Nothing Personal with David Samson

Today’s word of the day is ‘tiebreaker’ as in Game 163 as in inputing the formulas as in MLB media was going nuts telling us about all these scenarios… None of it was needed. The Yankees and Red Sox both won and they were in. Nothing else mattered and it didn’t. Let’s talk about the Wild Card. So it’s set. We’re getting the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Giants, Astros, Cardinals, Rays, Braves, Brewers, and White Sox. Beautiful. (14:50) What are the top 3 surprising teams of 2021? Giants, Rays, Astros. Easy. (15:20) Top 4 disappointments? Mets, Phillies, Twins… and the best team in baseball for a week, the San Diego Padres. (24:55) Review: Free Guy. (27:00) Update on the NWSL fallout; commissioner Lisa Baird stepped down on Friday; games were canceled for the weekend… a mess. (30:55) NPPOD. (31:50) The Ben Simmons saga with the Philadelphia 76ers has gotten crazier. The Sixers are withholding his money and every day he doesn’t show up he is fined, which the team is taking out of money owed. Uh oh. (38:20) Wait to see updates from the MLB season; NL west, Kluber, HR rate, divisional winners — accountability in this industry is important!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former #1 US men's tennis player Mardy Fish joins David for a Samson Sit-Down. Fish joins to talk about his new documentary Untold: Breaking Point on Netflix. The two discuss mental health, Naomi Osaka & Simone Biles, how social media has changed sports, the dominance of Novak, Federer, and Nadal, and much more!You can follow Mardy Fish on Twitter @MardyFish Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘courage’ as in the North Carolina Courage as in having the courage as in two women (Mana Shim, Sinead Farrelly) came forward and had to go scorched earth on the leadership of the league. History of abuse, coercion, cover ups — all by manager Paul Riley. He was fired by Portland for allegations then hired by North Carolina, now fired again. All while NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird knew about these allegations. Wow. (17:55) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me if the Sixers organization told Joel Embiid what to say about Ben Simmons. Hmmm. Simmons wants out of Philadelphia, Embiid said the team has done enough for Simmons. (26:50) Review: The Card Counter. (29:59) The president of the University of Miami, Julio Frenk, sent a letter because of the negative attention the Hurricanes have gotten. The football team hasn’t been good for years. The fans aren’t happy. Let’s discuss what Frenk said. (37:45) NPPOD. (42:30) Wait to see: Get ready for a Game 163. (43:59) Sandy Alderson had some comment about the Mets future. He talked about the team, the manager, the president, the GM — comments Cohen must not like to hear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘gaviscon’ as it’s basically TUMS as in something I had to take when I ran a Major League Baseball team as in what David Stearns of the Milwaukee Brewers is chugging right now. Why? Because Devin Williams, the number one setup man in baseball, is out for the season after breaking his pitching hand punching a wall. WHAT!? HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN!? (19:35) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me a question about locker room celebrations. They asked what the protocol was, does everything get replaced, even the rugs. Let me explain. (30:05) Review: Respect. (32:55) The NBA announced if players don’t play games because they are not vaccinated… they will not get paid. This will be fun. (37:55) NPPOD. (48:10) Richard Sherman is back in the NFL. Should he be? Let’s discuss this situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘wild world’ as in Cat Stevens as in ooo baby it’s a wild world as in the Wild Card race is here and it is great! Let’s start with the St. Louis Cardinals and the 17-game run they are on right now. 17 wins. Locked up the 2nd wild card spot. (5:20) The Seattle Mariners are on the rise! Only a half game back in the Wild Card. 20 years without playoffs. Is this the year? (12:59) You cannot pitch to Stanton and Judge anymore. You just can’t do it. (16:35) NPPOD: Phillies stink. Dodgers vs Padres tonight. (19:15) The Tampa Bay Rays announced its new sign is no more. The Ex-Rays were back and now they are not. (25:55) Review: The Protege. (28:35) Steve Cohen has big plans for the Mets. He has hired a marketing company to help change the Mets image. This company… is basically his company! Good work if you can get it. (35:55) Noah Syndergaard pitched in the big leagues for the first time in two years. Tommy John surgery. He answered some questions after the game about his future. (41:00) Chicago Bears could be on the move outside of the city of Chicago. The team announced the purchase of new land in Arlington Heights. The mayor of Chicago was not happy. The Bears were happy. Are fans going to be happy?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘twilight’ as in we are now entering the Twilight Zone as in vaccines came up at NBA Media Days and here we go again. Bradley Beal and Andrew Wiggins have some things to say, but not a lot to say. Damian Lillard spoke up about getting the vaccine. Steph Curry had to answer for Wiggins. The NBA has an issue and it’s one they created. (20:25) Giannis spoke about wanting more titles. Repeating is hard to do. Harder than you think. The team, the health, the edge, the controversies, everything. (24:00) Look at Kawhi Leonard. Left the Raptors and goes to the Clippers and can’t get back to the Finals. He tore his ACL and he chose a long-term deal to return. (30:00) Review: The Starling. (33:20) Are robot umps and refs coming to professional sports? What about just better technology to make the calls correct and fast? This was my experience in meetings with MLB about this. (39:20) Brandon Belt broke his hand after getting hit by a pitch. The San Francisco Giants have to be frustrated big time. Postseason races are in the final week and this is the LAST thing a team wants. (45:55) NPPOD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘next level’ as in next-level trolling as in the Tampa Bay Rays are trolling its fans by using signs to further their two city solution. What does that mean? The Rays are saying Tampa and Montreal are going to be the future for the team. Ha! (11:30) People ask me all the time if I want to get back into baseball — this is a case for the reason why I don’t — a 40-year old woman and her 2-year old child fell from the third floor and died. The police have not released much details, but to some it appears to be suspicious. (20:10) La’el Collins tried to bribe a urine collector trying to avoid taking a drug test. He was suspended 5 games, it was talked down to 2 games, but Collins wanted to take this to arbitration and it was found out about the bribery. (28:15) Review: Nine Perfect Strangers. (31:50) The Chicago Cubs are ready to spend money. What? After trading their whole team away. After breaking the hearts of Cubs fans everywhere. After breaking the trust with Bryant and Rizzo. But Jed Hoyer says they are ready to spend. (38:58) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘Jose’ as in it’ll be five years since the tragic death of Jose Fernandez. I want to talk about this; about that day. (5:55) MLB will be experimenting with a new sticky ball in MiLB. How does this work? Why are they doing this in the minors? (16:55) Adam Schefter is investing in a gambling company and has partnered with Robert Kraft. This seems like a very real issue. Is it though? (26:45) Review: Prisoners of the Ghostland. (29:45) NPPOD. (33:35) Joe Maddon is not happy with the Los Angeles Angels. Another season of no Mike Trout in the postseason. Another season of no Shohei Ohtani in the postseason. (41:10) The Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks are bad. Very bad. Very, very, very bad. Both teams will bring back its manager. Why aren’t changes being made? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘chaos’ as in out of control as in the Minnesota Timberwolves are in a bad place and only Alex Rodriguez can save them. Team president Gersson Rosas was fired 4 days before media day. Less than a month before the season starts. Why now? Work culture, ineptitude, office scandals… oh boy. (13:40) MLB and MLBPA are going to fight again. A lot sooner than everyone thought they would, especially me. How are grievances filed and why is this one a big one? (18:30) Minor League players for the Phillies and Mets wore wrist bands. Each wrist band had “fair ball” on them — what was this about? What did Dave Dombrowski have to say? (28:45) Review: Pig. (33:50) Golden State Warriors issues are mounting as the season approaches. Andrew Wiggins doesn’t want to get vaccinate. Cool, his problem. Wait! Wiggins can’t play if he’s not vaccinated per San Francisco mandates. Uh oh. Owner Joe Jacob was fined $50K for his comments on Ben Simmons for tampering. Big money… not. (39:40) Kevin Kiermaier was plunked in the numbers after Card-Gate against the Blue Jays. (43:55) NPPOD: Texans/Panthers and Reds/Nationals.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘nanananana’ as in whining as in singing as in hey, hey goodbye as in Ben Simmons says he is DONE with Sixers and will not show up anymore. Ben Simmons who is owed around $140M over the next four years by Philadelphia. Ben Simmons hasn’t one anything for or with the Sixers. What the heck in going on there? Just another day in the NBA. (16:30) NPPOD: The Rays and Blue Jays are not happy with each other. Postseason races are on. The AL East is a battle. Rays’ Kevin Kiermaier grabbed Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk’s cheat sheet after a play at the plate. The Blue Jays were furious. The Rays wouldn’t give it back. What happened here? (32:10) Review: Trauma. (38:30) The San Diego Padres have done it. AJ Preller has done it. Another firing, another scapegoat. This time its the Farm Director who gets canned. The Padres fell apart. The Padres were never the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis said sorry. But the season is over.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices