1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,840 Speaker 1: Shot back to last second saves. The Orange and Blue 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:07,880 Speaker 1: delivered drama every game. 3 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:10,200 Speaker 2: And if that won't give you goosebumps, I don't know 4 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:10,800 Speaker 2: what will. 5 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: FC Cincinnati Soccer who lives here. 6 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:21,079 Speaker 2: Byarden f up Bailey tonight on ESPN. Yeah, nice to 7 00:00:21,079 --> 00:00:23,520 Speaker 2: hear Tommy G's voice. There you go, four after five, 8 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:28,160 Speaker 2: ESPN fifteen thirty Moagger, Thanks for listening. Hopefully you having 9 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 2: an awesome presidency. Hopefully a great three day weekend. And 10 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 2: no matter what you're doing, thanks for hanging out with us. 11 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:37,520 Speaker 2: Mark Pope show coming up as soon as we're done 12 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:42,159 Speaker 2: at six o'clock. Kentucky lost at Florida the aforementioned Florida 13 00:00:42,240 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 2: Gators on Saturday. That is so much more Excuse me 14 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:49,240 Speaker 2: with the head coach of the Wildcats at six pm. 15 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 2: Was a fun college basketball weekend. That Arizona Texas Tech 16 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 2: game was absolutely terrific. Also, Ohio State played Virginia in 17 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 2: it at a Fox game that took place in Nashville. 18 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:05,559 Speaker 3: Now we don't get in this day. 19 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 2: And age anymore that many non conference games high major 20 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 2: non conference games. The lower part of the arena was 21 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 2: pretty filled with Virginia fans. I did not detect that 22 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 2: there were a ton of Ohio State fans there. 23 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:24,480 Speaker 3: The upper part of the arena looked just barren. 24 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:28,360 Speaker 2: Now I get these these games happened, and they happened, 25 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:30,399 Speaker 2: happened when it did and where it did because of 26 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:33,200 Speaker 2: nil there's not a better place for Virginia and Ohio 27 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 2: State to play. 28 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:34,960 Speaker 3: And I love Nashville. 29 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 2: That a better place for Virginia and Ohio State to 30 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:42,279 Speaker 2: play than Nashville. Maybe I'm biased because that basketball arena 31 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:44,480 Speaker 2: for me just brings back such awful memories. 32 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 3: I don't know. I don't know. 33 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 2: You recommend somewhere that's more reasonable for fans to get 34 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 2: playing Cincinnati? 35 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 3: Right? Oh no? 36 00:01:56,560 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 2: From Charlotteville to Nashville. How long from Columbus? Like that's 37 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 2: Columbus to Nashville's five and. 38 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:08,320 Speaker 3: A half four from here? Oh no, get a better 39 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 3: place to play. 40 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 2: And I like that. 41 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 3: I love Nashville and Nashville is awesome. I just don't 42 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:16,360 Speaker 3: know that that is for Virginia and Ohio State. But hell, 43 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 3: I don't know. 44 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 2: If you gave me a trip to Nashville, maybe I 45 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 2: would I change my tune. The college basketball over the weekend, 46 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:27,280 Speaker 2: it was really cool. Was on Friday night. I know 47 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:31,920 Speaker 2: people who have probably never watched a Miami University basketball game, 48 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:36,960 Speaker 2: have maybe never been on Miami's campus, who kind of 49 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:41,280 Speaker 2: revolved their entire Friday night around Miami versus Ohio University. 50 00:02:41,320 --> 00:02:45,720 Speaker 2: The atmosphere for that game looked incredible. And what has 51 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 2: been so fun about this? And I say this from 52 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:51,919 Speaker 2: the perspective of someone who roots for the UC Bearcats 53 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:55,359 Speaker 2: and the Dayton Flyers, but it is fun to watch 54 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 2: that campus come alive. It's fun to watch that alumni 55 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 2: base come alive. It's fun to watch Miami enjoy this moment. 56 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:06,160 Speaker 2: I don't know if they're going to finish the season unbeaten. 57 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 2: I certainly believe if you look at every individual game, 58 00:03:10,120 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 2: and I don't know the betting lines for Miami and 59 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:15,079 Speaker 2: U Mass have come out, and yet I will give 60 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:21,639 Speaker 2: this a look here momentarily, but they should win. Keyword 61 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:23,520 Speaker 2: as should If you look at those games. Miami's at 62 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:26,240 Speaker 2: three and a half point favorite tomorrow, it looks like 63 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:28,360 Speaker 2: they're going to be favored in every game the rest 64 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:30,800 Speaker 2: of the season. That doesn't mean that they're not gonna 65 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 2: stub their toe. They may against UMass tomorrow. The Mini 66 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 2: Men played them really tough here at Oxford at Mallett 67 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 2: Hall a few weeks ago. But you know, as easy 68 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 2: as it is to make the conversation solely about the tournament, 69 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 2: solely about their potential exclusion if they do win every 70 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 2: game and then lose in the MAC Tournament. And I'm 71 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 2: on record for what it's worth, I do not believe 72 00:03:57,640 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 2: that if they finish the regular season undefeated that the 73 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 2: committee is going to keep them out. As easy as 74 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 2: it is, as natural as it is to get caught 75 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 2: up in all those conversations about the tournament, getting in, 76 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:14,760 Speaker 2: not getting in. It's it's gotta be awesome to simply 77 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 2: enjoy this moment. It's not apples to apples because when 78 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:20,840 Speaker 2: UC made the College Football Playoff in twenty twenty one, 79 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 2: they had something that Miami this year doesn't have. They 80 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 2: have a signature win over a powerhouse. UC beat Notre 81 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:29,919 Speaker 2: Dame that season. Notre Dame didn't lose another game the 82 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 2: rest of the year. That was a terrific Notre Dame 83 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:35,159 Speaker 2: team that was just on the outside looking in of 84 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 2: the College Football Playoff back when it was only four teams. 85 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:43,600 Speaker 2: But like I remember, during that season, as as awesome 86 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:47,919 Speaker 2: as it was I remember on this show and also 87 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 2: like off air, having to beg UC fans like, dude, 88 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 2: enjoy this now again not apples to apples. Was a 89 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:02,039 Speaker 2: little easy at that point with football to get caught 90 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:05,480 Speaker 2: up in stuff like style points, are they winning by enough? 91 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:09,279 Speaker 2: But like you would have folks and this isn't the majority, 92 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 2: but I knew people who you know, that year they 93 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:15,320 Speaker 2: had a game against Navy that they didn't blow out 94 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 2: the midshipman, and they had a game against Tulane that 95 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:18,839 Speaker 2: was a little bit closer than I think a lot 96 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 2: of people thought it was gonna be in They won 97 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 2: the game, and you would find people who are like, hey, 98 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 2: you know what, this was kind of like a loss, 99 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:27,400 Speaker 2: and I'm like, dude, they they're winning every game, like 100 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:31,280 Speaker 2: like this, this is the season you have been waiting for. Yes, 101 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 2: it's all about if they make the playoff, but in 102 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 2: real time, if you can't enjoy a team that's winning 103 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:38,920 Speaker 2: every single game, what's the point of being a fan. 104 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:43,040 Speaker 2: I would say something similar about Miami. I think this 105 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 2: is the biggest story in the sport right now. So 106 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 2: it's it's it's hard to do, but the biggest story 107 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 2: in the sport. Yes, is is Miami going to go undefeated? 108 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 2: And will they get in if they don't win the 109 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 2: MAC Tournament? But in real time, so much fun to 110 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 2: watch people enjoy Friday Night. Mentioned this before forward as 111 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 2: out to dinner with a buddy of mine on Friday 112 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 2: and at a not a place that you would categorize 113 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 2: as a sports bar, and yet everybody there come nine 114 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 2: o'clock focused on a Friday night college basketball game between 115 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:19,720 Speaker 2: Miami University and Ohio University, and the RedHawks won handily. 116 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:23,559 Speaker 2: And it's just in the middle of what has been 117 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:27,479 Speaker 2: you know, let's be honest, since early last fall, with 118 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:29,719 Speaker 2: the Reds losing in the postseason, the Bengals having a 119 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 2: disappointing year. You see football having a disappointing year, FC 120 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 2: Cincinnati losing. 121 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 3: The way they did to Miami. 122 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:39,480 Speaker 2: The college basketball season, UC and Xavior don't look like 123 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 2: tournament teams, don't have tournament resumes right now. 124 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 3: To have a team kind of carried. 125 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:50,120 Speaker 2: The good vibes for everybody out of Oxford, Ohio is 126 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 2: a lot of fun and so it's fun to watch, 127 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 2: fun to track, fun to pay attention to. They're not 128 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:59,159 Speaker 2: getting the national TV treatment tomorrow they're up to twenty 129 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 2: second in the AP Top twenty five pole. But you know, 130 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 2: fun to see him get talked about on CBS Sports 131 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 2: over the weekend. Fun to see Travis Steele, even though 132 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:11,760 Speaker 2: nobody wants to see him in Espedo, get the treatment 133 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,760 Speaker 2: on College Game Day on Saturday afternoon. Fun to watch 134 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:17,720 Speaker 2: Miami fans Miami grads enjoy the moment. And look, man, 135 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:20,760 Speaker 2: it doesn't need to be pointed out that there are 136 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 2: a lot of people going to those games who typically 137 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:26,320 Speaker 2: were not going to those games. That is a story 138 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:32,200 Speaker 2: as old as sports themselves. Team is dormant, teams not winning, 139 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:36,200 Speaker 2: people stop going like that's such a big part of 140 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 2: this right the long stretch. I don't know how many 141 00:07:38,960 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 2: people went to Mallett Hall when Wally's Urbiek was playing 142 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 2: his final season in Miami, nor do I really care, 143 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 2: But I do know that over the last twenty five 144 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 2: or so years that typically those games have been sparsely attended. 145 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:54,600 Speaker 3: That's okay, And it's also okay. 146 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 2: That a lot of folks who had not given a 147 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 2: Miami game another thought for years have decided to jump 148 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 2: on the bandwagon. You have that in every sport. You 149 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 2: have that at least potential with every team in every sport, 150 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:10,920 Speaker 2: and so let those folks have their fun and hopefully 151 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 2: it continues. Miami and UMass tomorrow at seven o'clock, setting 152 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 2: the tone for the college basketball weekend this past weekend 153 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 2: with a Friday night home win over Ohio University. 154 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:24,760 Speaker 3: Meanwhile, Red spring. 155 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 2: Training full squad workouts are underway in good year. Terry 156 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:34,320 Speaker 2: Francona says Ellie Dela Cruz isn't gonna play in one 157 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 2: hundred and sixty two games this season, which good, not 158 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:41,840 Speaker 2: because you don't want to watch Ellie Dela Cruz, but 159 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:45,560 Speaker 2: because it does feel like, you know, there's a law 160 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:48,199 Speaker 2: of diminishing returns thing here where it's like the more 161 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 2: you run them out there, the greater the probability that 162 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 2: you're running out a compromised player, a player that's not 163 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:58,400 Speaker 2: completely capable of tapping into his own greatness, that sort 164 00:08:58,400 --> 00:08:58,679 Speaker 2: of thing. 165 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:01,080 Speaker 3: And I'm using great in pretty loosely here. 166 00:09:01,760 --> 00:09:05,000 Speaker 2: But they've told Ellie Delacruz, Ellie Dela Cruz no already 167 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:08,200 Speaker 2: wants this offseason with the World Baseball Classic. That was 168 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:13,360 Speaker 2: not an insignificant development because last year, one of the 169 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 2: stories of the entire season was man in the second half, 170 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:19,520 Speaker 2: Ellie isn't doing anything. He's bad with the glove, he's 171 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:23,199 Speaker 2: bad with the bat, he's not hitting home runs. And 172 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 2: we were told constantly, well, it's because he's not himself 173 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 2: one hundred percent. It's not healthy. And the pushback to 174 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 2: that was, well, then give him some time off, maybe 175 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:33,680 Speaker 2: put him on the injury list. Well you can't, because 176 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 2: he wants to play every day. We just went around 177 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 2: and around and around and around and around. When it 178 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:40,679 Speaker 2: comes to Ellie dela Cruz, maybe the light bulb has 179 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 2: come on. And look, Terry Francona was hired to make 180 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:45,840 Speaker 2: tough decisions. He was hired to tell Ellie no. Last 181 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 2: year there was a reluctance to do. So that's going 182 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 2: to change this year, at least according to Tito himself. 183 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 2: Does it like when the bullets start flying, when the 184 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:02,959 Speaker 2: games matter, when there's like, you know, a Pennant race unfolding, 185 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:05,720 Speaker 2: or Ellie is in your ear saying do not take 186 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:09,359 Speaker 2: me out of the lineup tonight? Will Tito stand his ground, 187 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:13,200 Speaker 2: and will Tito standing his ground help Ellie dela Cruz 188 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:16,560 Speaker 2: maximize his talents. By the way, when we say you know, 189 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:18,679 Speaker 2: he shouldn't play at one hundred and sixty two games. 190 00:10:18,679 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 2: That doesn't mean he plays in like only one hundred 191 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:25,840 Speaker 2: and twelve games. The idea is still to have Ellie 192 00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 2: Dela Cruz in the lineup close to every single day, 193 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:31,840 Speaker 2: only a handful of off days. But also you do 194 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:34,959 Speaker 2: have the DH at your disposal, which gives him a 195 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 2: chance to be in the lineup and help offensively without 196 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 2: going through playing the game on defense, getting a half 197 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:45,400 Speaker 2: day off, so to speak. This dude's importance to this 198 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 2: team cannot be overstated. The Reds offensively left a lot 199 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 2: to be desired. There's more than one reason for that. 200 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 2: There always are more than one reasons for a team's 201 00:10:57,040 --> 00:11:02,080 Speaker 2: offensive struggles. The two whole production stunk, clean up production 202 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:05,080 Speaker 2: wasn't great. Didn't as a team hit a lot of 203 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:08,800 Speaker 2: home runs. Matt McClain had a sorry season, Christian and 204 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:13,560 Speaker 2: Carnassi on strand was mostly a non factor. But when 205 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:15,600 Speaker 2: I think of and I think for most of us, 206 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:18,040 Speaker 2: this is true. When you think of the Reds offensively 207 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 2: last year, the first thing you should think of is 208 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 2: Ellie's performance left a lot to be desired. Again, good 209 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 2: reasons for that. With the quad injury. With his health, 210 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 2: that has to change. That has to change, and we're 211 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 2: all hopeful that the Reds can take this huge leap 212 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 2: this year from what they were last season, which was 213 00:11:43,800 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 2: eighty three wins, to something resembling ninety wins, something that 214 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 2: puts them in a better position to challenge for a 215 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:56,120 Speaker 2: division title, overtake Chicago and Milwaukee. That doesn't happen if 216 00:11:56,160 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 2: Ellie Dela Cruz stagnates or only gets this much better, 217 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:08,160 Speaker 2: or goes backwards like this team needs to make a leap, 218 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 2: kind of feels like the year for Ellie to make 219 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 2: one as well. By this season when it's over, he'll 220 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 2: have well over two thousand Big League played appearances. We 221 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 2: could talk about this from a lot of different perspectives. Defense, 222 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 2: Like Tito and Nick Crawl have talked a lot about 223 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:32,360 Speaker 2: defense got to be better defensively, their big trade deadline 224 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:35,800 Speaker 2: acquisition last year was a third baseman who can't hit. 225 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 2: Why did they get him because he could play defense. 226 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:43,680 Speaker 2: It is impossible to imagine the Reds defense being markedly 227 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:48,960 Speaker 2: better if short stop is still an adventure. Think of 228 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:52,080 Speaker 2: how many times last year that you got mad through 229 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:54,079 Speaker 2: a remote hit the seat in front of you whatever 230 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:56,800 Speaker 2: it was, because Ellie throws a ball away. Think of 231 00:12:56,840 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 2: how many times last year, especially in key moments where 232 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:01,840 Speaker 2: the ball is coming to Ellie and you hold your 233 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 2: breath because it should be a basic routine play, but 234 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:08,440 Speaker 2: you know, with Elliott could be almost anything, coupled with 235 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 2: the amazing plays that the guy can make. How are 236 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:16,400 Speaker 2: you better defensively if your shortstop isn't better defensively? And 237 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 2: right now, Ellie, for better for worse, is a shortstop. 238 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 2: There's been a lot of talk of the Reds running more, 239 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:30,400 Speaker 2: you know, blending twenty twenty three style with something that 240 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 2: might be a little bit more risk averse. But last 241 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:37,280 Speaker 2: year they didn't run nearly as much. So we want 242 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:39,679 Speaker 2: to see him steal more bases, want to see him 243 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 2: create more havoc. I want to see him put more 244 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 2: pressure on opposing defenses. How does that happen without Elie 245 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 2: Dela Cruz having a significantly better season? Like when you 246 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:54,880 Speaker 2: think of the Reds and team speed and putting pressure 247 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:58,840 Speaker 2: on defenses, that conversation begins, and you might argue it 248 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:03,760 Speaker 2: ends with Ellie Dela Cruz and then the whole power 249 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 2: thing right like sure man Aohanius Wrez could hit the 250 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 2: ball out of the ballpark thirty five, forty maybe forty 251 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 2: five times this year. Hope he does, right, who doesn't. 252 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:20,000 Speaker 2: Hope he does. But you want a significant uptick in 253 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:24,840 Speaker 2: home runs, you want a significant uptick in difficulty to 254 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:27,880 Speaker 2: work around for the other team's pitcher or the other 255 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 2: team's manager, Give me Ellie Dela Cruz hitting the ball 256 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:36,680 Speaker 2: out of the ballpark more frequently, certainly more frequently than 257 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 2: he did in the second half of the season, when 258 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:40,840 Speaker 2: he went like two months without hitting a home run. 259 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 2: Like there's lots of moving parts and lots of questions 260 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:46,960 Speaker 2: we all have about this team. Is as spring training 261 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:50,120 Speaker 2: gets underway, the questions don't have that much to do 262 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:53,480 Speaker 2: with who's gonna do what, Who's gonna play where, Who's 263 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 2: gonna hit where? I think it's more a question of 264 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 2: when the games actually start, who gives what to this team, 265 00:14:59,080 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 2: who contributes more, who has a better season? Lots of 266 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:07,680 Speaker 2: different guys we can ask that question about lots of 267 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 2: different guys we can answer that question with. But for 268 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:15,320 Speaker 2: all that Ellie has done for this team, and for 269 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:19,880 Speaker 2: all of his acclaim and accomplishments over his first three 270 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:22,880 Speaker 2: full Big league seasons. Okay, two full big league seasons 271 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 2: and I guess two thirds of one in twenty twenty three. 272 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 2: There is a certain level that we expect him and 273 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:34,240 Speaker 2: almost no other player to reach on this team year four. 274 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 2: It's kind of when it's supposed to happen, and if 275 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 2: it happens for this team, then it's ceiling, so to speak, 276 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:48,280 Speaker 2: gets much much much higher. Twenty minutes after five o'clock 277 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:51,280 Speaker 2: on Moeger this is ESPN fifteen thirty. Thank you for listening. 278 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 2: Phone lines are open at five point three seven four 279 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:56,920 Speaker 2: nine fifteen thirty and eight sixty six seven oh two 280 00:15:56,960 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 2: three seven seven six. I'm excited for it tomorrow because 281 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 2: we have on this weekend's Internet Villain what we will 282 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 2: talk about in less than twenty four hours. Next on 283 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 2: ESPN fifteen thirty, Cincinnati Sports Station. 284 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: Cincinnati's ESPN fifteen thirty. 285 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:18,800 Speaker 4: Traffic from the UC Health Traffic Center. Around forty percent 286 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:23,080 Speaker 4: of cancers are preventable. Lifestyle changes and screenings can make 287 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:26,360 Speaker 4: a difference. Called five one three, five eighty five UCCC 288 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:30,440 Speaker 4: southbound seventy one seventy five. There's an accident on the 289 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:33,880 Speaker 4: entrance ramp from twelfth Street. Police and toe. Cruz are 290 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:37,520 Speaker 4: there on scene in Ohio on northbound seventy five. Another 291 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:41,080 Speaker 4: accident after two seventy five off onto the right shoulder. 292 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:44,000 Speaker 4: Right now, there's a three minute delay back from Glendale 293 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 4: Milford Road. I'm at ezelic with traffic. 294 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 3: This report is I don't feel very good at all. 295 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 3: Second time I've done that in three days. 296 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:58,360 Speaker 2: By the way, I'm looking outside, it's not pitch black anymore. 297 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:01,479 Speaker 3: Delightful, delightful. 298 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:05,000 Speaker 2: We're gonna get sixty six degrees on Wednesday. 299 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:07,840 Speaker 3: Can't date. We are we are. 300 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 2: We are going into like my favorite, my favorite, like 301 00:17:11,840 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 2: six weeks of the year, gets starker. Later. 302 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 3: Baseball is going to be here NCAA tournament. A lot 303 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:22,959 Speaker 3: going on. Uh, let's see here tomorrow. 304 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:26,720 Speaker 2: On the show, we have Cincinnati internet villain Derek Carty, 305 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:29,160 Speaker 2: who's the guy who for ESPN said the Reds might 306 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 2: have a bottom five starting staff and then reverse course 307 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,840 Speaker 2: on social media that is gonna be at four oh 308 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 2: five tomorrow. I've been told on social media, get them 309 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 2: mouth like, we don't really do that here. We're not 310 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:43,439 Speaker 2: a big like get them get them not We're like, 311 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:47,120 Speaker 2: we like to find people with interesting opinions. Interesting perspectives 312 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 2: and uh and talk with them. We may disagree, we 313 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:56,280 Speaker 2: may have differences of opinion, but no, we're we're not 314 00:17:56,359 --> 00:17:59,360 Speaker 2: doing any Hey, here's a guy who has an opinion 315 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 2: that doesn't job with the consensus, and so let's get 316 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:03,439 Speaker 2: him on to talk about it. 317 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:06,159 Speaker 3: And he was gracious enough to say, yeah, let's do it. 318 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 2: So that'll be tomorrow at four five plus our guy 319 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:15,000 Speaker 2: Paul Danner Junior in the three o'clock hour and our 320 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:18,159 Speaker 2: man Stuart W. Penrose from the Manila Law Group on 321 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:21,119 Speaker 2: like three or four different sports legal stories, all of 322 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 2: that between three and six tomorrow. John is calling from Finley. John, 323 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:29,680 Speaker 2: You're on ESPN fifteen thirty John, Good afternoon. How are you. 324 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:32,520 Speaker 5: Great? How are you doing today? 325 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:32,639 Speaker 2: Mo? 326 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:34,359 Speaker 3: I've never been better in my life? 327 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:40,040 Speaker 5: Great? Great, Hey, really excited about the red season starting. 328 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:44,639 Speaker 5: I don't agree with the guy's take on the Reds 329 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 5: pitching staff, but I do kind of maybe see where 330 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:50,640 Speaker 5: he's coming from. Be interesting to see what he has 331 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:54,680 Speaker 5: to say. I do think this is kind of a 332 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:57,400 Speaker 5: it's kind of a put up or shut up kind 333 00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:00,159 Speaker 5: of a year for this pitching staff. I mean, we 334 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:03,920 Speaker 5: we've been told for several years now that Hunter Green's 335 00:19:03,920 --> 00:19:08,240 Speaker 5: the top of the rotation cy young candidate, and so 336 00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:12,960 Speaker 5: far he's been good in I would say short stretches, 337 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:16,040 Speaker 5: but we haven't seen a full season from him yet, 338 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:19,520 Speaker 5: let loan any type of a playoff run. And I 339 00:19:19,520 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 5: think that's kind of where this whole pitching staff's at. 340 00:19:22,840 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 5: I mean, we still and that's the probably one of 341 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:30,479 Speaker 5: my big things about us going into a postseason is 342 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:35,199 Speaker 5: we really don't have anyone that's been postseason tested, and 343 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 5: we have a lot of guys that's had pretty good 344 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 5: stretches of young careers, and Andrew Rabbit's probably been our 345 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:47,160 Speaker 5: most capable started how Brady Singer was awesome last year 346 00:19:47,160 --> 00:19:49,480 Speaker 5: as a starter, and I don't know if he's ever 347 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:53,000 Speaker 5: been in a postseason, But I just think for this group, 348 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:56,000 Speaker 5: I think, and yeah, our pitching staff is really good 349 00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:00,399 Speaker 5: on paper and then stretches, but to see this staff 350 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:04,560 Speaker 5: go all through the season, and then obviously I think 351 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:06,639 Speaker 5: Louder and Burns are going to be good additions. I 352 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 5: don't think we're going to see them a whole lot 353 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:12,200 Speaker 5: this year just because of the way they handle pitchers now, 354 00:20:12,280 --> 00:20:15,880 Speaker 5: so I can kind of see where this guy may 355 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:19,240 Speaker 5: have kind of poop pooed the red starting staff at 356 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:20,200 Speaker 5: this point. 357 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 2: Well, yeah, I mean, I have a hard time believing 358 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:27,600 Speaker 2: that unless there's just a catastrophic series of injuries, it's 359 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:29,159 Speaker 2: going to be close to one of the worst in 360 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:32,480 Speaker 2: the sport. But I certainly understand why one would believe 361 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 2: there's a world where they're not one of the best 362 00:20:34,040 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 2: three to four in the sport. That the key is health, 363 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:40,600 Speaker 2: as you outlined it, right, like I think of the 364 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:43,120 Speaker 2: high end for this team. Let's just make it about Green, 365 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:45,959 Speaker 2: Lodolo and Avid for a second. If if they and 366 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 2: it's a big if, if that trio of guys can 367 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 2: make thirty starts a piece and get through the season 368 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:55,200 Speaker 2: uninterrupted without having to go on the injured list, really 369 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:59,520 Speaker 2: without having to miss a start individually, then I'll bet 370 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:02,359 Speaker 2: on the town and collectively, then this team has a 371 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:04,320 Speaker 2: very good chance of being in a better place than 372 00:21:04,359 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 2: it was. You mentioned Brady Singer. The Reds would have 373 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:09,919 Speaker 2: fallen off a cliff in August last year if not 374 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:12,920 Speaker 2: for Brady Singer, who by the way, did pitch all 375 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:15,760 Speaker 2: of one game for the Royals and against the Yankees 376 00:21:15,760 --> 00:21:18,000 Speaker 2: in the postseason in twenty twenty four. But he struck 377 00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:20,880 Speaker 2: out the only batter that he faced. And then if 378 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:23,760 Speaker 2: we spend the season agonizing over the fifth spot in 379 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:27,040 Speaker 2: the rotation, whether it's Chase Burns, whether it's Rhet Louder, 380 00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:30,240 Speaker 2: whether it's Brandon Williamson. If we are spending a lot 381 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:32,520 Speaker 2: of time fretting over the fifth spot of the rotation, 382 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:35,080 Speaker 2: that means that the other dudes are doing what we 383 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:37,879 Speaker 2: expect them to do. They're healthy, they're performing at a 384 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:40,320 Speaker 2: high level. And then I'll I think we'll all put 385 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:43,040 Speaker 2: up with whatever growing pains. A guy like Chase Burns 386 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:45,280 Speaker 2: may go through, whatever growing pain still a guy like 387 00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:48,960 Speaker 2: Rhet Louder may go through, it will be interesting. As 388 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:51,880 Speaker 2: good as the starting pitching was last year, what did 389 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:54,320 Speaker 2: they do with the deadline. They got a glove, they 390 00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 2: got a platoon bat, and they went out and got 391 00:21:56,600 --> 00:22:00,119 Speaker 2: one more starting pitcher. I don't think anything would be 392 00:22:00,320 --> 00:22:03,480 Speaker 2: surprising in that regard if they did something similar. 393 00:22:04,440 --> 00:22:08,399 Speaker 5: Absolutely, And I think on the high end, if we 394 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:11,480 Speaker 5: can kind of use this season as a as a 395 00:22:11,560 --> 00:22:15,200 Speaker 5: developmental year for Louder and Burns, that would be awesome. Yes, 396 00:22:15,240 --> 00:22:18,440 Speaker 5: we hopefully we won't. We won't be like we have 397 00:22:18,560 --> 00:22:21,280 Speaker 5: to have those guys perform at a high level because 398 00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:23,920 Speaker 5: quite frankly, they're just not ready yet. And that's why 399 00:22:23,960 --> 00:22:27,160 Speaker 5: we have Green and Lodolo and Singer and Abbott and 400 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:30,560 Speaker 5: like you said at that point. And then I think 401 00:22:30,560 --> 00:22:34,000 Speaker 5: the other thing too, kind of behind the scenes, that 402 00:22:34,119 --> 00:22:37,080 Speaker 5: the additions that they've made to the bullpen I think 403 00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:40,160 Speaker 5: are going to be significant and by midseason we may 404 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:43,480 Speaker 5: be really talking about how good some of these pickups were. 405 00:22:43,760 --> 00:22:46,520 Speaker 2: You know, I keep coming back to how many, how 406 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:49,919 Speaker 2: many spring trainings were we wondering who is supposed to 407 00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:53,119 Speaker 2: do what in the bullpen? And at the very least, 408 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 2: I don't think we're doing that right now. 409 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:55,919 Speaker 3: Now. 410 00:22:56,119 --> 00:22:58,640 Speaker 2: There's some hesitancies still as to whether or not Emilio 411 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:01,359 Speaker 2: Pagan on a really good is the nine dning guy. 412 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:04,399 Speaker 2: But he wasn't a major problem last year. The Pagan 413 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:06,920 Speaker 2: Santim thing worked out pretty well. I think they're better 414 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:10,080 Speaker 2: equipped for high leverage situations than they were last season 415 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:12,800 Speaker 2: against lefties. I think they're just better equipped to have 416 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:16,160 Speaker 2: quality arms to get the last, you know, nine outs 417 00:23:16,200 --> 00:23:17,720 Speaker 2: of the game than they were last year. 418 00:23:17,920 --> 00:23:19,240 Speaker 3: I think that's one of the things too. 419 00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:21,960 Speaker 2: You know, as good as last year's starting staff was 420 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:24,680 Speaker 2: top to bottom. I think there were eight teams last 421 00:23:24,760 --> 00:23:29,240 Speaker 2: year that on average had longer starts per game. What 422 00:23:29,560 --> 00:23:32,480 Speaker 2: you would like to see, with better health and continued 423 00:23:32,520 --> 00:23:35,360 Speaker 2: improve performance from the starting pitchers is a little bit 424 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:38,200 Speaker 2: more length. And if the Reds get it, it's gonna 425 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:41,399 Speaker 2: make it all the more easier for Tito Francona to 426 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:43,640 Speaker 2: manage that bullpen well. 427 00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:46,399 Speaker 5: And I think that's kind of the mindset behind picking 428 00:23:46,480 --> 00:23:48,920 Speaker 5: up some of those arms, is that, Okay, we can 429 00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:52,400 Speaker 5: play this either way. Now that okay, if Hunter can 430 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:55,960 Speaker 5: give us seven, that's fantastic. But if there's a situation 431 00:23:56,080 --> 00:23:59,479 Speaker 5: where either matchup wise or maybe he's starting to get tired, 432 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:02,359 Speaker 5: then and I think we've gotten much more depth in 433 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:04,879 Speaker 5: the bullpen than we do than we did last year, 434 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:07,960 Speaker 5: at least on paper. I mean, a guy like Scott Barlow, 435 00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:10,960 Speaker 5: it seemed like that guy was pitching almost every day 436 00:24:11,040 --> 00:24:13,520 Speaker 5: last year. I mean he was. That guy had to 437 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:15,480 Speaker 5: be exhausted by the end of the season. 438 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:19,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, Santien Barlow, you know, heck even Pagan. I don't 439 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 2: know how many teams had three guys up here in 440 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:25,960 Speaker 2: more than seventy games and each of those three did well. 441 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:29,880 Speaker 5: Yeah, and I think one of the things I think 442 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:33,159 Speaker 5: we'll see different this year's some of the games we 443 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:36,359 Speaker 5: lost last year was just because the bullpen was just 444 00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:40,840 Speaker 5: exhausted and Santian and Santion or Barlow or one of 445 00:24:40,840 --> 00:24:43,960 Speaker 5: those guys wasn't available because they pitched the last three 446 00:24:44,040 --> 00:24:46,399 Speaker 5: days in a row or something like that. So I 447 00:24:46,440 --> 00:24:50,080 Speaker 5: think just having that extra depth is going to create 448 00:24:50,119 --> 00:24:54,200 Speaker 5: some more wins that way. So yeah, I think I'm 449 00:24:54,240 --> 00:24:57,800 Speaker 5: always optimistic, but I'm really excited to get this season going. 450 00:24:57,960 --> 00:25:01,879 Speaker 2: You and me Bo John, Thanks as always. It's twenty 451 00:25:01,880 --> 00:25:05,480 Speaker 2: six from six o'clock. I mean, we still talk about, 452 00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:10,720 Speaker 2: like the Reds having a really good young starting staff, 453 00:25:11,480 --> 00:25:15,720 Speaker 2: and yeah there's no one who's thirty four years old, 454 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:18,600 Speaker 2: but like this is going to be the fifth big 455 00:25:18,680 --> 00:25:21,679 Speaker 2: league season that Hunter Green has been a part of. 456 00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:23,800 Speaker 3: I mean, think about it. 457 00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:28,280 Speaker 2: He started the season with the club in twenty twenty 458 00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:30,040 Speaker 2: two and then gone through a full big league season 459 00:25:30,040 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 2: without getting hurt. Like this is fifth big league, fifth 460 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:35,000 Speaker 2: big league year. Nicolodolo fifth big league season. Andrew Abbott, 461 00:25:35,080 --> 00:25:37,359 Speaker 2: you know, was called up right before Elie de la 462 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:39,320 Speaker 2: Cruz fourth big league season. Two of those guys have 463 00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:43,760 Speaker 2: been all stars. Like the only box that that trio 464 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:48,920 Speaker 2: hasn't checked off is getting through big league seasons uninterrupted. 465 00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:52,040 Speaker 2: I will take my chances if I can get ninety 466 00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:59,199 Speaker 2: starts from those three, and then you know, I'll be 467 00:25:59,359 --> 00:26:03,080 Speaker 2: okay really with whatever happens at the back end of 468 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:09,000 Speaker 2: the rotation. If that gets disrupted more than like one 469 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:11,520 Speaker 2: guy having to spend ten days on the injured list, 470 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:15,760 Speaker 2: then suddenly the foundation gets kind of shaken. What do 471 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:18,560 Speaker 2: we have here? It's twenty five from six o'clock. Sports 472 00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:21,760 Speaker 2: headlines are next on ESPN fifteen thirty, Cincinnati Sports Station. 473 00:26:22,560 --> 00:26:25,200 Speaker 1: Cincinnati's ESPN fifteen thirty. 474 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:30,520 Speaker 4: Traffic from the UC Health Traffic Center. Around forty percent 475 00:26:30,560 --> 00:26:34,800 Speaker 4: of cancers are preventable. Lifestyle changes and screenings can make 476 00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:38,080 Speaker 4: a difference. Called five one three five eighty five UCCC 477 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:42,199 Speaker 4: southbound seventy one seventy five, there's an accident on the 478 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:45,640 Speaker 4: entrance ramp from twelfth Street. Police and toe Cruz are 479 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:49,280 Speaker 4: there on scene. In Ohio on northbound seventy five. Another 480 00:26:49,359 --> 00:26:52,840 Speaker 4: accident after two seventy five off onto the right shoulder. 481 00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 4: Right now, there's a three minute delay back from Glendale 482 00:26:55,760 --> 00:26:57,720 Speaker 4: Milford Road. I'm at Ezelk with. 483 00:26:57,840 --> 00:27:01,359 Speaker 3: Traffic Cincinnati Bengals fifteen thirty. 484 00:27:01,400 --> 00:27:05,040 Speaker 2: Sports headlines are a service to Kelsey Chevrolet, home of 485 00:27:05,119 --> 00:27:10,439 Speaker 2: lifetime powertrain protection and guaranteed credit approval from their family 486 00:27:10,480 --> 00:27:17,320 Speaker 2: to yours for life kelseyshev dot com. Red's going through 487 00:27:17,359 --> 00:27:23,200 Speaker 2: their first full squad workout today. Little batting practice, little 488 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:26,879 Speaker 2: fielding practice, and I think they brought out the slipping 489 00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:31,200 Speaker 2: slide for slide drills. First Cactus League game is going 490 00:27:31,280 --> 00:27:34,560 Speaker 2: to be on Saturday. First pitch will be at three 491 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:38,280 Speaker 2: to ten from Goodyear. The game on seven hundred WLW. 492 00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:41,399 Speaker 2: College Basketball Miami is up to twenty second in the 493 00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:45,960 Speaker 2: latest APE Top twenty five men's college basketball poll. Louisville 494 00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:48,520 Speaker 2: is twenty first. Kentucky falls out of the APU Top 495 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:52,920 Speaker 2: twenty five. Lots of coaches shows Tonight on ESPN fifteen thirty. 496 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:54,920 Speaker 2: We have the Mark Pope Radio Show that is at 497 00:27:54,960 --> 00:27:59,080 Speaker 2: six pm on ESPN fifteen thirty. The NKU Coaches Show 498 00:27:59,160 --> 00:28:02,479 Speaker 2: follows at seven pm on ESPN fifteen thirty. The Richard 499 00:28:02,520 --> 00:28:06,719 Speaker 2: Patino radio Show will be at seven pm on fifty 500 00:28:06,880 --> 00:28:11,360 Speaker 2: five KRC. You could talk about Xavier's victory over Marquette 501 00:28:11,400 --> 00:28:14,560 Speaker 2: on Saturday in the NFL today, the Miami Dolphins are 502 00:28:14,560 --> 00:28:17,440 Speaker 2: blowing it up, which they should. They have relieved released 503 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:20,680 Speaker 2: and I guess you could say relieved released Tyreek Hill 504 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:25,000 Speaker 2: and Bradley Chubb, among others. In the Olympics, the US 505 00:28:25,040 --> 00:28:28,040 Speaker 2: women's hockey team is advanced to the gold medal game 506 00:28:28,080 --> 00:28:32,480 Speaker 2: after a five nothing victory today over Sweden. The Americans 507 00:28:32,520 --> 00:28:37,000 Speaker 2: will take on Canada, winners over Switzerland in the other 508 00:28:37,080 --> 00:28:40,720 Speaker 2: semifinal game in the gold medal tilt, which will be 509 00:28:41,120 --> 00:28:49,720 Speaker 2: on Thursday, eighteen away from six o'clock. The the hockey 510 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:54,680 Speaker 2: and the Olympics, like I love Olympic hockey for reasons, 511 00:28:54,760 --> 00:28:56,480 Speaker 2: I can't necessarily articulate. 512 00:28:56,840 --> 00:28:57,400 Speaker 3: I don't know. 513 00:28:57,600 --> 00:29:01,520 Speaker 2: I just I pay closer attention, pay closer attention, paid 514 00:29:01,520 --> 00:29:06,280 Speaker 2: closer attention to the Four Nations event last winter at Mulager. 515 00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:09,040 Speaker 2: On Twitter. You could tweet this show anytime. Yes, we 516 00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:11,320 Speaker 2: still call it Twitter. Thanks to a Delta Dental. Delta 517 00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 2: Dental is building healthy, smart, vibrant communities for all good 518 00:29:15,080 --> 00:29:18,160 Speaker 2: at Delta dentaloh dot com. You know Terry Francona told 519 00:29:18,160 --> 00:29:23,400 Speaker 2: his team in Goodyear, it's time And I think what's 520 00:29:23,560 --> 00:29:27,200 Speaker 2: one of the interesting dynamics about this team. Is that 521 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:29,960 Speaker 2: message resonates because that message, I think. 522 00:29:29,760 --> 00:29:31,040 Speaker 3: Reflects how we all feel. 523 00:29:31,920 --> 00:29:39,120 Speaker 2: This process that the Reds have gone through really started 524 00:29:39,240 --> 00:29:45,040 Speaker 2: in earnest after the twenty twenty season. And not that 525 00:29:45,080 --> 00:29:47,080 Speaker 2: we have to do a whole history lesson here, but 526 00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:50,960 Speaker 2: twenty twenty was the COVID year sixty game season. They 527 00:29:51,040 --> 00:29:53,320 Speaker 2: kind of went for it the previous offseason. It really 528 00:29:53,360 --> 00:29:57,800 Speaker 2: didn't work out. After the sixty game season, Dick Williams 529 00:29:57,880 --> 00:30:02,120 Speaker 2: left and the team gave away Rice e Iglesias and 530 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:06,360 Speaker 2: Archie Bradley, and even though the team was pretty competitive 531 00:30:06,360 --> 00:30:09,560 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty one, it was abundantly clear that the 532 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:12,960 Speaker 2: plan moving forward was to get rid of a lot 533 00:30:12,960 --> 00:30:16,560 Speaker 2: of guys and start from scratch. And that's what they 534 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:20,240 Speaker 2: did in twenty twenty two. That feels like forever ago. 535 00:30:21,760 --> 00:30:24,520 Speaker 2: So they made the postseason last year, which was important. 536 00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:29,720 Speaker 2: Making the postseason last year was it was tangible proof 537 00:30:29,800 --> 00:30:31,600 Speaker 2: of a plan that's working. 538 00:30:33,280 --> 00:30:33,640 Speaker 3: Now. 539 00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:36,520 Speaker 2: That can't be the culmination of it. The culmination has 540 00:30:36,560 --> 00:30:40,600 Speaker 2: to be consecutive years of making the postseason and playoff 541 00:30:40,640 --> 00:30:44,160 Speaker 2: advancement and maybe a couple of division crowns and at 542 00:30:44,160 --> 00:30:47,840 Speaker 2: some point like legitimately going into the playoffs as a 543 00:30:47,880 --> 00:30:52,240 Speaker 2: World Series bonafide, and maybe even getting to and winning 544 00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:55,800 Speaker 2: the World Series. So it kind of feels like, all right, 545 00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:59,200 Speaker 2: last year made it. This year, it's let's go right. 546 00:30:59,600 --> 00:31:02,160 Speaker 2: It's tough t The core of the team has been 547 00:31:02,160 --> 00:31:06,479 Speaker 2: intact now for a reasonable amount of time. Starting staff 548 00:31:06,560 --> 00:31:10,160 Speaker 2: is pretty well established. They didn't they made a big 549 00:31:10,200 --> 00:31:12,880 Speaker 2: move in getting a Juhanio Souarez. But it's not like 550 00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:16,400 Speaker 2: the twenty twenty six Reds have been built by a 551 00:31:16,480 --> 00:31:19,320 Speaker 2: whole bunch of outside acquisitions who weren't with the team 552 00:31:19,400 --> 00:31:21,600 Speaker 2: last year. A whole lot of guys have been a 553 00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:24,000 Speaker 2: part of this franchise for a while. A whole lot 554 00:31:24,040 --> 00:31:26,360 Speaker 2: of guys have been through some ups and downs at 555 00:31:26,400 --> 00:31:27,840 Speaker 2: the big league level for a while. 556 00:31:28,400 --> 00:31:30,240 Speaker 3: So it kind of feels like it's time. 557 00:31:31,800 --> 00:31:36,200 Speaker 2: Usually when you say that, though, I think the ceiling 558 00:31:36,240 --> 00:31:41,080 Speaker 2: feels higher. This is not unlike the conversation we had 559 00:31:41,160 --> 00:31:44,240 Speaker 2: last week, which was there's a lot that's not settled 560 00:31:44,240 --> 00:31:47,400 Speaker 2: in goodyear. I'm sorry, there's a lot that is settled 561 00:31:47,400 --> 00:31:49,960 Speaker 2: in Goodyear. Not a whole lot of gigs up for grabs, 562 00:31:50,040 --> 00:31:51,840 Speaker 2: not a whole lot of roster spots, not a whole 563 00:31:51,840 --> 00:31:54,320 Speaker 2: lot of starting jobs. If that's the case, you know, 564 00:31:54,360 --> 00:31:56,680 Speaker 2: shouldn't the team be in a better position, shouldn't the 565 00:31:56,680 --> 00:32:01,120 Speaker 2: team seemingly have a higher ceiling? But it's interesting, like 566 00:32:01,200 --> 00:32:06,840 Speaker 2: the message is it's time. Two things about that? Is 567 00:32:06,880 --> 00:32:12,480 Speaker 2: the team good enough to mesh with that? Typically you 568 00:32:12,520 --> 00:32:14,760 Speaker 2: look at a team and say it's time and you 569 00:32:14,840 --> 00:32:18,600 Speaker 2: feel great about the roster. Do we feel great about 570 00:32:18,600 --> 00:32:19,800 Speaker 2: the roster to go yep? 571 00:32:19,880 --> 00:32:20,480 Speaker 3: It's time. 572 00:32:22,200 --> 00:32:25,040 Speaker 2: Yep, it's time, and it's time for this team, for 573 00:32:25,080 --> 00:32:29,600 Speaker 2: this franchise to take a major step forward. We all 574 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:33,920 Speaker 2: agree at some point like this whole process hasn't mattered 575 00:32:34,040 --> 00:32:37,320 Speaker 2: unless they take a major step forward, a major step 576 00:32:37,360 --> 00:32:40,600 Speaker 2: beyond simply winning eighty three games and making the postseason. 577 00:32:42,800 --> 00:32:46,040 Speaker 2: It's one thing to deliver the message. It's something else 578 00:32:46,080 --> 00:32:50,560 Speaker 2: to have a team that matches the message. Is the 579 00:32:50,640 --> 00:32:53,720 Speaker 2: team good enough for this really to be the time? 580 00:32:55,680 --> 00:33:00,760 Speaker 2: I think also, if it's time, if this is the year, 581 00:33:00,800 --> 00:33:04,080 Speaker 2: you go, okay, it's time to legitimately compete, And like, 582 00:33:04,200 --> 00:33:07,440 Speaker 2: legitimately compete means you don't just make the playoffs, but 583 00:33:07,480 --> 00:33:10,280 Speaker 2: like you make the playoffs with some ease. We're not 584 00:33:10,360 --> 00:33:13,440 Speaker 2: sweating out game one sixty two. You're not trying to 585 00:33:13,480 --> 00:33:15,000 Speaker 2: find out who's going to pitch for you in the 586 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:17,880 Speaker 2: postseason because you needed to use all your bullets in 587 00:33:18,160 --> 00:33:21,680 Speaker 2: regular season games in the last weekend of the season. 588 00:33:25,360 --> 00:33:27,720 Speaker 2: If it turns out to me that this season isn't 589 00:33:27,880 --> 00:33:32,600 Speaker 2: the time and they're on the outside looking in when 590 00:33:32,600 --> 00:33:33,640 Speaker 2: the playoffs begin. 591 00:33:34,840 --> 00:33:38,000 Speaker 3: What's the fallout like? Then? 592 00:33:38,080 --> 00:33:43,760 Speaker 2: What what's legitimately like? What's the fallout? I think for 593 00:33:43,800 --> 00:33:48,440 Speaker 2: the Bengals this coming season, Yes, leaning into continuity, but 594 00:33:48,480 --> 00:33:51,000 Speaker 2: it does feel like there's a real legitimate sense of 595 00:33:52,440 --> 00:33:56,960 Speaker 2: if it doesn't happen this year, there's going to be fallout. 596 00:33:58,120 --> 00:34:00,760 Speaker 2: Nobody wants to go down this road because we all 597 00:34:00,800 --> 00:34:02,880 Speaker 2: want the Reds to be a better team this season, 598 00:34:02,960 --> 00:34:06,960 Speaker 2: But what's the fallout look like if they're not? What's 599 00:34:07,000 --> 00:34:12,480 Speaker 2: the fallout if instead of it being time, the team kind. 600 00:34:12,320 --> 00:34:13,400 Speaker 3: Of takes a step backwards. 601 00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:18,279 Speaker 2: I don't know, but like the message we all agree with, 602 00:34:19,480 --> 00:34:21,759 Speaker 2: and part of it is like it's time for some 603 00:34:21,800 --> 00:34:25,960 Speaker 2: of these dudes to just simply be better, Like something 604 00:34:25,960 --> 00:34:28,080 Speaker 2: we talked about a lot this offseason. Yeah they need 605 00:34:28,120 --> 00:34:30,960 Speaker 2: a bad from outside. Yeah they should have maybe been 606 00:34:31,000 --> 00:34:33,399 Speaker 2: more serious in their pursuit of Kyle Schwarber, and yeah, 607 00:34:33,560 --> 00:34:35,840 Speaker 2: in the absence of Kyle Schwarber, maybe they should have 608 00:34:35,840 --> 00:34:37,719 Speaker 2: made a play for Pete A Lonzo and okay, cool 609 00:34:37,840 --> 00:34:41,279 Speaker 2: eu Haano Suarez is a really good consolation prize and 610 00:34:41,280 --> 00:34:43,480 Speaker 2: we're all happy we're here. By the way, really good 611 00:34:43,600 --> 00:34:46,080 Speaker 2: Charlie Goldsmith piece on Gino that you should have already 612 00:34:46,080 --> 00:34:48,359 Speaker 2: gotten in your inbox because you subscribe to him, but 613 00:34:48,400 --> 00:34:51,600 Speaker 2: nonetheless like, yes, gotta go get a piece from outside. 614 00:34:52,480 --> 00:34:54,040 Speaker 2: But like a lot of these guys have been here 615 00:34:54,120 --> 00:34:57,000 Speaker 2: now for a while, like the Matt McLean thing. Matt 616 00:34:57,040 --> 00:35:00,360 Speaker 2: McLean got such a long leash last year and it 617 00:35:00,400 --> 00:35:02,839 Speaker 2: felt like, you know, they they put up with him 618 00:35:02,880 --> 00:35:05,239 Speaker 2: not being very good for the entire season. Now he 619 00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:08,200 Speaker 2: moved him down in the batting order. But a lot 620 00:35:08,239 --> 00:35:10,279 Speaker 2: of other dudes got sent down. A lot of other 621 00:35:10,320 --> 00:35:12,480 Speaker 2: guys were optioned to Louisville, a lot of other guys 622 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:16,600 Speaker 2: lost their starting gigs. Matt McClain not so much, and 623 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:18,880 Speaker 2: they put up with a mess season from Elie de 624 00:35:18,920 --> 00:35:25,920 Speaker 2: la Cruz like it is it is time, It is time, 625 00:35:26,120 --> 00:35:28,520 Speaker 2: and you know, this is the first season where going 626 00:35:28,560 --> 00:35:32,840 Speaker 2: into spring training it really felt like not the hope, 627 00:35:32,960 --> 00:35:37,439 Speaker 2: but the expectation was to like legitimately be a playoff team. 628 00:35:37,480 --> 00:35:40,319 Speaker 2: And again, when I say legitimately be a playoff team, 629 00:35:40,920 --> 00:35:44,799 Speaker 2: like go in with some level of ease. Let's make 630 00:35:44,800 --> 00:35:48,200 Speaker 2: sure the game won. Sixty two doesn't count, uh eleven 631 00:35:48,239 --> 00:35:51,120 Speaker 2: away from six o'clock, The Mark Pope Show was coming 632 00:35:51,200 --> 00:35:53,080 Speaker 2: up at the top of the hour on ESPN fifteen 633 00:35:53,120 --> 00:35:54,400 Speaker 2: thirty Cincinnati Sports. 634 00:35:54,160 --> 00:35:57,920 Speaker 1: Station Cincinnati's ESPN fifteen thirty. 635 00:35:58,920 --> 00:36:03,120 Speaker 4: Traffic in the UC Health Traffic Center. Around forty percent 636 00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:07,399 Speaker 4: of cancers are preventable. Lifestyle changes and screenings can make 637 00:36:07,440 --> 00:36:10,680 Speaker 4: a difference. Called five one three five eighty five UCCC 638 00:36:11,320 --> 00:36:14,319 Speaker 4: One accident has now been cleared out in Ohio on 639 00:36:14,400 --> 00:36:18,399 Speaker 4: northbound seventy five. This is after to seventy five new 640 00:36:18,480 --> 00:36:22,240 Speaker 4: crash in on Hunt Road over at Plainfield Road. Also 641 00:36:22,280 --> 00:36:25,440 Speaker 4: another new accident on Martin Luther King Drive at Burnett 642 00:36:25,480 --> 00:36:29,120 Speaker 4: Avenue and McMillan Street. Also an accident at Auburn Avenue. 643 00:36:29,360 --> 00:36:31,800 Speaker 4: I'm at Ezelek with traffic this report. 644 00:36:31,880 --> 00:36:37,520 Speaker 2: It's my knowledge today at least nobody got come no one. 645 00:36:38,480 --> 00:36:41,480 Speaker 2: This is ESPN fifteen thirty. Danner's going to be with 646 00:36:41,560 --> 00:36:44,040 Speaker 2: us tomorrow. I think I mentioned that last segment. If 647 00:36:44,080 --> 00:36:49,080 Speaker 2: I didn't, I just mentioned it again. Plus Derek Cardi 648 00:36:49,200 --> 00:36:52,879 Speaker 2: from ESPN who said the Reds will have a close 649 00:36:52,960 --> 00:36:56,840 Speaker 2: to bottom five staff and then quickly reverse course after 650 00:36:56,880 --> 00:36:59,880 Speaker 2: he got harassed on the internet by legions of Reds fans. 651 00:37:03,520 --> 00:37:05,319 Speaker 2: Many of those same Red stands like a month ago, 652 00:37:05,360 --> 00:37:06,920 Speaker 2: would have told you, the team is gonna stink. 653 00:37:07,320 --> 00:37:08,399 Speaker 3: We gotta go. Show's over. 654 00:37:08,440 --> 00:37:11,160 Speaker 2: That's why you're hearing music. Don't forget since he three sixty. 655 00:37:11,200 --> 00:37:14,040 Speaker 2: Tomorrow at noon, we are back at three oh five. 656 00:37:14,160 --> 00:37:16,600 Speaker 2: Mark Pope Show is next. This is ESPN fifteen thirty 657 00:37:16,600 --> 00:37:22,320 Speaker 2: Cincinnati Sports Station, enjoying 658 00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:23,400 Speaker 1: A healthy dinner that