Is Erling Haaland Attractive? | Hour 2

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show
Episode: Is Erling Haaland Attractive? | Hour 2
Date: July 6, 2026
Location: Live from the Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

This hour dives into current events at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and its cultural impact in Miami, specifically the USA’s historic run, a lively debate on Erling Haaland’s appeal, banter about fan cultures, memorable sports numbers, and the quirks of sports betting. The crew’s signature blend of irreverent humor and earnest sports talk is on full display.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Erling Haaland: Great Looking, Odd Looking, or Both?

(02:24–05:14)

• The conversation opens with the Norway–England World Cup matchup, quickly morphing into musings about Erling Haaland's physical presence and attractiveness.
• Debate: Is Haaland “impossibly good looking or impossibly odd looking?”
  • Chris: “Just interesting.” (03:23)
  • Jeremy: “I can't stop looking at him. That's all I know. I think I'm attracted to him.” (03:24)
• Mike Ryan: “He’s a curiosity because he…looks a little strange, plays unbelievably appealing football…You just don’t see all of those physical traits all put together, especially with that kind of skill.” (04:15)
• Saslow suggests a poll: “Put it on the poll at Lebatard show: Erling Haaland—great looking, odd looking, or both? You’re allowed to choose both because he is basically leaking testosterone.” (03:51)

2. Fan Cultures at the World Cup

(05:03–08:31)

• Comparison of fan bases:
  • Brazil & Mexico bring vibrant, passionate crowds; Norway & England offer a more subdued but sizable drinking presence.
  • Tony: “Brazil stinks.” (05:16)
  • Mike: “I am very excited for the English and Norwegian to come here locally and drink our bars dry.” (05:41)
• Discussion of wild Australian fans singing outside a Walmart, with a bit of local South Florida color about the influx of international fans and the “magical buildup” in Miami.
• Saslow: “We have spent a ton of money to make these people feel welcome from all over the world…You never hear this much song in the streets of South Florida.” (08:31)

3. The United States World Cup Run: Hype, Doubt, and Expectations

(08:31–18:33)

• The U.S. is a favorite against powerhouse Belgium for the first time in living memory.
• Mike: “This is only going to be the third time if they win today they’ve made it that far into the World Cup tournament…But on the whole, that would be meeting expectations. Give me one more match…immense for the sport in this country.” (17:48)
• Saslow and Mike debate what’s realistic versus what Americans will believe if the U.S. advances: “What is about to happen is the American obnoxiousness of ‘we can win the whole thing’…But there’s no fun in dismissing that hope. …If you get a bounce…all of the talent disparities cease to matter.” (14:54)
• Tony: “Biggest game in 20 years.” (09:37)
• They note the surprising dominance of the US so far, while traditional soccer powers (France, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Italy) struggle or are already out.

4. Betting Talk and the Confounding World of Soccer Overs

(18:33–21:27)

• Mike and the crew explain the quirks of betting soccer (bets settle after 90 minutes, not including extra time), which confuses even seasoned bettors:
  • Saslow tells the story: “I had over two and a half goals…and I thought that that won. And it didn’t win because it was 1:1 at the end of regulation…In all the other sports…if I bet the over, I get the overtime and the extra innings.” (19:24)
• Tony, frustrated: “Who makes that rule?” (20:26)
• Mike, deadpan: “They’re not going to change everything just because of your newbie ass not understanding the rules.” (21:10)

5. Sports Numbers That Still Matter

(22:27–31:29)

• Deadspin-style riff about historic sports numbers and what still holds cultural significance.
• Classic numbers invoked:
  • MLB: Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak, Ted Williams’ .406, home run records.
  • NBA: Wilt’s 100-point game, Jordan’s six rings (but not Bill Russell’s 11—“players were wearing belts on their socks”).
  • NFL: Marino’s 420 TD passes, Shula’s win record, Tom Brady’s seven rings.
  • NHL: Wayne Gretzky’s all-time points.
  • Golf: Nicklaus’ 18 majors.
• Memorable exchange:
  • Saslow: “Find me 10 numbers in sports that still matter. I think you’d have a hard time finding 10…” (25:08)
  • Jeremy: “Jeremy and I both had to look it up.” (re: Cal Ripken streak, 2,632) (26:05)
  • Tony: “I want you to imagine LeBron James in a fighter jet. Try to imagine one of today’s athletes just fighting in a war…” (26:25)

6. U.S. Soccer’s Road Ahead, Other World Cup Storylines

(33:35–36:57)

• Crew debates their rooting interests if the US goes out.
  • Mike wants a Portugal–Argentina final: “I want Ronaldo’s legacy depending on going through Messi’s.” (34:23)
  • Tony: Looks at U.S. potential paths, noting that a Morocco upset could further benefit the U.S.
• Discussion of Portugal's underwhelming play and betting odds, but Mike expresses faith that “they’re going to be better for…these tighter games.” (36:06)
• Tony: “They kept the shit out of Canada this week.” (35:59)

7. Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron, and Miami Heat Speculation

(36:59–38:39)

• Breakaway segment on a livestream featuring Giannis and his brother.
• Saslow fixates on Giannis’ “cheeky shrug” when asked about LeBron, muses about open roster spots and possible movement (in classic Heat-fan style).
  • Tony: “That was cheeky.” (37:23)

8. The Drama and Magic of World Cup Upsets

(38:57–40:55)

• Mike describes the emotional rollercoaster of the Cabo Verde-Argentina match, arguing it’s “a literal movie” with goals, saves, and a script-ready underdog saga.
  • Mike: “The entire team celebrating in the stands after that equalizer, guys. Goosebumps right now. Now that is a movie that plays out on the pitch.”

9. Trump "Quotes" on the Balogun Ruling (Satirical Segment)

(41:03–41:37)

• Jonathan shares tongue-in-cheek “Trump quotes” about the red card reversal and credit-boggling:
  • “I saw the play and…that wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction…He’s our best player…And he gave him a red card. I didn’t know what that meant. Yes, I asked for a review by FIFA…It was not Biden. Biden was asleep.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Haaland’s Appeal:

  • "I can’t stop looking at him. That’s all I know. I think I’m attracted to him." – Jeremy (03:24)
  • "He is basically leaking testosterone. I’m surprised people aren’t slipping in the fumes behind him." – Jonathan Saslow (03:51)

• On Fan Culture:

  • “I am very excited for the English and Norwegian to come here locally and drink our bars dry.” – Mike Ryan (05:41)
  • “There is no escaping how much you hear even more different languages than you usually do around South Florida. You never hear this much song in the streets of South Florida because…culturally, the world has come to the United States.” – Jonathan Saslow (08:31)

• On U.S. Soccer Hope:

  • “You’re going to get American bandwagoners who are going to think immediately, wait a minute, they’re going to win the whole thing. And you can dismiss that hope if you’d like, but there’s no fun in dismissing that hope…” – Jonathan Saslow (14:54)

• On Betting Soccer Overs:

  • “They’re not going to change everything just because of your newbie ass not understanding the rules.” – Mike Ryan (21:10)

• On the Rarity of Lasting Sports Numbers:

  • “Find me 10 numbers in sports that still matter. I think you’d have a hard time finding 10…” – Jonathan Saslow (25:08)

• On Athlete Heroics:

  • “I want you to imagine LeBron James in a fighter jet...” – Tony (26:25)

• On World Cup Movie Moments:

  • “The entire team celebrating in the stands after that equalizer, guys. Goosebumps right now. Now that is a movie that plays out on the pitch.” – Mike Ryan (40:55)

• On Satirical US Politics in Football:

  • “I spoke to a man who’s highly respected, Gianni Infantino. I’m the one who got them to do it. It was not Biden. Biden was asleep.” – “Trump” via Jonathan Saslow (41:37)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Haaland Attractiveness Debate: 02:24–05:14
• Fan Culture & International Flavor in Miami: 05:03–08:31
• US World Cup Hype & Expectations: 08:31–18:33
• Soccer Betting Quirks: 18:33–21:27
• Sports Numbers That Still Matter: 22:27–31:29
• US Soccer Road Ahead: 33:35–36:57
• Giannis & Miami Heat Speculation: 36:59–38:39
• World Cup Upset "Movie": 38:57–40:55
• Trump Parody Quotes: 41:03–41:37

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Summary

This episode captures the zaniness of soccer’s global moment in Miami—the feverish hopes drummed up around US soccer, the influx of cultures and fans, and the robust sports debates, both silly (Is Haaland hot?) and sincere (Can the US really win it all?). It features heavy doses of humor, sly political parody, and the camaraderie that makes this show uniquely engaging for devoted listeners and World Cup newbies alike.

Transcript

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[Dan Le Batard]

You are listening to the Dan Lebatar show in partnership with the DraftKings Sports App. Now live in all 50 states.

[Mike Ryan]

This segment is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings. The Crown is yours now. The last time I made picks on a segment for the World cup, we cashed two out of the three. So I went over to the DraftKings sports apple, which is now available in all 50 states. And the market price I'm getting in our Sunshine state of Florida is Pedro Neto for Portugal. When that dude is dialed in, when he when he is fully committed to playing really hard for Portugal, he gets on the score sheet. He's a big game player. I think Pedro Neto is plus 567 to score. What a match we have at 3pm between Portugal and Spain. And in the nightcap, another immense match. I like the market price on Pulisic to score or assist minus 104. Those are the picks again. DraftKings La Corona Estuo Biggest game in

[Jonathan Saslow]

20 years Jeremy, give me some information please on things that Belgium is famous for. Because what Zaslow did while derisively yelling at Belgium for complaining about the suspension of a suspension, he said, go to the locker room and make some waffles. And so I want some other famous things. I think french fries are eaten in Belgium in a way that's unusual. Don't they do mayonnaise with french fries there?

[Zaslow]

Yeah, they do. This is similar to like in Amsterdam. You can get a cone of waffles and they'll put mayo on top of that. So they fry them once and then they fry them again. That's the big thing is they fry them twice. You got to make sure they're fried twice. If not, they're not Belgian french fries.

[Jeremy]

It's called the Belgian dip.

[Tony]

You know about that Muscles from Brussels, Jean Claude Van Damme.

[Jonathan Saslow]

A couple of things I want to talk to you guys about here because it is the biggest game in more than 20 years. Biggest game in 20 years. The United States is favored to win tonight. And I find myself disappointed with the following before I get to the United States game. Okay, the game that we're going to get is England, Norway in terms of cultural feel, little different than Mexico. Brazil just the. The fan bases are wildly different. Erling Holland is a delight to watch. He has. He scored like nine goals in a game as a teenager. He's absurd. He's so good, but he's just ridiculous in terms of how fast he is at that size. Now Mike Ryan was saying before the show and this is nonsense, he's like this, this guy's been timed as having Tyreek Hill speed. I do not believe that it's 6 5. This guy with blonde hair who Chris can't decide whether he's impossibly good looking or impossibly odd looking.

[Zaslow]

Just interesting.

[Jeremy]

I can't stop looking at him. That's all I know. I think I'm attracted to him.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, a little different because he doesn't have to wear some pads on him. That might slow him down. But his top end speed, I think from this World cup would have registered the fourth highest top end speed in the NFL.

[Jonathan Saslow]

He's amazing to watch. He is 6 5. He is so damn Nordic.

[Mike Ryan]

He's defending his ass off where his

[Jeremy]

eyebrows should be that I just can't stop looking at.

[Jonathan Saslow]

So put it on. The poll at Lebatard show Erling Holland great looking or odd looking or both. You're allowed to choose both because he is basically leaking testosterone. I'm surprised people aren't slipping in the fumes behind him because he giving off a whole lot of speed and masculinity.

[Mike Ryan]

He's such a curiosity because of how he like, let's be real, looks a little strange, plays unbelievably appealing football because his speed, his aerial ability, the fact that he's gigantic. You just don't see all of those physical traits all put together, especially with that kind of skill where he can score with either foot, score aerially, where he can just out masculine you and he's got the technical ability to out finesse you or just pull away. He is just such an unbelievable player. And again, I am not used to seeing him track back as far as he is. He has had clearances off the goal line. He is defending and playing with such pride right now for Norway.

[Jeremy]

That jawline, the hair, he makes me want to be a better man.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Where are you on the differences between the fan bases? We could have had Brazil, Mexico sopping all of South Florida and England, Norway, it's just It's a great, it is a great soccer matchup.

[Tony]

Brazil stinks.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, we have Brazil down here. They don't stink a lot of, A lot of their fan base. We have a Mexican presence down here. I just don't think we'd feel the. Certainly as a small business owner, I am very happy with this matchup because culturally I know the Mexicans can get after it with their gigantic cups. They love huge cups. It's crazy, but I am very excited for the English and the Norwegian to come here locally and drink our bars dry.

[Tony]

I will say the thing that does bum me like, I like this matchup. Norway, England. But Brazil, Mexico, Dan, they have great fans. They have great fans.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Nick Wright is one of those fans. Evidently. He is looking very.

[Zaslow]

That's not real.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Very leprechaun.

[Mike Ryan]

There's no way he put that out himself.

[Zaslow]

No, he did not.

[Mike Ryan]

He did. And I've already made it a meme. I put him in Mexican garb once. They lost. This is my new crying Jordan, folks.

[Jonathan Saslow]

He looks like a leprechaun there, right? This looks like somebody. You could say that it's this time of year and it's Brazil. But if I told you he was at a Notre Dame game, if I told you this was Nick Wright attending a Notre Dame game, would you say that, that, that he looks Irish. He does not look Brazilian. He does not look like he's speaking Portuguese. He looks like a front running Irish guy. And as soon as he jumps aboard the Brazil bandwagon, it makes a mean cry because Brazil ends up losing to Hollande and he's just exceptionally Nordic. It is ridiculous what it is that that guy is. Physically, he scores. I'd like to know what percentage of his goals are headers because he's just taller than everybody else and he's very good at scoring on corners because his head is higher than all the other little soccer players.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah.

[Mike Ryan]

If you like to make a Pick on the DraftKings sports app Haaland to score with, his head is usually available on the sportsbook. Yeah, certainly. And that's been, that's been a fun one.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Lot of surface area on that forehead. There's a lot of cranium there.

[Jeremy]

A lot of forehead. I, I feel like if we're talking fan bases, these Norway fans get a little bit of overhyped. This like boat thing that they do afterwards. Like, it's just not as fun and cool. Like I'm way more into the fans that go into the city and like, like Australian fans. We have a video here of Australian fans just bombarding a Walma.

[Jonathan Saslow]

So sick of that song. They've made me hate Jack White.

[Jeremy]

You're not the only one that hated him. The Walmart employees hated them. They were soon quick kicked out.

[Jonathan Saslow]

So the. The initial chant was we're going to Walmart. And the. And the last chant when they were kicked, we're getting deported. Texas, baby, is what they were singing about. That song has been going on nonstop outside of my apartment. We're going to Walmart for a month. No, that

[Jeremy]

they all sing in that tone.

[Tony]

Find a new tone.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Oh, my God. It's the only thing about this thing that I want out of my city. Everything else is great. We have spent a ton of money to make these people feel welcome from all over the world. They are everywhere. Like, there is no escaping how much you hear even more different languages than you usually do around South Florida. You never hear this much song in the streets of South Florida because culturally the world has come to the United States and it really has been. It's been a magical buildup. Zas to what I believe, no matter how easy you tell me that the host country had it or one of the host countries had it, because this was lined up. And the unit the United States has now tonight will play in its fifth straight game where it's a favorite. Okay, just saying that sentence to me is something that I couldn't have imagined at any point following U.S. soccer my entire life.

[Tony]

Biggest game in 20 years.

[Jonathan Saslow]

So they are favored to advance tonight to the round of eight. They are favored to beat Belgium, a traditional power and I guess we can say, right, Paraguay, as Mike likes to say, had more impressive games later after losing 4 1. But this is their toughest opponent. This is the toughest. Tonight is the toughest game that they've had, even though they're favored.

[Tony]

I think it's interesting to point out. And you mentioned Paraguay. Who France. A terrible game. France won one nothing. Penalty was the only score in the game.

[Mike Ryan]

140 degrees on the pitch.

[Tony]

Terrible game.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Bobby is furious at how they played

[Mike Ryan]

with like that was fun to see.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Mbappe, he just thought they were dirty.

[Mike Ryan]

The crap talk that went from both teams live, I don't know if the TV cameras caught it going both ways. But Mbappe, you know, it was about that life.

[Tony]

But all of these powerhouses, France, Spain, Germany's out. Argentina, Italy didn't even make the World Cup. All of these traditional powers, and I'm not even including like Brazil, they've all either lost games or they are in tight games. They're being tested, they're facing adversity. The US Is kicking the like the US And I'm not trying to say that they're better than those teams I just mentioned, but I do think it's interesting that the US has not played a tight game. And okay, you can look at the opponents I just gave you Paraguaguay, who the US crushed and France did not look good against.

[Mike Ryan]

And we have a common opponent recently that we can draw some data from. I know was a warm up friendly and both teams made sweeping changes at halftime.

[Dan Le Batard]

But.

[Mike Ryan]

But the US Handled Senegal where Belgium escaped with their lives against Senegal took a two goal comeback very late in that match. Belgium did drill the United States fairly recently in a friendly, but that's when Pochettino was just trying to figure stuff out. This is a totally different situation from the last time these two teams played in a knockout round stage. The golden generation of Belgium that got as far as a semifinal and beat Brazil and was led by Eden Hazard, one of my favorite players of all time. Not many holdovers. Lukaku is still on there. He is so different now. He barely plays at the club level. KDB's still got it cooking, but they're at the tail end of their golden generation. Whereas the United States now in the teeth of theirs.

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[Mike Ryan]

Tony, you know that moment at a party or at a tailgate where everything just sort of clicks?

[Tony]

I know it well.

[Zaslow]

It's usually when I show up, everybody goes crazy.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, you usually take all the credit for it, but it's because Tony usually walks in with Cuervo. Walking like this. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Cuervo is a thing that turns hanging out into this is the night. It has that effect on people.

[Dan Le Batard]

It does.

[Mike Ryan]

You usually take the credit for it, but again, it's the Cuervo effect. It's like that moment in a big game where everyone in the crowd just starts standing up, hooting and hollering, Keep it Cuervo. Keep it Cuervo, baby.

[Zaslow]

So my schedule gets a little chaotic this time of year. Most days I'm here at the Metal Ark studios and then I'm heading straight to another broadcasting or hosting gig, and especially in this Miami heat. It's insane. And not the Miami heat, but the Miami summer heat. I've been trying to keep at least one healthy habit consistent and that's why I've been bringing Cachava's new travel packs with me. It's one less thing I have to worry about, which is great because I'm already spending enough mental energy figuring out what shirt is acceptable to wear on camera or hosting or on the show that I'm not going to get made fun of for. So I just throw one in my backpack and I've got an all in one nutrition shake ready whenever I need it. It's packed with plant based protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, greens, probiotics, electrolytes and more. So even when my schedule is all over the place, I know I'm getting something good in it. Tastes great, it's easy to take anywhere and there are no fillers, no nonsense. Take your daily ritual with you. Go to kachava.com and use code DAN for 15% off your first order. That's 15 off your first order. That's Kachava. K A C H A V A dot com code DAN.

[Dan Le Batard]

Dan Levitar.

[Tony]

My algorithm on Instagram is Dan, it's all boobs.

[Dan Le Batard]

Jonathan Saslow.

[Tony]

It's a good algorithm.

[Dan Le Batard]

This is the Dan Levatar show.

[Jonathan Saslow]

You have a situation here, Zaz, where if you win tonight, what is about to happen is the American obnoxiousness of we can beat anybody, we can win the whole thing. I don't think they can win the whole thing. I think that the obstacles that are ahead of them going forward will continue to get more formidable and are appreciably more formidable than any of the five teams they will have passed in order to get to the next round. So I'm with Tim Howard on his his thoughts that it is impossible. One of the most famous US Soccer players we have had this century says it is flatly impossible to imagine the United States winning the World Cup. But if they win tonight, you're going to get American bandwagoners who are going to think immediately, wait a minute, they're going to win the whole thing. And you can dismiss that hope if you'd like, but there's no fun in dismissing that hope because in this particular sport the margins can be so thin that if you get a bounce or the other guys hit a post, all of a sudden you've changed. All of the talent disparities, they cease to matter because the goals are worth so much and to Zaz's point, they lost the game that they weren't trying to win. They didn't have any incentive to win it. The game did not matter. The other three games they've won in various fashion because the last one they won was ugly. Like that wasn't what the first two were against Australia and Padawai. Those were, those were the hope creators. Because you saw offense, you saw attacking, you saw a team that wasn't trying to protect a one goal lead or a two goal lead by playing scared. It was showing you over the course of a match. There's no reason to worry here. I don't believe tonight is that Belgium. To me, what Belgium did in coming back against Senegal is the most impressive thing I've seen in this tournament. That's not Cape Verde, where they score three goals in the last, what is it, seven minutes of regulation and extra time. They end up scoring three goals to come back down to nothing. Every game you've been watching in this tournament, when someone's down two nothing in the 80th minute, they're all over. Except Brazil scored one there at the end. But you know they're over. Like there's not a. There's not a chance at two nothing. You're done, Dosa Serro, you're finished. Not Belgium. Belgium ends up advancing to this round. But what, what are reasonable expectations here, Mike? Because I think it's reasonable to expect them to win tonight. Although you can only be so disappointed if they lose. Because traditionally, throughout our country's history, this is a game the United States loses.

[Mike Ryan]

It is. This is only going to be the third time if they win today that they've made it that far into the World cup tournament. I think it would be at this point disappointing, especially with the Baligan ruling and the fact that they're favored here in a knockout stage round that. That doesn't happen with the United States. But on the whole, that would be meeting expectations. Give me one more match, though. Give me one more match against either Spain or Portugal. Immense for the sport in this country. Give the nation that moment. Give the nation talking crazy saying, hey, we're just a dub away from potentially playing France in the semifinal in Jerry World. Give us that. Don't let us get this one.

[Jonathan Saslow]

So I want to talk about the Baligun thing in a second, but before we do that, let's talk about Spain, Portugal for a second, okay? Because you guys benched Ronaldo early in the tournament. He scored two goals in the second game and has largely been in the way for Portugal as they continue to play him, who is favored in that game? Because before the tournament started, I think Portugal was one of the favorites, but the way that they have played, I think would undermine that status.

[Tony]

Spain is Spain's minus 110 very slight favorite.

[Jonathan Saslow]

So, yeah, it's a very. It's a very small favorite.

[Mike Ryan]

Market price on DraftKings sportsbook right now to advance that. Oh, that's final whistle. Many people are learning that most of these picks that you can make are just 90 minutes and then extra time. You have to go into Proplan. But to advance at the end of the game, Portugal plus 163.

[Jonathan Saslow]

How about this, Zaslow? I learned the other day because I am not someone who wagers on soccer. I learned the other day in the Cape Verde, Argentina game, I had over two and a half goals, and I thought that that won. And it didn't win because it was 1:1 at the end of regulation. And I'm like, wait a minute. In all the other sports where I bet, if I bet the over, I get the overtime and the extra innings. And this. I learned it. I learned it by being confused when I saw that my bets had lost because it was 1:1 at the end of regulation, I had over two and a half. The game ended 3:2. So I'm like, I win that bet. And then I'm like, why did I lose this bet? This is some sort of mistake, is it not? It's only the first 90 minutes.

[Mike Ryan]

A lot of sportsbooks have turned to having a prompt when you first open the platform. Hey, just so you know, these are 90 minutes having to explain the sport because there are so many people.

[Tony]

Not even extra time.

[Mike Ryan]

There are so many people that don't understand that are new to picks on. On soccer that have the rules explained to them.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah.

[Tony]

Who makes that rule?

[Mike Ryan]

Because, like, it's how you can place a pick on a. On a draw.

[Tony]

Okay, but like. Like in hockey, you get the goal if it's scored in overtime, you know, so who makes the rule where. Okay, but it's soccer. We're not doing that. It only counts for this is the

[Jonathan Saslow]

only place that that rule is so correct. All. All the. All the other overs that you bet in hockey and baseball and basketball and football, all of them include the extra time. Soccer is the only one that does this. Cor.

[Mike Ryan]

Hockey, you can also make a pick on a. On. On the game going over.

[Tony]

But if you pick an over in goals in hockey at the end of the game, what the total is is what the total is right.

[Mike Ryan]

But that's because this board can famously end in draws where the other ones can't.

[Tony]

Well, but not in. Not in knockout round.

[Mike Ryan]

Right, but it's still 90 minutes. They're not going to change everything just because of your newbie ass not understanding the rules.

[Tony]

All right?

[Mike Ryan]

I'm trying to be as welcoming as I possibly can.

[Tony]

Just because you're doesn't mean that I'm lucky.

[Mike Ryan]

Let's. Let's up. We're coming to this sport. Let's learn their rules.

[Tony]

Yeah, Calm down over there, man.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Trying to win some money in baseball over the weekend. I don't know if you guys saw this or if you care, but Araldis Chapman set the record for most strikeouts by a reliever. That wasn't the funny part. The funny part was whose record he broke. He broke Hoyt Wilhelms, who set the record at the age of 50. I am not so used to how it is that science has changed the aging Diana Taurasi and Tom Brady and LeBron James that I can imagine in 1972, Hoyt Wilhelm getting out there five days before his 50th birthday and setting the record for strikeouts by a reliever. I'm sure none of you know what that number is, but it makes me ask you guys the question.

[Tony]

A guess.

[Jonathan Saslow]

You want to guess?

[Mike Ryan]

We do have an update on the Baligan situation. Belgium had till 8am eastern time this morning to file a formal appeal. They sent out a very strong statement, as did UEFA. They were very displeased with this development. The deadline has come and gone and Belgium did not file a formal appeal, which. Yeah, I missed it. What are they gonna do? They know. They. They know that this wouldn't go their way.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Usa. Usa. Usa.

[Mike Ryan]

Corruption for good. USA Corruption for good.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Let's go. Corruption for good.

[Mike Ryan]

Corruption for good.

[Jonathan Saslow]

20 years. Important player.

[Tony]

Big or miss deadline. Belgium or Anthony Carter's agent.

[Jonathan Saslow]

That is a deep cut right there. Anthony Carter's agent allegedly didn't re up a contract clause that would have paid him $10 million. Not him, but Anthony Carter.

[Tony]

No, it was like 3 or 4 million.

[Jonathan Saslow]

No, I think. Look that up for me, Jeremy. I think it was a lot more than that. I don't think it was 3 or 4 million. I think Anthony Carter was it. Bill Duffy, was that the agent? I think it was 10. I think it was at least $10 million. We'll have Jeremy look it up and see who's right there. But getting back to what it is that I was saying about Aralda's chapter. The number of strikeouts is 1,364. But steroids and an assortment of other things have made it so that baseball, which cherishes its numbers more than the other sports. Baseball does a very good job of protecting its cherished numbers. But there are very few that still matter, even in baseball. Can you tell me what they are like off the top of your head? What, what are the numbers that still matter in baseball?

[Jeremy]

Joe DiMaggio, hit streak.

[Tony]

What's the number?

[Jonathan Saslow]

56. That is one of them. I would put that very high on the list. Maybe at the very top of the

[Mike Ryan]

list.4 2 batting average, Sir Williams.

[Tony]

That's what I was going to say.

[Jonathan Saslow]

There aren't very many though, right? You can't do this in the other sports. None of the, none of. Do any of the numbers matter in basketball or football like any. Never mind putting them.

[Mike Ryan]

100.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah.

[Jonathan Saslow]

100 points.

[Zaslow]

2,632 matters.

[Jeremy]

That's a great one.

[Zaslow]

The iron man streak by Cal Ripkin Jr. Also $4.1 million for Anthony Carter.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Good call, Z. Is that it though? Like how many, how many? More stuff, how many?

[Jeremy]

The home run record still matters, does it?

[Jonathan Saslow]

I mean, what is it?

[Jeremy]

70?

[Jonathan Saslow]

Yeah, there you go. Yeah.

[Zaslow]

762. We're talking all time, right?

[Jonathan Saslow]

I was thinking he was doing single season and didn't know. Thus 72.

[Priceline Announcer]

No.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Thus nullifying his point. You nullified your point when you can't remember what the number is.

[Jeremy]

But if someone was pace. I'm doing the thing of if somebody was pacing, would we be getting excited about it?

[Zaslow]

We would.

[Jonathan Saslow]

The home run record, I mean Schwaber has had 30 home runs at every all Star break and nobody, nobody talks about it very much because of how they've distorted everything. I think it's, I think it's fairly amazing that. But as we sit here and talk about all of the numbers that have polluted sports and you can't talk about Jalen Brown now without the numbers in his contract being the numbers you associate with Jaylen Brown more than any other numbers. The fact that if we sat here as roundtable and I said find me 10 numbers in sports, all of sports that still matter, I think you'd have a hard time finding 10 because you just did Cal Ripken and I don't think most people know that one. Like I, I know that they. That he's got the longest streak. But I don't think that if I ask people what, what is that number?

[Jeremy]

Jeremy and I both had to look it Up.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Yeah, I don't. I don't think. 56, you know, 56. I know what you're talking about immediately. I know what you're talking about. Less. Less. So 402, but fine. Ted Williams also. I think he did that on. Didn't he go like 5 for 7 in the last game? He could have sat in the last game. I think he could have sat in the last game and still had a.400 average. And he decided to play and he went five for seven.

[Tony]

Balls move.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Played like a dou. Well, yeah. Balls moved. Also missed part of his prime to be a fighter pilot. Like, that's. We don't quite make. We don't make them like that anymore. I want you to imagine. I want you to imagine LeBron James in a fighter jet. Like, try to try to imagine one of today's athletes just fighting in a war. Because he's fighting. He's flying a warplane.

[Zaslow]

I got the story here. So he could have sat out and had a.399.55 average, rounded up to 400. Instead, he played both games of a doubleheader in which he went 6 for 8 and finished the season hitting 406.

[Mike Ryan]

It's weird that the six rings of Jordan matter more, I think, than Tom Brady's seven. We always mention the six rings. I guess once LeBron retires, maybe. Maybe Tom Brady's seven rings can get a little bit more shine. Because in the modern era that. That seems impossible to recreate.

[Tony]

Do you think, like the other fighter jets, you know, who are fighting against the U.S. like, they could see that it's LeBron in. That gentleman, yo.

[Dan Le Batard]

Just shot down.

[Tony]

LeBron.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Jeremy, look up for me where Ted Williams head presently is, because his.

[Zaslow]

That's a great question.

[Jonathan Saslow]

His body was frozen rather famously, and I think his head was separated from his body at some point. So it's in a cryogenic chamber of some sort. But that's quite the history that Ted Williams has, where you got 402 fighter pilot and severed head apart from your body after you've died. I do want to talk for a moment about the idea. Let's consider the idea of an athlete at the height of his American fame stopping playing for a couple of years to fly fighter jets. I was just impressed by Jalen Brown, feeling like he's the smartest guy in every room.

[Dan Le Batard]

How about.

[Jonathan Saslow]

How about as a side trick, Ted Williams is just. He's flying. He's flying in a war.

[Zaslow]

Is that more difficult or playing baseball if you're Michael Jordan? Easy Lib honor or troops in Scottsdale, Arizona. That's where the head is.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Any football numbers matter? Any of them?

[Mike Ryan]

Seven rings, I think for Tom Brady. The more we get separated from it, the more bonkers that'll feel.

[Tony]

I mean, I used to know Marino's 420, but it's been passed a few times now, so it doesn't really mean anything.

[Jonathan Saslow]

170 you gave me.

[Tony]

That's good.

[Jonathan Saslow]

170 is good. So let's see if we were putting a top 10 list together. Let's see if we can do this. Let's see if, if we can get to 10 as a group because 100 is on there for basketball. 100 points in a game by Wilt Chamberlain would be on there. But what else from basketball would be there? Because LeBron has recently broken all of the career points stuff and six rings

[Mike Ryan]

in basketball because it's been always the tiebreaker there.

[Jonathan Saslow]

So why are you doing six instead of all of Bill Russell's? Like, you're just.

[Mike Ryan]

Because no one counts that. Because, I mean, the players were wearing belts on their socks.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Bill Russell had 11 championships. Right. So, yeah. Twice as many as there were.

[Mike Ryan]

17.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Jordan.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay, get out of here.

[Tony]

You see a competition.

[Jonathan Saslow]

The baseball numbers. I don't think the home run record is still one of the numbers. So, like, I do think the 56 is one of them. Do you have anything from hockey that is worth putting on this list? A number that means anything in sports.

[Mike Ryan]

All time points that's unbreakable.

[Tony]

What is it?

[Dan Le Batard]

Wayne Gretzky. I don't know what it is.

[Tony]

That's the point.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, there's a couple of numbers that you think are like, in NFL, I'd be like, oh, oh, Shula's win record. That was such a big deal. And then I was like, what is that number?

[Jonathan Saslow]

No, that one's 325though, isn't it?

[Mike Ryan]

No, I don't. I don't think so. Gretzky's getting something different. Gretzky's2857.

[Tony]

You're getting something different because some places count playoff wins. Also.

[Jeremy]

I have six on the list right now. In the NFL, it's 170 and getting to seven rings. NBA, it's 100 points and six rings. MLB, 56 game hitting streak, NHL all time points. That's six things we have so far.

[Jonathan Saslow]

I don't think NHL classifies what all time. No, because you, you didn't know what the number was. You're our hockey expert.

[Mike Ryan]

You don't have to know the number. To know no one's ever reaching it.

[Jeremy]

Right.

[Mike Ryan]

It just seems impossible.

[Jonathan Saslow]

But when I say 56, you know what I'm talking about. Still, baseball doesn't matter the way it does. The numbers don't matter. When I say 56, you know what I'm talking about.

[Jeremy]

I think the Cal Ripken streak falls into the same all time points. Like I don't need to know the exact number to know that's never going to be broken.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, we know LeBron's points record when the dust settles. And then treat it like it matters. No, because I don't really know Kareem Abdul Jabbar's number off the top of my head.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Chris, just so that you know, I'm not doing unbreakable records here, I'm saying to you, and I'm asking the audience, give me the numbers that matter. That all of a sudden I give you a number and it's an easy identifier for you. I don't think we're going to come up with 10 between the entire group of us.

[Mike Ryan]

I did know. Closes World cup record and now we're in this wonky place where Messi and Mbappe are both kind of chasing it. Mbappe, wherever that lands when he assumes a record could very well be this tournament that'll be viewed as one of the impossible records.

[Jeremy]

Eighteen majors.

[Priceline Announcer]

Golf.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Yeah, that's a good one. Actually, that is a good one.

[Mike Ryan]

For 22 years on this show, we've debated the greatest athletes of all time. Who's the goat in football? Who's the goat in soccer? Or who's the goat in hoops? One thing that we all know is Dan's the goat of finding the worst possible take. But there's another kind of MVP goat that doesn't get enough credit. The friend who knows to show up with enough Miller Lights plus extra ice because they just know the one who already has seats at the bar when you walk up. That is a Miller Time nvp. I've been on this show long enough to know that Dan is going to make everything about his feelings and Jeremy is going to play push back on whatever I just said. But here's something nobody on this show will argue with. Miller Lite is the summer beer. The original light beer since 1975. This summer, recognize your MVPs. We all have that one friend who makes every game better. Now it's time to give them their moment. Head over to Miller Lite's social media pages to learn more about being a Miller Time mvp. You can pick up Some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Priceline Announcer]

Bonjour, compadre.

[Tony]

It's the Priceline negotiator.

[Priceline Announcer]

How do I negotiate so many great travel deals? My greatest gadget, the Priceline app. It's got hotel deals, flight deals, rental car deals, all of those deals in a bundle deals, game day deals, concert trip deals. No one deals more deals than Priceline. Hold your horses. There's more. The app lets you filter hotels by neighborhood vibe, star level, and amenities like pools and spas and beachfronts and. Wait, I'm not done. Stop cutting me up.

[Dan Le Batard]

Dan Levitar, the Packers winner.

[Tony]

The Bear lose. Bears lose.

[Dan Le Batard]

Jonathan Saslow.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Shitty.

[Tony]

You want to know how that. What were the kids doing?

[Dan Le Batard]

This is the Dan Levatar show.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Anything from tennis that you guys would go to, like, would you go there with anything that Djokovic has done or Federer? Like, would you. Let me. Let me ask you a different question. As it regards what the United States is embarking on this evening, where are your rooting interests outside of the United States? Like you were saying last week, Zaz, that you wanted the road to get. You wanted some of these stars to get knocked out so that you could have more hope for the United States team. But the stars aren't getting knocked out. The stars outside of Brazil, most of the star, you know, I guess Germany. But outside of there, most of the stars are still around, and the United States doesn't have stars of that caliber. Mike, do you have a rooting interest in Portugal versus Spain?

[Mike Ryan]

Yes, I do. I do. And if the United States doesn't get to the final, it's because they lose to the winner of this match in high probability along the way. I know exactly what I want for the final, and it's easy. It's Portugal, Argentina. Give me that. We finally found a way that Stephen A. Can talk about this. Give me that. And while Ronaldo has been all over the board, yes, he scored in the last match. In the last match, Voxinha, the goalkeeper for Cabo Verde, completed more drip triples than Ronaldo. He. He has not been playing well, certainly by his standards, outside of the. The great match against Uzbekistan. But I know what I want. I want Ronaldo's legacy depending on going through Messi's.

[Tony]

Who is Spain star right now? I mean, it's not Yamal.

[Mike Ryan]

I know it's.

[Tony]

No, he's their best guy.

[Mike Ryan]

Dude, he was their best player in the Euro that they won, and he was like, what, 16 years old? It's lamin.

[Tony]

Okay. Because, you know, just looking at the US's road here, I mean, if Morocco were to knock off France, you know, it's not like you're going to face all the heavy hitters. On the other side of the bracket is where Argentina and England and Norway is like, you would only have to face one of those teams if you get to the final, but you just did.

[Jeremy]

Morocco beating France, most likely, it would be France.

[Tony]

Why? I just watched France struggle with paranoid.

[Mike Ryan]

The US has benefited from a very good path, a very easy path. That path, yeah, stops being easy in the very next round. If they get past Belgium, winner of Spain, Portugal will be impossibly difficult, potentially. France. And look, Morocco, nothing to sneeze at. Morocco went to the semis last World Cup.

[Tony]

They kept the shit out of Canada this week.

[Jonathan Saslow]

You know, Portugal has been pretty unimpressive, though, for what it is. I was told Portugal was going to

[Mike Ryan]

look, which is why I like them in this match. There's a reason why they are underdogs entering this match because they have not played their best game. I take the other side of it. I'm like, individually, Bruno Fernandes gone missing. Vitinho, who's one of my favorite players in the world. Terrible Ronaldo playing very poor. The fact that they have gotten this far and have not shown us remotely close to their ceiling. Remember, Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia last World Cup. Spain, before they won their first World cup, had a disappointing effort against Switzerland. This is part of the story that goes with a lot of championships. It's not always just Germany just lighting a fire throughout the entire tournament. Sometimes it looks like this, and I think that they're going to be better for much like England is better for these tighter games that are testing them. I like the way that Portugal is just getting by and not being talked about and everybody's doubting them.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Hercules.

[Zaslow]

We presently have a stream happening with Miami Heat member Giannis Antetokounmpo with his brother Alex, and a streamer named Neon in Greece. Let's see the latest on the LeBron hunt.

[Mike Ryan]

All right, we're not talking about all that stuff. They want you to be his teammate.

[Home Depot Announcer]

Miami.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah.

[Jonathan Saslow]

LeBron.

[Zaslow]

Cheeky little shrug there. For the honest.

[Tony]

That was cheeky.

[Zaslow]

It was cheeky. Just a little.

[Jonathan Saslow]

A shrug. You broke into programming here during the World Cup.

[Zaslow]

Show it again. Show me that shrug again. Show me that shrug. Because that's a cheeky shrug.

[Priceline Announcer]

Look at that face.

[Zaslow]

You tell me.

[Mike Ryan]

Good stuff. I team. That's actually very helpful. That. That lets me believe that he's still having discussions behind the scenes and his

[Jeremy]

brother giving him a look of like,

[Jonathan Saslow]

don't reveal too much.

[Jeremy]

Look at his eyes. Looking across at y'.

[Mike Ryan]

All. Second. That's my roster spot.

[Jonathan Saslow]

That is what he's looking at right there. The Heat have a roster spot that's open for the Honest.

[Jeremy]

What about me?

[Jonathan Saslow]

The Honest has a podcast that he does with Giannis and that's Alex, we got all the onto.

[Mike Ryan]

No, no, Giannis already has one. He's wondering where his spot is.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Can you guys tell me based on what it is that we were talking about Portugal and Spain there. Mike Ryan is headed out. When? To Atlanta. Are you headed out tonight?

[Mike Ryan]

Same day, in and out? No, tonight. I have other plans. We got a big match. Big match or not a big match?

[Tony]

Us, Belgium, Seattle. That's in the United States. You know about that 12th man. You know about that 12th man. That's big game.

[Jonathan Saslow]

Big game.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm flying out tomorrow to watch Argentina, Egypt, Mo Salah versus Lionel Messi. That's a big one. One that I'm a little disappointed in. I wanted to see Cabo Verde. I was, I was like, man, I can't believe I'm disappointed to see Messi in Atlanta. But I'm going same day, in and out.

[Jonathan Saslow]

How is it possible, Mike, that you find yourself and this, this happens? I don't know how often this happens to you guys, but it's one of my favorite things in terms of watching sports to happen. I'm watching and I don't know who I'm rooting for. And then I know, like, I go into the game and I'm like, okay, let me just watch this. And that, that's what happened where I'm. I'm suddenly rooting against Messi and I'm like, what world am I living in? How did that just happen to me? I was not expecting any of that to happen to me. And it' greatest thing in sports outside of patriotism is the upset. It's the surprise. Like, and, and you're talking about. I don't know if you guys have been betting any soccer, but if you have, you haven't seen a whole lot of games in this tournament where someone is a two and a half goal underdog. Like, that's the reputation that Argentina has. And the reputation Messi has is not undone by very often by a 40 year old goaltender.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah. To briefly touch on that match, again, it was a literal movie. Just think about the things that happen within that game. The saves, the clearances by the defenders that narrowly avoid going in their own net. The worldy second goal. How close Cabo Verde got to equalizing yet again. The fact that Argentina kept going ahead and you kept telling yourself, alright, well that's game. Their only shot was to keep this level. Right? And they battle back. All right, Argentina, another knockout blow. Go away. No. Here you go. Equalizer. It looked very clear that Argentina was trying to save their legs. That was a complete no show by pretty much everyone. That wasn't Messi in that game. And Cabo Verde, the second goal, where the player who had his own like checkered story with Benfica after what happened with Vinicius earlier this season, running to the stands to find his girlfriend in the stands. The entire team celebrating in the stands after that. Equalizer, guys. Goosebumps right now. Now that is a movie that plays out on the pitch. That will 100% be a scripted thing.

[Jonathan Saslow]

I have some trump quotes for you. Would you like some trump quotes on the reversing of the red card ruling?

[Dan Le Batard]

Meh.

[Mike Ryan]

Absolutely. You're welcome.

[Zaslow]

Quote.

[Jonathan Saslow]

I saw the play and I'm a person that loves sports. That wasn't a foul. That wasn't even an infraction. This referee, who is a little bit suspect if you check his past, he made a call that nobody could believe. He's our best player or one of our best players. And he gave him a red car. I didn't know what that meant. Yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. And he has also claimed credit. He says, I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who's highly respected, Gianni Infantino. I'm the one who got them to do it. It was not Biden. Biden was asleep.

[Home Depot Announcer]

Come on.

[Jonathan Saslow]

No, you're lucky.