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- [00:00]
Dan Patrick
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [00:02]
John Smoltz
Guaranteed Human lot to celebrate this summer. And why not take the beverage with you that loves to celebrate with you. Keep it classic. It's Miller Lite. Whether you're toasting the birth of our nation, our soccer team, or maybe just a warm evening on the deck, it's Miller time in America. That's why I reach for a Miller Lite. And you should, too. All American summer starts with an all American beer. Go to millerlight.com Patrick Find delivery options near you or pick up Miller Lite pretty much anywhere that they sell beer. It's Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories, 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.
- [00:41]
Dan Patrick
From Daily News to dating fails conspiracy theories to cooking with celebrities who can't actually cook, Amazon Music's got the most ad free top podcasts ready to entertain included with Prime. When Democrats are messing up, I say it. When Republicans are messing up, I say it. I'm Essie Cupp, a journalist and political commentator, and on my podcast off the Cup, I help you make sense of the often nonsensical news. I do this on cable news, too, but on my podcast I can really let loose and be my honest, unfiltered self. I just want to talk about something that happened this week because it's so bonkers, so stupid, such incredibly bad politics. We have to talk about it. Come for the hot takes, Stay for the sanity. Listen to off the cup on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Stephanie Young. The hit podcast Love Trapped is back
- [01:40]
Paul Verzi
with new updates in the case of Laura owens.
- [01:43]
Eric Wynalda
This is CR 2025 state versus Laura Owens.
- [01:47]
Dan Patrick
I think she really believes that she still has an out. I'm quite confident that they're up to something. We're following the case live as the criminal charges finally come to a conclusion. Trust us when we tell you as the victims of Laura Owens, she will not stop. Listen to Love trapped on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [02:08]
Paul Verzi
You are listening to the Dan Patrick show on Fox Sports Radio.
- [02:12]
John Smoltz
John Smoltz, hall of Famer. He was on the dismissed. Let's go to Frank in Louisville.
- [02:18]
Paul Verzi
What do you think about this LeBron? What teams he going?
- [02:24]
John Smoltz
John Smoltz, hall of Famer, on the call last night for the All Star Game on Fox. Do you follow social media? Do you care what people say after a performance critique?
- [02:37]
Paul Verzi
No, I have no social media. Yeah. On purpose? Yeah. That there's no reason for it. And that way I don't even have to. I be, I'd be meeting people, you know, at certain places. I'd be saying, hey, let's, let's meet, let's talk. I want to hear it face to face.
- [02:54]
John Smoltz
What if a fellow broadcaster said something?
- [02:57]
Paul Verzi
Same thing.
- [02:58]
John Smoltz
Okay.
- [02:58]
Paul Verzi
Yeah, I'd want to, I'd want to see him face to face. Just maybe we could hug it out like you guys did. Talk it out.
- [03:05]
John Smoltz
All right. I don't know if this is an anomaly, but there were 27 strikeouts last night, John.
- [03:12]
Paul Verzi
Yeah, that, that was a little much when you think about the hitters and the pitchers. Look, we know the pitchers are great and they got great ar. It's always kind of a matchup nightmare depending on who's in the lineup and who they face. But 27 strikeouts is a little much.
- [03:27]
John Smoltz
But I feel like you're out there, you got one inning and you want to throw you. I mean, nobody wants to be embarrassed. It's, it's, it's not like the other All Star Games where you're kind of out there and both sides know, hey, let's just not embarrass each other and have a little bit of fun. I'm going up there to hit one to the moon and you're going to be on the mountain trying to strike me out. So we still do have that competitive part of the All Star Game, which is what I still love.
- [03:54]
Paul Verzi
Yeah, it's the best All Star Game there is. I mean, it's played like a regular season game. And certainly to your point, I mean, you know, I remember just being out there facing the top six line, six hitters in the lineup, and I wanted to get them out. And you could do things differently as a pitcher in one inning that you would normally not do in a six, seven inning or five inning game. So I think that's, that's a lot to do with it. And you know, the interesting thing, we didn't even have our, our biggest power arms pitching last night. So to get 27 strikeouts, it's impressive. But we didn't even have the top dogs able to pitch.
- [04:29]
John Smoltz
Is the radar gun still the radar gun like that? You know, when Nolan Ryan was pitching or Sandy Koufax, you know, some of these guys to what's happening now is 100 in 1969, the same 100 that we have now.
- [04:45]
Paul Verzi
No, technology has got it a little bit different coming out of the hand versus crossing home plate. All the different technology and spin rates creating this buzz and certainly I think, and a lot of people think it's a little bit juiced, but these arms are doing things that we've never seen before. And it's the reason why we have so many injuries. We talked about it, but 102 is 102. You can tell by the way the hitter swings whether the ball has life or whether it's straight. And they can hit 102, but they're definitely seeing more velocity than ever before. Have a hard time believing somebody threw harder than Nolan Ryan, but, you know, maybe they are.
- [05:19]
John Smoltz
But also, how are the hitters going to stay keep up with the number of pitchers who are throwing 100? And how fast can a human throw a baseball?
- [05:30]
Paul Verzi
Well, that's the thing that in the future they've got to do something about. I mean, pitching and the art of throwing the ball hard is way ahead of hitting. And they're trying to combat it with a launch angle and they're trying to hit mistakes. And that's really what they're doing when they hit home runs, they're hitting mistakes. Pitchers don't exactly locate today. I mean, they're throwing it as hard as they can in that big box. But I hope we get to a place where we dial that down. Like, if you've got the ability to throw 100, why wouldn't you want to throw 95, 96 and ramp it up when you need to? But that's not what they're asked to do. That's why the reward system, in my opinion, is flawed.
- [06:02]
John Smoltz
Paulie has a good idea, bad idea that he wants to present to you.
- [06:05]
Dan Patrick
I have to do this to John Smoltz.
- [06:07]
John Smoltz
Yeah.
- [06:08]
Paul Verzi
Okay, John.
- [06:08]
Eric Wynalda
To combat the 103 mile an hour
- [06:11]
Dan Patrick
fastball, what if going forward, you tightened up the strike zone 1 inch on all sides?
- [06:17]
Paul Verzi
Well, I've often believed that if we were going to go to the abs, which we are, and thankfully it's only a two challenge, we needed to put the strike zone lower and create a little bit more opportunity for the hitters. And they've done that a little bit. They blow it, thankfully. But you saw in a challenge last night and you got 1 1,000th of an inch of the ball. I mean, that's the part of the game where I said if you ever go to that system, pitchers are going to have a field day and hitters will have no chance. So if they do lower and do squeeze it in, I think that would be better. But what the ABS is doing also, you always got to look at the side effects, swing rates down, walk rates up. So you're seeing the evidence of what's going on, that if we ever went to it full time, oh, boy, we're going to get back to those games that we don't want to see.
- [07:04]
John Smoltz
So most 100 mile an hour pitches in the All Star Game, this is since 2009. Last night there were 23 or no, 20, 24. There were 23, 2025. There were 21. There were only six pitches over 100 miles an hour. But as you said, you didn't have the big power arms last night. So maybe that's the aberration, you know, 24 and 25. You're getting 23 pitches and 21 pitches as well.
- [07:34]
Paul Verzi
Yeah. You're always going to have an uptick in the All Star Game because of adrenaline. You always worry about that with a young player and that adrenaline went up. You know, Roboski maybe doesn't have a, you know, doesn't strike out a ton of people, but he struck out five out of six. You could tell that he had a little extra shoe. So I think that's part of it in the All Star Games.
- [07:51]
John Smoltz
You're playing golf today?
- [07:53]
Paul Verzi
I am.
- [07:54]
John Smoltz
Okay. Do you have to run?
- [07:57]
Paul Verzi
What's that?
- [07:57]
John Smoltz
Do you have to run and you have to.
- [07:59]
Paul Verzi
No, I'm good.
- [08:00]
John Smoltz
I just. Just wanted to make sure the. You played. Let's see, you played with Tiger numerous times, right?
- [08:07]
Paul Verzi
I played the Tiger. Which one? Tiger. Yeah.
- [08:11]
John Smoltz
Numerous times.
- [08:13]
Paul Verzi
Yes.
- [08:14]
John Smoltz
Did you ever beat him?
- [08:16]
Paul Verzi
No. Came close. Thought I had it done. Talked a little trash at the end. That's a mistake. I never did it again. When you talk trash to Tiger, the antennas go up and then he pays attention. You just don't want him to pay attention. So you just got to kind of sleepwalk the round. But there were times where I felt like I could compete 20 years ago, but the reality is there's no way.
- [08:35]
John Smoltz
What about Michael Jordan?
- [08:37]
Paul Verzi
Yeah. Michael and I played a lot of rounds of golf, and he's got the will to get it done. It's the same thing. Don't talk trash. You're going to lose. His ability to just figure out how he's going to get it done is second to none. So, yeah, I've had. I've had success against Michael. Michael's a little bit older than me and, And. But I certainly. I've learned a lot watching both of them, and I got to figure out a way to will it in the hole, too, because I don't do that as well.
- [09:02]
John Smoltz
As they do John Smoltz, the Hall of Famer. If I give you the Dodgers or the field second half of the season.
- [09:09]
Paul Verzi
Yeah, it's a great question because what's going to come with the field is going to be an opportunity to kind of get in and make some trades that hopefully they don't go to the Dodgers. If you're a team that's trying to chase the Dodgers, you want to make your splash in the trade deadline. The field is always an impressive and obviously you want to take the field. But the Dodgers have been unbelievable. They haven't had their full complement like a lot of teams. But this trade deadline is going to get very interesting for a lot of teams. And I really believe you're going to get a team that goes all in and goes for it, even despite the, you know, the favorites and the Dodgers and the heavy favorites.
- [09:43]
John Smoltz
Okay, but who's going to go all in, in your opinion?
- [09:47]
Paul Verzi
I think we're gonna get prize team. I, I think that, you know, teams that are, are built for the postseason, they're going to feel like they can, they can kind of stand pat. I'd be very interested to see what the New York Yankees do because of some of the injuries and the unknown with, with Aaron Judge. I'd also be interested to see what those teams that come out of nowhere, like the White Sox, where if they got a chance to seize the moment, maybe they make a play with all their young talent. You know, the thing is, with all that's looming in the future and the labor thing, I think you got to make an opportunity and a play if you're close to change your franchise. Just, you know, not knowing what the other side is going to be.
- [10:28]
John Smoltz
Do you think we're going to have a salary cap eventually?
- [10:31]
Paul Verzi
I think that's going to be the biggest topic of discussion. It's always been there. I think it's going to be the hardest part of negotiations on what they get to and adamantly, both sides are going to be against the baseball is going to be against it. The owners are going to want it. So I hope we don't get to a place where the momentum of baseball gets delays way too long. I hope they, they figure out a way to get it done.
- [10:54]
John Smoltz
Thank you, John, as always. Great seeing you in Tahoe.
- [10:58]
Paul Verzi
My pleasure.
- [10:59]
John Smoltz
That's John Smoltz.
- [11:00]
Dan Patrick
Be sure to catch the live edition
- [11:02]
Paul Verzi
of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at
- [11:04]
Eric Wynalda
9am Eastern, 6am Pacific on Fox Sports
- [11:08]
Paul Verzi
Radio in the iHeartRadio app.
- [11:10]
Dan Patrick
Hey, it's Ben, host of the Fifth Hour with Ben Maller would mean a lot to have join us on our weekly auditory journey. You're asking what in God's name is the fifth hour?
- [11:19]
Paul Verzi
I'll tell you.
- [11:20]
Dan Patrick
It's a spin off of the Ben Mather Show, a cult hit overnights on fsr. Why should you listen?
- [11:26]
John Smoltz
Picture, if you will, a world where
- [11:27]
Dan Patrick
we chat with captains of industry in media, sports and more every week. Explore some amazing facts about human nature and more. Listen to the fifth hour with Ben Mather on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts lot
- [11:40]
John Smoltz
to celebrate this summer. And you can do so in style with Miller Lite. If you're going to celebrate the birth of our nation, that's 250 years. Well, Miller Light's been around 50 of those 250. What did we do the other 200 years without it? If our soccer team is scoring a big goal or just a warm evening on the deck, it's Miller Time in America. That's why I reach for a Miller Lite and you should too. Miller Lite is perfect to kick off the summer or a sporting event. 96 calories, 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. It's a great choice without weighing you down. Simple ingredients, malted barley for that rich balanced toffee note flavors and you know, that iconic golden color. An all American summer starts with an all American beer. Miller lite. Go to millerlight.com Patrick and find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, WI 96 calories, 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. All new drinks are now at McDonald's
- [12:47]
Dan Patrick
with refreshers like the Strawberry Watermelon Refresher
- [12:50]
John Smoltz
and the Mango Pineapple Refresher with popping Boba to crafted sodas like the Sprite Berry Blast with berry flavors and cold foam. Who knew ice cold drinks could be
- [13:03]
Dan Patrick
so fire
- [13:06]
John Smoltz
six all new drinks are
- [13:08]
Dan Patrick
here now at McDonald's.
- [13:11]
Eric Wynalda
Refreshers contain caffeine.
- [13:14]
John Smoltz
The Declaration, which is full of these beautifully rendered, you know, sentences and paragraphs about enlightenment ideals, does also have this darker history to it.
- [13:26]
Dan Patrick
Why is it important for the darker part of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution? Why is it important that Americans know about it?
- [13:36]
John Smoltz
Well, if we don't understand the full context in which our nation was founded, we won't understand the full context in which our nation now finds itself.
- [13:47]
Dan Patrick
I'm Rebecca Nagle. Gohin tawa don chalai kayatli Que la citizen of Cherokee Nation. Are you guys big Chiefs fans?
- [13:55]
Eric Wynalda
Hell, yeah.
- [13:56]
Dan Patrick
This is First America, the true story of how the United States came to be and how we got to this present moment. Listen to First America on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Michael Rapoport and my podcast, the I Am Rappaport Stereo podcast, is unlike any one you've ever heard. We're a variety show, and if you're looking for strong opinions, funny opinions about sports and entertainment, politics, pop culture, and whatever else catches my attention, then subscribe now. This kid, Jafar Jackson is as good as Rami Malek, as Freddie Mercury, and it's as good as Timothee Shamalay, as Bob Dylan. And I say that with love and respect for both of those actors. And I don't know how many Oscar nominations they give out. I don't know if it's 5, 6 for best actor. 150%. This kid, Jafar Jackson should absolutely, positively get nominated for his portrayal as Michael Jackson. Listen to I Am rappaport on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I Am Rappaport podcast.
- [15:12]
John Smoltz
Eric Winoldo, host of the Eric Wynolda Talks football on Sirius xmfc, former member of the US Team, three World Cups, and back with a second appearance.
- [15:26]
Dan Patrick
Wow.
- [15:26]
Eric Wynalda
What's going on? Are you okay? Are we feeling okay?
- [15:31]
John Smoltz
I got caught up yesterday, and I'm like, I. I want you to talk about Spain that everybody's talking about. Mbappe and Holland and Messi and all the, you know, firepower. Spain's kind of boringly great.
- [15:46]
Eric Wynalda
Well, I know it's, it's. It's more complex than that, but I feel like I got to bring the. The level up today. You guys are talking about death. You went from Dave and Buster's to pepperoni. I can't believe that none of you guys took the chicken pizza. By the way, I'm with you, Dan. And by the way, top four, ESPN all time. Sometimes on your exit from a former employer, they. They do stuff like this just to piss you off. You are number one, hands down, period. There's not even a question.
- [16:11]
John Smoltz
Thank you.
- [16:12]
Paul Verzi
Come on.
- [16:12]
John Smoltz
Thank you.
- [16:13]
Eric Wynalda
Kidding me?
- [16:13]
John Smoltz
Thank you.
- [16:13]
Paul Verzi
All right. Spain.
- [16:14]
Eric Wynalda
Spain.
- [16:15]
John Smoltz
Okay.
- [16:15]
Eric Wynalda
What Spain does is. And this is where it gets a little bit confusing, because we could say it's defense, but what. What they do. Fantastic. When France tried to play defense, they made them chase in such a way that they were all tired out by the time they got the ball. And there is a design to that. If you watch the second goal, for example, and there's a trust that they have, and they have this guy Rodri in the middle of the field who's coming off an acl. But it's. It's kind of like if I threw a pile of crap at you and your Rodri, you catch it and somehow give it back, packaged with a little bow on it, because that's how good he is. He's just amazing. And he makes everything look easy. He makes everybody look better. So France, since we're talking about death today, they fell on their own sword. They. They just went. What they didn't realize was happening is, in this transitional game is you can't chase, chase, chase and then run. You can't. It doesn't work that way. Even the second goal, they took out that guy Barkala, who was very instrumental in making it a tough day for Lamina Mall, because every time Lemine would beat his guy, this guy would run out of position just to chase him down because he was fast enough. His replacement, Due didn't do a. He didn't chase Poro. And that's the only reason why that goal happened. So France is out and Spain is good. They're very good. That's the reason why they won the Euros. I think this will continue. And it's, It's. It's an amazing deal. When you have a goalkeeper with six shutouts and that's their 37th consecutive win at international football, it doesn't happen. I think it's a record, and, and it's been an amazing ride.
- [17:57]
John Smoltz
What do you expect today with England and Argentina?
- [18:00]
Eric Wynalda
This sucks, man. I. I can't believe that I'm going to be saying this, but I. You know, 250 years we got on boats to get away from these guys,
- [18:08]
Paul Verzi
and then we're rooting for them.
- [18:09]
Dan Patrick
What is that?
- [18:10]
Eric Wynalda
I. I think. I think Argentina's got something going on. There's. There's an undercurrent here. I don't know what it is, but I've been, you know, watching them almost seemingly implode. Everybody, Everybody. When you play against Argentina, you're playing as the champion, so you bring your. Your best game. And the energy levels are off the charts. And they've gotten a little fortunate with the referee calls. I mean, you gotta. You have to have. Let's put it this way, England gets seven fouls before they get a yellow card. Argentina 22 and a half.
- [18:41]
John Smoltz
Well, okay.
- [18:43]
Eric Wynalda
Something's going on, right? So they. And they've had an easy pathway. This is Argentina's first real game. Argentina's a very good team.
- [18:52]
John Smoltz
But are you saying there's favoritism here?
- [18:54]
Eric Wynalda
Oh, absolutely. And. And anybody that says otherwise is just. Just trying to, you know, come up with another narrative. I mean, like, the Egypt goal, taking that back, it's one of the biggest travesties I've seen in a World cup, because that was a wonderful goal. And I think I said this on another program, and it was almost like, no, that's not a goal. Some guy in the 18th row spilled mustard on his hot dog. Hot dog on his shirt. So we got to call that one back. Really, really a shame, because Egypt. Egypt was terrific and they got cheated. So. And by the way, Messi, you know, we got Baligan and we take back the yellow there, the red card, which was, which was not the right thing. But Messi should have never even had his first five goals. That was a red car defense in the first game against Algeria. So, yes, favoritism has been alive and well with this Argentine setup.
- [19:44]
John Smoltz
Are you okay with that? That, that, like, why would they be playing favorites? I know it's a TV event, but do you think that there is.
- [19:55]
Eric Wynalda
Well, it's not like you guys are basketball guys, right? So it's kind of like you do the tournament, there's 64 teams, the blah, blah, blah, and 1, 2, 3, 4, make it almost. You know, there's always a dark horse, right? But before this tournament started, we could have all told you it was going to be Spain, France, Argentina, England, and that. That's, you know, and we see the big TV numbers and we see people, like, has that feel of. And everybody's having shots at Infantino because it just looks like. It just looks corrupt. It looks bad when, when you see these kind of things happen. People getting cheated out of goals. The whole. The whole Croatian goal, the ball detected someone's hair follicle. But in the England game, somehow that didn't hit the wire. And we're supposed to believe that the technology within the ball is telling this and our eyes are lying. It just gets. It gets. It gets a little weird sometimes.
- [20:49]
John Smoltz
In our game, do we depend on, you know, instant replay or various too much? Do we lean on them?
- [20:57]
Eric Wynalda
Yeah, I. I don't like it. Only, I like the. I like the idea of you when it's offside. It's offside. You know, that, that's. And then sometimes it's a toe or It's a nose or whatever. And, but when you go back, you know, 10 seconds and you're re refereeing the game, that, that's where we've gone too far. And it, and it makes it far too easy for, for the conspiracy theorists to say, all right, what's really going on here? Because some, some teams get the, the favoritism, some teams don't. And then you re referee these situations, you look at them in slow motion, of course it looks worse and they're not, they say it's in the rules, that they're not allowed to do that, but they do it anyway. So it's, it's, it's getting to be quite a mess. I hope they fix it.
- [21:35]
John Smoltz
Eric Wynalda, host of Wynalda talks football SiriusXMFC, played on three World cup teams, also runs the Wynalda soccer academy for 16, 17 year olds. I'm sure you're well aware, Kevin Frazier from Entertainment Tonight. Last week, when we were in Tahoe late into Alexi Lawless and our soccer program here, give me your thoughts on what. It's too long to play in this segment, but I get it.
- [22:02]
Eric Wynalda
I know Kevin. I mean, look, I think he's kind of in the same boat that we're all in right now. We just want our soccer team to be better than what we are. We want to go further than 16th in a competition like this. And when, when, and I worked for Fox, so I can raise my hand and say I'm no longer there, mainly because I didn't subscribe to the idea that I have to say something stupid every day to get everybody all fired up. I, I didn't want to do it and I'm not there anymore, which is fine now. Lex and I are still very good friends. I text message with him yesterday. He knows what he's doing, and I don't think he cares what Frey says. But what we should, we should. I think our soccer community is far too intelligent for, for him in that position to go on that stage and say some of those things as if he's just, it's just going to float, float away and pop somewhere else. You know, it's not, it's not the, the state of our country, our country is far more intelligent as a soccer nation.
- [23:02]
John Smoltz
But compare the academies in Europe. Like, what would you do if you were going to make us formidable starting.
- [23:09]
Eric Wynalda
I'm already doing it, Dan. I'm already doing it. I, I have my own team. I pick my own, you know, group of rock stars that are not in the system and we go beat MLS teams that's, you know, and then they go, whoa, where'd you find these guys? And I said, well, maybe it, maybe it's a little bit. You're not looking under enough rocks, or maybe you don't know what you're looking at in the first place. But if everybody wants to solve the soccer problem, let me just do it.
- [23:31]
Paul Verzi
You ready?
- [23:32]
Eric Wynalda
This is how easy this is. The rest of the world spends all of their time trying to find the talent, and then they eliminate the untalented, and they thin the herd pretty quick. And so the best soccer players at the age of 16 and 17 in Europe or France or Germany, wherever it is, are playing. And then they have the ability to tell those folks that aren't good enough, no, don't, don't play anymore. Go do something else. America is trying to figure out how to increase the numbers, which is not helping to grow the game. And again, more people are playing soccer than ever before. That's not good, especially if we're talking about two teams. And let's say eight of them can do it and eight of them can't, right? What service are those players who aren't talented enough to be on that field but have been told they are and they're paying for that instruction, that this is somehow going to work out for you? Some say, oh, it didn't work out. Give me another thousand dollars and we'll see you next month. And that continues. So these, these, these players who are being, who are holding on to hope and a dream that they're going to someday miraculously become an international talent. It's a lie. It. And, and I feel bad for those, those, those kids because they're being told that they're going to be something that they're not, and they're paying through the nose to, to try and get somewhere that they're never going to get and that the rest of the world doesn't do that. Dan. We just basically say, no. That's my professional opinion. Go do something else. You're 16. And go do something else for it's too late. That kid who's 16 and is untalented in America will stay all the way until the collegiate process make a determination of whether I want to go to college or be a pro, and then it just fizzes out. We don't identify our real talent, package them together. Even though we have a national team. I think I could put together a group of 16, 17 year olds and beat our national team. That's Just me. Maybe I'm being arrogant. I don't know. But I think we just don't do it the right way. We involve way too many people, we charge too many people. When we should be thin in the herd, finding the talent and locking in on that. If we ever did that, Dan, we'd win the World Cup.
- [25:42]
John Smoltz
You bring up, and you mentioned money a few times. I think that's the key with a lot of this, is we want to keep you in the system, keep paying the money. The number of parents that I heard from after Kev, Kevin Frazier, was really remarkable because they said, look, we don't know what to do. And we want, you know, we're on a traveling team, we're spending all this money. And, you know, I still want to know, like, Kevin was bringing up, you know, the inner city kid. They can't afford this. Like, how do you find those play. And, you know, look where they found Messi. He was nowhere. You know, all of a sudden you're like, oh, this kid, you know, he's 12, will sign him, you know, a contract on a bar napkin. We don't have those stories. It feels like this is a little too controlled, the money aspect, right? And once again, I'm on the outside looking in, but my questions, you know, may be obvious, but I'm still looking for those answers of how do we make this better instead of doing the same thing. Because, you know, when Kristen Pulisic says, hey, this is just the start. It's not the start. No, we just start over. It's Groundhog Day every four years.
- [26:53]
Eric Wynalda
Right? And that's usually you and I when you call me every four years and we rehash this thing. I'm so honored to be on the show twice in a month, by the way. This is great.
- [27:01]
John Smoltz
All right.
- [27:03]
Eric Wynalda
And I see you guys every day, by the way. So, Todd, hopefully I get to spend some time on the couch. Maybe you could help me out with that. That sounds like a good idea.
- [27:12]
Dan Patrick
We would love that.
- [27:14]
Eric Wynalda
I think we should. I think we could solve a lot of problems. But look, I. This is what I do now. And I listen to other people. I listen to the Landon Donovans of the world, you know, criticize everything and say, oh, we're doing this wrong. We're doing this wrong. Landon Donovan has absolutely zero experience at the youth level, so he needs to kind of temper his. His. You have to know what you're talking about before you talk about it. That's. That's my number one rule. My academy is all about Finding that kid who can't afford it or is just super talented and isn't aware of how talented they are. And I try to put them in environments where they can grow. It's also a problem that upon the elevated, that moment of discovery also is in this country, unfortunately, the moment of the destruction of the soul of the player. Because the second that they find you, they try to turn you into something that you're not. And that's not what I do. My whole man, I did put my money where my mouth is. I pay for this. These kids don't pay for anything. I take them to the opportunities door and I knock it down. And it's been great. The response has been wonderful. You go to a place you wouldn't expect. You know where Bochum is, but that's my old club. And I put a group of 16, 17 year olds on a plane for one game. Flew all the way to Germany to play these. And I explained to them this is what a professional environment looks like. And these guys are going to try and hurt you if you don't jump. So get ready. And we won the game for nothing. And their take on this and all the scouts that were at the game were like, where the hell did you find these guys? It's not that we don't have talent, it's just that we don't know what to do with it once we find it. And that's, that's part of the system systemic problem that we have. But it's. It's just nobody wants to talk about it. Nobody wants to hear somebody say we need fewer people playing. Nobody wants to hear that. But it's the truth.
- [29:04]
John Smoltz
One word answer here. England or Argentina? England.
- [29:07]
Eric Wynalda
And I. I know, I know.
- [29:09]
John Smoltz
It's okay.
- [29:11]
Eric Wynalda
Something's going on with Argentina. Their looks run out. And I love Jude Billingham. I loved it. Just do some research on the guy. The guy's a. He's a great human being. And then we don't have enough of them. So I'm rooting for that guy today.
- [29:23]
John Smoltz
Great to talk to you again, Eric.
- [29:24]
Eric Wynalda
Great to talk to you.
- [29:25]
John Smoltz
I don't know if it'll be four years. I'm gonna be honest with you. I don't know if it's.
- [29:29]
Eric Wynalda
I'm gonna be on the couch in a couple of days with Todd, so
- [29:31]
Dan Patrick
we'll figure it out.
- [29:32]
John Smoltz
Eric Winolda.
- [29:33]
Paul Verzi
Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows@foxsportsradio.com and within the iHeartRadio app search FSR to listen live.
- [29:47]
John Smoltz
The Declaration, which is full of these beautifully rendered, you know, sentences and paragraphs about Enlightenment ideals, does also have this darker history to it.
- [29:58]
Dan Patrick
Why is it important for the darker part of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution? Why is it important that Americans know about it?
- [30:09]
John Smoltz
Well, if we don't understand the full context in which our nation was founded, we won't understand the full context in which our nation now finds a itself.
- [30:20]
Dan Patrick
I'm Rebecca Nagel Gohin Taw citizen of Cherokee Nation. Are you guys big Chiefs fans?
- [30:27]
John Smoltz
Hell yeah.
- [30:29]
Dan Patrick
This is First America, the true story of how the United States came to be and how we got to this present moment. Listen to First America on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Michael Rapoport and my podcast, the I Am Rapoport Stereo podcast, is unlike anyone you've ever heard. We're a variety show, and if you're looking for strong opinions, funny opinions about sports, entertainment, politics, pop culture, and whatever else catches my attention, then subscribe now. This kid Jafar Jackson is as good as Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, and it's as good as Timothee Shamalay as Bob Dylan. And I say that with love and respect for both of those actors. And I don't know how many Oscar nominations they give out. I don't know if it's 5, 6 for best actor. 150%. This kid Jafar Jackson should absolutely, positively get nominated for his portrayal as Michael Jackson. Listen to I Am rappaport on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I am at the Board podcast. Hey, guys, Paul Verze here and I want to talk to you about Paul's best podcast, Will Ferrell's Big Money Players Network, and I Heart Radio. I sit down each week with a special guest and we discuss the absolute best of things.
- [31:56]
Eric Wynalda
Davidson.
- [31:57]
Dan Patrick
It's that and then there's everything else. He would just shout one line and
- [32:01]
John Smoltz
it would murder Marie.
- [32:02]
Paul Verzi
Lunch.
- [32:04]
Dan Patrick
Let's talk about the best market moments that we had on the road. I would love a cocktail. Dude, Joe could get last row, middle seat on a Southwest Airlines flight. Joe, how was your flight? It was great. The guy on Penn State, we were on the field and the player thought
- [32:18]
John Smoltz
Joe was his former coach and he
- [32:20]
Dan Patrick
hugged him and hugged him and Joe just went with it. The guy goes, what are you doing here, coach? And Joe just goes.
- [32:27]
John Smoltz
And you walk in and it is bananas. I mean, it's A feast for the eyes. And I was like, it's like, it's not my thing either, but we're here.
- [32:35]
Dan Patrick
When in Rome, top ass athletes, chefs, musicians, everybody listen to Paul's best podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You said to me, yo, you know, keep at it. Cause you let me rap for you. It was magical for all of us. We made it. We made it. Yeah. I'm like, we, you know, I'm like, I know these guys, but who are you? I'm MC Jen. And this is last but not least, I'll be chatting with guests from all walks of of life about the power of humor when it comes to facing difficult times. Like the co founder of Rough Riders, Darren D. Dean. Talking about as a kid. Do you remember that we met even way before that?
- [33:13]
John Smoltz
Let me think.
- [33:14]
Dan Patrick
Did you walk up to the gate? That was me, Dean.
- [33:16]
John Smoltz
That was you.
- [33:16]
Dan Patrick
That was me the day we found out that you and the whole crew was at Hit Factory. The mission was to get me to go to the gate, start freestyling and see if I could get in the studio. I'm rapping and then suddenly I hear a voice. Hey, open the gate. Let, let him in the gate. Slowly went. They all there watching this and they watch me walk into there. And that is a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. Listen. And last but not least, with MC Gin on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast, we
- [33:45]
John Smoltz
make way for the former host of ESPN's around the Horn, Mr. High Energy, Mr. Daniel. Look at the smile.
- [33:55]
Dan Patrick
Trying to go a different way these days. I saw Kevin Frazier come in hot. I am a founding member of the Coming in Hot community. I saw Frazier on your show last week and it blew my mind. And that was about Alexi Lalas. Yeah, the man's got a family.
- [34:12]
Paul Verzi
That was great.
- [34:13]
Dan Patrick
That was good stuff.
- [34:14]
John Smoltz
Are you coming on with a Kevin Frazier like topic?
- [34:18]
Dan Patrick
I learned something in the last week then. And you should always allow yourself to learn things that what I'm doing now requires different energy perhaps than what I've done in the past. I did a first episode with Rowdy Gaines. I've never met Rowdy Gaines. I started the episode. I'm hugging a screen, right? To show him that I'm welcoming him and loving. But you can't. I mean, how do you hug a screen? And then I'm going in big. So now, now you're getting this Tony, then you're getting this Tony. Yes, Very relaxed.
- [34:49]
John Smoltz
Yeah, I want the full Tony.
- [34:51]
Dan Patrick
You want the. Okay, I can give you the full.
- [34:53]
John Smoltz
Like if you were doing around the horn today.
- [34:56]
Dan Patrick
Yeah.
- [34:57]
John Smoltz
Give me a couple of. For instances that you would be asking
- [35:00]
Dan Patrick
the panel, like, well, I mean, I've seen two things. I love baseball. I love the baseball all star game. We want to criticize the baseball all star game for being this or that. It is the best by far of all the all star specimens we're throwing out there. And sandlot would be an example. Okay, sandlot sidebar in the middle of a game. I loved it. I thought it was great. So I would go around the horn on that with the panelists. But for me, when you're a sport, you are what you are. All right, Lean into the schmaltz if you're the Midsummer Classic.
- [35:33]
Paul Verzi
Right.
- [35:34]
Dan Patrick
So other sports have gone with. With the streamer of the day. We've seen this even. You know, let's bring in five streamers. Co collaborate with us and we'll get more views. No, baseball should be going into the sandlot. You can tell me schmaltzy schmaltz all the way. That's your DNA. The opposite side of that is get the streamer. And that's like a vampire blood transfusion that a life hacker is doing with a younger person. You know that guy Brian Johnson, you know, he's getting the blood of a 20 year old. You don't need that. You're baseball. You did it right. Great. Enjoy it.
- [36:07]
John Smoltz
But now you go from you went on around the horn where you're asking questions where you don't necessarily get to give your opinion.
- [36:14]
Eric Wynalda
Yeah.
- [36:14]
John Smoltz
To now you have to have opinions.
- [36:18]
Dan Patrick
Oh, I'm, I'm. I mean, I'm not a take guy though, dad. I'm a perspective guy. I'm gonna be me. This is one of the things someone told me some great advice when I was sitting there the day two of, of, of the long summer I had, and it was, your first show is going to be great in your mind. The 24th one is going to be the better show. So I went through five iterations of around the Horn 2.0. I think I love around the horn and I really, I love pti and I'm proud of what that was and I can do that again in the future. But right now I wanted to be in a space where I could be me a little bit more. And that's not takes, but that is living in moments. And that's where I landed. And I'm Real happy in this space. I could do this every day, you know, And I'm doing it weekly right now, but I feel like, okay, yeah, I want to relive, live that moment that just came up in my feed. That's the. That's the nugget of the idea. The kernel of the idea.
- [37:13]
John Smoltz
Okay. I got my daughter's wedding coming up. Oh, in a month from now.
- [37:18]
Dan Patrick
What are you dancing? What's the song, Daddy Daughter dance.
- [37:21]
John Smoltz
I think it might be Fly Me to the Moon.
- [37:24]
Dan Patrick
That's great. That's great. Well, one, two step, boom, boom. You can end. I mean, your beautiful silhouette. You got to work on a dip. Gotta do a dip.
- [37:32]
John Smoltz
I was gonna do. I was gonna do. It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes, Nelly. But. But I was told no. Yeah, I'm not involved in it. I just said to my daughter, you pick the song that you want.
- [37:45]
Dan Patrick
That's.
- [37:45]
John Smoltz
And you know, my wife, you know, being Italian, you go, Sinatra. You can't go wrong. But here's what I want to get to. I have to take off a Thursday and a Friday leading up to the wedding. Yeah, I don't know what you're doing during the week.
- [38:02]
Dan Patrick
Well, I know what I'm doing. Now, if this is an offer, you can't take this back. Then don't take it back. This is an offer. You're saying it. You want me to come in? We got some breaking news.
- [38:11]
John Smoltz
I'm gonna. I'm gonna have you. It's not a 10 day contract. It's a two day contract.
- [38:17]
Paul Verzi
Are you.
- [38:17]
Dan Patrick
My two days are like any other humans. 10 days. So don't worry about that.
- [38:20]
John Smoltz
Okay. But you could. You would come in and be honest.
- [38:24]
Dan Patrick
I've been. I. Thank you very much. I happily. And. And yes, absolutely. Last year when we last talked.
- [38:32]
John Smoltz
So it's a verbal. It's a verbal agreement.
- [38:34]
Dan Patrick
Verbal commitment from reality.
- [38:35]
John Smoltz
Okay.
- [38:37]
Dan Patrick
Movie last talk. I told you I wanted to do that. And I also told you another thing. I promised you something, and now I have to admit to this. I wanted to give you the mute button. A mute button? I had four on the desk.
- [38:49]
John Smoltz
Yeah.
- [38:49]
Dan Patrick
And this was a. This was a plan that I had. And again, I'm in my, my, My long summer and I'm expecting now to hear more things about what's happening. Never heard a thing. But what I did see was the mute button. And the full desk was auctioned off at the mothership headquarters. And someone else who happened to just bid for it got the full desk and I'm seeing it on X on Twitter, just come up and like, well, okay, I was trying to carve that into pieces and give it to people who mean something to the show and means something to me. And now I can't even give you the mute button.
- [39:27]
John Smoltz
Oh my goodness.
- [39:28]
Dan Patrick
The picture was like somebody had a hostage situation. It was in there. And I'm not blaming anybody. This is that, this is how it's done. And that's how it's done. It was a desk, but I was trying. How do you even carve up a desk?
- [39:40]
John Smoltz
But I would have been on it.
- [39:43]
Dan Patrick
I know I would have loved to bid on it and give it Some of the producers, some of the people whose blood and sweat was in there. Woody pages, you know. You know, splitted sweat was in that mute button. So I'm gonna have to find something else to gift you. To gift you what I do. It won't be the mute button though. It'll have to be whatever this next show.
- [40:00]
John Smoltz
Okay, so that's going to be a Thursday. Friday. I'm breaking this news to the Danettes just to let you guys know that Tony is going to come in now on that Thursday and Friday.
- [40:09]
Dan Patrick
Ready for that, Paul?
- [40:10]
John Smoltz
I don't know.
- [40:11]
Dan Patrick
Are you guys ready for this? I mean, we're going to do something. We're ready. But you're a high energy guy. We may picked up our coffee.
- [40:17]
Eric Wynalda
You know, you're Mr. Positive.
- [40:19]
Dan Patrick
Yeah, this is going to be great. I know exactly how to, how to. I'm, you know, I'm a takes guy now when I do this. I don't know, I don't know. Maybe we'll see what we're going to be, but it's going to, it's going to be absolutely what you guys do every, every day with just a little reality into it.
- [40:34]
John Smoltz
I love it. Todd, you okay with Tony?
- [40:36]
Dan Patrick
I love that idea. Okay, Marvin, I'm gonna take you guys through some, some of the, some of the mechanics of what around the horn was and then also what this new show is. I have some games and I have some fun in this show that I want to. Want to see if you guys are up to speed.
- [40:49]
John Smoltz
Marvin, you okay with Tony?
- [40:50]
Paul Verzi
Oh, I'm ready.
- [40:50]
John Smoltz
Okay. New episodes released every Tuesday. So each week, Tony and a rotating cast of guests, we'll dig into a single iconic sports moment and explore why it still resonates. I'm guessing if you had Rowdy Gaines on the former Olympic swimmer. Are we talking about Michael Phelps?
- [41:12]
Dan Patrick
It's precisely that, Dan. And why Would I? I mean, I don't cover swimming. I don't swim. I know how to not drown is the line I said to Rowdy. You know, but the genesis of this, of the show came to me in that this video came up in my feed and I started crying. So now I want to unpack that. I'm not going to use this show as my therapy chair every week. But just for the first episode, I wanted to sit in a moment that and many moments that are irresistible to me. And it's that moment. So Phelps is the image that sticks in my head. But I know it's not about Phelps solely because Jason Lisak had the greatest split in Olympic history. But then I know it's not just about Jason Lisak. So this is what I'm kind of pulling on the thread. And it's Rowdy Gaines voice when he makes the call. Dad, you know how I love my play by play guys, my analysts, you're an idol of mine. The voice for me unlocks the full feeling. So I got to do something with Rowdy where Rowdy played Rowdy and I played Dan Hicks. And we read the transcript of that and I heard it in real time. And Rowdy hasn't thought about this. I mean, I'm sure he's seen the video, but he told me, you know, I haven't reenacted this ever. And he delivers the voice. He's tightening up. Speaking of the French swimmer Elaine Bernard. And that even in that moment was like twink, little bit of like, wow, something got me. And then he did it. He did it. So I unpacked that moment. There's an inspiration. I love the podcast, the rewatchables for the Ringer Network. And I had been mulling on rewatchables for sports. Why aren't we doing this Game is a big, long thing. I don't know if I would want to rewatch the entirety of a game. I would maybe in front of a live audience and have some fun with that, but not for a full podcast. But then you get to a moment and you can rewatch that 10 second clip. You could break it down by frame if you want. You can do that and then you can go on all these different side quests during it. And that's what the show is.
- [43:06]
John Smoltz
I never understood this, and I said this to people in management that I found you to be one of the most talented people at espn and it was like you weren't doing anything other than around the horn and at the mothership. They usually try to have you do other jobs now. That could be, you know, budgetary reasons, but still, I was shocked that you left. Like I, I said, you would have been my, my nominee for Jeopardy. I, I think you instead of Ken Jennings, you would, you'd be great in that role. But I just never understood why the mothership didn't hold on to you and offer you something else. Am I missing something?
- [43:52]
Dan Patrick
I don't think you're missing something. I don't think I'm missing something. I don't even know if they were missing something. I'm a person who is fiercely independent in a lot of ways. I loved being hands and fingers all over one particular thing rather than, I mean, this may not be the best business strategy. My wife is now the CEO of my whole Real Ones Media, you know, and she's like, no, we're going to. Yes, I can appear in different places. I can do many different things, and I'm happy to be doing that. But, but in that particular moment, I thought that show deserved, and I thought I deserved giving everything I could to that. So I didn't, I didn't appreciate maybe those other opportunities. I didn't ask for them, and they didn't come my way. I can be honest about that, too, but the new landscape. So I got out of this moment with the show and you're living a moment. I've said this before. I'll say it again because I love the reference. I just want people to Google it. There is a Oscars where Will Ferrell, Jack Black, and John C. Reilly sing a song about being the comedian at the Oscars. The lonely, loneliest man in town. Do you know this?
- [45:03]
John Smoltz
No.
- [45:04]
Dan Patrick
Okay, well, let's, we'll put it, we'll Google it, whatever. But they sing this very elaborate song, and it ends with them trying to be funny and getting a date with Helen Mirren. But at one point, Jack Black asked Will Ferrell in song, what did you think when you took off your pants and you ran around, you know, Talladega Nights, and he delivers the line, I thought they'd love me, you know? And what did you think when you were Mutant Woody Page? I thought they'd love me. I, I, you know, I wanted to be loved. I'm somebody who wants to be loved. That those calls didn't happen. The industry was changing so rapidly, I had to educate myself. Dan, you'll see, or I hope you'll see, parts of me in the show that aren't podcasting. It's full on Walk and Talk. I'm taking that from YouTube. I'm taking that from my own personal love of the Goodfellas shot.
- [45:49]
John Smoltz
Right.
- [45:50]
Dan Patrick
But, yes, it's that. So I had to realize podcasts were getting the TV jobs, and maybe it. Was I the last TV host? Was I the last John Wayne in this town? I don't know if there's TV hosts in the future. They just might be people who work on digital who go back to tv.
- [46:07]
John Smoltz
All right, so you're. You're locked in for two days? When I go to my daughter's wedding,
- [46:11]
Dan Patrick
I'm locked in, correct.
- [46:11]
Paul Verzi
Oh, yeah.
- [46:12]
John Smoltz
Okay. It's a Thursday to Friday. And in August.
- [46:15]
Dan Patrick
Oh, yeah, busy. That's a great football season. Preseason. I'm going to be breaking down football.
- [46:19]
John Smoltz
And if you have guests that you want to have on. On your show, you just go through Fritzi, and then Fritz, you'll try to book people that you might want to help you in these two shows.
- [46:32]
Dan Patrick
Okay, let's work that. Yeah. Kathy Engelbert, Fritzi.
- [46:35]
Paul Verzi
Let's start with that.
- [46:36]
Dan Patrick
Can I say that?
- [46:37]
Paul Verzi
Oh, no. Can of worms. Wow.
- [46:41]
John Smoltz
Wow. Well, she might come on to talk to you, but probably not with me.
- [46:45]
Dan Patrick
Dan, you are in. You know. You know my thoughts when I make a show like this. You know, I want to thank you once again now that you've already offered me the chance to sit in here, but, you know, I am still in awe of what you do here on the regular. And I can't wait to hang out with the Danettes. You guys. You guys can have new names for two days. You can be anything you want.
- [47:03]
John Smoltz
You know, He's Tony Reali, former host of around the Horn, and the new show is Real Deal with Tony Reali. Every Tuesday with new episodes. As he has rotating guests, they dig into a single iconic sports moment and explore while it still resonates. Thank you, Tone.
- [47:22]
Dan Patrick
Thank you, Dan.
- [47:23]
John Smoltz
I'll see.
- [47:24]
Dan Patrick
I'll see the Dan Edson, too, but enjoy the. Enjoy the wedding. Don't think about the show. It's all right.
- [47:28]
Paul Verzi
It's gonna be okay.
- [47:29]
Dan Patrick
We'll clean up everything after afterwards.
- [47:31]
John Smoltz
All right. Thank you. That's Tony Reali.
- [47:33]
Dan Patrick
Say you've always wanted to see your favorite team from the best seats in the house. Here's the thing. If you invest well, you could do things like that. With empower, you can get your money to work for you so you can go out and live a little. Isn't that why we work so hard to splurge at certain moments? Jet setting off to see your favorite team play at one of the most iconic stadiums or getting your favorite players super rare autographed one of one sports card. Use Empower to help you get good at money so you can be a little bad. Join their 20 million customers today@empower.com not an Empower client, paid or sponsored.
- [48:08]
John Smoltz
This is Tony Ayo from the Real Report with Tony Ayo and Uncle Murder. You ever notice how everything keeps going up? Rent, streaming, even extra Sosa at your favorite burrito spot? But with Boost Mobile, you don't have to play the Willis Go up soon game. Boost Mobile offers an unlimited talk, text and data plan at a price that'll never go up. It's the same price you'll pay for Life. Switch now for unlimited wireless at a price that'll never go up. Only at boost mobile. After 30 gigabytes, customers may experience slower speeds. Customers will pay $25 a month as long as they remain active on the Boost Unlimited plan.
- [48:39]
Dan Patrick
From daily news to dating fails conspiracy theories to cooking with celebrities who can't actually cook, Amazon Music's got the most ad free Top podcasts ready to entertain included with Prime Foreign. I'm Stephanie Young. The hit podcast Love Trapped is back with new updates in the case of Laura owens.
- [49:04]
Eric Wynalda
This is CR2025 State vs Laura Owens.
- [49:08]
Dan Patrick
I think she really believes that she still has an out. I'm quite confident that they're up to something. We're following the case live as the criminal charges finally come to a conclusion. Trust us when we tell you as the victims of of Laura Owens, she will not stop. Listen to Love trapped on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.