Jon Marks & Ike Reese

From 'High Hopes' (subscribe here): The Philadelphia Phillies endured another ugly series loss this week, this time at the hands of the Chicago Cubs. The High Hopes podcast recaps all the struggles and tries to find anything positive they can from this 8-10 start. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ike, Spike, and Fritz debate the future of Phillies manager Rob Thomson as the team grapples with sloppy play and a lack of accountability. They are joined by Mike Schmidt to discuss his work with the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation and his perspective on the team's championship pursuit. Additionally, they preview the Sixers' playoff series against the Celtics and break down Spike's top edge rusher prospects from his YouTube Big Board. 01:50 - Sixers Win and Philz Struggles 08:53 - Fritz: Keep Rob Thomson 15:13 - Next Question: Tattoos 20:10 - Firing Thomson Discussion 30:23 - Sixers Playoff Matchup Preview 45:35 - Joel Embiid's Contract Reality 53:58 - High Hopes Baseball Report 01:02:25 - Jesús Luzardo's Struggles 01:11:05 - Phillies Fundamental Errors 01:22:18 - YouTube Edge Rusher Big Board 01:34:55 - Defensive Matchups vs Celtics 01:42:38 - Mike Schmidt Joins Show 01:53:15 - Mike Schmidt's Health Mission 01:59:50 - Spike's Mike Schmidt Story 02:09:55 - A.J. Brown Trade Speculation 02:25:25 - Sixe

Spike, Ike, and Fritz discuss the urgent need for a managerial change for the Phillies, suggesting that firing Rob Thomson could be the necessary wake-up call for the core. They also analyze the Sixers' recent victory over the Magic and address rumors surrounding A.J. Brown's desire to leave the Eagles.

Spike Eskin and Ike Reese analyze the Phillies' recent defensive and mental lapses, questioning if a managerial change for Rob Thomson is necessary to spark the team. They explore Jesús Luzardo's pitching metrics and potential pitch-tipping before Spike debuts his 2026 NFL Draft YouTube Big Board for edge rushers.

Mike Schmidt discusses his partnership with the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation and the technical differences between his hitting approach and modern analytics. Spike and Ike examine Kevin Byard’s public recruitment of A.J. Brown to New England while debating the Phillies' current offensive struggles. They also look at Joel Embiid's recovery process and the daunting challenge of facing the Celtics.

Celebrating two years on air, Ike, Spike, and Fritz countdown the top five bits developed over the last year, ranging from music debates to the mystery of 'Herb Island.' They also analyze the Phillies' recent struggles on the field and the NBA's controversial decision to grant award eligibility exceptions to Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham.

Ike Reese and Spike Eskin criticize the NBA's decision to grant Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham exceptions for the 65-game award rule.

Ike, Spike, and Fritz celebrate their second anniversary by ranking the top five bits developed over the past year, from music debates to listener eccentricities.

Ike, Spike, and Fritz react to Kevin Byard's public attempt to lure A.J. Brown to New England.

Philadelphia Phillies legend Mike Schmidt joins Ike, Spike, and Fritz to share stories from his Hall of Fame career and his "chopping down" hitting philosophy. He also discusses his partnership with the Richard David Kahn Melanoma Foundation and analyzes the current team's struggles with consistency compared to the 1980 championship squad.

Spike Eskin evaluates NFL edge rusher prospects like T.J. Parker and Keyron Crawford using the YouTube Big Board scouting method.

Ike, Spike, and Jack Fritz evaluate the Phillies' recent sloppy play and defensive errors during their series against the Cubs. They explore whether Rob Thomson's relaxed management style is still effective or if a more disciplined approach is required to fix the team's fundamentals. The conversation also includes analysis of Jesús Luzardo's pitching struggles and a debate over Joel Embiid's future role with the Sixers.

Spike and Ike celebrate the Sixers' team win over the Orlando Magic and analyze how the squad plays with more energy without Joel Embiid on the court. They also preview the upcoming playoff series against the Boston Celtics while debating the potential of trading Embiid this offseason to build around Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

Spike Eskin argues that the Philadelphia Phillies need to fire manager Rob Thomson to instill a sense of urgency and accountability within the veteran core. Ike Reese pushes back, suggesting that Thomson's steady demeanor has successfully guided the team through similar slumps in the past.

Spike, Ike, and Jack celebrate the second anniversary of the WIP Afternoon Show by grading their performance and inviting listeners to share honest feedback. They dive into the Phillies' fundamental issues with Larry Anderson, analyze NFL Draft prospects with Brian Baldinger, and negotiate terms for Brodes’ potential Jalen Hurts tattoo.

Ike Reese, Spike Eskin, and Jack Fritz celebrate the second anniversary of the WIP Afternoon Show by reflecting on their evolution and grading their performance. They invite listeners to share their show critiques and favorite household chores before breaking down the 76ers' play-in matchup with the Orlando Magic.

Ike, Spike, and Fritz celebrate their second anniversary with a high-stakes bet involving a Jalen Hurts tattoo for Brodes if the Eagles draft a quarterback. Brian Baldinger joins the show to provide in-depth analysis on draft prospects like Kenyon Sadiq and evaluate the potential of quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson.

Larry Andersen discusses the Phillies' early-season fundamental lapses and mental errors while emphasizing the need for player leadership in the clubhouse. Ike, Spike, and Fritz also break down the updated criteria and early betting odds for the upcoming Eagles Insider of the Year award.

Ike Reese and Spike Eskin react to callers grading their performance and sharing stories about Spike’s evolution from program director to host. They preview the Phillies' upcoming series against the Cubs, highlighting concerns about the team’s struggles against left-handed pitchers.

Ike, Spike, and Jack reflect on their show's growth and the evolving perception of Spike's hosting style among the Philadelphia audience. They also preview the Phillies' upcoming rubber match against the Cubs, highlighting concerns about hitting against left-hander Shota Imanaga and locking in their 'Player to Count On' picks.