Pitchers and catchers have reported, Nolan Arenado is still a Cardinal, and Alex Bregman is now a Red Sock. Ron, Elliott, and Pete bring their usual highly rational takes to the latest in MLB on this special Presidents' Day episode. After the obligatory baseball talk, this week's conversation turns to pop culture, chess, and Ron's Soccer minute.

• 10 vs. 2 MMA: https://x.com/i/status/1891674697542046063

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What did we do to deserve this?

In this Cards-heavy episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast, Ron, Elliott, and Pete are joined by special guests Holy Elle and Dan Buffa for a deep dive into the current state of St. Louis Cardinals baseball. The conversation kicks off with Ron expressing his frustrations about the team's stagnant offseason, drawing parallels to the dark days of the early '90s. The group debates the implications of the Cardinals' roster decisions, particularly focusing on the future of former stars like Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt.

The discussion shifts as they analyze the potential impact of new players and the importance of allowing young talent like Mason Wynn and Jordan Walker to shine without being yanked back and forth between the majors and minors. The group shares their hopes and concerns about the upcoming season, exploring whether the team is truly committed to a rebuild or merely treading water. The conversation takes a humorous turn, with the group discussing about Jim Edmonds' recent interview and critique of his broadcasting style.

We wrap up with "Ron's Soccer Minute," as he shares his excitement for the upcoming MLS season and City's home opener.

Catch up with Elle at www.holyelle.com. Read Dan's latest at doseofbuffa.com.

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Ron, Elliott, and Pete dive into the lackluster offseason for the St. Louis Cardinals, with Ron expressing his disinterest in this year's Winter Warm-Up and the team's failure to make significant moves. The guys discuss the ambiguous "reset" strategy announced by the Cardinals' management, questioning what it really means for the future of the team.

Elliott counters with a look at the Chicago Cubs' recent signings, highlighting their efforts to improve the roster while Pete pokes fun at the expectations of Cubs fans regarding team profitability. The conversation takes a comedic turn as the hosts explore the absurdity of fan expectations in the current sports landscape.

As the episode progresses, the trio shifts gears to the Hall of Fame announcements, celebrating the induction of Ichiro and reflecting on the careers of other inductees like Billy Wagner and CC Sabathia. They discuss the implications of the steroid era on Hall of Fame voting and speculate on future inductees, including Carlos Beltrán and Ryan Braun.

Wrapping up the episode, they touch on the Chicago Bears' recent coaching hires before celebrating the return of "Ron's Soccer Minute"! That's right, the excitement for the upcoming MLS season is palpable, as Ron shares his hopes for St. Louis City SC and their new coach.

The guys also share a laugh over the latest Star Wars news, including the unexpected fate of Watto the Toydarian.

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In this fiery episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast, Ron, Elliott, and Pete tear into the latest MLB drama with all the fire and flair you’d expect. It kicks off with Ron going off on the Dodgers' controversial signing of Roki Sasaki, sparking a heated debate about the growing imbalance in the game. Ron’s so fed up with baseball’s direction, he might just quit being a fan altogether.

The guys then stumble upon a shocking discovery – another podcast using the Team of Rivals name! Naturally, they debate whether to send in the lawyers or just invite the copycats on for a showdown. They dive into the absurdity of not even Googling your podcast name before launching and the lengths people will go for some lazy branding.

Things take a turn when Pete rips into Cubs fans for rolling out the red carpet for Sammy Sosa’s return at this weekend’s Cubs Convention. Pete’s not having it, especially with Sammy’s nonstop thirst for attention – he’s fired up, to say the least.

The mood lightens as the trio shifts gears to honor the legendary Bob Uecker, sharing some of their favorite stories and clips from his career. Ueck’s humor and wit made him a beloved icon in the world of baseball broadcasting, and the guys give him the shout-out he deserves.

Finally, the guys wrap things up with a chat about the Chicago Bears’ coaching search, tossing around names like Mike McCarthy and wondering if the team can finally find a leader who’ll bring some much-needed success.

It's a jam-packed episode full of rants, laughs, and some seriously hot takes. You won’t want to miss it!

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This week, Ron, Pete, and Elliott explores Jim Bowden's recent article grading MLB teams' offseasons, sparking a debate on whether the Cubs truly deserve an A-minus and if the Cardinals' inactivity justifies their F grade. They delve into the implications of team movements, the Cubs' bullpen needs, and the Cardinals' potential trade scenarios.

Switching gears, the guys then tackle the ongoing Chicago Bears coaching search, pondering how the team might navigate the hiring process and what potential candidates could bring to the table. With a mix of skepticism and hope, they discuss the Bears' strategy and the importance of getting the right leadership in place. (TRANSLATION: "How are the Bears going to screw up this time?") 

Finally, the Team shares their thoughts on the broader sports landscape, touching on the Padres' hat options, potential player signings, and the ever-entertaining John Gruden. They even discuss the possibility of a Team of Rivals field trip to an A's game in Sacramento.

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Welcome to the first Team of Rivals Podcast episode of 2025! Ron, Elliott, and Pete kick off the new year with a passionate discussion on the state of Major League Baseball and the ongoing struggles of their beloved teams. The guys dive into the Cubs' financial constraints and the impact of institutional investors on team operations, questioning whether the Cubs are truly committed to building a competitive squad. Meanwhile, the Cardinals' lack of involvement in top free-agent talks leaves fans frustrated and yearning for a change in strategy.

As the conversation unfolds, the Team reflects on the broader issues facing baseball, including the dominance of elite teams like the Dodgers and the Mets, and the potential need for a hard salary cap to level the playing field. The guys also discuss the challenges faced by small-market teams and the implications for the future of the sport.

Shifting gears, the hosts tackle the Bears' disappointing season and the toxic culture within the locker room. With the team's future uncertain, they explore potential changes in leadership and what it might take to turn things around.

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The Team of Rivals is back with a lively holiday episode, diving deep into the world of baseball and beyond. Ron, Elliott, Pete, and special guest Braden discuss the latest happenings with the Cubs and Cardinals, including the Cubs' exciting offseason moves and the Cardinals' puzzling retooling strategy. The guys debate the implications of the Cardinals' rumored trades and the Cubs' luxury tax situation, all while sharing their Christmas wishes for their favorite teams. They wrap things up by offering their thoughts on the broader sports landscape, including the Bears' ongoing struggles and the future of Chicago sports.

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Ron, Pete, and Elliott are back after a long hiatus – just in time for the season's final episode.

With the Chicago Bears making headlines by firing head coach Matt Eberflus, the Team of Rivals Podcast dives into the implications of this major shakeup. Could this be the turning point for the franchise? The guys debate the Bears' future and discuss potential candidates for the next head coach.

In a lively conversation, the team wonders if they’ve become a football (or fútbol?) podcast, as both the Cubs and Cardinals wrap up disappointing seasons. With baseball falling further into the background, the focus shifts back to the NFL and the ongoing challenges faced by the Bears. The discussion covers Chicago’s Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions, questionable coaching decisions, and what the team’s strategy should be moving forward.

As the episode unfolds, the guys offer their thoughts on the broader sports landscape, including the state of Chicago sports and the struggles of Midwestern teams. They also touch on the Dodgers' aggressive offseason moves and what that means for the rest of the league.

Join the Team of Rivals for a candid, entertaining discussion on the current state of sports – especially the Bears – and whether Chicago sports can turn things around.

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The morning after the Cubs make a major offseason move, Ron and Pete jump on, even though Elliott is nowhere to be found. Yes, they're going to go deep on the Cubs' signing of Carson Kelly on Friday night.

In this week's episode, the founders kick off Season Nine of the podcast with a lively discussion on the Cubs' surprising acquisition of Kyle Tucker. This game-changing move could redefine the Cubs' offseason, but is there more work to be done? As they break down the trade details, Ron and Pete examine Tucker's potential impact at Wrigley Field and debate whether the Cubs are truly committed to building a competitive team around him.

The conversation then takes a nostalgic turn as they reminisce about the Cardinals' past moves, reflecting on the Paul Goldschmidt-Nolan Arenado era and the missed opportunities within the organization. With Arenado's future now secure, the guys speculate on potential trade destinations and what that could mean for the Cardinals' upcoming season.

The episode wraps up with a discussion of the Bears' ongoing struggles and the possibility of a front office shakeup. As they look ahead, Ron and Pete emphasize the need for experienced leadership and a strategic overhaul to get the team back on track.

Alas, there was no "Ron's Soccer Minute" this week. Pour one out…

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Elliott, Ron, and Pete wrap up the 2024 season. Smiles, everybody!

This week, we dive into the state of the St. Louis Cardinals' player development. Katie Woo’s latest article in The Athletic reveals that the Cardinals' player development team is significantly smaller compared to other National League teams, raising concerns about their future. Ron shares his thoughts on the Cardinals' struggles and the impact of their lean staffing levels on player development.

Meanwhile, Elliott gives us an update from the Cubs game he attended, highlighting Jameson Taillon’s strong performance against the Reds. The discussion shifts to the Cubs' future, particularly regarding Ian Happ’s no-trade clause and Cody Bellinger’s potential opt-out. The team debates the Cubs' need for a superstar bat and the challenges they face in upgrading their lineup.

The guys also touch on the broader issues in Major League Baseball, including the Oakland A's move to Las Vegas and the impact of poor ownership on fan engagement. They also discuss the White Sox's record-setting season and the discontent among their fan base.

Finally, the episode wraps up with a look at the potential end of Kyle Hendricks' career with the Cubs, reflecting on his contributions and speculating on his future with the team. They also briefly mention Shohei Ohtani’s impressive season and the Dodgers' dilemma regarding his pitching role.

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