Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three Eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sportsradio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Here we go. It is a Tuesday. It is great to be here again. A little cesta, a little sabbatical. Jmax filling in more than capably and appreciate that we are ready to go. The All Star Game is tonight. We have Cal Rawley. I grew up a Mariners fan. I wanted to be the voice of the Mariners. At some point the organization did not agree, so I ended up doing this. A Rod joins us as well tonight. So it's All Star Game night, home run derby NBA stuff. NFL camps are getting quick to open very soon. Around the corner. Jmat, good to be back, Good to see you. Yeah, great to have you back, big fellow excited for today. All right, So here's a story that's been simmering and sort of hovering, like those like those upas those UFOs over New Jersey were. Remember that for about a three week trial, kind of hovering over what are they? That's what I feel. The Lebron trade rumors are like nobody's quite sure what they are, what they mean, they're out there. I think maybe it's a plane. I don't buy them. I do not buy the Lebron trade rumors. Here's why. The best contract you can have in professional basketball is a superstar in his prime. Sga, Jokisch, Luca. Those are the guys that win in May and June. Rookie contracts are nice. Best contract, superstar in his prime. Sga wins a title, Yokich wins the title. The second best contract to me is a highly productive player with a lot of seasoning who is still good, probably out of his prime, and he has an expiring contract. And that's Lebron. This is it. They can play with it. Leverage to the Lakers. They can move him with the trade deadline. They could move him now I wouldn't, So why would you get rid of that? I mean, he was twenty four eight and eight last year. He was All NBA Second Team. He was sixth in MVP voting. That's the highest in years. He's highly productive and he's capable of helping you in a playoff series. I'm not trading that away. And by the way, his agent Rich Paul has acknowledged publicly. Yeah, Lebron knows it's Lucas team, So there's no real angst with Lebron James. He knows it's Lucas team. They're going to take care of him first, he'll get a new deal. So I don't buy the trade talks. Also, you know this is the time of the year, it's hey, how do I fill my three hour show? How do I fill my column? I don't buy it now. I do believe they will transition out of this potentially if things go south, But why now and why today? Remember the Lakers got better. There's a lot of reasons to be hopeful. I do not believe they are going to be as good as Houston. I don't think they're Oklahoma City. I don't think they were as good as Dallas. But JJ Reddicks in year two, he'll be better. Browny's had a good summer league. He may contribute. Luca's gonna be in great shape, and they're better at center. I don't love DeAndre Ayton. He's allergic to defense. Always sees himself as a one. He's more of a three to a four, and a championship level team. He'll probably be a three or a four for the Lakers. We'll see. But that team's not a very good defensive team. And to win a championship, Oklahoma City just proved you can do it with defense. So the Lakers are going to be very interesting this upcoming season, and they're gonna be very good. They're not gonna win a title. They're not going to hoist a trophy. They're not gonna be great. Lebron's passed his prime, Austin Reeves can be picked on defensively, DeAndre Ayton's moody, never happy and doesn't defend, and Luca he'll be in good shape. But but you know you're not getting much defense there either. But in Kobe's last year, they were uninteresting and won seventeen games. They were awful. So this is not a bad place to be very good and very interesting. So I don't buy the trade rumors. Hosts have to fill space. I think at the trade deadline, as Chris Brussard said yesterday, things could be interesting if it goes south.

Thanks for listening to The Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three Eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sportsradio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Here we go. It is a Tuesday. It is great to be here again. A little cesta, a little sabbatical. Jmax filling in more than capably and appreciate that we are ready to go. The All Star Game is tonight. We have Cal Rawley. I grew up a Mariners fan. I wanted to be the voice of the Mariners. At some point the organization did not agree, so I ended up doing this. A Rod joins us as well tonight. So it's All Star Game night, home run derby NBA stuff. NFL camps are getting quick to open very soon. Around the corner. Jmat, good to be back, Good to see you. Yeah, great to have you back, big fellow excited for today. All right, So here's a story that's been simmering and sort of hovering, like those like those upas those UFOs over New Jersey were. Remember that for about a three week trial, kind of hovering over what are they? That's what I feel. The Lebron trade rumors are like nobody's quite sure what they are, what they mean, they're out there. I think maybe it's a plane. I don't buy them. I do not buy the Lebron trade rumors. Here's why. The best contract you can have in professional basketball is a superstar in his prime. Sga, Jokisch, Luca. Those are the guys that win in May and June. Rookie contracts are nice. Best contract, superstar in his prime. Sga wins a title, Yokich wins the title. The second best contract to me is a highly productive player with a lot of seasoning who is still good, probably out of his prime, and he has an expiring contract. And that's Lebron. This is it. They can play with it. Leverage to the Lakers. They can move him with the trade deadline. They could move him now I wouldn't, So why would you get rid of that? I mean, he was twenty four eight and eight last year. He was All NBA Second Team. He was sixth in MVP voting. That's the highest in years. He's highly productive and he's capable of helping you in a playoff series. I'm not trading that away. And by the way, his agent Rich Paul has acknowledged publicly. Yeah, Lebron knows it's Lucas team, So there's no real angst with Lebron James. He knows it's Lucas team. They're going to take care of him first, he'll get a new deal. So I don't buy the trade talks. Also, you know this is the time of the year, it's hey, how do I fill my three hour show? How do I fill my column? I don't buy it now. I do believe they will transition out of this potentially if things go south, But why now and why today? Remember the Lakers got better. There's a lot of reasons to be hopeful. I do not believe they are going to be as good as Houston. I don't think they're Oklahoma City. I don't think they were as good as Dallas. But JJ Reddicks in year two, he'll be better. Browny's had a good summer league. He may contribute. Luca's gonna be in great shape, and they're better at center. I don't love DeAndre Ayton. He's allergic to defense. Always sees himself as a one. He's more of a three to a four, and a championship level team. He'll probably be a three or a four for the Lakers. We'll see. But that team's not a very good defensive team. And to win a championship, Oklahoma City just proved you can do it with defense. So the Lakers are going to be very interesting this upcoming season, and they're gonna be very good. They're not gonna win a title. They're not going to hoist a trophy. They're not gonna be great. Lebron's passed his prime, Austin Reeves can be picked on defensively, DeAndre Ayton's moody, never happy and doesn't defend, and Luca he'll be in good shape. But but you know you're not getting much defense there either. But in Kobe's last year, they were uninteresting and won seventeen games. They were awful. So this is not a bad place to be very good and very interesting. So I don't buy the trade rumors. Hosts have to fill space. I think at the trade deadline, as Chris Brussard said yesterday, things could be interesting if it goes south.

I think he starts the season with the Lakers Now, if for some reason it goes terrible, would they try to move him at the deadline, maybe get him to a team with a chance to do something in the playoffs.

I think he starts the season with the Lakers Now, if for some reason it goes terrible, would they try to move him at the deadline, maybe get him to a team with a chance to do something in the playoffs.

Yeah, something like that. But I don't see it going terrible.

Yeah, something like that. But I don't see it going terrible.

They weren't playing good basketball, and that was on the fly, right, That was when a roster.

They weren't playing good basketball, and that was on the fly, right, That was when a roster.

Not built around Luca. It was on the fly.

Not built around Luca. It was on the fly.

Lebron had to all of a sudden adjust to be in the second guy offensively, and they still played good basketball.

Lebron had to all of a sudden adjust to be in the second guy offensively, and they still played good basketball.

So you would expect them to be better.

So you would expect them to be better.

They will be better. They won't be great, but they'll be good and interesting. Why move off that now? All right? Tonight's the All Star Game home run derby Champ from the Mariners. Cal Rawley will be joining us one hour from now, a rod bottom of the hour. So Baseball made a decision which I totally agree with. Actually two they're going to have. He's only had five appearances, He's four and one, he's six seven. The kid throws absolute heat from the Milwaukee Brewers Jacob Mizerowski, they call him miss and they decided only five appearances, Hey, we're getting him into the All Star Game. And the purists have grumbled, but they always take themselves way too seriously. Baseball's also going to use the ABS system in the All Star Game tonight. They used it in spring training, it's being used in the minor leagues, and they're going to experiment with it. It's very quick. When I initially heard about it, I didn't like it, but it actually is fast, succinct, not a huge replay fan. I understand. In football, with only seventeen games, she got to get it right. But they're gonna do both. Baseball strange. So when I was a kid growing up, it had all sorts of personality. Al Roboski, Mark Fiedrich, Pete Rose, Mickey Rivers. It was all sorts of personality. Then it went through this weird twenty year span where it took itself way too seriously, way too rigid, way too beholden. The writers, broadcasters, everybody took it so seriously and the sport got really dull, and you heard about unwritten rules, and there was a way to play the game, those two unwritten rules. Rob Manfred is unwriting the unwritten rules. He's getting rid of them.

They will be better. They won't be great, but they'll be good and interesting. Why move off that now? All right? Tonight's the All Star Game home run derby Champ from the Mariners. Cal Rawley will be joining us one hour from now, a rod bottom of the hour. So Baseball made a decision which I totally agree with. Actually two they're going to have. He's only had five appearances, He's four and one, he's six seven. The kid throws absolute heat from the Milwaukee Brewers Jacob Mizerowski, they call him miss and they decided only five appearances, Hey, we're getting him into the All Star Game. And the purists have grumbled, but they always take themselves way too seriously. Baseball's also going to use the ABS system in the All Star Game tonight. They used it in spring training, it's being used in the minor leagues, and they're going to experiment with it. It's very quick. When I initially heard about it, I didn't like it, but it actually is fast, succinct, not a huge replay fan. I understand. In football, with only seventeen games, she got to get it right. But they're gonna do both. Baseball strange. So when I was a kid growing up, it had all sorts of personality. Al Roboski, Mark Fiedrich, Pete Rose, Mickey Rivers. It was all sorts of personality. Then it went through this weird twenty year span where it took itself way too seriously, way too rigid, way too beholden. The writers, broadcasters, everybody took it so seriously and the sport got really dull, and you heard about unwritten rules, and there was a way to play the game, those two unwritten rules. Rob Manfred is unwriting the unwritten rules. He's getting rid of them.

He's going to.

He's going to.

Experiment with a kid tonight the ABS system, and I'm sure purists don't like it, but he's called a phenom. You know what gets me to a television A phenom not statistically superior player for the Phillies. Phenom gets me to a television set. I don't care if it's a phenom golf Caitlin Clark came into the league. Phenom gets me to a TV set. I don't care if it's a musical artist. The kid is six seven averages ninety nine miles an hour on his fastball. He's probably gonna go in middle innings, and I can't wait. Those unwritten rules never made any sense, Like there are certain unwritten rules in society we all understand, like when you go to the bathroom, wash your hands before you come out, or if you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth. But you can't bunt to break up a no hitter.

Experiment with a kid tonight the ABS system, and I'm sure purists don't like it, but he's called a phenom. You know what gets me to a television A phenom not statistically superior player for the Phillies. Phenom gets me to a television set. I don't care if it's a phenom golf Caitlin Clark came into the league. Phenom gets me to a TV set. I don't care if it's a musical artist. The kid is six seven averages ninety nine miles an hour on his fastball. He's probably gonna go in middle innings, and I can't wait. Those unwritten rules never made any sense, Like there are certain unwritten rules in society we all understand, like when you go to the bathroom, wash your hands before you come out, or if you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth. But you can't bunt to break up a no hitter.

Why not?

Why not?

My job has not put you in the record books. My job is to not elevate your legacy. It's a two nothing game, three nothing game. You lead, guy in front of me walk steal second. I'm bunning to get him on eighth inning. I don't care. That's a you problem. Remember the other one in baseball. You can't steal a base leading big. I mean, I guess if it's fourteen nothing or you can't stare at a home run, why not you couldn't get me out? Throw be more wicked, get the splitty over what evs? Rob Manfred's like, no, let's have fun. It's baseball. This is called an All Star game. And this kid's a star, he's a phenom. He gets us to a television. Baseball got into real trouble when it got really precious and really beholden to history. Guys, we used to memorize baseball cards. That's what we did at seventeen. Kids don't collect them. They don't collect them. They don't run to the drug store in your local town to get that piece of gum and you know that baseball card. It's all over. I mean even the industry of trading baseball cards, with few exceptions, nobody cares anymore. So I love what they're doing. Rob Manfred said, speed the game up. Every swing he's taken has worked everyone. You don't have to love them. All Star game, not all stats, not all superior production. For a guy that's not getting us to a TV. I love it. I think it's great. And here's Dave Roberts.

My job has not put you in the record books. My job is to not elevate your legacy. It's a two nothing game, three nothing game. You lead, guy in front of me walk steal second. I'm bunning to get him on eighth inning. I don't care. That's a you problem. Remember the other one in baseball. You can't steal a base leading big. I mean, I guess if it's fourteen nothing or you can't stare at a home run, why not you couldn't get me out? Throw be more wicked, get the splitty over what evs? Rob Manfred's like, no, let's have fun. It's baseball. This is called an All Star game. And this kid's a star, he's a phenom. He gets us to a television. Baseball got into real trouble when it got really precious and really beholden to history. Guys, we used to memorize baseball cards. That's what we did at seventeen. Kids don't collect them. They don't collect them. They don't run to the drug store in your local town to get that piece of gum and you know that baseball card. It's all over. I mean even the industry of trading baseball cards, with few exceptions, nobody cares anymore. So I love what they're doing. Rob Manfred said, speed the game up. Every swing he's taken has worked everyone. You don't have to love them. All Star game, not all stats, not all superior production. For a guy that's not getting us to a TV. I love it. I think it's great. And here's Dave Roberts.

The All Star Game should be the best the game's best players. It's about the fans and what the fans want to see. So for this young kid to be named All Star, I couldn't be more excited for him. He is thrilled to be here. I'm gonna get him in there probably the fifth of the sixth inning, something like that, the seventh, and it's going to be electric. So the fans, the media, you're gonna love it.

The All Star Game should be the best the game's best players. It's about the fans and what the fans want to see. So for this young kid to be named All Star, I couldn't be more excited for him. He is thrilled to be here. I'm gonna get him in there probably the fifth of the sixth inning, something like that, the seventh, and it's going to be electric. So the fans, the media, you're gonna love it.

Tonight. Is a celebration. It's not determining home field advantage. Don't be precious, don't be pious. Baseball did that for about twenty years. They got really weird. And by the way, the Savannah bananas right, like that thing is on fire right, Why it's selling out? The fans are telling you, Yeah, we go to the ballpark to have a beer with friends and have fun. This kid is not in this All Star Game tonight. If they don't put mis in, what's getting me there? It matters six seven throws heat I want to watch all right. J mac nick Saban rumored to be headed back another roomor I don't buy the college football will address that. The NFL execs came out with a quarterback list yesterday that I absolutely loved. That probably drove you crazy.

Tonight. Is a celebration. It's not determining home field advantage. Don't be precious, don't be pious. Baseball did that for about twenty years. They got really weird. And by the way, the Savannah bananas right, like that thing is on fire right, Why it's selling out? The fans are telling you, Yeah, we go to the ballpark to have a beer with friends and have fun. This kid is not in this All Star Game tonight. If they don't put mis in, what's getting me there? It matters six seven throws heat I want to watch all right. J mac nick Saban rumored to be headed back another roomor I don't buy the college football will address that. The NFL execs came out with a quarterback list yesterday that I absolutely loved. That probably drove you crazy.

Of course you love it.

Of course you love it.

Of course no Rock Perty in the top ten, of course you love it. I gotta look at eleven through fifteen. I didn't see him there either, but whatever, I don't want to rub it in this morning. Oh boy, oh he robbing grenades early, okay.

Of course no Rock Perty in the top ten, of course you love it. I gotta look at eleven through fifteen. I didn't see him there either, but whatever, I don't want to rub it in this morning. Oh boy, oh he robbing grenades early, okay.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern n a em Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio Appy.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern n a em Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio Appy.

It's me Rock Parker.

It's me Rock Parker.

Check out my weekly MLB podcast, Inside the Parker for twenty two minutes of piping hot baseball talk featuring the biggest name the newsmakers in the sport. Whether you believe in analytics or the Ie test, We've got all the bases covered. New episodes dropped every Thursday, So do yourself a favor and listen to Inside the Parker with Rob Parker on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.

Check out my weekly MLB podcast, Inside the Parker for twenty two minutes of piping hot baseball talk featuring the biggest name the newsmakers in the sport. Whether you believe in analytics or the Ie test, We've got all the bases covered. New episodes dropped every Thursday, So do yourself a favor and listen to Inside the Parker with Rob Parker on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.

All right, welcome back, Alex Rodriguez joining us in about ten minutes. All Star Game tonight on Fox. So you know I'll be honest. I golfed a lot. I hung out, biked, walked, hung out with the dogs, did not read a lot or watch a lot of sports some but one of the things that jumped out to me over the last ten to eleven days was that NFL executives, coaches and scouts, many of them through the years have been very helpful to me and learning this game and sourcing this game, released their top ten quarterback So this is the people that draft them, the people that coach them, the people that select them, the people that scout them. And it went in this order. Mahomes, Allen Burrow, Lamar, Jayden Daniels, Matt Stafford, Justin, Herbert Goff, Jalen Hurds, Baker Mayfield, and I almost reached out to Jmack, but I didn't want to get him all riled up. That's about as close to my list as you can get. Now, believe it or not, you're probably saying, well, what about Baker Mayfield. Well, after a second good year in Tampa, he's closer to ten than fifteen. I probably go CJ. Stroud at ten because his size and accuracy, but he didn't have a great year. A lot of that was his receivers all got hurt, his left tackle didn't play well. But none of this bothers me. Now. The reaction on Jalen Hurtz, who you know, wins the Super Bowl being nine, was predictable by his coach, Nick Seriani that said, you know, this is a bunch of nonsense. I can't believe it, and that's what a coach should do. But here are three undeniable truths. Take a deep breath. According to PFF, the Eagles offense was top ten in everything pass blocking, run blocking, rushing, receiving, yet they were twenty first and actually passing. Jalen Hurts is responsible for that. Oh. By the way, eleven of us thirty two total touchdowns came on rushes of one or fewer yards. Take out the tush push. He had the same number of touchdowns as Bryce Young and number three. After a week five by and a philosophical reset by the OC, they passed the ball less than any team in the NFL at twenty four times a game. So you know, if your company, you know, goes to one of those off site weekend retreats and has a philosophical reset and they come back and they decide, listen, employee, we're going to use you less and they're more successful. That seems to be a pretty striking correlation. So bottom line, the organization literally had a philosophical Brady and Tampa and Bruce Arians had this. Remember like late in the season, they never lost. After that, they had a reset and Tom was going to take more control of the offense than Bruce Arians. They didn't lose again, They beat Atlanta a couple times, they won all their playoff games, and Tom hoisted another trophy. So the Eagles basically they had one of those philosophical resets, and what they decided was, this offense is great as long as we passed the ball fewer times. That's a correlation. Now, I don't have a problem putting in Jalen Hurts to my top ten. I think he has great moments, great character, great leadership, great power. I think pound for pound, he's the strongest player in the NFL, certainly strongest quarterback. I like him a lot, but I don't think any GM sees him as an elite passer. I don't think any GM saw Lamar Jackson initially as an elite passer, but he has really developed. I still think Jalen Hurts on third and seven from the pocket. I don't have great vibes all the time. I really don't, but I I do think he has great moments character and leadership and toughness and durability. Here here's Matt Hasselbeck on the show yesterday saying he's undervalued by the league.

All right, welcome back, Alex Rodriguez joining us in about ten minutes. All Star Game tonight on Fox. So you know I'll be honest. I golfed a lot. I hung out, biked, walked, hung out with the dogs, did not read a lot or watch a lot of sports some but one of the things that jumped out to me over the last ten to eleven days was that NFL executives, coaches and scouts, many of them through the years have been very helpful to me and learning this game and sourcing this game, released their top ten quarterback So this is the people that draft them, the people that coach them, the people that select them, the people that scout them. And it went in this order. Mahomes, Allen Burrow, Lamar, Jayden Daniels, Matt Stafford, Justin, Herbert Goff, Jalen Hurds, Baker Mayfield, and I almost reached out to Jmack, but I didn't want to get him all riled up. That's about as close to my list as you can get. Now, believe it or not, you're probably saying, well, what about Baker Mayfield. Well, after a second good year in Tampa, he's closer to ten than fifteen. I probably go CJ. Stroud at ten because his size and accuracy, but he didn't have a great year. A lot of that was his receivers all got hurt, his left tackle didn't play well. But none of this bothers me. Now. The reaction on Jalen Hurtz, who you know, wins the Super Bowl being nine, was predictable by his coach, Nick Seriani that said, you know, this is a bunch of nonsense. I can't believe it, and that's what a coach should do. But here are three undeniable truths. Take a deep breath. According to PFF, the Eagles offense was top ten in everything pass blocking, run blocking, rushing, receiving, yet they were twenty first and actually passing. Jalen Hurts is responsible for that. Oh. By the way, eleven of us thirty two total touchdowns came on rushes of one or fewer yards. Take out the tush push. He had the same number of touchdowns as Bryce Young and number three. After a week five by and a philosophical reset by the OC, they passed the ball less than any team in the NFL at twenty four times a game. So you know, if your company, you know, goes to one of those off site weekend retreats and has a philosophical reset and they come back and they decide, listen, employee, we're going to use you less and they're more successful. That seems to be a pretty striking correlation. So bottom line, the organization literally had a philosophical Brady and Tampa and Bruce Arians had this. Remember like late in the season, they never lost. After that, they had a reset and Tom was going to take more control of the offense than Bruce Arians. They didn't lose again, They beat Atlanta a couple times, they won all their playoff games, and Tom hoisted another trophy. So the Eagles basically they had one of those philosophical resets, and what they decided was, this offense is great as long as we passed the ball fewer times. That's a correlation. Now, I don't have a problem putting in Jalen Hurts to my top ten. I think he has great moments, great character, great leadership, great power. I think pound for pound, he's the strongest player in the NFL, certainly strongest quarterback. I like him a lot, but I don't think any GM sees him as an elite passer. I don't think any GM saw Lamar Jackson initially as an elite passer, but he has really developed. I still think Jalen Hurts on third and seven from the pocket. I don't have great vibes all the time. I really don't, but I I do think he has great moments character and leadership and toughness and durability. Here here's Matt Hasselbeck on the show yesterday saying he's undervalued by the league.

I think he's definitely in that six to ten, but you could make the argument that he should be at number six. And I think why I say that, You know, people don't give him enough credit for the quarterback sneak, Like they just don't like they think, like, oh, it's just a quarterback sneak. It doesn't count as just like a free play. We should make it illegal. That is a real weapon that he uses. And like so like sometimes it's maybe easy to gloss over some of some of the other stuff because he's not you know, he's staying in the pocket. He's not bolting. A lot of young quarterbacks just bolt outside the pocket. He stays in the pocket, he doesn't flinch.

I think he's definitely in that six to ten, but you could make the argument that he should be at number six. And I think why I say that, You know, people don't give him enough credit for the quarterback sneak, Like they just don't like they think, like, oh, it's just a quarterback sneak. It doesn't count as just like a free play. We should make it illegal. That is a real weapon that he uses. And like so like sometimes it's maybe easy to gloss over some of some of the other stuff because he's not you know, he's staying in the pocket. He's not bolting. A lot of young quarterbacks just bolt outside the pocket. He stays in the pocket, he doesn't flinch.

You're not gonna get a ton of credit for a quarterback sneak, like he's the best at it. But it's like giving a baseball hitter a lot of credit because he's the league's best bunter. That's not getting into the hof. You got to do more than that each year. Rod could do that, but he had a great arm, hit for power, and was uniquely gifted. He could also bunts if you wanted him to. That's not really the point. And so my thing what Jalen Hurts is he is viewed fairly. And in my career doing this, I have found that athletes after they've been in a professional sport for five years are all fairly judged. By the time you've been in it ten years, and Hurts isn't there yet. Everybody knows your brand very early in Aaron Rodgers' career, super talented, a little aloof can be prickly, great talent. Is he a great leader? I think that's fair. It's not a criticism, it's what he is. Even at a golf tournament. Oh prickly Aaron and Aaron that's okay. But the idea that after all these years in Philly, you know, people just don't understand what he is. I think we all know what he is. Great kid, great leader, great talent, strong as strong.

You're not gonna get a ton of credit for a quarterback sneak, like he's the best at it. But it's like giving a baseball hitter a lot of credit because he's the league's best bunter. That's not getting into the hof. You got to do more than that each year. Rod could do that, but he had a great arm, hit for power, and was uniquely gifted. He could also bunts if you wanted him to. That's not really the point. And so my thing what Jalen Hurts is he is viewed fairly. And in my career doing this, I have found that athletes after they've been in a professional sport for five years are all fairly judged. By the time you've been in it ten years, and Hurts isn't there yet. Everybody knows your brand very early in Aaron Rodgers' career, super talented, a little aloof can be prickly, great talent. Is he a great leader? I think that's fair. It's not a criticism, it's what he is. Even at a golf tournament. Oh prickly Aaron and Aaron that's okay. But the idea that after all these years in Philly, you know, people just don't understand what he is. I think we all know what he is. Great kid, great leader, great talent, strong as strong.

Gets for that position, but he's not a top five guy. Be sure to catch live a day of the Herd weekdays and noon Easter. Not a Empacific.

Gets for that position, but he's not a top five guy. Be sure to catch live a day of the Herd weekdays and noon Easter. Not a Empacific.

Fourteen time All Star, a three time MVP twenty two years an icon absolutely beginning to end. Alex Rodriguez at the All Star Game is now joining us live. Okay, so you made your All Star debut. You were twenty years old. I red you know, you obviously would not remember this. I remember being in the Mariner locker room years and years and years ago, and you were, you know, you'll talk of the team, and I was like, he's like fourteen years old. Look at that kid.

Fourteen time All Star, a three time MVP twenty two years an icon absolutely beginning to end. Alex Rodriguez at the All Star Game is now joining us live. Okay, so you made your All Star debut. You were twenty years old. I red you know, you obviously would not remember this. I remember being in the Mariner locker room years and years and years ago, and you were, you know, you'll talk of the team, and I was like, he's like fourteen years old. Look at that kid.

He's a kid.

He's a kid.

So you go, let's talk about MS. So I have no problem putting him in the All Star Game. He's a phenom. Let's not get precious. I want to see a phenom the kids six seven throws heat. I'm for it. I am all for it. Go back to you being an All Star at twenty. Were you overwhelmed by it? Oh?

So you go, let's talk about MS. So I have no problem putting him in the All Star Game. He's a phenom. Let's not get precious. I want to see a phenom the kids six seven throws heat. I'm for it. I am all for it. Go back to you being an All Star at twenty. Were you overwhelmed by it? Oh?

My god, Colin and hello, I was so overwhelmed that when I when I saw Kyle Ridkin for the first time, my childhood hero. You know, he was like he was like a statue was all. He had, like little gray hair, he had these blue eyes and that was like, Oh my god, that's my hero and I'm his teammate, And that was the neatest part. It was in the old Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, and it was it was quite fun.

My god, Colin and hello, I was so overwhelmed that when I when I saw Kyle Ridkin for the first time, my childhood hero. You know, he was like he was like a statue was all. He had, like little gray hair, he had these blue eyes and that was like, Oh my god, that's my hero and I'm his teammate, And that was the neatest part. It was in the old Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, and it was it was quite fun.

Yeah, all Star games are interesting. You're facing the best of the best. A lot of it is where are the shadows? What who do you face? Your second at bat? Your mindset there is there's not a time you're almost like on Broadway. You're kind of performing like it's a really different environment. Go go to your bats? Is the all like like you face some like peer pressure, but you don't face outcome pressure. Did you like All Star games?

Yeah, all Star games are interesting. You're facing the best of the best. A lot of it is where are the shadows? What who do you face? Your second at bat? Your mindset there is there's not a time you're almost like on Broadway. You're kind of performing like it's a really different environment. Go go to your bats? Is the all like like you face some like peer pressure, but you don't face outcome pressure. Did you like All Star games?

I love them?

I love them?

And look, this was a celebration of all your hard work, dedication one thing has made to the major leagues.

And look, this was a celebration of all your hard work, dedication one thing has made to the major leagues.

But to be one of sixty or sixty.

But to be one of sixty or sixty.

Five guys that are the best players in the world in the best league in the world, it was a treat and it was an honor. I remember coming in two thousand, we were playing right here in Atlanta for the All Star Game. I had hurt my knee and I didn't make it and Derek went in might to replace me and he won the MVP.

Five guys that are the best players in the world in the best league in the world, it was a treat and it was an honor. I remember coming in two thousand, we were playing right here in Atlanta for the All Star Game. I had hurt my knee and I didn't make it and Derek went in might to replace me and he won the MVP.

But I remember staying.

But I remember staying.

At home so bummed and sad that I couldn't be at the All Star Game. Ifn Look, if you don't play in the World Series, that's the most exposure you're going to get.

At home so bummed and sad that I couldn't be at the All Star Game. Ifn Look, if you don't play in the World Series, that's the most exposure you're going to get.

And you're showing off for the national.

And you're showing off for the national.

Fans, for the global front fans, and also for the community of baseball, but especially your colleagues and the other seven hundred and forty nine players.

Fans, for the global front fans, and also for the community of baseball, but especially your colleagues and the other seven hundred and forty nine players.

So there's a lot of interesting stories about this season. One of the ones that's fascinating. I've always said it's hard to go into prolonged slumps. With hockey and basketball game the game moves too quickly. You don't have time to overthink a misshot. You get another shot in fourteen seconds. But in baseball and golf, you got a lot of downtime to think about that seven iron that went sideways, or you know that at bat where you got fooled. And so Raffie Devers goes from the Red Sox they suddenly they're on fire. He goes to San Francisco. He is punching out like he is struggling, And I think a lot of it is when you're called like, oh, he's the savior, he is what I think it's in his head. Take me to that, because you added one slump in your career. I remember in the playoffs, not many, but some. I think this get in San Francisco. I think it's I think it's upstairs with him. What do you see?

So there's a lot of interesting stories about this season. One of the ones that's fascinating. I've always said it's hard to go into prolonged slumps. With hockey and basketball game the game moves too quickly. You don't have time to overthink a misshot. You get another shot in fourteen seconds. But in baseball and golf, you got a lot of downtime to think about that seven iron that went sideways, or you know that at bat where you got fooled. And so Raffie Devers goes from the Red Sox they suddenly they're on fire. He goes to San Francisco. He is punching out like he is struggling, And I think a lot of it is when you're called like, oh, he's the savior, he is what I think it's in his head. Take me to that, because you added one slump in your career. I remember in the playoffs, not many, but some. I think this get in San Francisco. I think it's I think it's upstairs with him. What do you see?

Well, first it suggesss Boston.

Well, first it suggesss Boston.

Sometimes when you clear what's perceived as a stressful situation and you clear the big brother, then it puts the owners and responsibilities on the other twenty five guys in that locker room, and everyone says, all right, there's a sigh of relief.

Sometimes when you clear what's perceived as a stressful situation and you clear the big brother, then it puts the owners and responsibilities on the other twenty five guys in that locker room, and everyone says, all right, there's a sigh of relief.

We've cleared the deck. Now is on us? Big Brother's gone.

We've cleared the deck. Now is on us? Big Brother's gone.

So I mean, I remember when Griffy left, we went on the next year to the playoffs, when we brought in Mike Cameron and Freddie Garcia and Seattle. You remember those years, and then I left and they got even better.

So I mean, I remember when Griffy left, we went on the next year to the playoffs, when we brought in Mike Cameron and Freddie Garcia and Seattle. You remember those years, and then I left and they got even better.

Right, So it's not normal.

Right, So it's not normal.

But you have a Rod and Griffy leaving back to back years and the team keeps getting better and better. So there's something that's happening with the Red Sox on the Devers. Remember he started the year really slow. In his first twenty five at bats, he had like twenty punch outs and it takes him a little bit to go. He's also a streaky hitter, but he's a guy that's been his whole career basically from Dominica Republic to fur Myers to Boston. Now he goes all the way west. So he's going from east to west. Adjustment number one. He's going from American League East that he spent his whole career in to National League West. And instead of being hot and in Boston in the summer, is a little bit cooler in San Francisco. So there's a lot of adjustments you get used to. The ballpark is going.

But you have a Rod and Griffy leaving back to back years and the team keeps getting better and better. So there's something that's happening with the Red Sox on the Devers. Remember he started the year really slow. In his first twenty five at bats, he had like twenty punch outs and it takes him a little bit to go. He's also a streaky hitter, but he's a guy that's been his whole career basically from Dominica Republic to fur Myers to Boston. Now he goes all the way west. So he's going from east to west. Adjustment number one. He's going from American League East that he spent his whole career in to National League West. And instead of being hot and in Boston in the summer, is a little bit cooler in San Francisco. So there's a lot of adjustments you get used to. The ballpark is going.

To take him a minute.

To take him a minute.

I think he's going to hit, but hopefully this could be a win win for both of them. But right now, Colin, you're right, it's more mental than anything else when you think about an adjustment.

I think he's going to hit, but hopefully this could be a win win for both of them. But right now, Colin, you're right, it's more mental than anything else when you think about an adjustment.

So you know, the Dodgers have done this over the last several years. They have like a June or July. They I don't know if it's distracted. They often it feels like they're setting up their pitching for August and September, and they've a ton of injuries. In fact, part of their payroll, the advantages they've gone out and acquired guy guys on the mound with some pitching injuries that they don't need the volume in the regular season. They're looking for, you know, in the postseason. So some of what they're going through I think is fairly predictable. Two and seven in their last nine go to the most talented team you ever played for. Did you ever have a two and seven streak? What are the players talking about? Because you have all stars everywhere?

So you know, the Dodgers have done this over the last several years. They have like a June or July. They I don't know if it's distracted. They often it feels like they're setting up their pitching for August and September, and they've a ton of injuries. In fact, part of their payroll, the advantages they've gone out and acquired guy guys on the mound with some pitching injuries that they don't need the volume in the regular season. They're looking for, you know, in the postseason. So some of what they're going through I think is fairly predictable. Two and seven in their last nine go to the most talented team you ever played for. Did you ever have a two and seven streak? What are the players talking about? Because you have all stars everywhere?

Yeah, I mean, the Dodgers are such an anomaly and they're such a unicorn. They're really the best run franchise in the sport today. Two thousand and nine, we won the title of the New York Yankees when we beat the Phillies. We got off to a horrific start that year. In April, we were actually in last place, and then somewhere around I came back from a hip surgery somewhere in early May and Colin we probably played seven hundred baseball, not seven to fifty. We were almost unbeatable, but we were really bad in April. The Dodgers play different game, right. They have more resources than everybody, They have more talent. They're Amazon, their Google, their Apple, they're their top of their game, and they're signing as many people as possible, leaning on their resources, and they're making a bet whether that's so tany getting ready as they ramp them up, or they're hoping that of the twenty five pictures they have that eight or nine good pitchers are healthy October first, and that's really the only thing they're.

Yeah, I mean, the Dodgers are such an anomaly and they're such a unicorn. They're really the best run franchise in the sport today. Two thousand and nine, we won the title of the New York Yankees when we beat the Phillies. We got off to a horrific start that year. In April, we were actually in last place, and then somewhere around I came back from a hip surgery somewhere in early May and Colin we probably played seven hundred baseball, not seven to fifty. We were almost unbeatable, but we were really bad in April. The Dodgers play different game, right. They have more resources than everybody, They have more talent. They're Amazon, their Google, their Apple, they're their top of their game, and they're signing as many people as possible, leaning on their resources, and they're making a bet whether that's so tany getting ready as they ramp them up, or they're hoping that of the twenty five pictures they have that eight or nine good pitchers are healthy October first, and that's really the only thing they're.

Playing for, you know.

Playing for, you know.

I think Rob Manfred deserves credit well. I said this earlier. When I was a kid growing up, baseball had wild personalities. Pete Rose and Mark Fidrich and Al Raboski and Mickey Rivers. I mean, there was just there were It was wild. There was just all sorts of personalities, and then they went through a period some of it you dealt with where there's a way to play the game. It got a little precious, a little beholden the history. It's like, guys, the reason we all love Ken Griffy. It was fun. The hats on backwards, it's fun. And I think baseball is doing that again, one of them. I've been very pro Rob Manfred. I didn't initially like the idea of the ABS system. I'm like, okay, I can barely tolerate NFL replay. I just like keep the game moving. But then I've watched it and it's pretty quick, so I'm kind of like begrudgingly moving toward Okay, let's do it. How do you land on it if you talk to players about it?

I think Rob Manfred deserves credit well. I said this earlier. When I was a kid growing up, baseball had wild personalities. Pete Rose and Mark Fidrich and Al Raboski and Mickey Rivers. I mean, there was just there were It was wild. There was just all sorts of personalities, and then they went through a period some of it you dealt with where there's a way to play the game. It got a little precious, a little beholden the history. It's like, guys, the reason we all love Ken Griffy. It was fun. The hats on backwards, it's fun. And I think baseball is doing that again, one of them. I've been very pro Rob Manfred. I didn't initially like the idea of the ABS system. I'm like, okay, I can barely tolerate NFL replay. I just like keep the game moving. But then I've watched it and it's pretty quick, so I'm kind of like begrudgingly moving toward Okay, let's do it. How do you land on it if you talk to players about it?

Yeah, I agree with you.

Yeah, I agree with you.

I'm a big Rob Manford fan, and I think he deserves a lot of credit.

I'm a big Rob Manford fan, and I think he deserves a lot of credit.

Little Sino Handily.

Little Sino Handily.

I mean, with the changes he's made the last two or three years to really save our game. He probably belongs in Cooperstown. But the reason why I like this colin technology has made the game better. Anytime you make players and umpires more accountable, it's a great thing. Going back ten years that strike you see right there on the screen, eighty three percent of the time, the umpires were getting it right ten years ago. Today the numbers balloons in ninety seven. So is a much better quality, much better game, much better accuracy. All those things are good.

I mean, with the changes he's made the last two or three years to really save our game. He probably belongs in Cooperstown. But the reason why I like this colin technology has made the game better. Anytime you make players and umpires more accountable, it's a great thing. Going back ten years that strike you see right there on the screen, eighty three percent of the time, the umpires were getting it right ten years ago. Today the numbers balloons in ninety seven. So is a much better quality, much better game, much better accuracy. All those things are good.

Now.

Now.

The application of it, we have to go see how it works. I know he's they've been doing it in the minor leagues. I am really looking forward to tonight to see how that plays out because I'm a little bit on the fence, but I'm more pro because I think Rob Manford deserves some credit. He's built some equity here of the last three or four years with his changes, and I think the game has it gets from the curse of being so married to their history. I think some of the other leagues have really pushed the envelope. And look, I'll give you one example, because this one bothers me. I love the kid from Milwaukee being there as we started this conversation.

The application of it, we have to go see how it works. I know he's they've been doing it in the minor leagues. I am really looking forward to tonight to see how that plays out because I'm a little bit on the fence, but I'm more pro because I think Rob Manford deserves some credit. He's built some equity here of the last three or four years with his changes, and I think the game has it gets from the curse of being so married to their history. I think some of the other leagues have really pushed the envelope. And look, I'll give you one example, because this one bothers me. I love the kid from Milwaukee being there as we started this conversation.

He's only had five stars fined.

He's only had five stars fined.

But if this is a game of stars and entertainment and you have partners like Fox, Juan Soda needs to be in Atlanta because there's no one I'd rather have on the set. And you can't tell me there's sixty players or sixty stories more compelling than Juan Soda, who's had a phenomenal June. He was a Player of the Month Back in the day, I watched Larry Bird and Magic.

But if this is a game of stars and entertainment and you have partners like Fox, Juan Soda needs to be in Atlanta because there's no one I'd rather have on the set. And you can't tell me there's sixty players or sixty stories more compelling than Juan Soda, who's had a phenomenal June. He was a Player of the Month Back in the day, I watched Larry Bird and Magic.

I could care less if they had a bad first half or an average of profession I.

I could care less if they had a bad first half or an average of profession I.

Want to see Burd and Magic in the All Star Game every year a year, and then you're out.

Want to see Burd and Magic in the All Star Game every year a year, and then you're out.

Yeah, you and I agree. Finally, having been in Major League Baseball, a former number one pick Texas, it's the Yankees it's a broadcaster, it's the Mariners. Now you're a co owner of an NBA team, The cultures are totally different. Whereas the NFL is all about the shield, baseball is all about the ten year contract, the NBA is kind of all about the superstar. Just tell me, having watched the NBA now a co owner, is there anything that surprised you about it? Is there anything as somebody that knows sports about as well as anybody I know as a former player, that is, the culture's different, more fun, more interesting, captivating. Where are you with that?

Yeah, you and I agree. Finally, having been in Major League Baseball, a former number one pick Texas, it's the Yankees it's a broadcaster, it's the Mariners. Now you're a co owner of an NBA team, The cultures are totally different. Whereas the NFL is all about the shield, baseball is all about the ten year contract, the NBA is kind of all about the superstar. Just tell me, having watched the NBA now a co owner, is there anything that surprised you about it? Is there anything as somebody that knows sports about as well as anybody I know as a former player, that is, the culture's different, more fun, more interesting, captivating. Where are you with that?

Well, the history's much different, Colin, It's been I've been part of Major League Baseball now for over thirty years, and I've had some highs and I've had some lows, but I've learned a lot of lessons along the way. What's interesting about the biggest difference is that, you know, we had Marvin Miller as a players Union, Then we had Don fear as ahead, then we had Michael Wiener.

Well, the history's much different, Colin, It's been I've been part of Major League Baseball now for over thirty years, and I've had some highs and I've had some lows, but I've learned a lot of lessons along the way. What's interesting about the biggest difference is that, you know, we had Marvin Miller as a players Union, Then we had Don fear as ahead, then we had Michael Wiener.

Now we have Tony Clark.

Now we have Tony Clark.

Uh.

Uh.

You know, from the minute you come into the big leagues, the enemy has been owners. Players and owners have really had a really long, tough relationship. Where in the NBA owners love love the players. The players have a really good relationship with the owners, and that's been the biggest difference that I've seen firsthand.

You know, from the minute you come into the big leagues, the enemy has been owners. Players and owners have really had a really long, tough relationship. Where in the NBA owners love love the players. The players have a really good relationship with the owners, and that's been the biggest difference that I've seen firsthand.

Yeah, Alex Rodriguez, Fox, major League Baseball analyst tonight the All Star Game in Atlanta. Great seniors. Always appreciate you giving us some time.

Yeah, Alex Rodriguez, Fox, major League Baseball analyst tonight the All Star Game in Atlanta. Great seniors. Always appreciate you giving us some time.

You got it. Thank you.

You got it. Thank you.