The FAN Morning Show

Kyle Brandt's First Pitch + Teeing Up The Open

The FAN Morning Show wraps up with Brent Gunning & Daniele Franceschi analyzing the future of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and weighing the possibility of the Blue Jays star slugger re-signing. They are joined by NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt to discuss what it feels like to have their very own bobblehead night and the nerves ahead of throwing out the Ceremonial First Pitch for the Buffalo Bisons on their “Buffalo, Mount Up!” night (9:51). The trio dive into C,J, Stroud & the Texans, and if Josh Allen has enough weapons around him. After, they are joined by Sportsnet resident golf expert Sam McKee to get his thoughts on The Open, Rory McIlroy, and his thoughts on the conditions at the Royal Troon Golf Club (28:05).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Duration:: 47m
Broadcast on:: 17 Jul 2024
Audio Format:: mp3

I don't think that the Jays, especially if it means time without a team is performing, it just doesn't feel like for me that this front office is going to be able to offer him, let's say, 275, 300. Something like the Rossfield Dever's level of extension, I just, I don't see it. I don't believe that that's where they're comfortable going and I think that's probably what it would take for the Jays to be able to keep them. I do think, I do believe, as we speak right now in the 70s to July, that a trade of Vlad is more likely than an extension. I think they're both certainly possible. I'm just not seeing any signals from either side that suggest that an extension is getting closer or that where the Jays offer would be is within the range of what Vlad would accept. But I think a trade is not by an astronomical amount, but I do think a trade is more likely than an extension for Vlad's office. There's John Marosi on a wonderful program I like to call fan morning show. You're listening to it right now. I'm a fan morning show gunner and Dan Yellie, he was just on a couple of minutes ago there. Again, for reference, the Raphael Dever's contract that you heard their reference there, that's a 10 year, 313 million dollar banger now has now, if you want to talk about a post season pedigree, this is a player who definitely has it endeavors. Now, Vlad, and part of this is his own doing, but he hasn't exactly had the chance to have long runs at it. There is a little bit of a difference in positional versatility there, but I don't want to overstate that. Dever is probably going to end up playing first base at some point in his career as well. So I think that that's interesting. But I don't know how surprising just in general was that to you to hear because we threw out the possibilities of, you know, there's three true outcomes in baseball. And I guess now there are three true outcomes of what can happen with Vlad. You keep them. You trade them. You sign them. We did throw in the possibility of keeping him. And based on what Marosi says, I think that that is honestly likely the most likely outcome here because I just don't think the team is quite honestly ever going to be willing to pull the trigger imparting with Vlad. So jarring to hear, well, what did you make of what we heard? First off, I'm with you. I think the trickiest part of all this is it would be very difficult for the Toronto Blue Jays to just rip the band aid off, even though in some instances that is the best thing to do with this franchise, given where they are, and the money that's been invested in the roster in the ballpark, it's hard for them to. That would be a very difficult pill to swallow and having to rip the band aid off with both Vladimir Gerenger and Boba shit at the same time. I've been fairly consistent. I've always stated, and certainly throughout the balance of this season, that you've got to find a way to keep one of those two guys. You can ill afford to have both, whether it's via trade or one via trade and one via free agency. You cannot afford to have both walk out the door, certainly for nothing. That would be devastating. I think John laid it out very, very succinctly, very logically in stating just look around the sport and look at the history of this team. You'd be hard pressed to believe they are going to feel compelled to hand out a deal that is approaching $300 million. It's just not something that they do. It's not something that they've done. Have they upped their work rate in terms of the amount of free agent dollars they're throwing on? Sure. I do. Sure. Sure, they've done it, right? They've been more aggressive in those areas, and they've showed some real nerve. That's there. I do love that one. But overall, it points back to this is probably a scenario where I think John's right. The most logical outcome is he stays on the roster, certainly heading into 2025. I think if you're optimistic, you're hopeful they get an extension done in the offseason. They bridge that gap. However, it comes together. That would be wonderful. But we're probably heading into a situation here where Vlad is going to be closing in on a free agent opportunity in 2025, and then the market might dictate what ends up happening from there. That's sort of what I glean from what he said. Yeah, that's exactly where I find it. I think the other things super jarring that we heard in there, it's okay, guys, we don't need to run the clip, but I could just paraphrase here. The idea that you would not get a top 100 prospect from Beaumoishette right now, that is not overly surprising given the way the player is performing right now. But all that tells me is that, oh, well, that decision is okay. You cannot do it. You also cannot trade him this offseason unless some magic happens at the winter meetings where everyone forgets what happened all of last year and we're talking about the conversations you were having about Bo a year ago. And that's not the way this works. So Bo, Bo feels like there's not even a discussion to be had here. Someone wants to get silly. Sure, you can trade Boboushette, but that's not going to happen the way the player's performing right now. There's no world where an extension makes sense given where the parties are at. So he is the logical guy. And I think that is the other part of this that has to the best case of action for this team, in my opinion, of course, is if you can get Vladi side of the extension, it's reasonable to do that. But failing that it is to just have the guts to go into the gear with both those guys in their walkier. The problem with that is is that requires an incredible amount of gumption. And again, I shouldn't say this because he's still employed, but that's going to be quite a thing for the new general manager to have to handle if that is what ends up happening here. The idea of, all right, hey, here's the car keys. Good luck. By the way, two massive decisions do with that, which you will, I'm out of here. It's just such a tenuous position for not the Blue Jays. It's not because they have a new ballpark. No org in any sport wants to have the two guys they built around and that I say that offensively, they've obviously built around the rotation as well. But who are the pillars of this when we talk about to the core? It's Bo and it's Vlad to have them both go in with their walkier to have the stomach, the fortitude, whatever word, the nerve if you want to do that. That takes an incredible amount of not only the gumption to do that, but the security in the org as well. That's the other thing that jumps out from that. The goal you need to have to make decisions like that would be a very cheeky thing to do. I know we can all throw around soccer terms, but, well, first off, I don't know that it even lays at the feet of whoever the general manager is going to be, because that's not a. It goes way above that, right? So is the GM going to be doing the grunt work in this particular situation? Yes, they're going to be the one that's in the mud and having those difficult discussions and conversations with the agents to potentially discuss whether this is actually feasible or not for either of these players, frankly, and what the future looks like for either of those players. But those decisions, especially when it comes to handing out the money, that's going to be much higher up the totem pole in terms of getting the approval and the sign off from, first off, Mark Shapiro, and then going even higher to the ownership level. So I don't know that we need to be overly concerned in terms of extensions. That is trades different extension for Vlad or Bo, which Vlad seems more likely that I'm not as concerned who the GM is. If we're talking about trades for these guys, 100% different. Now this is why I actually don't within the course of the next two weeks, I would not want to see them trade away Bo or Vlad, because I don't want, frankly, Ross Atkins making that decision. I don't feel comfortable that you're going to net out with the best possible return. If that is the guy making the decision and as you alluded to there Gunnar, you know, John's insight on Bo was interesting. I think if you're not getting a package that is commensurate with his track record, there's no chance you do it. There's no chance and you would not do it now. It's a depressed acid. You just eat it, you stomach it, you take it into next season. It's going to feel very uncomfortable, which is rare because we haven't had that sort of feeling of sheer discomfort, the same way that other franchises are maybe more accustomed to. This team has always been very proactive in trying to paint the picture of what not just want the next season looks like, but two, three years from now what that looks like. And it's going to be very challenging for them. If they have to go into next season, it's going to feel uncomfortable, but it probably is the most pragmatic decision. Yeah, the other thing about it as well is that it's uncomfortable, but I mean, I'm not good any good. I'm not any good at actually taking this advice into my life, but people tell me like, you know, the best things in life happen when you put yourself in uncomfortable positions. I disagree sitting on the couch tomorrow, watching golf before I come to work. It's going to be very great and I'm going to be super comfortable, but Bachets going into his walk here, the idea that he has back to back years that look like this. And if you want to make a pivot and make your move at the deadline that you're not going to be able to do that, it's just it is he is going to have a better season next year. You're going to be able to get a better asset for him. So I just don't even look at it as something that is, it really needs to to be worried about at all. You remember special seasons that Vlad had? Remember the special seasons that Bose had, but you have to make a pragmatic decision for what this team needs now. And right now this team needs again, I'll go, I'll just double triple quadruple, a quintuple, we'll keep going until I run out of numbers. You got to pay Vlad if there is a calming ground to be found. I just don't think there's a space to do it right now. And guess what? You, this is a parallel to the Mitch Marner situation, which we're not going to get into now. You really believe the player wants to be here and going into the walk here really, really shouldn't be a problem. I know people get angry when they talk about contract situations sometimes now. No one gets angry when they talk to this guy, but they do think about angry football runs. And it is Kyle Brand. Good morning football. So happy to have him joining us now. Kyle, thanks so much for jumping on. How you doing this morning, man? Brad, I'm fired up. I'm going to Western New York in just a couple of days, just eat 10 AM local. And I want to leave right now, but I'm not allowed to get there until Friday. So I'm very excited. Thank you for having me. I like the way you phrase that, that you're not allowed to get there. The city of Buffalo is like, we can only handle so much KB. We can only handle it. Okay. So awesome night that they're going to have it. Just got to look at the bobblehead. It looks like it's going to be great. Now, the thing I have two questions where you will start with the bobblehead. How, how much of an honor is it to have a bobblehead made in your honor? I mean, I am a bobblehead guy every time I'm down at the every time I'm down covering games that there's one to be had, I'm getting my hands on it. What is it like to have a bobblehead made in your likeness? And again, I didn't have to bang up job with it. This is your likeness. It's ridiculous. It's a ridiculous honor. I love it. I will not believe there could be a documentary on the making of this bobblehead. This thing goes back and they started asking me about this, the bison's. I think it was like, it might have been last summer. I mean, it was at least last fall. This is the most sophisticated in-depth process to make these things. I had to take 27 different pictures to send them. I mean, I had a whole photo shoot with my wife profile shot, back shot. I'm like, just, just make it. I mean, this is a bobblehead. This is not going in the Louvre. And yet, when you see it, it should go in the Louvre. And my wife and my kids thought it was going to be this really, you know, flattering, like handsome shot of me. I look like a serial killer, it's crazy. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so pleased with how it came out and I'm so unbelievably flattered. And honored that they're going to be handing them out on Saturday night. I can't believe it's happening. Yeah. Let me tell people about it. The bison's this Saturday on the 20th at Salem Field will honor KV at their Buffalo Mount up night featuring a cow, braille, bobblehead, giveaway. Gates open early at 4.30 and will include a pregame autograph session ceremonial first pitch by the man himself and a special edition of Angry Runs. Now, how is the arm? Are you nervous? Look, we all, there is nothing more nerve wracking that I can imagine. Like no one in the NFL, to my knowledge, is just, Hey, can you come kick a 25 yarder before the game starts, you know, just to get the people going. This is a feat that we all feel like we should be able to do. But when the pressure's on, so does the pressure gets to you? Are you nervous at all about the first pitch? It reminds me of the NFL draft when I announced the pick for the bills a couple of years back. And I wasn't nervous to go up on stage and announce the pick. I was really excited for that. I was nervous about pronouncing the names because I didn't know what the name would be. You don't find out the name until 30 seconds before you walk out on stage. And I've seen people slaughter names before and embarrass themselves and disrespect the player. So believe me, I was so thrilled and relieved when they handed me the card and it said, Corel Bernard or Taylor, I can handle that. Corel Bernard was not a problem, so fast forward to Salem Field, I can go out in front of the crowd. I can get everybody excited. I love doing that. I love a Bill's fans, Bison fans, Elova. When I get on that mound, and I do emphasize the mound because I've spoken to people who have done first pitches, they're like, listen, it's just playing catch. It's easy. Just throws the catcher until you're on that mound and it feels like a 50 feet high. It's the elevation that is going to mess with you. So you got to throw down, but you can't throw too far down because then you one hop it and everybody laughs at you for emasculating yourself. So I am nervous and I have a strategy that I'm going to keep private until Saturday night. I will only promise you guys that I'm not promising a strike, but I promise my first pitch will not be boring. I'm going to go for it. Oh, nice. I like that. And so you are committed to throwing from the mound. That's always something. Oh, yeah. Okay, good. Good. You're committed to this. If people come off the mound, I rather triple hop one off the mound than throw a piece of corner like Greg Maddox from the graph. I'm not doing that. I will be on the mound. I'm with you there. I'm in a complete agreement on that. My favorite part of your bobblehead, by the way, is the fact that the scepter is involved. I think that is perfect. That has become such like a it's a staple of the program. Good morning football, which returns in a couple weeks and we're very excited for that. But on top of that, it's such a staple of your brand. Like it's become synonymous with what you do on social media and everybody know that's the guy with the scepter and we see that get handed out every week. Just in terms of that, like the way angry runs and that particular segment has caught on with not just football fans, but the players as well. Like how important is it to have the fact that they've bought in? And now that you have this this, I mean, I don't know if you want to reveal what the origin story of the scepter was, like how you came up with that because it's just a weird thing and it happens to be such a popular item that is now synonymous with you, synonymous with angry runs and has become a staple of the football season year in your round. Well, thank you for asking. It's been really fun. I've done it now for close to seven years and we just we started it. I think it was 2017 and I when I grew up and I played high school football and I played my college football, I was not a nifty runner. I was not this great open field guy, but, you know, I would run forward pretty tough and that's how my high school coaches and college coaches taught me to run and I always respected that. So my favorite guys were guys like Mike Allstock and Marion Barber and then Marshawn Lynch. Mike Allstock. Those were my favorite runners. We all love Barry Sanders, but I love those type of just bad ass runners. And so I think like there was just there seemed to be something in all the NFL coverage. There's there's no one who really is crowning those people. It's all, you know, I think we really need to respect that. So when I started the segment, I started giving out an actual crown and we're like, you know, it's cool. It's a crown. You're the king. But I think it needs something different. The prop is kind of off and then I thought like, what if it's something they can wield like a like I like crazy stuff, like Lord of the Rings and stuff like that. I'm like, what if it's like a wicked scepter and then we found it. We started handing them out and to your point, the players just love them. I was in February. I got to go to Orlando for the Pro Bowl and I walk out on the field. I was like, this old field path and these players warming up and they start screaming, yo, angry, Rob, we're scepter and this is like Derek Henry. These are like the big dogs who have won scepters and it's become like my calling card is like a medieval dragon with red eyes. That's just what it is. And I wouldn't have it any other way. No, it sounds honestly like very on on brand for you. And yeah, just go back and say, go back and say that sentence to yourself when you were 20 years old. If you're calling card in life will be a dragon scepter and I bet you would, I bet you would have had some questions, Kyle, about how things would have gone, but it turned out pretty well. It looks like it sounds terrible, but then if you say I'm having the same conversation with you guys about there's making a bobble head and buffalo and you're going to bring it after I'm like, what kind of weird acid trip is this? But I want more of what he's having. I agree. I would have said if you if you would have told me when I was 20 years old, I'd asked what bridge I was living under when you were you were telling me that is where I would have gone with it. I do have to ask you just little little bit of football here. You know, we're having fun. Yeah. What's got you kind of most excited? This is the most fun. Oh, I shouldn't say most fun, but this is the one quasi and Brendan, I you cast a change things here, but like kind of quiet period in the NFL schedule. What's kind of got you most excited about about the upcoming season? Be it a team, a question that you want answered. What's got you most interested? Oh, man, what a good question. I mean, it's go time this, this, this, this, to me, I know it is quiet, but it's also the most exciting part of the year because it's just about to explode. And people like you and me and you guys, we've been living off like stale bread and water for weeks. And we're trying to get by and home run derbies. And you know, we're trying to pretend that we care that much about Brandon, I you can kind of with time and we get through it, we've all done it. But listen, now they're about to lay out a smorgasbord of all you can eat. There's an open bar and for like the next six or seven months. And honestly, to get specific, I'll just keep it with you guys. Like, I think this is the most intriguing bill season we've had in years. I remember vividly when it was three, four months ago when the news broke that Steph Diggs was gone. And I was, I found a very jarring, but I wasn't shocked that happened. And I love the idea that there's going to be, with respect to Steph Diggs, who I really like as a person who is an amazing player, I think there's going to be a weight lifted in that camp in that huddle on the shoulders of that quarterback. And I think he's going to play free and loose. I think it's going to be a great season. I know a lot of people are saying, oh, man, the bills. What do they do this year? Where who's going to catch all the balls? They're going to find a way, trust me, I think it's going to be a really good bill season. I can't wait to start watching it. I'm a bill's fan, Kyle. And I love hearing that because this is my theory. I'm going to lay it out for you. You know, John Allen has been, he's been in the MVP conversation for several years. Now he's always been close. He's within striking distance. But then, you know, there's always been somebody that has somehow usurped them. And whether it's a great Lamar Jackson season or Patrick Mahomes doing what he does or Aaron Rogers doing what he does, he's always been sort of the bridesmaid, not the bride yet. I think in this instance, now when everybody's saying, well, do they have enough weapons around them? They've completely retooled the roster overall like it's it really has been a drastic overhaul in terms of just from an age standpoint, they got a lot younger. And now it is firmly, clearly, Josh's team. It's always been Josh's team, but now there's nobody alongside him in that leadership role essentially. Like it is undisputedly undeniably his team. I think this is the year where he goes out and he wins an MVP. I really do. When everybody's sort of down on the bills in terms of, well, they've lost a lot of guys. It's not the same core group. It's a different looking team. This is the year where Josh Allen puts together his most, his Picasso of seasons and is able to win his first MVP. Agree or disagree? Well, I'll give you a comp. I hear everything you're saying and people may not be saying, well, but still that sounds great. We love Josh. Where are the weapons? My comp is the 2015 Carolina Panthers and that was Cam Newton's MVP season in which they had no wide receivers. He's out there with Greg Olson and running backs and tight ends. They had a Sean McDermott defense. They got all the way to the plate all the way to the Super Bowl. Cam won the MVP. He was a superstar Hulk mode. The whole season, again, no wide receivers at all, even less than what Buffalo has now. And it was just get the hell out of his way and let him hulk out on everyone. And he did it at the prime of his powers. And I think the bills have that kind of potential I'm this year to believe me. People say, well, listen, almost 200 catches left the huddle with Gabe and Steph, believe me. It's just starting numerically. I get it, but I think Kate's going to blow up and here's going to blow up. I think Cook's going to catch Boston and Colm is going to, they'll add up. They'll find a way and he'll make it happen. And I'm with you. I just kind of quickly. Last one, I'm going to let you go on the flip side of that, giving digs to, to, you know, CJ, Stroud at this point in his career. What does that do to that Texans offense? I mean, it already took tons of strides last year in all the new pieces there. What do you think that does for? I don't even want to say Stroud ceiling because I don't want to put one on him, but what does that do for him this year? I mean, it's just great things. We can all say to the staff if we want, when his captain is a great player, he's going to be really good. I mean, it doesn't it kind of feel inevitable, guys, like, they're going to see stuff in the playoffs. Like it's a very likely match up that they're going to play the Texans. And then probably next round, we'll have to play the Chiefs with a wide receiver. They handed them in the draft. So there's a lot of things that they have to settle, but God, that's in January. It's July. We'll get there. But I do think, yeah, I mean Houston, Houston for real and those digs. Yeah, we will. We will get there, dude. You will get to Buffalo. Yeah. Again, they have the city boarded up. They can only handle you for so many hours. Hopefully they have enough chicken wings for you too, Kyle. Yeah. Well, the brands are coming for deep and we're driving New York, so like we're coming in hot. That better be ready. Get the wings ready. Kyle. Thanks so much for jumping on. Can't wait for the show to come back in a couple of weeks here and good luck to you in Buffalo and throw a strike, buddy. I'll stop. Do my best. Thanks. There we go. Nice, Kyle. Yeah. I thought it would have been mean if I gave them the like the Derek Jeter to George W. Just don't bounce it. They'll boo you. I can say that to you now that he's not now that he's yak and has a party's ear off, but that was great. Love love of Cal brand. I think it's so funny in football and like all sports, they're cyclical, but football really feels it where we see the pendulum swing from, you know, what wins in this league is defense and running the ball to no, no, no, Kyle Shanahan's actually the way of the future. And yeah, maybe Kyle Shanahan would have ran the ball once when he was the Falcons offensive coordinator. He'd have a super mobile to point back at, but that is the thing I love about this sport is that we get so bogged down and rightfully so in the air attack and what CJ Stroud can do and all these incredible quarterbacks, but there is just something about a mean nasty run game that is, I mean, it's, it's beautiful in intugliness. Yes. And I think it speaks to why his brand and the angry runs, the legend of angry runs is so popular. Like people still appreciate. Yes. Well, it's cool to see the stiff arms and the physical hard nose running. Like that's fun. And you, you nailed it on asking the question about how important is that the players buy into that because, and you know, you don't want to reference like other people's work with someone, but now that he's not here, I can reference it. You know what that made me think of. And I was just talking about this on the golf course the other day is a, you know, and it's like, I know it's like, it's not a, not in good taste in 2024, but jacked up on ESPN. Players, I mean, they don't want to be on the wrong side of it, but you better believe it, read Ray Lewis, Vontes, perfect, when he was going crazy, pick your, yeah, I just, I should probably mention someone outside of the AFC North, but I feel like that was that segment every single week was just that division. They loved it. We all loved it. And that is just, again, we, we go through this in hockey as well. The idea of like, you definitely want to sell more speed, more skill. It's a wide open game, but people still love it because of what the game is at its heart. And the idea that the players have bought in, it really does feel like the, again, like the, the stepchild or like the grandchild of the jacked up segments on ESPN a hundred years ago. Well, it's interesting you mentioned that because a central storyline last year throughout the NFL season, really up until the playoffs was, you know, just how they, how defenses have the, all the impediments that have been put in place to prevent defenses and defenders from actually like hitting people and being able to play the sport the way it was intended to be played. Now I know safety is a big deal. Don't get me wrong. Yeah. But there is an element of if it's supposed to be a contact sport, it has to be a contact sport. And, and we've now made the game, the sport football, we've got, we've reached a point where defensively we have guys that are thinking too much when they're playing. And that's when bad things happen. It's actually better when it's the opposite, when there's less thinking and they're able to just use their instincts that they've had condition to themselves for years and years from when they were first introduced to the sport. So I think it's interesting that you referenced that. And yet, you know, no matter how we, how what anybody says, for whatever reason, I don't love the violence. To the violence and it's part of the game, but it, you know, we, I mean, heck, I love watching a good Alvin Camara run like most, like, like anybody else. Yeah. But I can also appreciate what Derek Henry does. Yeah. And, and the sure will that he is just going to shove the ball down your throat and you're going to like it. And there's nothing you can do about it. When you, when you said Alvin Camara where I thought you were going to go with that was the beast quake. You're like, I like Alvin Camara, but Marsha, because it was against the same. No, no, I know. I know. I know. It's just like, but that's the thing. And that exact game right there, right? You see it. You see it at play. I should have mentioned this with Kyle as well. You're just kind of going through different NFL first pitches. Don't do Russell Wilson. Don't wear a glove out there. It's a tough look. It really is. Now it's bad with Russ, because he's like Mr. Tryhard. Maybe with Brandon, he will, he will be having the glove because it's like kind of plays in if he's being a tryhard as opposed to Russ. But that was, and the other one, I don't know if you've seen this before, a Kaepernick had one. Now, of course, he was very highly touted. He was actually more highly touted baseball player than he was a football coming out of high school. I think he touched definitely nineties, might have been upper and he nearly blew. I think it was Sergio Ramos handoff who clearly knew it was coming. But yeah, it was a little jarring there. So we'll have a lot on this now or sorry, I should say we'll have a lot more on the NFL as we track closer to that. But coming up on the other side of the break, I didn't talk to him enough when I took a five day vacation with them to Alberta, and I'm going to record a golf podcast immediately after this with him. So got to talk to more Samba Key. I can't wait to talk to my buddy. That's right. That's right. A little range, if you will. He'll join us. He up the open championship, always giving the opportunity. If he wants to do a little Blue Jays complaining, we might allow that as well. And yeah, we'll see where it goes. It's always interesting with Sammy. That's what wraps things up on the fan morty show next on SportsNet 5.9 of the fan. Dive deep into Toronto sports and the NFL. The J.D. Bunk is podcast. Subscribe and download the show on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. And more on the show, didn't even try hit the pose bang on there. Didn't even try to sometimes just happen. Sometimes I try and I hit it, sometimes I try and I don't that time. Just want to life's happy, happy, no, well, no, what being a professional is if I, if I didn't go, oh my God, did you guys hear me hit the pose? That would be being a professional. Instead, I did, I don't know. Give yourself a pat on your back on occasion. That's okay. You look, I could tip my own cap yourself. Right. There you go. It's kind of a mirror there. Give me that. All right. Somebody who I love to tip my cap to, it's my good friend and yours, my golf guy and yours. Sam, the key. Sammy, bud. How's it going? Good morning, fellas. It's going really well. Going really well. Okay. So on vacation. Yeah, I know. I know. I know. You're never retrospective. I may have taken too much time. You're never coming back to work ever, ever again in your life. You're just wandering around the wilderness until ice starts to form. Okay. Basically. Open championship. We're all excited, but you know me. I love to give you a little chance. Do you have anything sporting related that's not golf that we're going to talk about that you need to get off your chest? Are you like, did you get all of your Euro and Copa takes off? Do you have any Blue Jays resentment sitting within you that you need to address or should I just talk to you about golf? No, I do have one thought. Okay. It's really great. I've worked at the fan probably now for, I don't know, maybe, I've started at 680s. It's probably been about seven years that I've been at the fan. Okay. And I have never been off during all star week. I have never done it. I've worked every all star week, like, for seven years where I've, you know, haven't been on air the whole time, but I've been producing content and coming up with stuff and, you know, editing and doing all this stuff during all star week. This is the first time I have taken it off. And boy, let me tell you, it won't be the last. Holy, I just can't tell you how great it is to not give one, you know, what about the home run derby? Oh, what are the big takeaways? Have to talk about Tay Oscar light it up at the, at the, at the home run derby. Oh, what in a moment Jared Durant, who cares? I just don't have to care. I don't have to pretend to care. I'm so happy. I took the all star week off and I am just, I'm thrilled. So that's, that's my big sweeping takeaway. I will never, ever work all star break ever again in my life. I am giving you a finger and it's not the thumbs up. Let me just put it that way to you because it's going to be more diplomatic. I was just going to say I'm envious. That's all I was going to say. Why would you do that? No point of finger. What was your big takeaway? Oh, show. Hey, Hotani hit a home run. No, no, you actually, Mickey, you are going to love this. I did have a show, Hey, take, he is now a back-to-back all star game loser. The only game he plays with good players still can't get it done. And I feel like you would appreciate that take because he lost the American league. The all star get, well, he didn't lose it for them, but like, so that's the way I look at these things that I figured you would appreciate that. I do love that. I know. I mean, I mean, you know, and it's also like the, the dominance of the American league is not surprising, but it's just, you know, it's, you know, look over to that, like little crappy league, the old national league, and they just was at 10 of 11, they've lost. Again, again, you're sitting here saying you don't care what any of these takes. I literally started the show saying the man's league one showed out to the American football conference as well and showed out to the Eastern conference in the NHL. So yeah, it's not true. The Eastern conference now is good, but my entire life, the Eastern conference sucked. Yeah. And it was the, it was the Western conference. And now it's been like two years that it's flipped within the last two years. Yeah. And they're all in, and they're all in the Atlantic somehow and admission. I have no recollection of any of those results anyway. So who cares? Like, I don't remember a darn thing about East, first West 2006 to eight day, this, this just the long, this is the long standing belief, McKee and I have that there's just, there's man's leagues and it's the American League and there's a man's football conference and it's the AFC. I will take your words. It's true. All right. Uh, you complained a little or you didn't complain. You, you complained about not having to complain, or you talked about not having to complain about the all star break. Are you ready to complain about seeing a burnt out golf course that I'm telling you is beautiful for five days? Here we go. So I guess I should just get this off. Yeah. Go ahead, Jeff. Get your bad golf take. It's fine. Yes. So I, this is a hit and miss take, but I always sort of, you know, I measure what I watch golf on TV against if I'd want to go there and if I want to play it and I, to me, I watch any links golf tournament and you know, I was watching a bit of Scottish Open, uh, over the weekend and you know, you see, uh, what was it, the Renaissance club? Was that what it was called? The Renaissance club. Yeah. Good job. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. I was, and you know, there's that one hole where you see some water and it looks great. But like a lot of like power lines and just flat lies and I just, I don't get links golf. And to me, the, for that reason, this is by far my least favorite major. I just, I got guys hit shots and I'm like, oh, is that good? I don't know. Is that good? I can't tell if that's good. And then just like bounces off the side of a hill and kicks into the great or goes into the long grass. You guys are lacking at it. I like the, the pomp and circumstance of the Hope and Championship. But to me, it's by far the least of visually appealing golf tournament and a roll at Royal Trune, maybe a little bit more scenic or whatever, like St Andrews to me, it's the birthplace of golf. I get that it's incredible, but it just does nothing for me. So I, I know this is my annual bad golf take, but I just, I can't really stand playing links golf. I can't really stand watching links golf. I'll watch most of this weekend, clearly because it's a major championship. But if I had to rank the four, this is dead last. This is absolutely dead last. That's hollow ground. You're talking about when you're. Oh, yeah. Oh, the finest of burnt out fields with the wind in the rain. Who cares about take it is what it is. Like you can have your opinion. You're entitled to that. I have no oil. Well, regardless, I just, I think it's interesting that you're going to take aim at one of the majors. You want to take an aim at something random, but the fact that you're, you're not, you're not a fan of links golf. Okay. Give me the Genesis open at Riviera 10 times out of 10 over the open. How's that sound? How's that for a take on your. That's actually the worst take because not only is it, not only is it, you're moving a major, but this is making it later in the day. You're taking coffee golf away from you by shoving it in California. And I can't watch anybody tee off until I am golf sick, like, oh, it's done by one. Hey, you know what I want to do? I want to wake up on a Sunday. I want, I want to get up. I want to go do some stuff. I want to, you know, maybe you can play golf myself and I want to get home. I want to, you know, as we like to say hashtag settle in around, around, around one o'clock, one 30, have the golf just starting to get good. And now I got to rush out of bed and get down to the TV and like not be able to do my morning routine. I hate it. I hate it. The, the, the leaders are on Sunday are going to be teeted off at like nine thirty nine forty in the morning. We've done by one. Two early. Just flip your day around. God. I love you. The actual golf tournament that Sam, I know, I know you've already, you've already declared your disdain for this tournament, but, but in terms of the, the quirks and the differences in links golf compared to what we see here, stateside, North America, yeah, then who does this tournament kind of favor in that regard? Like is there a specific skill says, oh, come on, come on, give me something, man. Oh, who gets a lucky bounce off the big old hill is what links golf is. That's like, I mean, like last year, I watched it and Brian Harmon won and he played great golf, but it's just these courses are so dependent on the weather, Daniela. And like, if, you know, you're watching is, you're watching, I don't know how it is, but if it's not rainy, these guys shoot twenty one under par, like look at what happened at the, the, the old course when Rory gagged at the cam Smith, it was fine weather for most of the weekend. And what was the winning score? Back under twenty two hundred twenty one, yeah, like that's just, you know, these courses have no guard for modern golf. And I just, I think that when it comes down to it is basically, depending on what the weather is, I haven't seen what the weather is going to be like a trune this weekend. But a lot of it comes down, if it's bad to a war of attrition, and that to me is not my most IP, like I like hard golf. I like the US open when it's tough conditions and the courses are really hard. But like, I don't necessarily love that like, oh, it's pouring rain. So now it's really hard. Like I just, the idea of that is tough, but I think the guy who will win it, it was this, it's a strong mental game where you're able to grind through the wet and grind through the wind and just be able to create these different types of shots. So that's why I've always thought that Jordan's piece should be more successful here. He wanted one year. I forget what the course he wanted out. Cause that was when he bonked it on to the driving range and yeah, yeah, but like, cause he's really creative around the greens and he can hit different types of shots. Like, this is the tournament to me that Bryson is least likely to win. Because it's just, it's, it's, you know, there's no predictability at all. And you're just kind of hitting it up there and the wind's going to take it left. And like I said, you're going to have to hit it out at some hay. And then, you know, you're going to have to put it on a hundred yard green. So I think it's, I think the people who are more of the artists, as opposed to like the technicians have better luck at these kind of tournaments. If to answer your question without being a dick, Daniel, no, I mean, you're right. Like God, so much of it does come down to luck of the draw, like literally, where do you fall on the draw? Do you get weather on one half of it or another? You know, somebody who I think I'm very curious to see, cause when you, if you would have told me 18 months ago, and I completely agree with your assessment that this is a war of attrition. It is a mental game. A guy who is maybe, maybe not one a, but a very early pick and draft of just mentally tough golfers would have been John Rahm. He's not that guy anymore. Do you think we ever like see him come back? Do you think he just needs to get a fault, kind of full year reset or do you think he is just a broken man? Cause he made a deal with the devil. I think it, I think the deal with the devil, God and boys, I really do. I think there's a world in which, you know, I've been saying this since the merger back when we out at each other every day about it. God, those are good times. Those are some electric radio. We would literally just tease segments with, and coming up next, live yelling. But I, I do think that there is at some point going to be a re like a re merger or merger. I don't think re merger is a thing. I don't think so. I think merger. A merger. I've been off. I haven't been saying words a lot more. I've been off. I heard the words were saying and they weren't professionally. Yeah. Yeah, I think merger where they come back together and I really do think that the most surprising thing about John ROM is he is a super fiery competitor and the thing that kind of elevated him to the top where he is obviously is a great, a great player. But you think of like the tirade, you think of how mad he'd be and I just, I don't think you see him on live mad for different reasons. I don't think the competition's there and I think it's kind of broken him a bit. And you know, the weird thing with his, was it the infected toe at the US open? No, good. And then he's playing the next week. Like, I, I don't really know what's going on with ROM. I don't really know what's, what's happened to him. And I think the devil got him a bit and maybe we see him come back. But how old is he? Like, I don't think he's that young. Is he? No, I mean, he's relatively young golf age. I think he's like early 30s. I don't think he's. Yeah. No, he is. Twenty nine. Yeah. Exactly. We're rage. Oh yeah. And who knew? Yeah. So, so having here that he's that young, I thought he was a little like, like maybe into his mid 30s. So he's off on that. But I would be surprised to see him just be done forever. Like, I think he'll be heard from me still really good. But I do think that him going to live in the lack of competition, the lack of fire really hurt who he was as a golfer. And I'll be interested to see what he looks like this weekend because the last time we got to look at him, he had an infected toe and he pulled out of the US open on the Thursday morning, I believe. Well, there's speaking of another guy that has some questions surrounding him and even there's always unpredictability in terms of what he looks like. But Roaring McElroy heading into this tournament, it's obviously on the back of what transpired at the US open and the meltdown there where he coughs it up to Bryson. How much pressure do you think there is Sam? Like he's not after this tournament comes Sunday. Once that's done, it's another 260 something days until he sees another major. And that'll be going on year 11 without one. So how much pressure is there, especially after what transpired in the US open on it on that stage in that moment, like how much pressure is there for him to try and put a polar result this weekend and put that conversation to rest as it pertains to the majors? I actually have a bit of a zag on this. I think there's no pressure because you can't get any damn worse than it just was. I don't know what the heck would have to happen at Trune for it to be worse than it was at Pinehurst number two. And I really, I think he's probably going in here feeling him not free. It's Rory at a major. Clearly there's a bit of pressure on being a little bit facetious, but like you just got to go out there and play and hope that he hit some short pots. And I honestly don't think it could ever get any worse than what happened. I mean, that's tempting fate with Rory and his fans and what he's done to them over the past 10, 11 years, like you said, Danielle, but I really have a hard time believing that it's going to be any more pressure than any of the other ones. And having that happen and having everyone set about him and everyone, I felt like there was a bit of a turn on Rory where he went from truly beloved to into the mainstream media as a bit of a villain for how he acted after that, how he ran out of there, all that stuff regardless of what side of it you're on. I do feel like there was a bit of a turn. I don't know if you'll agree with me, Gunnar, don't feel agree with me, Danielle, on that one. Very slight. I know what you mean. There was definitely push back to it for sure. Way more vitriol towards Rory as opposed to just the usual sort of feeling story for him because people that love him. And I thought there's a bit of a turn on him. And I just think he's kind of going in here sort of like LeBron black mask LeBron where like he's kind of a villain, he's going in here looking to, I know you love that panel. I did. Oh my God. Where he's going, he's going in here where he's a bit of a villain. He's still an excellent golfer and there's not as much pressure on him. You know, I wouldn't say he's going to win, but I think we'll hear him from him. And I think he'll be in the mix on Sunday for sure. Okay. Well, I'm curious about a further to that on the subject of Rory. How is there any danger that might have broken him in some way, shape or form because he goes away for a long time? I'm last week, but we haven't really seen like he obviously played well last week at the Scottish Open. But, you know, there was that long stretch where he goes what everything that transpires at Pioneer's. We don't hear from him. He basically puts out a statement saying, okay, I'll see you when I see you, which will be at the Scottish Open. I'll prepare for the open and that'll be my next appearance. But that does like even the response to what transpired there sort of feels like I don't want to say an admission, but an acknowledgement that it had a major impact on him. So I wonder if that is going to have, if the scars of what transpired there are going to linger for him in any meaningful way. Yeah. I mean, I don't think it's a good question, honestly. But I think the only way we'll know the answer is watching this week. Exactly. Yeah. But I think if him taking that time off did its job, right? Like he did a full reset. He skipped an elevated event, which no one does. He did a full reset. He except for Bobby Matt, who won the game. Yeah. Yeah, to play shitty, which I, but I was stunned that he did that for his caliber of player, but he did it and I loved him for it. But I think if that was it four weeks, he was off boys, three weeks, that three week reset sort of, you know, just if that's gone, not going to work, I think there is a world where he is kind of a broken man and we kind of don't hear much from him this weekend and we go into the master's next spring and that's kind of where he, you know, he's coming back whole, the redemption after Pinehurst number two and true and the disaster at true. Hey, hey, hey, what? No pre-disastering. Sorry. I am pre-disaster. I know. I can kind of see that down yellow, but I also kind of think that that is a nice three week reset. Probably took some time off from golf, you know, talked with his wife, or is his, is he, are they together yet? I came up. No, no, no comment. So up in the air. Who knows? Who knows? Maybe he worked on him. Talked at him, Stanley. All that, and Stanley was like, talk to me through it. And maybe he just, maybe he comes in a freer man. We'll see how he looks. He played pretty well at the Scottish Open if I'm not mistaken. Like I feel like T four in the mix T four. So there you go. I, I think he's going to play well this weekend and it's going to be a very typical Rory weekend and the reset will kind of have helped them. So if he, yeah, if he survives the first three holes, I think he'll be right there in the mix, but it's entirely possibly Bonk's one, Obi on one and that's kind of a kiss of death. Me, I will leave you with this. You said you hadn't looked into the weather yet. This forecast will shock you headline from golf digest British Open 2024 weather forecast includes rain, wind, and uncertainty. Shocking. I know. Shocking. Exacting ghouls. No, no, no, no, you know what? That's just called being a weatherman. It's like, man, it's like, it's my rain. There might be wind and other things could potentially happen. We got biblical rains yesterday and the first I heard of it is when I opened my window so they did some unpredictability. Yeah. There certainly is. Always unpredictable with you. I loved having you on and I will love talking to you about 10 minutes time when we do golf show. Hey, I love you, boys. It was a pleasure. Thanks for having me. Thanks, Sammy. There he goes. There he is. Sammy McKee, my friend and yours. And again, check out your golf show pods wherever you get them that will be coming out later today. I did want to let everybody know we're giving away Def Letford tickets. Def Letford and Journey coming to Roger Center on August 2nd and we're giving away tickets to enter. All you have to do is tune in to the fan morning show. Listen for the code word, then text code word to 59590 standard message and data rates may apply. Today's code word is Def Letford again, text Def Letford to 59590 right now to enter for your chance to win. We're giving away another pair of tickets tomorrow. But if you don't win with us, tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.ca. All right. We have one more night of this sports desert that exists for some reason. And then the Blue Jays are back tomorrow, starting up a series against the Tigers. It's Wednesday. They're back on Friday. Oh, my God. It's only Wednesday. Oh, Jen. Yellie. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You know, it's a good correction. It's great. Right. So I be correct on the radio. Oh, two more. Nice of this. Man, I know. Oh, yeah. God. They can't play today. There's. Okay. I got the rafters. Summer league. That's all we got. Don't. Okay. When you said that, I thought Canada was playing somebody or something. Guess what? Yeah. The mistake on their part. They don't play until Friday as well. What are you doing? Yeah, I know. This is why Bill Simmons is right all those years ago. We do need a sports czar. Line all this stuff up so we don't have these dead knights. All right. I can't wait to talk to everybody tomorrow. Always a pleasure. And again, two more nights of no sports. I can't wait to talk. Obviously we got an open championship, but as McKee complained about, that's on very early in the morning and not at night. Bad morning show. We'll be back tomorrow on Sports Step 590, the fan. Good morning. [music]