Hour 2: All Heat And No Light (feat. Al Michaels & Adnan Virk)

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Hour 2: "All Heat And No Light" (Jan 29, 2026)

Featuring Al Michaels & Adnan Virk

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Dan Le Batard and Stugotz are joined by legendary broadcaster Al Michaels and baseball analyst Adnan Virk. The hour delves into Old School vs. New School attitudes in sports and broadcasting, memorable moments from a storied career, an inside look at Hall of Fame politics, and an in-depth baseball segment ("Pitch Clock") with offseason analysis and a home run draft game. The episode lives up to its title, referencing the "all heat and no light" nature of modern sports discourse, while also reminiscing and celebrating the moments that make sports unforgettable.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Al Michaels: Old School Perspectives & Signature Moments

• Checks, Cash, & Currency Confusion

  • Al affirms he's still writing physical checks and hasn't embraced modern payment apps or Bitcoin.
  • "I'm still living in the green stamp world, so, you know, you guys have no idea what that is." (Al Michaels, 01:12)
  • Light banter about outdated payment methods and generational gaps.

• 2025 NFL Season Highlights

  • Soldier Field in Chicago and the Bears/Packers game stood out for Al, both the intensity of the action and the literal "building shaking" atmosphere.
  • "You could feel it shaking, feel the building shaking." (Al Michaels, 02:13)
  • The Rams-Seahawks Week 16 clash was cited as a "game of the year" contender.
  • On Rams vs. Seahawks: "I give Seattle a slight advantage... special teams have been the bugaboo for the Rams all season long." (Al Michaels, 03:17)

• Bill Belichick and the Hall of Fame:

  • A candid look at Hall of Fame voting biases, highlighting personal politics over objective merit.
  • "If you get mad at somebody and somebody did you wrong, maybe your little pound of flesh is not voting for him on the first ballot..." (Al Michaels, 04:07)

• Sports Media's Evolution:

  • Al laments the shift to louder, more combative, less substantive sports shows.
  • "It's more heat than light, and sometimes it's all heat and no light." (Al Michaels, 05:37)
  • He decries the negative atmosphere propagated by social and mainstream media.

2. The 'Miracle on Ice': Enduring Legacy

• Reflections on the Call & Cultural Impact

  • Al Michaels revisits the famous 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey call, sharing how he never tires of recounting the memory because it consistently brings joy to fans.
    • "When people want to talk to me about it, they're always happy. They're glowing. They think back to what it was." (Al Michaels, 07:00)
  • He describes the pressure and spontaneity of the final seconds, not scripting the legendary "Do you believe in miracles?" call.
    • "The word that came into my head was miraculous. And it got morphed into a question and an answer... I didn't know the extent of what it meant to some people." (Al Michaels, 08:35)
  • Behind-the-scenes, he had no immediate feedback due to technical constraints and had to remain in the arena for another game.

• Fan & Host Reverence:

  • Dan and Jeremy express genuine happiness and nostalgia discussing the Miracle on Ice, further illustrating its resonance.

3. Memorable Calls, Cursed Moments, and Industry Legends

• Second-Favorite Sportscasting Calls:

  • Al mentions the 1999 Super Bowl (Rams-Titans) and the Malcolm Butler interception in the Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl.
    • "You want to capture the moment and not screw it up, basically." (Al Michaels, 15:45)

• Shared Regrets and Broadcast Blunders:

  • Vin Scully’s on-air slip remembered with humor; Al shares his own “Hot Mic” moment using an expletive on air by mistake.
    • "Now who cares? You watch any number of shows, and that's nothing." (Al Michaels, 16:53)

• Howard Cosell Anecdotes:

  • Al relates a colorful story involving Howard Cosell intervening in a street fight with theatrical flair and interacting with fans while inebriated, underscoring Cosell’s eccentric personality.
    • "It's quite apparent to this trained observer the young southpaw does not have a jab requisite for the continuation of this phrase..." (Howard Cosell, as recounted by Al Michaels, 17:51)
    • Cosell’s self-awareness and rivalry with Jim McKay highlighted.

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"Pitch Clock" Segment – MLB Nostalgia & Analysis (feat. Adnan Virk)

4. Baseball Home Run Draft (2005-2009 – Infielders)

• Draft Game Mechanics

  • Hosts select infielders based on home run totals from 2005-2009, with lively debate around positional eligibility and strategy.

• Notable Picks & Banter

  • Names like Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Jim Thome, Miguel Tejada, Chase Utley, Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Beltre, and Paul Konerko surfaced.
  • Quirks and playful friction as the group negotiates draft rules and exploits positional gray areas.
  • Jeremy clinches a come-from-behind victory with a late Ryan Howard pick (220 HRs).
    • "Thank you, Ryan Howard, and your endorsement of Subway. Wow, that felt good. That was exhilarating." (Jeremy Stugats, 41:27)

5. MLB Offseason Moves: Analysis & Rankings

(With Adnan Virk, Emmy Award-Winning Baseball Analyst)

• Big Four Moves (Jan 2026)

  • Mackenzie Gore to Rangers: "A great number three...could be one of the best in all of baseball." (Adnan Virk, 28:08)
  • Freddie Peralta to Mets: Most impactful due to his ace credentials.
    • "He led the National League in wins...that's a true blue ace." (Adnan Virk, 28:08)
  • Harrison Bader to Giants; Cody Bellinger re-signs with Yankees.

• Big Market Offseason Scorecard

  • "Dodgers one, Mets second, Cubs third...Yankees haven't done a ton, but Bellinger was their most important piece of business." (Adnan Virk, 30:05)
  • LA’s signings (Edwin Diaz, Kyle Tucker) give them the edge.

• Underrated Transactions

  • Ranger Suarez to Red Sox, Nolan Arenado to Arizona, Edward Cabrera to the Cubs/Marlins covered as trades that could have quiet but significant impacts.
    • "Boston...excellent pitching...Nolan Arenado...one of the great defensive third basemen of all time." (Adnan Virk, 35:00)

• Free Agent Market – February 2026

  • Framber Valdez, Zach Gallen, Lucas Giolito, Eugenio Suarez noted as top remaining unsigned.
    • "Orioles are like one really good starter away from being a legit team...Framer's the guy for me." (Adnan Virk, 36:59)
  • Emphasizes character concerns affecting Valdez's market.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |:---------:|:------|:--------| | 01:12 | "I'm still living in the green stamp world, so, you know, you guys have no idea what that is." | Al Michaels | | 02:13 | "You could feel it shaking, feel the building shaking." | Al Michaels | | 05:37 | "It's more heat than light, and sometimes it's all heat and no light." | Al Michaels | | 07:00 | "When people want to talk to me about it, they're always happy. They're glowing. They think back to what it was." | Al Michaels (on Miracle on Ice) | | 08:35 | "The word that came into my head was miraculous. And it got morphed into a question and an answer..." | Al Michaels | | 15:45 | "You want to capture the moment and not screw it up, basically." | Al Michaels (on big calls) | | 17:51 | "It's quite apparent to this trained observer the young southpaw does not have a jab requisite for the continuation of this phrase..." | Howard Cosell (as recounted by Al Michaels) | | 28:08 | "He led the National League in wins...that's a true blue ace." | Adnan Virk (on Freddie Peralta to Mets) | | 30:05 | "Dodgers one, Mets second, Cubs third..." | Adnan Virk | | 36:59 | "Orioles are like one really good starter away from being a legit team...Framer's the guy for me." | Adnan Virk |

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening & Old School Money Talk: 00:00–01:23
• NFL Signature Moments: 01:31–03:56
• Belichick & Hall of Fame Politics: 03:56–05:31
• Sports Media Critique ("All Heat, No Light"): 05:31–06:27
• Miracle on Ice Reflections: 06:27–10:57
• Broadcasting Anecdotes & Cosell Stories: 15:47–21:03
• Pitch Clock Infield HR Draft Game: 24:03–42:26
• Adnan Virk Baseball Roundtable: 27:23–39:20
• Underrated MLB Transactions & Free Agent Outlook: 35:00–39:20

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Tone & Style

The episode is fast-paced, lightly confrontational, and mixes reverence for sports history with a comedic, irreverent edge. The show toggles seamlessly between deep nostalgia (Al Michaels, Miracle on Ice), insider media talk, and modern sports analysis, all colored by the unique chemistry and wit of the cast.

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Useful For...

• Sports history buffs wanting Al Michaels’ perspective on classic moments
• Fans interested in behind-the-scenes sports media and Hall of Fame machinations
• Baseball enthusiasts seeking offseason analysis and a trip down memory lane
• Listeners who appreciate banter, playful disputes, and genuine love for the games

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Final Thought

This episode delivers a rich blend of sports storytelling, sharp analysis, inside-baseball games, and a healthy dose of laughter. Whether reminiscing about miracles or breaking down modern trades, "All Heat and No Light" spotlights why Le Batard & Stugotz continues to be must-listen sports radio.

Transcript

[Al Michaels]

This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugats podcast. Look at him.

[Dan Le Batard]

One of the best. One of my favorites, and one of the best to ever do it. He's got that pen in his hand. He's probably doing a card for next season. He's probably preparing for game one of next season. What do you. It's not a golf cart, is it? What. What's that pen for? Al Michaels.

[Al Michaels]

I'm writing checks. We had. The refrigerator guy was here yesterday. The landscaper last week. Yeah. So.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay. Made a Zelda.

[Al Michaels]

Okay. I'm just trying to make sure I'm not overdrawn. Simple as that.

[Dan Le Batard]

Just writing checks. So you're not doing it the way. So do you object the way I do. I just got into a fight with a valet because they wouldn't take my cash. You like doing it? Cash and checks. No, no, Zell, No, Venmo. Just take my hard earned American cash.

[Al Michaels]

I am old school now. If you want to take a bitcoin, they've tried to explain to me what this bitcoin thing is with the virtual currency is. Sorry, folks, don't understand one iota of that.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Alex. Money. But on the computer it's money.

[Al Michaels]

But you know what?

[Jeremy Stugats]

You have to mine it.

[Al Michaels]

I'm still living in the green stamp world, so, you know, you guys have no idea what that is.

[Dan Le Batard]

I don't know what that means. I do. I do. No, I know what you mean, but I too am old.

[Al Michaels]

Mothers collect. If you collected like 48 million green stamps, you got like a, you know, you know, like a pillow or something like that. It was crazy.

[Dan Le Batard]

Put it on the poll, please. At Levitard show, because Tony just went, what? Put it on the poll. Do you know what it means to collect 4,600 or 46,000 green stamps and get a pillow? Al Michaels as obviously the most miraculous and memorable sports call of all time. But he's been doing football for a long time and it resonated with me. Al, when you said being in Chicago, look, I've been here 30 times, but I've never felt this place feel like this. The moments this season that you got. Thursday Night Football has reinvented itself. It used to be terrible games. No longer. What are the signature moments for you this year where you felt the strongest and it reminded you about all the things you love about sports?

[Al Michaels]

Well, certainly that night in Chicago, which was a tremendous game and you know, it looked like the packers were going to run away, I think was 21 to 3 at the half. 216 going into the fourth quarter. And that was the night when sound has feel. And having been to Soldier Field, I think that was my 31st Bears game since starting back in the mid-80s. And you could feel it shaking, feel the building shaking. So that would be, you know, one thing obviously that, that we wrapped up Thursday Night Football with on a Saturday night. But also I think, you know, the game of the year, and it seems to be a movable feast now was the Rams Seattle game back in, I think Week 16 in Seattle, the one where the Rams looked like they hadn't won. Shaheed runs back the putt, makes it a one score game. They wind up winning it after the Rams had scored in overtime, a touchdown. Back come the Seahawks get that two point conversion. And I think, you know, people at that point thought that was the game of the year. We've had a couple of more games of the year since then as well.

[Dan Le Batard]

Are the Seahawks better than the Rams?

[Al Michaels]

I think, I think they are. I think the difference between those two teams right now might be special teams. And that's been the bugaboo for the Rams all season long. Had to fire their special teams coordinator, finally found the right kicker who came in. He did well. But the, the punt return situation in Seattle, that was really basically, when you think about it, I mean, a lot of plays come together to cost you a game, but I think none was bigger than muffing that punt, having Seattle recover and score a touchdown on the next play. So, you know, I think both teams are so evenly matched. They played three tremendous games this season, but I think I give Seattle a slight advantage.

[Dan Le Batard]

Have you heard or seen anything about the Bill Belichick not making the hall of Fame on the first ballot that you have personally found stimulating, interesting. And what are your opinions there?

[Al Michaels]

Well, I think what's interesting, Dan, is that, and I go back to the Baseball hall of Fame in maybe the 70s, and I'll never forget when Willie Mays was eligible and Willie was in his fifth year of retirement and he got in obviously on the first ballot. But I think there were a couple of voters who did not vote for Willie. One of them was an esteemed sports editor in Atlanta who wrote a column about he did not vote for Willie Mays because Willie Mays, every time he came to town, wouldn't do a sit down to do an interview with him. He, he was off putting. He was kind of a prick. So he did not vote for him. Which tells me a lot of what I need to know about how this process works. There was another voter when I was working with Dan Dierdorf on Monday Night Football. And Dan eventually got into the hall of Fame, but a man on the. On the panel who had been a college player and had played the offensive line position, either guard or tackle, and was mad at Dan because he thought that Dan on television had become too much of an entertainer and not enough of an X's and O's guys, so he didn't vote for him. So you know how political this thing is. If you get mad at somebody and somebody did you wrong, maybe your little pound of flesh is not voting for him on the first ballot, but obviously Belichick will get in.

[Dan Le Batard]

What pisses you off the most about the way sports media coverage has changed?

[Al Michaels]

Well, I think there's just a lot of stuff out there. I mean, I've always been a stickler for. For really trying to get everything right. Have I? Of course not. I mean, I've made tons of mistakes for the years. You can't do as many games as I've done and not make a ton of mistakes. But I think. I think right now, Dan, a lot of it is just, how can I make noise? How can I be, you know, how can I yell? How can I scream? How can I get into an argument with people? And, you know, you see enough of these shows. Where to me, to sum it up? I guess, basically I would say it's more heat than light, and sometimes it's all heat and no light. And I think that's the one thing that's so disturbing through the end, of course, with the, with the Internet now and social media or antisocial media, it's like everybody hates everybody.

[Dan Le Batard]

Al, Netflix has the new documentary Miracle the boys of 80, obviously about the.

[Jeremy Stugats]

1980 U.S. olympic hockey team. Do you, do you ever get tired of Talking about the 1980 Olympic hockey team and that whole experience?

[Dan Le Batard]

I mean, it's the greatest call in the history of sports, recall.

[Al Michaels]

Well, you would think that I would be, but last week I was actually in Lake Placid. Anheuser Busch put together an event, had 2,000 people in the arena, did a hologram of the game, holographic, whatever you call that thing. But anyway, they played the game and people on a screen, and during the game, the crowd in the arena that night, when the US Would score, would cheer, and when the Soviets would score, they would boo. And then we had Mike Ruzzioni and Mark Johnson and Jim Craig came in. So the reason, I think I don't get tired of it 46 years later, is that when people want to talk to me about it, they're always happy. They're glowing. They think back to what it was. Obviously, most of the people now in the country don't even remember it live, but now they've seen it through the documentary on hbo, the miracle movie. Obviously, they've heard the stories. They read about it. And the Netflix documentary. I've seen it. It is great. And it's great because they brought all of the guys back and brought them into Lake Placid. They were able to gather the whole group, and now you see them, who they are at this particular point in time and what it means to them. So it's a. It's a story that resonates, is a story that, as I say, is going to be five decades old and in four years, but it brings so much happiness and joy to people. That's why I think I never get tired of it.

[Dan Le Batard]

I'm glad to hear you say that.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Because even now, getting to ask you.

[Dan Le Batard]

Stuff about it, like, I really love talking about it.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Like, it makes me happy to talk about that.

[Al Michaels]

Yeah.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Did you know right after the game.

[Dan Le Batard]

You know, that you nailed the call? Did someone tell you, oh, my God.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Like, amazing finish to the game.

[Dan Le Batard]

And what are the parts of that call that people don't know? What are the untold parts of that story? Story and that call that you think are worth knowing that only you know?

[Al Michaels]

Yeah.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Your question.

[Al Michaels]

Well, I mean, to me, I. I didn't go in with a thought about what would happen. First of all, Dan, I thought that the US had absolutely no chance to win the game. 0. 0. So I'm not thinking about a win. And then all the, you know, they came from behind three different times. Outshot 39, 16. Soviets basically dominated the first 50 minutes of that game and put enough pressure on the last 10 minutes. So at the end of that game, when the crowd is going crazy, I'm just trying to concentrate on doing the play by play, because that game could have ended with the Soviets scoring. So if I come up with a line and the Soviets score to tie the game, I mean, how stupid would that have sounded? So, as the puck comes out to center ice, and I've told this story a few times, obviously, through the years, the word that came into my head was miraculous. And it gave me a chance to think of something, and it got morphed into a question and an answer. Did I know the extent of what it meant to some people when I said it? Absolutely not. Because there was so much franticness in the truck. What are we going to do? They got to get Brooks for a post game interview. The crowd's going crazy. And in those years, it's so funny. In 1980, it's not like it is right now. It's analog television and all of the rest. And in the truck, Roon Arledge, who ran ABC Sports, was worried that since it was on tape delay, they play the tape and something that they'd be a technical problem. So Sweden was playing Finland right after the US Soviet game. It was a doubleheader. So the crowd goes out, the new crowd comes in that had the tickets for the second game. And Arledge made Ken Dryden and me stay there and do the Sweden Finland game into a tape machine just in case. Just in case there was a technical problem when the US Was playing the Soviets and that was being aired on tape delay. So I really didn't have a chance to even kind of, you know, have, you know, go out on the street and see what was going on and watching the people carry on. No. And it wasn't until I got back to the hotel after the Sweden Finland game that people said, hey, that was. That was kind of the perfect ending. And I. I had to think about exactly what I said because it was. I mean, to me, it was a miracle. The US had no chance to win the game, but they did.

[Dan Le Batard]

Guys, let me tell you something. One of the greatest joys of my.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Life was when they finally opened the White Castle in my neighborhood in Phoenix, Arizona. I lost my mind because I'm so used to eating White Castle at home when I was in New York.

[Dan Le Batard]

Now I can have all the time in Phoenix, but when I come to Miami, there's no White Castle.

[Jeremy Stugats]

So you know what I do? Go to the freezer aisle. Cause right there they got the variety.

[Dan Le Batard]

Pack with all the great White Castle flavor in there. You're getting a lot of slider styles. You're getting classic American cheese.

[Jeremy Stugats]

You're getting jalapeno cheese. And if you're a bacon lover, you're getting that new cheddar bacon cheese sliders.

[Dan Le Batard]

The classic cheese gives you all the taste of a great American burger.

[Jeremy Stugats]

While jalapeno cheese sliders give a serving of spicy to each bite. And the new cheddar bacon cheese, that.

[Dan Le Batard]

Literally brings home the bacon folks, with real pieces of bacon and cheddar flavored cheese. Guys, I know what you're thinking. Your mouth is watering. My mouth is watering just reading this. That's completely normal.

[Jeremy Stugats]

You can find each of these sliders Where? In the grocery store?

[Dan Le Batard]

In the freezer aisle.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Bonus. They're all in the same box.

[Al Michaels]

You don't even have to.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Oh, I gotta get four boxes. No, it's one variety box. It's got them all in it.

[Dan Le Batard]

Perfect for game day, late nights, or.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Anytime you just want something awesomely oniony.

[Dan Le Batard]

Satisfying, steamy, and unapologetically cheesy. White Castle. Crave thy castle.

[Jeremy Stugats]

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[Al Michaels]

Don Lebatard but it's just his titties.

[Dan Le Batard]

Are sitting on the shelf. That is his belly.

[Jeremy Stugats]

He said titties.

[Al Michaels]

It, like, shocked me a little bit.

[Jeremy Stugats]

I wasn't quite prepared for titties.

[Al Michaels]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats.

[Dan Le Batard]

Do you have a second favorite call?

[Al Michaels]

You know, I've got. There are a couple where I think, you know, I did the St. Louis Tennessee Super bowl after the 99 season that ended up with Kevin Dyson not being able to get in. And I think I said something like, can he get in? No, he cannot. And the Rams have won the super bowl, so you kind of want to nail it at the end. And, you know, that's not a memorable line necessarily. It's just kind of. It spoke to the moment. And I think I also did, you know, speaking of the super bowl that we have coming up, I did 11 years ago, the Seattle New England game where Malcolm Butler made the interception. And that's one of those games where, you know, you just want to make sure you nail it. Otherwise, you know, you live in posterity with, you know, what the hell did he just do? But I was able to, you know, identify Malcolm Butler. And I think the word that came out was unreal. So you just want to, you know, you want to capture the moment and not screw it up, basically.

[Dan Le Batard]

Let's play for Al. Vin Scully's greatest regret when it comes to publicly speaking during games back about.

[Al Michaels]

My third year, yeah, about 1952, the Dodgers were playing Cincinnati and Cincinnati had an outfielder named Lloyd Merriman. I'll never forget it. And Lloyd hit a ball foul and my mind told me to say hot shot, hit, foul. And it never came out that way. Everybody in the booth fell down and I was absolutely mortified. And the reason I remember Lloyd Merriman, I started filling. He's a former Marine Air Corps pilot, saw combat in Korea. You know, I did on and on that really. That had to be considering how young I was. Yeah, that was about it.

[Dan Le Batard]

You got one of those, Al, you.

[Al Michaels]

Know, nothing like that. But I mean, Vinnie, of course, had some fantastic calls. None better than, you know, the year of the improbably impossible has happened when. When Gibson hit the home run in the World Series in 88. But the, I mean, at one time, the only time I think I got caught not knowing I was on. We were in a short commercial. It was a game in Jacksonville, and Leslie Visser was our sideline reporter. And we came out of commercial faster than I thought. I got the. The wrong count from the truck. And. And Leslie. Leslie and I used to kid each other because, you know, she's the crazy, you know, Boston College alum. And I said something like, oh, Leslie, we just stopped with that Boston College shit already, and it made it on the air. But, you know, in those years, it was a big deal. Now who cares? You know, you watch any number of shows, and that's nothing.

[Dan Le Batard]

We have, unfortunately, not enough time. I'd like to talk to him for hours. Do you have a Cosell story for us?

[Al Michaels]

A number of them, and I think the most famous one, which I've told a number of times, is in Kansas City when Howard had had a lot of drinks, we went to the Savoy Grill, and we're coming back. And in those years, there were no budgets. You just did what you had to do. And so transportation was by limousine. And we had a woman by the name of Peggy. And every time there was a Monday night Football game or a Monday night baseball game or college football, like in Lawrence, Kansas, she would drive the ABC crew. And to make a long story short, I mean, we were driving back, and Howard had an aquarium's worth of vodka at the Savoy Grill at night. And at a stoplight, he sees a couple of kids having a fight on the street corner, and they're surrounded by six or seven other kids who are egging them on. And Howard gets out of the car, and he's got the toupee and the cigar and the. And he's wearing his yellow jacket because Howard always traveled with only the yellow jacket, the canary yellow. And he comes out of the car, and he. And I'm trying to grab him. And there's no cell phones. You can't call, you know, for help at that particular point. And I'm thinking, oh, God, they're going to jump him. And he goes. It's quite apparent to this trained observer the young southpaw does not have a jab requisite for the continuation of this phrase. Furthermore, his opponent is a man of inferior and diminishing skills. This confrontation is halted post haste. So now you have all these mouths that are agape. They're going to what? And then they. They. Fortunately, they recognize him instead of jumping him. And somebody goes, howard Cosell. Howard Cosell. He pats them on the head. Somehow a writing utensil Gets produced. He signs a couple of autographs on their shirts. And one guy had a hat. And he gets. He pats them on the head and he gets back into the car. It was so surreal. It was crazy. We get back in the limousine and Howard's got the cigar going and the whole thing. And Peggy gets out of there as fast as she can. I can't say anything. It's like so stunning. She couldn't say anything. She gets about two blocks and another stoplight, looks into the rearview mirror and says, Mr. Cosell, I've been driving for 30 years. I thought I'd seen everything. I have never seen anything like that. And Howard leans back. Howard leans back and says to her, pegaroo, Just remember one thing. I know who I am. And away we went. It was crazy.

[Dan Le Batard]

Great story. And he was wearing the yellow Monday Night Football jacket.

[Al Michaels]

Yeah, he would wear. He'd wear that. He'd be able. Howard would. He love to be in the lobby. He'd be regaling people and all that. And he and Jim McKay, you know, they never really got along particularly well. I think Howard was always jealous of the fact that Jim got to do. Jim got to sit in the anchor seat in Munich and announce, you know, when the hostages were being held and eventually killed at the Munich Olympics. So I'll never forget, Howard is sitting in the. We're doing the Kentucky Derby one year, and Howard's in the lobby and Jim is checking in and he's got five or six people around him, and he looks over at McKay and he goes, jimmy, Jimmy, look at this. There's no place I can go to be alone. And McKay did not break stride. Taking his suitcase up to the room toward the elevator, he says, howard, did you ever think about your room?

[Dan Le Batard]

So.

[Al Michaels]

Those. Those are crazy days.

[Dan Le Batard]

He'll be returning to Amazon Prime Videos Thursday Night Football for another season of NFL coverage in 2026. Always good seeing you, Al. Thank you for making the time, Dan.

[Al Michaels]

Anytime. I really enjoyed that long session we had in LA this spring. Maybe we can do that again.

[Dan Le Batard]

Likewise. Would love to. South Beach Sessions Pitchcock next.

[Jeremy Stugats]

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[Dan Le Batard]

Levatard, can I tell you something?

[Jeremy Stugats]

I don't know, maybe like a month ago and I decided to watch Pitch.

[Dan Le Batard]

Clock and I told Jeremy Stugats, this.

[Al Michaels]

Is a good show you're doing. This is the Don Levatar show with the Stugats.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Did we get promoted to a bigger studio? There's a graphic and everything. We are back. Welcome to the Pitch Clock. Here's the Pitch, a two part baseball segment combining a nostalgic baseball trivia game and an interview with an expert. This is the pitch clock. It's 2026. Happy New Year. And I can say that because it's the first day of Pitch Clock baseball back here New year. Hey, Chris. Hi, everybody.

[Dan Le Batard]

Hey.

[Jeremy Stugats]

We still do that?

[Dan Le Batard]

Forget about that bit.

[Jeremy Stugats]

I kind of did. I'm glad we brought it into the year 2026 for the podcast listeners.

[Dan Le Batard]

I had to point to myself there to cue Jeremy.

[Jeremy Stugats]

They tossed to me for that. Well, we brought that back. We also brought Ethan back.

[Al Michaels]

Yeah.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Why'd you do that? Some things you want to bring back. Some. Some things you don't. Then.

[Al Michaels]

Then you bring me back.

[Jeremy Stugats]

I get hate over there and I have. We have to dish it to you over here. So, Ethan, what's Our trivia game for this very first episode of the pitch clock. In 2026, we're going to draft a team of seven infielders, and what we're gonna do is we're gonna add up their home run totals between 2005 and 2009. We're going right into the wheelhouse, boys. Whoa. And whoever has the most home runs is the winner. And this is positionally, like, can we take all first basemen or all basement? I would like for you to select at least one of each, and then you have your pick for three. So four starters, let's say, and then three bench players is basically what we're doing for. And we're only picking infielders. This is a good one. Okay. And this is like the seven combined.

[Dan Le Batard]

Totals, not your starters totals.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Correct? The seven combined total.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yep.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Okay, so let's. Let's knock out. Let's. Let's plan on in our first four rounds knocking out our starting infield.

[Al Michaels]

And then I'll use.

[Jeremy Stugats]

You can use your strategy, I'll use mine. Well, no, we should have a rule for that where you have to get one of each position, I think one of each first. And then we're not talking about. And we're not talking about catcher, including infield. Right. First. Second. No. So, Chris, you get the first pick amongst all of these.

[Dan Le Batard]

Alex Rodriguez.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Okay, that is obviously a great pick.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Thank you. A rod hit 202 home runs between 2005 and 2009. All right, well, I'll go ahead and knock out first baseman Albert Pujols. Pujols second in this time span with 206. Ooh, let me get that in game. Let me get Jim Thome. Jim Tomi would be the answer there. Not Jim Thome. Nah, he's doing a thing. Jim told me at 141. There it is, 141. Trying to think, going around the league in my brain. I'm going shortstop. Miguel Tejada. Miguel Tejada.

[Al Michaels]

All right.

[Jeremy Stugats]

I don't think. I just don't know. Well, a Rod's your. Your third baseman. Oh, he is in that window.

[Al Michaels]

Yeah.

[Jeremy Stugats]

He's your 305 to 09. Yeah. That's why. That's why I went shortstop, because I assumed you. I had a Rod written down as much just so that I can. Oh, man. Just so that I can go on strategy. Because this is a big. This is a huge difference. I think we should be able to like guys. I played multiple positions. You can pick where they. Well, you should have been able to. You should. Hold on a second. You should have had to say that out loud and declare what I'm explaining that.

[Al Michaels]

No, because.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Hold on. My whole strategy was. My whole strategy was to go for a position that you hadn't done, attempting to try to get number one. I was holding off on third base for a reason.

[Dan Le Batard]

Sorry.

[Jeremy Stugats]

You just get to make the rules. Yeah. By this time, he's a Rod. Didn't play shortstop after O5 and he played six innings of shortstop. Thank you. Thank you. So a Rod. I'm the third baseman. Basement. Oh, I'm gonna declare him as. No, he's a third base wild. This is a house ruling. That's how we do the thing. If you need one at every position, just draft seven guys in the infield. Like, what are we doing here? Well, you'll be able to. Yeah, but then you would just draft seven first bas. This is gross. It's our first guest of 2026. He was also our most frequent guest of 2025. The Emmy winner Adnan Verk joins us here as our first guest of the year on the pitch clock. Adnan, welcome to the show.

[Dan Le Batard]

Jeremy, it's great to see you again, buddy. Thank you. I was so glad I was a featured guest a year ago and I'm glad you got the Emmy award winner part in there because that's the key. You know, Joe Dimashi would not go anywhere unless he was introduced as the world's greatest living ball player, even though Willie Mays was still alive, was a better ball player than Joe D. So thank you for fluffing my ego. Let's talk some baseball, buddy.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Emmy winner. Adnan, I want to talk to you about the four big moves that were made over the last week. Different significance for each of them, but all pretty impactful. You got Mackenzie Gore traded to the Rangers. You got Freddie Peralta traded to the Mets. Then of course, Harrison Bader signing with the Giants. And then of course, you had Cody Bellinger returning to the New York Yankees. Which of those four moves over the last week do you find the most impactful?

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, it's interesting. Each guy, by the way, Harrison Bader, my friend Scott Rowski christened the master, which you're like, what? Like that's his nickname. Harrison the master. You fill in the. I think Mackenzie Gore is going to be a great number three. You know, for years everyone said this guy's ace level stuff, which he is, but he hasn't been an ace yet. But I think on the Rangers As a number three is phenomenal because you've got Jacob deGrom and Nathan Evaldi. I think he could be like literally one of the best number threes in all of baseball. So that's good news. Bellinger was absolutely vital for the New York Yankees, but the answer is Freddie Peralta. This guy led the National League and wins with 17 at a 2.70 ERA a season ago. Tons of strikeouts, great durability, and David Stearns loves him. And you see what David Stearns is doing, just kind of rebuilding this brewers team with guys that he knows. Whether it's Devin Williams fleecing him away from the New York Yankees or in this case, getting Peralta. Like, I think he's an absolute stud. I think he's, you know, top 10, top 15 pitcher in baseball. He got Cy Young votes a season ago for Milwaukee. I mean, to give him up, that's one thing. We just get used to this, right? They trade guys away, but for the Mets, that really fortifies their rotation. Yeah, now you've got a true blue ace atop there. Senga went from being a Scion contender to go to Triple A, so completely fell off, you have no idea. Getting there. Maniah is very inconsistent, but I love Nolan McClain, Tong obviously a second season, so he's got to prove. But you got Peralta. That really helps up that Mets rotation.

[Jeremy Stugats]

So we just talked about the Mets. We added the Yankees to that. And I want to talk to you about some of these big market teams here and maybe I'll have you stack these up for me. In terms of their off season, because the Mets added Peralta, they also added Marcus Simeon, they added Luis Robert Jr. Bo Bashette, they lost Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso. The Yankees, of course, bring back Bellinger. They trade for Ryan Weathers as a starter. A a somewhat quiet off season for the Yankees, all considered. Another Marlins pitcher traded, it was Edward Cabrera to the Cubs. They also signed Alex Bregman. And then of course, there's the Dodgers, who bring in Edwin Diaz, they bring in Kyle Tucker. Can you stack up these four big market off seasons for me in Chicago, Louisiana. And both New York teams?

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, I think LA obviously wins the free agency again, which is of course, I mean, you signed Kyle Tucker, you get Edwin Diaz, you get one of the best closers in baseball and a terrific hitter to bolster that lineup. LA wins. Okay, no doubt about that. In terms of the other teams, I think the Mets are at the very least intriguing. I don't know if necessarily better, but they've Reshaped. The Roche apparently had a bad clubhouse that's kind of been out there for a while. The locker room wasn't great. So, okay, we had issues with regards to Brandon nimmo. He's gone. McNeil gone. Peter Lonzo. I think he's a good guy. I think they just don't really value him as much as the Orioles did. So they give him a five year deal, he's gone. And then D. I think they would have liked to cap, but he just wanted to go the Dodgers. So as you said, you get Pralton there, who's outstanding. Simeon's a great defender. Boba Shet's going to hit no matter what. Boba Shet would have been the batting champion in the American League if it wasn't for Aaron Judge. He's going to get 180, 185 hits. He always delivers his defense a little suspect. I don't know how it's going to play at third base. I did talk to Mike Lowell, of course, former major league third baseman. He said, you know, he'll need that two, two and a half weeks in spring training just to figure out the angles. But he thinks that Bo will actually do a decent job acclimating. And obviously it makes sense because Lindor is at shortstop and Simeons there at second base. So I would rank it. Dodgers one, met second, Cubs third. I'm with the young Cabrera being a good pickup and I do think Bregman's obviously a terrific hitter. And then the Yankees haven't done a ton, but I do think Ballinger was their most important piece of business. They did that. And Weathers throws hard. They get up like four prospects to get him. So he's at least a guy that can slot in because Rodin's not available till May 1 and Garrett Cole is not going to be back till June 1st. They're going to need some innings there.

[Jeremy Stugats]

I can tell you the Marlins are very excited about both of those trades and I am very excited about the Mike Lowell reference. Miguel Tejada had 95 home runs from 2005 to 2009. I don't love it, but out of a shortstop, I think I'm gonna have to take. That's a pretty good number for a short. I'll take it like I'm just. Chris, you need a second baseman and a short stop before you can get to the wild card round.

[Dan Le Batard]

Chase Utley.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Ooh, that's a fun one. Chase Udley had 146 home runs in this time Span. God, that's brutal. I'm going to. I'm going to. All right, I'll remind me. There's another name I'm thinking of later. Okay. And I'll. I'll bring it back and we'll see. I'm going to go. Robbie Cano. He came up at some point in. They went to the World Series in 09. I just don't know. He might have not come up until 06. Robbie Cano's career started in 2005. It did. Okay, so let me do some math here. His first four years, it's not going to be Utley levels, obviously. 87 for Robbie. No, that's not good. I'll just go Hanley for short. Hanley. Oh, I'm a fool. For me. I'm a. I'm a fool. I'm. I'm a fool. He had 103 home runs. Yeah, that's really good. From 05 to 09, I just must have just looked fastest name. Okay, third base. Because I have. Yeah, I have Pujos, tejada and Pinot. Yeah, third base. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go. Adrian Beltre. Ooh, love that name. Beltre had 103 home runs in this time span. I'm not even close to Chris Cody's at 592. Yes, I am. And Jeremy is not close to that 491. So 101 home runs down. So you got plenty of ground to make up, but there's plenty of time. So now you go three at any position. I'm gonna go with Carlos Delgado. Great pick. Delgado is on here. He was 23rd in this time span with 137 home runs. All right, I quick one off off the dome. Adam Dunn. Adam Dunn, fourth in this. We can go outfielders. Wait, first baseman. Oh, this is crazy. I bet he played more of his. That's fine.

[Al Michaels]

We're going to the ruling.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Yeah, we're going to play more. I'll even do majority. It's fine if he played more of his games in the outfield. Adam Dunn played way too much outfield. Okay, that's fine. That's fine. Way too much. I had him as a first baseman. He played thousands of innings. He definitely. Hundreds of innings. He definitely played a lot more first base than a rod played shortstop. But that's fine. Is gross. Jeremy's right on that. That was the name that was there. He probably played a third of his games at first. So many home runs and he had so many home runs. So many home Runs. He had one doing injury fielders though. And if you want to play the word everyone associates him with, that's fine, that's fine, that's fine. I'm not, I'm not arguing with you. Can I reiterate? Gross Emmy winner Adnan let's continue here. We haven't spoken since mid December. So we've talked about some of these big market teams. We've talked about the moves made in the last week. But can you give me three other transactions that we can look at over the last month and a half or so that have caught your eye that the viewer should know about?

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, it's interesting all these moves. You know, we always wait for all the big moves to happen at winter meetings and most of it doesn't happen with the exception of Peter Launch and the Edwin Diaz. But look at the time on all these Jeremy. January 10th was Bregman, January 15th was Tucker, January 16th was Bichette. But one that I think was under the radar was Ranger suarez, which is January 14th. He signs a five year, $130 million deal with the Red Sox. And this is a guy who was a premier lefty a season ago was so vital to that Philadelphia Phillies team. I think Boston right now, they've got a pretty impressive pitching staff. They've got Garrett Crochet, you got Ranger Suarez, you got Peyton Tolley, Connolly early Brian Baio, they got Sonny Gray. Now something right. There's a lot of depth. I don't know if I say all these guys hit like I'm not sure, but Sonny Gray at this stage is career. You've got like eight starting pitchers there. So Boston to me at least they've got depth. I still feel like they're one bad away. They could use an ESOC parades to help out their offense. But Boston, at the very least, excellent pitching. And I do think right before that, January 13th, Nolan Arnado gets dealt. And yeah, this is a guy who's an eight time all star. You know, he might go in the hall of Fame strictly based on defense. One of the great defensive third baseman of all time and obviously he can hit. I know his production has dwindled drastically the last couple of seasons, but I'm curious if a change of scenery will help him going from St. Louis to Arizona. It's an intriguing move for me at least with him going to Arizona. And you mentioned Cabrera as well January 7th as that Andrew Cabrera trade to me was interesting. The Marlins, we know, always are flush with these arms. They're really good at Retooling on the fly. Those are the three to me, Suarez, Arnado and Cabrera.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Those are all big deals for teams that are trying to find a way to compete and take that next step this upcoming season. And I look forward to watching it with all of them. And again, no, the Marlins are pretty excited about what they got in return. Owen Casey from the Chicago Cubs. Let's talk about it here, right. We head into February and there are always interesting free agents that are still available, especially in the last five to 10 years here at NAN. So when we go into February of 2026, who's the free agent that's catching your eye and maybe when and when, when and where do you think that guy might sign?

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, I mean, we're a couple weeks away from Valentine's Day and the segment we did in MLB Tonight was most eligible starter. So love that Valdez, who you thought was going to get a huge deal, but I think there's real concerns about his character. September 2, throwing in his catcher, Cesar Salazar, like, you know, that kind of a move just can't happen. So clearly everyone was like, not sure I want to give this guy big time money. Therefore, it's an overpay for Dylan Siege and the Blue Jays, who's probably a great number three or a good number two, and they give him $210 million. But the thing is, I would have thought Framer would have gotten that kind of money, but instead it hasn't materialized yet. So I still think the Orioles make the most sense for them. The Orioles are like one really good start away from being, I think, a legit team in the AL east again. They got Taylor Ward, good pickup there from the Angels. They got Pete Alonso at slugging first baseman. You get Frame revolves Nelson, you go, all right, you know, you're pairing them with the gunner Hendersons. Hopefully Ali Rushman bounces back Posayo at catching. Then Baltimore's a player again, so Framer's the guy for me. I know there's questions, like I said, about his character. That's why he hasn't been signed yet. But there's no questions about his talent. I mean, he was in the 97th percentile and ground ball percentage a season ago. He sat a 3.30 ERA over the last four seasons. He did have a bad second half, 605 ERA, but generally like this guy's hovering around three and a half every season. And he's durable. He's going to give you 170innings. So he's an excellent Pitcher. There's no doubt about it. I'm a little surprised. It's February 1st. He's still up there. Another guy, Zach Gallen, who had a great second half, 332 ERA.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Love Zach guy.

[Dan Le Batard]

Fellow Eagles fan. He's a great guy. He's pitching the World Series, so I think he had a bad first task. Sometimes that happens in timing, but, like, he's a good pitcher. He's out there. And the other one is Lucas Gito. Exactly.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

Still there. Who also had a great second half. He had a two and a half year in the second half. And when he wasn't available for the playoffs, you saw that sting there for the Red Sox. So I think those are three guys, three pitchers right there in terms of framer Valdez and Giolito and Zach Allen. And I will throw it a hitter as well. Jeremy Au Anyo Suarez is still out there. Man, this guy crazy. Plus home runs. I mean, he was so big for the Mariners, they resigned Josh Naylor. I think it would make sense to resign him there, but I can't believe it's almost February 1st. And a Eugenio and a guy who hits home runs like him still out there on the market.

[Jeremy Stugats]

All four of these guys could potentially influence who ultimately end up being real contenders come October. And yet we're headed toward February and all four of them are sitting out there. It should make for an interesting month next month. And Emmy winner Adnan, we'll probably have you back on this program before spring training gets started. So, Emmy winner Adnan, thank you for joining us today with your Emmy behind you.

[Dan Le Batard]

I appreciate it, buddy. We'll never get tired of hearing that. And, yeah, I can't wait for the baseball to begin a couple weeks away. By the way, much warmer weather there for you, Miami. We're looking at 12 degrees here in New Jersey, so.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Oh, it's chilly. Okay. I had to wear a cardigan today, ad man. All right.

[Dan Le Batard]

A chilly 49 degrees.

[Jeremy Stugats]

We'll see you soon. Now I need to think for a second. I'm gonna go Paul Canerco. That's good. Paul Canerco's 13th. He has 156 home runs.

[Al Michaels]

Okay.

[Jeremy Stugats]

All right. Chipping away.

[Dan Le Batard]

My first guess is 137, so you gained about 19.

[Jeremy Stugats]

19. All right, two more guesses. Yeah, two more each. I feel like I guess this guy's.

[Dan Le Batard]

Name every time we play any game.

[Jeremy Stugats]

And I'm always wrong. I feel like I have my timing wrong on when this guy played Richie Sexton. You. You. I love that. I Use him. He's your guy. He is your guy. He had a nice. Like, he definitely was around during this window. He had some all stars. Like, he had some 29, 30 home run seasons. He hit 100. 106 home runs in this. That's good. Jason Giambi. Giambi hit 128.

[Dan Le Batard]

So I'm still up by.

[Jeremy Stugats]

I still need. I still need to get like 16 more than you. I just need to get someone in the hundreds here.

[Dan Le Batard]

Just a nice solid.

[Jeremy Stugats]

You got this. Did you think of someone good and that's why you're. I thought I did, but now I'm. I'm questioning myself if, if the window is the right window. But I think it is Chipper Jones. Oh, that's a great one. Love Chipper. No, that's good. It's the end of Chipper's career, though. I don't know. That is the back end of his career. I have to imagine 116 for Chipper. You want to beat that Ryan Howard.

[Dan Le Batard]

Finally.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Somebody said Ryan Howard, dude, you need to get. It's not going to be enough, but somebody finally. It's not like 170. Number one home run totaler in this time frame. He had 220 home runs.

[Dan Le Batard]

And he did beat me.

[Jeremy Stugats]

I beat you?

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, he beat me.

[Al Michaels]

Thanks. That's.

[Dan Le Batard]

He just beat me.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Oh, my God. You beat him. Holy 90s. 96 more.

[Dan Le Batard]

Walk off.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Wow. 94 more home runs. Thank you, Ryan Howard, and your endorsement of Subway. Wow, that felt good. That was exhilarating. Can I tell you, the face that I made wasn't for Ryan Howard. Who was it for? It was for Rafael Palmero. And then I thought it might be too late. And I got to tell you, Chris, you naming someone that probably would have been too late just triggered it. It just triggered it. In my head. I went. In my brain, I went from. Because who did you just say for sure once you got chipper? And I went, ooh, David Wright. And then I went. Who else was around at that time? Even after you said Chase Utley, I didn't think about Ryan Howard.

[Dan Le Batard]

I don't know why I said Chase.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Utley, not Ryan Howard. Ryan Howard. Final total. I love you.

[Dan Le Batard]

That is wild.

[Jeremy Stugats]

I said Chase Utley and didn't think of Brian Howard. So Jeremy wins by 44 home runs. What a collapse. Just shows. Never give up, boys. That felt really good. Never give up. That felt really good.

[Dan Le Batard]

Really.

[Jeremy Stugats]

None of these games are ever over. See you guys in February.

[Al Michaels]

Close your eyes. Exhale. Feel your body relax and let go of whatever you're carrying today. Well, I'm letting go of the worry.

[Jeremy Stugats]

That I wouldn't get my new contacts.

[Dan Le Batard]

In time for this class.

[Jeremy Stugats]

I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts.

[Al Michaels]

Oh, my gosh. They're so fast. And breathe. Oh, sorry.

[Jeremy Stugats]

I almost couldn't breathe when I saw.

[Al Michaels]

The discount they gave me on my first order.

[Jeremy Stugats]

Oh, sorry.

[Al Michaels]

Namaste.

[Jeremy Stugats]

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