← The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hour 1: Denzel Washington State University (feat. Taylor Twellman)
00:43:16
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- [00:01]
Mike Ryan
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- [01:06]
Taylor Twelman
This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats podcast.
- [01:14]
Dan Le Batard
And without further ado, we go right to the guest line. We bring in Taylor Twelman. He is the lead analyst for Apple TV's MLS coverage and of course, former USMNT member. And don't forget Inter Miami. Mike Ryan's Inter Miami face off against Tigres in the league's cup quarterfinals tomorrow night on Apple tv. Taylor, welcome to the show.
- [01:38]
Taylor Twelman
What's up, boys?
- [01:39]
Dan Le Batard
Not much, man. We chilling over here. First of all, do you have any favorite time travel movies?
- [01:45]
Taylor Twelman
No, I don't. I was really excited and captivated by your conversation, so that was wonderful. Thanks for bringing me in on that.
- [01:56]
Dan Le Batard
I always try, I try to be inclusive over here. Taylor, before we start talking about the.
- [02:00]
Taylor Twelman
League, maybe Bill and Ted's excellent adventure. You know what I mean?
- [02:04]
Greg Cody
Of course that counts.
- [02:05]
Dan Le Batard
Of course.
- [02:06]
Billy Gil
Great answer.
- [02:06]
Dan Le Batard
See, you had one. Yeah, well, you don't want to play this game. Come on now.
- [02:10]
Taylor Twelman
Everyone loves. I secretly did.
- [02:13]
Dan Le Batard
But before we get into the league's cup quarterfinals, I. I wanted to ask you. There's been a lot of stuff on. On my timeline, at least sniping between current US Men's national team players, former US Men's national team players, and I'm used to this in basketball because we've got a big problem where we have this generational feud at all times where the young guys say the old guys couldn't play and they were all playing against plumbers and the old guys say the young guys are soft and weak and all that stuff. And I'm wondering, has this always been a thing for US Soccer or is this a new development?
- [02:49]
Taylor Twelman
I think it's a. I think you're the word you use is perfect generational. I think the fact that everyone has an access to an individual that maybe the older generations didn't have, whether it's podcasts, whether it's Instagram, whether it's X, whatever it may be, they have immediate access to have an opinion or in this case a docu series that I find very interesting that as a player now I'm putting my former player hat on going into a World Cup. I'm not completely sure I would have done done this. And given the access going into a World cup where it is the biggest moment in U.S. men's soccer history where you're given insight into maybe your vulnerability, the fact that now we have parents coming into this and I'm glad you brought it up, it even happened in the NBA. Halliburton's father was involved whether or not it was in the Eastern Conference final, then the NBA Finals. Now we got Christian Pulisic's dad wanting to give his opinion. I don't care what generation you're from. Anytime when you're an adult and you bring your parents into a rock fight or a cat fight or however you want to describe this, that's never going to be in good sight. But the reality is this is it is more a generational thing than a soccer thing. But I find it very intriguing that all of a sudden going into a World cup where you as a team have been lackluster. If I'm being polite with your results over the last 24 months and coming off a World cup where you already had a family feud with Raina and Burhalters and their family, I just find this to be really, really immature and missing the boat with timing of everything, especially nine months before World cup is in your backyard.
- [04:33]
Mike Ryan
Taylor, am I wrong for saying that this is their identity? It would seem because this is a team that for the longest time you were part of it. They you knew the U.S. men's National Team soccer identity. We'd try to get you with our athleticism, we'd counterattack. But you could always count on dogs, guys that would not just resign themselves to a talent disparity. And now it's just let me get my dad involved in this. Let me fight for playing time politically and not on the pitch. And it's just, it's very confusing to me that you could always at least count on an American edge. Where are we in the international landscape where the US still thinks that they've arrived to a point that they shouldn't have this edge?
- [05:14]
Taylor Twelman
Amazing, buddy, the way you just put that. Because the reality is this is first off, let's make this abundantly clear. The question of Christian Pulisic and his commitment to the national team was completely off base. He's always been committed and he still will be committed. That's not what we're talking about here. But that's what got Christian Pulisic and his family upset. He could have nipped it in the bud immediately releasing a statement of why he's not playing in the Gold Cup. And that is what U.S. soccer expected. The then it doesn't happen. You just hit the nail on the head. They created this own identity. It's nobody on the outside's fault that they are reacting and doing their job at the same time of giving their opinion of the situation that's going on. But the reality is this, and you hit the nail on the head again, Mike, is that the identity of this team is no longer we're going to outwork you. We're going to have a dog in this fight. We're going to roll up our sleeves and do whatever we can to beat you. Now we're questioning whether or not you have that. And in 2014 World cup in the United States tied. Portugal should have won. They barely lost to Belgium, even though Tim Howard made 15, 16 saves, most saves ever. The question then, which is about 11 years ago, is how can the United States men compete with the top 10 countries in the world? But over the last two years, this generation lost a Copa America couldn't advance in the group stage in their backyard. They lost to Canada in back to back games. They've lost to Panama in three straight games and not gotten a result. All in their backyard, all going into the World Cup. And you have the audacity to complain about criticism. Imagine if you were from Argentina or England or Brazil or Germany, the amount of pressure that would be on you that that's where you lose me with this, Mike. And so now we're having a conversation. I got to do the Le Batard show and talk about are the players committed to going into a World cup in their backyard in the biggest moment of their lives? And we're talking about a docu series where the analysts outside are being called Evil Mike. They have completely lost the plot to me and they've created this on their own. But to think that they're the first generation to ever be criticized. You can miss me with that. That's never been the case. It's just now everybody's got a podcast, everybody's got a voice, so you hear it more. But this, it's getting to a point where it's ridiculous. And we're really talking about baby games here.
- [07:57]
Mike Ryan
So there are some examples where all this drama, the soap opera element, really just take a. Take a. A chainsaw to a team's chances in the. In the World Cup. We saw it with Spain, we've seen it with France before where the soap opera gets to be too much. But we've also seen these galvanized host nations. South Korea went on an incredible run with a late managerial change. Russia, there was other stuff going on there. Maybe some performance enhancers will not maybe, but they were able to get it together as a host nation. Is the fact that. I know this is a shared World cup, but is that enough to galvanize this team? Because right now we don't have much proof that they can just rally together under a banner and get all on the same page and put their egos aside. If there's ever an opportunity to do that, it's when you're the host nation.
- [08:46]
Taylor Twelman
Yes. The answer to that question is yes. And there is still a part of me that believes that nine, ten months from now, when the United States gets out of their group, they win a knockout round game, they maybe win a second one, all of us are going to look back at this and say, this is what galvanized the group together. There's always that possibility. You got it. You can't fret about yesterday and not really worry about tomorrow. You got to take care of today. And the reality is Christian Pulisic is coming off a weekend where he just scored a goal from Milan and he looks like he's in good form. He's coming off the two best professional seasons of his career. Absolutely. This can galvanize the group. But if you're going to ask me if I'm confident about that, that's where I don't know. It's August 19, 2025 in this moment. The fact that we're talking about a docu series going into a World Cup, I don't fully believe in that. However, as a player, I will tell you this, that that group can come together in spite of what they believe everyone on the outside is saying and what everyone on the outside is rooting for. And they can believe in that and they can use that as motivation and they can absolutely have the World cup of their dreams. And then after that, look at all of us on the outside and say, I told you so. But that's what they have to do now because they brought more attention to them for negative reasons than they needed to. Mike. Now they've got actually more pressure on them, which is kind of hard to believe because this is going to be the biggest moment in the men's national team program in the history. And I can't believe we're saying they've got more pressure on them now than they did about two months ago.
- [10:19]
Dan Le Batard
Taylor moving back to MLS talk Messi is leading the league with 19 goals in 19 matches. How much of that is he's just awesome and how much of that is the competition still isn't quite up to snuff?
- [10:32]
Taylor Twelman
It's Messi being awesome. The fact that Messi goes to World cup qualifiers at the age of 38 and contributes on the same level that he did 10 years ago, that will tell you that he's just. He's the unicorn. He is what he is, and this is what Messi is. Now. Father Time is knocking on the door. There's a few more nagging injuries that pop up here and there that didn't pop up 10 years ago. But for a player to come to Major League Soccer that Lionel Messi has done, and now Rodrigo DePaul, who is the defensive midfielder, the bodyguard of Messi for Argentina's World cup team coming up in eight months, for them to go to convol in South America World cup qualifying and still contribute at a high level, that tells you the level of Major League Soccer has risen. But also those players are just special. Messi is operating at a completely different level and I can't believe we're still talking about him at the age of 38, because you can see declines in other players around the world when they hit this age. Messi's assist this past weekend, there's about two players in the history of the game that even saw that, let alone being able to pull that off. And Lionel Messi is one of them.
- [11:42]
Billy Gil
Taylor, best guess, Messi will lead Miami to an MLS cup title. And will Messi be back next season for the debut in the new stadium?
- [11:52]
Taylor Twelman
I think Messi's will 100% open up the stadium for Inter Miami and Major League Soccer I don't know if that's even really a debate right now. I think they're crossing their T's, dotting their I's and getting that together. That's also why they're making signings like Rodrigo DePaul and other signings that are going to come. Winning MLS cup is so tricky because they're one off games and they're knockout round games. Very similar to what we do in in the NFL where it's just a one off game. And so there is this random optimizer for lack of a better way that if Miami's on the road and the goalkeeper for the other team stands on their head. FC Cincinnati beat Miami this year, 3 nil. So there is that one off. But if everyone's fully fit come playoff time, the answer to your question is Lionel Messi and Inter. Miami will be the frontrunners to win MLS cup, but it's a big if if everyone's going to be healthy.
- [12:43]
Mike Ryan
Couple marquee signings into MLS Recently, Sonny has got the hottest selling jersey in the world for lafc and Mueller is now at Vancouver. That's an interesting signing. More questions about their form and the stage that they're at in their careers than Messi had, where Messi was still very much recognized as the best player in the world. Sonny probably has more good football left in his tank than Mueller, but what is the early feedback from them being around these clubs?
- [13:11]
Taylor Twelman
Hung Min son has been brilliant and for those of you watching the show, he has asked everyone in the United States to call him Sonny. So Mike, rightfully so. Calling him Sonny. Good on you. It's a first for Major League Soccer to have the star from South Korea come to Major League Soccer. So he's brought eyeballs to Apple tv. He's brought eyeballs that maybe wouldn't have paid a lot of attention to Major League Soccer. So the often field part of that, he's a home run on the field. I think he's going to be better than people think. Now he doesn't have the name of Lionel Messi or David Beckham or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but it's very similar to Robbie Keane. And historically in Major League Soccer. Robbie Keane is one of the best winners in Major League Soccer history. He also made a move to Major League Soccer and still contributed at the international level. That's exactly what Sonny's going to do. I think LAFC really hit a home run with this Thomas Mueller. I'm on the record and I'll be on the record. I Don't know how to evaluate the signing. I love the fact that he's in Major League Soccer, but He did a 180 with three or four teams. Mike, in discussing contracts and where he wanted to play, how he wanted to play, what positions to all of a sudden being playing in Canada for Vancouver. Now, he believes in the next six months, Vancouver's got the best shot to win the Western Conference and be an MLS cup. But he's also got an option to get out of that contract. Now, what we don't know publicly, is it 100% a player option, or is it both Vancouver and his? Because I find that interesting. Is he coming here to test it, to see it and then move on? He's there to win a trophy. Listen, he's won everywhere he's been in his life, whether it's with Germany or with Bayern Munich. But that's a difficult one to assess because I don't know how much is left in the tank. But I think Vancouver's a good enough team that they can help him acclimate himself, get him there, get him ready for the playoffs. And that's usually where the cream rises to the top.
- [15:08]
Dan Le Batard
Taylor, what did you make of MLS suspending Jordi Alba and Lion Messi for missing the All Star Game? I know Mike Ryan was pretty upset because he felt like, look, Inter had done all these things that brought money and attention to the NL World cup, and as a result, they deserved the break. And some of us here on the show are like, no, that's the job. You got to just do it. So where did you land on that?
- [15:31]
Taylor Twelman
Well, someone that played in the All Star Game during congested schedules. It's a different league. I get that. But it is part of your obligation to represent Major League Soccer in saying that the Club World cup was a huge part of this summer for Inter Miami. All it took for Inter Miami was Lionel Messi and Jorge Mason, Inter Miami. To call the league and have a conversation into it. But as of the league and everything they've told me Tuesday nights before the All Star Game, which was Wednesday, they didn't really know. All I'm saying to Lionel Messi is in Mike Ryan's 100% correct. But just make a phone call, have a conversation. Saturday night before the All Star Game, they played in New York against the Red Bulls. And all indications after that game was Messi and Alba were going to come. Here's the rebuttal that I would say to Inter Miami, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets told Spanish media at The All Star game the year before they came, so they didn't get suspended. Why all of a sudden did that change this year? That's all I'm talking about. A simple phone call would have happened. I think Don Garber 100% made the right decision because the following game was against FC Cincinnati and they had two players show up, Evander and Miles Robinson. However, Cincinnati would tell you they didn't play in the Club World Cup. So if Miami and MLS came to an agreement that Alba and Messi probably deserved the game off, I don't think anything would have been discussed. The problem is they didn't call mls. They just thought it was assumed. And that's where I think Don Garber and MLS handled it perfectly.
- [17:12]
Mike Ryan
Yeah, Inter Miami probably could have handled that better to get away from the suspension. What do you make generally though of the. The constant feather ruffling that Inter Miami does against the old guard in mls? Constantly pushing the boundaries. I remember when was initially signed, checked in with league sources, no one knew if this was a dp. No one knew if this was a damn player. No, no one knew that. And just Inter Miami just kept pushing forward and essentially putting the onus on the league to figure it out. So what do you make of that? Because Inter Miami is not this old money. They have wealthy owners, but not the wealthiest, but they want to push this league forward in advance of this World cup coming here.
- [17:52]
Taylor Twelman
They got aspirations, Mike, and I love that we're in our 30th year of major League Soccer. There's conversations and real conversations now about changing the schedule to the way Western Europe is. That's ultimately going to put more money in the owner's pockets. Because right now when the transfer windows come around, they're operating a little bit with one hind, one hand behind their back because other leagues around the world are operating different times. So maybe you pay 20% more and you could get 20% more for your players. They're going to evolve. Do I think the schedule will change? Absolutely. Do the roster restrictions, salary cap restrictions need to change at mls? Absolutely. That's part of evolution, that's part of growth. Inter Miami is raising those questions. They're pushing the ball uphill now. Now in saying that you can't lose the competitive integrity of the league when other teams are operating under the assumption the rules are this in this present time. But I love people that challenge it because everyone's in the same boat, Mike. The World cup is coming here in nine, 10 months. It's the rocket ship to the Moon, is that a Q? And Apple will tell you, well, in order to do that, you got to be ready with what's going to come after the World Cup. Part of that is changing the roster and salary cap rules. Part of that is changing the schedule. And that's the one thing MLS has done, maybe slower than others would like, but they still do it is they will make changes that they see fit when it's necessary to grow the league. And I think Inter Miami has raised some good concerns about that. But all of that is about having the greatest player of all time in your backyard and bringing some of his friends. But I'm not sure. Sonny Tomas Mueller. Six World cup winners are in Major League Soccer. Think of that post Lionel Messi. That's in less than two years. Six World cup winners. They're asking questions of the league and they wanted to grow. I'm all for that.
- [19:51]
Greg Cody
Taylor, do you hear other team executives maybe resenting the way Inter Miami goes about their business?
- [19:58]
Taylor Twelman
Yeah, but I think that's all out of jealousy and that's a good thing. I think it's no different than sometimes what we ask about. You know, it's not really the same. But you know what I'm going to, I'm going to say here Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, right? There's whenever there's this consternation regarding a team in an owner and a play in a group of players, that's because there's a they're probably doing something that you wish you could do. They're probably have to have something that you wish you have. I love it. I think we need more villains in Major League Soccer because I think the leagues around the world, I think the leagues in all the other major sports in the United States, you have your villains, you have your enemies, the teams that you love to hate, that you constantly want to beat. I think Inter Miami is one of those and I think it's great for this league. I think it's back page stuff, as they like to say in Europe and in England. I love everything about it. But to answer your question directly, absolutely. You hear complaints and conversations and arguments and I just sit there with a smirk on my face because I love it.
- [21:02]
Dan Le Batard
You can catch Taylor and the rest of the MLS season with the MLS season pass on Apple TV plus and of course Messi and Inter Miami hosts Tigres in a league's cup quarterfinal match Wednesday at 8pm Eastern on Apple TV. Taylor Twelman, thank you for joining us.
- [21:19]
Taylor Twelman
Was Wayne's World time traveling or.
- [21:21]
Dan Le Batard
No, no.
- [21:24]
Mike Ryan
They did use that as an effect almost. It's not central to the plot, but there were time travel elements.
- [21:30]
Dan Le Batard
All right, I'll give it to you. I'll give it to you.
- [21:32]
Taylor Twelman
I'm out of here.
- [21:32]
Dan Le Batard
All right, thanks a lot.
- [21:35]
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- [22:04]
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- [22:40]
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- [23:00]
Unidentified Contributor
Void.
- [23:00]
Responsible Gambling Announcer
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- [23:08]
Taylor Twelman
Don lebatar.
- [23:09]
Mike Ryan
I feel like we need to normalize saying the scientific terms for organs on the air. Like if someone. Yes, you know what?
- [23:20]
Billy Gil
If someone takes a foul ball to the penis, we should just say he.
- [23:24]
Unidentified Contributor
Took a foul ball to the penis.
- [23:26]
Taylor Twelman
Stugats.
- [23:27]
Billy Gil
That free kick hit him right in the cock. A doodle doo.
- [23:30]
Taylor Twelman
This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats. That was some good breathing during that interview, dad.
- [23:47]
Dan Le Batard
Oh, my gosh. I was wondering what that sound was.
- [23:50]
Billy Gil
I was like, was the air on.
- [23:51]
Greg Cody
Greg's on fire?
- [23:52]
Taylor Twelman
I literally was. Sometimes you want him to die?
- [23:54]
Unidentified Contributor
I don't understand. He's not supposed to breathe.
- [23:57]
Mike Ryan
Hold on. In Greg's defense, you've been chapping his ass saying get in front of a mic for months on end, fairly and now he's right on top of the mic and you take issue with it. Shame on you.
- [24:08]
Dan Le Batard
Shame, shame, shame.
- [24:11]
Billy Gil
What are you talking about?
- [24:14]
Unidentified Contributor
You know what they say, Christopher. Live life with aplomb and alacrity.
- [24:17]
Billy Gil
Thank you, Billy.
- [24:18]
Dan Le Batard
I do say that.
- [24:18]
Billy Gil
Thank you very much.
- [24:20]
Dan Le Batard
Is that how you say that?
- [24:21]
Billy Gil
Aplomb and alacrity.
- [24:22]
Dan Le Batard
Okay.
- [24:23]
Unidentified Contributor
Yeah.
- [24:23]
Dan Le Batard
Just making sure, Billy.
- [24:24]
Billy Gil
The big two.
- [24:25]
Unidentified Contributor
Big two.
- [24:26]
Mike Ryan
Oh, alacrity is one word. Yeah, I've never heard that word either, but I thought it was two words like alacrity.
- [24:32]
Dan Le Batard
Oh, like one lac. Ah, Alacrity.
- [24:34]
Mike Ryan
Yeah. What does alacrity mean? Teach me something.
- [24:36]
Billy Gil
It means like.
- [24:38]
Mike Ryan
Well, you're back. Not in front of the mic.
- [24:39]
Billy Gil
Cool. You tackle life with. With enthusiasm and excitement.
- [24:43]
Mike Ryan
Yeah.
- [24:43]
Unidentified Contributor
It's also not a plum. Like, you know, the fruit.
- [24:47]
Billy Gil
A plum.
- [24:47]
Unidentified Contributor
Yeah. It's not like too like plum and alacrity. They're not two separate things.
- [24:52]
Dan Le Batard
Yeah.
- [24:53]
Billy Gil
Means you. You tackle a hard task with great self confidence.
- [24:57]
Mike Ryan
It is crazy. Those. That's two words. I thought that were two words. That's crazy. Thank you for teaching me something.
- [25:02]
Billy Gil
You're welcome anytime.
- [25:05]
Dan Le Batard
Time for weekend observations.
- [25:08]
Taylor Twelman
It is time for Stugats to share his game notes. No one in the media will tell you what happened. Better than my boy Stu.
- [25:15]
Dan Le Batard
All good.
- [25:17]
Billy Gil
I mean, thank you.
- [25:18]
Dan Le Batard
Weekend observations presented by Miller Lite. Dan. Every year it happens. It's annoying, but necessary. Like how pollen season makes life go round, but also makes my life miserable. I don't need anyone to explain it to me. I just need it to happen without me noticing. Talking, of course, about people. Talking about fantasy football drafts. Oh, yeah, I know it has to happen. Just don't. Don't talk to me about it. Sign up on DraftKings.com by the way, promo code Dan. Dylan Gabriel. Well, that's not going Dylan. There it is. Dylan Gabriel saying there are entertainers and there are competitors, then clarifying. Oh, that wasn't about Shadur Sanders. By claiming he's been saying it about the media for years despite no evidence of him ever saying it. The Stugach is strong in you. Heywood Highsmith getting traded for a top 55 protected draft pick. More like highway robbery. Hey, would you fleece me? It's a cheap joke. I'm better than that.
- [26:23]
Mike Ryan
We need more cheap ones.
- [26:24]
Dan Le Batard
The trade was fine. Hey, Cincinnati Open. Whoever's idea it was to have the finals on a Monday should be fired. Jannik sinner, retiring after five games due to illness. Understandable. Alcaraz makes me stick to my stomach too.
- [26:43]
Mike Ryan
How you liking that tennis chat tops.
- [26:45]
Dan Le Batard
I love it, man.
- [26:45]
Mike Ryan
There's sickos in there.
- [26:46]
Dan Le Batard
I love it. They are sickos. A lot more gambling than I thought.
- [26:49]
Mike Ryan
So much. A couple days away from Slam.
- [26:52]
Dan Le Batard
It's really a gambling chat that talks about tennis.
- [26:55]
Mike Ryan
Little bet.
- [26:56]
Dan Le Batard
Yeah, but Alcaraz, man. Topspin got me on the Monte Carlo in the semifinal. I hit some crazy shots. Giannis Antetokounmpo slapping the ever living bleep out of his teammate in the huddle. Leadership Khamzat domination of ddp. The second most entertaining UFC event from the weekend. The Arab fighter behind only Tenday. Tony's meltdown. I could watch that on repeat. The Cuban sore loser comedians doing the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. The Stugats is strong in all of you. I'm jealous I didn't get an invite. Stugats is strong in me too. NFL fans upset about male cheerleaders either haven't been paying attention or are just pretending to care. Top five things people pretend to care about. You ready? Olai. When a famous role in a TV show or movie reboot is cast with a slant towards diversity. What do you mean the Little Mermaid's black?
- [28:05]
Mike Ryan
Why do you care so much about the Snow white remake? You're 47 years old.
- [28:11]
Dan Le Batard
Number five, sports washing. We only care when it's a country that's not us. Number four. When someone says, hit me up. We should hang out. You don't really want to hang out. You're just saying it. Number three, when someone video records people in public to defend our First Amendment's rights.
- [28:34]
Taylor Twelman
That's my entire gut.
- [28:35]
Dan Le Batard
Entire algorithm. TikTok. Right? It's all the time.
- [28:37]
Taylor Twelman
Those guys that are like, outside of a mail.
- [28:40]
Billy Gil
What the hell?
- [28:41]
Dan Le Batard
Like mailboxes, etc. Or something like that.
- [28:43]
Billy Gil
I just had a post office.
- [28:45]
Taylor Twelman
Post office.
- [28:45]
Mike Ryan
You okay? I got it all on the record.
- [28:48]
Billy Gil
That was.
- [28:48]
Taylor Twelman
I hate those videos. That's what I meant there.
- [28:50]
Dan Le Batard
And the people get so angry, like, stop record. I can record you too. I'm like, just walk away. Who cares?
- [28:56]
Taylor Twelman
How have you not learned at this point, like, that's what they want? You're giving them exactly what you want.
- [29:01]
Dan Le Batard
But that's the thing that these people. I'm not talking about the people reacting. I'm talking about the guy originally recording. He doesn't care about your First Amendment rights. He's just a dick.
- [29:09]
Unidentified Contributor
Number people outside of post offices recording people.
- [29:12]
Taylor Twelman
It's a thing on the Internet. It's just to prove that they can't because people don't like being videotaped. So some old guy be like, hey, why are you videotaping me? I'm going to this post office.
- [29:19]
Dan Le Batard
I'm just protecting our first amendment rights.
- [29:21]
Taylor Twelman
And then they call the cops. The cops show up, and the cops say, technically, he's on the sidewalk. He's allowed to videotape you. But I did not consent. You don't need to give consent. It's the same song and dance. But I love it. It's just. I can't stop watching.
- [29:32]
Dan Le Batard
Number two, when someone on this show says something funny that might also have a factual error. You guys don't actually care. Hey, beer is carbon. I don't care.
- [29:45]
Greg Cody
Dude, what was that?
- [29:46]
Dan Le Batard
It was the beer thing yesterday. There's a carbonation. Guys, we're just dicking around here. I don't know. I don't know if that came across yet. We're not actually beer experts who are trying to say, oh, this is how it works. And number one, when an athlete kneels for the national anthem, you don't care. You didn't even notice until you said something about it. Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson, lay off the cafecito.
- [30:13]
Greg Cody
I don't get it.
- [30:14]
Dan Le Batard
Too intense.
- [30:15]
Taylor Twelman
It's. It's.
- [30:15]
Dan Le Batard
And it's just.
- [30:16]
Greg Cody
It's performative. Everybody knows. Come on, man. Big three. Who cares?
- [30:21]
Dan Le Batard
Francis TFO force fit forced to forfeit due to back injury, only to resurface looking fine a few hours later at his girlfriend's birthday dinner. Atta boy. And no, the dinner did not appear to be in Cincinnati. No skyline chili. Denzel Washington going on the Sports Illustrated podcast talking about how he only wants to hear about sports from people who did it and not from people with opinions behind microphones. Funny how he said none of this when he was on first take. There's a little stugach in everyone. Crocs striking an NFL licensing deal, meaning now my favorite NFL players can dress like they're wards at a mental institution. I'm going to hell for that last one. Speaking of hell, Art Briles. Those are the weekend observations.
- [31:13]
Billy Gil
This is one of the most spectacular venues with all kinds of character and hospitality scenery. These people in this Kitty Task valley, they love when you come to see.
- [31:24]
Dan Le Batard
What they have to offer. I'm JJ Harrison, Ellensburg rodeo clown, and I want to invite you to the rodeo. Come hang out with us in Ellensburg. Great rodeo, great time. Two performances on Saturday. One is the extreme bulls of the year event. Do not miss The Ellensburg Rodeo, August 29th through September 1st. We'll see you there.
- [31:43]
Taylor Twelman
Don LeBatard.
- [31:45]
Billy Gil
He called me on my own podcast. He called me full of shit, claiming that I'm faking interest in the solar eclipse.
- [31:52]
Taylor Twelman
Well, you do do this. You love to just get excited about everything.
- [31:55]
Billy Gil
Okay, Junior stugats. I had to school you and explain.
- [31:59]
Taylor Twelman
To you he was going to take you to Augusta.
- [32:01]
Billy Gil
I mean, when I was 17 years old, Alan Sherry and I used to haunt the Bueller Planetarium.
- [32:07]
Taylor Twelman
This is the Dan Levatar show with the stug.
- [32:18]
Unidentified Contributor
Denzel sounded old, right?
- [32:20]
Dan Le Batard
Dude, I was like. It was. If that was kind of his thing. He did sound. He sounded old. Especially when he said he could still throw hands and stuff.
- [32:28]
Unidentified Contributor
Looking a little old. He's 70. I mean, if I look like that when I'm 70, I would take it, obviously.
- [32:32]
Dan Le Batard
But he's a national hero.
- [32:34]
Greg Cody
But he's a national hero.
- [32:36]
Dan Le Batard
International. I'm sorry, you're right.
- [32:38]
Greg Cody
Hero.
- [32:38]
Unidentified Contributor
Oh, he plays one in movies.
- [32:39]
Billy Gil
I think he is. He needs a statue.
- [32:41]
Greg Cody
He's an actor.
- [32:42]
Billy Gil
Yeah, let's put him on a statue.
- [32:43]
Unidentified Contributor
Where?
- [32:43]
Billy Gil
Where would you put his statue, Washington? Front of every movie theater. It would be like a rotating set.
- [32:50]
Unidentified Contributor
How about this? What if, you know, instead of a statue, just on some maps, we name it Denzel Washington D.C. you know, that's not bad.
- [32:58]
Dan Le Batard
Why not all the maps?
- [33:00]
Unidentified Contributor
Well, because, I mean, people argue over what maps say. Now. Some say Gulf of Mexico, some say Gulf of America. Like, I don't know, the process of actually changing it to Denzel Washington D.C. but if you say it, then you print a map, you could just buy one.
- [33:12]
Dan Le Batard
How about this? Denzel Washington D.C. on some of the maps. Denzel Washington State on others.
- [33:17]
Unidentified Contributor
I like that.
- [33:17]
Billy Gil
How about Denzel D.C. drop the Washington.
- [33:20]
Unidentified Contributor
Well, hold on a second.
- [33:21]
Dan Le Batard
It's a lot cleaner.
- [33:22]
Unidentified Contributor
You know what? Maybe that's what the D.C. stands for.
- [33:25]
Dan Le Batard
Washington, Denzel Columbia.
- [33:28]
Unidentified Contributor
Maybe. Now, if you rename Washington State Denzel Washington State, then, like, does it have to become Denzel Washington State University?
- [33:39]
Dan Le Batard
Yes, yes, of course. And the University of Denzel Washington. Okay, absolutely. And when you send letters to people in Seattle, it's got to say Seattle, comma, dw dw. Yeah. Dwa.
- [33:53]
Unidentified Contributor
Well, it could just say Seattle. Okay, so then does it say Seattle Washington? Or does it say Seattle, Denzel Washington? Or does it say Seattle, comma, Washington, comma, Denzel?
- [34:03]
Dan Le Batard
No, it goes Seattle, Denzel Washington.
- [34:07]
Unidentified Contributor
Okay, that's true. Because, like, North Carolina, you don't. Do, you know, like, Raleigh, comma, Carolina, comma, North. You're right. Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out the question why.
- [34:15]
Greg Cody
He's a hero.
- [34:16]
Dan Le Batard
He's a hero, man. He's an inspiration to any.
- [34:18]
Billy Gil
No hero. Okay.
- [34:19]
Greg Cody
Those are two different things.
- [34:20]
Dan Le Batard
Well, that's what heroes.
- [34:21]
Billy Gil
Denzel, George Washington.
- [34:22]
Unidentified Contributor
That's. Yeah. Denzel Washington. Carter Carver. It's a no George Washington.
- [34:28]
Taylor Twelman
Time to think fast. Is this a real or fake podcast?
- [34:32]
Dan Le Batard
Oh, I love this game.
- [34:33]
Greg Cody
Nice.
- [34:34]
Billy Gil
Oh, I do, too.
- [34:37]
Mike Ryan
Bit of a lifeline today. Bit of a lifeline.
- [34:38]
Dan Le Batard
Here's our host. Well, you didn't like the Dentzo? Watching the talk.
- [34:41]
Mike Ryan
I was lost 0fox given with Jamie Foxx.
- [34:46]
Greg Cody
Oh, that's a good name. That's a good name. But I'm going. I'm going fake.
- [34:50]
Dan Le Batard
So he used to have a serious XM channel called the Foxhole, and they took it and they gave it to Kevin Hart. Would he call it. No, I'm gonna say fake.
- [35:01]
Billy Gil
Yeah.
- [35:01]
Greg Cody
Great name, though.
- [35:03]
Taylor Twelman
Couldn't hear you, dad.
- [35:04]
Billy Gil
What was your answer? It's fake. Thank you. Yeah.
- [35:06]
Mike Ryan
It is indeed fake.
- [35:08]
Dan Le Batard
Yeah.
- [35:09]
Greg Cody
He doesn't have time for a podcast.
- [35:11]
Unidentified Contributor
But he does. What is he up to, really?
- [35:14]
Dan Le Batard
He's hanging out with his friends. I saw a video of him arguing with his friends about Jordan versus LeBron. Never heard that one before.
- [35:20]
Unidentified Contributor
Imagine that on a podcast.
- [35:22]
Mike Ryan
The deal with Darren Ravel.
- [35:25]
Dan Le Batard
Absolutely 100% the type of podcast that he would have. I'm trying to think if we could it have a hokier name. It'd be hokier, right? Billy, I see you nodding your head.
- [35:39]
Unidentified Contributor
I don't think it'd be as simple as to do.
- [35:41]
Dan Le Batard
Yeah, it would be something else. I'm gonna go fake.
- [35:43]
Greg Cody
I'm going real. Because the history of this game. Mike hasn't been giving us someone who has a podcast, but he's been giving us the wrong name of the podcast. That would be very tricky if he did that. So I'm going, it's real.
- [35:58]
Billy Gil
Wow. I think it's fake. I think his podcast is. It's my business with Darren Revelle.
- [36:02]
Dan Le Batard
I like.
- [36:03]
Mike Ryan
That would be a great title. Here's something shocking. According to my research, Darren Revel actively does not have a podcast.
- [36:10]
Billy Gil
Whoa. He's the one.
- [36:12]
Unidentified Contributor
He's too busy collecting, like, autographs and stuff.
- [36:15]
Billy Gil
Right.
- [36:18]
Mike Ryan
I guess. In the name of equality.
- [36:21]
Dan Le Batard
Yeah.
- [36:22]
Mike Ryan
Caramel and cheddar with Eddie Curry.
- [36:25]
Dan Le Batard
No, it's popcorn.
- [36:28]
Mike Ryan
Caramel and cheddar.
- [36:30]
Dan Le Batard
Oh, it's Eddie Korean popcorn.
- [36:32]
Billy Gil
I want that.
- [36:32]
Greg Cody
He's from Chicago, not real.
- [36:34]
Billy Gil
Yes. Yes.
- [36:36]
Dan Le Batard
I'm gonna say yes.
- [36:38]
Unidentified Contributor
The name is too ridiculous for it to Not.
- [36:40]
Dan Le Batard
That's what. Yeah.
- [36:41]
Mike Ryan
Co hosts it with his girlfriend.
- [36:43]
Taylor Twelman
Yeah, see, really?
- [36:45]
Dan Le Batard
He's from Chicago. It's a popcorn thing. They love the Chicago popcorn. We'll talk to Jessica Smithana about it in a little bit. And he's a guy that likes to eat. Let me throw that out there.
- [36:57]
Mike Ryan
It's a real podcast. Levels to this with Cheryl Swoops.
- [37:02]
Dan Le Batard
Yes. Real.
- [37:04]
Billy Gil
Yeah.
- [37:04]
Greg Cody
You know, I know all the WNBA podcasts. That's a real.
- [37:06]
Dan Le Batard
That's a real one. Cheryl Swoops, definitely. That's a type of title that show Soups to have Greg say.
- [37:15]
Billy Gil
No, I'm gonna go the other way.
- [37:17]
Mike Ryan
That's a real podcast.
- [37:18]
Billy Gil
I'm sorry.
- [37:19]
Mike Ryan
Now, last one. This question's only for Greg. One night with Steiny. With Willie Collie Stein.
- [37:26]
Taylor Twelman
Oh, wow.
- [37:29]
Mike Ryan
Yes, it's a real podcast, but not hosted by Willie Collinstein.
- [37:34]
Taylor Twelman
Trick question.
- [37:35]
Mike Ryan
Hosted by Steiny.
- [37:36]
Dan Le Batard
Shame on you.
- [37:37]
Billy Gil
Oh, my God.
- [37:38]
Dan Le Batard
Mark Stein. That has been real or fake podcast. Now we transition seamlessly to Greg Cody's topic that Chris thought wasn't interesting enough. Wow, Chinese robotic Olympics. Greg, tell me every.
- [37:58]
Billy Gil
I want everything with the only thing I know about it.
- [38:01]
Taylor Twelman
See, there we go.
- [38:02]
Billy Gil
Okay, no, no, no. Hear me out.
- [38:04]
Unidentified Contributor
Let him talk.
- [38:05]
Billy Gil
It has embarrassed itself. It's fallen flat because of the. You know, the robots are doing everything. The robots are like 3, 4ft tall, but they're like in a boxing ring. They're doing all this stuff. They're all losing their.
- [38:16]
Greg Cody
That's your form.
- [38:17]
Billy Gil
They're all. Yeah, that's the robot's form. I used to box a little bit when I was younger.
- [38:20]
Dan Le Batard
So did Denzel Washington.
- [38:23]
Taylor Twelman
He always used to do that. Like.
- [38:24]
Billy Gil
Oh, yeah.
- [38:24]
Dan Le Batard
Oh, you do the. There you go.
- [38:28]
Billy Gil
No, they're all falling flat. Like, literally all the robots are falling over. When they do anything strenuous or athletic. And so it's been like a big bust in China. Now it's a bad idea as well.
- [38:40]
Dan Le Batard
I saw a clip of a kid. Oh, here we go. We got. We've got them playing soccer. Hold on. We got to run that one. I want to see that soccer one back.
- [38:51]
Greg Cody
I like it.
- [38:51]
Dan Le Batard
Look at that.
- [38:53]
Billy Gil
It's like electric football.
- [38:56]
Taylor Twelman
This is what, like seven year old.
- [38:57]
Unidentified Contributor
Soccer looks like soccer looks like to me.
- [39:00]
Dan Le Batard
You know what's funny, man? Somewhere Sky Skynet is listening to us laughing. All right, that's a foul. On who?
- [39:08]
Taylor Twelman
Whoever made that is like, you guys think you could do better?
- [39:10]
Dan Le Batard
Oh, here the box. Oh, okay. Keep the dukes up. Yeah. Huh? I don't know what the orange One is swinging at.
- [39:18]
Billy Gil
He's just slow punches. Good Lord.
- [39:20]
Dan Le Batard
I saw you could beat up that robot.
- [39:22]
Taylor Twelman
Yeah.
- [39:22]
Billy Gil
The punches are going like this in real time.
- [39:24]
Mike Ryan
What Was wrong with BattleBots?
- [39:25]
Billy Gil
BattleBots?
- [39:26]
Mike Ryan
BattleBots was great.
- [39:28]
Dan Le Batard
Whoa, that's weird. What's happening right here on the screen? I'm not good at describing this. Imagine like somebody gingerly running around standing up.
- [39:38]
Taylor Twelman
Like that is always gonna freak me out.
- [39:39]
Mike Ryan
It's a breakdancing competition. That was in the Olympics. The real Olympics.
- [39:43]
Dan Le Batard
The. I saw a video of a kid, like, maybe like a 12 year old kid fighting against one of these robots. And I was not impressed with the robot's reaction time at the end. It flew. It just fell on its back like spread eagle.
- [39:55]
Billy Gil
I could outrun that last robot. He was. He was running about one mile an hour talking to the mic. I can outrun that robot. Robots are supposed to be superior to human beings. This proves they're not. What a. What a colossal failure the robot Olympics was. Eliminate all robots.
- [40:13]
Dan Le Batard
I'm worried though, Greg, that us taunting them right now is just feeding Skynet with all the motivation to let us know.
- [40:19]
Billy Gil
Well, how do we know you're not a robot? Next time you put out a robot Olympics, they should run faster, they should hit harder, they should kick a soccer ball harder. They should be superhuman. And they're not. They're not even a robot. It's like electric football when. When they bump into each other and fall down and everything. And the, the, the. The floor of the table would buzz.
- [40:42]
Unidentified Contributor
Yeah.
- [40:43]
Billy Gil
And. And they'd all be jumping around.
- [40:44]
Unidentified Contributor
What if they're. What if they're intentionally doing this to have us let our guard down? You know, you're like, oh, robots playing.
- [40:50]
Dan Le Batard
Possibly.
- [40:50]
Unidentified Contributor
Exactly. Right.
- [40:52]
Billy Gil
In that case, it's successful because you watch these robots and you're going, these robots suck. Who made these robots?
- [40:58]
Unidentified Contributor
One of those robots missing an arm.
- [41:00]
Billy Gil
I noticed that. Yeah. I hope he's okay.
- [41:02]
Dan Le Batard
Robot Paralympics.
- [41:03]
Billy Gil
I didn't see any blood though.
- [41:04]
Unidentified Contributor
You said it, not me.
- [41:05]
Mike Ryan
That's the one where the founder of Skynet had in his living room.
- [41:09]
Dan Le Batard
The arm is. Yeah, the arm. The black guy from Terminator.
- [41:14]
Unidentified Contributor
Greg, do you have all your original joints?
- [41:16]
Billy Gil
I do, yeah. Yeah.
- [41:18]
Unidentified Contributor
Are you proud of that or would you want an upgrade?
- [41:20]
Billy Gil
No, I think I'm good right now. My hips. I lead the league in hips.
- [41:23]
Unidentified Contributor
Hips don't lie.
- [41:24]
Billy Gil
Yeah. I mean, my only issue is my right knee.
- [41:27]
Unidentified Contributor
Trick knee.
- [41:28]
Billy Gil
Yeah. I think I may need something done to my right knee.
- [41:30]
Dan Le Batard
What if they got you a robot knee?
- [41:32]
Billy Gil
Based on what I Just saw I don't want it.
- [41:34]
Mike Ryan
That's a great death scene. The guy from speed. That was a good one.
- [41:42]
Dan Le Batard
Yeah, very, very good.
- [41:43]
Mike Ryan
Yeah, pretty good Ltd. Fake T2 guy.
- [41:45]
Unidentified Contributor
That market for the Sue's next year.
- [41:47]
Mike Ryan
Yeah, that didn't actually do what most capitalists do. And he's just like what? This is bad for people. Let me destroy it rather than make money on it. Hey, we have breaking news.
- [41:55]
Taylor Twelman
Hit it big.
- [41:57]
Mike Ryan
Week one ramifications for the Miami Dolphins. Indianapolis Colts have announced their QB one. Oh, and it is Daniel Jones.
- [42:04]
Unidentified Contributor
No.
- [42:06]
Mike Ryan
You guys love football, huh? Look at that reaction.
- [42:10]
Greg Cody
It's a big news day one and.
- [42:12]
Dan Le Batard
Oh for the Dolphins.
- [42:12]
Mike Ryan
You guys whipped your heads around and all said whoa collectively season.
- [42:17]
Dan Le Batard
I'm surprised he's still playing football.
- [42:18]
Taylor Twelman
Wow.
- [42:19]
Mike Ryan
Danny Dimes, QB1.
- [42:21]
Greg Cody
That is a disaster for the Colts.
- [42:22]
Unidentified Contributor
This injury thing is like Richardson. That hurt. How much is it going to hurt if the Dolphins lose to him weekly?
- [42:27]
Greg Cody
Well, and you got Xavian Howard who's out there for the Colts now too, right?
- [42:31]
Billy Gil
Yep.
- [42:32]
Greg Cody
Man, Tyree Kill is going to burn.
- [42:33]
Unidentified Contributor
200 in the air, 100 on the ground and a pick six for Howard.
- [42:36]
Dan Le Batard
You think Kyle Tucker's confidence is down? How do you think Anthony Richardson feels? Yikes.
- [42:42]
Mike Ryan
Hey, it's Mike Ryan. Those sprinklers are starting to slowly come up on the football field. Time that we have with summer is dwindling. I'm sure you're already doing that thing where you're going through your photo album, flipping through the photos that you've taken this summer already reminiscing about the good times that you have. I know I did. And in many of the pictures that I went back to reminisce over, I had a beautiful white can of Miller Light in my hand because I love making good times during the summer a Miller time. And it's a good reminder we're losing time on this summer. So why don't you share the moments that you have with a white can of Miller Light like I have. Whether it's a long weekend or a full on vacation, it is the perfect time to get the crew back together. And since 1975, Miller Lite has been the go to way to stock the cooler and celebrate those moments. This year marks 50 years of Miller time. 50 years of great taste, great friends and unforgettable memories. Brewed for flavor with simple ingredients like malted barley, it delivers rich, balanced toffee note flavor and that golden color that just hits different Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you, or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Cheers to 50 years of Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.