against Andre Rublev despite initial struggles.

  Matt:
  "I’m taking Alcaraz to win at Wimbledon. His dominance makes him the clear favorite."
  (40:38)

• CONCACAF Gold Cup Final:
  Myron criticized the tournament's lengthy name but ultimately supported the USA team to triumph over Mexico.

  Myron:
  "The USA team has overcome turmoil and tends to perform well against Mexico. They deserve the victory."
  (41:51)

• Baseball Doubleheader – Cubs vs. Cardinals:
  Both hosts predicted a win for the Cubs, citing their strong performance throughout the season.

  Matt:
  "The Cubs have been exceptional this year. I’m confident they’ll win at home."
  (43:21)

  Myron:
  "Despite hating to pick them, the Cubs are a solid choice to win this series."
  (43:29)

6. Closing Remarks and Future Segments (44:52 -45:46)

Matt concluded the episode by reiterating Glenn as the reigning "King of the Mountain," inviting listeners to participate in the next week’s competition.

Matt:
"Congrats to Glenn, our king of the mountain this week. Tune in next Sunday to see who can dethrone him."
(44:56)

Myron:
"Thanks for listening. Join us every Sunday at 10 AM Eastern on ESPN Radio and the ESPN app."
(45:09)

The hosts also teased upcoming features and maintained their trademark camaraderie, ensuring listeners remained engaged and eager for future episodes.

Key Takeaways:

• "King of the Mountain" is a competitive segment where listeners vie to have their sports opinions recognized as the best of the week.
• Engagement with Listeners: The segment fosters active participation, encouraging fans to share their insights and engage in friendly competition.
• Expert Analysis: Guest appearances, like that of Doug Glanville, enrich the discussion with professional insights, adding depth to the podcast’s content.
• Balanced Discussions: Matt and Myron balance humor with serious analysis, creating an entertaining yet informative listening experience.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt on Paul Finebaum’s Comments:
  "Paul Finebaum’s escalation from Arch Manning as a Heisman finalist to the best since Tim Tebow was over the top."
  (03:07)

• Glenn on Baseball’s Strike Zone:
  "Baseball allowing umpires to call balls and strikes their way is egregious. Tennis uses technology for smoother games; why doesn’t baseball take a page?"
  (05:55)

• Glanville on NL Central Competitiveness:
  "Terry Francona’s leadership with Cincinnati has reignited the team, and the Cubs’ strategic signings are paying dividends."
  (25:15)

• Matt on "King of the Mountain":
  "Congrats to Glenn, our king of the mountain this week. Tune in next Sunday to see who can dethrone him."
  (44:56)

Conclusion

In this engaging episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," listeners were treated to lively discussions, critical analyses, and interactive segments that highlight the hosts' rapport and deep understanding of sports. The introduction of "King of the Mountain" adds a competitive edge, encouraging fan participation and fostering a vibrant community of sports enthusiasts.