The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Inside the Parker - MLB Addresses George Floyd; Stars Speaking Out; Darryl Strawberry on Protests, NY Post Ken Davidoff Talks Labor Negotiations

Episode Date: June 4, 2020

This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob explains why he approves of MLB's statement on the nationwide protests in response to the murder of George Floyd, why he's glad African American MLB stars are speaking out. Former All-Star slugger Darryl Strawberry gives his thoughts on the death of George Floyd and why black athletes should speak out. NY Post columnist Ken Davidoff discusses the latest on labor negotiations as players and owners attempt to reach an agreement to salvage the 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. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel 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. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 is 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. I mean, 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. 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 to learn the hard way on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1800 Flowers.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. From 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 86. Rob Parker. Welcome into Inside the Parker.

I'm your host, Rob Parker, and what a show we have for you. Darryl Strawberry is our guest, and he will talk about the unrest in America and what it all means. Also, New York Post baseball columnist Ken Davidoff with the labor negotiations between the owners and the players, that and much more. Let's get it kicked off with Getting Rob. To lead off, it's getting robbed. And keep them up.

Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one. It took a while, but Major League Baseball has issued a statement about the social unrest after the death of George Floyd, the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. And Bravo to Major League Baseball. for including some stuff that to me is important in the message. They just didn't say, oh, what a terrible tragedy, and we respect the police, and we need

to all be together. I think this was clear. I think it was honest. And I'm going to quote a piece of the statement, quote, to be clear, our game has zero tolerance for racism and racial injustice. The reality that the black community lives in fear or anxiety over racial discrimination, prejudice or violence is unacceptable. End quote.

Bravo for acknowledging what's taking place in America. I expect this from Major League Baseball. After all, it was Major League Baseball that broke. the color barrier in 1947 with Jackie Robinson. It's a huge badge of honor, and I've come to expect baseball to always take a leading position when it comes to race in this country. Because as we know, Jackie Robinson and baseball changed America forever back in 1947 when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Bravo to baseball. Number two. Some of the biggest sports stars have spoken about the George Floyd murder in Minneapolis. And a lot of times, you know, we hear from the NFL players, especially since Colin Kaepernick started the movement against police brutality. And we hear from NBA players like LeBron James and other big stars. But we're also hearing from baseball stars. And Andrew McCutcheon, the Philadelphia Phillies outfielder, joined in and, call for police officers to be held accountable for their criminal actions as well as to an end

of qualified immunity. And that's really what it's about, that people be held accountable. I don't understand why people don't get this idea. I still believe at this point that had those police officers all been arrested and charged, which they have. been as of Tuesday now, but had this happened in the beginning when this first happened. Obviously, the police fired them from the staff so they've done something wrong. They should have been arrested and we might just might have avoided the riots and the looting and the burning that we've seen. But it's great to hear some African American baseball players as well step to the podium

and let their voices be heard. Number three. We now have Adam Unger, a former Yankee prospect turned opera singer and lawyer, and we want to get your thoughts on the plight of the minor leaguers, considering what's happened since the coronavirus has derailed the minor league season. Yeah, you know, Rob, I really feel bad about it, actually, since I heard about them reducing the number of players that they were going to be drafting this year. because frankly, you know, it affects those guys quite a bit.

I mean, probably if the situation were as it is now when I got drafted, I never would have had the opportunity to play for the Yankees. And so a lot of guys who deserve to get a chance to play professional baseball aren't going to get that opportunity. And maybe this year was their last shot. And it kind of affects you for the rest of your life, because, you know, I played for the Yankees. I played for the Rockies.

I didn't make it to the major leagues. I'd even go that far in the minor leagues. But I'll tell you that every job that I've ever gone on, either an interview or getting the job or being there or getting into law school, everyone was always impressed. And the first thing they ever asked me about was my experience playing for the Yankees in the minor leagues. So not only is it an opportunity.

for all these young athletes to get a chance to play pro ball, they're not going to have the chance if they don't make it to have the fact that they played pro ball on their resume, which is something that looks good and helps you for the rest of your life. So frankly, I really feel bad for these guys, and I feel bad for the opportunity that's being lost here for them. Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn.

Oh, it's so good. Well, first of all, thanks for having me, guys. And these times are very difficult for all of us. And I understand the times that we're in right now. I would say to the people, I feel the same way. I'm tired. You know, I'm tired of police brutality. I'm tired of what's happening to African Americans.

You know, just senseless killing, unnecessary, unacceptable. it's just it needs to stop. Something needs to change. And I think as we sit here and we watch this younger generation as they rally together and they go out, they march to protest for a change. It's something that we didn't have in the times that we were in because we didn't have social media. We didn't have the Internet like they do and all the things in a different outlets they have to be able to gather themselves together. I think if we would have had those growing up, we would have gathered ourselves together, too,

and probably did the same thing, and March to say, hey, it's time for a change in this country. We no longer could just sit back and accept, you know, what has happened to black people. You know, it's a shame, you know, that it continues to happen in this day that we're living here. And, you know, so many went on before us, you know, watch Luke King, you know, what he stood for. And he's all that they had to suffer through. Jackie Robertson crossing the line every black athlete that put on

a uniform, a baseball uniform, don't have a history, don't even know the history of why they play baseball. It's because of Jackie Robinson opening the door for every person of a color, and that's Latinos too, every person of color. If it wasn't for Jackie Robinson, you know, we wouldn't have never been able, I would never be

Daryl Straubbard Major League Baseball player. So, you know, we need to go back and really educate people about, you know, the history of what's really been going on for a very long time and where we're at right now. And, you know, we're in a place where society is just with the coronavirus and now this, you know, the killing of George, you know, Floyd, you know, it's just, it's enough, you know, people have had enough and I understand it.

Straw, very easily, you know, and I can hear it in your voice about the frustration, the anger, and just about right and wrong. and yet there are so many people, even many star black athletes, who will not speak out against this. And when you see that, I get it. Some people have platforms and situation straw where they can help to make change. We saw what happened to Colin Kaepernick

when he was trying to bring attention to this epidemic four years ago and what was done to him, his livelihood, shunned by the NFL. Straar, how important is it for people who have those platforms where people look up to you guys as role models and heroes to speak out when you see something wrong in front of you? To speak out, you know, these guys don't understand. A lot of them don't understand. They have such tremendous platform, and nobody's going to come against you. You're going to take, you're going to have some haters, you know, that's going to have something to say, so what? You know, what difference does it make, you know?

They've been hating for so long, you know. And I think about it being who I was, you know, when I was playing in the days I was playing. And, of course, you know, I was more like the Michael Jordan of baseball in the 80s, you know. That's right. You know, seven sports illustrators and speak out, you know, and people used to always have something negative to say back. But I really didn't care, you know, for what people had to say. I mean, I was the one that had to take the criticism, you know, but I didn't play well as being black and booed, you're making a lot of money. But your white players are making a lot of money, too, and they struggle, too.

Right. And I had to deal with that. I had to face that. So when I look back and look back over my career and look at that whole time of stuff that I went through and saying some of the same things happened to white players, but they never got exposed like I did, you know, from the troubles I had, myself and Doc Good. And there were plenty of other athletes that were doing a lot of the same things that had problems, but they would sweep them under the rug, and they would send them the treatment and say, oh, they have pain pills.

problems, you know, stuff like that when they had real problems that I knew because I'm in the circle of sports. So it's been going on forever. And these players today to have platforms speak out. Don't be afraid. Use your platform to speak out because that's the only way change is going to come about. Change is never going to come about if we don't start speaking out. I mean, we didn't have the, we didn't have the platform that you may have today and the social media outlet that you have the day where you can reach so many people to speak out about, you know, what times you're in. It's real. It's been going on forever. It's never going to change. You're going to still be that same color player they look at regardless of how well you do. When you take the uniform

off and it's over, it's over. You're no longer that guy that's making money and bringing money in for them. So they're going to treat you different. Yeah, they're going to love you, but still at the same time, you can't bring them money in it anymore because of your performance. It's not there. So use your platform when you have a chance because one day it will be over. And Straw, I want to make this point because this is the part that people don't realize. Here's the difference in what he's talking about. This is not making excuses for anybody, okay? But when Mickey Mantle played for the Yankees and went out and was drunk and was pulled over,

there was not one cop in New York who was going to arrest Mickey Mantle and bring him into the police station. Right. They would drive Mickey Mantle home. Darrell, am I right? That's what was done for those guys during that time. They wouldn't drive Darrell Strawberry home. They take them to the precinct. That's the difference.

That's what went on. That is the difference with policing, you know, the color of your skin is different, you know. And you face a lot of more challenges when you're out there and you are drinking or whatever and you get pulled over. the percentage of you. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind.

Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves.

Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never made. the highlight reel. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kier 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, 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. 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 Jek. 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 so Thank you 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

What's up, guys, this is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out.

Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, rec, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And them is totally different. The percentage of you is really high that you're going to get locked up. And it's going to hit the news.

It's going to hit the AP to the wire. You know, it's going to be on that. That's just the way it is. I mean, I could speak from my own experiences and living in this life at such a high level and still, you know, achieving things and being successful. But at the same time, guys, I've been. One thing I never forgot that I'm black. There it is, straw right there. That's the nail right there.

As far as, we're in case so can in this time in the time. Now, we have to ensure them more safe good tool. We're doing the most important is just for the kids get on COVID-19.

A newmail is being been determined to the child's is safe and in fact. Connect your child's or visit your website to www.com to check

to your future of the California Department of Public Health take to 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. 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. 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? Hi, Rod. Today we're going to talk about plate discipline, specifically hitters that change. chase pitches out of the strike zone.

Now, our friend at Fangrass about the number of metrics on plate discipline that helped tell the story of something we could all use a little of these days, patience. Now, starting with O-Swing percentage, tells us which batters are most adept at laying off pitches outside the strike zone. Oh, swing, oh, outside, get it. Now, look at the list of players of the lowest O-Swing percentage. You can make an All-Star team. Last year, the Astros, Alex Breggman, led the Ligin swinging at only 18.8% of pitches outside

the strike zone. though some trash cans may have been involved there. Now, behind Breggman is underrated outfielder Tommy Fam, some guy named Mike Trout, Joey Votto, and Mookie Betts. But a low O-Swing percentage isn't an automatic precursor to success. It mostly helps with sustainable success. You can see a player with a high number of a pretty nice year. Take the White Sox Tim Anderson last year,

so we had 45.2% of pitches outside the strike zone, the fifth highest mark in baseball, and yet led the league with a, 335 batting average. Now, of course, an unsustainable 399 batting average on balls and play. Might have something to do with that. But does patience make you virtuous, Rob? Not necessarily, but it'll least put you on the right path.

My man, finally some knowledge I could use. We appreciate you, Anthony. Or is it fair? And now, here's shadowleague.com MLB insider, J.R. Gamble. J.R., it's been more than a week since George Floyd lost his life to a cop in the streets of Minneapolis. Baseball has finally issued a statement. Is it foul or is it fair? It's fair, Rob.

At first, I thought it was foul. But over the last hour, I spoke to some high-ranking people in MLBPR. And according to my sources, M-O-B allowed to. three black executives to take the lead on this decision, one of them being Corey Smith, senior director of diversity and inclusion for Major League Baseball. Baseball didn't want to jump in too early, they say, was the statement as if they were the savior of the world, but they felt strongly that they wanted to not just make a statement, but think of a course of action as well as be able to back it up.

The seriousness of the issue and the gravity of the moment wasn't lost on MLB, and the statement was comprised after days of conversations between baseball's diversity heads as to the best way to support George Floyd and genuinely express the lead's commitment to attacking the roots of these problems, which has come through a wide array of diversity program that people might not be too familiar with from grassroots to the executive offices, although it doesn't always show on the field. They acknowledge the fear that black people live in, and they acknowledge the systemic racism in the statement. So I will give baseball a pass this time.

Twitter. Your chance to trash anyone or anything in Major League Baseball. This tweet comes from Chaunty 19 in Detroit. The NBA is scheduled to return before baseball at this point. If this happens, baseball is dead. They struggle with the younger fans now. They are going to cripple themselves if they don't get it together. They need to return first for interest's sake.

Thanks, Chansy. If you want to be a winner like Choncy, hit me up on my Twitter at Rob Parker, F.S.S.1. And you too could have a chance to win a new era snapback baseball cap. 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, let's welcome in one of the best baseball writers in the country. Ken Davidoff from the New York Post.

Ken, welcome to the podcast. Thanks for having me inside the parker. Man, appreciate you. You know that. Let's just start. The players came back to the owners with 114 games schedule where the World Series Game 7 would be played on Christmas Day. I know it wasn't that late, but late in the year.

And the owners came back with maybe like a 50-game season. What's going on here? Is it going to get back to the maybe 82-game schedule? Is that where we're headed? I think that's where we're headed, Rob. And it's this 50-game thing that wasn't formally a counter-proposal. It was more of Rob Manfred saying, hey, there is this other path. Like, I do have the right to do this, which is not clear he does, but that's what he said.

I have the right to play a 50-game season and pay you guys your prorated salary. So that's where things stand. How about – there's two sides to this. I get it. I understand what the union – and we've had 26 years of labor peace in baseball, which is a lot. You know that, Ken, given the history between owners and the union and the work stoppages and the strikes and threat of a lockout. So it's been good for baseball.

And I do see both sides. I'm not riding the fence. I understand players don't want to give up all that they fought for and sacrificed and just accepting whatever offer the owners throw out. But I also look at the owner's side and say no fans, no parking, no concessions, no stadium merchandise. It's a big hit financially as well. Where are you on this when you look at the two sides and both of their arguments?

The way I look at it, Rob, is, yeah, of course. Any of us with a thimble full of common sense can understand it. The owners are going to take a big revenue hit. But ultimately, I have my opinion, the owners have more to lose here. In terms of it's all about their franchise values, right? That's why you get into this game. It's an investment. And you buy your team at X dollars with the expectation that,

whether it's 10, 20, or 50 years from now, you can sell it at Y dollars, but far more. So what do they do to their franchise? size values, if they just don't have a season because of the losses they're going to incur during the small sample of one year. So I do think the owners have to give a little more than the players, who, by the way, they're the ones putting themselves in harm's way during a pandemic. All right. Our guest is Ken Davidoff, Baseball Commons for the New York Post here on Inside the Parker.

Ken, the other part, though, is fans always tend to side with owners over players. and I think there's a jealousy factor when the guys playing a sport making millions of dollars. What about the PR hit? If there is no baseball, and we're talking about 18 months with no baseball while other sports get played, how damaging could that be? I think it could be fatal, Rob. I think it would be absolutely massive. I mean, the idea, as you said, we're in a pandemic.

The other NBA has its plan in place. The NHL has its time in place. You know the NFL, I mean, Roger DeGale doesn't care. Ten guys drop dead on the field. They're going to keep going, right? Absolutely. So, you know, they're going to keep going. And baseball is going to sit on the sidelines because, you know,

because they couldn't cut a deal over dollars. I think that would be insanely damaging. And that's why I refuse to believe that that scenario will actually occur. Last night, a blown call changed the game. This morning, the Internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending. opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the, questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told

by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kier 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 Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app.

Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. 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 Jett. 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 you 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. 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.

What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Quarterback on office blue 42.

Hey, rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. I'm with you. It's just, it would be death. It really would be. and I couldn't blame fans if they turn their nose to baseball,

especially when you consider what people are going through in the country, furloughs, pay cuts, job losses, record unemployment can, right? I just, there'd be no way to be able to rationalize fighting over millions of dollars and not playing. Lastly, where does baseball go from here? If they do get a deal and no fans. or at least in the beginning, do you think people will still have the same feeling for the sport?

Will it be different? Or are people just so starve for a sporting event that will adapt and it'll be okay for this year? Well, Rob, I think, look, let's just say 82 games with deferred salary. They get their pro-ready-pay, but they have to defer the money. I think that's reasonable middle ground. Let's say they cut that deal. I think some fans, the ones who follow this crap closely,

will be a little turned off by how they got there. But I think more important is the way the teams have behaved from really being thirsty about refunds. Many of these teams, you know, for the games that are not going to be replay, making fans jump through hoops to get refunds. Then you're talking about all the minor leaguers who have lost their jobs or at least lost their pay. The draft getting decimated as here, the amateur draft,

down to five rounds, and then many front office employees being let go or furloughed or having their salaries got. You're talking about things that damaged the game's long-term viability, just the neglect of the crops, if you will, right? And that's where I think the real damage is going to kick in. All right, his name, Ken Davidoff, read them into New York Post.com. One of the best baseball writers in the country. Ken, we appreciate you, bud.

If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1800flowers.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. 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 10 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 Netsa and the Ad Council If I could be you

And you could be me For just one hour If you could find a way To get inside Each other's mind Walk a mile in my shoes Walk a mile in my shoes Walk a mile in my shoes

We've all felt left out And for some That feeling lasts more than a moment We can change that Learn how it belonging begins with us.org Brought to you by the ad council I appreciate you as a human being, Ron. I'll be the best.

Now it's time for some diamond dust with Wish TV's Phil Sanchez. Out of here. He played baseball in college. Now here is MLB knowledge. Hey, Rob, because of the coronavirus, this year's Hall of Fame ceremonies have been canceled. But when next year rolls around, the class will include Derek Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons, and Marvin Miller. But a guy who should be on that list and there's no doubt about it, Albert Bell. And here's why.

The perfect Hall of Fame candidate has a clear. clear outstanding peak to his career, and most candidates fall short of said peak. But not Albert Bell. His peak through the roof. His career was cut short at the age of 33 because of injury. But from 1993 to 1999, he averaged a line of 308, 41 home runs, and 127 RBI. That's an average. An average of seven years, and two of them, of course, were cut short because of the strike.

Now I get it, Albert Bell doesn't have the lifetime numbers that some other guys have, but if it wasn't for injuries, he could have easily sailed past 500 home runs and 1600 RBI. And yes, Albert Bell was not the friendliest of guys and even spent some time in trouble with the law after his playing days were over. But the Hall of Fame shouldn't be a popularity contest. It should be a museum to honor the players who were the best of the best in the years they played. And that, hands down, is Albert Bell. A closer.

Track one. Track one. Right three. Here's why MLB is better than the NFL or NBA. And it isn't even close. The reason baseball is better than the NFL and NBA is clear, especially when you talk about race. It's hard to deny baseball's place in American history.

in American history and Jackie Robinson. The other sports, especially, when you talk about the NFL and what's happened, how in the world could you not think that the NFL was the league that shun Colin Kaepernick for kneeling in a peaceful protest? They took his livelihood, They took his job.

They ridiculed him. They ostracized him. He was right. He was telling us four years ago, 2016, about the plight of the black man at the hands of white police. And they didn't hear him. Even the NBA, which has done a lot of good things as far, diversity and the treatment of,

African-American players, even they have on the books. And people don't talk about it. They have on the books where players can't protest during the national anthem. It's un-American. It should be stricken from their CBA. Shame on NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Shame on the NBA players for allowing that to continue to happen, that should be removed from their CBA. 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 1-800-flowers.com is your ultimate birth. 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. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlyce comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear.

Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slical Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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 podcast. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam Jay.

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. 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist

and host, Keer 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 to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.