The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Inside the Parker - Pro-MLB Playoff Bubble; Judge Injury Watch; Sorry Astros; Guests: Doc Gooden Talks DeGrom, Pedro Gomez on Astros Karma

Episode Date: August 13, 2020

This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob supports MLB moving to a playoff bubble model, hopes Aaron Judge's lower body injury won't derail his torrid start to the season, and isn't crying for the Astros during their recent rough slump.Guests: Young winner and 3-time World Series champ Doc Gooden gives his thoughts on the early MLB season and what he loves about Mets ace Jacob DeGrom. if he would have played in a pandemic season. ESPN MLB Reporter Pedro Gomez discusses early MLB season surprises and why no one is feeling sorry for the Astros. Click here to subscribe and download all of the latest Inside the Parker podcasts!! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. 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 Podcasts, 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 flowers. 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 into the podcast. I am Rob Parker, your host. What a show we have for you today. One of the all-time great pitchers in baseball, Doc Gooden, that's right. He joins us on the podcast. Also, ESPN National Correspondent, Pedro Gomez.

He will as well appear. Let's go. To lead off, it's getting robbed. And keep him up. Rob's hot take on the three biggest story. in Major League Baseball. Number one. According to sources,

Major League Baseball could come up with an idea of having a bubble-type format for the postseason. It wouldn't be like the NBA at a single site, maybe more like the NHL where they have multiple sites, something like that, where they could try to keep the players safe. For the most part, most of baseball is functioning. You know, you do have the outbreaks with the Marlins and the Cardinals, but to make sure to ensure that we have a postseason without interruption, a bubble-type idea for the playoffs?

Sounds like a good idea. Number two. We're not sure how serious this could be, but on Tuesday night, Aaron Judge was pinch-hit, and then Wednesday he wasn't going to be in the lineup because of what they called, quote, lower-bileged, tightness, and that would be with the calves and the hamstring. Aaron Judge has to stay healthy for the Yankees.

That's what everybody was hoping that this season he could stay on the field. He's off to an unbelievable start, leading Major League Baseball and home runs with nine, tied for the Major League lead in RBIs with 20. And if this was a full season and considering how many games the Yankees would have played, Aaron Judge would be on a pace. Are you ready for 101 home runs and 283 RBIs? Wow. The Yankees just hope that he can be healthy again and bring that bat with him.

Number three. Maybe it's just karma. What else could it be? The Houston Astros have an unbelievable roster, but somehow some way, three of their big-time hitters are struggling. going into Wednesday's action, Jose Al Tuve batting 183, George Springer batting 182,

Alex Bregman batting 224. This is the same team that's gone to the World Series two years in a row, and instead they are struggling. Even their bullpen has been putrid so far with seven blown saves. Get this. Last year, the Astros blew just 20 games all year en route to their third straight AL West title. And now they're on pace for 25 blown saves and a shortened season.

So maybe it's karma, maybe it's just a bad start, maybe it's just bad luck. But the Astros right now, they sting. Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn. Oh, it's so good. All right, now let's welcome to the podcast, one of my favorites. Dwight Gooden, better known as Doc Gooden, Dr. K, who of course was a rookie of the year in 1984, took baseball by storm, was an unbelievable

pitcher, and he joins us on the podcast. What's up, Doc? Yeah, it's good. How you doing, my man? Doing great. Let's talk some baseball. Jump right into it. Playing during the pandemic, this has been something. Baseball has done a pretty good job. A couple of teams have had outbreaks, but for the moment. part, everybody else has kind of stayed safe and have I had a lot of negative tests. Doc, what do you make of playing during the pandemic? And if you were still playing, would you have played or would you have opted out? That's a great question.

Yeah, I think baseball is doing a great job considering, and I know like the mornings, a lot of guys have got positive at one time. You know, it's tough when, you know, guys were already shut down in the house when it's the stuff first started to start traveling their team. So it's kind of expected some guys are going to test positive. But I think baseball is doing the best job they possibly can. Me personally, I guess speaking from a fan of baseball, because I'm a fan, I'm glad baseball is packed.

I think if it was doing my area or if I was playing, I don't think me personally I would play. Only because of being a pitcher, there's nothing, when it's strange training to stop, there's nothing you can really duplicate a baseball game. I think that's probably a lot of injuries to these pitchers, not only shoulders but just with his hamstrings or Achilles or whatever, have you because of that.

And then when it came back, I guess the only train or the summer cams only for about three weeks, then you jump into it. And plus, without fans, that's got to be on a middle standpoint. I know being a professional athlete, you're taught to adapt, but that's got to be very tough and very strange to really get motivated and then totally induct into the game. So me personally, I probably wouldn't have played, but I'm glad baseball was here in their plan just from a fan standpoint. Doc, in 1985, I remember I watched probably every start you had that season.

And for people who don't know, you need to go look at the 1985 stats and any highlights. He had 24 wins, 268 strikeouts, ERA of 1.53, the second lowest in the live ball era to Bob Gibson. And that year was incredible. And I bring it up to talk about the Mets current guy in James. Jacob de Grom, Doc, who has dominated and been unbelievable. What makes him so tough, and do you enjoy watching DeGrompitch? Oh, definitely. DeGromes, he's totally locked in.

I love watching him pitch. I might be a little biased because I was a bet, as you mentioned, and I love pitchers. I still a fan of the two-on-ball game. But what makes DeGroom special is that's a lot of pressure on him because of success he's had, but it actually seems like he's getting better every year if that's possible. He accepts the challenge, and, you know, obviously they don't score a lot of runs for him, and he's aware of that. Plus, being aware that the opposing pitch is going to be up for him,

and the hitters, they know who they're facing, so they're going to concentrate more and bat in practice in a night before he gets up for him, and he still goes out day in and day out to dominate. And there's a lot of pressure on him because he has to win or he has to keep the team in the game every start he takes because of the injuries they have to the staff, not only this year, but last year as well. And he's such a challenge. And when he pitches, I mean, the team around him, I guess they're getting upbeat, but unfortunately not scoring runs.

I've never seen anything like that. But he still goes out every game and totally dominate. You don't let anything bother him. He keeps the same face all the time, which is hard-defined this day and this generation. 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, 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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper 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 Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

Do you remember when Diana Ross double-taped 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 a little kill? 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 all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed. That's correct. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line.

We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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, 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 free? 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 hard way and listen now. Well, guys, if the Nick Errors behind him or a play they fake should be made, he don't show him on his face. He don't score runs for him. He takes on the game. He don't show him his face. He keeps the same demeanor in the mouth,

which is very tough to do, but he does that. And it seems like every start, if he gives up two runs, then you think something wrong. But this guy's legit, and it seems like he's still getting better every year. His last start was a sign of a good pitcher. He didn't have his best stuff,

but he got through five minutes. He only gave him two runs. And that shows you that he's something special. Hi, I'm Flood from Progressive. Being a baseball fanatic like me, stressful. It's not all sports points and touchdowns. So Progressive is going to help you take your mind off your team for a moment. Instead of thinking about how they miss that gold point score, think about the name your price tool from Progressive letting you choose coverage

options based on your budget, unlike your team that missed the end zone net area. Well, anyway, hope this distraction about Progressive's name your price tool was helpful. It sure kept me from thinking about all those penalty balls. Yay, sports! Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates, Price and Coverage Match limited by state law. 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. 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. Our guest is Dwight Gooden, of course, former Mets pitcher Yankees, also pitched for the Indians, the Astros, the Devil Rays. And Dwight won three World Series during his career.

And speaking of the Yankees, you pitched a no-hitter for the Yankees and you won a World Series with the Yankees. There's one guy swinging the bat right now, Aaron Judge for the Yankees, leads the major leagues currently, Doc, with nine home. runs has just been unbelievable, 20 RBIs. How do you pitch a guy like Aaron Judge who's so big that strike zone? He seems to be able to take the ball the other way. He had a problem striking out early on in his career, but he seems to be focused this year. It's definitely total package. These guys, they can keep him on the field for a whole season.

It's amazing the numbers he can actually put up. He's a person hitter. myself and my prime, which I don't see pictures doing a lot now, and hopefully I'm a mess fan, but I'm a New York fan. I root for the Yankees as well. I'm not getting away the secret's here, but me personally, I'll have to move his feet, and what I mean by that, pitching them inside, trying to make him uncomfortable, and you throw him breaking balls off the plate and try getting to chase the high fastball.

Most of these guys throwing up in 90s, but guys are not pitching him inside. And what I mean about pitching him inside inside to move his feet, not necessarily to hit him, anything like that, but you've got to make these guys uncomfortable. Especially a guy like that. He's a big guy, and as you mentioned, he has power to all the side of the ballpark, and he's a big strong guy, but you have to make a guy like that uncomfortable. About pounding him inside, you know, moving him off the plate, but he's uncomfortable. He's comfortable.

I mean, he could do damage as we see. I mean, he's a great hitter, and it seems like he's learning the strikes on more and more every year. And so a guy like that, me personally, if I was facing him, I'll just keep him uncomfortable by following inside, making him move to feet as much as I possibly care. Speaking of some great hitters in baseball, there's a couple of big time names struggling. Jose Al Tuvei with the Astros. Also Christian Yelich with Milwaukee. I mean, Christian Yelich adds two straight batting titles.

And, of course, was an MVP two years ago, Doc. Last year it was second in the MVP voting. And this year he's batting 164. When you see something like that, is that like just an – Slow start, people get off to slow starts, or could there be more to that that guy was coming off an injury? I think a little bit of both. I think coming off the injury, a slow start,

and then I'm sure the spring training, the initially spring training, the original spring training had. He probably didn't do much. They fought taking slow, not knowing the pandemic thing was going to happen, and then you have the setback, and then now he's coming back. And so now, unfortunately, with a short season,

all the numbers are going to show. It's going to stick out more than anything, whether they're great numbers or, or like you said, these guys are struggling. Probably because he don't know what's coming. He don't know the signs anymore. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding.

That's a good joke, though. I like that. These guys, I wouldn't worry about these guys, I wouldn't worry about these guys because they strike records speaks for itself. I think that'd be okay. But with a short season like this, everything is magnitude and it shows.

Last thing, you did make that Astros joke. The Astros actually are going to make out this year because there are no fans in the ballpark. had there big fans, would they have been booed all over the country, you think? Oh, no doubt. They're definitely one of the teams that benefited from this year because of that. And, you know, they definitely got booed all over the country, no doubt.

It started in spring training and deserving of so when all this stuff is going on. And I'm sure, even though baseball has changed so much now, I don't agree with hitting guys, you know, intentionally in the head or anything like that, unless you retaliating. But I'm sure there have been a lot of situations when these guys are getting knocked down as you saw with Kelly from from the Dodgers that did it. And I don't think it was fair for the suspicion he got

because he actually didn't hit anybody. But, you know, I show they get what he deserved, but they have a good team, and I expect them to be right by Kenyon. No doubt. Dwight, you sound good, everything good.

What's new in your life? Yeah, everything's great, man. I'm gonna head down in Maryland. I got a young son. I saw 15. Unfortunately, he don't like baseball. He plays football. Oh, ah.

Does he know who his dad, what is? Does he know who his dad is? Perfect size. He's 6-5-190. So, 13-ish-shoot, perfect-sized body for a picture. But he told me baseball was boring. I'm like, man, you've got to be kidding me. But he's doing well academically.

That's the most important thing. Myself, I'm healthy. I'm feeling good. I'm actually going to see chef. Chef is coached at AAU baseball team with his kids and his grandson. I'm going to help his pitchers a little bit. All right. I appreciate it.

His name is Dwight Gooden. One of the best pitchers in baseball. No doubt about it. Hey, Doc, thanks for joining me, man, on the podcast. Stay safe, stay well, and I hope to see you in New York soon. Yes, sir. Thanks, buddy. Keep up to good work.

And always great talking to you. 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? Hitting 400 is like seeing Bigfoot.

You've heard people talk about it. Any evidence you've seen is in black and white, and your grandpa's convinced any new sightings are bogus. So in the sprint of a 60-game season, there's a chance we could see some records fall, at least from the rate stats category. Today, let's focus on that chase for 400. Everyone remembers the last got hit 400 in the season.

That was Ted Williams, who at 406 back in 1941. The closest anybody has come since then also happened in a truncated season. Tony Gwyn's 394 mark when the season shut down due to the strike. in 1994. Now, is there somebody who could do it this year? We've already passed a quarter poll in the season, and the Rockies Charlie Blackman has been a man on fire. His 484 average is the best by any player through 16 games since Barry Bond in 2004. He's already won a batting title back in 2017, and based on where he plays, where a Rocky's player has won the batting title 11 times in their 27 years of existence. It would be an upset of someone who at 400

who didn't don the purple pinstripes. Now, offensive Coorsfield isn't absurd because of the long ball. It's because it's a haven for bloops and shots to the gap in the spacious outfield. Blackman is a career 352 hitter at Coorsfield, by the way. 33 players hit 400 in a team's first 60 games in the modern era, but none since Chipper Jones at 409 in 2008. Could this year be Blackman's year? Never count out, Chuck Nasty.

Or is it fair? And now, here, Shadowleague.com, MLB insider, J.R. Gamble. MLB has a new generation of sons of former major leaguers who are 25 and younger and destined to become future MLB stars. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Vlad Guerrero Jr. were the most heralded rookies in 2019. J.R., is it foul or fair to say that Tatis Jr. has not.

not yet pulled away from the pack. That's fast. That is a foul ball. Have you seen this kid? Before last night's two-hit game, he had six homers overall in the last six games. After a super solid rookie season that was cut short, due to a stress reaction in his back,

he's coming to this COVID season and played like a top three MLB player. He's up there with Aaron Judge for most MLB bombs with eight, and he's up there in most offensive category. He's brought excitement and ridiculous defense to an MLB team that didn't have a pulse before the energy that he brought to the scene in the Padreys. In the same way that Mike Trout quickly separated himself from Bryce Harper, where they were young phenoms, Cacchus Jr. is grasping the MLB game much quicker than Vlad Guerrero or Kvon B.Gio, Bo Bichitae, or Raoul Monadzee Jr.

All of the aforementioned names are highly touted sons of former Major League. clear. 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. 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 fourth. 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, at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jette.

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

So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Then you're finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing

and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth or are you a good person because you're afraid?

Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, 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. That's incredible potential. It's obvious there are weaknesses in their game that they still need to refine, whether it be too many strikeouts or not enough power.

Catee's Jr., however, is what you call a franchise player. He elevates the rest of his team with his play. He brings an infectious and youthful bribery to the team, and he seems to be inspiring some veterans who may have become complacent, like Manny Machado, with losing. In fact, he has the Padres, which are perennial dormax, competing with the Dodgers in the NL.S. So all of the second-generation MLB players mentioned have superstar potential, no doubt. But the kid who celebrated his 100th Career Major League game Sunday by knocking his 30th career home run,

he's flexing and separating from the pack of young gunned sons in a 60 game season getting off to a fast start is what it's all about and it makes fernando catis junior an early n l MVP favorite trash talk twitter your chance to trash anyone or anything in major league baseball this week's winner is marlin walker that's right m dot dot 79. And he sent me this. Throw the whole damn Cardinals roster away. Don't know that. Yes, Marlon is frustrated because, of course, the Cardinals have only played five games.

They're two and three because of the pandemic, because of the outbreak in their clubhouse. Yes, so Marlon is the winner. He wins a new era snapback for his trash. If you want to be a winner like Marlon, and just hit me up on my Twitter at Rob Parker, FS1, and you too can be a winner. Funderstruck, adjective.

Shocked and amazed by the power of fun on Carnival. Riding Bolt, the world's first roller coaster at sea. Brian got Funderstruck so hard, his 93-year-old grandmother felt it 3,000 miles away in Nebraska, and immediately booked a cruise. Hooray! Get Funderstruck starting at 289. Carnival.

Choose fun. Cruises run U.S.S. per person double occupancy. Taxes fees, import expenses additional restrictions apply. Full details on carnal.com, Ships Registry, Bahamas, Panama. Adoption of teens from foster care is a topic not enough people know about, and we're here to change that. I'm April Dignuity, 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. And we're live here outside the Perez family home just waiting for the...

And there they go. Almost on time this morning. Mom is coming out the front door strong with a double-armed kid carry. Looks like dad has the bags. Daughter is bringing up the rear. Oh, but the diaper bag wasn't closed. Diapers and toys are everywhere. Ooh, but Mom has just nailed the perfect car seat buckle for the toddler. And now the eldest daughter, who looks to be about nine or ten,

has secured herself in the booster seat. Dad zips the bag closed, and they're off. Ah, but looks like Mom doesn't realize her coffee cup is still on the roof of the car, and there it goes! Oh, that's a shame. That mug was a fan favorite. Don't sweat the small stuff. Just nail the big stuff. Like making sure your kids are buckled correctly in the right seat for their age and size.

Learn more at NHTSA.gov slash the right seat. Visit NHTSA.com Slash the right seat. Brought to you by Nidza 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 to the podcast.

A close friend of mine, a CWPF. That's right. Close, warm, personal friend. Pedro Gomez, a national correspondent for ESPN. Welcome to the podcast. What's up, buddy? Rob, my man, it is so, so great to catch up again. You know the great thing about our friendship.

We could go a while without talking, and when we do, no time has elapsed. No doubt about it. We go way back almost 20 years. That's true friendship. No doubt. And we both have a love for baseball. We really do. And tell me.

Well, that's where we met. That's where we met. You were Reds and then Tigers, and I was A's beatwriter, and we were both beatwriters. Yep, back in the days in the 90s. And this 2020 season, Pedro, was totally different. Tell me what jumps out at you so far a couple of weeks, almost three weeks into this. I mean, I think the biggest thing that jumps out is the fact that the St. Louis Cardinals have only played five games. That is just crazy to think that a club has.

has not played in over two weeks, and it's just been sitting at home waiting for negative test results. I mean, we knew that there was going to be some craziness, but I don't know that we quite knew it was going to be so just singular. Pull out here, pull out there, you know, an entire club not playing for this long. certainly the hijinks by the two Indians pitchers is not good. But hey man, baseball's back. But it's so weird to watch with nobody in the stands, no atmosphere. I mean, I've talked to players, and that's certainly something that they've told me is it takes a lot of getting used to the lack of atmosphere inside the stadium.

No doubt about it. There have been some big stars who are struggling, and one guy is Jose L. Tuvarez. from the Astros. And Pedro, is it fair when you think about what they went through with the cheating scandal? And you remember Al Tuvay holding onto his jersey looking like there was something underneath and people saying sure they could hit, they knew what was coming with the banging of the trash cans. Is his slow start, does that any kind of indictment or he's just having a off year or a slow start? What do you read into that?

Well, I mean, look, the fact is that let's say it purely is coincidental. Let's say he is just off to a slow start, which certainly we know players have done that. That's not unusual. But because of the circumstances, it certainly invites all sorts of talk along those lines. And, you know, people could say it's not fair, but the reality is that the Astros put themselves in that position. Look, you and I both know Oral Hirschizer, and Oral is one of the sweetest, kindest man I've ever met in the game, a true gentleman.

He is the colored guy for Dodgers broadcasts, and I was watching an Altovae strikes out, and as they're going to break, Hersheiser, who really, rarely, rarely, if ever, says anything derogatory about anybody, simply said, well, it's a lot harder when you're guessing than when you know. Wow. All he said. And you know what?

The numbers say it. I think it was 183. He's batting 183, and he is really, really struggling. So we'll watch the Astros and Al Tuve and those guys. Let's turn to the Cleveland Indians, who might have a name change at some point or next year or whatever. Help me with this. No Cory Klooper, no Trevor Bauer, and yet their starting rotation is 2.24. And the India just keep, you know, just keep going.

They do, but now it's going to be interesting to see what happens if Zach Plesack and Mike Clevenger are removed from that rotation for a little bit of time here because they did break protocol and went out on the town in Chicago on Saturday night, you know, potentially exposing teammate Carlos Carrasco, who underwent leukemia, a leukemia procedure a year ago, to the COVID disease. And that's reprehensible to think that, you know, anybody would put a teammate's life at risk like this and knowing what the protocols are to still flaunt the rules

and say, nah, it's Chicago, we're going out on the town. I know they've both come out with contrite statements saying how wrong they were, but they knew they were wrong when they were doing it. And that's so, yeah, look, Cleveland's pitching phenomenal. But those two guys are a big part of what they've been doing. And it certainly looks, Rob, like they're going to be punished. It's not by Major League Baseball, by the Indians themselves,

who've already put both of those pitchers on the restricted list, meaning they are not active members of the roster at the moment. No doubt, and they should have. Our guest is Pedro Gomez National Correspondent with ESPN. Let's talk about the White Sox and their star, Shortstop, Tim Anderson. he's batting 324 this year so far, and he won the batting title, of course last year in the AO

with a 335 batting average. This guy's a star. I mean, you know, you can't look at last year some fluke or something. This guy swings the bat. He absolutely does. And I know the White Sox have not been

a marquee franchise the last five, six years. But my Lord, you watch the White Sox today. They are a very, very entertaining squad. You know, they've got Yon Moncada, they've got Luis Robert and Center, you know, veteran

Joseo Breu at first. I mean, they've got, they've got real talent on that club. You know, they added Yasmani Grondal behind the plate. They add Dallas, Keiko, and Gio Gonzalez to their rotation that already had Lucas Gio Lito on it.

And that's, that's, if you were to take a needle and say a club is pointing upward or downward, the White Sox absolutely are pointing upward. And I think they're going to be, they're a fun team to watch. Rob, think of, and I know you know basketball. Think of the old sons back when Nash and Stadameyer and Lazzabelle and, you know, all those guys were playing for the sons.

And they were, they may not have been the champs, but they were a fun watch. That's how I view the White Sox. They're a fun watch. No doubt about it. All right. Last thing, Pedro, your World Series pick. you could give me what you picked. I don't know if you've changed, I doubt it,

but what you picked before the season started, who did you have representing the American League and National League? Well, I had the Oakland Day he's winning it all. And I think I'm going to stick with that because they're playing really, really good ball. I was going to say that. That's a good call. I mean, for whatever reason,

they can never get past the Yankees in the postseason, but they've had great years. Yeah, they've had more struggles getting, you know, the wildcard game, obviously, but they look like they're going to be in a position where they're not going to have to play that. Well, there's not a one-game wildcard this year, first of all. But they look like they weren't going to be in that position regardless, even if it had been a full season. I just saw a club that won 97 games each of the last two years, lost in the wild card round, each of the last two years. But then they, when I saw them in spring training early before spring training got halted, back in,

February. They just looked to me like a club that was out to say the Astros cheated, won the division each of the last two years with over 100 wins. And who knows how many of those wins were legitimate, we probably are the better team and we're going to show everyone this year. And that also was part of the reason that I took the A's, plus they're very talented. I mean, you've got Olson at first, you've got Chapman at third, you've got Simeon at short, you've got a great young rotation. They've got a lot of good pieces. They've got a great manager and Bob Melvin. So I'm going to stick with Oakland. And I made the pick before, and I'm going to stick with them. I had the Dodgers going in the National League, and look, talent-wise, the Dodgers are still loaded. I know they're not playing up to maybe the capability.

But Dustin May right now, he may have the best stuff in the entire game. I don't know that there's a pitcher with better, more electric stuff right now. And then if you've got him, you've got Walker Bueller, you still have Clayton Kershaw, who I know is maybe third or fourth in that rotation now. But if that's your three or four, that's pretty damn good. No doubt about it. His name, Pedro Gomez, National Correspondent from ESPN and my friend of a long time. Thanks for joining the podcast, my man.

I appreciate you. Stay safe. Oh, Rob. Absolutely. When we were friends, we didn't have gray hair. No, we did that. when we met. No doubt.

Take care, my brother. All right, you too. Now it's time for some diamond dust with Wish TV's Phil Sanchez. Out of here! He played baseball in college. Now here is MLB knowledge. So believe it or not,

we're already about a quarter of a way through the short and season, and with the exception of the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals, things have gone pretty smoothly. Now, the problem is, every time a game is postponed, it throws a wrinkle into the schedule. And time, of course, is of the essence.

Well, that brings us to the fall and playoff time. Major League Baseball cannot risk having a Marlins or Cardinals debacle in October. And the league knows that. That's why the league officials are holding ongoing discussions about what to do for the playoffs. And the answer just might be a bubble-type atmosphere. That's according to ESPN's Jeff Passed, which the sources have told him that the league is having ongoing discussions about a postseason bubble type format. Now, it makes total sense, no doubt about that, but it's not going to be easy.

Remember, MLB has expanded the playoffs this season to include 16 teams, so hosting all of those teams in one location, probably out the window. The only way it can be done is if you use three or four locations. But where will said locations be? because that only will we still be dealing with the pandemic come this fall, but we'll also be dealing with weather, specifically in certain northern cities in September and October. So a lot for the league, and it's official,

to sift through over the next few weeks. And I say, do whatever you can to make it happen. We need post-season baseball as long as you can do it safely. Closer. Track one. Drack two. MLB is better than the NFL or NBA. and it isn't even close.

Baseball is better than the NBA and the NFL for a lot of reasons. One which is you never know how a game's going to end or, you know, what could be the scenario. It's not always the same. You know, it could be a dropped infield pop-up. It could be like an inside-the-parker to lose the game. It could be a base running blunder. I mean, there's so many bizarre ways that baseball can end in walk-off fashion. It's not always just a walk-off home run or something like that.

You know, you could be walked in, forced a run in with the bases loaded. There's just so many quirky ways of baseball that it leaves you on the edge of your seat. You never know what's coming. How about the game ending on a balk where the pitcher flinches? and a man on third. That's baseball. 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 that station. Funderstruck, adjective.

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Listen to Superhuman 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.

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I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the Fourth. 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, unfilts 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your

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