LAST NIGHT'S GAME 4/13/22 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 4/13/22

Batter Up! The 5 Things You Need To Know About The MLB Season

Is there anything better than ballpark food and a cold beer? You’re about to find out.

(Podcast length 4:45 mins)

Take me out to the ballgame! Some might say that baseball is a slow, drawn-out game. That’s only true if you don’t know what to watch for. Here’s how to talk shop and of course, the best ballpark foods to eat along the way.

Transcript

1. The Atlanta Braves are the defending World Series Champions, and they have a new $151 burger to commemorate it. (No, that's not a typo). The World Champions Burger is a half-pound Waygu beef burger on a toasted, Irish-buttered brioche bun. The burger is topped with cage-free pan-fried eggs, gold-leaf-wrapped Hudson Valley foie gras, grilled cold water lobster tail, heirloom tomato, garden-fresh Bibb lettuce, Tillamook cheddar cheese and truffle aioli. DON’T TALK WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL

In a big move, we should also note that one of the Braves critical players in their World Series win, Freddie Freeman, left the Braves to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, which boasts four former MVPs.

2. Some might say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," but after 50 years, there will be a designated hitter (DH) in both leagues. It used only to be an American League thing, and now both leagues will have a player who hits for the pitcher and does not play a defensive position. BATTER UP

3. Since food is our love language, let's talk more about what you can expect at the concession stands this season around the country, like Cracker Jill. Cracker Jack has unveiled baseball's favorite snack with female representation, Cracker Jill. The Texas Rangers are serving up an alligator corn dog but maybe the most unique item on any menu is the Kansas City Royals' BBQ Reese's Sandwich. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

4. While the TV broadcasts have spiced things up by doing in-game interviews with players while they're on the field, some new competition has arrived to give them a run for their money. AppleTV will stream Friday Night Baseball, Peacock will host Sunday morning games, and Amazon Prime is taking over. The New York Yankees, which notably have their own TV network, will play 21 games on Amazon Prime. MONEY TALKS

5. If you're watching a game, you might see a small device used by the catchers – PitchCom. The device is meant to stop pitch stealing. It is an electronic device that allows catchers to press buttons to signal the pitch to a pitcher and select defenders through a headset (typically shortstop/centerfield). This device also speeds up the game as you don't have to wait for pitches to be called. FULL SPEED AHEAD

Note: Even though the season starts a week later than planned due to labor negotiations, teams will still play an entire 162-game season. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred tried to extend an olive branch to the players after a 99-day bitter labor dispute by giving players Bose headphones and a note of appreciation. WORTH A SHOT

Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 1/19/22 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 1/19/22

It's Our Birthday - Celebrate With Our Favorite Moments

There’s never a dull moment around here.

(Podcast length 25:14 mins)

It’s our birthday, and to celebrate, we’re sharing our favorite daily conversation starters from the past year. The one good thing about working in sports is that there’s never a dull moment, and that’s obvious in this week’s podcast.

Transcript

1. The Bills Mafia knows a thing or two about giving back. This season alone, the Buffalo Bills (NFL - National Football league) fans donated more than $65,000 to a visual impairment charity on behalf of the gameday referees and $120,000 to injured Bills player Tre’Davious White’s hometown charity - the Food Bank of New Orleans.

Pittsburgh Steelers fans took a page out of the Bills Mafia playbook, donating to Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson after Carlson won the game for the Raiders, which subsequently sent the Steelers to the playoffs.

2. Furthering women’s sports, celebrity women all over the country have been investing in NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) teams. Washington Spirit investors Jenna Bush Hager and Chelsea Clinton joined Los Angeles Angel FC owners Natalie Portman, Jennifer Garner, Billie Jean King and Eva Longoria, to name a few. Tennis star Naomi Osaka purchased a stake in the North Carolina Courage. Patrick Mahomes’ fiancée Brittany Matthews is a co-owner of the Kansas City expansion team.

The league saw increased viewer numbers this season.

3. For just a moment, the man who seemingly has it all together did not. The vegan health nut Tom Brady had a little bit of fun at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) boat parade celebrating their Super Bowl win and had to be carried off by security. Brady launched the Lombardi Trophy to another boat during the parade and allegedly had some tequila. Either way, he had no problem poking a little fun at himself afterward. And neither did anyone else.

4. Atlanta Braves (MLB - Major League Baseball) Joc Pederson rallied his team and city with a pearl necklace. He started wearing a pearl necklace for whatever reason, and then he played lights out while wearing it. The Braves beat the Houston Astros to win the World Series, all while their fans, including grown men, wore pearl necklaces to the game in support of their team.

5. We’ve seen some pretty horrendous penalties for losing a fantasy football league but making Lee Sanderlin spend 24 hours in a Waffle House ranks right up there with body waxing and tattoos on the list. Sanderlin had to spend 24 hours at the local Waffle House, but there was a caveat. He could shave off an hour for every waffle he ate. Sanderlin took to Twitter to pass the time, and his journey went viral. A ‘mere’ 9 waffles, and 15 hours later, he was free. And not a moment too soon.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 1/5/22 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 1/5/22

5 Athlete Gameday Rituals To Incorporate Into Your Everyday Life

This is next level.

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(Podcast length 4:53 mins)

New year, new you? Well, we’ll let you decide whether or not these rituals are worth adopting in 2023.

Transcript

1. Who are we to argue with one of the best NBA (National Basketball Association) players ever to play the game when it comes to wine consumption? Wine lover LeBron James believes in drinking wine every day. He said, "Listen, I'm playing the best basketball of my life, and I'm drinking some wine pretty much every day. Whatever it is, I'll take it." BOTTOMS UP

2. Sleep seems like the first thing to go with so much on our plates. Well, that's probably the only reason we're not professional athletes. From skier Lindsey Vonn to tennis player Roger Federer to the world's fastest man, runner Usain Bolt, they all stress the importance of eight-plus hours of sleep to recharge. (Bolt sleeps 8-10 hours a night and takes a nap). Did you know that Tom Brady (NFL) nearly missed a Super Bowl when he fell asleep in front of his locker during the pregame? SLEEPING THEIR WAY TO THE TOP

3. Exercise is critical in keeping your stress levels low, and no surprise, yoga is a fan favorite for athletes across all sports. Yoga has been a mainstay for athletes from the NFL's Aaron Rodgers to the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) to LeBron James to Kevin Love (NBA). When learning yoga, former Los Angeles Clippers (NBA) player Jordan Farmar said, "I thought it was something that girls did. It couldn't hurt, and if I didn't like it, well, I still got to go on a nice trip and see what Tahiti was like." WELL, THERE'S THAT

4. Serena Williams has a packed schedule between her tennis career, fashion line, multiple businesses, and a family. So how does she keep her sanity? Apps. Her favorite is Toggl, an app that helps track her time, breaking down what percentage of each day goes to the three significant areas in her life: her family, her businesses and tennis. She admits to Fast Company that she has adopted a new appreciation for tech since marrying tech founder Alexis Ohanian. However, she still relies on everyday apps like Zoom and Slack to coordinate her work and Zero to track her eating habits. SAME

5. In the "do not try this at home" category, try a little urine if your hands are worn down from typing on the computer all day. Yes, you read that correctly. Baseball greats like Moises Alou and Jorge Posada made their hands gameday ready by peeing on them. IT'S ONLY CRAZY IF IT DOESN'T WORK

Honorable mention: Brooklyn Nets (NBA) star Kyrie Irving is known for his abstract ideas, like vehemently defending his theory that the world is flat. But one ritual he does before every game (if the away team allows him to) that you might be able to borrow is that he burns sage or "smudges" the court to clear the energy. That might come in handy when he returns to the court on January 5 after being out since the beginning of the season. He will still only be able to play at away games as the unvaccinated Irving is unable to play at home games in Barclays Center in Brooklyn. WHATEVER IT TAKES

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 12/29/21 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 12/29/21

The Most Memorable Sports Moments Of 2021

A year worth revisiting.

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(Podcast length - 5:22 mins)

In some ways, 2021 might have felt a bit like a reboot of 2020, but there were so many moments to be excited about. Let's look back before diving headfirst into 2022.

1. The college sports landscape changed forever with the July ruling that allowed athletes to be paid for their name, image and likeness (NIL). Athletes like the Cavinder twins who play women's basketball at Fresno State were the first to take advantage of the ruling. Some athletes like Michigan running back Blake Corum and Iowa lineman Tyler Linderbaum used their NIL money to benefit a good cause, not just their wallets. GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT?

2. Mental health became a dinner table topic thanks to athletes like Simone Biles (gymnastics), Naomi Osaka (tennis) and Lane Johnson (NFL). Johnson took a leave from the Philadelphia Eagles to face his battle with depression head-on. Osaka withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon to focus on her well-being. But the world saw just how the pressure impacted an athlete when Simone Biles battled the "twisties" in the Summer Olympics. She put her safety and her team first, withdrawing from the women's gymnastics all-around competition. BRAINS > BRAWN

3. Sports fans continued to realize what so many already knew, women's sports are the place to be. Not only did viewer ratings soar for the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association), women's college basketball championship game and the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League), but we saw the first college softball game on a major national network. The NFL and MLB (Major League Baseball) added more female coaches and front-office executives. In 2022, look for the women's college basketball tournament to use the coveted "March Madness" title for the first time. HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

4. The year brought us athletes who seem to get better with age. Tom Brady won the Super Bowl with his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL – National Football League), in February at age 43. (And then celebrated with maybe one too many shots at the championship boat parade). At 46, Helio Castroneves won the Indy 500, and Phil Mickelson showed off his impressive 50-year-old calves on his way to a PGA (Professional Golfers Association) Championship win. AGE-DEFYING

5. The delayed 2020 Summer Olympics gave the world the positivity and excitement we'd all been missing. COVID precautions meant athletes' families had to watch from the comfort of their couches, too, but the stories of athletes like Caeleb Dressel, Suni Lee and Katie Ledecky all brought us to our feet. The US topped the medal count with 113 total medals, 39 gold, including one from the US Men's Basketball Team, who continued their medal streak. WORLD’S GREATEST

Bonus:

If you’re a fan of F1 (Formula One) Racing, then you likely caught the race of the century when Max Verstappen beat out seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for the 2021 championship. But did you know that Hamilton, the only Black F1 driver, is also a fan of fashion? He purchased a table at the Met Gala, which runs around $275,000, and filled it with three emerging Black designers to grow their reach. SMOOTH MOVE

Links:

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at amy@lastnightsgame.com.

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 10/6/21 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 10/6/21

Why You Should Give A Crap About The MLB Playoffs

Who you should cheer for and why?

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(Podcast length - 4:16 mins)

After a 162-game season (oof), it all comes down to this.

Transcript

1. Should you need a little direction on which team to cheer for, how about selecting by their biggest celebrity fan? Here are the matchups so you can pick accordingly:

AL (American League) Wild Card (Oct. 5): Boston Red Sox (Stephen King) vs. New York Yankees (Billy Crystal)
* Yankees were eliminated Tuesday night by the Red Sox
NL (National League) Wild Card (Oct. 6): Los Angeles Dodgers (Mila Kunis + Ashton Kutcher) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (Jon Hamm)
*Cardinals were eliminated Wednesday night by the Dodgers
AL Division Series (starts Oct. 7): Chicago White Sox (Barack Obama) vs. Houston Astros (Dan Rather)
ALDS (Oct. 7): Tampa Bay Rays (Hulk Hogan) vs. Boston Red Sox (Stephen King)
NLDS (Oct. 8): Atlanta Braves (Ludacris) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (Colin Kaepernick)
NL Division Series (starts Oct. 8): San Francisco Giants (Metallica) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (Mila Kunis + Ashton Kutcher)

2. A few of these playoff teams have strong traditions to tune into when you watch the game. The Astros have the train that goes back and forth after every home team home run. The Brewers have Bernie Brewer, the beloved mascot of the Milwaukee Brewers, who slides down a giant yellow slide above the outfield after every Brewers' home run. And the karaoke trend that you love goes sporty at a Red Sox game where fans sing "Sweet Caroline" just before the bottom of the eighth inning of every home game. GOOD TIMES NEVER SEEMED SO GOOD

3. It's all about the Benjamins, and not everyone is spending it all to reach the playoffs. The Yankees have the second-highest payroll in baseball and the Rays have the fourth lowest in the league. Despite the over $135 million differential in salaries, the Rays still have the best record in the American League, which earns them home field advantage. SPEND IT ALL

4. If you pick your team to cheer for based on their title drought, the playoffs are kind of a mixed bag. The Dodgers are the defending champions, and the Astros won a few years ago. Then there are the Rays, who haven't won in 23 years or the Brewers, who haven't taken home a championship in 53 years. The Rays are hoping to follow in the footsteps of the city's other professional sports teams that have won titles this year – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL – National Football League) and Lightning (NHL – National Hockey League). TITLE TOWN?

5. If you want to talk shop with the best of them, here's one for you. MLB changed the composition of the baseball this season to reduce the number of home runs. That change has resulted in a record number of pitchers throwing no-hitters this season. Will that continue into the playoffs? WE SHALL SEE
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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 6/16/21 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 6/16/21

Famous Fathers And Their Super Athletic Offspring

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree for these sons and daughters.

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(Podcast length - 5:03 mins)

These sons and daughters are following in their fathers’ footsteps while making their own name.

Transcript

1. Her dad, two-time Hall of Famer Rick Flair, is considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, and Charlotte Flair is living up to his legacy. The college volleyball player turned WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) star has been a trailblazer for women in WWE, with nine championships to her name. “The Queen” was also the first WWE star to grace the pages of ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.

2. You can’t have a list of famous fathers and their kids without mentioning the ultimate trio – the Manning crew. Dad, Archie Manning, was an NFL (National Football League) quarterback for 15 years. His quarterback sons Peyton and Eli have both won two Super Bowls. Their third brother Cooper is ‘only’ a partner in a law firm and a TV personality. Cooper’s son, Arch, is keeping the family name alive as an impressive high school football prospect.

3. You’ll not likely be able to miss the 6’6” Vashti Cunningham in next month’s Summer Olympics. The high jumper is the daughter of Hall of Fame quarterback turned pastor Randall Cunningham. This will be the second Olympics for Vashti, who competed in Rio. She has long discussed how her dad is her rock as she competes at the highest levels.

4. Laila Ali had big shoes to fill when she followed in her dad’s footsteps. Her father was the one and only - the “World’s Greatest” boxer Muhammed Ali. A boxing champion herself, she's also a television personality and fitness guru who has appeared on shows such as American Gladiator and Dancing With The Stars. But she doesn’t stop there. Laila has her own line of seasonings (including the G.O.A.T seasoning), a skincare line and her own clothing line at Nordstrom.

5. The future of baseball lies in the hands of the 22-year-old offspring of two baseball (MLB - Major League Baseball) legends. Vladimir Guerrero Jr, the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, follows in his father’s footsteps, leading the league in home runs and all-star voting. Then there’s San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr (son of former MLB player Fernando Tatis). At a young age, he has already been on the cover of the “MLB The Show” video game, landed his own Gatorade commercial and is the leading vote-getter amongst shortstops for the all-star game.

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 6/4/21 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 6/4/21

Meet The Athletes Vying For Bachelorette Katie Thurston's Heart

From baseball players to gym owners, this season is going to be spicy.

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(Podcast length - 4:38 mins)

Because finding love on TV is a sport.

Transcript

Andrew S.

The chivalrous and humorous Andrew S. is no stranger to good competition. As a college football player, Andrew was a first-team All-American defensive back for the Winona State Warriors. Today, he plays for the Dacia Vienna Vikings in the Austrian Football League. The Vikings just re-signed Spencer, so if he captures Katie’s heart, it looks like she’ll be spending some time in Austria (not too shabby if I say so myself). When he’s not playing in Austria, Andrew lives in Chicago and coaches football. Andrew is also the self-proclaimed champion at making margaritas.

Conor C.

Conor C. is also hoping to hit it off with Katie on Monday night. A former baseball player, Conor pitched for Oklahoma State University when they won the Big 12 Conference with the best regular-season record. After college, Conor played for the Odgen Raptors, a minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB - Major League Baseball). Conor retired from professional baseball in 2018 and now lives in Southern California.

Landon

Nicknamed “Sunshine,” Landon rocks flowing hair and a big smile. Landon played college basketball for the University of Houston Cougars and helped lead the team to two AAC (American Athletic Conference) championships. He now acts as an assistant coach for his former high school’s basketball team. Though Landon has two AAC championship rings under his belt, he hopes to give Katie a ring at the end of the season.

Marty

Marty Hargrove of Reno, Nevada, seems to be well-versed in many areas. Sources say that the 25-year-old is currently a model and actor. Meanwhile, his official Bachelorette profile says he is a dancer. Marty also played college football for the University of Nevada. They always say that football players should practice ballet! Clearly, Marty is multi-talented, but how will he fare in the competition for Katie’s heart?

Mike P.

Watch out, Conor C., The Bachelorette season 17 has another baseball star! An Arizona native, Mike Planeta played minor league baseball for several teams affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles (MLB). Since retiring from professional baseball in 2013, Mike is now a gym owner who helps high school athletes achieve their dreams. But, like a typical gym fanatic, Mike claims that he does not like dessert.

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 6/2/21 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 6/2/21

Why June Is This Year’s Hottest Month

Thanks to COVID rescheduling, June is going to be action-packed.

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(Podcast length - 5:05 mins)

Suppose there’s a silver lining to COVID rescheduling sports events because June is shaping up to be the hottest sports month of 2021. But don’t worry, no matter the sport, or even if you’re not into sports at all, there’s something for you.

Transcript

1. Something we never thought we’d report on – boxing legend Floyd Mayweather returning to the ring to fight YouTube star Logan Paul on June 6 in Miami. It could be spicy after Logan and his brother got into it with Mayweather’s entourage at their pre-fight press conference. After that, Paul had to hire round-the-clock security. It’s bound to be a one-sided fight, but that won’t stop us from tuning in. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS

2. After being canceled in 2020, the Baseball College World Series heads back to Omaha (June 19-30). The teams are, of course, happy to be back. Still, the City of Omaha is excited to have the economic driver of a tournament back. According to a study conducted by Creighton University, the tournament had an economic impact of $88.3 million and supported 1,103 year-round jobs in 2019, up from $63.7 million and 777 jobs in 2014. HOME RUN

3. Not to be outdone, the College Softball World Series is headed back to Oklahoma City (June 3-9). Don’t be surprised if you see the G.O.A.T. Tom Brady in the stands as his niece Maya Brady plays for UCLA, and he hasn’t been shy about his loyalty to the Bruins women. Oklahoma, Alabama, Oklahoma State, Florida State, Arizona, Georgia and James Madison all join UCLA in the hunt for a national title. LADIES WHO LOVE THE LONG BALL

4. Getting us excited for next month’s Summer Olympics, the U.S. Women’s National Team (soccer) will play in a Summer Series. They’ll play Portugal, Jamaica and Nigeria between June 10-16. Their matchup against Nigeria will be the first event to christen the new Austin FC stadium, of which the Minister of Culture himself, Matthew McConaughey, is an owner. BRING ‘EM OUT

5. Don’t forget the sports that are in the midst of the playoffs this month.

The NHL (National Hockey League) playoffs are in full swing, and so many teams with big-name players like Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) are out, so it’s getting exciting. Last year's champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, are looking to repeat when the Stanley Cup playoffs end July 15.
The NBA (National Basketball Association) playoffs are in full swing (they wrap July 23), and the rowdy and debaucherous fans have nothing on the drive on the court. So will defending champions LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers hoist the trophy again, or can the Brooklyn Nets, with their three superstars James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, win it all?

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 1/27/21 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 1/27/21

Five Unwritten Rules Of Sports

We made these mistakes so you don't have to.

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(Podcast length 5:57 mins - the transcript is below)

If you don't know, then now you know.

Transcript

1. Don’t walk across the green. Have you ever seen golfers squat behind the ball before they putt? They’re lining up their shot - imagine an actual line from the ball to the hole. That’s why you NEVER EVER walk across the green. If you walk across the green and end up walking through another golfer’s line, their ball could rollover your footprint and possibly change direction. While walking through someone’s line is disrespectful and annoying, it’s best to stay off the green as much as possible. Better to be safe than sorry!

2. Kick the ball out of bounds if an opposing player is hurt. This is one of the more sincere and compassionate unwritten rules of sports. In soccer, when a player gets hurt, the referee usually blows the whistle to stop play. However, the ref doesn’t always see it, therefore it is customary to kick the ball out of bounds. (This is assuming the player who hurt is actually down and not faking one of those Academy Award-winning performances we sometimes associate with soccer). Most of the time, the team that kicked the ball out will get it back, but even if your team doesn’t, it’s the right thing to do and you can pat yourself on the back for being a respectful opponent.

3. Don’t bunt during a no-hitter. It’s no secret that being on the opposite side of a no-hitter in baseball sucks. It’s pretty dang embarrassing for the other team. But for the pitcher, it’s a feat unlike any other. The first thought for the team up against the pitcher would be to bunt -just an easy little tap and then an all-out sprint to first base. Simple, right? Just one hit, and the frustration ends? No. Nope. Can’t do it. Why? Well, even though there’s no written rule for it, it’s a respect thing, so don’t do it.

4. Don’t shoot a last-second basket when your team is up. This one might seem like a no-brainer when your basketball team is up by a lot, and the other team is dragging a bit because they know they’re not going to win. It would be super easy to run the length of the court and hit the most impressive slam dunk of all time. Don’t do it. There’s no reason to do it except to embarrass yourself and the losing team. It’s disrespectful and adds nothing to the game itself. Although nobody can technically stop you, an earful from your coach and some snide remarks from opposing players will be sure to follow.

5. Don’t even think about an onside kick if you’re demolishing the other team. This unwritten rule in football is similar to not shooting a last-second basket when you’re up by a lot. An onside kick is a kickoff strategy that involves the kicking team kicking the ball more laterally and a shorter distance so their team can more easily retrieve the ball. When you’re up by a lot in football, an onside kick is flashy, obnoxious, and there’s really no reason for your team to need the ball back when they’re not receiving. Not onside kicking when you’re up by a lot is just a respect thing. Just like running up the score a bunch just because you can is disrespectful, so is this. Be a good sport.

Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table, or a networking event switches to sports.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 11/4/20 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 11/4/20

What To Talk About Instead Of Politics

Six tips for keeping it friendly when everything feels political.

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(Podcast length 5:30 mins - transcript is below)

Keeping conversations interesting and drama-free with these six tips. Because don't we have enough drama already?

Transcript

1. Keep calm. When you start to feel your blood pressure rise, remind yourself that for many people, talking politics is a lot like trash talking an opponent during a big game. The bluster is designed with the sole intent to get a reaction out of the other person. Did you know a lot of professional athletes practice meditation to reduce stress and increase focus? Retired New York Yankees shortstop and now Miami Marlins (Major League Baseball) CEO Derek Jeter is among the many top performers who have touted the benefits.

2. Exit gracefully. Unlike the final minutes of a close playoff game, there’s no need to stay to the end of every conversation. Sometimes a polite excuse can help you exit stage left with ease. Never be afraid to use, “I’m going to grab a drink refill,” A friend I am meeting with just walked in,” or, “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to hit the ladies’ room.”

3. Substitute controversies. Sometimes people are simply in the mood for a debate. If you can’t steer the conversation back to friendly ground, aim for a debate that’s less contentious. So, what do you think of Tom Brady? Everyone has an opinion about Tom, whether it’s his strict diet that keeps him basically ageless, his record number of Super Bowl wins or his move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

4. Pivot. Unlike Ross in the classic “Friends” episode, pivoting is a move we all perfected in quarantine. (Be honest. How many times have you used COVID as an excuse to skip going out to dinner with someone?) It’s time to use our ability to change course on a dime in conversation. “Oh, hey, I almost forgot to ask you about…”

5. Diffuse the tension. If you simply can’t deflect or change the subject and you can’t exit from the conversation, bring up something that might be a little less heated. It might go something like this: “While we’re going to have to disagree on politics, let me ask you about something else controversial. Is pineapple an appropriate pizza topping?”

6. Vote. A good way to side-step a debate is to remind people about the importance of casting a ballot. So, when conversations start to get heated, try responding with, “It sure is a contentious campaign season. Did you see that people in L.A. are going to be able to vote at Dodger’s Stadium?” In fact, more than 60 professional and collegiate sporting facilities were polling places. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James founded a nonprofit called More Than a Vote that is working with the NFL (National Football League), NBA (National Basketball Association) and NHL (National Hockey League) to turn more stadiums and arenas into polling locations. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could vote on the diamond or at center court at your favorite team’s stadium?

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 10/21/20 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 10/21/20

Why This World Series Is More Interesting Than Most

Diamond jewelry, a few firsts and free tacos.

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(Podcast length 5:21 mins - transcript is below)

The World Series starts tonight and let’s be honest with the amount of COVID outbreaks in a shortened 60-game season, we weren’t sure we’d ever get here but we made it.

Now sit back, relax and enjoy,

The Last Night’s Game Team

Transcript

1. The Tampa Bay Rays are the underdogs in this series but not by much as both teams were the best in their league coming into the playoffs. Interestingly enough the Rays entered into the postseason with the third lowest payroll in the league. The cost of the prorated salaries for their entire team is $28.3 million, while the prorated salaries for only four of the Dodgers’ biggest players are $32.3 million total. WORTH IT?

2. The Rays are just one of six teams in the league to never win the World Series and the franchise itself has only been to the World Series one other time in 2008. Even though the Dodgers are playing in their third World Series in four years, they haven’t won it all since 1988. OVERDUE

3. There will be around 11,000 fans at the games. The Dodgers had fans during the League Championship Series in Rangers Stadium in Arlington, TX (home to the World Series) but this will be the first time the Rays have played in front of fans for the entire season. (They played their postseason games in Southern California, not Texas). BUT WILL THEY DO THE WAVE?

4. Los Angeles and Tampa Bay have been hotbeds for COVID-era championships with the Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA (National Basketball Association) Championship and the Tampa Bay Lightning winning the NHL (National Hockey League) Championship. This is the first time we’ve seen this happen with the two league champions battling it out for a World Series title. FIGHTING OVER THE KEYS TO THE CITY

5. While the teams are playing for the coveted World Series ring, that’s not the jewelry that will be stirring up the conversation in the broadcast booth. The trend of players wearing big chains as part of their unis is something that has social media and the broadcast buzzing. Keep an eye on the blinged out Mookie Betts (Dodgers) and Randy Arozarena (Rays) sporting this fashion trend. (If you want to see why diamonds on the diamond are a bad idea, check out this video of Yoenis Céspedes’ chain break while he was sliding into second that became a scavenger hunt for gems on the infield). HARDBALL HEIST

Honorable mention - The “steal a base, get a taco” promotion is back. If a player successfully steals a base during the series, fans across the country will get a free taco from Taco Bell. And in last night’s Game One, Mookie Betts made that a reality with a stolen base. Finally, something we can all agree on. FREE FOOD

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 4/19/20 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 4/19/20

5 Sports Teams That Are Saving The Planet

Doing their part for future generations.

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Transcript is below.

Superheroes aren’t the only ones to save the world. Here are five teams who are doing their part to save Mother Earth through innovation and one is even adopting a vegan diet.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

Transcript

1. The Cleveland Indians (MLB – Major League Baseball) were the first MLB team to install a wind turbine to power their stadium. Their stadium is now 100 percent powered by renewable energy from wind power. BLOWN AWAY

2. The Forest Green Rovers, a soccer team from Western England, are leading the charge to go green. They claim the title as the only vegan football (i.e. soccer) club in the world. Since 2015, there have been no animal products for sale in the stadium. Some of the players eat non-vegan outside of the stadium (and there are paparazzi photos to prove it), but some have adopted the vegan lifestyle. The team is also the world’s first U.N. certified carbon-neutral sports club. NO MEAT PIES FOR YOU

3. Pocono Motor Speedway’s (NASCAR - National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) green efforts not only benefit the earth but you. The raceway runs completely on solar power and has sheep for lawn mowers but has an industry specific problem – what to do with as many as 600 used tires after a race? Answer – recycle. The recycled residue from old tires is used in everyday items such as portable speed bumps, the anti-fatigue mat in your kitchen or playgrounds. WHERE THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD

4. The Boston Red Sox (MLB) home field advantage is an urban farm. The rooftop farm generates 5,900 pounds of produce annually to be used in the stadium. BATTING FOR BROCCOLI

5. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons (NFL – National Football League) and Atlanta United (MLS – Major League Soccer), boasts 4,000 solar panels and features a 680,000 gallon cistern that collects rainwater to irrigate vegetation and helps prevent flooding. GREEN WITH ENVY

LAST NIGHT'S GAME 4/8/20 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 4/8/20

Athletes And The Stupid Crimes They've Committed

Seriously, we can’t make this stuff up.

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(Podcast length 4:53 - transcript is below)

Common sense isn’t so common in this week’s episode.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[Transcript]

1. Picture this. You’re out with your friends enjoying a night at the club when a gun goes off. Then you realize it was your gun and you’ve accidentally shot yourself in the leg. That’s exactly what happened to Plaxico Burress (NFL – National Football League). We forgot to mention that the club was in New York City, known for tough gun laws. Oh, and the gun wasn’t registered. Yep, that landed Burress in the slammer. NOT SHOOTING BLANKS

2. It’s definitely against the rules for a player to bet on the professional sport they play in. Enter Pete Rose. He’s MLB’s (Major League Baseball) all-time leader in hits and is banned for life from baseball (and from the hall of fame) for doing just that. Rose bet on Cincinnati Reds games while playing for and managing the team. While betting isn’t illegal in the eyes of the law, tax evasion is. Rose served five months in a minimum-security prison for federal income-tax evasion. You can find Rose most weekends signing autographs for a fee in a Las Vegas casino. A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME…WOULD STILL BET ON BASEBALL

3. Dallas Cowboys (NFL) player Nate Newton was arrested for being in possession of 213 pounds of marijuana. While he was out on bond, he was caught with another 175 pounds of marijuana. Newton served 2.5 years where he hopefully gained a little common sense. CAN’T MAKE THIS UP

4. Lenny Dykstra went from the top of the world as World Series winner with the New York Mets (MLB) in 1986 to prison. Long story short, post-baseball he claimed to have a 100% hit rate at picking winning stocks and convinced people to jump on board his bandwagon, including the money man himself - Jim Cramer. Then he failed at starting a magazine, meanwhile pissing a lot of people off. Eventually he filed for bankruptcy, owing an obscene amount of money to creditors. Life finally caught up with him when he was arrested and served time in prison for bankruptcy fraud. He hid a bunch of assets during his bankruptcy filing and decided to sell them afterward for cash. Shocking, he got caught. THEY KNOW EVERYTHING

5. We saved the best for last. You’ve probably seen the movie and know the story of Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. When Kerrigan stood in her way of her Olympic dreams, Harding and her ex-husband orchestrated an attack on Kerrigan at 1994 Olympic Trials. A hit to the knee by a hitman with a collapsible baton might have taken Kerrigan out, but she still went on to win a silver medal at the Winter Olympics. Harding was eventually banned from skating but ultimately avoided jail time by pleading guilty to hindering the investigation of the attack. THE ORIGINAL DESPERATE HOUSEWIFE

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 12/4/19 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 12/4/19

NEED A LAUGH? 5 ABSURD REASONS ATHLETES HAVE CALLED IN SICK

Because “the dog ate my homework” isn’t going to cut it.

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If you are looking for great excuses to get you out of your holiday obligations, these are so bad that they just might work.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com and make sure to leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[Transcript]

1. Nolan Ryan was one of the most feared starting pitchers in the history of baseball (MLB – Major League Baseball) but apparently, he had a soft spot for small furry animals. He decided to take in two coyote pups he found while out on his ranch. One of them bit him and he had to undergo multiple tests for rabies and subsequently missed his start. DON’T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU

2. Fast food will get you one way or another and no one better to ask then Denver Broncos (NFL – National Football League) Brandon Marshall. He allegedly slipped on a misplaced McDonald’s bag and he sliced up his arm when he tried to catch himself. He had to undergo surgery to repair the fluke injuries. MCDONALDS BAG > BANANA PEEL

3. Former Baltimore Orioles (MLB) outfielder Marty Cordova missed a game due to severe burns he suffered from tanning bed exposure. BURNT TO A CRISP

4. Now retired basketball player and current TV analyst, Charles Barkley, missed a game after an incident involving lotion. He rubbed his eyes while at an Eric Clapton concert, had a bad reaction to the lotion on his hands and had to miss the Phoenix Suns (NBA – National Basketball Association) season opener. IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEONE LOSES AN EYE

5. Football commentator and retired Detroit Lions (NFL) wide receiver Nate Burleson broke his arm in a car crash where he was trying to prevent his pizza from sliding off the front seat. THE CARRYOUT DISCOUNT WASN’T WORTH IT

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LAST NIGHT'S GAME 7/11/19 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 7/11/19

5 Times Sports Imitated An Episode Of Real Housewives

You didn’t think Bravo was the only one with all the drama?

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You didn’t think Bravo was the only one with all the drama?

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

[Transcript]

1. The “Malice at the Palace” makes the infamous Teresa table flip look like child’s play. A 2004 tussle on the court led to a fan throwing a beer on Detroit Pistons’ Ron Artest (NBA – National Basketball Association). Instead of having security take care of it, Artest charged up into the stands and beat the crap out of said beer thrower. As you can imagine, the league didn’t think highly of this and Artest was suspended for the rest of the season (and the incident was about four weeks into the season). THERE’S NO “I” IN TEAM

2. “The Scum Bunch” might be how fans feel about some of the men on the series, but they had nothing on the dastardly deeds of the 1986 New York Mets team. (“The Scum Bunch” was the nicest thing that was said about the team that we could put in print). There were tales of members of the team destroying airplanes by throwing cake and steaks (different flights), doing performance enhancing drugs and massive lines of cocaine, drinking, chasing women, fighting and the list goes on. Somehow they still managed to get their butts on the field, play baseball and win a World Series. HEATHER DUBROW COULD TEACH THEM A THING OR TWO ABOUT CLASS

3. From diva behavior to seriously expensive cars to an extensive sneaker collection that even Lisa Vanderpump would envy, Antonio Brown is in a league of his own. The now member of the Oakland Raiders (NFL – National Football League) his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, had no choice but to trade him. He was benched for one of the most important games of the season last year for his antics. He secretly recorded locker room talk, battled with his quarterback and in the off-season posted puzzling, cryptic Facebook posts like the one asking fans to call him “Mr. Big Chest.” He recently had a run in with the law for throwing furniture out of a high rise condo building balcony. SAVE THE DRAMA FOR YOUR MAMA

4. John McEnroe (tennis) was once described as “Pablo Picasso using a tennis racquet instead of a paintbrush.” While talented, he had a short fuse and was known for breaking rackets, massive fights with the umpires and a mouth that spouted obscenities like a fountain. Enter the McEnroe of this generation, Australian Nick Kyrgios, who doesn’t quite have the trophies McEnroe had to back it up. Known for his hot head, he stirred up controversy at Wimbledon by refusing to apologize for nailing his opponent, Rafael Nadal, with a forehand. Kyrgios later admitted he was trying to hit him but wouldn't apologize. (Kyrgios lost to Nadal). FOR BETTER OR WORSE, AT LEAST IT WASN’T A PROSTHETIC LEG

5. The 1985 Chicago Bears team was ahead of their time. They were essentially the love child of an Andy Cohen baby shower and "Animal House." It started a dominant defense, flamboyant and outspoken quarterback, Jim McMahon, a coaching staff with egos the size of Texas and then there was the partying. They were so sure of their Super Bowl win, that they spent the week before the game partying as hard as they could in New Orleans. They wrapped that season up with the infamous Super Bowl Shuffle rap song. (If you don’t know what we’re talking about, you have to watch this). AT LEAST THERE WE’RE NO CELLPHONE VIDEOS THEN

LAST NIGHT'S GAME 7/3/19 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 7/3/19

The 5 Most Memorable National Anthem Performances

This isn’t your mama’s karaoke.

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For better or worse….

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

[Transcript]

1. College bands were originally called upon to play the Star-Spangled Banner before the Super Bowl. Diana Ross was the first pop star to sing the anthem before the big game in 1982. The longest rendition of the anthem at the Super Bowl? Alicia Keys at 156.4 seconds. Shortest? Billy Joel at 90 seconds. THAT WAS QUICK

2. Roseanne Barr’s performance at a San Diego Padres (MLB – Major League Baseball) game was not music to your ears. Her shrieking of the anthem (and crotch grab afterward) reminded us that she should never quit her day job. THIS IS WHY A MUTE BUTTON WAS INVENTED

3. Another not so fan favorite? Fergie’s “outside the box" rendition at the NBA (National Basketball Association) All-Star Game that had even the players trying not to laugh. LISTEN AT YOUR OWN RISK

4. That voice. The headband. The 90s jumpsuit. Whitney Houston’s performance of the anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl goes down as the best in the business. INSTANT CLASSIC

5. At 96-years-old, Pete DuPré dutifully represented the same country he pledged his life to by playing the national anthem on his harmonica. The WWII veteran, “Harmonica Pete,” as he is known, played a stunning rendition of the anthem before a U.S. Women’s Soccer game this year and of course brought the crowd to their feet. LEGENDARY

Thanks to ESPN and YouTube for the clips of these audio gems.

LAST NIGHT'S GAME 6/20/19 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 6/20/19

THE 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

Rejection to ejection, from the food to baseball for all.

LNG College Baseball World Series-02.png

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For many college is a time to experiment and life your best life. And then there are these overachievers.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

[Transcript]

1. If you thought people only flocked to Omaha for the big Warren Buffett annual meeting, you’d be wrong. More than 350,000 fans with their economic impact of $70 million, head to Omaha to catch a game or two of the College Baseball World Series. The series has been played in the city since 1950 but wasn’t profitable for 10 of the first 12 years. Thanks to four generous Omahans, the series, which is now profitable, still calls the city home. ROLLING OUT THE WELCOME MAT

2. While the Reuben was created in Omaha, the stadium boasts other foodie favorites like lobster truffle fries, pimento cheese pretzels and massive nachos shaped like home plate. BUSTING THE BATHING SUIT BOD

3. Michigan should win the Miss Congeniality award of the tournament. Not only are they embracing their underdog role but their coach had everyone shaking their heads in agreement during an interview. He talked about how the cost of participating in sports is unachievable for so many kids. Therefore, he works hard when recruiting and awarding scholarships, saying “We think our roster should look like the United States of America.” MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

4. Some of the highlights of the tournament so far are the fan who caught a home run and then valiantly chugged his beer. Not to be outdone, the worst slide you’ve ever seen. MEDIC STAT

5. There are eight teams in the double elimination tournament that started last week and runs through June 25. Keep an eye on Vanderbilt for two reasons. One, they’re the favorite to win it all. And two, the “Vandy whistler” (there’s actually two of them) are annoying the heck out of everyone and are on the verge of ejection. MAYBE THEY SHOULD FEED THEM SALTINE CRACKERS