PMTPMT DB

Takes

Win
#PMT-2022-0817-7954
Big CatBig Cat

Shohei Ohtani is on one of the most irrelevant franchises in professional sports

Show Otani has been incredible... And he just completely lost by being on like one of the more irrelevant franchises in all professionals. Like Anahi, there's no reason that nobody cares about Anaheim, right? Like they are a big market. Kind of, they stink.

The Angels failed to make the playoffs again and eventually lost Ohtani to the Dodgers in free agency.
Loss
Take Slip·Aug 10, 2022
#PMT-2022-0810-16777
Big CatBig Cat

I don't believe Chris Sale actually fell off a bicycle

I just don't believe it. I was gonna say like, gut, just going off my gut right now until I see video evidence. I think he was like playing basketball. I think it was something else. Yeah, no I do. I do not believe because Chris Sale... he just is the king of weird injuries. So I, I don't, I don't really buy it.

While Chris Sale has a history of freak injuries, the official report remains a bicycle accident. There is no proof it was a different activity.
Loss
Take Slip·Aug 8, 2022
#PMT-2022-0808-9123
Big CatBig Cat

The Yankees suck and won't even make the playoffs

They suck. Blow up the team. They won't even make the playoffs. [The Yankees] suck. It's been the same team five years in a row.

Hot TakeBaseballHotSarcastic
The Yankees did make the playoffs and went to the ALCS in 2022.
Void
Take Slip·Aug 3, 2022
#PMT-2022-0803-3678
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Juan Soto is Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds combined

I'm gonna miss him. [Juan Soto] is 23. He's Ted Williams. He might be better than Ted Williams. He's Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds combined.

While Soto is an elite player, comparing a 23-year-old to the combined stats of Ruth and Bonds is purely subjective hyperbole.
Win
Take Slip·Aug 3, 2022
#PMT-2022-0803-3679
Big CatBig Cat

The Washington Nationals were never going to re-sign Juan Soto

The Nationals were never going to re-sign him. So you've got a lot... the Padres aren't going to re-sign him. The Yankees are, the Dodgers are the only two teams that are going to afford Juan Soto.

The Nationals did fail to sign him, and the Padres eventually traded him to the Yankees, confirming he was too expensive for mid-market teams.
Open
Take Slip·Aug 3, 2022
#PMT-2022-0803-3681
Big CatBig Cat

Juan Soto will get a $500 million contract in free agency

The reality of the situation is that in a couple years time, when he does become a free agent, he's going to get a contract that's far going to eclipse what the Nationals offered. It's going to be $500 million. It's going to be the Dodgers or the A's—he's going to get paid a shitload of money.

Soto is currently heading toward free agency in 2025; projections consistently put him in the $500M+ range.
Win
Take Slip·Aug 3, 2022
#PMT-2022-0803-3682
Big CatBig Cat

The Yankees will lose in the playoffs because they traded Jordan Montgomery

Yankees going for it, except for the Jordan Montgomery trade. That makes no sense. The Yankees are going to now lose in the playoffs because they don't have starting pitching and they traded Jordan Montgomery.

The Yankees were swept in the ALCS by the Astros. While pitching was an issue, their offense also disappeared.
Win
Take Slip·Aug 1, 2022
#PMT-2022-0801-11590
Jake ArrietaJake Arrieta

Juan Soto will be traded to either the Cardinals or the Padres

I heard Jake Peavy give a take on the network about him potentially ending up in San Diego. And I could also see St. Louis... I would love to see Soto in San Diego for the simple reason that the Dodgers have just dominated the NL West forever. And if the Padres are serious about taking that next step, what better way to make that statement than to bring in a guy like Juan Soto?

Juan Soto was traded to the San Diego Padres on August 2, 2022, the day after this episode aired.
Void
Take Slip·Aug 1, 2022
#PMT-2022-0801-11591
Jake ArrietaJake Arrieta

The pitcher-catcher chemistry is overrated; catchers are pros

I think it's ridiculous when guys have to have a certain catcher behind the plate. I think it's stupid. As long as you got a catcher's mitt behind the plate and you've gone over the hitters with me in the pre-game meeting and we're on the same page, I don't give a shit... some of these starting pitchers need to take a step back and maybe take some of the blame... If you're in the big leagues, your job description is the same as the next guy.

This is a subjective matter of team philosophy and player preference.
Void
Take Slip·Aug 1, 2022
#PMT-2022-0801-11593
Jake ArrietaJake Arrieta

Jacob deGrom is the best starting pitcher to ever put on a uniform

I've blown the guy for years. I just think he's the best. And I've said this, I think he's the best starting pitcher to ever put the uniform on. If he stays healthy people might think that's crazy. Some people love it. Just watching him live and on TV... he struck out nine out of ten. It's the best shit I've ever seen ever from any pitcher.

While statistically peak deGrom is elite, 'best ever' is a subjective debate versus names like Pedro Martinez, Sandy Koufax, etc.
Open
Take Slip·Aug 1, 2022
#PMT-2022-0801-11595
Big CatBig Cat

O'Neil Cruz has a chance to be the best baseball player of all time

Someone told me that I trust who has good baseball knowledge said that there's a 5.5% chance he could end up being the best baseball player of all time... think about it, you're like, oh fuck, I gotta pay attention. He's six foot seven... is it true that he runs like Tyreek Hill? He's so fast. And then he threw from shortstop to first base... 97 [mph].

Cruz has shown flashes of elite talent but has also struggled with injuries and high strikeout rates. Predicting him as the GOAT is extreme.
Loss
Take Slip·Aug 1, 2022
#PMT-2022-0801-11597
Jake ArrietaJake Arrieta

The Mets and Yankees will meet in the World Series (Subway Series)

I like a subway series. Yes. I like the New York Mets against the New York Yankees. I think with deGrom and Scherzer back and 100%, I think the Mets find a way to separate themselves even further and win that division. And I don't see anybody slowing down the Yankees. I just really don't.

The 2022 World Series was the Astros vs. the Phillies. Both the Yankees and Mets failed to reach the World Series.
Void
Take Slip·Aug 1, 2022
#PMT-2022-0801-11598
Big CatBig Cat

The ceremonial first pitch should count in the game as a ball or strike

The first pitch should count. It should count as a ball or strikes. How great would that be though? So the home team always gets to pick the first pitcher and someone will like air mail it... so the first batter gets up there and it's a 1-0 count. It wouldn't actually change any outcomes... but it would add a fun wrinkle.

This is a joke rule proposal and will never be implemented.
Win
Take Slip·Jul 25, 2022
#PMT-2022-0725-14380
Big CatBig Cat

There should be extra enthusiasm for Aaron Judge hitting 62 home runs because it is the post-steroid era

Aaron judge has been mashing race to 62. I want everyone to get involved in that because it does look, I'm a, I'm a pro steroids guy. So I, I definitely think Barry Bond's the best player of all time. And I also think his records stand, but there should be like an extra enthusiasm. If someone can hit 62, just knowing that we're not in the steroid era anymore.

Judge did go on to hit 62 home runs later that season, breaking the AL record.
Loss
Take Slip·Jul 22, 2022
#PMT-2022-0722-3345
Big CatBig Cat

Trey Mancini is the Comeback Player of the Year

Comeback player of the year. We're going to [Trey Mancini]. I think that's well-deserved came back from cancer. I mean, who can top that? Yeah, he, he was beaten out by [Klay Thompson], who came back from an ACL. [Trey Mancini] came back from cancer.

The 2022 AL Comeback Player of the Year was actually Justin Verlander, though Mancini was a sentimental favorite.
Void
Take Slip·Jul 20, 2022
#PMT-2022-0720-16209
Big CatBig Cat

MLB players should wear their own team jerseys during the All-Star Game

My second take is... the jerseys. I do think it's bullshit. They should wear their own jerseys in the all star game. I don't like these... Everyone's wearing the same color. The cool part of it is like one side wears all road and one side wears all home. That's cool. You get to see all of the jerseys on the field at once.

This is a subjective preference about uniform aesthetics.
Void
Take Slip·Jul 20, 2022
#PMT-2022-0720-16212
Big CatBig Cat

The MLB All-Star Game should still decide home-field advantage in the World Series

My second take is... now this one's gonna get hated on, but I kind of sort of wish the all star game still decided home field advantage in the world series. I like it. It was one of those rules that was objectively unfair... but it still was kind of fun.

Subjective opinion on game rules.
Void
Take Slip·Jul 20, 2022
#PMT-2022-0720-16214
Big CatBig Cat

The Home Run Derby should return to the 10-outs format instead of using a clock

My third old man take is I wish the homerun Derby went back to 10 outs. Because they took the simplest thing in sports, which is big man, standup plate, mashed dogs. And we not... the most simple part is we get to watch dogs. Yeah. We get to watch the dingers land... Now, it's just chaos. There's three balls in the air at the same time. It's hard to keep up with.

Subjective preference for a competition format.
Void
Take Slip·Jul 20, 2022
#PMT-2022-0720-16215
HankHank

The MLB Home Run Derby was rigged for Albert Pujols

MLB homerun, Derby rigged. Big time. One of Albert Pujols' home runs should not have counted. He also, his pitcher had not even started his wind up when the clock hit zero and then Schwarber may or may not have had dinger taken off the board because they couldn't keep track of all the balls in the air.

While there were widely reported timing discrepancies in the Pujols/Schwarber round, a formal 'rigging' was never proven. It remains a popular sports conspiracy theory.
Win
Take Slip·Jul 20, 2022
#PMT-2022-0720-16217
Big CatBig Cat

Aaron Judge will hit 62 home runs this season

We need Aaron judge to hit 62 home runs. Yep. That's what will keep our attention going. He's got 33 at the Allstar break. So come on.

In 2022, Aaron Judge went on to hit exactly 62 home runs, setting the American League record.
Void
Take Slip·Jul 13, 2022
#PMT-2022-0713-3179
Big CatBig Cat

Albert Pujols shouldn't be in the All-Star game because he 'fucking sucks'

People getting mad about Albert Pujols being in the home run Derby, which is a crock of shit. But I'm also at the point in my life where I, cause he fucking sucks. He can't even walk. He shouldn't be in the all-stars. He made the all star game... and Albert Pujols is taking a spot away from someone who could [hit home runs].

Subjective opinion on legacy selections, though Pujols did have a strong second half and memorable HR Derby performance after this take.
Loss
Take Slip·Jul 13, 2022
#PMT-2022-0713-3180
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

MLB might rig the Home Run Derby for Albert Pujols by giving him 'good balls'

I do think there's a pretty good chance that they might rig it for Albert Pujols. He might get the good balls.

No evidence of rigged balls was ever produced.
Loss
Take Slip·Jul 13, 2022
#PMT-2022-0713-3182
Big CatBig Cat

I bet $40,000 on the Orioles to win the AL

I made a bet on the Orioles to win the AL at 400 to one... I just got caught up in the buzz and I was like, fuck, I think I want a ride. I want, I want to ride with these guys.

The Orioles did not win the AL in 2022; the Astros did.
Loss
#PMT-2022-0713-3185
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The New York Yankees will win the 2022 World Series

Congratulations to the New York Yankees winners of the 2022 world series. Congratulations guys.

The Yankees lost in the ALCS; the Astros won the World Series.
Win
#PMT-2022-0622-402
Big CatBig Cat

Pirates shortstop O'Neil Cruz is the most electric player in baseball

This guy might be the most electric player I've ever seen in my life. 6'7" he's a shortstop. He ran 31.5 miles per hour. Hardest throw by an infielder in Major League Baseball this year, he threw a ball from shortstop to first 96.7 miles per hour. I am buying all my stock and O'Neil Cruz right now.

Cruz has lived up to the 'electric' billing with record-breaking exit velocities and arm strength, though he is still developing into a complete superstar.
Win
Take Slip·Jun 17, 2022
#PMT-2022-0617-9863
Patrick WisdomPatrick Wisdom

MLB has been secretly switching to more 'lively' baseballs during specific games

I think they've like secretly been like switching in some good balls. Cause certain games, like on certain times, I don't want to say anything specific, but Or a lot of hard hit balls and they're going out of the park... off your bat... sometimes like there's balls that we hit and we're like, oh, that's gone. And then next thing you know, it's caught.

Later investigations and data confirmed MLB used multiple distinct ball constructions in 2022 without telling players.
Void
#PMT-2022-0613-11229
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Tennessee Baseball are clowns for missing the College World Series

I don't think... it's a fine line between being a bad boy and being a clown. I think if you don't actually make it [to Omaha], then you're a clown. Yeah.

Tennessee was the #1 overall seed and lost before reaching the CWS, which is objectively an underperformance for a team with that much bravado.
Loss
#PMT-2022-0610-2600
Big CatBig Cat

I'm betting on a Subway Series between the Mets and Yankees in the World Series

I'm putting in subway series, future. The Mets and the Yankees to meet in the world series. I think it's 14 to one... I just want to see it in this office and the chaos that ensues.

Incorrect. The Yankees reached the ALCS but were swept by the Astros. The Mets lost in the Wild Card round.
Push
#PMT-2022-0504-17298
HankHank

John Sterling has become a parody of himself and needs to retire from the Yankees booth

My hot seat is John Sterling. I think this is a bit at this point... he's blind. For the third time, it wasn't even close. He needs to quickly make the decision so he can say that he's retiring... it's getting like late Francessa where if you become a parody of yourself.

Sterling continued for several years but eventually retired mid-season in 2024, citing health/age, partially validating the 'time to retire' take.
Win
#PMT-2022-0504-17308
Big CatBig Cat

Reds fans should defecate in the Toyota Tundra at the stadium to protest the owner

A Reds fan posted yesterday saying... 'I will be scaling the wall to defecate in the bed of the Toyota Tundra.' I just liked that Reds fans are fighting back. This is how you fight... maybe it will make people go shit in their trucks.

A fan actually did get arrested for this later in the season, proving the take 'correct' that this was a path fans would take.
Void
Take Slip·May 2, 2022
#PMT-2022-0502-12499
Joe WestJoe West

Robotic umpires are less accurate than human umpires

The biggest problem with this K-Zone system is it's not exactly accurate. ... They grade the umpires on a machine for home plate every game. ... We didn't have a single umpire—not one umpire—that scored under 95%. ... They already know [the robotic computer] misses 7% of the pitches. We don't have an umpire missing five.

While West cites specific percentages, the debate over ABS (Automated Ball-Strike System) accuracy vs. top human umpires is ongoing and data-dependent, making this a contested fact claim.
Push
Take Slip·May 2, 2022
#PMT-2022-0502-12501
Joe WestJoe West

The Universal DH is a bad rule that will slow the game down

This designated hitter's going to slow down the game because—and I've said this before—if Tom Seaver threw more than nine pitches to the seventh, eighth, and ninth hitter... in the old National League, they would go right after [them]. In the American League, they didn't go right after [the DH]. ... It's going to slow the game down.

While the DH technically adds more competitive hitters, MLB implemented a pitch clock in 2023 which significantly reduced game times, making the pace of play argument more about the clock than the DH.
Win
Take Slip·Apr 18, 2022
#PMT-2022-0418-6596
Jake ArrietaJake Arrieta

I am officially retiring from professional baseball

Well, I haven't signed the papers, man, but I'm done. It's time for me to step away from the game at some point. The uniform goes to somebody else. And it's just my time really... yeah man, I'm done.

Jake Arrieta did indeed retire following this announcement and has not returned to professional baseball.
Void
Take Slip·Apr 18, 2022
#PMT-2022-0418-6597
Jake ArrietaJake Arrieta

Jacob deGrom is the best starting pitcher to ever play the game

I think [Jacob deGrom] is the best starting pitcher to ever put on the uniform... just what he's able to do with the baseball... it's just, I think he's in his own league. And I hope he stays healthy for another 15 years because if he can do that, I think it'll be the best ever.

While statistically deGrom has the best peak rates, 'best ever' is a subjective debate competing against Lonborg, Koufax, Martinez, etc.
Void
Take Slip·Apr 18, 2022
#PMT-2022-0418-6598
Jake ArrietaJake Arrieta

An average person would not be able to lay down a fair bunt against a peak MLB pitcher in 100 tries

No [you couldn't lay down a bunt]. There's just so many things that I would do. Like I'd throw you high sinkers at your hands that it probably fell off your fist into your face... by the time you think you're going to swing, it's already too late.

The reaction time required for 95+ MPH pitches with movement is biologically near the human limit, making this likely true for almost all untrained people.
Loss
Take Slip·Apr 18, 2022
#PMT-2022-0418-6599
Jake ArrietaJake Arrieta

MLB should not ban the defensive shift

I don't love the shift being banned. I really don't... I also don't like the idea of having the greatest product of the sport in the world telling guys that they no longer need to learn how to be multi-dimensional as a hitter. Manufacturing runs shouldn't be a lost art.

MLB officially banned the shift starting in the 2023 season, rendering his preferred outcome moot.
Void
Take Slip·Apr 18, 2022
#PMT-2022-0418-6600
Jake ArrietaJake Arrieta

Pitchers wearing warm-up jackets while on the bases is a terrible look

Absolutely hated it [pitchers wearing jackets on base]. I just think it's such a bad look... are you really that cold to where you can't wait a few minutes?

Subjective opinion on baseball etiquette and aesthetics.
Void
Take Slip·Apr 15, 2022
#PMT-2022-0415-2722
Big CatBig Cat

Perfect games are the rarest achievement in sports and Clayton Kershaw should have been allowed to finish his

Perfect games are probably the rarest thing in sports... like no hitters are nothing. I don't care about no hitters anymore... anyone else has a perfect game, I'm glued in. I want to be watching. That's cool. 23 over in the history of baseball. Some guys make their whole career off it. Oh, it's amazing.

Subjective opinion on the value of a perfect game versus a pitcher's health.
Void
#PMT-2022-0413-994
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Robot umpires will ruin the fun of complaining about baseball

That's been my take for a very long time. That robot ops will ruin everything because then we won't get to have guys like Joe West that we can complain about, right?

Inherently subjective take about the 'soul' of the game vs. accuracy.
Win
#PMT-2022-0411-17079
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Bet against the Pittsburgh Pirates in every single road game this season to make money

My algorithm is thus, you just bet against the Pittsburgh Pirates every single game... we're going to bet on road games, every pirates team under and for the other team to win Moneyline against the pirates. And we're going to all make a bunch of money.

The 2022 Pirates went 62-100 overall and 28-53 on the road, meaning betting against them on the road was highly profitable.
Void
#PMT-2022-0411-17080
Big CatBig Cat

Gerrit Cole is a loser for blaming a four-minute delay on a bad start

Garrett Cole said that the game being delayed four minutes was an unforeseen challenge for him. He said the festivities got a little away from the schedule... he's just a loser. Before he came to New York, everyone just assumed he was like the bad-ass dude... then he comes to New York and he's just, he's like sweaty. And he can't answer questions correctly.

Subjective opinion on a player's persona, though the 4-minute delay quote was widely mocked.
Push
#PMT-2022-0411-17082
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The 'Sampson Effect' causes players to perform worse when they join the Yankees and have to shave

If you have to cut your hair or shave to change your personal appearance, I bet it throws you off Sampson effect. I bet you it's almost every player that goes there... Randy Johnson shave his beard when he sucked, when he was in the eighties.

While some players declined (Randy Johnson, Cole), others like Gerrit Cole won a Cy Young (2023) despite the shaving rule.
Loss
Take Slip·Apr 8, 2022
#PMT-2022-0408-4683
Big CatBig Cat

The Dodgers will beat the Mariners in the 2022 World Series

The Dodgers versus the Mariners. Dodgers win. I'm going to go like that. Mariners going to be the playoffs in 20 years.

The 2022 World Series featured the Astros and Phillies; the Dodgers and Mariners were both eliminated earlier.
Push
Take Slip·Apr 8, 2022
#PMT-2022-0408-4684
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Phillies will win the World Series after playing the Padres in the NLCS

I think it's going to be the Phillies against the Padres in the world series. I just think those are the two best teams. So they're going to face each other in the NLCS. And then the winner of that, I'm going to say as the real world series champion.

The Phillies did beat the Padres in the NLCS and went to the World Series, though they lost to the Astros.
Void
#PMT-2022-0328-2638
Jake MarshJake Marsh

MLB should adopt the Savannah Bananas rule where a fan catching a foul ball is an out

Banana ball rule number nine, if a fan catches a foul ball, it's an out and it happened and it went viral... I feel like the majors should consider... if they did that to the majors, that'd be, that would change the game with home field.

This is a subjective opinion on game rules, but MLB has not adopted such a rule.
Win
#PMT-2022-0323-19635
Big CatBig Cat

Ken Griffey Jr. is still the sixth highest paid player on the Reds

The reds are on my cool throne, because they're, if you look at their salary this year, they have a hall of Famer as their six highest played player... Ken Griffey Jr. So yeah, the reds are, anytime you get a guy who's been in the hall of fame and retired for like 15 years as your sixth highest paid player, he's getting paid like $4 million till 2024.

Griffey's deferred payments from his 2000 contract did indeed make him one of the highest-paid 'Reds' for several seasons post-retirement.
Void
#PMT-2022-0302-18277
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Derek Jeter sabotaged the Marlins on purpose

I, you know what I agree with Marlins man. Yeah. I think Jeter fucked up the Marlins on purpose.

There is no evidence Jeter sabotaged the team on purpose; it's a humorous conspiracy take.
Win
#PMT-2022-0228-8623
HankHank

Tommy Tanks is the main attraction of college baseball

Tommy Tanks he's on NC state. I believe it's seven home runs in his first nine... he's kind of the main story, the main attraction of college baseball this year with no [MLB] baseball going on, it's getting even more heightened coverage.

Tommy White became a national sensation in college baseball in early 2022 due to his incredible home run rate.
Void
Take Slip·Feb 28, 2022
#PMT-2022-0228-8629
Big CatBig Cat

MLB will realize people don't miss baseball as much as they think if the lockout continues

If baseball doesn't start the season and play a full season, they're going to learn very quickly that they miscalculated the world's need for baseball. I wouldn't notice fully until like late June and be like, where the fuck is my baseball?

While the lockout ended shortly after this and a full 162-game season was played, MLB continues to struggle with viewership and growth compared to the NFL and NBA, supporting the 'lack of urgency' sentiment.
Loss
#PMT-2022-0209-15064
Jake MarshJake Marsh

Home runs are going to increase because MLB stopped testing for steroids

My cool throne are yobbos, dingers, home runs, whatever you want to call them. Because for the first time in 20 years, Major League Baseball is stopping testing its players for steroids... I love it. Everybody use the ball and juice to go back and forth.

The testing pause was temporary during the lockout. While Aaron Judge hit 62 HRs in 2022, there wasn't a league-wide 'steroid era' spike in 2022 specifically attributable to this.
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