Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Episode: The Best Of Covino & Rich Release Date: March 28, 2025

Hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" offers a dynamic and engaging exploration of the day's top sports stories. In the episode titled "The Best Of Covino & Rich," hosts Covino and Rich dive deep into the passionate debates surrounding baseball and football, engage in entertaining hypotheticals, interact with listeners, and address current sports-related issues.

1. Opening Debate: Baseball Opening Day vs. NFL Week 1

Covino and Rich kick off the episode by addressing a pivotal debate among sports fans: the significance of Baseball Opening Day compared to the NFL's Week 1.

• Rich: "I feel like baseball opening day trumps the NFL's first week. It’s not just a game; it’s a tradition, a nostalgia trip back to childhood memories."
• Covino: "There’s something old school and classic about baseball. It’s like comfort food, like pizza every night."

They highlight the enduring allure of baseball, emphasizing its connection to family traditions and nostalgic experiences. Rich argues that the relaxed, long-season format of baseball allows for a unique form of engagement, whereas the high-octane excitement of the NFL captures immediate attention.

2. The Baseball Renaissance

The hosts express optimism about the current state of baseball, suggesting it's experiencing a renaissance with an abundance of superstar players and competitive teams.

• Covino: "Baseball now is hitting a stride where there are so many exciting stars. It’s back, it’s the baseball renaissance."
• Rich: "There are so many powerhouse teams and household names making this season something special."

They predict an electrifying season ahead, driven by the emergence of new talent and the resurgence of iconic players, making baseball more captivating for both long-time fans and new audiences.

3. Hypothetical Showdown: Stephen A. vs. LeBron James

In a lighthearted yet engaging segment, Covino and Rich pose a humorous hypothetical: How many Stephen A. Smiths would it take to beat LeBron James?

• Rich: "I feel like one Stephen A. can’t do it. Maybe three Stephen A’s could take out LeBron."
• Covino: "Four Stephen A’s could beat LeBron in a fight. He’s such a physical specimen."

The discussion features witty banter and playful speculation on the strengths and limitations of both personalities. They entertain the idea of a multi-person team taking on LeBron, balancing humor with an appreciation of LeBron's athletic prowess.

4. Listener Interactions: Favorite Players and Memorable Moments

Covino and Rich open the lines to listeners, who share their favorite baseball players and the moments that inspired their love for the game. Highlights include:

• Caller Donny: Shares admiration for Don Mattingly, emphasizing his gritty and authentic style.

  "He had a style of baseball that was dirty, gritty, real baseball."

• Caller Danny G.: Reflects on his first encounter with Pedro Guerrero and the cultural impact of seeing him speak Spanish.

  "We were shocked that he was speaking Spanish. It was a combo of him and Dusty Baker, awesome."

• Caller Isaac: Reminisces about Alejandro Peña and the influence of his distinctive pitching motion.

  "I would always wear out the right toe on my tennis shoes because I was emulating his pitching motion."

These interactions underscore the personal connections fans have with their favorite players, highlighting how athletes' personalities and memorable actions leave lasting impressions.

5. The MLB TV Streaming Crisis

Addressing a current issue, Covino and Rich delve into the widespread outages affecting MLB TV, Major League Baseball's official streaming service.

• Covino: "MLB TV not working is the number two trending topic in the entire world. Fans are frustrated, and support isn't helping."

• Rich: "A fan named Jeff shared his frustrating experience with MLB support. It’s been a major headache for subscribers."

They discuss the impact of these technical difficulties on fans' ability to enjoy games, noting the frustration of missing crucial moments and the dissatisfaction with MLB's customer service response.

6. Closing Predictions and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts offer their predictions for the upcoming baseball season, emphasizing the excitement and high stakes involved.

• Rich: "Opening Day is delivering and setting the tone for what I predict is going to be a really exciting season for the ages."

• Covino: "With so many superstars and competitive teams, baseball is in for an unforgettable year."

They encourage listeners to stay engaged with the season, highlighting the blend of nostalgia, emerging talent, and competitive spirit that makes baseball a beloved sport.

7. Bonus Segments and Upcoming Content

Before concluding, Covino and Rich tease upcoming segments and interactions, including:

• Old School Throwback: A special segment reminiscing about classic baseball moments and players.
• Interactive Hypotheticals: More entertaining questions for listeners to ponder and engage with.

Notable Quotes:

• Rich on Baseball Nostalgia:

  "It's like comfort food, like pizza every night. I woke up just feeling like, man, today's the day."

• Covino on the Baseball Renaissance:

  "Baseball now is hitting a stride where there are so many exciting stars. It’s back, it’s the baseball renaissance."

• Rich on Stephen A. vs. LeBron Hypothesis:

  "Four Stephen A’s could beat LeBron in a fight. He’s such a physical specimen."

Conclusion:

"The Best Of Covino & Rich" episode is a vibrant mix of passionate debates, humorous hypotheticals, and heartfelt listener stories. Covino and Rich successfully blend nostalgia with current sports issues, providing a comprehensive and entertaining perspective that resonates with both die-hard fans and casual listeners. Their engaging style and interactive segments make this episode a standout, capturing the essence of what makes "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" a thought-provoking journey through the world of sports.