The Kevin Sheehan Show - Closing In on Bieniemy

Episode Date: February 16, 2023

Kevin and Thom today on the Washington Commanders closing in on the hiring of Eric Bieniemy to be their new Offensive Coordinator. The guys also talked Terps-Purdue, Steven Strasburg, Raquel Welch, and Russell Westbrook back to the Wizards? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You don't want it. You don't need it. But you're going to get it anyway. The Kevin Cheehan Show. Here's Kevin. Tommy's with me today. If you miss Cooley on yesterday's podcast, he was really good on Eric B.

enemy and Greg Roman and the Super Bowl. It was, thank you for those of you that reached out to say that you wish that Cooley had done the Super Bowl breakdown on Monday instead of Wednesday. We take it when we can get it. But I appreciate the fact

that you appreciated all of his insight on a Super Bowl that he only watched three quarters of. Tommy's with me. Tommy didn't even watch the Cleveland game at the end of the year. And look at how great his insight was on that. My guests come on thoroughly unprepared but ready to entertain anyway. Alex wrote this Apple review for us, Tommy. Give us five stars. Please rate us and review us, especially where,

You can, but specifically Apple podcast, Spotify as well. Alex from Annapolis writes, even though Tommy and Kevin are so old, they took archery in school. They're a must listen together every week. Love the back and forth banter between the two and a pod where they do a solid amount of Terps football and basketball. We certainly do a lot of Terps hoops when they're good on this podcast

for sure. Safe to say the pod has caught on. Tommy, it's time to buy a place in Florida and stop renting. You're not Brian Lafamina. And Kevin isn't Dan the sailing man. Love the show, Jets. That's a really good review. Thank you, Alex. And again, if you want to pause the podcast right now and you haven't rated us or reviewed us wherever you can, especially on Apple, just give us quick five stars and rate something. You know, that's one to two sentences in length, length with the silent G. Tommy's with me today. And we've got lots to talk about, including Eric B. enemy, including some Terps, hoops. They play Purdue tonight in College Park. Let me just tell you, this show is going to toss and turn throughout.

I mean, I couldn't sleep at all last night. Got to thinking about you, Tommy. Baby things weren't right. Well, it's because I was tossing and turning. Tommy sent me his karaoke from last night where his new favorite song is tossing and turning. He sent it to me, and at the end of this podcast, I'm going to play the four or five minutes that he sent to me. It is, well, let me just say, it's something else, okay? That's damn good.

That's damn good karaoke. It's certainly not Sinatra, but it's not Fergie doing the National Anthem either. By the way, when the song started to play, I totally recognize that song. When you mentioned it the other day, I'm not really sure I knew what the song was. But when you were singing it, no matter how effectively or ineffectively you were singing the song, I did, I did know this song. I did. And this is your new go-to. And by the way, you got a nice ovation at the end from the crowd.

Yes, I did. I stuck till the very end. I'm big there. In fact, when I got on the elevator to go downstairs to karaoke, there were people getting off. And this woman said to me, are you singing the night? Oh, God. Oh, my God.

She really did. Like, you're getting recognized now for being that karaoke guy down there in Destin. Oh, boy. Again, you know what? Honestly, I don't think I could do it. I've never done karaoke. I don't have a great voice, singing voice. I have told you this, though, that my father has a very good singing voice, and my son, who's a musician, has a good singing voice as well.

I do not have a good singing voice at all. Not that that should... I bet you could do it with a group of people. Yeah. I mean, a lot of these people go up like two, three, four people sing in a group. Not you. Not you. You don't need any help.

You don't need any help. I'm a solo act, baby. I think it takes great courage to do that. And I don't know that with respect to singing, I would have... Let me just say this. I'd have to be well-oiled. to go up there and do it. And I mean, it would take more than three or four red stripes for me to get up there.

It'd take a good six to just, you know, get. I'd have to have a really solid buzz going. And then, you know, all inhibitions, you know, they are tossed to the side. And I would probably do it. I don't know. I'm trying to think of what song I would sing. What, I mean, see, the songs that you pick are really old kind of early, rock and roll songs, right, for the most part?

Yes. Yes, they are. Yeah. I mean, that's my favorite, followed by Cry Like a Baby by the Box Top. Right. And I've got one more I'm going to trot out before I'm done here at karaoke season. I think I'll do well, but I don't know. Can you break that news on the podcast for those in Destin that are listening?

It's an obscure song called Little Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham and the Faroes. Not familiar. And I think I could deliver on that. What I'll find out. Would I recognize the tune if I heard it? Was it a big hit? Because Tossing and Tornin, anybody that is like me, you know, wasn't around for that necessarily, but it likes music. You've heard that song before.

What about the one that you're... Well, it's in Animal House. Toss him and Turn. There you go. So, I mean, yeah, a lot of people would have heard it in Animal House. Little Red Ridinghood is not as prominent. I'm thinking you probably didn't hear that. Did you want to...

I didn't even ask you about this. I'm going to guess that you were a Raquel Welch fan. I don't know who wasn't. I mean, we're talking about the perfect... I mean, the perfect goddess. I mean, she was tall. she was big in all the places that count.

Right. You know? She had a beautiful face. She had long, flowing hair. I mean, she was the perfect, the perfect sex symbol. Would you say that Raquel Welch was more of a 60s? Because you know me, I am a child of the 70s. So for me, I'm at the fair, we've talked about this many times.

It's Farrah Fawcett. It's Cheryl Teagues. It's that group. Raquel Welch was much more of a 60s sex symbol, right? Probably. I mean, I certainly remember her. Don't get me wrong. The poster that she's known for from 1 million BC, the movie that she appeared in,

that's the poster that was on Andy Frane's wall. hiding his tunnel Andy Dufrein, exactly. Amy Dufrein's wall. Right. Hiding his tunnel in the Shawshank Redemption. Right.

I think that was made in the 60s. A hundred rifles that she did with Jim Brown, I think was made in the 60s. And fantastic voyage was also made into 60s. So the movies that really put her on, you know, on the forefront were made in the 60s.

Yeah. You know, she died, for those that wonder why we're talking about Raquel Welch, she passed away yesterday at the age of 82 years old. You know, she was born 1940. So by the time, you know, I'm a child, just call it 1975, she's 35 years old. Not that that's an old broad by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm going to imagine that really her peak. as a pin-up girl, as a sex symbol, was mid-60s. In fact, I'm looking through, like, her early breakthroughs, it says, were 63 to 66. Yes, but here's the thing.

Yes. 25, 30 years later, she was still hotter in almost anything out there. There's no doubt. She aged very, very well and gracefully. No doubt. Yes. Look, a movie I'd recommend is Kansas City bomber. She played

It was based on the life of a A roller derby queen And she's in that And that was always my favorite one Kansas City bomber I think it came out in 72 Okay All right

All right Well rest in peace Raquel Welch A beauty From start to finish Yes She was in Seinfeld Yes, she was.

She was in Seinfeld. She was the one who beat up both Kramer and Elaine. Exactly. Yeah. Because she wouldn't move her arms or something like that. Yeah. I'm actually looking right now that you mentioned that. I'm pulling up her television, you know, a televisionography.

She was early on in all of the shows of the 60s that I watched as a reruner. in the 70s. McCaill's Navy, bewitched. Oh, and then she was on Mork and Mindy. That was in the 70s. I certainly remember Mork and Mindy. God, remember McHale's Navy?

Tim Conway was in McAil's Navy. Good God, he was hysterical. Absolutely. Ernest Borgne. Ernest Borgne? Yeah. Right? Ernest Borgne.

And Carl Ballantyne was the, well, I forget the character's name, who always had some kind of scam going. the actor was Carl Valentine. Yeah. And the captain was Joe Flynn and his assistant, the ensign, was, I don't remember who that actor was. But yeah, I used to be a devoted, Mikhail's Navy watcher. And you were a devoted Elizabeth Montgomery person, too, from Bewitched.

Yes. I remember you mentioned her before. Yeah, I would take her over Barbara Eden if you're doing a comparison of, uh, A beautiful women with mystical. With mystical powers? Is that the comparison? Yeah. Barbara Eden and Elizabeth Montgomery, really?

Yeah, one is a genie, one is a witch. Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Okay. I'm trying to think of which one... I think Elizabeth Montgomery is more attractive. I think that's probably true. It's a close...

I'll grant you, it's a close discussion. I mean, Barbara Eden is beautiful. Major Nelson and Major Healy and Major Healy. right? Yes, yes. And that took place in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and there's an I dream of Jeannie Road in Cocoa Beach, Florida. There you go. All right. Anything else entertainment related? Oh, I have watched. I'm caught up on the last of us. They actually aired episode five. They made it available on Friday, late Friday, because the Super Bowl was Sunday night, and they were concerned that it wouldn't get the numbers. So they put it out and I actually watched it on Saturday at some point. Another good episode with really an ending that kind of came out of nowhere.

Certainly didn't see that one coming there at the end. But yes, for all of you that I see trying to interact on this show, I haven't seen one person that isn't into it right now. I like it too. I like it a lot. So today is the day that Eric Bienimi is in town to interview. for the Washington commander's offensive coordinator position. So I have, you know, kind of talked a lot about this the last two days.

And I read a tweet on the radio show this morning from our guy, Toothpick. I love Toothpick a lot. He said, you know, essentially said to me, you know, so what are you okay with? Are you okay with, you know, sort of the status quo? just an extension of what they had and going with a guy like Ken Zampeze. And the answer to that is no, that's not really what I've been saying. What I've been saying is this. I don't know why Eric B. Enemy is available.

But I think it's totally normal to be suspicious about it. Eric B. Enemy has interviewed for a lot of jobs. He didn't get any of them. As I mentioned yesterday, if you want to inject race into the conversation, he interviewed for head coaching opportunities that eventually went to black and or other minority candidates. He now is applying or interviewing for an offensive coordinator position, a lateral move, which, by the way, most teams aren't interested in even interviewing him for. Baltimore and Washington are the two teams that wanted to interview him.

Baltimore didn't even wait. They hired Todd Munkin and didn't wait to interview him until after the Super Bowl. And right now it would appear as if Washington is the only interested party in Eric Bienemy. I don't know what the reasons are. We've heard the reasons Tommy and I have talked about the reasons that have been out there. He's a bad interviewer. he's tough on players and everybody wonders whether or not he's actually had as much responsibility as a lot of offensive coordinators have.

But that doesn't make sense because we've seen a lot of offensive coordinators over the years that haven't been play callers that have coached for offensive head coaches that have gotten jobs. And right now there are several OC availability and the only one that I can find that he's going to interview for is today in Washington. And my only point is this. When was the last time this organization bucked the rest of the league and was right about it? I'm not saying that there isn't a chance that everybody's whiffed on Eric B. Enemy. And for whatever reason, you know, being under that big Andy Reid shadow, especially

during the Mahomes era in particular, you know, may make it seem as if anybody could have done that job. I don't know what the reasons are. But Washington's the only team right now that appears to be a possibility for Eric Bienemy. Who knows? Maybe the guy in Philadelphia that went and took the Arizona job, Jonathan Gannon, he needs an O.C. He's a defensive head coach. Maybe he is going to bring in BNMI if Bianmi doesn't get hired here. Bowles just hired an OC and Tampa didn't even ask to interview Bienemy.

You know, Shane Steichen took the job in Indianapolis. He's an offensive head coach. I don't know that he'll bring in Eric Bianney. Sean Payton's an offensive head coach. Frank Reich's an offensive head coach. You know, and this may be the perfect opportunity for Bianmi because he's working for not only a defensive head coach, but a defensive head coach who's kind of become a CEO coach where the coordinators have had you know, by all accounts, a ton of autonomy.

And one year here in D.C., maybe he elevates an offense, elevates a very young quarterback, and that, you know, he can sort of parlay into much more interest in him as a head coach. But I personally don't think it's crazy by a long shot. In fact, I'm shocked that many of you aren't on board with being a little bit mystified as to why Eric B. Enemy is here after all of these years in Kansas City, all of the interviews that he didn't get offered for, and now it's an OC job, and the only one that is available to him is Washington. I think that that's a red flag. Not the red flags that I put up for the Carson Wentz trade, Indianapolis and Philadelphia, at great expense moving on after a short period of time with Carson Wentz.

you know, Washington bidding against themselves essentially overpaying. I'm not suggesting it's that. But I do think that, you know, this organization, as Tommy has said many times, it's not the place to come and enhance your reputation. Anyway, what do you think? I think he's going to get the job, by the way. I think he's going to get the job. But go ahead.

First of all, I think, I really think it's humorous. worked up people are getting about an offensive coordinator for this football team. Good point. As if it's really going to have a major impact. This is the missing piece right here. Fabulous point. I agree. I agree.

I just can't believe with the sale of the team still out there that people are getting worked up about the offensive coordinator. Right. So I find that humor. Now, that said, I agree with everything you said. I mean, there has got to be more reasons beyond the race issue that Eric Bianami has not gotten another opportunity when other black coaches have been hired over him. Yes. You know, I mean, Andy Reid, here's what we don't know.

If he doesn't get this job, is he going back to Kansas City? I talked about that yesterday with Cooley. Like, to me, one of the real interesting things would be, what if Washington doesn't hire him? He's not under contract. Why wasn't he under contract? Why did they let his contract expire? Why didn't he have an extension before this last year with obviously the, you know,

the addendum in there that says if you get a head coaching job, of course you can leave? Of course. They could have done that. Absolutely. I mean, Andy Reid hasn't said, and maybe he's just not saying it, and maybe he would be back. But no one has come out and said he's going to be back in Kansas City next year if he doesn't have a job. No, in fact, the conversation in Kansas City.

I can't bat him not bringing him back. The conversation in Kansas City is that Matt Nagy, who, by the way, Eric B. Anami replaced when he got the job in Chicago and is back on the staff is going to be elevated to OC. and he's going to get his old job back. I agree with you. Like for Andy Reid, if Washington didn't offer Bianami the job. Or let's just say Bianami decided, you know what? I got into that place and I'm like, I'd rather not work than work for this group of people. You know, who knows?

And I think, you know, Cooley nailed it yesterday to a certain extent as well. It's possible they may not offer them a multi-year deal. You know, they might not be offering anybody a multi-year deal. And these coordinators now are getting multi-year deals and some security. But let's just say it doesn't work out. I agree with you. But I don't know why. I think the reason for agreeing with you, I'll get to in a second.

But Andy Reid's going to have to bring them back, probably bring them back with some sort of elevated title, assistant head coach, you know, pass game coordinator, run game coordinator, or maybe assistant head coach co-offensive coordinator, or maybe comes back in the EZOC, period. and Nagy doesn't get elevated. But I, you know, I'm not sure it's because, I don't know anything, but I'm not sure it's because that's what they'd, you know, that would be their number one choice. If that were their number one choice,

he would have been under contract beyond this year. I think he would have been unless he decided not to sign a contract. Yeah? Maybe, look, he has a lot of support. quarters within the chief organization. Patrick Mahomes has spoken out numerous times very favorably of him. Andy Reed obviously promotes him every chance he gets. There's one critic who used to play with him, played with him for only one year in Kansas City, and that's what Sean McCoy. Sean McCoy has been very vocal in his criticisms of Eric B. Enemy. Basically, he said there's a reason why every year they

hype him up to get a job, and when the time comes, nobody hires him because they know the type of coach he really is. Yeah. So, I mean, there's not without critics there. Yeah, and, you know, Cooley pointed out he's got a past of some issues, but it's, those things are really old. I mean, we're talking about, yeah, really are. They're more than 20 years ago. 30 years ago in some cases. And, you know, we've seen, yeah, I don't think that has anything to do with it. That's not, that's not an issue for me. No. That's not, that wouldn't be an issue for me. Those, those are way far in a past. Um, but I just again, I mean, I hope he gets the job. You know, I hope they hire them. Why? Uh, well, because it, it, it would be another bizarre storyline, you know? I mean, it won't be

normal. Like, like, this place won't be normal. The story, is Eric the enemy calling all the plays, You know, how much influence is Ron Rivera having? If things aren't going good, will Ron Rivera take over to play call? It's just, it is just be another bizarre storyline for a bizarre organization that doesn't know any other way to do business. Again, and it all may go up in a cloud of smoke. If come next owner's meeting, there's a new owner. Yeah, I mean, that's why I've said the last few days, you know, anybody coming in here to interview for any position has to be doing the interview as much as they're getting interviewed, you know, because they're, especially if you have other options,

you just don't know what this place is going to look like. I think I said this yesterday or maybe to you earlier in the week. One year from now, when we're talking about the football team, the odds are greater, much greater than 50, 50. I don't know where they are, but they're better than a coin flip, that we are going to be talking about a team with a new owner, a new front office, a new coaching staff. And this, like you said, you know, and I did talk about this a little bit on radio this morning, that, you know, this small bubble that we're in, which is, you know, talking about this football team in every last, you know, detail and piece of minutia. It's like, really?

We're getting worked up over the offensive coordinator. First of all, the number one story in this franchise. And as Coach Thompson would say, you've got to count five spots to get to number two. is ownership and the sale of this team. Yes. And then, by the way, what is number two after you count five spots is quarterback. Quarterback. And then you have to count five spots until you get to, honestly,

the Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Duran Payne, all of the contract stuff related to the defensive line, and what they're going to do in the draft and free agency. And then maybe O.C. pops up like fourth or fourth. fifth on the list. I mean, this is another thing about... I got a question for you. Yes. I got a question for you. Let's say

Andy Reid decided to retire tomorrow. Would Eric Bianney get that? Would the Chiefs hire him? I don't think so. What do you think? I don't think so either. I mean, they could have their pick of coaches

to coach the greatest quarterback maybe we've ever seen, and they're going to elevate Eric B. Ename? I don't think so. Well, the only, I shouldn't say the only reason. That's dismissive, and I have no reason to be dismissive because I don't know what this situation with Eric B. Enemy is, but Patrick Mahomes would make that decision. If Patrick Mahomes went to the Hunt family and said, oh, no, no, no, no, I want Eric Bianney to be the head coach. He's been, you're right. You know. You're right. So, and, and, And if that didn't happen, that would be telling. Just like if Washington doesn't offer him the job today or tomorrow, that would be telling.

But nothing would be more telling than if he doesn't get offered the job and then there's no position for him back in Kansas City. Because then you're going to look at Andy Reid as a total fraud. And a used car pitch man, you know, trying to sell a lemon here in the last few weeks. We're familiar with him in that role of Washington, aren't we? Donovan McNabb, yes. Yeah. You know, look, he's going to get offered the job. I think so, too. I mean, this team would consider it a major public relations win to hire Eric B. Enemy as your offensive coordinator.

They probably would. If that's the reason that they end up going with him over somebody they think is better and more qualified, then, you know, we're looking definitely. at the final year of this group together. I think we're looking at the final year of this group together anyway. But that would be another reason why they'll never succeed. They'll just never succeed because they're going to want the press release. Look, a big part of every single press release for a year and a half now has been about how this organization is the most inclusive and the most diverse in the sport. I would certainly hope that they really have belief

and that Ron Rivera connects with BNami in some way, shape, or form because Rivera was a minority candidate, and it took him a long time to get a head coaching position, and that maybe he really believes in Bienemy and really believes he can do the job. And look, Bienme may be one of these guys that doesn't interview well, is really tough with players, but is going to prove to be an X's and O's.

genius and a quarterback mentor, and he's going to be an OC. Certainly a possibility. And then he's going to turn into the head coach when Rivera retires after they win the Super Bowl next year with Sam Hal. We are worked up over the OCE position. I can't even say his name without laughing. Sam Hal. I don't laugh at it.

There are things that I laugh at it. I laugh at those that actually are convinced that they've seen enough to think that he's the answer. that's laughable, of course. That's what I'm laughing at then. But I think that there's some talent there. And I'll tell you. And not that he would have said anything different,

but when I had his offensive coordinator, Phil Longo from North Carolina, on the radio show, there was just a lot that he said that really felt spot on. And I really felt like a guy, you know, a lifer like Longo, who's been a really good offensive mind, headed to Wisconsin to work for Luke Fickle, and we'll see if Wisconsin can start to throw the ball and put up big points because they've always been a great program,

but they've always not been a great offensive program when it comes to throwing the football. But Longo just loved Hal. And I didn't expect anything different, but he was very specific about the reasons why his game will translate to this next level. He also had incredibly nice things to say about Ken Zampeasy and about the connection that.

Hal and Zampesey had about how comfortable it was. And maybe all of this ends with Zampi because they really can't offer what they want to offer Roman or Bienemy. But let me just finish this conversation unless you have something else. With what Kooley and I were talking about yesterday, Kooley thinks Greg Roman is the best run game designer and creative mind of the last 20 years in the NFL. I mean, I've ripped through the number. Greg Roman's rush offense is, you know, has ranked eighth, fourth, third, fourth, first, first, first, third, second.

And to me, Greg Roman, in my mind's eye, is a known. Eric Bianami isn't. Now, that doesn't mean that they aren't going to get a better coordinator with Bianemy again. But Roman, I think I could make a case to myself that I would get excited about Greg Roman and a top 10 defense on the other side of the ball. Because you're going to end up with a top 10 defense and you're going to end up with a top two to three rush offense. And then all you're hoping for is that the quarterback's just good enough

and better than what they've had, and you've got a team that'll be an interesting team to watch next year. Now, you know, some would say, yeah, but you're ignoring your best players, Terry McLoren, and Jahan Dotson. You don't have to say that. Greg Roman just hasn't had receivers here for the last four years in Baltimore. And maybe he's got a better thrower and a better passer in Sam Howe.

Who knows? But the Roman thing to me is really intriguing. Like if that ended up being the way they went, I think I'd get excited about that. The Bianami thing, I would be in wait and see mode because I have no idea. With Roman, I know what I'm going to get. I'm going to get a top three rush offense, and I think I've got a top 10 D.

defense coming back. So anything else on this? Okay. No, nothing else. All right. But we both... I can't wait for the big announcement. We both think we're going to get that announcement, right, in the next two days?

Yes. Yeah, I do too. Be enemy, I'm saying. I think it's going to be Bianami. Yes. Yeah, so do I. All right. Let's get to some other things.

I'm not sure what. I have a bunch of things written down. And we'll get to those things right after these words from a few of our sponsors. This segment of the show brought to you by MyBooky. Go to mybooky.orgie. Go to MyBooky. Use my promo code. MyBooky has a unique deposit bonus going on right now that lets you cash in and cash out quickly. Make your deposit and then wager that deposit amount just one time. You're eligible to cash out right away if you use my promo code, Kevin D.C. Most books don't let you do that. My bookie is letting you do that. They've got everything you need, by the way. All the college basketball, all the NBA. all of the NFL prop bets for next year. They're all up already. And Maryland tonight right now at MyBooky, only a one-point underdog at home against Purdue,

the number three team in America. Needless to say, your boy will be on the Terps tonight because that one reeks. I guess that line, Tommy. I guessed if Purdue had won on Sunday, they played Northwestern. Northwestern is really good in basketball this year. They are the surprise team of the Big Ten, one of the surprise teams in the country.

They beat Indiana last night. If they had beaten Northwestern on Super Bowl Sunday, I predicted that they would have trotted into College Park tonight as the number one team in the country and maybe been an underdog, like it would have been pick them. It's still only one and a half Purdue. Maryland, you know, one, one and a half right now. I'm seeing one and a half.

I'm seeing one now at my bookie. I like the Terps tonight. against Purdue. I will be there tonight at X-Finity Center. 630 start, not thrilled with that. This is the kind of game that bothers me when it comes to the Big Ten and they're scheduling, Tom. It's like, as I said before, D.C. is their only really big city school with major traffic issues. I know Northwesterns in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois, you know, but for the most part, this is the problem. This is the one school that really has an issue with traffic. 630 starts ridiculous.

This should have been the 8.30 game tonight. But for you heading out there, I know that some of you just won't be able to get there until the second half. That's what stinks about a big game like this starting at 630. But for your sleep schedule, this time works fine, doesn't it? Yeah, but I don't care about my sleep schedule. I care about the best possible environment that gives them the best chance to, win. And I can already see it at 6.30 when that game tips, the arena is going to be half filled. Now, by the end of the first half, you know, it will be packed to the rafters. I mean, the tickets

on Stubhub for this game, despite the start time, are a fortune for this game. I mean, to get into the lower level tonight, you're going to have to pay well in advance. Well, let's see what they have now. There's nothing left in the lower level. There are no tickets left in the lower level. Actually, that's not true. A couple of tickets left behind the basket and the lower level. Everything else is upper level on the aftermarket. This game is a sellout. I just want them to have the kind of environments that they can have. The Illinois game was that. That was a Friday night, 8 o'clock start. Eight o'clock is the perfect time on a weeknight for college park. Gives you plenty of time to get there and then it's not too late for people to complain that

it's too late. But that's not the TV schedule. You talk about the, you talk about the environment. From what I've read, Kevin Lode is a little concerned about the environment getting out of control, isn't he? Oh, you mean the comments he made about the cursing and the language? I think that he, that was, I think that was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Really? I don't know. I didn't watch, I watch his press conferences after games. I usually don't watch them before games. I only read the quote. I didn't hear the tone of, you know, I watch his press conferences after games. I usually don't watch them. I, I don't watch them before games. I, I don't know, I don't I didn't hear the tone of. I, I don't it. But knowing that he is somewhat sarcastic, I would bet that it was a bit sarcastic.

I'm looking for the, basically he said that the crowd was, they were chanting F Penn State on Saturday. I was at that game. And he didn't like, you know, he said something about the cursing from the crowd. Look, there was nothing as vulgar. as Xfinity and Cole Fieldhouse way back in the day when Carolina or Duke came in. I've never seen anything like that since. One of the reasons they did away with rock and roll part two, the song that they would play after introductions for so long, and now they have it back, is, I mean, it included,

we're going to beat the hell out of you, you, and you. I mean, that was stupid. That was such a great way to sort of introduce the game right before tip off. but yeah, I can't find the quote. I can't find the quote. Anyway, big game for the Terps tonight. Huge game, big opportunity. They've really played well this year.

How have they played well? In what areas? What areas have they excelled? Where do you think? They're a very good defensive team. They are really smart defensively. He plays a lot of different defenses, switches them up, disguises him. I love that about what he does

defensively. He, like Turgeon, is a defensive first head coach. Offensively, he's figured it out with the group they had. It took them a while. They're not a good shooting team. They're not a good three-point shooting team. I think they've got guys that stroke it pretty

well, but the percentages don't lie. They're 336th in the country, and three-point shooting percentage, I think they're only 360-something division-one teams. But they've got some tough matchups. Their point guard, Jemir Young

Tommy, the transfer from Charlotte's been amazing this year. Without them, they'd be nowhere near where they are right now, which is solidly a tournament team. I mean, they're Ken Palm numbers in the low 20s, their net numbers in the high 20s. I mean, they would have to completely

crater down the stretch not to make the tournament. They were picked to finish 10th in the Big 10. They've actually got a chance to finish second in the Big Ten behind Purdue. So they've gotten better. They've got players that are tough matchups like Hakeem Hart, like Dante Scott at times. They're a good basketball team. They're not overly gifted or talented compared to some of the other teams that are ranked

super high. They're not ranked right now. They haven't been for several weeks. but they're a team capable, I think, of winning a game in the tournament. And who knows? Matchups are anything or everything. And Willard's become – Willard's a good fit. You know what a fan and those listening are.

What a fan I am of Mark Turgeon, the person and the basketball coach. Right. But Mark's a Midwest guy. Kevin Willard's an East Coast guy. And Kevin Willard really does, I think, have kind of the personality to connect more. with what the Maryland fan base is. And for those of you who know, you know, and for those of you who don't, it is really a fan base made up of New Yorkers, Jersey people,

both South Jersey and North Jersey, Philly people, Maryland, Baltimore, and D.C. people. That's the fan base. It's a hardcore East Coast fan base. And why do I say those other places? because a lot of the students undergrad are from New York, New Jersey, Philly. It's always been that way. It's always been a very popular school for kids, you know, on Long Island or in Westchester or Bergen County or down in South Jersey or in Philly.

It's always been that way. And Mark was a good coach, really good coach, in my opinion. I'm not going to have that debate with all of you right now. You've heard my position on that. But from a personality standpoint, not the same as his fan base, although he actually has a very, very subtle, quick, and sarcastic sense of humor, which is the irony of what I'm saying. But Willard does too, and Willard understands the, you know, being in a fan base

that will get on you when you're not doing well. And, yeah. You beat Purdue, you're going to be ranked. Yeah, they've been hovering in the vote, you know, other teams receiving votes. You know, Tommy, the rankings, to be honest with you really just don't matter. It's the net ranking and the Ken Palm numbers. Those are the things that really matter and factor into your NCAA tournament, you know, eligibility and seating, etc. But they matter less when you're not ranked.

When you are ranked, you know, those things seem to matter. No, you can use those things for recruiting, et cetera. But, you know, like I'm looking at the Ken Palm number right now. Maryland's 23rd in the country. And they've got eight losses. There's only one team ahead of them with more losses. And that's West Virginia's 20th. God, I can't believe West Virginia's 20th in Ken Palm.

So, you know, the power numbers and a lot of the, you know, advanced numbers, understand Maryland's a pretty good basketball team. Are they Houston? Are they Alabama who got beat by Tennessee last night? Are they UCLA? Are they Purdue? Purdue's different because we'll see tonight. And home floor means a hell of a lot in the Big Ten. Maryland's undefeated in Big Ten play at home.

Are they, you know, Kansas, are they Arizona? Are they, you know, no, they're not. But, you know, they're a six to eight seed somewhere in that range right now with a chance to go much higher. If they can finish this season strong, they could end up on selection Sunday as the second place team in the Big Ten with a much higher number

in terms of higher seed than probably most are even thinking right now. Right now they're in that six to nine range, more or less. We'll see where it goes from here. But look, they were picked 10th before the season started in the Big Ten. They were not supposed to be an NCAA tournament team this year.

So Willard's gotten every ounce of the best that this group has to offer. It's similar to me to the team two years ago that was in a rebuilding season, and I thought Terge did one of his best jobs. He got every ounce out of that team. They made it to the tournament. They had some big road wins that year at Rutgers at Illinois. They made it to the tournament. They beat a higher-seated team in Yukon.

And then they got run out of the building. by Alabama who was really good that year and really talented. But yeah, it's good. This is going to be now, you know, hopefully the beginning of what, you know, Turg left off, which was six years out of seven in the tournament. And hopefully Willard can do better in March

because that's the mic drop when it comes to the last era. Yes, it is. It just wasn't good enough once we got there. Because we were always getting there. But we weren't, you know, we weren't winning when we got there. But tonight should be fun, you know, Purdue's good. You're familiar with Zach Eady, aren't you or not? The big center?

Yeah. This is your kind of basketball. I know. Yeah. I know. I know. I know. Inside, game going inside.

I know. Absolutely. Everything runs through the big 7 foot 4-inch 300-pounder, who's got great feet, great hands. He's the best big man in America. Who knows whether or not it translates to the next level? because he doesn't extend the floor, doesn't stretch the floor, shooting threes. That's not Zach Eady.

But here's a guy that's averaging 22 and 13, you know, and shoots 63% from the floor, and most of those are just lay-ins and dunks. And every single team seems to play him the same way. The ball goes into the post, and there is an immediate double team, and he's a good passer. And this has always been one of my favorite coaches in the country and Matt Painter to watch. So we'll see what happens tonight. I think Maryland's got a really good chance to win the game. And if they do, you're talking about they got a real good shot to finish second in the Big Ten,

which pretty good for a team that was picked to finish 10th in the Big Ten. Yeah, absolutely. So listen to this. Adrian Wojnerowski, ESPN, tweeted out the following. Russell Westbrook has communicated with the bulls, the clippers, the heat, and the wizards about possible buyout destinations. Now, you know, it sounds like he would be fine with coming back to Washington. He's in Utah after all of the trades of a week ago. There's going to be a buyout there of his deal, and then he's going to have the ability

to go somewhere to play this year. You know, the clippers and the, the clippers are the best spot for him in terms of playing with a legitimate NBA championship contender. The heat, you know, in the East certainly have the potential. I mean, they were in the Eastern Conference finals last year with Jimmy Butler playing incredibly well. They almost beat Boston in that best of seven. I don't think as much of a Russell Westbrook fan as I've been over the years.

It kind of waned for me here in Washington. I just don't think that he's coming back to Washington, and I don't think it would be a good fit. I just... I know this is going to totally make you... You're going to scream at me, and others are going to roll their eyes. I actually think they don't need him,

and their rotation in their back court when they're healthy is actually a pretty good one. like I don't know that he would help them. He might hurt them. I'm not talking about stylistically the way he plays. I think they've got, I think they have like eight or nine players who can really play when they're healthy.

So I don't want to disrupt that incredible mojo that they have. That's incredible mojo. That's 45-gate win season mojo that they have. Oh, well, they're familiar with that mojo, Wizards fans, right? 45 would be... 45 victories? That'd be incredible. Absolutely.

Yes, it would. 45 wins. We've never seen that before. Look, I hope he comes. It's just be more chaos. Yeah. You know, I always felt about Russell Wilson. I mean, Russell Westbrook,

on a championship team, he's a destructive force. Yeah. I mean, he's... He apparently, is, you know, an incredible guy, an incredible teammate until the game starts, and then his style doesn't fit with a lot of situations. I mean, he's first ballot Hall of Famer. I mean, let's not, you know. Yes, he is. There's no doubt about that. But there have been lots of selfish

players who are in the Hall fame. Well, I wouldn't call one of the all-time great assist guys and triple-double guys selfish. I wouldn't call him a selfish player. I would say, Oh, he's a selfish player. He's self-centered. He's self-absorbed. He can't play any other way. But he's convinced he'll win the game for you when that's not the best way to win. I don't think that. Every time he has the ball. That's not the way I would describe it. I would describe him as just never, ever being able to slow down when the game slows down. Selfish would not be the way I would describe Russell Westbrook, who has always been a great facilitator, great score or two, great rebound. under. But a guy that's the all-time leader in triple doubles, rebounding and assisting along with scoring, I would never describe as selfish. That's not the way I would describe his game. Let me ask you. Let me ask you a question. Yes, Tom. Do you think any coach has ever had a discussion with him about the way he plays and asked him to adjust the way he plays for his team?

Yes, but I don't think it's... Do you think that conversation's ever taken place? Yes. By the way, Oscar. Okay. Okay. But it has nothing to do with him being selfish. It has to do with him in a way he plays stylistically. If you can't adjust your style for the sake of your team, then you're selfish. I think he's tried. Or you're not very talented.

No, I think he just has the lack of being able to slow down when the game slows down. That's been his biggest issue, along with the fact that he's never been a consistent shooter. Russell Westbrook, if you could play, you know, kind of take it off the rim and every single possession is a fast possession, you'd be okay. But that's not what happens when the game slows down in the postseason. And he's just never been able to slow down. I wouldn't describe that as selfish. I would be that I think his intentions are right. I just don't think he's capable of doing it.

By the way, every single... You don't think he's smart enough to do it? It's not that he's not smart enough to do it. You don't think he's got like a mental block that stops him from doing it? Yeah, I think that there's this energy level that he plays with, this speed that he plays with, this reckless... This reckless abandoned that he plays with that he's never been able to shake out of. Who can't play with no control.

He's 34 years old. It might be time to slow down a little bit. Well, I mean, I don't think this dude personality-wise is ever going to slow down. Certainly not at 34. I mean, you haven't slowed down at 77 with your karaoke tossing and turning. I mean, so he's not slowing down at 34. And he's got a lot more energy than you have and ever had. I don't want Westbrook back.

I don't want Westbrook back here. But it's, you know. How about Westbrook and John Walt? Let's get him both back. Yeah, I don't know what's going on with John Wall. He's not healthy. And I, to be honest with you, the clippers of the team that I'm rooting for out West, I don't want him with L.A. I think he'll be disruptive there, too. And again, it's not a selfish disruption.

It's stylistically the way he plays. It just doesn't fit with a... I mean, think about Kauai Leonard the way he plays in the postseason. How methodical he is, you know, and how... So you think Russell Westbrook has a psychological disorder that keeps him from playing under control for his team? I didn't want to describe it that way so directly, but yes, I think that there is, I think that's part of it. I think that he is, I don't think he's capable of slowing down. I think his mind, his body, it's always racing, and especially when he's competing. And I think we've seen that over and over again in every postseason series he's ever played in.

Game slows down and Westbrook can't, which means turnovers, you know, bad passes, not playing selfishly, but playing sometimes too selflessly. But it doesn't work because he's going too fast and everybody else has slowed down and everybody else has gotten back on defense and they're playing defense. I mean, I'm not describing it exactly the way I'd want to describe it. I just don't think it's it has to do with self-absorption. I think it has to do with probably attention deficit, those kinds of things, where he's just not, he's always racing in everything he does competitively. Okay. You know, you've got a mental block about Russell Westbrook, I think.

I don't know. I think I've watched a lot of them over the years, and I've talked to a lot of people about him, including when he was here, and he was absolutely a lot of. loved by everybody here as a person and as a leader. Yeah, I'm not talking. Look, he's a touristic guy off the court. He's a role model. And he is, he's a Hall of Famer.

You're right about all that. Yeah. But he got to admit, I was the one, when he was with Oklahoma City in the early days. You said it. Okay. You said it'll never work. He'll never win a title. Yeah.

And the... There are, how many times have you seen him in? the air heading towards a basket where he had no idea what he was going to do. A lot, especially in the playoffs. Yes. Yes. And that's exactly what I'm talking about. Because it's head down. I'm going 150 miles per hour and everybody else is going 100, you know, at times during the regular season. But in the postseason, they're down to 60. And I'm still going 150. And it just doesn't work. you've got to be able to play slower and play more half-court basketball,

and he turns into a turnover machine at that point. And that's why, I mean, look, I don't care if he comes back to the Wizards, to be honest with you. They're not going anywhere. They do have better players than they've had in a while when they're healthy. You know, you've seen a team that actually when they put Kuzma and Porzingis and Beal and now some of these other pieces that are playing well on the floor, they can really score.

They can really play offensive NBA basketball, and they're going to win enough games probably at the very least to get into that playing, unless they just lose players left and right the rest of the way, which is very possible with them too. I think the Clippers, it would be a disaster. I mean, I'm just picturing what Kauai Leonard's been like. Think about that Toronto team with Kyle Lowry and company. they were so good in the half court.

They were so good in the half court defensively and offensively. And as he strapped that team to his back in that postseason three years ago or four years ago, whenever it was now, and every possession, the methodical, you know, getting to his spot and the way he gets to it, that's not Russell Westbrook. Russ is going to be driving down the lane against three guys and try to kick it out to somebody

and somebody's going to be waiting on the pass, and it's going to be a turnover half the time. Paul George, too, you know, is not going to fit well with Westbrook. Actually, George and Westbrook fit okay together when they were together in OKC for those two years. But I don't know. I don't know where he should go. The Miami Heat would be interesting. But Butler is a guy that is just the perfect playoff player.

I mean, when things slow down, he is a badass. Absolutely. Give me Jimmy Butler every day of the week. Give me Butler and Kauai Leonard in big games in the postseason and just watch the way they figure it out. It's so funny. I had Legler on last week for a while, and people, if you miss that, he was great. Talked a lot about Washington, the football team, talked a lot of NBA.

But he just, towards the end of our NBA conversation, he goes, I just don't get you. I said what? And he goes, how can Kauai Leonard be your favorite? player when he's the king of load management. And it's so true. Like it's typically the absolute player that I'd have a problem with. But I just, when the game is big and it's the postseason and he's healthy, there's no better two-way player in the game. No better. I mean, Butler's close in terms of a two-way player. And LeBron's close, of course, too, as a two-way player. But there's something about the way he does his work that I enjoy watching.

be your greatest call that I ever remember. I mean, you said in that draft, I remember distinctly. You said that that's the guy you would pick. The wizard should pick him. That was the Vesley draft, right? Yeah, it was the On Vesley draft.

You don't think the Kurt Cousins call was a better one? No, I don't think so. I think Kirk Cousins was more well-known than Leonard was in college. Well, I think that But Kirk Cousins wasn't an obvious first-round pick, and Kauai Leonard was.

I didn't suggest that they take Kirk Cousins in the first round, yeah. No. No, I think, look, I'm just telling you, I'm trying to give you an accolade here. It was a remarkable call because he's become one of the best players in the league. Not just an average player, not just a good player, but a great player. I want to ask you about all these baseball rules and see what you think about them. That's how we'll finish up the show right after these words from a few of our sponsors. Tommy, tell us about Shelley's backroom.

Well, Shelley's back room, which is the thing I miss the most about being in Florida, even though I don't do karaoke in Shelly. They don't have karaoke. Everything else they have is great, okay? Could we do karaoke one night? Could we have a karaoke night at Shelley's back room? I don't know. So everybody can see you?

Maybe we can. I'll have to work on that. Okay. They're flexible over at Shelley's. They like a good time just like anybody else. And you have a good time when you're at Shelley smoking your favorite cigar, drinking your favorite whiskey, and eating from the great menu they have. I use this term menu of excellence sometimes on the show that we do. Right.

I got that from Shelly's because their food is a menu of excellence. And here's what I want to tell all you gals who are listening or anybody who is listening. You want to get a great birthday present or some kind of present for your guy. You can get gift cards for Shelly's back room. $25, $50 or other denominations. You can go online on their website, and you can buy gift cards for Shelly's, so you can just have that as a present. And I'm telling you, it's not something that they would expect,

but they would enjoy it once they used it. and they'd be back, they'd say, where's my, when's my next gift card from Shelly's coming? Shelly's back room, 1331, F Street, Northwest in the district. Great spot. I just think we got to get a karaoke night. Just one night. I don't know if Bob would want to do that at Shelly's. It would not really fit with the Shelley's crowd.

But if we built it around Tom doing karaoke only, and it's more of a Tom-loveral concert of his favorite karaoke songs, I think we could get a big crowd in there. You know? Look, right now, I've got a two-book song list, and I'm going to expand it to a third. But anything else after that. I'll tell you what happened the other night. What?

Last night, a bunch of women, they got up to sing, like, 9 to 5, the Dolly Parton Phil. They dragged me up there with them and asked me to sing that song with them. Oh, my God. Where's that guy, Tom, that was up here doing tossing? and turning the other day. And cry like a baby. Is it cry like a baby? Is that the song? Try like a baby is the other

one. Yeah. Where is that guy? Where's that? There he is. You can't miss him, by the way, with that beard and that hair. And so did you do it? Did you get up there and sing 9 to 5? Yeah, I did. I got out there. And here's the one thing about karaoke that people don't realize.

Everybody knows the chorus of songs. A lot of people don't necessarily know all the lyrics. Oh, no. Especially in the beginning of a song, you know? I mean, usually the first couple of lines people aren't ready for, or don't have a good grasp of. No. So they always have a problem starting the songs. And there was a little bit of a lyric issue with nine to five, but everybody could sing the chorus. Yeah. I mean, you know, look, Michael had a problem with islands in the

stream, and Jim came up and helped them out, and we got it all worked out. And so, By the way, that was a, that's a Kenny Rogers and, and what's, and Dolly Parton song, right? And 9 to 5 is a Dolly Parton song. Yep. Yeah. Okay. So, yeah, I was up, I was up there on stage for that last night, too. Okay.

There's no audio of that. Yeah, stay tuned. We're going to end the show today with Tom's Tossing and Turning last night in Destin. So Stephen Strasbourg had a setback again with a bullpen session. Pitchers and catchers reported yesterday to West Palm. And I had Galdi on the show the other day, and he said, Galdi just said flat out, his career is over. You agree with that, right?

Yes, it is. His career is over. Oh, it's. I know. It's. They paid him all this money. He threw about 33 innings. 31 and a third. in the last three years.

31 and a third. I know. I know. It's really a shame because when we saw him last healthy, the 2019 World Series, oh my God, was he brilliant? That game six performance is an all-timer and the clutchness of everything about his performances in the postseason over those last few years. But that game six is an all-timer.

You know, and... I agree. I agree. Absolutely. He was money when it counted the most, you know? And, I mean, it was a shame, because I like Steven Strasbourg. I like him as a person. You know, I got to know him over the years.

He's very thoughtful, very introspective. And he had become a leader of sorts on that team and that pitching staff. And now he's just going to be. a memory, a fond memory, but a frustrating memory as well. Do you know what his all-time post-season ERA is? Take a guess. What is it? Take a guess.

I don't know, 2.20? 1.46. His post-season ERA, 1.46. He won his last six appearances in the post-season. including remember the game that he almost didn't pitch because people were saying he had the sniffles in Chicago. Yes. And he came out and he was absolutely dominant in that game four to force game five.

And then, you know, he came in obviously in relief of Scherzer in the wild card game against Milwaukee. Yes. Okay. This is a no-brainer. He's a Nats ring of honor member, right? I mean, yes, this is why I'm... He's not. He's not a Hall of Famer, but he'll go in the Nats,

whatever it's called, the Ring of Honor or... Do they have that? They've got that? Yeah, they have something like that. Yeah, Jason Worth is in it for God's sake. Of course he's going to be in it. He was the MVP of the World Series they have. Yes.

Yeah. It's a shame that his career did last long enough for him to be Hall fame consideration. It's just too short. The numbers are just too. Well, Tommy, he doesn't have one, he doesn't have one Cy Young. He doesn't even have close to a Cy Young season. Right? You're right.

I mean, I'm looking through it right now. Let me see where his best Cy Young final voting was. Actually, his last year, it might have been his best year. You mean in 2019. Finished fifth. Yeah. Finish fifth that year in the Sy Young voting. He finished third in 2017.

Okay. So won the series MVP in 2019, never really sniffed to Cy Young. I mean, in 2017, he finished third behind. Let me see where it is. Sy Young voting. Scherzer-Kershaw-Strasberg. It's the best he ever finished. with in terms of voting.

Finished with 81 votes. Max won it with 201 first place votes and Kershaw was second. He was 15 and 4 that year with a 2.52 ERA. It's an unfulfilled career from a fan perspective, given the hype and the way it started that night with 14 strikeouts against Pittsburgh. Well, yes and no. I mean, he won a World Series. I'm not so sure it's unfulfilled for fans.

I think that when... I think if you ask those fans that night, yeah. Would you have, would you, you know, have a limited Steven Strasbourg in exchange for a World Series title? I think 9 out of 10 would have said yes. Yeah, with a World Series title with him starring in it? Yeah.

I mean, I, well, you know, of course in 2010, you would have said, if Strasbourg doesn't live up to the hype, but Washington wins a World Series in the next 10 years. Would you take that? Yeah, but you were thinking at that point, Strasbourg, and they're going to have a number one ace, they're going to have a multi-time Cy Young Award winner, and because it's a pitcher, they're going to be a contender with him at some point.

By the way, I was thinking about this this morning. There was that stretch, and you and I were doing the show together back then, there was that stretch of Strasbourg and Harper, in terms of hype of players coming into a sport. I'm not talking about coming into this city, into a sport. The hype around Strasbourg, the hype around Harper, the hype around RG3, and really the hype around John Wall as well

when he was the first pick in the draft. We had a stretch of like three or four years there where we had in all, with the, we already had in Ovechkin, well, Ovechkin was a young player in 2010. You know, when Strasbourg came up. We had four of the youngest, most exciting. Their playoff run.

Yes. Up then under Ovechkin. Yeah, starting their playoff early exits, their playoff underachieving, which was 2010 against Halak and Montreal, if I recall, with the best record in hockey. But, yeah, I mean, I think Harper's lived up to it. I mean, he's a two-time MVP. I think he's lived up to the hype.

Yeah, I think Harper had. Okay. I think he has. Strasbourg hasn't, though. No. Yeah. And I think it's unfulfilled because of that. Okay.

I just, but you know what? It hurts because I've always liked him. What you just said, there's always been something likable about him. Even though there were times where it just seemed like he was always going to get hurt, and I understand that. But the dude rose to the occasion in their, in that postseason. season run for that franchise from 2012 through 2019. When they were in the postseason, what, five out of those seven seasons or five out of the eight seasons, and they won more games during that stretch of any National League team not named the Dodgers. They had a lot of big games

in October and a lot of series that fell short in game deciding, you know, game five specifically, you know, going back to the starting series against St. Louis. But that, dude was a badass horse. I mean, and I think it started, I think really that Chicago game was the game that turned it around because I don't think people felt that way about him, Tommy. Correct me if I'm wrong. I don't think people thought of Strasbourg as a clutch performer before that Chicago game, you know? That was the one that turned it around. Absolutely. He had big games. I mean, he pitched a gem against St. Louis. I remember the World Series year, pitched a gem against the Dodgers came in in relief in that Milwaukee game, and then forget about it in game six.

I mean, that's the last time we saw him healthy, and that's what clinched the MVP for him. In a game they had to have down three games to two, he was brilliant in that game. Remember, after the start in which they weren't really concerned, and who was the pitching coach that knew that some of his pitches were getting tipped a little bit, that he was tipping his pitch. is a little bit. Paul, what was his name? Oh, my God. Paul something. Yeah, why are we blanking on that? I don't want to say Paul Manafort.

No, it wasn't Paul Manafort. He may have been in jail at that point in 2019. Right. No, it was, oh my God. We'll come up with it here in a second. But they never, he talked to Davey, and he said, should we tell him? And they decided not to tell him. But Strasbourg figured it out on his own. and then mowed everybody down. Paul Menhart. Menhart, thank you. And he mowed everybody down

after giving up a run early and was brilliant. Yeah. So what do you think about these new baseball rules, some of these new things? I mean, do you want me to go through the list or do you know what they are? Well, I mean, so off the top of my head you have the pitch clock.

Yeah, so we knew the shift rule was coming. So the pitch clock, pitchers are going to have 15 seconds to throw a pitch with the base is empty, 20 seconds with a runner on base. Hitters will need to be in the batterers box with eight seconds on the pitch clock. Is this going to be tough to enforce? I mean, is there going to be a shot clock? Are we going to be able to see a shot clock? each stadium apparently is going to have clocks in the stadium,

but are we going to see that on TV? I think it'll be tough to enforce. I think what it does, it's a shame that Massen, the God-forsaken network that has the Nationals is only televising three nationals games this spring because spring training is must watch right now in baseball because they're implementing these rules right from the start. I mean, right from the first game of spring training.

Okay? So baseball is hoping by the time spring training is over, a lot of the kinks are worked out, and players are used to it. But there's going to be a lot of missteps along the way, which makes spring training very interesting. You know, pitchers can only throw over for pickoffs two times. Well, that's the next thing I was going to get to. On a runner.

Before I get to that, though, just wrote. If they throw over a third time, they have to pick the guy off. Real quickly, before we get to that, because I want to talk about that in more detail. Your position on the length of baseball games is what? Look, I would have just left everything alone, okay? And here's why. And this sounds very simplistic, but maybe that's because it's genius. They just had a story that said 17% of the people living in the United States are 65 years or older.

That's a 38% increase since 2010. Okay? The population is getting older. And if baseball appeals to an older population, just sit there and wait it out. They're going to come to you. You know? They're going to like to speak. speed of the baseball, and they're going to like the slowness of it, they're going to like the pace

of it, they're going to show up at the ballpark, and they're going to, they're not going to have been playing Nintendo anymore at home at the age of 65. They're not going to be watching the NBA, I can tell you that, at the age of 65. They'll go watch baseball games. So I would have just left everything alone and wait for this aging population to come around to me. That said, I don't have a big problem with everything that they're doing. I mean, I'm not a big, you know, oh, you can't do this. Even the extra inning thing where you have the Boatrunner. I hate that.

I know that. But you know who wanted it? The players wanted it. Oh, my God. I can't stand that. They don't like playing extra inning games. Well, they're still playing extra inning games. They're just starting.

Both teams have the same situation. a player on base. It's not like there's an advantage one way or the other. You've just increased the chance that you're going to score. So let me get to the pick-off thing, because I love the way that this rule is described. Pick-offs are one version of a, quote, disengagement, closed-quote,

which consists of any time the pitcher makes a pick-off attempt, fakes a pick-off, or simply steps off the rubber for any reason, as well as when the defense requests time. Pitchers are allowed two disengagement per plate appearance without penalty. The penalty is a balk when it happens on the third time. Okay? Unless you pick the guy off.

Unless you pick the guy off. Yes. So, I mean, look, that does get frustrating and you get all the booze from the fans, you get the fake pickoff, you get the, you know, two or three times he's thrown over there to make sure he holds them, you know, especially in a big leverage situation where, you know, you've got, you know, an out, and he's trying to get into scoring position and it's a really good base runner. I don't know, to me, that's always been part of the game, but it too seems like it's too few.

Like, I don't know, it seems to me like people are just initially pitchers are going to do it. like Russell Westbrook can't slow down when you get to the postseason. I think this new rule is going to take some real kind of, oh, my God, what's that rule again? How many times have I thrown over up? I just did it for a third time. I went to do it and then I acted like it was a fake, but it counted. And here we go. Runners are advancing.

You're going to see a lot more stolen bases, that's for sure. And they want that. But once there's two pickoffs, then the runner knows, well, he's not going to throw over a third time. Yeah, it's going to be a massive advantage. Then you get, why have they increased the base size from 15 inches to 18 inches? The increase in the size of the bases should reduce injuries while also they believe increasing the probability of stolen base attempts. So with the pick-off rule and with the stolen bait, with the big bags, they think that stolen. bases are going to increase?

Well, the bang, bang, bang, play got a little bang, bang, bang shorter. I mean, because the bases are bigger. The base you're trying to reach now at second base is a little bit closer than the one was before. It could be a

finger closer, but how many times have we seen, you know, replays of plays at second where basically it's just like a split second difference between touching a bag and not touching a bag. You know, these bases, they're like the size of a pizza box now. That's what I've heard, yeah.

They're not small. Yeah. Yeah. No, I think it, um, again, it's like 18 by 18. Watch spring training games, people, because they're going to be a lot, they'll be interesting to watch because they're going to have to work all this out now. Spring training is much more interesting this year. I mean, this sport has really tried to increase, um, the, or decrease the time of,

the length of the game and increase more exciting plays and take out more of the boring stuff. You know, the NFL's major change, true major change in recent years, was they decided that the extra point was too boring, so they moved it back. And in the hopes that more teams would go for two more often, and we have seen more two-point conversions, I don't think it's necessarily because of moving the PAT back to 37 yards. I think it's just the teams have gotten more aggressive. I mean, look, the Eagles with the way they run that quarterback sneak,

at this point, I don't think they need a kicker for PATs. They just need a field goal kicker. They should just run Jalen Hertz on a quarterback sneak from the two-yard line every single extra point to get two. Nobody can stop that play. But, man, baseball really, really has gone out. after tweaking their sport to create something that's better. I'm kind of with you.

I don't know. I guess in part it's not because I'm such a hardcore baseball guy that I'm not passionate, super passionate about any of these things. I can't stand the runner starting on second in the 10th inning. To me, that's kind of like gimmicky in the same way that penalty kicks is for my favorite sport of soccer. I'd rather just see them play, you know, an extra. sudden death period or, you know, another period of extra time.

Well, that way is gimmicky, that's for sure. It's like the, you know, the college football overtime rule. I hate the gimmicky stuff. Yeah, it is. It is. It's gimmicky. But anyway. All right.

Anything else? I got nothing else for you, boss. Really? Nothing else. Why? Did I forget something? Nope, you didn't. But I just wanted you to introduce you singing, tossing,

and turning. Okay. Okay. This is my latest karaoke appearance at Kenny D's, which I said is like so close to me that if I fell off my seventh floor balcony, I'd land on the roof of the place. And Wednesday night, karaoke's a big night there, and I've been going every Wednesday night, and I introduced the new song last week, and I brought it out again this week, Pawcett and and Turned by Bobby Lewis. It's a one-hit wonder. I never heard of Bobby Lewis. after this song. But it's a great tune, and I think I do a fantastic job of covering it myself. Stick till the end. You'll see the ovation that he got at the end. We'll finish it up that way. I'll be back tomorrow.