The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Cubbies Cookin; Vlad, Jr. Breakthrough; Brenly Durag Comment Controversy, Betting on the Bases -- MLB Insider J.P. Morosi

Episode Date: June 3, 2021

This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob discusses the red hot Cubbies winning 9 of 10, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.'s MVP caliber start to the year, and Diamondbacks announcer Bob Brenly stepping into a controversy with comments about Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman's durag. Also, Betting on the Bases, Pocket Protector Stat of the Week, Diamond Dust. Guest: NBA Champion Eddie House discusses young star swag and if his hometown A's can finally break through this year. Fox Sports MLB Insider JP Morosi breaks down the surprising Rays, other division races, and the Dodgers picking up Albert Pujols,Click here to subscribe and download all of the latest Inside the Parker podcasts and follow Rob on Twitter!! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year.

I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A story of the rose is a story of love. From farms to our florists and right into the arms of sweetheart savoring a date night in. Best friends showing their Galantines how much they adore them. And those giving themselves a little love. Go to FTD.com and save 15% through February 14 with Code Crush 15 and celebrate your love story with iconic roses, florals, and gifts from FD. The Berkshires to the sound.

From wherever you live in MLB America, this is Inside the Parker. You give us 22 minutes and we'll give you the scoop on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame voter number 83. Rob Parker. What a show we have on tap for you today. We're going to talk with a former NBA champion who's the biggest baseball fan going. Eddie Howes, he'll break down some MLB for us. Also, Fox Sports MLB insider J.P. Morosi will also drop by that plus foul or fair and more.

Let's go. To lead off, it's getting robbed. And keep him up. Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one. Don't look now, but the Chicago Cubs are red hot. On Wednesday, they completed a three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres, who are a really good team with a 6-1 win,

and now the Cubs have won nine of their last 10 games, and they are doing their thing in the NL. Central. People thought maybe the Cubs were going the other way after the offseason and some changes and not knowing exactly after they got knocked out of the playoffs a year ago. But here we are. Past Memorial Day and the Cubs are playing good baseball. I mean, nine out of 10 and beating a team like the Padres who came to Wrigley Field says a lot. Javier Baez continues to swing a hot bat. Number two. Vlad Guerrero Jr. You remember came into the major leagues with a lot of fanfare. People expected them to be the next big thing.

Got off to a good start but then faded. Other young players kind of jumped in and took the spotlight away from him, but that's not the case anymore in Toronto. The first basement is truly an American League MVP candidate. You ready for this? Tuesday night, Glad saw seven pitches total at the plate and had four hits off of seven pitches, including his 17th home run of the year.

And, you know, the crowd at the game in Buffalo, shanted MVP, MVP, and rightfully so, he has been playing lights out baseball. and he's turned into that player that a lot of people thought he would be. His dad is a Hall of Famer and he's playing like one, at least early on, in 2021. Number three. Wednesday, June 2nd was the first inaugural Lou Gehrig Day celebrated by Major League Baseball. It happened on June 2nd, which is significant, both with the date in 9th, 1925 that Garrick became the Yankees starting first baseman and the date in 1941 when he passed away at age 37.

Luke Garrick was an unbelievable baseball player. Garrick played for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939, a seven-time All-Star, won the World Series six times with the Yankees, triple crown winner in 1934, won an AL batting championship, three-time home run leader in the American League, once hit four home runs in one game back in 1932. He was the Yankee captain from 1935 to 1939, and the Yankees retired his number four. And of course, he got that horrible disease in the prime of his life

that wound up being named after him. And everybody knows that incredible speech he gave at Yankee Stadium when he said with the big megaphone and everybody listening that he considered himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. Lou Gehrig, a great man and a great honor for baseball. Number four. Arizona Diamondback broadcaster Bob Brenley apologized on Wednesday following a comment he made about Metstarter Marcus Stroman's do-rague.

During the broadcast Tuesday night at Chase Field. That's right. He was trying to be funny and he wound up saying on the broadcast, quote, I'm sure that's the same du rag that Tom Seaver used to wear when he pitched for the Mets. It didn't go over well with Stroman who said it had racial overtones. A du rag is to basically cover your hair or give your waves or hold it down. and so Brenley has apologized and he said, quote, during last night's game, I made a poor attempt at humor that was insensitive and wrong.

Brenley went on to say, quote, I apologize to Marcus Stroman and have reached out directly to share those thoughts. I have had several conversations with the debacks and we agreed that seeking sensitivity treatment is an important step so that I can continue to learn from my mistakes in order to be better in the future. End quote. Bravo to Brenley. Apologize if you didn't mean anything by it. And move on and understand that people are different. And just because someone wears something different,

it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with. Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn. Oh, it's so good. All right. Now let's welcome to the program. And it's kind of fitting. because it's NBA playoff season.

Let's welcome former NBA guard, Eddie House, who won a championship with the Celtics in 2008. But for people who don't know, played baseball, loves baseball, and loves to talk about it. Thanks for joining the podcast, Eddie. Anytime, brother, you already know. No doubt. All right.

Fernando Tatis Jr. was named AL Player of the Month. How much do you enjoy watching this guy play baseball? The reason why I enjoy him the most is because he's a new school baseball player. He throws all the old unwritten rules out the window. He wants to have fun playing baseball. And I think at times, you know, if you stick with those unwritten rules, it can become boring at times. I like to see some lifeman baseball.

I like to see, you know, guys go back and forth. You know, Trevor Bauer even applauded him like, hey, you know what? He didn't like the fact that he took a look down at the sign it looked like, but he didn't mind him with the way he ran around the bases or how he flips the bat is. I think that's the new age of baseball. I think it should continue to go that way as long as it's respectful, you know, within the game. Nothing personal but within the game. I think he's great for the game.

I agree. I love watching that guy play. If he's on, I'm turning the TV on, you know. I've got to see him. Let's talk about your Oakland A's. You grew up in the Bay Area. Ricky Henderson was your favorite player growing up. And the A's look like they're going to win a division again. I mean, you know, they're leading the ALS, but they've had trouble turning that into the playoffs, you know, and advancing in the playoffs. Is this team any different, or is this the same kind of thing that we have been seeing where they're just a regular season team? Man, you know what? That's tough. I mean, you know, history would say that this is who they are.

And, you know, me and my pop, we talk all the time about the A's and the reason why they can't get through playoff series. And he came up with something, he said something to me, and it started kind of resonated and it started making a whole lot of sense. We're a team built for the regular season. We've got guys that play for the regular season. We just don't have those superstar postseason. Think about the times that postseason a breakout player or a guy that superstar.

Think about the A's teams that were going to World Series. And that one World Series, they had those guys. They had those game changers. One swing of the bat. A guy to get on base and steal a few bases and, you know, fly out to the outfield, a sacrifice fly to the outfield brings them in. Now you're up one-nothing. we had really good pitching, which I think the A is always across the board, usually year and a year out, they really have really good pitch and pretty solid defense.

To me, it's just having that guy in the lineup that at any given moment can break open the game with one swing of the bat. And I think that's what's lacking with the A just has been lacking. We are a regular season team where we're built for 162 games. I know they're not playing at this year, but we're built for that. many just regular season, you know, not for a lock-in series to where superstars take over because you know that, you know, you make your name in the playoffs, not during the regular season. And I mentioned a little bit ago that Ricky Henderson was your favorite player.

What was it about Ricky? Obviously, a Hall of Famer stole a gazillion basis, hit for power, letoff games, hit home runs, hit for average. He was a great, great all-around player. Yeah, he was. I mean, he was the original in the Bay Area in Oakland. We call, you know, you pop your collar when you're feeling like you fresh. Man, you know, you get to talk.

He's the original collar popper. He said, home runs and pop his collar on the way around the basis. He just had flare being from Oakland, the Bay Area, the way he played, you know, with speed, with power, with pizzazz, with flair, with confidence. you know, he was definitely the reason why I played baseball. He was the guy that I look, I gravitated to it. I'm like, man, I'm trying to be like him. I want to do everything like him down to how I ran, how I batted, everything.

I tried to emulate everything that he did. It's because I just thought he was great. You know, to me, the best baseball, the greatest baseball player to ever play, that's my opinion. And we can argue back and forth if everybody can and say whatever they want to say. But in my opinion, that's how I feel about it. And I got to watch it up close and personal, you know, my whole life and actually get to see games and watch him actually do it live.

So that's the thing about Ricky that just got me, man. It's just the way he played the game, it was like always 110. You know, he'd get on base. You can almost book a stolen base. Our guest former NBA guard and NBA champion, Eddie House, here on the Inside the Parker podcast. Yes, he is a huge baseball fan. We always talk ball all the time.

A couple more questions I want to ask you, Eddie, and we were just talking about how great Ricky was. I got a new nickname for Show Hey Me, the Money, Otani, who is another one. You liked that, Eddie? Show Hey, Me, the Money, Otani, because that dude is unbelievable. but we've never seen,

we haven't had a player in the major leagues like this since Babe Ruth, who could pitch at that level, hit home runs at that level. Can this guy be the MVP of the American League even if the Angels don't make the playoffs? Well, if he continues to play the way he does, pitch the way he does, hit the way, I don't see how he couldn't be.

You said it, there hasn't been a player since Babe. Whenever you have to put that scent, you know, and we're not talking about a two-week span. You know, when people say, Oh, it hasn't been a player has done this in a month span since or in a two weeks span since. Or in three games since. When you say that a player hasn't done it in the history of the game since a guy over 100 years ago, you know, Babe Ruth, I mean, or 100 years ago, I mean, I don't know how.

You have to be hating. You have to hate greatness. You have to hate to see greatness happening and say, man, it's so sad that that guy's on that team that's that bad, but he's that good. It would be great to see him on a big stage. If he was on the Yankees, this will be hands down. Oh, he's the MVP. If he was on the N.E.C., the Dodgers, hands down.

If he was just in the other part of town, he's in the wrong part of town out there in Southern California. Right, no doubt. All right, last thing, how surprised are you to have Francisco Lindor's struggles in the Big Apple? This guy was a, you know, on path, and obviously just two months of this season, but to be a Hall of Famer in Cleveland, And you played a lot of teams in the NBA. Is there a big difference when you, you know, like for him,

sign a big contract, go to the big city, expectations. Do you think put too much pressure on themselves after they signed deals like that? I don't think that's it. I think once you, it's two things that happen when players signed deals. And you've seen this covering sports, Rob, is either that player has to show this is the reason why they gave me that money or they got happy that that's all they wanted to do was get that fat. and their performance declined.

So with me, I'm thinking that you said it first. He was in Cleveland. National League baseball is different from American League baseball. I don't care how anybody wants to spend it. We know baseball is baseball. But Rob, you know that. National League baseball is a little different from American League baseball. The same way that the Eastern Conference is different from the Western Conference.

The NFC at times is different from the AFC. So I think that that has a part to play in it. And being in the Big Apple, there is a lot of pressure. You know, Cleveland is a small market area, you know, big fish in a small pond to where now, hey, you're a big fish, but there's bigger fish out there and they'll eat you. And I think, you know, possibly, I don't know this because I don't know the man, maybe the pressures of the big city and having to perform is something that has him. over thinking instead of going out there playing and reacting that he's out there

pressing trying to impress and show hey this is the reason why I was worth this instead of showing a win is a win a win a win I don't care what you're saying yep that's me clipper taylor the fourth you might have seen the skits the reactions my journey from basketball to college football or my career in sports media well somewhere along the way this platform became bigger than I ever imagined and now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and

entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes,

follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on The Look Back at it podcast.

I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line.

We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games.

And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing.

And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth? Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro.

Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Keer Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way.

Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search, learn the hard way, and listen now. It's going out there and playing, because that's usually when you play your best ball in whatever sport it is. When you're going out there playing, you're not thinking, over-thinking things.

His name is Eddie House, man. Thanks for joining us on the podcast. Love talking baseball with you, Eddie. Appreciate you. No problem, bro. Anytime. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at foxsportsradio.com.

And within the IHard Radio app, search FSR to listen live. A story of the rose is a story of love. From farms to our florists. and right into the arms of sweetheart savoring a date night in. Best friends showing their galantines how much they adore them. And those giving themselves a little love. Go to FTD.com and save 15% through February 14th with Code Crush 15 and celebrate your love story with iconic roses, florals, and gifts from FTT.

Look through your children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest. It's a storybook world for them. You look and see a tree. They see the wrinkled face of a wizard with arms outstretched to the sky. They see treasure and pebbles. They see a windy path that could lead to adventure. And they see you. Their fearless guide is this fascinating world.

Find a forest near you and start exploring at discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. What grows in the forest? Trees? Sure. Know what else grows in the forest? our imagination, our sense of wonder, and our family bonds grow too,

because when we disconnect from this and connect with this, we reconnect with each other. The forest is closer than you think. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the Ad Council.

It's time for the Pocket Protector Central. The analytic numbers you need to know, No, well, maybe. Anthony Masterson is his name. BS Analytics is his game. What do you got for me, Anthony? Well, it's time we talked about Jacob de Grom again. Not only did he toss six shutout innings on Monday to lower ZRA to 0.71,

the lowest through eight starts by an NL pitcher since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, but it was the way he did it that turned heads. He threw a whopping 27 pitches at 100 miles an hour or faster, and 10 pitches at 101 or faster, tying the record since things like that were tracked. Those 27 pitches were the most by any starter and third most by any pitcher ever as far back as we can go. He's now thrown 88 pitches at 100 miles per hour or faster this season. Every other starter in the league combined has thrown just 36 pitches at that velocity. In fact, since 2008 or when that kind of tracking began, no starter has thrown more triple-digit pitches

in a single season than DeGrom has through two months of the 2021 campaign. The closest was his teammate Noah Cindergarde, who threw 52 pitches at 100 miles per hour back in 2016. He also matched the MLB record for most starts, allowing one earned run or fewer to begin a season with eight. Right now, it seems a Sall Young is going to be engraved with DeGrom's name, but who knows, maybe some MVP votes will start coming his way as well with his unprecedented start to the season.

And what's that? That ball is. It was a big week in the big leagues. Who's up? Who's up? Or is it fair? And now, from MLBbro.com, here's J.R. Gamble. Met starter Marcus Stroman was a subject of what many people feel was a comment with racist undertones when Diamondbacks announcer Bob Brenley commented on Stroman's do-rag saying it's the same do-rague-rag, Tom Starrant.

receiver war when he was with the Mets. JR, is it foul or fair to say that Brenley should apologize to Stroman? Fowl. That is a foul ball. As much as I love Stroman and admit that Brenley's comments were more evidence of a cultural disconnect where a mediocre white guy who played in the 80s comments on the fashion choices of a 30-year-old black New Yorker expressing his culture freely within the rules of the game.

more so that than being racist but I found it more comical and entertaining than racist but social media is all about piling on and once the cat was out of the bag the black cat so to speak and Stroman accused Brindley's comments of being subliminal racism

then that opened the floodgates for an attack the story switched and it went from a failed shot at comedy to a knock on black culture and one of the rare black pitchers in the game. Who has been performing fantastically, by the way? Yes, he speaks his mind, but Brenley's comments coupled with the confrontation between Stroman and a few Diamondback players gave me an uncomfortable feeling.

Here's this guy. He's out here competing his heart out and representing the Mets and a large contingent of baseball fans who would otherwise not even be acknowledging the Mets, and he's not going to back down from anyone. Stroman's a character, a competitor. A story of one kid defying the biggest odds to make it in the game. A dude like that is going to have an edge.

He's exactly what the game needs, and he's an MLB bro. So no, Brindley shouldn't have to apologize, but yes, he needs to get educated on why Stroman where's the du rag in the first place. It's not the end of the world, but it's the end of Brenley's jokes at the expense of the players of color that he covers. Turn money into more money. Now it's time for betting on the bases with Dave Gasco. Love that money.

Love that money. Rob, what's up, man? We'll look at things on a Friday as we get into the weekend. Dodgers and Braves in the ATL. Julio Arias is going for Los Angeles in this one. That is why I like the Dodgers for two different reasons. One, Aureas has been fantastic this season. You can look at Walker Bueller, of course, Trevor Bauer, even Clayton Kershaw,

but Aureas has been superb. Seven and two record, 361 ERA. And that's despite the fact that he was roughed up in his last outing against the San Francisco Giants, where he went five innings and got tagged up a little bit. But I look for him to bounce back and taking the Dodgers on the money line to win this one in Atlanta. Red Sox and Yankees also going to get things underway from the Bronx. I'm taking the over in this ballgame just because, because the offensive fire pilots evident for both teams.

The pitching has not been stellar. I like the overre in this heated matchup between American League East rivals. The other one I do like Milwaukee Brewers. Biggest reason for this is not because of what they do, but it's because what Arizona cannot do. One of the worst teams at all of Major League Baseball, Brett Anderson versus Matt Peacock in the pitching matchup. I am taking the Milwaukee Brewers at home.

An American Family Field for the win in that affair. That's it. I'm out. Trash. It's time for Trash Talk Twitter. Your chance to trash anyone or anything in Major League Baseball. This week's trash comes from At the Gunner. He tweets at me, I'm trash in the Mets for not being able to ever score for DeGrom. And you know what?

At The Gunner is right. It is unbelievable how the Mets bats don't work whenever Jacob de Grom is on the mound. This guy has been unbelievable ERA under one, and yet it's hard for him to get wins. If you want your tweet to get on the podcast, hit me up at Rob Parker FS1, and yes, you can trash anything, anyone in the world of baseball. When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this. motto. If I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer or broadcaster, old or new. All right. Now let's welcome into the program. John Paul Morosi, of course, Fox MLB insider, John Paul. Welcome to the podcast. Rob, I am doing great, my friend. Hope you are doing well, too.

What a great time of year. NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs and the course, Major League Baseball. Love this time of year, my friend. No doubt about it. Tell me, you know what? I'm still scratching my head about the Tampa Bay raise. You know, they keep getting rid of stud pitchers, right? And they just keep winning. They want an unbelievable streak of 16 out of 17. How are they doing it? What am I missing?

And why are they this good? Well, Rob, it's a great question. And what I would say is this. The raise have been very adept at the committee approach to pitching. But it only works when they have a tremendous. tremendous ace leading the way. And right now that ace is Tyler Glassnow. His stuff is some of the best in baseball.

And we talk so much, really, they were ahead of their time with the opener, of course. But Rob, let's not forget what happened when they started the opener. They had Blake Snell as a Cy Young Award winner. He is what made the whole thing work. And now you have the ability to balance things out with Glassnow pitching great. And now Rich Hill. Rich Hill, 41 years young, my friend, from the universe. University of Michigan, the American League pitcher of the month in May, his curveball, breaking

pitch is shaped in different ways. He has found the fountain of youth. The rays are like a pitching laboratory, Rob. They're pitching graduate school with great ideas coming in and out and they find a way to get every single pitcher, every player to his absolute peak. No doubt about it. It's been amazing. Let's talk about somebody else who's come over to the,

Blue Jays and has blossomed and had a fantastic year. Marcus Simeon, their second basement, who moved over from Shortstop, was just named the player of the month of May. What a nice pickup for the Blue Jays, and boys, he's playing well. What a great player. What a great person, Robbie. Someone who, of course, had played as college baseball at Cal Berkeley, incredible student, great student athlete, and really went on to have a tremendous career in Oakland.

and the market was a little difficult, I think, for him. So many other middle infielder's either available this past winter or coming up next winter, so teams weren't totally comfortable locking themselves into a lot of long-term commitments right now. The Marcus Semyon was one of the very best signings of any team this past winter. And I think, Rob, you think about the adaptability of a player who's a marquee three agent, someone who's been a star-level player for a long time in this game, to sign with a new team and say, yeah, I'll move to a different position on a respect to a younger player in Bo Bichette.

And now he comes out and hits the way that he has. I love this story, Rob, because Marcus Semyon is a great teammate. He's really set a good example of that respect. And you love to win great things happen to great people. Marcus Semyon, great guy, tremendous ambassador for the sport, and has really taken his game to the next level in Toronto. And what is one of the best lineups in the game when you think about what Vlad Jr.'s been doing?

Kea Ourska Hernandez back in the mix as well. I love what the Jays are doing. It's just a very tough division right now, Rob, the American League East right now. Our guest is John Paul Morosi, of course, Fox MLB Insider and J.P. Let me ask you about the White Sox. You know, they had the controversy with Tony LaRusa, but they've won seven of their last 10 games going into Wednesday,

and, you know, they still lead in the AL Central. have they weathered the storm throughout that little controversy that was following Tony LaRosa? I think they have, Rob, this is the best team in the American League Central full stop. The twins have tumbled back. They're now a second division team. Actually, we're saying the Tigers play pretty good baseball. How about that sweep for the Tigers of the Yankees? But in general, the American League Central, the class of this division right now,

clearly is the White Sox. That's pretty high praise when you consider that they are. now without Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez, two-thirds of a dynamic outfield. So maybe we'll see them make a move at the deadline, but as you and I heard, Jim Leland say many times, talent wins, and I'll take talent.

Well, Tony Maruza right now is the most talented team in the AL Central, and while that was the possibility of a distraction, you have a lot of highly motivated players, who I really think maybe on some level they've benefited from what Tony Maruza brings to a club earlier on in the season. But Jose Ibrahim is motivated because of who he is the person.

Tim Anderson, self-motivated person. These players did not need the extrinsic motivation of whatever was going on with LaRusa and Yarmine Mercedes. They are great players because they are great players and they're motivated to win a World Series championship. They know how great they can be as a group, and especially with the pitching like they've got it right now, with Lynn and Keiko and that group and Giolito.

They've got plenty of pitching to carry them. So this team is going to win the division, Rob. I am almost certain of that here in 2021. Speaking of winning the division, the NL West got to be the best division in baseball. The Giants have the best record in the National League, second best in baseball. And you look at the Giants with 34 wins, Padres with 34 wins, Dodgers with 32. This is all coming into Wednesday's action. Who's going to win that division?

Because I picked the Padres to win it. the Dodgers are still hanging in, despite all the injuries, they're going to get those guys back. But the Giants, you know what, they're still winning. Well, if you're going to ask me today, Rob, and I probably would have picked, I did pick during spring training, to still have the Dodgers as the champion out there. But I look at the Padres right now,

and one thing I really like about what's happened to their club this season is they have already had to weather some adversity. Tatis was out for a period of time, and at times has struggled decent. offensively, they're able to weather that. Machado at times has dealt with some physical stuff, but he has been there still. And you've seen players stepping up like Trent and Grisham,

like Jake Cronomworth. Will Myers has been important at different times. Eric Hosmer's been crucial at different times. It's been a committee approach. And so when I see a team that has had to draw on different players to really have a key responsibility for various stretches of the season, I look at that and say, when you're in October and when one guy's getting pitched around

or one guy's in an over 17 stretch in the series in October and there's panic, you have enough depth to weather that storm. The Padres are showing me that. The Dodgers, of course, we know they've got it, but Rob, there's so many things going on there. Seeger's been out. Bellinger's been out for a while. Mookie Betts, I think it's dealing with some injuries too early around in the season.

The second half of the Dodger lineup right now, Rob, is not as good as it has been in the past. I think that lack of overall lineup depth in the end will swing this division in San Diego's favor. Speaking of the Dodgers and them, how shocked were you that they picked up Albert Pooholz? They obviously told Albert that this wasn't about chasing numbers or anything like that, you know, that they could use.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits. the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined.

And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told,

and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do a little camp? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J.

And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so you're all right. But just so y'all know.

I mean, at this point, this is the second episode where we've discussed correct. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah.

For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast. Learn the Hardway with me, your host. and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience

in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough.

Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person.

Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app. Search, learn the hard way, and listen now. hand it bad and there'd be some matchups and situations for him to get some swings. How surprised at how well he's done so far and him fitting with the Dodgers for the rest of the season. Rob, I was surprised at the initial signing. I didn't think he was going to sign with an NL team.

But the more that I heard about what the plan was and Albert buying into it, the more sense it made. And I really think that for a player of Albert's pedigree, caliber, and character, clarity of communication was crucial. And I think that with the Angels, it had gotten complicated, whether it was the emergence of Walsh and Otani's that bat, etc. With the Dodgers,

it's very simple. Hey, Albert, you're going to play first base against lefties, we're going to pinch it you, in a D.H situation, you're going to play. You may play against some righties, depending on how things play out with Muncie. And they've been true to their word. It also helps that from Albert's standpoint, he

has one of his best friends in the world, Placito Polanco, whom you and I both know well from Detroit. He's in the Dodger front office. And I think there was a lot of familiarity there that helped him out in a big way. So I really admire Albert's willingness to take on a new challenge the way the Dodgers clearly articulated what the role was going to be. And so when you give a great player clear expectations about what his role is going to be and what has to be done to have success, he's done it. So I really give Albert a ton of credit the Dodgers too. And it's been fun to watch him contributing in a very unique role that's

become very consistent for him. So good on him, good on the Dodgers as well. All right. His name is John Paul Morosi Fox. MLB insider, one of the best in the business, a friend of mine. Always great to have you on the podcast. Thanks. We'll see you down the road at a ballpark. You know that. It sounds great, Rob. This reminds me the conversation we had working alongside us one a couple summers ago. That was a great summer, a great week. Be inside by side. Let's hope we can do it again soon. No doubt. Hey, pet parents, have you heard of Just Food for Dogs? Since 2010, we've been helping dogs everywhere live healthier, longer lives through the power

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I'm April Dinnwity host of the new podcast, Navigating Adoption, presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Each episode brings you compelling real-life adoption stories told by the families that live them with commentary from experts. Visit AdoptuSkids.org slash podcast or subscribe to navigating adoption presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families and the ad count. And we're live here outside the Perez family home just waiting for the... And there they go. Almost on time this morning. Mom is coming out the front door strong with a double-armed kid carry.

Looks like Dad has the bags. Daughter is bringing up the rear. Oh, but the diaper bag wasn't closed. Dipers and toys are everywhere. Ooh, but Mom has just nailed the perfect car seat buckle for the toddler. And now the eldest daughter who looks to be about nine or ten, has secured herself in the booster seat. Dad zips the bag closed, and they're off.

Ah, but looks like mom doesn't realize her coffee cup is still on the roof of the car, and there it goes! Oh, that's a shame. That mug was a fam favorite. Don't sweat the small stuff. Just nail the big stuff. Like making sure your kids are buckled correctly in the right seat for their age and size.

Learn more at nhtsa.gov slash the right seat. Visit nhtsa.gov slash the right seat. Brought to you by NTSA and the air. Council. Better up. It's Jones in for baseball. A fan's take on the game we love. Hello everyone, this is Jones. MLB Bro content reporter.

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Undoubtedly, Shohei Otani was the opening act to start the season. But now the man of the hour, the headliner, is here, and he's styling on them. See, I didn't even have to say no names. You know I was talking about Fernando Tatis. When COVID and Nagin' show the issue, used tried to double team him, he split through that double like Kyle Reed. Speaking of splits, he even broke out the splits to avoid getting hit by a pitch. He climbed to the top of the

home run leaderboards like Peter Parker while having 36 less at best than a cunia, 38 less than Garcia from the Rangers, and 49 less than Vladic Jr. It's not just power though. He has a 299 batting average, a 383 on-base percentage, and a 1.09 OPS. In other words, he hit like Tyson. On the past, he's a menace, some like Dennis. He already has 12 stolen bases, which ranks second in the majors. He even got caught in a rundown and was able to get a thought of it with a Euro step that would make Genobley say, yo, there isn't another player in the majors, in my opinion,

that brings the same electricity through the TV screen. He's an everyday spectacle. In the words of New York TV legend, the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time until next time. Rob Parker. He can't get it. This could be an inside of Parker. See you next week.

Same bad time. Same bad station. Are you ready for the big day? Not your big day? Her big day. Valentine's Day. Celebrate the one who caught your heart. Go to FTT.

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not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests. from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band

with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at a podcast.

From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 is big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex E. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year.

It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th.

might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed human.