Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Full Show — June 30, 2026

Episode Date: June 30, 2026

Leila Rahimi, Marshall Harris and Mark Grote discussed the Cubs' thrilling 3-2 walk-off win against the Padres on Monday and discussed how the White Sox continue to prove themselves.

The views and opinions of Laila Rahimi, Marshall Harris, and Mark Grotty should not be taken too seriously. Especially when they give advice. Do not take Marshall's analogies, literally. Especially when it comes to Russell Dorsey. The sports thoughts of Rahimi Harrison Grotie may change at any time. It's just sports. Okay, thanks. Bye.

Bye. Rahimi Harrison Grody. 10 to 2 on 1043, the score. Can't the place a wager? Can we make a $1-dollar wager today? That the White Sox will have a better record than the Cubs when the season is over. I don't know if I want to take it that far. Yeah, I didn't think you would.

That's why I said it. But it just shows you the difference in expectations for the ball clubs. They've been close to the same record a lot of the year. But because relative to what the White Sox have done and what the expectations are for the Cubs, it's felt like the sky is falling for the Cubs while the White Sox are like, yay. The Cubs have the fifth most difficult schedule remaining, only behind, well, this shouldn't shock you. The Reds, the Mets, the Pirates, and the Cardinals. You see the common thread there.

I see you very well. Oh, Mr. Marshall. Before you make the bet, the bet has not been made yet. The White Sox have the 29th most difficult schedule going for it. I just want to point that out. Why are you trying to talk me out of this bet? Because I just want to make sure you know all the facts. Are you afraid?

Hey, I'm a quick question. Yeah. Are you scared? Never. About what? I'm not afraid. I don't want you to say I stole money from me. That's all.

What the hell is wrong with you? You stole my money. You're still willing to make the bet, even though the White Sox there are opponents from here and out of 484. I appreciate you giving me the out. I like the way you laid it down. I will make that bet with you. Okay. So you're saying Grody, the Cubs will have a better regular season record.

That is correct. Than the Chicago White Sox. All right. I'm putting it down on the show documents. It's legal now. $1.1 bet initiated. Got the money in the break. I do Zell.

Just so you know. Marshall Harris. Mark Grody. Midday's 10 a.m. 2. on Chicago Sports Radio 1043, the score. Love a little money in the bank

to start our Tuesday. This is Rahimi Harrison Brody on 1043 The Score. It is hot outside. Stay inside with us in the shade. Drink your water. A ton of it today. Hydrate. And in the meantime, watch some baseball because after what we saw last night,

good things abound from both teams. We'll kick it off, starting with the Cubs and socks in this hour and we start with a yet another stop me when you've heard this before marg rowdy marshall harris you the listener the cubs have walked it off it is now 10 walkoffs after the three to two win the final and man i was on the phone with ray because i missed yesterday i was as i mentioned i was at the service for stacey king and i was talking to ray on the phone and i saw adrian mora hon come in from San Diego and I was like, oh no, this is over.

No, it wasn't. Despite seeing the combination of Mora Hon and Adam, it was not over. And then that Padreys bullpen that we know can shut them down, we saw good at bats. And even though they went one for ten with runners in scoring position to their first eight innings, they're able to plate just enough runners despite a bad send, say Suzuki, also with a really encouraging a bat off of Miller to get the job done. The Cubs did what they have to do in these dire times and kind of lost in the shuffle because of the way the game ended and progressed. Obviously, the big highlight is the fact that Say-Sizu Kyi almost hit a home runoff of Mason Miller, good enough for a walk-off.

But if you go back to the beginning of this game and the understanding that Shodemanaga weaved his way in and out of trouble, giving up nine hits over six and a third, and got his first quality start. And over a month, I think that's the headline here for me because, look, at the end of the day, Mark Grody is going to be like, but is it sustainable? And at the end of the day, I'm saying like, look, if they get quality starts from their starting pitchers, they can do anything because the offense is good enough to produce. And I know you mentioned the one for 10 starting out with runners in scoring position, but just like we saw on Sunday, timely hitting is usually the difference between two teams with winning records getting together. Oh yeah, I mean, situational

hinting is key, but you know, I was saying this to you guys, and Mark, I know you were in our pre-show meeting. Taking two or three from the Brewers is not just the Brewers faltering there. You can say, given what the Cubs have done, that that is a side of real progress. And then they add to it with the win over a San Diego Padres team who, as we've seen, this season and matching up in the playoffs, they play well against. Yeah, no doubt about it. It's, It continues.

All of these wins, as I say, have been maximum effort. And boy, this was heading for a different conversation today, this game. You mentioned the one for 10 with runners in scoring position. Even that ninth inning, it felt pretty bad when they have the bases loaded and nobody out. And Michael Bush hits that, as you alluded to, Leila, the shallow pop into left feet. and there's Quentin Barry, who we haven't really mentioned much this year, sending Danzby Swanson on the shallow fly by Bush gets called out. It's a double play.

And I'm like hands over my face. Uh-oh, this is going to be the story of the game. And then it couldn't happen more quickly, say a Suzuki with the bailout hit right there. But that was certainly a moment. The other moment, too, where this game could have been, could have been like taken care of by the Cubs in the fifth inning. Jackson Meryl. Oh, man.

Was anybody else thinking about Pete Crowe Armstrong when Jackson Meryl couldn't see the ball in the light? And then at the last second, he grabs it and the Cubs did score a run, sack fly. But that could have been three runs right there. Oh, it was a prayer of a catch. And yeah, Mark, you're right to think about Jackson Meryl because one of the comps for PCA's contract has been trying to figure it out with like the likes of Jackson Merrill. So that totally makes sense. It was a, uh, I, you saw, I was like, oh, oh, oh, no.

I couldn't believe he caught it. I couldn't either. No one's really comparing Pete Kerr Armstrong and Jackson Merrill these days, him and his 617 OPS. I like that. Look, Pete Kerr Armstrong at the top of this lineup, by the way, two hits, two more walks. Okay. This man is, we had Alex Cohen on yesterday from Marquis, um, who had a great call

the game, especially the end of the game. With Elise Meniger in the booth. With Elisa Miniger in the booth and then obviously Taylor McGregor. But look, if he's going to be getting on base three, four times a game, the Cubs offense is going to flow as long as, you know, whoever's in the two-holes, two-holling. I just, I'm so impressed by PCA being stacked up against guys like whether it's Jackson Merrill or Jackson Truro. Just the number of guys that people wanted to compare him to.

and he seemingly is starting to rise above the fray. We already know he's superior from a defensive standpoint, but what he's doing offensively to help give the Cubs multiple opportunities. That's part of the reason why they were 3 for 13 with runners in score positions because they had so many opportunities because PCA just keeps getting on base.

You're right about that, and it's a relief. It's a relief that we seemingly have found a bona fide. I'm a little scared. bona fide cup's leadoff hitter at least he's the guy right now cubs seemingly have their leadoff hitter right now which gives me peace because two through nine can be any order it seems and we know that we'll get into it we've been getting into it's funny because the PCA the leadoff felt almost like a gimmick in the moment because it's when pCA is so bad a leadoff absolutely because

it was the do something do something crazy i remember mentioning and people being like oh that's crazy don't put PCA up there. And then Craig did it. I didn't think it was going to last. I thought it was, let's just shake it up for a couple days. And now Pete Crow Armstrong is what everybody wanted him to be when he first came up with the Cubs.

How could this guy not be the leadoff hitter? And now he's thriving as the leadoff hitter. Because it didn't make sense. No, it didn't. This is a guy who seemingly gets affected by a lot of what happens in the game. That's for good and bad. Wasn't getting on base then. Wasn't walking then.

You have to be a self-island when it comes to back. batting leadoff. There are some batters who say they don't like it. There are others who say they like that challenge. Certain batters will take to it and others won't. And so for Pete Crowe Armstrong, personality wise and just how we know his emotions to be in a game, it's surprising to see that this island somehow is putting him as a Seinfeld reference, but not the same Seinfeld reference. Master of his domain, if you will. I want to point out how absurd it has been over the last 11 games. Now the Cubs have won nine of their last 11, right? They're nine and two over the last 11 games. Yeah, I believe they're almost, they're about to be 10 games over 500.

The White Sox are, they're getting, they'll get one more win. They will be. Sox are five games over 500? Just per our bet. I just, I just, I'm on the bet or no. Do I just watch it? No, no, come on. Who you got? Do you like to donate a dollar to the Marshall House as well? Yeah, because, you know, the street will give me a dollar. Okay, so are you with Grotie or you with me? The street dollar goes to the Cubs. All right. Okay, she's given the Cubs. I'm in on it, too. Dollar to the Cubs. Wow.

Ray wasn't talking like this yesterday. I would point out. Where's Lenny Dykstra? Is he here? David Dykstra. Yeah, Peter's our intern. Peter, I feel like, that's an initiation. Peter, you're an intern.

Come on. Cubs are socks. Cubs for Peter. A lot of Cubs fanning. Asking our intern to bet a dollar, I feel like is a reasonable way to have him join the show but not have to pay intern salary, which is a lot of times. You know what? While you guys are gathering up all your Cubs dollars together, let me give you.

you a reason why you should be encouraged. Cubs Bucs. Because over those last 11 games, Cubs bucks, over those last 11 games, PCA has 14 hits and he has 14 walks. Now, I want to put that in perspective. The man has 14 walks. He's only had one of those 11 games where he didn't draw a walk. And last year, last year, guys, the man had 29 walks, period. Ryan Porth, our program director, has texted it and says he's in on the Cubs. So Marshall is now an island in and of himself. Oh, I'm doing it as we speak. Lila, we did update the stadium stuff yesterday and we realized that you're winning.

So the stadium bet. Remember the stadium bet? What about all those comments from the angry men on Facebook and the sad boy network known as Twitter? Like, what does she know? Even though it was only months of research for me for one of my term papers. What could I possibly? Okay. Speaking of victory laps, by the way, if we're going to go in the stat department,

here's why I was thrilled about what we saw at a Sizuji and I'm on the record just saying that was a bad sin by Quentin Berry the bad before. I thought it was gone. I thought that that ball was gone. We saw it wasn't. Unfortunately, Jace Bowen just throws his hands up, which was appropriate, but he realized the ballgame was lost in that moment. Sayas Suzuki

was 0 for 4 with four strikeouts against Mason Miller. Get it done. That is huge for him. When he's on, he's on, man. And Sayah has been on. He looks dangerous. He looks powerful.

powerful up there. So I was not surprised that he came up with that. He's just, he's on it right now. I mean, in a way that I, I didn't know we would be able to see after the protection of Kyle Tucker really meant something to him in that lineup.

That was, that was something to me. Like, Marshall, when you saw it go off the bow, what did you think? Like, when you heard it, did you think it was out? I thought it was either out or it was going to be enough to get the run home,

like off the wall. But I, and then I quickly was like, oh, he might catch that. It went quickly from, there to there and then back there. After the play before, and you didn't think it was a bad send. Oh, no, no.

Now, see, let me explain why it wasn't a bad sin. Yeah. Because when you have Mason Miller on the mound and you get an opportunity right there, you have to force the issue. Danzby Swanson, like if that was Alex Breggman, maybe you don't send him. But Danzby Swanson has speed. He has enough speed to score there. It took a perfect throw to get him. I feel like

I did not think that the ball was hit deep enough of the ballpark at that point in left field. And you know what's funny is there's a guy we can ask today about that, is he in half. Right. Because he can tell you how left field plays and what he thought in that moment. He's not going to throw his coach under the bus, his third base coach, but he can talk

about how that left field plays in that moment in time. That's, I didn't think it was deep enough, like, period. I didn't think that ball had gotten deep enough. But Mason Miller does change the calculus on what you think about it. Yeah, I thought it was a good enough opportunity with one out just to have it. You're like, are you going to get another chance like this is really what it comes down to? And I understand Sayah has been great in the month of June specifically with runners in scoring position compared to what he's done over the course of the season. But again, it's Mason freaking Miller.

So to get the ball to left field, Dan Zwick Swanson has the adequate speed. Force the issue. I am about being aggressive. You know, I'm a White Sox fan. You know, I watch aggressive baseball every night. I like the idea of sending Dansby Swanson and making him have to make the perfect throw. And that's what it took to him. It was a perfect throw in one hop.

And he was a dead duck at the plate. But if it's offline, Dansby Swanson scores, the game is over. It doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things because, well, the Cubs, they now have 42% of their home wins have come in walk-off fashion. It's pretty amazing, man. The drama, the high drama of both of our baseball teams this year with the walk-offs, why not again last night? I know.

And it was funny because there was a watchful eye over the walk-off situation. I believe it was our friend Jesse Rogers, who had reported that prior to the that the Padres had not lost in a walk-off? Because that's how over their bullpen is. And did I have a bitter moment when it was pointed out that Adam used to also pitch for the Cubs? And I was like, nah! Shakes Cloud or Shakespeare Fist at Claim, you know, whichever you prefer. Cubs Bullpen coming through last night.

I mean, the bar, The Bar, the bar got out of that sitch in the third inning with runners on second and third. He did. Hollowell came through. Trent Thornton. And how about Miguel Amaya throwing the guy out in the ninth inning? That was a big out. To make life. That's a huge moment in the game right there.

Did you see the meat mug on Amaya too, by the way? After that, I was like, yeah. Oh, yeah. I'll see you. They had to sit through the review, of course, for that. And old Gavin Hollowell. Inning in a third and zero rounds. Old Gavin Hollowell.

Yeah. To the Zach Zadman game. Gavin Hollowell, Chicago Alderman, or Chicago Bears player or Cubs Reliever in this case. Gavin Hollowell is 11 years younger than Caleb Thielbar, but I kind of like the idea of Gavin Hollowell being old. Gavin Hollowell just for kicks. How many guys are not 11 years younger than Caleb Thielbar?

Let's go through the list. The Cubs are up there when it comes to average age of the team, I believe. Like that's when I'd have to double check. Yeah, but he's 49. Okay, I round off. When you were 39, did you want people to call you? That's a great point. Almost a man.

Almost a man. Yeah, almost a man. Mike Gendi? I'm a man. I'm 40. You know how I feel about that. I actually think he was in the right on that. It was just very artfully presented.

On that. On that. He was ready to let the world know his age. He was ready. I like that. I like that. There's not enough people in the world that are just admit who they are and what they are and how old they are. He's 40, damn it.

He was defending an account of something that was observed between, it was an interaction of one of his players, I believe the quarterback and his mom. And it, it, I see what was attempted there. This is not the time or place to talk about something that happened in 2007. But, but the point is I got it at the time. Couple got swept in the playoffs in 2007. Marshall, I want you to know that my friend Dan has texted in and said, White So, Dan's in on the dollar with you.

Okay. I love this. I love this because I, I'm still a little confused. I don't know if this is more about your recency bias and your, sudden re-belief in the Cubs, or you just don't think the White Sox are going to, you know, do what they've been doing. Rebelief, re-belief, re-belief.

That's what it is. Is that a word? A week ago, y'all wouldn't have been talking like this, but all it takes is one six and one freaking road trip. Hey, you're the guy. I still maintained that the Cubs, I mean, partially because of the money. I follow the money.

Layla, we asked a question yesterday. Oh, you too asked a question? About which team are you more proud at this point? He said the Cubs. Don't tell us about bandwagon stuff and recency bias when you said the Cubs. That's because the Cubs have an entire pitching staff on the IL right now. But you're seeing what they're doing in the moment. They're nine games over 500.

What are we talking about next, Layla? The White Sox. White Sox. Go, go, white Sox. I need to hear out of y'all. Which they did. And you wouldn't think that a game against Baltimore would indicate that much success. But contrary to popular belief, great success.

So we'll explain that. In the meantime, let's tell you who we are. We're Rahimi, Harris, and Grotie on 104.3, The Score, we broadcast live from the score Hyundai Studios, brought to you by your local Hyundai dealers. Our producers are Ray Deyes, David Dykstra, helping us out today as well. And Peter Urich is also here. So we're happy to have Peter Jurich here, and he's in on our bet. That's how we initiate our interns, but only a dollar. David is also in on the bet. He is taking the Cubs as well.

David is in on the bet. So I got $6 I'm going to earn at the end of the season. You got to split it with Dan potentially. Is Dan putting money on the line? Dan would put money on the line. He wouldn't text me if he didn't. Maybe that should be a separate bet between y'all. Dan's a man of his work.

I want all six of those dollars to myself. I can buy something with $6. Coffee, which we all are going to get as a team. That's down and back on the red line tomorrow. Amen. Our producers on the video side are Connor O'Donnell, Jacob Stutz, and Max Curtis, Cody Westerland as well. Our Twitch mob is up and chatting.

They'll be down with a discussion of a bed of Cubs and socks. They are at twitch.tv.tv slash the score Chicago. You can also find us on YouTube. YouTube our address is the score Chicago as well. So yeah, yeah, you may think it's just the little old Baltimore Orioles, but we have reason to believe why there is some key progress yet again an indication for the White Sox. We'll do that next. Rahimi Harrison Grody. Of course I follow my Cody on Twitter. I love you guys. And I'm thrilled to be here. I've been listening to the score for many, many, many years. Middays 10 to 2 on 104 3, the score.

Well, as Kouser moving back. It's going to go off the wall in center field. They're going to wave in Antonacci, the throw to the play. White Sox take the lead at RBI double from Colson Montgomery, and it's 3 to 2 here in the eighth inning. Lined into right center field. Peters will score. They're sending in my drop as the throw comes to second.

A two-run single for Jacob Gonzalez and much-needed insurance runs here in the ninth for the White Sox. Yeah, so much so, John Triffon, that call courtesy of CHSN, that the White Sox ended up winning by a final of eight to two over the Orioles. This is Rahimi Harrison Grady. And while you may think, oh, beating the Baltimore Orioles isn't exactly the biggest accomplishment in the world. It's one of the first times that the Sox have even beaten the Orioles since, 2023. They hadn't beaten the O's since 24. They got swept by them earlier this year in April, which caused me to have a bit of

an emotional setback, as I hope this team would get better quicker. And so to even have the win against the Orioles, where it was tied to two for a long time, I thought that that was actual progress. This is progress for many reasons. You've got to go

back to the fourth series of the season when they saw the Orioles at the rate. Like this is almost incomprehensible now. They got swept at home. Marshall and I were so hype, Mark. We were like, oh, yeah, this is a chance for the Sox-N-West series. Like, the O's are scuffling. Like, we thought that we knew what was going to happen.

And then they got swept. They got swept. And here's the thing. They got beat by one run each in the first game. They got beat by two runs. In the second game, they got beat by two runs in the third game. And you're thinking, all right, here we go again. The offense couldn't get things together.

But you know what? That offense didn't have that this offense does have. This guy, his name's, Sam Antanachi. Your guy. He leads off. He made outs his first three times at the plate last night. And then when they needed him in the eighth inning with a game still tied it to,

what? You want to pitch me inside? Do you not know the scouting report? I will take a hit by pitch. Did you not get the memo? He leads baseball and hit by pitch. 17th. Be careful.

For God's sake, Sam Antanachi. No. Protect yourself, man. Did you like where he took this one that was like on the inside of, like it wasn't anywhere like dangerous. A soft tissue part, though. That's going to leave a mark. It'll bruise, but I'll be okay. I'll be so okay that after getting hit by a pitch,

I'm going to score all the way from first base as I get driven in. And so when you understand that Sam Antanachi is the engine of this team, Grotie puts him right there in that category where he feels like with Antanachi specifically, he plays like Lenny Deistra. I can't make an argument against that at this. It's not bad. Current date and time. Colson Montgomery had his 12th go-ahead RBI a couple of batters lately.

Because Miguel Vargas worked the count before that, an 11 pitch at bat. And because he works the pitcher, then Montgomery gets a chance to see something he can hit, drives it off the center field wall. That gives the White Sox lead. They would not look back. They'd score a couple runs there. They score four runs. Six runs total.

Six runs total in the last two innings. And that is the story of the White Sox, because on the flip side, Grant Taylor is out there. Grant tailoring. Yeah, he, Grant Taylor goes two innings, and it was not the ninth. He goes seventh and eighth, and is scoreless.

That slider was snapping for him. And also, credit to Sean Burke. Sean Burke looked really good. That slider looked excellent, even out of the gate against Pete Alonso. I thought that that was a really good at bat in the first inning to show that Burke was feeling it, that he was in the groove,

like that definitely seemed to be the case. They held. You know, and that's the other part of this, is pitching-wise, you got to see a nice performance again, starter to finish. Sean Burke is coming up really big for the White Sox, not just last night where he did eight strikeouts through five innings, throwing high velocity out there,

but he was also good recently in crucial contests against Cleveland and against the Yankees. So he has been absolutely. terrific. I'm with you on Antanachi. What I really loved about the Colson, Montgomery at bat, goes full count against the lefty Grant Wolfram. Shout out to Wolfram,

one of the streets that I lived on once upon a time ago in Lakeview. Good old Wolfram. Loved Wolfram. I live near Wolfram too. Oh yeah. Wolfram-Square. Oh yeah, Wolfram goes pretty far, pretty far through the city. Yeah, shout out the Wolfram. School Street also seems appropriate to mention here. Sure. Yeah. Where's all my Wolfram people? Oh, the Wolfram people. You're out there. in Lakeview, you're out there on the north side. I love all of you. But it was so good to see

that just that great at bat by him. Tristan Peters, the catch he made on defense. Raise your hand if you're like, oh, looks like he might be hurt. I mean, he ran full speed into that wall to make the catch last night. So good stuff from the White Sox. Absolutely. And to add to it, Colson Montgomery, yet again, matching the pace when it comes to home runs in at bats, you know, that was a big part of his start for him, not the start of the season, but his personal start last year. He talked about the aspect of coming up clutch. And bonus, the Easter egg. What will distract Mark Rody in the soundbite? It's some of the stuff that we've said all year. I think, you know, everyone is very capable of, you know, coming up clutch, I guess you could say, of, you know,

getting the job done, of driving a guy in or, you know, even like my, my bat, I think, I think, I think Vargas, you know, having that however many pitch A-B it was, you know, I think that's what also led to, you know, being able to, you know, put something in play just because, you know, he's grinding his butt off, making the guy throw his best pitches, and then he leaves one over the plate from it. I just think that's what everyone does, and I think that's what everyone's capable of doing. The lineup is long, it is lengthy, and even without, and I almost forget sometimes that Munitaki Murakami is not available.

because the way he's been playing baseball, Jacob Gonzalez at the bottom of the order since that homestand started and now he's taking that act on the road has been absolutely phenomenal. When you see over his last five games, he's now got eight hits in his last 19 at bats

and he's driven in nine runs over that time. That's coming from the nine hole. Sometimes he plays a little bit up at eighth in the order, but it's a bottom, lower, third of the order bat. And once it's turned around, you see Sam Antanachi, he got five at bats. Again, three outs his first three of bats and then gets hit by a pitch. And then the ninth inning, big double to keep the inning alive. And they score even more runs.

So the White Sox right now, they're just going to beat you down with perseverance and persistence. Was it Ariana Grande playing in the background? I don't know what that. I know that song, but I don't think it's Ariana Grande. Yeah. I forget what it is. But it's pretty popular. Yeah. Party in that clubhouse, though.

Party. I do love a clubhouse, a winning clubhouse playlist. I always like to know what they have on. Additionally, there was more from Colson Montgomery. We brought up the numbers that he has had in his first, was it, 275 at Bats for the season? I think he's at 247, I believe. So here's what he had to say about him now versus his debut. I mean, I think they've changed a lot. You know, I mean, I feel like the vibes are always still the same.

from when I got up here last year, but, you know, I think everyone just up here, you know, we're a young team and everything like that, but, you know, we like to, you know, act like we have that experience, you know, and that confidence because we do, you know, we have confidence in ourselves, we have confidence in our coaches and pitching and everything. So for me, I mean, I just think it's each day, you know, you've got to keep getting better and, you know, I feel like I'm getting more and more polished and things like that. But I think it's just everyone in here, you know, it's just been competitive. I think that's where we're at.

Sorry, I am distracted by the music. Who's not, man? It's a winning clubhouse mix. I didn't hear a damn thing he said. I was just trying to figure out who that was. We'll get to the bottom of that. I have a little tool called Shazam. Which sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.

Shazam is one of my favorite apps ever. Does that come pre-installed on the iPhone? No, you have to actually install it. Because I have it, but I just... It's something that you need to have, as Kanye would say. When you... Yeah, when she leaves your ass, she's going to leave with F. You know it?

I know it. We all know it. 18 years? Out of the only one who has been divorced on this panel and did not. I can safely say that that's not a declaration. Show us your records now. Yeah, no problem. My bank account is zero remains.

Yeah, that's how you know. It's something that you need to have. Good thing you got on the dollar bet. Yes. Yes, fair. Yeah, it's a good thing he only bet a dollar bill. We'll help you out, Laila. Don't worry.

I mean, I've got gainful employment. That's true. That's true. No fun from that. Yeah. But guys, as you see what the White Sox were able to do, I know people are going to say, well, but the Orioles stink. But when you've lost nine straight games against an opponent and when you've lost 15 of your last 60, now, a lot of these guys weren't here. But a lot of them were here last year when they were getting beat up by whoever, whenever, wherever.

And they all do remember what happened earlier this year if they were up. Now, Sam Antanachi, he's undefeated against the Orioles in his career. But the rest of them, I mean, I think this is really. really a positive way to start out a road trip that's so important. And there's no sign that they're looking ahead to the guardians who they play four against in Cleveland. They're trying to handle business on a daily bit. And I think this is part of the growth process for a very, very, very young and inexperienced baseball team. Well, I mean, this is a seven-game road trip. And to still be able to say after game one, you did something that you hadn't done in two years, that's significant. So

how are you going to try to take a series now against an Orioles team that I think it's a pretty reasonable ask to be able to do so? And then you got that four-gamer against the Guardians and that's where things get spicy. So what are you going to look like going into Cleveland? But so far, so good for the Sox. This is Rahimi Harrison Grotie on 104-3, the score. And next, I was out yesterday because I was part of the crowd that got to observe the Stacey King's Celebration of Life that CHSN televised. So since they did, I thought I would share some of my thoughts about still a very fresh and emotional time for a lot of us next. Rahimi Harrison Grody. That's a show trying to win a Marconi right there. Middays 10 to 2 on 1043

The Score. This is Rahimi Harrison Grody on 1043 The Score. And I think it's safe to say many of us will be trying to process and come to terms with Stacey King no longer being with us after just 59 years for a very long time. And I'm still in that state of shock. And I can't imagine a basketball season where I'm not going to see him at the United Center. I'm not going to hear him on the call. He's not going to teach me what's going on on a play. and CHSN televised. They made the announcement yesterday, and I was at the service at the Advocate Center that was a celebration of life for Stacey King.

And not only is this an emotional time for so many of us in a shocking time still, a time of grief, it's also a very difficult thing to be in our business and our line of work at times when you are speaking about an incredibly emotional situation that you're also so close to. And that was the task that not only Michael Reinsdorf had yesterday,

but also Neil Funk, Adam Amin, who did an absolutely wonderful job, and Cam Smith, who was the Bulls Pre and Post Game host who was the one emceeing the ceremony.

Stacey's sons also spoke, and that was very emotional. And I can't imagine what they have gone through and they have done so with grace and have been, available in ways I wouldn't have had to imagine for anyone. And it was a group of people who were very close to him, former teammates, broadcast members of course were there both in front of the

camera behind the scenes, colleagues at the Bulls. It was a, it's sad because it's such a nice time to see people, but then you hate the circumstances. You just absolutely hate what the reason is that has brought everyone together. But this is something where we get to talk about what we loved about Stacey. And I thought, Neil Funk did a wonderful job. Here's the story that he told. Fast forward to January 22nd

of, I think it was 2010, and we're in Phoenix doing a game. And I knew Stacey was really eloquent. He was quick. He always had a quip. He had a way of description. driving things that were almost beyond belief sometimes. How the hell did he come up with that?

But January 22nd, we're in Phoenix, and I thought I had kind of control of the broadcast. I was the play-by-play guy. Stacey was the analyst. And all of a sudden, Derek Rose dunked on Goran Driveage. and oh my. Stacey went on about a 30 or 40-second rant, which you can find on the internet, unbelievable. I was like speechless. And he ended that rant, though, was something that was appropriate for Stacey and appropriate for Bulls fans. As he reminded us all that

Derek Rose was from Chicago. And it couldn't have been a more appropriate ending to this rant he was on, which was hilarious and descriptive at the same time. And Stacey had a way of being that. Funny, but descriptive, and sometimes way too descriptive. Neil did a wonderful job, as did all the speakers I mentioned. and it's one thing for us to hear the call, but it's another for Neil to describe it the way he did.

And I never forget when Stacey said to us on the score, he said, Neil, let me be myself. And I thought that that was a wonderful story to tell in those moments. Just understanding the impact, and I'm glad you got to attend the celebration of Life Lela, because, and I'm glad we're talking about it now, because for so many people who didn't, it's a window into,

how those who knew him best, worked closest with him, felt about Stacey King. And I think it's important that we do celebrate people. And one of the things I'm proud of is that I feel like the city of Chicago celebrated Stacey King in real time. They did not wait until something as tragic as him passing away suddenly stopped them from giving him his flowers in real time. And he belonged to the city of Chicago, not just the Bulls and their fan base, but the city of Chicago, larger than life, big in stature, big in the things that he would say. And that's one

of the things that gives me really a chance to say, hey, this is a good thing that even though he has passed away, he's not going anywhere. He will not be forgotten. It was, it's hard for me to even say even now, whether or not, that I can't even use those phrases yet, you know, And I don't think I'm the only one. And the hard part is, and we all talked about this, is to listen to Stacey is to know him. And he wasn't just the city of Chicago's. He was celebrated worldwide. You know, his calls were a part of Bulls fandom and the NBA fandom worldwide.

And that's just the part that people got to see on camera. They didn't know what he was like personally. I love that Neil Funk talked about the druggage dunk, because I've always wondered because Stacey took that call over, which sometimes will offend the play-by-play man because Neil Funk doesn't get to do it. The fact that he had the... And if you go back and listen, it's hilarious

because Neil Funk is like trying to get a word in. He's like, watch, watch. It's a double clutch here. And Stacey, he's from Chicago and just all the... What are you doing, Druggitch? And just let him just plow through this whole thing. It's nice to hear that Neil Funk was okay. with that and that he allowed the analyst to be the star, which Stacey King was. He was the star

of that broadcast team. He was the star of the broadcast team now because he's Stacey freaking King. So I was really good to hear that from Neil Fong. That's a great point, Mark. And I think it just goes to show what being a real teammate can sometimes sound like. Yeah. Where people don't even know. Right. They don't even necessarily know that other play-by-playman wouldn't do that. And Adam picked up where Neil left off. And Adam again, and he was so candid with us, guys, when he spoke just mere days after his passing. And he was even more, I think, candid and just a wonderful speech that was given. And I thought about Adam when all of this happened because I thought about when Adam's dad had passed away

and how close he was with his father and trauma brings up other trauma, as we know. And one of the most emotional parts of it all was at the end of what Adam had to say. was that Stacey and Adam's father are now laid to rest about 100 yards from each other. And what a coincidence that is. That's nice. Just an emotional turn to have to, poor Adam for him to have to deal with that situation. But the one thing I will say about Adam Amina is he always handles everything with the most extreme sense. of grace, regardless of what the situation is.

He can step into any moment, whether it's a hilarious moment, whether it's a serious moment, whether it's a happy moment, whether it is a sad moment. And he can give you what you need to steady the ship. And I know for him, it's got to be a difficult time. But when he came and talked to us, what do you say? this is therapeutic for him. So I'm glad that he is getting something out of this too and not just giving the people what they want.

I didn't see the ceremony. Actually, I have it sitting on my DVR. Were there any former player, like of his teammates that spoke? No, it was in order, I believe it was Michael Reinsdorf. And they were there. They were definitely in the crowd, and they were all talking with each other afterward. But it was Michael Reinsdorf,

and then it was Neil Funk, and then it was Adam, and then it was his sons. Got it. Okay. And then Cam Smith spoke, you know, as the MC in between. Very cool. Well, I'm glad that they were able to celebrate Stacey King because he deserves celebrating. He'd want that.

He'd want celebration. He'd want laughter. He'd want fun. Absolutely. And it was a nice way to observe him and hear some stories. And I don't know how much of it, CHSN posted on their socials, but I know that it was televised yesterday. So if you got a DVR, you got on demand.

One of the technologies that lets you rewatch it, it was yesterday morning. Tubu. There you go. Tubo. Next on Rahimi Harrison Grotie on 104-3, the score. Let's get into what we heard from Alex Breggman before the game yesterday because the Cubs' biggest free agent signing came under a lot of criticism on Sunday against the Brewers appropriately. So we'll discuss it next.

Rowball to Shorten. Prattfield baffles in, Gregman, goes down a line, but he's still thrown out. And at the end of the bat, I think it's going to push it a little harder. You know, you don't have to try to win an Olympic medal every time you go down the first base line. You need to go a little harder than that. That was on Sunday,

courtesy of the Marquis Sports Network. Alex Bregman, not running to first base with a pace that pleased a lot of people. He looked like he was slow to first base, and it was something that caused a lot of us to question what was going on with the cover. far and away biggest free agent signing. This is Rahimi Harrison Grotie on 104-3 score.

The score, and Alex Bregman did talk about it before the game. I know you guys, Mark and Marshall touched on it a little bit yesterday. But I don't know how you slice it any other way than this is a bad look for a guy who much was given to responsibility-wise. And when you're not hitting, well, I know it can be frustrating. But to do something like that in his position is antithetical to why he was even brought out of here. It's a bad look. It's a bad look against any team on any given play. It's a really bad look when you're struggling. It's a terrible look when you're playing the team you're

chasing in the standings in the Milwaukee Brewers and there's someone on base. Like someone's on second base. Keep an inning going. It's just a very bad look. And what he said didn't really calm anyone down. If you're upset with how he played, whether you're just a simple respect 90 guy or you're like hey time in place for an aging guy who might want to ensure that he doesn't suffer a soft tissue injury it's just a bad look it is a bad look there is no doubt about it how can you not say that with a guy that's been slumping as i was saying the show main you you need to sit up straight and in every way shape and form you need to do everything right since the hit tool is not

right, but there is part of me. This is not egregious. He is having, I don't think it's crazy to say, he's having the worst time of his life right now with the slump that he has been in. This is the worst slump he has been through. He's on a new team. So all the stresses, all the stuff. So there is, I will admit, there is a part of me who is allowing for the human nature aspect of this. And we know that Alex Bregman does not, that is not, that is not part of his profile. Part of his profile is not not hustling and not doing the right things. He is actually the opposite. He is the quintessential professional baseball player. So while it is a bad look and he can't be doing that, there is a part of me that understands what he was going through

in that at bad in that moment. And even to the box score improved yesterday, right? Three times he was on base via a walk and two hits. So that is a sign of improvement. But before the game, appropriately, once the team was back at home at Wrigley, there were some questions that were asked regarding what happened yesterday. Well, there was a moment that went viral yesterday on that ball you hit. You regret maybe not running a little bit harder knowing that now involved it. Yes. And I've also had 10 soft tissue injuries running down the first baseline specifically.

So it's kind of some give and take. By the same time, yeah, I obviously wish I would have beat the throw. So when I hear him say that, it doesn't sound like he regrets the decision that he made not to run hard, even though you could see him running harder once he saw the ball was bobbled. And he reverts back to, well, I've had a lot of soft tissue injuries, simply trying to get to first base. And look, I understand what he's saying, but what he did doesn't reflect

that that's really the decision that he made. Because it was a decision. It was a choice to take it easy going down the first base line. Yeah, and by the way, shout out to Jesse Rogers for being the reporter who asked Craig Counsel about it and the tough spot after a jubilant win and then two have been the one to ask, that's a tough question, man,

to be asking a guy with that many skins on the wall and Alex Bregman, why aren't you hustling young man. I guess I understand what he's saying because our Craig Counsel has been on record as saying that you're not going to hustle out every single play. And sometimes you have to make decisions based on what Alex Bregman is talking about with the soft tissue stuff. He's still got to hustle it out.

He's still got to run it out. But again, I understand where he's coming from. Well, and it's funny because when the first thing you say is, I've also had 10 soft tissue injuries running down the first baseline. I don't know that that gets that gets us, you know, Joe Q public baseball fan, the, uh, the answer that you need. Yeah, okay. The White Sox also have had a bevy of soft tissue injuries running to first, but they've got guys who are running to first now at a rate that we hadn't seen hustle wise. Like this is not, I understand that for you, that's part of your job, but it sounds like a business decision. And yeah, when you go back to

to how he was brought on to this team and the leadership aspect of it, which he takes very seriously. It just doesn't fit together from an optic standpoint. Let's go back to the introductory press conference and listen to the leadership qualities that were addressed. There's been a lot of talk about leadership and tangible qualities that you bring. I'm curious, how was that kind of presented to you by Jed and the front office as to how you can bring that to this team? and how do you view those things? Like, what does that mean to you?

Well, I think that we talked about all the players in the clubhouse and how focused on winning they are. Just a good group of guys, a combination of veteran players and young players and guys that want to win, guys that are pulling on the same end of the rope. When it comes to leadership, I feel like you need to find out what makes people,

take what makes people get the best out of themselves and hold them accountable to it every day. Hold them accountable to it every day. And see, that's why I wanted us to dial this up. Got me. That's why I wanted, that's specifically because I remember all the... Don't threaten us with a good time. Marshall with the gotcha quote.

All the talk on day one was very refreshing at the time because it was all contrast and compare what this guy is saying to what Kyle Tucker. said over the course of a 162 game season and then even into the playoffs, right? Well, Kyle Tucker got traded for. Like, that's a different thing in my opinion. It is a different thing, but I'm saying the messaging was so firm on day one. And the actions have not merited the type of results that you would think a guy getting paid what Alex Bregman is getting paid. And look, everyone goes through slumps. I'm not saying that Alex Bregman should be benched. That's never what I would. That's never been.

my argument. You guys know exactly where I stand on this. Get that man out of the two-hole. Get that man out of the two-hole. Well, that doesn't seem to be happening. Well, no, but like, he just told you about the soft tissue injuries that he's worried about having. That was his excuse

or his reason, whatever you want to put it. Answer. That was the answer. But he's in the two-hole. I need someone in the two-hole who's not worried about that specifically. That's where you put a guy who bats six-seventh and hope he runs into one. Is it not? I, that's the hard part. of this right is the calculus. Gros to your face.

No, I'd have, I said it yesterday. I'd have sat him, not necessarily as we're sitting you because you didn't hustle. Just the culmination of things. Like that's the last straw. He just feels like you need. A guy who has hustled his whole career, a guy who's been a 10 on the professional scale, his entire career, a guy who was talking like that when the Cubs signed him. That's not him. He's not himself. He's not himself as the leader. he's not himself as a hitter because he's been okay defensively haven't really seen a whole lot of flaws there he did start the double play on Sunday which was pretty sick so I did think do think he still needs a reset but apparently he's not the reset type of player well but then also Jesse Rogers asked him and this is part of his tweet from the pregame session yesterday Bregman was asked what he was working on after batting 181 in June it's now up to 195 what's your guess and he said I'm hitting the baseball and he and Rogers made sure to say this was self deprecating by the way not

jerkish. Okay. So the Bregman to his, to his credit, will address things more than I feel like Kyle Tucker ever did. Yeah. And if Bregman did have a soft tissue injury, I have a feeling we'd at least know about it. Tucker was the worst. Can I be honest about everything, man. He wasn't the worst in the first half when he was producing.

No, I know. But just as a dud of a cub and a communicator and the whole injury stuff still. pisses me off. This is the... Rightfully. This is the epitome of what Alex Breggman is right now on the Cubs. If you look at the box score, he went two for four last night. That's usually considered a good night at the park.

He even had a hit with runners in scoring position. Was there any slug behind that hit? Absolutely not. Did anyone score on that hit? Absolutely not. And then if... Do you remember back in the third inning when Pete Crowe Armstrong gets on base? And he gets on base with two out.

And Alex Breggman gets to a 3-0 count. Yeah. So he's got the green light apparently on 3-0 with Pete Crowe Armstrong standing at first base. What does he do with the 3-0 pitch? He pops up and ends the inning in foul territory. That can't happen on a 3-0 pitch. So my point is, Bregman is okay as a hitter right now.

He is slumping. He's not hitting for power. He's got one home run all season long with people in scoring position. That is not good. He is batting an even 100 in the month of June with runners in scoring position. Problem is he's had more opportunities than anybody else with runners in score position because he hits directly behind a guy who over his last 11 games has gotten on base more than 50% of the time, PCA. And so for Alex Bregman, just move him on down in the lineup and takes a pressure off of him

and let him do his thing but in less high-stakes situation. I get all that, but that still doesn't really address the problem that when he, he was put in the position to run to first with a man on, this is still what occurred. Like, you can put him wherever you want in the lineup. We're still going to ask questions about this. Oh, no, no. You're right to do that for this specific instance. And you're definitely right to be like, that's your answer?

It's a solution, but I don't know that it's the solution to this particular situation. So what is your solution to this particular situation? Number one, hold him accountable, which he was asked about. And then number two, you bench him? perhaps you do for a game, but then the problem is with the Cubs, who's hitting well enough to challenge him? Matt Shaw's hurt. Yeah, when Matt Shaw hurt, it changes the calculus.

That does change the calculus. And go back to what Craig Counsel said, too, after the game on Sunday. If you don't win this game, a lot of people see Bregman full speed on that one brown ball could make a difference in that inning. You know what I'm talking about? I know the player talking about, but I don't... Just sometimes happens. Yeah.

Sometimes that happens. So here's the thing is I get, if it didn't offend Craig Counsel, or at least he made it sound like it wasn't an issue to him at the time, that also kind of makes me one or two folded into all of this. I just don't know if he wanted to deal with it at that moment. You might be right, Leila, but I felt like he was just like, ah, ha, he just won this game and I don't really want to deal with this right now. You're right.

They had one. He was very fired up as we saw. It was an incredible victory. It was an incredible, incredible, incredible, vibrant victory. And the most text-line text ever, we've gotten the suggestion of jail. It's still a good question by Jesse, by the way.

Gregman should have spent the night in jail for swinging at that 3-0 pitch, straight to jail. That's the Parks and Rec reference there. Cubs jail would be him out of the lineup, right, if we're keeping it a buck. But I think you guys are both spot on when you talk about Craig Counsel's reaction to that question. He was emotionally spent in a way

that I don't think I've seen over the course of his tenure as Cubs manager because I couldn't remember a time where he was that demonstrative in his role as a manager in the dugout is what we saw in that game. He had to put Jordan Wicks in the game with the bases loaded. The man was stressed. And nobody out. The release he, I pictured Craig Counsel just getting crocked that night after all the things. He had to put Ryan, Ryan Rawlison started the game. Then Bryce Wilson, what am I going to get out of Bryce Wilson? What are going to get four and a third shutout baseball? The bases are loaded. Your guy couldn't come through. You can. You can

got to bring in Jordan Wicks right now. We're doing shots later. That's what's going on. I'm sorry, Jesse. I think they do do shots. Like that was the, you know, the player of the game. No, I'm talking about we're going out, going out. Quentin Barry, the coaching staff, we're all, we're all going out and we're getting our drink on.

I have a question, though. Do you feel like, like that? Do you feel like Craig Counsel is more likely to smoke a cigarette or a cigar after a game like that? Oh, yeah, I think a cigarette, for sure. Like a half a pack. They're just busting out Marlboro Reds for a lot. a particular situation. Hey, Jesse, you want a cigarette, man?

We'll talk about this whole hustle thing later. Yeah, you're right. I mean, that's the most emotion I think I've ever seen him. Yeah. The question is it to be, it's a great question by Jesse in a tough spot. That's why I give him credit for having been the reporter to ask a question that we were all wonder. It was in our first opening segment yesterday.

We discussed this. So it was a big deal, but I think I understand where Craig was coming from. Ray, are you backing me up on the crock to me? Oh, I have never, never heard of that. That's interesting. David Dykstrow was wondering if you meant crunk? No. But no, crocked.

No, crocked. Where's my crocked people? Like a crock? Don't leave me on this island. You don't know what I'm talking about. Since my 20s or so, my circle, we do use the word crocked. Okay, what does it mean? To get wasted, to get drunk.

Not crunk. I'm using it now. Okay, good. I'm adopting it. Sounds like a cultural knockoff of crunk. Who's going to get crunk in full? No, because... When did Crunk start to become popular?

90s? Lil John, I believe, was the one who decided to bring that to the people. I think Croct was before Crunk. Or at least in my world, it was. Okay. So, who's getting crocked tonight? Nobody. We have to work tomorrow.

Dykstra, no. You and Lenny are not going to go out? No, I'm not going out. I've got to work tonight. You got a family. Never stopped me. I have kids, but two of them are grown. 312 on the text line.

At this point, Bregman has me wishing Justin Turner would come back. You mean Tucker? No, Justin Turner. Oh, my word. Where is Justin Turner? He's played in Mexico. Oh, he was sent to Mexico? I think he went voluntarily.

Well, yeah. Not you sent to Mexico. Well, he's doing what he had to do for his baseball life. No, yeah, he's playing in Mexico right now. I think, you know, Justin Turner. He and Courtney seemed to be having a good old time there, too. Okay. Well, good.

Yeah, Mexico's a fun place to be and play a little bit of baseball. Also, I would like to take this time to shout up Freddie Kavado. And was it, it wasn't Amaya's Colombian. No, it was, um, who am I think? Yeah, it was Javier Sad for wearing their team Mexico jerseys. Oh, those are sick. They're the like special edition black jerseys. They're great.

Dude, the World Cup kits are great this year. Everybody's got some really good jerseys. I love when Dykstra's on the phone. We hear his conversation when the mic's open. Well, Dynx was doing his job. He's producing. I know. Grotty's out here trying to get him to abandon work tonight.

You abandon your phones. Let's go get cracked, bro. Yeah, man. Okay, so speaking of that, there is an option to do so on Friday. Join me this Friday. Oh, yeah, you're celebrating America. I am. As I lead.

I'm leading this, like a, kind of like a parade. Budweiser's Celebration Roadshow to commemorate America's pastime and 250th birthday with your chance to win tickets to see the Cubs, take on the Cardinals. Yeah, take it out on them. Saturday night at Wrigley Field. I will be at five locations with a chance to win tickets at each stop along the way.

That's five different places. Starting with Billy Goat Tavern at Navy Pier at five. Crocked. Crossroads, Bar and Grill on West Madison at 540. Crocked. Then the rabbit hole at North Wells at 620. Trouble! The Reveler on North Damon at 7.

Crocked. And North Clark, gaslight at 740. Do you get a police escort? Because that's a lot of places in a short period of time. So hold on. Let me finish this and I'll tell you what's happening. You're going to laugh. Come out to drink fresh Budweiser and register for your chance to win a pair of tickets

to see Cubs Cardinals on Saturday night. Take it out on them. Go yell at them. Courtesy of Budweiser, official beer of the Chicago Cubs. You know who is my police escort, if you will? One Mitch Rosen. Mitch is hanging out for the Budweiser Why?

Celebration Road Show. I don't know and I'm intrigued. So not Mitch. Exactly. And he's not going to sneak out after the first one. He can't. I need him for his car. This is exactly why.

Oh, this is because you talked him into driving you around. I don't have a car. No, no, no. He volunteered. He volunteered. I'll tell you what it is because you need to go to so many of these places, these locations. it's the Mitchie shuffle expertise that's going to get you in and out of the place. That's actually a good point.

It's going to get you where you need to go. I grabbed his microphone. I didn't even think about it. Great point. There it is. Great point. If you guys don't know, Mitch Irish goodbye is better than anybody I've ever seen. And I am an Irish goodbyer and he does it better.

There's not even a doubt. I can't do it. I can't because there's always somebody I feel compelled to say goodbye to. You're very, yeah. And also they talk about the practice of the Midwest goodbye, but everybody does it. It's just a matter of how. I tried to do that at a graduation party I went to Sunday. I ended up saying goodbye to like 30 people at the end.

You did not Irish goodbye. I did not. Well, I wanted to. And then I had to say goodbye to one person and then it turned into 30 people. You do the right thing. I guess. Yeah. I feel rude sometimes when I do.

It's just, I don't know, sometimes I got to get out of there. In the meantime, Ian Hap is joining us with a whole segment next. The talent that's here and the talent is continuing to develop here. We obviously have some mainstay guys like Ian Hap. In Hap. Cubs All-Star outfielder. And I've seen a lot of guys play the outfield. But I think he's the best left-fielder that we've ever seen in a Cubs uniform.

And I've been here 31 years. When all is said and done, he's going to be one of those guys that Cubs fans are going to look back and say, man, he was a really good player. Good, solid, big league player. Gold Glove Award winner. Hap swings, drills one deep in the air to left. Forget about it. This one's long gone. Halfway up the bleachers.

Ian Hap. Makes it 5-1 Cubs, blasting his 16th home run of the year, a solo shot to straight left. Host of the compound podcast. See a little club with me finishing with two hands, maybe hitting a home or 500 feet. I want to freak you out, but I've been doing it a little bit in practice. Connect Roasters coffee enthusiast. Here's a man that probably has five fresh pots a day. On 104-3, the score.

We toast you, Ian Hap. It is time for our weekly visit with Ian Hap. We are happy to have it. Glove Ian Hap co-host the compound podcast, which is now a part of Odyssey Sports. New episodes drop each Wednesday with the latest discussion on the Cubs and baseball. You can

download and listen on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Ian, how are you today? Good. How are you guys doing? We're good, but we're not the ones who have to work outside in this weather. So that's the management of it all. What is it like when you

have to manage batting practice just the first part of your day? It doesn't get cool enough at night. I don't think at times like this to be able to relax much. You know, this is a lot better than dealing with 25 degrees and the wind blowing in at a thousand dollars an hour. So I'll take this any day of the week. It's warm out there. And I think just over the course of the week, knowing that it's multiple days is, yeah, it's kind of managing workload and understanding how much time you're going to spend outside pregame, conserving a little bit for the game.

Yeah, it's one of those things where you're out there. You go up throwing it bad or run down a ball. And before you know it, there's a lot of sweat everywhere, and you're not really sure how it happens. It's just a swamp out there. Yeah. Yeah, it's a – yeah, there's a lot of moisture in the air. Ian, when you look at last night, I mean, I'd say old hat,

but I know it never gets old to have the excitement of a walkoff. I mean, you guys are walking it off. more than 40% of the time at home. You got 24 wins at home, 10 of them by a walk-off. Does it feel different as far as the energy of this versus getting, I don't know, a ho-home 7-2 win? I mean, wouldn't you prefer to get the 7-2 win and not have anything to be so dramatic? I would.

Good, because we're requesting that of you guys today. For our sake, too. 7-2 is real nice. No issues with the heart. No defibrillators out there. seven to two. We've done a really good job in X-Raining games, not only at home, but on the road.

We've done, and even over the last two years, just different guys stepping up on the pitching side, getting out in X-Rating games and late-game situations. So you saw that a little bit on the road trip for sure, but then, yeah, come back home and getting the walk off, I think, especially doing it against the back end of their bullpen. The way we did yesterday was pretty great. I think this team just really has a belief,

and I can't say enough about the job that bullpen did yesterday. You know, showed a keeping the ball in the yard yesterday, with the wind blowing out was incredible. He did a great job. But then the bullpen coming in and not giving up any runs and letting us kind of stick it there. It was great. Yeah, yeah.

Thielbar and Thornton and Hollowell, all terrific last night. I got to ask you. I got to ask you, man, about the, you're, the ABS challenge you had in the fifth inning. And for people who don't know, setting up the scenario, it's 2-2 runners on first and second. Ian Hap, our guy at the plate, full count. Ump calls strike three on a pitch that look to be blatantly high and inside.

You're already walking to first base. You've already touched the helmet. And then the thing gets reversed because it just nicked, nicked the top inside corner of the box. Take us through that and what you were thinking and how surprised you were when that got reversed. Yeah, that was rotten luck, guys. Rotten luck.

I, you know, the 3-0 pitch was a ball down. It was a sinker at the bottom. It did not challenge it. And 3-0 is a tough situation to use a challenge unless you're really, really sure because you have that hole at bat in front of you. So he threw a 3-1 splitter, and his splitter is a little bit knuckily, doesn't spin a lot, so it can kind of do a bunch of different things.

So the 3-1 splitter moved 10 inches to his arm's side, all right? Okay. The 3-2 splitter starts up and away. I'm convinced it's a ball, as you could see by my challenge and walk. That one only moved six in. inches to his arm side. So it had four less inches of arm side run. So it stuck up there and just clipped the top corner. That was disappointing one. I was pretty sure about it. And that's just yeah, he executed it. He found a way to nick it. So that's a tough part of the game. I mean, just,

just nicked it. When you come back, do you say anything to the umpire? Like, sorry, my bad, or is there no, no, I mean, he knew it right away. So it's that situation. I challenged, he kind of, he came out right away, nodded. Like, I think the guys behind the plate have done such a good job all year of not being offended by a challenge. And he was great last night. Both teams lost their challenges. I don't know.

There might have been one accurate challenge last night. Both teams had lost their challenges by the seventh, maybe. And so he was on it all night. He did a great job. Yeah, I was thinking about that too, because Craig's. Stammon former reliever, maybe that had something to do with it on the Padre side, but Stamond had one where I felt like it was an emotional attachment to one of his challenges and he lost it too. So there might be something to that last night.

Yeah, the, when the umpire's that good and they're catching them on the edges like that, it's pretty impressive. I want to also ask you about it was, you were not involved, but it was the send right before the Ian Hap, or Ehanap, the Sayas Suzuki, that looked like it sounded like it was out. It sounded like it was out. You saw where it landed in left field to the Ivy. And then before there was the fly to left field where it, we were trying to figure it out as a team

because the send happens out at the plate. I didn't think it was deep enough in left field. You know better than all of us based on where it was how that plays and the risk you take, especially facing Mason Miller. What did you make of all of that? Yeah, there's kind of two schools of thought there, I guess. is the fly ball and if you don't run you still have bases loaded and you got say up there wins blowing out you get a fly ball score all these things but it's Mason Miller and he's got a

really high punch rate and he's got a 0.6 ERA he hasn't given up any runs and he strikes out the world and he's thrown 102 so the opposite school thought is that you take the risk of of of trying to see if the outfiter's going to make an accurate throw and tag. And it was definitely shallow and it's probably, I don't know, at that point, 70, 80% chance that he's going to throw, make an accurate throw and tag. But there is, you know, because of who's in the game pitching, you know, there's a little bit of weight that goes into just making them complete that play in that situation to try to push that.

last run across. And because if you do, if you, when you do run the way that, and the way that we base run, the way that our guys executed, which was very good, is the guy from third takes off, the other two guys tags, so you end up with a second and third situation. So same thing. Pass ball scores are run, hit scores or run, all these things where it's not going to be first and second where you need the perfect hit, plus Pete was at second anyway, so he's going to score on pretty much every hit with two outs.

So, yeah, we did a good job of executing the backside base runners there. And obviously it worked out. Calf sprinkled a little bit of magic on that one. Ian, Hap joins us as he does each and every week this time on Rahimi Harrison Grotie. Full house for us today. Ian, I got to ask you, man, as the news comes out, Matt Shaw to the injured list, you've got Ethan Roberts, the injured list. The emergency appendectomy to Hobie Milner. At some point, do you just look around and say what is going on with us?

Or how do you and your teammates absorb this type of just influx of injuries on your team? Yeah, I think we're at the point now where it's become so ridiculous that you kind of nothing affects you and you just next man up. Yeah, the hobie appendectomy was that was one that was just like, really, that's unbelievable stuff. can't make that up but we've done such a good job i think as a group of you know all this stuff happens and and you can react to it is like why is this happening to us this is horrible or you just these guys will be back they'll be healthy at some point they're going to help us down the stretch and that's awesome and the other guys that we have in the room are going to are going to step up and that's what they've done i can't say enough about the group that's continued to come

in and throw beginnings, whether that's Ferg or that Jordan Wicks outing in Milwaukee, what Bryce Wilson was able to do. All these guys have done a great job, and they will continue to do that. And I think, you know, Maddie Shaw shouldn't be down too long, but unfortunate for him and feeling for him after just coming back from something else. So he'll be back. He'll be all right. But, yeah, do you feel for the people because I know Maddie wants to be out there?

in a great great weekend in Milwaukee. What a blast of a series. The finale was ridiculous. Your three-run home around Saturday was fantastic. I do want to go to the Misarowski game, and specifically, and a bat that you had in the sixth inning, and he fires the pitch, I think it hits the knob of your bat. I want to know what that moment felt like when 100. hits the bat. Actually, I don't know if it was 100. I didn't look at the gun on that particular

play. And just the kind of freak that Mizorowski is throwing as hard as he is and what that game was like. Okay. I think it was 101 or 102. The one that hit your knob? You're talking? Yeah. Yeah. That, yeah. Up and in, one of those ones where you're trying to get out of the way of it, I choke up a little bit and definitely with two strikes, so the knob is more exposed. luckily and so it wasn't my hand but the he's good man he's really good

I'm sorry Ian we are 12 and laughing at the way Grotty phrased it I don't know how you're being a professional about this right now sorry about that you're on with us every week I'm sorry you're in on the joke whether or not you want to be you just have to be a part of that moment

I usually do think in Beavis and Butthead terms but I really honestly wasn't in that case but you did get your knob it. Yeah, pure baseball guy. And credit to you for the professionalism in this conversation. Oh, my goodness. The thing that makes him so good is not only the velocity, but the extension, and that he gets so far down the mound, he's thrown from, I don't know, a foot closer than everybody else is.

And if you just put that in terms of, if you put the baseball a foot closer than, anybody else throws, you know, it's a little bit tough for your brain to kind of make that adjustment. Obviously, he's thrown a billion. And one of the crazy things, he has a 50% strikeout rate against lefties for the whole season. Lefties are striking out half the time against him. Good God. Our segment with Ian Hap is sponsored by Hattie B's Hot Chicken, Born in Nashville and Breaded in Wrigleyville. And, Ian, teamwork, as I understand, we inadvertently gave you some credit on the compound podcast

because we put you in a good position to answer a trivia question correctly about the back-to-back rain postponed games. Yeah, I can't remember who told me about that. We definitely talked about it on the compound, but I can't remember. Someone mentioned it before the compound, and so I was prepared for it. But yeah, in 18, we had back-to-back in April. And I remember we got snowed out against the Braves. It was right after that crazy like 14 to 10 comeback win.

Yeah, and ridiculous April weather, as you were alluding to at the beginning of the segment. Yeah, and then I think we got canceled against maybe the Cardinals right after that. So, yeah, the back-to-back rainhouse was crazy, not ideal. Not how you draw it up, but our pitching staff did such a good. job in New York. They got the bullpen guys throwing three out of four, you know, Hobie went three straight, those guys just being available and being up and pitching great in that series. Well, our show is taking credit because we did ask you about it when it happened to mention 2018. And you did say, go team, go team. So you guys told me about it and then I had it for the

compound seat. Yeah. Yeah. And episode 315, I was watching. It was on Marquis and you had the answer and you're like, I heard that on the radio. And I was. like, that must have been Layla and Marshall. I can't take credit because I wasn't here that day. It's about time we actually gave you information for once, I guess. We owed you, buddy. We did. And before we got to go, anything going on that you want to let us know about with Connect.

Well, we got the Hope Blend going for Maddie Boyd's Kingdom Home Foundation. So you can go on the website, Connectorsers.com, and check that out. $3 per bag is going to benefit the Boyd's Kingdom Home charity, which is helping kids in Africa. We're super excited about it. He had a charity event at Wrigley. It was really cool. And so we're really excited to support and the coffee's great. So it's the Hope blend and go check that out.

Fantastic. Ian, thank you so much and thanks for hanging with us on this interview. Thanks, Ian. Yeah. Thanks, guys. I'll sand down that now. Ian Hap is this weekly conversation.

We are happy to have it. And we're looking forward to the maybe sneaking some hattie bees tomorrow at Wrigley too, by the way. Hanging is right. Hang with them. Hey, this is the whole point of us doing sports talk radios. The jokes are for everybody. I'm so glad. I mean, it was coming out of my mouth.

It was like, I'm saying, I'm going through with this, but I know this is not going to come out right. Can we react it for everybody? Because Ian's picture was on during the interview. One, two, three is what we did. I had to duck out. And then he was like, my knob was more exposed. And I was like, what are we talking about here? See, Ian and I were being there.

adults. You guys had to make a big deal out of it. But it's you, Grody. You were laughing the whole time. It's you. You looked as guilty as someone has ever been guilty. You're the problem, Grody. Could you guys at least believe me that I didn't mean to have it sound like that? I saw your brain process what was happening real time and I was like, no. With that whimsical look on his face. No, no, no, Grody. You're not getting out the hook. I know what it sounded like, but it was an accident. If you could have physically run away from the conversation at that point, I think you would have. No, I would have been under the table with you guys.

Not appropriate. You know what's really funny is our topic for halftime next. Man, you know, you guys know I always joke that people, I think there's a subset of men who want women

who don't actually really exist. I got my proof. Next. What time is it? It is halftime. And that was quite the segment we just did with you in half. Mark Grody.

an all-timer out of you. Knob. That's all I'll say. The password is knob. We're going to make it worse. Listen to the Ian Hap interview. Yeah, that just happened. That was at 1125. You can go back and listen on a rewind feature on the Odyssey app.

At 11, we talked about Alex Bregman and whether or not he really ran to first base with a ton of effort against the Brewers on Sunday. Jesse Rogers is leading the charge, and we thank Jesse for doing so and following up yesterday before the game. Additionally, we talked about the signs of progress out of both the Cubs and the White Sox,

and I discussed my experience yesterday at Stacey King's Celebration of Life, which aired on CHSN. It's laptop. I found the stat reported that I sent to you guys on our group thread, that I am not surprised by it all, and it is from Polly Market, which is known to keep stats. Americans are now spending twice as much time on AI Companion Act. than actual dating apps. They'd rather date the person that isn't real versus their shot at a chance with a person who is. Which I think says a lot here in and of itself.

Like, I don't know that there's a lot of blame to go around to any one individual. But I do always joke about how I'm pretty sure men would rather have an AI woman hosting a show than me because I talk back. Well, the AI companions talk back too, right? I don't know. I don't know. But I will say this. Dating apps are starting to be found out as somewhat of a scam because there's a lot of fake profiles, if I'm not mistaken. A lot of them use my pictures.

And then. I've had many dating apps to use my pictures. On top of the bots existing Mark and Lila, I also see that if you're paying for the dating app, they don't want you to actually find someone because they want you to keep paying for the dating app. The goal of an app is to keep you on the app. as long as possible. Kind of like we're like, hey, listen to the rewind and feature. But the only difference is you're listening

to Ian Hap and us, Goufa. And we don't make it hard to exit from the app if you want to. Yeah, people say they don't listen to us all the time. The weird part is they still do, but I feel like that happens with the apps too.

I'm going to quit the data app. So honestly, I don't understand how this works. You're saying that like a companion like AI where they just, is there a physical picture of the person and like you talk, you just talk and you get AI responses

or what can? I will defer to our AI expert. Yeah, I don't get it. I'm not an expert. I try not to use it. It weighs too much water. No, we're talking to the AI companion. Like, what is it? Like, is it like Alexa? Like, could I, could I be? According to the AI overview, which I do think I actually should use here. In this one particular instance. AI companion apps are virtual assistance. Designed to provide emotional support, friendship, or engaging role play. Engaging role play.

Nob. You know what, this show And the number three search option I'll see myself out The number three search option here That I'm not going to click on Because this is a work computer Is from East Bay Express

And says Best AI Girlfriend Apps And Sites of 2026 There is one called Girlfriend GTP Is that the opposite? I don't think this is the way Maybe I'm wrong But I just don't know That this is the best idea

Facebook has also, according to TechCrunch, rolled out an AI companion app for creators. Maybe it's like it's a rebuild your confidence. Like if you're going through some tough times. It's like a workout. You get back in shape and then you get back out there in the real world. Like the batting cages? Yeah. A simulation, if you will.

Yeah, there you go. Or NASCAR, when they use the driving simulator versus the real road course. Like they had to do that here for the Chicago Street race. You can go hang out at the AMC and just get on those. Can I tell you about my batting cages in my 20s? you need to talk to real people, though. Yeah. I'm just saying it in between. Like, if you've got nothing going on, you're not dating anybody and, like, you just need a little reassurance, a little help, little practice.

People don't reply based off of models, though. Like, that's the thing. Yes, to a certain extent, you can't operate as an algorithm, but not in this, in this very confined way, which is still confined, even though the memory now is great. This isn't like playing the computer solitaire or whatever other analogy would fit. Back in my day, back in my, I'm going to go a little Mark Grutter here. Back in my day, guys. Do it. When I was in my 20s,

and you're cropped. Everybody loves crock-d-art. There might be the danger of crocted. He's out here, knobbing and croct in. I love it. You used to go out here and take batting practice in real life by going out to bars and establishments

and engaging with people in real life. It's a great thing. And just talk and see what happens. You know what I'm saying? Like, sometimes you swing and connect, sometimes you don't. I understand why people are shy and have anxiety of going, up to people like the advent of online dating, I think is a really good thing, actually,

when you use correctly because you can get it, you can whittle it down to what you want. And there are lots of people, Marshall, I know you are not one of them that have anxiety in those areas that cannot go up to a one or vice versa. Marshall is an extrovert. I'm actually an introvert. That's the rub. Okay, how are you an introvert? Because you just talk, you talk about social cues and being effortless when it comes to interacting.

with people all the time. That's just based on education. Like, educate yourself by reading the room. Learn how to read a room. But there's a lot of introverts who don't do that well. Like, it's just like life where you just have to accept that some things you're not as good at. No, no, but what I'm saying is if you're an introvert, you still are uncomfortable with it,

but you just push through the discomfort. And guess what? When my social battery is gone, I go home. That's the point. It's over for me. Because I'm introverted. I'd rather just go home. I can do the thing that needs to be done.

But you're actively social outside of dating. you're very actively social I don't think I am at all. You knew all of my friends in Philly. I think he's differentiating. I think Marshall's getting it wrong. I don't think you're an introvert. I think you enjoy spending time at home

and being in your own comfort zone in that regard. But when you're out, you are, you go with the flow. I roll my sleeves up and do what has to be done for a limited time and then I go home. Exhausted. Do you have a finite amount of time? Brunch counts in that for you?

You're a brunture of the people. The literal definition of, of an extroverted introvert and then we can do five on it. It's someone who possesses strong social and conversational skills. That's me. But ultimately, recharges through solitude.

I can comfortably mingle and charm a crowd, but their social battery drains quickly, necessitating much quiet time to recover. That's me in a nutshell. So you're like a... But isn't that also just... It's like clocking in. It's a job for me to go.

You are a cheetah. You can run really fast, but only for a short period of time, and then you have to give up and go home. How dare you say that about cheetahs? That's the truth. I love cheetahs. I love all cats. You know that about me.

I like cougars. It's good. Cougars. You don't discriminate. Mountain lions, panthers. All the same thing. But I do think you're a little more out there than you may give yourself credit for. We have to go race. Got to go. Got to go. Five on it is next. It's time for five on it.

Rohini Harrison Rooney. Bring you five topics on their minds today. On 143 to score. I got five on it. Number one. On a scale of one. 1 to 10 on the Impress Me meter, trademark. Where would you rate?

Say a Suzuki walking it off to give the Cubs a 3-2 win over the Padres last night. Man, that is an 8.5 on the Impress Meader because, as I was saying before, Sayu Suzuki and Madison Miller have not gone together. Well, say it was 0 for 4 with four strikeouts against Mason Miller because, well, the rest of the world is. He's not easy to hit. And you know how I felt about this, Ray? I was on the phone with you when I saw Adrian Mora Home come in.

That's right. Scary moment. Oh, no, this is over. It's Morahan. He throws 100. Then it's Adam. Then it's Miller. Then my hopes are dashed. Wrong. My hopes were not dashed.

Well, they were, but Sayu Suzuki brought them back up. That was a well-hit ball. I don't know how it stayed in the ballpark. Well done. Say-Siz Suzuki, very impressive. Mason Miller is very impressive. That man leads the league in both games, finished and saves on the season. Terrifying, man.

He has a 17. I want to really say this very slowly. He has a 17.1 strikeouts per nine. 17.1. That means he averages almost 2Ks per inning. Straight up. That's Tom. And so that's why it wasn't a bad sin.

Danesby Swanson, gone down, see if you can get something going. Because who knew that Sayas Suzuki was going to break that strikeout streak that he had started with Mason Miller? On the scale, though, this is a 10 out of 10. Perfect score. To end the game against Mason Miller like that, how old do players get to do that against Mason Miller? Pretty good. I'm going to split the difference between the two he is.

I'm going to go with a nine. I'm going to give it a nine. Because the Cubs, the truth about this game is, if you really look at the game, it wasn't a great game for the Cubs. They left a bunch of men on base. A lot of situation, a lot of first and second and nobody out. A lot of bases loaded, nobody out situations in this game. Even that ninth inning, while I'm with you, Marshall, I would have sent Dansby Swanson too. I was okay.

Not me. I know. I know. And there's an argument to be made on your side as well. Just the math. The whole thing, that hit by Sayas Suzuki was a bailout. It was a bailout for the entire game I felt for what happened in the ninth inning. It made everybody look good.

It made what the bullpen did look like real, Thielbar and Thornton and Hollowell and that whole crew. So I give Sayah Suzuki. a nine for making everything okay at the end of the game. Yay. Thank you. Number two. Here's question number two in the sixth inning of Sunday's Cub's Brewer's finale. Alex Bregman hit a weak ground ball to the shortstop and proceeded to run down the first base line with minimal effort.

Bregman was asked to address the play prior to Monday's game against the Padres. There's a moment that went viral yesterday on that ball you hit. You regret maybe not running a little bit harder. knowing that now that you've bottled it? Yes. And I've also had 10 soft tissue injuries running down the first baseline specifically. So it's kind of some give and take. By the same time, yeah, I obviously wish I would have beat the throw.

It's Cubs' third baseman, Alex Bregman. Are you buying Breggman's response to not respecting the 90 feet to first space. Here's why I'm not buying his response. Everything he said might be the truth and what he believes, but the initial question was, do you regret? His answer was yes. He also threw in the old and the and gave us more insight into why he didn't run it out, except for it doesn't really make sense because he stopped, he started, he stopped and then he started again. And so you're really concerned about the soft tissue injury in that situation when you have just, kept it cool?

Why did you start again? I'm not following the logic that he's laying out there based on the fact that he started to run, slow down, and then started back up again. It's like he realized midway that, oh, I probably should try to beat this out. Shouldn't you just try to beat it out from jump? It's a bad moment for Alex Bregman.

There's no doubt about it. His answer, as you rightfully just said, if you're going to sprint in the beginning, why you're not sprinting at the end? You obviously have it in you. You're not worried about the soft tissue issue early in your jaunt to 90 feet to first base. I like that word, jaunt. Thank you. That's better than some of the other words I've been using today. Yes, like knob.

And crocked. So I feel like it's going to be an improvement for me in the second half of this program today. But like I said, Alex Bregman is a World Series winner. He has been playing since the year of the course. Cubs won the World Series. He's a three-time Alt-star. He's a gold glove winner. He's a silver slugger award winner. He is a known, respected

leader in the clubhouse. So it's all my way to say that this is this was a one time, I think, glitch in the Alex Breggman to where I don't feel like bringing the wrath on him for what happened, him not hustling. Now, if this trend

continues, if we see body language similar to this, in any of the aspects in which he plays, then I'll have a problem with it, but for now, I am letting him get away with it because of his resume. One mulligan per career? Fair or year. How many hans? Yeah.

One per season? I do think you're onto something with the, this is not his characteristic. Right. But we participate in that standard with him, and I think it's why it got brought up. It's why it's been discussed. It's magnified because of the offensive output being what it is right now. It's magnified because, as Jesse aptly mentioned, pre-game. yesterday. He was batting 181 for the month of June. It's, it's hard because it is antithetical to

what we know his whole brand to be, as you mentioned, Mark. So it is a one, it looks like it's a one-time thing. The funny part is he was honest in his answer too. Like when he talked about being mindful of soft tissue injuries, he said somewhat of the quiet part out loud in doing so. Is it an answer we like hearing? No. But is it, is it something that's more perhaps realistic of a discussion in that space with his manager and his supervisors, you know, over at the Cubs, I bet. But like, still, either way, it just, it didn't sit right with us. I think you're right about there's a comparison to be made with Kyle Tucker, but I think in Tucker's case, he didn't tell us about stuff.

And from what I understand was very secretive with not just us. You know, how are you letting that stuff slip by the team as well? And then he goes away to train in Tampa for a bit, you know, in September. Like, that whole behavior set, like scenario was, not this. So I think before we compare that, then we have to accept Bregman's answer on this. One more small thing on it, during the

time of the Cubs' most influential part of their history, which I would argue it was 2015 through 2018. Obviously winning the World Series. You had a manager who told Cubs fans, my only rule, my only rule, your World Series manager

said, respect 90. I don't care what you do. I don't care what you do in the clubhouse. I don't care if you go out, have fun, get drunk, show up at the last second to the ballpark, get crocked, the whole thing, anything you want to do, but you need to hustle the first base and then we're cool. So I think Cubs fans have that in their head. I know I do. I know that I was around Joe Madden for three years and very intimately.

So I think we all sort of learn from Joe. That doesn't help Alex Bregman's case. Number three. Five on it on 104 through the score with Lailorahaheimie, Marshall Harrison, Mark Grotie. Here's question number three. Today's the last day of June. Who is the White Sox MVP of the month? We went with Marshall to start.

Should we go with Mark Grady to start this next? Yeah. Oh, wow. Wow. I did not expect to be. First dibs for you big guy. Oh, my goodness. Brody, you're honored.

It's so funny because I put the obvious name at the top of my sheet here. I've got three names. I guess I'll go with the obvious one. For me, it's Miguel Vargas. Miguel Vargas is it I mean slugging 314 433-651 a 1.084 OPS Should have hit almost hit a homer last night

Almost got his 20th home run Of the season last night You know move over Mutataka Morikami There's a new Miguel Vargas in town And his name is Reggie Hammins So I'm gonna go I'm gonna go with Miguel

Vargas me the first choice. I don't have to go to the rest of my list. No, I mean, here's the thing. If that's your answer, it's still your answer regardless of what everybody else says. No, but I like to, if you guys give two answers and I have a third one on my sheet, like on my depth chart here, then I'm going to give it. Well, prepare to be disappointed because I also think it's Miguel Vargas. He batted $297 for the month. We got one more day. Can he bake it up to 300? It sounds like a promo to me. So yeah, it's Miguel Vargas. He had 27 hits this month. and 91 at bats. He's had 14 runs scored. I mean, I love, I love what he's doing. Like, why

wouldn't I? It's just been wildly impressive. Six doubles. You guys know how I feel about doubles. I love them. I think they're an indication of a healthy offense. You're a doubles machine, Lela. I'm not, actually. That's why I love them. I appreciate what I don't have. And then I, the six home runs as well. Yeah. I mean, he had a fantastic month of June. Go off, Miguel Vargas. Yes, Marshall? You know who else had 27? hits in the month of June? He looked at me so disappointed just now. Disapproving. Not disappointed.

Your face. Can I guess? I have to, yes. 27 hits this. Was it, it's, it's, it, not Sam. Oh, yo, no, it's Sam. Really? Dun, done, done. Both Sam Antinachi and Chase Midroth had 27 months hits apiece in the month of June. Colson's June as a whole was up and down. Here's

while Sam Antich is the MVP for the month of June. Miguel Vargas and his six home runs, That's cute. His 18 RBI also cute. The 18 RBI leading the team. But when it's all said down, your guys are begging Miguel Vargas to get some hits to get the 300.

Sam Antanachi would have to go very much 0 for 8 or something like that to have his average drop below 300 because he's hitting 318 in the month of June. He's also... Curses, we've been foiled, Grody. Got a team high on base percentage of 426 in the month of June. And yet he's still slugging 494,

which isn't that far off from Miguel Vargas in his 560 in the month of June. I like home runs, don't you, Laila? Don't you like home runs? Yeah, home runs are cute. Home runs are cute. Coming from the guy who from Daywell, the White Sox are going to get more bombs than the Cubs.

Do you want to go ahead and pay me out now for that? No. Okay. But you will pay me out. I'm looking for it. Well, it'll be cut even when the Cubs have a better record by the end of the year than the White Sox. Which they do.

Right now, by the way. I can't wait for the street to continue to give me money to support. Six home runs for Miguel Bargis. Cubs are going to be 10 games over 500 after tonight. Honorable mention in this category of MVP. You think the socks are beating Baltimore twice in a row? I don't think so. Okay.

Can we make a single game bet? Can we make a single game bet on that? A single dollar bet on that? Sure. Okay. Sure. Hey, register that. Ray, socks, Orioles night.

Grody's got the oils. This is a dollar. I will not have to give you tomorrow. I actually think the socks have an excellent. You're only saying that because Eric Feddy's pitching. I get it, but I think they're going to win tonight. And I'm going to the Cubs game tonight. That's why I'm really saying.

I said all that just to let you guys know. It's Miguel Vargas with a 939 OPS, Sam Antinacci behind him with 920. But Sam Antinachi has been the fulcrum of this offense, scoring a team high 20 runs. He's that dude. We've got to get through this. We're too passionate. This topic is tearing us apart. We're ready for the next one.

Cheering for our favorite players is tearing us apart. Three on it. Go ahead, Ray. Number four. NBA Free Ed Agency officially starts today at 5 p.m. Chicago Time. What will you be watching for? Well, what I was watching for, we may already have an answer to. And I was like, could it happen?

Could it be that LeBron James would indeed lead the Lakers and go to the Warriors? Well, part of that appears to be the case. ESPN is reporting that LeBron has informed the Lakers that the franchise can move on without him. because he's going to play elsewhere. So the question is where, and to everybody on our Twitch mob chat who was asking about brawny, yeah, what happens now? What happens?

Who is, like, the Lakers without LeBron? This is, this is a change. This is a seismic change in the league. I thought we were done with the whole Bronny thing. LeBron was not the story anymore. It was about Janus, and it was going to be about some other stuff. But once LeBron said he's opting out, guess what? Right back to LeBron,

the magnifying glass, the spotlight, right back on LeBron. That is the biggest thing. Until that Domino falls, everything else is just child's play. Yeah, I'm with you guys too. I am interested in the John Morant to Portland. I know that that's not the spirit necessarily of the question, but John Morant with Damian Lillard and True Holiday.

It all connects. That's the point. Yeah. So I am looking forward to seeing if that does anything for what's been a sad turn. Let's face it, in the John Morant career, I badly was hoping he was going to be to have next, but he did some dumb things and he can't shoot from the outside. So it's a problem.

You really can't shoot from the outside. Can't shoot threes. Yeah. It doesn't work in this here, NBA. Keep that in mind, Caleb Wilson. He's right. Hey, hey. Whoa.

The thing's coming out of my mouth today. Does number five work today? I'm just saying, got to learn how to shoot. Number five. All right. It worked for me today. Here's question number five on five on a 104 through the score. It is a baseball tradition that after a win, the player being interviewed,

is doused with gatorade or water. Where are you at with this? tradition. As a longtime MLB field reporter, I have to just accept that it happens. And there have been times where I've been absolutely just crushed by a cooler of Gatorade and it was freezing. But it's, you know, we can't, we don't have a say. I do think it's clever and funny when I see guys, poor sunflower seeds over somebody's head or just a simple bottle of water or at times bubble gum. I like the creativity. But yeah, this is just part of the game and I have to deal with it. I liked it at first, but seeing it happen nearly every time the sideline reporter,

I'm talking about Cubs and Sox reporting with the interview, and then somebody comes over, dumps the water, the Gatorade, and then the reporter has to jump out of the way. And I would bet that if those reporters were being honest, that they'd be like, yeah, it's annoying AF. Because if I do get got, then I got to deal with moisture for the rest of the post game. Ew. Hey, Mark, Leila.

And Leila, I sympathize with you, as you know, because I've been on the receiving end of the douse as a former sideline reporter. It's not fun. You know what? Gross. Just remember one thing. It ain't about you. It's for the teammates.

It's for the players. This segment is about us. But the act of dousing a player is about them having fun and doing what they do. You know who did it the best was when Yulmer Sanchez in a rainstorm decided to pour the Gatorade on himself because it was already raining outside. Yolber Sanchez. That was my favorite. Yes, and I've gotten it post-game celebrations.

Have you guys gotten the burning champagne shot in your eyes before? I have covered winners, yes. That hurts. I fortunately have been spared. I just got to go on the field. Just a baby? No. You'll get there?

I mean, I just, for whatever reason, like I haven't. Poor Kelly Kroll has to deal with that at time. Taylor McGregor last year. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. You can put the goggles on. Goggles. Gaggle up.

Yeah. Or just be like Carson Kelly, where you have one beer in each hand and are smoking a cigar. How did he pull that off? Live your best life. How? He was crocked. I don't think so. No.

That requires coordination. PCA, cropped? PCA seemed a little, uh, little. Is he should be. The what's up everybody was hilarious. And then he like tried to confess to Taylor. He had never done an interview like this. And I'm like, oh, no.

Panic. Panic. He's the best. I just wanted to give you guys a nugget before we go to break here. This is from Shams. He was on SportsCenter Day and said about LeBron James leaving L.A. and deciding on his next team. Quote, I'm told this is a happiness-led decision for LeBron James.

Wherever he lands in free agency, it will not be driven by money. Come to the Bull! You want to develop these players? What are your thoughts on Patrick Williams? Chicago. How do you feel like no S and gay? What I mean like why would you say that money isn't an option so then or like it's not the driver?

Because he's got all the money. Where are you trying to set up? Golden State. I mean it did Draymond opt out? Yes. And do we think that that creates a path for LeBron? Yes, we do. LeBron equals legacy at this point.

Four rings, right? Two in Miami. One in Cleveland, one in L.A. 4. And Michael is the like what he, everybody is always trying to. catch up with. So Michael's got his six. Poor Bill Russell. Yeah, but Michael's the guy that LeBron has always been chasing. Let's be honest about it. So I

believe that he is desperately trying to get at least one more ring and two would look really good for his legacy. Five on it. What's up, everybody? Still hilarious to me. That is five on it. And coming up next, how about some bears talk? Our friend, Emery Hunt,

over at CBS Sports, was part of a segment discussing the floor and ceiling of each of the NFC North teams and they start with the Bears and Emery, Emery's going to make you happy with his assessment. We'll do that next. We are happy to have on Vinnie Rotino. Vinny, how are you? I'm doing great. Thanks for having me on guys. I tell you, I feel like I made it to the big leagues when I get on the score and get on your show. I appreciate you guys having me.

Middays 10 to 2 on 1043, the score. And the last thing, the most important piece is we're going to take the North and never give it back. You know, right now, Ryan Poles is absolutely correct. The last thing has been that they took the North, and they haven't given it to anybody. So the phrase has finally been activated. Did they put it in a lockbox at the bank? Don't give it back.

You get to put it in a lock box during the off season, but once the season starts, it's back out in the open for anyone to come and swipe it. Shameless plug really quick, because we did name the podcast, Take the North. On the, on the, the two episodes, we did mailback episodes or our last two episodes. They're really good episodes. Here's the hook, though.

If you want to hear Dan Weeterer sing, Creed, and bands like that, go back and listen to the last two episodes. Unfortunately, you hear me sing too, but I think it's way funnier when Weederer is doing the singing. Alex Coon just walked by. You hear all that? You hear all that? Yeah. Like, it just. On the clock, bro.

Laughing. Why are you guys singing creed? and why is it take me higher? Don't. It was. Of course it is. You have to go back and listen to the episode

because we had questions. Somebody asked it because you know how we like to talk about County Crows and like, are the, you like to talk about County Crows. I don't think Cole Combat is the target audience

for that question. We often like to. I think the demo is a little more in our wheelhouse at like the 54 part of the 25 to 54 and not maybe the 25. We like to ask questions like that. Fill in the blank band. Are they good?

Cole Comet is a good sport. He is a good sport. with it. But some of our listeners ask us questions about music to go along with their bears questions. So I am just saying, I am just recommending that you listen to the most previous two episodes of Take the North. That's all. That's all. Do do, do, do. Do, do. Okay, so kind of in that vein, this is an interesting time in the content world for football, because people get really creative, but then there's a lot of good topics that come up, like a mailbag. I believe that we have a duty to people. If people have

questions, it's our job to answer them. Whatever. You outnumbered me by 19 things today. I don't want to hear it from you. I do. And I came across, I came across on YouTube, our crew over at CBS SportsAQ, and that means Emery Hunt, who's a friend of the show. He does

a lot of work for them. Emory was generous, but the concept is good. And I want to introduce it to us. We'll react to what Emery has to say about the ceilings and the floors, record wise, of the teams in the NFC North. But man, did he come out strong to quite strong on the bears.

So let's start with the bears, Caleb Williams, taking them to their first playoff win since 2010. Emery, you have the ceiling at 14 and 3 in the floor, 11 and 6. That's some high expectations. Well, Emily, listen, last year there was a debonair brother that was on this network that told everyone that the bears were going to win the division, go from worst to first.

So everyone is scooching, I meet. I'm going to tell you this again. So get your pincers. This is what I'm saying. The bear is going high again because second here Ben Johnson system. What I love most about this offense, they can run the football when they want to. That is huge. And now, just opposed to what they did last year and how they lost that playoff game, that's all the motivation they need to go into the all season. The concern

would be if they can't get consistent pass rush outside of Montez sweat. Austin Booker, high ascending players. So we'll see if he can handle that duty. But right now, this bear's team, I think, is one of the more complete teams in this division. Less questions about the bears than anyone else plus they improved their offensive line. Logan Jones at Iowa and also like undrafted rookie free agent, Jaron Kump, out of Utah too. So I think they've done a lot. They've done better than what people expect the team to do. And I feel like they'll be right atop of the division once again. Wait, he said duty and you didn't care about it then. Emily, I don't think Emory understood the assignment because it's floor and ceiling. So maybe, you know, if you're three

and a half feet tall, you can fit in that little space between 14 and 11 wins. Look, man, I went through this process as well. I haven't been winning 14 games best case scenario. They can We lost seven and they'd go seven to start the season. But worst case, I had them closer to eight and nine just because I understood the definition of worst. They could lose very easily games in that division against really good football teams. They have some tough road games. They have some tough out of division games because they're the number one seed coming into

this season. And I fully expect Ben Johnson and Caleb to continue to grow that relationship. But we've seen good teams for any reason, a number of reasons, struggle when the expectations for so high. I do think that Emory's right. They're going to win a lot more games than they lose. But if the wheels fall off, I think worst case would still be eight and nine, which at the end of the day, that puts you in the middle of the pack. Man, 14 and 3 with this schedule, that would be, that would be your butthead better be making it to the NFC championship game. Death's superfan stuff, by the way. I mean, that is, and I'm saying that knowing what the

Seahawks have done and what the Rams did. I don't know whether or not. not to give Emory Hunt bears or to say that he's crazy? Well, I mean, 125 is giving bears. Oh, that's right. We can add him to the list. I will see. Yeah, we can add Emery to the list. I also think that Emery, he just naturally believes in people.

He really does. But his bit is to, he finds a lot of unsought out players who he's watched and knows that they're going to succeed in the league. He's very big into that. When I heard 14 and 3, you stood up and did a little dance. I did not. He turned around and put his. head into the wall.

Is that different from what I said, knob and his head was underneath the table? Very different. Very different. Just want to make sure. That's cringing so hard, your body cringing. Oh, yeah.

The floor is, I think. The ceiling is the roof. You know, the 11 and 6 got me more than the 14 and 3. Because while I can't see 14 and 3, I can understand why other people can see it. And it really comes down to

do you believe they can get to the quarterback or not? They had a losing record in the division. And while I was thrilled with what they did. I have to factor that into how this season is going to happen. But for both of those guys, who was the second guy? No, Emery Hunt was the first guy. Who was the second guy? I forget who the other end was

some other guy. But for both of them to say 14 and 3 as the ceiling, that's got to feel good if you root for the Chicago Bears. The 8 and 9 seemed more palatable to me as far as a floor than the 11 and 6. I mean, I'm sorry, what was

their record this past season? Yeah, 11 and 6. And the schedule just got a whole lot harder, right? It's Ryan Wilson. I think the Bears will win between 9 and 11 games this year. That's why I look at it. I don't have an exact right. Is that your ceiling 11? Probably just based on the record.

And I think that they could, I think you could, the Bears might be better as a team and win 11 games. I got their set. I guess it's not that far off. I had their ceiling at 13. So I, there's, to me like mentally to hear 14 and 3 and 13 or 4, those are very different seasons.

I had about between 9 and 12 and I'm going to say part of the reason is just the math of the NFL. Yeah. Like I always think that you win a game that people just don't think you're going to win. And I always, I always factor that into my prediction. As then I know that they're going to win a game that I don't see them winning. The Eagles was probably that game for me. Awesome that it happened.

But then there's also a game that you lose that people don't see you losing. And that happens in a season as well. And that's not a knock on the team necessarily. It's the nature of the league and how parity works out in the league. And how two. seasons in a road never really happened the same way. The bears probably won't have seven come from behind wins, six of which were in the fourth quarter. Or far and away lead the league and turnover creation. Those two things probably won't happen again. Now there might be other areas that

step up. Maybe Austin Booker will have a double-digit sack season this year. Maybe Dio Dangbo will be a revelation this year. There will be other... Well, Pam Williams will improve his completion percentage. Maybe he will turn into a top five elite quarterback this year. So there are other areas in which they may step up. But I think this is also, and this is not a bad thing, but the bears are like the most fashionable team in the NFL right now. I don't think people think that they're necessarily the best team, but the national pundits, they're having fun talking about the bears. Like, they're a fun, easy pick right now to be like, I mean, the hyperbole is real on the bears. It makes me a little bit uncomfortable. You guys know that. But I think overall, it's nice that we're talking about all

these things that the Chicago Bears are, as you said, the it team, the fashionable team, the hipster choice in the NFL for individual players and for the team. It's fun when one of the biggest markets in the NFL has a team that is enjoyable to talk about on a actual upward trajectory that doesn't seem like a flash in the pan. And that is a new thing, relatively speaking. Yeah, we did. Marshall and I talked about the, you know, the Caleb Williams, some of the hyperbole surrounding that.

and we were kind of debating, is he a top 10 quarterback, and we were struggling to get him into the top 10. But a texture sort of put it all, as we're arguing about this, because you know how hot it gets when Caleb Williams' talk is going on. Justiculating wildly. Yes, a texter chimed in and said, isn't it nice that we're actually opening the debate about a Chicago Bears quarterback being in the top 10?

And I'm like, yeah, that puts it all into perspective, as nasty as these arguments can get surrounding, the Bears. That one text put it all in perspective. It's so nice that we're having these discussions about the Bears. Still not better than Joe Burrow yet. I agree with 815. The concept of the offensive line improving, which Emery Hunt mentioned, you got a good center, but Drew Dalman is going to be replacing Drew Dalman. We're going to have to wait to see whether or not that can actually be the case. And I say that very sternly because I know how good he was last year. Yeah, you can't like here, Ben Johnson tell us about how important Drew Dalman was.

And everybody that's an analyst telling us how important Drew Dalman was and then be like, yeah, they'll be just fine with Garrett Bradbury or Logan Jones. That's not true. Do you know what it reminds me of? It reminds me of you go, we go when Dexter Fowler was batting leadoff. And then when he was no longer batting leadoff, Joe Madden took it for the team. It would be like, well, how important is the leadoff battered really? And then everybody here took it hook, line, and sinker.

And I remember listening to the score. be like, wait a second, what is this all? He goes, we go talk. Yeah, put Schwarber at the top and that'll get his ass sent back down to the miners. I can't talk about Kyle Schwerber. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's just, it's really, I was off for a week.

Even when I was off for a week, people were still talking to me about Kyle Schwerver. And I was like, every road goes back to Schwerver. Those 30 bombs hit, don't they? They do. They hit. I still feel really happy for him. You're not even thinking about Kyle Schwerber, and then you just get like an update to your phone. Kyle Schwarz would just hit a three-run homer again because that's what he does.

Well, and now there's this discussion that's percolating amongst the baseball, the seamheads, about whether or not he's a Hall of Famer. And I'm just like, could be. Shakes Cloud of Fist. That's a joke in a reference earlier to this show. By the end of his career, I don't think there will be a debate. There's a debate?

Yeah, because of his other numbers. Yeah, because of the other number is not matching the home run production. If it lines up the way it does and he goes, let's say five more years. Yeah. Let's say 5.50. You've got the fewest hits of anybody to ever get to the Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, on the podcast, this is being discussed.

You know the baseball tonight's and the effectively wilds and fan graph. Sure. Yes. Not that I was listening to those on my days off. Certainly not me. No. Yes, I was. You like sports.

That's all right. I do like sports. You like sports. So that's what we do. We watch Sports on our days off. I'm going to go to a Cubs game tonight on my night off. A lot of soccer, actually. I watched a ton of World Cup on my time off.

Yeah. Okay. Just mix it up. Ms. Soccer. No, I wouldn't go that far. Let's not go crazy. No, that is, I enjoyed listening to Mully and Gabe. Like, I like listening to people who really know it and are enthusiastic about it,

even if I'm not into it. Mike Mulligan is your guy. I think we should keep the other ones for reference, the Lions, Packers, and Vikings, and maybe we get into those in a segment to be named later. In the meantime, there's something afoot in Iowa. And by something, I mean, dudes who throw on a mound. There are a bunch of familiar names. There are some big names.

So we'll get into the, who's pitching for the Cubs in Iowa next. Raimi Harris and Grody. Write this down, guys, as a segment idea. It's going to be called, Don't be an idiot with Marshall Harris. I'm not an idiot. Middays 10 to 2. Don't be an idiot. On 1043, the score.

At some point you guys are going to have to whiteboard that for me, the don't be an idiot. And I say that out of context and with context. This is Rahimi Harrison Grotie on a Tuesday. Thanks, Wade Diaz, working the ones and twos with David Dykstra, our producers today. Double D. We're working on nicknames. Poor David is going to get taken under Mark Grady's wing like Tyler Ferengel, whether or not he wants to be. His nickname shall be from here for us.

You ready for this? This is it. Write this down. Lenny. No. He has his own identity. No, sir. What is the wrong with you?

David has spoken. Let David live. He's related to Lenny Dykstra. First you put Caleb out there in the same aura as Ryan Leaf. Now you're trying to give me. Wow, you're holding out of that one. To be fair, I mentioned Ryan Leaf, and it was not about Caleb Williams. It was a discussion about busts.

Was it about Caleb Wilson? And there was a discussion. Peyton Manning versus Ryan Leaf was the discussion back in the day. How dare you, sir? No, he was right to say no about Lenny. Lenny. In the meantime, it's fun to have fun with names, you know, in the words of Padua. Hell yeah.

There are some big names in Iowa when you consider who's there right now. This is from Jason Kemp. The pitching staff of the Iowa Cubs continues to be reshaped on a daily basis. He's right about that. Drew Pomerant's pitched on Sunday. And today, there are two more. veteran arms in the house. Three-time All-Star Liam Hendricks,

and we were all wondering what that was going to happen. And 10-year Major League reliever, Aaron Bummer, as in the former White Sox, have joined the squad in Toledo. So we wondered if it was a matter of time before we would see these guys, and it turns out, yes, the time is a little bit longer, but I can't help but think, Marshall and Mark,

that these guys are eventually going to get called back to the big leagues at some point. Eventually, they're in AAA. They are. as we've seen the shuttle go from AAA to the major leagues and back again, they're a day away, depending on the wrong circumstances. Don't do it. Don't jinx it. Don't do it. There's different ways in which a team right now can jump from the Iowa Cubs to the majors.

Either they're really, really impressive in Iowa, or someone simply is not impressive with the Cubs or just gets hurt. The likelihood seems to be the latter. But that's a reality that we're all having to process. and deal with repeatedly this season. I think Ian Hap put it best. Ridiculous. It has become ridiculous. It's not unfathomable because I've seen it play out,

but it is ridiculous what's going on with the Cubs in their injury situation. Yeah, and like, you know, and maybe this is this is wrong because we keep thinking the bottom is going to drop out with all the starters that they've been through with all the relievers. And depending on Ryan Rawlison and Bryce Wilson and all of these guys. That's right. Bryce with an S got to get that right. Important.

that we keep waiting for the, like I said, for things to get really, really, really bad. And now there's names that are coming that we actually know. Aaron Bummer, who's 32, I just looked it up. I would have probably, because it feels like he's like a guy that's been around forever. Because he had like 180 appearances for the White Sox in one season. And I thought he was going to be a star. And yeah, I know there's 162. That's the joke.

I thought he was going to be the next Andrew Miller, Cleveland Andrew Miller, big lefty on the mound, getting guys out in the eighth. And then he got traded for an absolute haul. back from the Braves. Like that was a four-player return, as I recall. Oh, man, I don't remember who the primaries were in that. Do you remember? To the internet.

To the internet. Yes, Erin. Is there someone out of those three guys that you want up first between Hendricks, Bummer? I don't know what they have. Like, what has Lee Hendricks been doing? I'm always curious about Drew Pomerance just because of last year. Pomsy.

Also, by the way, guys, it was so refreshing, number one, to see Jordan Wicks on Sunday. But then did you hear Ryan Rawlison in the post game on Sunday? And he talked about how kind of. similar to what we've heard Pomerant say, which is what jogged my memory, about him saying his best year of his career was with Craig counsel and how he was happy to get that opportunity again. It didn't remind me of the luck that the Cubs had, and it wasn't just luck, but the experience and the knowledge that the bullpen had come together in that way last year. Well, Drew Pomerant's turned the year that he had with Craig Counsel and the Cubs last year into a $4 million contract

with the Angels. Now, things went horribly when he got to Ann O'Nod. But happens to a lot of them. He got his money and now he might get another chance with the customer. Oh, yes, Michael Soroka. Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. Michael Soroka. Yeah, Michael's. He's having a good season, by the way.

Yeah. Michael Soroka, Riley Goens, Nikki Lopez, and Graydon Shoemaker and Jared Schuster. Nikki Lopez never goes away. That's what I like about him. I like that Bruce interviewed him too. That is, about Cross Town. What I'm trying to, I am interested in Liam Hendricks.

and what exactly does. The last time he pitched, according to what I just brought up, is May 27, 2025. Like, where is he velocity-wise, stuff-wise? Can he still close games? So just because he's Liam Hendricks, and we all know Liam Hendricks, I am most curious about him,

but I have no idea what he's working with these days. And I guess the same thing goes for Aaron Bummer, for that matter. Like, what's he got? Well, are you willing, knowing the risk that it may run in games? Are you willing to not just see what they do in Iowa, but to try to see it at the big league level. May as well, right? I mean, they're bringing up everybody else is getting a shot.

Wix needed that in the worst way on Sunday. And frankly, I, as an observer, Jordan Wicks, needed that. You know I needed it. My last impression was that Sunday night game, where unfortunately, in St. Louis, he was bad. He had two bad performances, actually, to the point where I was like, is he going to make it? 11 runs over two starts, and in that second start,

what, he couldn't get out of the third inning? He only gave up three runs, but he couldn't get out of the third. And I just, oh, it was uncomfortable. And he did walk a guy with the bases loaded, did Jordan Wicks immediately. It should have been a strike. Ball 4 should have been challenged in overturn. That's true. There's a bad move.

Carson Kelly, that's on him, man. And Craig's yelling in the dugout. He's literally patting his own head. Jim DeShay's like, you're going to spend it? The problem is Craig does that a lot when he's in moments of consternation. You remember the old, can you pat your head and rub your belly at the same time? Can you be as consternated as Craig counsel was while also patting. Oh, consternated.

Yeah, you know he rubs his hands. his hair and just looks down on the Wildard-like. When he had to bring in Jordan Wicks, he's like, I got to do this. Don't want to do this. How that man looks so young for seemingly being put in some high-stress situations, I don't know. It's the big thick hair. It's not fair.

No. He doesn't need any advanced hair. The bottom line is, don't be shocked when one of these guys is up soon. Is there a person you're looking forward to in particular? Who's your person? I think it is true Pomerantz because if he can just reclaim what he did last season, that's a viable arm in the pen and they need viable arms in the pin. Craig counsel is at its wit's end, I would guess, with the pitching situation.

There is a, and I think Craig might have said this. theoretically, they're all viable arms in the pen if a Hendrickson bummer, yeah. Craig said, paraphrasing, Craig said something that I really liked and that was, what do you have to lose at this point? Like, it's not like Craig is like making big decisions. He's doing what he has to do. He's not making these big choices between this excellent arm here and this excellent arm there. He had to pitch Bryce Wilson.

He had to put Jordan Wicks in. And these guys got, as Craig indicated, they got nothing to lose. I got nothing to lose. And I think the Cubs are sort of playing like that right now. Like the Cubs might be playing as freely at this moment as they have played all season because they shouldn't be winning games without a pitching staff. I think you're right about that. I'm sorry to still laugh.

But every time I refresh my Twitter now, it's crazy. Kirk Herbstry complaining about the Red. Where's Ports? Kirk Herbstry, if you don't know, is on a tear on Twitter about the Reds. I don't know why I find it so funny. But apparently the Reds have only won 19 games against the Brewers. They are 1949 in the last 68. And Herb Street retweeted it.

This has gone on a couple days now. And he goes, wow, can't believe they have 19. wins in that span. Good for them. Man, Red fans are hurting. What's the texter asks, what's the update on Justin Steele? It just keeps getting worse. Yeah. Last week, Jed Hoyer said that he didn't foresee him starting this season.

Right. So probably not going to pitch. He is to the Cubs as Ozzie Trapillo is to the Bears. I don't know why I just want Trapillo. There's things coming out of my mouth today. I just don't understand. That's everyday things come out of your mouth. That's right. That's true. I had no choice.

Did news just pop out there? No. Just the Patelot-Hittenden situation. Ozzie Tripillo may be back at the end of this season, but it's like maybe not, too. So I still think Ozzie Tripillo, BTW, is the left tackle of the future. At least that's what they'd like him to be. It's actually the pillow.

God, I blew it. I would like the Cup's rotation to be something along the lines of Justin Steele, Kate Horton, Jameson, Tyone, Edward Cabrera, and Ben Brown. But guess what? They're all out. All those pictures on the aisle. Even the guy that came in to save, to rescue the staff, Ben Brown, is now out.

Somebody protect Javier Assad. We need to make sure that he's okay. Protect Colin Ray. Protect Colin Ray. Protect Homerless soda. Oh, my goodness. Yes, yes. He's had a nice little stretch recently.

You know who else can understand all of these problems and Kirk Herb Street venting about the Reds? Chris Rose. He does it all. The man talks football. He talks a heck of a lot of baseball too. John Boy's own joins us next. The 1-0.

Suzuki hits up. The high-fly ball deep left, going back Bowen at the wall leaps, and this one is off the wall. Cubs win! Cubs win! Prolong Strong scores. Sayas Suzuki delivers. Tenth walkoff of the year for the Cubs as they beat the pub raise 3 to 2. And they are mobbing Sea Suzuki on the infield.

Cubs winning their 10th walkoff of the season. is Rahimi Harrison Brody on 1043 The Score. And to talk about both the Cubs, the socks, and the rest of Major League Baseball, we have just the man. Chris Rose. He is at Chris Rose Sports on X. He is the host of the podcast's baseball today and dugout discussions with Chris Rose. And he joins us on our hotline, also on Twitch, twitch.

Twitch.tv slash the score Chicago. Chris, how are you? I'm doing great. I know it's been a while since we've been able to talk about both teams in the city, huh? Yeah, that is as exciting as anything. And as an observer of the Guardians, long time that you are,

I know you're always aware of the White Sox, too. Yeah. I can't believe it. I cannot believe it. I'm shocked. I think it's been one of the best stories in sports. Forget about just baseball. Wow.

What makes you say that, yeah. Well, three straight hundred lost seasons, one where they lose more than 120, and they're in first place, and we're almost at July. It's pretty incredible. There's not one person who picked it. I think they were probably a pretty solid fourth or fifth place pick in the preseason.

I think we all felt like they were going to be better because there were enough young guys in that lineup to say, hey, they could be interesting to watch offensively. A little bit like the A's were a couple years ago when they had some of the young guys and you were like, hey, I'll watch the A's hit. I'm not going to watch them pitch, but I'll watch them hit. And somehow this starting rotation has not only kept, them in games at times, but really excelled. I think that the back end of the bullpen could, I mean, if they were serious about trying to win the Central and do some damage in the playoffs, they're going to have to add some arms to the back end.

But what the heck? I mean, the fact that we're even talking about this with the White Sox is nothing short of incredible. Yeah, I'm like you, Chris. I thought they would have a top 10 offense this season, but I was like, I don't know what's going to happen with the pitching staff. So I picked them to win 77 games. but what they've done is remarkable.

Well, hey, I'm a lifelong White Sox fan. He is high. That's okay. I just think, I mean, aren't you? Go ahead. You probably said, yeah, I think 77 wins. And then he went, did I really say that out loud? No, no, I had no regrets.

But here's the thing. I didn't know how bad the rest of the American League would be. It's always been relative. And relativity really is the story of what we're seeing. with the White Sox, the Guardians, the Yankees and the Rays being the only team with winning records. Like, is someone going to eventually pull up in the AOS or somebody else may be in the American League East? Because you know what the Central looks like. Well, I thought that Seattle, they went on like a seven or eight game winning streak about a month ago.

And I thought that that's when they were going to take off. Because I still, I mean, Seattle was my preseason pick to win the whole thing. I thought last year was a huge step. and for them to bring back their entire rotation and bring back Josh Naler, who I thought was a great ad last year, and to trade for Brendan Donovan, who I thought was one of the real underrated pickups of the offseason,

and they have just been crappy. But get in line behind Boston until the last week. Get in line behind Toronto. Get in line behind Houston. The Rangers have kind of stepped on the accelerate a little bit as of late. But I mean, virtually everybody in the American League is still in this thing outside of Kansas City and the Angels, I would say.

I really believe that everybody else at least has a shot at the wild card. And yes, I am including the Tigers in that. That's fair. Well, let me challenge you here, Chris. Let's talk about the American League Central. Let's talk about the White Sox and Cleveland. Cleveland right now is one back. Cubs and Guardians, excuse me,

White Sox and Guardians have a series coming up right around the corner here. Who do you think takes this division? Who do you think's better? Who is better equipped to win this division? Cleveland or the White Sox? And if you want to throw in Minnesota, go right ahead too. No, Minnesota's bullpen stinks.

I mean, they traded so many good arms last year. You know, Louis Varland, Griffin Jacks, just to name a, Duran, to name three of them. If they had like one of those guys, I think that they could actually be in this thing a little bit. But I do think it's between the two teams you just mentioned in Cleveland and Chicago. The White Sox lineup is significantly better than Cleveland's. I mean, this is a, particularly when there's left-handed pitching against Cleveland,

it's horrible. And without Jose Ramirez and Anhele Martinez, and they recently just got back two days ago, chased the lottery into the lineup, it's a bottom two or three lineup in baseball. The starting pitching will always keep Cleveland in it. that's the big question mark for the White Sox in the second half because there just aren't enough guys that have done it for a full season

at the major league level. And as I mentioned, you know, like Sir Anthony Dominguez is not, folks, he's not the right answer at the back end of your bullpen if you plan on being a serious contender. I do think it's going to come down to those two teams. I'm curious to see which team makes the move because neither of them are, I mean, the White Sox haven't had any moves to make except get rid of guys in recent years. And Cleveland, that's not their MO. They just don't add a lot to them. So I would give the

White Sox a slight edge. Maybe that's the scar tissue Cleveland fan in me. But I think it'll be, I think it'll go down to the last week of the season. I really do. I hope that scar tissue dissipates for you, Chris. I really do. Oh, yeah. Don't worry. It should be over there by Brown season. That's cold to be fine. You lost, you lost your sack. Maybe LeBron will come back to the calves. Oh, for God's sake. So my oldest son is out of town right now. And he calls right after the LeBron news.

He goes, do you think he can't have? He's 25, but he sounded like he was 10. He's like, do you think LeBron's coming home? Well, please. Well, he did say money was not the option here. He did say this and not be a financially motivated decision. That leads you to believe it might happen. Did you really believe that?

Yes. I mean, Golden State's probably my first guess, but you never know. I don't know. It is home. It is home, home, home, even though he lives out here. So it's like native Clevelander moves to Los Angeles. I mean, I was a trendsetter for that, LeBron. Not LeBron. I mean, for God's sake. You took your talents out West, yeah.

That's right. There's just no, there's no trophies to, there's a big case of Samuel Adams over my head. That's a win. But no trophy. Have you ever heard the term getting crocked, by the way? Chris Rose. Have you ever heard that? What are we talking about here? You made reference to it earlier as a term for drinking, I don't know,

in case of Samuel Adams is over your head, yeah. Yeah, and these guys were like they'd never heard of getting crox. So I'm just checking with people like you. Have you ever heard the terminology? We went out and we got crocked, like got really drunk. Hey, listen, I'm as Midwest as it comes, even though I've lived out west for more than a quarter century. Yeah, never, huh?

I look that one up. I'm sorry. Maybe it's just my friend's grew. group. No, it's definitely downstate Illinois as well. That could be, okay, I do have downstate Illinois influence in my life. You're listening to Dialect Talk with Chris Rose. I do want to ask you this, though, the thing that trips me up a little bit about Minnesota, if we're going to do this whole ALE Central discussion, is that they had an absolute fire sale, as you mentioned. It wasn't just getting rid of the bullpen. They traded away Carlos Correa, as we saw. We know they

were setting themselves up for a sale. I still don't know how they have Joe Ryan. Do you really think that they're going to stay with this team or do you think they could become motivated sellers yet to get at the deadline? I think they have to win some fans back, to be honest with you. You know, my baseball today show is with Trevor Plouf, who calls 20 or 30 Twins games and is still immersed in that community up there. And he said, there's no way that they can ask Buxton on a trade because, first of all, he's got a no trade and get rid of Joe Ryan because they just have lost so many fans in recent years. Like when you looked at a wide shot of target field last August and September,

you're like, did they not put out what time the game is? Because there's like no fans here. And so I think part of that is that not only is the rest of the American League atrocious, like we've talked about, but it's a bad PR move. And if you're not guaranteed to help your team, what the heck, you just hang on to Joe Ryan, I would say. If you want to trade them in the off season, you could trade them in the off season, although I'm not so sure we'll be open for business. We can have that discussion at some other point.

Oh, yeah. As you mentioned, Chris, we've got two teams that if the playoffs started today, they would be in them. And the White Sox would even get a buy-past the wild car round, which is crazy to think about. But in the NL Central, we expected more from the Cubs. But we also didn't expect them to have five starters that could be anybody starting rotation on the injured list and a whole bullpen on the injure list. and a whole bullpen on the injured list. Are you at all surprised by what they're doing, and do you see them as being able to either make a push against Milwaukee

or just get to the playoffs in their current state? So I picked the Cubs in the preseason to win the Central. As you can tell them, great at this prediction. We all picked the Cubs, too, by the way. Agreed. Yeah, but I had Milwaukee finishing close, and Trevor had him reversed. He's just a big believer in Milwaukee.

And I don't, I mean, this year, at least I picked him to go to the playoffs. Last year I didn't. All they did was lead the regular season in victories. They're really good. They know exactly who they are. And what Ms. has done the last two months has been unlike anything I've ever seen, right? I mean, I grew up watching Nolan Ryan, who, oh, by the way, never won a Cy Young Award. But he was throwing so much harder than anybody else.

and now Ms. is doing it at a time where everybody is throwing close to 100. And here he is throwing 105 and a half. And we're like, is this really possible? So I've been pushing for them to actually trade for Terrick Scoobel. I said it about a month ago that I thought it made perfect sense. I don't think it's going to happen. Once again, that's not in their DNA to do something like that. But maybe they'll end up shocking the world and saying, hey, you know what?

We can play with the Dodgers. Now, the problem was last year in the NLCS, they couldn't score against the Dodgers. And Terrick Scouble is not Shohei Otani. He's not going to hit and pitch. He's just going to pitch pretty damn well. But if they only score one run a game, that's not going to help them beat the Dodgers, most likely. So it's a circuitous route to get to, I think the Cubs will finish second. I want to go back to Mizorowski.

You said it right. Is this really possible? I mean, it's unprecedented. We're seeing a starting pitcher. 105 miles per hour. Have you guys had the discussion on, is it possible? Is that sustainable? Is this dangerous what's going on with him in terms of, is his arm going to blow up?

You know what I mean? I hate to talk like that, and I don't want that, even though we are here for the Cubs. But are you guys having that discussion at all? No, and I think part of it is because for so long I've always worried in my life, and this is a little bit of a therapy session, so you can charge me afterward if you need to. I've always worried, like, what's next? What could go wrong? I mentioned the Cleveland scar tissue thing.

I mean, that's a real thing. With Cleveland, we don't wait for the next Uber ride. We wait for the next bus to come around and hit us. Like, that's how our philosophy on life. So I'm not going to let that happen with Ms. Like, I want to enjoy every star. I used to do it with Chris Sayle when he was with the White Sox. I said, for God's sakes, nobody can throw the ball like this.

Yeah, it's a great comment. And have their arms stay attached. It's just not going to happen. So I just say whatever is going to happen will. And in the meantime, I just wanted to entertain us all. Like all these people who are like, well, how sustainable is Shohei Otani to both pitching? Who gives a damn?

We've never seen this. So sit down, enjoy it. Don't sit there and complain about how long it's going to be. I'm not yelling at you, by the way. I feel I'm taking it personally. Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I'll back off now a little bit. But you understand what I'm saying?

Like, let's just enjoy it. And hopefully he stays healthy and hopefully he's this freak of nature. I know it's not great for Cubs fans. But we all got to sit there and say, my God, a guy throwing 105 in the sixth or seventh inning just doesn't sound possible. Well, Chris, I mean, when you consider Chris Sale and how he is able to still have that delivery at his age at 37 and he's still being able to do this, that is a dangerously good cop. I mean, his health and the way he delivers the ball is something that should be appreciated. Yeah, I mean, he's a guy I had a chance to sit down and wrap with earlier this season on dugout discussions. And we thought that kind of at the end of his Boston tenure that it was over, right?

He just didn't he wasn't healthy. He hadn't pitched in games. And then he has been rejuvenated to the point of being a Cy Young Award winner. And in my opinion, a future Hall of Famer in Atlanta. I think we'll see him in the All-Star game in Philly two weeks from today. And, you know, he's still uber dependable as he's approaching 40. He's been great. Chris Rose joining us here on Rahimi Harrison Grody.

He's the host of the Baseball Today podcast and dugout discussions with Chris Rose. I understand you just had a discussion with one of our favorite and most entertaining characters. Mike Vassel, what did you glean from that interaction? So I had a chance to meet him for the first time when the White Sox were out in Anaheim, and he was great. I was like, oh, my God, this dude is hilarious, really funny. And then he had the back and forth with Scoobel. And our boss, John Boy, did a great breakdown on it.

I was like, you know what? I got to get him so I could show him the breakdown. So he sat down. He was in Baltimore yesterday. that show will come out next Monday. And I showed him a minute and a half of Jimmy's breakdown. And he was laughing throughout the entire thing. Because it's one thing to be in the moment.

He told me that he blacked out during that. And the only times I've talked to athletes when they blackout is usually after they hit a home run or something big happens on the field, not when they're yelling at another man. But it did happen. We don't have to get cropped. And he was great through the whole thing. And it's a really fun discussion.

I mean, you guys are lucky enough to, you know, the White Sox were smart enough to put him on the broadcast a couple of times last week. And he's great. But we covered, I think, some things that probably White Sox fans haven't heard a whole lot about. So hopefully they'll open up some avenues to tell a few new stories. I want to ask you about, I think we probably have talked about 2016 and obviously Game 7 in Cleveland. I'm sorry, I can't hear you.

Yeah. No, but what I wanted to ask you about was, Chris, I'm going to take you back to 2005. That's the year the White Sox won the World Series. And Cleveland almost caught the white. Do you remember that? And what were you thinking? It's the one where Ozzy Wave Bye Bye in Cleveland,

that late September series, where we got like within a game and it just didn't work out. And he's waving by at all the fans in Cleveland. I was like, I knew you'd have something good for. that because it's crazy because like it was it was so it got really nervous around here socks almost choke almost blow their lead and then they were flawless to to winning the world series so i just wondered what what you had thought about that i hate to bring it up but i did chris real quick we have a bet going on in studio here it's everyone versus me

cubs versus white socks most regular season wins this season who you take it oh wow right now the cubs have 40s they're 47 and 38 the white Dr. 44 and 39, just FYI. I think the Cubs will, because I also think that they're going to make some moves. You know, they picked up Peterson, who was a great pickup because that infield defense is so much better in Chicago than it was with the Mets. So I think his numbers are going to significantly improve. And boy, I know that Cubs fans were like, after the first pitch of his Cubs tenure, they were like, well, this guy sucks. We send him back to City Field.

Oh, I don't want to see pitch number two if that's the way it's going to go. I think he'll improve. I just, I have more faith in the Cubs making moves that can help them in both the rotation and the bullpen than I do when Chris Gets giving up some of this talent. And I understand it that the White Sox are here at least a year early, if not more than that. But man, if the American League is down right now, I should say go for it. I mean, it doesn't mean you have to give up everybody, but look at what the Baltimore Orioles did. They basically hung on to virtually all of their prospects, except for Kyle Stowers, whom they traded to Miami for Rogers.

And they've gone backward. They went 100-win season, then they went 92 or three, and then they've fallen off the map the last two years. And that's because they hung on to these young guys. Not every young guy that you have in that Chicago lineup is going to turn into a superstar. So figure out, in addition to Colson Montgomery, who else you really want to hang on to and which guys you would be willing to give up so that you can improve the rest of your team. They also could have retained the pitching that they traded for, too, and you know that too. Once you trade for a guy, you might want to secure him and lock him down, too, if you want to advance.

But they knew with Corbyn Burns that he was going to be a one and done, for example. Yeah. Is that what you're talking about? Yeah, you still try, I think, to sign a. to an extension. Yeah, I mean, look, there's a ton of different ways to look at this. There are more highly valued prospects that you would be willing to give up as long as you take a pitcher back who's got years of control, right? If you're going into the Freddie Paralta market, who's about to be a free agent after this one and done season with the Mets, you're not going to have to give up that much. But to me, like, that's a guy who makes some sense.

He doesn't give me enough innings to fall in love with the guy, but he's certainly, a good pitcher. Chris Rose, this has been a lot of fun. We appreciate you going back in time and then also going to the future with us too. Appreciate your prediction, Chris, because I heard how your other predictions went, so thank you so much.

Hey, listen, I nailed the Washington Nationals winning it all in 2019 when I was back at MLB Network. Really? I had them winning the World Series that year. That's good. The only thing was 2011 or 2012 through 2019. I picked the Washington National

County. You were bound to hit. I was like the Chris Berman of MLB Network. Like, nobody, nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills. That's what I mean.

It's to do it. Every year he'd pick him. Yeah. So, that's that. Our guy Marshall is a Buffalo Bills fan. Oh, wow. We are really hitting on everything today. Appreciate you, Chris. Thanks so much for joining. Are you interested in, in paying 12,

$1,200 for nosebleeds? Nope. Nope. I'll be watching for my couch. Then you're not a real fan. Yeah. You hear that? Have a great 4th of July and I'm going to go get what was the 20s?

Go get crocked, Chris. Never too early in the day to go get crocked. That's right, buddy. I'm glad you're catching on. The promos from this segment of plenty. Chris, thanks again. Thank you, gang. That is Chris Rose.

I look forward to the dugout discussion. with Mike Vassel that he said is set to come out. You can also check out his work on baseball today on John Boy. Join the score in Salvation Army tomorrow. We will be there at Gallagher Way outside of Wrigley Field. Stop by and say hi. Our show is from 10 to 1245, followed by Zach Zadman's pregame show until first pitch. We'll be there for Donation Day with the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers and Thrift Stores.

Bring gently used clothing to donate right outside the ballpark. Donors receive a special Cubs pin. one per person while supplies last. That is tomorrow starting at 10 a.m. from Gallagher Way before the Cubs game. Coming up next, How Many Bears with Mark Grody. Rahimi Harris and Grody.

I love being here. Middays 10 to 2 on 104 3, the score. Bears. It's time for how many bears. Brandon Johnson was on here, and he admitted to the following. Getting in and out of soldier field is an absolute nightmare. Let me tell you how bad it is.

Bears versus Packers, I'm at the game, we're losing. I decide to leave to beat the traffic. Before I get out of the footprint, the Bears had come back to win. For admitting it on a 50,000-watt AM FM station that he left a Bears Packers playoff game, which the bears won early. He lost 10 bears. He is at, he is at negative five bears. How many bears?

I said it was going to be controversial. On 104 3, the score. You know what that music is? It's Mark Grady's music. It is boneless by Steve Aoki. And it means it's time for another segment of how many bears. We would also like to give an update on Croft. You went too far with Ohio, Groats.

This seems to be an Illinois and region thing. I think you're right. I did get a text from a friend in Northwest Indiana who said growing up in Northwest Indiana, I regularly watched my mom when she was getting cropped. Later, I would get crocked. So it's at least Illinois and Northwest Indiana. 708 says, Grotie, I'm with you on Croct. I was 47 and grew up in Frankfurt and went to school at Yuvai.

I've heard that term forever. half crocked. We may have gotten crocked together at you, by. Who knows? That also seems like a phrase. So it got cut off because our text line cuts numbers off at times. But yes, seems to be part of the discussion. No bears for crock, though.

We've got to begin with the new bear, young Caleb Wilson. We call people old, but he really is young. He's still in his teens. And I don't know if you saw this, Mark Grady, but a childhood picture, he's wearing a bullse hoodie. He looks very happy. about it, does little Caleb Wilson in the picture? He posted it on Twitter and it says

C-Rae. He did look good. He does look good in that. So he has some credibility for bears. He doesn't get the automatic bears. He is not from here. So always keep that in mind when I give this not, he starts at zero. If you're from here, you start at five.

I am going to give young Caleb Wilson. I'm going to give him six bears. The bear. Six bears. It's a lot. It is a lot. Well, he was picked fourth overall.

He was the first pick of Bryce and Graham. I'm very excited about him, too. So I am wish casting for him. I might even be projecting. It's like when a minor league player gets an extension before he even steps on the field, because you just think he's going to be so good. I am buying stock in, if I may go Luther,

Byrd, and Ben Johnson on you. I am buying Bears' stock and Caleb Wilson. I think he's going to be very Chicago, because he's already embracing it and wanting to be better than Michael Jordan and all of that stuff, six bears, and I think that number may go up. I mean, when I was growing up,

I wanted to be better than Michael Jordan. It just didn't work out for me. But most people don't say that. Yeah, the commercial was actually growing up like Mike if I could be like Mike. I want to be, I want to be like Mike. Yeah. Or there was the nothing but net with him and Larry Bird.

Yeah. Yes. The McDonald's. I loved that McDonald's commercial. Like in the corner of the stadium. He was like outside of the... Oh, yeah. It inspired every cousin I've ever had in my life.

We all thought that we would try that. And none of us got any net, except for my cousin who played point guard in high school for a while. Off the billboard. Yeah. He was like, I'm just going to stand here and shoot because none of you can, nothing but net. We were like, well, you're right. Shout out to Layla's cousin. Omead.

Omid, shut out. He was an excellent PG. Yeah. Nice. Doesn't play basketball anymore, though, because he was one of the taller members of our family at 5'8. Mugsy bokes. The bear. Yuki inspires us to this day.

What else you guys got for me? So Caleb Wilson gets six bears out of the shoe. What else? Okay, how about this? And we haven't gotten to go over this because there's been too much sports news plenty on this show. But Bryce and Graham had a really uplifting discussion when it came to the inspiration of the Bulls because young Bryson Graham grew up in San Antonio, home of the spurs. He went to Reagan High School.

Then he went to Texas A. So he like me is a person who observed the Bulls dynasty from afar. I mean, it's a lot. It's a lot of, you know, pressure, but the, that's a necessary pressure for a job like this. It's a large market and fans, the community, they love sports, and they love the Bulls. And yeah, I'm not from here. Teago, obviously is not from here, but we feel that. You know, I tell people in the office, I've just got here.

So every day is exciting for me. Like, I mean, it's hard for me not to get, you know, fired up and juiced up to come in because from my office, if I just look outside, you just see the court and you see the bulls logo, you know, and I just remember growing up and just being, just watching this team play, man. And I truly believe, like,

I was like, I don't even know if I would love basketball the same if the Bulls weren't the Bulls, because I was just always aspiring to be this. and play on a team as good as this and be as good as, you know, is MJ, knowing that, yeah, probably, like I said, not going to get there, but you're like, you see this shiny object, this North Star, and you're constantly trying to get to it, you know? And so I was like, man, if it was, I don't know, you know what I mean?

Like, I don't know if I would continue to pursue the game in which way I did. like MJ and the Bulls did a lot for my career and just, yeah, for so much. So every day is amazing. Okay, so there's one thing I do want to point out about this, that maybe that scores would go higher, but I think everybody of a certain age was a fan of the 90s Bulls, right? Like at some point in time, like it's... Not in Utah.

You either love them or you hear of New York. Maybe not Sun's fans. I'm sure not Nick's fans. Detroit, New York. Utah. Yeah. You could argue L.A. Those are exceptions, but most people, like obviously Tiago Splitter, growing up out of the country and in Brazil and watching the Bull.

Most people were fans of the Bulls. So I don't want to overdo it because of that. However, the way he said, how genuine he sounded talking about seeing the Bull's logo and just kind of laughing in Delirium that he's doing this to that like a pinch me moment. 5.8 bears. I can't go the full six, but I'm going to go 5.8 bears because he sounded more genuine than most because it's almost required. I bet if we go back to every single Bulls hiring, every one of them would reference, oh, of course I was a fan of the 90s and Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen. But it wasn't the same. And then John Paxson, I'm assuming, was a fan of himself. Yeah, yeah, I think so. I think so. But you know what I mean? Every player that's come through, every GM,

they all understand that you have to kiss the ring a little bit. although I will say Bryson Graham did sound more genuine as opposed to as you just said Artura, so 5.8 bears. If he had rebuked the Packers would that of... If he what? Rebuked the Packers in his

interview with that. And whose name do you rebuke the Packers? We're moving toward... I rebuke the Packers in the name of Ben Johnson. Yes, that works. When you're around here long enough to understand the rivalries, oh yeah, you're in 7 to 8 territory right away. Yeah.

All right. So good starts. Good starts for the new Bulls. I think so. 5.8 to 6. Now let's go to one of our familiar people. Stacey Dales, who apparently you found this, Mark Grotty, had something to say to David Haw. I grew up. I wasn't just a Chicago Bulls fan. I was an obsessive Chicago Bulls fan. From Paxon to Kerr, to Grant, to Cartwright, to Wendington, to Pippin, to Rodman, to Cootch, to Jordan. I, if I flew over the city of Chicago, I thought God was gracing me.

Like, I'm going to end up here. I ended up here. I mean, I just felt. Did you end up here partly because of that? Because you grew up a bull's fan that loved Chicago? When I got the call to come play for this guy, I was like, hell yeah, let's go. And I just, so when Tiago talks about being a kid, what kid didn't go to bed at night thinking about Michael Jordan? And then Pippin.

Okay. Stacey Dales. You are awesome. The fact that she just started listing the names off the top of her head like that. Starting with packs. Starting with packs. The fact that she said, God is gracing me to be in Chicago.

All right, ladies and gentlemen. Stacey Dales, I see you. 6.8. And it would be higher. I think it should be higher. She is Canadian. So I do have to, I can't give her a seven. Why are she getting hated on?

Are they not? Bears in Canada. There's actually lots of bears in Canada. Yeah, I'm pretty sure Canada has bears. USA Canadian rivalry. Okay? So I can't... It used to be a partnership.

Yeah, well, I don't mean that. I didn't mean to be... Did I get politically serious? I'm just saying our fun relationship with Canada. If you hate Canadians, just say that. If you don't like Canadian bacon... Like the hockey rivalry. I'm just doing a South Park bit.

Blame Canada. All right, God, I'll give her a seven. Damn, you guys are killing me. I love that we can give them pushback and go up the score. You guys are the only ones. All answers are final unless you guys challenge me.

Fair. I mean, on that one, we should. Seven bears for Stacy Dales. She should have more. You gave me eight and a half. Stacey reports on the bears. But I got to work with you every day. Do you think I'd be mad if I had seven?

Maybe. I don't know. What if I'd given you like four? You would have been mad. No, I would have accepted it. You know why? Because at least then you're not taking bears away from Jackson. Sandborn for something he couldn't control.

He could have been better. I have one bear. Jack Sammore left us. Yours is on your phone and my two bears are on my notebook. Oh, you've ever been? Along with Kevin from the office. Mark Grogan gave me a bear. Bears.

Kevin says, I have very little patience for stupidity. Who said that? On the sticker, Kevin from the office. Bears. Coming up next, you know, I talk about sports oho quite a bit. The evil eye. What does this woman do and putting it on the socks? We're going to talk about it next.

This is Rahimi Harrison Grotie on 104-3, The Score, and Ray tipped us off to this. I do believe sometimes in a sports curse, not just the goat curse, but if somebody spit the evil eye on a team or something, I look at the Cubs pitching staff as an example of this right now. I don't know who did it, but I'm very mad at them. Well, there's a woman in Cleveland trying to put the hex and the ziggie on my the White Sox. Yeah, that's right.

This lady goes by Amy, aka the Scarlet Witch of Sports. You can find her on X. And apparently she has put a hex on the White Sox. So here it is. And. Oh, it's such a hex that it won't really late. Did it hex?

Did it hex our system? Yes. Hello, White Sox fans. No, hello. I told you not to f*** around. So welcome to the find out stage of the 2026 baseball season. I told you to stay in your lane and accept the wild card. But no, you didn't want to do that. You just didn't

want to do that. So now you go back into the jar during the full moon today, the strawberry moon I might add. Strawberry, you know, red like the color of the Guardians Jersey. By the way, little Jose Ramirez action. The Scarlet, Witch has decided to come out and play. I'm going to pause it real quick to let you know that what she's doing is making a concoction and putting it into a jar. We will resume. Which is brew? Here we go.

Your entire roster. Bound. No, no hitting. She's got the roster on a sheet of paper printed out and folded that she's also added to the jar. No pitching. Fadgesil and his magic wand. You are going to. The jar.

We're doing some vinegar here, my friends, a little vinegar. Let's do some hot lemon here. Yes, nice lemon juice, nice and acidic to go with that vinegar. Mmm, what's this hot sauce going to add conflict? The part I really love to add here. Holy Water, from your popes. Popes, Vatican. Yes, check my timeline.

I went to Rome in October. Offered to do more lord with your pope. L'Arenna and Gordinas is back. And now this is going to go outside and sit in the full moon. And then after a week, I'm burying it at your stadium somewhere. Good luck finding it. Dang. Did you guys not get what she called?

called Mike Vassel. Was I the only one who heard that? Yeah, the ointment she mentioned? Is that what you're talking about? Yeah, I got it. I was like, ew. That got me. Her whole spell slash hex, whatever you want to call it, was invalidated because she did in the name of Hosey Ramirez, who isn't even playing.

He's hurt. Like, doesn't, when that, down goes Anderson. He's coming back. You didn't need to do that. That was very petty of you. Sorry. Well, did she have a hand in that? Do we know?

Here. Here. No, I don't want you a dollar. I want your dollar at the end of, well, at the end of the day, because after they beat the oral, no, that's right. So take your dollar. I want it tomorrow presented at Gallagher Way. You want a clean, fresh dollar.

It can be in Markville. You know what you want. Yeah. I mean, she was very intent about it, but you just don't know how the Ojo works until it actually happens. And I, you know, I'm not going to not take it seriously, but I am going to laugh at her nickname there because that was pretty funny. Oh, yeah, Lorena, the Queen of the Guardians. No, no, what she called that? Oh, Mike Vassel, yes.

Layla, does she have Meredith from the office vibes a little bit, or am I off on that? Yeah, no, she did sound a little like Meredith. And looks a little, too, no? Yeah, you know what? With the red hair and the whatnot. Yeah. I don't know if she's as sexual as Meredith. Meredith, is it ruining it if it's the office finale?

My favorite part was what? No, no, I've seen it. Duh, I was in college. Is she a natural redhead or is that to go with the guardian? Red that she dyed her hair. We're at the check. I don't know. At least we know the source of the sports

oh-ho if this truly happens. But where is she going to bury this, guys? Where? That's a great question, Leila. But yeah, Amy, aka the Scarlet Witch of Sports. You find her if you want to follow her to see what are the curses. She's pretty serious.

Just don't take it into the ballpark. We still don't have answers on that, by the way. Still, just don't mess up the vanilla ice contest. Hey, did you see Jimmy Bellar was at the marshmallow concert, by the way? Yeah. Oh, yeah. We talked about yesterday. It's elicited a lot of memories and feelings.

Do you remember when marshmallow was at the Bebash? We talked about it. Yeah, I said you and I actually inadvertently saw a marshmallow concert together. Yeah. I, again, I didn't know much about marshmallow when I went to that show. I loved marshmallow. That song Happier? Yeah.

Oh, so good. Right. And one of my nieces that was their shout out to Katie. She and I had a moment. That was like a great feel-good song that I didn't expect, and we've had that bond ever since. Happier. It's a nice song.

I want you to be happier, Marshall. Salted. Well, I don't want you to be mad when the white socks have... Not as many wins. But I'm glad you and her niece had a good moment. I want you to be happier, right? Isn't he hoping the best for her in that song?

Like, you don't need me. I want you to be happier. It's coded to the phrase you deserve better, which, you know, means a lot when people say it. I was saying it's condescending a little bit. Like, you don't need me. you need better than me. Is that why you're saying it's bad? It's like a low-key breakup saying.

Okay. Well, I thought it was happy, okay? No, you did the right thing. You enjoyed the music. I interpreted it. What you're supposed to do. In a happy way. It was a great musical moment.

I love it. I still love Jimmy Butler from Office Christmas party. Spiegel and Holmes are next.