The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Inside the Parker - Pitchers and Catchers; Big Papi Poppin' Off; Tebow Retirement; Tatis Jr. Massive Deal; 7x MLB All-Star Matt Holliday

Episode Date: February 18, 2021

This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob rejoices over pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training, looks at the universal DH reversal, discusses Big Papi's criticism of today's game, Tim Tebow calling it quits on his pro baseball career, and Fernando Tatis, Jr. agreeing to a massive 14-year, $340 million extension.Guests: 7x MLB All Star Matt Holiday discusses the Dodgers adding Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer, and if the Rays traded ace Blake Snell, even by their standards. MLB Writer J.R. Gamble gives his 4 players to watch for the 2021 season.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. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 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 Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's with 1800flowers.com.

From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1,800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted wows. rose medley for $3999 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. From the Berkshires to the sound. From wherever you live in MLB America, this is Inside the Parker.

You give us 22 minutes and we'll give you the scoop on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame voter number 86. Rob Parker. Welcome to the show. We have a great podcast for you today. Coming up, we'll talk with former Major League outfielder Matt Holliday. He'll talk about some of the great storylines that we have coming up in the 2021 season. Also, J.R. Gamble from the Shadow League, he'll break down some of the exciting players we need to keep an eye on in the upcoming season.

That's right. It's inside the Parker. Let's go. Better up. To lead off, it's getting robbed. And keep them up. Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one.

That's right. The seven greatest words in the English language were uttered all over baseball America on Wednesday. Pitchers and catchers report the spring training. Yes. We know there's snow on the ground all over the country. We know the weather's terrible. hours out in Texas, but we know spring is coming. We know baseball is coming. This is the day we all wait for after the Super Bowl in February when pitchers and catchers show up to Florida and Arizona

and get ready for yet another season. This will not be an abbreviated 60 game season as we had just last year in the pandemic. We'll have more of a regular season. A lot of baseball. to be played. There's a chance that fans could be in the stands at some point during this baseball season. There have been some player movement, some teams like the Dodgers got richer, teams like the Padres improved. We have so much to look forward to and I can't wait. We'll be bringing you this podcast, of course, once the regular season starts, every week, it's your baseball fix and you don't want to miss it. Number two.

The 2021 season will definitely be a season of adjustments on the field this spring. National League pitchers will again pick up the bat. Expectations are that the universal DH will not NOT apply. And that's unless somehow the MLB and MLB Players Association bring the issue back and put it on the table and decide before opening day. But for right now, it will not happen. And the other thing that we're going to see is Florida teams will play more regionalized schedule in spring training than in past years.

Managers can agree to shorten exhibition games. If nine innings aren't deemed necessary, that's something else that will happen. We will once again see runners put on second base for extra innings. We'll see that. We'll also, that's something that, you know, we have to wait. Double-headers will be seven innings. So they're leaving that open again just in case we have games that are canceled or postponed because of COVID. But you'll need a full pitching staff because we're expected to play closer to the 162 games after just playing the 60.

So there's a lot of different things that are happening. but for the most part, it will be baseball as usual. It'll be different and people are excited to get back to more of a regular season. We just kind of wet our appetite last year, but this will be full-blown and we can't wait. Number three. Last thing, I'm going to bring a little damper on the celebration of the return of baseball and spring training. David Ortiz recently spoke on what. why baseball is hard for him to watch.

And he's talking about the current way the game is played. And he was quoted recently as saying, quote, to me it's messed up. The game has changed a lot. Coaches only want kids to hit home runs, and that's all they practice. To him, he's saying, end quote, Ortiz is saying that the game has just become

strikeouts and home runs which is boring to him and I think he has a point we have reached a point where baseball is two two dimensional guys are swinging for the fences it is about home runs strikeouts people don't seem to be bothered by it anymore and this two looks a lot like the NBA

where it's all about the three pointers the mid-range game is done Small ball and baseball is done. I think Big Poppy has a point that we need to get back to some of the, you know, fundamentals of baseball, moving guys over, hitting run, stolen bases. I would love to see a return to that. I get the stat geeks. I get the analytics.

But I'm with Big Poppy on this. Just watching guys strike out and hit home runs is really not fun. Number four. It's all over. it's all done on Wednesday. The New York Mets announced that outfielder Tim Tebow was retiring from pro baseball. That's right. At 33, Tim Tebow was going to throw in the towel.

He signed with the Mets back in 2016, participated in an instructional league. Remember, he even hit a home run in his first that bat in the game against the St. Louis Cardinals. People went crazy. People were buying this journey. Jersey's like crazy for a guy who never even made it to the 40, wasn't even on the 40 man roster. And yet when it all was over in three professional seasons, Tim Tebow batted 223 with 107 runs scored,

48 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs, and 107 RBI. That was in 287 games. And he didn't make it. He wound up being a two-time loser, not being able to make it as a quarterback in the NFL and not being able to make it to the major leagues for even one at bat.

The Mets had flirted with the idea of bringing them up when they were bad but decided that they would not do it. So there it is. Tim Tebow done with baseball. Number five. On the day when pitchers and catchers showed up for spring training, the biggest news in baseball was again,

Fernando Tatis Jr., the superstar, most exciting player in the league, and it wasn't about his play on the field. It was about a 14-year, $340 million contract extension. You heard it right. 14 years, $340 million, that's what's being reported. Robert Murray of Fanside is reporting that the deal is worth that amount of money in just two seasons. I mean, this is unheard of. Tatis has definitely skyrocketed to a superstar with the swag and the home run and this play at shortstop. I mean, he has transcended the Padres into much C TV.

He, of course, is the son of former Major League third baseman Fernando Tatis. But my goodness, he burst on to the scene in 2019 as a rookie batting 317, 22 home runs. at 53 RBIs. And last year, got the Padres in the playoffs, was unbelievable batted 277, 17 home runs, 45 runs batted in, 11 steals, 50 runs scored, and that was in 59 games. He was clearly an NL MVP candidate. And you know what? Kudos to the Padres.

Don't let your guy get away. He is going to be a Padre for a long time to come. What a great deal for the Padres to lock up their superstar and not let anyone at them. I love this for both Tatis Jr. And I love this for the Padres. Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn. Oh, it's so good.

All right. Now let's welcome into the podcast. Matt Holliday, the former outfielder who was an unbelievable record machine in his major league career with the bad. course he played for Colorado, the A's, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, won a championship in 2011 with the Cardinals and had over 2,000 hits, batted over 300, 8 times. We could go on and on and on. Matt, welcome to the podcast. Hey, thanks, Rob. Thanks for having me. No doubt. I always call St. Louis the baseball capital of the United States.

There's some great baseball towns like New York and like Boston and like L.A., but there's something about St. Louis. How did you enjoy playing there? I really enjoyed it. Like you said, it's the most important thing in town. You know, I think that when you talk about New York and Boston, great sports towns, L.A., great sports towns. But really, I think the Cardinals in St. Louis and kind of the,

I think in the whole area is just, you know, people are Cardinal crazy. So, you know, I grew up in baseball. My dad was a coach. grew up in Oklahoma, which isn't far, just kind of a baseball nut, and then to get a chance to play for an organization like that, and then to play in front of those fans, it gets to be a Cardinal for seven-plus years. I truly was a blessing. No doubt. And the Cardinals are always trying to win. That's what I love about that organization. They always are trying to win. organization that won, Matt, I want to talk about some of the 2021 spring training that started,

and here we are. Another baseball season is coming quickly. The Dodgers, of course, won the World Series for the first time since 1988. They picked up Trevor Bauer, who won the National League, Sy Young. Are the Dodgers even better this year? You know, I can't imagine that they're going to be any worse. You know, I think when I look at their lineup, They got Turner back, which is helpful, but their lineup is a little bit young and a little bit thin on the backside, I think, in my opinion.

But it's hard to argue against their pitching. You know, I think that they're starting pitching in particular when you add Bauer is strong or stronger than everybody else. I think they're depth. And David Price, don't forget. He didn't pitch last year, David Price. Yeah, so they have the pitching. I think even when you look at Dustin May and they have a couple young guys that, that most teams would try to give an opportunity to start in the rotation that are waiting.

So you have depth at the rotation, which sometimes you need. There's going to be injuries. There's going to be guys misstarts. And when you have that kind of depth, that separates them for me from everybody else. But I think that when you have an ownership group that's got that kind of money and they're extremely competitive, they go out and they sign Bauer after they win the World Series. They don't just say, well, we've got David Price coming back, and we've got a couple young guys that need an opportunity that aren't making any money

that we'll be able to plug into the rotation. But they said no, and they keep spending money, and they keep trying to win the World Series and, you know, responding to what the Padres are doing. So it's going to be a very good team and a very interesting National League West. No doubt. The flip side is the Tampa Bay raise. They make it to the World Series last year. They lose to the Dodgers in six games.

and the guy on the mound who was pitching his butt off, Blake Snell, who has a very manageable contract, gets dealt to the Padres. If you're a Tampa Bay race fan, I mean, Matt, this got to hurt you, right, that they gave up their race? Yeah, I mean, I think if you're a Tampa Bay raise fan, you start to expect some of these things, right? I think, yes, in a manageable contract and a guy that's young

who's had several really, really good seasons, I think it's definitely disappointing. I do think that Tampa Bay has earned a little bit of credit with their fan base and that they consistently are turning things over and trading some of their best players, but they're doing a really good job of getting good young prospects in return that keep them afloat in that market. So I think it obviously, it stings and probably will have an effect this year. But I think in their minds, they probably got some return that will allow them to continue to compete.

with a lower salary, you know, with a lower, just continuing to operate. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, CliverTaylor 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 Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover, and a Gen.X woman walking through life one hot flash

and hormonal crying jag at a time. You ladies know what I mean. I'll bet you a paramedipausal chin here you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How Hard Can It Be with Deanna Maria Riva, where I call on my GenX squads from a Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate

Midlife's most fantastic BS. All of a sudden, I'd had hanginess happening on my I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that nest was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, sex

drive, wait, what sex? Dating at 45, how can it be getting naked at 50 with the new guy? That one's kind of hard, well, that's lighting. They say we can't polish a turd, but We're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears or tears of laughter, and dive into it unfiltered and unbothered and ask,

How Hard Can It Be? I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of My Cultura Podcast Network available on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam, this Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and our...

Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows. Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup,

he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stopped by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah.

You figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On a budget that's lower than everybody else. So I guess I'm not surprised that they did that, just knowing how they operate and how much they rely on numbers and what they kind of expect probably out of Snell and what they got in return. So it's frustrating as fan, I'm sure. But like I said, I think that we all understand who the Tampa Bay Rays are and that they trade their best players when they get, you know,

when they get closer to free agencies. All right, Matt, thanks for joining the podcast. We appreciate it. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1-800flowers.com is your ultimate birthday gifting destination. 1-800 Flowers has thoughtful and artfully created options that are guaranteed to deliver the best birthday surprise. Shop thousands of unique gifts at 1-800flowers.com for exclusive offers and great values. To order today, visit 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in.

That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. Adoption of teens from foster care is a topic not enough people know about, and we're here to change that. I'm April Dinnwit 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 AdoptuS.kids.org slash podcast or subscribe to navigating adoption presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health at Human Services. Services Administration for Children and Families and the Ad Council. 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.

When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto. If I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer or broadcaster, older new. All right, now let's welcome into the podcast, J.R. Gamble, senior writer and editor at the shadowleague.com. A baseball expert, one of my favorite people, man, can you believe it? Spring training is upon us, and I don't know about you, but I am excited. I'm excited too.

I'm excited for another year of podcasts and baseball and actually up close to what will be a full season. No, no doubt about it. Not an abbreviated season like last year. All right. I figured we need to talk to you and figure out, give me four or five players that we need to be on the lookout for in the 2021 baseball season. Number four. Toronto Blue Jays, pre-agent acquisition,

center field of George Springer. You know, the former World Series MVP, he wanted out of Houston, and he basically wanted to get away from the stain of the cheating scandal that haunted the franchise. So now Spring is considered Toronto's biggest free agent acquisition since Roger Clemens, and I'm interested to find out if he can elevate Toronto to contender status because they've been building towards that. He should be a great influence on their young rising stars and second generation ballers, Bo Pichette and Vlad Darrero Jr.

And very excited to see Springer in the AL East. Number three. Tampa Bay Ray's outfielder Randy a Rose Arena. Last spring training, nobody knew who this kid was. But the MLB COVID season produced several young superstars, Rob. And he was one of them, breaking out and looking like Miguel Cabrera in the playoff. In the World Series of Rosarina went 8 for 22, three home runs. in 20 postseason games, he slashed 377, 442, and 831 slugging with 10 homers.

So I'm naturally interested to see what he does over 154 game season. With the league adjusting to him, he won't sneak up on anyone this time. Number two. Number two is Seattle Mariners outfielder Kyle Lewis, another black night. Seattle has more black players than any team in baseball. and the 25-year-old Lewis is probably the best of them. I'm looking forward to seeing how the multi-tube player elevates his game in year three of his Mariners rebuild. 11 home runs this season tied for the big league lead among rookies.

He also let A.L. Rookies and everything, Rob Ward, total bases, times on base, run scored, on base percentage, making pancakes. He has the talent to be as good as Tori Hunter or Kenny Lofton, but only time will tell. Number one. Another second-generation baller, Key Brian Hayes, third baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unfortunately, the pirates are going to be there, traditional, awful cells. But this one shining light is the 230rd basement, Hayes. The Pirates finished last year, the 60-game season with the record of 19 and 41, 15 games out behind the Cub.

But once Hayes came up, he started mashing and flashing that potential gold glove. and the team played a little better. So he's providing hope for the future. His dad, Charlie, was a heck of a third baseman. And K. Brian is a product of MLB's diversity program and should be even better. His dad, I covered in 1996, when he was with the Yankees, Charlie Hayes, great guy.

Don't forget, he caught the final out of that World Series in foul territory. Do you remember that? I do. When he leaped up to the sky with both of his legs in a full split in the air. No doubt, one of the memorable moments in baseball history for sure. Yes, sir.

J.R. Gamble from the Shadow League, always. Great information, great stuff. Thank you, Rob. Good luck with everything. I'll speak soon. 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. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your valentine with 1,800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $39.99, or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1-800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1-800flowers.com.

slash tune in. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard 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 Jay. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s.

84 was a wild year. 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 Podcast. or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying.

Yep, that's me, Clivert Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes,

creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford Show on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast.

Guaranteed human.