ESPN Daily

Baseball is steeped in time-honored traditions and a code of unwritten rules. But players in today’s game are starting to break those rules: flipping their bats, admiring their home runs, and, say, hitting a Grand Slam when up 10-3 in the 8th inning. Ok, that last one was just Fernando Tatis Jr. ESPN’s Joon Lee explains how baseball’s youngest generation is challenging the establishment and injecting their personalities into the game - and why that’s changing the sport for the better. Then, Pablo shares the story of a prison basketball game where an unlikely play-by-play star was born. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You might know about Freddie Freeman, the baseball player...the gold glover and four time All-Star...who battled back from covid to win NL MVP last year. But the Freddie Freeman you don’t know is even more remarkable. Buster Olney joins the show to take us inside Full Circle: The Freddie Freeman Story: airing this Sunday on E:60, and presents an exclusive and emotional portrait of one of the game’s best players. Freeman opens up as never before about the loss of loved ones, as well as the struggles he and his wife have endured in starting of a family of their own.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MLB moved the All-Star Game out of Georgia, after the state passed a law hampering voting access. As MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred takes heat from many directions, baseball’s move has cast a different kind of spotlight on the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. It’s teeing off as scheduled, and that’s not surprising to ESPN senior writer and baseball historian Howard Bryant. He breaks down the business side of MLB’s decision, how it’s reverberating, and the many stakeholders in play. Then, Pablo shares a personal connection with the pimento cheese sandwich, a time-honored staple at the Masters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When the Jets traded Sam Darnold to the Panthers on Monday, they essentially announced to the world that they will be selecting a quarterback with the 2nd pick in the upcoming NFL draft. And at the top of this year’s draft…they’re not alone. The 2021 QB Draft class is one of the deepest in memory, and the top 5 QB prospects could all potentially be picked in the top 10. Some, like Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, are considered as sure a bet as any prospect since Andrew Luck. Others, like North Dakota State’s Trey Lance may not have the big program pedigree...but are still projected to be among the first players taken. Field Yates joins the show to assess the top 5 QB prospects...and makes his prediction for where they might end up. Then, ahead of the Masters Tournament, Sam Borden shares the story of Tim Tucker, golf genius Bryson DeChambeau’s caddie, and their unique dynamic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Baylor Bears are your NCAA champions, for the first time in the program’s history. After decimating Houston in the Final Four, Baylor put on an offensive showcase powered by impressive scoring runs, and ended Gonzaga’s quest for a perfect season. Jalen Suggs and the Zags’ offense were unable to get anything going against the stalwart Baylor defense. Myron Medcalf joins us from Indianapolis to break down the title game and reflect on the 2021 tournament. Then, Pablo remarks on Aaron Rodgers’ self-aware debut as Jeopardy guest host. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gonzaga and Baylor tip off tonight in the NCAA Championship after a thrilling pair of Final Four games. Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs hit a wild game-winning buzzer-beater in overtime on Saturday vs. UCLA that sent Sports Twitter into overdrive, as Gonzaga furthered its quest for a perfect season. Also on Saturday, Baylor blew out Houston with Jared Butler landing 17 points, and five players recording double figures. Jeff Borzello recounts Suggs’ 3 heard ‘round the world. And LaChina Robinson breaks down how Stanford bested Arizona in another neck-and-neck game to become the women's champions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This weekend, the men’s and women’s NCAA Final Four games tip off in Indianapolis and San Antonio, respectively. On the men’s side, Gonzaga will look to fend off surprising UCLA, who just upset #1 Michigan, while Baylor and Houston face off in a rare Lone Star State showdown. Myron Medcalf is on the ground in Indianapolis and shares his insights on each Final Four matchup. For the women, powerhouse UConn, lead by star freshman Paige Bueckers, will do battle with Arizona, who’s making its first Final Four appearance. And Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks look to continue their defensive stand against tournament favorite Stanford. LaChina Robinson is on site in San Antonio to preview the pair of games, and reflects on the women’s tournament thus far. Then, Katie Barnes updates us on the BFFs of the tournament: Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs and UConn’s Paige Bueckers, as they each prepare for the semifinals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Baseball’s Opening Day is finally here! After a shortened 2020 season, MLB is back with a 162 game schedule and plenty of exciting storylines. With fans back in the stands, will the Houston Astros finally receive the reckoning many thought they’d get following their cheating scandal? Will Francisco Lindor live up to the hype and take the Mets to the postseason? Can the upstart Padres match up with the defending champion Dodgers? Tim Kurkjian runs through everything you need to know heading into this baseball season, and even gives Baltimore Orioles fans something to hope for. Then, new Cubs TV play-by-play announcer Boog Sciambi talks with Pablo about taking up the iconic broadcasting mantle at Wrigley Field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When the winningest team in high school football hired the most controversial coach in high school football, heads turned all over the state of Georgia. What ensued was a 15-month saga of small-town, big time football that ended up dividing an entire town. Mark Schlabach brings us a story of funny money, a secret recording, and the unraveling of a powerhouse high school football program in Valdosta, Georgia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The New York Mets and their fans have been sports punchline fodder for decades. But Mets fans are a resilient (if occasionally delusional?) bunch, enduring heartbreak after heartbreak in the long history of the organization. Author Devin Gordon refers to the team as the “Best Worst Team in Sports” in his new book, “So Many Ways To Lose,” and he joins the show to discuss his research into the highs and lows of the Mets, their passionate fans, and unique legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices