1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: The quest for the three peat has begun. 2 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 2: Only four teams in Major League Baseball history have won 3 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:11,520 Speaker 2: three consecutive titles. The Dodgers are the favorites to become 4 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:12,680 Speaker 2: the fifth. 5 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:14,920 Speaker 1: A Spring Training Dodger. 6 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 2: Talk, here we go again. We're Goeta running. 7 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 1: Back, hosted by Dodgers and sider David Basset. Oh yea 8 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: three peat in the Mexican in on the show called 9 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:25,959 Speaker 1: eight six six nine eighty seven two five seven, and 10 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: be sure to follow Dodger Talk wherever you catch your podcasts. 11 00:00:29,880 --> 00:00:32,280 Speaker 1: Here's your host, David Basset. 12 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 2: Welcome to Dodger Talk David Bassey, Night three at camel 13 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:42,480 Speaker 2: Back Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. Our final Dodger Talk show 14 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 2: this week, but we have four shows next week, so 15 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:49,240 Speaker 2: we got a lot, a lot of coverage for you 16 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:52,840 Speaker 2: from camel Back Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. As your back 17 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:56,319 Speaker 2: to back World Series champion Dodgers are getting set not 18 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 2: only for a three peat, but also in the near 19 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 2: future Game one of the Cactus League schedule, which is 20 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 2: coming up on Saturday against the Angels and Tempe, Arizona. 21 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 2: Our coverage begins at twelve thirty with first pitch between 22 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:15,320 Speaker 2: the Dodgers and Angels at one ten, and then on Sunday, 23 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 2: Game two on the road again for the Dodgers. It 24 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 2: will be the Padres and Dodgers hooking up for the 25 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:26,040 Speaker 2: first time this spring training, and our coverage begins at 26 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:29,880 Speaker 2: twelve thirty again with first pitch at one ten. Rick 27 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 2: Monday and Tim Neverett will be on all the calls. 28 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 2: They are the spring training voices. Every game will be 29 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 2: heard on Sports and at LA, and we will have 30 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:44,320 Speaker 2: our fair share of games on a five to seventy 31 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:45,480 Speaker 2: LA Sports. 32 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 3: So looking forward to that. 33 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:50,600 Speaker 2: Kicking it off on Saturday Dodgers and Angels from Tempe 34 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 2: Arizona and Dave Roberts did say Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start 35 00:01:56,200 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 2: this weekend. I'm starting to believe it's Saturday, and Yamamoto 36 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 2: pitched to hitters for two innings yesterday, which means he 37 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:08,360 Speaker 2: probably is going to turn it up a notch to 38 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:12,560 Speaker 2: at least forty five pitches on Saturday. You could expect 39 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 2: Yamamoto more than likely starting Saturday and show hey Otani 40 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 2: is expected to make the trip to Tempe Arizona, his 41 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:24,920 Speaker 2: former spring training home with the Angels, and he will 42 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 2: play Saturday, and Dave Roberts also said that Otani will 43 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 2: play on Sunday. So those two guys getting ready not 44 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:37,080 Speaker 2: only for the season, but also for the World Baseball Classic. 45 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:41,560 Speaker 2: Otani will not be pitching for Team Japan, Yamamoto will be, 46 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 2: but he's put in a lot of work this offseason 47 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:46,799 Speaker 2: and you just hope that, like I said last night, 48 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 2: he keeps the guardrails on himself and is honest with 49 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 2: his body. And of course sense YadA, who certainly helped 50 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:58,040 Speaker 2: Yamamoto push himself to the limits in Game seven of 51 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 2: last year's World Series. Lot of local TV out here 52 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 2: at camel Back Ranch today, there they go. They are 53 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:09,080 Speaker 2: the dynamic duo. They hold it down locally no matter 54 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:12,000 Speaker 2: where they go, with a lot of style right there, 55 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 2: no doubt, my guy Kyle and Darren right there, Fox eleven, 56 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:21,080 Speaker 2: Kekel two, k CAL nine, CBS two whatever it is 57 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 2: they're around, and Steve Brenner certainly helping out local TV. 58 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 2: I wish I could get that kind of service right 59 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 2: here on Dodgers Radio and five seventy LA Sports. But 60 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 2: we have a great show for you tonight. Two young 61 00:03:35,160 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 2: players that got a taste of the big leagues, and 62 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 2: certainly are better prepared to be part of this Dodger 63 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 2: team after getting their major league debuts last year. Dalton 64 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 2: Rushing and Alex Freeland will join us tonight on Dodger 65 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 2: Talk coming up at the bottom of the hour and 66 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:56,800 Speaker 2: all also Alex Called, but Trek Scooble will not be 67 00:03:56,880 --> 00:03:57,640 Speaker 2: joining us tonight. 68 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 3: No matter what the ping try to make you leave. 69 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 2: Back in December, there goes another local TV guy, David Pingalore. 70 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 3: Nice guy, nice guy. 71 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 2: Maybe got a little little too loose with the Twitter 72 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 2: in December. We love you Pingalore anyway. Alex Freeland and 73 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:18,000 Speaker 2: Alex Call will join us at the at the bottom 74 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:21,200 Speaker 2: of the hour, two guys that certainly are going to 75 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 2: get another opportunity. Rushing will be on this squad. He 76 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:28,719 Speaker 2: will catch, He will play first base. Alex Freeland has 77 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:33,280 Speaker 2: a golden opportunity to even be the Dodgers opening day 78 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 2: second basement with the injury to Tommy y Edman, who 79 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 2: is not going to be ready for opening Day after 80 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:44,520 Speaker 2: undergoing right ankle surgery. Eight six six nine eight seven 81 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 2: two five seventy is the phone number, David Vace say, 82 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:51,480 Speaker 2: Dodger Talk with you until eight o'clock right here on 83 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:56,080 Speaker 2: a five to seventy LA Sports And certainly another young 84 00:04:56,120 --> 00:05:00,120 Speaker 2: player that everybody's keeping an eye on is James Tibbs, 85 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:02,680 Speaker 2: the Third. The Dodgers acquired him in the trade with 86 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:06,120 Speaker 2: the Red Sox last year, acquiring him from Boston for 87 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 2: Dustin May. He was acquired from the Giants in the 88 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 2: Rafael Devers trade. He's a Florida State kid, college player. 89 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 2: And we'll hear from Andrew Friedman because we're going to 90 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 2: dedicate the bottom of the hour to some of the 91 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 2: young players that you all care about, we care about, 92 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 2: and the Dodgers are going to need to get through 93 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 2: one hundred and sixty two games and you never know 94 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 2: who could contribute in a postseason or even World Series game. 95 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:35,160 Speaker 2: So we will hear from Andrew Freeman. When it comes 96 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 2: to the Dodgers' young outfield prospects. You will hear from 97 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:42,839 Speaker 2: young Dalton Rushing and Alex Freeland at the bottom of 98 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:46,039 Speaker 2: the hour, and coming up in our next segment, you 99 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:50,160 Speaker 2: will hear from Alex call who was acquired at the 100 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:53,120 Speaker 2: trade deadline last year and even got to start a 101 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:56,599 Speaker 2: couple of World Series games. Certainly is very excited to 102 00:05:57,160 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 2: have made the change from the Nationals who were at 103 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 2: the bottom of the NLS to eventual back to back 104 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:06,360 Speaker 2: World Series champion Dodgers. 105 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 3: But before we get to all that, you heard from. 106 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:12,719 Speaker 2: Blake Trinan, the thirty seven year old veteran reliever for 107 00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:16,479 Speaker 2: the Dodgers who pushed himself to the limits in Game 108 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:19,600 Speaker 2: five of the World Series and the entire twenty twenty 109 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:23,480 Speaker 2: four postseason. And if you remember last year, it was 110 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:26,680 Speaker 2: a lot of Dodger starters that were starting to come 111 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 2: out of the bullpen for the Dodgers, and in twenty 112 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:32,919 Speaker 2: twenty four, on the way to the World Championship, it 113 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:37,920 Speaker 2: was the Dodger Dogs, aka the Dodger relievers that played 114 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 2: a huge part for the Dodgers' run to the World 115 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 2: Series against the Yankees. And Blake Trining was one of 116 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:48,039 Speaker 2: those bullpen dogs that pushed himself to the limits in 117 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four. And there obviously is going to be 118 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 2: a residual effect in twenty twenty five. And Blake Trining 119 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:58,479 Speaker 2: seemed to battle through all those things and found a 120 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 2: way to even pitch in postseason games. And you heard 121 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:06,040 Speaker 2: from Blake He admitted the other night that his arm slot, 122 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:09,720 Speaker 2: his body wasn't feeling as great as it was feeling 123 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 2: a couple of years ago. And Dave Roberts said this 124 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 2: morning that he is very encouraged about where he sees 125 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 2: Blake tryning in twenty twenty six Latin Tank. 126 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:25,120 Speaker 4: I know that the age is one thing, but you know, 127 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:28,559 Speaker 4: for me, it's what I see and what the ball's doing. 128 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 4: And he's healthy again. He's throwing the base all the 129 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 4: ball's coming out really well. So I don't think it 130 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 4: really for me, I don't care about the age. The 131 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 4: body's moving well. He's still strong. And I saw Penn 132 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 4: a couple of days ago and a few days ago, 133 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 4: and yesterday it's as good as I seen him for 134 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:45,559 Speaker 4: the baseball in a while. 135 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 2: How much can you lean on him? Is it the 136 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 2: same type of high leverage situations or given everything that 137 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 2: he's gone through and done is a different Yeah. 138 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 4: I think that I certainly trust him. It's going to 139 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 4: be high level. How much we lean on him, that's 140 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 4: kind of, you know, depending on how he's feeling and 141 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 4: who else we have around him and how they're throwing 142 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 4: the baseball. But right now he's a full participant and 143 00:08:11,440 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 4: he's throwing the baseball well. 144 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 2: Feels good. 145 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 4: And we'll go from there. 146 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 2: Trinin has come into camp looking a lot more slimmer. 147 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:19,560 Speaker 2: He said that his arm slot he want to get 148 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 2: into too many details, is in a better spot than 149 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 2: it was last year all last year, and the action 150 00:08:26,560 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 2: on his sweeper and his fastball, according to Dave Roberts, 151 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 2: is in That's quite a statement by Dave that he 152 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 2: hasn't seen Blake trying to throw the ball this well 153 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 2: in quite some time, so that's very encouraging. Also the 154 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 2: Morning Report with Dave Roberts, we tackled Mookie Betts, who 155 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:47,080 Speaker 2: had his worst offensive season last year with the Dodgers, 156 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 2: and the way it's going to stack up. As far 157 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:52,720 Speaker 2: as the Dodgers' batting order, it seems like Dave Roberts 158 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 2: is going with Shoho Tani leading off, of course, Kyle 159 00:08:56,360 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 2: Tucker hitting second, Freddie Freeman hitting cleanup, and Mookie Betts 160 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:02,560 Speaker 2: hitting third. 161 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 4: Yes, last year started off certainly different with kind of 162 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:09,599 Speaker 4: you know, when we were in Tokyo and how he 163 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:11,840 Speaker 4: was feeling and the weight loss and all that stuff. 164 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 4: I think he had a great offseason. He's in a 165 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:18,440 Speaker 4: good headspace, the body's good, and I think for me, 166 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:21,439 Speaker 4: it's just getting back to being who he is. And 167 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 4: I just think that last year was an outlier offensive season. 168 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:28,160 Speaker 4: And I'm not too concerned about Mookie at all the 169 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 4: way he played shortstop last year, expecting him to get better, 170 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 4: be better offensively this year. He will be in the 171 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:40,560 Speaker 4: MVP conversation this year. But again, I think speaking for Mookie, 172 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 4: his main goal is to help us win a championship, 173 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:48,360 Speaker 4: so I think whatever falls out from there, I think that. 174 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:50,440 Speaker 2: Will happen. 175 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 4: So I just want him to focus on just being healthy, 176 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 4: helping us win, and then whatever happens outside of that 177 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 4: will happen. 178 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:00,600 Speaker 2: How much do you think hitting between Tucker and Freddie 179 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 2: at times is going to help him and whatever he 180 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:07,439 Speaker 2: sees and what changes from hitting lead off to second 181 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:10,160 Speaker 2: to guy hitting third between and behind those guys. 182 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think you know, lead off. I feel good 183 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:19,600 Speaker 4: with our leadoff hitter right now. I think for Mooky 184 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:23,320 Speaker 4: in particular, being lead off the mindset of getting on 185 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 4: base versus hitting behind Showhy and the number two. I 186 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 4: like him in the number three in the sense that 187 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 4: I feel that there's an on base component, there's a 188 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:38,439 Speaker 4: get hits component, there's a drive and run component, and 189 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 4: you're more of a Swiss Army knife in a lineup, 190 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:44,560 Speaker 4: so you know, I'm not beholden to it, but I 191 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 4: like him in the three hole right now. 192 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 2: I like the way Dave Roberts put that a Swiss 193 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:51,600 Speaker 2: army knife. That's what a number three hitter traditionally is 194 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 2: a guy that can hit with power, get on base, 195 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 2: and even steal some bases. And hopefully the Dodgers get 196 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 2: that type a Swiss Army knife from their three spot, 197 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 2: because you need a right handed hitter to be able 198 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:09,160 Speaker 2: to break up the string of lefties, those superstar lefties. 199 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 2: But the thing is the reason why Kyle Tucker makes 200 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:15,720 Speaker 2: so much sense hitting second and Mooki hitting third. Tucker 201 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 2: is a really good hitter against left handed pitching. He 202 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:21,960 Speaker 2: and Cody Bellinger were two of the best left handed 203 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 2: hitters against against left handed pitching. And that's what you 204 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:29,120 Speaker 2: need hitting behind sho Hey Otani. You need a hitter, 205 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:32,440 Speaker 2: whether he's right or left, that can do damage against 206 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:36,840 Speaker 2: left handed pitching to protect Otani because you know that 207 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:39,960 Speaker 2: that rule that's in place now where a pitcher has 208 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 2: to come in to face three batters, well, a manager 209 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 2: is going to bring in a lefty to not only 210 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:47,160 Speaker 2: face Otani, but also try to get out the guy 211 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:49,760 Speaker 2: behind him. And if you have that type of protection, 212 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 2: whether it's Tucker from the left side or Mookie Bets 213 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 2: from the right side, you need it. And that's why 214 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:59,360 Speaker 2: Mooki Betts is so important as a right handed hitter 215 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 2: to hit between Otani, Tucker and Freeman. So that's the 216 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:07,319 Speaker 2: latest from Dodger camp. It should be a bounce back year. 217 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 2: Mookie Beds seems to have a look in determination about 218 00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:14,960 Speaker 2: him since he arrived here yesterday or a couple of 219 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 2: days ago to try to prove a lot of critics 220 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 2: wrong that heading into his age thirty three season that 221 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 2: last year was an aberration, and he's all about winning. 222 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:28,439 Speaker 2: He wants to win World Series championships. He has told 223 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 2: teammates that as long as we play for each other, 224 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:34,680 Speaker 2: that's all that matters. And he certainly has done everything 225 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:38,080 Speaker 2: that Dodgers have asked of him, including moving from right 226 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:41,720 Speaker 2: field to second base to shortstop, and he's finally found 227 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:44,280 Speaker 2: a home there. That's where he's going to play, and 228 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:46,679 Speaker 2: he was a finalist for the Gold Glove at that 229 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 2: position last year. Now the offense can take center focus. 230 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:54,640 Speaker 2: Hitting third in the Dodger lineup on opening day. When 231 00:12:54,679 --> 00:12:58,640 Speaker 2: we continue from campbel Back Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, we 232 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 2: will hear from Alex Call, who went from the last 233 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 2: place Nationals at the trade deadline last year to become 234 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:09,880 Speaker 2: a World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alex 235 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:12,880 Speaker 2: Call will be our guest in his first full spring 236 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:15,760 Speaker 2: training with the Dodgers right here on a five to 237 00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:19,440 Speaker 2: seventy LA Sports with you until eight o'clock. And you 238 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 2: never know who you may see at Felix Chevrolet. It 239 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 2: may be David Vase or it could be our guest 240 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:29,560 Speaker 2: Dodger outfielder Alex Call. Alex, thanks a lot for the time, 241 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:30,320 Speaker 2: appreciate it. 242 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:31,960 Speaker 5: Yeah, of course, always anytime. 243 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:35,120 Speaker 2: Hey, you're you and Felix the Cat gonna be driving 244 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 2: down Figaroa together. 245 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:38,440 Speaker 5: Yeah, we're besties now, no doubt. 246 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 2: Alex. We talked about this at fan Fest, your first 247 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 2: spring training with the Dodgers. 248 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 3: They have a new hitting lab that is brand new. 249 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:49,320 Speaker 2: What's it been like for you to be settled in 250 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:52,320 Speaker 2: now as a world champion and starting the year with 251 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:52,840 Speaker 2: the team. 252 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:56,199 Speaker 6: Yeah, it's it's awesome. I love being back in Arizona 253 00:13:56,240 --> 00:13:58,160 Speaker 6: for spring training. I love being with the guys from 254 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 6: the start, just get a feel for how they operate 255 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 6: things over here in spring and going throughout the season. 256 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 6: And yeah, everybody's excited. It's great to be back. 257 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 5: We're feeling good and yeah, ready to go. 258 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:13,640 Speaker 2: Can you describe the feeling having your feet set with 259 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:16,880 Speaker 2: this team in particular, but coming over in the trade, 260 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 2: but now having a chance to get through a full 261 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 2: baseball season routine with the same guys and kind of 262 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 2: the same program. 263 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 6: Yeah, it's really a blessing coming to this organization in 264 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 6: a million different ways. But to have just you know, 265 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 6: wearing the Dodgers on your chest, we're in La on 266 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 6: your chests, it's pretty special. And the way we operate 267 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:43,280 Speaker 6: around here, it's just a little bit different. Everything is 268 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 6: just a little bit more one notch up you could say, 269 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 6: and you know you can tell, and it's contagious amongst 270 00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:53,320 Speaker 6: the guys, so there's no mistake. Why you know, we're 271 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 6: back to back champs and going for a third. 272 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 2: When you look around this clubhouse, everybody seems to have 273 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:03,280 Speaker 2: come ready for day one of spring training, and guys 274 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 2: have been working all off season, including yourself, to be 275 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 2: ready to go day one. What message does that send 276 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 2: to each other. 277 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 6: Yeah, I mean I think everybody knows that they we care. 278 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:18,760 Speaker 6: We care about what's going on, we care about, you know, 279 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 6: running this thing back for a third time. And uh, 280 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:24,800 Speaker 6: you don't really get that opportunity very often in sports, 281 00:15:24,920 --> 00:15:27,960 Speaker 6: and so we all know that it's a special task 282 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,920 Speaker 6: that we can do together. And you know, at the 283 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 6: same time, you know you have to be smart with 284 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:37,200 Speaker 6: your off season. It's like, we enjoyed it, we took 285 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:40,240 Speaker 6: some time off, but then hey, this is what. 286 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:40,680 Speaker 5: We love to do. 287 00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 6: We're gonna get back in the gym, we get back 288 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:44,040 Speaker 6: in the cage, and we're gonna work what we need 289 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 6: to do and have full focus for this year. 290 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:50,840 Speaker 2: Alex call Us our guest on Dodger Talk. Alex, when 291 00:15:50,880 --> 00:15:54,320 Speaker 2: you say all those things, I would imagine last year 292 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:58,479 Speaker 2: for you was the deepest you played baseball, at least professionally. 293 00:15:58,920 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 2: What was that like? 294 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:02,960 Speaker 6: It was awesome. I mean, that's exactly what you want. 295 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 6: I've been enjoying the postseason from home. You know, I 296 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 6: love baseball, so to be in it, to have your 297 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 6: to be in the thick of things, to have your 298 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 6: name in the lineup card in the World Series, it's 299 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:18,360 Speaker 6: I mean, it's an unbelievable experience, so much fun, a 300 00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 6: dream come true, and it's what it's all about. 301 00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:21,520 Speaker 2: You know. 302 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:24,480 Speaker 6: We love baseball, we love the grind of one hundred 303 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 6: and sixty two games, but when you get to the postseason, 304 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:28,720 Speaker 6: that's what matters. That's where the chips are all on 305 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:32,560 Speaker 6: the table and win or go home. So we want 306 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:34,880 Speaker 6: it all and there's no greater feeling. 307 00:16:35,160 --> 00:16:38,360 Speaker 2: Have you watched replays or moments of Game six and 308 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:39,120 Speaker 2: Game seven? 309 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:42,280 Speaker 6: You know, intermitutely, I've actually not watched as much as 310 00:16:42,320 --> 00:16:45,240 Speaker 6: I thought I would, So it's almost like I'm I'm 311 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:47,560 Speaker 6: saving it for like when i have a little bit 312 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:48,560 Speaker 6: of time to decompress. 313 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 5: You know, our hearts is a little bit. 314 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:53,520 Speaker 6: Hectic right now with the addition of this the second 315 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:58,200 Speaker 6: girl to go along with our oldest son. So I'm 316 00:16:58,240 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 6: kind of saving it for a time when I can 317 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 6: really soak it in and enjoy it. When I asked 318 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 6: some time to myself, maybe on the road this year, 319 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:06,360 Speaker 6: I'll uh, I'll bring out some of the old footage 320 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:07,639 Speaker 6: and reminisce on it. 321 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 2: Your lockers right next to Andy Pohes, I asked him 322 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:13,800 Speaker 2: today how many times has he watched the replay of 323 00:17:13,840 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 2: the catch of him and key K kind of colliding, 324 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:18,440 Speaker 2: and he said, he admitted a few times. 325 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:20,280 Speaker 3: Have you talked to him about that? 326 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 6: Yeah, just in brief today we were talking about it. 327 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:26,240 Speaker 6: I was telling him like I wasn't even looking at Andy, 328 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:27,879 Speaker 6: Like I was looking at Kik the whole way. His 329 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:30,479 Speaker 6: back was turned and I'm like, oh no, that is 330 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:34,200 Speaker 6: not a high probability of a catch. And then here 331 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 6: comes Andy, So I wasn't I told him, I was like, 332 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:39,360 Speaker 6: I wasn't even looking at you. But he just put 333 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:40,879 Speaker 6: his head down, went and got the ball. 334 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:43,480 Speaker 2: You know, one thing that he mentioned was he can't 335 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 2: believe how much ground he covered to get to make 336 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:49,560 Speaker 2: that catch. Is that one thing that isn't talked about enough. 337 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 2: We're talking about key K and how he may have 338 00:17:52,119 --> 00:17:54,960 Speaker 2: had a beat on it, but nobody's really talking about 339 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:56,920 Speaker 2: how much ground PAHZ had to cover. 340 00:17:57,400 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean, just a credit to Andy. 341 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:01,920 Speaker 6: And we were also talking about how you go in 342 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,119 Speaker 6: the game, the ball finds you, you know, no matter what, 343 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 6: just like it's a baseball ism, but it almost feels. 344 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:07,040 Speaker 2: Like it's true. 345 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:09,200 Speaker 6: And we were like wondering, what would the actual numbers 346 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:11,639 Speaker 6: be if he tried to calculate it out and and 347 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:13,280 Speaker 6: he was ready. He went in there, he put his 348 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 6: head down, he had to cover all that ground. It's 349 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:19,920 Speaker 6: it was an amazing play and boy, we were all nervous, 350 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:20,560 Speaker 6: but he made it. 351 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 2: Everybody talks about the guy that told me to get 352 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:26,159 Speaker 2: out Miguel Rojas's home run. But the one play that 353 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:29,399 Speaker 2: I feel like I bring myself to the most is 354 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:32,480 Speaker 2: the play, the incredible play that he and Will Smith 355 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:34,359 Speaker 2: made in the ninth inning of Game seven. 356 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:37,920 Speaker 6: Yeah, I was like freaking out because the balls hit 357 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:40,600 Speaker 6: to Miggy. He's like falling down and I'm like, maybe 358 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 6: get up, get up, Like if you don't get. 359 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:42,680 Speaker 2: Up, we lose. 360 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:43,920 Speaker 5: Like get up, this is it. 361 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,080 Speaker 6: And you know he had his balance and he threw 362 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 6: a strike and then it was like, oh no, like 363 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:53,879 Speaker 6: he's out. But the replay looks kind of fifty to fifty, 364 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:55,679 Speaker 6: like is Will's foot actually on the player or not? 365 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:57,880 Speaker 6: So again you had to live through another freak out 366 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:01,760 Speaker 6: session and you know they held the play up confirmed 367 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:03,239 Speaker 6: and you know we went on to win. 368 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 5: So just absolutely crazy play. Amazing job at Mickey ro Alex. 369 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:10,880 Speaker 2: Before I let you go you're a guy that has 370 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:15,480 Speaker 2: attention to detail baseball IQ. Before I let you go, 371 00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:17,240 Speaker 2: how many push ups do you think I could do? 372 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:21,600 Speaker 6: Alex call ohh, I mean looking pretty good, So I'll 373 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:23,440 Speaker 6: go with at least thirty. 374 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 2: Okay, thirty, Thank you, I appreciate it. 375 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:27,920 Speaker 5: Let's go thirty. Got you gotta show it up now? 376 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,560 Speaker 2: All right, all right, I'll do my best by June. 377 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:34,400 Speaker 2: All right, since Rojas is drifted away, you're a guy 378 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 2: that has high baseball IQ. Talking about that play at 379 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:40,679 Speaker 2: the plate as a base runner, how important is it 380 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:45,119 Speaker 2: to have the greatest of leads in those situations? Just 381 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:47,280 Speaker 2: in general? That's an important part. 382 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 6: Of the game certainly, And I think there's a lot 383 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 6: of things that go into because there's one out right there, right, yeah, 384 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:59,160 Speaker 6: And so you don't want to get doubled off as 385 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:02,399 Speaker 6: a base runner with one out in that situation. So 386 00:20:02,440 --> 00:20:04,159 Speaker 6: I don't know what the third base coach was telling him, 387 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 6: but certainly you want to try to take every single 388 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:11,480 Speaker 6: step that you can, and the situation is gonna dig 389 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:13,480 Speaker 6: to I mean, you're ninety feet away from the World Series. 390 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:16,320 Speaker 6: It's tough to not be like itching and clawing for 391 00:20:16,359 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 6: every single inch. 392 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:19,480 Speaker 5: And foot that you can get. 393 00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:22,880 Speaker 6: But yeah, the attention, that's what's so beautiful about our games. 394 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:26,280 Speaker 6: It comes down to those types of things, and praise God. 395 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:27,920 Speaker 6: But came out on our side in that one. 396 00:20:28,200 --> 00:20:31,080 Speaker 2: Hey, congratulations on being part of a great team and 397 00:20:31,359 --> 00:20:34,920 Speaker 2: a great group of guys, even though they definitely don't 398 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:37,920 Speaker 2: believe in how many pushups I can do and definitely 399 00:20:37,960 --> 00:20:40,600 Speaker 2: do not want me around. So thank you for the 400 00:20:40,640 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 2: time Alex called. Yeah, thanks Dave, there it goes. Alex 401 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 2: Call has been our guest. Great to have him in 402 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:50,800 Speaker 2: Dodger camp his first full season with the Dodgers after 403 00:20:50,880 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 2: being traded from the Nationals to the Dodgers. I remember 404 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 2: exactly where the Dodgers were when Alex Call arrived. It 405 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:02,080 Speaker 2: was in that sweltering, huge mid heat at the Yankee 406 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:06,120 Speaker 2: Spring training Stadium where the Rays were playing last year. 407 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:09,840 Speaker 2: So that was Alex Call's introduction to the Dodgers. But 408 00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 2: he certainly is a guy that embraces the technology the 409 00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 2: Dodgers used to make their hitters better, and everything's at 410 00:21:17,560 --> 00:21:20,520 Speaker 2: his fingertips. And I was even watching him take live 411 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:24,879 Speaker 2: betting practice today and it was remarkable that his approach 412 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:28,280 Speaker 2: is exactly the same approach that he has in the 413 00:21:28,320 --> 00:21:32,480 Speaker 2: game and why the Dodgers were so attracted to acquire 414 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:35,960 Speaker 2: him to be a fourth or fifth outfielder. He even 415 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:39,600 Speaker 2: in live betting practice, makes the opposing pitcher throw a 416 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:42,719 Speaker 2: lot of pitches and is very selective, so he is 417 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 2: practicing as he plays. So that was impressive to see 418 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:51,400 Speaker 2: from Alex Call. And he certainly understands his role, embraces 419 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:54,119 Speaker 2: his role, and loves being a Dodger. How could you 420 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:57,240 Speaker 2: not knowing what it's like to lose year after year 421 00:21:57,280 --> 00:22:00,600 Speaker 2: with the Washington Nationals at this point and then being 422 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:03,639 Speaker 2: traded to a team like the Dodgers that had a 423 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:07,760 Speaker 2: World championship season and now is looking for a three peat. 424 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:11,159 Speaker 2: So thank you to Alex Call and Miguel Rojas always 425 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:13,800 Speaker 2: seems to be there, and it feels like the pushup 426 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:17,600 Speaker 2: challenge is going to follow me all spring training long, 427 00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:21,680 Speaker 2: and maybe even blake'snew When we continue from Camel Back 428 00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:24,679 Speaker 2: Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, we got Dodger talk for you 429 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 2: all the way up until eight o'clock, and we are 430 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 2: going to hear from two of the young guys that 431 00:22:29,840 --> 00:22:33,480 Speaker 2: got their first taste of big league action last year. 432 00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:37,040 Speaker 2: Had some good moments, had some highs, had some lows, 433 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 2: and had a lot of growth and they're going to 434 00:22:39,359 --> 00:22:42,120 Speaker 2: be a big part of the Dodgers this year. Dalton 435 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 2: Rushing and Alex Friedland will join us. Plus you'll hear 436 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:50,280 Speaker 2: from Andrew Freeman about the Dodgers young outfield prospects that 437 00:22:50,359 --> 00:22:54,000 Speaker 2: are emerging quicker than you may expect. So a lot 438 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:57,639 Speaker 2: to get to in regards to the next wave of 439 00:22:57,760 --> 00:23:02,679 Speaker 2: Dodger talented players. Continue from Camelback Ranch right here on 440 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:04,480 Speaker 2: a five to seventy LA Sports. 441 00:23:05,359 --> 00:23:06,880 Speaker 3: This is Dodger Talk, David. 442 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:09,800 Speaker 2: Vase with you until eight o'clock. Thanks a lot to 443 00:23:10,040 --> 00:23:12,600 Speaker 2: Alex call for taking the time out. There's a lot 444 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:15,880 Speaker 2: of media out here following the Dodgers, so the time 445 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 2: that we get with these guys in spring training is 446 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:22,400 Speaker 2: certainly appreciated. And coming up in a moment, you'll hear 447 00:23:22,440 --> 00:23:26,720 Speaker 2: from Dalton Rushing and Alex Freeland. Not to mention Andrew 448 00:23:26,800 --> 00:23:30,720 Speaker 2: Friedman on the next wave of Dodger outfielders that may 449 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:35,280 Speaker 2: emerge even as soon as this season. Eight six six nine, 450 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:38,240 Speaker 2: eight seven two five seventy is the phone number. We 451 00:23:38,359 --> 00:23:42,159 Speaker 2: have Dodgers Spring Training action for you this Saturday, the 452 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:45,480 Speaker 2: Dodgers will open up the Cactus League against the Angels. 453 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 2: Our coverage begins at twelve thirty, first pitch at one ten, 454 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:54,280 Speaker 2: and it is expected that Yamamoto will start that game 455 00:23:54,320 --> 00:23:57,520 Speaker 2: for the Dodgers against the Angels in Tempe Arizona, and 456 00:23:57,600 --> 00:24:01,320 Speaker 2: Shoho Tani will be leading off and dhing for the 457 00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:06,400 Speaker 2: Dodgers in Tempe Arizona against his former team. Now, don't 458 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:09,879 Speaker 2: be alarmed when you don't see Freddie Freeman or Mookie 459 00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:13,280 Speaker 2: Bets or Max Muncy and the Dodgers starting lineup this 460 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:17,120 Speaker 2: weekend against the Angels and the Padres. Dave Roberts said, 461 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:20,159 Speaker 2: there is no injury issues. We have seen those guys 462 00:24:20,160 --> 00:24:23,960 Speaker 2: out here going back to the beginning of the week 463 00:24:24,320 --> 00:24:28,399 Speaker 2: taking batting practice, participating in life batting practice as well, 464 00:24:28,880 --> 00:24:32,040 Speaker 2: but are going to slow play when they get into games. 465 00:24:32,080 --> 00:24:36,320 Speaker 2: These are veteran guys. Muncie is thirty five, Freddie Freeman 466 00:24:36,720 --> 00:24:40,239 Speaker 2: is thirty six, Mookie Betts is thirty two going on 467 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:44,240 Speaker 2: thirty three. They have played back to back World Series championships, 468 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:47,919 Speaker 2: so no need to force these guys into lineups early 469 00:24:48,119 --> 00:24:52,040 Speaker 2: in spring, which means the Dodgers are going to give 470 00:24:52,240 --> 00:24:55,840 Speaker 2: a lot of their young players some opportunities to leave 471 00:24:55,920 --> 00:24:59,720 Speaker 2: an impression and in the case of Dalton Rushing, get 472 00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:03,119 Speaker 2: a lot reps behind Will Smith, who is going to 473 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:06,080 Speaker 2: leave for the World Baseball Classic as part of Team 474 00:25:06,200 --> 00:25:10,840 Speaker 2: USA's team, but also get some time at first base 475 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:16,440 Speaker 2: to give Freddie Freeman days off, and also early on, 476 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:18,879 Speaker 2: you know, get him off his feet and not start 477 00:25:18,920 --> 00:25:21,760 Speaker 2: into game. So Dalton Rushing is going to have a 478 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:24,879 Speaker 2: runway to get a rhythm for his season, and it 479 00:25:24,920 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 2: feels like he has a better understanding of what to 480 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:33,240 Speaker 2: expect and what is expected of him from the Dodgers. 481 00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:39,639 Speaker 2: Here's our conversation with the very gregarious Dalton Rushing Rush. 482 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:42,119 Speaker 2: Great to see you, and man, you got a real legit, 483 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:46,160 Speaker 2: big league locker, a guy that has made, the guy 484 00:25:46,160 --> 00:25:47,320 Speaker 2: that has arrived. 485 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:50,240 Speaker 7: Yeah, it's good to be here. Good to see you, 486 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:53,719 Speaker 7: David missed you. I don't like your nipples as much 487 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:56,840 Speaker 7: as Kik, but it's good to see you and looking 488 00:25:56,840 --> 00:25:57,879 Speaker 7: forward to another World Series. 489 00:25:58,040 --> 00:25:59,959 Speaker 2: I wore a jacket. A fan came up to him. 490 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:02,159 Speaker 2: He asked me about my nipples. I said, hey, I 491 00:26:02,240 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 2: got to cover up in the spring. Yeah, it's cold 492 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:05,840 Speaker 2: out here. Early in the morning. 493 00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:07,800 Speaker 7: Isn't it, David and I like that la Weather. 494 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:11,320 Speaker 2: Oh no, no, Hey. I could definitely feel the vibe, 495 00:26:11,320 --> 00:26:14,400 Speaker 2: the energy from you. You are so excited to get 496 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:17,119 Speaker 2: this season going. What's it like to have the faith, 497 00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:21,560 Speaker 2: the backup of the organization to believe in what you 498 00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:22,760 Speaker 2: can do for them this year? 499 00:26:22,880 --> 00:26:25,040 Speaker 7: Yeah, I think I think that's the difference. 500 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:25,400 Speaker 2: This year. 501 00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:28,560 Speaker 7: I got a feel of what the big moments kind 502 00:26:28,560 --> 00:26:30,080 Speaker 7: of feel like. There at the end of the year. 503 00:26:30,359 --> 00:26:32,560 Speaker 7: I had a couple of big moments, and being able 504 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:35,280 Speaker 7: to know what it feels like in that moment is 505 00:26:35,960 --> 00:26:37,560 Speaker 7: kind of the reason you want to get back out there. 506 00:26:38,280 --> 00:26:41,680 Speaker 7: The grind of a full season, the ups, the downs. 507 00:26:41,720 --> 00:26:43,280 Speaker 7: Obviously you look back at last year was a lot 508 00:26:43,280 --> 00:26:45,320 Speaker 7: of things that I could look on a downside, But 509 00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:49,200 Speaker 7: I personally think that I learned a lot through those 510 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:52,240 Speaker 7: tough times, wherever stretch it was in the year. And 511 00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:55,160 Speaker 7: I think that's what excites me this year is because 512 00:26:55,200 --> 00:26:57,760 Speaker 7: it's one thing throughout my whole career. It's if I 513 00:26:57,760 --> 00:27:00,240 Speaker 7: have a down year, down month, whatever it is, I 514 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:01,200 Speaker 7: bounce back really well. 515 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:04,840 Speaker 2: It wasn't a normal year. I would imagine since high school, 516 00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:08,600 Speaker 2: you've played every day, you've been the guy, knowing the role, 517 00:27:08,760 --> 00:27:11,000 Speaker 2: knowing how to prepare yourself for the role. Do you 518 00:27:11,080 --> 00:27:13,680 Speaker 2: feel like it is giving you a head start coming 519 00:27:13,720 --> 00:27:14,520 Speaker 2: into this season. 520 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:16,480 Speaker 7: Yeah, I think it's given me a head start. And 521 00:27:16,520 --> 00:27:18,480 Speaker 7: I think the other side to that is I'm gonna 522 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:20,639 Speaker 7: be able to show the production at an early time, 523 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:22,920 Speaker 7: show what I can do, the difference I can make 524 00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:25,400 Speaker 7: in the box. And then I think that you kind 525 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:27,919 Speaker 7: of you push all your chips to the middle of 526 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:30,960 Speaker 7: the table there. And I've said it in the past, 527 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:33,000 Speaker 7: I don't care where I play, what my role is, 528 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:36,600 Speaker 7: as long as I play baseball. And that's I think 529 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:38,359 Speaker 7: that's what I'm most excited about this year is I 530 00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:40,359 Speaker 7: can really focus on, hey, how many games can this 531 00:27:40,400 --> 00:27:42,439 Speaker 7: team win? But also how many games can I get 532 00:27:42,480 --> 00:27:43,600 Speaker 7: on the field and help this team win. 533 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 2: What did you learn about when you do get those 534 00:27:46,320 --> 00:27:50,560 Speaker 2: opportunities after you know, backing up or getting a spot start, 535 00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:53,880 Speaker 2: what did you learn how to approach your at bats. 536 00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 7: I've learned that situational hitting is your best friend, and 537 00:27:57,680 --> 00:28:01,200 Speaker 7: those those situations, learning how to control the baseball, know 538 00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:04,000 Speaker 7: where to hit the baseball and what situation and that 539 00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:07,199 Speaker 7: produces runs for your team. And I think if we 540 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:09,199 Speaker 7: can do that from a one to nine standpoint, it 541 00:28:09,200 --> 00:28:10,840 Speaker 7: doesn't matter if you're an everyday player or if you 542 00:28:10,840 --> 00:28:12,879 Speaker 7: play once a week, then we're gonna win a lot 543 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:14,480 Speaker 7: of baseball games. So we're gonna have a lot of fun. 544 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:17,399 Speaker 2: I know you're a catcher at heart, and obviously you 545 00:28:17,480 --> 00:28:20,240 Speaker 2: are a catcher on this Spall club. But also we 546 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:24,600 Speaker 2: talked about this first base maybe in your future to 547 00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:28,040 Speaker 2: get Freddie days off. I don't see a first basement's 548 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:30,000 Speaker 2: glove in your locker there, it's in there. 549 00:28:30,119 --> 00:28:32,679 Speaker 7: No, it's I've always wanted to keep that in my 550 00:28:32,680 --> 00:28:35,280 Speaker 7: back pocket, regardless of where I'm at. And obviously, due 551 00:28:35,320 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 7: to circumstances this year, if Freddie needs a day halfway 552 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:39,720 Speaker 7: through the year, if Freddie needs a day in the 553 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:41,800 Speaker 7: first month, whatever it is, I need to be that 554 00:28:41,840 --> 00:28:43,440 Speaker 7: guy that they can kind of lean on to still 555 00:28:43,440 --> 00:28:44,960 Speaker 7: have a left handed bat in the lineup and give 556 00:28:44,960 --> 00:28:45,880 Speaker 7: Freddie's time off. 557 00:28:46,280 --> 00:28:49,120 Speaker 2: So have you taken any ground balls and work with 558 00:28:49,160 --> 00:28:50,360 Speaker 2: some infielders there yet? 559 00:28:50,480 --> 00:28:52,720 Speaker 7: Yeah, I've done some infield work. I try and just 560 00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:55,320 Speaker 7: kind of incorporate it and the routine as much as possible, 561 00:28:55,480 --> 00:28:58,240 Speaker 7: so it kind of fills second nature. And just like, hey, 562 00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:00,240 Speaker 7: give me the glove, I'll go play it. And I 563 00:29:00,240 --> 00:29:02,480 Speaker 7: actually had some a lot of experience in college there 564 00:29:02,520 --> 00:29:05,040 Speaker 7: and early on in pro ball, so I've I've kind 565 00:29:05,040 --> 00:29:06,720 Speaker 7: of got a little bit of a background in first base, 566 00:29:06,800 --> 00:29:09,040 Speaker 7: but obviously I want to excel and grow as much 567 00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:11,520 Speaker 7: as possible to be a guy like Freddy. You know, 568 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:12,360 Speaker 7: it's pretty cool. 569 00:29:12,720 --> 00:29:15,880 Speaker 2: Dalton Rushing is our guest. He has arrived. He's gonna 570 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 2: be a big part of the Dodgers three peete attempt 571 00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:21,640 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty six. All right, let's put the catcher's 572 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:24,520 Speaker 2: gear back on. I've heard so much about Gavin Stone 573 00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 2: and River Ryan. Have you had a chance to catch 574 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:28,920 Speaker 2: any one of those guys so far? Early on? 575 00:29:29,080 --> 00:29:32,520 Speaker 7: Yeah, I've got to catch both. And uh, man, do 576 00:29:32,600 --> 00:29:35,200 Speaker 7: we have a lot of pictures. It's uh, not only 577 00:29:35,200 --> 00:29:37,200 Speaker 7: a lot of pitchers. We have a lot of pictures 578 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:40,120 Speaker 7: that can pitch for a really long time in this game. 579 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:43,360 Speaker 7: And I think that's the beauty of what this organization does. 580 00:29:43,400 --> 00:29:46,520 Speaker 7: It builds it top to bottom. The strongest organization in baseball, 581 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:51,760 Speaker 7: strongest organization in sports. And yeah, they've both they've both 582 00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:56,160 Speaker 7: looked fantastic. I mean, River explosive stuff. He's disgusting, He's 583 00:29:56,200 --> 00:29:58,880 Speaker 7: around the zone, he establishes the strike zone early, and 584 00:29:58,920 --> 00:30:01,600 Speaker 7: it's it's almost everything you could ask for out of 585 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:04,360 Speaker 7: a pitcher. And Gavin as well. I mean, Gavin's got 586 00:30:04,360 --> 00:30:08,440 Speaker 7: three plus pitches and the pitch ability is really there. 587 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 7: He knows how to control the baseball. He knows how 588 00:30:10,680 --> 00:30:13,120 Speaker 7: to control the game. And I think that's what I'm 589 00:30:13,120 --> 00:30:15,000 Speaker 7: most excited to work with between the two of them, 590 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:17,400 Speaker 7: is their ability to know how to control the baseball 591 00:30:17,440 --> 00:30:19,200 Speaker 7: and really navigate through seven innings. 592 00:30:19,320 --> 00:30:22,720 Speaker 2: What's the difference for you catching bullpens for guys like 593 00:30:22,760 --> 00:30:24,960 Speaker 2: that that are coming back trying to prove that they 594 00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:28,320 Speaker 2: are back, compared to catching a bullpen for a glass 595 00:30:28,400 --> 00:30:30,040 Speaker 2: Now or a Yamamoto. 596 00:30:30,320 --> 00:30:32,520 Speaker 7: Yeah, I think these some of these guys coming off injury. 597 00:30:32,560 --> 00:30:36,040 Speaker 7: It's our job to one like, really make sure that 598 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:39,120 Speaker 7: one the throws clean, everything's coming out smooth. But at 599 00:30:39,160 --> 00:30:41,720 Speaker 7: the same time, we need to we need to incorporate 600 00:30:41,760 --> 00:30:44,360 Speaker 7: a little bit of the competitive edge. We need to 601 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:47,000 Speaker 7: we need to get these guys filling like they're throwing 602 00:30:47,040 --> 00:30:49,920 Speaker 7: In the fifth, sixth, seventh inning of a game in 603 00:30:49,960 --> 00:30:53,560 Speaker 7: Dodger Stadium against Diamondbacks, the padres like, we have to 604 00:30:53,640 --> 00:30:55,640 Speaker 7: make them feel his game ready with all the nerves 605 00:30:55,640 --> 00:30:58,200 Speaker 7: and everything is possible before the season hits, because obviously 606 00:30:58,240 --> 00:30:59,640 Speaker 7: it's gonna be a little bit of a different fill 607 00:30:59,640 --> 00:31:00,600 Speaker 7: with fifty thousand there. 608 00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:04,040 Speaker 2: Hey, speaking of edge, you got edge. You got a 609 00:31:04,080 --> 00:31:06,560 Speaker 2: lot of emotion when you play. Have you learned how 610 00:31:06,600 --> 00:31:09,760 Speaker 2: to play with that and how to control it at 611 00:31:09,800 --> 00:31:11,320 Speaker 2: times when you need to? Yeah? 612 00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:14,520 Speaker 7: I think I think last year I learned quick it's 613 00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:17,520 Speaker 7: you control it as much as you can, but you 614 00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:21,600 Speaker 7: don't lose it. Some of the best players I've ever watched, 615 00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:22,920 Speaker 7: some of the best players that I get to play 616 00:31:22,920 --> 00:31:26,160 Speaker 7: with every single day here, they hold this internal smoke, 617 00:31:26,280 --> 00:31:29,320 Speaker 7: this internal heat that they know how to use it. 618 00:31:29,360 --> 00:31:30,960 Speaker 7: They know when to use it and when the time 619 00:31:31,080 --> 00:31:33,760 Speaker 7: is to use it. And I think me being the 620 00:31:33,760 --> 00:31:35,760 Speaker 7: younger guy on the team and being able to see 621 00:31:35,800 --> 00:31:37,520 Speaker 7: the other guys and how they go about their business. 622 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:39,640 Speaker 7: There's a time and a place to show emotion, There's 623 00:31:39,640 --> 00:31:42,040 Speaker 7: a time and a place to say nothing. And I 624 00:31:42,040 --> 00:31:43,800 Speaker 7: think that's what I'm most excited about this year, is 625 00:31:43,800 --> 00:31:46,160 Speaker 7: to be able to show everyone the maturity and be 626 00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:47,960 Speaker 7: the guy that can run the field from behind the play. 627 00:31:48,320 --> 00:31:51,720 Speaker 2: Dalton Russian's got the entire package. First day ever talked 628 00:31:51,760 --> 00:31:55,600 Speaker 2: to him, understood the pitcher catcher relationship. He's got edge, 629 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:58,320 Speaker 2: he wants to compete, he wants to win, and certainly 630 00:31:58,560 --> 00:32:00,840 Speaker 2: the time is now. Thanks a lot for the time. 631 00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:02,800 Speaker 2: Great to see you, smile, perfect, thanks David, Good to 632 00:32:02,800 --> 00:32:05,240 Speaker 2: see you there. He is the man, Dalton Rushing and 633 00:32:05,280 --> 00:32:08,360 Speaker 2: here it is. Oh, usually that doesn't happen that quick. 634 00:32:08,560 --> 00:32:09,400 Speaker 2: What a handshake. 635 00:32:09,880 --> 00:32:12,720 Speaker 3: Love talking to Dalton Rushing. I expect him. 636 00:32:12,520 --> 00:32:15,760 Speaker 2: To have a really good sophomore season. He has a 637 00:32:15,760 --> 00:32:19,920 Speaker 2: greater understanding of the role. Going back to the conversation 638 00:32:20,040 --> 00:32:22,880 Speaker 2: we just had with him, he has never not been 639 00:32:22,960 --> 00:32:26,240 Speaker 2: the guy, and it's taken some adjustment for him to 640 00:32:26,360 --> 00:32:29,520 Speaker 2: understand what the Dodgers need from him. And it feels 641 00:32:29,560 --> 00:32:33,520 Speaker 2: like he and Alex Friedland have a greater understanding of 642 00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:36,120 Speaker 2: what it's going to take to help this veteran team 643 00:32:36,520 --> 00:32:39,040 Speaker 2: throughout the one hundred and sixty two game season and 644 00:32:39,200 --> 00:32:43,120 Speaker 2: also what is expected of them in that clubhouse as 645 00:32:43,160 --> 00:32:48,120 Speaker 2: far as preparation and just the approach day in and 646 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:51,840 Speaker 2: day out. Alex Friedland got a huge lesson in the 647 00:32:51,840 --> 00:32:55,360 Speaker 2: Big leagues last year, he had his opportunity. He got 648 00:32:55,400 --> 00:32:58,800 Speaker 2: an opportunity basically to play for a month straight. It 649 00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:01,719 Speaker 2: just seemed like the games sped up on him. And 650 00:33:01,760 --> 00:33:05,440 Speaker 2: that's what Dave Roberts said. But everybody has noticed a 651 00:33:05,560 --> 00:33:10,280 Speaker 2: much more mature Alex Freeland this season. And even Freeland 652 00:33:10,760 --> 00:33:15,720 Speaker 2: is carrying himself better this spring. I shouldn't say better, 653 00:33:16,000 --> 00:33:19,160 Speaker 2: but carrying himself more like a big leaguer this spring. 654 00:33:19,320 --> 00:33:21,719 Speaker 2: And I had a chance to catch up with Alex 655 00:33:21,760 --> 00:33:24,600 Speaker 2: Freeland earlier today. All right, I'm joined right now by 656 00:33:24,640 --> 00:33:27,280 Speaker 2: a man that burst onto the scene last year with 657 00:33:27,400 --> 00:33:29,880 Speaker 2: the Dodgers. He may not have the mullet, but he's 658 00:33:29,880 --> 00:33:33,080 Speaker 2: still got the same edge and is still a baseball junkie. 659 00:33:33,240 --> 00:33:36,280 Speaker 2: That's the one and only Alex Freeland. Great to see you, 660 00:33:36,320 --> 00:33:38,920 Speaker 2: and I didn't recognize you. No more mullet. 661 00:33:39,040 --> 00:33:41,920 Speaker 3: You got a beard, A new man in spring training. 662 00:33:42,120 --> 00:33:43,800 Speaker 8: Yeah, man, it's good to be back. It's good to 663 00:33:43,800 --> 00:33:46,240 Speaker 8: see you, but I've gotten that a lot. Nobody seems 664 00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:47,400 Speaker 8: to recognize me right now. 665 00:33:47,520 --> 00:33:49,760 Speaker 9: But no, it's cool. Different look change things up. 666 00:33:49,960 --> 00:33:52,160 Speaker 2: The one word that's been used to describe you this 667 00:33:52,240 --> 00:33:55,240 Speaker 2: spring is maturity. Do you feel like you learned a 668 00:33:55,240 --> 00:33:57,480 Speaker 2: lot in your first taste of the big leagues last year. 669 00:33:57,600 --> 00:33:58,560 Speaker 9: Yeah, definitely. 670 00:33:58,600 --> 00:34:01,400 Speaker 8: I mean, all there, the season didn't go the or 671 00:34:01,720 --> 00:34:04,120 Speaker 8: season did go the way that we wanted to, But 672 00:34:04,240 --> 00:34:06,880 Speaker 8: for me personally, it didn't go the way I wanted. 673 00:34:07,000 --> 00:34:09,120 Speaker 8: But I think there's a lot of things to learn 674 00:34:09,120 --> 00:34:12,880 Speaker 8: from whether it's good or bad. So I mean just 675 00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:16,400 Speaker 8: experiencing it and being in the clubhouse with the guys, 676 00:34:16,440 --> 00:34:19,000 Speaker 8: like there's veterans and Hall of famers like you just 677 00:34:19,120 --> 00:34:20,200 Speaker 8: learned from being around them. 678 00:34:20,200 --> 00:34:22,400 Speaker 2: So yeah, I think it went the way you wanted 679 00:34:22,480 --> 00:34:24,960 Speaker 2: because you got your chance to be in the big leagues. 680 00:34:25,280 --> 00:34:27,200 Speaker 2: You got a chance to be around this team, a 681 00:34:27,320 --> 00:34:30,279 Speaker 2: championship caliber team. So it feels like you may know 682 00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:32,560 Speaker 2: the answers to the test this year. 683 00:34:32,840 --> 00:34:35,400 Speaker 8: Yeah no, no, no, I kinda, I kinda have an 684 00:34:35,440 --> 00:34:38,480 Speaker 8: understanding of what it's gonna be like now and how 685 00:34:38,520 --> 00:34:41,640 Speaker 8: to carry myself. So I'm looking I'm really looking forward 686 00:34:41,680 --> 00:34:42,279 Speaker 8: to the next year. 687 00:34:42,480 --> 00:34:45,120 Speaker 2: Do you feel like the motivation started when you went 688 00:34:45,160 --> 00:34:46,839 Speaker 2: back to Oklahoma City last year? 689 00:34:46,960 --> 00:34:50,600 Speaker 9: Yeah, definitely. I mean it sucked, but like it is 690 00:34:50,640 --> 00:34:51,160 Speaker 9: what it is. 691 00:34:51,440 --> 00:34:53,839 Speaker 8: I mean, I tried to get on the earliest fight 692 00:34:53,880 --> 00:34:55,600 Speaker 8: out of there to go play, And I said, I like, 693 00:34:55,719 --> 00:34:57,440 Speaker 8: screw it, Like I'm gonna go down there and play. 694 00:34:57,480 --> 00:34:58,960 Speaker 9: I'm gonna work my way back up. 695 00:34:59,400 --> 00:35:02,440 Speaker 3: What did you like the most being around those guys? 696 00:35:02,520 --> 00:35:06,160 Speaker 8: Just how to handle yourself, Like how you go about 697 00:35:06,200 --> 00:35:08,960 Speaker 8: your business, like they do it in such a manner. 698 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:11,279 Speaker 9: It's like it's just very professional. 699 00:35:11,600 --> 00:35:13,319 Speaker 8: So I mean, I think I think just the way 700 00:35:13,360 --> 00:35:15,719 Speaker 8: I carry myself, whether I'm doing something or I'm not 701 00:35:15,760 --> 00:35:18,960 Speaker 8: doing something, just just how I how I present myself. 702 00:35:19,360 --> 00:35:22,600 Speaker 2: It seemed like you got bigger and stronger since the 703 00:35:22,680 --> 00:35:25,560 Speaker 2: last time we saw you. How did that all come together? 704 00:35:25,800 --> 00:35:27,839 Speaker 2: Did you just come up with this plan on your 705 00:35:27,840 --> 00:35:30,680 Speaker 2: own or did somebody direct you, Hey, this will help 706 00:35:30,719 --> 00:35:31,840 Speaker 2: you take that next step. 707 00:35:32,160 --> 00:35:34,319 Speaker 8: No, I mean I thought right after the end of 708 00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:36,680 Speaker 8: the season for Triple A. I mean we came back, 709 00:35:36,760 --> 00:35:39,560 Speaker 8: we came back to Arizona for Stay Hot, and I 710 00:35:39,640 --> 00:35:42,239 Speaker 8: never left. I've been I've been in Arizona since the 711 00:35:42,280 --> 00:35:45,000 Speaker 8: season ended, and and my goal was to get better 712 00:35:45,000 --> 00:35:49,399 Speaker 8: over the offseason and and preparation to this upcoming year. 713 00:35:49,680 --> 00:35:52,600 Speaker 2: Is that where you came up with this beard? 714 00:35:52,280 --> 00:35:56,120 Speaker 8: I didn't shave once I got options, I didn't shave. 715 00:35:56,200 --> 00:35:56,920 Speaker 2: Oh, I love it. 716 00:35:56,960 --> 00:36:00,719 Speaker 9: So it's been it's been like four months rocking it. 717 00:36:00,840 --> 00:36:03,000 Speaker 3: How did you decide to cut the mullet? 718 00:36:03,880 --> 00:36:06,640 Speaker 8: It's time to grow up. That's part of the maturity thing. 719 00:36:06,680 --> 00:36:07,799 Speaker 8: I just grew up, man. 720 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:11,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, I have not like we talked about yesterday, 721 00:36:11,080 --> 00:36:13,719 Speaker 2: So we could do this on Yeah, I know, I 722 00:36:14,200 --> 00:36:16,239 Speaker 2: think we could do the fun stuff on the side, 723 00:36:16,280 --> 00:36:19,080 Speaker 2: but once the other players are around, obviously I'm here 724 00:36:19,120 --> 00:36:20,319 Speaker 2: to lift you. 725 00:36:20,360 --> 00:36:22,479 Speaker 9: Up half un goof off. 726 00:36:22,640 --> 00:36:25,719 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, I remember you kind of just trying to 727 00:36:25,760 --> 00:36:27,360 Speaker 2: figure out pictures how they were pitching. 728 00:36:27,400 --> 00:36:27,520 Speaker 9: You. 729 00:36:27,960 --> 00:36:30,720 Speaker 2: Do you feel like you might have a better idea 730 00:36:30,760 --> 00:36:33,879 Speaker 2: of how to make the adjustments, not only game to game, 731 00:36:33,920 --> 00:36:35,120 Speaker 2: but at bat to at bat. 732 00:36:35,520 --> 00:36:39,160 Speaker 9: Yeah, definitely. But like also, pictures are gonna be pictures. 733 00:36:39,160 --> 00:36:42,280 Speaker 8: They're gonna do something and we're gonna learn and adjust 734 00:36:42,320 --> 00:36:44,960 Speaker 8: from it. But I think it's more about me, just 735 00:36:44,960 --> 00:36:48,040 Speaker 8: like I'm more confident now now that I've been there 736 00:36:48,080 --> 00:36:51,000 Speaker 8: and I've seen it and I've done it. So I 737 00:36:51,280 --> 00:36:53,680 Speaker 8: think just going into this year, like I'm I'm more 738 00:36:53,719 --> 00:36:57,120 Speaker 8: confident in everything we do, whether it's scouting, report, tea work, 739 00:36:57,360 --> 00:37:01,520 Speaker 8: drill work, whatever, like, So I just feel more confident 740 00:37:01,600 --> 00:37:03,040 Speaker 8: in in everything that I do. 741 00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:04,399 Speaker 9: So hopefully that. 742 00:37:04,640 --> 00:37:07,160 Speaker 8: Translates and uh, and it works. 743 00:37:07,239 --> 00:37:10,360 Speaker 2: But you've got a great opportunity. Tommy Edmond's not going 744 00:37:10,440 --> 00:37:13,160 Speaker 2: to be ready for opening day. Uh do you feel 745 00:37:13,200 --> 00:37:16,560 Speaker 2: like this opportunity is presenting itself to you because of 746 00:37:17,160 --> 00:37:19,400 Speaker 2: the game rewarding the work that you've put in. 747 00:37:19,920 --> 00:37:21,480 Speaker 9: Man, it sure feels like it. 748 00:37:21,600 --> 00:37:24,120 Speaker 8: I mean, it's tough that Tommy's not gonna be with 749 00:37:24,239 --> 00:37:26,480 Speaker 8: us to start the year. I mean, Tommy's such a 750 00:37:26,480 --> 00:37:28,719 Speaker 8: good guy to to be around, and. 751 00:37:29,480 --> 00:37:30,719 Speaker 9: I feel like he's a glue guy. 752 00:37:30,840 --> 00:37:34,440 Speaker 8: Like, yeah, he he might be overlooked sometimes, but like 753 00:37:34,480 --> 00:37:36,399 Speaker 8: he's a big part of this team. So I mean, 754 00:37:36,920 --> 00:37:39,360 Speaker 8: I hope that he's back soon and I hope he 755 00:37:39,400 --> 00:37:42,759 Speaker 8: gets back healthier and better. But yeah, it looks like 756 00:37:42,800 --> 00:37:46,480 Speaker 8: the opportunities opening itself. So the focus is still the 757 00:37:46,480 --> 00:37:48,799 Speaker 8: same to to come here and get better and make 758 00:37:48,840 --> 00:37:50,080 Speaker 8: the most of my opportunities. 759 00:37:50,320 --> 00:37:53,360 Speaker 2: You're an easy guy to root for. You've you've definitely 760 00:37:53,400 --> 00:37:55,880 Speaker 2: put in the work since you were a kid, and 761 00:37:55,960 --> 00:37:58,360 Speaker 2: here you are with the back to back World Series 762 00:37:58,480 --> 00:38:01,600 Speaker 2: champion Dodgers all Freeland. Before I let you go, you 763 00:38:01,640 --> 00:38:04,600 Speaker 2: said you spent a lot of time in Arizona during 764 00:38:04,600 --> 00:38:07,280 Speaker 2: the off season and you were here in Stay Hot Camp. 765 00:38:07,520 --> 00:38:11,240 Speaker 2: Where were you when the Dodgers won the World Series 766 00:38:11,280 --> 00:38:13,720 Speaker 2: and were you watching it with any of your teammates. 767 00:38:15,360 --> 00:38:17,600 Speaker 2: That's Bob garn He's back for another year. 768 00:38:19,440 --> 00:38:19,520 Speaker 4: Now. 769 00:38:19,600 --> 00:38:21,480 Speaker 8: I was with my family and we were watching it. 770 00:38:21,800 --> 00:38:24,719 Speaker 8: We were all super excited. It was such cool. 771 00:38:25,160 --> 00:38:28,320 Speaker 9: It's such a cool ending, Like yeah, like he was 772 00:38:28,400 --> 00:38:31,000 Speaker 9: like in it. It's written in a story or something. 773 00:38:31,080 --> 00:38:33,919 Speaker 8: Man, it just it all came together, and like, I 774 00:38:33,960 --> 00:38:36,880 Speaker 8: was just so happy for them and for us, like 775 00:38:37,239 --> 00:38:39,720 Speaker 8: you're getting a ring. Yeah, I know, I'm super pumped 776 00:38:39,719 --> 00:38:41,239 Speaker 8: about that, but no, it was. 777 00:38:41,320 --> 00:38:43,319 Speaker 9: It was definitely there's the guy that did it. 778 00:38:43,360 --> 00:38:45,560 Speaker 2: I'm just asking Alex Freeland where he was when he 779 00:38:45,640 --> 00:38:46,719 Speaker 2: was watching your home run. 780 00:38:48,320 --> 00:38:51,520 Speaker 9: I was with my family. Man, we are also freaking pump, 781 00:38:52,160 --> 00:38:53,120 Speaker 9: you're losing it. 782 00:38:55,920 --> 00:38:56,799 Speaker 2: No, all good? 783 00:38:56,800 --> 00:38:58,040 Speaker 3: We could we could get rid of that. 784 00:38:59,200 --> 00:39:02,360 Speaker 2: Also, you know Miguel Rojas and Will Smith that play 785 00:39:02,400 --> 00:39:05,440 Speaker 2: at the plate. I don't know about you. You're an infielder. 786 00:39:05,760 --> 00:39:08,160 Speaker 2: You understand how tough of a play and game of 787 00:39:08,239 --> 00:39:09,000 Speaker 2: inches that was. 788 00:39:09,280 --> 00:39:11,800 Speaker 8: Yeah, definitely, I mean I give all the credit to 789 00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:13,000 Speaker 8: Miggy Row and Will. 790 00:39:13,080 --> 00:39:14,759 Speaker 9: I mean every single day. 791 00:39:14,800 --> 00:39:18,239 Speaker 8: These guys work on that play, so the fact that 792 00:39:18,239 --> 00:39:19,560 Speaker 8: it happened it doesn't. 793 00:39:19,280 --> 00:39:22,200 Speaker 9: Blow my mind or anything like that. 794 00:39:22,560 --> 00:39:24,799 Speaker 8: Like they work on it every single day because you 795 00:39:24,840 --> 00:39:26,080 Speaker 8: never know when it's gonna happen. 796 00:39:26,120 --> 00:39:27,600 Speaker 9: And I think that. 797 00:39:27,680 --> 00:39:30,360 Speaker 8: A lot of these guys do a tremendous job of 798 00:39:30,440 --> 00:39:33,080 Speaker 8: going out there and treating practice like games because, like, 799 00:39:33,160 --> 00:39:35,320 Speaker 8: you never know when it's gonna happen. Like for Meggy 800 00:39:35,360 --> 00:39:38,879 Speaker 8: Row it happened Game seven when it mattered the most. Yeah, 801 00:39:39,040 --> 00:39:41,279 Speaker 8: you know what he came through because he works his 802 00:39:41,360 --> 00:39:44,720 Speaker 8: ass off every single day and makes that play in practice, 803 00:39:44,719 --> 00:39:45,759 Speaker 8: but he treats it like a game. 804 00:39:46,200 --> 00:39:48,759 Speaker 2: So is Alex Freeland taking the next step to the 805 00:39:48,760 --> 00:39:51,359 Speaker 2: big leagues. Look forward to seeing you on opening day 806 00:39:51,440 --> 00:39:53,600 Speaker 2: because I know the game rewards guys that put in 807 00:39:53,640 --> 00:39:57,080 Speaker 2: the works. So congratulations, Glad you still got that smile. 808 00:39:57,400 --> 00:40:00,360 Speaker 2: The beer's looking good, and you're a new man. Not 809 00:40:00,440 --> 00:40:03,120 Speaker 2: a new man, but just a more mature man, more 810 00:40:03,800 --> 00:40:09,319 Speaker 2: confidence boys to men. Right here, Alexland Freeland has a 811 00:40:09,480 --> 00:40:13,640 Speaker 2: great opportunity and he understands it that Tommy Edmund is 812 00:40:13,640 --> 00:40:16,080 Speaker 2: not going to be on the opening day roster. The 813 00:40:16,160 --> 00:40:19,160 Speaker 2: Dodgers have a spot open on the roster at least 814 00:40:19,160 --> 00:40:22,560 Speaker 2: to begin the season. Miguel Rojas is certainly going to 815 00:40:22,600 --> 00:40:25,680 Speaker 2: get ample time at second base, but there is a 816 00:40:25,719 --> 00:40:30,560 Speaker 2: competition between Freeland and Kim to be that left handed 817 00:40:30,560 --> 00:40:33,759 Speaker 2: platoon at second base because Rojas is not going to 818 00:40:33,800 --> 00:40:37,880 Speaker 2: play every day. So Freeland understands he has an opportunity 819 00:40:37,960 --> 00:40:41,920 Speaker 2: with Tommy Edmund slow coming back from that right ankle surgery, 820 00:40:42,320 --> 00:40:44,520 Speaker 2: that he has a chance to be on this opening 821 00:40:44,600 --> 00:40:48,200 Speaker 2: day roster. He's cut the mullet. He has grown up 822 00:40:48,200 --> 00:40:52,880 Speaker 2: a lot, he understands, and he's hungry. Baseball is everything 823 00:40:52,920 --> 00:40:56,319 Speaker 2: to Alex Freeland. And look, he took his lumps. A 824 00:40:56,360 --> 00:40:58,720 Speaker 2: lot of guys don't hit the ground running. But certainly 825 00:40:59,120 --> 00:41:02,040 Speaker 2: if you can take those lumps and learn from them 826 00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:05,160 Speaker 2: and not let them put you down but at least 827 00:41:05,200 --> 00:41:07,799 Speaker 2: allow you to grow, is certainly going to help you. 828 00:41:08,239 --> 00:41:11,920 Speaker 2: There goes my biggest fan, Max Munsey, still expecting at 829 00:41:12,000 --> 00:41:15,000 Speaker 2: least three pushups by the end of spring training. In 830 00:41:15,040 --> 00:41:17,960 Speaker 2: case you missed our conversation with Max Munsey, you can 831 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:21,719 Speaker 2: find it on the iHeartRadio app. He joined us last night. 832 00:41:21,960 --> 00:41:24,960 Speaker 2: Blake Trenton joined us on Monday. You can find all 833 00:41:25,000 --> 00:41:29,239 Speaker 2: those conversations on the iHeartRadio app, and you can live 834 00:41:29,280 --> 00:41:33,279 Speaker 2: stream Dodger games as well on the iHeartRadio app. We 835 00:41:33,320 --> 00:41:35,920 Speaker 2: don't miss a beat here on Dodger tog as we 836 00:41:36,040 --> 00:41:38,719 Speaker 2: take you up to eight o'clock. So, not only is 837 00:41:38,800 --> 00:41:42,319 Speaker 2: Dalton Rushing and Alex Freeland going to get an opportunity 838 00:41:42,400 --> 00:41:46,920 Speaker 2: this spring to solidify their spots and leave an impression 839 00:41:47,320 --> 00:41:50,560 Speaker 2: on Dave Roberts and Andrew Friedman this spring, but also 840 00:41:50,760 --> 00:41:53,799 Speaker 2: some of these young Dodger alfio prospects that we keep 841 00:41:53,840 --> 00:41:58,160 Speaker 2: hearing about, whether it's host Way De Paula or Zayr Hope, 842 00:41:58,360 --> 00:42:03,000 Speaker 2: or even newcomer to the organization James Tibbs, the third 843 00:42:03,080 --> 00:42:06,319 Speaker 2: who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox last year 844 00:42:06,320 --> 00:42:10,160 Speaker 2: when the Dodgers traded Dustin May to Boston. He is 845 00:42:10,239 --> 00:42:13,839 Speaker 2: going to get a big spot, a big opportunity this 846 00:42:13,960 --> 00:42:16,560 Speaker 2: camp to leave an impression and start the year in 847 00:42:16,600 --> 00:42:20,160 Speaker 2: Triple A, but also leave an impression to possibly be 848 00:42:20,680 --> 00:42:23,880 Speaker 2: the first man up from Triple A if the Dodgers 849 00:42:23,880 --> 00:42:26,680 Speaker 2: need a position player. Had a chance to catch up 850 00:42:26,719 --> 00:42:29,600 Speaker 2: with Andrew Friedman to kind of lay out what his 851 00:42:29,760 --> 00:42:33,360 Speaker 2: vision is for this young outfield group that is getting 852 00:42:33,680 --> 00:42:37,440 Speaker 2: so much attention in all these different minor league publications. 853 00:42:37,680 --> 00:42:40,720 Speaker 10: I mean, I think there is a really talented bunch. 854 00:42:40,760 --> 00:42:43,440 Speaker 10: I think it's far and away the most talented group 855 00:42:43,480 --> 00:42:48,040 Speaker 10: of prospect outfielders I've ever seen. And there's a good 856 00:42:48,080 --> 00:42:50,920 Speaker 10: little competition amongst them. I mean, I think, you know, 857 00:42:51,040 --> 00:42:54,520 Speaker 10: Ryan Ward and with what he did last year in 858 00:42:54,560 --> 00:42:58,600 Speaker 10: Triple A. I think you know, with James Tibbs and 859 00:42:58,680 --> 00:43:01,720 Speaker 10: zach Arhard coming over and I mean the success they had. Obviously, 860 00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:04,600 Speaker 10: if you're in Triple A, you're that much closer, So 861 00:43:04,680 --> 00:43:07,560 Speaker 10: I think some of that plays in. But we've got 862 00:43:07,560 --> 00:43:10,400 Speaker 10: a really talented group that's going to be in Tulsa, 863 00:43:10,400 --> 00:43:12,040 Speaker 10: in a really talented group that's going to be in 864 00:43:12,080 --> 00:43:17,120 Speaker 10: Oklahoma City. And as we know, injuries happen, opportunity arises 865 00:43:17,160 --> 00:43:19,600 Speaker 10: in different ways, and you know, we'll see where we're 866 00:43:19,640 --> 00:43:21,400 Speaker 10: at and who can kind of run and sees that. 867 00:43:22,080 --> 00:43:24,400 Speaker 9: Paula what would he have to kind of work on? 868 00:43:24,840 --> 00:43:29,080 Speaker 10: Posway has gotten more and more mature and is growing 869 00:43:29,120 --> 00:43:34,440 Speaker 10: and learning. He's been here early, and I think defense, 870 00:43:34,560 --> 00:43:38,279 Speaker 10: like really stressing the importance of defense. Really, it's one 871 00:43:38,320 --> 00:43:41,960 Speaker 10: thing to stress, it's another to have deliberate work and 872 00:43:42,000 --> 00:43:44,719 Speaker 10: be consistent with it. And I think he's seeing that 873 00:43:44,800 --> 00:43:47,319 Speaker 10: with some of our guys, and you don't really know 874 00:43:47,360 --> 00:43:49,680 Speaker 10: what that means until you see it and experience it, 875 00:43:50,360 --> 00:43:52,520 Speaker 10: and so we've challenged him with that, and you know, 876 00:43:52,560 --> 00:43:56,239 Speaker 10: for us, I think it increases your chances to come 877 00:43:56,320 --> 00:43:58,759 Speaker 10: up and help us sooner rather than later, when you 878 00:43:58,800 --> 00:44:01,520 Speaker 10: can impact the game and all facets. He is an 879 00:44:01,600 --> 00:44:05,759 Speaker 10: extremely talented hitter, but it's about trying to round out 880 00:44:05,760 --> 00:44:07,879 Speaker 10: his game and making him as complete of a player 881 00:44:07,920 --> 00:44:08,399 Speaker 10: as we can. 882 00:44:08,600 --> 00:44:10,800 Speaker 3: So there you go. That's a name to remember. 883 00:44:10,840 --> 00:44:13,880 Speaker 2: I know we all love to hear about Jozwai Depaula 884 00:44:13,920 --> 00:44:17,200 Speaker 2: and Zayir Hope, who have been on the radar the 885 00:44:17,280 --> 00:44:19,960 Speaker 2: last couple of years. But James Tibbs the third a 886 00:44:20,040 --> 00:44:23,839 Speaker 2: college baseball player from Florida State, which means he's more 887 00:44:24,239 --> 00:44:28,080 Speaker 2: big league seasoned and ready for his opportunity at some 888 00:44:28,239 --> 00:44:31,920 Speaker 2: point in twenty twenty six. That'll do it for us 889 00:44:32,000 --> 00:44:36,440 Speaker 2: on Dodger Talk tonight, thanks to Alex Call, Thanks to 890 00:44:36,719 --> 00:44:40,560 Speaker 2: Alex Freeland and Dalton Rushing for joining us. We will 891 00:44:40,600 --> 00:44:44,360 Speaker 2: be back with you on Saturday at twelve thirty, a 892 00:44:44,440 --> 00:44:48,040 Speaker 2: half hour ahead of first pitch. Between the Dodgers and 893 00:44:48,120 --> 00:44:51,960 Speaker 2: Angels to kick off the Cactus League schedule, and then 894 00:44:52,120 --> 00:44:55,399 Speaker 2: back with you on Sunday at twelve thirty as our 895 00:44:55,440 --> 00:44:59,280 Speaker 2: coverage begins for Game two of the Cactus League schedule 896 00:44:59,600 --> 00:45:04,160 Speaker 2: Dodge and Padres. In case you're leaving rainy Southern California 897 00:45:04,200 --> 00:45:06,719 Speaker 2: to come out to Arizona, keep in mind both those 898 00:45:06,800 --> 00:45:10,280 Speaker 2: games are on the road. The Dodgers are in Tempe 899 00:45:10,320 --> 00:45:14,960 Speaker 2: on Saturday, the Dodgers are in Peoria, Arizona on Sunday. 900 00:45:15,040 --> 00:45:17,399 Speaker 2: So we look forward to see all of you out 901 00:45:17,400 --> 00:45:20,879 Speaker 2: here this weekend and throughout spring training. There's a lot 902 00:45:20,880 --> 00:45:23,560 Speaker 2: of fans that already have come out to see a 903 00:45:23,600 --> 00:45:26,920 Speaker 2: glimpse of their back to back World Series champion Dodgers. 904 00:45:27,160 --> 00:45:29,560 Speaker 2: We look forward to seeing you out here as well. 905 00:45:29,880 --> 00:45:32,959 Speaker 2: We will talk to you on Saturday and be back 906 00:45:33,000 --> 00:45:36,799 Speaker 2: with you next week for more Dodger Talk shows. You 907 00:45:36,800 --> 00:45:41,080 Speaker 2: can follow me on Instagram at Officiallyvassa and on x 908 00:45:41,120 --> 00:45:44,360 Speaker 2: at the Real Underscore DV I'll keep you updated on 909 00:45:44,440 --> 00:45:48,520 Speaker 2: the entire Dodgers spring training schedule and also the Dodger 910 00:45:48,600 --> 00:45:51,920 Speaker 2: Talk schedule for next week as well. Thanks to Ronnie 911 00:45:51,920 --> 00:45:54,680 Speaker 2: Fossio for all his help and thanks to you for listening. 912 00:45:54,920 --> 00:45:57,640 Speaker 2: We will talk to you Saturday as we get ready 913 00:45:57,680 --> 00:46:00,799 Speaker 2: for spring baseball right here on your home for the 914 00:46:00,840 --> 00:46:03,880 Speaker 2: back to back World Series champion Dodgers AM five to 915 00:46:03,960 --> 00:46:08,319 Speaker 2: seventy LA Sports. Coming up next, Jason Smith on Fox 916 00:46:08,360 --> 00:46:09,160 Speaker 2: Sports Radio. 917 00:46:09,480 --> 00:46:09,959 Speaker 3: See you