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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 Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

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There we go, our two.

There we go, our two.

Rob Manfred, Baseball's commissioner is going to show up here in a couple of minutes. Been the commissioner now for it was about decade. You know, it's interesting they have had. Baseball is the only sport where the commissioner has to deal with purists. I've said this before as a talk radio host. If you're going to bring on like somebody to talk baseball for thirty minutes, you will mention the past a lot. I mean, there may be a cofacident Frank Robinson and a Mickey Mantle, the great Yankee teams brought up. Nobody talks football and brings up Redgrange or Vince Lombardi. Nobody talks NBA munch and brings up you know, Bill Walton and the Blazers. It's just different baseball. You know baseball cards. We collected him. It's got There's been more great books written about baseball's past and football and basketball's past, and so it's steeped in lore and tradition. And because of that, when you are a commissioner of baseball, you deal with something no other commissioner deals with, which is the purests. And so Rob Manfred's mate I was looking at today. I was thinking about the changes. Got rid of the defensive shift, universal DH, the pitch clock, larger bases, ghost runners like that. He has made a lot of changes. And here's the thing. Arguably they've all worked, and some of them stupendously overnight, like the pitch clock. They put that. I told a story years ago. I was sitting I was flying back from the East Coast to the West coast, and I was sitting next to the general manager of I think it was the Richmond minor league team.

Rob Manfred, Baseball's commissioner is going to show up here in a couple of minutes. Been the commissioner now for it was about decade. You know, it's interesting they have had. Baseball is the only sport where the commissioner has to deal with purists. I've said this before as a talk radio host. If you're going to bring on like somebody to talk baseball for thirty minutes, you will mention the past a lot. I mean, there may be a cofacident Frank Robinson and a Mickey Mantle, the great Yankee teams brought up. Nobody talks football and brings up Redgrange or Vince Lombardi. Nobody talks NBA munch and brings up you know, Bill Walton and the Blazers. It's just different baseball. You know baseball cards. We collected him. It's got There's been more great books written about baseball's past and football and basketball's past, and so it's steeped in lore and tradition. And because of that, when you are a commissioner of baseball, you deal with something no other commissioner deals with, which is the purests. And so Rob Manfred's mate I was looking at today. I was thinking about the changes. Got rid of the defensive shift, universal DH, the pitch clock, larger bases, ghost runners like that. He has made a lot of changes. And here's the thing. Arguably they've all worked, and some of them stupendously overnight, like the pitch clock. They put that. I told a story years ago. I was sitting I was flying back from the East Coast to the West coast, and I was sitting next to the general manager of I think it was the Richmond minor league team.

Nice guy.

Nice guy.

We start talking baseball and I used to work for a minor league baseball team, and we were talking about the pitch clock. They were using it in the minor leagues, and I said, how do you think it'll play? You know, these baseball big league guys can get stubborn, and he said, not only he goes, it's shaving twenty minutes off minor league baseball. He goes the GM said, I think it'll shave thirty minutes off major league baseball. You know, you got better pitchers, you know more strikes. Game will move faster, and it has. And I the first year ratings went up ten percent, so did attendance. And then last year it was the best year in postseason baseball in a long time. And sometimes leagues are also very lucky. The NBA got very lucky that Jimmy Butler ended up with the Warriors and Luca went to the Lakers because they were in a ten year slide in the ratings, and that's really helped. But what has helped baseball is though Tawny going to the Dodgers from the Angels, Bryce Harper Phillies the big story, and actually Luis Soto staying in New York but going to the Mets actually now makes him a polarizing player. Yankee won Soto, excuse me. So a lot of things have worked. The Cubs just had a big off season acquisition, so there's a lot of things working for baseball that have not worked. In previous years. It's fast, it's international. O Tani's the biggest star in LA. The second biggest star is Aaron Judges in New York, and the third biggest star is Bryce Harper, and he is in Philadelphia. If these guys were planning in Kansas City and Pittsburgh and Seattle, it wouldn't feel the thing. So sometimes you just get lucky as a commissioner and lucky as a league. But a lot of what baseball's done, and I've said the last two years I just watch more games, is they have instituted progressive measures to make it better and it's working. And there was always a saying years ago that the NBA will think of it first, baseball will make the most money on it, and football will get it right in terms of changes. But baseball, which is always been flushed with cash, has gotten it right and they've tried. That's the advantage of the minor league system, right. Basketball. NBA doesn't own no ownership, they don't have me leverage with college basketball, and NFL can't tell college football what to do. But baseball's got more influenced with minor league baseball, so they can test stuff out at the single, double or triple a level and see if it works, is even it doesn't work, and enlarge the basis pitch clock and now the one thing all pushed back on the they're thinking of, you know, the struck ball and strike count replay on that. I don't know if I love that. Everybody on the staff thinks it's quick, it works. I'll tell you about replay. I like it, but I think the minute you get replay, it gets extended. It's like when you introduce technology to society, it's not going backwards. If you introduce something, we'll monetize it as a society, we'll capitalize on it, and it'll never go backwards. And so I think sometimes with technology and sport, once you introduce replay to a sport, it'll just get expanded. And I've always had a theory about the NFL. When it comes to inst replay, you get two looks, that's it. No third it shuts down. If you can't tell if the ref's got it right After two looks, it's over. We're not gonna go micro film with the library on nine looks. I'm not doing that with that. Rob Manfred comes in currently in his third term as the Major League Baseball commissioner.

We start talking baseball and I used to work for a minor league baseball team, and we were talking about the pitch clock. They were using it in the minor leagues, and I said, how do you think it'll play? You know, these baseball big league guys can get stubborn, and he said, not only he goes, it's shaving twenty minutes off minor league baseball. He goes the GM said, I think it'll shave thirty minutes off major league baseball. You know, you got better pitchers, you know more strikes. Game will move faster, and it has. And I the first year ratings went up ten percent, so did attendance. And then last year it was the best year in postseason baseball in a long time. And sometimes leagues are also very lucky. The NBA got very lucky that Jimmy Butler ended up with the Warriors and Luca went to the Lakers because they were in a ten year slide in the ratings, and that's really helped. But what has helped baseball is though Tawny going to the Dodgers from the Angels, Bryce Harper Phillies the big story, and actually Luis Soto staying in New York but going to the Mets actually now makes him a polarizing player. Yankee won Soto, excuse me. So a lot of things have worked. The Cubs just had a big off season acquisition, so there's a lot of things working for baseball that have not worked. In previous years. It's fast, it's international. O Tani's the biggest star in LA. The second biggest star is Aaron Judges in New York, and the third biggest star is Bryce Harper, and he is in Philadelphia. If these guys were planning in Kansas City and Pittsburgh and Seattle, it wouldn't feel the thing. So sometimes you just get lucky as a commissioner and lucky as a league. But a lot of what baseball's done, and I've said the last two years I just watch more games, is they have instituted progressive measures to make it better and it's working. And there was always a saying years ago that the NBA will think of it first, baseball will make the most money on it, and football will get it right in terms of changes. But baseball, which is always been flushed with cash, has gotten it right and they've tried. That's the advantage of the minor league system, right. Basketball. NBA doesn't own no ownership, they don't have me leverage with college basketball, and NFL can't tell college football what to do. But baseball's got more influenced with minor league baseball, so they can test stuff out at the single, double or triple a level and see if it works, is even it doesn't work, and enlarge the basis pitch clock and now the one thing all pushed back on the they're thinking of, you know, the struck ball and strike count replay on that. I don't know if I love that. Everybody on the staff thinks it's quick, it works. I'll tell you about replay. I like it, but I think the minute you get replay, it gets extended. It's like when you introduce technology to society, it's not going backwards. If you introduce something, we'll monetize it as a society, we'll capitalize on it, and it'll never go backwards. And so I think sometimes with technology and sport, once you introduce replay to a sport, it'll just get expanded. And I've always had a theory about the NFL. When it comes to inst replay, you get two looks, that's it. No third it shuts down. If you can't tell if the ref's got it right After two looks, it's over. We're not gonna go micro film with the library on nine looks. I'm not doing that with that. Rob Manfred comes in currently in his third term as the Major League Baseball commissioner.

And his sport now is rolling.

And his sport now is rolling.

It is Hummin' baby, The Dodgers, the Yankees, the Mets, the Podres. You know, years ago I had you on and we talked about some of the concerns with baseball. All these years later, you have solved many of the riddles. But I just said, being a baseball commissioner is different because there's been so many great books on baseball, and the history is much richer than the NFL or the NBA. We talk about Sandy, Kofax and Mantle. You do deal with baseball purists, and Goodell doesn't. He didn't deal with a lot of football purists. Has it made these moves sometimes a little more difficult to make that you kind of have a battle with all of them.

It is Hummin' baby, The Dodgers, the Yankees, the Mets, the Podres. You know, years ago I had you on and we talked about some of the concerns with baseball. All these years later, you have solved many of the riddles. But I just said, being a baseball commissioner is different because there's been so many great books on baseball, and the history is much richer than the NFL or the NBA. We talk about Sandy, Kofax and Mantle. You do deal with baseball purists, and Goodell doesn't. He didn't deal with a lot of football purists. Has it made these moves sometimes a little more difficult to make that you kind of have a battle with all of them.

Look, our history and tradition is, you know, great, it's good for the sport, is part of our popularity, but it does make change more difficult. I think the key for us has been to listen to our fans, our current fans, and make changes that's consonant, you know, consistent with what they're saying about the game.

Look, our history and tradition is, you know, great, it's good for the sport, is part of our popularity, but it does make change more difficult. I think the key for us has been to listen to our fans, our current fans, and make changes that's consonant, you know, consistent with what they're saying about the game.

Yeah, are you surprised Angels to the Dodgers are you surprised by the global impact and the merchandising impact and the ratings impact immediately.

Yeah, are you surprised Angels to the Dodgers are you surprised by the global impact and the merchandising impact and the ratings impact immediately.

With Shoe Heeo Tani, Yeah, I must have been.

With Shoe Heeo Tani, Yeah, I must have been.

I was a little surprised.

I was a little surprised.

I mean, he's been a great player since he entered the league, but the shift from the Angels to the Dodgers has really been explosive. I mean, he had a great, great year last year. They had added to it, and I think the fact that the Dodgers won was really important, but it has exploded. I was just in Japan for the Opener. The level of interest and excitement their column just absolutely unbelievable.

I mean, he's been a great player since he entered the league, but the shift from the Angels to the Dodgers has really been explosive. I mean, he had a great, great year last year. They had added to it, and I think the fact that the Dodgers won was really important, but it has exploded. I was just in Japan for the Opener. The level of interest and excitement their column just absolutely unbelievable.

I said this.

I said this.

I pushed back yesterday Jeff Passen, who had a comment. He was on a podcast and he said, listen the sports humming, don't screw with it. He got a lot of people saying, oh, we can't compete, and I laughed because the Brewers and the Guardians and Kansas City and Cleveland made the playoffs and those are not high payroll teams. There is this narrative the minute the Yankees and Dodgers make the World Series, everybody.

I pushed back yesterday Jeff Passen, who had a comment. He was on a podcast and he said, listen the sports humming, don't screw with it. He got a lot of people saying, oh, we can't compete, and I laughed because the Brewers and the Guardians and Kansas City and Cleveland made the playoffs and those are not high payroll teams. There is this narrative the minute the Yankees and Dodgers make the World Series, everybody.

Goes whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on, this is way too much.

Goes whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on, this is way too much.

And my take is you guys haven't had a repeat champion in forever.

And my take is you guys haven't had a repeat champion in forever.

But you do have to fight that a little, do you not that?

But you do have to fight that a little, do you not that?

Oh, here comes the Dodger Yankee money machine.

Oh, here comes the Dodger Yankee money machine.

You have to battle that, don't you.

You have to battle that, don't you.

Yeah, there's no question, Colin, that is a perception of, you know, competitive imbalance, if you'll let me use that phrase, that it's much tougher for our smaller market teams to compete the disparity of resources available to the clubs.

Yeah, there's no question, Colin, that is a perception of, you know, competitive imbalance, if you'll let me use that phrase, that it's much tougher for our smaller market teams to compete the disparity of resources available to the clubs.

It is very significant and you know, fans feeling.

It is very significant and you know, fans feeling.

Yeah it is.

Yeah it is.

It's obviously not hurting that much because you've had so many. I mean, the Royals won a recent World Series, the Rangers, the Nationals won a recent World Series. Uh, the NBA has made changes through the years. They want to keep their stars in markets.

It's obviously not hurting that much because you've had so many. I mean, the Royals won a recent World Series, the Rangers, the Nationals won a recent World Series. Uh, the NBA has made changes through the years. They want to keep their stars in markets.

They don't want to bouncing around.

They don't want to bouncing around.

And I push back to Adam Silver, I said, Adam, he was on the show a month ago.

And I push back to Adam Silver, I said, Adam, he was on the show a month ago.

I said, trades are great. I get excited.

I said, trades are great. I get excited.

I wanted to see O Tani with a new I wanted to see Freddie Freeman with a new team. What is your take as a commissioner on player movement, even if they go to a stacked roster, does it bother you if you get sort of an all Star team in LA No.

I wanted to see O Tani with a new I wanted to see Freddie Freeman with a new team. What is your take as a commissioner on player movement, even if they go to a stacked roster, does it bother you if you get sort of an all Star team in LA No.

Look, I mean, I think it's important for every team, you know, consistent with their resources, to go out there and try to put the best team they possibly can.

Look, I mean, I think it's important for every team, you know, consistent with their resources, to go out there and try to put the best team they possibly can.

On the field for the benefit of their fans.

On the field for the benefit of their fans.

You know. Obviously, in terms of building a fan base, there's an advantage to continuity of players being in a market. You know, fans get attached to a particular player. That's one side of the coin. The other side of the coin is an off season where players move around via trader free agency. Creates a lot of excitement and can create hope in a market where it didn't exist before.

You know. Obviously, in terms of building a fan base, there's an advantage to continuity of players being in a market. You know, fans get attached to a particular player. That's one side of the coin. The other side of the coin is an off season where players move around via trader free agency. Creates a lot of excitement and can create hope in a market where it didn't exist before.

So people talk about parody, and I say, Baseball's fine with parody. Here's the lack of parody that I see pitcher to hitter is that the speed of pitches has gone up two miles an hour over fifteen years. There are more six foot six guys throwing ninety nine miles an hour. And it's just the I can remember. I tell the story all the time when I was a kid fell in love with baseball in the seventies. If you threw ninety four or five miles an hour, you were a flame throw Nohen Ryan was like a Martian one hundred.

So people talk about parody, and I say, Baseball's fine with parody. Here's the lack of parody that I see pitcher to hitter is that the speed of pitches has gone up two miles an hour over fifteen years. There are more six foot six guys throwing ninety nine miles an hour. And it's just the I can remember. I tell the story all the time when I was a kid fell in love with baseball in the seventies. If you threw ninety four or five miles an hour, you were a flame throw Nohen Ryan was like a Martian one hundred.

Everybody's throwing ninety eight.

Everybody's throwing ninety eight.

Now the sport historically has moved the mound up and down the Bob Gibson era. Should that be another change that? Hey, the batters, even though you have more base runners, they're more stone bases. The batters sometimes do feel rob overwhelmed. Would you consider a slight movement of the mound?

Now the sport historically has moved the mound up and down the Bob Gibson era. Should that be another change that? Hey, the batters, even though you have more base runners, they're more stone bases. The batters sometimes do feel rob overwhelmed. Would you consider a slight movement of the mound?

Look, I think that the dominance of our pitching, and you know nothing against great pitchers. We do have very, very dominant pitching right now. It's a combination of bigger, better athletes throwing harder, frankly, moving pitchers in and out of the game more frequently. And it is a trend that we pay a lot of attention to because balls in play, bass hits are kind of the core of the action that's so important to fans.

Look, I think that the dominance of our pitching, and you know nothing against great pitchers. We do have very, very dominant pitching right now. It's a combination of bigger, better athletes throwing harder, frankly, moving pitchers in and out of the game more frequently. And it is a trend that we pay a lot of attention to because balls in play, bass hits are kind of the core of the action that's so important to fans.

Yeah, people, the hues and the cries of a salary cap make their way to the internet. Now you have a very strong players union, so good good luck with a salary cap in baseball. But if it got to a point where with deferred payments, the big markets, the Guardians didn't make it, and Detroit didn't make it and Milwaukee did, and you got over the next five years, you felt like, wow, Commissioner, it's a little out of balance. Salary cap. Is it even realistic?

Yeah, people, the hues and the cries of a salary cap make their way to the internet. Now you have a very strong players union, so good good luck with a salary cap in baseball. But if it got to a point where with deferred payments, the big markets, the Guardians didn't make it, and Detroit didn't make it and Milwaukee did, and you got over the next five years, you felt like, wow, Commissioner, it's a little out of balance. Salary cap. Is it even realistic?

In baseball?

In baseball?

Well, let me say a couple of things. You know, you mentioned Detroit and Cleveland. They did a great job last year. I think that it's important for our smaller markets to do something more than qualified for the playoffs.

Well, let me say a couple of things. You know, you mentioned Detroit and Cleveland. They did a great job last year. I think that it's important for our smaller markets to do something more than qualified for the playoffs.

Right, there's a difference.

Right, there's a difference.

Between getting into to the first round and going deeper in the playoffs. So you know, the fact that they got there doesn't really resolve the issue in my mind.

Between getting into to the first round and going deeper in the playoffs. So you know, the fact that they got there doesn't really resolve the issue in my mind.

Look about say every Cats, I'd say this.

Look about say every Cats, I'd say this.

You know, there are five major North American sports count and soccer, four of them have a cap.

You know, there are five major North American sports count and soccer, four of them have a cap.

We don't. We do.

We don't. We do.

Hear a lot about it from fans, particularly in smaller markets, but the reality is we're, you know, two years away from the end of the basic agreement.

Hear a lot about it from fans, particularly in smaller markets, but the reality is we're, you know, two years away from the end of the basic agreement.

We're just not in a.

We're just not in a.

Position where we are talking about or have made decisions about what's ahead in the next round of argaining. I think that, you know, a lot of water is going to go over the dam before we need to deal with that issue.

Position where we are talking about or have made decisions about what's ahead in the next round of argaining. I think that, you know, a lot of water is going to go over the dam before we need to deal with that issue.

So I have been in favor of all the changes, especially the pitch clock and the defensive shift. I wanted more base runners, I wanted more doubles landing, I wanted more stolen bases, and it's all transpired.

So I have been in favor of all the changes, especially the pitch clock and the defensive shift. I wanted more base runners, I wanted more doubles landing, I wanted more stolen bases, and it's all transpired.

I will push back. So my theory on all replay.

I will push back. So my theory on all replay.

Is the minute you introduce it into any sport, it grows and it slows the game down. And I think your game now is faster, more succinct, and I think it's a better sport to watch. So you guys are doing something where you can challenge a couple of times a game. You can challenge strike calls. Here's my pushback because I'm four changes. The strike zone is a living breathing thing. The strike zone for Aaron Judge is big, for Otani, it's big for all two ve it's small for Mike Trout at small.

Is the minute you introduce it into any sport, it grows and it slows the game down. And I think your game now is faster, more succinct, and I think it's a better sport to watch. So you guys are doing something where you can challenge a couple of times a game. You can challenge strike calls. Here's my pushback because I'm four changes. The strike zone is a living breathing thing. The strike zone for Aaron Judge is big, for Otani, it's big for all two ve it's small for Mike Trout at small.

So it's it's kind of a living breath.

So it's it's kind of a living breath.

It's not like it's not like the first down marker, right, Like, here's what you got to get it moves. Is there an argument that you've done so much to speed the game up that if you put it in it's going to create length and time and restraints And listen, the human factor's fine. We've made it this far with real umpires.

It's not like it's not like the first down marker, right, Like, here's what you got to get it moves. Is there an argument that you've done so much to speed the game up that if you put it in it's going to create length and time and restraints And listen, the human factor's fine. We've made it this far with real umpires.

Look, let's start with your last thought. All the conversation about the automated ball strike system should not secure the fact that our umpires do a phenomenal an old job calling balls and strikes. I would say this, the system adjusts to the differences that you're talking about. In terms of size, the strike zone that it calls is different for Aaron Judge than it is for jose L Tuvey. And in terms of time, you know, during this spring training experiment, and this is one of the reasons we do experiments. Challenges add you know, slightly more than ten seconds to the game time, so it is a very fast system.

Look, let's start with your last thought. All the conversation about the automated ball strike system should not secure the fact that our umpires do a phenomenal an old job calling balls and strikes. I would say this, the system adjusts to the differences that you're talking about. In terms of size, the strike zone that it calls is different for Aaron Judge than it is for jose L Tuvey. And in terms of time, you know, during this spring training experiment, and this is one of the reasons we do experiments. Challenges add you know, slightly more than ten seconds to the game time, so it is a very fast system.

The Empire gets to call in his ear almost immediately, so you know.

The Empire gets to call in his ear almost immediately, so you know.

We are cognizant of doing something that would slow the game down after we've worked so hard to speed it up. You know.

We are cognizant of doing something that would slow the game down after we've worked so hard to speed it up. You know.

Finally, Commissioner Rob Man, for joining us for a radio audience, is that I always say that I appreciate analytics. Moneyball is my all time favorite movie. I love Moneyball. Miracle on Ice with Herb Brooks is my second favorite, but money Bay. I just watched Moneyball a month ago. I love it and I love analytics. But I prefer analytics. Where you use analytics, but in the big games, I want Aaron Judge at the player show. Hey, I just go get a hit, go make a play. Math doesn't make great television. How do you weigh that when you think of things that analytics make us smarter? But I pushed back on Adam Silver, I said, you guys are shooting too many threes. It's really repetitive, sometimes hard to watch. How do you weigh in on analytics and TV and all those components.

Finally, Commissioner Rob Man, for joining us for a radio audience, is that I always say that I appreciate analytics. Moneyball is my all time favorite movie. I love Moneyball. Miracle on Ice with Herb Brooks is my second favorite, but money Bay. I just watched Moneyball a month ago. I love it and I love analytics. But I prefer analytics. Where you use analytics, but in the big games, I want Aaron Judge at the player show. Hey, I just go get a hit, go make a play. Math doesn't make great television. How do you weigh that when you think of things that analytics make us smarter? But I pushed back on Adam Silver, I said, you guys are shooting too many threes. It's really repetitive, sometimes hard to watch. How do you weigh in on analytics and TV and all those components.

Yeah, Look, I think that one of the big motivations for the set of rule changes that we did two years ago was we felt that analytics had changed the game in a way that was not positive in terms of the entertainment value of the sport. And I think it's incumbent upon the Commissioner's office, our commissioner's office to think about what's happening as a result of the application of analytics to the sport.

Yeah, Look, I think that one of the big motivations for the set of rule changes that we did two years ago was we felt that analytics had changed the game in a way that was not positive in terms of the entertainment value of the sport. And I think it's incumbent upon the Commissioner's office, our commissioner's office to think about what's happening as a result of the application of analytics to the sport.

And be smart enough to come up with rule changes that.

And be smart enough to come up with rule changes that.

Prevent the analytics from robbing fans of the entertainment that's so important in sport.

Prevent the analytics from robbing fans of the entertainment that's so important in sport.

I got to ask you one more thing. The golden it bat I love the idea again. I know the purists are not gonna like it. I like it because to me, it gets a rock star in a big spot to the plate. And by the way, if I know a manager can bring up Bryce Harper again, and here's the bottom of a lineup, I'm gonna watch television. I'm not gonna go okay, seven eight, nine hitters, it's over. I get Bryce Harper or Otani or Aaron Judge. That one's gonna be a hard push commissioner. That's not gonna be easy. Do you believe how long will that fight be? And will you experiment with it?

I got to ask you one more thing. The golden it bat I love the idea again. I know the purists are not gonna like it. I like it because to me, it gets a rock star in a big spot to the plate. And by the way, if I know a manager can bring up Bryce Harper again, and here's the bottom of a lineup, I'm gonna watch television. I'm not gonna go okay, seven eight, nine hitters, it's over. I get Bryce Harper or Otani or Aaron Judge. That one's gonna be a hard push commissioner. That's not gonna be easy. Do you believe how long will that fight be? And will you experiment with it?

Look, I answered a question in an interview about something that an idea that had been thrown out in an owner's meeting that you know, had not gotten a lot of attention.

Look, I answered a question in an interview about something that an idea that had been thrown out in an owner's meeting that you know, had not gotten a lot of attention.

The answer I gave was about the golden at bat rule.

The answer I gave was about the golden at bat rule.

I think people have jumped to the conclusion that, you know, somehow that rule changes right around the corner.

I think people have jumped to the conclusion that, you know, somehow that rule changes right around the corner.

If if there's ever going to be.

If if there's ever going to be.

Serious conversation about the golden att bat rule, it's going to have to start with experimentation at the minor league level, probably years of experimentation, because it is one of those rules. While it has the positives that you have identified. There are complications that would flow from this rule in terms of the play of the game, things like, you know, I use the golden at bat to put Rob Manfred up. He makes it out and then it's his natural place in the lineup. That's next. Do we really want that happening? The player that you want to put at the plate is on base. You know, how does that substitution take place?

Serious conversation about the golden att bat rule, it's going to have to start with experimentation at the minor league level, probably years of experimentation, because it is one of those rules. While it has the positives that you have identified. There are complications that would flow from this rule in terms of the play of the game, things like, you know, I use the golden at bat to put Rob Manfred up. He makes it out and then it's his natural place in the lineup. That's next. Do we really want that happening? The player that you want to put at the plate is on base. You know, how does that substitution take place?

You got to think through.

You got to think through.

All those things, and there are a lot of complications with it. I think the best thing to save about the golden ack bat rule is you've got it right.

All those things, and there are a lot of complications with it. I think the best thing to save about the golden ack bat rule is you've got it right.

It's a long way away, if ever, from.

It's a long way away, if ever, from.

Being even considered well, whether it's the games in Tokyo, the Field of Dreams, the rick Wood Field, all this stuff. There are more events, ever than baseball. I thought the London Games Phillies Mets was great. It got me to a television and at some point that's the name of the game that's driving thirty percent of revenue is the TV rev So commissioner. I appreciate you stopping by. The sport's in a great place and congratulations on making moves that needed to be made.

Being even considered well, whether it's the games in Tokyo, the Field of Dreams, the rick Wood Field, all this stuff. There are more events, ever than baseball. I thought the London Games Phillies Mets was great. It got me to a television and at some point that's the name of the game that's driving thirty percent of revenue is the TV rev So commissioner. I appreciate you stopping by. The sport's in a great place and congratulations on making moves that needed to be made.

Thank you, Colin and you know, stay tuned for Bristol this year. It's going to be great.

Thank you, Colin and you know, stay tuned for Bristol this year. It's going to be great.

All right, thank you, Bob Manford.

All right, thank you, Bob Manford.

Yeah, so the Golden at bat is the reason I like it, and the reason I didn't like the defensive shift was I want stars on the TV more. If I get Bryce Harper in a big spot. If you go later innings and it's like six, seven, eight hitters, it kind of deflates it. Like unless you're a diehard fan. If I know I can use another great batter, it's like, okay, because that's what Joe's look up when you're down to Ron late. Where are we in the order? Well, if I can move the order once a game, that's the difference. Like that's a real thing, because most teams outside of the Dodgers get to the six hitter and you got no stick. You know, it's you know, it's guys that can move, they're fielders, but they can't hit.

Yeah, so the Golden at bat is the reason I like it, and the reason I didn't like the defensive shift was I want stars on the TV more. If I get Bryce Harper in a big spot. If you go later innings and it's like six, seven, eight hitters, it kind of deflates it. Like unless you're a diehard fan. If I know I can use another great batter, it's like, okay, because that's what Joe's look up when you're down to Ron late. Where are we in the order? Well, if I can move the order once a game, that's the difference. Like that's a real thing, because most teams outside of the Dodgers get to the six hitter and you got no stick. You know, it's you know, it's guys that can move, they're fielders, but they can't hit.

Dodgers. Are you know a little bit of an outlier there?

Dodgers. Are you know a little bit of an outlier there?

All right, Commissioner Rob Manford, Yeah, I am for replay, But boy, I think sometimes in the NFL college football can be brutal, Like guys.

All right, Commissioner Rob Manford, Yeah, I am for replay, But boy, I think sometimes in the NFL college football can be brutal, Like guys.

Mark madness can be brutal. When they slow it down. The final minute takes like seventeen minutes.

Mark madness can be brutal. When they slow it down. The final minute takes like seventeen minutes.

Oh whar's me out?

Oh whar's me out?

And I also think the thing about replay is so much of sports is momentum. You know, the Michael Jordan against the Blazers. If you have a five minute break, Michael's not hot, like, you are punishing players who have found their zone basket ball players or football players.

And I also think the thing about replay is so much of sports is momentum. You know, the Michael Jordan against the Blazers. If you have a five minute break, Michael's not hot, like, you are punishing players who have found their zone basket ball players or football players.

For instance, I'm banged up.

For instance, I'm banged up.

I could use four minutes an offensive lineman for a break. It is an advantage to a team trailing. It's an advantage to a road team where the crowd's going nuts and there's a four minute replay and the crowd now settles down instead of taking a time out.

I could use four minutes an offensive lineman for a break. It is an advantage to a team trailing. It's an advantage to a road team where the crowd's going nuts and there's a four minute replay and the crowd now settles down instead of taking a time out.

It is an unnatural timeout.

It is an unnatural timeout.

I mean, you want to get it right, obviously, but there's so many replays. The players are bigger, faster, stronger than ever. Like, so much stuff is bang bang like. It's really tough. There's no right answer.

I mean, you want to get it right, obviously, but there's so many replays. The players are bigger, faster, stronger than ever. Like, so much stuff is bang bang like. It's really tough. There's no right answer.

And when people complain about it. I am not somebody that bangs on officials. But when enever a basketball fan says we're not getting to the line, I say, how many threes did you shoot? If you shoot forty three threes you're not initiating contact. By the way, before Jimmy Butler, the Warriors didn't get to the free throw line because they relied on pods and stuff to shoot threes.

And when people complain about it. I am not somebody that bangs on officials. But when enever a basketball fan says we're not getting to the line, I say, how many threes did you shoot? If you shoot forty three threes you're not initiating contact. By the way, before Jimmy Butler, the Warriors didn't get to the free throw line because they relied on pods and stuff to shoot threes.

Live in LA It's the hurt one More Herd. The Herd streams twenty four hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeart Radio search her to listen live or on demand whenever you like.

Live in LA It's the hurt one More Herd. The Herd streams twenty four hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeart Radio search her to listen live or on demand whenever you like.

I think Jmax is gonna have one of my favorite stories here, one of my favorite rants with one of my favorite coaches, Tom Izzough. So let's not waste any time. Jmack with the news.

I think Jmax is gonna have one of my favorite stories here, one of my favorite rants with one of my favorite coaches, Tom Izzough. So let's not waste any time. Jmack with the news.

No news, this is the Herd line news or stuff right into it.

No news, this is the Herd line news or stuff right into it.

Your boy tom Izzo went off on the transfer portal, which opened Monday to sweet sixteen is this weekend. Here's Iso not happy about it.

Your boy tom Izzo went off on the transfer portal, which opened Monday to sweet sixteen is this weekend. Here's Iso not happy about it.

I don't run players off if you don't have spots, why are you doing that? So I can get somebody better. I can get a better girlfriend because the one I got isn't good enough. Kids got to do what they gotta do, and they're really not doing what they gotta do. They're doing what their parents or their agents are telling them to do because they still got to go to practice going the same locker room unless they leave the team. And I think that's insane. I think it's disgusting, But you know that's my own personal opinion.

I don't run players off if you don't have spots, why are you doing that? So I can get somebody better. I can get a better girlfriend because the one I got isn't good enough. Kids got to do what they gotta do, and they're really not doing what they gotta do. They're doing what their parents or their agents are telling them to do because they still got to go to practice going the same locker room unless they leave the team. And I think that's insane. I think it's disgusting, But you know that's my own personal opinion.

What he's basically saying is, you're opening up the portal before the season's over and I'm in the tournament.

What he's basically saying is, you're opening up the portal before the season's over and I'm in the tournament.

Calipari talked about this. I got a team.

Calipari talked about this. I got a team.

I'm not gonna spend one minute recruiting guys for my team. If you want to go to another program, that program may not be playing right now and we're still alive. I totally agree with Calipari and Izzo. This is one of the tweaks they need to have for the transfer portal, at least, like wait till next weekend of the following week.

I'm not gonna spend one minute recruiting guys for my team. If you want to go to another program, that program may not be playing right now and we're still alive. I totally agree with Calipari and Izzo. This is one of the tweaks they need to have for the transfer portal, at least, like wait till next weekend of the following week.

Right, the final four weekend makes some sense, Right, there's only fourteen What.

Right, the final four weekend makes some sense, Right, there's only fourteen What.

Those like listen, man, I'm he said on this, He goes, I'm not even sleeping, Like right now, everything I have is about these players and giving them the greatest experience of their lives. Most will not play in the NBA. I'm not gonna get on the phone and worry about some guy in Wakegan who wants to transfer from a division to program.

Those like listen, man, I'm he said on this, He goes, I'm not even sleeping, Like right now, everything I have is about these players and giving them the greatest experience of their lives. Most will not play in the NBA. I'm not gonna get on the phone and worry about some guy in Wakegan who wants to transfer from a division to program.

I'm just not gonna do it.

I'm just not gonna do it.

Yeah, it's there's Obviously, college basketball has some flaws and they're going to be worked out. But yeah, let's move on to the NBA. Colin Nick, my Knicks is the nice win last night of your MAVs. Karl Anthony Townsend Josh Hart made history being the first Knicks teammates to record triple doubles in the same game. Now, this is seven seventeen times in NBA history. Cat had twenty six, twelve and eleven. Josh Hart just a stat sheet stuffer sixteen, twelve and eleven. And our staff put together some notable occurrences of teammates with triple doubles. Russell Westbrook on this list several times. Lebron obviously let.

Yeah, it's there's Obviously, college basketball has some flaws and they're going to be worked out. But yeah, let's move on to the NBA. Colin Nick, my Knicks is the nice win last night of your MAVs. Karl Anthony Townsend Josh Hart made history being the first Knicks teammates to record triple doubles in the same game. Now, this is seven seventeen times in NBA history. Cat had twenty six, twelve and eleven. Josh Hart just a stat sheet stuffer sixteen, twelve and eleven. And our staff put together some notable occurrences of teammates with triple doubles. Russell Westbrook on this list several times. Lebron obviously let.

Me throw something.

Me throw something.

I'm gonna throw something at you. So there is a Yannis is a better player than Kat, no question. Yeah Jannis right now? Is he a better player than Kevin Durant? And before you answer that, so what the Knicks need is more threes and more offense. If you went and gave up Cat, Kat is a more diverse offensive player than Yannis. He's better with the line, he can shoot a jumper, he's got a mid range, he's got a three. Yannis is a better athlete and the better player, and a much better defender. But because we've been thinking for years Yannis with Brunson, it doesn't solve the three issue. And so my take is Durant to the Knicks keeping Cat because Durant's a decent defender, decent that to me makes more sense. Jannis doesn't have a jumper, so you're still highly dependent from the perimeter on Michale Bridges and Jalen Brunson.

I'm gonna throw something at you. So there is a Yannis is a better player than Kat, no question. Yeah Jannis right now? Is he a better player than Kevin Durant? And before you answer that, so what the Knicks need is more threes and more offense. If you went and gave up Cat, Kat is a more diverse offensive player than Yannis. He's better with the line, he can shoot a jumper, he's got a mid range, he's got a three. Yannis is a better athlete and the better player, and a much better defender. But because we've been thinking for years Yannis with Brunson, it doesn't solve the three issue. And so my take is Durant to the Knicks keeping Cat because Durant's a decent defender, decent that to me makes more sense. Jannis doesn't have a jumper, so you're still highly dependent from the perimeter on Michale Bridges and Jalen Brunson.

So it's interesting.

So it's interesting.

Now.

Now.

I do think there are teams Boston where Jannis is perfect. They don't need I mean, they'll have, you know, they'll they'll keep Tatum if they traded Jaden Jylen Brown and Derek White and Drew Holliday can hit a jumper and Pritchard can hit a jumper. But it's interesting when you look at the Knicks, how do you how do you solve it? I think Durant's perfect is he's a late in the shot clock, catch and shoot three artists.

I do think there are teams Boston where Jannis is perfect. They don't need I mean, they'll have, you know, they'll they'll keep Tatum if they traded Jaden Jylen Brown and Derek White and Drew Holliday can hit a jumper and Pritchard can hit a jumper. But it's interesting when you look at the Knicks, how do you how do you solve it? I think Durant's perfect is he's a late in the shot clock, catch and shoot three artists.

So we like Towns.

So we like Towns.

Obviously as an offensive player, he will get picked on in the playoffs to the point that they make Tids are probably gonna put him on the bench in some pivotal spots and you'll be like, what are we doing? He can't guard anybody. Luca literally point give me Cat, bring him over here. I mean, obviously Lakers can't play the next week. You know what I'm saying this The great teams will just go right at it.

Obviously as an offensive player, he will get picked on in the playoffs to the point that they make Tids are probably gonna put him on the bench in some pivotal spots and you'll be like, what are we doing? He can't guard anybody. Luca literally point give me Cat, bring him over here. I mean, obviously Lakers can't play the next week. You know what I'm saying this The great teams will just go right at it.

Honest, doesn't really solve their issue. He you know, I mean, he'll make them better defensively at the rim, but the Knicks have a scoring issue. They can't keep up with Cleveland, Boston or okasere probably the Lakers. That's why they're losing these games. It's not effort, it's if they get worked on the defensive end and they need another score. And to me, Durant to the Knicks. And also you don't have to give him a five to seven. You know, your deal can be with Durant. He's you know, he's the kind of guy that would probably negotiate something that you know, he's always looking for an exit as well.

Honest, doesn't really solve their issue. He you know, I mean, he'll make them better defensively at the rim, but the Knicks have a scoring issue. They can't keep up with Cleveland, Boston or okasere probably the Lakers. That's why they're losing these games. It's not effort, it's if they get worked on the defensive end and they need another score. And to me, Durant to the Knicks. And also you don't have to give him a five to seven. You know, your deal can be with Durant. He's you know, he's the kind of guy that would probably negotiate something that you know, he's always looking for an exit as well.

He is, Yeah, Kevin Durant. Final story Colin is interesting NFL theory here.

He is, Yeah, Kevin Durant. Final story Colin is interesting NFL theory here.

So the Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jamis Winston, but there are reports New York could still draft a quarterback. Russell Wilson's contract is ten and a half million guaranteed. Jamis is his only four million guaranteed. So Jamis's caphit would not be that significant. If a guy they like, go ahead and toss your Syracuse boy out here early second round. Hey, let's go grab calm accord. Then you've got four quarterbacks in the room. Russ Jamis, who's the.

So the Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jamis Winston, but there are reports New York could still draft a quarterback. Russell Wilson's contract is ten and a half million guaranteed. Jamis is his only four million guaranteed. So Jamis's caphit would not be that significant. If a guy they like, go ahead and toss your Syracuse boy out here early second round. Hey, let's go grab calm accord. Then you've got four quarterbacks in the room. Russ Jamis, who's the.

Guy they like?

Guy they like?

It that the third string to Vito, right, and then this quarterback McCord you can move off Jamis. Four million dollars is not that significant, right, So we're not going to rule out the Giant drafting a quarterback, right, even though the quarterback room is crowded currently.

It that the third string to Vito, right, and then this quarterback McCord you can move off Jamis. Four million dollars is not that significant, right, So we're not going to rule out the Giant drafting a quarterback, right, even though the quarterback room is crowded currently.

You know, it's really interesting to me, why not why did Russell sign? Why not doing Aaron Rodgers? And wait, why do you sign before the draft? Fifty nine quarterbacks played last year? Isn't there a better if I I'm just thinking what would I do if I was Rustler?

You know, it's really interesting to me, why not why did Russell sign? Why not doing Aaron Rodgers? And wait, why do you sign before the draft? Fifty nine quarterbacks played last year? Isn't there a better if I I'm just thinking what would I do if I was Rustler?

Aaron?

Aaron?

Why are you signing with a team that's bad already has Jameis Winston and made draft a quarterback?

Why are you signing with a team that's bad already has Jameis Winston and made draft a quarterback?

Well, ten and a half million dollars guaranteed.

Well, ten and a half million dollars guaranteed.

Is not bad?

Is not bad?

Now he has made a two hundred and fifty million dollars.

Now he has made a two hundred and fifty million dollars.

Where's he getting Listen, hey, that life. He lives that lifestyle.

Where's he getting Listen, hey, that life. He lives that lifestyle.

And so you see an idea of him and his wife, like you know, they're on.

And so you see an idea of him and his wife, like you know, they're on.

Private jets all the time. I think you gotta take what you can get.

Private jets all the time. I think you gotta take what you can get.

And maybe the Giants loved him, remember he was their first interview before last year.

And maybe the Giants loved him, remember he was their first interview before last year.

He ended up going to Pittsburgh.

He ended up going to Pittsburgh.

If you have one hundred million in the bank and he's got more than that on the interest alone, you're living on four or five million bucks a year, you know.

If you have one hundred million in the bank and he's got more than that on the interest alone, you're living on four or five million bucks a year, you know.

But sometimes you need to see the love, and he hasn't gotten a lot of love lately. Seahawks kicked him to the curb. Broncos did so the Steelers are like, you're our guy, Boom, And now the Giants are like, hey, bro, you could start for us. He's taken that in a heartbeat. Is there another I'll go by my missing one?

But sometimes you need to see the love, and he hasn't gotten a lot of love lately. Seahawks kicked him to the curb. Broncos did so the Steelers are like, you're our guy, Boom, And now the Giants are like, hey, bro, you could start for us. He's taken that in a heartbeat. Is there another I'll go by my missing one?

Well, it's just like I'm Kirk Cousins. Probably should have waited till after the draft for Atlanta. Aaron Rodgers. What if Pittsburgh drafts Jackson Dart, Nobody's gonna want to watch old Aaron Rodgers they're gonna want.

Well, it's just like I'm Kirk Cousins. Probably should have waited till after the draft for Atlanta. Aaron Rodgers. What if Pittsburgh drafts Jackson Dart, Nobody's gonna want to watch old Aaron Rodgers they're gonna want.

To beat out Dart though.

To beat out Dart though.

Right, Well, let me just tell you the most popular guy for an average football team is the backup quarterback. Nobody if Jackson Dart plays in the preseason and starts throwing, because Jackson can sling it. All of a sudden, Aaron's not showing up the camp and he's kind of a loop, and he's not a Pittsburgh guy. A real quick two game losing streak against Burrow and Lamar. People are gonna want to see Jackson guard.

Right, Well, let me just tell you the most popular guy for an average football team is the backup quarterback. Nobody if Jackson Dart plays in the preseason and starts throwing, because Jackson can sling it. All of a sudden, Aaron's not showing up the camp and he's kind of a loop, and he's not a Pittsburgh guy. A real quick two game losing streak against Burrow and Lamar. People are gonna want to see Jackson guard.

That's Kirk Cousins in Atlanta where they drafted Petis. That's right, and Cousins is sick and he started screwing up. Well, we got Pettis on the bench.

That's Kirk Cousins in Atlanta where they drafted Petis. That's right, and Cousins is sick and he started screwing up. Well, we got Pettis on the bench.

So my take, I'm eron. Just think about you.

So my take, I'm eron. Just think about you.

I'm Aaron Rodgers. Why I want to I mean, at this point, Aaron wants to control. Aaron's got minimum net worth two fifty now, he's lived in New York in LA so the taxes have eaten a lot of it, and he's got agents. But let's say it's two hundred and fifty million bucks. He's got real estate, he's got it. Doesn't he have a hedge fund? Owns the but he's fine. Don't you want control? You signed with Pittsburgh. They could draft Jackson because that roster it does not have.

I'm Aaron Rodgers. Why I want to I mean, at this point, Aaron wants to control. Aaron's got minimum net worth two fifty now, he's lived in New York in LA so the taxes have eaten a lot of it, and he's got agents. But let's say it's two hundred and fifty million bucks. He's got real estate, he's got it. Doesn't he have a hedge fund? Owns the but he's fine. Don't you want control? You signed with Pittsburgh. They could draft Jackson because that roster it does not have.

A lot of needs.

A lot of needs.

They need a running back in the mid rounds, a left tackle somewhere.

They need a running back in the mid rounds, a left tackle somewhere.

They're gonna draft the quarterback, so that if Steelers are drafting a quarterback.

They're gonna draft the quarterback, so that if Steelers are drafting a quarterback.

Lends more credence to Rogers in San Francisco got longer.

Lends more credence to Rogers in San Francisco got longer.

This brock pretty thing drags out, Yeah.

This brock pretty thing drags out, Yeah.

Dyson, last year, fifty nine quarterbacks played the year before six? What is the hurry to sign with the Steelers or Giants?

Dyson, last year, fifty nine quarterbacks played the year before six? What is the hurry to sign with the Steelers or Giants?

Rogers to sanfran doesn't make sense. I wonder the rock pretty hold up? We keep hearing nuggets, Oh, he's gonna get sixty.

Rogers to sanfran doesn't make sense. I wonder the rock pretty hold up? We keep hearing nuggets, Oh, he's gonna get sixty.

He's gonna get fifty.

He's gonna get fifty.

Maybe he's not gonna get forty five, and there's no deal done. What is Rogers the hold up there?

Maybe he's not gonna get forty five, and there's no deal done. What is Rogers the hold up there?

I'm Aaron Rodgers, and I have his net worth.

I'm Aaron Rodgers, and I have his net worth.

I am sitting in my Malibu house reading Greek mythology or Roman mythology, and I am sitting there thinking, why am I gonna go to a team that three weeks later drafts Jalen Milroe and Jackson Dart And if I struggle by Thanksgiving, they're benching me. I mean Kirk Cousins post surgery. I mean when you watched Aaron last year, he doesn't move like he used to. Now he is a pocket guy. Well, what has Pittsburgh struggle to define over the last seven years? A good offensive competent on line? So I just, I'm just it's almost protective. I would not sign with Pittsburgh. I don't get it. It's one of those things that sounds bigger than it is.

I am sitting in my Malibu house reading Greek mythology or Roman mythology, and I am sitting there thinking, why am I gonna go to a team that three weeks later drafts Jalen Milroe and Jackson Dart And if I struggle by Thanksgiving, they're benching me. I mean Kirk Cousins post surgery. I mean when you watched Aaron last year, he doesn't move like he used to. Now he is a pocket guy. Well, what has Pittsburgh struggle to define over the last seven years? A good offensive competent on line? So I just, I'm just it's almost protective. I would not sign with Pittsburgh. I don't get it. It's one of those things that sounds bigger than it is.

The Steelers brand is still strong.

The Steelers brand is still strong.

Very big brand.

Very big brand.

My brand in the lid sounds big.

My brand in the lid sounds big.

It doesn't work.

It doesn't work.

It's a weird fit, especially for an old quarterback that didn't want to get hit.

It's a weird fit, especially for an old quarterback that didn't want to get hit.

Is it like IBM with technology still a big brand name?

Is it like IBM with technology still a big brand name?

You know?

You know?

But it's nine the Elegon Valley Company.

But it's nine the Elegon Valley Company.

No, no, no, it's way down yet.

No, no, no, it's way down yet.

Jmack with the news, Well.

Jmack with the news, Well.

That's the news, and thanks for stopping by the herd Line news.

That's the news, and thanks for stopping by the herd Line news.

Apparently the odds have changed for the NFL draft. I'm telling you, man, these people that aren't going to draft Shduer Sanders, good luck with that seventy four percent completion percentage in college. Running for your life, I don't know. That's pretty good.

Apparently the odds have changed for the NFL draft. I'm telling you, man, these people that aren't going to draft Shduer Sanders, good luck with that seventy four percent completion percentage in college. Running for your life, I don't know. That's pretty good.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and Noonie st nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio App.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and Noonie st nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio App.

Hey, Steve Covino and I'm Rich David and together We're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio.

Hey, Steve Covino and I'm Rich David and together We're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio.

You could catch us weekdays from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and of course, the iHeartRadio App.

You could catch us weekdays from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and of course, the iHeartRadio App.

Why should you listen to Covino and Rich.

Why should you listen to Covino and Rich.

We talk about everything life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world.

We talk about everything life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world.

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that well other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss.

We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that well other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss.

And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together. I mean that says something, right.

And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together. I mean that says something, right.

So check us out.

So check us out.

We like to get you involved too, take your phone calls, chop it up. As they say, I'd say, the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the.

We like to get you involved too, take your phone calls, chop it up. As they say, I'd say, the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio, maybe the.

Most interactive show on planetar.

Most interactive show on planetar.

Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific, and if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcasts, and of course on social media.

Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific, and if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcasts, and of course on social media.

That's and Rich is back with.

That's and Rich is back with.

The UFL kickoff weekend starting Friday as Saint Louis takes on Houston at eight pm Eastern.

The UFL kickoff weekend starting Friday as Saint Louis takes on Houston at eight pm Eastern.

Then Saturday it's San.

Then Saturday it's San.

Antonio versus Arlington at for eastern, all on Fox.

Antonio versus Arlington at for eastern, all on Fox.

You know, we were just talking during the break.

You know, we were just talking during the break.

I took all talks or in the tournament, so I got fifteen to sixteen teams left. I just don't have Saint John's. The best national championship for ratings to me would be Duke against Michigan State, so you'd get the biggest brand and the most popular basketball conference. I don't buy into the madness is out of March madness and the transfer portal has hurt mid majors, so what we don't watch mid majors. Nobody's watching the Missouri Valley Conference. TV is thirty to fifty percent of revenue for these sports. That's where a majority of people watch it. If TV is feeding you, if they're paying for the wedding, they get a say in the seating chart, and they like, that's why I defended North Carolina getting in. That's you know, if we're not talking a top five seed, if you ever talking at the bottom of the barrel, all right, it's a coin flip West Virginia, North Carolina. I'd put it in North Carolina. It's a bigger brand. It's not like West Virginia had twenty eight wins and had a gauntlet and they flew through it. You know, you put yourself in a position to be argued over. Put Carolina in and they won their playing game. So Nick Wright talked about this yesterday, about all these upsets that everybody says they love, but the ratings are truth serum, and once you get upsets, the ratings go down.

I took all talks or in the tournament, so I got fifteen to sixteen teams left. I just don't have Saint John's. The best national championship for ratings to me would be Duke against Michigan State, so you'd get the biggest brand and the most popular basketball conference. I don't buy into the madness is out of March madness and the transfer portal has hurt mid majors, so what we don't watch mid majors. Nobody's watching the Missouri Valley Conference. TV is thirty to fifty percent of revenue for these sports. That's where a majority of people watch it. If TV is feeding you, if they're paying for the wedding, they get a say in the seating chart, and they like, that's why I defended North Carolina getting in. That's you know, if we're not talking a top five seed, if you ever talking at the bottom of the barrel, all right, it's a coin flip West Virginia, North Carolina. I'd put it in North Carolina. It's a bigger brand. It's not like West Virginia had twenty eight wins and had a gauntlet and they flew through it. You know, you put yourself in a position to be argued over. Put Carolina in and they won their playing game. So Nick Wright talked about this yesterday, about all these upsets that everybody says they love, but the ratings are truth serum, and once you get upsets, the ratings go down.

Do you want an amazing, exciting first weekend and then a not so great second weekend or a chalky first weekend and then what should be an unreal second weekend?

Do you want an amazing, exciting first weekend and then a not so great second weekend or a chalky first weekend and then what should be an unreal second weekend?

And that's what I feel we got.

And that's what I feel we got.

I understand that it's fun when there is a fifteen seed or a fourteen seed that makes some noise, but you kind of want that noise to crescendo with a great round two law rather than them getting whacked in the Sweet sixteen by a great team.

I understand that it's fun when there is a fifteen seed or a fourteen seed that makes some noise, but you kind of want that noise to crescendo with a great round two law rather than them getting whacked in the Sweet sixteen by a great team.

Think about it this way. A movie. There has never been a great movie with a bad ending.

Think about it this way. A movie. There has never been a great movie with a bad ending.

Ever, there have been average movies that you think are great because of a great ending, usual suspects, great ending.

Ever, there have been average movies that you think are great because of a great ending, usual suspects, great ending.

Great ending is a good movie.

Great ending is a good movie.

There's been good movies Castaways with a goofy ending, and nobody talks about Castaways.

There's been good movies Castaways with a goofy ending, and nobody talks about Castaways.

We talk about usual Suspects.

We talk about usual Suspects.

Having all these upsets early is a great movie with a lousy ending. This movie is gonna be It's okay. It takes a while to get into it, like a Netflix show. You know your every Netflix show, first episode and a half is building characters and then all of a sudden by the middle of the second episode, while then third, fourth, fifth, great. That's what this tournament is. It takes a while to get going. We don't have a lot of upsets, but middle and end is gonna be fantastic. It's gonna be Michigan State Dukes, Arizona's, Tennessee, Auburn More NBA guys.

Having all these upsets early is a great movie with a lousy ending. This movie is gonna be It's okay. It takes a while to get into it, like a Netflix show. You know your every Netflix show, first episode and a half is building characters and then all of a sudden by the middle of the second episode, while then third, fourth, fifth, great. That's what this tournament is. It takes a while to get going. We don't have a lot of upsets, but middle and end is gonna be fantastic. It's gonna be Michigan State Dukes, Arizona's, Tennessee, Auburn More NBA guys.

It's better.

It's better.

So this idea that you want to start you all. I just love the upsets. Ratings indicate you don't you love you It's like in the moment Oh my god, do you I can't believe what I just want. I've said for years, the best thing that can happen is Duke wins in overtime or Duke wins by one. You want Duke winning, but you want them threatened. You want the up to the eleven point hunderdog to literally take him to overtime. That's great, But then I get Duke in the next I don't get McNee state in the next game.

So this idea that you want to start you all. I just love the upsets. Ratings indicate you don't you love you It's like in the moment Oh my god, do you I can't believe what I just want. I've said for years, the best thing that can happen is Duke wins in overtime or Duke wins by one. You want Duke winning, but you want them threatened. You want the up to the eleven point hunderdog to literally take him to overtime. That's great, But then I get Duke in the next I don't get McNee state in the next game.

You don't want that.

You don't want that.

And the numbers are absolutely, inarguably clear, and there's nothing against mid majors, but mid majors don't win March Madness. Now, They're not going to win a second or third game, which they don't very often anyway, as we all know. So this idea that mid majors are done, No, they're not. They were never winning four games in this tournament with regularity.

And the numbers are absolutely, inarguably clear, and there's nothing against mid majors, but mid majors don't win March Madness. Now, They're not going to win a second or third game, which they don't very often anyway, as we all know. So this idea that mid majors are done, No, they're not. They were never winning four games in this tournament with regularity.

Anyway.

Anyway.

You'd get one team every other year that would make a nice run, sometimes Elite eight most of the time.

You'd get one team every other year that would make a nice run, sometimes Elite eight most of the time.

Not.

Not.

So what if I've said this about the nil Ohio State goes out and says we got three weaknesses. Let's go buy a corner from Alabama, a right tackle from Missouri. It makes the bigger brand, stronger. The problem what you get in college football, Like think about Harvought Michigan. So when he got to Michigan, they didn't have a transfer portal. It took him like six years to get Michigan to be like they could compete with anybody. It took Brian Kelly like six years. Those are great coaches six years to like, okay, we can go toe to toe with Georgia. Now you go to a big brand year two, you can compete. Mean, Lincoln Riley won eleven game first year at USC, that's not what you couldn't be. Pete Carroll's first year at USC there were six and six got beatn a bowl game in Vegas. It took you years, even if you're a great coach to Bill. I like sports when you can the big brands and they make stakes like everybody to hire the wrong coach. They lose kids, they have injuries. When the big brands can get back to speed faster, like right now, LSU feels broken, they go out and il and they buy a quarterback out of high school, huge money.

So what if I've said this about the nil Ohio State goes out and says we got three weaknesses. Let's go buy a corner from Alabama, a right tackle from Missouri. It makes the bigger brand, stronger. The problem what you get in college football, Like think about Harvought Michigan. So when he got to Michigan, they didn't have a transfer portal. It took him like six years to get Michigan to be like they could compete with anybody. It took Brian Kelly like six years. Those are great coaches six years to like, okay, we can go toe to toe with Georgia. Now you go to a big brand year two, you can compete. Mean, Lincoln Riley won eleven game first year at USC, that's not what you couldn't be. Pete Carroll's first year at USC there were six and six got beatn a bowl game in Vegas. It took you years, even if you're a great coach to Bill. I like sports when you can the big brands and they make stakes like everybody to hire the wrong coach. They lose kids, they have injuries. When the big brands can get back to speed faster, like right now, LSU feels broken, they go out and il and they buy a quarterback out of high school, huge money.

They won't be broken, you know.

They won't be broken, you know.

So Michigan, by the way, last year, oh we're not very good they don't have a huge rebuild. Now they go out and get the number one quarterback in the country, they go buy him for like five million bucks's that's better for my eyes, that's better for television.