Episode 373 – Help Wanted: World Champs Looking for a Running Back

RUNDOWN

Mitch and Hotshot react to the growing likelihood that the Seahawks could lose star running back Kenneth Walker in free agency, debating whether John Schneider’s reluctance to franchise tag him signals a different plan at running back. The conversation explores possible draft options, Seattle’s roster strategy after a Super Bowl season, and the risks of relying on a rookie backfield solution.

Jason Hamilton joins Mitch to discuss his decision to step away after 24 years as the radio analyst for Washington Huskies basketball, reflecting on his journey from UW player to assistant coach to broadcaster. Hamilton explains how the move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten dramatically changed the travel demands of the job, making it increasingly difficult to balance with his career and family life.

Brady Farkas and Joe Doyle join Mitch to analyze the biggest storylines emerging from Mariners spring training, including the development of top prospects Colt Emerson, Cole Young, and Cade Anderson. The discussion covers roster realities heading toward Opening Day—why Emerson likely starts in the minors, how Brendan Donovan stabilizes the top of the lineup, and whether Brennan Davis could force his way into the outfield mix later in the season.

RJ Eskanos and Dylan Travers join Mitch to break down the Seattle Kraken’s precarious playoff positioning with 20 games remaining, describing the Pacific Division race as a “turtle derby” where nearly every contender is struggling. The trio discuss the team’s inconsistency, the addition of volume-shooting forward Bobby McMann, Jordan Eberle’s contract extension, and the surprising resurgence of goaltender Philipp Grubauer.

GUESTS

• Jason Hamilton | Former University of Washington point guard and longtime Huskies basketball radio analyst
• Brady Farkas | Host, Refuse to Lose podcast
• Joe Doyle | MLB analyst, Over Slot
• RJ Eskanos | Emerald City Hockey
• Dylan Travers | Emerald City Hockey

TABLE OF CONTENTS

0:00 | Seahawks Running Back Drama, Draft Speculation, and a Classic Mitch Birthday Quiz

23:25 | Jason Hamilton: Reflects on 24 Years on the Huskies Broadcast and Why the Big Ten Era Helped Prompt His Exit

52:28 | Mariners No-Table: Mariners Spring Training Check-In: Prospect Buzz, Opening Day Roster Battles, and Rotation Futures

1:19:16 | Kraken No-Table: Kraken Cling to Playoff Spot as Pacific Division “Turtle Derby” Keeps Seattle Alive

1:43:48 | Other Stuff Segment: Netflix dinosaur series recommendation with Steven Spielberg and Morgan Freeman, World Baseball Classic excitement and Shohei Ohtani’s hot start, Julio Rodríguez and other Mariners contributing across WBC rosters, Trent McDuffie becomes highest-paid cornerback and joins Rams secondary, Maxx Crosby says goodbye to Raiders and heads to Ravens, March Madness bracket week and projected No. 1 seeds, Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos call off wedding, Jurickson Profar gets 162-game PED suspension, McDonald’s CEO mocked for awkward Big Arch promo video, Britney Spears arrested for DUI, ancient pyramid vandalized by tour guide, Argentine youth viral animal-identifying trend, professional bowler Cameron Crow arrested on drug charges, missing woman found alive 24 years after disappearing during Christmas shopping RIPs: Robert Carradine, Neil Sedaka, Lou Holtz

RUNDOWN

Mitch and Hotshot Scott open Episode 372 setting the stage for the 2026 Prediction Show while reacting to Team USA’s Olympic hockey gold and debating why the United States can compete in hockey but not soccer. Mitch checks in from Mariners spring training in Peoria, describing a genuine World Series vibe around the pitching staff — before admitting he needed a personal “attitude adjustment” on 22-year-old second baseman Cole Young.

Mitch welcomes back Danny O’Neil, Jason Puckett, and Dave “Groz” Grosby for the 2026 Prediction Show, teasing last year’s misses while crowning Puckett as the new champ. The panel makes rapid-fire forecasts on the Seahawks’ 2026 season: record, playoff finish, key contract calls (Kenneth Walker, Riq Woolen, Josh Jobe, Rashid Shaheed), draft/free-agent priorities, Sam Darnold’s contract future and stat lines, plus big-number projections for JSN and other core pieces.

The panel shifts to college football, with Danny projecting a 12-win Washington season and a College Football Playoff berth—while also predicting major turnover with Jed Fisch and Demond Williams gone by 2027. They then pivot to baseball, where Puck and Groz forecast an AL West title and a Mariners trip to the World Series, while Danny takes the contrarian path with 88 wins and no playoffs.

The panel finishes Mariners predictions with bold calls on Colt Emerson’s debut date, Andrés Muñoz’s save total, and the club’s World Series outlook—while Danny pegs the Yankees as champions. The conversation widens to NBA expansion in Seattle, where opinions split on timeline and ownership possibilities, and then to the 2026 World Cup, with wildly different forecasts for Team USA. The segment wraps with NBA championship picks, MVP projections, and LeBron James’ uncertain future as the Prediction Show heads toward its finale.

The panel turns to March Madness, NFL draft projections, and bold NFL quarterback predictions before branching into golf, tennis, the World Baseball Classic, and the Kraken’s playoff outlook. Danny calls for Houston to win the NCAA title, Puck backs Arizona, and Groz picks UConn—while wild swings follow on Scheffler majors, Rory’s chances, and LeBron’s future. The segment culminates with dramatic wild-card predictions, including a potential MLB lockout, a Jamal Crawford-led Sonics return, and a blockbuster Seahawks in-season trade.

GUESTS

• Dave Grosby | Seattle sports radio personality
• Jason Puckett | Seattle sports radio host and founder of The Daily Puck Drop
• Danny O’Neil | Veteran Seattle sports columnist and longtime Seahawks analyst

TABLE OF CONTENTS

0:00 | Prediction Show Kickoff — Hockey Gold, Mariners Optimism, and a Cole Young Attitude Adjustment

22:22 | 2026 Prediction Show: Seahawks Repeat Forecasts, Roster Calls, and League-Wide Bold Picks

49:57 | 2026 Prediction Show: College Football and Mariners 2026 Predictions – Playoff Calls, Coaching Hot Seats, and a World Series Push

59:47 | 2026 Prediction Show: Mariners Prospect Timelines, World Cup Takes, NBA Futures, and Sonics Expansion Speculation

1:14:14 | 2026 Prediction Show: March Madness Picks, NFL Draft Forecasts, Golf Majors, Kraken Playoff Hopes, and Wild Card Bombshells

1:21:30 | Other Stuff Segment: USA wins men’s and women’s Olympic hockey gold, JSN comments on becoming highest-paid WR and looming Seahawks extensions, Zach Charbonnet ACL surgery delay raises questions, Stephen A. Smith floats presidential ambitions, Tony Clark resigns as MLBPA head amid inappropriate relationship controversy, JetBlue baggage theft allegation involving Dion Dawkins, “JetBlue the dog” abandoned at airport and adopted by officer, former Miami officer blasts Tyreek Hill after release, TSA PreCheck outage, Nantucket cocaine wastewater report, Kid Rock ticket sales struggles, smart underwear study shows humans pass gas more than previously thought RIPs Ronnie Moore (25), Robert Duvall, Bill Mazeroski (89), Eric Dane (53), Trey Johnson (54), Doug Moe (87), Mike Wagner (76), Reverend Jesse Jackson