Bandwagon Beach

With so many known unknowns about the 2026 San Diego Padres, I thought now would be a perfect time to chat with Dylan from Letters to A.J. about all of them. We talked about Tatis hitting cleanup, faith in Nick Castellanos, Luis Campusano losing a major-league swing, the range of potential outcomes, the actual impact of ABS, strategies for Craig Stammen to implement, and what a fast sale could mean for this season. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

Nick Burke is friends with John Gennaro and a former baseball player at UCSD. As such, the two of them don't always agree when it comes to their favorite baseball team, the San Diego Padres.In this episode, John lays out all of the reasons he's worried about the 2026 Padres team before the season even begins and Nick adds his own perspective as both a fan and someone who has a better understanding on what is going on inside of a baseball player's head out on the field. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

Hey y’all! This morning I decided to go live over on YouTube to talk about the flurry of moves the San Diego Padres have made over the last few days.I talked about how there are now four players fighting for two starting jobs in the lineup (1B & DH) and as many as six pitchers fighting for the last two sports in the starting rotation, but also about how that doesn’t mean that any of these options are good. Luckily, all of the options are cheap and they each have their own varying levels of potential to become average to above-average starters on valuable contracts. That’s what makes them lottery tickets!I also talked at the end about the five players that are likely going to hit free agency after this season, and what a slow start to the season might mean for A.J. Preller and the rest of the Padres front office. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

Earlier this morning, I went live on Substack to talk about how and why my San Diego Padres pessimism is maybe turning into some optimism after Sheel Seidler dropped her lawsuit against the other team owners. After that, I broke down last night’s impressive SDFC win over Pumas and wondered if the team is still searching for a 9 that can facilitate the last third of the offense. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

Happy Monday! Well, kinda. I did not like the tenor of…well, anything really….that was coming out of the San Diego Padres FanFest at Petco Park this weekend. From A.J. Preller’s contract extension to the plan at 1B (and backup catcher) to the superstars that couldn’t be bothered to show up to the Yu Darvish situation to Keith Law’s review of the Padres farm system….there’s a lot to be angry about so I decided to be angry about it all. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

I’ve been steaming ever since it turned out that Yu Darvish, who reportedly was planning to retire and void the remainder of his contract with the San Diego Padres, was in fact not planning on retiring and not voiding the remainder of his contract with the San Diego Padres (barring a buyout that has not yet been agreed upon).I think the news getting out there, and then quickly being refuted, portends an even darker future for the team (and its reputation) than what we were already imagining following the announcement of a sale and A.J. Preller still being unsigned past this upcoming season.I do my best to explain why I think that before talking about the Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl matchup and the potential trend it will create, which is one that the NFL itself should probably be concerned about.Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the Substack app. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

I’m still testing out a bunch of Substack features, including continuing to play with the live video. Today, following the news that the Mets had traded for Freddy Peralta, I flipped on the camera & microphone to talk about how bad things have gotten for the Padres this offseason before turning my attention to San Diego FC, San Diego State’s basketball (and football) program, and the painful story of 5-year old Liam Ramos in Minnesota. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

It had been long enough since I had yelled into a microphone and I missed doing it. So, I flipped on a live video (partially to test our the Substack system) this morning and loudly worried about the short-term and long-term future of the San Diego Padres for about a half-hour.Then, and with full warning, I worried about the short-term and long-term future of America and Americans for the last 15-20 minutes.This is an unplanned and probably disorganized “episode” of a podcast that doesn’t really exist, but it’s also free content for anyone who is craving it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

While John is still recovering from The Crud, Darren catches up with former colleague, Jim Russell, from the Jon & Jim Show on AM 760 and The Wrap Up Show on YouTube.The two friends talked about Jim’s recent announcement that he was leaving sports radio and San Diego and the heartbreaking motivation behind it. They spent time talking about sports radio in San Diego, working for a flagship versus a non-flagship and what life might look like for life after sports talk radio.Section 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

Darren Smith and John Gennaro kick off today's show talking about where they are in their Christmas shopping and how they're planning to tackle that in the five days between now and Christmas.They then move onto the big news of the day, which is the San Diego Padres re-signing SP Michael King to a (potentially) three-year deal for $75 million. The guys talk about the contract structure, if there is another move coming, and whether the Padres were actually short on cash or not.Darren and John also find time to talk about newly acquired 3B Sung-mun Song and how he fits into the Padres with Manny Machado still on the roster.Because it's Friday, the guys do a bit of a weekend preview, highlighting the college football, college basketball and NFL games that they'll be paying attention to this weekend and talking a bit about SDSU's preparations for the New Mexico Bowl. Also, how big would an SDSU basketball win over Arizona be?The week ends, as it always does, with Try This. Darren is preparing some special holiday cocktails for his guests and John is re-finding his love for poetry thanks to TikTok. You should try this!00:00 - Is your Xmas shopping done? / Ben & Woods09:00 - Padres re-sign SP Michael King28:00 - Padres sign KBO 3B Sung-mun Song38:30 - Weekend Preview: College Football Playoff, NFL action, SDSU & more52:30 - Try This!Section 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

Darren Smith and John Gennaro don't know what to talk about today, which is how they end up spending a bunch of time talking about Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua, who (perhaps unknowingly) made an antisemitic gesture and said the NFL referees brag about missing calls while on a live stream with Adin Ross. The guys talk about what can be done, what Nacua is or is not responsible for, and what the NFL or the Rams will do about the situation. (By the end of the podcast, Nacua's public apology was published and read by Darren.)Darren and John then turn their attention to the world of darts, specifically the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship that is happening at Ally Pally over the next few weeks, and Section 1904 subscriber Mason is on the scene with a report about the big stories from the early matches and what to do in London as a tourist.The guys end the show with some brief apologies for not spending much time on San Diego State basketball, who routed Air Force last night and has a huge game coming up against Arizona this weekend.00:00 - Introduction06:30 - Puka Nacua steps in it on Adin Ross' livestream23:45 - A report from the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship in London39:00 - Puka Nacua issues an apology / The new face of 'media'50:00 - SDSU routs Air Force, Arizona is up nextSection 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

The New York Knicks are 2025 NBA Cup Champions and Darren Smith traveled from San Diego to Las Vegas to watch it happen in person. He and John Gennaro discuss the game, if the NBA Cup means anything, and going out in Las Vegas (where are the crowds?).They also spent a while talking about the opportunities missed by San Diego not having a modern sports arena, including the NBA Cup and NBA expansion, and wondered in Viejas Arena could maybe be a host to some NBA Cup games in the future.Darren and John also talk for a bit about a rumor that connected San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller with the Dallas Mavericks opening at general manager, which might not be quite as crazy as you might initially think.They close the episode with a short conversation about the Union-Tribune getting caught making a mistake earlier in the week and a subscriber who wasn't happy to hear about it on the podcast.00:00 - LIVE FROM VEGAS: The Knicks are NBA Cup Champions!33:30 - Padres news & rumors: A.J. Preller to the Dallas Mavericks?!?49:45 - Were we unfair to the Union-Tribune?Section 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

As Darren Smith gets ready to jet off to Las Vegas to catch the Knicks in the NBA Cup final, he sat down with John Gennaro and talked about a whole host of issues. First, they talk about the trip and Darren's plans, as a Knicks fan.Later, the guys talk about Yu Darvish, who made a public appearance and spoke to the media yesterday for the first time since getting surgery that will force him to miss the 2026 MLB season. There were takes flying from every direction, but one of them in particular came across as a little gross.The guys come out of that with a game of "Rate That Take" from former MLB GM Jim Bowden, who had some not-great advice for fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates that leads to a conversation about what sports fandom should be.Finally, Darren gets John sorted out on why Inter Miami can outspend San Diego FC by more than double in a salary capped league, and then Darren admits to a holiday card mistake and weighs his options.00:00 - Introduction / Getting excited for Knicks-Spurs NBA Cup final22:45 - Yu Darvish's uncertain future (and the coverage of it)41:00 - RATE THAT TAKE: Trading your sports fandom58:45 - Trying to make sense of the MLS salary cap rulesSection 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

Darren Smith and John Gennaro reconvene after the weekend to talk about the sports that they watched, including the semifinals of the NBA Cup (leading Darren to book a trip to Las Vegas), Philip Rivers' return to the NFL (leading John to be inspired) and a wild end to the Liga MX playoffs.They also discussed the rumors coming out about the San Diego Padres and break down what they actually mean before discussing a potential new addition to San Diego FC's roster and digging through the Yelp reviews of one of Alabama's favorite Mexican restaurants.00:00 - Introduction / Weekend plans04:00 - Darren's headed to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup17:50 - Padres trade rumors42:10 - Philip Rivers goes for it63:00 - Mexican food power rankings68:00 - Liga MX grand final / SDFC linked to Lewis MorganSection 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

Darren Smith and John Gennaro start off today's podcast with a conversation about sports journalism and sports media and the relationship between those two things, and how it all relates to Section 1904 (and the San Diego Padres).They divert from that for a while to talk about Cocaine Quarterback on Amazon and to appreciate some top-tier profanity from Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles.The guys then preview the sports weekend, which is absent of San Diego FC, San Diego State or the San Diego Padres. There will be plenty of NBA Cup action and maybe some (college and NFL) football to pay attention to, as well as a very important match for Celtic F.C.The episode ends, as it usually does on Fridays, with another round of Try This! John recommends some holiday-themed activities and Darren has at least one reality TV recommendation.00:00 - Where's the line between sports media and sports journalism?39:00 - Thursday Night Football / Cocaine Quarterback49:00 - Weekend Preview57:30 - Try This!Section 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

Darren Smith and John Gennaro kick off today's podcast episode with an NFL quiz and a conversation about Philip Rivers, who has unretired to join the Indianapolis Colts at 44-years old. When they welcome ESPN's Eric Gomez to the show, the three of them talk about what they miss about the San Diego Chargers and the changing relationship between players and media.Eric then talks at length about the San Diego Padres' efforts to build a fanbase in Mexico and if that could lead to a new potential owner for the franchise, San Diego FC's draw in the CONCACAF Champions Cup (that leads them right through Mexico City), and Hirving "Chucky" Lozano's path to the FIFA World Cup in six months.After Eric leaves, Darren and John address some of the rumors of a potential trade between the New York Mets and San Diego Padres, quoting sources and logic as to why it is not likely to happen. Also, they give credit to A.J. Preller, who finally came out and publicly said that Fernando Tatis Jr. was untouchable in trade talks.00:00 - NFL quiz!10:00 - Philip Rivers' unretires and joins the Colts18:00 - ESPN's Eric Gomez joins the show69:00 - Padres news and rumorsSection 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

Darren Smith and John Gennaro kick off today's podcast by talking about the future of Section 1904 and announcing a survey that will be sent to everyone a little later today.When the guys finally get to the sports of it all, they talk about the trade rumors swirling around the San Diego Padres at the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, the potential effects of the World Baseball Classic on Craig Stammen's first Spring Training as manager, Logan White's surprise retirement after winning the 2025 West Coast Scout of the Year award, and using the most valuable roster pieces to maybe get off some regrettable contracts.The guys also discuss Joe Buck winning the Ford C. Frick Award, San Diego FC making some offseason roster decisions, the CONCACAF Champions Cup draw and Philip Rivers' return to the NFL after coming out of retirement.00:00 - Salmon and broccoli05:00 - The future of Section 1904 / subscriber survey!18:30 - Padres trade rumors / Logan White's surprise retirement50:30 - Joe Buck wins Ford C. Frick Award57:00 - San Diego FC makes offseason roster decisions66:30 - CONCACAF Champions Cup73:00 - Philip Rivers unretires to be the Colts QBSection 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

Following a report from Kevin Acee in the San Diego Union-Tribune that A.J. Preller was working on a potentially "massive trade" that would be comparable, or maybe even dwarf, the deal that sent Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees, Darren Smith and John Gennaro try to figure out who might be involved in the trade and what it could bring back.The guys also watched the Monday Night Football game last night, which ended with a Los Angeles Chargers overtime win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and John lays out his thoughts on why he thinks the NFL is less fun to watch and follow than it has been in years prior. Also, Philip Rivers might be returning to the Colts?Following that, the guys react a little bit to the absurdity from Friday's FIFA World Cup draw, including the President of the United States of America saying that we should come up with a new name for American Football so that we can stop using the word "soccer".00:00 - Reckless Padres trade speculation25:45 - Chargers/Eagles on MNF & Philip Rivers' potential NFL return34:20 - Ridiculousness at World Cup drawSection 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

It's Monday! That means that today's episode of the podcast is free for all subscribers (both paid and unpaid). And, lucky you, we have on the show today Kevin Acee, who covers the San Diego Padres for the San Diego Union-Tribune. He joined us from the MLB Winter Meetings to talk about the forthcoming sale of the team, the status of A.J. Preller's contract extension, why Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors are different than trade rumors for other Padres players, and a lot more.Before Darren Smith and John Gennaro get to Kevin, they first spend a few minutes talking about their weekends and the hilariously predictable controversies surrounding the College Football Playoff selection committee.After Kevin leaves, the guys spend a few more minutes talking about the Padres' financial situation and the MLS Cup, which was won by Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. Also, could Mohamed Salah end up with San Diego FC now that things are getting rocky between him and Liverpool? Some experts think so.00:00 - Weekend recap03:00 - College Football Playoff / SDSU going to New Mexico Bowl10:30 - Kevin Acee joins from MLB Winter Meetings36:30 - What was Peter Seidler's financial situation?47:30 - MLS Cup thoughts / Mo Salah to SDFC?Section 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com

After today's 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, Darren Smith chatted with ESPN's Cesar Hernandez about the draws for the U.S. Men's National Team and the Mexico national football team.They also talked about San Diego FC's first season in MLS and what would be in the best interest of Hirving "Chucky" Lozano's future.Finally, the guys talked about this weekend's MLS Cup between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and Cesar explains why he thinks Lionel Messi will lead Miami to a win.Section 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bandwagonbeach.com