Overview of PMS 2.0 1580 - Live from the Home Run Derby with Adam Schefter, Mark DeRosa, Kyle Schwarber, Munetaka Murakami, Adam Ray
Pat McAfee and the crew broadcast live from Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park for MLB All-Star Week, centering the episode on the Home Run Derby, the Phillies’ atmosphere, and a string of major sports headlines. The show blends interviews, comedy, and sports discussion: NFL insider Adam Schefter drops updates on Aaron Donald, Baker Mayfield, and offseason contracts; Mark DeRosa breaks down the World Baseball Classic, the current MLB landscape, and young pitching stars; Kyle Schwarber talks Derby strategy and the Phillies’ season; Munetaka Murakami joins through an interpreter for a fun international baseball segment; and Adam Ray discusses his new Netflix project and comedy career.
Home Run Derby in Philadelphia
The biggest on-site focus is the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park, with the crew hyping the venue as a premium home-run park and expecting a big-scoring night.
Key Derby details discussed
- New format: 20 swings, no outs or time limit.
- If a player homers on the final swing, they can continue in a “make it, take it” style.
- MLB expects the round to be faster than last year’s average at-bat length.
- The crew repeatedly leans into the over on total first-round home runs and expects a high-scoring, entertainment-heavy event.
- Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper are framed as major favorites, especially with the event being held in Philadelphia.
Atmosphere and fan base
- The crew raves about Philadelphia’s energy, calling it one of the best baseball atmospheres in the sport.
- They repeatedly emphasize that the Phillies crowd will make the Derby feel like a major spectacle.
NFL and Other Major Sports Headlines
Adam Schefter brings the latest NFL and offseason news, while the crew also riffs on broader sports storylines.
Schefter’s biggest updates
- Aaron Donald: reportedly worked out with the Rams to test how his body felt after time away; a comeback remains possible, especially with a potential Rams title push.
- Baker Mayfield: contract talks with Tampa Bay are ongoing, but the sides were not close previously.
- Vita Vea and other veteran extension talks may heat up before camp.
- Christian Gonzalez and Devin Witherspoon are both in line for major cornerback extensions.
- Daniel Jones: reportedly cleared for football activities.
- Schefter also celebrates his own new multi-year deal at ESPN.
Other sports chatter
- LeBron James being a free agent sparks speculation about his next destination.
- The Seattle Seahawks sale for $9.6 billion is discussed as a major sign of the NFL’s continued growth.
- The crew also lightly touches on recent UFC drama and the fallout from the McGregor/Holloway fight, though this is more of a side conversation than a main topic.
Mark DeRosa on the World Baseball Classic and MLB Trends
Mark DeRosa joins to talk baseball strategy, the World Baseball Classic, and the health of the sport.
World Baseball Classic reflections
- DeRosa explains the work that went into assembling Team USA.
- He says the WBC was a huge honor, even though the team didn’t win.
- He pushes back on the idea that the WBC itself is the cause of player injuries, calling many of those concerns coincidence or part of baseball’s normal wear and tear.
- He emphasizes how difficult it is to coordinate stars, workloads, and front-office approvals.
MLB and player development
- DeRosa praises the current wave of young talent in MLB.
- He highlights Paul Skenes as a rare, elite pitching prospect and says he’s one of one in terms of velocity and physical gifts.
- He also spotlights the Miami Marlins as a sleeper team with strong pitching and aggressive play.
Base coaching and youth baseball culture
- The conversation repeatedly returns to how baseball is changing, with more emphasis on spectacle, entertainment, and star power.
- DeRosa and the crew note how the Home Run Derby remains one of the few All-Star events that still reliably captures casual fans.
Kyle Schwarber Interview: Derby Prep, Phillies Season, and Philly Energy
Schwarber is the main baseball guest of the night and gives a very relaxed, funny, and baseball-savvy interview.
What Schwarber says about the Derby
- He practiced Derby-style swings once in Detroit and adjusted to the new rules.
- He says the format should be easier on players physically than the old timed format.
- He talks about choosing pitches carefully, staying in rhythm, and letting the “groove” carry him.
- He likes high pitches and says anything up is “fence high.”
Phillies season and the home crowd
- Schwarber says the Phillies had a rough start but turned things around.
- He notes how special it is to do the Derby in front of Philadelphia fans and teammates.
- He says the atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park is likely to make the night even more electric.
Schwarber’s background and memories
- He reflects on growing up a baseball fan and watching classic Derby moments like Josh Hamilton and Bobby Abreu.
- He shares that he grew up in Cincinnati, played football too, and even wore a neck roll in high school after taking a big hit.
Munetaka Murakami Joins the Show
Murakami’s segment is one of the funniest and most memorable, with the crew working through an interpreter and joking around with language, culture, and baseball.
Main points from the interview
- Murakami says he started hitting home runs in high school and felt he could succeed at a high level.
- He discusses wearing No. 5 instead of his usual No. 55, explaining that he wanted to wear a single-digit number.
- The crew explains that in Japan, 55 is associated with power hitters, while Murakami says he changed numbers after reaching 55 career homers in Japan.
- He says he is fully adjusted to American culture and enjoying himself.
- He shares that he likes music, but mostly just focuses on baseball and has a chef at home.
Cultural moments
- The crew explains and jokes about Japanese honorifics like “san.”
- Murakami is called Moonshot Ataka several times, leaning into the comedy of the segment.
- The crew tries to help him choose an English nickname and discusses how his presence brings international attention to the Derby.
Adam Ray: Netflix Show, Characters, and Comedy Stories
Adam Ray appears later in the show and talks about his new Netflix project.
What Adam Ray shared
- His new show, The Adam Ray Show, is on Netflix.
- It’s an interview-style comedy project built around different characters and different locations.
- He describes it as a creative, character-driven format rather than a traditional talk show.
- He says the show features guests like Michael Bublé, Dr. Phil, Dave Matthews, The Rock, Sandra Bullock, and others.
Personal and comedic bits
- Ray mentions that his wife is pregnant.
- He tells a funny story about once mistakenly asking a pregnant woman if she expected a boy or girl, which went badly.
- He and Pat trade jokes about fatherhood, show business, comedy, and being “shirtless” on camera.
Notable Themes and Takeaways
The episode’s biggest themes
- Baseball as entertainment: The crew keeps returning to the idea that MLB needs stars to show up and put on a show.
- Home Run Derby still matters: Even with format changes, the Derby remains a major All-Star Week attraction.
- International baseball is growing: Murakami’s appearance reinforces MLB’s global reach.
- Sports media is still driven by star power: From LeBron to Aaron Donald to Schwarber, the biggest names dominate the conversation.
Practical takeaways
- Expect a very high-scoring, fast-paced Home Run Derby.
- Schwarber and Harper are the major Philly favorites.
- The crew believes the Phillies’ crowd will make the event feel special.
- Keep an eye on Aaron Donald and Baker Mayfield as NFL camp approaches.
- Murakami’s Derby presence is a big international baseball moment.
Closing
The episode wraps with the crew thanking MLB, ESPN production, and the live audience in Philadelphia. They hype the night’s Home Run Derby, remind listeners to be kind to one another, and tease that they’ll be back live from New York the next day.