1 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:23,279 Speaker 1: Welcome one and all to the Hammer Territory Podcast. My 2 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: name is Sean Coleman. Hope, wherever you are and wherever 3 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 1: you are listening, you are having a wonderful, wonderful week 4 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: so far. It is Thursday. It is hard to believe 5 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 1: it is already. We're nearly a full week into August. 6 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: But it's good to talk with you as always, and Stephen, 7 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 1: it's actually good to be able to talk about an 8 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:44,880 Speaker 1: amazing performance, not only from the Braves, and I consider 9 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:47,720 Speaker 1: an amazing performance from this team actually getting to win, 10 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: but also the Braves actually got an amazing performance because 11 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 1: of the Rookie of the Year candidate Drake Baldwin with 12 00:00:57,360 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: I won't call it a career game because we've already 13 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 1: seen a game like this before, but perhaps the best 14 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:05,120 Speaker 1: game of his young career. We talked about it last episode. 15 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:06,959 Speaker 1: It's one of the biggest storylines of the season and 16 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:09,200 Speaker 1: we're gonna get right into it. But before we do that, Steven, 17 00:01:09,319 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 1: always a pleasure to talk with you. Hope you've been 18 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:12,479 Speaker 1: with all my friends. 19 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:17,479 Speaker 2: What's up, buddy? Yeah, man, we had a fun game tonight. 20 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:20,479 Speaker 2: We had to watch a really fun game. It's kind 21 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 2: of it kind of reminded me of twenty twenty three 22 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 2: a little bit, where like they got down early and 23 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:29,480 Speaker 2: just like slowly came back. You know. I think they 24 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 2: scored six runs in the last three innings too, to 25 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:35,960 Speaker 2: you know, take a four run deficit into a two 26 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:38,920 Speaker 2: run win. It was just a fun game. Like you said, 27 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:42,560 Speaker 2: Drake Baldwin had a monster game. We talked about it 28 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 2: on the last show, how important it is for Drake 29 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:48,520 Speaker 2: Baldwin to have a big last two months. But yeah, 30 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 2: just a fun night, really fun night of baseball, you know, 31 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 2: even though the season is effectively over. Although although if 32 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 2: the Braves go four and oh to end the year, 33 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 2: they would be in the playoffs. That would be a 34 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 2: ninety six win team that would probably set a couple 35 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:09,919 Speaker 2: of records. I don't know what the longest winning streak ever. 36 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 2: I feel like it's probably less than forty nine, but 37 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,000 Speaker 2: mathematically not out of it yet. So we're gonna we're 38 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 2: gonna skew positive here, We're gonna put on our Sean 39 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 2: Coleman hat. But it was a fun It was actually 40 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 2: a really fun game to watch tonight. And we haven't 41 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:28,799 Speaker 2: had many of those, and we'll take as many as 42 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 2: we can get. 43 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:31,680 Speaker 1: And that'll do it here for us on the Hammer 44 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 1: Territory podcast, We're gonna make sure that the most positive 45 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:37,240 Speaker 1: comment of the night comes from one that Steven Talbert 46 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:41,240 Speaker 1: all joking aside. There is plenty of positivity to talk 47 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: about because as you mentioned, Steven, it's just simply the truth. 48 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 1: The biggest storyline of the season for the rest of 49 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:50,400 Speaker 1: this year so far, I won't say the biggest storyline, 50 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:52,799 Speaker 1: but one of the biggest storylines is the performance of 51 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 1: Drake Baldwin, not only for him ringing Rookie of the 52 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:57,880 Speaker 1: Year house special that will be, but also the fact 53 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:00,639 Speaker 1: of what that solidifies for him being a big part 54 00:03:00,639 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 1: of the Brace future and what it could add is 55 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: another asset and a very strong and pivotal draft for 56 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 1: the Braves in twenty twenty six. All those things are 57 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 1: writing on Drake Baldwin. And I want to set the 58 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 1: stage here for just how special this performance for Drake 59 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 1: Baldwin was, because there's several factors that go into this. 60 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 1: Number one, this probably is one of the most directly 61 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:24,960 Speaker 1: important weeks of the NL Rookie of the Year race 62 00:03:25,160 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 1: that is left on the calendar. Because Drake Baldwin is 63 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 1: going head to hand, head to head with two of 64 00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 1: his biggest competitors, Isaac Collins of the Milwaukee Brewers as 65 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 1: well as Agustin Ramirez of the Marlins, two rookies in 66 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 1: their own right who are not having as good as 67 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 1: years as Drake Baldwin, but they're big contributors to two 68 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 1: teams who are going after the playoffs, which the Braves 69 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 1: are not. The other thing is is that the added 70 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 1: pressure to Drake Baldwin means he has to perform and 71 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 1: the Braves are giving him every opportunity to But that's 72 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:56,320 Speaker 1: exactly what he did tonight. And Stephen, the thing that 73 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 1: stands out to me is that Drake Baldwin is not 74 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 1: having these performances or he's not staying consistent against you know, 75 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: below average pitching or pitching that won't be in the 76 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: majors for a long time. He took deep Yuri Perez, 77 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: who legitimately is one of the best young arms in 78 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: the game. The thing that stands out to me about 79 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:19,039 Speaker 1: Drake Baldwin, Stephen, is that the indicators that are playing 80 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 1: a big part in his success are factors of his 81 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 1: game that should allow for him to sustain this beyond 82 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:28,360 Speaker 1: this year, hitting will against left handers, hitting well with 83 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 1: runners in scoring position, hitting well against quality pitching. To me, 84 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:35,159 Speaker 1: that's the most exciting part of his performance so far 85 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:35,599 Speaker 1: this year. 86 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:40,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, I would say one of the most 87 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 2: important parts of a young left handed hitter's career in 88 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:53,040 Speaker 2: the early years is how do you hit against lefties? 89 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 2: Because so many lefties now get platooned immediately or they 90 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:02,920 Speaker 2: get like half a year to show anything, and if 91 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 2: they don't show anything, then they get platooned. It is 92 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 2: become it is very difficult to become like an everyday 93 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 2: player as a left handed hitter now. And listen, Drake 94 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:17,520 Speaker 2: Baldwin having a nine hundred ops against lefties this year. 95 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:20,919 Speaker 2: He's got better numbers against lefties than he does against righties, 96 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 2: and he hits righties really well too. He's just been 97 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 2: mashing lefties. That's the part that's really good like because 98 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:30,719 Speaker 2: that is for a left handed hitter, that is the 99 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:33,280 Speaker 2: benchmark of can you be an everyday player? Now? Listen, 100 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:35,839 Speaker 2: he's a catcher, so he's not going to be an 101 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:39,840 Speaker 2: everyday player obviously playing in Atlanta. But the fact that 102 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 2: you don't have to platoon in that you don't have 103 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 2: to worry about him regardless of who's on the mound. 104 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 2: Like we've talked about all the other stuff with Drake, 105 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:51,120 Speaker 2: but that, honestly might be the most important just from 106 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 2: a tactical standpoint of building out a lineup that it 107 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 2: doesn't matter who's pitching. Drake's fine, And again tonight he 108 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,920 Speaker 2: was just awesome. You know that second homer he hit, 109 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:04,279 Speaker 2: He was on a two pitch. It was like a 110 00:06:04,360 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 2: ninety eight or ninety nine min hour fastball and he 111 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:13,680 Speaker 2: freaking destroyed it to right center field. So super impressive stuff. 112 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 2: I mean, I don't know what else you could say 113 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 2: about this kid. I just really hope he can sustain 114 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 2: maybe not all the way up to this level, but 115 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 2: something like this for the next two months. Just run 116 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 2: away with Rookie of the Year. Make it a no 117 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 2: doubt or not just for what it will help the 118 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 2: Braves off the field, but just for him. I mean, 119 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 2: that would be such a cool honor to be recognized 120 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 2: like that, and again, hitting lefties the way he has. 121 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:43,760 Speaker 2: We haven't talked about it a ton maybe the most 122 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 2: important aspect of what he's done. 123 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:48,240 Speaker 1: So far, absolutely, and that's the thing that we talked 124 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:50,560 Speaker 1: about before the season right, you know, and Drake Baldwin, 125 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 1: there are so many added layers to what he offers 126 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:56,480 Speaker 1: to this lineup that were needed coming into this year. 127 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:59,680 Speaker 1: He hits left handers, he puts together great bats, He 128 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 1: puts together great at bats no matter of the situation. 129 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,839 Speaker 1: He works counts, he can walk, he hits for power, 130 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 1: he hits opposite field, he delivers with runners in scoring position. 131 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 1: Those things matter when it comes to the what Drake 132 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 1: Baldwin can offer. And the other big thing to me 133 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 1: is that there's no spot in the lineup where he 134 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 1: is less effective, Like he's just he's straight nails wherever 135 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: you put him, and that is very, very important for 136 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:27,080 Speaker 1: a Braves team that needs as many hitters like that. 137 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 1: I think their games are probably going to be different 138 00:07:30,920 --> 00:07:33,520 Speaker 1: as time goes on. But I do not feel that 139 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: it is a bad comp to suggest that he is 140 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 1: kind of like a Brian McCann. That may be a 141 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 1: bit lazy, but I do think that when we look now, 142 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 1: if you go look at Brian McCann's numbers, so I 143 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:44,760 Speaker 1: want to give Brian mccannon credit. I looked at the 144 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 1: numbers and I was even about to ask on Twitter, 145 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: how would you feel about Drake Baldwin having a career 146 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 1: like Brian McCann in a Braves uniform. I win, and 147 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:55,239 Speaker 1: I don't want to put that pressure on Drake Baldwin. 148 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 1: I know he'll never see what I put But my 149 00:07:56,920 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 1: point is Brian mccannon is freaking awesome as a Braves catch. 150 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 1: But I think that Drake Baldwin has that type of 151 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:06,200 Speaker 1: potential and that once again could be a really, really 152 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 1: awesome development before this Braves team, because the one thing 153 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 1: that we've seen with Braves teams that have US catchers, 154 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:15,119 Speaker 1: they typically will win and win at a high level. 155 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:20,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it's listen, it's gonna be fascinating to see 156 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 2: what they do in the offseason. Are they gonna roll 157 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 2: with Murphy and Baldwin as the catcher DH and just 158 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 2: alternate them so they both get to hit every day 159 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 2: or are they not? Are they gonna just do a 160 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 2: typical catcher situation where one plays in one sits and 161 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:39,959 Speaker 2: go somewhere else with a DH spot. You know, there 162 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:44,160 Speaker 2: was talk Brad and Scott covered it, so we're not 163 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:47,600 Speaker 2: gonna cover tonight. But you know, with the Byron Buxton 164 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:50,520 Speaker 2: stuff that came out a couple of days ago that 165 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:54,960 Speaker 2: you know, with the Braves considered dhing Akunya or dhing 166 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 2: Profi or DJing Byron Buxton. And then of course that 167 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 2: affects catcher right because obviously if you're gonna have DH 168 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 2: for an outfielder, then you you're not gonna be able 169 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:05,640 Speaker 2: to use it for your catcher. So, like what they 170 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 2: do is gonna be very fascinating to me, But man, 171 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 2: it's gonna be hard to convince me the best, the 172 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:15,400 Speaker 2: best way forward is to sit his bat for fifty 173 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:18,880 Speaker 2: percent of the games. That's gonna be a tough sell 174 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 2: for me. Like, I really believe we got to have 175 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 2: him in the lineup, especially again, the way he hits lefties. 176 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:28,320 Speaker 2: It's not this is not a situation where you need 177 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 2: to be sitting him against lefties. He hits these guys 178 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 2: extremely well. So it's all connected, of course. But yeah, 179 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:37,800 Speaker 2: I'm very curious to see how they're gonna handle this, 180 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:41,640 Speaker 2: this DH catcher outfield situation they they've got coming up 181 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:42,440 Speaker 2: in the Winner. 182 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 1: It makes it a bit easier for me, actually, And 183 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 1: what I mean by that is this is that with 184 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 1: every performance like this that we see from Drake Baldwin, 185 00:09:51,559 --> 00:09:53,959 Speaker 1: I love Sean Murphy. And I think Sean Murphy has 186 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 1: proven that he clearly was a smart move by Alex Enthopolis. 187 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 1: But every performance like this from Drake Baldwin makes Sean 188 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 1: Murphy expendable in the off season for two main reasons. 189 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:07,559 Speaker 1: Number one, Sean Murphy likely is going to be your 190 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:09,720 Speaker 1: best way to be able to bring in a significant 191 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 1: change that you need because of the money that he 192 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 1: makes you exchange that for another position of need, you 193 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 1: have money to then invest in that position. But also 194 00:10:18,960 --> 00:10:21,680 Speaker 1: Alex and Thopolis has proven if we talk about the 195 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:24,840 Speaker 1: fact that he can identify reliever value very well, he 196 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:28,960 Speaker 1: can certainly identify catcher value very rare very well. It's 197 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 1: been very rare where he is missed on adding a 198 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:36,439 Speaker 1: catching talent to this organization. And Drake Baldwin once again 199 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:39,839 Speaker 1: does that tap into that skill. If there's an opportunity 200 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:41,679 Speaker 1: out there where it makes sense to trade Sean Murphy 201 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:44,080 Speaker 1: in the off season to address a bigger need elsewhere, 202 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 1: go ahead and make that with the confidence you're going 203 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:48,720 Speaker 1: to be able to find a compliment to Drake Baldwin. 204 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:51,560 Speaker 1: And here's the biggest thing of all, Drake Baldwin's value 205 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:54,640 Speaker 1: comes at a very cheap cost, which the Braves need 206 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 1: as much of as possible moving forward. That's kind of 207 00:10:57,400 --> 00:10:58,960 Speaker 1: where I am. Don't want to get too much into that. 208 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: We got plenty of time to discuss that over time, 209 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 1: but that's kind of where I'm at with every good 210 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:06,199 Speaker 1: performance that Drake Baldwin shows. 211 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:09,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, listen, we'll have plenty of time to 212 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 2: talk about it. And you know, from everything they've said, 213 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:15,640 Speaker 2: they want two really good catchers. I don't know that 214 00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 2: you can afford to a have Drake's bat be out 215 00:11:18,400 --> 00:11:20,160 Speaker 2: of the lineup that much. I don't know if b 216 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:22,439 Speaker 2: you can afford to pay Sean Murphy what you pay 217 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:26,040 Speaker 2: him and have him out of the lineup that much. Yeah, 218 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:28,880 Speaker 2: it's gonna be. It's one of the more fascinating parts 219 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:30,480 Speaker 2: of when we get to the off season is what 220 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 2: they do at catcher, what they do at DH and 221 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 2: how it all connects. 222 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:36,480 Speaker 1: But if there's one positive from this year so far, 223 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:41,480 Speaker 1: it's a really good problem to have. Remember just four 224 00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 1: months ago we were sitting here talking about is Drake 225 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 1: Baldwin going to take over to Sean Murphy? And then 226 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:49,360 Speaker 1: what do we do with Sean Murphy's contract? Now his 227 00:11:49,480 --> 00:11:53,480 Speaker 1: contract clearly is an asset. So it's a very good 228 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:56,559 Speaker 1: problem to have and is with many problems overalls. We've 229 00:11:56,559 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 1: talked about the Braves this year. Good problems are certainly 230 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:04,480 Speaker 1: a welcome development. Speaking of good developments, we learned about 231 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:06,720 Speaker 1: a few others when it comes to some of the 232 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 1: bigger names and more pivotal names on the Braves. A 233 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 1: couple of names that certainly could not only play again 234 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 1: this year, but could be back much sooner rather than later. 235 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 1: We'll discuss that in just a moment after a word 236 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: from our partners Crats. 237 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:22,960 Speaker 3: There are a lot of people out there that pay 238 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:24,480 Speaker 3: rent and they don't get anything for it. 239 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 1: Might as well change that. 240 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:29,800 Speaker 2: You can get some rewards for flights, hotels, tons of stuff. 241 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:31,480 Speaker 1: With BUILT. 242 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 3: You can earn flexible points that can be redeemed towards airlines, hotels, 243 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:39,760 Speaker 3: a future rent payment, your next lift right, and much more. 244 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:42,439 Speaker 3: It doesn't stop there. 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That's j 252 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 3: O I N B I L T dot com slash f. 253 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 1: O U L. 254 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:14,840 Speaker 3: Make sure to use our UURL so they know we 255 00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:17,640 Speaker 3: sent you join built dot com slash foul. 256 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:23,480 Speaker 1: Go for it. So, Stephen, some more positive news when 257 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:25,600 Speaker 1: it comes to the Braves. It's so weird to sit 258 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 1: here and be talking about you. Actually, let's let's let's 259 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:31,560 Speaker 1: take a step back here for a second, Stephen. Not 260 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:34,760 Speaker 1: only are we talking about the fact that the Braves 261 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 1: earlier this week actually won on a Sunday, we're also 262 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 1: talking about Drake Baldwin having some positive performances to further 263 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:45,320 Speaker 1: secure his Rookie of the Year con his Rookie of 264 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:48,959 Speaker 1: the Year award. But now we're seeing some positive injury news. 265 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:51,440 Speaker 1: I'm not going to know what world we're living in, 266 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:53,680 Speaker 1: what part of the multiverse we're in if all this 267 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 1: positive news keeps happening, but hey, we're certainly here to 268 00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:59,360 Speaker 1: discuss as much of it as possible. What I'm getting 269 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:02,679 Speaker 1: at is that we did learn further news about ronald'cooney 270 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 1: Junior as well as Chris Sale. I know that we 271 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 1: discussed this just last episode, but it's important to give 272 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 1: as much news as possible of those two because it 273 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:13,560 Speaker 1: seems like they're coming back sooner rather than later. Steven, 274 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: let's start with Ronald o'conney Jr. 275 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, So it was reported today it was d B 276 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 2: Dave ol Brian of the Athletic that Ronald was on 277 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 2: the field taking BP. He was seen taking ground balls 278 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:32,560 Speaker 2: in the infield a couple of days ago, and people 279 00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:35,080 Speaker 2: of course started speculating like crazy. I don't think it 280 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:39,920 Speaker 2: means anything, but according to Dave o Brian, he looked 281 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 2: fantastic on the field today. He was reporting he had zero, 282 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 2: you know, ill effects from the calf injury. So Ronald 283 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 2: got put on the IL on the thirtieth, July thirtieth, 284 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 2: which means he is eligible to come off the IL 285 00:14:55,760 --> 00:15:00,880 Speaker 2: on Saturday. Now, I have no idea, There was no 286 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:03,240 Speaker 2: indication given that he was coming off the i L 287 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:06,760 Speaker 2: as soon as he's available to, so, you know, I 288 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 2: wouldn't expect that, but you know, after Alice gave his 289 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 2: comments about how he's not gonna sit a healthy acuonion, 290 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:16,680 Speaker 2: he's not gonna set a healthy sale. I am curious 291 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:18,240 Speaker 2: to see what they do. I mean, you know, if 292 00:15:18,280 --> 00:15:20,680 Speaker 2: he if it's a ten dail trip he did, you know, 293 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:22,640 Speaker 2: he doesn't need a rehab assignment or anything like that. 294 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 2: He can just come off. But what are they gonna 295 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 2: do and how long are they gonna wait? Of course 296 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 2: everybody wants them to be, you know, overly abundance, abundantly cautious. 297 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 2: I one hundred percent agree with that, but like, what 298 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 2: is the line for them? It's gonna be the question 299 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 2: where where is that line where Okay, he's clearly just healthy, 300 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 2: we're gonna start playing him. I don't know, we'll find out, 301 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 2: but I didn't want to mention that technically he can't 302 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:51,800 Speaker 2: come off the I l on Saturday and no one's 303 00:15:51,840 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 2: expecting that. But technically that is where we are on 304 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:55,320 Speaker 2: the calendar. 305 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: So the other question that I opposes this Steven, is 306 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 1: that say he comes back, what today is, August the eighth, seventh, 307 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:05,440 Speaker 1: August the seventh, Say he's back by the fifteenth, within 308 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 1: the next week. Where do you put a COUNI in 309 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:09,680 Speaker 1: the lineup. You know, you batted him third for a 310 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:12,520 Speaker 1: few weeks and and the offense in general it picked 311 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 1: up a bit, but I feel like that he's still 312 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:17,480 Speaker 1: his most effective out of that lead all spot. It 313 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 1: just it sets a whole tone for this lineup. I 314 00:16:21,240 --> 00:16:23,640 Speaker 1: know again that they had their struggles with him there, 315 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: but I still would just you know, just even beyond 316 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 1: him getting the most at bats in the lineup, it 317 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:30,640 Speaker 1: just sets a quality tone so many different ways he 318 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 1: can impact the game. Where do you put him in 319 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 1: the lineup once he's back. 320 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's a good question. So in terms of like 321 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 2: modern day analytical driven lineup construction, you typically don't want 322 00:16:48,120 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 2: to put your best hit a third. And I know 323 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 2: for one hundred and fifty years, every the best hitter 324 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,240 Speaker 2: in every lineup hit third. Tripper Jones for instance, h 325 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 2: third his whole career basically. And the reason that you 326 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 2: don't typically want to do it is because the number 327 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 2: of time you come up to the plate with two 328 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 2: out and nobody on. And that's why you a lot 329 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,800 Speaker 2: of times in modern lineups you'll see the best hitter 330 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 2: on the team either about second or fourth. So it 331 00:17:13,600 --> 00:17:19,400 Speaker 2: is interesting if you're gonna do the Olson Baldwin thing 332 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:22,639 Speaker 2: two and three. It does make sense to put a 333 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:26,840 Speaker 2: Counya between them so you don't stack lefties. Now, Olson 334 00:17:26,880 --> 00:17:29,240 Speaker 2: and Baldwin can both hit lefties, so it's not that 335 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 2: big a deal. I don't know. Obviously, with Profar too, 336 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 2: he's a you know, he's a switch hitter, so you 337 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:37,399 Speaker 2: can move him anywhere. Profar is walking more, which helps 338 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:41,280 Speaker 2: the on base or which helps the leadoff argument. I 339 00:17:41,320 --> 00:17:43,320 Speaker 2: do like having a Kunyan spots where he can be 340 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:45,679 Speaker 2: more of a run producer than a run creator, especially 341 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:48,560 Speaker 2: since he's not running. I don't know, I I the 342 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 2: reason I'm I don't have a good answer for you. 343 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 2: I'm just kind of figuring this out of my head 344 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:55,640 Speaker 2: as I'm talking. That's a really good quest. I would 345 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:58,719 Speaker 2: probably stick him third, just for the end of the season, 346 00:17:58,840 --> 00:18:01,640 Speaker 2: just to see how it goes. I don't really love that. 347 00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:04,720 Speaker 2: I would me personally, I would want a Cunya batting 348 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 2: except first or second. But if they want to do third, 349 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:12,160 Speaker 2: if they want to do Profar Olsen Acunya Baldwin, I'm 350 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 2: fine with that. I mean, listen, you know, lineup construction 351 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:17,720 Speaker 2: rarely matters, and it really doesn't matter when you're twenty 352 00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:21,480 Speaker 2: games under five hundreds. But it does tell us a 353 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 2: little bit about what maybe they're thinking for next year. 354 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:25,919 Speaker 2: So it's a it's an important question to answer, and 355 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:27,480 Speaker 2: I don't know. I don't know what the answer is 356 00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:28,840 Speaker 2: to that. What do do you have an opinion? What 357 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:29,639 Speaker 2: do you think you should do? 358 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:34,920 Speaker 1: I actually like the idea of potentially batting the second, 359 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:37,240 Speaker 1: you know, because then you have the ability to swite, 360 00:18:37,320 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 1: you know, putting between you know, profar Acunya, uh, Baldwin 361 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: then Olson. Maybe I could see that making sense because 362 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:50,280 Speaker 1: then Baldwin is getting some good pitches to hit in 363 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:54,439 Speaker 1: between Acunya as well as Olson. Now Olsen possibly you know, 364 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:58,439 Speaker 1: walks more. But yeah, I think that makes sense. You're 365 00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:01,680 Speaker 1: stacking right now. You're four best hitters, and you got 366 00:19:01,720 --> 00:19:04,440 Speaker 1: your two best sources of on base percentage right past 367 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:06,960 Speaker 1: each other. But the one development that I am happy 368 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:10,040 Speaker 1: to see is that for so many years we you know, 369 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:12,600 Speaker 1: kind of got the feeling that Acunya, you know, really 370 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:14,119 Speaker 1: preferred to be in that lead off spot, like he 371 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:16,960 Speaker 1: did not want to be moved. Seeing him be okay 372 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:19,359 Speaker 1: with it now and being him just as productive out 373 00:19:19,359 --> 00:19:22,959 Speaker 1: of another spot. Besides the leadoff spot. That's encouraging, So 374 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:26,520 Speaker 1: why not batting second? I don't mind that at all. 375 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:28,800 Speaker 1: Get someone on in front of him, have him do 376 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:31,399 Speaker 1: his damage, and then have others hit behind him. I 377 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:34,320 Speaker 1: think it's a luxury that you could certainly explore in time, 378 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:36,760 Speaker 1: and then when you get Austin Riley back then it 379 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 1: gets become more interesting. But I will say this that Acunya, 380 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:48,400 Speaker 1: Baldwin Elson Riley quartet moving forward. I get people may 381 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,439 Speaker 1: not believe this, and I can understand that from this 382 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:56,800 Speaker 1: year that legitimately can be one of the strongest quartets 383 00:19:56,840 --> 00:19:59,320 Speaker 1: of batters that you can see in the majors. Like, 384 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:02,399 Speaker 1: that's the POTENTI that this team has so bad ab 385 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:03,800 Speaker 1: at the top of the order. See what you got. 386 00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:05,760 Speaker 1: I know that order this year really doesn't make sense, 387 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:09,159 Speaker 1: but it at least is fun to experiment for the future. 388 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:13,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I listen. I think Acunya is probably more 389 00:20:13,080 --> 00:20:16,879 Speaker 2: willing because he understands he's not running as much. You know, 390 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 2: it's not the same level threat. You know, it used 391 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:22,639 Speaker 2: to be Ronald Walk twenty percent of the time at 392 00:20:22,640 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 2: the top of the lineup, and he would steal second 393 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 2: every time. It's like a double and so in that 394 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:29,840 Speaker 2: situation you want that guy leading off. It just starts 395 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:32,360 Speaker 2: rallies consistently if he's not just hitting the ball over 396 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:35,280 Speaker 2: the fence. So I do think he's probably more willing 397 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:37,959 Speaker 2: to move down now he's not running with you know, 398 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 2: with the quartet potential, you know it's gonna it's gonna 399 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:42,159 Speaker 2: come a lot of a lot of it's gonna come 400 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:44,479 Speaker 2: down to Riley. You know what Austin Roley looks like. 401 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:48,600 Speaker 2: But of course the potential is there. I mean even now, 402 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:52,000 Speaker 2: the Braves have an insane amount of potential. It's just 403 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:55,360 Speaker 2: we've watched for two years this offense, you know, flutter 404 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:59,679 Speaker 2: for way too much of it, uh to not at 405 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:02,520 Speaker 2: least ask some questions about it. But you're one hundred 406 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:05,760 Speaker 2: percent right. The potential has not gone anywhere. They still 407 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:08,480 Speaker 2: have the potential to be the best lineup in baseball 408 00:21:08,520 --> 00:21:09,760 Speaker 2: with the talent they have on the team. 409 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:14,240 Speaker 1: Absolutely, But speaking of talent elsewhere on the mound, we're 410 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 1: gonna see one of the premier talents in the game 411 00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:19,840 Speaker 1: once again again, sooner rather than later. Chris Sell today, 412 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:23,480 Speaker 1: through a live BP everything seemed to go according to plan. 413 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:25,880 Speaker 1: It's very likely that he's going to have at least 414 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:29,159 Speaker 1: one rehab start, which makes perfect sense. But Steven, I'm 415 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:31,439 Speaker 1: gonna let you discuss it because you put it in 416 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:35,040 Speaker 1: such and a fun way on Twitter. When it comes 417 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:37,119 Speaker 1: to what should the Braves do with Sale? Should they 418 00:21:37,160 --> 00:21:39,159 Speaker 1: sit him? Should they put him on the shelf or 419 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:41,400 Speaker 1: give him an opportunity to be able to pitch? I'll 420 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:44,359 Speaker 1: let you explain how you put that, But it certainly 421 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:47,120 Speaker 1: seems as if the window for Sale returning is much 422 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:48,160 Speaker 1: quicker than later. 423 00:21:49,680 --> 00:21:52,160 Speaker 2: Yeah. I know all these guys get grouped together because 424 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:56,199 Speaker 2: they're hurt, but like if you break a bone, I 425 00:21:56,280 --> 00:21:59,600 Speaker 2: put you in a different category. Like, returning from a 426 00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:03,919 Speaker 2: broken is very straightforward and very simple. It's the bones 427 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:06,119 Speaker 2: just got a heal and once the heat, once it 428 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:09,280 Speaker 2: heals and the pain's gone, you're fine. Now, if you're 429 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:12,199 Speaker 2: coming back from an elbow or a shoulder like Lopez 430 00:22:12,680 --> 00:22:15,800 Speaker 2: or like Grant Holmes, that's a completely different ballgame. There's 431 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:18,840 Speaker 2: a whole different level of caution that you need to show. 432 00:22:19,600 --> 00:22:23,040 Speaker 2: But Chris Sale's coming back from a broken rib, like, 433 00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:28,160 Speaker 2: it's very straightforward, and listen, if he's healthy to pitch, 434 00:22:28,200 --> 00:22:30,600 Speaker 2: and clearly he is. He literally pitched a live VP today. 435 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:34,879 Speaker 2: Who in God's name is going to walk up to 436 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:37,920 Speaker 2: Chris Sale and say, I know you're healthy, You're not pitching. 437 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:40,600 Speaker 2: You're gonna sit for two months and then sit for 438 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 2: another six months until the season starts next year. You 439 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:46,880 Speaker 2: might get murdered. Chris Sale might murder you. I mean, 440 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 2: he is one of the most competitive people on the planet. 441 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:53,040 Speaker 2: And there's no I mean, I don't care who you're 442 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 2: there's no one that's gonna tell Chris Sale that so 443 00:22:56,400 --> 00:22:59,119 Speaker 2: and I don't really think you should. Again, it's a 444 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:03,160 Speaker 2: broken bone, broke a rib. Like, once the pain's gone 445 00:23:03,280 --> 00:23:06,720 Speaker 2: and the bones healed, let him pitch. And you know, 446 00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:08,359 Speaker 2: he made a good point today. I think he was 447 00:23:08,359 --> 00:23:11,880 Speaker 2: talking to the media guys like that helps him set 448 00:23:11,960 --> 00:23:16,600 Speaker 2: up his off season, which he needs to set himself 449 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:19,000 Speaker 2: up for twenty twenty six. If he's already got some 450 00:23:19,040 --> 00:23:21,800 Speaker 2: innings under his belt in twenty twenty five, he knows 451 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 2: he can go into twenty twenty six with a completely 452 00:23:23,880 --> 00:23:27,240 Speaker 2: normal off season. Which was the key to getting vintage 453 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 2: Chris Sale last year is that he had a normal 454 00:23:29,560 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 2: off season. So I'm one hundred percent. I know people 455 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,240 Speaker 2: are bothered by it, and I would be bothered by 456 00:23:35,280 --> 00:23:37,000 Speaker 2: it if it was if it was ligament, if it 457 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:39,720 Speaker 2: was muscle. But it's a bone. It's a broken bone, 458 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:42,480 Speaker 2: and this helps him set up his off season going 459 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:45,040 Speaker 2: into twenty twenty six. It doesn't bother me at all. 460 00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:47,200 Speaker 2: I completely understand why they're. 461 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,640 Speaker 1: Doing this, and I agree with you on that. Now 462 00:23:50,680 --> 00:23:52,840 Speaker 1: I know that this is not the case for all 463 00:23:53,200 --> 00:23:57,600 Speaker 1: of you know the names of the Braves that we 464 00:23:57,600 --> 00:24:00,440 Speaker 1: were hoping will be significant tributor contributors of the next 465 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:03,359 Speaker 1: few seasons. But one thing that I will say could 466 00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:06,119 Speaker 1: potentially be a positive, could potentially be a silver lining 467 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:08,439 Speaker 1: for this year, is we could go into the off season, 468 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:13,119 Speaker 1: especially if Riley comes back healthy with olsen Acunya, Baldwin, 469 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:18,280 Speaker 1: you know, several of our best hitters, and Sell Schwelenbach 470 00:24:18,359 --> 00:24:21,320 Speaker 1: as well as Strider, all those names could go into 471 00:24:21,320 --> 00:24:25,359 Speaker 1: the off season relatively healthy and have the ability to 472 00:24:25,359 --> 00:24:27,959 Speaker 1: go through an off season where they're healthy. So that 473 00:24:27,960 --> 00:24:30,080 Speaker 1: could be a blessing in disguise. I think that should 474 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:32,439 Speaker 1: be a priority for the Braves, But that could be 475 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:34,840 Speaker 1: a big way to end this season, to really get 476 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:38,240 Speaker 1: next season started off with the bang. But that wasn't 477 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:41,000 Speaker 1: the only news that was out there today regarding the Braves. 478 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:43,679 Speaker 1: We'll discuss more on what was a newsworthy Thursday in 479 00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:46,119 Speaker 1: just a moment, after another word from our partners. 480 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:48,639 Speaker 3: A jam on my phone right now in Arena Club, 481 00:24:48,720 --> 00:24:51,560 Speaker 3: and I'm looking at the Emerald slab packs and I 482 00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:54,240 Speaker 3: see in the grail a Bobby Witt Junior twenty twenty 483 00:24:54,359 --> 00:24:57,679 Speaker 3: Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Gold Refractor card. 484 00:24:58,440 --> 00:24:59,800 Speaker 1: Jimmy, give me your phone. 485 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:01,040 Speaker 2: I'm gonna I'm gonna get you. 486 00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:02,399 Speaker 3: Well, you gotta buy it out to me. 487 00:25:02,520 --> 00:25:03,159 Speaker 1: I don't have it. 488 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:05,040 Speaker 3: You know you have to get a slab pack. 489 00:25:05,160 --> 00:25:06,359 Speaker 2: No, I don't have that, and give me. 490 00:25:06,359 --> 00:25:07,000 Speaker 1: Your slab pack. 491 00:25:07,119 --> 00:25:09,560 Speaker 2: That card's worth you buy off slab pack, Scott, so 492 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:12,600 Speaker 2: I can get the Bobby with Junior Gold Refractor twenty 493 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:14,280 Speaker 2: twenty Bowman Chrome Auto. 494 00:25:14,359 --> 00:25:16,600 Speaker 1: Because that sounds awesome and it's worth a lot. It's 495 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:18,800 Speaker 1: worth a lot. He's a stud, he's not going down. 496 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:20,840 Speaker 1: Get a grill. Get a grill. 497 00:25:20,920 --> 00:25:22,880 Speaker 2: I want a grail, Scott, give me the holy grill. 498 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:23,600 Speaker 2: You do it. 499 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:26,680 Speaker 3: To do that, you must get yourself a slab pack 500 00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:28,199 Speaker 3: in Arena club, or if you want to get it 501 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:30,120 Speaker 3: for a friend, you can do that. Too, and right 502 00:25:30,160 --> 00:25:32,800 Speaker 3: now you can get twenty percent off your first slab 503 00:25:32,840 --> 00:25:35,280 Speaker 3: pack or your first card purchase. If you're going on 504 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:37,320 Speaker 3: there and you're just like, hey, I want a specific card, 505 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:39,200 Speaker 3: I find it there, I want to grab it for 506 00:25:39,320 --> 00:25:43,160 Speaker 3: my showroom Arena club dot com slash foul and use 507 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:45,160 Speaker 3: the code f o U l. 508 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:49,480 Speaker 1: So Steven. Today, you know, of course, with the news 509 00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 1: about you know, potentially sealing a Coonia coming back, that 510 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:54,840 Speaker 1: was really positive at news to see. But also one 511 00:25:54,840 --> 00:25:57,120 Speaker 1: of the biggest subjects that people have talked about over 512 00:25:57,160 --> 00:26:00,560 Speaker 1: the past year or so is what exactly are the 513 00:26:00,600 --> 00:26:03,760 Speaker 1: full details of the Braves financial situation, you know, because 514 00:26:03,800 --> 00:26:08,240 Speaker 1: there have been you know, what we see in the news, 515 00:26:08,359 --> 00:26:11,199 Speaker 1: what we see reported, and then what we see in 516 00:26:11,280 --> 00:26:14,199 Speaker 1: terms of actions of the team. They're not always adding 517 00:26:14,280 --> 00:26:17,359 Speaker 1: up over the past twelve plus months or so. Today 518 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:20,359 Speaker 1: there was a further update. It's the normal update that 519 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:22,480 Speaker 1: you see when it comes to the quarterly earnings report 520 00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:25,239 Speaker 1: with the Braves, but I know that it garnered a 521 00:26:25,280 --> 00:26:28,359 Speaker 1: lot of reaction. You do a very good job and 522 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:30,240 Speaker 1: when it comes to the finance as a payroll of 523 00:26:30,280 --> 00:26:32,280 Speaker 1: the team, you know, kind of digging into the details, 524 00:26:32,359 --> 00:26:34,720 Speaker 1: what does it actually mean, what did you take from 525 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:38,480 Speaker 1: the news today on the quarter two earnings for the Braves. 526 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:44,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, so the Braves are obviously a publicly traded company. Listen, 527 00:26:45,119 --> 00:26:46,879 Speaker 2: I do want to get one thing out to start 528 00:26:46,920 --> 00:26:51,600 Speaker 2: with this because I still see it every day people 529 00:26:51,680 --> 00:26:57,000 Speaker 2: still think Liberty Media own the Braves. The Braves broke 530 00:26:57,080 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 2: off from Liberty Media like three or four years ago 531 00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:04,280 Speaker 2: and they started Atlanta Braves Holding, Incorporated, which is its 532 00:27:04,320 --> 00:27:09,639 Speaker 2: own separate, publicly traded company, and the chairman, president and 533 00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:15,800 Speaker 2: CEO of that company is Terry mcgork, and that is 534 00:27:15,840 --> 00:27:19,359 Speaker 2: the Braves essentially the Braves owner. Now he is not. 535 00:27:19,960 --> 00:27:23,200 Speaker 2: He doesn't own the team. He runs the publicly traded 536 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:26,879 Speaker 2: company that owns the team. But like when the owners 537 00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:30,160 Speaker 2: have their meeting, you know, MLB has their owners meeting, 538 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,440 Speaker 2: it's not somebody from Liberty Media who goes to that meeting. 539 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:37,520 Speaker 2: In the for the Braves, it's Terry mcgork. Like Liberty 540 00:27:37,560 --> 00:27:39,800 Speaker 2: Media has absolutely nothing to do with running the Braves 541 00:27:39,840 --> 00:27:43,040 Speaker 2: in any way, shape or form, from finances to any 542 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:48,399 Speaker 2: decision making. It is entirely Atlanta Braves Holding Incorporated, who 543 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:51,639 Speaker 2: is chairman by Terry mcgork, who runs the team. So 544 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:58,000 Speaker 2: today they had their Q two, their quarter to earnings 545 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:00,359 Speaker 2: report that came out. Obviously, it's a publicly traded company, 546 00:28:00,440 --> 00:28:03,240 Speaker 2: so they have to release earnings report that came out today. 547 00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:05,959 Speaker 2: I was a Q two is April, May and June. 548 00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:08,080 Speaker 2: So this was the report for April, May and June, 549 00:28:08,600 --> 00:28:13,600 Speaker 2: when the team was still relatively at least pretending to compete, right, 550 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:18,680 Speaker 2: Attendance hadn't really dropped, and the revenues were really strong. 551 00:28:18,920 --> 00:28:20,679 Speaker 2: And I'm not going to go through the entire earnings 552 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:25,080 Speaker 2: report on here. It's a lot of financial jargon and 553 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:29,160 Speaker 2: there's no point. The quick and dirty of it is, 554 00:28:29,359 --> 00:28:34,440 Speaker 2: revenue has gone up, really really strong revenue in quarter two. 555 00:28:35,119 --> 00:28:38,720 Speaker 2: Attendance was still good. The Braves call it their multi 556 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:42,640 Speaker 2: use real estate, which is the battery had a really 557 00:28:42,680 --> 00:28:47,520 Speaker 2: really strong quarter. Obviously, the television rights money went up 558 00:28:47,560 --> 00:28:51,880 Speaker 2: because they added streaming, and so revenues were up, and 559 00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:55,920 Speaker 2: that's kind of the main takeaway. And then about midway 560 00:28:55,920 --> 00:29:00,760 Speaker 2: through the report they moved into operating cost and one 561 00:29:00,800 --> 00:29:03,640 Speaker 2: of the main things that people notice was that players 562 00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:07,560 Speaker 2: salaries was an operating cost that was down from the 563 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:12,360 Speaker 2: year before. So revenue is up and payroll is down 564 00:29:12,800 --> 00:29:15,920 Speaker 2: and listen. This was a big point of consternation for 565 00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:18,840 Speaker 2: us in the offseason. We talked about it endlessly that 566 00:29:19,360 --> 00:29:23,520 Speaker 2: the Braves cut payroll. I mean they did. Now, Alex 567 00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:25,520 Speaker 2: would tell you that they didn't cut it. They just 568 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:27,560 Speaker 2: didn't find the right deals to spend the money. But 569 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:30,200 Speaker 2: it's effectively the same thing. They didn't spend as much 570 00:29:30,200 --> 00:29:32,360 Speaker 2: on payroll this year as they did last year, so 571 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 2: they cut payroll despite the fact that revenues are through 572 00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:37,880 Speaker 2: the roof. We've said it a million times on this show. 573 00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:41,760 Speaker 2: The Battery, the Braves, they print money. They make so 574 00:29:41,920 --> 00:29:46,400 Speaker 2: much revenue. The Battery is a money maker. The new stadium. 575 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:49,479 Speaker 2: You know, it's just a money it just they make 576 00:29:49,520 --> 00:29:52,040 Speaker 2: a ton of money. And you know, the one good 577 00:29:52,040 --> 00:29:54,000 Speaker 2: thing about being a publican traded company, I think the 578 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:57,040 Speaker 2: only publicly traded company in Major League Baseball is that 579 00:29:57,120 --> 00:29:59,920 Speaker 2: we get a full earnings report. Most fans don't get this. 580 00:30:00,080 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 2: They don't get to see inside the books of their team. 581 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:06,800 Speaker 2: We do because it's a publicly traded company. So we 582 00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:10,200 Speaker 2: get to see exactly what they spend on whatever, including payroll, 583 00:30:10,280 --> 00:30:12,520 Speaker 2: and so we know for a fact that payroll was down. 584 00:30:12,840 --> 00:30:15,080 Speaker 2: The numbers do not lie. They're not allowed to lie 585 00:30:15,080 --> 00:30:19,480 Speaker 2: on these things. Revenues up and payrolls down, And that 586 00:30:19,600 --> 00:30:22,720 Speaker 2: was kind of the main takeaway everybody had today was Hey, guys, 587 00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:26,680 Speaker 2: you're making money hand over fists. You know what the hell? 588 00:30:26,800 --> 00:30:29,680 Speaker 2: Why is? Why is payroll down? And of course especially 589 00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:32,320 Speaker 2: doesn't look good in a season where you're on pace 590 00:30:32,360 --> 00:30:34,920 Speaker 2: to lose as many games of you as you've lost 591 00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:38,840 Speaker 2: in almost forty years. So yeah, it got some it 592 00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:39,960 Speaker 2: got some attention today. 593 00:30:41,160 --> 00:30:42,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I think that you know, you know, I 594 00:30:42,640 --> 00:30:44,400 Speaker 1: came out of the trade deadline with the question, you know, 595 00:30:44,440 --> 00:30:47,320 Speaker 1: the number one question that I had was, you know what, 596 00:30:47,600 --> 00:30:53,800 Speaker 1: how confidently can you trust the braves resourcefulness, the resourcefulness 597 00:30:53,800 --> 00:30:56,000 Speaker 1: that the Braves should be able to have in order 598 00:30:56,040 --> 00:30:57,959 Speaker 1: to put them in the right direction. Well, the question 599 00:30:58,240 --> 00:31:01,200 Speaker 1: I think is answered. The Brave are swimming in money. 600 00:31:01,280 --> 00:31:05,080 Speaker 1: That's just absolutely the truth. I do feel that if 601 00:31:05,080 --> 00:31:08,120 Speaker 1: you have a concern, are they going to then reinvest 602 00:31:08,160 --> 00:31:11,360 Speaker 1: that into this team swimming in the right direction. That's 603 00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:14,760 Speaker 1: a fair question to have. The thing that I will 604 00:31:14,800 --> 00:31:19,720 Speaker 1: say though, is this is that the Braves, from the 605 00:31:19,720 --> 00:31:23,080 Speaker 1: front office to the people that run it, be above 606 00:31:23,120 --> 00:31:26,200 Speaker 1: that to the players. Everybody knows that this team, the 607 00:31:26,280 --> 00:31:29,160 Speaker 1: word was they were a model that other teams are 608 00:31:29,160 --> 00:31:32,480 Speaker 1: going after. Well, the reason why that model works, just 609 00:31:32,520 --> 00:31:35,040 Speaker 1: about as much as anything is when this team is winning. 610 00:31:35,480 --> 00:31:37,920 Speaker 1: One thing that can certainly remind you of just how 611 00:31:37,960 --> 00:31:40,480 Speaker 1: good that you had it when you were winning is 612 00:31:40,520 --> 00:31:42,880 Speaker 1: when you are not winning, which they are not doing 613 00:31:43,240 --> 00:31:45,560 Speaker 1: right now. So to me, and I know again I 614 00:31:45,560 --> 00:31:47,680 Speaker 1: have a positive outlook on things more often than not. 615 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:50,480 Speaker 1: To me, that gives me a little bit more of 616 00:31:50,640 --> 00:31:55,120 Speaker 1: a how shall I put this, It reassures me that 617 00:31:55,160 --> 00:31:57,960 Speaker 1: the Braves realize what's going on. Yes, they know that 618 00:31:58,000 --> 00:32:01,000 Speaker 1: they're making good money out off the field. It needs 619 00:32:01,040 --> 00:32:02,480 Speaker 1: to go back on the field for that product to 620 00:32:02,480 --> 00:32:04,280 Speaker 1: be as good as possible, because that's what's going to 621 00:32:04,280 --> 00:32:05,920 Speaker 1: help to continue things to be as good as they 622 00:32:05,960 --> 00:32:08,360 Speaker 1: are off the field as they have been. So a 623 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:10,640 Speaker 1: bunch of different words, my point that I'm getting at, 624 00:32:10,800 --> 00:32:14,120 Speaker 1: the resourcefulness that the Braves need is certainly there. I 625 00:32:14,160 --> 00:32:17,200 Speaker 1: think in time we're going to see that reflected on 626 00:32:17,320 --> 00:32:19,520 Speaker 1: reinvesting in this team to give us what we need 627 00:32:19,560 --> 00:32:20,360 Speaker 1: to get back on track. 628 00:32:22,560 --> 00:32:26,959 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I'll say this, you know, the the comment 629 00:32:27,000 --> 00:32:29,760 Speaker 2: that Terry mcgorg made was that the Braves are the 630 00:32:29,960 --> 00:32:32,480 Speaker 2: model franchise in Major League Baseball that every other team 631 00:32:32,560 --> 00:32:34,680 Speaker 2: is chasing. And of course that got a lot of 632 00:32:36,040 --> 00:32:39,680 Speaker 2: publicity in headlines because the Braves are ten games behind 633 00:32:39,720 --> 00:32:41,840 Speaker 2: the Marlins right now, so like everybody's like, you know, 634 00:32:42,120 --> 00:32:44,120 Speaker 2: what are we talking about? I want to say this 635 00:32:44,920 --> 00:32:47,280 Speaker 2: from my business standpoint, he is one hundred percent right. 636 00:32:49,280 --> 00:32:53,479 Speaker 2: The Braves model was somewhat revolutionary. What they did was 637 00:32:53,880 --> 00:32:56,800 Speaker 2: they picked up and moved out of the city. When 638 00:32:56,840 --> 00:32:59,600 Speaker 2: they moved from True from Turner Field to Truest Park, 639 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:02,239 Speaker 2: they moved to the suburbs. And not only did they 640 00:33:02,240 --> 00:33:04,880 Speaker 2: move into the suburbs, but they bought the land and 641 00:33:04,920 --> 00:33:07,480 Speaker 2: they bought all the surrounding land, so they could control 642 00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:13,080 Speaker 2: the area around there, directly around their park, and they 643 00:33:13,120 --> 00:33:15,239 Speaker 2: could build it exactly the way they wanted it. And 644 00:33:15,280 --> 00:33:16,960 Speaker 2: that was always the problem with Turner Field was the 645 00:33:16,960 --> 00:33:19,680 Speaker 2: Braves didn't control any of the land around it, so 646 00:33:19,680 --> 00:33:22,280 Speaker 2: they had no control over what was happening around the park, 647 00:33:22,720 --> 00:33:26,120 Speaker 2: just outside the park. When they moved to Cobb County, 648 00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:28,560 Speaker 2: they made sure that they had not only the stadium, 649 00:33:28,560 --> 00:33:31,400 Speaker 2: but all the surrounding area and they could build up 650 00:33:31,440 --> 00:33:33,720 Speaker 2: the battery exactly how they want it. And listen, I 651 00:33:33,760 --> 00:33:36,160 Speaker 2: know for a fact there are teams that come to 652 00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:40,160 Speaker 2: the that come to that park to tour it, to 653 00:33:41,320 --> 00:33:43,720 Speaker 2: pick the braves' brains on what they did and how 654 00:33:43,760 --> 00:33:46,280 Speaker 2: they did it. Like it really is a model for 655 00:33:46,400 --> 00:33:50,560 Speaker 2: other organizations, not just in baseball, in sports. So he 656 00:33:50,720 --> 00:33:53,160 Speaker 2: is not wrong about that. There are there. I know 657 00:33:53,240 --> 00:33:55,360 Speaker 2: for a fact there are teams that literally fly to 658 00:33:55,400 --> 00:33:58,720 Speaker 2: Atlanta to hear presentations on exactly what they did and 659 00:33:58,760 --> 00:34:02,440 Speaker 2: how they did it. The thing is, maybe don't say it, 660 00:34:03,520 --> 00:34:05,960 Speaker 2: you know, quite the way he said it. When you're 661 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:08,160 Speaker 2: getting your ass kicked every night on the field, like 662 00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:10,440 Speaker 2: that's you know, it just doesn't look great. Now it 663 00:34:10,480 --> 00:34:12,399 Speaker 2: was an earnings report. It's kind of a raw, raw 664 00:34:12,400 --> 00:34:15,839 Speaker 2: event for you know, shareholders anyway. So he's gonna spin 665 00:34:15,920 --> 00:34:18,880 Speaker 2: it as positively as possible. But yeah, it's not great 666 00:34:18,920 --> 00:34:21,840 Speaker 2: optics talking about how you are the model franchise in 667 00:34:21,880 --> 00:34:24,440 Speaker 2: all the Major League baseball. Meanwhile you have like the 668 00:34:24,480 --> 00:34:28,680 Speaker 2: third worst record in the sport. Like, you know, read 669 00:34:28,719 --> 00:34:29,560 Speaker 2: the room a little bit. 670 00:34:31,800 --> 00:34:34,560 Speaker 1: It's all about perspective, right, You may have a business 671 00:34:34,560 --> 00:34:37,880 Speaker 1: model that other Major League teams aspire to do on 672 00:34:37,960 --> 00:34:40,400 Speaker 1: their own that other teams aspire to be like. But 673 00:34:40,480 --> 00:34:42,719 Speaker 1: the thing that we're used to is Brave's country is 674 00:34:42,760 --> 00:34:45,319 Speaker 1: seeing a model of winning that other teams aspire to 675 00:34:45,320 --> 00:34:47,120 Speaker 1: be too as well. And that's what we need to 676 00:34:47,120 --> 00:34:49,600 Speaker 1: get back at, being consistent at I feel like that 677 00:34:49,640 --> 00:34:52,200 Speaker 1: will certainly be the case, but certainly want for the 678 00:34:52,239 --> 00:34:55,760 Speaker 1: resourcefulness to show in terms of being reinvested into the team. 679 00:34:56,120 --> 00:34:58,880 Speaker 1: And hey, you know what, actions speak louder than words. 680 00:34:59,040 --> 00:35:02,080 Speaker 1: We'll see if the next twelve months can certainly reflect 681 00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:04,239 Speaker 1: what we hope that looks like instead of what we've 682 00:35:04,280 --> 00:35:05,800 Speaker 1: seen over the past twelve months. 683 00:35:05,960 --> 00:35:09,600 Speaker 2: And I'll say this, when you release revenue reports like this, 684 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:12,759 Speaker 2: which are like, we're making so much money it's not 685 00:35:12,800 --> 00:35:19,120 Speaker 2: even funny, it adds pressure to do to add to 686 00:35:19,160 --> 00:35:22,000 Speaker 2: the team. Now, listen, when they release the Q three 687 00:35:22,760 --> 00:35:26,040 Speaker 2: the quarter of the third quarter reports in like November, 688 00:35:26,520 --> 00:35:28,160 Speaker 2: the revenue is not going to be as good because 689 00:35:28,160 --> 00:35:30,080 Speaker 2: attendance is going to tank the last two months of 690 00:35:30,080 --> 00:35:33,520 Speaker 2: the year. But still, when you release revenue like this, 691 00:35:34,040 --> 00:35:36,920 Speaker 2: it does add pressure because every fan hears about it, 692 00:35:36,960 --> 00:35:39,920 Speaker 2: every fan knows you're making tons of money. It adds 693 00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:43,600 Speaker 2: pressure to you know, put up or shut up in 694 00:35:43,640 --> 00:35:44,040 Speaker 2: the off. 695 00:35:43,880 --> 00:35:47,239 Speaker 1: Season, absolutely and maybe you know, we've got the full 696 00:35:47,239 --> 00:35:50,160 Speaker 1: off season to certainly discuss this hopefully an off season 697 00:35:50,560 --> 00:35:54,040 Speaker 1: that will be much more effective than last offseason. And 698 00:35:54,080 --> 00:35:57,759 Speaker 1: the trade deadline was one other fun thing to look 699 00:35:57,760 --> 00:35:59,560 Speaker 1: forward to this weekend as we wrap up this edition 700 00:35:59,560 --> 00:36:03,200 Speaker 1: of the Hamrich Podcast. Hurston Waldrip not official as of yet, 701 00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:05,360 Speaker 1: but all indications seem to point the fact that he 702 00:36:05,400 --> 00:36:07,960 Speaker 1: will be pitching again on Saturday, probably that first game 703 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:10,680 Speaker 1: on Saturday, Steven we talk about Drake Balderwin making the 704 00:36:10,680 --> 00:36:13,719 Speaker 1: most of his moment. You know, these players who we 705 00:36:13,760 --> 00:36:15,759 Speaker 1: want to see them succeed at the major league level 706 00:36:15,800 --> 00:36:18,040 Speaker 1: from this year because it means they can be contributors 707 00:36:18,120 --> 00:36:21,279 Speaker 1: for hopefully better times in the future. Hurston Waldrip's like 708 00:36:21,320 --> 00:36:25,239 Speaker 1: he's going to get his opportunity against a pretty you know, 709 00:36:27,440 --> 00:36:30,480 Speaker 1: I don't know what the right word is, A bigger threat. 710 00:36:30,520 --> 00:36:32,440 Speaker 1: Is an opponent than we thought they would be in 711 00:36:32,480 --> 00:36:35,279 Speaker 1: the Marlins who are trying to go after the playoffs. 712 00:36:35,480 --> 00:36:38,480 Speaker 1: Hurston Waldrop is going to get another quality opportunity on Saturday. 713 00:36:38,800 --> 00:36:40,120 Speaker 1: Hopefully he makes the most of it. 714 00:36:41,719 --> 00:36:43,279 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean we figured this is what was going 715 00:36:43,360 --> 00:36:46,880 Speaker 2: to happen. The only way that Hearson Waldrop can come 716 00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:49,799 Speaker 2: up is as the twenty seventh man on a doubleheader day, 717 00:36:49,880 --> 00:36:53,200 Speaker 2: because when you're the twenty seventh man, it doesn't count 718 00:36:53,280 --> 00:36:56,279 Speaker 2: that you've got options less than fifteen days ago. So 719 00:36:57,000 --> 00:36:58,759 Speaker 2: my rule, the only way he can come up is 720 00:36:58,800 --> 00:37:01,080 Speaker 2: if he's the twenty seventh man, and that's why everybody 721 00:37:01,160 --> 00:37:03,879 Speaker 2: assumes he's pitching. And then Snet also kind of hinted 722 00:37:03,920 --> 00:37:06,320 Speaker 2: that he's pitching the first game on Saturday, the doubleheader 723 00:37:06,320 --> 00:37:08,919 Speaker 2: against the Marlin, so it'll be fun to see him again. 724 00:37:08,960 --> 00:37:10,920 Speaker 2: He you know, it was a really strong first doubting 725 00:37:12,160 --> 00:37:14,200 Speaker 2: all reports have been that, you know, he's made some 726 00:37:14,239 --> 00:37:17,560 Speaker 2: big strides in Triple A. Obviously, he's a very big name. 727 00:37:17,840 --> 00:37:19,440 Speaker 2: I don't care how big of a fan you are, 728 00:37:19,760 --> 00:37:22,320 Speaker 2: casual fan you are. Most fans have heard of hersu Waldrup. 729 00:37:22,360 --> 00:37:24,160 Speaker 2: He was a first round pick. He was also an 730 00:37:24,320 --> 00:37:28,160 Speaker 2: SEC like baseball, you know, pretty big name in SEC 731 00:37:28,200 --> 00:37:32,560 Speaker 2: baseball country for Florida. So everybody knows him and it's 732 00:37:32,600 --> 00:37:35,040 Speaker 2: a big deal that he's that he takes a big step, 733 00:37:35,160 --> 00:37:36,800 Speaker 2: especially since we're probably not going to have a j. 734 00:37:36,960 --> 00:37:39,520 Speaker 2: Smith Shawver next year. There's a decent chance you're not 735 00:37:39,520 --> 00:37:43,040 Speaker 2: going to have Grant Holmes next year, like Waldrops p 736 00:37:43,719 --> 00:37:47,239 Speaker 2: Waldrop's development is a big storyline, and so that's a 737 00:37:47,239 --> 00:37:49,719 Speaker 2: big start. And I you know, we'll be watching it 738 00:37:50,440 --> 00:37:52,560 Speaker 2: and we'll talk about it. I've seen anything that happens, 739 00:37:52,560 --> 00:37:54,359 Speaker 2: we'll talk about on the show. But that's a big 740 00:37:54,440 --> 00:37:57,239 Speaker 2: deal and I'm happy for him, and you know, I 741 00:37:57,239 --> 00:37:59,480 Speaker 2: hope he can really end the season strong in Atlanta. 742 00:38:00,520 --> 00:38:02,600 Speaker 1: Absolutely, And the one thing that I want to end 743 00:38:02,640 --> 00:38:05,320 Speaker 1: on is this is that you know, we want to see, 744 00:38:05,800 --> 00:38:10,239 Speaker 1: you know, the opportunity to see Hirston Walder perform and 745 00:38:10,320 --> 00:38:13,040 Speaker 1: you know, really be able to you know, make the 746 00:38:13,040 --> 00:38:15,560 Speaker 1: most of his now for the future. Well, one thing 747 00:38:15,560 --> 00:38:16,680 Speaker 1: that I will say is this. I'm not going to 748 00:38:16,719 --> 00:38:18,279 Speaker 1: get on my soapbox or anything like that, but I 749 00:38:18,320 --> 00:38:20,359 Speaker 1: was talking with the buddy of mine, him and another 750 00:38:20,360 --> 00:38:22,400 Speaker 1: friend of mine they're taking their families to the game 751 00:38:23,080 --> 00:38:27,839 Speaker 1: on Saturday. Is that I understand that fans want for 752 00:38:27,880 --> 00:38:29,640 Speaker 1: the Braves to be as good as possible, and I 753 00:38:29,719 --> 00:38:32,800 Speaker 1: understand that the fans are disappointed in how the Braves 754 00:38:32,800 --> 00:38:36,280 Speaker 1: have performed so far this year. But I will also 755 00:38:36,320 --> 00:38:39,399 Speaker 1: say this because I recently got to experience it at 756 00:38:39,440 --> 00:38:41,479 Speaker 1: a Braves game for the first time with my son. 757 00:38:42,280 --> 00:38:45,200 Speaker 1: Make the most of those opportunities that you can, even 758 00:38:45,400 --> 00:38:48,520 Speaker 1: if the Braves are struggling, even if they're not performing well, 759 00:38:49,080 --> 00:38:52,080 Speaker 1: that there's plenty of opportunity to make the most of 760 00:38:52,160 --> 00:38:55,080 Speaker 1: the experience. We just talked about how much the Braves 761 00:38:55,120 --> 00:38:57,400 Speaker 1: earned from the battery and from the stadium, and how 762 00:38:57,400 --> 00:39:00,719 Speaker 1: they're a business model other teams are aspiring to. It's 763 00:39:00,880 --> 00:39:02,680 Speaker 1: one of the biggest reasons why is because it's one 764 00:39:02,719 --> 00:39:05,880 Speaker 1: of the best experiences in baseball to enjoy. I know 765 00:39:05,920 --> 00:39:08,239 Speaker 1: that the biggest factor in that is the performance on 766 00:39:08,280 --> 00:39:10,239 Speaker 1: the field. But if you're going to a Braves game, 767 00:39:10,520 --> 00:39:12,960 Speaker 1: make the most of it, enjoy it, and I certainly 768 00:39:13,239 --> 00:39:15,719 Speaker 1: hope that you do. Hopefully they'll get some wins. Four 769 00:39:15,760 --> 00:39:18,000 Speaker 1: games in three days, including a double hitter on Saturday. 770 00:39:18,280 --> 00:39:21,080 Speaker 1: You can't beat that. So I feel better times are ahead, 771 00:39:21,239 --> 00:39:23,360 Speaker 1: but even in the present, if you get the opportunity, 772 00:39:23,640 --> 00:39:25,759 Speaker 1: make the most of it and enjoy the hell out 773 00:39:25,760 --> 00:39:28,359 Speaker 1: of being able to watch baseball, especially with those that 774 00:39:28,400 --> 00:39:31,239 Speaker 1: you love. Stephen, anything else from you as we wrap 775 00:39:31,280 --> 00:39:33,719 Speaker 1: up this edition of The Hammer Territory podcast. 776 00:39:34,600 --> 00:39:36,160 Speaker 2: Now Thisten. We're gonna end it the same way we 777 00:39:36,200 --> 00:39:42,480 Speaker 2: started it, forty nine and oh, and they're in the playoffs. 778 00:39:43,040 --> 00:39:48,680 Speaker 2: Acuna is coming back, sales coming back, Riley, I'm just saying, 779 00:39:48,880 --> 00:39:51,759 Speaker 2: like people always accuse me, I've been told that the 780 00:39:51,880 --> 00:39:54,920 Speaker 2: show has been too negative lately. You know, if you 781 00:39:54,920 --> 00:39:57,760 Speaker 2: look at the standings, you'll probably understand why. It's probably 782 00:39:57,760 --> 00:40:00,120 Speaker 2: been a little negative. But we'll end it on on 783 00:40:00,200 --> 00:40:04,440 Speaker 2: this forty nine and all, and they're going to the playoffs. 784 00:40:04,960 --> 00:40:08,320 Speaker 1: The longest winning streak and MLB history, Stephen is twenty 785 00:40:08,360 --> 00:40:11,279 Speaker 1: six games by the nineteen sixteen New York Giants. So hey, 786 00:40:11,600 --> 00:40:13,520 Speaker 1: you know what one hundred and nine years later, you 787 00:40:13,520 --> 00:40:15,360 Speaker 1: know if a record's been out there for one hundred 788 00:40:15,400 --> 00:40:17,439 Speaker 1: and nine years. I know that they talk about these 789 00:40:17,560 --> 00:40:21,320 Speaker 1: unbreak breakable records in the game. You know, the hits record, 790 00:40:21,719 --> 00:40:25,239 Speaker 1: Cy Young's record, Nolan Ryan strikeouts's let's take the win 791 00:40:25,320 --> 00:40:27,640 Speaker 1: streak off of that. But the best way for you 792 00:40:27,719 --> 00:40:30,879 Speaker 1: to possibly do that two in a row. 793 00:40:31,800 --> 00:40:33,680 Speaker 2: That's true. You cannot win forty nine in a row 794 00:40:33,760 --> 00:40:34,799 Speaker 2: until you win too in a row. 795 00:40:35,000 --> 00:40:36,839 Speaker 1: Win two in a row. And if Drake Baldwin wants 796 00:40:36,840 --> 00:40:39,719 Speaker 1: to hit Tom home runs a game and make history himself. 797 00:40:40,680 --> 00:40:43,280 Speaker 1: You know what, by September Hill break bonds record. Let's 798 00:40:43,280 --> 00:40:46,000 Speaker 1: just make history all over the place. Now for Stephen Tilbert, 799 00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:49,880 Speaker 1: you could buy him at b Underscore Outliers. Always realistic 800 00:40:49,960 --> 00:40:53,680 Speaker 1: in keeping things in perspective. Here on the Hammer Territory Podcast, 801 00:40:53,760 --> 00:40:55,480 Speaker 1: my name is Sean Coleman. You can find me at 802 00:40:55,520 --> 00:40:59,760 Speaker 1: Stat's Sac on Twitter, slash x Hammer Territory all across 803 00:40:59,800 --> 00:41:02,560 Speaker 1: more all forms of social media. Part of a Foul 804 00:41:02,640 --> 00:41:05,959 Speaker 1: Territory family of podcasts. That one didn't go as smooth 805 00:41:05,960 --> 00:41:08,960 Speaker 1: because it didn't settle on the head, but regardless, always 806 00:41:09,000 --> 00:41:11,479 Speaker 1: fun to be with. You can't thank y'all enough for 807 00:41:11,520 --> 00:41:15,080 Speaker 1: the support. Hope that you have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy 808 00:41:15,120 --> 00:41:17,319 Speaker 1: the weather. If you're back to school as well, Hope 809 00:41:17,320 --> 00:41:19,239 Speaker 1: that you and your loved ones make the most of 810 00:41:19,280 --> 00:41:22,640 Speaker 1: that as well. But enjoy these weekends and with Braves Baseball, 811 00:41:22,880 --> 00:41:26,239 Speaker 1: it's always fun, whether in person for one TV when 812 00:41:26,280 --> 00:41:28,320 Speaker 1: they win. Until next time, go Braves, We'll talk to 813 00:41:28,360 --> 00:41:30,640 Speaker 1: you again soon. Here I'm a Hammer Territory podcast