The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Astros Revisit Nolan Arenado Trade Talks, Bregman Hits First Homer With Red Sox, Rockets Disappoint At Jazz

Episode Date: February 24, 2025

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" review the latest updates from Astros spring training. According to a recent report from MLB.com, the Astros have "renewed their interest" in acquiring third baseman Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals. Matt and Ross also:react to Alex Bregman's first at-bats with the Red Sox in spring trainingrecap the Rockets losing to the Utah Jazzdiscuss the Houston Cougars earning a win over Iowa Statepreview the Combine and predict where Aaron Rodgers will land in "Ross' NFL Rewind"play "To Tell the Truth" and more.

Launch timers. This is the Matt Thomas show. 102 in H-town. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to a Monday edition of the Matt Thomas show with Ross here on Sports Talk 790. We're in studio for a full four hours today. We were always going to be on for a full four hours. The Astros game today has been rained out, or as I say, has been banged. and that would have been a tape delay broadcast

so you're going to have to figure out a way to listen to what do we carry at night? Do we carry the Doug Ghali Pshobanite or is that is it Rob Paca? Is it Chris Broussawd and Rob Parker? Is it Chris Broussard and Rob Parker? And then it's a little bit of that other guy two Diet Coke and a fresker or something like

whatever he calls himself? I can say you're feeling better. Good to have your back, Ross. I am. I think we need to put you in a hospital. Take a week off. Maybe, baby. This is just getting terrible.

From bad to worse. Poor kid. He's got bronchitis. He's got walking pneumonia. He's got Schlem. You're just a hot mess right now. I'm doing great. No, you're not.

You look like hell. I'm feeling better. You're getting a little bit away, too. Well, that's going to happen. I didn't get on the scale today. I was really worried about the amount of food we ate when we were in Florida. I don't care. I know.

You don't care. But I like to keep myself in a range. So, yeah. So the Astros did not play. I'm sorry. I was rude to you because you were messing with me about being sick. I'm sorry. Go ahead. Tell us out. How's the scale looking? It's fine. Okay. It's fine. We're all proud of you. Okay. Tapeworm's doing wonders for you. It is. It is. It is. That and sleeping all day yesterday.

I'll tell you what. Look, I love the NBA lifestyle, but it does have a few drawbacks occasionally. We did not get to Salt Lake City until Meyer hotel room at 3.30 Mountain Time. Saturday morning, which was 4.30 here. Then played, got beaten by something called Keante George. He was an animal. 30 freaking points last night, or Saturday night. Yes. And then we came right back home because we don't,

I don't know this comes to surprise you, but NBA players who don't want to spend any extra time in Utah unless they absolutely have to. They didn't want to. There was no part. There's no parting Sunday in Salt Lake City, or late night for that matter. and then I got to Houston Sunday morning at 4 a.m.

And have been trying to catch up on sleep after that. So yesterday it was like a double nap day, tried to watch some basketball, tried to watch the Astro Spring Training game. I couldn't recognize one single player. When those players, there was a road game, the Astros played a road game yesterday in St. Louis, which was Jupiter, which is not far from the team facility.

But veteran players usually play the home games unless there's a specific reason why a player or pitcher has to throw. I put the game on like in the fourth inning. There was not a single player I recognized at all. So I fell to sleep to that. And half of them don't even have their names on the jersey. Well, yeah. When you're like, when you have a uniform number above, say, 80,

I'm not penciling you on the 26-man roster. Unless you're one of those players that likes to have one of those crazy numbers. I think Cam Smith's the number who's in the 90s. I can't remember. Yeah. I mean, I don't think he'll be with the team to start the year. but he's got a really good shot of being a guy that... Contributes. Yeah, at some point this year.

Which makes me again... I did a little digging about... You did? Not much. On what? On why the Cubs would give up their first round pick, Cam Smith, right out of the jump. For Kyle Tucker, who's only going to be there probably one year.

Yes. And the digging on. did find out was the Cubs are going all in. Yeah, that makes logical sense. They are saying... You trade a prospect for a impact player currently for one year

would say you're going on. All in. You're looking to win. And if it doesn't happen that you probably would expect the Chicago Cubs to completely blow things up. Now, Craig Counsel is locked in low because he's one of the highest pay managers

in baseball, which is crazy. But the general manager is not locked in. And general managers, when you make a deal for Kyle Tucker, and you give up your number one prospect, who may, who by the way, may very well be the very future third basement for the Astros or a corner outfield spot. That's a hellacious rescue take.

Yes. The Astros have taken some risk in the last couple of years, but have they been ultimately burned by anything lately? I don't know. We'll see on the Kukuchi trade. The Kikuchi trait now, if all of a sudden Joey Lopifito becomes a 31-20 guy for the Blue Jays, that'll look terrible. Two of the prospects that they gave up in the Verlander deal are top 100 guys. Clifford and who is the other one? I know.

Melton, not Melton. Elton's the guy they have here. No, he's here. We got to, we got to start. Garrett or what? I don't remember. We'll figure it out. But we're going to start watching some of those guys. But at this point, as we speak here in the-

Drew Gilbert. Gilbert, not Garrett, same thing. But those guys have not many impact yet. Jake Bloss was probably considered maybe the not surefire best player in that trade. But we've got to see what he does pitching for the Blue Jays. if he makes the roster coming on a spring training.

So, you know, every general manager worries about these things. Every general manager, like, for instance, the Astros gave up high-end prospects to go get Justin Verlander in 2017. The Astros gave up prospects to give up to get Zach Granky. I mean, Jeff Leno did a masterful job of winning what, just about every training. The only one that probably didn't work out. was the deal with Milwaukee, right, for Carlos Gomez and for Mike Fires. Although Fires helped out a little bit. I mean, honestly, you did.

And they became a rat. Well, yeah, that trade was a huge loss. It blew up your entire team and organization. Yeah. But the Rihano trade, they gave up to Oscar Hernandez. But, yeah. So if you're not willing to lose a deal now and then, then you probably shouldn't be a general manager.

Mm-hmm. So we're kind of in a wait and see. What has struck me funny this week, and it happened yesterday, you tweeted about it. I also tweeted about it. It was about Alex Bregman yesterday going three for three for his beloved Boston Red Sox. Yes. Including a home run in Fort Myers where they have their facility. And by the way, if you haven't figured it out, they basically recreated Fenway Park for the Fort Myers.

It's got a big green monster. I believe the dimensions are fairly similar to what they are in Boston. I don't think there's a pesky's poll there. I have never been there, but there's definitely a green monster. And he hit a home run near yesterday. He also had a bloop single. And so. A double off the wall, I believe.

Wow. So, yeah, I was going to say three hit day. I am getting the sense. You tweeted it. I tweeted it that people are enraged when they see anything about Alex pregnant. See, I wasn't enraged. You're not enraged.

I'm not enraged. No, I know. But others have been enraged by this. I know. You know what? Those people need to shut their bumasses up. I know it's a Monday. Save every Wednesday.

I already had to mute this conversation. Because I made a very, very, to me, innocuous comment like, oh, this hurt more than I thought it would. Right. See Alex Bregman in another uniform, in a red Red Sox uniform, hitting a home run with that same swing that we've seen years in a Houston uniform. I was like, oh, oh, I don't like this.

and then I moved on with my life. And then I get all these comments from people like, oh, I can't believe you care. Screw Alex Bregman. He's the worst. This was off a double a pitcher. Who cares? Oh, this only matters when the game starts.

Yeah, I know it doesn't count. Yes, I'm aware it's spring training. But it was the first home run that I saw Alex Bregman hit in another uniform. Yeah. And like I said, seeing it, I was just like, oh, this kind of sucks, more than I thought it was. I mean, yeah, over. It didn't ruin my day. Here's the reality, ladies and gentlemen.

We as a radio show host, we create content. It's not going to be something that I'm going to stare at every box and Red Sox score. I'm not going to look at every highlight. Not every hit that is posted on the Red Sox social media is I'm going to retweet. But we are in charge of content. We are in charge of creating conversation. Doesn't necessarily mean you have to agree with our conversation. Doesn't that to mean you have to engage in our conversation.

but when you are responsible for 20 hours a week of radio programming, give or take a day or two with spring training games, and we are sports, our jobs are to say, hey, here's what we think people could be, might be want to talk about. Yeah,

or would be, yeah, like you always say it at a sports bar. If I was at a sports bar, you and me, Matt, and we were having a brusky, I'd be like, man, did you see Alex Breggling hit that home run in a Red Sox uniform?

I was weird, kind of hurt seeing them in a different uniform. I mean, I would say that. Yeah, trust me, I'm going to be able to sleep tonight, knowing that even though Alex Bram went three for three. I slept great. And even if Bregman crushes this year for the Red Sox, my family is in good health.

I'm in pretty good health myself. Ross, you're getting there. I mean, we're going to be fine. Uh-huh. But the reality is that I have noticed, even from my diehard Astro Twitter, the P1 listener or the P1 tweet followers, they are losing their blank over this.

And I want to say, just accept it for what is. I wasn't trying to enrage you. I wasn't trying to say, oh, the Astros should have done something differently. It was just, it was anecdotal. It was, hey, this is something interesting that happened in the first time he'd donned a spring training uniform. Does it count? Did he do it against AA pitchers?

More than likely, yes. Does it matter? Will he still, is there still a great opportunity for him to struggle the months of April of May because he's done the last five years? Of course there is. But it's just something for fodder. Yeah. I'm not saying he's going to hit 50 home runs and the Astros made a horrible deal and this is the worst and it's ruining my weekend. Yeah.

And then I'm getting comments like, dude, you need therapy and a tampon. Well, you're getting muted. Dude, you're getting muted. And I'm never going to hear from you again. And you are irrelevant to my life. Why would someone write that? What is that person's name? I'm not even going to give them.

It doesn't. They're muted and we're moving on. That is really rude? I mean, is that what we're going to do, ladies and gentlemen? And I'm not saying, I'm pointing this out for the 0.01% of you out there. You're going to go run to your social media and tell someone to wear a tampon? I mean, come on. Yeah, it's not even my time of the.

the month. What are we 12 years old? Yeah. When I was 12 years old, I wasn't worried about tampons. I'm worried about putting swear words on my mad libs. Okay. God, I thought that was... And a horvel chili. That was so funny when I was a kid. I know, Matt. You probably think it's hilarious now. I just think it's kind of funny. Why don't you all get some madlips?

Okay. And put in swear words as the verbs. You will laugh your ass off. Can't wait. I got an evening free, so maybe I'll do that all night. What do they do adult madlib? Are the kids doing Madlips? No, I don't even think my kids even did Madlibs. I lived on Madlips.

Are Madlips too woke now? I don't know. I'm losing track of what's woke and what's not. But you haven't lived a good life unless you are at the age of 11 years old going to get the Madlebs and putting in F and, well, I think you all know the verbs. And then chuckling at normally loud for a long period of time when your mother are asking you, why you laugh at so loud when you read something? Nothing.

I was mixing Madlives with my penthouse forms. Life was good. 1014, it is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. 713-212-1-2-5-790 if you want to get in on the conversation. 7-13-212-5-7-90. This is the Matt Thomas Show with Ross on Sports Talk 790. To Boston for springtime. 2-1 pitch to break him.

Rips that one high to left field. up towards the wall and over everything. Welcome to Boston. Alex Brickman. A two-run shot. Excuse me. And the Red Sox take a three-nobing lead. What do we just tell you, Conardee?

He likes the ball close to him. He's so insensitive. She said no. This is a jam. This is not a jam. What is this? This is good stuff. The 70s suicide anthems?

What is this crap? Now, won't you settle down? This is Bregman music. Talks about how going to Boston and then going somewhere else. Whatever this is, nobody said jam right next to it. They did back in 73 probably. They didn't. They're the number one fan of the man from Tennessee.

They're actually from New Mexico, but that's not here nor there. Close enough. Connor, I wanted you to apologize to City of Houston for playing that song and that highlight because we do not exist. We acknowledge that Alex Breggman exists. I'd like to apologize. for Matt and Ross telling me to play this song. Hey! See, you're supposed

to play with the bit, Connor, number one. And number two, at least get it right. I had nothing to do with playing this crap. It was only Matt. What is this? Please come to Boston. But he winds up telling you about going other places. Listen. Listen to what he sounds. This sounds brilliant.

She didn't want to go anywhere. She's a whore. She's a whore. She doesn't want to be delavent around the country. She's staying home. Sounds like a guy in a radio career. This is horrible. So so far Dave Loggins has told you to go to Boston, she said no. Now Denver.

Okay. And she said no to Denver as well. I'm telling Dave Loggins to stay home. Get out of the studio. Dave Loggins, alive or dead? I'm going to say dead. I don't know. Okay.

Look it up later. Reverna Flagg by the way. David Loggins died actually last year, July 10th. rest. Roberta Flack. May she rest. You passed away today at the age of 88.

Hmm. All right. That's enough of that. I love Dave Loggins. Great song. Is it on my phone? Yes or no? Wow.

He died in a tractor accident on his farm. Shut up. I made that up. You had me sold for a second, though. You really did. Okay.

Second cousins with Kenny Loggins, that is actually true. You're not doing a Dave Loggins, believe you're not. No, I'm not touching that. Sorry. Get that clip for 1020? wishing Dave the best.

How can you? He's dead. Oh, I'm sorry. Wishing Dave's family. There you go. Much better. Much better. The Loggins family. Speaking of that. Speaking of dead. I've seen a family not so much. Yeah, he screwed up. He's like, he and our Garfunkel are like,

oh, man, why did we break up? Please come to Boston, a number five hit in 1974. Okay, so I was off a year. It's a jam. It's on my phone. Next road trip, you and I go on. We can play some Dave Longin songs. Not if I'm driving. That's true.

That was the best part about West Palm is you drove the whole time. That was the best part is I didn't have to listen to Dave Loggins type of crap. Put on some Donnie Hathaway. Ross and I do have a rule that when we travel together, whoever drives gets to pick the music. See, but that's a rule that you always break because you always are like, let me put this on real quick. Just one song. We listen.

The greatest part is we'll go back to sports here. We listen to, I believe, three James Brown songs between Fort, West Palm Beach and Fort Hordell. And we got there by the time the third song was over with. Right. Every one of James Brown's songs. You get the extended version. It's 10 minutes long and it's a bunch of, hey. He's screaming, having a good time.

He's talking to Fred Wesley. Fred! Making some words. It's about 10 minutes of really soulful music in the background and a man just blathering into a microphone. I think they call it crack scat. He's just whatever it was. It's like, I want a karaoke to that. You just get a James Brown song on and go to the timba same.

Yeah. All right. Back to sports. So this known Aaron Idol thing happened over the weekend. What happened over the weekend? Well, MLB reported, and I believe Mr. Rattaggart was on part of that, said that the Red Sox and Astros, or not excuse me, the Cardinals in the Astros were re-engaging. Reengaging. And re-engaging is a loosely used term. It could be, hey, you call, they call you, Bada boom, bada bang, and it could be a 10-minute conversation, it can be an hour. It depends on who you want to ask.

And the only person would really know the truth of that would be Dana Brown. And I don't know if Dana's going to be overly forthcoming with that. Okay. The athletic, the next day, said, yeah, there were some conversations, but it really didn't go any further than just the initial conversation. Aronado, going back a couple of months, said, I don't want to play for the Houston Astros. Yes. He was worried about where this team was. was going to be in a couple three years.

He apparently, Aeronado presented the Cardinals with a list of five teams he would waive his full no trade clause for in the Astros not listed. Yeah. What he wants to do is he wants to go to a contender and he believes the Astros are not a contender. I'm sorry, though the Astros are originally listed, this says, this is Chandler-Rome's story The Athletic. Aronado ultimately invoked his no-trade clause due to the timing of the deal. But now it says even though with re-engagement, then nothing is imminent.

Yeah. Now, does it mean that things could change overnight? I mean, these are talking about human beings here. So this is not like there's a set in stone contract that says he can change his mind. There's no like you could take one in, put one out and that kind of thing. So he could wake up and say, Jesus, the Cardinals suck. And I want to go play somewhere. And if the Astros are the team that's showing the most interest, let's go for it.

Especially because let's not make any mistakes about this. I believe the Astros, when the Jose Al-Tube conversation first began, and Ross, you and I kind of agreed that it was going to be like a combo, a little bit of second base, a little bit of left field. I think we're going to have to probably up the left field numbers for Jose Al-Tuva, as long as he's healthy in playing. We might. I don't know if he's going to need to worry about carrying two gloves as much as we thought he was going to have to. Yeah, and real quick, with the Astros organization has said regarding the Aronado deal, if you change your mind, I'm the first in line. So that's, I mean, it's not closed, but it certainly isn't, it isn't like, as you said,

as you said, as you said, everything could change overnight. They also said, honey, I'm still free. Take a chance on me. That kind of reporting, you're only going to get here from Sports Talk 790. That's what I'm here for, Matt. Okay. On a Monday. We got four hours.

You can keep breaking it. Matter of fact, why don't you save that for 1226? Okay. Oh, well, you have an NFL rewind today. You don't know this yet. Yeah, I do. Okay. You saw the pre-year.

show tweet. Yeah, you tag me in it, so I saw it. Okay, that's good. You don't always tag me in it. Because tomorrow, if you don't tag me, I normally, tomorrow on Wednesday, we have shorter shows, so you can't, I don't want to go two weeks a lot of NFL rewind. No, okay. And by the way, I did put a tweet out a few minutes ago. Those of you asking for Steve Smith SportsMT Theater, based off of the text, not happening. It's never going to happen. Howily edited, it would have to be. But I will say this. It'd be like MadLibs. If you don't mind reading some really select.

We could do C. Smith Madlips. Yeah, that's true. Maybe we shouldn't. If you don't mind reading explicit sexual material involving a former NFL athlete. Explicit. Explicit. Triple X. And here's the worst part of it all.

The woman is not, how do I put this delicately? She, she's being portrayed as not the most attractive thing in the world. Yeah, it wasn't very nice for people calling her. It was not nice. Now, that's not the worst part of all. The worst part of it all, man, is somebody's happy home was broken up. That is true. By Steve Smith, apparently is rearranging things.

And the, yeah, and the husband called Steve Smith, and all the Steve Smith could say the very end was, I'm sorry. But yeah, you know, these people on Twitter calling her Squidward. Oh, Jesus. This is not nice. I mean, calling her Jeff Van Gundy. I thought that was unfair. These people are very rude.

Twitter, you're too mean. Twitter is mean. Remember Steve Phillips, the guy, the former general manager and ESPN analyst? That was before Twitter. He wound up being with someone and, and Matt, everyone's beautiful in their own way. Okay. Describing what just Ross just said, that's what she was facing some of the same sort of backlash as well.

But yeah, we're not reading Steve Smith's text because it might scar people for a while. And with that, we take a short time out. Thank you, Matt. To tell the truth at 1130 today, I have four, I've already done it. I did it last year. I was so bored yesterday.

You said you were trying to catch up on sleep all day. So I would sleep, I'd work a little bit, and then I would do the truth. You look pretty fresh. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. Normally, you're gaunt and emaciated. Thank you.

Four of the takes I have. I believe three of them. One I don't believe. You'll have to figure out which one of the four I don't believe. That is coming up today at 1130. We got the NFL rewind at 1230. I'm talking about me being gone. That's terrible. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. If you'd like to explain how the Rockets lost the jazz yesterday on Saturday night, I would certainly invite that because I'm a confused soul. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. You know, Matt's looking great, but if you've been thinking about losing some weight and maybe you made some New Year's resolutions and you haven't felt the most, you haven't felt the most, you know,

motivation. I've got the place for you. It is called synergenics testosterone and weight loss. Let's talk about the weight loss part. First, they have affordable prescription GLP1 plan. So if you've been looking to lose some weight, go ahead and go to synergenicshealth.com. Synergenics is also the true TRT experts because they have personalized therapy that goes beyond standard treatments that you're going to get at other clinics. They tailor treatments specifically to your needs, your types of that testosterone and what levels they are at. That's why you go to centergenexhealth.com. That's s y-N-E-R genX-Health.com.

They've got clinics all over town. Book your appointment today at centergenicshealth.com. 1033 in the a.m. here on Sports Talk 790. The mad time of show with Ross. With you until 2 o'clock. Houston Astros' spring training game has been rained out. Yep. Boy, do you look to the floor?

radar. I mean, if you live in the state of Florida, you're getting rain today. You've got some rain over the weekend too. Yeah. Here. Yeah, we'd rain. We landed in middle. I mean, it rained at four, when does it rain at four o'clock in a morning? It was a tough drive home. I know. I know. Put on a little Dave Loggins drove back from Hobby Airport to

Kingwood. I bet you did. It's all good. You had his one hit on repeat. You listened to it 17 times on the way home? I did. I did. I don't know if he was a one hit one-hit one not, but that's... He was. Well, one top 40. Okay, I got you. All right. So, Rockets lost on Saturday. Got a difficult back-to-back? First of all,

every back-to-back, it feels like it's difficult. The Rockets have not put together one of those amazing runs of back-to-back impressive wins in quite some time. Actually, they've lost seven of their last 10. Fortunately, the team's in front of them and behind them the last 48 hours have lost some games. Memphis lost last night.

Minnesota lost last night to Oklahoma City. They play again. Oklahoma City and the T.Wills play again, so hopefully some more separation between them. And while I thought number two would certainly be attainable, it still is only two games back, but they're also a couple of games out of being down to six in the Western Conference.

So it is a massive jam between two through six in the West right now. Tightly packed West. Stop me if you've heard that before, at least. Probably just the last two decades at this point. Keep waiting for the parody to turn and it doesn't. Right. Right. You know, it's funny, Memphis and Cleveland play. yet last time on TV.

You know, you've talked about how the NBA should try to get into some better matchups. It was a good basketball game, but you could tell there just wasn't the sizzle, the talk there was in the game earlier in the day between Dallas and Golden State and then the game that followed them after that, paternal Oklahoma City and Minnesota. I think in the NBA circles, they're probably closing the doors going, how do we approach this? How do we put some other teams on that frankly you need to start pushing because

it very well could be Oklahoma City versus Cleveland in the NBA finals. Could be. And the people that are... Adam Silver just shuddered somewhere. Well, it's funny because while the rest of us as basketball fans want the best matchup... Yeah, that'd be a great series.

Seeing New York lose yesterday again to a top three team in the East get blown out like they did to Boston yesterday. Probably doesn't make Adam Silver particularly happy because he knows the New York market. Not only doesn't necessarily move the national media, the national attendance and

people that are appetite for it, but the media loves talking about the Knicks. I mean, got Stephen A. Smith, who's literally carrying the pom-poms for the next thing. Yes, he is. But, yeah, Rockets lost to Utah. That was bad. And IMAIDOCA is just like, he

wants to hug his guys, Ross, and he wants to love on them, and he wants to just tell them how much they're improving, and then they regress and Keante George Laurie Marketing Unstoppable Lori Markin has been an all-star

He's been okay You know he's a longest streak in the NBA Of being an active player To have never made a playoff appearance Is that true? Yeah Huh

Between Chicago and Utah Wow Walker Kessler Never gonna be be confused For a Nikola Yokich Nor should he No

But yeah They were locking down the paint With the Utah jazz And if you're doing that with a team that's not a great three-point shooting team, good things can happen for you. So Milwaukee is in here tomorrow and then Wednesday, the San Antonio Spurs, and then another off day, and then they've got, I think, Denver on Saturday, and then back on the road for a week.

So that's what's going on. We'll talk to EMA Doca probably on Thursday's radio program. But yeah, that was disappointing college basketball over the weekend. My Cougars knocked off Iowa State. Did not cover, but who cares? Huge. No, still. I mean, it was close to double digits, right?

Yeah. By the way, our girl that tried for the $19,000 in the rate Rarm insurance half-court challenge. Okay. She didn't even hit the rim once. Half-court shots are tough, Matt. But they're happening all over the place. And while women are strong and beautiful, physically, generally, it's going to be tougher for a half-court shot. Yeah.

It's rig. State Farm rig this. I'm hopeful that they gave her the smaller basketball. Because, you know, women's basketballs are different sizes than men's basketball. Probably not. They probably gave her enlarged one. State farm rate rarm. 19 seconds and she shot nothing but airballs. Jake probably overinflated the ball and make sure they don't do this.

I don't like Jake. You know, these insurance companies don't like losing money, Matt. That's true. Go make a claim and see what happens. That's true. Now, by the way, there is a video surfacing. I don't know what he was doing at a Bucknell basketball game. But Alex Rodriguez made a half-court shot at Bucknell game this weekend.

Can I tell you, I was trying to figure out what you were rhyming with Bucknell? But then I was like, wait, it's just Bucknell. It's just... And by the way, if I try to rhyme Bucknell, I could get into some serious trouble. I was like Bucknell. Oh, wait, he's actually my actual Bucknell. Yeah, Bucknell, the college. Yes.

He made a half-court shot and wanted some kid $10,000. Oh, that's great. Good for A-Rod. He didn't try to keep it? Yeah, it's funny. The Minnesota Wolves were in last week. It was the Friday night, as a matter of fact, and I was talking to some people in the organization, and I'll keep their names private.

I said, so what's the like to be A-Rod like? And he says, he's as measured as you think he is. He's very self-aware of who he's around, where he is, who can see him, and how he can be put in the most positive light 24-7. Yep, he's a vain guy. He'd be one of those type of people

that if you had a chance to interview him, he'd want the questions had done ahead of time. And he would want to be able to write two strikes said questions that he didn't think he would fare. Probably. And there are a certain number of people. people in Minneapolis that are worried that him and his cohort, I don't know the guy's name, don't really matter.

The first thing they're going to try to do is they're going to try to get a new arena for the wolves in Minneapolis. Target centers, I want to say even just a little bit older than the Toyota Center. And, you know, these shelf lives of these arenas are now growing in these stadiums for that matter. We're talking about energy just today. They're running about 25 years, which is crazy. Because when you and I were growing up, there were facilities that were 40, 50, 60 years.

that we're running. But the bells and whistles are a huge part of trying to attract the dollars that it takes to run these sports franchises. And if you don't have the latest and greatest, and you're not constantly updating things, you're going to be behind the eight ball and you're going to have lots of lost revenue opportunities because you're building just as

isn't as cool as somebody down the street. Yeah, I was wondering about that actually. So I guess what is all the bells and whistles attracting in basketball? Football, of course, it's these college playoff games. It's soccer. It's soccer games and stuff like that. So it's like tournament games?

It's not sweets anymore. It's taking people that are your season ticket holders and giving them club options within the game itself. Like for instance, in Salt Lake City, I was just there. They refurbished the Delta Center about five or six years ago.

You know how there's a lower, you have an upward deck and a lower level and then the lower level starts topping, what is it, would you say diagonal down to the courtside seats. Underneath the diagonal portion of the arena from one baseline of the baseline is a full club area.

Okay. It has food, drinks, alcohol and non-alcoholic, huge spread, big food options. It probably costs the average person $125 a game to eat this. All you can eat, you can go in there multiple times during the game. There's a pre-game spread.

Half-time. I mean, it's like a huge... For those of you that have been to the Gattelger Club at Minutemade Park or Dikin Park, it's the exact same thing, but it's actually at this arena. And this place was jam. So what you're doing is you're taking your season ticket base and you're saying,

hey, instead of going to the concessions and getting crappy food every single time, for 150 bucks or whatever it is per game, you can go to our club section and eat all you want and get high-end food. Like, they let us eat their night. They had a carving station. They had sandwiches. They had popcorn and ice cream. And, I mean, it was just a lavish buffet. That's what they're looking for.

The sweet selling world is only hot a few times for, like, concerts. big events, the world is getting those people that are already in your building to spend more money per person. And that's what they're looking for. Okay. That's why you will see when the Toyota Center continues its improvements in the next couple of years, you will see more of that. You will not see, oh, we've got now 24 more suites. I mean, how many times you sat in a suite for a basketball game? Rockets game? I think once. How many times you've been in a suite on an Astros game and it wasn't ours? Oh, and it wasn't ours? You see what I'm saying? A couple times. But it's not very much. You've been going, but you've been going there for decades. Yeah. So that's what people want. They want close proximity. They want

VIP royal treatment for those people that are already there. Okay. So that's what you're saying. That's what the loss revenue is. And that's why all these arenas around the NBA are trying to say, all right, so I'm going to go see a concert. I'm going to go see Bruno Mars, but I want to have steak instead of having hot dogs. And that's what they'll charge a higher dollar amount for this club sections. And that's what I think the I think what Alex Rodriguez wants in Minneapolis. They're going to try to move out of there. And by the way, again, I'm sensing continued rejuvenation of arenas outside of downtown. It was so funny because 30 years ago, Ross, everybody wanted to be in downtown.

Now you've got sports franchises moving out. Chicago Bears just all stir over the weekend. They're not giving up on the thought of moving to the suburbs to play their games outside of Scholderfield. Really? You didn't realize. They've been in that facility, what, for 75 years? I mean, they've refurbished it, but in that same. area. They've been there for decades and decades and decades. Now you're thinking about going

outside. So just something to think about. The world of going downtown, unless your downtown is super vibrant. It's no longer a foregone conclusion. 1043 on the Matt Thomas show at Ross. 713-212-5-790. 713-212-5-790. On Twitter at SportsMT, at SportsRV at Conardt to tell the truth at 1130. The news at noon, 1230. We've got NFL rewind and do you want to go Roberta Flack at one at for,

not Roberta. Is it Roberta Flack that passed? Yeah, Roberta Flack. Yeah, you want to go with her or do you or something else? What was the most

piping hot sports thing we had this weekend? Roberta Flack guy. That's the most piping hot thing? I don't know. You were at Mardi Gras down and God was a good time there?

I was, yes I did. Anything good, anything happening down there? Let's see. A debauchery? No. I mean, there was some debauchery. Yeah.

I was always able to get on a float. I was throwing out some beads. Did people know who you were? Nobody knew how it was. But people, I was on the same float as Rod Ryan. People knew who he was. Oh, yeah. They were going, what's up, what's up?

Yeah, basically. All right. He had a great, we had a great time. Did you? Mm-hmm. I got flashed once. By Rod? Oh, by a guy.

Okay. 1044 on Sports Talk 790. Matt and Ross returned. Return on Sports Talk 790. Excellent job by ESPN to be here on Saturday for game day. Cougars not, not. knocked off Iowa State, although the game was a lot closer than I think a lot of people thought it would

because Iowa State was losing, had their two top scores. One was sick and one was hurt. I think the spread went to 12 and a half, something like that. I think it was a minus 1,000 on the money line if you wanted to take U of H to beat Iowa State. That rarely happens that big of a number on a college basketball regular season game because they are still kids and anybody can have a down day. Yeah, between two top 10 teams.

You know what that tells me, Matt? Cougars are strong. The markets are believing in the coogs. Could this be the year? I'm going to try to be reserved about this. Okay. Because you're going to get mad at me. I know.

I'm in this particular case. Uh-huh. I want them to go to the final four. They're one of the... They're one of the seven or eight best teams in the basketball. Three best teams. Okay. Dude, I'm trying to slow play this a little bit.

The defense... Here's the thing I love. Their defense is as tenacious as ever. Yes. They have three big men to occupy two spots. So if one gets hurt or one is foul trouble or one's ineffective, there's somebody else coming in. Mm-hmm. And they've got outside threats.

I know. Arsenal, Uzan, Cryer, Malik Wilson's playing a little bit. I mean, Ross, they're a solid eight, nine-man rotation. When you go to the casino? A week from Friday. That's too long. I need that futures bet. Well, I mean, I can only do so much.

Come on, Matt. Let's go. I'll find a bookie. No, let's do it. We'll wire somebody. We'll do it legally. We'll go to the LC this weekend. I'm off at 12 tomorrow.

You could go tomorrow. But I got pre-imposed both days. So it's really not like I'm getting much time off. No, no. You're not even coming up here. No, it's fine. That's great. Got to get my rest.

Two big games coming up. Back to backs. Got to entertain the audience. You're like six back to backs coming up. I know. You'll be fine. He's back to back. What,

when the NBA is supposed to space these bad boys out? How many are there, have the back to backs gone up or are they still down from other water, right? It feels like there are 16, 17 a year, which is about 14 too many. Feels like that is a lot. And again, Houston to Salt Lake City is not a back-to-back.

Well, how do you go into the All-Star break with a back-to-back? And then you start after the All-Star with a back-to-back. That's not fair. have played right. Just these, these are things that grown men bitch about. Multi-million dollar players

living their best life. Scorn points, getting on chartered planes. Season wears on you, Matt. It does. Look at me, you know I've aged. Okay. Not gracefully. Let's talk to Eric in Bay City at 1052 on the Matt Thomas show

with Ross here on Sports Talk 7.9. Eric, good morning and thank you for holding. Yes, sir. I'm sure you guys were excited to see my name this morning. Hey, I'm excited, too, about Brendan Rogers coming to the Astros. This is a gold glove player, had an OPS almost as good as Bregman's last year, had a better batting average in Bregman last year, and we paid the price of a minor league deal rather than $40 million. This is a heck of a deal. Brennan Rogers OPS Plus last year. Now, of course, you know, this is for corrects for stadiums

because you know he played in Colorado, Eric. Last year, Breggman was one. 18 with 100 being average, he was 94. For his career, he's 90. Well, does your defense get better in Colorado, or is he a real gold glover, unlike Adam Everett, Ross? Okay. Wait a minute. Why are you're not being so antagonistic here? No, he misses.

You miss us last week because you were out because you're missing a lot of time, and we've hardly seen you this year. He called in and said that Adam ever was the worst astro ever, and then Alex Bregg was his second worst. Okay, I want to take a chance to walk that back. back. Okay. We know you were being hyperbolic. We understand. Thank you. It was the only thing you clung to because really, the one thing you should have clung to is the fact that Bregman, along with those other guys that talked about have hurt Altuve's chance of being a first ballot Hall of Famer, which is ridiculous. But they're going to hold this against him. He's going to be a first ballot guy. He's going to be first ballot, Eric.

I think he's going to fall short. I think they're going to. Okay. Then you're going to second ballot. Nobody would be fine. Who cares? Well, I think it's a slap in the face of him. Wait, when they introduce you as Hall of Famer, like, all right, folks, and now back to the ballpark for the first time in five years. Second Ballot Hall of Famer, Jose Al-Tuvait. Nobody says that. It'll be fine.

Okay, well, you give Billy Wagner a hard time about being a 10th ballot Hall of Famer, but I guess it's a double standard. Let me make one last point, guys. I cringe to Victor Carrippini and the numbers. Oh, go ahead. No, I cringe. seeing Victor Caratini in the number 17 jersey of Lance Berkman, a guy that has a hundred point higher career OPS than both Altuve and Breggman.

Over 400 batting average in the World Series and two appearances. Lance Berkman's a legend. His jersey should be retired. He will eventually be put in by the Veterans Committee in the Hall of Fame. I've heard the guys say it on MLBTV. It's going to happen. Well, we're wishing him the best. Thank you, Eric.

Appreciate it. Switch hit or played four positions. Yeah, we know. We watched him. Yeah, thank you. Love you, Eric. I do believe Lance Berkman is a Veterans Committee guy. I will say this. When I create my dream lineup, Lance Berkman isn't on that list, but there are guys that are in the Hall of Fame with even less credentials than Alex

Bregman has. And the biggest thing that Alex Berman has. And the biggest thing that hurt me for Berman is that he got knocked off the ballot. in his first go-round. Yes. That was embarrassing. It's pretty crazy. But only 366 home runs?

OPS is great. In the 930, I'll go on the 930s-ish. I'll get a hot take for you. I think they should have retired Lance Berksman 17 before Billy Wagner's 13. I think they should do it the same year. Actually, no, I don't think they should. They should space this out. But it's fine.

It's too big. You can sell more tickets. No, you can retire Lance Berkman's number. That's fine. No, I know, I think 17 should. What do you make of people saying that he wasn't, people didn't think he was the nicest guy ever within the organization? Really? Did you ever hear that?

I had, again, my dealings with him are limited except for interviewer to interviewee. Yes. But I've always found it's very accommodating. Mm-hmm. I agree. And that, to me, goes a long way. Now, again, what he does, what he's like when the room is, when the door is closed, and we don't see it, or two different things. I guess, and I'm not asking you to out of any money, but how did you hear of this?

It's just, I just heard it's whispered on the streets. I'll ask you off air then, because I'm really curious now about this. I'm really curious about this. I thought he was jovial. I thought he was really good. I thought he was clutch. I thought for a guy that didn't want to bat right-handed ever because his numbers were dramatically down, he would give you a key hit now and then in that particular category. 9 to 43 OPS career.

144 career OPS Plus. That's fantastic. That's special. 366 home runs though. Didn't get to 400. Was steroid era being part of the problem? I don't think any... Did you look at Lance Bergen?

No, but I'm saying that... You ever think he was on Royce? A juiced baseball. I mean, there could be a variety of things. What I want to know is why did he get kicked off the list so damn fast? Is it because he played in Houston? Six-time All-Star.

He was top five in the MVP five different times, but never hired in third. He's a boy. Hollow very good. I think he's going to get serious consideration in the veteran side of things. I really believe that to be accurate. I think you got to,

I would like him to have at least gotten to 400 home runs. Hollow very good. I'll stick with it. Okay. Hall of very good means I can retire his number for the Astros. You could? You can. And not even sweat it.

He's in the Astros Hall of Fame, right? I imagine. Oh yeah. He gets a jacket. Yeah. Matter of fact, I'm getting an orange jacket this year. No, I think it's... For continuing.

with service. You and Junction Jack, I believe, going in together. I think Junction Jack over orbit? Is orbit pissed about this? The orbit's still active. Oh, okay. I'm still active, too. Although I can be probably, I'm still eligible. I'm still eligible for the Houston Media Wall of Fame, but I've not been

nominated yet. It's been a little lighter than the years past. Yeah, I know. All right, 713-212-570. 7-1.790. Let's get the second hour started of the Matt Thomas Show of Ross. A lot of things to get to, including the Astros rained out today. That's a big deal. But the fact of the matter is,

we still have yet to see Jose Altova patrol left field. Brendan Rogers? Huge. Minor-in-contract? No on Aeronado stuff? Not a whole lot to that, although the name was brought up over the weekend. And, yeah, I'm putting Birkman.

I'm retiring as Jersey. I really am. A great Houston Astro. Okay. I mean, as meaningful as Larry Durker, right? Probably. See, but I also don't like that argument of like, oh, he's better than some people that are in. Just because somebody else doesn't deserve to be in doesn't mean Lance Berkman deserves to be in.

Or just because, I'm not saying Larry Durk he didn't deserve it, but just because, I don't know, whatever. Sorry. So you just state your case. I'm okay with that. You gave it out eloquently. I mean, 17 to me is, yeah. To me, in my mind, maybe just because of the age that I was and he's seeing his entire prime, 17 Astros to me is Lance Park.

And say I feel 13 is Billy Wagner. 10.58 on Sports Talk 790. Launch timers. This is the Matt Thomas show. Thank you for listening to the Matt Thomas show with Ross here on Sports Talk. 7902 is our time. It's nice to have you with us as we take this program today until 2 o'clock. If you're looking for the Astros, well, we would have had it on tape delay today,

but they're not going to play. They've got the rain. That's going to knock out tonight's. today's game and tomorrow we'll be back in action against the metropolitans we'll have it for you right here on 790 we'll be your pregame show for that between 10 and 11 and 50 tomorrow here on 790 wow that's a long pregame well you know spring training games need one hour and 50 minutes of pregame we've got that coming up and then we've got a rockets tomorrow night against milwaukee then another spring training game on wednesday and then the rockets take on the san antonio spurs

minus Victor Wimbunyama and minus Greg Popovich. You see the story over the weekend? Then he's not going to return to the coach this year and his future in San Antonio is in doubt. My guess is he's what, 70... I think he's 76. Mid to late 70s.

You've got five titles. You've got more money than life. Retire. It was a stroke he suffered, correct? He did. Yeah. Yeah. Now, he did get a hellacious contract

to come back a couple of years ago. I think he was going to pay him like $15 million a year or something crazy like that. He should have money, though. He's got plenty of money. He's got like a bad yacht problem or something. How do you have yacht issues in San Antonio? That's true. I can say lake issues.

He's on the river walk. Yeah. You've been a big... Is that Popovich again? Is that Popovich's tugboat? Out there? When I was a kid, I loved the thought of the river walk. I thought it was the greatest thing.

Like, you get to walk downtown there's a river, and then I realize the things that are done in that river. Yeah. And then you go by there and you smell it and you smell feces. Yeah. And the food at Riverwalk is so mid too. Oh my God. They don't even care. Yeah.

It used to be like, maybe it was never a great dining experience. Yeah. But your pallet at 10 is certainly different at 45 or whatever it is. Well, some people's are. Exactly, Craig Ackerman. But that's on a different issue for a different time. But yeah, I go to San Antonio four to five times a year. I never eat in the Riverwalk.

Ever, ever, ever. 76 years old. He just turned 76 in January. Yeah. And probably he should retire. And I can go ahead and sit this one out, Greg. It's been real. Yeah. Although, if he's feeling better and you can get over the whatever he's in his

recuperation process, I'm sure he'd love the opportunity to coach Wembe and Deer and Fox at least for one year. But who knows to say. All right. What else going on headline wise? NFO combine is tomorrow, it starts tomorrow in Indianapolis. And you couldn't be more excited, Matt, I heard. Oh, my God.

I'm thrilled. By the way, I think I have a take that I may have to adjust on the Texans' first-round draft pick. Oh, really? What did you think I was going to change? I thought you were going to adjust your take on your Ashton Jeanty take. People got them top five on their boards. I'm ready for this one, folks. When he cracks an ankle, you'll be saying, Matt, you're right. You said never a thousand yards and you said just a guy in the NFL. Oh, this is going to be great. Yeah, take that. I'll take the loss on that one. No, Gerongus. but go ahead but Texas

Oh Just a real quick one I think they're going to have to go out of receiver in the first round Because why Let me give you two full One You can get value as a receiver

You can get what value As they run as an offensive line In the second round Okay We know that already for sure Although they actually do have a second round pick They have They lost one with the

Digstrip Yeah It was X two Mm-hmm But Two Tank Dell's not playing next year and you need a, in today's NFL world,

if you're going to be explosive offense, you can't have a one and a two. You have to have a one and a one, you have to have a one in a one A or a one B. I mean, look at Cincinnati, with their, you know, with Jamar Chase and with T. Higgins. That's a one in a one A.

Yeah, they didn't make the playoffs. No, but you might, you get my drift. I don't know, I'm just messing with you. Their defense is terrible. But yeah, if you want to go, well, the Chiefs made the Super Bowl, but where are they starting to emerge as a number one, As the season went along, he's got a lot better.

But when you talk about the elite teams in the NFL, I'm not saying you in particular, but in general, most teams we talk about with high octane offenses have two downfield scary threats. A.J. Brown, Devonte Smith, and you have a Dallas-G Miami. Yeah. Yeah. But who right now is the one B to Nico Collins? Can you legitimately answer that question? John Matchy. See, that's the point.

Yeah, I am of the firm belief. Schultz. It's not good. No. Yes, it has to be addressed at some point. You're making my point. Either via free agency or the draft. See, I don't think you can do it through free agency your trade.

And I'll give you one reason why. I'll give me one reason why. C.J. Stroud. You're going to have to be lean at a certain position financially in order to take care of C.J. financially. So if you're going to spend $50 to $60 million a year a quarterback. Which they're going to.

And you've already are spending a hellacious amount of money on your left tackle. Who might be gone in a year or two? True. You're going to have to pay Derek Stingley pretty soon.

Yes, you are. You just fattened Nico Collins' contract up. You did. But you have him on a deal, actually. I think it's only maybe two more years. He actually, you might have to re-up him.

Okay. So that further is my point a little bit. But you also do have the salary cap making a big jump. You do. But again, I think that money that's going to the jump at the number one position, the quarterback. My point is that you have to be lean in important positions. You can't just rely on your right guard making a little money. I think the best thing you can do is to go get a speedy, young, wide receiver,

and not a lot of wear and tear on them. And the easiest thing to do that to replenish him is in the early rounds of the NFL draft. Okay. So you're saying Matthew Golden, come on home to Houston. Let's go, baby. He never should have left to begin with, but I understand why. No, he did. He wanted to go play in the playoff.

He wanted to be the bridesmaid. I get it. He didn't want to go be eighth place in the Big 12 or whatever you guys were. Well, we're going to be much better. Do you see how Willie Frist was getting the balls rolled up on game day on Saturday? No. Championship material. Is he okay?

He's great. He's in 60s, so I'm just worried about it. Oh, so you're saying a death knells in the 60s. Okay. You don't want to start calling you Mr. Age Discrimination guy. I'm not age discriminating. Yeah, you are. I'm sure Willie's doing great.

got probably a better heartbeat than you and I combined. That's actually, lower cholesterol level and everything. Kenny and Katie at 1109 on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Kenny, good morning to you. Well, hello, gentlemen. How are y'all been? Amazing.

Good. Hey, so I took my kids to baseball games back in the dome, and we made the transition over to Minamade Park. But back in the day, 2002, 2003 in that area, they had the SRO sports bar, and Milo would. do the astro line there and they would always have a player come and Craig Bizio would show up and he would sign two items from everybody in the building bagwell would show up he would sign one

item from everybody in the building Lance Bergman showed up and would sign 40 items and get out of there as fast as humanly possible he walked right by my because they did a lottery. You went in and they handed out tickets, so they only pulled out numbers. My 14-year-old daughter standing there begging Lance Berkman for an autograph on his baseball, and he just blew by her like she wasn't even standing there. So love the Astros, and Bergman seems like a nice guy on TV and being interviewed and everything, but he really lost a fan 25 years ago doing that. So, yeah, I'm just, that's my, that's my encounter with Lance Berkman compared to other players. So I just wanted to add that, Matt.

And congratulations is on your promotion, Ross. Thank you, Kenny. I appreciate it. I didn't hear about that. Yeah, your name's on the show now. Is that a promotion? Has it worked out well for you? No.

That's too bad. More burdens now. I have to get your agent involved. Ever since I did that, you start leaving the show more. I'm here this week. Look, I'll be here during the summertime. You know that. We'll see.

I mean, I got a couple things planned. Yeah, I know. You'd be gone. Got Vegas. Got a little July volleyball. I can go into Vegas like six times you degenerate. We're going to call our friends at Berka, don't we? I will also say, oh, yes, we do.

That's a great trip. Let's get down there. Let's go. I will also say that one interaction about a, and I'm not saying that maybe it was a bad experience for Kenny, but most athletes you can find at least somebody telling a story, like they didn't sign this autograph for me. Because a lot of times they're busy,

maybe they're in a bad mood that day. You never know. So I'm not, I'm just saying I'm not. I'm going to tell you something that I, I've lived... Dyerning Bergman for that. When it comes to that, is that...

And Nolan Ryan went so on me that, he goes, Matt, and I sign 99 autographs out of every 100 people. But that one person I didn't sign, he goes and tells all his friends that Nolan Ryan didn't sign my autograph.

He's a bad guy. That was a terrible Nolan... Oh, right, Matt. That wasn't as good as yours. And then he tried to sell you some foundation repair, right? Right in the middle of that story? Yeah, and some of his...

You need your AC repaired, Matt. Yeah. Some of them is eating is beef. Yes. Point being is this. Not every professional athlete, regardless of sport, bats a thousand when it comes to autograph signing.

So if there was something that was, that people would call up daily or would write weekly and say, this guy didn't do this, never signed any autographs or whatever, I'd give it a little more merit. I'm sure Kenny, your story is completely valid. I understand.

that. But for every one of the Kenny and Katie stories, we're going to probably get 15 more stories of Lance couldn't sign enough autographs. Lance spoke to my kids' team when I was a kid. I mean, there's, it's just, it's just a daytime, place, mood, scheduling kind of thing. So I take, I take every story that I hear about an athlete, generally speaking with a grain of salt, unless I know it's somebody that has had a lifelong issue of not signing autographs and being affable towards. They pile up and you hear them all the time and all the time. Right, right. Right.

All right. 1113, Sports Talk 790. The Tell the Truth is coming up at the bottom of the hour. Let's go. I'm ready to win. You guys won both. I got yours wrong last week. I was kind of supported. So I've got four takes, I believe, three of them.

Okay. So one I don't believe. You've got that coming up at the bottom of the hour. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-2-790 is the way you can reach us. Astros again have an off date today because of the wet stuff. in West Palm Beach. Back at it tomorrow, you'll hear the game right here on Sports Talk 790.

713-212-5-790. If you want to join us today, whether it be about the NFL combine, which I don't think it's going to be a whole lot of conversation. Although I can tell you, there is a potential first-round NFL quarterback that does not want to take part in the combine. I'm sure there'll be a part of Ross's NFL Rewan coming up at 1230 today. Also, believe it or not today, we're doing Roberta Flack on the, that she passed away at the age of 88 killing me softly would be her most famous song right i would say so or the

first time i saw your face feel like making love no what she that's her song no yeah i think we're thinking of two different versions and what i'm thinking about is a you know feel like making love love too and with bad company yeah with bad company yeah it was actually roberta flack featuring bad company That's not sure at all. That is a 100% lie. Ross is a liar. He's already lied once so far today on the radio program. 713-212-5-79.

You're just going to tell you the truth and it's going to get you the recovery that you need and take care of those insurance companies and those hospital bills that you have been having to work through because of the accident that was not your fault. That's Scott Callahan and Associates. Unexpected things happen in life and when they do, you've got to call a firm. that's going to help you. It's board certified and personal injury trial law.

And that's by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. That's Scott Callahan and Associates. You can reach out to him at 713-888-9,000 or visit WeHelpTexus.com. 713-888-9,000. They'll fight hard and give you a voice. They'll give you back to their community as well. Very important to the folks at Scott Callahan and Associates.

You'll pay no money up front, whether it's a car accident, 18-wheeler wreck, a work injury, construction accident, oil field accident, or in some cases, a wrongful death situation. The firm to call, no crazy commercial TV spots, no yelling at you, just getting you back on your feet and getting you and your family a voice and getting the financial assistance you need, especially if it threw no fault of your own. 713-889,000. WeHelpTexas.com for Scott Callahan and Associates, WeHelpTexis.com, principal office, Katie, Texas. The Matt Thomas show with Ross continues on Sports Talk 790.

Strolling in the palm, watching winter turn to spring. Oh, you were right. This is the version I was thinking about. She got a great voice. Number of Roberta Flack songs on my phone. Crank this up. Let me tell you.

What year was this song? I'm an idea. I can find. This is a song that Connor plays to his girl right now. No, he doesn't. 1974. Connor, yes or no? This song is you play for the girl before y'all and y'all go out.

No, she can't put her to sleep. Wait, what? Excuse me? What? It's not nice. I mean, never mind. When you need like a pause. I think you're just, no, forget.

am I going to say. Roberta Fleck influenced the subgenre of contemporary R&B called Quiet Storm. Here it is, Maddie. That's why she's my goat. You don't even know she did this song. But you've heard this before. Absolutely, I have. I have zero Roberta Fleck songs, by the way, on my phone.

That's a mistake on your end. You mean to tell me that young 22-year-olds in 74 or not jamming this song before they were going to make sweet love to their woman or their man? I'm probably in 74, I guess. Yeah. Do we have songs like that in 2025? I'm sure. Let me ask Connor. Connor, what's our 25 free love-making song?

I mean, leave the door open? I was going to say, Silksonic. Soxonic at the hits, Madag. They did some good stuff. The whole album. Let's play some Silk Sonic after the Dell the Truth, like at 1150. Oh, is that same? It seems fair?

Sure. Because I want to know what the kids are, you know, they're not saying using, but, you know, just. The weekend? Set in the, oh, the weekend. It's good stuff. Yeah. Okay. So, you know.

Classic. There's a genre for that. Yeah, Matt. Everybody always needs love making music. I'm not even saying love. I mean, you can cuddle. You can cuddle. I don't say, well, that's after.

Well, I mean, you can also just say, if you're waiting until you get married, that's fine too. Okay. So then dry. What is wrong with you today? I don't know. Seriously. You have worked 80% R today on the radio show. R?

I haven't said PG-13 I would say You said dry You brought up IUDs No I didn't bring that up You did I did not to say that word Steve Smith

What's wrong with you He's did some redecorating Reorganizing Not redecorating Refurbished You brought it up I did not bring it up That is the second time

In a week I've heard about IUD Oh That's what I'm saying. When I'm on the road, like Saturday I was canatonic. I mean, I was like, just get ready for the game. I didn't leave my, I didn't leave the hotel. I ate my meals at the hotel.

And I get on these Facebook reels. Okay. And there's these two women. I don't know who they are. But they talk about, they're very vulgar. And they talk about their sexual exploits. Okay. The IUD thing brought us.

Oh, Bryce. We're moving on. Let's get to Astro's notes. What is wrong with you? We're going to Astero notes. You know what, folks. I would like to apologize to the city of Houston for what Matt Thomas is bringing to the table. You're the one of brought it up?

I did not. Oh, maybe I was the one of brought up. Those three letters did not come out of my mouth and not in that order anyways. All right. Taylor Trammell, or is it Trammell? Trammell. He likes Trammell as well. He gets a little, not annoyed.

But, you know, because of Bubba Trammle and who else is another. Alan Trammle. Alan Trammle. Alan Tammle is the most famous. Detroit Tiger. He's Tramel. He's like, yeah, I got to correct everybody that I come across in my life. He interviewed him in Fan Fest. He's very nice.

Was it nice? Well, he's got a bad calf. Oh, well. And a walking boot will be out for a while. It's a fan fest curse. I guess so. Caleb Ward. Do you talk to Caleb Ward? We did not.

Okay. Left oblique is throwing on the cage off of a screen. These are all notes from Brian McTaggart through Joe Espada today. Oh, my God. Pedro Leone has a bad left knee. We'll undergo an MRI today in West Palm Beach. Spada is not concerned. Sean Dubin on the other side. Spottes shouldn't be concerned.

He's a space cowboy. I mean, if Pedro Leon was, you don't ever want to recommend real estate for somebody, but maybe Pedro Ljohn should buy something in Sugar Land. That's great. Yeah, Joe Spot is not concerned. I wonder why not? Because they're about to retire his space cowboy jersey.

He's going to be Space Cowboy Hall of Fame. Yeah. Sean Dubin, headed to Houston to get an MRI. I'm probably going to make the flight today because of weather's not good. He tried to play catch yesterday and did not feel well. That's it. Well, as long as Lance McCuller's Jr. is okay.

They said he threw a bully. He's feeling good. Yeah, he's going to probably face live hitters in the next few days. Love it. He's on track, baby. When did get feelings? I did hear late April. I've got some gut. I got some Lance McCullors Jr. gut feelings. Are you going to stat it, or are you just going to

just tell us when his return? No. We'll see. Tomorrow. 1130. Yeah, we have a snack size edition of the gut feelings. So we're going to get them out of the way quick. Oh, that's right. Should we do them earlier? 11 o'clock. We don't have that many. Because sometimes people call in, it's a two-segment or thing. You want to do, well, you know, we'll do 1120 tomorrow. How about that? Okay. We'll do 1120 for gut feelings tomorrow. So we'll be ready for that. Yeah, I don't know. It's, it's, it's, it's gravy. If he plays, he plays. You're going to play. I mean, I'm feeling good.

I would think if you were to betting man based on every bit of positive news we've received so far he's going to pitch but I think there's a certain segment of the Astros population it's kind of like I'm going to wait and see because I've been hearing this before

and there was obviously a difference in bullpen sessions and facing live hitters than getting into some sort of calendar routine where he's pitching every five days or whatever he's going to do. I'm feeling good And again, no disrespect to the bullpen sessions, but throwing in 84.

He's running up at 91, they said. If that's the max he goes. That's not Max. He's going to be like it outs? Absolutely. It's got wicked stuff. You know what? You are glass-half-full on him, and I think that's probably good because I think most of the Astros population is more glass.

A bunch of haters. The glass is broken in several pieces. Velocity 89 to 91 miles an hour. Expects to throw a live BP this weekend. Can he see he can't survive on just throwing fastballs though Yeah I don't know Does the curveball gonna put some forearm strain on him Can you effectively throw a curveball without hurting a part of your arm

That has hurt your arm that has hurt you for the last three years Yeah he's gonna do underhand curveballs so that's what I heard But does he throw less does it was that was him throwing all those curveballs in a world series Part of the reason why he created the arm problem again with I wouldn't say that Okay 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90.

We have, believe it or not, today at 150, all things Roberta Flack. We have NFL Rewan coming up, the news at noon, and we have up next to tell the truth. Connor, I'll explain this to you because it usually takes Ross about half hour to figure this out. Connor, I have four sports takes. Three of them, I believe.

Three of them, you believe. One, I do not. One, you do not. So you're flipping it. Yes. 1128, Sports Talk 790. Ladies gentlemen, it's a Monday feature of the radio program.

It is Matt Thomas showed Ross. James and Alvin is standby. We'll get to you in a couple of minutes. But right now, my opportunity to see if my cohorts here, Ross and Connor can figure out my sports opinions. Now, most of the time, they think they suck. And that's fine. I can live with that.

I'm used to that. It's horrible. I have four sports takes. No major trades. What was it? You say, Cucci. ever goes seven innings, some other bad ones. Most men are good.

Few more out, a little outlandish. That's the reason we had this show 10 to 2 for Outlandish sports fignments. Yeah, exactly. Three of these four, I believe. One I do not. Which one of the four do I not believe? Wonderful. Number one.

Hopefully if the Astros are successful, we're going to have a nice, fun, enjoyable season. Okay. But, boys, if things go south for the Astros, The first pitcher I would trade is Josh Hater. I don't think you want to, if you're going to begin a rebuild, and I think if things do go south this year, the first thing you want to do is get rid of a high-price closer for a baseball team that's not going to be a contender.

Okay? Okay. Number two, my suggestion, for those of you that are looking to buy ESOC Paredes jerseys is, not to buy them. I don't think we're talking about a long-term future with Easek Paredes and Houston Astro. I think this year is probably okay,

but I would be not surprised if they move on from him within the next two to three years. Okay? Okay. I think he is, I think we're going to probably miss that Bregman glove more than anybody. You could be trade, it could be really,

it could be a variety of things. You know, he's got a couple of years. of arbitration, which makes him trade friendly. That's the reason why the Cubs made the move. He's got three more years of arbitration. Yeah. But he's also 27, I think. He's an older guy. Okay.

I just don't know if he's like Paredes is a guy that should be considered a long-term Houston Astro. He's 26. His birthday was six days ago. Happy birthday. Every birthday. So he'll be 29 when he claims free agency. Okay. Whatever. It's still 20s. It's fine. You see why the players are trying to get this arbitration stuff out of here. Oh, for sure. Number three. We talked about this on the show last week.

Remember we're talking about how I think the Texans are going to be looking for a new stadium? I thought about something over the weekend. I don't think Harris County, you've got to worry about this. Okay. I think the Texans are going to find out the best place they can go find themselves a new stadium is either in Fort Ben or Brazoria County. I think when the dust settles, I think Harris County is going to tell the Texans to shut their bum asses up. What's going to happen with the billion dollars to owed for the NRG deal? That's precisely my point.

I think if you just skip on it? If Harris County is going to help with the stadium, they're going to want a significant financial assistance from the owners of the Texans, i.e. the McNairns. So if the Texans and the McNairs are insistent on not getting a lot of their own money into put in the stadium and saying, hey, we're the franchise, we own it, let's go. I think Harris County is going to tell them to go take a flying lead. Okay. Number four, Major League Baseball should come back to ESPN and say, you know, I didn't mean what I said. If I'm MLB, I take a lower rights deal and I figure out a way to somehow, some way, keep a relationship with ESPN. Now, do I explore going to Apple or do I further bigger contract or explore more games on Fox or explore more games maybe with Netflix who's trying to get involved in sports?

but I think it would be suicide for a major sports league to say we don't need you anymore ESPN So MLB Take your lower rights deal Get your Sunday night package

Beg and plead for baseball tonight But you leaving ESPN Would be league suicide Don't do it Resign with ESPN Even if it's a different package So the four recaps They recap again.

One, if things go south of the Astros, the Astros should trade Josh Hader. I have a feeling that Isak Paredes is not going to be a long-term astro. Harris County, need not worry about a new facility. If the McNairns don't want to jump in, because I think Brazoria County or Fort Bend will step up. And MLB should go back to ESB and say, eh, we're on a break. Let's get back together.

Let's do you figure out something, take a lower rights deal and resign with him. Which one of the four am I not believing? You believe three of these? Yeah. Oh my God. New typical rudeness. On your rude scale, I think you're about a nine and a half out of ten.

You're on fire, Matt. The flaming hot takes. We've got to douse you with something. It's part of the segment. It's the hot-takiest thing we do all week. I don't even know what to say. I was going to say, what do you think? Connor, I'm at a loss.

I think I'm throwing out the middle two, and it's between one and four and what he does not believe. Yeah, three of these four, I do believe. You believe three out of four of these. So I think he believes that the new stadium won't be in Harris County if they do that. I think he believes it's not going to be a long-term thing with Isak Paredes. This is between one and four for me. Fort Bend is pretty far out.

I don't even know what to do. Fort Bend, by the way, Fort Bend is not that far out. You can get from downtown to Fort Bend County in 25 minutes. That's pretty far. But do I believe that? Fort Bend, you'd have to be in Sugarland. Katie is in Harris County. Part of it, yeah.

Part of it's in Fort Bend. Like Katie Mills Mall is Fort Bend County. These are so bad. They're not bad at all. These are horrible takes. Connor, how bad are these takes? He's being nice. He's being nice.

I know. Ross is being a little too harsh. Thank you. I knew that. Thank you. I don't think you believe four. He's like Paredes isn't going anywhere. He's under arbitration for three years.

By the way, he was under arbitration for three years of the Cubs and they traded him. That's true. But he's under arbitration and a team that's trying to stay under the tax. I'm going to go with one. I don't know. I go with four. Okay. I think Cam Smith is going to inherit a third base here pretty soon.

Okay. And I think... And they put Paredes at second. And they've hired this Brendan Rogers kid, whatever his name is. And there's other guys... Brendan Rogers is a camp invite on a minor league deal. But I'm saying they're always trying to find people. I just don't think Isok Pardis is long term for the asteros.

He's going to be cheap. He's going to hit you like 25 to 30 home runs. He's going to be here. Okay. Then why did the Cubs get rid of him? Again, you already want to Kyle Tucker. You already gave him Camp Smith. You already gave him.

Kemp's in place 30. You already gave him head to West Neski, a starting point of the rotation. I mean, I'm just telling you, call me wrong when I'm wrong. But call me, but give me my flowers when I'm right. I don't think Yisok Pardis is. a long-term solution for the Astros. That's number two. I do believe that McNair's are going to wise up and spend money to keep the team in Harris

County, but I do believe that Harris County is not going to write them a check. That Harris County is, as you just mentioned a couple minutes ago, already down to Billy. Yeah. And if they insist on getting lots of public money for this facility, whatever, if they do decide to go in this direction, I think you're going to have to see them go to Bresoria County or for Montgomery County won't do it. Waldoin County doesn't have enough money. You could definitely put something next to

smart financial. There's room over there and create your Megaplex. That's why I brought up Fort Bend County's a possibility. So yeah, I do believe that's a pot that there's a chance that the new Texan Stadium may be outside of Harris County. And number four, I do believe ESPN

you cannot Major League Baseball, you cannot tell ESPN bye-bye. MLB has got to be an ESPN somehow some way. If you think you're already getting no coverage on other networks, imagine what you're going to be like if you rely on FS1 for your baseball talk. Or MLB network, which, by the way, you know, it's a good network, but very few cable subscribers have it, satellite subscribers.

So the one I don't believe is the first pitcher I would trade is Josh Hater. First of all, the owner of this baseball team loves Josh Hater. Okay. Second of all, at the end of the day, if he's still closing games for you and you don't, and the windows never closed, according to Jim Crane, you're not getting rid of your ninth inning guy. Really dominant ninth inning guys are hard to find. And third, the first pitcher I'm trading is the guy that will start opening day for the Astros. Because he's a free agent at end of this year.

I don't think the Astros are going to re-sign him. So number one was the one I didn't believe. So I was right. You were right. Wow. That was tough. It was tough to see through all the All the fog of the bad takes

But I saw the one that was Kind of I wish you'd have got it right Because you had not been nearly as mean as this man to my right But you know I was right It was a 50-50 shot for me All right Up next James and Alvin wants to talk about Alex Spregman

He's upset that he left Poor guy You know he was not upset? Is Alex Breggman? Not upset at all He's doing okay Do it okay $40 million this year And hitting home runs in Fort Myers

It's just spring training And we're going to come back with a song that Connor and his friends grieved to when they want to have romance. And his friend, what is he, and he's having group sex? No, he's like, when they're talking about, hey, what do you use? You think they're discussing this? I don't see why not. Do you discuss this with people?

Not lately, no. I don't use music anymore. So back in the... I just say, you want to? And you go, sure. Hmm. Said them Valentine's Day, maybe. Really? After a long road trip, you never know. Okay. All right, 1143. Let's put on some Dave Loggins. 713, 212, 5, 7.

The news at noon in 50 minutes here on 790. More Matt Thomas show with Ross. Now on Sports Talk 790. Yeah, girl. I'm so glad you could make it over tonight. So we could get together and make some sourdough bread. I don't know, baking class. Oh, I'm sorry, go ahead.

Oh. So how effective is this one? the 10. 15. Is it really? Yeah, what do you mean, Matt? You don't like this? I'm going to try this.

I'm going to play this song at the house tonight. We'll see how I'll report tomorrow. Oh, yeah, but I mean, you're swinging miss rate's pretty high, though, man. We've got to keep that in mind. I'm like Adam Everett. To our previous color. You're more of a Chris Carter.

When you get a hold of one, goes out of the park. But I strike out a lot, too. I'm like the 2015 Astros. Crush City. I crush it, but then yet I strike out in meaningful positions. I always said you were the Colby Rasmus of lovemaking. Oh, my.

Hank Conger? At least you're in the game. That's true. Colby did play six days a week until they kind of lost it. Didn't he like have an implosion. Like, I don't need to play anymore. I lost a love of the game kind of thing. I want to say it didn't end well for him.

Colby? Yeah. Yeah, I think he kind of, the league kind of tired him early, right? Yeah, yeah. All right. Let's go back on the phones. It is 1150 on the Matt Thomas show. The name of that group again is so I can try this at home. It's Silk Sonic. It's

Anderson, Pack and Bruno Mars. Oh, really? Okay. It's Silk Sonic. Okay. Put the whole album on, Maddie. You'll be doing just fine. Really? Okay. I'll let you all through social media circles. No, we don't need to know. All right. I'll let you know tomorrow 10 o'clock. Okay.

Let's go to James and Alvin. at 1151 on the Matt Thomas show. James, good morning. Good morning, Matt. Thank you for accepting my call. You need to take his advice, Matt, you can learn some things. Listen, I'm really upset and sad about Alex Breedman because he's one of the most iconic athletes in his prime to be let go or not to team owner re-insert him into his payroll. What I wanted to say is this.

He's the best third baseman in baseball. Why not the front office didn't say, why didn't the front office say, hey, if you're not doing five or six years since you don't do long-term contract, why they couldn't come up with the contract Boston gave him? And then on top of that, when they gave Josh Hayter that contract,

Like 95 meal for five years, he's a closer. And Alex Breckman and Carl Tucker probably looked at each other and say, oh, yeah, if we don't get what we want, I'm out of here. Now, let me say this here. Josh Haydup will not have 35 quality save opportunities because the line up. That's it. Wait, wait. James, James, I love you.

You're telling me there's not going to be third. 35 opportunities to save games. You're thinking the Astros are going to finish like 30 and 132? Maybe they'll be blowing everyone out. Oh, that's actually true, James. Maybe your, maybe your glasses half full. Maybe you got this team going 162 with like 75 games within four runs. Well, listen, Matt, you got to have a lead for you to bring your clothes in to close out the game.

That's not going to happen because you don't have, you're missing your run production out of right field. You're missing your run production out of third base. uh, uh, uh, East out parade is just a journeyman. Uh, McCormick, it's a major leader, but he's no Kyle Tucker. Now you tell me where we get the run, Zick. Your Don't Arvarez going to lead the league in Waltz, intentional walks. Nobody going to pitch to him. Let me, let me tell you this here.

You look at the line up, the pitches, the opposing pitch is going to say, oh, man. this is barbecue chicken who's barbecue chicken the Astros lineup Astros lineup is barbecue chicken They're gonna eat them up The opponent pitchers don't eat them up What if it's a fatty brisket

They'll eat it up Anything Hey listen Matt You're gonna pitch the ab too You'll pitch to The new first baseman After that You don't pitch the Albreed

Tucker was hurt and the league, when they found out that Kyle Tucker was no longer Yodon-Avarez security blanket, guess what? They walked him.

They walked. They walked. They walked. Look at the stats. We'll look at him out. He was out two months. He was out two months. When Kyle Tucker was...

Hey. Hey, James, I get you. I want to let you go because I got a lot of folks that want to get behind you there, my friend. Hey, James, never be afraid of the call of the show. And I always, I love accepting your phone call. Do I agree with it very much?

No. But I do love it. Jose L Tuve, Yordon Alvarez, Christian Walker, Yiner Diaz, Yenar-Diaz, Esac Parades, Jeremy Pena. You've got a top one, you've got a pretty solid one through six. One through six is fine. 7-8-9 could be a hot mess. And we're not arguing that.

McCormick will see. Dubon. McCormick, Dubon, Myers. Not a lot of slug bear. Although if McCormick does what he did a couple of years ago, you'd be satisfied to him with his size of a seven-hitter. Let's get Jake in there. We tried. Remember we had the Jake Myers fan club meeting last week.

He said he's going to be more consistent. You can draw some walks. He's not going to put pressure on himself. Let me tell you. If he's going to bat ninth and draw walks, to put it, be a table center for Jose L. 2 if I got zero problem with that. Yeah, we'll see how much that happens. I think James and Alvin just gave everybody a lot of doom and gloom.

Yes, he did. You're hoping for a top 10-ish. And by the way, just to be honest here, the other teams that were very interested. that would be the Detroit Tigers, the Chicago Cubs, the Houston Astros, the Yankees to a smaller extent.

Nobody ever said we're going to give Alex Breggman $40 million a year. The highest number was the Detroit Tigers at six years, 171. 171. And Mike Math tells me that's not even $30 million.

It's 28 and a half. Yeah. They bought a high to price everybody out and said, you know what, we're willing to do this for three years.

And remember, if Breggman slugs he can always say bye goodbye and we're going to renegotiate i don't think that's going to happen i think he's going to at least play the two of the three years of that contract let me get to before the top of the hour will a memorial at 1156 on 790 will good morning hey guys how you doing good the rockets for a second here sure so i'm reading last night this article i don't know if you uh i can't give credit to the author but it was about lucca d'uncic and supposedly lucre's going to sign a max contract

I don't think it's this year, but I think it's next year. And that's one of the reasons they say that Dallas kind of gave him his Walker papers. But Freddie is due, what, 43 this year? Yes. On an option? Yes. It's a team option, right? The team option.

I know. Hold on, hold on. Let's double check on that. There's some player option, team options with different players. So let's make sure we get it right before good time. But finish your point, please. Okay. So the point is this.

This guy wrote that when Tampa Luca to sign his max contract, Luca may consider coming to Houston, and here's his thought process. If you're Luca, and people, people tend to forget, Luca's only like 25 or 26th, he would be with a perfect team to give him a run winning major championships. That's what I read last night. I don't know if you guys read that. I like to hear you talk about it. Yeah, I'd like to hear who wrote that if you could find that will, because I ain't

happening to me. There's no way. I don't think so. He's not going to leave the Los Angeles Lakers to sign here. I mean, I would love it. Not live in La La Land here. I mean, I would love it. And by the way, I think you're right.

It is a team option for family. I am right. It is a team option. I wouldn't think you, man. No, you're trying to call. You're trying to call me on us, okay? I mean, look, we all make mistakes. I mean, one on Friday.

I don't make my mistakes. I mean, one on Friday. I think about it for a second, though. Well, of course. Let me tell you. Let's go. My rocket red glasses are on. I'd be all for that, well, but we are doing realities here.

Yeah. I mean, I believe in some point that a supermodal wants to come live with me the last 10 years of my life. No, that happened. Oh, by the way, Matt, try to, Katie Pitten the grass tonight. Oh, that's for the win, Will.

That is for the win. We'll turn off the lens. All right, see you later. Yeah, I mean, let me pivot a little bit off of what Will said. Do I believe a superstar that we're not thinking about right now could be a rocket in three years?

100%. I believe this has become because of E. Mayadoka and the young core and how this team has rapidly improved themselves because of a And the great strip club scene and the no income tax and the great strip club scene will be a spot for free agents who once again become a desirable place now is it ever be desirable is l a new york chicago miami no chance in hell but if you're going to put that next group of teams that second tier group i think the rockets are going to be back on the top of that list where they had fallen off obviously the last few years. Look as a rocket, a man can dream.

But I think that's what it is. A dream. Kate Upton leaving Justin Verlender for me, a man can dream. Good thing you're happily married. Thankfully, playing Teddy Pendergast tonight in about 605. Wow. Gotta eat six. Okay.

Desert at 610. And then you sleep by 609. The news and noon is up next. Lunch timers. This is the Matt Thomas show. 123 on Sports Talk 790. It is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. We don't leave with the NBA.

We won't, but I just want to put this in there. I just saw this. The Lakers are six and two since Luca Donchitz signed with them, the trade. Wow. And Jimmy Butler, since joining the Warriors, are five and one. So the West is even tougher. That's fantastic. Just great.

You know, we need something to give us a little bit of an edge, a little more or a few smiles. Okay. We present to you the news at noon. And the news desk we go, a man who works tirelessly, feverishly. Oh, my gosh. Chasing down stories like nobody's business, Matt. We present to you sports RV. Astros starting grapefruit league action over the weekend in a split squad on Saturday.

They lost both games to the Nationals and the New York Mets. but yesterday against the St. Louis Cardinals, they were able to get a victory. Yeah, I know. You wanted to smite the robbers of family when Sim took it up 1-1. And Whitcomb lines this one in the left field. That's a base hit over toward the line. A round third Dias, he will score in the second goes to Senzo, an RBI single for Shea Whitcomb. That's six straight two-out hits for the Astros who lead four to two. Astros with some big run production in the fourth and seventh, Matt. Your thoughts on a couple of hits and a couple of rounds.

runs battened in for Zach DeZenzo. It's more competition for left field. Guys built the granite. Let me tell you something. You want to get a tag team champion together to knock out the road warriors? May they rest in peace? I'm going Zach DeSenzo and Cam Smith for the win. Zero body fat. Over the corpses, yes.

Well, also coming out of spring training men have been a number of injuries and or injury updates. Lance McCullors Jr. cleared for live batting practice as he got through the bullpen session today with no issues. Should be throwing one this weekend,

reportedly hitting 89 to 91 on the gun, and looking for some live action. You also have Caleb Oort doing some throwing in the batting cage off a screen. He is day to day with his oblique issue. Pedro Leon undergoing an MRI as he injured

a knee sliding into second. Sean Dubin reported shoulder discomfort. There's that damn word of discomfort in the play. Oh, then as you mentioned, Taylor Tramel with the right calf string, which apparently is pretty significant.

He's in a boot. According to one, Braun McTaggett. Do you think the boot really works in life? You know people that put the boot in and then take it on and go, man, I feel 100% better now. I feel like it's like a temporary... You're on a walking boot for a while? Yeah, but it didn't really help. It didn't help you. You think that, you'd

have been better off without the walking boot? No, I'm not saying that it's not a 100% healer. Hmm. Yeah, man, there's not, it's not like there's magic powers in the boot. Wouldn't it be great as there was? Keeping your legs straight. I hated that boot.

My God. You're okay. I'm like, I'm fine. You're questioning the entire orthopedic industry in this boot that they use. You're so ridiculous. I mean, I am a sports physician specialist. I swear. You know what?

Orthopedist wants to call and tell Matt Thomas to shut his bum ass up about the walking boot. All right. So if you're an orthopedic surgeon or any sort of doctor, tell us how the boot, how much the boot helps. I think the boot helps. Everybody wears one. They should sprinkle some magic powder in those bad boys. Also, Matt, news, it actually isn't news. We had the caller saying he saw a report.

And look, it's not your fault, folks. But we really have to stress this. Click on the link you're looking at and then try to do a little bit digging because it's happening with the sporting news. It's happening with Sports Illustrated. People are literally making up fake news, posting it all over the place. and it's not real. The Rockets going to pursue Luca Donchish next summer

or a possible favorite of a landing spot. It's not real. Thank you to M.R.JLF on Twitter sending the link. This is the headline. Lakers Luca Donchich predicted to leave Los Angeles for rockets next summer. Some guy on a blog listed the Rockets as a possible landing spot if Luca Donchich doesn't sign with the Lakers.

That's just completely misleading and a lie. Luca Donchitz is not going to the Rockets. Again, it's not your fault because everybody's going for these clicks, but it's not real news. So on the news at noon, we have to bring you the fake news that is going out there. Yep.

By the way, shout out to MRJLF for sending that to us. Yes. It doesn't follow me, so. Okay, well, I didn't check if he follows me. He doesn't matter. He does follow you. That's even better now. You probably blocked him. No, he doesn't follow me. Guess what? I don't care.

Well, follow us, MRJLF. M.J.R.L.F. You do whatever you want to do with your time. If you don't want to follow us, it doesn't matter. Let me tell you, you follow us. Let me tell you, your cholesterol is going to go down? Not true. You're going to make more friends? False promises. And your gas will be forcing cheaper tomorrow.

We're going on. Yeah. Somebody from fan-sided, a random blogger put this on a fan-sided blog, then Sporting News picks it up. then they put it out there for everyone. This is ridiculous. This has to stop. Now I'm upset. I can't even do the rest of this.

You're editorializing on something. You're a news reader. You're not an editorialist. Here's some more news. The Rockets get their ass kicked. Finally short of mid-court. Collier picks it up. Seven point game.

205 remaining. Collier straight away. Out left side. Catch and shoot. Marketing three. Got it. Nine from three, but that might be the dagger.

Lori Marketing. Two of nine from three. The seven-time finish basketball player of the year, Lori Marketing, destroying the Houston Rockets. Well, he not destroyed. He missed seven-threes. Of course, inside the Arctic, he was like... He had 23 points and 19 shots, 10 rebounds.

Pretty good. Keonté George really destroyed the Rockets, too. 30 points. Y'all know who Keonté George is. If somebody walked in a room and said, hi, I'm Keante, George. What would you say back? Hi, is that like Devin George's son? No.

Heanty, what do you do for a living? Went to Baylor. That's great. Good for him. Well, Keonté George, dropped 30 against your Houston Rockets, Matt. As the Utah Jazz went on to defeat the Houston Rockets. Now, you said they lost seven out of their last 10. I choose to say they've won three of their last five.

You know what? Me too. Both of those are true. But I'm telling you, three of those seven losses, two are to Brooklyn and one is to Utah. Anybody got time for that? No, not great. coming into the building. So they're off today and yesterday,

but they do have basically three sets of back-to-back they're playing in a row. Tuesday at home against the Milwaukee Bucks, Wednesday on ESPN against the San Antonio Spurs. So that's still an 8.30 start? Yes. The NBA ought to be ashamed of myself. Everybody in the arena last on Friday night,

we were all yawning. I saw you from the cross away. You were yawning. No, you didn't. Yeah. Keep playing his 840 game start. What is it? What's up with that?

I'll tell you, I was doing the postgame show. We started at like 1145. My reminder to go to sleep went off on my watch at 1215. How were the calls? Do we all be honest? No, let's lie. It's easier. Oh, we had 16 calls, full boards.

Santoja was easier than I just talked to myself. I'm monologued for about 12 minutes. We took a break. I'm on a log for like six more minutes. We played some post game audio and I got out. Nobody wants to talk basketball at midnight. That's ridiculous. ESPN, I hate you for that.

I'll be on Tuesday and Wednesday if you guys want to call. The Rockets are up program. You're on Sports Talks. I'm going to call you Wednesday night because I feel bad for you. No, I think somebody will call Wednesday night? Yeah, I might be a little lean. Oh, they're playing Santern. I got a good chance to win that at least.

Yeah. Tuesday night, I feel like we'll get some calls. It'll be earlier. Okay, very good. We appreciate you, people. One non-news note, Lester Holt is going to give up the NBC nightly news. Really? Yeah, he's resigning.

is the anchor of that show. Who even watches the nightly news anymore? I don't watch it. I'm sorry. Unfortunately. Yeah, and Matt, as you mentioned earlier, actually, Shador Sanders, not working out at the NFL Combine. Your thoughts?

Why did it go to these combines anymore? I mean, our first round picks even bothering with combines? Actually, I have some really great news for you, Matt. What? For the first time, in 21 years, sitting atop. The Associated Press, top 25, you're a lady Longhorns. How do you not bring up the Cougars with a big win against Iowa State on Saturday?

Because the Lady Longhorns are number one. Our Cougars aren't number one? Nobody cares about the lady Longhorns. What do you mean? They're selling out the mood, baby. They ain't selling the moody out. Oh, hell no. The games, they're going huge.

No, they're, you get, you buy one ticket, get nine free. Interest is up, baby. The only goes out of the final four. That's because your basketball team, your guys suck. Yeah, they're terrible. How's it is weekend? They got their ass kicked by South Carolina. Rodney Terry is hanging by a thread.

They lost to South Carolina. Are you still the first four or last four in? I don't know anymore. It's like a brachatology. Yeah. That wasn't good for the bracketology. A loss to South Carolina. By the way, Cougars play the Red Raiders tonight.

The Thomas family is definitely split. That would be in Lubbock, correct? Yes. Apparently, people are already waiting outside in tents for the game. That's what do when you H comes to town? You wait outside of the tents. There's nothing else to do in Lubbock. What else are going to do, 10 to their tumble?

You know I love Lubbock. I do. I know you do. You know what? You should start calling me Mr. Texas. You haven't been back since your son left there, so that's how much you love it. That's not true. I've been back for a UBage game. He was already graduated. I love Lubbock and I love You were working. You haven't been back in a non-work capacity since your son left school. Well, I'm supposed to go there for. You're the one that said, if you love it and it's so wonderful and it's such a great town, you'd go back. You know what? I'm going to go on a flight today. I'm going to leave right now. Go catch up the game tonight. I can afford that. And it's kind of expensive. I love Lubbock, I love Galveston, I love all the city of Texas.

Except Bay City, y'all are strange ass. And Baytown, y'all are crazy ass too over there. Why ain't you ain't on Baytown? The whole state. We don't even count Baytown as a part of the state. That's not true. Yeah. We love our people at Baytown and at the Ruckies.

At the Ruckies is not bad. And making some good cash out there. And the backermarle is not bad either. The what? The backramar. If you're only a little breakfast at 4.30 in the afternoon? I don't know. I did that too. All right.

Taylor and Midtown wants to talk about walking boots. And we'll give you an update of what Jim Crane had to say over the weekend in Florida, 1214 on the Matt Thomas show. NFL Rewine in 15 minutes on 790. Back to Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal on Sports Talk 790. 1219, Sports Talk 790. This is a Matt Thomas show with Ross. 713-212-5-790 NFL Rewan coming up in about 10 minutes. We're going to hear from Jim Crane, who spoke during the Astros broadcast over the weekend.

And maybe you didn't have a good chance to catch that, so we'll hear a few things from what the owner of the Astros had to say. Wonderful. It doesn't do a lot of speaking anymore. Mm-hmm. I don't know. If I owned a team, I'm the greatest PR director I can find, right? especially because Jim is not bad behind the microphone. I mean, maybe he's been kind of told us that.

I mean, like, Cal can't speak in from the microphone because it's usually a hot mess. Yes. Tillman has lived his life in front of a microphone. I don't think Jim is bad in front of it. Wish you would do more. I wish he's an, you know, and the Astros know he's going to open invitation to this radio show. We had asked point out of questions. It'd be respectful.

We had him on an opening day a few years ago. We're not a gotcha kind of guy crew show. Are you really? No, I'm just kidding. You're going to try to back them into the corner. Oh, no. Nice. Because, again, if you do that, then you'll never get those guys on.

And sometimes they do have stuff. You can ask tough questions, but be respectful. Yes. I wish everybody learned that. Well, not everybody had learned that. No. That's okay. Taylor in Midtown on 1220 on 7-90.

Hello, Taylor. Hey, guys. Good afternoon. How are you all this Monday? Excellent. Thank you for calling. Yeah, so boots, man. I cracked my ankle, like, I don't know, a couple years ago.

just a minor like one you know like it wasn't like a like a full cacao dislocation sort of thing and uh yeah they put me in that boot and it was horrible and uh my wife uh was super pissed because we had a Disney trip to out to L.A. Oh. Like a show at the Hollywood Bowl and a Disney trip and uh and it got us in front of every line we stood in down there. It was amazing. Oh wait just a minute you scammer. That's what you used the boot to get it in to get it in to get it. advantage. Well, full disclosure, I did have a broken ankle, although I did take it off by the end

of the, because you still have to walk a little bit with it, and the thing squeezes your shin so tight, you end up like with a bruise around your upper shin. But it did work. We had a trip to Peru about eight weeks after that, and it allowed me to heal and go down to Peru and

mountain bike and hike and do stuff, so, yeah, they work. All right. I heard they're, it's you know, I don't know. But the boots still resides here in the home or the Collier home for that very reason. Let me tell you right. Let me tell you what I got out of this phone call. If you want to get the fast pass for free, put a walking boot on as you walk into Disneyland and they'll give it to you. That's what you scammed Disney.

They didn't give it to us. Wait, wait, wait, wait, they didn't give us anything. Mickey's going to get his money. Like, Mickey and the crew is going to get what's there. That's funny. But we still did get to skip a lot of lines. It was pretty dope. So, anyway, you have a great.

Thank you, Ted. Nice to hear from you. You scammer. Actually, I respect the game. I would do that. I would do that in a heartbeat. Come a scammer. He had a broken ankle. I got a boot at the house. Well, put it on. Where can I go to take advantage of the boot?

Hmm. Hmm. I don't know. I'm thinking about that for a little bit. I also want to think about what Jim Crane had to say on Astros Radio over the weekend. Of course, exclusively here on Sports Talk at 790. So let's get to the number one question. And I don't know how these interviews, it started and finished, I didn't hear it myself,

but it is worthy of listening to hear Jim. First of all, speak about Alex Spregman and then deciding to go in other directions to fill the roster needs. We felt we made a pretty good offer to Alex. It didn't work out. You know, we had to move on. You wait too long, and a lot of these players disappear. Right. So, you know, sometimes it's a tough decision.

But having a little experience like he does, and I've seen it happen. you know, a few times with us before. You can't sit around on your hands. You've got to go. Right. And I think we really turned out some pretty good trades. And I think that's exactly what Dana Brown. They're in sync of what Jim said.

We can't wait until the very last second and not be prepared for a third base spot. If indeed he left to go somewhere else. Yeah. And you've got to make up for what Alex brought in aggregate. And I think they did that with Christian Walker and Isak Paredes. All right. One thing that's always asked, and I think, I don't know, I'm not heard this. but I think Jim

when it comes down to the important positions, the important players, the franchise movers, he's very involved in the players as compared to, you know, signing guys that are maybe second tier guys or just kind of part-time players. Here is Jim's response to when he was asked about how he involved

he is in signing actual players. Sometimes, yeah. I mean, I'm in their meetings frequently. I think, you know, the core that Dana has put together, you know, they they kind of put the options in front of everybody. And, you know, the decisions get made. I mean, you, it's, Dana's got the final call. So, you know, he's on the line and we try to help him anyway.

We can, whether it's financially or, you know, the analytics guys. I mean, he looks at everything. I think he's done a good job. And he's a big time scout or used to be, still is. And, you know, he makes good decisions. Can I get that monoling system up, though? problem is every time you want to see the Astros move up the list, they're trading prospects away. Here's one that's very interesting.

We're not doing what you're talking about Jim Crane here, but let's guess. You and I guess and see who's close. It's 39 seconds. It's what fans say to him around town. I'm going to say that if you're a fan of the Astros and Jim Crane walks in your direction, or you guys are waiting in line to go to the bathroom or you're at the, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, DMV or you're in the at a RRRux getting a coffee.

Jim, I can't wait for this season. Excited about, you know, getting back to our winning ways. I want to get back to the World Series. I want to be able to sign our players long term. I'm still very excited. I know there's change is always part of business, but man, I can't wait to, can't wait to be out there for opening day.

That's what I think he's going to say. What do you think he's going to say? I think he's going to say, Jim, you cheapskate, why are you letting all these players go? you've got to sign some more people. I mean, this is getting ridiculous, and we don't want to be fans of your team anymore. All right.

I believe that you're going to lose this competition. Here is Jim Crane 39 seconds on what fans say to him around town. Well, people always question, you know, nobody wants to part with any of the, you know, some of our players that have been there for a while. But, you know, what you've learned is you're going to eventually have to make some moves. And I think people, you know, we've gained their confidence. So I think they give us a little confidence. And, you know, most of the people are very, you know,

curious of what's going to happen but once you do it they understand it and they just move forward and you know you know we're selling more tickets than we did last year season tickets so I guess they like some of the stuff that's going on but you know we're excited about it and I think you know fans are very positive and supportive in Houston without the fans you know we wouldn't be much yeah so that all the right things right right yeah and then lastly how many regular fans is he talking to uh I would say more than you think. Okay.

I mean, do I think that does he go through the drive-thru to get his coffee? Probably. So he could be the barista you're speaking to? Brisa doesn't recognize Jim Crane. The average barista is not recognizing Jim Crane. Are you stereotyping baristas? No. I think you are.

I wouldn't do that. You are flat out. Well, they're very young. So you're saying that there are no young after a sports fan? Tattoos, gauged ears. We're not paying attention to what Jim Crane's doing. Expectations for 2025. I think Dana did a great job.

I really think the trade he made with Chicago to get three quality players for one guy that we may or may not be able to extend. Really put some depth in the lineup. More pitching. You always need more pitching. Speaking, Mr. Sparks here knows that. So I think we're going to adapt well. I think Parades' bats plays well at third. He'll hit a bunch of home runs

He's a big pole hitter And Walker's a big upgrade With the glove at first and the bat You know, from what we had last year We kind of shifted every ride of year round in there So I really like the moves And I think we've got up a good ball club And you know, hopefully win the division

And go from there The Singleton family does not appreciate the big upgrade at first Hmm Well Got to live in the real world But John Singleton's also in the best shape of his life I looked at him I didn't think anything different

You look leaner and meaner? He's just looking ripped. Are you serious? I didn't stare up his body up and down. I didn't stare either, man. It's not going to get the binoculars out. I would hope not. NFL Rewind is next.

1228 on Sports Talk 7.9. Lunch timers. It's the Matt Thomas show with Ross on Sports Talk 790. It is a Tuesday staple of the Matt Thomas show with Ross, But because tomorrow we have a shorter show, and we didn't do it last week as we were in middle of spring training coverage, there's a lot of NFL to rewind. And we do that after I tell you that Rock Textro 21 says,

Hey, SportsMT, a less than ethical person could use the boot to get access to one of those preferred parking places. Like handicap? Of course. Don't you need the placard? Yeah. But if you come, if you get to the parking area at a said location and you open your car door and you say, I'm in a boot, You need to declare it? Well, nobody's there.

I am in a walking boot. Like screaming into the speaker? That's AI generated. You got no chance. I never use my boot to my advantage. I walked in a kind of an airport with the damn boot. You could have got on one of those golf carts where they beep at everyone. Roodly?

But they want a big tip. They're kind of rude. You tip them? You don't? I've never been on. You absolutely have to tip one of those people. I'm not a handicapped individual. I've never been on one.

But what if you've got to get to get to that thing and you go, we've got to race over to... What do you mean? We're carrying two bags. You can't move like to. I like to win, Matt. I'm running faster than that thing. You break wins, what you do.

Sometimes. Ladies gentlemen, here is Sir Ross with the NFL Rewind. Yes, Matthew. Well, we're going to go ahead and talk about what a lot of the NFL world is fixated on, unfortunately. Steve Smith's text? No, Matt. We're not breaking down.

Steve Smith's text. We're not using those three letters that you love so much. And we're not talking about rearranging or refurbishing or reconfiguring. Are you okay? I don't want you to choke on your chicken. I mean, my God, it's Steve Smith. What is it wrong with you?

What is wrong with her? What is it wrong with you? Both of them. All right. Anyways. Well, apparently it has caught like wildfire on Twitter. the outrage echo chamber, as Mike Florio has called it, with the Eagles supposedly planning to skip their White House visit. I will let everyone know that there has been no official announcement,

at least according to this report from Mike Floreo. The Eagles have issued no statement or comment on the situation, per the team that will not be commenting on whether or not they will be going to the White House following their Super Bowl victory. Clay Travis says there's been no invite at all, so at this point. As I've said this five years ago, and I'll repeat it once per year, I don't care who's the president is. You get a chance to go to the White House and meet the president, the leader of the free world, whether you agree with them or disagree with them. I think you go.

Perit into story. Yes. And I would also say, if you want to decline, I don't care either. But that's just me. All right, man, let's keep it moving on the NFL Rewon. us some news coming out of the NFL Combine or news about who is not going to work out. We mentioned that Shador

Sanders will not be working out at the NFL Combine. Also news coming out, Ashton Jeanty, or Genty, as it were, the Boise State running back. A lot of people have him in their top five in terms of talent.

Of course, because of the position, he might not go into the top five. Five foot nine, 215 pounds will not appear. here at the combine. Now, this kind of does matter because people do want to see official height and weight especially on him. And then of course the 40 time for a running back important as well. To me, the combine is mid to late round guys trying to get themselves up in

the draft. If I'm a first second round guy, I'm very careful what I do and what I say and more importantly what I do. If you're no doubt about it first round guy for sure, but there are people who are thought of as like second round talents who can run well, can test well and and run themselves up. Clearly, Ashton, Genty, not concerned about that. He will not be appearing at the NFL combat. Bust. Stop.

Stop. All right, Matt. Well, a couple of outlets have been putting out their top free agent lists, including ESPN and your good friends over at Pro Football Focus. The number one free agent in all of football. T? Higgins. You also have a projected contract put out by Pro Football Focus. They have T. Higgins with a projected contract of four years,

$120 million. There goes my Texans. T. Higgins moments. You've talked about him as a Houston Texan. The Coucher space not there. The Texans could conjure some up with some restructuring of contracts, but that sounds like quite the hefty price tag for T. Higgins, Matt. all things being equal, even if you had the cap space, would you want the Texans to sign T. Higgins to a $120 million deal? Do I love T. Higgins a player? Yes. Do I love him at $30 million of price tag

with already the money that I'm spending on Nico Collins? What was your favorite T. Higgins almost as a Texan moment? So no. So it's not going to happen. All right, Matt, moving along. Speaking of pro football focus, they put out their list of the top 101 players in the NFL. Can you guess how many Houston

Texans appeared on this list? Stingley. Stingley is correct. Tunsel. Tunsel is correct, even though you hate them. Yeah, well, the city of Houston hates him, too. You haven't mentioned the highest ranked Houston Texan as a yet.

That is correct. And I'm going to say, we're done. Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter on the list as well? Daniel Hunter's on the list? Yeah, why not? C.J. Stroud not on the list. C.J. Stroud not on the list. That is correct.

Nico Collins comes in at number 25, just behind Justin Jefferson. All right, so do me of this favor. Let's go through the quarterbacks that are on the list that CJ did not make. And would you rather have that quarterback or CJ? Okay, let's start at the very top. The highest rated quarterback on this list is number one, Lamar Jackson. then you go to number four Joe Burrow we didn't need to keep going Joe Burrow number six Josh Allen keep going

I'm scrolling number 20 Jaden Daniels We've talked about this One two three Jane Daniels or C.J. Stroud One, two, three Cedars Cedestroud Daniels Ced Straton. Justin Herbert is on this list ahead of C.J. Stroud Herbert or C.J. 1, 2, 3.

C. Stroud. C. Stroudia. Come on now. They got Patma Holmes, 39. Hey, Rossi, I was blown away by Jane Daniels this year. He's been great. But again, sophomore slums happened.

Everybody was blown away by CJ's Shrown. But I think Daniel's rookie year was better than C.J's rookie year. And certainly they went further in the playoffs. You want to go by that. Depends on how you want to look at it. That's true. But I'm sticking with C.J. Let's go.

Herbert in the list and C.J. is not that. That's a misstep by that group. They got Baker Mayfield on this list I had a CDA-SRow. This is just based on ratings of players, the raw ratings. And then they have the Super Bowl champion, Jalen Hertz, on this list as well, Matthew. Hertz or Stroud?

1, 2, 3. Stroud. I'm sorry, I got choked up. 1, 2, 3. Super Bowl chant, man. That was a loaded roster. It is a loaded roster in Philly. Answer my question.

You're having, you're having a thing about this. This is tough. Okay. I'm going to go with C.J. Stroud. All right. It's tough. Oh. Close.

51.49. Oh. All right. Anyways, let's keep going. The ramps have let Matt Stafford's agent talk to teams

and gauge value around the NFL. Some people think that Matthew Stafford's value could be over $50 million dollars. A year, Matt.

And the number one team that is being talked about for him? Do you know this answer? Is that the Las Vegas Raiders? No, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Oh, yeah, the Steelers. They need a quarterback badly. Dude, if they got Matt Stafford, well, as long as George Pickens could keep his head on straight. But does he even care?

For a guy as insanely talented as he is, he looks like he can... You're talking about George Pickens? George Pickens. It looks like I can give two blanks half the time. I'm with you. I understand. Okay. And that's your NFL rewind.

All right. Thank you very much. That was excellent. Thank you, Matt. By the way, friend of the show, I'll keep his name out my mouth for this segment. Okay. Just text to me and said that... Oh, there was one other thing I wanted to get to, but I forgot.

But go ahead. That he used his son's boot when his son was wearing a boot to get Group 1 on Schmited Airlines last year. Okay. I think this boot thing is a bit. I'm going to say one thing. Yes. And then we can move on. You people are scumptu.

You hear that? Sorry. You know this guy, too. If you're stealing boots, if you're stealing boots to get in group one, shame on you. His? No, he was worried off. No, I know his son. His son was in a boot at the time.

But if he used the boot to his group one advantage. And he was totally fun and completely healthy. No, I don't believe it to be accurate. Okay, so this person wasn't healthy? Yes, it says Blank's boot got us group one unsmited last summer. Oh, okay. Yeah, if they're hurt, that's fine. I'm saying if you're put, I'm thought you said he

he stole his son's boot and used it. No, no, no, no, no. That's different. No, no, no, no, if the person, no, you're not a scumbag if you're just, you're using a two-year advantage. If somebody, if you are 100% healthy in using a boot, you're a scumbag. Matt? No, I don't, I'm thinking when my next commercial, I don't have a commercial flooding in June.

Hmm. I'll try it. Okay. All right. And that's it for the rewind. Yeah, if you're in the boot. Oh, no, one more one thing that I do want to say. Yeah, please.

One NFL team has proposed ban. the Tush Push, the NFL rules committee may have to take a look at it. Your thoughts? Push push. Take it or leave it? Not that I overly care, but I would probably lean towards leave it?

It seems a little overt, doesn't it? Is the NFL going to want to take out a rule that keeps offense going and keeps offenses on the field? How about the kickoff returns going to the 40 now or something like that too? We'll discuss as we go along on the NFL Rewinds.

Yeah, we're going to keep an eye on that. Yes. And here's the question. Have you ever put, I'm going to put this out there. Because Ross, my friend did not do this. I want to make sure we're clear on this. But have any of you ever used your boot that's in the closet to gain an advantage even though you didn't need the boot? That means it schmided. That means a dark breast. That means that Rick rags over Rexus. Handicapped parking. If you're a scumbag, let us. know that you are, and we will not judge you too severely. 1244 on the Matt Thomas show at Ross.

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Book your appointment at Cinergenicshealth.com. That's S-Y-N-E-R. GenXHealth.com, Cinergenicshealth.com. Lance McCullors. Back to Matt Thomas. Turnball swinging in a misstack three. On Sports Talk 790.

Your home for Houston Astros baseball. A little a P.S. of that NFL rewind we just had. And we've got obviously many, many months to discuss this. And Lord knows every national TV show is going to do it, but we can do it for at least a little five-minute segment here.

Where's Aaron Rogers playing in 2020? CFL. Stop. Las Vegas. Do you hand him the job? What's his relationship with Tom Brady? They like each other. I'm sure they know each other.

They broskeys? Um, you know, you got, you went and hired Pete Carroll, so you're obviously not worried about age. No. In some respects.

It would have to take somebody that says there's something still left in the tank. Right? I mean, when you, and again, we've watched what Aaron Rogers really won full game this year. I was not watching Jets' national TV games.

When the Jets play the Texas, you had to see what he did. And there were some pinpoint throws that he did make. You know, he's never been much of a scrambler, never going to get you the extra yards. Is there something left on the fastball? I mean, there are going to be metrics

to figure out what he's got, right? I think he's okay. I think he's decent to me. from what I saw. I think he makes some good throws. You say, wow, he still got it. And then he makes some really bad throws and make some picks. I think the biggest problem for him. I think he's like an average to a slightly above quarterback at this

point. I think with some of the bad quarterbacks we've seen in the NFL the last two or three years, I think there's a spot for him in 2025. There is, but not a long term. It would just be like a one year deal. Maybe, you know, as a guy who maybe starts a few weeks and then maybe gets replaced by a first round pick or

I don't know, Minnesota, J.J. McCarthy type of situation. But here's the thing about him. The thing that probably is this big negative is he's probably a terrible teammate. He's mouthy. I don't think he necessarily puts in the time in terms of training camp and OTAs. He's like Laramie Townsendell of quarterbacks. I mean, he seems to have had fights with his coaches and offensive coordinators everywhere he's gone.

I think there's probably a layer of baggage that when he was 26 years old, you said, I can live with that because he's the one of the great NFL quarterback. of this generation. When he's 30, whatever he is now, doesn't seem nearly as attractive. Four-time MVP. And when he is accurate, he makes the throws. He can lead you on a...

I mean, he is a two-minute drive, 80-yard guy. He was. He was. Now, you give him a full component of players and at least a decent offensive line. I mean, he had a good ground game last year. Breeze Hall is really good. He had a receiver. He didn't have a great.

And then they went, Bruce Hall was hurt too. Yeah. And they went with the backup, whose name is escaping me right now. But they had at least one good receiver. Garrett Wilson didn't have that great of a year. That's because they weren't thrown.

I mean, Devante Adams was, I mean, you'd be worse off with those two running in your receiving core. I mean, there are a lot of teams that probably would take that in a heartbeat. I just, I don't know. He's not that good.

He's 41. He's 40. It's very easy. and is a bridge. And it's going to be up to, it's going to be up to Aaron Rogers to decide, can I be a, can my ego handle being a bridge quarterback to wrap up my career?

Or is the last time I step on the uniform, wearing a uniform for the Jets, disappointing, and basically the new coach coming in saying, eh, we don't need you. Don't you, if you're him with his ego, don't you want to leave on some sort of high note? Where do you go? I got all the cash. I got all the honors. I'm going to the Hall of Fame.

You can want everything you want, but it's about the other teams wanting you. Ross, everybody wants to, you know, on a high note, everybody wants to walk off into the sunset. It just doesn't happen that often. But there are so many below average. I mean, what did the Steelers put out there? Not Steelers.

What the Raiders put out there last year? Aidan O'Conroy's when Dak Prescott was gone, was putting out Cooper, what is it? Cooper Rush. Well, that's because Dak Prescott got hurt. As I'm saying, there's a lot of teams that have just ridiculously bad backup quarterbacks. Well, he doesn't want to be a backup, I imagine. Is he worth $10 million next year?

If you're paying the high-end 50 to 55, 60, well, he's not paying $60. He's probably going to want like 2025, I would guess. You basically have two, there's usually no middle ground with quarterbacks. You've got the guys making a ton of money and the guys on rookie deals. Or just backups that are just making back, you know, $5 million for one-year backup salary. I don't see, yeah. I know that people don't like. like him because of his public comments turn people off and whatnot i don't care about that it's

on the football field and yeah he's 41 last year if the if the rams trade matthew stappard why wouldn't he want to go to los angeles who's the next guy up in los angeles uh i don't even remember who their backup is give me the backup of the rams or 41 year old now again cooper cup is he's still the guy that he was a couple of years ago, I don't think so. No, he's a free agent. He may be looking. Maybe they want to go ahead and just fully implode the Rams and start from scratch there, which I'm thinking if I'm Sean McVeigh, why don't I want that?

I haven't decided completely if I want to be a long-term head coach here. Maybe the Rams are going in full implosion mode. If you're trying to move Matthew Stafford at this point. They're letting him test the market. The other quarterbacks, at least that I'm sitting on their roster, are Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett. Yeah. Aaron Rogers can beat both those guys out

Grappolo's not better in Stafford though Grappolo is still in the league Yeah What do you mean Guy was starting playoff games For the Niners a few years back Started a Super Bowl didn't he Yeah

With Baltimore right I mean we are with the Niners Yeah as a member of the Niners All right that'll conclude our Matthew Aaron Rogers talk for this For the next three months right Until he signed somewhere And we can keep it talk

We might have to keep on top of those types of things. Stark-Honey Ross Greenberg. Yeah, we're going full Jets talk. I don't think so. Every week on the NFL rewind. We're going to get to some Astros Cheddar when we come back. Okay. How anxious are you to see Jose Altovae play left field?

It hasn't happened yet. Are they trying to save... No, the Baltimore one was Kaepernick. Didn't he start the Super Bowl a couple years ago? Or was that party? I guess it was party. Maybe he didn't start a Super Bowl. I'm pulling it up.

Was it the Chiefs of 49ers? Oh yeah, you're right. Yeah, it was the Chiefs of 49ers. I found it. How are you doing that game? He was 20 of 31 with a touchdown and two interceptions. And now he's the back of Los Angeles. Go ahead, it's my time.

I don't think he's saying that. That's okay. He made a lot of money. I'm trying to guess Garopolo's career earnings. Okay. What's my range? Zero to one billion. That doesn't help me much.

Oh, you mean how many am I going to give you within a range? The range game. Let's give you a leeway of $7.5 million. All right. Career earnings $46 million. I don't have it on this page, so. Oh, God, I thought you just randomly gave me. I was trying to pull it up.

They didn't have his contract info on here. Okay. I'm getting it on, I'm getting it. But didn't Jim and Gropolo date a porn star or some point? Yep. Matt's worth it, sweating a gold, right? I guess so. Better not let Steve Smith find out.

Why? Me, her, her, too. Career earnings for Jimmy Grapelow. Excuse me? I don't know. Here we go. History. Oh, good God. I don't know.

137 million. Oh, my God. I was only off by $90 million. Oh, I'm sorry, $152 million. I was only out by $100 million. Good God. Jimmy Gropa. Y'all just let that sink in for a minute.

Mid-quarterback, $152 million. It's pretty good. Raise your children to become starting quarter. quarterbacks. It will pay off. 1258, sports talk 790. One hour left to go. We've got, believe it or not today, all things Roberta Flack in 50 minutes here on 790. Yeah, well, we've been talking to football, but we know that basketball is in full swing. And those basketball fans out there, you ready to win some real money? You need to check out draft kings pick six. When it comes to basketball payout, draft kings pick six. It's dunking on the rivals, prize picks, all those other people.

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This is the Matt Thomas show. 104 on Sports Talk 790. It is the final hour of the Matt Thomas show for a Monday with Ross. We are with you today until 2 o'clock. If you love us, we got a mini edition of the show tomorrow. We're going to only go half the way, like Crystal Gale said, way back in the day. I'll take your word for it. We'll be on 10 to 1150 tomorrow and 10 to 1150 on Wednesday.

We have Rockets basketball both nights as well, so we'll keep you busy here on the airways. as we call Sports Talk 790. Astros today, we're supposed to play a spring training game. It has been rained out. Rinelle Blanco was supposed to start that game. I don't know if we're going to push everybody back a day or he'll throw on the backfields, whatever the case may be, but he will not start today's game.

McCullors are throwing another side session. It's good for him. Looking good. We were waiting to see Jose L. Tuvia playing left field. It is going to be, and you and I've been out of enough spring trainings and know this, Anytime anything, even a smidge changes from the normal routine, it becomes a storyline. Because you're always trying to find storylines. Got to.

Maybe he makes his left field debut in a game during our time slot. So we have amazing listeners. Thousands of people want to catch how Jose are going to do in left field. I'm trying to temper my expectations because, as you mentioned last week, and it's worth noting. When you get in and around it, you go, man, there's a buzz. There's an energy. there's a, wow, can't wait factor. And then you come back to Houston and you deal like,

are they really going to put LCL TV out and left field all these games? Never done it before? Yeah, are they really going to be as good as I? Because everybody, nobody's negative. And no, they shouldn't be. Start a spring training. Why would you go down to be negative? Everybody's got the greatest swing.

They've added a pitch. They're stronger. They're in the best shape of their life. And it's like you get around that for like a few days. And you're getting those, breathing in all those fumes of positivity. It gets in your system. It's like you're thinking not only are they going to win the West by 10 games, but they're going to maybe not even lose a single postseason game.

Exactly. They're going to take down the Orioles and they're going to take down the Yankees and they're going to beat the Dodgers in the World Series. And you're going to realize they're doing the same thing in Reds Camp. Yeah, exactly. Everybody's positive everywhere. Meanwhile, Marlins camp, man, we're going to shock the world. You'd love it.

And then reality sets it. Reality will set in at some point. And the Astros' 2025 water will find its level. It's just a matter of where that level is. All right. So let's do a little game. guessing on the some players and I'll go in no particular order

no particular position. Okay. Let's go to some, the number one surprise last year, to me, was Ronell Blanco. Okay, positive surprise. Not even, not even on the radar at all for the Astros, had to kind of backdoor his way in the rotation amount for the injuries

coming out of spring training. Yeah, he wouldn't even have been in the original starting five. Yeah. Nobody had him as a high-end starter. For that matter, nobody really thought he was going to be much of a starter at all. I know the aster's were trying to push him in that direction. Yes. And one of being, what, the most consistent pitcher of the group?

Through no hitter. Tired a little bit towards the second half of the year. Yeah, he slowed down somewhat at the end of the year, but it still ended with great numbers. So, was that the first sign of him turning the corner in his professional career? Or was that a one-off? I think. he's not as good as he was all of last year in all likelihood

but at least he can be 90% of that that's going to be a huge help to this team I didn't really I'm just looking this up his ERA was 280 the whole year and he didn't get he didn't even finish in the top 10 of the Siam man 29 starts 280 ERA

Is there a possible from the baseball gods to say can we get the exact same Renele Blanco that the Astros got last year in 2025. Now, according to field independent pitching, he did get a little lucky. Their actual best starters on that metric are Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown.

Well, let's face it. And that's okay. If he can be your three guy. You're losing a gold glover at third, but you're getting a goglover back at first. Yeah. And I do believe that Dubon, now we've always talked about his hitting, being a little bit more than a slap hitter,

but I do believe his glove at second base, you're going to see not remarkable improvement, but I would say sizable. The field that Dubon will be able to cover will be greater than the field that Jose Al-Tube would have been able to cover at second base this year. That is correct. I do need a, I knew didn't step up in Jeremy's Pena's overall game. That's kind of a storyline we was on the back burner. But yeah, what about getting his back going? Because you need to be better offensively.

We had the callers saying that they're going to be barbecue chicken. It's not that. But it's also not one of the most feared formidable lineups in all of baseball, which it has been for a lot of this run that they've been on. Jeremy Penae went from a phenom because he replaced a fellow phenom and had an incredible first season and an incredible postseason to becoming just a guy. Literally just a guy with the bat. And the gloves sometimes flood you down.

You'd have some of those not brain dead, but mine. numbing drop balls didn't need to make it a difficult play but made it a difficult play. Yeah, we talk about OPS Plus with average being 100. His OPS Plus last year was 100. It's the average bat. Yeah. And I think for, now for value, you're not spending any money on them. Right.

That's good. And if you have an average bat and a premium glove at short, that's a good player. It's a plus player. Right. But can we get a little above average? Home run totals 22 to 10 back up to 50. But there was a two-month stretch where it didn't leave the ball yard, right? Right.

I don't envision him ever being a 25 guy, but I can see in between 17 and 22 with a lot of doubles. He's strong, though. He could get to 25. He just needs to lay off those sliders down and away. Which everybody knows that. And it's not that easy. And he talked about it in camp.

One of the things he said is he's thinking too much in there. And he just got to let it go. Well, the reality, here's the thing that troubles me a little bit is that he can't hit them. Now, he's hit a few. But largely, when you throw a slider to him, if it's a good play slider and it's got movement, Jeremy's going to swing at it and miss. But wouldn't you think at some point, if you're a great athlete, Ross, and you continue to see the same type of pitches that it would be able to be a little easier to identify? No.

Or do you say, if a guy can't hit free throw? He can make sure you try to practice 100 free throws a game. If he's still a bad free throw shooter, he's a bad free throw shooter. Yeah, I mean, it's a sight thing and it's different pitchers. It comes out of their hands, different ways. And every, you know, if 20 pitchers throw you a slider, they're going to have 20 different shapes. Because here's the thing that we've got to start dealing with around. If he, if his batting average against pitches, the sliders doesn't dramatically improve,

he's going to be nothing more than just a guy at shortstop. because the slider is typically the second pitch thrown by most really good starting major league pitchers. That's the reason why even though it puts a lot of pressure on your elbow and your forearm, today's youth are still throwing it because it does have a nasty bite that does confuse headers. Yeah. I mean, I've never heard of a complete baseball player that go, yeah, man, that, that XYZ baseball player is great. He has the fastball 500 feet. He can wait on a curveball and smack it.

Change up, no problem. Can't hit a slider. guys that can't have sliders aren't great major league hitters. Yeah, it happens. I mean, it's trouble with a breaking ball. He wouldn't be the only one. Exactly. It happens.

But my expectations of him, and I'm sure his own expectations of himself are, I want to be a feared member of this Astro's lineup. And if your sixth place hitter can't hit slatters, 7, 8, 9, not going to have much anybody on base to hit two. Are successful in getting some base hits. This is his fourth year. He's still 27. He can get better.

He's young. You're Florida glass full. Let's go. All right. A few other people. Let's get to, we'll get to a break. We'll get a few more players here.

I'm just thinking about guys that maybe were one-offs or guys that had a one-off bad year that could be difference makers this year. We'll talk about a few more of those when we come back. 113. It is the Matt Thomas Show at Raw. 713-212-5-790. R-AP. Roberta Flack. She is today's edition of Believe it or Not here on 790.

Matt Thomas, Ross Villarreal. It's the Matt Thomas show with Ross on Sports Talk 790. All right, a few more players that we want to say are going to improve from 2024, are going to dip, stay the same, who they are, kind of just characterizing a few of the intangible storylines that are not beyond the obvious one of how's Jose Al-Tuva going to play in left field. How long is the leash going to be on Chas McCormick? I feel like that's going to be a relatively short leash.

Myers is going to keep his spot in center field because of the ground he'll cover and the fact that he'll be able to cover up a lot of the wards that Jose won't be able to get to, especially with fly balls that are hit the left center field. I think he'll be able to justify his ninth play spot in the lineup. I think the number one goal for Jake is to not be replaced in games because of his lack of offense. I think that Joe Espada has mentioned it a couple of times already. McCormick, to me, of the two-year-goal McCormick, that has occasional power, can feel this position pretty well.

Arms not great, but nobody in the arm at this point in anybody at the outfields great at this point can probably hold on to his job as long as some of that back comes in. I think health can be part of the requirement for him, obviously, and getting back to his numbers of 2023. the 2024 offensively of Chas McCormick probably isn't going to last very long in right field. I get with you, you're saying in theory, but I think he's got a very long leash because what's the alternative? Oh, I think they'll find people. Who?

Cam Smith has said I can play corner outfield. I think if Cam does anything at AAA and Rakes, now again, we're putting a lot of pressure on this kid, that's not fair. Melton could be not far behind either. You could prove Desenso out there. You could move Dubon out there. you needed to moving some, I mean, I think the leash is shorter than you think it is. I just don't see the, I would say the alternative. If Cam Smith is knocking down the door, then you replace him with Chaz McCrack anyways,

because we have enough of the sample size of me to believe that Chaz is not necessarily some guys going to go out there and hit you 30 bombs at a full season. So I think you trot them out there as long as you can and you just kind of hope. That's what you're doing with right field right now. As wants to be the everyday right fielder. I think most people probably are thinking him as a placeholder. Yeah, he's not your long-term solution. He's not in right field in two years on this team, I don't think,

unless he comes out like Gangbusters and is that 30 home run guy, but I just don't see him having this huge career renaissance. He turns 30 in April. So he is who he is? Hopefully he can be closer to 23 than 24. because he was injured in 24 23 numbers keep him on the team all year long

Right 24 numbers They're probably in a little bit of a panic mode Because they're probably bringing up somebody too early Before they're really 100% right to do so You're probably going to make a trade that early this season Nope I don't know how much you're going to put Ben Gamal out there

Who's What's his health? I think he's 32 Oh yeah I mean the names that are being brought up None of them make me go wow Chas, you better do something quicker. You're going to be replaced. Because, hell.

Ben Gamble will be 33, May 17. Well, let's stop talking about Ben Gamble and being any sort of main go-to guy. Okay. Is the fourth outfit or best? Maybe fifth. If you carry five. Oh, Jacob Melton save us. Just hang on and be decent enough until Jacob Melton's ready to come up.

Or Cam Smith, as you mentioned. Yeah. All right, a couple other people. Raphael Montero, there is a spot for him to grab. There's a huge financial component already attached to him, so you're already on the hook for his dollar amount this year. You might as well get something in return. Montero two years ago, perfect seventh inning guy.

He was great. You need one. In 2022 playoffs, he was nails. I'll even go far to say they don't win the World Series in 2022 if he wasn't as good as he was. He was huge. He was getting you six outs here and there. he was great

the less Brian or Brayu pitches in the seventh inning of games the better off this Astro team will be what was it 80 something he pitched 80 games or something like we kind of tease it was 80 we actually tease Joe a spotto

and he's like yeah man we understand we weren't fans he's like I wish I didn't have to put him out that much okay I'm sorry 78 games last year dude get this man some rest Yeah, he can't.

Because ultimately you want that eighth, nine spot, but put those two guys together for a long period of time. That's crazy. You nearly used a reliever half your games last year. And you know what you're doing? You're dodging an injury bullet is what you are. Yeah? And as even Joe Spotted told us last week,

not only are you getting him up and using him 78 times, but you're warming him up, probably additional five or six other times. So you want to, yeah, you want to use him less, and the way to do that, the reason they had to use him so much last year is because every game was close because your pitching is good and your offense wasn't good enough. And I'm afraid that could be the very same formula this year for the Astros. Yeah.

Anybody else that I've thought about that would be not a megastar, but a guy that the Astros have got to count on at this point to be better because this is a different constructed team. I mean, you're losing two hilariously awesome bats in Kyle Tucker and Alex Spragman. You just are. And if we were doing, if we were on the outside looking, if we're doing Seattle Mariner talk, do we believe the Astros are as vulnerable as they've been ever during this renaissance? Absolutely.

You lose two guys your heart of your lineup. You're not supposed to be all of a sudden better. Now, can the drop off be minimal, especially if Christian Walker hits a bunch of bombs? And in that Isok Paredes can be the third baseman, at least offensively, that Bregman was last year? Okay. then your loss is minimal yeah you're hoping you want them to carry the weight

but you are what you are walking into the start of this season the worst hitting out field in major league baseball I don't know what the marlins are thrown out there I don't know what the Cardinals are thrown out there but I'm going to be feeling Tuve's in left we're good

I'm feeling fairly safe it's going to be the worst man can Altuvei do enough to cover up the war to the other two guys can't be that way Jake's got to hit a little and you need Chaz hit more than a little. You got to have Chas hit like most right fielders. There are three spots in your everyday lineup

that you can probably live with being less than super powerful players, at least slugging-wise. Your center fielder, your second basement, and your catcher. If you have any of those three that do have it, then you're in a bonus spot. Good thing, you're plus-plus at catcher. By the way, we talked about... Plus-plus at first.

Yeah. We haven't talked about D as much at all. Yeah. And my guess is a carotini is going to probably catch about the same. If I'll maybe a little bit more, which means you want to give Diaz either a day off or let him do a DH day? You've got a lot of guys fighting for DH days.

Yeah, last year he played catcher 102 games and first base 11 games. He ain't hitting 11 in first base games this year. Well, yeah, right. Unless as long as it gets her. Right, as long as everything is okay.

All right, we're going to talk about something coming back. We mentioned the show to begin the show today, and hopefully you've been with us the entire three and a half hours, but if you've not, it's a long show. We have run into something, Ross. United over the weekend. Okay. It's called Breggman

fatigue. And it just started in spring training. We'll explain next. 126 on Sports Talk 700. You know what I'm never fatigued on? Is delicious food from Big City Wings. Chicken tenders.

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Get your $350 Big Brew, $1 chicken tenders today all day Monday at any of the 13 Big City Wing locations. To find the one nearest you, you go to bigcity wings.com. Lunch timers. It's the Matt Thomas Show with Ross on Sports Talk 790. DJ Kahn. 2-1 pitch to break minutes. Rips that one high to left field. towards the wall and over everything.

Welcome to Boston. Alex Brickman, a two-run shot. Over the wall and the Red Sox take a three-nothing lead. As advertised, he likes the ball close to him. So we had a layer of fatigue about where he was going to play, meaning Alex Brickman, and then the highlights of him playing in his first game of the rent-sum, yesterday. Spring training game in Fort Myers. He'd go three for three with a single, a double, and a home run. He's a triple away from the cycle?

If you get a triple in the cycle, I would have to ask a manager, what are you doing with the player out there playing, getting four A-Bs in a spring training game, especially in February? Got to go for it, Matt. Point being is this. It's a must-win game. And the amount of hate. I don't want to see this. I'm done with him. He's not one of ours. As I told the audience in the 10 o'clock, I'll re-invite those of you that have been just, joining us now, we look for content for the show. It's not an editorial to tell you that you should have to look at it. It's not an editorial that you should have to love everything he does. If you want to boo the hell out

him when he comes to play for the Red Sox out of this year, I'm all for that too. I don't care. But it was an anecdotal thing that happened to be pretty relevant the first time you wore a Red Sox uniform. Now granted, if he bats 125 in the month of April, guess what we're going to do? We're going to put that on our Twitter pages as well. Yeah, I don't understand why there's so much backlash. Like, okay, it was literally his first home run in a uniform that was not the use of Astros. Now, it was a spring training game. But he just looked weird to me.

It was weird. Because his swing. That's very, like, it feels like you had a silhouette of it. You could be like, that's Bregman's swing. It's very, I don't know, recognizable. And to see that in a Red Sox uniform, I was like, oh, man, that sucks. That kind of hurts. Like, what I thought was, I don't want to see a lot of that when it really counts. That was my only thought. Yeah, I kind of don't even necessarily care that much about it, but just seeing it for the first time it was jarred to me more than I thought it would.

Because logically, it's fine, he moved on, they gave him a big deal, it's okay. But Breggman's been our guy here in Houston. And if you pay a player $40 million, over-perceived value from the rest of teams, you would hope that he'd have a nice start to a spring training. And more importantly, you'd hope he'd have a really good season for the team

paying him $40 million. You know, it's actually that made me mad if he has like a huge April in May. Hey, where was that when you were in Houston? If he's like, if he hits like eight home runs in April, like what the hell, man? Yeah. That would actually be upsetting. Yeah, that if he passed anything more than say $2.50 in April, we're going to be like, what is, what are they drinking up there?

What's the, why is the water better up in Boston than it is in Houston? But yeah, I'm joking mostly. At the end of the day, it won't really, it doesn't matter. He's a Boston Red Sock And we're here in Houston Worried about Christian Walker's going to hit his own bombs Like I got some, you know And the guy came back at me and said I was being sarcastic too

Oh, that's good Well, I muted a bunch of people I mean people would you mute too many? I like three I love the mute button New button is your friend I'm trying to find the tweet here I wanted to show you

That I basically said I was kidding about it And then Let's see Let's see, let's see you here. Let's see. Matt is scrolling his Twitter at SportsMT. It's great radio.

It's not great radio. It's embarrassing and I'm apologized for it. Here it is. Here it was. For real? For this time? No, stop. I'm trying to find it.

Let's see. Roberta Flack, believe it or not, is coming up. Okay, here we go. In a couple of segments? Here it is. Okay. At Aggie, at diehard Astros fan. I'm sick.

I can no longer like the Red Sox. I just fell to the ranks of the Yankees and Dodgers after seeing that. Chris says at Asteroa says Spring Training home runs against pitchers who won't be in the opening day roster is hard to see. A little dramatic. And I responded, please look at the word sarcasm. So you're saying people were being mean

on Twitter. I know. People are like I can sleep while he will not get going to after the All-Star break and will be struggling to get above average of 240. People forgot he damn near the league infield pop-ups. I support every ex-Aster

except when they go against the Astros, which is pregnant well. I like that person. How about this one? Sounds like you need it. It's only spring training segment. That's actually pretty funny. It's just the preseason.

It's just the spring training. What do we sound like we're from Sicily. We never did one of those. It's just the spring. It's just the preseason for this. Hope to lose every game. Astros for Life. Okay.

Pastor Prude Home. I got you on that. Beat Bobby Texas. My name is full. is Forrest Gump, and I may not be a smart man, but even I know it's just a preseason. Thank you, Forrest. We even heard Forrest speaking quite some time.

Bobby Texas says, just wait to the end of the first month if the season if he's hitting a buck 97 with one jack and the RS fans are booing the blank out of him because they're already six games out. It's a possibility for sure. I don't think so. We'll see, though. Sports Hodge says anyone who wants

to Boo Bregman for signing a deal that pays 40 million per season when the Astros were offering just over half. That is a fool. It's out, Dylan. You need to calm down, it's just a preseason. That's what Dylan Gwynne caller sounded like when he'd called the show. He was doing a Dylan

Gwen impersonate. Right. We lost most of these preseason, though. They're gone. Yeah, we should have people send some more back through... We could do it. Yeah. It was a nice bit for a while. Nothing means nothing. Yeah, let me tell you.

The macho man is here to tell you. It's just the pre-season. Thank you, Matro Man. May you rest? I feel like how. The Bill Cosby sold the Bill Cosby one? No, I don't see it. Oh.

I know. I can't put that Bill Cosby impersonation out anymore. Why not? It doesn't feel like it's politically correct. Is he alive or dead? You know the answer to that. He's dead? No, he's alive.

Is he really? Yeah. I couldn't remember. By the way, we'll do, uh, you know what? I'm going to do Thursday unless something special happens? Oh, he is alive. He's 87. Believe it or not, believe it or not, uh, dead or alive on Thursday. I thought he was on his deathbed. Didn't he have a bunch of strokes and whatnot?

Well, he, I think he lost his eyesight. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. So I really couldn't remember. Sorry. It's not doing any sort of concert tours. No, I don't think so. Actually, they told him he's on tour, but he can't see. I mean, here's the reality about Bregman. I'm a fan of his. I'm not going to ever not be a fan of his.

Do I want him to strike out 11 times against the Astros? Absolutely. But you know what? If you're a fan of his, which I am, I want him to be valued. I want him to earn his salary. And his image, his stance among baseball fans will be tarnished if he goes to Boston, plays for $40 million next year and bats $2.25.

That'll be great. You can opt right in, baby. He's doing great. That's why I'm saying he really did well at the end of the day. His patients did pay off. His worst case scenario was $120 million. Worse case scenario. He can be a bumbling idiot for $120.

It's not bad. If I'm a bubbling idiot in this station, I'm down for about $12,000. Well, we've been trying. $120 million to be a guy that is going to be basically, if he gets to 100 OPS, he's going to be good. Was he 108 last year? OPS plus. 118.

He was 118 plus? It's pretty good. That still got him only 20. $27 million a year for his highest bid. It's not up to Lance Berkman's all-time mark of 144. That's good. It's good. Adam Clanton coming in. He's got his Rockets rain jacket on. Why do you give us a Clanton fit check every day?

Because he's wearing some of their rockets. Thank you, Ross. What is up with you and the amount of gear that you've purchased? Why do you care so much? Because I think you should be spending your money on your children. Do you know how rotten my children are? Spoiled rotten, you mean? Rotten.

I spend way more money on them than me. Okay, okay. Then continue to wear your stuff then. Well, thanks. I'm glad I have your permission. I'm just so happy that you're going to be taking care of the kids. Nice Kingwood volleyball pullover. Yeah.

Why do you spend so much money on your kids? Because I represent K. Wood. That costs money? You don't know they gave it to me for free, do you? You probably try to wear a discount. I thought they did for doing the PA at the games. They should give you a free something. You know what?

They made me pay for the admission just to get in. Hold on a second. You do PA at the volleyball games, too? Uh-huh. your ego is massive. They asked me to do it. I didn't ask. I don't believe you.

No. I think that's ego. I'm going to back up Matt. Yeah, Carly said, Carly told the coach, I want my dad to do the PA for the games. That's actually cool.

Yeah. So, thank you. I didn't, well, okay. Are you on sidewalk duty for the local elementary school?

You know, that's funny. That's what sidewalk people wear, right? Those, like, those rain little... It's raining. Yeah. I think that's a great jacket.

I don't know why you're hating. Yeah. That's a nice jacket. I'm actually a jelly. I'm actually, can I have it right now? I want it right. Where'd you get it? I bought it actually I think last season at Toyota Center. God, it's, it is, I tease because I care.

It's really good looking outfit. Well, anything that has this logo, which they should please go back to, is great. No. It's the ketchup and mustard for the radio people. Not the ketchup and gray Poupon what they have now. Yeah, but why did they do that? It's got to be trademark rules or something. Even when they did the, they did the blue with the old logo.

That was a mix of match. That was almost just like a thumbing your nose. Like this is to appease both sets of fans. Because I was talking to somebody about this this morning. And they were like, hey, I was eight years old when they changed from the ketchup of mustard to the blue. And it's like who wins back-to-back championships and then does that? Nobody ever. So just, you know, Tillman, Patrick, if you're listening, ketchup of mustard, let's go.

That's all takes. And obviously they're selling it. I mean, you bought this recently. This is not a 30-year-old jacket. In fact, I would, I don't know the numbers. but if you were to look at the numbers, I would say that this stuff overwhelmingly outsells anything else they have.

Didn't we have the gear lady on before and she talked about that? Yeah, Kara. How did she say? Like, they, the I don't think it outsells, but it's like very closer than most other teams in the league. Right, because that's what real Rockets fans want. Now, when you're working your shift at the elementary school, do you have the, you'll sign up

or a stop sign up or a stop sign? I don't know. Actually, it's both. You flip it. Yeah, there's a slow. Well, that's construction. Slow and then stop. By way, we're doing cross-stop. talk here. A lot of shows don't do it. We're doing it here when you come in. I understand that Wax wants to run through Steve Smith's texting. Oh my gosh.

We're going to wait until there's TV so we can include the video? I actually listened to that last night all the way through for the first time. It doesn't get good to the very end because all that does is the husband just berates him. He doesn't, and Steve Smith says nothing until the very end. But I was shocked that a guy who is a prolific trash talker. That's his reputation. He said nothing. Almost more than his game. Correct. He was like crying.

I'm sorry. Why didn't you tell him to like ice up or something like that? His text game was... I think he did tell her. Her text game was... Well, he told her that. Just let that marinate for a few seconds. I'm going to turn my mic off so I can do my show still.

I said it first. You're getting all the credit. I can give credit yet to anybody. It's ice up first. 143. Let's play believe it or not next. What's category? Roberta Flack. It's ice.

It's the three letters that we can't say on the show, which we already did. IUD. You can't say all things about IUDs. I don't think so. I don't think that's the kid is at all. 143, Sports Talk 790 with the word for the Shell Federal Credit. You want to thank Shell for being a great sponsor of this radio show. And if you would like to become a part of this radio show, shoot me an email.

Say, hey, I'm a company. I want you to speak for my company because I love your. audience and I love you back and I would love you back reasonable rates great marketing plans outstanding strategies all can be done by send him an email to mt at sports 790.com and making the shell federal credit union part of the family just like you can be a part of the family as well shell fc u has 3.99% APR available on interest rates for cars up to 36 months they also have an opportunity for you to get a couple skip a pace per year deferred payments are an option and you'll get $250 in cash back all for the incredible

folks that are the Shell Federal Credit Union. New vehicles, pre-owned vehicles, or a vehicle that you're currently in right now that you want to get refinanced, get today with Shell FCU with now 13 Houstonary locations. ShellfCU.org, shellfcU.org for the Shell Federal Credit Union. When I listen to the Matt Thomas Show, I don't even understand the eclectic nature of the show, the dichotomy, the ostentatiousness, the perfunctory that sounds about as smart as LeVar Ball. back to the Matt Thomas show. Whoever he is. Nothing can stop me.

I'm all the way up. Ice up, son. Ice up. 148. It is a Matt Thomas show with Ross. Sports Talk 790. Shedars Sanders will not be working out for teams at the Combine because Deion's already said he should be the first pick

and screw the rest of you. They don't pick him number one. I don't think Dion said that, but I don't know. Combine to me is just a bunch of guys running around in their underwear. and getting asked to awkward questions. Remember that one year, Rossi, there was like two or three different players

were coming out and saying, you wouldn't believe this team would ask me about asking about my mother and her bringing a stripper. Yeah. Wasn't it the Dolphins GM asked somebody about their mother being a hooker or something like that?

Yeah. I mean, the only person in the NBA that should be asked about their mother is probably Gloria, LeBron James, about Gloria James. Oh, that's not nice.

How's Delante West doing these days? I don't know. I have to ask Mark Cuban. I think he's back on the streets. Yeah, I think so. It's not turned out well. I tried to save his life. That's unfortunate.

I do have some great news for you, Matt. Please. Did you know that you could make iHeart Radio a sports talk 790 and your number one preset? I love that idea. Okay. Those of you that want to support the show, we appreciate you, making us a preset on your iHeart radio. We are the Houston station number one that you need to find. Houston Sports.

Let's do it. Let's go. A lot of people do it this Saturday. Thank you very much for doing that. That's true. Appreciate everyone he is. Every one of you. Also, Adrian Wojahowski.

You heard about, you heard who he is? Adrian Wojanozki. I know him. Doesn't matter. He is the St. Bonaventure's men's basketball general manager. Yeah? I didn't realize that mid-level basketball schools needed GMs. Keep an eye on them, Bonnie's, Maddie.

Okay. he is offering up a variety of things for sale. Okay. He's got memorabilia or what? Money that he is going to raise for St. Bonaventure. He's got his Nokia flip phone that he first broke news on or something? If you would like to submit an offer for the iPhone used to break Paul George and Kauai to the L.A. Clippers, the high offer right now is at $450.

It's the what now? iPhone for the Paul George Kauai to L.A. Clippers. I was joking. literally selling phones he broke news on? The NBA draft credential for the Wemby draft, you can get that credential for $750. Who cares?

Should I sell all these crap credentials I have in my closet? You can get the iPhone used to break the NBA suspending season because of COVID. That's available for $750. No. Dinner with Woge is not listed at a dollar amount.

If he picks up the tab, I'll give you five bucks. Wodge, criticizing your political beliefs. That's not on there. Oh, okay. He did that already. Got himself suspended. His draft credential for the final draft he ever covered for the NBA and ESPN, $400.

And if you want his ID badge from between 2017 and 201224, $350. Hmm. Video call of Woj is no offer on that. The iPhone used for his farewell tweet and his final NBA draft, $550. A credential for last year's NBA finals, $300. A $2,021 NBA Final's credential, $300. iPhone for the lottery draft, and Wembe is a

$250. What is this? What is going on with him? What about the poster of him getting dunked on by Sham Sharania? What about the record of St. Bonnie's basketball this year? I have no idea what it is. How are they doing? I don't know. Five minutes left to go on the show. What should we do? We should play America's

fastest growing sports radio game show. We simply call it beat. or not, and here's how it works. You'll call 713-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-7-90. Today's edition of, believe it or not, it's brought to you by our good friends at the Shell Federal Credit Union, shellfcU.org, shellfcU.org.

Category today is all things about Roberta Flack. She's killing you softly. I'll read you a statement about that, her and her life. It's completely utterly believable. You'll say this. Believe it. If you're only full of Uncompanman up,

you'll say this. Not. Two believe or not in a row. prize. I think I chose the worst song to characterize this game. Connor what we're playing for today. Yeah, bad. She's dead. Be sensitive. Yeah, I was not clearly. A pair of tickets to see Simple Minds live on their

Alive and Kicking Tour, 2025, a special guest to Soft Cell and Modern English on May 31st at the Wildness Pavilion and some $790 t-shirts. What's there in the band again? Simple Minds. Simple Minds. Don't you forget about me. Vote. No. No. All right. Can you name one more simple mind song beyond that?

Nope. Okay. Let's go to John in Missouri City on 7-90. John, you're ready to play, believe it or not? Believe it. Roberta Flack was a child prodigy as a classical pianist. She went to college on a musical scholarship at age 15. Believe it or not.

Not. Yes, she did. Believe it. How do you not have that? That's like on line one of the Wikipedia page. Brian on 790. You ready to play, believe it or not? Yes, sir.

Roberta Flack was discovered by record producer Clive Davis while performing on the sunset strip in Los Angeles. Believe it or not. Not. Yep, that's right. State. But number two for the win, Roberta Flack sang America the Beautiful at Jimmy Carter's inauguration in 1977. Believe it or not. Not. Nope. She wasn't even there. Thank you very much. You're a winner. John on 790. John, what was your fair part of today's radio show? I just woke up about half an hour. You do that every day. Why do you wake up at 150 every day? What kind of life do you live?

Here we go. Roberta Flack collaborated with Luther Vandross and others writing music and lyrics for the musical The Whiz. Believe it or not? I believe that. Go back to sleep. You're wrong. Jout day, Joday, Joday. You ready to play Believe it or not?

Yes, sir. While living in New York, Roberta Flack was next door neighbors with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. She and the couple became close friends. Believe it or not. not. Believe it. Statement number two for the win, Roberta Flack began writing her hit song, killing me softly after attending a Gilgaren Scott Herron show at the Trubidor in New York. Believe it or not.

Oh, God. Not? That's right. She didn't write it. It was actually written about Don McLean. All right, nice job, Judy. Michael on 790. Michael, you're ready to play, believe it or not? Believe it. Roberta Flack won the Grammy for the record of the year in 1973 and 1974 and was the first artist to ever win the award back to back. Believe it or not? Believe it. Statement number two for the win.

Roberta Flack is in both the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Believe it or not? Believe it. Nope, she's in neither one of them. That should change. Ross, get some rest. We get a full two-hour show tomorrow. Yeah, I'll be up.

here, Matt, see you up here. I have got an important meeting in the Kingwood area. Thus, I'll be doing the 10 o'clock show from the Kingwood Studios. Oh, yeah, who do you mean with? People. It's great sales, folks. If you want to be a part of the show, email me at mt. at sports 790.com.

We'll do it that way. Up next, our good friends, Adam Clinton and Adam Wexler, they will be entertaining you for the next four hours. And what they're going to be talking about, I don't know. But again, I want them to do a little Adam Clinton, Twitter, theater with the text with Steve Smith and his friends. That's all part of the big show between now and 6 o'clock. The A team

is with Wexler and Clanton. They are coming up in mere moments. Have a great day. Talk to you folks tomorrow at 10 right here. On these airwaves, what we call Sports Talk, 790.