The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: Local Hour: God Bless Yaz
Release Date: July 21, 2025

Introduction to Local Hour: God Bless Yaz

In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, the hosts delve into a variety of sports-related topics, with a particular focus on local South Florida sports scenes. From reminiscing about past Miami Dolphins playoff victories to discussing current player performances and upcoming events, the conversation is both engaging and deeply informative for sports enthusiasts.

Miami Dolphins: Playoff Drought and Future Prospects

Mike Ryan initiates a discussion highlighting the long-standing playoff drought of the Miami Dolphins:

“The last time the Miami Dolphins won a playoff game was December 30th, 2000. Patrick Mahomes was five years old. Andy Reid had one year of head coaching experience. Mike Ryan was a freshman in high school. Wikipedia didn’t exist. Social media didn’t exist.”
[10:25]

The hosts debate the severity of the Dolphins' situation, with Billy Corben emphasizing the contractual obligations of coach Mario Cristobal:

“Part of it is contractual. You know, Mario still has half of a very lucrative $80 million contract to play out, and I don't think they're thinking of that right now.”
[12:22]

Greg Cody adds perspective on the expanded playoff system and its impact on teams like the Dolphins:

“When the playoffs expanded from four teams to twelve, it put a clear onus on teams like Miami. All of a sudden, there's a dozen or more teams in the country who think they can be one of the top twelve.”
[12:40]

Mike Ryan questions whether the hot seat is any hotter for Cristobal compared to current coach Rich McDaniels:

“And why is it that you're saying that the hot seat is any hotter for him than it is for Mario Cristobal?”
[09:32]

The conversation underscores the immense pressure on the Dolphins' coaching staff to secure a playoff spot and break the two-decade-long drought.

Dee Gordon's Controversial Suspension

A significant portion of the episode centers around Dee Gordon, a former Miami Marlins player, and his controversial suspension for steroid use:

Dan LeBatard recounts Gordon's suspension story:

“Dee Gordon was suspended for steroid use, which confused absolutely everyone.”
[36:03]

During a podcast appearance, Gordon shares his perspective:

“2015, they told my little black ass don't win that batting championship. And I said, y'all got me up.”
[36:26]

Greg Cody challenges Gordon's account, pointing out inconsistencies:

“He wouldn't mention Bryce Harper the way that Greg Cody wouldn't mention where he's vacationing in Western Canada.”
[37:00]

The hosts debate the authenticity of Gordon's claims, with Mike Ryan highlighting discrepancies in statistics and historical records:

“He would have had to have a very big last day of the season to win the Triple Crown.”
[38:46]

This segment highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding performance-enhancing drugs in sports, questioning the credibility of athlete testimonies.

Billy Corben's Book Release: "The Pride of Alliance"

Billy Corben shares exciting news about his and Ron McGill's book, "The Pride of Alliance":

“The Pride of Alliance is now being distributed in South America, which is another big step.”
[28:30]

He elaborates on the audiobook release, expressing pride and enthusiasm:

“It's totally thrilling to hear a book you've written on audiobook. I listened to the first two chapters just to experience it, and it was wonderful.”
[29:38]

Mike Ryan critiques the decision to use a professional narrator instead of one of the authors:

“Our audience would have bought an audiobook read by Ron McGill. It's less of a sales item when you don't have it read by Ron McGill.”
[30:11]

Despite the differing opinions, Billy Corben celebrates the milestone, especially the book being an editor's pick for best nonfiction:

“It's also an editor's pick for best nonfiction.”
[31:08]

This segment underscores the achievements of the authors and the challenges of promoting literary works within the sports community.

Matthew Tkachuk's Wedding and Panthers' Performance

The discussion shifts to Matthew Tkachuk's wedding, intertwining with the performance and injuries within the Panthers’ team:

Greg Cody describes the unique atmosphere of Tkachuk's wedding:

“It's a hockey wedding with all his teammates there. What kind of lunacy was that thing?”
[44:00]

Mike Ryan analyzes the team's strategy and Tkachuk's role:

“They only have one more year, but they can do it for one more year.”
[46:11]

Greg Cody provides insights into Tkachuk's injuries and their impact on his performance:

“Matthew Tkachuk will age well in that the injuries are a conversation. And yes, he's got a smaller frame, but this is not a player that's ever really relied on his athleticism.”
[48:19]

The hosts debate Tkachuk's future in the league, considering his injuries and contributions to the team's dynamics.

Community and Listener Engagement

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with their audience through polls and direct questions:

“Put it on the poll at Lebitar show. Do you miss MapQuest?”
[05:30]

“Put it on the poll at Lebatard show. Are you respecting the police?”
[26:47]

These interactions foster a sense of community and encourage listener participation, making the show interactive and responsive to its audience's interests.

Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

As the episode concludes, the hosts briefly touch upon upcoming releases and personal anecdotes, maintaining the show's dynamic and conversational tone. Dan LeBatard shares enthusiasm for the upcoming Naked Gun movie release, while Billy Corben updates listeners on personal milestones and projects.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike Ryan [10:25]: “The last time the Miami Dolphins won a playoff game was December 30th, 2000. Patrick Mahomes was five years old. Andy Reid had one year of head coaching experience. Mike Ryan was a freshman in high school. Wikipedia didn’t exist. Social media didn’t exist.”

• Billy Corben [12:22]: “Part of it is contractual. You know, Mario still has half of a very lucrative $80 million contract to play out, and I don't think they're thinking of that right now.”

• Dee Gordon [36:26]: “2015, they told my little black ass don't win that batting championship. And I said, y'all got me up.”

• Billy Corben [28:30]: “The Pride of Alliance is now being distributed in South America, which is another big step.”

• Greg Cody [44:00]: “It's a hockey wedding with all his teammates there. What kind of lunacy was that thing?”

Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz successfully navigates through a range of sports topics, blending historical insights with current events. The engaging discussions, coupled with personal anecdotes and listener interactions, offer a comprehensive look into the South Florida sports scene and beyond. Whether it's dissecting the Miami Dolphins' playoff challenges, unraveling Dee Gordon's controversial suspension, or celebrating literary achievements, the hosts provide a rich and entertaining narrative for their audience.