Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: Hour 1: Chris Cote, The Showman (feat. Tim Kurkjian)
Release Date: May 29, 2025

1. Introduction of Tim Kirkjian and His Sports Expertise

Timestamp: [01:11]

Dan Le Batard kicks off the episode by introducing Tim Kirkjian, playfully questioning Kirkjian's depth of sports knowledge. Dan teases, saying, “Would I shock any of you if I told you that Tim Kirkon used to rabidly run a pickup basketball game that Cal Ripken Jr. played in” ([01:11]). Tim defends his expertise, sharing his vivid memory of a remarkable basketball shot by Don Nelson:

"I remember the Don Nelson play very vividly. Keith Erickson tipped that ball away from John Havlicek and Don Nelson shot it from the free throw line. And I'll never forget how high that ball went. And then it went straight through for an enormous bucket in a playoff game." ([01:51])

2. The Improbable Halliburton Basketball Shot and the Role of Math in Sports

Timestamp: [03:06] – [05:35]

The conversation delves into the improbability of Nelson's shot, with Dan referencing a math perspective:

"Yeah, Dan, who cares? Math." ([03:25])

Jon Weiner humorously jabs at Tim’s reliance on mathematical analysis, leading to a broader discussion on sports science and shooting mechanics. Chris Cody counters Dan’s math-based argument by emphasizing the technical aspects of shooting form and backspin, stating:

"But it's not a lucky shot. It's a shooter's role." ([04:00])

Tim adds depth by sharing insights from his friend Brian Maggot, highlighting the uniqueness of Nelson's shot and its irreproducibility:

"He shot that shot trying to recreate that shot for 30 minutes and never even come close." ([03:51])

3. Tim Kirkjian’s Podcast with His Son: A Highlight of Family Collaboration

Timestamp: [05:35] – [09:00]

Dan praises Tim for his collaboration with his son on their podcast, emphasizing the emotional significance:

"This is by far the most, the best thing that I've ever done and the most satisfying thing that I've ever done because I'm doing it with my son." ([08:22])

Tim elaborates on the dynamics of the podcast, appreciating his son's technological prowess and humor. He reminisces about past projects, underscoring the value of working alongside family:

"We now do it three days a week, so we're just trying to keep it up." ([08:22])

4. Current Trends in Baseball: Strikeouts and Aaron Judge’s Performance

Timestamp: [09:00] – [12:38]

The hosts shift focus to baseball, discussing the evolving role of leadoff hitters and the increase in strikeouts. Tim highlights a significant statistic:

"Last night Lawrence Butler struck out four times in a game for the A's hitting leadoff. So that's 16 times this season that a leadoff hitter has struck out four or more times in a game." ([10:48])

The conversation moves to Aaron Judge’s impressive near-.400 batting average, with Tim attributing his success to improved hitting mechanics:

"He used to swing and miss all the time. He used to strike out all the time. Chased out of the strike zone all the time, doesn't do that much very often anymore." ([11:45])

5. Best Baseball Movies and “Major League” Discussions

Timestamp: [12:38] – [14:53]

Dan queries Tim about his favorite baseball movie, to which Tim confidently responds, “Field of Dreams” ([12:38]). The discussion briefly touches on other classics like “Major League,” with Tim appreciating Charlie Sheen's athletic portrayal:

"I like that Charlie Sheen was able to throw a baseball athletically. I was not expecting that." ([13:02])

Dan engages Tim with a hypothetical scenario from “Major League 2,” questioning the realism of Rick Vaughn’s fast pitches. Tim acknowledges the surge in pitching speeds and cows his skepticism about replicating movie moments in real life:

"If anyone out there actually thinks they could put a ball in play against a major league hitter pitcher today, you've got to be kidding me." ([14:12])

6. The Tush Push Controversy in Football and the Philadelphia Eagles

Timestamp: [28:43] – [31:15]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the controversial “tush push” play employed by the Philadelphia Eagles. Dan criticizes the management and strategic discussions surrounding the play:

"It's one of the great dumb things I've ever seen at the top of leadership in anything." ([28:43])

Greg Cody defends the tactics, emphasizing the competitive nature of the sport:

"It's all about it doesn't matter how rich you are, how competitive are you? Can you stop me? Can you stop my team?" ([30:14])

Tim adds context by highlighting the effectiveness and rule-based nature of the play, debating its place within the spirit of football:

"The issue is can you stop them in first and second down which they can't because the roster is so talented." ([30:48])

7. The Spoon Incident: Comedic Chaos on Air

Timestamp: [31:15] – [40:55]

The episode takes an unexpected and humorous turn when Chris Cody inadvertently drops his spoon while eating a Blizzard. This sparks a heated yet comedic exchange among the hosts about hygiene and the infamous five-second rule. Dan expresses disgust:

"You picked up the spoon, you immediately stuck that and whatever hair was on it right back in your blizzard. It's disgusting." ([34:00])

Chris defends his actions, claiming he followed the five-second rule:

"I was, like, looking. I'm a showman. Don't care. Let's go." ([35:00])

The banter escalates with Jon Weiner and Greg Cody joining in, leading to playful accusations of poor hygiene and over-the-top reactions. The segment is filled with laughter, playful insults, and light-hearted confrontation, showcasing the camaraderie and quick wit of the hosts.

8. Promotion of Jeremy Tache’s New Show "Buzz the Tower"

Timestamp: [20:34] – [23:54]

In a bid to challenge Tim Kirkjian, Dan requests an endorsement for Jeremy Tache's new baseball show, "Buzz the Tower." The segment unfolds as Dan posits a trivia question about intentional walks of Aaron Judge, attempting to stump Tim:

"Jeremy Tache has a new show, 'Buzz the Tower.'" ([23:31])

Tim endeavors to answer but admits he’s stumped, allowing Dan to segue into promoting Jeremy’s show. Tim complies, delivering a brief endorsement:

"Jeremy Tash's new show as endorsed by Tim Kirchen. You owe us this because we stumped you. Go ahead and do the endorsement." ([23:31])

Jeremy Tache adds a quirky detail about the show's rock band aspect, further enriching the promotional segment.

9. Closing Remarks and Final Banter

Timestamp: [40:55] – [42:11]

As the episode winds down, the hosts continue their playful exchanges, reflecting on the earlier spoon incident and maintaining a humorous tone. Dan wraps up with light-hearted comments, ensuring listeners are entertained until the very end.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Le Batard:

  • “Would I shock any of you if I told you that Tim Kirkon used to rabidly run a pickup basketball game that Cal Ripken Jr. played in” ([01:11]).
  • “If anyone out there actually thinks they could put a ball in play against a major league hitter pitcher today, you've got to be kidding me.” ([14:12]).
  • “You picked up the spoon, you immediately stuck that and whatever hair was on it right back in your blizzard. It's disgusting.” ([34:00]).

• Tim Kirkjian:

  • “I used to host a show on baseball called the Seamhead edition of Baseball Tonight, which ran every Sunday.” ([08:22]).
  • “He’s still one of the greatest shooters ever.” ([03:51]).
  • “The same pitcher was asked, what pitch are you throwing? I don't know. I'll have to look at my iPad.” ([19:50]).

• Chris Cody:

  • “It’s a showman.” ([35:00]).

• Jon Weiner:

  • “I'm a showman.” ([35:00]).
  • “I didn’t even see anything. Show is on.” ([38:31]).

• Greg Cody:

  • “It's all about it doesn't matter how rich you are, how competitive are you? Can you stop me? Can you stop my team?” ([30:14]).

Conclusion:

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz expertly balances in-depth sports analysis with humorous, relatable banter among the hosts. From dissecting improbable basketball shots and evolving baseball tactics to engaging in light-hearted on-air antics, the show offers a comprehensive and entertaining dive into sports and pop culture. Notable guest Tim Kirkjian provides insightful commentary, while the dynamic interactions between Dan, Tim, Jon, Chris, Mike, and Greg ensure an engaging experience for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.