You don’t feel sorry for the Cleveland Browns being so awful on the field again if you’re a Baltimore Ravens fan but for the NFL faithful in Northern Ohio, the insults keep coming as the billionaire owner whisks the franchise and the stadium off to the ‘burbs abandoning downtown against plenty of opposition. Let longtime journalist Scott Petrak update you on the continuing saga of ineptitude from the Haslam family.
Nestor Aparicio and Scott Petrak discuss the Cleveland Browns’ struggles, including their 1-5 start and the controversies surrounding Deshaun Watson. Petrak highlights the team’s ownership issues, noting the $600 million stadium project in Brook Park and the impact on downtown Cleveland. They also touch on the Browns’ quarterback situation, with Petrak expressing skepticism about Watson’s future with the team. Additionally, they discuss the recent gambling scandal involving the Cleveland Guardians’ pitcher Emmanuel Clase, emphasizing the broader implications of gambling in sports.
Cleveland Browns’ Struggles and Community Impact
- Nestor Aparicio introduces the show, mentioning the Baltimore Orioles’ struggles and the upcoming Ravens game against the Browns.
- Nestor and Scott Petrak discuss the Browns’ recent poor performance, with Scott noting that it makes his job harder and the team’s locker room more tense.
- Nestor reflects on the Browns’ history, mentioning the impact of the signing of Deshaun Watson and the controversies surrounding the team.
- Scott compares the current Browns coaches to previous ones, noting that Kevin Stefanski is more capable than some of his predecessors.
Ownership and Management Issues
- Nestor and Scott discuss the ownership issues, with Scott noting that the team’s problems start at the top.
- Scott mentions the team’s playoff appearances in 2020 and 2023, but notes that the fan base is rooted in negativity due to the team’s overall poor performance since 1999.
- Nestor criticizes the team’s ownership, mentioning the $600 million stadium deal and the controversial signing of Deshaun Watson.
- Scott talks about the team’s plans to build a new stadium in Brook Park, despite concerns about the impact on downtown Cleveland.
Stadium Construction and Community Impact
- Nestor and Scott discuss the impact of the new stadium on the community, with Scott expressing concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers and the potential negative impact on downtown Cleveland.
- Scott mentions the team’s efforts to secure funding, including a $100 million agreement with the city to renovate the lakefront.
- Nestor reflects on the history of the Browns’ stadium issues and the impact of the team’s ownership on the community.
- Scott notes that the team is moving ahead with the stadium construction, despite some opposition.
Browns’ On-Field Performance and Upcoming Game
- Nestor and Scott discuss the Browns’ recent loss to the Jets and the team’s chances against the Ravens.
- Scott expresses pessimism about the Browns’ chances, noting that the team has struggled offensively and may not be able to keep up with the Ravens.
- Nestor and Scott talk about the Browns’ game plan and the strengths of players like Myles Garrett.
- Scott mentions the potential for upsets within the division, but ultimately believes the Ravens are the favorites.
Quarterback Situation and Future Plans
- Nestor and Scott discuss the Browns’ quarterback situation, with Scott noting the team’s struggles with Deshaun Watson and the recent trades involving Joe Flacco and Dylan Gabriel.
- Scott mentions the potential for Shadur Sanders to play soon, despite concerns about his readiness.
- Nestor reflects on the challenges of managing a quarterback situation with no clear starter and a struggling offense.
- Scott notes that the team’s future plans may include drafting a new quarterback, but the current situation is uncertain.
Impact of Gambling Scandals on Cleveland Sports
- Nestor and Scott discuss the recent gambling scandal involving the Cleveland Guardians’ pitcher, Emmanuel Clase.
- Scott notes that the scandal has received significant attention, but it has not had as much impact on the team’s performance as it might have on other teams.
- Nestor reflects on the broader implications of gambling scandals in sports and the need for better oversight.
- Scott mentions the potential for gambling to affect the integrity of sports and the need for stricter regulations.
Final Thoughts and Appreciation
- Nestor thanks Scott for his insights and contributions to the discussion.
- Scott expresses his appreciation for the opportunity to share his thoughts on the Browns and Cleveland sports.
- Nestor wraps up the show, mentioning the upcoming Ravens game and the ongoing challenges for the Browns.
- The conversation ends with mutual appreciation and a look forward to future discussions.
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
Browns, stadium, Deshaun Watson, Kevin Stefanski, ownership, playoffs, quarterback controversy, gambling scandal, Cleveland Guardians, Emmanuel Clase, Joe Flacco, Myles Garrett, Baltimore Ravens, Lamar Jackson, Class A.
SPEAKERS
8
Scott Petrak, Nestor Aparicio
Nestor Aparicio 00:01
Welcome home. We are W, N, S, T. Am 1570 to Baltimore. We are Baltimore positive. It is a big football week around here. To get back to the promised land of 500 John harbor. I had to worry about that too much. Of course, they haven’t started one in five. All week long. You will hear some remnants and some residue, certainly, some great baseball conversation, some AI talk, some little league talk. We did a whole bunch of stuff from Coco’s last week, Coco’s pub. And of course, our friends at Pizza John’s, all of it on the Maryland crab cake Tour presented by the Maryland lottery, had some winning scratch offs and Cocos. That was a lot of fun as well. And of course, the fun part of the Ravens is when they’re one and five, you say, well, they can win some games. They can get better. They get Lamar back three in a row and off to Cleveland this week for a late afternoon game in the 430 window in Cleveland, Ohio. Scott Petrak has been a defending champion around here many times. Even though I’ve mispronounced his name, I think the last time I had him on, I’m never going to do that again, even though I think of the late, great, rich Petro. He has covered sports for many, many years at the Chronicle, Illyria, Chronicle, Telegram Medina, something. I mix them all up all the time. How are you Scott? I mean, and more than that, this the cover in the Browns I did their Orioles for 30 years. It’s somebody said to me last week, you root against the teams around here. You hate the teams. I’m like, when the teams lose, it’s like, no fun. You were having so much more fun when Joe Flacco was your quarterback.
Scott Petrak 01:30
Man, oh, it’s not even close. Yeah, I don’t, I don’t think anybody. I mean, you’re not supposed to root one way or the other, but I’ll tell you what my job is easier when they win. I know that the locker room’s easier. The coaches are easier to deal with. And you know, January doesn’t become all about new coach, new GM, you know, it’s just easier. So, yeah, this is tough times, and who knows, we got a long way to go, but it could be another long January.
Nestor Aparicio 01:57
You and I’ve had a lot of long chats, you know, like if somebody would have called me every year to want to talk Orioles three times a year from, let’s say, Tampa the last 20 years, how much that would suck? And I call you guys twice a year sometimes, and we’re going to talk Class A and obviously we hired the manager from Cleveland. So there’s a very vibrant baseball thing. There’s been a parade for LeBron. Don’t tell anybody, but you guys had a pretty good time, but the Browns thing is still number one. You know, I come off the boat when we didn’t have a team, and you did, and modell brought it here. Like I’ve been at this the whole time. I’ve watched it all. I’ve seen all the names of the quarterbacks change and all of that. I mean, I feel for the franchise. Jimmy Schwartz is one of my dearest friends, like in the football sports space through all of my life. And I sense the last couple of years, when I talked to all of you out there that you wouldn’t look at it and say, in November, we’re going to stink again. Then maybe this year, maybe since the signing of Deshaun Watson, which feels a little bit like, like Adam and Eve in the garden, like, like, the original sin of the whole thing. Where is the thing right now? The Shadow said, it just feels like controversies that are brought on, and I see Stefanski much as I saw I don’t know any of three or four other coaches is being capable there over the years.
8Scott Petrak 03:16
Yeah, I feel like Kevin’s fancy is more capable than many of his predecessors, especially Hugh Jackson in Freddy kitchens, and probably Rob chinski. You know, I thought Eric Mangini had a chance, but he tried to do too much. So I don’t even know if I put him in that category. I think it’s, I’m a patent guy I grew up with. I was just gonna say pet. It’s the fancy and petting two guys that I think are really smart, that Patton did not get a chance the fancy’s had six years, but he was two time coaches.
Nestor Aparicio 03:45
They gave him Johnny Football exactly. I mean, they’ve done embarrassing ownership things that have completely forget the fact that he almost went to prison, right? I mean, it has like forget that just the football things that they’ve done there continue to put me and you together, and have to talk about, what are they doing? And I and I look at it from the outside, and I’m like, it’s the owner, isn’t it? Really?
Scott Petrak 04:13
Yeah, I mean, I think it certainly starts there. You know, he’s learned some things. He’s given Andrew Barry the GM and Kevin Stefanski time. It’s this year six. We’ll see if they get I’m
Nestor Aparicio 04:23
8dealing with Sashi Brown here, so search your own joke, dude. Yeah, right. But
Scott Petrak 04:26
yeah, it starts at ownership. And they were not good when they got here, and it took a while, and they’re a little better, but are they still good enough? I would know, you know, right? It starts at the top. What I think is might be most sad is they went to the playoffs twice in the previous five years, right? 2020, and 2023, they went to the playoffs. They won a playoff game in 2020. Nobody remembers that, because the foundation, or the most of the memories, are terrible since the team came back in 99 so as soon as things go badly, it’s it’s always been this bad. Yeah, and it was only two years ago when Joe flack will learn the playoffs. No one remembers it. I’m my text on the X. Nobody remembers that they were in the playoffs a year and a half ago. They’re almost two years ago, because the overwhelming experience since 99 has been terrible. And I think that, I think that’s really sad, because that’s where the entire fan base is rooted. In negativity and just losing.
Nestor Aparicio 05:28
We gave the owner here $600 million and fixed up the stadium and Sashi Brown, who I had to pay $100 to go to an event A week and a half ago to hear him speak and to share the same oxygen and talking about we listened to our fans. All they want was premium. Yeah, sure, right, that’s exactly what your fans wanted. It’s just such a liar’s game from the ownership side of here, we’ve just gifted them that in Cleveland, the reason we stole your team is you couldn’t figure out your stadium situation in the state and money and then the stadiums there, but it’s not good enough, and it’s pinched in, and it’s not premium enough. And at this point, this guy almost went to jail, who signed Deshaun Watson, hasn’t won anything, who’s a laughing stock, is trying to now get this stadium built next to the airport out of Brook Park. And there’s all of these factions of Ohio, Cleveland, the modell law money. The league itself wondering where they want to put the basis of the Browns franchise in the middle of nowhere to try to monetize it better. And much like the Orioles here, they think there’s an unlimited amount of money, they have a bunch of out of towners here. And I’m like, where do you think this money or enthusiasm is coming from? Well, we’re going to win, okay? And even when you win, you’re going to charge me premium pricing, like at this time in Cleveland, with all of the bad juju and Mojo, the fact that they’re in the stadium building business, and nobody in Baltimore would know that the Baltimore we think you’re in the crappy football business, but the most important thing that’s going on in your is it whether shadur Sanders is going to play, or whether Stefanski is going to coach, or who Schwartz is going to be running around with defense next year, miles Garrett, where they’re getting money. The big story in your community is that stadium in the real future of the entire thing for your grandchildren, and they haven’t managed that well, either, right?
Scott Petrak 07:21
Well, I don’t know they’re getting what they want. I don’t know if I don’t think it’s the right thing. I think you should, I think the team should have stayed in Cleveland. You know, I’m not a big proponent of, you know, $1 billion of taxpayer money going to build a stadium, or re renovate a stadium, whatever it’s going to be, I think it’s going to be a disservice to downtown moving to Brook Park. And, you know, I get it, it’s only 12 miles away, or eight miles whatever it is, but I still think downtown is going to suffer. And downtown suffered enough. Now, you know, the hasms obviously argue that, but it feels like it’s full steam ahead. Well,
8Nestor Aparicio 07:59
they don’t care about Cleveland, right? They don’t care about Cleveland. What do they care about Cleveland?
Scott Petrak 08:04
I mean, I mean, they, I mean the, you know, they want to keep up with the Joneses, right? So they want their giant new stadium. They want parking revenue, which they don’t have at the stadium, at the current stadium. So that’s a huge reason they’re moving to Brook Park. They’re going to build a, you know, retail and entertainment district around the new dome by the airport, you know. And they got Cleveland It finally got Cleveland mayor to sign off on it by agreeing to give him, I think it’s $100 million over for different things, to renovate the lakefront, to tear down where the current stadium is. It was contentious, and I just didn’t like how the whole thing came down. They got $600 million from million dollars from
Nestor Aparicio 08:43
the state. It’s over, right? Like, we’re not pretty we’re not debating it anymore, right
Scott Petrak 08:47
8now. I mean, it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion. There needs to be. I think city council needs to sign off on it, but they’re moving ahead. They’ve already kind of started the not construction, but the moving the ground and that kind of thing.
Nestor Aparicio 08:59
Every time I fly over so far stadium, and I saw it on TV. I took my wife out to see it last month, because we were out there. And I remember when Stan crockey was going to keep the rams and give them a fair chance. You know, I had jeff gordon all from St Louis my life for last week. It really is, all these years in, I would have been the guy in 1995 here begging to steal your football team, which we did, saying, Let’s build a stadium. Let’s give this money to modell. He won’t be a creep, and he really wasn’t. I mean, he and David were wonderful. You’re good citizens to their deaths, and they given it to this guy who now hasn’t had a press conference in 10 years, walks away from Justin Tucker, took $600 million and hasn’t even said thank you to the fans here, through the media up into a little Kevin Byrne press box up in the corner, banning people like me and selling premium this and all of that. And we just have a different sleazy billionaire owner here just happens to be from here. Doesn’t even vote here, like not even he’s a Floridian at this point, because Aren’t they all? All and like I look at it all, and I just in Cleveland to have it fester up with all the bad mojo, like, if the oils had to get a stadium built right now on inertia and future earnings and all of that wouldn’t go so well because her brand’s so beaten up and all that being said, how are the browns on the field? Is there any chance they can cover nine and a half years? Scott? Only the bookmaker wants to know.
Scott Petrak 10:26
Yeah. I mean, they lost to the Jets yesterday, right? So it’s hard to have any optimism after that. Or, you know, last weekend they lose to the Jets, 2720, so it’s hard to drum up any reason to think that they could beat the ravens, or even hang with the Ravens. My only counter would be, they were bad last year, and they beat the ravens, right? So, you know, I think that’s I wouldn’t rule out anything inside the division. I think crazy stuff happens inside the division. I know the Ravens aren’t a bit of a heater. You know, are they due for a little misstep. Who knows? You know, I think the Browns have a pretty good game plan against Lamar miles, Garrett’s great. I just don’t know how the Browns can score enough, right? They score 20 against the Jets, and that feels like an eruption of points, and it’s 20. And even if they play well against the ravens, I don’t know if they can keep you know, Lamar under 20. So you know, can it be close? Sure. Would I pick him to win? No way.
Nestor Aparicio 11:25
Scott Petrak has been our friend, the defending champion, and all conversationalist of all things northern Ohio, because true care is unavailable, and he knows more about the Cleveland teams. Anyway, he is at the Leary chronicle telegram as well. You can find him out on the internet, P, E, T, R, A, K, good man, and a great insider to all this. And listen, this is where the point where I don’t want to get you mad at me, but shador Sanders, I know you don’t want to talk about it, because everybody wants to talk about it. And like, what does Stefanski and what do the brighter minds there make? And what could you tell me and enlighten me over the last seven months about the quarterback position, as we are preparing to play a very capable looking Joe Flacco on Thanksgiving night here may, I hope his arms Okay, and bye week treats him well. I know you watch Flacco run around that campus twice after having people like me tell you, after a decade and a half, you’re saying that’s a grown ass man there. That’s a different kind of cat. And watching all of this mess with all of the quarterback thing there, from Watson to bring in Sanders, I mean, it’s sort of a self inflicted circus to some degree. I’m just shocked at Stefanski and whoever is signed up behind closed doors to be a part of this, that they can’t find some level of stability there to at least make the beat writers job more easy, right?
8Scott Petrak 12:47
That’s all I care about. I mean, that’s what they’re going for with Watson. And obviously I thought it was an ill advised move for all the off field reasons. I understood why they did it on the field. It was Deshaun Watson, pro bowler, top I thought it’s a top five quarterback the last time he played with Houston, whatever year that was 2020, he’s not been the same guy. Whether it’s he’s been hurt a lot, but even when he’s been healthy, hasn’t been the same guy. You know, my conjecture would be mentally, all that stuff, and I hate to say all stuff he dealt with, because I think he brought it upon himself, but all the off field stuff I think affected him. You have people calling you terrible names, you know, people hating you. I just think it affected him on the field. And he hasn’t been the same guy. I don’t think you know, who knows? I’m not ruling out him ever playing here again, but I don’t think he takes another snap for this team. So that has set them back. Unbelievable. We call it original sin. That’s a great way to put it. So they’re trying to recover from that. But, you know, I think you could say they butchered this year. They traded for Kenny Pickett, then they trade him just he has a hamstring, and training camp probably keeps him out of the starting job. Then they trade him before the season starts. Joe Flacco has trouble with turnovers. They weren’t all his fault. They trade him or they bench him and then trade him after four games. And he’s a better player than Dylan Gabriel right now. He’s just a better player. And I get the other aspects you want to see your rookie quarterbacks play, but Joe flacker would give this team a chance to win games that Dylan Gabriel does not. And then you get two rookies, and you play the one I think they want to get as long a look at Gabriel until they turn it over to shader Sanders. I don’t know how many more weeks it is. It’s going to be through Baltimore, at least. I don’t know if there’s a lot of shelf life beyond that. And then Sanders is a big mystery. You know, he played one he played two games in the preseason. One he looked great. The other one, he looked like he didn’t belong. He had a huge transition coming from Colorado, where they didn’t huddle, they didn’t call plays. The Bronx didn’t think he was ready when the year started. I’m not sure they think he’s ready now. He says he is. I’m not sure they agree. I just think when you’re two and seven and whatever they’re going to be when they put him in the in the game to start, you just have to, because they’re going to have a they’re going to have top picks next year, a top pick, they’re. Gonna have two first round picks. They’re probably gonna go after quarterback. You want to at least see what Sanders looks like.
Nestor Aparicio 15:05
Why did they sign up for that? You know, after two and a half days of he’s being discriminated against his father, you know, poorly. You know, overrated, not the guy we like didn’t interview. Well, all the nasty stuff you could say about a kid that dropped from the first round in his mind to the fifth round in real terms, to then bring him in and know that the old man’s larger than life now he’s not going to a bowl game just, I mean, look, man, I had Dion here for two years, and I covered Dion as a baseball player with the Braves band that reds back in the day. I you know what you’re getting. And if the kid wasn’t going to get on the field till now anyway, do they really believe he can play Scott at
Scott Petrak 15:46
all? I think they do. I don’t know if they believe he can play right now. I certainly think he’s more talented than Gabriel. They thought he would be. I think they thought he’d be a second round pick. Not that they would take him in the second round, but somebody would. So the fact he was still there in the fifth round, I think they saw his value. I don’t think you can discount the publicity factor, right, that he brings buzz, and someone in that organization craves that, right? You’re in the headlines all the time. It’s national conversation. So I think those are factors, and I think you can make a legitimate argument that getting a quarterback that you believe have upside has upside in the fifth round is worth it, but that discounts all the quote, unquote baggage that comes with it. Now he’s been fine. He’s given a couple of weird interviews where he said he’s better than starters in the league. Then, you know, Rex Ryan tells him to shut up. So the next week, he mimes an interview, which is weird. You know, there’s been a couple of those, but I think he’s a good like, he’s a good kid to be around. He’s smiles all the time. He’s entertaining,
Nestor Aparicio 16:51
8but his father wasn’t a bad guy as a player. I mean, this larger than life persona, that’s not what everybody that ever played with Dion loved. Dion love the baseball and football across, yeah, but they
Scott Petrak 17:04
probably did underestimate the just for lack of a better word distraction that would come with it, right? If it was another fifth round quarterback on the bench, Kevin’s fans could not getting be getting asked every week. Well,
Nestor Aparicio 17:17
so if you were seven and four and not Slappy like Cleveland’s been forever, right? Right?
Scott Petrak 17:22
I mean, that’s the other part of it. And when you don’t know who your quarterback is going to be next year, then everything’s on the table. And it’s, why aren’t we seeing this guy? Why isn’t he on the field? Plus he’s crazy popular. So it has generated its own little whatever news cycles. But it’s not. It has nothing to do with the reason they’re two and seven, you know. And I tell you what, he’s really accurate. I think he can play. I do like he’s not a great athlete, and I kind of worry about his athleticism. Is it? Can he hang in the pocket and just throw win from the pocket over and over again? But he’s really good throwing the ball. I think he throws a better than Dylan Gabriel. It’s just a matter if he’s ready for everything that the NFL job entails, and we’re gonna have to see, because the last time we saw him on the field was against the Rams in the preseason, and he kept taking sacks, you know, 20 yard sacks, because he kept drifting, and he wasn’t good quick enough to get out of the pressure. And you just can’t do that and live in this league.
8Nestor Aparicio 18:22
Scott Petrak has covered Cleveland sports for going on three decades, I think, and he’s always making time for us here. Last thing on the Sanders thing for me, and I’m going to write the next chapter for you. He’s going to play next week, week after week after that. He’s gonna be playing for a Slappy two and 10 team, but with no weapons, with an offensive line they couldn’t protect any of the rest of the guy like all of that’s going to come back out, and you’re going to say, Well, how do you expect them to have any success? Right? So it’s like putting the starting quarterback out with the third string at the end of a preseason game, which don’t exist anymore, to say you can’t expect to have success in that circumstance. So that’s, I’m not speaking Dion’s words, but that’s unfair to my child,
Scott Petrak 19:04
right? No, I mean, you’re exactly right. Dylan Gabriel is in the same circumstances, right? And his receivers are not good. Jerry Judy finally had a game against the Jets last week. The rest of receiving court hasn’t done much. The offensive line has not been good. That’s not getting better with Cher Sanders, so Right? He’s entering a tough spot. And the only example you need is, the only proof you need is Joe Flacco was not good here for four games, goes to Cincinnati and lights it up. And the reason is the receivers are better, like, that’s the difference. The Cincinnati’s line isn’t any better than Cleveland’s, it’s and I don’t think the play callers any better. The difference is he’s got guys he can throw the ball to, and the Browns don’t whether it’s Flacco Gabriel or Sanders.
Nestor Aparicio 19:47
And then once you got the guys throw the ball to, you got to have somebody throwing the ball last thing for you, because you’re in Cleveland, we just hired a manager. Obviously, you got the whole gambling thing going on there with Class A we had the thing here with hardball week and a. Half ago, five points. I mean, the FBI calls when you you move a line five points on a Saturday before the old FBI does the new FBI just goes to the NBA and just decide to lock them up and but the class a thing. I’m not putting that on Patel or the criminal run in the country. I like that thing was kind of in the works. And this text threads, and I threw a ball, but he swung that. I mean, it’s inconceivable, but this isn’t the only guy doing in sports, but I’m thinking, in your town this, this smells even worse than Justin Tucker and Ray Rice smelled here to some degree.
Scott Petrak 20:36
8Yeah, it’s interesting. If it were a Browns player, you know, the world would explode, right? Because the Browns get so much coverage. It’s a big deal with the Guardians, but the Guardians overcame it like he’s their best pitcher, right? Class, a was unhittable in 2024 he’s really good this year, and then he gets suspended, and they still go to the playoffs, right? And surprise people. So it’s a huge story. I don’t know if it’s as huge a story as it would be if it was on a different team. It just has a different vibe when it’s the Guardians. But it has me thinking, you know, the obvious question is, why would these guys do it? Because it’s class ain’t Ortiz, you know, why do it if you have all the money in the world? Why? What’s the motivation, you know, or do you have gambling? It’s the same with the NBA, right? Do you have pre earlier gambling debts, where now you’re beholden to people, or is it just greed? Who knows? It’s mind boggling. And then you question, should the guardians have figured this out when they made the move for classic, obviously, talent wise, it was a great trade, but when he got here, he got suspended for peds. So was there something that they should have recognized before they made the move, something they ignored or chose to Hey, we’ll figure, you know, he’ll be better when he’s here. And let’s assume, I hate to do it, but if he’s guilty and he never pitches again, you know it’s obviously, it’s a huge stain on this organization.
Nestor Aparicio 22:01
Well, and I think I talked about Pete Rose I had munch on earlier from your town, just talking about Pete Rose out in Ohio and all of these years, and he dies in indignity. And they’re doing bet commercials every single night. And knowing that this is that this not potentially going to be a problem. What they’re going to do about it when it’s a problem. Same thing with the gamesmanship that Harbaugh showed two weeks ago to have everybody in the organization lying to everybody about Lamar Jackson really practice. He put shoulder pads on, like I the gamesmanship the business being in on it, the ownership part of it, the push for it, all of that’s bad enough, but the fact that players are going to be enticed into participating, and you know it, and you can’t control it, you’re going to find out when it’s too late, it really is going to mess with the sanctity of where we Go back to shoeless, to Joe, which is the and I hold lottery tickets up, whether it’s on the up and up, when you buy a lottery ticket, it’s not fixed. That’s the whole gig, right? That’s on the up and up. That’s why none of this is on the they couldn’t even get the coin flip right in Berlin to figure out who got the ball like and we’re settling bets with referees, with humans. It. This is not pulling a lever. It’s different than other games a chance. And I’m, I’m gravely concerned about the whole, the avalanche that happens after this sort of thing happens. Yeah,
Scott Petrak 23:33
I have two points on it, the whole Harbaugh injury port thing, right? And you see, with coaches are so paranoid. And I think coaches and Harbaugh is a perfect example with that situation, they have to be more aware of the gambling aspect of it. I’m sure Harpa is trying to keep I can’t remember whatever team they’re playing that week, the bears. The bears, right? He’s worried about that. He’s not worried about the line. He’s worried about the bears. But somebody has to be above him, going, hey, it’s not about the bears. It’s about on the up and up. It’s about gambling. Coaches need to be more aware of that, I think, across the league, and hopefully the hardball thing showed it. The other thing is, gambling has always been an issue, and it’s always opened the door to point shaving and scandals. We’ve had them even when gambling was illegal. What changed, and I was in northwestern when we had a point shaving scandal on the basketball team. What changed is the prop bet and where a guy can say, hey, I’m not affecting my team’s outcome if I throw a ball on the first pitch of an at bat, but I can still make me or my buddy’s money. And I think that’s the door that was open, that there’s really left the sport vulnerable. Because people think, I think, they think they can do it without affecting wins and losses, but yet, it’s still a criminal activity, and it just opens the door for all kinds of nefarious activity.
Nestor Aparicio 24:52
That’s like Pete Roche saying, I bet on my team, right, right. It’s
8Scott Petrak 24:56
similar, but, but it’s but you can, you can rationalize that easy. Right? I’m going to throw ball one. It doesn’t matter, right? You can rationalize that, and I could see a person saying, Hey, that’s not a big deal, as opposed to throwing a game. But, and that’s where the prop bets make this possible. And we didn’t have that 510, years ago, prop bets weren’t here. Prop bets came with the legalized gambling everywhere.
Nestor Aparicio 25:21
Well, look here, everybody in Baltimore has no respect for your football team, but we all respect the guardians and Steven Vogt coming in here for that press conference with Albert Nestor this week. So I hope that thing works out well, Scott, I appreciate you. Know your time short. Always great having you on from Cleveland, Ohio. Man, appreciate it. Hey, take care, bud. Scott Petrak here from the Chronicle telegram in Illyria. I am Nestor. We are W NST am 1570 Towson, Baltimore. Back for more. Baltimore, positive, it’s browns. Week.
