The mainstream media continues to refuse to cover the International Baseball League of West Michigan, so we will once again fill that void. Thoughts on Week 13, which was jam-packed with top teams facing each other and exciting games. With only four more regular-season contests to play, the playoff picture is crowded at the top and liable to shift dramatically. Are the Mariners built to win the East? Can the Padres catch the Cubs? Which team might get hot and earn an unexpected bye? Plus some corny takes on the joy of watching a game from the bench. 

It was back to the ballpark for the Cubs as the International League of West Michigan began its second half on Sunday. Jeremy Stokes joins the show to discuss the division races heating up, a much-needed rout, and how the next few weeks will shape the playoff picture. Plus, a brief review from the Field of Dreams, a place that still has the magic. 

The slowest weeks on the sports calendar necessitate going through the drafts and unleashing holy hell. One of Fall Out Boy's biggest 38-year-old fans breaks down each and every album they've ever released. Some would say a giant waste of time. Others would appreciate the selfless devotion to bettering society.  Plus, a defense of Chris Russo, expert list-maker, and a hot take on Rudy's dad from the movie Rudy and his Notre Dame-only policy. 

The first half of the International Baseball League of West Michigan wrapped up with the Padres facing the Cubs. One team showed up and the other .. did not. A truly sad and shell-shocked losing pitcher reflects on how it all went wrong before taking a look at the current playoff picture. Plus, a few words on the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. 

Tiger Woods will not make the cut at the 150th Open Championship after shooting a 3-over 75 in the second round on The Old Course at St. Andrews. Woods finished the tournament 9-over, which will be one of the worst numbers posted in the tournament. As he walked across the iconic Swilcan Bridge with tears in his eyes, he slowed, but did not stop as he doffed his cap and smiled at the ever-adoring crowd. What does it all mean? Plus, thoughts on NBC's greatly improved presentation and the spiciest, never-before-scene element looming for the weekend. 

Week 10 is officially in the books as the International Baseball League of West Michigan playoff picture begins to take shape. Who threw 130 pitches in the Cubs-Mariners battle for second place? Can anyone beat the Cardinals? Could the Power make it four in a row? Could the Royals hold on to a big lead against the Braves. The answers to all those questions and more. 

Jordan Spieth flirted with victory at the Genesis Scottish Open before falling short. The weekend ride, as it always is, was magical. What about this player, in this sport, makes him so compelling? Then, Javy Baez put on a damn show in Chicago. His brief time with the Detroit Tigers has been a disappointment. So why do I want to run through a brick wall for him? Why has he won me over for life? And finally, a deeply unscientific look at the Major League Baseball uniforms, ranked first to 30th.

Josh Rosen, who you have probably seen in the Skip Bayless replies doing a spot-on impression of sports media's biggest star, joins the show to talk about his process and perform on command. As an added bonus, he is able to summon faux Donald Trump and Joe Biden to round out a jam-packed show. Plus, an overly earnest appreciation on the art of pitching, which remains the purest distillation of the mental and physical across sports. 

Society's collective content arm is oversaturated, though one should never give up on their dreams of ascending to the top of this competitive industry. To do so, now more than ever, requires resonating with 100 percent authenticity or by being the squeakiest wheel prone to punch up at every turn. Once someone arrives at a place where they have a national platform — be it on ESPN or Fox Sports or any number of competitors — they enter into an unspoken agreement with the audience. They're allowed to be characters of themselves with the performance amped up for effect. They're allowed to be professional wrestlers on the microphone to elicit maximum response and engagement.

Defections continue from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf, including Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, as the upstart league attempts to steal all of the sunshine. There is controversy and intrigue and it appears Greg Norman's pet project has convinced some in media that it's a serious threat to the status quo. But if you had to choose, right now, which entity has a better long-term outlook, what about LIV would leave you to conclude it's on safer ground than the supposedly tenuous PGA Tour? The Big Lead's Stephen Douglas discusses this and unveils his Mount Rushmore of Bus Drivers as the phrase has become ubiquitous in basketball circles. 

Charles Barkley hopped on ABC's coverage of the Stanley Cup Final last night. Turner has relied heavily on the Inside the NBA blueprint in its first-year hockey coverage. When you think about it, the Round Mound's impact on sports media is profound. Why is that? And is he one of one? My plea to put him on screen as much as humanly possible. Plus, Ty Wilson joins the show to talk about the Cubs' tight victory over the White Sox and recap the rest of the action around the International Baseball League of West Michigan. 

LIV Golf is a sideshow. And as the case with all sideshows, it's meant as a distraction. This plucky, upstart league backed by the Saudi government aims to distract people's attention away from the PGA Tour and distract their attention away from a human rights record forced to take more than a few penalty strokes. It is such a specifically interesting development because the threat to golf as we know it seems both very real and cartoonishly non-threatening. On paper, one can understand how the status quo will be completely upset if legions of pros follow the path blazed by Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau and others, holding their nose to receive a big, fat payday. But in practice, what does this really look like? Is LIV Golf a monumental moment in sports history that will change everything or a punchline and helpful identifier for the worst people in professional golf destined for spectacular failure?

It's been nearly a quarter century since the Seinfeld finale aired on NBC. The show ostensibly about nothing left as something very important. Its legacy has endured through two decades even as the source material ages and the pace feels slow compared to this era’s machine-gun-fire joke making. Countless words by better writers have already been spilled explaining why this is one of the greatest comedies of all time. But one thing that’s been striking in re-runs, which always hit the spot, is the incredibly deep cast of role players the series was able to trot out there. Screen time, entertainment value, cultural currency, and good ol’ gut feeling helped form this list of 64 memorable characters. Surely there will be no disagreement. Then, Jeremy Stokes is back for the weekly International Baseball League of West Michigan, featuring some hot takes and tough talk for the Cubs locker room. 

The NBA Finals are knotted up at a game apiece as the Golden State Warriors used another spectacular third quarter to build an insurmountable lead against the Boston Celtics. The Big Lead's Stephen Douglas jumps on the show to discuss what we think we've learned so far. Is there anyone more annoying than Draymond Green? How badly does ABC miss Mike Breen? Does Marcus Smart have better hair than Dennis Rodman. The answers to all those questions and more lie within. 

As the International Baseball League of West Michigan approaches the midway mark, the playoff picture is coming into focus and it includes seven teams within a game of first-place. Longtime Cub Anthony Diaz joins the podcast to talk about Sunday's shorthanded battle against the Pirates, being in the best shape of his life, observations from his 18 years playing in the league, and if he should be an All-Star. 

Reflecting back on this Memorial Day to the USO trip I took a few years ago, visiting our military members around the globe. The life-changing experience offered countless lessons and reframed my thinking about what supporting the troops means. And how someone conflicted about the entire enterprise of war can find spaces to lend their hearts and minds. Hope you listen and reflect on your own relationship and worldview.

The Boston Celtics did not look like a team destined for meaningful things early this season but have played some of the best basketball over the last several months. Another suffocating win against the Miami Heat moves them one measly win away from an NBA Finals appearance. Which presents the perfect opportunity for The Big Lead's Liam McKeone to drop by the podcast to brag on them. And for your humble host to give them some much-needed respect. 

Ernest Lawrence Thayer’s 1888 poem Casey at the Bat is about unrealized hope, hubris, and the importance of jumping on first-pitch fastballs. It’s stood the test of time to emerge as one of the most indelible pieces of baseball writing. From Vaudeville stages to cartoonist easels, the tale has come to life, entertaining generations with its timeless simplicity and unsatisfying ending. I’ve heard it recited scores of times. Despite this, last night — in a desperate attempt to find new bedtime material for my sleep-adverse son — a whole new element of the story presented itself upon reading. Why did the opposing manager pitch to Casey? Given all available evidence, shouldn’t the strategy have been an intentional walk? Or, outside that, to pitch around him? Plus, Ancelmi Arollo of the Cardinals joins the show to break down his team's huge victory against the Cubs on Sunday and what it means for the top of the International Baseball League of West Michigan.

International Baseball League of West Michigan commissioner Javi Sanchez joins the show to talk about his 18 years in the league and reflect on the state of play. How have things changed since it was the Hispanic league and how have they stayed the same? How does he he view the challenge of growing while still keeping a connection to the past? What, exactly, does a commissioner do? Plus, a look ahead at the future of the IBLWM. 

Lauren Shehadi has been a staple at MLB Network for 11 years and can be seen daily on MLB Central. She is also hosting TBS' Tuesday night showcase pre- and post-game. Shehadi joined the show to talk about her path to this point, how exciting it is to begin something new, the joys of being around so many incredible baseball minds, and how thankful she is for the opportunities. Plus, some thoughts on Jimmy Butler, a man on a mission. 

With the PGA Championship teeing off at Tulsa's Southern Hills in just a few days, we check in with esteemed local resident Bunkie Perkins to hear about the course, vibe, and get some John Daly stories. Plus, praising ESPN and CBS for their terrific golf coverage with thoughts from some of executives and on-air talent. 

The Phoenix Suns won 64 games this year to ensure a Game 7 would take place on their court. It didn't help as the Dallas Mavericks curb-stomped Chris Paul in company in what will go down as one of the most dreadful do-or-die performances of all time. What the heck should we make of that. Then, the big story. Week 3 of the International League of West Michigan is in the books and contenders are starting to separate themselves from the pretenders.

The Detroit Tigers started 2021 with a dreadful 9-24 stretch, then rebounded to play winning baseball for five months. A busy offseason was cause for optimism this season, but somehow the team has stumbled to an equally awful start. They can't hit. They have no life. They have no reserves waiting in the wings to solve this. All of this should make Tigers fans, who have suffered through years and years of an entirely unproductive rebuild, angry. Someone please fix this. 

Fox delivered a lightning bolt of news this morning by announcing that Tom Brady will become its lead NFL analyst whenever he decides to hang up his cleats. Rumors of a massive contract abound. On one hand it's monumental news, and an enormous victory. But there's reason to wait to spike the football. Then, in much more important news, Jeremy Stokes hops on the podcast to break down Week 2 in the International League of West Michigan, with several newsy and juicy nuggets. 

Chris Paul was involved in a bizarre incident yesterday in Dallas. New video showing the fracas behind the Phoenix Suns' bench only makes the whole thing weirder. Plus, a look at the worst MLB umpires among a crowded field, thoughts on Fox Sports bringing in Craig Carton to the fold, if the Bucks-Celtics series winner will win it all and the Golden State Warriors 3.0. 

The Miami Heat are having their way with the Philadelphia 76ers through two games of the series and some fans have taken up an annoying coping mechanism. Why attendance-shaming is incredibly lame. Plus, thoughts on Luka Doncic being trapped in a defensive hell and getting no help, wide receivers unfollowing their teams on social media and the raging debate over using slurp juice on your apes. Then a 10-minute journey into a warped mind full of incomplete thoughts and half-baked theories. 

Baseball is a game played by human beings and officiated by human beings. It's a game of errors and imperfection. Of rough edges and managing expectations. Pitching, at once one of the most solitary endeavors in all of sports, also requires fostering a working relationship with the person calling balls and strikes. The job of establishing the canvas upon which to paint is sometimes messy, and never without some push and pull. Perhaps when the machines usurp yet more control and all decisions are outsourced to cold artificial intelligence, a uniform strike zone will change the sport for the better. But even if that concession is made — and it's a big one considering the lack of evidence to this point and the undeniable damage of eliminating the artistry and importance of the catcher —we will lose that fabric. And maybe it's not important to you. It is to me, and so many others who don't need a flawless and disconnected ecosystem in which to enjoy the game.

ESPN gave Francisco Lindor a microphone during Sunday Night Baseball's presentation of a particularly engaging Philadelphia Phillies-New York Mets matchup and it proved to be a tremendous decision. The effervescent shortstop provided insight, humor and more than anything, allowed the joy of playing baseball to seep out on the air. Why this is the best idea the sport has had in a long time. Then the internet's one and only International Baseball League of West Michigan wrap-up show debuts and Jeremy Stokes joins to discuss the Cubs' Opening Day loss to the dreaded A's and what else the Week 1 results can tell us about how the season will shape up.

Reacting to the first night of the NFL Draft, which is a completely bewildering viewing experience. Why is so much stuff going on all the time? Is any of this completely necessary? And why do we love it so much? Plus thoughts on the suddenly competent Detroit Lions, the suddenly awful Detroit Tigers, Adam Schefter's mid-graduation reporting, the next Dennis Miller, the most useless analysis after a player is picked, what type of person attends one of these things, and so much more. Then, Stephen Douglas beams in from Midstate/Upstate New York to talk about Chris Paul's perfect game, Lamar Jackson's WTF and to clown on The Batman. 

Ja Morant is more unique than the usual unicorn because he is an amalgamation of all the NBA's most kinetic live wires and twisted steel. A terrific flying machine the likes of which the Wright Brothers could never imagine. A walking, talking Red Bull Flutag entry that not a single person fears will crash into the water. At the ripe age of 22, with his whole life ahead of him, he's capitalizing on the biggest moment of his basketball life on the brightest stage with the same undeniable panache and beautiful violence that's become synonymous with his name. Plus a nice, dumb thought on baseball. 

Something about Kevin Durant has caused sports pundits to consider the bus. Who rides it? Who drives it? And what are the lessons this staple of public transportation can teach us about the world? Exploring the latest sports media phenomenon. Plus, a 1990s sports radio guy phones in to pepper us with thoughts from last night's NBA action. And finally, a look at the candidates to fill Kay Adams' soon-to-be departed chair on Good Morning Football. 

Ben Simmons will not play in Game 4 for the Brooklyn Nets as expected as his year-long campaign to ruin his career continues. At what point do we start wondering if his days as a productive basketball player are done? And what do we do with him in the interim. Plus thoughts on the pesky New Orleans Pelicans attacking Chris Paul in the best way possible, Charles Barkley ripping Kevin Durant for doing things he was never able to do, and why Lions fans should welcome Aidan Hutchinson to Detroit with open arms. 

Reflecting on Miguel Cabrera's one-of-a-kind career as he goes for his 3,000th hit. One of the best righthanded hitters of all time has done it his own way, in a way no one else could ever do it. On what makes him so great and what makes him so uniquely frustrating. Plus, would it be too much to ask for First Take to stop talking down to NBA cities who are minding their own business?

Jerry West is understandably displeased with the way he is being portrayed in the HBO series Winning Time and is demanding an apology? The Big Lead's Stephen Douglas joins the show to discuss the beef, as well as the NBA Playoffs, streaming service sports frustration, and his latest television recommendations. Plus essays on the Golden State Warriors, Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs, the almighty ratings, and Nick Wright's height controversy. 

Mel Kiper Jr. announced today that he would be working the NFL Draft for ESPN from a remote location because he is not vaccinated. Which, of course, is his right. Take all of the politics and your personal proclivities out of the equation. We can all agree that this isn't ideal. Not for the network, which enacted these guidelines to foster the healthiest possible work environment. And not for Kiper, who would give his best performance on-site. So the question becomes: at what point does an inability to do the best possible job due to a personal choice become a problem? Draft night is the one night out of 365 that Kiper, who built himself a specific empire, is most necessary. I don't have the answer, yet it warrants discussion. Kiper beaming in from parts unknown doesn't serve the broadcast. More importantly, it doesn't serve the viewer. He is a staple and a legend and moving him further from the locus of draft coverage would be munition in the never-ending culture war. It's also fair to survey the landscape and understand that Kiper no longer has the market cornered. Draftniks are no longer the counter-culture. They are the culture. The value of over replacement has shrunk as an army of young and hungry analysts nip at Kiper's heels. Something to keep an eye on. Because something will have to give. Knowing nothing, it's hard to imagine this situation continues next year. Not when the best ability is availability.    Plus more thoughts on Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Anthony Edwards, Kyrie Irving, and Gus Johnson. 

Jordan Spieth, once considered by many as the man on Tour you'd trust must with the putter in his hand, has developed a devastating recent penchant for inexplicably butchering gimmies even weekend warriors would have no trouble conceding to the worst player in their group. It's been a vexing microcosm of his relative inconsistency this season in which he's shown real flashes of being the elite contender he once was and flashes of someone who might keep falling just short over and over again. On another Easter win for someone who still has it. Plus, thoughts on the USFL's dud of a first weekend, the Chicago Bulls missing a golden opportunity, Kyrie Irving's commitment to being unlikeable, and a Detroit Tigers update. 

The Los Angeles Lakers were officially eliminated from playoff contention last night, a disastrous ending for a team with huge expectations. Frank Vogel is on the chopping block but the fallout shouldn't end there. The Big Lead's Ryan Phillips joins the show to talk about exactly what went wrong, why it went wrong, and precisely how bleak the future is for the Lakers. Plus, Tiger Woods is the story in Augusta as he attempts to return from a year-long absence and significant injury to capture his sixth green jacket. What are reasonable expectations and why is Tiger still one of the most fascinating athletes in all of sports?

The Kansas Jayhawks put together the largest comeback victory in an NCAA Tournament championship game last night by erasing a 16-point deficit against North Carolina. How the hell did that happen? Plus, an essay on Bill Raftery, who is better than ever at 78 and strong words for those who complain about a late tip time. 

The future employment of ESPN's Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski had been the object of much interest before today. Both are staying put as the network announced multiyear deals with each newsbreaker. This came after much interest from the sportsbooks. The Big Lead's Kyle Koster reacts to the announcements and what it means for both ESPN and the future of insiders. 

Giannis and Embiid battled to the final whistle last night in a pivotal night for the NBA MVP trophy. Or perhaps not so pivotal as the next result will move the conversation. About that: how did we get to a place where there are multiple shows debating who should win this award every single day? Is the 2015 NBA Finals to blame? Plus, Cade Cunningham has been a revelation in Detroit and has a chance to become the next Grant Hill. How realistic is that expectation? And how soon can long-suffering fans expect it. And finally, a point of order from the news desk on those Jim Nantz tie jokes, which are no longer relevant. 

The Detroit Lions have been selected for HBO's Hard Knocks, presenting a tremendous opportunity to reintroduce the world to Dan Campbell. Why the franchise has a chance to change the narrative and capture the lovable loser bandwagon. Plus, Fox Sports is sliding Kevin Burkhardt into the No. 1 booth as salaries explode elsewhere. Which strategy will win out. And finally, the Will Smith-Chris Rock Oscars incident created a Top-5 internet day of the century. On the bliss of not having a take. 

The NCAA Tournament has whittled its field down from 68 to 4 and the programs remaining are all steeped in tradition and winning. Jay Wright has established himself as the heir apparent to Coach K and turned Villanova into every bit an equal. Right now, he's stolen Tom Izzo's bit. Plus, an essay on Saint Peter's and the magic of a Cinderella run that keeps on going. 

Many baseball fans spent the offseason bracing for the prospect of not having any baseball or not having enough baseball. But a deal came just in time to preserve a 162-game regular season and Opening Day is right around the corner. Britt Ghiroli, MLB senior writer for The Athletic, returns to the show for 30 jam-packed minutes previewing the year ahead. Are the Dodgers beatable? How deep is the AL East? What's the deal with Fernando Tatis Jr.? Could the Tigers be this year's sleeper? All that and so much more. 

Mike Florio's new book Playmakers: How the NFL Really Works (And Doesn't) takes a look at a league that "has simultaneously become an athletic, financial, and cultural powerhouse—and a League that can’t seem to go more than a few weeks without a scandal." He joined The Kyle Koster Show to talk about what he wanted to accomplish in writing this book and his choice to release it during Pro Football Talk's busiest week of the year. Florio also reflected on the early days of his site and the work that went into building it. 

The NCAA Tournament brackets were revealed on Sunday night and the best week on the sporting calendar has arrived. Scheduling gods have facilitated Michigan State getting an opportunity to end Coach K's career at Duke. Now we pray to them to allow such a matchup to come to fruition. In this episode I take honest stock of MSU's chances of doing anything of impact before speaking with Rob Dauster, who created The Field of 68 with Jeff Goodman, and has been enjoying tremendous growths. We hear how he went about building the outlet as well as get his thoughts on the field's serious title contenders and looming surprises. 

ESPN finally found its big, splashy Monday Night Football booth as yesterday brought news that Joe Buck would be teaming up with his longtime partner Troy Aikman. This leaves some giant holes for Fox Sports to fill in both the football and baseball departments and assures a new voice for the World Series. The Big Lead's Kyle Koster reacts to the seismic news and tries to figure out what pieces are next to fall. 

The Big Lead's Stephen Douglas makes his long-awaited return to this show for a conversation about the Juwan Howard-Greg Gard situation, the speed at which the reactionary cycle swallows and smoothes every event, and its potential impact. Is an overload of information and access making our opinions better or is it making them worse. Plus, on a lighter note, ticking through an NBA All-Star Weekend full of superstars, perhaps none more amazing than Stephen Curry. 

Every once in awhile an event comes along that changes the course of human history. The extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. Europe diving head-first into the Industrial Revolution. The invention of stuff-crusted pizza. Chris Mad Dog Russo joining the First Take set to go mano e mano with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN Wednesday morning qualifies by any chosen metric. We have all the giddy reaction a person could hope for in the wake of this transformative experience. Join us a recap of an episode unlike any other as two titans flew dangerously close to the sun. 

With Super Bowl LVI just days away, Good Morning Football producer Matt Hamilton joins the show from Los Angeles to preview Rams-Bengals. Which quarterback will capitalize on the chance to secure a legacy-defining victory? Plus, we talk about his media journey, the success and growing popularity of GMFB, and his transition to a more visible role this year. He also shares his Mount Rushmore of show segments. 

Dick Vitale has provided college basketball's soundtrack for over four decades. He is interwoven into the sport's fibers. Countless fans can look back and identify the moment he sparked their curiosity and ignited their passion. Perhaps it was a Duke-North Carolina game. Or a Super Tuesday in Bloomington with Bobby Knight stomping around on the sidelines. His voice carries transportive energy. And although it's been largely absent this year — the ESPN broadcaster worked five contests before stepping away to tackle his health with full focus — we can still hear it reverberate as loudly as ever.