The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Inside the Parker - Nats World Champs; World Series Recap; Hinch's Mistake; Soto Future; Guests: Rod Allen, Johnny Flores, Jr.

Episode Date: November 1, 2019

This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob and former MLB'er and analyst Rod Allen look back at the Nationals clinching their first ever World Series with an unforgettable Game 7 win over the Astros. Writer Johnny Flores, Jr. looks at the historic performance and unlimited future of Juan Soto. He also debates A.J. Hinch's questionable Game 7 moves in Foul or Fair. Follow Rob on Twitter and subscribe, rate and listen to get the latest! 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. 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, 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, Wreck, my mama want you to weigh better. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, and on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be? I call on my Gen X squad from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS. Unfiltered conversations from night sweats to futas to scheduling sacks, Wait, what sex? Is it just me or does every woman my age want to look at Pinterest instead of having sex sometimes? They say we can't polish a turn, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with the Anna Maria Riva on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Teathing can be a real nightmare for your little ones. Highlands Natural's baby oral pain relief tablets can help ease the pain. It's gentle, natural active ingredients like chamomile and arnobes. Soothe your baby's mouth and gums. Made with ingredients derived from plant, minerals, and other sources, free of harsh chemicals, you can count on Highlands. For serious pain relief for your teething baby. Highlands is a kinder way to care for teething.

Visit highlands.com slash kind. That's H-Y-L-A-N-D-S-com slash kind. Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence, not FDA evaluated. What up? It's Dramos. You may know me from The Recap on LATV. Now I've got my own podcast, Life as a Gringo, coming to you every Tuesday and Thursday.

We'll be talking real and unapologetic about all things life, Latin culture, and everything in between from someone who's never quite fit in. Listen to Life as a Gringo on the IHeart Radio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Brought to you by State Farm.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. At State Farm, they're focused on the belief that diversity makes safer, stronger, smarter neighborhoods where we're all welcome. neighborhoods that are reflective of the culture makers, shakers, and movers of tomorrow. To make a better world for our future generations, we must amplify, celebrate, and empower

black creators today. And that's why State Farm is committed to providing services, platforms, and long-standing actions to help build strong neighborhoods for the black community. They don't just provide a policy, they provide a partner. Because with over 19,000 State Farm agents, they reflect the diversity of America. Like a good neighbor, stay for them is there. 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 103, Rob Parker. Welcome to Inside the Parker. I'm your host, Rob Parker, for your special World Series edition. Coming up on the program, Rod Allen, the former Major League outfielder and analysts. He'll join us to talk about his thoughts on the World Series. Also from lavita baseball.com, we'll talk with Johnny Flores, Jr. And he'll talk about Juan Soto and the bright future this young player has for the Washington Nationals.

That and much more. Let's go. comes the big interview. Listen and learn. Oh, it's so good. All right, let's welcome into the podcast. Rod Allen, of course, former Major Leagueer, won a World Series with the 1984 Tigers. Rod, what a World Series that was.

How much did you enjoy it? I really enjoyed it. I mean, it was an outstanding World Series. You had some of everything. I mean, you had the analytics with the Astros. You had the old school with Mike Rizzo. their general manager, the older players with the nationals, the youngsters, with the Houston Astros, and all the moves and some of the best pitchers in the world.

It was an outstanding World Series. And I guess right off the bat, it tells you a lot about baseball. And you brought up to analytics in old school. But it's the same thing. If you were to go on paper, the Astros are the better team. When they signed – when they got Grinky in the trade, everybody basically said, oh, they're going to win another World Series and thought that would be the case.

and then this was a team that won 60 home games and couldn't win a home game in the World Series. It tells you that's why you actually played a game. It's fascinating. But you and I, I think we're on the same page about a month ago when I spent some time with you guys on, you know, fair or foul or fair, whatever y'all call it over there. And we talked about the fact that just because they have Grinky and they have Burlander and they also have coal, it doesn't mean they're going to win the World Series. We saw Scher and Berlander and Price not win a World Series of the Tiger.

So it was no giving. But I just loved the way the Nationals came together with the, you know, with the song they had that they played, you know, as far as that was concerned, how he getting big hit after big hit you had Zimmerman. You had the Soto Kid and the Outfield. It was a wonderful World Series and they had a lot of little plots to it. Let's just mentioned the Tigers. Let's talk about that 2014 Tiger.

rotation, or was it 2014? All the guys who were on that rotation wound up winning a World Series elsewhere. Verlander 1-1. You have Price won a World Series. You also have Rick Porcello won a World Series. Now you add Scher and Anabal Sanchez. All those guys were with the Tigers at one point

in their starting rotation. That's got to hurt if you're a Detroit fan. Well, I'm sure it kind of hurts, but I mean, those moments were so special in Detroit. I mean, you lived. I mean, from 06 to 2015, I mean, they were one of the best teams in all of baseball. Comerica Park was full every night. The product on the field was nuts, but they just couldn't get the big win. So I think Tiger fans are bittersweet.

They're rooting for those guys that have won the championship, but yet they wish that they could have won one for Mr. Illich. Steven Strassberg, you know, the number one overall pick, There was a big, he was criticized him in the organization when they didn't pitch him in the playoffs because of an innings count. You remember early in his career. And then here's this guy, goes through the postseason, goes 5 and 0, and, you know, pitches wins two games in the World Series, especially that big game six that they needed when they were facing elimination. Just talk about Strasbourg and what he's meant to this organization. And he's come through.

He wound up being that guy. thought he was going to be. Well, he's one of the best pitches in the sport with a 97-mile-power fastball and a knee-buckling curveball. Outstanding change up. He's got a mound presence. I mean, he saved their season, basically, in that Cubs. I mean, not Cubs of Milwaukee Brewers wild card game where Max started the game.

He came in and he was flawless in that particular game. But he went out and dominated some really good teams. If you think about the teams that he went up against and dominated against, those are some good offensive ball clubs. but Scherzer, I mean, excuse me, Strasbourg was on point. As a matter of fact, they don't win the World Series without him because Max really wasn't himself in the World Series. How about the Astros?

A lot of people say, man, they really, I know they won those three games in Washington, but they really struggled with the bats, and it wasn't just the playoffs. They really didn't hit Rod the last month of the season if you really dig deep and look at their numbers. And some of their guys like Altouvre was bad, one is in scoring position and stuff like that, and they struggle.

What happened to that offense? I don't know what happened to that an offense, but at the end of the day, if you look at their team overall, they've got probably the best 25 players in the world. If you look at just from a talent standpoint, they've got several guys that might win gold gloves. They might have an MVP. They're going to have a Cy Young. They might have a manager of the year as well, maybe a GM of the year. They're clearly a good team.

They just did not perform in the World Series, and they almost won it. up three, two, and one big hit away from winning the entire series. The Nationals played outstanding defense during the course of the whole World Series. Davey Martinez let them go out and play. As far as the Astros are concerned, they just really couldn't come through in the big moments. They left a lot of men on base, but clearly they have no reason to hang their heads. I mean, it was an outstanding season, an outstanding World Series, and it was just meant to be for the Washington National.

You mentioned Dave Martinez. A guy I covered. He was a player, a fourth outfielder with the Reds, back in those days in the early 90s when I covered the team. And I've known him for a long time as a great baseball guy. And he was on the verge of losing his job. They were 19 and 31. Rumors were swirling around. Things weren't going well.

And he really turned that thing around. What a great story for Dave Martinez. I'm so happy for him because he continued to get interview after interview when he was a co-pilot for Joe Madden in Chicago. and in Tampa. But every time he would go interview, he would not get the job? And a lot of people started to ask themselves, would he ever get an opportunity? But when Mike Rizzo let Duffy Baker go a couple of years ago, he brought in Martinez. And it was Rocky at first. I mean, it just didn't seem like it was going to be a good fit, but he stuck with him in that team rallied behind him. And they came from 19 and 31 with a lot of fun, dancing in the dugout, the baby shark song. It was fun to

watch. It really was fun to watch this World Series team, and it really was fun to watch the Washington Nationals and their fans in the month of October. That's what baseball is all about. And it also tells you about baseball that it gives hope to a lot of teams. They lost their big star in Bryce Harper. He moved on, signed a big contract elsewhere. People left Washington for dead. It tells you that you can win in baseball if your team come together and you get big hits. It's not as simple as just having stars. but having a team. And Zimmerman, Ryan Zimmerman, their first baseman,

said, I mean, they don't get this done without the kind of chemistry they had in the dugout. And they also had in the clubhouse, because they really came together after a brutal start. They took it one foot and stepped up in front of the other one. That's what they lived by day after day. Mike Rizzle made all the right moves at the trade deadline. He brought in some bullpen help.

Osruble Cabrera did not make an air after they acquired him to solidify the infield. And all those guys contributed. Howard Kendrick, what the big kids. that he got late in the World Series. And he had every reason. I'm talking about Dave Martinez to put Howie on the bench. Because you remember in the NLCS, he couldn't catch cold.

Right. He made three points. He had every reason to put him on the bench, but he didn't put him on the bench. And he comes up with that huge, it was grand slam to get him where they were going. So I just love the whole storyline of what they were able to do. And the team sport, and they exemplified that. No doubt about it. His name is Rod Allen, a baseball analyst, and one of my good friends.

We appreciate your, Rod, your insight on the World Series. I still have goosebumps. All right, buddy. All right, take care. Modern-day travelers know that luggage is the foundation of any successful getaway, which is why I'm all about away suitcases. You'll truly appreciate the thoughtfully designed features that keep things organized and solve real travel snags,

like the built-in lock to keep your valuable safe, the ejectable battery to keep your phone charged, or the built-in compression pad that helps you pack more than your typical carry-on. Away suitcases are designed to last a lifetime. But if any part of your suitcase breaks, away's limited lifetime warranty means they'll fix it or replace it. And away carry-ons come in in an array of colors and materials, plus with Away's 100-day trial, you can test drive it before deciding you love it.

I travel all the time being a sports writer, and you know what? I went to Vegas last week. It was so easy, a piece of cake to travel with Away suitcases. And right now, Away is offering $20 off the suitcase of your choice. Just visit awaytravel.com slash Parker and use the promo code Parker during check. Checkout. That's awaytravel.com slash Parker. It was a big week in the big leagues. Or is it fair?

And now, here's shadowleague.com MLB insider, J.R. Gamble. The biggest second guess in the World Series was, of course, when Astros' manager, AJ Hinch took out Zach Granky in the seventh inning after he gave up a solo home run to cut the Astros lead from 2 to 0 to 2 to 1. The question to you, J.R., is it foul or fair to blame the loss of the World Series on manager A.J. Hinch.

Fair. It's a fair ball. Hinch blew it. and he remained a prisoner of the numbers and the metrics that often mar many aspects of this game. When he took Grinky out, I was yelling at the TV screen. Don't take him out. Don't take him out. Grinky was rolling.

He was pitching better than he has all season, then he has probably the last five seasons. His couldn't ask for anything better than a former Zion winner locked in for the biggest moment of his career. I believe that when you have veteran superstars in this situation, their focus is so dominant, their will to win and understanding how to catch the wave in big situations will carry them through. His treated Gricky like a number or a stack. Like, you know, he hadn't managed him like he's a person, similar as Dave Martinez. Houston would be hanging their second banner if he thought about what he was doing rather

than just going with the numbers. So unless you're bringing him cold, once you take Gricky out, your chances of winning decreased because the pitch is coming in is just not going to be as dominant. Got to go with your guts sometimes to really be a great coach. There you go, my man, J.R., I'm 100% with you. I think he made a big mistake. Trash Talk Twitter. Your chance to trash anyone or anything in Major League Baseball.

This week's winner is Kane. I was talking about the MVP, Stephen Strasbourg, it, but Kane tweeted at me this. I thought it should have been Soto. Unlike pitchers, he plays in every game, always came through with a hit or even disciplined enough to earn a walk before Kendrick's home run. What other young player looked that much like a vet in a World Series? If you want a chance to win a new era snapback, just like Kane,

send your trash to at Rob Parker FS1 on Twitter. 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 into the podcast. His name is Johnny Flores Jr. He's a digital content producer for LaVita Baseball.com. And Johnny, you spent some time in Washington, D.C.,

and you wrote about Juan Soto, who wound up having an unbelievable postseason and a great World Series. Tell me about his World Series and how bright this guy's star could be. Wow, man. The World Series, Juan Soto, I mean, he's had an incredible postseason all together,

and I think the World Series, obviously, more people watching it than ever compared to the other, you know, postseason series, people got a really good glimpse at what this kid's able to do. you know, if for power, average, perka walk or count.

The poise that he has at the plate is just, it's phenomenal. Let me read you off with a few stats with his that I found insane. So he is among the three youngest players with multiple home runs in the World Series. In that list, Andrew Jones and Miguel Cabrera, youngest ever with three home runs in a single World Series. Every home run he's had in the postseason has been on an All-Star.

So you think about Junjiou, Garrett Cole, Justin Burlander, Clayton Kirschaw, all all-stars this year. How impressive is that? That is just so impressive. I mean, it's amazing to think that he's had these home runs, and these are difficult pitchers to go up against him. He's going up against the two-headed monster of J.V. and Gary Cole, and I think probably the most emblematic of how good he is, is that fast during game six of the World Series.

Remember, he hit the home run. He started off on a two-out count, and he hit the foul ball, and then he got another ball. So it's 3-1. And then in that moment, he's nodding and smiling, and he's just shaking his head because he knows what's coming next. And what came next was a basketball, and he hit it almost through the scoreboard. That was a majestic home run that people will not soon forget.

It was incredible. And the thing about you were saying he's smiling and whatnot, what a personality this guy is. after the World Series, David Ortiz asked him in the post game. He said, hey, everybody's jumping around and hugging their wives and girlfriends. And he said, where's your girlfriend? And he said, my mom's my girlfriend. This guy just turned 21.

That's a Latino thing to say. That's a Latino thing to say, man, to say that Tremont is your girlfriend. Is it really? It's funny. I thought that was just. It's funny. And he's got a lot of personality. And I think when we see that whole run in the game,

what did he do after he hit that home run? He does the bat flip at first place because he saw Gregman do it. And he was like, this is so cool. I want to do it too. Yeah, he was definitely stole the show. You know, there was a lot of questions. People said maybe him or could have been the MVP. And, you know, and I understand the Strasbourg getting it.

But he really was a major contributor. And what about the future and where it is? It did make it a little easier. for the nationals to, you know, like part ways with Bryce Harper, when you have a guy like that, a lefty. I don't think that they thought he was going to be this already. But what a God send for them? Right.

But I think it goes back to his rookie year. He finished second place in NL. Rookie of the Year voting. And he was a frontrunner for the award for much of the season until Ronald Ocunio basically broke out during the summer and took away the award. But, I mean, he had an amazing season. And then you add to that the possibility of Victor Robles being able to become an everyday contributor, and that's what he was this year.

And it kind of makes losing Bryce Harper a little bit sweeter because you have two young guys, 21 and 22 years old in the outfield. The outfield defense, by analytic and advanced metrics, it goes way up. You know, they have, you know, good arms, they have good range. They can catch the ball. And they could hit. They could truly hit. So, I mean, these guys are the difference makers in Soto particularly.

You think about him, he hasn't even hit his prime yet, and he's going to be with the nationals for the next several seasons before he hits free agency. And then he's going to hit free agency at an age that most players don't even hit free agency out. Talking about most players entering the league at. So it's just incredible to see where he is at now and where he's going to be next season, the season after that. I mean, sky's the limit for this. And you were in D.C.

and you see the way the fans also respond to him. He is clearly a fan favorite, and they've fallen in love with him in D.C. Right. I mean, I wrote in one of my articles about their first NLTS game in franchise history at home. And before the game, he's doing his run-out to left field, and he slows the run to, like, a fall, and then he just starts pounding his glove, and the fans in that whole, like, left-field section,

are just going louder and louder after each pounding. and he's just soaking it all in. And the fans love him, and he loves the fans, and he's an incredible person to talk to in his interviews, very poised, very mature for his age and the way he speaks. And just all around, I mean, Washington has a really bright bit in Juan Soto, and it was amazing to see him on the biggest stage to deliver a World Series championship. No doubt about it.

His name is Johnny Flores, Jr. from lavita Baseball.com. and thanks for your insight, and we'll talk to you down the road. See, you're up. Casper products are cleverly designed to mimic human curves, providing supportive comfort for all kinds of bodies. The original Casper mattress combines multiple and supportive memory phones for a quality sleep surface with the right amounts of both sink and bounce. Casper offers three other mattresses, the wave, the essential,

and the hybrid. The wave features a patent-pending premium support system to mirror the natural shape of your body. The Essential has a streamlined design at the price that won't keep you up at night. The hybrid combines the pressure relief of the award-winning foam with a durable yet gentle springs. Casper offers affordable prices because it cuts out the middleman

and sells directly to you. Hassel-free returns if you're not completely satisfied, delivered right to your door in a small, how do they do that size box, and free shipping and returns in the U.S. and Canada. Get $100 towards select mattresses by visiting casper.com slash Parker and using Parker at checkout. Again, get $100 towards select mattresses

by visiting casper.com slash Parker and using Parker at checkout. Terms and conditions apply. closer. Track one. Strike two. Right three. Here's why MLB is better than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close.

Reason number 495, why baseball is better than the NBA and the NFL. We saw it in the World Series. The 2019 World Series, we saw something that had never happened before in any of the four major sports. we saw the winning team of a championship win all the games on the road. The nationals, unbelievable to be able to go into Houston, win the first two games of the series at Minutemay Park, go home, lose all three, come back and win the final two games to put it once in the record books as the first team

in the top four major sports in this country to win a championship by winning all games on the road. What a feat. You'll never forget this championship. Never forget it because we saw something we never saw before. And most people thought they had no shot to win a championship after they lost three straight at home. But they get it done.

Four big wins on the road, the ultimate road warriors. It was so impressive. It was so memorable. 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. Teathing can be a real nightmare for your little ones. Highlands Natural's baby oral pain relief tablets can help ease the pain. It's gentle, natural active ingredients like chamomile and arnica, soothe your baby's mouth and gums, made with ingredients derived from plant, minerals and other sources, free of harsh chemicals, you can count on Highlands for serious pain relief

for your teething baby. Highlands is a kinder way to care for teething. Visit highlands.com slash kind. That's Hyl-L-A-N-D-S dot com slash kind. Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence, not FDA evaluated. Millions of Americans are getting back to work. Career Builder calls it the great rehire. And we want to help you get the best jobs before everyone else. CareerBuilder gives you the competitive edge to get the job you want, at the salary you want, with the benefits you want. We even send job alerts, so your perfect job lands right in your inbox. Go to careerbuilder.com today or get left with whatever jobs are left. Find your next job fast at careerbuilder.com.

Sponsorship for this podcast is brought to you by Ford. Built Ford Proud. Ford is going above and beyond an innovation to create the smartest, most connected EVs, and technology on the market. With charging made easy with the overnight plug-in Ford mobile charger, as well as over 19,000 charging stations in the Blue Oval Charge Network. CY Ford's new EVs are redefining what electric can do.

Journey into the future with Ford's lineup of electric vehicles with many exciting and affordable options to choose from. Head over to Ford.com to learn more about the electric revolution. Built Ford Proud. 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 SportsSlice 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 Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicalife Life 12. and 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, 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 Smygle and friends on the I-Heart Radio app, 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? Come on out. Quarterback on office blue of 42. Hey, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHart Podcasts presents soccer moms. So I'm Leanne. Yeah. This is my best friend, Janet. Hey. And we have been joined at the hips since high school. Absolutely.

A redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips. This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drinks. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? They had a bogo. Well, then you got them.

Listen to soccer moms on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.