The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Anything Goes Friday! Joey Loperfido is Back!!!

Episode Date: February 13, 2026

Anything Goes Friday! Joey Loperfido is Back!!!

is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. It's a Joey Loperfito Friday on the Matt Thomas show at Ross. This is Sports Talk 790. So yes, folks, Ross got hard, then it got softened.

What? 713, 212, 5. Oh, Ross, there was a cloud over the city of Houston for a year plus. the Rockets Excuse me the Astros needed to make a move

To get some starting pitching And they said goodbye To one of their all-time goats When you think of the grades of astro history You think of a Bagwell You think of a Bijio You think of a Ryan, a Scott

A Wagner Jose Altube clearly Jacob Myers Jake Myers but there was something missing, Ross, in that whole mix, my friend. And his name was Joey Loporffito. A cloud has been lifted. The man that caused a firestorm when he was traded away.

Yes. Dana Brown is an idiot. He's the worst general manager in history. Joey Lopafito is back, baby. Let's go. He is back. He is nationwide. He is, we're celebrating.

In fact, what do we do all day today? We're just going to celebrate Joey at being Astra all day long. I think it's going to be four-hour Loporffito coverage. Well, frankly, it should be, instead of calling it the Toro District, if you're the Lopafito District. That's how popular he is.

Yes. He's the best. It's amazing. I'm sorry. You're going to save this franchise. I got news for you. What? If you decided to,

jump ships and end the Jake Myers fan club, your lower Profito club may be a little bit bigger. I'm not going to jump ship, but I mean, could this not signal that maybe Jakey's on his way out, along with ESOC? Yeah, I mean, first of all, let's put this down in order here of terms of priority. Dana just shipped a bunch of money to the Toronto Blue Jays.

I mean, low perfido makes what pennies in the dollar compared to what Hesu Sanchez made? League minimum, 7 million, so that would be, it would make sense that it is the precursor to likely an ESOC Paredes move, and who knows about Jake Myers? Are they ready for Jerry Loperfeito to be an everyday starter?

I don't think so. I don't think so. I think this is a fourth outfield move. But again, this is a money-saving move as probably a precursor to another move. That's just the vibe I'm getting. Yeah, that's what I do as well. All right, so again, HesuSanchez,

and by the way, the aster's, I give the Astros credit. You get won it bad as an Astro. You get a tribute tweet. They thanked Hesu Sanchez. They did? For what? Yeah, for his handful of games that he was relevant.

For the worst platoon splits in history? I mean, they didn't think him for his rot running. I didn't think him for his lack of clutch hitting. I mean, he had that great first week. Remember when he hit like a home run in his first game, right? I don't know that. He had like a couple home runs or something like that in his first week. And we're like, oh, my God, Hesu Sanchez is a real.

arrived. That's right. Well, here's the thing. All of our problems are solved. Do you do a Hesu Sanchez tribute video when the Blue Jays come to town? Oh, maybe. I mean, you got to keep that video department busy, I guess.

Yeah. I'll tell you what, if you ever want buddies in sports and you want to, like, have the inside knowledge on stuff, get involved with teams' video departments because they set this stuff up weeks in advance. They're like, hey, this may be coming down the pike here that there may be a tray we need to get something ready to go because

they don't just organically go hey we just heard a joey lo proffito is coming back or haysoot chan't is leaving uh can you can you draw something up can you whip some up real quick it's not like a scrambled egg omelet it's this thing was put together weeks ago not necessarily the tweet but i mean they get stuff in advance so in case it is a big move they can certainly have it ready to go on their social platforms almost immediately after the trades happen So that's a little hint. If you ever want to know who the Rockets are looking for, or for that matter, Texans or Astros and for agency,

buddy up with a member of their video department. Because they're like, here's what you could look like as Houston Astro. Or, man, imagine playing 41 home games at the Toyota Center and hearing the people scream your name. I mean, that's happened quite a bit over the years. I'm sure you could find a Chris Bosch in a Rocket Uniform video back on the Darry-Mori days. Don't you think?

They put it on the iPad. Yeah. That's back when iPads were cool. They're like, Darry Mory gave Chris Bosch an iPad. This is amazing. By the way, Sanchez... You use an iPad right now?

No. I have an Amazon Fire tablet that I sometimes use for reading. When there's like a book I want to buy and it's like $20 and then it's $6 on the pad, I buy it on the pad. Okay. So you're economical.

Yeah, no, but I like the physical reading, though. I like the book in my hand. But anyways Sanchez did not hit a home run in his first game It was a six-game hitting streak that he went on Basically when he got here And did we try to retire his number Do we have any air checks of us talking about that?

I don't think so Because then it was bad It was real bad Yeah All right This isn't anything goes Friday Rossi But it's really a low perfido Friday right It is a low proffito Friday

It sounds good, does it not? Yes I can't believe that Dana Brown fleeced the Toronto Blue Jays. They gave him up for Jesus Sanchez. Loperfito is the greatest outfielder in Astros history and all it cost you is Jesus Sanchez. Amazing. That's it.

And you save money too. Okay, so now you have to help me out a little bit because I do believe you've got good acumen on this. This is a precursor. I want you to explain what you think the precursor. is. I think it's a money-saving move so that they can take on more money when it comes to whatever's coming. I think something's happening where they're going to have to take on some salary and they want to stay under the tax. Because Dana Brown said this morning, as a matter of fact,

down in West Palm Beach, and we'll get an update from Gordy coming up at the bottom of the hour. He says, we're not done yet. He literally said his words, we are not done. So yes. I don't exactly have the crystal ball out calling this a precursor move Well, I didn't want to give you a little bit of shine before I said that No, that's fine, no I mean, well, I thought that before I saw those comments, but that's okay Yeah, when you shave money, that means you're probably trying to allocate that money towards something else Of course So that sounds like to me, Ross, that if Paredes is moved, that we're going to get somebody that's going to be somebody

somebody that's recognizable. Now, I don't think the Astros have hidden the fact. They're not moving Yosac Predates for prospects. They're moving somebody in to get in here right away. And I'm going to presume be a starter for this team, whatever that may be. Yeah. Obviously, the outfield. The reality is this.

You are now trying to gain arms and bodies and bats for the outfield because you must be, you are obviously bullish on Zach Cole. You did move Jacob Melton. You may not be super bullish still on Jake Myers. I mean, Lopofito can play all three outfield positions. I like, I'm not saying these are moves that are going to necessarily take this team from, say, an 88 win prospect to 104, but I love intrigue around this time of year. I think it's fascinating to me. Yeah.

I mean, this is, I mean, this late in the game for multiple trades being made seems pretty late. Well, I think we're seeing a trend. I mean, we've seen the Faradians signing later than later. I mean, remember back in the day, you'd always win the first day of Free Agency would come out. and it happens still in the NBA, but it doesn't happen so much in Major League Baseball. There are guys, I mean, usually at the winter meetings, it got done within days or during the winter meetings. And now we've seen, you know, Kyle Tucker signed late, Alex Bregman signed late, Framber Valdez just signed a week ago. Justin Verlander signed a couple of days ago.

And I'm just using a few examples, but it just feels like to me that the Ferry Agent calendar has moved way past the turn of the calendar year. Yeah, there's a couple calendars, and probably a lot of that has to do with Scott Boris. but just guys waiting and waiting and waiting. Yeah. Is Scott Boris have anything to do with Joy Lo Perfito? I don't know. I don't think so. Because we were looking for the Boris puns.

Well, that's true. Yeah. We're going to have to figure out which clients are his and maybe send him a few to help him out along the way because he's got to be up there in age. He can't be thinking about all this stuff organic. I wonder if he's got a if he has a pun writer in his office. He can afford everything else.

I mean, they're pretty weak. He needs a new writer. They're not good at all. Not good at all. All right, it is, and anything goes Friday, Ross, it's 713, 2,21, 570. 7190, 713, 2, 1, 2, 5, 790. I'm actually here in Dallas. My daughter is playing in one of her rare tournaments I get to go to because of the All-Star weekend.

And I said, you guys got to get out of the room while I do the show. And so they said, they're going shopping. So while I'm trying to earn money for the Thomas family, they're going to spend it right away. So I'm saying, Ross, you get a pretty good life path. You're used to that. I unfortunately I am on the show we'll have Gordy coming up at 1030 we have

I'm sorry he's at 1130 we have the news at noon non-flora stories at 130 and hell yeah or not have we done a Joey Lopoferino hell yeah or not I mean can you go back in the archives you don't want to do a joy he strikes out a lot believe it I mean it's a low perfeito Friday

yeah he's on the cover of MLB the show according to Astros fans not well that's actually believe it according to Astros fans yeah the Hope of Fredo Truthers are back, aren't they? Good for them, I guess. Because they have crushed Dana Brown for a year plus. We imagine how good this outfield be, and then we'd go look at the numbers.

Well, he's killing it for Buffalo and AAA. Although he didn't have a bad, what, a bad last two months, correct? Yeah, I think he was, yeah, and then he, I think he was left off the World Series right, not the, yeah, the roster, wasn't he? Yeah, there was some place. He might have been on that roster, yeah. Yeah, I can't remember. All right.

It's in anything goes Friday. 713, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2, 790. 7190, 7190, a lot about the Astros. and again we'll check in with Gordy. Also, the NBA handed out a massive fine yesterday to one of its teams will explain what they did. And a lot of the things going on.

Plus, Ross, we are taking your ideas for the Toro District of more restaurants we need. Have you been able to catch up on your Bridgeline geography since the big announcement that Cal McNair is excited to bring? Oh, my God. I kept watching the video over and over again. See my impression's not that off, is it? It's, God, I want to rip you for it because it sounds so far as gumpy,

but it's not far off. And it's so, what is it, what is the opposite of organic? Inorganic, is that right? Sure, one. Inorganic, yeah. Yeah, it's, it's like he's literally reading off a telepromp. There's no emotion, there's no extemporaneous style. He, he's just an awful public speaker.

And even his rehearsed stuff sounds like it's just like somebody else wrote it for him. And you know how when you read a teleprompter, when people read teleprompters, the smart ones, the polished ones can read it and it's in a conversational form. It's like he, well, you see his eyes move from left to right and then down the line. Left. I mean, you know what? Look, it's the right decision. It just is.

Bridgland's an area that's growing and he'll be doing just fine. And my guess is now that I've had a chance to think about it, that stadium's going to go out there. They're going to love Toral District and they're going to make it the Toro Dome or whatever they're going to hell they're going to call it. 7.13-212-790. Anything goes Friday here on Sports Talk 790. How are you? Matt and Ross with you here. Good morning.

Houston. We thank you very much for being a part of our show today. 7-13-212-5-7-90. The man that made the move today. Dana Brown sending Jesus Sanchez to Toronto. Joey Lopofito was back. Here's Dana on Lopis ready to return. He's fired him. He's, you know, it was very tough when he left here last time,

uh, when we traded him. And so, uh, very emotional for him. Uh, as I said, you know, we know all about the makeup and how special his makeup is, but to get a guy like this that's trending in the right direction with five years of control made it more appealing. And save money. Because I got to do something else. He's like, did you, did you see the contract? tracks guys? Come on. He's 26, so he's not a spring chicken. No, what do you mean? No, he's in, he's a young prospect, Matt.

I think he's a player. I don't think I would put the, it's funny, you put prospect in and automatically means that guy's going to be a future star. No, hopefully he is. He will be 27 in May. He had 96 at bats for the Blue Jay's last year. 96, gang.

I have a quick question, Matt. That's it. Can I find the Space Cowboys win total somewhere? I want to slam that over. The Space Cowboys might not lose a game. Well, how about this? They could have 420 game winners. They're coming after the 70 Orioles.

Well, whatever that was. Uliola and anybody else that is not going to make the wrong to come out. Miguel, Uiola. Jason Alexander might be down there. Jason Alexander's going to be carving them up down there. You know Lance McCullors Jr. might get a start there or two. I got one for you. How many no-hitters will AJ Blueball throw?

Dude, they're going to be stacked in AAA. Wait, wait, why did you mouth Loper Fito and Space Cowboys in the same conversation? That's not nice. I'm just asking a question. You're asking for a friend. I understand. Yeah, for a friend, can I get the space? Cowboys win total over somewhere.

What book What kind of shady book from Sri Lanka do I got to find to get that posted? You know what? If you can find a space cowboy prop, we'll actually give them a sponsor plug. Is that fair? Absolutely. We normally don't do that. Here's Joe's spot on Lopaphafito's

return. Obviously, when Joey came up in 24, we, you know, super excited about what this kid can do on the baseball field. and what it strikes me more is that he's trending in the right direction. Offensively, he made some changes last year where strikeout rate went down 10%. He hitting balls hard. He's staying in the zone.

And it's a pretty dynamic defender too. Can play some center field. Immediately think about that play that he made in Minnesota against the wall. It was a huge play at the time. So he brings a lot of good things to the table. So we're excited to have him back. All right, here we go, Ross, now that I'm taking what you just said a minute ago and thinking about a bet. Yes.

We're going to, people love our bets, and I don't know why, but it's just funny. We're going to bet chips and queso. Okay. Okay. Okay. You get either side. Does lopor feto, not injury-related, take a plate appearance. I don't know that.

It's literally a plate appearance for the space cap. Cowboys in 2026. Either side is yours for chips and queso. Now, right now I would say no, but if they trade for an outfielder, it is possible. Let me think I'd have to put, let me, let me, I need a second.

Don't give an answer right now. Okay, good. I understand. I get the Astros roster up. I mean, he's got to be out Zach Cole, and if Jake Myers is still, he's left-handed. He bats left-handed, right? And so does Zach Cole?

Yes. He throws right, bats left, yes. What? throws right, bats left. Yeah. That's rare, but it seems like it's been happening a lot on the Astros lately. Oh, let me think of the outfield depth. Okay, Sanchez is gone, but that's a swap.

We're doing this live on there. You want to wait a few more. Hey, well, let's give me to the next break. My initial inclination is yes. You mean, oh, so you, again, there's no odds on this either way. It's either he plays for a spades, And again, if he's going on an injury or assignment, that doesn't count. But a strict send-down.

But like I said, Dana Brown said he's not done. So I still think whatever you get back is going to involve. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. He trades for an outfielder or even two, which I don't think is going to have. I think one outfielder is coming. It just feels, and that's a good feeling. Yeah. Yeah.

I'm not trying to talk you either way. I'm going to use the option. Either way you can have it. Chips and Koso. Oh, you got Zach DeZenzo, too? Hey, you got DeZenzo and Lopito. We get the Italian legends. Let me tell you, that is a great, it's, let's go to, let's see, Z&L's Italian Bistro.

Yeah. It's, it's, it's, oh man, L and Z's. Wait a think about this. Lorenzo's? You just call it DeZenzos. That sounds like a good Italian joint. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And then if you want a, like, a sub sandwich with Marin Aaron type, it's a Lopepepito.

It's the Lo Prophito special. I like them. And they're going to put it in the Toro District. They could. You're going to drive a long way to get you a Lo Perfito. Okay, Cam Smith, Zach Cole, Jake Myers is still here. I love this. You're mulling this over. This is awesome.

Dezenzo. Who is better? Joey Lopofito or Zach DeZenzo? I would lean Lopo. But again, we haven't seen him in a year and a half. Not that we're spent a lot of time watching Blue J baseball. Well, we were in the World Series, but that's on a hero there. Just think about it.

Mull it over. I will say, you know what, my lean is yes, but give me a minute. Okay. 713-212-579. It is in anything that goes Friday. It is Sports Talk 790. 7-1-3-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-7-90.

Ross, we have an ABS system in format now for 2026. I want to run three through some of the particular. particulars on that with you. See what you think on that. And Ross, I'm going to lose a gut feeling it appears about the college football playoff. And as soon as I said it, you told me immediately.

I told you. Get off of this. I didn't. So I'm going to take a loss. We'll discuss that. We've got the NBA big fine to get to. And of course, Joey is back. 1028, Sports Talk 790.

Let's spend a few minutes with our buddy, Chris Gordy. He is in Florida and we will inherit the coverage beginning Monday from West Palm Beach. Ross and I will be there Monday Tuesday Wednesday right now. Gordy is there and he is courtesy of

Willie's Ice House. Chris tell me how the day went. Did you get to the stadium and go, oh by the way, there's a trade how did the whole thing go in terms of connecting the dots here that Joey Lofito is now wearing Astro gear again? Yeah I mean we did the normal clubhouse

thing. I interviewed some of the guys this morning and we were waiting outside for Joe Spotted to do as normally scheduled, you know, press, you know, availability. And here comes Dana Brown walking up, and we're like what. And Gene Dice with the Astros communication team says, hey, guys, Dana Brown has an announcement he wants to make. And we go, whoa, okay, something went down. And when he says, we made a trade, we're all taking immediately. Oh, Esoc Paratus. They moved him.

And when he says, we've traded Hazer Sanchez, you went, oh, okay. well, what's this going to be? And when he said, Joey Loprfito, I think everybody signed this one up, like, wow, okay. Yeah, an interesting move. I mean, I think maybe speaks to the lack of, you know, depth in the outfield as far as, you know, guys with a ton of experience. So we know how high they were on him before. Obviously, he was a fan favorite, almost probably too much. I know Ross used to, you know, poke fun at some of the fans that acted like he was the next coming

of Mickey Mantle, but it's good to have him back in the system. And obviously in the small sample size, he played last year, I think about 60, 60 games. His average was good. I mean, the numbers look good. So he'll be a welcome addition. Now, I'm automatically penciling him into the everyday lineup. Is he going to be in the opening day lineup for opening day? I don't know.

He's going to have to go earn that. But, you know, Jake Myers, I just saw him a few minutes ago. He's here in camp. And obviously, as long as Jake Myers is on this team, he's the, everyday center fielder. Well, I'll say this. We've talked about this almost in the jump, and I'm sure you guys assume the same thing.

This is just part one of, and even Dana alluded to it, not alluded to it, he said it, we're not done yet. This feels like this was a salary dump for sure to open up some space. So if I'm an Esoc Paredes fan, I wouldn't be going to buy a 2026 jersey with his name on the back of it. Correct. And Dana said, I mean, he said we're not done yet, multiple times.

And he said it again when he walked off from the media session. We're not done. Okay, we get it. I mean, you might as well put it in bright lights on the marquee. We get, you're not done. So, yeah, and it seems like, look, Monday's the day where all the position players are supposed to report, let's not make this awkward.

If you're trading this Paratus, let's get that done before Monday, before it makes it awkward, and he's got to go, you know, go to his locker and clean it out and all that kind of stuff. So I would expect, yeah, they're going to move him. Now, what will you get? I mean, I think you've, you feel pretty good about all the arms you have here.

So, you know, are you just dumping him for some minor league pieces? I still think backup catcher, and I almost say platoon catcher, is still a need here. Nothing against Zazar, but I just don't know if you want to rely on him to play, you know, almost 50% of the games with Yonar Diaz. We know Yonar Diaz last year in his production slipping that, you know, you'd like to maybe get him off his feet a little bit more. So I don't know.

It'll be interesting. I would still say catcher is still a need. And if there's another piece to be at, whether it's another outfielder or something like that, I think they'll make that move. Hey, Ross, I think Gordy brings up a good point. When we get down to Florida on Monday, do you think ESSach Predis will be in gear,

even if he's not officially traded by then? Think about that for a minute. I mean, you do want to end some awkwardness, but he does need to get ready for the season, no matter who he's playing for. I'm going to gut feeling that he's going to be gone by then. because it feels like something imminently is happening with this first move, right? I think when you guys hit the air on Monday at 10 a.m.

It needs to be Parades Update. We're on Parades Watch. By the way, boys, we will have a new update next week debut here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. I haven't even told you, Ross, what it is. And Gordy doesn't know yet yet, but I'm going to save it for next week. Okay. I give you a massive hint right now. Gordy, would you shooting video of Josh Hader throwing a baseball today?

Oh, no. I was, yes. He looked good still. They call it playing catch, but he's actually throwing. So I don't know why you say playing catch. I'm more concerned with when he throws the ball as opposed to when he catches it. But yeah, I mean, off flat ground, still not, you know, high velocity. But, I mean, he was out there for a while throwing.

So concern level for him, I'd put it at two right now. I think he's going to be fine. he's just a little bit behind schedule. All right. You say two, meaning two on a scale of one to ten for the start of the season, or two as in, I don't think this is going to be something that's going to be lingering all season long? Yeah, the latter, but, I mean, look, if the season starts in two weeks in, he gets in there, will we even remember that he didn't start the season?

I mean, you know, I think they can survive a couple of weeks without him. All right, Chris Gordon, with us down in West Palm Beach. Jeremy Payne spoke today, too. What was he up to? Yeah, I mean, just, you know, Jeremy's not the most talkative guy, but talked about just, you know, his offseason and getting ready. And obviously one of the big storylines he got engaged and his fiance is an athlete as well. And he said he went to some of her soccer games and was just a fan sitting in the stands, eating a hot dog, yelling at the reps or umpires, whatever. So, you know, so it was kind of fun to hear that side of him.

But looks in great shape. I mean, look, it's the thing we always say when we get down here. but I mean, Jeremy Payne is always in great shape. Says he still wants to be in that lead-off spot. Obviously, Joe's spot his decision, but he's played extremely well there in that lead-off spot last year, so I'd expect more of the same. Maybe it wasn't the time or the place, so I completely understand it. Was there any talk of, and this may be more of a question for Dana,

any thought of Jeremy visiting with the folks about extensions during the off season? Was that even brought up in conversation? No, there's been no extension talk on anybody. far. He did bring up that a year ago he brought up to them that he wanted to play in the world baseball classic and said that was something really important to him. So obviously that, you know, he's going to go

do that. But yeah, I mean, it's the elephant in the room. Hunter Brown, Jeremy Pena. I mean, a lot of these guys, it just seems like, man, you'd love to start talking long-term extension with any of those guys that are pillars because the Aster's have said goodbye

to so many of their pillars in recent years. It's funny, Ross. I don't think the Astors are hiding the fact that they don't want their players playing in the World Baseball Classic. Even Bad Bunny was ready to pay the insurance on it. He was? I think so. I think Bad Bunny wanted to see Jeremy wearing the Puerto Rico gear. Well, they said it was an insurance issue.

So I don't know. Yeah, I mean, I think that Bad Bunny was like, I'm doing some, I'm doing okay money-wise. I think I've had 95 billion downloads. Yeah, he's doing quite well. when you beat Taylor Swift and songs listening on Spotify, I think you're doing okay. Yeah. So, all right, what else going on for me?

Let you roll. Just got to see Lance McCullors throw aside today, and he looks good. I mean, you know, this might be the first spring in a while that Lance McCullors is healthy and ready to go for the start of spring training. And I know people roll their eyes when you say his name, but he looks good. He was throwing well.

Good. The signature, you know, signature Lance McCullors, you know, look when he throws. throws the baseball, started hard. So I'm encouraged. I know he's got a chip on his shoulder, and he wants to get out there and prove everybody wrong. Another one, Nate Pearson, we got the see-throat today.

That was one of the off-season acquisitions that you had an elbow clean up a couple weeks ago, but he was thrown and thrown pretty hard. And, you know, the other thing is so cool to see guys, too, is I was standing next to Tatsuya Amai as he watched him. And Amai is really just like, he's putting himself around every player, trying to get to know everybody. and obviously there's a language barrier there, but his translator is with him. AJ Blueball was trying to, you know, asking him, hey, what does this mean?

You know, how do I say this in Japanese? So it's just kind of cool. It's the first kind of, you know, real big international signing the asteros have had in quite some time. And so it's just kind of cool to see that. A guy like that who's very down-to-earth, very humble, kind of assimilate himself and with the rest of the group. Does he have a foreign media contingent with him, too? Oh, yeah. Yeah, he is got, I mean, it's, I may actually ask the dozen or so Japanese media map to follow you around when you get here to make you feel more important because everywhere he goes.

I mean, he's going to the bathroom. They're like, oh, oh, get your camera, get your camera. And they're running and following him around. So it's pretty funny to watch. Yeah, but you do that with SEC players. So that's something out of the norm. I think I only do that with Nick Saven. Oh, he's going to the bathroom.

He's good. Get up, get up, go. All right. You're coming home today, right? Or you coming home tomorrow. What are you going to do? Are you chilling out for West Palm for the weekend? we're going to find you there or what's going on what's your travel schedule about how much vacation time you get left

i'm actually on a plan going to new orleans for a day or so and then and then i'll be back in houston on monday so yeah i'm going to go straight from uh from baseball to uh debauchery of new orleans and martygravee's all right and uh when you get back to houston you're going to get some crawfish i'm assuming yes yes the sun is out it is warming up and it's time for crawfish season get on over to willie's uh ice house and grill and of course uh multiple locations all around Houston. So crawf fish season. Get over to Willys and appreciate them presenting all our covers this week on Sports Talk 790. Thank you for your hard work friend. We'll look forward to catching up with you and we get back to town next week. Thanks for the time. All right. That's Chris Gordy with us here from West Palm Beach where Ross, you and I will be there Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.

Are you bringing, what do you bring in for gear? Like, what are you wearing? I'm going to bring a raincoat and maybe one light jacket. It's supposed to get, I think 60s at night and like 75 during the day. So we're supposed to be pretty good. But didn't it rain. It rained last year or the year before. It was raining on us. So I want to make sure I bring my raincoat. Yeah. Are we outside or I didn't even know where I asked or did tell us where our broadcast position was. Remember we used to have wind issues and our equipment would fly over? Oh, that was good times. Not great times. I was, I mean, let me look at the West Palm Beach weather. Let me look at look at the 10 day for you, Matt. We'll do it during the break. All right. It is anything goes Friday here on Sports Talk 790. 7.713-212.

5707190. 713 212 5790 if you want to follow us on Twitter. Coming up Monday there's a 90% chance of rain. Shut up. Yeah, bring a raincoat. Got to be a high of 82 lows in the 60s.

Are you serious? 90% chance? That's Monday. It can change. It's Friday. 48 hours out. It can change. We'll be fine. Maybe or maybe not. We're going to get rained on. I'm just afraid of lightning. You know how me and Chaz are about our lightning out there. Inside in that little meeting room, it's fine.

Where I go and steal their M&Ms in the kitchen. Maybe that's the reason why we don't get to go there anymore because we got sent inside and then there's like, there's hot Danish that were for the regular Astro staff. It was a big bag of those caramel M&Ms. I would take a handful every morning. I like it. They're so good.

Anything goes Friday. Continue 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. Ross, you want to talk ABS or college football playoff a proposal? What do you want to get to do? I don't know. Which one were you? wronger on. College football playoff.

All right. Let's do that then. 1046 on 790. Oh, Perfito Friday on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. We'll get to more on that as the aster's are starting to make some more moves. Other things to get to, including a massive NBA fine. The Texans receive some good news. They're not a part of something, Ross, that every other team in the NFL is. And I'm not talking about Super Bowl Sunday.

Okay. So keep on that. But, all right. I was always a proponent of if you were going to expand the CFP to 16 teams. 16 just sounds like a good number. 24 sounds ridiculous. And I said as much. But apparently there is, in our story this morning on ESPN,

there is incredible interest, and it sounds like more acceptance to a 24-team format. Go ahead. No, I mean, look, on its face, I told you, I agree with you in principle. Thank you at least. But I said I will never, my words were that I will never underestimate the greed of these colleges and these presidents and these athletic directors. And more games equals more money. And the FCS playoffs, didn't we, what was really opening for me is when we looked at the, I think the FCS playoffs are 20. right?

Or at least 20. They're 20 or 24 or something like that. So once, I mean, if it's these nonprofit teams that aren't even making money, of course they're going to do it when it's when it's where they are can't, they can make money. Because the argument of, oh, they need to stay in school, goes out the window. It went out the window a long time ago. But, I mean, it's just, it's all about the money. And as I said, I never underestimate the greed of any of the. And that's bad thing was for basketball, baseball, football.

It's just everything is more, more, more, more, more. And that's the way of the world. And I understand that. And it works even like that in sports, where it's all about the money. And the players will get their share of this too. I mean, I'm sure there's a component for that. Some of it, yeah. Better more than they used to, which is great.

Yep. Let me give you the component of this. 24 teams will comprise the 23 best teams in the country and one spot for the group of six. Okay. So the only guarantee in the group is there it'll be among the 24, there'll be one group of six. Okay.

No automatic qualifiers, by the way. So it's just straight up, who's the best? I've been arguing for that for a long time. Okay. Top eight teams, get buys. There would then be eight first round games on campus, and then an extra week of home games with eight six. second round games put on campus. Remember we were talking about how awesome campuses were?

So you get two rounds of on campus. You've got to be on board with that. I'm not opposed to that. No, again, more games on campus, the better. Then you would then go from there. The quarterfinals would fall on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day at Bull Sites. The semifinal games would be the following week at Bull Sites. There would be a mid-January title game at a neutral site. the preference in this 2014 model is that there would be no regular season rematches would be permitted in the first round but games between league foes could be played

if they didn't play in the regular season. All right. That seems a little... It seems like a good idea. You could play them. It seems like a good idea, but I think you can get rid of that. Unless they literally just...

I don't know. I don't have a problem with rematches. Yeah. So let's say, say that this 24 team format was in play this past year. Yeah, you got the bracket? Okay.

Seven SEC teams will be in it. Hey, U of H. Six Big Ten, five Big 12, which would include Houston, three ACC, Notre Dame, and two group of six,

which obviously would have been, what, James Madison and Tulane. Tulane, baby. Now, the big thing they have to figure out is they got to to wiggle themselves around the NFL because Ross is

as awesome as these playoff game sound, you put the Chargers against the Panthers on opposite a playoff game and the Chargers Panthers, regular season games are going to be the playoff game. It's just, pro football just is number one over everything. So they're going to have to really sit and think

about this calendar and try to put it around days where, I mean, there could be some Wednesday games, my guess, right? What? Because, you know, Fridays and Saturdays, you probably are occupied by pro football games. I mean, the NFL is going to expand their schedule 18 games. They're going to add a package of games, right? I think to some extent, especially there's so many first round games, they're

just going to have to go a little head to head. Because look, I mean, 5 million people watching USC, Arizona, which would have been a matchup instead of zero million, is more eyeballs, it's more sponsorships, it's more money. I think you're going to have to bite the bullet a little bit, right? I don't think you can't have it be playing every Wednesday and they are like puddle, jumping around all the puddles of the NFL. they did that this year, but it feels like when you add this mini-games,

it's going to be impossible. There is one college football game that kind of gets its own marquee, and maybe it's for the right reasons because it's one of those things that tugs at your heartstrings, but they're going to play the same weekend as Army Navy.

Army Navy is going to be kicked at the curb. What if they're in it? I don't know how... What if they're in it? That's going to make things more confusing. Maybe they're going to have to move Army Navy. Maybe they will. Maybe move, I mean, maybe to week zero, honestly.

Oh, it's supposed to be a winner. I know. August 21st in Baltimore seems lonely. How about give them an auto bid? And whichever team wins is in the next round. No, I'm just kidding. That's what you want to do now? Because we're America, all right?

We've got to honor our serviceman, Matt. Excuse me. Air Force is raising their hand. What about us? Eh, you're good. All right. Let's get the second hour of the Matt Thomas show with Ross underway here in a matter of moments.

If you'd like to join us, it is, and anything goes Friday. We've got Terry and Stunner, I want to get in. If you want to join the conversation, we'll start taking your calls. We have I'm sorry's Rossi coming up in a half an hour. And I feel like this segment of I'm sorry should be just called the Ross segment. Because it's just, there's a lot of things over the course of the week that I shake my head at. What? I'm dismayed.

I'm disappointed. I don't even remember what I need to be sorry about. I'm going to start writing it down. Jonathan, that's something to add something to your plate. Every time Ross is something rude, write it down so he can apologize for it. Okay. You know, I can do that. Hey, why is he so eager about that?

I want to make sure. I'm trying to help Jonathan's career, though. He knows. 10.58 on Sports Talk, 7-9. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. That was a moonshot to write Bill deep into the seats. Lo Perfito out of the nine hole. That is dangerous.

Back again. Say he's back. Lopee's back. Yes, he's back. I'm excited You remember there were people crying Oh is it Loper Fito was crying Somebody was crying when he got

It was Lopi they cried right? I think you did You know what, it's okay It's an emotional guy I mean I look I cried daily and myself I don't know daily but Okay

That's great You know what crying is healthy Matt Oh my God It's in a release of emotion Yes it's good I encourage everyone to cry. Yes.

Not on our show, but just in cry in general. Some people cry about the show, but that's okay. Oh, yeah. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. Lopee is back. We don't call them Lopi, do me.

I don't want to do that. Guess who's back? Lope. Lopes is back. Fido? What about Fido? Just Joey's back. I love friend. Keep going.

Guess who's back? Guess who's back? Jonathan, hear it. Come on. Let's let Ross do a little freestyle here. That's it. No, good.

Wait a minute. I freest out for like two years in a morning show. Yeah, not on a rap beat. This is high tempo. I need a little one-up. Come on.

This is your time, Ross, to shine. Sure, why not? Guess who's back? Back again. Lopee's back. Tell a friend. Guess who's back?

Guess who's back? Guess who's back? The whiffers back. Guess he's back. And he's got great hair. And he's back. Making catches at the wall. Robin hearts.

Stealing your soul. See, I got it going. Swing and missing. At baseball. That's enough from you. What? No, no, no. No.

No. What? Optimism. He's got a high whiff percentage. I didn't make that up. Check the numbers. Don't get mad at me. Get mad at him for whiffing and everything.

He's a more mature player now. Okay. On the phones we go. That's why he was just traded for Jesus Sanchez. Again, shout out to the Astro Social and Media Department. They said thank you, Jesus, for your two months. Appreciate you, Jesus. Gone but not forgotten.

Astros a legend. Who else got goodbyes of two months? Brandon what's his face at second base? Brendan Rogers. Brendan Rogers. Yeah, poor guy. Didn't he fracture his orbital bone or something and running into somebody in the minor leagues?

He was trying to come back. He was talking about how the ball landed on his head, I thought, right? No, the ball didn't land on his head. He's not Charlie Brown. Come on, man. He's a major league. He's a gold glover, Matt. I think he ran into somebody running after a ball or something like that.

Yeah, like a Caleb Ork get a farewell tweet too? Wait, he's gone? Yeah, I think he did actually. Yeah, he's 30, Caleb Orch's 34 years old. Jesus. I like Caleb Ort.

He was a hoss. He'd come out there throwing 99 miles an hour. Now, sometimes he'd get shelled, but it was still fun. Yeah, he was claimed in January by the Los Angeles Angels. Yeah, I knew that. No, I knew he got let go,

but I didn't remember where he was. Well, now you know. tell your friends today. Hey, I know where Caleb Ward is. Hey, guys, it's time for Caleb Ward trivia, folks. No, it's not. By the way, is Hellyer or not Friday the 13th today? No.

It's got to be it, right? I'm good. No, it's not Joe La Perfito. It's Hazer Lepard. I don't know. You're not doing eight questions about Jesus Sanchez. Let's skip it. I'm tired.

We're skipping it all next week. Okay. All these Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I mean, you can give us one more quality. You're somebody brought it up. We need Florida stories. Somebody brought up next week. Oh, that's next week.

Yeah, we're going to be in Florida. When we're in the state. That's exactly right. Stana on 7'9. Good morning, Senna. What's up? Matt, and what's up, Ross? How y'all doing today?

Amazing. Well, that's good. Well, hey, man. I was calling about the college line up the playoffs. or they're going to have it designated for who can actually make what section? Because last year, did nobody know about that, I guess, that small school getting in, where the two small schools getting in, even though they had pretty good records.

But it was kind of a, I think, a blind-sided hit for some of the big schools, especially Texas. You know. I can't comprehend what you just said. I'm saying that Texas or some of the Notre Dame kind of got blindsided with the actual automatic bids for the smaller schools, which they really get killed. In this new run, if they go to 24 teams, if what's being proposed is going to happen, there will be no automatic. It'll be the 23 best teams, and the only automatic will be one group of 16 will be guaranteed in. Right, right, because when they came up with that final thing and said, hey, you got two smaller schools going in. I knew Texas was out there.

So it was no way they was going to get in. And one other thing, hey, man, I got a thing to tell you, when your daughter graduated at Dikin Park, man, you're going to have to worry about that freaking parking, man, because they charge us at NRG like I'm. that I could tell you bone man you almost set out the ass didn't you didn't you stony you almost set out the ass didn't you hey I had to pull it back in I understand thank you sonna hey sonna thank you for the good word my man I have a good weekend I appreciate listening I'm going to be staying at a hotel that night because we got to be there super early so I don't know if the parking at the hotel will be any cheaper but my guess is it won't you know it is it is my daughter's graduation I'm going to worry about a $40 parking

Oh, you guys are getting got. I want our parking's going to be like in the Toro District. I still like Toro Town better. I just like it better than I, but I want to be respectful. Parking is probably going to be scarce and expensive. That's all these town centers. Nah, that's not all of them. That's not fair.

It was free parking garages, that a lot of them. Welcome to Toro District. Oh, you could have like the valet section, which would be the McNair. McNair section and then you can be in the very top level which is Cal, what Cal hangs out and puts his big trucks and stuff. Yeah, but can you even get up in the garage

with your lifted truck? I don't know. It can be an issue. Cal's got to be the other than time. I know Adam Klanz been running into issues. Yeah, he was getting more damage to our vehicles at the office is at our space. I think he had to write some sternly worded letters to the garage folks.

Did he really? Do you have copies of this? No, I think he got any of our... I don't want to put his business out there. Oh, come on. He can't go up the garage, so he has to park in the basement, which is visitors. But then they're like, you can't park in visitors. If you're an employee, it's for visitors only. But there's like 50 spots and only three of them are used.

So it's like, shut your bum ass up. Let me tell you something. Our security at our building, they're mean people. You can talk about that short, bald guy? They're all mean. He's got Napoleon syndrome. First of all, a lot of times, like security guards, I love y'all. But there are security guards who got Napoleon syndrome.

and they're like, you know, like referees or umpires, like you want some authority and you want to exercise that authority. Or some police officers. And so, yeah, this guy is like acting like he were, like he's a super CIA spy watching me park in the visitors. Because the regular parking is, is walled off and I can't get up there. And he's out there getting his notepad. Like he's CIA intelligence.

And then I get an email, you've been parking in the visitors. You can't. First, there's 75 spots in there, and they're all there. And they're 70 of them are vacant. I can't park in the visitors when there's literal cones in the regular garage and I can't go to the visitors. Shut your bum asses up. Love it. My favorite is when they say, can I help you?

And I always say, no, but thank you. Because they want me to respond with. They want you to sign in. Look, they're security guards. They want safety and all that type of stuff. That's great. You're on a power trip. Sorry.

They just are. Well, some of them, yes. Not everyone. Most of them are mostly very cordial and nice. James, I like the late weekend guys. They don't care. Yeah, they're like, man, I'm making eight bucks an hour. I'm just a little relaxing. I'm going to watch you some Wheel of Fortune on Saturday. They're watching the Lakers and the Clippers. They don't care what I'm doing. That's right. James, you're on 790. Go ahead.

Yeah, I have a vision for this sports program of years. You said you wanted to give Jonathan some more responsibility and further his career. Why don't you have a segment that just called the G-Man, Jonathan Allen. And every week he comes on Tuesdays or whatever week. You can give him five minutes. He talks about nothing but the gamblers. That way, you don't have talked about the gamblers.

713-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-7-90. It is the Matt Thomas show at Ross. So I took the loss Ross on the CFP. Not yet. There's time. Even though you said never, ever, ever in your life. more than 16.

Can I hold on to that, please? And it's been two weeks. You know, never, ever, ever, in my life. This is a story. Two weeks later. It's just a story. It doesn't mean this gospel yet. You're right.

I'm taking the L. I know it. Sometimes you've got to take the L and you just know that's going to happen. It happens. All right. Sometimes you've got to get the W. You know what that means? Get into a win. You have a W like James?

Uh, well, I mean, yeah. It's not a bad pull on that. By the way, the name of the next segment for Jonathan will be called This Week with Hognuts. That's what the same segment would be. Oh, man, what a classic. We've got to save these classic segments and, like, just roll them on days we're off or something. I don't care. Yeah, we can do it.

Yeah, we can do that. Anything Goes here on Sports Talk 790, and anything goes Friday. 713-212-5-790. 7-13-21-2-5-790. A lot of focus. in the Texans organization are very excited about Toro District. I like Toro Town better, but like I said, I need to be respectful. Here's where you should be very excited also, Ross,

because we have word that the Epstein Files has a list of people associated with NFL teams. Did you see this? No, you're not in the files, are you? I am not in the files. Okay, good. Apparently, 18 different commanders are in the Epstein files. Commanders players? What does this mean?

It says this is from Luke Christensen. NFL teams ranked by number of appearances in the Epstein files. What does that mean? It could be probably anybody. It could be front office ownership, could be players. I mean, I'm presuming it's everybody. Commanders leads to the group at 18. Niners are second at 17.

The Patriots are third at 14. dolphins are tied with the Jets at 13 at 4th, and the Cowboys are in a three-way tie at 7 with the Broncos and the Bears. Every team in the NFL is mentioned in the Epstein files, except for one. It is your beloved Houston Texans. That's great. You can say what you want.

And also, I mean, well, how long do these files go back? I couldn't tell you. Okay. Now, do you sell that on? Hey, everybody, we want a new stadium. We weren't in the Epstein files, support us? You put that in the Ring of Honor. Zero Epstein.

You do not. Oh, my God. Could you imagine? No, you put you, you put a banner out there. Yeah. Not mentioned in the Epstein files. There's only one team that can put that up there. It's something.

Nobody else can say it. Say certainly, haven't even. Remember what everyone made of fun of the cults for putting like the A. FC Championship game participant banner. Texans can't even do that. No, you know what they can do? Epstein non-participant.

Yeah. Kind of a, like, who, can we read the Epstein files now? Is it for, I mean, how does, just, well, they're heavily redacted. So we don't even know necessarily, there are mentioned of players, of teams, but you don't know if it's players or coaches

or administrator or stuff like that. No. That's just weird. Does that startle you that there are so many sports references in this? thing? No, I was startled. I wouldn't say startled. I'm not surprised. Okay.

I mean, I know there would be politicians, clearly. There would be influential business people. There would be celebrities. Yes. I guess athletes. He was in West Palm Beach, wasn't he? Yeah, that's where, not far from West Palm Beach is where the owner of the Patriots was involved with his extra cricket activities.

Oh, yeah. That's different. I think. I don't think Epstein was involved in that. No. No, I'm just talking about it. Didn't Epstein have a house in West Palm Beach? I don't know enough about it. I don't want to tell you one. Because I watched, I started to watch a documentary, but it was so bad. Like the things and the atrocities committed by Jeffrey Epstein.

For sure. I got so uncomfortable. I couldn't finish it. I had to stop watching it. Yeah. It's nothing worth making light up, but it's just interesting that there were 31 NFL teams that were mentioned. That in itself would, if you had said to me, you know there are 31 teams? mentioned? I've been like, come on, what? 31 teams? Are these mentions, like, these are employees, or these are people or players or there's like, hey, we're just talking Texans

football? Because then it's sad if they're not mentioned in there at all. Because I think a lot of the emails are just regular daily emails, right? It could also be, hey, we went to a game between the Giants and the Eagles, and that could be a mention. Yeah, I don't know. No mention.

All right. You ready for another ridiculous thing? Yes. So the NBA is trying to crack down on tanking. The Utah Jazz sat healthy players that had already played in the game and sat them for large chunks of the fourth quarter when they would ultimately lose.

One time they lost, one time they won. And they've done it a few times. So the NBA yesterday fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and said, don't you do this? You're arresting healthy players in the middle of the game when you were either leading or competitive, you sat them for the fourth quarter because you're trying to tank. You know what the Utah Jazz said in return, Rossi?

I'm just, I'm just speculating. Should you go mess up? No, here's a check. Yeah. Go ahead. They're fining them $500,000, and then Commissioner Adam Sover said, look, if we're going to come after you again, we're going to take away your draft picks.

Really? Yes. What draft picks? Like, you only get two? In theory, he may be, he, he, it might be so severe there if you, if they continue to have been tanking like this, they may take the pick they're trying to tank four. That isn't the preposterous thing of it. That seems a pretty insane. That is insane.

What's the insane part is he's trying to create Adam and again, maybe this is Adam Silver just, you know, you ever work with anybody in your life that just throws bad ideas one at you day after day after day? No. Me either. He's now contemplating, at least as being talked about in the NBA circles, a let's have an end-of-season tournament for teams that don't make the playoffs, and if you win that, you get a higher draft pick. I think that's pretty funny. Do you know where the illogic is in that?

Where? So you're going to ask a bunch of guys to play hard for you. For their replacement. So they're for their replacement. That's pretty funny. You pay him. Just pay him extra game checks. And I would imagine players who are on long-term contracts are going to want to play hard.

They want the team to improve. It feels like to me Adam Silver is, and I love the NBA. And look, the owners love him because he just signed a $10 billion television deal with a bunch of networks. And streaming services. And streaming services. Get that Bezos check is not. Nice, Maddie. I mean, it's a

Rossi, it's a great check. So all the other stuff on the side, the owners are probably saying, that's just Adam being Adam. But it feels like so many of the things he's trying just ain't panning out. He keeps trying to reinvent the All-Star game. It ain't working out.

The in-season tournament doesn't have any luster at all except the teams that are actually at the in-season tournament. He's trying to create this maybe potential get-together where the worst teams fight for for better draft picks.

It just feels like that he's the, is he the bad idea guy in the room? I don't think, I mean, the in season tournament, what are the returns on that? What does it cost him and what is it? I think it's fine. It's only one extra game, right, for most people? No, it's for only one extra game for two teams.

That's it. They're part of your 82 games. I'm saying, yeah, I guess I said that, incorrectly. He was looking for, he was looking for a 10 to 15% bump in television ratings over games during that time of November, and he didn't get that. Yeah, I think there was some initial, at least interest in the first year, but it also, I mean, what does it cost them? I mean, they're trying to do something because everybody knows nobody pays attention to the NBA regular season until after Christmas. Right, right. And then, yeah. I don't know, just, we all, we all have people in our work life that, you know, hey, we're going to have a brainstorming session. Oh, Margie's got some good ideas.

Oh, Greg, that's a good idea. And then Darnell comes in. I kind of like this. Oh, my God. Somebody said you call it instead of the playoffs, it's the way-offs. The NBA way-offs. See? It's not so bad.

And then you get way fair to sponsor it, right? Oh, there you go. See? Okay. See? Look at this, Matt. You got the gears turning. No matter what dumb ideas, somebody comes up with as long as you attach a corporate

sponsor to it, it's okay. Get the dollars. Get the dollars. cash, baby. By the way, we have I'ms coming up brought to you by Would you like to sponsor Amsaries? Okay. I like that. Don't you think Hallmark would be a great sponsor

for him, I'm Sari's? Yes. Oh, a flower company where you donate you give flowers somebody saying, you know, I was acting like a jerk today. That's a good idea. All right, if you need to apologize for a divorce lawyer if your Sires aren't, don't go the way you want. Yeah. Here's, yeah. All right, so here's what we're going to do.

half hour, you need to apologize for things you've said and done. I've met you. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-79. I'm going to speak for people that don't follow me on Twitter that sent me responses to a just a generic, simple tweet that I sent out yesterday. I'm going to speak for those people and tell them, not to shut the bum ass up, but I'm going to ask them to apologize to me.

I'll explain that coming up. Oh, you're asking for apologies. I'm asking for apologies. 1128. It is the Matt Thomas Show at Ross. 713-212-5-790. If you want to apologize for anything you've done or said, the next half hour will cleanse the rest of your day. 7-13-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-790.

7-1-3-2-1-2-5-7-90. Time to call us right now and say these very simple words. I'm sorry. So sorry. And I've been a fool. I'm going to start it off, Ross. I want to apologize to those people on I-45 heading northbound yesterday. My wife is honking at many of you for not driving fast enough.

Wow, okay. She doesn't know that she's out shopping, so she's not apologizing in her behalf. Put her a blast. So I'd like to say, I'm sorry for Mrs. Thomas yelling at you to drive 84 miles an hour in the far left lane. Oh, sorry. She's speed demon over there, huh? A little bit, a little bit. So I'm sorry for that.

Now, speaking of my trip yesterday, we normally go to Buckees on the way there, and I can say Buckey's is a great place. Cleanest restrooms, 75 different options for food and drink for both beef jerky, calachi, sodas, icy snacks. I mean, you know, everybody knows the Bucky spit. Yeah.

We decided to do something different. We went to Woody's yesterday. Because I as Mr. Texas likes to branch out into different areas. You're not Mr. Texas. We went to Centerville yesterday and went to Woody's and made a pit stop there. Woody's just delightful. It's smaller, obviously. It's more old-fashioned Texas like I am, Mr. Texas.

You're not Mr. Texas. And had a great experience and was like, you know what? I'll go back to Woody's again. I've been to Woody's in years, but it was a good experience. And I simply put this nice little tweet out and said, hey, we skip Buckies. and I went to Woody's instead and had no regrets. Everybody that lives within 300 miles of me has tweeted about this. Most of the people don't follow me on these,

but decided to give me their commentary anyway. Ross, my tweet, just a simple tweet, has 19,000 views. I told you, Matt. Mute this conversation. I don't mind the conversation. Okay. But what I do mind is about halfway in, it got political. What?

How in the hell can you make something political out of between Buckies and Woody's? So if you made it political and you sent me a tweet and you don't follow me, you owe me an apology.

Twitter is just an unceasing cesspool. It's ridiculous. I hate it. I'm loving Instagram much better. Everybody's more cordial on Instagram. Go follow me on Instagram at Sports RV. It's terrible.

I hate Twitter. And I mean this and after yesterday because I just want to delete your account. No, no, I'm going to do that. My point was I maybe should stop even putting anything in terms of editorial on there at all. Like what our show is, maybe retweet some news information. But I just said, you know, sometimes people like, I like to know what's going on your life. Some people like to know what we're doing with us. That's what Twitter started out.

It was like heading a happy hour with the boys. Who wants to come? Like, Twitter used to be the smaller community. Everyone was nice. You'd be like, hey, good night, guys. Talk to you all tomorrow. Like, it was so cool at first. I wasn't throwing Shane at Buckees.

I was not trying to pump bodies. I just said, hey, I tried something different. It was good. So if Buckees is super busy, which sometimes, a lot of times, frankly, is. I like you made an innocuous tweet about a stop you made, a pit stop. on a road trip and 84, 84 replies. Yes. So I muted about 75% of those people because it was just, God, I was so, ugh, why do I do this to myself?

You're right, Instagram is not nearly as brutal. Now it can be brutal too, but not nearly as brutal. I just said I went to Woody's and I'm getting the wrath of people saying, well, glad you went to there as compared to Bunkies. Or when I went to Woody, there were flies in my, in my beep jar. I'm like, what? You did it all wrong. What? Folks, if you do use the social media, and I know people are, I'm losing followers left and right.

It's not because people don't like me. I mean, people are doing it's fine. But there's some, a lot of people are deactivating their accounts. They're just like, you know, I had enough. And you know what? Sometimes if there is toxins in your life, you'd get rid of those toxins. Wait a second. Everybody's being nice.

I don't see anybody. I was going to go like all these people being mean at to you, but I don't see it. Well, I muted them, so I don't even know. I can't see him anymore. There's one guy talking about how independent truck stops are no more because of Buckees. I think that's the most political. Matt's going away from Buckees. Yeah, he should be on Matt's side.

Yeah, I just thought it was, I don't know. I just was like, you know, one is a Republican place and one. as a democratic plan. Is that true? I don't. I didn't know. I don't know. Because when I go there, I go there's being nice, Matt. Are you sure? And I see. Yeah, that's turkey jerky is worth a stop.

Whitties is fantastic. You know what? You need to apologize for getting all riled up about this. This is the nicest interactions I've ever seen on Twitter. I'm not going to unmute the conversation. No, done it. No, done it muted. I'm sorry. You make me make me prove my point here. There's one. You have the one that called you a liberal syndrome. Yeah, but that guy's wrong. Yeah, I just muted that guy. I love, you know what?

That's a troll. That's a troll. I love going into other people's like Chandler Rome. Oh, I mute farm out of those bad boys. When I read all these idiots and Chandler Rome's mentions, I mute farm them. It is so awesome. It's like a collection. It's like a trowel for, it's like a shrimp boat.

Instead of picking up shrimp, they're picking up dumbasses on Twitter. It's awesome. And you can go, you can mute like 15 people in one, one reply, batch of replies. It's amazing. I in Mr. Texas and Mr. Texas No, you're not. Wants to support small business in Texas

In San Diego. You're not even a fan of brisket. Stop. Stop. I'm going to give me a brisket stuffed potato next time I go to Woodies. I already had dinner, so I couldn't do it. Matter of fact, I had dinner

at a great restaurant in Centerville owned by some friends of mine because you know what? I like to travel throughout the state eating fine cuisine. You hate enchiladas. We should vote you out of the state. You're kicking me out because I don't like an item?

Yes. That feels rather rude. And Dr. Pepper, you're gone. You're out. I like root beer. Well, okay. It's easy on the stomach. You're more likely to be voted out of the state than be voted Mr. Texas.

Let me taste a man. I spent quality money in time in Centerville, Texas. I should be like the de facto mayor of that town. All right, I'm done. Ross, what are you apologizing for? You should be the mayor there because you bought some skittles and a barbecue sandwich. You should be mayor of the town now. It was a cornmeal dusted shrimp.

There you go. Thank you very much. I'm so sorry. You know what? I want to apologize to Joey Loporffito stance. You know, I've been coming after you on this show, and I've been talking about how ridiculous you were when you were all crying and falling to your knees

because Joey Loparfeito was traded and calling for Dana Brown's head. Now, you were wrong, but you know what? I shouldn't have to rub it in your face so much. That's rude. I welcome Joey Loprfito with open arms. I hope he hits 30 bombs for the Astros. I don't think it's going to happen, but I'm wishing him the best,

and I'm sorry for coming after you, Joey Loporffito stance. And we accept your apology. Oh, sorry. Thank you. Jonathan, what do you got this week? Uh, saying sorry to my girl. Yesterday I went to Target. Uh-oh.

And, you know, I got our Valentine's little basket. That's what, you know, Gen Z does. We get a basket, like, whatever holiday it is. Uh, you know, when shopping, I was doing good, I got some pieces to cut some cute tops, you know, and just went through the self-checkout. scam my little items and went out and I'll show her to her I'm like oh here and we like it she's loving it she's loving it then she sees one of the shirts I got she's like you didn't get the tag off like the you know what they the like the people have to undo or you can't so they think you're stealing the little plastic piece

oh yeah yeah one I don't know how I got to check out with him but so I got she gets like she thought you were a shoplifter and she was like did you steal this I was like no I just bought this I don't know what I didn't talk me And then I was like, here, it gives me, I'll get it off. And before she can even say anything, I go, and it rips the back of the shirt. Oh. So I went to sick, sorry. But at least she's still wearing it, but I just felt bad. Oh, sorry.

Jonathan, I got your back on something. Your girl thought you, she was you an apology. You know what she does, but I just, I don't know even how that happened. Like, why can't, like, there was no warning when I scanned it at the self-checkout, nothing. It's a lesson learned, Jonathan She's going to wear it though She's going to make sure she wear it With the hole in it

Her hair can cover the back of it It's up the back of the neck Oh no no no no Take that thing back Come on It's too late now I ripped it It's too late now

No wonder she hates you today That's ridiculous All right Those are ours If you want to apologize And Lord knows you need to apologize 713-212-5-790 713-212-5-790 11-43 here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross.

If you want to chime in, 7-13-212-5-7-90. Rossi got a text from my buddy, Wade. You know, Wade. Says enchiladas are highly overrated. Tortillas with ground beef or chicken. It's a soft taco with a creamy topping pass. He stands with Mr. Texas. Thank you very much, Wade for that.

Okay, Wade and Matt. and then Scott sends me an email Tell his Ross apology is not accepted Joey is dropping 30 bombs this year Book it Okay yeah let's book that bet Let's go 29 and a half bombs Let's go

God don't you know what They love him They being Houston I know you try to trigger me with this Mr. Texas bit And it works every time That's what makes me really sad I can't control myself Because you were the absolute worst

candidate from Mr. Texas. I've been to Amarillo. So what? Beaumont, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Centerville, Huntsville, Lufkin,

Nacadoches, I've whined and dine with kings and queens, and I'm hung out and had some pork and beans. That's why they call me Mr. Texas. Nobody calls you that. I just got a new Instagram said,

yes, you are Mr. Texas. Thank you very much. I don't believe that I'll show it to you right now matter of fact I'll go to my comments right now let me take a look here Slim Johnson says you are Mr. Texas thank you Slim

oh he's trolling you because if I put it up for a poll question I will lose I know how you deviant people are I put up a poll question I said who's a worst candidate you are Santa Ana and then people voted you I forgot about that

It was like 90% Matt Thomas. The Dr. Pepper hater. I'm a sensitive soul. You don't own any boots. You don't own a hat. Never stayed in any state park or national park. Yep. But don't like Dr. Pepper, enchiladas, tamales, or brisket.

But I've been on 59, 35. Oh, you've driven on a highway. So now you own the state? Yeah, I travel the state. I meet the people. I'm like a politician. I'm moving all over the place. Easy on 790.

Easy. What are you sorry for? Can I drop two? I'm sorry? Please. First, I'm sorry, is I was walking into the rower tree yesterday, and I saw a couple walking out, holding hands, and the girl was walking out with $8.50 balloons. I'm sorry, ma'am, that Rockefeller spursed on you that day. Maybe that's a baller on a budget.

Oh, I'm sorry. What? So are you sorry for the guy taking his girl to Rollerie? Is that what you're saying? No, that her present was eight balloons, and they walked out holding hands. I got to be honest with you. Easy. Valentine's Day is too expensive.

It should be a card, maybe some candy, a dinner out, but let's not get to the jewelry card. I'm sorry. I just wouldn't do it. It's a made-up holiday. The second I'm not. I'm sorry is going to be to the USA and Swedish curling team. The last thing I was watching was the stone and the score because, wow, beauties and I love the job the pants were doing. I'm sorry.

I didn't watch it for the score. Oh, sorry. So you're warm-blooded, is what you're trying to say. You should. Thank you, E. Z. Look, we watch stuff for what they look like. We don't necessarily have to see the competition. Do you really care who wins in beach volleyball, Ross, when we watch it summertime? No. I'm usually rooting for Brazil.

I was going to say, we'd like Brazil to get a nice long run going, but if they don't, we see a couple matches, we're good. Spain, very strong. Sweden's always strong at everything. Yeah, we want the Swedes do as well as we do. All right, last call for I'm sorry. He's at 713-212-570. I'm sorry to the people in the rooms next to us. I'm going to wake the strippers up in about five minutes.

I'm always a little bit of getting really loud in a hotel. Excuse me? You're by yourself. Yeah, but the people next to me could be, you know, getting ready for their job or on a Zoom call or something like that. Now, that's the last thing they need to do is screaming, Good Morning Strippers in a high-end, uh, downtown Dallas. Los Hotel, right?

No, but you're going to do it. You don't seem to care. That feels like, that's actually accurate. Yeah. All right. Anything else? Anything else do you want to cleanse your pallet for, Ross? Because I feel like there's a, you haven't done enough.

No, I don't think I'm good. You mean to tell me you had nothing to apologize for except for Joe Lopopapito truthers about a half an hour ago when they, when they re-signed or got traded away? I want to apologize to our audience that they have to endure you calling yourself Mr. Texas, despite you're besmirching everything that's great about our state. I love the state. love the people for the most part um and i love the food i do love uh fajitas i do love delicious ribs and smoke sausage and beef jerky and beef jerky i do love um calachis well they don't have

calaches anywhere they don't know what that calachis are oh good point uh from ashley i forgot you don't like guacamole that's i don't like avocana doesn't make me doesn't make me not a part of Texas. Okay. I don't feel like I'm getting any points with you on this. You're doing great. Maybe we should get some Mr. Texas T-shirts built.

Oh, God. I don't mean to aggravate you. I don't want to take a walk. I'm going to take one more call. Wait, strippers up. Dave, what are you apologizing for? Dave. This isn't Dave.

What's your name? Dave's not here, man. Oh, my name's Casey. Hi, Casey. How the hell are you? Well, I'm good. I'm calling to do it. I'm sorry. That's probably 20 years in the making. Well, go ahead. Okay, so I think it was 2005 when the Astros were in the NLCS against the Cardinals.

Yes. And Brad Lidge was unhittable. Yes. And watching the game at home, we get into the ninth inning. I think we were up by a run or two. And I call my brother on the phone to let him know that we're going to the world soon. series. And he said, what the hell are you doing? And I looked at the screen to see Albert Poole's hit a home run that has not yet landed. And my brother blames me for the last 20 years for rooting Brad Lidge's career. So I don't know if Brad listens, but I'm sorry, Brad. I've ruined

your Astros career, apparently. Yeah, he came back and won a World Series with the Phillies, though. He was good with the Phil's. You don't take the loss by yourself, case. He said he got it back, just not with the Astros. Well Thank you, Casey I'm sorry Case it's okay Do you feel like Casey's been carrying that with him for 20 years?

Yeah, I'm glad you got to let that off his chest That's what this segment's all about Yeah That's what we're here every Friday 1130 for you to say I'm sorry This is the Matt Thomas show With Ross In H-town It's a Loper Fito Friday

On the Matt Thomas show at Ross This is Sports Talk 790 Let me see. Let me look. Full throat, Thomas. That's what they call him. I think I got myself at 19 seconds. Ross A went 15 today. That's in a hotel.

You're doing great. We're proud of you. I'm respected. 125 Sports Talk 790. It is about Thomas Show and Ross. Our 3 of 4 is underway. It isn't anything goes Friday. But Ross, we've got a major news headline.

Oh, man. Five? Is it five? Making news sounders? It's not breaking. Well, in the history of the show, the Sean being traded was a fiver. What else? The second trade, I submitted that Verlander

the second trade back from the Mets was a four, but we did five. Okay. We would have done a five when DeAndre Hopkins got traded, but we didn't do the breaking news sounders back then. Well, you used to do one, but then we started doing it as a joke for stuff that wasn't breaking news, so then we

had to do a recalibration of the system. Yeah, yeah. It's quite, frankly, ridiculous system that we use now, but it's it's ours. It's like our child. And people use it too. Yeah, they go, how many was that?

I'm like, that's an ode to us. You're welcome. I like when people tweet, that's two. That's exactly right. All right, time now for the news at noon. Yes, Matthew, the news at noon headlined by the massive news this morning.

The Toronto Blue Jays trading for Jesus Sanchez. The Houston Astros have the prodigal sun returning. Joey Lopafito, 26 years old. It'll be 27 on May 11th. Split last season between Toronto and AAA Buffalo. he hit 333 and 41 games. The Blue Jays. He's back, baby.

Joey Loper Fido is a Houston Astro. You know what I didn't do today? What was your favorite Hesu Sanchez an Astro moment? I've got to send him out right now. When he struck out with a bases loaded? That's rude. 879 OPS for

Joey Loper Fito last year in a very, very small sample size of 41 games. And I was reading a Toronto Blue Jays writer saying there probably wasn't pathway to playing time for Joey Loprahito this year for the Blue Jays. So he wasn't even going to play for them, but hey, he's here now. Strikeout percentage was down last year.

Only 26%. So how many, what, your sample size? We said, what, 96 at bats total last year? 104 played appearances. Okay, so he drew eight walks or maybe sacrificed. You never know. Walk rate? Okay.

He's got some power. He had four home runs. his 162 pace in his career would be 11 home runs. They do like 162 game average. Like what if you make your whole career like average to 162 games? For Joey Lopo Fido, that would be a 689 OPS with 11 home runs. So needless to say, maybe the Astros are looking to make some more moves.

And I think Dana Brown alluded to that. This is a salary saver because it was going to be $6.8 million. for Jesus Sanchez this year. It's a league minimum for low profito. Dana Brown said basically we're not done. Well, I should have done this before, Matt. Do you know which one of these cuts he says we're not done? Oh, here he goes. I think

here is Dana Brown talking about more moves to come. We're not done yet, but this is just one of those moves that we're locking into as we continue to focus on left-hand bats and the future of this organization. So we're not done yet, says Dana

Brown. I like the fact that these moves are coming into play because look Ross we've spent the entire week as the pitchers and catches reported we're still worried as hell about the outfit are we now I don't feel significantly more confident than I did say two days ago in fact in fact Hesu Sanchez

has a more distinguished major league career than Joey Lopofito does say what you will about what you don't like about Haysus yeah it's not even close yeah oh we never I never finalized does Joey Loporfito get A-Bs in Sugar Land Oh, yeah. What do you want to do on it?

You want to make your decision now? I think they're going to trade for an outfielder. Okay. You're going to have DeZenzo. Loberfito could stay up the whole season, but he's not going to get a lot of work. He does have options. I will say yes.

At some point, he gets an A-B with the space cowboys. And again, the rule is because of performance, not because of a rehab assignment or something like that. Yeah, he could even start the season there if they trade for somebody. Okay. So we're betting chips and queso on this. But that means I got to have a whole dinner, though? No, we do we just order a snack after work?

From where? No, I know where we can go. There's a place really, really, really close. Close to the bandels. Oh, just to get chips and queso. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Roast re-roats. Yeah, they got a happy hour, too.

The puffed quesos, it's not bad. You know what I do? I'll even buy you a drink. No, I'm good. I don't need a drink. All right, I'm going to have water. Then with lemon. Let's continue on.

We have a little bit of NBA breaking news, by the way. Did you see this? I did not see. Go ahead. Hit it. I'm going to give it another one. Another one? Yeah.

Chris Paul has been released by the Toronto Raptors. Oh. But that's not the breaking news part. He's done, done. He has said he is not coming back. He is not going to be a Houston. Any Houston Rocket or any team for that. matter. He has done done. Oh, so we don't have to take any more calls about him becoming a Houston

Rocket, do we? That is correct. Okay, thank God. Look, I love all of you who, uh, or even care about the Rockets enough to say they should get Chris Paul, but it's, he's, he's washed. Okay, so, with that being said, he's believing it on today. Uh, you could. I mean, it's up to you. Well, what's our other candidate? Uh, Jerry Lopofito. Eh. Um, I don't know, but here's So, what are we putting, I'm going to give you a quick list of four or five amazing point guards, better or worse. You ready? Okay. Chris Paul.

Oh, God. To Magic Johnson. Okay, magic. Chris Paul to John Stockton. Stockton. Okay. Chris Paul to, who's a great, great point guard? me to throw some at you?

Yeah, throw some of me. Jason Kidd. Chris Paul's better score, better shooter. But who's a better player? Chris Paul. Steve Nash? Steve Nash. Oh, no, I go, I go point God.

Hey, 50-40-90. Okay, so what? Steve Nash wins. I believe Chris Paul had a 50-40-90 season, didn't he? Didn't Steve Nash have multiple? Yes. There's only, I think, who are the, is it he and Kevin Durant, the only people to do it ever multiple times?

I'm trying to think. Other people that we watched, Gary Payton's more defensive than offensive. Chris Paul never got there, but he was close to 54-90. Okay. Anybody else that come to mind? Guy's been around a long time.

Russell Westbrook. Oh, that's a tough one. Russell because of the rebounding. Rebounding? I mean, triple-double guy. Okay, Isaiah Thomas. Chris Paul. What about Bob Coosy?

I'm just kidding. How about Oscar Robinson? I'll think Oscar Jones. You're going Robertson? Sure, why not? I don't know. There's no, it's impossible to compare. I'm going to go with CP3 over Isaiah Thomas.

It's close. Okay. Steph Curry, of course, we're putting above Chris. Yep, just for shooting. But, yeah, playmaking. But he's in the conversation. Top five point guard of all time. Hall of Famer, first ballot.

All right. Four time first team all-NBA. A lot of this is going to be on, believe it or not. 12-time All-Star, four-time all-team NBA, seven-time all-N-BA defense first team. And two-time second team. Nine times all defense. That's why I got him over Nash.

And the king of the mid-range. Sorry. Never. Nash had defended like a saloon door. The saloon door? That's a good pull for you. That was funny. Saloon door.

You don't hear that very much on a major market radio show. That's the material I'm here to bring. All right. We're going to come back. We're going to hear. We're going to hear. I feel like we're doing an 153 sports radio show.

Open the saloon door. Hey, let's hear from Dana. Let's hear from Joe. And let's hear from Jeremy Payne about the new acquisition. well, sort of new. I mean, welcome back to Joey Lopofito. It is a Matt Thomas show with Ross, and anything goes Friday at 713-213-212-5-790. 19 on the Matt Thomas show with Ross.

7-1-3-212-5-7-90. Rossi just got word and my daughter got her prom dress today. Are you going to cry? I'm going to cry, and this is not my daughter. She's crying up so fast. baby growing up now. I remember when she was so little. I was a hot

mess at her. Oh, man. I have not. Gosh, that cut me to my stomach and she's not even my daughter. Are you okay? Well, the thing is, I didn't, when she played her last volleyball game for Kingwood, I was okay. When it was senior night, I was okay.

No, this is building up. This is all building. No, you're going to. Last Wednesday, when she signed. her letter of intent to play at Rhode Island. Okay. Every single thing, every single kid that signed out, it was crying because I was like, this is, because it's so much hard work for these young people to compete athletically

and to get an opportunity to extend their careers, whether it be at Division 1, 2, 3, or junior college. I mean, it does take time and effort and support not only for the individual athlete, but their family. Yeah, that's one of the things, you know, people talk. We have careers in sports, Matt. We love sports, and there's a number of reasons we love sports. but one of the things I tell people that I love the beauty I see in sports

is that when you are watching somebody, when you're watching them make a step back three or like you're talking about make volleyball plays, you're not only watching that individual play, you're watching the hours and hours and thousands of hours and time and dedication of practicing and working on the craft to where they get to that moment and they can execute those things. That's what I love about sports.

It's not only like, you know, You can watch these ice skaters. You're like, wow, that was pretty cool. This dude was in the gym by himself, on the ice ring by himself for hours, doing all these things, honing their craft so they can get to these moments. That's what you're watching when you watch sports too. And the reality is this, too, you know, we always talk about these fringe players and how we were kind of teasing about Sugar Land and whatnot.

To just to get to Sugar Land. Yeah. To get to AAA. You're insane. You're so good at baseball. Yeah. Since you were five or six, but it also does tell you. again, there is such a difference in getting all the way there and getting almost all the way there.

There are hundreds of thousands of athletes that just could not reach the very pinnacle. I know. So I think we sometimes lose sight of that, whether it's a fringe NBA player that's in a G-League or a minor league player. Or for that matter, a high-profile college athlete that just the four years are done and they're not going to go play the NFL. Oh, he's trash or he sucks or he's terrible. No, not trash. You got people making fun of Joey Lopofito's whiff rate. I mean, it's terrible.

Yeah, kind of D-Bag would do that. That's what I want to know. Just to let you know, I would not be retiring anytime soon because Mrs. Thomas came and told me how much the dress costs. And I'm like, oh, my God. What? I actually don't even want to ask what the, what's the going rate for a dress these days? It's a custom made. And now they're in the room with me right now.

They're high-fiving each other. Isn't that awful? They're like, we got dad. Custom made in Italy? It's being shipped. They bought it here in Dallas, and it's being shipped back to Houston. You know, that's going to be an extra cost.

You all are to know about. What did I do, Ross? They bring me lots of joy. I think I just got my rent in a tux from either men's warehouse or Balsbormel Bear. Yeah. By the way, you're definitely invited to her engagement party, not engagement, her high school graduation party. Why?

You just want me to bring a gift. That's exactly right. That's unfair to your other sons because I didn't go to those. Well, then you can compensate. They'll be there too, so give them money too. Take care of all the time. I'll pay her 100. I'll pay her 100 bucks to say unfollow SportsMT.

She would do it. She didn't call me Mr. Texas. She calls me Daddy, Texas. That's, I mean, yeah, you're her father. That's right. Still feel uncomfortable hearing that, but that's fine. All right, so let's get to the audio of the big day. We're segueing.

By the way, we have a D of the year candidate coming up at 1230. Joey Lopafito? No, of course not. He's our hero. Continue on. Go to the audio. Sure, why not? Here's Joe Espada.

Joey Lopifito is back, baby. Obviously, when Joey came up in 24, we, you know, super excited about what this kid can do on the baseball field. And what it strikes me more is that he's trending in the right direction. Offensively, he makes some changes last year where strikeout rate went down 10%. hitting balls hard. He's staying in the zone. And it's a pretty dynamic defender, too. Can play some center field.

Immediately think about that play that he made in Minnesota against the wall. It was a huge play at the time. So he brings a lot of good things to the table. So we're excited to have him back. Lopes is back, baby. Now, who's he back for? We hope it's the asteros. You know what? If he wants a challenge for a starting spot,

I'm okay with that. but let's again let's make sure everybody knows this the asteros are saving millions and millions of dollars on this situation here yes that's it's it's a precursor to another move this is what it's probably going to be but joey low perfido is back and danidon's ready for him too he's he's uh you know it was very tough when he left here last time uh when we traded him and so uh very emotional for him uh as i said you know we know all about the makeup and how special

his makeup is, but to get a guy like this that's trending in the right direction with five years of control made it more appealing. Could you imagine if Joey Lofofito, if Dana calls him and says you're coming back and he's like I kind of like it here in Toronto.

I mean, we went to the World Series, play game seven, I guess I'll show up. Everybody usually with trades is excited. When do you, we're here about a player going, oh, no, I'm good. I'm going to pass. Got a big fishing trip coming up. Well, the reality is this, he probably has, as you've brought up on a tweet, somebody

brought up earlier, he's got a better chance of playing. Kids want to play, Ross. They just do. I have met so many athletes in my life, especially covering the NBA. The guys will go from a 60-win team and not play. They would rather go play for a 60-loss team and play. Not every time, but a lot of them. times. As long as the money

is the same, they want to play. Championships are important, but that's been the one thing if you really want to peel the curtain back of how I've learned through the years about this sports industry. Winning is, I don't want to say largely overrated, bros,

but it's overrated. Guys shakeoff losses significantly easier than we as sports fans do. They just do. absolutely and I remember players

I think I remember was it Bruce remember Bruce Brown he's with the Denver Nuggets now he's like a backup guard for them yes and Bruce you remember when Denver won a championship and then he got traded

Indiana I think after getting a new deal I don't know what it was but he got traded once or twice and I talked to EMA Doke I said do you think Bruce Brown's upset he goes no he got his bag yeah when you get the bag and you're offered an opportunity to go play some more.

Winning is not saying secondary, but it doesn't carry the same cachet as it would be if, oh, my, like Benedict Matherin is now a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. He was a guard for the Indiana Pacers during their championship run last year. He's playing for the Clippers. They're not going to win a championship this year.

They're probably never going to win a championship again. Meanwhile, the Pacers, once Tyrese Halliburton comes back in his healthy next year, they got a significant chance of running through the east pretty easily. Ben's like, yeah, I got my mom. money. I'm going to play for that. I want to play 25 minutes a game. So that's, and I hate to say that to our audience because there are so many people that live and die with every bad or every shot that's made or every pass is thrown. The athletes don't run that direction. They just don't.

Yeah. Open your eyes. I would do the, if you're going to only have 10 years of a prime and even less than that for many people, go make as much as you can. Go make as much you can. That's what they're doing. All right, 1228 on Sports Talk 790 is, and anything goes Friday here on the show. 713212-579 if you want to chime in. 713-212-579. We have a D of the year candidate, Ross. Anything goes Friday here on the program.

Again, Joey Lopofito in for Hesu Sanchez. Ross and I, do you want to make like a super early gut feeling? I think I alluded to when we were on with Gordy a couple hours back. does Hesu Sanchez even put an astro uniform on by the time the full squad workouts begin on Monday? You mean Isak Paredes? What I say. Hazer Sanchez. Oh, I'm sorry.

Isak Paradeus, not Hayser. Hes is what I will say no. Okay. All right. Rossi, so let's get to something else for quick. This is a D of the year candidate, unless you don't think he is. Do you know who Joe Judge is? Uh, no.

He's the coach at Ole Miss. Okay. He completed testimony in the Trinidad Chambliss injunction hearing. This happened a couple days ago. Uh-huh. Talking about how Chamblis would be better served in a year of development for his future in the NFL, it was able to get another year of college eligibility at Old Miss. Well, he brought up that.

I don't know if he was talking about Chambliss in particular or other athletes, but he brought up the responsibility of football players when they are fathers, which is one thing. Again, my advice would be to wait until you get older and get out of school and get married and regular life. But sometimes that is the case. But Joe George is basically, no, Joe Judge, excuse me. Maybe Joe George is like the same thing you never know. Joe Judge

believes that you've got to leave the players alone during the football season and here's an example of such But we would have to educate This is always a tough conversation to have It's not a popular thing This is the truth We would have to educate

Significant others who may have been pregnant Or in the season We're going to have a baby during the season And you'd have to educate them on You have this baby in the middle season That father has to play good football Right? It's a day-by-day production business he has to be right to perform and go out there and play.

And what I say that is, you need to let him sleep. He needs to be in another room, detached. You can't explain to the mother like, hey, listen, he ain't waking up for a midnight feedings. After the season, he's full metal jacket. You do whatever you want with him. He can change every diaper. But in season, he's got to have a different priority.

Now. All right, you're the father, so you take the lead here. All right, I know. I'm going to delicately walk this line a little bit. I would think a good mother would understand that the father has to go to school, has football workouts, that his time is, it's to the hour of what he's doing. I mean, it's a regiment, okay? but even with that being said good fathers just can't turn off being a good father only when they want to be good fathers

you got to be a good father 365 you can't be a good father for six months and an absentee for the other six life doesn't work that way so if you have a good wife which you do is you have open lines of communication you say hey i got a game coming up on saturday can you take care of a couple of days for me Thursday and Friday with the feedings, and maybe I'll help on on Monday or Tuesdays. I did that a lot with my kids, with my wife. You know, hey, this is a day where this is tough for me to get up and help. And you have a reasonable adult conversation. If you can't have a reasonable adult conversation about this, then you probably shouldn't

have sex. And if you had to have sex, you obviously need to figure out a way to make sure that you do not procreate. but for a coach to come in and say that and say, hey, listen, mother, you leave the father who was just as responsible as you were for bringing this child in the life. He needs his rest is absolutely ridiculous. And maybe Joe Judge was thinking that, but the way he says it in a courtroom where it's recorded makes him come across the total B.

You know what? I'm curious Jonathan's perspective on this as a former college athlete. I've had multiple teammates that had children, even in the track and doing track and football. I have never heard this in my entire. Okay. It seemed out of pocket. Like Matt said, you're trying to get your response to be of a father away because you want to play more football. It's real life, bro.

You had a kid. Like, let's go. I'm sorry. Yeah. You don't get to be a regular student athlete when you became a father. that's that's the chance you took by you it now maybe you did it intentionally or maybe you didn't do it intentionally I again everybody's different but you just can't turn there's no on and off button for being a parent now is there reasonable expectations yeah if you have a

decent relationship with the woman that you create this child with then you would have some parameters and I'm not against that if there's a big game on Saturday and Friday night he needs straight sleep. I get that. I'm not, we're not naive for this. But to just say, you know what, he can't be handing these feelings. He's a college athlete. Well, if that was the case, then he needed to zip his pants up.

Not worry about being, you know, a college athlete. That's just nuts, honestly. Excuse me? It's nuts. Is it hog nuts? It's more than hog nuts. Who's called that? Coconuts.

All right, Ross, you want to add anything? You just want to stay out? I'm good. It seemed crazy. I was just saying my first blush as a non-father and a non-college athlete, it seemed insane. It's, and I think both of y'all have backed that up. So, yeah. I just, you know, look, that's the thing.

It was when I was working, when I was, I was working a lot of post-game shows, going to bed 12. 31 o'clock. Kim would say, okay, you got here, what's your schedule like, let's figure this out. And that's what it takes. Now, if you have, you know, again, who knows if people have irresponsible relationships or not, or if somebody's not diligent enough to, or practical to realize that somebody's got something going on, okay, then maybe you need to somebody else step in and help out, but no, come on. You cannot.

Yeah, you had all the fun and you get to hold a baby during the daytime hours, but if mom needs a break, sorry, you're playing football. So I had, you know, I had, and I'm not going to say any names, but I did have a teammate where she had a child with the football player and he had so happened to go pro and had to move, right? But even during college and she was a track runner as well,

we would have Saturday morning practices 10 miles away or what case may be baby would be in the stroller doing the workout with us. You get what I'm saying? You don't drop your responsibility just because you got some football play. You know, like that's your child. You got to make sure it's a better life.

And it's just weird. I don't know. It was extremely tone deaf at the bare minimum. And beyond stupid, even bring that up in a conversation at all. I'm sorry, do not go to your college football coaches for how to raise your family. You just, because they're going to, like, chill. I mean, is there any party he's probably thinking, I never should have said that. I may have thought it.

There are people to think that. I mean, I get it. I'm the breadwinner. I'm the athlete. the one doing all this and all you got to do is take care of the kid. Let me tell you something. Having watched my wife do a lot for three, it's hard raising children. It just is.

You got to be there as much as you can. Can't be there always, but you try to be there as much as you can. I just, whew. I just heard that quote. I'm like, what are you thinking? 7-1-3-2. Under oath. Under oath, too, in a trial in a courtroom with a judge or for the permanent record.

What if was a female judge? Like, man, shut you, old bum-ass up, man. Oh, man, he's getting crushed. Yeah, it's not going well. Not going well. I think the number one thing is, don't listen to this man under any sort of what I'm seeing. Let's talk to J.W. at 1242 on 7.90. J.W., good afternoon to you.

How are you guys doing? Good. What's going on? Okay. First of all, I made a comment to Jonathan, and sounds like the old boy. he needs to get a big britches on and act like a man instead of a kid. Second of all, Woody's, I went to school with him. I'm very, very proud of him. He brought himself up from his bootstraps, went to high school with him in junior high.

He's done well for himself. I'm very proud of what he's accomplished. Who is this? You're talking about Jonathan? No, Woody. No, no. What's your beef with Jonathan? He's talking about the Chambliss guys.

Oh, Chambles. Oh, okay. I was confused. Nope. And I can't even pronounce the guy that they got from the Jays, Louis whatever. Louis Loperfeet. I got a feeling he's probably going to be bait. Bate for what?

To try to get somebody a little bit more for outfield along with another trade. So the Astros traded for Joey Loporffito only to trade him again, is what you're saying? That's what I'm thinking, yes, sir. I don't think so, J.W. I don't think you, I would, I would, Sanchez, I would change your thought on that. Well, been an Astro fan a long time. Maybe there's some way that we can trade Dana Brown and get to A.J. Hanch back, you reckon?

Just being sarcasticity. I reckon that's probably not going to happen. And yeah, I don't. Probably not. I reckon that's fine not going to happen. Yeah, one's a general manager. One's a manager. You're going to have to start eating some guacamole, man.

It's good for you. Wait, now J.W.'s making some good points. J.W., so let me get this straight. J.W., you're a guacamole consumer? Oh, yes, sir. It's good for it. He's got all kind of antioxidants, and it's good for your body. Okay.

Well, thank you, J.W. I appreciate that. I'm, I will, you know, apparently Ross's mom makes a delicious guacamole. I'm going to try some to it soon. It's the best in the world. So, Ross, the general tone of that is, if I want to be like JW, all you got to do is eat some guacamole. You don't have to be like him. He's just trying to give you some helpful tips, Matt.

I appreciate it. That's what I'm saying. Alacado is great for you. Yeah. Maybe it'll put a little peek of the guy on it to spice it up a little bit if you want. I mean, guacamole generally does have tomatoes and onions and basically got pico. It's like pico's mixed in there. Cilantro, if you'd like.

Do you think J.W. thinks of Mr. Texas? No. I think he thinks you're anything but. And we're in agreement on that. I don't think that Joey Lopofito is trade bait, but I do think that you are not Mr. Texas. And should the Astros trade Dana Brown for A.J. Hinch? 713-212-5-790. You're not good.

Not wrong. I was confused. You brought up a question. I can bring it up. Thank you, J.W. Have a great day. Have a great weekend. By the way, some slight breaking news.

The Rollin-R-R-Rall and humble closed down. But the health department shut them down or what? Oh, I don't know. They got too expensive. What? What is it? How much is it? I promise.

I was going to, this is back in college. We were all. trying to use our per diem and save a little cash, you know, it would come back. We was all I was going to go around. It's like $14 to get in for a person now. Like, it was never that expensive. Hmm.

How much is it? I guess I remember when it was like $9.99 back in the day. I've honestly, I haven't been in many moons. Got too expensive, I'm telling you. I used to go to Ronald Ruralo for breakfast. It wasn't bad. The problem is you went to Ronald around for dinner and you, because your kids wanted to go to the chocolate fountain.

People stick in their hands in that chocolate fountain. That's gross. It's got to dip your strawberry. You got to dip in and dip out. I think it's pretty safe to say we should stay away from most, if not all buffets. Yeah, but man, I miss Chinese buffets. I miss Vegas. I miss Vegas.

I miss Vegas. Yeah. But they got expensive, too. It's part of the reason why the Vegas lost its soul. It's charging too much money for the buffets. I know. Let's talk to Roger at 1252 on 790. or good afternoon to you.

Good afternoon. And where am I, man? I've been trying to. I forgot to congratulations on your daughter, man. Oh, really, Jesus. And he must be one proud of Mr. Tech. I am. Thank you very much for saying.

It's nice you to say that. Well, that I'm going to get you, you know, a plate of enchiladas, slather along with a slap of guac and some biscuit nachos. No, check that. Chop biscuit fondue. How about that? You know what? I'll have some brisket nachos.

You want to slice up some chop it up and put it off some tortilla chips? Excellent idea. I'm all in. Yeah. So who was that previous call it? Blasphemous Joey Loporfito Day. Trying to associate on Joe Loe Lopifito Day. Louis Lopofito's his jugged Dina's cousin, Matt.

Come on, man. Everybody knows that in the South Side. So anyway, yeah. I think he's on the side. The boy, Dana's on the right track. I think automatically our outfield is better, just like that. it's not much better, but it's better. And I think, like he said, he's not done yet.

I think he's going to get Mr. Christian Vasquez back in the fold because the way Yarnadya to do a whole season with him and what's the other kid that got hit by Frumber. Yeah, they're going to need some help back there because I see him. I mean, I just don't see, I just don't see, what's his face? a backcatcher. I just don't see him doing any good. Yeah, he's a, he backslip.

So bad last year, his play discipline is just beyond horrible, man. I feel sorry for the guy, but he's just not there. Not sure he's going to reach it. So, all right, guys. All right. So obviously, Roger is not sold on the catching situation for 2026, no matter who's behind the dish. I think they need somebody.

They're going to have, maybe with this extra cash they unloaded, they can get somebody. I saw somebody on Twitter saying Christian Vasquez is still available. That's what he brought to him to the second. Let me ask you this. Would you rather get a better catcher? Well, I mean, where are we with Yonair Diaz, generally speaking, as an overall player?

Last year, he was just a guy? Does he throw anybody out? I mean, I don't have the numbers of him. No, no, he's bad. Not great at it. Not a great framer? Because the thought I was that Yonner-Dio was ultimately he was going to be playing first base for the asteros.

His OPS plus the last three years has gone from 128 to 116 to 92. That's trending in the wrong direction. He hit 20 bombs last year, but he only hit 256 with a 701 OPS. That's not what I do want to find out. You don't need somebody, you know, you don't need Buster Posey back there. But if he's just an okay defensive catcher,

you would like more from the bat. Well, we're going to do something. We're going to get down to Florida. We're going to find out about Walter Yonick if he is where he is on the pipeline. He's two years removed from the draft, correct? Yeah, he's 23. After a full college, too. Yes.

And he's not on any top 100 lists. First round pick, by the way. First rounders are not only supposed to be at the big. leagues, but they're supposed to contribute. Do you want his Arizona Fall League stats? How good are that? By the way, he was in high A ball last year. 23 at High A?

Go ahead. I'm afraid to ask, go ahead. He only played 13 games. He had 241 with a 770 OPS. Three homers. He had some pop. See, I'm not a really great awareness of what the Fall League is bringing. I would imagine it's not like he's in the ALCS. It's not like a futures game or something like that.

23 at high A. I mean, he's got to start the year probably at minimum Corporate Christi, right? Oh, that's going to, or the flags are going to start to be raised. I would hope so. How long is it supposed to take? Because, man, all I kept hearing, everybody that was a college baseball fan within three hours of us was talking about how this kid is amazing. this is going to be a steel of a selection.

And if it is, let's go. I'm ready to see it. But I can't bring somebody up if he's not ready. But you don't want to be, you know, you can't be 24 at high A. You just can't. So he is, he's about six months older than Cam Smith.

And he's two levels down. I'm going to presume. It's catchers. Catchers are different. Everybody, first of all, everybody's different. They are. They are. And you're in no.

at this point because you're not looking for a starter, but you are definitely looking for a backup. 1258. It's a Matt Thomas show with Ross. We've got a final hour and left to go here on the program. Ross, we've got non-flora stories coming up in one half hour. Where is your non-flora story from? It's from Thailand. It's funny. You've gone to Thailand quite a bit for your stories.

Yeah, well, usually it doesn't end up being from there. I'm sorry, Sri Lanka. All right. A Madagascar. Yeah. And then we have Hellier or not. Did you figure out what you're going with? We're going Chris Paul? What are we doing?

Hell yeah. I thought we said we canceled it. No, that's next week. Monday, Tuesday wins. Chris Paul, sure. I mean, 21 years in the NBA. All time great. First ballot Hall of Fame.

He's going to make the basketball Hall of Fame and actually deserve it. And 21 discreements with his head coach over the year. He's going to be inducted alongside Samaki Walker. He is not. Why did you pull Samaki Walker out of there? I don't know. They let everybody in the Basketball Hall of Fame these days. The ones I get bothered by are like the Russian players that played in the 1950s.

Hey, those guys are ballers, man. Average 19.4 points in Soviet League. I must be in the World Basketball Hall of Fame. That was a horrific attempt at Russian. It was great, man. It was fantastic. No, it was terrible. I almost wanted to pull it back in before I even let it out.

7-13-212. final hour of this amazing edition of the Matt Thomas show. We salute Joey. He's back here on 790. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Two trailer park girls go around the outside. Lo perpito out of the nine hole.

That is dead. This is back. This is back. Jesse's back. Joey is back. Astros fans are happy. And honestly, Ross, I think I'm happier about the pre-

precursor, which means I think we get to spring training Monday, and we're talking about a brand new player and or players. That's how I feel about this. Yeah. This is like the opener to the headliner. Yeah. And it's the right decision to make. Jesus Sanchez was not a long-term fixture.

You know he was making almost $7 million a year? And Loporfito is on a rookie deal. or a second year deal, which is not, you've got many years of arbitration left. And I know, here's the thing, I think people are going to get caught up in the, well, that little flash of an excellence that he had, and he's missed.

He didn't do anything in Toronto that made you severely miss him, right? I mean, there may have a few plays, but that's what major leaguers are supposed to do, make a handful of plays. But he didn't supplant anybody in the starting lineup. He didn't make a playoff roster or two, and he obviously was willing to be expendable for a guy that, frankly, Ross, we know who Hesu Sanchez was.

A little bit of power, a little bit of outfield, but largely erratic in his two plus months as an astro. I mean, remember, you were not, you're not stealing away Joey Lopofito for dollars. You're doing this because you're looking to save money, and you actually have found a trade partner. Come on now. We already apologize as Joey Lopofito, truthers. But, I mean, no, I think we need to be realistic.

Okay, we do. Yeah, it's a money-saving move. Maybe Joe Rue Leperito will have something. He turns 27 in May. He's, I mean, what we know the book on him is there going to be some power. There's going to be a lot of strikeouts. And Joe Spottom mentioned he's going to play good defense in the outfield. He's going to be your fourth or fifth outfield or maximum.

Well, the reality is we're going to root for him because you want to win every trade and you want to improve a part of the Astros team. team that is probably on paper the worst going in. So I don't think anybody was like, hey, Jesus Sanchez is going to give Cam Smith a run for his money. The reason why Cam Smith would have started the year for the Astros on Wright Field is because Cam Smith didn't do his job. I do believe it's Cam Smith's job to lose.

They may be just trying to create a narrative, but Cam Smith's first round pick. Camp Smith was an amazing player coming out of spring training. There were some signs in the first month of the season that this was an awesome acquisition when the Kyle Trucker, Kyle Trucker trade. There's not void of talent. It's just you got to just got to put it together and you've got to do it consistently because we've talked about on multiple occasions. The back half of last year was a tough watch. Yeah, that's putting it nicely. Now, left field to me is more intriguing to me.

I mean, are you really ready to? to go all in for a guy who gave you one good month? Jack Cole's ready to do it. You heard Gordy talking about his muscles? That was a little odd, wasn't it? What was odd about it? He was talking about he had zero body fat. He was sculpted like a Greek god.

It was odd when he said he was going to bring baby oil to the... I mean, Gordy said there's a few beads of sweat coming off of my bra because when he walked in the room. We were talking about that last year. Camp Smith and like Zach Zinzo, they looked like they were like tag team wrestlers. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, today was good. And I'm not even saying if indeed Paredes gets traded that it's going to be great, but it's going to probably solidify some other spots.

They're clearly not happy Ross with the outfield. Because I took a major leaguer in Hesu Sanchez and said, we're going to move you out because I can go get somebody that's going to be 80% cheaper than you are. And you probably gave us the same production. and oh, by the way, now gives us some salary flexibility so I can go get somebody else if I've got to make a trade and bring back more money than I'm bringing out. More moves are coming, baby. Let's go. All right.

713212-5-7-9. We have non-flora stories coming up at the bottom of the hour and hell yeah or not at 150. Ross, we do this once a year and every radio sports host does this. You know how the NFL Players Association has that survey, that's the anonymous survey of how does your team treat you when it comes to, nutrition travel facilities facilities

what do you think about your owner oh that's fun and Cal five years ago got annihilated and it got better largely because of Hannah

but it was tough for a while being a Texan fan seeing those reports well the NFL filed an injunction against its player association saying that those

team report cards were not fair. They violated the CBA and ordered it to stop making public any future report cards. And the arbitrator today agreed with the owners. Really? We will never see those reports ever again. No, they can't appeal this. Why can't they do their own anonymous

polling? What? They can do it. They just cannot announce it. If those findings go right to the players Association and I guess the NFL PA is the one that distributes them? That doesn't make any sense to me. I think it makes a lot of sense if you're an owner. If you get bad grades, you don't want to be embarrassed.

Yeah, I know. I make that, but that's ridiculous. That's like getting rid of the Better Business Bureau so I can't report bad things that are bad practices about, I don't know, restaurants or whatever. That doesn't make any sense. What? I don't ever try to portray to myself as an arbitrator on the year, but needless to say the players are upset.

In fact, J.J. Watt three hours ago retweeted and Adam Schaeftar talking about this and said the following. The NFL won't let actual players grade the workplace they attend every day, but they'll allow a third-party grading service to display their rankings of players on national television every Sunday night, i.e. pro football focus. Yeah, that, that, I just don't get that. how could a judge possibly suppress that'd be like you can't do presidential polls well there must be something in the city

if a president was having bad bad approval ratings and then they shut down the presidential polls that would be terrible that's suppressing freedom of speech let me further read again NFL informed all 32 teams today in a memo that it prevailed in its grievance versus the NFL players association in its team report cards an arbitrator determined that the NFLPA

conduct violated the CBA in order to stop making public any future report cards. Yeah, I mean, if there's something collectively bargained, that there's some rule of the CBA. In theory, I don't disagree with you. There just must be something in there that says, hey, there's some information that needs to stay in-house. I wonder what language is in the CBA. You know what? Let's have you read the legal brief on this, Matt. Can I do it after the show?

No, you've got to do it right now. Oh, there's a long memo that Adam Schaefter attached to it. Oh, my God. You can ask A to summarize it for you. Now, the report cards for the Texans last year, A on the coach, A on the owner, A on the food, B on the travel, B plus in the weight room, and B minus in the treatment of family. Wouldn't you want to know if your players think you have crappy facilities? Oh, they do know. They're not stopping the report cards.

They're just not allowing them to be published. Okay. Well, I mean, I guess that's something. I think you should be publicly ashamed if you have bad facilities. Well, the Jets disagree with you. Arizona disagrees with you. Bridgland. Bridgland is going to be great.

Yeah. We're going to have to take like a road trip to Bridgland. Grab her right the office, drive up there, go eat some mid-food, mid-food, and look at the new facilities with all the flag football fields. I'm good. All right. OX will go with you. Who?

OX will go. He's in a carpool. He's going to need an apartment up there? Do you think he's going to move the Wexler family to Britain? You don't need the Wexler Expressway. He needs a direct line to the studios here. I can just tell you, seeing him yesterday before we left, he was not happy about this. No, he's got to go cover practice.

Well, thank you, my insider work is done on the phones and text and tweets. You're not the insider. I trust Wex. All right. Well, wex didn't tell you about Joe Mix and not playing this all this year. You're losing your title forever if it comes out, nothing about him getting shot in the foot. I've already lost.

It's a botched procedure. Well, we'll see. Now, I will take the coffee and I will allow you to, I mean, I'm going to dispute you being the Texans insider, but I'm going to fully and more wholeheartedly dispute your Texans insider claims if you lose this Joe Mixing bet for sure, for sure, and something comes out. Can we take a small amendment to the Joe Mixing bet? No.

You'll explain it. All you're going to say is no. Now, Nick Casarra said there's nothing salacious to it. Nothing irresponsible. Nothing irresponsible. Can I have anything irresponsible and win the bet? No, what? No.

I must take a gunshot wound to the foot. You said he shot himself in the foot. No, that's what I heard on the streets. I didn't say I saw it. You weren't on any streets. You don't know that? They're not talking about that. the Beverly Hilton or wherever you're staying.

I was in Centerville yesterday. A guy comes to say, hey, I listen to show all the time. Sorry to hear by Jonah's foot. No, you're a liar. Is the gunshot wound? This is one of your 17 lies a day. 115 on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. This is Sports Talk 790.

Story about the report cards not being allowed. The team that apparently spearheaded it was the New York Jets who got Fs mainly the last couple of years. Woody Johnson did not want his dirty laundry aired. that's pretty funny okay real quick before we get to our non-flora stories today and we look forward to having that for you in the next segment of the show so officially yesterday

the major league baseball folks announced the rules for the ABS the automatic ball strikes challenge system I'm going to run through some of them this is the report that I got from Jesse Rogers from ESPN and just Ross you comment if you'd like to on each one of them if a team let's make sure get this right i want to put this on a timing order here if a team enters extra innings without a

challenge they'll be given an extra one every inning every inning every inning every inning the challenges will not accumulate if not used so we're not going to have like nine of them in the third okay that's good okay you know keep them in your back pocket for the 15th that's right teams will never have more than one challenge per extra inning unless they entered extra frames with their original two intact okay so you get to bring them carry them over if you didn't use them during the game so these are two per game. Okay. Umpires will be given discretion on plays that happen on the bases even when a pitch is being challenged.

For example, the outcome of a stolen base attempt is likely to stand no matter the outcome of the challenge, with a lone exception coming on a ball four or a strike three call that is overturned. If the umpire deems player behavior, and they put that in quotes, has been impacted. For example, if the catcher stops playing because he fears ball four, and the call is overturned, he might send the runner back to his original base and the stolen base won't count.

That's going to be fun having subjective world on that. That's going to be interesting. A pitch may not be challenged if a position player is pitching. That's good, because if you've got a position player in the game's out of hand. I like that. It's possible for both an ABS challenge

and a video replay challenge occur in the same play. If that happens, the ball strike call will be adjusted first, followed by a video replay on the basis. Say that again? Oh, and I got rid of it. Okay. I'm sorry. We'll forget it.

It's okay. We can move on. Yeah, sorry. We can give you a men's free skate update? No, but I want to make sure everybody knows. According to this, you get two initial challenges per game to review pitch location via the scoreboard. And from what Joe Espada told us, he's going to let the hitters do it,

and the catchers and the pitchers are going to be told. not to bother. Because it feels like the sediment we got was that every pitcher thinks that every pitch they throw is a strike. Yes. And they're further away. They're 60 feet and six inches

away. The average review, this is according to Google, which again Google AI. You got the Jim and I going? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. The average review takes less than 15 seconds. That's great. That's really good.

If the challenge is successful, the team retains their challenge. If they fail, they lose it. So you can be sitting there with two for quite a bit of time. You keep challenging, and that's the thing I keep saying about the NBA, which I wish they would do, but they're not going to do that. It's shameful that an obvious call, you have to burn a challenge because an official is out of position or just goofs the call up. You know what's even more shameful? Yeah.

They can get every call right. every single call they can get right they can do it they're installing the technology everywhere how about this I don't know if you're ever going to get it

Ross I would lean towards you're never going to get it how stupid is that but listen to me but if they can streamline it where it's an average of five seconds then you got a better chance the the the faster these challenges come into play

the more fluid there's no you know then I think they will experiment some more. No, they said we had the minor leaguers on. They said it was basically instantaneous when they get the full system going. But you have to convince a large segment of the population that this is going to work, and that's the players. We can't get unified on that.

I know. We interviewed how many different pitchers, like three or four, they all had different opinions. They all had different opinions. Erigatey didn't like it, doesn't like it. I can't remember. Brandon Walter, I think, was on board with it. Well, one guy said either do it all the way or do none of it at all. Which I agree with that too.

It's kind of a half, you're half stepping. Let's go. But maybe this is hopefully the bridge to full-time ABS. What was it? What was the amount of calls missed last year? Was it 10,000 or more? Too many. Every night an umpire score car was a painful look at.

What if you could get to from 10,000 miss calls to zero? Would that be crazy? I guess you are believing that every single call to the video would work. That would be 100% accurate. No matter how tall the player was. Hey, well, guess what? It's going to be better. than what we have.

Even let's say there's what do we let's say there's a hundred miscalls. What's our success rate right now? 91%? Yeah. What if you got to 99.9%?

I don't know. I'm pretty satisfied. Now I'll say this. There is a byproduct of this. Remember when I was told you when I first graduated from high school I made a mistake. I went directly to college

where I should have gone to umpiring school. Yes. Not a mistake. A regret. I should have delivered it, but I didn't know anything else do but to go to college right after high school. I should have gone to an umpiring school.

They have an umpiring school. Harry Wendellstead was a long-time Major League umpire. His son still umpire is Hunter. And they're closing their school down. Major League Baseball now is going to now run their umpiring academies. Because they're teaching this new crop of umpires, the ones that are 18, 19, 20 years old that want to become umpires, that technology is going to be a bigger part of it. So as much as you want to say that baseball still is behind the times when it comes to this,

they're basically saying we need to do a better job of using the technology that we have in teaching the future umpires of tomorrow that this is now in play. So look, I know it's not the leaps and bounds you're looking for. 26,567 calls missed during the regular season. Out of how many? I don't know. 26,5007 missed calls. And according to Astro.

resulting in 25,000 we're against the astros. 1,2003 incorrect strikeouts. 1,2003 incorrect strikeouts. The AB should still be going

and the player is sitting down. I'm going to take the wins and we can get them. I'll take me some ABS this year and keep the challenge system where if it gets it right, you know what? You can literally go on and on and on.

You know what's also going to do, Ross? I think it's going to make the umpires better, I would think. Because they don't want to be embarrassed. They've gotten better. Yeah. They're going to be better. This is going to be a little bit of a wake-up call to the guys that just kind of just get behind the plate,

and they don't like a lulligag, but they're going to have to be a little more laser-focused. I think it's embarrassing when you get a call like that wrong. It's 92-93% correct, depending on the sources you look at. Let's talk to Lull before we get to our non-Florida stories. Hello, Lowell. Yeah, I just happened to be studying this while you started discussing it, and they were mentioning that they're measuring the players for their individual strikers, zones. And I don't know if they did that in the minor leagues. But if a smaller player like

Al-Tubi at 5'6 versus Judge at 6th. Yeah, they're not going to have the same strike zone. Yeah. So they're going to have a smaller strike zone. And a pitcher is going to have a lot harder time hitting an Altubi strike zone than he would have a judge strike zone. And knowledge of that would make it maybe smart to put Altubi in lead off if he could learn how to be a little bit more selective than he is. That's my thought. That's all I would say. All right. Thanks for the phone call.

Would you say something else, Lull? No. Okay. Lull's done. Yeah, I mean, the number one thing I've always worried about Ross is calibration, and I guess the question would be how long would it take to calibrate if you were to do every single pitch? They have to calibrate every batter.

They do it every batter, yeah. They'll figure it out. Darren Judge and Jose L2V aren't going to have the same strike zone. We're going to love it, though. We are going to love ABS in 2026. I can give you as a gut feeling.

We're going to love it. There's going to be controversies. You really think what would be the con in your mind? I don't know. It just feels like somebody's going to run out of challenges and all. Like there's going to be out of challenges. There's going to be an egregious bad call

and they're going to want more. Now, I'll say this. I loved when instant replay could determine pass interference in the NFL, and then they just screwed it up even one. worse. So maybe I should. Yeah, that was something that's very subjective.

This is going to be much less subjective. That's right. All right. Non-Florist stories are up next. It is the Matt Thomas Show at Ross. We will have Hellier not coming up in 20 minutes from now. Non-Florna stories are up next. 713212-5-7-90.

Things stories that occur outside the state of Florida and share them with the people of Houston. It's time for non-th. Gentlemen, I will start first on this week's edition on Florida stories. We're going to go to France, Ross. Okay, what's going on over there? A hospital there was evacuated. Really?

Yeah. After a male patient arrived with a World War I artillery shell lodged in his backside. Okay. The young man was 24 years of age. The poor fellow, according to the report, was quote, in a state of extreme discomfort, having inserted a large object in an area. Surgeons conducted emergency surgery during which they discovered the shocking source of his pain, a live 8-inch bombshell from 1918 that had been lodged inside of him. Fearing a potential fire in the hospital, medical personnel alerted the bomb squad and fire brigade in a vacuum.

created the facility. Fortunately, this retro munition, which was also pointed an over an inch wide, was not deemed a threat. Hmm. The bomb disposal experts took the shell after it was removed, while the patient, a French National, remained at the hospital so he could recover from surgery. It is unclear how the antique ordinance ended up in the man's posterior, but experts suspected that the combustible could have been the result of a party stunt gone wrong.

He's bringing a whole new meaning to the words trench warfare. Shells, such is the one found, and this is the story, not mine, their story. Shells found in the one in the man's bum were used during the first World War by the Imperial German Army, which deployed hundreds of thousands against the British and French between 1914 and 1918. The explosives, which are date-stamped, regularly turn up during the quote, iron harvest, the annual collection of often unexploaded munitions from both World Wars, which are found on farmland, building sites at other disruptive land. And while a person's backside might not be the strange location for one of them to surface,

shockingly, this wasn't the first at a French hospital. Wow. In 2022, a man, 88-year-old man arrived with a war-war and Tilly Shell similarly lodged in that area. And that is my non-Flority story. It's a real no-man's land. God, I hope not. I think I'm out of World War I references.

Battle of the song? It was a bad one? You did better. Thank you. If I had more time to think about material, it would be more... D-Day? That was World War II. Boys, your turn.

What was the Treaty of the Versailles? I can't remember. All right, anyways, let's move on. There's a lot of Versailles treaties. Who knows? You want me to go? I'll go. Now, I've had some explosive situation.

in my life. Here we go. But not that. Go ahead. Well, Matt, a harrowing tale from the Winter Olympics in Cortina where you were asking about the Olympic Village and how much copulating was happening there. I know

you're going to be shaken by this story, Matt. A condom shortage has hit the Winter Olympic Village as supplies have vanished in Cortina in just three days according to the Italian newspaper La Stampa.

Condoms, of course, have been distributed to Olympians since the 1988 sole games, which, of course, happened at the height of the AIDS pandemic. Right. Normally, for example, in Paris in 2024, 300,000 condoms were distributed in the 2016 Rio Olympics. You know, you really get down in Brazil, mad. 450,000 condoms were distributed in those Olympics. In Italy, they did not plan. well, only 10,000 condoms distributed, and they blew through their supply.

I don't know how to word this man. What? They, um, in just three days. An anonymous competitor said, quote, those supplies ran out in three days. They promised more will come, but who knows when. I'm sorry, more will arrive. Excuse me, I miss red. What did you just?

I said, sorry. No, I misspoke. Oh, Mike. More will arrive. week. War will arrive, but who knows when. So let's put things in perspective. I think this is more bit than it is more action.

What do you mean? I bet you guys are going in there and girls are like taking 20 or 30 columns and bringing them home with them. You're not having that much 10,000 sexual experiences. The Winter Olympics have been going on for about a week and a week and a half. There's 14,000 athletes, Matt. but they all don't live in one area. They're all spread out. 14,000 of the highest tuned athletes in the planet.

We're all drunk condoms with them before. And they're all very charged. Yeah, I'm sure everybody's got their preferences, right? Well, if they're for her pleasure or for yours, that's really, that's a question between you and her. Mm-hmm. I know. I'm calling that while there is probably some activity,

I bet you there are people that are going in there because they think it's funny, and they're grabbing a paper bag. Well, they're out. Well, there's somebody getting down because they're out, Matt. They don't do 3,300,000 condoms just for bleeps and giggles. I mean, how much is that cost? That's a significant portion of the Olympic budget, I imagine, Matt.

What does an average condom cost? It depends on what pack you get. Yeah, Matt. Which pack do you guys get? You getting the variety pack? What do you mean by variety? Does it one size somewhat fit all? No, there's different ones.

You get smaller. Is that the most embarrassing thing? Anyways, all right, let's move on. John, what do you got this week? You have to go to Walgreens and check out. You got to do the self-checkout then, right? Okay, my... If you get the extra ones, the ones that are for her...

X, X, X, L, then you're like, yeah, I'm going to show the world. Yeah, that's when you go... Right. And then some of those can cause divorces. Remember hashtag? You should go and make a thud on the counter. He said hashtag cocaine. All right.

That's where that's, then you're suspended. That's going to cost you there too. Thud on the, oh my God. Jonathan. Okay. Yours. All right. All right.

My is from Alaska at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Master student Nick Dwyer submitted 160 images made through collaboration with AI to an art show. The Sunstar reported on January 14th, Dwyer said his work explores identity, character narrative creation, and crafting false memories of relationships after a state of AI psychosis. Fellow student Graham Granger, 19, wasn't a fan. The next day, he was found ripping artwork off the walls and eating it in a reported protest. The UAF police department said he chewed and spit out at least 57 of the 160 images in Dwyer exhibit. Granger said he opposed Dwyer's use of chat TBT and the school's AI policy. He goes, I'm surprisingly fine.

Granger said after chewing up the photos, I've eaten paper like this on like theirs before, so I've learned a method to like overcast in my life. He was then charged for criminal mischief and will appear in court in March. I'm still having an issue about the whole condom. Are you okay? No, but I mean, people eating paper is disgusting. It's protest, man. It's protest. There's other way to protest

except eating 56 pieces of artwork. And that, my friends, was this week's edition of non-Florida stories. Now, next week, guys, since Ross and I are in the state of Florida, next Friday, the lowest of hanging fruit. Florida stories.

We're going to get some actual good stories. Actually good stuff. It'll take us like a minute and a half to find a good story. All right. Hell, yeah or not, all things about Chris Plet. Paul, am I correct on that? Yes.

That's up next. Can't wait. Hell yeah or not here on Sports Talk 790. All right. If you want to play, believe it or not, we've got lines available for you at 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-2-5-790. Carlos Correa was in camp today officially, spoke with the media down in West Palm Beach, and he confirmed that Bad Bunny Rossi offered to pay the insurance.

insurance to play in the WBC, the Astros, Scott Boris, and Major League Baseball, all said it was a bad idea. So they're fighting this. They fought the law and the law won. Carlos, quote, it hurts because I was envisioning my kids in the stands watching me play in my hometown and the crowd roaring and me hitting homers and the kids celebrating and me talking to them about it. We have some of the audio.

Well, I don't know if we have time. It's about a minute. Probably not. But, yeah, I'm sure the A team will get to that. Yes. I just want to pass that along. Full breakdown from Adam Clinton. He actually will do the show in Spanish. So he's into it in Spanish and Wex is going to do in English?

He's bad money fan number one, Adam Clinton. All right, there you go. Five minutes left to go on the show. What should we do? We should play America's fastest growing sports radio game show Monday through Thursday. We call it B, leave it or not, but on Fridays we call it a hell yeah or not. and here's how it works. You call 713-212-5-790.

7-13-21-2-5-7-90. Today's edition of Hell-Year-N-Nout is all things about Chris Paul, who officially retired after 21 years in the NBA. I'll read your statement about Chris. Statements completely utterly accurate. You'll say this. Believe it.

No, you'll actually say, Hell yeah. Much better. If the statement, he's erroneous, Full of Bunk and made-up, you'll say this. Not. Two Hellier-R-N-O-N-R-N-R-E-S-N-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1-T-shirt, pair of four-pack of tickets with pit party passes to Monster Jam this Sunday at NRG Stadium,

or a pair of tickets as he's stained on their break-the-cycle 25th anniversary tour. That is October the 17th of the Woodlands Pavilion. Tickets for both these events, the Monster Jam, and the Stain Tour, available for you now at Ticketmaster.com. Let's talk to Bobby Joe. Bobby Joe, you're on 790. You ready to play, believe it or not. Or hell you're not. Excuse me.

Oh, yeah? According to Rivals.com, Chris Paul was only. a three-star commit to Wake Forest. Hell yeah or not? Hell yeah. Not. No, he was a McDonald's All-American to five-star. Thank you, Bobby, Joe.

Let's talk to Bill on 790. Bill. You're ready to play hell yeah or not? Yes, sir. Matt, the blue box or the black box? Which one did you use? Black. In high school, Chris Paul did not make the varsity basketball team as a freshman or as a sophomore.

Hell yeah or not. That's unbelievable but not. Hell yeah. Bye. Jimmy on 790. Jimmy, what was your fair apart? Today's 10 to 2 radio show. Oh, Astros, straight, outbuilt stuff, heating up.

Always like that stuff. In 2005, Chris Paul was named an Academic All-American at Wake Forest with an undeclared and undecided major. Hell yeah, or not? Hell yeah. Hell yeah. There you go. Statement number two for the win. Chris Paul's brother, Charles Paul, played college basketball in Hampton University. Hell yeah or not? Not. Hell yeah. Did. Was he a good player or awesome? Do you have any idea? No, because anyone to like South Carolina State technical or something.

All right. Matt and Katie on 790 Matt, you're ready to play hell yeah or not? Hell yeah. And go Joe Joey. All right. In 2011? and Chris Paul and his family appeared on the game show Family Feud. Hell yeah or not. Hell yeah. Statement number two for the win. According to Basketball Reference.com,

Chris Paul's nicknames include CP3, the Point God, and the skate instructor. Hell yeah or not. Hell yeah. Congratulations. Nice to do, thank. Cody on 790, Cody, your favorite part of today's 10-2 radio show? That part. in 2012

Chris Paul purchased a large mansion in Los Angeles from rock singer singer April Levine Hell yeah or not Avril Levine Excuse me, Everil yeah Hell yeah, is right Hey, yeah

statement number two for the win Chris Paul is a practicing Jehovah's Witness and holds an annual event in Winston-Salem North Carolina with proceeds going to the church Hell yeah or not Not Not is right

Congratulations Rossi, pack the sunscreen, baby. 90% rate on Monday. Get us indoors, Rossi. That's all I'm asking. Up next, it is Clinton and Wexler.

The team. Talk to you Monday from West Palm and Astro Spring Training coverage here on Sports Talk 790.