Le Batard & Friends Network

It’s Coca Day! We talk weather apps and Prime Day and July 4 baseball and MVP races and Juan Soto and Apple and colleges! Another fun Friday with Coca! You can follow him (me) on Twitter @matthewcoca if you want more terrible takes, or if you want to yell at me! Whatever! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/auction-lunch-with-david-samson-of-nothing-personal-3220102 Today’s word of the day is ‘benjamins’ as in big bills as in Brinks truck as in Thunder as in SGA as in Jalen Williams as in Chet Holmgren. That’s right. The Thunder won the NBA title and now have locked up its Big 3 for $800 million! WHAT!? (10:30) Giannis has spoken. What did he say? A clue! A crumb! (17:00) Orioles owner David Rubenstein finally spoke for the first time since Brandon Hyde was fired. That was a month ago. Woof. What did he have to say? Injuries. (28:30) Review: The Bear Season 4. (34:15) Another American woman is in a Grand Slam Final. Amanda Anisimova is back in a final for the first time in 6 years. She had previously taken time off for mental health struggles. (42:50) We have another update on Lloyd Howell and the NFLPA. Uh oh. (48:00) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tony is in a small pickle about his brother's upcoming bachelor party and the craters try to help him find a way to resolve it. Jessica makes the case for July as a good sports month, Fuentes wants Chris Cote to size down his Starbucks order and Tony learns that vacations aren't quite the same once you have a kid. Finally, the crew discusses more unpopular opinions from the internet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does anyone win in a fight between a hockey enforcer and a golfer? Will A.I. impressions ruin comedy? And how many tabs is too many tabs? For more human-grade impressions: DanSoder.com/tour Subscribe to Casuals: https://www.youtube.com/katienolan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Tollin has joined the show! The mastermind of The Last Dance with Michael Jordan! You know him from Smallville and One Tree Hill and Varsity Blues and Radio and All That! (28:45) We have a stadium CEO accused of rigging a bid! Oh boy! And it involves some heavy hitters! (38:40) Deion Sanders sounded off on the state of college football. He has a problem with salary. He has a problem with tampering. (44:00) Rob Manfred wants a salary cap. Players are worried. What will happen? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘abhorrent’ as in the NFL as in the NFLPA as in collusion as in appeal as in firings. This is how this ends. Pablo Torre had broken this story wide open two weeks ago, and now the NFLPA is not happy. The players union will try and appeal this decision now. How does it end? (17:50) The Yankees have DFA’d DJ LeMahieu and owe him $22 million. Brian Cashman then met the media to explain the decision, talk about the trade deadline, and defend Anthony Volpe. (35:00) Review: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. (38:00) Apple may go all in on Formula 1 US rights. Whoa. (42:30) Automated balls-strikes is coming for the MLB All-Star Game. Uh oh. Is this what players don’t want? Do they want it? Is this a small test to get us all ready for next year? (49:00) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He is literally That Guy from "Knocked Up," "Step Brothers," "The Larry Sanders Show" and, of course, "Curb Your Enthusiasm." But he's also a professor of stand-up, and his multiverse contains multitudes: Larry David's breaking point (and unaired film for Apple); Gary Shandling's secret pickup basketball game (with Bob Costas and David Duchovny); and the cinematic life (and death) of Pistol Pete Maravich. He may never have become the Newman of "Curb," but stay close to The Theory of Federman, and you might just learn the meaning of genius. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Call us at 631-377-4869 It’s So You Wanna Talk to Samson Wednesday! We start off with a question about what goes on during a Players’ Only meeting! (8:10) Is A.J. Hinch the most valuable manager in baseball? (14:10) How do you deal with loss? Especially when you are the head of a business or company. (23:00) Mount Rushmore of candy! (31:20) This is just a big ole pat on the back for me! (34:30) Could you see MLB expand internationally to make the game more global? Does it make sense to do this? (44:05) Banana Ball! Should MLB we worried about the success of the Savannah Bananas? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘consequences’ as in the NHL as in NIL as in Canada as in change. Gavin McKenna is the lock of all locks to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. And he’s going to college. A top Canadian JR player headed to the US is unheard of. But NIL has changed the world of hockey forever. (11:00) We have another investigation into an MLB agent. Another case of an agent taking advantage of a foreign player. It’s sad. Someone had asked me a question about MLB owners and the MLBPA so let me answer that. (25:45) We have an F1 update! Christian Horner has been fired by Red Bull. Wow. (33:00) Review: Dept. Q. (36:30) Draymond Green sounded off on the new CBA. He said free agency is dead. He said players aren’t educated on business. Hmm. (44:45) The Big Beautiful Bill is already upsetting Congress. Here we go. We’ve got people in Congress writing up bills to change the gambling law in the bill. Woof. (49:00) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve got Bobby Valentine with us today! This was a fun one! Bobby V goes off on umpires and catchers! And tells some great stories about being an All-Star Game manager! (28:00) Clayton Kershaw was named an All-Star and he felt it was “weird”. Why? Because he didn’t think it was anything her deserved! (33:00) Kansas still wants the Chiefs and Royals. It is doing everything it can to help. (40:00) The WNBA has a little money problem. Look at the payouts for the All-Star Game. This is going to be another major point in negotiations. (46:15) Unrivaled vs the WNBA. Is that happening? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘revelation’ as in the Suns as in Mat Ishbia as in Bradley Beal as in Kevin Durant as in Devin Booker. The 2nd Apron is coming for every team. The Big 3 is over. The Suns are looking to hard reset just two seasons later after having NBA Championship aspirations. (9:40) The Orlando Magic 2nd Apron clock has started. A new max extension for Paolo Banchero is here. The Magic need to win now! (16:15) The Miami Heat found a scorer. A 3-team trade that most believe the Heat won. Nice. (23:30) The Washington Nationals announced Miguel Cairo as interim manager. He was the bench coach. (32:00) Review: Squid Game Season 3. (36:20) The Washington Commanders are in a bit of a pickle. They want a new stadium. They need approval. They might need President Trump to help. (44:00) NPPOD. Let’s talk about the Royals and Pirates here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Parties. Orgasms. Adventure. Transcendence. Is there a sexier "sport" on planet Earth than birding? Correspondent Mickey Duzyj introduces Pablo to a nemesis, to the GOAT, to Jesus... and to David Attenborough (sorta). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another professional player is under investigation for gambling. This time it’s in baseball again. Luis Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians is on leave right now as the league looks into a few pitches he threw. That’s right… this is on PITCHES! Jonas Valanciunas has to honor his contract. That’s what the Denver Nuggets said after trading for the center. He wants to play in Greece. Oh well! Big Beautiful Bill talk. What happened in Texas over the weekend is incredibly sad, and terrifying. My time at the San Siro in Italy. What a stadium. An old stadium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/auction-lunch-with-david-samson-of-nothing-personal-3220102 Today’s word of the day is ‘unceremonious’ as in Mike Rizzo as in Dave MArtinerz as in the Washington Nationals as in fired. That’s right, same day as two Nationals make the All-Star team, the owner fires the GM and manager. Why now? Well, the team has been bad bad bad, but the timing is just odd. (18:00) Paul Skenes can’t get a win. 42 career starts and 17 No Decisions. And it’s not like he’s been bad! He’s been an ACE! (23:00) How should you react during a surprise season? With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching we take a look at three teams: Marlins, Orioles, Braves. How should they each respond? (35:20) Review: Echo Valley. (37:40) MLB All-Star rosters are close to complete. Clayton Kershaw got in as a Legend pick. Nice. Who were the biggest snubs? (48:20) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The vibes are off on a 4th of July edition of Mystery Crate. It starts when Jessica misses her chicken man, Billy discovers that Mr. Beast is a Lowe's Home Improvement creator, the crew needs "Rider Switch" explained to them, Fuentes is BIG back on Marvel and Tim Kurkjian married a hooker?! Happy 4th of July 🇺🇸 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pablo, Katie Nolan and Throwing Fits co-host Lawrence Schlossman enter the PTFO lab for a pungent public service. The winner of our 11 mystery bottles, from Jordan and Brady's colognes to Taylor Swift and Britney's perfumes — plus, yes, Trump — may surprise you. (This episode originally aired January 14, 2025.) • Subscribe to Casuals with Katie Nolan https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-casuals-with-katie-nolan-255227604/ • Subscribe to Throwing Fits with Lawrence Schlossman and James Harris https://www.throwingfits.com/ • Pablo Torre Finds Out Substack www.pablo.show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve got Boog Sciambi with us! We’re talking all things Cubs today! Kyle Tucker has been amazing addition in Chicago, but can they sign him? What do the Cubs need to be real contenders this season? (30:30) The All-Star Game starters were announced for baseball! What were the snubs? How good has Javy Baez been!? Lindor finally gets his nod! (38:00) WNBA expansion is here! Is it a good thing? (45:00) Wimbledon is upon us and Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are both gone. Wow. Let’s talk about Coco Gauff and the pressure she has on herself to be great all the time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘dogfight’ as in the AL East as in the Blue Jays as in the Yankees as in the Rays. What a division race this has become. For the first time since April 14 the Yankees do not have sole possession of the division lead! (12:00) Clayton Kershaw picked up his 3,000 K as a member of the Dodgers. He’s only the 20th pitcher to ever do it and just the 4th lefty to do it! But that’s not the biggest story in Dodger Land. A conservative group is suing the Dodgers and Mark Walter over DEI practices. Why? We all know why. (23:30) The Bucks have broken up. After just 2 seasons Giannis and Dame are done. The Bucks waived Damian Lillard and will stretch his deal over the next 5 years. Why? (33:30) Review: The Social Network. (38:00) The Knicks are set to hire Mike Brown as head coach. Was this the plan all along? Will this work out? (45:00) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You may think you know how the Patriots landed the greatest quarterback of all time: with the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. How they got to make that pick in the first place, however, involves an arcane formula... and a mystery man who changed sports history forever. (This episode originally aired September 12, 2024.) -Pablo Torre Finds Out Substack www.pablo.show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve got Stan Van Gundy with us! Let’s play a game called Stan Van IN or Stan Van OUT! Is Kevin Durant going to win a title with the Houston Rockets!? Did the Knicks make a mistake firing Thibs? Is LeBron going to have a better chance to win a title if he leaves the Lakers? Is expansion going to happen? Are dynasties dead? (30:00) Malik Beasley is under investigation for gambling. Uh oh! (41:00) Luis Severino is having some fun. He got a huge payday from the Athletics and now he’s bashing the club. Love it. (48:30) The Florida Panthers are bringing everyone back, and now all the fans are mad. Bill Zito is getting it done! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices