Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo stakes his claim to REPLACE Stephen A. Smith on ‘First Take’ and jokes he’ll be the Lou Gehrig to his Wally Pipp… before his rival quickly claps back and insists: ‘You are in a world of trouble when I get back’

Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo made his case to replace Stephen A. Smith on ‘First Take’ Wednesday morning, bringing up a notable baseball swap for comparison.

‘There was a baseball player named Wally Pipp. Back in 1925 he had a headache. He took himself out of the lineup. You know who they put in the lineup? Lou Gehrig, baby! And he played for 2,000-some-odd games in a row,’ Russo said. 

‘… Guess what? This seat is finally occupied by a guy who can do a professional television talk show and his name ain’t Stephen A,’ Russo continued.

‘It is Christopher Michael Russo! And guess what? For the next 120 minutes “First Take” is in the house.’ 

Wednesday’s episode of first take started at 10a.m. Eastern with Smith on vacation.  

After saying he’d do a better job than Smith, it took minutes for the outspoken Smith to reply

Smith had posted his rebuttal to Russo at 10:04a.m. on social media. 

‘How Dare you @MadDogUnleashed. How Dare you? The unmitigated gall of you to sit in MY CHAIR, and be so disrespectful,’ Smith posted on X. 

‘You are in a world of trouble when I get back. Remember, it’s a huge responsibility sitting in that chair! Can ya measure up? Enjoy this moment. It will be your last IN THAT CHAIR!’ Smith continued. 

Smith has been a panelist on ‘First Take’ since 2012, and his contract with ESPN  expires next year. 

During Russo’s rant, co-hosts Kimberley A. Martin and Marcus Spears laughed a few times.  

Smith posted this message to X clapping back at Russo for insisting he’d do a better job

Smith has been a panelist on ‘First Take’ since 2012, with his ESPN contract expiring next year

There’s a degree of WWE-style baiting of this clip, as Russo and Smith have worked together for years as on-air personalities at ESPN.  

Gehrig’s streak of 2,130 consecutive games played started at Pipp’s absence and is still the second longest in baseball history to Cal Ripken Jr.’s 2,632. 

Wally Pipp isn’t a baseball slouch at all, as he was one of the dead-ball eras best hitters and played professionally for 15 years, 11 coming with the New York Yankees. 

Yet, once Pipp was replaced by Gehrig in 1925, he was quickly dealt to the Cincinnati Reds where he finished out his career.