The Best of The Dan Patrick Show

Summary

The Best of The Dan Patrick Show – Detailed Summary

Release Date: April 1, 2025

Introduction

"The Best of The Dan Patrick Show" curated an engaging episode that delved deep into pivotal topics within the sports world, featuring insightful discussions on NFL rule changes, an enlightening interview with NBA insider Adam Lefkoe, and an in-depth examination of the introduction of Torpedo bats in Major League Baseball (MLB). This summary captures the essence of these conversations, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and the overarching conclusions drawn by the hosts and guests.

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1. NFL Rule Changes Discussion

Hosts and Guests:

• Sarah Spain – Host
• Kyra K. Dixon – NBC Sports Reporter and Host
• Albert Brear – Senior NFL Reporter

Timestamp: [02:53] - [09:41]

Overview: The discussion centered around proposed NFL rule changes, notably the controversial "tush push" play, modifications to overtime procedures, and adjustments to kickoff formations aimed at enhancing game safety and entertainment value.

Key Points:

• Tush Push Debate:

  • Albert Brear highlighted the ongoing debates regarding the "tush push" and its potential impact on player safety.
  • Kyra K. Dixon emphasized the lack of concrete injury data supporting the ban of the play, stating, "there isn't really any injury data" ([03:24]).
  • Discussions revolved around whether the rule should be altered due to one team's effective use or if broader safety concerns warranted a change.

• Overtime Rule Changes:

  • The proposal aims to standardize overtime by adopting the playoff format across all games, initially considering a 15-minute period but later adjusting to 10 minutes to fit broadcast schedules.
  • Kyra K. Dixon speculated, “They may table it and tweak it before voting again” ([08:06]), indicating possible postponement for further refinement.

• Kickoff Modifications:

  • Adjustments include moving the touchback line from the 30 to the 35-yard line to encourage more returns, backed by injury data suggesting similar safety profiles to conventional plays.
  • The introduction of onside kicks in all four quarters, requiring declaration due to differing formations, was also discussed as a means to increase game dynamics.

Notable Quotes:

• Kyra K. Dixon [04:16]: "Mike Vrabel and Jim Harbaugh actually spoke up and got into the way the rule was, how specifically written it is."
• Sarah Spain [05:04]: "If you don't have that data, it's really hard to say we're going to create a rule, get rid of a rule because of one team."

Conclusion: The conversation underscored the NFL's delicate balance between maintaining competitive integrity, ensuring player safety, and enhancing spectator enjoyment. The proposed changes reflect a willingness to adapt but also highlight the complexities involved in rule-making without definitive data.

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2. Interview with NBA Insider Adam Lefkoe

Participants:

• Julie Swetnick – Former NHL Player and Host
• Adam Lefkoe – Host of NBA on TNT's "Inside the NBA" and co-host of "Big Podcast with Shaq Turner"

Timestamp: [17:11] - [34:16]

Overview: Julie Swetnick engages in a candid and humorous conversation with Adam Lefkoe, exploring his experiences as a prominent sports host, interactions with NBA legends, and navigating the dynamics of high-profile interviews.

Key Points:

• Dynamic Between Hosts:

  • Julie recounts her past interactions with Adam, highlighting moments where Adam's assertive interviewing style led to memorable exchanges.
  • Julie Swetnick [18:09]: "I just wanted to talk to you. You would randomly send me a text going, 'Man, that Caitlin Clark is phenomenal.'"

• Interactions with NBA Legends:

  • The hosts discuss Adam's experiences interviewing figures like Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal, emphasizing their authentic and engaging personalities.
  • Julie shares anecdotes about attempting to keep Adam's "ego" in check, which often led to entertaining outcomes.

• Navigating Public Perception:

  • The conversation touches on the challenges of maintaining personal relationships amidst public personas, with Julie joking about Adam's reputation and their mutual respect.

Notable Quotes:

• Julie Swetnick [27:40]: "He picked it up. And I knew I was in trouble. Dan when he had his clear glasses and they were towards the edge of his nose, because as Chuck is out, they get further and further down, and then the talking gets louder and louder."
• Sarah Spain [33:43]: "We got it this year, Dan. This is the year you think she's finally going to get the credit that she's due."

Conclusion: The interview provided a lighthearted yet insightful look into the life of a top-tier sports host. Adam Lefkoe's ability to blend professionalism with genuine camaraderie creates a compelling dynamic that resonates with both peers and audiences alike.

---

3. Introduction of Torpedo Bats in MLB

Guest:

• Damian Maldonado – CEO of American Financing

Timestamp: [39:19] - [51:15]

Overview: Damian Maldonado discusses the innovation of Torpedo bats in MLB, exploring the approval process, design enhancements, and the potential impact on the game’s offensive dynamics.

Key Points:

• Design and Approval:

  • Torpedo bats feature a redistributed weight concentrating in the sweet spot, enhancing power and reducing mishits.
  • Damian Maldonado [40:22]: "As long as it's within those parameters and it remains a smooth cylinder, you can kind of distribute the weight however you want."

• Impact on Gameplay:

  • The new design aims to increase offensive output by providing players with more power-hitting capabilities, potentially leading to a surge in home runs and overall scoring.
  • Damian Maldonado [51:13]: "This is players saying that I am going to deprioritize contact for hard contact. I'm going to give up some of those balls that are just a little bit off the sweet spot in order for the other ones to be doubles and triples in home runs."

• Market Reception and Adoption:

  • While not mandatory, the availability of Torpedo bats offers teams and players an avenue to gain a competitive edge, mirroring past innovations like the use of the opener strategy.
  • Damian Maldonado [44:14]: "Comparing anyone to Tony Gwynn is badly unfair because that guy was one of a kind."

• Historical Context:

  • Maldonado draws parallels with previous equipment changes in sports, such as the NHL’s regulation of curved sticks and the Olympics' stance on high-tech swimsuits, stressing the importance of maintaining game balance.

Notable Quotes:

• Damian Maldonado [42:57]: "It's always a matter of balance, right? Like we've seen this in sports in the past."
• Sarah Spain [49:10]: "I think Gwynn would probably bat .320. But he would hit 30 home runs."

Conclusion: The introduction of Torpedo bats signifies a pivotal shift in MLB’s approach to equipment innovation. While promising enhanced offensive performance, it also raises questions about maintaining the sport's inherent balance. The ongoing adoption and regulatory responses will determine the long-term implications of this development.

---

Overall Conclusion

This episode of "The Dan Patrick Show" masterfully navigated through complex sports topics, offering listeners a blend of in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and entertaining anecdotes. From dissecting potential NFL rule changes to exploring the nuances of evolving sports equipment in MLB, and engaging with influential sports media personalities, the show provided a comprehensive and engaging experience for both avid sports fans and casual listeners.

Notable Themes:

• Balancing Tradition and Innovation: Both in rule changes and equipment modifications, the sports world continually grapples with maintaining the essence of the game while embracing advancements.
• Impact of Data and Analytics: Evidence-based approaches are increasingly shaping decisions in sports governance and player strategies.
• Personal Dynamics in Sports Media: The interplay between hosts and guests underscores the importance of authenticity and rapport in delivering compelling sports narratives.

Final Thoughts: "The Best of The Dan Patrick Show" encapsulates the dynamic and multifaceted nature of modern sports discourse, making it an indispensable listen for those seeking to stay informed and entertained in the ever-evolving landscape of athletics and sports media.

Transcript

[Sarah Spain]

Hey, all you women's hoops fans and folks who just don't know yet that they're women's hoops fans. We've got a big week over at Good Game with Sarah Spain as we near the end of one of the most exciting women's college basketball seasons ever. The most parody we've seen in years. With games coming down to the wire and everyone wondering which team will be crowned national champions this weekend in Tampa. Listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bob Pittman]

Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. I'm excited to introduce a brand new season of my podcast Math and Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. I'm having conversations with some folks across a wide range of industries to hear how they reach the top of their fields and the lessons they learned along the way that everyone can use. I'll be joined by innovative leaders like chairman and CEO of Elf Beauty, Tarang Amin Tarang, legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist Jewel.

[Sarah Spain]

Being a rock star is very fun.

[Julie Swetnick]

But helping people is way more fun.

[Bob Pittman]

And Damian Maldonado, CEO of American Financing.

[Sarah Spain]

I figured out the formula. I just have to work hard then that's magic.

[Bob Pittman]

Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math and the ever important creative spark, the magic. Listen to math and Magic on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Sarah Spain]

You feelin this too is a horror anthology podcast. It brings different creat to tell 10 vile.

[Damian Maldonado]

No, no, no no no no.

[Sarah Spain]

Grotesque. Oh my God. Horrific stories on what scares them the most. You feeling this too? Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Julie Swetnick]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Sarah Spain]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Kyra K. Dixon]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Sarah Spain]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Julie Swetnick]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Sarah Spain]

Listen to EnergyLine with Nate and JSB on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Mel Reid, LPGA Tour winner and six time ladies European Tour winner and Kyra K. Dixon, NBC sports reporter and host. And we've got a new podcast, Quiet please with Mel and Kira. We are bringing you spicy takes on.

[Julie Swetnick]

Sports and pop culture.

[Sarah Spain]

Some interviews with incredible people who have figured out how to make golf their superpower. And iheart WINS sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Elf Beauty, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.

[Julie Swetnick]

You are listening to the Dan Patrick.

[Sarah Spain]

Show on Fox Sports Radio. He's Albert Brear, the Monday morning quarterback, their senior NFL reporter, and he joined us, joins us from Florida at the owners meetings. There's a lot on the table, a lot on the agenda. Let me start with the tush push. When is that being voted on? Today.

[Kyra K. Dixon]

I'm. They're in the room now doing their votes, so that could come down, you know, anytime, I'd say, over the next. I would say within an hour, hour and a half, will probably know one way or the other.

[Sarah Spain]

What's your sense?

[Kyra K. Dixon]

My sense is there's a ton of argument, you know, in the room over it. And I know Howie Roseman stood in front of the room the other day and basically asked for the injury data. And when they said, well, there isn't really any injury data. There haven't been injuries on it, he then said, okay, well, give me the difference in injuries between this and a conventional quarterback sneak. And they couldn't do that. Dr. Alan Sills, the chief medical officer for the league, then said, like, well, you know, we're. What we're worried about, based on the posture is that this can. This could create a catastrophic, you know, or catastrophic head and spine injuries, you know. And then, you know, Mike Vrabel and Jim Harbaugh actually, you know, spoke up and, you know, got into the way the rule was, how specifically written it is. Like, it's written about, you know, it's written in a way where it's, you.

[Sarah Spain]

Know.

[Kyra K. Dixon]

Applies to pushing behind the center. So Brable asked, well, what if the quarterback is running behind the guard? Can you push him then? And Harbaugh came up with the idea. He's like, well, what if I put two extra linemen? And this would be the most Harbaugh formation ever, I think. What. What if I put two extra linemen behind the guards, had them push the guards and not touch the quarterback? So there's been healthy debate. I just think I. My sense right now, Dan, is if the commissioner really wants to get this thing through, and I'm a little more certain where he stands in the kickoff than I am on this. If. If the commissioner really wants to get it through, maybe he tables it and they tweak it and work it a little bit and vote it again. I don't know if they have the 24 votes right now to get it through and ban it.

[Sarah Spain]

Yeah, that was my feeling that at first I thought there just felt like there's this groundswell. And all of a sudden there was a lot of, you got to get it out of the game. And then one of my sources said there's not. There's no data. Like, they're searching for data that's not there. They're desperate to find that. And therefore, if you don't have that data, it's really hard to say we're going to create a rule, get rid of a rule because of one team.

[Kyra K. Dixon]

And that's. That's my problem with it. You know what I mean? It's like, why should we be getting rid of something because one team is really good at it?

[Sarah Spain]

You know, what are the other things that have been or will be decided or voted on today?

[Kyra K. Dixon]

So the overtime. The overtime proposal pass, which basically makes.

[Sarah Spain]

Hold on a second, Albert, we got a little breakup in your connection there. So we'll come back to you. Todd, see if you can help Albert with his connectivity there. By the way, the men's final four, the odds. Houston was a four and a half point underdog. They're now a five and a half point underdog against Duke. And Florida's still a two and a half point favorite against Auburn. Yes. This is a terrible day to be.

[Julie Swetnick]

Doing all this voting and announcing all this.

[Sarah Spain]

April Fools. Yeah, there was just. ESPN just had a thing that said, breaking news, NFL, both teams will get the ball in overtime. Blah, this and that. I didn't even bother reading it all. Cause I'm like, I don't even know if this is true. I really have no idea. Well, you can joke about a lot of things, but nobody wants to joke about the NFL. It just feels like that. That makes headlines and people who click on that. Yes, Paulie, One thing Albert said there, I didn't know the NFL had the power to do.

[Kyra K. Dixon]

If they don't feel like they have the votes, they could table this to.

[Sarah Spain]

May and look at it again. I thought this was like deciding day. That's interesting. Yeah. But I. I just. I don't. I don't know. It feels like. Once again, feels like the commissioner wants to take this out of the game. It's predictable, esthetically, not pleasing. You're in the entertainment business. There's no data that says that. Hey, look at all these injuries, Todd. Did we reconnect with Albert? We'll see if it sounds a little bit better. So the overtime rule that was just passed, can you explain that?

[Kyra K. Dixon]

Yeah. So like basically it's going to take what's been playoff overtime the last couple of years and make it overtime across the board. The original proposal actually pushed for a 15 minute period. They tweaked that and moved it back to being a 10 minute period, which I think is interesting because if you're the team that receives the kickoff when you just immediately go into your four minute offense, right, like wouldn't you immediately start running the clock? So that could add an interesting dynamic. My guess would be that they wanted to go to 10 minute overtime because maybe the broadcast partners don't want to be pushing outside the normal window too far. And then, you know, it's like adding plays to a game, which is a health and safety thing. The alliance proposal got shot down to, to take the automatic first down away from defensive holding and illegal contact, you know, and then the kickoff I think is the big one, the other big one that they're going to vote on here.

[Sarah Spain]

Now what, what is it that they're going to vote on?

[Kyra K. Dixon]

So to make the kickoff the, obviously the new kickoff that they debuted last year to make that permanent and then there are some tweaks to that that they're trying to through. And my understanding is that Roger really wants more returns. And the good news is like the injury data they have supports that this has worked. Is, you know what they're saying is, is that the, the injury data shows that it's about the same injury right now on a kickoff as you have on a, on a, on a, on a normal play from scrimmage. So like that part's good. They feel like too many teams were kicking into the end zone. So you, you know, like with the touchback being at the 30, they, it's been proposed they move the touch back to the 35. Now you know, I know some coaches are very against that and so why don't we just move the kicker back five yards so it's harder for the kicker to reach the end zone. But the goal here for Goodell seems very much to, to find a way to create more kickoffs and to get, to get more, to create more kickoff returns. And you know, I think there's been enough argument about the different formations and again like the different tweaks that I do think there's a chance that Roger will look at this and say we should table this until May and like go and work through all of the tweaks and decide what's right for this year and then vote again on it.

[Sarah Spain]

May. What about the onside kick?

[Kyra K. Dixon]

Yeah, so the onside kick is that would allow and this is just a common sense thing. I don't know why they limited the fourth quarter. I don't know why they limited to. You have to be behind, to be honest with you. I, I, maybe they, they, I mean, it is a more dangerous place. So maybe they wanted to, you know, make sure that there were fewer of them. But yeah, what they would do now is I think you still have to be behind. But, but the onside kick would be allowed in all four quarters. Obviously you have to declare it because it's completely different formation and play than the modified kickoff.

[Sarah Spain]

I know you're busy. Thank you for spending time, Albert.

[Kyra K. Dixon]

Anytime, Dan. Appreciate it.

[Sarah Spain]

That's Albert Brear, the Monday morning quarterback, senior NFL reporter. Tried to get a better connection there, but sorry about that, but Albert gonna have a busy day and try to have him on again.

[Julie Swetnick]

Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our [e-mail] and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen live.

[Sarah Spain]

Hey, it's Steve Covino. And I'm Rich Davis. And together we're Covino Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific.

[Julie Swetnick]

On Fox Sports Radio.

[Sarah Spain]

And of course, the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything, life, sports, relationships.

[Julie Swetnick]

What'S going on in the world.

[Sarah Spain]

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved, too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Kohvino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich.

[Bob Pittman]

Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. I'm excited to Introduce a brand new season of my podcast Math and stories from the frontiers of Marketing. I'm having conversations with some interesting folks across a wide range of industries to hear how they reach the top of their fields and the lessons they learned along the way that everyone can use. I'll be joined by innovative leaders like chairman and CEO of Elf Beauty, Tarang Amin.

[Damian Maldonado]

The way I approach risk is constantly.

[Sarah Spain]

Try things and actually make it okay to fail.

[Bob Pittman]

I'm sitting down with legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist Jewel.

[Sarah Spain]

I wanted a way to do something that I loved for the rest of my life.

[Bob Pittman]

We're also hearing how leaders brought their businesses out of unprecedented times, like Stephane Bonsell, CEO of Moderna.

[Sarah Spain]

It becomes a human decision to decide to throw by the window your business strategy and put to do what you.

[Kyra K. Dixon]

Think is the right thing for the world.

[Bob Pittman]

Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math and the ever important creative spark, the magic. Listen to math and stories from the frontiers of Marketing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Sarah Spain]

I'm Camila Ramon Peloton's first Spanish speaking cycling and tread instructor. I'm an athlete, entrepreneur and almost most importantly, a Parrero enthusiast. And I'm Liz Ortiz, former pro soccer player and Olympian and like Commie, a Perreo enthusiast. Come on, who is it?

[Julie Swetnick]

Our podcast hastavajo is where sports, music and fitness collide and we cover it.

[Sarah Spain]

All, the Arriva Asta sit downs with real game changers in the sports world like Miami Dolphins CMO Priscilla Shumate, who is redefining what it means to be a Latina leader. It all changed when I had this.

[Julie Swetnick]

Guy come to me.

[Sarah Spain]

He said to me, you know you're not Latina. First of all, what is that? My mouth is wide open.

[Julie Swetnick]

Yeah.

[Sarah Spain]

History makers like the Sucar family who became the first Peruvians to win a Grammy. It was a very special moment for us. It's been 15 years for me in this career. Finally, things are starting to shift into a different level.

[Julie Swetnick]

Listen to Hasta vajo on the iHeartRadio.

[Sarah Spain]

App, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports. I'm Tomer Cohen, LinkedIn's chief product officer. If you're just as curious as I am about the way things are built, the insights behind what it takes to create a world renowned product, then tune into my podcast Building One. There's so much to learn, like how Patagonia innovates with its supply chain. We had to go out to farmers and convince them it was really damn hard. Or the way Adobe thinks about the first interaction somebody has with Photoshop.

[Kyra K. Dixon]

I was always so fascinated by how.

[Sarah Spain]

People navigate and find their way. Ever wanted to know how Nike builds emotion into the Jordan brand? You have to be obsessed with the current state of the human condition, and it doesn't stop there. What about how Glean reinvented knowledge? Search with AI you can learn about how a Michelin star chef is redesigning seeds for flavor and how Pixar is nurturing a creative culture.

[Bob Pittman]

Listen to Building One on the iHeartRadio app, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Sarah Spain]

Did you know that companies hire the.

[Damian Maldonado]

Most in the first two months of the year?

[Sarah Spain]

Or that nearly half of workers are.

[Damian Maldonado]

Worried about being left behind? I am Andrew Seaman, LinkedIn's editor at.

[Sarah Spain]

Large for Jobs and Career Development and my show Get Hired brings you all the information you need to, well, Get Hired. People are forming opinions of you even before you log into the Zoom or walk into the room. And so you really have to think, what is it I want to display? You don't plant a garden and then just walk away and expect it to thrive. You are in there pulling out the weeds. You're pruning it, you're watering it. It's the same thing with your network. You should always be in there actively managing your network. If you don't feel confident to say.

[Bob Pittman]

A number, even admitting that to a recruiter is going to be far better.

[Sarah Spain]

Than saying, well, what is your budget for the role? A lot is in the follow up, right?

[Kyra K. Dixon]

Don't wait to follow up.

[Damian Maldonado]

Whether you're a new grad, an established professional or company contemplating a career change.

[Sarah Spain]

Get hired is for you. Listen to Get Hired with Andrew seaman on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you like to listen. Ever wonder what it would be like.

[Julie Swetnick]

To be mentored by today's top business leaders?

[Sarah Spain]

My podcast this Is Working can help with that. Here's advice from Google CMO Lorraine Twohill.

[Julie Swetnick]

On how to treat AI like a partner.

[Sarah Spain]

I see AI as incredible co pilot. You may use different tools or toys to get the work done, but ultimately as editor, as creator, as maker, you own it and it needs to be good. AI is just the latest flavor of that. You're still the judge of what good looks like. I'm Dan Roth, LinkedIn's editor in chief. On my podcast this Is Working.

[Julie Swetnick]

Leaders like Indra Nooyi, Ray Dalio and.

[Sarah Spain]

Rich Paul share strategies for success and.

[Julie Swetnick]

The real lessons that have shaped them. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts.

[Sarah Spain]

Or wherever you get your podcasts. Adam Lefkoe, NBA on tnt, Inside the NBA. He hosts on Tuesday nights. He's also got a big podcast with Shaq Turner, Sports March Madness studio host. He does it all. Does it all. How's the ego? I mean, you know, you're getting a lot of run now. People know your name, you're talking to big time celebrities. Thanks for taking time out for this little show.

[Julie Swetnick]

People stopped me in the airport. It took a hit in a good way.

[Sarah Spain]

Do they stop you in a good way?

[Julie Swetnick]

Yeah, they say, hey, stop running into me, idiot. No, my ego took a huge hit after I came in here and I talked about Angel Reese and I argued with you. And then the Internet did stuff. And then you didn't have me on your show for, like, eight months. And then I would occasionally text you and be like, man, Caitlin Clark is so good. Just trying to appease your. What I thought was an ego. And so. No, I just.

[Sarah Spain]

I got to be honest with you, though, Adam. I didn't know that you were doing it for a reason. When you would just randomly.

[Julie Swetnick]

I just wanted to talk to you.

[Sarah Spain]

You. You would randomly send me a text going, man, that Caitlin Clark is phenomenal. And I'd be like, yeah, how am I supposed to answer that? Of course she is. Now, I understand that you were trying to curry favor or trying to win me back.

[Julie Swetnick]

Yeah, because I rewatched the video and I was like, I think Dan was actually angry and. No. So to know that maybe that wasn't the case.

[Sarah Spain]

What was the argument? Were you. Were you defending Angel Reese?

[Julie Swetnick]

And I thought I was talking Angel Reese. It was like stock was at the very highest. Like they had won eight in a row. And I was like, I don't know, Dan. She might win rookie of the year. And you were like, idiot, I've been.

[Sarah Spain]

In sports for 70 years, but I.

[Julie Swetnick]

Love you and I miss you.

[Sarah Spain]

All right, well, glad to have you.

[Julie Swetnick]

Back and your green hoodie.

[Sarah Spain]

Yeah, this is Adam Sandler, Happy Gilmore hoodie. Wow.

[Julie Swetnick]

By the way, you gotta wear that like, what, once a month? You can't wear that too often.

[Sarah Spain]

I know. I probably gone to it a little too often because, you know, people go.

[Julie Swetnick]

When you're wearing.

[Sarah Spain]

Yeah, you got the lime green. My daughter's in New York, and she's walking along the west side highway where they have basketball courts, tennis courts. She looks over and she sees somebody in a floral shirt and baggy basketball shorts. And she calls me and FaceTime, she goes, dad, Adam Sandler is playing a pickup game. And she FaceTimes me. So I'm watching Sandler for like five minutes on FaceTime trying to yell at him. And it was, you know, Pete, he gathered a crowd there going pick up basketball and he'll play anywhere with anybody. And he was in town for a charity thing.

[Julie Swetnick]

But we're watching, we're watching random 16 year olds on Twitch and there's millions of viewers. We should be streaming the Sandler pickup basketball. I would watch that on a, on a Tuesday at 2pm I'm watching Sandler take down random dudes. The Y. I'm in.

[Sarah Spain]

Well, he, he sent me a picture the last time he was playing in lower Manhattan with Timothy Chalamet. Yeah. And actually said, chalamet's got some game. So I was like, that makes sense.

[Julie Swetnick]

When I saw that Timothy Chalamet on two separate interviews, one said his style icon is Kenny the Jet Smith and then said his dream role is playing Ernie Johnson in a biopic. I went, this dude is definitely one of the guys up at 1am watching inside. Also, when did it become biopic and not biopic? When did we make that switch?

[Sarah Spain]

I have a problem with it as well. I thought it was, it was biopic, but I've heard, you know, and it's.

[Julie Swetnick]

Because someone British probably said biopic and we went, well, they're always right.

[Sarah Spain]

Are you okay with the final four, the heavyweights?

[Julie Swetnick]

I, I couldn't love it more. I've always been someone where I like. I wish we had more upsets in the round one, but I like all my upsets to happen in the round of 64. And then I like amazing basketball because at this point the ratings are going to be higher than they've ever been. The storylines write themselves. I think the Duke Houston game is going to be incredible. I mean, Houston, remember Jamal Shed got hurt last year against Duke in the sweet 16. They went out there, they retooled with Usan and so the motivation from that side, the seniors versus the stud freshmen. And on the other side, you get the SEC storyline battle that everyone's been obsessed with it. This is the best case scenario. Just like the 2017 Final Four was amazing as well.

[Sarah Spain]

He's Adam Lefkoe, NBA on TNT inside the NBA. Also co host of the big podcast with Shaq. Dan Patrick. Shut the hell up. Turner Sports March Madness studio host as well. We have already trademarked this. We wanted to do tanking Tops for like the, the pelicans they have. They have to wear tanking tops because they're tanking for flight.

[Julie Swetnick]

Like pennies. Like at high school practice.

[Sarah Spain]

Yeah, yeah. You must. You have to wear tanking tops in.

[Julie Swetnick]

Practice because tanking isn't obvious enough. Then like we need to make it more obvious when they're playing.

[Sarah Spain]

Yes, we want to shame them. Are the Sixers tanking?

[Julie Swetnick]

Yeah, like it seems like it. It seems like half the league is tanking because they too are watching the final four and seeing Cooper flag. This is the time of the year when everyone tries to solve tanking and my solve is just watch games like Houston, Louisiana And Minnesota Denver and just don't pay attention to them. I think it's you. Do you change the weight of the lottery is if you're not in the lottery is everyone get a chance to have the first pick in the draft. It's the same thing. I'm also an Eagles fan. Ban the tush push.

[Sarah Spain]

It's.

[Julie Swetnick]

I don't know, it just all seems unnecessary and excessive and arguing about like the parts of sports that you actually don't care about.

[Sarah Spain]

What's left to be settled with two weeks to go in the season.

[Julie Swetnick]

So right now the west is a cluster in terms of seating and I think everyone is either trying to fit like if Houston gets the 2 seed a sort of like we had a few years ago where everyone was jockeying to get seven to face Memphis because they were younger. That seems to be the jockeying right now. I mean you have some great teams in the west playing. Minnesota is a dangerous team. The Clippers are showing to be a dangerous team. And then in the east it's right now 1, 2, 3, look set and then do the Pacers get the 4? Where are the Bucs? I would love to see Bucks, Pacers, Pistons, Knicks I think is the best matchup in that middle ground. I don't think anyone's messing with Boston or Cleveland. But on the west you're trying to avoid the Thunder for as long as possible and you're probably trying to take on Houston because they can't score in a half court offense. And like we saw with Memphis all those years, you could be great in transition and offensive rebound. But once the playoffs start and it's called differently, if you can't score in a slow down game, you're going to be in trouble.

[Sarah Spain]

Does the success of the Lakers hinge on them playing defense?

[Julie Swetnick]

You know, and last night they put up 103. I would say it is. I would say Also, it's the, the, the. The other three point shooters last night. Gabe Vincent, Dorian, Finney Smith hit 12 threes combined and put up 40 points. And so Luca and LeBron are going to do their thing. I don't think we're going to get Austin Reeves dropping 30 points all the time. But who else can hit threes when Luka and LeBron dish? Because Lucas gravitational pull, as you know, is so strong, just like it was in Dallas. You need the Reggie Bullocks. You need those guys on the outside that can hit those threes when it matters. Defensively though, can we rely on LeBron weak side blocks in the clutch every game? I don't think so. They went out and tried to trade for Mark Williams, the center for Charlotte, who just went off for another 18 and 13. I don't know what happened with that injury scan, but they showed us right there they needed another big. They didn't have it. And that's why for me, the Lakers run is more likely next year.

[Sarah Spain]

This year, more all in on OKC or Cleveland.

[Julie Swetnick]

Okay, see that? That was the wrong Eastern Conference team to mention for me. I'm a Boston guy. I think that Boston right now is a little bit like okc where I feel like. And I don't think they're intentionally resting. But hey, Jalen Brown, you're off tonight. Just like okc. Hey, Jalen Williams, take some more rest. Boston right now, I would take over. I just, I'm still, I'm still. I need to see it with Cleveland and I'm just boring like that.

[Sarah Spain]

Yeah, I In the same thing with okc. We still need to see it.

[Julie Swetnick]

I don't know why I have more faith in Oklahoma City. Maybe it's because I know Cleveland battled Boston and battle back and have beaten Boston. I watched that OKC Boston game a few weeks ago with Chuck and I was just, I was flabbergasted. Like, we were just sitting there watching Oklahoma City play defense. And typically, like last night, Boston will swing, swing, swing. And by the fourth swing, they caught you in a bad defensive shift. But Oklahoma City is five guys that can all switch. It's Ludor, it's Caruso, both of their bigs, you know, Chet Hartenstein can switch. And I think against Boston, you need to have that position, versatility. And I think they have it. And I think. I, I don't know. I trust Dagnal a lot. I trust. I do trust the Thunder, even though.

[Sarah Spain]

They haven't done who's more interesting when the camera's not on Barclay Or Shaq.

[Julie Swetnick]

Interesting in different ways. Chuck is. So Chuck will go out in public and will interact with everybody, which I find endearing, but also wildly annoying, because you're never gonna get the story finished. So then, Adam, as I was telling.

[Sarah Spain]

You, the key to life is.

[Julie Swetnick]

Oh, you want a picture? Okay. Can you send them a round of drinks? Yeah. Where are you from, honey? That's great. And you're like, where? Shaq is like, we're gonna go into a private room by ourselves, and he's gonna. You know, Shaq is gonna tell you business stories about how he walked into a boardroom and was like, oh, shit. Whereas Chuck is gonna tell you a story about, you know, Barcelona in 92 very different people. But they're the best when they're together. You know, they're like. They're peanut butter and Joe.

[Sarah Spain]

I like, though, that Chaq didn't want money from a company. He wanted part of the company. He wanted equity.

[Julie Swetnick]

And now Chuck is finally in his equity bag. You know, now he's got Redmont Vodka, and he's got all of his companies. I want to know, you know, there's a. There's a chill that goes through the halls of TNT when we get an alert that says charles Barkley on the Dan Patrick show today. And I just want to know, like, is this, like, the Manchurian Candidate? Do you have, like, a little node in the back of his brain where you get him to say anything like, what have you done to this man? How have you controlled his brain?

[Sarah Spain]

One of the first times I met him, I did a Sunday conversation when he was still. No. He was with Phoenix, Although I did meet him when he was with the 76ers, but he talked about being a woman, and I. So we had somebody at ESPN kind of make him up as a woman. And we used the picture on the Sunday conversation with him, and he got the biggest kick out of that. And then I, like, I would just see him, and he stayed in touch, and it. It always feels like. Like, that's our normal conversation. If I'm around Reggie Miller, that'd be a normal conversation around Charles. Normal conversation. So all I try to do is bring normalcy to something that isn't normal. And that's an interview over zoom. And Shaq falls or Charles falls for it every time.

[Julie Swetnick]

It's. I think he love. He loves talking to people. He loves to talk to is one. Both of those two people are. Are top two in terms of love being themselves. Chuck loves me and Chuck and Shaq loves being Shaq and they've earned that. But Chuck to it to a T. Like, last night, I thought it'd be funny because I hit a parlay on NBA, on tnt, and Chuck has yet to hit one this year. And that was my second. And so I was like, let me FaceTime Chuck. He'll understand.

[Sarah Spain]

I know.

[Julie Swetnick]

And he picked it up. And I knew I was in trouble. Dan when he had his clear glasses and they were towards the edge of his nose, because as Chuck is out, they get further and further down, and then the talking gets louder and louder. And I. So I tried, and he. He got me. And then I FaceTimed him afterwards, and all I heard was, like, 10 dudes laughing. And I was like, where are you? He was like, oh, I'm out with the fellas. We were watching you, and when I saw you FaceTime me, I was like, you knew and you still tried to end my life? And he was like, yeah, yeah, that's. That's. That's Chuck, man.

[Sarah Spain]

Language.

[Julie Swetnick]

He's the goat.

[Sarah Spain]

Great job. Hope you're having fun.

[Julie Swetnick]

I'm having a blast. Can I ask you for advice?

[Sarah Spain]

Okay.

[Julie Swetnick]

Did you ever cover, like, tennis, like, extensively, or just sports?

[Sarah Spain]

I reported on it, like the US Open, but I didn't do anything where it was, you know, like Chris Fowler calling matches.

[Julie Swetnick]

Oh, no, never. We're host and we're not Playbook.

[Sarah Spain]

Yes.

[Julie Swetnick]

People, they're a whole weird. They like being on the road and staying in econo lodges. That's not our lives.

[Sarah Spain]

Yes.

[Julie Swetnick]

We like cushiness. We like someone that comes and puts our IFB back.

[Sarah Spain]

Are you going to be a host?

[Julie Swetnick]

Well, I'm. I'm at the point where I'm thinking, you know, I'm starting to do March Madness, and I'm thinking about other sports. What about baseball, about tennis, things like that. How. What is when you start to go, okay, I'm going to throw myself into another sport. I'm going to really study and learn.

[Damian Maldonado]

How do you.

[Julie Swetnick]

How do you. Dan Patrick, one of the greatest of all time. How do you throw yourself into a new school?

[Sarah Spain]

I throw it. I go into the deep end, but I go into the deep end with people who have been with the sport for a long, long time. So they are my floaties. I'm in the deep end. But I. I have these guys. Mike Milbury, when I did hockey, you know, you can just ask these guys. There's so many guys that, especially in that sport, who want to help you. And that helped me greatly when I went to the Olympics. You throw yourself in with Bob Costas and Al Michaels. I have the two greatest. And, you know, so now I just take. I just listen. But I. If you're going to do that, be around people who have done this because they want to know if you're real or not. They. And I just go in and I just say, hey, as if I don't know anything. Help me understand these things. And you'll be amazed at how much help that. Like Doc Emmerich. I just wanted to know how much he, like, why do you love the game so much? And he gave me that Costas with the Olympic and get, you know, you work so hard, you know, consecutive days. It's a grind, working the Olympics. But he said, you'll get, like. It'll hit you and you'll get caught up in it, and you'll just be on overdrive. You'll just be on adrenaline. And it was great. You know, those are very, very beneficial. But as a result, I'm doing that now. When Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison came in to football tonight, I said, I want you to put your egos to the side. I'm going to help you learn tv, you know, football. I'm going to help you with tv. And I think that's the important part is you can play a role to other, you know, people coming up, but people will play a role with you to help you understand the nuance. Certain things you say and don't say, terminology is really big. If somebody says, oh, you're in the bunker or you're in the sand trap, well, it like, you get the, you know, people who watch the sport who go be, oh, that guy doesn't know what he's talking about. Oh, he's out at home base. No, it's home plate. You know, silly things like that. But the more you're around people who love the sport and they're almost watchdogs, lifeguards for it, that'll help you, I think was beautiful.

[Julie Swetnick]

I appreciate you, Dan. And hey, Caitlin Clark, mvp, baby.

[Sarah Spain]

We got it this year, Dan. This is the year you think she's finally going to get the credit that she's due.

[Julie Swetnick]

I just wish people would pay more attention, you know, I just feel like they need to watch her.

[Sarah Spain]

Yeah, I know, I know.

[Julie Swetnick]

I don't know where they're going to watch her or find her. I don't know if she's got any national TV games this year, but she deserves.

[Sarah Spain]

Thank you, Lefkoe.

[Julie Swetnick]

Love you.

[Sarah Spain]

That's Adam Lefkoe.

[Julie Swetnick]

Be sure to catch the live edition.

[Sarah Spain]

Of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at 9:00am Eastern, 6:00am Pacific on Fox Sports.

[Julie Swetnick]

Radio and the iHeartRadio app.

[Bob Pittman]

Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. I'm excited to introduce a brand new season of my podcast, Math and Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. I'm having conversations with some interesting folks across across a wide range of industries to hear how they reach the top of their fields and the lessons they learned along the way that everyone can use. I'll be joined by innovative leaders like chairman and CEO of Health Beauty, Tarang Amin.

[Damian Maldonado]

The way I approach risk is constantly.

[Sarah Spain]

Try things and actually make it okay to fail.

[Bob Pittman]

I'm sitting down with legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist Jewel.

[Sarah Spain]

I wanted a way to do something that I loved for the rest of my life.

[Bob Pittman]

We're also hearing how leaders brought their businesses out of unprecedented times, like Stephane Bonsell, CEO of Moderna.

[Sarah Spain]

It becomes a human decision to decide to throw by the window your business strategy and to do what you think.

[Kyra K. Dixon]

Is the right thing for the world.

[Bob Pittman]

Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math and the ever important creative spark, the magic. Listen to math and magic stories from the frontiers of marketing on the iHeartRadio app. Apple Podcasts are wherever you get your podcast.

[Sarah Spain]

I'm Camila Ramon Peloton's first Spanish speaking cycling and tread instructor. I'm an athlete, entrepreneur and almost most importantly, a Perrero enthusiast. And I'm Liz Ortiz, former pro soccer player and Olympian. And like, call me a Perreo enthusiast. Come on, who is it?

[Julie Swetnick]

Our podcast Hasta Bajo is where sports, music and fitness collide and we cover it all.

[Sarah Spain]

The arriba, hasta abo sit downs with real game changers in the sports world like Miami Dolphins CMO Priscilla Shumate, who.

[Julie Swetnick]

Is redefining what it means to be a Latina leader.

[Sarah Spain]

It all changed when I had this.

[Julie Swetnick]

Guy come to me.

[Sarah Spain]

He said to me, you know, you're not Latina enough.

[Julie Swetnick]

First of all, what is that?

[Sarah Spain]

My mouth is wide open. Yeah. History makers like the Sucar family who became the first Peruvians to win a Grand Grammy. It was a very special moment for us. It's been 15 years for me in this career. Finally, things are starting to shift into a different level.

[Julie Swetnick]

Listen to Astavajo on the iHeartRadio app.

[Sarah Spain]

Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports. Ever wonder what it would be like.

[Julie Swetnick]

To be mentored by today's top business leaders.

[Sarah Spain]

My podcast this is Working can help with that. Here's some advice from Jamie Dimon, the CEO CEO of JPMorgan Chase, on standing.

[Julie Swetnick]

Out from the leadership crowd.

[Sarah Spain]

Develop your EQ A lot of people have plenty of brains, but EQ is do you trust me? Do I communicate well? You know, when you walk in a room, do people feel good you're there?

[Bob Pittman]

Are you responsive to people?

[Sarah Spain]

Do people know you have a heart? Develop the team, develop the people. Create a system of trust. And it works over time. I'm Dan Roth, LinkedIn's editor in chief. On my podcast this is Working leaders like Jamie Dimon, Mark Cuban and Richard.

[Julie Swetnick]

Branson share strategies for success and the real lessons that have shaped them.

[Sarah Spain]

Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Did you know that companies hire the.

[Damian Maldonado]

Most in the first two months of the year?

[Sarah Spain]

Or that nearly half of workers are worried about being left behind?

[Damian Maldonado]

I am Andrew Seaman, LinkedIn's editor at.

[Sarah Spain]

Large for Jobs and Career Development and my show Get Hired brings you all the information you need to, well, get hired. People are forming opinions of you even before you log into the Zoom or walk into the room. And so you really have to think about what is it I want to display? You don't plant a garden and then just walk away and expect it to thrive. You are in there pulling out the weeds. You're pruning it, you're watering it. It's the same thing with your network. You should always be in there actively managing your network. If you don't feel confident to say.

[Bob Pittman]

A number, even admitting that to a.

[Sarah Spain]

Recruiter is going to be far better. Better than saying, well, what is your.

[Bob Pittman]

Budget for the role?

[Sarah Spain]

A lot is in the follow up, right?

[Kyra K. Dixon]

Don't wait to follow up.

[Damian Maldonado]

Whether you're a new grad, an established professional, or contemplating a career change, Get.

[Sarah Spain]

Hired is for you. Listen to Get Hired with Andrew seaman on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you like to listen. I'm Tomer Cohen, LinkedIn's chief product officer. If you're just as curious as I am about the way things are built, the insights behind what it takes to create a world renowned product, then tune in to my podcast Building One. There's so much to learn, like how Patagonia innovates with its supply chain. We had to go out to farmers and convince them it was really damn hard. Or the way Adobe thinks about the first interaction somebody has with Photoshop.

[Kyra K. Dixon]

I was always so Fascinated by how people navigate and find their way.

[Sarah Spain]

Ever wanted to know how Nike builds emotion into the Jordan brand? You have to be obsessed with the current state of the human condition and it doesn't stop there. What about how Glean reinvented knowledge? Search with AI you can learn about how a Michelin star chef is redesigning seeds for flavor and how Pixar is nurturing a creative culture.

[Bob Pittman]

Listen to Building One on the iHeartRadio app, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Sarah Spain]

Let's bring in Jeff Pass into the mothership. How did we get here, Jeff, where Torpedo bats are all of a sudden all the rage. When. When was the first Torpedo bat used in Major League baseball?

[Damian Maldonado]

In the 2024 season, I believe it was Giancarlo Stanton. And you know when he had that October that he had last year to have seven home runs, 14 games and like, I feel like a clown, honestly, that I didn't notice it because it's such a different implement, right? Like you see it especially with Jazz Chisholm, it just looks different. And clearly it's hitting different for some of these Yankees players. And 15 home runs over the first three games. It's, I mean, it was quite the showing by that team.

[Sarah Spain]

What is the approval process for something like this? That using this bat and then getting Major League Baseball to sign off on it?

[Damian Maldonado]

It's actually a lot simpler than you would think. There are 41 manufacturing companies that are allowed by Major League Baseball's approval process to make bats. And as long as you have bats within specific specs, it can't be longer than 42 inches. The barrel can't be bigger than 2.61 inches in diameter. The handle has to be, I think 0.86 inches. As long as it's within those parameters and it remains a smooth cylinder, you can kind of distribute the weight however you want. And honestly, I'm surprised that it took this long for it to happen because the logic behind it that Aaron Leonard, who's now a coach with the Miami Marlins and was with the Yankees at the time and is an MIT educated physics professor, like the logic that he had, it's kind of simple. Imagine a bat as something where you have a wood budget, right? You have a specific amount of weight and mass to distribute over this implement. How do you want to spend your budget? Where do you want to put the majority of the wood or the majority of the mass? It kind of makes sense to put it where you strike the ball most frequently and that's about 6 or 7 inches down from the end of the bat. And, you know, it's like, this is such a baseball thing because we're caught up in the idea of what the game is supposed to look like. And yet we're in an era where teams are looking for every tiny, minuscule, marginal advantage imaginable because they understand that that 1% might be the difference between them winning a game and not winning a game. And so for them to do this, it was really just a matter of time. And more than that, this reminds me a lot of back when Rays started using the opener. Right. Like any other organization, you would have tried to do that with the pitchers. What, we're going to start a relief pitcher. What's. What's the point of this? Like, you need buy in. And that's where Aaron Leonard started this whole process. He went to players and he said, okay, how do we counteract the incredible pitching that exists in baseball right now? Like, what can we do? What would you like? And the players all got back to him and they said the same thing. We would like, like a bigger sweet spot. And so that's what they did. They went out and they made a better mousetrap.

[Sarah Spain]

Okay, but it's available for everybody, correct?

[Damian Maldonado]

Totally. Absolutely. It's. I mean, we saw it with Ellie Bella Cruz last night. You know, I had talked with a couple of bat manufacturers yesterday. Like, they've been preparing for this. Like, they went around during spring training this year, and there was a whole lot more intrigue among players beyond just the Yankees, to the point, you know, all of them, all of the major ones, at least have the ability to now turn a bat like this on their legs. And so this is going to answer the poll question. This is going to be common, and this is going to be something that is the new normal in baseball. Now, is everyone going to use it? No, of course not. Because bats are all about feel. And if a guy orders a torpedo bat and he's all in on it and then he goes over six, you know, he might say, I'm going to throw this into the wood pile, burn it. I don't ever want to see it again. But guys who are finding success this early, they're going to lean into it. And I think. I'm not going to say this is directly attributable to the torpedo bat, but it would not surprise me to see an increase in offense and baseball this year on account of better equipment.

[Sarah Spain]

And baseball can't, you know, have a problem with that. If there's more.

[Damian Maldonado]

No, no, it's it's just, it's always a matter of balance, right? Like we've seen this in sports in the past. You know, when Stan Makita curves his stick back in the 1960s and Bobby hall was using a curved stick as well. The NHL had to put rules into place on curvature because too much imbalance the game. When we saw swimmers wearing those full body suits in the Olympics and they were breaking world records all over the place, it's like, okay, is this, is this where we want our sport to go? To a place where technology is not just taking over, but taking it to an area that we never imagined and that throws off that natural balance. So baseball is always monitoring that sort of thing, but considering where gone in recent years, yeah, they can use an injection of it because pitching is so damn good these days.

[Sarah Spain]

Talking to Jeff Passon, ESPN Senior Baseball Insider, Speaking of pitching, I was wondering, I'm always of, I guess the awareness of things will come back around, like rushing attempts in the NFL. Like the running back would come back and we saw that last year. I'm wondering if there's going to be a comeback for a starting pitcher, but he's not starting a game. Let's say I, I start a game with relievers, but I get to the fourth inning and now I bring in a guy who's built for the rest of the game because some pitchers, like Mariana Rivera, was not a starting pitcher, but he became the greatest closer of all time. Certain guys are really good at closing other guys. You know, Kurt Schilling wasn't a good closer, became a great starter. So I wonder, could you see somebody who still keeps alive the workhorse pitcher in baseball?

[Damian Maldonado]

I think here's the flaw of that specific argument. I do, I do believe to be clear that there is room for a workhorse starting pitcher still. I think it's going to take an organization that has a risk profile that trends more toward risky because pitchers get hurt. That's the thing. But the issue I have with bringing a guy in in the fourth inning is that by the time he's the eighth or ninth, he's going to be going the third time through the order, right? And the beauty of relief pitching is that it's a new look that, that you haven't gotten a chance to see this guy and it's brand new stuff and you don't know what's humming that day and you don't know what might be a mediocre pitch that day. Like it's a fresh start. Whereas if you have that starter in in the fourth, and, you know, the starter in the fourth inning and bring him in by the end, he's going to be more tired. Generally, you know, unless you're like prime Justin Verlander, the crispness of your pitches are not quite the same in the latter innings as they were in the former, so. And especially because those eighth and ninth innings are the highest leverage spots in the game. Like, every run matters, right. A run in the first is equivalent to a run in the ninth. But when those 27 out start ticking down to 24 and 21 and 18 and down to, you know, nine and six and three, there's more value in that. There's more opportunity to win the game at that point. And that's when you want your freshest arms as opposed to guys who have been grinding through for 100 pitches.

[Sarah Spain]

What do we call the A's?

[Damian Maldonado]

I mean, I'm happy to call them the West Sacramento A's. Like, I know they don't want that, but we tend to have this thing in American sports where you have the city and then the nickname and not having one of those things, even with, like, the Redskins turning into the Washington football team, like, there's something after the city. So not acknowledging or recognizing the city outside of a patch on your shoulder, it's Bush. But, you know, that's kind of how the A's operate. It's a Bush organization, and they, you know, they're squatting in a minor league ballpark for three years right now, and it's super weird. And that. That is the expected consequence of 20 years of failure to build a stadium where, frankly, they should have and where a stadium was warranted. But John Fisher wanted to go to Vegas. And I, like, I get it. There's money to be made there. There's a stadium to be built there. But it's going to be a weird interim period.

[Sarah Spain]

In the meantime, I hope they get to host a playoff game.

[Damian Maldonado]

Me, too. I am with you on that. Did you see the media 10?

[Sarah Spain]

Yeah. Look good. Look very accommodating. We're calling them the Triple A's, so.

[Damian Maldonado]

Oh, I like that. But they're better than that. That's like, they're going to be a decent team this year.

[Sarah Spain]

Here's a stat for you before I let you go. In 1995, Tony Gwynn had 585 plate appearances. He struck out 15 times.

[Damian Maldonado]

Yeah.

[Sarah Spain]

In 2025, Raphael has struck out 15 times in 19 at bats.

[Damian Maldonado]

Yeah, I could. You know, I. I love those numbers. I also think that Comparing anyone to Tony Gwyn is badly unfair because that guy, he was. He was one of a kind. And I, you know, I love modern baseball. I would love to drop Tony Gwynn into 2025 to see what he would look like. Like, would he have it all embraced, the notion of launch angle and of exit velocity, or would he just be like, luis, arise perfectly happy to go around and just bat 320 every year?

[Sarah Spain]

I think Gwen would probably bat 320. But he would hit 30 home runs. Yeah, I think he hit 20 home runs. I mean, this is a guy who stole 50 bases in a season. I think he hit 20 home runs. I remember Wade Boggs telling me, if they want me to hit, if they wanted me to hit home runs, I would hit home runs. But there's no better guy in taking a ball to left field than Wade Boggs was. And that's what he was paid to do.

[Damian Maldonado]

And that's this. This goes full circle then, with the torpedo bats. Because the thing is, when you redistribute the wood down to the sweet spot, that means there's less wood in other areas of bat that do, like, make contact with the ball. Right. And so this is players saying that I am going to deprioritize contact for hard contact. I'm going to give up some of those balls that are just a little bit off the sweet spot in order for the other ones to be doubles and triples in home runs. And it's a very simple reason, because slug pays. And if you can hit the ball for power and have a high slugging percentage, you are going to get paid an arbitration, you are going to get paid in free agency. You are going to end your career in a much better position financially than somebody who goes out and hits.320 with a low selling percentage.

[Sarah Spain]

Great to talk to you as always. Thank you, Jeff.

[Damian Maldonado]

Pleasure is mine, Dan. And the lime green.

[Sarah Spain]

My God. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I think you're saying that's. That's great. Hey, all you women's hoops fans and folks who just don't know yet that they're women's hoops fans, we've got a big week over at Good Game with Sarah Spain. As we near the end of one of the most exciting women's college basketball seasons ever, the most parody we've seen in years, with games coming down to the wire and everyone wondering which team will be crowned national champions this weekend in Tampa, listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts. Or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bob Pittman]

Hi, I'm Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. I'm excited to introduce a brand new season of my podcast, Math and Magic Stories from the frontiers of Marketing. I'm having conversations with some folks across a wide range of industries to hear how they reach the top of their fields and the lessons they learned along the way that everyone can use. I'll be joined by innovative leaders like chairman and CEO of Elf Beauty, Tarang Amin, legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist Jewel.

[Sarah Spain]

Being a rock star is very fun.

[Julie Swetnick]

But helping people is way more fun.

[Bob Pittman]

And Damian Maldonado, CEO of American Finance.

[Sarah Spain]

I figured out the formula. I just have to work hard. Then that's magic.

[Bob Pittman]

Join me as we uncover innovations in data and analytics, the math and the ever important creative spark, the magic. Listen to math and Magic on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast you feel in.

[Sarah Spain]

This too is a horror anthology podcast. It brings different creators to tell ten vile.

[Damian Maldonado]

No, no, no, no, no, no.

[Sarah Spain]

Grotesque. Oh my God. Horrific stories on what scares them the most. You feeling this too? Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up everyone? Julie Switbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Julie Swetnick]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Sarah Spain]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb. Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life.

[Kyra K. Dixon]

All topics are fair game, right?

[Sarah Spain]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Julie Swetnick]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Sarah Spain]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Mel Reid, LPGA Tour winner and six time Ladies European Tour winner and Kyra K. Dixon, NBC Sports report and host. And we've got a new podcast, Quiet Please with Mel and Kira. We are bringing you spicy takes on.

[Julie Swetnick]

Sports and pop culture.

[Sarah Spain]

Some interviews with incredible people who have figured out how to make golf their superpower. And iheart Wins Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Elf Beauty, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.