The Section 1904 Podcast

Darren Smith

In pursuit of smart conversations since 2004. The Section 1904 Podcast is a 20-year radio career, distilled for small batch consumption. Quality over quantity. Made in San Diego. dsmithshow.substack.com

  1. 6h ago

    Mikey Varas Pregame

    This is Wednesday’s “Coach’s Conversation” with SDFC Head Coach Mikey Varas. Mikey talked about the “bravery” it took to play against LAFC and for San Diego FC in general, including a Brené Brown reference that I did not understand in the moment. We also talked about the unprecedented squad depth and the depth of leadership with Anibal Godoy and Jeppe Tverskov. This interwiew will air on AM 760 and the IHeartRadio app at 7pm, with kickoff scheduled for 7:40. Adrian Garcia Marquez and I will call all the action and invite you to join the local broadcast of tonight’s Western Conference matchup. SDFC is looking for its first back-to-back league wins since March 1st & 7th. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com

    Mikey Varas Pregame

  2. 9h ago

    Return of the Liberal Circle Jerk

    (This is the audio-only podcast version of Friday’s MartyTimeTV / Section 1904 joint venture. You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple and Spotify and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode on YouTube, click here Back when we had a radio show, Scott Lewis from Voice of San Diego was a regular guest whenever we needed a real news person to explain the intersection of sports and politics, whether it was “the battle for Mission Valley” or trying to understand CEQA and why it was standing in the way of a new arena in the Midway area. Scott was always there for us. During the pandemic, Scott joined us every week as we all tried to figure out how to function with COVID hanging over everything. It made perfect sense, since Scott and his team at Voice of San Diego were following all of the local and national press conferences, and we always enjoyed having him on. It was educational. Somewhere along the way, a listener dubbed the segment “The Liberal Circle Jerk,” and the name sarcastically stuck. (Forgive me for not remembering exactly why, although I always found it hilarious that the basic things we were discussing somehow earned the “liberal” label. But… que sera, sera.) On this episode, Scott joins us to talk about the Padres sale and what new ownership is facing with its Petco Park deal, along with its other interactions with the city of San Diego. Scott also explains the one thing he’d like to see happen before the old guard fully vacates, and how a Voice of San Diego investigation into fraud at the ballpark left San Diego softball leagues dreaming of a $3.5 million payday. Of course, we also talked about evil palm trees, parking at Balboa Park, and whether we should be terrified about El Niño this fall and winter. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com

    Return of the Liberal Circle Jerk

  3. 2d ago

    Weekend Recap

    (This is the audio-only podcast version of Friday’s MartyTimeTV / Section 1904 joint venture. You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple and Spotify and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode on YouTube, click here.. The Padres keep rolling, taking two of three from Cleveland and extending their streak to seven straight series without a loss. The Pads haven’t dropped a series since they were in Atlanta from July 21–23. Up next, it’s the Mets, Twins & Pirates, seemingly setting up the schedule nicely for a team that’s finding its stride and is 39-22 against sub .500 teams. Some specific topics from the weekend include Luis Rengifo’s immediate impact since arriving in San Diego, Luis Campusano finally making the most of his opportunities, Craig Stammen not managing like it’s game seven and wondering why the organization won’t trust Randy Vazquez after consecutive good starts. We also took a stroll down memory lane, talking about former Padres manager Andy Green - now with the Mets - including those truly unfortunate blue Padres uniforms. Plus, a great story about Craig Stammen reaching out to Green after he was fired from the Padres. And San Diego FC kicked off “Revenge Week” in style, knocking off LAFC in a huge Saturday night victory at BMO. SDFC allowed a goal in the 14th minute of stoppage time last time the two Southern California rivals played so turnabout was fair play in Los Angeles when Anders Dreyer scored in the 89th minute to take all three points on the road. Up next: San Diego FC travels to Providence Park to face the Portland Timers, the return match of an April meeting when SDFC allowed the game winning goal in the 6th minute of injury time. Following that, the Colorado Rapids come to Snapdragon Stadium in a rematch of a game SDFC lost in the 5th minute of stoppage time at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July 22nd. Sensing a theme? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com

  4. 4d ago

    Sky High Vibes

    (This is the audio-only podcast version of Friday’s MartyTimeTV / Section 1904 joint venture. You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple and Spotify and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode on YouTube, click here. The Padres keep winning. This team went on a run before the MLB Trade Deadline and has kept the throttle open, sweeping the best team in baseball before a well deserved off-day and trip to Cleveland. We talked about the sweep, improved pitching and Robbie Ray’s remarkable hair. All the important analysis you were looking for. How has this happened and do we dare dream of how far this club might go? Is it crazy to think the Padres can overtake the Cubs for the top wildcard spot or - gasp - even challenge the Dodgers for the NL West? We also discussed the interestingly timed story about hitting coach Steven Souza Jr from the Union Tribune's Kevin Acee. The AceMan gave us plenty to digest, from the “blind leading the blind” to tepid endorsements and, most importantly, does it even matter who gets credit for the Padres offensive turnaround? We also set the stage for a rather massive matchup between San Diego FC and LAFC (you can listen to the call at 7pm on 760am or the IHeartRadio app) and what to expect from SDFC’s new Designated Player Elias Achouri, who will debut at BMO Stadium. There’s also some House of the Dragon chatter WITH SPOILERS. One of us seemed to enjoy the series finale more than the other. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com

    Sky High Vibes

  5. Aug 11

    Merrill Magic

    (This is the audio-only podcast version of Tuesday’s MartyTimeTV / Section 1904 joint venture. You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple and Spotify and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode on YouTube, click here. It’s time for Tuesday’s With AJ, our occasionally regularly scheduled conversation with MLB.Com’s AJ Cassavell. This week, we talked about the Padres recent run of form and the surging Jackson Merrill, two things that feel very connected. The Padres have won three straight and suddenly look like a team that expects to win. We get nerdy about run differential and the recent surge and ask why Merrill has been so good since the All Star break. It’s also noteworthy that Freddy Fermín has quietly become such a difference-maker behind the plate and with the bat. Plus, we chatted about the physical and psychological toll injuries take on athletes, especially pitchers, as Joe Musgrove continues to look more like himself on the mound and in the clubhouse while the curious case of Nick Pivetta remains impossible to figure out. We also dive into the Ethan Salas question: What scenario would motivate the Padres to call up their catching phenom and what would be the pros and cons of such a decision? And finally, Tik Tok’s newest influencer, AJ Cassavell, drops a hot take about Iced Coffee that you won’t forget. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com

    Merrill Magic

  6. Aug 10

    Weekend Recap

    (This is the audio-only podcast version of Monday’s MartyTimeTV / Section 1904 joint venture. You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple and Spotify and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode on YouTube, click (here) It’s Monday. Many interesting things happened over the weekend. Marty and I discussed a successful weekend for the Padres against the Astros, highlighted by home runs from Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. combined with another strong outing from Randy Vásquez on Sunday. Given that the Diamondbacks and Phillies had already won before 1st pitch, the series win felt rather important. Then there’s the Nick Pivetta saga. Pivetta, who walked off the mound during his rehab start in Lake Elsinore, spoke to the media on Friday. We try to make sense of what happened and discussed why Pivetta’s explanation didn’t exactly clear things up. Seems obvious that Pivetta is dealing with both the physical and psychological impact of his injury, combined with the possibility of significant financial loss. The Padres now get set for a series with the Brewers, who could have one eye on their upcoming showdown with the Dodgers later this week. Plus, we talk about how AJ Preller was wise to see something in Brewers manager Pat Murphy in 2015, though the timing was pretty awful for all involved. We share a few stories from his Murphy’s tenure in San Diego. We also talked about Sunday’s Leagues Cup match between Club Tijuana and San Diego FC. It provided a tremendous atmosphere and a served as a great celebration of the sport and our beautiful binational region, while also producing some exciting moments on the ugly Snapdragon Stadium pitch. Xolos’ Gilberto Mora came to play but it was SDFC’s teenage prodigy, Bryan Zamble, who made the moment of the match. Padres, Pivetta, Brewers, Pat Murphy and a little fútbol. Happy Monday. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com

  7. Aug 8

    "They'd Rather Play Against Him"

    (This is the audio-only podcast version of Friday’s MartyTimeTV / Section 1904 joint venture. You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple and Spotify and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode on YouTube, click (here) The Padres returned home to face the Astros after splitting their series in Arizona but the mysterious case of Nick Pivetta has us asking plenty of questions. What was the deal with his bizarre exit from a rehab start in Lake Elsinore? Does it feel like he and the organization see eye-to-eye on his situation, especially when considering the unique language in his contract pertaining to a sustained stint on the Injured List? (Update: Nick Pivetta spoke to the media on Friday. You can watch his entire session below) Then we welcomed in ESPN’s Eric Gomez from Mexico City to talk Leagues Cup and whether this tournament feels more important for Liga MX or MLS clubs. We also react to the news that Hirving Lozano has been loaned to the LA Galaxy for the remainder of the season. What do we make of a move, sending the highest paid and most popular player to your closest geographic rival and a team you are right behind in the standings? San Diego FC will play the Galaxy twice before the end of the season, including an August 29th matchup at Snapdragon Stadium. How will fans react when (if?) Chucky plays against SDFC and what - if anything - will the Club do to acknowledge him in his return? Where does this leave Lozano in the eyes of fans in the United States and Mexico? We discuss. Padres, Pivetta, Leagues Cup and Chucky - plenty to get into on this episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com

  8. Jul 31

    RIP, Billy Ray Smith

    (This is the audio-only podcast version of Thursday’s MartyTimeTV / Section 1904 joint venture. You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple and Spotify and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode on YouTube, click (here) On this podcast, we remember former Chargers linebacker and longtime San Diego broadcaster Billy Ray Smith, sharing some personal stories about a larger-than-life colleague whose booming laugh, unmistakable personality and tendon-crushing handshakes left a lasting impression on all of us who knew him. The conversation also steers into the impact of CTE, reflecting on the physical and emotional burden carried by former football players like billy Ray, with firsthand stories from people who were there to witness the devastating effects. BR and those around him suspected his football career was taking its toll and we explain what life was like when he realized things were not OK. It's a tribute to our friend and a San Diego sports icon whose impact reached far beyond a football field or radio studio. Billy Ray impacted both of us more than he likely realized and we are forever grateful for our time together. There’s also some Padres talk at the end of this episode as we head into the weekend before the MLB trade deadline . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com

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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

In pursuit of smart conversations since 2004. The Section 1904 Podcast is a 20-year radio career, distilled for small batch consumption. Quality over quantity. Made in San Diego. dsmithshow.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Darren Smith
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Darren Smith
  • Show Website
    The Section 1904 Podcast

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