1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the xCE Earning postgame show with Bill Laski. 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:05,800 Speaker 1: I'm honored and excited to talk to my guests today. 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:09,400 Speaker 1: He's entering his tenth years the manager of the Sacramento 4 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 1: river Cats. Did a great job there for the past 5 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:15,920 Speaker 1: ten years, forty one years he's been in professional baseball. 6 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:18,200 Speaker 1: Let's bring in my buddy, Dave brund It's Brundy. How 7 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:18,800 Speaker 1: are you today. 8 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:22,439 Speaker 2: I'm good, BILK just enjoin a little offseason last couple 9 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:26,079 Speaker 2: of days here before we head to Arizona, and you know, 10 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:27,600 Speaker 2: looking forward to it once again. 11 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 3: You know, it never gets old. 12 00:00:29,400 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 2: I think once you get kind of get rolling, you know, 13 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 2: you get your get your three four months off and 14 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 2: and and you know, you start to get excited. And 15 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 2: you know, I think my wife gets excited even more 16 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 2: and more than I do, just for the fact that 17 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:42,520 Speaker 2: I'm leaving. 18 00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 1: Well, Brundy, as I said, ten years with the Sacramento 19 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:50,120 Speaker 1: river Cats. And what's great about it is your whole 20 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 1: staff is returning. Some great, great coaches. Alan Keana, you're 21 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 1: pitching coach PJ. Peltier, and of course Holbert Cabrera, who's 22 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 1: been with you for a long time. These three are 23 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: your main guys. These three are your guys you rely on. 24 00:01:04,319 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: How does that feel when you look back all the 25 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:08,120 Speaker 1: years they've been with you in a couple of them 26 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 1: a couple of years, but overall, that whole staff's coming 27 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:11,840 Speaker 1: back again. 28 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:16,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think you know it obviously speaks volumes about them, 29 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:19,680 Speaker 2: you know, coming back, you know, And I think I 30 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 2: think there's a lot to be said about being comfortable 31 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 2: around your coaching staff, Understanding you know what I'm looking for, 32 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 2: Understand what they are looking for. 33 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:31,039 Speaker 3: Working together, understand you. 34 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 2: Know, every day when you come to work, it's not 35 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:35,200 Speaker 2: a looking over your shoulder or anything like that. Hey, 36 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:37,679 Speaker 2: you come in, you get your job done, and you know, 37 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:38,720 Speaker 2: we develop players. 38 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: And I think that is a lot with you too. 39 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:46,160 Speaker 1: Communication with your coaches as well as communication with your players. 40 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: That's a big, big plus when you look at how 41 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:51,960 Speaker 1: many players come through your locker room every year going 42 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 1: to the big leagues, coming back to the from the 43 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 1: big leagues, there's a plus and a minus there. But 44 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: you rely on your coaches also to help them. The 45 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 1: pitching department, hitting department. How does that work with you 46 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 1: with players? 47 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:06,200 Speaker 3: Well, I think you know you you hit it on 48 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 3: the head. It's about communicating. 49 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 2: I think that you know, where you're comfortable with each 50 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 2: other's style, they understand what I'm you know, uh what 51 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 2: what we're trying to accomplish. They understand that, hey, you 52 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:19,480 Speaker 2: know what, the more comfortable you are, the better coach 53 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:22,960 Speaker 2: you're going to be, you know, and not complacent, comfortable, 54 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:25,680 Speaker 2: you know, just understand that, Hey, you know you're you're 55 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 2: coming to work and and you're going to get the 56 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:31,360 Speaker 2: job done. And you know what every day you know, uh, 57 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:33,800 Speaker 2: you're trying to develop players and and and come up 58 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 2: with different uh you know, your your style and understand 59 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 2: that you know, this is what this is what we're 60 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:41,640 Speaker 2: trying to get done. And I think, you know, the 61 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:44,680 Speaker 2: more comfortable they get with me and understand my expectations 62 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 2: from our staff, uh, from our you know, development staff, 63 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:51,960 Speaker 2: you know, in our system, just understanding each other. And 64 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 2: I think that's you know, that's pretty cool on the 65 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 2: way when you start to get comfortable and understand that, hey, 66 00:02:57,400 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 2: this is what this is what you know, he expects, 67 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 2: this is what you know, we expect as an organization, 68 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:04,880 Speaker 2: and you know, and it filters all the way through 69 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:06,320 Speaker 2: our system. 70 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 1: That forces you hear on the Externing postgame show as 71 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 1: a manager ten years now, he will start the season 72 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:15,280 Speaker 1: at the Sacramento Rivercats. Dave Brundage, A few things that 73 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 1: happened in your career with the Sacramento Rivercats three league championships, 74 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:22,840 Speaker 1: but I tell you in twenty nineteen was a special 75 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 1: year when you won the national championship in Triple A. 76 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:30,000 Speaker 1: These things are all accolades, These things are all positive 77 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 1: things on your resume. What brings you back every year? 78 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 3: Dave? 79 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 2: You know, I think the game of baseball. I mean, 80 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:39,720 Speaker 2: it's it's it's in our blood, it's in my blood. 81 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:43,480 Speaker 2: It's something that I'm very comfortable doing. It's understanding, you know, 82 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 2: the game of baseball. I think just you know, I 83 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:48,840 Speaker 2: think just from from a standpoint, like I said, I 84 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 2: get you know, you know, you know, you get excited about, 85 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 2: you know, coming back to spring training, seeing you know, 86 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 2: new players, understanding you're working with different players, you know, 87 00:03:57,960 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 2: working with the same players that we've worked with over 88 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 2: the you know, over the last you know, but three 89 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,160 Speaker 2: three four years, I mean we've had you know, some 90 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 2: of these guys come through our system, and I think, uh, 91 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:12,520 Speaker 2: you know what, watching them develop and watching them getting 92 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:17,400 Speaker 2: an opportunity and watching uh and Elliott Ramos, Uh, you know. 93 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:18,279 Speaker 3: Go to the big leagues. 94 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 2: You know, those are so gratifying, I think from from 95 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 2: my standpoint, from our coaches standpoint, watching you know, guys 96 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 2: excel at the big league level and knowing that we 97 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 2: did our job and help these young players get to 98 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 2: the big leagues. I think along the way and it's 99 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:35,800 Speaker 2: it's you know, certainly from that standpoint. You know, those 100 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:37,839 Speaker 2: are the small accolades that you talk about. 101 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 3: Those are the. 102 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:40,480 Speaker 2: Things that you know, there's not a lot of backpattern 103 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 2: going on, you know in in the minor leagues, you know, 104 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:47,159 Speaker 2: from a coaching standpoint, so those are the things that 105 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:49,839 Speaker 2: you live for and and helping develop and you know, 106 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 2: on a daily basis, you know, spending those hours and 107 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 2: spending that time, you know, helping that player develop and 108 00:04:55,960 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 2: understand that hey, look we're just trying to get you 109 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 2: to the big leagues with no other motives. 110 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 1: Well, David, like I said, forty one years in professional baseball, 111 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:06,320 Speaker 1: baseball has changed, and it's changed. 112 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 3: To the good part. 113 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: The teaching elements, analytics, different things of each game is 114 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:14,840 Speaker 1: dissected each day from your hitting coaches, you're pitching coaches 115 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:17,720 Speaker 1: as well as you developing players. You just talked about it, 116 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:20,000 Speaker 1: But when you sit down at the end of the 117 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 1: day and you're seeing guys get better each day and 118 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:26,600 Speaker 1: some of them work harder each day. Fans don't understand 119 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 1: all the early work that you guys do, all the 120 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 1: early timing, hitting, all the pitching on the side. How 121 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 1: does that make you feel When you look at a season, 122 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:38,359 Speaker 1: and last year you were seventy seven and seventy three. 123 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,039 Speaker 1: When you overlook a season, what do you say to 124 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:42,279 Speaker 1: yourself at the end of the year. 125 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 2: You know, it's always funny because you always can't wait 126 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 2: for it to be over, and yet you can't wait 127 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 2: for it to start. Yeah, it's so true, you know, 128 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 2: you know, it's a grind, and I think a lot 129 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:58,839 Speaker 2: of people don't understand that. You know, what goes into 130 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 2: a ballgame. It's not like we just show up at 131 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 2: six point thirty and play it. You know, six six 132 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:06,599 Speaker 2: forty five or seven o'clock. There's so many hours that 133 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 2: you know that our staff puts in and you know, 134 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:11,360 Speaker 2: getting to the ballpark, and you know, I enjoy being 135 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 2: at the ballpark. 136 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 3: I like getting to the ballpark, and. 137 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 2: You know, genuinely, you know, I probably get to the 138 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:18,760 Speaker 2: ballpark around say ten o'clock in the morning. You know, 139 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,320 Speaker 2: I don't get home until you know, say eleven o'clock. 140 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:23,039 Speaker 2: We get back up and we do it again, you know, 141 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:25,599 Speaker 2: and that's you know, that's that's what we love. 142 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 3: You know, you want to be. 143 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:28,920 Speaker 2: Prepared in your job. And I know that our staff 144 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 2: is always there, you know, and you know my expectations. 145 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:34,480 Speaker 2: There's you know, you don't have to get there nine 146 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:36,479 Speaker 2: or ten o'clock in the morning, you know, to be 147 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:38,599 Speaker 2: a good coach. But at the same time, you know, 148 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:41,200 Speaker 2: if you're preparing yourself and preparing for when the players 149 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:43,039 Speaker 2: do get here, and hey, this is what my plan 150 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:45,240 Speaker 2: is for today. This is what I have all lined 151 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:47,840 Speaker 2: up for this player and this player and this player, 152 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 2: you know, and this is how we're going to try 153 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,720 Speaker 2: to get in better today. You know, whether you sit 154 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 2: down in my office or whether they're out there on 155 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 2: the field, whether they're out there in the bullpen or 156 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 2: in the batting cage or doing something you know productive, 157 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 2: that's that's going to help get them better. 158 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:05,359 Speaker 1: Dave Brunners, the manager of the Sacramento Rivercats, starting his 159 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:08,279 Speaker 1: tenth season with the Rivercats. He or Sure's joining me 160 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 1: on the ex runing postgame show. We talk about development. 161 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:14,400 Speaker 1: That word always comes up at the Triple A level. 162 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 1: You've been at Triple A for twenty one years. That 163 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 1: next step is hard. That next step is something that 164 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 1: players want to gravitate to. They want to get better, 165 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:27,360 Speaker 1: they want to be successful at that big league level. 166 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: But then some of them don't. Some of them have 167 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 1: to get that punch in the gut and come back 168 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 1: to Triple A. It's one of the hardest things. You 169 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 1: and I both did it with players. It's hard to 170 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:39,560 Speaker 1: come back. It's hard to come back in Triple A 171 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 1: and say I didn't succeed. How do you do that 172 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: as a manager? How do you bring them in your 173 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 1: office and say, okay, we got to have a restart now. 174 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 2: Well, I mean, you know, we've talked before about you know, 175 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 2: one of the toughest parts of our job. One of 176 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 2: the toughest parts of my job is dealing with that 177 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,440 Speaker 2: and understanding that, Hey, you know, it's not the players 178 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:00,560 Speaker 2: that are coming up from Double A and getting the 179 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:03,080 Speaker 2: Triple A because that you know, the motivations there, they're 180 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 2: they're you know, they're you know, they're happy, you know what, 181 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 2: but you also got to deal with the downside of 182 00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 2: players coming back from the big league's understanding whether they 183 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 2: deserved it or not. You know, we've had a million 184 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 2: players come back where you know, it just was a 185 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 2: situation you know where maybe they excelled at the big 186 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 2: league level. Well, you know what, there's also ones that 187 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 2: you know that didn't produce at the big league level. 188 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:26,640 Speaker 2: You know, we always say that, you know, the toughest 189 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:28,080 Speaker 2: thing is not getting to the big leagues. Is the 190 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 2: toughest thing is staying in the bigges, you know. And 191 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 2: along the way that you know, these players coming back, 192 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 2: well you know what then becomes you know, uh, you know, 193 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:39,559 Speaker 2: more metal and understand, Hey, where's the motivation going to 194 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:41,680 Speaker 2: come from? How are we going to motivate this player, 195 00:08:42,040 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 2: you know, to make sure that he is on top 196 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 2: of his game, because you know, I've had so many 197 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 2: players over my years. I'll use the example Gregor Blanco. 198 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:54,040 Speaker 2: You know, I had Gregor Blanco over with the Braves, 199 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:56,679 Speaker 2: and Gregor Blanco came back and he had done his job, but. 200 00:08:57,240 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 3: At the big league level. 201 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 2: But he was pouting, open and doing everything like that. 202 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 2: You know, I think, you know what, sometimes we had 203 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 2: to kick him in the ass and again get going. 204 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 2: He starts, you know, he's not swinging the bat, he's 205 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 2: just not really caring. 206 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 3: Everything like that. Well he goes through. 207 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:12,360 Speaker 2: Well, I mean, he got himself an earful and we 208 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:15,520 Speaker 2: still talk about it to this day every time Gregor 209 00:09:15,559 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 2: Blanco comes back, and he comes back and he comes 210 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:21,080 Speaker 2: back and he thanks me every time and he says, 211 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 2: you know what, because Gregor Banco went back on to 212 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:24,880 Speaker 2: play for at least ten years probably in the big 213 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 2: leagues after that moment where he was he was hitting 214 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 2: a buck ninety and triple A and not doing his 215 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 2: job and just kind of going through the motions. And 216 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:34,560 Speaker 2: you know, he was, you know, a very talented player 217 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:36,439 Speaker 2: that could play that role and obviously went on to 218 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 2: help San. 219 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:37,920 Speaker 3: Francisco over the years. 220 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:41,640 Speaker 2: But you know, those little things like that where you know, 221 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 2: that makes. 222 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 3: Our job tough. 223 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:45,359 Speaker 2: But at the same time, those are the challenging moments, 224 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 2: you know, where we have to have this guy, you know, 225 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:50,839 Speaker 2: we have to get him right, and whether it be mentally, physically, 226 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 2: you know, or both. 227 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:53,320 Speaker 3: You know, I think. 228 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 2: Along the way, you know, you're trying to help but 229 00:09:55,600 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 2: Tyler Fitzgerald, you know, get his you know, get him 230 00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 2: going and in the confidence and get that confidence back. 231 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:05,079 Speaker 3: Along the way. 232 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:07,120 Speaker 2: And every player is different, you know, along the way. 233 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:10,280 Speaker 2: So yeah, I mean there's certain challenging moments and those 234 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 2: are probably the most challenging when guys are coming back 235 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 2: from the big leagues. 236 00:10:13,520 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 1: And I think, Brandy, that makes you special. That makes 237 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:19,320 Speaker 1: you a special manager. The communication. We talked about it 238 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:22,240 Speaker 1: earlier with your coaching stuff. Just like you, those are 239 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,560 Speaker 1: the stories that bring you back every year. Those are 240 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:28,520 Speaker 1: the stories that enlighten you as a manager to bring 241 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 1: that back to enlighten these players. And that's what makes 242 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:33,920 Speaker 1: you special. And that's what's so good about you and 243 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:37,560 Speaker 1: your communication skills. And I've told you that many times. 244 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 1: Players respect that. Players respect how you bring them in 245 00:10:41,320 --> 00:10:44,240 Speaker 1: their office and talk to them. That's a big key, 246 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:47,200 Speaker 1: and I think that's why you're so successful at the 247 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 1: level that you're at. But I want to ask you 248 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 1: a couple of questions, a couple of questions about a 249 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:54,520 Speaker 1: couple of your coaches. Hobert Cabrera one of the best 250 00:10:54,559 --> 00:11:00,199 Speaker 1: defensive coach, a fundamental coach, very articulate about defense. Does 251 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:03,079 Speaker 1: he do for you on the defensive side. Where he 252 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 1: teaches that. 253 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 2: Well, I think first it starts with his passion, you know, 254 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 2: the passion that he has every day and the energy 255 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 2: you know, for his age, and you know, I mean 256 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 2: he's still like a little. 257 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:17,760 Speaker 3: Kid sometimes, you know. I mean along the way, I mean. 258 00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:19,679 Speaker 2: Every day he goes in the way he goes about it. 259 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:23,840 Speaker 2: He doesn't get enough credit for for what, you know, 260 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:26,679 Speaker 2: what he's accomplished and the players that he's helped along 261 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:29,000 Speaker 2: the way. I think with you know, Cave's you know 262 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 2: obviously behind the scenes in Triple A and everything like that, 263 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:34,040 Speaker 2: but he's the guy that's working day in and day 264 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:37,960 Speaker 2: out with uh, you know, with Bryce Eldridge and Tyler 265 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:41,480 Speaker 2: Fitzgerald and these guys that you know, obviously you know, 266 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:43,439 Speaker 2: need to work on their defense. So he's the one 267 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 2: out there at two o'clock in the afternoon making sure 268 00:11:48,360 --> 00:11:50,400 Speaker 2: these guys are getting their reps with what they need 269 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 2: to work on, working on their deficiencies. Understanding, Hey, this 270 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:57,320 Speaker 2: is having their routine and a daily routine day in 271 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 2: and day out, you know, just along the way. I 272 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:03,319 Speaker 2: just think, you know, Cabby doesn't get enough credit. 273 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, because you know, for for for for the job 274 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:06,280 Speaker 3: that he does. 275 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 2: Uh, the energy he brings in, the passion that he 276 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 2: brings day in and day out. He loves his players, 277 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 2: you know what. He loves his infielders. He loves you know, 278 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 2: you know, he's the first guy in my office every 279 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:19,560 Speaker 2: day checking. He comes in and he checks the stats. 280 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:23,440 Speaker 2: And I said, well, checking the stats, you know, you know, 281 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 2: you know, and I just say, you know, put checking 282 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:25,800 Speaker 2: this day. 283 00:12:25,840 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 3: But but that that that's who he is. 284 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,120 Speaker 2: He comes in, he checks, Hey, look, you know what 285 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 2: we climbed. We climbed above a couple of teams yesterday, 286 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 2: you know, defensively and things like that. So you know, 287 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 2: that's where his mind's at. And that's what you love 288 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:38,960 Speaker 2: from a coaching stat and that that's what you want 289 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 2: from you know, from a managing standpoint is you want 290 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 2: your players, I mean, you want your coaching staff to 291 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 2: you know, to have that passion day in and day out, 292 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 2: and it certainly shows on the field, you know, and 293 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:50,040 Speaker 2: and their coaching ability. 294 00:12:50,679 --> 00:12:52,960 Speaker 1: Well, the hitting coach p. J. Pelch here has spent 295 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:56,360 Speaker 1: some time in the leagues with the Rockies and the Yankees. Say, second, 296 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 1: you're coming back as a hitting coach. Some great philosophies. 297 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:01,680 Speaker 1: I inner viewed him a couple of times last year, 298 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:04,280 Speaker 1: and here's a new voice coming into your locker room 299 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 1: last year? How did that translate in some of these guys, 300 00:13:07,720 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 1: understanding them, believing them, and then working with them. 301 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:12,959 Speaker 3: PJ was great. 302 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:15,200 Speaker 2: I mean, you know, it's not easy to do what 303 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 2: he did. We just talked about players coming back from 304 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:19,760 Speaker 2: the big leagues. Yeah, you know, you know, and and 305 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 2: and what a. 306 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 3: Let down it is in a sense. You know what, 307 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 3: But if you love this game. 308 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 2: And you love doing what you're doing, uh, you know, 309 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:29,600 Speaker 2: it certainly will show up in your in your work and. 310 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 3: Your work ethic. I think along the way. 311 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:33,360 Speaker 2: You know, it wasn't easy for what PJ. He's been 312 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:35,440 Speaker 2: in the big leagues, you know, I mean what Yankees 313 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 2: and in Colorado, you know, and here he was coming 314 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,839 Speaker 2: back to Sacramento. You know what, but PJ brought it 315 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 2: every single day. 316 00:13:43,160 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 3: And you know that's who he is. 317 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 2: You know, he cares about his players, you know, cares 318 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:48,040 Speaker 2: about his hitters. 319 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:50,679 Speaker 3: It shows up. PJ is there early. 320 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:53,120 Speaker 2: They can hear balls clanging around in the Daddy date, 321 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:55,760 Speaker 2: you know. And I got to walk over there and 322 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:59,440 Speaker 2: it's twelve o'clock, you know, and you know, and him 323 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:01,560 Speaker 2: and Hunter Ship are in there swinging the bat, you know, 324 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:04,200 Speaker 2: and like that, and Hunter's in there swinging, and DJ's 325 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:06,559 Speaker 2: in there working, you know, working to get him right. 326 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:08,640 Speaker 2: I think along the way, not just Hunter, but I 327 00:14:08,679 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 2: mean there was numerous sure, you know, Mark Marco Luciano, uh, 328 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 2: you know, trying to get players right, you know, having 329 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:18,080 Speaker 2: these players and having Bryce in there and working with 330 00:14:18,160 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 2: him on a daily basis and everything like that, trying 331 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 2: to get these you know, trying to get these guys 332 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:23,880 Speaker 2: right and get the routine down. 333 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 1: Well, Dave, you know, I love talking pitching, and Alan 334 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:29,760 Speaker 1: Keano is one of the best. I love interviewing with him. 335 00:14:29,800 --> 00:14:32,920 Speaker 1: Some of the things that he talks about, different philosophies 336 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 1: of pitching, different getting getting your mindset, different theories that 337 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 1: he has. And he's coming back for his third year. 338 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 1: He's been in the organization six years, three at Eugenie 339 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 1: and now here third in Sacramento, and a lot of 340 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,960 Speaker 1: the pitchers that I have interviewed really likes how he 341 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,360 Speaker 1: breaks the game down. Tell me a little bit about him. 342 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 2: No, I mean, you know, kind of like the other 343 00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 2: you know, the other two we mentioned I mean he brings. 344 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 3: It every day. He's there early. 345 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,560 Speaker 2: He is so prepared and one of the most prepared 346 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:04,960 Speaker 2: pitching coaches that I've had. You know, everything is down, 347 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 2: everything is there. You know what in our relationship, you 348 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:11,280 Speaker 2: know is has has only grown stronger and stronger. And 349 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 2: because I know that I rely on him so much, uh, 350 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 2: you know, in the pitching department and understanding that, hey, 351 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 2: you know what, this is your department. You take care 352 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 2: of it. And and that's and that that's what he 353 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 2: does every single day. He goes to tackle it every 354 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:25,480 Speaker 2: single day. It's not an easy job. 355 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 3: You know what. 356 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 2: He's got a lot of voices, and he's got a 357 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 2: lot of people, you know in his ear, uh, you know, 358 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:34,160 Speaker 2: for for this guy and you know that guy, you know, 359 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 2: and certain guys and understand, hey, you know what, understand 360 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 2: answering questions and he has to answer to you know. 361 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:42,000 Speaker 3: Obviously people you know above us. 362 00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 2: And you've got a big league pitching coach, you've got 363 00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:47,360 Speaker 2: an assistant big league pitching coach, you've got the front office. 364 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 2: There's a lot of different voices, uh that that are 365 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,320 Speaker 2: coming his way a lot of times. And you know, 366 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:56,240 Speaker 2: for him to juggle and and and handle. 367 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:57,200 Speaker 3: That job the way he does. 368 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:00,320 Speaker 2: He's prepared every day and I think that's one of 369 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:02,640 Speaker 2: the best assets, you know, that that that a pitching 370 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 2: coach can have because you've got a lot of people 371 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,520 Speaker 2: pulling strings and pulling in a lot of different directions 372 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 2: and a lot of different opinions. But at the same time, 373 00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:12,520 Speaker 2: you know what, it has to be your opinion, you 374 00:16:12,520 --> 00:16:15,560 Speaker 2: know what, But you just gathered the information and there 375 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:18,160 Speaker 2: needs to be just one voice, is what I'm trying 376 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 2: to say, you know what, because if there's too many 377 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:24,280 Speaker 2: you know, too many Indians, you know in the kitchen, uh, 378 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 2: you know what, then then you know what, then these 379 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 2: players they get you know, they get confused, yeah, and understand, 380 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:33,240 Speaker 2: and that's sometimes what happens. I know, everybody wants to 381 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 2: help and everything like that, but at the same time 382 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:39,160 Speaker 2: he does a great job of of of keeping all 383 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:41,960 Speaker 2: that together and understanding that, hey, he needs to be 384 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 2: the voice in triple A. You know what, You've got 385 00:16:44,440 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 2: pitching coordinators, You've got all these different you know voices, 386 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 2: You've got everybody from you know, the outside trying to 387 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 2: help and they mean well, but at the same time, 388 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:55,960 Speaker 2: you know, the players, you know, sometimes you know they 389 00:16:55,960 --> 00:16:58,240 Speaker 2: get poorn because who do I listen to? Well, you 390 00:16:58,280 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 2: know what you have to you listen to cut and 391 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 2: that's that's where the information is coming from, and that's 392 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:05,760 Speaker 2: how you're going to get better, not the other you know, 393 00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:08,960 Speaker 2: ten voices, because it's a combination of opinions along the way. 394 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:13,359 Speaker 1: Well, Brundy faces changed in baseball so many times each year. 395 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:15,760 Speaker 1: And I'm so glad you are back. I'm glad your 396 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:19,920 Speaker 1: staff is back. It's a great foundation that Sacramento Rivercats 397 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:22,920 Speaker 1: have for another year. I want to congratulate you also 398 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:26,200 Speaker 1: ten years now as the manager of the Sacramento river Cats. 399 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:28,680 Speaker 1: Can't wait to continue to catch up with you as 400 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:31,520 Speaker 1: the season goes. But have a great time in spring training. 401 00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:33,600 Speaker 1: It's a little warmer in Scottsdale these days. 402 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:36,879 Speaker 2: I love it, you know what, and I'm excited, you 403 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:39,359 Speaker 2: know it just as always. You know what, you know, 404 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:43,040 Speaker 2: you love the game, you know the experience. You know 405 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 2: that you know you see something new every day. And 406 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:48,640 Speaker 2: I think when I you know when I've when I 407 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:50,520 Speaker 2: when I'm going to be done is when when those 408 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:53,439 Speaker 2: experiences stop happening. I think along the way where you 409 00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:56,640 Speaker 2: stop seeing something you know every single day or every 410 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 2: single year, you see something. You got new faces, like 411 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:01,439 Speaker 2: we talk about you know what, and that's that's what 412 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:03,800 Speaker 2: makes it fun. You know, coming to you know, spring 413 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:05,800 Speaker 2: training and you got a little jump in your step, 414 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:08,879 Speaker 2: and you know what, I know, it's a dubious honor. 415 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:11,080 Speaker 2: And obviously being there ten years and everything like that 416 00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 2: along the way and being forty one years, spent forty 417 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:15,960 Speaker 2: one years in the minor leagues. But you know what, 418 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:16,840 Speaker 2: I truly love it. 419 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:20,160 Speaker 1: Well, BRUNDI, you're good at it. I congratulate you again 420 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:22,640 Speaker 1: going back. That was Dave Brundich on the Extra Inning 421 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 1: postgame show. More coming up right here on K and 422 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:26,600 Speaker 1: B r D Sports Leader