1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:04,720 Speaker 1: And now an exclusive interview with David Bassey for Dodger Talk. 2 00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 2: It's the Dodgers and Rangers, a split squad game today 3 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,879 Speaker 2: here in Arizona, and we're joined right now by a 4 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:16,680 Speaker 2: man that has a great connection to Andrew Friedman, going 5 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 2: back to his playing days with the Tampa Bay Race, 6 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:22,079 Speaker 2: fresh from managing with the Twins, and now the Dodgers 7 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 2: are very fortunate to have Rocco Baldelli and his beautiful 8 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:29,400 Speaker 2: bald head part of their front office. Rocko, thanks a 9 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 2: lot for the time and great to have you in 10 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 2: Dodger Blue. 11 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: Thank you. That might be the greatest intro that I've 12 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:38,279 Speaker 1: ever had in my entire life. But no, it's wonderful 13 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:40,880 Speaker 1: to be here. It's a It's been a fantastic spring 14 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 1: training and being here with the new group has been 15 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: really eye opening and pretty awesome for me. Right now. 16 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 2: What's it like for you to see these group of 17 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 2: players coming off back to back championships seemingly ready to 18 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 2: go day one is spring training? 19 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, The one thing that I noticed really early with 20 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 1: this group was the level of focus and intensity and 21 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: desire coming off of two World Series. You know, it's 22 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:11,039 Speaker 1: not like, you know, everyone's coming in without those world series. 23 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:15,080 Speaker 1: Those world series have been have been one great moments experienced, 24 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 1: but still coming in with that really exceptional high level focus, ready, 25 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: ready to roll, ready to work every single day, ready 26 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 1: to get better every single day, and you can see 27 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 1: why so many of these players have had the success 28 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 1: that they've had. 29 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:32,720 Speaker 2: I see you floating around camp. Have you kind of 30 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 2: gravitated towards one group of players or just trying to 31 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,679 Speaker 2: zone in on what they do to prepare for not 32 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 2: only each day here but for the season. 33 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, most of my time has been spent with the 34 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:47,480 Speaker 1: outfield group, and specifically a lot of the young outfielders, 35 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 1: a lot of the guys that are that haven't yet 36 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:52,360 Speaker 1: made their debut, a lot of the guys that are 37 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 1: at the Double A and Triple A level, and there's 38 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:58,320 Speaker 1: a there's an extensive list of very talented young men here. 39 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: Probably one of the the depthiest groups of outfielders that 40 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 1: I've ever ever seen prospect wise in one organization. So 41 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 1: that spent that's taken up a lot of my time. 42 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 1: It's been very enjoyable working with this group, but I 43 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: didn't want to get to spread out watching too many 44 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:19,679 Speaker 1: different things. I mean, getting a view of the organization 45 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 1: as a whole has been important. I mean, it's a 46 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 1: new place for me, so it's going to take a 47 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:27,080 Speaker 1: little time. But as far as when I'm stepping on 48 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: the field, most of my attention and my eyes are 49 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 1: set on those young outfielders. 50 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:34,919 Speaker 2: Is it a stretch to say the Dodgers have potentially 51 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:38,920 Speaker 2: six young outfielders that could be major leaguers in the 52 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 2: next year or two. 53 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,200 Speaker 1: I mean in the next year or two, probably, So 54 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:46,080 Speaker 1: I would say that the list is even much longer 55 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 1: than that when you extend it down into some of 56 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 1: the younger players. There are guys that are appearing in 57 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:54,800 Speaker 1: major league camp that are doing really a heck of 58 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:56,639 Speaker 1: a job up and down the ladder. Not all of 59 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 1: them are even at the Triple A and Double A levels, 60 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 1: But yeah, normal you don't see a half dozen guys, 61 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:04,520 Speaker 1: you know, you start I could, I could start naming 62 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:06,799 Speaker 1: a bunch of names here, but like you're gonna end up, 63 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: you know, missing guys too. But in major league camp, 64 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:13,200 Speaker 1: you know, you had Tibbs and aar Hard and those 65 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 1: guys did a really nice job. And Ward has had 66 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 1: some some some real success at the minor league levels 67 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:21,520 Speaker 1: and put up a lot of UH, some really good 68 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 1: numbers KG, Kendell, George and Depaula and and Zyer Hope 69 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 1: and the list is UH is good and long, and 70 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:33,080 Speaker 1: you know what, You're gonna need all those guys at 71 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 1: different points in time. UH, and you just gotta wait 72 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: and see how they develop. But the talent is there, Rocco. 73 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:41,720 Speaker 2: I'm glad you brought up James Tibbs because the Dodgers 74 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 2: acquired him last year. He's been traded twice before even 75 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 2: making his major league debut, but he's been in a 76 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 2: lot of Cactus League games, putting him on the radar 77 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 2: for fans that are watching and listening. What stands out 78 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 2: to you the most that makes you believe he can 79 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 2: impact the Dodgers this season. 80 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 1: Well, I think that one of the first things that 81 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 1: you notice around him is he's a very intense guy 82 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 1: and he wants to do good. He shows up ready 83 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 1: to work every day, which is a great trait for 84 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 1: any young player. But when he steps on the field 85 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 1: and he starts playing, you can see that he has 86 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: a good advanced approach at the plate, which stands out 87 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 1: and you know he's not you know, it's not like 88 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:26,679 Speaker 1: He's standing six foot five and two hundred and forty pounds, 89 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 1: but he hits the ball hard, He sees the ball 90 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: really good. He's just a lot of great traits that 91 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:35,920 Speaker 1: you would want and a good young hitter, and he 92 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 1: shows a lot of those virtually every game where he 93 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 1: steps out there on the field. He looks like a 94 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:42,679 Speaker 1: guy who knows what he's doing in the batter's box. 95 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 1: So that's a great place to start for a young guy. 96 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 1: He had a lot of success once he came over 97 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 1: to the Dodgers in the minor leagues last year, and 98 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:53,040 Speaker 1: now he's really jumping off of that this spring and 99 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: continuing his success. 100 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:58,839 Speaker 2: This is your genre of baseball. You might agree or 101 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 2: disagree with this, but when I shook his hand, I 102 00:05:01,400 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 2: was thinking, who does he remind me of? And it 103 00:05:03,520 --> 00:05:07,039 Speaker 2: struck me a day later. Casey Kotchman, who played for 104 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:10,320 Speaker 2: the Angels, different position, but he had some real meat hooks, 105 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:12,440 Speaker 2: and James Tibbs seems to have those meat hooks. 106 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:14,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, he's got he's got some strength in those hands. 107 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 1: He's got some strength in those hands. I've played with 108 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 1: Cotch two and Cotch is an awesome dude and had 109 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 1: a good career. I haven't seen him in a while. 110 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 1: I'm not sure he's at these days, but I'm sure 111 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 1: he's doing fine. But yeah, Timsy has had a good 112 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:30,599 Speaker 1: start to the spring. He's been playing a decent amount 113 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:35,360 Speaker 1: of first base. He's also pretty solid contributor on the 114 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:39,640 Speaker 1: corner outfield spots. And I think he's he just needs 115 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:41,839 Speaker 1: to go play. He just needs to settle in when 116 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: the season hits, you know, obviously most likely going to 117 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,040 Speaker 1: the minor leagues, you know, unless something happens, I think 118 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 1: in major league camp. But I think, you know, just 119 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:54,599 Speaker 1: being ready to show up every day and be prepared 120 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:56,320 Speaker 1: for whenever his name's called, and his name could be 121 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:57,120 Speaker 1: called soon. I'm sure. 122 00:05:57,440 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 2: Rocco Baldelli is our guest. He's a specialist assistant to 123 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:03,520 Speaker 2: Andrew Freeman, part of the Dodgers front office now. And 124 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 2: you know, Andrew Freeman has built something special that everybody 125 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 2: around the league is very envious of. Can you give 126 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:14,599 Speaker 2: us some insight on what the Dodgers have now under 127 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:17,960 Speaker 2: Andrew compared to what he was like and what he 128 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:19,640 Speaker 2: built in Tampa Bay with you. 129 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 1: Well, I'd like to say he's changed a whole lot, 130 00:06:23,680 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 1: and you know, you know, get on him a little 131 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 1: bit for that, but now he's the he's the same guy. 132 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:35,720 Speaker 1: Exceptionally brilliant and talented, of course, but he's he likes 133 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,359 Speaker 1: to laugh, he's he likes to get in there with 134 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:41,040 Speaker 1: all the people that work with him. Uh, he has 135 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 1: great relationships. Everywhere you look, and and every organization he's 136 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 1: ever worked with, people always they're they warmed to him, 137 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:50,920 Speaker 1: and they they they love working with him and for him. 138 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:54,720 Speaker 1: So you know, that's not totally normal probably you know 139 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,360 Speaker 1: everywhere in the game or everywhere in sports where you look, 140 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 1: but he creates just an exceptional in ironment for the 141 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:03,159 Speaker 1: people that show up here every day, both the players 142 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:06,160 Speaker 1: and the staff. So you know, I've known Andrew since 143 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 1: the beginnings of his time in professional baseball, and I 144 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 1: feel very lucky to be working with him once again. 145 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 2: Everybody tried to put him in this bucket being with 146 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 2: Tampa Bay and trying to do more with less. How 147 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:22,360 Speaker 2: unique is it for him to be able to do 148 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:25,080 Speaker 2: what he did in Tampa but then now have the 149 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 2: resources at his fingertips to build what he's have now, 150 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 2: what he's built now with the Dodgers. 151 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think one thing to note is like Andrew 152 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,120 Speaker 1: had to get very creative in Tampa Bay when he 153 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 1: was there. Now he just gets creative in different ways. 154 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 1: And you know he has a mind that's always going 155 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 1: to be searching for something new or more effective or different. 156 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 1: And you know what he's built here. I mean when 157 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: I first showed up, he I've only been here a 158 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:55,320 Speaker 1: short time, but you know, I realized this is a 159 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:58,960 Speaker 1: this is an immense this is a massive operation here 160 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:01,280 Speaker 1: in LA and it's not what I've been used to 161 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:03,840 Speaker 1: because I've worked with smaller market clubs in my career. 162 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 1: But the way that it functions together is extremely impressive. 163 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:13,080 Speaker 1: You don't lose that that personal touch and that really 164 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 1: you know, pointed, very good, you know, well thought out 165 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 1: programming that you get when you have a smaller group. 166 00:08:19,400 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 1: It operates the same way, except that it is a 167 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 1: bigger group here and everyone works together very well. It's 168 00:08:25,240 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 1: very well coordinated, it's very well organized, and to me, 169 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 1: it almost felt like a college campus atmosphere when I 170 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 1: showed up here for spring training, you know, which isn't 171 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: necessarily the field that you get in most camps. 172 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:42,080 Speaker 2: Now, that's a great compliment, Rocco. Before I let you go. 173 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:46,600 Speaker 2: Joe Madden told me once that Andrew is not only 174 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:49,960 Speaker 2: great at what he does building the infrastructure and using analytics, 175 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:54,200 Speaker 2: but he is a really good baseball man now a 176 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:57,360 Speaker 2: great baseball scout. Have you seen that transformation? 177 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: Truthfully, I think that was always in Andrew because Andrew 178 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 1: was Andrew played. You know, Andrew you know, was a 179 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: member of the two lane baseball team back in the day, 180 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:08,600 Speaker 1: and I always thought he was like the last guy 181 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:11,440 Speaker 1: on the roster, very possible, very possible. No one can 182 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 1: verify it, so there's no way to really there's no way. 183 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:14,800 Speaker 2: To really know. 184 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 1: But no, you know, he has a background in the game. 185 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 1: You know, he didn't just show up and you know 186 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,000 Speaker 1: pick up baseball. I mean that it's something that he 187 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 1: has a long history with. And I think he has 188 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:30,960 Speaker 1: a great appreciation for melding all parts of this game 189 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 1: in the best possible ways. And he knows that you 190 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 1: need you know, exceptional you know, an exceptional plan or 191 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:41,200 Speaker 1: you know, really good information. But he he he really 192 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 1: compliments that with bringing in the right people and people 193 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 1: that he trusts and people that he wants opinions from. 194 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 1: And you know, everywhere you look here, there's really really 195 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:57,000 Speaker 1: really awesome, talented people in every department, and he the 196 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:59,559 Speaker 1: way they come together, though, is the key, and the 197 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 1: way he utilizes everyone is always going to be the key, 198 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 1: and he's the best at that. 199 00:10:03,760 --> 00:10:05,560 Speaker 2: All Right, before I let you go, I'm gonna tap 200 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:09,479 Speaker 2: into some Andrew Friedman sense of humor here for Rocco Baldelli. 201 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 2: When I was driving in today to Camelback Ranch, I 202 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:16,360 Speaker 2: saw a bald headed dude in a Dodger hoodie with 203 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:19,280 Speaker 2: a beard double over as he was trying to run 204 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:23,079 Speaker 2: the whole ranch. Was that Rocco Baldelli? 205 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:23,680 Speaker 1: It was? 206 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 2: And it's all I have. 207 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:27,600 Speaker 1: It's all I've got, and I got nothing more to give. 208 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:30,440 Speaker 1: But yeah, you're lucky I didn't take a picture for Andrew. 209 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,200 Speaker 1: You know what, he would use that picture forever. It 210 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 1: would go rate in that that file that he keeps 211 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:38,400 Speaker 1: on everyone, and he'd have a good picture. Now, I 212 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 1: was absolutely gassed out here, But you got to do something. 213 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:43,679 Speaker 1: You got to get out there and keep moving. 214 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 2: Hey, I'm I can only say that to a certain 215 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 2: extent since you can see I'm a skinny, fat guy, 216 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:50,600 Speaker 2: So I can only go so far on you same 217 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:52,600 Speaker 2: saying that's that you can talk into the same thing. 218 00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 2: Hey Rocco, thanks a lot for joining us. It's great 219 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 2: to share you with Dodger fans. You have so much 220 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 2: to offer the game and the Dodgers are lucky to 221 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:03,440 Speaker 2: have you in the organization. So thank you for the time. 222 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:05,520 Speaker 1: That's truly a pleasure to be here. Thank you.