Hour 2: The Group Backtracks (feat. Dan Graziano)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: Hour 2: The Group Backtracks (feat. Dan Graziano) Release Date: May 20, 2025

---

Introduction and Guest Introduction

The episode kicks off with the hosts, Dan Le Batard and Stugotz, welcoming their audience from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami. They introduce their guest, Dan Graziano, setting the stage for a dynamic discussion centered around sports and personal development.

---

Western Conference Finals Preview

Timestamp: [01:34 - 02:30]

Tony Kornheiser provides an insightful preview of the Western Conference Finals, specifically analyzing the upcoming game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

• Tony Kornheiser: "Minnesota Timberwolves plus seven and a half. They've had a lot of rest, a lot of time to create a zone that can bother the Oklahoma City Thunder." ([01:38])

He emphasizes the Timberwolves' advantage due to their recent rest and strategic preparation, predicting a favorable outcome against the Thunder.

---

Mariners’ Hot Streak and Betting Insights

Timestamp: [01:57 - 02:40]

Greg Cody shifts the focus to Major League Baseball, discussing the Seattle Mariners' impressive performance against the Chicago White Sox.

• Greg Cody: "These M's are streaking. Yeah, I'm taking the Seattle Mariners against the spread on the hill." ([01:57])

He highlights the Mariners' momentum and expresses confidence in their ability to continue their winning streak, despite uncertainties surrounding their pitching staff.

---

University of Miami Baseball Struggles

Timestamp: [02:30 - 03:52]

Dan Graziano brings attention to the University of Miami Hurricanes' underperformance in the ACC tournament against California.

• Dan Graziano: "I see that California is up nine nothing in the seventh inning in the ACC tournament over your beloved Miami Hurricanes." ([02:30])

Greg Cody expresses disappointment, noting the rarity of the Hurricanes missing regionals and speculates on the coach's future.

• Greg Cody: "If you think that's something that they do, you've been paying attention to baseball for a year. This is sad." ([03:07])

---

Dan Graziano’s Fitness Journey

Timestamp: [03:52 - 07:02]

The conversation transitions to a personal topic as Dan Graziano shares his transformation and commitment to fitness.

• Dan Graziano: "He's laughing now because he's the face of fitness now. He's a television person. He exercises every single day." ([03:52])

Tony Kornheiser clarifies that he did not call Graziano a liar, but Graziano admits that others have teased him about his fitness routine.

• Tony Kornheiser: "I did not call him a liar." ([04:15])

Dan Le Batard reveals his own dedication to maintaining a workout streak, emphasizing the importance of consistency.

• Dan Le Batard: "I can't let it stop now. Like, the streak is its own motivation." ([04:55])

---

Maintaining a Workout Streak and Challenges

Timestamp: [05:04 - 08:10]

Dan Le Batard discusses the challenges of maintaining his workout streak, including bouts with COVID-19 and the temptation to skip workouts during vacations.

• Dan Le Batard: "My big fear is that that's how it'll end. Right. It's like I'll get to 12:01." ([05:04])

Billy Corben humorously references the difficulty of sticking to the streak during late hours.

• Billy Corben: "It's time for a five minute sleep meditation here." ([05:04])

Dan Graziano and Greg Cody engage in a light-hearted exchange about the sustainability and perception of being fitness enthusiasts.

---

Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals Defense

Timestamp: [21:22 - 22:39]

The discussion shifts to NFL analyst Trey Hendrickson and his impact on the Cincinnati Bengals' defense.

• Greg Cody: "How's this Trey Hendrickson saga gonna end?" ([21:22])

Dan Le Batard analyzes Hendrickson's role, suggesting that the Bengals' defensive struggles are not solely his fault.

• Dan Le Batard: "The Bengals did not lose because of offense. They lost because of defense. A defense anchored by Trey Hendrickson." ([22:06])

The hosts debate Hendrickson's effectiveness and his influence on the team's overall performance, highlighting differing opinions on his contributions.

---

Juan Soto’s Transition to the Mets

Timestamp: [23:00 - 29:31]

A heated discussion unfolds around Juan Soto's move from the Yankees to the Mets and the ensuing media scrutiny.

• Dan Graziano: "Michael K. is reporting that he has found that Soto is sullen, that he is sad because he never wanted to leave the Yankees in the first place." ([24:29])

Greg Cody and other hosts express skepticism about the legitimacy of the reports, questioning whether Soto's emotions are being misrepresented.

• Greg Cody: "He's not going to his funeral, though." ([28:43])

Dan Graziano critiques the portrayal of Soto's satisfaction in his new role, suggesting that external factors like media pressure contribute to his alleged discontent.

• Dan Graziano: "It's a clubhouse and coworkers. And your daily work experience... It's just odd." ([29:05])

The conversation highlights the pressures athletes face when transitioning between high-profile teams and the impact on their performance and mental health.

---

Movie Reviews: "The Fan" and "Dead Reckoning"

Timestamp: [31:55 - 37:15]

The hosts delve into their opinions on recent movie releases, specifically criticizing "The Fan" and "Dead Reckoning."

• Dan Graziano: "I can't believe how much you know about this movie. It's a good impersonation he's doing. It was terrible." ([34:19])

Greg Cody praises the integration of stunts in "Dead Reckoning," albeit with mixed reviews on the overall execution.

• Greg Cody: "The way that the Mission Impossible movies work is they map out the stunts at the start and then they write a story about that." ([35:11])

Billy Corben laments the length and pacing of the movies, suggesting they could have been more concise.

• Billy Corben: "I wish I wouldn't have seen it, honestly." ([35:13])

The segment reflects the hosts' critical stance on current cinematic efforts, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and execution in filmmaking.

---

Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [37:13 - End]

As the episode winds down, the hosts make final comments on the topics discussed, reiterating their opinions and teasing future discussions.

• Greg Cody: "Dead Reckoning part one, which is now just called Dead Reckoning because they gave up on part one." ([36:49])

• Mike Ryan: "That's a 7.6 solid." ([20:38])

The episode concludes with light-hearted banter and plans for upcoming segments, maintaining the show's engaging and conversational tone.

---

Notable Quotes

• Dan Le Batard: "I can't let it stop now. Like, the streak is its own motivation." ([04:55])

• Greg Cody: "The Timberwolves' advantage due to their recent rest and strategic preparation." ([01:38])

• Dan Graziano: "It's odd that all of you backtracked on Graziano. He was here and all of you didn't want any part of him." ([22:44])

• Tony Kornheiser: "I did not call him a liar." ([04:15])

---

Key Takeaways

1. Sports Analysis: In-depth discussions on the Western Conference Finals, PGA Tour advancements, and the Seattle Mariners' performance provide listeners with expert insights into current sports events.

2. Athlete Accountability: The conversation around Juan Soto highlights the pressures athletes face when transitioning between teams and the impact of media narratives on their mental well-being.

3. Personal Development: Dan Graziano's dedication to fitness underscores the importance of consistency and personal motivation in achieving long-term goals.

4. Entertainment Critique: The hosts' critique of recent movies like "The Fan" and "Dead Reckoning" offers a candid perspective on the current state of filmmaking, emphasizing the need for quality storytelling and execution.

5. Engaging Banter: The dynamic interactions among the hosts, filled with humor and candid opinions, maintain an engaging atmosphere that resonates with listeners.

---

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz delivers a blend of sports analysis, personal anecdotes, and critical commentary on entertainment, all enriched with the hosts' signature humor and insightful discussions. Whether you're a sports enthusiast or someone interested in personal development stories, this episode offers valuable perspectives and engaging conversations.

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

What does Zyn really give you? Not just smoke free nicotine satisfaction but.

[Stugotz]

Also real freedom to do more of.

[Dan Le Batard]

What you love, when and where you want to do it. Why bring Zyn along for the ride? Because America's number one nicotine pouch opens up all the possibilities of right now. With Zyn, you don't just find freedom, you keep finding it. Find your Zen learn [e-mail] WARNING this product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical Comcast Business.

[Greg Cody]

Helps turn the PGA Tour into a game changing golf experience. It's how courses become automated, turf tending never look so amazing tournament backdrops, how 18 holes becomes up to the millimeter, ball spotting technological marvels and how the fan experience gets turned into mobile device paying unforgettable moments with leading networking and connectivity, advanced fiber solutions and excellent expert partnership. Comcast business is powering the connectivity of the PGA Tour powering possibilities.

[Billy Corben]

This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugats Podcast.

[Stugotz]

It's time for Tony Sus Brown Hill and it's brought to you by our friends at DraftKings.

[Greg Cody]

DraftKings.

[Stugotz]

The Crown is yours, Tony. Kick us off boys.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The association tonight Western Conference Finals kicks off. We've got the Oklahoma City Thunder at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota Timberwolves plus seven and a half. They've had a lot of rest, a lot of time to create a zone that can bother the Oklahoma City Thunder Thunder coming off a grueling seven game series against the Nuggets. I'm gonna take them Timberwolves. There's something there. Plus seven and a half.

[Greg Cody]

Cats sit down on alert. The eyes of the world are on Raleigh and no, not Raleigh, North Carolina. I'm talking about the Big Dumper. Cal, Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners who are red hot and playing the Chicago White Sox. My M's are on a bit of a roll now. I don't know who's towing the rubber today for the Mariners. They have not announced it yet, but whoever it is, I feel good about. These M's are streaking. Yeah, I'm taking the Seattle Mariners against the spread on the hill.

[Dan Graziano]

I see that California is up nine nothing in the seventh inning in the ACC tournament over your beloved Miami Hurricanes. I'm guessing you're on the wrong side of that.

[Greg Cody]

No, I didn't take action. I am on the wrong side of it. My team's losing 90 to a team that was 22 and 30 all season long. It's. It's terrible. I'm not. I'm not a Big fan of what's happening in baseball. But I believe JD Saved his job with that little Manny Diaz, like, run that he had over the last couple of weeks just to build up everybody's hopes. But this is hugely embarrassing. It was on mute. But I would have loved to have heard the in game interview as he was down nine to zero because it lasted seven seconds.

[John]

What do you do to get back in this game?

[Greg Cody]

I'm sure that question was asked. He looked pretty revolted by everything. You got to fake a stomach, a stomachache at that point. You gotta send him more Senate. Yeah, three. That's right. I do miss Jim. You gotta understand, this team finished below.500 last year.

[Dan Le Batard]

That.

[Greg Cody]

That does not happen at the University of Miami. The University of Miami is a blue blood baseball program. This is. They don't miss regionals. That. That is not something that they do. If you think that's something that they do, you've been paying attention to baseball for a year. This is sad. But like I said, he's coming back next year. So hopefully what we saw a couple weeks ago is an indicator of, you know, maybe the arrow changed in the direction it was pointing in, but I think it was fool's gold.

[Dan Graziano]

I have not seen this man in a while. I've not talked to him in a while. Not since we covered Marlin's baseball together many years ago. And Dan Graziano, I will say at the time, was like me, heavier. Back then he was a man. Look, he's laughing now because he's the face of fitness now. He's a television person. He exercises every single day. He's obsessive compulsive about it. And Tony called him a liar. And I believe.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I did not call him a liar.

[Dan Graziano]

And I believe Greg Cody did as well.

[Mike Ryan]

No, no, I did not call him a Lia. Call him a little bit of a braggart for saying that. 1900 times in a row, to be exact. He had. He had worked out, you know, so it's days, right?

[Dan Le Batard]

Like, it's not. It's something every day, right? So like, maybe some days it's a long ride on the bike. Maybe it's a, you know, walk or run on the treadmill. Maybe it's, you know, dumbbells in the basement. Maybe it's something short just to keep the street going. But yeah, ever since March 2, 2020, when the gyms all closed and I realized I had stuff in my basement that we got hooked, man. And now, now it. I can't let it stop now. Like, the streak is Its own motivation.

[Billy Corben]

Dan, how often do you look at the time and it's like 11:45pm and you're like, ooh, you can't break this streak. It's time for a five minute sleep meditation here.

[Dan Le Batard]

Just keep thinking that's my big fear is that that's how it'll end. Right. It's like I'll get to 12:01.

[Billy Corben]

You and Cal Ripken, man.

[Dan Le Batard]

Hasn't happened yet, but yeah, hopefully we can get this to 2000 here. I've looked at what the date would be and it's sometime in training camp time, so maybe back on the. But, you know, been able to keep that going. I mean, look, Dan, when we met, I was 23. I now have a 21 year old son. So like it's become pretty important at this age, you know, whatever age I am to, you know, keep it going.

[Stugotz]

Everyone was talking a big game before and now they're all tracking.

[Dan Graziano]

It's so bad.

[Dan Le Batard]

Come at me with like questions about the legitimacy of.

[Billy Corben]

Dan called you a fat. So Tony said that you were a liar. Greg said you were a bragger. It's just crazy.

[Dan Le Batard]

My twenties. Yeah.

[Mike Ryan]

All right. I have to ask you one question though. What, during this long streak was the closest you came to breaking the streak? There had to be a day when you were sick and vomiting.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, not vomiting, but I mean, I did, I did have two bouts of COVID during the streak and that was. Those were days where if you looked back, you might see I did a 10 minute stretch or a 10 minute, you know, arms and shoulders with some light weight.

[Dan Graziano]

I got to put, I got to put an asterisk on this. If it's a 10 minute.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All I was saying was asterisk.

[Dan Le Batard]

But I mean, what I'm saying is like if you look at 1900 days, you're not going to see a lot of that, you know, like it's just not going to be there. There. There are certain things, but I mean, again, a 10 minute stretch is something. It's something.

[John]

Dan, what about you're on like a European vacation with your beautiful family? Like, do you ever have to stop your family? You got plans? Like. No, no, I got to get something in.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, I mean, I just, I do it first. Like my wife and I went to Paris in March and that would be. We'd wake up in the morning, we go down to the hotel gym and.

[Dan Graziano]

Hotel gym, a French one, no less. They're tiny.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What do they even have in there?

[Billy Corben]

I have a body by.

[Dan Le Batard]

On Courtyard. Yeah. So now in Paris, I mean, it was nice.

[Dan Graziano]

What's the latest that you've ever done the workout? What's the latest time in the day? In the 1900, you know, all day in this one.

[Dan Le Batard]

I used to spend all day in the city doing shows. And then it was a. It was a day a couple years ago where my wife and her sister, my son met me out for dinner. We didn't get home till like 9:30 at night, and the first thing I did was go right down there and knock it out because I was afraid I was going to lose my streak. That was probably two years ago.

[John]

Do you ever get worried that, like, you'll be on the west coast and you get in the workout in the evening and maybe the app doesn't adjust the time and so they think that you're on the east coast and you let a day go by? Like, is there a customer service line you would call to say, hey, the streets will be intact?

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, you got to get out of my head. I mean, this is something I've definitely thought about. There's no question about it. What would I do? Because I check and like, I check and make sure, like, when I'm done work, I did it register. And like sometimes before bed, I'll check and just make sure because, yeah, I worry about that. I don't want to have to call and fight for. I really did a 15 minute, you know, core class. Why can't you just. I don't know.

[Billy Corben]

Who would you call? You'd call customer service and say, we need to update my streak. I actually finished.

[Dan Le Batard]

Maybe. Maybe I'd tweet at them. I have no idea. But it hasn't come to that and hopefully it won't.

[Billy Corben]

Do you have a target end date? A way that you.

[Dan Graziano]

I was going to say what's.

[Billy Corben]

What's the end we spent here?

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, I don't. I don't have a target end date. I try every time. It gets to. Every time I clear another 100, I kind of start marking off. Well, what's 50 more? What's 100 more? How long can we keep this going again? Like you say, like, you laugh about like 10 minutes stretch during COVID If the streak wasn't alive, I might not be motivated to keep exercising now, years later. So there was benefit to doing that. So. No, I think it's. I think it's just become an addiction. Do you have the. I guess. Okay, I don't know.

[Greg Cody]

Better finish that sentence.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do you have the longest streak in Peloton history.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's a question for them. I don't know.

[Dan Graziano]

Okay.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, find out.

[Mike Ryan]

I would like them on the phone.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah.

[Dan Graziano]

Can you tell me if you're jealous of Skip Bayless, who says he hasn't missed a workout since 1998?

[Dan Le Batard]

Bayless, remember skip Bayless used to live at the Residence Inn in Southington, Connecticut? Like he had a room there that he just checked out of for like 12 years.

[Dan Graziano]

I have never, sometimes I've never seen anything sadder than Dave Campbell by that pool at the Radisson with. With one of those silver things under his leathery red skin while smoking a cigarette. One of those tanning things under his chin at 2 o' clock at the reflective mirror.

[Dan Le Batard]

Glory days there. VSPN. Some would tell you. No, I did. I did. There were times that where I'd stay at that Residence Inn and I'd be on a treadmill and then next to Skip. So I've seen him, I've seen him on the grind.

[Greg Cody]

Let's stop being around the bush. How's this Trey Hendrickson saga gonna end?

[Dan Le Batard]

I think he, you know, it's funny, like, you don't hear him talking about a trade anymore. Like, they let him go out there and, and look for it, and he didn't find a team that was willing to give him the contract he wanted and also make the trade. So now he's talking about how he's upset with the Bengals and he wants to be there. They want him to be there. I think they end up coming to some sort of resolution. The Bengals have done that with their big guys this offseason, and I think it happens. I, you know, I said to somebody the other day, like, if I was doing a new contract with ESPN and I was out in the media talking about how slow they were being, my agent would call me and tell me to shut up. Like, this is not a good thing for Trey Hendrickson to be doing if he wants to get the deal he's looking for. He looks like the more desperate of the two parties. And I think the Bengals probably know that.

[Dan Graziano]

I'm a little bit embarrassed by your behavior. Not yours, Dan, but everyone else here, like you guys, I mean, there's been so much backpedaling, and you guys weren't nearly. Like I said, they were talking tough, huh? Yeah, they were. And then all of a sudden, you're in here with your 10 minute stretches and all your muscles and no one's got anything to say. All of a sudden, you chief among them, Cody, by the way.

[Dan Le Batard]

I'm waiting.

[Mike Ryan]

Look, when I call him a braggart, I don't mean him to take that personally. What I mean is, why would anyone do that? Yeah. What I mean is that people who work out a lot, people who are like, just allegedly people who are obsessed with working out, and every day, those people who have to tell other people about that are not my favorite people. I'm just saying that.

[Dan Le Batard]

No, I understand. I will say that from time to time, as a result of the occasional tweets about it, when tagging peloton, sometimes free stuff will show up.

[Stugotz]

I see what you're doing there, Dave.

[Dan Le Batard]

I'm just saying, like, every now and.

[Greg Cody]

Then, opportunist is what I say.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's known to happen, so, you know, it's not like there's no purpose to that, but. Yeah. Obsessive. No, look, playing the game, there's a guy. When I used to cover the Giants, there was a guy at the Daily News, Ebenezer Samuel. And he ends up now. For years now, he's right. He's been the men's. Yes, it is. And if you look at him up on Instagram, he's like the fitness editor at Men's Health magazine. So his job is to work out.

[Mike Ryan]

He is a fitness guy.

[Dan Le Batard]

He is a. Look him up. He is obsessive about working out. He was when he covered the Giants. Like, this is the job he should have had all along, the one he has now. So that's a guy who's obsessive about working out. He wants to have superhero muscles. That's not me. I want to live as long as I can. That's why I'm doing it.

[Billy Corben]

But he just.

[Dan Le Batard]

I don't want to die young. He's also my goal.

[Billy Corben]

A fitness director. And you're an NFL reporter.

[Dan Le Batard]

Exactly. You're right. He does it for a living. It just happens to be the thing that he loves. So, no, not obsessive about it. Just kind of, you know, enjoying the. Enjoying the streak.

[Billy Corben]

Let me ask you something. How do you go about deciding what your daily workout is going to be? Are you part of programs or what do you do here? Like, you're like a. Like an Andy Spear guy. You're like, you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to do core strength here for 30 days. I'm going to go by their workout that they suggest. Or you just wake up and say, you know what? I want a little stretch today. I want a little Power Zone ride.

[Dan Le Batard]

So we're talking about. It's over five years now. So the answer to that question has changed and varied over the time. Right now they have a feature on that app that, you know, like, here's your weekly plan. And I've just kind of been sticking to that to sort of see how it goes. And it's been heavy on, like, you know, strength training. They tell you when you get to X age, that that's a. That's a thing you have to do more of. So I've been trying to do more of it, so I've been doing that. But there are times where, you know, I'd be like, I want to focus for this month on cardio stuff, or I want to focus for this month on, you know, lower body strength. So. So periodically, I. I have kind of changed up the routine. Sometimes it's just winging it, and sometimes it's like, well, this is. This is a structure. The. A plan I've put in place for the next month or two. I'm going to stick to and see how it goes.

[Dan Graziano]

Uh, let's put this on the poll, please. At lebatard show, are we still making Ebenezers? And also is Dan Graziano a craven opportunist? At LeBatard show, I'm gonna pin you.

[Greg Cody]

Down on this one. Tyler Lockett to Tennessee. Is he going to join the long list of great wide receivers that just can't seem to get it done in Tennessee? And that, boom, that's the end of the career.

[Dan Le Batard]

I think what. What he's doing in Tennessee, I think, is mainly, he still can play, but I don't think he's there to be like their number one receiver. They're paying Calvin Ridley for that. He's there, you know, young quarterback, maybe a young group put. Maybe they sort of help the veteran presence, you know, all those kind of cliches, and maybe be a number two or number three wide receiver for them, whatever it is that he has left. You talk to people in Seattle, I mean, they kept him sort of longer than I think a lot of people would anticipate because they just love him. Like, he's. You know, I've had people in their front office say he's one of the best football players I've ever seen in my life. He's great to have around. So I think there's benefit to Tennessee and having him, even if he's not a 70, 80 catch guy at this point.

[Greg Cody]

Thank you for the thoughtful answer.

[Dan Le Batard]

My pleasure.

[Dan Graziano]

Did you win the trivia contest with Bomani Jones? Yes or no?

[Dan Le Batard]

So we Got to the end of that and we asked Himbo who won and he said he hadn't been keeping score which was very disappointing. But I think I got more right than Bomani did that night there. The first question was a Dominique Foxworth trivia question that I got correct. So I was very proud of that on the Dominique Foxworth show. But I think I probably play it back and probably score it yourself if you really wanted to know. I haven't done that because you know, I'm not a braggart.

[Dan Graziano]

Do you think that you're better at sports trivia than Bomani Jones, yes or no?

[Dan Le Batard]

I would guess that his breadth of knowledge in terms of how it can probably go into different sports probably exceeds mine. I was a baseball fan growing up, a baseball nerd growing up. I knew a lot of baseball trivia and the football has kind of fed on itself since this thing, this Himbo thing started about six years ago now. I'd study a lot more just to be prepared. So I would say Bomani is probably better than me but specific to the kind of stuff Himbo throws out there. I've kind of figured out to some extent what he's vaguely what he's going to be asked.

[Dan Graziano]

I don't think of you as someone who has a lot of acid soaked football opinions but the way that you go after Aaron Rodgers has more acid on it than most of your opinions. Your present thoughts on Aaron Rodgers or what?

[Dan Le Batard]

Just waiting. Just one. Just curious what he's going to do. Not trying to guess. There's a whole cottage industry of people out there that think they know what's going on in Aaron Rodgers head. I don't know what evidence they have to support that idea. I am not among them. Curious to see what he does next. Aaron Rodgers. Dan is one of the greatest football players I've ever seen. Every time I've ever seen him play in person it's been a pleasure to watch. When he opens his mouth on non football topics it's less of a pleasure and I think sometimes it's worth mentioning that out loud.

[Dan Graziano]

Is this the fittest Dan Graziano there has ever been?

[Dan Le Batard]

Nope. I'm a little. I'm still not trying to knock off about six or seven pounds before the season. The season's rough man. Once I get into airports and hotels and it's tough always.

[Billy Corben]

That's what we're saying.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's a little bit.

[Greg Cody]

That's all I'm saying.

[Billy Corben]

When the 10 minute stretches start.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah but this time of year I'm home a lot more and you can get into the routine. That's what happened in 2020, right? Like I'm stuck home. Everything I ate was regimented, all the exercise was regimented. I wasn't drinking like a lot of people were and I think it helped. I went one direction while seemed like most everybody was going the other one.

[Dan Graziano]

He is still six or seven pounds overweight. He's Dan Graziano, one of the greats in South Florida history. A former fatso. No longer a fatso.

[Greg Cody]

Great dimples.

[Dan Graziano]

I am proud of him. I am proud just watching his career blossom has been a real pleasure. Thank you for tolerating our nonsense. Dan, good seeing you.

[Dan Le Batard]

Thanks for having me. Great to talk.

[Greg Cody]

Howdy listeners, it's Mike. This is one of the best times of the year. You're caught up in the emotion of the playoffs. Big time crucial games, going to games, hanging with your boys, hanging with your ladies, hanging with your family and having a good old fashioned time. Well, I can speak from experience. I've been doing all those things, but I've been doing so with a Miller Light by my side because having good times is great. Making those good times a Miller time makes it an honor. Unbelievable time. A time of your life with Miller Lite, a brand and a beverage that has been around for 50 glorious years. That's hard to do. Remain popular and delivering on great flavor for 50 years. Brewed with simple ingredients, none of the fluff, just real flavor. Malted barley gives it that rich balanced toffee note taste and the iconic golden color that just hits right every 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 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.

[Stugotz]

Hey listeners, listen up because I know that approaching this summer you're probably as busy as I am, but also as desperate as I am to find some healthy meals that you can fit into those busy windows. Well, it's time to make this the best summer yet. With nutritious 2 minute meals from factories. Eating well has never been this easy. Just heat up and enjoy, giving you more time to do what you want. Get outside instead of prepping and cooking indoors, factory meals arrives fresh and ready to eat. It's perfect for any active lifestyle because with 45 weekly menu options, you can pick gourmet meals that fit your goals. Choose from Calorie smart protein plus keto and more. In my most recent meals, I had the honey mustard chicken. I had that garlic herb salmon. And every side, every part of this meal was delicious. Honestly, at the end of it, I was just left wanting more because Factor's meals are that fresh, that delicious, and that nutritious. So get [e-mail] Dan50OFF and use code Dan50OFF to get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box. That's code [e-mail] DAN50OFF for 50% off plus free shipping.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, so I thought I was good with money. Turns out I was really good at ignoring it. Like, how am I spending this much on delivery or Uber or that one shoe store that I buy too many shoes from? Then I started using Monarch Money. And, dude, it's a financial wake up call. Monarch's not just some budgeting app. It's basically your money command center. Puts everything, accounts, credit cards, investments into one place. So you're not guessing anymore. And listen, I found stuff I didn't even know I was paying for. Since I started using Monarch, I'm tracking my spending, actually saving, and yeah, even having money check ins with my wife. And we're looking at each other and we're like, yeah, okay, we're all good. It makes the hard stuff way easier. And over a million households use. Monarch is named the best budgeting app of 2025 by the Wall Street Journal. So it's not just me hyping up. It's legit. It's real. Real deal Holyfield. And get control of all of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code [e-mail] in your browser for half off your first year. That's 50 off your first year@monarch money.com with code dan.

[Dan Graziano]

Dan Lebatard.

[John]

John, can you rate my Al Pacino from that billiard scene in Carlito's way if I do it for you? I think it's pretty good.

[Dan Graziano]

Yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay.

[John]

St you think you're big time when.

[Greg Cody]

You'Re gonna die big time.

[Dan Graziano]

That is on my infamous scale of 1 to 10.

[Mike Ryan]

That's a.

[Stugotz]

That's a 7.6 solid.

[Billy Corben]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugach.

[Dan Graziano]

The rest of you are an embarrassment. Just an embarrassment.

[Greg Cody]

Someone's talking about Trey Hendrickson. Check the social media. They won't shut up about it.

[Dan Graziano]

The. The Trey Hendrickson thing is interesting because of course he's mad that everyone else is getting the money.

[Greg Cody]

Well, he could be a missing Piece, including for the team that he was on. I don't know who's Cincinnati to be like, oh, we got Al Gold and we're fine. No, you got issues, pal.

[Dan Graziano]

He can't be a missing piece. When he was a part of the problem last year when they were terrible at defense and couldn't stop anybody.

[Greg Cody]

He's not part of the problem.

[Stugotz]

That's like saying Seth Jones was the problem with the Hawks, the Blackhawks.

[John]

Yo, set. Jones, my dog. Watch it.

[Billy Corben]

What?

[Greg Cody]

Thought he was a spaz, according to you?

[John]

I don't remember.

[Stugotz]

No, he's great.

[Dan Graziano]

The Bengals were one of the worst defenses we've seen.

[Billy Corben]

17 and a half sacks two seasons in a row.

[Dan Graziano]

Great. I'm not. I'm not saying he's not great. He didn't make that defense any good. That defense was porous. That defense is the reason Stugat is still arguing that the game after the super bowl should be played against the Bengals. Just because of how much Dugatz respects the Bengal offense that couldn't do anything because their greatest opponent was the Bengals defense.

[Greg Cody]

Well, is it Joe Burrow's fault the Bengals didn't make the playoffs? No, never. It's kind of the same thing going on. The defensive side of the ball shouldn't.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Have lost the first game of the season to the Patriots.

[Dan Graziano]

The Bengals did not lose because of offense. They lost because of defense. A defense anchored by Trey Hendrickson.

[Billy Corben]

How many years is Joe Burrow gonna get a pass?

[Greg Cody]

This Hendrickson thing got everybody talking.

[Dan Graziano]

It is odd that the all of you backtracked on Graziano. He was here and all of you didn't want any part of him.

[Greg Cody]

No, we put him down on Tyler Lockett, too.

[Mike Ryan]

I called him a bragger to his face.

[Dan Graziano]

I want to ask you guys about what's happening in New York where Michael K. Is saying, as the voice of the Yankees, that he did hours and hours of reporting before the Met Yankees played and before Juan Soto was reprimanded for not hustling on a 102 mile an hour line drive that he hit against Fenway's Green Monster. That could have and should have been a home run in every park ever played, but was a single in this one because he was jogging. He has said, Michael K. Has said. And this is not the way you want to start in New York with a new team when you've got a $765 million contract. The one controversy you do not want on the field is not hustling. And now Michael K. Is saying that he has found that Soto is sullen, that he is sad because he never wanted to leave the Yankees in the first place. And now he is already sad with the Mets. And I was just curious what you guys thought about Juan Soto and the Mets and the idea that you have lollygagging being accused when $765 million is supposed to be anti lollygagging.

[John]

I think it's a rough place to start that we're just in May of year one at a 15 and we're having this conversation about Juan Soto.

[Greg Cody]

I agree, but it isn't it also kind of weird that he's in the same town but unhappy?

[John]

Right, right.

[Greg Cody]

Just odd things.

[Mike Ryan]

Like things fans least like to hear or see their player not hustling and their player making that money bragging or lamenting how sad they are. Nobody wants to Michael that or hear.

[Dan Graziano]

Michael K is reporting that he's glum.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Sullen and glum.

[Dan Graziano]

Glum is the report. Forgive me, I corrected sullen. I changed sullen. I thought it was both. Which one's worse? Which one? Which one seems worse?

[Billy Corben]

The Mets are better than the Yankees. Like, why does he miss the Yankees? This is just Michael K doing Michael Cageleading for the Yankees. Oh, he really wants to be a Yankee.

[John]

He's been all over this. Even went like. Like when he signed with the Mets. And K mentioned details about that. Soto's people, they wanted a private jet for family to fly to games. They wanted a suite for family at all the home games. K's been all over it.

[Dan Graziano]

He did say he spent hours reporting this, that he went to the ballpark very early in the morning and just kept talking to people about the status and the head of Juan Soto.

[Billy Corben]

That's what people say. I spent hours reporting XYZ thing. And then Zaz just says, ah, this person's not gonna get suspended on a D feeling. And it ends up being right. It's like, oh, wow, look at all.

[John]

This recording he did. I don't know why you're saying it's feeling when I was right. Yeah, ended up being right. Not even getting a hearing. Yeah, that's right. My sources ended up being right. That is correct.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, my sources say the sun's going to rise tomorrow morning. Let's see if I'm right or not.

[John]

Everybody knows that.

[Billy Corben]

We'll see. Well, we don't know that until it happens. So we'll see.

[Mike Ryan]

Predict the future.

[Billy Corben]

Have you talked to sources? Don't reveal them.

[Mike Ryan]

Meteorological sources?

[Billy Corben]

Don't reveal them.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay, yeah, no, I would never Reveal my sources.

[Billy Corben]

We'll see.

[John]

I would go to prison for my sources.

[Dan Le Batard]

Would you?

[Mike Ryan]

I spent hours researching whether or not the sun's going to rise tomorrow. I guarantee it is.

[Billy Corben]

Wow.

[John]

Waste of time.

[Dan Graziano]

One of the things I enjoy watching around here is the number of people who don't spend hours researching anything, making fun of others who do and say so.

[Mike Ryan]

Like who? Who do you have in mind?

[Dan Graziano]

Well, you just did it. Billy did it as well. If Michael K. Says that he spent hours doing that, I believe him.

[Mike Ryan]

No, I'm not.

[Dan Graziano]

But you guys, last time, what you confronted, last time you accused anyone of being a liar. We had him on, and then you all backtracked back.

[Mike Ryan]

How can you say I backtrack when I call him a braggart to his face? Dan will admit that.

[Greg Cody]

And I have. No matter. Initially I was receiving the news. I believe him now after. After you guys questioned him pretty hard.

[Dan Graziano]

Which one's worse, glum or sullen?

[Greg Cody]

Glum.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Sullen.

[Mike Ryan]

I think sad is worse than glum.

[Greg Cody]

I do. They both have the one syllable thing going for. That's why I think glum's worse.

[Dan Graziano]

Put it on the Pollard show. Which one's worse, glum, sullen or sad?

[Greg Cody]

Like, I'm so sad I can't even muster up a second syllable.

[Dan Graziano]

You say the city is the reason he shouldn't feel shitty. Cause he's still there and it's the same city, but I would say a clubhouse. And coworkers. And your daily work experience, if you're hitting well with the Yankees and the crowds are flush and you're in Flushing and you're not hitting well and the crowds aren't, and your co workers, you don't particularly get along with them. I've told you guys before that Chris Bosh said rather eloquently, you never know the sacrifices you're making until you're making them.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, no doubt. I mean, you could be working at the same place for your entire career and have moments where you're unhappy. Look what happened with Jimmy Butler. He was happy until he wasn't happy. It's just odd because. Because he's in the same city, he's making the same kind of money. Probably really hasn't changed up his routine outside of where he does his job, which is also a very individual sport. Even though you're traveling with these guys, your job is very much. You're at the dish by yourself doing that. So it's just odd.

[Billy Corben]

The attendance difference also is 42,000 to 36,000. It's not like he's playing in Miami or in Tampa.

[Stugotz]

Why is that funny?

[Mike Ryan]

I mean, nobody wants to hear Juan Soto complain about anything. I'll be honest with you. What are you sad about? Seriously? I'm talking to Juan Soto right now. What are you sad about?

[Dan Graziano]

Sullen. Not sad is the report. Kay also said Soto, quote, doesn't have a hop in his step, whatever that means.

[Billy Corben]

That's not a report.

[Dan Graziano]

I mean, that was the report.

[Billy Corben]

Hours of research. Hours of research. That's what we got. He doesn't have a hop in his. If anyone said that there wasn't a Michael K. You would make fun of them relentlessly. Just Michael Cass franchise.

[Dan Graziano]

I feel like. Well, I feel like I just.

[Greg Cody]

He's not going to his funeral, though.

[Billy Corben]

I feel like he's not going to Michael Cass or Michael Cay's. Not going to Dan's.

[Greg Cody]

He's not going to Michael Cayes.

[Billy Corben]

Oh, maybe both.

[Mike Ryan]

I wouldn't either. Put some pep in your steps, Soto. That's what I would tell him.

[Dan Graziano]

I feel like I was making fun of him when I said reported not having a hop in his step, whatever that means. I do believe that that was making fun of him. But you can question my credibility and his research.

[John]

I guess I know the answer to it. But if you're Juan Soto and let's say that he is unhappy. All right, if you're Juan Soto and you were seemingly happy then last year with the Yankees, why would you Then sign for 15 years in a place that you don't know? I get it's the same city, but fifth. I'm happy right now, but I'm going to commit myself to 15 years to a place I got no idea.

[Dan Graziano]

I think what ends up happening in a lot of these instances, this is a Boris client, right? And I'm not saying that that's what's happening in this instance, but I've seen it happen a number of times with Boris clients, at least in part because he gets the percentage of the larger deal. They almost always select the greater deal. And in a lot of instances, it's a young player from another country and the dollars don't even make sense what the difference is between 500 million and 700 million. But you have an expert who's in charge of your finances, and what's the difference? How bad can it be going from the Yankees to the Mets when you've already gone from Washington to San Diego? How bad could it possibly be? And then you suddenly realize, oh, being the Yankee in New York isn't the second Class thing that being the Met in New York is because it's the stepchild forever in that city. I don't know. I'm guessing we'll get my friend Michael K on and not question him to his face tomorrow when we backtrack when he comes on and we're all his instead of just me.

[John]

When Scott Boris signs a client, like, yes, he. It's always the highest bidder with Scott Boris. I wonder though, when, when Scott Boris signs a client, does he tell them, when the time comes, we go to the highest bidder? That's the way. This, if we're working together, this is what happens.

[Dan Graziano]

I'd have you guys look up for me. When Boris clients don't go to just the person offering the most money. Scott Boris is so responsible for showing all of us how underpaid all of these athletes are when baseball can afford to pay Juan Soto this way. But I remember famously, many years ago, Juan Soto, I'm sorry, Scott Boris saying when talking about work stoppages and strikes, he said, baseball is the only sport anywhere in the world that goes down the grocery store, kicking the can down the aisle, denting the can, kicking it, ruining it, and then putting it back on the shelf and asking, asking you to buy it. Because we're always talking about the money. Until Greg Cody gets to the point where all he cares about Juan Soto is never hearing a word from him by way of complaint. Because Juan Soto is just a bag of dollars to him and not like the best young hitter since Ted Williams.

[Mike Ryan]

No, if Juan Soto is sad or glum because he has mental health issues, I would never make fun of him. If he's sad because he's making all that money and can't quite adjust to a new clubhouse, then I have very little sympathy. And here's another thing. What you said was correct about the Yankees always owning that town. So does Aaron Judge. He's also in the deep shadow of Aaron Judge, the team he left.

[Dan Graziano]

Easier to be on that team is the second notion than as the leader on the laughing stock. I should point out Soto's got an opt out after five years. So if he wants to get out of that contract, he can. And my guess is that it'll be over. Scott Boris, dead but body.

[Stugotz]

I would think it'd be easier to be a Met. Less pressure, like less media. I mean, I know they still get a lot of media attention.

[Mike Ryan]

It's just.

[Dan Graziano]

I don't.

[Stugotz]

I don't get it.

[Dan Graziano]

Well, the pressure with the Yankees was on Judge, not Soto. Soto was you just said being the.

[Stugotz]

Number two with the Yankees would be more like pressure than being the number one with the Mets.

[Dan Graziano]

No, I. I didn't say that. I said quite the reverse, actually. If you get to play in the shadow of Aaron Judge, it is easier than immediately signing the contract. Look, I know I make fun of that Robert De Niro movie, the Fan, because it was terrible. Bobby, that's a good impersonation. Limited fake Robert De Niro as an umpire. Again, I don't twist. I'm going to spoil the movie. Spoiler alert. Even though it's not spoiler alert. Wednesday. A little unusual to have a movie end again. Spoiler alert. In the rain with the umpire stabbing somebody with a knife. A player with a knife during play.

[John]

Didn't want Primo dirty, too.

[Dan Graziano]

It's a put it on the poll at LeBatard show. Weirder thing in a movie. The running back shooting opposing players in the Last Boy Scout or the umpire, Robert De Niro stabbing a player during play. But the premise of that movie was that Wesley Snipes was playing under the pressure of a contract, and the pressure of a contract made him a less great player. It is a thing like when you come to a city and are the savior for the Mets, an international and national laughingstock, and all of a sudden you've got 765 million reasons in that batter's box with you when you're swinging that make you think more than you should when you shouldn't be thinking.

[John]

All he wanted was a thank you.

[Dan Graziano]

Do you want to talk more about the Fan? Because it feels like you do. I can't believe how much you know about this Mobbie. It's a good impersonation he's doing. It was terrible. A truly terrible movie. Unlike the previously mentioned Final Reckoning, which we still haven't talked about, that's got.

[Greg Cody]

An 86 presently on rock 88. I saw. All right, so it's ticked up a little bit. I did get a report from someone that saw it that said it starts off a little slightly, but by the end, boy, do they bring it home nice. And the way that the Mission Impossible movies work is they map out the stunts at the start and then they write a story about that. And there were several stunts in this movie that you wonder aloud, how did he survive this?

[Dan Graziano]

Billy says he might go to the movies.

[Billy Corben]

I'm looking now 249 those long.

[Greg Cody]

That's Tom's whole thing is that you need to get your butt to the the theaters because he saved theaters. So you owe it to him to reward him for saving movies.

[Billy Corben]

Owe it to him?

[Greg Cody]

Yes. He saved movies. Did he with Top Gun, too? Yes, he saved. He saved more than just the movies. You make an argument. He saved society briefly.

[Billy Corben]

He was kind of an opportunist, if we're gonna be honest, with Top Gun. Right. Because that was supposed to come out in 2020, and then he held it back until it was just safe enough to go back to movies. Had he put that out when it was supposed to come out, he wouldn't have saved movies. Dare I say, his career might be over.

[Greg Cody]

At least he gave him credit for saving movies. That's what I heard.

[Billy Corben]

Do you see that on the. On the thing it says, like, final Reckoning, Mission Impossible, and then says, filmed for imax. So it's telling you go to see it on the biggest screen possible. It was made to be seen on IMAX.

[Dan Graziano]

Are you guys ever down for a 2 hour and 49 minute movie?

[Greg Cody]

Yes.

[Dan Graziano]

Of any.

[Stugotz]

I'm never excited about it, and maybe a movie will get me excited enough that I'm like, okay, I'll sit through it, but I'm always gonna make a groan when I see it.

[Billy Corben]

I wish I wouldn't have seen it, honestly. Like, if I would have just gone, I would have been fine. And then I would have looked at my watch after like, oh, that was a long movie.

[John]

I'm hoping the new Superman movie is four hours long.

[Greg Cody]

Really? Yeah. Superman. Such a boring character.

[Mike Ryan]

That's too long. Movies 249 is two long movies. A movie should be a minute and ten minutes. An hour and.

[Billy Corben]

He's right.

[Mike Ryan]

That's it.

[Dan Graziano]

Put it on the poll.

[Mike Ryan]

Bing, bang.

[Dan Graziano]

Should a movie be a minute and 10 minutes? Put it on the poll.

[Mike Ryan]

An hour and I corrected myself.

[Dan Graziano]

Put. Put it on the poll. Should a movie be a minute and ten minutes?

[Stugotz]

That kind of thing.

[Dan Graziano]

That kind of thing.

[Mike Ryan]

Exactly. Thank you. That kind of thing. Got to run those words together, Levitard. Slur them a little bit. Thank you.

[Greg Cody]

So the Dead Reckoning part one, which is now just called Dead Reckoning because they gave up on part one, Part two, they were ahead of everybody on AI.

[I]

All right, I know I got to do this ad read, but hold on, let me reapply.

[Dan Graziano]

Did you hear that?

[Greg Cody]

Yep.

[I]

That's my new favorite lip gloss from Nyx Cosmetics. Now I'm ready to talk to ya. I've been a huge fan of Nyx Cosmetics for many years now. In fact, I use their thick it stick it brow gel every single day. So you can imagine my excitement when we recently received a special delivery to the Lebatard Studios from our friends over at NYX Cosmetics. And there it was when I opened the box. Glowing. I heard the angels sing. It's their latest greatest lip gloss Fat Oil Lip Drip. It's Nyx Cosmetics first lip oil of its kind. This creamy lip oil will have your lips dripping with fat perks. You get all the shine of a lip gloss and none of the stickiness while experiencing 12 hour hydration. I'm usually a matte lip gloss kind of gal. My normal go to is NYX Cosmetics Lip Gloss the Lingerie xxl. But after applying the status update shade, I have found my new go to lip gloss loss. Fat Oil Lip Drip has high shine finish with comfortable wear and none of the sticky texture. A lip product that's hydrating, non sticky and only $9. Now that's a win. Try Fat Oil Lip Drip from NYX Professional makeup. Available in 14 universally flattering shades. Find your perfect fat oil lip drip. Shop [e-mail] or a retailer near you.

[Greg Cody]

Howdy listeners, it's Mike. This is one of the best times of the year. You're caught up in the emotion of the playoffs. Big time crucial games, going to games, hanging with your boys, hanging with your ladies, hanging with your family and having a good old fashioned time. Well, I can speak from experience. I've been doing all those things, but I've been doing so with a Miller Lite by my side. Because having good times is great. Making those good times a Miller time makes it an unbelievable time. A time of your life. With Miller Lite, a brand and a beverage that has been around for 50 glorious years. That's hard to do. Remain popular and delivering on great flavor for 50 years. Brewed with simple ingredients, none of the fluff, just real flavor. Malted barley gives it that rich balanced toffee note taste and the iconic golden color that just hits right every time. Miller Lite Great Taste 96 calories. Go to millerlite.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. Celebrating Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.