1 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:07,560 Speaker 1: Is this a great game or what with the Hall 2 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:11,040 Speaker 1: of Famer Tim Kirkchen. I'm Jeff Kirkchen, and we are 3 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:15,080 Speaker 1: recording this the evening of Opening Day to release the 4 00:00:15,160 --> 00:00:16,799 Speaker 1: day after Opening Day. 5 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:20,279 Speaker 2: And what an opening day it was. 6 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:24,680 Speaker 3: Dada, Jeff. It should be a national holiday. We've talked 7 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:28,400 Speaker 3: about this. People parents take their children out of school 8 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:33,320 Speaker 3: on Opening Day and it's for games like we saw today. 9 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:37,200 Speaker 3: I mean, you texted me about five times today about 10 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:41,280 Speaker 3: things that happen. What struck you today as the most 11 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:42,920 Speaker 3: amazing thing that you saw? 12 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:46,519 Speaker 1: Oh Dad, there are so many takeaways, I mean so 13 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 1: many things right out of the gate. 14 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 2: I mean Austin Wells hitting a home run to lead 15 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 2: off the Yankees at Yankee Stadius. 16 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 3: So, Jeff, here's what I did today. I prepped for 17 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 3: today by writing down a bunch of things that I 18 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:04,800 Speaker 3: just wanted to make sure I didn't miss lose sight of. 19 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:07,560 Speaker 3: And first, the first thing I wrote down is is 20 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:10,680 Speaker 3: Austin Wells going to hit lead off today for the Yankees, 21 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:14,960 Speaker 3: because no catcher has ever hit leadoff for the Yankees 22 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:19,120 Speaker 3: on opening Day? And what did he do? The fourth 23 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 3: batter of the twenty twenty five real regular season which 24 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 3: started yesterday, hit a home run. So he's the first 25 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 3: catcher ever to hit a lead off home run on 26 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:36,839 Speaker 3: Opening Day. And how about this, Jeff, He's the first 27 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:41,400 Speaker 3: Yankee ever to hit a leadoff home run on opening Day. 28 00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 3: And your point was, how can that be? With the 29 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 3: rich history of the Yankees? How can that be? 30 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 2: You're telling me? 31 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 1: And I texted you back, I said, that can't be true, 32 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 1: and you got it confirmed that a Yankee has never 33 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 1: led the season off. 34 00:01:56,280 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 2: With a home run. And here we are, Austin Wells 35 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 2: does it from the catcher spine? I mean, are you 36 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 2: kidding me? 37 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 3: The last catcher to lead off any game with a 38 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 3: home run is MJ. Melendez of the Royals. He did 39 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:15,640 Speaker 3: that in twenty twenty two. And that's in any game, 40 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:20,239 Speaker 3: not on Opening Day. And also remember Austin Wells. Last year, 41 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 3: Jeff hit clean up in a postseason game. So the 42 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 3: only rookies ever to hit clean up in a postseason 43 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:32,800 Speaker 3: game are Buster Posey and Austin Wells. And then he 44 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:37,080 Speaker 3: did that today and again, Jeff, you know, we search 45 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,799 Speaker 3: for things on Opening Day and I tell people all 46 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 3: the time, the beauty of baseball is it never lets 47 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 3: you down. If you watch closely enough, amazing things happen, 48 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:53,320 Speaker 3: and amazing things happened today four batters into the first 49 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:57,520 Speaker 3: game on the real opening day. That was so beautiful. 50 00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:02,360 Speaker 3: Now I also wrote down, will Tyler O'Neill hit a 51 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 3: home run today? Tyler O'Neill, of course, holds the major 52 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:11,239 Speaker 3: League record with a home run in five consecutive opening days. 53 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 3: And what did he do today with his new team, 54 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:18,359 Speaker 3: the Orioles. He hit a home run again. So now 55 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 3: he's hit a home run on opening day in six 56 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:25,799 Speaker 3: consecutive years, extending his own record. 57 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:29,079 Speaker 1: I have to say, and I'm pulling up a text 58 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:32,919 Speaker 1: message on my phone. My buddy Joey Joey Feirestein, who 59 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 1: you know right, a high school buddy of mine, has 60 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 1: one of the best memories of any man I've ever met, 61 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 1: besides maybe yourself. Dad, He said, cashed my Tyler O'Neill 62 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:46,200 Speaker 1: opening day home run, Bet Jeff, And then he wrote 63 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 1: a full year later, I remember it from the podcast. 64 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: Had to take a chance to capitalize this year on 65 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:55,320 Speaker 1: him hitting another home run on opening Day. And the 66 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:58,240 Speaker 1: best news is, Dad, he's an Oriole fan. Joey is 67 00:03:58,240 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 1: a fan of the Orioles. 68 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 2: He bets for Tyler O'Neil to hit a home run 69 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 2: on opening Day. 70 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:06,720 Speaker 1: He does all because our silly little podcast mentioned it 71 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 1: last year on opening Day, and now here he is 72 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 1: making money from. 73 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 3: Us, right and remember, Jeff, Now, So, Tyler O'Neil now 74 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:19,159 Speaker 3: has six total home runs on opening Day and Bryce 75 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 3: Harper has six that ties for the most among active players. Now, 76 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 3: let's see how well your memory works. Who has the 77 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 3: most home runs on opening Day in the history of baseball? 78 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:35,040 Speaker 3: And if you miss one of them, I'm going to 79 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,880 Speaker 3: kill you because he was our guest on the podcast 80 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:40,280 Speaker 3: on Tuesday. 81 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 1: Well, I mean, obviously it's Adam dunne. We just interviewed him. 82 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 1: If you missed the interview, you can go back and 83 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 1: check that out. 84 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 2: Ken Griffy Junior has eight. Every good Frank Ryer. 85 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:56,400 Speaker 3: Oh, Jeff, I'm proud of you. You're actually listening to 86 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 3: what old pop pup has to say. Here, let's see 87 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 3: how well you remember this. Give me two star star players, 88 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:06,480 Speaker 3: two Hall of famers who hit a ton of homers 89 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 3: and never hit a home run on opening Day. 90 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:15,719 Speaker 1: The most you can do this, Jeff, Hall of Famer, 91 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 1: the Johnny Bench never. 92 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 3: Nine second Well I don't know if it's the second most, 93 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:25,800 Speaker 3: but I know he hit three hundred and eighty nine 94 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 3: homers without hitting a homer on opening Day. But this 95 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 3: Hall of Famer Hintint, who just got in, hit four 96 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 3: hundred and seventy seven and never hit one on opening day. Jeff, 97 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 3: I'm thinking, I'm so disappointed. I use this on the 98 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:48,159 Speaker 3: air three days ago with Adam Dunn and you've already forgotten. Dad. 99 00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 2: You have to remember, I do a country morning show. 100 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 1: Every morning, and I'm sleep deprived as a as a 101 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 1: father of a toddler. 102 00:05:55,600 --> 00:06:00,200 Speaker 3: Yeh, I'm not disappointed. I'm just messing with the Adrian Beltray. 103 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 3: Adrian Beltray, that's seventy seven homers. 104 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:06,920 Speaker 1: So I think I need to I think I need 105 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 1: to establish something really fast too, Dad. I am on 106 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:14,479 Speaker 1: medications right now and I have some sort of sinus 107 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 1: infection allergy. So if you're watching the video, and here's 108 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:19,320 Speaker 1: the best part and the reason why I'm bringing it 109 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,200 Speaker 1: up on the podcast. At right after work today, before 110 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:25,120 Speaker 1: the game started, I went to a minute clinic to 111 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 1: get some medicine because I'm so congested and I sound terrible, 112 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 1: and the very nice nurse practitioner is talking to me 113 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: and going through my symptoms. 114 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:41,480 Speaker 2: Excuse me, And she says, are you always this nasal sounding? 115 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 2: Or is this a symptom? 116 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 1: And I said, I said, actually, my voice is deep 117 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:51,000 Speaker 1: right now for what it usually is. 118 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:53,400 Speaker 2: You should meet my dad. I sound just like him. 119 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 1: And it just had me laughing because I immediately thought 120 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:59,799 Speaker 1: of you Dad, as if my voice couldn't get nasally enough, 121 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:02,080 Speaker 1: now I have a congested nose. 122 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:04,920 Speaker 3: And here we are, Jeff. If you can't finish the podcast, 123 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 3: we can always get Kelly Kirchen to finish it, because 124 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 3: I did a podcast with Kelly a Bob did Daughter 125 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 3: podcast that went very well. I'm sure Kelly could slide 126 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:18,080 Speaker 3: in and help us if you can't get through this 127 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 3: because you're so nasally well. 128 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:24,640 Speaker 1: I will tell you this much. Last time you talked 129 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:28,160 Speaker 1: baseball with her, she was a middle schooler and she said, Dad, 130 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: I just gotta tell you I don't like baseball. 131 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 3: That I had no offense, but I don't love baseball. 132 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 3: I said, Kelly, Honey, it's okay, all right now, Jeff, 133 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 3: did you watch the Phillies today? 134 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 2: I did watch the pr age away there. Well. 135 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 1: It was quite frankly, A picture's battle for a very 136 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 1: very long time. 137 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 2: Thirteen strikeouts. 138 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:52,320 Speaker 3: Makenzie Gore of the National unbelievable walks, thirteen strikeouts. Third 139 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 3: time in the history of Opening Day that a pitcher 140 00:07:56,160 --> 00:08:01,200 Speaker 3: had no walks thirteen strikeouts Bob Gibson teen sixty seven 141 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:06,080 Speaker 3: and JR. Richard in nineteen eighty and now Mackenzie Gore. 142 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 3: And of course they took him out of the game 143 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 3: after six innings, because no one's allowed to go more 144 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:14,640 Speaker 3: than six innings on Opening Day. And of course Bryce 145 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 3: Harper hit a home run in the seventh inning to 146 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 3: tie the score home run number SEVENIX. 147 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 1: Kyle Schwarber hit a home run in the seventh inning 148 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 1: to put them at right. 149 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:27,680 Speaker 3: Absolutely okay. Another takeaway, Jeff, was Adlie Retchman of the 150 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 3: Orioles hit two home runs. Home run in his first 151 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:34,360 Speaker 3: at bat and another one in a romp over the 152 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 3: Blue Jays. Now the lesson here, Jeff, is that Adley Reutchman, 153 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 3: he's a great player, but last year the second half 154 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:46,200 Speaker 3: he had a five eighty five ops very very unlike 155 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 3: Adlei Rutchmand. So for the first time in his life, 156 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:53,960 Speaker 3: he faced some adversity and he tried to get out 157 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 3: of it. And he just couldn't figure it out. So 158 00:08:57,040 --> 00:09:00,760 Speaker 3: I'm told he went home in the offseason and just said, 159 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:03,280 Speaker 3: all right, this isn't good enough. The manager told him, 160 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:07,160 Speaker 3: you're the face of the franchise. You're a great player still, 161 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 3: and Adlei Rutchman went home worked with Tim Cousins, who's 162 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:13,360 Speaker 3: one of their hitting coaches in the Orioles system, and 163 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:16,280 Speaker 3: he came back, I'm told, at least with a different 164 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:19,480 Speaker 3: body and a different swing and everything else. And I 165 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:22,520 Speaker 3: did one of their spring training games for ESPN on TV, 166 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,400 Speaker 3: and his first at bat he hit a home run. 167 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 3: And today in his first bat of the regular season, 168 00:09:28,679 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 3: he hit a home run. So I fully expect a 169 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 3: huge season from Adleie Utchman. It just shows you what 170 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 3: can happen when you recognize, all right, I struggled for 171 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:41,680 Speaker 3: the first time, I have to do some different things, 172 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:43,680 Speaker 3: and then he went out there and did. 173 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 1: Them on a note, you know, on our Instagram at 174 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: great game or what I everybody should follow us if 175 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,840 Speaker 1: you are on Instagram, Facebook as well. 176 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 2: We just got a TikTok, Dad, we got a TikTok. Explain, 177 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 2: Oh okay, it's an a it's an app with video 178 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 2: sharing app. 179 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:08,320 Speaker 1: You know, so people can watch our podcast in a 180 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:10,440 Speaker 1: different format, or at least portions of it. 181 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 2: So you're on TikTok now, Dad, I've. 182 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:17,920 Speaker 3: Been on TikTok before. You know that. Jojo Jo TikTok. 183 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 2: Right, Good time, Good time. 184 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:22,560 Speaker 1: So my point of bringing all this up is I 185 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 1: can't tell you the amount of other podcasts or other 186 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:30,439 Speaker 1: TV broadcasters I've seen. I've heard everybody pick a different 187 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: team for the AL East this year, and I love 188 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 1: it because it's the same for the NL East as well. 189 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 1: I've seen people picking the Mets, the Braves, the Phillies, 190 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:43,080 Speaker 1: or the Yankees and the Red Sox or even It's 191 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:47,319 Speaker 1: just kind of crazy in the Orioles too. How wide 192 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:50,600 Speaker 1: open the East, in the AL and the NL is 193 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 1: going to be with these very competitive teams. 194 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,680 Speaker 3: I did a radio show the other day. There were 195 00:10:55,960 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 3: five people on the radio show, and of course we 196 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 3: have to pick who's gonna win each the al least 197 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:06,440 Speaker 3: five guys five choices. How about that, all five teams 198 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:10,360 Speaker 3: somebody picked them to win the division. I have never 199 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 3: seen that before in all the years we've been making 200 00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:17,320 Speaker 3: these mindless picks in March, I've never seen that before, 201 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:21,199 Speaker 3: and it speaks directly to how competitive the American League 202 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,280 Speaker 3: East is going to be and the entire American League. Jeff, 203 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:26,840 Speaker 3: I'm telling you there is no great team in the 204 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:29,200 Speaker 3: American League. I think the Rangers are the best of 205 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:33,120 Speaker 3: the group. But it's going to be an absolute free 206 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:35,960 Speaker 3: for all in the American League for those playoff spots 207 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 3: because there's so many teams that are good, and I 208 00:11:38,760 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 3: don't think any of them is really good. And speaking 209 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:45,000 Speaker 3: of the Red Sox, who I think a lot of 210 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:47,840 Speaker 3: play teams. A lot of people have picked the Red 211 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 3: Sox to win that division, and one reason is, you know, 212 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 3: they picked up Alex Bragman, which we talked about a 213 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,080 Speaker 3: couple of weeks ago, just how much he's meant to 214 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 3: that team. But Christian Campbell made the team. Christian Campbell 215 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 3: is one of the three really young guys on that team. 216 00:12:02,960 --> 00:12:05,120 Speaker 3: And I watched him play in spring training and I 217 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:07,760 Speaker 3: was really impressed. He's a great athlete and he's his 218 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 3: second baseman, but they put him in the outfield just 219 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 3: to see how he could do. And Alex Scord told me, 220 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:17,160 Speaker 3: this kid is so athletic, but he's so raw. He's 221 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:21,240 Speaker 3: just trying to learn how to play the game. And 222 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:23,880 Speaker 3: he made the club out of spring training. And I 223 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 3: just love it that the Red Sox are going to 224 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:28,200 Speaker 3: take a chance on a young guy like this and say, 225 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:30,959 Speaker 3: all right, we can win this division with you at 226 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 3: second base, having never played in the big leagues before. 227 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:37,200 Speaker 3: And he spells his first name, Christian with a K, 228 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 3: so he is the only player in Major League history 229 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:44,560 Speaker 3: to have a first name of Christian which he spells 230 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:45,400 Speaker 3: with a K. 231 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 1: Sounds like it needs to be one of the sons 232 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 1: of Roger Clements, right. 233 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 3: Kobe and Cody Boy, all that we the K right, 234 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 3: all right? Sean Burke of the White Sox won today. 235 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 3: Sean had two major league victories and he started on 236 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:08,440 Speaker 3: Opening Day. I just love how opening Day allows these 237 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:11,720 Speaker 3: things to happen. And then there's Clay Holmes of the 238 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 3: Mets who started on opening Day. Jeff, he had made 239 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:21,679 Speaker 3: two hundred and eighty five consecutive appearances in relief, and 240 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 3: that streak of two hundred and eighty five straight appearances 241 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:29,840 Speaker 3: in relief ended not just to start a start on 242 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 3: opening Day. So the only other pitcher who's ever done 243 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 3: one hundred and fifty or more consecutive relief appearances and 244 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:42,600 Speaker 3: then made a start on opening day. Is John Smoltz, 245 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:45,560 Speaker 3: who of course was a great starter. Then he went 246 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:48,200 Speaker 3: to the bullpen, then he went back to the rotation 247 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:52,319 Speaker 3: and started opening day. So that's what. So that's Clay Holmes. 248 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:56,319 Speaker 3: The start on opening day was unique. Never never been 249 00:13:56,360 --> 00:13:59,920 Speaker 3: done quite like that before. And just to finish, Jeff, 250 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 3: speaking of unique, I don't think you're going to remember this, 251 00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:06,600 Speaker 3: but in the mid nineties, well you weren't even alive. 252 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 3: Ron Carkabics of the White Sox went over five with 253 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:14,959 Speaker 3: five strikeouts in one game. So ever since then, since 254 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:18,480 Speaker 3: I unearthed that on my own in the mid nineties, 255 00:14:18,559 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 3: I've been waiting for someone to go oh for five 256 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 3: with five strikeouts. And a couple of three years ago, 257 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:28,160 Speaker 3: Max Munsey of the of the Dodgers went oh for 258 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:34,160 Speaker 3: five with five strikeouts, and then today Jackson Curio, one 259 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 3: of the best young players in baseball, went oh for 260 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 3: five with five strikeouts on opening days. So it had 261 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:45,360 Speaker 3: never happened in the history of the game until the 262 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:49,560 Speaker 3: mid nineties, and then Ron Carkabis did it, and then 263 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:52,640 Speaker 3: we took almost thirty years off, and now it's been 264 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 3: done two times in the last three years. This is 265 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 3: why baseball is the greatest game, Jeff. If you pay 266 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:03,520 Speaker 3: attention and you really follow things, all sorts of crazy 267 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 3: things are going to happen. And so many crazy things 268 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 3: happen on opening Day, and that's really just including the 269 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:11,600 Speaker 3: afternoon games. 270 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:14,040 Speaker 1: Well, I love being able to do a Friday episode 271 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:17,120 Speaker 1: of the podcast because it allows us to do takeaways. Obviously, 272 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 1: being that you know, Opening Day just happened. 273 00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:20,600 Speaker 2: This is perfect. 274 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:24,120 Speaker 1: But now like throughout the season, we won't have to 275 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:27,479 Speaker 1: if something amazing happens on a Wednesday, Dad, you won't. 276 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 2: Have to wait until the following Tuesday. 277 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:33,680 Speaker 1: The amount of hair you lost because of that if 278 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 1: something would happen on a Wednesday, can't begin to tell 279 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:39,160 Speaker 1: the people are members of our family that listen to 280 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,160 Speaker 1: this show, right, Like Dad. 281 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:42,360 Speaker 2: Would be like, I can't believe we got to do 282 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:43,240 Speaker 2: a bonus episode. 283 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:45,600 Speaker 3: We got to do something, So I forehead lie, I 284 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 3: love five head now based on all the hair that 285 00:15:47,920 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 3: I've lost. Sorry, Jeff. 286 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 1: All right, So, being that we do an episode on Friday, 287 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:55,080 Speaker 1: we obviously get to recap things happening in the latter 288 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:56,080 Speaker 1: half of the week. 289 00:15:55,920 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 2: But we also get to do a little bit of 290 00:15:58,000 --> 00:15:58,960 Speaker 2: our special. 291 00:15:58,600 --> 00:16:01,800 Speaker 1: Friday only segments, including the Best of All Tim. 292 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 2: We are going to. 293 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 1: Go through each major League team, each organization, and Dad 294 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:09,760 Speaker 1: is going to give us the best player in that organization. 295 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,360 Speaker 1: And I chose this week, Dad, for you to give 296 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,920 Speaker 1: us the Cincinnati Reds, because it is major league tradition 297 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 1: for the season to start in Cincinnati. It may have 298 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 1: changed as of late, but true baseball fans will remember 299 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:27,240 Speaker 1: Opening Day is only the best in Cincinnati. 300 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 2: So who do you have for the Reds? 301 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:28,720 Speaker 1: Right? 302 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:31,560 Speaker 3: And also, we had Adam Done on this week, and 303 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 3: Adam Done was great for the red so as a 304 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:37,520 Speaker 3: tribute to him and the number of times he made 305 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:40,080 Speaker 3: us laugh. And let's be clear, Jeff, the Best of 306 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:45,720 Speaker 3: All Tim is just my opinion on who I think 307 00:16:46,160 --> 00:16:50,200 Speaker 3: is the best player in franchise history. That doesn't mean 308 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 3: that I'm right about this. There is no correct answer. 309 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:58,600 Speaker 3: This is mine. I want our viewers and our listeners 310 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 3: to come up with their own and if you don't 311 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 3: like my choice, you can argue with us. This is 312 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:08,119 Speaker 3: a This is the beauty of baseball. Very very few 313 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 3: teams have an obvious person and the Reds are a 314 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 3: perfect example. Jeff, Okay, I think it comes down to one. Now, 315 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:21,000 Speaker 3: remember the criteria here is you have to have played 316 00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:24,240 Speaker 3: for the team for quite some time. You can't just 317 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:27,240 Speaker 3: play one year there and okay, well he's the greatest 318 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 3: player of all time and he played for the Reds. 319 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:32,600 Speaker 3: It's got to be. It's what he did for the 320 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 3: Reds as much as how great a player was he. 321 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:36,800 Speaker 3: So so you're not. 322 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:39,479 Speaker 1: So you're saying, like Michael Jordan wouldn't be the greatest 323 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:40,480 Speaker 1: Washington Wizard. 324 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:43,360 Speaker 3: Of the perfect example, Jeff perfect, thank. 325 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:44,919 Speaker 2: You, different sport, but good example. 326 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:47,400 Speaker 3: Did that with a nasal congestion. Way to go. 327 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:48,960 Speaker 2: Okay, thank you, yes, thank you. 328 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:54,200 Speaker 3: Number So these are the four candidates. Frank Robinson might 329 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:56,639 Speaker 3: be the greatest player ever to play for the Reds, 330 00:17:56,720 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 3: and his first eight, nine, ten years whatever it was, 331 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 3: were unbelievably good. But then he of course went to 332 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:05,680 Speaker 3: the Orioles won the Triple Crown when the MVP did 333 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 3: some amazing things with some other teams. But Frank Robinson 334 00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 3: is no doubt in the conversation as the greatest Red ever. 335 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 3: Pete Rose of course has to be in there, the 336 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 3: all time hit king, who played the majority of his 337 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 3: career with the Reds but played for a bunch of 338 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 3: other teams Phillies included won a World Series with the Phillies. 339 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 3: So you got to put Pete Rose in that conversation. 340 00:18:31,119 --> 00:18:33,879 Speaker 3: Anyone who votes for Pete Rose, I'm good. Anyone who 341 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:37,080 Speaker 3: votes for Frank Robinson, I'm good. Anyone who votes for 342 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:40,919 Speaker 3: Joe Morgan, I'm good. Jim Palmer once told me the 343 00:18:40,960 --> 00:18:44,560 Speaker 3: Big Red Machine didn't become the Big Red Machine until 344 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 3: Joe Morgan showed up. He came from the Astros, and 345 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:51,200 Speaker 3: when he left the Reds, he did some pretty good 346 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:55,159 Speaker 3: things for some other teams. And Joe Morgan is arguably 347 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:59,040 Speaker 3: the second greatest second basement of all time to Rogers 348 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:02,320 Speaker 3: hornsby at least in my opinion, won the MVP in 349 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:06,960 Speaker 3: seventy five seventy six back to back. An amazing defensive player, 350 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:11,080 Speaker 3: great bass dealer, just a tremendous all round player. So 351 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:13,359 Speaker 3: anyone who votes to Joe Morgan, I'm good with that. 352 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:16,680 Speaker 3: But I'm voting for Johnny Bench. And here's why I 353 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:20,440 Speaker 3: still believe he's the greatest catcher of all time. He 354 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:25,120 Speaker 3: revolutionized the position defensively. He hit three hundred and eighty 355 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:29,399 Speaker 3: nine homers. He won two MVPs before he turned twenty 356 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 3: five years old, and I think this is the key point. 357 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:37,160 Speaker 3: He played his entire career for the Reds. So I'm 358 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:41,280 Speaker 3: going to take Johnny Bench as the greatest Cincinnati Red 359 00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:45,399 Speaker 3: of all time. If anyone disagrees, go ahead, please state 360 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:48,159 Speaker 3: your case. This is we're all friends here. This is 361 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 3: not an argument. I'm just going to tell you again 362 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 3: this is my opinion, not the right opinion, not the 363 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:58,360 Speaker 3: correct one. You might be right, make an argument for Morgan, 364 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:02,720 Speaker 3: Frank Robinson, Pete Rose, somebody else. Go ahead, it's great. 365 00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:06,880 Speaker 1: I think Also I'm biased because he was a guest 366 00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:09,600 Speaker 1: on our show last year, right and Johnny Bench, you know, 367 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:14,160 Speaker 1: has represented the game so beautiful well since the day 368 00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:16,320 Speaker 1: he arrived till right now. 369 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:18,760 Speaker 3: I mean we've talked about him at the Hall of 370 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:23,639 Speaker 3: Fame every Friday night before the Sunday induction. Johnny Bench 371 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:27,960 Speaker 3: is the MC that welcomes the new Hall of Famers 372 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:31,120 Speaker 3: to the club, and I factor that in at least 373 00:20:31,160 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 3: a little bit. 374 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:37,040 Speaker 1: Also every Friday, also we do from Ozzie to Oral, 375 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 1: so that's the best player at every number, from one 376 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:43,720 Speaker 1: Ozzie to Oral fifty five. 377 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:45,280 Speaker 2: We started with one and two. 378 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:47,800 Speaker 1: If you missed it, go to last Friday's episode in 379 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:48,880 Speaker 1: order to hear it. 380 00:20:48,960 --> 00:20:49,760 Speaker 2: Three and four. 381 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:54,720 Speaker 1: Dad, we're combining three and four because in your opinion, respectfully, 382 00:20:55,440 --> 00:20:59,520 Speaker 1: there is a pretty clear number one three and number 383 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 1: one four. 384 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:04,200 Speaker 2: Five. Next week is gonna be on its own because 385 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:06,600 Speaker 2: it's going to be quite a debate. But let's hear three. 386 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:09,119 Speaker 2: I mean, I can give it. It's Babe Ruth, right, 387 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:09,760 Speaker 2: and it's not. 388 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:13,720 Speaker 3: Pretty clear, Jeff, it is clear, okay, Babe Ruth's greatest 389 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:17,119 Speaker 3: number three of all time, first player ever to hit thirty, forty, 390 00:21:17,280 --> 00:21:20,760 Speaker 3: fifty and sixty homers in a season, got seven hundred, 391 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:24,479 Speaker 3: and no one else had half that many. He still 392 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:29,000 Speaker 3: has as many career shutouts as Pedro Martinez, who, at 393 00:21:29,080 --> 00:21:30,960 Speaker 3: least for a short period of time, is the greatest 394 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:34,960 Speaker 3: pitcher I've ever seen. And I once asked Bert Hawkins, 395 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:38,320 Speaker 3: great old baseball writer who covered the game in the twenties. 396 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:41,520 Speaker 3: I said, Hawk, who's the greatest player you've ever seen? 397 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:44,080 Speaker 3: He looked at me like I'd asked the dumbest question ever. 398 00:21:44,520 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 3: He said, buddy boy, I'll take Babe Ruth and you 399 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:51,280 Speaker 3: can have the next three. That's how great Babe Ruth 400 00:21:51,720 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 3: was Luke Gerrig is without question the greatest first baseman 401 00:21:57,160 --> 00:22:00,760 Speaker 3: of all time, and I think think you could make 402 00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:03,399 Speaker 3: a case he's one of the four greatest hitters of 403 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:07,679 Speaker 3: all time, with Ruth, Williams, Barry Bonds, lou Garrig. I 404 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:10,879 Speaker 3: think you could make that case. I think he's underrated 405 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:13,080 Speaker 3: in his own right when he got sick, Jeff, if 406 00:22:13,080 --> 00:22:15,720 Speaker 3: he hadn't gotten sick and played a few more years, 407 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:18,159 Speaker 3: he would have retired as the all time leader in 408 00:22:18,359 --> 00:22:23,719 Speaker 3: RBIs and run scored, and he was just an amazing player, 409 00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:26,800 Speaker 3: the greatest first baseman ever and the first player ever 410 00:22:26,880 --> 00:22:31,800 Speaker 3: to have his number retired, number four. And remember, Jeff, 411 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 3: they didn't even have uniform numbers really until Ruth and 412 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:39,680 Speaker 3: Garrey came along, and they were assigned the numbers three 413 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:41,720 Speaker 3: and four because of. 414 00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:44,400 Speaker 2: What where they batted in the batting way. 415 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:47,080 Speaker 3: May Ruth hit third, so that's why he wore number three. 416 00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:50,639 Speaker 3: Lou Gary hit fourth, that's why he wore number four. 417 00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:54,320 Speaker 1: I just have to say because this always shocks me 418 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 1: because als unfortunately has affected our family. If you've listened 419 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:01,520 Speaker 1: to the pod cast, you obviously know my uncle Matt 420 00:23:01,560 --> 00:23:03,800 Speaker 1: passed away in twenty twenty three, my dad's brother and 421 00:23:03,840 --> 00:23:08,479 Speaker 1: best friend, Luke Garry, died at the age of thirty seven. 422 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:11,960 Speaker 1: I think when you look at black and white photos 423 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:15,000 Speaker 1: and when you look at the luckiest man on Earth 424 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:19,080 Speaker 1: photo right of him up there, you just think he's 425 00:23:19,240 --> 00:23:23,480 Speaker 1: older than that. But when you get I'm thirty one 426 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:27,720 Speaker 1: and so to think about in six years, right, You're 427 00:23:27,880 --> 00:23:30,640 Speaker 1: still in a physical prime of your life. You're still 428 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:31,360 Speaker 1: an athlete. 429 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:34,600 Speaker 2: So for him to do all that he did in his. 430 00:23:34,520 --> 00:23:38,560 Speaker 1: Career and then to obviously unfortunately pass away from als 431 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:42,560 Speaker 1: later named lou Gerrigg's disease at the age of thirty seven, 432 00:23:42,600 --> 00:23:46,560 Speaker 1: the impact he had on the game and on everybody's 433 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:50,440 Speaker 1: lives in just thirty seven years is unbelievable. 434 00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:52,879 Speaker 3: It's just not fair. And when cal Ripken broke the 435 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:57,280 Speaker 3: record twenty one thirty one, it meant so much more 436 00:23:57,400 --> 00:24:00,160 Speaker 3: because he broke the record of such a great player 437 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:05,040 Speaker 3: who conducted himself the right way every single day of 438 00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:09,160 Speaker 3: his career. So we're down. So lou gerrig and Babe 439 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:12,200 Speaker 3: Ruth are our Ozzie to Oral three and four. 440 00:24:13,080 --> 00:24:14,640 Speaker 2: All I can say is good luck. On five. 441 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:16,800 Speaker 3: I'm going to be a fist fight next week, and 442 00:24:16,880 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 3: if anyone's listening now and you want to start to 443 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:21,640 Speaker 3: get your argument together, I'm not even going to tell 444 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:23,760 Speaker 3: you who they are because there's about five of them 445 00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:27,080 Speaker 3: we could discuss. But it's a beautiful argument next week. 446 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:31,639 Speaker 1: And also we want you to join us next week 447 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:32,840 Speaker 1: on the show. 448 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 2: We want you to be on our show. 449 00:24:36,119 --> 00:24:38,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, you listening right now mowing your lawn or driving 450 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:41,200 Speaker 1: your car or doing whatever you do when you listen 451 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:45,119 Speaker 1: to us, because on Fridays we will bring in a 452 00:24:45,240 --> 00:24:49,200 Speaker 1: different listener for I am a seam head, all right, 453 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:53,760 Speaker 1: and this is highlighting why you are a baseball seam head. 454 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:56,959 Speaker 1: We want to hear in a shortened version, right, dads 455 00:24:57,000 --> 00:24:59,280 Speaker 1: would be let me do my Tim Kirkshin impression. 456 00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:01,800 Speaker 2: Hold on, okay, I cut. 457 00:25:01,560 --> 00:25:06,400 Speaker 1: Out the box score of every game from nineteen sixty 458 00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:10,760 Speaker 1: eight to twenty and eighteen, which is way more impressive 459 00:25:10,760 --> 00:25:14,120 Speaker 1: than Cal Ripken's record. By the way, Jeff, and I'm 460 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:16,560 Speaker 1: Tim Kirkschen and I am a seamhead. 461 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:20,240 Speaker 3: Right, and we're looking for seamheads. And seamhead is a 462 00:25:20,640 --> 00:25:24,560 Speaker 3: compliment Jeff. I used to host Baseball Tonight. We called 463 00:25:24,560 --> 00:25:28,479 Speaker 3: it the Seamhead Edition edition as we brought on people 464 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:33,359 Speaker 3: who love the game, maybe obsessively, maybe in an unhealthy way, 465 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:36,520 Speaker 3: and I am the captain of that team. But this 466 00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:40,880 Speaker 3: week we have Judson Birch, who used to be a 467 00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 3: producer at ESPN. One of the smartest people I've ever met. 468 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:49,920 Speaker 3: He is a complete lunatic when it comes to umpires. 469 00:25:50,040 --> 00:25:54,199 Speaker 3: I have never met anybody quite like him. So let's 470 00:25:54,359 --> 00:25:58,840 Speaker 3: listen to jud Birch's I am a seamhead. 471 00:25:59,680 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 4: Name is Judson Birch, and I am a seam head 472 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:05,000 Speaker 4: because I love the umpires. I can name the umpires 473 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:08,040 Speaker 4: and numerical order by sleeve number. I keep track of 474 00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:10,879 Speaker 4: famous games in baseball history by who the played umpire was, 475 00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:13,920 Speaker 4: and not just obvious ones like the Pine Tar game 476 00:26:13,960 --> 00:26:16,639 Speaker 4: being Tim mccolland, I mean like Game five of the 477 00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:21,040 Speaker 4: nineteen eighty NLCS it was Ed Vargo or Derek Jeter's 478 00:26:21,119 --> 00:26:25,040 Speaker 4: Mister November walk off Ed Rapuano. A friend once thought 479 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:26,840 Speaker 4: he was going to stump me when he asked, how 480 00:26:26,880 --> 00:26:29,920 Speaker 4: many American leagumpires from nineteen eighty five can you name? 481 00:26:30,400 --> 00:26:33,000 Speaker 4: I said all of them and gave him the roster 482 00:26:33,119 --> 00:26:36,160 Speaker 4: from memory and numerical order by sleeve number. And if 483 00:26:36,160 --> 00:26:38,199 Speaker 4: you ever go to a game with me, during the 484 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:41,359 Speaker 4: seventh inning stretch, I do the one, two, three strikes 485 00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:44,440 Speaker 4: You're out portion of the song using the strike mechanic 486 00:26:44,480 --> 00:26:48,119 Speaker 4: of that day's plate umpire. And that's why I'm Judson Birch, 487 00:26:48,280 --> 00:26:49,680 Speaker 4: and I am a seam head. 488 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:51,760 Speaker 1: There's ever a sea man out in the world, it's 489 00:26:51,880 --> 00:26:53,040 Speaker 1: jud Birch, that's for sure. 490 00:26:53,040 --> 00:26:53,879 Speaker 2: Did he go Judd? 491 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:58,400 Speaker 3: So Jeff? Every time I do a game, I called 492 00:26:58,480 --> 00:27:02,200 Speaker 3: jud Birch and ask him. I said, Jordan Baker's got 493 00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:05,080 Speaker 3: the plate tonight. Tell me about him, and he'll tell 494 00:27:05,119 --> 00:27:07,800 Speaker 3: you where the strike zone is, what he's good at, 495 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:09,640 Speaker 3: what he's not so good at, and then he'll throw 496 00:27:09,680 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 3: in things like tallest umpire in the league. I mean, 497 00:27:14,080 --> 00:27:17,080 Speaker 3: these are the things that he knows. And Buck Showalder 498 00:27:17,160 --> 00:27:19,919 Speaker 3: and I were in the war room at ESPN years 499 00:27:19,920 --> 00:27:22,959 Speaker 3: ago and it's a random Tuesday night in August and 500 00:27:23,040 --> 00:27:26,840 Speaker 3: Judge just wanders into the war room. Loves baseball, loves 501 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:29,680 Speaker 3: to sit and watch games with us, random Tuesday night, 502 00:27:30,080 --> 00:27:33,080 Speaker 3: and I just say to him, who's working second base 503 00:27:33,160 --> 00:27:36,040 Speaker 3: tonight in Texas? And he looks at me and he 504 00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:41,399 Speaker 3: goes Adrian Johnson without any understanding of what I was 505 00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:43,960 Speaker 3: going to ask him. I asked him for the second 506 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:48,840 Speaker 3: base umpire in a random game in Texas, and without hesitation, 507 00:27:49,040 --> 00:27:52,960 Speaker 3: he said, Adrian Johnson, that is a seam head. 508 00:27:53,960 --> 00:27:54,960 Speaker 2: What did Buck Showalter? 509 00:27:55,080 --> 00:27:59,879 Speaker 3: Doria shook his head because Buck Buck's the seam head. Also, 510 00:28:00,119 --> 00:28:01,480 Speaker 3: let's be clear about that. 511 00:28:01,600 --> 00:28:01,800 Speaker 2: Yeah. 512 00:28:01,840 --> 00:28:05,040 Speaker 3: But no one, and I mean no one knows more 513 00:28:05,080 --> 00:28:08,560 Speaker 3: about umpires than Jud Birch. In fact, he was going 514 00:28:09,119 --> 00:28:12,720 Speaker 3: to go to umpire school to be a real umpire 515 00:28:13,320 --> 00:28:15,760 Speaker 3: when he got the job at ESPN, and this was 516 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:19,679 Speaker 3: like thirty years ago, and he ended up being a 517 00:28:19,720 --> 00:28:24,080 Speaker 3: producer at ESPN instead of being a major league umpire. 518 00:28:24,160 --> 00:28:28,160 Speaker 3: And that thing where he says one, two, three strikes 519 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:31,880 Speaker 3: you're out and uses the home plate umpires strike call 520 00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:35,880 Speaker 3: is that is unhealthy beyond words, but it's what makes 521 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:41,280 Speaker 3: Jud an absolute national treasure, especially when it comes to umpires. 522 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:43,520 Speaker 2: You can submit a voice note. 523 00:28:43,640 --> 00:28:46,120 Speaker 1: You can email me personally Jeff at Great Game or 524 00:28:46,160 --> 00:28:48,920 Speaker 1: what dot com and we'll let you know when you're 525 00:28:48,920 --> 00:28:49,680 Speaker 1: going to be on the show. 526 00:28:49,720 --> 00:28:51,400 Speaker 2: So send us your voice notes. You can record it. 527 00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:53,840 Speaker 1: Right in your phone, email it right to me via 528 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:56,440 Speaker 1: the phone, or if you're like my dad, you can 529 00:28:56,520 --> 00:28:58,680 Speaker 1: have your son show you how to do that, because 530 00:28:58,680 --> 00:29:01,400 Speaker 1: that's what I do for my dad. So to wrap 531 00:29:01,480 --> 00:29:04,600 Speaker 1: up today's Friday episode, Dad a little on this date 532 00:29:05,160 --> 00:29:08,440 Speaker 1: in history in Kirkshin history. 533 00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:12,800 Speaker 3: Right and again, Jeff, this is a relationship show. There's 534 00:29:12,840 --> 00:29:16,000 Speaker 3: clear it's a father and son show, and we're really 535 00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:20,520 Speaker 3: proud of that. Today is my mom's one hundred what 536 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:23,720 Speaker 3: she would be one hundred and one today. Nana was 537 00:29:23,760 --> 00:29:29,520 Speaker 3: born in nineteen twenty four. She was born in Bournemouth, England, 538 00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:33,240 Speaker 3: came here married my father and grew up in a 539 00:29:33,280 --> 00:29:38,400 Speaker 3: baseball household, knowing almost nothing about baseball because she wasn't 540 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:42,320 Speaker 3: born in this country, but she learned pretty quickly living 541 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:45,400 Speaker 3: in our house with a husband who was a really 542 00:29:45,400 --> 00:29:48,880 Speaker 3: good player and loved the game, with two sons who 543 00:29:48,920 --> 00:29:51,800 Speaker 3: are in the Baseball Hall of Fame at Catholic University, 544 00:29:52,280 --> 00:29:55,760 Speaker 3: and with dopey little youngest son, Tim, who loved the 545 00:29:55,800 --> 00:29:58,320 Speaker 3: game as much as anyone in the house. 546 00:29:58,400 --> 00:30:00,480 Speaker 2: So who is a hall of fam. 547 00:30:01,480 --> 00:30:06,600 Speaker 3: Nna was the greatest. So my dad, your grandfather Pop, 548 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:10,040 Speaker 3: who we named you after, He used to joke around 549 00:30:10,080 --> 00:30:13,440 Speaker 3: when he was sixty eight years old, seventy five years old. 550 00:30:13,520 --> 00:30:16,240 Speaker 3: He would say things like, yeah, I'm a better hitter now. 551 00:30:16,360 --> 00:30:18,720 Speaker 3: I'm a better hitter than Joe DiMaggio. And he was 552 00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:22,440 Speaker 3: joking that he's a better hitter now than Joe DiMaggio, 553 00:30:22,840 --> 00:30:25,160 Speaker 3: which might have been true because I watched my dad 554 00:30:25,200 --> 00:30:27,520 Speaker 3: go on the batting cage at age seventy five, and 555 00:30:27,600 --> 00:30:32,200 Speaker 3: it was pretty impressive, I must say. So. As a 556 00:30:32,200 --> 00:30:35,600 Speaker 3: little gag gift, I got one of those license plate 557 00:30:36,000 --> 00:30:37,840 Speaker 3: what's it called borders holders? 558 00:30:38,200 --> 00:30:38,480 Speaker 2: Yeah? 559 00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:42,440 Speaker 3: Frame frame, Yeah, license plate frame for my dad's car, 560 00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:48,480 Speaker 3: and the license plate frame read better hitter than Joe DiMaggio. 561 00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:52,640 Speaker 3: So that was on the back of his car for years. 562 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:57,120 Speaker 3: So when my dad died, sadly, my mother started driving 563 00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:01,680 Speaker 3: his car. So she came home Jeff and again she 564 00:31:01,840 --> 00:31:04,400 Speaker 3: wasn't born in this country, and she said, Tim, I 565 00:31:04,520 --> 00:31:08,000 Speaker 3: have a question for you. I'm a little bit confused. 566 00:31:08,160 --> 00:31:11,800 Speaker 3: I was at a stoplight today and the man next 567 00:31:11,800 --> 00:31:14,680 Speaker 3: to me rolled down his window and yelled at me 568 00:31:15,040 --> 00:31:18,400 Speaker 3: and said, I bet you weren't a better hitter than 569 00:31:18,440 --> 00:31:22,560 Speaker 3: Ted Williams. And she said, I'm not sure what he 570 00:31:22,720 --> 00:31:26,400 Speaker 3: meant by that. So I had to tell Nana about 571 00:31:26,440 --> 00:31:31,480 Speaker 3: the whole thing about better hitter than Joe DiMaggio. That's 572 00:31:31,520 --> 00:31:34,920 Speaker 3: what Pop used to always joke. And this guy saw 573 00:31:35,000 --> 00:31:38,360 Speaker 3: the license plate frame and then said, I bet you're 574 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:42,160 Speaker 3: not a better hitter than Ted Williams. Pretty good. 575 00:31:43,120 --> 00:31:45,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, that reminds me of the days. You know, when 576 00:31:45,480 --> 00:31:49,320 Speaker 1: Kelly was learning how to drive. You had that sticker 577 00:31:49,360 --> 00:31:51,200 Speaker 1: on the back of the car that said like new driver, 578 00:31:51,640 --> 00:31:54,480 Speaker 1: like be cautious. But I remember you would drive around 579 00:31:54,480 --> 00:31:57,960 Speaker 1: town yourself in that same car. And I always think 580 00:31:57,960 --> 00:32:00,719 Speaker 1: it's comical when people get into cars it's like baby 581 00:32:00,760 --> 00:32:02,920 Speaker 1: on board and there's no baby because they forgot to 582 00:32:02,920 --> 00:32:05,440 Speaker 1: take the sticker on or new driver, and it's an 583 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:06,200 Speaker 1: eighty year old man. 584 00:32:06,600 --> 00:32:11,680 Speaker 2: Well that's better hitter than Joe Demacio. And it's Nana. 585 00:32:12,480 --> 00:32:12,959 Speaker 2: I love that. 586 00:32:13,080 --> 00:32:16,160 Speaker 3: Nanna was the greatest. Happy birthday to my mother. She 587 00:32:16,240 --> 00:32:19,640 Speaker 3: would have been one hundred and one years old today. 588 00:32:19,760 --> 00:32:23,800 Speaker 3: Greatest mom, greatest wife, greatest grandmother and you know that, Jeff, 589 00:32:24,080 --> 00:32:25,080 Speaker 3: of all time. 590 00:32:26,360 --> 00:32:30,360 Speaker 1: You're right, dad, greatest grandmother ever. And next week, Tuesday, 591 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:32,720 Speaker 1: we're back with you with a new episode and a 592 00:32:32,760 --> 00:32:35,400 Speaker 1: new interview as well. We're gonna be chatting with Dallas 593 00:32:35,720 --> 00:32:40,040 Speaker 1: Braden and The funny part is it's gonna release on April, 594 00:32:40,040 --> 00:32:43,160 Speaker 1: the first, April Fool's Day. And Dad, you asked me, 595 00:32:43,520 --> 00:32:46,000 Speaker 1: when I say April Fool's Day, who's one guest that 596 00:32:46,040 --> 00:32:48,440 Speaker 1: you think we should bring on, And without hesitation, I said, 597 00:32:48,520 --> 00:32:49,240 Speaker 1: Dallas Braiden. 598 00:32:49,520 --> 00:32:51,840 Speaker 2: And I need that in a great way because he 599 00:32:52,000 --> 00:32:57,480 Speaker 2: is a character. He's funny, he's fun he's different, he's interesting. 600 00:32:57,120 --> 00:33:00,160 Speaker 3: He's great, and he pitched a perfect game in the 601 00:33:00,200 --> 00:33:03,680 Speaker 3: major leagues. And we will get him to laugh and 602 00:33:03,720 --> 00:33:06,880 Speaker 3: he will tell us the story where he laughed so 603 00:33:07,120 --> 00:33:11,400 Speaker 3: hard in the Chicago Rickley Field press box that he 604 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:14,640 Speaker 3: had to get out of We're broadcasting a game. He 605 00:33:14,720 --> 00:33:17,360 Speaker 3: had to get out of his chair and leave. He 606 00:33:17,440 --> 00:33:21,400 Speaker 3: was laughing so loud on the air, and he will 607 00:33:21,440 --> 00:33:26,640 Speaker 3: explain why he was so laughing so hard on Tuesday. 608 00:33:27,400 --> 00:33:29,280 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for listening, and as always, thank 609 00:33:29,320 --> 00:33:30,760 Speaker 1: you for being a part of our family.