Overview of Pardon My Take
This episode covered a packed sports week, with the guys reacting to MLB All-Star Week, previewing the Open Championship, breaking down Spain’s dominant win over France, and diving into a long, entertaining interview with Roger Clemens. The show also featured Shane Bacon on the Open, a chaotic Mount Rushmore draft of places you could live forever, and the usual mix of off-the-wall bits, sports takes, and listener questions.
Main Topics Discussed
MLB All-Star Week and the Home Run Derby
- The crew thought the Home Run Derby was the best part of the festivities, especially with the Philly crowd bringing energy and boos.
- They liked the return to seeing the ball land and the dramatic finish, with Jordan Walker going on a tear to beat Kyle Schwarber.
- The All-Star Game itself was viewed as boring, too long, and overproduced with musical breaks.
- They also joked about the Phillies being edged out of a big moment, since Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Christopher Sánchez were all involved but didn’t deliver a signature Phillies breakout.
World Cup / Spain vs. France
- The guys reacted to Spain’s win over France, saying Spain looked faster and more dangerous up front.
- They discussed how France had a soft path before finally running into a real test.
- There was a long riff about how U.S. kickoff times favor Europe, with the hosts arguing it feels weird to have marquee matches at 2 p.m. in the U.S.
- They also floated the ideal final as Argentina vs. Spain, and joked about how that would fit a “Messi final chapter” narrative.
Open Championship Preview with Shane Bacon
- Shane Bacon previewed the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, describing it as a firm, scoreable links course if the weather stays calm.
- Key course notes:
- 108 bunkers
- A famous “donut bunker” on No. 7
- Par fives come late, so scoring opportunities are spread out
- Strong emphasis on fairways and positioning
- He said the event could be low-scoring if wind stays mild.
- He also explained why the Open feels different from American majors: more unpredictability, more bump-and-run golf, and harsher bunker penalties.
Roger Clemens Interview
- Clemens came in with big “Rocket” energy and talked through:
- His 7 Cy Young Awards
- His longevity and late-career success
- Pitching in the American League and National League
- His time with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Astros
- He discussed how he called his own pitches and studied hitters obsessively.
- He explained his splitter, curveball, and pitch-tipping routines, including how he hid pitch cues.
- Clemens said he was frustrated by how modern baseball leans too much on analytics and openers.
- He told stories about:
- George Steinbrenner
- The Simpsons cameo
- Attempting a pitch for the Savannah Bananas
- His Hall of Fame stance, saying it doesn’t define him
- He also emphasized his background and work ethic, saying his baseball career was shaped by his mom, grandmother, and desire to change his family’s life.
Notable Recurring Bits and Jokes
“Hot Seat / Cool Throne”
- Hot seat: People who judge athletes for partying after a loss.
- Cool throne: The guy who got launched by a bison and lived to joke about it.
- Another hot seat was the Sixers, with discussion around Jalen Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey not yet talking like a unified team.
- They also joked about a Michigan diarrhea outbreak, turning it into a “diarrhea states” debate.
Mount Rushmore: Stores/Restaurants You Could Live In Forever
Standout picks included:
- Costco
- Magic City
- Walmart
- Dave & Buster’s
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- Wynn pool bar
- Bass Pro Shop
- Mattress Firm
- AMC Theaters
The theme was basically: choose places with food, entertainment, sleep, and/or an absurd amount of stuff to do.
Other memorable tangents
- They briefly went down a baseball-history rabbit hole about Mule Suttles, a Negro Leagues slugger.
- They joked about Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. still being able to swing it.
- There was a fun side conversation about going to the bathroom with the boys, sparked by an Australia sports story.
- They answered listener questions about what guys talk about on golf trips and whether a boyfriend’s all-day football FaceTimes are normal.
Key Takeaways
- The Home Run Derby saved MLB All-Star Week; the actual All-Star Game didn’t.
- Spain looked like a favorite after crushing France.
- The Open Championship at Birkdale should reward accuracy and smart links play more than brute force.
- Roger Clemens remains one of the most entertaining old-school baseball personalities around.
- The episode was a mix of serious sports talk, nostalgia, and classic PMT absurdity.