Spring Training Optimism, Knicks vs. Spurs, and Marty McSorley's Bar Fight

Rick Garcia and Corey Nathan kick off spring training season with a deep dive into the New York Mets' offseason makeover, debate whether the Knicks have championship DNA, and close out with a genuinely wild story involving an NHL enforcer, a Manhattan Beach bar, and a fight that had nothing to do with him — but almost did. Find Us On Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Follow Rick Garcia: @RickGarciaNews on X (Twitter) Follow Corey Nathan: @coreysnathan on Substack, Threads, Instagram, X & more Key Takeaways 1. Marty McSorley and the Art of the Enforcer Before the show even gets going, Rick's Kings trade sparks a memory: Rick spent time with Marty McSorley during the Gretzky-era LA Kings — including an interview conducted entirely from the penalty box, where McSorley had essentially spent close to a year of his life. The enforcer role is a lost art, and Rick makes a compelling case that hockey's most physical players were often its most gracious personalities off the ice. Bonus story: McSorley nearly got into a bar brawl in Manhattan Beach during the playoffs before Rick talked him out of it. 2. Are the 2026 Mets for Real? A Position-by-Position Breakdown Corey comes in with full Mets optimism and, for once, has receipts. The two go position by position against the standard-bearing Dodgers — and while the Dodgers hold clear advantages at catcher (Will Smith), right field (Kyle Tucker), and the top of the rotation (four aces vs. "a guy who pitched for a month and a half"), Corey makes credible cases at shortstop (Lindor), third base (Bichette's clutch hitting and arm strength), and a bullpen depth that may actually beat what LA trots out. Nolan McLean's rookie status, Luis Robert's upside in center, and the underrated Tobias Myers all factor in. Rick remains affectionately skeptical; Corey remains constitutionally incapable of pessimism in March. 3. Knicks vs. Spurs: Previewing a Possible Finals Matchup? The conversation turns to the NBA after the Knicks became the first team to beat San Antonio in 12 games. Corey raises the possibility of a Knicks-Spurs Finals matchup — not as a stretch, but because both teams are real. The Spurs went 11-0 in February and are clearly the class of the West. The Knicks sit third in the East with a streaky-but-improving résumé, a dynamic bench (Mitchell Robinson, Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet), and a Karl-Anthony Towns who's been playing his best ball since digging out of a January slump. Detroit remains the elephant in the room, having beaten New York all three meetings this season. 4. The West Is Wide Open Too OKC is legitimate. Denver with Jokic is never to be ignored. Minnesota — with Ant Edwards, Gobert, Julius Randle, and Donte DiVincenzo — is sneaking up on people. Rick and Corey both agree: whoever comes out of the West will have been tested. 5. Perks of the Trade: Jack Hughes, Joe DiMaggio, and the Age-Old Equation Jack Hughes on SNL, Jack Hughes linked to pop stars and billionaire heiresses, Jack Hughes with a great smile and missing teeth. Rick uses this as a launching pad to discuss the timeless appeal of the professional athlete, from Namath's mink coat to Brady's modeling career. Both hosts answer the hypothetical: if you could play any sport at the professional level, what would it be? Rick goes quarterback. Corey, perhaps surprisingly, goes second base for the Mets. (And yes, he considered curling.) 6. Aerosmith Out, Muppets In Disney's Hollywood Studios is retiring its 27-year-old Aerosmith-themed roller coaster and replacing it with a Muppets attraction. Corey is fully on board. Rick takes the opportunity to recall his Disneyland loyalty as a lifelong West Coaster, while Corey reminisces about growing up near Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey — where he spent a summer refurbishing antique Coca-Cola machines, which is exactly as specific and random as it sounds. Spring training is underway. The arguments are just getting warmed up.