The Rod Ryan Show

Episode: Fun Facts of The Day
Date: April 6, 2026
Host: Rod Ryan & Team, 94.5 The Buzz (KTBZ-FM)
Segment: Fun Facts of the Day

Episode Overview

This lively episode of "Fun Facts of The Day" on The Rod Ryan Show brings in the studio regulars for a round of quirky and impressive trivia—designed to make listeners “look smart in front of your buddies.” With Rod at the helm and a guest appearance from Captain Cash, the hosts share amusing tidbits about pop culture, baseball history, and science, peppering their banter with humor and camaraderie.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Banks and Markets on Easter Monday

• Bank & Market Schedule: The team briefly jokes about whether Easter Monday is a holiday for banks and markets.
  • “Holy Monday. Yeah, Easter Monday. That's not a markets closed day.” – B (00:20)
  • “That's on the wish list.” – C (00:26)
  • “But they're open today? Yes. Banks are open. Everybody's work.” – B & C (00:27-00:31)
• Tone: Lighthearted office banter, reflecting on the wish for more holidays.

2. John Ratzenberger: Pixar’s Lucky Charm

• Birthday Shout-out: John Ratzenberger (Cliff Clavin from Cheers) turns 79.
• Pixar Legacy:
  • Ratzenberger has voiced a character in every single Pixar movie.
  • Notable roles: Ham the Pig (Toy Story), Abominable Snowman (Monsters, Inc.), Fish School (Finding Nemo), The Underminer (The Incredibles), Mac (Cars), Head Waiter Mustafa (Ratatouille).
• Interesting Fact:
  • “He is Pixar's lucky charm. He has done a voice in every single Pixar movie...They won't do a movie without him.” – B (00:32-01:14)
• Team Response:
  • D: “Yep.” (01:00)
  • General excitement about his continued streak.

3. Left-Handed Catchers in Major League Baseball

• Surprising Statistic:
  • The last time a left-handed catcher played in MLB was in 1989 (Denny D. Stefano).
• Reason:
  • Left-handed throwers face challenges throwing to third base and covering certain positions.
  • “Lefty struggle to play catcher...Left handed catchers—turn around. Yeah. It’s not a thing. It is not a thing at all.” – B (01:38-01:48)
• Team Reactions:
  • A: “That is fun.” (01:36)
  • B jokes they all play hockey instead.

4. The Joke Behind Plutonium’s Symbol (“Pu”)

• Origin Story:
  • Nuclear physicist Nicholas Kemmer suggested the atomic symbol “Pu” for plutonium as a joke, because it sounds like “P.U.” (a foul smell).
  • No one objected, so it became official on the periodic table.
• Quote:
  • “Nuclear physicists have a sense of humor. He deliberately submitted that as a joke because it resembles Pu, as in a foul smell. No one objected and it made its way to the periodic table.” – B (02:21-02:33)
• Team Reaction:
  • D: “That's neat.” (02:20)
  • A: “Funny guy.” (02:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On John Ratzenberger’s Pixar Record:

  • “He is absolutely their lucky charm. They won't do a movie without him. He's had a role in every one.” – B (01:04-01:14)

• On Baseball’s Lefty Catchers:

  • “It's not a thing. It is not a thing at all.” – B (01:46)

• On The Plutonium Symbol Joke:

  • “Nuclear physicists have a sense of humor. He deliberately submitted that as a joke because it resembles Pu, as in a foul smell. No one objected and it made its way to the periodic table.” – B (02:21-02:33)

Useful Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:20 – 00:31: Easter Monday holiday status chat
• 00:32 – 01:14: John Ratzenberger and Pixar discussion
• 01:36 – 01:59: Left-handed catchers in MLB history
• 02:20 – 02:33: The funny origin of “Pu” for plutonium

Summary Tone & Style

The segment is upbeat, playful, and sprinkled with camaraderie. Listeners are given trivia ammunition for their next group hangout, with the hosts engaging in friendly banter and delivering genuinely fun knowledge.