1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:05,000 Speaker 1: From the Berke Shears to the sound from wherever you 2 00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:09,280 Speaker 1: live in MLB America. This is Inside the Parker. You 3 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:11,480 Speaker 1: give us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the 4 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:15,320 Speaker 1: scoop on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of 5 00:00:15,360 --> 00:00:21,920 Speaker 1: Fame voter number one oh three, Rob Parker. All right, 6 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 1: welcome into another edition of Inside the Parker. Coming up 7 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 1: on the program, we'll talk with former Major league pitcher 8 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,559 Speaker 1: Frankie Rodriguez, who's doing a lot of great things with 9 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 1: the young kids in Brooklyn, New York. We'll talk to 10 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:39,159 Speaker 1: him about that and ways to get young kids interested 11 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:44,840 Speaker 1: in Major League baseball again. Plus Mar Gonzalez, the Chicago 12 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: Cubs beat writer from the Chicago Tribune. He stopped by. 13 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 1: We'll do that and much more coming up, stick and stay. 14 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 1: I'm Rob Parker. Here. You there, let's go up to 15 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 1: lee us. It's getting rocked to keep them ros take 16 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 1: on the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one. 17 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:16,240 Speaker 1: Major League Baseball has issued a memo about quote a 18 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:22,760 Speaker 1: very real risk unquote about over the counter sexual enhancement 19 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 1: pills after at least two players this year were suspended 20 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:32,559 Speaker 1: for performance enhancing drugs, and said the band substances found 21 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:36,840 Speaker 1: in their urine came from the unregulated products. This is 22 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:41,320 Speaker 1: sources are familiar with the situation. Told ESPN S Jeff Passing, 23 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 1: this is an interesting story that some players took some 24 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: stuff and they got positive drug tests. So now Major 25 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: League Baseball is telling players that they need to monitor 26 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 1: what they're putting into their bodies. This this is just 27 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 1: when you when you talk about performance and hanting drugs. 28 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 1: I don't think you were talking about it on a 29 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 1: sex tip. But but now Major League Baseball is saying 30 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 1: that yes, indeed, um it has happened to a couple 31 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: of players and uh, and that they need to be 32 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 1: careful in using these things. Um. As you know, over 33 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:23,519 Speaker 1: the counter sexual enhancement pills are part of an unregulated 34 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 1: supplement industry which is estimated to be worth are you 35 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:31,760 Speaker 1: ready for this, more than thirty billion dollars a year. 36 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 1: So there's a lot of this stuff out there. There 37 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:41,800 Speaker 1: are the licensed physician prescription drugs like via viagra and 38 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,679 Speaker 1: Silis and la Vitra, those things, but there are a 39 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 1: lot of other things that are unregulated that people are buying. 40 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:52,799 Speaker 1: So Major League Baseball, according to ESPN, has put out 41 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 1: this this memo to the players, telling them to be 42 00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 1: careful about stuff sold online, sold ret l stores, and 43 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:04,519 Speaker 1: on the black market, both in the United States and internationally. 44 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 1: And UH the quote uh in the memo, UH also 45 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: say quote for this reason, we strongly urged players against 46 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:21,800 Speaker 1: taking any sexual or male enhancement product from any source. 47 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 1: End quote. So players need to again think about what 48 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:29,920 Speaker 1: they put in their bodies if they don't want to 49 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 1: test positive number two. This weekend in Major League Baseball 50 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 1: will be a lot of fun all over diamonds all 51 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 1: over America. Because it's the players. We get nicknames on jerseys. 52 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 1: It returns August twenty three to August, so instead of 53 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 1: players having their regular last names on the back of 54 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:56,280 Speaker 1: their uniforms, they'll have their nicknames. And I think this 55 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 1: is a fun thing. People can get involved in it. 56 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 1: People can UH can can have fun with it. The 57 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 1: the kids seem to like it, The players really like it. 58 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:10,160 Speaker 1: It's one of those things that baseball trying to to 59 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 1: break out of that UH it's stodgy, old school, never 60 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 1: wanting to do anything new or fun. UH have decided 61 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 1: that they want to do it. Some of the names 62 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:25,039 Speaker 1: UM that will be on the back of some of 63 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 1: the jerseys a cool uh. Miguel Cabrera will just go 64 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 1: by Miggey, which is his nickname. UM larn Lorenzo Kane 65 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 1: has three kids with the dollar sign for the s. 66 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:43,279 Speaker 1: Curtis Granderson, who was nicknamed the grandy Man by Yankees 67 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: announcer John Stirling whenever you hit a home run, has 68 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: grandy Man for the back of his jersey. UM. Vladimir 69 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 1: Guerrero Jr. Will have l ka uh. Even even Ligoria 70 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 1: will have long uh. C C. Sabathia will have dub 71 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: Max Scherzer, who has two different color eyes. I think 72 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:13,720 Speaker 1: green and brown will go by brown eye, and Trevor's 73 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 1: story is gonna go by true so um it's pretty cool. 74 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 1: And one more Adam Jones is going by roots. So 75 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:23,359 Speaker 1: they are some of the guys who are gonna be 76 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:26,160 Speaker 1: out there. Everybody will have a chance to pick anything 77 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 1: that they want to think. It's really fun. This is 78 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: the kind of stuff that baseball uh can continue to do, 79 00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 1: continue to try to have fun with the fans, do 80 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:39,600 Speaker 1: something that people can hold onto and look forward to. 81 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:44,480 Speaker 1: So I'm loving this. Number three. When you talk about baseball, 82 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:46,960 Speaker 1: very seldom do you really talk about gambling. It's not 83 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 1: like betting on the NBA or or the NFL, where 84 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 1: the point spreads really makes sense. But uh, here's an 85 00:05:55,240 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 1: interesting piece about the Astros coming into Wednesday night's game 86 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 1: against the Detroit Tigers. As you know, the Astros are 87 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:06,720 Speaker 1: one of the three best teams in baseball, poised to 88 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 1: make another run for a World Series, and then you 89 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:14,240 Speaker 1: have the lowly Detroit Tigers were pretty bad. Justin Verlander, 90 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:17,480 Speaker 1: UH was gonna be on the mound for the Astrals, 91 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:22,480 Speaker 1: of course, the former Tiger UH start starter and uh. 92 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 1: According to ESPN, the Houston Asteroids Astros were poised to 93 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 1: be one of the largest favorites in an MLB game 94 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:35,920 Speaker 1: ever when they sent Verlander to the mound ready. The 95 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 1: Astros were listed as a negative five hundred home favorites 96 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:47,200 Speaker 1: at Caesar sports book and as high as negative five 97 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:51,719 Speaker 1: fifty at other sports books. If the price were to 98 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:55,120 Speaker 1: hold up, Houston will be the heaviest favorite in the 99 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:59,799 Speaker 1: game and at least the fifth the last fifteen past 100 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:04,719 Speaker 1: reasons according to the sports book data. UH companies, and 101 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 1: and this is just crazy. It just tells you that 102 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 1: how bad the Tigers are and how good the Astros are. Um, 103 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 1: so it'll it'll be funny to see how this thing 104 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 1: plays out. They say, the last time it was this lopside, 105 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 1: it goes back to when the Dodgers faced the Atlanta 106 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 1: Braves and were negative four five in a game. Um 107 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:34,840 Speaker 1: and uh so, so there you have it. Uh, the 108 00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 1: Dodgers have uh, the the should say the Astros have 109 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:41,800 Speaker 1: a chance to set the sports book history if the 110 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 1: line holds up in the game Wednesday night in Houston. 111 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 1: Here comes the big interviews. Listen. All right, let's welcome 112 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 1: into the podcast. Now Frankie Rodriguez, the former Major League 113 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:01,680 Speaker 1: picture picture for seven years in the big leagues, Uh, 114 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: including forward Minnesota, played a year in Cincinnati, Boston, Seattle. Frankie, 115 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 1: welcome to the podcast. How you doing, hey man, Good 116 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 1: to be here, brother man. Hey Hey, let's just first 117 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 1: as a picture, let's just start with the major leagues 118 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: and the difference between when you were pitching in the 119 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 1: big leagues and what it's like to pitch now. Uh, 120 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:25,680 Speaker 1: it just seems like everything is a home run, horse strikeout. 121 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 1: How much is the game change since you've been out 122 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 1: of it a lot? And I think the difference between 123 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: now and then when I played, I think there's the 124 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:39,080 Speaker 1: really unrealistic stat of spin rate on the ball. That's 125 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:42,079 Speaker 1: where you're getting all these pictures like trying to put 126 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:43,839 Speaker 1: a little bit extra trying to get a little back 127 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 1: actual out of the arm, put more spin on the ball. 128 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:48,319 Speaker 1: And that's why you have so many pitchers, which is 129 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:52,760 Speaker 1: unbelievable by me throwing balls inside the other batter's box, 130 00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:58,559 Speaker 1: which is unbelievable to me. And and the brand of baseball. 131 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:01,920 Speaker 1: I mean, um, a lot of people, you know, they 132 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:04,240 Speaker 1: stay dig double home runs, and I get why people 133 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: get excited. Um, are you surprised where the game is 134 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:12,600 Speaker 1: gone or or or um, I don't know, surprised by 135 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: all the home runs? What? What? What surprises you the most? 136 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:18,760 Speaker 1: I guess about the changes? Well, so let's start with 137 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:21,560 Speaker 1: the obvious change, the balls being juiced up. So what 138 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:24,120 Speaker 1: it's been juiced up every year on on off, on 139 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:26,160 Speaker 1: the year, off the year on a year. So that's 140 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 1: really not a big thing. That's just the that's just 141 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:31,120 Speaker 1: the inflation of baseball, you know, that's just the way 142 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:33,200 Speaker 1: things go. Does it worked for both? Does it work 143 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 1: for hitters and pitchers both or just for hitters? Well, 144 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 1: I mean I mean, the ball being bound a little 145 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:43,080 Speaker 1: bit tighter is definitely in favor of the hitter. But 146 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:46,800 Speaker 1: to me, like I ran through all my friends and 147 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 1: and and spoke to the former teammates, like it was 148 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:51,040 Speaker 1: the days were better when pictures were able to just 149 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 1: even use pine tar and not care about it. Umpires, 150 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 1: not care about the other team, not care about it, 151 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: the other batters, not care about it. Now you can 152 00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: get that that substance on the board that I allows 153 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:02,600 Speaker 1: you to control the ball, and any and any hitter 154 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 1: would love that. So so that's where that's that's where 155 00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: we are. Uh, it's it's amazing. I mean, how about 156 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:14,319 Speaker 1: some of the teams. How closely are you following baseball? 157 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:17,559 Speaker 1: And um, I mean, what do you think of the 158 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:20,840 Speaker 1: Yankees when you consider your guy who grew up born 159 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 1: and raised in Brooklyn. Where the Yankees your favorite team? 160 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:27,720 Speaker 1: Or were you a Mets fan? Where were you growing up? Uh? 161 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 1: To me, I was just a fan of baseball. But 162 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 1: my uncle had season tickets to the Mets, so we 163 00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 1: went there Austin, So I guess I would say I'm 164 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:35,600 Speaker 1: a Mets fan. But you know, it's just the state 165 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:37,440 Speaker 1: of baseball right now. Was awesome. Man, it's just so 166 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 1: much parody. It's just at any time, anybody could be beat, 167 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 1: you know, and you make it could have playedoff hot. 168 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:45,080 Speaker 1: Then that's a different season. You can turn your whole 169 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 1: year round. So that's that's it's good baseball going on 170 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:51,520 Speaker 1: right now. Yeah, that's that's the thing that that is surprising. Uh. 171 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:53,439 Speaker 1: And there are a couple of really good teams when 172 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:57,960 Speaker 1: you look out there, They're the Yankees. Uh, they're the Astros, 173 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: there are the Dodgers. Those are probably the three best teams. 174 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:05,600 Speaker 1: Would you agree with that? Yeah, definitely. I mean clearly 175 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 1: they have the best records, the best talent. But you know, 176 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:10,079 Speaker 1: like I said, any any given day, man, you get 177 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 1: to the playoffs, that wild card game or that series, 178 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 1: a lot of things that happen, a couple of injuries 179 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:18,559 Speaker 1: or one picture not doing well. It could set the 180 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: home It could change the whole status of everything. How 181 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 1: about this weekend major League Baseball's having where guys get 182 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 1: to put their nicknames on the back of their jerseys. 183 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 1: I think that's a neat thing. They've been doing it 184 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: for a while. What do you think of that? I mean, uh, 185 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 1: cool for fans. You could buy a Jersey with what 186 00:11:35,559 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 1: a nickname instead of a full last name on it. Listen, 187 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 1: there's it's that's good, that's the tip of the arrow man. 188 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:45,439 Speaker 1: That's it's awesome for the player, is awesome for the fans. 189 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:47,320 Speaker 1: I just think they need to do a couple of 190 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:49,680 Speaker 1: more things where the fans, just the younger fans anyway, 191 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:51,360 Speaker 1: where they can just be a little bit more interested, 192 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 1: like what, please tell me, I want to hear your take? 193 00:11:53,800 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 1: What what? What's your baseball do? This is the one 194 00:11:57,080 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 1: thing I want to I want to sit in front 195 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:01,000 Speaker 1: of Tony Clark and talk to about. I know it's 196 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:03,599 Speaker 1: tough because you know players sometimes they might be a 197 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: little to soar or whatever, but that infield, outfield in 198 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 1: college before the game, how about doing that, you know, 199 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 1: open up the gates early, have the fancy everybody's talents, 200 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 1: you know, everybody throwing to the bases, backing up, basis, 201 00:12:16,679 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 1: everything that the coaches going to the game and teach 202 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:21,400 Speaker 1: their kid about. I think that would be fun, right 203 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:27,440 Speaker 1: to try to try to get fans, younger fans more interested. Yeah, definitely. 204 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:29,120 Speaker 1: I mean they're doing it in high school and in 205 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:31,680 Speaker 1: field outfield before the game. They do it in college, 206 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:34,800 Speaker 1: because I'm also a college coach, a Sony Maritime, you know. 207 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:37,040 Speaker 1: I mean, these are things that the young kids want 208 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:39,400 Speaker 1: to see. So if they see that going out there 209 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:42,240 Speaker 1: and the MLB players going out there and doing something 210 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 1: like that, they get to see, you know, something they 211 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 1: might not see during the game. They might be a 212 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 1: third baseman watching that third baseman. He might not get 213 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:51,320 Speaker 1: a groundball, but they get to spiget to see it 214 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 1: before the game and see how wow, I remember before 215 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: in practice, how he practiced before the game, and you know, 216 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: stuff like that. For me, how about the Little League 217 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:01,439 Speaker 1: World Series is underway and that well, you know, when 218 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:03,679 Speaker 1: I was a kid growing up, they only showed the 219 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:06,840 Speaker 1: championship game the last game on a Sunday afternoon on 220 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:11,079 Speaker 1: ABC Wild World of Sports. And now they're almost broadcast 221 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:14,000 Speaker 1: in every game. And it could be real cool if 222 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 1: you were a kid who hit a home run to 223 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:18,120 Speaker 1: win the game. But what about the kids who make 224 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:21,320 Speaker 1: errors and lose games and then have to go back. 225 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:23,760 Speaker 1: You know what we're talking about young kids under twelve 226 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:28,080 Speaker 1: years old? Is that really should every game be broadcast? 227 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:31,319 Speaker 1: Is that cool? I'm okay with it. I think it's cool. 228 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:33,080 Speaker 1: I don't think the kid that makes the evor to 229 00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 1: lose the games problem is going to be being on TV. 230 00:13:37,240 --> 00:13:39,719 Speaker 1: I think the problem is the transition from twelve year 231 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 1: old to being on that big field the sixty you know, 232 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 1: sixt six. So I think he has a lot of 233 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 1: a lot of other things to worry about the error 234 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 1: that he made on TV. So I think it's fun 235 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 1: for everybody. Okay, and tell me about the baseball program 236 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:56,840 Speaker 1: that you run. Uh and and uh, what are you 237 00:13:56,880 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 1: trying to do as far as getting kids, especially as 238 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:04,720 Speaker 1: I can expanic kids into baseball. Yeah, it's throughout my 239 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 1: community in Brooklyn where I grew up. And uh, just 240 00:14:07,640 --> 00:14:10,199 Speaker 1: giving back, man, just giving back on every knowledge and 241 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:12,319 Speaker 1: every bit of knowledge that I have. I'm different from 242 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:16,080 Speaker 1: other organizations because there's multiple teams and organizations. I just 243 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 1: have one that I'm going to stay with until they 244 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:20,560 Speaker 1: get to high school and hopefully to college. So I 245 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 1: just I just geared on, you know, life lessons, every 246 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:26,360 Speaker 1: bit of experience that I've had that might help them 247 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 1: on and off the field. And it's really important, man. 248 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 1: And you know, I sleep well at night because I'm 249 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:34,160 Speaker 1: giving back and giving back everything that I've ever actually 250 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:36,280 Speaker 1: or never had growing up. I just had to figure 251 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 1: some things out on my own. So I feel like 252 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:41,640 Speaker 1: we're doing that in Brooklyn. The website is uh thirty 253 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:45,080 Speaker 1: three rods baseball dot com. We're non for profit organization 254 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:47,400 Speaker 1: and and we're just just doing the right thing by 255 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 1: the kids, man, that's all it is. We're just trying 256 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 1: to get some kids that might not have played baseball 257 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 1: before that might want to know. So that's where that's 258 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 1: where I am right now. That's awesome. I'm hoping. And 259 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:00,880 Speaker 1: tell me what you think about this. That Aila Murray's 260 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:04,120 Speaker 1: even though he picked football over baseball, he was the 261 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: first guy to ever be drafted in the first round 262 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 1: by Major League Baseball and by the NFL that never happened. 263 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 1: And and I think too many kids have been steered 264 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:19,480 Speaker 1: towards playing one sport and specializing instead of good athletes 265 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:22,880 Speaker 1: playing as many sports as they can. And Kyler Murray 266 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 1: proved that you could play more than one sport and 267 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:29,400 Speaker 1: excel in both. Is that something we need to break 268 00:15:29,560 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 1: out of these kids so that they don't just play 269 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 1: one sport and put all eggs in one basket. No, 270 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 1: I agree with that. You know, he's the great exception 271 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:42,400 Speaker 1: to that rule. But kids need to be aware of 272 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:45,280 Speaker 1: just their body and how to move, and playing multiple 273 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:47,880 Speaker 1: sports gives them better agility to be able to perform 274 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,880 Speaker 1: it in all their sports. I think that used to 275 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 1: be the case, and if you look at great athletes 276 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:55,960 Speaker 1: all over the place, most of them play more than 277 00:15:56,000 --> 00:16:01,120 Speaker 1: one sport. But the specialization of it now has really 278 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 1: um you know, put kids to where they have to pick, 279 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:08,520 Speaker 1: and a lot of times baseball gets left out. No, 280 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:10,960 Speaker 1: it definitely gets left out. It definitely gets left out. 281 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:14,720 Speaker 1: It's just kids. It's not about picking for me, you know, 282 00:16:14,840 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 1: from my from my point of view, it's not about picking. 283 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: The sport will pick you and the success you have 284 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:22,040 Speaker 1: will pick you and either sport bits what you put 285 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:25,160 Speaker 1: into it, that's going to be very important, no doubt 286 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:28,720 Speaker 1: about it. Well, well, Frankie, we want to appreciate uh 287 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:32,520 Speaker 1: you joining the podcast and again give everybody your website 288 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:36,920 Speaker 1: and how to reach your baseball program and what you're 289 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:40,360 Speaker 1: doing in Brooklyn with with the kids. No problem, brother, 290 00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 1: thanks for having me. It's uh Frank Rodrick is uh 291 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:47,480 Speaker 1: thirty three Rods Baseball www dot thirty three rods baseball 292 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 1: dot com. Come check us out, give us give us 293 00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:51,760 Speaker 1: an email, we'll help. We'll help your kid out if 294 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:54,440 Speaker 1: we need it. And one last thing, what was in 295 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 1: your career? Your seven years in the big leagues? What 296 00:16:57,240 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 1: was your best moment? Where was it? Do you remember when? When? 297 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 1: When was your best moment in baseball? Every moment was 298 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:09,240 Speaker 1: special for me, man, kids growing up in the projects, 299 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:11,640 Speaker 1: making it to the major league, playing on the under 300 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 1: the spotlight in front of fifty sixty thousand every night, 301 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:16,479 Speaker 1: that's I guess. The best moment for me was just 302 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:19,119 Speaker 1: being able to play with a bunch of Hall of 303 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:21,680 Speaker 1: famers man every day, waking up, going to the park 304 00:17:21,760 --> 00:17:23,760 Speaker 1: like a little kid, and just trying to absorb some 305 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:26,960 Speaker 1: of the knowledge that they were going to give. So yeah, 306 00:17:27,440 --> 00:17:30,160 Speaker 1: in the nutshell of that now, I hear you. Hey, hey, 307 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:32,320 Speaker 1: I'm not pooh pooing it, no doubt about it. To 308 00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 1: make it to the major leagues is a what an 309 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:37,960 Speaker 1: honor that is. And Frankie, we appreciate your time. Thanks 310 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:41,520 Speaker 1: for joining the podcast, my men, and continued success, no problem, man, 311 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 1: thank you, thank you. It's time for the Pocket Protector 312 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:51,400 Speaker 1: Central the analytic numbers you need to know, well maybe 313 00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:57,119 Speaker 1: FS ones Anthony Masterson is his name bs. Analytics is 314 00:17:57,160 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 1: his game, Anthony, what you got for us? All right? 315 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:02,560 Speaker 1: It's finally time to give the catchers some love. The 316 00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:05,159 Speaker 1: new wage of analytics means we have innumerable ways of 317 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:08,480 Speaker 1: evaluating players, and the men donning the tools of ignorance 318 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:11,400 Speaker 1: are now getting their due. Catchers are arguably the most 319 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:14,080 Speaker 1: important position on the diamond, and one way were able 320 00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:15,879 Speaker 1: to see the effect they have on a pitching staff 321 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:19,680 Speaker 1: comes to light in terms of catcher framing. Now, framing 322 00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:21,639 Speaker 1: is the art of a catcher receiving a pitch that 323 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:23,560 Speaker 1: makes it more elected for an umpire to call it 324 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 1: a strike. We can see which pitches that might have 325 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:28,840 Speaker 1: come and just outside the stat cast strike zone that 326 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 1: a catcher caught in such a way to earn a 327 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: call from the umpire. There are eight numbered zones just 328 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:36,359 Speaker 1: outside the strike zone and out of all the strikes 329 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:38,919 Speaker 1: earned by the catchers, and you get a catchers strike 330 00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:42,479 Speaker 1: rate now with a minimum one thousand pitches caught. This season, 331 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:46,240 Speaker 1: the Indians Kevin Powecki owns a league high strike rate 332 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:50,720 Speaker 1: of fifty five point three, including an incredible eight one 333 00:18:51,160 --> 00:18:55,119 Speaker 1: eight percent on Zone sixteen, which is the specific zone 334 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:58,200 Speaker 1: on the outer half to a right handed hitter. There's 335 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:01,680 Speaker 1: another metric called runs from extra Strikes as well, which 336 00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:05,399 Speaker 1: accumulates the stolen strikes and converts them into runs. This season, 337 00:19:05,680 --> 00:19:09,359 Speaker 1: Padre's defensive Wizard, Austin Hedges, leads all of baseball with 338 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 1: a plus sixteen market. Now for catchers, it's not just 339 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: throwing out runners anymore. A great backstop can be many, 340 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:19,080 Speaker 1: many things. All right, Anthony, I'm gonna try to digest 341 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:22,240 Speaker 1: that and see if I could use that somehow, someway, 342 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:27,560 Speaker 1: I appreciate you. That is it was a big week 343 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:35,199 Speaker 1: in the big league. Who's Who's is it follow or 344 00:19:35,320 --> 00:19:39,480 Speaker 1: is it fair? And now here's shadow league dot Com 345 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:47,280 Speaker 1: MLB insider JR. Gamble. When Yasiel Pwied burst on the scene, Man, 346 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 1: he was a superstar and now here we are hes 347 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:54,000 Speaker 1: been traded twice in less than a year. Is it 348 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:57,119 Speaker 1: foul or fair to say he's bottomed out as a 349 00:19:57,160 --> 00:20:03,720 Speaker 1: superstar now that he's in Cleveland, JA. It's fair? Definitely. 350 00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:07,040 Speaker 1: That's help we storm the league in two thousand thirteen 351 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:10,120 Speaker 1: with the fans fair and the drama of his dangerous 352 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:14,400 Speaker 1: affection from Cuba and the locivious characters that helped Hill 353 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:17,359 Speaker 1: arrive here. You know, he hit like Hank Gallant and 354 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:20,960 Speaker 1: captivated fans with his Latin passion for the game during 355 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:22,960 Speaker 1: that what two months run he had as a rookie, 356 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:25,680 Speaker 1: and unfortunately it turned out to be the greatest two 357 00:20:25,680 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 1: months of his life rob and not indicative of the 358 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:31,679 Speaker 1: type of hitter he would become. He had a higher 359 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:34,439 Speaker 1: twenty eight homers a few years back. But he's been 360 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:37,240 Speaker 1: a solid guy, a guy who has, in my opinion, 361 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:40,719 Speaker 1: a low baseball like you. He's never hit thirty bombs 362 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:43,680 Speaker 1: in an everywhere balls are flying out the park. He's 363 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:46,520 Speaker 1: been a very good player, and he's a success story 364 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:50,440 Speaker 1: as far as how he made it to the United 365 00:20:50,480 --> 00:20:53,440 Speaker 1: States and everybody loves the guy, but he's been a 366 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: huge disappointment overall as far as superstar status is concerned. 367 00:20:59,240 --> 00:21:04,320 Speaker 1: Fasten your give me, give me five. Here comes Parker's 368 00:21:04,440 --> 00:21:12,320 Speaker 1: top three MLB teams this week. Number three, the Houston Astros. 369 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:17,159 Speaker 1: I know, I know everybody was so excited when the 370 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 1: Astros made the trade to get Zach Grinky to Bill 371 00:21:21,160 --> 00:21:25,080 Speaker 1: to bolster their rotation. Everybody you know made them the 372 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:30,320 Speaker 1: favorites to UH to UH win the World Series, and 373 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:32,440 Speaker 1: they're still gonna be in the mix. There's still gonna 374 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:35,080 Speaker 1: be there. Just hasn't been as electrifying as people thought 375 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:39,719 Speaker 1: because actually, uh, their record going into Wednesday was seventy 376 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 1: nine and six, which wasn't even as good as the 377 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:48,560 Speaker 1: Dodgers or the Yankees. Actually, the Astros have flipped and 378 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:51,720 Speaker 1: flipped or slipped in the last couple of weeks. But 379 00:21:51,840 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 1: obviously they're gonna be in the mix, and they will 380 00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:57,520 Speaker 1: be there. But the Astros still when you talk about 381 00:21:57,560 --> 00:22:00,800 Speaker 1: the top three teams in baseball, I still have them 382 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:06,760 Speaker 1: at number three, number two. The Los Angeles Dodgers coming 383 00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:11,199 Speaker 1: into Wednesday night they were eighty two and forty four. 384 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:16,400 Speaker 1: Continue to win at an incredible pace and yes, uh 385 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:20,840 Speaker 1: they have a great rotation and uh have been pitching 386 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:25,480 Speaker 1: lights out, and um, I don't know how could you 387 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:28,199 Speaker 1: not look at this team and think that they're not 388 00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 1: going to get to the World Series for a third 389 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:33,679 Speaker 1: year in a row, which is really hard to do. 390 00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:37,840 Speaker 1: But again, it's it's still comes down to whether or 391 00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 1: not the bullpen is going to be good enough. The 392 00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:46,159 Speaker 1: Dodgers have now even considered that they will try to 393 00:22:46,680 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 1: put their prize the top pitching prospect Dustin May, and 394 00:22:53,040 --> 00:22:58,119 Speaker 1: that Dustin May will be uh as used as a 395 00:22:58,160 --> 00:23:01,320 Speaker 1: reliever this weekend. They wanted to Herman whether or not 396 00:23:01,400 --> 00:23:04,520 Speaker 1: they'll be able to use him in the postseason roster. 397 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 1: It says a lot uh that they would do that. 398 00:23:07,800 --> 00:23:11,800 Speaker 1: That's how much bullpen pitching matters in the postseason. And 399 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:14,879 Speaker 1: maybe they might catch lightning in a bottle and Dustin 400 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:18,479 Speaker 1: May can provide what they need in the bullpen in 401 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:24,280 Speaker 1: the postseason. Number One, it is still the New York 402 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:28,840 Speaker 1: freaking Yankees. I'm sorry, I've been saying it all year. 403 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:33,480 Speaker 1: Think about where they are coming into Wednesday night, eighty 404 00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:39,320 Speaker 1: three and forty three. Yes, they have the fewer's losses 405 00:23:39,359 --> 00:23:43,520 Speaker 1: in Major League Baseball, the best winning percentage. They still 406 00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:47,560 Speaker 1: you can question their starting rotation, and I understand why 407 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:50,399 Speaker 1: a lot of their starters just kind of give you 408 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:54,760 Speaker 1: whole home starts. But their bullpen is rock solid. They're 409 00:23:54,800 --> 00:23:59,280 Speaker 1: hitting is unbelievable. They're getting contributions from everybody. I still 410 00:23:59,320 --> 00:24:02,439 Speaker 1: say they will be tough because when you think about 411 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:06,479 Speaker 1: the idea that almost fifty of the innings in the 412 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:09,480 Speaker 1: postseason a year ago we're pitched out of the bullpen, 413 00:24:10,119 --> 00:24:13,880 Speaker 1: it tells you that bullpen dominance is big. The Yankee 414 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:17,760 Speaker 1: should still be scary to people. And I think the 415 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:21,840 Speaker 1: New York Yankees are the best team in baseball again, 416 00:24:22,440 --> 00:24:27,399 Speaker 1: they are number one. Take out the favor. It's time 417 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:31,119 Speaker 1: for trash talk Twitter, Twitter with your chance to trash 418 00:24:31,240 --> 00:24:36,439 Speaker 1: anyone or anything in Major League Baseball. This week's winner 419 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:42,080 Speaker 1: is pr man Jay tweeting from ken and Georgia, and 420 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:45,920 Speaker 1: he tweets this, I want to trash the Atlanta Braves. 421 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:49,160 Speaker 1: How does the first place team start off the game 422 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:53,159 Speaker 1: with their best player getting hit purposely not only in 423 00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:56,440 Speaker 1: the first inning, but in the fourth inning also, and 424 00:24:56,480 --> 00:25:00,080 Speaker 1: no one charges the mound the Miami Marlins or in 425 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:04,159 Speaker 1: last place and could use a butt whooping. How can 426 00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:07,560 Speaker 1: you be such a nice team and so much so 427 00:25:07,640 --> 00:25:16,400 Speaker 1: that you're giving the starting pitcher extra warm ups. If 428 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:18,920 Speaker 1: you want to be a winner like Jay and win 429 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:22,879 Speaker 1: a new era snapback, just hit us up all my 430 00:25:23,040 --> 00:25:27,800 Speaker 1: Twitter at Rob Parker FS one and just trash anyone 431 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:35,679 Speaker 1: or anything in the world of baseball. When Rob was 432 00:25:35,720 --> 00:25:39,840 Speaker 1: a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto. If I'm writing, 433 00:25:40,280 --> 00:25:44,199 Speaker 1: I'm ripping, Let's bring in a writer a broadcaster older 434 00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:47,320 Speaker 1: New all right, Let's welcome to the podcast. One of 435 00:25:47,359 --> 00:25:49,679 Speaker 1: my favorite people, one of the best baseball writers in 436 00:25:49,720 --> 00:25:54,040 Speaker 1: the country, Mar Gonzalez from the Chicago tribuneies the Cubs. 437 00:25:54,119 --> 00:25:59,840 Speaker 1: B writer since also covered the White Sox, also cover 438 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:03,200 Speaker 1: baseball for the Hours on a Republic in the San 439 00:26:03,280 --> 00:26:07,040 Speaker 1: Jose Mercury News. What's up, Mark? How you doing, Bud? 440 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:10,440 Speaker 1: I'm doing well. Rob. Always be with you, no doubt 441 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:14,760 Speaker 1: about it. Let's talk about those Chicago Cubs. Where are 442 00:26:14,880 --> 00:26:18,320 Speaker 1: they are? You know? I think people thought at one 443 00:26:18,359 --> 00:26:21,480 Speaker 1: point after Mark they won the World Series, that it 444 00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:24,920 Speaker 1: was gonna be like uh, an every year occurrence. Obviously, 445 00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:27,439 Speaker 1: it's not that they were in a tough battle in 446 00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:31,199 Speaker 1: the in the National League Central. Uh they've had some 447 00:26:31,240 --> 00:26:33,639 Speaker 1: good moments from down moments. Where are the Cubs right 448 00:26:33,640 --> 00:26:38,360 Speaker 1: now as we uh almost head out of August. They're 449 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:40,360 Speaker 1: really in a battle. And I say that because there's 450 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:42,800 Speaker 1: a lot of things that haven't gone right for them 451 00:26:42,800 --> 00:26:46,400 Speaker 1: that people assume they would. Uh. Mostly it's been at 452 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:49,520 Speaker 1: the home and road split. The fact that they've really 453 00:26:49,520 --> 00:26:52,600 Speaker 1: struggled on the road the whole year. You wouldn't expect 454 00:26:52,600 --> 00:26:55,560 Speaker 1: that from a team that has a great chunk of 455 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:58,920 Speaker 1: the nucleus still intact from that two thousand sixteen World 456 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:02,919 Speaker 1: Series team. They really struggle for for many reasons. On 457 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:05,000 Speaker 1: the road, it seems like they played just well enough 458 00:27:05,040 --> 00:27:07,600 Speaker 1: to lose in the road. That's that's been one big thing. 459 00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:11,000 Speaker 1: The other thing has been that these young guys that 460 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:13,000 Speaker 1: were young when they won the World Series. You think 461 00:27:13,040 --> 00:27:16,760 Speaker 1: they would uh start a linear path toward improvement. They 462 00:27:16,760 --> 00:27:20,000 Speaker 1: really haven't. It's everybody's been off in one way or another. 463 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:22,119 Speaker 1: You know Albert Elmore, he's down the miners now. He 464 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:25,160 Speaker 1: used to hit left handed kitching pretty well. He hasn't 465 00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:27,200 Speaker 1: done so he's in the miners and that's been a 466 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:31,600 Speaker 1: real um. I want to say a puck on their resume, 467 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:33,960 Speaker 1: the fact they haven't hit lefties. Well. You know Ian 468 00:27:34,040 --> 00:27:36,400 Speaker 1: Happs who was up here for most of the last 469 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:39,320 Speaker 1: two years. He started the miners, he really struggled. Now 470 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:42,439 Speaker 1: has turned it on. He's up now. David Body, he 471 00:27:42,520 --> 00:27:45,199 Speaker 1: was a great contributor last year off the bench, he's 472 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:47,240 Speaker 1: down the miners. They're going with nine men in the 473 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 1: rotation in the bullpen right now, which is really odd, 474 00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:52,600 Speaker 1: but this is how they feel their strongest in the 475 00:27:52,640 --> 00:27:55,880 Speaker 1: bullpen had to share struggles you know, earlier in the year. 476 00:27:55,920 --> 00:27:57,480 Speaker 1: But now you've got nine guys, so they're hoping to 477 00:27:57,520 --> 00:28:00,560 Speaker 1: get enough quality out of that group. Tell me about 478 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:05,400 Speaker 1: Hugh Darbish, was that good or bad move signing him? 479 00:28:05,440 --> 00:28:10,200 Speaker 1: And they would expect to get their money's worth. Kenny 480 00:28:10,240 --> 00:28:13,399 Speaker 1: still turned, you know, pitch well enough to where it 481 00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:16,399 Speaker 1: was a good deal. Yeah. I think that there's plenty 482 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:18,399 Speaker 1: outside with him. You've seen her right now. In his 483 00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:21,600 Speaker 1: last seven started to believe he's walked to and struck 484 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:24,919 Speaker 1: out fifty seven and the out of those seven starts, 485 00:28:24,920 --> 00:28:27,720 Speaker 1: he's allowed more than two runs only twice. He's been 486 00:28:27,720 --> 00:28:31,320 Speaker 1: become the dominant pitcher they really needed and thought they 487 00:28:31,320 --> 00:28:33,640 Speaker 1: were gonna get last year. They turned out last year, 488 00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:36,040 Speaker 1: you know, he signed late, you know, just truck Prior 489 00:28:36,119 --> 00:28:39,160 Speaker 1: to spring training, everything was it was a circus tunis 490 00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:43,360 Speaker 1: spinning carousel. And uh he was hurt too and only 491 00:28:43,360 --> 00:28:46,080 Speaker 1: gave him eight starts, and there was some doubt as 492 00:28:46,200 --> 00:28:48,520 Speaker 1: to whether this was going to be a good signing. 493 00:28:48,520 --> 00:28:51,720 Speaker 1: And started off bad too, his first started Texas, where 494 00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:54,360 Speaker 1: he walked seven and didn't get past the third inning. 495 00:28:54,360 --> 00:28:57,960 Speaker 1: But since then he's really ratched up pretty pretty much 496 00:28:58,160 --> 00:29:00,880 Speaker 1: and really been their most him in a picture. It's 497 00:29:00,920 --> 00:29:03,360 Speaker 1: something that they thought they would get, something they needed 498 00:29:03,360 --> 00:29:05,680 Speaker 1: because of the rest of the staff. You know, guys 499 00:29:05,720 --> 00:29:08,280 Speaker 1: like Lester and Hamil's and Kyle Hender if they pitched 500 00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:11,680 Speaker 1: the contact a lot rely on their defense. So Darvis 501 00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:14,920 Speaker 1: definitely was I needed addition at that point. And now 502 00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:17,360 Speaker 1: that he's healthy, you're seeing what he's capable of doing. 503 00:29:17,560 --> 00:29:20,920 Speaker 1: How about Craig kimbrill and and uh, obviously the Cubs 504 00:29:20,920 --> 00:29:24,000 Speaker 1: signed him. Uh, he didn't get signed in the off 505 00:29:24,040 --> 00:29:26,440 Speaker 1: season and they waited and a lot of teams just 506 00:29:26,480 --> 00:29:29,960 Speaker 1: didn't bite. But the Cubs did give me an update 507 00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:33,200 Speaker 1: on him. It's been kind of choppy for him. You know, 508 00:29:33,240 --> 00:29:36,120 Speaker 1: you mentioned earlier him signing late, and then he was 509 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:38,200 Speaker 1: getting hit around a little bit. You know, he is, 510 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:42,120 Speaker 1: velocity is still there, you know, ninety seven, but his 511 00:29:42,360 --> 00:29:45,640 Speaker 1: location wasn't so sharp, and then he went on the 512 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:48,040 Speaker 1: injured list for for a couple of weeks or the 513 00:29:48,160 --> 00:29:52,720 Speaker 1: soul right knee came back twice since then. The second 514 00:29:52,760 --> 00:29:54,640 Speaker 1: time was better than the first time, which he gave 515 00:29:54,680 --> 00:29:56,800 Speaker 1: him a homer starring Monte at the first pitch. But 516 00:29:57,480 --> 00:30:01,920 Speaker 1: he pitched Tuesday night and was back to his old self. Uh, 517 00:30:02,000 --> 00:30:06,920 Speaker 1: you know, throwing great sharp, breaking curve. They feel that. 518 00:30:07,400 --> 00:30:09,479 Speaker 1: You know, this might be his name where he starts 519 00:30:09,480 --> 00:30:12,320 Speaker 1: as sending in late September and it's like mid season 520 00:30:12,360 --> 00:30:14,400 Speaker 1: to him with arm strength and being able to go 521 00:30:14,520 --> 00:30:17,200 Speaker 1: back to back nights. We got less than a minute ago. 522 00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:19,959 Speaker 1: Is Joe Madden going to be the manager of the 523 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:23,239 Speaker 1: clubs next year? Because I don't feel like he will be, 524 00:30:23,440 --> 00:30:25,440 Speaker 1: even though he's made the playoffs four years in a 525 00:30:25,560 --> 00:30:29,400 Speaker 1: row and no Clubs manager has ever done that. I'm 526 00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:32,560 Speaker 1: not so sure either. Rob A lot has to happen 527 00:30:32,560 --> 00:30:34,200 Speaker 1: for him to come back. I kind of look at 528 00:30:34,200 --> 00:30:37,280 Speaker 1: it as a Johnny Keen situation. I know I'm dating 529 00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:41,360 Speaker 1: myself there, but that was when he won the World 530 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:44,200 Speaker 1: Series and then when over in the Yankees the next year. 531 00:30:44,800 --> 00:30:46,560 Speaker 1: You know, there's a lot of balls and play. You know, 532 00:30:46,640 --> 00:30:48,960 Speaker 1: this roster might change if they don't go all the way, 533 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:51,680 Speaker 1: and it might mean that they want a younger guy, 534 00:30:51,960 --> 00:30:54,000 Speaker 1: uh talling the shots with a lot of help from 535 00:30:54,040 --> 00:30:56,520 Speaker 1: the front office upstairs. You know, Joe's worked well with 536 00:30:56,640 --> 00:30:59,520 Speaker 1: kids too. We saw his the job he did in 537 00:30:59,600 --> 00:31:02,680 Speaker 1: Tampa Bay. But this is a different environment here where 538 00:31:02,760 --> 00:31:05,920 Speaker 1: you know, you're expected to win every day, and they don't. 539 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:08,960 Speaker 1: They don't aspire to the average, no doubt about it. 540 00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:11,880 Speaker 1: Thank you for your knowledge. His name, mar Gonzo is 541 00:31:11,920 --> 00:31:14,760 Speaker 1: one of the best baseball writers in the country. Covers 542 00:31:14,800 --> 00:31:17,640 Speaker 1: the club for the Chicago Tribune. Buddy, thank you so much. 543 00:31:18,160 --> 00:31:21,600 Speaker 1: Anything for you, Rob, Buddy, see you soon. Take care. 544 00:31:22,640 --> 00:31:28,800 Speaker 1: Now bring in the closer. Here's why MLB is better 545 00:31:28,840 --> 00:31:32,640 Speaker 1: than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close. 546 00:31:34,280 --> 00:31:38,680 Speaker 1: Here's reason one hundred why Major League Baseball is better 547 00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:44,400 Speaker 1: than the NBA and the NFL. Did you catch Bill 548 00:31:44,440 --> 00:31:49,520 Speaker 1: Walton serving as a guest color commentator this past Friday 549 00:31:49,520 --> 00:31:52,480 Speaker 1: on the White Sox Angels game in Anaheim? Come on, 550 00:31:53,520 --> 00:31:57,560 Speaker 1: the basketball legend had a ball being a color analyst 551 00:31:57,600 --> 00:32:01,440 Speaker 1: for Major League Baseball. He got the call Grant slam 552 00:32:01,440 --> 00:32:04,360 Speaker 1: on Mike trout home run. He made all kinds of 553 00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:09,120 Speaker 1: funny references. Take a listen, look at this defil from Trout. 554 00:32:10,080 --> 00:32:16,600 Speaker 1: It's not gonna have a play. That's Trout trouting up stream. 555 00:32:16,680 --> 00:32:21,480 Speaker 1: But what did all the flies and sending one Ricochem 556 00:32:21,720 --> 00:32:25,760 Speaker 1: through the universe? And look at this crowd. Ruckuses can 557 00:32:25,840 --> 00:32:29,160 Speaker 1: be one of the most successful franchises, just packing them 558 00:32:29,240 --> 00:32:34,960 Speaker 1: in here at the Big A. There it goes goes. 559 00:32:37,360 --> 00:32:41,000 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, you called the gappers and what was 560 00:32:41,040 --> 00:32:48,320 Speaker 1: called that? What you called Grant Slam? Oh my gosh. 561 00:32:48,760 --> 00:32:51,880 Speaker 1: Put Ricky in the Hall of Fame today after his 562 00:32:52,000 --> 00:32:57,040 Speaker 1: contract extension. And there you have it again. Bill Wolton 563 00:32:57,120 --> 00:33:00,560 Speaker 1: did not disappoint and he can't disappoin point. When you're 564 00:33:00,560 --> 00:33:04,440 Speaker 1: calling baseball, watching the game, enjoying the action of Major 565 00:33:04,480 --> 00:33:08,440 Speaker 1: League baseball, there's always gonna be something to work with, 566 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:13,600 Speaker 1: something to have fun with. And Bill Walton, the basketball legend, 567 00:33:13,720 --> 00:33:18,880 Speaker 1: just proved that by having fun with major League Baseball. 568 00:33:25,920 --> 00:33:28,360 Speaker 1: In the words of New York TV legend the late 569 00:33:28,400 --> 00:33:31,760 Speaker 1: Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time until 570 00:33:31,840 --> 00:33:35,600 Speaker 1: next time. Rob Parker out. He can't get it. This 571 00:33:35,720 --> 00:33:38,040 Speaker 1: could be an inside the Parker to see you next week, 572 00:33:38,360 --> 00:34:01,600 Speaker 1: same bad time station. In Victim Victi