Mitch Unfiltered

Episode 376 - The Good. The Bad. And the Heart of the Lineup

RUNDOWN Mitch and Hotshot open with a Tiger Woods' DUI arrest following a car crash, debating addiction, accountability, and whether his injuries and surgeries contribute to a potential dependency on painkillers. The conversation mixes empathy with frustration, as they explore the limits of wealth, resources, and personal responsibility. Mitch and Hotshot kick around Final Four structure—including why reseeding will never happen—while also noting UConn's dominance and the imbalance of the current bracket. They mix in lighter observations like Charles Barkley's noticeable weight loss before turning to baseball, where the Mariners split their opening series despite historically poor production from the heart of the lineup. Mitch is joined by Brady Farkas and Joe Doyle after the Mariners open the season with a four-game split against Cleveland, despite getting almost nothing from the middle of the order. The conversation centers on slow starts from Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, and Josh Naylor, while Brendan Donovan emerges as an early bright spot. The guys also debate mounting criticism of manager Dan Wilson's bullpen and lineup decisions, assess encouraging signs from the starting rotation and Emerson Hancock's standout outing, and look ahead to a critical stretch against the Yankees and Angels. Mitch and The Ringer's Danny Kelly break down the upcoming NFL Draft, where uncertainty at the top—especially at quarterback—could lead to major movement. Kelly explains why this year's QB class lacks a slam-dunk No. 1 pick, how team needs may outweigh pure talent evaluation, and which prospects could rise late in the process. Mitch joins Jason Puckett to dissect the art of interviewing—specifically why trying to be funny can backfire and why cell phone guests almost always kill timing, pacing, and chemistry. The conversation turns into a masterclass on radio fundamentals, with Mitch explaining his strict "no cell phone" philosophy and how production control separates good interviews from disasters. Along the way, he mixes in classic storytelling—from awkward guest moments to legendary encounters with Dean Smith and Vern Lundquist—highlighting both the craft and chaos of live radio. GUESTS * Brady Farkas | Host, Refuse to Lose podcast * Joe Doyle | MLB analyst, Over Slot * Danny Kelly | The Ringer / NFL Draft Analyst * Jason Puckett | KJ-Aren'ts / Puck Drop TABLE OF CONTENTS 0:00 | Tiger Woods' latest DUI arrest sparks a real conversation on addiction, while March Madness rolls on and the birthday game delivers. 22:02 | From Final Four format debates to Charles Barkley's shrinking suits, Mitch and Scott pivot to a Mariners offense already raising questions. 36:42 | Mariners No-Table: Slow Bats, Early Panic, and a Needed Split. The Mariners split their opening series—but early struggles from the heart of the lineup and Dan Wilson's decisions already have fans on edge. 1:01:28 | Danny Kelly: Quarterbacks, Trade Buzz, and a Murky Top of the Draft. Danny Kelly breaks down a quarterback-heavy draft class with no clear No. 1—and why chaos at the top could reshape everything. 1:26:26 | Jason "Puck" Puckett: Bad Interviews, Cell Phone Rules, and Radio War Stories. Mitch breaks down why interviews fail, why cell phones ruin everything, and shares classic KJR stories from Dean Smith to Vern Lundquist. 1:56:56 | Other Stuff Segment: Puka Nacua accusation update, Mariners TV broadcast mess, JSN becomes highest-paid WR, Sonics return vs OKC drama, Dodgers fan fights, Hubert Davis fired at UNC, Sherrone Moore arrest video RIPs: Joey Browner (65), Barrett Robbins, James Tolkan (94), Dash Crofts (85) HEADLINES: Man gropes Easter Bunny at mall; intruder sentenced for toe-sucking assault; FBI director Gmail hacked; cocaine sharks in Bahamas; armless/legless suspect in shooting case

Episode 375 - Unparalleled Mariners Anticipation

RUNDOWN Mitch opens from Portland, where he spent the weekend with his son and attended NCAA Tournament games—including Gonzaga's elimination, which he thoroughly enjoyed. The guys dive into what makes March Madness special, highlighted by a classic David vs. Goliath battle between Arkansas and High Point. Mitch is joined by Brady Farkas and Joe Doyle as the Mariners head into Opening Day with a surge of offensive production after a sluggish spring. The guys highlight breakout signs from Cole Young and Dom Canzone, while also addressing concerns around JP Crawford's injury, Cal Raleigh's uneven World Baseball Classic impact, and roster decisions in the infield and rotation. Mitch welcomes Steve Phillips for his annual Opening Day visit, where the longtime MLB insider says the World Baseball Classic has players—especially hitters—more game-ready than ever to start the season. Phillips is bullish on the Mariners, calling this their best opportunity to win the division and make a deep run, while also addressing concerns around pitching durability and bullpen volatility. The conversation expands league-wide, with Phillips explaining why the Dodgers are both dominant and good for baseball, why Shohei Ohtani remains a near-lock MVP, and ultimately predicting a Dodgers–Mariners World Series. Mitch and Puck open with some leftover tension from a previous discussion before diving into Mitch's surprising admission that the World Baseball Classic didn't resonate with him. Mitch explains that, despite the talent on the field, it doesn't feel meaningful to the American baseball audience—pointing to player opt-outs and inconsistent participation. GUESTS * Brady Farkas | Host, Refuse to Lose podcast * Joe Doyle | MLB analyst, Over Slot * Steve Phillips | MLB Network / SiriusXM / Former Mets GM * Jason Puckett | KJ-Aren'ts / Puck Drop TABLE OF CONTENTS 0:00 | Portland, Gonzaga's Exit, and the Birthday Game; Mitch checks in from Portland after watching Gonzaga get bounced—and rolls into a loaded birthday trivia game. 15:49 | Mariners No-Table: Spring Bats Wake Up as Opening Day — The Mariners' offense shows late life in spring training as Opening Day looms—but questions remain about lineup depth, health, and early-season readiness. 41:04 | Steve Phillips: Opening Day Buzz, Mariners Hype, and Dodgers Dominance: Steve Phillips says this might be the Mariners' best shot yet—while the Dodgers loom as baseball's overwhelming favorite. 1:02:38 | KJ-Aren'ts with Jason Puckett: WBC Doesn't Land for Mitch — And It Gets Tense; Mitch admits he couldn't get into the World Baseball Classic—and it sparks real tension in a separate conversation that clearly struck a nerve. 1:24:00 | Other Stuff Segment: Mariners Opening Day expectations, World Series odds and roster questions, Arozarena/Raleigh tension resolved, March Madness Speedo distraction, Brandon Roy response to Garfield allegations, WNBA reaches new CBA, Seahawks RB situation per John Schneider, Michael B. Jordan In-N-Out moment, Syracuse coaching hire (McNamara), Tiger Woods Masters return buzz RIPs: Robert Mueller (81), Dennis "Loverboy" Condrey (74), Rex Culpepper (28), Chuck Norris (86) Headlines: FDA eases tanning bed rules, Camel pageant disqualifications for "hump plumping," Brain-eating virus claims, Fentanyl found in Barbies at Missouri store

Episode 374 - Seahawks Searching & Cinderellas Dancing

RUNDOWN Mitch opens the show from Los Angeles, where he's in town to watch Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs play the Clippers—but not before attending a Division II baseball series featuring players who grew up with his sons. The conversation shifts to March Madness, with Mitch explaining why he believes the top teams—especially from the Big 12—are clearly ahead of the rest of the field. The Seahawks No-Table crew breaks down a turbulent offseason following their Super Bowl win. The trio discusses key departures in free agency, the team's deliberate approach to the salary cap, and why Seattle may rely on player development and the draft rather than splashy signings. Mitch talks with Tennessee State head coach Nolan Smith after the former Duke All-American and national champion led the Tigers to an Ohio Valley Conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth in his first year running the program. Smith reflects on learning the coaching profession under Mike Krzyzewski, navigating career setbacks after leaving Duke, and how those experiences shaped him as a leader. Mitch and Queens University head coach Grant Leonard talk after the Charlotte-based Royals captured the Atlantic Sun title and punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament in their first season eligible for Division I postseason play. Leonard explains how a balanced offense—with six players averaging double figures—helped fuel the run, while also discussing the reality of roster building in the transfer portal era. Mitch welcomes back North Dakota State head coach Dave Richman, whose Bison are headed to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time under his leadership after another Summit League title and a 27-win season. Richman talks about balancing loyalty to Fargo with the reality that successful mid-major coaches are constantly linked to bigger jobs, while also explaining how roster building has changed in the portal and NIL era. Mitch talks with Troy head coach Scott Cross after the Sun Belt regular-season and tournament champion Trojans earned their second straight NCAA Tournament berth. Cross explains how he rebuilt the roster after losing several starters to bigger NIL deals by promoting reserves who helped the program reach last year's tournament. GUESTS * Brady Henderson | Former University of Washington point guard and longtime Huskies basketball radio analyst * Jacson Bevens | Host, Refuse to Lose podcast * Nolan Smith | head coach, Tennessee State * Grant Leonard | head coach, Queens University * Dave Richman | head coach, North Dakota State * Scott Cross | head coach, Troy TABLE OF CONTENTS 0:00 | Division II Baseball, March Madness Picks, and the Birthday Game 19:00 | Seahawks No-Table: Seattle's Super Bowl roster takes offseason hits, but the Seahawks' front office stays committed to long-term roster building instead of panic spending. 45:35 | Nolan Smith: Former Duke star Nolan Smith takes Tennessee State to the NCAA Tournament in his first season as a head coach. 1:02:09 | Grant Leonard: Queens University shocks the Atlantic Sun and reaches the NCAA Tournament in its first year of Division I eligibility. 1:15:24 | Dave Richman: North Dakota State coach Dave Richman returns to the NCAA Tournament—and reflects on building a winning program in Fargo during college basketball's NIL and transfer-portal era. 1:33:42 | Scott Cross: Troy head coach Scott Cross returns to the NCAA Tournament with a roster built on loyalty, development—and an unlikely pipeline from Puyallup, Washington.

Episode 373 - Help Wanted: World Champs Looking for a Running Back

Episode 373 - Help Wanted: World Champs Looking for a Running Back RUNDOWN Mitch and Hotshot react to the growing likelihood that the Seahawks could lose star running back Kenneth Walker in free agency, debating whether John Schneider's reluctance to franchise tag him signals a different plan at running back. The conversation explores possible draft options, Seattle's roster strategy after a Super Bowl season, and the risks of relying on a rookie backfield solution. Jason Hamilton joins Mitch to discuss his decision to step away after 24 years as the radio analyst for Washington Huskies basketball, reflecting on his journey from UW player to assistant coach to broadcaster. Hamilton explains how the move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten dramatically changed the travel demands of the job, making it increasingly difficult to balance with his career and family life. Brady Farkas and Joe Doyle join Mitch to analyze the biggest storylines emerging from Mariners spring training, including the development of top prospects Colt Emerson, Cole Young, and Cade Anderson. The discussion covers roster realities heading toward Opening Day—why Emerson likely starts in the minors, how Brendan Donovan stabilizes the top of the lineup, and whether Brennan Davis could force his way into the outfield mix later in the season. RJ Eskanos and Dylan Travers join Mitch to break down the Seattle Kraken's precarious playoff positioning with 20 games remaining, describing the Pacific Division race as a "turtle derby" where nearly every contender is struggling. The trio discuss the team's inconsistency, the addition of volume-shooting forward Bobby McMann, Jordan Eberle's contract extension, and the surprising resurgence of goaltender Philipp Grubauer. GUESTS * Jason Hamilton | Former University of Washington point guard and longtime Huskies basketball radio analyst * Brady Farkas | Host, Refuse to Lose podcast * Joe Doyle | MLB analyst, Over Slot * RJ Eskanos | Emerald City Hockey * Dylan Travers | Emerald City Hockey TABLE OF CONTENTS 0:00 | Seahawks Running Back Drama, Draft Speculation, and a Classic Mitch Birthday Quiz 23:25 | Jason Hamilton: Reflects on 24 Years on the Huskies Broadcast and Why the Big Ten Era Helped Prompt His Exit 52:28 | Mariners No-Table: Mariners Spring Training Check-In: Prospect Buzz, Opening Day Roster Battles, and Rotation Futures 1:19:16 | Kraken No-Table: Kraken Cling to Playoff Spot as Pacific Division "Turtle Derby" Keeps Seattle Alive 1:43:48 | Other Stuff Segment: Netflix dinosaur series recommendation with Steven Spielberg and Morgan Freeman, World Baseball Classic excitement and Shohei Ohtani's hot start, Julio Rodríguez and other Mariners contributing across WBC rosters, Trent McDuffie becomes highest-paid cornerback and joins Rams secondary, Maxx Crosby says goodbye to Raiders and heads to Ravens, March Madness bracket week and projected No. 1 seeds, Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos call off wedding, Jurickson Profar gets 162-game PED suspension, McDonald's CEO mocked for awkward Big Arch promo video, Britney Spears arrested for DUI, ancient pyramid vandalized by tour guide, Argentine youth viral animal-identifying trend, professional bowler Cameron Crow arrested on drug charges, missing woman found alive 24 years after disappearing during Christmas shopping RIPs: Robert Carradine, Neil Sedaka, Lou Holtz

Episode 372 - The Prediction Show 2026

RUNDOWN Mitch and Hotshot Scott open Episode 372 setting the stage for the 2026 Prediction Show while reacting to Team USA's Olympic hockey gold and debating why the United States can compete in hockey but not soccer. Mitch checks in from Mariners spring training in Peoria, describing a genuine World Series vibe around the pitching staff — before admitting he needed a personal "attitude adjustment" on 22-year-old second baseman Cole Young. Mitch welcomes back Danny O'Neil, Jason Puckett, and Dave "Groz" Grosby for the 2026 Prediction Show, teasing last year's misses while crowning Puckett as the new champ. The panel makes rapid-fire forecasts on the Seahawks' 2026 season: record, playoff finish, key contract calls (Kenneth Walker, Riq Woolen, Josh Jobe, Rashid Shaheed), draft/free-agent priorities, Sam Darnold's contract future and stat lines, plus big-number projections for JSN and other core pieces. The panel shifts to college football, with Danny projecting a 12-win Washington season and a College Football Playoff berth—while also predicting major turnover with Jed Fisch and Demond Williams gone by 2027. They then pivot to baseball, where Puck and Groz forecast an AL West title and a Mariners trip to the World Series, while Danny takes the contrarian path with 88 wins and no playoffs. The panel finishes Mariners predictions with bold calls on Colt Emerson's debut date, Andrés Muñoz's save total, and the club's World Series outlook—while Danny pegs the Yankees as champions. The conversation widens to NBA expansion in Seattle, where opinions split on timeline and ownership possibilities, and then to the 2026 World Cup, with wildly different forecasts for Team USA. The segment wraps with NBA championship picks, MVP projections, and LeBron James' uncertain future as the Prediction Show heads toward its finale. The panel turns to March Madness, NFL draft projections, and bold NFL quarterback predictions before branching into golf, tennis, the World Baseball Classic, and the Kraken's playoff outlook. Danny calls for Houston to win the NCAA title, Puck backs Arizona, and Groz picks UConn—while wild swings follow on Scheffler majors, Rory's chances, and LeBron's future. The segment culminates with dramatic wild-card predictions, including a potential MLB lockout, a Jamal Crawford-led Sonics return, and a blockbuster Seahawks in-season trade. GUESTS * Dave Grosby | Seattle sports radio personality * Jason Puckett | Seattle sports radio host and founder of The Daily Puck Drop * Danny O'Neil | Veteran Seattle sports columnist and longtime Seahawks analyst TABLE OF CONTENTS 0:00 | Prediction Show Kickoff — Hockey Gold, Mariners Optimism, and a Cole Young Attitude Adjustment 22:22 | 2026 Prediction Show: Seahawks Repeat Forecasts, Roster Calls, and League-Wide Bold Picks 49:57 | 2026 Prediction Show: College Football and Mariners 2026 Predictions – Playoff Calls, Coaching Hot Seats, and a World Series Push 59:47 | 2026 Prediction Show: Mariners Prospect Timelines, World Cup Takes, NBA Futures, and Sonics Expansion Speculation 1:14:14 | 2026 Prediction Show: March Madness Picks, NFL Draft Forecasts, Golf Majors, Kraken Playoff Hopes, and Wild Card Bombshells 1:21:30 | Other Stuff Segment: USA wins men's and women's Olympic hockey gold, JSN comments on becoming highest-paid WR and looming Seahawks extensions, Zach Charbonnet ACL surgery delay raises questions, Stephen A. Smith floats presidential ambitions, Tony Clark resigns as MLBPA head amid inappropriate relationship controversy, JetBlue baggage theft allegation involving Dion Dawkins, "JetBlue the dog" abandoned at airport and adopted by officer, former Miami officer blasts Tyreek Hill after release, TSA PreCheck outage, Nantucket cocaine wastewater report, Kid Rock ticket sales struggles, smart underwear study shows humans pass gas more than previously thought RIPs Ronnie Moore (25), Robert Duvall, Bill Mazeroski (89), Eric Dane (53), Trey Johnson (54), Doug Moe (87), Mike Wagner (76), Reverend Jesse Jackson