The Big Suey: Buster Olney Looks Like… (feat. Tim Kurkjian)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Big Suey: Buster Olney Looks Like… (feat. Tim Kurkjian)
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Release Date: April 16, 2025

---

Introduction to The Big Suey

[01:39]
Dan LeBatard welcomes listeners to The Big Suey, a segment sponsored by DraftKings. Stu Gotz kicks off the discussion by questioning listeners' reasons for tuning into the show, humorously noting its similarity to other Dan LeBatard podcasts. This sets a lighthearted tone for the episode.

Buster Olney Lookalike Challenge

[02:01] – [07:05]
The primary focus of the episode revolves around playful banter about Buster Olney's appearance. Stu Gotz initiates the segment by asking if Buster Olney resembles various humorous characters. Tim Kurkjian engages in the fun, sharing anecdotes that highlight Buster's down-to-earth nature.

Stu Gotz: "Buster Olney looks like the dad who doesn't want to confront another parent in the carpool line. So he flips them off under the steering wheel." [05:21]

Tim counters with a more realistic portrayal, emphasizing Buster's straightforward personality.

Tim Kurkjian: "Buster is a buster on every level." [07:21]

Tim Kurkjian's Unique Skill Set and Podcast Insights

[08:07] – [13:07]
Stu Gotz shifts the conversation to Tim's podcasting endeavors with his son, Jeff. He praises the intimate and heartfelt interactions that showcase the father-son bond over baseball and pop culture.

Stu Gotz: "It's just extraordinary to hear love on a podcast that way." [11:55]

Tim elaborates on the collaborative process, highlighting his son's role as producer, director, and technical advisor. He shares the dedication involved, such as driving three hours from Maryland to Philadelphia three times a week to ensure the podcast's success.

Tim Kurkjian: "I drive from Maryland three hours to his house in Philadelphia to do the podcast. A, because it's better face to face. But B, if something goes wrong with the technology, he will be there to fix it." [09:40]

Deep Dive into Baseball Analysis

[13:07] – [30:23]
The discussion transitions into a comprehensive analysis of the current baseball season. Tim Kurkjian offers his insights on the San Diego Padres, lauding them as the best team in baseball at that moment despite ongoing challenges like injuries.

Tim Kurkjian: "I just did our power rankings this morning and I picked the Padres first in baseball." [13:59]

He expresses surprise over the Atlanta Braves' early-season struggles, noting the unexpectedly strong performance of the National League West division. Tim underscores the unpredictability of baseball, citing remarkable individual player performances that defy conventional expectations.

Tim Kurkjian: "This is why baseball is the greatest game because it is way too good to be predicted." [15:57]

Humorous Interlude: Tim's Pop Culture Missteps

[17:05] – [37:58]
Stu Gotz and Chris Cody engage Tim in a series of "have you ever" questions, aiming to highlight his limited knowledge of pop culture outside of baseball. Tim shares amusing stories, such as mistaking Nickelback for an unfamiliar band and interacting with celebrities like Eddie Vedder.

Tim Kurkjian: "I met Nickelback on an airplane once... I didn't know who they were." [18:09]

These segments emphasize the show's comedic dynamic, contrasting Tim's baseball expertise with his humorous lack of pop culture savvy.

Memorable Guest Interactions and Anecdotes

[30:22] – [43:38]
The conversation includes nostalgic references to baseball legends like Rusty Staub and discussions about players' personal traits. Tim shares detailed recollections, demonstrating his exceptional memory for baseball history.

Tim Kurkjian: "Rusty Staub died on opening day when the Marlins played on opening day and Hap hit a home run on the first pitch of the game." [27:12]

Stu Gotz expresses amazement at Tim's retention of obscure baseball facts, likening his memory to "genius level" retention.

Stu Gotz: "Tim, your retention for these things is crazy. I had a conversation with Al Michaels..." [33:01]

Final Segments and Closing Remarks

[43:38] – [46:20]
The episode wraps up with more lighthearted jokes about Tim's personal life and interactions, including humorous comparisons and playful ribbing about his knowledge gaps. Stu Gotz encourages listeners to check out Tim's podcast, Poor Pop Pop, highlighting its intimate and sweet nature.

Stu Gotz: "You should check out Poor Pop Pop. It really is intimate and sweet." [38:27]

Tim expresses his gratitude and affection for the show, reinforcing the camaraderie among the hosts.

Tim Kurkjian: "Yeah, we have several of them this week. Thanks, Dan. See you guys. I miss you guys." [46:10]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Stu Gotz: "Buster Olney looks like the dad who doesn't want to confront another parent in the carpool line. So he flips them off under the steering wheel." [05:21]
• Tim Kurkjian: "This is why baseball is the greatest game because it is way too good to be predicted." [15:57]
• Stu Gotz: "Tim, your retention for these things is crazy." [33:01]

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Humorous Dynamics: The episode thrives on the comedic interplay between Dan, Stu, and Tim, balancing insightful baseball analysis with lighthearted jokes.
• Tim Kurkjian's Expertise: Tim's deep knowledge of baseball history and current season performance provides valuable insights for listeners.
• Personal Connections: The heartfelt discussion about Tim's podcast with his son adds a personal and relatable dimension to the show.
• Unpredictability of Baseball: Emphasized as a central theme, showcasing why baseball remains an engaging and exciting sport.

Conclusion

"The Big Suey: Buster Olney Looks Like…" is a blend of sports analysis, humor, and personal storytelling. Featuring Tim Kurkjian's expert baseball commentary and his charming interactions with Dan LeBatard and Stu Gotz, the episode offers both entertainment and insightful discussion for sports enthusiasts.

Transcript

[Mike Ryan]

Hey, folks, it's Mike Ryan. And if you're watching our show, you probably know and your boy has undergone a little bit of a body transformation. And I gotta tell you, Peloton has helped me on my fitness journey. It got the ball rolling for me because I watch my wife on the peloton. She takes all these great classes. She has her favorite instructors. I listen to the music, I'm a big music guy. Gets me fired up. Makes me want to take part in this fitness phenomenon known as Peloton. Peloton offers a variety of challenging classes, from four week strength building classes to running, cycling, and everything in between. Peloton will help you achieve your goals and maybe you'll have some fun along the way. I know I have. It's backed by thousands of members whose lives have been changed. Be part of that group. Telling you I'm better for it. Have it in my office. Sometimes I can put on the baseball game. Sometimes I can put on a soccer match. Some other times I'm totally locked in on an emo playlist. Find your push, find your power. With [e-mail] Now's a good time to remember where tequila's story truly began. In 1795, Cuervo invented tequila.

[Stu Gotz]

Cuervo.

[Mike Ryan]

What are you doing here?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Cuervo.

[Stu Gotz]

Anytime someone says Cuervo, I show up.

[Mike Ryan]

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.

[Stu Gotz]

Sweet, delicious Cuervo.

[Mike Ryan]

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

[Stu Gotz]

Cuervo.

[Mike Ryan]

So enjoy the tequila that started it all. Cuervo.

[Stu Gotz]

Cuervo.

[Mike Ryan]

The tequila that invented tequila. Proximo. Cuervo.com, please drink responsibly.

[Stu Gotz]

Cuervo.

[Dan LeBatard]

Welcome to the Big Suey, presented by DraftKings.

[Stu Gotz]

Why are you listening to this show?

[Dan LeBatard]

The podcast that seems very similar to the other Dan Lebatard podcast. I'm sorry. I'm not gonna apologize for that. In fact, the only difference seems to be this imaging.

[Stu Gotz]

I have been tempted in restaurants just walking past tables to grab somebody's fries if they're just there. That hasn't happened to you guys.

[Dan LeBatard]

I've done it. And now here's the marching man to Nowhere Fat Face and the habitual liar.

[Stu Gotz]

I am very excited right now.

[Dan LeBatard]

Wow.

[Stu Gotz]

And the audience is about to be very excited as well. Before we unveil this exciting thing, I would say one of the most exciting things that ever happens around here. I will tell you a story I have not told before, which is in negotiations with espn, when we were wrestling them over who gets to own what sounds, ESPN won only one time. We got the entire rest of our library. But there was only one sound they.

[Dan LeBatard]

Wouldn'T let us have you won all the sounds?

[Stu Gotz]

We. We won Sound champion. We won all the sounds in negotiations. But the sound that ESPN wanted to keep, we could not have. We have just had to pay a lot of money to play for you now because they have the rights to the sound. It's been a nightmare trying to get a music sound to pay for rights to things.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's valuable, man.

[Stu Gotz]

Right. I mean, they kept it. They're building their entire network around it. That's why they wouldn't give it to us. Tim Kirkjin on loan right now. Only because Mike McQuaid's in charge now, God bless him.

[Dan LeBatard]

I would say Tim Kirchen is probably at the top gold medalist in terms of guests that our fans love the most. I would say it's Kirchen, Stan Van Gundy, and Ron McGill. I mean, this is an exciting day, Dan. We're talking baseball with Timmy Kirchen.

[Stu Gotz]

So we'll put him immediately in an awkward spot by asking him, does Buster Olney look like the. I haven't even started yet.

[Tim Kirkjian]

I know, but Buster grew up on a farm, and he was telling me about milk and cows the other day. Every time I think about that, I have to laugh.

[Stu Gotz]

Because you're imagining him doing it in his suit.

[Tim Kirkjian]

No, because we got in a discussion about milking a cow, and I told him I'd milked one cow in my entire life. It was a disaster at Ferguson Farm when my daughter was in the fifth grade. And I said he, meaning the cow, was not interested in giving up a lot of milk. He. To which Buster started to scream at me. Guy grew up on a dairy farm. I didn't even know that it was only the females that give milk. Did you guys know that?

[Stu Gotz]

I didn't.

[Dan LeBatard]

Of course we did.

[Stu Gotz]

Male cows are fools.

[Chris Cody]

You and the cow at a moment.

[Billy]

I didn't know that.

[Stu Gotz]

Put it on the poll at Levitto. Did you know that it was only the female cows who give milk? I'd like to hear more here, but Buster only looks like the.

[Dan LeBatard]

Just thinking about the cow.

[Tim Kirkjian]

I was just thinking about Jeff Van Gundy, too. God, he's so funny. Queen of hearts, Jeff Van Gundy. What was the first one I ever heard? Jeff Van Gundy looks like the queen of Hearts. The medical examiner who does an autopsy while eating a ham sandwich.

[Dan LeBatard]

He remembers.

[Stu Gotz]

Well, he remembers a lot of them. People walk up.

[Billy]

Wasn't he in the cold commercial, too?

[Tim Kirkjian]

We had one of those.

[Stu Gotz]

I think he gets them all the time, just walking around. People repeat that. Didn't somebody repeat it to you at the White House?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Yes, yes. A secret Service agent. I walked by him at the White House. This was years ago. He didn't say hello. He just acknowledged my presence and said, andy Reid looks like. And kind of had an ellipse after that. And then I walked away. And he said, don't mind if I do. That was the secret service agent. Fellas, I'm not making this up. Every day of my life, every day somebody comes up to me and says something about the stupid Le Batard show. Looks like yesterday a guy, like, tackled me at the grocery store and just said, adam Silver looks like the lone french fry in a bag of onion rings. And then he just, like, kept on walking.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's how you do it.

[Tim Kirkjian]

This is what your show has done.

[Stu Gotz]

To my Buster Olney. Looks like the dad who doesn't want to confront another parent in the carpool line. So he flips them off under the steering wheel.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Well, that's inaccurate because I know Buster very well, and he might be the first guy to get out of the car and say, you jumped in line in front of me.

[Dan LeBatard]

Move out.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Wow. He wouldn't do it under the steering wheel. He would go right into the guy's face. Buster is a buster on every level.

[Dan LeBatard]

But, Timmy, you would do it under the steering wheel, right? You would?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Yeah. I'm not sure the last time I ever did that, but yes, I've told you guys, I get a little bit more impatient in a car than I should. And it worried me that I read some story once that your personality in your car is your true personality. So that worries me a little bit because I can get a little impatient while driving a car.

[Stu Gotz]

Can you guys, before the end of this segment, have a series of have you ever questions for Tim Kirkchen? Because I imagine there are a lot of things that Tim Kirchhoin has never done. And have you ever actually shot the middle finger at somebody?

[Tim Kirkjian]

I don't know. I have not. Now I have done it by myself, probably to myself, but I don't think I've ever done that to another human being.

[Stu Gotz]

He would answer that question honestly. And I also love that he's so naughty that he would only do it to himself in a private area. So no one Else can see him doing it.

[Dan LeBatard]

I believe that he's that to turn that finger.

[Stu Gotz]

He's that fundamentally decent. Adam Silver looks like a torpedo bat.

[Tim Kirkjian]

He's a commissioner. There are more looks like about him than anybody else. Ridiculous.

[Stu Gotz]

Jim. Jim Rome looks like the guy who regularly takes practice golf swings in his office.

[Dan LeBatard]

Totally.

[Stu Gotz]

Tim, what you're doing right now, we'll talk about baseball in a second. But there are a handful of projects that my friends are doing that are genuinely moving to me. And I love seeing you at this point in your career doing a podcast with your son that has so much love in it and baseball. But all the things that I love about the relationships that fathers and sons can form around baseball. It is so very cool to hear the interaction, interactions between you and your son with him bringing out a side of you that people probably haven't seen before, even though they think they know plenty about you. Because you trust your son to be your producer and host. And it's just lovely. It's a lovely podcast that you do well.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Thank you. He's the producer, he's the director, he's the co host, he's the technical advisor, he is the marketing guy. He does everything for the show. All I do is show up now three days a week and provide some content. He does everything else. And I told you guys, I drive from Maryland three hours to his house in Philadelphia to do the podcast. A, because it's better face to face. But B, if something goes wrong with the technology, he will be there to fix it, to repair it. Whereas I being the worst of all time at this, if anything goes wrong with my computer, I am completely lost. I am the worst of all time at so many things, but nobody is worse at technology than me.

[Billy]

Tim, three hours, three times a week, you're driving.

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, with all due respect, I mean, he should be driving to you.

[Tim Kirkjian]

I mean, no, no, no, no. It's not all three. We just went to three days a week. So once a week I'm driving three hours to my son's house to make sure that the show goes properly. We have learned how to do it remotely. He set up everything in my house so I know how to do it. But no, he should not be coming to me as a one year old daughter, my granddaughter. So there's no way we're going to when I'm the one that can easily get in the car and drive.

[Stu Gotz]

So we will get to baseball stuff in a second with Tim. But for those of you who do not know, right, he's an extraordinary family man. I have seen him be better with his mother than I've seen almost any adult ever be with a parent late in life. And he recently lost his brother. And the reason the podcast that he's doing now is so moving to me is because I can't. I mean, I know how much his brother loved baseball, but I just can't believe the amount of joy that Tim must be getting from the simple act of being able to do this with his son. It's just. It's just extraordinary to hear love on a podcast that way. It's what Tim. The reason I love it so much is the most meaningful thing I've done professionally is be able to get old next to my father on television because it gave me an entirely different relationship with my father than I had before that.

[Mike Ryan]

Right.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Well, I always have had a great relationship with my son Jeff, but it's gotten way better, if that's possible, through the podcast. And now we talk about 25 times a day. Who are you going to have on as the next guest? What are the questions for this week? What's the correction quandary? We go over this every single day. We're taping today at 11am and I can't wait. It has been the highlight of my entire career, and I don't care how corny that sounds. This is something we've always wanted to do. We laugh and we learn. And the good thing is, is Jeff's not a big baseball fan, so he's a good baseball fan. He doesn't know a lot because he grew up watching Whose Line Is It Anyway? Instead of watching every baseball game every night, like his dopey pop pop. So he knows so much about pop culture and music and. And everything else, and I don't know anything except for baseball and basketball and sitcoms from the 60s. So we. We're a good. We're a good combination.

[Stu Gotz]

I will tell our audience who supports all the things we love and supports the people who have supported us, that the name of the pod. This a great game or what? He does it with his son Jeff, and I encourage all of you to listen to it because it re. It really is intimate and. And sweet.

[Dan LeBatard]

Timmy, the Padres, the best team in baseball.

[Tim Kirkjian]

They are today. Yeah. Now that's going to change because everything changes in baseball. But fellas, they got six shutouts already. Their starting pitching is really good. Their offense even hasn't really gotten going. Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill is hurt. Luisa Rice hasn't gotten going yet, and they still to score. Runs, they're really good. But I'm telling you, fellas, the season began and I saw the six, maybe seven best teams in baseball were all in the National League and the Padres were one of them. So they are a very dangerous team. And they're not afraid of the Dodgers. The Dodgers are going to be the best team in baseball before this is over. But right now I would. I just did our power rankings this morning and I picked the Padres first in baseball.

[Billy]

Tim, what's something the first few weeks of the season that you think you're second guessing? I thought this going into the year, but now I've seen something and I'm thinking differently about it.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Well, I had the Braves definitely going to the playoffs and I'm not giving up on the Braves yet. But they have really labored now. They got Spencer Strider coming back today, which is a real helpful thing because he throws 100 with nasty, nasty secondary stuff. But I thought the Braves would be obviously better than this. But once they get Acuna Jr back, and we're not positive when that's been, the big surprise for me is how they have struggled and how good the National League west has been. I knew the Giants were better. I knew the Diamondbacks were good. Padres are good, Dodgers good. But right now that is a historically good division. Three weeks into the season, are the Braves struggling. The biggest surprise of the season, I'm.

[Mike Ryan]

Sorry, is the Braves struggling so far early in the season, the biggest surprise?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Yeah, I think team wise. But Roy, the best part about this season is just how crazy and how unpredictable it has been, which has been every year. I mean, Rafael Devers went over his first 21, but first 19 at bats, he struck out 15 times in 19 at bats. He's a really good hitter. At least two dozen times I have slapped my forehead this scene saying how in the world could this have happened? I mean, right now, Tyler Soderstrom is leading the major leagues in homers. Wilmer Flores is leading the league in RBIs. Jonathan Aranda is leading the major leagues in batting average. This, this cannot happen in the NFL or the NBA. That three weeks into the season, three players who are good players would be leading the entire major leagues. This is why baseball is the greatest game is it is way too good to be predicted. Good players are bad. Bad players are good. It makes absol no sense.

[Chris Cody]

Hey, Tim, always a pleasure to be able to talk baseball with you. Have you ever asked a friend to help you get tickets or something?

[Tim Kirkjian]

All the time. And look, I don't want to be Mr. Ethical here. But I was taught at a very young age in the newspaper business, you do not take anything from anybody. I did a golf tournament in 1981, the memorial, and they gave me a little notebook to take home with me that said Memorial on it. And my boss, Dave Smith, made me mail it back to the golf. To the golf course, saying, you don't give any of our guys anything for free. Yes. People ask me for tickets all the time, and I just have to politely say no. One guy, former pretty good player, sandlot player, asked me if there's any way I could get him on the field. He was 55 years old. To hit and see if he could hit a ball over the wall at Fenway Park. He asked me if I could arrange that for him. I think that was the last day I spoke to him, because that was the most ridiculous request ever.

[Dan LeBatard]

Zazzle. I'll tell you what. I'm pretty certain that Timmy knows Eddie Vedder. I'm pretty certain, yes.

[Chris Cody]

Is this a true story, Tim?

[Stu Gotz]

Yeah, of course he knows Eddie Vedder.

[Tim Kirkjian]

I met Eddie Vedder once at. At the Ballpark in Wrigley. But typically, I wasn't sure how great he was until people told me, hey, you met Eddie Vedder. He's like, the greatest of all time.

[Stu Gotz]

You've got so many. Wait, Tim, this happened to you with Pitbull. This is. What is the most embarrassing time that it's happened, where someone very famous is meeting you and you know so little about the world, pop culture, and anything other than baseball that you've insulted this person by not knowing who they are?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Well, I met Nickelback on an airplane once. The entire band was on the. And they. So I. Somehow we got in a conversation with them. So I said, so who are you guys? And they said, we're Nickelback. And there was absolutely no understanding on my part. And I said, honestly, this is so bad. I'm so embarrassed.

[Stu Gotz]

It's not that bad.

[Tim Kirkjian]

I said, what is that? And he said, oh, we're a. We're a musical band or a group or whatever they called it. So I was sitting with Nickelback. They explained who they were, and I didn't know who they were. That's how bad Poor Pop up is at so many things.

[Stu Gotz]

Oh, I love you so much. You should. You should really listen to Poor Papa's podcast. It's. That's what the name of it should be.

[Billy]

Pop Pop. That's fine.

[Stu Gotz]

Poor Pop.

[Tim Kirkjian]

We have a segment every week, Dan, called Poor Pop up, because we go over Something that everyone else in the world is capable of doing except for me. And then Jeffrey, who is a magician at doing so many things. He can fix anything. He can figure everything out. He explains how the world works in our weekly segment called Poor Pop up, where I just explained what a dope I really am.

[Chris Cody]

Stu Gotz, have you heard from your guy yet?

[Dan LeBatard]

I have not. No. No, no.

[Stu Gotz]

All right, we will stay on this because Stu Gatz and I are gonna have to compete to see if we can get Zaslow some Pearl Jam tickets. You mentioned the rules of journalism. I could take anything under $25, but anything that was worth more than $25, I had to pay for. I was not allowed to do anything there beyond $25. You had $0, Tim. You could not accept a single. A pen.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Well, I'm sure I accepted a pen. But back in the newspaper days, Dan, when I covered the Texas Rangers, they, of course, used to feed us in the press room every night. And it was for free. Because back then, in the early 80s, the press room didn't charge as they do today. But my boss, Dave Smith, the guy who made me send the satchel back to the MEM Golf tournament, he made it very clear to the Rangers early on that we are not going to eat free in your press room. And he sent them, like, a $500 check so the beat writer, me, could eat for the season in the press room at Arlington Stadium. And then we had this discussion. Oh, my God. My sports editor and Doug Raider and I. Doug Raider was the manager of the Rangers in 1983. Dave Smith came down to meet him, and Doug Raider said, if we win the World Series this year, Tim will get a World Series rig because he's the beat guy. To which my boss, not recognizing how Doug Raider was just pulling a string, they got in this huge argument whether I should get a World Series ring or not. Needless to say, they didn't win the World Series. But if they had, I promise you, I would not have gotten or accepted a World Series Series ring.

[Dan LeBatard]

Timmy, you're wearing a beautiful. And we all noticed it, by the way, a beautiful Walter Johnson jacket. I'm wondering, did he hand that to you personally?

[Tim Kirkjian]

As you may not know, Walter Johnson died on December 10, 1946. I was born. I was born.

[Stu Gotz]

How do you know that exact date? You don't know. You don't know how to do anything. How do you know that exact date, you weirdo?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Well, if you would let me finish. He died on December 10, 1946. I was born on December 10, 1956, 10 years to the day after Walter Johnson died, I was born. How can you forget that when you go to Walter Johnson High School, you.

[Stu Gotz]

Work for the school paper. This is the part, this is the part of you I've never missed. The rage that happens every time that you come on with us and you're enraged. Like it's, this is how it happens every time. We start with laughter and then eventually you just get enraged and start screaming at me in front of everybody like it happens every time. And like the audience is tired of how abusive you are to me.

[Tim Kirkjian]

All right. I have never been angry at you even one time, Dan. And you have asked me some of the dumbest questions in the history of radio and I still have never gotten mad at you folks.

[Billy]

You know, sometimes the smallest step can make the big difference in your financial future. Whether it's cutting out fees, building better habits, or just getting support when you need it. Chime is here to help. When you open up a Chime checking account, you are one step closer to a better financial future. No monthly maintenance fees fee. Free overdraft up to $200 with Spot Me and you can get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. Learn [e-mail] dan that's chime.com dan need access to your paycheck before payday? With MyPay, you can access up to $500 from your pay early with no mandatory fees or interest. Plus, with over 50,000 fee free ATMs, you've got the freedom to manage your money your way. Make progress towards a better financial future with Chime. Open your account in two [e-mail] that's chime.com Dan Chime feels like progress. Banking services and debit card provided by the Bancorp Bank NA and Stride Bank NA members. Fdic Spot Me eligibility requirements and overdraft limits apply. Fees apply at out of network ATMs. MyPay eligibility requirements apply. Credit limits range 20 to 500. Two dollar fee applies to get funds instantly. Chime checking account required. Go to chime.com disclosures for details.

[Mike Ryan]

It's the 50th anniversary of Miller Lite and for many of those 50 years they've been partnered up with the Dan LeBatard Show. Back to our terrestrial radio all throughout national syndication. Pirate Face where we are now so grateful for that partnership because you guys know we believe it. It's a beer for people who love their beer. And hopefully our audience loves their beer enough to always trust Miller Lite. Like I do from game night parties with friends or a special anniversary like 20 years together on air. Celebrating important occasions means more moments with the coolest people in your life. Cheers to 50 years of Miller Light, the great tasting light beer for people who Love beer since 1975. 5. It's Miller Time Miller Lite is brewed for taste. Simply put, it just hits different because of those simple ingredients like malted barley for rich balanced toffee note flavors and the iconic golden color. Oh, and that white can do. I love that white can. 96 calories and just 3.2 grams of carbs per 12 ounces. Miller time is always a good time. Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you or you can pick up Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. Game time is the official ticketing partner of the Dan LeBatard show with Stu Gotz. I am Mike Ryan and as you know on this show I am often touting gametime because I believe in this product. And as a play in tournament begins this week, why don't you head on over to gametime? As a Miami Heat fans, I've got plenty of great experiences with that play in tournament. A lot of good runs started in this play in tournament. Might be a little frustrated that they're always in the play in tournament, but that's a story for another day. The good news is gametime makes getting tickets to that play in tournament faster and easier even for hard to get playoff seeds. Prices on the GameTime app may actually go down the closer it gets to tip off with killer last minute deals, all in prices, views from your seat and their lowest price guarantee. GameTime takes the guesswork out of buying and NBA playoff tickets. And don't forget about that all in pricing toggling. This feature shows the total up front with no surprise fees at checkout and GameTime's got its unparalleled ticket coverage. Your purchase is covered with the most flexible customer service policy in the ticketing industry. Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use code DAN for $20 off. Your first purchase terms apply. Again, create an account and redeem code Dan for $20 off. Download the Gametime app today. Last minute tickets, lowest price guaranteed.

[Stu Gotz]

Don LeBatard Punctuate this segment with what is.

[Billy]

Your strike three call strike one would be strike. And then you stand up and you give a good point to the right stugats. That's same for strike three. But strike three, you get down low, you got your hands behind the catcher. All right, the right arm goes up into the air.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Yeah.

[Billy]

And then you finish it with the punch. The right arm flings way up into the air.

[Stu Gotz]

I wish I could see that. The audio is great.

[Tim Kirkjian]

This is the Dan lebatar show with the St. Gods.

[Stu Gotz]

When did Rusty Stob die?

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, no.

[Tim Kirkjian]

I believe Rusty Stop. I know this. Rusty Stop died on opening day when the Marlins played on opening day and Hap hit a home run on the first pitch of the game.

[Stu Gotz]

You can't do this, right? You can.

[Tim Kirkjian]

No, that I believe this. I believe Rusty Stob died that day because we were talking about, you know, first pitch of the Marlin season is hit for a home run by. By half of the Cubs. And then we went through and Rusty Staub, you know, hit a home run as a teenager and a home run as a 40 year old. And he was the second guy to do that. Ty Cobb was the first. And they once asked Gene Mock, the manager of the Expos, when Rusty Staub was a star there. Gene Mock, who was a pretty funny, quiet guy. He said he had. He has beaucoup power. And I knew what that meant even before I knew what the word mean, boku meant. So that's. I'm pretty sure that's the day that Rusty Stob died. Opening day, the Marlins. And first pitch. Home run.

[Chris Cody]

Something we don't know.

[Billy]

We have confirmed that Rusty Stop did die that day. And we actually have sound. Billy was in the stadium.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes.

[Billy]

On the phone with our show when this home run happened.

[Stu Gotz]

Give us as much as you can here. Take us up to the dramatic first pitch.

[Unknown]

Billy Jose arena standing at the back of the mound. He reaches down, he's rubbing some dirt and brazen on his hand. And here we go. Now he's writing something on the mound with his fingers next to the logo. I can't see what he's writing. All right, he's. Oh, here we go. And the wind up. And the pitch. Oh, God.

[Tim Kirkjian]

A home run of the first. Welcome, Derek.

[Dan LeBatard]

Jen.

[Tim Kirkjian]

And that concludes our Marlins coverage for the season.

[Dan LeBatard]

Let the guy make the call, huh? Swallowed.

[Chris Cody]

Billy, the best part is you could so clearly hear the bat on the ball.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[Billy]

Tim, I want to ask you, I. I know how much you love pitching matchups. You look every day to find little word plays with the pitching Matchups. I want you to remind the people how excited you got when the Dodgers played the Nationals and it was Dustin May versus MacKenzie Gore.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Oh, wow. Yeah. Well, this is what we do on our podcast. I challenged my son Jeff. Again, not baseball aficionado like his dopey dad. I said, jeff, look at the starting pitching matchups today and tell me what you notice. And he looked and looked and looked and came up with the starting pitching matchup today was Gore May. So he found it. I was so proud of him. And I told him, you know, the day you got married, the day you had a baby, I was so proud of you. But today might be the most proud I've ever been. Because you found Gore and maybe and put them together. Yes. I look at all the starting pitching matchups, there's no telling what you might see. Of course, Ivan Nova faced Matt Kane several years ago. So we had the Nova Kane matchup. That was always one of my favorites. And Chad Moeller, the only thing that baseball ever lets us down on. Chad Moeller, former catcher if he had caught in that game, it would have been the greatest pitching matchup battery in the history of the sport that Chad Moeller was the catcher for the Novocaine game.

[Billy]

I love it.

[Stu Gotz]

That's so good. Does Rex Ryan look like the father in law who, when finding out your wife is pregnant, awkwardly high fives you and says, glad to hear your old equipment still works?

[Chris Cody]

Look at him.

[Stu Gotz]

Does Chief's owner Clark Hunt look like the director of a funeral home who makes candles out of its surplus embalming fluid?

[Tim Kirkjian]

It. Oh God, this is so bad.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, Tim, always good to be able to talk baseball with you. If you had to bet, who is better at getting something done for their friend, would it be Stugot or Dan?

[Tim Kirkjian]

I would go with Dan probably every time on that. I know Stug has his ways of doing things. He got me to write something for his book. It didn't take long. You were great. But I think Dan is very persuasive because his use of the English language is absolutely breathtaking. And I'm not kidding. And I just think sometimes if you use the proper words and you're really good with the language, you can get people to do what you want to do. And Dan is not only better than Stugotz, Dan is better than just about everyone.

[Chris Cody]

But Stugot should still try though, right?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Of course. Stugatz is always going to try. I think that's fairly odd.

[Dan LeBatard]

Thank you, Timmy. Not always, but. But thank you, Timmy. I appreciate it. Timmy, if you tell me to shut up on this, I will. Joe Maurer is not a first ballot hall of Famer. I mean, he's not Tim.

[Tim Kirkjian]

All right, sue, got. I understand your point. To me, you're either a Hall of Famer or you're not. It doesn't matter if you're a first ballot or not. So if you think he's a Hall of Famer, you should put him in on the first ballot. That's just the way that I think about it. Stugot. You look at the first eight years, 10 years as a catcher for Joe Maurer, there's really no comparable other than Mike Piazza, who's the greatest hitting catcher of all time. Johnny Bench is the greatest catcher. Yogi Bears, second greatest catcher. But Joe Maurer was. Did things that no catcher has ever done in the history of the sport when it comes to winning batting titles, all that stuff. So that's why I think he's a first ballot hall of Famer. But again, I don't include first ballot. If he's a Hall of Famer, he's getting my vote. I don't care if it's the first ballot or the 10th.

[Stu Gotz]

Wait a minute, though. I mean, that's interesting. Okay. But we've, We've really. We overlooked a couple of things here. I don't, I don't. I don't want to just simply skip past that. We did not plan that Rusty Stobb moment. I chose a random player.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[Stu Gotz]

And said, what's the date that he died? And Tim Kirkjin, you know what was at the date? That's a weird thing to have happen. It's an unusual. It's not a coincidence. It makes me wonder how many things like this Tim Kirkjin could do like that. Because that's not normal. Tim, your. Your retention for these things is crazy. I had a conversation with Al Mich. Uh.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Oh.

[Stu Gotz]

Oh, all right.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yep. Thank you.

[Stu Gotz]

I had a conversation in which he had recall from a World Series game that he called 40 something years ago that had all of the players in the same place that they were. Because it's a. It's a retention that is genius level. You. You have an ability here to do weird things like this on a number of different subjects, on a number of different dates and times and numbers. Correct.

[Tim Kirkjian]

All right. I have some skills when it comes to that. Those are my only skills. But I'm telling you, Dan, it's a baseball thing. We have another segment on our show called I am a seam head. The first guy who came On Mark Simon can tell you who made the last out of to end every World Series for the last 70 years. The second guy was Jud Burch, who can name every umpire in the major leagues based on the uniform number on their jersey, which we didn't even know they had a uniform number. Then we had on Jeff Bennett formula of ESPN who can tell you what every baseball card looks like from 1982 through 85. Front of the baseball card and back of the baseball card. Birthplace, height, weight. Carl Ustremsky. I'm not making this up. And then we had a guy named Mike, Mike Peteca on last week. And you could go like this to Mike. He used to work for the Indians as a. As an AP writer. 127 hits, 481 at bats. And in a matter of two seconds he could figure that out in his head and give you the batting average. These are what seam heads can do. And I maintain they're more in baseball than any other sport. So yes, I have strange retention of things, but on things that are really important, I can't remember anything.

[Stu Gotz]

I understand that you're good at your job, allegedly. But I just want you to know that as you started saying that, my executive producer, who's had a heavy tongue for a couple of days here, said in my ear. Cause he's distracting and is keeping me actively from listening to the person who's talking. Useless.

[Billy]

I mean, all those things. The final outfit like that he knows what every baseball card looked like. He could tell you the umpire's number. Just a useless stuff to.

[Tim Kirkjian]

But that's kind of the point. Baseball is pointless. And that's what makes it so interesting. So just the other day, the. The race scored one run in the first inning, four runs in the second inning, nine runs in the third inning against the Red Sox. So I checked with the people who could look this up. It's the first time in major league history that any team has ever scored one in the first, four in the second, nine in the third. We played 150 years. We played well over 200,000 games. And that first three line score had never happened in baseball history. It's pointless, it's useless, it's stupid. But people actually care about that stuff, including me.

[Billy]

Tim, what's your son Jeff's birthday?

[Stu Gotz]

I hope he gets this wrong. He's thinking about it.

[Tim Kirkjian]

I don't need to think about it.

[Stu Gotz]

I'm not gonna take a quiz. Look, this is his angry side again. When he doesn't know something, he lashes out and all of a sudden he gets defensive. We get it. You don't know the we, don't you, you don't know.

[Tim Kirkjian]

1993. And his daughter was born on August 8th of night, August 10th of 1993. She came a couple hours late. Otherwise his daughter would have been born on his birthday. On the night that Michael Lorenzen was pitching a no hitter for the Phillies while dad and mom were watching the Phillies on the TV in the hospital room thinking, our daughter's going to be born on daddy's birthday. And the night that Michael Lorenzen threw a no hitter, we just missed out on that.

[Billy]

What was the umpire doing? Home plates and jersey number.

[Tim Kirkjian]

I'm not kidding you. This Judd Birch guy, you could ask him on a random Tuesday night, no matter where you are, doesn't matter who's working second base in Texas. And he, he would say, Adrian Johnson. I tested him on it. He can do these things. Weird people exist in baseball. And that's another reason I love it and I'm not apologizing for it.

[Billy]

Quick aside, just to close the loop. My father in law often told me I look like Rusty Stob.

[Chris Cody]

Useless.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Was a great cook, by the way.

[Billy]

So am I.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Used to take. He used to pack his pots and pans with him on road trips. So if it was like a 10 day trip, he would get a hotel room that has like a stove and an oven and he would take his own pots and pans and cook for himself on the road.

[Dan LeBatard]

Amazing.

[Stu Gotz]

He was also one of the few players heavyset like that, relax and the only one who was orange.

[Billy]

I think that's what my father in law is doing.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Buck Showalter once asked me, this is so typical Buck Showalter. He looks at me one night randomly and says, give me a great player who's got a lot of freckles. That's what he said to me. And I can't even. I've never been asked this question in my life. So I just reflectively said Rusty Stob. And he goes, I said, a great player, not a really good player. He was angry that I guess Rusty Stab. It was the best I could do. But imagine being asked by a former major league manager who's the best player I've ever seen who has a lot of freckles. Wow. Didn't see it coming.

[Billy]

What's Buck Showalter's birthday?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Buck is the same age as I am. I'm gonna say it's late May of 1956. I'll be close on that.

[Stu Gotz]

Can he really do this. There's no way. We've got so many games.

[Billy]

5-23-56.

[Stu Gotz]

Okay, we're gonna keep quizzing him. This it is.

[Dan LeBatard]

It took him less time than his sons.

[Stu Gotz]

I mean, crazy. It's voodoo. It did take him less time than his son. That's shocking. He was more confident and he was more confident. Put it on. Paul at Lebatard show. Are you surprised at all that Kirk knows more about Buck Show Walter than he does about his own son? Does Paul Skeens look like someone tried to draw Josh Allen from memory?

[Tim Kirkjian]

That is so good.

[Stu Gotz]

Does Tony Reali look like the overzealous owner of an Italian restaurant who always greets you at the door with my favorite couple when you walk in?

[Tim Kirkjian]

So good.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, man.

[Stu Gotz]

Does Bucks. I'm sorry. Does Brock Purdy look like a young pastor? Does Kirby Smart look like the wholesale tire rep who tells you he didn't charge you for that alignment even though it's complimentary? Does Bill Plaske look like he's the father of Jonathan Zaslow?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Oh my God.

[Dan LeBatard]

What is that picture?

[Mike Ryan]

Zaz?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Yeah, that's pretty close.

[Chris Cody]

That was after a Panther loss in the Stanley cup playoffs. I know exactly what it was.

[Stu Gotz]

Does Jonathan Zaslow look like an adult playing the role of a toddler? Tim, before you get out of here quickly because I want to tell people his baseball stuff is so good and baseball, baseball stuff at. @ ESPN is. Look, I'm just going to say Tim's baseball stuff is really good. And he wrote a piece last month before the start of the season about the decline of the first baseman. And he really cares about this sport and this stuff more than anyone I've ever met in my life. And I know Boogie. And so the decline of the first baseman, what happened?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Well, the industry has decided that first base is no longer an important offensive position. So we take Luis Arise, who I love. But Luis Arise is not a first baseman. But they put him at first base because it's the position he can play where he can play. Every single day we've gotten away from the first baseman hitting a lot of home runs and driving in runs. Instead we mix and match and we go put a lot of people over there who really aren't first baseman. Plus the days of the left hand. It's a left handers position, fellas. Trust me on that. The days of John Olerud are over. Where you find a left handed thrower who can hit, really play defense and drive in runs. We don't care about that guy anymore at first base. The average, the batting average for first basemen last year was the lowest since 1900 and the OPS was the lowest since 1968. And it's because the industry no longer values what a first bas baseman can bring. Big time power. But they look. And with all the shifting, we need a really quick guy over there. We need somebody who can cover a lot of ground. And that's why Pete Alonso took all this time to just get a job because they looked at the body type. Doesn't run very well. Not very good defensive player. Only got a two year deal and he's off to a great start.

[Stu Gotz]

By the way, does Mel Kuiper look like the father of the bride who lets out a less than subtle cough when he feels the first kiss has gone on a little too long?

[Tim Kirkjian]

Oh God. We have Mel. Get this. We have Mel on our podcast next week on the day before the draft to talk to him about baseball. The best Mel Kuiper. Dan looks like. You remember he looks what? Like the. The eagle who protects the young eagles. I'm pretty close on that. The protective eagle. Mel Kuiper. How great is that?

[Stu Gotz]

Does Mike Scher look like he lets out a little toot while walking from the putting green back to the golf cart? He does. Does Draymond Green look like he eats apples whole? Did you guys prepare any new game here at the end? I want a name, imaging anything for. Has Tim Kirkjin ever done something before? What do we have here?

[Billy]

We have a few submissions here. Tim. Tim, have you ever sent food back at a restaurant?

[Tim Kirkjian]

I have not and that's a fact. I, I get everything like cooked really all the way through a couple times. Steak was a little bit rare and I. But I just said it's not important, I'll eat it anyway. So no, I've never sent anything back at a restaurant.

[Mike Ryan]

Tim, have you ever played dominoes?

[Tim Kirkjian]

I have. I wasn't very good at them, but I played Domino's.

[Mike Ryan]

Have you ever had Cafecito?

[Tim Kirkjian]

I don't even know what that is, but I've only had two cups of coffee in my life, so if that has anything to do with coffee. And both of them were on the radio because Mike Greenberg was amazed during the Mike and Mike show that I'd never had a cup of coffee. So I drank one and then another three weeks later on the air just to show that I've actually had a cup of coffee. It's really pathetic, but as you know, I drink a diet Mountain Dew every morning with the box scores, which is great in Fact, Dan bought me a refrigerator that had Diet Mountain Dew written all over it, but I had to throw it out because the motor in it was broken and it sounded like there was a lawnmower in my room.

[Stu Gotz]

Gift didn't go the way I intended. I just sent him a louder.

[Dan LeBatard]

He had a good run with it.

[Stu Gotz]

And he had to throw it out and it was heavy. How long did you have it?

[Tim Kirkjian]

About a year.

[Stu Gotz]

Yeah, it's not really a good run. Put it on the pole at Levitard. Show is a year year with a vending machine. A good run to cup of coffee.

[Mike Ryan]

By the way, you'd know if you had the cup of coffee I'm talking about. Actually, it's a thimble of coffee. It's Cuban coffee. It's jet fuel. You would fly to your son's house instead of driving, by the way. Just lift off and.

[Tim Kirkjian]

No, but I did go to Cuba and I had a mojito, which I had never had.

[Stu Gotz]

Whoa, Wacky, you made it sexy. Yes. You hit us with the mojito. What just happened there? Chris, Cody, Useless.

[Billy]

I was looking for white guys.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Useless.

[Stu Gotz]

Tim, thank you for being on with us. It's always a pleasure seeing you. And I will tell the audience again. You should check out poor Pop Pop.

[Tim Kirkjian]

Yeah, we have several of them this week. Yeah. Thanks, Dan. See you guys. I miss you guys.

[Dan LeBatard]

All right, love you. Likewise.

[Billy]

Folks, listen up. They're here and they're hot. Get ready, because Jimmy John's is turning up the the heat. After years of perfecting the cold sandwich, toasted sandwiches are finally here. Try one of their three all new toasted creations, the Toasted Chicken Bacon Ranch. All natural chicken, creamy homestyle ranch, Applewood smoked bacon, melted provolone, fresh veggies, all on a perfectly toasted French bread. Good God, does that sound delicious? Or the toasted roast beef and cheddar Premium roast beef, Melty cheddar, creamy horseradish sauce, crispy fried onions, fresh veggies, golden toasted French bread. It just keeps getting better. And the toasted Ultimate Italian salami, capicola smoked ham, Applewood smoked bacon, melted provolone, shredded parmesan, fresh veggies toasted to perfection. Or take your favorite Jimmy John classics like the number 9 Italian nightclub or the number 11 country club, and get them toasted. Order now at jimmyjohn's.com on the Jimmy John's app or stop by your local Jimmy John's today.

[Mike Ryan]

It's the 50th anniversary of Miller Light, and for many of those 50 years they've been partnered up with the Dan Le back to our terrestrial radio days all throughout national syndication Pirate Face where we are now so grateful for that partnership because you guys know we believe it. It's a beer for people who love their beer. And hopefully our audience loves their beer enough to always trust Miller Light like I do. From game night parties with friends or a special anniversary like 20 years together on air, celebrating important occasions means more moments with the coolest people in your life. Cheers to 50 years of Miller Light, the great tasting light beer for people who Love beer since 1970 75. It's Miller time. Miller Light is brewed for taste. Simply put, it just hits different because of those simple ingredients like malted barley for rich balanced toffee note flavors and the iconic golden color. Oh, and that white can do. I love that white can. 96 calories and just 3.2 grams of carbs per 12 ounces. Miller time is always a good time. Miller Lite Grape Taste 96 calories go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near near you. Or you can pick up Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.