The Shawn Mackey Show — Season 3, Episode 16

The Shawn Mackey Show is back after a short hiatus, and I’m coming into Season 3 with a new studio, a little less chaos in the background, and plenty of opinions!

In this episode, I talk about the return of the NFL season, the Chicago Bears, college football and my ongoing frustration with the AP Top 25 rankings.

Michigan’s escape against Western Michigan has me asking a simple question: Should highly ranked teams be punished when they struggle against opponents they are expected to beat?

Then I turn my attention to the Chicago Cubs and Craig Counsell. I’m still not sold that Counsell is the manager many people believe he is. We talk about injuries, bullpen decisions, analytics, player usage and whether managers sometimes rely too heavily on “the book” instead of simply reading what is happening in the game.

Plus, I bring back the spirit of the original show — talking about the things in sports and life that simply piss me off.

It’s another episode of unfiltered Chicago sports talk, football opinions, baseball frustration and plenty of Shawn Mackey-style commentary.

The Shawn Mackey Show is back.

Craig Counsell has been on my mind—and I finally had to talk about it.

In this episode of The Shawn Mackey Show, I explain why I'm still not convinced Craig Counsell deserves to be considered one of baseball's elite managers. I compare his first season with the Cubs to David Ross' final season, examine his data-driven approach, and compare his results with Pat Murphy in Milwaukee.

I also talk about the Cubs' playoff push, Jed Hoyer's aggressive trade deadline, and why I believe managerial decisions could become extremely important down the stretch.

Then I switch over to the Chicago Bears and their 34-10 preseason victory over the Cleveland Browns, including roster battles and some major injury concerns.

This episode also sets up a new chapter for The Shawn Mackey Show as I prepare for a short hiatus, new studio digs, and a revamped format with a much heavier focus on football.

Before diving into football, I couldn't ignore what the Cubs have been doing. They put together an impressive road trip by winning series against both the Pirates and Cardinals before returning home to take down the Yankees. I even made the trip to St. Louis, where I caught the extra-inning win and visited one of the city's incredible science museums. It turned into a great family experience filled with STEM exhibits, interactive displays, and plenty of baseball memories.

Then it was time to finish evaluating the Bears' rookie class.

Football season is finally here, and I'm diving headfirst into everything surrounding the Chicago Bears. In this episode of The Shawn Mackey Show, I start with a Cubs update before breaking down several of the Bears' newest draft picks, explaining why Ben Johnson's offensive philosophy has me excited, and discussing how Ryan Poles may finally be assembling a roster built for long-term success. I also preview training camp and announce the return of one of my favorite segments—"Sh*t That Pisses Me Off." If you're a Bears fan looking for honest opinions, football analysis, and plenty of personality, this episode is for you.

Major League Baseball's labor negotiations continue to heat up, and in this episode I explain what MLB players are asking for in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement and why I believe they may have the upper hand over team owners.

I also discuss the latest Chicago Cubs roster moves, including the additions and departures that have left many fans questioning the team's direction as the trade deadline approaches.

Plus, I announce an exciting shift for The Shawn Mackey Show as football season returns and we begin preparing for in-depth Chicago Bears coverage throughout training camp and the 2026 NFL season.

If you're passionate about Chicago sports, baseball, football, and honest sports opinions, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Shawn Mackey Show, Robert "Soup" Campbell and I dive into one of the biggest issues facing Major League Baseball: the growing labor battle between MLB owners and the Players Association.

We discuss the proposed salary cap and salary floor, billion-dollar player contracts, deferred compensation, revenue sharing, and why the current system may be pushing baseball toward another devastating lockout in 2027. We also look back at the contracts that changed the sport forever, revisit the unforgettable 1998 home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, and debate whether owners have created the financial mess they're now trying to fix.

Most importantly, we discuss how these negotiations affect the fans—from skyrocketing ticket prices to expensive concessions—and what the future of baseball could look like if neither side is willing to compromise.

If you're passionate about baseball, labor negotiations, and the business behind America's pastime, you won't want to miss this conversation.

Be sure to follow The Shawn Mackey Show on Spotify so you never miss a new episode, and share the show with your fellow baseball fans!

In Season 3 Episode 10 of The Shawn Mackey Show, I deliver one of my most passionate Cubs discussions yet. After 53 years of following the Chicago Cubs, I take a hard look at the state of the organization, from Craig Counsell's managerial decisions to Jed Hoyer's roster construction and Tom Ricketts' ownership philosophy.

I discuss the Cubs' inconsistent season, the team's struggles with runners in scoring position, standout players like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch, and why I believe the organization lacks a clear championship vision. I also compare Craig Counsell's results to Pat Murphy's success in Milwaukee and explain why the next stretch of games could determine the Cubs' season.

Whether you're a die-hard Cubs fan, a Chicago sports enthusiast, or someone who loves passionate sports commentary, this episode is for you.

The Chicago Cubs have gone from one of baseball's hottest teams to one of its biggest disappointments.

In Season 3 Episode 9 of The Shawn Mackey Show, I break down the Cubs' 5-17 stretch since May 8th, discuss Craig Counsell's lineup management, analyze the team's pitching issues, and examine whether Jed Hoyer needs to make a major move before the trade deadline.

From Pete Crow-Armstrong's development to the ongoing Ian Happ debate, this episode covers everything Cubs fans are talking about as the season enters a critical stretch.

Subscribe, follow, and join the conversation.

The Cubs are spiraling, and I’m officially fed up. In Season 3 Episode 8 of The Shawn Mackey Show, I break down the Chicago Cubs’ brutal eight-game losing streak, Craig Counsell’s coaching decisions, Jed Hoyer’s roster management, and why this team feels stuck in the same cycle year after year. From Pete Crow-Armstrong’s development to the bullpen struggles and lineup frustrations, this episode is an emotional, unfiltered rant from a diehard Cubs fan who just wants to see this team compete again. Tune in for passionate Chicago sports talk, MLB analysis, and honest fan reactions.

⚾ Season 3 Episode 7 of The Shawn Mackey Show dives deep into the NL Central race as Shawn Mackey and Soup debate the Cubs, Cardinals, Brewers, Reds, and Pirates while making bold MLB predictions for the season.

From Craig Counsell criticism to Greg Maddux appreciation and modern baseball frustrations, this episode mixes baseball knowledge, rivalry banter, and honest conversation about today’s MLB.

Listen now and join the conversation.