Hour 2: Top 5 MLB Names That Would Be Better in the NHL (feat. Mike Schur & Joon Lee)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: Hour 2: Top 5 MLB Names That Would Be Better in the NHL (feat. Mike Schur & Joon Lee)
Release Date: June 5, 2025

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Introduction and Top 5 MLB Names for the NHL

Duration: [01:13] - [03:04]

The episode kicks off with Dan Le Batard and Stugotz introducing the central theme: identifying Major League Baseball (MLB) player names that would resonate more powerfully in the National Hockey League (NHL). Joined by guests Mike Schur and Joon Lee, the hosts delve into a playful yet insightful discussion about how certain baseball names possess a ring of toughness and excitement more suited to the high-intensity world of hockey.

Notable Quote:

• Stugotz [01:35]: “He has top five baseball player names that would sound better in hockey. Are you ready as hockey names? Top five.”

The List of Top 5 MLB Names Suited for the NHL

Duration: [01:50] - [02:31]

Stugotz presents the list of MLB names, suggesting that these players' names evoke the grit and edge characteristic of hockey. The players selected include:

1. Eric Bedard
2. Joaquin Benoit
3. Ron LaFleur
4. Rance Mullenix
5. Eric Gagne

The hosts humorously discuss the appeal of each name, imagining how these players would fit into the NHL's branding and culture.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeremy Tache [01:53]: “Dante Bichette. Jim Fergosi. Ryan Samberg. That's more 80s Olympic hockey team.”
• Stugotz [02:31]: “How do you feel in general, Mike, about what happened at the end of your Boston Celtics season?”

Discussion on the Boston Celtics' Season and Jason Tatum's Injury

Duration: [03:04] - [07:12]

Transitioning from the playful segment, the conversation takes a serious turn as Stugotz broaches the topic of Mike Ryan's feelings about the Boston Celtics' disappointing end to their season, particularly focusing on the injury of star player Jason Tatum. Mike Ryan expresses his frustration and disbelief at how the season unraveled, highlighting the team's collapse despite high expectations.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Ryan [03:42]: “I haven't been here in months and I show up and you just toss out a, like, hey, here's a question I'm genuinely interested in.”
• Stugotz [04:37]: “I don't believe that you've ever had a season end in that surprising of a fashion.”

Examination of the Tush Push in Football and NFL Coaching Decisions

Duration: [07:12] - [13:26]

The hosts shift focus to football, specifically discussing the controversial "Tush Push" play. They critique the NFL’s handling of innovative yet contentious plays and owner behaviors, using examples like Jeff Lurie's lengthy rants about play strategies. The conversation touches on the debate around preserving the spirit of the game versus embracing new tactics that may not align with traditional football values.

Notable Quotes:

• Stugotz [08:45]: “What is keeping the next Ben Johnson from having a little person that you can throw 10 yards at a time and an unstoppable offense?”
• Mike Ryan [10:22]: “I don't like the tush push. I don't think it's rugby and I don't think that I signed up for rugby.”

Bill Belichick Controversy and Leadership Critique

Duration: [10:31] - [13:26]

A heated discussion ensues regarding New England Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick. Mike Ryan expresses mixed feelings about Belichick’s recent actions, questioning his leadership style and the personal controversies surrounding him. The hosts debate whether Belichick has lost respect among fans and what his recent behaviors mean for his legacy and the team's future.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Ryan [11:36]: “It's ridiculous. And anyone who tries to say it's not a story is wrong, in my opinion.”
• Stugotz [12:25]: “Put it on the poll. Our dudes gross.”

Segment: Pitch Clock with Jeremy Tachet

Duration: [25:19] - [40:52]

The episode transitions into the "Pitch Clock" segment, a two-part baseball trivia game featuring host Billy Corben and guest Mike Schur. This interactive segment engages the hosts in identifying MLB players' opening day rosters from 2002. Despite some humorous mishaps and incorrect guesses, the segment provides entertaining insights into baseball trivia and player histories.

Notable Moments:

• Billy Corben [26:03]: “He was on the Royals. Wow, that was good snipe there.”
• Chris Cody [33:10]: “He was a Brave.`”

Following the trivia, expert Jun Lee joins the conversation to analyze current MLB topics, including the Philadelphia Phillies' performance and the call-up of power-hitting prospect Jack Caglion to the Kansas City Royals.

Notable Quotes:

• Jun Lee [28:45]: “The Phillies, when the offense goes cold, it goes very cold, and the bullpen just isn't as good as it has been the last few years.”
• Billy Corben [37:28]: “One of the great baseball players, not just of this decade, of this century.”

Final Thoughts and Upcoming Segments

Duration: [40:06] - [40:52]

As the episode wraps up, the hosts tease upcoming segments and continue bantering, maintaining the show's signature blend of humor and in-depth sports analysis.

Notable Quote:

• Billy Corben [40:52]: “Either way, victory for me. Woohoo.”

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Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz masterfully balances lighthearted discussions on MLB names suited for the NHL with more serious analyses of sports team performances and controversies. Through engaging banter, expert insights, and interactive segments like "Pitch Clock," the hosts offer a comprehensive and entertaining exploration of various sports topics, making it accessible and enjoyable for both avid fans and casual listeners.

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Note: For a fully immersive experience, listeners are encouraged to tune into the episode directly to enjoy the dynamic interactions and comprehensive discussions.

Transcript

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[Dan Le Batard]

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[Stugatz]

Cuervo? Anytime someone says Cuervo, I show up.

[Dan Le Batard]

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[Dan Le Batard]

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[Mike Schur]

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[Chris Cody]

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[Dan Le Batard]

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[Mike Ryan]

Cuervo.

[Stugatz]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stu Guts podcast.

[Mike Ryan]

What are we talking about today? Leon Draisaitl and dumb boys.

[Dan Le Batard]

God damn it.

[Stugatz]

That's Mike Scher. He hasn't been around for a while. He comes in taunting, comes in strong. He was kind of silent when Tatum got hurt in the Celtics season and it kind of vanished. Couldn't find him. He was a plume of smoke. But now he's back because the Panthers are down.

[Mike Ryan]

Leon Draisidle and dumb boys bring you back into the fold.

[Stugatz]

That's right. And Stugatz is here for you in order to speak your language and welcome you back in after a while. He has top five baseball player names that would sound better in hockey. Are you ready as hockey names? Top five.

[Mike Ryan]

Never been more ready.

[Stugatz]

All right.

[Jeremy Tache]

I have some Oli here, dude.

[Stugatz]

All right, Oli. All right, let's go.

[Jeremy Tache]

Dante Bichette. Jim Fergosi. Ryan Samberg. That's more 80s Olympic hockey team. Number five, Eric Gagne.

[Mike Ryan]

Great.

[Dan Le Batard]

You're cheating.

[Jeremy Tache]

Number four, Rance Mullenix.

[Chris Cody]

Sing a Trent.

[Stugatz]

What a great name.

[Jeremy Tache]

Number three, Ron LaFleur. Number two, Joaquin Benoit. And number one, Eric Bedard.

[Dan Le Batard]

He's just Canadian.

[Billy Corben]

That was good.

[Mike Ryan]

That's good. That was a good list.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's a good list, you guys. I'm so proud of you, man. Good list.

[Mike Ryan]

I mean perfect. Absolutely dead solid perfect.

[Stugatz]

There is Only one thing that will make it slightly more perfect. Video room, please. As soon as you can, put in the picture and picture a photograph of Rance Mullenix so that everyone can see what it is that baseball players looked like in the 70s. And I want you to imagine about six home runs a season.

[Jeremy Tache]

You've given them that much?

[Stugatz]

I don't know. There he is, ladies and gentlemen. Rance Mullenix in the corner. They're looking like somebody would look if their name was Rance Mullenix. Put it on the poll. Plays at Lebanon show. Have you ever met anyone named Rants?

[Mike Ryan]

And also, if your name. Put it on the poll. If your name is Rants, do you have to wear prescription glasses?

[Stugatz]

Yes. Put that on the poll as well. How do you feel in general, Mike, about what happened at the end of your Boston Celtics season? That is not in terms of shocks. You were shocked, were you not?

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, of course. How do you think I feel? What kind of question is that? Yeah, the season ends at the hands of the Knicks, who The Celtics beat four times by like 20 points each game. And then the. On the, in the midst of going down three one, the best player on the team and a top five player in the NBA tears his Achilles. The game ends, the season ends, next season ends, and the team gets broken up. Like, take a wild guess how I felt at the end of the Celtics season. Wrong with you. What kind of question is that? I haven't been here in months and I show up and you just toss out a, like, hey, here's a, here's a question I'm genuinely interested in. How did you feel about your favorite team imploding in the playoffs? What's, like, what kind of question is that? What kind of journalism is that? You pride yourself on journalism. And that's the question you come at me with. How did you feel when the best player on your team blew out his Achilles?

[Stugatz]

The reason I asked that question is, is because I don't believe that you've ever had a season end in that surprising of a fashion. I don't think that your sports fandom has ever had what that had, which is, we're going to win again. We're super confident. We're feeling like we've got the best thing, and at the very least, we've got a chance against anybody. Oh, my God, it's over. Oh, my God, it's over for next season. Oh, my God, it's all over.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes. The people who made blimps were surprised at the Hindenburg. Yes. Correct. And I have to say one thing, though. The last season, despite everything Mike Ryan tried to say when I came on your show, the Celtics were winning the title. It was a. It was. They beat everybody, every game. They were absolutely unstoppable. It didn't matter who they played, under what circumstances, they were winning the title. I did not feel that way this year. People kept saying the Celtics are the favorites because they're the defending champs. They've got the best team. I watched, unlike you, Jam Oaks. I watch a lot of regular season basketball.

[Stugatz]

You've been. You've been telling us OKC for three seasons.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, and. And I just. I watched them a lot, and I watched Cleveland a lot, and I watched a lot of teams, and I did. I felt like the Celtics had a shot, but I did not feel the inevitability that I did in 23:24. I felt like I. I was hopeful that they could get to the finals, but I was fairly sure that even if they got there, OKC would win. So it. In the sense of, like, it was. I shocked they didn't win the title. Not in the slightest. I was. Obviously. The way that it happened was horrifying. And the Knicks series was rough, but I did not at any point during the regular season, really, except maybe after game one against the Knicks in Boston when they. When they tied a record for hitting threes, I was like, oh, maybe they've actually leveled up. But the way that the season unfolded, it just drew. Holiday had gotten a year older, and Porzingis always had some weird injury, and the team just didn't seem like they were as locked in as they had been the year before. So that part didn't shock me.

[Dan Le Batard]

You were losing that series with or without the Tatum injury, right?

[Mike Ryan]

I think so, yeah. I mean, after they blew those two games at home up 20, I don't think. I mean, could they have come back from 3:1, maybe, but they just weren't. They were playing into the Knicks hands. They were like. They were doing the opposite of what Indiana just did, which is running them ragged. And so I. Yeah, I think probably, no matter what, even if Tatum doesn't get hurt, they're losing that series.

[Dan Le Batard]

Right. But it's a devastating injury because he's out next year. How'd that make you feel? And say it slowly, please.

[Mike Ryan]

You know, how long has it been since I've been on the show? It's been like, six months or something. I've been here in a long time, a little slower. And the reason that I haven't been here is this. You want to know why I haven't been around? It's this.

[Billy Corben]

That's why he only comes on the pitch clock.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, that's right. I'm happy to go on to go on the pitch clock. Talk about stupid things in baseball. What I'm not happy about is this.

[Dan Le Batard]

Back to Tatum so I can cometh.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh my God. Yeah.

[Stugatz]

Coming up next, pitch clock with Jeremy Tachet. It's going to be right around the corner. I wanted to ask Mike Shore about. I don't know if this has been happening to you, but there are any number of apocalyptic things happening all over the world. And occasionally there are funny sports things that break out juxtaposed next to the apocalypse that make me laugh. Football's owners getting together at the breakers and yelling at each other about the Tush push. And Jeff Lurie, the owner of the Eagles yelling and talking for an hour about why one hour for one hour about why it is that he should have this play. I wanna get your thoughts in general about the Tush Push. I just loved rich people wasting their time arguing about this. But I really did wanna also play for you. Brad Williams asking the commissioner a question that to me push like and this isn't the spirit of what we're doing around here, but perhaps we should allow it because it's something that would allow people to get an advantage. Here's Brad Williams saying what should evolve from the Tush Push.

[Billy Corben]

Obviously one of the big hot topics over this off season is the play the Tush push, the shove.

[Mike Ryan]

If it's going to be bad. Not.

[Billy Corben]

But my question is the late football coach Mike Leach.

[Mike Ryan]

It was recently discovered that he had.

[Billy Corben]

Suggested putting a little person in the backfield, literally plopping him over the.

[Stugatz]

What is.

[Mike Ryan]

Ray Lewis loves it.

[Chris Cody]

Agreed.

[Stugatz]

What. What is keeping. What is keeping a the next Ben Johnson from having a little person that you can throw 10 yards at a time and an unstoppable offense?

[Mike Ryan]

I guess nothing. I mean I don't know if that was part of the hour long rant that Lurie gave, but maybe he was advocating for it. Maybe. Maybe this is how the game should go. Maybe this is the next evolution.

[Stugatz]

But I'm serious when we talk about spirit of the thing. Spirit of the thing. Isn't it. It's not a bridge too far. It's the same sort of silliness. Right? We're not. I understand that the Tush push is still ostensibly but it's not football anybody wants to watch.

[Mike Ryan]

No, I agree with you. I think it's kind of dumb. I really don't. I don't like the tush push. I don't. I think it's rugby and I don't think that I signed up for rugby. So I'm. Yeah, I'm all for it. I'm not taking the bait on the other thing you're doing, by the way.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, I don't think he likes it.

[Stugatz]

How do you, how do you feel? Do you have any opinions on Belichick and everything going? Have you lost respect for Belichick?

[Mike Ryan]

I don't know, man. I mean, some part of me is like, let the guy live his life, who cares? And some part of me is like, the thing that Pablo has been saying, which I, is something I agree with, is like the part of it that's a story is the way that he ruled his little fiat for, for decades, which was like, no distractions, do your job. Guys get benched for incredibly minor infractions. And then he is just the. He's like the biggest. He's his own biggest distraction. And that part of it just, I don't understand it. And except to say, like, yeah, rich guys in their 70s lose their mind. Like, I don't think it's that confusing when you think of it as just a rich dude in his 70s who met a attractive 20 year old who like showed interest in him. Everything after that kind of, I don't know, it lines up, falls into place. But I do think it's a story. I don't think it's not a story. I think it's like that guy who ran his world that way, now being this guy, I mean, it's ridiculous. And anyone who tries to say it's not a story is wrong, in my opinion.

[Stugatz]

Oh, but it's not. You're sitting here taking the parts of the story that allow us to rationalize why it's okay to creep around in his bedroom and stuff. But the reason people are interested in this is the age difference. Like that.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah.

[Stugatz]

And I can make the subsequent argument and the power dynamics, but I'd say sports fans who know about Belichick's history in the patriot way are doing what you're doing. But this, this story's crossed over and it has nothing to do with anybody who cares anything about how Bill Belichick got to the winning and has everything to do with why is there a 50 year age difference here? And are we talking about something in the realm of Anna Nicole Smith? Like what? Like that's what's happening with the curiosity and then it's covered poorly by just about everybody but Pablo.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah. Although I would say that to some extent the least interesting part of it to me is the age difference. Because it's like, yeah, rich guys in their 70s date women in their 20s if they can. Like, that's. This is the 10 millionth version of this. Like, it's not new. That part of it isn't new. The part of it that's new to me is that his whole thing was don't do anything to give anyone an angle on you and the internal workings of your organization. And then he's done the opposite of that. He's made, he's made himself the story and has invited all of this scrutiny about something that isn't whether he's running a 34 or a nickel defense. So like, to me, the part of it of like a 74 year old dude got into a relationship with a 21 year old or whatever she is or was at the time. Like, okay, like, yeah, the dudes are gross. They do gross things. If they give their. If they're given the opportunity, they're gross. Like, that part of it is to me is boring. The part of it that's interesting is the sports angle, to me.

[Stugatz]

Put it on the poll. Our dudes gross.

[Jeremy Tache]

Yes.

[Stugatz]

At Lebatard show. And also give me the stat of the day music please. Start of the day, start of the day it is the start of the day Start of the day Start of the day it is the start of the day Start of the day Start of the day it is the start of the day Start of the day Start of the day it is the start of the day.

[Billy Corben]

Max Muncie started the year real slow for the dodgers. Then on April 30th was diagnosed with astigmatism and they gave him glasses. Max Muncie's stats headed into yesterday's games before getting glasses. 28 games, a 180 batting average, 0 home runs, 4 RBIs, 34 strikeouts. Post getting glasses. 29 games, 275 batting average, 8 home runs, 30 RBI and only 18 strikeouts.

[Mike Ryan]

Vision important.

[Stugatz]

Yeah. Hitting, Hitting the baseball requires eyesight, remember?

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah.

[Jun Lee]

Remember when Brian Roberts, like years and years ago had like red contact lenses because it helped him see the, the grip of the ball better? And we all thought, oh my gosh, like everyone's going to be running around with red eyes in baseball. And then just. No one did that.

[Dan Le Batard]

They were, they were banned. They were banned in the NFL. If you remember Cal Van Den Bosch and Mario Williams also had those contacts and they were banned in the NFL. They. They did provide an unfair advantage.

[Mike Ryan]

Mike, you talked to Timlin. Mike Timlin used to wear them.

[Stugatz]

You've talked to baseball pitchers, though. You. You can. As we don't really understand the people listening to this. Us. If any of us were in a batter's box and somebody threw a pitch 100 miles an hour, that was a strike. We'd all be scared of it. And baseball players will tell you it's a dot it's not a baseball. You're trying to hit a dot because of how fast all of that is moving. The idea that somebody is trying to hit a ball at 100 miles an hour. What do imagine that looks like?

[Jeremy Tache]

I mean, I'd be flinching. There's no way you don't flinch. For me, the average person. I'm not saying that a major league player would do it. I think. I think it looks like something you don't see. That's what it looks like.

[Stugatz]

I don't think you see it. I don't think the human eye registers a ball at that speed at the size of a baseball. Do you think I have this wrong?

[Mike Ryan]

No, I think you have it right. I mean, the funny thing about Muncie is that astigmatism, specifically, I have astigmatism. A lot of people do. And basically what it means is if you. If there's a dot in your field of vision, like a dot of light, you see it as two dots. So like, it like splits apart. So he was swinging ostensibly at like one of two things that were going 100 miles an hour.

[Chris Cody]

How about him hitting 180 with that?

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, I know. Yeah.

[Billy Corben]

It's actually more impressive than what he's done post glasses.

[Jeremy Tache]

But it seems like a typical Max Muncie season. And I mean, that's. That's how it goes for Max Muncie with or without glasses. No.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, I think he's a little better than 180 and no homers. I just. I like hitting, hitting a ball.

[Jeremy Tache]

He's 228 for his career.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, it's better than 180.

[Stugatz]

It is better than 180. There's no disputing that. Let's spin the wheel here with Mike Scher and let's see what it lands on. We have Raphael Devers. We have the state of the television industry. We have Elon Musk. And we have Mike Shure talks even more slowly about his Jason Tatum pain. What did it land on there? Mike can you see Jason Tatum, Payne.

[Dan Le Batard]

Where does this leave you guys? You guys were gonna get rid of players either way because somebody paid $6 billion for the franchise. You were gonna probably get rid of Porzingis. But now an entire year is wasted with what Bomani Jones called probably the last fringe superstar. The tipping point when it comes to superstars.

[Stugatz]

I was asking the other Mike, I wasn't. I was asking the other Mike where that wheel landed.

[Dan Le Batard]

What is the season gonna be like? Are you gonna be bad? You could be.

[Mike Ryan]

I'll give Mike what he wants. I'll give him what he wants. Elon Musk. I think there's a real chance that next year is a truly disastrous season. I think there's a chance that the Celtics end up something like 37 and 45 and just give their fans no hope at all for any, like barely.

[Billy Corben]

I know what you're doing.

[Mike Ryan]

It just barely make the play in and have to sort of like have a, have a bunch of guys on the team saying like, you know, don't let us win this play in game because we, we're, we're, we have the heart of a champion and we could make some noise in the playoffs if we win this play in game. Like, that's obviously a worst case scenario for a franchise and I think that's possible for the Celtics next year.

[Dan Le Batard]

That sounds like hell. Can't wait for you to go through it.

[Stugatz]

Let's spin the wheel again. We've got the NBA All Star Game USA versus the world. We've got Trump's support of Pete Rose being a factor in Rob Manfred allowing him into the hall of Fame. We' got Raphael Des, we've got the state of the TV industry and we've got Elon Musk. And again, on the wheel is also Speak even more slowly about the Jason Tatum injury. Where did it land there, Mike?

[Billy Corben]

Speak even more slowly about.

[Stugatz]

I wasn't talking to you. I wasn't talking.

[Jeremy Tache]

You can see why he's confused.

[Jun Lee]

I'm asking the other mic has an astigma.

[Stugatz]

I'm asking the other mic.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, I'm seeing two wheels.

[Stugatz]

I thought you were going to say I'm seeing two assholes.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, look again. Nightmare. Absolute nightmare scenario to be trapped in that limbo where you can't attract any free agents. You're just, you know, chasing these guys, Durant and Giannis every year and not getting them. You're, you know, you're drafting like 16th and you have to hope that some random guy that you.

[Stugatz]

Raphael Devers on the, on the list here. Elon Musk.

[Chris Cody]

And then talking fast about Jason Tatum.

[Stugatz]

Yeah. You're not respecting the wheel. You're not respecting what it is that we're doing here. You continue to make fun of the Miami Heat. That's not.

[Mike Ryan]

I can't see the wheel. I'm relying on Mike Ryan. Where it landed.

[Stugatz]

Mike.

[Dan Le Batard]

Astigmatism. Elon Musk.

[Mike Ryan]

I mean, what's like. What is there to say about that guy? It's like one of the worst living human beings.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, I mean, there was a pivot like 24 hours ago. Well, that's what. That's. There we go. That's the opinion we're trying to draw out of you, Mike. Shirt.

[Stugatz]

Come on.

[Mike Ryan]

There's no. This is a fake out.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's bs. They're not actually at each other's throats or not turning on one another. Talk to me.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm sure that somewhere in that bill was something that he wanted and didn't get or something that he didn't want. And they put it anyway. He's you. It's not a pivot. When you're like. When you have. Are at least displaying the qualities of an addict. You don't pivot. You just. You ricochet around. Like you. You have one thought one day and another thought the next day, like, he's not pivoting. He's a lunatic. And by the way, I'm sure you've talked about this recently. There's one person in America who got this guy, right? And he's sitting in your studio right now. And I think once again, years. Huge upset, huge up years before any of us saw this. Stu had him absolutely nailed. And I don't think it could be said enough how on the money, Stu was in like 2013 about this guy. Like an absolute one of the great calls of all time by Stu gods.

[Jeremy Tache]

Yeah, Good hockey.

[Stugatz]

Holy Stugach was right.

[Mike Ryan]

This is the greatest example ever.

[Stugatz]

You would have enjoyed hearing Billy try to convince Stugatz that because stugotsbook.com now has a 47% off discount to buy all the inventory and then return to selling it at full price. So that double your money.

[Billy Corben]

Inventory purchased.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes.

[Stugatz]

See you later, Mike. Sure. Good seeing you again.

[Mike Ryan]

Bye.

[Stugatz]

Guys, pitch clock with Jeremy Tachet is next. You should listen anyway.

[Mike Ryan]

Always funny.

[Jun Lee]

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[Chris Cody]

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[Chris Cody]

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[Stugatz]

Folks.

[Chris Cody]

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[Mike Ryan]

Don Le, the Miami Heat and all their fans and Heat culture and Jeremy Tachy and coach spo and Bam Adebayo and the corpse of Kevin Love can all go to hell.

[Stugatz]

Stugats.

[Mike Ryan]

And when they get there, say hello to parakeet Cortez for me. And then tell Parakeet to say hello to Art Briles.

[Jun Lee]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats.

[Billy Corben]

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. The pitch clock is back. Baseball Hi, there's Chris. We're gonna play a game in just a second with Taylor. We have our 2025 MLB expert Jun Lee joining us in moments. But Taylor, what's our game for today?

[Mike Schur]

I'm gonna give you guys a point player from 2002. You have to say whose opening day lineup or roster they were on. Six rounds, 12 total players. We'll do Jeremy first, then Chris first name. Carlos Beltran.

[Billy Corben]

Who's going me. In 2002, Carlos Beltran was on the Royals opening day roster.

[Mike Schur]

He was on the Royals. Wow, that was good snipe there.

[Billy Corben]

Come on, man. That's where we got to start. All right, one nothing. Lead. That's quick.

[Mike Schur]

Chris Cody. Jeff Coney.

[Chris Cody]

See, this is. I know this because they traded for him in 03 back from. I believe that he was a Philly.

[Mike Schur]

He was not a Philly.

[Billy Corben]

He signed with the Phillies as a free agent going into 2003 and then got traded that season.

[Chris Cody]

And I know where he was.

[Billy Corben]

Where was he?

[Mike Schur]

Jeremy, you have a chance to steal.

[Chris Cody]

Can I steal back if he gets it wrong? Can I steal back if he gets it wrong?

[Mike Ryan]

No, I don't think that's.

[Billy Corben]

How was he a Baltimore Oriole leg.

[Chris Cody]

That's what it was. Of course that's what it was.

[Mike Schur]

Chris, you got Oriel again.

[Billy Corben]

He wasn't or he got Orieled again. I mean, unfortunately, the double stuff Oriole last week did not lead to a victory. So I'm not going to get too cocky, but it is two nothing after one round.

[Mike Schur]

Jeremy, David, Justice.

[Billy Corben]

There's two teams that came to mind immediately with David, just Justice. And in. In 2002. I can't decide if he was still with the.

[Chris Cody]

Talk it out. Where was he?

[Billy Corben]

I am. Well, I don't. I'm gonna go ahead and guess that he was a.

[Chris Cody]

He said an A. He said an A. So that's his final answer.

[Billy Corben]

An Atlanta Brave.

[Jeremy Tache]

Okay.

[Mike Schur]

He was not an Atlanta.

[Mike Ryan]

All right, Just to avoid some.

[Chris Cody]

Some terrible embarrassment here, I'm gonna just say the Oakland A's.

[Mike Schur]

Chris Cody. You almost gave him the right answer.

[Billy Corben]

Wow, really? What a giant mistake.

[Chris Cody]

You looked at me.

[Billy Corben]

I did.

[Chris Cody]

I say that.

[Billy Corben]

Now I'm panicked.

[J]

I.

[Billy Corben]

Because now you have an opportunity to tie and I got cocky immediately in the first round. And now it's time for Jun Lee to join us here on this episode of the Pitch clock as our 2025 MLB expert. June, we're going to dive into some of what you're doing right now in your work in just a couple of minutes, but I want to start here on the Major League Baseball topic. And we're going to start with a team that is at the top of most people's power rankings right now, maybe the best team in the National League. It's the Philadelphia Phillies, who at the time of this recording, since April 26, are 21 and 6. But June, when we look at the Philadelphia Phillies at. At this point, with the way they're playing, with what their roster looks like, should we be considering them the cream of the crop in the National League and the real team to beat potentially over the Dodgers?

[J]

I think that we're currently reaching a place where there's a bit of like a reality check with the Phillies. And I think part of that comes with Jesus Lizardo and kind of the uncertainty around his last start where he gave up 12 runs. And, you know, Bryce Harper's been injured and it doesn't seem like he's going on the il, but, you know, I think that there's just a lot of these compounding things happening with the Phillies right now. You know, I think that the Phillies, when the offense goes cold, it goes very cold, and the bullpen just isn't as good as it has been the last few years. And, you know, they lost Jose Alvarado, and he's been a crucial part of their bullpen of course, the last few seasons. And so this team is really talented. Do I expect Kyle Schwaber to be as hot as he's been to start the season for the rest of the year? Probably not. But I think one of the interesting wildcards with this team is, you know, the rehab of their top prospect Andrew Painter and how he potentially factors in for the second half of the season. If you're able to get like 80% of what you think Andrew Painter can be out of the game and also just Aaron Nola, like not being terrible.

[Billy Corben]

Right.

[J]

Like that can really, I think kind of change the prognosis for this team. But you know, I think it's, it's. This is definitely a playoff team. Is it team that picking over the Dodgers? Probably not, actually. Definitely not.

[Billy Corben]

You mentioned Andrew Painter is a guy that the Phillies have been waiting on and this week is the call up of a guy that we've all not necessarily been waiting on because this is a pretty early call up. But Jack Caglion, the former Florida Gator who is now called up to the Kansas City Royals, one of the great power hitting prospects that we've seen in Major League Baseball in a long time. So June, what does it mean that the Royals are calling him up now? What does it say about the player and your expectations of him? And given the fact that they might lose a year of arbitration with them, what does it say about what they think of what he will ultimately be?

[J]

I mean, I think it speaks just as much to kind of the plays that the Royals are in as a franchise where they're trying to figure out their identity for the next generation. Obviously they have the face of their franchise with Bobby Wood Jr. That's right. But you know, I think I, I'm, I think I'm a little bit of a Caglian skeptic in terms of the hype behind him. Because part of why he was so interesting coming out of Florida was the fact that he was a two way prospect. And obviously that was coming out of the height of Shoehei Ohtani, I think, blowing everyone's minds doing what he did. Doing what he's done. Excuse me. For as long as he's done.

[Billy Corben]

That's right.

[J]

You look at a guy like Pete Alonso, who is like a prodigious power hitter for this generation. A guy who hits, you know, moonshots and has a higher exit velocity than most guys. What I really look to see when a guy comes up is a guy can get hot for the first month of a season and that especially Happens a lot with prospects. But when the league adjusts back to them and they start picking out the holes in their swing and the holes in their approach, are they able to adjust back. And at that point, I think it's easier for me to be like, oh, that guy's going to be very good. I just always am a little bit skeptical of a lot of hype going behind a guy who obviously has a lot of power, but, you know, could be a little bit more limited in terms of his value ceiling.

[Billy Corben]

What's Chris's name here? Taylor. Yeah.

[Mike Schur]

Robin Ventura.

[Chris Cody]

Well, they're just really. They're not a ton of teams that jump out to me for Robin Ventura. Two of them are pretty. Why are you, like, looking all weird?

[Billy Corben]

Because I don't wanna. I don't want to give you anything as you talk through this.

[J]

Yeah, I'm just gonna go with the.

[Chris Cody]

First team that popped in my head. I'm not gonna prolong this here. I'll go Mets.

[Mike Schur]

He was not a met in 2002. Opening day.

[Chris Cody]

Ross should have known that.

[Billy Corben]

See, he does this thing.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah.

[Billy Corben]

It's like the team, you associate him.

[Chris Cody]

It's not going to be that guy.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah, it's never going to be that. And the Mets was.

[Chris Cody]

Throw this at the Mets.

[Mike Ryan]

Were.

[Billy Corben]

Did it hit the. Nice reaction time. I'm going to go ahead and make my. Is. Was he a royal.

[Mike Schur]

He was not a Royal Chris.

[J]

White Sock Chris.

[Mike Schur]

Right city, Wrong team. He was a Yankee.

[Billy Corben]

Oh, wow. In 2002, Robin Ventura was a Yankee. Huh.

[Chris Cody]

Can you grab that pen?

[Billy Corben]

I threw? Not yet. All right, let's pick this back up. Round three, that kind of thing.

[Mike Schur]

Great council, huh?

[Billy Corben]

There's one. It's one of two teams. Good.

[Chris Cody]

So you say one of them, and if it's wrong, I'll guess the other.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah. I'm going to go ahead and just say that at the start of that year, he was an Arizona Diamondback. Thank you.

[Mike Schur]

He was a Diamondback.

[Billy Corben]

Oh, thank God.

[Chris Cody]

I was just. I knew the other.

[Billy Corben]

I was nervous. Yeah. The other team would have been the brewers. Right? Three. One game here. And Chris Cody's up.

[Mike Schur]

Chris Cody. Chris Carpenter. A fellow Chris.

[Chris Cody]

I mean, I can't think of other teams this guy played for.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah, it's one team. I genuinely.

[Mike Ryan]

I genuinely.

[Billy Corben]

I know it's not. I know it's not. And I know that there's a team that he was on.

[Chris Cody]

Taylor, don't make that face, because that implies that you would do it. So now I'm going to say the team that I'm thinking, and then it's going to be wrong. And that's a jerk move. You just. You're not supposed to make any faces. Taylor Cardinals.

[Mike Schur]

He was not a card.

[Billy Corben]

No way that he was a Cardinal. I. I cannot remember the team that he was on.

[Stugatz]

I'm sure.

[Billy Corben]

Oh, was he a Toronto Blue Jay?

[Mike Ryan]

I hate you.

[Mike Schur]

He was a Blue jay.

[Billy Corben]

So it's 4 1-441- headed into round four. My. My next game here.

[Chris Cody]

Can I still win?

[Billy Corben]

Yeah, yeah. There's plenty of opportunity. I want to talk to you, June, now, about the work that you've been doing. Because for those who don't know, June has been doing work on his YouTube channel. The handle is Iamjun Lee. And if you just look up jun Lee on YouTube, you will find all of his work. But one of the recent projects that you had was with Adam Otovino. So, June, I want to dive into this with you. You squared off against a big leaguer. Tell me about this experience and what were your biggest takeaways from the time that you spent with Adam in the work that you're doing here on your YouTube channel.

[J]

Yeah, I mean, I think I've always been curious about what it's like to step into the batter's box against the major league pitcher. And I thought that Adam in particular was an interesting person because of his kind of role in the sabermetric evolution of the sport. And his sweeper kind of being one of those pitches that I think a lot of young players today coming up have said that kind of helped them rethink their approach on the mound and kind of their arsenal. So that part was really interesting. But the second reason I thought it was really interesting is, like, we live in a time where the average major league reliever, almost starting pitcher, too, is. Is pumping at least 95 to 100. And Adam is 40 years old and at the time was still kind of had. Had these major league opportunities. Adam was kind of on the lower end of the velocity spectrum. And so I wanted to kind of contextualize that experience as a whole as well, because I think we live in a time where, you know, and I'm not saying that I'm immune to this, but, like, there's so many hot takes.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes.

[J]

And people love to criticize athletes and their performance on the field or on the court. And I think that it is important to take a step back sometimes to remember that, you know, someone like Adam Odovino, who is the type of person in baseball, specifically who gets demolished on social media by giving up a home run in a crucial spot in the eighth inning. Like, the type of guy that both Yankees Twitter and Mets Twitter have, like, a vengeance against is still significantly better than the average human being at the thing that they do. And so, you know, I think. I think that there's, you know, I wanted to, like, kind of do a fun YouTube stunt, but I also, I think, also wanted to kind of contextualize it in the sports media time that we live in right now.

[Billy Corben]

There's some wonderful humanity in that piece as well. So I really recommend people go to June's YouTube channel and follow him on Instagram. But let's end here, June. Two guys that I want to focus on here this week, and I'm going to have you choose either Ronald Acuna Jr. Who's come back from his injury and gotten off to a ridiculously hot start, potentially influencing what the Braves can do this year, or the superstar that nobody ever seems to talk about, a guy who is always in the top five to 10 of every offensive category in baseball, Jose Ramirez, who's doing it yet again this season for Cleveland. Which of these two guys do you want to focus on, June?

[J]

I have a soft spot in my heart for Jose Ramirez. Just because he has been so good for so long, and the fact that he hits for as much power that he does, the fact that his game is as well, rounded as it. As it is, the fact that, like, you know, I think in part because of the language barrier, most baseball fans don't really know a lot about him. Like, he's lived a great life to be able to, like, do what you love, get paid in the way that he has, and go completely unrecognized, probably in most of the world, I would imagine, except for, you know, his hometown and his home country. Like, it's a pretty good life to be living.

[Billy Corben]

One of the great baseball players, not just of this decade, of this century. Go look at his statistics. He's been unbelievable. June. This has been an unbelievable conversation. June. We're going to get back to trivia, but thank you for joining us, and we'll have you back here next week.

[Mike Schur]

Jeremy, Gary Sheffield.

[Billy Corben]

Now, I know it's not Milwaukee, said Milwaukee. And then I said, I know it's not Milwaukee until it ends up being Milwaukee, which would be very funny, but I know it's not Milwaukee. I know it's not Florida. All right, I'm gonna guess Yankees.

[Mike Schur]

He was not a Yankee.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah, he wasn't there yet. I. I can't believe. I can't remember where he was at this time in his career.

[Chris Cody]

Atlanta Brave.

[Mike Schur]

He was a Brave.

[Billy Corben]

Brave. Of course he was a brave. Sneaky amount of team for Sheffield. Oh, you play. You played for like nine different teams.

[Mike Ryan]

Teams I had written down here you.

[Billy Corben]

Had Braves and Yankees. That's funny. If you don't get this one, maybe I, I need to stick with that. This is big.

[Chris Cody]

This is a huge names pick. The easiest one left. Let's go, let's play the game.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm.

[Mike Schur]

I'm staying true to form in this list.

[Chris Cody]

Give the people what they want, a close game.

[Mike Schur]

Eddie Guardado.

[Billy Corben]

You. Yeah, you're an.

[Chris Cody]

No, I know this one. I see this, I see it coming.

[Mike Schur]

He's like, oh, you're gonna say Twins.

[Chris Cody]

Cuz that's where he was popular. But no, he signed with the Mariners at this point. Mariners.

[Mike Schur]

He was not a Mariner.

[Billy Corben]

Twins.

[Mike Schur]

He was a twin.

[Chris Cody]

Taylor, you can't. That is such bull.

[Billy Corben]

Taylor, I swear to you now you. I didn't have seven Chris.

[J]

Shot in.

[Billy Corben]

Hell of getting the Twins. But then you said both of them. I couldn't remember. I couldn't remember a team. Ah, team that he played for. And now it's a 5 to 2 lead.

[Chris Cody]

That is such a Dick Taylor.

[Billy Corben]

Thank you, Jeremy.

[Mike Schur]

Armando Benitez.

[Billy Corben]

Armando Benitez was on the Mets.

[Mike Schur]

Armando Benitez was on the Mets.

[Billy Corben]

Ooh, did I just clinch a victory?

[Mike Schur]

Six to two.

[Billy Corben]

Somebody has a three point lead with three.

[Chris Cody]

With three out of four. Let's go. Let's make this in name. All right, here we go.

[Mike Schur]

Chuck Finley.

[Chris Cody]

Chuck Finley.

[Billy Corben]

I've only got one name in mind.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, so do I.

[Billy Corben]

Maybe, maybe there's this, ah, maybe there's a second one. But I've got one name in mind.

[Chris Cody]

Chuck Finley. Angels.

[Mike Schur]

He was not an Angel.

[J]

He said.

[Billy Corben]

I would have guessed the same thing. Phillies.

[Mike Schur]

Cleveland.

[Billy Corben]

Cleveland. Okay, and what are our last couple names? Just for the fun of it.

[Mike Schur]

Placido Polanco. Jeremy.

[Chris Cody]

Tigers.

[Billy Corben]

Phillies.

[Mike Schur]

Cardinals.

[Billy Corben]

Oh, I don't remember that. And the last name?

[Mike Schur]

Kenny Lofton. I think I know this.

[Billy Corben]

I think it's.

[Stugatz]

I'll go.

[Chris Cody]

Braves?

[Billy Corben]

Chicago.

[Mike Schur]

Which one?

[Billy Corben]

Cubs?

[Mike Schur]

White Sox?

[Billy Corben]

Damn, that's not who I have.

[Chris Cody]

All right, well, good to know.

[Billy Corben]

Either way, victory for me. Woohoo.