1 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:15,600 Speaker 1: Hey, hey, blue dreamers. It is Friday, February thirteenth, twenty 2 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:22,800 Speaker 1: twenty six. Spring training starts one week from today. There 3 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 1: will be baseball games being played. Things are getting real, 4 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 1: and I am as I am sure you are very excited. 5 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:34,680 Speaker 1: We have so much to look forward to this year 6 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:39,199 Speaker 1: with this new Dodgers team, including some changes to the 7 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:43,280 Speaker 1: look of the outfield with the addition of King Tuck 8 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 1: Kyle Tucker, who will be playing right field, and that 9 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:53,280 Speaker 1: means that tae Oscar Hernandez will switch back to left field. 10 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 1: Tayo was playing right during the twenty twenty five season 11 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 1: and he had a hard time the best defender and 12 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:05,559 Speaker 1: out and right throughout the season and twenty twenty five 13 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 1: he looked a little lost for various reasons. Maybe left 14 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:14,400 Speaker 1: will be better for Tao and honestly, defensive side, we're 15 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,920 Speaker 1: all hoping that the twenty twenty sixth season will be 16 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 1: a return to form for ta Oscar offensively, because after 17 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 1: making such a huge impact throughout the twenty twenty four 18 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 1: season and postseason, Tayo wasn't able to contribute as much 19 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 1: last year, and so it's a storyline to watch, which 20 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: is why on today's DBD Classic rebroadcast. We are revisiting 21 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 1: our twenty twenty four episode Tao Time. This was made 22 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 1: during that great first season ta Oscar had in Los Angeles, 23 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 1: just as the whole city was falling in love with him. 24 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:58,560 Speaker 1: His smile, the sunflower selly, and it's fun to look 25 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:02,120 Speaker 1: back on just how many great moments Tao has had 26 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 1: during his short tenure here in LA. It could have 27 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 1: just been that one season, but I'd guess in part 28 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 1: because of his status as truly a fan favorite. Almost instantaneously, 29 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 1: the Dodgers re signed Tao and gave him the deal 30 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:20,959 Speaker 1: that he wanted to stick around in LA. The bar 31 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:24,079 Speaker 1: has been raised in twenty twenty six, and this roster 32 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:28,000 Speaker 1: is stacked like never before. Let's hope that we see 33 00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 1: Tao shine this season. We're rooting for you, Tao, and 34 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: why Well. I think the answer to that question is 35 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:41,800 Speaker 1: in this week's rebroadcasted episode, the last of three straight 36 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:45,799 Speaker 1: DBD Classics we're putting out on the feed to tide 37 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 1: you over until baseball starts again. Thanks so much for 38 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 1: listening to Dodger Blue Dream. I'm Richard Parks and this 39 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 1: is a dB D Classics rebroadcast this one, we call 40 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 1: Tao time. We'll be right back. 41 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:25,359 Speaker 2: It's time for Dodger. 42 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 1: I was talking to my friend Wes the other day 43 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 1: and we agreed, Taeoscar Hernandez, the Dodgers slugging left fielder, 44 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 1: is clutch. Like he's clutch. Yes, he's clutch. Clutch. That's 45 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:49,560 Speaker 1: baseball slang LINGO. When the lights are brightest, the game's 46 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 1: on the line, and the camera lens is trained on you, 47 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 1: will you rise to the challenge. If the answer is yes, 48 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:05,840 Speaker 1: you are clutch and Tao is moy clutch, He's let's 49 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 1: roll that tape. 50 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 3: Goodbye, grin Slam Taskar Hernandez. 51 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:18,280 Speaker 2: Jay Oscar Hernandez puts another one into the Dodger Bullpaen. 52 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:21,719 Speaker 2: Somebody throws some cold water on him because he is 53 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:23,720 Speaker 2: hot as a firecracker. 54 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 1: But then on Friday Night, the. 55 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 4: First pitch of t the Oscar hern in Is hits 56 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,359 Speaker 4: him on the foot and Tao's in pain on the ground. 57 00:04:37,839 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: No. Welcome to Dodger Blue Dream, a documentary about the 58 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 1: Los Angeles Dodgers twenty twenty four baseball season, made in 59 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:53,479 Speaker 1: real time as the season unfolds. I'm Richard Parks. The 60 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 1: third your new favorite host. Thanks for listening Today's episode 61 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: Tayo Time. We first met Tay Oscar back in February 62 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 1: team photo day at spring training. All the boys dressed 63 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 1: up in their home unis for the first time, looking spiffy, 64 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 1: those wedding gown, white shirts and pants, the deep Dodger 65 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:36,359 Speaker 1: blue lettering across the chest, and that little contrasting pop 66 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 1: of red color for the numbers. All the expectation for 67 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:44,359 Speaker 1: this billion dollar Dodgers team being documented for posterity for 68 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:48,479 Speaker 1: the first time ever. And who has the camera for 69 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,640 Speaker 1: the Dodgers' social media channels to help debut the new 70 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:55,039 Speaker 1: faces of this team to the fans. A big, smiling, 71 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 1: bearded Dominican slugger new to the team this year by 72 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 1: the name of Tao Oscar Hernandez. 73 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:08,039 Speaker 5: Fatt. 74 00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 1: That second voice you hear belongs to show Hey Otani, 75 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:15,680 Speaker 1: another of our new guys. Here's show Hey, resting his 76 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:25,039 Speaker 1: chin on Taoscar's shoulder, mugging adorably for the camera. There 77 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:29,039 Speaker 1: you go, the bearded Dominican charmer and the baby faced 78 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 1: Japanese hunk. They looked good together. Show Hey of course 79 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:36,000 Speaker 1: gets the biggest share of the spotlight, but Tao is 80 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 1: right there setting show Hey up, and he's holding the camera. 81 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 1: We all already knew show Hey. His seven hundred million 82 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 1: dollars signing had been front page news over the off season, 83 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 1: but ta Oscar, who had signed a one year deal 84 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 1: just days after show, had kind of flown under the 85 00:06:57,040 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 1: radar as a result. Hello, and thank you for calling 86 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,320 Speaker 1: Dodger Blue Dream and he's I actually got a listener 87 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 1: submitted question about this. 88 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 6: Hi, Richard, my name is Domo. I'm nine years old 89 00:07:10,520 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 6: and I love your podcast. I have a question about 90 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 6: Ascar Hernandez. Why does he have only a one year contract. 91 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:25,760 Speaker 1: Tao could have signed somewhere else for more years and 92 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 1: more money, perhaps with a smaller market team where he 93 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 1: could have been more of a big fish. But instead 94 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 1: he came to LA because he wanted to play on 95 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 1: a winner. 96 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 5: That wanted to go to a team that can compete 97 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 5: and can be in the playoff. You know, hopefully everything 98 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 5: goes well and we can win everything this year and 99 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 5: see what happened next year. 100 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 1: Though he is one of just twelve players to hit 101 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 1: at least twenty five home runs in each of the 102 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 1: past four seasons, Tao is not a household name, but 103 00:07:56,880 --> 00:07:59,960 Speaker 1: at thirty one, he's still very much in his prime. 104 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 1: A one year deal in Los Angeles would get him 105 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 1: a lot of attention, with the potential reward being a 106 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 1: longer term deal after this season. The question for Taoscar's 107 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:15,560 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four season. Could he deliver under the bright 108 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:19,440 Speaker 1: lights of Dodger Stadium on a team full of superstars. 109 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:24,120 Speaker 7: Tay Oscar Hernandez got a good, bad good power stroke 110 00:08:24,440 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 7: twenty three home runs last year to fifty eight average. 111 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:34,240 Speaker 1: As the season was getting underway, Tao initially was establishing 112 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:36,200 Speaker 1: himself as Sho Hay's buddy. 113 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 7: But I heard you were trying to learn some Japanese. 114 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:40,320 Speaker 1: Have you learned any words you can try to share? 115 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 5: Is high for me, you know. 116 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:46,760 Speaker 1: And you'd often see the pair engaging in playful, nonverbal 117 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 1: fun in the dugout. And then there was Tao's seed celebration. 118 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:54,679 Speaker 1: Whenever show Hey hit a home run, Tao would greet 119 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 1: him at the top of the dugout steps with a 120 00:08:56,920 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 1: couple fistfuls of sunflower seeds, which he would lock up 121 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:03,440 Speaker 1: into the air, and Showhy would then come crashing through 122 00:09:03,480 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 1: the cloud of celebratory seeds on his way back to 123 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 1: the bench. It quickly became a symbol, and Tao does 124 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:12,320 Speaker 1: the same thing for all of his teammates when they 125 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:15,600 Speaker 1: hit home runs. The photos of these moments are surreal 126 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:19,959 Speaker 1: and beautiful, with airborne seeds dotting the negative space around 127 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 1: the players, backgrounded by hordes of cheering fans and flashing lights. 128 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 1: I'll confess that I was not familiar with Tao before 129 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 1: this season, and at first earlier this year, I thought 130 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:37,080 Speaker 1: of him as show Hay's pal, a positive presence for sure, 131 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 1: but he would have to show me something more to 132 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 1: truly prove his value to this team. Enter the week 133 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 1: of June third through ninth, the Dodgers were hitting the 134 00:09:57,840 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 1: road to play a series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates, 135 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:04,440 Speaker 1: followed by a weekend series in New York City against 136 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:05,920 Speaker 1: the Bronx Bombers. 137 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:10,480 Speaker 8: Travel back through this rivalry and its eleven world series. 138 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:12,600 Speaker 8: Take a ride to the Bronx. 139 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 1: A New York Yankees team with John Carlos, Stanton, Juan Soto, 140 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 1: and Aaron Judge. 141 00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:23,559 Speaker 8: The generational talent the once in a lifetime wearing these. 142 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 1: Uniforms, bright lights, big series. 143 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:30,079 Speaker 8: You can help, but get carried away in the magic 144 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 8: of Dodgers Yankees. 145 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 1: The national broadcast on both Fox and ESPN that weekend, 146 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 1: and Tao came through huge that week. Tao slashed three 147 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 1: sixty four twenty nine nine sixty with three doubles, four 148 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:53,080 Speaker 1: home runs, and ten RBIs over just six games, and 149 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:58,679 Speaker 1: Saturday's game against the Yankees was an epic slugfest for Tao, 150 00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:02,440 Speaker 1: never to be forgotten. He hit two home runs, including 151 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:05,200 Speaker 1: a Grand Slam. 152 00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 3: Goodbye Grand Slam Tascar Hernandez owning center stage in New 153 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:13,680 Speaker 3: York this week JD. 154 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:16,680 Speaker 1: He had six RBIs that day. 155 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 2: Tay Oscar Hernandez puts another one into the Dodger bullpen, 156 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:25,720 Speaker 2: his third home run at ninth RBI in the series 157 00:11:25,720 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 2: at two bombs last night, and somebody throws some cold 158 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:31,760 Speaker 2: water on him because he is hot as a firecracker. 159 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 1: At week's end, Tao had won National League Player of 160 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 1: the Week honors. Look Lives ta Oscar, would you say 161 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 1: your first season with the Dodgers is it living up 162 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:47,160 Speaker 1: to your personal expectations right now? 163 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 5: Everything that is happening, you know, I know I'm capable of. 164 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 5: It's been a great week for me and the team. 165 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 1: After New York, there was no doubt. This guy was 166 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:04,720 Speaker 1: clutch and Tao wasn't done. We'll tell you why and 167 00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 1: we'll be back with the rest of our DBD Classics. 168 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:27,520 Speaker 1: Rebroadcast of Tao Time after a short break, Welcome back 169 00:12:27,559 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 1: to the show today, we're revisiting our twenty twenty four 170 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:37,840 Speaker 1: DBD classic Tao Time, and Tao wasn't done. A couple 171 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:41,440 Speaker 1: weeks later, in a historic Dodgers comeback win over the 172 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:45,600 Speaker 1: Rockies in Colorado, Tao proved his clutch capabilities yet again. 173 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: It was the first game the team played after Mookie 174 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 1: Betts got hurt, and it was not a game any 175 00:12:51,679 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 1: of us expected that the Dodgers would win, especially once 176 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: the scoreboard read nine to four as we headed into 177 00:12:57,800 --> 00:12:59,079 Speaker 1: the top of the ninth inning. 178 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:06,240 Speaker 7: Outs top the ninth inning begin with, but. 179 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:10,080 Speaker 1: Then with one out, the Dodgers load the bases. They 180 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 1: were walking to go on the white field. That doasted. 181 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 1: It's off to Jason Hayward hits a grand slam the 182 00:13:19,679 --> 00:13:25,320 Speaker 1: Dodgers eight. Dodget it's nine to eight. Now there's two outs, 183 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:28,079 Speaker 1: it's still nine to eight, and show Hayes on second. 184 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 1: Freddie coming to the plate and Colorado manager Bud Black 185 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 1: holds up four fingers, intentionally walking Freddy, bringing Tao to 186 00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 1: the plate with two on, two out and the Dodgers 187 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:44,839 Speaker 1: needing two runs to take the lead. As the Great 188 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 1: Vince Scully would say, deuce is wild. One of those 189 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:53,440 Speaker 1: moments where you know it all comes down to this. 190 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: At back, it's up to. 191 00:13:56,080 --> 00:14:03,319 Speaker 7: Ta Oscar Herd ends strike one on a hundreds from Bodnik. 192 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:06,199 Speaker 1: And after Tao took a huge swing, all of a 193 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:08,040 Speaker 1: sudden the count was one and two. 194 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:10,960 Speaker 7: The Dodgers are down to their final strike. 195 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: And you could feel that Tao wanted this moment so bad. 196 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:21,560 Speaker 7: Bruise Field, whether in blue or purple, to its feet 197 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:25,760 Speaker 7: two on two on the top of the ninth the 198 00:14:25,880 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 7: one too, and the. 199 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 1: Pitch comes and he starts his stride and plants his 200 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: foot and moves his massive frame into a swing. But 201 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:40,800 Speaker 1: he sees the pitch coming as a ball, and he 202 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:51,520 Speaker 1: tries to hold up Jack saying and he does. He 203 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: did not. 204 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 7: Go goodman, can't believe it. The Rocky dugout is up 205 00:14:57,200 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 7: in arms. 206 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:04,440 Speaker 1: They looked like he went where appeared. The Rockies appealed 207 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 1: to the first base umpire and he upholds the call 208 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:12,640 Speaker 1: no swing all two two and two two men on 209 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 1: two strikes on him and we need two runs. Deuces Wilder, 210 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:35,680 Speaker 1: now the two two and then my girl, the Dodgers 211 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 1: lead an unforgettable, incredible clutch swing, Rockies outfielder throwing his 212 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:51,480 Speaker 1: mid on the ground, screaming his face off. 213 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 7: Seven runs in the top of the night thinning. 214 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 1: Now I hit that too. The moment was electric, and 215 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:02,800 Speaker 1: there was in the middle of it, winning the ball 216 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 1: game with a swim. Tao was making his mark in 217 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:15,200 Speaker 1: LA and Dodger fans responded by voting him into the 218 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 1: lineup for the Midsummer Classic, the All Star Game. Right, 219 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:21,520 Speaker 1: you want to do a derby, don't you? 220 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 2: Yeah? 221 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: Man, and Major League Baseball asked Tao to participate in 222 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:30,480 Speaker 1: the home run Derby, something Tao had always wanted to do. 223 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 5: I'm so happy, so happy, so excited. 224 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 1: Chaa wait taking his derby today? 225 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 5: It's they all Scott and none. 226 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 1: In front of all the game's best players and on 227 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:47,400 Speaker 1: national TV. Tao exceeded all expectations. 228 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:53,440 Speaker 3: Say Oscarnandez is your twenty twenty four home run Derby, Chap. 229 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 1: I was so proud of him. When Tao became the 230 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: first Dodger in the history of the sport to win 231 00:16:59,440 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 1: the home run. 232 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 2: So for a guy that's wanted to do this for years, 233 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:05,480 Speaker 2: he foraskar. 234 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:13,399 Speaker 1: Her head time and again. Over the course of the 235 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:16,520 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four season, Tao has showed us that the 236 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:20,239 Speaker 1: big moments bring out the best in him. And of 237 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:24,479 Speaker 1: course there's no bigger moment than the postseason. I'm sure 238 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:28,200 Speaker 1: that Tao was chomping at the bit to get to October. 239 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:31,400 Speaker 1: But then on Friday night. 240 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:35,800 Speaker 4: The first pitch to Taskar Hernandez hits him on the 241 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:38,080 Speaker 4: foot and Tao's in pain on the ground. 242 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:43,640 Speaker 1: No, a breaking ball bounced off of the top of 243 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 1: Tao's left foot. 244 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,600 Speaker 4: You're waiting for Tao to flash that trademark smile just 245 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 4: so you could feel a little bit better in exhaler. 246 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:54,440 Speaker 4: Right now, everyone's just watching with fat of breath. That's 247 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:58,000 Speaker 4: Taskar hernande is coming out of this game. He called 248 00:17:58,000 --> 00:17:59,879 Speaker 4: for Chris Taylor to pitch run. 249 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:03,919 Speaker 1: Almost immediately we felt the loss of Tao's clutch bat. 250 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 1: During the most high pressure moment of the game, the 251 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:09,800 Speaker 1: bottom of the eighth inning, with the bases loaded and 252 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,680 Speaker 1: just one out and the team down three to one, 253 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:16,119 Speaker 1: Tao's spot in the lineup came up, but it was 254 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:19,560 Speaker 1: Chris Taylor at the plate and CT three grounded into 255 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:27,640 Speaker 1: an inning ending double play. The score stood, Dodgers lost. 256 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:32,520 Speaker 2: Not great. He's as tough as a comedy could beare mos. 257 00:18:32,160 --> 00:18:35,919 Speaker 1: Float manager Dave Roberts said that it would probably be 258 00:18:35,960 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 1: a stint on the injured list. It felt like the 259 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 1: worst time to lose ta Oscar. How long would he 260 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:43,760 Speaker 1: be out? 261 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:45,080 Speaker 2: But what. 262 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 1: I heard from Wes about this one. But then the 263 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:56,640 Speaker 1: next day on Saturday, we got an update. 264 00:18:57,200 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 8: Oh, very relieved. 265 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:05,800 Speaker 1: Obviously it was fractured. Using scans had come back negative. 266 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 1: No broken bones at Tayo. First, it's good to see 267 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:11,879 Speaker 1: that you're moving around and stuff. How are you feeling today? 268 00:19:12,280 --> 00:19:16,200 Speaker 5: Oh yeah, it's definitely better today. Uh, way better than 269 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:17,040 Speaker 5: last night. 270 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:20,440 Speaker 1: Tao was day to day but expected to be back 271 00:19:20,480 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 1: in the lineup as soon as Monday. 272 00:19:22,640 --> 00:19:25,160 Speaker 5: There's some on TV tomorrow to see how it's going 273 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:27,720 Speaker 5: to maybe Monday or Tuesday go back in the field. 274 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:32,240 Speaker 1: And how clutch is that? Not getting badly injured at 275 00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 1: just the right time. 276 00:19:33,640 --> 00:19:36,920 Speaker 5: Thank god it was at Alstey Beach. It wasn't fastible. 277 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:41,200 Speaker 1: See you out there again soon Tao and I can't 278 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:45,320 Speaker 1: wait to watch you under the bright lights of postseason baseball, 279 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 1: because when it's clutch time, it's Tao time. 280 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:52,200 Speaker 6: He's clutching. 281 00:19:54,040 --> 00:20:00,880 Speaker 3: Good Bye Clean Slamsker Brandez Day her end dance. 282 00:20:01,040 --> 00:20:05,520 Speaker 2: Put another one into the Dodger bullpad. Somebody posts a 283 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:08,920 Speaker 2: cold water on him because he is hot as a firecracker. 284 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:17,720 Speaker 1: Dodger Blue Dream is written and produced by me Richard Parks. 285 00:20:17,800 --> 00:20:21,440 Speaker 1: The third original music in this episode by Jonathan Snipes, 286 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:25,800 Speaker 1: William Ryan Fritch and The Blasting Company. This episode was 287 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:29,639 Speaker 1: story edited by Jordan Bass and Caitlin Esh with production 288 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:34,200 Speaker 1: assistants from Angel Carreras. Special thanks to Domo Sultan and 289 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:38,359 Speaker 1: to Wesley Avila. If you like Dodger Blue Dream, please 290 00:20:38,680 --> 00:20:41,480 Speaker 1: help me spread the word. Post about the show, tell 291 00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:43,840 Speaker 1: a friend about it, and rate and review the show 292 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:47,359 Speaker 1: on Apple Podcasts or however you can. The season is 293 00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:50,240 Speaker 1: almost over and this would really help me finish with 294 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 1: a bang. Maybe I'll even be able to come back 295 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:55,920 Speaker 1: and do this again next year. In the meantime, we're 296 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:59,960 Speaker 1: not waiting for next year. World Series twenty twenty five 297 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:05,840 Speaker 1: for Los Angeles Dodgers, Let's do it. Thanks for listening 298 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:07,880 Speaker 1: See you again next time.