1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: Fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports. All Right, there you go, it's 2 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:07,160 Speaker 1: six after three. This is ESPN fifteen thirty on mo Edgar. 3 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening. Hopefully had him an awesome Thursday afternoon. 4 00:00:11,240 --> 00:00:15,320 Speaker 1: We are because we have Andrew Abbott and Emelio Pagan 5 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:19,959 Speaker 1: in studio to start the show, getting set for Reds Fest, 6 00:00:20,079 --> 00:00:24,480 Speaker 1: which runs tomorrow and Saturday at the Cincinnati Convention Center. 7 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:27,360 Speaker 1: Two of the faces of the twenty twenty five and 8 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:30,560 Speaker 1: twenty twenty six Reds two of the faces of Redsvest 9 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:33,240 Speaker 1: and a Emilio's case sitting in the exact same chair 10 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:36,599 Speaker 1: he was in last year. And look what he did 11 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 1: last season. Thirty two saves had a great year. Andrew 12 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:41,880 Speaker 1: Witherson studio. Gentlemen, it's awesome to have you guys. 13 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:43,640 Speaker 2: How are we doing, Yeah, doing great, Thanks for having 14 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 2: us on, Thanks for having us. 15 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:49,319 Speaker 1: The All Star Andrew Abbot's let's look back before we 16 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:52,000 Speaker 1: look look ahead, and I'll start with you, Andrew. You 17 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: have an all Star season. But I was I was 18 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,240 Speaker 1: talking with TJ. Friedel yesterday about you know, those games 19 00:00:57,280 --> 00:00:59,800 Speaker 1: in September, and there were so many of them were 20 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 1: at felt like, boy, if they don't win tonight, it's 21 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 1: gonna go the other way. One of them was the 22 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:07,360 Speaker 1: game in San Diego where you guys win two to one, 23 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:09,560 Speaker 1: you go eight, And it was one of and there 24 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:13,280 Speaker 1: were a bunch of just awesome pitching performances down the stretch. 25 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:16,320 Speaker 1: So reflect on what it was like to play in 26 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,039 Speaker 1: all those high leverage games and then have the payoff 27 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:20,680 Speaker 1: of finally getting to the postseason. 28 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:23,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, the San Diego game, it was after a rough 29 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:26,319 Speaker 3: stretch for me, two or three bad starts back to 30 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 3: back to back, So I fell a little chip on 31 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 3: my shoulder that I needed to kind of go back 32 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 3: to myself, earn that kind of you know, respect again. 33 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 3: But you know, with these guys backing you up the 34 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:37,760 Speaker 3: whole time, team's playing well, so just going out and 35 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 3: doing your job at the end of the day. But yeah, 36 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 3: playing those games down the road, I mean it was 37 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:44,200 Speaker 3: a lot of fun. I mean, ep smiles. All those 38 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 3: guys kind of elluded that we were, you know, in 39 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 3: the race, like we just needed to stay loose like 40 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 3: they had been in the situation, like just keep playing, 41 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 3: keep doing what we've been doing all year, and you know, 42 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 3: things started to click. We won the games we needed 43 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 3: to win, and there we were in the playoffs. 44 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: A lot of high leverage outs for you last year, Emilio, 45 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 1: both in September and then across the course of the season. 46 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 1: And I remember you sitting with me here last year 47 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 1: and you talked about like having something to prove twenty 48 00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 1: twenty four, Dinco the way you wanted, I would say, 49 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: in that regard, mission accomplished. 50 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:16,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean kind of. I mean yeah, you know, 51 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:18,560 Speaker 2: I individually, I had a pretty good year. We made 52 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 2: the playoffs, but we didn't win the World Series. So 53 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 2: you know, that's what we're in this industry, force is 54 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 2: to win at trophies, and you know, you don't get 55 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,640 Speaker 2: a trophy for being the last team into the playoffs. 56 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 2: So you know, I was happy to put a better 57 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 2: product on the field. I felt like I you know, 58 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 2: like I told you last year, I felt like I 59 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:40,880 Speaker 2: let the city down, let the organization down in twenty 60 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 2: twenty four by not being out there as much as 61 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:47,200 Speaker 2: I normally am in my career. And so putting a 62 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 2: better foot forward for me and and and really for 63 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,280 Speaker 2: the team was my main focus. And so I was 64 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:55,359 Speaker 2: glad to be able to go out there and throw 65 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:56,400 Speaker 2: as many times as I did. 66 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:58,520 Speaker 1: And for what it's worth, Reads made it official today 67 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:00,920 Speaker 1: what had been reported over the week, and Pierce Johnson 68 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:03,639 Speaker 1: so another reliever that's been an area of emphasis. And 69 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 1: it feels like going into spring training, we know what 70 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 1: your role is going to be, but it's a little 71 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:11,360 Speaker 1: bit easier to define who is supposed to do what 72 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:13,920 Speaker 1: because of who they've acquired this offseason and who you 73 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 1: bring back. 74 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it can in theory, but you know, 75 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:21,480 Speaker 2: in theory last year, there's no way I was gonna 76 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 2: be throwing the ninth inning. So things change, you know, 77 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 2: injuries happen, Results don't always, you know, go our way. 78 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 2: As players, you know, there there is a look factor 79 00:03:33,639 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 2: in this game, and so you know, on paper, yeah, 80 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 2: for sure, our bullpen looks like it's going to be 81 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 2: a strength which is backing up and even stronger starting rotation, 82 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:45,120 Speaker 2: and so the pitching side should be fun to watch. 83 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 2: You know. I'm excited to watch our our our unit, 84 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 2: our group as a whole and what we're able to accomplish. 85 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:55,000 Speaker 2: I think we've got a super talented group and excited 86 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 2: for what we can do moving forward. 87 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:59,760 Speaker 1: Andrew an All Star season right and coming into the 88 00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 1: year it's let's let's let's hope that all these guys 89 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:06,920 Speaker 1: stay healthy, and that wasn't the case. But you kind 90 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 1: of put the rotation on your back for a while 91 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 1: early in the summer, and you get rewarded by getting 92 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: a chance to go to and pitch in the All 93 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: Star Game. When you think of that season, what things 94 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 1: come to mind. 95 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 3: That's a dream come true for me personally, you know, 96 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 3: being able to represent the team, my teammates, being able 97 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:25,720 Speaker 3: to represent Cincinnati, my family in that game was you 98 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 3: know what dreams are made of. Like I said, it's 99 00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 3: you know it was it was. It was just amazing 100 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:33,120 Speaker 3: to get the call to get told to go tell 101 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:35,680 Speaker 3: my family that it happened. But yeah, like I said, 102 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 3: I'm not I'm a product of everybody around me. I 103 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:40,840 Speaker 3: had amazing defense from TJ and everybody in the outfield, 104 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:42,800 Speaker 3: saving runs, you know, doing all that so I could 105 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:45,839 Speaker 3: be successful. You know, ep Tony, all those guys in 106 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,279 Speaker 3: the back end closing down games to give me wins 107 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:50,279 Speaker 3: and stuff. So like a lot of it took. It 108 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 3: takes a team effort to get you there. So it's 109 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:54,479 Speaker 3: remiss to say it's all you, because it's really not. 110 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:56,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, you talk about the defense, then they go and 111 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:58,919 Speaker 1: get you the best, maybe the best defensive player in 112 00:04:58,960 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 1: the sport to play third ba. 113 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 3: M hm, that's he's a vacuum cleaner over there third base. 114 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 3: It's it's it's really nice to know that he's back there. 115 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:10,280 Speaker 3: I mean, he can speak about it too, but when 116 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:12,520 Speaker 3: it's a hard hit ball or like there's a chance 117 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 3: for some crazy play to happen, he's making routine plays. 118 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 3: He's making these diving plays getting up. His timing is 119 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 3: elite with like throwing guys to go and throw in 120 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 3: the first space to get him out. And he's just 121 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 3: a nice dude too. He's a great character in the 122 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:25,920 Speaker 3: locker room and he's a great leader for our team. 123 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:29,119 Speaker 1: Neilio, last year we talked about you kind of wanting 124 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: to pivot from what was a little bit of a 125 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 1: lost twenty twenty four. Everybody gathers in good year and 126 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:36,960 Speaker 1: you hear about the vibes, and the vibes were based 127 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 1: on guys like yourself with something to prove. Were guys 128 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:42,480 Speaker 1: who wanted to bounce back from you know, having an 129 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,479 Speaker 1: injury in twenty twenty four, but also a lot of 130 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 1: new guys, newness with manager, coaches, guys brought in from 131 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 1: other organizations, and I think brought in in large part 132 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: because they had won before. What do you guys, I'll 133 00:05:54,120 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 1: throw this to both of you, what do you guys 134 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: anticipate the vibe being like when you guys gets a 135 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 1: good year in a couple of weeks. This year is 136 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:01,479 Speaker 1: compared to last year. 137 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:06,719 Speaker 2: I think the biggest difference between our team now compared 138 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:09,080 Speaker 2: to you know, when I first got here in twenty 139 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:11,720 Speaker 2: twenty four. When I got here, there was a lot 140 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:13,839 Speaker 2: of hope. You know, there was a lot of you know, 141 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:16,120 Speaker 2: we got this this young core that has come up, 142 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 2: and these guys are going to be the guys that 143 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:21,280 Speaker 2: steer the ship for this organization moving forward. And while 144 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:24,280 Speaker 2: that's still true, I think that hope has turned into 145 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 2: now belief. You know, like we believe, like we belong, 146 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 2: We believe like we're one of the better teams in 147 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 2: the league. It's hard to truly believe it if you 148 00:06:32,040 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 2: haven't gotten your foot in the door and played in 149 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:36,599 Speaker 2: the playoffs. And so now a lot of our best 150 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 2: players with who are our young guys, have been there, 151 00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 2: have tasted it, have seen what it takes to go 152 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:44,039 Speaker 2: the one sixty two to deal with ups and downs, 153 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 2: the struggles of successes and still get to a chance 154 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 2: to play for a trophy at the end of the season. 155 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:53,279 Speaker 2: And so now that our guys who hadn't experience that 156 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:56,279 Speaker 2: have there's a there's a different you know, while the 157 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:58,360 Speaker 2: word is very similar, you go from hope to belief, 158 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:02,040 Speaker 2: there's a different urgency that comes along with that, you know, 159 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:03,919 Speaker 2: like we believe, like we belong. Now it's just go 160 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,320 Speaker 2: and execute as at high a level as we can 161 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:08,920 Speaker 2: and hopefully win a division and give ourselves some home 162 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 2: playoff games for this city and this fan base. 163 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 1: Similar sort of answer from you, Andrew. 164 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean I just did that. I would just say, 165 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 3: like being resilient, being confident as well, knowing that we 166 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,400 Speaker 3: have what it takes to get there, but knowing that 167 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 3: we still have the job to go out and do that. 168 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 3: Improving on small things, refining, we constantly learn, we constantly 169 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 3: get better at this game. So just taking that to 170 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:30,680 Speaker 3: hard at spring training and then using spring training as 171 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:31,880 Speaker 3: a springboard into the season. 172 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:35,600 Speaker 1: Everybody is asked about the Tito effect, and from a 173 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 1: position player standpoint, maybe it's a little bit different than 174 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: a picture because you had the same pitching coach, right, 175 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:44,239 Speaker 1: which I think you guys are grateful for in Derek Johnson. 176 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:48,400 Speaker 1: So acknowledging that from your guys perspective, where was where 177 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 1: was the biggest way where Tito had an impact that 178 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 1: maybe we as fans don't get a chance to see. 179 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 2: To me, it's how calm me stays. You know, it's 180 00:07:57,080 --> 00:08:00,960 Speaker 2: everybody talks about trying to stay levelhead and let your 181 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 2: emotions get the best of you. Obviously in professional sports 182 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 2: everything's magnified. There's especially in today's world where there's social media, 183 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 2: there's radio, there's media at all times. 184 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:12,720 Speaker 1: Yeah. Radio is always nice to here. 185 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, And so you know, having Tito around where he's 186 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 2: not gonna get too down with the downs, he's not 187 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 2: gonna get too up with the ups over the course 188 00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 2: of one sixty two that that's extremely important because we're 189 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:27,880 Speaker 2: all going to struggle. You know, we're gonna have our 190 00:08:27,960 --> 00:08:29,200 Speaker 2: days where we go out there and give up four 191 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:31,880 Speaker 2: or five runs. We're gonna have or not us personally, 192 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 2: but our teammates are gonna have stretches where they don't 193 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:36,560 Speaker 2: get a hit for a series or two. Having a 194 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:39,400 Speaker 2: guy that's been there for so long seen so many 195 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 2: teams get to the playoffs and have a chance to 196 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:43,880 Speaker 2: play for a World Series, and then ultimately he's won 197 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 2: a few World Series. You know, having that is invaluable. 198 00:08:49,559 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 2: It's hard to put a word or a level of 199 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 2: importance on it. And seeing how calm he stays, it 200 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:58,679 Speaker 2: helps our young guys stay calm and just understand like, hey, 201 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:00,840 Speaker 2: we're good enough to be here and and make a difference. 202 00:09:01,320 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 1: Felt like Andrew that that was the strength of this team. 203 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:06,720 Speaker 1: We kept calling you guys cockroaches, right because it was. 204 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:08,760 Speaker 1: There were so many games last year that didn't go 205 00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 1: your way, and as fans and as like weathered fans 206 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 1: that have been through some tough seasons, you're sort of 207 00:09:14,920 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 1: thinking like, all right, that's that's the loss that's gonna 208 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 1: send them into a downward spiral. And you guys bounce 209 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 1: back every time. And it always felt like after every 210 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: game win or lost, the message from Tito was flush it. 211 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:29,160 Speaker 1: You know, we may have blown a game, may have 212 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:30,679 Speaker 1: blown a game that we were supposed to have may 213 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 1: have gotten blown out. We may have come back and 214 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 1: orchestrated a great comeback victory. There was always this that's cool, 215 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 1: we'll talk about it, then we're gonna flush it. And 216 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 1: to me again as an outsiders, that message got through 217 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:44,560 Speaker 1: all season long. 218 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, it makes it very simple to us as well, 219 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 3: Like you know, we dwell on stuff like I don't 220 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 3: know about Emilia, but like if I have a bad 221 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 3: start and I give the team a bad beginning of 222 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 3: the game, like I'm gonna dwell on that just for 223 00:09:55,040 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 3: the game. But then I know, with the confidence coming 224 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:59,080 Speaker 3: from Tito and the rest of my teammates, like, hey, 225 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:00,719 Speaker 3: you're gonna be back out there in four days, like 226 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 3: we need you to go win another one or go 227 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:04,680 Speaker 3: give us another good one. So like you said, I 228 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:07,679 Speaker 3: mean just having him at the you know, captain of 229 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:09,800 Speaker 3: the ship, went around hatt and stuff. Just having him 230 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:13,080 Speaker 3: there with the confidence and the players the traditional mindset 231 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 3: of baseball like just go do it, go compete. It 232 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 3: doesn't go our way, then you know, screw it, Like 233 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:19,760 Speaker 3: let's just move on and go win the next one. 234 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:21,320 Speaker 1: It's got to be so much fun for you. The 235 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:25,319 Speaker 1: strength of this team is pitching and and it's got 236 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:26,839 Speaker 1: to be so much fun for you and that and 237 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: that group of starters where boy, a lot of you 238 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 1: guys got here roughly the same time you after many 239 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 1: of them, but still all sort of coming of age 240 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 1: at the same time and all enjoying individual and collective 241 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:40,960 Speaker 1: success at the same time. I can't imagine how cool 242 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 1: that is. 243 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:44,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean we're all friends, Like I've known Hunter 244 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:46,520 Speaker 3: for years, I've known Dola for years, Burns for years. 245 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 3: Like I mean, you typically you just know everybody. If 246 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:51,760 Speaker 3: you played college, you know them. If you played high school, 247 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 3: you basically know everybody. But you know, like you said, 248 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:56,559 Speaker 3: there's an internal competition between us, like we want to 249 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:58,560 Speaker 3: outdo each other in a friendly matter, like we want 250 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 3: success for each other. But Hunter goes out and deals 251 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:03,079 Speaker 3: like Lodolo's. The next day he wants to go out 252 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 3: and you know, one up Hunter, Let's get one more 253 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 3: out than Hunter. And then I want to do the 254 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 3: same thing. Lodolo and Singer was the same way, and 255 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 3: then Nick Martinez was the same way, and Burns when 256 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:13,000 Speaker 3: he came up with the same way, and that just breeds, 257 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:16,120 Speaker 3: you know, just success, Like doesn't matter what we do. 258 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:18,040 Speaker 3: Let's just give our chance to give the team a 259 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 3: chance to win. And then I just want to beat 260 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 3: that person. 261 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:23,800 Speaker 1: Amelio, you got here in twenty four you weren't pitching 262 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:27,040 Speaker 1: the ninth last year? You did. And you hear commentators 263 00:11:27,040 --> 00:11:29,360 Speaker 1: all the time say, like, gu he's you know, he's 264 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:31,600 Speaker 1: good in high leverage situations, but he's not a ninth 265 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:33,960 Speaker 1: inning guy. You were a ninth inning guy last year 266 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,920 Speaker 1: and an effective one. Does the mindset change? Do you 267 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:38,880 Speaker 1: pitch the ninth inning differently than he might coming in 268 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:41,360 Speaker 1: the eighth inning one out, two on, one run game 269 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:44,120 Speaker 1: as opposed to the ninth when you've got to get 270 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 1: three outs and there's nobody on. 271 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:48,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know that. Uh, the answer to that question 272 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 2: for me would have been different a couple of years ago. 273 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:52,720 Speaker 2: You know, I had a couple of chances to close 274 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:58,040 Speaker 2: earlier in my career and I closed in college, and 275 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 2: so I had it on this pedestal, right, like I 276 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:03,240 Speaker 2: wanted to be known as a major league closer for 277 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:04,959 Speaker 2: what what whatever that means. 278 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 1: Because closers get paid whatever you know it. 279 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:11,880 Speaker 2: Is, it's it's a fun roll, right, And so I 280 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:15,360 Speaker 2: had all this emotion tied into it, thinking I had 281 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 2: to be perfect and put so much unneeded stress on myself. 282 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 2: And in the moment, you know, you go out there 283 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:25,439 Speaker 2: and you try to be this this hero, right, now 284 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:28,719 Speaker 2: I would say that I've I've matured enough. I've I've 285 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:31,440 Speaker 2: been around the game long enough that I don't approach 286 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 2: it any differently. To me, it's it's really simple, like 287 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 2: can I execute one pitch? And then if I do, 288 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 2: can I execute the next pitch? And if I do that, 289 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 2: at the end of the day, the results are going 290 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 2: to be what they are, and so I have to 291 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 2: be okay with what that result is. If I'm executing pitches. Now, 292 00:12:48,679 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 2: the days that I do get upset, whether I get 293 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:52,679 Speaker 2: the job done or not, whether we have a W 294 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 2: next to the team or or a blown say next 295 00:12:55,320 --> 00:12:58,360 Speaker 2: to my name. If I'm not executing, then that's the 296 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:01,319 Speaker 2: days that I'm upset, even if we do win, because 297 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:05,080 Speaker 2: I know that that's not sustainable success in this league. 298 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:07,559 Speaker 2: The hitters are too good, the scouting reports are too good. 299 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 2: If I'm not executing pitches, then yeah, sure I might 300 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 2: have got the job done tonight, but you know the 301 00:13:12,679 --> 00:13:15,680 Speaker 2: next week might look pretty bad. And so to me, 302 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,080 Speaker 2: I try to approach every inning the same way now, 303 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:21,199 Speaker 2: where you know, I'm a couple of years ago, I 304 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 2: would have had a different answer, and I'm glad I've 305 00:13:23,559 --> 00:13:25,760 Speaker 2: matured to a point where I just now, it's just 306 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:26,680 Speaker 2: go pitch through. 307 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:29,640 Speaker 1: A complete game? Last year, right which is you know, 308 00:13:29,679 --> 00:13:32,679 Speaker 1: I'm old enough to remember when like Joaquin Andrew Harr 309 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 1: would lead the league in complete games with like seventeen 310 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:37,280 Speaker 1: of them. Right now, if you have two, you're going 311 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 1: to lead the league. But you threw the one in 312 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 1: Cleveland last year, and I you know, as a fan, 313 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 1: you're like, I want to see this guy finish it. 314 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 1: I think you walk the leadoff guy the night. Yeah, 315 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 1: and it's like, man, I want to see him finish this. 316 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:50,560 Speaker 1: He tried this with Hunter in San Francisco early in 317 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:53,960 Speaker 1: the season. At the same time, got a good bullpen. 318 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:58,080 Speaker 1: I got this guy. You know, in this day and age, 319 00:13:58,920 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 1: are you looking at the bullpen? Are you thinking I 320 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:03,800 Speaker 1: walked the dude? Now he's gonna pull me? Are you 321 00:14:03,880 --> 00:14:05,880 Speaker 1: looking to I mean, what is it like? And that's 322 00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:08,480 Speaker 1: a weird question. I get it, but we don't see 323 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:11,440 Speaker 1: complete games, especially in one nothing games anymore. 324 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 3: Yeah. I mean just that night in particular, they he 325 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 3: came up to me and said, how do you feel 326 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:18,600 Speaker 3: you have one hundred pitches? Can you go back out 327 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 3: or do you want do you need help? 328 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 1: Do you ever say no, I'm good, No, put the 329 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:25,560 Speaker 1: warm up on right, Yeah, I'd rather end it on 330 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:26,440 Speaker 1: my want the ball. 331 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:28,720 Speaker 3: Yeah. But he asked me how I felt. I said, 332 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 3: I'm ready to go. When I walked the guy, I 333 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 3: got nervous. I was like, oh, man, here we go. 334 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:33,200 Speaker 2: Yeah. 335 00:14:33,560 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 3: Then you turn around and you see Emilio moving up 336 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:37,600 Speaker 3: and you're like, oh, he's gonna come in with traffic. 337 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:39,960 Speaker 3: It's not going to be an easy you're an easier 338 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:41,080 Speaker 3: type situation. 339 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 2: For the record, when they're throwing like that and they 340 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 2: get to the ninth, I want them to finish it. Like, 341 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 2: he's clearly our best option today. Let's let's just let 342 00:14:47,960 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 2: this guy go finish the game so you're not waving Yeah. 343 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 2: Hunters thrown the way he did in San France, and 344 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 2: when he's throwing the way he did in Cleveland, it's like, man, 345 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:58,840 Speaker 2: those were not a better option down here today. Let's 346 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 2: let these guys finish the game. Show that game was 347 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:03,320 Speaker 2: awesome to watch, and I would just piggyback off that. 348 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:05,920 Speaker 3: I mean, when we know it's such a long season 349 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 3: and you know EP's been in a lot more than 350 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 3: I am, but helping out the bullpen, giving him an 351 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:13,320 Speaker 3: extra day. Like if we can throw six seven innings 352 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:15,840 Speaker 3: in a game and save two of those guys just 353 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:18,480 Speaker 3: for whatever situation that comes in the next few games, 354 00:15:18,760 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 3: then that will matter down the stretch when they have 355 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 3: to throw back to back to back or back to back, 356 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 3: you know whatever it may call them. And I mean, 357 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:27,120 Speaker 3: he can speak to it a lot better than I can. 358 00:15:27,160 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 3: But just knowing that you play a role in that 359 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 3: kind of mini success, that limited success is big for us. 360 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 1: You know, there's a generation of us tonight. I still 361 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:37,960 Speaker 1: when I see I'll see the pitching matchup that night, 362 00:15:37,960 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 1: I think of being a kid or a younger guy, 363 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:42,320 Speaker 1: and it's like, you know, Jose Rio is going to 364 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:44,880 Speaker 1: pitch against Greg Maddox, and you're thinking, Okay, those guys 365 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:47,440 Speaker 1: are going to go eight, maybe one's gonna go nine. 366 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 1: Maybe they're both going to go nine, and that's what 367 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:51,560 Speaker 1: you're gonna watch for the night. So you're thinking, those 368 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:55,440 Speaker 1: guys are approaching their job going I'm pitching nine innings tonight. 369 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:58,640 Speaker 1: Given the fact that we have a scarcity of complete games. 370 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 1: When you take the mound, what length are you thinking about? 371 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:04,320 Speaker 1: Are you thinking I'm going seven? Are you thinking? Man? 372 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 1: You know what if I'm afishing I can get to nine? Like, 373 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:08,760 Speaker 1: what's what are you planning on throwing that night? 374 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:11,880 Speaker 3: Honestly, just try to get out, yeah, you know, however 375 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:13,760 Speaker 3: many it may be. I mean, obviously the goal is 376 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 3: to go six or seven every time, but from the 377 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:19,160 Speaker 3: first pitch until my last pitch, I'm literally just trying 378 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 3: to count out. So I'm like, how can I shorten 379 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:24,120 Speaker 3: this game with a good situation for the team? And 380 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:26,480 Speaker 3: is it the best situation for the team to win? Right? 381 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 3: And if I can do that, then more times than not, 382 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:29,800 Speaker 3: it's going to be a good situation all. 383 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 1: The way around the off season beyond having to do 384 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:36,640 Speaker 1: this and talk to me and preparing for the season, 385 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 1: Have you guys done anything cool? 386 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:39,360 Speaker 3: Uh? 387 00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:43,320 Speaker 2: Watch my daughters grow up sign. 388 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:45,320 Speaker 1: A contract as one of them, which is not insignificant 389 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 1: at all. 390 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:47,920 Speaker 2: No, it's not. But for me, the highlights always what 391 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 2: are my daughters doing? You know, they played they both 392 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 2: played softball, my oldest playing basketball right now. They're both 393 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:57,560 Speaker 2: doing great in school and so we miss so much 394 00:16:57,560 --> 00:17:01,480 Speaker 2: of the growth for them as players through that the 395 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:03,320 Speaker 2: season because we're at the field so many hours in 396 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:06,239 Speaker 2: a day. So the off season is all about, you know, 397 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:08,359 Speaker 2: being with them as much as possible. What do they 398 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 2: want to do? And so for me, it's it's been 399 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:12,280 Speaker 2: fun watching them. 400 00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:14,960 Speaker 3: Andrew I took the family on a nice beach trip 401 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:15,879 Speaker 3: down the Isle of Palms. 402 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:17,800 Speaker 1: Pretty good there. 403 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:20,200 Speaker 3: So just for a week, you know, give them together 404 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:21,919 Speaker 3: around the holidays and have some fun. But other than that, 405 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 3: just been fixing up the house and getting ready to train. 406 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:26,479 Speaker 1: When do you, guys, when does training start? Like how 407 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:28,119 Speaker 1: much time do you give yourself where you don't do 408 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:29,560 Speaker 1: anything before you get back at it. 409 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:33,399 Speaker 3: I never stopped throwing, no, no. I took two weeks 410 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:35,960 Speaker 3: off of like conditioning and lifting, and then I was 411 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:37,440 Speaker 3: back into it. Yeah. 412 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:39,919 Speaker 2: I normally start around November first, So okay, you give 413 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:42,040 Speaker 2: it two or three weeks. Yeah, a good deal. 414 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:45,000 Speaker 1: Can't wait for spring training, can't wait for the season 415 00:17:45,040 --> 00:17:48,400 Speaker 1: to begin. The contract thing. Congratulations, thank you, thank you. 416 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 1: Was it ever up in the air with Cincinnati always? 417 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 1: You know what I'm signing here? And that's it? Like 418 00:17:55,040 --> 00:17:56,440 Speaker 1: what was the process? 419 00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:56,639 Speaker 3: Like? 420 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:58,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean I knew I wanted to be in Cincinnati, 421 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:01,920 Speaker 2: and I wasn't shy about you know, letting people here 422 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,800 Speaker 2: know that, let my agent know that you know, there 423 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 2: was definitely some other teams calling, and that's a super 424 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 2: humbling experience, right. 425 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: Yeah. 426 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:12,920 Speaker 2: Now, our dream as kids just to play in the 427 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 2: big leagues, and so when any major league team is 428 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:19,359 Speaker 2: calling and offering you a contract like super humbling experience. 429 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:21,679 Speaker 2: And I don't take that lightly. And I'm very thankful 430 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 2: for those phone calls and those conversations. But ultimately, I 431 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:27,400 Speaker 2: knew I wanted to be here. I knew I wanted 432 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:29,879 Speaker 2: to be with this group, with this coaching staff, with 433 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:33,040 Speaker 2: a chance to you know, do something special for this organization, 434 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 2: in this fan base. 435 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:34,080 Speaker 3: And so. 436 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:38,000 Speaker 2: It's always fun. You know, I've been a free agent 437 00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:40,000 Speaker 2: now twice and both times I had a good time 438 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 2: and enjoyed the experience. But for me, at the end 439 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:45,920 Speaker 2: of the day, I knew this is where I wanted 440 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 2: to be and I'm glad we were able to get 441 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:47,560 Speaker 2: it done. 442 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:51,159 Speaker 1: Awesome to have you back. Congratulations on an All Star season, Andrew, 443 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:52,680 Speaker 1: Congratulations on a great year. 444 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 2: Thank you. 445 00:18:53,119 --> 00:18:54,439 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's cool. If you get back, if you get 446 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:56,600 Speaker 1: to the All Star Game together, that'd be that I'll 447 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 1: take credit for it. 448 00:18:57,359 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, that'd be cool. 449 00:18:58,720 --> 00:19:02,480 Speaker 1: Side of work, Red's fast, this is happening this weekend tomorrow, 450 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:05,720 Speaker 1: starting at three o'clock and on Saturday at the Cincinnati 451 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 1: Convention Center. Emilio and Andrew will both be there among 452 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:13,720 Speaker 1: more than eighty current and former Reds players, coaches, and broadcasters. 453 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:17,000 Speaker 1: Reds dot com slash Redsfest is where you can get 454 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:19,680 Speaker 1: your tickets. It's an awesome event. I love it in 455 00:19:19,760 --> 00:19:23,360 Speaker 1: January because Redsfest we turn the page. You guys will 456 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:26,520 Speaker 1: be in goodyear. It'll start to get warm here sometime soon, 457 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:28,480 Speaker 1: and opening day will be here before you know it. 458 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 1: I can't wait. I know you guys are excited as well. 459 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:35,679 Speaker 1: Absolutely yeah. Emilio Pagan and Andrew Abbott joining us in studio. Gentlemen, 460 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:38,399 Speaker 1: thanks so much. It's twenty five after three o'clock. This 461 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 1: is ESPN fifteen thirty, Cincinnati Sports Station.