Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Hour 1: Greg's Turd Sandwich

Date: February 17, 2026
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Greg Cody, Chris Cody, and crew

Overview

In this raucous and wide-ranging “Local Hour” episode, Dan, Stugotz, and the crew use their signature blend of humor and irreverence to break down a wild finish at the Daytona 500, the aftermath of a botched ashes-scattering, hilarious soundbites from Stephen A. Smith, the icon status of Ron McGill, Greg Cody’s “catchphrase countdown,” LeBron’s mysterious retirement ETA, and the joy & cynicism of sports fandom. Along the way, the group takes playful jabs at each other, debates the nature of iconic status, and reveals the uniquely affectionate chaos that defines the show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Daytona 500 Finish & The Great Ashes Debacle

[00:38-04:12]

• The crew starts off lamenting how Tyler Reddick’s thrilling win at Daytona is being overshadowed by viral stories — notably, a Michael Jordan interaction and, especially, a fan’s failed attempt to scatter a loved one’s ashes onto the racetrack:
  • The failed ashes scattering led to remains blowing back into the fan’s own face, prompting much laughter and movie comparisons (notably The Big Lebowski and Meet the Parents).
  • Dan (C): “You need the ashes to land on the track. It can’t blow back in your face, blow behind you, blow into the popcorn behind you…” [00:38]
  • Greg (F): “People are surprised to find out how much human ashes weigh. Cremains, they call them…like six to eight pounds.” [04:34-04:45]
• The crew agrees: “In real life, nothing is funnier than what happened at Daytona” (C, [04:02]).

2. Stephen A. Smith’s Unmatched Confidence

[06:00-11:01]

• Chris Cody sets up a debate: is Stephen A. Smith’s soundbite claiming he could have easily prosecuted the O.J. Simpson trial more ridiculously self-confident than his assertion that he could end the border crisis?
• Stephen A. Smith (clip): “If it were me...there’s no way in hell Johnnie Cochran would have beaten me...even though I’m not a lawyer...” [06:48-07:23]
• Followed by Stephen A. boasting he’d end the border and crime crises if he were president:
  • “We wouldn’t have a border crisis under my watch. Hell no. We wouldn’t have this crime that exists in the streets of New York...That’s me.” [07:47-08:10]
• The gang lampoons the “all problems solved if I’m in charge” approach, drawing parallels with modern politics and mock campaign promises.
  • Dan: “It's idiocracy. Like I really thought the movie Idiocracy would be absurd 20 years later, but...it's happening.” [11:29-11:40]

3. Celebrating Ron McGill: “South Florida Icon”

[13:49-17:16]

• Dan pays heartfelt tribute as Ron McGill retires after 46 years with Zoo Miami, hailing him as a rare and genuine local icon and government servant.
  • Dan: “Ron McGill is a fundamentally decent government servant…represented himself and the zoo and South Florida in a way that is majestic. Untouched and unparalleled.” [13:49-14:18]
• Dan muses on the fading class of beloved municipal figures and the challenges of finding comparable contemporary icons.

4. Greg Cody’s “Turd Sandwich” Eulogy & Podcast Bickering

[17:16-28:55]

• Greg’s attempt to eulogize Ron McGill devolves into a comedic squabble after Dan implies Greg’s “labor of love” co-authored books were more about money:
  • Dan: “A big turd sandwich.” [20:12]
  • Greg: “I don’t think it qualified as a turd sandwich…It’s, like, absurd. Okay? I think the world of Ron McGill…” [20:12-20:59]
• Leads to plugs for Greg Cody’s podcast and an impromptu countdown of his “top 50 catchphrases” — with the group debating which ones are actually in use, and if the list needed padding.
• Notable catchphrases run-through (highlights):
  • “I am fuller than Verne Fuller.” (#50)
  • “Where’s my click click?” (#49)
  • “Who made the salad?” (#38)
  • “We’re rolling now, huh?” (#37)
• Greg (on his catchphrases): “Some of them are things that I’m known for…others are within the family...” [26:28]

5. LeBron James: Retirement, Legends, and Fandom Hypocrisy

[31:37-38:58]

• The show pivots to LeBron’s “I don’t know yet” comments on retirement, sparking playful cynicism (especially from Zaslow) about whether he’s honest or orchestrating his eventual retirement tour.
  • Dan: “I don’t believe we can enjoy the all time greats the way that we used to. There’s too much examination, too much access…We cannot enjoy it or appreciate it properly because we’ve had it for too long.” [33:50-34:55]
• The crew debates whether modern fans are too jaded to appreciate legends’ careers in real time.
• Stugotz: “It’s why you need a retirement tour...to remind you so you don’t take it for granted and to monetize it…” [35:34-35:44]
• Zaslow admits his criticisms of LeBron are pure Heat fan tribalism:
  • Zaslow: “Of course I wouldn’t (if he were with the Heat). I’m transparent about my hypocrisy…That’s the transaction: do something for me!” [38:25-39:13]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Dan Le Batard:
  • “We need the ashes to land on the track. It can’t blow back in your face, blow behind you, blow into the popcorn behind you. You cannot leave the premises.” [00:38]
  • “Ron McGill is a fundamentally decent government servant…represented himself and the zoo and South Florida in a way that is majestic. Untouched and unparalleled.” [13:49]
  • “It’s idiocracy. Like I really thought the movie Idiocracy would be absurd 20 years later, but…it’s happening.” [11:29]
• Stephen A. Smith (clip):
  • “If it were me, there’s no way in hell Johnnie Cochran would have beaten me…even though I’m not a lawyer…” [06:48]
  • “We wouldn’t have a border crisis under my watch…That’s me.” [07:47]
• Greg Cody:
  • “People are surprised to find out how much human ashes weigh. Cremains, they call them…like six to eight pounds.” [04:34]
  • “Some of them are things that I’m known for…others are within the family...” [26:28]
  • “I’m not going to forget that he called my words about Ron McGill a turd sandwich. I’m not going to forget that.” [22:25]
• Chris Cody (on Greg’s catchphrase list):
  • “You would think that 37 would be better than 50. No, there’s no proof of that. No guarantee of that.” [23:23]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Daytona 500 Ashes Debacle / Movie Comparisons: [00:38-04:12]
• Stephen A. Smith Soundbites & “Not on my watch”: [06:00-11:01]
• Ron McGill Retires: Local Icon Tribute: [13:49-17:16]
• Greg Cody’s Turd Sandwich Eulogy & Catchphrase Countdown: [17:16-28:55]
• Icon Status in South Florida; Who Measures Up? [30:45-31:33]
• LeBron’s Retirement & Fandom’s Double Standard: [31:37-39:13]

Tone & Style

The episode is classic Le Batard: irreverent, self-referential, conversational, and driven by inside jokes, familial banter, and a genuine affection for the cast of recurring characters. They swing capably from sports to culture to farcical bits, always with the Miami perspective at the center.

For New Listeners

This episode features everything that defines this era of the show:

• Rapid-fire jokes and cultural references
• Earnest appreciation for the “local legends” making a difference
• Satirical takes on politics and media
• Smirking self-awareness about the sports radio format and its quirks
• Deep dives into the weirdness and affection of the show’s own family

It’s an ideal slice of “Local Hour” energy for both South Florida natives and fans who love irreverent sports talk with a big heart.