A Note from MutStack Owner Dave Portnoy
Fingers crossed. Naughty Nancy runs tomorrow (Saturday) in Race 5 at Saratoga. Miss Watermelon runs on Monday also in Race 5. I’ll be in Bloomington for Big Noon Kickoff tomorrow so it’s up to Mut to bring Nancy home for GGG.
Yep. I’ll be on track to watch Naughty Nancy make her debut tomorrow. She’s been training great and is the 3-1 ML favorite in the race 👀👀
I’ll be the bald guy in the Go Go Greys polo. Come say hello. Much more tomorrow in At The Post with Mut on the Barstool Blog.
It was not a good throw.
Credit to the Surviving Barstool team for including this in Episode 9. Jeff asked me to throw him the suitcase full of cold, hard (fake) cash.
I didn’t get it there. Well, all the way there.
Jeff loves catching things thrown to him on the show. Immunity idols. The big red barstool idol thingy. One of those balls from an early challenge. He just loves to catch shit. He could have made a more valiant effort to catch the suitcase. He admitted that on X, but my throw could have been better, too.
In my defense, it was so heavy that I should have just said no. But I’m a people-pleaser. Because if I had thrown it full-force, it would have knocked his ass over. Maybe even hurt him. So I tried to toss a floater over there, but it was too heavy. And the result was fake money everywhere. It was very embarrassing.
And it broke the suitcase. Jeff was mad, and he would have been even more mad if Producer Rob had not been right there and said: “You can’t blame him for that.” That helped defuse the moment of a broken prop for a very important show. Jeff dumping the money out was hilarious.
One of just two highlights for me on the shows this week. The other was Brandon Walker asking me if I had an Idol, well, “In my a$$h*le?” I did not. Some spoilers below.
Episode 8: I was just there to be Vanna White and uncover the puzzles. I would have sucked at that puzzle.
Episode 9: There was some worry that the players might try to block the balls being thrown at their towers - that was not allowed. Might have been an auto DQ; I forget exactly. So I was there to judge if that happened. Of course, it never did, and you see me for like two seconds total. The Brandon Walker meltdown was as funny in person as it was on TV. I don’t really know Brandon, but in my interactions with him, he was the funniest cast member.
Turns out there is a lot of sitting around and waiting when you are the referee for a major media production. And BFW would see me and, four or five times a day, say, “You’re doing a hell of a job, Mut.” Every day. I’d reply, “Thank you, Brandon,” and we’d move on. It made me laugh. It made some of the social team laugh. You had to be there, maybe.
Anyway, yeah, Tommy getting blindsided was wild. Brandon getting knocked out was obvious watching it, but being there live and not knowing who had Idols or anything about the gameplay, I assumed Glenny was going home. But he’s still here.
I mentioned this on Kirk’s show Thursday, but there is a moment in the finale that was, in my humble opinion, the wildest moment of the season. We’ll see how the edit goes Monday night, but it’s a moment I texted with some of the cast about in the days after the show ended. You should watch.
The debates about idols and phone calls with the jury will roll on, but I think it’s been an awesome season. Can’t wait for Monday night.
Meanwhile, Will Flemming apologized. People hated my Red Sox blog. It’s football season! And your Labor Day Weekend Notes.
All ahead in Friday Four-Pack #187.
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On a big week in Red Sox Media…
I actually blogged about the Will Flemming story early Monday morning. This was before it really blew up. I had a four-hour drive home from Saratoga in front of me - with two boys and no good cell service on the back roads of NY and VT. I wanted to write about it before we left.
By the time we got to Wahoo’s (great fries) in Wilmington, VT, Will had issued his online apology for these comments, and the story had gone mega-viral. But my main opinion had not changed - I disagreed with his take, but I love the passion.
I wish he hadn't apologized. And I wish he had not tried to make himself a victim by talking about threats. He’s a local announcer talking to a local audience, and he’s allowed to get emotional. If he had done this on NBC’s Sunday Night Baseball, I would get the backlash. But this was on Red Sox radio in the aftermath of the Red Sox getting screwed on that no-catch call in center. Get emotional, Will.
The only part that came close to crossing some line was suggesting that Austin Wells get plunked because of Jazz Chisholm’s actions. Sort of dumb, and you don’t want people to get hurt, but announcers and sports talk show hosts have suggested stuff like that for decades.
Maybe Will has dreams of being a national announcer someday and felt like an apology was the best way to move on. Maybe the Red Sox asked him to apologize (doubt it). Or maybe he’s just not used to any sort of criticism, was sensitive to the story going viral, and decided to apologize. If I had to guess, that would be it.
Will can be sensitive online. When he incorrectly predicted the big Red Sox move this offseason on X.com, then got razzed by Red Sox fans, he quit the platform and chastised the fans. He could have had fun with it, and he chose not to.
I think the fake outrage over his comments was crazy, and I don’t think he needed to apologize.
Now, there is no doubt that former WEEI host Jon Meterparel is talking directly to Flemming and NESN TV voice Dave O’Brien here. Both announcers call Ceddanne (not Cedanne, Meter) by his first name, not his last, on Red Sox broadcasts.
I have zero problem with this locally. Ceddanne sounds better. Shohei sounds better. Nationally, I guess I get Meter’s point. But it does not bother me at all - unless the guys using the players’ first names refuse to criticize those same players - or any players on the local team.
Bigger picture with both of these stories: make local sports broadcasts (especially radio) more emotional. More honest. That means being more open about criticizing the team when they suck. Dave O’Brien was never shy about doing that on radio. But now, on TV, we get a lot of schedule/standings/league-leader talk when the Sox aren't playing well.
And sure, it also means going nuts when Mickey Gasper gets hotter than lava. Or calling an opponent a bush league player. Just say it with your chest and don’t apologize for it.
Will didn’t need to apologize. And Meter needs to relax about being the announcer ombudsman for America.
That’s how I see it, anyway. Feel free to push back in the comments below.
On the State of the Red Sox…
Seriously, why? Also, 22 games, not days, there at the end. I’m stupid.
On your 2026 New England Patriots…
This is the section of this week’s MutStack where I’m supposed to have some big, bold take on the 2026 Patriots. I had allotted this space and this week for this topic for weeks.
But MutStack Trust Tree - I just don’t have it. And just like in radio, previewing a game or a series kinda sucks.
Instead, my deepest thoughts and fears on the upcoming Patriots season, in list form.
🏈 For the 100th time, Drake Maye is going to have a monster season.
🏈 Like, ‘third-best QB in the league by the end of the season’ type season.
🏈 I don’t think the schedule is as bad as people have made it out to be. They have to go to Chicago on a short week (Thursday) during this, but the Raiders, Jets, at Bears and at Miami should put them in a good spot through eight weeks.
🏈 I’ve seen some pushback on Year 2 TreVeyon Henderson explosion, and I don’t get it.
🏈 What would constitute a step back for this team? I’d say missing the playoffs, not losing 1-3 more games.
🏈 I don’t think this team is missing the playoffs.
🏈 My friend Kirk has them at 9-8. I have them at 12-5, if you care. That’s with Christian Gonzalez playing
🏈 I really don’t get the Gonzo contract stuff, other than the team looks cheap. And stubborn. Seattle set the market with the Witherspoon deal - it should be pretty easy. He’s one of the handful of best corners in the league, and those guys get paid. Pay him
🏈 The AFC is going to be much better this year.
🏈 Josh McDaniels is going to cook. And Hogdale and others will pick his play-calling apart. They’re idiots. Respectfully.
🏈 The preseason is so stupid. What did we learn about this team with no one important playing in games?
🏈 Feels like the Vrabel/Russini story has gone away. I guess if she speaks about it or does some sort of tell-all during the season, it could impact things.
🏈 But a reminder - these NFL Insiders hold stories for Sundays - and especially Week 1 Sunday morning. I won’t be shocked if new info on this story drops this Sunday, this Wednesday, or next Sunday.
🏈 If I had to guess, the Pats lose on the road in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. But do they have the upside to go back to the Super Bowl? Absolutely. But they won’t be surprising anyone this season.
There are much higher expectations this season looming over the team. I’ll be curious how the team deals with them.
Taping a Dirty Water - Patriots Edition later on Friday. Maybe Old Balls Jerry Thornton has better ideas on what we learned this preseason or why Gonzo isn't signed.
On your weekly MutStack Notes…
🏈 Oh baby. Football! Big week next week. We’ll kick it off Wednesday at GameOn! at Fenway Park for Pats/Seahawks and the NFL Opener. Hogdale will be calling the game, like he always does. Just with a live audience, a first for a Hogdale stream. I’ll be there and ready to jump on stream. Old Balls Jerry Thornton will be there. Maybe some other special guests. Put on your best Pats jersey ot vintage Mut Stack T-Shirt and join us. Or I’ll never talk to you again.
🏈 Then Friday, Pats legend Rodney Harrison will be at The Brook in Seabrook, NH. It’s a free event, and I’m lucky to be hosting the Q and A with Rodney in the Seasons Showroom. I’d advise getting there a little early to ensure you have a seat. I’ll be there early in the DraftKings Sports and Race book; I’m sure you’ll see me yelling at my horse to win. These events have been awesome, and I can’t wait to talk to Rodney Friday Night. See you at The Brook!
🎙️ I get a lot of DMs and Substack Messages about this. I had incorrectly posted a few weeks ago that Rich Shertenlieb might be moving to Colorado. Hand up, got that one wrong. But he’s not been in-studio all summer.
His boss Mike Thomas posted this week, saying that Rich has been home helping his wife, who broke her hip. Hope she’s feeling okay.
Mike says, “Rich has been open about this,” but I’ll tell you some people who work in that building didn't know why Rich wasn't in-studio. Or when he would come back. If he’s back after Labor Day, it is sure going to look like he got the okay to work remotely over the summer, even if that’s not the case.
Family first, 100%, I get it, but it has hurt the show. As has Ted Johnson not being a part of the Patriots Monday interviews over the years. Has he ever been part of those? I don’t remember. I’ll have to go back and check.
🎙️ Good thoughts for 98.5’s Marc Bertrand, after he announced this week that he has thyroid cancer. He is symptom-free, feels good, and is in good spirits…which included busting my balls via text this week.
He’ll be out for a few days and back on Wednesday for Pats and Seahawks. “I’m going to be fine,” he told the audience this week. He was diagnosed through a screening and urged his listeners to get screened themselves.
"If it's colonoscopies, go do it. If it's a lung cancer screening, go do it. Don't avoid it, don't be afraid of it."
An important message, for sure. Glad he was open with the audience, and I look forward to hearing him back on the radio next week.
🏇🏻 This was awesome. Thanks to the Minifans/MutSluts who showed up at the live stream for Travers Day. Napoleon Solo winning would have been a meet-saver, but he ran his eyeballs out for second. Had a blast on the stream and hope to do more.
🏈 Updated New England College Football Rankings: 1. UConn 2. UMass. 3. Boston College
🏈 They won’t win the National Title, but it’s hard not to be excited about Jason Candle and UConn football. The new head coach went to seven bowl games with Toledo and, by all accounts, recruited his ass off once he got the job.
That feels like enough Stack for this week. Have a great/safe Labor Day.
Next Week - NFL Picks return to The Friday Four-Pack. We had a bad 2025. We’ll be better in 2026. Saratoga picks tomorrow on the Barstool horse racing blog. And we’ll see you in Saratoga tomorrow.
Good luck with all your bets this weekend. Thanks for reading. And watching.
I've been wearing the classic white Mutstack shirt to my sons football games. Trying to spread the good word via QR code.