Tradition's Finest Episode 96 - "The Charlie Conway & the Mighty Ducks Episode"

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 96 - "The Charlie Conway & the Mighty Ducks Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - PGA: Despite being the PGA No.1 ranked player in the world, it was almost as if reporters at a recent press conference were shocked to learn that Scottie Scheffler "does not find his life's true fulfillment by winning PGA events," but unfortunately for his fellow golfers, this lack of fulfillment did not negatively affect his performance and/or prevent him from demonstrating that competitive edge that seems so routine, from bleeding through on one of the sport's biggest stages last Sunday - - Scheffler had all the time in the world to celebrate his latest major title, carding a 68 to cruise to a four-stroke victory in the PGA Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland - - The outcome was never in doubt on Sunday as Scheffler finished at (-17), delivering yet another dominant performance to win his second major this year, and to grab the third leg of the career Grand Slam - - After making par on the 18^th hole, the crowd erupted in amazement, and in appreciation for his spectacular performance, but for Scheffler, it appeared as just another routine win - until he encountered his wife, Meredith, their 15-month-old son Bennett & his parents - at which point, he thrust both fists into the air, pumped both arms & tossed his hat in a joyous manner - - Scheffler's behavior further demonstrated, to him, that this was just 'another victory' at a PGA major, and that the 29-year-old Texas native was far more concerned about his family & their overall excitement, and just to top it off, he does get to keep the silver Claret jug for another year - - Scheffler is a champion on & off the PGA course - - He became just the fourth player in Open Championship history to shoot 68 or better in all four rounds of the event, joining Collin Morikawa, Henrik Stenson & Jesper Parnevik. . ."RIP 2 My Childhood:" Hulk "Hulkamania" Hogan, the star who took professional wrestling to the national mainstream, and was a significant contributor to the overall legacy of the sport, died last Thursday morning on July 24^th at the age of 71 - - The WWE Hall of Famer, according to multiple reports, was pronounced dead at a local hospital in Clearwater, Florida, shortly after a 911 call was placed about a victim in cardiac arrest - - Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, had been struggling with several health issues in recent years, which included a problematic, lingering back injury from his wrestling days, and had reportedly underwent a complicated heart procedure just weeks prior to his death - - While Hogan was the identity of professional wrestling for many years, later in life, and much to his dismay, Hogan became a controversial figure that somewhat retreated from the spotlight - following the release of a private sex tape that depicted Hogan with his best friend's wife - as well as a secret recording that revealed Hogan's use of racist remarks in a taped conversation with his daughter, Brooke Hogan - - Not too downplay the complex nature of Hogan's inappropriate actions over the years, it would be a disservice to the sport of professional wrestling, to not acknowledge his accomplishments and the influence he had on children growing up in the 1990's (aka JD) - - In 1985, Hogan headlined the WWF's first 'Wrestlemania' at Madison Square Garden, which drew an audience of nearly one million viewers on a closed-circuit television, and it was this particular event that many credit with taking the sport into the national spotlight - - Hogan's grudge match versus Andre the Giant at 'Wrestlemania III' took the wrestling business & his career to new heights - - Hogan was featured in the main event of the first eight Wrestlemania cards, and would go on to win the WWF (now known as the "WWE) World Heavyweight Championship belt six times, and finally, he pulled off the biggest "heel turn" in wrestling history - while working for the WWF/WWE competitor, WCW - when Hogan embraced the role of a villain, joining the New World Order as "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan - - Hogan returned to the WWE in 2002, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. . . - MLB - Nick Kurtz of the Oakland Athletics became the first rookie in MLB history to hit four HRs in a game, as part of a spectacular Friday night for the 22-year-old that will go down as one of the greatest offensive displays that sport has ever seen - - Kurtz finished the game with eight RBIs, six runs scored & also matched the MLB record with 19 total bases in the A's 15-3 victory over the Houston Astros - - Kurtz didn't make an out all night, as he went on to hit absolutely DINGERS in the second, sixth, eighth & ninth innings - and he also doubled on a 381-feet drive that would have been out in six major league ballparks - - **Can confirm: No MLB player has ever hit five HRs in a single game - - and he singled on his 6-for-6 night to tie Shawn Green, who had four HRs, six hits & 19 total bases for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a game in 2002 - - This was the 20^th four-HR game in MLB history & second this season - - Through the rookie's 66 games played, the 6-foot-5 power hitter has hit 23 HRs, and he is the youngest player in the history of the sport to hit four HRs. . .Two-time National League MVP & Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is a very confident, brave soul, that unlike most of us who would not dare to question or belittle our boss for fear of retribution, demonstrated that he is not afraid to "stick it to the man:" Harper stood nose to nose with Rob Manfred during a meeting between the MLB Commissioner and the team last week - telling Manfred to "get the f*** out of our clubhouse," if he wanted to discuss the potential implementation of a salary cap, sources informed ESPN on Monday - - Ahead of the expiration of baseball's collective-bargaining agreement between the MLB and MLBPA (Major League Baseball Player's Association), which is scheduled to occur on December 1^st of next year, multiple team owners have advocated for the implementation of a salary cap in baseball, which is the only major Men's North American sport without one - - According to multiple sources, the MLBPA strongly opposes a salary cap, arguing that it would serve more as a tool to increase franchise values than to lessen the sport's large disparity between high and low-spending teams - - Q: What do you think: Should the MLB implement a "salary cap?" What would be the implications of a salary cap on baseball?. . . - NBA - A couple weeks ago, on Thursday (7/17), nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract that reunited the Weber State alum with the NBA franchise that drafted him, the Portland Trail Blazers, as confirmed per sources to ESPN - - Lillard's deal includes a player option in 2027-28 as well as a "no-trade" clause (*only the second player in the league with a "no-trade" clause in their contract - LeBron James) - - The deal with Portland comes after the Milwaukee Bucks shockingly waived the 35-year-old guard in early July, and stretched the remaining $113 million on his contract, to sign PF/C Myles Turner - - Q: Was Damian Lillard's decision to reunite with Portland exactly the way in which you would prefer to see his career go (and possibly end)? Do you believe this was the "best decision" he could've made in terms of his rehabilitation & potential future in the league?. . .After a contract buyout with the Wizards, veteran NBA guard Marcus Smart has signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, the team confirmed last Tuesday afternoon (7/24) - - As a standout defender & two-player contributor, Smart excelled for the rival Boston Celtics for nine seasons prior to spending the past two years with the Memphis Grizzlies & Washington Wizards - - Smart, who was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, made nine straight consecutive playoff appearances throughout his tenure with the Celtics - however, because of injuries, Smart has only played in a total of 54 games over the past two seasons since leaving Boston - - Smart is joining the supporting cast of a Laker's team that is built around their two superstars, Luka Doncic & LeBron James, as Los Angeles continues to make a splash in the offseason, after previously signing C DeAndre Ayton. . .Twelve-time All-Star PG Chris Paul has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers for what is anticipated to be his final (or 21st) NBA season, per his agents at CAA - - Per ESPN, Paul reportedly had multiple suitors, such as the Bucks, Hornets & Mavericks, but Paul chose to reunite with the contending Clippers & their shared history in Los Angeles - - The deal marks a return to the Clippers for Paul, who played for the franchise for six seasons - most of which he spent playing alongside both Blake Griffin & DeAndre Jordan, who were integral to the Clippers' success as well as to what would earn the organization the nickname "Lob City," - - Paul becomes the latest veteran addition to the Clippers franchise this offseason, who have previously acquired SG Bradley Beal (via the Phoenix Suns), PF John Collins & C Brook Lopez - - Q: What are your thoughts about Chris Paul returning to the Clippers for his "final" NBA season?. - NCAA: News & Storylines - In a stunning move that links leaders in the sports media landscape, Dave Portnoy & his media company, Barstool Sports, have agreed to a wide-ranging collaboration with Fox Sports, which will bring together many of the industry's most prominent voices and high-profile influencers to bolster coverage surrounding college football, college basketball & other Fox Sports properties, including creating unique content with a new daily studio show that will air on FS1 - - Portnoy, 48, shared the news of the collaboration via an "emergency press conference" on his X social media account - The announcement also included a video that shows Portnoy superimposed across various sports-related highlights, which in itself, featured more news: Portnoy will be appearing on the Fox Sports college football pregame show, Big Noon Kickoff, as a analyst this upcoming season - - In addition, there will be a new weekly show titled "Barstool College Football Show." - - As a part of the partnership, Barstool Sports will be producing & delivering a two-hour long program that will air weekly, and that will include a mixture of popular Barstool personalities (i.e., "Big Cat") & Fox Sports talent that join in on interviews & sports-related discussions - - Q: What are your thoughts on the Fox Sports - Barstool Sports partnership? Will this lead to Barstool Sports eventually becoming a part of "mainstream" sports media? What are your thoughts on Dave Portnoy appearing as a college football analyst on Big Noon Kickoff?. . .Former BYU QB Jake Retzlaff has verbally committed to "walk-on" at Tulane, per ESPN's Pete Thamel last Monday afternoon (7/21) - - Retzlaff abruptly departed BYU after he was accused of sexual battery by a woman from an incident that reportedly occurred in 2023 - - While the lawsuit was dismissed & Retzlaff was never charged, he still faced a seven-game suspension for violation of the program's "honor code," which prohibits premarital sex, which ultimately led Retzlaff to transfer to New Orleans, where there certainly is not an "honor code!" - NFL - Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice has been sentenced to five years probation and 30 days of jail time by a Dallas County judge - - Rice pled guilty to two felony charges related to the WR's role in a multi-car crash last year - - The incident took place in March 2024, as Rice drove 119 mph in a Lamborghini during rush hour traffic, which led to Rice hitting other vehicles in the process, that caused a chain reaction that affected multiple cars - and following the crash, Rice flees the scene on foot - - After the crash, Rice was sued for $1 million by the two people who were injured in the crash - this lawsuit was settled on Wednesday (7/16), and as a result, Rice must pay $1 million to the two plaintiffs as well as their lawyer's fees - - Rice was sentenced to "deferred probation," as a result of the plea deal, which means that the case will be dismissed if he successfully completes the probationary period - - Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 30 days of jail time may be served at any point during Rice's five years on probation - - The rulings by the Dallas County Court opens the door for the NFL to discipline Rice directly - he is expected to receive a multi-game suspension - - Q: How many games should the league suspend Chiefs WR Rashee Rice for the upcoming 2025-26 NFL season?. . . Eight-time Pro Bowl QB & Alabama's very own Philip Rivers announced last Monday (7/21) that he is retiring from the NFL as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers in an emotional video posted by the team to social media - - Rivers, who played 16 seasons with the Chargers, holds team records in every major category, winning 137 career games - - A Super Bowl appearance is the lone omission on Rivers' resume, but he does rank 6th all-time in NFL history with 63,440 passing yards, behind only Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre & Ben Roethlisberger - - Beyond his play, Rivers grew famous for his trash-talking, particularly how he did it: without using any profanity - - Q: Realistically, could you "trash-talk" without the use of profanity? Would trash-talk without the use of profanity actually hurt worse than a profanity-laden rant?. . .In a late-July surprise, New Orleans safety Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu announced that he is calling it a career, and the decorated safety is retiring after playing in the NFL for 12 seasons, the Saints website announced last Tuesday (7/22) - - Although he compiled an underwhelming 2024 season, the 33-year-old safety was expected to fill one half of a headline-grabbing safety tandem - with former teammate Justin Reid - in the back end of New Orleans' defense in 2025 - - Mathieu's career began with uncertainty but lasted a dozen years and included plenty of deserved accolades - his career took on a nomadic appearance, but he contributed at every stop along his journey, earning three first-team All-Pro selections, three Pro Bowl nods, and finally, he won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs & landed on the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Decade Team for the 2010s, a strong indicator he'll receive his own place in Canton in the future - - Q: Does Tyrann Mathieu deserve to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?. . .At least 100 players from roughly half of the NFL's 32 teams face fines and possible suspension for allegedly selling their allotted tickets to this year's Super Bowl LIX above face value in violation of league policies, sources informed ESPN last Friday (7/25) - - Under an agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association, players who violated the rule will be fine 1 1/2 times the face ticket value and lose their allotted tickets to the next two Super Bowls - - If they are playing in the game, the players will have a chance to purchase seats - - Those who decline the punishment could be suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. . .Shemar Stewart & the Cincinnati Bengals have finally agreed on his rookie contract, per his agent Zac Hiller on Friday (7/25), as the DE became the final first-round draft pick to reach a deal - - Stewart will sign a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $18.97 million and including a $10.4 million signing bonus - - Stewart, who was selected 17th overall in this year's draft, is set to join the Bengals six days after the team's rookies reported for training camp - - The two sides compromised to finalize a deal: Stewart will receive a more lucrative payout structure than previous picks at No.17 for accepting the new language the Bengals placed in the team's rookie contracts. . .The Las Vegas Raiders announced last week that the franchise decided to cut DT Christian Wilkins - - Wilkins, 29, had just signed a four-year, $110 million contract extension with the team last offseason - - Wilkins was "unexpectedly cut" by the Raiders last week, and on Monday, ESPN first reported that Wilkins gave a "playful kiss" to an [unidentified] teammate's head during a meeting last week - - The "playful kiss" by Wilkins led to a HR complaint that partly played into his ultimate release - - ESPN reported that the incident was "not the sole reason" for Wilkins' dismissal from the team, though it appears to have played a role in the franchise's decision - - Q: What are your thoughts on the Raiders' decision to cut/release DT Christian Wilkins? Thoughts on the incident that partially led to his dismissal?. . .The last major contract issue for the Cincinnati Bengals could be inching closer to a resolution - - All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson reportedly ended his holdout, and reported to Bengals training camp on Wednesday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter - - According to a source, Hendrickson's arrival served as a good faith gesture to spark negotiations with the team - - Hendrickson, who will turn 31 this season, is the reigning NFL sack leader, and he was named to the AP All-Pro Team after leading the league with 17.5 sacks last season - - he was also a Pro Bowl selection for the fourth straight season - - Per Adam Schefter, the holdup in negotiations is over the "guaranteed money" in the contract. . . - 2025-26 College Football Preseason Prediction Showcase PT. III: ACC Conference - - In the episode finale this week, JD & Spencer each provide their individual (and independent) projections/predictions for the ACC Conference for the upcoming 2025-26 college football season - - They provided their overall predictions by presenting their responses to the following set of agreed-upon questions: 1. Which teams of the ACC Conference would you consider to be "Championship Contenders" next season? 2. Which teams of the ACC Conference would you consider to be "Championship Pretenders" next season? 3. Which programs would you consider to function as "sleeper team(s)" of the ACC Conference next season? 4. Who are a few "players to watch" out of the ACC Conference next season? 5. Which ACC Conference program do you predict to win the 2025-26 Conference Championship? 6. How many ACC Conference programs do you believe will receive a bid into the 2025-26 College Football Playoff? Which team(s)? Thanks for Listening!