1 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:07,160 Speaker 1: From the Berkshars to the sound from wherever you live 2 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: in MLB America. This is Inside the Parker. You give 3 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop 4 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 1: on major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame 5 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: voter number eighty three, Rob Parker. All right, welcome into 6 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:28,920 Speaker 1: Inside the Parker for the season. Yes, we're excited, and 7 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: you'll be able to catch the podcast every Thursday, that's 8 00:00:32,440 --> 00:00:35,280 Speaker 1: when it drops. And of course we'll have some of 9 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:38,520 Speaker 1: your favorites like Foul Affair those segments, and a couple 10 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 1: of new ones betting on the bases and things like 11 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:47,879 Speaker 1: that as well. But version, let's get you started with 12 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:55,280 Speaker 1: getting Robbed up to lead off. It's getting Robbed and 13 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: keep him on. Rob's hot take on the three biggest 14 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 1: stories in Major League Baseball. Number one, it is opening Day, Yes, Thursday, 15 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 1: April one. There's no April fool's joke here. Everyone will 16 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:13,280 Speaker 1: play in Major League Baseball to start the season on 17 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:17,440 Speaker 1: a Thursday. And we cannot wait because we have a 18 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:21,920 Speaker 1: full season. This is not this is not sixty games. 19 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: We have the full slate, a hundred and sixty two games, 20 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 1: and we can't wait so many good teams out there 21 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: in Major League Baseball this year. Um, so I'm excited. 22 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: I know you are too. So you know what, there's 23 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:42,960 Speaker 1: nothing better than hearing play ball. Number two Mets short 24 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:49,560 Speaker 1: stop Francisco Lindor has turned down reportedly three hundred and 25 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 1: twenty five million dollar long term contract from the Metropolitans. Instead, 26 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 1: he wants a twelve year, three hundred eighty five million 27 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 1: dollar deal. That's his counterproposal. So far, he's balked at 28 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:10,079 Speaker 1: the Mets tenure contract. And I don't know. I think 29 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:12,600 Speaker 1: Lynn Door is a hell of a player, has a 30 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 1: chance to make it to the mayor to the Hall 31 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:17,639 Speaker 1: of Fame. But I don't know if I could pass 32 00:02:17,760 --> 00:02:21,520 Speaker 1: up twenty seven years old, three hundred and twenty five 33 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 1: million dollars all guaranteed. Remember, he didn't have a great 34 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 1: year last year only bat at two fifty eight, had 35 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: eight home runs, twenty seven RBIs in the sixty games, 36 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 1: So not that great. And he's betting on himself. I 37 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 1: get it. He's been a tremendous shortstop. Uh he's one 38 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 1: uh two times, he's been a Gold Glub winner. He 39 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:49,240 Speaker 1: he's on track to get to the Hall of fame, 40 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 1: but I think he's taking a huge gamble. He wants 41 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:56,280 Speaker 1: that three hundred and eighty five million dollars, and I'm 42 00:02:56,280 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 1: not sure I would not take the three, the five 43 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 1: number three. All right, here's my one World Series. That's right. 44 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 1: World Series prediction. Man. I'm looking forward to a full 45 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:15,799 Speaker 1: baseball season, and I know everybody's talking about the Dodgers 46 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 1: and of course what they were able to do adding 47 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:22,959 Speaker 1: Trevor Bauer to a team that already won the World 48 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 1: Series a year ago. But in the NL West, I'm 49 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:32,399 Speaker 1: focusing on the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers have won 50 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:34,640 Speaker 1: that division eight years in a row. But you know what, 51 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 1: I'm going against the grain and I'm going with the 52 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:44,400 Speaker 1: upstart Padres. I'm picking the Padres to win the division 53 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:49,600 Speaker 1: with the additions of pictures, Blake Snell, You, Darvish, and 54 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:54,120 Speaker 1: Joe must Grove all to their rotation. I think that 55 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: they have a stellar rotation. I love Fernando Tattoos and 56 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 1: Manny Machado on that line up, Eric Cosmer and Will Myers. 57 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 1: I mean, I can't like this team enough. I get 58 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:11,120 Speaker 1: it on paper to the Dodgers are better, but I'm 59 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: gonna make the big pick of the Padres coming out 60 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: of the National League for the World Series, beating the 61 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 1: Dodgers and getting to the World Series and playing the 62 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:27,080 Speaker 1: New York Yankees. I know we're tired of picking the 63 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 1: New York Yankees year in and year out, but I 64 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 1: must admit this. I can't believe the Yankees. We'll go 65 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:40,280 Speaker 1: through another year with the injuries that have piled up 66 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:43,440 Speaker 1: the last few years, and they keep making the playoffs, 67 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:46,800 Speaker 1: and they keep making playoff runs, but they keep getting 68 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:50,480 Speaker 1: banged up and having so many injuries. I believe Judge 69 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 1: and Stanton finally stay healthy for a year and they 70 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:59,479 Speaker 1: mash their pitching falls in line and the New York 71 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:03,040 Speaker 1: Yankee He's beat the San Diego Padres in the World Series. 72 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:08,279 Speaker 1: In this will be an epic World Series with big stars, 73 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:13,839 Speaker 1: big names. I can't wait. Fasten your seatbelts, Baseball season 74 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:22,520 Speaker 1: is here. Here comes the big interview. Listen Headler. All 75 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 1: right now, let's welcome to the podcast. Daniel Ponce de 76 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:29,239 Speaker 1: leone St. Louis Cardinals picture, who has a new book, 77 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:34,920 Speaker 1: One Line Drive, a life threatening injury and a faith 78 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:39,720 Speaker 1: fuel comeback, and what a story he has. Daniel, Welcome 79 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: to the podcast. Hey Rob, thanks for having me on here. Absolutely, 80 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 1: and for people who remember your career, Uh, you know 81 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: you were hit by a line drive, and you know 82 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:57,039 Speaker 1: it took you fourteen months to fully recover from that. 83 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:00,200 Speaker 1: But yet you made your first major league starting. I'm 84 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:03,479 Speaker 1: in the fifth pitcher in modern Major league history to 85 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:06,720 Speaker 1: throw seven innings of no hit ball in your first outing. 86 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 1: Some people regarded as one of the greatest debuts in 87 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 1: Major League baseball history. But first, take us back to 88 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 1: that moment that changed your life and uh, and the 89 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:21,200 Speaker 1: story you're about to tell us. Okay, Um, it was 90 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:25,200 Speaker 1: May night and two seventeen were it was a day 91 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:27,800 Speaker 1: game at Iowa Cups and Kids Day two. So it's 92 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:30,840 Speaker 1: a bunch of kids. They're screaming SpongeBob stuff and uh, 93 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: second inning rolls around. I have Rosario a catcher, Carrotini hitting, 94 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 1: and uh, Rosaria calls Fassibo down the way I started 95 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:42,040 Speaker 1: the ball middle states middle, lines, the ball back up 96 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,920 Speaker 1: the middle and uh hits me straight in the temple 97 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 1: and uh, I remember the ball spinning. I could see 98 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 1: the seams. I just could not react to clicking clicking 99 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:53,720 Speaker 1: enough and uh, I'm probably knocked out for the two seconds. 100 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 1: But after that, I remember catcher, my teammates, my trainer 101 00:06:57,040 --> 00:07:00,080 Speaker 1: all surrounding me. My trainers asked me questions I'm able to, 102 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,359 Speaker 1: and initially I'm thinking it's not too bad, but the 103 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 1: trainer does not like the way I'm answering it, so 104 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 1: he calls over the stretcher and I thought that was 105 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 1: ridiculous because my neck wasn't broken, and they had me 106 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:16,559 Speaker 1: all strapped up and did the whole rolloverund your side 107 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:18,920 Speaker 1: deal and put me on the stretcher and then um, 108 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 1: they put me in the ambulance. And then once I 109 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: got in there and started feeling a little bit worse, 110 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:25,200 Speaker 1: and then uh, getting to the hospital and that's when 111 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 1: things start getting real bad for me. And uh one 112 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 1: of the last memories of them shaving my head, and 113 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 1: then after that, um, laying in the hospital bad, talking 114 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 1: to my dad and and I mean, obviously so many 115 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 1: things are going through your through your mind. I mean 116 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: obviously baseball wasn't wasn't a part of it. It's about 117 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: survival at that point, wasn't it. Yeah? For me, Um, 118 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 1: I I did not know how bad the injury was 119 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: to the extent, but for all the other people around. 120 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 1: They they're hoping one, I was just gonna survive the surgery, 121 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 1: and then to um, they were hoping that I wouldn't 122 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 1: have to re go into surgery because then I would 123 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 1: have disabilities and UM, and then once I did get 124 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:10,600 Speaker 1: clear of that, they're hoping that I did not have 125 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 1: any disabilities. And they were hoping I could walk, talk, 126 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 1: and just eat again. And no one really was thinking 127 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 1: about baseball at the time, and talk about making that 128 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 1: recovery your faith, your friends, your family. How important was 129 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: that to to you know, to to need that in 130 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:33,520 Speaker 1: order to make it through such a a traumatic situation. UM, 131 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: the people that were around he was essential to my recovery. UM. 132 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 1: And for a brain injury, it's not something you can rehab, 133 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:44,559 Speaker 1: you know, like you heard arm leg or something. You 134 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 1: go through protocols. After a certain time you start rehabbing. Well, 135 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:50,839 Speaker 1: for the brain, all it was was swelling. So all 136 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:54,040 Speaker 1: you can do is sit there and wait until the 137 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:57,319 Speaker 1: swelling goes down in your brain. And so I had 138 00:08:57,400 --> 00:09:00,400 Speaker 1: three months to myself of just you know, sitting there. 139 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:03,240 Speaker 1: Not much activity was allowed. You know. I was able 140 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:05,160 Speaker 1: to go for walk, to kind of toss the ball, 141 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:09,080 Speaker 1: the tennis ball, around for my dog. Otherwise, you know, 142 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:11,679 Speaker 1: you're just left to yourself with your own thoughts. So 143 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: I took that time to, uh, to really dive into 144 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:18,760 Speaker 1: my faith. Um. And I was unsure where my soul 145 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 1: would have gone if I would have died at that time. Um, 146 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 1: you know I would I was a Christian, but I 147 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: would be a lukewarm one at best. And so I 148 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 1: decided to to really dive dive into that during those 149 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 1: three months and thereafter. And then julyen you make your 150 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:45,680 Speaker 1: Major league debut for the St. Louis Cardinals. Tell me 151 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:49,160 Speaker 1: what that I mean, Tell me what that was like? 152 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:51,560 Speaker 1: What went through your head when you took the mound 153 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:54,200 Speaker 1: for the first time, you know, wearing a St. Louis 154 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:57,679 Speaker 1: Cardinals juniform and you were in the big leagues. Uh, 155 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:00,960 Speaker 1: the Great Lord delivered me he answer of prayers, many 156 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 1: of prayers, not just mine, but many other people in 157 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:06,440 Speaker 1: my life. I pray, even people I hardly knew prays 158 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:09,559 Speaker 1: for me. Um. And uh, you know that outing I 159 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:13,720 Speaker 1: recall is probably one of the most peaceful and focused 160 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:16,559 Speaker 1: outings I've ever had. You know, Uh, nothing really could 161 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:19,320 Speaker 1: have faded me. I wasn't worried it wasn't too high, 162 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 1: it wasn't too low, it was just right. And that 163 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 1: was my prayer previous to going out there and nice 164 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:28,400 Speaker 1: exactly whatever seas. When I was out there and and 165 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 1: talk about playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, I called St. 166 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:35,920 Speaker 1: Louis the baseball capital of the United States. I don't 167 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 1: think they are better baseball fans anywhere. And there are 168 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 1: a lot of great baseball fans l a. The Dodgers, 169 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 1: the Yankees, the Red Sox, you know, the Cobbs. But St. 170 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 1: Louis is the greatest baseball city. Am I wrong? No, 171 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:53,719 Speaker 1: You're not wrong at all. It is the baseball city. 172 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 1: And uh, those fans, they are unbelievable. When I was 173 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:02,319 Speaker 1: recovering at home St. Louis, the Cardinals they had they 174 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: put out these two huge whiteboards, one in the clubhouse 175 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 1: and then one out in the stadium for fans and 176 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:11,680 Speaker 1: both groups. The big league players who I hardly knew, 177 00:11:11,720 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 1: they didn't really know me. I hadn't been called up yet, 178 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:17,080 Speaker 1: and even the random fans who walked through the stadium 179 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:19,680 Speaker 1: they all signed in wrote nice things to me. I 180 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 1: received a ton of letters in the mail from Iowa 181 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 1: Cup fans and uh, you know the same most Cardinals 182 00:11:25,160 --> 00:11:26,920 Speaker 1: fans for a us of right, people who didn't even 183 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:30,040 Speaker 1: know me, they was they were there like stay behind 184 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 1: me and that that meant a lot. Give us a 185 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:36,679 Speaker 1: preview of the Cardinals this year. I mean the Cardinals 186 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:42,440 Speaker 1: have always uh I've always competed, always tried to make 187 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 1: moves to try to win a division and uh, you know, 188 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:48,680 Speaker 1: get back to the World Series. How are you feeling 189 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:51,959 Speaker 1: about your team this season? Um, couldn't be more excited. 190 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: This is probably one of the best teams that I've 191 00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:57,880 Speaker 1: ever been around personally, UM. And I will give props 192 00:11:57,920 --> 00:12:01,560 Speaker 1: to the Cardinals front office. They they've assembled a group 193 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:06,240 Speaker 1: of guys that I would call professionals, just good people, 194 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:10,640 Speaker 1: good good at what they do, and then just good 195 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:12,959 Speaker 1: all around. Like everyone's great, everyone loves each other, and 196 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:15,720 Speaker 1: there was there's not one bad egg in the clubhouse. 197 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 1: And crossed the Cardinals for that and they did. Still 198 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 1: Nolan from the Rockies didn't. Definitely we stole him and 199 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:28,599 Speaker 1: he fits right and he's already a pardon them for 200 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 1: the first game of the season. That guy is I mean, 201 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 1: you couldn't tell. He looks like he's been here for years. 202 00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:37,319 Speaker 1: He's savvy guy you know, fits right in and he's 203 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:40,720 Speaker 1: gonna be good for us. There you go, all right. 204 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:44,320 Speaker 1: The name of the book is One Line Drive, a 205 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:49,320 Speaker 1: life threatening injury and faith fuel comeback and uh we 206 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:53,080 Speaker 1: appreciate you, Daniel Ponts de Leone and good luck to 207 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:55,839 Speaker 1: you and the Cardinals this season. Thanks so much for 208 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:59,040 Speaker 1: joining the podcast. Yeah, thanks Rob, thanks for having me 209 00:12:59,080 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 1: on here. It's time for the Pocket Protector Centry, the 210 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:09,559 Speaker 1: analytic numbers you need to know? Well, maybe Anthony Masterson 211 00:13:09,800 --> 00:13:13,520 Speaker 1: is his name, BS, analytics is his game. What do 212 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:17,560 Speaker 1: you got from me? Anthony? Season is finally here, and 213 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 1: for the first time in over a year, it sure 214 00:13:19,679 --> 00:13:22,040 Speaker 1: seems like there's some semblance of light at the end 215 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:25,800 Speaker 1: of the tunnel and an MLB certainly no shortage of storylines. 216 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 1: The Dodgers trying to be the first team the century 217 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:30,840 Speaker 1: to repeat his chance, while the Yankees are looking at 218 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 1: their longest World Series drought in over thirty years. But 219 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:36,920 Speaker 1: I'm here to talk about the kids, the next generation 220 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 1: of stars. Let's start with the richest of them all, 221 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 1: Padre shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. Who signed a whopping fourteen year, 222 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:46,960 Speaker 1: three hundred forty million dollar deal this offseason. With only 223 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 1: a hundred forty three career games under his belt, Tatis 224 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:53,040 Speaker 1: has popped at an early age. Among NL players under 225 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:56,440 Speaker 1: twenty three, only three others have a higher career OPS 226 00:13:56,640 --> 00:14:00,320 Speaker 1: than Tatis's nine fifty six mark. Albert poo Holes melt 227 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:04,559 Speaker 1: in the Nationals. Juan Soto. Yes Soto, the twenty two 228 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:06,480 Speaker 1: year old wonder can who burst under the scene in 229 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 1: the twenty nineteen postseason, leading his Nats to their first 230 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:12,880 Speaker 1: title in franchise history. Last year. At age one, he 231 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:15,880 Speaker 1: led the NL and average on base percentage o ps 232 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 1: and intentional walks, and his career OPS only behind Ted Williams, 233 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:25,880 Speaker 1: Jimmy Fox, and the aforementioned among all players before turning 234 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:29,160 Speaker 1: twenty two. Now, Soto has had to share headlines where 235 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 1: his NL East rival Ronald Acuna Jr. Whose MLB debut 236 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 1: not coincidentally coincided with the Braves three straight division titles. 237 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 1: Acunia has one of wily five players in MLB history, 238 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:44,080 Speaker 1: with eighty homer's and sixty steals before turning three, joining 239 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:46,760 Speaker 1: some guys named Trout, A, Rod Griffey and Andrew Jones. 240 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:50,160 Speaker 1: Decent company. Now the Smiles and the swag these guys 241 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 1: exude are infectious. Baseball should be a fun game, and 242 00:14:53,880 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 1: these guys are doing their best to prove that youth 243 00:14:56,400 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 1: isn't wasted on the young fall. It was a big 244 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 1: week in the Big League. Who's Who's a? Is it followed? 245 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:13,600 Speaker 1: Or is it fair? And now here? Shadow league dot 246 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:20,960 Speaker 1: Com MLB insider JR Gamble. Each week JR. Gamble will 247 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 1: of course tackle a foul or fair situation in Major 248 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 1: League Baseball. Before the start of the season. He will 249 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 1: discuss players to watch out for. Spring training brings new hope, 250 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 1: new players, and new expectations. Here's the players I'm peeping 251 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:48,840 Speaker 1: real hard in two thousand twenty one at first base 252 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:53,400 Speaker 1: National's offseason acquisition, Josh Bell had a breakout season with 253 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:56,800 Speaker 1: thirty homers in two thousand nineteen. Then he courted covid 254 00:15:56,840 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 1: plump in two thousand twenty and was gone. Look for 255 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:03,720 Speaker 1: him to have an incredible bounce back season at second 256 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 1: base Marlin's Jazz Chisholm. He won the second base starting jobs, 257 00:16:08,640 --> 00:16:11,840 Speaker 1: adding some more spice to that Marlin's lineup. He's got 258 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 1: crazy goop and sick tools, so he sure to grab 259 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:20,280 Speaker 1: some eyeballs as a potential guys this season. Third basements 260 00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:24,280 Speaker 1: to watch out for pirates. Third basis he Brian Hayes, 261 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 1: the son of Charlie. He was awesome in his two 262 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: thousand twenties spent and everyone's looking forward to a full 263 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:33,480 Speaker 1: season as he mashes and he's nifty with the web 264 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 1: and maybe he gets pirates a boot at short stop 265 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:41,960 Speaker 1: gold Glover Dap Crawford. He became the seven team black 266 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:45,320 Speaker 1: infielder to win the Gold Glove. You gotta watch this guy. 267 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:47,880 Speaker 1: He joined a short list of black short stops to 268 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 1: win one. Guys like Ozzie Smith, Jimmy Rollins, Derrek Jeter 269 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:55,680 Speaker 1: plays at that ilk. Let's see if it's that elevator 270 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:59,480 Speaker 1: in the outfield. Kyle Lewis will follow up his rookie 271 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 1: season with a hundred sixty two games of pure dopements. 272 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:06,120 Speaker 1: You see the new Tory Hunter. You gotta watch this guy. 273 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:11,159 Speaker 1: Will he go this season? And of course Danton and 274 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 1: Judge and they stay helped you together and lift the 275 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:17,439 Speaker 1: Yankees to that Alution World Series. If I have to 276 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:20,119 Speaker 1: look at a young picture, I'm very interested in. Have 277 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:24,320 Speaker 1: Jordan's hicks ree browns from his arm injury in St. Louis. 278 00:17:24,359 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 1: The dude was lights out and amongst save leaders before 279 00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:31,280 Speaker 1: the season got cut short. The seasons popping. I'm ready 280 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:35,200 Speaker 1: to go check out these guys. Watch for them inside 281 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 1: the park. Turn money into more money. Now it's time 282 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 1: for betting on the basis with Dave Gascott. Dodgers opened 283 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:48,600 Speaker 1: things up with the Colorado Rockies in the mile highest 284 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 1: city four games series, game number one. The over under 285 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:55,639 Speaker 1: totals eleven and a half. I'm pounding the over and 286 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:59,120 Speaker 1: not looking back. Keep in mind, Dodgers hit thirty one 287 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:02,560 Speaker 1: home runs during the spring in twenty eight games. Corey 288 00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:04,720 Speaker 1: secret jacked eight of him and he's playing for a 289 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:08,280 Speaker 1: brand new contract. Back here in California, Angels greet the 290 00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:10,879 Speaker 1: Chicago White Sox to town for a four game series 291 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:13,359 Speaker 1: as well. White Sox were a surprise team back in 292 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:16,159 Speaker 1: They have a lot of live bats. And on the 293 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 1: other side for the Halos, Shohio Tani had a blistering spring. 294 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:22,360 Speaker 1: I think he rides that into the regular season. These 295 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:24,840 Speaker 1: games will be competitive, but look for the over under 296 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:26,760 Speaker 1: total of eight and a half and take the over. 297 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:30,280 Speaker 1: Arizona's offense has kind of hit or miss San Diego's 298 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 1: not so much. I think the Padres take three or 299 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:34,919 Speaker 1: four this weekend. Rob, I think the theme early on 300 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 1: this season will be offense. Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, and Padres. 301 00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:41,679 Speaker 1: Keep an eye on what they do early on and 302 00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 1: look more at the run totals than the juice when 303 00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:47,840 Speaker 1: they're the favorite. When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he 304 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:52,280 Speaker 1: lived by this motto. If I'm writing, I'm ripping, Let's 305 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 1: bring in a writer, a broadcaster, older, new All right, now, 306 00:18:56,040 --> 00:18:59,680 Speaker 1: let's welcome in author Camp Perron, who has a new 307 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: book out called Comeback Season. It's on sale now Gallery Books, 308 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:09,320 Speaker 1: and it's a story of friendships formed between Cam when 309 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: he was then a teenager, a white baseball obsessed guy 310 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:22,680 Speaker 1: from Boston, and hundreds of former professional Negro League players. Cam, 311 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 1: welcome too, inside the Parker. How are you doing. I'm 312 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:31,560 Speaker 1: doing well, Rob, Thank you for having me absolutely And 313 00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:37,520 Speaker 1: the book is fascinating that you helped claim uh thousands 314 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:40,520 Speaker 1: of dollars some even topping a hundred thousand dollars for 315 00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:46,080 Speaker 1: pensions from former Negro league players from MLB. How did 316 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: you get involved in this? And tell us about your journey. 317 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:55,800 Speaker 1: So I started out as a young baseball fan in Boston. 318 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:58,960 Speaker 1: Red Sox win the World Series in two thousand four, 319 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:02,520 Speaker 1: and my immediate thought is, you know, I I want 320 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 1: to start collecting a bunch of Red Sox related memorabilia. 321 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:08,240 Speaker 1: I met a couple of the Red Sox players, David 322 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:12,200 Speaker 1: Ortiz and Johnny Damon, at various events around Boston, often 323 00:20:12,240 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 1: waiting four or five hours to meet them. Um So 324 00:20:15,119 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 1: I began kind of a little collection of various memorabilia, baseball, cars, autographs, 325 00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:22,440 Speaker 1: and then in two thousand seven, a friend of mine 326 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:26,639 Speaker 1: introduced me to collecting autographs through the mail, and I 327 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:30,960 Speaker 1: quickly realized, much like waiting five hours to meet David Ortiz, 328 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:34,240 Speaker 1: none of the new players or the modern players would 329 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:37,880 Speaker 1: would reply through the mail. The players from the forties, fifties, 330 00:20:37,880 --> 00:20:40,760 Speaker 1: and sixties, the guys who had long been retired. They 331 00:20:40,760 --> 00:20:42,879 Speaker 1: were the ones who had right back. So I'd go 332 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:46,000 Speaker 1: on a website called sports collectors dot net. You would 333 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:49,040 Speaker 1: see who would reply and who wouldn't. I'd sent to 334 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 1: these old time guys like Duke Snyder, al Ka Line, 335 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:55,040 Speaker 1: Bobby Door, then them a couple of baseball cards that 336 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:57,480 Speaker 1: I would pick up at a memorabilia show or a 337 00:20:57,520 --> 00:21:01,480 Speaker 1: local store and write a hand and written letter and 338 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:05,760 Speaker 1: self addressed, stamped enfill open in a couple of weeks, 339 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 1: I'd often get them back. Cam, where was your How 340 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:12,919 Speaker 1: did you get the interests as a young guy for 341 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:15,479 Speaker 1: the Negro League? You knew nothing about it? This happened 342 00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:17,919 Speaker 1: a long time ago. Were where How did that pique 343 00:21:17,920 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 1: your interests? So? I had known about the Negro League 344 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:24,440 Speaker 1: just being a baseball fan and you know, into the history. 345 00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 1: But when Talks came out with a baseball card set 346 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:31,560 Speaker 1: called Alan and Ginter in two thousand seven, they had 347 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:34,400 Speaker 1: about five or six baseball cards of former Negro League 348 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 1: players who are still alive who were in the set. 349 00:21:37,240 --> 00:21:38,960 Speaker 1: So I had bought a couple of packs here and 350 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:42,199 Speaker 1: there at Target and local baseball cards stores, and I 351 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:45,359 Speaker 1: got a couple of cards of guys like Stanley Glenn 352 00:21:45,359 --> 00:21:48,880 Speaker 1: and John mule Miles, and I found their addresses online. 353 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:50,800 Speaker 1: Me and a couple of guys said, oh, hey, you know, 354 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:54,040 Speaker 1: we should write send these cards out right to these 355 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:56,760 Speaker 1: guys and see if they had signed. So I sent 356 00:21:56,840 --> 00:22:01,199 Speaker 1: out to them, and you know, I got applies quite fast. 357 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:04,800 Speaker 1: And John muell Miles, for example, wrote, you know several 358 00:22:04,840 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 1: page longhand written letter. From there. I was like, Wow, 359 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:11,520 Speaker 1: like the major league players, they would just sign your 360 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 1: card send them back. It just felt like they were 361 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:16,320 Speaker 1: going through the motion. Yeah, I'd get an autograph, cool, 362 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:20,280 Speaker 1: But these letters were just amazing. And I realized that 363 00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 1: there was so much more history and so much to 364 00:22:23,840 --> 00:22:27,800 Speaker 1: uncover in speaking with these players. So I began writing 365 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 1: to more players who didn't have baseball cards, and then 366 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:33,000 Speaker 1: I kind of hit a roadblock. I had written to 367 00:22:33,600 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 1: a couple of dozen guys and I didn't really have 368 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:38,439 Speaker 1: any other addresses to send to. So I began reaching 369 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:41,720 Speaker 1: out to other researchers, and one man in particular would 370 00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:44,159 Speaker 1: give me a couple of addresses here and there, and 371 00:22:44,240 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 1: then a few players started calling me on the phone, 372 00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:50,680 Speaker 1: writing letters back and forth to me, and these little 373 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:55,840 Speaker 1: kind of friendships via letter and phone started to blossom. 374 00:22:55,920 --> 00:22:58,520 Speaker 1: And from there I began speaking to these guys all 375 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:00,560 Speaker 1: the time on the phone, and I kind of realized 376 00:23:00,600 --> 00:23:02,240 Speaker 1: that none of them had stayed in touch at their 377 00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:05,639 Speaker 1: former teammates. None of them had any baseball cards. Most 378 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:08,439 Speaker 1: didn't even have any pictures of them playing in the 379 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:10,720 Speaker 1: Negro League in their uniform. You could have played five 380 00:23:10,760 --> 00:23:12,800 Speaker 1: six seasons in the Negro League, not at a photo 381 00:23:12,880 --> 00:23:16,720 Speaker 1: of you in your uniform, and they had no newspaper articles, 382 00:23:16,800 --> 00:23:19,520 Speaker 1: nothing that really tied them to their career. Some guys 383 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 1: that have a couple here and there, but for the 384 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:25,440 Speaker 1: most part, you play a game in North Carolina on Saturday. 385 00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:28,160 Speaker 1: By Sunday morning, you're in Virginia, and you never see 386 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:30,280 Speaker 1: that paper, you know, so if you had a great 387 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:32,720 Speaker 1: game and a great write up, you never saw that. 388 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:36,160 Speaker 1: So I began trying to trying to find all those things, 389 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:38,680 Speaker 1: trying to find their former teammates by going on white 390 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:43,600 Speaker 1: pages dot com, trying to find old newspaper articles. Sometimes 391 00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:45,960 Speaker 1: it would be a really old, grainy picture of them 392 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:49,320 Speaker 1: that they hadn't seen before. And then, uh, lastly, the 393 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:52,280 Speaker 1: pension thing that came on a little bit later when 394 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:55,640 Speaker 1: I began working real close with a fellow researcher in Texas. 395 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:59,639 Speaker 1: And the way that works is Major League Baseball agreed 396 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:02,440 Speaker 1: you this pension program where if you played four years 397 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 1: in the Negro League, you would get a pension of 398 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:09,560 Speaker 1: eight thirty three dollars a month, which is ten thousand 399 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:12,560 Speaker 1: dollars a year, plus back pay to when the program 400 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:18,119 Speaker 1: was was created, which they they put back to around 401 00:24:18,119 --> 00:24:22,639 Speaker 1: two thousand five ish, I believe. So in order in 402 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:25,240 Speaker 1: order to get this pension, you need to find four 403 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:29,200 Speaker 1: years of primary source documentation. And that's that's where the 404 00:24:29,280 --> 00:24:34,199 Speaker 1: hunt began. I got you. Now tell me about You 405 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:38,480 Speaker 1: were fifteen years old and you guys are and a 406 00:24:38,520 --> 00:24:41,960 Speaker 1: fellow group of researchers. You guys organized the first annual 407 00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:45,800 Speaker 1: Niggle League players reunion in Birmingham, Alabama. What was that like? 408 00:24:47,080 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 1: It was? It was pretty crazy. I was this young kid, 409 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,720 Speaker 1: and I had become very close with this doctor of Bell, 410 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:55,439 Speaker 1: who was a white doctor in Texas who was in 411 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:58,520 Speaker 1: his late fifties at the time. And a third man, 412 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:02,200 Speaker 1: a second man, chew Clayton Girard, who's a chef from 413 00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:05,240 Speaker 1: Birmingham who was a former bat boy with the Birmingham 414 00:25:05,240 --> 00:25:07,800 Speaker 1: Black Beards in the fifties. So the three of us 415 00:25:07,840 --> 00:25:11,160 Speaker 1: began getting really close over the phone and we kind 416 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:14,239 Speaker 1: of realized, well, hey, you know, Cam has located a 417 00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 1: lot of these former players. By that time, by two 418 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:18,520 Speaker 1: thousand and ten, I had been doing this for about 419 00:25:18,560 --> 00:25:20,560 Speaker 1: two and a half years with the Negro League players, 420 00:25:20,560 --> 00:25:23,600 Speaker 1: and I had tracked down probably fifty to sixty plus 421 00:25:23,640 --> 00:25:27,080 Speaker 1: players through white pages and all sorts of weird online 422 00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:29,760 Speaker 1: phone books, and we had all become quite close. And 423 00:25:29,920 --> 00:25:32,360 Speaker 1: Dr of Ellen, Chef knew a bunch of players from 424 00:25:32,359 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 1: their years of working um with former Negro League players, 425 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:39,080 Speaker 1: and Chef Clayton knew a bunch of guys in Birmingham. 426 00:25:39,359 --> 00:25:41,919 Speaker 1: So the three of us kind of pooled our resources 427 00:25:41,960 --> 00:25:45,640 Speaker 1: of players and they they planned out all the logistics 428 00:25:45,640 --> 00:25:49,800 Speaker 1: and I just began calling all my my newfound buddies 429 00:25:50,119 --> 00:25:53,240 Speaker 1: who were sixty seventy years older than me and invited 430 00:25:53,280 --> 00:25:56,520 Speaker 1: them down to Birmingham. And everybody showed up and we 431 00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:58,800 Speaker 1: had this this week long event. I took a week 432 00:25:58,840 --> 00:26:01,440 Speaker 1: off of school at my offering your high school, and 433 00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:05,040 Speaker 1: we had I would say sixty plus players show up. 434 00:26:06,280 --> 00:26:10,800 Speaker 1: It was it was amazing. Uh, alright, Cam, his new 435 00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:15,520 Speaker 1: book is called Comeback Season. It's on sale now, Cam, 436 00:26:15,600 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 1: people can pick it up everywhere. Yeah, as far as 437 00:26:19,640 --> 00:26:22,359 Speaker 1: I know, it's you know, it's on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, 438 00:26:22,600 --> 00:26:28,480 Speaker 1: most independent bookstores. All right, well, congratulations on the book 439 00:26:28,560 --> 00:26:31,280 Speaker 1: and we look forward to it. Thanks for joining Inside 440 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:37,919 Speaker 1: the Parker. Appreciate you. Thank you. Better up. It's Jones 441 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:42,000 Speaker 1: and for baseball fans take on the game we love. 442 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:50,280 Speaker 1: I'm definite a majority of this up season that this 443 00:26:50,600 --> 00:26:52,680 Speaker 1: isn't fact the year that Iram Judge will be able 444 00:26:52,720 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 1: to stay healthy in order for the Yankees to accomplish 445 00:26:55,800 --> 00:26:58,720 Speaker 1: various schools. Thats just winning the AO East, advancing to 446 00:26:58,760 --> 00:27:02,200 Speaker 1: the Worst and winning the World Series. It will averages 447 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:04,400 Speaker 1: to be that Keith piece in the puzzle and make 448 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:08,080 Speaker 1: all the other surrounding pieces falling into place. Although he's 449 00:27:08,119 --> 00:27:11,159 Speaker 1: only played in sixty three eighty four games over the 450 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:14,159 Speaker 1: past three seasons, whenever he's on the field, he's an 451 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:18,840 Speaker 1: absolute game changer and at same Tom spin he's been 452 00:27:18,880 --> 00:27:21,680 Speaker 1: on pace to have a OPS plus one forty as 453 00:27:21,680 --> 00:27:23,920 Speaker 1: well as hitting over forty home larks I have. It's 454 00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:26,040 Speaker 1: a difference between being on a pace with something and 455 00:27:26,119 --> 00:27:30,280 Speaker 1: they actually accomplishes something. In the spring training press conference, 456 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:34,960 Speaker 1: every Judge mentioned working smarter rather than harder this off season. 457 00:27:35,080 --> 00:27:39,280 Speaker 1: He spoke about modified workout, less bench pressing, in more yoga. 458 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:40,960 Speaker 1: I feel as if though that would pay off for 459 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:47,280 Speaker 1: his durability for this upcoming MLB season. Now bringing the closer, 460 00:27:50,480 --> 00:27:54,080 Speaker 1: here's why MLB it's better than the NFL or NBA, 461 00:27:54,440 --> 00:28:00,359 Speaker 1: and it isn't even close. It's not even close. Opening 462 00:28:00,480 --> 00:28:02,960 Speaker 1: Day of baseball is huge. It's just a sign of 463 00:28:03,119 --> 00:28:06,879 Speaker 1: spring to come. It's just the weather warms up. People 464 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:09,359 Speaker 1: feel good about it, and yet the crack of a bat. 465 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:17,120 Speaker 1: So here is my annual oh too opening Day. So 466 00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:22,520 Speaker 1: much of my love for baseball started at an early age, 467 00:28:23,680 --> 00:28:27,000 Speaker 1: and my family knew how much I loved baseball, even 468 00:28:27,080 --> 00:28:30,320 Speaker 1: my mom, who was a stickler for school and about 469 00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:33,840 Speaker 1: getting your work done. But when I was in junior 470 00:28:33,880 --> 00:28:36,200 Speaker 1: high school, my mom used to write a fake doctor's 471 00:28:36,280 --> 00:28:39,400 Speaker 1: note for me so that I could leave school early 472 00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 1: so that I could get home to watch the Mets 473 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:45,680 Speaker 1: on Opening Day. I had to see the first pitch 474 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:49,240 Speaker 1: of the season on TV. I couldn't come home in 475 00:28:49,280 --> 00:28:51,920 Speaker 1: the third or fourth inning. I had to see it 476 00:28:51,960 --> 00:28:56,400 Speaker 1: from the beginning. And back then I was a Mets fan. 477 00:28:57,040 --> 00:29:02,120 Speaker 1: I wasn't a reporter. I was a fan. And Opening 478 00:29:02,280 --> 00:29:06,960 Speaker 1: Day that stands out to me the most dates back 479 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:12,400 Speaker 1: to college three. I was a student at Southern Connecticut 480 00:29:12,440 --> 00:29:15,040 Speaker 1: State University. Me and my three buddies we hopped in 481 00:29:15,080 --> 00:29:18,880 Speaker 1: the car. We barely had money for tickets, but we 482 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:22,440 Speaker 1: had to see Tom Sever returned to the Mets. We 483 00:29:22,640 --> 00:29:27,120 Speaker 1: drove from New Haven, Connecticut, and I can remember standing 484 00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:31,000 Speaker 1: up in our seats in the bleachers and watching Tom 485 00:29:31,120 --> 00:29:35,920 Speaker 1: Sever walked from the bullpen and to the mound. What 486 00:29:36,040 --> 00:29:52,240 Speaker 1: a moment it was. In the words of New York 487 00:29:52,280 --> 00:29:55,520 Speaker 1: TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your 488 00:29:55,600 --> 00:29:59,880 Speaker 1: time this time until next time. Rob Parker out, he can't. 489 00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:02,560 Speaker 1: This could be an inside the Parker to see you 490 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:10,000 Speaker 1: next week. Save bad time, Save that station. M M 491 00:30:12,880 --> 00:30:22,240 Speaker 1: M m m