Foul Play-by-Play

This week on the Foul Play-by-Play podcast, a racehorse sues his trainer, Bob Baffert, Oscar Robertson sues Russell Westbrook for the right to retain the triple-double crown, Brad finally wins a bet on the Minnesota Twins to turn his whole season around, Mike corners the Alex Kirilloff baseball card market, and I talk to a French student citing me in his Master’s thesis about making an environmentally friendlier NBA. https://media.blubrry.com/foulplaybyplay/content.blubrry.com/foulplaybyplay/FPBP4.mp3 Opening Arguments A Racehorse v. Trainer Bob Baffert Bob Baffert's Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, failed a post-race drug test, and Churchill Downs will reportedly ban Baffert from the track if results of the test are upheld. PETA is suing on the horse’s behalf, alleging defamation of character. New Orleans Pelicans EVP David Griffen v. NBA Officials New Orleans Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations, David Griffen, was fined $50,000 by the NBA for comments criticizing how Zion Williamson is officiated. Griffen is suing for a refund and fair officiating for his superhuman superstar. Oscar Robertson v. Russell Westbrook Oscar Robertson is hypothetically suing Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook for the right to retain the triple-double record on grounds that triple-doubles were harder back in his day. Brad’s Big Win of the Week Brad finally scores a big win betting on the Minnesota Twins. Then he tries again and loses $200. Why Mike is Cornering the Alex Kirilloff Rookie Baseball Card Market Mike has purchased around 75 Alex Kirilloff rookie cards on Ebay for about $60. He explains why, and we discuss why the baseball market has experienced a revival. Interview with Marin Grisard Discussing the NBA's Lack of Environmental Sustainability Efforts Our host, Anthony Varriano, interviews French graduate student Marin Grisard about his Master's thesis inspired by Varriano's article explaining how the NBA could curb its carbon emissions by expanding the league to 32 teams.

Our attorney on retainer, Michael, accuses his brother, Bradley, of crashing his computer because he came over to look at baseball cards. Then they argue about the decision of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to move the 2021 MLB All-Star Game out of Atlanta in response to restrictive voting laws enacted by state Republicans. We also convene a mock grand jury to determine whether criminal charges should be brought against Houston Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson. State of Georgia v. MLB Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is moving the All-Star Game out of Atlanta in response to the state enacting laws that make voting more restrictive. The State of Georgia is hypothetically suing for costs already incurred and projected revenue lost as a result of MLB's decision. Michael Rapaport v. Kevin Durant The actor Michael Rapaport is hypothetically suing Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant, claiming messages sent by Durant on social media caused him emotional distress. Paige Bueckers v. WNBA University of Connecticut women's basketball star Paige Bueckers is hypothetically challenging the WNBA rule prohibiting her from entering the WNBA Draft until she is 22 years old. USWNT v. USA Soccer The United States Women's National soccer team is still fighting for equal pay almost a year after a judge threw out its lawsuit against USA Soccer. USWNT star Megan Rapinoe recently spoke to President Joe Biden and Congress about why female athletes deserve opportunities equal to that of their male counterparts. This hypothetical lawsuit claims the USWNT did not receive an opportunity equal to that of the USMNT. DeShaun Watson's Mock Grand Jury We consider the evidence against Houston Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson and decide whether criminal charges should be brought against him for sexual assault.

The latest episode of the Foul Play-by-play podcast discusses five opening arguments, including the alleged defamation of New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Gambling addict/expert Brad also shares a pair of bad beats betting NASCAR. https://media.blubrry.com/foulplaybyplay/content.blubrry.com/foulplaybyplay/FPBP2.mp3 Family of Vincent Jackson v. NFL Former NFL player Vincent Jackson was recently found dead in a hotel room and might have been dead for three days before being discovered. Jackson reportedly suffered from alcoholism and concussions. The Jackson family is hypothetically suing the NFL for damages, alleging the league's delayed action to curb concussions it knew caused CTE. NFLPA v. NFL and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith Many NFL players believe the current collective bargaining agreement DeMaurice Smith negotiated is excessively benefiting NFL owners at the players' expense. NFL players approved the CBA last March by a margin of just 60 votes, and it won't expire for 10 years. Hypothetically, the NFLPA alleges the CBA was not negotiated in good faith, challenging the validity of the agreement. Artemi Panarin v. Vladimir Putin The New York Rangers said the allegation that their star Artemi Panarin assaulted an 18-year-old girl over a decade ago is a fabricated response to his support of a Kremlin critic. In this hypothetical case, Panarin, citing emotional distress and lost wages, is suing Russian President Vladimir Putin for defamation. The People of Texas v. Jerry Jones and Comstock Resources, Inc. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is also the majority owner of fossil fuel company Comstock Resources, Inc. Shortages of natural gas combined with increased demand pushed natural gas prices up over 500 percent during a winter storm in Texas. The company, however, was already increasing production in anticipation of increased demand for natural gas. The hypothetical people of Texas allege price gouging and are hypothetically suing for refunds. Timberwolves Associate Head Coach David Vanterpool v. Minnesota Timberwolves The Minnesota Timberwolves fired head coach Ryan Saunders and hired Toronto Raptors assistant Chris Finch without conducting a formal search or offering associate head coach David Vanterpool the job on an interim basis. Vanterpool is suing, claiming racial discrimination, hypothetically speaking.

In the ninth episode of Foul Play-by-Play, we debut a new segment called "Opening Arguments," featuring brothers Bradley Haase and Michael Haase, with journalist Anthony Varriano serving as judge and jury. If you’ve been in a courtroom like we three, you know how this works. The prosecuting attorney explains to the jury why the defendant is guilty and how the prosecution will prove it. Then the defendant’s attorney explains to the jury why his client is innocent and how the defense will prove it. We just do it with sports arguments. Since our attorney, Michael, has a considerable advantage in this game, Brad, our gambling expert, gets home court advantage, meaning he gets to pick the side he wants to argue once more than his brother gets to pick his argument. https://media.blubrry.com/foulplaybyplay/content.blubrry.com/foulplaybyplay/FPBP1.mp3 New York Mets Prospects v. Tim Tebow Michael argues on behalf of the New York Mets prospects suing Tim Tebow for one of the 75 Spring Training roster spots Tebow will fill in 2021, despite hitting .151 in 34 spring games. Bradley defends Tim Tebow. The NBA v. LeBron James and Floppers Michael argues on behalf of the NBA's actions to warn LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma for flopping, becoming just the sixth and seventh players to be reprimanded with warnings by the league this season. Bradley argues on behalf of flopping and NBA floppers. The People v. Chris Doyle Michael argues on behalf of the people against Chris Doyle, who was hired by Urban Meyer to be the director of strength performance with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and immediately resigned due to backlash. Bradley defends Chris Doyle's right to work. Doyle allegedly bullied Black players and sent 13 to the hospital as a result of a workout he ran at Iowa...before losing his job. DeShaun Watson v. the Houston Texans Bradley defends DeShaun Watson's right to be traded and Michael defends the Houston Texans' organizational incompetence. MLB v. MLBPA Bradley defends MLB owners paying half as much in free agent contracts this season as they offered last season. Guaranteed money is down, as are contract lengths. Michael defends the MLB Players' Association. Cheats of the Week Bradley nominates Travis Barker as Cheat of the Week, while Michael nominates the Los Angeles Dodgers for signing Trevor Bauer. Brad's Bad Beat/Big Win of the Week Bradley shares gambling stories of his bad beat and big win of the week. Historically Foul Player After the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the 2008 Super Bowl, a Patriots fan named Sean Murphy stole from the jewelers designing the Giants’ championship rings. He actually ended up with quite a few of them meant for rich Giants fans. While the thieves were caught and Murphy is still serving time, there’s a book in the works about Murphy’s life, as well as a documentary. In an ESPN story by Sam Borden, Murphy says the rings didn’t motivate him to do the job, but they’re certainly paying off for him now. Plead the Fifth Inning: Chad Wheeler's Domestic Abuse Case We chat about former Seattle Seahawk lineman Chad Wheeler's domestic abuse case and whether he can be held responsible for his actions that result from not taking his medication for bipolar disorder, and whether CTE has an impact on bipolar disorder.

All rise. The sports court of public opinion we call Foul Play-by-Play is now in session, the dishonorable Anthony Varriano presiding over this podcast providing play-by-play and color commentary on foul play in sports, on courts and in them. The attorney of record and my co-host is Michael Haase of McLarty and Haase Law in Glendive, Montana. Headlines Headline 1: Maryland Football Player Dies of Heat Exhaustion; Wrongful Death Lawsuit Likely Coming Against University After 19-year-old Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair died of apparent heat stroke from performing 110-yard sprints according to ESPN, the university placed head coach D.J. Durkin, strength and conditioning coach Rick Court and some trainers on leave while it investigates whether the staff was negligent. The McNair’s have also hired an attorney, who says a lawsuit is likely and Durkin should be fired. ESPN conducted its own investigation, speaking to two current Maryland football players, former players and football staffers and multiple people close to the program. Here’s what they shared about the football culture under Durkin and Court: There is a coaching environment based on fear and intimidation. Small weights and other objects were thrown by Court in the direction of players when Court was angry. The belittling, humiliation and embarrassment of players is common. A player whom coaches wanted to lose weight was forced to eat candy bars while watching teammates work out. Extreme verbal abuse of players occurs often. One player was belittled verbally after passing out during a drill. Coaches have endorsed unhealthy eating habits and used food punitively. One player said he was forced to eat until he threw up. Durkin and Court’s coaching careers are certainly in jeopardy, but couldn’t they be charged with manslaughter at the very least, or is this just a wrongful death civil lawsuit? Headline 2: UNC Suspends 13 Football Players for Selling Shoes Thirteen North Carolina football players, including quarterback Chazz Surratt, were suspended between one and four games for selling school-issued shoes. The selling of the special edition Nike Jordan shoes is a secondary NCAA violation, and UNC self-reported the violation in January. Since these shoes are uniquely manufactured for and distributed solely to UNC athletes, their rareness by His Airness can fetch upwards of $600 on Ebay, according to Joe Giglio. In college (even now), there is no doubt I would resell my free shoes for $650 . Note the screen shot of the shoes listed on eBay pic.twitter.com/m8q5kmPEIj — Joe Giglio (@jwgiglio) August 6, 2018 Meanwhile, the NCAA changed rules to allow “elite” high school basketball prospects to hire agents and undergraduates to return to school if they enter the NBA Draft and aren’t selected. How hypocritical is it that a college basketball player can now hire an agent but not profit from his name, signature or shoes until he signs a contract and doesn’t need the money anymore? These benefits for attending UNC don’t seem very beneficial. The NCAA has managed to make a benefit a burden. It’s often said possession is nine-tenths of the law. Well, what kind of possession is this if you can’t sell what you possess? Headline 3: Former All-Star MLB Pitcher Esteban Loaiza Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charges Former All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza pleaded guilty Friday to federal drug charges in California. Loaiza acknowledged that he possessed about 44 pounds, or 20 kilos of cocaine with the intent to distribute. He faces 10 years to life in prison when he’s sentenced on Nov. 2. Can we expect Loaiza to be granted leniency in this case since California prisons are still operating above capacity and at increased rates due to healthcare costs? It might be difficult to imagine what would possess a man who made more than $43 million in Major League Baseball to risk his life trafficking cocaine,