The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

The Big Suey: "Don't Shoot The Messenger" (feat. Tim Kurkjian)

Date: January 21, 2026
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Big Suey, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the regular crew—joined by baseball writer Tim Kurkjian—riff on sports culture, Hall of Fame voting controversies, MLB’s economic imbalance, shameful car eating habits, and, of course, their signature "looks like" jokes. The episode balances in-depth baseball talk with irreverent humor and good-natured ribbing among the panel.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Viral Paparazzi Moments: William Shatner’s Cereal Adventure

(00:37–02:14)

• Conversation opens with a viral paparazzi photo of 94-year-old William Shatner seen eating a bowl of cereal while driving, prompting debates on whether the photo was staged or authentic.
• Panel dissects the details: Was the cereal Frosted Flakes or Raisin Bran? Did he pour milk before entering the car?
• Memorable moment:
  Dave Dameshek: “That is a man that has eaten cereal in a car many a time.” (02:08)
• Launches a tangent about the superiority of bowls vs. plates, leading to a recurring poll question.
  Dave Dameshek: “Replace plates with bowls. They are a better delivery system than plates for almost everything outside of steak…” (02:31)

2. Baseball Hall of Fame Voting: Inconsistencies and Sentimentality

(03:48–11:10)

• Greg Cody and Tim Kurkjian discuss their Hall of Fame votes. Both note historically weak ballots, with Tim voting for only 3 players this year: Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones, and Chase Utley.
• Dan calls out Kurkjian’s inconsistency for changing his position on Andruw Jones after tweeting years ago Jones had “zero shot” at Cooperstown (07:24).
• The crew debates if voters should change their minds, or if a player’s Hall status should be fixed.
  • Tim Kurkjian: “Andrew Jones, other than Willie Mays, is the best defensive center fielder that I’ve ever seen… and he had 435 homers.” (08:24)
  • Dan Le Batard: “You’re either a Hall of Famer or you’re not!” (10:37)
• Kurkjian defends evolving opinions, noting increased appreciation and late ballot “sentimental bumps.”
  • Kurkjian: “Get in the real world and grow up on that. Okay? Andrew Jones did not make the Hall of Fame for seven years. Gradually, the support for him increased. I was part of that gradual support.” (10:53)
• The segment is marked by playful accusations (“You’re sheep, you’re lemming!” – Dan, 11:10) and revisiting old statements for comedic effect.

3. MLB Economics: Dodgers’ Spending & Looming Work Stoppage

(15:53–17:13)

• With the Dodgers’ payroll expected to top $400 million, the group predicts a possible work stoppage due to widening disparities between large and small market teams.
  • Greg Cody: “Baseball needs to fix this and it is not going to be an easy fix.” (16:22)
• Discussion frames the situation as unsolvable under current MLB structures as a hard salary cap is unlikely.

4. Biggest Offseason MLB Moves

(24:39–27:01)
Dan asks Tim for the three most significant MLB transactions this offseason:

1. Dylan Cease to the Blue Jays: “They spent $210 million… The Blue Jays are here for the long term.” (25:18)
2. Edwin Díaz to the Dodgers: “Dodgers had a terrible bullpen last year... Now they’ve added a dominant closer.” (25:53)
3. Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers: “He’ll play right field every day… That lineup is loaded just as much as their pitching is loaded.” (26:22)

5. Sports Looks-Like Carousel & Shoes Indoors Debate

(17:13–22:56)

• The panel takes turns with “looks like” roasts targeting Dave Dameshek, Jonathan Zaslow, NBA referee Ed Malloy, Adam Silver, and others.
• Greg Cody shares his lifelong habit of wearing shoes in the house, fueled by his father’s insistence (18:59), which segues comedically into generational athletic expectations and a tangent about his daughter’s high school basketball prowess.
  Greg Cody: “She hasn’t played basketball in 15 years and never heard of her. My daughter made 54 out of 56 free throws her senior year in high school.” (19:03)

6. Shameful Car-Eating Habits

(27:01–28:54, 33:25–37:13)

• Panelists admit to eating unconventional foods while driving, including chicken wings (27:33 – Dan), oatmeal (27:53 – Greg), and rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes (28:54 – Dave).
• Mike Ryan jokes: “Us heavy guys have to be careful about doing this in public.” (33:25)
• Zaslow denies any car-related food shame, but is grilled for his lack of confidence and various broadcasting gaffes throughout the show.

7. Broadcasting Missteps & Internal Roasting

(34:27–37:13)

• Zaslow’s “minor penalty for leaking confidence” (34:12) becomes a running joke as the group replays and critiques his recent on-air flubs.
• The segment is marked by laughter and camaraderie, illustrating the show’s signature blend of sports talk and self-deprecating humor.
  • Dan Le Batard: “He is seething right now and hurting. Speaking of seething…” (37:16)
  • Mike Ryan: “He didn’t shave like a good off duty mime.”

8. Baker Mayfield vs. Kevin Stefanski: AFC North Grievances

(37:16–42:33)

• Baker Mayfield calls out former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski for cutting him “like a piece of garbage” and vows “can’t wait to see you twice a year” as their rivalry picks up in new settings.
  • Dan Le Batard: “Baker Mayfield being the best and the most outspoken quarterback in that division isn’t much of a tribute...” (38:16)
  • Discussion reflects on Mayfield’s tenure, the Browns’ decision to pay Deshaun Watson, and “what could have been” for Cleveland.
  • Dave Dameshek: “Failed is so close. What the Browns did was bailed on Baker Mayfield.” (39:20)
• Panel agrees that the real story is the burgeoning rivalry and pettiness, which feeds into what “sports needs more of.”

9. Quick Hits & Final Laughs

(42:33–End)

• More “looks like” jokes, especially at Zaslow’s expense (off-duty mime, arcade Pac-Man stacker).
• Continued gags about Zaslow’s speaking mishaps and his reactions, keeping the mood light.
• Closing out with laughter, group camaraderie, and a reminder that humor and relationship quirks are as central to the show as sports analysis.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dave Dameshek (on bowl vs. plate):
  “They are a better delivery system than plates for almost everything outside of steak… Bowls over plates. Thank you.” (02:31)

• Tim Kurkjian (justifying his Hall of Fame vote switch):
  “Andrew Jones did not make the Hall of Fame for seven years. Gradually, the support for him increased. I was part of that gradual support.” (10:53)

• Dan Le Batard (on Hall of Fame consistency):
  “You’re either a Hall of Famer or you’re not!” (10:37)

• Greg Cody (on daughter’s sports tape):
  “I have a four minute video that all I have to do is press a button and I can watch a video of my daughter’s senior year in high school. Is that ridiculous? Am I being stupid about that too?” (20:16)

• Dave Dameshek (on the Browns):
  “Failed is so close. What the Browns did was bailed on Baker Mayfield.” (39:20)

• Mike Ryan (on Zaslow):
  “He didn’t shave like a good off duty mime.” (35:34)

• Tim Kurkjian (philosophical Hall of Fame note):
  “There are different grades and levels of Hall of Famers.” (09:33)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Viral William Shatner photo & cereal debate: 00:37–02:14
• Hall of Fame voting controversy: 03:48–11:10
• Dodgers payroll & MLB labor unrest: 15:53–17:13
• “Looks like” segment & shoes indoors: 17:13–22:56
• Biggest MLB transactions: 24:39–27:01
• Shameful car eating confessions: 27:01–28:54, 33:25–37:13
• Baker Mayfield vs. Stefanski discussion: 37:16–42:33

Style and Tone

The episode is marked by quick wit, friendly jabs, and the playful undermining of each other’s seriousness—particularly around Hall of Fame voting, baseball traditions, and broadcasting miscues. Tim Kurkjian’s thoughtful explanations are balanced by Dan’s provocations, Greg Cody’s dad tales, and the group’s running jokes.

Conclusion

This installment of Big Suey is a classic mashup of sports analysis, pop culture oddities, and inside-joke banter. Whether you’re in it for genuine MLB insight, legendary “looks like” riffs, or just to enjoy Zaslow getting roasted, this episode is a microcosm of why Dan Le Batard’s crew remains a unique and endearing voice in sports podcasting.