Give Your Take: Recent Episodes
Kyle Rathfon
Kyle Rathfon and Blake Koziel, two sports fans with various experience in the world of sports media, give their takes on a variety of sports topics. If you classify yourself as the average sports fan who would like to get a rundown on the current happenings of the three major American sports leagues, and ponder some interesting sports-related questions and thoughts, all in one place and in under two hours; you’ll feel right at home here. From the facts to the hypotheticals, we’re here to keep you informed and guessing, and we’re gonna have a good time doing so.
It’s a pretty good time to be a sports fan right now. We are down to four teams in the NBA Playoffs, and Major League Baseball is in full swing and at full capacity. Everybody wins! Topics discussed on our T-Swift episode: NBA Playoffs update | will there be an asterisk attached to this year’s Larry O’Brien championship trophy? | Celtics trade Kemba Walker to Thunder | Which 2021 prime time NFL game are you most looking forward to? | Padres/Dodgers series round 3: full capacity crowd, Padres coming off sweep, unbelievable betting line fun fact | MLB All Star votes; agree or disagree with current results? | Rays call up #1 prospect in all of baseball, Wander “Wander-kid” Franco | Does Shohei “Showtime” Ohtani hit more or less than 50 homers this year? Will any other players hit 50 this year?
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Topics discussed in this one are as follows: NBA Playoffs update | Which tanking team turns it around and has the best chance to build a contender over the next 3 years? | NFL headlines: someone bet $700 that the Lions will win the Super Bowl next year, payout would be $175K | Trevor Lawrence held out of OTA’s due to hamstring tightness | Jalen Ramsey is Twitter recruiting and trying to get Stephon Gilmore to come to Rams amidst contract disputes and minicamp absence | MLB headlines: Padres recent offensive struggles and Grisham’s return; should they go get a offensive piece now or at the deadline? | Rays acquire Matt Wisler from Giants in exchange for their 30th ranked prospect | Padres sign 44 year old Joe Beimel to Double A; hasn’t pitched in majors since 2015, but still has a fastball that sits in the mid 90’s| Aces and their injury cases; Degrom, Scherzer, Bieber, all expected to miss time | Will we see an overall decline in pitching performance over the rest of the season now with MLB’s efforts to crackdown on foreign substance use?
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
We got some mid-week action for you! Topics for our 20th: NBA playoffs update | should Dame Lillard leave Portland this offseason? | Will the Lakers blow up their roster? | Julio Jones traded to the Titans | MLB’s sticky situation | MLB prospect and injury update | MLB trade deadline rumors and predictions | Blake is a fan of Scott Kazmir | takeaways from the first Yankees/Red Sox series of the year
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
It’s June, summer is upon us, and the boys are back in town! School’s out forever for us, and we couldn’t wait to get back to our really low budget headphone mics to talk sports (you can tell how excited we were based on how long this episode is). Topics of conversation in this one include: first round takeaways of the NBA playoffs | if the “bubble effect” is legit | highlighting the QB class of this year’s NFL draft | Tim Tebow’s return to the NFL and it’s ripple effect | Julio Jone’s trade worth | Aaron Rodgers (the guy is a walking headline at this point) | the legend of Adam Vinatieri as he rides off into the sunset | Padres and Rays atop the MLB | NL East not living up to the hype | early front runners for Cy Young and MVP in both leagues | Who’s getting on and off the MLB injury carousel | Rays trading Willy Adames to the Brew Crew | Prospect Check-in | the recent success of the World Baseball Classic as International baseball competition returns to the Olympics.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
On this week’s show, we discuss the following: - Over/Under on 6+ quarterbacks being taken in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday? - Chiefs trade for left tackle Orlando Brown from Ravens - Alex Smith retires - AD returns for the Lakers - our favorite MLB players who played at the universities we attend (San Diego State and Long Beach State) - MadBum’s 7 inning no hitter in second doubleheader game - A’s winning streak ends at 13, chances of winning AL West - Jay Bruce, Neil Walker both retire - Padres/Dodgers second series of season, Tatis on fire (5 HRs in 3 games)
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Topics discussed on this one: NBA= Injury report. Jamal Murray is out for the remainder of season after tearing his ACL, James Wiseman is out for the rest of the year after knee surgery, Lamarcus Aldridge retires after irregular heartbeat issue re-emerges in-game, Donovan Mitchell misses game with a sprained ankle (MRI to come), and Damian Lillard misses a game with a hamstring injury. NFL= Julian Edelman retirement (maybe?), Cardinals sign James Conner, and the Browns sign Jadeveon Clowney. MLB= Carlos Rodon’s no-hitter, Tatis coming back and Bellinger missing time as the first Padres/Dodgers series of the year goes down, and a segment we’re calling Standouts and Handouts.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This is kind of turning into a baseball podcast, and we’re not mad about it. Hopefully you aren’t either. We talk about what it was like for each us watching Joe Musgrove throw the first no-hitter in Padres history. We also give our takes on the Tatis and Morejon injuries. In regards to the rest of the league, we discuss Trevor Rosenthal needing Thoracic Outlet surgery, the All-Star Game being moved to Coors Field (segues into who we’d like to see in the Home Run Derby), the teams that we are impressed and disappointed with so far, MLB and the investigation of Trevor Bauer’s mystery baseballs, and JD Martinez’s red-hot start. On an unrelated note, we still talk about the other two sports we like to cover. we talk about Enes Kanter’s big night (30 rebounds?!) and Baylor winning its first National Championship in Men’s basketball in dominating fashion over Gonzaga, as well as the Sam Darnold trade.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This one is mostly for baseball fans. The regular season is upon us, and we couldn’t be more excited to have baseball be apart of our daily lives again. We give our takeaways from each of the 2021 Opening Day games, and also discuss the Francisco Lindor extension and Adrian Gonzalez deciding to reignite his playing career in the Mexican League. To preface that full slate, We have a brief discussion about Demarcus Cousins going to the Clippers and Isaiah Thomas going to the Pelicans, along with some storylines for the Final Four matchups.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
We give our takes on a wild week of NBA trades, NFL signings, and MLB injuries. We also answer some hypotheticals regarding Chris Paul as a dark horse for MVP, James Harden or KD as your franchise cornerstone, and the over/under on 3 Padres/Dodgers benches clearing incidents happening during this upcoming season. We also touch on the 49ers moving up to the #3 pick in the upcoming draft, the NFL expanding to a 17 game regular season, and Gio Gonzalez retiring after 13 seasons as one of the last of a dying breed in baseball; the crafty lefty.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
It’s been a crazy last week or so in sports, and we have loved it. We continue to cover our three favorite leagues, starting with the NBA. We debate whether or not Zach Lavine has improved the most over the course of his career out of anyone who is currently in the league, as well as if adding a elite star to this current New Orleans Pelicans team would make them a contender. We cover the Lebron James and Lamelo Ball injuries and give our takes on how it will affect their respective teams for the remainder of the season, as well as if the addition of PJ Tucker makes a big enough impact to get them over the hump. We continue with your regularly scheduled programming and talk about the plethora of happenings that occurred in the NFL over the past week. We talk about our favorite and least favorite signings, extensions, and pay-cuts from the last week. We finish out this one talking baseball, starting with the Austin Nola and Carlos Carrasco injuries. We also discuss the projected shifting of the Reds infield and who will be where at the start of the season, the Royals extending Salvador Perez’s contract, and the Orioles signing Maikel Franco.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
It’s been a little over a year since the pandemic officially shut down sports. Now in 2021, we are inching closer and closer to being back to normal in the sports world. We recap a fan-less NBA All Star Weekend and grade each event. We also discuss USA basketball rosters present and past, Blake Griffin signing with the Nets, trade chips that title contenders might pick up before the deadline, and give our opinions on the new line of “Earned” NBA jerseys that were released recently. Our football discussion this week is all about the money. We talk recent extensions, signings, franchise tags, contract restructuring, and free agents that are still available on the market. We find ourselves spending the late hours with America’s pastime once again, but it’s not the same. The game is changing folks. We have a game of catch with the MLB’s proposition to experiment on Minor League baseball with some new rules. Finally, we close this one out with a 1, 2, 3 inning of Jake Odorizzi to the Astros, Nick Markakis retiring, and the continuation of Trevor Cahill’s Major League road trip, as he now finds himself in Pittsburgh pitching for the Pirates.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
March is upon us, and Madness has taken on a whole new meaning. We discuss the upcoming NCAA basketball tournament briefly, but we’re using the term literally to describe two things; NBA refs, and JJ Watt’s decision to sign with the Cardinals. It’s madness I tell you, madness! On a lighter note, Spring (training) brings new beginnings, and we can’t wait for the season to start. We discuss the Jackie Bradley Jr. signing and how it will affect not only the landscape of the Brewers outfield, but the landscape of the NL Central. We also touch on some other happenings around the league, and reminisce on some of our favorite moments from baseball games we attended in person.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
We’ve hit double digits men and women. Episode 10 has us asking and answering a lot of questions. In regards to the NBA, these were some of the ones we had. who is your pick in an NBA 3 point contest? Can the Lakers figure things out without AD? The Nets without KD? Who out of the All Star snubs was most deserving of a spot on the team? Post-MJ Bulls, are you building your franchise around Derrick Rose or Jimmy Butler? In the NFL, we give our opinions on the 2020 awards, discuss Russell Wilson trade talks, and rant about Dak Prescott’s situation with the Cowboys and the culture of all glamour, no grit that embodies America’s team. We round third and bring this one home with the best division in baseball currently, a potential Scott Kazmir revival, and Kelvin Herrera’s impact on baseball after his retirement.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
The NFL offseason is officially underway, and moves are already being made. We talk about the Carson Wentz trade, potential landing spots for JJ Watt, and briefly reflect on Vincent Jackson’s time as a San Diego Charger after his recent passing. Picks for Saquon Barkley vs. Nick Chubb in a squat off are also included. Our NBA coverage includes a discussion on the recent release of the All-Star Game starting lineups, potential landing spots and the likelihood of PJ Tucker and Blake Griffin being traded to contenders before the deadline, and Draymond Green’s comments on the “double standard” that exists within the NBA’s trade process. We wrap up this episode talking about Fernando Tatis’s mega deal, and branch off from that to answer the question: is the NFL or the MLB better for the financial stability of professional athletes? We also give our opinions on the A’s recent flurry of signings and recap the most recent signings around the league. Tim Tebow’s retirement from professional baseball sparks a conversation about whether or not he would have had a better NFL career if he played a different position.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
It’s that time of year where football (at least the American kind) is on a hiatus. But we’re still talking about it. We discuss the Buccaneers Super Bowl victory, Tom Brady’s GOAT application, and the possibilities of a Chiefs-Bucs rematch on Super Sunday next year. We also talk about what the offseason might look like for these two teams, as well as some of the current free agent and trade rumors swirling around the league. Clearly we like baseball, as we continue to talk about the MLB offseason and the latest trades and signings, with Spring Training fast approaching. We also give our opinions on the major rule decisions that have been agreed upon for the 2021 season and on the recently released Baseball Prospectus standings projections.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
For our first episode in February, we discuss the talk surrounding the potential of an NBA All Star Weekend happening this year. We also discuss if the Rockets are burning the ships and starting the rebuild (Christian Woods injury, Victor Oladipo, PJ Tucker trades?) and current happenings with the Warriors (Klay Thompson & Draymond Green trash talking Piston’s player, Kelly Oubre’s 40 point night and his future with the team). We briefly discuss who would win in a battle of the bench press between Aaron Donald and DK Metcalf, and touch on projected #1 pick Trevor Lawrence’s current situation with shoulder surgery imminent and the draft just a few months away. We wrap up with more MLB free agency talk, discussing the long awaited Trevor Bauer signing and the latest in signings, retirements, and GM extensions around the league.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
6 is a loaded one. We start on the hardwood and give our takes on the early season MVP discussion. Our predictions for who the main contenders for the award will be at the end of the season are included. We also discuss some headliner names that will possibly be shipped to championship contenders before the trade deadline, and give our takeaways on the current league standings. We work our way back to the football field to talk about the 2020 NFL season for the last time. We discuss the championship round games, give our predictions for the Super Bowl, and take a ride on the quarterback carousel, discussing current big names at the position who want to play for different teams next year. We wrap up with another trip around the diamond as we continue to discuss the latest trades and signings of the MLB offseason. We also talk about the HOF ballot results (or lack there of) and pay homage to the late Hank Aaron, one of the best to ever do it both on and off the baseball field.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
We continue with our NFL playoff coverage, giving our takeaways on the Divisional round games and sharing our predictions for the conference championships. We also quickly reflect on Drew Brees and Phillip Rivers announcing their retirements, share some experimental ideas regarding Cam Newton’s future, and briefly touch on the Dwayne Haskins signing. The second half of this one is all baseball. We discuss the most recent signings and trades in the MLB and talk about who is still on the free agent market. We play GM for a bit and give our take on the best landing spots for some of our favorite free agents. We close this one out discussing the legendary career stats of Dodger Don Sutton.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Playoff football is in full swing, and we’re here for it. We cover a crazy Super Wild Card Weekend and make predictions for the Divisional round (you’ll immediately know if we were right or wrong) , recent coaching hires, and Alabama’s dominant National Championship performance. We also briefly touch on the James Harden trade and it’s possible effects on the Nets organization and the rest of the teams involved. We wrap up with dugout chatter as the MLB offseason starts to heat up, and we share which decade of baseball we would liked to have witnessed and why.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
We ring in the new year with our best “This Day in Sports” segment yet with Dr. J and the Great Bambino. Then we jump into the football world and talk Philly drama, the coaching carousel, and predictions for NFL Wild Card weekend. We wrap up with a trip around the diamond, giving our takes on who the best players are at each position in the MLB currently.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In the second go around of Give Your Take, We talk about NBA Christmas Day games present and past, and our favorite current duos in the league. We also touch on Justin Herbert’s record breaking rookie year, and give our predictions on how the NFL playoffs would go if they started today. As Padres fans, we obviously had to talk MLB off-season, focusing on their recent moves. Trevor Bauer is mentioned at some point too. Finally, we wrap up by giving our takes on a few athletes who we think should try their hand at a different sport.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Kyle and Blake give their take on a variety of current sports topics. CFP Rankings and the NY6, NFL Playoff picture, MLB Free Agency and HOF Ballot, some strange happenings in the NBA, and a little bit more. It’s definitely a rookie performance, but there’s something there.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app