Le Batard & Friends Network

No job in America is more scrutinized, except for (maybe) the presidency. And yet no job is more misunderstood — even by the stars who mastered it. On the eve of a new football season, Pablo joins journalism's foremost QB scholar for a case study in royalty: How do the Mannings keep producing under-center superstars? What connects the Golden Age of Hollywood to John Elway? Is Tom Brady’s newsletter right about fatherhood? And why do Nick Saban’s assistants call him “Daddy”?

• Buy Seth Wickersham’s new book, "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback"

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/789617/american-kings-by-seth-wickersham/

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Mina Kimes joins the show! She’s here to talk all things football with us! Was Daniel Jones the right choice for the Colts? Is Anthony Richardson’s time in Indy over? Jaguars or Dolphins? Super Bowl in London? (27:45) The Jets held a players-only practice. How do I feel about that? This is Aaron Glenn’s first season as a head coach and he’s trying to change the culture. (34:20) Myles Garrett wouldn’t answer questions about his speeding tickets. This is someone who keeps getting them. And he won’t talk about it? Cmon! (40:30) Caitlin Clark has only played 13 games this season. That’s it. And now we’re learning she picked up another injury. Oh boy. (45:00) What is the latest on the Connecticut Sun? Is the WNBA forcing a sale to itself?

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Today’s word of the day is ‘dominance’ as in Shohei Ohtani as in the Dodgers as in the Rockies? What? That’s right the Rockies rocked Ohtani in four innings. It was his worst outing of the season, in a time where the Dodgers can’t afford to drop these games. Not only that, Ohtani was hit by a comeback. Wooof. (14:30) We need to talk about what happened with one of the Yankees recent draft picks. He did something in college that is shameful, disrespectful, and downright horrible. But the Yankees still took him. (25:30) The Diamondbacks removed its 3rd base coach with five weeks left in the season. Manager Torey Luvollo said too many mistakes were made. Very rare. (34:00) Review: The Usual Suspects. (39:00) NPPOD. (44:30) The Pittsburgh Pirates have the top pitching prospect in baseball. And he was just called up. But for a bullpen role?

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He was the Bill James of basketball. A cocky forefather of sports analytics who saw numbers as colors. Whose book, "Basketball Heaven," helped usher in the three-point era. And who failed. But Martin Manley also left behind a map, ranging from X-Files to his mother-in-law to the path toward the most efficient life... and death. Reporters Nick Altschuller and Rich Levine adapt their new "30 for 30" podcast — produced by our parent company Meadowlark Media and Adam McKay's Hyperobject Industries, in partnership with ESPN.

(If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.)

• Listen to all six episodes of "Chasing Basketball Heaven":

https://30for30podcasts.com/

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Call us at 631-377-4869 if you want to ask Samson (!) a question

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Today’s word of the day is ‘DH’ as in designated hitter as in Aaron Judge as in Giancarlo Stanton as in the Yankees as in home runs as in Aaron Boone. What a game last night for the Yankees. The bats were alive. How can the Yankees keep this lineup together? What is Judge’s arm health? Why did Aaron Boone not know? (16:00) Victor Robles has been suspended by MLB for 10 games. That’s a huge number for what he did in his rehab assignment. Threw a bat at a pitcher! (27:30) The Super Bowl in London? Roger Goodell wants it! Would it ever happen? (36:00) Review: Eddington (39:30) The Indianapolis Colts are going with Daniel Jones as QB. Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 pick from 2023, has found himself back on the bench. Wow. (48:00) NPPOD

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John Calipari joins us this morning! And he tells it like it is on transfers, NIL, expansion, and more! (30:00) The Big Ten wants 28 teams in the College Football Playoff? What? (35:30) Let’s take a look at what’s going on at Middle Tennessee State University. No more alternate jerseys. Wow. They also have a plan for NIL and how players get that money. (44:00) Trey Hendrickson is still out for the Bengals. Not playing. No deal. Wants a trade.

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Today’s word of the day is ‘rebound’ as in the Brewers as in the Cubs as in new streak as in NL Central as in Kyle Tucker. Milwaukee won Game 1 of the series 7-0. Kyle Tucker struggled again. And the Cubs have decided to give him a few days off. Wow. (15:30) The AL West has a small problem right now. Every one of the teams is struggling at the same time. The Astros have been getting shut out. The Mariners are losing. And the Rangers fell off a cliff. (25:00) The St. Louis Cardinals have some problems. Attendance. For the first time in 21 years the Cardinals attendance will finish outside the top 7 in MLB. (33:27) Review: Just A Bit Outside. (39:45) Vlad Guerrero Jr got hurt yesterday doing a split. Now he needs an MRI. Oh boy. This is the last thing the Blue Jays needed. (45:00) NPPOD. Let’s talk about Tommy Pham.

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He is one of the most disturbing and unapologetic filmmakers in Hollywood, from creating "Requiem for a Dream" to choosing conquistador sci-fi over Batman. But director Darren Aronofsky's new movie — "Caught Stealing," starring Austin Butler as a former MLB prospect — is a departure. Toward optimism; nostalgia; and Cheez. (Because, as any real New Yorker knows, you get everything you want when you no longer want it that much.)

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Rob Manfred spoke last night during the Little League Classic about expansion and geographical realignment. This has been talked about for over a decade! Let’s explain what this all means and what could happen. (19:00) NPPOD. (22:00) What is going on with the Browns QB battle? Is it Shedeur? Is it Gabriel? Is it Flacco? (29:15) This isn’t the biggest story for the Browns executives. They have run into a slight stadium problem. (35:00) Michigan’s punishment has been released by the NCAA. It could cost the university around $30 million in total. Wow. (45:00) The NBA wants to do away with prop bets as well.

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