Nothing Personal with David Samson

Today’s word of the day is ‘resolved itself’ as in the injury has been fixed as in no surgery needed as in Mets prez Sandy Alderson said don’t worry about Jacob deGrom’s elbow because the UCL issue ‘resolved itself’. Interesting. Where was this news months ago? Let’s talk about why organizations hide injury news so much. (12:15) Fernando Tatis Jr says he might get surgery, playing in the outfield is temporary, he’ll return back to shortstop — he will get surgery. He has to. (19:10) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me about Houston Astros pitcher Jake Odorizzi sounding off about how Dusty Baker is using him. This person wanted to know how I would handle this. (28:45) Review: Worth. (35:20) There’s a small town in Minnesota called Caledonia and there’s a problem. Miken/Rawlings is moving its production of MLB helmets, bats, and other various baseball products out of Caledonia, and outsourcing it. This company is owned by the Seidler family… who own the San Diego Padres… and in part by Major League Baseball. (42:30) NPPOD. (43:40) Former NFL player Clinton Portis plead guilty to healthcare fraud. It was a giant scheme involving close to 20 people. Portis now faces 10 years in prison for his actions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘heart’ as in deep in the heart of Texas as in the Houston Texans have named a starter as in Tyrod Taylor, not Deshaun Watson. What? How? Why? Let’s talk about why the NFL has yet to put Deshaun Watson on the Commissioner’s List and why Watson is on the roster, but not playing. (12:30) Shelby Rogers and Sloane Stephens opened up about the amount of online abuse and bullying they received after US Open losses. (25:20) Review: Joe Bell. (30:10) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me why the Atlanta Braves signed Charlie Morton to a 1-year, $20M deal. Okay. (38:50) NPPOD: Gerrit Cole needs to be great for the Yankees. Happy New Year!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘stop’ as in stop in the name of COVID. One of the craziest events in sports happened in Brazil. Federal police and health officials ran onto field and tried to arrest four players from Argentina over failed covid protocols. The players were supposed to be deported, weren’t, tried to played, and madness ensued. (11:45) The San Francisco Giants are in trouble. Not on the field. On the field the team just took 2 of 3 from the Dodgers and are back in first. Off the field? Concession workers at Oracle Park have voted to strike. Uh oh. (26:20) Review: Stillwater. (33:10) A listener gave me a correction about making the World Series. (36:00) NPPOD. (40:10) Let’s talk about motivation versus meddling versus fandom versus incompetence. Steve Cohen has been vocal on Twitter about his team, but when is it too much.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You ever have some Big League Chew? The bubble gum choice of every baseball player ever? Well, Rob Nelson was the guy who invented the gum! He joins us for a Samson Sit-Down and talks Big League Chew origin stories, his one professional game, traveling the world, and more fun! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘100 percent’ as in completed as in done as in work is finished as in the vaccine. We know, we know. You’re tired of hearing about the vaccine, but stick with us. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at 100% vaccinated. The Atlanta Falcons are at 100% vaccinated. What about the Indianapolis Colts? Let’s just ask Carson Wentz and Darius Leonard. (14:10) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me if the Seattle Mariners are doing the right thing. They asked if extending Dipoto and Servais was the right move. (26:35) Review: Anette. (31:00) The New York Mets put acting GM Zack Scott on administrative leave. President of baseball ops Sandy Alderson will take over as GM…. He’s always been GM! (37:10) NPPOD. (42:10) More CBA rumors: Arbitration. Salary floor. Free agency.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘snoring’ as in sleep as in passed out as in Mets acting GM Zack Scott was arrested for drunk driving after falling asleep at a red light. Just another awful situation for the Mets. The GM was fired for being a creep, the players were booed for giving thumbs down, the star studded rotation has all been hurt, and now this. Just more nonsense under Sandy Alderson and Steve Cohen’s watch. (9:45) The Washington Nationals made it mandatory for staff to get vaccinated. Nats VP Bob Boone, father of Yankees manager Aaron Boone, has stepped down. Cool. (15:20) NBA teams are going to be in a bit of a situation in some major cities because of COVID restrictions. New York and San Francisco have rules in place that say anyone who enters the arena must be vaccinated. That means Knicks, Nets, and Warriors either have to be vaccinated or they can’t enter the building. Whoa. (26:35) Review: Walk of Shame. (31:35) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me about running a business and how I dealt with lower level employees. They asked if those employees were easily expendable. Interesting. (38:20) NPPOD. (39:20) Nick Castellanos had two home runs through 2 innings against the Cardinals yesterday. Unimportant. What was important was that the Cardinals had his bats checked. Why?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘sorry’ as in sorry for messing up as in we apologize for what we did as in Javy Baez and Francisco Lindor said sorry for the thumbs down fiasco. Why is this necessary? Stop tweeting and just win, baby! Mets fans booed Baez… he scores on a play to walk it off and the crowd goes crazy! That’s it! (7:55) Al Leiter and John Smoltz won’t get vaccinated so MLB Network is sending them home, but letting them work. Is this the right way to handle this? (14:00) Urban Meyer had a slip-up. He said not being vaccinated was part of his roster cut decisions. Uh oh. (22:20) Review: Fantastic Fungi. (24:50) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me if I would trade Ben Simmons no matter what. (31:40) NPPOD. (34:30) Wait to see update: Xander Bogaerts pulled from game over positive test. (39:20) Brad Hand was away on bereavement leave and when he came back the Toronto Blue Jays DFA’d him. The Blue Jays traded for him a month ago. No big deal. What the big deal is they did it on August 31! Meaning it would take 72 hours to clear waivers and he misses deadline to be signed and make a postseason roster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘high character’ as in being a positive role model as in the best of the best as in the Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores says he’s not interested in Deshaun Watson because he’s not a good fit for the team. All reports say the Dolphins are in on a Watson trade, if possible. What’s happening here? (13:15) The Los Angeles Angels are tragic. The team is wasting not one, but two, generation talents. Mike Trout is possibly done for the year. He hasn’t played since May 17. He’s played one postseason game in a year. Shohei Ohtani is one of the most unique players of all time. Ohtani has 42 HR and he’s a top pitcher. What does it all mean if the team can’t win? (23:10) Review: Val. (27:10) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me an interesting question about cutting a player. NFL did roster cuts on Monday and let me explain what these conversations are like. (37:55) NPPOD. (39:25) A ‘fake’ online-only high school football team duped ESPN into getting a national television game against the best high school team in the country. How in the world did this happen? When you peel back some layers you can see how corrupt, how wrong, and how irresponsible the leader at Bishop Sycamore is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘boo’ as in booing as in the NPDS sound of the day as in players getting booed, executives getting booed, ghost saying boo, all of the boos! Javy Baez said he’s giving thumbs down to fans for booing. The Mets say this is unacceptable. Steve Cohen continues to tweet through it. The Mets are an embarrassment. (14:30) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me if owners meetings ever talked about preventing teams from tanking. Is there anyway a team like the Baltimore Orioles can be stopped? (24:35) Review: Bob Ross - Happy Accidents, Betrayal, and Greed. (29:20) I had to drop my youngest child off at college. Let’s get a touch personal for a second. (32:00) NPPOD. (34:10) The Washington Nationals and Houston Astros announced mandatory vaccines. Not for players or stadium workers. So who does it matter for? (40:20) Justin Verlander is going to need a new deal. Are the Houston Astros going to pay him? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julius Erving joins Nothing Personal for a Samson Sit-Down. Dr. J talks Big 3, his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, his history in the ABA/NBA, differences between today’s game and when he played, and who would be on his All-time Big 3 team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices