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