Mitch Unfiltered

RUNDOWN   Music history in honor of Tommy Mottola’s July 14 birthday—Mitch details how Mottola signed Hall & Oates and running through each of their six No. 1 hits. The “audio clip of the week” spotlights former Cubs manager Lee Elia’s legendary profanity-laden tirade at Wrigley Field after a 5–14 start in 1983. Mitch and Hotshot celebrate Seattle’s sweep of first-place Detroit and reviewing the Mariners’ 51–45 first-half record, good enough for a wild-card spot if the season ended today. Mitch explains why he’s optimistic—his rotation is poised to string together quality starts, and an offense buoyed by hot streaks from Randy Arozarena, strong on-base work from JP Crawford, and newfound production from lower-order hitters means the club doesn’t need Cal Raleigh to carry the load alone. Mariners bounce back from a blown five-run lead and near no-hitter loss in New York to sweep the AL’s best Tigers, cementing a wild-card spot at the All-Star break. Mariners No-Table (Brady Farkas) unpack the unexpected selection of LSU lefty Cade Anderson (saved under slot, with a high floor) as a near-MLB-ready arm, dissect Julio Rodríguez’s decision to skip the ASG before homering in each Detroit game, and express outrage that Gino Suárez (31 HRs) wasn’t invited to the Home Run Derby. Mitch and Puck chat KJRn'ts Chapter 8 by commiserating over their sudden need for reading glasses and sharing a wild family dare in which Mitch finally ate an entire bowl of mushrooms after his son aced the SAT. They then catch up on life—Jason’s youth baseball woes, Mitch’s freshman at Arizona—and take playful shots at Jim Moore’s “top sports radio hosts” rankings. In this throwback to Ep. 197 (July 5, 2022), Mitch sits down with Rhonda Smith Banchero to revisit her own collegiate battles—most memorably guarding Cheryl Swoopes—and to explore how her “tough-love” coaching shaped Paolo’s rise to the No. 1 NBA draft pick. Rhonda shares the moment she bowed out of one-on-one after seventh grade, her deliberate accountability style at home, and the family’s bittersweet pride as Paolo chose Duke over UW. Now that he’s secured a record-setting $239 million extension, her insights on nurturing a champion feel more poignant than ever. From the news that Michael Jordan’s Highland Park estate is now an Airbnb (no parties allowed) to celebrity-boxing matchups, LeBron’s Beverly Hills compound, Wimbledon winners, and even the exit of Pearl Jam’s longtime drummer Matt Cameron, Mitch and Hotshot pack a whirlwind of sports and pop-culture headlines into one rapid-fire segment.   GUESTS   * Brady Farkas | Host, Refuse to Lose Podcast (Mariners on SI) * Jason Puckett | Sports Broadcaster & Co-Host of the Refuse to Lose Podcast * Rhonda Smith Banchero | UW Women’s Basketball Legend & Mother of Paolo Banchero   TABLE OF CONTENTS   0:00 | Celebrating Tommy Mottola’s Birthday by Tracing His Early Role in Launching Hall & Oates and Featuring Lee Elia’s Infamous Cubs Rant 23:58 | Mariners Enter All-Star Break Thick in the Wild Card Hunt on the Back of Emerging Rotation and Depth-Built Offense 42:07 | GUEST: Mariners No-Table, Brady Farkas, Resilient Road Swing, College Ace Picked at No. 1, Julio’s ASG Opt-Out & Gino’s Derby Snub 1:07:30 | GUEST: Jason Puckett & Mitch on Presbyopia, Mushroom Dares and Getting Snubbed in the Top-10 Radio Hosts List 1:48:05 | GUEST: Rhonda Smith Banchero, Seattle’s No. 1 Pick Paolo Banchero Lands $239 M Deal—Mom Rhonda Smith on Raising an NBA Star, Facing Cheryl Swoopes, and the Duke Decision 1:54:07 | Other Stuff Segment: Golf course fight involving NHL player Nick Tarnaski at Alberta Springs, Jeopardy-style home run question and Gino Suarez’s All-Star Derby snub, Adrian Peterson celebrity boxing bout vs. Joe Castaneda, Cal Raleigh’s special Home Run Derby bats (including Seattle Supersonics tribute), Airbnb listing for Michael Jordan’s former Highland Park home, return of John Tesh’s “Roundball Rock” NBA theme on NBC, John Elway cart accident clearance, LeBron James’s Beverly Hills mansion construction update, Wimbledon champions Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner comebacks, Ben Shelton’s match and Trinity Rodman misidentification, Auburn’s DeAngelo Barber marijuana arrest and drug law commentary, speculation about Tom Brady’s next girlfriend, Matt Cameron departing Pearl Jam after 27 years, Lorenzo Lamas filing for sixth divorce, Alan G. Hassenfeld and Hasbro legacy, NFL left tackle Luis Sharpe profile, Utah Jazz coach/GM Frank Layden profile, global debt hitting a record $324 trillion, Texas judge vs. defendant’s “World’s best farter” shirt, TSA “swamp crotch” alarm warnings, dispersal of flies to combat flesh-eating maggots, and Hall & Oates mention with Darryl’s House show.

RUNDOWN   Mitch Levy and guest co-host Danny O'Neil react to Julio Rodríguez’s surprising All-Star selection and question whether he belongs among baseball’s elite. The duo debates the greatest individual season by a Seattle athlete over the past 30 years, considering iconic performances by Ichiro, Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, and Shaun Alexander. They factor in stats, MVP honors, cultural impact, and surprise value. Jason D. Hamilton joins the show to share his experience walking 72 holes in a single day at the Bandon Dunes Summer Solstice event. He recounts the physical toll, unexpected challenges, and personal reflections, along with a look at family updates and Mitch’s plans to attend an NIL-era college basketball tournament in Las Vegas. Mariners No-Table, Joe Doyle and Brady Farkas, return to discuss the Mariners’ recent success, including a sweep of the Pirates and strong outings from Brian Woo. They revisit the Julio All-Star debate and urge fans to move on from Robbie Ray. The group also previews upcoming series against the Yankees and Tigers. Finally, Mitch welcomes MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis to preview the Mariners’ draft strategy with the No. 3 pick. Callis explains why this year’s class may lack elite headliners but still holds value, and discusses trade possibilities involving top prospects like Harry Ford. He also highlights Cal Raleigh’s standout season, calling it one of the best ever by a catcher.   GUESTS   * Daniel Timothy O'Neil | Writer and Broadcaster * Jason D. Hamilton | Former Co-host of Mitch Unfiltered, UW Basketball Analyst * Joe Doyle | MLB Draft and Prospects Analyst * Brady Farkas | Host, Refuse to Lose Podcast (Mariners on SI) * Jim Callis | Senior Writer, MLB Pipeline / MLB.com   TABLE OF CONTENTS   0:00 | Julio Rodriguez’s All-Star nod sparks debate; Mitch & Danny highlight Oakland’s Star Power and Preview MLB Draft. 30:02 | Mitch & Danny rank Seattle's greatest sports seasons: Ichiro, Griffey, Randy Johnson, and a Shaun Alexander debate. 51:03 | GUEST: Jason Hamilton's Epic 72-Hole golf marathon at Bandon Dunes; Life updates and Mitch's Vegas basketball adventure. 1:19:26 | GUEST: Mariners No-Table; Mariners Sweep Pirates, Woo Shines, Julio’s All-Star Nod Debated, and Brady's Robbie Ray PSA 1:48:05 | GUEST: Jim Callis previews Mariners' No. 3 Draft Pick, assesses top prospects, and Cal Raleigh's historic season. 2:11:10 | Other Stuff Segment: Red Panda injury, halftime entertainment, Knicks firing Tom Thibodeau, hiring Mike Brown, risky betting scenarios, Keith Urban interview controversy, Malik Beasley debt and gambling issues, excessive barber bills, Luis Ortiz MLB betting investigation, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff controversy, BYU honor code rules, passing of Bobby Jenks, passing of Michael Madsen, passing of D. Wayne Lukas, passing of Bill Moyers, Cal Raleigh home run pace, Marcus Tuiasosopo vs. Michael Penix Jr. comparison.

RUNDOWN Mitch and Hotshot Scott kick off Episode 340 with an emotional twist — Hotshot is moving from Snoqualmie to Sammamish, leaving behind years of memories, including the house where his daughter was raised. The two reflect on the sentimentality of leaving home and Scott’s surprising inability to cry… except maybe after a World Series loss. The conversation pivots to the 340 area code — the U.S. Virgin Islands — leading to a trivia-filled celebration of Kelsey Grammer, Tim Duncan, Sugar Ray Seales, and Dave Matthews. Mitch connects the dots between obscure sports facts and Seattle's ties to musical legends, including a memorable story about Dave Matthews’ tour bus incident. Steve Phillips joins to break down Cal Raleigh’s MVP case. Raleigh’s home run pace, elite defense, and the grueling Seattle travel schedule all contribute to a narrative that may rival Aaron Judge’s candidacy — if Cal keeps up the pace and the M’s stay in the playoff hunt. Hughes Norton stops by to revisit his rollercoaster ride as Tiger Woods’ original super-agent. From landing the record-setting Nike and Titleist deals to being fired over the phone with no closure, Norton shares never-before-heard behind-the-scenes drama from his memoir Rainmaker. Mariners No-Table with Brady Farkas and Joe Doyle returns. The guys react to a rollercoaster road trip, Joe’s doomsday texts, and Cal’s MVP surge. They debate whether Julio Rodriguez can be “just a singles hitter,” how much value Randy Arozarena has left, and what it’ll take to reach the postseason.   GUESTS * Steve Phillips | MLB Network & SiriusXM Analyst * Hughes Norton | Author, Rainmaker * Brady Farkas | Mariners No-Table, Host, Refuse to Lose Podcast * Joe Doyle | Mariners No-Table, MLB Draft & Mariners Analyst   TABLE OF CONTENTS 0:00 | Mitch grills Hotshot on taking time off to move. The sentimental farewell to his longtime home sparks a discussion on fatherhood, loss, and whether Hotshot has ever cried. 8:00 | Area Code Trivia: Mitch dives into the legacy of St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands — home to Tim Duncan, Sugar Ray Seales, and Dave Matthews (plus a trumpet player with serious Gorge credentials). 24:59 | Mitch and Hotshot honor Dave Parker’s Hall of Fame–worthy legacy after his death and argue that the Mariners, led by breakout star Brian Woo, are poised for a strong second half despite early pitching struggles. 43:13 | Guest: Steve Phillips. The former Mets GM breaks down Cal Raleigh’s historic season, the MVP race with Aaron Judge, and why the All-Star break might exhaust Cal more than help him. 1:02:26 | Guest: Hughes Norton. The former super-agent recounts how he helped launch Tiger Woods’ pro 1:33:55 | Guest: Mariners No-Table with Brady Farkas & Joe Doyle. The guys relive a 6–4 road trip, Cal’s Home Run Derby prospects, Julio’s struggles, and debate whether 84–86 wins will be enough for a playoff spot. 2:09:00 | Other Stuff Segment: Mitch revisits old sideline war stories, and calls back the glory days of Queen Anne’s Spaghetti Factory.

RUNDOWN Mitch and Hotshot open Episode 339 by revisiting one of Seattle sports fans’ oldest wounds — the Sonics' departure — while Oklahoma City dances in the NBA Finals. That leads to a spirited deep dive into Boston’s music history, with Hotshot tested on everything from Aerosmith to New Edition. Mitch drops a classic Sonics tale: the time he painted his face in silent protest on a live Sonics pay-per-view broadcast. Pete Carroll makes a podcast appearance — not here, but on Get Got with Marshawn Lynch and Michael Robinson — and throws light shade at Earl Thomas while diplomatically reflecting on his Seahawks departure. Marshawn lets him cook. Mariners No-Table, Brady Farkas reacts to a 30-run explosion in Chicago, marvels at Cal Raleigh’s historic pace, and debates whether Cal should skip the Home Run Derby to stay fresh. JP Crawford’s All-Star case gets real, Solano suddenly looks irreplaceable, and the lineup finally shows life from top to bottom. Jason Puckett returns for the KJ-Aren’ts, where Mitch discovers Puckett’s age through a Thunder hate-watch article and recounts legendary sideline reporting drama during the 1996 NCAA Final Four.   GUESTS * KJ-Aren'ts; Jason Puckett | Former KJR Host * Mariners No-Table; Brady Farkas | Host, Refuse to Lose Podcast   TABLE OF CONTENTS 0:00 | Sonics PTSD flares up as Thunder hit the Finals. Mitch challenges Hotshot to a musical trivia duel centered on Boston legends. 10:45 | Aerosmith, Boston, New Kids, New Edition, The Cars — and a surprise Dropkick Murphys finale. Mitch makes the case that Boston might outrank Seattle in music legacy. 21:03 | Pete Carroll joins Get Got and casually dunks on Earl Thomas. Marshawn just lets it ride. Pete also explains how control and roster vision led to his Seahawks exit. 29:24 | Mitch declares Cal’s historic tear the most electrifying run by a Mariners hitter since Griffey ’94 — name-dropping Mantle, Bench, and A-Rod along the way. 49:23 | Guest: Mariners No-Table with Brady Farkas. The Mariners explode for 30 runs in Chicago, Cal Raleigh enters historic territory, and Mitch argues he should skip the Derby to stay fresh. Farkas sees the other side. 1:22:03 | Guest KJ-Aren’ts Part 1: Mitch finds out Puckett’s age by reading The Athletic, where Puckett is quoted from a Thunder hate-watch at Mike’s Chili Parlor. 1:41:12 | Guest KJ-Aren’ts Part 2: Mitch tells the story of being banned from the Final Four — then shows up on live TV in full Syracuse face paint. Kevin and Marcus nearly lose it on air. 2:03:54 | Other Stuff Segment: Mitch confesses to miscrediting “The Twist” and recycling a decade-old John Olerud story, while Scott gleefully mocks his declining fastball. They also swap nostalgic war stories — Scott streaming Game 7 from a spaghetti joint, Mitch sideline-reporting with Syracuse face paint — before spiraling into Rick Ocasek's death, landline superiority, and the glory days of Queen Anne’s Spaghetti Factory.

RUNDOWN Mitch and Hotshot kick off Episode 338 with a chaotic Father’s Day recap involving mini-golf madness, stroller gridlock, and a player with a walker clogging the first tee. Hotshot goes MIA for eight hours and doesn’t even play. Mitch follows with two public floggings: one for crediting “The Twist” to Fats Domino, the other for dusting off a 2013 John Olerud story like it was breaking news. His fastball? Missing. Hotshot? Happy to point that out. Dave Grosby returns to talk about his health battles, a rough ketamine treatment, and the overlooked value of opioids for pain relief. He still finds time to make a bold Mariners playoff case. Brady Henderson checks in from Seahawks camp to explain why Mike Macdonald’s version of Seattle looks more united and less ego-driven. He breaks down Sam Darnold’s grip on QB1, the Jalen Milroe development arc, and why 2024 already feels different. Finally, Brady Farkas flies solo at the Mariners No-Table. Seattle sweeps Cleveland, JP Crawford stays hot, and Julio keeps hitting — but not with much muscle. They break down rotation depth, bullpen leaks, and trade bait like Gino Suarez and Josh Naylor. The playoff math is still murky, but the hunt continues.   GUESTS Dave Grosby | Former Seattle Radio Host Brady Henderson | ESPN Seahawks Insider Brady Farkas | Host, Refuse to Lose Podcast   TABLE OF CONTENTS 0:00 | Miniature golf debacle on Father’s Day. Hotshot disappears for 8 hours and Mitch suspects a lie. 6:00 | Mitch’s Mea Culpas: Two big errors from Episode 337: Fats Domino vs. Chubby Checker, and a 12-year-old news story passed off as new. 8:15 | Tupac’s Birthday & Mitch’s Vegas Memory: Tupac’s 54th birthday sparks a story about Mitch being in the same building the night Tupac was shot. Plus: Dunbar High and NBA trivia. 19:21 | Mitch recaps his radio reunion with Puck, Stretch, and Sandmeyer before diving into Randy Johnson’s brutally awkward jersey-retirement tour, where nostalgia gives way to grievances. 41:32 | Guest: Dave Grosby, Dave talks candidly about his chronic pain treatment, the psychedelic failure of ketamine, and why opioids get a bad rap. Then shifts into Mariners mode with playoff predictions and trade speculation. 1:02:40 | Guest: Brady Henderson, Insight from Seahawks OTAs and minicamps. Brady explains the cultural shift under Mike Macdonald and evaluates the team’s offseason vibe, quarterback depth, and drama-free roster. 1:30:26 | Guest: Mariners No-Table with Brady Farkas, A Cleveland sweep breathes life into the Mariners’ season. JP Crawford is on fire, the bullpen looks steadier, but Julio’s big-hit drought continues. Trade deadline names like Gino Suarez and Josh Naylor emerge, and the AL West race tightens. 1:59:55 | Other Stuff Segment; From fake testicles on the field to Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound, Mitch and Hotshot unpack a wild week of sports absurdity, awkward trades, record-breaking comebacks, heart attack scares, and viral sibling drama—all before diving into baseball's biggest merch stars and RIPs to legends.