Podcast Summary: The Ryen Russillo Podcast

Episode: The Giannis-Knicks Flirtation. Plus, Jeff Passan on Judge Saving the Yankees, More MLB Playoffs, and Life Advice!
Date: October 8, 2025
Host: Ryen Russillo (The Ringer)
Guests: Jeff Passan (ESPN), Ceruti, Kyle

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off with Ryen Russillo dissecting the latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors—especially his supposed flirtation with the Knicks and the real uncertainty surrounding his future in Milwaukee. Russillo then transitions into an in-depth MLB playoff discussion with ESPN’s Jeff Passan, covering Aaron Judge’s heroic home run for the Yankees, the Phillies’ October woes, how the Brewers and Mariners have built winning teams, and broader baseball trends. The episode wraps up with an extended (and often hilarious) “Life Advice” segment, with Passan joining the full crew to tackle listener dilemmas and share culinary tips.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. The Giannis Antetokounmpo / Bucks Situation

Timestamps: 00:11–16:11

• Russillo’s Concern and Context:

  • Expresses that the recent Giannis news (“the Giannis story because I do think it’s alarming. It’s not more of the same, it’s actually different... I just really don’t understand the timing.” – 00:11) feels more tangible versus typical NBA gossip.
  • Recaps the NBA’s “gossip machine” and how speculation amplifies without new information.

• Source Credibility:

  • Highlights that, unlike the endless Donovan Mitchell rumors previously, the Giannis chatter at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago was “specific,” not just echo-chamber speculation.
  • Notably references a team relay: Giannis’s camp is taking control of potential trade conversations, similar to the Russell Wilson-to-Seattle Seahawks exit rumblings:

    “One team had told me, the agent said, hey, if we were to do this, we’re going to be in control of this... That’s the kind of power I think the second best player in the world should have.” (approx. 05:15)

• Alarming Paragraph in Report:

  • Russillo reads the paragraph that suggests real concern inside Milwaukee about Giannis’s curiosity/intent to leave, especially after the Bucks’ moves with Lillard and Turner.
  • Points out that this isn’t just media guesswork but—judging by the detail and language—includes leaks from Giannis's own camp.

• The Bucks’ Roster Jam & Historical Parallels:

  • After laying out the Bucks’ financial situation post-Lillard/Lillard-release and Turner's contract, Russillo notes:

    "So it’s not a great team... all that for Miles Turner." (approx. 09:00)

  • Compares frantic “make a move to keep our star” logic to the 2008 Cavaliers and LeBron’s final years in Cleveland.

• Giannis’s Leverage and the Unusual Timing:

  • Wonders why this article drops now instead of mid-summer, expecting Giannis’s leverage to grow as his contract winds down.
  • Notes that no international NBA superstar has yet forced an ugly exit in the “American star” tradition, and maybe Giannis just isn’t cutthroat enough to do it…

    “Maybe the best thing for Milwaukee fans is that Giannis might just be bad at this thing where he wants out. He feels this tremendous loyalty. He said all the right things...” (approx. 15:00)

2. MLB Playoffs Deep Dive with Jeff Passan

Timestamps: 16:11–56:00

Yankees & Aaron Judge:

• The Home Run That Saved the Season:

  “I think it saved their season, certainly. And I don’t think it’s being overly dramatic to suggest that because as Aaron Judge goes, so go the New York Yankees.” — Jeff Passan (16:11)

  • While epic, Passan says it’s not yet a career-defining moment, but it rebuts the “Judge can’t do it in October” narrative.
  • Data highlights: All 53 of Judge’s HRs this year came on pitches within the strike zone (“He’s slugging over .850 [in the strike zone]; it’s the rule of Aaron Judge...” — Passan 18:49).
  • Judge hit a 100mph fastball well off the plate inside—a rare feat.

MLB Managerial Moves & Modern Playoff Tactics:

• On Aggressive Pitching Decisions:

  “You’ve got 27 outs today to get. How do I get them? I will deal with the consequences of that tomorrow. And in playoff baseball, you have to think that way.” — Passan (23:11)

Phillies’ October Woes & Dodgers Dominance:

• Hot takes on Philly’s recent failures:

  “They just have not been able to execute when it’s necessary. And when the top of your lineup’s not hitting, if you don’t have execution, you don’t have shit.” — Passan (24:26)

• Dodgers as the “well-run machine” whose player development and big spending make them a model (and a target) for the sport’s existential salary cap debate.

Brewers & Small Market Team Building:

• “The Brewers aren’t a home run team, but they score. They force you to make mistakes, lead all teams in errors forced, run the bases hard, and develop velocity on the mound.” — Paraphrased from Russillo/Passan (35:45+)

The Velocity Revolution & Strikeouts Skyrocketing:

• “The average fastball this postseason was 96.1 mph. ... Even guys who don’t throw hard are sitting 96 now... It’s so hard to hit velocity.” — Passan (38:49+)
• Strikeouts are at all-time highs due to both pitcher and hitter approach—old-man Russillo rants about lack of situational hitting:

  “I just don’t understand the lack of change of approach... No one will ever convince me that because of launch rate, that’s still a good approach.” (45:46)

Mariners Success & Team-Building Patience:

• “Seattle’s front office was deliberate, understanding that player development is everything... They have the best farm system, and it’s not just a one-year blip, the window is open for a half-decade.” — Passan (49:48)

Rob Manfred & the Pitch Clock:

• Pitch clock worked better than anyone feared; both agree it has improved the postseason and deserves to define Manfred’s legacy:

  “This was the tourniquet on baseball. This, I think, is what is allowing the game to heal a little bit.” — Passan (56:53)

3. Life Advice w/ Jeff Passan, Ceruti, and Kyle

Timestamps: 61:23–end

Format:

Multiple listener dilemmas, both earnest and comedic, with Passan bringing candor and often empathy.

Notable Letters & Moments:

• The Girlfriend-vs-Parking Garage Conundrum:
  A guy worries more about parking his new Accord near a potential girlfriend's place than seeing her:

  “As somebody who owns a Honda Accord, I can tell you right now, it’s not a car that if the girl is worth it, that you’re gonna be very concerned about.” — Passan (65:03)
  The group concludes: logistics shouldn’t matter if the connection’s real, and maturity means knowing when it’s just not meant to be (“Sometimes it’s not in the cards, and that’s okay. And accepting that is the real sign of maturity and growth.” — Passan, 67:07).

• Dancing on a Nemesis’ Grave:
  Listener feels joy after his wife’s awful sister’s sudden passing, but can’t share the feeling and wonders if he should find other co-conspirators to celebrate with:

  “Your number one priority should be making sure that [your wife’s] doing okay and putting aside every last feeling you have about this woman... Main character energy right here. This is not about you.” — Passan (72:53)

  • The panel agrees: support your spouse, keep the schadenfreude to yourself, and “play the long game.”

• Food Etiquette at a Kids’ Party:
  Outrage at a host inviting families over, then asking everyone to pay/take care of their own food:

  “When you go to a party that sucks, don’t focus on how much that party sucks. Focus on all the things you can do to make sure your parties do not suck going forward.” — Passan (91:11)

  • Universally declared: If you host, you feed your guests. Especially kids.

• Miscellaneous Lighter Life Advice:

  • Debates on condiments (“Mayo is the most functional condiment there is... The best way to toast a bun is with mayo on it.” — Passan, 82:09)
  • Passan drops his fried chicken technique: “Key to the crust is a combination of rice flour and cornstarch. Always brine it in pickle juice for 24 hours.” (84:55)
  • Old man vs. young man sports takes, party faux pas, and respect for solid leftovers.

• On Baseball Coverage, Hot Take Shows & Media:
  Passan jokes about the struggle of getting baseball on mainstream hot-take shows, despite the increased access of today’s media landscape.

Notable Quotes

On Giannis trade speculation:

“If the guy writing the article is saying this line, ‘Antetokounmpo is continually asking himself,’ that means someone in that camp is telling Shams exactly what Giannis has been thinking.” — Ryen Russillo (approx. 06:30)

On the meaning of a moment:

“Aaron Judge is the most process-oriented athlete I’ve ever run into... He didn’t follow his process this time. The moment was there, he needed to adjust, and he had the ability to do so in absolutely magnificent fashion.” – Jeff Passan (21:50)

On hosting:

“If you host, you assume all the risks... You don’t want to be the person who ever runs out of food at a party. That is a memorable thing.” – Jeff Passan (94:08)

On life priorities:

“You are a secondary character. ... The person whose feelings matter are the ones you should be prioritizing.” — Jeff Passan (73:00, on the listener ecstatic about a toxic in-law's passing)

Memorable Moments

• Browser Tab Guilt:
  Funny detour about how many open tabs Russillo and Passan keep (“I get browser tab guilt. It’s awful.” — Passan, 34:21)
• Passan’s Fried Chicken Recipe:
  Brined in pickle juice for 24 hours; rice flour and cornstarch for the crust; a beet-based slaw for sweetness and color. (84:41–85:59)
• Party Hosting Fails:
  All-time low: party host invites families with kids, but says everyone should buy their own takeout.
• Russillo’s “Old Man” Baseball Rants:
  On launch angle, strikeouts, and “not making bins of chicken salad anymore” (83:40).
• Life Lessons:
  The episode closes with gratitude, humor, and Passan expressing how much fun he has with the RR crew (“What matters to me is getting to do fun things with people I really like. ...You guys allowing me into this vaunted circle means a lot.” — Passan, 101:42)

Segment Timestamps (Highlights)

• 00:11–16:11: Giannis/Bucks/Knicks Rumor Deep Dive
• 16:11–56:00: MLB Playoffs Recap—Judge’s Home Run, Phillies Drama, Dodger/Brewers/Mariners Analysis
• 56:00–61:23: Pitch Clock & Baseball’s Future
• 61:23–101:42: Life Advice with Jeff Passan—Relationship dilemmas, dealing with in-laws, party etiquette, and culinary tips

Tone and Style

• Candid, Insightful, and often irreverent; Russillo and Passan blend deep sports analysis, strong opinions, and running humor, making the pod engaging whether they’re talking NBA rumor mill, deep-cut baseball data, or the finer points of mayo versus mustard.

For Listeners:

This episode is a tapestry of sports insight (NBA and MLB) and everyday life advice, packed with great lines, lots of laughs, and wisdom both trivial and profound. The Russillo-Passan dynamic delivers sharp takes and memorable one-liners you won’t get from your average sports pod.