Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score: Feb. 16-20

Episode Date: February 22, 2026

In Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun joined the Spiegel & Holmes Show to discuss his state's attempt to lure the Bears to build a new stadium in Hammond; Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner joined Spiegel & Holmes to discuss the good vibes at camp as spring training has opened; and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic joined the Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show to discuss the latest Bears storylines, including which players could be let go to create more salary cap space for the team.

Go in Odyssey Sports Station. Speakel and Holmes. Okay, here we go, sports fans. Afternoons on the score. Is my face straight? Okay. All right, keep a straight face here. The Bears belong in the city of Chicago.

The passage of Senate Bill 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts today. We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific, necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana. We appreciate the leadership shown by Governor Braun, Speaker Houston, Center, Mishler, and members of the Indiana General Assembly, and establishing this critical framework and path forward to deliver a premier venue for all Chicago land and a destination for bears, fans, and visitors from across the globe. We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together.

Warren chose not to be in that meeting. We had eight people in that discussion. involving the legislators, involving the governor's office, involving the bears and their representatives. And so, again, lots of progress, but a surprise this morning to wake up and see that statement. Spiegel and Holmes, afternoons on the score. There is a battle to get the bears in the business that will come along with the bears, whether it's in Arlington Heights or a magical stadium pops up in the city, or they move into the region of Northwest Indiana, the governor of Indiana.

Mike Braun joins us now here on the score. Governor, thanks so much for joining us. What's the importance from your point of view of what happened today? Well, I think it was one that you wouldn't have heard their statement or ours, along with the legislation, enabling it, if it didn't have a lot of kind of planning and discussion before it. I ran a business for 37 years and been involved in real estate. And it takes a lot of planning when you're going to do something like this. And we've been working on it from the time that they got the message that state of Illinois,

the legislature, the city of Chicago, and Governor Pritzker, were not really interested. So they got to look at what it would be like in a business-friendly state that has a lot of attributes to bring any business here and that's kind of been the foundation that was in play and they got to a threshold point just over the last day or two governor do you believe that the business friendly stadium deals that so rarely happen that you are you are proposing that they still make financial sense for the taxpayers well they do here because there's skin in the game that the bears are putting in that's significant. All that gets calculated in terms of ancillary economic benefits. And we've got something that we did not too long ago with

the Colts. And that's worked out wonderfully for the city of Indianapolis. And, you know, the region is slightly less in population itself than Indy. So it's the second biggest concentration of population in our state. It's not the first rodeo with it, and that's worked out pretty good across the board. What's the next step here? Because trying to figure out, if you're a Bears fan and you're listening to or reading the statement from the Bears, or you're listening to Governor Pritzker or listening to you, trying to figure out how this is going to evolve is worth noting. So from your perspective,

what would be the logical next step? So I think from the statement that you heard today and the fact that we had legislation that coincided, I think that was kind of the honest broker, the good faith of both parties, getting to a place where they were comfortable. And it's not like there was plenty of time to flesh something out on the part of the governor, the city, and the legislature. And I think it's just at the point where down to some due diligence and dotting some eyes and crossing some T's that keeps moving forward without a lot of time probably involved of getting to where we see some concrete results. This is not a closed deal, but it's everything that you need to do to get it to the point where that might be imminent. Governor, for the layman, when you say due diligence, what do you mean? What are the types of things that have to happen?

Are we talking about geological surveys? Are we talking about economic reports? What things do people need to know about the next steps of this? It be the final things you do on any large real estate purchase that's going to make sure you've done all that stuff, yes, including soil samples, including things that you couldn't quite get done in a framework to where that could have been done by now. But the essence of the deal has been put together with some details minor in scope compared to where, we've come over the last four or five months to today. And that's about as much as I can divulge. That's not hard to kind of put two and two together,

but it's a lot has occurred. And when you heard the statement from them and the enabling legislation coming together at the same time, I think that was the good faith that needed to occur with them and with us. it's an extraordinary amount of good faith frankly isn't it like usually the kind of due diligence that you just talked about has happened by the time you get to this sort of point in a deal it feels kind of a i'm a little incredulous that that due diligence has not happened to this point most of it has these are just a few things enough to where both parties felt comfortable you you've worked in business for a long time as you pointed out would you be angry if you felt like the state of Indiana was being leveraged by the Bears? I mean, both parties have been in discussions for some time.

So this just didn't crop up overnight. And I think both parties are comfortable where we are. And we keep moving forward. So it was enough to make that kind of public statement. I'll just leave it at that. have you at any point over the past couple of months thought that you were being used for leverage? You know, not really because there was a sincerity that I think the big thing I would wonder is how did they get this far when there was so much time to do something otherwise.

And I think when they took a look at what it would be like in Indiana property tax, the cost of doing business. We've got John Deere just moved into northwestern Indiana with a super large distribution center for the same reason. And we're getting folks from around the country. Our economic growth in Indiana is twice that of Illinois, three times that of Kentucky, and five times out of Michigan.

It's a good place to raise a family, start a business, or even move a business. Are there reasons that this would be good for you and Indiana to do, to try to make happen, even if you were being used for leverage, and there's no chance that this deal happens? Like, is there a benefit for where you are right now in the process, even if the bears do not go? I wouldn't overthink it.

What we've done is been accommodating and making it easy for them to make them, move forward. And nothing ventured, nothing gained. I think the longer they've looked at it, they can see all the benefits logistically and so forth, you're going to be gaining a big new audience from the second most populated part of our state that probably assuaged any concerns there. But really, I think we've covered it pretty well. And it's at this point, and those were two big deals and the enabling legislation and the strong statement you've seen from the bears. So the rest of it...

Sorry, so how would you feel, let's say in two weeks or three weeks or a month, they end up in Illinois, how would you feel about that? Well, we've not done anything other than be diligent in the discussion of it. We've been an honest broker. if something would occur. I don't know that we've done anything other than being there in a place should it work out, which it now looks like

it's got a great chance of doing it. And our economic growth and the way the state is growing vis-à-vis our Midwest peers, that is what I would be concerned with in places where you're not seeing that due to your regulations, taxes, and a lot of things

don't make it conducive to come in and start a business. We're getting businesses moving to our state. Is this a hard thing to sell for people who are not inside of the region? And the reason that I bring this up, Governor, is in the state of Illinois, there's a schism between what Chicago gets and maybe what the rest of the state gets. I imagine that there are challenges when it comes to trying to explain this to someone who's in Tippy Canoe, for example, Like, well, how do you explain to them that this is something that benefits them if they have a connection to something else? They're Colts fans, for example.

How do you go about doing that? It's a very good question. And we break our economic development down into regions, 15 of them. And the main thing I did when I came in as governor is to make sure all 15 regions are seeing benefits compared to. what it was before. Most states try to fish in the whales. They break their line generally. We take a different approach.

If it's going to work to where it moves like this has, mostly due to the other party, probably not doing their job, we've got stuff going on now in all 15 regions, which that argument couldn't work. That's a change from when I came in as governor. I ran a small business. I built into my hometown in the southern part of the state. I know the lay of the land. I visit all 92 counties.

It's being received well. I did an audit on our own economic development because it looked like it was too much with too few. That has all changed. Governor Mike Braun is with us from Indiana. We appreciate this, Governor. You're helping us kind of wrap our heads around it. And a lot of Bears fans are confused and frankly scared. scared about us.

So this is helpful. What would you say to the Bears fans who are kind of frightened of this prospect in terms of their love for the Bears as a Chicago team, as the pride and joy of Illinois, if you will? What would you say to those Bears fans? I would say it's still to Chicago Bears. It's happened in New York, and going from New York to New Jersey, maybe going from the frying pan into the fire,

but they still did it here. I think you're going to see a state that's going to put together something along with the bears that they'll like and logistically. I think it's going to gain fans and not lose. Governor, what's your commitment to development in Northwest Indiana if it isn't attached to the bears coming there? So we've just in Gary alone recently got casino convention center FedEx Hub. And that's probably between Gary Hammond, East Chicago, the place where the steel industry getting offshoreed impacted a place in Indiana more severely than any other. We see this, and I spend a lot of time up there, get a lot of support because I'm from the other far into the state,

and I campaigned up there for senator and governor and get a lot of support. They know me. I think they trust that the region is going to get attention where it hasn't before. And we're a state that's generating enough economic growth by looking at things differently, regulation, taxes. I think this is setting the stage for good things to happen in an ancillary way. This is just another sign of it. Well, yeah, I think there's a lot of people who are looking.

live in that region who aren't exactly sure if they're beloved as Indianans or or or he and they're not necessarily beloved as Chicagoans. So it's a tricky it's a tricky place to live and exist for those people, isn't it? Well, I mean, it's the, uh, I view it as a hub of, uh, kind of entrepreneurial activity up there. Uh, it's increasingly turning red in terms of it's a political complexion. and that's because, again, I think we've been, through our own state government, setting that stage. I come from the world of being an outsider, a business owner. You don't get many of them that sign the front side of a paycheck and that actually, I think, understand economic development as it would apply broadly across a state like Indiana or Illinois.

And I think you're going to see more and more of that flesh out and talk to the people up in the region, see how much time I spent up there campaigning, especially for Senate. They knew me from there and governor as well. And I think there is a feeling of trust and that things are going to get better and I'm going to do everything I can. Well, I'm governor to make sure across all 15 of our regions, you see it. When would you like for the, like, how soon would you like for there to be some sort of conclusion? Because, yes, if you want the bears, there needs to be talks and discussions inside of the Indiana house. But there also has to be for you, if you are being pro business, there might be other things that have to be connected to that, that you want to get done quickly.

So when do you need an answer on this? Good question. Yeah. So I think this is a good way to kind of wrap it up in the sense that I would hope that that all, I've done a few of these in the past. So I think that month or two, from where we've come to where we are, that that would be the time frame where you'll see us hopefully ink the deal. All right.

Just one more then, Governor. Do you see J.B. Pritzker as an adversary in this? and do you enjoy that? No, I don't take pleasure in any one else's misery. So I'm going to say that whatever they did not do, they can think about that. We're just going to be happy for the region, the Bears, and I think everybody's going to be happy once they are a partner with a state like Indiana. Are you confident that that's going to happen, that this deal is going to get done?

I'm confident enough to come on the show with you and tell you everything that I know. know about it and be happy to sit down again and have a conversation once we get it consummated or closer to done. All right. Governor, we appreciate that. We also hope that you come on if they end up going to Arlington Heights because I'd love to get your perspective on it if it goes the other way for you. Well, you call me then and we'll have that conversation.

Thank you, Governor. We appreciate your time. Okay, take care. Bye-bye. That is Governor Mike Braun. Spicy. spicy spicy all around hell yeah laurenth let's get them on no matter where they go yeah it shouldn't just be a victory lap 100% 100% it's like he doesn't he doesn't see j b pritzker as an adversary but he does see the misery

that jp. is his is dealing with here my goodness that was an interesting 20 minutes of our radio lives I thought that he explained their point of view very well. I thought that he advocated for the state of Indiana very well. Yes, I agree. Ryan Dempster has stopped over and said alone. Look at that. Now, that's a funny sentence. This is what happens.

That's Lawrence Holmes right there. You want a headset? We got headsets. Here, Demp, say hello for five six. You know what? It gives me an opportunity to talk with Demp, little bit more about Chris Stapleton. We both share love of Chris Stapleton.

So I was thinking about it because the last time you were on, you asked me like what my favorite Chris Stapleton song was. Okay. And I said death row. And you were like, wow. So look, I think that I've moved a little bit. Like I still love Death Row. But I feel like I think I'm in love with you by Chris Stapleton.

Okay. That's my new jam. And the reason is that I'm feeling the Al Green vibes in that song from Chris Stapleton. Stapleton. Well, and think about it for, I mean, he's got that blues background, right? So he rips on that, and it's just like that soul's always been there. And that's a good jam, too. I think joy of my life's one of my favorite.

I got my wife a guitar for our anniversary. And on the back, I wrote that out, just the whole lyrics on the back of the guitar. Shout out how awesome of a husband I am. But, yeah, I just, he's so good. And I just, I'm pumped, actually. I just bought tickets to a show in September in Kentucky, the Bourbon and Beyond Festival, that him and the Red Clay Strays will be playing on a Saturday night. So me and my wife are going to fly down to go see him.

He's incredible, the best out there. Dimp, your rock star weekend starts, what, tomorrow? Yeah, I owed you a text back. You sent me a text about coming over there, so we'll figure that out. But, yeah, we kick off tomorrow. Headliners, Mumford and Sons tomorrow night. We got the Goo Goo Goo Dolls. And then we got Off the Mount, off the mound.

We got a, who's our guest? Jessica Mendoza is going to be there. the very funny, the very talented Adam Ray, who's absolutely killing it in the comedy world right now. He's the Seattle celebrity super fan right now. It's been watching what he's been doing. Good fan to the program. And he's the one of does the Dr. Phil thing, right? Dr. Phil, he does a ton of different impersonations, and so we're going to have a lot of fun doing that.

Maybe he'll sing, and then OK, Go is going to come up who I think. Yeah. By the way, the video work that they have done in their career, I think, you know, the treadmills was wild. Dude, and their album, their new album, the way it opens up. And when you see this thing, like, they are just, you know, kind of futuristic. Very George Orwell in the music industry as far as forward thinking. Man, that's so cool. Tim, what are you still doing there this late?

Because the Speeks has been by himself for about an hour and a half. I just came over here to say hi to the boys, and I saw a speech sitting over here by himself. So I thought I'd come say hi. So listen, I'm glad that you jumped on the show considering, you know, USA, USA today. You know, I'm glad that you is a proud representative of Canada. I know that. It's true. Hey, man, when you have a chance to take it overtime and there's a lot of heartbreak in that room,

but both of those teams, all those ladies have nothing but to hold their head high, man, to go to the Olympics and put on that kind of show. Congratulations to the U.S. women's hockey team, incredible stuff. You okay with the curlers cheating? How do you feel about that? Yeah, what's up with that? I echo the same words that the skip said to the guy on the other team. I would have said the same thing.

But I grew up in a rougher part of the curling neighborhood. We cursed at each other a lot. I know it's a gentleman's game, and you're not supposed to do that, but for yelling, hurry, hurry, hard so much and sweep, you might drop the occasional F-bomb every once in a while. You used to scuff up the stone. I remember watching those videos of those guys smoke heaters while they were bowling it down the lane.

So let's go. Yeah, curling is the best. The one I'm really interested in is the two-man luge. I think, you know, four years from now, I feel like I got a shot to do that. When I heard the broadcasters say, now they're going to do what they do best, which is lay down, relax, and give it all they got. I can do that, guys.

I can do that, too. This is my question. How do you know you're good at that? How do they scout that? Do they go to a hill and watch people sledding on their back and go, that's my guy? I had a little bit of an issue with that because me and my brothers used to do that down school hill when we were a kid. And sometimes if you went too far, you had a chance to going off the pier into the water. I feel like I have a shot in the 2020, sorry, 2030 Olympics for the two-man luge.

All right. I'm in, but I get to be tough. Okay. You guys have a good afternoon. Dimp, you're the man. Thanks, man. We appreciate you. Ryan Dempster just walking by over there at Sloan and just dropping in.

Perfect timing. Like, that's, like, Ryan Dipster just walked in like he's a sitcom character to help lighten the mood. Like Kramer. Like Kramer on side film. He just hopped right in. I thought we were just going to see like tumbleweeds going past year or Speegs, and then there's Ryan Demster. I know. All of a sudden, you never know.

Mount Rushmore of like Chicago sports people who you would love to drop in after a segment like that. Yep. He's on a very short list. There's no doubt about it. This is the balance. This is the balance and the weirdest of this show. It's like, man, we just got finished with the governor. And here's Ryan Dunn.

Here's Ryan Dipster. Like, hey, everybody. Making everyone feel better. Coming up next, Clark the Cub. I'm kidding. He's here. He says he wants to go to dinner. Yeah, we got to hang out with see the sea.

See the sea. I hate that you call him that. That's who he is in my phone. I meant to follow up. We talked about it as a four-pack, but I didn't tell the group. Yeah. Southpaw texted me while we were having the Clark the Cub discussion. This is amazing.

For anybody who doesn't know, the conversation was, is Clark the Cub a cub or a person? and and I asked him and he said that he is a person but Clark is a cub so and then you had the opportunity to ask Southpaw and what did Southpaw say you asked Southpaw if he was a person right yes and yes and also a furry green guy wait did you text you saw Paul texted me like how did South Paul introduce well South Paul and I have been friends for a long time this is amazing glad you've patched it up since the early days. Yeah. Well, I mean, the early days of Southpaw, I was very much friends with Southpaw. Yet terrified.

Yet terrified. So at this point, it's just a sub. It's not like, hey, this is Southpaw. Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. I don't know why anybody else would listen to any other radio show in the world. Between the two of us, we have access and relationships with both Clark the Cubs and

Southpaw. Yeah. I mean, good luck. And that's more important than any governor or mayor. I don't think he enjoyed himself. So here's the thing. I mean, I think that he thought it was going to be like just five minutes. But I appreciate the fact that he was at least willing to answer the questions for the most part.

Yes. No, I did too. I thought it was helpful and I thought it was interesting. And I thought he stuck to his talking points. But we challenged him and he accepted that. and I appreciated his willingness to be here to do that. It would be hilarious, though, if they don't get the bears. Well, that was my favorite part when you asked them how he'd feel.

You said he'd come back on if that were to happen. Yeah. Just wanted to make sure. So wanted to make sure. That's the stuff right there. All right. Do we want to hear from the other governor? Or do we want to take phone?

You tell me what to do. All right, let's take phone calls. You heard what the governor of Indiana had to say, 312 644-67-67 what's your reaction to it that's next here on the score the bears are getting closer to a stadium in hammond Indiana Jared Peyton joins us now your father was a bear legend what do you think your dad would think of the bears going to Indiana to play football he would be for not only did I help build this but what is going to be best for the organization a pride and joy of Illinois that just like literally sticks in

my head to have a change I know how difficult that is and the bears are trying to increase leverage in every place that they can to try and get the best deal that they can. I find myself disgusted at the games that are continuing. Keep listening all day as we follow this developing story that could have a huge effect on Bears fans and the state of Illinois. We are Sports Radio 104-3 The Score and live on the free Odyssey app. During the Rosen Hyundai of Algonquin getaway sales event, they're doubling down on auto show savings.

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0% is a buy-down offer for 36 months. Max 20,000 finance may affect final sales. selling price with approved credit on select palisades valid through three two twenty nickel hurna that's so funny nico horner how are you man you bronch it night they're good here he does he's jack too yeah he's i'm jealous of court awareness that's right nico's got he horner gold glove award winner comes wins and dates with bruce that's a great thing double dates wow heco did his weekly radio show appearance today on spiegel and holmes 30 second base mid for your ship kongo Nico Horner.

They want me to give you a score better best T-shirt. We did there. See? We are never afraid to co-op. 104 the score. Let's go. How about it?

See? Now that's a man that's going to be a talk show home someday. Nico Horner on the store. How fun is that? It's so fun. Nico Horner is there. Speaks is down at Sloan Park.

Right there where the Cubs are training as they get ready. You can see them if you're watching on YouTube or on Twitch. If you're listening on 104, 3, here's an opportunity for you to hear Nico Horner in crystal clear FM quality. Hi, Nico. Hey, what's up, guys? How are we doing? We're good. I don't know what Speeks is doing, but try to make sure the camera's right.

Hey, man, I'm making sure the levels on the microphones are good. Talk again, Nico. Say something. Hey, guys, we're hanging out here by Field One. We had a great full day of spring training, and it's sunny. We're just hanging out. All right, Nico, you've got to help me with something, if you don't mind. Earlier in the show, I said that because I'm my own engineer and producer out here,

I said that engineers and producers are overrated. And I said it sort of in jest, but I believe I hurt the feelings of our fine producers, Chris Tannahill and Alex Coon. Not possible. I don't have any. We're dead inside speaks. So if you don't mind, help me do and make good. Producers are important.

I'm Matt Spiegel, and I'd like to say producers are important. Don't you think they are? I mean, when I'm coming out of a tough week and it's Tuesday at 2 o'clock and I get my little pump up to start the radio show makes me feel good about the day. So I definitely appreciate it. See, there you go. See? Nico knows they're important, and they are important.

Vibs seem really good around here. Yeah, I mean, they better be good at this point of the year. But, no, I think Count said it really well in one of our meetings so far. You always find a way to find optimism this time of year and be excited about your group, but some teams have to squint a little harder than others, I think, and we're in a place now where we look each other in the face in the locker room, and it's pretty obvious what we have in front of us, and there's a lot of hard work, but it makes it easy to believe for sure. What are the few things that you want to get accomplished in those first few days before you guys start playing games?

A lot of it's just straight up time on your feet, running around, being in a place where you're ready to take on baseball at full speed. Live at Bats, of course, is really when you're getting back into competing and just that game-like focus. And that's one thing that's really stood out from our camp so far is just the quality of everyone showing up. And obviously spring training stats and stuff don't matter really. But it's just a reflection of the work that people put in in the off-season

and we're in a great place. Yeah, you were saying, like, people have kind of hit the ground running. as a unit. Why is that, you think? Is there something behind that? I think it's a reflection of guys being excited and knowing that there's special things ahead of us. There's a healthy sense of urgency of opportunity, both for guys in individual parts of their career, but most importantly, as a group.

And I think when you come out of the playoffs, having experienced highs of winning games at Wrigley winning a series at home, but then also you lose a game five. Those are both things that can feed towards that in a possible. positive way. We know better than to ask you about contract extensions. You put us in our place in a beautiful way at the Cubs convention. He said, I share a lot of stuff with you guys, but it won't be that. I thought the way you answered it the other day in the media scrum about like, if you look around the locker room, there's a lot of personal narratives. There's a lot of people. There's more than you who this could be the last year conceivably, and you don't know.

That doesn't necessarily have to be thought of as a bad thing, though. No, I think it can be a bit of an elephant in the room if it's not talked about, and guys are kind of being pulled in different directions by that. I think the best way to do it is just to talk about the opportunity that's in front of you. And a lot of teams don't ever have the opportunity to play with guys for three, four, five years in a row and beyond a trajectory that's improving. I think that's incredibly exciting, and it makes winning that much more satisfying when it does happen. And so, you know, whatever happens beyond this year to have things past this year,

pulling you away from what you're in front of right now, isn't really very helpful and just for the joy of the season two, just being fully present and that kind of healthy sense of urgency is very powerful. If this matters, you can get as granular as you want on it. If it doesn't matter, just tell me it doesn't matter. When someone like Alex Bregman comes in, if you guys are working on 5-4-3s, do you talk to him about, hey, this is where I like the ball? Does that even, is that even a conversation that happens?

Yeah, that's a pretty normal conversation. I think, like, I'm more so do it from the side of, like, when we're going through stuff and he gives me just like a perfect feed, just like really acknowledging that and, like, just kind of reinforcing that. And then I feel like if there's things that pop up that maybe are better or worse or inconsistent, then you go from there. But he throws a great ball. And it's kind of an underrated thing, like third baseman that throw like a catchable ball,

I guess you'd say. Some are a little nastier than others. You want a nice little turnible ball, and he throws a great one. Yeah, that's interesting, Lawrence, right? To think about, like, getting used to your new infielder. You guys did relay work today. Yep. Right?

Like, does he go to exactly the same spot that every third baseman you've played with here has been instructed to go, or does that need to be discussed? Yeah, I think a lot of it, when you're playing with guys that have done for so long, there are things that I think are just inherent to the game at this point. But there's a lot that I do with Dansby that I probably couldn't really sit here and explain. Also, like, just kind of a feeling of different tempos and runners. And I think that's kind of the beauty of it, too. There isn't necessarily a right or wrong within it.

But playing with other really great defenders makes a lot easier for sure. Hey, Lawrence, all three of those guys have won a gold glove within the past couple years. Bregman just won. Niko's won a couple. Dansby won two years ago. I think the guy at first base might win one too. He's capable, without a doubt. This whole infield, I looked to see if the Cubs have ever had an opening day lineup

where second, third, and short all had won a gold glove at some point. It has happened once. 1970, Glenn Becker, Don Kissinger, and Ron Santo. Yeah, I'd be curious how many teams in general, you know, I've had that. It's an amazing thing. and, you know, to be able to hopefully all be healthy this year and collectively win some more, it would be amazing, too. I mean, if you're a pitcher, like, if you're Matthew Boyd, it's like, why should I bother to throw a ball? I might as well just throw a straight.

And that's, you know, that's part of what was exciting about some of the signings this off season, too. It felt like a lot of guys that really fit our profile as a defensive unit, too, guys that are high ground ball rate and maybe get more contact with the contact's weak and on the ground, and where any defense that should do a good job of making those outs. Where are your gold gloves? Are they someplace where you could see them every day when you're at home? Well, I only have one because you get it on the first series of the years. Right. So I'll have a second one soon, which is very exciting. It's in Julia's office in San Francisco.

So, yeah, a little display. I like that. In the fiancé's office, not in your own office? People always get fired up about that award, like the trophy itself because the glove does come off. and it just feels like a normal glove. I had no idea about that growing up and stuff. Yeah, it's, it's a shiny. It's got the gold, like, finish on it,

but you could absolutely, like, play catch with it. So, you know, we have a party or whatever. People are over at the house. The next thing, you know, we're walking around, doing things with the glove. So, but that's, that's, I wouldn't want it any other way. Like what? Like, I'll admit situation.

No, not, hopefully not that. But, yeah, they're a, there are, squeezing and holding and, yeah. You grab me the remote control? Just take the gold glove over there and grab it. Yeah, I thought it was solid gold. No, I love that it's a real glove. I love it that way, yeah.

Do you get to choose? Like, is it your model glove? So if you're a Rawlings award, so if you're a Rawlings athlete, they do your model as a Wilson, A-2000 user, it's just like a similar model from Rawlings, kind of generic model.

Yep. That's really cool. Yeah, it is. Wait, when you've come here, have you gone over to the other side of the building and talked to the Wilson people? Yeah, it's been a couple years, but I went over there, I think, 2021. Designed some gloves, talk to the people over there, the minds behind the workings and did some stuff. I know Pete did that this off season, and yeah, they're great. Their facility is beautiful over there. What's that like?

I mean, it's just cool because they have a huge wall with, like, all the models from kind of top players that they've had throughout the years. I kind of nerd out about that stuff. So it's just fun to see different options that guys have used in the past. And, yeah, it's cool stuff. Matt Shaw was talking about needing a longer glove in the outfield. Yeah. And Ian had helped with that because Ian obviously bounced around quite a bit. So have you changed glove length in terms of your comfort level at second through the years?

I've tried to use a bigger glove. I use 11.5, which is pretty generic at this point. I think in general if you can have a little more surface area, it's helpful, but I haven't found one that I feel like the same comfort and feel of the pocket. But yeah, you talk about Ian and helping Matt. I don't know how much they've talked yet, but there's a lot of skill sets that infielders when they go to the outfield can, I think, translate really well. I mean, Ian as a thrower, you know, doesn't have like crazy top end velocity,

but he gets rid of the ball so fast with good spin and throws out as many runners as anyone else. So, yeah, it's cool. And a good talk with Ian today in the clubhouse, and I forgot to share with him. Like, I think he was there. He must have been there. But Rizzo told the story at the convention, Lawrence, about one time when John Lester walked into the wait room and saw Rizzo

and had seen the lineup and Ian was playing first base. And Lester walked in, and immediately in Lester fashion, like, exploded. Like, can you? You believe Ian freaking Hap at first base on my day? Ian Hap at first. And Rizzo pointed, and Ian was in the other corner of the room. Yeah, just cowering in the corner. Ian and John are great friends.

But, yeah, that's the standard when you're an everyday guy. They want you out there. And when John Lester was pitching, you knew it was John Lester's day. So you weren't like, oh, oh, he's pitching today? That never happened. Like, you knew he was pitching. The country music was on, like, the whole day. that's a cool feeling when you know it's a starter's day.

Like the second you walk into a ballpark, like I love that. What the hell? It's not like he was going to throw over to Ian. He probably didn't that day, but he threw to Anthony. He threw to Anthony eventually. Anthony told that story too. It's one of the great stories of like he had to tell Lester, I got you. I got you.

I will come off the bag and I will make, what a beautiful friendship they had to get there. It takes trust. There's a lot of trust involved in a lot of directions. Absolutely. Who did you have to build trust with on this team? That's in a good place now. That's a good question. I think sometimes as coaches, actually.

I think that takes time for me, whether it's people that you work with on your body or stuff in the cage. I think it takes time, and unfortunately there's so much turnover in baseball that a lot of times you don't get the benefit of multiple years with people. So it's been pretty cool on the hitting side, especially with Dustin Kelly, John Maley, and PeePee in there. It's like guys that you've really done it with. that's where it really becomes special and I appreciate those guys a lot. Have people through the years like said, you got to turn on more balls, you got to turn on more balls and get more power and like you got to go through that with people? Yeah. Yes and no.

I mean, I think I've had coaches that just like don't say anything to me, which I don't mind that much because I have been, you know, consistent and produced for most of my life. But I appreciate coaches that aren't necessarily trying to change me but are still looking for me to find ways to improve and they recognize that. that that's what I want to. And so it's a fine line of embracing your skill sets, but knowing that you can still improve and how that shows up over 600 at Bats, yeah. Nico, is there any enjoyment of the routine of spring training? And here's what I mean.

You guys live in clubhouses most of the year, and there's rain delays, there's long games, there's hot, hot days and all of this stuff. Is there something that is quaint about like, hey, I'm going to get to the ballpark at 7, and I'm going to leave at 130. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, especially for those that golf, I don't. So I feel like I miss out a little bit of that joyful spring stuff.

But, yeah, the time at the ballpark is also great because people's energy is so much more, like, growth mindset and optimistic and, like, things like that. You've got a lot less people that are, like, questioning their lives already and, you know, things like that. but that's important too but yeah it's a great time and like we said earlier just especially when you really believe in the group and the people that you have around and you're not doing the small talk get to know guys it's more like okay here we are let's do this thing you know so what do you do when you walk into the clubhouse and you see somebody you like a teammate just sitting there questioning their entire life in july or august yeah but like that shows up and if sometimes you would you miss it you get so caught up in your

yourself too you don't even notice other people in those situations so i feel like that's when you're aware of teammates habits and stuff and then when things are out of whack or it's kind of like a little bit of a red flag i guess and but then guys need different ways of getting through that right and so um yeah i don't know teammates are definitely the people that have helped me the most on those things though for sure they can't let you leave man they just can't you know it's like there's just too much important stuff that you bring to the to the to the rule that you bring to the experience of having a team in this town? Like, Lawrence, you still got your pitchfork?

Do you still have it? Yeah. I, yes. And my hand tiller. Like, I have both of those things available that if Nico gets traded, I will donate it to a Cubs fan who will then storm the building with it. Okay. I'll use the hands too.

Yeah, absolutely. I think those are both really good choices. Are they? To hold up in the air and like, I'm angry as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore. Both those things work. I've never stormed anything. I'll be honest. I don't know. I saw a video. I thought that was you.

Wearing the deer head? That wasn't me. Speaks the shaman. I'm pretty sure I saw that at some point. That was not me. Nico, do you own a pitchfork? Have you ever owned a pitchfork? Yeah, we had one in our backyard growing up. I don't know if I ever wielded it, but

yeah, it was around. I can picture one. It's not that weird of a thing to have if you have a yard. I think it is. I think It is, Lawrence. You live in the city. You have a city pitchfork, dude. I still have a yard, and it had flower beds and all sorts of stuff. Like, it's a thing.

Listen, Nico, Speeks and I have both been talking about this past week, and we're heartbroken listening to Chris Bryant talk about his injuries. I know that you guys are teammates. I feel like I'm listening to someone who played football when I hear him describe what's been going on with his back. I just would love to know what it's like for you as a former teammate to hear that Chris is going through this really rough time. Yeah, it's the kind of thing that makes you kind of put baseball aside. You more so just want someone to be able to live their life fully and be a present parent and like enjoy the rest of his life that he's earned a million times over just to be with his family and be healthy.

So that's like the first thing that crosses my mind just as far as health and not taking that for granted for all of us. But yeah, it's awful. It's awful. And you know that it's a terrible thing when you have like the will to play and your body's not letting you do it even for short periods of time. And then for that to be lingering through endless opinions and all that, that entire process has got to be exhausting. So, you know, obviously wishing him the best. He always seemed like a really kind guy. Yeah.

Good teammate. Absolutely. I mean, the things he did early on in his career, obviously, speak for himself. It was incredible. And I think it was cool seeing him, like, now having kids and stuff, too. It seems like that just really fires him up and makes him just, like, so happy to be in that part of his life. And I don't talk to KB a ton still, but, yeah, he was always great to me. When's the wedding?

My wedding is in November, and things are picking up, planning wise, had a nice little getaway the last free weekend we had. I was able to check out some stuff over there, and it was beautiful. Was there any negotiating that it had to be done, or was it, it has to be at least in November? Yeah. Yes, as far as why November, yes, you plan to be playing through October and then celebrate in November. Yeah. And then go from there, yeah. Okay.

What should me and Lawrence wear? Yeah. What would look good? Loud colors. You ever seen a leisure suit? Oh, yes. Yeah. Didn't Ian wear one last year?

Ian's got a good suit collection. I wouldn't be surprised. So, yeah, anything, I think anything but black is the welcome party. Hey, man. It didn't sound like we're not invited, Lawrence. It didn't sound like it. We're still working. We're still working.

It's implied. Save the dates. Yeah. So keep an eye out. Okay. Listen, I don't even need to be invited to send a gift, Nico. So, just to just. Wow.

What a guy. What a guy. Keep that in mind. Renali's Bachelor party? I think that's a, I think that's a move. Hey, Julia is having her bachelor. at in Chicago at some point this year, so there'll probably be pizza involved. Oh, hell yeah.

And the chicken fingers, which are elite. Oh, man, the best at the end of the day. Nico, thanks for staying late for us, man. We really appreciate it. Yep, I appreciate you guys. Good one. Absolutely great. Thanks, man.

Appreciate you. That is Nico Horner there. And if you're like, hey, what the hell's going on? Well, here's what's going on. Speeks is down there in Arizona. And if you're not watching on YouTube or on Twitch, then you need to because the background is great, whether it's people going by on golf cart, or it's folks just walking by, it's boog yelling during the broadcast.

There's all these different things that are happening, and Speeg's is right there, and the visual is perfect, especially it's a little gloomy in the city today. So getting some sunshine, some blue skies, and Nico and everything else for people to watch is a very, very cool thing. So make sure you check that out. We are going to take a time out. When we come back, I want to go back to a very central question about the Bears Stadium thing. It might sound stupid because it is.

Next, here on the score. It's game night, Bulls fans. To the rack, and he throws it down with a win. And it's a round. Tonight, the Bulls are back at the United Center to host the Raptors. Free game at 645, tip off at 7 on the score and the Fitzgerald equipment Bulls Radio Network, powered by Heli Forklifts. Ball's Red! What a ball game!

See Red, Chicago. Kevin Fishbang, Bears Beat Rider for the Athletic. If Justin Fields is great, he'll be great with Byron Pringle and Darnow Mooney and equated him as St. Brown. You'd like better players around him, but I think you'll still be able to find a way to evaluate your quarterback, even if it's not greatness around him. Kevin Fishbane, Matt Ebert, Flew, George McCasky, Ryan Poles, Kevin Fishbane. On Chicago Sports Radio, 1043, the score. Kevin Fishbane is a regular guest here on Rahimi Harris and Grody. And we love talking to him in the offseason, too.

and he joins us now via our Circa Resort and Casino Hotline. Circle Las Vegas.com. He is one of the senior writers at the athletic covering the Bears. He also is a great podcast, breaking in with Kevin Fishbane, a sports media podcast. And he joins us via Twitch, Twitch.tv.TV slash The Score Chicago. Hey, Kevin. How are you? I'm good, guys. Happy off season. Happy off season, except unfortunately in the very well-written and illustrated story that

You posted with the athletic last week talking about the very realistic issues with the bear's salary cap problems. It was a nice table that was also illustrated to and showed, whether it was money owed or dead cap money or how they would count against the cap. What were your takeaways from just the research you put together when you wrote that story? This is new territory for Ryan Poles, really, and the bears. I mean, for the past few years, they've always been up there as having a ton of cap space, great draft capital. And now, you know, this is what happens when you're good. This is what happens when you sign a bunch of veterans and you start making some bigger

splashes in the trade market and extending those guys. You're up against the cap. So they've got some decisions to make. And, you know, I always allude to a conversation I have Ryan Poles a couple years ago where he leaned on his experience of Kansas City. He goes, it gets harder when you are winning football games because you can't keep everybody. And this is really going to be the first off season that we might see some of the what, you know, it's a business, as you guys know, but our tough decisions.

If Ryan Poles doesn't resign Jaquan Brisker, that was his second ever draft pick. If the Bears aside to part ways of Tremaine Edmins, that was really his first huge free agent splash that they made. So Nishon Wright, who was the story of the year, they might not be able to resign him. So these are the things that come with cap restraints and having a bit of a better team and owing other guys some money. But the flip side of that, Leila, is there's only one player, really, that you could talk about getting an extension done now, and that's darn out right. And by restructuring some of these guys' contracts, you can flip the script and create a lot of cap space, but that also kicks the can down the road a bit. All right. Now you got me stopped at Darnall Wright. If the bears were to engage in an extension or even the talks of an extension with Darnall Wright, what are we looking at here, Kevin, money-wise? It's interesting, Mark, because I talked to a couple agents who do not represent right, just kind of floated it to them.

If you were his representation, what are you asking for? One of them said, I'd reset the market. He was second team all pro. You look at his age. You look at the accomplishments. You remember, he did all that last year, most of it with a brace on his arm. You could say, like, hey, we'll go ahead and get the, you know, we'll top Pena Soule, which right now is the top right tackle contract. Now, remember, I always like to point out that when a guy resets the market, he's only reset the market until the next guy resets the market, right?

So, like, you know, and again, this is just one agent's kind of thought process. And now they have the fifth year option at their disposal that buys them some time. If they don't get a deal done this year, they can apply the franchise tag next year. So there's a lot of tools of their disposal. But, you know, talking to people, Mark, you know, you're looking at adding like a, you know, a third or fourth year. you could be talking, you know, $100 million. You're looking in that $20, $25 million a year range. But the way he played last year, I think the Bears would feel good about that.

That'd be their guy, right? That was the first, first round pick of the Ryan Poles era. You'd have to be happy to even be having this conversation. I guess, Kevin, if your choices as the general manager of the Bears are either, let your guy at Wright tackle, Darnel, right, reset the market, or franchise tag, if that comes up, not obviously. obviously of this year problem, then you probably would rather a franchise tag, for example, but when those are your options, they're both very expensive discussions that you would have

to have. And even a fifth year option is another one where they can extend. But either way, you're looking at pricey scenarios for a guy who frankly deserves all of the, all of the respect that has gotten to him. Yeah, it's an interesting conversation too later because you talk about like the cap number, right? Like he's going to be a very, relatively cheap player this year if he continues to play under that rookie contract. If you give him the franchise tag, that's a huge cap hit for that one year that he has the tag. The fifth year option is a big hit for that specific year.

If you can work out a contract now, you can kind of massage those cap hits so they get higher. We haven't even talked about the left tackle possibility, right? Do the bears want to try him out over there this season? If you're his representation, you know, I think right. tackle versus left tackle is not what it used to be, but you know, you could have some money conversations there. So again, I think a lot of these things are in the category of good problems to have. Like, it is good that their first round pick from 23 had played up to the point where

we can have these conversations. And as you said, they're not in a rush. But the one thing to think about for them, when you talk about cash flow, is, you know, after the 2026, you know, season. You start talking about guys that you drafted in 2024, and that includes the quarterback. So, you know, these are all things that they have to think about. Obviously, they want to think about what can we do to be competitive this year, but you also have to keep in mind stuff that's going to be floating down the line. Yep. This is the real part of the NFL every year, and it is nice that the Bears have pulled up in this place where they do have to get creative because they were good talking to Kevin Fishbane, Bears beat writer for the Athletic on Rahimi Harrison Grotie.

here on the score. What about contract restructuring? Because that always feels much more gentle than having the idea, having to release contributors. What are the possibilities there? Who would be the top candidates for restructuring? Yeah, so your big ones there are Grady Jarrett, DJ Moore, Montez Sweat. I talked to one league source who did the math for me. I was really good at math guys in elementary school, like really good. And then just went off a cliff. One plus one is two, you know what I'm saying? I mean, that was what we're talking about. I mean, those times tables, those multiplication tables, I ran through them pretty quickly.

33 million they could create. I mean, DJ Moore's contract alone could create 17.5 million. But remember, when you're restructuring a contract, which essentially in layman's terms, you are turning a salary into a bonus. I'm not doing a great job with those layman terms, but that allows the cap number to come down for that year. They get the cash up front. and then, but that cap number then grows moving forward.

So at some point you have to deal with them. The New Orleans Saints, you never want to be the Saints because they had a problem where they were restructuring guys left and right and just continued to have a lot of cap challenges. So those are some of the guys, Joe Tooney you could do something with as well. So all those players, they're going to be here next year. Now, I guess I paused there with DJ Moore because we could have a separate conversation about that.

But Grady Jarrett's going to be on the team. Mattiswett's going to be on the team. team, you know, Jonah Jackson, Joe Tunney. So you can do these restructures with these guys and lower their cap hits for this year. Give yourself some more cap space and, you know, worry about their 2027 cap hit. When is 2027? Yeah, I think it's fair. That's part of the issue is how for how long can you keep doing this. You mentioned the Saints, Kevin. The Eagles come to mind. You know, at some point, they're going to have to pay that as well just because of the deal they did with Jalen Hertz. So it is something where some point you are going to have to address it. I guess there's really no

precedence out when it comes to how far all along. But in the meantime, I also think about there's no knock on signing a guy to a contract and then having to restructure a year in. But do you think the bears might want to stay away from that when it comes to the guys like who they just signed a deals like Grady Jarrett or like a Joe Tunney or a Diobo or somebody along the lines that has that high money but still has years left? Yeah, and that's that short-term, long-term conversation, right? Like, it's like, well, you know, shoot, we really think we could make a deep run this year. We still have the quarterback on the rookie contract.

Let's just figure out how much space we can get now to make the signings we want to make now. Now, the other conversation to have about this is, who are you using that money for? Right? Because we've learned in the past, certainly last year, and I think this has happening more and more, that if you want to go get better in March, that's the trade market more so than free agency. So are there guys in free agency that they're going to circle and want to bring in like they did with Drew Dalman?

Of course. Are there guys they want to trade for? And they need to have that cap space ready for that player or two as well, especially again, if you're kind of not going all in, but you want to be aggressive for this year. So yeah, with some of those guys, it's going to be a balancing act. Matt Feinstein's the VP of Football Administration. You know, this is what he's there for.

He's there to handle kind of these things. And the bears are generally in it. Like, it's weird to say this because if you go look at, you know, cap space, they're at the bottom of the league or near the bottom compared to past years. But they are, he has put themselves in a healthy situation where it is not hard for them to get cap space. But it then just makes things trickier year after year after year if you have to keep doing this. But again, guys, I know I'm harping on this, but you would much rather be talking about it in these terms, then they're going to be like, well, the bears have $90 million in cap space.

They went four and 13 last year, and they have to sign four free agents and hope that all of them hit to even be competitive next year. This might be like a more, you know, monotonous conversation. It's about cap space and restructuring and salary cap hits and all those things. But it means that the team is in a better spot with the talent on the field. Yeah, and it's important for people to know that, yes, even though you hear things like the bears are in the red, they're under the cap, all that stuff, or they're out of money. They're not really as long as they get creative, and that's why we're having you on.

Also, if I may, Kevin Fishman, I would like to make you an offer. Or actually, I will let you fill in the blank. How much money do you want for that 1984 Chicago Cubs World Series pennant? I'm seeing in your background on Twitch. Is that what I'm seeing? Maybe I need to look at your background more often. I didn't even know they made those because it never had. happened, kids. The Cubs were supposed to go to the World Series in 1984 against the Tigers,

but they got stunned by Tony Gwyn and the Padres. Tell me more about that penned, fishy business. You know what, Grotie, you found the Easter egg. So maybe because you spotted it, you should just get it. I should just give it to you. I would love to own that. That is. I was at, this is six plus years ago. I should know the date actually was my wedding. At the gift table, you know, you're collecting the gifts, and there was a pennant just sitting on the gift table that's one of my parents' friends had laying around their basement. They thought it'd be funny, just throw it on the wedding gift table. And I put it up, and I kid you not, I did not realize what it said at first.

I thought it was, I thought it just said, you know, I didn't realize it said National League champions. I put it up and had it in my office. And then one day somebody pointed out to me like, hey, that, that, that, that, that, That didn't happen. They didn't actually win the National League. I was like, oh, you know what? I feel even better about having it up right now so that I can have moments like this where one Mark Grody can spot that Easter egg.

I felt for it. Yep, I got the Easter egg. That's tremendous. If you want to see it, it is on Twitch.tv slash the Score Chicago. And one of Kevin Fishbane's National Sports Media Association, Writers of the Year is also on there as well. Just all over the place. We also, by the way, have a 20. 18 Memorial Day 10-U baseball tournament championship trophy up there.

Wow. Fantastic. I think it's time for you to have like a little yard sale or garage sale just to give away all your, or sell all your stuff. Don't give it away. Swaporama. It takes road show. I need to know the value of these things.

Yeah. I wonder what a... The trophy for the... Listen, that trophy is priceless to me. That was one of my greatest coaching performances of all time. I'm not sure how much it's going to get on the open market. Antix Road Show. That's all I have to say. Who's a better coach? You were a Weeder.

Weeter talks a big game. He really, I don't know if you're figuring that out about Weedsie, but he does like to pat himself on the back as a coach. I mean, Dan, this might surprise you. I think Dan might be a little bit more emotional out there than I was. But Dan's a fantastic coach. I have gone to see some of his son's games. I am out of the coaching profession for a while.

I did it for a long time, and it was so much fun. So I like to go see my friends coaching their kids. And, yeah, Dan does a phenomenal job. And I love the passion, right? When he's sending me videos of, you know, himself running out to home plate to high five a player, those are great. Those are pretty special. Do you think he's ever said to one of the kids at some point in time,

you're going to have to do your job. Do you think he would say that? Because he might have said that in the Bears media room at some point in time in his life. I'm going to leave it ambiguous. He might have. He might have. I don't know. I don't know.

Okay. My four baseball players will tell you that, you know, every once in a while I'd have to get after them, right? You have to, you know, not, not, did I have a practice every once in a while where I was doing my best, Herb Brook suppression? again, again, you know, but we had some good times out there on the diamond. And now we've got to find out who Dan Weeter said that to. Kevin Fishbane, this has been a lot of fun. Thanks as always for coming on. Thank you guys.

Bye. That's Kevin Fishbane, joining us via the Circus Sports Illinois Hotline. Download the Circus Sports app today. You went to a pep rally. I did. Or was it? I will let you know I was in Arlington Heights last week where there are a lot of people, desirous of the Bears building that stadium at a St.

Arlington racetrack. So I'll tell you what I found out. Next.