The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Inside the Parker - No Neutral Site World Series; Shortened Season Legit; Missing Opening Day; Guests - Cecil Fielder, David Justice

Episode Date: March 31, 2020

This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob doesn't like the idea of a neutral site World Series, but thinks a shortened season under the circumstances is legit. He also talks with World Series champs Cecil Fielder and David Justice discuss the Covid-19 impact on the MLB season and if a shortened season is the best solution to the problem. 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,

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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. 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 to learn the hard way on the iha radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast what's up guys

this is clivert taylor the fourth and on my podcast the clivert 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 a ref my mom wants you to wave at her what Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Rhett, my mama want you to weigh better. What? Hey, Miss Parker.

Listen to the Cliverts show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Becoming a magician takes thousands of hours, right, Ashley? Oh, I'm not a magician. I'm a design specialist at the container store. But you transform closets and pantries. Well, I turn your most frustrating spaces into ones you love. With a magic wand? With Alpha are customizable, adjustable, and affordable shelving and drawer system.

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Rob Parker. Welcome into the special edition of Inside the Parker. That's right, your Major League Baseball podcast. I'm your host, Rob Parker. Coming up on the show, former All-Star and World Series winner, Cecil Fielder. We caught up with him on my radio show, The Odd Couple, with Chris Broussard. Also, David Justice, who of course was a.

All-Star and a World Series winner as well. We talked with him on my radio show The Odd Couple with Chris Bussard. But first, here's getting robbed. Better up. To lead off, it's getting robbed. And keep him up. Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one.

I get that Major League Baseball wants to have its season no matter what and no matter how far it has to be pushed back. But this whole idea of playing baseball in December and playing at a different location rather than the home team stadiums. I have a problem with that, that it would be some neutral site, and they play in Las Vegas or L.A. or San Diego or some place in the middle of the country or something.

It's so hard for me to grab hold of that. I understand that when you talk about college basketball or NFL, a Super Bowl, baseball's different. I just can't imagine a seven-game series played at a neutral site. That is not what the game is about. The game is also not about a one game. We're going to take all kind of deal. I know these are extraordinary times in the world,

but I just don't feel comfortable with a neutral site for the World Series. Number two. A lot of people are saying that they hope that, baseball plays at least 144 games to make the season feel legit. I'm not one of those guys. I'll take 120. I'll take 100. If everybody's playing the same schedule, 120 or 100 games, it's a legit season.

This whole notion that it would be bastardized and it wouldn't be right and because they didn't play enough games. In these kind of times, you have to adjust and do whatever it's possible. If we can get a good 120 games or 100 games and get the World Series in, I'm good with that. I don't think we need to go more than that given the circumstances. So it would be a legitimate season to me, and it should be for you if MLB could play 120 or 100 games. Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn.

Oh, it's so good. Cecil, welcome to the eye couple. What's happening, guys? What's happening? Hey, thanks for joining us. It's great to have you on. How are you doing the family? How's you doing?

How's the family doing? Everybody okay, man? You're good? Man, we hunkered down, man. We ain't going outside. This stuff is crazy, man. Yeah, you got to be careful out there for sure. How do you feel?

I mean, this is the day, the opening day, you know, would have been to date Are you, Rob just read a great essay about how heartbroken he is that baseball is not going on today. Do you feel the same way or is it different now that you're not, you know, not playing? No, it's a little difference since I'm not playing. But again, this is a bad situation we got going on right now. I mean, people are dying, man. And, you know, baseball is the number one concern right now. It's trying to get rid of this virus and get people healthy.

so we can go back to playing baseball because if we don't, if we don't notch this thing down, it's going to be a bad summer. Right. Right about that. No doubt about it. Cess, and me talking about opening day and how I grew up, my mom was a stickler for school and everything,

but she used to, as a kid, used to write me a note so that I could leave school early. I was in junior high school to get home to watch the Mets opener as a kid in New York. just to talk about you as I think the story you once told me too was about watching Hank Aaron No, no you know my mom Let me tell you, Rob. When I was a kid growing up in L.A., man, and, you know, the Dodgers were in the playoffs.

And my team in 1979, I can remember like it was yesterday, we are family, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yes. When I first seen Willie Sarger, when I first seen Willie Sarger, man, I was a kid in the candy store. It was most unbelievable things that I ever seen. And, you know, him and Willie McCovey were like my two favorite first basements, you know. So when I had an opportunity to come home from school or play six to watch, you know, the Pirates play,

I mean, that was the greatest days of all time. Cecil, what was your favorite opening day memory as a player? What was maybe your best game or whatever memory stands out to you? They probably was 80, probably was 86. The Blue Jays, I was in the starting lineup as a, you know, rookie, really. That was probably my best memory as an opening day. Every other opening day was good because I was a starter and I got to play every day. But to really think back on it, that was really my first time to really be in the starting lineup as a rookie.

How about 1997? after you guys won the World Series in 96, what about that? I remember, like, I think you had only got hit 300 for any team, I think, in that World Series. But what was that like once you're a champion, you come back to crowd, Yankee Stadium? Well, you know, when I came back in 97,

my agents, which I should have probably not agreed to, but my agents demanded a trade. So they were booing me when I first got back. Oh, that's right. I do remember. That wasn't a good time for me. No, that wasn't good. Especially after the World Series I had,

and then I came home and they were born, so that wasn't a good thing. No, no, no. You're right about that. We are joined by World Series champion, Cecil Fielder. Cecil, when they come back, assuming they start playing this summer, June or July, or whatever it may be,

they're talking about maybe playing into December, in neutral at neutral site. So maybe a dome or going to a warm weather series regardless of what team is in San Diego, right? L.A. or Arizona or something like that. What do you think about that plan? Well, they're going to have to do whatever they have to do. They're going to have to do whatever they have to do

to make this be a real season. I mean, whether that's 120 games, whether that's 140 games, I don't think they're going to be able to get 160 games out of it. But, you know, when we had that short in season in 95, when we were on striking in 94, you know, they cut the season down a little bit and made it work. So they can make it work. How about playing doubleheaders? Were you a fan to them? I mean, when you played, you know, doubleheaders were a part of baseball, and they still played some day-night doubleheaders with a, you know, empty the stadium to have a 1 o'clock and a 7 o'clock or something like that.

Did you like double-headers or normally did you get that second day off? I didn't like the split. I didn't like the split double-headers. Right. Like the double-headers we played, you know, they were back-to-back. The split-night, day-night double-h headers, they were terrible because that's just a whole, different animal, a whole day at the ballpark, like, really a whole day. Yeah, and that's what they're talking about, Rob, right?

Split double-headers. Right, because that's usually how they make them. The reason they went to that is to make money because you get two different crowds. You know, we as kids, Chris and I were both talking about it, we used to sit there at the ballpark and go there for eight hours and not think anything of it. Right. Do you know what I mean as a fan?

Right, but I didn't like to split. I liked the doubleheaders when we play back to back. Right. Yeah, I can imagine it for a player. Yeah, I like it back to back. And you're going to be there eight hours anyway playing. You're going to be there eight hours anyway playing a back-to-back double-header. I mean, you really think about it.

Yeah, I think they just want the, you know, that extra loot, but it'll be interesting. One last thing for me, the Red Sox, I guess the investigation is done. What do you make? Do you think it's going to be or have you heard anything about

the severity of it or not as severe as Houston? And is this going to be another open wound? Or will people kind of not think about it as much because of what we're going through here? I don't know. I think once baseball starts, everybody's going to get what they deserve.

I mean, when baseball starts, they're going to let them know what time it is. I mean, I would because at the end of the day, you know, that's the part of the game that, you know, what they did wasn't right. I mean, I don't care what you said. What happened? What happened with the Astros was not right. I don't know as far as what they're going to come down on Boston now, but it all ain't right. And I don't know, you know, you hear, Rob, you hear that a lot of people been doing it, you know, not just them. Right.

Now, how much would that have helped you as a hit? Obviously, you had a lot of success not knowing what was coming, but for real. If you knew what was coming, I know. You hit one out of Tiger Stadium. Could you hit it any further if you knew what was coming? No, I wouldn't hit it no further, but can you imagine knowing what's coming every at that? Oh, man. I can't believe I've heard people try to say that it doesn't matter.

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 athletes 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. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsClyce 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. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person.

Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Cliver 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? 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 Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. The story I've. told myself about love or relationships can then shape my behavior and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to yourself. We explore higher consciousness, emotional well-being, and the practices that help you find

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Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. isn't a big advantage. It might not be an advantage for me or Rob before a professional hitter. Man, what's right? Come on. The only thing I wanted to do is so a strike. That's all. That's it.

I hear you. All right. The great Sessler, always. We appreciate the time, man. Take care of yourself and the family. Yes. You got it.

Thank you. Yeah. Stay well. On January 19th, 2020, 22 for BBDO and AT&T radio. Add ID AXWR 0975000. Spot title, Fiber Lifestyles, Meet the Walkers, BAUC-U-60. 60-second radio. Gorgeous Gaming, stunning streams, unbelievable bandwidth.

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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.

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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. We are joined by two-time World Series champion, three-time All-Star. David Justice. David, welcome to the eye couple. Dave. What's up?

What's up? Rob. What's up, Rob. What's up, Rob? What's up, man? How are you? Rob. What's up? Rob, every time I think about you, man, I think of how you try to turn me on a Frank Sinatra. That's right.

Hey, Chris. Only brother I know, James. It could have been worse, David. It could have been worse listening to some of his musical taste on this show. But you know what? I bought Dave the box set of Sinatra trying to get him. I said, man, I want you to just listen to the music. I was so into Sinatra, and I was trying to get Dave to just widen his listening a little bit.

And it didn't work. David, obviously today would be opening day. What's your favorite opening day memory as a player? And we should say this, Chris. He grew up in Cincinnati, David, and was born in Cincinnati. And you know it was a holiday in Cincinnati opening day. Oh, yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hey, listen, my favorite, are you there? Yeah, we're here? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, my favorite opening day memory is always probably seriously. Coming from being in like the fifth grade, sixth grade, they used to bring the TV into the classroom so we could watch the Cincinnati Reds.

Wow. That's like the best. That's how big of a day it was in Cincinnati. I mentioned that that people either got the day off, Chris, or they bought TVs in the work or school. That's how big opening day was. Oh, yeah, yeah. man, Cincinnati Reds, man.

I'm the biggest Cincinnati Reds fan. I mean, my whole life. Even in the Big League, when I first got in the, probably my first five or six years in the big leagues, I used to root for the Reds except when we played them. Right. I get it. That's how much I love the Red.

Wow. Wow. And Dave, when you look at where baseball is and the stuff that's floating around, you know, they're trying to come up with ideas. Obviously, the coronavirus, it's day-to-day. We don't know how long this thing is going to go. There were some stuff thrown out. Maybe that baseball would play some doubleheaders

where the first game would be nine innings and the second game would be seven innings. Or both would be seven. Or both would be seven. I'm sorry, right. What about ideas like this to try to get all the games in depending on the delay? Are you with that?

Well, I'll tell you this, Rob. There's going to be a lot of tired guys if they do that. You know, guys, that'll be something totally different. Could you imagine managing where you'd have to do a double-headed consistently? I mean, managers would lose their mind and try and decide how to use the bullpen for both games. Right. It would be harder, I think, from a pitcher's perspective, than probably a players. But I think they're going to try to do – I mean, these are crazy times right now.

They're just trying to figure out something to get as many games played once they start the season, which as of right now, I don't think they even know when they're going to start, right? No, I don't think anybody knows. The NBA doesn't know. Nobody knows. Even the NFL, there's something that think the NFL could be a delayed start. Well, if they play baseball, they should just start it regularly. Whenever they decide to come back, just have an abbreviated season, however many games that may be.

If it's 90, if it's 100, just whatever it is. And then whoever is the best after those games, just roll with it. What do you think about the notion of playing, say you play playoffs? games in December. Obviously, you can't play everywhere in December. So they take the playoffs to warm weather cities. So basically neutral sites. What do you think about that?

You obviously had a lot of playoff experience playing home in a way. What do you think about that in a neutral site? Well, I'll tell you one team that would not like that is the Yankees. Because the one thing about the Yankees I thought was that made them special was the fact that they had the ultimate 10th man. that Yankee stadium in the playoffs that's a different crowd man

that's a rabid bunch of people and it matters I mean when I played against the Yankees in the playoffs it was a very tough environment to play in and I'm sure every opposing team would love that

but I don't like the neutral site I don't like that and then where would it be who would get the dips on that right right where you're talking about money yeah right I mean that there's no way

they're going to do that. I mean, like I told you, I think you should start the season whenever you started and have an abbreviated season, a shortened season, and just play a regular. There's no way in December you're going to play in New York, that's for sure. So I don't know what to go about that. No doubt about. Now, Dave, you played in Atlanta, Cleveland, of course, the Yankees with the Yankees in New York and the Oakland A's.

And when you talk about baseball towns, I say St. Lewis is the baseball capital of America. I can't get over to support. Obviously, Cincinnati's a great baseball town. Obviously, New York and Boston, and also Detroit, and I'm missing in another city. But there's a lot of them. What was the best place that you played and what's one of the greatest play, even if you didn't play there, greatest baseball town in America?

Well, I'll tell you this. I don't know if you can play in a greater all-around. baseball atmosphere from April through October than New York with the Yankees because I lived in a Yankee neighborhood and it just felt like baseball in the Northeast was just different, man. Like people based their whole day around those Yankee games. 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 SportsSlice 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 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, 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. 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 Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clifford 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. her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue of 42. Hey, Rhett. My mama want you to weigh better. What?

Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. If you're watching the latest season of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, you already know there's a lot to break down. Portia accusing Kelly of sleeping with a merry man. They holding Kay Michelle back from fighting Drew. Pinky has financial issues. I like the bougie style of Housewives show. I think it looks like it's going to be interesting.

On the podcast, Reality with the King, I, Carlos King, recap the biggest moments from your favorite reality shows, including the Real Housewives franchise, the drama, the alliances, and the team everybody's talking about. As an executive producer in reality television, I'm not just watching it. I understand the game. As somebody who creates shows, I'll even say this.

At the end of the day, when people are at home, they want entertainment. To hear this and more, listen to Reality with the King on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. My morning routine, going to get a Starbucks and going to my local deli, I mean, people are always talking Yankees and the game. I think on the road, I got to agree with you, man. St. Louis is a great town. They got great fans support. It's a tremendous fan base. They were the easiest fans in terms of heckling the opposing team.

Like, I can't even remember. Hackled in St. Louis, to be honest with you. But they show a great appreciation for their home team. And I can definitely see how guys have a great time playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. David, what's your take? Chris, let me just squeeze him real quick. I'm sorry. when you were talking about the New York thing, Chris and I have talked about this before.

You're right about the baseball in New York from this standpoint. Even on sports talk radio, where most cities are talking about the NFL or NBA, you could turn on the radio in New York and hear them break down a Yankee game and talk about the entire game for two or three hours. Oh, yeah. Yeah, man. It's a big deal. It's a big deal in New York.

And I really got a chance to see it when I became a Yankee. I mean, the Yankee fans. are some of the most knowledgeable fans that exist. I remember when Alfonso Soriano, I think he hadn't walked in about 70-something at batts or something like that. And all of a sudden he got his first walk and got a standing ovation.

They knew it. I was lost to the dugout. Like, what's going on? Somebody said, that was the first walk. How the heck does the whole stadium know? Right. That's the first walk. I'm telling you.

And I tell another thing I tell about people. That in New York, let's say if I'm hitting and let's say I'm facing a right-hander with First Base Open, and there's a right-hander behind me. And the Yankee fans totally know what's going on. They totally know that they're going to put me on first base. That's how they're playing. They already see in the game. Whereas in other stadiums, they're like, hey, swing the bat, you know, stuff like that.

Right. The Yankee fans are going, oh, yeah, we know what's going on. Hey, hey, don't swing in on day. They're trying to walk you. Take the base. Take the base. It's just, I was amazed by the knowledge of the Yankee fans. But, Roy, when it comes to cheering on your team and really, really coming down on the opposing team, I don't think anybody does it better than Yankee fans.

That's David Justice, two-time World Series champion. And, man, we enjoyed your time. We appreciate you joining us. Thanks a lot. Oh, man. Anytime, fellas. Hey, Rob, get with me, man. You know you, my boy, forever.

No, no doubt about it. And we will, once everything clears up, man. We'll get together, man. Always. All right, brother. All right, stay well. 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

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out. And for some, that feeling lasts more than a moment. We can change that. Learn how at belonging begins with us.org. Brought to you by the ad council. Walk a mile in my shoes. 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. In the closer. Track one. Strike one. Right two. Right three. Here's why MLB is better than the NFL or NBA. And it isn't even close.

Most of MLB America, and for that matter, the entire United States is of heavy hearts with what, what's going on with the coronavirus and the loss of life and sickness. And it has been really tough in the last few weeks in the United States and what we've gone through. But, you know, last week is when opening day would have happened. And that was March 26th on Thursday. And it just really sunk in on how tough it was that we didn't have. have opening day despite on what was going on and we understand the seriousness of it there still were a lot of baseball fans out there who were bummed out about not having opening day so i wrote this

ode to opening day take a listen i have just one word for you on this day it's heartbroken no opening day i understand the circumstances i'm not blind i'm not not crazy. And the coronavirus has stopped many things, many things we love and admire and enjoy. But it doesn't soften the blow. Still, it's so cruel, so disappointing. Today is not just any day. Today usually marks the best sports day of the year for me and so many others. If you're old enough to even remember this, the Reds always had the traditional opening day in Cincinnati. It used to be the greatest Monday of the year because Major League Baseball would open with the Reds playing their first game and then we'd have the NCAA champion

crown that night. This is deep rooted. It's deep, it's deep down. It's a part of our DNA, it's who we are, and it dates back early. Opening day for me was like my Christmas, my present. Nothing could stop my joy on this day. There was nothing more I wanted to hear than... And it's not just me. No way, no how. It's millions of Americans.

MLB sells 70 million benefits. baseball tickets a year more than all the other sports combined. So much of my love for baseball started at an early age. And my family knew how much I loved baseball. Even my mom, who was a stickler for school and about getting your work done. But when I was in junior high school, my mom used to write a fake doctor's note for me so that I could leave school early so that I could get home to watch the Mets on opening day. I had to see the first pitch of the season on TV.

I couldn't come home in the third or fourth inning. I had to see it from the beginning. And back then, I was a Mets fan. I wasn't a reporter. I was a fan. Opening day that stands out to me the most. dates back to college. 1983.

I was a student at Southern Connecticut State University. Me and my three buddies, we hopped in the car. We barely had money for tickets, but we had to see Tom Seaver return to the Mets. We drove from New Haven, Connecticut. And I can remember standing up in our seats in the bleachers and watching Tom Seaver walk from the bullpen

and to the mouth. What a moment it was. Meet the Mets. Step right up and drink the Mets. And even as I got into the sports writing business, and I wasn't a Mets fan anymore, I was still a baseball fan. Still blessed to work in some of the greatest baseball towns in America. In New York, I covered the Mets and the Yankees, and it was awesome to be there, to be on that field where Babe Ruth once played.

And John Sterling, the Yankees announcer, would give any big baseball fan goosebumps with his baseball play-by-play calls. One two. Swung on and driven a deep left. Toward the line. She is gone. Aaron Judge, line run right down the line. A judging blast.

All rise. Here comes the judge. And when I left my hometown of New York to go to Cincinnati, I had a great job covering the Knicks for the Daily News, but I wanted to cover baseball. I went to Cincinnati, one of the all-time great baseball towns. And when I got there on opening day to see the spectacular that I always heard about, it's a holiday in Cincinnati. People are giving the day off. some people there's a parade people take TVs in the work that's how big baseball is in Cincinnati don't forget the Cincinnati Reds were the first professional team in sports history in this

country yes the Cincinnati Red legs and I was honored to go to Detroit to work for to work at the Detroit free press and then the Detroit news and to cover another charter member of the American League, the Detroit Tigers, and people loved the tigers in the old Tiger Stadium. There was nothing more amazing than the sound of the crack of a bat at Tiger Stadium and the roar of the crowd. And in Los Angeles, where I am now in work, there's nothing better than the voice of Vince Scully to get the game going. It's time for Dodger baseball. And as a reporter, you always wanted to get to opening day hours early, four hours early, to enjoy BP, take it all in, usher in a new season, see friends from the past, winter gone by, smell the fresh cut grass, hot dogs with spicy brown mustard, you can smell them from the field.

This has nothing to do with the other sports, but this is tradition. Part of who we are, part of our fabric. Talking baseball, Klausuzzi Kampanella, talking baseball, the man and Bobby Fella, the scooter, the barber and the nuke. They knew them all from Boston to Dubuque. Damn you! coronavirus. Today was supposed to be our day. Today was supposed to be opening day where we would stand and remove our caps all over America to honor our tradition. Do it to all over Canada. And in the bottom of the seventh inning, hanging out with your buds or your family,

or your favorite girl in the seventh inning, you know what we would do. Today is a dark day. There's no other way to look at it. There were no hot dogs. There was no beer. Worst of all, there was no baseball on opening day in America. This man here before you on Fox Sports Radio, I am just heartbroken. 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.

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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 Slicalife 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.

Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. 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 to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

What's up, guys? This is Cliver Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversation. 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? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast.

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