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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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘Supreme Court’ as in 6-3 conservative majority is dealing with overturning Roe v Wade. 500 athletes have gotten involved to fight against this. So what is happening here? What is happening in Mississippi? First Texas and its laws against abortion, and now Mississippi is coming after abortion. Let’s present the facts here. (15:20) What happens when a company says they want out of its sponsorship deal with your team or school or athletes? Someone asked me about Under Armour and UCLA, and how this is handled. (28:10) Review: Kate. (31:40) Aaron Rodgers said it’s time for the trolls to eat his shorts. The Packers bounced back with a big win over the Detroit Lions. Dan Campbell has had to settle for knee cap eating, but no wins so far. (36:10) NPPOD. (37:20) Salvador Perez is now the new HR king of catchers. 46 home runs. (41:20) Houston Texans head coach David Culley is in an awkward spot. Star QB is out facing allegations of sexual assault, back up is now out with a hamstring injury, what is the team going to do? Let’s talk about the inexperience of answering questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘boiling point’ as in when it’s almost time to make the pasta as in the point when s*** is about to hit the fan as in the San Diego Padres have crumbled. Fernando Tatis and Manny Machado got into a verbal altercation in the dugout that was caught on camera. Jayce Tingler was thrown out for arguing calls. The Padres are 3.5 game back in the Wild Card race. What happened to this team? We told you. (11:20) NFL taunting penalties have been the talk of the town. You get 15 yards for yelling! You get 15 yards for dancing! You get 15 yards for spinning the ball! Why did NFL owners okay this? Let me explain. (20:55) Review: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. (25:30) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me what is going on with Cody Bellinger. 2 years ago Bellinger won the MVP, this season he’s batting .159. Woof. (32:30) The New York Mets have a Noah Syndergaard issue going on. Thor has been out a long time now after getting TJ. He hasn’t pitched this year. He’s a free agent after this season. Uh oh. (39:00) Wait to see update: Syndergaard, Ohtani, MLB Managers. (45:00) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘deep throat’ as in Watergate as in sources source sources as in on Thursday morning was a funny day. Mets owner Steve Cohen accused us of being a source in a story in the New York Post. LOL. We don’t do sources. If we say it, we put our name on it. (7:20) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me about the lawsuit agains the NFL and Stan Kroenke a big deal. Could Roger Goodell be grilled by questions in open court? Let me explain. (17:15) Shohei Ohtani has arm soreness. Shohei Ohtani needs to stop pitching. Shohei Ohtani is an electric player, but he needs to be protected. (24:00) Review: The Voyeurs. (28:25) Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Maggie Nichols all spoke on Capitol Hill about how disturbing the treatment was from the FBI. The FBI let these women down. The US Olympic Committee let these women down. These people should be in jail for how much they let these women down. (33:35) NPPOD (37:30) John Wall is still owed $91M over the next two seasons. The Houston Rockets are going to trade him. They said it, not me. Why do front offices always spin it like they’re helping the player? (44:20) Feel good story time: Christian Yelich bought 10,000 tickets for fans to attend a Milwaukee Brewers game. There still are good people in sports and Yelich is one of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘technicality’ as Ryan Braun and Manny Ramirez careers are up for debate. Braun announced his retirement from baseball. Steroid user. (14:20) Manny Ramirez is back in the news talking about the Hall of Fame. Steroid user. What is their legacy? What should the legacy be for people who cheated the game? (24:05) Review: No Man of God. (27:00) The New Orleans Saints have a slight outbreak. The coaches are positive, a player, but they made it known everyone was vaccinated. The Buffalo Bills are making fans prove vaccination. The NBA is making things very strict for non-vaccinated players. Testing regularly; negative on practice days; negative on travel days; two negative tests on Game Day. Woof. (30:40) Gavin Newsom recall vote in California. (33:10) NPPOD. (38:50) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me why the New York Yankees would move Gleyber Torres to 2nd base this late in the season. Torres committed 18 errors at shortstop. How many times does this work? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘violation’ as in athletes should not be representing themselves — if you’re ever in trouble, call a lawyer — if you’re buying a house, call a lawyer — if you’re getting married, call a lawyer. Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson does not have an agent. Lamar Jackson does not have a new contract. (10:55) The Denver Broncos are the ugliest ownership drama in sports. Jeff Bezos and Jay-Z might be bidding against one another for the team. Bezos is going into football. If he wants an NFL team — he will get an NFL team. (23:10) Review: Cinderella. (28:35) Shohei Ohtani or Vlad Guerrero Jr: who win AL MVP? (34:45) NPPOD. (37:30) The NBA is doing everything that they can to get more money, get more views, get more everything. An in-season tournament and shortened season are on the docket. Is this the right move?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘badly’ as in we played bad, you played bad, everyone is playing bad! As in the Green Bay Packers got smoked the New Orleans Saints and new starter Jameis Winston — So what happened? Matt LaFleur said the team was embarrassed — Aaron Rodgers said they all played bad. Uh oh. — A quick talk about the WFT sewage water disaster in Washington, that wasn’t sewage water — back to the Packers. (9:30) Trevor Bauer’s season is over. Trevor Bauer’s postseason is over. Is Trevor Bauer’s career over? (18:55) Blue Jays pitcher Robbie Ray got into a verbal altercation after Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was caught on camera cursing at him. This happens way more than you notice. What should be done? (27:20) Review: Epicenter (32:20) NPPOD - Lindor accuses Yankees, but doesn’t accuse Yankees of stealing signs. (35:34) Urban Meyer is a nightmare for Jacksonville. A report came pregame that said Meyer has been a disaster for coaches and players. (39:20) Max Scherzer becomes Mr. 3K. 3,000 career strikeouts. He has been lights out for the Dodgers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘9/11’ as in remember September 11, 2001. It’s been 20 years. We’ve told this story before, but it’s good mentally to continue sharing these stories. Working in baseball during this time — let me explain how MLB acted when Commissioner Bud Selig heard the news. (23:10) Review: Untold - Crime and Penalties. (27:55) Red Sox player Hunter Renfroe went on a radio show yesterday and spoke out against MLB. He alleged that Major League Baseball told the Red Sox to stop testing for Covid. This during an outbreak where 9 players are on the Covid list. MLB denied this. The Boston Red Sox are pissed. What happens now? (35:30) Marcel Ozuna will be suspended. It’s going to happen. He was facing felony charges for physically assaulting his wife. We all need to be better. (39:30) NPPOD. (45:40) NPDS Survivor Pool Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘Otesaga’ as in the biggest place to be one day out of the year as in the hotel in Cooperstown, NY where all the baseball Hall of Fame players and people stay. Let’s talk about the enshrinements yesterday and give some good HOF stories. (15:20) Review: Vacation Friends. (19:20) So You Wanna Talk To Samson!? Someone asked me about Ben Roethlisberger speaking out demanding the Steelers pay TJ Watt. Watt is on the final year of his rookie deal, and he wants to get paid. (28:20) Tonya Snyder finally spoke. She is the new acting head of the Washington Football Team. Daniel Snyder is focusing on other things. (37:45) The NFL season kicks off tonight with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys. Tom Brady vs Dak Prescott. (45:20) NPPOD: Mets/Marlins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/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 megaphone.fm/adchoices