1 00:00:02,360 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 1: From the Berkshars to the sound from wherever you live 2 00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:09,880 Speaker 1: in MLB America. This is Inside the Parker. You give 3 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:12,240 Speaker 1: us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop 4 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 1: on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame 5 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:22,560 Speaker 1: voter number one oh three, Rob Parker. Welcome into Inside 6 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 1: the Parker. I'm your host, Rob Parker. I'm here. You're there. 7 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 1: Coming up on the program, we'll have former Major League 8 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:36,159 Speaker 1: outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. He'll talk about the playoffs. Also 9 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:42,920 Speaker 1: stopping by former A's and Giants picture Barry Zito. Barry 10 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 1: Zito has a new book. We'll talk about that and 11 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: much more. Let's go up to lead off. It's getting 12 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 1: robbed to keep him on. Rob's hot take on the 13 00:00:54,400 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one, The 14 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 1: Nationals did it. Finally, the Washington Nationals have advanced in 15 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 1: the postseason. How many times have they stumbled? They've had 16 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 1: good teams, great pitching staffs, and they were never able 17 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 1: to get over the hump to advance. It was always disappointment. 18 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:24,400 Speaker 1: And finally, twenty nineteen, they win the wild Card game 19 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: against the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday night, and they advanced. They 20 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: will be a tough out. They will be scary as 21 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 1: we move forward. Whenever you have pitching, you have a chance. 22 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 1: You don't need a lot of hitting, you need timely hitting, 23 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:43,440 Speaker 1: but pitching gives you a chance. And the one thing 24 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: that the Nationals have is pitching. And when you think 25 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 1: about where they started this season and how bad it 26 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: was after losing Bryce Harper and where they are now, 27 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: it's a big step for this organization. Hats off to 28 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 1: the Washington national Number two. Can't wait for Tonight's a 29 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:09,079 Speaker 1: l wild card game. That's right Wednesday night in Oakland 30 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,600 Speaker 1: as the A's take on the Tampa Bay Raids. I 31 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 1: know some people are going Oakland against Tampa wowsy wowsy, 32 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: woo woo, too bad franchises, But actually these teams have 33 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 1: been playing pretty well and both teams have played well 34 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:30,799 Speaker 1: all year long. It will be interesting to see which 35 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 1: team can move on and then have to face the 36 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:38,639 Speaker 1: Houston Astros and the a l Ds. But Tampa Bay, 37 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 1: if you really take a look at them, they played 38 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 1: well all year. They were really never out of the 39 00:02:43,919 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 1: mix for the playoffs. They have some pitching, they have 40 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:50,359 Speaker 1: some timely hitting, and Uh, if you look at their 41 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 1: last ten eleven years, they've they've averaged almost ninety wins, 42 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 1: which no one would ever believe because they haven't made 43 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:00,079 Speaker 1: the playoffs that often. But this year they did it. 44 00:03:00,639 --> 00:03:03,560 Speaker 1: And for the Oakland A's it still comes down to 45 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:08,600 Speaker 1: you can talk about Billy Bean, analytics, moneyball, all that, 46 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 1: but they just haven't been able to advance in the postseason. 47 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 1: They've won and made the playoffs with with have small payroll, 48 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 1: but they just can't seem to get over the hump. 49 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:25,400 Speaker 1: Will they actually get over to hump this time? Can't wait? 50 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:31,800 Speaker 1: Wednesday night? A l wild card number three, Say it 51 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 1: isn't so. Joe Madden gets bouts from Chicago. He was 52 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 1: the first Cubs manager to ever get the team to 53 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 1: the playoffs four years in a row. Of course, the 54 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: Cubs didn't make the playoffs this year, but uh, he's 55 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:50,680 Speaker 1: out in Chicago, and it's not gonna be a surprise 56 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:55,320 Speaker 1: if he winds up in Anaheim with the l A Angels. 57 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 1: After all, he spent thirty years in that organization and 58 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:02,240 Speaker 1: uh they've all he broomed out Brad Awesomath, So it 59 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 1: looks like this is a matchmate in heaven, and he 60 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 1: will buck the trend. Joe Madden will buck the trend. 61 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 1: They're not hiring any old managers anymore in baseball. They 62 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 1: want analytics guys. They want young guys who are gonna 63 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 1: take the lineup card from the front office and not 64 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: give the front office. And he lived. All these old 65 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 1: guard managers are out, Joe Girardi, Bucks Show Walter, Dusty Baker, 66 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 1: all these guys can't get a gig, Mike Sosha, They're 67 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 1: all on the outside looking in. But Joe madd looks 68 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 1: like he will buck the trend get a job as 69 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: a manager because of his history there and his success. 70 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: He's the guy who wanted World Series in Chicago with 71 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:49,719 Speaker 1: the Cubs ending at one hundred and eight year drought. 72 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:53,880 Speaker 1: So good for the Angels to uh take a good 73 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 1: manager out there and decide that they're gonna go with 74 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 1: him despite what the trend in his baseball and despite 75 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:03,719 Speaker 1: his age, and say they believe in Joe Madden. Good 76 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:09,119 Speaker 1: luck to Joe Madden. If more like when he gets 77 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 1: the gig in Anaheim. Here comes the big interview. Listen 78 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 1: Headler good, All right, now, let's welcome to the podcast. 79 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 1: Cy Young award winner and a two time World Series champion. Yes, 80 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 1: Barry Zito, he has a new book called Curveball. We're 81 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: gonna get to that, but Barry, first, thanks for joining 82 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 1: the podcast. Absolutely wraps a lot of fun. Man, I 83 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 1: honored me on here, man, appreciate it before we get 84 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:41,720 Speaker 1: to some other stuff in your new book. Uh, this 85 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:43,920 Speaker 1: has always bothered me and I hope you can help 86 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 1: me with this. Maybe he's bothered you too. How did 87 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:50,360 Speaker 1: they do the movie Moneyball? Right about Billy Bean and analytics, 88 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 1: but there was very little mentioned of you, Zeno, Hudson 89 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:57,560 Speaker 1: and Malta in that movie. You guys were as big 90 00:05:57,839 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 1: a part of what was going on with the A's 91 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 1: and anything. Yeah, that was you know obviously, you know 92 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:05,919 Speaker 1: with Hollywood and stuff, they gotta they gotta make money, 93 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 1: and they gotta appeal to a wide audience, and you know, 94 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 1: I think there was a lot to focusing on that 95 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 1: part of the story. I mean, I think it was 96 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 1: just really interesting how it all went down. But you know, 97 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: as we know, baseball you can't really win without good pitching, 98 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:19,720 Speaker 1: and we certainly had great pitching and how to want 99 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 1: to an m VP that year as well, which was incredible, 100 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:25,479 Speaker 1: no doubt about it. That always bothered me about the movie, 101 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 1: but I get it. People do what they want to do. 102 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:32,240 Speaker 1: Uh Uh. Speaking about baseball, the players are about the kickoff. 103 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: Tell me about the Oakland A's because here's another year 104 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:38,720 Speaker 1: and you know what, they're in the playoffs. Man. They 105 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:41,839 Speaker 1: just have some kind of magic formula of you know, 106 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 1: keeping the cost down and and just always win and 107 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 1: always being competitive out there. And I really do think 108 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 1: there's an X factor in that clubhouse of just you know, 109 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:53,839 Speaker 1: it's maybe something cultural or just good vibes, but you know, 110 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 1: in that clubhouse, man, those guys can always just be themselves, 111 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:58,839 Speaker 1: and I feel like that really contributes to their success 112 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:02,800 Speaker 1: on the field. One of the greatest ballparks in this country. 113 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 1: They keep changing the name, but the Giants Home Ballpark, 114 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 1: which I still call Pac Bell because what a beautiful 115 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 1: ballpark on the water. Talk about and the fans in 116 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 1: San Francisco are unbelievable, uh, talk about playing with the 117 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 1: Giants and you want a World Series with the Giants 118 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 1: as well. Yeah, you know, that ballpark was always a 119 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 1: special place for me to coming up in Oakland. But 120 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:28,240 Speaker 1: I'll tell you something happened in two thousand and ten 121 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:31,040 Speaker 1: that a lot of people don't know about. But you know, 122 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 1: those fans were not always as intimidating as they are now. 123 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:37,080 Speaker 1: You know, we used to come in there, come over 124 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 1: there from Oakland, and it just wasn't really the same 125 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 1: dynamic in the you know, back then Pac Bell and 126 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:45,760 Speaker 1: then A T and C. And man, when we ended up, 127 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:47,840 Speaker 1: you know, winning that two thousand ten World Series and 128 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:50,560 Speaker 1: going on that run, I mean, something just changed. Something 129 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:53,240 Speaker 1: in the air was different in San Francisco, and it 130 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 1: just became such a crazy place to play, and especially 131 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 1: when the Giants were you know, competitive and doing their 132 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:02,480 Speaker 1: World Series run. I mean, nobody wanted to come in there. Yeah, 133 00:08:02,640 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 1: baseball has changed a lot over the last few years. 134 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 1: Do you still recognize the game? You know, I'm I 135 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 1: got a full life, you know in Nashville with music 136 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:14,680 Speaker 1: and family and all that. But you know, I'll tell 137 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:17,160 Speaker 1: you it's it's definitely different. I feel like it is 138 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 1: geared more towards the young player and uh and I 139 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 1: understand why. But um, to be honest, man, just a 140 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 1: few years removed, I don't I don't recognize too many 141 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 1: names on those rosters anymore. Yeah, there's a lot of 142 00:08:28,280 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 1: young players, uh, a lot of home runs and a 143 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 1: lot of strikeouts. Can you get over that? Yeah, I 144 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:36,520 Speaker 1: mean that's that's that's definitely a different thing. I mean 145 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:38,319 Speaker 1: I pitched, you know, in the early few thousands of 146 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 1: the home run balls were going, but I don't even 147 00:08:41,280 --> 00:08:42,880 Speaker 1: think at the rate they are now. I mean, they're 148 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:45,440 Speaker 1: they're breaking records almost every year now, it seems. And 149 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 1: I know they'd say that's what the fans want to 150 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 1: see with home runs, but I feel like the true 151 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 1: baseball fans, you know, really enjoy a good one nothing pictures. 152 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:57,040 Speaker 1: There's really nothing like that, no doubt about it. Tell 153 00:08:57,120 --> 00:09:00,720 Speaker 1: us about the book Curveball. What made you I did? Yeah, 154 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:03,440 Speaker 1: I think you know, as professional athletes, we we tend 155 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 1: to have a little bit you know, kind of maybe 156 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 1: too thick a skin, and we got to protect ourselves 157 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,280 Speaker 1: in certain ways from you know, a lot of public 158 00:09:10,280 --> 00:09:13,560 Speaker 1: opinion and all that. But but what ends up happening 159 00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 1: too often is you end up really not being honest 160 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 1: and being authentic and really speaking the truth. And so, 161 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 1: you know, I went through some pretty dark stuff in 162 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:23,959 Speaker 1: my career, and I just thought it was good to 163 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:26,400 Speaker 1: clear my contients and just be honest about how hard 164 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:29,199 Speaker 1: it actually was to live my dream, you know, of 165 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:31,840 Speaker 1: being in the major leagues and you know, making money 166 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:34,199 Speaker 1: and that was all great, but there was this deep 167 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: unrest in me that uh caused me to do a 168 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 1: lot of destructive things in my career and and you know, 169 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:42,080 Speaker 1: I finally ended up finding peace at the end, but 170 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 1: but it was not without all those struggles and pain. 171 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 1: How about the last thing, money When you signed that 172 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 1: seven year, hundred twenty six million dollar contract, which at 173 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 1: the time was the richest contract for a picture, did 174 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:58,440 Speaker 1: your life change immediately? Did you feel different like after 175 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:00,920 Speaker 1: you signed that piece of paper. You know, yeah, I 176 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:03,520 Speaker 1: did interviews at that time, and you know, just saying, oh, 177 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 1: no big deal, man, I'm just gonna go out there 178 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:07,199 Speaker 1: and do what I do. But you know, there was 179 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:09,040 Speaker 1: a fear in me that I wasn't going to live 180 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 1: up to it, that I wouldn't be enough to justify 181 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:13,719 Speaker 1: that money. And you know, frankly, I just feel like 182 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:17,040 Speaker 1: I took too much credit for my success in my 183 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:19,440 Speaker 1: in my career, certainly early in my career, and I 184 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 1: didn't have enough gratitude for you know, these incredible blessings 185 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 1: all my life that, you know, I really had nothing 186 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:27,200 Speaker 1: to do with. I mean, I was throwing a baseball 187 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:29,320 Speaker 1: like every other kid growing up, and for some reason 188 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:32,320 Speaker 1: I just got to get to the highest level. But yes, 189 00:10:32,559 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 1: I just think I have some entitlement and it led 190 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 1: to a lot of you know, disaster situations and being 191 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 1: left off. That two thousand ten roster was the worst 192 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:43,440 Speaker 1: of it, man, no doubt about it. His name Barry Zito. 193 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 1: His book is called Curveball Man. You should check it out. 194 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:49,880 Speaker 1: The former of course saw Young Award weren't in two 195 00:10:49,880 --> 00:10:52,560 Speaker 1: time World Series champion. Hey Barry, bust of luck man 196 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:54,520 Speaker 1: with the book, and thanks for joining the podcast. We 197 00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 1: appreciate you absolutely, Thanks so much. Man. It's time for 198 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 1: the to get Protector Central. The analytic numbers you need 199 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:08,680 Speaker 1: to know, well maybe FS ones. Anthony Masterson is his name, 200 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:12,760 Speaker 1: BS analytics is his game. What do you got from me? Anthony? 201 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:16,360 Speaker 1: Is playoff time? It is playoffs time, rob the time 202 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:19,640 Speaker 1: of year where small sample sizes takeover in baseball and 203 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 1: sometimes the cream doesn't necessarily rise to the top. Just 204 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:25,720 Speaker 1: because you want a hundred games doesn't guarantee you'll be 205 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 1: hoisting that trove at the end of October. Even the 206 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:31,800 Speaker 1: mouthpiece of modern analytics, Billy Bean, knows that quote. This 207 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 1: stuff doesn't work in the playoffs. I cleaned it up 208 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:37,520 Speaker 1: for the podcast. October is the time where unlikely heroes 209 00:11:37,559 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 1: can rise up. And that's how all these players perform 210 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,120 Speaker 1: in a small sample size. Like I said, in a 211 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 1: hundred sixty two games season, having a hot lunch can 212 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:47,960 Speaker 1: turn cold and stay that way. In the playoffs, players 213 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:50,560 Speaker 1: who perform with men in scoring position are lauded as 214 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:53,600 Speaker 1: heroes because there's no time to cool off. In the 215 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:56,959 Speaker 1: wild card era, only one player had ten or more 216 00:11:57,080 --> 00:11:59,960 Speaker 1: hits with men in scoring position during a single postseason, 217 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: and and it ain't exactly a household name. In two 218 00:12:02,840 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 1: thousand to the Angels, Scott Specio had an incredible post 219 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 1: season run, hitting three seven with nineteen b I as 220 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:12,679 Speaker 1: the Angels become in their first World Series title. Now 221 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 1: he was even more incredible than men on hitting six. 222 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 1: That's eleven for sixteen with runners in scoring position. That 223 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 1: was twice as high as regular season three six marks 224 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:25,680 Speaker 1: already a very respectable number, but something we can see 225 00:12:25,679 --> 00:12:28,680 Speaker 1: as a trend come October. Now, in that same time, 226 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:31,440 Speaker 1: do you know which player the most total postseason hits 227 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 1: with men score musician, Rob, of course it ain't geter, Robb, 228 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:40,400 Speaker 1: it ain't Jeter. Bernie Williams had thirty seven. It has 229 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:45,160 Speaker 1: run to four World three titles with the Yanks, Burn, Baby, Burn, 230 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 1: and you know what I can use what you just 231 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:55,200 Speaker 1: gave me. Thank you, Anthony Masterson. We appreciate you. It 232 00:12:55,360 --> 00:13:02,720 Speaker 1: was a big week in the Big League five. Is 233 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 1: it followed? Or is it fair? And now here? Shadow 234 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:15,320 Speaker 1: league dot Com MLB insider Jr. Gambo bred Allsmith is 235 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:20,920 Speaker 1: out as manager of the Los Angeles Angels after just 236 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:29,960 Speaker 1: one season. Jr? Is that foul or fair? That's fair ball? 237 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,319 Speaker 1: Or a team that has made the playoffs once in 238 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:37,520 Speaker 1: ten years back in the two thousand and fourteen despite 239 00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 1: having the best player in baseball. It makes sense. It 240 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:45,400 Speaker 1: even makes more sense, Rob, when you realize that Joe 241 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:49,680 Speaker 1: Madden is available and Madden will return to the organization 242 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:52,760 Speaker 1: that he had roles in for what thirty years from 243 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: seventy five two thousand five and also had a couple 244 00:13:56,040 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 1: of restents. It is a no brainer and a spent upgrade. 245 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 1: So where's the beef? That's like asking me if I 246 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 1: prefer precious to live ka Fox Ostler's left them in 247 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 1: seventy two wins, the team's worst record in twenty years. 248 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:16,840 Speaker 1: I think they want seventy and ninety nine before that 249 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 1: with Detroit in four years, and I know Rob you 250 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 1: had a ball with him. He went from a ninety 251 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 1: win team to a sixty four win laughing stock. The 252 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 1: Angels need an entire mentality reconstruction and Madden's proof he 253 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 1: can rebuild franchises. Look for the Angels to be better 254 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 1: right away if they hire Matters. Good stuff. Man, fasten 255 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:45,080 Speaker 1: your seatbelt, give me five. Here comes Parker's top three 256 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: MLB teams this week. Number three the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yes, 257 00:14:57,280 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 1: three is a good number for them because they're trying 258 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:00,720 Speaker 1: to make it to the World Old Series for the 259 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 1: third year in a row. They have everything you would 260 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:07,200 Speaker 1: want on paper. They got the hitting, they got the 261 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 1: starting pitching. They've been there, done that. My only question 262 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 1: mark is their bullpen. That's why I make them number three. 263 00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:19,960 Speaker 1: Number two the Houston Astros. I know they won the 264 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: most games in baseball. I know they have a three 265 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 1: headed monster starting rotation with Verlander and Cole and Granky. 266 00:15:30,720 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 1: I get it. And they have hitting and they've been there, 267 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:39,560 Speaker 1: they've done that, they won the World Series in But 268 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 1: it doesn't mean it's automatic that they're going to uh 269 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:46,800 Speaker 1: win a World Series despite having all all the stuff 270 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: that you would say. Often teams who have the best 271 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:53,200 Speaker 1: record don't actually win the World Series. So it's not automatic. 272 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:58,200 Speaker 1: Number One. I've been saying it almost from the very 273 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:01,680 Speaker 1: first week of the season on this podcast. The New 274 00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: York Freaking Yankees. I know, I know they've had injuries. 275 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 1: I know they don't have a great rotation I know, 276 00:16:10,960 --> 00:16:14,840 Speaker 1: but what they do have is firepower. They're very deep, 277 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:17,800 Speaker 1: they got a lot of young players, a lot of 278 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:20,840 Speaker 1: experience during the regular season. And guess what else they have. 279 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:26,280 Speaker 1: They have an unbelievable bullpen. That's how you win big 280 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:31,640 Speaker 1: games in the postseason. Yes, they just need five good 281 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:34,640 Speaker 1: innings out of a starter. If they get that, they 282 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 1: can piece meal the back end of the game and 283 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:40,480 Speaker 1: they can win a World Series. For the first time 284 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:44,800 Speaker 1: since two thousand nine. The Yankees are the best team 285 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 1: in baseball as we enter the playoffs, they out the 286 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 1: favor It's time for trash talk. Twitter. Twitter, your chance 287 00:16:54,680 --> 00:17:00,280 Speaker 1: to trash anyone or anything in Major League Baseball. This 288 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:04,520 Speaker 1: week's winner is at Ben bon Jovi. He tweets this, 289 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:08,280 Speaker 1: I bet the Braves don't sell out their home games 290 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:12,359 Speaker 1: in the playoffs. Wow. I know Atlanta is a bad 291 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:15,679 Speaker 1: sports team, but really, Ben, if you want a chance 292 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:20,800 Speaker 1: to win a new era snapback like Ben did, send 293 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:24,719 Speaker 1: your trash to at Rob Parker FS one on Twitter. 294 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:29,919 Speaker 1: When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto, 295 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:33,640 Speaker 1: if I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer 296 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: and broadcaster older new All right, now, let's welcome to 297 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:42,480 Speaker 1: the podcast former All Star outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. Who, 298 00:17:42,520 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 1: of course, his dad was the Rookie the Year in 299 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:49,439 Speaker 1: nineteen seventy three. Gary Matthews, he joins the podcast. How 300 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:53,119 Speaker 1: you doing, Gary, Rob, I'm doing really well. Thanks for 301 00:17:53,119 --> 00:17:55,640 Speaker 1: having me. Man, you you went back in ninety three. 302 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 1: You've been doing your research. Oh yeah, you know that. 303 00:17:57,880 --> 00:18:01,200 Speaker 1: I watched your dad play when I was young growing 304 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:03,879 Speaker 1: up watching baseball. Man. He was a good player, he 305 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 1: really was. Yeah, I appreciate it. Thank you. So let's 306 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:12,199 Speaker 1: do this uh playoff edition interview here First, before we 307 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:17,200 Speaker 1: get there, Uh, you played for the Angels and they 308 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:20,560 Speaker 1: just fired him. Manager Brad osomis, and now they're looking 309 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:22,719 Speaker 1: at Joe Madden, who was a part of the organization 310 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 1: for a long time, thirty years. You know, Joe Madden, 311 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 1: he was there when you were there. Tell me about him. 312 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:33,080 Speaker 1: You know, Brad Osmus was a former teammate of mine. 313 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 1: I was actually a rookie in San Diego when Brad 314 00:18:36,119 --> 00:18:38,960 Speaker 1: Osmus was still in the league catching. So you obviously 315 00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: disappointed to to see him go, but hopefully he gets 316 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:46,440 Speaker 1: another opportunity here shortly. But when you think about Joe Madden, uh, 317 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 1: you think about the work that he did uh with 318 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,879 Speaker 1: the raise, right, and the way that he's able to 319 00:18:52,119 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 1: connect with the younger generation, these younger players, that he 320 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:59,440 Speaker 1: has the respect of the veterans, right, but also can 321 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:03,120 Speaker 1: relate to this younger generation, you know, these energetic players, 322 00:19:03,240 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 1: players who love to express themselves and play kind of free. 323 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:09,840 Speaker 1: And you know, I think Joe Madden seen as a 324 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:14,760 Speaker 1: a manager who would would be more considered a players manager, right, 325 00:19:15,240 --> 00:19:17,560 Speaker 1: but has the respect of the front office and the 326 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:21,600 Speaker 1: ability to uh, I guess, keep the team loose, but 327 00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:25,359 Speaker 1: also make them uh respect the game and play within 328 00:19:25,400 --> 00:19:28,080 Speaker 1: me the confines of the way the organization expects them. 329 00:19:28,119 --> 00:19:33,760 Speaker 1: To play Gary. When you look at this postseason, there 330 00:19:33,800 --> 00:19:35,399 Speaker 1: there are a lot of good teams. I want to 331 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:39,480 Speaker 1: go to the the top heavy teams. When you look 332 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:43,639 Speaker 1: at the Astros who want paper have everything. The Dodgers 333 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:47,280 Speaker 1: another team that uh up to you know, top to 334 00:19:47,359 --> 00:19:49,960 Speaker 1: bottom is stacked. They're trying to get to the World 335 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:52,439 Speaker 1: Series for a third year in a row. Then you 336 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 1: have the Yankees that have had all kinds of injuries 337 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:59,440 Speaker 1: like uh, at a ridiculous rate, yet they still won 338 00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:02,199 Speaker 1: old were a hundred games and they kept it together 339 00:20:02,280 --> 00:20:05,920 Speaker 1: and they've getting some people back. Uh. Out of those 340 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:09,440 Speaker 1: three top teams, who do you like the most? Uh? 341 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:14,359 Speaker 1: As we go forward and the playoffs kick off, you know, 342 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:18,360 Speaker 1: I think about those the depths of the Yankees, right 343 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 1: to be able to deal with the amount of injuries 344 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:24,159 Speaker 1: that they've had, but have the depth to still be 345 00:20:24,200 --> 00:20:27,040 Speaker 1: able to score the runs. Uh. You know, the bullpens 346 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 1: pitched well. Um. I like the Yankees. But when you 347 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:37,320 Speaker 1: look at the cohesiveness of the Astros, right, just the 348 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:41,359 Speaker 1: cohesiveness of of their full season, right, They've been playing 349 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: on all cylinders basically all year, and so really when 350 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:47,920 Speaker 1: it comes down to it, it's you know, who's gonna 351 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:52,480 Speaker 1: be who's gonna be down not only healthy, but but 352 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:54,320 Speaker 1: able to play the way that you need to play 353 00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:56,359 Speaker 1: in the playoffs, right you You've got to be playing 354 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:58,640 Speaker 1: on all cylinders. You've gotta be pitching well, you gotta 355 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:01,760 Speaker 1: be playing defense well. And you know we always we 356 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:04,800 Speaker 1: all know that. Uh we look at the home runs, 357 00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 1: the way the home runs have been hit this year. 358 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:11,359 Speaker 1: Traditionally the pitching, you know, gets the better better of 359 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:13,639 Speaker 1: the hitters in the playoffs. But are we what are 360 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:16,040 Speaker 1: we gonna see this? Uh this postseason? It's it's gonna 361 00:21:16,119 --> 00:21:17,920 Speaker 1: be interesting to see it. And then you look over 362 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:20,520 Speaker 1: at the National League. You look at the Dodgers, you 363 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:22,960 Speaker 1: know they're they're pretty much everyone's picked coming out of 364 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:25,919 Speaker 1: the National League. But then you look at the the 365 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:29,240 Speaker 1: American League versus the National League. It just the power 366 00:21:29,359 --> 00:21:33,280 Speaker 1: behind those offensive teams having a d H all year. 367 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:36,320 Speaker 1: You know, it's we're definitely gonna see some runs. I 368 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:38,440 Speaker 1: think I don't think this is gonna be your average 369 00:21:38,440 --> 00:21:40,919 Speaker 1: postseason where you see a lot of a lot of 370 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:44,720 Speaker 1: the pitching, uh kind of dominating the hitters. I think 371 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:48,239 Speaker 1: this is gonna be an offensive postseason, which really at 372 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:49,960 Speaker 1: the end of the day. Like I'm I'm a purist, 373 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:53,520 Speaker 1: but I'm like everyone else, I'd love to see the offense. Also, 374 00:21:54,119 --> 00:21:57,040 Speaker 1: how about the uh you know, being a baseball purist, 375 00:21:57,040 --> 00:22:00,119 Speaker 1: When the wild card was first introduced, I did not 376 00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:02,040 Speaker 1: like it. I like the way baseball was you have 377 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:04,960 Speaker 1: to earn your way in. But I do now I've 378 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:07,320 Speaker 1: accepted it. I do like the way that they do 379 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:11,200 Speaker 1: it where the two wild cards play. Uh, Tuesday night 380 00:22:11,240 --> 00:22:13,560 Speaker 1: it was the National League and then tonight it's going 381 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:17,560 Speaker 1: to be on Wednesday, the American League? And where are 382 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:19,399 Speaker 1: you on that? Do you like the way it is 383 00:22:19,480 --> 00:22:22,240 Speaker 1: too so that those two kind of x out one 384 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:25,560 Speaker 1: of them and only one wild card is allowed to advance. 385 00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:29,320 Speaker 1: You know, having grown up in the game, I grew 386 00:22:29,400 --> 00:22:32,399 Speaker 1: up as a as a purist, being a second generation player. 387 00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: But uh, to attract more fans and to attract a 388 00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:39,840 Speaker 1: younger generation, the game has to evolve. And uh, I 389 00:22:39,920 --> 00:22:42,359 Speaker 1: love the format, right. I love the way that they've 390 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:45,520 Speaker 1: set up the format where it's a one game playoffs 391 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:49,000 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, whoever wins goes forward, so the 392 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:51,879 Speaker 1: team has to truly leave it all out on the 393 00:22:51,880 --> 00:22:55,200 Speaker 1: field for that game and really heading into that next series. 394 00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:58,119 Speaker 1: It kind of sets them up where, you know, if 395 00:22:58,160 --> 00:23:02,240 Speaker 1: they go further in the playoffs, they've they've definitely earned it. Um. 396 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:06,000 Speaker 1: I think the formats exciting. I think it brings kind 397 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:09,760 Speaker 1: of new eyes to the game and gives it a change. 398 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:12,119 Speaker 1: The other game has to evolve and it has to grow. 399 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:14,560 Speaker 1: And like I said, I was a purist. I wasn't 400 00:23:14,600 --> 00:23:17,040 Speaker 1: a huge fan of it. But but guess what, I'm 401 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:19,280 Speaker 1: gonna be tuned in to watching one game playoffs. I 402 00:23:19,359 --> 00:23:22,000 Speaker 1: know that, and ultimately I think that's what the game wanted. 403 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:25,480 Speaker 1: You also mentioned, uh a little bit of go about 404 00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:28,560 Speaker 1: the home runs and the ball flying out. The commissioner 405 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:30,920 Speaker 1: said that he's going to look into the ball whether 406 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:34,320 Speaker 1: or not they alter it, change it. I think there's 407 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:37,680 Speaker 1: a combination. You know, like fans love the whole run. 408 00:23:37,920 --> 00:23:42,280 Speaker 1: They just do. Maybe this was a little over the top. 409 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:45,560 Speaker 1: Uh too much is not always too you know? Good? 410 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:47,919 Speaker 1: Good for you? UM, would you like to see the 411 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:50,119 Speaker 1: ball altered a little bit or just leave it the 412 00:23:50,119 --> 00:23:54,080 Speaker 1: way it is? You know, I've I've had this, uh 413 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:58,080 Speaker 1: this conversation all year and uh, you know, so I 414 00:23:58,119 --> 00:24:01,040 Speaker 1: should issue a disco him er at this point that 415 00:24:01,119 --> 00:24:04,119 Speaker 1: my younger brother, Dell, works for Major League Baseball at 416 00:24:04,160 --> 00:24:07,720 Speaker 1: headquarters in New York. He's actually the head of Major 417 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:11,320 Speaker 1: League Baseball Youth Development along with my former GM Tony Reagan. 418 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 1: So we we have this conversation often. Uh, you know, look, 419 00:24:17,280 --> 00:24:20,960 Speaker 1: clearly there's there's a difference. Right. Let's let's say that. 420 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:24,480 Speaker 1: It doesn't take a genius to figure out what our 421 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:28,240 Speaker 1: eyes are telling us. There is a difference. Uh, how 422 00:24:28,280 --> 00:24:30,639 Speaker 1: they've done it or or how that's come about, I 423 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:36,120 Speaker 1: don't know, but clearly it's it's changing the game, right, 424 00:24:36,200 --> 00:24:39,560 Speaker 1: And so there there has to be you know, somewhere 425 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:43,240 Speaker 1: somewhere of the middle ground, I guess you could say. 426 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:47,480 Speaker 1: And you know, look, I love offense. I've had jokes 427 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:50,119 Speaker 1: with my father. I was telling my father two weeks ago, 428 00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:52,000 Speaker 1: is here visiting the in l A. And I told him, 429 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:55,160 Speaker 1: I said, Pop, if you were playing today, you might 430 00:24:55,240 --> 00:24:58,600 Speaker 1: hit forty home runs. And my dad was a a 431 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:00,960 Speaker 1: good offensive player, and I think I don't think he 432 00:25:01,119 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 1: hit more than in a season. And you know, during 433 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:10,600 Speaker 1: the late seventies or early early eighties was absolutely banging 434 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:15,760 Speaker 1: home runs. Today plays to about forty five, depending on 435 00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:17,680 Speaker 1: the park that you're playing in. And you know when 436 00:25:17,720 --> 00:25:21,200 Speaker 1: you're seeing uh, you know, guys get beat by fastballs 437 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:24,480 Speaker 1: and the ball still goes out of park. You're see 438 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 1: him broken bat home runs. You know, at the end 439 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:31,200 Speaker 1: of the day, like I said, the game continues to evolve. 440 00:25:31,359 --> 00:25:35,399 Speaker 1: We're trying to get a younger fan base, and I 441 00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:40,040 Speaker 1: think make no mistake about the the talent of the 442 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:42,680 Speaker 1: players today. Right. You could also say that pitchers are 443 00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:47,639 Speaker 1: throwing harder than they ever have. Hitters are have a 444 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 1: better understanding of their approach and what they can do 445 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:55,080 Speaker 1: when they can do it earlier in their careers because 446 00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 1: of all the training that goes on when when these 447 00:25:58,040 --> 00:25:59,719 Speaker 1: guys are young, you know, so I think you can 448 00:25:59,800 --> 00:26:01,879 Speaker 1: buy and all of those things. Right, it's not just 449 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:03,920 Speaker 1: the ball. I think it's the talent of the players. 450 00:26:04,359 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 1: I think it's uh stronger pitchers who are who are 451 00:26:07,320 --> 00:26:11,000 Speaker 1: throwing harder, throwing faster. You look at a radar during 452 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 1: the game and the and the radars lit up. You know, 453 00:26:13,280 --> 00:26:17,880 Speaker 1: every seems like everybody's throwing plus now and you throw 454 00:26:17,960 --> 00:26:21,879 Speaker 1: in all of those things, like you know, pictures throwing harder. 455 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:24,800 Speaker 1: But maybe you know, more teams in the league and 456 00:26:24,840 --> 00:26:28,840 Speaker 1: maybe some guys that maybe ten years ago, fifteen years ago, 457 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:30,840 Speaker 1: may not have been in the league, right, so there's 458 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:35,680 Speaker 1: less experience, but still unbelievably talented, and clearly that equals 459 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:39,800 Speaker 1: offensive production, more home runs than you know, a lot 460 00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:44,680 Speaker 1: more fly balls. His name is Gary Matthews Jr. And 461 00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:51,400 Speaker 1: he played for the Padres Clubs, Pirates, Mets Orioles, Padres 462 00:26:51,480 --> 00:26:55,920 Speaker 1: again Rangers. And then that's again the you that made 463 00:26:55,920 --> 00:26:57,840 Speaker 1: you have to be bounced around a lot. You have 464 00:26:57,960 --> 00:27:00,600 Speaker 1: to be around a lot early in my early career 465 00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:03,440 Speaker 1: when I finally figured it out. You know, I spent 466 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:06,000 Speaker 1: the last ten years with with two teams. I think 467 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:08,040 Speaker 1: we finished up that last year in New York with 468 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:11,880 Speaker 1: the Mets. But man, I did bounce around a lot 469 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:14,520 Speaker 1: of a little bit when I was younger, and you know, 470 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:17,239 Speaker 1: finally came into my stride and figured it out as 471 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:20,280 Speaker 1: I got older. Well, we appreciate you being on the podcast. 472 00:27:20,320 --> 00:27:24,080 Speaker 1: Thanks for the knowledge. Thanks Gary, Rob, thanks for having me. 473 00:27:24,119 --> 00:27:32,080 Speaker 1: I appreciate it. Now bringing the closer, here's why MLB 474 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:35,800 Speaker 1: is better than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't 475 00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:42,800 Speaker 1: even close. Reason number three thousand why Major League Baseball 476 00:27:42,920 --> 00:27:45,960 Speaker 1: is better than the NBA and better than the NFL. 477 00:27:46,840 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 1: All you have to do is see the difference in 478 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:54,520 Speaker 1: how you watch baseball come postseason time. It's a totally 479 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:58,560 Speaker 1: different way of watching the game. Not too many sports change, 480 00:27:59,000 --> 00:28:03,160 Speaker 1: but in baseball, you watch every single pitch in the playoffs. 481 00:28:03,560 --> 00:28:06,639 Speaker 1: It just has a much bigger effect. When you watch 482 00:28:06,720 --> 00:28:09,880 Speaker 1: regular season baseball, you can watch the game, you can 483 00:28:09,920 --> 00:28:12,280 Speaker 1: come in in and out. But when it's time for 484 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:14,440 Speaker 1: the postseason, you see at the edge of your seat, 485 00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:18,520 Speaker 1: and every pitch is a big pitch. Every pitch not 486 00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:22,640 Speaker 1: called the strike. Fans of I rate it might cost him. 487 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:25,440 Speaker 1: A player might come back and get a big hit 488 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:30,440 Speaker 1: on on a miscall on a ball and strike pitch. Also, 489 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:35,119 Speaker 1: it just seems to be way more drama. The hits 490 00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:37,560 Speaker 1: is if if it's a big hit in the first 491 00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:39,360 Speaker 1: inning or a big hit in the seventh inning or 492 00:28:39,400 --> 00:28:41,800 Speaker 1: eighth inning, and then go back to the end of 493 00:28:41,800 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 1: the game. Trying to close out playoff games bullpens, We've 494 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:51,280 Speaker 1: seen it. We've seen guys collapse under the pressure of 495 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:56,320 Speaker 1: the playoffs and trying to close out a playoff game. 496 00:28:57,480 --> 00:28:59,880 Speaker 1: It is the best baseball that it is to why 497 00:29:00,520 --> 00:29:06,000 Speaker 1: come postseason, the postseason of baseball ranked second to none. 498 00:29:06,840 --> 00:29:11,920 Speaker 1: Watch enjoy roll around in it. That's how good it's 499 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:21,520 Speaker 1: gonna feel. In the words of New York TV legend 500 00:29:21,520 --> 00:29:24,560 Speaker 1: the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this 501 00:29:24,640 --> 00:29:28,719 Speaker 1: time until next time. Rob Parker out. He can't get it. 502 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:31,000 Speaker 1: This could be an inside the Parker to see you 503 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:34,040 Speaker 1: next weekend, same bad time. Save Man Station