Nothing Personal with David Samson

Today’s word of the day is ‘du-rag’ as in a wave cap as in the hair covering mostly worn by African-American people. Why are we bringing it up? Bob Brenly is an analyst for the Arizona Diamondbacks and commented on Marcus Stroman of the Mets du-rag. Stroman called him out for using “racist undertones” in his comments. Sensitivity training. That’s the new thing. What even is that? (9:46) What is race norming? It assumed that Black players started with lower cognitive functioning and made it harder for them to be eligible in the billion dollar lawsuit against the NFL. More than 2,000 NFL retirees have filed dementia claims, but fewer than 600 have received compensation. (18:55) Danny Ainge officially resigned yesterday and met with the media. He said he was tired and it was time. Brad Stevens was tired after the bubble. Everyone in Boston is tired. The pandemic has tired us all out. The strain on mental health has been significant to us all. (27:28) Review: Frances Ferguson. (30:40) NPPOD. (32:57) Four minor league baseball players have been suspended for doctoring baseballs. Big deal? No. MLB owners are now meeting to discuss what’s happening in the big leagues. What are they trying to prove? (40:20) Bob Baffert has been suspended by Churchill Downs for two years. Medina Spirit tested positive again, but Churchill Downs says, “Hey! Even if you bet against that horse you’re still as loser. Sorry!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘prison’ as in prison food as in that’s what everyone is saying the Oakland Athletics minor league teams are eating. Picture surfaced and the food looks like a mix of Fyre Fest and something a 1st grader would make if you gave them keys to the kitchen. This is a big problem because the Athletics run the minor league affiliates now and team president Dave Kaval addressed the situation… but was he being honest? (10:55) BREAKING NEWS: The Boston Celtics will have massive turnover now. Head coach Brad Stevens will now become the new head of basketball ops and longtime executive Danny Ainge will step down. This is what happens when you’re the Boston Celtics and you don’t get results. (14:30) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me about Ben Roethlisberger telling reporters he was the one who asked the Steelers for a pay cut… HA! (23:20) Review: The Kominsky Method. (26:11) The Utah Jazz are giving courtside tickets to Ja Morant’s family after what happened earlier in the season. Why is this a big deal? (33:20) NPPOD (36:40) Atlanta small business will have its lawsuits dismissed, not settled against MLB and MLBPA. What are we even talking about? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘withdrawal’ as in Naomi Osaka has withdrew from the French Open, one of the four tennis majors, citing mental health reasons. She released a statement about why she would withdraw. This came after she said she would not be doing press conferences because of the anxiety she deals with during those events. Let’s have a discussion about mental health, pressure in sports on young athletes, and the “job”. (22:50) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Another night of NBA playoff action and another night where a fan was arrested and ban from the arena. This time the fan actually ran out onto the court and was tackled. Someone asked me what rule changes I’d make to make sure this doesn’t happen anymore. (36:10) Review: Mare of Easttown. (39:20) NPPOD.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘grateful’ as in it’s Memorial Day as in day to remember all those who have sacrificed their lives for us to have our freedom to live in this country. (1:28) Fans are out of control right now. Another NBA Playoff game and another situation where a fan was arrested. This time a Boston fan threw a water bottle at Kyrie Irving as he was leaving the court. This has become disgraceful. (9:25) Marcell Ozuna was arrested for domestic violence over the weekend. He was caught in the act by the police in Georgia. This is serious. MLB will suspend him for a long time. (27:00) Review: I am All Girls (31:00) NPPOD. (34:15) Naomi Osaka won her first match at the French Open. The Open has responded with a fine of $15K. (39:00) Inter Miami has made history. Not the good kind. Largest penalty in MLS-history ($2M), allocation money forfeited, owner fined, former sporting director suspended through the 2022 season. Woof.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘catalog’ as in an organized collection of things as in Josh Donaldson says he’s going to put together a catalog of how every pitcher cheats. Why would he do this? Who’s he going to expose? The Houston Astros? Trevor Bauer? (9:40) The worst play in MLB history happened yesterday. The Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman’s brain absolutely melted. Cubs Javy Baez made a play that broke first baseman Will Craig’s brain. Unreal. (17:22) NPPOD. (24:20) Review: Friends Reunion. (28:40) Let’s talk about the Super League. The disaster that was. This weekend is the Champion’s League final in Lisbon. Manchester City vs Chelsea. It looks like UEFA want to ban Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus for next season’s competition. Uh oh. (34:20) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Noah Syndergaard has had a setback in his attempt to return from Tommy John surgery. The problem with not only his current health is the timing of it… Syndergaard is a free agent this offseason. (43:40) Naomi Osaka penned an open letter about why she won’t be meeting the media during the French Open. She spoke about her mental health and the pain the she goes through during these media sessions, and the questions they ask.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘popcorn’ as in get your popcorn as in fans are back in the stands and they’re hungry! But that’s not why we’re talking popcorn — Russell Westbrook was leaving the game with an injury and a fan dumped a bucket of popcorn on him. GMAB. Fan culture is dangerous and this needs to be dealt with. (11:56) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me for my thoughts on Joe West confiscating Cardinals pitcher Giovanny Gallegos hat for foreign substances. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt was tossed from the game and was not happy after. (21:24) What happened to the new New Era hats? They were released, destroyed, and gone in the blink of an eye. (28:03) Review:I, Dolours. (32:26) Mickey Callaway has been suspended by MLB for an entire year. Mickey Callaway has been fired by the Los Angeles Angels. What took so long? (37:08) NPPOD. (39:10) What is going on with the Minnesota Timberwolves? Owner Glen Taylor is being sued by one of his partners because of the deal he did with Alex Rodriguez. Uh oh! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’doctor doctor’ as in the Thompson Twins as in Phillies manager Joe Girardi lied about the absence of Bryce Harper. Said it wasn’t an injury. Then said it was an injury. Why would he do this? Noah Syndergaard left a rehab start with an elbow tightness after Tommy John. Corey Kluber threw a no hitter last week… this week leaves with shoulder tightness. Zach Plesac is out after injuring his thumb taking off his shirt. WE TOLD YOU THIS WOULD HAPPEN! NOW WILL YOU LISTEN!? (18:00) I need to address Zach Plesac breaking his thumb taking off his jersey. WHAT!? (22:00) Vladimir Guerrero Jr has changed his life. This offseason he lost a ton of weight and it helped. League-leading 16 home runs. League-leading OPS. Good for him and the Blue Jays. (31:53) Amazon acquires MGM Studios for $8B. (35:03) Review: The Woman in the Window. (38:04) NPPOD (40:56) Kristaps Prozingis was fined $50K for violating the league’s covid policy. LeBron James was not fined for violating the league’s covid policy. That is the truth... NBA hypocrisy at its finest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’swindled’ as in using deception to deprive someone of money or possessions as in Tampa Bay’s owner Stu Sternberg is being sued by his partners for allegedly engaging in a “relentless scheme” to take over control of the team and sell an interest to Montreal investor. Woo Boy! (19:59) The NFL has now comment on the Eugene Chung segment. It is launching another investigation. Gotcha. (23:06) Aaron Rodgers appeared on ESPN last night and made some comments about the Green Bay Packers. He’s happy with the players, he’s happy with the fans, he’s happy with the equipment managers, he’s happy with the grounds crew and food vendors, BUT he is NOT happy with the team’s philosophy. Okay, Aaron. (29:38) Review: All Things Must Pass. (33:15) NPPOD. (35:08) The Oakland A’s are doing a tour of the United States right now. Not the team, but management. The front office is trying to find a new place to relocate to and the tour hit Portland and Vegas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’tequila’ as in tequila! as in LeBron James went to a tequila tasting party and the NBA was not happy. What happened to covid protocols? LeBron was surely suspended by the NBA… WRONG! The NBA said he did break some rules but not enough to be suspended. The NBA was never going to suspend him. (8:37) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me about 2020 CFB recruit Jaydon Blue skipping his senior season of high school to prepare for college football. Will this lead to more high school athletes making a similar decision? (25:49) Review: Army of the Dead. (29:32) Former offensive lineman and assistant coach Eugene Chung, who is Korean, says he was told he was ‘not the right minority’ while interviewing for an NFL coaching job this offseason. Just another ugly incident that Roger Goodell needs to have answers for. (37:47) NPPOD. (44:16) Phil Mickelson becomes the oldest man to win a major. Crowds rushed the course. It was a scene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘legs’ as in the story has legs as in this Tony La Russa story is not going away. Everyday something comes out that makes this situation look dire. Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey was suspended 3 games for throwing at Yermin Mercedes. Former Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia went nuclear on La Russa. What is Rob Manfred going to do? (11:10) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me about handling the 85% threshold for vaccine protocol changes if I were president of the Cubs. Team president Jed Hoyer was not happy, let’s explain why. (26:48) Review: White Boy. (33:02) What goes into a rehab start? Jacob deGrom pitched last night against a low-A team in Port St. Lucie and torched them. Does this mean he’s ready to return? Let me explain. (41:02) NPPOD - NBA play-in games have been bad. Blowouts everywhere. Nate McMillan got fined $25K for his comments on the Knicks and the NBA.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices