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 --> 00:00:09,680 Speaker 2: It's Opening Day at Dodgers Stadium, and I'm joined by 3 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:12,440 Speaker 2: a guy that embodies everything it means to be a 4 00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:16,319 Speaker 2: professional baseball player, a man that is a three time 5 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:20,279 Speaker 2: World Series champion, back to back champion with the Dodgers. 6 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 2: That is the one and only Freddie Freeman. Freddie, thanks 7 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:25,079 Speaker 2: a lot for the time. And you made it to 8 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:26,120 Speaker 2: another Opening Day. 9 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:28,320 Speaker 1: Thank you, David, thank you for those kind words. It's 10 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: good to be back and get this year going. 11 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:33,479 Speaker 2: How does it feel after all these seasons, sixteen seasons 12 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 2: entering your seventeenth, does Opening Day still mean the same 13 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 2: to you? 14 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:40,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, it does, just because of all the hard work 15 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:42,879 Speaker 1: that you put in the offseason in spring training. You're 16 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:46,239 Speaker 1: excited to finally get the games to mean something and 17 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 1: you start your goal of winning another championship. And all 18 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,800 Speaker 1: the fans are excited. They've been missing baseball for five months, 19 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 1: so everyone's excited just liking the Game's gonna say, angels. 20 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 1: All the fans are there during those spring training games. 21 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 3: Too, so it's it's a blast. Open Day is always fun. 22 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: That means it to start of a new year, and 23 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: hopefully I start of a really championship seller year. 24 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:12,560 Speaker 2: Hey Freddie, it's one thing to be hungry, but after 25 00:01:12,600 --> 00:01:16,760 Speaker 2: you went back to back championships, how impressive is it 26 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:19,960 Speaker 2: that not only yourself, but everybody else on the team 27 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,319 Speaker 2: came day one to spring training hungry as ever. 28 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 3: Yeah. 29 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:28,280 Speaker 1: I think the group that we have here, the environment 30 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 1: we've created, the chemistry, the desire, the want, all of it. 31 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 3: It's a special place we. 32 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: Have going on around here, and we want to win 33 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:41,320 Speaker 1: every single year. That's I think that's every professional athlete's 34 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: goal is to win the championship for a year, And 35 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 1: obviously when you win two in a row, you want 36 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 1: to be those people that win three in a row. 37 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 3: You know, you just want to keep doing it. We 38 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 3: had the same narrative last year it be the first. 39 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:52,560 Speaker 1: Team since the Yankees went back to back, and now 40 00:01:52,560 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 1: we get to be the same narrative going into this 41 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:56,919 Speaker 1: year to be the first first team since the Yankees 42 00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 1: to win three in a row. 43 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:01,920 Speaker 3: So we got a good group. We're really itching. 44 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 1: To get going here and we're excited about this year. 45 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 2: Freddie Freeman is our guest on opening Day. For you, 46 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 2: this was a more normal offseason and spring training. Do 47 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 2: you feel like Freddy again? 48 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 3: I do. I feel good. 49 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 1: I don't have to get to the field three hours 50 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 1: or four games and stretches and to just get myself 51 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 1: to be able to go out there and play defense, 52 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:29,800 Speaker 1: you know, during stretch and VP. It's been nice to 53 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 1: just show up and do my routine and get ready 54 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 1: for the year. It's definitely nice not having surgery and 55 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 1: rehab all offseason. 56 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 3: So I feel good. 57 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: I feel ready to go, so hopefully we can stay 58 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 1: healthy all year and have. 59 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:43,720 Speaker 3: A great year. 60 00:02:43,919 --> 00:02:46,400 Speaker 2: You're a great guy to ask this question too, because 61 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:50,239 Speaker 2: you understand the game itself. You're hitting in a different 62 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 2: spot in the lineup this year, and you've got different 63 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 2: guys hitting in front of you. Are you a believer 64 00:02:56,040 --> 00:02:59,240 Speaker 2: every spot in the order has a responsibility. 65 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:03,640 Speaker 1: I think in a typical lineup, yes, our lineup, I 66 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:07,000 Speaker 1: feel like every guy can hit third. It's it's a 67 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 1: bunch of three hole hitters going up and down our lineup. 68 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 1: So yeah, this year it's gonna be a little bit different. 69 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 1: And I think you're you We're gonna see it in 70 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: the you saw it during the Angels series where against 71 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: a left handed starter. I'm gonna hit fifth this year, 72 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 1: and you know, Doc and I talked and we're trying 73 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 1: to figure out the best way to make the Dodgers 74 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 1: the best they can possibly be. And obviously, against right 75 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 1: handed starters, all hit fourth, and then we're gonna start 76 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 1: with hitting me fifth against left handed starters, just so 77 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:34,520 Speaker 1: it's a lot harder to match up. And uh, when 78 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: Dark and I had a conversation, I'm good. Just hit 79 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 1: me wherever you want to hit me. I want I 80 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:39,839 Speaker 1: want to win a championship. Make it harder for every 81 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 1: other team to match up against us. 82 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 3: I think it no matter. 83 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 1: Where we hit, it's gonna be a hard matchup. But 84 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 1: that's what we we're gonna go with. And typically one 85 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: through nine you're gonna have different roles. Obviously in our lineup, 86 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 1: if you're hitting eight and nine, you gotta know show 87 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 1: how he's coming up, and just sometimes the situation will 88 00:03:57,080 --> 00:04:00,280 Speaker 1: determine what you gotta do. But in our lineup, with 89 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 1: our guys, it's more of a free ring. 90 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 3: Go for it. 91 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 1: You know yourself, you know the player you are, and 92 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 1: just make sure you're doing the right thing in the 93 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 1: right situations. And our guys understand that. And in our lineup. 94 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:14,360 Speaker 1: When you got a bunch of three hole hitters up 95 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: and down, I think and betteran guys they know what 96 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:21,279 Speaker 1: they need to do in this certain situations of the game. 97 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 1: The game will tell you how to play the game, 98 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:24,760 Speaker 1: and I think that we have a good group of 99 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: guys to understand that and go about our business the 100 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: way we need to do. But in our lineup, it 101 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:32,159 Speaker 1: doesn't really matter where you're hit. I think you're gonna 102 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:35,200 Speaker 1: have guys on a lot more times than not, so 103 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: just make sure you bring those guys in. 104 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 2: Not too many teams can have a rabbit hitting fifth. 105 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 1: I kind of like that. Maybe I'll look like a 106 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 1: rabbit again. Run around the basins this. 107 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 2: Year before I let you go tomorrow. Ring Day. It's 108 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:51,040 Speaker 2: your third ring. Where do you keep these rings? How 109 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 2: much do you enjoy it? Where do you put it? 110 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 1: I enjoy it when you get a ring. That means 111 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 1: you want So if you don't enjoy ring Day, then 112 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 1: I don't know what you're doing. So well, I'm excited. 113 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:02,200 Speaker 3: I look forward to it. 114 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:04,800 Speaker 1: I can't wait to see him in first I've only 115 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,240 Speaker 1: seen a picture of them. Oh, so I'm really looking 116 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 1: forward to seeing it. They usually get put on for 117 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: that day and then it goes into the box and 118 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 1: goes away, hitting into somewhere to or no one can 119 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:16,160 Speaker 1: find it. 120 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:20,239 Speaker 3: So they're usually so big it's hard to wear those things. 121 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:22,160 Speaker 1: But I heard we got a different one this year 122 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:25,040 Speaker 1: where we can wear a band. The band comes out 123 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 1: of the middle, so we can actually wear like almost 124 00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:28,240 Speaker 1: like a band with the ring. 125 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:29,960 Speaker 3: So that's kind of cool. 126 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:32,039 Speaker 1: When you win a lot and win a few in 127 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 1: a row, you gotta kind of come up with some 128 00:05:33,680 --> 00:05:36,160 Speaker 1: new ideas, and they did it this year, so hopefully 129 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 1: we can make them come up with a new idea 130 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:38,240 Speaker 1: for this year too. 131 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:40,760 Speaker 2: Love it, Freddy, thanks a lot for the time. You 132 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 2: know how much you mean to this city. You are 133 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 2: a legacy Dodger, and you're gonna keep it going. And 134 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:49,919 Speaker 2: I'm counting. I'm counting every single hit, every single double 135 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,039 Speaker 2: the rest of the way the next four years. 136 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:53,000 Speaker 3: Love it, I love it. 137 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to it, and you know, hopefully those 138 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 1: countdowns go quicker, no doubt.