Hey everybody, it’s that time again. Fred and the Fantastics on BLEAV and on PodClips; this, that, and anything in sports, and sometimes more with Art, Laura, and Mark. And you can email us at [email protected], [email protected]. So much to talk about. Folks, we’re taping this at one o’clock on Friday afternoon; tonight, of course, in San Antonio, Game Two of the NBA playoffs, San Antonio is a five-and-a-half point favorite at home. Art, who do you like? Minus five-and-a-half, or plus five-and-a-half?

How do you go against the hottest team in pro basketball, 12 wins in a row in the playoffs? They sweep Philly, they sweep Cleveland. You know, I mean, I don’t know if I’m gonna lay the five. So you’re telling me San Antonio’s favored by five-and-a -half after getting beaten by ten, and they were favored by four and a half in Game One. Is that what I’m hearing?

Well, it’s do or die for them, that’s what the folks are saying.

Oh, so you have to come out and play. Well, knowing the NBA, San Antonio will win tonight because they want to play six or seven games.

Laura, five-and-a-half, one way or the other, who do you like?

You know, I picked the Knicks to win in the beginning, and I’m still picking the Knicks to win.

She’s good at this.

I don’t think O.K.C. can handle the Garden, they’re gonna, all these young guys on O.K.C., they’re gonna, O.K.C.,

You mean San Antonio?

But tonight’s in the Alamo.

I know. I think probably San Antonio. I’m not sure. I think five and a half is too much.

Yeah.

I think it’s gonna be closer than that.

Mark, Mark, the world’s worst sports handicapper. I got my bookie on the other line here.

Exactly, my line here. Inquiring minds or dying to hear it.

I like San Antonio, but I’m kind of thinking this is turning into a conspiracy theory. Does the NBA really want the Knicks? I mean, the Knicks haven’t, I mean, they’ll blow up their body, man.

Nah. There would be so many people that would have to be involved.

Wait a minute.

You don’t think one person would leak if there was a leak?

Well, here’s the thing. The Knicks.

Well, the referees in the past have been known to be a little different.

Laura, I saw Dallas have a one percent chance of getting the number one pick, and they got the number one pick.

The popcorn ball came right to them, huh?

Yeah. So, they would turn New York into Mardi Gras Central if the Knicks won it. If San Antonio won it, you know, nobody would really care.

Commissioner Falk has got to be just over the moon about Wembanyama coming into New York. And, I mean, I just, I’m telling you guys. I’m not saying it’s a fix, but they’re going to play six or seven games in this series.

Fred. Where is Don King, really? Where is Don King here?

He’s at Mike Tyson’s house.

Let me throw you another option. The Money Line.

That’s crazy.

The Money Line. The Money Line.

It was funny, though. It was funny.

Minus 220. San Antonio. The Money Line. What do you like, Art?

I’d take the Knicks on that one. Even if they only win by one, that’s, you know, they’re plus 185.

185?

Yeah.

You know, the Knicks just might have a death knell tonight, you know?

My Uncle Gingie always told me, and he was a degenerate gambler, all right. He said, When a team’s hot, don’t bet against them, kid.

Right?

Uncle Gingie.

And they are hot.

Uncle Gingie, did they name him after Ginger?

Gingie. He was the best, man. He laid money on the team my dad played against in the 56th Championship, 58th Championship game from the Bronx; laid money against the Giants. When Johnny Unitas, God rest his soul on what would be his 96th birthday today.

Wow.

When the Giants got beat by Johnny Unitas and the Colts, and he made so much money that he moved into the first house ever built in Dana Point, California.

Wow. Seventy-five hundred bucks.

Art, you got a different hat on tonight. What are you wearing?

This is the Horn Pub. They’re fantastic. We’ve got great opportunities with the Horn Pub. They’re franchising their stores, they’re doing everything they can. When we get ready for the break, I’ll tell you a little bit about it.

All right. This is, of course, Fred and the Fantastics. We can talk about this, that, and anything in sports. The World Cup beginning next week.

Yeah.

Did you get tickets, Fred, or was that out of my budget?

That’s another scandal going on. People get free tickets. Did you hear about that? And then they would fall back.

Free tickets, and they want to charge me $3,000?

Oh, God.

What kind of a world are we living in? Bottom line, what you just said.

That’s a great question, Fred.

Art, what kind of world are we living in? You can’t even buy tickets for real. It’s like, you don’t know if you’re going to spend $3,000. You don’t know if they’re real tickets or not. I don’t know what’s going on.

I’m going to tell you, it’s touch-and-go right now in a lot of different ways. I mean, I’ve been saying a lot of prayers lately. And I’ve been lucky enough to live a lot of years and be very, very successful and have a lot of great friends. But it seems like every week I’m finding somebody that I love, that I remember, played with in sports, who’s passing by. My dad used to have a really weird statement, but he’d say, last one out gets to turn out the lights. But, I mean, that’s pretty scary if you think about it.

Laura, do you have any thoughts about life and death and the ticket process of the World Cup?

We’re getting heavy here on the Fred and the Fantastic.

I’m not sure how to answer that. I said on the break, I feel like we’re all five minutes away from bad news these days. And it’s really important to just savor every minute of the lives that we have and cherish our friends and our loved ones.

The great Latin statement, I believe, was carpe diem: seize the day. That means a lot.

One guy all of us know, and he was good for decades. Peabo Bryson. Oh, my God. Lost him at 75 years old. Fred, do you guys remember Peabo Bryson?

Yeah, he was up there, but,

75 is too young. I don’t know. You hit it right on the head, though, honest to God, Laura, wake up in the morning, thank your lucky stars. See what you can do to make it a better place. That’s my new theory. I’m going to try to live by that, you know?

I do that every morning. Sign of the cross, thank the health and also the good looks.

Let me throw this out there.

You had me going there for a second.

In a World Cup friendly match, Israel versus Albania, the fans of Albania booed the Israeli national anthem. And after the game, there was a battle. A couple of the players fought each other. So, Art, what we’re talking about is it was a friendly game. Israel’s not in the World Cup. I don’t think Albania is either. You can’t even have a friendly game of soccer without,

Those Albanians are, like, my heritage, the Sicilians. They get a little bit emotional at times. This whole thing about anti-Semitism, in all shapes and forms, is starting to really bother me, too. I just don’t get it. I don’t understand it. I mean, we’re all human beings. We’re all in this together. If we all pulled the rope the same way, I think it would be a better world.

Laura, 11 years of Donald Trump. Do you think he had anything to do with anti-Semitism?

Is the Pope Catholic?

From Chicago, too.

You know, the other issue, too, is, speaking of UFOs, the latest propaganda coming from the White House is equating immigrants with aliens from outer space.

Wow. I haven’t heard that one yet.

Directing all federal agencies to refer to immigrants as it, rather than he or she. I mean, it’s just,

Wow.

You know, I think, because Trump is really losing a lot of popularity and his policies are not popular. And so, I think, like any bully, you know, when they’re cornered, they lash out more. And I don’t think we’ve seen the worst of it yet, unfortunately.

Well, you know, there are no checks and balances on a second-term president, once they get in. I mean, the one thing that,

Congress. Congress should be a check, but it’s not.

But Congress can’t even get out of their own way right now, Laura. And I’m talking on both sides of the aisle.

Right.

They can’t decide if they want hamburgers or cheeseburgers. I mean, it’s like, ridiculous. And I mean, I just, our whole leadership structure in this country is lacking at a high level.

Well, I think either side, you got to put terms on these guys, because I think they make more money hanging on in their 80s and 90s.

You know my joke on that, right, Mark? They should wear their suits with Ford on one shoe, you know, and the, you know, Glaxo Klein on the other. So you know who they’re really representing?

All right.

Yeah, you can view term limits as anti-democratic in a way, because, you know,

When you’re 85 years old, Laura, 85 years old, and you’re stumbling and pausing, like, you know, Mitch McConnell was doing.

Why are the voters voting for him, though?

Well, that’s the sad part. We have to look at the educational system to answer that.

An answer to that question will beat Madison Square Garden this week. I think Trump is going to make an appearance. Okay. Okay, Art. What do you think, the percentage of boos versus cheers at MSG?

90 to 10.

Wow. You know, they still kind of love him in New York, especially the wealthy people who hobnobbed with him.

They never loved him in New York. What are you talking about? They never loved him in New York. He lost both elections, like 90% to 10.

Well, when’s the last time a Republican won an election in New York?

They usually get better rates than he did.

Hey, by the way, Fred, are we going to take the break? Because I want to talk a little bit about the Horn Pub and the franchise opportunities available.

All right. Let’s take a break and come back with Fred and the Fantastics right after this.

Hey, we’re back on Fred and the Fantastics. It’s Friday afternoon, and we’re talking the Rams this week. We’re talking tonight, of course, San Antonio versus the Knicks. We’re talking Donald Trump making an appearance at MSG, and we’re talking this, that, and anything, and Mark will be with us. Laura’s with us. And, of course, Art’s with us with a brand-new hat. What kind of hat? What does that say?

This is the new hot place sports pub called the Horn Pub. So, folks, if you’re looking for the next big business opportunity, join the winning team at Horn Pub. With a proven, highly profitable sports pub model, an innovative menu, award-worthy drinks, great food, fun, franchise opportunities are now available. And I got to tell you, the concept is working, and it’s been really profitable. And all you have to do is get a hold of info at hornpubpa.com, ask for Jim, and learn how you can change your life. And, I mean, they have great places for kids. It’s a sports pub with great food, wings, unstoppable, great-tasting wings, and a place for a dad to come if he’s got to take care of his kids and watch the game. And there’s an area for the kids to play and have fun, and it’s supervised. It’s really an idea that I think could be something that’s really a working thing in order. But they’re good people.

All right, good people, the Rams this week signed a trade for Michael Myles Garrett. The Rams have only had one number one draft pick since 2017, and that was Jared Verse that was traded to Cleveland in this trade. Rams’ former kicker with us, of course, Art Sorce. Do you have any comments about the trade the Rams made this week?

Looks to me like they’re all in. I mean, they want to win the Super Bowl, which will be played in Los Angeles this year. Last time they were played at SoFi, when it was the opening year, they actually beat Cincinnati with the 8 of 5 penalties at the end of the game. But we won’t go there. But the bottom line is this. Les Snead and McVay have done a great job, and they’ve got an ownership that’s willing to go out and see that, that, what do they call it? That window of opportunity is right now. And, you know, I think Myles Garrett’s going to bring something to the Rams. Now I’m hearing rumors, I don’t know you guys, maybe,

About Aaron Donald.

Yeah, Aaron Donald might be thinking about coming back. Funny how that happens. Boy, all of a sudden, I get a chance to play next to him? I won’t get double-teamed anymore? This is unbelievable. I’m in.

Mark.

That might be some defensive line. I mean, if Aaron Donald.

A big force, like in the 60s.

I’m a big fan of Stan Kroenke, Les Snead, Sean McVay. I think that brain trust,

An L.A. team that Mark Mancini likes?

Yeah, yeah. And, you know, now it’s everybody’s going to be chasing the Rams if they stay healthy. The last blockbuster trade, you remember, was just when they got to the Super Bowl, they pulled the trigger to get rid of Jared Goff out of there. So they don’t rebuild in Los Angeles with the Rams. They retool. And can you imagine getting Aaron Donald in the mix? The opposition of the 49ers are going to be feeling the wrath.

Well, like, Fred, you listen to stations in San Francisco all the time.

Yeah.

What are they feeling in San Francisco?

They were quite upset.

Depressed.

The deal at KNBR was going nuts. But Mark likes Aaron Donald because Aaron Donald went to the University of Pittsburgh. That’s why. That’s the only reason you like him.

Artie’s looking a little like Travis Kelce there.

Wait a minute. I’ve got my Coach Reed lookalike outfit on.

All right. OK, let me ask you a question. You mentioned Travis Kelce. Is every member of the Chiefs going to go to the wedding? And how do you pick and choose? Do you make enemies, Art?

All I know is she’s worth $2 billion officially as of today. So whatever Kelce’s,

Yeah, no, Swifty. She’s worth $2 billion. So I want a ticket to that wedding. Let me tell you.

Laura, how do you pick and choose which members of your Kansas Chiefs Club get to go to the wedding? And how many people are upset if they don’t get to go to the wedding?

I don’t know. I mean, there’s all kinds of rumors about who got in and who got out, and who’s invited, who’s not invited. I mean,

If you’re a teammate or an ex-teammate, wouldn’t you give them an invite? I don’t know.

Yeah, I don’t know.

I think, either you invite just maybe just a few of your club, maybe just Patrick Mahomes. I don’t know. I don’t know. But I think it’s going to be a very small-ish wedding.

Is it really going to be a small wedding? I haven’t heard anything about that.

Yeah, I don’t think they could invite the whole team and their wives and their kids to a small wedding.

Well, every time I go to the mailbox, I’m looking for my invite. I haven’t gotten it before.

Well, I will tell you.

Well, Fred, you are the Swifty of the year. You’re the biggest Swifty fan there is.

I think Taylor’s going to have a lot to say on this. And if she had her way, she’d probably invite the whole Swifty crowd.

Exactly.

All right. A.J. Brown, now a member of the New England Patriots. Art. It’s got to be a good deal for the Patriots. Last year, they had the weakest schedule in the league.

I know Drake May is excited.
It’s tougher this year. They need somebody like A.J. Brown, unless internally he causes problems. But as a talent, he’s one of the best. Take it away, Art.

And that is the 50-50 conundrum there. You know, if he comes there, and he’s determined, and he wants to play great football, and he does what he does, that’s awesome. But if he did what he did the last three games with the Eagles, it becomes kind of cantankerous and, you know, mouthy. I don’t know. It’s going to be a tough one. But I will say this. Mike Vrabel, for all the things he’s gone through in the offseason with the Russini, I think he does know how to run a football team. And I think he’s going to have a one-on-one with A.J. Brown and say, Look, I need you to be a leader and step up. You’re not a kid anymore. I believe he’s 30 years old, right?

Well, he’s already talking about how he goes to the media. To try to motivate the players. So right away, he’s kind of flirting with, you know, a little bit of controversy there.

That’s what I’m talking about. I don’t think Vrabel’s going to go for that.

Mark, if you were a member of the Patriots and this Russini thing was going on in the offseason, would that change your opinion of the head coach?

No, because now you’ve got AJ Brown there. So now the focus is on AJ Brown.

I’ve never looked at it from that perspective.

Yeah. So now the whole focus goes to A.J. Brown, the Philadelphia Days. And now you can get in your car and drive home, and you don’t have to hear about Russini.

All right. Art, final 30 seconds. Tell us what’s happening in your mind in the world of sports and the world.

You know, we got the Belmont Stakes happening this week. Renegade, Commandment, Emerging Market, Golden Tempo, who won the Preakness. It’s going to be fun. It’s being run at Saratoga, only a mile and a quarter this time. I’m going to go out and I’m going to say Commandment wins.
At six to one. Art has Commandment. Laura, do you follow horse racing at all?

You know, I don’t really, although the horses are so beautiful. And I love to see the horses. In fact, we have horses, police on horseback at the beach here. And they’re such great horses. And I always pet them. And last time I was behind them, I’m like, Wait, I need help. And they were like, what? I need to pet the horses.

Mark, Mark. I like Napoleon Solo to back up the Preakness win with a win here. Now, Mark is the world’s worst sports handicapper. So you have an opinion in one way or the other, as far as the Belmont Stakes is concerned?

I’m taking the long shot.

Which one?

I always like to take the long shots.

Which one is that?

Chief Wallaby?

Yeah.

Like the Pirates?

Yeah. I like the 25 to one horse.

25 to one. All right.

Hey, Junior Alvarado, he’s a good jockey. I mean,

For Mark. For Laura. For Art. For Mario. I’m Fred. Stay tuned for much more of Fred and the Fantastics down the road. Bye, everybody.