In this week's episode, the guys dive headfirst into the "excitement" of the 2025 MLB season kickoff! With Ron logging in remotely from a convention in Orlando, Pete and Elliott kick things off with a lively discussion about the Cubs’ frustrating first loss to the Dodgers in Tokyo. The duo reflects on the early morning game, the challenges of international matchups, and the implications for Major League Baseball's global expansion efforts.
As they dissect the game, the guys touch on the performance of Shohei Ohtani and the questionable decisions made by the Dodgers, specifically their recent moves with player contracts. The conversation flows into a broader critique of MLB's marketing strategies and how the concentration of talent on a few teams might affect the league's appeal. The guys also discuss the Cardinals’ offseason and how their roster decisions are shaping up as they prepare for the season ahead.
Ron shifts gears with his Soccer Minute to offer his take on the impact of goalkeeper Roman Burki’s hand injury and City's surprising shift into a defensive powerhouse. The guys wrap up with a review of the Bears’ offseason moves to-date, highlighting the changes made to the offensive line and the potential for a more competitive season ahead.
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It's a special Sunday evening episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast this week. Exciting things lie ahead for the formerly UNDEFEATED Cubs, the UNDEFEATED City FC, and the Star Wars franchise. (Well, maybe not the latter.)
In this lively episode, Ron, Elliott, and Pete tackle the latest in sports and pop culture with their signature humor and insight. Kicking things off, the trio dives into the perplexing situation surrounding the Cardinals and their offseason struggles, with Ron sharing his frustrations over the team's stagnant moves and the ongoing mystery of Nolan Arenado's future. Meanwhile, Elliott can't help but gloat about the Cubs' formerly undefeated spring training record, leading to a spirited debate about both teams' prospects for the upcoming season. The conversation shifts gears as they discuss St. Louis City FC's recent performance, and Ron laments their scoreless draws and the challenges faced on the field.
As the episode wraps, the guys touch on the Chicago Bears' upcoming draft and free agent strategies, speculating on potential player acquisitions that could shape the team's future. The discussion draws to a close with a nerdy turn, as they delve into the latest rumors surrounding Kathleen Kennedy's tenure at Lucasfilm, with the hosts sharing their thoughts on the future of Star Wars and what it would take to reignite their passion for the franchise.
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Pitchers and catchers have reported, Nolan Arenado is still a Cardinal, and Alex Bregman is now a Red Sock. Ron, Elliott, and Pete bring their usual highly rational takes to the latest in MLB on this special Presidents' Day episode. After the obligatory baseball talk, this week's conversation turns to pop culture, chess, and Ron's Soccer minute.
• 10 vs. 2 MMA: https://x.com/i/status/1891674697542046063
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What did we do to deserve this?
In this Cards-heavy episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast, Ron, Elliott, and Pete are joined by special guests Holy Elle and Dan Buffa for a deep dive into the current state of St. Louis Cardinals baseball. The conversation kicks off with Ron expressing his frustrations about the team's stagnant offseason, drawing parallels to the dark days of the early '90s. The group debates the implications of the Cardinals' roster decisions, particularly focusing on the future of former stars like Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt.
The discussion shifts as they analyze the potential impact of new players and the importance of allowing young talent like Mason Wynn and Jordan Walker to shine without being yanked back and forth between the majors and minors. The group shares their hopes and concerns about the upcoming season, exploring whether the team is truly committed to a rebuild or merely treading water. The conversation takes a humorous turn, with the group discussing about Jim Edmonds' recent interview and critique of his broadcasting style.
We wrap up with "Ron's Soccer Minute," as he shares his excitement for the upcoming MLS season and City's home opener.
Catch up with Elle at www.holyelle.com.
Read Dan's latest at doseofbuffa.com.
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Ron, Elliott, and Pete dive into the lackluster offseason for the St. Louis Cardinals, with Ron expressing his disinterest in this year's Winter Warm-Up and the team's failure to make significant moves. The guys discuss the ambiguous "reset" strategy announced by the Cardinals' management, questioning what it really means for the future of the team.
Elliott counters with a look at the Chicago Cubs' recent signings, highlighting their efforts to improve the roster while Pete pokes fun at the expectations of Cubs fans regarding team profitability. The conversation takes a comedic turn as the hosts explore the absurdity of fan expectations in the current sports landscape.
As the episode progresses, the trio shifts gears to the Hall of Fame announcements, celebrating the induction of Ichiro and reflecting on the careers of other inductees like Billy Wagner and CC Sabathia. They discuss the implications of the steroid era on Hall of Fame voting and speculate on future inductees, including Carlos Beltrán and Ryan Braun.
Wrapping up the episode, they touch on the Chicago Bears' recent coaching hires before celebrating the return of "Ron's Soccer Minute"! That's right, the excitement for the upcoming MLS season is palpable, as Ron shares his hopes for St. Louis City SC and their new coach.
The guys also share a laugh over the latest Star Wars news, including the unexpected fate of Watto the Toydarian.
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In this fiery episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast, Ron, Elliott, and Pete tear into the latest MLB drama with all the fire and flair you’d expect. It kicks off with Ron going off on the Dodgers' controversial signing of Roki Sasaki, sparking a heated debate about the growing imbalance in the game. Ron’s so fed up with baseball’s direction, he might just quit being a fan altogether.
The guys then stumble upon a shocking discovery – another podcast using the Team of Rivals name! Naturally, they debate whether to send in the lawyers or just invite the copycats on for a showdown. They dive into the absurdity of not even Googling your podcast name before launching and the lengths people will go for some lazy branding.
Things take a turn when Pete rips into Cubs fans for rolling out the red carpet for Sammy Sosa’s return at this weekend’s Cubs Convention. Pete’s not having it, especially with Sammy’s nonstop thirst for attention – he’s fired up, to say the least.
The mood lightens as the trio shifts gears to honor the legendary Bob Uecker, sharing some of their favorite stories and clips from his career. Ueck’s humor and wit made him a beloved icon in the world of baseball broadcasting, and the guys give him the shout-out he deserves.
Finally, the guys wrap things up with a chat about the Chicago Bears’ coaching search, tossing around names like Mike McCarthy and wondering if the team can finally find a leader who’ll bring some much-needed success.
It's a jam-packed episode full of rants, laughs, and some seriously hot takes. You won’t want to miss it!
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This week, Ron, Pete, and Elliott explores Jim Bowden's recent article grading MLB teams' offseasons, sparking a debate on whether the Cubs truly deserve an A-minus and if the Cardinals' inactivity justifies their F grade. They delve into the implications of team movements, the Cubs' bullpen needs, and the Cardinals' potential trade scenarios.
Switching gears, the guys then tackle the ongoing Chicago Bears coaching search, pondering how the team might navigate the hiring process and what potential candidates could bring to the table. With a mix of skepticism and hope, they discuss the Bears' strategy and the importance of getting the right leadership in place. (TRANSLATION: "How are the Bears going to screw up this time?")
Finally, the Team shares their thoughts on the broader sports landscape, touching on the Padres' hat options, potential player signings, and the ever-entertaining John Gruden. They even discuss the possibility of a Team of Rivals field trip to an A's game in Sacramento.
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Welcome to the first Team of Rivals Podcast episode of 2025! Ron, Elliott, and Pete kick off the new year with a passionate discussion on the state of Major League Baseball and the ongoing struggles of their beloved teams. The guys dive into the Cubs' financial constraints and the impact of institutional investors on team operations, questioning whether the Cubs are truly committed to building a competitive squad. Meanwhile, the Cardinals' lack of involvement in top free-agent talks leaves fans frustrated and yearning for a change in strategy.
As the conversation unfolds, the Team reflects on the broader issues facing baseball, including the dominance of elite teams like the Dodgers and the Mets, and the potential need for a hard salary cap to level the playing field. The guys also discuss the challenges faced by small-market teams and the implications for the future of the sport.
Shifting gears, the hosts tackle the Bears' disappointing season and the toxic culture within the locker room. With the team's future uncertain, they explore potential changes in leadership and what it might take to turn things around.
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