First-ballot Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz first came on this podcast on Episode 450. The eight-time All-Star and National League Cy Young Award winner is currently FOX MLB’s lead game analyst. He is participating in Lake Tahoe’s American Century Championship. The American Century Championship is a made-for-TV event owned and broadcast by NBC Sports. The premier celebrity golf tournament, which also raises funds for local and national charities, awards a $750,000 purse. The tournament is a 54-hole modified Stableford format that features some of sports and entertainment’s greatest celebrities.

Smoltz is an avid golfer. He finished second twice and third once in the last three ACC events in Tahoe. He is now in the final stage of qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open. The 46th U.S. Senior Open is scheduled for July 2-5 in Columbus, Ohio.

In this episode, Smoltz offered his thoughts on the recent passing of his manager with the Braves, Bobby Cox. He talked extensively about how the role of manager has changed in today’s MLB. He also comments on the increase in playoff teams and the ongoing propensity for strikeouts. He also weighed in on the question of whether Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is the best baseball player ever.

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Legendary college and NFL quarterback Joe Theismann rejoins the show for his fourth appearance. Theismann was an all-pro quarterback for the then-Washington Redskins from 1974 to 1985. His career abruptly ended in ’85 when he was sacked by Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor and broke his leg. Theismann was an NFL broadcaster for ESPN for 20 years, calling games for both Sunday and Monday Night Football.

For 36 of the 37 years, Theismann has been one of the original participants in Lake Tahoe’s American Century Championship. The American Century Championship is a made-for-TV event owned and broadcast by NBC Sports. The premier celebrity golf tournament, which also raises funds for local and national charities, awards a $750,000 purse. The tournament is a 54-hole modified Stableford format that features some of sports and entertainment’s greatest celebrities.

In this episode, Theismann weighs in on his alma mater, Notre Dame’s role in the continually changing college football landscape. He discusses the NFL’s increase in games in Europe and extra midweek matchups. He also weighs in on the current Washington Commanders franchise and the changes there that are connecting the past to the present.

Theismann speaks extensively about the amazing experience with the American Century Championship. Fans can get involved and play Fantasy Golf with the participants in Lake Tahoe. This year’s tournament is July 8-12, 2026. For more info, https://www.accfantasygolf.com/.

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Bobby Cox was a Baseball Hall of Fame manager who led the Atlanta Braves to five National League pennants and a World Series championship in the 1990s and was ranked No. 4 for career victories among major league managers, died on May 9, 2026. His Atlanta teams won division championships 14 consecutive times, from 1991 to 2005. His lone World Series championship came in 1995, when the Braves defeated the then-Cleveland Indians in six games, with the clincher coming on a 1-0 victory behind Glavine’s one-hitter and David Justice’s sixth-inning home run.

Fredi Gonzalez is a longtime friend and coach under Bobby Cox. He joined the show to pay proper tribute to his longtime friend and mentor. Gonzalez managed the Florida Marlins from 2007 to 2010 and replaced Cox with the Atlanta Braves from 2011 to 2016. For four seasons before 2007, he was the third base coach for the Braves under Cox.

In this episode, Gonzalez discusses his longtime relationship with Bobby Cox. He also tells a fascinating story about how he and Bobby both listened to Seth Everett on SiriusXM radio from 2009-2011. Finally, Gonzalez discusses his most recent reunions with Cox, shortly before he died.

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