The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Inside the Parker - Ohtani's Bronx Showcase; 1st Place Asterisks; Bauer Allegations; Bobby Bonilla Day!!

Episode Date: July 1, 2021

This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob looks at Shohei Ohtani going off on the Yanks in the Bronx, the Astros shaking off the haters and leading the AL West, the sexual assault allegations against Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer, and the lawsuit filed on behalf of the family of former pitcher Tyler Skaggs over his tragic death. Also, Pocket Protector Stat of the Week, Foul or Fair.Guests: MLB Writer Kevin Kiernan discusses Shoei Ohtani's explosion against the Yankees in the Bronx and the Yankees first half struggles. MLBBro.com Reporter Brandon Carr discusses the annual celebration of Bobby Bonilla Day!Click here to subscribe and download all of the latest Inside the Parker podcasts and follow Rob on Twitter!! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On The Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me.

I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard,

but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Are you ready for the big day?

Not your big day. Her big day. Valentine's Day. Celebrate the one who caught your heart. Go to FTT.com to save 15% through February 14th with code Crush 15 on Fresh. Flores delivered flowers for your sweetheart. See website for details. FTT. FTT. 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 83. Rob Parker. Welcome into another edition of Inside the Parker. I'm your host Rob Parker. What a show we have for you this week. We're going to talk with veteran baseball writer Kevin Kernan.

from ball nine.com. He's going to talk to us about what's going on in the Bronx with the Yankees. Also, from MLBbro.com, Brandon Carr will talk to us about Bobby Bonilla Day. Yes, it has come again. Let's go. It's getting robbed. And keep him up.

Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one. Show Hey, Me, the Money, Otani is. at it again. He's taking his show to Broadway to the Bronx and the New York Yankees as the angels have come to town. And boy, what a performance he's put on at a show with three home runs in the first two games against the Yankees. And on Wednesday night, he was scheduled to be on the mound to pitch in the Bronx. And I don't know about you, but if you were a guy who remember when he was coming to the United States to play baseball.

And I think the Yankees were a finalist, and he wound up picking the angels over the Yankees. And now you look at this two-way star, you say to yourself, the Yankees needed him, especially when you talk about the left-handed bat, the short porch at Yankee Stadium. He was built to play at Yankee Stadium. and instead he's in Anaheim playing for the Angels and imagine what a star. I mean, he's already a must-see TV and a star, but imagine if he was playing in the Bronx and he picked the Yankees instead of the Angels. Number two.

Here we go again, the most hated team in baseball that Houston Astros are in first place in the AL West, a game and a half ahead of the Oakland-Aid. as of Wednesday. And Houston is now falling on some hard times. Coming into Wednesday, they had lost four or five. But prior to that, you know, they had that 11-game winning streak. They had won 15 out of 17 and came roaring back. And Dusty Baker, the manager there in Houston, it's been incredible.

You remember last year they made the playoffs. They made a run. People were afraid that they might even get to the World Series last year. but the Astros, despite what they've been through with the cheating scandal and the trash cans, losing an ace like Justin Verlander this year, they're still making it happen. And the Astros, here's a number for you, because they're doing it with their bats. They're run differential this year plus 130, plus 130 runs. the next closest coming into Wednesday

was Tampa Bay with plus 84. How about this for comparison? The Yankees are at zero coming into Wednesday run differential. They're giving up as many runs as they're scoring. But when it comes to Houston, plus 130, that's why they're in first place, one and a half game lead over the A's as we enter. Wednesday night.

Number three. We also have a couple of news headlines that's played out, including Dodgers starter Trevor Bauer, who's now facing allegations of assault, which stems from a previous sexual encounter with a woman earlier this year. So, you know, Trevor Bauer and a little bit of hot water, obviously there's going to be an investigation. Trevor Bauer, of course, denies the allegations. His attorney in a lengthy statement said that it was no wrongdoing on the part of his client.

But no doubt about it. Major League Baseball will, of course, have an investigation. And so will the police department. So there it is. And the Dodgers as well. So Trevor Bauer, in a bit of a hot water, we'll see how this thing all plays out. But not good. news. There's also a lawsuit filed by Tyler Skaggs' family against the Los Angeles Angels.

You will remember that the former Angels pitcher died of a drug overdose while with the team. And then we later find out that the drugs were supplied by an employee of the Angels. So the family is now suing the Angels. This will be very interesting to see how this thing all shakes out. But the angels have something on their hands that they will have to figure out as they go forward. But so much legal news in baseball this week. Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn. Oh, it's so good. All right. Now let's welcome to the podcast. A longtime friend of mine, one of the best baseball writers in the country, Kevin Kernan from ball9.com. He writes a column twice a week.

also does some writing for Aaron Rogers website. Kevin, what's up, buddy? How are you? Rob, always great to be with you. We've had, if I go through my pictures, I see you and me in a lot of ballparks together getting a picture taken. No doubt about it. Kev, let's start with Otani in the Bronx on Broadway,

and he hasn't disappointed three home runs in the first two games. He was scheduled to pitch Wednesday night. Just talk about Otani. two-way star and what the Yankees really missed out on when he picked the Angels. Well, yeah, that's a great point. And writing a column about that for ball and mine, I've been on this since early April. I've been predicting all these Yankee problems because I just saw it coming.

They're too far into the nerd game. Casperin, here's the background. When Stick Michael passed away, that's when basically the voice, the baseball voice to Hal Steinbrenner was lost. Cash from got total control. He went total nerd, total analytics, and this is where we're at. The Yankees have made a lot of mistakes.

Otani, they couldn't get Otani. So here's the key word, Rob, and we've heard this way before, and I call him out on it. They pivoted. They pivoted to Stanton. So you're trying to get a left-handed power herder, which you desperately need, and you can't get Otani, so you pivot to a slow-footed, right-handed guy who's always hurt.

So it was a mistake right from the beginning. O'Tani should be – all I know is if George was around, O'Tonies the Yankee somehow gets done. You don't let that get away. And we've seen what he's done. And tonight, we have a great match-up, but the Yankees have no sense of theater. And they're giving Aaron Judge a day off. You know, he needs a rest day.

And so we don't get that great at bat in the very first thing. O'Tani versus Judge. So, you know, everything they've done has really gone away from baseball. Meanwhile, teams like to raise in the Red Sox. Alex, you and I know Alex's a long time. Alex wants, he desperately wants to beat you. He will do whatever it takes over the weekend

when they beat the Yankees swept him. He loved bringing in Garrett Whitlock, who they stole from the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft. He not only puts the knife in you, he likes to twist the knife a little bit. So that's the difference, the competitive level. Are the Yankees dead completely not yet because there's so many bad teams, but they've really put themselves in a hole.

Kevin, you brought up Brian Cashman, and for a general manager to say, basically, we suck, and to put it out there, and he did, I'll give him credit, he did take responsibility and not put it on manager, Aaron Boone, because this is definitely a personnel problem with the Yankees and the type of players. So Brian Cashman, has he been there too long? Maybe it's time for a change. Well, here's a stat I use, and we've known Catch a long time.

But once he got away from his baseball people, that's key. He changed. He changed how he runs the team. So here's a stat that puts it all in perspective, Rob, for everyone. Since 2003, the Yankees have won as many World Series as the Marlins, one. And they're spending $200 million this year and everything. So, yeah, I think the pressure is really on him now. He's really had a takewalk and no accountability.

That's why there's no accountability with the team. And, yeah, he says the Yankees suck, but he has sucked about it. It's a right-handed hitting team that can be pitched to. We know what's going to happen to the Yankees. Even if they make the postseason, it's going to be like past postseason. Good pitchers will shut them down. They don't play good defense. The stat I look at, Rob, here's a huge stat.

huge stat. Runters in scoring position, we all know about that, but here's what I look at. With runners in scoring position, the Yankees have hit up until two days ago, until you came yesterday, they hit 14 doubles all year. They don't slash. They don't hit the ball to the gaps. They don't run the base as well. They finally hit two the other day after I printed that stat.

Maybe I woke somebody up. But the Astros have 48 doubles with runners and scoring position. So they haven't hit with runners in scoring position. They haven't defended well. And the pop fly with Divers scores the other day, the first base. Boyd had no idea he was coming home. Nobody talks to each other. You know, nobody's pointing out things.

They really miss that, you know, and Gito can't play forever, but they need that, that cog, that guy who should be Jeter. And he had a mistake they made, and I said it two years ago, getting rid of Dedy was killer. They lost the left-in-a-bat, the guy who was a leader in the clubhouse, and also did a solid job at shortstop. They think anyone can play anywhere. You can't move labor tourists to shortstop.

It's affected his game completely. And that's why he's struggling now. Our guest is Kevin Kernan. Longtime New York baseball writer wrote for the post for a million years now. A columnist with Ball9.com. You writes a column twice a week. And when you look at the Yankees as we go forward as well, you can't help but talk about Googate and Garrett Cole

and whether they got sold to bill of goods for $324 million. How do you think this is going to shake out? Will Garrett Cole bounce back and be the guy who was as dominant with the goo or is this a bad sale here? Yeah, Googate. I love that. And it could be a terrible signing. But I will say this. I have faith in this kid.

Here's the thing that people don't realize about Garrett Cole. He was, he was, you know, he sometimes thinks too much. And we've been around guys like that forever. You know, so he gets into the spin rates. He gets into all this. He also relied very heavily. He had one of his best friends. His father was Matt Keough, the former pitcher, who was a great scout, great pitcher.

And he passed away last year. So he lost that sounding board of a veteran pitcher who really helped. helps him out with things. He needs to, Matt Keel needs to do what the Grom is doing. Ride your fastball. Forget about spin rate. Command your fastball.

Challenge with your fastball. His fastball, and when you command your fastball, you're not leaving a 3-0 fastball right down the middle of the plate or lead off fastball for Kiki Hernandez right down the middle of the plate. That's what he has to do.

So I think that Gugate, if he really takes it as a challenge, because the Yankees have a very young pitching coach, Matt Blake, the sequencing and all that stuff. And it's not about sequencing. If you can beat somebody, you beat them. You read their swings and you react off their swings.

So I think there's still a chance for a sunny day for Garicol if he makes those adjustments because he does have good stuff. You can't say he doesn't. He's a hard worker. This is the kind of kid. He went to the UCLA salt when I discovered him in spring training like a year ago when we were still down in the clubhouse. He ran over to the UCLA team.

having a softball tournament over in Clearwater, he ran over to it. You know, so he's a good sports kid. He just needs to get away from the nerds a little bit and just start being a little tougher physically and mentally. All right. There it is. Kevin Kernan, one of my best friends in baseball and a hell of a writer. Check him out on ball nine.com.

Kev, we'll do it again. Thanks, buddy. Hey, I need a haircut, too, so you can take care of me, buddy. Always. A win is a win. A win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw,

unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. And the next, we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations,

stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes,

follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. It's up. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking.

What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me.

just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. 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. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

I'm talking, Tript 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 Hard Way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the HardW. way and listen now. You know it. Take care. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at foxsportsradio.com.

And within the IHard Radio app, search FSR to listen live. Now open Key Point Credit Union at 7030 Santa Teresa Boulevard in San Jose. Get the low rates you'd expect from a community-based not-for-profit credit union. special new member offer credit programs for those just starting out learn more at kpc u.com slash st branch key point credit union next generation neighborhood banking look for 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,

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and our family bonds grow too, because when we disconnect from this and connect with this, We reconnect with each other. The forest is closer than you think. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the Ad Council. It's time for the Pocket Protector Central.

The analytic numbers you need to know, well, maybe. Anthony Masterson is his name. BS analytics is his game. What do you got for me, Anthony? I know people keep talking about Shohei Otani, but I really don't think we can talk enough about what he's doing this season. It's made even more crazy by comparing him to his peers. Let's start with pitching. Sure, he's great, obviously.

258 ERA, fifth in the American League, better than Garrett Cole and Tyler Glass now. His strikeout percentage of 33.1% also fifth, better than Lucas Gialito. Opponents hitting 188 off him, better than you Darvish, including an absurd 0.86 against his split. Yeah, as a hitter, he's elite. Not only to Shohei lead all of baseball and extra base hits, he's only behind Vladdy Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. in OPS and Slugging. Going deeper, he leads the league in barrels and barrel rate, and his average exit velocity is only behind guys like Judge, Vladdy, Acuna, and Machado, while his hard hit percentage, the number of hits above 95 miles an hour, is only behind Judge. But that's not all. He's one of only three players

this season with 20 homers and 10 steals, joining Tatis and Acuna, and he is a sprint speed of 28.9 feet per second. Anything above 30 is considered elite. Faster than guys like Whitmerfield, Cedric Mullins, and Trevor Story. Plus, he'll be the first Japanese-born player and first pitcher in the home run derby in a few weeks in Colorado. He's a unicorn. He's captain of the varsity team. He is literally doing it all. Turn money into more money. Now it's time for betting on the bases with Dave Gascot. Love that money.

Love that money. Hey, Rob, we got some interesting games over the weekend. Friday's menu looks awfully good. Dodgers are in D.C. against the Nationals, Padres and Phillies from Philadelphia. And the Mets and the Yankees, I know New York, the Mets, that is. They've been led by Jacob de Grom. He's not pitching in this ballgame on Friday. They're going up against Garrett Cole, though.

They've been laboring as a late. Yankees only a couple games over 500. I'm not going to touch them at all in this weekend series. Games that I will be looking at. First off, I'm looking at the Angels and Orioles. That game is in Anaheim. I'm taking the Angels in this one. Shohiawitani continues to swing a red hot bat.

I'm taking the home team in that affair. I'm also taking the Giants. They're in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. Alex would be throwing for San Francisco in that contest. And I'm also taking the Chicago White Sox. They're on the road against your lowly. Detroit Tigers. Lance Lynn is on the bump.

7 and 3 this season, ERA at 206. I'm taking the White Sox and the victory in that one as well. Take out the papers in the trash. It's time for Trash Talk Twitter. Your chance to trash anyone or anything in Major League Baseball. This week's trash comes from DeBronx, D-A-B-R-O-N-X, from M. Brown at ProMeil 161. and he is not happy with Gugate,

and he tweeted me this, the Yanks got scammed by Garrett Cole for $324 million. No sticky stuff. Now he's back to who he was in Pittsburgh, and I'm pissed. If you want to have your trash on the podcast, hit me up on my Twitter at Rob Parker, FS1.

When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto. If I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer or broadcaster, old or new. All right, now let's welcome to the program, Brandon Carr, who is a content reporter for MLBBro.com. And he has a piece on the website today, July 1st, which of course is Bobby Bonilla Day. Brandon, welcome to the podcast

and tell us for all of people who don't know why today is Bobby Bonilla Day. Today is a special day. Special people of color for outsmarting the men and getting one over on the man. So Bobby Bonilla back in 1999,

he was old, I want to say, almost $6 million. But due to the Mets being involved with Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme, they didn't have the money to pay him. And so they basically basically, like, oh, man, we just work a deal and just get you away from us, man.

We'll just pay you over $1.2 million starting in 2011 for 24 years, and we give your 8% interest rate, whatever. So they was thinking that, you know, the cost or the price of inflation or whatever may be down. It may not be up or whatever. So it's like a gamble. And he's like, you know what, I take the deal, whatever.

And long story short, now, he's one of the next highest paid players still. He hasn't played baseball for the Mets. It's 1999. So it's a glorious day for black baseball players. It is crazy that the Mets could make a deal, Brandon, where they owe somebody $5.9 million. And instead, from 2011 to $2035, I mean, this is 2021.

He still has 14 years. And on July 1st of every year, he's going to get $1.9 million a year. who in the world could have come up with this idea? When you do your research and you were writing your story about this, did you scratch your head and say, how did this happen? Oh, yeah, he had to give all props to one, like you said, Bobby Ben here, but two, it was his agent. I believe his name was like Dennis Gilbert, and hopefully that's his name.

And, you know, he got called into the office, and he was just working out in negotiations or whatever, with the organization. He was like, you know what? He conversated with Bobby Benilla. Bina, Bina was down for deferred payments. And at the time, you know, it was. It's not really new for players of that magnitude of a deferred payments.

But like I said, he was like, you know what? I'll take it. It is what it is. I have the money for the future. I have a lot of money right now. I have some money when I'm an old man. And like I said, it just came to fruition. He looked like a genius right now.

So we got to give it to him and give it up to his agent as well. No doubt about it. I mean, I see Bobby Bonnier every so often at All-Star Games and see them around. Always has a big smile on his face and for good reason. Because anybody who could broker a deal like this and still have another 11 years to go is pretty amazing. But thanks for that piece on MLBBro.com. Check out Brandon Carr's work. A win is a win.

A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skiske out. The reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. And the next, we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

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

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

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

I mean, at this point, this is the second episode where we've discussed, correct. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now.

Thank you finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host. and your favorite therapist,

Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase

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

Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast. Learn the Hardway. Open your free, our heart radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. on the site.

And Brandon, thanks for joining the podcast. We appreciate it. Better up. It's Jones in for baseball. A fan's take on the game we love. Hello, everyone. This is Jones Wittner. I hope everyone is doing well

and getting ready for this upcoming holiday weekend. Something interesting happened this past week. Usually around this time of the year, barbershop talking straight about NBA playoffs. However, this time, one of the barbers randomly goes, your Vlad Jr. is type nice, which transitioned to a combo about father and son athletes. In my eyes, there's an actual difference when you're living in an era

and you have the opportunity to actually watch these guys play on a day-to-day basis versus watching old highlights on YouTube. I'm definitely envious of the generation before me that got a chance to experience both the Griffey's on the same team. I caught Griffey around the middle of his stand with the res. And don't get me wrong, he was a great player, but he was an actual phenom. on the Mariners. That leads me

to why it's so special to watch Vladdy Jr. I actually grew up having the opportunity to watch his Pops played and I remember him vividly for swinging at everything and still making contact. Yeah, there's a lot of players who are currently in the show whose Pops played professionally. In fact, some on Vladdy's team. But it's extremely rare when both Pops

and some play at an extremely high level. I would advise everyone to cherish these moments in sports. especially the younger generation because you're going to blink and Tatease the third is going to be playing short for the Yankees and you're going to think to yourself where did the time go. The beautiful part about it is that as long as there's baseball this cycle will continue to happen.

This Valentine's Day, you know just what to get that special someone because you know what makes them tick. Their favorite bouquet of roses and a box of chock. Roses and a scented can't. A teddy bear. Roses and a teddy bear. Yeah, a teddy bear. So head on over to proflowers.com to get fresh this Valentine's Day

and get 15% off gifts for your special someone with promo code Crush 15. That's Crush 15 at Proflowers.com for 15% off through February 14th on flowers, gifts, and more for Valentine's Day. See website for details. 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. Adoption of teens from foster care is a topic not enough people know about and we're here to change that. I'm April Dinwiddie host of the new podcast, Navigating Adoption, presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Each episode brings you compelling real-life adoption stories told by the families that live them with commentary from experts.

Visit Adoptuskids.org slash podcast or subscribe to navigating adoption presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families and the Ad Council. Now bring in the closer. Track one. Strike two. Strike two. The right three. He's out.

Here's why MLB is better than the NFL or NBA. And it isn't even close. Reason number 1,566 why baseball is better than the NBA in the NFL is because of the All-Star game. Yes. You know, the NBA, they kind of took it away from the fans and gave it to the players. It's the fans game. The fans should decide who they want to see.

And the best part right now, we're in phase two of the fans. the All-Star voting. So there's still time and for people to decide who they want to see as starters in the All-Star games. It's names like Aaron Judge and Shohei Otani, Juan Soto, Max Muncie. They're all vying for to be starters in the All-Star game. So if you're a fan and you haven't voted, you still have time. So you can Google MLB All-Star ballot to get your ballot. fans can keep voting for their favorite players until today, Thursday, July 1st at 2 p.m.

Eastern. So if you're listening to the podcast and it's before 2 p.m. Eastern, you still have time. Or you can just go to MLB.com slash vote and you can vote for your favorite player. You can vote daily on all kinds of platforms, including once a day on MLB.com. but the All-Star game, which I will attend in Denver coming up. I can't wait. It's still the best All-Star game, and it's the best because the fans have the final say. 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. This Valentine's Day, you know just what to get that special someone. because you know just what makes them tick.

So head on over to proflowers.com to get fresh this Valentine's Day and get 15% off through February 14th on gifts for your special someone with promo code crush 15. See website for details. 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 I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying.

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

Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it, with our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors.

Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. Before it was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHart podcast. Guaranteed Human.