Longtime Seattle Mariners fan and entertainment writer Mario Lanza returns to the Jack Vita Show to talk baseball and Survivor.

The Mariners were active at the trade deadline, acquiring corner infielders Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The club reaped the benefits immediately, winning 10 of its next 11 games, before hitting a snag. The M's proceeded to lose seven of their ensuing eight games. It's been a summer of high highs and low lows for the Mariners, but with just over a month remaining in the regular season, Seattle finds itself just 1.5 games back of the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West.

Mario and Jack put the Mariners' season under the microscope, and attempt to predict how they see the club finishing the year. Hear why Jack believes the M's have the highest ceiling of any team in the American League. Later, they debate the merits of Cal Raleigh's season and his AL MVP candidacy. Mario's thoughts on the topic may surprise you!

Along the way, they also touch on an extremely close NL West race between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, as well as various news from around Major League Baseball.

Later, Mario and Jack chat about Survivor 50, the final season of Mario's Survivor Historians Podcast, The Funny 115, Saturday Night Live, and plenty more! It's an episode you will NOT want to miss!

2025 MLB Trade Deadline has come and past, and play-by-play broadcaster Michael Marcantonini is here to discuss this year's trade deadline winners and losers on the Jack Vita Show!

The San Diego Padres once again made the most noise on deadline day, as president of baseball operations AJ Preller made a flurry of aggressive moves, most notably dealing the no. 3 prospect in baseball (and three pitching prospects) to the Athletics in exchange for closer Mason Miller and starting pitcher JP Sears. The Padres also acquired catcher Freddy Fermin, outfielder Ramon Laureano, starting pitcher Nestore Cortes, and first baseman/designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn. Michael and Jack share why they believe the Padres won the deadline, and Jack makes a bold proclamation that the Friars will win the National League West over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs were strangely quiet at this year's deadline. Will their passiveness come back to bite them? The Cubs missed an opportunity to upgrade their pitching staff, just days after the Milwaukee Brewers passed them for the NL Central division lead. Jack assesses the Cubs' approach at the deadline, as they enter into the final crunch of the regular season.

Michael is the play-by-play voice of the Aberdeen IronBirds, the High-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. He also broadcasts Division I athletics. You can follow him @MikedUpSports on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Baseball writer, BBWAA member and host of The Rockies Insider⁨, Patrick Lyons, visits the Jack Vita Show to discuss the first half of the MLB season, the MLB All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby, while looking ahead to the second half of the season.

Jack wants to repair and remake the Home Run Derby. Is there a way we could get more star power in the Derby in the future? He and Patrick discuss the All-Star Game's epic "Swing-Off".

Jack also asks why home run totals are up league-wide this season. Is it possible that the baseballs may have a little more bounce off the bat this season than last?

Patrick and Jack discuss happenings from the All-Star break, as well as the first half of the regular season. Jacob Misiorowski was named an All-Star replacement, despite having only made five career starts. His inclusion in the Midsummer Classic caused a stir, as a handful of Philadelphia Phillies players criticized the decision from Major League Baseball. Patrick and Jack share their thoughts on the decision.

The Milwaukee Brewers have been the best team in baseball for the past two months. The club is 33-12 over its last 55 games, dating back to May 26. And now, they're not only tied for the National League Central lead with the Chicago Cubs, but the two teams from the Midwest are tied for the best record in the National League. Patrick and Jack discuss why they each picked the Brewers to win the NL Central, what is clicking for the team, the Brewers' prowess as an organization, and what they expect to happen in this division race.

With the MLB trade deadline rapidly approaching, Patrick and Jack attempt to identify this year's sellers. It's shaping up to be a seller's market, and there doesn't appear to be too many high-impact players available. Who do Jack and Patrick think will be available, and what will the market shape up to be? All this, and much more, in a very fun episode of the Jack Vita Show!

Check out Patrick's show, The Rockies Insider with Patrick Lyons, on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever podcasts are found!

With the 2025 MLB Draft rapidly approaching, MLB Pipeline senior prospect and draft analyst Jim Callis returns to the Jack Vita Show, to preview this year's Draft. The Draft is set for Sunday, July 13.

This conversation was taped Friday, June 27, days after the MLB Draft Combine in Phoenix concluded, and 23 days before the MLB Draft.

This year's Draft does not have a clear-cut number one talent, leaving the Washington Nationals the opportunity to go in a number of different directions. They could tag college baseball's best pitcher, LSU's lefty Kade Anderson. They could go with the best high school position player (Ethan Holliday), or the best high school pitcher (Seth Hernandez). Jim helps break down the talent at the top of the Draft board, previewing Sunday's Draft. Jim also shares some thoughts from this year's MLB Draft Combine (0:00 - 40:30).

Later, Jim and Jack shift their attention to the big leagues, specifically, young players that have impressed this season. After a lackluster rookie campaign, Pete Crow-Armstrong was named the National League's starting center fielder in next week's All-Star Game. The 23 year-old has found success in his sophomore season in the bigs. Jim has been high on PCA for a while, but did he see this coming from him in his second year? Jim also been high on Milwaukee Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski for quite some time. Misiorowski recently made his big league debut, and through his first four starts, the 23 year-old has a 3-1 record and 3.20 ERA across 19.2 IP. Jack and Jim talk Misiorowski and other young players they have their eye on this season. They also share some thoughts on the Chicago Cubs' hot start that has them in first place, just days before the All-Star break (40:30 - 53:35).

Lastly, Jim and Jack discuss the cast for the upcoming season of Survivor, Survivor 50 (53:35 - END)! You can find more from us on Survivor 50 here.

Baseball season has returned, and Jack is back for his 2025 Major League Baseball season preview. Jack welcomes Aberdeen IronBirds (Baltimore Orioles High-A affiliate) play-by-play broadcaster Michael Marcantonini back to the show, for a comprehensive look at all six divisions.

Mike and Jack kick things off with the AL East, a division Mike is very familiar with. The division has seen three different champions over the last five seasons. Will the New York Yankees repeat as AL East champs, even after losing Juan Soto? Last year, the Orioles took a step back from their 101-win season in 2023. Could they return to the top of the division, even after Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander departed as free agents over the winter? The Boston Red Sox were very active in the offseason, trading for Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox, and signing two-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract. Will it be enough to return Boston to the postseason? Mike and Jack also share their thoughts on the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays.

On deck, Mike and Jack put the AL Central under the microscope. Four of the division's five teams have seen a quite a bit of preseason betting action... with the White Sox coming off a record-setting 121-loss season in 2024. The Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins all posted winning seasons last year. Who do Mike and Jack like to win the division and snag a Wild Card (or two)?

Then, the fellas turn their attention to the AL West. The Houston Astros have won the division seven of the last eight years. The only year in which the club has not won the West since 2017 came in 2020, in the COVID-shortened, 60-game season. In each of baseball's last seven full, 162-game seasons, the Astros have been AL West champions. However, the Astros bid farewell to Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Justin Verlander and Ryan Pressly over the winter. The club doesn't appear to have much coming up through its farm system in the near future. Are the Astros still the team to beat in the West, or is their run reaching its end? Will the Seattle Mariners finally win their first division title since 2001? How will the Texas Rangers bounce back from a lackluster 2024, one year after winning the World Series? What kind of steps forward might the Los Angeles Angels and The Athletics take in 2025?

Michael is a lifelong Philadelphia Phillies fan, so he is enthusiastic to weigh in on the Fightin' Phils' chances entering the coming season. How will the Atlanta Braves fare after losing ace Max Fried to free agency? Michael and Jack discuss the Mets' highly-priced addition of Juan Soto, and share which teams from the East they are projecting to make the playoffs.

The Chicago Cubs are the betting favorites in the NL Central, despite having made the postseason just once over the last six years. The Milwaukee Brewers have reached the playoffs seven of the last eight years. Why aren't the Brewers getting more love? Michael and Jack debate.

Jack believes that the three best teams in the National League all play in the NL West. Which of the three does he have winning the World Series? Jack explains why the greatest threat to the Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series defense may come in the National League Division Series. Finally, Michael and Jack share their World Series picks. It's an episode of the Jack Vita Show that you will not want to miss!

AL East (0:00 - 17:30)

AL Central (17:30 - 29:00)

AL West (29:00 - 39:35)

NL East (39:35 - 46:50)

NL Central (46:50 - 53:15)

NL West (53:15 - END)

Super Bowl champion, two-time Pro Bowler and 2013 NFL Second-team All-Pro Vernon Davis visits the Jack Vita Show to discuss his time in the NFL and his transition from his playing career to his acting career (0:00 - 13:15). Then, Jack welcomes minor league play-by-play broadcaster Michael Marcantonini to the program to break down the weekend's AFC and NFC Championship games (13:15 - END).

Vernon entered the NFL nearly 20 years ago, as the no. 6 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. A product of the University of Maryland, Vernon ran the fasted 40-yard dash time ever recorded for a tight end at the NFL Combine, clocking in at 4.38 seconds. In the weeks leading up to the Draft, Vernon starred in a famous Under Armour commercial alongside AJ Hawk which introduced the marketing tagline "click, clack." Jack asks Vernon about the iconic commercial. They also chat about Vernon's time in the NFL, his best Jim Harbaugh stories, how acting differs from playing, and his new show, titled "Match Point", which premieres February 11 on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Then, Jack is joined by Michael for a very lively discussion about the weekend's NFL Playoff games! Michael and Jack react to some horrendous officiating in the AFC title game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills. Why do football fans hate the Chiefs? Michael and Jack discuss. Michael is a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan, so he was pretty happy about the outcome to Sunday's NFC Championship game. Were the Eagles overlooked and disrespected in the NFC? Later, Michael and Jack look ahead to the big game, discussing early storylines for Super Bowl LIX. And finally, they discuss the Chicago Bears' new head coach hire, former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Should Jack be excited about the future in Chicago?

Michael is the play-by-play voice of the Aberdeen IronBirds, the High-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. He also broadcasts Division I athletics. You can follow him @MikedUpSports on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Last week, the Arizona Diamondbacks made the definitive most shocking move of the offseason, signing 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million contract. Days earlier, the Diamondbacks traded for first baseman Josh Naylor, from the Cleveland Guardians. Arizona Diamondbacks on SI publisher and Diamondbacks beat reporter Jack Sommers visits the Jack Vita Show to break it all down!

Jack Sommers has the inside scoop on how the Burnes' signing — which seemingly no one saw coming — came to fruition. Burnes reportedly passed on more lucrative offers from the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays, preferring instead to play in Arizona, where he lives in the offseason with his family. The contract also includes deferrals; Jack Sommers explains how the deferrals work.

Earlier in the week, the Diamondbacks filled a gaping hole at first base, acquiring All-Star Josh Naylor in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Slade Cecconi and a Competitive Balance Round B Draft pick. Naylor will replace three-time Gold Glove Award winner Christian Walker, who signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Houston Astros. Former Diamondbacks great Paul Goldschmidt had been linked to the team as a possible replacement for Walker, but instead signed a one-year, $12.5 million contract with the New York Yankees. Jack and Jack share their thoughts on game of musical chairs being played among first baseman! What do they think of the Naylor trade, and the landing spots for Walker and Goldy?

Finally, Jack and Jack share some thoughts on miraculous 2024 Arizona State Sun Devils football season, which resulted in a thrilling, double-overtime loss in the Peach Bowl on New Years Day. This episode was taped a day before the Bowl Game; Jack and Jack reflect on a monumental season for the program that nobody saw coming. Was this the most stunning season for an Arizona sports team in the state's history?

Unfortunately, we encountered some technical difficulties when recording this episode, thus, our audio isn't up to the high standards set for the Jack Vita Show. We apologize, and expect to do MUCH better next time!

You can follow Jack on Twitter, @shoewizard59, and check out his work at Diamondbacks on SI!

With the MLB hot stove heating up, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger visits the Jack Vita Show to break down the latest roster news, including Juan Soto's mammoth contract, the New York Yankees' attempt to replace Soto's production, and trades from both of Chicago's baseball teams. Rhett and Jack bring you analysis that you won't be able to find anywhere else!

Major League Baseball is seeing a far more active offseason than it did a year ago, up to this point. On the Sunday night of the MLB Winter Meetings, Juan Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. In response to Soto's record-setting deal, the Yankees made a flurry of moves, signing Max Fried and Paul Goldschmidt, and trading for Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams.

Days before shipping Bellinger away to the Yankees, the Chicago Cubs acquired outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros, in exchange for pitcher Hayden Wesneski, third baseman Isaac Paredes, and third base prospect Cam Smith. Tucker has just one year remaining on his contract, entering 2025. Will the Cubs be able to extend or re-sign him? Or will he just be a one-year rental for the club? Do the Cubs have the pieces to contend in 2025? How does Tucker transform their lineup?

On the other side of the city, the White Sox dealt Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox for a haul of four prospects, which included 2023 and 2024 first round draft picks Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery. Rhett and Jack assess the trade package, and discuss what they think the White Sox will do next.

Rhett and Jack touch on other offseason news from around the league, and Rhett analyzes the offseason that the Los Angeles Angels have had. Jack likes the Angels' addition of World Series champion and longtime Cub Kyle Hendricks. Later, Rhett and Jack share some thoughts heading into the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff.

Rhett is about to enter his seventh season as MLB.com's Los Angeles Angels beat reporter. Prior to starting on the Angels beat, he covered the Minnesota Twins for the same publication for eight seasons. You can follow him on Twitter, @RhettBollinger.

MLB Pipeline reporter and prospect analyst Jim Callis returns to the Jack Vita Show to discuss a mix of football and baseball on this fine Tuesday. NFL season is in full-swing, the World Series stage is set, and the Arizona Fall League enters its third week of play. Jim is here to break it all down!

First, Jim and Jack chat about their Pittsburgh Steelers. Just days ago, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made a bold decision to bench quarterback Justin Fields in favor of veteran Russell Wilson, despite his team opening the season with a 4-2 record with Fields behind center. The move was met with much criticism, as Wilson was booed Sunday by Pittsburgh fans at Acrisure Stadium. Wilson, however, turned in a successful outing, passing for 264 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, taking just one sack, as the Steelers hung a season-high 37 points in a 37-15 victory over the New York Jets. What do Jack and Jim make of all of this, and what was their reaction to Tomlin's decision? (0:00 - 14:00).

Then, Jim and Jack pivot to baseball. The World Series stage is set, with Aaron Judge's New York Yankees taking on Shohei Ohtani's Los Angeles Dodgers. The matchup should make for one of the most star-studded Fall Classics in recent memory. Jack and Jim recap the ALCS and NLCS, and preview a World Series, featuring two historic franchises, that should certainly deliver in the ratings department (14:00 - 23:50).

Later, Jack and Jim get you caught up on the later from the Arizona Fall League. The AFL is a developmental league for some of baseball's best minor league prospects, which runs for six weeks each fall (23:50 - END).

The biggest headline from this year's AFL season thus far is without a doubt the return of top Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter. Painter tore his UCL in early 2023, needing Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing righty hadn't pitched in a game since 2022, prior to his start ten days ago in Scottsdale. Painter made his second start last Friday, mixing in more pitches from his pitch arsenal. Jim and Jack discuss Painter's return, his recovery, his timeline and how he's looked thus far. They also highlight other prospects that have impressed through the first third of the AFL season, and discuss why they love the Fall League so much!

With one week remaining in the 2024 MLB regular season, the Seattle Sports Guy and creator of The Funny 115, Mario Lanza, returns to the Jack Vita Show to discuss the Seattle Mariners' season and the latest trends within the game of baseball. Mario and Jack also take a broader look at the sport, from a national perspective.

Mario is one the most knowledgeable Seattle sports fans on the planet. Each year, Mario leaves us a voice message, providing a detailed outlook for the coming Mariners' season, in our AL West Preview show. And each year, Mario has a generally positive outlook entering the season. He's remained quite patient and rational, even while the M's have just barely missed the postseason two of the last three seasons. It appears Mario's patience has run out, however. Find out why this is one of Mario's least favorite Mariners teams of his lifetime.

Sunday, the Mariners held a four-run lead over the Texas Rangers entering the bottom of the sixth inning. The M's blew a 4-0 lead, falling to the Rangers 6-5, and squandering an opportunity to move up in the American League Wild Card standings. Both teams in front of the M's in the AL Wild Card standings — the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins — lost on Sunday. With six games left, Seattle is two games back of the Royals for the final AL Wild Card spot. The Mariners are still very much alive, but they have their work cut out for them this week.

Three teams from the AL Central sit in front of the Mariners in the Wild Card standings, and all three of them can thank the Chicago White Sox for part of their success this season. Both the Royals and Twins are 12-1 versus the lowly South Siders in 2024, and the Tigers are 9-1, with one series remaining before season's end. Meanwhile, the White Sox (36-120) are on the cusp of putting together the worst regular season record in MLB history. Mario and Jack talk about the 2024 White Sox. Have either of them scene a worse Major League team before?

Later, Mario and Jack discuss how dominant pitching has become in Major League Baseball and the remarkable seasons Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are enjoying. Mario and Jack discuss the state of baseball in 2024, thoughts on the 2024 season, baseball fights, and so much more along the way!

You can follow Mario on Twitter, @MarioJLanza. He hosts two podcasts: Survivor Historians and Staff Picks. He wrote a book on the first three seasons of CBS' hit reality competition show Survivor called "When it was Worth Playing For". You can find all his work at Funny115.com.