The Big Suey: The Devil He Knew (feat. David Samson)

Summary

Summary of "The Big Suey: The Devil He Knew" (February 26, 2025)

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
• Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Mike Ryan, Jessica, Amin Elhassan, and Billy
• Guest: David Sampson
• Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
• Episode Title: The Big Suey: The Devil He Knew (feat. David Samson)

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Overview: In this lively episode of "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz," hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz, along with their panelists, engage in spirited discussions covering a range of topics from Major League Baseball's (MLB) early split from ESPN to personal anecdotes about birthdays and movie reviews. Featuring guest David Sampson, the episode blends humor, sports insights, and pop culture commentary, offering an engaging experience for both regular listeners and newcomers.

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1. MLB and ESPN’s Early Split

Timestamp: 04:57 – 12:23

The episode dives into the significant news that Major League Baseball (MLB) has ended its broadcasting partnership with ESPN three years early, leading to a $550 million forfeiture.

• David Sampson's Analysis:

  • Mutual Opt-Out: Sampson explains that MLB and ESPN mutually agreed to terminate the deal, signaling MLB's willingness to explore more lucrative broadcasting opportunities.

    "It's like a divorce where sometimes you stick it out longer than you expect because you don't exactly know what to do next." [07:10]

  • Future Broadcast Strategy: Emphasizes MLB’s openness to both traditional linear TV deals and streaming platforms to maximize reach and revenue.

    "I want to reach the most people possible, whatever that is, if the money's equal." [06:34]

  • ESPN’s Shift in Focus: Points out that ESPN has been reallocating resources towards the NFL and NBA, resulting in reduced attention and investment in baseball.

    "They invested more money in other properties like the NFL, like the NBA. And there's no coincidence that Fox is leaning even more into baseball." [10:12]

  • Market Implications: Sampson anticipates that MLB’s ability to secure a better deal hinges on the market's valuation of their broadcasting package.

    "If MLB cannot sell the package that ESPN had for more than 550, then they lose. If they can sell it for more, then they win." [12:03]

• Panel Discussion:

  • Dan Le Batard: Questions the mutual nature of the split, seeking clarity on MLB’s satisfaction with ESPN’s performance.

    "Was MLB really happy with this?" [07:05]

  • Mike Ryan: Explores the potential benefits for MLB if they secure a more robust broadcasting partner.

    "Are they going to be able to just get more programming and power?" [11:23]

  • Amin Elhassan: Probes into MLB president Rob Manfred’s preferences between streaming and traditional TV deals.

    "If you were Rob Manfred and you had two big offers that are roughly the same monetarily, but one is via streamer and one is via linear tv, which direction do you take?" [06:34]

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2. Birthday Celebrations and Personal Routines

Timestamp: 02:25 – 18:44

The hosts shift to a lighter segment, celebrating David Sampson’s birthday and delving into his unique birthday rituals and work habits.

• David Sampson on Birthday Traditions:

  • 24-Hour Celebration: Sampson chooses to stay awake for his entire birthday, interacting with friends across various time zones to maximize the day.

    "I stay awake every birthday. I don't want to waste a minute of it." [13:03]

  • Work-Life Balance: Discusses his intense work schedule, balancing up to 15 hours of work with personal activities.

    "I work efficiently. Some days I work more hours than others." [39:37]

• Panel Banter:

  • Mike Ryan and Jessica: Tease Sampson about his non-stop work ethic and humorous birthday habits.

    Mike Ryan: "What do you have happening here, David? You're going to get shorter." [36:41]

  • Amin Elhassan: Defends Sampson’s statement about not referring to his ex-wife as "the devil," adding depth to their personal exchanges.

    Amin Elhassan: "He called her the devil he knew." [08:52]

• Humorous Interactions:

  • Billy: Jokes about Sampson’s “birthday suit,” adding a playful tone to the segment.

    Billy: "I really like your birthday suit." [40:11]

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3. Spring Training: Grapefruit vs. Cactus League

Timestamp: 19:07 – 23:34

David Sampson shares insights from his tenure as president of the Miami Marlins, focusing on the dynamics of MLB’s spring training leagues.

• Preference for Grapefruit League:

  • Stability and Hope: Sampson highlights the Grapefruit League’s focus on team-building and strategic play during spring training.

    "Spring training is rebirth. Even when you think you're gonna stink like Bruce Sherman..." [19:26]

• Cactus League Dynamics:

  • Vibrant Atmosphere: Amin Elhassan advocates for the Cactus League’s more festive and party-oriented environment.

    Amin Elhassan: "Cactus League is amazing." [20:18]

• Cultural Comparisons:

  • Portillo’s Debate: The hosts engage in a humorous debate over the pronunciation and cultural significance of Chicago’s Portillo’s restaurant, reflecting regional preferences.

    Dan Le Batard: "They say Portillo's. You don't have to second guess me on this." [22:00]

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4. Movie Reviews and Pop Culture Commentary

Timestamp: 27:20 – 34:35

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing recent films and performances, with David Sampson offering critiques and endorsements.

• "Don't Die" Documentary:

  • Synopsis: Sampson reviews the documentary about a man striving for immortality through unconventional methods.

    "It's a pyramid scam because he's trying to sell products and get people to come to conferences." [34:35]

• Actor Performances:

  • Timothee Chalamet vs. Adrien Brody:

    "Chalamet at Complete Unknown was better, and his speech at the SAG Awards is what got me there." [27:27]

  • Ralph Fiennes in "Conclave": The panel debates Fiennes’ performance, comparing him to acting legends.

    Dan Le Batard: "He was great in that, too. He's had such a cool career." [31:01]

• Notable Quotes:

  • David Sampson on Acceptance Speeches:

    "You don't see acceptance speeches like that often where you just acknowledge, I want to win." [28:19]

  • Panelists’ Opinions:

    Amin Elhassan: "I love that speech. I love that sentiment." [30:18]

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5. Closing Segments and Final Banter

Timestamp: 34:35 – 40:37

The episode concludes with more personal interactions, humorous exchanges, and final thoughts from the hosts and guest.

• Final Jokes and Goodbyes:

  • Dan Le Batard: Playfully eulogizes Sampson before wrapping up.

    Dan Le Batard: "So are you okay with a birthday text? It sounds. That doesn't offend you if someone just texts you?" [38:08]

  • Mike Ryan and Billy: Continue the jest about Sampson’s work habits and birthday celebrations.

    Mike Ryan: "You've had a very strong hour. The Pope is 88." [38:35]

• Goodbyes:

  • David Sampson: Expresses his appreciation while maintaining humor.

    "I don't want to be eulogized by you. You don't need to say anything other than Happy birthday. Have a great day. Goodbye." [38:55]

  • Final Remarks:

    Dan Le Batard: "You're the devil I know." [23:55]

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• David Sampson on MLB-ESPN Split:

  "It's like a divorce where sometimes you stick it out longer than you expect because you don't exactly know what to do next." [07:10]

• David Sampson on Birthday Routine:

  "I stay awake every birthday. I don't want to waste a minute of it." [13:03]

• Discussion on Ralph Fiennes:

  Dan Le Batard: "Has Ralph Fiennes been bad in any movie ever?" [32:39]

• David Sampson on "Don't Die" Documentary:

  "It's a pyramid scam because he's trying to sell products and get people to come to conferences." [34:35]

• Final Banter:

  Dan Le Batard: "You're the devil I know." [23:55]

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Conclusion: "The Big Suey: The Devil He Knew" masterfully blends serious sports commentary with light-hearted personal interactions. David Sampson's insights into MLB's broadcasting strategies provide depth, while the hosts' playful banter ensures the episode remains entertaining. From dissecting significant sports media shifts to sharing personal birthday traditions and movie critiques, this episode encapsulates the multifaceted appeal of "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz."

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

You're listening to giraffkings Network.

[Stugotz]

You know that sound? It's the sound of money hitting your Venmo account. A friend paying you back. Or maybe it's getting cash back from your favorite business when you pay with the Venmo debit card. Or it's realizing you can pay with Venmo at checkout at thousands of brands. Now there are so many more ways to answer the question, what's your Venmo? Download Venmo today. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A. pursuant to license by MasterCard International Incorporated. DOSH cashback terms apply. You know that sound? It's the sound of money hitting your Venmo account. A friend paying you back. Or maybe it's getting cash back from your favorite business when you pay with the Venmo debit card. Or it's realizing you can pay with Venmo at checkout at thousands of brands. Now there are so many more ways to answer the question, what's your Venmo? Download Venmo today.

[Dan Le Batard]

Thanks.

[Stugotz]

The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A. pursuant to license by MasterCard International Incorporated. DOSH cashback terms apply.

[David Sampson]

Welcome to the Big Sui presented by DraftKings.

[Mike Ryan]

Why are you listening to this show?

[David Sampson]

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

[Mike Ryan]

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

[David Sampson]

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

[Jessica]

This segment is presented by LinkedIn Jobs. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com prep terms and conditions apply.

[Mike Ryan]

This means that David Sampson is here. David Sampson is. It's a special day because he's also LinkedIn. What are you doing? What are you doing? Linking in over here for LinkedIn.

[David Sampson]

I am sitting here wondering how that promotion just happened and how thrilled I am for people to engage with good follow and laughing at the fact that that no other promotion's ever done. So I can't wait for the nothing Personal promotion. And so you can listen to me sing humanly, which I did on today's show because I was working as a waitress at a cocktail bar. And that much is true.

[Amin Elhassan]

David, did you cut a promo for nothing Personal?

[David Sampson]

Wasn't asked to. I mean, were you?

[Jessica]

I'm being told in my ear that every show has been asked to and that they haven't received nothing personals yet, I will bet.

[David Sampson]

Well, let me. You are now impugning me and or Coca. And that is absolute horse hockey that you show me the proof of being asked to have cut a commercial and then I will say I'm sorry.

[Mike Ryan]

All right, well, what's happening right now?

[Jessica]

We're going to. We're going to work on that proof.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, what is happening between David Sampson and everybody that he, instead of doing what he was supposed to do for LinkedIn there, he's just yelling about other. Other people getting promotions.

[Jessica]

Now I'm hearing that it wasn't an email. It was like he physically said it to every producer.

[Mike Ryan]

Verbal.

[Jessica]

So verbal verb. There was a verbal conversation between Jason, like Jason and Coca. Thumbs up from our director.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, no.

[Jessica]

Okay.

[Stugotz]

If I've learned anything here, it's got everything in writing.

[David Sampson]

Damn right, Billy. Every last thing.

[Mike Ryan]

What are. So who are you yelling at right now? You don't have promotions, but you're supposed to be doing something for LinkedIn right now, are you not?

[David Sampson]

We did it.

[Jessica]

Move on.

[David Sampson]

Dan, I really don't want to do what you're doing right now, but if you're going to do it, we'll do it. Chris, Cody, read the intro. This is the segment that's sponsored by LinkedIn. He did it exactly as he was supposed to do, and now you're supposed to do the segment.

[Amin Elhassan]

Now, Sampson, in Dan's defense, in his mind, every promo has to come with a chant. LinkedIn, LinkedIn.

[Mike Ryan]

That's what I've grown accustomed to. That's what's happened.

[Jessica]

That is why in here now.

[Amin Elhassan]

Now we've done the promo.

[Billy]

All right, thank you.

[Mike Ryan]

So I want to wish very special day to some people here because February 26th is notable. So a happy birthday to the late Johnny Cash. He would have been 93 years old today. Happy birth to him. I don't care. Good luck. A happy 72nd birthday to Michael Bolton. Happy birthday to him. I don't care. Good luck. And of course, the most important one, Twitch streamer. Cheese turns 29.

[Dan Le Batard]

Wow.

[Mike Ryan]

Happy birthday to him. I don't care. Good luck. Jesus.

[Billy]

29.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, that'll do it. So, David, ESPN and Major League Baseball have divorced three years early. Why? What happened there? What does it mean that $550 million is just goes up in smoke?

[David Sampson]

Well, it didn't go up in smoke because now Major League Baseball has an entire package that they can sell to a different Broadcaster and a different outlet to replace that money. MLB wanted to get away from ESPN because you couldn't find espn. This is really remnants of Skipper where you can't find highlights in package A or B or C of SportsCenter. Baseball tonight disappears. The promotion for baseball just stopped with espn, which is. Rob Manfred said it has become sort of a declining, decreasing platform. And so the rights deal that baseball had with espn, what had a mutual opt out after three years of the deal. And both parties said, you know what, I think we're both going to be okay without you. And the proof is going to be in the pudding. If MLB cannot sell the package that ESPN had for more than 550, then they lose. If they can sell it for more, then they win. And I would take the latter bet if I were you, David.

[Amin Elhassan]

If you were Rob Manfred and you had two big offers that are roughly the same monetarily, but one is via streamer and one is via linear tv, which direction do you take? Assuming all the particulars are equal, the biggest difference is just method of distribution.

[David Sampson]

Well, but I would take linear, but I would want though there to be a streaming part of it. So I know I'm not answering exactly what you're saying. I mean, but you know that very few, if any platforms are really going to be one or the other. Now you could talk about Netflix and Apple and what they're trying to do there, but at the end of the day I'm, let's change it to I want to reach the most people possible, whatever that is, if the money's equal. Now if I can make more money and reach fewer people, I'm going to make more money and reach fewer people.

[Dan Le Batard]

Was it, was it really mutual? Like, was MLB really like happy with this?

[David Sampson]

Yeah, this has been going on for years. ESPN had actually been signaling when, when they, when they negotiated this deal and it was announced in 21 that there'd be this opt out every time we re upped with espn, including in the Skipper days when I was a part of that. It was done with our fingers and toes crossed because we didn't feel loved, appreciated it very much is like a divorce where sometimes you stick it out for longer than you expect to stick it out because you don't exactly know what to do next or you have a fear of what to do next. Or is it going to be just as bad next? Or do I want to be with the devil I know versus the devil I don't. And that's not me discussing devils as people. It's that's, that's an expression. But this has really been.

[Mike Ryan]

What just happened there? What just happened there? What just happened?

[Jessica]

Thought you were talking about real people.

[Mike Ryan]

What did you do? You talked so much that you talked yourself into a circle and then were afraid to offend people who related to the devil.

[David Sampson]

Well, today's my birthday. Really. It is.

[Dan Le Batard]

You have the same birthday as Cheese.

[David Sampson]

As Johnny Cash, Michael Bolton, who left him off here. And so here's the question. There's about a 48 to 52% chance that I'm going to get some sort of text or communication from my ex wife. And so I wanted to be sure in case there was someone listening to the show who make contact her that that contact wouldn't come back to me that, oh, I referred to her as the devil, which I did so much.

[Billy]

You were worried you called your ex wife the devil.

[Dan Le Batard]

Now she knows that, of course.

[Amin Elhassan]

Guys, guys, I'm going to stick up for David Sampson here. He did not call her the devil. He called her the devil he knew.

[David Sampson]

Yeah, big difference.

[Amin Elhassan]

As you were doing.

[David Sampson]

I appreciate you, Amin. And with friends like you, who needs agents? You know, if you're going to be in Hollywood, Amin, you got to learn to play that just a little bit better.

[Stugotz]

Wow, Jessica.

[David Sampson]

Getting back to the devil we know and the devil we don't, the big question with MLB was do we have a deal in hand where we can go to the owners and say that we are going to opt out of this deal with espn? We know that ESPN is not our friend. We are not happy with them. Do we know that we can do better? And my view is it would not have been a mutual opt out if they could not do better.

[Mike Ryan]

When you say not happy with them though, please correct me here if I'm wrong. Because ESPN helped usher in a golden age of baseball on television. And as the sport shrunk and regionally, cable networks bought things up, ESPN covered baseball a lot less than they used to. A lot less well, and just with a lot fewer resources. What you're talking about now, like Tim Kirchen and a bunch of other people we care about over there have drowned under the. They're not paying, paying very much care to baseball over at espn. They're not covering it with a lot of resources. Isn't that part of what ends up happening at the end here?

[David Sampson]

Well, you know, at the end, everything is always worse than it was when it got to the end. But Dan, I'm not talking about the resources. I'm actually talking about espn. Made a business decision and we never blamed them for it. We just commented on it that the business decision of when baseball games get move to ESPN2 instead of on big ESPN or what gets simulcast on ABC as well as ESPN or where in the high lit in SportsCenter when it used to matter whether you're in the first block or not. What kind of. You're talking about Tim Kirchen. You're talking about some of the best people who cover baseball who are employed by espn. But at the end of the day, they invested more money in other properties like the NFL, like the NBA. And therefore they wanted to support the properties that they spent more money and invested more money in. And that's their decision. That works fine. But there's no coincidence that Fox announced yesterday, right after the ESPN MLB breakup, that Fox is leaning even more into baseball with some really cool things that they're broadcasting and more expansive service and time and resources and money. That's not a coincidence.

[Mike Ryan]

I guess what I'm asking David, and I'll leave it at this. The partnership between ESPN and baseball, it's a television partnership. It benefits both parties. If Major League Baseball goes elsewhere, are they going to be able to just get more programming and power? Because it's going to matter more for that entity to have baseball.

[David Sampson]

Of course, it's the same with the NBA. The NBA left Turner, they left wbd, and they're going to get a whole lot of love and attention from NBC and Peacock.

[Mike Ryan]

So the property is worth more than that. When you say I'd make the latter bet, you're saying the property is worth more than the $550 million.

[David Sampson]

No, what I'm saying is we're going to know for sure because there's going to be an announcement by baseball that they have a new deal with the package of assets that used to be with espn. And if that package, believe me, we'll find out, is the package worth less than 550, then MLB was wrong. If it's worth more than 550, they were right.

[Mike Ryan]

You started this segment with the lyric from a song that seven people in our audience got. And you were doing this because I assume it was your birthday. And I don't even remember what the song was, but what do you want.

[Billy]

Me by the Human League? Come on, it's a classic.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay. Yeah, but I just didn't. I wasn't paying that close attention. He was just amusing himself and seven people that he was making that reference for. And so I was just curious, do you have some birthday Habits like do you have. Are you an unusual birthday person? It. Does it mean something to you? Super meaningful that today is your birthday and we've gotten you nothing and we haven't celebrated it and we celebrated the birthday of Cheese instead.

[David Sampson]

That was pretty. That was something. So what I do do on my birthday, it's a 24 hour day. So my day, I watch the Mavs Lakers and that got me past midnight. And then I watched the Brutalist. And then of course there's other. There's people like I'm in touch with in various time zones starting around 3:34am, starting with texting and conversations and I will push straight through. So I stay awake every birthday. I'm awake for the full 24 hours because I don't want to waste a minute of it. I find it to be laughable that people want to sleep on their birthday, like blow off one third of it. You'd fall behind in contacting people who are reaching out to you with such love and attention, like on Facebook, that you really need to respond to. But I do do that. And the other thing I do every single birthday and, and it's gonna. You're gonna make fun of me, Dan, because you think I do this on purpose. There isn't a birthday that goes by that I don't watch. Let it Ride. You're going to laugh because you think that's all I talk about, but it just happens to be true.

[Mike Ryan]

It's just pathetic. It's just. It just is. It's just so pathetic.

[Jessica]

Mark that laugh, please.

[Dan Le Batard]

So you're not double nickels anymore? That's a bummer.

[David Sampson]

I'm Heinz57. Nothing gets by. Wait, did only seven people in the audience get that?

[Mike Ryan]

No.

[David Sampson]

Your ketchup joke, is that. Why is that a joke? That's more a description. So you're okay, said double nickels and I said Heinz.

[Jessica]

So are you okay with a birthday text? It sounds. That doesn't offend you if someone just texts you?

[David Sampson]

Well, it's interesting. There's a hierarchy. So there's. There's the Facebook message, then there is the email, the text, the phone call, and then the picked up phone call is obviously the top of the food chain that when someone calls and then I pick up, assuming I'm not doing a show, which I'm scheduled to be doing for most of the day actually, but that's how I look at it. And when people are in a different place that I thought they would be, that can lead to a problem with expectation in terms of either surpassing or falling way short of what I had expected.

[Jessica]

How do we feel about the day after? Happy belated birthday.

[David Sampson]

I go with happy 364 days before your next birthday.

[Amin Elhassan]

Where in the hierarchy is the devil? No, not the devil. You know, the devil in general.

[David Sampson]

I'm not a big believer in that. So I think that all the devils we know are sort of Keyser Soze like that. They're right here in plainclothes.

[Mike Ryan]

I do want to laugh for a moment as people get to look behind the curtain here at the idea that David Sampson, who I'm going to guess is working about 16 to 20 hours a day. He doesn't sleep, he's crazy. He's an unbelievable weirdo.

[Amin Elhassan]

Working 20 hours.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't know how many hours.

[Jessica]

Just said he watched four movies yesterday.

[Dan Le Batard]

One of them was three and a half hours long.

[Mike Ryan]

How many hours a day do you think you're working, Dave?

[David Sampson]

I would say, realistically, 15. That's all. But I do watch. But I count so above the 15 is a movie that I'm not going to review on Nothing Personal. Like my let it ride 85 minutes today, that will not count as work. But the Brutalist, I'll review on Nothing Personal. And yes, that was a three hour and 25 minute movie. But, Jessica, there was a one minute intermission on the home brutalist. In the theater it's longer 15 minutes. But for home, when you spend the 1999, it's only a one minute intermission, which is barely enough time to do anything.

[Dan Le Batard]

You were going to say take a shit and you censored yourself.

[David Sampson]

I was going to say peepee.

[Jessica]

I do the same math, by the way, as David, Anytime I'm watching sports, according to my wife, I'm working. Sorry, honey, got to work.

[Mike Ryan]

What I'm saying, though, is that David's always talking, he's always busy, and in the middle of that, he's always worried, also in the middle, that he might say something that would get back to his family as him calling his wife the devil. And it's where he tries the devil he knows. It's where he stumbles and it's where he falls down, even though he likes to fancy himself like a ballerina with words.

[David Sampson]

Dan, I'm begging you here. I am, actually, and there may only be seven listeners who care about how much. I am begging you to stop doing what you're doing.

[Amin Elhassan]

Is the devil one of those listeners, not the devil? You know, the devil in general.

[Mike Ryan]

Listen, Sammy. Sammy Sosa was back in the dugout Yesterday. Sammy Sosa is in a transition. Well, I mean, he's sitting here saying he's. Wait a minute. You're gonna beg me on air?

[Amin Elhassan]

You're gonna.

[Mike Ryan]

You're gonna. Look, you're like, dan, I'm beggin. I have to back off. And how do I back off? I go to Sammy Sosa, like, yeah, it was a terrible transition because you're telling me, back off. Dan, I'm begging you. I'm begging you.

[David Sampson]

So, Sammy, every time you talk, you're not backing off, Begging you.

[Amin Elhassan]

Oh, that's.

[David Sampson]

Sammy Sosa was in Chicago. Did anyone see that? Did anyone see Sammy Sosa's quote from yesterday? He showed up at spring training, first time in, like, 20 years. He had a detente with the Ricketts family. And he was speaking to young players about how to be successful. And all he said is, you really have to work extra hard to be successful and then even harder to be a superstar. And all I kept picturing is whether he would call him, like, into a corner and unzip that toiletry kit and say, look at the needle. That's the way to do it.

[Jessica]

Now, I know what a detente is, but Amin doesn't. If you could tell him.

[David Sampson]

It's when things get better. It's when all of a sudden people are getting along when they didn't get along, and now everything's good again. It's like in a relationship, like, with a partner or a significant other, and there's a problem, and instead of going the divorce route, you go the mediation route that then leads to a rekindling of the love or an extension. It's a detente.

[Stugotz]

David, would you say ogle? Ogre? Ogle or ogle?

[David Sampson]

I say I go, damn it.

[Amin Elhassan]

David, quick question. You know, you were the president of the Marlins. Your spring training is always here in Florida. Grapefruit League. As a president, I know scouts will go to the other league, but have you ever been to the Cactus League?

[David Sampson]

No. I would stay in Florida with our team. So we would. We would go to Jupiter, and we would stay in Jupiter from, let's say, February 15th up until the last day when we would try to find exhibition games to play and get paid to do it before the end of spring training. So I love to stay in Jupiter. And there were times that I could have driven back and forth to Plantation but would choose to stay up in Jupiter, which some people commute. I chose not to. And spring training is rebirth. Even when you think you're gonna stink like Bruce Sherman of the Marlins said, hey, take the over 63 and a half. I don't think he should be talking about gambling, but he was very bullish on his team going over 63 and a half. And that's really saying something, isn't it? So it's a time for hope.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's the best preseason in sports by far.

[David Sampson]

By far.

[Dan Le Batard]

Great.

[Amin Elhassan]

Cactus League is amazing.

[Dan Le Batard]

Portillo's. You go to Portillo's and you go to a game.

[Amin Elhassan]

No, Portillo's.

[Jeremy]

Portillo's.

[Jessica]

Florida League's better, but it's fine.

[Amin Elhassan]

No way. No way, buddy.

[Jessica]

I'm David.

[Amin Elhassan]

Have you ever been to Cactus League, Chris?

[Jessica]

I've seen of it.

[Dan Le Batard]

Never been.

[Amin Elhassan]

Let me tell you right now. Grapefruit League. That's for old folks. Cactus League is if you want to get a party going, man.

[David Sampson]

Oh, that's not true. I mean, that's not. Believe me, that's not true. The players and staff can party pretty hardy in spring training. Now, when the Marlins were in Viera. I'm not sure, maybe this is. Again, Dan. Seven people who know what Viera is, but that is a place that is in the middle of a velt in Florida. That is not where you want to be to party. But when you're in the Palm beach area and Fort Lauderdale area, you are loving life.

[Dan Le Batard]

No, Portillo's, though.

[Mike Ryan]

I think it's Portillo's. But hold on. Party hardy. Hardy. Party pretty hardy.

[Jessica]

What was that, David?

[Amin Elhassan]

This is a neck that needs to get jumped on.

[Mike Ryan]

Party pretty hardy.

[David Sampson]

I believe that's an expression that is not Heinz related. I believe that when people party, you can either party meekly or party heartily. And I was saying to party hardy.

[Amin Elhassan]

David was one of those people who would walk into a party and say, what comes before part B, Right? You ever drop that?

[Mike Ryan]

What is the hardy in your party that you're talking about that you imagine at. And I didn't mean to be insulting. I'm guessing it's Portillo's. I don't know. Is it porto?

[Stugotz]

It's not Hispanic.

[David Sampson]

No.

[Dan Le Batard]

I think Dick Portillo may have had Mexican ancestry. Someone should look.

[Mike Ryan]

I thought that.

[Dan Le Batard]

That they do serve Italian beef, though. That's one of their prime.

[Mike Ryan]

I assumed you were talking Mexican because of how delicious that would be with Cactus League. Like if you were go margaritas and Mexican food. That's why I assume that that's what I thought you were doing there. That you were.

[Dan Le Batard]

You've never heard of Portillo's?

[Mike Ryan]

No, it's a.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's a uniquely Chicago?

[David Sampson]

Yeah, it's a Chicago hot dog in Arizona.

[Jessica]

Hot dog with the pickle on it and.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, well, Dick Portillo, soldier the company recently for a billion dollars, and now they're everywhere.

[Amin Elhassan]

Are they? How about that?

[Billy]

From a modest childhood as the son of Greek and Mexican immigrants. So Portillo's.

[Amin Elhassan]

Portillo it is. Portillo.

[Stugotz]

I'm watching a commercial to see how they say it. And then that's how I'm gonna say it.

[Dan Le Batard]

They say Portillo's. You don't have to second guess me on this.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay, I'm sorry. We've done. We've done a withering judgment of this. I just assumed you were going.

[Dan Le Batard]

Maybe he says his own name differently, but the chain is commonly called Portillo.

[Stugotz]

But Dan said it's the other one.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, Dan would know because he just found out about it five minutes ago.

[Amin Elhassan]

He thought it was a Mexican joint.

[Mike Ryan]

I did. I thought I coughed to my ears.

[Dan Le Batard]

I thought you were doing a bit. But no, that was. You were actually correcting me. Got it. Okay.

[Amin Elhassan]

Dan, in his head heard, da na na na na na na.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, I just assumed that. Spring training baseball in a Cactus League. If you're selling me on a party that's hearty. I assumed it was salted margaritas in the midday.

[Dan Le Batard]

Of course, she was wrong, though. How would she know any of that?

[David Sampson]

That's a really good voice. I like that.

[Mike Ryan]

The character needs. Yeah, needs to flourish.

[David Sampson]

I don't like the covering of the microphone because I don't get you, David.

[Dan Le Batard]

You're my favorite person on the show.

[David Sampson]

Even though I'm 57.

[Dan Le Batard]

Happy birthday, David. I'm always rooting for you.

[David Sampson]

Oh, God. Now I know you've gone too far.

[Dan Le Batard]

You're the devil I know.

[David Sampson]

Don't you forget that.

[Stugotz]

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[Jeremy]

All right, I know I gotta do this ad read, but hold on. Let me reapply.

[David Sampson]

Did you hear that?

[Mike Ryan]

Yep.

[Jeremy]

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[Stugotz]

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[David Sampson]

Stugats GO Peepee this Is the Dan.

[Stugotz]

Levatar show with the stugats.

[Mike Ryan]

Jessica, have you gotten to the. The nominees. Have you gotten to all of the best picture nominees? Because I'm sure David Sampson has a whole lot of opinions. I don't know if you're gonna be able to get through this by the end of the week.

[Dan Le Batard]

I have not gotten to the Brutalist yet, David. But did you like it? And did you think Adrien Brody was best actor worthy?

[David Sampson]

So after, at about 4:52am as the credits were rolling, my head was that I thought Chalamet was better in a Complete Unknown. And going into it, because Adrian Brody had won. Up until the sags, he had won every award. I was assuming that I was going to be all in on Brody. He was good, don't get me wrong. And the movie is a. Is a masterpiece. It deserves the nominations. It's getting the production design all. All of the. The way it looks, the way it feels. Brady Corbet is the director. Really, truly an amazing movie. But Chalamet at Complete Unknown was better, and his speech at the SAG Awards is what got me there. I loved it. I think it's great.

[Jessica]

Let's play it right here, actually, for the audience.

[Unknown]

I know the classiest thing would be to downplay the effort that went into this role and how much this means to me. But the truth is, this was five and a half years of my life. I poured everything I had into playing this incomparable artist, Mr. Bob Dylan, a true American hero. And it was the honor of a lifetime playing him. It's an honor I share with Monica, Elle, Edward, the entire cast, who in a genre doing a biopic that could be perhaps tired. Everyone gave it their all, so I'm deeply grateful to them. And lastly, I can't downplay the significance of this award because it means the most to me. And I know we're in a subjective business, but the truth is I'm really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don't usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats. I'm inspired by the greats. I'm inspired by the greats here tonight. I'm as inspired by Daniel Day Lewis, Marlon Brando and Viola Davis as I am by Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps. And I want to be up there. So I'm deeply grateful to that. This. This doesn't signify that, but it's a little more fuel. It's a little more ammo to keep going. Thank you so much.

[Mike Ryan]

That's unusual. That's unusual.

[Billy]

He's the best.

[David Sampson]

You don't see acceptance speeches like that often where you just acknowledge, I want to win. And he's on the Oscar trail right now where he's doing a whole bunch of things. Campaigning in the current day of campaigning. Thank God it's different than the way it was done in the Harvey days, you know, when Shakespeare in Love won, which is a movie I loved. But in hindsight, so angry about how it all went down. He's campaigning to win an Oscar, wants to be the youngest Oscar winner, best actor ever. And for him to admit it, what's wrong with that? What's wrong with saying that you want to be the greatest and that this is a sign that you are on your way to be recognized by your peers that way? And a bunch of people were negative about that speech, and I was not one of them.

[Mike Ryan]

Hot take here.

[Amin Elhassan]

I love that speech. I love that sentiment. Everything that you're talking about. I don't like that Chalamet shows us a little bit too much of himself at Nick games. Like, I don't want to know that you love the Knicks and you're just a dumb Knick fan. Like all my friends in my group chats. I want that. I need him to maintain that mystery.

[Billy]

That Daniel Day Lewis would never.

[Amin Elhassan]

That Hollywood superstar mystique. I want him to be unattainable to.

[Dan Le Batard]

The point that I like that. He's like a regular New Yorker.

[Amin Elhassan]

Exactly.

[Jessica]

But he was just telling you he doesn't want to be one of the regular people. He wants to be Daniel Day Lewis.

[Dan Le Batard]

And Brando and he's like, 29.

[David Sampson]

I'm telling you, he's. He's way younger than that.

[Dan Le Batard]

Please check that I believe 29.

[David Sampson]

But my view is that Daniel Day Lewis, he's gonna be.

[Dan Le Batard]

My view is he's 29. Because he's 29. But everyone can keep correcting me in this.

[David Sampson]

No, no, I'm wrong.

[Stugotz]

67.

[David Sampson]

I believe that Chalamet has a chance. Do you remember him and love the Coopers.

[Dan Le Batard]

I remember him in. Oh, what movie was it where he played Interstellar? He. He played, like the sun. Yeah.

[Amin Elhassan]

The little.

[Dan Le Batard]

Is he a douche?

[Amin Elhassan]

Oh, no, that was.

[David Sampson]

That's a.

[Billy]

Don't look up.

[Amin Elhassan]

Don' was the little.

[Billy]

He was great in that, too.

[Mike Ryan]

He was.

[Billy]

He's had such a cool career and. And his. His press tour, like you mentioned, David, like, not just campaigning for the Oscar now, but the press tour that he had leading up to a complete unknown is what got so many young people to the theaters to go see it because he was being this authentic weirdo that he is. He was talking about ripping milk Duds and sucking all the chocolate out of it to chew the caramel. Like a weirdo. Like, he was having some of the strangest interviews you've ever seen. And it was so admirable because it was just this dude who was like, yeah. I waited outside of a Broadway show because I saw Amari Stoudemire was there, and I wanted to get his autograph. And I did the same thing for Landry Fields. He should be every sports fan's favorite actor because he's. He's competing like those who we admire in athletics. And he's a giant sports fan himself. I. I love this guy.

[Jessica]

I love Milk Duds.

[Stugotz]

Michael Phelps is 39.

[Dan Le Batard]

Thank you. I actually didn't know that. The other actor, other than Brody and Chalamet, who's being. Who has pretty good odds to win best actors. Ralph Fiennes, who is the star of Conclave. Where do you rank his performance? Because I'm with you. I haven't seen the Brutalist. I thought Chalamet was amazing in a complete unknown. I really enjoyed that movie. It helps that I also am a big Dylan fan, But I also thought Ralph Fiennes was excellent in Conclave.

[David Sampson]

Has Ralph Fiennes been bad in any movie ever?

[Dan Le Batard]

No. I was thinking it Voldemort maybe.

[Amin Elhassan]

The only thing he's been bad at is pronouncing his own name. It's Ralph. You can't, like, mystify us. Like, ooh, it's. Ray finds this great act. Yeah, it's Ralph.

[David Sampson]

Ralph. Not American to me.

[Amin Elhassan]

It doesn't matter.

[Mike Ryan]

There's an L in there.

[Dan Le Batard]

I didn't like the last Harry Potter. I'll give him Lo. He. I thought that was. It was weird. I don't know.

[Billy]

I didn't like a bad ending by the screenplay.

[Dan Le Batard]

Not from dad. No, he's fine.

[Stugotz]

He was. Ray size is 62.

[David Sampson]

Why was there some talk, folks, that Ralph Fiennes could sneak away? You know when they say that if there's a split at the top between Brody and Chalamet, and then all of a sudden, you got the third guy come in and take it. Ralph Fiennes. I don't think he's going to win, though. People should see Conclave because we could be days or weeks away from watching a real life Conclave. Obviously, I hope the Pope fully recovers and everything's fine with him. But at the end of the day, this Movie is about what actually happens behind the scenes.

[Dan Le Batard]

Another guy, another devil, you don't know situation.

[Amin Elhassan]

His. He's from England. Name me one other person. Anyway, any other person named Rafe spelled Ralph.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay, just. I want to be clear on this is Amin. Because this is a great insult if this is true. I didn't know it to be true. You don't get to change Ralph Ture so that we consider you more of a thespian. You're still Ralph, if indeed you're Ralph. I just don't know if Amin's got this right. It's a great insult if. If he's got it right. Because Ralph is different than Ray.

[Amin Elhassan]

Because I've watched EastEnders and other BBC shows and there have been characters. Ralphie, Ralphie, come on. I never heard Rafi. Never heard Ralph.

[Dan Le Batard]

People in Britain, when they burp, they go raife instead of Ralph.

[Stugotz]

Maybe it's not an L in the middle. His name, it's a capital letter. I. Oh, so it's Rafe.

[Dan Le Batard]

Great.

[Stugotz]

Take the Pope's 88.

[Amin Elhassan]

Which one?

[Mike Ryan]

David, what is the movie you're reviewing for us this week?

[David Sampson]

I want to review an important movie that I hope you'll all see. It's a documentary, and it's not nominated for best documentary, but it's called Don't Die. And it's about this guy who spends millions of dollars in order to stay young and live forever. It's called Don't Die. The man who wants to live forever. And it goes through what he does. And it seems like a pyramid scam because he's trying to sell products and get people to come to conferences. But he's got a routine that would make my routine look like Lebatard's routine. And what it does is it basically gives you a shot. Now, you could still get run over by a bus. You could still meet an untimely, unfortunate death in myriad ways that. That family members can have happen to them. However, he looks really good. And what if he's right? That's what I was thinking when I was watching the movie. Is there stuff I can do more than I'm doing now? Not as much as he's doing. That would enable me to get double hinds, which is really what I'm trying to get to. I want to get to a buck 14. That is sort of. I want to be at fourth and a half inning right now. I want to be at 50% to do that. I keep wondering, should I do anything differently? And this documentary gave me a few ideas, some of which I'LL take. Some of which I will not take.

[Dan Le Batard]

God, you will be so short at 114 years old. This guy goes. Because older people shrink. You'd just be so tiny. No, so small.

[David Sampson]

So that's actually taller people shrink. I'm already shrunk to my grandparents who.

[Dan Le Batard]

Were roughly your height in their double nickel era.

[Jessica]

I love the idea of short people growing.

[Mike Ryan]

What do you have happening here, David? You're going to get shorter.

[David Sampson]

I do not believe that is accurate, actually. I think tall people get shorter. I don't think short people get.

[Mike Ryan]

All people get shorter. All people get.

[David Sampson]

But I'm already short.

[Dan Le Batard]

So are my grandparents. Little, little tiny Italian people. And then they kept getting shorter and eventually couldn't even see.

[Mike Ryan]

You have yourself leveling off, or do you have yourself growing with age?

[David Sampson]

No, no, I'm. I. How would I grow with age?

[Mike Ryan]

Well, I don't know. How are you saying the same? Like, I don't.

[Stugotz]

How are you going to get to 114?

[Dan Le Batard]

I mean, you're going to be like a little Polly Pocket. I'm just going to put you in my little poc.

[Unknown]

It.

[Dan Le Batard]

That guy who that documentary is based off of, he goes viral on social media every now and then because he posts pictures, not cheese. This guy's 47, by the way, Billy. And he goes viral because apparently he, like, has some sort of blood transfusion thing going on with his son David, that people think is really weird. He's, like, trying to steal his son's youth. Did they dive into that kind of weirdness?

[Amin Elhassan]

Did.

[David Sampson]

So when I said I would do some and not all. I am not involving my son in this. I am not trying to take his blood or do transfers. Now, it's funny because it's just doping, if you think about it. And doping has been a scandal that happens to be a ped in. In sports and cycling, and there's great documentaries about that. Or you can just bring on Lance to talk about it. But this is an example where he's trying everything but something's working decently well because he looks damn good.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's Brittney Renner's birthday, by the way.

[Mike Ryan]

Thank you, Amin. You're still in movie 32. You're in movie star character still. Thank you, Sampson. Good talking to you. Look at him. I guess Happy birthday. We should be saying happy birthday to him as well. What are you laughing about, Billy? You, I guess.

[David Sampson]

Happy birthday. It's the weakest happy birthday wish ever.

[Amin Elhassan]

Where's that on the hierarchy?

[Jessica]

I'm sure they spoke at, like, 3am this morning, the.

[Mike Ryan]

Billy. I. Well, I. I was just disoriented because you did a lot in very small windows during this hour. Like, you were. You. You had me spinning with what it is that you were whispering in small windows during this hour.

[Dan Le Batard]

He's 34.

[Mike Ryan]

You've had a very strong hour. The Pope is 88.

[Jessica]

Dan, do you want to eulogize David before he goes like you normally do to people on their birthday?

[Stugotz]

It's truly seven years.

[Mike Ryan]

He's 57 years old. Yeah. You want to talk about mortality?

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, you wrote, like, a little thing for Greg on his birthday. You didn't write anything for David.

[Stugotz]

Well, David's getting to 114, guys, so the hierarchy.

[David Sampson]

Dan, we've just begun. I don't want to be eulogized by you. You don't need to say anything other than Happy birthday. Have a great day. Goodbye. All right.

[Mike Ryan]

Because you said you had a lot of. You had a lot. All you were doing is taping all day, and then I said you worked 20 hours, and you said 15, and everyone laughed at you. You.

[David Sampson]

Because they thought that that was the under or the over.

[Mike Ryan]

They don't believe you. I'm guessing they think you're watching Let It Ride all day.

[David Sampson]

Well, I think that there's more people than you think who don't believe that, but that's perfectly okay, too. We're all good. It doesn't matter. I work efficiently. Some days I work more hours than others. Sometimes I sleep more than others. But in general, I try to get a lot done because, Dan, there's a lot to do every day.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes, I understand.

[David Sampson]

If I could spend less time per day trying to get in touch with you, I would be able to sleep more and live longer.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay. Because you want me working 15 hours a day, too.

[David Sampson]

I just want you answering a text or a call once in a while.

[Jessica]

You guys need a daytime.

[Amin Elhassan]

Erykah Badu is 53 today.

[Mike Ryan]

Thank you, David. Good talking to you. Yes. Johnny Cash. Oh, we didn't even get what it's worth.

[Billy]

David, I really like your birthday suit.

[Stugotz]

What?

[Amin Elhassan]

Send him to the.

[David Sampson]

That did not land right Party Hardy.

[Amin Elhassan]

David.

[Mike Ryan]

Jeremy. No, no, stay there. No, no, no. Don't go.

[Billy]

Okay.

[Mike Ryan]

No, no, stay.

[Billy]

You want to hear from me about the heat?

[Mike Ryan]

Jeremy, no. I'd like you.

[David Sampson]

Huh?

[Mike Ryan]

To explain to me why you decided to whimper a goodbye that began with for what it's worth and then threw a nice compliment at Samson. And you thought that would be okay?

[Billy]

Jessica told me to.

[Mike Ryan]

It's her fault.

[Billy]

I'm just telling you the truth. You understand? Cause a birthday suit, it also means, like, you're naked. But he's wearing a special jacket on his birthday. And it's nice and I liked it. So I figured I would tell. Hey, David. I like your birthday suit, but that'll be fun.

[Jessica]

All right, see you, David.

[Billy]

Thank you.

[Mike]

Howdy, folks. It's Mike. And look, it's been an exhausting couple of weeks. Even on the show, there's all sorts of debate which sport takes it seriously enough. Where's the effort? Let me tell you something. As long as I'm sitting down on the couch and I have a beautiful white can of Miller Lite in my hand, I'm good. I make any sports time of Miller Time. And it's the perfect supplement because Miller Light makes all the moments better. With great tasting light beer. For people like you and me who love beer, it's always the perfect time for friends, family, and a great tasting light beer tastes like Miller Time. Miller Lite is brewed for taste. It hits different than other light beers. The taste that you know you depend on. No games, no gimmicks, just great beer. For people who like beer, it has simple ingredients like malted barley for rich balanced toffee note flavors and the iconic golden color that we all know and love. The original light beer since 1975 and still the very best one. Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell. Beer tastes like Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.