PMS 2.0 1531 - The Masters Preview, Quentin Richardson, Jason Kelce LIVE From The Masters, Jeff Passan, Darius Butler, & AJ Hawk

Summary

The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, Episode 1531 – “Masters Preview” and More

Date: April 8, 2026
Host: Pat McAfee (with AJ Hawk, Boston Connor, Ty Schmidt, Tone Digs, Darius Butler, and guests Quentin Richardson, Jason Kelce, Jeff Passan)

---

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the 2026 Masters Tournament, featuring live check-ins from Augusta with Jason Kelce, insightful and comedic analysis of the Masters field, statistical breakdowns predicting winners, candid NBA talk with Quentin Richardson, and an MLB roundup with Jeff Passan. The show keeps its trademark blend of humor, hot takes, sports knowledge, and friendly banter. The team also launches a new “Guess Who” segment, using data trends to whittle down realistic Masters winners.

---

Key Segments & Timestamps

• [00:00] Masters Preview & Sports Roundtable
• [14:43] Quentin Richardson on NBA Tanking and Playoff Picture
• [32:49] Jason Kelce LIVE from The Masters Par 3 Contest
• [66:38] Jeff Passan on MLB Season, Pirates, & “Sources Tell Jeff”
• [101:29] Masters “Guess Who” Statistical Elimination Game
• [113:20] “Oh No!” Bloopers Segment

---

1. Masters Preview – Banter, Tradition, Personalities

Theme: Why the Masters is different, previewing key players, the tournament’s traditions and energy.

Highlights

• Pat’s green shirt is back out of respect for the Masters:
  “I wore this green shirt today… found it for the Masters. Feels like it’s apropos for what's about to happen down in beautif Augusta, Georgia…” (00:00)

• The Masters as a unique throwback in sports:
  “It’s a trip back in time while celebrating the now. And I cannot wait to see who is deemed Masters champion on Sunday.” (00:40)

• Discussion of favorites and storylines:

  • Scotty Scheffler: How will new fatherhood affect him?
  • Rory McIlroy: Time to redeem his Augusta legacy.
  • Jon Rahm & Bryson: Wild-card threats.
  • Mixing live/LIV tour and PGA regulars.
  • Long shots and villainy: Patrick Reed as the “villain” and slow play characters. (03:23)

• Masters signals start of true golf season for casuals and die-hards alike.

• Par 3 Contest: Celebratory, family-focused, “the last day of jovial competition before the Masters begins.”
  “Jason Kelce will be boots on the ground and joining us in about 28 minutes...” (02:20)

---

2. Masters Analysis, Stats & Betting

Theme: Picking winners, the nature of Masters champion trends, Daily Fantasy talk.

Insights

• Betting on big names is wise:
  “It does feel like the stars show up at the Masters.” (07:17)
• Masters rarely has outlier winners—first-timers or amateurs seldom break through.
• Breaking down elite groupings and predicting excitement (“Keopka, Rose, Spieth… that’s a good one.” 09:11)
• Brief debate about which guys can handle Sunday pressure; Oberg’s Sunday struggles discussed (10:19).
  “He’s been the best Thursday through Saturday player. Sunday’s been tougher for Oberg.” (10:18)
• Amateurs as story: “Amateur going crazy would be wild. And it seemingly happens every year…” (10:44)

---

3. Quentin Richardson on NBA Tanking, Playoffs, & Player Mentality

[14:43–31:47]

Key Points

• Tanking Controversy:

  • Recent tanking “blatancy” noted; teams fouling to actually lose games for draft odds.
  • “I've never seen that one before where they're up and they foul one of the better free throw shooters... That's crazy to me.” (14:43, Q. Rich)
  • Tanking’s roots: Small markets struggling to sign stars; they must draft one.
  • 2026 Draft deep: More teams actively tank this year due to prospect quality.

• NBA West & East Playoff Picture:

  • Top heavy in the West; bottom teams can get hot but top seeds likely to prevail.
  • LeBron’s age and legacy discussed.
  • Celtics as favorites; Jason Tatum’s recovery from Achilles rope in hope for Haliburton (29:39).

• Awards Eligibility & Load Management:

  • The “65-game” rule: Wembanyama may lose awards eligibility over legit injury.
  • Balance between player health, fan expectations, and contract/award implications.
  • “We brought it upon ourselves... Now it’s being held against players.” (26:27, Q. Rich)
  • Adam Silver’s adaptability in keeping NBA fresh—players want change, now have to live with new rules.

Notable Quotes

• “You have to be made to be an Eagle. You have to be a Dallas Cowboy. You have to be made for the star.” (51:13, Pat McAfee)
• “Winning cures all. But when you aren’t winning at the level where you’re expected to, that’s when all this shit gets much, much louder.” (49:57, AJ Hawk)

---

4. Jason Kelce Live from The Masters

[32:49–43:59]

Highlights

• Vibe at Augusta:
  “The vibes are great. This part three contest is something I’ve been learning a lot about and it’s very family oriented, fun…” (33:13, Jason Kelce)
• **Golf fan perspective & family experience: **
  • Par 3 is “remarkable,” compared it to hypothetical Super Bowl flag football the night before: “Couldn’t imagine.” (33:13)
• Player picks:
  • “Winmu Lee, … Ludwig Oldberg ... Scotty … those are probably the guys I’m looking at.” (34:07, Jason Kelce)
• Augusta food traditions:
  • Pimento cheese: “That’s the one I like to roll with…” (37:49, Jason Kelce)
  • “$15 goes a long way here at the Masters.” (37:49)
• The Augusta code:
  • Wouldn’t dare refuse a tee shot invitation; “I am not refusing anything.” (36:41)
• Eagles locker room drama:
  • Reason for constant drama: Philadelphia is “an insatiable fanbase” and a big media market. “The media attention in Philadelphia is incredible…” (40:41)
  • Success silences controversy; “When you’re winning, there happens to be not so much drama.” (40:41)
  • On Hurts and the coming season: “Big year for him. … I think the drama is going to start going the other direction at some point.” (43:22)

Memorable Jason Kelce moment

• “The pimento cheese sandwich I think is $1.50, and it is one of my favorites…” (37:49, Jason Kelce)
• “Would have been quite a… you trying him a little bit. Would have been quite a… (regarding wearing Hawaiian cut-offs at Augusta)” (37:07, Pat & Jason Kelce)

---

5. MLB Update with Jeff Passan

[66:38–99:44]

Major Topics

• Pittsburgh Pirates and the Connor Griffin Contract:

  • “This is the biggest contract in Pirates history. $140 million… giving this to a guy who’s had less than a week in the big league.” (74:18, Jeff Passan)
  • Pirates using “leadership contracts” to lock in young potential before free agency, following MLB trend.
  • “Bucko fever” in Pittsburgh; fans literally stealing cones as a playful symbol (76:41+)

• MLB League Trends:

  • NL Central is no longer “Comedy Central,” but a legit division (77:40).
  • The Yankees and Dodgers as the clear top teams; rest of league sorting out in early season.

• Technology in the Game – ABS & Pitch Calling:

  • ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) challenge system liked by players, managers still adapting, umpires evolving with real-time feedback:
    “All umpires ever want to do is get the call right… Now they can be told in real time what their zone looks like.” (79:56, Jeff Passan)
  • Marlins' new pitch-calling system: Calls relayed from the dugout to pitcher/catcher; likely to be widespread soon.
  • Segment on baseball fights: Walt Weiss’s double leg takedown—“textbook”—and use of a ball as a fist amplifier.

Funny/Notable Moments

• “In the offense, it’s not great. The bats have just gone absolutely flaccid.” (87:26, Jeff Passan on Red Sox)
• “Sources tell Jeff Passan” – Jeff’s new podcast launches; aim to cover both superstar and untold stories in MLB.

---

6. Masters “Guess Who” Segment – Data-Driven Prediction

[101:29–109:54]

Segment Flow

• Concept: Use Masters champion trends to eliminate the field down to likely winners:

  • Must have won in the last 4 months
  • Around 29 years old
  • Top 30 in World Golf Rankings
  • Satisfy at least 14 of 19 historical statistical trends

• Final “Guess Who” Board: Scheffler, Morikawa, Bridgman, Etarius, Cam Young, Fitzpatrick, DeChambeau, Jon Rahm.

• Conclusion: “One of these six will be the Masters champion this weekend. And we like to say to them, congratulations.” (106:06, Pat McAfee)

• Commentary:

  • “It all feels too big for… You have to be there. You have to experience it.” (107:09, Pat McAfee)
  • “The trend shows people aren’t just coming out of nowhere and winning the Masters.” (107:00, Connor)

---

7. Viral and “Oh No!” Sports Bloopers Segment

[113:20–116:39]

• A rapid-fire wrap-up of the funniest fails, bloopers, and viral oddities from recent sports.
• Baseball fielding errors, blown relays, fan mishaps, and a peek at Dan Orlovsky’s lost bet earring.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Masters:

  • “I wore this green shirt today … found it for the Masters. Feels like it’s apropos for what’s about to happen down in beautif Augusta, Georgia…” (00:00, Pat McAfee)
  • “The Masters is kind of the kickoff of those four majors or the four major, major tournaments.” (04:12, Connor)

• On NBA drama:

  • “Winning cures all. But when you aren’t winning at the level where you’re expected to, that’s when all this shit gets much, much louder.” (49:57, AJ Hawk)

• On Philadelphia sports fandom:

  • “I think you got to be made to be an Eagle. Like you have to be a Dallas Cowboy. You have to be made for the star.” (51:13, Pat McAfee)

• Massive MLB contracts:

  • “This is the biggest contract in Pirates history…$140 million to a guy who's had less than a week in the big league.” (74:18, Jeff Passan)

• On the “Guess Who” champion selection:

  • “One of these six will be the Masters champion this weekend. And we like to say to them, congratulations.” (106:06, Pat McAfee)

---

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Warm, irreverent, and insightful—a big “sporting Christmas Eve” energy.
• Blends high-level statistical analysis with locker room style banter and jokes.
• Exclusive feeling, especially with Jason Kelce’s live report from Augusta.
• Candid honesty about sports media, fan expectations, and the evolving nature of major leagues.
• Keeps sports entertainment accessible, interactive, and fun, whether you’re a diehard or casual.

---

For listeners pressed for time:

• Quickest catch-up: Masters preview (00:00–14:00), Quentin Richardson on the NBA (14:43–31:47), Jason Kelce at Augusta (32:49–43:59), MLB with Jeff Passan (66:38–99:44), “Guess Who” Masters segment (101:29–109:54).
• Funniest & most memorable: Food at Augusta, Jason Kelce’s caddying, cone-stealing fans in Pittsburgh, Red Sox misery rants.

---

A highly entertaining sports talk episode, loaded with Masters magic, behind-the-scenes NFL/NBA insight, and the sense you’re hanging out with your funniest, most plugged-in sports-fan friends.

Transcript

[Pat McAfee]

Hello, beautiful people, and welcome to our humble abode, the Thunderdome on this Master's Eve. Wednesday, April 8, 2026. This program begins now. Sports are happening all around us. And I wore this green shirt today. You know, this is probably the only green shirt you see me wear. It is in rotation. Used to be more it did fall out because I lost it in a pile in my office over there. Found it for the Masters. Feels like it's apropos for what's about to happen down in beautif Augusta, Georgia, as the Masters of Golf will do battle down in a absolutely stunning, gorgeous golf course with not only Jim Nance providing the soundtrack of perfection, but golfers slicing and dicing these hills and rolling fields of perfection all weekend to see who is going to be wearing a green jacket at the very end of this. Now. There's a lot of traditions. There's a lot of lingo, there's a lot of words. There's a lot of history. There's people without their phones watching something live on television. It's a trip back in time while celebrating the now. And I cannot wait to see who is deemed Masters champion on Sunday. It's going to be a battle. You got some live golfers that are certainly in the mix. You got PGA guys, obviously, always dancing. Scotty Scheffler just had a baby. Congratulations. How's he going to be coming out of that? How we all understand what human buds is there after you have a child those first couple weeks. I don't know if you even day one's day 10, which is day 20, which is all kind of in there. How's Scottie Scheffler going to be able to handle. Is this a nice little maybe break away from, you know, super duper parenting baby love kid? Obviously everybody but anybody that has a child understands what this is about. And then maybe Scotty gets out there and goes crazy. Maybe Rory McIlroy feels free because he's won one. Congrats to him for that. There's also a lot coming out about Rory. Maybe Rory needs a little chance to go ahead and lock in in Augusta and change what the conversation is about him. Dechambro how he feel. Rombo Bombo is back playing good golf. There is so many ingredients for an absolutely magical puzzle of the Masters weekend. And it all starts today. That's right, the par three.

[Connor]

Hell yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Today they have fun and kind of batted around a little bit on the par three course. Here's a live look at what's going on. Spaeth obviously spinning it swing looks good. Maybe Jordan Spieth out of nowhere, long shot. Jordan Spieth wins the Masters because he goes right in the sand on this particular par 3. As you remember, the par 3 course is its own thing. Then across the street is obviously full course in the street, I mean is the Magnolia way. I believe in the front. This is something that has obviously become a massive sensation because the family, families are out there, the friends are out there. It's the last day of jovial competition before the Masters begins tomorrow morning. Jason Kelce will be boots on the ground and joining us in about 28 minutes or so from the par 3 tourney. I cannot wait to catch up with him. People were pumped that he was going down.

[Connor]

Oh yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I do know that the conversation around this par three for the last few years has been hey, how do we kind of make this a little bit bigger feel like a thing? I think it is certainly a celebration. I think Jason Kelce going down there is fantastic for them. And I want people to know reiterate again, they're all always be a master standard. So let's not think that they're ever going to lose that. The toxic tables here at Boston Connor and at Ty Schmidt wearing the buck because you're not bucking around there. Is that what you got going on on your shirt right there?

[Connor]

Sure, sure. Not bucking around more. So just the green, you know, green pants shout out to Hollies as well Green kind of throw up. Someone say, but no, this is it. This is when golf starts. Like I am juiced for this as a golf casual players is kind of like the hey, we're back. Remember golf, it's about to be golf season. This is fun Masters where it's like, okay, Thursday to Sunday, like let's lock in. Let's watch some very good golf. All those guys you mentioned, calm, young, felt like when he came on the program a few weeks ago after he won the players, it was like, okay, new guy that we might be able to kind of root for. Got a cool beard as movie star looks. It's like, all right, this guy's nasty with the putter. Like it feels as though there are a few of those guys still a few villains. And I'm not going to name names. Patrick Reed, perhaps from Augusta, the Georgia area. No, no other real names aside from that that I can really think of off the top of my head.

[Pat McAfee]

So that was the only person I'm

[Connor]

trying to just think of. English guys, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood. But we kind of like those guys. So I. I don't. I don't want to say they're. They're villains as much. Can't lay Boom. Because he plays so slow. But this is where you start to remember that stuff. Like the Masters is kind of the kickoff of those four majors or the four major major tournaments. I'm pumped.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I agree with everything you just said there, and you did find it, you know, and I'm happy we do have the character. Play slow. Who plays slow? You need those characters.

[Connor]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

Harmon still doing it?

[Connor]

Oh, yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

Mr. Waggle.

[Pat McAfee]

But I like the way the TV companies or the networks have decided, like, hey, let's not. This guy's going through it every shot. Hey, the Waggle. Everybody gets mad at him for watching. Think about what he's saying to himself. I mean, could you imagine what's going on in there? Every single one of those. That is so mean. I couldn't even fathom what's going through there. So I like that the networks no longer, like, show it. They, like, catch up to him, like 10 waggles in, and it's like, all right, we just catch the tail end of. Because it did feel a little bit uncomfortable as they were showing us the entire thing, because you're literally watching a man just say, shot.

[Ty Schmidt]

Guys don't feel good.

[Pat McAfee]

No. Like, every time I got into a little bit of one of those when I was kicking and punting, it's not a good place to get to. And there's some that just continue to carry on. I was with a kicker who had 20 years worth of, like, things that he kept. Stover. Stover had, like, a routine on how he did everything, and he had a long career, successful career, and it was like, wow, this is the most routine oriented person I've ever seen. So, like, every time he went through it, it was like, oh, this has been built up. He's got to do this. Got to do this thing. He's got to do this feel like that whenever we're watching Harmon now, they cut that off. That's good. So I'm happy you didn't name him.

[AP Tone]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I think he has gotten. Only better.

[AP Tone]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Now on that note, Cantley, they say they don't like that.

[Connor]

No, not at all.

[Pat McAfee]

They say he takes a long time. Patrick Reed, they say he's rude. They say he's.

[Connor]

Sometimes they say he's kind of playing with the ball. They do say that, if I recall, in the sense you don't want to

[AP Tone]

use a C word, but yeah, yeah,

[Connor]

I don't want to use A C word ever in any context, whether I'm in England or I'm here.

[Pat McAfee]

H E A T. Oh, they're saying he cheated.

[Ty Schmidt]

There's some Tom foolery.

[AP Tone]

I don't want to say that.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, I like the golf seasons all the way.

[AP Tone]

Allegedly.

[Pat McAfee]

This is where we're in the middle of it. Yeah. We're just saying what has been said, obviously. Clearly, one half of the hammer died. Cowboys AP tone. You know, we're going to do a little thing in the second hour that's going to basically showcase who is going to be from what, what History will tell us the stats that we got from past Masters who probably will win this thing. And I think it's a nice little piece of information. Oh, yeah, we got a lot of. We got a lot of people did some research into this thing, try to find some stuff, and then we kind of pieced it together. Whenever you're betting on a thing like the Masters, is it one of those we should just do the names that we're doing? Because I'm a part of this thing where I got to pick six players for 20,000 bucks or something.

[Connor]

Super fun.

[Pat McAfee]

The amount of money, it's a lot of fun. I'm really excited that I'm doing it.

[AP Tone]

Daily Fantasy for golf.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Is that what it is? Yes.

[AJ]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. So I'm doing Daily fantasy for Golf now with the super duper, super Williamston golf team. Jordan, this guy sends me emails all the time, reminds me I need to do it. It's been a blast to be a part of. I have not fared well in this.

[AP Tone]

Sure.

[Pat McAfee]

But the Masters one, I feel good because I just picked everybody I know. Is that what we need doing Masters? It does feel like the stars show up at the Masters.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[AP Tone]

In the Masters, the majors and then the Masters specifically. Like, it's a long shots have not won in the Masters in a long time. It's. You're going to see a lot of the big dogs up top and then. Yeah, you talk about like the. There's not a lot of outliers. Okay. There's first time winners. They don't win. Their amateurs don't win there. Old guys normally don't win there unless

[Ty Schmidt]

it's boom, boom, boom. Yeah.

[AP Tone]

But like playing the big names in the Masters is not a bad thing. Like, even if whatever the odds are. Like, a lot of times you're like in these other tournaments, it's like the odds aren't worth it. The Masters is one place where the odds are worth it because you see A lot of the big names at the top of the tournament and winning this tournament majority of the time, which

[Pat McAfee]

is why it's so good, because we will watch golf if we know the names on the leaderboard.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

We all turn on golf. We'll poke our head over there, we'll see the leaderboard, we'll see some names that we know, and we go, oh, okay. Feels like we can watch some magic here. It's just natural now. It's things for the new guys, but when the new guys are on leaderboards with people that we know, that's when their time is kind of to shine. That's when the spotlight is literally on. I think we would do that with the John Deere Super Duper Open in a couple weeks if it did have a bunch of names. I think golf has that ability. The Masters every year seemingly has that leaderboard in the weekend. And it's a star studded affair. We're excited for it. Nine year NFL vet, great golfer.

[Connor]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

New to the game, but learning it quickly. Ladies and gentlemen, Darius Shay Baller. And that's what's going on. Cannot wait for that. Cannot wait for that. To hit the timeline again. Masters bring a lot of great golf conversation and to Connor's point, kind of introduce us to the golf season and great moments.

[AJ]

You always remember the moment, especially on Sundays, but getting started on Thursday, I'm. I'm already getting excited just seeing those groupings that they have, which I guess which group kind of jumps out to you that you got to have your eyes on from the jump.

[Pat McAfee]

I mean, Kapka, Rose, Spieth is a good one. Kept being in there just with a little bit of sauce.

[AP Tone]

That's a fun one.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, like, and I think Spieth, maybe let's play some good golf. Rose seemingly friends with everybody. Maybe people are saying Rose maybe this year because he watched his friend last year and Rory get the dub or whatever the case was. DeChambeau, Fitzpatrick and Schoffley. That's fun. Xander's playing good golf right now. Different types of people and everybody likes DeChambeau. And then Fitzy almost won a couple weeks ago at the Players. Right.

[Ty Schmidt]

And then did win.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, they won after.

[Connor]

Yeah, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

So he's playing good golf. Sheffler, McIntyre and Wood that. Now Gary brings the.

[Connor]

Yeah, that's a needle mover.

[AP Tone]

Gary just won.

[Pat McAfee]

That's a needle mover.

[Ty Schmidt]

And sheffler and Bobby McIntyre, obviously.

[AP Tone]

Oh, he's done it.

[Connor]

My CTV Scottish legend.

[AJ]

That Rambo Ronbo Group. Rambo got her up In Oberg. Can he get over the hump? You talk about Herman. You talk about Oberg like he has all the tools. And he's the opposite of those other guys. The Villains, as you call them. He gets up over the ball. He sees it.

[Q. Rich]

Boom.

[AJ]

Gets the club out.

[Pat McAfee]

Boom.

[AJ]

Beautiful swing. I wonder if he can get over the hump. Won't be on my team until he does because I'm tired of.

[Pat McAfee]

Are you talking about the thing that we're doing? Yeah.

[AJ]

Yeah. He won't make.

[AP Tone]

He's been the best Thursday through Saturday player.

[AJ]

Yeah.

[AP Tone]

Sunday's been tougher for Oberg.

[Connor]

Yeah. I mean, who cares about all those.

[Pat McAfee]

All that.

[Connor]

Okay. Because that guy's gonna shit down his leg.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay.

[Connor]

McElroy in the Amateur. I want to see this. How.

[Ty Schmidt]

Of course.

[Connor]

Cam Young. Yeah. Superstar just mentioned him. But McElroy and Howe. Every year feels like an amateur. Gets it done.

[Pat McAfee]

Is this the kid from Georgia?

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Schlabach.

[Connor]

Brought up yesterday in the Crow's Nest. Not the fridge, but the other one.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. They say he's Go Dogs.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah. Yeah. Exactly.

[Pat McAfee]

They say he's got dogs down there. He can really spin it there. Saying the bull can spin it down there. Amateur going crazy would be wild. And it seemingly happens every single year. And it's a moment that maybe supersedes what the rest of their careers look like.

[Jeff Passan]

Definitely.

[Pat McAfee]

And that's what the Masters.

[AP Tone]

Neil Shipley.

[Pat McAfee]

It's not just. Exactly. It's not. We don't know where he's at. He's gonna head up and to the right.

[Connor]

Texas A and M kid. A few as well.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, yeah.

[Connor]

I forget what his name was.

[Ty Schmidt]

I was gonna say.

[Pat McAfee]

I can't remember.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah. Bennett something.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

Sam Bennett.

[Jason Kelce]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

There we go.

[Jason Kelce]

Good.

[Pat McAfee]

Pulled two ends, two T's. That was during the Mike Block run too, right? Wasn't it?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't.

[Ty Schmidt]

Blocky didn't get invited to the Master.

[AJ]

Never mind at all.

[Ty Schmidt]

So let's pump the brakes. Blocky ain't never played at the Masters, nor will he.

[Connor]

So Happy Gilmore, too. He did.

[Ty Schmidt]

Was he? Was he. I don't remember his Very big unmemorable.

[Pat McAfee]

Why do you still have. Why do you still have.

[Ty Schmidt]

I shouldn't. You're right. I shouldn'.

[Pat McAfee]

What?

[Ty Schmidt]

Today's the day I let it go. I let it go. I don't ever want to see him in a tournament again. Playing, you know, taking the spot of some other guy who can actually win. But. But I'm good with Blocky. Blocky's that dude. So I'll.

[AP Tone]

I'll.

[Ty Schmidt]

I'll go ahead and.

[Pat McAfee]

Sounded like you just at the very end. No, you know what?

[Connor]

You were finally seeing it.

[Ty Schmidt]

No, I. I, like, I. Let me take that back. I'm not going to go that far, but I'm okay with Blocky. I'm okay with Blocky. Man, that feels good.

[Pat McAfee]

He is that dude.

[Ty Schmidt]

He fucking crossed that off the list. All right.

[Pat McAfee]

That's a huge deal. It is. Yeah. That's a huge deal for Ty right there. We all love Blocky Guy hit a hole in one.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Legend guy went crazy.

[Connor]

He was in contention at the US Open.

[Pat McAfee]

The guy went crazy. Living his dream, then obviously taking advantage of everything he does. One podcast say, if I could drive the ball like Roy, I'd be the best player on earth.

[Ty Schmidt]

Exactly.

[Pat McAfee]

And then Ty immediately. All right, enough. Yeah, get him out. And then he got in the svz, was at the S. Bucket. I got a chance to meet him. He was so cool, so nice to me. Tiger. Of course he was. Ty has hated this.

[AJ]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Just living his dream. He's a great golfer, too. We need to.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, certainly.

[Pat McAfee]

But on that note, I'm happy you two are on.

[Ty Schmidt]

I know I'm back.

[Pat McAfee]

You know, he might hold a grudge against you still, though, because you're fine.

[Ty Schmidt]

That's fine. And he can do that. He can do that. I'm just. I'm not going to waste any more, you know, bandwidth in my brain or energy on hating Blocky. There's just no reason.

[Pat McAfee]

Todd. Okay. So Masters, obviously, is the. Welcome to huge golf season. We can't wait for it. And obviously ESPN will be on the coverage all day today. I think they've already started on espn, Disney plus and maybe even some other social platforms. I'm not exactly sure we'll be watching all weekend as well. We're off Thursday and Friday. Friday night live from San Jose. I think I got some things to say. I think we will have a good there on Smackdown, but pivot away from golf and from the WWE, which is about to have the biggest WrestleMania in the history. WrestleMania as Randy Orton saves the business and wins his 15th world title. We also have NBA coming to an end here.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Connor]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey. Regular season of NBA is coming to an end. Playoffs right around the corner. There's a lot of dancing for the playing games. Who's going to get in, who's going to get out? Doesn't matter. Okay. Doesn't matter. And what the hell's going on with Tanking? I heard a team.

[AJ]

Yep.

[Connor]

Was winning Disgusting, right? Kings versus Warriors.

[AJ]

Warriors.

[Pat McAfee]

They were winning the game. Leighton said, no, no. Who's a good free thresher? Curry.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

They accidentally fouled Seth. Bang. Loose game.

[AJ]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Draymond Green comes out. That was weird to feel. Could you imagine fans watching that?

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, a man, 13 year NBA vet, former three point champion, friend of the program. Q. Rich, what the hell's going on? These teams are fouling late when they're winning, trying to get the other team to make two free throws so they can lose. This is not good for the game. This is not good for sports. Q. Rich, you need to figure it out. Is this happening? How often does this happen?

[Q. Rich]

I've never seen that one before where they're up and they foul one of the better free throw shooters on the team. I felt like Draymond was right on point with everything he said. I've never seen that in the game where a team is trying so hard to tank that they start fouling while they're winning. That was crazy to me. When I saw that, I was like, nah, this is definitely gonna get Adam Silver's attention right here.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Just whether that's a call down or somebody on the bench saying it, but somebody just being like, no, no, no, no, no. Not by too much. This is kind of like corn dogs, Jackie. Corn dogs. For the entire thing. Trying to sabotage a little bit. We are trying to gain a couple percentages in the draft lottery. We want to be able to have 8% chance to get the number one overall pick as opposed to 6.8% chance of getting.

[Q. Rich]

Look, the referee don't quite understand. This was nasty work. What was going on? This was bad. This was not good. Just look at their faces. They like, he's intentionally fouling. Like, nobody understands what's happening. But like you said, I feel like the message was sent. I don't know if it was from up top or from the bench or something, but they said, hey, hey, hey. We don't need to, like, go in there and do something, get something done.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, Q. Rich, real quick. Honestly, this year it feels like it's more blatant, obviously. I mean, this would be the most blatant of all time, but it feels like it's much more blatant now. Everybody is trying to get a higher percentage for the draft lottery, and nobody really gets that high of a percentage in the draft lottery. Right. Like that. This is all very low numbers. Single digits up to like 12% or 13%. I forget what it is. That is literally what this is all about is just trying to get a high draft pick and hoping that you can get a superstar player from your understanding. And how long has this been happening in the NBA? Because I think what I've heard from some places, from our source says in different places, you know, basically these teams are like, we can never get a superstar here unless we draft a superstar because free agency has become we're only going to pick to what place we're going to go. And then whenever you get traded to a place you work a new contract so you're there for however long, and then until you pick, you want to go somewhere else. And it's like some of these places, like, we're not sure that we're ever just going to get picked unless we draft somebody that people are going to want to come play with. So the draft is their only hope, really. Is that like basically the problem in a nutshell, and is it fixable, you think? And has it always been an issue in your eyes?

[Q. Rich]

Q. I think it's something that's kind of always been there, and I do believe it's fixable. I don't I'm not the guy that's got the answers for it, but I think I do think it can be fixed. But I think it's always been been something that's always happened. I think the difference between this year and probably most other years is that we've never had this many teams doing it at once. And I think it's a combination, you know, like a lot of teams are doing well, different circumstances as to why. But I think when you look at this draft, people are projecting these guys to really be a deep draft and one of the better drafts in a long time and possibly in the history. They got some some really talented young guys, some freshmen, some other guys are mixed in there that are really good players, and these guys are supposed to be able to come in and change some franchises. So now I think this season in particular, we've seen more of it because of the depth of this draft and how good is it projected to be?

[Pat McAfee]

We'll see how it is long term for all these teams. Everybody says Oklahoma City did it, and look what they're about to do now. They're about to they're about to anticonio as well, and look what they're about to do. Okay, so let's talk about the west then, as we should. Steph Curry comes back the other night for and goes off 29 and whatever. There was a real conversation like, hey, maybe Golden State gets in and. And if Steph's playing, you know, anything can happen. What should we be thinking at the bottom of the west and is this all top heavy inevitably at the end of the playoffs?

[Q. Rich]

Yeah, in the West, I feel like it's really top heavy. I feel like, you know, you may have one of those bottom teams that could get hot and do something, but I feel like those top teams, I mean, not so much of the Lakers anymore. Depending on what happens with Reaves and obviously Luka, those are two huge pieces of what they do. But I mean those top three and I mean you could even throw Minnesota and Houston in there, they gonna be pretty tough. But I feel bad that the Lakers. I feel bad for J. Red, man, with the injuries that came down when they did in the time and the way they had been playing leading up to that, that was crazy unfortunate for the Lakers.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. And watching LeBron, you know, have to try to carry it there at the end is obviously going to be something that'll be fun. But Luka going down with the season that he's had until the end of Reg and then Austin Reaves as well, when they were kind of becoming the tandem star, you know, not that LeBron James will ever not biggest star on the court when he's on the court, which everybody needs to remember. That doesn't mean he's the leader of the team, but he's definitely the biggest star. Austin and Luca seemingly developed a great relationship and were becoming the stars of the Lakers. And all of a sudden they both go done. JJ Redick might have to put his ass out there. Yeah, you know, J.J. redick might have to get his ass out there and start bopping some wood down the stretch here. LeBron has been spectacular though. Just he's 41. This is the end of the season.

[AJ]

Crazy.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, let's just, just make sure we respect the hell out of that. Now they've made rules, you know, to adapt the NBA to make sure players are playing and we're not doing, you know, any resting or load management every single night when fans are paying to come watch. But now we've kind of fallen into an interesting predicament for it all. Go ahead, Ty.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah. Q. Rich to that point, you know, the other night Wemby had that vicious, vicious collision that maybe, you know, he. Who knows how long he's going to be out for. We don't know.

[Pat McAfee]

He's right. He was Curich, he said, said he would never watch the NBA again if Wemby doesn't play in the next four games to get the 65th game. Which I think leads to this.

[Ty Schmidt]

Exactly what are your thoughts on like the 65 game stipulations? Because obviously Wemby was going to win defensive player of the year. There's a chance he has to sit out and he'll be sitting at 64 games so he won't be eligible for that. So you know, not only for legacy but financial implications. Like it seems like it's kind of bullshit in circ in certain circumstances because he was the runaway, you know, defensive player of the year. So what, what is your opinion on the, the 65 game kind of stipulation for these guys for all NBA and awards and all that kind of stuff?

[Q. Rich]

It's, it's a, it's a hard spot because like you say it's certain guys. Like when you look at a Luca situation when he had to go for the birthdays kid and then now he gets that at the end he would already be at 65. He didn't miss the two for that. But I mean when you look at it, I understand it, I understand 100 why Adam Silver in the NBA instituted it and put it. It was getting out of hand with guys with the low management. Guys missing nationally television televised games and then just missing games in general on the road. When fans pony up money or save up or come from far to be at a certain game and then they get there, you not there, that's not good. So I understand that part of it. But like you say in these certain situations, and I don't know the answer to that because it's like it's a case by case situation. There's certain people out there that you miss so many games you can't be there. But it's certain people like Aluka or if something happened where Wemby doesn't play, these guys are right there. Luka's clearly a first team all NBA guy. Wemby's clearly the defensive player of the year and up there for MVP and first team all NBA and all of these different things. So that, that 65 game limit, I feel like the players we in constitution with, you know, whatever the trainers were suggesting and all that stuff, we brought it on ourselves getting in this situation by guys missing too many games. And now this is a situation that we have to deal with and, and sadly like you say, it'll impact some of the guys final career tallies. You know, some guys are going to miss out on awards or all NBA teams and that, that goes on your resume at the end of your career. So that, that, that sucks for real.

[Pat McAfee]

I mean Wemby just did a left handed windmill there that took the ball from the free throw line to the hoop. We assume he's going to win a lot of MVPs. We assume he's going to win a lot of defense player of the years. We assume he's going to get paid billions of dollars throughout his career. But whenever you start looking at like what the NBA has now forced themselves into the position of being here with the 65 games thing, you have to wonder if they can make an adjustment on the fly. But if you make an adjustment on the fly, then you're setting precedent for everything going forward. Like could they put like a little jury together that votes like, hey, did this person actual injury actually get screwed? Or were they, I hope not. Like, could Adam Silver and a couple others in the NBA league office put in there that a vote can be done if 65 is not reached, but above 60 is reached on whether or not it was legit or whatever for just this year? Could they potentially do that? No, because then next year something will happen and they'll have to vote on something and they'll give it to somebody, they won't give it to somebody else. In a mass. We've kind of brought it upon ourselves that there can't be an answer either because we will kill them if there's any hypocrisy in the answer. So it's an interesting little spot. It truly is. I don't know how they figure it out.

[Connor]

Well, and if they drop it to 60, know, this year because of all that thing, you know, then next year do they drop it to 55 because Wemby gets to 57 games? Like they can't change anything.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, you can't change anything.

[Q. Rich]

The one thing, the one thing I would say I am confident in is that, you know, Adam Silver and everybody up there in the front office, they gonna do whatever it takes to get it fixed. I mean, I think they've shown that the ability to be able to adjust different things, make changes. Like they, you know, you saw what they did with all star. They're not afraid to go against the tradition and you know, whatever it takes to make the situation the best. So I like if there is an answer and they can come to one, I think, I think those guys will put their heads together and figure it out.

[Pat McAfee]

I, I, I, I respect Adam Silver in his brain. I, I respect it. Yeah, yeah, I do. I appreciate it. The deal he was able to get done in the world that we're in right now with how many different partners he was able to get it done with. With everybody being copacetic while also understanding the digital side of it. Good. There's always going to be attacks, though. We can't be having 25 point spreads and then that team lose in the NBA in 2026. Like, they're. Adam Silver knows he has every single year with something he has to figure out, and they have to figure out. That's every league. I believe he'll be able to do it. But, boy, if it seems like you're screwing your guys now. Right. I'm not saying that, but that it can be an angle and old buddy's not able to be up for like a massive supermax. And it's like 50, $70 million difference because got an actual injury at this time.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

And like, that's. Now you start getting into, like, the.

[AJ]

They should get rid of that rule, though.

[AP Tone]

Yeah.

[AJ]

Super max. Cause you got media people and all these different. Who play a huge role in that. You're dealing with money now. The accolades and awards, that's one thing. Those are important as well. But 50, $70 million, like, that's.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. There's just big swings in what deals can be. If you stay home, if you go elsewhere, what it could be here. They. They've seemingly got a science to it all, but it is. Hey, good luck, Adam. I want to see players playing when I buy a ticket.

[Ty Schmidt]

That's right, Adam.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. Yeah, But, Mike, our guys are actually hurt. Remember, These guys are 7 foot 4 and 6 foot 11. Maybe they operate a little. Your bodies are a little bit differently than yours. They're on wood. We understand that people have been able to do it in the past. We're also surprised by that. I don't care. I want to see Luka. Luka literally has a torn hamstring right now. Tape it up. I bought a ticket. I want to see him. And then there's the time in the past that every fan that it feels like this can go to. I remember when they were just sitting on the sideline, 100% healthy, glasses on, jumping up, not playing, choosing not to play. That was just a few years ago, and I think you said something very interesting. You said whether it was under the guys of athletic trainers telling them what they should do, or, like, maybe even teams telling them they should do it, players just kind of following along with it. And then now it's being held against players completely. And now they're making interesting world Interesting world that we've kind of fallen ourselves into. Go ahead.

[Q. Rich]

Well, you were an athlete, right? So. So think about it this way back. I feel like back when I played, I was. When I. When I. Whatever injury me and my teammates would get, the trainers would ask us the questions, like, do you think you can. Now you know what that means to any athlete? Like, the first thing you want to say is, hell, yeah, I could play, right? That's the first thing that you. You wired to say. Now think about when the question turns

[Pat McAfee]

to,

[Q. Rich]

I don't think you can go. I don't think you should go. Like, if the trainer tells you that, what does that do to your mind? Then you have doubt somewhere. So it's like the. Somewhere along the line, the language has changed. And I've talked to some of these current players, and it's like, they. If you get something or something shows up, they trying to manage the injury, and, like, you may not even be hurt. I've seen guys miss games because of this injury management. Like, what does that mean? I didn't understand that. Like, it's like, you know, I call games for the magic, and we get the sheets and see different things from both teams and who's in and who's out and the reasons why. And I sit down, look at my guy, Dante Martell. Like, Dante, like, what is. What is this? Like, we didn't. We didn't do those type of things. I think it's like progressively, with all of the awareness and everything, it's kind of. It's kind of softened the situation, to be honest. You know what I'm saying? Like, we weren't given those soft outs to be taken when we were playing,

[Pat McAfee]

and they're just gonna. And by they, I'm gonna say, the people that are gonna counter you and say it's better. It's like, well, we didn't have that information at the time, or we would have let you know that same exact thing. Now we have the information, so we have to act accordingly, is what they say. It's like, do we. I don't know.

[Q. Rich]

The crazy thing with all the new information and all the new science and everything that go to it, it seems like we played more games without all of the help that they got. They got anything under the sun for recovery and everything else, and we were more available.

[Pat McAfee]

I feel like, well, so then that goes into the entire. Like, do you think you have to be a little bit callous? Do you think your body is a muscle and your life is a muscle and you have to go through some stuff to toughen it up. And mental toughness also a part of this whole thing. And whenever you give out. So are you losing out on that, let alone the side of your body where you have to deal with some pain and move forward, which is sports and work A lot of deep societal questions.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

You know, Cause then transfer portal. Yeah. What's that?

[Q. Rich]

Paul George spoke with that a couple years ago when he said that, you know, like when he first came into the league training camp and different things were harder. You know, we had 2A days, real 2A days. Now 2A days is not 2A days, it's one a day. And the other day, the second practice is just a walkthrough, non contact and none of this like. So it's difficult for you to build that callous. Like you think about it when.

[Pat McAfee]

How are these guys gonna play games in the season if they're not training to play games in the. What are we doing?

[Q. Rich]

Kurich gotta push it to the max. That's what. That's what used to happen. You had real tour days where you went in there twice a day and you got busy and your body got prepared for that war.

[Pat McAfee]

Well, I appreciate what you guys have done. I appreciate the players today and I appreciate the science coming in. But also we gotta remember maybe the human body gets stronger through adversity. You know, maybe that's something that science could potentially showcase from the past with years and years of research that we have had going into it. Now, let's talk about the game, shall we? Quickly. Because if we don't hit the playoffs, obviously especially on the east, we look like complete here on espn. So on that note, DBUT has a question for you.

[AJ]

Yeah, you kind of talked about the West a little bit. On the east, the Celtics are the favorite, even though the Pistons are the ones that are the favorites to come out of the East. How do you feel more comfortable taking the Celtics or the field? I like the Cavs, what they're doing with Harden, obviously the Pistons and then even the Knicks can get hot. He's hornish as well.

[Q. Rich]

Yeah, like actually I'm with that. I like the Celtics. I feel like what they had done prior to JT even coming back, the outlook, the way that Missoula attacked the season, the way that JB prepared and the rest of the guys took offense to people saying that it would be a down year and the way their whole mentality about this season and Tatum's mentality about being able to get himself back and to come Back the way that he has come back back. I. I can't do anything but look at them and say they're the favorites because I felt they had a strong chance even before JT came back. And the way that he's been able to come back and fit in seamlessly and. And be averaging a double double and being able to, you know, JB hasn't. Hasn't waned at all. Everything is still firing on all cylinders. So I. I gotta. I gotta take them as the favorite right now.

[Pat McAfee]

I love what I'm seeing from Jason Tatum because it tells me Tyrese Halliburton is going to be back better than ever next year for the Indiana Pacers. Hey, when we're doing the MVP conversation, I know he played zero, but game seven of the finals last year, no. Tyrese Halliburton probably going to be in a lottery this year. Oh, you think Hal Top four Halliburton pretty valuable. I think we can all. We can all describe that. But on that, Tatum's recovery from the Achilles is going to be studied by people in all sports. Yeah, because remember, whenever Aaron Rodgers goes down, he starts doing research on all sports. Whenever, you know, Tyrese and Tatum go down, everybody's starting doing research on all sports. Sports. The fact that he's as mobile as he is with as much. What's that called? Flexibility, I guess would be the word. But there's a pliability there. The pliability of it all is just crazy because usually guys are a little stiff whenever they come back. The fact that he's been able to seamlessly run on wood while being smooth. Crazy shout out to him. There's so much work done behind the scenes to get to that point, and we hopefully know that Tyrese is doing the same damn thing. Q. Rich, we appreciate the hell out of you, brother. Have a great weekend.

[Q. Rich]

Yes, sir. Anytime, fellas.

[Pat McAfee]

You know the golf at all? Do you know the golf?

[Q. Rich]

I'm learning the golf. I was at tpc. Tfc. What is it, Sawgrass? Not too long ago, I did an event me and D. Miles there, so I'm getting into it. I got my own set of clubs. I'm getting up to speed.

[AJ]

QB out there for the vibes.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, it's great.

[Q. Rich]

Hey, look, D Butt D. But you already know that's what you gotta do. Like, you know, I'm not gonna be the best golfer, but you gonna have a damn good time if I'm playing part of your force and know that.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, all right, we'll see you out there. You're the man, ladies and gentlemen, Q. Rich. Imagine those clubs. He's got to get Hawk.

[Connor]

Yeah. Yes, actually eight feet.

[Pat McAfee]

Ladies and gentlemen, joining us now live from the Masters, boots on the ground during the par three contest here as we are quickly approaching 20, 26 Masters tournament action, which obviously tees off tomorrow morning. First time getting a chance to cover this incredible, incredible iconic golf tournament. Ladies and gentlemen, Jason Kelsey.

[AJ]

Hell, yeah.

[Jason Kelce]

There we go. What's up, Pat? Always good to talk to some yinzers. Thanks for having me on.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, thank you for dropping the answer in there. I do believe you're actually roaming the course, so we have a live view satellite. So there is a little bit of a delay between your lips and your voice, but we want to thank you for taking time. How is it out there? How are the vibes? Vibes?

[Jason Kelce]

The vibes are great. This part three contest is something I've been learning a lot about and it's very family oriented, fun. The fact that they hold this the day before, potentially the biggest event of the year, the Masters, they're going to come out here and play a par three contest is remarkable. I mean, you couldn't imagine doing this before a Super bowl, going out and playing like a flag football game or something like that. So it's. And these guys sign up for it and it's because it's special, it's because it's unique. Right. They get to enjoy this day with their families. Kids are being hitting shots, kids are going to be in the bunkers. So I'm looking forward to it.

[Pat McAfee]

You've become an incredible, obviously, football analyst, sports personality, obviously great dad, husband, brother, podcaster. Can you be a golf analyst for us real quick? Who's swinging it well right now? Who, who do we need to potentially look at maybe getting a dub this weekend? Jason?

[Jason Kelce]

Well, listen, I got fortunate to meet a couple of these guys down at TGL last week. And Winmu Lee, I'm a huge fan of his right now, Ludwig Oldberg. I hope he can kind of get back on it after that last Sunday at the players. Always a fan of Scotty. I mean, all these. There's so many great players out there, but those are probably the guys I'm looking at.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't know if I am.

[Jason Kelce]

I appreciate you guys having my back earlier this, this week. That was, that was awesome of y'. All. I enjoy the sport and I'm excited to be out here and keep taking it in.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[Jason Kelce]

I mean, most awesome events that is put on every year.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. And amen on that, brother. I mean, I get attacked for everything. We get attacked for everything. Obviously, you fall into that lane of getting attacked. Just, you know, we're a little bit different than I think what people are most seeing. And also we. I assume you have this in your life as well. There's some people that I know that just don't like me, and I don't like them either. And that's just kind of how it is. So whenever you're put on television, those people still exist, you know, Those people still exist out there. Yeah. Yeah. So we are proud of you, man. Keep crushing everything. And we're very. We're pumped that you got the opportunity to be there because obviously how prestigious it is now, speaking of that, we know you're a fan of the game. We know you're an athlete. We know you're considered greatest center of all time. How about on the sticks? Go ahead, Tom.

[AP Tone]

Yeah, Jason, you look good in the. The great all white caddy suit there. Obviously. You see, you talked about the kids and the family members hitting tee shots. Is there any chance that you think any of the golfers today will ask you to hit a tee shot? And are you prepared for that situation?

[Jason Kelce]

Well, I am in the caddy.

[Pat McAfee]

Higher.

[Jason Kelce]

I will be carrying bags. I will be offering up green reading, per se. Hopefully the players will not be taking any of my advice in that regard, but, you know, we'll see what happens. I think I might potentially find myself with a stick in my hand. Don't know if I deserve that in some way. But listen, if the opportunity comes, I'm going to take it.

[Pat McAfee]

You'd be disrespecting the place to say no.

[Jason Kelce]

The thing that I'm most looking forward to today, though, is watching.

[Pat McAfee]

That's right.

[Jason Kelce]

And I'm most looking forward to seeing Frankie Fleetwood hit one here on nine later in the day. I think that's the storyline that everybody's geared up for. So, yeah, that's what we'll see how it goes.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, Well, I want to let you know, you hit a hole in one you should do. You did a bull dance. You do whatever you need to do out there. And I think every hole is obvious, obviously. Hole in onenable and you say you don't deserve it or whatever. Could you imagine how rude you would be as a guest to say no to a shot? You'd be the most disrespectful Yankee of all time down there in the Southern paradise.

[Jason Kelce]

1000%. I'm not refusing anything. Whatever the fine people here at Augusta National Golf Course Club would like me to do. I will do. I am not gonna cross any lines at all. I know there's plenty of viral videos

[Pat McAfee]

out there there of Buffalo Bills games

[Jason Kelce]

and all these things.

[Pat McAfee]

Sure.

[Jason Kelce]

The Hawaiian cut off is not making it to Augusta. I can firmly tell you that would have been a.

[Pat McAfee]

You trying him a little bit. Would have been quite a.

[Ty Schmidt]

You know, cuz you're yelling in people's backs.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, my God. Jackass band forever. Who knows if we ever see. I don't think that's the place to do it. But you talked about everything down there at Augusta. Connor has a question for you.

[Connor]

Yeah, Jason, great to see you down there. You definitely fit the course and it's great to see, you know, kind of one of the football guys down there too. It just makes the place more better, more humble, more of a experience for golf people. But have you tried the pimento cheese sandwich? Have you done the kind of restaurant area kind of thing? Because I know that is a big point of contention when it comes to the place. And, you know, how would you spend your $15 questions like that?

[Jason Kelce]

I mean, listen, $15 goes a long way here at the Masters. I mean, the pimento cheese sandwich I think is $1.50, and it is one of my favorites as well. We got. Which one is this? A pimento chicken cheese. Yeah, that's the one I like to roll with right here. The egg salad is another favorite. Lot of discrepancy on which one is better. I'm more of a pimento guy myself. But $15 you can get probably. I mean, you can get like six or seven sandwiches. Oh, wow. The price is low here.

[Pat McAfee]

They could gouge you.

[Jason Kelce]

But they don't. Because they're good people.

[Connor]

Exactly.

[Pat McAfee]

That's right. They're good people. Great people. You would do anything, whatever. That's a good sell day. I love. Are there beers down there? Do these Southerns drink down there or no?

[Jason Kelce]

Oh, yeah. Beers will not be consumed by me during the event today. But there are plenty of beers. I saw a fine lady double fisting over there in between seven and eight. I think there's footage of Josh Allen at the tournament a few years back. Had the cups stacked up. So, yeah, there are beverages galore. And those are all also cheap.

[Pat McAfee]

I didn't know they're doing that down there in Augusta. I didn't know they had. I didn't know they were booing down there in Augusta or boozing down there at Augusta. I like that a lot. Debut has a question for You, Jason.

[AJ]

Hey, obviously you were out there watching the pros, but how is your game coming along since retiring? I've been seeing you, watching you, watch you take it more seriously. How's the game coming along? What are you playing right now? Who you been playing with?

[Jason Kelce]

Listen, I've been playing with my brother. Obviously, he's in his off season, so we got down in Florida. We're getting after it a little bit, the game. Every time I think I got it figured out, there's something else that goes wrong. You know, it's like, okay, now. Okay, just do this. Okay. And then I'm striping it for.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, we lost him.

[Jason Kelce]

Game is in a spot where I think it's getting better, but every time I look at my score, it reminds me that I'm not.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, that's golf, brother. I retired from the game last year. I put sticks down 13, 14 months. I couldn't do it anymore. I was working at. It got worse. Then all of a sudden, I started making putts with this thing. This thing right here. Jason, I just want three or four down here.

[Jason Kelce]

What do you got?

[Pat McAfee]

I made 10. It's a Spider X250 Plus. You'll find everybody's using this thing. I believe it makes putts for you, this thing. It has some. Tim Burchett was talking about this type of technology whenever he was on tmz. From this. This one right here. It's a technology. It finds the hole for you. It's otherworldly. I have no idea how it works, but golf's a lot more fun when this is working. Okay, we gotta let you get back to your job here. Can we ask you one final question, Mr. Kelsey?

[Jason Kelce]

Anything, Pat.

[Pat McAfee]

Why is there so much drama in Philadelphia, around the Eagles all the time? Why is there always drama over there? Do you have an answer for that? Do you think you don't? Why?

[Jason Kelce]

Yeah. Well, I think that there's always drama when they are losing or not living up to the expectations. I think that has always been the case. Conveniently, when you are winning and playing really well, there happens to be not so much drama. The media attention in Philadelphia is incredible, Right? It's a massive metropolitan area. There's beat writers in there every single day getting the news and storylines and sources. It's endless. And when the season doesn't go well, everything gets magnified, right? Everybody's weakness or one thing here. Everything gets picked apart. And quite honestly, everybody's trying to, you know, salvage that. The reason the season didn't go well wasn't Them, whether it's coaches, players, front office, like across the board. That's kind of just how it works. Works, especially in Philadelphia, with an insatiable fan base. You're always the number one ticket in town. They are have an endless desire for that content. And while that breeds some of the most awesome moments of my life and fandom and incredible things that I get to experience as a player who played there for a long time, it is when you're losing, you better be mentally strong and able to overcome a lot of that stuff. Stuff and firmly know who you are and confident in your abilities. So, yeah, it's. It's. It's quite a bit right now. I know there's a story about Jalen that came out earlier, either this week or last week, and I think that, you know, my overall thing is, you know, especially with Jaylen, what quarterback doesn't want to run their stuff? You know, this has kind of been a semblance of things that have been coming out over multiple years, but all of a sudden now it's reach to this point where there's however many sources in there. And I think it's very coincidental that it comes when the season and everything don't go the way they want and people are getting fired. And the reality is sometimes these things that are weaknesses when you're losing, sometimes people view them as strengths when you're winning. And I think that kid's been through a lot. He's been through a lot of change, and I think he's going to be through a lot of change this year. Everybody talks about the offensive coordinators changing over. There's going to be a drastically different offense in Philadelphia. It's going to be more in the center, it's going to be more run and play action, and second down, it's going to be more motions. So this is a big year for him. And at the end of the day, I think they have great players there. I think they have a lot of good leadership in that building, and I think that when you combine them, Vic Fangio. I feel pretty confident about the Eagles this coming season, so I think the drama is going to start going the other direction at some point.

[Pat McAfee]

That was an incredible answer.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, that. That was an unbelievable answer. I. I want to let you know that you're not some big dumb dipshit from Ohio. Okay?

[Connor]

I.

[Pat McAfee]

That was an incredible answer and we appreciate. We appreciate you. And congrats on getting opportunity to do the Masters and obviously everything else that you get the opportunity to do. You've earned it all. Thanks for representing football.

[Jason Kelce]

Well, time out, pal.

[Pat McAfee]

Are you.

[Jason Kelce]

Are you gonna be down here a little bit? Is that happening?

[Pat McAfee]

All right, all right, all right. Everybody needs to relax. All right. I'll see you down there maybe. All right, Jason, you're the man now. He's a gentleman. Come on. Okay.

[Connor]

Okay.

[Pat McAfee]

All right.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Jason Kelsey, ladies and gentlemen. The delay thing is because they're on a. They're on a portable Internet source. Okay. That is being sent to camera, back to source, back to truck. So there is a delay in the audio and the video. So it's a different. They're both going in at a different time. And then they're getting sent to something that's getting sent through a stream from ESPN directly to us. So that thing maybe even going to Bristol then coming to us. So you got two streams going at two different times, remember, because camera goes directly. Audio has to go here to here. And then it's going to their truck in Augusta. From camera to. From device to truck to Bristol. Bristol. And then, you know, they're what. They're racing to Bristol and then bang, they're taking a left coming to Indianapolis. So they. They banged a boom. And I think the video was certainly way ahead. It was the video faster.

[Connor]

Well, then we got to go back too. Don't forget that.

[Pat McAfee]

Is that we're bouncing because then we're sending back to Bristol. But remember, Jason couldn't see anything.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

So he was not getting anything. He could not see anything.

[Ty Schmidt]

No. Okay.

[AJ]

Oh, that's insane.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[Q. Rich]

Yeah.

[AJ]

We're for sure. Went to the moon and did all that phone call and all that, brother.

[Pat McAfee]

Whoa. Is not the brave astronauts are there right now.

[AJ]

Oh, yeah. We're here for sure. For sure. Oh.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, you're talking about.

[AP Tone]

I love when we beat the Russians.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. Cold war undefeated man on the moon, Darius Bot Laus.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, exactly. Postcard from Moscow. When you move over there. You son of a. Jesus.

[Connor]

He's just trying to tell the police people what really happened.

[Pat McAfee]

Truth or just real quick. I don't love that. We as a society have gotten to a point where we know way too much, but we also don't know nearly enough about any of it.

[AJ]

Well said just had a three second delay. God. A thousand miles.

[AP Tone]

There was a delay for.

[Jeff Passan]

From the America.

[Connor]

Tell them D. Oh, is NASA putting this together?

[Ty Schmidt]

NASA technology.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Connor]

Worldwide.

[Pat McAfee]

NASA's reporting that Artemis 2 is just a couple of days away from splashdown. Boom. And as Earth grows larger in the mission sites, the crew woke up this morning to under pressure by Queen and David Bowie. And greetings from our colleagues at the space super spacey thingy. And there's the moon right there. See that? We're on our way.

[Connor]

The Canadian Space Agency. Okay, okay.

[Q. Rich]

Old clap.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[AP Tone]

Have you seen the trajectory?

[Pat McAfee]

What they had to do. What's that?

[AP Tone]

The trajectory of like, timing the moon. Unbelievable.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I, I, I heard we're leading them.

[AP Tone]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

We're leading the ball. Yeah. We're throwing to a spot. We're throwing to a spot. We're letting math, which is the language of the universe. As David Galileo kind Mr. Galileo

[Connor]

Galilee.

[Pat McAfee]

Galileo gal.

[Connor]

Just read David Bowie.

[Pat McAfee]

EG

[AJ]

still brings it.

[Pat McAfee]

That's what we're doing. And we're throwing that thing right down there. And then we're meeting up the moon and then the moon's gonna say, gotcha.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

Right. Gonna do one of these. And I think we're doing one of these. And then the moon's kicking us out.

[Ty Schmidt]

Hitting the slingshot. Yep.

[AP Tone]

You had Bowie.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[AP Tone]

You had it all together in Queen.

[Ty Schmidt]

That was it all in some circles, he was David Gall, his closest friend.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Connor]

Closest buddies.

[Pat McAfee]

See, I never know whenever I see this, like, is Galileo his first name or his last name?

[Ty Schmidt]

I believe it's his first name. I believe his name is Galileo Galilee.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. But what if back then he wanted to actually have an inverted Call me Dave.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

You never know. Honestly, you genuinely never know. Shout out to Jason Kelsey joining us live from the Masters. Sounds like he understands E. Simon. Yeah. Yeah. That didn't sound like.

[AJ]

Oh, yeah, he knows. Locked in.

[Pat McAfee]

What he said about Jalen, though. Crazy.

[AJ]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

It's like what everybody's saying is a negative now was probably a strength of the past, him being a leader. Quarterbacks want to run their stuff. Yeah. He's super bowl champion. Super bowl mvp. He probably feels as if he's has a right to have some say in what the offense is new offense coordinator. You're brand new here. Maybe we do my offense. We've won some games. The shit coming out of the building, though, maybe like, I don't know if it, it just feels like they don't like, like people don't like them. That's why they're leaking all this shit. Like people being this comfortable to leak things about this person says that those people don't like them. Like whenever, for instance, anonymous sources say shit about us in me, I know those anonymous sources are people that do not like me as a person. Right. So anytime anybody leaks anything that is anonymous, negative about Something I assume that it's being leaked because they do not like the person or there's some sort of agenda on the case. Now, him getting into a brand new offense, needing a new contract. Are they both waiting to see how he does in this particular offense? Is this offense going to be the new one under center, play action, everything like that? Is that the case? Who knows. But I don't like how comfortable everybody is just kind of giving away. But Jason Kelce is like, well, we're in a world where there's a lot of sources in that building and they're never going to be able to get rid of them.

[AJ]

And one of the biggest markets like you said in the, in the world really when you talk about the NFL and then being with the Eagles, most all those teams in nf, NFC east, but especially in Philly with that team. And then like you said, you're going to want to run your. When you're the guy that's going to be there year in and year out, you know, guy that's making 50 plus million dollars, you're going to have the finger pointed at you, not whatever coordinator is there for that year. And there is, you know, has to be some meaning of the minds and some continuity there. We saw it with with Tom when he went to Tampa. We saw with Peyton when he went to Denver. Like yeah, you're going to take your and you're going to do some of the other, you know, OC stuff. So as long as the success, success is there though, they'll be fine. But I did love what Jason Kelsey said and look, everybody in the locker room has their own unique experience. So if you go and talk to one of 70 players in a locker room, you can find five that's going to say bad things about Peyton Manning or Tom Brady or Drew, Bren Rogers, any of these guys.

[Pat McAfee]

Food, training room.

[AJ]

Yeah, it comes with, it comes with the territory. But you know, winning, winning cures all. But when you aren't winning at the level where you're expected to, that's when all this shit, you know, make just much, much louder.

[Connor]

Yeah, it gets a pain in the ass just to play in Philly. When they won the, the year they won the super bowl there were times where they were playing at home and getting booed like there really isn't a winning situation for them no matter what. When you are in Philadelphia. I blame the Senate.

[Pat McAfee]

I think the winning situation is at parade. Yes, that's like the day I think when you talk your shit. Kelsey, super blue collar Towns Okay. That think they are tougher than the football players. Okay. And I happen to know that because I grew up in one of those towns where the fans think they're tougher than the football players that are playing. Playing football. And you are just lucky to be doing what you're doing for us. So let's make sure you remember that. Okay. I think that is how some of these towns feel that are considered football towns.

[Connor]

Sure.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. That is what it is. So if you're not playing exactly how they expect you to play, how they would play if they were playing, how they would envision their football team to play, they're going to voice it mostly because they. Once again, if this was to come to a fight, we're okay trying to fight. We feel like we're tougher than you. We are. We know football better than you. We love football more than. Than you. And obviously we love the team more than you. I think Philadelphia is obviously one of those towns.

[Connor]

No doubt.

[Pat McAfee]

I think that is obviously one of those towns. And they can find things that they would do much better than you if they were in your position in football. And I think you got to be made to be an Eagle. Like you have to be a Dallas Cowboy. You have to be made for the star.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Because they're giving tours of the building and stuff like that. Okay. Which from our source is not in the way. They're great.

[AJ]

From what I heard.

[Pat McAfee]

They are not in the way. Okay.

[Jason Kelce]

Okay.

[Pat McAfee]

You need to relax about that whole thing being a distraction, you know, just from source in the building. They are not a problem.

[AJ]

True.

[Pat McAfee]

You heard that as well.

[AJ]

Yes.

[Connor]

Heard different.

[Pat McAfee]

He was there with me. Okay. We're sitting right next to. It was a nice little setup we had in that thing. It was.

[AJ]

You can't trust any source.

[Jason Kelce]

Yeah.

[Connor]

Not for everybody.

[AJ]

It was. We got a very critical.

[AP Tone]

What are you talking about?

[Pat McAfee]

We had a great setup out there, but we were told we were given a little bit more clarity is how it was described to us what we were getting. Sure. Okay. We were told. Let us. Claire, let's give you a little bit more clarity on this whole thing. Not a problem. But on that note, you're going to be on prime time, 13, 14 weeks. You're going to have everybody talking about you. You have to be made to be a Dallas Cowboy. You have to understand what it's going to be. There's going to be more there because of the business. Feels like the Eagles. You have to know you need a certain type of person. Person to be a Philadelphia Eagle, they

[AJ]

just start winning Super Bowls too. Like they got there, you know, to the championship games with Andy Reid. That's why they ran Andy Reid out of town because he couldn't get and get to. And then win the big one. Got there and they lost to the Patriots. But then you win your first one with Nick Foles and then he gets his statue and now Jalen hurts comes and bring you another one. You would think he would be a

[Ty Schmidt]

guy and went to another one before that too.

[AJ]

Yeah. It's like he's been what, two out of the five years he started. He went to the super bowl and outplayed Patrick Mahomes and both. Both of them. And. And we're talking like it's. It's nuts.

[Pat McAfee]

And you heard Jason Kelsey, Jason Kelsey just want to bat for J about as much and as cerebrally as possible in a three minute thing that talked about radio sources, locker room, everything, how one thing was perceived, how another thing can be perceived. I mean, Jace Kelsey knows Jaylen pretty good, I'd assume.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah. And. And he. It wasn't the exact same thing, but he basically just went through this situation the year after they made to the Super Bowl. Remember they kind of. Kind of. They started eight. No. Or whatever and then limped into the playoffs big time. Got beat in the first round and it was all the same thing. And I think, you know, a lot of places expect to win the super bowl every year and like their fan. But with Philadelphia being as successful as they have been in that, like that is the expectation every single year. It's like, hey, you guys need to go out and win a Super bowl. And if you don't, you're going to hear it from us all year long in every game. Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I want to see perfection.

[Ty Schmidt]

Exactly. We. And we don't want just Scott him. We. We want to beat the. Out of people every week.

[Pat McAfee]

These johns are getting mopped every week by the birds. Okay. That's what we want to see. Because they were winning games.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Best record in the league. And we come in here on overreaction Monday every week some john out there going Nick Sirianni needs to be put in a car and ship the Antarctica. What are we doing with this guy? Like just beat the Saints in New Orleans. I think I remember. And they're like Saints keeping it close against like it's the NFL.

[Connor]

Yeah. Tight game.

[Pat McAfee]

You guys are winning games. It's like we don't care. We would like this to look a lot better all the time. Every time.

[Ty Schmidt]

That is what's interesting though, is just off the top of my head going back reading all those overreactions, like, at least from the fans, like, there really wasn't that much. We hate Jaylen Herz. Let's get this guy out of town.

[Connor]

So it's.

[Ty Schmidt]

But exactly. It was all Patulo and a little bit of Sirianni. So it's interesting when all these come out and it's like, wow, the fans, you know, don't have that big of an issue with him. But it seems like everything inside the building is like.

[Pat McAfee]

Or who just left the building, right?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, true.

[Connor]

But it goes back further than that.

[Pat McAfee]

Could be. I said. Or not definitely. But yeah, there's. I mean go.

[Connor]

It goes all the way back to the year they won the super bowl and this stuff was happening. That's when the Brandon Graham interview was happening. Like there's so many different things. That's why.

[Q. Rich]

Sure.

[Connor]

Like if it was just this year, then it would be like, okay, who just lost left? But it's been a few years here and they've still had success, so it doesn't matter as much. Winning cures all. But still, it has happened for a bit.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, that's Philadelphia Eagles football.

[Jeff Passan]

That's right.

[AJ]

That is playing quarterback at the National Football League, too. Jalen hurts. Some of the criticism is deserved. And I mean, everybody can be criticized outside of probably Patrick Mahomes right now in the league, maybe Matt Stafford, where he what his status is right now. Every other quarterback back, they're fair game.

[Pat McAfee]

Drake B's got a lot of. Hey, there's a lot going on around New England Patriots right now.

[Connor]

Not with Drake.

[Pat McAfee]

There's a lot going on around the New England Patriots right now.

[Connor]

Drake's just shaving his head and chucking football.

[Pat McAfee]

That got loud out there. Yeah, that got loud out there.

[AP Tone]

I didn't see anything.

[Pat McAfee]

Good luck to all parties. Good luck to all parties.

[Connor]

I didn't see anything either.

[AJ]

What the hell.

[Pat McAfee]

They're talking me. Good luck to all parties. That's going to be. Couldn't even imagine.

[Connor]

Dealt with much work.

[Pat McAfee]

Good luck to all parties. And I genuinely mean all parties involved. Good luck out there. Fox is nearing a deal to acquire the 2026 Big Ten championship for 45 to $55 million. NBC has subleased the game from Fox and is now selling it back. Big Ten championship.

[AP Tone]

It's a big one.

[Ty Schmidt]

It's an absolute steal.

[Connor]

Huge.

[Pat McAfee]

Yes, this is Big Ten has won the national championship the last three years with three different teams. No matter who gets into this one. It will be gigantic week. Did everybody know this was for sale?

[AP Tone]

No.

[Pat McAfee]

Did everybody know this was for sale? We would have potentially tried to buy this.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. For all you do, this would have been a thing. What a deal for them. Good luck to the Big Ten. Continuing to bring it into fox. They got a big, Big Ten relationship.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, yeah.

[Connor]

I would have been sick if we got it.

[Pat McAfee]

Us in the lighthouse, us just setting that. They would have never sold it to us. That would have been a tough conversation.

[AP Tone]

Maybe.

[Pat McAfee]

Would have been funny to sit down in there, though. What are you guys thinking?

[Ty Schmidt]

150, 200K.

[Pat McAfee]

We're back next hour. Rich Eisen here. The April 15th tax deadline is coming fast, but don't worry. Hand off your taxes to a turbo tax expert today. You know how April feels. Everything speeds up. Games matter more. Hoops and hockey schedules tighten. Your phone won't stop the buzzing. And somewhere in the middle of it all, there's that quiet little taxes. You'll get to it tonight or tomorrow or after the weekend. And if you handle it the old way, you're refreshing your inbox like it's breaking news. Waiting, wondering, hoping everything's squared away. That's a lot of mental bandwidth. With Intuit TurboTax Expert full service, you can match with a dedicated expert who understands your specific tax situation and handles your taxes for for you start to finish. You can do it all online or meet in person at one of their new tech enabled store locations. Have your tax forms imported directly into the app and hand everything off to your TurboTax expert while they work to get you every dollar you deserve. You can go about your normal routine giving you time back to focus on what actually deserves your attention. Like rooting for your team to make the playoffs. April 15th is not waiting, people. Visit TurboTax.com and hand off your your taxes to a TurboTax expert today.

[Ty Schmidt]

Most protein drinks ask you to choose between results and taste. Bucked up decided that's a ridiculous trade off. Bucked up makes lightly carbonated protein drinks. 25 grams of protein per can. Clear protein, not milky or thick. And they taste so good that 25 grams of protein almost feels like a bonus. Bucked up is so confident you'll love their drinks, they're giving away an island vacation just to prove it. That's the kind of brand this is. No purchase necessary. Giveaway ends May 30th. Enter and find your closest Bucked [e-mail]. grab a Bucked up and feel like a million bucks.

[Pat McAfee]

Hello Beautiful people and welcome back to our humble abode, the Thunderdome on this Master's Evil. Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Our tour of the program begins at 9. Are happening all around us. Obviously the Masters tease off tomorrow as the par three coverage continues today on ESPN plus Disney plus and right here on ESPN after this show ends as the toxic tables at Boston. Connor battles with hats and trophies over there at Ty schmidt. Also here, 1/2 of the hammer done Cowboys AP Tone 9 year NFL vet Darius J. Butler is here. D Butts. It's not just golf, obviously. Basketball is happening. Hockey is. The NFL never sleeps. It's really never a bad time to be a sports fan. What do the losers that don't watch sports do throughout their entire lives?

[AJ]

That is a great question. I don't know.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't know. Could you imagine not having a Masters to look forward to this weekend and not being pumped up about that?

[AP Tone]

You think they're happier?

[AJ]

No. Because you got to pay attention. Attention. Much more attention to all the other that we're forced to pay attention to sometimes. They got to pay attention to it all the time.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. So they're feeding themselves all that stuff.

[AP Tone]

Oh, you think you're saying like if it's not sports, then it has to be.

[AJ]

It's got to be something.

[Connor]

They're video games.

[Ty Schmidt]

Reality tv.

[Connor]

Tv.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, you're talking about the shite tv. Yeah, I had to run with that as well. The Rock of Love bus. Obviously that.

[Connor]

That ain't shite.

[Jason Kelce]

You're right.

[Pat McAfee]

Flavor of Love. Flavor of Love was top five. New York. Ms. New York was outrageous. Obvious. Honestly. Still doing Tequila. Jersey Shore.

[Connor]

I mean, Jersey Shore is great tv.

[AP Tone]

I agree.

[Pat McAfee]

That's what I'm saying. But this would be potentially considered. Shy T. Sure. Yeah. People would say good. Pawn Stars, Bravo.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, God. Detroit Pawn.

[Pat McAfee]

How about the Tuttles?

[Connor]

Choppers?

[AP Tone]

They're the league of their own.

[Pat McAfee]

I'm watching now. Suddenly Amish. My wife kind of put me on a Sunday. Amish. It's out there in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. People just from the regular world say black man. That is black man. Is there a lot of Amish that get out? What's that? What do you think? How'd you describe that? Can I get a zoom in on that? What are you talking about?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, that looked like the poster.

[AP Tone]

Forget.

[Pat McAfee]

I will say this is not get out. They are not being held there against their will.

[AJ]

Good fate.

[Pat McAfee]

They are. He. He's one. He's. He's main character of the show.

[Connor]

Okay, okay.

[Pat McAfee]

He's the main Character. And I'll tell you what, we learn a lot about him quick. We learn a lot about him quick. And I think he learns a lot about some emotional moments with him. Some emotional moments with him. Yeah. You know the Amish show, they don't play in games, man. No, literally, they don't play any. I don't think they've ever done that. My dad, Tim, actually has a relationship with some of the Amish. We've been told that, you know, some of these Amish who run power out to a shed do watch NFL football.

[AJ]

And that's what I was going to ask you. They watch sports.

[Pat McAfee]

Yes, they do. Yeah, they do. They watch football. They'd probably be so good. Very strong. Yeah. LeBaron James. Yeah, they got a bunch of them, but they're just called Jebediabron. Yeah, they're good in the trenches. Yeah, they're dogs too. They wake up 3:30 in the morning, obviously, and they just work all day every day on everything. And they don't have air conditioning.

[AJ]

Yeah, I've seen like time lapse of them, like building homes.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, yeah.

[Connor]

Single day, two seconds.

[Pat McAfee]

Unbelievable. I'm trying to get. I'm trying to get someone in here.

[AJ]

Hammer and nails comment was too. Too few heard a story about him a few months.

[Connor]

Yeah. Trying to get. Trying to get one in my house. Trying to figure this. Figure this stuff out. Condo, whatever. Trying to make some change.

[Pat McAfee]

You're trying to get one of these Amish?

[Connor]

Yeah, try and get one of them in there. See what we can do. But I don't know. Are they even allowed to ride the elevator?

[AP Tone]

No.

[Connor]

You know, that's a.

[Pat McAfee]

So that's the interesting thing. And how do you get a hold of them to get one of them? Like, that's why Tim is a good plug to the Amish. Yeah, you need to have a plug to get any Amish. These guys, these people do. They signed up for that.

[Connor]

And they gossip.

[Pat McAfee]

So if you find one, these things do. They all are. They are all related. Joining us now. Not all related, but they all do know. Pennsylvania Dutch is where it all starts.

[Connor]

They all know each other. It's a community.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[Connor]

And they're not all related. Watch it.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, they're not.

[AJ]

Well, yeah, I just saw a black dude.

[Q. Rich]

Hello.

[Connor]

That's becoming homage. I don't know.

[AJ]

Talking about.

[Connor]

He's. He's new to the group.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey, what did Shaq mean when he told you to change the way you were?

[AJ]

I mean, he shouldn't have did that at work. You don't Mess me at work. You know, you gotta.

[Connor]

Don't do that.

[Pat McAfee]

Me like a black guy.

[AJ]

I'll tell you later. So Shaq skipping the stuff.

[Pat McAfee]

I want to let you know. When Shaq said that, it took me right back to the locker room. Like right back to the locker room. And I almost had a thousand things. I almost came out of my mouth. I was like, nope, now is not the time. That would have been a quote out of context. Haven. What was coming through my. What was coming. Yeah, exactly through my head right there. And I just stayed out of it. That is maturity out of me. I want to let you know there was a big moment there for all of us and we just powered right through it.

[AJ]

Yeah. In this climate

[Pat McAfee]

that was a. Literally right into the middle. Just okay, who wants it? And then nothing. Thank God owed us. That would have never been. We would have stopped e. But we would have asked for a full explanation. We would have done it in. Shaq was awesome in here.

[Connor]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

He was just got add said it. What's over here? I'm just gonna walk over here. I'll be you. Be you. He had a bad day. But the shackalicious gummies I think got a lot of pub. Joining us now live from an attic in Ohio is a man who'd be a great Amish guy.

[Connor]

Oh yeah? Yeah.

[AP Tone]

One of the best.

[Pat McAfee]

I think he would want to be an Amish guy. Might be actually. Because German, I believe is the roots of the Pennsylvania Dutch which obviously are lead to the Amish if I'm not mistaken. Potential former Amishman. Ladies and gentlemen, Happy rum springer to A.J. hawk hawker. A lot of Amish in Ohio. I know that. Right.

[Connor]

Yeah. There's plenty of Amish all around Ohio. My father in law, Chopper, he works with a bunch of them. He's a builder. So he's been working with them for. For years and years. But I don't know why d but is saying like I know lots of

[Pat McAfee]

black Amish people here in Ohio.

[Connor]

I don't know what the problem is really.

[AJ]

Oh, I didn't know.

[Connor]

Not lots of them, but they are around.

[Pat McAfee]

Yes.

[AJ]

I changed pretty quickly.

[Q. Rich]

I wouldn't say they're a big abundant.

[Connor]

But they're. Yes, it is possible.

[AP Tone]

Where are you hanging out at?

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. So hold on. You're. You're. You're walking them on the road and

[Connor]

riding, you know, on their horse and buggy next to me.

[Pat McAfee]

How about you? Ever seen them fishtail that thing?

[Connor]

No. Why? I haven't really seen him really open up too much. It's usually pretty slow.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. I've seen them open that thing up a little bit. You know, there's obviously the very slow, boring ride when the family's in there and you gotta pass them. It's a miserable thing. But I've seen some young ones kind of open that thing up. Little fish Tanner. Whenever they turn that thing side sideways, turn that song a little bit like this, you know, whenever they might find a little moonshine out there that they maybe made out in the barn, they'll get a little loose with those buggies as well. And they. I mean, they kind of are outlaws. They live by their own rules.

[AP Tone]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I mean, they're in their own.

[AJ]

They are.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[AJ]

I've seen. I don't know from dry stitch, and I've seen a few of them in the airport. It can ride airplanes.

[Pat McAfee]

Whoa.

[AP Tone]

They play fast and loose with a lot of those rules.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. But also, if they're not flying or driving the car, some of them say I. There's a little bit of that.

[Connor]

I'm just sitting.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. I am sitting on a.

[Connor]

That's bush league, though. Hop on a train. There's train within 100 miles of every state.

[Pat McAfee]

Joining us now is a man who might also be from the amish. We're not 100% sure. Thinks the callus on his palms would certainly be able to get him through a day of hard work with the Amish. He is a man who's carrying baseball for an entire generation on espn, which we appreciate him for. The jet. Jeff Passage.

[Connor]

Yay, jet.

[Jeff Passan]

You think about being Amish Ever Love the Amish furniture? It's the best. Absolute best. And I. I would love to have a room spring as well. Like. I'm glad you brought that up, Pat. That's a good time.

[Pat McAfee]

That's right.

[Jeff Passan]

Like, you've been cooped up for all those years, and then you just get to go out and I, you know, I. I don't know what they're doing. Sounds exciting, though.

[Pat McAfee]

Well, they were at Topgolf. I know. For one of them.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Jason Kelce]

Yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

Steve.

[Jeff Passan]

Can't beat that.

[Pat McAfee]

Who are we there with? Who. Who had an event there? Somebody.

[Ty Schmidt]

Someone's diaper party.

[Jason Kelce]

Yeah.

[Connor]

I think it was your dad.

[Pat McAfee]

I showed up at somebody else's. I think it was Nick's. I think it was Nick's. I do believe. Because I know that because I showed up in the middle of it. I didn't show up at the beginning.

[Connor]

Okay.

[Pat McAfee]

So, yeah, it was not mine. It was somebody else's. That would have Been very rude of me to do that. But on that note, as soon as we get there, they got the last four bays over here. Oh, yeah, they got the last four base. Clearly Amish, clearly underage. Clearly Hammer. Yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I mean, it was. It was a lot going on. And then we obviously, as pretty observant assholes, I would say, immediately start bickering about what's. What's. What's the next steps here. So I just go over, obviously, right in the middle, and one guy goes, mcafee, you're Mac, you're McAfee. And I go, how do you know that? He goes, we love football. And then he goes and gets his one drunk friend who looks younger than him. He goes, you're Pat mcafee. It's mcafee. It's mcafee. He goes, ho, ho. Calls over the other one. Then there's their girlfriends.

[Connor]

Are third one actually denied it as well.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, you're not, you're not, you're not, you're not. And I have to pull out my phone and do a full search for this entire thing, and then I get. I get their phone number. It was a full. Yeah, Z. And I had a 10 to 15 minute convo with some actual Amish folks today. Massive football fans. Seem like some dogs. Real. This really happened. I mean, we had full convo with these guys, and they shouldn't have been serving them alcohol for sure, but they were having an absolute blast out there. And then that Rum Springer. They're deciding whether or not they want to go back or if they just want to kind of go live. I would. I wonder what the hit rate was on that group. Oh, I think some of them want kind of.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Connor]

Might never want to.

[Pat McAfee]

That.

[Ty Schmidt]

I'm never going back.

[Connor]

Go back to top golf.

[Pat McAfee]

I was doing this electric golf thing.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

McAfee walked in, booze everywhere. All right, let's move along to baseball. Baseball is fantastic. We're loving everything about it. What's going on? You are launching a podcast, I do believe, tomorrow. Right. Is that accurate? Accurate.

[Jeff Passan]

That is accurate. Yes.

[AJ]

Here we go.

[Jeff Passan]

Been a couple. Couple months in the works right now, but we're gonna do a little, like, preview episode. So it's gonna be a half hour, but full episode is gonna be closer to an hour, sometimes a little bit longer. And yeah, that's the name right there. Sources tell Jeff Passon, and it's being produced by Omaha Productions. Shout out Peyton Manning and gonna be running on ESPN tomorrow, so. So exciting times, Patrick.

[Pat McAfee]

Yes, it certainly is good for Baseball for you to continue to grow the sport. What are you going to be doing? Sources tell Jeff Bassin, you're just going to be leaking all your news through this. Are you going to be talking to your sources?

[Jeff Passan]

That's exactly what it is. It's going to be conversations with the people who you want to hear about and you're going to know some of the names and some of them you're not. And the beauty of baseball is all of the stories that go untold this podcast. The goal is to go out and actually tell them in a way that, that is accessible not just to the die hard fans who love baseball, but to people on this show, frankly, who watch this on a daily basis and are just getting into baseball and want to learn a little something about it. And you know, the beauty of my job, Pat, is that I get to talk with the people who are the absolute best in the world at what they do. And having conversations with them in a format like this, in a setting like this where they can be a little bit looser and they can talk about some things that they might not otherwise. Yeah, I mean, look at, this is

[Pat McAfee]

my first time seeing this here jet. I didn't know how professional you were going to look in. Sources tell Jeff Pass. And you got these guys on the hook. Who, who is it? Who's. Who's sitting down?

[Jeff Passan]

You're about to see right now on the left is one Paul Ski.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, what a start.

[Jeff Passan]

And on and on the right is Tarek Scubal.

[Pat McAfee]

What you know.

[Jeff Passan]

Yes, sir. Both of them together, talking about pitching. And you know, the, the great thing about this show is it doesn't have a format. We're going to be doing something different every week. So, you know, first episode we talk about pitching with Skeens and Skubal, who are the two best at it with the world. I just got back from Toronto, sat down with John Schneider, the Blue Jays manager, and Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager together and talked about the World Series last year and specifically game seven and what it was like, talked about, about, talked with Cal Raleigh yesterday and he was telling me about everything from his ass to his custom made cup to all sorts of other things that it takes to be a catcher. So we're gonna, we're gonna cover the whole expanse of the sport and tell stories, frankly that you just haven't heard before.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, shout to you. Continuing to build baseball, Schneider was just made sure the ump could see him turned his head sideways so, so he could really get down in there. Let me get underneath the brim of this cap here, sir. I'm gonna let you know that you're absolute ass, cuz. Yeah, everything you're doing is shite. You ever heard about it? You are a piece of trash, an embarrassment to baseball. You need to get the hell off of this field. You're gonna tell me to leave? You need to leave. All of baseball hate you and ain't turned in there. Make sure you can feel it a little bit. Kiss me, buddy. You wanna lick my lips right now? Is that what you wanna do? You're too worried about licking my lips and tasting my spit, then making right calls out here? Is that what he's saying there? And is he like this all the time? Might be my new favorite guy. Might be my new favorite guy.

[Jeff Passan]

So. So, Pat, I kind of knew this was coming because the Blue Jays haven't been playing very well. And there's going to be an episode coming up where I talk with Aaron Boone, the Yankees manager, about the art of the ejection, because Aaron Boone has been ejected 50 times in his career, the big league leader. And I brought this up to Schneider and I was like, how tough is it to get ejected? And he's like, I think I need to get. Get ejected. Like that's how managers look at it when their team is struggling, they will find any reason or any excuse to go out there and just light someone up and hope to light a fire underneath their team. And the Blue Jays, you know, with all the injuries that they've had, they need a little fire right now.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, I like that he took it upon himself to make sure this ump could really feel it, because it did feel like the ump was using the brim of the hat, the bill, as a weapon. And I saw out there in la, there's no more. They're just using the cop there. I've seen that that's taking place. So, you know, baseball caps, baseball hats can be defense. It can obviously be a fashion look. It can block the sun. And it could be a hat. Coverage to skipper and an almost sucking face. Yeah, almost aggressively sucking face. So it's amazing what a hat can really be. Let's go to a cowboy hat with some massive news out of Pittsburgh that you broke. Go ahead, Tone.

[AP Tone]

Yeah, Jet. Baseball season's been awesome for me so far. And obviously there was some smoke last week about Connor Griffin and the deal, the extension, the nine year, $140 million extension after he got called up last week. He made it official this morning. Now he's signed Bob Nutting is signing autographs for fans on the field every single game. Skeens is obviously, he comes out and he's. The whole pitching staff's great. The Buckos are winning. But this Connor Griffin though, the, the extension, is that something normal for the. Is this the new normal for these young kids to get them signed for 10 years and then just the Pirates overall with Connor Griffin, how do you feel it's been going so far?

[Jeff Passan]

This is the biggest contract in Pirates history. Like plain and simple, $140 million. The. The biggest they had had previously was Brian Reynolds at 106.75 million. And they're giving this to a guy who's had less than a week in the big league. So it's clear that the Pirates believe that Connor Griffin is going to be the one around whom they can best build for the foreseeable future. And the big part of this deal isn't just $140 million. It's the fact that they bought out three free agent years. Because Connor Griffin coming up at 19 years old, guys, he was on track to be a free agent going into his age, 26 season. And the last time we saw a 26 year old free agent out on the market, that was Juan Soto and he got $765 million. So Connor Griffin is giving up that potential enormous payday at 26 years old to go out at 29. And listen, if he's the player everyone thinks he's going to be, he's still going to get paid big time. But the Pirates keeping a guy who they would have absolutely no chance of getting on the free agent market for another three years, on top of the control, they have him already. This is how good franchises get built. This is exactly what the Kansas City Royals did with Bobby Witt Jr. They're starting short stop. It's what the Baroners are trying to do with Colt Emerson signing him for nine years and $85 million. And what the Milwaukee brewers are trying to do with Cooper Pratt giving him $51 million over eight years. So this is a trend in baseball and it's one that both gives the player his first big payday and makes sure to lock him in for the franchise long term.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, so now that we know that the Pittsburgh Pirates are playing big league baseball now. Yeah, okay. And Connor has come out and said he wants to win for the season city and he wants to win for the fans. Everybody's bought in on that narrative. There's a chance that the Buckos hoist the whole damn cone.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

They're going to. There's a chance they hoist the whole damn cone. The big cone, the big cajon. Okay. There's a chance that we hoist it. People in Pittsburgh are saying. Companies in Pittsburgh are saying Yinzers are stealing traffic cones at a rate that they have never seen before. That is called bucko fever, baby. Yes. That is literally. That is a tangerine piece of information that says there's bucko fever running wild in Pittsburgh. And that's all it takes. Hold on.

[Jeff Passan]

Do you not. Do you not have a traffic cone in your car?

[Pat McAfee]

In my car or in the studio? Oh, mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long of the cone. Boom, boom, boom, boom. Yeah, I got cone. Stole this from a company outside. That's basically what's been happening back in Pittsburgh because there's always going to be construction and there's always going to be cones. And now there's a reason for these cones as opposed to what Yinzer say. The construction companies are never getting anything done. At least the Pirates are starting to get some things done. They're going to win it all. We know that. They're hoisting a big cone. AJ Has a question about that. Actually. Actually, yeah, Jet. Speaking of that, we know the NL

[Connor]

Central has got out to a hot start. The Reds are obviously in first place there division. Do you. Do you believe that the World Series runs through the NL Central this year?

[Pat McAfee]

Great question.

[AJ]

Whoa.

[Pat McAfee]

It's a great question.

[AP Tone]

Division baseball.

[Jeff Passan]

No, but they look pretty good so far. And in addition to the Reds, it's like the brewers, we forget that they won 97 games last year. They won more games than the Dodgers did. They won more games than the Yankees. The Blue Jays, the Mariners, all the best teams last year. Year during the regular season, the Milwaukee brewers were at the top. And so for them to trade Freddie Peralta this offseason, it almost reminded me of them trading Corbin Burns and still being good. This is a sustainable team that's in Milwaukee right now, and I think Cincinnati has the talent to beat him. They're doing this without Hunter Green, but their pitching's been phenomenal. Chase Burns looks absolutely awesome. Pirates couldn't have gotten off to a much better start. The card Cardinals, who they're probably going to state this year, but they've gotten off to a good start even. And then the Cubs just snake bitten by injuries. Between Kate Horton needing UCL surgery being out for the year, Matthew Boyd going on the injured list, too, the Cubs are scuffling a little bit right now, but the, the Central. It is, it is not the Comedy Central right now. Like, the National League Central looks like a real division. And I think the big question, I was talking with the scout about this year yesterday, he said, I think there are two good teams in baseball, the Dodgers and the Yankees. And everyone else, we're not quite sure at this point what they're going to be. And those odds right there, they tend to bear that idea out. And so the question's going to be who's going to emerge as the third and fourth and fifth best teams as we get into May and, you know, a little more seasons behind us.

[Pat McAfee]

Let's talk about the baseball a little bit this year versus years past. I like seeing players be able to show up the. Okay, I like it. I'm assuming baseball people aren't necessarily completely thrilled or completely against it, but Ty has a question for you.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, Jet, just based on conversations you've had from the early part of the season here, what are the reactions from players, managers and umpires about abs? Like, do they like it? Do the players like it? Man, I feel like some managers haven't really deployed it or the way they're deploying it. They're still figuring out. And then I saw a quote from an umpire the other day that said, said, like, you know, it's, it's been great, but also it's just creating unrealistic expectations for us and like, fans are just going to continue to kill us even if we have a good game. So what has the reaction been thus far?

[Jeff Passan]

Players love it. Managers are still trying to figure it out. The umpires are the interesting ones, though. And I, I don't think I've seen this reported anywhere yet. But I, I heard something really interesting a few days ago about what umpires are going through with aba. Yes. It's not just that the system is in place and that they're getting overturned or that they're getting their calls questioned or that they're getting embarrassed in public in their earpiece. They actually have the ability in game to communicate with Major League Baseball back, you know, at the, the center where replay is happening and, and with an operator who is looking at their game and monitoring the ABs to, to ask them like, hey, is my zone okay? Right now they're getting real time feed feedback and listen while the stuff like, hey, you've missed five calls this game. You suck at your job. That, that's gonna, you know, that's gonna be tough on anyone. I, I think a lot of umpires appreciate the Fact that, you know, right now they can be told in real time what their zone looks like and can adjust it, and that's what helps them be better. Like, at the end of the day, all umpires ever want to do is get the call right, and, you know, the fallibility of the human eye and of the brain's ability to track something that's going at 100 miles per hour and breaking 20 inches, which is what big league pitching is now, like, that's a really tough thing to do. So I think having that feedback system in place for umpires is the good kind of support that they need in a system that otherwise has the ability to just embarrass them day in, day out.

[Pat McAfee]

I'm happy that we're at the point of utilizing technology to benefit, and I'm also happy that the umpires are able to put their egos aside, because that was kind of what was happening in football for a while, is the refs were like, I want my eyes to mean something. It's like, okay, we do, too. But now that we can all see that you're wrong, maybe we figure out a way to maybe get it right. Do that together. I think it'll be good for umps. I think it'll be good for officials as a whole, but it's a brand new relationship for them. Good luck. And I saw some clips from back in the day. I mean, no strike zones for some of these. I mean, holy shit. We had John Boy on and. And he was like, my dad had no idea what a strike was. Yeah, they didn't know if there was two strikes. They didn't know if there was three balls. They didn't even have the score bug on the screen. So it's like, dad, no offense, you had no idea what was going on. You don't know why they were pitching, what they were pitching, where they were pitching, what they were pitching, what a strike was, what a strike wasn't. That's crazy that that is how much baseball has developed. But it feels like if you don't know that it's a full count or you don't know that there's two strikes, it is probably a little bit difficult. So I like where baseball has evolved into. It feels like we can all understand. Understand it. But boy, a catcher just being able to look back, say, you idiot. And just. And then the whole place, watching this all happen, and the catcher for the first time in his life to be able to say, just like I thought, brother. Okay, just let me kind of guide you in this entire thing. Who did it three straight times?

[Ty Schmidt]

Salvi Perez.

[Pat McAfee]

Salvi Perez doing it three or four straight times that had. He had to be wanting to do that for his entire life as a catcher, I, I would assume that moment is like a check the box. So I'm happy, happy it's here. I also like that the boys are throwing some real hands. Yeah, I like that the boys are throwing some real hands. Last night, Lopez saw we're getting into an absolute brawl that involves a double legged takedown in a punch with a baseball, in a pitching technique. Okay, so in, in football, if you're punching a helmet, bad news. There was a double leg takedown right there that you.

[Jeff Passan]

We might have by the manager, Pat. That was Walt Weiss right there, who, by the way, does MMA training. So not surprising.

[Pat McAfee]

Bald headed guy shooting in from the side. There's a double leg takedown. You see both of his arms right there wrapped around legs perfectly. Head is right on dog. Yeah, yeah, it is. I mean, it was. He squared him up perfectly. It was picture perfect. He took the hat off beforehand too, because he didn't want to get involved. He shoots the double leg. Old buddy has no idea because he's up here fighting 10 wars and he goes, let's go down the ground where I want to be, but bang, takes him down there.

[AJ]

Textbook.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, textbook. Absolutely textbook. You always.

[Jeff Passan]

Walt Weiss, by the way, not a big guy. Jorge Soler, on the other hand, six, three runs, about 250. So that was impressive. Yeah, he's like, yo, you to want.

[Pat McAfee]

Well, I threw two teammates two years

[Jeff Passan]

ago, by the way. They were both on the Braves together,

[Ty Schmidt]

so

[Jeff Passan]

there's some lingering beef there. No doubt.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. And I appreciate the fact that they're still doing this. He had ball in hand, utilize one of these now his fingers going off. Plastic helmet. Pretty good. Yeah, not great. You know this when football players punch a helmet, everybody's like, hey, that's not. You're not helping anybody here. So I like that he utilized the baseball as a weapon, for sure. I like that the boys are scrapping. I like that there was a double leg tackle at the end of it. I'd give this thing overall a 10.

[AP Tone]

Yeah, yeah, that's a good baseball fight.

[Pat McAfee]

And I like the reason why the fight happened too. Sent two over his head, you know, buzzed the tire two times right over his head. He goes, are we serious right now? It was in the third, I believe, in the fifth. And then obviously. And then they go and say, yeah, we're doing it.

[AJ]

What kind of Suspensions come from. This is not like.

[Pat McAfee]

Good question, Jet. Are they allowed to do this because this is cool or should what happens?

[Jeff Passan]

They're definitely not allowed to do this. For, for Lopez, it's probably gonna wind up being one game for Solaire, probably gonna wind up three. Lopez may wind up getting like a longer suspension potentially because pitchers, you know, they pitch every five days, so if you suspend them for, for five or seven or eight or nine games, then he's essentially only missing one start. But yeah, there will, there will be suspensions coming down from. It will be probably later today or tomorrow.

[Pat McAfee]

All right, well, good luck out there, Batman. Or sorry, Manfred, unless the NHL wants to get involved because this is a fight. Yeah, let Batman give a call. Good luck, Manfred. We assume you know what, what's right for baseball.

[Connor]

He does.

[Pat McAfee]

Con man has a question for you, brother.

[Connor]

Yeah, Basically the worst start out of any team in the entire major league is the Boston Red Sox.

[Jeff Passan]

I see. I, I like I've been thinking about you, Connor, this entire time because look, you pledged to watch, what was it, 100 games.

[Connor]

Yeah. And I'm on page for 162, brother, so I don't know how fricking long I can laugh at this. Right? Yeah. Seriously. It's not just painful, it's really discouraging, Jet, to be completely honest with you. And I'm coming off just an absolute gem from Garrett Crochet where they won 3 to 2. So I'm still in this position mood of what the hell is going on with this baseball team. They're sell the team Chance Jet throughout all of Fenway. And typically when you hear sell the team, you think of the Pirates. You think about teams that aren't spending money. But the Red Sox spent like $300 million this offseason. Is this a fire the team John Henry sucks. Is this a. Breslow is just a big dumb dipshit and doesn't know who's good at baseball. Just basically as much as I, I know who's good at baseball. Like who should I be directing my anger towards? And also when will some of these kind of up and coming prospects get called up? Connor Griffin being the number one guy, sure he needs to get called up immediately, but when should I expect some of these non poopy players to come and play for the Boston Red Sox that are in the farm system?

[Jeff Passan]

Yeah, I mean, let's not forget the guys who that, that they promoted last year, whether it was Roman Anthony, Marcelo Meyer, you know, they signed Christian Campbell to and he's down in AAA right now.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Jeff Passan]

That has not gone well for them. They traded Kyle Thiel, who. He got you, Garrett Crochet.

[Connor]

So.

[Jeff Passan]

So there's nothing to be said about that. But I don't know that near term. There's a whole lot more coming from the offensive side on the farm system with the Red Sox.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah.

[Jeff Passan]

In the offense, it's. It's not great. Right now they're striking out a lot. They're striking out almost 27% of their bats. They got a bunch of guys, you know, whether it's. It's Meyer or Trevor Story, who are batting in the hundreds right now. Like, the only guy hitting is really Willie or Brady. Even Roman Anthony striking out 35% of the time. So the bats have just gone absolutely flaccid. And the pitching hasn't been what they thought it was going to be either. You know, Ranger Suarez is off to a tough start. Me, Paul, a couple of guys been getting hammered. Like, not great.

[Pat McAfee]

Flaccid bats all over the place.

[Ty Schmidt]

Can't have that blasted arm.

[Connor]

Well, they got a good celebration. They got big bats are just. They're not bringing them right now, man.

[Pat McAfee]

I think that's a part of baseball there. Right? You need to bring them, I guess.

[Connor]

I mean, I'm still learning. I'm.

[Pat McAfee]

I'm still trying to figure out that you're going to be able to say, I was watching when they were the worst team in baseball. Every game, you. You will be able to say that. But it feels like they're never going to get better. Maybe this is an era that you don't want to sign up for. But I, I said there's nobody in the pipeline. There's nobody coming.

[Connor]

He said, on offense, we got this guy, Peyton Toll, who's got big and he's got a cool mustache.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, so he's got above average size dumper.

[Connor]

He's a. And he's a pitcher. So I'm not. He's just strictly talking offense. We're going to figure the bats out. I will say, though, I mean, we're three and eight and it's infuriating, but I'm loving it. I'm really enjoying being an angry baseball fan.

[Pat McAfee]

You like your guys?

[Connor]

I love my guys. We got to figure out how to throw the baseball a little bit, but. But I love my guys.

[Pat McAfee]

They're cooking. Roman, is he going to be okay on that? The whole throw thing, not being able to get to where he wants to throw it to right now?

[Connor]

Talk about the yibs. Chat.

[Jeff Passan]

He'll be fine.

[AP Tone]

He'll figure it out.

[Jeff Passan]

He's.

[Connor]

He's.

[Jeff Passan]

He's one of those guys who I think is too talented for something like that to become a problem.

[Pat McAfee]

Don't run this.

[Jeff Passan]

And look, this was, this was not a good problem.

[Pat McAfee]

It looks like me.

[Jeff Passan]

Suffice to say it, it did not

[Pat McAfee]

turn out well before I. I found my arm slot. Have you heard yet? I found my arm slot. I'm a of sort sidearm guy. Oh, maybe you should get. Yeah, I mean you're throw a little sweeper. No, I just, I'm getting over first base is what I'm doing. Yeah. You know what I mean? We're popping mitts, boom, turn two, bang the pal and boom. Now I know where it's going at least because when you're pop mitts skip stone with the boys, it's hard not to get excited about being accurate when you throw it. I couldn't even imagine what Roman Anthony feels like not knowing where the hell the boy ball's going because what before I started throwing sidearm. You see I'm throwing like this right here. Bang. You see that? I'm kind of letting it come out. Me and Aussie Smith working on the glove too. I don't know if you saw that.

[Jeff Passan]

Okay, now I'm coming really long throw too.

[Connor]

Well, it's accurate, jet.

[Ty Schmidt]

Do it, do it.

[Jeff Passan]

It's easy to be accurate.

[AP Tone]

That was one inch below that camera up there.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. 10ft. That's a home run.

[Connor]

You're lucky.

[Pat McAfee]

That's 230ft away. That's how big Thunder does. But I'll tell you, I couldn't imagine not knowing where it's going, especially as you're on the run, crow hopping going. I hope just go home. Yeah, please just go there. That has to be a mental thing, right? Have others gotten into this before in baseball?

[Jeff Passan]

Oh, absolutely. I mean like the yips is a tried and true thing and I'm not suggesting that Roman Anthony's got that right now. But when you lose your arm slot, when you lose arm strength, it's a terrifying thing. And we've seen it happen in so many cases even to pitchers like Rick Ankiel, who was the best pitching prospect in baseball and up at 20 years old for the St. Louis Cardinals and absolutely carving forgot how to throw strikes and it looked like it was going to kill his career. And then he came back as a power hitting outfielder and so he was not. It wasn't quite Ohtani, but it was a fascinating story and just the, the, you know, seeing such a great athlete like him be able to do that. I have plenty of faith that Roman Anthony is going to be just fine. Long term. I'd be more concerned at this point about the bat because that's what they need from him. They need offense from Roman Anthony, 21 year old.

[Pat McAfee]

Da.

[Connor]

Well, put him in the three hole. What's the guy doing leading off? Geez Louise. Man,

[Jeff Passan]

I love this so much.

[Pat McAfee]

It took you 11 games to turn

[Jeff Passan]

into the angriest baseball fan and it's perfect for you. You're absolutely perfect for the role. Please, like, I don't want the Red Sox to lose necessarily, but I do like this version of Conor quite a bit.

[Connor]

I mean, it better not last year. I'm just telling you right now.

[Pat McAfee]

I don't know.

[Connor]

I don't know if I can last my wagon to losers, especially in New England. We're talking about a Boston Bruins team who's about to go on a run. Talking about the fricking New England Patriots who just went to the Super Bowl. We're talking about the Boston Celtics who are favorites to go to the NBA Finals.

[Pat McAfee]

These.

[Connor]

I ain't going to latch my wagon to a 3 and 8 baseball team for an entire year. I'm just not going to do it.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, they're on a shot clock right now, you'd say.

[Connor]

I mean, they're on the watch shot clock till the end of April. As soon as we get to the end of April and they still stink. I'm switching to radio.

[Pat McAfee]

What's that?

[Connor]

I'm switching to radio and I'm only listening to the games. They. They will not get a TV in my TV room.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. So they're taking up valuable spots.

[Connor]

They won't even get my phone.

[Pat McAfee]

So you're gonna get it like, like one.

[Connor]

No, allegedly. You can just listen to them anywhere. I guess it's just out there. You can just listen to the games no matter what. And also if they go 12 and 150, TA's paying for my games.

[Pat McAfee]

Really?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, I did say I would do that.

[Pat McAfee]

If 13 is the over.

[Connor]

Under or 12 and a half. Yeah, yeah, right there.

[Pat McAfee]

And the Yankees aren't good at all right now, right?

[Ty Schmidt]

On the contrary. You heard Jesse. You know, a lot of people think it's kind of just the Yankees and the Dodgers and everybody else. Last night was maybe, you know, and this is me getting a little too excited, but it was maybe the best Yankees win since they last won the World Series.

[AJ]

What, the Athletics?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, exactly. It's Just a game. They don't win. They look like shite all night long. And then our sweet, sweet prince, Ahmed Rosario hits two homers, three run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning. Bednar comes in, shuts the door. You just end up winning a game you had no business winning. And that's just what, you know, a lot of times Yankees, Yankees just, they, they quit in the fourth inning of that game. And just say it.

[Jeff Passan]

We'll get them tomorrow.

[Ty Schmidt]

They didn't do that last night. So this team, you know, it's. It's unbelievable. So no, to answer your question, the Yankees are hard on a pistol right now. So feel pretty good about the Yanks

[Pat McAfee]

and the Red Sox are the complete opposite. Toxic table is a nice little depiction of baseball.

[Connor]

Yeah, that doesn't help. That doesn't help when. When I come in here and Ty's like, oh, you'll figure it out.

[Pat McAfee]

Don't worry.

[Connor]

Oh, by the way, the Yankees just won the greatest game of ever seen in my freaking life. All right, shut up. Don't want to hear that. Got to hear about Roman Anthony from you guys. It's just a lot of stuff is going wrong.

[Pat McAfee]

I'm going to need to hit.

[Connor]

I. I need to hit a home run here from Roman Anthony or things are going to get really testy.

[Pat McAfee]

Well, Connor is a 19 year old who's just coming and been a darling. This guy's all over the place. He's got range. He's huge.

[Connor]

He's 19, can't hit so fast.

[Pat McAfee]

Can't hit.

[Connor]

But we're not.

[Pat McAfee]

But we're not talking about that. What are you talking about?

[Jeff Passan]

He's aiming.

[Connor]

Freaking hit. Okay.

[Pat McAfee]

Guy was two for four last night.

[Connor]

He's still under 200.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay.

[Connor]

Guy can't freaking.

[Pat McAfee]

Guy's on base percentage 302. Connor's Corner right there. He's aiming. Hits.

[Connor]

It's not even how you spell Connor, man. No K in it.

[AJ]

Locked up.

[Pat McAfee]

There's no K in Connor because he doesn't strike out either. That's the only cat's on balls. That's the only K he's got. Those cones have been stolen from a traffic and construction area.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

And the people of Pittsburgh, I think Penndot are not happy. Penndot says, listen, we only have bud it for a certain amount of cones. You guys hoisting all these things everywhere. Needs to stop. Okay. And then. That's mine. That's mine. They're actually seeing this one has a tag on it like it's only a matter of time. Before you know that's they're gonna have

[Connor]

construction companies lined up, you know, lined up outside the stadium like ice agents. That's my code. Give that back. Give me back that code.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay?

[Connor]

Right now I see my freaking logo on it. Give it back.

[Pat McAfee]

It's a big deal.

[Connor]

Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

Hoist cone, baby.

[Connor]

Oh. Lead off double for the Brewers.

[Pat McAfee]

Sources. I'm done with this team, man.

[AJ]

Just.

[Connor]

Just freaking happened. I'm watching it right now.

[Pat McAfee]

Sources tell Jeff Passon available tomorrow. Congratulations on the new show. Congratulations on everything. We appreciate the hell out of you, man.

[Jeff Passan]

Thank you, boys. Appreciate you having me. And yeah, we'll be on ESPN News at 6:00 clock tomorrow. The full episode episode will be on YouTube next week on April 14th and on all of the finest podcast platforms in the ESPN app. So please go watch, listen, subscribe, and it's gonna be. It's gonna be fun.

[Pat McAfee]

You're saving the business, Jeff. Saving the business.

[AJ]

Talk about the Marlins on there. What's that talk about the Marlins?

[AP Tone]

Maybe they should let their aces stay in the game.

[Pat McAfee]

Are the Marlins good?

[AJ]

I mean. Yeah.

[Connor]

All right.

[AJ]

We got. They pulled Sandy last night. Why the hell they pulled Sandy?

[Connor]

Jit.

[Pat McAfee]

That's a good question.

[Jeff Passan]

Sandy's looking pretty good though. Is.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

You know. Yeah.

[Jeff Passan]

Their whole pitching staff's been awesome right now. And you know what's interesting about them? They're calling pitches from the dugout. Their catcher's not putting down signs. Their catcher doesn't have a pitch.

[Ty Schmidt]

Gotta hold these guys hands relaying to

[Jeff Passan]

the pitcher what pitches to throw. And they've been one of the best pitching staffs in baseball this year.

[Pat McAfee]

Is that D. Robby was pretty upset about that.

[Ty Schmidt]

That this morning.

[Pat McAfee]

Wait, is the pitcher wearing an earpiece

[AP Tone]

then and not the catcher or.

[AJ]

I think the catcher.

[Jeff Passan]

Correct. Pitcher's got. The pitcher's got the earpiece in. In his half.

[Pat McAfee]

So then the catcher doesn't know what's coming.

[AJ]

I saw him looking at a wristband.

[Jeff Passan]

Catcher, catcher has an earpiece too. Just doesn't have control over it.

[Pat McAfee]

And normally it's inverted.

[Jeff Passan]

Normally it's just the catcher calling the pitches, going straight to the pitcher. But the idea is if a catcher, catcher can be freed up from pitch calling, from the scouting reports, from all the things that he needs to do, he can focus on other elements. And you know, suddenly you have like your game theory guys who are scripting out pitches and what they're going to look like and they are able to optimize that from the bench, perhaps better in real time than the catcher. Theoretically, some catchers think that's a bunch of garbage and want to keep calling the pitchers themselves.

[AJ]

I'll catch raking.

[Pat McAfee]

Right.

[AP Tone]

He does have three home runs, I believe on the air.

[Pat McAfee]

So you don't have to think, yeah, we're innov.

[AJ]

Innovative down there.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, the Marlins. Yeah, certainly are.

[AJ]

You felt the vibe down there. That's. I have visions of a championship team after that.

[Pat McAfee]

It's a great ballpark. You, you got to experience what Marlins probably do a lot punch

[AJ]

be all right.

[Ty Schmidt]

It's actually the opposite. Their, their pitching staff walks people at like a historic rate, which is probably why they're going to stink this year.

[Pat McAfee]

Is it because the calls from the, the.

[Ty Schmidt]

I'm not saying that you just. In the, in the big leagues, you typically can't walk 30 guys over a three game series and expect to win too many baseball games.

[Pat McAfee]

Is that because the catcher might know the pitchers better, A little bit better from where they're sitting than maybe where the dugout's sitting at?

[Ty Schmidt]

Could be. Maybe he just has a better relationship with the guy, knows what the guy likes to throw on certain counts. Not that the guys in the dugout wouldn't know that, but it is just kind of weird that they're the only team in baseball that does that.

[Pat McAfee]

And they have the most Rockies too.

[Ty Schmidt]

Oh, okay. Well, the Rockies stink and they have for a long time, so. Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Jeez. Rockies just get brought into this and murdered immediately.

[Ty Schmidt]

They've had a pretty good start, I will say.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, so they don't stink this year. Is anybody having success with dugout to the pitcher?

[AJ]

Yeah.

[Jeff Passan]

I mean the Marlins ERA since they started, it has been a point plus better. Like they've been very good. And also the Mets are doing it a little bit too. So this is. I, I think this is going to be within the next five years. 75% of teams are going to be, oh, a pitch.

[Pat McAfee]

They're going to have like a pitch coordinator who's going to be the one calling the pitches.

[Jeff Passan]

It's exactly right. Yep.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. Maybe I find my way into being a pitch coordinator.

[AP Tone]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I cannot wa. Until we're doing this number in the dugout. We got an entire thing. Hey, why don't you go ahead and fucking knuckle this thing right here? Drop him to his knees. Remember, we're trying to drop him to his knees right here. Okay, There it is. Can't leave that hanging like that. You cannot leave that hanging like that. Okay. Please. All right, let's back him off the plate a little bit. Looks like he's a little bit too comfortable. You can't hit him, asshole.

[Ty Schmidt]

They tell you to drill him in the head.

[Pat McAfee]

I like that. You, if anything, added bonus for me as a non baseball traditional purist, I like it. I assume your baseball people are going to hate it, but hey, baseball's in a good spot. Stars are playing well. Except for the Boston Red Sox. We appreciate the hell out of you, Jet. Good luck with your podcast. Thank you, boys.

[Jeff Passan]

I appreciate you having me.

[Pat McAfee]

Ladies and gentlemen, Jeff Pass. You're sitting at a red light or stuck in traffic and your phone lights up.

[Ty Schmidt]

Up.

[Pat McAfee]

Maybe it's a text, a video call, a new post, or a quick notification. You think you can check in a second.

[Jeff Passan]

It feels harmless.

[Pat McAfee]

But the truth is, once your eyes leave the road, you're not really driving anymore.

[Jeff Passan]

And traffic doesn't pause just because you do.

[Pat McAfee]

That split second of distraction can throw off everything. Your reaction time, your awareness, your ability

[Jeff Passan]

to avoid someone else's mistake. You could damage your car, injure yourself,

[Pat McAfee]

or hurt someone you care about. Or you could get pulled over for a reminder that your phone isn't worth the risk.

[Jeff Passan]

So before you start driving, make it easy on yourself.

[Pat McAfee]

Put your phone on silent, toss it

[Jeff Passan]

in the glove box, Set it to do not disturb.

[Pat McAfee]

Put the phone away or pay.

[Jeff Passan]

Paid for by Magnitze Want to earn

[Pat McAfee]

extra income for your business? Amazon Hub Delivery is looking for ambitious business owners to assist with local deliveries. When you become a partner, you and

[Jeff Passan]

your staff will deliver packages to customers

[Ty Schmidt]

in your area on a schedule that works for you.

[Pat McAfee]

With each package delivered, you'll gain extra income and exposure for your business. Plus, Amazon Hub Delivery makes it easy to get started.

[Ty Schmidt]

There's no upfront costs, delivery experience or

[Pat McAfee]

long term contracts required.

[Ty Schmidt]

Sign up up to learn [e-mail] hubdelivery

[Pat McAfee]

that's Amazon.com hub delivery. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new segment. AJ you're gonna love this one.

[AJ]

Yes.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay.

[Connor]

I can't wait.

[Q. Rich]

Hey, I've heard a little bit about it.

[Connor]

Let's see. Let's see what's going on.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, so I like that you've heard a little bit about it. You've been teased a little bit about what's going on. This morning in the Thunderdome, we tasked ourselves with covering the Masters in a day different way than everybody else who has talked about the Masters. But also I would like to get a little bit of a heads up on who's potentially going to win this thing. So we started accruing data and statistics from ESPN research from Hembo, from tweets online. And basically everybody was laying out a bunch of reasons in who should win and who has won. So we thought to ourselves, how can we see the group of people that could potentially win and then widow them away? Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Masters champion. Guess who. Okay, obviously the game gets guess who back in the day, and I assume it would still be absolutely fantastic if we were to play Was where you were trying to guess which person the other person picked. Does it have a mustache? He say no mustache and he goes, knock down everybody that had a mustache. He wearing glasses? Not wearing glasses. Everybody with glasses. So we went through a bunch of stats that would kind of knock everybody out and get to a point where we have a board and then a cluster of who we think the history of the stats of the Masters are taking telling us could be the champion. Are you ready to guess who?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Are you ready to guess who?

[AJ]

This may be the most excited I've ever been for.

[Ty Schmidt]

Hell yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, so let's start with the entire. Let's start with the entire field that we need on the board. Each of the last four Masters champions and five of the last six won at least one tournament in the four month lead up to the Master who qualifies to be on our guess who board. Well, boom, here it is. Okay, These are the 14 gentlemen who have won a tournament in the last four month lead up, period. So Masters tells us the most recent Masters tells us One of these 14 guys is going to win the Masters this weekend. Okay, so let's go to the next qualifier because guess who? We got to eliminate some people, do we not? Let's go with. The average age of the last five winners is 28.8, which is the lowest in a five year span by the Masters champion since 1981 to 1980. 1985. It's a young man's game. So who is near the age of 29? We got rid of the outlier. Super young, super old. Around the age of 28. 29. You can stay. Who's that? Eliminate.

[AP Tone]

Okay.

[Pat McAfee]

Ooh, just eliminated five guys. Now we're down to nine, obviously. G up. Scheffler, Morikawa, Jacob Bridgman, Nicholas Etarius, Cam Young with an incredible beard. Matt Fitzpatrick, Bryson Dechambeau and John Rom hanging on down there. Okay, so these are the men who are still around after we get rid of some of the qualifiers. Now, since the official World Golf Ranking was established in 1986, 34 of 40 Masters winners in that span were ranked inside the top 30, including the last 16 champions.

[Connor]

Wow.

[Pat McAfee]

So who of this nine is not in the top 30?

[Connor]

Okay, see you later

[Pat McAfee]

is gone. Now we're down to eight that it could potentially be. Let's go to the next qualifier. Qualify for 14 of 19 historical trends from wrong close at PGA splits 101. He laid out a really long tweet about all these 19 different qualifiers. 14 of 19 have won. Basically all of them. Bang. Here it is. Ron Close. Thank you so much for doing all this. The trends at the Masters. The trends at the Masters. Knowing who it is, let's go ahead and get rid of the people who do not qualify for 14 of the 19 of Ron Close. See you later. And this is the cluster that you end up with after all the qualifiers, after you add all the stats, the age, the knowledge, the known, the this, the that. It's down to these six. We do not have another one that can go ahead and tell you exactly who it is. But stats tell us and trends tell us, and the Masters itself is telling us one of these six will be the Masters champion this weekend. And we like to say to them, congratulations. Wow. Yeah. A.J. pretty flawless reasoning of thought that we just kind of laid out there your thoughts on the final six that we have.

[Connor]

Yeah. I mean, reading all of this stuff and going over it does, like, you know, it does make you think this will be the case when it comes to it. I can't wait to see Monday morning when we come back and we can replay this clip and say, and one of these six guys does win the tournament. That's gonna be a pretty cool little clip that I guess TOC can put together and say, hey, you guys pretty much predicted the future.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. On that note, great work with the graphics.

[Jason Kelce]

Debone.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

And Zito making it come alive. Bruce Brown accruing all the stats. Hembo helped us out. Obviously, Close helps us out. But it felt like everybody was, like, projecting, hey, this is who's going to win. This type of person. This type of person's going to win. This type of person's going to win. Stats say this type of person is going to win. Felt obvious for us to do a guess who? And it felt obvious for us to get down to the final six. Very pumped that we did that, especially as I chased the crown this week.

[AP Tone]

Yeah, you have to chase the crown. And obviously, you know, you look at these guys and they're all known names because they're. They're in the top 30. They win tournaments. All these guys are. Are in the top 10 of odds this weekend, so wouldn't be a surprise. But it's kind of, it's fun to, to kind of whittle down to those guys to see who it could be based on just all the historical data of like none of these guys are first time guys. They've all been, they've all made cuts in the last few Masters that they've been in. But yeah, that's a. That was the best thing we've ever done.

[Pat McAfee]

I think so I think we put some real thought in.

[AP Tone]

Yeah.

[Jason Kelce]

Great.

[Pat McAfee]

You know, said some real. No flawed thoughts.

[Connor]

No, no, because so nobody like sneaks out. Nobody. What they're saying. The trend shows that people aren't just coming out of nowhere and winning the Masters.

[Pat McAfee]

Right. Yeah. Sunday's too big.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

It feels like it all feels too big for. You have to be there. You have to experience it. You've had to have done it is what the stats and analytics tell us. But hell, maybe this year is a different year, which is why golf and sports are so electrifying.

[Connor]

Yeah. Dan, you say earlier nobody has ever had their first win at Augusta. Like you're not going to see something like that. It's going to be one of those guys and I mean even the ones that you knocked down, you still would think like, hey, Justin Rose, he came in second last year. He's got a chance like Rory, you know, going for. Yeah. He'd be the fourth back to back. I think it was Nicholas woods and then one other Gary Player. Gary Player, maybe.

[AJ]

Yeah.

[Connor]

I'm not sure. But still, like he would be the fourth one to do it ever. Like that would be even really cool.

[AP Tone]

The one to. We should let everyone know who's watching because they might not know it. The one guy up there who is up there, Colin Morgan Morikawa. The last time he played, he withdrew. He is on. He is playing this week. He's on the course. He's practicing. He did a practice round with I think it was Scotty and a couple other guys. He only hit driver once, I think in that practice round. So if you were looking to maybe not roll the dice on someone.

[AJ]

Won't be on my team.

[AP Tone]

It'll be calling more cobble. But as I say that he's probably gonna go out and win the tournament.

[Pat McAfee]

There's a chance because he's great with his irons. Yeah, right. Which they're saying is going to be a big deal. It's going to be dry, allegedly. So the ball's gonna be long. So close to the greens. How Are you going to be able to operate? If you got good hands, probably going to win. But it's the. It's the Masters. It could be anybody's game. A.J. hawk.

[Connor]

Yeah, I can't wait.

[Q. Rich]

Honestly, I've been looking for.

[Connor]

Every year this week is awesome, but I think this year especially, I don't know what it is.

[Ty Schmidt]

There's.

[Connor]

There's a little extra added juice to this one.

[AP Tone]

Zaja go this year.

[Connor]

I don't think I'm going down.

[Pat McAfee]

No, you're going to go, aren't you? I don't. Yeah. I don't know. I mean, Jim Nance telling me I have to do it felt pretty.

[Q. Rich]

I mean, I say.

[Connor]

I say join them up in the booth.

[Pat McAfee]

I know, but it's so nice. Everything I've heard. I don't know if I'm the right guy to be walking around there, you know, that's kind of how it goes. But getting to experience that would be electrifying.

[AP Tone]

I think there's a lot of people walking around.

[Connor]

Yeah, a lot of. Lot of. Yeah. People that shouldn't be there. I bet you just got.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay, so I'll just be okay. Good.

[Ty Schmidt]

You just got to pay for it.

[AP Tone]

I mean, there's 100,000 people there.

[Connor]

I mean, Shane Gillis was there.

[Pat McAfee]

Shane's supposed to be here, though. Shane is. You know, let's just. You're right. I guess Shane knew. Okay, that feels good. Maybe Shane will be there. I'm excited, actually. Now the thought is who would be there? Yeah, I haven't even done this whole game.

[Connor]

A lot of people, A lot of.

[Ty Schmidt]

I just put out a story. I can't remember who. Who did, but they said that there's twice as many private flights coming into the, like, regional airport in Augusta as there was last year because it just continually, like more, you know, business, very successful business. People and celebrities are, like, trying to get there.

[Pat McAfee]

All right, so I'm not going to be an asshole and turn that down. No, that'd be a super asshole move to not do this. I mean, opportunity to do this and you don't do it. You got to be the dumbest human of all time. All right, so let's assume I'm down there. You won't. N. What the am I wearing? Okay, we'll get to all that right there. That's it.

[Connor]

Boom, baby. Shorts.

[Pat McAfee]

You got to wear a green jacket.

[Connor]

Yeah. Probably shorts. Wear a suit and tie.

[AP Tone]

Supposed to be 85 degree, so maybe shorts instead of the pants with a

[Connor]

lot of pockets so you can buy A bunch of merch and just stuff your pockets with.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah. And just maybe I change. Maybe I go to store buying something new to wear. Keep the green jacket that I bring down myself.

[Connor]

Bingo.

[Pat McAfee]

Could you imagine me wearing written down a green jacket I bought off of Amazon?

[Connor]

You need a text fits magic. Now to get one of those seats.

[Jason Kelce]

Which one?

[Pat McAfee]

He's working his ass.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

All right, we'll be off tomorrow and Friday as we celebrate watching the Masters down at Augusta. We'll be back Monday. I'll be in San Jose on Friday night. A.J. lot to say. San Jose. I can't wait.

[Connor]

I can't wait. Who all is there any special guests that are going to show up, you know, at the, the night of.

[Pat McAfee]

Hey listen, Friday night Smackdown. Okay.

[Connor]

That's all you need. Anything's possible.

[Pat McAfee]

Anything is possible. Odd business is going to be safe for sure. The future is going to run through Mr. Randy Orton. Okay. Obviously that's what we need to know and we can let him know, you know, that's certainly what we'll do. And I can't wait to get there. There's been a lot. It's gotten real loud, hasn't it? Feels like some people even learned. WrestleMania is coming up, huh? That's crazy. It's on ESPN's platform. We are pumped about that. The relationship between WWE and ESPN is going to be one that is fantastic because at this WrestleMania, the first one on ESPN's platform. Randy Orton saving a business. Thank goodness this is a once in a century type evening. Come join us in Las Vegas and I'll see you live on Friday from smackdown in circumstances San Jose. I got some stuff to say. There been a lot said about me.

[AJ]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

I accidentally did one of those Q and as on the IG story.

[Connor]

Oh yeah, how'd that go?

[Pat McAfee]

That opened up messages.

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Accidentally or people saying some mean stuff. I want to let you know. Remember I have a microphone too. You know, back back in the day on the Internet, I used to be able with people would talk to me or say very grotesque things about like my kids, you know, things like that. I would be able to go through their account, their profile, scroll through, find photos, screenshot photos of them, learn about them too. Let me go ahead and do a little, maybe an hour of research on this person. Let me just go ahead and learn about this. People think I'll never do that. Oh, I got time. Especially whenever you say you want my daughter to die or whatever. It's like, okay, so I do this whole thing. I have a couple cooks of These people. But if I do that, I'm way weaponizing my followers, you know, because I'm a bully, then I can't defend myself with these people. But I got a lot to say. Friday night, there'll be one of these and one of these and there'll be a script. Okay, we'll see. The script goes, randy Orton's gonna save the business.

[Connor]

Yeah, Viper's gonna be there.

[Pat McAfee]

Okay. Randy Orton is going to save the business and win 15 time world championship at WrestleMania. We hope everybody will join us. It's coming up soon. Now, before we get out of here for the week we got, we got to continue our seg that we will continue to do all off season because bloopers are fun. But just getting an opportunity to say oh no is an absolute blast, especially in the sports world. We all understand sports can bring you great moments. It can also embarrass you. If you live in the paint, you're going to get dunked on every once in a while. And if you're in baseball, there's a chance you get got. Now let's go to the Blue Jays White Sox. What is this top?

[Ty Schmidt]

Yeah, this is Tyler Hyneman, you know, and so not great initially. You kind of don't know what the hell you're doing. But we got a pickle here, so it's okay for. Oh, never mind. You know, you're trying to get one out, you end up flushing that thing into the outfield. And what should have been the end of the inning is going to end up being a two run play for the Chicago White Sox. Just not good.

[Pat McAfee]

And all it makes you think about Toronto is, oh, no, let's stay in baseball. The other Chicago team also involved Cubs at Rays. Foul ball by Matt Shaw. What happens afterwards is certainly grotesque. Pitch in, ball hit. It's going to be a foul. It's going to go into the crowd. Maybe somebody will take one home. Big man reaches, preaches. Cheeks out, cheeks massive. That makes you go, oh, no, let's go to Boston. Obviously it's been a topic of conversation as the oh no train continues. Brewers get a nice smack into left field. Roman Anthony, young stud. Oh no. Mrs. Cutoff and catcher in the middle of quite a predicament of not being able to throw the ball where he wants it to go. People are saying he's on spaghetti and linguine because he's a great Italian man. Roman Anthony will be back, but in these moments, you can't help but say, oh, no, let's go to Cubs at Cleveland Heron pitching here. Obviously, it's a magical time. A lot of spin on the ball. Is that a strike or balls? Oh, no.

[AP Tone]

Right in the eastern basket.

[Pat McAfee]

Let's go to Orioles game. Taking on the Rangers. Orioles pitcher Chris Basset misses throw to home.

[Connor]

Chris.

[Pat McAfee]

Oh, no. Is it going to get worse for Chris? Let's see. Obviously you missed this. And then just a few days later in the beautiful city of Pittsburgh, 110 miles an hour off the thing makes Chris Basset say, oh, no. Is this the worst start to a season you could possibly have? It'll get better, brother. Let's go over to basketball on the oh, no train. Gino Auriemma potting afterwards with Dawn Staley. They've shaken hands, they've moved on. Obviously, we're happy for the good of sport. I love a little drama, but everybody's saying it's OG No. And let's stay in basketball. Don't be talking shit about joker when his brothers are behind. Behind you because there's a chance you might run into a Joker Train. Sit your ass down. He said, now, I would like to ask a question. What if this guy was a John or a Yinzer or a. And stood up? Is there a chance? We see it potentially. It makes us all go, oh, no. And then we all know the March Madness National Championship bet Dan Orlovsky has to wear an earring with an M dangling into him. We say, okay, yeah, no, and that's oh, no. And we're off for the weekend. We'll see you on Monday. Have an incredible Masters weekend. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change your life. We're in this thing together. I'll see you on Friday night in San Jose. Goodbye. All right, good work, boys.

[AP Tone]

Great run.

[Connor]

Oh, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

How to get. Oh, no. In two minutes. Sorry, A.J. we just kind of kicked you off the screen there.

[Q. Rich]

That was great.

[Connor]

I enjoyed it. Has Dano. Have we seen Dano yet with the earring on anywhere?

[Pat McAfee]

He should have never agreed to that. This was a very. He made the wrong decision. Shock.

[Connor]

Crazy.

[Pat McAfee]

Yeah, it was a bad bet. And I watched the conversation where Will was on the phone and Taylor and him were talking and where they went to what they want to. It's like an one ear piercing is a very aggressive loss. Yeah, the blue dye head. That thing's growing out.

[Connor]

Yeah.

[Ty Schmidt]

Not that bad hair. He's covered in, like, tattoos, you know, like, he doesn't care if he has blue hair.

[Pat McAfee]

They work, Daniel. A little bit. Dano agreed to it. We'll be excited to see if it happens. We'll also be excited to see how the weekend goes. Greatest weekend in the sports. Some say. Yeah, let's enjoy it all. The NBA wraps up. The Masters is happening. Obviously the NHL is cooking. They're having their highest ratings they've ever had. Football is going to continue to gossip and we will cover it all. Thank you all for the work this week.

[AP Tone]

Hell, yeah.

[Pat McAfee]

Great work. Great work.

[AJ]

Great work.

[Connor]

Great work.

[Pat McAfee]

Boy.

[AJ]

Augusta, great work.

[Pat McAfee]

It's going on. What's his name? Chris.

[Ty Schmidt]

Chris Vernon.

[Pat McAfee]

Love him. AJ Great work. It's great to see you back. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change your life. We're in this thing together. Have the greatest weekend of all time. Team on me. Team on three. One, two, three. Team goodbye. Hey, sports fans. The ESPN app has all of ESPN all in one place. The ESPN app is your home to thousands of live events, ESPN shows and originals across every ESPN network and service. And now you can check if you already have ESPN Unlimited as part of your TV package for no additional cost. Visit activate.espn.com to learn how to access your account, account or sign up, then start streaming in the ESPN app. It's all of ESPN all in one place. Sign up or activate now.

[Q. Rich]

From 30 for 30 podcasts.

[Jason Kelce]

Brian Pata, senior defensive lineman for Miami,

[AP Tone]

gunned down the key to this case.

[AJ]

It's

[Pat McAfee]

an hour before he died. He was on the phone arguing with somebody. This might be a hit.

[Connor]

You want the truth?

[Jason Kelce]

They just want a conviction.

[Pat McAfee]

Being placed under arrest. We had a killer amongst us. Murder at the U. Listen now.