Hour 2: The Baseball Hour (feat. Jason Benetti and Adnan Virk)

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – Hour 2: The Baseball Hour (Featuring Jason Benetti and Adnan Virk)
Release Date: July 3, 2025

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Introduction

In this high-energy episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz delve deep into the current state of Major League Baseball (MLB), joined by esteemed guests Jason Benetti, a renowned play-by-play announcer, and Adnan Virk, a seasoned MLB expert. From surprising team performances to intricate play analyses, the discussion offers a comprehensive look at the baseball landscape as the season heats up.

Detroit Tigers: A Surprising Dominance

The episode kicks off with an enthusiastic discussion about the Detroit Tigers, who have emerged as a surprising powerhouse in the league. Dan Le Batard praises Jason Benetti's commentary on the team's performance:

Dan Le Batard (01:05): "This right here is the very best play by play person that you will find anywhere in sports who is willing to regularly join us. Jason Benetti is very good calling baseball games."

Stugotz highlights the Tigers' impressive record:

Stugotz (01:29): "They just split a doubleheader with the Nationals yesterday, so they're 54 and 33. The Dodgers are one game up, 55 and 32."

Dan emphasizes Detroit as a major surprise this season:

Dan Le Batard (01:43): "Is there a bigger surprise than Detroit?"

Stugotz concurs, attributing their success to organizational improvements:

Stugotz (01:47): "This organization has it figured out. I don't think they're going to slink up on anybody anymore."

Iconic Baseball Moments and Play Analysis

The conversation shifts to memorable plays, with Dan referencing Kevin Mitchell's legendary barehanded catch:

Dan Le Batard (02:10): "These guys are underestimating the Kevin Mitchell catch a million years ago bare handed in foul territory."

Stugotz humorously assesses the likelihood of current players making such a play:

Stugotz (02:52): "I'd have made that catch. I've often said that."

Jason Benetti adds his own legendary status by sharing a unique feat:

Jason Benetti (03:40): "Seven baseballs. Just to be clear."

The trio engages in playful banter about their own abilities to replicate such iconic moments, highlighting the blend of humor and expertise that defines the show.

Umpiring: Tradition vs. Modernity

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the role of umpires in baseball, addressing both traditional signaling methods and the need for modernization. Stugotz reminisces about beloved umpires like Angel Hernandez:

Stugotz (10:14): "Angel Hernandez would ring the bell over his head. Like he was peeling the bell in the tower."

The hosts debate the possibility of umpires incorporating more transparent and communicative techniques, advocating for greater interaction with officials and fans.

Dan poses a thought-provoking question about outdated umpiring practices:

Dan Le Batard (10:58): "Can you give us an example of something more outdated than the umpire signaling to the press box official scorer?"

Stugotz responds by critiquing conventional strategies, advocating for more strategic and less robotic approaches to the game.

Pitching Statistics and Longevity in Baseball

The discussion transitions to pitching, where the hosts and guests analyze the significance of strikeout numbers and their impact on a pitcher's longevity. Stugotz praises Clayton Kershaw for his enduring excellence:

Stugotz (07:53): "Clayton Kershaw doing that, I think is a reminder that we can still have some longevity."

The conversation underscores the balance between maintaining high strikeout rates and ensuring pitchers can sustain their performance over extended careers.

Pitch Clock and Interactive Trivia Segment

Introducing an engaging segment titled "Pitch Clock," the hosts incorporate interactive trivia to test their knowledge and entertain listeners. The trivia focuses on intentional walks in MLB from 2000 to 2009. Participants, including Jeremy Taylor and Adnan Virk, take turns guessing players who led in intentional walks during that decade.

Key moments from the trivia include:

• Adnan Virk (21:33): "Albert Pujol is number three with 198 intentional walks."
• Jeremy Taylor (21:28): Incorrect guesses such as Raphael Palmero and Frank Thomas, leading to lighthearted ribbing.

The game highlights the depth of baseball knowledge among the participants and provides entertaining insights into player strategies and historical statistics.

Adnan Virk’s MLB Analysis: Team Performances and Trade Deadlines

As the show progresses, Adnan Virk shares his expert analysis on team performances, particularly focusing on the Kansas City Royals and the Miami Marlins.

Virk expresses disappointment with the Royals' stagnation:

Adnan Virk (23:36): "Royals are a real disappointment. Greg Amsinger at MLB Network had them going all the way to the World Series. That ain't going to be happening."

Conversely, he praises the Marlins' unexpected offensive surge:

Adnan Virk (25:04): "They're hitting over .300, 360 on base, over .500 slugging percentage. Only twice in the franchise's 33-year history have the Marlins had a longer streak of double-digit hits."

Virk also anticipates the trade deadline dynamics, predicting aggressive moves from specific teams and discussing potential key players who might be traded.

Highlighting Stars of the Month: Zach Wheeler

In recognizing standout performances, the hosts spotlight Zach Wheeler, lauding his exceptional pitching this season. Virk emphasizes Wheeler's contributions and hopes for a Cy Young Award:

Adnan Virk (31:07): "Zach Wheeler was runner-up last year. He's an absolute horse for the Phillies."

The acknowledgment underscores Wheeler's dominance and his critical role in the Phillies' successes this season.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with a blend of athletic analysis, playful competition, and personal anecdotes. The dynamic between Dan, Stugotz, Jason Benetti, and Adnan Virk creates a vibrant atmosphere that both entertains and informs listeners about the intricate nuances of baseball. From discussing surprising team performances to engaging in interactive trivia, the show offers a well-rounded exploration of the sport, making it a must-listen for baseball enthusiasts.

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Notable Quotes:

• Dan Le Batard (01:05): "Jason Benetti has the best team in baseball."
• Stugotz (01:47): "This organization has it figured out. I don't think they're going to slink up on anybody anymore."
• Jason Benetti (03:40): "Seven baseballs. Just to be clear."
• Adnan Virk (23:36): "Royal's a real disappointment. Royals aren't going to playoffs."
• Adnan Virk (25:04): "Marlins are hitting over .300, 360 on base, over .500 slugging percentage."
• Adnan Virk (31:07): "Zach Wheeler was runner-up last year. He's an absolute horse for the Phillies."

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This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Hour 2: The Baseball Hour, highlighting key discussions, insightful analyses, and the engaging interplay between hosts and guests. Whether you're a die-hard baseball fan or a casual listener, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the current MLB season.

Transcript

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[Dan Le Batard]

This right here is the very best play by play person that you will find anywhere in sports who is willing to regularly join us. Jason Benetti is very good calling baseball games. I believe he has the best team in baseball. I haven't checked their record recently, but are the Detroit Tigers still the best team in baseball? They were the first 50 wins.

[Stugotz]

Were they not riding high? It is a, it's a thrill a minute for the Tigers right now. They just split a as we're talking. They just split a double header with the Nationals yesterday, so they're 54 and 33. The Dodgers are one game up, 55 and 32.

[Dan Le Batard]

Still, in terms of baseball surprises, is there a bigger one than Detroit?

[Stugotz]

I don't think not for people who assume that a 31 and 11 stretch last year might be a little mirage. Ish. And I wouldn't blame anybody for thinking that considering considering The Tigers were 55 and 63 before that stretch. But this organization has it figured out. So I, I don't think they're going to they're going to slink up on anybody anymore. For a long while.

[Dan Le Batard]

I enjoyed talking to Jerry Bruckheimer. But this hour and part of a celebration of America as we send you into fourth of July is going to be all baseball. We're going to pitch clock with Jeremy Tashay and Adnan Burke coming up here in a second. But I wanted to ask you some of the things we were talking about earlier in the show. I believe, Jason, that these guys are underestimating the Kevin Mitchell catch a million years ago bare handed in foul territory. If I had any one of my crew in the outfield try to catch a ball bare handed, a fly ball.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Played high school baseball. Honorable mention.

[Dan Le Batard]

100 chance. 100 chances, Jason. To catch a fly ball with their bare hand.

[Stugotz]

I love the resume there.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Honorable mention. Wow.

[Stugotz]

I did finish seventh in the spelling bee in third grade. I did get banana wrong. I mean, my deal is like, you give that to 100 major leaguers and 100 chances and not many are making it more than 10 times. Consider the ground he had to cover and then reaching back like he overran it. He overran that ball and then he still made the play. So if you take every step that he took and you say, would you have made that catch based on the trajectory of the outfielder? No chance. It's a zero.

[Jason Benetti]

I'd have made that catch. I've often said that.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, I've.

[Stugotz]

How, wait, wait. Do you say that while you're fishing too?

[Jason Benetti]

No.

[Stugotz]

How often do you say I'd have made that catch?

[Jason Benetti]

You're talking to the only other dude outside of Johnny Bench to successfully hold up seven balls simultaneously.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Put that picture up for Jason.

[Jason Benetti]

Seven baseballs. Just to be clear.

[Stugotz]

That is. Well, I don't know what steps led to that, but I'm very excited for you.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Thank you.

[Dan Le Batard]

Regardless, Benetti has, I don't think he is. It sounded insincere.

[Jason Benetti]

That's just his voice.

[Stugotz]

I'm going to come right out and say tone matters. Yeah. I'm going to tone matter.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Come right on and say Jason Bonetti is a liar.

[Jason Benetti]

I think so. I used to like you.

[Stugotz]

Circumstance. Well, you know, I appreciate that. I, I, you've often said that too. I feel like.

[Jason Benetti]

No, no, no, no, seriously. I do like you and I like the tags. Go tags.

[Dan Le Batard]

They, they just discovered school this week on Monday. When he pitched on Sunday night.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Good.

[Dan Le Batard]

They just, they just discovered stuff. I'm not kidding you. I know we talked about this with you last time, but any but the.

[State Farm Advertiser]

React.

[Dan Le Batard]

Scubal at the beginning of last year was to say that person's more unhittable than Clayton Kershaw. And, and obviously I've never said that about any left hander.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, he, he has this kind of special level of anger about batters. Like he doesn't hate batters, but he does study them and he does, there's like high intrigue when he faces a guy that's another star. And so you saw off the first pitch of the game, he threw Byron Buxton a change Up Buxton. We've been talk series on our shows about how much he ambushes first pitches. He's like 44% first pitch swing. Skubal threw him a change up and my buddy Mike Petriello from Statcast had looked this up before the game. Tarek Skubal had never, ever, ever thrown a first pitch of a game that was anything but a fastball. He threw a change up to Buxton just to mess with him. And I love that. Like, we need more of that in baseball. And then they had a laugh about it. Buxton was looked at him basically like, no fastball, like no, no free donuts today. Scuba Dooble do.

[Dan Le Batard]

Is it correct that every day in Major League Baseball somebody is climbing the outfield wall to rob a home run?

[Stugotz]

Yes. I had that thought last night as I was watching Jacob Young from the Nationals suction himself to the center field wall, use the bottom of the wall as a ladder. I mean, really. He stuck his was climbing a tree to rescue a cat and then puts his glove over the top of the thing. It is every night. Like I, I did have this thought during the game. We were, Dan Petrie, my analyst and I were talking about just like C.J. abrams, James Wood, the young talent for the Nationals and how big they are and how athletic they are. I'm scared about the new generation of athletes. Like I said this on the air last night. What if Wemby was a baseball player? What would that look like?

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, a big str zone. He'd strike out a lot. It wouldn't look like what Aaron Judge is doing.

[Stugotz]

That's true. That's very true.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, tell me though, the defense in baseball is how much better than it has ever been? And for example, the middle of the Cubs infield, not just the middle of the Cubs catcher, center field, middle, infielders. Is it the best middle up the middle defense that there is in the sport?

[Stugotz]

They're really good. Pete Crow Armstrong is unbelievable to watch. Nico Horner racks up so much war from, you know, just stuff he does defensive, offensively. And I. This is where baseball got it right. It that it might be the best. I think, I think it probably is the best up the middle in the sport. But, but this is where baseball got it right. People do want to see athleticism. People don't want to see baseball's hit directly at folks over and over and over again. And I know again, we've talked about it a bunch in other contexts. Baseball takes a lot of shrapnel and rightfully so. A Lot of the time. But the defense we're seeing, I think is a direct result of the change in RUL a couple of years ago. And I'm glad they did it.

[Dan Le Batard]

Can you tell us whether or not you believe, outside of people like you and people that care deeply about baseball, does 3,000 strikeouts still mean anything as a number?

[Stugotz]

I think so, because I think it's longevity that we're probably not going to see from pitchers. I don't think that's a new take, but I do think the idea that somebody will be around. Kershaw made his debut in 2008. His first strikeout was of Skip Schumacher, who, as of last year was a manager in the league. There is something beautiful about a person spanning generations in this game. And so Clayton Kershaw doing that, I think is a reminder that we can still have some longevity. And, you know, the plate umpire, Jim Wolf, is one of my favorites because when he's over at first base, every once in a while, the guy who had the plate last night for Kershaw, every once in a while, he'll be at first and. And somebody will appeal on a check swing. And every now and then, depending on who's on his crew, they'll go Wolfe. And yell his name over at first base, which I love more than life itself.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, we've got a couple of questions that have come up today on that front. Do you believe that there's ever been an umpire daydreaming during a check swing and they just sort of fake it?

[Stugotz]

Absolutely. They got to go 1000.

[State Farm Advertiser]

You go, no swing right. Caught sleeping, you go, no swing right?

[Stugotz]

Yeah, you. You absolutely have to. You take a deep breath and you go, yeah. Didn't go.

[State Farm Advertiser]

What about. And we mentioned how in the NBA sometimes if they don't know a call, they'll like, point to the other official like, you got it here. Like, do you think that would be funny? If they're like a third base umpire just, like, points to the second base umpire like you got.

[Stugotz]

I think it'd be amazing. I love when umpires make mistakes and are happy to say it. So they've been working with the umpires. The league has to get the umpires to talk more on the microphones. Right. To give us better explanations. And we had one the other day. Dan, I. Sonia, who' been around a while. He's a really good umpire, I think. And Dan, Dan, as he was announcing the call, said, the ruling on the field has been over. No, it's. It stands. He, like, he just forgot which One it was. And kind of smiled and gave it that look like, oh, man. But. But acknowledged it and was willing to play with it. I think we need more unseriousness from umpires, Jason, now that we're kind of.

[State Farm Advertiser]

In the dog days of summer, we're.

[Stugotz]

Heading into the All Star break, but.

[State Farm Advertiser]

You know, it's a slower time.

[Stugotz]

Baseball tends to sl down at some point. Have you found yourself at any point.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Longing, saying, you know what? I miss Angel Hernandez. Like, he'd be making this game a.

[Stugotz]

Lot more fun today. I was just talking to one of the Tigers about umpires, and Angel's name came up, and this Tiger player said to me, he goes, you know what I miss? I miss Angel's strike call. And I was like, oh, that's very specific. But Angel Hernandez would, like, ring the bell over his head. Like, he'd give you the strike. Like he was. Like he was peeling the bell in the tower and, you know, at the church. And I think we need more of that, too. We need, like, more. Tom Hallion retired a couple of years ago, and he's called Tornado Tom because he'd, like, turn and give you the punch for strike three. More of that, please. And the great thing about angel strike calls, you never knew when it was coming. Ball.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Strike.

[Stugotz]

It could be at any point in time.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's what they don't miss. The strike call on the balls. That's what they don't miss. Can you give us an example here of something in your sport more outdated than the umpire signaling to the press box official scorer, the P for protest by just simply writing it in the air the way that you would on a steamed shower? Give me something more ancient and fossilized in your entire fossilized sport than that.

[Stugotz]

Oh, man, that is such a good question.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Oh.

[Stugotz]

So, okay, so I would say people who want you to bunt every time there's a runner at first, it doesn't matter who the hitter is. It doesn't matter who the on deck hitter is. There are some people who. A runner goes to first, and they're like, bunt, right? Like April 15th, tax day, right? Runner gets to first. You should. But it could be Aaron Judge at the plate and me on deck, and they'd be like, you got to get them over. Some people think that run score at second base in baseball, that is as antiquated as anything going to play.

[Dan Le Batard]

Go ahead. I'm sorry. No, no, please.

[Stugotz]

I was going to say second place. Second place is somebody rubbing the baseballs with that mud. Like somebody. Somebody taking the whole. The whole shebang of the baseballs and just rubbing it up. That's still somebody's job.

[Dan Le Batard]

We're going to play a couple of games here that we've been talking about during the show, but just as a palate cleanser to get us from the baseball talk to that. I don't know. Let's combine a couple of things. Your Droopy Dog impersonation with whatever it is that Droopy Dog's favorite karaoke song is.

[Stugotz]

So I was debating the other day during a rain delay in my mind, would Droopy Dog go full. Full sad song or would he go full, like, thrilled, elated? Like, would he go, because I'm happy. Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof. Right.

[State Farm Advertiser]

That.

[Stugotz]

That would be the ideal. Like, he's. He's generally that guy who's like, I'm happy. So would he go pharrell, or has something happened to him that made him like this, Like a relationship gone wrong? And would he go like, you didn't have to cut me off. Make out like it never happened and we were nothing? The somebody I used to know from Gautier, like, did that. Did something happen to him? Or is there like a. You know, like a sort of longing, like, brandy, you're a fine girl. What a good life you would be. I don't know. And I need your opinion on what he would choose.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, I think it would be Chumbo Wumba, I think is what he would go. Or Tears of a Clown. I think he might go Tears of a Clown where it's a happy song, but it's also sad. It sounds.

[State Farm Advertiser]

I like it happy.

[Stugotz]

RB Greaves. Take a letter. Maria. Address it to my wife.

[Dan Le Batard]

We've got Jeremy, Tasha, Adnan, work in a second on pitch clock. But these quick games here in the last minute that we have left. Are you Stand Van in or are you Stan Van Out? On the following Chris Cody, give him Stand Van in or stan van out?

[State Farm Advertiser]

4Th of July on a Friday.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. It's a waste of a weekend. We already have a weekend. Stand Van Out. I want it midweek.

[Dan Le Batard]

Give me another one. Chris Cody, Stan Van in or Stan Van Out? Mike, do you have one?

[Jason Benetti]

Is the big dumper having the greatest offensive season you've ever seen from a.

[Stugotz]

Catcher that I've ever seen? Yeah. Stan Van Inn. But there are other ones in history. But yes. Stan Van in threatening to fight multiple.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Co workers in the office. Stan Van Inn or Stan.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's. That's Frank Isola or Asshola.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Isola or Asshola?

[Dan Le Batard]

Isola or Asshola?

[Jason Benetti]

You can say butthola if that's better.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Huh?

[Stugotz]

No, I. I mean, I've threatened to fight one co worker, but I think two. I think the multiple is that it's over the line. So as. Hola. You just wanted me to say.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's right.

[Jason Benetti]

Assuming people can catch a fly ball bare handed despite not knowing them from a hole in the ground.

[Dan Le Batard]

Thank you. Jason Minetti. Good seeing you. Good talking to you.

[Jason Benetti]

It's asshole.

[Stugotz]

Bye.

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[State Farm Advertiser]

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[Jason Benetti]

Jeremy, you know something about me, right? You know when I'm grilling outside and it's summertime? You know how I supplement my summertime?

[State Farm Advertiser]

Of course I do.

[Jason Benetti]

I make it Miller time. Of course. That beautiful white can. Oh, when it's so hot outside, I just. I just put it right to my forehead right there and I just roll it sometimes right on the forehead, cool my body down and then I crack it open. Instant relief. And then that first sip, Brother does that first sip.

[State Farm Advertiser]

That is a top five sequence of events that you can possibly go through.

[Jason Benetti]

I'm just serenity now. When I just imagine that first sip of Miller Light.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Just thinking about it, it's making me happy.

[Jason Benetti]

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[Stugotz]

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[Adnan Virk]

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[Stugotz]

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[State Farm Advertiser]

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[Stugotz]

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[Dan Le Batard]

What is your strike three call?

[State Farm Advertiser]

Strike one would be strike. And then you stand up and you give a good point to the right stugats. That's the same for strike two. But strike three, you get down low, you got your hands behind the catcher. All right. The right arm goes up into the air.

[Adnan Virk]

Hya.

[State Farm Advertiser]

And then you finish it with the punch. The right arm flings way up into the air. Hyah. Hyatt.

[Dan Le Batard]

I wish I could see that.

[Adnan Virk]

The audio's great.

[Stugotz]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the stug.

[State Farm Advertiser]

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 is Guaya Vera week on the pitch clock.

[Stugotz]

Hi everybody.

[State Farm Advertiser]

There's Chris. I'm Jeremy Taylor's here wearing his Knicks hat. Ethan's over there. He's not on camera. That's fine. It's time for another episode as we hit July. Adnan Virk will be with us soon as our 2025 MLB expert. But Taylor, we have a new trivia game today. We have pieces of paper in front of us. Every MLB logo. He's like just, he gave us the teams. I'm just really grateful that this I think means it's not ball nowhere trivia. Tell us what we're going to be doing today.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Yeah, I like trying to connect the trivia with things that are happening in baseball. Aaron Judge on pace to break the Yankees single season record for intentional walks by the all star break. So we're sticking with the intentional walks. The game today is three strikes and you're out. We have the top 20 players with the most intentional walks from 2000 to 2009. You guys are going to alternate trying to guess the players two to 20 because like a free space in bingo. Barry Bonds, number one, 390 intentional walk. Bucks and I don't want any side to have that kind of up upper hand. Jeremy, you'll start. I feel like Chris has been going first a lot.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Wow, thank you. All right, all right. My, my first guess, I'm just trying to get on the board. 2000 to 2009. Alex Rodriguez, 19th. All right, got on the board.

[Lowes Advertiser]

A rod is 19th with 82 intentional walks.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Albert Pujol.

[Jason Benetti]

That's a good one.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Albert pujos is number three with 198 intentional walks.

[State Farm Advertiser]

There's a guy I'm thinking of that I think could be on this board based off what he did in the early 2000s. You know what? I'm gonna. I'm gonna take the risk on it. I'm gonna go. Sammy Sosa.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Sammy Sosa is on the list.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Wow.

[Jason Benetti]

16Th.

[State Farm Advertiser]

We're already here.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[State Farm Advertiser]

I'm gonna go check. Jim tomi.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Jim Tomi. 10th on the list.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Why'd you make a face? No, it's a name. I hadn't even. I hadn't even considered. I was. I felt really. I felt strong about that.

[Lowes Advertiser]

There's some 112 intentional walks.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Okay, I'm gonna go. Raphael Palmero.

[Lowes Advertiser]

That's going to be the first strike.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Oh, wow. Okay.

[Jason Benetti]

Damn.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Frank Thomas.

[Lowes Advertiser]

That is also going to be a strike.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Oh, your body language. And you're nodding. You're, like, nodding along. Like, I'm thinking, oh, this is. Yeah, that's an Easy1. Our 2025 Major League Baseball expert is here, and he's the first and likely only person to join this year's Five Timers Club on the Pitch Clock. Adnan Vir back for a fifth time this season before we even get to the All Star break. We'll see if we can get to 10, Adnan. But this is pretty impressive.

[Adnan Virk]

That's the goal, Jeremy. Can I be a member of the 10 Timers Club? And listen, I'm an avid listener, not only the pitch Clock, but also the Dan LeBatard Show. And I just want to let you know as base insider, that I am historian that I am, I can confirm for Dan lebatar that Dave Parker used to have a big black bat.

[State Farm Advertiser]

All right, well, Dan will be very happy to learn that if he listens to this, which, based off how he treats me on the show, I doubt he does. Let's dive right into this season, Adnan. It's been about a month since we've had you on the show, and so all of June just passed. I want to ask you, you which team in Major League Baseball, throughout the course of June, changed your opinion on them the most? Whether that's for better or for worse.

[Adnan Virk]

For worse, Every single team in the AL Central, aside from your adopted team, the Detroit Tigers. Let's go with Royal, specifically. I love Bobby Witt. He was second, obviously, in the MVP race a year ago, but he's not been Bobby with so far this season. Been pretty pedestrian numbers by his lofty standards. Maybe it makes the ulcer game just because he's Bobby Witt, but hasn't been the same player South Perez is like a.620 OPS. Been a real disappointment. Jack Henley owns hitting the 180 is a big leaguer that's been a disaster. Ton of strikeouts. I know he's got a ton of promise, but it's been a while to see him get going. Pascutino again, too much swing and miss. Their pitching is good. I mean Lugo's been tremendous as always, but Reagan's has been hurt. Walk has been decent. Royals to me a real disappointment buddy. My buddy Greg Amsinger at MLB Network had them going all the way to the World Series. That ain't going to be happening. Royals aren't going to playoffs.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Not only did Greg you did on this show you said the Royals Good.

[Adnan Virk]

Memory by you that I yeah, I'm.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Always going to remember that because we said the Pasquatch would be out here winning a World Series mvp. Unfortunately it doesn't look like that's where we're headed, but you know where we are headed. The Marlins sit at the end of July in the exact same spot that my gritty tags from last year in 2024 did, which is eight games under.508 games back of the final wild card spot in their league.

[Stugotz]

Wow to you.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Is there any case to be made in your mind that the Miami Marlins could end up being this year's Detroit Tigers?

[Adnan Virk]

I mean it's incredible work by you and very creative. And again congratulations on winning your latest honor as a South Florida's greatest reporter. There's no doubt about that. But they're 37 and 45. I mean I don't see them pulling off the Tigers did, but again I didn't see the Tigers doing what they did until it happened. So I mean obviously was completely surprised they did it. From August 11th on they're unbeatable. They're hitting over.300,360 on base, over.500 slugging percentage. They're averaging seven and a half runs per game during the seven game win streak. Collected ten or more hits in all those games. Only twice in the franchise's 33 year history have the Marlins had a longer streak of double digit hits. So they are banging right now. Your boy otto Lopez hitting over.430 during a 10 game hit streak. Augustine Ramirez hits the ball hard. Love to see his exit feel he hits over.500 his last six games. Of course our boy Stowers was great when we talked with him, then slowed down it. Now he's back again. So the Fishman I'm just, I'm impressed how good their offense has been. I did not expect that'd be the.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Strength of this team, it's been startling to see, right. And in the last several years, when the Marlins have had any runs of. Of being any good, it's been in large part because the starting pitching's been great and the bullpen's been great. And this season, that hasn't always been the case. Edward Cabrera's overachieved, but obviously outside of that, there's been pitching injuries. There' been Sandy Alcantara struggling throughout the season, although looking stronger and stronger by the day. Maybe he can give the Marlins a second half school run. We will see. We will see what happens there. But it's been really fun to watch it thus far as we headed into July. Okay, Big Poppy.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Big Poppy is on the list. He's 17th with 87 intentional walks.

[State Farm Advertiser]

I had Big Poppy and I also have Manny Ramirez. I'll go Manny. Even though it's weird to have two on the same team.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Manny Ramirez is an even better guess. Number four. 174 intentional walks in. In that decade.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Good lord. You know what? I'll just go ahead with. With one of the ones that I was gonna guess, and I'm worried that it's gonna be wrong. Chipper Jones. That's a great one.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Chipper Jones is on the list. He's ninth on the list. 100, 127 intentional walks.

[State Farm Advertiser]

So I'm gonna go with Miguel Cabrera. That's one of mine that I have written down. But he's only started his career in 03. Yeah, that's. And he was like plenty of time, right? Yeah.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Miguel Cabrera is on the list. Okay, 15th on the list.

[State Farm Advertiser]

That's what I thought.

[Lowes Advertiser]

90 intentional walks.

[State Farm Advertiser]

But I'm really so good. At the end of the day, what I'm looking for is like, guys who were like the only good hitter in their life. I know they had some good teams.

[Lowes Advertiser]

But he was tied with Sammy Sosa.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Okay, how about. I'm worried this isn't going to work, but how about Ken Griffey Jr. Ken.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Griffey Jr. Sneaks onto the list at 20.

[State Farm Advertiser]

That's crazy, man. I got 19 and 20.

[Lowes Advertiser]

That's with 76.

[State Farm Advertiser]

These are like just a couple of foul tips with two strikes in the count. Like the fact that I'm staying alive there.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Wow.

[State Farm Advertiser]

My turn.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Your turn.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Todd Helton. That's one the of mind.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Chris Cody continues his dominance here. Todd Hilton, fifth on the list. 164 intentional walks.

[State Farm Advertiser]

I do. I'm getting higher, guys. That's why he says I'm dominating. Yeah. You're squeaking into this average, average depth of list. You're doing better. But we both have one strike. Yeah.

[Lowes Advertiser]

I believe Chris Cody's gotten three, four and five so far.

[State Farm Advertiser]

I might get this wrong, but. So two still on the board, huh? Huh?

[Lowes Advertiser]

Two is still on the board.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Who could that be? Larry Walker.

[Adnan Virk]

No, too, too early.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Larry Walker is not on the list.

[Adnan Virk]

That's going to be the second strike.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Yeah. I knew it. Thinking of Jason Giambi.

[Lowes Advertiser]

That is going to be another strike. Two strikes.

[State Farm Advertiser]

A piece that like, I didn't even have that written down. It just popped in my head. I'm like, that's a good one. Yeah, that's a really good one. Would have thought.

[Lowes Advertiser]

I'm pretty sure that was one of the first names off this list.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Adnan. The trade deadline is at the end of this month of July, and it looks like there are going to be a lot of teams in position to buy. So I will ask you this question. Who do you think will be the most aggressive buyer at the trade deadline? And as you look around the league, who's the name that you're looking at that you think may be the biggest name moved?

[Adnan Virk]

A lot of teams are buying, but not many teams are selling. So this is the downside of the extra wild card is now more teams say to themselves, well, we're six games under.500, but we're only three games back of the wild card spot. So then less teams are willing to punt on the season. So I think it's tricky to see which teams will be sellers. I look for guys like Bailey Fault or the Pirates. He's been great for them. Really under the radar. Could be a really good pickup for a team who wants starting pitching. I'm curious about offense. Ayo Henio Suarez has been great for the D back. Josh Naylor could be a name. I think the D back should punt. They're about as even Steven as you get. There are. 500 team. They've been averaging the road average on the road. To me, I'm like, if you sell some assets of pending free agents, guys like Zach Allen and Naylor and Suarez, you could get a lot for it. But I think Arizona says themselves, well, we're only four games back that third wildcard spot, and maybe they don't punt, but there's going to be lots more scuttlebutt in the next couple of weeks ahead.

[State Farm Advertiser]

And this is the best part about baseball, right? Because you just told me in this episode bunch, both that the Royals, who you predicted would go to the World Series were the most disappointing team to you in June. And the Diamondbacks you predicted would go to the World Series should sell at the deadline. And that's what makes baseball spectacular because you never know what's going to happen in a given season. But let's get to our golden era star of the week. I'm actually going to give you three names here, Adnan, all based off of what they did in June. So Garrett Crochet led Major League Baseball in striking. Zach Wheeler led Major league baseball in ERA with I believe a 0.56 ERA in the month of June. And then there's the guy you just mentioned, Yohenio Suarez, who tied the big dumper for both home run lead and RBI lead in Major League Baseball in that month. Which of these three stars do you want to lock in on?

[Adnan Virk]

Crochet, I think is a runner up for the Cy Young to school and Suarez can bang with the best of, but I'm going with Zach Wheeler. I met him last year and as you know, Jeremy, when they're nice to us, we'll be nice to them forever.

[State Farm Advertiser]

That's right.

[Adnan Virk]

Zach told me he was a fan of my works and I'm a fan of his work forever. Let's get this guy a Cy Young man. He was runner up in the sighting a year ago to sale. He was a runner up to Corbin Burns when he should have won. He throws more innings than anybody. He's an absolute horse for the Phillies. He's a two time Tommy. Remember after he had Tommy John with the Mets, everyone goes, don't touch this guy. He goes to the Phillies. He was absolute steal. Now he's on his second contract. He's still worth all the money. And you're right, he allowed a total of two earned runs and five June stories. He's absolutely spectacular. The thing I love about Wheeler is he just he wants to finish what he starts. He struck out 10 in eight innings. Nobody does this anymore. He tossed six hit ball, did not walk a single batter. I'm hoping this guy finally wins a sign. According to the odds, right now he's runner up to Paul Skeens right now the National League. So let's hope Zach Wheeler, always a bridesmaid, never the bride. Hopefully he breaks through this year.

[State Farm Advertiser]

I hope it's this year because it feels like Paul Skeens is going to win every single Cy Young moving forward. So hopefully Zach Wheeler can get his because he is beyond deserving for the horse that he is and the dominant horse that he is. But Adnan, thank you for your fifth appearance. We'll see if we can squeeze five more in in the second half of this Major League Baseball season. But it is time to get back to our game of trivia. Between myself and Chris. Oh, I'm between two names, and I'm not really confident in either one of them. Based off Carlos Beltron.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Carlos Beltron's gonna be Jeremy's third strike.

[State Farm Advertiser]

That's such a shame, because I want you to know he wasn't one of the two names I was thinking of, but because I wasn't confident in either of the other names, and then I saw the Mets logo, I went, ah, let me go with that. If you say one of the two names that I have written down and.

[Lowes Advertiser]

You, Chris Cody, could walk it off, or we're going to go to overtime where it's just going to be a sudden death round.

[State Farm Advertiser]

I have two names here that I feel like they both should be fine. It's like, which one do I want to go with? Who had less around him in the line? Man, I actually have three names that I could have gone with. I'm not happy with myself. This is disappointing. I'm going to go Adam Dunn. Terrible guess.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Adam Dunn is on the list. Chris Cody wins.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Yeah. Ah, number two, Lance. No, no, give me a. Give me a hint on number two. Yeah, give us like a.

[Adnan Virk]

A division.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Like division.

[Lowes Advertiser]

You'll think of him. NL east, but more so Al West. Hold on.

[Stugotz]

Whoa.

[Lowes Advertiser]

He went to the Al west early in the 2000s.

[Jason Benetti]

Just.

[State Farm Advertiser]

All right, give us initials. We're not even close. Give us something. I have no idea.

[Jason Benetti]

Vg.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Oh, Vlad. Oh, obviously. Oh, man. How did I not. That is so obvious. You know why? It's because if I saw Expos. Yeah, you're right. I might have thought about it.

[Lowes Advertiser]

The names that you guys missed, the two spot was Vlad Guerrero. The sixth spot, you guys named a Carlos, but it was the wrong Carlos. Carlos Delgado.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Oh, classic.

[Lowes Advertiser]

The biggest surprise on this list, Number seven. Ichirosa's.

[State Farm Advertiser]

No, no, no. I was gonna say Ichiro eventually. I didn't write it down, but I thought of him. I thought about him, but I was like, there's no way. He might have walked a lot, but no way. Intentional walk. That's what a different sport we were playing.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Jeremy, you mentioned him, you just didn't guess him. Lance Berkman, Ryan Howard, Brian Giles.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Ryan Howard. Who do I have written down right underneath the Phillies? Chase Utley wasn't on Ryan Howard. Man, man.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Chase Utley was not the Final name that you guys missed was the 18th name on the list. Bobby Abreu.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[State Farm Advertiser]

That's a good one, man. This is good. I like this. That's disappointing, but this is a great game. Taylor, you did a great job. After a rough stretch, two in a row for the kid.

[Lowes Advertiser]

Don't let him get hot.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Don't let me get. I won't let him get hot. Next week is going down.

[Jason Benetti]

Jeremy, you know something about me, right? You know when I'm grilling outside and it's summertime? You know how I supplement my summertime?

[State Farm Advertiser]

Of course I do.

[Jason Benetti]

I make it Miller time. Of course. That beautiful white can. Oh, when it's so hot outside, I just. I just put it right to my forehead right there and just roll it sometimes right on the forehead, Cool my body down. And then I crack it open. Instant relief. And then that first sip, brother, does that first hit.

[State Farm Advertiser]

That is a top five sequence of events that you can possibly go through.

[Jason Benetti]

I'm just serenity now. When I just imagine that first sip.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Of Miller Light, just thinking about it, it's making me happy.

[Jason Benetti]

Dude, the sun is out. It's nice. You have your friends showing up. You got your family there. You just had your first sip of Miller Lite. And you know what? You're happy. You're blissful. You're fulfilled. I've been stocking my cooler with Miller Lite four years, and for good reason. It's food for taste. Only 96 calories and 3.2 grams of carbs. This year, Miller Lite turns 50. That is five decades of cookouts, laughs, and ice cold moments that never miss. It's the original light beer, and it's still my. Go to Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Cheers to 50 years of Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.