Today’s word of the day is ‘technicality’ as Ryan Braun and Manny Ramirez careers are up for debate. Braun announced his retirement from baseball. Steroid user. (14:20) Manny Ramirez is back in the news talking about the Hall of Fame. Steroid user. What is their legacy? What should the legacy be for people who cheated the game? (24:05) Review: No Man of God. (27:00) The New Orleans Saints have a slight outbreak. The coaches are positive, a player, but they made it known everyone was vaccinated. The Buffalo Bills are making fans prove vaccination. The NBA is making things very strict for non-vaccinated players. Testing regularly; negative on practice days; negative on travel days; two negative tests on Game Day. Woof. (30:40) Gavin Newsom recall vote in California. (33:10) NPPOD. (38:50) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me why the New York Yankees would move Gleyber Torres to 2nd base this late in the season. Torres committed 18 errors at shortstop. How many times does this work?

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Today’s word of the day is ‘violation’ as in athletes should not be representing themselves — if you’re ever in trouble, call a lawyer — if you’re buying a house, call a lawyer — if you’re getting married, call a lawyer. Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson does not have an agent. Lamar Jackson does not have a new contract. (10:55) The Denver Broncos are the ugliest ownership drama in sports. Jeff Bezos and Jay-Z might be bidding against one another for the team. Bezos is going into football. If he wants an NFL team — he will get an NFL team. (23:10) Review: Cinderella. (28:35) Shohei Ohtani or Vlad Guerrero Jr: who win AL MVP? (34:45) NPPOD. (37:30) The NBA is doing everything that they can to get more money, get more views, get more everything. An in-season tournament and shortened season are on the docket. Is this the right move? 

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Today’s word of the day is ‘badly’ as in we played bad, you played bad, everyone is playing bad! As in the Green Bay Packers got smoked the New Orleans Saints and new starter Jameis Winston — So what happened? Matt LaFleur said the team was embarrassed — Aaron Rodgers said they all played bad. Uh oh. — A quick talk about the WFT sewage water disaster in Washington, that wasn’t sewage water — back to the Packers. (9:30) Trevor Bauer’s season is over. Trevor Bauer’s postseason is over. Is Trevor Bauer’s career over? (18:55) Blue Jays pitcher Robbie Ray got into a verbal altercation after Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was caught on camera cursing at him. This happens way more than you notice. What should be done? (27:20) Review: Epicenter (32:20) NPPOD - Lindor accuses Yankees, but doesn’t accuse Yankees of stealing signs. (35:34) Urban Meyer is a nightmare for Jacksonville. A report came pregame that said Meyer has been a disaster for coaches and players. (39:20) Max Scherzer becomes Mr. 3K. 3,000 career strikeouts. He has been lights out for the Dodgers.

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Today’s word of the day is ‘9/11’ as in remember September 11, 2001. It’s been 20 years. We’ve told this story before, but it’s good mentally to continue sharing these stories. Working in baseball during this time — let me explain how MLB acted when Commissioner Bud Selig heard the news. (23:10) Review: Untold - Crime and Penalties. (27:55) Red Sox player Hunter Renfroe went on a radio show yesterday and spoke out against MLB. He alleged that Major League Baseball told the Red Sox to stop testing for Covid. This during an outbreak where 9 players are on the Covid list. MLB denied this. The Boston Red Sox are pissed. What happens now? (35:30) Marcel Ozuna will be suspended. It’s going to happen. He was facing felony charges for physically assaulting his wife. We all need to be better. (39:30) NPPOD. (45:40) NPDS Survivor Pool

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Today’s word of the day is ‘Otesaga’ as in the biggest place to be one day out of the year as in the hotel in Cooperstown, NY where all the baseball Hall of Fame players and people stay. Let’s talk about the enshrinements yesterday and give some good HOF stories. (15:20) Review: Vacation Friends. (19:20) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me about Ben Roethlisberger speaking out demanding the Steelers pay TJ Watt. Watt is on the final year of his rookie deal, and he wants to get paid. (28:20) Tonya Snyder finally spoke. She is the new acting head of the Washington Football Team. Daniel Snyder is focusing on other things. (37:45) The NFL season kicks off tonight with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys. Tom Brady vs Dak Prescott. (45:20) NPPOD: Mets/Marlins

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Today’s word of the day is ‘resolved itself’ as in the injury has been fixed as in no surgery needed as in Mets prez Sandy Alderson said don’t worry about Jacob deGrom’s elbow because the UCL issue ‘resolved itself’. Interesting. Where was this news months ago? Let’s talk about why organizations hide injury news so much. (12:15) Fernando Tatis Jr says he might get surgery, playing in the outfield is temporary, he’ll return back to shortstop — he will get surgery. He has to. (19:10) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me about Houston Astros pitcher Jake Odorizzi sounding off about how Dusty Baker is using him. This person wanted to know how I would handle this. (28:45) Review: Worth. (35:20) There’s a small town in Minnesota called Caledonia and there’s a problem. Miken/Rawlings is moving its production of MLB helmets, bats, and other various baseball products out of Caledonia, and outsourcing it. This company is owned by the Seidler family… who own the San Diego Padres… and in part by Major League Baseball. (42:30) NPPOD. (43:40) Former NFL player Clinton Portis plead guilty to healthcare fraud. It was a giant scheme involving close to 20 people. Portis now faces 10 years in prison for his actions. 

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Today’s word of the day is ‘heart’ as in deep in the heart of Texas as in the Houston Texans have named a starter as in Tyrod Taylor, not Deshaun Watson. What? How? Why? Let’s talk about why the NFL has yet to put Deshaun Watson on the Commissioner’s List and why Watson is on the roster, but not playing. (12:30) Shelby Rogers and Sloane Stephens opened up about the amount of online abuse and bullying they received after US Open losses. (25:20) Review: Joe Bell. (30:10) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me why the Atlanta Braves signed Charlie Morton to a 1-year, $20M deal. Okay. (38:50) NPPOD: Gerrit Cole needs to be great for the Yankees. Happy New Year! 

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Today’s word of the day is ‘stop’ as in stop in the name of COVID. One of the craziest events in sports happened in Brazil. Federal police and health officials ran onto field and tried to arrest four players from Argentina over failed covid protocols. The players were supposed to be deported, weren’t, tried to played, and madness ensued. (11:45) The San Francisco Giants are in trouble. Not on the field. On the field the team just took 2 of 3 from the Dodgers and are back in first. Off the field? Concession workers at Oracle Park have voted to strike. Uh oh. (26:20) Review: Stillwater. (33:10) A listener gave me a correction about making the World Series. (36:00) NPPOD. (40:10) Let’s talk about motivation versus meddling versus fandom versus incompetence. Steve Cohen has been vocal on Twitter about his team, but when is it too much. 

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You ever have some Big League Chew? The bubble gum choice of every baseball player ever? Well, Rob Nelson was the guy who invented the gum! He joins us for a Samson Sit-Down and talks Big League Chew origin stories, his one professional game, traveling the world, and more fun!

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Today’s word of the day is ‘100 percent’ as in completed as in done as in work is finished as in the vaccine. We know, we know. You’re tired of hearing about the vaccine, but stick with us. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at 100% vaccinated. The Atlanta Falcons are at 100% vaccinated. What about the Indianapolis Colts? Let’s just ask Carson Wentz and Darius Leonard. (14:10) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me if the Seattle Mariners are doing the right thing. They asked if extending Dipoto and Servais was the right move. (26:35) Review: Anette. (31:00) The New York Mets put acting GM Zack Scott on administrative leave. President of baseball ops Sandy Alderson will take over as GM…. He’s always been GM! (37:10) NPPOD. (42:10) More CBA rumors: Arbitration. Salary floor. Free agency. 

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