THE HERD - Hour 3 - Jeff Passan joins the show, this weeks polls

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 (May 8, 2026)

Main Theme
This episode features an engaging conversation with ESPN's Jeff Passan about the evolving landscape of Major League Baseball, insights into player development, team dynamics, and baseball culture. The crew also dives into sports radio meta-discussion, artificial intelligence in sports commentary, and fun polling questions for listeners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeff Passan on Syracuse and the Path to Broadcasting

• Colin and Jeff joke about their ties to Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Broadcasting and the steep costs of higher education.
• Both highlight how technology and training shape success in today’s media environment.
• Jeff shares:

  “You have contributed in the neighborhood of $350,000 over the last four years, Syracuse University. So I think you can do whatever you want.” — Jeff Passan (02:38)

2. The Challenges and Joys of Podcasting

• Jeff talks about launching his own podcast, "Sources Tell Jeff Passan," and how creating a show demands a different skillset than his ESPN reporting:

  "Doing a show like this... it's creating something, and it’s coming up with ideas that you hope are going to be interesting and compelling and seeing them from start to finish. That’s not something I’ve done before. So it’s been an absolute blast, and I’m not sleeping at all. And loving every minute of it." — Jeff Passan (04:09)

3. Yankees’ Pitching Prospects: Cam Schlitler vs. Paul Skenes

• Debate rages over whether the Yankees should ever consider trading Cam Schlitler for Paul Skenes.
• Jeff is adamant:

  "I think you were stupid before the season as well… You could name just about any other pitcher and I would actually agree with you. Cam Schlitler is awesome. Paul Skenes is just on another level… I think Paul Skenes is unequivocally, undoubtedly without any competition, the best pitcher in baseball going right now." — Jeff Passan (06:38)

• Discusses the Yankees’ past issues with developing pitchers and highlights Schlitler’s rise as a symbol of organizational improvement.
• Notes the Yankees' depth and why their staff, bolstered by returning stars, makes them AL favorites.

4. Spencer Jones: Expectations and Comparisons

• The panel compares Yankees call-up Spencer Jones to Aaron Judge.
• Jeff tempers expectations:

  “Spencer Jones is going to hit home runs… But Spencer Jones’s strikeouts have been off the charts bad… If he can evolve… even cut it down by 5%, that takes him from big leaguer to all-star.” — Jeff Passan (08:47)

5. Baseball Culture: Dugout Home Run Celebrations

• The group shares their favorite team celebration traditions.
• Jeff praises the Blue Jays’ home run jacket:

  “They have the flags of all the countries that the players play for on it. I like the Mariners trident too... I’m all for dugout celebrations of any variety. Baseball is a sport that for so long was like the dry chicken breast of professional sports… Now we got some sabor going on here. We got some seasoning. We got some flavor.” — Jeff Passan (10:21)

6. If Derek Jeter Had Been a Pirate

• Hypothetical: Would Jeter have been as iconic if he’d played in Pittsburgh?
• Jeff:

  “I don't know that Derek Jeter is going to be less of a player, but… I think Derek Jeter is going to get fewer opportunities in that situation… Part of what made Derek Jeter as great as he was… was the fact that he could survive the snake pit that can be New York sports… If you put Derek Jeter in Pittsburgh, the full Derek Jeterness… never is brought to the forefront.” — Jeff Passan (11:59–13:10)

7. Are the Cubs Built for Postseason Success?

• Jeff breaks down the Cubs’ strengths: lineup depth and defense, especially up the middle, but flags concerns over pitching depth and bullpen reliability.

  “They are so solid everywhere across the diamond… but the pitching issues… that's what concerns me about the Cubs… I’m not sure that the Cubs bullpen at this point, frankly, is deep enough.” — Jeff Passan (14:33)

8. Humorous Tech Segment: AI Colin Cowherd

• The show uses an AI-generated “Colin” voice to debate player trades and team philosophies, sparking skepticism and laughs.
• On AI for hot takes:

  “If we are leaning on AI for baseball analysis, then we have lost the plot, gentlemen.” — Jeff Passan (18:07)

9. The Restaurant “One Table” Game

• Who gets the last coveted restaurant table among legendary players?
  • Atlanta: Greg Maddux vs. Tom Glavine vs. John Smoltz → Maddux wins (“king of clubhouse poop jokes”).
  • Cincinnati: Joey Votto vs. Pete Rose (prime/“alive” status debated) → Rose gets the nod.
  • LA: Sandy Koufax vs. Shohei Ohtani → Ohtani gets it in LA now, Koufax if it’s Jeff’s restaurant (“I would seat Sandy Koufax over God himself.” — Jeff Passan 26:40).
  • New York: Aaron Judge vs. Derek Jeter → Jeter, unless he was a Pirate, then Judge.

10. Polls & Sports Media Meta-Discussion

• Recap of humorous, quirky listener polls (Anne Hathaway’s appeal, laying down for toothaches, table for Brunson or Jeter, and more).
• Discussion of Bill Simmons’ infamous “box score analysis” error, leading to playful criticism about authenticity in sports punditry.
• The impact of mistakes; forgiving “brain farts” vs. demanding expertise.

  “Bill Simmons, who wrote the book on basketball... does it know that Jalen Williams… has been out… That is laugh out loud funny.” — Panel (39:08ff)

11. AI Colin’s Mount Rushmore of Sports Radio (43:00–43:15)

• AI Colin lists:
  1. The Herd with Colin Cowherd (“opinion first and story driven”)
  2. Mike and Mike (“made morning drive feel like a national hang”)
  3. The Dan Patrick Show (“cool... never sounds like it’s trying too hard”)
  4. The Jim Rome Show (“a fastball every day”)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Podcasting Hardships

"It's hard doing what you do... I did not understand the second full job I was going to be taking on. But it’s been an absolute blast, and I’m not sleeping at all. And loving every minute of it."
— Jeff Passan (04:09)

On Yankees’ Pitching Factory

“Once they got to the big league level, they were just like… But a dominant, frontline starter, it’s been a long time since the Yankees had [one]... So to see Schlitler go from drafted and throwing 88 to 90 to... 97 to 99, will hit triple digits regularly, he’s awesome.”
— Jeff Passan (07:06–08:00)

On Baseball’s Newfound Fun

“Baseball is a sport that for so long was like the dry chicken breast of professional sports. It was unappealing and unseasoned… And it’s like, we finally got some sabor... some flavor. Baseball’s needed it for a long time.”
— Jeff Passan (10:41)

On AI Analysis

“If we are leaning on AI for baseball analysis, then we have lost the plot, gentlemen.”
— Jeff Passan (18:07)

On Koufax vs. Ohtani for the Table

“If it's my restaurant, it's Sandy Koufax. You're asking a Jewish guy if he’s gonna seat Sandy Koufax versus anyone? I would seat Sandy Koufax over God himself.”
— Jeff Passan (26:29–26:40)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jeff Passan joins, Syracuse/Newhouse chat: 01:56–03:30
• Passan on launching his podcast: 04:09–05:09
• Cam Schlitler vs. Paul Skenes debate: 06:11–08:28
• Spencer Jones expectations: 08:28–09:56
• Baseball celebration culture: 09:56–11:25
• Derek Jeter “what if” scenario: 11:25–13:23
• Cubs postseason prospects: 14:05–16:20
• AI Colin segment & AI criticism: 16:22–18:47
• Restaurant “One Table” game: 23:02–27:25
• Bill Simmons box score blunder discussion: 35:14–41:26
• AI Colin’s Mount Rushmore: 42:49–43:15
• Listener polls recap: 44:17–47:10

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Tone and Style

• Relaxed, witty, and highly conversational—frequent friendly jabs, inside jokes, and banter about the sports media business.
• Knowledgeable and candid, especially about the dynamics of modern baseball, sports media pitfalls, and evolving technology in sports commentary.
• Open to lighthearted detours—including AI impressions and restaurant hypotheticals that blend fun with sports analysis.

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Summary Usefulness
This recap offers a vibrant window into the evolving MLB landscape, the shifting role of sports media, and the interplay of humor, nostalgia, and sharp analysis that defines contemporary sports talk radio and podcasting. Listeners get a fresh perspective on today’s baseball culture, the real talk behind sports media personas, and answers to debates both serious and lighthearted.

Transcript

[A]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[B]

Guaranteed Human.

[A]

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[B]

Real life, real story, real you.

[C]

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[D]

another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy not quite on Humor Me with Robert Smigel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier this week. My guests SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an acapella band with their between songs banter.

[B]

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.

[D]

Those people are starving for banter. Listen to Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[C]

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[B]

Now let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. I am tarnishing his school's impeccable reputation just by sitting here doing a radio show. Jeff Passon is with us. He graduated here from Syracuse. This is a very nice school. It's a school, Jeff, that I feel like I don't really belong being in. And if I had this equipment growing up, you know, and actually had some training in this, perhaps I would be better if I attended the new House School of Broadcasting. I'd be pretty good at this. I mean, this place is amazing. Jeff

[D]

well, on one hand you've Made a career out of defiling things. So this is kind of par for the course. But. But beyond that, beyond that, you have contributed in the neighborhood of $350,000 over the last four years, Syracuse University. So I think you can do whatever you want. I think you can make a mockery, smash a window, go in, graffiti all over the place. You know, cross out to Rico, cross out Costas. I am Eagle. Whatever. You've earned it.

[B]

So thank you. I appreciate it.

[D]

My permission, at least.

[B]

Yes. Listen, I bought my way into the Newhouse School of Broadcasting through my daughter, but McDonough was on earlier, and he was making the joke. Congratulations. Of getting that bill off of your expense sheet.

[D]

I mean, it's. Listen, I'm starting now next year, so I understand completely. And. And here's the thing. You had a Division 1 athlete, too, so at very least I would hope that some of that was taken care of. My kids go into D3, so I have the combination of playing sports but getting no benefit out of it. So, yes, I'm 90k in the hole every year for the next four years and not looking forward to it.

[B]

Enjoy it, buddy. I love the podcast. I texted you earlier this week. Sources tell Jeff Pass it. It's a great name for your podcast. Are you enjoying it?

[D]

I'm loving it, man. Like, it's. It's hard doing what you do.

[E]

That's.

[D]

That's what I'm figuring out. Like, we're. We're treating this like a weekly television show and, you know, being as involved as I am with more or less everything, I did not understand the second full job I was going to be taking on. But it's, it's, you know, my, My job at espn, my main job, is often reacting to, or at least chasing down something that's happening. It's a. It's a passive endeavor doing a show like this. It's creating something, and it's coming up with ideas that you hope are going to be interesting and compelling and seeing them from start to finish. And that's not something I've done before. So it's been an absolute blast, and I'm not sleeping at all. And loving every minute of it.

[F]

A passing endeavor.

[B]

I knew it was coming. The filling of time is hard. Me and Bobani Jones laugh about this all the time. Just how hard it is to do this now that we're patting ourselves on the back. But it originates our conversation from a story on Radio Row where Travis Hunter was trying to launch a podcast during super bowl week on Radio Row. And Bomani walked past him and somehow struck up a conversation with him and he said, man, what you do for a living is really hard. And that guy plays football for a living, Jeff?

[D]

Yeah, that guy plays football and he plays cornerback and wide receiver. So he plays football at like the Ohtani level. Yes. And he's having a tough time. But Monty Jones is also the person who, among everybody in our industry, I have great faith, could talk uninterrupted and pull off like a 20 hour filibuster on Capitol Hill if he needed to. Bo's never had a difficult time filling air, has he?

[B]

No, I've heard him do that actually. He's never had trouble. Now, Taylor, this is interesting. So I am not certain we discussed this with you. Taylor is such a big Yankee fan and Cam Schlitler is having such a great year that he has said on record on national radio, Jeff, pass it that he would not trade Cam straight up for Paul Skeens. How do you feel about that, Jeff?

[F]

I said it before the season. 2.

[D]

Yeah, well, I think you were stupid before the season as well.

[E]

This is why he doesn't text you.

[D]

Yes, that's, that's. Here's the thing. You could name just about any other pitcher and I would actually agree with you. Cam Schlitler is awesome. Paul Skins is just on another level. And with Derek Skubal out right now, I think Paul Skeens is unequivocally, undoubtedly without any competition, the best pitcher in baseball going right now. But to me, the most interesting part of Cam Schlitler speaks to what the New York Yankees have been able to do. And for a long time the Yankees had a difficult time growing pitching internally. You know, they would have guys who had decent strikeout rates in the minor leagues, other teams would want to trade for him. But once they got to the big league level, they were just like, you know, Clark Schmidt was good, got hurt. Will Warren last year wasn't a whole lot. Gave up that monster grand slam to Vlad Guerrero in the playoffs that knocked the Yankees out. But a dominant like frontline starter, it's been a long time since the Yankees that even Luis heel, you know, going and winning rookie of the year, couldn't, couldn't nab a rotation spot this season. So to see Schlitler go from drafted and throwing 88 to 90 miles per hour to a guy who now sits 97 to 99, will hit triple digits regularly, he's awesome. And he's part of the reason that the Yankees are the overwhelming favorites in the American League right now because not only are they doing this with the staff they've got now, but Carlos Rodan is coming back this weekend. Garrett Cole's not far off. Yankees are going to get better and that is a scary thing for the rest of the al.

[F]

Jeff on the topic of Yankee prospects, the Yankees are calling up Spencer Jones. Yankee fans have heard a ton about him. They're already comparing him to Aaron Judge. They're putting the numbers side by side to what they did in the minor leagues. What do you think are fair expectations for Jones as he makes his MLB debut?

[D]

Spencer Jones is going to hit home runs. I, I think that much we know. He is 6 foot 7 and 240 pound and an absolute unit and has a beautiful left handed swing. That being said, the reason that Aaron Judge has managed to become the best hitter in Major League Baseball over the past few seasons is because he has cut down on the swing and miss and he still strikes out a fair bit. But Spencer Jones's strikeouts have been off the charts bad and the fact that he still managed to be as productive as he has in the minor league speaks to those other skills. So if he can evolve to maybe swing and miss a little bit less, even if he cut it down by 5%, that takes him from big leaguer to all star. And if his plate discipline can get even better than that, you know, cuts down his strikeout rate by 10%. Let's say we're talking about a perennial MVP candidate. That's how good the power is. But it's difficult to, especially when you're in the big leagues facing better stuff than you ever have before, to limit the strikeouts like he's going to need to, to reach that talent that he has.

[E]

Jeff One of my favorite adjustments to baseball over the last several years is the elaborate dugout celebration for home runs. And I want to ask you your favorite because I just, I came across one this week of the Colorado Rockies. When they throw on that purple faux fur coat which is absolutely beautiful, I don't care how fake it is. That's my favorite by far. I don't know if you have a favorite.

[D]

I like the Blue Jays home run jacket only because I feel like it speaks to the team and its character and who it is more than anything. They have the flags of all the countries that the players play for on it. I like the Mariners trident too, just because it looks kind of.

[E]

That one's pretty cool.

[D]

But I'm, I'm all for dugout celebrations of any variety. Like baseball is a Sport that for so long was like the dry chicken breast of professional sports. It was unappealing and unseasoned and just not fun at all. And it's like, we finally got some sabor going on here. We got some seasoning. We got some flavor. Baseball's needed it for a long time. And, hey, if that is, you know, pushing a cart through the dugout, wearing a helmet in the dugout, a faux purple coat, or any of the other celebrations, I'm here for it.

[C]

Jeff.

[F]

Stu was very quick to throw out. Sorry. Stu was very quick to throw out Taylor's terrible trade idea. So let me ask you one of Stu's terrible ideas. If Derek Jeter had come up with the Pirates. He's not. He's not Derek Jeter, as Stu would say.

[B]

Yes. Yes. Thank you. Get at it. Boom.

[F]

What are we doing?

[E]

He went as far as saying that Derek Jeter is in the right place, right time, hall of Fame, which I

[B]

think is a bit much.

[D]

I. I agree that's a bit much. I just don't think he's Derek Jeter. I think he's more like Bobby Witt, which is that you are not appreciated nearly as much when you're not in one of those huge markets. I think that's a reasonable thing. And I don't know that Derek Jeter is going to be less of a player, but I'll say this. I think Derek Jeter is going to get fewer opportunities in that situation to do the sorts of historic things that we remember him for. And so I do think time and place matter with guys. And I think ignoring the idea that one franchise is going to be a more ideal fit. And part of what made Derek Jeter as great as he was, guys, was the fact that he could survive the snake pit that can be New York sports and emerge not just, you know, with. With his full health and with his full production, but having benefited from it and having been a part of it. I. I think that you put Derek Jeter in Pittsburgh, and the full Derek Jeterness of him just never is. Is brought to the forefront.

[E]

Even if there were pinstripes, he's still.

[D]

He's still a great player. Don't get me wrong. He's great wherever he is. But. But the level that he's at, I think, was in. I'm not going to say in large part, but certainly in part because he was a Yankee, and I think he would probably say that, too.

[B]

Yep. You see what's happening here, guys. Us newhouse guys, we stick together. We do. That's. That's a couple of Newhouse guys cutting it up. I mean, that's.

[E]

You can still go to school there, right? There's no, like, age limit.

[B]

I want to. I want to go back to school.

[F]

When he said he agreed with, he's right.

[B]

I'm right. Taylor, go ahead.

[D]

Do you think they would accept him? What was your. What was your sat, Steve?

[B]

What. What's an sat? I mean, his Saturdays. Score like a, you know, like a 92, 18 holes. All right.

[D]

Sounds. Sounds very accurate.

[F]

I have a soft spot in my heart for the Chicago Cubs team because if you go to summer in, in Wrigley Field, it's unbelievable. Is this Cubs team built to win in the postseason? Because I know they're off to a great start, but when you look at this team, it doesn't really feel like they have the pitching, although they're great in on defense, almost across the board. And they do have players that could put the ball in.

[E]

Why'd you have to preface that with them having a soft spot in your heart?

[F]

Because I want the Cubs success.

[B]

It was necessary.

[D]

Yes, it's a perfectly reasonable question because I think they are an excellent regular season team. They are one through nine in that lineup. It reminds me somewhat of the Blue Jays last year where they have guys who have slug, but they also can put the ball in play. And they are deep. And it's tough to pitch that lineup, you know, when. When Petro Armstrong, who hit 30 home runs last year, is hitting eighth in your lineup. Like, you know, you run deep. And the defense, I do not want to undersell that one bit. It's the best defense in baseball. They are so solid everywhere across the diamond, but especially up the middle with PCA and center field. Dansby Swanson at short, Nico Horner at second. Like it's. It's a really good team. But the pitching issues warranted, fair, understandable. And that's what concerns me about the Cubs because let's think about who they're going to have to go up against in the postseason. If it's the Dodgers, you've got Yamamoto and Ohtani and Snell and Glass now. Not fun to face. And frankly, the number one pitcher for the Cubs, whether it's Matt Boyd coming back from knee surgery or Shoda Minaga. I don't even know if they make the top four of the Dodgers. And I'm not sure that the Cubs bullpen at this point, frankly, is deep enough because you can navigate a postseason without a whole lot of starting pitching. We've seen the Houston Astros do that before. We saw the Dodgers do that a couple of years ago. You don't need like all of this frontline pitching to find success. But if you don't have that, you better have a damn good bullpen. And the Cubs bullpen at this point, it's. It's fine. Is it good? I wouldn't put it up there yet, Jeff.

[B]

I failed.

[E]

I'm sorry, go ahead.

[B]

I was going to say I failed us here because we were talking about skins for Cam, straight up. And you know, Collins audience, they miss today. And so we have Colin's thoughts. AI, Colin's thoughts on skin for Schlitler, straight up. Go ahead, AI.

[C]

Colin, a one for one swap makes no sense for the Yankees because Cam Schlitler is already pitching like a frontline ace. 5 and 1. A 152 earned run average, 53 strikeouts and a.087 WHIP. And you're not paying the new toy tax to get it. Paul S.K. is a monster. Reigning National League Cy Young and he's dealing again. 236 earned run average, 46 strikeouts and 42 innings. But if your guy is already in that neighborhood, you keep the extra year of control and the organizational stability. Also, trading your own ace in the making for another ace doesn't fix the stuff that usually breaks October teams defense, situational hitting, bullpen volatility. So yes, skeens is the headline, but Schlitler is the smart money.

[E]

Argue with AI.

[B]

It doesn't even know what to do with that.

[D]

Okay, I heard none of it.

[F]

None of it.

[B]

Oh, he couldn't hear it. Oh, you couldn't hear AI? Colin, I had no idea. I mean, why did anyone tell me you couldn't hear? So you guys acted like fools.

[E]

Yeah, okay. You should just know that AI calling entirely agreed with Taylor.

[D]

Like, all right.

[B]

Yeah, so. So listen, AI, it's. Listen, it's one thing for CC Sabathia who actually came on our show and agreed with Taylor, okay? He got caught up in the moment. He's a Yankee guy. You want to upset camp. All right, but I call and also just disagreed with me and you two Newhouse guys and agreed with Taylor. How about that, huh?

[D]

Honestly, it makes me feel good. I don't want to know how often AI is wrong. Like all of us have used AI in some form or fashion and do we ever step away from it thinking, you know, that was a pleasant experience. I really feel like AI answered my question. No, they answer a question in a terrifyingly, like, pleasant manner. They they say. Oh, oh, that, that's a good, you know, that's a great question. That's a good premise that you have. No, they get things wrong all the time. If we are leaning on AI for baseball analysis, then we have lost the plot, gentlemen.

[E]

Are you saying AI likes to gaslight people? Because I don't believe that.

[D]

No, of course not. Of course. Why would it ever do that? Come on.

[B]

I would pass it on this, but again, we went to the same school, so, I mean, I have his back, he has my back. I am so glad that someone finally alerted me because we were about to play a game which requires you hearing imaging. And I am so thrilled that someone finally figured out that passing. Can't hear any sound that's being fired off from Sherman Oaks or Miami. How about that?

[E]

Let me ask you.

[D]

I heard, I'll tell you this. I heard the back end of it. So if we want to try it one more time, by all means. I love to have a conversation with AI. This is exactly.

[B]

Well, hold on.

[D]

I thought my day was going to get.

[B]

Let's ask, let's see if you could hear this. AI Collins, thoughts on whether or not the Dodgers, the LA Dodgers, they, you know, they have a dynasty going on and they're, I've, I have questioned whether or not they're good for baseball. Let's see if AI Colin agrees with me.

[C]

No, the Los Angeles Dodgers aren't bad for baseball. They're gasoline on the fire. When you've got a monster brand that travels well and everybody wants to beat it, gives the sport a villain, a measuring stick and a reason to watch on a random Tuesday night. What's bad for baseball is the dead weight. Franchises that don't spend, don't develop and don't try. Those teams drain the energy out of the whole league. So let the Dodgers be great and let everybody else chase them.

[B]

Did you hear it?

[D]

I did. I did hear that. I didn't realize that, that, that AI Colin was part of the Democratic Socialists of America. Wow, that was, that was quite a thing right there. I mean, it's like, here's the thing. You're going to see this over the next year as the labor negotiation plays out. Collective bargaining agreement up December 1st. There's almost certainly going to be a lockout. And there are very pro labor sects of the fan base that essentially made the argument that AI Colin made right there. And there's some validity to it. Actually, I, I think the Dodgers are good in the same way that the Yankees were good back in the 1990s. It's a. It is a measuring stick. It's something that every other team can aspire to beat, and when somebody does beat them, it's a big. A big deal. So, yeah, as long as the Dodgers are playing within the rules, which they are, I feel like what they're doing actually does, as AI Colin said, expose those teams that aren't.

[E]

I just want to say this out loud because I know everything is listening when we inevitably go to war with our artificial intelligence. I am not on Jeff Pass inside on this. I am. Jeff is on his own on this one.

[B]

I got your back.

[D]

I'm fine. It's like, I will admit, I'm polite to AI when I talk to him.

[B]

I ask, please.

[D]

And I don't know how I feel about that, but it's just like there's this entity that's trying to help me, and I don't want to be a turd torrid, even though I know there's no humanity there. You're just a compendium of things that all of us have written throughout history and somehow process it into knowledge. This, like, I feel like, you know, I'm like the anti Carol Sturka. I would much rather be like Carol and look at the machine as if it's a force of evil. But it's just so helpful sometimes.

[E]

Jeff, when my partner does get things

[D]

wrong, I'm still pleasant to it.

[E]

When my partner curses at Alexa, I get so cringy. I'm like, oh, no. Why are you talking to her like that?

[F]

Izzy is selling out the human race hard in the. In the future wars.

[B]

All right, Jeff, we're. We're glad you. You could hear that, AI Colin. And so we hope that means you could hear this. We're gonna play a game with you and get you out of here in just a second. It's a game we like to call One table. Who's getting it and who's getting left. Outside, Greatness gets seated. Everyone else waits. This is one table.

[F]

So, Jeff, there's one table at the hottest restaurant in Atlanta.

[B]

Yes.

[F]

Greg Maddox walks in, Tom Glavin walks in, and John Smoltz walks in. Who gets the table?

[B]

That's a good question. Excellent.

[D]

Who. Who gets it or who should get it?

[F]

Who gets it?

[B]

Who gets the T? You're running that restaurant, and those three walk in at the exact same time. You have one table. They're with their families. Who gets the table?

[D]

Greg Maddox. All day.

[B]

Really? Wow.

[D]

Yeah. Best. Best pitcher of the bunch. But beyond that, Greg Maddox. Was the king of, like, clubhouse poop jokes. And that's the kind of guy who I want dining at my restaurant.

[E]

He was a real low talker. He used to really tick me off. And I was in the back of the crowd, and he was in there telling me when his answers like this. I think he did that on purpose.

[D]

He did. And also, you should have. You should have been there earlier. Like, elbow your way to the front.

[E]

This guy. This is how he became a Hall

[B]

of Fame baseball writer. Yes.

[D]

You could kick the ass of 99% of reporters, I imagine. I've seen you shirtless. It's majestic. And, like, why are you not using that to your advantage?

[E]

You're right. I should just take off my shirt. They'll all just make room.

[B]

No,

[D]

no.

[B]

This is. Izzy's the kind of guy that will drive you crazy, Jeff. Because you're right. When he takes his shirt off, he does look majestic. He's in better shape than any of us will ever be in. Izzy thinks he doesn't look good. He thinks he's in bad shape.

[E]

No, that's a whole different thing. Also, I was 22, so I was not.

[F]

Not in the shape.

[B]

Yeah, but no one likes that guy who's in better shape than we are and is. Is constantly getting upset and telling everyone, hey, I'm not in good shape. Cincinnati. There's a restaurant in Cincinnati. Okay. Joey Votto walks in. Okay, the Vottos. I'm trying to think of another Cincinnati Red, because if I say the roses, you're going to give the table to the roses. But people don't realize just how popular Joey Votto is in Cincinnati. So I'm going to go Vottos and the roses. Who gets the table? Pete Rose. Good player. Not a good dude.

[E]

I would have gone Sean Casey.

[B]

I was trying to sway him.

[D]

Well, Pete Rose isn't alive.

[B]

I know.

[E]

I mean, he doesn't need nourishment in this situation.

[B]

Matter. I mean, just, you know. You know, Pete Rose in his prime. Vato is prime Rose to kind of

[F]

get brought into the restaurant.

[B]

I'd be spooked if they. Weekend at Bernie's.

[D]

Pete Rose, he would still get the table.

[B]

A dead Pete Rose still gets the table.

[E]

Okay.

[B]

Beat Rose. I think, Mikey.

[D]

Yeah, I think.

[B]

All right, go ahead, Izzy.

[E]

You have one. No.

[B]

Oh, really? I have one. Go ahead.

[F]

This table is in Los Angeles, Jeff.

[B]

Oh, boy.

[F]

Sandy Koufax walks in. And Shohei Ohtani walks in. Who gets the table?

[D]

Oh, my.

[E]

Time travel.

[D]

Oh, that's a really good one. I think. I think they give it. I think they give it to Ohtani.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

What? What I do. He just got there.

[D]

I think, bro, it's la. It's la. Once you're like, once, you're not a thing anymore. I know Sandy Koufax will always be a thing, but I don't think that at restaurants. Is this my restaurant?

[B]

Yes. You decide. Yes. No, no.

[D]

If it's my restaurant, it's Sandy Koufax. You're asking a Jewish guy if he's

[F]

gonna seat Sandy Koufax versus anyone?

[D]

I would see Sandy Koufax over God himself.

[B]

Wait, so if it's your restaurant, are you allowing the dead Pete Rose to sit in it?

[D]

I'm going bottom.

[E]

I don't think God was that good at baseball.

[B]

All right, back to the no shirt,

[D]

no shoes, no breathing, no service. Like, we gotta have that on the front.

[B]

I'm going back to New York for a second. Aaron Judge. Derek Jeter, one table.

[D]

Derek Jeter always.

[B]

Wow, that was easy.

[E]

Derek Jeter has a Pittsburgh Pirate. Probably doesn't get the table.

[D]

I think it would be judge. I think it would be judge at that point because Derek Jeter's not Derek Jeter if he's a Pittsburgh Pirate.

[B]

Yep, you're right.

[D]

Just like that.

[F]

We ran out of time.

[B]

What a game. Dead Pete Rose, Jeff, Pass it. Thank you for the time. Get out of here. Check out his new podcast. Wherever you get your podcast, he's the best. Doing it right now. We appreciate it, buddy. Thank you.

[D]

Thank you, boys. You're the best.

[E]

And you can listen to us Stugots and company live each weekday from 3 to 5pm Eastern on Fox Sports Radio. Also, stream us live wherever you happen to be in the iHeart app. Catch us and all of our Fox Sports radio shows live 24. 7 in the new and improved iHeart app. Just search Fox Sports Radio in the app to stream us live all day every day. And be sure to select Fox Sports Radio as one of your presets in the iHeart app so it'll pop up at the top of your screen, be

[B]

sure to catch live editions of the Herd. Weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

[C]

Hey, is Cavino and Rich from Fox Sports Radio now, in addition to hearing

[D]

us live weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. We're excited to announce a brand new YouTube channel for the show.

[C]

Yup, that's right. You can now watch Covino ENRICH Live

[B]

on YouTube every day.

[C]

All you got to do, search COVINO and RICH FSR on YouTube again.

[D]

Go to YouTube search COVINOENRICH FSR.

[B]

Check us out on YouTube. Subscribe hit that thumbs up icon and comment away.

[A]

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[G]

Hey, I'm Diana Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover and a Gen X woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal, crying jag at a time. You ladies know what I mean. I'll bet you a perimenopausal chin hair you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be With Diana Maria Riva, where I call on my Gen X squads from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate midlife's most fantastic bs.

[B]

All of a sudden, I'd had hanging ness happening on my own.

[D]

I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that nest was gonna be.

[G]

Mood swings, night sweats, fupas. Sex drive. Wait, what? Sex? Dating at 45? How high can it be? Getting naked at 50 with a new guy?

[A]

That one's kind of hard.

[D]

Well, that's lighting.

[G]

They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure gonna try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears or tears of laughter and dive into it unfiltered and unbothered and asked, how hard can it be?

[D]

I cannot believe I'm about to say this out Loud in public.

[G]

Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of my Cultura podcast network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[F]

What's up, fam?

[B]

It's Isaiah Thomas and I'm C.J.

[F]

toledano.

[B]

And our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luka and Austin Reed and finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen seen before, and he knows without Luka and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game.

[F]

We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs.

[B]

I think Joker is going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reed, he has to guard Julius Randle and then he has to give us everything. He gives us on a night to night basis on offense.

[F]

And when it's friends stop by like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some, some playoff history too.

[E]

Steve Nash would get that thing, that man, hell get the flying. He running up the court licking his

[B]

fingers while he got the ball. Like you go through a training camp

[E]

with that Isaiah, you figure it out real quick.

[B]

Oh yeah.

[D]

Get your ass up and down the

[B]

court and you gonna get the ball.

[F]

So listen to Point game on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[B]

We will get to the polls here in just a second. This has been a fun day. Filling in for Colin here. I am told that we have Christopher Mad Dog Russo. Sound of him mispronouncing a name, I don't think we're going to be surprised by the name he mispronounces because this is a tough name for, for anybody, especially Christopher Mad Dog Russo. Go ahead, Taylor.

[F]

So this is a name that's given him trouble in the past. This is Yankees ace Cam Schlitler. This is Mad Dog trying to say it last postseason during the wild card round between the Yankees in Boston.

[D]

Let me start here. And then we'll get into Schlicher, who obviously was. Was shit, just tremendous in the game. Schlitzer yesterday left him in there.

[F]

So that was Mad Dog last postseason. It's all right.

[B]

So you would, you would think after that Taylor, he would never try to pronounce that last name again.

[E]

You would think three different ways right there.

[F]

It was those like cartoons like a Bugs Bunny and the Bugs Bunny playing Baseball where Mad Dog swung and missed three times at the same pitch trying to pronounce the name Cam Schlitler. So, Mad Dog, there's two ways you could go. He's either gonna get better or he's just gonna keep mispronouncing the word. This was him yesterday talking about Garrett Cole coming back and him mentioning Cam Schlitler again.

[D]

If he comes back in any kind of form and adding him to a staff that, you know, got Cam Sheetler on it, who's done very well. Free Will Warren.

[E]

That's gonna be a nightmare name for his entire career.

[B]

I mean, so he's just like. He knows he has to say the name. He can't av saying the name. He has to talk Yankee baseball. And when he talks Yankee baseball, occasionally, he's going to have to mention Cam's name. I'm trying to figure out a way for Mad Dog to avoid trying to pronounce his last name.

[F]

He wants the Paul Skeens trade so bad.

[B]

He wants it so bad. Just because the name hurt.

[E]

For those who might not have heard the first clip, just know that he said it without the L. Yeah, he

[B]

said exactly what you would imagine someone would say in that spot. I want to hear the second one, though, again, because we can't play the first one. We're on live national radio on College Joe. He's got a big audience. Or he had a big audience. Let's hear the second one again.

[D]

If he comes back in any kind of form, adding him to a staff that, you know, got Cam Sheetler on

[C]

it, who's done very well.

[B]

Free Will Warren.

[E]

I've never heard somebody so scared.

[B]

Camp sheets.

[D]

Sheet lined.

[F]

You know what he meant.

[E]

Go by Cam.

[B]

Paul skis.

[E]

Big Cam.

[B]

He is dying for skiings. I am with my key on this. Just give me a better name or Cam, change your name. What happened with Bill Simmons, Taylor? I feel like Bill Simmons did something that I would do. What happened here with Bill?

[F]

So the classic move, when you're. When you don't watch a game, Stu, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[F]

You pull up the box, squirt. You try to tell the story, which doesn't really make sense because when you think of Bill Simmons, you think Bill Simmons is watching these games. This. This might be just an unfortunate situation. But the Internet, again. I love Bill Simmons. Just want.

[E]

Yeah, no, let's be clear on that.

[F]

The Internet is calling him Box Score Bill because of this sound from. From yesterday's Lakers Thunder post game podcast.

[H]

Let's see. Chet 32. Mitchell played 30 Wallace played 30, but, you know, they played 10 guys. They really played more than that. But really they had this 10 man rotation. Jalen Williams played 14 minutes tonight. He was their second best guy during the title run last year. And now he's, I think, their third best guy because I think Chet has officially put on the Robin costume. To Batman. To flapping Batman. Sj.

[F]

So, Stu, you might not have picked up where the mistake was there that.

[B]

No, I did. You want me to try and guess here?

[E]

Oh, yeah. My goodness.

[B]

There are two Jalen Williams on that team. Yes. How about that?

[E]

This man really has been staying up watching these games.

[B]

So, Bill Simmons, who wrote the book on basketball, okay, does it know that Jalen Williams, the second best player on the Thunder, has been out and is out currently for okc? That is laugh out loud funny. Be proud of it, Bill.

[E]

And now, now I want you to. To recognize this noise that was made, right? Because I want you to picture yourself, okay?

[B]

You're.

[E]

You didn't watch the game. It's rare. It's last year. Last year. This year you're watching the games. Let's say it's last year you didn't watch the games, right? You're like, all right, you break out your newspaper because you still got the newspaper. And you look at the box score and you're like, all right, I'm about to come up with my take for this game. And you open up the box score and you make this sound.

[H]

Let's see.

[E]

That's exactly the sound you would make, is it not?

[B]

Yes, it's the sound I do make when I'm scrolling through a box score. Hit it one more time.

[H]

Let's see.

[E]

In unison. It's practically in unison.

[B]

It was perfect, Stu.

[F]

It's the equivalent of Francesa going ba, ba, ba. As he's looking for screen calling.

[B]

Yes, that's how he fills time. Bill does it with A.

[H]

Let's see.

[B]

Yes, Frances.

[D]

Every Thursday.

[F]

Checking the lines before an NFL Sunday.

[E]

Let's see.

[B]

Does Bill still call his show the BS Report? Because I would call it the total BS Report.

[F]

So some people are saying the B and the S and Bill Simmons stands for box score. I'm not saying that.

[B]

I would say it stands for bull. Again, score.

[F]

James Harden Again, to be very clear, I love Bill Simmons.

[B]

I love this guy.

[F]

Yes, he has responded on Twitter because people are dunking on him, saying, how? Didn't you know? Jalen Williams, the Thunder's second best player, has been injured for the start of this series. Bill Simmons is responding On Twitter, he said, I spent five hours watching both games, like always, just brain farted. We recorded right after the game and I was trying to rip through 15 things I wanted to talk about as fast as possible and just messed up. Bleep happens. My bad. Really hope you can forgive me. The really hope you could forgive me. He mentioned the guy's name who, who tweeted at him and you can tell it was a very sarcastic really hope you could forgive me.

[B]

Okay, so he doesn't care once.

[E]

It's just being honest. Hey, you know what? I watched the game. I missed.

[B]

Well, big deal.

[E]

Do you know how many times I'm on the air?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, is he being honest though? Like, do you believe that?

[F]

I don't know.

[B]

Right. That's. Yes. It's an easy thing for him to say now after the fact. And you're right, he did have the proper response, but I'm not certain I'm buying it, you know?

[E]

Well, for somebody, the thing that I'm impressed the most with Bill Simmons in his entire career is just his recall in general.

[B]

Right?

[E]

Like, he's great. He used to do. He did a whole thing where he compared, I think every NBA team to a season of 24 or something. Like it was just absolutely ridiculous the level of recall that he has. He's watched so basketball games and recapped so many basketball games that even if he didn't watch it, I would have full confidence that I can pull this off just off the box score. So whether he watched it or not, whether he might have fallen asleep watching

[H]

it or not, I don't care.

[B]

I really want to dissect this. I need to hear the entirety of the sound again. I want to hear it all. And I will determine whether or not Bill Simmons is being honest. Play it again.

[H]

Let's see. Shit. 32. Mitchell played 30, Wallace played 30. But you know, they played 10 guys, they really played more than that. But really they had this 10 man rotation. Jalen Williams played 14 minutes tonight. He's was their second best guy during the title run last year and now he's, I think, their third best guy because I think Chet has officially put on the Robin costume. To Batman. To flopping Batman. Sga.

[E]

Yeah, here's why I want to give him a little bit of a pass too. I want to say it's an age thing. Because, man, even in the middle of that sentence, he. Something had to go off in his head. Like, wait a second, that doesn't make any sense. Why would Jalen Williams only play 14 minutes if he was healthy.

[B]

No. I have now listened to it twice. And Bill Simmons does not know that Jalen Williams is hurt. I mean, I'm sorry. And you can't call yourself, you know, the basketball expert, not know in the postseason, the second season that the Oklahoma City Thunder's second best player hasn't been there.

[E]

Everybody's heard.

[F]

Who can remember again, in defense of Bill, I'm team. I'm team Bill Simmons. Almost.

[B]

We get it.

[F]

Just want to preface it just in case.

[A]

So am I.

[B]

He's my friend.

[F]

The take. The take is correct. Where Jalen Williams might take more of a backseat this season at Chet Holmgren. There is no way you watch that entire game and you thought Jalen Williams, the second best player on the Thunder, played 14 minutes.

[B]

So I don't want to hear brain farts. And I was scrolling through 16 things that I was thinking of at the time. Just say you didn't watch the game. It's okay. No one's going to care. Even for Bill Simmons. No one's going to care that he missed a game in the postseason. It's all right. These games are late.

[E]

I mean, and listen, Bill, this is coming from a Syracuse alum. Yes.

[B]

I mean, I went to the new

[E]

house very serious about journalism. A new house guy very serious about journalism. So just take note.

[B]

I got to tell you, it's really nice being home again,

[D]

sir.

[B]

Exctus. I want to start a podcast called the total BS report. Can we do that? 8, 77 for the herd. I have no idea why I'm giving out the number. I just wanted to say it one more time before we get out of here. 8, 7, 7 for the herd. We wrap it up with polls coming up next. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific. We will finish off the show with the polls. That' got 790 at X. I want to get one more question answered from AI Colin Coward. I've always wondered his Mount Rushmore of sports radio shows. I believe that we have asked AI Colin Coward for his Mount Rushmore of sports radio shows. So I've been dying. Listen, I have asked Colin, the real Colin several times for his Mount Rushmore. He refuses to give it to me, but AI Colin will answer any question.

[E]

You think he's Rushmore.

[B]

Let's hear AI Collins, Mount Rushmore of sports radio shows. Please.

[C]

Is my Mount Rushmore is the Herd with Colin Cowherd. Because it's opinion first and story driven, not scoreboard reading third person. Then you Got Mike and Mike cuz they made morning drive feel like a national hang. The Dan Patrick show because it's cool, it's smart, and it never sounds like it's trying too hard. And the Jim Rome show because that thing was a fastball every day and if you couldn't handle it, change the station.

[D]

Wow.

[B]

I mean, I thought for certain when he said Dan there was a levitard coming after that we didn't get it. I'm okay with it. I agree with him. Yeah, you didn't think that for a second, did you, Mikey? Now you knew it was Dan Patrick.

[F]

I had heard it before, so.

[B]

Okay.

[F]

Get out of the mind. Didn't have to say that.

[B]

Thank you. I know, really listen, said we we're in a place we've never been before. Taylor, the third hour, the guy who

[E]

gets on, the guy who gets on me about follow up questions. Really ask too many follow up questions there.

[B]

I didn't think he was going to give me that. But it happens. I mean, Bill Simmons, you know, he had 16 things he, he was figuring it out. And Jayla Williams, he not play. All right, let's go to the polls here at Stigat790 on X. This is how we wrap up the week. Every week on our show from three to five. We're in the third hour, a place we've never been before. Go ahead, Taylor.

[F]

Gotta dig deep.

[C]

First poll.

[F]

Does Anne Hathaway still have it?

[B]

91 on the corner. That's Taylor's day. Yep.

[F]

91 on the corner, Mikey. And 91 of the audience. Yes, Anne Hathaway still has it. All right, this one comes from Stu Gotz. When you have a toothache, do you have to lay in a certain position so it stops hurting you did.

[B]

I never heard that one before.

[E]

Never.

[B]

You do.

[E]

He also has a lot of dental issues.

[B]

You gotta find the sweet spot and just deal and get your head in that position and it goes away. I'm telling you, I did it on Spirit Airlines. That's what we were talking about, the big seat. And I went back and I had my own row and I found a good spot, the sweet spot. And I laid down and toothache 101.

[F]

60% of the audience said yes. They agreed with Stu. Somehow 60% of the audience never had a toothache. Next question.

[B]

40%.

[F]

One table left at a restaurant in New York City. Who gets the table, Jalen Brunson or Derek Jeter?

[B]

It's coming back. Brunson. I think it's coming back.

[E]

Brunson.

[B]

It is coming.

[F]

73% of the audience said the captain, Derek.

[B]

Oh, wow. Now put him in.

[E]

Pittsburgh Pirate, huh? Guy's huge in New York.

[B]

Yeah.

[F]

Would Nick fans trade Jalen Brunson today for Victor Wembanyama?

[B]

Taylor said no. He is on a roll. He's on a heater. Cece Savathi agreed with his ridiculous skiing stake for Cam, but Jeff Pass did not. Yes.

[E]

We're past the trade deadline, so I'm gonna say no.

[B]

Yeah.

[F]

This one. I don't think it's Knicks fans voting because 70% of the audience said yes. Knicks fans would. I'm telling you right now, Nick's fans would.

[B]

I'm telling you right now, it's all Knick fans.

[F]

This one comes off a conversation about Carbone. I don't remember who brought it up. I believe Izzy. But is any restaurant worth a six month in advance reservation?

[B]

Sup?

[E]

I think no. This was about the six tables restaurant that Stu Gods said, I think they have a six month reservation situation. And then somebody asked me if I'd been to Carboneau Adnan.

[B]

Yes, that's right.

[F]

80% of the audience said no. No restaurant.

[D]

All right.

[E]

Not even the French Laundry.

[D]

Huh?

[F]

This one comes courtesy of T. Bob on Stop asking for tips on the $20 beer at the ballpark. 94% of the audience said yes.

[B]

Y. Yeah. Yeah.

[E]

Tips are out of control.

[F]

Last one. Big one for Stu. Is game two, the most underrated game?

[B]

I bet you came back. Yes. Go ahead.

[E]

Important game in a series.

[F]

66% of the audience said yes.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[B]

Guaranteed Human.