Postgame Show: The Pitch Clock

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: Postgame Show: The Pitch Clock
Release Date: June 26, 2025

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Introduction to "The Pitch Clock" Segment

In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, the hosts dive into their specialized baseball segment, "The Pitch Clock." This segment uniquely blends nostalgic baseball trivia with expert analysis, aiming to engage both hardcore fans and casual listeners.

Trivia Showdown: Testing Baseball Knowledge

The segment kicks off with the introduction of Taylor's return to "The Pitch Clock," greeted warmly by the hosts:

• Jack McMullen (Moderator): "Taylor's triumphant return to the Pitch Clock. Hi, Vermont Taylor. Hey man, it's good to see you here. I'm glad you're back." [00:39]

The trivia game revolves around identifying MLB teams based on their pitching rotations from past seasons. The hosts engage in playful banter, showcasing their competitive spirits and humorous interactions.

• Chris Cody: "I just want to... I want everyone to know that I know it. You look away." [05:05]

Despite initial struggles, Chris Cody makes a comeback, eventually clinching the win:

• Chris Cody: "Rockies. I knew it. I thought I said, man." [17:30]

Expert Insights: Jack McMullen’s Analysis

Jack McMullen, the Miami Marlins' radio play-by-play announcer and host of the Just Baseball podcast, provides in-depth analysis on current MLB stars and emerging talents.

Star Players: Cal Raleigh vs. Aaron Judge

A significant portion of the discussion centers on two standout players:

• Jack McMullen: "Cal Raleigh, the big dumper, leading Major League Baseball and home runs. At the time of this recording, he's at 32. And it has been a spectacular season." [06:12]

  He highlights Raleigh's historic performance, comparing his home run pace to legendary players like Barry Bonds and Aaron Judge.

• Taylor: "With Judge, you can only be far and away the best for so long... I do think Raleigh should be in position to do that." [06:43]

The conversation explores the possibility of Raleigh dethroning Judge for the AL MVP title, emphasizing Raleigh's remarkable achievements and consistent performance.

Emerging Talents and MLB Dynamics

The hosts delve into the evolving landscape of MLB, touching upon the increasing difficulty of hitting and the strategic shifts in player value:

• Jack McMullen: "The top end excellence amongst the greatest players in Major League Baseball right now is so spectacular because it is more difficult to hit a baseball than it's ever been." [12:46]

This insight highlights the modern challenges players face, such as advanced pitching techniques and analytics-driven strategies.

MLB Draft Focus: Prospects and Predictions

As the MLB draft approaches, the discussion shifts to promising collegiate players and their potential impact:

Kate Anderson: A Dominant Pitcher

• Jack McMullen: "Kate Anderson, a complete game shutout, 130 pitches, 10 strikeouts... one of the top draft picks available." [15:20]

Jack praises Anderson's performance, acknowledging his endurance and pitching prowess, while Taylor adds a humorous take on Anderson's pitch count:

• Taylor: "I really don't understand that 130. So nuts." [15:38]

Jamie Arnold: A Left-Handed Phenom

• Taylor: "Florida State's Jamie Arnold is a freak. And Arnold was the favorite to be the number one overall pick... I just comp the two top college lefties in America to Max Fried and Chris Sale." [16:43]

The hosts compare Arnold's skills to established MLB stars, forecasting a bright future for him in the major leagues.

Concluding the Segment: Wrapping Up the Trivia Battle

The episode culminates with the conclusion of the trivia game, where Chris Cody emerges victorious after correctly identifying the Colorado Rockies' pitching rotation in the final round:

• Chris Cody: "Rockies. I knew it. I thought I said, man." [17:30]

Jack McMullen commends Chris on his impressive win:

• Jack McMullen: "That was really impressive." [17:41]

Notable Quotes

• Jack McMullen on Cal Raleigh: "Cal Raleigh... anytime you pass Johnny Bench, I'm in on you being the most valuable player in a league. He is." [06:43]

• Taylor on Ronald Acuna Jr.: "Ronald Acuna Jr.... he was clearly hurt last year... he built up and now he's tracking in a way that we haven't seen a guy track in a really long time." [12:11]

• Jack McMullen on MLB Excellence: "The top end excellence amongst the greatest players in Major League Baseball right now is so spectacular because it is more difficult to hit a baseball than it's ever been." [12:46]

Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz masterfully combines engaging trivia with expert baseball analysis, providing listeners with both entertainment and insightful perspectives on current MLB dynamics and future prospects. Whether you're a die-hard baseball enthusiast or a casual fan, "The Pitch Clock" offers a compelling snapshot of the sport's present and future landscape.

Transcript

[Host 1]

Now's a good time to remember where tequila's story truly began. In 1795, Cuervo invented tequila.

[Chris Cody]

Cuervo.

[Host 1]

What are you doing here?

[Jack McMullen]

Cuervo? Anytime someone says Cuervo, I show up.

[Host 1]

Well, I do know that to be true. But even during ad reads like Cuervo, I think he could lay out especially for one of our great partners.

[Jack McMullen]

Sweet, delicious Cuervo.

[Host 1]

Since then, Cuervo has stayed true to its roots. The same family, the same land, the same passion.

[Chris Cody]

Cuervo.

[Host 1]

So enjoy the tequila that started it all.

[Jeremy]

Cuervo.

[Chris Cody]

Cuervo.

[Host 1]

The tequila that invented tequila. Proximo. Cuervo.com Please drink responsibly.

[Chris Cody]

Cuervo.

[Jack McMullen]

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, Taylor's triumphant return to the Pitch Clock. Hi, Vermont Taylor. Hey man, it's good to see you here. I'm glad you're back. It's not because we don't like Ethan, but it's because we love you. Anyway, we're excited.

[Chris Cody]

We'll have fake Cubs fan, not a Cubs fan.

[Jeremy]

Just appreciate Wrigley Field, but we'll have.

[Jack McMullen]

Jack McMullen with us as our 2025 MLB expert.

[Chris Cody]

Did you just call Jackie McMullen? Jack McMullen?

[Jack McMullen]

No, Jack McMullen is actually the radio.

[Chris Cody]

You gotta get Jackie McMullen.

[Jack McMullen]

Honestly, honestly, I didn't even realize that Jack McMullen.

[Chris Cody]

Is that his, Is that his name? Is that her son?

[Jack McMullen]

No, it should be, but he's the radio play by play announcer for the Miami Marlins and also host the Just baseball podcast. And he'll be with us soon to talk about baseball right now. But that's not what's important at the moment. What's important is that Taylor is back and he has Taylor trivia and you. My mind has been blown over the idea that his name is Jackie McMullen.

[Chris Cody]

Can you ask him about Jackie?

[Jack McMullen]

I'm going to start calling him Jackie. That's all I know for sure. Taylor, what is our trivia game for today?

[Jeremy]

We're dialing the trivia back a little this week.

[Jack McMullen]

Thank God.

[Jeremy]

Last week, last week I, I went back and watched. It felt like 103 on the black.

[Taylor]

It was nuts.

[Jeremy]

Right now we're gonna turn it down to like maybe like a 90. A 94 mile per hour fastball, but you're gonna get three.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah.

[Jeremy]

Of the top five starters that a team had in 2005. You have to tell me whose rotation it is.

[Jack McMullen]

Okay. All right. That. That sounds more reasonable than the previous.

[Chris Cody]

So if multiple names, I can tell you what team they're on.

[Jack McMullen]

I think that means Chris is going first because I think I went first last time.

[Chris Cody]

I'm on a three game, like three weeks skid. Like I've been terrible the last three weeks of trivia.

[Jack McMullen]

Well, let's see how this goes then.

[Jeremy]

Okay. Chris Cody first. Ryan Franklin, Joel Pinero, Aaron Sealy.

[Chris Cody]

What year is this?

[Jeremy]

2005.

[Jack McMullen]

That.

[Chris Cody]

Is the Seattle Mariners.

[Jeremy]

It is the Seattle Mariners.

[Jack McMullen]

Wow, Nice call. That's well done.

[Chris Cody]

Joel Pinero. That's the only one I have. Yeah.

[Jeremy]

Snapping a two week streak of Chris not getting an answer.

[Chris Cody]

Oh, I didn't get one right.

[Jack McMullen]

I know you didn't last week. I didn't realize the week before, too.

[Chris Cody]

Jeez, I'm back.

[Jack McMullen]

Oh, man. Now I'm afraid to lose.

[Jeremy]

Jeff Weaver, DJ Holton, Odalis Perez.

[Jack McMullen]

That's tough. I'm going to. Chris knows the answer, doesn't he? I'm in 2005. So there. What's. Here's what. Here's what I'm going to tell you. Where I think Jeff Weaver is. I know there are at least two other starting pitchers who pitch for that team. And so in turn, this would mean I know the full rotation, but I don't know for sure. And I think I might be relating it to something else. So I'm going to go ahead and say somehow, and I don't know that we've replayed here, that this is the Milwaukee Brewers.

[Jeremy]

It is not the Brewers. Chris chance to steal.

[Jack McMullen]

That's not right.

[Chris Cody]

Stupid. I'm just going to guess the Angels.

[Jack McMullen]

It's funny.

[Jeremy]

Right city, wrong team. It's the Dodgers.

[Jack McMullen]

It was the Dodgers. So what's funny about Dallas Perez was a Dodger. Where you just went was where I went at first, which is Jeff Weaver being on the Angels. So really, that's.

[Jeremy]

That's Jared Weaver, Bronson Arroyo, Matt Clement, David Wells.

[Chris Cody]

I'll go with the Yankees.

[Jeremy]

It is not the Yankees. Chance to steal. Jeremy.

[Chris Cody]

I know this one. Let me. I just want to. I want everyone to know that I know it. You look away.

[Jack McMullen]

No. But there's no way. All right, I'll look away.

[Chris Cody]

Look away. I want. No. Okay.

[Jeremy]

Jeremy. Chances.

[Chris Cody]

We should leave that in.

[Jack McMullen]

I want. I want that left in. I don't know. Obviously what was. I know that Bronson Arroyo pitched for the Red Sox around that time.

[Chris Cody]

Also. Take a word away from there.

[Jack McMullen]

But Right. So that's the other team that I'm thinking of with Bronson Arroyo, which is the Reds and. But I don't remember David. I certainly don't think David Wells pitched for the Red Sox.

[Chris Cody]

I can't picture no Red, but I don't think you picture him as a.

[Jack McMullen]

Red more than a Red Sox. I'm going Cincinnati Red.

[Chris Cody]

That's right. That's definitely right. Matt Kermat, definitely. Damn it. When was David Weld?

[Jack McMullen]

He's not right.

[Jeremy]

It is not the Reds. It is the Red Sox. Only all star team was with the Red Sox in 05.

[Chris Cody]

No, I need to see David Wells.

[Jack McMullen]

In a Red Sox uniform. Wow.

[Chris Cody]

Oh, yeah.

[Jack McMullen]

Oh, God.

[Chris Cody]

Well, I'm glad because I was gonna go Red. That makes me sucks.

[Jack McMullen]

And now he's here. Not Jackie, but Jack McMullen, who is the host of the Just Baseball Show. And I don't want to say new anymore because he's been doing it for like, what, 60 games or so now. But the radio voice in his first season with the Miami Marlins. It's been my pleasure to get to know Jack over the last several months. I know he and Ethan Badowski, who you. You heard his voice last week on the show and throughout this episode are good buddies working at just baseball. Jack, it is a pleasure to have you here, man. Welcome to Miami and welcome to the show.

[Taylor]

It's a pleasure to be here. Listen, as somebody that works on Miami Marlins telecast like yourself, you should know that we're about 75 games into the season, not 60 something. You know, we're past the 70 mark. And our like, radio intro. So like the opening billboard to the game keeps on saying new Voice of the Marlins. And everybody's giving me crap for that. You're not new anymore. We're three months into this thing.

[Jack McMullen]

Cal Raleigh, the big dumper, leading Major League Baseball and home runs. At the time of this recording, he's at 32. And it has been a spectacular season. The pace that he's keeping at the plate is akin to Barry Bonds in terms of home runs. But Aaron Judge is also playing the best baseball of his career. So is there a world, Jack, where when you look at these two guys, that Cal Raleigh can steal that AL MVP when we're a few months from now from Aaron Judge?

[Taylor]

LeBron James should have won way more MVPs than he actually did. Yep, I think we are nearing a LeBron effect with Aaron Judge. I don't think we'll ever get there with Shohei Ohtani as long as he's doing both. I think Ohtani, it's his award to lose in whatever league he's in. But with Judge, you can only be far and away the best for so long. And then at some point, it's like, oh, Judge is doing his thing right. With Raleigh. It really does feel like he could be gifted an MVP because of the LeBron effect. And I'm kind of of the camp that Raleigh should be in position to do that. He has more homers by the All Star break than any other catcher in major league history. He passed Johnny Bench, and anytime you pass Johnny, Ben, I'm in on you being the most valuable player in a league. He is. I saw this note from Mariners PR this morning, which is just unbelievable. This guy, to this point, you said 32 homers, and his RBI total gets him to 100 homers and RBIs combined. At this point, there's 77 games. This is the quickest that a switch hitter has gotten to a hundred combined homers and RBIs since Mickey Mantle did it. So anytime that's a good one, you're passing Mickey Mantle and Johnny Bench. I feel really good about you, Jeremy.

[Jack McMullen]

You.

[Jeremy]

Your names Jose Contreras. Orlando Hernandez. Freddy Garcia.

[Jack McMullen]

Chicago White Sox.

[Jeremy]

It is the White Sox. World Series champs. White Sox.

[Jack McMullen]

Yeah. Yeah, that's. That's.

[Chris Cody]

At least. That wasn't an easy one.

[Jeremy]

Chris Cody, Andy Pettit, Roger Clemens, Wandy Rodriguez.

[Chris Cody]

I dropped Wandy Rodriguez a few weeks ago when we were playing the game. Remember? We did like. Yeah, we had the initials.

[Jack McMullen]

It was like, wr. Yeah. You did.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, it was the Houston Astros.

[Jeremy]

It is the Astros. Almost, like, shouldn't be complaining that they're so easy.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah. Well, I think you went down and got me the second easiest one because you're like, I feel bad after that World Series 1, so I'm gonna give Chris the easiest one left.

[Jeremy]

We're building into it. We're building into it. Jeremy, your name here to finish the third round. Dan Haron, Joe Blanton. Kirk Sarlos.

[Jack McMullen]

That's the Oakland Athletics.

[Jeremy]

It is the Oakland ace.

[Jack McMullen]

Yeah. Come on, man.

[Chris Cody]

Wait, who was the second one?

[Jack McMullen]

Dan Heron.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah.

[Jeremy]

Joe Blanton.

[Jack McMullen]

Joe Blanton started his career as an Ellie before going to the Phillies, I think.

[Jeremy]

Why I thought tied it to look at us.

[Jack McMullen]

How about that?

[Chris Cody]

Who'd have thunk it?

[Jeremy]

Chris, Doug Davis, Chris Capuano, Victor Santos. Brewers. Yeah, it is the Brewers. A quick. A quick Brewer get from the Chris Capuano.

[Jack McMullen]

You know what Chris Capuano is?

[Jeremy]

I mean, come On Jeremy, Chris Benson, Victor Zambrano, Kaz Ashi.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, baby.

[Jack McMullen]

I don't know this at all. You know this?

[Chris Cody]

Hell yeah, I know it.

[Jack McMullen]

Tampa Bay race.

[Jeremy]

Not the race. Chris Cody.

[Chris Cody]

Chance to steal the hat I always wear that I don't root for.

[Jack McMullen]

So the Pirates. Pirates.

[Jeremy]

Shocking. He misses it.

[Jack McMullen]

Chris Benson was a Pirate.

[Taylor]

Yes.

[Chris Cody]

Chris Benson was mostly a Pirate.

[Jeremy]

The two names that you missed in the rotation that they didn't have. Tom Glavin, Pedro Martinez. It's the Mets.

[Jack McMullen]

It's the Mets.

[Chris Cody]

Christiansen was a Met after or maybe before. Damn it.

[Jeremy]

Chris Cody, Esteban Lawiza, John Patterson, Tony Armas.

[Chris Cody]

I've done this before where I just pick one out of like 30 teams and I get it, right? Esteban Lawiza. National or whatever.

[Jeremy]

Expos national sits right.

[Chris Cody]

Are you kidding me?

[Jack McMullen]

That's ridiculous.

[Chris Cody]

I was just like, where have I thought about. I was just like, I knew Esteban that played on them at one point.

[Jack McMullen]

The first year of the expansion Nationals, it's going to be really interesting to see how it evolves and also the type of player, because it does feel like there is starting to be a bit of a shift in Major League Baseball away from certain characteristics being valuable in the way that they once were. And I do think you're right. There seems to be a lot more value placed on how quickly can we get this guy to the bigs and whether that's a college player or a high school player that you might feel is. Is more polished and quicker to where you want them to be.

[Taylor]

Teams can start drafting based on need. That has never been a problem in the MLB draft. It's always been something you do in the NBA draft and the NFL draft. We need an offensive lineman. Let's draft an offensive lineman in the MLB draft. It has forever been, let's take the best guy and see what he can do. And if he's good, we can turn him into a trade asset if need be. Dansby Swanson was the 1 overall pick and he was traded six months later for Shelby freaking Miller because he was an asset. He wasn't a need for a team, but Pittsburgh needed a frontline guy. They drafted Paul Skeens. Guess what? They have now. I do think that you can start drafting based on need if you go the college route at the top of the draft.

[Jack McMullen]

All of those guys are hoping to become stars. And there's a couple of stars who have been having spectacular seasons, but particularly the last few weeks. One who just recently returned in, Ronald Acuna Jr. Who is, if I have these stats correctly. Hitting.750 with a 3 million ops since returning. I think that's, that's what it is with Acuna and he just stopped here in Miami. There's also Christian Yelich, former Marlin, who has been really spectacular over the last couple of weeks as well these NL outfielders. Which one do you want to focus on here as we wrap up the expert portion of the pitch clock?

[Taylor]

Let's do Acuna, because if I'm not mistaken, the OPS is actually 3 million 40. So Ronald Acuna Jr. I mean, this guy is what, two years removed from a 4070 season? He was clearly hurt last year. Something was off timing wise before he tore his acl. Now he's back. I was watching Acuna take batting practice and he was hitting tanks in early March and I was like, when's this cat back? And they said, we have no idea. It looked like he was fine to come back. Then they took their sweet time with him. He built up and now he's tracking in a way that we haven't seen a guy track in a really long time.

[Jack McMullen]

The top end excellence amongst the greatest players in Major League Baseball right now is so spectacular because it is more difficult to hit a baseball than it's ever been with all of the different relievers, with the way that they're tapping into spin rate, with what these pitches look like inside and outside of the zone. And yet the best of the best in the league are having seasons that are incomparable to anyone else in Major League Baseball history. A history that's nearly 150 years old. It's a damn good time to be watching or listening to baseball. And you can listen to Marlins baseball with Jack McMullen every single game they've played more than 70.

[Chris Cody]

I found out.

[Jack McMullen]

You know, I knew that. I knew it.

[Taylor]

And that's an unbelievable plug. Thank you, Jeremy.

[Jeremy]

You're very welcome, Jeremy. Chengmin Wang. Carl Pavano, Kevin Brown.

[Chris Cody]

So easy.

[Jack McMullen]

That's the Yankees.

[Jeremy]

It is the Yankees. Even though you said it like a question. It is the Yankees.

[Jack McMullen]

It's the Yankees.

[Jeremy]

Carlos Silva, Kyle Loesch. Joe Mays.

[Chris Cody]

Twins.

[Jeremy]

It is the Twins.

[Jack McMullen]

Yeah, good one. Good one.

[Jeremy]

He's staying hot. Five three, Jeremy. Chance to pull one back here. Mike Mareth, Jason Johnson, Nate Robertson.

[Jack McMullen]

That's the Detroit Tigers.

[Jeremy]

We have four more teams. Chris Cody is up, up five to four. Chris, your. Your rotation here. Gustavo Shasheen. Josh Towers. Ted Lilly.

[Chris Cody]

Blue Jays.

[Jeremy]

It is the Blue Jays.

[Jack McMullen]

I can't believe how wrong I was about all the details on this. What's the score?

[Jeremy]

It's, it's six to four. Six to four, Chris, three, three teams left. So if you miss this and Chris steals it, it is mathematically over.

[Jack McMullen]

All right, good. So the MLB draft coming up, we had Kylie McDaniel on the show a couple of weeks ago who sort of set the stage a little bit for, for what might be going on here, Jack. But I know you have a huge amount of focus on both the College World Series, which by the way, if you guys didn't pay attention, holy cow, Kate Anderson, a complete game. I mean this is redundant in saying complete game shutout, but a nine inning complete game shut out, 130 pitches. I believe 10 strikeouts in that performance. I mean he was sensational for lsu. He's one of the top draft picks available in this upcoming MLB draft. Jack, when you're looking at the draft coming up, what are some of the storylines or players that you're focused on?

[Taylor]

So quick thing on Anderson. As a former sort of kind of bad high school baseball player, I can appreciate throwing 130 pitches to try and win a baseball game as a possible number one overall pick that could be in line for a 10 million dollar payday. I really don't understand 130. So nuts.

[Jack McMullen]

But I also like, I have, I have an infinite more, even more amount of respect for him than I did going into that start and I already had a lot.

[Taylor]

It's a gamer. I mean I saw a kid what is playing pro ball in Germany and he's skipping his like championship series to attend the NBA draft ceremony. Like that. That's bizarre to me. So that and Kate Anderson, those couldn't be more different situations. But Anderson, don't close your eyes because you need your eyes to see this. I watched his two starts in Omaha and all I could see was Max Free. The delivery is so freed and the curveball is such a young Max Freed. I love the way he operates, but frankly I think there's a better left handed pitcher in college baseball. Florida State's Jamie Arnold is a freak. And Arnold was the favorite to be the number one overall pick maybe a month or two into the college season. This kid, like it's close to Chris Sale from an arm slot perspective and an arsenal perspective. So I just comp the two top college lefties in America to Max Fried and Chris Sale. I think we're in a really good spot.

[Jack McMullen]

Jack, thank you so much for joining us. And now let's get back to this game between Chris and I, which you know, we all know how it's gonna go.

[Jeremy]

Mark Hendrickson, Casey Fossum, Hideo Nomo.

[Jack McMullen]

About the Dodgers.

[Jeremy]

It is not the Dodgers.

[Jack McMullen]

Got it.

[Chris Cody]

Rocky.

[Jeremy]

Chris Cody, Rocky Steel and the win.

[Chris Cody]

Rockies.

[Jeremy]

It is not the Rockies.

[Taylor]

Thank God.

[Chris Cody]

Who was, Hank?

[Jack McMullen]

God.

[Jeremy]

It was. Was the devil race.

[Chris Cody]

I wanted to keep it interesting.

[Jack McMullen]

Oh, all right.

[Chris Cody]

I missed that on purpose to keep it interesting.

[Jack McMullen]

Yeah.

[Jeremy]

Thanks again. Chris with another chance to walk it off. If he gets this right, it is over. Jeremy needs both points remaining to. To force a tie. I don't have a tiebreaker, so we'll have to come up with one on the spot.

[Chris Cody]

I got you.

[Jeremy]

Jamie Wright, Byung Young Kim, Joe Kennedy.

[Chris Cody]

I'm gonna go Rockies again.

[Jeremy]

Chris Cody walks it off. It is the Rockies.

[Chris Cody]

I knew it. I thought I said, man.

[Jack McMullen]

He. He rocked. He ro. Rocked it off.

[Chris Cody]

Oh, my God.

[Jack McMullen]

That was really impressive.

[Chris Cody]

That's all I could think of. I know. Byung Young Kim. Besides the Dodgers, I was like, who else did he. I won.

[Jack McMullen]

Yeah.

[Chris Cody]

I won.

[Jack McMullen]

Oh, it was brutal.