First Call: Gerrit Cole's pandemic problem, NHL TV schedule, robot fans, no Cleveland for Clowney

Thursday’s “First Call” features a pandemic problem for Gerrit Cole. Might we see robot fans at games? The potential rebooted NHL television schedule is interesting. And the Cleveland Browns appear to be out when it comes to Jadeveon Clowney.

Covid conundrum for Cole

Former Pirate Gerrit Cole made a simulated start at Yankee Stadium Tuesday. And a hiccup surrounding the covid-19 protocols cropped up with him on the mound.

Cole has always been known for being a bit persnickety and particular on the mound. Especially when it comes to the ball itself. If he gets one he doesn’t like — which seems to happen often — he’ll toss it aside.

Well, during the game, Cole got one he liked. He used it to strike out a batter. Then the catcher threw it around the horn.

But the umpire wouldn’t let Cole keep the ball because too many people had touched it. That seemed to agitate Cole a bit, because he didn’t like the new ball. And, on the next pitch, he allowed a home run to Miguel Andujar.

Miguel Andujar sends one the opposite way for a home run! pic.twitter.com/OjwyHjoywA

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 7, 2020

Watch the video. It’s funny. A heads up. There’s some colorful language in it.

Based on this montage, Cole needs to get in the habit of looking for the ball when he strikes out a guy with no one on base instead of having it thrown around the horn. The catchers seem to have figured it out. But, sometimes, Cole isn’t looking.

Gerrit Cole is just plain nasty pic.twitter.com/eGB3MIDyKi

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 8, 2020

That’s just going to be one of those weird nuances to the game under these coronavirus circumstances.

Speaking of weird nuances

If you think that’s weird, check out what a home run may sound like at a game with no fans.

This is from a Chicago Cubs intrasquad game at Wrigley Field.

This is what home runs in 2020 will sound like pic.twitter.com/UBQaaYRscM

— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) July 8, 2020

That was Willson Contreras off of Craig Kimbrel. As you saw in the Yankees clip, it won’t be as bad on television with the announcers in mid-call.

But, man! Does it sound empty or what? The music almost makes it sound worse.

Note the attempts at social distancing in the dugout, by the way. Ghost hugs and fake high-fives all around!

Cleveland out for Clowney?

Back on May 28, we told you that the Cleveland Browns had an inkling to sign free agent pass-rush specialist Jadeveon Clowney.

At the time, Clowney didn’t seem to show an interest. Now it appears even if Clowney has a change of heart, he won’t be going to Cleveland.

According to ProFootballTalk.com, an adjustment to Olivier Vernon’s salary now makes it unlikely Clowney could join the Browns even if he wanted to do so.

Michael David Smith reports that under Vernon’s old contract he was set to make $15.25 million. However, it was non-guaranteed. So that meant that the Browns could have cut Vernon if Clowney signed.

As Smith explained, Vernon agreed to take a pay cut. But now $10.75 million of his 2020 pay is guaranteed.

Thus, there’s no doubt he’s going to make the roster, and there’s likely no more room for Clowney.

Robot fans

The NHL playoffs will be played in closed settings in hub cities. There is no sign of fans being allowed at Pirates games any time soon. The Steelers are holding out hope.

But I’m pessimistic.

So here’s an idea that the CBS News social media desk found. How about robot fans at games? The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks have a few.

And boy are they exciting to wat… Well. It’s something, anyway.

ROBOT FANS: Robots filled in for fans at the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks’ baseball game on Tuesday in Japan, and they danced to the team's fight song. Spectators haven't been allowed at games because of the pandemic. The robots will perform at home games through July. pic.twitter.com/Yb0S17vTLN

— KDKA (@KDKA) July 8, 2020

Hmmm. Can they learn to wave a towel and sing “Renegade”?

I posed that question on Twitter and 93.7 The Fan host Paul Zeise had a good retort.

No but they can sing Mr. Roboto

— Paul Zeise (@PaulZeise) July 8, 2020

Walked right into that one, didn’t I?

Welp, same band anyway. Can Kilroy play inside linebacker or nose tackle?

Stacked schedule

According to ESPN.com, it appears the NHL has a plan in place to televise its hockey games between the presumptive hub cities of Toronto and Edmonton.

And it looks pretty good.

I’m told the most likely plan for the NHL is to have three games a day in each of the hub cities: 12 pm, 4pm & 8pm.

Given the two hour difference between Toronto & Edmonton, should be a viewer’s dream.

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) July 8, 2020

Between Eastern and Mountain time zones, the potential exists for a March Madness type of vibe.

Let’s see if the Penguins can have their “One Shining Moment.”