The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Inside the Parker - Betting on MLB Finishing; Céspedes Walks; Guests: Dmitri "Da Meat Hook" Young Talks Early 2020 Season

Episode Date: August 6, 2020

This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob looks at the MLB season continuing to roll along following its first major COVID breakout with the Braves and Phillies, Yoenis Céspedes' bizarrely abrupt decision to walk out on the Mets, and gives congrats to Orioles play-by-play announcer Melanie Newman becoming the 4th woman to do MLB play by playFormer MLB'er Dmitri "Da Meat hook" Young and Fox Sports Radio Host Bernie Fratto give their early takes on this unprecedented MLB season. Click here to subscribe and download all of the latest Inside the Parker podcasts!! 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games.

This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen and learn the hard way on the IHard radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. 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. 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 Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversation. 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 IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

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Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame voter number 86. Rob Parker. All right, welcome into the podcast. I am your host, Rob Parker. Great show for you today. Former Major League of Dimitri Young will chime in. Tell us about the current state of Major League Baseball plus Fox Sports Radio's Bernie Frato, who played minor league baseball.

it covers the sport. He'll join us as well. That and much more. Let's go. Better up. To lead off, it's getting robbed. And keep him on. Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball.

Number one. Keep the season moving. I know Commissioner Rob Manfred gave everybody a scare a week or so ago or whatever it was about maybe pulling a plug on the season with some outbreaks. but you know what? The Phillies are back playing. The Marlins are back playing. The cards have been cleared to play and face the Cubs on Friday.

So yes, baseball has had its hiccups. But for the most part, the games have continued to play and players have stayed safe. I don't think it's the idea of playing baseball that players are worried about getting COVID because, you know, they're socially distanced. They're not on top of each other. If the players do a better job after they leave the ballpark

and even if they're in the ballpark and in the dugout and not hang out too close and not give each other high fives and do too much touching or spitting, I think baseball will get through the season. There will be some more hiccups along the way. So let's not act like everything's going to be clear and we're smooth sailing from here on out. I don't think it's going to be like that.

but I do not believe that it will be enough to derail the game. I don't know about you. I've been watching left and right and I've been enjoying it. So hopefully the season will keep on ticking on. And we'll have a World Series winner in October. Number two. Yon Nes Cespitus is out. He's opted out of the season after being a no-show at a Mets Braves game

and then deciding to opt out of the season completely, which means it was probably the last time we'll see him in the New York Mets uniform because he's going to be a free agent after this season. And what a crazy, I don't know which way to look at Cessmanus to stay in New York. Remember, he was traded there in 2015 from the Tigers and was on fire for the Mets. He was unbelievable, if you remember the run that he had. And basically in his first 41 games with the Mets, he batted 309, 17 home runs, 42 RBIs. He helped the Mets get all the way to the World Series.

They wind up losing to the Kansas City Royals in 2015. But Cespitas was the big star. And the Mets were excited. Fans loved him. He was a player signed that three. year $75 million contract after that, but then opted out for a four-year $110 million deal with the Mets. Only problem is he kept getting hurt and basically was hurt the last couple of years with the Mets.

So the Mets never really got him. He came back this year and he looked like he was finally healthy and was going to be able to contribute and then the COVID and the missing game and he's out. So when I think about his tenure from 2015 to 2020 and so much missed time, I'm still going to say that it was a positive. I know it sounds crazy, but I think it was a positive from this standpoint. He got the Mets to the World Series in 2015. He was the reason why, one of the reasons why. So Cespitous, we bid you farewell from New York.

Thanks for the World Series trip, but thanks for nothing after that. Number three. More history made in baseball. Wednesday night, Melanie Newman became the fourth active female game broadcaster in the history of Major League Baseball and the first female broadcaster in Orioles team history to call play-by-play for a regular season game. It is incredible to see what's happened. And we all know Susan Walman for a long time with the Yankees on radio and television.

Jessica Mendoza now ESPN. She is a very prominent woman. Did Sunday night baseball. So we have seen now four women break through that glass. ceiling and get an opportunity to broadcast baseball. And it's great. Orioles being the latest again. Congratulations to Melanie Newman.

She's the newest female broadcaster in baseball to join the club. Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn. Oh, it's so good. All right, let's welcome into the podcast. Of course, former major leaguer, All-Star Dimitri Young, who also has a podcast called Wrestling with Sports. It features Dennis Farrell, Jason Kendall, and Darren McCarty.

Dmitri, one of my favorite people. Welcome to the podcast, buddy. Hey, thank you. Glad to be on, especially during these rough times. No doubt about it. Let's talk about that, Dmitri, with the COVID-19 and what's going on. Major League Baseball, the season is rolling on. There's been some hiccups, but they are playing games.

and I don't know about you, I'm watching because I'm enjoying it even without the fans. Do you think you would be playing if you were still a player? It depends on what portion of my life I'm living in. Early in my career where I was young and dumb. Yep. And when I became a family man and I had young children and not really knowing what's going on with the whole COVID-19, how it affects the youngans and stuff,

I probably would have opted out. Okay. When you see like Mike Trout, who just had a baby, he was on the fence before the season started, and he wound up coming back, hit a home run his first at bat, and also Nick Marcakechis with Atlanta, he said he wasn't playing,

and then a week or 10 days into the season he joined back in. What do you make of those guys just love ball and want to play? That's exactly what it was. And then they found themselves at home. And let's just say the misses had to go do something. And I'm speaking on Markakis because he was the one that opted out at the beginning and then realized that, hold on, the boys are having a little too much fun without me. And he felt that he probably could go.

And, I mean, it's a very fine line to walk between going out there playing and perhaps coming home and bringing that to the family. And like I said, we don't know what kind of effects it can have on a young child. But, you know, I mean, that's a decision that they have to make. And the guys that are opting out, I have absolutely no problem with that because they're thinking about the long haul as opposed to the short sprint. No doubt about it. Nobody can tell a man what he should do in a circumstance like this.

Our guest is, of course, former Major League Baseball All-Star Dimitri Young. Dmitri, early thoughts on the season. The team that jumps out to me is the Yankees. I mean, obviously, they're off to a hot start. They added Garrick Cole to the pitching staff, top of their rotation, and obviously they got the lineup. What do you make of the Yankees in their hot start? Could this team win a World Series?

Not only could they win a World Series, they can win 40-plus games. Wow. And possibly, yes, I mean, they look that dominant. You always knock on wood and wish for the best, but look what happened to Aaron Judge. He wouldn't have started out the season because he was hurt, and he is not only fresh. I mean, good God. What this guy is doing is just, I mean, that's that, that Hercules type status stuff that you're seeing out of him.

Is he going to keep that up the whole year? Well, it's a 60-game sprint, and you're next. ever know what's going to happen, especially when these teams keep having days off and stuff, because other teams, you know, are coming down with the COVID and they have to postpone games, which how are they going to make all these games up? Because weren't they supposed to play 60 games in 66 days? Right. So it's going to be double-headers, and there'll be some teams that don't fit, they won't finish their

whole schedule. It'll be based off of winning percentage, not actual games, because they're going to be teams that won't be able to get all of the games in. When you look at the season and the way it's set up, do you think that maybe baseball, that this season people will look at it and count it or will it be a little janky, you know, because it's so short amount of game for baseball season?

You know, we got to go old school with this. You start or something, it's going to finish. Regardless of it was 60 games and some teams only played 48 games. And, I mean, the decision was made to salvage the 2020 season and give something back to the fans because I live out here in Southern California where they usually block out the Dodgers. But the Dodgers have been cool and I've been seeing Dodger games every single day. So I kind of like that from a fan standpoint, but from a former player watching, No, there's no asterisk anywhere, especially if somebody's going to hit 400. You know, I mean, of course it's not over a course of 162, but it is a season, and it's still 400.

People are going to argue about that until the cows come home, but since the season started, everything counts. No, I'm with you. You can't play that game. Everybody's playing under the same circumstance. And last thing, it's weird. Obviously, there are no fans. You're talking about watching the Dodger games. They have cardboard cutouts behind home plate.

Some of the Yankee games I've watched, they have, you know, virtual fans out in the outfield. Have you watched that? What does that look like? What is that? Isn't that weird? Because you played in front of so many people. And I know you get a little charge from fans being in the stands. How weird is that for you to watch?

You know what? I got a little comfortable watching it because I have stayed up and watched the Korean baseball organization play on ESPN and seeing no fans in the stand. But it also reminds me of when I played in the minor leagues. Nobody was going to watch minor leaguers play. So during spring training, you have eight or nine fields and all you have on there is some of the front office, maybe a parent or two, or somebody brave enough to let their girlfriend come out there where there's nothing but 200 men on the field playing baseball and that's all the fans you're going to get. So in a sense, baseball is used to be playing without a crowd,

but I tell you what, once you get in front of a big league crowd and you're at home and you do something special and that crowd goes wild, and then on that same token, when you're kicking a team's butt at their place, those rounds of booze. 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. 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. 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 same, 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. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped 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 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 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 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 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, 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? 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, as 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.

Oh, I absolutely love it. And I know those guys love it as well, but right now they're getting virtual clots from the fans that are being able to watch the game today. No doubt about it. His name is Dmitry Young, of course, play with the Cardinals, the Reds, the Tigers, and the Nationals, and was the comeback player the year also in baseball. Dmitri, thank you so much, buddy. I appreciate you.

Stay safe. I most certainly will. You too, Rob. Keep doing your thing. It's awesome. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1-800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your valentine with 1-800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $39.99, or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1 800flowers.com slash tune in.

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And they see you. Their fearless guide through 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. It's time for the Pocket Protector Central. The analytic numbers you need to know, well, maybe.

Anthony Masterson is his name. BS analytics is his game. What do you got for me, Anthony? Well, Jacob de Grom isn't seeking up on anybody anymore. He's a two-time defending Salyang champ, who owns the lowest ERA in baseball the last three seasons for the Mets, and he did help kill the pitcher win as a myth of a metric to measure success. And this year, somehow, he looks even better thanks to his bread and butter, his fastball.

Now, normally averaging out in the mid-90s, DeGrom has found a few extra ticks on his heater this season, averaging 98.8 miles per hour with the pitch, hitting 101 with regularity, including a career-best five pitches at 100 or higher in Monday night's win against Atlanta. Now, for a full season, that average fastball velocity would be the highest mark in history, best against teammate Noah's Stindergarde's 98.0 mark from 2016. And the league, predictably, has done nothing this year, hitting a measly 063 against the pitch,

one for 16, through his first three starts. And if the rich needed to get even richer, the Grom's slider seen an uptick in velocity as well. At 93.2, that'd be the fastest average slider velocity in MLB history, and its change-up sits at 91.5, which would be second all-time, only to Walker Bueller's 92.0 mark from last year. Now, unsurprisingly, his 54 swings and misses this season lead all of baseball. The Grom's improvements on perfection could have him in line for more hardware. Or is it fair? Shadowleague.com MLB insider, J.R. Gamble.

The Marlins and Cardinals have both had COVID outbreaks, and people are blaming baseball safety. protocol. J.R., is it foul or fair to say that's even more important for players to be more responsible to avoid another outbreak? That's fair. It's a fair ball. The Marlins were reportedly hanging out in Atlanta and clubs. CEO Derek Jeter refute that, but he says on this trip, guys were around each other.

They got relaxed and they let their guard down. They weren't wearing masks, social distancing. Gita goes on to say that the entire staff, coaches, and players are responsible. Looks like the Cardinals players and staff were not very responsible either. They have 13 with COVID, six players, including Gadia and Molina. None of these outbreaks occurred on the baseball field. Baseball has done everything it could short of create some kind of bubble, which might be possible for the playoffs once they have less teams to accommodate.

The players and staff especially have a responsibility to practice, social distancing and heed the protocol. Commissioner Manfred's done everything he can to keep the season going for the owners, the players who also need the money, and the fans are seen to be tuning in despite the cardboard cutouts and fake

fan noise. Who wants to see the season end without saying how Dominance Jacob deGron can see? Or Seattle's nucleus of Kyle Lewis and AP Corpard. Young black stars develop. Or if Ducky can lead the Astros redemption tour. What about Yankee's Look at Aaron Doug.

Can he hit 30 homas and 60 games? We need this season, COVID and all. But understanding how easy it is to spread, players and staff have to really take the responsibility to live life in a bit differently now, almost become hummus until the task is complete. Trash Talk Twitter. Your chance to trash anyone or anything in Major League Baseball.

This week's winner is Tony the Street Sports Agent. and he tweeted me this. I'm trashing the New York Mets. They reported Cespittance as a no-call, no show, like he needed to be on the back of a milk carton for missing persons. Then came back and said, well, he decided to opt out. I guess Tom Tibado will be a part-time manager too while he coaches the Knicks. If you want to win a new era snapback hat, just like Tony,

All you have to do is hit me up on my Twitter at Rob Parker FS1, and you too could be a new era cap winner. 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, older new. All right, now let's welcome into the podcast, a friend of mine, longtime friend, and co-worker. We did radio in Detroit for a long time. And, of course, he is a host on Fox Sports Radio. He is the one, the only Mr. Bernie Frato, who, of course, also for people who don't know how to cup of coffee in the sweet row with the Cincinnati Reds in their minor league system.

Mr. Frato, welcome to the podcast. Rob, good to be with you. And, of course, we've come full circle. Our friendship started in 1995. I had no idea what a love you have for baseball. And I think we share the commonality. And that baseball is the greatest game. It's a thinking man's game, and it's predicated on failure.

Every 15 seconds in baseball, there's failure. The pitcher fails to throw a strike. The hitter fails to make contact. The hitter fails to make a play. The hitter fails to reach base, and it continues for three hours. It's a metaphor for life, and it shows you that failure is not final, and it's a part of the process to be successful. So there's no time clock in baseball.

The beauty of baseball, they've got to get you out 27 times. I think we both like it because it's such a thinking man's game. No doubt about it. Bernie, what's a sense? hit you so far about this 2020 season? Obviously, the Yankees are red hot. They're a big story. Anything else has piqued your interest? Nothing's piqued my interest on the field other than the sense of urgency. You know, Sparky Anderson always said that you could get a gauge on a team 25% into the season after 40 games. Well, that's not up to 15 game mark. What I find interesting

about this season is I do think teams recognize the sense of urgency. And I think it's interesting in that just about everybody's able to jockey for a playoff position, given the fact that for the first time in history, more teams will make the playoffs than not make the playoffs. Be that as in May, Rob, an interesting statistic you might want to know from a Vegas perspective, and that is in the last 10 years, there have been 28 teams that have been favorites of under 10 to 1 to win the World Series, and none of them won it. Not a single team in the last 10 years, Rob, had favorites of less than 10 to 1. Case in point last year.

The Washington Nationals were 18 to 1. You had a situation, those three great Giants teams that won in 10, 12, and 14. They were 20 to 1, 25 to 1, and 25 to 1. That great Red Sox team from 2013, they were 30 to 1. What's the point? It wouldn't surprise me if the Yankees and Dodgers who were both 4 to 1 or the Astros 8 to 1 didn't win the World Series. That would be the next team in line, the Tampa Bay Reyes, who were 16 to 1.

Don't be surprised if someone comes out of left field, Rob. All right, that's something good coming out of Vegas. Bernie, tell me why you believe that the baseball MLB will finish the season, including the playoffs, no matter what? Yeah, Rob, they've got about 800 million reasons why. What do I mean by that? They've got to get to the playoffs. Rob, Manfred, is guaranteed the owners.

We're going to get that playoff TV share no matter what. They need that revenue in the worst way. Had they not played baseball this year, it would have been Armageddon. They would have gone 18 straight months. You might have seen a bankruptcy or two. You might have seen a team or two for sale. And they would have had to completely reconstruct the CBA from the ground up.

So I think they will move heaven and earth. And they'll have to, you know, navigate through this COVID thing. But they've got to get to October and get that TV playoff money. They're so desperate to do it. They even added the additional teams, which brought them an extra $50 million of player revenue to share. So it's all about the Benjamins. As you always say, Rob, it's always better with the cheddar. if they don't get to the baseball postseason this year and collect that TV money,

they will feel the ramifications for years to come. Yeah, I believe that as well. I do believe that they're going to finish this season. Even with the outbreaks, if you really are honest about it, we saw the Cardinals, we saw the Marlins, you know, there was a scare in Philadelphia, but Bernie, most of the other games and players are going on. And baseball is the least, is to me, the most social distancing kind of sport there is because the players really aren't on top of each other.

I'm with you. You're right on both counts, Rob. The vast majority of the teams are navigating through this okay. They've been a couple of our liars. And there's one other thing, Rob, as you well know, all the clubhouses you've been in in the last three decades. They've got the best medical care, the best team attendants, the trainers that money can buy.

These guys are well taken care of. Tommy is a sort of jokes about it. He says, you know, today's players, they're spoiled. They've got three team doctors, five team trainers, and six team attendance. He goes, when I was playing, we had one team trainer, and he had one bottle of loving alcohol, and usually drank it all by the seventh inning. There we go.

All right. Last thing from you, Mr. Frato. Why do you think it's a certainty that there will be a work stoppage after the 2021 season? Two words, Rob, and they rhyme with Sally Cap. There is a new breed of owner now that has been treating this luxury tax the last few years as a de facto salary cap. Case in point.

Baseball was a $6 billion industry in 2006. It is not $11 billion industry. In 2006, the luxury tax threshold was $155 million per team. Now it's still only $198 million per team. It's only gone up, 25%, yet revenues have almost doubled in those last 14 years. I think the owners want a salary cap. They're going to offer revenue sharing. They've tried it before.

They're going to try it again. they are going to hit a stalemate just like they did in 1994. This is one of those cases where I hope I'm wrong, but they're miles apart in their negotiations. And we already saw how contentious they were with this mini-negotiation, just trying to get a 2020 season back on the field. All right, his name is Bernie Fraddle.

You can hear him on Fox Sports Radio. And Mr. Fraddle, thanks for your input. Rob, appreciate being with you. Now it's time for... Imagine an Olympics where doping his name. 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. A win is a win.

A win. A win is a win. 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, 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.

Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped 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 Jett. 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 was 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 this is the second episode

where we've discussed crack so I'm starting to see there's a through line We also have AIDS on the table right now so 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 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? 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, as 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.

Some diamond dust with Wish TV's Phil Sanchez. Out of here! He played baseball in college. Now here is MLB knowledge. So lots happened over the past week. We'll start with my favorite team, the New York Met. The Metropolitan's were in Atlanta for a weekend series against the Braves, when, of course, UNISP, like a thief in the night, ended up quitting.

No phone call, no goodbye, no text message, nothing. just gone. The Mets put out a statement during the game saying that they hadn't heard from him, and later on they said that he decided to opt down for the rest of the season. Now, a lot of people got on the Mets about how they handled this situation specifically on social media. For once, though, I happen to agree with how this god-awful team and organization handled this. I mean, what were they supposed to do? Cover for a guy who didn't have the decency to at least call the team to let them know that he was opting out. Listen, Cespitous hasn't been a star in several seasons.

He's always hurt. And having him in the lineup blocked opportunities for young players, specifically like Dominic Smith. So this, in my opinion, a blessing in disguise. And for once, I can honestly say the Mets get an A plus. To Chicago now, where White Sox fans have something to be really, really excited about. This is after calling up one of their top prospects, Nick Madrigal.

He was called up over the weekend, and after going 0 for 8, the second baseman went four for four at the plate, busting out. If you haven't seen Madrigal play, he's a must-wash. He's a former first-round pick with a star at Oregon State. He's about five feet, seven inches tall, 150 pounds soaking wet, proving once again that baseball is by far the best game in the world, because in baseball doesn't matter how big you are, how fast you are, how strong you are, all that matters is whether or not you can play. In that sense, baseball

is a lot like life. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's with 1-800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmetries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1-800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $39.99 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. 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 through 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. 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 arm kid carry. Looks like dad has the bag's daughter is bringing up the rear. Oh, but the diaper bag.

wasn't closed. Typhers 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.com. Brought to you by NITSA and the Ad Council.

Now bring in the closer. Track one. Strike two. Right three. Here's why MLB is better than the NFL or NBA. And it isn't even close. Here's another example of why baseball is better than the NBA. and the NFL.

Did you watch that Angels game Tuesday night? When Mike Trout, fresh off a brand new baby, gets up to the plate and his very first at bat and NBC, see you later. Yep. A home run. What a way to welcome in a new baby with a home run. This is like typical baseball. You remember the old story about Babe Ruth going to visit some sick kids in the hospital and the one kid asked Babe Ruth to hit a home run and Babe Ruth came up to the plate

and pointed to right field in Chicago and said that's where it was. It was for a sick kid in the hospital and Babe Ruth wound up hitting a home run. I don't think you could do that in any other sport where you can like make, you know, try to hit a home run for somebody. It ain't like in the NBA making a basket. Oh, yeah, I'm going to make a basket for you. That's just too easy. Or in the NFL making some sort of play or doing something.

I don't know if you could promise a kid to score a touchdown. But a guy at the plate talking about hitting a home run for somebody is a part of baseball lore. And Mike Trout, congratulations, Mazel Toff, on the new baby and the home run. In the words of New York TV legend, the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time. Until next time, Rob Parker, out. He can't get it. This could be an inside of Parker. See you next week.

Same bad time. Same bad station. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1-800flowers.com is your ultimate birthday gifting destination. 1-800 flowers has thoughtful and artfully created options that are guaranteed to deliver the best birthday surprise. Shop thousands of unique gifts at 1-800flowers.com. for exclusive offers and great values.

To order today, visit 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere,

but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen and learn the hard way

on the IHard radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford 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 Clifford 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 podcast network on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.