Podcast Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: The Big Suey: David's Gift (feat. David Samson)
Date: October 16, 2025

Main Theme

In this episode, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the crew are joined by David Samson, who shares personal updates about his family's hardship and the way he's both coping and connecting with his audience and colleagues. The team navigates heartfelt stories, awkward gift-giving, baseball playoff commentary, college football takes, and a few signature comedic segments, all in the show’s typical unscripted, irreverent, and emotionally honest style.

Key Segments & Insights

1. David Samson’s Personal Challenge and Coping Mechanisms

• Timestamp: 02:54 – 05:19

David shares how his daughter's illness has upended his sense of control, yet he’s determined to keep producing his podcast, “Nothing Personal,” even during such a traumatic period.

“I missed the feeling of, of trying to be normal, of trying to control stuff. And the thing about having someone who's sick with my daughter is that I can't plan anything.” — David Samson (03:03)

• He talks about how hospital life leaves you powerless—medical appointments trump his schedule and can change at any moment.
• The show acknowledges the emotional toll and extends support to David.

2. The “David’s Gift” Saga & Office Dynamics

• Timestamp: 04:44 – 14:45

Billy and Dan discuss the emotional impact of a unique gift that David sent to select colleagues: framed, game-used lineup cards and tickets from Ichiro Suzuki’s 3,000th hit game, personally signed by Ichiro and Don Mattingly.

• The gift is initially treasured as a sign of personal thoughtfulness, until it’s revealed multiple people received the same thing, unintentionally diluting the emotional weight.
• Roy notes he didn’t get one, prompting banter about favoritism and office relationships.

“One of the coolest things I've ever received.” — Dan Le Batard (05:37)

• David explains his process:
  He’d had 18 lineup cards from Ichiro’s achievement in 2016, authenticated and saved for years, only recently framed and gifted as a way to regain a sense of control following his daughter’s illness.
• Emotional vulnerability meets classic Le Batard show ribbing.

“After my daughter got sick, I started trying to control those things I could control. So I started doing things that I had not done, one of which was to get these framed…” — David Samson (08:26)

• Discussion turns to who was omitted from the gift list and why—David humorously says he considered taking one back from his daughter, who doesn’t even like baseball.
• The segment ends with Billy and others trading mock outrage and admiration, blending pathos and comedy.

3. Baseball Playoff Musings & the Unpredictability of the Game

• Timestamp: 18:05 – 22:08

David offers analysis of the MLB playoffs, marveling at the unprecedented pitching talent and the volatility of postseason baseball:

“Anytime you think that you've got baseball figured out and that you're looking at a lineup or that a pitching staff that you think is the right one that will get you through October, the truth is as executives we don't know that much more than you do.” — David Samson (18:33)

• The crew jokes about Greg Cody’s improbable bet to walk to Seattle if the Mariners and Dodgers don’t make the World Series, poking fun at his physical condition and the logistics of such a stunt.

4. Montreal Expos Documentary & Revisiting History

• Timestamp: 22:08 – 24:51

David discusses his prominent role in an upcoming Netflix documentary about the Expos’ move to Washington, clarifying that the villainy often ascribed to him is misdirected.

• He jokes that he blames Derek Jeter for the Expos leaving Montreal—a tongue-in-cheek shot.

“Let's just say that the trailer that Netflix cut ... it's not exactly how the movie goes, I'll say. But I am certainly in it as a featured interview, sort of like the narrator that carries the… the story forward.” — David Samson (22:22)

• The show affectionately teases Samson for his knack for deflecting blame.

5. Signature Le Batard Show Chaos: The “Dentech Bucket” Football Picks

• Timestamp: 28:43 – 35:31

The crew conducts their weekly NFL “bucket” segment in which participants randomly draw teams for a betting challenge, sparking lighthearted rivalry and side bets.

• David is invited to pick, old punishments are recalled, and Billy celebrates improbably lucky draws.
• The camaraderie—and competitive needling—is on full display.

6. Cultural and Sports Digressions: The Pope as a Cubs Fan and College Football Chatter

• Timestamp: 35:44 – 44:44

Billy introduces a viral clip of the Pope expressing disappointment about the Cubs losing, delighting the hosts with the idea of a sports-fanatic pontiff.

“He lost. Says the Pope just dismissively, just like they lost in flawless English. I cannot explain to you how disorienting that is.” — Dan Le Batard (36:46)

• The conversation segues into Notre Dame’s Catholic identity and whether they should play a game at the Vatican.
• Mike, Billy, and Dan banter about which college football teams are “actually good,” with Miami’s validity debated via transitive property and personal observation.

Notable Quotes

David Samson on coping with control:

“I missed the audience. I missed the feeling of trying to be normal, of trying to control stuff.” (03:03)

Dan Le Batard on David’s gift:

“One of the coolest things I’ve ever received.” (05:37)

Billy on the surprise element of the gift:

“All of you guys were deeply touched that David sent you a gift, until you started talking and realized he had sent you all the same gift.” (04:56)

David Samson on making tough choices:

“I had allocated in my head that it would be for ev. My three children would get one. And people I've worked with who have a relationship with baseball or with Ichiro...” (09:50)

Dan joking about Ichiro lineup cards:

“Is this David potentially showing in my face... I’m sending you this lineup card so you never forget what I did to you, you son of a —” (08:09)

On Expos documentary blame:

“I make it clear that it is all Derek Jeter’s fault, obviously… I didn’t kill the Expos, Dan. At all.” — David Samson (22:22, 24:51)

On what makes teams “good” in football:

“If I ask you who’s good, college and pro, you’re gonna have a hard time giving me 10 teams, like total 10 teams that you know to be good.” — Billy (41:14)

Important Timestamps

• 02:54: David Samson describes juggling podcasting with his daughter’s illness
• 04:44 – 14:45: The “David’s Gift” saga and emotional office dynamics
• 18:05: Samson’s insights on MLB playoff unpredictability
• 22:08: Discussion of the Montreal Expos documentary
• 28:43: Start of the “Dentech Bucket” football pick segment
• 35:44: The Pope’s hot Cubs take goes viral; the hosts discuss sports, Catholicism, and Notre Dame
• 41:14: Debating which college football teams are genuinely good

Memorable Moments

• The heartfelt yet comically derailed discussion of David’s Ichiro memento gift and the confusion it bred among colleagues
• David’s self-deprecating and transparent storytelling about how crisis has altered his priorities and behaviors
• The show’s blend of compassion, personal ribbing, and classic sports goofiness (e.g., joking about walking to Seattle or the Pope's fandom)
• Billy’s deadpan proposal for Notre Dame to play at the Vatican
• The hosts’ honest struggle—and competitive banter—about what makes a college football team “actually good” in a parity-heavy season

Tone

True to form, the episode mixes irreverence, poignant vulnerability, and group therapy-adjacent candor. Personal hardship is met with comic deflection. No one is spared from playful mockery, but the affection and loyalty among the cast is ever present.

End of Summary