JR SportBrief Hour 3

You're listening to the JR Sport Brief on CBS Sports Radio. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief on CBS Sports Radio. And we're coming to you live from the Rocket Mortgage Studios. If you need to know what it takes for a home to fit your budget and your family, Rocket can.

Much love to everybody listening all over North America. Every place from Montreal to San Diego, San Diego up to, I don't know, or out to Honolulu. You could be in Honolulu. You could be in Miami. Or you can be, I don't know, in Texas, the Midwest, the Northeast, the mountains. You could be in a peak, a valley, a desert. I don't know.

You could be on the beach, the forest. I appreciate you. We're going to be hanging out here for the next two hours. Thank you to everyone who locked in to the first two. I get started 10 p.m. Eastern time, 7 p.m. Pacific for every minute, every second.

The free Odyssey app is how you can lock in. Of course, you can listen on your local CBS Sports Radio affiliate. We are here.

And when I say we, it's myself and super producer, Dave Sheppard. Talked about Chet Holmgren earlier on in the show. Number two overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder. This man went down in a Pro-Am game. Jamal Crawford had a Pro-Am game in Seattle on Saturday in Chet.

It only took him a few minutes to try to contest the LeBron James layup. And now it seems that he has ligament damage in his foot, the extent of which is unknown. Not easy when you're seven foot one and everybody thought he was just going to be too skinny. Well, first of all, this big injury, his foot is too damn big. I hope he's healthy in returns. Speaking of healthy and returning, someone that you will not see, I don't know, until 2024 is Walker Bueller. Starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He just underwent his second Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers should be fine.

As of right now, as I watch the game in the studio, they're smacking up the Brewers as they should 12 to 4. We talked about Devante Adams and his comments on Aaron Rodgers. And also at the same damn time, right before we went to break, I told you about a trade that took place. Oh, but a few minutes ago in the NBA, I might as well fill you in on it. Patrick Beverly went from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Jazz earlier on this off season. Well, Patrick Beverly will not be sticking around with the Jazz because the Jazz have traded Patrick Beverly to the Los Angeles Lakers for Talon Horton Tucker.

And so Horton Tucker will go put up points for Utah. Patrick Beverly will play defense for the Los Angeles Lakers. And I will assume that this is this is not it for Danny H. That yes, Donovan Mitchell has not been traded yet.

And maybe this is a precursor of bigger things to come. We know that Donovan Mitchell has been rumored to go to the New York Knicks now for months. And so let's also see what happens with the Los Angeles Lakers. They pick up a guard who actually plays defense and will be a pain in the ass. And damn it, we know this much.

This man is not going to shut up. I wonder what this will look like on the same team with LeBron. I want to say Russell Westbrook, but I think we know that there's a good chance that Russell Westbrook will not be a Laker by the time the season starts. So just a reminder, if you didn't hear me, Patrick Beverly is going from the Utah Jazz to the Los Angeles Lakers for Talon Horton Tucker. And so there's going to be some things are happening and we will keep you up to date.

Okay, it's the JR Sport Reshow on CBS Sports Radio. We spent a good amount of time the past several days highlighting some some accomplishments in Major League Baseball. Taking a look at someone like Aaron Judge who might be on his way right now to having more home runs than anyone in American League history. He's on his way to having more than 61. Let's see if he can do it. At the same time, Aaron Judge who's in the prime of his career, we can go ahead and look at the cards right now. Someone specifically in Albert Pujols who's at the end of his career and Albert Pujols is trying to make a push towards 700 home runs. Is it going to happen?

Who knows? Maybe not, but these are two guys. Just great. Aaron Judge hasn't picked up an MVP yet, but he's going to have one of this season and Pujols, he has his share of them. And so thinking about some of these legends, we've always had the conversation about MLB highlighting its stars and getting recognition. You know, with Pujols retiring and Aaron Judge on his stretch and streak, it's just like, wow, how much attention are they really going to get in the public conscious over the next month?

And sure, people have so many things to be distracted by. But when Barry Bonds was breaking records, it was like national news. You know, Mark Maguire and Sammy Sosa. Yeah, different time, different era.

The advent, really the wide distribution of the internet, almost. These guys were national figures. And so it always makes me go, damn it, who's leading the charge for Major League Baseball and not amongst hardcore, just diehard MLB fans. But just in regards to, we need to see that guy selling Pepsi.

Well, we need to see that guy on the Today Show. Who the hell is leading the charge for baseball? Who are the biggest stars in baseball? You know, who does America recognize? Who do they understand?

Who do they see? And so we're not going to waste any time. I'm going to give you a top six list and we're going to talk about Major League Baseball's biggest stars.

Who are the most famous individuals here in North America? Let's cover all of baseball. Let's not waste any time. Let's play the funky music. It's time to get JR's latest top six list only on the JR Sport Brief.

That's right. It's the JR Sport Brief Show here on CBS Sports Radio. We are seeing some legendary performances in Major League Baseball. It's America paying attention?

Is North America paying attention? Who are the most famous baseball players? Who's leading the charge for MLB? Well, let's talk about a few of those names.

Let's count them down. It's a top six list. Why six? Because it stands out.

Something I've been doing on YouTube for the better part of a decade. Let's not waste any time. Let's hit six. Number six. So nice we had to say it twice.

We had to say it twice. At number six, I'm going to Los Angeles. Yeah, not that other team in Los Angeles. I'm going to go to the team that actually plays in Los Angeles. I'm going to the Dodgers and I'm going to Clayton Kershaw.

It's crazy to think. It feels that he's been pitching longer than 2008, but then I have to remember to myself that 2008, it feels like yesterday, but it's been a long time. At this point, Clayton Kershaw has been pitching in the majors for 15 seasons.

He's 34 years old. Right now he's competing on a one year deal and unfortunately right now we're just like, damn it man, can you stay healthy? Can you come back and pitch for the rest of the season into the post season for these Dodgers until he got hurt again?

It's like he found the fountain of youth. 15 starts, an ERA of 2.6 and another all star appearance. This is someone who has three Cy Youngs. This is someone who also won an MVP and a Cy Young in the same damn season. Clayton Kershaw is also an amazing human being and you want to know someone else who knew how special and amazing he was?

He just passed away. It's Vin Scully. This is what Vin had to say about Clayton almost 10 years ago. Clayton Kershaw, he's 23 years old. Someone once talked about another player and said his ceiling is the Sistine Chapel and really that's Clayton Kershaw. He's a marvelous pitcher, deservedly so of all of the areas that he has dominated, earned run average strikeouts and trying for 21. Yeah, he's absolutely amazing.

Well, he's done a whole hell of a lot then between now and then. He is one of the faces of the game. Clayton Kershaw, it's like, hey, Dodgers win a championship.

Who's on the night shows? It's Clayton Kershaw. Who's playing in one of the biggest media markets in the country? It's Clayton Kershaw. The only thing is Clayton Kershaw is the biggest player in the country. Clayton Kershaw, he's a quiet, humble, chill dude, but he's still one of the biggest stars in the game. I got him at number six on the list. Who the hell is the most famous? Who is the face of baseball? Let's move on to this number.

Number five, this man. I guess he was in the technology. He debuted at 19 years old.

He debuted, how is this even possible, man? Hey, shut up. Time flies, man. Yeah, no kidding. You're like 24 now. Yeah, close.

Sure. I'm going to say this again, and it's going to make me feel old. Well, damn it. His name is Bryce Harper. Bryce Harper is getting ready to turn 30 years old. Shout outs to Bryce Harper.

I've interviewed a nice guy. He debuted at 19 in 2012. How the hell is that even possible? He's been a seven-time all-star rookie of the year. Bryce Harper was supposed, I'll say was, he was supposed to be like the LeBron James of baseball.

I don't know if it's worked out that way. He's been solid. He's been consistent. He's had to deal with his own injuries.

Even this year with the Phillies of which he signed a $330 million year deal three years ago, he's hurt again. But even last year, he won his second MVP and he is an all-star. And if he keeps this up, he's probably going to go into the hall of fame.

Has he lived up to the major hype? I wouldn't say so, but he is still one of the best in the game. And just because of his phenom status, I think he's one of the most well-known players in the game.

And there's no doubt about it. Bryce Harper, he's one of the most well-known stars in major league baseball. Typically people can say he's a jerk, but after he won his MVP last year, he got a little emotional. Bryce, congratulations.

The 2021 National League Most Valuable Player. I see that you are emotional. What is going through your mind as you've just won your second MVP? Man, I'm just, I'm overwhelmed for sure.

You know, I'm very excited. I got so many people I would thank. You know, of course my family and my wife, you know, this year was tough, you know, starting off getting hit in the face. It was definitely a tough couple of days for me, tough couple of weeks for me trying to get back and was able to get back. You know, my teammates were incredible throughout the whole process of trying to get me back and things like that. And, you know, I got to thank, you know, my teammates, the city of Philadelphia, our fans, John Middleton, the whole Middleton family, my chef Dan. I never, I never went to bed hungry. You know, my kiddos plugging me along every single day.

My dad, my mom, I mean, everybody. I mean, it just, it was a, it was a big effort for us this year. And it was just, it was a lot of fun to, you know, be here and be part of, you know, be part of this. Hey, Shep, all the way at the end, he thanked you as well.

Did you hear it? And you? Yeah, he thanked the Philly Fanatic. He thanked everybody. And good for him. He gets a bad rap sometimes. He's a cool dude.

Just goes and plays baseball. Has he lived up to the enormous hype? No, but he is certainly one of the top stars in Major League Baseball, one of the most recognizable faces. And if we have to talk about faces in baseball, let's move on to this number.

Number four. If I have to think about the top guys, the people who represent the game, I gotta be honest here. This guy should, should be number one. He should have been number one for a long ass time, but he doesn't talk to anybody. He doesn't want it.

He doesn't care about it. You probably already know who I'm getting ready to say. His name is Mike Trout. He just turned 31 years old.

Sounds crazy. He debuted in 2011 at 19 years old. He's already won three MVPs, rookie of the year, 10 time All-Star. I mean, he could retire today and no, I don't think he'd get in the hall of fame, but if he continues to play, he will. And damn it, he will continue to play. $426 million contract. Oh yeah, Mike Trout isn't going anywhere. And it doesn't matter if it's his back, his wrist, his thumbs.

This man is going to collect all of his money. It's just a shame that we really haven't seen him healthy. I don't know for what almost three years now, it feels like now he's dealing with the back. Mike Trout had to tell everybody, Hey, listen, my, my back injury is not career threatening.

I will be okay. But then he, I'm not going to say he runs away from the spotlight. He just doesn't want it. This man could have had an opportunity to go from the angels and, and go play for the hometown Phillies.

He could have went back East and played for the Yankees or mats. He doesn't want any of it. He's just minding his business on a franchise that quite frankly, nobody cares about. He's also been nursing his injuries, but we know this for sure. When he is playing, he's dangerous.

Will the injuries catch up to him? We'll see, but there's also someone who knows how special he is. And if you want to talk about a face of baseball, listen to the former president, Barack Obama in 2014, he was talking about a farm bill and somehow some way in a presidential address and press conference, Mike Trout was mentioned. Listen, bill is not just about helping farmers. Secretary Vilsack calls it helping farmers.

A jobs bill, an innovation bill, an infrastructure bill, a research bill, a conservation bill. It's like a Swiss army knife. It's like a Mike trout. It's like a, for those of you who know baseball, it's, it's somebody, somebody who's got a lot of tools that multitasks for those of you who know baseball. I think that statement that that sentence in and of itself says a lot. If we were talking about Michael Jordan, I don't think he'd go, Oh yeah, for those of you who know basketball, no, everybody knows who Jordan is. You don't have to explain it.

And that's unfortunately one of the problems. That's why I have Mike Trout at number four on my list of top MLB stars, as great as he is, was, and can be. If you know baseball, you know, and if you don't, you don't let's move on from number four to this number. Number three, people know this guy because he's been around a long ass time. This man started his career in the year 2001.

He's getting ready to wind it down. It doesn't matter if he gets to 700 home runs or if he gets stuck at it's 694 or he ties Alex Rodriguez at 696. It's Albert Pujols. People know this guy just cause he's been around forever.

And let me tell you something. He's one of the best baseball players I've ever seen. He's just, they called him a machine for a reason. This guy was a freak. You couldn't get anything past him and he wasn't just some power hitter.

He was an abuser. He could hit rookie of the year, two world series with the cards. And now he's back to finish out his time. And he's going to go down as one of the greatest of all time. He already is someone who could have been one of the greatest of all time. If he didn't admit to doing drugs, it's a smart McGuire. And so Peter Gammons, he was on a Rich Eisen show a few years ago and he was talking about how even Mark McGuire knew Albert Pujols was going to be amazing. I saw a couple of things about who's the greatest white-handed hitter, you know, and I don't know, you know, if you're going to hold us Wagner or, you know, Joe DiMaggio or whatever, but, you know, just from the time in spring training in 2001, when I was there in Jupiter, Florida, actually, uh, uh, talking Mark McGuire into doing an interview and he said, you know, what you really should be doing here is doing an interview with him. And he turned pointed towards Albert was in the cage. He said, he's going to make the team. He's going to be the rookie of the year and he's going to end up in the whole thing. So why don't you interview him?

So of course I did. And Mark McGuire was absolutely right. He was coming out of a ball for the major leagues and that began that career.

And his, his numbers are ridiculous. He's been a great one. He was healthy. He was a great defensive for his basement.

Uh, and to me, you know, for all he does with the different charities and so forth, he gets involved, but he's, he's one of the real giants of, of my 45 years covering baseball. You know what you, you get a lot of rookies that get shot out of a cannon. Albert Pujols was shot out of a cannon and didn't stop. And a rookie is not supposed to bat 329, have 37 home runs and 130 RBIs and basically replicate those numbers his sophomore season to continue to grow them in his third and four.

You're not supposed to do that. He took that money from the angels and then yeah, you want the same guy. And now he's going out with a bang at 42 years old Albert Pujols. When I got to talk to him, when I got to talk about the most famous stars representing baseball in the country for everybody, I got him at number three. Speaking of the angels and taking money and Hey, let's move on to this number.

Number two, come on. Some of the biggest stars in the game representing the game, not just for small fans, for casual fans, just for people. This man plays for the angels. Now he's like Mike Trout, except for he's healthy at this point in time.

And you want to talk about being paid. Oh, he's going to make more money than anybody in the game because he's doing something that no one in the game has ever done. And that includes Babe Ruth. Yes, it is Shohei Ohtani making his debut in 2018, winning rookie of the year, hitting and pitching, winning the MVP last year, 46 home runs, 100 RBIs, having an ERA of 3.1 and 23 starts in this year.

Oh, not too shabby again. 27 home runs, 72 RBIs, an ERA of 2.8 going on a stretch of games where he did not allow a run. The part that sucks for Ohtani, the angels are once again in the toilet.

52 and 72, that's right. Mike Trout and Ohtani are two of the biggest stars in the game. One of the most well-known stars in baseball in the country. And their team sucks. Damn it, the team might get sold.

Fire Joe Madden, they're just a sad, sad bunch. At least Ohtani will find success somewhere else likely. Dexter Fowler finished up his career out there with the angels. And he talked about Ohtani on the residency podcast. And he talked about how special he is. He should be the MVP all the time. Every year.

If he's mediocre, he should be like, nobody does that. Like, yes, it's impossible. Yeah. Babe Ruth.

It's impossible. Yeah. He's the last one who like day in and day out and watching him day in and day out. It's like, it's crazy because like, he's always with the pitchers. He's never with the hitters. It's always with the pitchers and it gets us working. And he's just like, wait, he's, he's special.

Like his batting practices, something like I've never seen before in my life. It's unbelievable. Like the ball just keeps going. It keeps going. It keeps going.

It's awful too. It's like, it looks like a right-handed pool hitter and he's hitting balls like he's selling video games. He's in commercials now. Okay. Ohtani.

Okay. It's the JR sport re-show CBS sports radio. When we come back, we're talking about the biggest, most recognizable stars, the faces of baseball. Number one on the other side here on CBS sports radio. You're listening to the JR sport brief on CBS sports radio. Thank you. First off for making my drive from the south side of Atlanta to the north side, every night bearable. I always enjoy listening to you, man, intellectual and introspective. I appreciate you. I just started to listen to you about six months ago, man. I love your show.

Call in now at 855-212-4CBS. The beautiful thing about baseball is that year to year, it's not an exact science. Someone who you never heard of will make a gigantic impact. Someone will come up to the majors and just come from rookie ball and, and destroy the league.

Every now and then you'll well, maybe not every now and then. Past couple of seasons, we've had Ohtani. Over the past 20 years, we've had someone like Pujols. We've seen someone who can do it all like a Mike Trout. And we know baseball has issues. It has problems.

It's, it's trying to fix and rectify them, especially when it comes down to marketing and attention. But with some of the historic performances that we have in the game right now, and some of the conversations we've had around them, I wanted to give you a top six list of baseball's biggest stars. Individuals who transcend baseball. I'm not just talking about diehard fans.

I'm talking about casuals. Who, who's the face of the game? Who should be the face of the game? Who's leading the way?

Who can carry the torch for the game to say, yeah, yeah, I play major league baseball and damn it, everybody knows me. Different time, different era. This is not 98 with Maguire and Sosa. Different time, different era. This is not 98 with Maguire and Sosa.

It's not the early 2000s with Maguire. But who can help lead that way? Who's there? Let me give you a quick refresher before I give you number one. And number six, I gave you Clayton Kershaw.

One of the big reasons plays in the second largest media market in the country, Los Angeles. And number five, I gave you Bryce Harper. A phenom was supposed to be the LeBron James of baseball, but has had a damn good career up until now. Already a two-time MVP, won it again last year. And number four, I gave you Mike Trout.

Absolutely phenomenal. More recently, it's when he plays. He's also quiet, reserved. He should be number one.

Should be carrying a torch. But he doesn't want it and he doesn't need it. $426 million guaranteed. You're damn right he doesn't need it. And number three, Albert Pujols. Told you about him. He's been playing for 20 years now, getting ready to retire. One of the faces of the game, really because he's been around forever. At number two, biggest stars in baseball, individuals who can transcend the sport, Shohei Ohtani. Yeah, he's not doing what Babe Ruth did. Babe Ruth did not do what he did. Ohtani is hitting and pitching at a high level at the same time.

This has not been done in Major League Baseball. And the fact that Shohei Ohtani is on the cover of a video game and is doing commercials and he's doing it in English is a boon. It's amazing.

It's great. But even Ohtani isn't getting the attention that he deserves. And so I have to talk about a face of baseball.

I have to say it's someone who's more relatable and homegrown to the audience here in North America. Hi to my friends who love the Blue Jays. And so that's going to leave me here with only one number left. Which one is it?

Number one. It's someone who has a legitimate opportunity to break what I find to be the real home run record of 61. We've been talking about him the past few nights. It's Aaron Judge. The man is hitting a home run every single night. Right now, first in home runs at 48. First in RBIs with 105.

Has the best OPS in the game right now. Is batting 300. Is not just cracking home runs can actually hit the baseball and hit situationally. And he could have won the MVP in his rookie season. Where he came out of the box and said, oh yeah, I'm here right now but here's 52 home runs.

Yeah, some guy named Altuve ended up winning it instead. And Aaron Judge just basically got his first taste of the majors. There's not a damn thing bad anyone can say about this guy. He's personable. The fans love him. The media appreciates him.

The only people that don't appreciate him may be the New York Yankees because now they're going to have to pay him big time. He has had some injuries. He is a giant of a human being. He's also been someone to be on the the late night shows.

He's in commercials. But baseball doesn't have that that super superstar and it should be Aaron Judge. That's why I have him here at number one. Even over Otani who in a different era would just be a ridiculous global superstar. Even with this contract situation around Aaron Judge. He's been a true pro.

You know he responded to the Yankees earlier this year with a lot of class. When they asked him about his contract and his details being public, that's what he said. It's never been a big concern of mine. You know it's never the money the contract stuff like that has never been you know why I played this game. You know I play this game because I love it. I play this game because you know I you know God gave me a gift to be here and you know I never want to take that for granted. So for me it's never been about I want never have the money. I want to play for the Yankees. I want to you know be here for a long time you know and if it works out it works out but if it doesn't it doesn't it's out of my hands you know I can't really control that kind of stuff.

So for me it's just been about focusing on the game and playing the game and you know when I'm a free agent and we decide where we go you know we'll figure that all out later. That was courtesy of SNY. He does the right things. He says the right things. He's just a cool ass dude and I think he's number one. You talk about the guy at the forefront of baseball right now. The most popular.

The most well known. Someone who can lead the way for a sport that needs that guy. It's Aaron Judge. Here's a quick recap at number six I gave you Clayton Kershaw. Number five Bryce Harper. Number four Mike Trout.

Three Albert Pujols. Two Otani and I got Judge at number one if we're talking about the current faces of the game. Not talking about the biggest or the best stars. Talking about who's most popular. Who's most well known.

Who is and who can transcend the game. Otani at two and I have Judge at number one just because he's from here. United States of America. I'm gonna take your phone calls on the other side. That's 855-212-4CBS.

That's 855-212-4CBS. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief on CBS Sports Radio. Hey JR how you doing man? I appreciate listening to you every night man at work man. Give me some joy and I appreciate all your insight.

Call in now at 855-212-4CBS. That's right it's the JR Sport Brief show here with you on CBS Sports Radio. With with so many just just amazing players in baseball. Not everybody gets the recognition. With some of the amazing feats not everybody is recognized. And so when I think about some of those individuals and players I'm forced to go well damn if I have to think about it I have to think about every sport.

It's not difficult to say oh well this is this is the leader or these are the faces or these are the the leaders or the I mean it's easy. NBA. You think Lebron. You go Curry.

Go down the list. You start thinking about Giannis but it's Lebron. Think about the NFL. You know who it is. It's Tom Brady.

In Major League Baseball you gotta gotta go who? What? Is there one? No there's not.

One. And there should be. And so I gave you tonight a top six list of the biggest stars in baseball.

And listen to me carefully. This is not a list of the most talented. It's not the list of the current best. Talking about biggest stars. Talking about players in Major League Baseball who are at the top of the list when it comes down to popularity.

Visibility. How many people know them? How many casual fans know them? Does America know who the hell they are? What about their skill level?

What about their level of success? And so for instance there are plenty of players I could have put on the list. Let me give you a recap. And if you missed a minute you can always listen on the free Odyssey app. You can hit rewind. You can listen to the Odyssey app anytime.

Won't miss a minute of the show and it's free. At number six I gave you Clayton Kershaw. At number five I gave you Bryce Harper. At number four I gave you Mike Trout. At number three Albert Pujols. At number two Shohei Ohtani. And at number one Aaron Judge.

If I have to look at these players and their popularity, their visibility, their skill level, their individual and team successes. These are the top and biggest faces and names in baseball. Fernando Tatis Jr. he should be on this list except for uh he's been on a little bit of an I don't want to call it an apology tour but no I guess he has been on an apology tour he ain't on the list right now. If you would have asked me two seasons ago when he burst onto the scene I'd say hell yeah Tatis Jr. he'd probably be number one here. I actually sat here on air and said that he needs to get pushed as the face of baseball but not right now uh-uh he got some cleaning up to do.

And there are other names I'll let you fill in the blanks. Guys who I considered and didn't put on the list someone like Mookie Betts between him and Clayton Kershaw I said oh yeah well multiple championships MVPs here for between them but Kershaw he's been around longer and he's in LA he's beloved. I think he's more well known across the country amongst people who aren't baseball fans and Mookie Betts. So let's get into it eight five five two one two four CBS that's eight five five two one two four CBS. We're talking about the biggest MLB stars. I got Aaron Judge at number one.

Thomas calling from Chicago you're on CBS Sports Radio. I live for this uh top six list whatever you and David are doing to compile this thing it drains the vocabulary of superlatives. I love the top six list and saying that I agree with everything you say. He's not a top six guy but he's a mentionable and he's a pitcher that is a White Sox killer. His name is Garrett Cole.

He drives me nuts because he kills him. He kills my White Sox. Garrett Cole belongs on maybe a top ten list but not a top six list.

I don't know. I think there I think there are other pitchers well first of all Garrett Cole also drives New York Yankee fans crazy and he pitches for the Yankees. I would say Max Scherzer before Garrett Cole. I would say I would go I would go ahead and even Justin Verlander.

I mean we considered him for the list and yeah but if I'm thinking about popularity I don't know if Verlander is there. He's certainly going to go into the hall of fame but Garrett Cole I'm not so sure. I think uh Garrett Cole and thank you Tom for calling from Chicago. Garrett Cole can pitch six seven shutout innings and then you'll have one inning where he gives up four or five runs.

You just have to hope it's it just doesn't happen. Nah, Garrett Cole and to be honest I don't I don't know if Garrett Cole is someone that just everybody knows. I don't think so. 855-2124 CBS that's 855-2124 CBS. Robert is calling from Charlotte. You're on CBS Sports Radio.

What's up? Well first of all since they started checking hands wasn't Garrett Cole done? Yeah well his spin his spin rate has dropped.

He's still a very good pitcher but he has his blips. Yeah and uh you know um I heard you talking about uh Bryce Hopper and you put um the guy put the angels in there. Have you ever been to Florida and driving through and you see the signs for the world's largest alligator? I've seen the world's largest alligator on the internet. Robert do you have me on speakerphone? No.

Okay well it sounds like you're calling me from the bathroom but but just try to go ahead. Yeah okay yeah well the the thing is that's how often you see Mike right now. You know you never see the the world's largest alligators because he's always away. He's not there and that's how Mike Trott is and who remembers the last time he really played? A couple months ago but what what's your point what's your point? Well I think well in my opinion Bryce Hopper is above him. The guy has two MVPs and just really quickly you're talking about a guy who came from the eight ball that's tearing up the league now uh signed up Gristle from the Braves. He's tearing things up now and I think he made he made the invention on that list. Yeah well he's been around for two weeks.

Yeah but he's still tearing them up. Enjoy your show brother. Well thank you Rob.

Appreciate you for calling from Charlotte. Hey he's been playing for two weeks. I see him.

I'm right here in Atlanta. I see him. I see the young guys. The reason why I don't have any of the ridiculously young guys on the list right now is because they're young guys. They aren't the faces of the game. I mean there's plenty of guys.

We see this all the time. This guy's here and this guy's that and this guy can be an all-star. Yeah there's plenty of guys who can be an all-star but I'm talking about the biggest names in the game right now. Individuals who are representative of the game. Is that going to be Albert Pujols in a month's time? No but for right now he is. So he's been in the public conscious smacking home runs and getting paid big money now for the better part of 20 years. By the time we get to next season Clayton Kershaw he may not be on the list because his ass might not be playing but with your point about Bryce Harper and Mike Trout man it's almost a draw right there.

Almost this. You can go one over the other. Both of them unfortunately have dealt with injuries. Both of them have been phenoms. Mike Trout should be way higher. That's if he wanted to talk.

I'm going to take more of your calls on the other side. We're talking big MLB stars. Who's the biggest? I say Judge.