The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Christian Walker Injury Update, Cam Smith Playing 3B, Are Texans A Trade Destination For DK Metcalf?

Episode Date: March 6, 2025

Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" give the latest update on Astros first baseman Christian Walker, who is dealing with an oblique injury. Matt and Ross also:discuss C...am Smith playing third base in the Astros spring training matchup against the New York Metsreact to the latest rankings from "MLB The Show '25"preview the Rockets at the Pelicansreview James Harden recording 50 points against the Pistonsdebate if the Texans are a possible trade destination for Seahawks receiver DK Metcalfreact to the Chargers releasing outside linebacker Joey Bosasay "I Just Don't Get It" and more.

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:01 Launch timers. This is the Matt Thomas Show. 101 in H-Town. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to a Thursday edition of the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Half of us today from New Orleans, Louisiana. And where tonight the Houston Rockets will take on the New Orleans Pelicans,
Starting point is 00:00:25 Ross back in our Houston studios. You guys traveling throughout the streets of Houston. Y'all be careful today. If you're listening to us on the IHeart Radio app, no matter where you may be, thank you very much for doing that. And we are with you today until 2 o'clock where we will get into some of the headlines today, which will include another wide receiver. It may be available that the Texans have been linked to, so says one NFL, quote-unquote, insider. We have a major defensive star in the NFL will be looking for work. We have Cam Smith starting at third base today.
Starting point is 00:00:56 And Rossi, any idea on a Christian Walker update at this point? at 10 o'clock oh no we don't have to make one of those coming up do we i mean now they're they're playing a night game so they don't even have to talk to the media until about two o'clock today okay so adam and adam will be on the case so adam and adam will have all the breaking news on christian walker we appreciate them all we need ross is prayers we cannot have the new first basement with a first three-year contract having a left oblique issue for a significant period of time apparently he's missed time with an oblique issue three times since 2021
Starting point is 00:01:39 but it's okay he hasn't missed major time any of those times the most of you miss with a month when that was last year okay so your so your glasses half full on this yes are you shocked let's go it's spring training baby I'm not going to be doom and gloom yet yeah we'll save ourselves for April for that the first week of April
Starting point is 00:02:01 that no and Aaronano step won't go away hold it. I just don't see it. I mean, I don't think he's overly enthralled about coming here. I mean, isn't part of the requirement of getting a player wanting to, a player that actually like to play for the team he's playing for?
Starting point is 00:02:18 I mean, what are the Astro's doing? Are they, they're trying to have their cake and eat it too. We're rebuilding, but we're retooling, but we're trading away Kyle Tucker, but we're signing players. It's a little
Starting point is 00:02:33 not unsettling but confusing. Would that be a better fight? Yes. Yeah. I do believe they're in wind mode. I do believe that they did make the right move for Kyle Tucker. I do believe they put together at the end of the day. If you're in wind mode, you can't trade Kyle Tucker.
Starting point is 00:02:54 But I think there's two levels of wind mode. There's wind mode for the long term. I mean, I'm just saying. Yeah, they're at the half gas. Well, I don't think they want to be sitting there with their hands empty a year from now. And Kyle Tucker tells them, I'm out of here, Biatchez. I mean, that's what I mean, that's what I'm thinking. Well, they'd get a compensatory pick, but that wouldn't.
Starting point is 00:03:15 Yeah. I don't think you put compensatory picks on the front of Dikin Park's walls, right? By the way, if they got Dikin Park, I think I saw one Dikin Park name on the stadium, but I haven't seen very many. I mean, it's going to take a while, I think. Okay. I imagine it'll be ready for opening days. and time will be there until then.
Starting point is 00:03:35 But don't you think that they should, like, you know, when they put up the players, what players are showing up on the Diken Wall, on the stadium wall? You know, they put those long, long thing, those little, whatever, one of those things called, not posters, but. Banners?
Starting point is 00:03:48 Banners, yeah, those big long banners? Jake Myers. You know, it would be really cool if they put you and I on there with a big promo of the Matt Thomas show of Ross, and the two. Yeah, let's hold our breath on that one. I mean, wouldn't that be the best marketing the history of this radio.
Starting point is 00:04:03 I'm going to be locking down the infield for several years. Okay. That sounds good. That sounds good. 30 bombs, OPS of 820. I'm okay with that. Unbelievable stuff, yeah. Yeah, I don't know.
Starting point is 00:04:18 Are you confused? And this isn't a serious question. Are you confused about the future of the astronauts? I'm not confused. Okay. What they're saying is we want to win, but we also want a standard of the tax. Well, I also, I don't even think of so much the tax. I think it's more of the, I don't want Kyle Tucker to go away and go, hey, everybody,
Starting point is 00:04:36 at least I've got a compensatory pick out of it. Okay, then why did they trade Ryan Presley? Because Ryan was in a bad mood here. Because he stayed in the attacks. Okay, I mean, there's part of it. I mean, I'm not blind to that, but yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Look, if a brayu doesn't pitch 95 times, his arm should be great for the eighth inning of games. Yeah, as long as he doesn't pitch as much.
Starting point is 00:05:05 He's a, he's, he's, he's, he's, he racking up stats on volume from last year. And like I said, as long, you know, and again, if the Astros want to use them as much as they have the last two years this year, this year, this year, this year, this year, this, Ross, I don't think a lot of other parts of the bullpen are settled at this point. going to be some names, but that's really what most of majorly baseball team. I mean, how many baseball teams leave camp going, oh, we know who our six- inning guy is. We know who our seven-th inning guy. I mean, it's a combination of folks. That to me is not a storyline
Starting point is 00:05:43 for me for Astro's spring training, for that matter, any spring training. Yeah, they've got a bunch of candidates. They're going to shake the tree and a couple guys of fall out and be good, I think. Yep, that is right. All right. We are with you today until 2 o'clock this afternoon. We have, I just don't get it at 1130. mine is of course black check related ross oh oh oh how'd you do can you even say publicly
Starting point is 00:06:07 um i will tell you what happened uh coming up at 11 30 you want to wait for 1130 okay it's a it's a lengthy tease but it's a good tease man yeah i mean i think it's worthy of sticking around and again i feel like if you've listened to show for any linked to time anytime i go somewhere where there's gambling. I always have a loss. I have a blackjack idiocy story to give you, and I have another one. And I was playing at a very high table last night. And I
Starting point is 00:06:35 thought, and again, this would be the last thing, I thought when you played at a really high limit table, that you'd get better players. And it's just not the case. No. Stupid is the stupid does. And a stupid blackjack tealer, too, by the way. And the last thing on that
Starting point is 00:06:52 is, he was showing a six. at 12 he says, I said, stay and he goes, are you sure? On against the 12? I said, yes, I'm sure. I said, check the book. He went and checked the book and went, oops. The dealer? The dealer. Oh my God, was he new? I don't know, but he was really stupid.
Starting point is 00:07:09 People get really mad at you when you hit a, what is it, a three against a two, but you're supposed to do that. Yes, I wish I did every time, yeah. 12 is your friend, 13, not so much. But against the 6, everybody should know. He didn't even know. I mean, Ross, seriously, I'm losing, Ross, I'm losing faith in humanity here.
Starting point is 00:07:32 We're getting stupider, Matt, and it's not by accident. Well, the house already has an advantage because of the name itself, but don't give them more of an advantage. That's all I'm saying, Ross. I think casinos make their most money on blackjack. Well, that's because they have stupid people playing it. That's the reason why. Which is crazy, because it's the only game that's actually beatable.
Starting point is 00:07:51 Yeah. If you, if you, okay, we're done. Now I'm just mad. I just, I don't, I just. Yeah. This is good content. Angry MT gives us good content. I just want people to play by the rules.
Starting point is 00:08:07 That's it. And I told me, I told one of the guys at the table, I said, the game within a game, one of the games is called blackjack. The other game is called 21. They're played by different rules. He goes, how do you mean? I said, it's all depending on what the dealer has, what you have. It's not a race of 21. It just isn't.
Starting point is 00:08:23 Matt, it's just as likely to help has hurt you. Just let them play. You got to leave him alone. Okay. When I give you what he did, you're like, you're right, Matt. Sorry. No, I'm going to be like, you let him play his money. But we'll talk.
Starting point is 00:08:39 We'll discuss. I'm going to. I'm going to stop playing. I'm going to start playing black dirt by myself. You can. I'm going to. I'm going to put money on every one of the bets and just say, you know what? I don't know if they're going to lie you.
Starting point is 00:08:49 You would do that. You're going to be shacked up in my spare room in no time. You got that right. All right. Headlines of the day, Rossi, what do we got here? We got Rockets, Pelicans tonight. We've got after a night game with the hated New York Metropolitan's. What are they playing night games for in spring training?
Starting point is 00:09:10 Those people can't, they're dinner at 4.30. They can't go to games at 5 o'clock, 6 o'clock local time. That's nice. Get a day at the beach and then go to the game. Not going to the beach. They're going to sit there with medical doctor. They're four doctor's appointments. That's the reason why they do it.
Starting point is 00:09:25 That's helpful. too, Matt. But I mean, it's only a smattering of people. Let the Astros play these day games. Oh, whatever. You just want more time off. Well, we're sure, sure. We haven't taken time of day off on this. We've been grinding every day.
Starting point is 00:09:40 Yes, we have. Yeah. All right. 713-212-5-790. It's the way you reach the program today. 7-1-3-2-2-7-9-0. If you want to join us on Twitter, you may do that at SportsMT, at SportsRV. and at Connor D. McGuvern. Okay, we got Rockets, we have Astros,
Starting point is 00:10:02 we have D.K. Metcalf rumors out there. He's the number one receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. Was he now until, what's the guy with like the hyphenated name? Jackson Smith Injigba? Yeah, he kind of took over for Metcalf. Yeah, Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalfe gone, the end of an era. Well, Metcalf's not gone. He wants to be gone. He wants to be gone, but.
Starting point is 00:10:23 Yeah. Well, that's kind of. Yeah. early word is somebody said a first and a third I'm like no chance no way no how who said that well plus on top
Starting point is 00:10:36 it was just somebody on Twitter it was like an NFL person and then you gotta realize he's making a boatload of money next year yeah first and a third and there ain't no way you think you think conservative Cassario is going to give up a first a third and then pay 30 million for the guy next year
Starting point is 00:10:50 when you're already paying me Nico Collins as much as you are well you keep calling him conservative he went all in last year. Well, it didn't work. No, it didn't work, but he tried that that wasn't conservative. He tried, he failed. He let the city of Houston down. Oh, please. That's it. We're done. Trading for Stefan Diggs giving up a second round. Is it second rounder isn't conservative? Okay. Well, let's see him, let's pull up this D.K. Metcab deal. No, I don't, no. You want to be serious. Let's go. Now you can go get these second tier guys.
Starting point is 00:11:17 But isn't it crazy this year, Rossi, all of the, the number of want stars now, I wouldn't say mid, but step back, step slower. A lot of wide receivers. Yeah, it's crazy this year of all years to do it. And reality is, if you think about it for Texans fans, you should get one of these guys. And I'm including digs in a mix.
Starting point is 00:11:41 You have an opportunity in 2025 to put a legitimate number two receiver next to Nico Collins. There won't be a lack of candidates for that matter. So, I'm just going to stand by and watch and see what happens. I mean, I think that the next receiver that will be adjacent to Nico Collins
Starting point is 00:12:00 on the football field for the Texas next year will be somebody we recognize. It'll be up to Nick to figure out how much money that's worth, whether it's trading for a player or whether that's trying to sign somebody on a one-year deal. You know, Nick is the king of the short-term deals,
Starting point is 00:12:15 which I think is not a terrible idea to do. You know, trying to catch lightning in a bottle for some guys. Also, you know what? You play really well for one or two years. We'll either compensate you for the future or go test your wear or somewhere else. but of all years for the Texans, the Nia No. 2 with now Tank Dell definitely out for the season,
Starting point is 00:12:34 this would be the year to do it. So I'm kind of, I mean, I'm honest, I'm kind of excited to see what comes up. Because I think whatever the Texans do with the receiver Ross, it'll be somebody that we go, okay, I get it. As long as you don't overpay for it, I don't think his Sarah is a big overpayer. Now, he may not be the best evaluator,
Starting point is 00:12:52 but he's not going to overpay. So I kind of see what happens. I think he's done good with players who have NFL track records better than he has in the draft. So, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm feeling good, Matt, even though you're a Cassario hater. I'm not a casseria hater. No.
Starting point is 00:13:06 I mean, I just, we've got problems here. What kind of problems? You guys got beef? No, no, no. He's been on the show with us. How many times he's been on the show with us? Zero, that's fine. Well, you say his content's no good, so what do we want him for?
Starting point is 00:13:21 Well, we enjoy the sound bites are much better. All right. 713-212-5-79. if you want to join our conversation today. 713-212-5-7-90. Not a piping hot day of sports headlines, so there may be a few things off the beaten path we get to. But we do have the rockets against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Starting point is 00:13:42 We have a former rocket last night. Excuse me, score 50 points. And it rhymes with Bames Martin. I think I'm going to figure it out. You did? Yes. All right. 7-13-212-5-7.
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Starting point is 00:14:41 Totalgrader.com for Total Concrete or Greater Houston. And if you drop my name, and I'd appreciate it if you did, they're going to give you 15% off labor. That's right, 15% off labor when you mentioned me, Matt Thomas. Remember, for anything from pool decks to outdoor living spaces, think of total concrete or greater Houston by going to the website. easy to remember, totalgrader.com. That's total grader.com. Matt Thomas and Ross Bia Real. Two guys extremely passionate about Houston sports.
Starting point is 00:15:10 You can tell them to go get a room. We've shared a hotel room. But they already have. And shared a bed. Truth be told. That's true. Thanks for the visual. Pillow in between.
Starting point is 00:15:20 There's no pillow between you and more lunchtime Houston Sports Talk on Sports 9. 1022, Sports Talk 790. Matt and Ross with you here. I'm in New Orleans for the Rockets and the Pelicans tonight. We'll have the broadcast beginning with a launch pad at 6.6.6.30 will be the network pregame. And the little of the tip time just past 7 o'clock. Astros with a night game tonight.
Starting point is 00:15:51 So I believe the game, the Rockets is going to KTRH. Am I correct on that? Yes. And I think there is no local pregame. Oh, dang. Well, who's doing the post game tonight? That would be me, Matt. Oh, Lordy, you won't be on very long.
Starting point is 00:16:03 I'll be talking to all my great friends on News Radio 740 KTRH. No chance. Where's Mark Levine? Turn this guy off. Nope, nope, no. I think we just went Michael Barry over and over again. Where's Michael Perry? I can't compete with that, Matt.
Starting point is 00:16:19 But I'll be talking some Rockets Pelley's basketball on News Radio 740. I mean, I love you like a brother, Ross. But I'd rather listen to Michael Barry repeats in your post game show. That doesn't sound you like you. You love me like a brother. Are you for clumped like I was? I'm okay. That's fine.
Starting point is 00:16:40 I just need some water, but I don't have any. I can have some delivered. That's fine. I'll go get some in a minute. That's fine. We're going to power through. That's what we do here, 10 to 2 every day. Even when the sports handlines are not really overly robust.
Starting point is 00:16:59 Let's separate some other shows. We could just beat us top. You know what, Matt, this happened off air, but I just want to say it on here to commend the great employee that we have here. Monomer Governor just volunteered to get me water. He just walked out of the control room to get me some water. Isn't he the best? He's the best. He's such a sweet kid.
Starting point is 00:17:14 We should do everything we can to keep him under all circumstances. We'll say this while he's gone. He's great. Runs a great board. And he's very nice. Goes above and beyond. And he's getting me some water right now. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:17:26 But go ahead. And the Friday opens are classic. Oh, timeless. People set their alarms for the front. Yes. Remember that one Friday he was out and somebody tweeted us like, I lost on meeting in my life because Connor McGovern wasn't here. I don't disagree.
Starting point is 00:17:40 I don't think the Friday get-togethers are nearly as fun on the show without those opens. Hold on. Hey, Jose, Connor McGovern's going to be in there a second. He's running me some water. I'm going to put you on hold. Thanks. No, he hung up all right. Jose. Here's my water, Matt.
Starting point is 00:17:57 You all call the show and you only can let it ring three times. I mean, we're going to get to. I promise you. We are our caller interactive show. We do enjoy talking to the people. Oh, man, I'm good now. By the water in my room, they're in cans. Oh, really?
Starting point is 00:18:13 Yeah. May I ask the brand? No, no, I can't see it from here. It's by my bed. I can't really tell you. But, you know, the only time I've ever saw water in a cans was on a dark breast airlines plane. Well, it's generally they hand them out for a like hurricane relief, I thought.
Starting point is 00:18:31 I don't know if that's accurate or not, but I will give you the brand name in just a couple of minutes. I don't want to take the headset off. Because there was, I was actually in a, an, in a ten. during rodeo cookoff and they had cans of water. Does that defeat the purpose? I mean, is aluminum better or plastic better for the water? I don't know. But somebody I was with was trying to walk out with one and they thought he had a beer.
Starting point is 00:18:52 They're like, sir, sir, you can't leave with that, sir. Yeah. And he was like, oh, this is a can of water. It's not their fault, but they were kind of pushy about it. You know how these security people can be? Yeah. Where is the worst security in Houston right now? Worst?
Starting point is 00:19:08 play this out there, like in terms of grumpiest people. Now, I can't use Toyota Center as an example, because I know a lot of those people. No, those people are nice, but I guess they kind of, yeah, I know them a little bit too, some of them. Not as much as you, of course. No, I think Minutemate Park, generally speaking, is pretty nice. I think the world love those people. I don't go to NRG very often, so I can't really use that. I mean, I would say, I would unfortunately have to say probably TDCU Stadium is probably got the grumpiest security people.
Starting point is 00:19:35 Really? I mean, they see the least out of all those. I know what you mean without really saying it on air. I think Ross is trying to say there's very few people in the stadium. No, no, Matt. I'm saying there's only what, six or seven home games? Astros is 81. It's 41 for the rockets.
Starting point is 00:20:01 And it's fewer, Matt. What are you talking about? No, I think people when they heard you just say that, they knew exactly what you meant without really saying what you meant. No, it's fewer games. Fewer people. Add it up, man. So you were not thinking fewer people in terms of like empty stands. Let me tell you something.
Starting point is 00:20:21 Things are going to change. God, I hope so. Let me tell you some. If you age football doesn't change, we're in trouble. I believe in Willie Fritz. The reality is if your football program isn't very good, you can't stay up with the big boys. You can't stay competitive in NAL.
Starting point is 00:20:40 You can have great basketball teams you want to. You can have great soccer. teams and swimming and diving programs and baseball teams. But, bra, you just can't survive. You can't survive. If there's anything during this NIL time and television contracts and revenue distribution, Ross, it is about your football team must not only be good, but it must be something that television teams want to see.
Starting point is 00:21:02 Yeah. Can't argue with that. And I guess it's always been that way. I mean, I'm not making something up, right? It's always been that way. Yeah, I wonder how much bigger the Gulf got over the years. basketball and football? Like, for instance, Indiana and Kentucky,
Starting point is 00:21:18 I mean, two, I mean, legendary schools known for its basketball, football money is, I mean, I don't know what the ratio is between the two, but I can guarantee you that if the athletic director said he'd rather have one team successful of the other, they'd both say basketball, they'd both say football. They just would. Mm-hmm. By the way, we're going to crush next year. We're going to get huge crowds for the August 28th, 3rd.
Starting point is 00:21:43 Thursday night game against Stephen F. Austin. Huge. Well, it might be a nice lumberjacks bump. And then we have Dion Sanders coming to town, September the 13th. That should be awesome. And then we got Texas Tech coming to NR, to a TDCU. That's all good. That's huge.
Starting point is 00:22:02 Texas Tech fans will travel. Willie Fritz is, like I said, he was the right hire, got a quarterback now. Rest of the team falling in line. Let's go. Yeah. Connor Wigman, I'm going to say. It's safe to say all-American candidate? Maybe shortless Heisman?
Starting point is 00:22:18 Yeah. No, I think he's got to be the Heisman favorite. I haven't checked the odds, but he's got to be number one. You know it's actually funny, though? Why is Arch Manning, like, number one in the Heisman odds? Because of the name. His name. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:22:35 And by the way, he did play a little bit last year. It's not like he will not step on the field like he's never been on the football field for the first time. Yeah, but he wasn't that good. I don't know. I just feel like that you... I mean, I'm bullish on him. I think he's going to be really, really good. I mean, all the stuff coming out of...
Starting point is 00:22:53 Well, you said he's going to be a bus and he was going to be at some other school like five times. No, I say he was going to transfer because he's going to get tired of being considered a narcissist for going to University of Texas. Yeah, well, you're wrong. So he was solid last year, but, I mean, they went with Quinn Ewers with a torn oblique
Starting point is 00:23:10 or whatever he had. Was it a Tornoblake, I think? It was some sort of injury. Are you resentful, by the way, of him going out there with that, or do you go, man, good for him. He played through pain. No, I mean, I think everybody knew. I don't think Steve Sarkisian didn't know.
Starting point is 00:23:25 And it does explain, he does, it does a good job of explaining some of his mid-performance. All right. 10.30, more on this and other topics coming up on the radio program today. 713, 2.12. 7.90 at 11.30 today, one hour for now we'll have I just don't get it, which is essentially a situation where you call the show, something perplexes you and you just don't get it. Well, Ross, Connor, myself are here to help you navigate these murky waters.
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Starting point is 00:25:05 Matt Thomas, Ross Villariel. It's the Matt Thomas show with Ross on Sports Talk 790. The name of the can of water is called Open Water, and their logo is more ocean less plastic. Made of carbon neutral cans. How about that? This is more environmentally friendly. Oh, okay. That's great for them.
Starting point is 00:25:33 I'm okay with that. That's fine. It tastes the same to me. They're spitting into the wind, but I applaud their effort. Yeah, that's true. All right. Let me get to I'm not a video game player Rossi
Starting point is 00:25:43 I know that a lot of our audience is My family is big time video games players Of course My son and my daughter I have the MLB at the NBA 2K game that I've been voicing And they've never heard me on there yet But that's I don't think it's a huge sound of disrespect
Starting point is 00:26:00 Just a slight MLB the show ratings are out For the 2025 Season And the Astros have five players on that list in the top group. The doctors have the top five players for the Astros. Jordan Alvarez, Christian Walker, Jose Altova, Jainer Diaz, and Framber Valdez. Now, do you play MLB the show?
Starting point is 00:26:22 I have not played an MLB game in years and years, so I'm the last guy to ask, unfortunately. Okay, I'm assuming that overall, a hundred is the top point number on that? Yeah, I would imagine, yes. Frobber has an 85 Yarnier 85 Hoselle Tuve 88 Christian Walker 88 and Yorna Albares 92 if that makes anything
Starting point is 00:26:46 92 Yeah Who's the best in the game Juan Soto Gotta be right 92 seems low Unless they're like FIFA ratings where
Starting point is 00:27:01 some people are 92 or 93 is about as high as people get on FIFA You know who really gets mad about these rankings It's the players itself. The players do. Yeah. They lose their mind. It would news at noon one of the weeks we did.
Starting point is 00:27:15 The coach was talking about the biggest headaches for him wasn't NIL or anything else. It was the players upset about their college ranking. Right, right. That's exactly right. Okay, hold on. They got Aaron Judge a 99 overall. I guess he plays the field. But Aaron Judge in 95 and Yordon is a 92?
Starting point is 00:27:31 Hold on, folks. I guess it's because he doesn't play the field. Is this what's hurting him so much? Can we get somebody who plays a lot? MLB the show to educate us on this? I think it's, yeah, if you're an MLB the show player, let us know how
Starting point is 00:27:46 outraged you are, because I happen to see somebody on Twitter retweet what I just read, and they're just losing their mind. Okay. A 92. Jose Ramirez, okay, let's figure out why he's on 100. Does he strike out too much? No. But Sluggers
Starting point is 00:28:05 always strike out a lot. He doesn't have the super high strike out. He doesn't strike out as much as Aaron Judge, who's Does he draw enough walks? He draws a good amount of walks. Okay. He has a good arm in left field. But for a defensive player, he still would be considered what a minus player, right, defensively?
Starting point is 00:28:25 Yeah, this must be just factoring in both sides. So that's fine. Whatever. You know what? I'm not going to get upset about something I didn't know about five minutes ago. I'm dropping it, Matt. I'm leaving it. Okay.
Starting point is 00:28:38 that's one way if you let me give you a little radio one-on-one if you're ever player that you aren't you haven't interviewed before and you're trying to like well what's a good icebreaker ice breaking good it would be hey man do you see your MLK
Starting point is 00:28:52 MLB ratings oh yeah isn't that awesome or you want to go hey you want to get on his good side and say I got to be honest with you Jordan you got a 92 rating on MLB the show that's outrageous how do you feel what are your emotions about this right now? Wait a minute sunny gray's a 90 and Frommers at 85
Starting point is 00:29:07 What is this? Sources have told me that your son Cameron is good at the game. Really? Yeah. You didn't even know? Well, apparently he's got a lot of free time. I don't know why, but that's a different issue. By the way, speaking of camera, can I mention it in camera real quick before we go to the phones?
Starting point is 00:29:26 Okay. He sat first row at Wreckling Park last night for the U of H complete annihilation of the Rice Owls. Yes So the game was on ESPN regional or plus whatever You know the channel that we do games on Mm-hmm He's pretending he's the umpire behind home plate Did he go viral?
Starting point is 00:29:50 I don't know if he's going viral But he very well could have He gave a strike call Standing up in the first row Of the lower level of Wreckling Park Wow he is his father's son And I was like This is one of my proudest moments of my entire life
Starting point is 00:30:04 I was gonna say You'd never been more proud. First of all, he got into the stance, which was props for him on that. And then he gives a strike call. It was authoritative. It was demonstrative. It was right away. He didn't have to wait for the umpire to do it. He guessed the strike before the strike was even called by the homeploid umpire. That's pretty funny. How did you see video of this? Somebody sent us. He put on his Instagram account. Oh, okay. Well, let me follow
Starting point is 00:30:31 them on Instagram. By the way, follow Sports RV on Instagram. It's a really good hit. I mean, for the three times a year, he puts a stuff up there. I'm trying to use it more, man. I'm trying. At SportsRVee. My latest post has a bunch of pictures of you. I just gave me out a follow.
Starting point is 00:30:49 There you go, Matt. I followed you. Okay, thank you. You all follow both of us. And if we think you're interesting, we'll follow you back. No guarantees. At SportsMT, at SportsRV on Instagram. Follow us there.
Starting point is 00:31:05 Learn, listen, love, appreciate. All right, we're going to get some clarity here. Roddy and Katie at 1041. Roddy, these rankings, give us your raw emotions after hearing the numbers about these five astros. They sound legit to me. I think, like what you were saying, Ross, like the FIFA rankings, it's kind of like that. They're not like, you know, with Madden how the best player would be 95 or above. so ranking you're down at 92 sounds about you know right to me
Starting point is 00:31:41 just off all the you know how they've rated all the other players it's a fun game I'm totally addicted to it Ross I don't know if you remember me telling you about getting that game and I play it every day I go home on my lunch break I'm playing in it after work like I
Starting point is 00:32:02 it's fun man It's a really fun game. Thank you, Rowdy. Thank you, Roddy. No problem. Thanks, Roddy. Do people go home at lunch and play video games? That's what Rowdy does.
Starting point is 00:32:18 I mean, Roddy, you, I don't know if you're the one-off or not. I can tell you that in college, I think that's probably pretty frequent, that people would go back to their apartments and their dorms and play games during, like, lunch breaks or in between classes. But as grown adults, I, you know, teach. his own. I'm going to shame you. It seems like you're trying to. No, not at all. By the way, Alex Breitman comes in an 82. Does that feel a little disrespectful for the goal glover? I'm sure he feels disrespected by it. I don't think he cares. I think it's $40 million a year for the next at least one season, if not more than that. But yeah, you want to, you want to draw
Starting point is 00:33:00 up emotions for a major league baseball player, for that matter, any athlete. I think football players are probably the most irritated by quarterback ranking, like with Madden. Isn't that always a thing once a year, Ross, where players will go to their Twitter accounts and social media and say, how did I get this ranking? I'm better than that. Yeah, it's definitely a go-to when the ratings come out for it to be talked about on podcasts or social media. Oh, the Radio Row rankings are out, and I am at a 99. That's nice.
Starting point is 00:33:32 Thank you. Oh, that's out of a thousand. That's tough. No. Jason Barrett, that has been a radio programmer who does a stupid website. He got me at a zero. That'll get you at a zero, Matt. You're like a solid 67.
Starting point is 00:33:47 Well, it's because I don't pay for his services. I'm not a goof. All right, Matt. 713-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-790. I just don't get it coming up. And, yes, it's blackjack-related. Maybe this will be the last time I ever bring up playing blackjack ever.
Starting point is 00:34:09 because it's not going to change. You know how Rossi, we have political strife in this country? Republicans think what Republicans think Democrats. And everybody's trying to change everybody. Nobody ever changes, right? Pretty much. Maybe I should stop shaming crappy blackjack players, especially in New Orleans. Yeah, maybe you should.
Starting point is 00:34:31 By the way, Ross and I have our bets in for the NCAA tournament. We do. Oh, yeah. I have got the value on this. It's terrible. It was 12 to 1 a couple weeks ago. Well, you should have jumped in, baby. We don't have legalized games.
Starting point is 00:34:44 I was in a casino. No, no, we've got to get that fixed. 1044. Matt Thomas Show with Ross, 7-1-3-212-5-790. This is the Matt Thomas Show with Ross on Sports Talk 790. Today we have, I just don't get it at 1130. The news at noon, believe it or not today, we still have Rockets, Nuggets to get tickets to give away?
Starting point is 00:35:11 No, we gave away our last pair yesterday, but we got tickets to go to the offspring. It's a great concert. All right. That's a recommendation. The offspring is the tickets we'll be giving away today. Are the tickets are giving away today here on Sports Talk 790? All right. So Hardin last night scores 50 points for the Los Angeles Clippers in their victory. And look, the Rockets need two wins here in the next three days. They're going to need to beat the Pelicans twice.
Starting point is 00:35:38 I know the Pelicans, Zion's playing and doing pretty well, but they're not, they're obviously in, let's wait for next season mode. They need to win these next two games. get back in this upper echelon and not let the teams behind them and think they got a shot at the five or six spot. So the Pelicans, excuse me, the Clippers beat the Pistons last night, 123 to 115. James Harden scores 50 points for the first time. I don't know where he is on stats, because I don't spend a lot of time looking at NBA numbers. They're probably the least important of all when it comes to stats. You know, like baseball guys are always so much stat driven. Do we under, we as a collective basketball fan base,
Starting point is 00:36:15 undervalue James is an all-time great. Is he properly rated, underrated, or overrated for what he has done? Now, postseason success still alludes him. He's only been to one NBA finals, and it was a six-man for the Oklahoma City Thunder very, very early in his NBA career. Lots of Western Conference appearance,
Starting point is 00:36:34 playoff appearances, nothing to speak of as a net, nothing to speak of as a 76er. As a clipper? I mean, they got a shot. I mean, I don't know if Quylon is going to be able to withstand and staying up. They're obviously trying to get back into the top six and the Rockets are going to be careful of that. Pure score.
Starting point is 00:36:55 Free throw line 10 to 15 times a game. It felt like during the heyday of his career. Great passer. Great passer. Good assist numbers for a huge score like he is. I would say an average defender probably better is a low block defender than he would be on the perimeter. Not an insatiable thirst for. staying in shape 24-7, but look what he's doing at his age.
Starting point is 00:37:21 Seven seasons as top five MVP. Three scoring championships. One MVP. Two assist titles. Yep. He's a Hall of Famer who just isn't in the inner circle of Hall of Famers. 13th all-time scoring. I'll pull up the assist as well.
Starting point is 00:37:41 If you and I were sitting at a bar or at the barbershop and we were just running through the all-time graham, It would take a while to get to James Harton, would it not? I don't think so. As a rocket, he was excellent. I enjoyed calling his games. In fact, he's been friendlier to me as a non-rocket than ever was as a rocket. I don't know why that is, but that's a different issue.
Starting point is 00:37:59 That's probably because you were crushing them on air every day. Not at all. I'm just kidding. 13th all-time and assist behind Andre Miller. That's a weird kind of bring up. Then it gets better, the list. Gary Payton, Isaiah Thomas, Russell Westbrook, and then it's like it's the elite point guards of all time.
Starting point is 00:38:16 So once he passes Andre Miller, which I think he will. Hold on one second. Come in! Are you serious right now? Yeah, my stats are coming in. I can't. Come on here. Guys bring him in my start sheet.
Starting point is 00:38:31 Thank you, friend. I appreciate it very much. Have a day stay. Okay. It's a live radio. I don't know. I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm just going to sit here.
Starting point is 00:38:41 Soak it in. Okay, back to what I was saying. 11 time All-Star, three-time scoring champ, seven-time All-N-B-A, MVP, 75th team, sixth man of the year. Yeah. Listen to these nicknames listed for him on basketball reference. Have I ever mentioned any of these names on air during a James Hart broadcast? Okay, the first one is The Beard. Many, many times.
Starting point is 00:39:11 The next one is El Chapo. never jimbo slice never honey bun now the honey bun is because didn't he
Starting point is 00:39:28 buy something for a rap buddy of his that included honey buns in her yes was a little baby or duh baby or one of the babies yeah it was I think it was a weezy baby yeah it could have been
Starting point is 00:39:40 okay uno nope and the system no none of those Now, I remember him saying people are like, oh, they talk about me being a system player. I am the system. I remember him saying that.
Starting point is 00:39:57 That's pretty funny. No. Only a story I will tell you off air about James. I'll tell you two quick, work ones. One is he insisted on playing loud rap music on the planes. We would go, even in the middle of the night, we're trying to get home, you know, from Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Miami. Wherever we were, it didn't matter if it was a 45-minute flight or a four-hour flight. It didn't matter if we left the airport.
Starting point is 00:40:20 at 11.30 at night or 4 o'clock in the afternoon. It was loud, loud, loud, rap music. Nice. Not nice. When you're trying to get a little bit of a few zees. Sounds like a good time. Not at 143 in the morning. You know what they say, Matt?
Starting point is 00:40:36 If it's too loud, you're too old. Story number two, I would have to say among athletes in sports. You know how they always say athletes, you have to have rest. You have to, you know, you have to keep. body right and whatnot. The man is the most productive athlete that ever been around in my entire life who didn't sleep.
Starting point is 00:41:00 And how I know this is I got to know his security people over the years. They all quit year after year after year because nobody works like James does. In terms of going to play a 42-minute game and then going over and going out after the game and parting to 5 or 6 o'clock in the morning and then going to bed at 7, getting up at 10,
Starting point is 00:41:20 going to shoot around and play the next day. I mean, he was a machine. He was not a human in that fact. For a man who has been, I'll say this, he may be the greatest athlete ever been around that didn't sleep of all time. Okay. Which is weird. So he's on your insomniac all time starting five.
Starting point is 00:41:38 Yes. And then third, he had friends and I know somebody that was able to express their appreciation for James as being a friend. and it was her birthday. And apparently he forgot. So he just took a wad of cash and threw a bunch of $100 bills in her purse and said, go get yourself something. Hmm. Okay. Which is the gift that really nobody could ever possibly be upset about.
Starting point is 00:42:08 If somebody just came at me, like if James wanted to saw me and said, hey, it's your birthday and June, I forgot. Let me give you this. I gave you a bunch of $100 bills. I'd be like, thank you, James. It was really kind and thoughtful of you. That sounds wonderful. Nice guy.
Starting point is 00:42:20 have you ever thrown a bunch of $100 bills in a woman's purse and say, go get you something else, something nice? I've never had a bunch of $100 bills. I know. I get it. And fourth and most importantly, during his heyday, he knew that he could control what was being done in terms of how he traveled, where we stayed, and how the game was coach.
Starting point is 00:42:43 Mike Dantonie, one of my very good friends, he says, I've got to keep James happy. He knew it, and coaches know that today. Maybe, is it a little lesser in 2025 or about the same? You got to keep the superstars really happy and wanting to be in charge or you're out of work. I would say about the same. Yeah, you're maybe running that. It's a little different here in Houston because E. May Doak is clearly running the ship, but also there's no superstar here.
Starting point is 00:43:10 Yeah, that is crazy. That is crazy that a, you know, and that's why coaches don't, I mean, I know that Mike Booneholzer and Kevin Durant kind of got sideways for like, two seconds yesterday or a couple nights back and they said hey that's just us being us but if Kevin Durant doesn't like Mike Boonehuis or Mike Booneholtz and maybe that's a bad example because the son's made me even going to
Starting point is 00:43:30 yeah but if Kevin Durant doesn't like you you're not going to acquire him first and foremost and you're probably not going to stay long term that's the business that is a business that's what happened with Boone Holzer in Milwaukee right? Yeah oh absolutely he's sideways with the onus
Starting point is 00:43:49 and also the other coach that got fired their midseason before Doc Rivers took over Adrian Griffin. Adrian Griffin, yeah. Yeah. I think it was Adrian Griffin, yeah. Sure, why not? Could you imagine being a boss somewhere and saying,
Starting point is 00:44:03 if you can't keep your happiest employee happy, you're out. No matter how productive you are, no matter how imaginative hour you matter, how good you are X's and O's, no matter how you communicate with others, you've got to keep your superstar happy. Oh, yeah, we've got to keep Michael Berry happy, Maddie. Let's go. Oh, you know what? That's a great example.
Starting point is 00:44:19 Eddie Martini? Forget about us, a little 790 guys. You keep Michael Barry happy. You get to keep your job. 1058 sports talk 790 the second hour the matt thomas show with ross continues here from new orleans after ross tells you about one of our great 790 sponsors yeah a lot of NBA talk there and you know what makes the NBA a little bit more fun a little bit of extra action from our good friends at pick six from draft kings you better if you're ready to win some real money
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Starting point is 00:46:07 1103, Sports Talk 790. It is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. I'm coming to you today from New Orleans, where tonight the Houston Rockets will take on the New Orleans Pelicans. The rockets are facing pressure from teams behind them in the Western Conference. Let me give you the very latest standings as we speak, and I can do that right now as soon as my phone works. I can do it, Matt. I can tell you. I'm here for you. You're good. All right.
Starting point is 00:46:34 So the Rockets right now are in the five spot in the West. They're a game behind Memphis who lost last night to Oklahoma City. Wonderful. Rockets would have the tiebreaker over Memphis. Yes. So if it's a four or five matchup with Memphis, the Rockets have won three of the four games against the Grizzlies and would have home court. The Golden State Warriors are three back of the. Rockets for the five spot.
Starting point is 00:46:58 Also, Minnesota is three back of the rockets for the five spot. Minnesota is at seven. The LA Clippers are four back of the rockets. Jesus. The Kings are four and a half back. And the Mavericks who are going to drop out of the 10th spot for sure are five and a half back. Question is, will Dallas, Phil Phoenix, or maybe this hot Portland team inherit that 10
Starting point is 00:47:24 spot? because Dallas can compete with AD still missing time and Kyrie Irving's done for the year. By the way, Dallas got destroyed last night in the NBA. I'm getting nervous. Rocket agencies too. They just didn't. I mean, they're not must-wins, but if they don't win both games,
Starting point is 00:47:43 I think it'll be considered a disappointment. It'll be a disappointment. I mean, well, they've already been disappointing us. There have basically been a 500 team since the calendar turn. Not great. Fred Van Vlitz already looks out, correct? Yeah, Fred is definitely out for tonight. Is it because Fred's been gone so much?
Starting point is 00:48:02 Is it because the teams have caught up with the rockets? Is it because the rockets have turned the ball over a lot? Is it because the rockets? And this is not my words. I mean, I think, has been looking for an intensity boost here, and it hasn't happened. I think it's a combination of all those things. You know, one of the things that Wex brought up yesterday was listening to A-Team on the I-Heart radio app,
Starting point is 00:48:24 which always should do. You were? Yeah. He said he doesn't. Yeah, he doesn't see the Rockets getting overly upset when they lose. Now, I've said this before in every professional sport I've ever covered before my life. Fans and media take losses way more in terms of passion, emotion, fire, hurt than the players ever do. And that's not just the Houston Rockets, that's the Los Angeles Kings, that's the Denver Broncos.
Starting point is 00:48:57 that's every sports team. Some guys are obviously upset, but most of them Rossi, it's just one game on the schedule. Or it's one year, or it's, I've got my money. We just don't, we don't ever think that,
Starting point is 00:49:17 so we should think, that players are as upset about losses that we are. I'm not saying the Rockets are guilty of this more than anybody else. But point being is this, is that they shake these things because if you don't, if you all of a sudden let a game against Brooklyn where you lost two weeks ago, sit there and manifest, you're never going to get over. You have to shake it and move on.
Starting point is 00:49:36 Yeah, a lot of these, to reach these heights that they do, you're talking about a lot of mentally strong players, and they also generally do view it as a business. Remember, like, speaking of James Harden, remember they had that horrible loss to San Antonio, and then there was video of Hardin to Club, and a bunch of fans got all upset, like, how could he lose and then go to the club? This is unbelievable. He's like, oh, he had a bad day at work and he went to go drink at the club?
Starting point is 00:50:02 You're shocked? Relax, people. And I think there's really no better example of things is when you see two teams play a game, what's the very first thing to do once the buzzer goes off? They go to their team and go hug the player. Yeah, and that especially happens more nowadays because a lot of these players grow up in the same circles
Starting point is 00:50:18 and train with each other in the offseason, and have the same agents. It's just different time. now I'll say this I don't think if you all of a sudden if the Rockets lose tonight to New Orleans should anybody go in the locker room and throw the food around in the water in the in the in the Gatorade bottles I mean that that doesn't last either sometimes you have the heart to have the heart to hard talk sometimes you have to have the team only meeting whatever the case and it's funny anytime anybody you hear of having a player's only meeting and like oh oh something's really wrong it usually means the season is about to get worse right so it is a marathon but I what I would say is this I would hope there Rockets can put together some sort of mojo here towards the last third of the season because they worked so hard, Ross, in the first
Starting point is 00:51:00 two, three months of the season, really in the first two and a half months, to be the second best team in the Western Conference. They did work their ass off to get to Las Vegas to play in that game. They did knock off Golden State in the first half of the year. They did beat Cleveland twice this year. They did be Boston
Starting point is 00:51:16 in Boston. They did beat Oklahoma City. They've beaten Demp. And they have a lot of quality wins, and I would hate for them to be ruined, because of all of a sudden this 500 team, they have been basically for the last two months or so. Well, it's very simple. They just have to avoid all that, just win games.
Starting point is 00:51:36 You've got the weakest schedule of those teams that we talked about. And we've been talking about this for a while. Yeah. The Lakers, Nuggets, and Grizzlies all have harder schedules in you. And you've lost three in a row. And the reality is this. I think at this point of the season, for them to play 750 basketball at the rest of the way is a patently absurd.
Starting point is 00:51:57 You're not going to win every game. I just think at this point with all of the subpar losses, the Rockets have picked up since the calendar year turned. I'm talking about the two games against Brooklyn, the Utah game. Detroit no longer is a bad loss because Detroit's about to move up the Eastern Conference standing really quick. I'm trying to think there's anybody else that was a terrible, terrible loss. Sacramento at home wasn't great because, again, you want to win home games. you're supposed to be beating teams that you think are talent-wise.
Starting point is 00:52:25 My point is, I don't think there's any more room for the shaking my head loss. No. Because if you get much more of that, you're going to be sitting there maybe dropping to six, and then if really things get dicey, maybe you're having to play that playing game. I mean, to go from 2 to 7, I think would be a huge buzzkill for what has been overall, a very positive season for the Houston Rockets. opponent win percentage strength of schedule remaining Lakers second
Starting point is 00:52:56 Denver 5th Memphis 11th Rockets 23rd get it done no excuses And that would include Again you think about this You have the two New Orleans games You got tonight here in New Orleans
Starting point is 00:53:14 And then you have Saturday for New Orleans And then you got a boatload of home games Let's let me look at these home games real quick Before we move on some of the things here Rockets have six of the next seven at home at New Orleans tonight, then six straight home games. New Orleans, Orlando, they're tanking quick. Phoenix, they're the 11th spot in the West, yeah, they're 11th. Dallas, no Kyrie, no more Luca, no Anthony Davis, Chicago, who has sucked all year long,
Starting point is 00:53:51 and Philadelphia who sucked all year. Ross, that's a 6-1 stretch, correct? Nothing less than that would be disappointing? In theory. Then you have the Florida swing with Orlando and Miami. My guess is you know you haven't played really well in Miami the last handful of years. A lot of teams don't play well in Miami because, I mean, it's Miami. Then you have Denver, Atlanta, who cares.
Starting point is 00:54:19 At Utah, at Phoenix and the Lakers. That's a two-and-one road trip, you hope. Then you have Utah, Oklahoma City. You hope to split that. at Golden State, at the Clippers, at the Lakers, and home for Denver. Ooh, that's a tough four-game stretch to end the year. Yeah, Ross, I'm going to say if this team does not go six and one, I know one will publicly say this,
Starting point is 00:54:39 but I think that internally within the organization, they've got to be thinking, we've got to win six the next seven games. That'd be nice. And that would, I think would put a lot of people at these. Now, again, I don't think the Rockets are considered by many folks as NBA title contenders, but I think for this to be a season where you go, man, this really was fun. There were some ebbs and flows, and sometimes there were some down moments. They're like in there isn't any NBA
Starting point is 00:55:01 season, but the rockets have risen to the occasion. And what makes things worse, unfortunately, is the fact that you've got the teams in front of them, for the most part, playing better. The Lakers don't seem to ever want to lose. Denver's playing better. Memphis isn't a tailspin. But Golden State, Minnesota, the clippers are all playing better right now.
Starting point is 00:55:21 So selfishly, I want 6-1. And based on the calendar and who they're playing, and the fact that six of those seven home games are those games are at home, they should go six and one. It'd be nice. Not going to hold my breath. It'd be nice.
Starting point is 00:55:37 That would put them then at 43 and 26. Sounds a lot sexy than right now at 37 and 25. As a Rockets, I think I've lost, what, eight consecutive road games, I think? Haven't won a game this month or in February for that matter. I think the last road one was in Atlanta, and that was in late January. That might include our NBA conversation for the day, Ross. I hope it doesn't, but, you know, when we, we, We do want to move around with a variety of different topics on the show.
Starting point is 00:56:05 I just don't get it coming up at the bottom of the hour here on the program. 713-212-5-7-9 if you want to jump in on anything we have talked about so far, whether it be the Rockets, the Astros, as they get ready for a night game with the New York Metropolitan's. We will not get any word on Christian Walker until probably Joe Espada speaks. My guess is it'll be about 2.30-ish local time, is that game today, is at 505. 5, and of course, we'll have it here on 790. The Rockets game shifts over to KTRA, so if you want to catch that, that'll be at 630 tonight.
Starting point is 00:56:40 713-212-5-790 is high-reach. To show that 7-1-3-212-5-790. And again, on Twitter, at SportsMT, at SportsMT, at-Connor D. McGovern. Matt Ross with you here on 790. Matt and Ross return. Return on Sports Talk 790. I just don't get it in the next segment of the radio program. 713-212-5-790.
Starting point is 00:57:09 If you want to jump on the conversation, 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. John Singleton, likely to play some first-base Rossi for the foreseeable future as Christian Walker. Now, again, he can wake up today, and we don't know this until everybody gets to the ballpark later tonight. but Christian Walker will be like, oh, I feel great, no problems. Yeah, I've had a left oblique strains before, but this was just a bad night's sleep. I'm going to say that's probably not going to happen. I think you're probably right. I'm going to say he'll miss a couple of weeks and he'll be fine for start of the season.
Starting point is 00:57:46 Okay. I hope your optimism is accurate. It's certainly not going to be a super long-term thing. Although, how many games, Al-Tube missed a lot of games with the oblique injury a couple years ago? Yeah. I don't remember Christian Walker's bile being injury riddled. I mean, am I right on that? I mean, he missed 30 games last year with an oblique injury. But he's fine. It's fine.
Starting point is 00:58:15 What are we supposed to expect from our major leaguers these days? Knowing the way that guys need days off here and there, if they get to 145, are we pleased? No, you're going to say 140-ish, yeah, sure. Oh, before that, 157, 160 games played by Christian Walker. and 115 and 21 because he had two oblique injuries. If you have the same injury over and over again, is it just because the body wasn't prepared?
Starting point is 00:58:40 He swings so violently, Matt. I mean, oblique injuries are very common in baseball because of the bat swings. Yeah. It's going to be fine. I appreciate your optimism. So I have this straight. Jim Crane doesn't want to sign long-term deals
Starting point is 00:58:58 because he doesn't want 34-year-olds getting paid money, but he's okay signing a 35. four-year-old to a three-year contract. Yeah, I think... And then he gets hurt. In a nutshell, which you just said, it's completely accurate. I'll sign 34. I'll sign mid-30s, but I'm not signing for
Starting point is 00:59:12 long-term. And that's the reality is I don't think Christian Walker was going to get deals like that anywhere else. I don't think... I'm assuming that Christian Walker wasn't getting five-year deals from other cities. Well, if he signed Alex Bregman to... What is it, Breggman? 31?
Starting point is 00:59:28 To a six-year deal. He'd play till he's 37. He signs a 34-year-old. their three-year deal. He's going to play till he's 37. But isn't there less financial numbers attached to Walker's numbers than they were to Breggman's? Yes, there are. But he says it's about the year. It's not necessarily about the money. Just saying,
Starting point is 00:59:51 just thinking out loud. I can't completely negate what you're saying, but I would say there is a little bit of difference. I don't think I'm looking for hypocrisy. I think I'm looking for maybe that's all
Starting point is 01:00:16 you were worth to us at the end of the day that we were able to size things up and say we like you will give you six years but we don't think
Starting point is 01:00:29 you're a $30 million year player yeah I don't think I don't think we're trying to we're not trying to put the aster's in a what are you doing with player A that you're not doing with player B I don't envision that but maybe maybe I'm
Starting point is 01:00:46 misreading this. But when I saw Christian Walker's deal, you want slug at first base, for sure. You want somebody that can defend the position well, because defense has always been, at least far in this organization, obviously Jeff Bagwell doing the things he's at at first base for all those years. You look for value in that. You look for a guy that's going to have a lot of home run potential at Minut-made
Starting point is 01:01:07 part. And also a guy that never, you know, again, for much we love Breggman, there was a history of very slow starts and maybe there was a part of last year because the slow start was so prolonged that you're like, you know what? Maybe his regression would be a little bit faster than say other players.
Starting point is 01:01:29 You're dealing with some more complete information because we know that as a 33-year-old Christian Walker was good and we don't know what Alex Spregman looks like as a 33-year-old. Right. I'm just saying it just strikes me funny. We don't want to pay somebody to those 36 or 37,
Starting point is 01:01:47 unless it's Christian Walker or Jose Abrae or getting back Verlander twice. And also, frankly, a dire need? I mean, Ross, you just could not put John Singleton at first base for 120 games next year, this year. That just doesn't make any sense. I mean, yes, he does hit Titanic home runs a right field, but he's limited defensively. He's in the best shape of his life, Matt. I don't care about that. It's like a tiger cat out there.
Starting point is 01:02:19 So you tell me he's got zero body fat? Very little. Okay. I mean, could he bench press me? Yeah, I didn't see him. Yeah, crack you in half. Make you humble. Let me tell you last year he could have cracked me in half.
Starting point is 01:02:32 That's true. Five years ago, John Singleton, could have crack me in half. I don't know. You are thinking out loud, and this is a live radio show where you tend to generate thoughts on the spot. I mean, I can't crush your take, but I'm... I'm going to slightly disagree with it. Okay. Because I don't, you made the move with Kyle Tucker.
Starting point is 01:02:58 You got Peretti who's got obviously pull power. You obviously had him on the radar. As you mentioned many a time before, he is in arbitration control. So if you keep him here for a couple of years, you're not going to break the bank with a guy. You may not see much of an OPS drop between the two. You will see a defensive slippage. And obviously, Parades yesterday had an errand of.
Starting point is 01:03:20 in the game. Not the spring training errors or everything, but they did to have one. Well, even Joe was spotted, right? We were right there. Somebody asked him about his third base defense. He was like, this average. Yeah. I was kind of shocking coming from Joe. It was funny. He said how average it was, and then he started talking about all the things he does. He's got good range.
Starting point is 01:03:36 He's got a soft hands. He's got good movement. I'm like, wait a minute, you just described him as average. The things you just said do not match up the description. You gave him a name, and then you gave him a bunch of superlips after the name. Yeah, I don't know. I just, I will say I was generally excited when Christian Walker was signed that I thought,
Starting point is 01:04:04 good money, reasonable, not, I mean, it was a perfect Jim Crane contract. I'm glad he's here. And the reality is, Ross, those, those longer-term deals just aren't found for many Astros. Yardons got one, Altuve's got one, Christian Heavier has one. Anybody else? right off the top that I'm thinking of is a long term. I mean, Paine is still under arbitration. Yarnar Diaz is under arbitration.
Starting point is 01:04:30 I mean, this team is still littered with players that are not tied long term to this team for the foreseeable future or under club control. And not as much star power as years past, but we'll see what happens, especially with the young pitching. Yeah. 1126, Sports Talk 790. It is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. I'm going to ask you a very simple question, Houston, because I do love you. is there something in life you just don't get? I'm going to ask you that again.
Starting point is 01:04:58 If there's anything, whether it's something about sports, whether it's about the way that your wife treats you, whether it's the way that people are driving across major interstates around this area, whether it's something that's done at the grocery store or when you go to the pet supply store, whatever you don't in your life you just don't get, I want to hear from you. Ross and I want to hear from you.
Starting point is 01:05:18 And we're here to help you because that's what we do here on the program. If there's something you don't get, you call 713-212-5-790 7-1-3-212-5-7-90 1127. Matt here in New Orleans, Ross back in Houston. We thank you for listening to this program on Sports Talk 790. Do you have something in your life that you just don't get? No need to worry, no need to fret. We will discuss the topics to see if we comprehend the things that may confuse our friends.
Starting point is 01:05:56 It's time to say, I just don't get it. Ross, I'm at a $50 table last night. Okay? You don't even enter the segment. You've been waiting to get this off your chest. The guy's playing $100 a hand. So I think when you play $100 a hand, you've got some comprehension of the basic rules of black check.
Starting point is 01:06:23 Dealer shows a four. He's got 13. The three people in front of him, wave it off. He hits the 13 against the four. he bust out. The person next to him skips.
Starting point is 01:06:41 The dealer draws to 21. And the entire table loses. If he would have taken that card, which was a 10, it would have busted the dealer and all of us would have won, including him. I just don't get incompetence
Starting point is 01:06:58 at the blackjack table. And I've been talking about this for years and years and years, and some of you are tired of it. And for that, I wholeheartedly apologize to you. But I just don't get incompetence at the black jet table, especially when the limits are $50 a hand, sports rv. I'm sorry to say I get it, Matt.
Starting point is 01:07:25 It's just very simple. People are stupid. People like to give money. Just because you have money doesn't mean you're smart. People are idiots. And I screamed. I dropped a massive F bomb. You did?
Starting point is 01:07:40 Yes. Oh, what happened? Did you get the confrontation? I played two hands and I lost $100 on that one hand. So can we just clarify for people like me who don't gamble that much? You're always staying on 13? It depends on what the dealer is showing. Okay.
Starting point is 01:07:59 There's one card that's hidden and one is showing. You assume a 10 is coming and you, yeah, you assume a 10 is coming and you assume the dealer's got a 10 and is getting a 10. Got you. Okay. And that's how you play the game. one part of the game of blackjack is getting to is getting to 21 the other part of blackjack is staying in the game so the dealer can bust doesn't always happen percentages are in there's no there's no guaranteed rate of return when you don't hit on a car that the dealer's got to bust but you want to stay in the game as long as you can and if you play by the rules and there are little cards you can go buy on amazon you can go to the grocery store you can go to a casino they'll
Starting point is 01:08:39 give you the card to say when the dealer has this and you have this playing by the odds do this Connor I dropped the massive F bomb and all the tables around me heard it I got up and I said
Starting point is 01:08:55 play some GD effing cards right you said that yes and the guy didn't say a guy looked at me he didn't say a word because oh my God there are
Starting point is 01:09:09 very few things in my life that will get me upset than blankie card players. Wow. That's why, and that's why I've decided from here on out I'm going to try to play it by myself as much as possible because the only person I can blame is myself.
Starting point is 01:09:26 But I play cards right, so it's not a problem. If I lose, I lose because the cards weren't coming my way. But I'm not going to give the dealer an advantage that he already doesn't have to begin with. Wow. You're a... He must have been a short, small man.
Starting point is 01:09:42 He probably wasn't six foot five. No, no, he was obviously very successful. He had about $2,000 in chips with him. Wow. He had a bunch of bling on his hand because that's what he likes to do. He wanted to show that he hit a small penis. He wanted to put as much as much of jewelry as possible. Oh, my God.
Starting point is 01:10:03 And there were two rockets employees that were at the table across, and they're like, you okay? I'm like, no. So I just don't get it. Hmm. Man. But Ross, if you were with me, you and I are very tight. We've done this together for a long period of time.
Starting point is 01:10:24 I haven't seen to react that poorly. You would have done the exact same thing. I don't think I would have. No, I wouldn't have. Well, then you're a better man than I am then. Because I lost my blank. I mean, granted, it was 12.15 in the morning, so I'm probably swearing more than I should have to begin with. Oh, how many vodka cranberries had you had? I actually was doing coronas last night.
Starting point is 01:10:44 Oh, okay. Yeah, you've been a corona man. I do like Corona. It is the white man's Mexican beer. I had a Corona and a Modela last night, so I'm mixing up. Ross, what don't you get? I was going to say, I don't get you screaming at other back blackjack players. It's an illness I have, and I'm sorry.
Starting point is 01:11:07 I let me tell you something. I enjoy playing blackjack, and sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But I just don't want to give the house any more advantage they already have. That's all I'm saying. Okay. I'm sorry, Matt. Are you really? I'm a little bit sorry, actually.
Starting point is 01:11:25 Thank you. I mean, I'm worried for you. I don't want you getting in confrontation. You know what, at this point? I don't want you coming to blows over blackjack. Well, I mean, it was $100. I mean, I don't make crazy money. I make good money.
Starting point is 01:11:36 I don't make crazy money. But we would have won the hand. I mean, I understand if we'd have lost the hand, and some people would have busted someone, but the entire table would have busted with the dealer taking that 10, that jerk off. off to the left and he took. Okay.
Starting point is 01:11:58 As you were. Connor, what don't you get? Mine's kind of simple. I just don't get why people make social media accounts for their pets. It's just I get, you know, social media accounts like they suggest
Starting point is 01:12:13 people to follow and it's because of my contact list and their phone numbers are saved with their account. I guess suggested to follow these, all these accounts and it's just social media accounts for their pets. I'm like, I don't need to see that. Your dog is an influencer, you know? I'm going to go with,
Starting point is 01:12:31 I get it because people are bored. How about that? People really love their dogs. Which I do. I have two great dogs. People want to show other people how much they love their dogs. I'm a dog person. People also think that they are somehow going to have their dog turn into an influencer and make a bunch of money and get a bunch of
Starting point is 01:12:47 followers. They have dreams of that. I've known people that started Instagrams for their dogs and they're like, yeah, I'm going to make a bunch of money off my dog's Instagram. Then six months later, they're not posting on it. Yeah. I got news for you. I pay $160 a month for the dog's food because they give the good stuff. If I could put my dogs as influencers for their brand of food they buy, I would do it in a heartbeat.
Starting point is 01:13:08 Exactly. People are trying to do that. And then I got another reason for you, Matt. Go ahead. People use their dogs accounts as burners. They're browsing or liking or looking at things that maybe they wouldn't otherwise. Huh. Okay.
Starting point is 01:13:21 So I've heard. I don't have a dog Instagram. Got you. you on that. Do any of you use your dogs and cats as burner accounts? 713-212-5-790. Next pet account, I say I'm going to go their follower list and see what
Starting point is 01:13:35 they're looking at. Why don't you send a DM to those dogs and cats? And it's away from the browse social media and kind of not have an account if they don't want to. Okay. You know what? Now, after Ross to just explain that, Connor, I got to tell you, I totally get it. Totally get it. I guess I get it too, but now I'm just
Starting point is 01:13:53 curious. I'm just even more curious about it. What are they looking at? What are they hiding behind their pet? What are they hiding? Oh, man. Excellent work, excellent work. All right, what don't you get, ladies and gentlemen?
Starting point is 01:14:08 713212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. Tom's in downtown. Tom, I have one simple question for you. What don't you get? What I don't get, and this seems to only happen in the Toyota Center in Houston-wise. every time I go see the Rockets play like I did this weekend I always get to there and there's a whole bunch of fans
Starting point is 01:14:34 either in Rockets gear or the opposing gear but then there's always like a gaggle of like random jerseys from teams that aren't there, players that aren't there they're not throwbacks like I was at the Kings game and somebody's walking around with a Curry jersey in a Davis jersey and a LeBron jersey. I'm like why wear a jersey to a game?
Starting point is 01:14:55 for a player that's not on either team and was not ever on either team and not going to be playing in that game. I don't get it either, but it's happening, Tom, in every NBA arena I go to. Like tonight here in New Orleans, they play at the Ruthie Ring Arena. Do you get Rudy still? Yeah, but I don't drink it. Too much sure. But if you ever come with me to a game, I'll get you mine if you'd like. I did one. I came there one time. Yeah, you did.
Starting point is 01:15:31 I see it in every MBA arena. Maybe it's just people just feel like they got to put a basketball jersey on to go to a basketball game. I don't know. I think it is more than that. They're like, yay, basketball. I got a basketball jersey. Let's go to the basketball game. I think it's people who aren't huge fans.
Starting point is 01:15:47 Like, here's what I'll do tonight, Rossi. Anytime I will take a picture of anybody I see wearing either a non-Pelican or a non-rocket jersey. Okay. And you'll make a montage? Well, let's say, do you think I could find three? people in the arena tonight, at least wearing something non-pelican or non-run. Minimum. And probably in the first three minutes of you being there.
Starting point is 01:16:06 Okay. So, yeah, I will take some pictures tonight and show them on social. And I'll ask the person. I don't want to be like a creeper going, hey, why are you wearing this bucks jersey? Yeah. They still might sock you right in the mouth. It's true. But, you know what I wasn't even, I wasn't even afraid of that guy with all that jewelry on yesterday,
Starting point is 01:16:21 socking me in the mouth. I was, because he knew he was being an ass. You were blind with rage. Yeah. It takes the joy out of playing cards When I have stupid asses around me It just does Maybe you should just calm down
Starting point is 01:16:34 Take some deep breath, though Did he know it was directed at him? When you drop an F bomb And you slam both hands on the table I said F The dealer would have busted if you didn't take the card I think you figured it out
Starting point is 01:16:50 Maybe he just thought Well, from the previous context I thought maybe he just thought you were angry Because everybody lost the hand but not directly at him. If the guy has an IQ of 70 to figure out that him taking the face card against a 13 with the four showing
Starting point is 01:17:05 and the dealer's putting 21 after that had been his card, then that's on him. It's tough, man. Meanwhile, his buddy was two tables down from us screaming get our new shoe, get on, shut up.
Starting point is 01:17:26 We don't want to be yelling at damn casinos at 12 o'clock at night. We need to be playing cards, drinking our modellas, or our coronas, and calling it a day. or Irish coffees, which I had one last night. It was quite refreshing, by the way. I love Irish coffees. By the way, I remember what I wanted to use for I just don't get it. Go ahead.
Starting point is 01:17:42 Oh, we'll see if we'll do it come back. Okay. 1143. News at noon coming up in 15 minutes. If something you don't get in life, and maybe I should just give up on black check. But, I mean, I'll lose the craps. So I've given up on that.
Starting point is 01:17:51 At least I've smartened up to that. But I still enjoy blackjack. And I'm sorry. Again, if you've heard the stories before, I in all honestly, apologize. I really do. You need to remember the times that they play wrong. and it helps you, Matt, because it does happen.
Starting point is 01:18:05 It does. More times and not, if you play by the rules right, you got a better shot. It's just as likely to help is hurt. No. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. The Matt Thomas Show with Ross continues on Sports Talk 790. You're now supposed to hit on 17.
Starting point is 01:18:31 But if I have 17 and the dealer's showing 10, I'm supposed to assume the dealer's other card is a 10, so I'm staying on 17 because of 20. I'm going out like a bitch. That's not how I like to live. So sometimes I hit on 17. Situation came a pack table. I had 17, dealers show, and 10.
Starting point is 01:18:50 I was the last one ago before the dealer's port again. I said, hit everybody at the table gas. Oh, no. This dude is on tilt. He's on full tilt. He's out of control. Even if Dillard said, are you sure? Yes, I'm sure.
Starting point is 01:19:03 Hit! Hit! I'm hitting on 17. I busted out, 27. Turns out Dillard's other car was a 5. I took his 10. He would have busted out with 25. His next car was a 6.
Starting point is 01:19:20 He got 21. Everybody lost. I took everybody down with me. I don't know if that was supposed to make me feel better, but now I feel worse. Mm-mm-mm. Uh-uh. Uh-huh. says, I sat with Aretha Franklin and watched her split tens in Atlantic City for two hours.
Starting point is 01:19:49 Aretha Franklin? Yes, God rest her soul. She liked to play Blackjack? The Queen of Soul? Oh, my God. Could you, I would, I would let her hit six against 16 if the Queen of Souls with me. Let me finish this tweet. She made me sit with her and bankroll my failure to compete for the entire time.
Starting point is 01:20:09 I toured with her, toured with her for three years and never went to a casino with her. ever again. That's a great story. Wow. He also sends another tweet. He says, I don't get how we have no idea what the names of the remaining Maroon 5, 4 guys are. I couldn't name one of Maroon 5 if he paid me to. Adam Levine.
Starting point is 01:20:33 Oh, that's right. Now with Queen. Or what is it with Queen? And PJ Morton. PJ Tucker or PJ? PJ. Adam Levine and Adam Lambert are two different people. Yeah, that's fine.
Starting point is 01:20:45 So, which one do we like? Lambert or Levine? Which one's more talented of the two? Lambert is the one that's the front man for Queen. Adam Levine is the frontman for Maroon 5. Okay. There you go. This is very confusing.
Starting point is 01:21:00 And then Adam Clanton is on 2 to 6. And then his partner is Adam Wexler, who's not in a band either. Neither one of those two guys are in a band. No. Ross, most famous person you ever played blackjack with ever in your life was? Besides me? Nobody. We played crafts with Omar Epps, and you didn't know who he was.
Starting point is 01:21:18 was in New Orleans, in New Orleans, actually. Yeah. Oh, no, I know with Blackjack. Can I say? It was with you and him. Who? Former Rocket. Oh, Eric? Yeah, I can say that. Okay. Yeah, yeah.
Starting point is 01:21:36 Eric Gordon is the most famous player I've played Blackjack with. Yeah, yeah. That's fine. He didn't care. He was playing very low. He wasn't getting crazy. I was actually disappointed. I was like, oh my God, Eric Gordon, sitting down with this is going to be amazing. He's going to be betting like $1,000 a hand. He was playing like $20. 550. He was just casual, having a good time. The most, the craziest rocket black giant player ever played with was
Starting point is 01:21:56 Corey Brewer. Now an assistant coach in the NBA. He was betting crazy? Yeah, several hundred hours a hand. Good for him. He could do it. He could afford it. Yeah. That's what I'm saying. Like, Eric Gordon was playing correct strategy. He was playing low limits. He was just sitting there chilling. So was there. So was Corey. I got a all problem with Corey's game. Zero. Yeah. He was very chill and fun. And then we were playing craps with Omar. and you didn't know who he was. I still don't know who he is.
Starting point is 01:22:24 Not Omar F, sorry, Mike Epps, Mike Epps. And it's different Eps. I believe they actually are related. All right. And then what is you right? Mike Epps was in Friday after next. He's in a bunch of movies. And the only reason you knew who he was when I said he was Black Dug in the Hangover.
Starting point is 01:22:39 Yes. That's when you finally got it. Okay. That makes sense. Ross, before we wrap things up here, I mean, by the way, if you got a last call for something you don't get, 713-212-5-790 7-1-3-2-1-2-5-79
Starting point is 01:22:52 Ross, what don't you get? I was at the Rockets game as a fan on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings shout out Adam Clinton, thank you for the tickets and it was Hello Kitty Night and again
Starting point is 01:23:10 all these people are going nuts for Hello Kitty and now the Astros for the second year in a row have two Hello Kitty nights where last year I happen to get tickets from work on a dollar dog Tuesday or something like that just happened to get to the game earlier than normal like an hour early and they were completely out of Hello Kitty stuff now I understand people go crazy for some cartoons and whatnot and children I don't get how it's it's over the top for Hello Kitty what is going on with Hello Kitty that I don't know
Starting point is 01:23:41 then people go absolutely bonkers for hello kitty stuff you'd have to ask Craig Ackerman he is a huge hello kitty-a-holic Yeah why Craig Ackerman is the weirdest You know what I love about Craig Ackerman Matt Is I feel like If we're talking about a certain something
Starting point is 01:23:58 I can kind of maybe formulate What your opinion is going to be on it Just because I kind of know you And your leanings or whatever right And you can probably do the same for me You're like oh you wouldn't like that or you do like that. I never know
Starting point is 01:24:13 with Craig Ackerman when it's food, when it's a band, when it's Hello Kitty. I never know with Craig Ackerman more than probably anybody that I know. Yeah. In a nutshell,
Starting point is 01:24:26 Craig does not like, he is adverse to mayonnaise and ranch like Clinton is. His palate is probably 10 times worse than mine in terms of choices of food. He likes EDM music.
Starting point is 01:24:42 Exactly. Like, where does that come from? Which is weird, but we're going to go to see the festival. No, you're not. There's a chance. Once you see the tickets are $700, you're going to be like, I'm out. I get media credentials. They're not going to credential me. They're not going to credential you to cover. Is a Houston rocket
Starting point is 01:24:58 performing? No. Stephen Adams have a set, but I'm an influencer. I mean, it can happen. No, you're not. All right. And he he also loves Hello Kitty, and he's got an insatiable thirst for Fran Dresher of the Nanny. That's his number one bucket list She could just make that noise
Starting point is 01:25:19 Was Fran ever, I mean, I don't mean to be Speak poorly, but she was cute But to be the number one on the Hold on, she's beautiful Come on now Prime Fran Dresser is beautiful Okay I don't know, the voice is so irritating though
Starting point is 01:25:41 Right You just put some like some band-aids over her mouth. Okay. I'm glad you said that. I was really scared for you. What do you think I was going to say? Something else. Oh, I know what you were thinking.
Starting point is 01:25:55 You're wrong. Christopher on 790 and 1155. Christopher, good morning. What's on your mind? I want to say that I don't get it either, but hello kitty night for the Astros, which has two nights, are the first tickets that are given away, that I give away to builders and contract. because they want to take their daughter. And that also goes for Barbie Night and Princess Night.
Starting point is 01:26:20 But I don't get it, but it's always packed on those games. But why does a grown-ass male being obsessed with Hello Kitty? Isn't there a little issue? Craig Ackerman? Yeah, I mean, he's grown. I just think it's the guys taking their 9, 10-year-old daughters that want it. He's got two adult-grown sons. Thank you, Christopher, for the phone call.
Starting point is 01:26:44 Craig, I just don't get it. We can call him. You want to call him and see what he would say? Yeah, it would be fun. Do you have Craig's number? We can call him real quick. We're short on time. Yeah, it's fine.
Starting point is 01:26:54 Maybe next show. The next time we bring up Hello Kitty on the show, which would be win, never 15th? I'll bring it up tomorrow. All right. That was, I just don't get it for the show. I mean, again, if you have got young daughters, like my daughter is 17, she doesn't care for Hello Kitty.
Starting point is 01:27:12 No one, I don't get it. it. I just don't get the yellow kitty fascination. Me either, Matt. All right. The news. At noon is next here on the radio program that we call the Matt Thomas Show Ross. If you'd like to join us over the main headlines
Starting point is 01:27:27 of the day, you may do that at 713. 212-790. 7-13-212-5-7-90. Oh, by the way, yeah, Yon-Easy. Fran Dresher or Jennifer Coolidge? Hmm. Tresher.
Starting point is 01:27:44 Coolidge in American Pie, Stiff's mom. Yeah, and only the first one, just the first one. Okay. She started getting a little heavier in the second one. It wasn't nearly as attractive. More plastic surgery. A lot of work done.
Starting point is 01:28:04 A lot of, I mean, those lips, I mean, my God. Yeah. All right, let's talk about Big City Wing. Circus tense. and that voice too Jesus which voice would you live with I'm saying probably neither but no Fran is a bit
Starting point is 01:28:21 but actually both of theirs is a bit they both have normal voices yeah for sure both are a bit yeah for sure 713 like Bob Pat Gold's weight Sorry go ahead That's okay I'm just happy you pronounce his last name properly I'm talking and Connor treats Connor to get us to break And it's making him more and more upset
Starting point is 01:28:38 It's pretty funny Look at his face After all this 713-212-5-7-90 for the news at noon. But right now, a word for Big City Wing. Big City Wings. The news is big at Big City Wings because today is Thursday. And it's buy one, get one free, boneless wings at any of the 13 locations.
Starting point is 01:28:57 10 get you 10, 15, get you 15 bonus ones. Then you get the amazing blue cheese or the amazing ranch. And you're going to get yourself some waffle fries or potato wedges or the onion rings. They're a special sauce and you are set. today at big city wings plus oh man crawfish is so big in my house not for me per se but everybody else in the family loves crawfish and if you want to get some delicious crawfish with their special big city wing seasoning you can do that today at any of the 13 locations now while i'm not big on crawfish i do love the shrimp and they've got a great shrimp oil as well an amazing menu
Starting point is 01:29:32 waldo all big screen televisions how about you go check out the rockets and pelicans tonight while you are enjoying some fine Big City Wings food. Sandwiches, salads, desserts, and so much more. And today it's buy one, get one free bonus at any of the 13 Big City Wing locations. To find a location near you, you go to big citywings.com. Lunch timers. This is the Matt Thomas Show. It is the news at noon in a manner of moments right here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross.
Starting point is 01:30:03 713-212-5-790. 7-13-21-2-5-7-90. Please join us between now and 2 o'clock today. But right now, the top headlines today. And the news center we go for Sports RV. All right, man. I mean, so many great, huge headlines. I don't believe it.
Starting point is 01:30:26 We're going to see how really interesting you can make this here in the next a handful of minutes. I'm going to make it extremely interesting, man. As you know, the Houston Astros, still in the spring of training action in the Grapefruit League. 510 first pitch later today as they take on the Mets. Dana Brown speaking yesterday on a number of topics. Let's hear what he has to say about Jose Altuvae playing left field.
Starting point is 01:30:54 I don't think that we're fully committed to it. I think that we are excited about it. We like the path that is taking to trajectory of it. It's good. He's taken well to it. he's actually running balls down in the gap. Sometimes you forget how fast he is until he went in the outfit.
Starting point is 01:31:11 I think he's got pretty good foot speed. I think it's working out well, and we're going to continue to see what it looks like during spring training. Hmm. I don't believe him. Now, he says, I don't think we're fully committed to it,
Starting point is 01:31:28 but wasn't Joe Espada saying the other day he's going to be out there in left field more than he is at second? Yeah, I don't believe him. I believe that the primary position for Jose L. Tuvae, Unless it just becomes a catastrophe in terms of not being able to throw runners out or misplaying balls. As long as he's adequate, as long as he's just replacement level, Ross, Jose Altuby is your left fielder this year. Yeah, that's interesting to me. Especially if they go wind up getting Nolan Aronano after all, after all this talk.
Starting point is 01:31:57 I don't know what the hell's going on with that. But, yeah, I would say that you can pencil in Jose Altube in left field. I would have say, I don't know, four times as much as you would if he's playing a second base. I'm going to make a statement, man. And you tell me, believe it or not. Ooh, I like this. Go ahead. It seems to me that there may be a disagreement just from what we've been hearing between coaching and front office on this Altuve move to left field. Believe me or not.
Starting point is 01:32:29 Believe it. One percent. Yep. Interesting. Because it seems like it's going to happen. And here's the bigger thing. When you had Jeff Lunoe with those young managers, not young age-wise, but experience-wise.
Starting point is 01:32:52 Bo Porter and Brad Mills, you, 100% Ross. Was Brad Mills ever with Luno or did he get rid of him right away? Might have been after. I think it was Bo Poulter. When did Luno get in? 15 or 14? Well, just for the sake of this argument, let's go.
Starting point is 01:33:14 I think Bull Porter did not control the lineup card. I think Jeff Leno did. I would agree with that. I think we're going to figure out who's really controlling this team base off of what we've seen. How many times Jose Altubi plays a lot of him? I think it's going to be... All of a sudden, he does, if it's a 50-50 mix, which I don't think would be in the best interest of Altube. If Altube is going to spend the last quarter of his career Rossi playing in Majorley Baseball,
Starting point is 01:33:40 He needs to adapt to a position. He's not going to get any better if he doesn't play left field and doesn't know the nooks and crannies of playing in ballparks all across baseball. Yeah, Luno got there in 11. Brad Mills was there until 12. Okay, so one year. Yeah. Then it was Bill Porter and then Hinch was 15.
Starting point is 01:33:57 Yeah. I firmly believe that we will find out for sure based of how much Jose Al-Tuay plays who's running the lineup card. And I would think if I, if I'm a fan of a baseball team, which I am, I want my manager running the lineup card. I want my general manager creating the team, giving the pieces to the manager to work through his lineup in his bullpen and his starting rotation
Starting point is 01:34:19 in his everyday lineup. But I want the lineup card signed by Joe Espada because Joe Espato wants that lineup in place. Why can't they be on the same page? Why can't they collaborate? That's what they should be happening. Great teams do. I'm not arguing that, but I would say
Starting point is 01:34:35 I am against this whatever perceived mix that might happen. If you're going to go, if you're going to go, it'd be like, oh, here comes a terrible. Here, let's go. Take your time, man. Take your time. Here it is.
Starting point is 01:34:49 I'm going to diet five days a week and eat whatever I want, two days a week. You're either going to commit to the diet or you're not going to commit to the diet. Hmm. Okay. That's not bad. That's not terrible? That's not great. It's fair.
Starting point is 01:35:00 How about you're in a band? And they want you to play, you're playing bass and they want you to go to drums, but you've got to play drums like every set. You got to get better. You can't just half ass. it. I like mine better. Continue on.
Starting point is 01:35:14 Oh, mine's better. Okay, that's fun. Okay, let's keep it going with Dana Brown. His thoughts on our good friend, Cam Smith, friend of the show. What's going on with him at third base? The most exciting thing for me right now is to watch Cam Smith and watch him develop
Starting point is 01:35:31 and to see him really play third base. I ended up seeing him last year during the ACC tournament. You know, we liked him. Didn't know if he was going to be able to play third, looking like he's developing at third base. So he's really creating a lot of conversation, and he's playing well right now. Third baseman of the future, Cam Smith.
Starting point is 01:35:55 May 15th. Outfield? After, you said May 15th. Wow. I mean, they get aggressive. That would be way aggressive. Because here's the thing. Two things can happen if he's May 15th. Either he's slugging over a thousand at AAA, right? Yeah. or Chas McCormick's batting 203.
Starting point is 01:36:18 That could happen. We had Joe Spott have talked about short leashes for everybody, basically. Yeah. I mean, I think Paradius will hold his own. Now, the only issue why you maybe hold him back is because if you're bringing up Cam Smith, you're going to not do this hole. Is he a right fielder or is he a third baseman? If he's your third base from the future, you're bringing him up to play third base.
Starting point is 01:36:38 But I don't think they're a pot committed to that exactly at this point. It would be my task. Okay. We'll see. All right. All right, Matt, let's keep it moving on the news at noon. You have a couple of things happening in the NFL. Joey Bosa has been released by the Los Angeles Chargers after nine years there. There has been some decline in his game.
Starting point is 01:37:03 And he has been let go. And now you also have the re-signing of Max Crosby, a three-year, $106 million. deal by the Las Vegas Raiders. The highest paid non-quarterback in football is Max Crosby. Is he worth it? If his time is up, he's a great edge rusher, I'll say yes. He's one of the shortlist best guys in football. And I believe, go ahead.
Starting point is 01:37:35 He spells his name MAXX, right? That is correct. Now, I thought only adult film stars did that. added exes of their names. Mm-hmm. For the most part. I mean, he didn't name himself. Yeah, but why are you crushing him?
Starting point is 01:37:49 Max, he could probably drop to one of the exes. Speaking of people that would crack you in half, like an egg. Yeah, that's true. I'm not going to, I'm not going to walk him and say, dude, why you got a poor name? He would not, I don't think he'd appreciate that underneath. He probably, he probably wouldn't.
Starting point is 01:38:03 No. Just seven and a half sacks last year for Max Crosby before that, 14 and a half, a lot of pressures, a lot of tackles for loss. Max Crosby is with a big deal in the NFL. Also, Cowboys reworking Dak Prescott's deal
Starting point is 01:38:18 as they created $56 million in Cap Room by restructuring him and a CD Lamb. Dak Prescott, I believe, I'm trying to find the exact number in this article because I'd heard $60 million a year's what's Dak Prescott is getting, by the way.
Starting point is 01:38:38 And by the way, also we should mention that the Cleveland Browns renegotiated Deshawn Watson's contract too. I was also going to mention that. But yes, $60 million a year, the highest paid quarterback in football is Dak Prescott. Not worth it. And I'm
Starting point is 01:38:55 Dak Prescott. I mean, Dak Prescott was an initial member of the Thomas Sports Enterprise as a family. So props to him for getting that money, but good, not great, right? Here's your list of the top paid quarterbacks in football by AAV.
Starting point is 01:39:10 Jack Prescott Joe Burrow Worth it Jordan Love Not worth it Trevor Lawrence Definitely not worth it To a Tungovoloa
Starting point is 01:39:22 Uh Wouldn't healthy worth it But he just can't say healthy And Jared Gough That's your top six Yikes What a blessing to be a quarterback What a blessing Ross to be a mid-quarterback
Starting point is 01:39:38 I still will tell you this And I've told you this many many times if you really want to tell your young player your young man out there to become quarterbacks to be middle of the road quarterbacks maybe a slightly above average go look at the career earnings of Kirk Cousins yeah it's a little harder though
Starting point is 01:39:57 these are like the top tens these are still top 15 quarterbacks on the planet so I would go with a long snapper still John Weeks is like man I still still gonna go get real estate license after this job he made 14 million in his current He should be good. He's got full pension.
Starting point is 01:40:15 You would think. What is the NFL full pension? Next time I get John Weeks on the show, we'll ask him, are you ever going to work again after your NFL career is over? These guys have to do something. He can't just sit on a beach. You might try it, though.
Starting point is 01:40:30 Let's see. Full pension is 43K a year from the NFL. I thought it would be more. That's it? $43,000 a year? Yeah, once you're 55. Not based off a percentage of what you earned. It's a player?
Starting point is 01:40:44 Guess not. Dikes. All right, anything on the off-the-beat and path, are we done? No, we got hit break. Let's do it. You hit our breaks on time. That's something about time. We do okay.
Starting point is 01:40:56 1215, sports talk, 790. 7-1-3-21-2-5-7-90 if you want to get in. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. Rossi, a major league baseball analyst, has given his grade on a report card of the Astros off-season. I'll explain who he is and what he said. after I tell you about League One volleyball. There's some new matches coming to the Fort Bend epicenter later on this month, and I want you to go check out some of the best volleyball in America
Starting point is 01:41:24 with the new professional league known as League One volleyball. They call Love Volleyball. L-O-V-B is the website, L-O-VB.com. L-O-VB.com. Look out for the Houston team and to buy your tickets there, tickets are starting as low as just $10. I have become one of the biggest fans of volleyball because A, it's terrific athleticism.
Starting point is 01:41:46 B, it's action-packed. C, my daughter is huge in it. It should be playing college volleyball. I'm very excited about that. But most importantly, it's an opportunity for you to spend time with your kids and one of the fastest growing sports in America, and that is volleyball. And if you want to see the best, do it.
Starting point is 01:42:01 From ex-college All-Americans to Olympians to International Stars, you need to check out the League One volleyball at L-O-VB.com. L-O-V-B. It's very easy to remember. And check out the March matches at the Fortman County epicenter. $10 tickets available at League One Volleyball, LOVB.com. More Matt Thomas Show with Ross. Now on Sports Talk 790.
Starting point is 01:42:29 It is at 1220. Good afternoon to Houston, Texas. It is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Sports Talk 790 at 712-5-790. If you want to jump in on the conversation, 7-13-212. 5-790. We've brought up
Starting point is 01:42:54 Jim Bowden's name a few times, right? Former general manager. I'm more of a Terry Bowden guy. I'm more Bobby. May he rest in peace? He died? Many years ago. May he rest? You know the nicest thing Bobby Bowden ever did?
Starting point is 01:43:14 What was the nicest thing he ever did? In my mind, when the Marshall plane went down, He was coaching, I want to say, at West Virginia. Don't hold me to that. But he basically opened up his arms with the new coaching staff and all the new players and anything you need for me. We'll help you get your program built up again.
Starting point is 01:43:33 Wow. Good for him. Yeah. Great Southern draw, Bobby Bowden. That's true. Back to gym. Let's segue back to what we're going to get to. We both do this to each other, so it's something out of the ordinary.
Starting point is 01:43:53 Talking about what the Astros did in the offseason, three years 60 million for Christian Walker, Ben Gamal, one year one million. Huge. That's a huge one. Trades, Cam Smith, Hayden Westnowski, Isaac Peretti for Kyle Tucker. Juan Bello and from the Cubs for Ryan Presling Cash.
Starting point is 01:44:14 They also acquired right-handed pitcher Matthew Lindski from the Diamondbacks for Great Kessinger. He says this is Jim. about and the best move was christian walker who has three consecutive gold gloves while averaging thirty two home runs a year under the radar moves he says snagging cam smith the cubs first round pick to get six major league years of smith in the deal for tucker whom they controlled for only this year was a coup they can always try to resign tucker and frayancy next winter please jim that's come on i can't believe i and read that um smith homer in his first who spring at bat so the asterer should
Starting point is 01:44:51 to the big leagues quickly, either playing third base or right field for them. What has hurt or helped their grade? The departures of Tucker and Bregman hurt their grade and signaled the end of an era for the Astros who have made the postseason for eight consecutive years. Storyline to watch. How will Jose Altoviz move to left field goal? And what kind of offensive production will the Astros get from the rest of their
Starting point is 01:45:18 outfield? The latter will determine if they make the playoffs extending their streak. The prediction for Jim Bowden this year for the Astros, third place in the American League West. Third place. By the way, predicting the Astros to finish in third, the Rangers to win the American League West, the Mariners to finish second and win a wild card,
Starting point is 01:45:42 the Astros to finish third, and miss the playoffs entire. Believe him or not. It's in the range of outcomes, But I'm going to say no. Oh, it is. It is. I mean, none of us can turn a blind eye to the fact that when you lose a high leverage reliever and Ron,
Starting point is 01:46:04 and obviously Presley was, to lose your gold glove third basement, who's still at a really good OPS, especially second half of the year, and to lose Kyle Tucker, and again, Grand Gilles lost him for three months last year, but was a five-tool player who went healthy and playing well, and he was really playing well until they got hurt. Those are losses. We can't shake that. And if you are shaking and saying, well,
Starting point is 01:46:25 they weren't going to be here long term already screw them, then you're just not really an objective baseball fan. You lost a lot, and you didn't gain as much back, but you're supposed to be a lot better. His first base was a sinkhole. As you mentioned, Kyle Tucker was out a long time last year. You still won 88 games.
Starting point is 01:46:47 A lot of that was the pitching, and a lot of this is going to be on the shoulders of the pitching. And I think it is going to be similar to last year to where the offense is going to be, you're hoping top 10-ish, and then you need the pitching to be top five. And you're hoping the Altube move to left field isn't a disaster. Isn't a disaster. It's not going to be, even if he's a complete butcher out there, which he's not going to be.
Starting point is 01:47:09 I mean, basically, as we saw in the first game, he didn't even get a ball in six innings. That can happen in any given game. Right. So he's not normally going to cost. He's not going to be costing you too many runs out there. And the reality is, if there's going to be any panic with the Astros' offense, it's going to be because of the following. Isaac Paredes can't hit for his position.
Starting point is 01:47:34 And you're getting nothing out of Myers and McCormick. That can all happen. I know who, I mean, look, I know who Mariso Dubon is. You know who they are. Yeah, we all do. Well, some of the fans don't. Some of the fans think that he's Ichero reincarnate. Yeah.
Starting point is 01:47:51 I mean, you know what it would be nice would be for even the catching spot. Dez and our Victor Caratini to move their slugging numbers up a little bit. Wouldn't that be fair? This is the thing, though. You were having Caratini play a bunch of first last year. Where's Janir Diaz going to play? You want to use... That is something that we're kind of not talking about that I'm curious how it's going to play out.
Starting point is 01:48:14 Christian Walker, he said right in front of us, Matt, I'm first baseman. So if he's locking down first base and you can't get Janier Diaz and Victor Caratini in the lineup both times with Yordon Alvarez. I've always believed. Yeah, I've always believed the Astros were going to move Diaz to first base.
Starting point is 01:48:33 And I would have said last year, it would have been sooner than three years. If Christian Walker plays this contract out, and Christian Walker plays as much first base as he has done in his previous stop in Arizona, you're looking at Yarn Air Diaz maybe being your first baseman for the start of the 2028 season. that's still relatively young for him
Starting point is 01:49:02 but I would have thought they would have made the transition a little bit faster especially if this Walker Johnick or Yonick we've got to figure out his name is on the fast track to becoming the Astros catcher of the future feels like to me Ross there's a lot of moving interesting parts right now for the organization who's the future third basement if you've got Bryce Matthews in the mix you got Cam Smith in the mix can you move Paredes to second base. Can you,
Starting point is 01:49:34 what's going to happen at first base? If Christian Walker's occupying the spot, if Yonick is the next superstar catcher in terms of defensive work especially, do you give up maybe the D.S. numbers behind the plate to move him to a different position.
Starting point is 01:49:50 You're always looking to figure out who's going to DH on the regular, which I still think is going to be Yordon Alvarez at the end of the day. I mean, these are not terrible problems to have, but there's no quick reverend. any of this stuff right now. Yeah, it's a real problem. Are we just never going to see Victor Kerr team?
Starting point is 01:50:05 I think it's a, I wouldn't say it's a problem. I would say it's a, is there such a thing as a difference between a dilemma and a problem? Sure. I mean, they're all good players. Yeah, I would say it's more dilemma than, problem is you don't have anybody to backing up position players. Or you're throwing somebody out there just because he's on your roster. Like right now, honestly, Ross, I'm really concerned about the outfield. offensively, very concerned.
Starting point is 01:50:42 And that's why... You should be. And that's why Cam Smith, he may be fast-tracked for third base, but he may be needed in right field, especially if McCormick cannot pick up or he did a couple of years ago. 1229, Sports Talk 790. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. 7-1-3-212-5-790.
Starting point is 01:51:00 Ross, what is today's edition of, believe it or not? I don't know. Okay, now remember, I've given you multiple warnings earlier yesterday in the show, and you came up with a masterpiece, although it was very late in the ballgame. Oh, well, tell me what's the topic, Matt. I'm going to go with it. You're going to do it every day.
Starting point is 01:51:17 It is a great game. It's part of your staple. It's spectacular. I'm going to go with it's D.K. Metcalf. He didn't even get traded. No, could be. Could be an answer. Anybody die recently?
Starting point is 01:51:33 Famous? Anybody die recently? I'll give you an answer coming back. Thank you. 1230 on Sports Talk 790. 713212. 5.790. Lunch timers.
Starting point is 01:51:47 It's the Matt Thomas show with Ross. On Sports Talk 790. We're going to stop talking about D.K. Metcalf as a Texan. The Seahawks, according to Diana Rusini, are asking for a first and third round pick. And also, Metcalf wants a new contract worth about $30 million per year. Bye. Enjoy that. Go get that somewhere else.
Starting point is 01:52:11 That's not happening. Not happening. We've already got Niko money, Collins' money spent. You just can't do that. Sorry. 1235, Sports Talk, 790. It is the Matt Thomas Show at Ross.
Starting point is 01:52:25 7-1-3-2-1-2-5-790. Jay and Spring with us on 7-90. Jay, good afternoon. How you got doing today, fellow. Good. Just that little article that you had read out about Kyle Tucker about the possibility of Kyle Tucker getting resigned, which is ridiculous.
Starting point is 01:52:42 Ridic. I was just calling. Yeah, I was just calling, if either one of y'all know of a case where not necessarily that that happened, where somebody was traded away for prospects and then they signed back for whatever reason. If that were to happen, would that be some type of collusion thing? Would it be an investigation you think if something like that were to happen where you trade a star? You didn't, like I guess it's like an under-table thing where you know you're going to pay them, but you trade him away for prospects
Starting point is 01:53:14 and then he comes back anyway. Has that been a case like that that you could think of some similar or close to that? I rolled his trapman went back to the Didn't he get traded by the Yankees and then came back? I'm not sure. Was it for a high draft? Like high picks or whatever?
Starting point is 01:53:31 Like you restocked him. I got a few prospects, yeah. Okay. Would you think that is morally incorrect? No. In a way, I guess. He's a free agent. He can sign wherever he wants,
Starting point is 01:53:42 and I don't think the Astros are colluding with them. I don't know about you, Matt. You know what, Jay, we'd never be able to prove it, so I can't say that the conversations like that have ever happened before, but there's not so many examples of what you're just talking
Starting point is 01:53:58 about that would make me go, what is going on in baseball for that to happen? Most got most, I mean, I shouldn't say most. What, 95% of players that get moved go somewhere else after that or stay with the team they got traded to? I mean, I just think there's just two few examples
Starting point is 01:54:13 of what you're explaining. But I mean, has it happened before? Probably. Has there been some underlying talk of, hey, we're going to make this move, and you know what you can find us at the end of the year? Yeah. But there's just not enough examples for that to happen.
Starting point is 01:54:26 Okay, yeah, I was just wondering, like, would it be an uproar? Do you think it would be an uproar if that were to happen? Not necessarily with Kyle Tucker, just with any team. If, like, that big of it, like that quick, you trade them in the end of the season. He comes right back to size that big deal or whatever. So you kind of, you know what I'm saying.
Starting point is 01:54:45 Like if I was the owner and something I would do. Yeah, yeah. It's a very good conversation piece, Jay. Thank you for the call. Again, who knows what happens on phones and text and face-to-face visits, Ross? But it just doesn't happen enough for us to go, what's going on? Something doesn't smell right. No, I wouldn't make any sense.
Starting point is 01:55:07 The Astros would like to have Kyle Tucker here at the Major League level because they need him to try and win. Or they would have or they did. they traded him because he is not going to be here long term. And that's how the way that they felt. And why would you, if you love somebody, why would you give them to go somewhere else? And maybe that player loves that new team he's gone to and said, you know what?
Starting point is 01:55:31 I really liked Houston. But man, this Cubs situation is a lot better. I'll go with the Cubs. Yeah, in 2016, the Yankees traded, rolled his Chapman of the Cubs for some minor league players, including Glaber Torres. Okay. And then he came back as a free agent with the Yankees.
Starting point is 01:55:48 That's the only one off the top of my head I can think of where that happened. It was also a deadline rental deal. And honestly, my guess is, Ross, if we were to think about this that ever happened, it would involving probably low-end major league players. You know, like, I'll just throw this an example. Not that this happened, but like, you know how Jed Lowry came back like two times? Yes. A Jed Lowry type player would be like, you know what, I understand why you're moving me to this team.
Starting point is 01:56:20 I liked it here. I'll come see y'all next year. And maybe when we can do something. It would be nobody that would be a game-changing type athlete. Yeah, the Astros let Verlander hit free agency and then sign and then traded right back for him. Yeah. Yeah. But that's different.
Starting point is 01:56:37 Yeah, that's different. So, not a bad point, but. No, it wouldn't be collusion. I don't think the Tucker and Astros are colluding. No. I think Kyle Tucker told the Astros a long time ago. He's going to hit free agency and probably going to hit a level of bidding that the Astros are not going to be able to stay in. I bet you Kyle Tucker would love to play in Tampa Bay.
Starting point is 01:56:59 The problem is they don't spend money on big name free. I think he's come resolved to the fact that he's never going to play for a team in the city in which he grew up in. Poor guy. It'll just have to take $300 million from someone else or whatever. Okay. So have we decided once and for all, are, whether we're betting a bag of chips or a meal, what are we going to do on the Kyle Tucker deal?
Starting point is 01:57:21 What are we decided on this? What do you mean? How many years? We did years. The line is seven and a half. And as I told you, after speaking around and knocking around in spring training, I'm feeling like you're going to win. Okay.
Starting point is 01:57:36 What a dollar amount is attached to that to? No, it was fast, casual lunch. You tried to up it and I said no. But I still owe you a fast casual food. from Bregman, but you're you know, I've seen you like three days this year. So, well, you're not going to see me until probably next Tuesday. I don't see me at the Rockets game on Monday.
Starting point is 01:57:53 You'll see me there. I don't think I'm working on that one. Okay, I'll see you next Tuesday, then. All right. See you. All right. I can't say that. You did that.
Starting point is 01:58:07 Let me segue. Let me segue. 713-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-7-90. I was looking, I'm getting ready for this Rockets game tonight. Do you know that Zion Williamson averages last year against the Rockets, 26 points a game? Sounds about right.
Starting point is 01:58:29 He averages 25 a game. That's pretty good. He's a guy who hardly plays averaging 25. When he plays, he scores 25 points a game. He's only 24 years old. Can you believe that? Yeah, first pick in the 2019 draft. Six-six listed, that seems right.
Starting point is 01:58:46 Okay. 284. It could be right now. Could be right now. Probably wasn't right in the offseason. Has it been 300 before? I'm going to go ahead and say yes. He's a triple double threat.
Starting point is 01:59:03 Every night, score is easy with his athleticism for being a bad three-point shooter. It's crazy how well he could score. Yeah, he shoots 23% from three and only 63% from the line. Imagine how many points he leaves on the table by missing free throws. It's a lot. took 23 shots against the Lakers on Tuesday. Zero three point shots. He was 17 of 23 from the floor.
Starting point is 01:59:28 That is freakish athleticism. What that is. And when you watch him in person, which I have done, not as much as others because he hardly plays against the rocket to last four or five years, but you can tell why people were enamored with him because of his freakish athletic skills, especially inside the ark.
Starting point is 01:59:48 I mean, since he was in high school. I mean, he had his YouTube, like the montages of his dunks he was throwing down in high school. Yeah. But he just likes to eat. And if he keeps his weight to 260 and kept it there as another 25 pounds less, he would be impossible Ross to guard. Well, see if he can do it. It's hard, Matt. Maybe he's got a food addiction.
Starting point is 02:00:16 It's hard. It's difficult. I was watching the Luther Vandross documentary. He was talking about how he wakes up. He's thinking about food and he goes to sleep. He's thinking about food all day. Luther Vandros are dead, correct? Yes.
Starting point is 02:00:29 So he's not thinking about food every morning. Well, not anymore. He's dead. No. May he rest. Favorite Luther Vandross song? I'm going to go with that Never Too Much. You Are My Lady?
Starting point is 02:00:41 The Endless Love remake with Mariah Carey was delightful. Oh, that was good, too. Luther's a jam. Properly ready? yes i'm going to go underrated what's up i'm going to properly rated 713 212 5790 713 212 5790 uptown appliance repair is a company i'm very happy to speak for because they are true appliance professionals they specialize in repairing premium brands with 100% customer satisfaction they also offer you an exclusive to your warranty whether it's replacing a
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Starting point is 02:01:54 281-758-9978 is the number. That's 281-758-9978. Check out the website Uptown Appliancesrepair.com. That's Uptown Appliance Repair.com. The Matt Thomas Show continues. On your smart speaker, listen to Sports Talk 790 on any device with our free iHeart's radio app 1248 of the Matt Thomas
Starting point is 02:02:28 Show with Ross 713212 5790 7132 212 790 on Twitter at SportsMT at SportsMT at Sports RV and at Connor D.
Starting point is 02:02:43 McGovern Are you a bunch of a I don't know the answer this question. Were you ever a baseball car collector when you You were a kid, Ross? Yes. When I was younger from, I don't know, ages six to 15-ish. You know what I would do?
Starting point is 02:03:01 I would buy box sets and I would never open them up, which I was like, why am I doing this for? Is this for an investment or should I be opening the cards up and seeing how cool they? People do that now, and they make content out of it too. They go to eBay, they buy unopened boxes. You should sell those. Do you have any of them, Matt? Probably in my garage.
Starting point is 02:03:18 It needs to be cleaned out, but that's not here nor there. Hmm. And they do opening boxes, they do opening of cards and stuff like that. Yeah. A one of a kind autographed baseball card featuring a patch of the number 30 jersey that Mr. Skeens of the Pittsburgh Pirates War is going off to auction. Yeah. Wasn't there some kid? So some kid found it.
Starting point is 02:03:44 It was going to be a one of one. The pirates offered like 30 years of season tickets and whatever. else and a date with Livy Dunn or something like that is Paul Sching's lady. Lunch and I think they get to second base too which is kind of weird. I don't think that's accurate Matt and probably it's called prostitution Matt.
Starting point is 02:04:07 I thought there's a good line. The kid was like shut your bum ass up. I'm going to put this bad boy in auction. Yeah. Paul Skeen's rookie debut patch autograph is officially here. The car was released in November of last year. An L.A. Area Kid received it as part of a Christmas president.
Starting point is 02:04:26 He declined the offer. And now it's up for grabs cash-wise. A 2,023 card featuring Skeens picked up $63,000 in August. That was when he was a senior at LSU. Mm-hmm. I mean, wow. Speculation is it could go for $1 million or more.
Starting point is 02:05:03 I'd be uncomfortable owning something like that. Like if I was a multimillionaire, I don't know. Would you want a lot of artwork in your house? Would you want a lot of amazing? I mean, I guess it all depends on what you'd want to spend. But don't you, if you were to bet on this and win this, wouldn't you just take it to a safety deposit box to your local bank and lock it up and never see it again?
Starting point is 02:05:27 because you'd be so afraid that touch it or somebody would might hurt it? Yeah, it only has value if everyone else believes it has value, right?
Starting point is 02:05:36 Like, at the end of the day, it's a little patch and a piece of cardboard. Yeah. And if Skeens becomes a 17-game loser in the next five years, it's going to be, the value is going to drop considerably.
Starting point is 02:05:46 And it's the same thing with, I don't know, Pokemon cards or vintage cars or whatever, or people who are in the shoe game, like you'll have some Jordan, whatever colorway of some shoe.
Starting point is 02:05:57 that's valued $80, and then LeBron wears it, and it goes up to $300. Yeah. It's just a value. And also, what if Paul, if Paul Skeens gets Tommy John three times and never develops into the star we all think he's going to be, then you've wasted a million dollars. But it's a gamble. Yeah, for instance, if I was going to go spend serious money on memorabilian sports, I would probably go with somebody that already has a tremendous track record.
Starting point is 02:06:22 Not that Paul Skeens couldn't do this, but everything on, he's fast-tracking himself to being one of the elite pitchers in the game. But there's still, relatively speaking, there's a small sample size attached to it. It's still a risk. Where if I go by a LeBron James autographed jersey, I know the value is not going to go away. He's the second greatest or the greatest,
Starting point is 02:06:44 depending on who you talk to the greatest player of all time. If I go get a Jerry Rice autographed jersey, I know that I've got one of the best players in the history of the NFL period. If I have Walter Payton, I mean, I know it's there. I'd be, because if you're spent, you said the card could be worth a million? Yeah, so you're doing that saying in 10 years it's going to be worth four million, five million, whatever, yeah. It's like a stock, basically.
Starting point is 02:07:11 Right. You're gambling that it's going to go. But one of the most expensive basketball cards ever sold, I know this because we did, believe it or not, or something, and I saw it, was like a Luca Donchich rookie card. He's 25 years old. But you're spending millions and millions of dollars on this, hoping that it's going to be, and worth much more later on. Okay, so Luca is a really good player, right?
Starting point is 02:07:31 Mm-hmm. He helped the Mavericks go to the NBA finals last year. And the notion that he could probably do that again, the Lakers is pretty good because he's now with a very successful team. They've played well since he got there. LeBron is with him. But that doesn't seem like to me a type of player that I don't want to put a lot of... I mean...
Starting point is 02:07:53 The Mavericks disagree with these sales. I know. I know. Yeah, I know what you're saying. It's a gamble. So I'm pulling it up. The most expensive card ever is a Steph Curry, some card for a rookie card for $5.9 million.
Starting point is 02:08:07 Second is a LeBron James rookie at $5.2 million. Okay. Third is a Luca Donchich rookie card. This is the same thing kind of. I think it's a one-of-one autograph. $4.6 million card and another Luca Donchich won for $3 million. That means those two cards are worth more than any Michael Jordan card.
Starting point is 02:08:28 So let me ask you this. If you're going to get more value on those Luca cards, he's got to do more today than he has done previously in his NBA career. Or maybe you're just a huge Luca fan. I don't know. I don't buy that. It's part of it. It might have been one of these two.
Starting point is 02:08:45 So the Michael Jordan card, most expensive one, is a $2.9 million card. It was sold in 2024. These other cards were sold for more, but from Luca Donchage. Wow, this is crazy, actually. what the hell are these people doing? And also people say maybe this is money laundering. Or people that have just money to burn. Oh, that too.
Starting point is 02:09:05 And there's some of that in there. I mean, less than one percent. Yeah, you're buying a card for $3 million. You've got money to burn. Yeah. Like, we have some memorabilia in our family, but they were all past tense, long retired players. Mm-hmm.
Starting point is 02:09:21 That it was big, like, you know, I got, I have a George Foreman boxing club. That you got for free from work. no you didn't pay for it did you no my father-in-law gave it too okay that makes sense so there's value in that because george foreman is a former world champion he's one of the greatest boxers of all time there's no way it's going to go down in value unless people just say well george is you know dead or 90 years old or nobody knows who we care i mean but if i was going to memorabilia by it would be probably i would be on the i'd be on the other side of it i'd rather go after i'd rather pay more and go after something that I know is already going to have value
Starting point is 02:10:01 as compared to going to Paul Skeens and going, man, I hope you can, I'm going to buy you now. We'll buy you low at $1 million and maybe if you win 20 games a year for the next six years that card's worth triple. Paul Screens is going to be a superstar. Like all right, it's just as long as he's healthy unless his arm falls apart, which it could. It could.
Starting point is 02:10:22 Yeah, there's a lot of guys that have been rookie phenoms and two or three or one. Let me tell you something. Kerrywood says hello. Yeah, I get you. You get a T.J. And you're done for a while. Carry Wood and Mike Pryor saying, what up, Paul Skeens. I get it.
Starting point is 02:10:36 Is it Mike Pryor? It's not Mike. Mark Pryor. Mark Pryor, yeah. That's what I said. I thought you said Mike. His cousin, Mike, also believes that Mark Pryor was a one-year-one or two. Luca card?
Starting point is 02:10:47 Nah. LeBron card, I could see. Steph Curry, car, do you want to buy that? I get that. The card probably went up in value now that he's a Laker. That's true, especially if they win a championship this year. By the national, everybody's pushing hard for the Lakers
Starting point is 02:11:02 are in the West. Man, they are pushing hard. Oh, yeah. NBC and Prime Video and all of their prime. They're hoping that too, because they can put a bunch of their games on their national packages starting next year with all the new TV games.
Starting point is 02:11:17 I'm just scrolling through these most expensive cards of all time. They're almost, almost all of them are LeBron and Jordan. Which is funny because most people, most kids, like including you and me, grew up with baseball cards, more so than anything else. Yeah, isn't the most expensive baseball cards It's like those old Honest Wagner's or something I have two of those
Starting point is 02:11:37 Really? I think you should keep them forever, Matt No, I don't have it. We have an hour left to go on the show Ross, what do you want to lead off? What is topic A in the final line of Matt? Well, I'll tell you what we're going to talk about during the break What the heck is, believe it or not?
Starting point is 02:11:49 Paul Skee, oh, cards values? Googleable? Yeah, card values. We've done this before, but I'll do it again. It's fine. You know what? We're down on an hour. Hey, my first rodeos.
Starting point is 02:11:59 Yeah. We can regurgitate. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-21-2-5-7-90. It's a Matt Thomas show with Ross one hour-lough to go. If you would like to be a part of the radio program, you may do so at 7-13-212-5-7-90. 7-1-3-21-2-5-7-90. Lunch timers.
Starting point is 02:12:23 This is the Matt Thomas show. Fourth and final hour of the Matt Thomas show with Ross on Sports Talk 790. 713-212-5-790 is how you reach the show. 7-1-3-212-5-790. All right, Matt Kawahara from the Houston Chronicle. Talk to Christian Walker. 10 minutes ago, Sports Avi. Are you ready?
Starting point is 02:12:53 Yes. Do we need the ER music behind us? No. I mean, I should have told you ahead of time. It's my fault. Oh, no. I'll segue. Okay.
Starting point is 02:13:03 So whenever the music's ready, I'll read you the update. This is from Matt Carwara. Kara, excuse me. It's a lot of, there's a lot of syllables there. I don't hurt yourself, Matt. Matt says, the Christian Walker says, his side is, quote, a little sore today, but definitely not worse than yesterday, which is a good sign.
Starting point is 02:13:28 He, being Walker, said the issue does not feel as serious as the oblique injury that kept him a month last season. Walker said he had some ultrasound testing, but they are waiting for swelling and inflammation in the area to go down before doing further imaging. Oh, hell no. Oh, hell no.
Starting point is 02:13:49 Swelling and inflammation? No! It's going to be fine. Rossi, it's spring training. Yeah, exactly. Four innings, and you go play golf, and you swing, you go eat, and you eat sushi and stuff. He can do all those things
Starting point is 02:14:05 Well, he can't swing a golf club, I hope No God! No, God! Please no! No! I don't like to hear the term swelling and inflammation. What'd you think? They held him out with? You think it was totally normal, hunky-dory? You know what? Go get a shot and get your ass back out there. Oh, stop.
Starting point is 02:14:26 Three-year guy, let's go. Spring training. He's 34. We've got to preserve his body for as long as possible anyways. Wrap him in the bubble wrap. Yes. All right. So it's not as big of an hour yesterday as it was. Well, it wasn't any worse.
Starting point is 02:14:42 The swelling is going down, but not to the point where they can get imaging on it. You can't get imaging on a swell. Oh, God. That's not good. Fine. Isn't that it? No, it's not good. I told you.
Starting point is 02:14:54 He's going to miss a couple of weeks and be fine for opening day. Oh, Ross, let me throw a scenario at you. This is annual oblique injury. You missed time in spring training. Does that mean April? March 29th or whatever he's going to be fine he's going to go four for four or two home runs that what you're saying call your shot yes no god please no no no the swelling is not down enough for him to have an ultrasound or whatever he's not be serious not be serious
Starting point is 02:15:34 John Singleton? Who will get more A-Bs? Who will get more A-Bs in the month of April? John Singleton or Christian Walker? Answer me now! Where are we at in society today? That's a grown man. Hashtag, sluggish start to 2025.
Starting point is 02:16:07 You got the time of the cash? I got the head. I don't know how that got in there. That was a mistake Yeah, it was I can tell Damn you, Matt Thomas It's damn you, Christian Walker
Starting point is 02:16:24 Stretch that oblique out You like it hard She likes it soft We were talking about taco shells, correct? It was actually You were doing a mattress spot Your tacos, you like a hard shell or soft shell? Soft shell
Starting point is 02:16:46 What do you say? With a hard? No, yeah I'm indifferent I can go either way Hard or soft? Either way. Mm-hmm. 106.57.
Starting point is 02:17:01 Eh, he will be playing this. Now, we know you like it hard. What is this drop? What? What did we get a cat? Where'd that come from? I don't know. All right, folks.
Starting point is 02:17:21 Are you ready for a 12 and 13 month of April? Let's go. Let's be a good deal of realities here. Ah, man. I mean John Singleton Oh God! I know. No, God!
Starting point is 02:17:32 Please no! No! I mean, John Singleton's going to hit three or four upper deckers, but he's also making a strike down like nine times in two weeks. Or is our glass half a full now because John Singleton's ripped body. Frustrated? I'm angry. It sucks. I don't know.
Starting point is 02:17:55 John Singleton has muscles in areas where he shouldn't have muscles. He's that ripped. I'm going to read the quote again No, please don't It's too late What is this one? $1,100 for three inches Four on a good day
Starting point is 02:18:15 I got a lot of stuff in here Man boobs It's surprising as most of stuff got deleted Man boobs Walker said he had some ultrasound testing but they're waiting for swelling and inflammation In the area to go down
Starting point is 02:18:39 Ain't nobody got time for that Get that right line up today. Hummel and left. Smith at third. Cooper Hummel's still all the squad. That's great. Yoner Diaz, catching and betting third. Singleton at first, batting cleanup. Chazy Fizz. In center today batting fifth. Let's go Chazzy. Something called a D.H. Hamilton is batting sixth. Rogers at second base
Starting point is 02:19:10 batting seven. Brendan Rogers? Brendan Rogers. Brandon Rogers? It's like Roger Clemens coming to the Yankee. He's coming. Brendan Rogers. It looks like it's Quincy Hamilton number two. I'm 82. Excuse me.
Starting point is 02:19:28 Is it really? No, it's not. Is it? Non-rister invitee. Is that him? Oh, Rogers batting seventh. Okay. Melton and Ryan.
Starting point is 02:19:37 Is that Jacob Mountain? Yes. The Jacob Melton. Giorme is the shortstop today. Wonderful. And the Gusto is going to pitch. Who? Gusto.
Starting point is 02:19:51 Ryan Gusto? Gusto, Gusto, whatever. Gusto, Gusto. That's the one who was supposed to pitch in the last day of the season but probably like nine hours of rain out. As soon as somebody gets some shoulder soreness or some elbow tightness,
Starting point is 02:20:02 so he's going to be the first one off the bench. So needless to say, not the 2025 World Series roster the Astros will put out there for the game seven. It could be. Mm-mm-mm. All right, there we go. 713, 212, 5, 7.7.
Starting point is 02:20:18 790 713212-5-790 on Twitter at SportsMT, at SportsMT, at Connor D. McGovern. Gosh, almighty. The swelling has to go down. What the hell was he doing? Was he just swinging too hard? It's his annual oblique injury. It's like, you know, you go up to Aspen every year. Christian Walker gets an oblique injury every year.
Starting point is 02:20:45 It's fine. What injuries do you have on the yearly basis? calf injury you do not I've never seen you with a calf injury in my life every winter
Starting point is 02:20:53 gets a little chilly I suffer from fatigue carrying this show carrying my life that I live I mean that's yearly for me in Singleton we trust
Starting point is 02:21:10 say it with me Houston in John Singleton we trust who will have more hits in March last April John Singleton or Christian Walker Yeah well
Starting point is 02:21:21 remember we were earlier talking about this is going to, we need Victor Caratini in the lineup more. Oh, Caratini at first base. Okay. I see it. You get Dubby over there. You're creative.
Starting point is 02:21:34 Yonner Diaz playing for the first base. Karatini behind the dish, maybe? Hey, what are you talking about? Diaz is a bit of a butcher at first. By the way, I got to correct something. Okay. David on Twitter. I purely guessed you or my lady was by Luther Vandross.
Starting point is 02:21:51 That's Freddie Jackson singing. you or my lady. That was just a complete guess on my part. I was wrong. You and my lady's a jam by the way. Okay. You play that with the ladies back and say 88, 89? They loved on you big time. I'll take your word for it.
Starting point is 02:22:11 Okay. All right. You know, Luther Vandross wrote songs on the Wiz. He wrote songs for Sheik. Who wrote, did he write EZon down the road? The guest song for the movie Wiz? Maybe. All right. What was your favorite Christian Walker is an astromo moment.
Starting point is 02:22:30 Stop. Do you want to punch you right in the throat? You can't. I like that. I don't like that's a great drop. Can we hear that one more time? Do you want to punch you right in the throat? No.
Starting point is 02:22:41 I can't. I thought it was really you saying that too. That's funny. Maybe we should have the last hour in L.A.I. All drops. I got enough. I'll get in front of the mirror and do it for two hours tonight. What the heck was that?
Starting point is 02:22:59 context. I don't know, but that's fantastic. At least some of your drops are dropping in the show. One at 13. Like this one? French men wearing speedos that had packages. You were talking about Hawaii or something, right? Oh, yeah.
Starting point is 02:23:15 That's when I dined and dashed that one time in Halloween. Oh, yeah, many years ago. But I tried to pay. Nobody was there to take my money. You know what? He was begging for it and I gave it to him. Because I want to see him completely naked for seven to 12 minutes. Okay.
Starting point is 02:23:31 Back to Sport. Do you see what happens when people don't call the show and interact with us? I'm sorry. This package can't be that big. We were talking about the trade package. I know exactly. I know what these are coming from. I want me some Vince Young sausage.
Starting point is 02:23:46 713-212-5-7-90. Please join this radio show because I need you to come in and help me with the malcontents that are working back there in our Houston studios. Stand up. Turn around so I can take a picture of your ass. 7-13-2-please call. I don't even care if you just want to call and rip on me for half an hour. I don't care.
Starting point is 02:24:06 I'll take it at this point. 713-212-5-7-90. All right, in all seriousness, I want to tell you about Scott Callahan and Associates for just a moment. Scott is one of the best attorneys when it comes to personal injury lawyers you will find in the state of Texas. And he's a Texas super lawyer. He's also on the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a guy that's going to help you get the money you deserve if any of you are in a tough spot with an injury through a motorcycle accident, through a vehicular accident, maybe it's
Starting point is 02:24:38 something involving a workplace incident or a wrongful death. And hopefully that none of that has happened to you, but maybe somebody in your life, your friend or a colleague has gone through that and they're looking for proper legal representation. That's when you call 713-888-9,000. That's 713-88-9,000 for Scott Callahan and Associates. The website to look at more about him and what his client, his associate group can do for you is to do, we help Texas.com. We help Texas.com. You'll be paying no money at front. There's no out-of-pocket expenses.
Starting point is 02:25:12 No travel to an office is required. They'll handle the headache of dealing with the insurance companies and get you back on your feet, recovering financially and physically. 713888-9,000. 713-88-9,000. We help Texas.com for Scott. Calhallaan and Associates, principal office, Katie, Texas. Back to Matt Thomas and Ross Villarreal. On Sports Talk 790.
Starting point is 02:25:47 120 on the Matt Thomas show with Ross here from New Orleans, Louisiana. By the way, I can just say this, went to Bourbon Street a little bit last night, Rossi. This is still a fantastic city. It's very pleasant except for the crime and the urination and the vomit. The food is amazing. went to an amazing steakhouse last night, went to a little bar for a listen to a little bit of music for a while, and then obviously went to the casino and saw a man spend $100 on hitting 13 against a four.
Starting point is 02:26:17 Steakhouse? Yeah. You got to go to a Creole joint. Oh, I know what you did. You got, you got a, oh, you got a play discount, didn't you? No, no, no, no, no. Ooh. No, I'll tell you, as a matter of fact, the place I went to.
Starting point is 02:26:30 It has been around. I want to say for 75 years. It's called Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse. Oh, okay. Delicious. Dickie Brennan Steakhouse has been in New Orleans on Abbeville Street. That's not how you pronounce. Don't hurt yourself.
Starting point is 02:26:50 I know. I think it's been around, it's been ridiculously around forever and ever and ever. So, yeah, it's good. But lots of kids. I mean, you can eat fried food here, too. I mean, you're cholesterol level in this town. You eat everything. Everything.
Starting point is 02:27:05 I love New Orleans. Oh. You know, the pizza, the pizza scene apparently is getting better, Matt. You know what? You can get slices right on Bourbon Street with like a beer pizza combo. It would be just fine. Yeah, there's this new lucky dog, I think, is the place you got to try, Matt. It's a new local dog joint.
Starting point is 02:27:24 No, the lucky dogs across the street at the casino. I have a lucky dog everywhere. I've had a couple of those dogs. I'm going to get one at 2 o'clock today. I can tell you that for damn sure. Now, they have them all on a card on a... I don't know if I've... You know what?
Starting point is 02:27:35 I think I have had a lucky dog before. Have you? Yeah, but I was drunk, so I don't remember what it tastes like. It's fine. It's a little. That's okay. Let's go to Rico at 122 on the Matt Thomas show. Hello, Rico.
Starting point is 02:27:48 Hey, fellas, what's going on, man? How y'all doing today? Amazing. Amazing. It's a good day, brother. Just real quick, man. Astros, they sang my little cousin in December to a minor league guild. But they haven't paid him yet, man.
Starting point is 02:28:06 When you have a chance, can you ask Joe Dirk? What is he going to give Jose Gazzalek's chance to play so he can show what he has? This is your cousin? Yes, sir. He just got signed in December. What position does he play? He plays outfield, man. So actually, we need outfit, the man, and he's a lefty, a power hitter.
Starting point is 02:28:33 Man, once Joe Dirk gives him his chance, you don't forget about Alvarez. I'm going to tell you that right now. All right. It's going to be in the back seat, brother. Well, wait, whoa, whoa. Slow your roll-down, family member. Come on now. Come on, man.
Starting point is 02:28:52 O'Rex is weak, man. Oh, deep. Let me tell you what I just did. I went to look at your cousin. His face isn't even on the minor league baseball website. It's a dark picture of nobody there sitting there. Look, I mean, they just signed them. But if you look at his stats,
Starting point is 02:29:10 man he's got he's got his team last year with home runs RBIs and I believe also bad an average I found I'm mistaken Do you go to spring high school Yes sir He's six foot
Starting point is 02:29:27 220 probably could lose a few pounds yes Hey but he's thick though He's not fat Oh is he muscle It's all muscle brother Oh okay I buy that I give you to you that's fine with the Texas state?
Starting point is 02:29:41 I'm saying, man, what's what Joe Dirt gives it his chance? Huh? I can't, I cannot call, I cannot call Joe a spot of Joe Dirt. That's not going to happen. It's not going to help your, your cousin's cause. You're probably right about that, man. But I wish, I wish he would give him his chance, man,
Starting point is 02:29:59 just to see what, man, he's got, he's got power, man. He's a lefty, he has power. Man, and I'm telling you, man, what, what Joe gives him his chance? y'all don't forget about Alvarez i'm i'm saying you right now whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa he played independent ball for something called yolo last year in the pioneer league yeah i'm not moving a guy but he's not knowing nalvarez out for your cousin who's a it was a pioneer league all-star come on now i'm telling you man he he's got power man he's good
Starting point is 02:30:33 and i'm not just saying that first of all but he he's got he's got power we'd love you we'd love you like you love Jose okay but here's the bottom line you calls about every 30 days with an update on his life okay would you do that for us yeah well and if he that's what he sucks if he sucks you got a call on the numbers and if he's great we'll help we will help you i'll get in front of of dana brown and drop his name but if he bats two oh nine single a then you better come and correct and apologize to the audience to texas oh i will i will hey Hey, hey, hey, hold up, hold up. He's 24 years old, too.
Starting point is 02:31:14 What the hell? We've got to get going here. Father timing. That's what I'm saying. This one. Well, it's a long story behind it, but he should have already been in the major. Oh, is that right? Okay.
Starting point is 02:31:27 It's a law story behind that. Yeah, yeah, it's a law story behind that. But, you know, I'm just happy that, you know, Dana Brown game a call, game, you know, actually looking at him. and they signed into a minor league deal, man. So let's get him on the show, man. So he can show people what he's able to do. Okay.
Starting point is 02:31:49 He's a left fielder, a first baseman, and a right fielder. Ladies and gentlemen, the official minor leaguer of the Matt Thomas show. Forget about Bryce Matthews. Yes. Forget about Jacob Melton. Yes. Forget about Kim Smith. The official rookie, excuse me, the official minor leaguer of the Houston Astros is Jose Gonzalez,
Starting point is 02:32:07 who is six feet tall, 220, probably got some bit of a belly, don't know that for sure. He went to Texas State University. He went to Klein High School, and he's going to rake, and his cousin Rico calls a show, and for that, we love him.
Starting point is 02:32:23 Yeah, yeah. I'm going to hope Joe gives him this shot, man, so he can prove to people what he can do. Okay, there it is. We're all in. We're all in. Thank you, Rico. Ross, we all in for this guy? Can't wait.
Starting point is 02:32:40 I don't believe you for a second. What's his name again? Jose Gonzalez. Okay. It's a rare name in the Hispanic world. He's ready to mash. Well, the Astros did sign up. Dirty Joe would Joe Dirtle give him a chance.
Starting point is 02:32:55 Yeah, you can't, I cannot call him Joe Dirt. I think it's up to Joe's spot as kid just call him up. I don't think it's up to him, Rico. Talk to Dana Brown. He played last year or something called the Yuba Souter High Wheeler's. Yuba Suda High Willers? Yeah. I don't even know what that means.
Starting point is 02:33:16 Where the hell is Yuba Suter? Yuba Suter, also known as the Yolo High Wheelers. He loved the team in home runs, RBIs and OPS. Marysville, California. He is expected to sign either play with the Asheville Taurus, which is High A or Double A Corpus Christi. Oh, see? Let's go. It's a late bloomer.
Starting point is 02:33:44 Can you imagine being 24 and being at high A? I mean, ooh. You've got to buy beer for everyone, yeah. You've got to buy beer and booze, everybody. You've got to be the one. You got to be the one. You got to be the, I met this. There was this one old minor leaguer Ross,
Starting point is 02:33:57 I don't know. He went to a ballpark and he turned all the sprinklers on and forced to rain out. Hmm. That sounds familiar, Matt. Yeah, and he was in charge of keeping, this monolinger, I don't know for his name. Yeah, yeah.
Starting point is 02:34:13 But he was in charge of this young pitch of this phenom and so this phenom wouldn't listen to him. He would tell the batters what pitch was coming. And he kept calling this star meat. It was really wrong over him. Yeah, and they were both in love with a busty redhead. They both had relations with this busty redhead. Apparently had relations with many minor leaguers and even talked about one of them wearing socks during sex.
Starting point is 02:34:44 Yeah, Jose, we got to get Rico's cousin Jose out of, uh, out of, uh, high eight 24 years old no you don't you're buying pizza and beer for everybody now those 19 year olds can't afford that kind of stuff all right Jose gonzalez official minor leaguer of the matt thomas show 129 on sports talk 790 713 212 5 790 713 212 5 790 on twitter you can follow us at sports mtie at connor d magovern quick time out back with more with believe it or not in 20 here on 790. Matt Thomas, Ross Villarreal. It's the Matt Thomas show with Ross on Sports Talk 790.
Starting point is 02:35:33 7-1-3-2-1-2-5-7-90. If you want to jump in, it's a Matt Thomas show with Ross. Tomorrow, for anything goes Friday. We've been on Florida stories coming up on the show tomorrow. We have hopefully a Rockets Factory to talk about tomorrow. And, oh, a Kamp Smith siding today for the Astero. against the Metropolitan's. We'll have it free right here on 790, beginning at 450.
Starting point is 02:35:56 And what else is going on? Any more veteran-wide receivers to be released in next couple days? By the way, again, D.K. Metcalf of the Seahawks wants to be moved. He wants $30 million a year, and the Seahawks in return want to give up a, want the teams that acquire him to give up a first and a third round selection. Thank you, but no thank you on that one. What else we got going on today? Oh, by way, can
Starting point is 02:36:22 I mention this to you very briefly yesterday, Ross. Stephen A. Smith went on the Tonight Show last night. He did? And is he talking again about how he's not running for president? Correct. You know what you do when you don't want to be brought up as a potential presidential candidate? You tell the interviewer, I don't want to talk about this because I'm not doing it. It's ridiculous. Yeah. Going on like 10 interviews and telling people you're not a pedophile
Starting point is 02:36:49 is not a good way to think people think you're not a pedophile. Wow, that went dark all of a sudden really quick. But the point is this, how many more shows does he have to go on to tell the world he's not a candidate? I don't know. Why is he making all these appearances? I guess ESPN's trying him out there. Like, we're paying you $8 million. Let's go.
Starting point is 02:37:08 Because what he's doing is he's not turning anything down because he wants to build his brand. Second of all, he wants to get the biggest contract in the history of ESPN for television personality. He wants to trump Pat McAfee. and he wants his name being constantly talked about. Hmm. And guess what this show is doing for about another 45 seconds? Talking about them. I mean, look, the Democrats have made some mistakes.
Starting point is 02:37:38 They have admitted to some of them. The biggest mistake you could put is putting Stephen A. Smith. If Stephen A. Smith doesn't even know what players are on what teams, how in the hell do you want him to balance a budget? Let's do it. Skip Bayless, Republican. Stephen A. Smith, Democrat. But they actually get those two guys get along.
Starting point is 02:37:57 They're like pesties. They could be like a one-two punch. Yeah, but they've debated each other for years on TV. Oh, so you're saying basically that you would then want Skipp and Shannon to be a party ticket. Okay, yeah. Okay. I don't know if Shannon wants to be the vice president to anybody, though. He might have to run the primaries.
Starting point is 02:38:14 Yeah, there's also a film of him out there, too. It's not overly flattering. What film? When he was, the audio of him. It was audio. in the background. It's fine. That's your one video. Yeah.
Starting point is 02:38:30 Anything that boosts his candidacy. That's true. He's getting stuff done. So maybe you should do something embarrassing on video, and it published, remember that time when Jerry Springer wrote the check to the prostitute? I mean, that only improved his image, at least for that fan-based video.
Starting point is 02:38:51 Kim Kardashian's entire fame. Yeah. Ragee, right? Yeah. What is Ragee doing these days? I don't know You might be touring He had a couple hits back in the day
Starting point is 02:39:05 Did he? Okay Mostly known as Randy's brother Yeah I couldn't name one song of his I can't remember the songs But he had like a couple of small hits Yeah
Starting point is 02:39:19 I just again It's in a 4 you I know It's terrible But my 4 U is full of Stephen A. Smith wanting to run, telling anybody that wants to hear him, he's not running.
Starting point is 02:39:31 Well, then stop doing it. Go on your podcast and say, I'm not doing any more television. You want my opinion on sports? You want my opinion on politics. I'll accept that. Not really. I don't want either one of them. You could put up an AI at Donald Trump in four years.
Starting point is 02:39:49 AI Donald Trump beat Stephen A. Smith. Well, why would it be AI? He's not going to croak before then, is he? No, but I mean, you can't run for a third term unless, they change the rules. I was going to say he's going to try to get an amendment passed. Yeah, what amendment is that, by the way? I don't know. You just declare martial law.
Starting point is 02:40:10 It's true. But seriously, the next time Stephen A. Smith tells us he's not running for president, which means you know that Stephen A. Smith for pres.org is going to be up and running. Well, he will not be getting a, yet again, I will not be participating in a presidential election. Yeah, I think I'm done with that too. 140 on 790. Let's talk to Alex on the Matt Thomas. showed Ross Alex, good afternoon to you.
Starting point is 02:40:33 All right. Guys, I don't want to blame y'all directly. I'm not that guy. But all the gambling talk got my blood all rolled up and I had to go to New Orleans in I think October for a wedding. And I was inspired by just all of your conversation. I was like, these guys have got me set right. I'm ready to go.
Starting point is 02:40:54 I'm going to go play me some roulette and I'm going to win big. And Matt, let me tell you. I walked in there, I guess, around midnight. None of the roulette tables were open except for like the $25 spots. And I lost, I lost with a swiftness. Like, there was, there was no, there was no lull. It was just, they just took my money and it was gone. And I'm trying to figure out what I did wrong.
Starting point is 02:41:23 Where can I play cheaper? That's not $25. And I think it was like, actually like $50 that I had to put down because, You had to have like four spots on the table or something like that. And, man, it was a horrible experience. And I want to enjoy it the way that y'all do. And I don't know what I did wrong. So if you could just maybe illuminate the correct way to do it, that would be fantastic.
Starting point is 02:41:47 Are you talking about playing roulette? Are you talking about the whole gambling experience? Well, roulette specifically, but the gambling experience as a whole even would be better. because, man, it just really turned me off. I'm not saying what you're only $50. I'm going to tell you right now, here comes to some realities. First of all, if you're coming to New Orleans, for the intent purposes of gambling,
Starting point is 02:42:10 you're picking the wrong Louisiana City. The tables are never low here. Never, ever, ever. I went across the street this morning to get a breakfast, and the black check tables are $25. We're talking $25, midweek, 8 o'clock in the morning. So if that's sent, and I'm sure the, Same for the craps tables and the same for the roulette table.
Starting point is 02:42:31 Secondly, I don't ever play a roulette. I find it not enjoyable. I have no interest in it. I don't if I'm in the minority or the majority. I just don't play it. Don't think it's any very much fun. And that's about it. I think that's all I got covered there.
Starting point is 02:42:46 I think roulette's a bad game, and I think New Orleans is not the place you. If you're coming to New Orleans to eat, drink, and oh, by the way, play some cards, that's one thing. But if you're coming here to gamble, go to Lake Charles, save yourself the time and hassle. Oh, man. I came in looking for backerat, and there was not one single backerat table open. And so, like, after roulette, I kind of resorted to just playing slots. And I was looking for penny slots. I was looking for some cheap stuff. And my buddy was like, no, no, no, we got to come over here and play this Buffalo one. This Buffalo one's going to pay you out. And I had just seen him win $400 on this thing. So I was like, yeah, dude, this is money in the bank. Let's go. And basically, I lost $40 in about five minutes. It's horrible. Wow. The only thing I have for you, the other is why I would probably play roulette is because nothing anybody can do on the roulette table can affect the way you play.
Starting point is 02:43:41 One four. All right. Maybe next time. I would just go to lower limits. Yeah, you look. You get high limits in Caesars and New Orleans. We always talk about it, Matt. Go to downtown Vegas somewhere you can play small for a couple dollars a hand or just kind of dip your toe in there.
Starting point is 02:43:55 You've got to jump in. You've got to dive in in the Cesar's in New Orleans. You've got to be ready to drop some cash. It's like, hey, I want to go to a baseball game at the Diken Park. Which game you want to go see? The Yankees. Oh, you're going to pay high prices for the Yankees. Yeah.
Starting point is 02:44:11 You want to dip your toes in the Astros going to home ballparks. Go check and play the Cleveland Guardians. You'll be just fine. Wednesday day game against the A's. Yeah, exactly. That's the big leagues over there. Not only is it $25 a hand. Another thing I'm a bitch about it.
Starting point is 02:44:25 It's $6.5. I can't get $3. Oh, don't sit that. $3.5. Don't six. don't sit at 6.5. Just don't. It's 6.5. Don't do it. It's literally
Starting point is 02:44:34 you're throwing money away. Well, if I can't throw the money away if I'm not getting blackjack. So it doesn't do me... You could be 9 to 1. I'm not getting blackjack as I ain't getting it. It's just a fact of life. Three to 6 to 5, you shouldn't even sit down. Well, I made some money.
Starting point is 02:44:48 So it's not like... I mean, 6.5 didn't hurt me. Couldn't help me more. Six 5 didn't hurt me. Yes, it did, Matt. Not arguing with you. You don't get 21s. You don't collect on anything. 3-2, 9, 5.
Starting point is 02:44:59 about six five, eight to one. If you don't get 21, you don't get 21. Okay. Winning on a hand. Okay, this is the same thing, man. Hold on. Stay with it. Oh, my God.
Starting point is 02:45:08 When you get a table on a 19 on a six five table pays off the exact same as it pays on a three two table. That is correct. It's a misputable. Okay, Matt. You know what you got to figure it out. No, I know. I'm just saying, I don't like it.
Starting point is 02:45:21 No. Six to five, same thing as three to two. But never, let me tell you something. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm not going to play blackjack as a six to five. I don't like it, but I get black checks three times a game. I'm not going to ruin my night because I can't find a three-two table. And if they're an offering, I'm not going to say, oh, I'm going to go blue slots instead.
Starting point is 02:45:38 Hell no. It quadruples the house edge, quadruples. Not when he's busting on 23 when I got 13. That's fine. I mean, if he don't get black checks, it doesn't make any difference. You know what? You're right, Matt. You got to figure out.
Starting point is 02:45:57 No, you're right. What are we through this? No, you got 100%. What advantage do they have if I don't get 21s? No. It's free money. Just keep playing. Free money, I'm betting the hands.
Starting point is 02:46:07 If I keep one with 20s, it doesn't matter if I get 20. You're right. Absolutely, you're right. I'm telling you, Rossolitics is not great. I mean, some things Ross is good on, but Rossiletics on this one's not. If you don't get 21, just smooth conversation. Yeah, three to zero, six, five, same thing. You know what?
Starting point is 02:46:23 I want you to put those metrics and shove them up your ass. There you go. What was that? Play that again? You know what? I want you to put those metrics and shove them up your ass. By the way, roulette, apparently it's the worst. in the table.
Starting point is 02:46:41 Yeah, don't play with it. That's another thing. Don't play with it. Yeah. It's... By the way, congratulations to Ben Verlander. He's engaged.
Starting point is 02:46:58 Oh, it's great for him. Yeah, very excited for him. Couldn't be happier. Couldn't be happier. Got some more people to gravy train off of. 713-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-7-90.
Starting point is 02:47:11 Let's play... Believe it or not next. What's the category? I don't even know what the category is. We'll figure it out. Okay. I want to tell you about Total Concrete of Greater Houston. Totalgrader.com is the website. Totalgrader.com is the website.
Starting point is 02:47:24 Write that down, memorize it, and guess what? If you're in a situation where you would like to improve on your driveway, improve your patio, maybe add some new concrete to insulation, maybe you want to restore the old or faded stamp concrete, maybe you would like to get a pool deck renovation. I want you to think about a company that's going to give you 15% off labor when you mentioned me, Matt Thomas, and that is Total Concrete, a Greater Houston. You get a free consultation by going to TotalGrader.com.
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Starting point is 02:48:19 Remember, 15% off labor when you drop my name Matt Thomas. That's TotalGrader.com, TotalGraider.com for Total Concrete of Greater Houston. Coach Sark here. Touchdown, Texas. You've got Sports Talk 790, Houston's home of Longhorn Football. The Matt Thomas show continues now. Five minutes left to go on the show. We should play a...
Starting point is 02:48:46 America's fastest growing sports radio game show. We simply call it B. Leaving it out and here's how it works. You call 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-2-1-2-5-7-90. Today's edition of Beliehrin-Nan is all things about baseball cards. I'll read you a statement about baseball cards. The statement's completely not only accurate.
Starting point is 02:49:04 You'll say this. Believe it. If the same is the erroneous full of bunk and made up, you'll say this. Not. Two believer in a row on baseball cards. Win your prize. Kind of what you're playing for today. A pair of tickets to see the offspring on their super.
Starting point is 02:49:16 charged worldwide and 25 tour with Jimmy World and Newfound Glory on August 23rd at the Woodlands Pavilion and some 790 719 T-1-790. 7-1-3-212-5-790. Yankees Keith on 7-90. YK, you ready to play, believe it or not? I thought it was a rocket stick, man, but yeah, I can try it.
Starting point is 02:49:40 Well, I'm so sorry you couldn't win the other day. My bad. I tried yesterday, man. Baseball cards were produced as far back as the 1860s. They were generally thrown in items to boost sales. Believe it or not. Believe it. Believe it.
Starting point is 02:49:59 Statement number two for the big prize. Two of the top five most expensive basketball cards ever sold are Luca Donchish cards. Believe it or not. I heard y'all talking about that earlier today. He's number three. So, yeah, believe it. There you go. Congratulations. Rewarded a listen.
Starting point is 02:50:20 Yeah, there you know. Nicely done. Kevin on 790. Kevin, you're ready to play, believe it or not? Believe it. The most expensive football card ever sold is a Pat Mahomes autograph card. It sold for $4.3 million back in 2021. Believe it or not.
Starting point is 02:50:38 Believe it. Statement number two for the win. The most expensive baseball card ever stolen was a 1927 Luke Garrett card. It was stolen from billionaire J. Paul Getty. It has never been recovered. Believe it or not. Not. That is correct.
Starting point is 02:50:55 Congratulations. You ever notice for awesome? Kevin loves playing Believe it or not and winning. Yeah, whatever. Kevin, another one on 7-0. Kevin, you ready to play, believe it or not? Believe it, I do too. The most expensive baseball card ever is a 1911 Honest Wagner card.
Starting point is 02:51:15 Believe it or not? Believe it. Nope, Mickey Man on 1952. Andrew on 790. Andrew, what was your favorite part of today's radio show? I'm hearing about the baseball cards. Flair baseball cards went defunct in 2010 in May, and many of their cards went up in value as accidental last editions of the company's cards. Believe it or not?
Starting point is 02:51:43 Not. That's correct. Statement number two for the win. The plot of the 1993 film The Sandlot. revolves around Scott Smalls trying to retrieve his father's Babe Ruth autographed baseball card. Believe it or not. Believe it. Believe it.
Starting point is 02:51:57 No. It's around baseball. I never saw the movie. He was the ball, not the card. Oh, duh. Michael on 790. Ready to play, believe it or not? Believe it.
Starting point is 02:52:10 Topps baseball cards were first put out in 1921 in connection with old gold cigarettes. Believe it or not. Believe it. No, no, no. That's it for the program. Tomorrow, anything goes Friday, starts at 10 o'clock. Rockets tonight at 7 on KTRH. Up next, it's Clinton, it's Wexler.
Starting point is 02:52:33 It's the team on Sports Talk, 7-night.

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