Episode 346 - Too Good to Be True?

RUNDOWN

 

Mitch and Hotshot recap the Mariners’ Ichiro celebration weekend, praising the team’s tribute while questioning the odd inclusion of Tom Brady in the video montage—especially after deliberately omitting Alex Rodriguez to avoid boos. Episode 346's “area code spotlight” on Houston’s, highlights a long list of famous residents and musical talent from ZZ Top and Kenny Rogers to Beyoncé and Travis Scott.

Mitch and Hotshot marvel at the Mariners’ blistering run—seven straight wins, 13 games over .500, and now just a game behind the Astros with 43 to play. With stars like Gino Suarez yet to heat up and pitching still not at peak form, the duo wonders just how high this team’s ceiling might be.

In this Mariners No-Table, Mitch, Joe Doyle, and Brady Farkas break down Seattle’s 9–1 homestand, surging offense, and remarkable lineup depth even with Gino Suarez and Cal Raleigh struggling. They debate bullpen concerns—especially Andres Muñoz’s command—plus looming roster decisions with Luke Raley and Victor Robles returning.
Jacson Bevens joins Mitch for some key takeaways from Seattle’s preseason opener, spotlighting rookie WR Tory Horton’s strong debut, dynamic fullback usage, and a cleverly schemed interception that showcased Mike Macdonald’s defense. They discuss the ceiling and depth of the defense, the roles of Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, and the need for top performances from CBs Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon.
In this re-aired classic, John Tesh tells Mitch the now-famous story of how “Roundball Rock” was born, from humming the tune into his answering machine in Europe to bringing it to life in the studio. He shares behind-the-scenes details about working with NBC, the song’s enduring legacy, and his surprise at how deeply it has embedded itself in basketball culture.

 

GUESTS

 

• Brady Farkas | Host, Refuse to Lose Podcast (Mariners on SI)
• Joe Doyle | MLB Draft & Mariners Analyst, Over Slot Substack
• Jacson Bevens | Cigar Thoughts, Seahawks Writer
• John Tesh | "Roundball Rock" - NBA's Iconic Theme

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

0:00 | Mariners Celebrate Ichiro Weekend, Roast Tom Brady Video Cameo, and Spotlight Houston’s 346 with Musical Legends

23:30 | Mariners Surge to Within One Game of Houston Behind Deep, Dangerous Lineup

39:21 | GUEST: Mariners No-Table: Red-Hot Offense, Roster Crunch Looming, and Pennant-Race Predictions

1:09:33 | GUEST: Jacson Bevens; Seahawks Preseason Takeaways: Horton Impresses, Fullback Power, Defensive Potential, and QB Depth Questions

1:29:50 | GUEST: John Tesh Recounts Creating the Iconic NBA on NBC Theme

1:51:50 | Other Stuff Segment: Seahawks vs. Raiders preseason game recap (and missed viewing due to building furniture), Seahawks upcoming preseason game vs. Chiefs — questions on starters like Sam Darnold and WR Tory Horton, Rookie Gray Zabel’s strong performance at guard in preseason, Los Angeles Chargers LT Rashaan Slater — $113M contract extension followed by ruptured patella tendon in practice, NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch’s clavicle injury while celebrating race win (compared to Kendrys Morales’ injury), Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes’ performance — ERA stats and seven-hit game, Proposal for Backstreet Boys vs. NSYNC in “The Match” golf event (and lack of interest from Mitch/Scott), Former NFL RB LaShaun Johnson sentenced for large-scale dogfighting operation, Former Miami Heat security officer Marco Thomas Perez charged with stealing/selling game-used memorabilia (including LeBron’s Game 7 jersey), Houston police officer under investigation for TikTok video about writing tickets due to lack of sex, Johnstown, PA wins Little League Softball World Series — standout pitching by Reagan Bills, Tom Brady statue unveiled at Gillette Stadium (commentary on appearance), John Cena discusses hair transplant and hair loss stigma, Jen Pawol becomes first female umpire in MLB regular-season game, Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little hits 70-yard FG in preseason game, Starbucks Korea bans desktop computers, printers, and large setups in stores, Mariano Rivera tears Achilles in Yankees Old-Timers Game RIP Segment: Bobby Whitlock — Derek and the Dominos co-founder, first white artist signed to Stax Records, Jim Lovell — Apollo 13 commander, astronaut with four spaceflights Headlines: Owner of Trump Burger in Houston facing deportation, Man lights cigarette from Eternal Flame at Arc de Triomphe (Paris), Ice cream shop releases breast milk–flavored ice cream, Japanese teacher fired for working part-time at a convenience store; school apologizes to students.