The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - The Big Suey: We're Still Gata Dathering

Episode Date: March 21, 2024

In the midst of a Shohei Ohtani betting scandal involving his translator, Billy Gil does what he does best, as he questions all translators before Adnan Virk and David Samson join us. Adnan and David discuss the weight of what these allegations could mean for Ohtani and baseball and look at the potential best and worst-case scenarios. David Samson also gives a unique perspective with his experience as former Marlins team president and working with Ichiro and his translator. Tony’s conspiracy theory board makes its return briefly before it gets him sent to the penalty box. Finally, David and Adnan share their top five Jazz movies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're listening to Giraffe King's Network. 29 years later, Cuervo is still going strong. Family owned from the start, same family, same land. Now's a good time to enjoy Cuervo. The tequila that invented tequila. Go to Cuervo.com to shop tequila or visit a store near you. Cuervo, now's a good time. Trademarks owned by Beclet, SAB, the CV, copyright 2024. Proximo, Jersey City, New Jersey, please drink responsibly. Hey, I'm Tom Power.

I'm the host of the CBC podcast, Cue with Tom Power. I get to talk to artists from all over the world, writers, musicians, actors, directors, all kinds of creative people. And we try to have the conversations you have with really, really good friends. The conversations you have when you share a love of something, about ideas, when you want to hear about everything. I feel really lucky to hear about everything. I feel really lucky to have these conversations. Cue with Tom Power, available now on Spotify. Welcome to the Big Sui, presented by DraftKings. Why are you listening to this show? A podcast that seems very similar to the other Dan LeBattard podcast. I'm sorry, I'm not going to apologize for that.

In fact, the only difference seems to be this imaging. I have been tempted in restaurants just walking past tables to grab somebody's fries if they're just there. That hasn't happened to you guys? I've done it. And now, here's the marching man to nowhere, fat face, and the habitual liar. Billy, I don't know in your history with the show how many moments, like I would love,

if you would, over the weekend, just your own personal top five on your favorite anarchy moment. But you love, hold on, hold on. I don't know if it's being presented properly. I haven't presented anything yet filling Nothing's been presented. I object you object to what you did in the last segment, which is This is so good because you've had to do some of these pods where we have to do

Translations of Spanish to English and you've recognized the differences in the language that make it so that somebody says a thousand words to say seven things in English and so he said all those words and really the translation is something is here that's his reporting is something is here and he was so careful about it that he went to Spanish because he wasn't comfortable answering my question in English about what's your opinion here he had to go to Spanish to do it and so I in that moment of pressurization, you know what it costs to translate these words for words. I'm writing things down. I'm writing what the man said down

because I know you sure as shit weren't going to translate. I was taking mental notes. Yeah. Right, you sure as shit weren't going to translate. Trying to tell the audience. Pitch in. Do you realize the moment we just had is I'm asking a person to explain, what is this scandal? What is your opinion? The answer comes in Spanish.

He is unspooled. The answer to the mystery. I then have to translate it and you do that to our conversation. Yeah mine was more fun. That's what I would do as a translator I think. I think I'd have maximum fun, which really, I would say the translator. Is that what he was doing? Well, the translator here, obviously something's going on and he hasn't, you know, if he was a great translator, he'd keep this away from absolutely everyone, right? And he'd be handling the situation on his own,

like up until the court date, where like Shohei's there and Shohei's like, where are we going? He's like, where are we going? He's like, nah, we're just gonna go do this thing. And then he'll be translating, and then the people trying to prosecute Shohei or whatever will be like, what does he have to say? And Shohei's just learning about this all

as it's happening, because he kept it away from him, has a good translator would, right, and a good friend would. And then Shohei would be like, I'd like to declare my innocence, and then the translator would say, he says that he's guilty. And then they'd take Shohei away, and then the translator would talk.

So wacky translator, okay, yes. That's what you think of with that job. I think that, I mean, if, look, it's saying ridiculous things. Yeah, no, no, in that job, no, but I know. Guy wants to clear his name, he's the one that's in charge of the communication back and forth, he can control the conversation.

Are there other people that speak Japanese? Please let this get away from him. No, when I think of. Not someone that's as trusted by Shohei as him, apparently. He's not the only one that knows the answers. When I think of Ichiro bringing this culture and baseball to America, I think of wacky. I think wacky translators. I think those positions, those tend to be pretty scared jobs.

Honest to God. Forgive me here, because I'd actually like to talk to some baseball people about what this world is around otani cuz it's going to be hard to explain baseball going back to eat your what each hero is in japan i'd i don't think i can explain it to you but he is at the biggest of cultural icons okay the first uh... a giant star lebron james on steroids the best among us always representing us well always very careful about how he represents

always tied to many many of our sponsors on how we represent to to the rest of the world our people how we take baseball to the globe how we can play with the amer Americans in their sport. Ichiro was the first. Then here comes this guy, twice his physical size, and he pitches, and he's Babe Ruth, and oh my god he's more of an athlete than all of America's athletes. He faces Mike Trout as a pitcher and strikes him out like in an all-star game because he can do everything. He, I'm telling you, if this was happening, if this was an American story, this player, he'd be the biggest thing we've ever known. He'd

bring baseball back. This person playing in this market as an American with jazz chisms personality or with just representing something other than what Otani represents which is representing something other than what otani represents which is the giant business of japan japan is gone into business with los angeles dodgers incorporated to make american television and they're going to conquer baseball the dodgers are and they're going to buy all the players all and i guess the playoffs in the right there on the Atlanta all these things that happen to the dodgers but that's a story for

another day but we've made fun of this did the things that have happened in anaheim with the angels we've made fun of this team that stardom goes to die there how can this person not be a giant international sports star in our country the feels just like lebron james not smaller than because it's baseball but you guys know what you tried to do with their injures is there in judging pitches then because it's baseball. Like you guys know what you tried to do with Aaron Judge. This is Aaron Judge and he pitches. Like if this dude was an American personality,

he'd be the most giant thing our sports landscape had seen. Somebody conquering America's sport this way. From another country, he comes here and does this. And scandal, when it gets near your sponsorships, is like the ugliest thing. and scandal when it gets near your sponsorships is like the ugliest thing. So far it feels like the narrative is that it's not a scandal for Otani though yet. It seems like the narrative right now is

this guy had a problem. I know we're kind of speculating. It's very early. Is this a cover up? That's why I think we all need to state our cases of what we think this early on. It's too early for me to think. Because we know we're gonna learn eventually what's happening here, like gut feeling. Are we thinking that this is a translator,

an interpreter with a gambling problem? Or is this a cover up for Otani having a gambling problem? I have winners and losers, if you would like that. Okay, right now. But not an answer in any way to what Chris just asked you. Well, you haven't heard my answer for the winners and losers. Initial thoughts, my initial thoughts are winners and losers.

That's where I head to, because this is sports radio, TV, podcast. Is baseball a winner? Baseball's a big winner. Baseball's a big winner because of the fact that one of the players who's playing in this game that otherwise no one would be watching is embroiled in an incredible scandal right

now. And yesterday, in the dugout, as this was unfolding in real time, he was palling around with his friend who allegedly stole 4.5 million dollars from him. And at the time, he would have known that this happened already when you look at the timeline. So his actions, and kind of being caught by a camera crew that didn't know this was going on kind of undoes this story a little bit because they were very friendly in what was going on there and they knew this was happening but it seems like the Dodgers did not know

this was happening because after the game he then went and told the whole organization I have a gambling problem a story is coming out and they fired him immediately But Shohei knew what was going on and if he actually stole four and a half million dollars from him He probably would not have been next to him joking around in the bottom of the ninth inning yesterday, correct? But then all the stuff that they say in the ESPN investigation or ESPN interview with Masuhara like Oh Otani was there he was the one that went on his computer and then sent the money to Bauer or Boyer like is all that stuff true but they said wait no none of it's true it's

actually a theft but are those are those actual details part of what the story is I don't feel like Roy and Jessica is intrigued by some of what it is that we are enjoying here I assure you whenever it is. I mean, no syndicates here. Jess privately told me baseball's back. Wow. Baseball is super back, but I'm letting Billy cook then. Okay.

This is his moment. So forgive me, yes, it is his moment. David Sampson and Adnan Virk will be here momentarily because this really does have the range to feel, Billy, if you answered the question directly on what you think happened here, this has the range to feel like a big sports scandal or nothing at all.

Yes. You want another winner? Miguel Rojas, big winner. Yesterday everyone was like, wow, this guy, not a very good baseball player, and Jazz is out everyone was like, wow, this guy, not a very good baseball player, and Jazz is out here telling everyone, not a good baseball player, not a good team captain.

Lo and behold, just a day later, someone on his own new team, massive story that no one's gonna be talking about Jazz and Miguel Rojas ever again. Will this come up on your Marlins broadcast tomorrow with Chris? I don't know what we're allowed to talk about. I'm going to have to get the rules in.

Well, you're allowed to talk about the jazz thing, right? I think I'm more allowed to talk about show-hours. I was going to say, I'm hoping the jazz thing doesn't come up tomorrow, actually. I think they want me to talk about the other thing. I heard David Sampson on Nothing Personal talking about this earlier. And he brought up the point that one of the only employees

that he didn't vet in the hiring process was Ichiro's translator. That he kinda just like, this is who my translator is, this is what you pay him, and there's no vetting process. So that's an interesting little wrinkle in there that the Dodgers probably didn't vet this guy that much. Well, one of the things that David Sampson

is gonna bring some illumination on here, because one of you was telling me today that you were listening to the Big Dog on the way in, which made me happy. That was me. And that made me happy to hear, really did, that all of that was still a thing happening in South Florida.

Chris, come here. Oh, Del Beckham's in for a visit today, Dan. Big story down here locally. It made me happy that you were saying that The Big Dog and South Florida are wondering why we are platforming Samson, as a lot of people do. His producer was. I don't wanna say The Big Dog. wondering why we are platforming Samson, as a lot of people do.

His producer was, I don't wanna say the big dog. Are you throwing somebody under the bus here? No, I'm just saying, Dan made it seem like the big dog said it, it was on the big dog show. You wouldn't be the only one who says it. I am saying that. It made me smile, because honestly, I hadn't really heard that in a couple years. It comes up in meetings here regularly

It made me smile though, I'm like driving in the car and they're like, I can't believe they didn't mention our show They weren't like why's Dan platforming? They're just like I can't believe that guy still has a platform Well, and so he's going on tour now He's going on tour David Samson coming to a city near you the big dog did say in David's defense He's like, but he does say some stuff well and and no but so this is where and and I wish I asked for Pablo too because the history of this is Fascinating to me like I've seen in my lifetime a a wonderful cultural bridge

built between these countries and this sport and the economies of these different cultures and how david samson became legitimate friends with each euro and he's going to be able to give you what little access sports stars of this nature act truly give you what david samson probably knows more about each euro than most and doesn't probably know very much but i'd like to actually find out because I'm sure Adnan and David Samson with some old-timey thinking about how things should be done they're they're both kind of they they run older morally these two guys probably think this is a giant

problem I'm guessing. That this reporting is like the reporting you want least around anything that you're doing in sports. This is a giant problem. Like this, you have your biggest star in the middle of a gambling controversy. I mean, a lot of people are gonna be watching MLB Network today.

Man, the walls have fallen on this. Like gambling, I know there's criminal stuff here and I know sports has to be careful about this, but of course this is what you've wrought. Like this is- March Madness is pissed about this today? Oh my god. What the hell, this is our day. Come noon, we're going to focus on brackets.

Oh, we got to do that. We have to do that. Yeah, come on, don't be crazy. The Dan LeBotard Show with Stu Gatz is sponsored by BetterHelp. A lot of us spend our lives wishing we had more time. The question is, time for what? Go for a run, take a nap, read a book, show up for a friend. If time was unlimited, how would you use it? The best way to squeeze that special thing into your schedule is to know what's important to you and make it a priority. With more time available, individuals may

find it easier to schedule therapy sessions without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. This can lead to more consistent attendance and greater engagement in the therapeutic process. Therapy can help you find what matters to you, so you can do more of it. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. It's entirely online, designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist and switch therapists at any time for no additional charge. Learn to make time for what makes you happy with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com slash DLB today to get 10% off your first month.

That's BetterHelp, H-E-L-P dot com slash D-L-B. When you're hiring for your small business, you want to find quality professionals that are right for the role. That's why you have to check out LinkedIn Jobs. LinkedIn Jobs has the tools to help find the right professionals for your team faster and for free. As Metal Art Media continues to grow as a content studio and as a multimedia company, we strive to hire only the best and the most qualified candidates. Thankfully, with LinkedIn, they've made it easy for us to find them.

LinkedIn isn't just another job board. LinkedIn has a vast network of more than a billion professionals which makes it the best place to hire. It gives you access to professionals you can't find anywhere else. LinkedIn does all of that while making the process easy and intuitive. Hiring is easy when you have that many quality candidates. So easy in fact that 86% of the small businesses get a qualified candidate within 24 hours. Post your job for free at linkedin.com slash prep. That's linkedin.com slash prep to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply.

Don LeBretard. David Sampson, weirdo. Because he was not, he was not the fun substitute teacher who'd wheel out a TV and play a VHS tape of Armageddon in science class. He was the weird one who would eat an egg salad sandwich while clipping his toenails into the trash can and ranting about Ronald Reagan. Stugats. The guy kept talking about how his ass was smooth. Smoother than a newborn's cheek.

He wouldn't stop bragging about his bare buttocks to me. This is the Don LeBattar Show with the Stugats. These two guys care deeply about the movies. They care deeply about baseball. They have unusual expertise in the story we're talking about this morning. At Nanverk, you can check out Center could check out center files been doing great movie coverage for multiple years three years now uh... as part of the levitating friends

network and david samson nothing personal is going on tour growing his empire we will tell you more about that in a second but gentlemen this story i'd david i'll start with you tell me what it means because i can't think of something shaking the sport or sports more at the start of the season than this kind of story reported this way at this time with these participants. Well, let's talk about the way that this story

is being reported because we're dealing with different time zones where people are getting confused and things happen on Tuesday in Korea, was that Wednesday in New York or maybe it's next Friday in California? But when you see Shohei Otani, who is the biggest name in baseball, signed the biggest contract in the history of team sports,

getting 700 million from the Dodgers. When the team is in Korea playing and the story's about gambling, it's the third rail of stories. So everybody within baseball is trying to stop it, tourniquet it, say we're not investigating, everything's fine. It was a single interpreter theory. One guy did everything. But I think we're just at the tip of the iceberg and there's going to be a lot of outlets and I don't know that MLB Network will be one of them, but there will be a lot of outlets and I don't know that MLB network

will be one of them but there will be a lot of outlets who are gonna report this story and figure out what really happened with Shohei Otani and all of this money lost to illegal gambling. It's stunning Dan I mean listen Ipe is one of these guys he is synonymous with Shohei Otani everywhere he goes those two are his thickest thieves. Went to Southern Call. He's been his lifelong friend. I mean, everything about Ipe is like, oh, he's almost a mascot with Shohei Otani.

Just, oh, there's Ipe again. There's Shohei. We can go talk to him and crack a few jokes. To see the story come out, A, that Ipe got fired. I felt terrible for him. Then I see gambling debt. I said, oh my God. Then I see massive theft alleged, 4.5 million.

Stunning. I mean, the story got worse and worse Listen, it it's not horrible. It's not surprising by the way that somebody incurred massive gambling death that happens all the time but as David said the fact that it's evolving Shelly O'Toole the supernova of the sport who signed for 700 million dollars and it's his best friend allegedly that did it stunning. Well one of the things that we really have to focus on here is that when you're meeting the media, the cover-up can often be worse than the crime. And what the interpreter said is that he was not aware of the difference between betting with DraftKings or betting with a bookie. This is not someone who's coming off the turnip truck. He's been in the US for 25 years.

He has been here. So he knows when you're with a bookie, it's illegal. And then he said that it all snowballed and no one knew, but then he acknowledges that Otani has helped pay for his debts. But then he says Otani didn't know anything. So what we have to do is find out and it's going to involve. Depositions it's going to involve oaths. It's going to involve truth telling because it's too important.

A story for the sports. What worries me is that it's not going to be covered by so add an, thinking about your job. Yeah. MLB Network has got to cover this. ESPN did the game this morning. Right. And they addressed it off the top, but then they let the game, the four hour game happen

where the Padres got the split, and they only made a passing mention to it. And I've been at networks where they say, hey, don't talk badly about the NFL. Don't talk badly about baseball. The MLB Network, that should be the go-to place and you should be the go-to reporter here. Yeah, I don't know if it's me specifically,

as you know, the host is the one running quarterback. It's not gonna be analyst talking about it, but it'll be your John Heymans, your JP Morosi, your Tom Verducis, all those insiders. I'm sure those guys will be covering the story as extensively as they can. What is Tony holding up, by the way? I saw there was some signage in the middle of me talking. We've got a web right here, which is what I've been kind of just doing

from the beginning of the show. Just outlining the entire situation of the Ohtani scandal with the web. You've already mentioned I had one of my webs, David Sampson. He didn't know it was illegal. Hmm. Weird. Why? Also, Liar. Massive theft. Who? That's the question nobody's asking right now. Who? What is like best case scenario here for both of you? Like, how do we get out of this okay? Excellent question, Jess. Lone gunman theory. Blame EP for everything.

He's a scapegoat. He has a massive gambling problem. He's out of control. That's it. And nothing tied to Otani. David? I think the problem with that. So we have to really talk about the Japanese culture and it may be a topic that we don't want to discuss on this show or anybody is going to want to discuss. But the relationship between the player and the interpreter and I had it with

each row when he was on the Marlins for all those years with his interpreter. There is a level of respect that the interpreter shows to the player and there's a level of respect that the interpreter shows to the player, and there's a level of loyalty that the player shows to the interpreter. When we signed Ichiro, we had to hire his interpreter. It wasn't a negotiation. We were given the salary, given the name, and he became an employee of the Marlins organization. As I mentioned earlier on Nothing Personal, the only employee I ever hired without

a background check. Never did one thing. In came Alan, who is an amazing, amazing guy. Is there a scenario where I see the interpreter taking the fall for his player? I do, but in the real world, not in the movies. In the real world, you can't do it that way. When it involves illegal gambling, when the FBI is involved, when the US attorney is involved, Japanese culture and respect, that takes a backseat to finding out the truth. So the worst case scenario for me, Jessica,

is that Otani is implicated and Rob Manford has to suspend him. That's the worst case. The best case is that he actually never got involved with any of the money, but I view the best case as impossible because even making 500 grand a year, I don't know how you are able to wire 500 grand

or lose four and a half million dollars on credit with a bookie. It just does not pass the smell test to me. Let's say it's the worst case scenario. How long is the suspension? So Roy, the commissioner has discretion under the collective bargaining agreement. It's not like steroids where it is set and already approved and agreed upon what the suspensions will be. The commissioner has full discretion. Anything from a lifetime ban to 20 games to 50 games

It could be anything Rob Manford wants it to be zero games. He wants the story to go away I'm not so sure it's gonna happen that easily When you look at what the level of the crime is they've got to work with the authorities to see what Otani did Was he the one betting? That to me is the number one question no one's answered other than the interpreter saying Otani never bet, baseball saying we're not investigating, but wow, that's a pretty good friend

giving that amount of money to cover his gambling debts. And he's saying, by the way, he never bet on baseball, just other sports as well. So to David's point, hopefully Otani is not involved and hopefully nobody was betting on baseball but we'll see. Does a non Shohei Otani caliber player get treated differently in this case? I'm afraid so and that is that's the tough part and and my view is that when it comes to gambling you should treat everyone the same because it's the third rail issue in sports,

way worse than steroids. Gambling is the number one issue right now. But superstars are treated differently. Now, the criminal justice system doesn't care, so Rob Manford may have his hands tied at the end of the day, but for now, they can do the Heisman on this and they can delay and say it's being investigated, we're gonna look at it,

we'll be back to you. But of Otani is the number one superstar and the story broke while all eyes were on Otani and the Dodgers in Korea not a coincidence so it's the perfect storm of terribleness for major league baseball right now. Yeah the Dodgers wish to all the talk right now is what the hell is wrong with Yamamoto today one inning five runs they gave him three hundred twenty five million dollars forty three pitches to get three outs He was a disaster. That's the least of their concerns. That's what they wish everyone was talking about today Can you guys explain to me how that interview got done? I was sort of reeling all over the room this morning thinking that the reporting on story on a story had caught a

thinking that the reporting on story, on a story, had caught a billion dollar economy off guard, that they didn't know how to react to it correctly and immediately made it worse. Please explain to me what happened there because I'm sort of more stunned by the fact that that interview exists than I am by this entire story. There is not a lot of communication

once you sign a player with the player's agent, unless there are issues. Mostly you just go to the player. And in this case it was what they're calling Otani's spokesperson, and you don't have to play the irresponsible journalism from Poppy, but whoever his spokesman is, there's people who believe it could be his agent, Nez, who knows who it is, but his spokesman is the one who... Time to play irresponsible journalism. Here is something we like to call reckless speculation. You're good. All right you're good. Thank you. The spokesman had the interpreter give an interview

to ESPN because questions were being asked and the LA Times was about to run a story. So you give the interview to ESPN but then listening into the interview he implicates Otani. All of a sudden the interview gets disavowed like they're in Mission Impossible. It's disavowed. There was a disavowal. That happened. You're talking about depositions, oaths and come on, what are we doing? This is a crime. What are we doing? It's a legal gambling. I didn't write disavowed.

Disavowed. That's a good one. Add it to the board. Yeah, right it is. That only usually happens to Ethan Hunt. Tony, can you explain to me where you are with this now? We're still in gather, data, gather. Every investigation. Tony, go sit in the panel.

I love that Tony's playing the role of Mark Fanerawada. We had investigative journalists when it came to Balko and Victor Conti. Tony is the one that's taking care of business here. I've been the most on point here. Gustavito from the last segment was right online with this. Have you ever solved a single crime that we've ever asked you to? I can't wait for Tony's version of Game of Shadows. He's going to write the book that's going to blow this thing.

Thank you. The truth. Tony, you need a bigger board. I know this situation. I know. I was telling the people back here. I would have way more on the web if I had more space. I'm you know, it's tough to write a small board.

Can we get him a better letter? Your investigation get hurt by the size of your board. Thank you. Do I still have to leave? Yeah. Massive theft. Yes, not only do you still have to leave, go do your board in the penalty box area

and please, Chris, cut up for me what I believe to be the most stumbling response in the history of our show, him trying to say the word data. I like- Data gathering. I don't- I'm still in gathering data, data gathering.

Got stuck, he got his shirt stuck on the door data gathering. I don't be gada-gathering. Still in gathering data, data gathering. He got stuck. He got his shirt stuck on the door of gada-dathering and he couldn't do anything else and his conspiracy theory unspooled. Adnan, walk me through the conflicts. You, Major League Baseball Network, now have to. It feels to me like the reporting around some of this ken finally can we stop with the nonsense more normalized gambling because sports have allowed the gambling dollars in what's more acceptable and they don't know how to make the rules as this goes

along because there is a future date where all what time he was betting football games for four million dollars of course he was he just signed a seven hundred million dollar contract and bought joe kelly's wife a poor so we Tony was betting football games for $4 million. Of course he was. He just signed a $700 million contract and bought Joe Kelly's wife a pour so he can have the uniform number. Right. There's a part of it, Dan, which is just ridiculous. As you said, we've let all the gamblers in now.

Before us, David said it was the third really couldn't do it. Now it's still not allowed in baseball. And all of us, since I'm an employee of Major League Baseball, I do have to take, you know, training every year. It's like a 30 minute thing, a questionnaire test. Here's where you know gambling's illegal. You can't bet on baseball, et cetera.

At the same time, at MLB Network, we had a show called Better's Eye, which is encouraging people to gamble on the sport. So there's this, as you said, odd conflict in that, well, I can't gamble as an employee of Major League Baseball, but if you'd like to gamble, hey, here's what's looking good tonight, and whatever's what I'm picking, blah, blah, blah.

So it's, as you said, it shouldn't be that surprising that these situations are arising, because when you let everybody in and you're saying gambling is okay, clearly you can't just pick and choose. And again, hopefully Ohtani himself wasn't gambling, hopefully himself wasn't gambling on baseball. The fact that 40 states allow gambling in California

does not, which is why he'd even be still be using a bookie, that's odd to me as well. There's a lot to it that just doesn't make sense as Tony continues to get a larger board here. Thank you, gentlemen. We'll be back talking movies with these guys in a second, unless we've got bonus baseball content. Everyone here seems to love a scandal. The energy in this building is different today. Padres 15 runs, Dan. They look great today. Machado

went deep. I love it. That's all baseball needed. I'm way more focused on the 30 minute test you took, Virk. What a bunch of eye wash. Machado went deep when he was rounding 30 to a little cash sign with his hand. Something or nothing.

I know, fifth ball, Billy. I like it. Something or nothing. Howdy, folks. It's Mike Ryan. It's springtime. And while every time is a good time for Miller Lite, springtime is among the best. I was sitting out in my backyard watching some flowers bloom and some beautiful birds

swimming from Royal Fishtail Palm to Royal Fishtail Palm and I had a Miller Lite in my hand and I said yeah this is the good life. Over the years a lot has changed. One thing that hasn't, the great taste of Miller Light. It was the original Light beer and to this day is still the very best one. Miller Light has more of the taste that you want and less of the stuff that you don't. Oh Miller Light, you were always there for me. I thank the heavens for you every time I'm sitting on my back patio and I take a sip. Ah, tastes like Miller time. To get Miller Lite delivered right to your door, visit MillerLite.com slash Dan, where you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer.

Celebrate responsibly Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ninety-six calories per twelve ounces. Don Lebatard. Hey Dave. StuGuts. What up? This is the Don Lebatard Show with the StuGuts! What up? This is the Dunn Lebatar Show with the StuGuts! David, because of your unique relationship with Ichiro, I don't know how much of him you

know but he was hard to know because there's a translation cultural gap here there is a sometimes each hero can could be hidden and he was very careful about everything that he did he was followed by 30 40 50 journalists everywhere he went all the time always representing in public the idea that the greatest manifestation of what each hero built in this country a superstar babe ruth with a billion dollar economy around him in media on him at all times the idea that there would be a sloppy interview

sent out on behalf of his contingent into the protection of that economy of that dude i find it so sloppy as to find it unfathomable. I don't, have I aged out on how this sport is covered that Otani isn't covered the way Ichiro was with a hundred people following him everywhere? Oh, Otani is covered that way. However, we talk all the time about how generations

are different here in the U.S. Generations are also different in Japan. While their level of respect is, Otani has great respect for Ichiro, but that doesn't mean that they're best friends just because they're both Japanese players who happen to play in Major League Baseball or, that's like saying that two superstars in the NBA

are automatically best friends. It's not the case. The way Ichiro was meticulous with his image, with his actions, it was all based on routine. It was all based on him understanding what mattered to him, and that was baseball. There's no doubt that Otani has different things going on in his life. Obviously baseball is quite important, but look what he did with his personal life, where he unveiled his wife. is quite important, but look what he did with his personal life, where he unveiled his wife. Ichiro would not do something like that because it just, it wouldn't occur to him. He's way more private, way more controlling of his image.

And this is a shot to Otani, the likes of which you don't see often happen to a superstar. Maybe A-Rod can be of assistance because when you're at that level and then your floor tiger woods is another example but those are scandals that to me and Forgive me if you disagree I don't view those scandals as third rail scandals the way I view gambling when it comes to steroids or Adultery or ambient I view them differently than I view gambling So I think this is unchartered territory in any of the sports we've looked at because of the caliber of player

that Otani is and the scope. And to talk further to David's point about Otani the way he is I covered the BBWA dinner in New York this past January so Baseball Writers Association Awards dinner it's where all the athletes come they accept their award so you know Garrett Coles, they're mingling with people, etc. Like it's it's it's really welcoming and everyone's family and everyone there is obviously to get awards. Everyone's in a great mood. Oh, Tony comes in

like last minute, you know, no one knows where he is. It's like, it's like, you know, Bruce Wayne showing up. He's in a show up late. He's gonna leave early. Like there's preferential treatment around Tony at all times. And because of David's point, the media scrutiny is so excessive. It's like it's almost understood that way. Like, hey, Shohei gets special rules because of this contingent around him at all times. When he went up to accept his award as the MVP, I

was stunned. First thing I'd ever seen this happen. Shea Houghton is speaking English. I couldn't believe it. Ipe was there but didn't speak. Houghton spoke English for about 45 seconds. And I remembered like, can I just pull up my phone and record this? This is history. Here we go. Houghton speaks English for about 45 seconds. And I remembered, like, I pulled my phone and record this, this is history. Here we go, Todd, he's speaking English for the first time ever. He came over afterwards. He was gonna leave, Warren Cihadi, who's lovely,

asked two questions, okay, two quick questions. But to me, it was a little bit of a glimpse into his life and just how unusual it is. So to David's point, every single facet of his life is focused upon and determined. The fact he got married and nobody knew about this like it's not even that he keeps his private life private it's that you don't even allowed to ask him his private life like everyone just hey it's the Otani rules we accept whatever we

can get you know with another athlete you'd say hang on a second we're MLB Network we want five minutes with Otani you go fine two questions whatever it takes no problem he's spoken this for 30 seconds we're thrilled so he's been given such latitude by everybody involved in the sport. It's gonna be really curious now when people wanna go out of it and really kinda get their money's worth.

You can't give latitude when it comes to gambling. You simply can't. There can't be Otani rules and that's something MLB has to fight about. But you have to also look at the money involved here. MLB just made a lot of money by going to Korea. Otani was a central figure. Their imprint in Asia is increased

by the presence of Otani. Having him on the Dodgers is critical. The Dodgers are making money off Otani in Asia. They're making money off him in the US with their increased ticket prices. This is the last thing the Dodgers want. They wanna get rid of this too. So there's a lot of factors that would indicate

that this can go away. But on the other hand, you're dealing with his agent who's not very professional, you're dealing with gambling and you're dealing with the government and investigations. And that's why I think the story will have legs. I'm not sure whose background was weirder, the LA Times columnist in a bunker or David Sampson on this weird little couch That is not shaped like a baseball mitt. I should add

So I'm giving a a lecture at State College I'm at Penn State right now and I'm doing a sports business lecture this afternoon So I I'm doing my shows from a hotel in State College, Pennsylvania Does the couch have to match the school colors? Like what's what's going on with that? I don't even want to talk about the room I'm in, but I'm here for the for the students, so I'm happy to do it. Because I thought to be honest guys, I'm glad Jess and Tony brought up. I thought David was about to go on tour here. I saw something about a nothing personal tour. What can we get some details on that? Adnan, your agent called because you wanted in on the tour. What are you talking about?

Stop pretending that you didn't know about the tour. That starts April 2nd in Philadelphia. We're getting calls from DraftKings, from agents, from people who want to appear. Adnan, we're trying to sell tickets and bring people in. Well, and to be clear, I brought you in, right? With the Academy Awards, we did the Oscar show together. Me, you and Ben Limes, we had robust numbers. I would only imagine now I'll be extended this courtesy.

I'm an hour 45 minutes in Philadelphia. I'll type in 990 Filbert Street right now on my Google Maps. I can be there in two hours. Do you guys realize that if you toured, you'd sell out right now? If the two of you promised to tour where you would talk for 90 minutes, we'd sell out everything before the end of today's broadcast if you two agreed to do that? Adnan your agent wanted too much money so I turned it down immediately you were acting like

Ben Lyons during this situation. It was outrageous. Another Ben Lyons outrageous contract to me. Tony how do you feel about everything that happened with you last segment because I don't think I've... I'm trying to do good reporting here, Dan. That's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to do good reporting. I'm trying to write down on my web, on my whiteboard... Let's relive what you were trying to say. Don't stop defending it before we've played it back.

You were trying to say data gathering. We're still in gather... data... We're still in gather... data, gather, we're still in gather, data, gather, what is gather? Data, data, gather, gather. We are done gathering data for now on Otani. Let's segue seamlessly into the movies. We've got three and a half minutes left.

What are we doing today with the movies? I came up with this idea, Dan, because I love Samson's passion with regards to jazz chism. And I love even more jazz firing back at David on Twitter. So top five jazz movies of all time. That's right. Jazz in film. Let's do it, Samson.

It is hard for me to imagine the way that that story blew up from yesterday's show where I said the clubhouse would not be jolly. And so jazz tweeted that it was jolly what's he gonna tweet that he got whatever top five jazz movies way to go the big the big dogs producer was not understanding why we give you a platform to insult jazz or anybody it's I don't know that I was insulting jazz I was actually just trying to tell people the truth because of my experience with Miguel Rojas and my experience with people in the Barlands Clubhouse right now.

It's not, I'm not a reporter. I just have friends who are in the clubhouse. So I know the truth about what goes on in that clubhouse. And the fact that people don't wanna hear it or they wanna make it a race issue, it's not a race issue at all. It's just talking about people and how they act in a clubhouse.

That's all I was doing. You said Conan and Lowell would have kicked his ass. And yes, that is correct. By the way, I work with Mike Lowell opening day. I'm going to ask him point blank. Mike, David Sampson says you would have kicked his ass. I want an answer. I'll report back to you guys. I'll bet you a dollar ad, man.

Top five jazz movies. Number five. I'm ready. Number five, two minutes left. We gotta bang through these. Number five, Whiplash. Number four, Bird, Forest Whitaker, Charlie Parker. Watch it. Number three, The Cotton Club, Richard Gere, Gregory Hines.

Number two, La La Land, I Love You Emma. Your Streep, and number one, Jeff Bridges, Bo Bridges, Michelle Pfeiffer, the Fabulous Baker Boys. Cotton Club, overrated, not one of Coppola's best. Love the shut up to Bird though, Forrest Whitaker, Clint Eastwood of course, huge jazz guy, Charlie Parker, all-time classic. And I'll mention with regards to Fabulous Baker Boys, Roger Ebert's review.

There's a scene in the Fabulous Baker Boys when Michelle Pfeiffer wearing a slinky red dress on curls on top of a piano while singing Making Whoopie. The rest of the movie is also worth the price of admission. One of the most famous blurbs ever to a movie. Number five, Sweet and Lowdown. Cancel. John Penn playing a jazz guitarist. Woody Allen. Film number four Born to Be Blue. Ethan Hawke is amazing in that film playing Chet Baker. Number three La La Land.

And the winner is La La Land. Number two Spike Lee Denzel Washington. Both better blues. I didn't see the title yet. Number one is Whiplash, J.K. Simmons. So you didn't go with soul, but I'm very happy that you didn't go with the jazz singer. I love Neil Diamond. Al Jolson, getting a shout out. Mobiner Bluesroy, classic Denzel. Cinephile is where you find Adnan Virk, Nothing Personal is where you find David Sampson.

Thank you, gentlemen. A bona fide sports baseball scandal has brought everyone in this room. I'm telling you earlier, people are going crazy around here. I can't believe what's happening around here. This became a newsroom. Get Adnan, get Sampson, they have opinions.

We talked to him, we woke up a poor LA Times journalist in a cave of books somewhere and he said something is happening here and we're like, you're goddamn right there is! Howdy folks, it's Mike Ryan. It's springtime and while every time is a good time for Miller Lite, springtime is among the best. I was sitting out in my backyard watching some flowers bloom and some beautiful birds swimming from royal fishtail palm to royal fishtail palm and I had a Miller Lite in my hand and I said, yeah, this is the good life. Over the years a lot has changed. One thing that hasn't, the great taste of Miller Lite. It was the original light beer and to

this day is still the very best one. Miller Lite has more of the taste that you want and less of the stuff that you don't. Oh, Miller Lite, you were always there for me. I thank the heavens for you every time I'm sitting on my back patio and I take a sip. Ah, tastes like Miller time. To get Miller Lite delivered right to your door, visit MillerLite.com slash Dan, where you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer. Celebrate responsibly Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories per 12 ounces.