Hour 2: Rally Monkey's Tiny Uniform

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – Episode Summary: Hour 2: Rally Monkey's Tiny Uniform

Release Date: May 1, 2025

In the second hour of "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz," hosts Dan LeBatard and Stugotz engage in a lively discussion centered around baseball, player performances, and personal anecdotes, all while infusing their signature humor and unique perspectives.

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1. Baseball Coverage and Show’s Direction

The episode kicks off with Greg Cody expressing his frustrations about the show's approach to baseball coverage in 2025. He feels that the show is "trying to zig while others zag," implying a shift in focus that doesn't fully resonate with all listeners.

Greg Cody [01:07]: "This might be an unpopular position to take in 2025, but this show... is trying to take baseball back to being segregated."

Greg laments that discussions about the American League East, particularly the Rays and Orioles, aren't gaining the traction he anticipated. He emphasizes the importance of featuring substantial baseball conversations rather than isolated segments like Jeremy's pitch clock.

Greg Cody [01:07]: "People insist on talking baseball. I'd like to talk about just the American League East. Not just the Rays, but the Orioles."

Dan LeBatard responds by highlighting the show's commitment to delivering comprehensive baseball news, even humorously referencing his prowess in trivia.

Dan LeBatard [02:07]: "You come for all the latest baseball news. You stay for me whooping that ass in trivia, right?"

2. Player Performance and Hall of Fame Discussions

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around player performances and Hall of Fame candidacies. Chris Cody and Greg Cody engage in a playful yet critical debate about the Mets' standing in baseball, ultimately challenging the notion that the Mets are the best team.

Chris Cody [02:12]: "And the Mets have the best team in baseball."

Greg Cody [02:13]: "The Mets are not the best team in baseball."

The conversation shifts to Francisco Lindor's Hall of Fame prospects, where Chris initially asserts Lindor as a Hall of Famer before Greg questions his status, leading to a humorous back-and-forth.

Chris Cody [02:42]: "Is Lindor a Hall of Famer or a Hall of Famer?"

Greg Cody [02:45]: "What does that mean?"

Chris Cody [02:48]: "He's a Hall of Famer."

Their banter underscores the show's dynamic interplay between earnest analysis and comedic relief.

3. Personal Interactions and Humor

Dan shares a light-hearted segment about his interactions with Boog Schambi in video games, highlighting the mock criticism he faces regarding his in-game performance.

Dan LeBatard [07:09]: "He's like criticizing my plate discipline. I don't need to know Boog that I swung at 80% of first pitches in this game. Okay, I'm aggressive."

This segment not only provides comedic moments but also offers a glimpse into the hosts' personal relationships and the playful teasing that characterizes the show.

4. Critique of Player Behavior

The hosts delve into a critical analysis of NBA player Anthony Edwards, comparing his behavior to that of Ja Morant and discussing the broader implications for the league.

Greg Cody [09:21]: "Carl Anthony Towns, who's viewed as weak... is someone who has a voice that isn't as masculine... he's mocked for it in a way that he's clearly insecure about."

Greg Cody [16:03]: "Anthony Edwards... can be that villain. He's yelling at people in the crowd... this is him entirely authentic and unvarnished."

Dan echoes these sentiments, expressing concern over the league's handling of Edwards' persona and the potential long-term effects on his development.

Dan LeBatard [17:14]: "I think they're afraid, but I also think they're sort of confident that maybe he grows up and doesn't make any huge mistakes."

This segment highlights the show's engagement with not just on-field performances but also the off-field personas and their impact on sports culture.

5. Player and Team Performance Highlights

The discussion also covers standout performances from various players and teams. Ryan Bass, the MLB expert guest, praises Chandler Simpson's impact on the Tampa Bay Rays, noting his game-changing abilities.

Ryan Bass [30:10]: "Chandler Simpson is as advertised. He gets on base and could beat out an infield single just by dropping a bunt down."

Additionally, the hosts analyze the Detroit Tigers' unexpected dominance in the American League Central, attributing their success to a robust pitching staff despite injuries.

Ryan Bass [31:21]: "I am pleasantly surprised with what we've seen from the Detroit Tigers... Their pitching staff has led the way."

6. Concluding Remarks and Transition to Segments

As the hour progresses, the conversation transitions into the "Pitch Clock" segment, where the hosts engage in a nostalgic baseball trivia game. Despite some light-hearted struggles with the trivia questions, the segment maintains the show's engaging and interactive nature.

Stugotz [25:55]: "Welcome to the Pitch Clock. Here's the Pitch, a two part baseball segment..."

The episode concludes with anticipatory remarks about future segments and continued discussions on baseball's evolving landscape.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Greg Cody [01:07]: "This might be an unpopular position to take in 2025... is trying to take baseball back to being segregated."

• Dan LeBatard [02:07]: "You come for all the latest baseball news. You stay for me whooping that ass in trivia, right?"

• Greg Cody [02:45]: "What does that mean?"

• Dan LeBatard [07:09]: "He's like criticizing my plate discipline... I'm aggressive."

• Greg Cody [09:21]: "Carl Anthony Towns... is someone who has a voice that isn't as masculine."

• Ryan Bass [30:10]: "Chandler Simpson is as advertised. He gets on base..."

• Greg Cody [16:03]: "Anthony Edwards... can be that villain. He's yelling at people in the crowd."

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This episode of "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" offers a blend of insightful sports analysis, playful banter, and candid discussions about player behaviors and team dynamics. For fans of sports and pop culture, the show provides a comprehensive and entertaining take on the current landscape of baseball and beyond.

Transcript

[Dan LeBatard]

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[Stugotz]

And guys were mad about it.

[Dan LeBatard]

One dude even started a petition. So guess what? Degree heard us, admitted they messed up and brought the original Cool Rush scent back exactly how it was. And it's in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under $4. So grab some and remember why its cool, crisp and fresh scent made it the number one men's antiperspirant for the last decade. Degree Cool Rush is back, and it smells like victory for all of us. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. You might say all kinds of stuff when things go wrong, but these are the words you really need to remember. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. They've got options to fit your unique insurance needs, meaning you can talk to your agent to choose the coverage you need, have coverage options to protect the things you value most, file a claim right on the State Farm mobile app, and even reach a real person when you need to talk to someone. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats podcast.

[Greg Cody]

This might be an unpopular position to take in 2025, but this show, trying to zig while Others Zag in 2025, is trying to take baseball back to being segregated. Jeremy is doing a pitch clock segment that exists sort of by itself outside of our show in a People insist on talking baseball. I'd like to talk about the baseball. I'd like to talk about just the American League East. Not just the Rays, but the Oriole. But nobody else wants to talk baseball here. I don't have. The only baseball conversation I can get going is Joe Maurer. Is he a Hall of Famer? That is where. That is where Stu Gotz and Greg Cody want to talk. So we are putting Jeremy alone with baseball at the end of this hour. And if you want your baseball, it's going to be good baseball. The Yankees start every game by hitting four home runs and the Dodgers are scoring 17 runs a game and underachieving, according to Billy.

[Dan LeBatard]

You come for all the latest baseball news. You stay for me whooping that ass in trivia, right?

[Chris Cody]

And the Mets have the best team in baseball.

[Greg Cody]

The Padres are better and the jets are not. The Mets are not the best team in baseball. I don't know why you would say the Mets are the best team in baseball. You're a Mets fan. You're a Mets fan that doesn't know who their shortstop is or what he looks like, right? When. When quizzed on Francisco Lindor, you're shown a picture of him and you're Frankie, who that is.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah. I mean, the Mets do have the best record in baseball, do they not?

[Greg Cody]

Do you think they're the best team in baseball?

[Chris Cody]

They're 21 and 10.

[Stugotz]

Right now.

[Chris Cody]

They're the best team in baseball.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

Tied with the Dodgers.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

Is Lindor a Hall of Famer or a Hall of Famer?

[Chris Cody]

Hall of Famer.

[Greg Cody]

What does that mean?

[Chris Cody]

He's a Hall of Famer.

[Greg Cody]

I didn't understand.

[Chris Cody]

Not a Hall of Famer. I mean.

[Greg Cody]

Oh, he's not. What? Okay.

[Chris Cody]

Hall of Famer.

[Dan LeBatard]

He's a mere hall of Famer.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, that mere hall of Famer was something.

[Dan LeBatard]

Marginal. First ballot.

[Greg Cody]

Chris, are you aware of how much your father hates your hat?

[Dan LeBatard]

I know, yes. He does. The thing with the upside down. Yeah, he's.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

It's.

[Dan LeBatard]

He's also. He also doesn't like when hats are on backwards. Did that hat not come with directions? Well, wearing it backwards.

[Greg Cody]

That's a good line. That's a good line.

[Ryan Bass]

Not a good line.

[Greg Cody]

Put it on the pole at Levitard show. Is it a good line to say to backward hat guy? Did that cap not come with instructions? Yeah, that's another one your dad's been using for a long time. Since Ken Griffey Jr. Was making. Since the kid was making people mad. At 19 years old.

[Taylor]

Right.

[Greg Cody]

This hall of Fame voter has been going, hey, Ken Griffey. Hey, Junior. Calling him Junior derisively. Hey, Junior, you mere hall of Famer. That cap, did it come with instructions?

[Chris Cody]

He's a Hall of Famer.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

Dan, what's the backward cap thing? The upside down thing?

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't know, man. It's just a trendy thing. I think it looks kind of cool.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

You know, it would be a good trend for hats instead of the. The upside down declaration on the. On the front there. Wear the cap upside down. In other words, like a rally cap. Yeah. The dome of the cap goes on your head and the bill is up here. Try that just for a second.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's okay.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

See what that looks like on your head.

[Ryan Bass]

It's one hit sense.

[Greg Cody]

Did the Angels invent the rally cap or was that invented in college baseball? Who invented the inside out rally cap? Put it on the poll at LeBatard show. Did you know that the inside out baseball cap was known as a rally cap? Put it on the poll as well. Do you know who invented the rally cap? And going back to what we were talking about before, did you Know that hands down, was a horse racing term.

[Chris Cody]

It was the mets in the 80s. That's what I'm seeing here. There are some, you know, different reports. The giants of the 70s, I'm seeing.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's the giants of the 82 season that are credited with popularizing it. Said that. Weird.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, you did.

[Greg Cody]

And keep it moving. I don't remember them doing that, but okay, very good. I guess the Angels are probably didn't. I guess the Angels had the Rally Monkey.

[Jeremy]

The Rally Monkey, yeah, they've.

[Greg Cody]

But I think they accented the Rally Monkey with rally caps.

[Jeremy]

He had a rally cap on that was also rallied. The Monkey had a rally cap.

[Greg Cody]

Did the monkey have a rally cap on? I don't know. I don't think he did. But I think other people were rallying around the Rally Monkey by having upside down caps. I do think, though, that Chris Cody is generally lacking more confidence than he usually does. And it's not just when he says of his fashion choices. I don't know, man. Yeah, it's just popular and people are doing it, and so I'm doing it.

[Dan LeBatard]

We're champs. All right. This hat says champs.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

Why is it upside down, though?

[Dan LeBatard]

I was on a high. I was at the team store, and I was like, that thing says champs, and I want that.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

See, nobody can explain that.

[Greg Cody]

They're turning the world upside down. The Panthers are.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

Is that the ex. But. But it's not just the Panthers. I mean, there's a lot of upside down.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, no. It's a trend out. Yeah. Like, the Panthers are just the latest to jump in on it. A lot of people are doing upside down logos.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

But what is the origin of that? What is the reason for it? Nobody can explain that.

[Chris Cody]

It's just different, Greg. That's.

[Jeremy]

It's fash, Greg.

[Stugotz]

That's all it is.

[Jeremy]

By the way, quick note. Rally Monkey did not have a rally cap, but he had a tiny uniform.

[Greg Cody]

Ooh, nice tiny Angels uniform. The reason Chris is losing some confidence, though. Stugunts. I don't think that you might know this because we talked to Chris Fowler and Booge Schombi about the legitimate ordeal it is to be one of these video game voices. They get paid a ton for being these video game voices. Chris Fowler and Boog Schambi. But all of a sudden you're playing Major League Baseball's the Show, and Chris is in the batter's box with his player, and he's being heckled by Boog Schombi, a personal friend, while he plays video games. And that Voice, the voice that belongs in a cathedral is something that shakes him while he's playing video games. Because it's not just the voice of baseball, the voice of the show, the voice of a video game he's playing. It's also a voice that's known Chris Cody since he was 11.

[Dan LeBatard]

And he's like criticizing my plate discipline. I don't need to know Boog that I swung at 80% of first pitches in this game. Okay, I'm aggressive. This guy's throwing a lot of first pitch fastballs and I'm trying to jump. I mean, him and Chris Singleton just heckling me about my lack of plate discipline. I've always been a little Boog and I like, I've reached out to Boog, tried to book him and stuff. Not the best he does. I've always questioned how Boog feels about me by the lack of responses I get from him. So this just is like piling on my insecurities with Boog now. Cuz now I'm like playing a video game. He's just like, wow, this is. This guy is swinging at everything. And I'm like, ah, this is mean.

[Mike]

You think you got the Boog Shambi doesn't like Me edition?

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, it feels like it. It feels weighted. I don't hear the like, my, my. I've played with my friends and they don't get the same heckles. Maybe they don't have the lack of discipline that I do at the plate.

[Chris Cody]

You feel it more, right?

[Dan LeBatard]

It's just I feel like Boo hates me.

[Greg Cody]

What percentage of first texts does he answer of yours?

[Dan LeBatard]

I can look back. It's.

[Greg Cody]

That's not good.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, not good.

[Chris Cody]

How many texts have you sent him since he sent you a text?

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't know if he's ever responded.

[Chris Cody]

Really?

[Dan LeBatard]

I hope I have the right number.

[Chris Cody]

Wow.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

1, 800, shombie.

[Mike]

That's less than Duncan Robinson. Even Duncan Robinson has responded to you more than Boogie.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's true. Duncan Robinson.

[Greg Cody]

Greg Cody, by the way, just picked a last name that has six numbers in it.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

Who's counting?

[Greg Cody]

That is the man who voted for a first ballot hall of Famer who said he couldn't remember whether he voted for a first ballot hall of Famer who then a month after voting for the first ballot hall of Famer, said he had not voted for a first ballot hall of Fame of Famer who.

[Mike]

Wasn'T a first ballot hall of Famer Technicality catcher Dan.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, exactly.

[Greg Cody]

A mere hall of Famer. Izzy, can you tell me whether or not. As somebody who loves basketball and loves South Florida basketball and has seen that the New York Knicks have not closed out a series at home for their customers since 1999, a playoff series. I have seen in that series Karl Anthony Towns take some shots that I'm going to say five years ago, someone his size never would have taken. He has made all of those shots.

[Chris Cody]

A half court three.

[Greg Cody]

He has made all of those shots and he can make the argument and not be wrong that he's the best shooting big man that there has ever been. But if he takes one of those shots late and misses it from 30ft because he's been getting very comfortable just floating around the perimeter, they're great when.

[Chris Cody]

They go in, when they go in.

[Greg Cody]

And they've been, they've gone in in the last few games and he's taking shots from very far away.

[Mike]

This is what they call a make or miss league, right? This is what they mean. You make them, you're a hero. In New York, you miss them and they call you a coward. In Minnesota, like, if he misses these shots, it's, oh, here goes Kat again, scared of the moment because he's taking long distance shots, which are bailout shots, let's be honest, right? And he's making them now. Now he looks like a clutch player before. Or if he misses them, it's, oh, wow, what a bailout shot. What a terrible clutch player.

[Jeremy]

Cat is it Izzy? He has looked better, way better than he did in Minnesota, at least in these first couple playoff games, outside of the disappearing act he had in the first game. But it's like, is this the transition to what we all thought Kat would be like? Is he starting to turn the corner?

[Mike]

Well, you almost would have to. Like, if you are in multiple playoff series where you are somebody who is relied upon often, you're going to get past some of those nerves. Like those things were obvious in Minnesota. It wasn't just the shots he was taking or wasn't taking, it was the fouls he was constantly fouling and just terrible reach ins and things that you realize maybe a first or second year player would do he was doing in the postseason. Not happening as much now as a New York Knick. Of course, he's gotten more tough and more callous by everything that's happened around him. I don't love the fact that people mock how he talks because I guarantee in his head that's something that is just. I mean, he did an interview with me where he lowered his voice because he didn't want to be mocked. So I think you're just calloused. You're just toughened. And he is now just playing a little bit more freely. Let's get a couple of rounds in. If they continue to win, see how free he plays, because I think the nerves will come back.

[Greg Cody]

You're being accused of something here by stugaats.

[Chris Cody]

Thank you. Could have told the story without it.

[Greg Cody]

Without what?

[Chris Cody]

You know, referencing the fact that he interviewed Karl Anthony Townes.

[Mike]

I mean, he did lower his voice specifically while he was talking to me.

[Dan LeBatard]

Good nugget there.

[Greg Cody]

The point that you're making, and I don't know that Greg or some other people in the audience know the point necessarily that you're making. Carl Anthony Towns, who's viewed as weak. Carl Anthony Towns, who's viewed as weak. I'm going to say that again just so that you understand what you're calling weak. Carl Anthony Towns, who is viewed as weak just because Jimmy Butler says so, is someone who has a voice that isn't as masculine. I'm putting that in quotes as the rest of him. And he is mocked for it in a way that he's clearly insecure about. Think about that for a second as Zion Williamson is worried about the Internet talking about his weight and what we're doing to some of these people. Where Carl Anthony Towne is talking to Townes. I keep taking the S away. Is talking to Izzy and feels the name to change the way that he speaks because of something that is happening, that people are mocking, something he can't really change, which is the sound of his voice. I guess you can change it if you're forever talking and.

[Chris Cody]

Or trying to change it for Izzy.

[Greg Cody]

In baritone or talking the way that Roy does when Roy decides to sing. But think about Paul Anthony Townes having to be careful about how he speaks to Izzy because of some insecurities trying to wrap in a disguise.

[Mike]

There was a post game pressure last season with him and Anthony Towns. I believe in the postseason.

[Greg Cody]

Who in Anthony Towns?

[Mike]

Karl Anthony Townes and Anthony Edwards. Excuse me, Couple. Anthony's cutting it up. Well done. And somebody said after all that. And then Anthony Edwards mockingly said in the Karl Anthony Townes voice after all that. And they kind of laughed about it together. And I looked at Karl Anthony Towns and that dude was in hell. Like, he had to just laugh off. Ha ha ha.

[Greg Cody]

I get it.

[Mike]

You're making fun of me. That's funny. I sounded crazy. He doesn't sound crazy. In his mind, he's just talking. But he has to Go. He has to, like, laugh about it. Laugh it off. There was another player that just did a podcast guest did an entire bit on as Karl Anthony Towns in this super feminine voice. And it's just like, can't we talk about something else? Do we have to make fun of the way this guy talks?

[Jeremy]

Speaking of Anthony Edwards, a little jump off point. He's become my favorite player in the NBA and I think the NBA needs him more so than just being the face of the league. More so than being the next young player. It's like the NBA needs a villain. And it feels like Anthony Edwards can be that villain. He's yelling at people in the crowd, saying that his is bigger than theirs. You know all the stuff that we hear from Anthony Edwards. And then we have this from last night after extinguishing The Lakers, Luka, LeBron, the blueprint, all that stuff. This is him outside the crypto.com arena. For whatever reason, we don't know why he's walking, where he's walking to. He has this to say about Lakers fans.

[Mike]

Hey, how they gonna do that?

[Greg Cody]

They be talking all week.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hey, all the Angelus said what? They say Lakers in five. And then look, when we was up three one, they said Lakers in seven.

[Stugotz]

And they say that.

[Dan LeBatard]

Throw the hand today.

[Mike]

Hey, hey.

[Jeremy]

The good guy gonna die in this movie, Dan. That is the perfect villain for the NBA. The guy who can do anything, say anything he wants, kind of get away with anything you want. If you look at some of the stuff that's in his personal life, like he just runs the entire league at what, 25, 26 years old.

[Greg Cody]

He's younger than that.

[Chris Cody]

You cannot do going 5 of 19 and O of 11 from 3.

[Greg Cody]

Sure.

[Chris Cody]

You simply cannot do that.

[Greg Cody]

Sure.

[Dan LeBatard]

But what happens?

[Chris Cody]

Oh, for 11 from three.

[Jeremy]

But what happened? Okay, what happened?

[Chris Cody]

They won. If Rudy Gobert was doing that last night, I'd be fine. Okay. If Julius Randle is doing it, I'm fine. You cannot do it. If you're Anthony Edwards after again going 0 for 11 from 3.

[Stugotz]

But that happened before.

[Mike]

That is the way to celebrate when you take out an opponent on the road floor. Just go outside. Just go outside and celebrate. Like, give me all the. I didn't see a ton of security around him. Like, there could have been a lot of fans that went up to him. He just wanted all the smoke. And I love it.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

Well, I was just about to remark that it looked like the guy in the red shirt next to him had that bodyguard look about him.

[Dan LeBatard]

Like he.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

He had a Little. He had a little entourage with him that was there for, you know, allowing him to be his boyfriend.

[Dan LeBatard]

Does have the glasses on. Could be a bodyguard.

[Mike]

I mean, that's definitely security, slash friend.

[Greg Cody]

But he has a group of people around him, as he should. He didn't have a group of people around him on any of those 11 threes. Still missed them all.

[Chris Cody]

Yep, 43.

[Jeremy]

The game before. Played pretty good the game before that.

[Greg Cody]

Look, I'm not going to say he's not an obviously special player. I'm also not going to say that whatever it is that he is carrying in terms of attitude is much different and more refreshing than most people speak publicly on many of the things that he decides to be honest about. But the league is scared of him representing it in a way that is not quite Giannis friendly.

[Mike]

Yeah. He's effectively telling everybody, hey, I'm gonna grow up in front of your eyes. I'm not gonna hold back, not gonna do it behind closed doors. Everything's gonna get out there anyway. This is me. I'm imperfect. I don't know how much he feels like he needs to improve personally or wants to improve personally, but I think the more he is out there and just puts himself out there and is vulnerable, and for whatever missteps he takes, somebody has to be critical of him.

[Dan LeBatard]

Right.

[Mike]

You can't just let him walk past and be like, hey, okay, because then he'll never mature. So, yes, I think they're afraid, but I also think they're sort of confident that maybe he grows up and doesn't make any huge mistakes. And this is the worst of Anthony Edwards.

[Jeremy]

It just feels like they wanted to do that with John Morant, and then the gun stuff happened, and then they kind of doubled down on that, and then all the stuff with his dad happened. It's like that was supposed to be you. Hold on. Just refocus over here to Anthony.

[Greg Cody]

Oh, but let's. Let's understand what it is that we're watching, because when Greg Cody, for example, is one of your customers and he's used to sports and sports figures behaving a certain way, but basketball, specifically basketball as a cultural symbol, fashion symbol, statement, symbol of our guys are going to do with their, let's call it street credibility, what Allen Iverson did, which is use it to be so much different than everyone around you, that people really appreciate the authenticity in a way that they feel differently about the way Grant Hill is doing it. For example, Anthony Edwards, what he's doing is close to the line, and he's just being himself on wherever it is that Ja Morant makes people uncomfortable. Allen Iverson had his tattoo scrubbed from a league magazine because they were trying to present something else. Anthony Edwards wandering around, getting fined for saying, my penis is bigger than yours and being just completely authentic and unvarnished, I would say is something that's both appealing especially to young people, especially when you're knocking out Jokic, Game 7 in Denver, Luka and LeBron in Los Angeles, and walking around their arena afterward making fun of them. And then last year, getting rid of Booker and KD and telling them, like, kd, you're my hero, and also bleep off that. That is something that also has a danger that the league should want, but also could be scared of as well.

[Jeremy]

Dan, did you see the Netflix special on the. I don't know what they're calling themselves, the Redeemed Team or the Dream Team. The next Dream Team. The Gold Medal Game. Did you see in the first episode how Anthony Edwards was talking to former President Barack Obama? Like, he was talking to him. Like, me and Izzy would talk. Like, yeah, no, you, like, whatever. Like, completely normal, completely unaffected by the caliber of person that was in front of him. He's like, oh, no, yeah, I'm him. That's cool.

[Mike]

And this is what I'm saying about, like, sort of watching him grow and the league being sort of on eggshells, maybe on pins and needles, but confident that he will grow because, like. Like, what are we talking about here? What are the things that he's done? He's done the one thing where he sort of decided to videotape a line of what appeared to be gay men going into a club and saying, what does the world come to? Right. I think Tony had touched upon it earlier that there's a conversation, hey, he probably has too many kids from multiple women, if that's the case. I don't even know all the details there. That's so. And then this personality thing where you're talking about, hey, my blank is bigger than yours. Are these all things that we think somebody is going to continue to do as they grow into their late 20s and early 30s, or are we saying, okay, we're putting the spotlight on him? He is authentically himself from the beginning, which is not what John Morant is. John Morant was a little bit more. Through some closed doors. You have to, like, figure out who he is. Anthony Edwards is showing you who he is. And the league is basically saying, we might be gritting our teeth through some of it, but we're confident he will mature past this?

[Greg Cody]

I would be skeptical of that maturity because you're rewarding the way he already is. He goes 0 for 11 from 3 and he's walking around the Laker facility talking crap. There aren't going to be a lot of incentives to change immature behavior if it's just an occasional fine that he can sell more sneakers with because he's dangerous and rebellious.

[Mike]

Which is why I'm saying you have to. People have to be critical. They have to call him out on things. I don't think this is one of those things to be critical of. To go outside and be a man of the people you know, with the enemy's fans right there, that's just good old fashioned fun.

[Chris Cody]

Go 15 of 19 from the field.

[Greg Cody]

Hey, hey, Anthony Edwards. Do it after a win that you haven't gone over for 11.

[Dan LeBatard]

He cost them the game, but they won.

[Mike]

How much do you think it kills Luka that Rudy Gobert took him out? Like, Rudy Gobert absolutely killed in that game. And Luka's sitting there holding his back.

[Greg Cody]

Like, ah.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

The ghost of Rudy Gobert.

[Chris Cody]

Does Anthony have to tell me that he has a bigger penis? Like, I know he does. I get it, buddy.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

How does he know?

[Dan LeBatard]

As.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

As he said, like, how does he know?

[Chris Cody]

Well, that's a good point. The guy who has to announce how big it is, you always question that guy and just how big it is.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

I think you do. Yeah, I think you do.

[Greg Cody]

I don't think you do. And I would say that while Stugat says correctly, I don't know. I don't know. He does know. He knows. He. In this particular case, he does know.

[Unknown]

Hey, you in the audience, it's Mike. You've been a fan of this show, hopefully for a long time, and you know how much Miller Lite means to me. This partnership, it's real. It's documented. For almost 20 years, Miller Lite has been a partner of the Dan Levittard show with Stugots. And now Miller Lite is celebrating its 50th anniversary. I've had so many great moments with Miller Lite. So many great activations, so many great events presented by Miller Lite. A great partner. Cheers to them. Cheers to 50 incredible years. And for you at home, you know that Miller time always means a good time. From game night to parties with friends or a special anniversary, celebrating important occasions means more moments with the coolest people in your life. Cheers to 50 years of Miller Light. The great tasting light beer for people who love beer since 1975 now's a perfect time to celebrate legendary stories with friends, family and a great tasting light be beer. It's Miller time. Miller Lite Great Taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Light pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Dan LeBatard]

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[Mike]

Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources.

[Dan LeBatard]

See D.

[Mike]

Right now, the Home Depot has spring deals under $20. So what are you working on? If you're planning on cooking out this season, head to the Home Depot so you can fire up the grill with deals on charcoal. Right now, get two 16 pound bags of Kingsford charcoal for only $17.88. Was $19.98. Don't miss spring deals under $20 now through May 7th at the home Depot. Subject to availability. Valid on select Items only.

[Izzy Gutierrez]

Don LeBatard this guy comes in as the next Wayne Gretzky. His nicknames include the chosen1 and McJesus. Okay, he's a great player. He scores a lot of goals. He scores a ton of assists. But it hasn't translated to making Edmonton a powerhouse in the league.

[Dan LeBatard]

They're in The Final Stugats. What's your nickname for him?

[Izzy Gutierrez]

Look overrated.

[Dan LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats.

[Stugotz]

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. Another week, another Pitch Clock.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hi, everybody. We're back.

[Stugotz]

It's. It's me. It's Chris. It's Taylor. As always, we'll get to our MLB expert coming up in just a moment. But, Taylor, what is our trivia game for today?

[Taylor]

On April 11, Jose Quintana of the brewers made history when he beat the Diamondbacks and became the 24th pitcher in MLB history to get a win versus all 30 MLB teams. In front of you guys, you have to guess the other 23 pitchers on that list. And to help you guys out, I gave you the initials of the pitcher, the team they won the game for and the year they did it. And it's three strikes and you're out. Format. Okay, we'll have Chris go first.

[Stugotz]

Of course we will, Chris.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, man. Hold up. This is like. Let me digest this for a second. So wait, this is the year that it happened.

[Taylor]

Chris, you're on the clock.

[Dan LeBatard]

All right, I'm on the clock now. Later. 2002.

[Stugotz]

All right. See now? All right. And that's correct.

[Taylor]

Alliter is correct.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. All right. Damn. All right.

[Stugotz]

I'll just go to the next one. 2004 Yankees.

[Taylor]

Kevin Brown never earned his pinstripes. It is Kevin Brown.

[Dan LeBatard]

Okay, I'm gonna go 2004. Kurt Schilling.

[Taylor]

2004. Is Kurt chilling.

[Stugotz]

Fourth guess overall. I'm gonna go ahead and Skip over to 2008. The Phillies. JM that's Jamie Moyer.

[Taylor]

Yeah, it is Jamie Moyer who pitched until he was 49.

[Stugotz]

Oh, my God, I love him.

[Dan LeBatard]

Man, I want to go on a heat check really early here.

[Stugotz]

I've got a. I got a couple that I feel like I'm gonna go.

[Dan LeBatard]

2010 Dodger with the initials VP Vincente Padilla.

[Taylor]

It is Padilla.

[Greg Cody]

Oh, my goodness.

[Dan LeBatard]

That was the first one. I looked at this sheet. I'm just like VP Vincent.

[Stugotz]

What a poll. You should have kept that for later. All right, I'm gonna go ahead. I'm gonna try to just stay in chronological order where I can't. But I'm gonna skip. Ooh. I'm gonna go to 2010 San Francisco.

[Dan LeBatard]

Thought you were staying in order.

[Stugotz]

Well, I skipped to ww. I skipped rj. Yeah, I'm Just where I can, you know, that shows you what I don't know.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, that's right.

[Taylor]

2010 Giant is Barry Zito.

[Stugotz]

Of course it is.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm gonna go ones that are, you know, I'm gonna. I'm gonna learn from my last one. I'm gonna go to one that I think you'll know. I'm gonna go. 2016 Cubs JL John Lester.

[Taylor]

I hate to say it.

[Stugotz]

It's a strike.

[Dan LeBatard]

Really.

[Stugotz]

Wow.

[Greg Cody]

Oh.

[Stugotz]

But I'm afraid to say my plan back. I'll get a strike if I need to. 2016 Chicago Cubs JL is that John Lackey?

[Taylor]

It is John Lackey. Chris's plan immediately back.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't like how. I don't like the dismissive nod the Ethan was doing in here. As soon as I said it, he's.

[Stugotz]

Just like, I think it's so funny. I think it is so funny that you made the decision to say, let me do the safe one. Got it wrong.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't remember John Lackey being a. I thought I would have bet my daughter. I would have bet my daughter's life.

[Stugotz]

You could say you were lacking the knowledge. Yeah, he was a co. Now our 2025 MLB expert is here and I'm really excited to welcome in Ryan Bass because not only is he a fellow UCF Knight, not only is he a fellow MLB in game reporter for the Tampa Bay Rays, but Ryan, you also have a pretty amazing connection to this show. So I'm going to give you a second to endear yourself to the audience before we get to your analysis.

[Ryan Bass]

Yeah, my. My connection goes all the way back to 2006 and 2007 when I interned at 790 the Ticket in South Florida. I am a Miami native and so to have had the opportunity to shadow Dan, Mike, Ryan, the shipping container back then, Jonathan Zaslow and Boog Shambi, George Sedano. I interned for Israel Gutierrez, who is my personal mentor at the Miami Herald. So, dude, I was pumped when you asked me on here. You know how proud I am of you being a fellow UCF Knight and the. The rise we've had in this business and so genuinely excited, my friend to talk some baseball with.

[Stugotz]

You're the man. Thank you for all of those kind words that none of our audience wants to hear whatsoever. What they do want to hear about are Dan's Tampa Bay Rays because you are the in game reporter for them and they've been one of the hotter teams in baseball as of late. They had a nice series sweep over the San Diego Padres. So do me a favor. Let, let's, let's, let's tell people about this team. Who's worth watching, what's worth watching and why is the answer my favorite player in baseball right now, Chandler Simpson.

[Ryan Bass]

There's a reason The Rays are 6 and 2 since Chandler made his debut. And it's because he is that type of a game changer for this entire team. He's changed the dynamic. Yes, this is a 500 ball club right now, but you look at what they're built on, you know, pitching and defense always leads the way and they've got some young talent that's come up here and had to fill in between Chandler Simpson. Cameron Meisner has been one. Jake Mangum, who's on the injured list right now. You know, I think this team is capable of playing much better than.500 baseball. But yeah, you mentioned it. Chandler Simpson is as advertised. He gets on base and by the way, he could beat out an infield single just by dropping a bunt down. It's almost guaranteed he's going to end up at third and then scoring position. It's pretty incredible to watch this dude go to work.

[Stugotz]

Let's talk about some sort of general team results here. When you look around Major League Baseball, you look at the standings. Who's a team that has stood out to you as, as a surprise thus far through about a month of Major League Baseball?

[Ryan Bass]

I really want to talk positively here about a team that I don't think anybody expected at this point to be leading the American League Central and be one of the best teams in baseball, and that's the Detroit Tigers. This team has been able to stay dominant. Their pitching staff has led the way. They've got a lot of guys on the injured list and yet they've had contributions up and down, not just in that lineup but, but in that starting rotation. And so let's see how they do on the road.

[Greg Cody]

Right.

[Ryan Bass]

They're only five and seven away from home, so I think that's going to be a big test for them. But I am pleasantly surprised with what we've seen from the Detroit Tigers in what should stack up to be a pretty compare competitive American League Central with.

[Stugotz]

Javi Baez batting ninth as their everyday center fielder. So that's something if you're not paying attention to Major League Baseball that you just learned. Thank you for listening to the pitch clock.

[Dan LeBatard]

Anywho, so I have a strike.

[Stugotz]

There's a strike on Chris Cody through, through four rounds. We have one strike on your backup Chris.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'll go the next year. No, no, same year. 2016. Nationals, Mississippi. Max Scherzer.

[Taylor]

It is Max Scherzer. And in that start, he had 20 strikeouts.

[Greg Cody]

Wow.

[Stugotz]

Wow. That's impressive.

[Dan LeBatard]

Fun fact.

[Stugotz]

I'll. I'll stay in this general area of time and say that the 2015 San Francisco Giants th. Is that Tim Hudson?

[Taylor]

It is Tim Hudson.

[Dan LeBatard]

I had that written down, too. I just got scared after the Lester thing.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, I get it. We're really working through this list, and there's a couple. Couple of initials here that I am panicked.

[Dan LeBatard]

2021, Yankees. Garrett Cole.

[Taylor]

It is Garrett Cole up against the Astros.

[Stugotz]

I'll go ahead and go one year previous or one slot previous to that. It's 2019. It's the Houston Astros with the initials C.G. that's Zach ranking against the Royals.

[Taylor]

Correct.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm gonna go 2017. Twins. BC Bartolo. Cologne. It is Bartolo, and I am rattled.

[Stugotz]

Things are.

[Dan LeBatard]

That John Lester thing is just. That's just. That's painful right there.

[Stugotz]

Ah, okay. I'm gonna go ahead and say that the 2012 pirate is AJ Burnett.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's it. I had that written down. I was saving that one.

[Taylor]

It is A.J.

[Stugotz]

Okay, cool.

[Taylor]

Against the Marlins, too, I believe.

[Stugotz]

Thank goodness.

[Dan LeBatard]

And we're down to. I only have one more that I feel like.

[Stugotz]

That you feel good about, actually.

[Dan LeBatard]

2. I'm gonna go 2024. Cardinal ll Lance Lynn.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, it has to be.

[Taylor]

It is Lance Lynn.

[Stugotz]

That's one of the ones I just wrote down. Oh, boy. I'm. I can't. Where. I'm. I'm just to think out loud here, the 2023 and 2024 selections that are there, I can't understand why I don't know who they are.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think I know the Brave because.

[Stugotz]

Obviously I should know who they are. The. The Brave is going to come to me at some point, but the 2023 Met is bothering me, but I'm going to go JV.

[Mike]

There's.

[Dan LeBatard]

There's multiple.

[Stugotz]

There's two.

[Dan LeBatard]

JV.

[Stugotz]

All right, so I know on this sheet. I think I know the other one, and I'll go there first.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, damn it. Now, I just.

[Stugotz]

As I said it out loud, 2010 New York Yankees. JV. Is that Javier?

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, that has to be.

[Taylor]

It is Javi.

[Stugotz]

Javi Vasquez. Awesome.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'll go with the 2024 one. I mean, that's just the initials of a starter they have. I don't know this guy's. That he's won against every team. I'll go Charlie Morton, Braves it is.

[Taylor]

Charlie Morton who is off to a dreadful start this season.

[Stugotz]

The Rockies are presently on pace for 24 wins this major league season. Ryan, what in the world is going on with the Rockies?

[Ryan Bass]

They right now are on pace. If they, if they maintain right, if they, they keep this current.143 winning percentage, sure they will reach 20 wins mid September. Oh, the Mets have, The Mets have 20 wins right now and it doesn't get any easier for them. 45 of the remaining 134 games left this season are against teams that currently have losing records that 34% of their remaining schedule. So they're going to be playing some really high quality baseball teams the rest of the way. I don't know how they recover from this.

[Stugotz]

I hate in sports in any sense when we see guys that we know are elite at what they do start to struggle at that thing. And right now relievers around major League baseball, particularly closers, are really struggling and I want to highlight a couple of them. Emmanuel, Class A, who we talked about several times last year on the pitch clock, if not for terrible Scubal could have been potentially the Cy Young as a Cleveland guardian closer. And then there's Devin Williams, who was the big acquisition for the Yankees as a reliever this off season. What's going on with these closers? Is there something there or you know, are we going to be looking back at this episode of the pitch clock at the end of the season and be going what, what were you worried about?

[Ryan Bass]

Look, I think especially in high leverage roles like these relievers have, we relievers have, have been in, there are guys that are going to struggle. When you look at the overall advanced metrics of some of these guys, especially Devin Williams, you look at his two big pitches, right? When you look at the, the four seamer and the change up, the four seamer guys are batting.462 against this year. That has been one of his best pitches strategically over his career. Same thing with the, with the change up. You know, that has been, has been a huge weapon for him and hitters are hitting.273 against it. So his two pitches right now are getting hit pretty hard. And when you look at Emmanuel Classe, I thought it was crazy. He's given up up almost twice as many earned runs so far this year than he did all of last year. So just kind of crazy to see, you know, what is going to happen from, from that relief standpoint. But you know, I, I, I venture to say, Jeremy, when we look back at the end of the season. These guys will have it figured out and they'll be back in their, their respective roles.

[Stugotz]

Final question for you. So here we go. I, I, I think I've decided that here on the pitch clock I want to start focusing on stardom around the game. To take something from the Lonely island podcast with Seth Meyers where those guys are talking about what they refer era in SNL which was you know Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler and Fred Armisen and Bill Hader and all of them. I think we're in ah, golden era of stardom in Major League Baseball. This week I have two names for you. They're pretty obvious names within stardom. Paul Skeens, Aaron Judge. Pick the guy you want to and let's roll.

[Ryan Bass]

Picking between the two. It's tough for me but I'm gonna go with a guy who, who I get a chance to see up close and personal many a times. You know, being a sideline reporter for the race. And Aaron Judge. Right. The numbers are, are mind Bo feeling stupid to hit 405 at where he's at right now to be the best hitter in the world. His strikeout rate, his chase rate, his two strike batting average are all at career best levels. He has neutralized what had been his biggest weakness and that was strikes down and away in the zone. This year on strikes down and away in the zone he's hitting.381 as an average and his slugging is.524. He has neutralized what had been his biggest weakness and he is turning that into a strength. If he can consistently do what he's doing now, he might go down as if not the greatest hitter in all of baseball. You know, top five for sure.

[Stugotz]

He's going to go down certainly as one of the greatest right handed hitters of all time and to know that we're witness witnessing that while on the other coast we have maybe the greatest baseball player who's ever lived in Shohei Ohtani. It's a great time for it and you can watch the Tampa Bay Rays with Ryan as their in game reporter. Follow him on social media. Thank you you very much for joining us on the pitch clock. Let's get back to our game. Oh, I realize who that one is. Okay, that works out better.

[Dan LeBatard]

I hate you.

[Stugotz]

So I'm gonna go ahead and go 2012 Cleveland. Derek Lowe.

[Taylor]

It is Derek Lowe.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm just Gonna guess. Randy Johnson. 09. Did he play for the Giants? Like did he play for the Giants? That's him. That's a big Game.

[Taylor]

That's Randy Johnson.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

The whole time I was just.

[Greg Cody]

No.

[Stugotz]

I can't believe this.

[Dan LeBatard]

All right, man.

[Stugotz]

I really want to get. Not Woodrow Wilson with the San Diego Padres.

[Dan LeBatard]

I feel like I would remember a ww, right.

[Stugotz]

That's not what I'm not. I'm just going to go ahead and get the one that I know here. The 2023 New York Met is Justin Verlander.

[Taylor]

It is Justin Verlander.

[Stugotz]

Chris, you're up here.

[Dan LeBatard]

Damn it. I have no idea. I don't have a guess. I thought Wandy Rodriguez is the only.

[Stugotz]

Person I keep thinking because his name starts with Wigas.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't. I give up.

[Taylor]

It is not. It is not Juan B. Wadwez. So that is your second strike.

[Stugotz]

I'm also kind of where you're at. I like.

[Dan LeBatard]

I keep wanting to say Cliff Lee.

[Stugotz]

I swear to God, that's what I.

[Dan LeBatard]

Was like for the Brewer 2015.

[Stugotz]

Brewer like flea with a K. Oh, it's not him, though.

[Unknown]

Though.

[Dan LeBatard]

Pass.

[Taylor]

I'm gonna put Jeremy's official guess as Cliff Lee with a K. All right, Goodwiller.

[Stugotz]

Thank you.

[Taylor]

Incorrect.

[Stugotz]

All right, good. Thank you for putting Cliff Lee.

[Dan LeBatard]

So you have one strike. I have two. So I just need to pull one out of my.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, if you can foul one off.

[Dan LeBatard]

I am going to say that the DH from Washington in 2013 is Daniel Holland.

[Taylor]

It's not Daniel Holland. And that's going to be Chris Cody's third strike.

[Stugotz]

Thank God. I pass. I pass.

[Dan LeBatard]

I can't.

[Stugotz]

I don't know any of these.

[Taylor]

For a second, he had me worried because it is a Daniel. Dan Haron.

[Stugotz]

Oh, I throw 88.

[Dan LeBatard]

Damn it.

[Stugotz]

Wow. Dan Heron. Taylor. Can you tell us the other three?

[Taylor]

Not as gettable. The Ranger in 2004 was Terry Mulholland. The 2006 Padres. Woody Williams.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, that one.

[Stugotz]

Never heard of that person.

[Taylor]

And then 2015, the Milwaukee Brewer, Kyle Loesch.

[Dan LeBatard]

Ah, damn it, Taylor.

[Stugotz]

This was a good game. And guess what? It's another victory for your boy.

[Dan LeBatard]

So mad.

[Stugotz]

I'm pretty excited. Hey, another pitch clock next week. We'll see you then.

[Unknown]

Hey, you in the audience, it's Mike. You've been a fan of this show, hopefully for a long time. And you know how much Miller Lite means to me. This partnership, it's real. It's documented. For almost 20 years, Miller Lite has been a partner of the Dan Levittard show with Stugatz. And now Miller Lite is celebrating its 50th anniversary. I've had so many great moments with Miller Lite. So many great activations. So many great events presented by Miller Lite. A great partner. Cheers to them. Cheers to 50 incredible years. And for you at home, you know that Miller Time always means a good time. From game night to parties with friends or a special anniversary, celebrating important occasions means more moments with the coolest people in your life. Cheers to 50 years of Miller Light, the great tasting light beer. For people who Love beer since 1975. Now's a perfect time to celebrate legendary stories with friends, family and a great tasting light beer. It's Miller Time. Miller Light 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. It's Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.