The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Postgame Show: The Pitch Clock (feat. Michael Schur) – August 28, 2025

Episode Overview

In this dynamic postgame segment titled "The Pitch Clock," Jeremy, Cody, Ethan, and their special guest Michael Schur – the acclaimed TV writer and well-known baseball enthusiast – dive into a nostalgic baseball trivia challenge while weaving in a sharp, insightful discussion of current MLB stories. The focus ranges from historic MVP races of the 1990s to the innovations and drama of 2025 baseball, including the AL MVP battle, legendary stats, MLB rule changes, and the enduring appeal of baseball nicknames. The lively tone is punctuated with humor, playful competitiveness, and plenty of sharp, offhand observations.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Baseball Trivia Game: MVPs of the 1990s

[01:16 – 09:04, 13:52 – 17:44]

• Format: “Three strikes and you’re out” on American League and National League MVPs from 1990-1999.
• Participants: Cody, Jeremy, and Ethan as quizmaster.
• Notable Correct Answers:
  • Ken Griffey Jr. (AL, 1997) [03:00]
  • Sammy Sosa (NL, 1998) [03:25]
  • Barry Bonds (NL, 1992) [03:52]
  • Larry Walker (NL, 1997) [07:41]
  • Cal Ripken Jr. (AL, 1991) [08:57]
  • Jeff Bagwell (NL, 1994) [14:32]
• Comedic Moments: Self-deprecation, rapid-fire name-drops, tongue-in-cheek bickering over guesses.
  • Cody: “I hate this. Larry Walker, Rockies 97.” [07:41]
  • Jeremy: “Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it.” (after a wrong answer) [08:30]
• Guest Interjections: Michael Schur jumps in, mixing commentary and trivia banter.

Memorable Quotes

• Ethan (on trivia format): “The hot topic in Major League Baseball right now is the AL MVP race… So it’s going to be a three strikes and you’re out format.” [02:02]
• Jeremy: “That is Jeremy’s favorite year of baseball of all time.” [03:31]
• Cody (after a missed question): “Told you I’m gonna be bad at this.” [03:44]

2. Spotlight: 2025 Pitching Phenoms

[04:13 – 06:15]

• Topic: Comparison of historic early-season pitching feats.
• Stats Discussed:
  • Trevor Rogers joins Nolan Ryan and Greg Maddux as pitchers with an ERA below 1.50, 70+ Ks, and ≤2 home runs allowed in the first 13 starts since integration.
  • Paul Skenes’ first 50 MLB starts: 2.02 ERA, just 0.01 worse than Vida Blue.
• Michael Schur’s Insight:
  • Finds Rogers' accomplishments more impressive due to lower expectations and rapid improvement.
  • Notes that “both of those stats are insane and incredibly impressive.” [05:31]
  • Michael Schur: “Given that he has the skills he has to work with, I think he is putting together a more impressive run than anyone else in the league right now.” [06:02]

3. The Return of the Field of Dreams Game & MLB’s Modern Innovations

[06:15 – 07:37]

• Field of Dreams as MLB Spectacle:
  • Excitement for its return after a hiatus.
  • Michael Schur notes the event’s special resonance and argues MLB should “just want them to innovate more.”
• Praise for MLB Adjustments:
  • Field of Dreams game, neutral site contests, the wildcard play-in at Negro League stadiums, pitch clock, larger bases—all seen as working and boosting the sport.
  • Michael Schur: “At every innovation… in the last call it 10 years has been pretty good.” [07:29]
  • “Let’s give it up to MLB for finally… realizing that the product they have could be improved upon with a tiny bit of ingenuity.” [06:44]

4. The AL Wild Card Race & Red Sox vs. Yankees

[09:04 – 11:00]

• 2025 AL Wild Card Drama:
  • Red Sox and Yankees separated by half a game; Mariners closing in.
  • Yankees favored due to an easier schedule—“the Yankees play a bunch of cream puffs.” [09:47]
  • Red Sox have improved run differential.
• Mariners Love:
  • Mariners positioned as the “romantic choice” due to Cal Raleigh’s historic season and Julio Rodriguez’s underappreciated value.
  • Michael Schur: “It’s going to be a wild race. I think given the Yankees opponents, you would be foolish to bet against them.” [10:17]

5. AL MVP Battle: Cal Raleigh vs. Aaron Judge

[11:00 – 12:31]

• Raleigh’s Historic Homer Total: First catcher to 50+ HR.
• Schur’s Take:
  • Judge still favorite—“so important to that team and… otherworldly.”
  • For Raleigh to win, Mariners likely need to make playoffs, and Raleigh possibly needs to reach 60 HR.
  • Michael Schur: “If the Mariners make the playoffs and/or he gets 60, I think he steals it.” [12:02]
  • Mentions importance of narrative in MVP voting; Raleigh’s switch-hitting and position could sway voters.

6. Nickname Battle: “The Password” & “Iowa Meat Truck”

[12:31 – 13:46]

• Baseball Nicknames: Jeremy and Mike Schur discuss the best in the sport.
• Honorable Mentions:
  • “The Password” (for Justin Son Garcia); his brother “The Username.”
  • Peyton Williams, Double-A first baseman: “Iowa Meat Truck.”
  • Michael Schur: “If the Iowa Meat Truck ever makes the majors, I’m going to vote for Iowa Meat Truck as the best nickname in the game.” [13:34]

7. The Unofficial Winners & Hall of Fame Musings

[14:32 – 17:00]

• Trivia Wrap-up:
  • Jeremy “wins” on a correct Bagwell answer ([14:32]), with banter about who deserved to win.
• Deeper Cuts & Honorable Mentions:
  • Review of “steroid era” MVPs and speculation (some tongue-in-cheek) about PED use.
  • The group debates Hall of Fame legitimacy, especially around the steroid era.
  • Jeremy: “By the late 90s and early 2000s, Barry Bond goes, all right, I’m gonna go ahead and start doing this, too. And becomes the greatest thing that’s ever—also on a baseball field.” [16:44]
  • Ethan: “And Larry Walker has no connections either. I don't know why Jeremy threw Larry Walker out there under the bus, which, I mean, it’s fine. Look, he's still in the Hall of Fame.” [17:00]
  • Final salute to the era’s quirks and celebration of MVP discussions.

Notable Quotes & Soundbites

• "I don't like to be referred to as an MLB expert. That's ridiculous. I'm just a guy who likes baseball, man. Don't you get to under promise and over deliver?"
  — Michael Schur [04:13]
• "Given the Yankees’ schedule, you’d be foolish to bet against them."
  — Michael Schur [10:17]
• "If the Mariners make the playoffs and/or he gets 60, I think he steals it."
  — Michael Schur on Raleigh's MVP chances [12:02]
• "If the Iowa Meat Truck ever makes the majors, I'm going to vote for Iowa Meat Truck as the best nickname in the game."
  — Michael Schur [13:34]

Timestamps Guide to Major Segments

• [01:16] – Trivia game rules explained
• [03:00] – Ken Griffey Jr. answer, beginning the MVP challenge
• [04:13] – Michael Schur joins; pitching feats discussion
• [06:15] – Field of Dreams and MLB innovations
• [09:04] – Red Sox, Yankees, and AL Wild Card analysis
• [11:00] – AL MVP debate: Raleigh vs. Judge
• [12:43] – Best nicknames in baseball
• [14:32] – Trivia champion decided; extended MVP discussion
• [16:28] – Reflecting on the legacy of the steroid era MVPs and baseball history

Episode Tone & Takeaways

This episode radiates relaxed, insider-y sports banter, blending nostalgia, respect for baseball’s depth, and irreverent humor. Michael Schur’s contributions balance geeky enthusiasm and measured analysis, with the rest of the crew offering sharp-witted interplay. Listeners gain quick-hit trivia, thoughtful analysis of the 2025 MLB landscape, and a celebration of what makes baseball weird, wonderful, and always up for debate.

Perfect for:

• Baseball fans craving both deep dives and playful banter
• Trivia junkies
• Anyone curious about how the present is re-shaping how we remember the past in sports