Yoshinobu Yama-🐐-⚾️ was born on this day in 1998. “Losing Isn’t An Option!” 🥳🎉🎂

In case you already forgot who this man is and what he has accomplished in a decade of an already Hall Of Fame career, here are just some highlights (thanks, Wikipedia!):

With the Orix Buffaloes of the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball): 5x All-Star, 4x Pacific League ERA champion, 3x Pacific League strikeouts and wins champion, 3x Triple Crown, 3x Pacific League MVP, 3x Eiji Sawamura (NPB’s equivalent of Cy Young), 2 no-hitters, 1x Japan Series champion

With the Samurai Japan national team: Gold Medal and All-Olympic Team in Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Gold Medal in 2023 World Baseball Classic

With the Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles (MLB): 2x World Series Champion (2024, 2025), 2x All-Star (2025, 2026), 2025 World Series MVP, 2025 All-MLB First Team

More than just the namesake for the surgical procedure that saved his own elbow and that of many other pitchers’ thereafter, Tommy John (a.k.a. “The Bionic Man”) had an amazing 26-year career, making four All-Star appearances and six opening day starts, playing for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, California Angels, and Oakland Athletics.

He ended his career with 288 wins, 3.34 ERA, and 2,245 strikeouts but has still yet to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall Of Fame. By virtue of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery that is better known by his own name (“Tommy John surgery”) — it might be time, even if posthumously, to recognize and finally welcome Thomas Edwards John Jr. into Cooperstown.

Nonetheless, grateful to see he was able to pen a goodbye letter before he passed away peacefully at 83 years of age:

A Letter from Tommy John:

I want to thank the Yankees organization & the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone, along with all the friends & fans who followed me throughout my 26-year career.

Thanks to Dr. Jobe, who saved my arm & made it possible for me to continue pitching. That surgery has since gone on to save the careers of countless pitchers, including many of the very best in the game today.

Thank you to all the fans who supported me & my teammates for 26 years. I will never forget you.

The day I left for my first job as a pitcher, my father looked at me & said, "Good luck, Tommy. Just remember one thing: whether you make it big in the big leagues or you don't, you'll always just be Tommy John from Terre Haute, Indiana."
I've never forgotten those words.

Thank you & God Bless.

Tommy John (TJ)

⚾️🕊️

🥳🎉🎂💜💛 Happy birthday to these members of the Lakers Family (year of birth; years played with Lakers organization)

Earvin “Magic” Johnson (b. 1959; 1979-1991, 1996)
Frank Brickowski (b. 1959; 1986-1987)
Fred Roberts (b. 1960; 1995-1996)
Chucky Atkins (b. 1974; 2004-2005)
Reggie Hearn (b. 1991; 2019/2020, South Bay Lakers)

Happy 36th, Boogie Cuz - Lakers Legend and 2020 NBA Champion! 👻🥳🎉🎂

Drafted fifth overall out of the University of Kentucky in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, for whom he would play 6.5 seasons, Cousins would later play 1.5 seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, make the NBA Finals with the 2018/2019 Golden State Warriors, sign with the 2019/2020 Los Angeles Lakers (receiving a championship ring from the organization, despite missing the entire season due to injury and getting waived in February before the season shut down temporarily), and play parts of his final two seasons with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets.

He won two gold medals (2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain, 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro) and ended his professional career playing in Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Mongolia, and the Philippines.

Happy 52nd birthday, Derek Lamar Fisher, a.k.a. “D-Fish” 🥳🎉🎂

The most important cog in the machine of the Los Angeles Lakers’ five championships in the 2000s that few ever talk about, Fisher was one of the steals of the stacked 1996 NBA Draft (24th overall), after a four-year college career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) that ended with earning Sunbelt Conference Player of the Year honors.

D-Fish would go on to have an 18-year NBA career, spending 13 with the Lakers (1996-2004, 2007-2012), 2 with the Golden State Warriors (2004-2006), 3 with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2012-2014), and part of 1 with the Dallas Mavericks (2012). He was the consummate professional, teammate, and leader; never wowing you with his stats, but convincing even the harshest critics via good old fashioned eye test with his intangibles. Every championship run features “D-Fish That Saved Los Angeles” at least once — Google him if you don’t believe me!

My personal favorite moment was when he posterized 2001 MVP Allen Iverson in Game 2 of that year’s NBA Finals — a little vengeance for AI stepping over Tyronn Lue the game prior, and even better that I had the privilege of meeting Fish at a public signing event later that summer! (Unfortunately, this predated smartphones, but I still have the autographed photo and the core memory of shaking his hand & saying thanks as the line kept moving. 🙏🏼)

And how could I forget: The 0.4-second game-winning buzzer-beater in Game 5 of the 2004 West Semis vs the San Antonio Spurs, which Shaquille O’Neal appropriately dubbed as, “One Lucky Shot Deserves Another!”

He would later be Head Coach of the New York Knicks for two seasons (2014-2016), the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA for four seasons (2019-2022), and the Crespi Carmlite High School (Encino, California) boys’ basketball team for two seasons (2023-2025).

Fisher has been a regular guest analyst on television the past decade-plus, officially joined the NBA on NBC crew starting in the 2025/2026 season, and most recently became one-half of the radio duo that is D-Fish & Decker on 97.1 The Fan LA.

Although he may never be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, I firmly believe his jersey #2 should hang in the rafters of “The House That Shaq & Kobe…and D-Fish Built” as a way to honor his vital contributions to the Lakers Family’s legacy of winning. 💜💛2️⃣

🗣️ Do you agree with Davy’s jersey retirement take? Is Derek Fisher in fact the third most important Laker in their 5 championships (2000-2002, 2009-2010)? And is he on the Mount Rushmore, or even the GOAT, of Greatest Non-AllStar Playoff Performers?

Drop your takes below, and the B.A.D. Show just might feature you on a future episode of the podcast!🎙️

B.A.D. Takes Only — new episodes on Apple & Spotify

Appropriately dubbed by Marv Albert as "The Greatest Team Ever Assembled," the 1992 U.S. Men's National Team steamrolled the competition, going an undefeated 8-0, and defeating opponents by an average margin of victory of 43.8 ppg. On August 8, 1992, the Dream Team defeated Croatia by a score of 117-85 to capture its first gold since the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.

The 1992 squad had the distinction of being the first US Men's team to send mostly professional players, 11 NBA veterans and 1 recently-drafted NCAA phenom:

#	Name	Team
4	Christian Laettner	Duke University (drafted by Minnesota Timberwolves on June 24)
5	David Robinson	San Antonio Spurs
6	Patrick Ewing	New York Knicks
7	Larry Bird	Boston Celtics
8	Scottie Pippen	Chicago Bulls
9	Michael Jordan	Chicago Bulls
10	Clyde Drexler	Portland Trail Blazers
11	Karl Malone	Utah Jazz
12	John Stockton	Utah Jazz
13	Chris Mullin	Golden State Warriors
14	Charles Barkley	Phoenix Suns (traded from Philadelphia 76ers on June 17)
15	Earvin "Magic" Johnson	Retired (last played for Los Angeles Lakers)

Some fun facts about this historic team:

1. While Michael Jordan was regarded as the best player in the world at the time, it was Charles Barkley who would be regarded as the best performer of their dominant run, averaging 18.0 ppg on otherworldly efficiency (71.1% from the field, 87.5% on two-pointers). "The Round Mound Of Rebound" would then carry this momentum into the 1992/1993 NBA season, when he would win MVP in his first year with the Phoenix Suns, leading them all the way to the NBA Finals in June of 1993.
2. Opponents of severely undermatched nations were frequently starstruck by the NBA legends they were competing against. On one occasion, an opposing player trying to guard Magic Johnson was waving to his teammate on the bench to ensure he took a photograph of him guarding the Laker legend. Other examples included entire opposing teams requesting to take photos with and getting autographs from the Dream Team.
3. Head Coach Chuck Daly never called one single timeout during their entire run. Let that sink in!
4. 11 of the 12 were eventually inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame as individual players after their respective pro careers, with Laettner being the exception. However, the entire squad was inducted as a team in 2010.
5. And who can forget (see first photo above): Michael Jordan draping the United States flag over his right shoulder to cover up the Reebok logo. He took things personally on a global stage! 🤣

Whether you witnessed this all-time great team or simply read and heard about them: Any additional thoughts or fun facts to share?

And of course we need to ask:

Was this Dream Team the greatest team in USA Men's Basketball history?

Drop your takes below, and the B.A.D. Show just might feature you on a future episode of the podcast!🎙️

B.A.D. Takes Only — new episodes on Apple & Spotify

The résumé on the graphic speaks for itself.

But here’s what it doesn’t tell you about one Sidney Patrick Crosby:

#️⃣8️⃣7️⃣ His jersey number — 87 — is literally his birthday: 8/7/87. Intentional or not, that’s legendary behavior.

🏒⭐️🥅 He scored the golden goal — overtime, 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Canada vs. USA. One of the most iconic moments in the history of any sport, not just hockey.

🍺🥇🗺️ He’s a Triple Gold Club member — Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, and World Championship Gold. An elite group that very few players ever complete.

👑🐧 He’s spent his entire career with one franchise (Pittsburgh Penguins). In today’s era of player movement, that kind of loyalty has basically gone the way of the dinosaur.

🏆 He won the Calder Trophy (best rookie) in 2006. The hardware collection started immediately and never stopped.

And now… the debate nobody asked for but everybody needs to have 👀

Is Sidney Crosby the NHL GOAT?

Gretzky’s records are untouchable. We know. But Crosby’s hardware haul in the modern era — three Cups, two Olympic golds including THE golden goal, every individual trophy imaginable — has the argument closer than people want to admit.

Drop your takes below. Brian and Davy will be recording today and we’re not above stealing — er, borrowing — from the comments. 🎙️

B.A.D. Takes Only — new episodes on Apple & Spotify

Belated Happy Heavenly Birthday to Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Jr.! (August 5, 1940 - April 20, 2024)

The towering Wilmington, North Carolina, native played for New Hanover High School before starring as QB for the North Carolina State University Wolfpack (Raleigh, NC). At NC State, he first team All-American, first-team ACC, and ACC Player of the Year in back to back years for all three honors (1960, 1961), which earned him a well-deserved spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.

He went on to be drafted in 1962: first overall in the AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders AND second overall in the NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams for whom he would play 11 seasons (1962-1972) and end his illustrious professional career with the Philadelphia Eagles for five seasons (1973-1977).

He was 1969 NFL MVP and First Team All-Pro with the Rams, 1973 Comeback Player of the Year with the Eagles, twice led the NFL in passing touchdowns (in the aforementioned 1969 and 1973 seasons), led the NFL in passing yards (1973), and was a four-time Pro Bowler in his 16 year NFL career.

On a personal notable note: He was the first Filipino-American QB and first-and-only (as of the writing of this tribute) Asian-American MVP in NFL history.

Despite all these all-time great accolades, the name Roman Gabriel is still nowhere to be found in Canton, Ohio’s Pro Football Hall Of Fame…😢

Still, as a fellow Filipino-American and Los Angeles Rams fan, I remember his life and legacy very fondly. Love to all his family, friends, and fans 🕊️🐏🏈

Happy 61st birthday, David “The Admiral” Robinson: US Navy (1983-1987); National College Player Of The Year (1987); First Pick of the 1987 NBA Draft; 10x NBA All-Star; Rookie Of The Year (1990); Defensive Player Of The Year (1992); Most Valuable Player (1995); 50th & 75th Anniversary Team Member; 2x NBA Champion (1999, 2003); 3-Time U.S. Olympian with 1 Bronze (1988) & 2 Gold (1992 with Dream Team, 1996 with Dream Team III); Naismith Hall Of Fame (Class of 2009); San Antonio Spurs Legend (14 seasons, 1989-2003) 🥳🎉🎂

📸: @NBAHistory on X/Twitter

Happy 64th birthday to Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. — The Pride of Kingston, Jamaica; McDonald’s All-American (1981); Georgetown Hoyas legend and NCAA Champion (1984); 11x NBA All-Star and New York Knicks GOAT; Member of the prestigious NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams; 2x Olympic Gold Medal winner (1984 and 1992 Dream Team); 2025 NBA Cup & 2025 NBA Champion as Basketball Ambassador of the current and defending champion Knickerbockers; Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame (Class of 2008)! 🥳🎉🎂🧡💙 “Once A Knick, Always A Knick”

📸: @NBAHistory on X/Twitter

AUGUST 4: On this day in 1982, Joel Youngblood became the first and, thus far, only player in MLB history to record a hit for two teams (New York Mets by day, Montreal Expos by night) in two different cities on the same day!

Per Cut4 on MLB.com:

“When Youngblood woke up on August 4, 1982 he was a Met. In his first game of the day, Youngblood delivered a two-run single during a matinee at Wrigley Field. 

He was later pulled from the game after being dealt to the Expos, who were in Philadelphia that night. Youngblood flew into Philly and debuted for his new club as a defensive substitution in the middle of the sixth. He managed to get one at-bat in the contest, delivering a two-out single in the seventh.

What makes Youngblood's accomplishment even more incredible is that his first hit was off Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins. As if that wasn't enough, Youngblood's second hit of the day was off another Hall of Famer: Steve Carlton.”

———

More stories of the historic day in MLB history:

https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/august-4-1982-joel-youngbloods-busy-day-two-hits-for-two-teams-in-two-cities/

https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/joel-youngblood-two-hits-for-two-teams.html

https://youtu.be/\_a-zrxb0akE?is=0netkqsdbO4SvUKp

Happy 62nd birthday, Nathaniel “Nate” McMillan! 🥳🎉🎂

A native of Raleigh, NC, McMillan attended William G. Enloe High School, played two years at Chowan College (Murfreesboro, NC), and really made a name for himself at North Carolina State University, playing for the legendary NCAA Head Coach Jim Valvano and leading the Wolfpack to the Elite Eight in 1985 and 1986, before being drafted 30th overall in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics.

Aptly nicknamed “Mr. Sonic” for being part of the franchise for 19 seasons (12 as a player, playing his entire career with one franchise, leading the league in steals in 1994, making one NBA Finals appearance in 1996, and having the honor of his #10 jersey retired; 2 as an Assistant Coach right after retirement; and 5 as Head Coach, including a Northwest Division Championship in 2004/2005).

He would later be the assistant coach for the USA Men’s basketball teams that won the Gold Medal in 2008 (Beijing, China; “Redeem Team”) and 2012 (London, England).

NBA coaching stops after Seattle: Portland Trail Blazers (2005-2012, Head Coach); Indiana Pacers (2013-2016, Assistant Coach; 2016-2020, Head Coach); Atlanta Hawks (2020-2021, Assistant Coach; 2021-2023, Head Coach); and Los Angeles Lakers (2024-present, Assistant Coach).

AUGUST 2: On this day in 2022, Vincent Edward “Vin” Scully, the golden voice of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, passed away at the age of 94.

Vin’s legendary broadcasting career spanned 67 seasons (1950-2016), including calling some of the most iconic moments in sports — not just Dodgers/MLB — history:

October 8, 1956 – Don Larsen’s Perfect Game: Calling the only perfect game in World Series history for the New York Yankees, Scully capped off the 27th consecutive out by declaring, "When you put it in a World Series, you set the biggest diamond in the biggest ring."

September 9, 1965 – Sandy Koufax’s Perfect Game: Wielding tension like a poet, Scully called the final strikeout against the Chicago Cubs with unmatched rhythm: "Swung on and missed, a perfect game!"

April 8, 1974 – Hank Aaron’s 715th Home Run: As Aaron broke Babe Ruth's career home run record, Scully highlighted the profound social impact: "A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol."

April 25, 1976 – Rick Monday Saves the American Flag: When two protesters ran onto the Dodger Stadium outfield to burn an American flag, Cubs outfielder Rick Monday swooped in and snatched it away. Scully captured the stadium's collective gasp and immediate relief, exclaiming: "Rick Monday unrolled it and he’s a hero! ... He became the most popular man in this stadium."

January 10, 1982 – "The Catch" by Dwight Clark: On a rare crossover to CBS Sports NFL coverage, Scully narrated Joe Montana's desperate rollout pass in the NFC Championship Game: "Montana, looking, looking, throwing in the end zone. Dwight caught it! Dwight Clark! It's a madhouse at Candlestick!"

October 25, 1986 – Bill Buckner’s World Series Error: Handling the national mic during Game 6, Scully let a routine grounder build into absolute shock: "Little roller up along first. Behind the bag. It gets through Buckner! Here comes Knight, and the Mets win it!"

October 15, 1988 – Kirk Gibson’s Improbable Home Run: After a severely injured Gibson hit a walk-off blast in Game 1 of the World Series, Scully delivered his most universally famous line: "In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened."

June 29, 1990 – Fernando Valenzuela’s No-Hitter: Celebrating the cultural phenomenon of "Fernandomania," Scully perfectly summarized the joy of the fan base upon the final out: "If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky!"

September 18, 2006 – The 4+1 Home Run Game: Facing the Padres, the Dodgers hit four consecutive solo home runs in the 9th inning to tie the game before winning it in the 10th on Nomar Garciaparra’s walk-off. Scully rode the wave of the chaotic comeback, shouting, "The Dodgers have hit four consecutive home runs and tied it up! ... Unbelievable!"

September 25, 2016 – Charlie Culberson’s Walk-Off Division Clincher: In his final career broadcast at Dodger Stadium, Scully went out on a storybook ending when Culberson hit a walk-off home run to win the NL West: "Swung on and a high fly ball to deep left field... and the Dodgers have won the division and will celebrate on schedule!"

October 2, 2016 — Emotional Final Sign-Off

You know, friends, so many people have wished me congratulations on a 67-year career in baseball, and they've wished me a wonderful retirement with my family. And now, all I can do is tell you what I wish for you.

May God give you
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends,
a faithful friend to share,
For every sign, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

You and I have been friends for a long time.
But I know in my heart that I've always needed you more than you've ever needed me.

And I'll miss our time together more than I can say. But you know what? There will be a new day -- and eventually a new year. And when the upcoming winter gives way to spring, rest assured once again it will be time for Dodger baseball.

So this is Vin Scully wishing you a very pleasant good afternoon, wherever you may be.

Hey r/BADTakesOnlyPod!

Brian here, hijacking the Reddit thread from Davy today because it is August 1st, and for us Deadheads, today is a high holiday:

It’s Jerry Garcia’s birthday!

Jerry would have turned 84 today. While Davy usually handles the West Coast sports history, I had to take over to talk about some massive Grateful Dead history that runs right through my home state.

A lot of people associate Jerry and the Dead strictly with the 1960s San Francisco counterculture, but true fans know that New Jersey has some of the absolute deepest ties to the band's touring history. We are talking about legendary, historic shows at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, the old Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, and of course, Raceway Park in Old Bridge—which drew over 100,000 fans for what is considered the biggest concert in the state's history! Even though I'm currently surviving deep in enemy territory up in Massachusetts, those epic Jersey shows are a core part of the legacy.

To celebrate the man behind the music, here are a few fun facts about the legend himself to chew on while we wait for the next podcast drop:

🎸Destined for Music: He was actually named after Jerome Kern, the legendary Broadway composer behind standards like "The Way You Look Tonight".

🌹The Bluegrass Roots: Before the psychedelic rock, his first love was country and bluegrass music, largely influenced by his grandmother who listened to the Grand Ole Opry every Saturday. In fact, his first paying gig with Robert Hunter only paid them a whopping five dollars!

💀The Ultimate Record: The Grateful Dead played in front of more people and played for more years than any other music combo in history, yet they only ever had one Top Ten hit ("Touch of Grey").

What's your favorite Grateful Dead song or Jerry Garcia memory? (And Davy: I know you're reading this, so you better admit that "Cherry Garcia" is still the best Ben & Jerry's flavor ever created!)

Drop your takes below!
-Brian

Happy 68th birthday to ultra-successful entrepreneur, celebrity, and 1-time NBA Champion, former principal/current minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks! 🥳🎉🎂🏆

But perhaps, the greatest thing about Mark is that he personally responds to emails at mcuban@gmail.com — give it a try, and be amazed!