The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Inside the Parker - Unwritten MLB Rules; Cleveland's COVID Castoffs; Dodgers' Hot Start; Guests: WS Champ Charlie Hayes, Writer Scott Miller on Tatis, Jr. Controversy

Episode Date: August 20, 2020

This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob takes inventory of at baseball's unwritten rules, the Indians resisting bringing back Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger for flagrantly violating the team's COVID protocols, and the Dodgers getting off to a scorching start to the shortened season.Guests: World Series champ Charlie Hayes, Bleacher Report baseball writer Scott Miller discuss the debate over unwritten rules sparked by Fernando Tatis, Jr.'s controversial late-inning grand slam and the start to the shortened season. 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. 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's 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. 84 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. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1-800flowers.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 in june.

Chanted 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

All right, welcome to the podcast. I am your host, Rob Parker. Coming up, we got a big show for you today. Former third baseman Charlie Hayge, yes, the guy who won a World Series with the Yankees in 1996. He'll join us. Plus, baseball columnist Scott Miller from the Bleacher Report. That and much more.

Let's go. Better up. To lead off, it's getting robbed. And keep him up. Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one. Baseball and its unwritten rules.

I know the Fernando Tatis Jr. situation is on everybody's mind. We're going to talk with our former Major League third baseman, Charlie Hayes, about that situation. But let me go over some of the unwritten rules And I wonder if you even know some of them, you agree with some of them. There's all kinds of stuff out there. The one that I do buy into is you don't bunt during a no-hither, especially like in the ninth inning.

If the game is basically out of reach, you should have to hit to get your way on. I do believe in that. There are other ones like never make the first or third out at third base. Have you heard about that? That's another one that's out there. The center fielder gets the ball. You know, he's supposed to have free reign out there. He's supposed to be able to grab everything that is in his reach.

All of the talk about you don't swing at the first pitch from a pitcher who has allowed back-to-back home run. So if you're the third batter, you're not supposed to do it. there's all these different things that are out there and people some people agree with some people don't you don't steal bases if you're up by a large margin so that's another one you don't show up the pitcher you don't show up the fielders these are all the ones that people are out there as far as unwritten rules in baseball baseball has changed newer players have come in. We've seen different things happen. I don't buy into all the

unwritten rules, but a couple of them, I do. Number two. This will be very interesting in Cleveland. There is a rift, a mutiny. Players aren't sure if they want to invite back the pitchers, Clevenger, and Plexig back to the team,

two of their best pitchers in the best rotation in baseball. That's what the Cleveland Indians have. Those two guys have been demoted. The teammates are now not sure if they want them back because of those guys breaking the trust with their teammates and going out on the town in Chicago and bringing it back to the clubhouse, especially with COVID-19 out there. This will be very, very interesting. I don't believe the Indians are going to trade these guys or get rid of them. If the Indians have a chance to try to win, they're going to.

to need both of these guys. These guys have to man up, own up to what they did, beg for forgiveness from their teammates so that their teammates can once again trust them and they can rejoin the team. I expect them back on the team, but it'll take a little time for players to feel better about these two. Number three. As of Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers had the best record in baseball. Yes, the Dodgers had won seven games in a row, finally got hot, finally after a bumpy start. And here's the other thing. At 18 and 7, they're off till their best 25 games start since 1983. And don't look now, but the Dodgers have a chance of making it to the World Series again, which would be the third time in four years, which is nothing to poop

Poo, yes. But the Dodgers still, it's not about the regular season. We know this team is loaded. They have so many good players, such a great lineup. The addition of Muki Betts only made them stronger. But for the Dodgers, it's about winning the World Series. I hate to break it to you. They can win all the games. They can have the best record in the league. They can win the division again in the NL West. They could get to the World Series again. And none of it will matter unless they win the World Series. It's World Series victory or bus for the Dodgers in 2020. 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 former favorite ex-players, Charlie Hayes, 13 years in the big leagues, broke in, of course, with the San Francisco Giants, won the World Series in 96 with the New York Yankees. Charlie, I remember you catching that foul ball to end the World Series in the Yankees drought. Remember that?

That was a great moment, wasn't it? Yes, sir. I didn't realize the significance of it until probably five or six years later. But that was a special moment in my career. And I just remember, well, I put it like this, more people from the Yankees know me from any other team I played on. I was there, I think, a total of a year in 25 or 35 days. So it's crazy.

That is crazy. But when you win a World Series, people remember that. Let me ask you, the big story in baseball, Fernando Tatis, of course, Jr., who shook up Major League Baseball by swinging on a 3-0 pitch with the bases loaded. A lot of the Texas Rangers were mad at him, Charlie. A lot of big-time players. Jackson, Johnny Bench all tweeted out in support of the kid. Where are you on this with the unwritten rule about swinging on three and all in that

situation? Well, back in the day when we came along, those were some of the things that went along with the game that you were told and, you know, you remembered or whatever, you know. I mean, just think about life. I tell people all the time, if I try to raise my kids the way I was raised, then I'm doing them a disservice because the times we live in now ain't like the ones that I was raised in

and that's my whole outlook on all of that I mean like I hear older players that play before me talk about the players now you know the parks are small the balls are juice you know like I was telling someone

the other day they asked me about what I thought about the balls I say well if the major leaguers are using the ball the kids that are trying to get to the major league should be using the same baseball. I mean, it doesn't make sense to me the guys that are at the top of the ladder using the best baseball

and the guys that are trying to get to the top of the ladder or not using it. That just to me just doesn't make sense. And, you know, like I was saying about A teach, hey, listen, that's what the kids are looking for now. You know, a lot of people ask me, you think kids watch baseball like they used to? No, they

don't. You know why they can go to the sports center and get the whole, everything that happened in the sports world in 30 minutes. Right. You know, the kids are looking for the bat flip. What's funny? You know, that's what they're looking for. I mean, like, I see where they say, well, the game is getting long.

It's four hours long. Well, when I went to a baseball game and I got tired, I went home. Right. Charlie, I'm with you. I say that every single time. When I'm done, I get up and I leave. What's the big deal? Yeah, but I mean, everybody.

now for whatever reason I want to have a say, I guess, and everything. And I just don't get it. But I don't think nothing was wrong with Tatis. You know, the game has involved, you know, at one time it probably was all the way to the right. At one time, it's all the way to the left. And one thing about baseball, it always centers out. You know, like as a baseball player, you don't get too high, you don't get too low. The ones I've seen that were successful, the ones that could stay on an even kill.

And that's why, you know, I don't see nothing wrong what he did. You know, hey, everybody's trying to be that guy. I mean, that's what we make it to be. So, you know, I'm trying to get my numbers. You're trying to get your numbers. We're trying to do that in a team concept. Right. Those are the teams that win.

But, you know, I don't agree. I don't disagree. I think, you know, as a pitcher, I see a guy here at a home run, and he stands there and watches it or whatever. We're back in the day, we handling that ourselves on the field. And that was all that was made of it. But now, you know, like I tell people, reporters got to do their job. We got to do our jobs.

No matter how good I play, how bad I play, if a reporter wanted to talk to me, I stood there and dealt with it. I remember my first gang in a big league. It wasn't my first game, but when I was in Philadelphia, I think I made four errors, walked, and got picked off. And after the gang, I was in,

and Dickie knows coming up to him, and he said, hey, man, you know, don't go nowhere. Stand up here, talk to media, face them.

You know, you learn that kind of stuff. You also hear about, you know, you don't steal up by 10 runs and this and that. I mean, just everything about baseball

has changed from when I played. But I'm, I'm a fan a lot with the old and with the new. I mean, and with everything, keep it in perspective. You know how,

Everybody should have the right to say whatever they want to say. Well, I think that's some of the problem. Maybe that thing needs to change and say, you got the right to say whatever you want to say. But when you get outside the line, somebody's got the right to punch you in your lip. I love it. I think that'll solve a lot of things.

Hey, Charlie, no doubt about it. I think you hit it on the head. A couple other questions I really asked you about COVID-19 and obviously baseball going ahead and playing with it. your son is a minor leagueer. Did he have, he got COVID, right? Yeah, he got it on the way going to Pittsburgh, you know, and they said everybody report.

He didn't have it here because we were all here together. None of us have it. And I said, you know, I always believe when they first came out and said that it was a pandemic, they canceled the Olympics, they canceled all kind of stuff, where I took it serious. only that. By playing in New York, I knew a lot of people from New York, and I had seen a lot of them in January down in New York, Tampa when they have a Yankee Fantasy camp. So, you know, just seeing what New York was going through and talking to the people that I knew where they had aunts, grandparents, etc., passing away from it, I knew it was real.

Would you play? Would you be playing, Charlie, if you were still a play? would you have opted out or would you have played? I think I would have played because I love baseball. That's how much I care about it. But at the same time, everybody has different circumstances. Like, you know, out here where we at, there's nobody here for us, the family. We've got to go to Mississippi or wherever the family's at. Basically, where we at is just us.

If someone would have been at risk, then I would have had to weigh my options. but not having anyone at risk and, you know, going and has to take care of my family, then you go do it. But that's why I say, I mean, I got a friend that crossed the line, a replacement player. And I never judged him. I asked him, why did he cross the line?

And he told me, oh, my wife is pregnant. that my, somebody that's on my thing has counselor, you know, everybody can have a number of reasons why. And until you in those shoes yourself, you really can't. 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 which I'm 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 what 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-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 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 all day, but just so you all 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 age. on the table right now. Thank you for 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. 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, Keer 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. But for me, there's no doubt I would have been playing because I love baseball. I think that's what's my calling.

And also now helping kids, that's my calling. So I think I do that to a fault. But I feel like that's what I do best, and I try to make the most of it. All right. Thanks, Charlie, man. We appreciate you, man. Stay safe. Thanks, my man.

I appreciate your time. Thank you, buddy. Nice talking to you all. And thanks. 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 old. ultimate birthday gifting destination. 1-800 Flowers has thoughtful and artfully created options that are guaranteed to deliver

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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. Adoption of teens from foster care is a topic not enough people know about and we're here to change that. I'm April Dinnwity 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.

It's time for the Pocket Protector Central. The analytic numbers you need to know. Oh, well, maybe. Anthony Masterson is his name. BS Analytics is his game. What do you got for me, Anthony? Well, Rob, I think it's about time to talk about the better Bieber. You all know Justin, but his brother from another mother, Shane,

has been putting up absurd numbers without realizing it's too late now to say sorry. Through Bieber's first five stars this season, he leads to league in strikeouts per nine innings at 14, which would be an MLB record, and his 1.30 ERA is second in the circuit only to Lance Lynn in Texas. Only two players have ever whipped more batters in their first five starts of the season than the 54 by the Bebes,

and he might recognize the names, Nolan Ryan in 1978, and Randy Johnson in 1999. And he's not just striking guys out. He's making guys look silly. Since they lowered the mound in 1969, even things out for the hitters, no starter in that time has made more guys miss in their first five starts than Beaver, getting swings and misses at an unheard of 46.4% of opponent swings. Yeah, literally half of the swings guys take against him are coming up empty. He's the first AL pitcher to strikeout released eight batters at each of his first five starts

since Mike Messina, back with the Yankees in 2003. And after finishing fourth in the Salyang voting last year, he's the odds-on favorite to be the Indian's fourth different winner in the last 13 years. Garrett Cole and Jigate de Grom might get the headlines when his third turn to pitch, but Shane Bieber is turning into must-see TV. And what's that? That ball is. It was a big week in the big week. Big leagues?

Who's up? Who's up? Or is it fair? And now, here's shadowleague.com, MLB insider, J.R. Gamble. The Yankees continue to win, despite both Stanton and Judge being on the injured list. And people around baseball keep saying that they're a blessed franchise. Because no matter who's in or out of the lineup, it doesn't seem to stop their winning. JR, is it foul or fair to say that the Yankees are blessed?

That's foul. That is a foul ball. Some people look at the Yankees as a blessed franchise with a never-ending stream of talent. I say they've been almost cursed franchise since winning their last World Series in 2009. When they acquired Stanton coming off an MVP and paired him with Judge who hit 52 homers as a rookie, everyone assumed the Yankees had the best power tandem in baseball. Problem is, neither of these ballers can stay healthy and are yet to play a full season together. If Stanton is healthy, then judges usually hurt or vice versa.

Judges played 119 games the past two seasons, and Stanton's just 32. Right now, both of these guys are out along with some other key players, and while the Yankees can withstand the regular season without their big boppers, as they did in 2019, when the team lost a thousand more. days to injury than any other MLB squad, the Yankees will need their best players in the playoffs. They haven't had a full healthy team in the playoffs that's standing a ride. Injuries are becoming an arbitrage for a team that still hasn't 86% shot at winning the division. Filling guys like Tarkman and Andrew Har and Plainser are good, real good. But when it's time to go

chip hunting, you need your elite superstars in the lineup. And if the Yankees don't have those guys, then don't be surprised if they don't make it to the World Series again. Twitter, your chance to trash anyone or anything in Major League Baseball. All right, this week's

winner of trash talking is J.S.I. Colts. He tweeted at me this, quote, I'm trashing the Boston Red Sox. Moogie Betts is gone. Lousy lineup. No playoffs in sight. Now look

what you've done. If you want to get your tweet on trash talking, make sure you 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. One of the best baseball writers in the country, Scott.

Scott Miller, a national MLB columnist for The Bleacher Report and a friend of mine, what's happened to Scott? Hey, Rob. Nice to be with you. Always a pleasure talking with you, whether it's here on your podcast or on one of your radio programs or even go back to when I bump into you periodically in Lakeland, Florida at a restaurant during spring training. No doubt about it.

We missed those days for sure. But, Scott, let's get right into it, man. here we are about 25 games, almost halfway point of the season. Which is the best team in baseball? Is it the Dodgers, Yankees, or somebody else? You know, right now I would vote Oakland A's. I know they don't have the name recognition, maybe, but that's a solid team.

You know, Bob Melvin is one of the best managers working in any dugout today. you know, the infield, the corner infields, Matt Olson and Matt Chapman, not enough people know about them. You know, it seems to you match Yankees and Dodgers obviously very good. Yankees injury issues right now, I mean, doggone. If they're going to win, they've got to figure out a way to keep Aaron Judge, John Carlos Stanton, on the field, and now DJ LaMayhew's banged up. Dodgers, very deep. You know, I think they're going to only get better and better as they go.

Walker Bueller hasn't even really gotten fired up yet. Yeah, that's amazing. Those teams, they keep winning despite that. And the A's, I mean, this is no surprise. They've been winning games and making the playoffs the last couple of years. All right, how about the Indians' mess? And there's a rift in the clubhouse, Clevenger and Placacac. You know, they broke the trust from their teammates.

Some guys are really not happy about it. They were demoted as a question about, you know, you know, what to do with those guys? What do you think is going to happen in Cleveland? Because you're not going to win anything without those two guys. They're two of their best pitchers. Yeah, boy, talk about a dramatic, interesting situation. You know, you've got to credit the Indians right now for choosing the trust, you know,

first of all, for putting it up to a team vote and having a team meeting and letting the players have all that input. The players basically said, get these two guys. out of here now whether those you know Clevenger and PLEFAC are gone for 10 days once they get optioned out they've got to be gone for 10 days whether they bring them back

at that point or keep them out or trade one or two of them one if not both it's going to be interesting to see you're right the Indians at the time had I think the major league leading best ERA if not they were in the top two or three point as one of the best pitching staffs

in the game and then Pleseck and Clevenger two-fifths of the rotation, you know, get sent out. I think the fact that the Indians, like I say, let the players vote and made a statement. That was a strong, strong statement, because to your point, Rob, if they're going to win, they need those guys. And the fact that they said, look, we'll take a hit here, but you guys are out of here because, you know, we can't tolerate this, especially because, you know, making it even worse,

It'd be bad enough, normal circumstances. But, you know, Carlos Carrasco, another member of the rotation, you know, just battled leukemia a year or two back. So he's got a potentially compromised immune system. Plus, manager Terry Francona has had some issues, and Terry Francona this week isn't even managing the team. Bench Coach Sandy Alamar is because Frankona had to go get, to undergo a procedure back in Cleveland, for he's had some gastro-intestinal problems this year. So, you know, you've got a manager and one of your starting pitchers that are not 100% physically,

and for Pesac and Clevenger, to go out and sneak out of the hotel, you know, and go out to dinner with friends, it was irresponsible, number one. Number two, compounded the irresponsibility by lying to their teammates. And, you know, we'll see. but more power to the Indians for doing what they did. No doubt. His name is Scott Miller.

He's the MLB National Baseball columnist for Bleacher Report. What about the Red Sox? How stinky and awful are they? It has been an embarrassment. And granted, when you trade mooky bets and David Price, normally that's not going to help you. But are you shocked at how bad they are? Yeah, I am, Rob.

I'll say this. When they made that trade over the winter, to your point, they were going to be bad. Now, you can't trade mokey bets and David Price and not be worse than you were the day before. Now, I was at their camp in Fort Myers, Florida in February before everything blew up and baseball sent everybody home once the COVID-19 pandemic, took over. But back in February, they were talking a brave talk. The Red Sox were saying, you know, basically they were looking to basically rebuild on the fly. And they thought they were going to be better than people thought. Well, obviously, that's out the window. A couple issues besides bets and David Price being gone. You know, Chris Sale. That wasn't right.

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 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. 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 Jett. 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 y'all 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. Thank you 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,

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, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose

on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app, Search, learn the hard way, and listen now. From day one, Tommy John's surgery. Go back again, I mentioned I was in Boston camp in February. When I say Chris Sale wasn't right from day one, I mean that literally. I was in Fort Myers, the very first day of spring training, and Chris Sale wasn't even in camp.

The Red Sox said at the time, he had a bad case of pneumonia, and they told him to stay home. So Sale missed the first few days of training camp, with what was described by the team as pneumonia. And then he came in and started working, and then pretty soon, you know, he came up with a lame elbow. And then, as I say, Tommy John surgery. So you lose sale, you lose bets, you lose David Price.

Eduardo Rodriguez was then going to be their opening day starter. He got, he was afflicted with COVID-19. And then when he came back, they found myocarditis. Last thing, Scott, quickly, yes or no, will there be a lot of trade activity on the 31st, the trade deadline? What do you think? I think just moderate at most, because with the expanded playoffs, 16 or 30 teams are in the playoffs, which means, by the way, 16 make it. But right now, we've got about probably 22 to 24 teams that think they can make it be one of those 16.

So in other words, there are only five or six teams, maybe even less, they're out of it as we speak right now. I think there's not going to be as many sellers this year. Plus everything, a lot of people, the minor leagues are playing, so it's going to be more difficult to trade for prospects because teams don't have up-to-date information. I think there will be some trades, Rob, but I don't think it's not going to be a normal trade deadline years where we get five or six blockbusters. His name is Scott Miller, a national baseball writer for the Bleacher Report.

Scott, always a pleasure. Stay safe, my friend. You as well. Talk to you soon, wrap. Gorgeous gaming, stunning streams, unbelievable bandwidth. It's another lifestyles of Gagillionaires. Meet the AT&T fiber customers

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Internet that upgrades everything. No data caps, no equipment fees, and no price increase at 12 months. Limited availability in select areas, visit ATT.com slash Hypergig for details. If I could be you. And you could be me for just one hour. If you could find a way to get inside. Each other's mind. Walk a mile in my shoes.

Walk a mile in my shoes. Walk a mile in my shoes. We've all felt left out. And for some, that feeling lasts more than a moment. We can change that. Learn how at belonging begins with us.org Brought to you by the ad council. 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 through this fascinating world. Find the forest near you and start exploring at discover the forest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. 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. All right, so if you thought the 2020 baseball season couldn't get even more weird, say hello to the Boston Red Sox. If you've been paying attention at all to baseball this season, you know the stocks, pretty much awful. How awful? Listen to this. They haven't been this bad since 1932, when the team had just 43 wins and 111 losses

and a winning percentage of just 272. So far in 2020, their winning percentage, just 261. Now, there are a lot of factors of play here, of course, including their two top pitchers being out for this season with Chris Sale, having Tommy John surgery, and Eduardo Rodriguez, developing a heart condition after battling COVID-19. But their offense hasn't been very good either. Looking at you, J.D. Martinez. A lot of Fox fans are going to point to and blame the trading of Mookie Betts, of course,

and they're not wrong about this. But to be fair, the team and their new GM, Hyme Bloom, had no choice. It was pretty obvious that Betts would not be returning to Fenway Park, and Bloom just couldn't let him walk without getting something in return. He did the best he could and got back decent pieces, but it's pretty clear the Red Sox are in a rebuilding mode, and there's no better GM in baseball to do that than Heim Bloom. That said, one of the best rivalries in all of sports has always been the Yankees and Red Sox.

Yes, it's gone through ups and downs over the years, but it's been more ups than downs over the past two decades. And in a shortened season that has been riddled with negativity, it certainly would have been nice to have the old heated rivalry of the Yankees' Red Sox come September and October. Closer. Track one. By MLB is better than the NFL or NBA.

And it isn't even close. Here is why baseball is better than the NBA and the NFL. The Fernando Tatis Jr. controversy is the perfect example. There is no right answer. Baseball, there is no right answer. There are guys playing in the game right now who thinks that he was the worst guy in the world

a swing on a 3-0 pitch. But then you have Hall of Famers, Johnny Bench, Reggie Jackson, other players chiming in saying, the kid did nothing wrong. Baseball is like that. There's so much strategy. Should the manager take the pitcher out? Should he pinch hit? Should he hit and run?

Should he try to steal a base? And then there's so much second-guessing when things go on in baseball. After the fact. He should have left him in for another batter. He should have took him out. He should have done this. He should have done that. There is no blueprint when it comes to baseball and what's the right or wrong answer.

It's all over the map. That's what makes the game great. It is a debatable sport. And we saw that this week. In the words of New York TV legend, the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time until next time. Rob Parker, out. He can't get it.

This could be an inside of Parker. See you next week. Same bad time. Same bad station. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1-800 Flowers.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 value.

To order today, visit 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. 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, 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 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. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam Jay. 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. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite office. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 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. This is an IHeart podcast.

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