Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of The Herd Release Date: April 1, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Introduction In the "Best of The Herd" episode, host Colin Cowherd delves into a comprehensive analysis of the current sports landscape, covering significant developments in baseball, the NBA, the NFL, and the burgeoning soccer scene in the United States. The episode features insightful discussions with notable guests, including J. Mac, Terry Francona, and JJ Redick, providing listeners with an in-depth understanding of recent trends and future projections in various sports.

1. Baseball: Innovations, Torpedo Bats, and Offensive Surge

Colin opens the discussion by highlighting the transformative changes in baseball, particularly the introduction of the torpedo bat. This innovation has significantly bolstered offensive performance across the league.

• Ellie De La Cruz's Impact:

  • "Ellie De La Cruz plays for the Cincinnati Reds and he's one of the great players in baseball that doesn't play for the Yankees or the Mets or the Dodgers or the Phillies or the Atlanta Braves or the Houston Astros." ([03:51])
  • De La Cruz's use of the torpedo bat has been instrumental in increasing home runs and RBIs, exemplifying the positive shift towards more dynamic offensive play.

• League-Wide Offensive Growth:

  • "Ten teams now are averaging six runs." ([04:30])
  • The statistic underscores a league-wide surge in scoring, making games more action-packed and appealing to fans.

• Terry Francona on Technological Enhancements:

  • "When you embrace innovation and don't fight it as a sport... it is just kind of enhancing greatness." ([09:50])
  • Francona praises the integration of technology and new equipment in enhancing player performance while maintaining the sport's integrity.

• Concerns and Comparisons:

  • Colin addresses potential concerns regarding the balance between offense and pitching, noting that the changes have not yet extended game durations significantly.
  • "Baseball decided, you know what we're going to get, we're going to join a Pilates class and be hip." ([05:15])

2. NBA: Lakers' Unconventional Defensive Strategy

Transitioning to the NBA, Colin examines the Los Angeles Lakers' recent defensive performances under LeBron James' leadership.

• Recent Game Analysis:

  • "The Lakers don’t play defense a lot... but when they do, it’s good. They are 10 and 1." ([07:45])
  • The Lakers have showcased sporadic but effective defensive strategies, leading to significant wins against top-seeded teams like Houston.

• Home Court Advantage:

  • "They need home court advantage. So the Lakers are 29-9 at home. They're a very good home team. Surprisingly awful on the road." ([08:30])
  • Colin emphasizes the importance of leveraging their strong home record to secure a favorable playoff positioning.

• Team Composition and Playoffs Outlook:

  • "These games against Houston... are important because it'll give them a week off with an older roster." ([09:10])
  • The discussion highlights the strategic rest periods and defensive focus that could be pivotal in the playoffs.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "When you watch this game last night, Dorian, Vinnie Smith is on the floor and you only got 36 points total from LeBron and Luka." ([09:00])

3. NFL: Overtime Rule Changes and Betting Insights

Colin provides an analysis of recent changes to the NFL's overtime rules and shares his insights on over/under betting trends.

• Overtime Modifications:

  • "Both teams now get the ball once. It's going to be 10 minutes." ([43:00])
  • The new rules aim to streamline overtime periods, reducing the number of plays and enhancing game pace.

• Betting Strategies:

  • "Last year we hit big on Denver, the Rams, and Washington. Those were the three teams I thought those are the overs." ([13:27])
  • Colin discusses his favorite over/under bets, providing predictions for various AFC and NFC teams.

• Key Betting Picks:

  • "I would take the Commanders over nine and a half, the Patriots over seven and a half, and the Titans over five and a half." ([49:29])
  • His selections are based on team performance, coaching strategies, and player health.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "You know, it's a good team. They're not the best in the league, but they're very good." ([08:30])

4. Soccer: Club World Cup and Growth in the United States

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to soccer's expansion in the US, featuring an interview with Gianni Infantino, FIFA President.

• Club World Cup Introduction:

  • "So it's called the Club World Cup. So not this summer. The following summer is the World Cup." ([20:12])
  • Infantino discusses the establishment of the Club World Cup in the US, aiming to crown a true world champion with a billion-dollar prize.

• Growth Statistics:

  • "According to Forbes, the number of United States people who have been soccer fans for five years or fewer... up 57% year over year." ([25:06])
  • The statistics reveal a boom in soccer's popularity, with a 400% increase in first-time fans over a year.

• Impact of Hosting the World Cup:

  • "We know that the two World Cups... will change us fundamentally." ([23:15])
  • Hosting the World Cup is expected to exponentially boost the sport's presence and infrastructure in the US.

• Gianni Infantino's Insights:

  • "You cannot be satisfied to be number 20 in the number one sport in the world." ([27:03])
  • Infantino emphasizes America's potential to lead in soccer, leveraging its status as a global powerhouse.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "The World Cup has 6 billion viewers. This requires a lot of organization and we are here for that." ([24:37])

5. NFL Draft: Quarterback Selections and Shador Sanders' Status

Colin and J. Mac engage in a detailed discussion about the NFL draft, focusing on quarterback prospects and the uncertain position of Shador Sanders.

• Quarterback Rankings:

  • "Shador Sanders is closer to the pack than he is to Cam Ward." ([53:49])
  • The conversation highlights Sanders' positioning relative to other quarterback prospects, indicating his slip in draft rankings.

• Team Strategies:

  • "The Jets are like, we're not going to take Jalen Milroe." ([55:18])
  • Strategies of teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets regarding their quarterback selections are dissected.

• Shador Sanders’ Outlook:

  • "He has to find a fit. He’s going to have to find a fit." ([54:33])
  • The uncertainty surrounding Sanders' draft position suggests a potential move to teams seeking long-term quarterback solutions.

• Notable Quotes:

  • "If you bring in Aaron Rodgers, you are just jamming on the pause button on the J.J. McCarthy era at best." ([48:32])

6. Concluding Discussions and Future Topics

As the episode wraps up, Colin teases upcoming topics and engages in light-hearted banter with guests about personal preferences and speculative sports scenarios.

• Upcoming Events:

  • "Coming this summer, the Club World Cup before the World Cup, a year out." ([35:51])
  • Expectations for the upcoming soccer events and their potential impact on the sports ecosystem.

• Personal Anecdotes:

  • "I'm jealous of anybody who lives in Zurich and vacations in Italy." ([36:44])
  • Colin shares personal experiences and preferences, adding a relatable touch to the analytical discussions.

Notable Quotes Extracted from the Episode:

• "Baseball decided, you know what we're going to get, we're going to join a Pilates class and be hip." – Colin Cowherd ([05:15])
• "When you watch this game last night, Dorian, Vinnie Smith is on the floor and you only got 36 points total from LeBron and Luka." – Colin Cowherd ([09:00])
• "You cannot be satisfied to be number 20 in the number one sport in the world." – Terry Francona ([27:03])
• "Shador Sanders is closer to the pack than he is to Cam Ward." – JJ Redick ([53:49])

Conclusion

The "Best of The Herd" episode provides a multifaceted exploration of current sports trends, emphasizing the transformative changes in baseball, strategic shifts in the NBA, evolving NFL rules, and the rapid growth of soccer in the United States. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, Colin Cowherd and his guests offer valuable perspectives for sports enthusiasts seeking to stay informed about the dynamic world of sports.

Listen to the Full Episode: For a more detailed analysis and additional insights, tune into the full episode of "Best of The Herd" on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.