Nothing Personal with David Samson

Today’s word of the day is ‘raccoon’ or is it rat or is it ratcoon? The New York Mets were in a bit of an awkward place on Friday night when camera caught commotion going on in the Mets dugout. After the game Francisco Lindor said he and Jeff McNeil were arguing about whether there was a rat or a raccoon running around the clubhouse. Interesting story to tell. (11:38) Jacob deGrom returned to pitch on Saturday after missing his last start with a lat issue. And you guessed it… he left the game with a lat issue. Did the Mets rush him back? (12:45) What is going on with the Los Angeles Dodgers? The team of destiny was 13-2 and now… they can’t seem to win games. After dropping 15 of the last 20 games, and losing five straight series, is it too late to say it’s still early? (20:52) Review: Sons of Sam. (26:54) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me for my thoughts on Bob Baffert and the Kentucky Derby. Who is Bob Baffert? He’s a horse trainer and his Kentucky Derby winning horse tested positive for PEDs! (36:42) NPPOD. (39:00) Zion Williamson is out the rest of the year with a fractured finger. President David Griffin was fined $50K for public criticism of the referees because Zion isn’t getting calls.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘hollywood’ as in a Hollywood ending as in Albert Pujols has been designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels. Pujols is in the final year of a 10-year, $240M deal — the timing of this designation was out of nowhere. Let’s try and talk through this situation, his comments, his legacy in LA, and how the Angels chose to let this end. (16:00) Bonus story: What happened with AJ Burnett in September of 2005? (19:57) Bills GM Brandon Beane says he would cut a player if they didn’t get vaccinated. Whoa. It’s rare for a team executive to be that open about such a hot button topic. (32:53) Review: Every Breath You Take. (36:00) NPPOD. (39:27) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me about the Arizona of Governor Doug Ducey passing a new tax bill. What does this all mean? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘slapshot’ as in we’re talking hockey as in the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals have turned MSG upside down. We had three fights to start the game, we had penalties, we had Tom Wilson fighting and leaving the game, we had James Dolan firing his team president and general manager. What in the world!? (12:02) We spoke the other day about Tony La Russa and some of the struggles he’s had with the Chicago White Sox this season. Well, yesterday, another blunder by La Russa cost the team the game. (20:20) What are the Green Bay Packers doing? Are they planning to move on from Aaron Rodgers right now? There is a lot going on. (26:26) Review: Frank of Ireland. (30:43) NPPOD. (32:30) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me if I was president of the Denver Broncos would I pay Ja’Wuan James after he tore his achilles working out away from the team facility. Uh oh. (40:50) Kyrie Irving won’t meet the media. The Nets have been fined. Why is this still happening? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘MRI’ as in Jacob deGrom had to get one yesterday and the panic button was smashed by the Mets. deGrom was supposed to start on Tuesday night, but was scratched late with a lat issue. Let me break down what happens in these situations — from the call to the decision to scratch to the MRI to now. (13:31) Yesterday we spoke about the Mets firing hitting coaches. Today we talk about the hitters talking about the hitting coaches being fired. That’s what happens in a rain delay. Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor didn’t sound happy about the move. (30:58) Review: Like Father (35:47) The New York Rangers are furious. They released one of the strongest statements ever condemning Tom Wilson and the NHL. This needs to be discussed.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘play in’ as in play-in games as in the NBA decided last season it would have a small play-in tournament to figure out the final spots in the playoffs. Now this season it’s back and LeBron James is not happy. Who voted on these games? Did they just come out of nowhere? LeBron knows better. (8:48) The New York Mets have fired their hitting coaches 23 games into the season. Steve Cohen is feeling the new-owner-itis right now. (22:05) Days before the minor-league camp was set to open the Philadelphia Phillies did something that is rather unusual. The team removed its director of pitching development and promoted a coach with only one year of experience. Why would the team do this? (32:21) Review: 7 Yards. (38:10) NPPOD. (41:13) The Los Angeles Dodgers went from best team ever to struggling to now plagued by injuries. Dustin May needs Tommy John surgery. What about the Chicago White Sox? Luis Robert is out for a long time with a hip injury. The Sox were supposed to be the best team in the AL.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘love’ as in love is in the air as in Aaron Rodgers had his heart broken by the Green Bay Packers. Right before the 2021 NFL Draft news broke that Rodgers and the Packers may be headed to an ugly divorce. The team wants to start planning for Jordan Love’s future and Rodgers wants out.(11:20) MLB has always wanted to be like the NFL. Jealous, jealous, jealous! The NFL Draft is so much more than what MLB has to offer. (15:11) What is going on with MLB umpires this year? Instant replay decisions going poorly. Umping going poorly. Fans are mad. Players are mad. Teams are mad. What can MLB do? (23:42) Review: The Courier. (26:33) April showers bring May something, something, something. The MLB standings look pretty crazy at the end of April. The Royals are in 1st, the Yankees are under-500, the NL East is sloppy, the Dodgers can’t win anymore. Where are we right now? (36:39) NPPOD. (37:42) MLB has banned Roberto Alomar for life. This comes after an investigation into some bad sexual misconduct. Will MLB stop here? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mailbag! It’s a mailbag! It’s the end of April 2021 mailbag! We’re a quarter of the way through 2021 already! Someone asked about Opening Day starters - they wanted to know why #1 starters were matched up against #1 starters! Why not just throw your #3 agains their #1 so you can pitch your #1 against their #2. (5:50) Should MLB be run like the EPL? Have a regular season winner and an FA Cup style tournament with Minor League Baseball teams. (9:20) Does old-school baseball work? The Boston Red Sox are trying it now and it’s working out so far. (14:05) MLB slippery slope after moving All-Star Game. Will the league take a stand on transgender rights? (22:00) Someone asked me about the Bobby Bonilla deal and what it meant from the team side of things. Was it a good deal for the team outside the jokes? (31:20) Someone asked me about workplace policies - specifically about attending out-of-work events. (36:40) Someone asked who the five most important people in Marlins history. This came from Jeannie Buss answering a question about the five most important Lakers in franchise history. (43:18) Someone wants to know what’s going on with the PGA bonus structure. Where did this come from and why this is happening?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a Samson Sit-Down with Joel Corry. He was a former sports agent in the NBA and NFL. He’s represented Shaq and Ronnie Lott. He’s an NFL cap expert. We discuss everything from agent poaching, NFL salaries, differences between NFL and MLB contracts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a Samson Sit-Down with Pudge Rodriguez! The Hall of Fame catcher stops by to discuss his life in baseball (4:05) Relationship with Johnny Bench. (7:23) What did Pudge do when pitchers got on his nerves? (13:05) Favorite pitcher to catch (16:43) Choosing the Marlins in 2003. (21:47) How a trip to Vegas saved the 2003 Marlins season (28:48) Favorite play from 2003 World Series run.(35:41) How early did Pudge know that Miguel Cabrera was great (39:35) Thoughts on today’s game of baseball. (46:33) How the modern MLB salaries are given Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘mutual’ as in agreed upon by parties as in the Colorado Rockies GM Jeff Birdich was fired… sorry, no, he mutually agreed to stepped down. Why now? Why only a quarter of the way through the season? (11:10) Shohei Ohtani is a unicorn. He can pitch. He can hit. How are the Los Angeles Angels doing? What does a new Ohtani contract look like? (25:38) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked why Steve Cohen wants to buy SNY so badly. (36:26) Review: Stowaway. (39:27) Arsenal is not for sale, but it is for sale, but it not for sale, but it is? Spotify CEO Daniel Elk wants to buy the team. Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke says the the team is not for sale.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices