1 00:00:04,078 --> 00:00:07,358 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio, 2 00:00:14,638 --> 00:00:17,518 Speaker 1: Hey darreon Welcome Back. It is the Book of Joe 3 00:00:17,598 --> 00:00:22,638 Speaker 1: Podcast with me, Tom Berducci, and of course Joe Madden. Joe, 4 00:00:22,638 --> 00:00:25,838 Speaker 1: I just got back from beautiful Cooperstown, New York. Have 5 00:00:25,918 --> 00:00:27,438 Speaker 1: you ever made a trip up there? 6 00:00:27,518 --> 00:00:31,878 Speaker 2: Joe? Only yes, once, when the Angels played the Expos 7 00:00:31,918 --> 00:00:35,478 Speaker 2: in that formerly the Hall of Fame game. Uh, you 8 00:00:35,598 --> 00:00:37,958 Speaker 2: interrupt your season for that one trip up there, but 9 00:00:37,998 --> 00:00:41,158 Speaker 2: it's definitely worth it. That was a great experience. Yes, 10 00:00:41,238 --> 00:00:43,798 Speaker 2: I was absolutely enthralled. He played in that little ballpark 11 00:00:43,958 --> 00:00:46,638 Speaker 2: and was highlighted by the fact that we permitted mcbill meyer, 12 00:00:46,718 --> 00:00:48,918 Speaker 2: our bullpen catcher, to get one at bat in that 13 00:00:48,958 --> 00:00:51,598 Speaker 2: game and he hit one over the seats, over the stands, 14 00:00:51,958 --> 00:00:53,958 Speaker 2: which were not very far, but nevertheless hit it really 15 00:00:53,958 --> 00:00:56,078 Speaker 2: well to right field. And then on top of that, 16 00:00:56,078 --> 00:00:59,198 Speaker 2: that's the day after that game when Marcel Lashman decided 17 00:00:59,238 --> 00:01:01,918 Speaker 2: to pack it in as we're flying back to LA 18 00:01:02,078 --> 00:01:04,278 Speaker 2: with your manager. That got that got you did the 19 00:01:04,318 --> 00:01:07,398 Speaker 2: big leagues, exciting to resign. So really a lot of 20 00:01:07,438 --> 00:01:11,238 Speaker 2: mixed emotions or memories from that trip Double Day Field. 21 00:01:11,518 --> 00:01:14,038 Speaker 1: Yeah, I know, well, Joe I actually played in the 22 00:01:14,158 --> 00:01:16,918 Speaker 1: last Hall of Fame Classic game ever played on Double 23 00:01:16,998 --> 00:01:19,078 Speaker 1: Day Field for the Toronto Blue Jays. 24 00:01:19,238 --> 00:01:20,478 Speaker 2: You did, I did. 25 00:01:20,838 --> 00:01:23,398 Speaker 1: They had one the next year but it was rained out, 26 00:01:23,518 --> 00:01:25,478 Speaker 1: so we didn't know at the time. But it was 27 00:01:25,758 --> 00:01:30,318 Speaker 1: Baltimore against Toronto, Okay, and I struck out, popped up, 28 00:01:30,758 --> 00:01:31,638 Speaker 1: played right field. 29 00:01:32,118 --> 00:01:33,158 Speaker 2: Did impression? 30 00:01:33,238 --> 00:01:33,718 Speaker 1: Look it up? 31 00:01:33,798 --> 00:01:36,678 Speaker 2: Good? I believe you're good for you man, I love it. 32 00:01:36,718 --> 00:01:39,838 Speaker 1: But I was back there for more important reasons over 33 00:01:39,878 --> 00:01:42,478 Speaker 1: the weekend, and that was the Hall of Fame inductions. 34 00:01:42,638 --> 00:01:44,958 Speaker 1: And if you ever have a chance to get up there, 35 00:01:45,318 --> 00:01:47,678 Speaker 1: as you said, Joe, it's it's not easy to get to. 36 00:01:47,998 --> 00:01:50,238 Speaker 1: It's tucked away in the Finger Lakes region of upstate 37 00:01:50,238 --> 00:01:51,718 Speaker 1: New York, but it is beautiful and if you're a 38 00:01:51,718 --> 00:01:55,118 Speaker 1: baseball fan, it is sort of your baseball mecca, especially 39 00:01:55,198 --> 00:01:57,358 Speaker 1: on a Hall of Fame induction weekend. You know, the 40 00:01:57,398 --> 00:01:59,078 Speaker 1: greats of the game are up there. More than fifty 41 00:01:59,118 --> 00:02:01,878 Speaker 1: Hall of Famers returned for the ceremony. Five were inducted. 42 00:02:02,438 --> 00:02:05,118 Speaker 1: Two of them, you know, Barker and Dick Gallen I 43 00:02:05,158 --> 00:02:08,198 Speaker 1: know too close to your heart, Joe, were inducted posthumously. 44 00:02:08,398 --> 00:02:10,598 Speaker 1: I'm not sure if you caught any of the ceremony, Joe, 45 00:02:10,638 --> 00:02:13,078 Speaker 1: But what did you hear about it? And what were 46 00:02:13,118 --> 00:02:14,638 Speaker 1: your thoughts about the five inductees. 47 00:02:14,958 --> 00:02:17,078 Speaker 2: Yeah, I honestly did not. I was kind of like 48 00:02:17,158 --> 00:02:20,198 Speaker 2: doing things all over the weekends. I saw some video clips. 49 00:02:20,198 --> 00:02:23,398 Speaker 2: Maybe each rows speech was very well accepted. I did 50 00:02:23,478 --> 00:02:27,638 Speaker 2: think of Dave Parker primarily, and then Dick Gallen because 51 00:02:27,638 --> 00:02:30,958 Speaker 2: i'd met him both. I didn't really know CC and Etro. 52 00:02:31,078 --> 00:02:33,238 Speaker 2: Of course, Intro was involved with him in an All 53 00:02:33,238 --> 00:02:35,358 Speaker 2: Star Game in two thousand and nine, and the night 54 00:02:35,398 --> 00:02:37,638 Speaker 2: before the game, I was having dinner near his table 55 00:02:37,678 --> 00:02:40,198 Speaker 2: at Us on the Hill in Saint Louis restaurant. Walks 56 00:02:40,238 --> 00:02:43,078 Speaker 2: in with this little entourage and I sent over a 57 00:02:43,118 --> 00:02:45,758 Speaker 2: bottle of wine with the caveat that if he would 58 00:02:45,998 --> 00:02:48,718 Speaker 2: hit a home run on the first pitch the next night, 59 00:02:49,118 --> 00:02:51,118 Speaker 2: and the All Star gave me giggle. If you remember, 60 00:02:51,198 --> 00:02:53,278 Speaker 2: and we've talked about this is first that bad. He 61 00:02:53,478 --> 00:02:55,358 Speaker 2: did hit a ball that would have been a home run, 62 00:02:55,358 --> 00:02:58,718 Speaker 2: but he hooked a foul. So yeah, overall, there's a 63 00:02:58,718 --> 00:03:02,518 Speaker 2: lot there, all worthy, but Dave Parker maybe one of 64 00:03:02,518 --> 00:03:04,958 Speaker 2: the best teammates I've been around. He treated me like 65 00:03:04,998 --> 00:03:07,398 Speaker 2: gold and then I'm so wonderful here to the tributes 66 00:03:07,438 --> 00:03:10,998 Speaker 2: about him post everybody felt the same way. It was 67 00:03:11,038 --> 00:03:13,198 Speaker 2: no different the way he reacted or treated me. He 68 00:03:13,198 --> 00:03:15,838 Speaker 2: did that with everybody else. And Dick Gallon as a 69 00:03:15,918 --> 00:03:18,998 Speaker 2: kid growing up, was just the way he hit, the 70 00:03:19,038 --> 00:03:22,958 Speaker 2: style of hitting the big bat, the way the ball 71 00:03:23,038 --> 00:03:25,958 Speaker 2: jumped off of it. A little bit of a controversy there. 72 00:03:25,998 --> 00:03:28,958 Speaker 2: Guy was a free thinker from Pennsylvania, so there's a 73 00:03:28,998 --> 00:03:31,918 Speaker 2: lot going on there. So I was very pleased with 74 00:03:31,958 --> 00:03:33,798 Speaker 2: the fact that both of those guys didn't make it 75 00:03:33,838 --> 00:03:35,958 Speaker 2: as well as the others. But those two guys are 76 00:03:36,038 --> 00:03:36,638 Speaker 2: very special. 77 00:03:36,758 --> 00:03:39,398 Speaker 1: Well, I think unfortunately, Joe, you're not alone people who 78 00:03:39,438 --> 00:03:44,918 Speaker 1: missed the ceremony. Unfortunately, Baseball programs against these great moments, 79 00:03:45,118 --> 00:03:48,118 Speaker 1: you know, defining moments of players careers getting the highest 80 00:03:48,118 --> 00:03:50,118 Speaker 1: honor in the game because games are going on on 81 00:03:50,158 --> 00:03:52,918 Speaker 1: Sunday afternoons. I always thought it the perfect place for 82 00:03:52,958 --> 00:03:55,518 Speaker 1: this ceremony would be the Wednesday or Thursday night after 83 00:03:55,558 --> 00:03:59,158 Speaker 1: the All Star Game, when there's really nothing programmed against it, 84 00:03:59,478 --> 00:04:02,958 Speaker 1: including Major League Baseball itself, so most fans had a 85 00:04:03,038 --> 00:04:04,638 Speaker 1: chance to watch their team. Player are going to watch 86 00:04:04,638 --> 00:04:06,798 Speaker 1: their team play and a lot of people miss it. 87 00:04:06,878 --> 00:04:09,758 Speaker 1: So listen, Joe, we like to talk here on some 88 00:04:10,878 --> 00:04:13,958 Speaker 1: fundamentals of life, not just baseball. Here in his philosophy, 89 00:04:13,998 --> 00:04:16,598 Speaker 1: of course, and I thought the speech is touched on that, 90 00:04:16,638 --> 00:04:20,398 Speaker 1: so I think it's worthwhile going back and the high points, 91 00:04:20,398 --> 00:04:22,078 Speaker 1: not going to go through every point, of course, but 92 00:04:22,118 --> 00:04:25,438 Speaker 1: the high points of what were the really defining days 93 00:04:25,558 --> 00:04:28,598 Speaker 1: in these tremendous Hall of Fame careers by five individuals. 94 00:04:29,238 --> 00:04:32,198 Speaker 1: Let me start with Billy Wagner, because he was actually 95 00:04:32,278 --> 00:04:34,598 Speaker 1: the leadoff hitter, or he's the starter, if you will. 96 00:04:34,638 --> 00:04:38,838 Speaker 1: Billy Wagner, who never started a game in the major leagues, 97 00:04:39,038 --> 00:04:41,398 Speaker 1: and by the way, he never pitched in relief in 98 00:04:41,478 --> 00:04:44,678 Speaker 1: the minor leagues. How about that career. He became a 99 00:04:44,718 --> 00:04:46,838 Speaker 1: major league relief pitcher without doing it in the minors. 100 00:04:46,878 --> 00:04:50,078 Speaker 1: It became one of the three left handed relief pitchers 101 00:04:50,078 --> 00:04:52,038 Speaker 1: to make the Hall of Fame. Just an amazing career. 102 00:04:52,358 --> 00:04:55,718 Speaker 1: He talked a lot, Joe about overcoming obstacles, and I 103 00:04:55,758 --> 00:04:57,918 Speaker 1: know that's a theme on this show, right the struggle. 104 00:04:58,158 --> 00:05:00,398 Speaker 1: You're talking about someone who was born right handed, who 105 00:05:00,478 --> 00:05:03,278 Speaker 1: broke his right hand a couple of times playing football 106 00:05:03,478 --> 00:05:06,918 Speaker 1: in a neighborborhood. So he learned how to throw left handed. 107 00:05:07,438 --> 00:05:09,438 Speaker 1: And not only learned how to throw left handed, he 108 00:05:09,478 --> 00:05:11,518 Speaker 1: threw one of the best fastballs we've ever seen in 109 00:05:11,558 --> 00:05:14,358 Speaker 1: this game, five foot ten left. He throwing ninety seven 110 00:05:14,358 --> 00:05:17,238 Speaker 1: from a lower lease point with great carry on that fastball. 111 00:05:17,838 --> 00:05:19,798 Speaker 1: And once Randy Johnson taught him how to throw the 112 00:05:19,838 --> 00:05:22,318 Speaker 1: slider where his breaking ball didn't pop up out of 113 00:05:22,318 --> 00:05:24,558 Speaker 1: his hand but came out looking like a fastball. It 114 00:05:24,638 --> 00:05:27,918 Speaker 1: was lights out. Billy, in his own words, said, I 115 00:05:28,118 --> 00:05:32,158 Speaker 1: wasn't supposed to be here. And he talked about obstacles, 116 00:05:32,278 --> 00:05:36,478 Speaker 1: and he said, don't think about obstacles as roadblocks, think 117 00:05:36,518 --> 00:05:40,838 Speaker 1: about them as stepping stones. Severeance, he said, is not 118 00:05:41,318 --> 00:05:44,798 Speaker 1: just a trait, it's the path to greatness. I mean, 119 00:05:44,838 --> 00:05:47,278 Speaker 1: you think about his path. Boy, did those words resonate 120 00:05:47,318 --> 00:05:47,558 Speaker 1: with me? 121 00:05:47,958 --> 00:05:50,438 Speaker 2: All makes sense, first of all, but it does make 122 00:05:50,478 --> 00:05:51,918 Speaker 2: sense to the fact that he was a starter in 123 00:05:51,958 --> 00:05:53,998 Speaker 2: the minor leagues and then he was only reliever in 124 00:05:54,038 --> 00:05:55,718 Speaker 2: the big leagues, because that's how it was done back 125 00:05:55,758 --> 00:05:58,278 Speaker 2: in the day where forgot a good arm. He wanted 126 00:05:58,358 --> 00:06:00,558 Speaker 2: him on the mound to learn to learn his craft, 127 00:06:00,998 --> 00:06:02,678 Speaker 2: and it normally would be as a starter if you 128 00:06:02,718 --> 00:06:05,998 Speaker 2: really liked the arm I'm sure at somebody obviously in 129 00:06:05,998 --> 00:06:07,558 Speaker 2: the back of their minds they thought, man, if we 130 00:06:07,598 --> 00:06:09,358 Speaker 2: get this guy to the big leagues for one inning, 131 00:06:09,638 --> 00:06:11,678 Speaker 2: he could really blow some folks away. So that's not 132 00:06:11,758 --> 00:06:15,158 Speaker 2: a surprise. And then the content that you just described there, 133 00:06:15,398 --> 00:06:18,638 Speaker 2: we could really identify with that. It is almost our 134 00:06:18,678 --> 00:06:22,238 Speaker 2: mantra regarding what we do here in personal lives and 135 00:06:22,278 --> 00:06:25,278 Speaker 2: how we got to these particular moments. So it's definitely 136 00:06:25,398 --> 00:06:28,278 Speaker 2: I'm sure every fan that sat there, whether you were 137 00:06:28,318 --> 00:06:30,718 Speaker 2: there to see Billy Wagner or not, you could definitely 138 00:06:30,758 --> 00:06:33,078 Speaker 2: identify with that. I mean, it's in every day every man, 139 00:06:33,638 --> 00:06:36,198 Speaker 2: kind of every woman kind of a situation where you 140 00:06:36,278 --> 00:06:38,278 Speaker 2: go back and you think, I never thought about being 141 00:06:38,278 --> 00:06:40,638 Speaker 2: in the Hall of Fame. I never thought about being 142 00:06:40,678 --> 00:06:44,158 Speaker 2: the president of this big company, CEO whatever, never thought 143 00:06:44,158 --> 00:06:46,838 Speaker 2: about that. I just was one stepping stone at a time, 144 00:06:46,958 --> 00:06:49,158 Speaker 2: was a building block, a ladder to climb. Harvey wanted 145 00:06:49,198 --> 00:06:50,598 Speaker 2: to describe it, but it was a lot of probably 146 00:06:50,678 --> 00:06:54,558 Speaker 2: humility gratitude involved in that. And never really forgot where 147 00:06:54,598 --> 00:06:57,438 Speaker 2: he came from. Obviously he has not, so I know, 148 00:06:57,478 --> 00:07:00,078 Speaker 2: I don't know Billy I've seen a pitch obviously in person, 149 00:07:00,318 --> 00:07:02,878 Speaker 2: it's dynamic, and I cannot be happy for a guy 150 00:07:02,878 --> 00:07:05,798 Speaker 2: that absolutely earned his way to the Ajor League Hall 151 00:07:05,798 --> 00:07:06,158 Speaker 2: of Fame. 152 00:07:06,358 --> 00:07:08,598 Speaker 1: A couple other highlights of his speech, of course, he 153 00:07:08,678 --> 00:07:10,958 Speaker 1: mentioned a lot of his teammates, most of whom are 154 00:07:10,998 --> 00:07:12,998 Speaker 1: some of them in the Hall of Fame, Craig Bigio 155 00:07:13,438 --> 00:07:16,998 Speaker 1: and Jeff Bagwell. Of course, it was interesting one of 156 00:07:16,998 --> 00:07:19,758 Speaker 1: his favorite teammates, he said, one of his best teammates, 157 00:07:19,758 --> 00:07:23,278 Speaker 1: Moises al Lou. I thought that was really touching. I 158 00:07:23,318 --> 00:07:25,158 Speaker 1: think he played with Alou both in Houston and with 159 00:07:25,198 --> 00:07:28,238 Speaker 1: the New York Mets. Possibly, I'm not sure where which 160 00:07:28,238 --> 00:07:32,358 Speaker 1: teams they cross paths, but I found that interesting, especially 161 00:07:32,438 --> 00:07:35,638 Speaker 1: for a pitcher Joe, and you just know sometimes there's 162 00:07:35,678 --> 00:07:37,998 Speaker 1: not so much a dividing wall, but they're on different schedules, 163 00:07:38,078 --> 00:07:39,878 Speaker 1: kind of hang out with each other, between pitchers and 164 00:07:39,878 --> 00:07:42,438 Speaker 1: position players. So I found that was really interesting. Moises 165 00:07:42,478 --> 00:07:45,678 Speaker 1: Alou high praise from relief pitcher Billy Wagner. 166 00:07:45,918 --> 00:07:49,358 Speaker 2: Well, Moyses Alou has got an ingratiating personality that I 167 00:07:49,398 --> 00:07:51,838 Speaker 2: think the word gregarius fits him well. I've been in 168 00:07:51,918 --> 00:07:54,718 Speaker 2: his company several times, and he is He's a big guy, 169 00:07:55,158 --> 00:07:58,358 Speaker 2: and just the Allou family in general is Felipe and 170 00:07:58,398 --> 00:08:03,318 Speaker 2: the other Alou's very outgoing personalities. Like I said, Gregarius 171 00:08:03,358 --> 00:08:05,718 Speaker 2: and I it was easy to be right. I didn't 172 00:08:05,758 --> 00:08:07,358 Speaker 2: know him. I don't. I can't say that I know him. 173 00:08:07,398 --> 00:08:10,558 Speaker 2: I've just been around him and I've heard how he 174 00:08:10,758 --> 00:08:14,798 Speaker 2: treats people around him. So good teammate. Wow, what isn't 175 00:08:14,798 --> 00:08:17,638 Speaker 2: that what you would love to be described as? After 176 00:08:17,678 --> 00:08:20,198 Speaker 2: you've been with a group and with the team moved 177 00:08:20,198 --> 00:08:22,878 Speaker 2: it along, and former players, teammates of yours come out 178 00:08:22,878 --> 00:08:24,438 Speaker 2: and say, Wen, he was a great teammate. It was 179 00:08:24,478 --> 00:08:28,238 Speaker 2: my favorite teammate. I've said that about I think earlier 180 00:08:28,278 --> 00:08:31,238 Speaker 2: about Dave Parker. What a wonderful teammate he was. That's 181 00:08:31,278 --> 00:08:33,918 Speaker 2: really about his high praise that you're going to get 182 00:08:34,158 --> 00:08:36,038 Speaker 2: from somebody that you played with in the past, that 183 00:08:36,118 --> 00:08:39,078 Speaker 2: they considered you a great teammate and they really enjoyed 184 00:08:39,158 --> 00:08:42,078 Speaker 2: playing or being with you. That's the ultimate for me, 185 00:08:42,518 --> 00:08:43,278 Speaker 2: I'm with you, Joe. 186 00:08:43,318 --> 00:08:46,358 Speaker 1: To me, that's the ultimate compliment, because in the course 187 00:08:46,398 --> 00:08:49,198 Speaker 1: of a major league season, you can't fool your teammates. 188 00:08:49,318 --> 00:08:51,478 Speaker 1: I mean, I equate it to being you're in the 189 00:08:51,558 --> 00:08:54,638 Speaker 1: Navy and you're shipped out to serve on a submarine, 190 00:08:54,758 --> 00:08:57,638 Speaker 1: and you're out on submarine for a six month deployment. 191 00:08:57,878 --> 00:08:59,838 Speaker 1: I mean, that's what it's like being around the same 192 00:08:59,878 --> 00:09:02,518 Speaker 1: group of guys for that long under high pressure situations, 193 00:09:02,998 --> 00:09:06,438 Speaker 1: and praise from teammates to me means more than anything else. 194 00:09:06,518 --> 00:09:10,838 Speaker 1: You know, awards are great, media interviews, highlights, all that stuff. 195 00:09:10,838 --> 00:09:14,318 Speaker 1: It's fantastic. But that's the ultimate compliment. And I think 196 00:09:14,318 --> 00:09:17,198 Speaker 1: Billy Wagner it really fits that. Bill just a great guy. 197 00:09:17,718 --> 00:09:17,798 Speaker 2: Uh. 198 00:09:17,918 --> 00:09:21,118 Speaker 1: He's the first player, by the way, who came from 199 00:09:21,118 --> 00:09:24,198 Speaker 1: a Division three school to make it to the Hall 200 00:09:24,238 --> 00:09:27,758 Speaker 1: of Fame. How about that? That is Merriam College were 201 00:09:27,798 --> 00:09:30,078 Speaker 1: probably about one hundred and thirty pounds when he came 202 00:09:30,118 --> 00:09:33,038 Speaker 1: out of high school. The Astros did see something there. 203 00:09:33,078 --> 00:09:36,358 Speaker 1: They drafted him twelfth overall. Wow, and he wound up 204 00:09:36,598 --> 00:09:39,438 Speaker 1: with a one eighty seven batting average against at a 205 00:09:39,558 --> 00:09:42,998 Speaker 1: thirty three percent strikeout rate. Those are the best numbers 206 00:09:43,278 --> 00:09:46,078 Speaker 1: of any pitcher who ever threw nine hundred innings in 207 00:09:46,078 --> 00:09:46,918 Speaker 1: Major League Baseball. 208 00:09:46,998 --> 00:09:49,958 Speaker 2: With today's scouting worlds, identify that I'm not trying to 209 00:09:49,958 --> 00:09:52,438 Speaker 2: be stir anything up right here. Would they have identified 210 00:09:52,438 --> 00:09:55,118 Speaker 2: that back in the day because of his size. Primarily 211 00:09:55,198 --> 00:09:58,998 Speaker 2: it's unusual to get a short picture now. Left tanders 212 00:09:58,998 --> 00:10:02,758 Speaker 2: to me always always had an advantage. Whether you didn't 213 00:10:02,798 --> 00:10:04,638 Speaker 2: have to throw a thousand miles hour, but you had 214 00:10:04,638 --> 00:10:07,278 Speaker 2: great we went on your pitch at deception and or 215 00:10:07,798 --> 00:10:09,358 Speaker 2: in this situation you were a left hand or not 216 00:10:09,398 --> 00:10:11,518 Speaker 2: too tall, but you did throw the ball well and 217 00:10:11,598 --> 00:10:13,438 Speaker 2: you threw it up. But he's the kind of guy 218 00:10:13,558 --> 00:10:16,318 Speaker 2: I think possibly could slip through the cracks today. As 219 00:10:16,358 --> 00:10:18,838 Speaker 2: I was coming up as a scout, it was even 220 00:10:18,878 --> 00:10:21,878 Speaker 2: identifiable back then that even in the nineties in the 221 00:10:21,958 --> 00:10:23,918 Speaker 2: early two thousands, you wanted a guy that was six 222 00:10:23,958 --> 00:10:26,838 Speaker 2: foot two three four five were better. That was part 223 00:10:26,878 --> 00:10:30,318 Speaker 2: of the things. The dynamic regarding whether or not this 224 00:10:30,398 --> 00:10:32,598 Speaker 2: guy could be sustainable and maintain his strength during the 225 00:10:32,638 --> 00:10:35,878 Speaker 2: course of the year, angles, intimidation, all this kind of stuff. 226 00:10:35,918 --> 00:10:38,878 Speaker 2: So he beat all the odds. Man, he probably beat 227 00:10:39,038 --> 00:10:43,038 Speaker 2: every odd that was thrown out there against somebody, making 228 00:10:43,118 --> 00:10:45,638 Speaker 2: it as a major league player, then furthermore making it 229 00:10:45,638 --> 00:10:48,358 Speaker 2: as a Hall of Fame pitcher. So kudos to him. Man, 230 00:10:48,398 --> 00:10:50,198 Speaker 2: that's really impressive stuff. 231 00:10:50,438 --> 00:10:53,038 Speaker 1: Yeah, I will say in today's day, and age they 232 00:10:53,078 --> 00:10:55,518 Speaker 1: would find someone who threw a fastball like Billy Wagner 233 00:10:55,518 --> 00:10:57,238 Speaker 1: because he actually was ahead of the curve when it 234 00:10:57,278 --> 00:11:01,038 Speaker 1: came to the vertical attack angle five foot one, release 235 00:11:01,118 --> 00:11:03,038 Speaker 1: point off the ground, high point of the zone. A 236 00:11:03,158 --> 00:11:07,518 Speaker 1: high spin, high velocity fastball. I mean that's everywhere everybody's 237 00:11:07,518 --> 00:11:09,918 Speaker 1: looking for that. Yeah, they prefer six foot five though 238 00:11:09,958 --> 00:11:14,278 Speaker 1: than five foot ten. Next up Dave Parker, and you 239 00:11:14,318 --> 00:11:16,398 Speaker 1: spoke a little bit already, Joe about Dave. I thought 240 00:11:16,398 --> 00:11:19,838 Speaker 1: it was his son. Dave Parker Junior. Gave a fantastic speech. 241 00:11:20,598 --> 00:11:22,958 Speaker 1: Most of it was actually written by Dave Parker, who 242 00:11:23,078 --> 00:11:26,078 Speaker 1: found out back in December that he was voted into 243 00:11:26,078 --> 00:11:28,718 Speaker 1: the Hall of Fame by the Classic Baseball Era Committee 244 00:11:29,038 --> 00:11:31,798 Speaker 1: and passed away just a month before the inductions. So 245 00:11:31,798 --> 00:11:33,758 Speaker 1: his son went up there and just nailed it, just 246 00:11:33,798 --> 00:11:35,918 Speaker 1: hit it out of the ballpark. He told a story 247 00:11:35,958 --> 00:11:38,358 Speaker 1: about and you hit it at this, Joe. That the 248 00:11:38,398 --> 00:11:40,958 Speaker 1: worth of Dave Parker to me. He had that rocket 249 00:11:40,958 --> 00:11:43,478 Speaker 1: stage to his career, the second stage where he signed 250 00:11:43,518 --> 00:11:45,958 Speaker 1: with Cincinnati, went back home to Cincinnati in eighty five, 251 00:11:46,038 --> 00:11:49,038 Speaker 1: put up a huge year because his skills had been 252 00:11:49,038 --> 00:11:52,158 Speaker 1: declining a little bit and his knee was absolutely killing him. 253 00:11:52,198 --> 00:11:54,678 Speaker 1: He used to get all kinds of fluid drained out 254 00:11:54,718 --> 00:11:56,438 Speaker 1: of the knee just to get on the field and play. 255 00:11:56,838 --> 00:12:00,398 Speaker 1: But that's where he became this mentor and listened. He 256 00:12:00,398 --> 00:12:01,838 Speaker 1: could still hit. I think it was one hundred and 257 00:12:01,838 --> 00:12:04,958 Speaker 1: twenty five RBIs with Cincinnati. But I'm embracing, you know, 258 00:12:05,078 --> 00:12:07,718 Speaker 1: the Barry Larkins, the Eric Davises of the world. He 259 00:12:07,838 --> 00:12:10,158 Speaker 1: was a guy you wanted on your team. So he 260 00:12:10,278 --> 00:12:12,798 Speaker 1: did bounce around, not because people didn't want him, but 261 00:12:12,838 --> 00:12:15,358 Speaker 1: the exact opposite. So his son told the story, and 262 00:12:15,398 --> 00:12:17,878 Speaker 1: this is from his dad. When Tony Larussi signed him 263 00:12:17,878 --> 00:12:20,198 Speaker 1: with Oakland, they eventually won the World Series together in 264 00:12:20,238 --> 00:12:23,318 Speaker 1: eighty nine. He said to the Cobra, I don't care 265 00:12:23,318 --> 00:12:26,718 Speaker 1: about your numbers. Teach the kids how to win. I mean, 266 00:12:26,758 --> 00:12:28,758 Speaker 1: that's another thing, Joe you talk about. Do you hear 267 00:12:28,838 --> 00:12:31,518 Speaker 1: enough of that in today's game? That was specifically why 268 00:12:31,598 --> 00:12:36,238 Speaker 1: teams wanted Dave Parker there, just a gregarious guy, outstanding, 269 00:12:36,438 --> 00:12:39,998 Speaker 1: upbeat personality. I think he showed young players how to 270 00:12:40,038 --> 00:12:43,238 Speaker 1: be a professional in so many different ways, especially dealing 271 00:12:43,238 --> 00:12:44,678 Speaker 1: with the ups and the downs of the game. 272 00:12:45,238 --> 00:12:48,598 Speaker 2: Bingo, right, I mean, you're seeing some of that in 273 00:12:48,678 --> 00:12:50,838 Speaker 2: today's game too. And even with the Cubs when we 274 00:12:50,838 --> 00:12:54,838 Speaker 2: were there, and going back to the Rays, we ascended 275 00:12:54,878 --> 00:12:57,278 Speaker 2: in two thousand and eight because the addition of Cliff Floyd, 276 00:12:57,438 --> 00:13:00,158 Speaker 2: Troy Percival, and Eric Kinski that on top of all 277 00:13:00,198 --> 00:13:02,758 Speaker 2: the wonderful young talent we had, we needed those guys 278 00:13:02,798 --> 00:13:06,278 Speaker 2: there to make a difference, uh in our one loss record, 279 00:13:06,358 --> 00:13:09,638 Speaker 2: same thing in Chicago. You're talking about David Ross, Johnny Lackey, 280 00:13:09,718 --> 00:13:13,198 Speaker 2: Johnny Lester, Migey Montero, all these guys, they were difference 281 00:13:13,238 --> 00:13:16,438 Speaker 2: makers because they, like I, I've always said I wanted 282 00:13:16,518 --> 00:13:18,678 Speaker 2: I wanted a grown up or grown ups in the room. 283 00:13:19,118 --> 00:13:22,318 Speaker 2: Dave Parker was the grown up in a room. I 284 00:13:22,318 --> 00:13:24,758 Speaker 2: don't care who else was there. And whatever the how 285 00:13:24,798 --> 00:13:27,478 Speaker 2: big their star, how bright their star, I may have 286 00:13:27,518 --> 00:13:30,758 Speaker 2: shown this guy here. You just you're you just were 287 00:13:30,758 --> 00:13:33,718 Speaker 2: attracted to David walked in, or David started talking to 288 00:13:33,878 --> 00:13:39,078 Speaker 2: his immensely powerful eyes very they could be intimidating and 289 00:13:39,238 --> 00:13:42,118 Speaker 2: the most friendly Doe eyes you've ever seen in your life. 290 00:13:42,158 --> 00:13:44,998 Speaker 2: You could go both ways, and and and on top 291 00:13:45,038 --> 00:13:47,678 Speaker 2: of that, people don't understand how sharp this guy's mind was. 292 00:13:48,038 --> 00:13:50,958 Speaker 2: He could shred you if you want just fun in 293 00:13:50,958 --> 00:13:53,478 Speaker 2: a fun way, shred you, or he could be so 294 00:13:53,638 --> 00:13:57,078 Speaker 2: complimentary to you, and neither way. The guys could not 295 00:13:57,158 --> 00:14:00,798 Speaker 2: get enough of it. He was just that funny and 296 00:14:00,838 --> 00:14:03,398 Speaker 2: he was just that bright in his in his own 297 00:14:03,638 --> 00:14:07,678 Speaker 2: particular style. I was attracted to him. He was like 298 00:14:07,718 --> 00:14:11,438 Speaker 2: I've talked about. He was very kind to me, and 299 00:14:11,478 --> 00:14:14,398 Speaker 2: as I was attempting to become a major league coach, 300 00:14:14,798 --> 00:14:18,398 Speaker 2: he was very helpful to me, breaking that barrier of 301 00:14:18,958 --> 00:14:21,718 Speaker 2: getting beyond happy to be here, I be longer. I 302 00:14:21,758 --> 00:14:24,878 Speaker 2: can do this. Stage three is a major league player 303 00:14:24,958 --> 00:14:28,478 Speaker 2: or coach or a manager. Eventually he did that for me. 304 00:14:29,318 --> 00:14:32,598 Speaker 2: He showed me. I thought he was the first guy 305 00:14:32,638 --> 00:14:36,198 Speaker 2: that really demonstrated to me how to be comfortable on 306 00:14:36,238 --> 00:14:39,318 Speaker 2: a major league field to the point where your personality 307 00:14:39,318 --> 00:14:42,078 Speaker 2: didn't change at all. You did. He never varied from 308 00:14:42,398 --> 00:14:44,078 Speaker 2: you know, when he walked in the door, pregame, put 309 00:14:44,078 --> 00:14:46,838 Speaker 2: his Union one out for BP, whatever, came back out, 310 00:14:46,878 --> 00:14:49,398 Speaker 2: and the actual game began. The guy never changed. After 311 00:14:49,478 --> 00:14:52,358 Speaker 2: the game winner lost, the guy never changed. He showed 312 00:14:52,358 --> 00:14:54,678 Speaker 2: me a lot just by the way he was so 313 00:14:55,078 --> 00:14:58,598 Speaker 2: yeah platitudes. I could go on forever. I mean, I 314 00:14:59,398 --> 00:15:01,278 Speaker 2: told him this stuff straight up to he came to 315 00:15:01,318 --> 00:15:03,478 Speaker 2: Cincinnati when I was with the Cubs, sat on the 316 00:15:03,518 --> 00:15:05,718 Speaker 2: bench of little Bit. I asked if he could come out, 317 00:15:05,718 --> 00:15:08,678 Speaker 2: and he did, and I just reiterated all this to him. 318 00:15:08,718 --> 00:15:12,558 Speaker 2: How much he meant to me in my ascension as 319 00:15:12,598 --> 00:15:16,278 Speaker 2: a major league coaching then manager, just based on observation, 320 00:15:16,878 --> 00:15:22,598 Speaker 2: watching how he treated people and how he reacted to situations. 321 00:15:23,718 --> 00:15:26,198 Speaker 1: I got to share two quick lines from Dave Parker 322 00:15:26,238 --> 00:15:28,878 Speaker 1: Junior about his dad. I love this one. He called 323 00:15:28,878 --> 00:15:31,878 Speaker 1: his dad and this is really apporting other people, his 324 00:15:31,998 --> 00:15:35,638 Speaker 1: spiritual father to younger players. That was a great way 325 00:15:35,678 --> 00:15:37,998 Speaker 1: to put it. And he also told the story about 326 00:15:37,998 --> 00:15:43,078 Speaker 1: one time going to a restaurant in Cincinnati. Of course 327 00:15:43,078 --> 00:15:46,318 Speaker 1: everybody knew Dave Parker. He walked into a room and 328 00:15:46,438 --> 00:15:48,998 Speaker 1: just by size and personality, you knew he was there. 329 00:15:49,718 --> 00:15:53,518 Speaker 1: So the room everybody reacted to Dave Parker. The son 330 00:15:53,678 --> 00:15:55,838 Speaker 1: was probably a teenager at the time, maybe less, and 331 00:15:55,918 --> 00:15:58,198 Speaker 1: said to his dad, man, you've got a lot of friends. 332 00:15:58,878 --> 00:16:01,958 Speaker 1: And Dave Parker said, son, he said, he said, you 333 00:16:02,038 --> 00:16:04,478 Speaker 1: got a lot of fans. And he said, so they're 334 00:16:04,478 --> 00:16:07,638 Speaker 1: not fans, they're friends. That's the way Dave looked at 335 00:16:07,638 --> 00:16:10,038 Speaker 1: the public. And it was interesting that in his speech 336 00:16:10,118 --> 00:16:12,998 Speaker 1: Dave Parker, the one he wrote before he passed away, 337 00:16:13,038 --> 00:16:16,278 Speaker 1: talked about Pittsburgh being his true home. I mean Cincinnati 338 00:16:16,358 --> 00:16:20,878 Speaker 1: is his literal home, but really spoke very highly at Pittsburgh, 339 00:16:20,878 --> 00:16:23,158 Speaker 1: which is interesting because he did have some tough times there. 340 00:16:23,198 --> 00:16:24,998 Speaker 1: He was the first player to make a million dollars. 341 00:16:25,038 --> 00:16:28,078 Speaker 1: People resented players at that time as salary started to 342 00:16:28,118 --> 00:16:31,838 Speaker 1: go up and became more public knowledge. The famous incident 343 00:16:31,878 --> 00:16:33,878 Speaker 1: of a battery being thrown at him in right field. 344 00:16:33,878 --> 00:16:36,918 Speaker 1: But to this day he always thought of himself as 345 00:16:36,958 --> 00:16:40,798 Speaker 1: a Pittsburgh pirate. And lastly, it was really touching Joe. 346 00:16:40,998 --> 00:16:43,918 Speaker 1: The speech ended with a poem that Dave wrote himself 347 00:16:43,998 --> 00:16:47,198 Speaker 1: that his son read knowing he was going to the 348 00:16:47,198 --> 00:16:50,438 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame, and it was just it was beautiful, 349 00:16:50,478 --> 00:16:52,678 Speaker 1: and it was also a bittersweet, of course, because Dave 350 00:16:52,798 --> 00:16:55,718 Speaker 1: speaking from the grave. It was pure Dave Parker. He 351 00:16:55,838 --> 00:16:58,358 Speaker 1: talked about how he was a fashion icon at a 352 00:16:58,398 --> 00:17:00,758 Speaker 1: sex symbol, and when you look up tonight you will 353 00:17:00,758 --> 00:17:04,598 Speaker 1: see the star of David in the sky. Dave Parker 354 00:17:04,638 --> 00:17:05,558 Speaker 1: man more a legacy. 355 00:17:05,598 --> 00:17:10,158 Speaker 2: He left all of that it's all true. It's all true. 356 00:17:10,998 --> 00:17:14,958 Speaker 2: He was all of that. He's again, I'm just this 357 00:17:15,118 --> 00:17:17,638 Speaker 2: is just one guy talking. But if you talked all day, 358 00:17:17,958 --> 00:17:20,078 Speaker 2: we talked about the teammates, people that he's been around, 359 00:17:20,078 --> 00:17:22,478 Speaker 2: and we've already heard the accolades coming in and all 360 00:17:22,518 --> 00:17:25,798 Speaker 2: these all these stories have been supported. Uh. The Pittsburgh 361 00:17:25,918 --> 00:17:30,318 Speaker 2: part of it, that group, you know, come overlapping with 362 00:17:30,518 --> 00:17:34,438 Speaker 2: Clemente a little bit, and eventually him and stargele like 363 00:17:34,838 --> 00:17:39,638 Speaker 2: almost you know, rather older and younger brother kind of 364 00:17:39,638 --> 00:17:41,878 Speaker 2: a situation, and the rest of the Pirates, Chuck, Tanner, 365 00:17:41,918 --> 00:17:43,918 Speaker 2: Bey and the Skipper. God, there was so much to 366 00:17:43,958 --> 00:17:46,038 Speaker 2: love about that group. I mean they they were all 367 00:17:46,078 --> 00:17:49,758 Speaker 2: about a family. We are family. Uh so he you know, 368 00:17:49,798 --> 00:17:52,398 Speaker 2: they they they walked the walk. Man, They they did it. 369 00:17:53,518 --> 00:17:55,838 Speaker 2: And I can understand why, even though he met with 370 00:17:55,878 --> 00:17:58,878 Speaker 2: a lot of success post all that, that's that was 371 00:17:58,918 --> 00:18:01,758 Speaker 2: his whe He graduated high school from thats where he 372 00:18:01,798 --> 00:18:05,278 Speaker 2: went to college. That's where it all began. And I 373 00:18:05,318 --> 00:18:08,638 Speaker 2: can understand why the worm fuzzy really starts with Pittsburgh, 374 00:18:08,638 --> 00:18:10,718 Speaker 2: not only because of the city and whatever else, but 375 00:18:10,798 --> 00:18:13,838 Speaker 2: because of his teammates. That was a dynamic group and 376 00:18:14,078 --> 00:18:14,958 Speaker 2: very charismatic. 377 00:18:15,038 --> 00:18:16,558 Speaker 1: Hey, we're going to take a quick break on the 378 00:18:16,598 --> 00:18:19,198 Speaker 1: book of Joe. When we get back, there's more Hall 379 00:18:19,238 --> 00:18:23,118 Speaker 1: of Fame philosophy to dive into, including the way each 380 00:18:23,158 --> 00:18:38,238 Speaker 1: he rope brought down the house. We'll do that next Joe. 381 00:18:38,278 --> 00:18:40,638 Speaker 1: I got to share this story on Dick Allen. He 382 00:18:40,678 --> 00:18:43,558 Speaker 1: was signed in nineteen sixty. The scout's name was John Ogden. 383 00:18:43,678 --> 00:18:45,478 Speaker 1: When Dick Allen got to the big leagues a few 384 00:18:45,558 --> 00:18:48,918 Speaker 1: years later, Ogden sent him a box of bats back 385 00:18:48,918 --> 00:18:51,198 Speaker 1: in the day. They came in four in a box, 386 00:18:51,758 --> 00:18:55,158 Speaker 1: and Dick Allen pulled the bats out of the box 387 00:18:55,238 --> 00:18:57,198 Speaker 1: and he said, man, they forgot to cut the roots 388 00:18:57,238 --> 00:19:00,918 Speaker 1: off these things. These are tree trunks. There were thirty 389 00:19:00,958 --> 00:19:05,478 Speaker 1: six inches and forty two ounces. Forty two ounces. Bryce 390 00:19:05,478 --> 00:19:07,798 Speaker 1: Harper swings at thirty one ounce bat. Just to give 391 00:19:07,798 --> 00:19:09,718 Speaker 1: you an idea of how big that bat was that 392 00:19:09,758 --> 00:19:12,358 Speaker 1: Dick Allen swung and he picked it up, and he 393 00:19:12,478 --> 00:19:15,718 Speaker 1: realized that what he could do was literally throw the 394 00:19:15,758 --> 00:19:18,798 Speaker 1: head of the bat, it was so top heavy. Of course, 395 00:19:18,838 --> 00:19:22,398 Speaker 1: he was strong enough, had huge hands. He became this 396 00:19:22,398 --> 00:19:25,878 Speaker 1: this menacing hitter that pitchers actually feared because he hit 397 00:19:25,918 --> 00:19:29,678 Speaker 1: the ball so far, so hard, and somehow was able 398 00:19:29,718 --> 00:19:33,478 Speaker 1: to swing that forty bet so quickly. I mean, they 399 00:19:33,518 --> 00:19:35,918 Speaker 1: still tell stories, Joe about home runs he hit a 400 00:19:35,998 --> 00:19:38,318 Speaker 1: Connie Mack Stadium in the length of them. You know, 401 00:19:38,318 --> 00:19:40,838 Speaker 1: we're so used to, you know, stat cast and measuring 402 00:19:40,838 --> 00:19:43,918 Speaker 1: home runs now, but back in the day, Dick Allen 403 00:19:44,038 --> 00:19:46,638 Speaker 1: hit home runs the way kind of Mickey Mantle did. 404 00:19:46,878 --> 00:19:48,438 Speaker 1: They made people's jaws drop. 405 00:19:48,678 --> 00:19:50,758 Speaker 2: I prefer not knowing how far, and I prefer not 406 00:19:50,838 --> 00:19:54,038 Speaker 2: knowing the exit lost. I just prefer to know that 407 00:19:54,078 --> 00:19:57,518 Speaker 2: it went over the center field fence, over the batting cage, 408 00:19:57,558 --> 00:20:00,118 Speaker 2: the turtle that they rolled back out through with Nelson 409 00:20:00,158 --> 00:20:02,398 Speaker 2: Briles flipped him with the pitch, and all of a sudden, 410 00:20:02,438 --> 00:20:03,678 Speaker 2: the next pitch went over I think it was four 411 00:20:03,718 --> 00:20:06,478 Speaker 2: four forty seven to center field at Connie Mac. They 412 00:20:06,478 --> 00:20:08,918 Speaker 2: put the turtle the batting tunnel behind that, and then 413 00:20:08,958 --> 00:20:11,238 Speaker 2: it was still part of the wall there and then 414 00:20:11,478 --> 00:20:13,398 Speaker 2: to the left would be the stands and too high 415 00:20:13,438 --> 00:20:15,398 Speaker 2: for him to exceed there. But he hit it far 416 00:20:15,478 --> 00:20:17,918 Speaker 2: enough to the right that he put it death center field, 417 00:20:17,998 --> 00:20:20,718 Speaker 2: right over that. Cardinals were my team. Nelson Briles loved 418 00:20:20,718 --> 00:20:23,318 Speaker 2: Nelson brows, but that ball went baut there quickly. I 419 00:20:23,358 --> 00:20:25,838 Speaker 2: saw him one day. I remember the probably sixty four 420 00:20:25,838 --> 00:20:28,758 Speaker 2: to sixty five Steve Carlton pitching for the Cardinals, and 421 00:20:28,918 --> 00:20:32,638 Speaker 2: just the very young Carlton and abusing him, absolutely abusing him, 422 00:20:32,678 --> 00:20:33,798 Speaker 2: and then all of a sudden, I don't know if 423 00:20:33,838 --> 00:20:35,358 Speaker 2: Carlton was still in the game. I think it was 424 00:20:35,598 --> 00:20:37,518 Speaker 2: last at bat, maybe the fourth or fifth that bat. 425 00:20:37,598 --> 00:20:40,718 Speaker 2: He hit a ball to this day off the scoreboard 426 00:20:40,718 --> 00:20:43,038 Speaker 2: in right field. Wasn't a homer. That was a huge 427 00:20:43,038 --> 00:20:45,278 Speaker 2: scoreboard and right center field at Conniemac, but it put 428 00:20:45,278 --> 00:20:47,398 Speaker 2: a dent in it. Man, it came off the bat 429 00:20:47,478 --> 00:20:51,078 Speaker 2: so hot. He inspired me as a hitting coach, the 430 00:20:51,118 --> 00:20:52,998 Speaker 2: heavy bat and you just said it. He wanted to 431 00:20:53,038 --> 00:20:54,438 Speaker 2: throw the head of the bat at the ball. I 432 00:20:54,638 --> 00:20:57,718 Speaker 2: created a drill with the Ponza machine back in the 433 00:20:57,798 --> 00:21:00,078 Speaker 2: day and instructional legs with the Angels where I set 434 00:21:00,118 --> 00:21:02,158 Speaker 2: a machine at thirty three feet from home plate and 435 00:21:02,198 --> 00:21:03,678 Speaker 2: it set it on low leg so that the ball 436 00:21:03,678 --> 00:21:06,558 Speaker 2: would on a ride. And I got heavier bass for 437 00:21:06,638 --> 00:21:08,718 Speaker 2: all my instruction league players. There were like thirty six 438 00:21:08,798 --> 00:21:11,758 Speaker 2: ounce thirty four inch which was heavy enough, and I 439 00:21:11,878 --> 00:21:14,598 Speaker 2: put a piece of duct tape on the barrel, and 440 00:21:14,638 --> 00:21:17,438 Speaker 2: the whole point of the drill was no mechanics involved. 441 00:21:17,478 --> 00:21:19,638 Speaker 2: Right here, throw the head of the bat, throw the barrel, 442 00:21:19,678 --> 00:21:22,118 Speaker 2: throw the tape on the bat, at the ball and 443 00:21:22,238 --> 00:21:25,238 Speaker 2: utilize your hands. You couldn't jump, You cant to stay 444 00:21:25,238 --> 00:21:27,838 Speaker 2: inside the ball. You couldn't be sweepy, you couldn't be long. 445 00:21:28,118 --> 00:21:29,518 Speaker 2: You had to be short to the ball, short in 446 00:21:29,558 --> 00:21:31,718 Speaker 2: the back, long out front. That was I'm telling you. 447 00:21:31,758 --> 00:21:33,838 Speaker 2: It was inspired by Alan and what he had done. 448 00:21:34,078 --> 00:21:37,478 Speaker 2: It's all true. And how do you even hold up? 449 00:21:37,558 --> 00:21:40,158 Speaker 2: How do you check swing that bat? And on top 450 00:21:40,158 --> 00:21:41,678 Speaker 2: of that, he wore out Nolan Ryan. 451 00:21:43,278 --> 00:21:47,158 Speaker 1: His widow gave a brilliant speech. And you think about 452 00:21:47,358 --> 00:21:49,998 Speaker 1: the way Dick Allen broke into Major League baseball in 453 00:21:50,038 --> 00:21:52,518 Speaker 1: the early sixties. He was, if not the first, one 454 00:21:52,558 --> 00:21:55,318 Speaker 1: of the first true great African American stars of the 455 00:21:55,318 --> 00:21:59,238 Speaker 1: Philadelphia Phillies, one of the last National League teams to integrate. 456 00:21:59,398 --> 00:22:02,638 Speaker 1: It was not easy for Dick Allen. I think he 457 00:22:02,718 --> 00:22:05,718 Speaker 1: was appreciated much more his second time around in Philadelphia, 458 00:22:05,958 --> 00:22:08,438 Speaker 1: But his wife told the story about how he really 459 00:22:08,478 --> 00:22:11,238 Speaker 1: connected with the fans. Best story of all was one 460 00:22:11,318 --> 00:22:14,038 Speaker 1: day they Phillies were playing at Dodger Stadium, and after 461 00:22:14,038 --> 00:22:16,998 Speaker 1: a game, a little kid came up to him and 462 00:22:16,998 --> 00:22:19,358 Speaker 1: asked for an autograph, and Dick Allen said, you know, son, 463 00:22:19,558 --> 00:22:22,078 Speaker 1: he said, rather than giving you an autograph, I'd rather 464 00:22:22,078 --> 00:22:23,878 Speaker 1: you ask me a question. I'd rather just talk to 465 00:22:23,918 --> 00:22:26,358 Speaker 1: you and shake your hand. He wound up talking to 466 00:22:26,398 --> 00:22:29,638 Speaker 1: this kid for two hours, just going back and forth 467 00:22:29,678 --> 00:22:32,918 Speaker 1: about life or baseball or what have you. Long story short. 468 00:22:32,958 --> 00:22:36,678 Speaker 1: They formed such a relationship that that kid became a 469 00:22:36,758 --> 00:22:39,278 Speaker 1: lifelong friend of Dick Allen and his family. And he 470 00:22:39,398 --> 00:22:42,398 Speaker 1: was there in Cooperstown at the age of seventy to 471 00:22:42,478 --> 00:22:45,558 Speaker 1: see his hero and mentor inducted into the Baseball Hall 472 00:22:45,598 --> 00:22:49,278 Speaker 1: of Fame. That was so touching. She talked about how 473 00:22:49,318 --> 00:22:52,958 Speaker 1: the fans meant everything to Dick Allen, and he was 474 00:22:53,078 --> 00:22:55,638 Speaker 1: most proud of when he spent one year with the 475 00:22:55,758 --> 00:22:59,878 Speaker 1: LA Dodgers, and as she said, it was deeply personal 476 00:22:59,958 --> 00:23:03,158 Speaker 1: to him because putting on that Dodger uniform was a 477 00:23:03,198 --> 00:23:06,798 Speaker 1: literal connect to Jackie Robinson, who made his path to 478 00:23:06,838 --> 00:23:09,438 Speaker 1: baseball even possible. Great stuff. 479 00:23:09,638 --> 00:23:11,718 Speaker 2: That's almost how it happened with me to meet Dick Youllen. 480 00:23:11,758 --> 00:23:13,958 Speaker 2: I was in Quad Cities, Davenport, Iowa. I was a 481 00:23:14,078 --> 00:23:16,198 Speaker 2: roming hitting instructor, and they's to sit out by the 482 00:23:16,278 --> 00:23:18,798 Speaker 2: dugout early on to write my notes what I was 483 00:23:18,838 --> 00:23:20,958 Speaker 2: going to work with with the guys out there, maybe 484 00:23:20,998 --> 00:23:23,598 Speaker 2: something that had happened the day before. And for whatever reason, 485 00:23:23,638 --> 00:23:25,198 Speaker 2: I walk out there, I sit behind a doug and 486 00:23:25,238 --> 00:23:27,198 Speaker 2: I look up and the Earth take down with the 487 00:23:27,198 --> 00:23:30,398 Speaker 2: Philly uniform on about five or six rows up from me. Seriously, 488 00:23:30,478 --> 00:23:33,718 Speaker 2: I okay. Apparently he was there too. There was something 489 00:23:33,758 --> 00:23:36,038 Speaker 2: going on. I can't remember specifically, but he was there, 490 00:23:36,158 --> 00:23:39,758 Speaker 2: and God, I mean, you know, meeting like your idol 491 00:23:39,838 --> 00:23:42,478 Speaker 2: right there. So I drummed up the courage, walked up 492 00:23:42,518 --> 00:23:44,518 Speaker 2: to him and started talking to him. It was slightly interested, 493 00:23:44,518 --> 00:23:46,598 Speaker 2: but he wasn't really you know, I'm Joe, I'm from him, 494 00:23:46,638 --> 00:23:50,798 Speaker 2: Pennsylvania hitting coach whatever. But then I threw something out there. 495 00:23:50,958 --> 00:23:53,718 Speaker 2: I mentioned, by the way, I'm from Hazelton, PA. And 496 00:23:53,718 --> 00:23:57,038 Speaker 2: that's where Pete Sarah is from, the former clubhouse guy 497 00:23:57,078 --> 00:24:01,718 Speaker 2: for the Phillies. That changed everything. Apparently him and Pete 498 00:24:01,718 --> 00:24:06,038 Speaker 2: were really tight. Pete Sarah lived on fourth or fifteen 499 00:24:06,078 --> 00:24:08,638 Speaker 2: Hay Street, and they knew all of that. And I 500 00:24:08,678 --> 00:24:10,318 Speaker 2: had met Pete a couple times back when I was 501 00:24:10,318 --> 00:24:13,198 Speaker 2: a kid. But from that moment on, we talked hitting 502 00:24:13,198 --> 00:24:15,878 Speaker 2: for about an hour, just he and I, and then 503 00:24:15,958 --> 00:24:18,518 Speaker 2: I persuaded him to take batting practice with us because 504 00:24:18,518 --> 00:24:20,518 Speaker 2: I wanted to see what his routine was. So this 505 00:24:20,678 --> 00:24:23,758 Speaker 2: was like I do on early mid nineteen eighties. So 506 00:24:23,798 --> 00:24:25,598 Speaker 2: I can't remember. I don't know exactly, have to do 507 00:24:25,638 --> 00:24:27,198 Speaker 2: the math how old he was. He wasn't that old. 508 00:24:27,518 --> 00:24:29,958 Speaker 2: But he went out there and he showed first part 509 00:24:29,958 --> 00:24:31,518 Speaker 2: of his VP. I want to go to right field, 510 00:24:31,518 --> 00:24:33,318 Speaker 2: then I want to drive some balls back up the middle, 511 00:24:33,598 --> 00:24:35,278 Speaker 2: and then I'll turn it loose for the last five 512 00:24:35,398 --> 00:24:39,478 Speaker 2: ten swings. It's a beautiful display, something I'll never forget. 513 00:24:40,118 --> 00:24:44,078 Speaker 1: Great story love that. Next up was C. C. Sabbathia, 514 00:24:44,398 --> 00:24:48,438 Speaker 1: and he actually gave a beautiful speech where a lot 515 00:24:48,478 --> 00:24:50,598 Speaker 1: of it was about the women in his life, such 516 00:24:50,678 --> 00:24:53,598 Speaker 1: strong women who were there all the time for him. 517 00:24:53,638 --> 00:24:55,798 Speaker 1: The time is he spent at his grandmother's house, how 518 00:24:55,838 --> 00:25:00,038 Speaker 1: influential his mother was, his aunt's, they were all there. 519 00:25:00,478 --> 00:25:02,718 Speaker 1: It seemed like half of the town of Alejo, California, 520 00:25:02,798 --> 00:25:05,158 Speaker 1: came out there to towards CC going into the Hall 521 00:25:05,198 --> 00:25:07,998 Speaker 1: of Fame. I just thought that was beautiful. It's a 522 00:25:08,038 --> 00:25:10,758 Speaker 1: speech you don't hear a lot about when it came 523 00:25:10,798 --> 00:25:13,398 Speaker 1: to the women of the family, but just the backbone 524 00:25:13,438 --> 00:25:15,918 Speaker 1: of how CC was raised. And of course he goes 525 00:25:15,958 --> 00:25:18,118 Speaker 1: into the Hall of Fame as I don't want to 526 00:25:18,158 --> 00:25:20,558 Speaker 1: say the last of the kind Joe, but certainly one 527 00:25:20,598 --> 00:25:22,958 Speaker 1: of them in terms of a true workhorse. Of course, 528 00:25:22,958 --> 00:25:25,078 Speaker 1: you can't forget the job he did with Milwaukee down 529 00:25:25,118 --> 00:25:28,558 Speaker 1: the stretch where he's he's heading towards free agency, and 530 00:25:29,118 --> 00:25:31,078 Speaker 1: he makes three starts in a row at the end 531 00:25:31,118 --> 00:25:34,038 Speaker 1: of the season on short rest and throws well over 532 00:25:34,078 --> 00:25:36,438 Speaker 1: one hundred pitches in all of them, including the clincher 533 00:25:36,758 --> 00:25:40,198 Speaker 1: where he closed his own game, and he lasted a 534 00:25:40,238 --> 00:25:42,558 Speaker 1: long time. I thought he had beautiful mechanics, Joe, with 535 00:25:42,678 --> 00:25:45,158 Speaker 1: that little pause in the back and his arm swing 536 00:25:45,998 --> 00:25:47,998 Speaker 1: stayed over his front side. Really well, just a really 537 00:25:48,038 --> 00:25:51,278 Speaker 1: good athlete. So one of only three left headed pitchers 538 00:25:51,278 --> 00:25:53,958 Speaker 1: with two hundred and fifty wins and three thousand strikeouts 539 00:25:53,998 --> 00:25:57,118 Speaker 1: Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson the others. The other thing 540 00:25:57,078 --> 00:25:59,118 Speaker 1: that he made sure that he talked about was, you know, 541 00:25:59,278 --> 00:26:02,118 Speaker 1: now he's working with and for the Commissioner of Baseball, 542 00:26:02,238 --> 00:26:05,798 Speaker 1: Rob Manfred. He's part of program called the Commissioners at 543 00:26:06,038 --> 00:26:10,598 Speaker 1: Ambassadorship program called CAP where he's got former players basically 544 00:26:10,638 --> 00:26:14,758 Speaker 1: being ambassadors for the game, and CC really is spearheading 545 00:26:14,758 --> 00:26:17,758 Speaker 1: that program. And he talked about how he wants to 546 00:26:17,758 --> 00:26:20,878 Speaker 1: bring back, you know more CC sabbathis in the game, 547 00:26:21,038 --> 00:26:23,558 Speaker 1: that African American kids can look at Major League Baseball 548 00:26:23,598 --> 00:26:27,438 Speaker 1: now and see many faces of inspiration out there. As 549 00:26:27,478 --> 00:26:30,478 Speaker 1: he said, I don't want to be the final one 550 00:26:30,598 --> 00:26:33,278 Speaker 1: of the Black Aces. Of course, the Black Aces started 551 00:26:33,278 --> 00:26:36,558 Speaker 1: by Mudcat Grant, African American pitchers who won at least 552 00:26:36,558 --> 00:26:38,198 Speaker 1: twenty games in the big leagues. And he told a 553 00:26:38,198 --> 00:26:41,278 Speaker 1: great story about how CC won a say young one 554 00:26:41,358 --> 00:26:44,478 Speaker 1: year and Mudcat said, you're not in the club yet. 555 00:26:44,478 --> 00:26:45,758 Speaker 1: He said, what are you talking about? He said, you 556 00:26:45,758 --> 00:26:48,838 Speaker 1: gotta win twenty And of course CEC did win twenty. 557 00:26:49,598 --> 00:26:53,078 Speaker 1: Only CC and Bob Gibson among the Black Aces who 558 00:26:53,118 --> 00:26:55,718 Speaker 1: are now Hall of Famers. So I thought that was 559 00:26:55,758 --> 00:26:58,558 Speaker 1: a touching speech In many ways. CC did not disappoint 560 00:26:58,918 --> 00:27:03,238 Speaker 1: well spoken, It was delivered just with incredible poise and 561 00:27:03,398 --> 00:27:05,518 Speaker 1: hit all around notes. I was impressed by that one. 562 00:27:05,758 --> 00:27:08,718 Speaker 2: Yeah, first of all, the Milwaukee gig when he went 563 00:27:08,758 --> 00:27:10,918 Speaker 2: out at the end of that season being a free agent. 564 00:27:11,598 --> 00:27:13,518 Speaker 2: You know, I've always liked him. I saw him with Cleveland. 565 00:27:13,598 --> 00:27:15,918 Speaker 2: I watched him as a first base coach. I watched 566 00:27:15,958 --> 00:27:18,398 Speaker 2: him from this side all the time. He was a 567 00:27:18,398 --> 00:27:19,998 Speaker 2: big guy at that time. You know, he's lost some 568 00:27:20,038 --> 00:27:21,878 Speaker 2: weight since, but he was a big dude. But he 569 00:27:21,958 --> 00:27:23,878 Speaker 2: was a good athlete and he did move really well. 570 00:27:24,518 --> 00:27:27,398 Speaker 2: But what he did in Milwaukee, that could be talking 571 00:27:27,398 --> 00:27:32,038 Speaker 2: about Dick Allen, Dave Parker teammates, great teammate, My god. 572 00:27:32,238 --> 00:27:35,678 Speaker 2: I mean, what he did right there exceeded any It's 573 00:27:35,838 --> 00:27:37,878 Speaker 2: again again, I could we could argue this, and this 574 00:27:37,918 --> 00:27:40,118 Speaker 2: is off the beaten path, but like it comes to 575 00:27:40,358 --> 00:27:43,238 Speaker 2: ball season now and players are skipping bowl games, they're 576 00:27:43,238 --> 00:27:45,558 Speaker 2: worried about getting hurt because they're worried about the draft, 577 00:27:45,558 --> 00:27:48,798 Speaker 2: et cetera. And that gets defended. But here's the guy 578 00:27:48,838 --> 00:27:51,878 Speaker 2: that was going into it a very lucrative potentially free 579 00:27:51,918 --> 00:27:54,278 Speaker 2: agency and he said, no, I came here to do 580 00:27:54,318 --> 00:27:56,318 Speaker 2: a job. I'm here to help Milwaukee win. And that's 581 00:27:56,358 --> 00:28:00,158 Speaker 2: what he did. So at that moment, I was always 582 00:28:00,238 --> 00:28:02,878 Speaker 2: liked him. I don't know him, but as a as 583 00:28:02,918 --> 00:28:05,798 Speaker 2: an observer, I thought, wow, that is some kind of 584 00:28:05,838 --> 00:28:08,238 Speaker 2: impressive feat what he did, so that stands out. I 585 00:28:08,318 --> 00:28:11,958 Speaker 2: became a lifelong fan at that point. And the second 586 00:28:11,958 --> 00:28:14,798 Speaker 2: part we we're talking about the game plan to potentially 587 00:28:14,838 --> 00:28:17,758 Speaker 2: find some more black aces to pitch in the big leagues, 588 00:28:17,838 --> 00:28:20,318 Speaker 2: or just more black players in general. I'd love to 589 00:28:20,318 --> 00:28:23,558 Speaker 2: know what the overarching game plan is regarding how they're 590 00:28:23,638 --> 00:28:26,078 Speaker 2: going about that. It's one thing to talk about doing 591 00:28:26,118 --> 00:28:28,798 Speaker 2: something like that, but I'd love to know specifically, you know, 592 00:28:28,838 --> 00:28:32,158 Speaker 2: what is the plan, how is that being arrived at? What? 593 00:28:32,518 --> 00:28:34,478 Speaker 2: What's the vehicle they've gotten in place? What is the 594 00:28:34,518 --> 00:28:37,038 Speaker 2: mechanics in order to get that? And I think it's great, 595 00:28:37,238 --> 00:28:39,358 Speaker 2: that's I guess that's what I'm driving at. Even as 596 00:28:39,358 --> 00:28:41,758 Speaker 2: a young scout, I recognize the fact that these black 597 00:28:41,758 --> 00:28:44,998 Speaker 2: players were going to basketball or football and we're missing 598 00:28:45,078 --> 00:28:47,558 Speaker 2: them out in baseball. And you turn back the clock 599 00:28:47,598 --> 00:28:49,318 Speaker 2: and you go back to the maze and the errands 600 00:28:49,358 --> 00:28:52,238 Speaker 2: and you know everything posts Jackie Robinson with so many 601 00:28:52,318 --> 00:28:55,958 Speaker 2: dynamic Cardinals, I mean, Lou Brock, Kurt Flood, my guys, Gibson, 602 00:28:56,078 --> 00:28:59,038 Speaker 2: all those guys dynamic. So I'd love to know what 603 00:28:59,038 --> 00:29:00,438 Speaker 2: the game plan is because I think it's I think 604 00:29:00,438 --> 00:29:03,718 Speaker 2: it's definitely worthwhile, and you have to somehow allure them 605 00:29:03,998 --> 00:29:06,518 Speaker 2: from the basketball court, where there's no minor leagues. I 606 00:29:06,598 --> 00:29:09,158 Speaker 2: just jump right into it. Football, there's no minor leagues. 607 00:29:09,158 --> 00:29:11,198 Speaker 2: I just jump right into it. I read a great 608 00:29:11,238 --> 00:29:13,558 Speaker 2: book by James Mitcher in the late seventies. I think 609 00:29:13,558 --> 00:29:16,358 Speaker 2: it was might have been early eighties Sports in America 610 00:29:16,398 --> 00:29:19,278 Speaker 2: by James Mitchener. It's great Pressian Reid, well ahead of 611 00:29:19,278 --> 00:29:21,918 Speaker 2: its time, but a lot of it kind of addressed 612 00:29:21,918 --> 00:29:25,078 Speaker 2: this situation in advance of it actually being an issue. 613 00:29:25,318 --> 00:29:27,478 Speaker 2: Game plan. Please, do we need to get more of 614 00:29:27,518 --> 00:29:30,558 Speaker 2: those kids out there? Man? I love the kid Simpson 615 00:29:30,598 --> 00:29:33,878 Speaker 2: with the rays right now. Yeah, yeah, I love watching 616 00:29:33,958 --> 00:29:38,838 Speaker 2: him play, man. I love the pure, unaltered dynamics, almost 617 00:29:38,838 --> 00:29:41,278 Speaker 2: like watching Carl Crawford. Maybe not as strong as CC, 618 00:29:41,838 --> 00:29:46,478 Speaker 2: but this really short, athletic, non robotic attempt to play 619 00:29:46,518 --> 00:29:46,798 Speaker 2: the game. 620 00:29:46,838 --> 00:29:49,958 Speaker 1: And I love it absolutely. And then last up was 621 00:29:50,318 --> 00:29:52,838 Speaker 1: Eachi Rosazuki. Now each year in the course of his 622 00:29:52,918 --> 00:29:55,798 Speaker 1: career really didn't do a lot of interviews in English. 623 00:29:56,118 --> 00:29:59,798 Speaker 1: He understands, you know what we call the baseball English, right, 624 00:29:59,958 --> 00:30:02,638 Speaker 1: the key words and such, but he went out of 625 00:30:02,638 --> 00:30:06,438 Speaker 1: his way to deliver his speech in English, and it 626 00:30:06,558 --> 00:30:08,798 Speaker 1: was just it was great Joe, because a lot of 627 00:30:08,838 --> 00:30:12,478 Speaker 1: people obviously you know each euro famous player, one of 628 00:30:12,558 --> 00:30:15,918 Speaker 1: the great contact hitters ever that we've ever seen in 629 00:30:15,918 --> 00:30:18,518 Speaker 1: the game, more than four thousand hits when you include 630 00:30:18,518 --> 00:30:22,558 Speaker 1: his time in Japan. He played twenty eight seasons. When 631 00:30:22,598 --> 00:30:25,238 Speaker 1: he was first drafted by the ORX Blue Wave, he 632 00:30:25,398 --> 00:30:28,718 Speaker 1: was five foot nine and one hundred and twenty pounds. 633 00:30:28,998 --> 00:30:32,798 Speaker 1: Just amazing. He played more seasons than anybody professionally when 634 00:30:32,798 --> 00:30:36,798 Speaker 1: you talk about Japanese baseball and MLB, and he really 635 00:30:36,798 --> 00:30:38,998 Speaker 1: didn't change. His style of play did not change, and 636 00:30:39,038 --> 00:30:41,478 Speaker 1: he played during the period where everybody was in love 637 00:30:41,838 --> 00:30:45,478 Speaker 1: with peds and home runs, right, but his game played. 638 00:30:45,758 --> 00:30:49,358 Speaker 1: But listening to each hero, just the humor, Joe really 639 00:30:49,558 --> 00:30:52,478 Speaker 1: came across and serious when he needed to be. He 640 00:30:52,598 --> 00:30:55,118 Speaker 1: talked about, of course there was only one baseball writer 641 00:30:55,198 --> 00:30:57,438 Speaker 1: who did not vote for each hero, and at the 642 00:30:57,478 --> 00:31:00,278 Speaker 1: time he said, well, I have a standing offer for 643 00:31:00,638 --> 00:31:03,078 Speaker 1: that one writer who did not vote for me. I 644 00:31:03,118 --> 00:31:05,238 Speaker 1: will take you out to dinner and we can talk. 645 00:31:05,318 --> 00:31:05,518 Speaker 2: Well. 646 00:31:05,518 --> 00:31:08,238 Speaker 1: In his speech he mentioned, by the way, as far 647 00:31:08,278 --> 00:31:10,758 Speaker 1: as that one writer didn't vote for me. The offer 648 00:31:10,998 --> 00:31:14,198 Speaker 1: has expired. It just kind of let you know in 649 00:31:14,238 --> 00:31:17,278 Speaker 1: the uberus way that he's not completely over it. He's 650 00:31:17,278 --> 00:31:21,558 Speaker 1: a very proud guy. He did an incredible personation of 651 00:31:21,718 --> 00:31:27,758 Speaker 1: Mariners broadcaster Rick Riz imperfect English. That was impressive. He 652 00:31:27,838 --> 00:31:30,598 Speaker 1: talked about getting his hit number three thousand with the Marlins, 653 00:31:30,958 --> 00:31:34,398 Speaker 1: where he said, at the time, I had never heard 654 00:31:34,398 --> 00:31:36,998 Speaker 1: of your team talking to David Samson to the Marlins. 655 00:31:37,478 --> 00:31:40,998 Speaker 1: That was pretty funny. But more seriously, he talked about 656 00:31:41,038 --> 00:31:46,518 Speaker 1: the greatest responsibility for a player is taking responsibility for yourself. 657 00:31:46,918 --> 00:31:48,958 Speaker 1: He said, you owe it to the fans from day 658 00:31:48,998 --> 00:31:52,038 Speaker 1: one to day one sixty two two, as he put it, 659 00:31:52,398 --> 00:31:56,398 Speaker 1: never put the bats away early. Make sure your equipment 660 00:31:56,798 --> 00:31:59,998 Speaker 1: was meticulously cleaned and ready, because you never wanted to 661 00:32:00,038 --> 00:32:02,118 Speaker 1: drop a ball because a lace was out of place, 662 00:32:02,158 --> 00:32:05,838 Speaker 1: or where your shoe wasn't clean enough. Just the meticulousness, 663 00:32:06,158 --> 00:32:11,398 Speaker 1: the attention to detail, and the craftsmanship of eachiro Suzuki 664 00:32:11,598 --> 00:32:12,278 Speaker 1: just blew me away. 665 00:32:12,358 --> 00:32:12,558 Speaker 2: Joe. 666 00:32:12,598 --> 00:32:16,318 Speaker 1: It was like listening to, you know, a master woodworker 667 00:32:16,638 --> 00:32:20,878 Speaker 1: or a master jeweler talk about his craft and the 668 00:32:20,878 --> 00:32:25,758 Speaker 1: materials and the dedication, and nothing was ever too small 669 00:32:25,878 --> 00:32:27,638 Speaker 1: to me. That was each ye row and I think 670 00:32:27,638 --> 00:32:30,758 Speaker 1: people really got a window into a player who's just 671 00:32:30,838 --> 00:32:32,558 Speaker 1: fascinating like we never did before. 672 00:32:32,958 --> 00:32:35,838 Speaker 2: Yeah, And with all of that said, and you're right 673 00:32:35,878 --> 00:32:37,878 Speaker 2: on the money. He got all those hits because he 674 00:32:37,958 --> 00:32:40,918 Speaker 2: was impossible to defend. I was in charge of defense 675 00:32:41,598 --> 00:32:43,758 Speaker 2: with the Angels at that time when he was very prominent, 676 00:32:43,838 --> 00:32:47,438 Speaker 2: and look at the spray charts, it was incredible. He 677 00:32:47,678 --> 00:32:51,438 Speaker 2: was the He was the epitome of the line of 678 00:32:51,478 --> 00:32:54,798 Speaker 2: the phrase that was that wee Willie Keeler pronounced I 679 00:32:54,798 --> 00:32:57,358 Speaker 2: don't know what year it was, but hit him where 680 00:32:57,358 --> 00:32:59,998 Speaker 2: they ain't. You could not defend him. I really believe 681 00:32:59,998 --> 00:33:02,198 Speaker 2: he came up to home play check things out and 682 00:33:02,278 --> 00:33:03,998 Speaker 2: decided what kind of pitch I'm gonna look for or 683 00:33:03,998 --> 00:33:06,198 Speaker 2: where I'm going to hit it. You know, almost like 684 00:33:06,478 --> 00:33:08,518 Speaker 2: Tony Gwynn almost had that ability to or did have 685 00:33:08,558 --> 00:33:11,158 Speaker 2: that ability. So you would go up to the plate 686 00:33:11,278 --> 00:33:13,478 Speaker 2: and his feet would be moving, he'd spin out of 687 00:33:13,478 --> 00:33:18,078 Speaker 2: control sometimes, but he would always Wow. It was so 688 00:33:19,158 --> 00:33:22,678 Speaker 2: maddingly done. I mean, okay, you play the short the 689 00:33:22,678 --> 00:33:25,758 Speaker 2: shortstops therea player infield, maybe in bunch him, bunch him 690 00:33:25,758 --> 00:33:27,478 Speaker 2: a little bit towards the gap and left center, and 691 00:33:27,478 --> 00:33:28,678 Speaker 2: all of a sudden the ball good down the left 692 00:33:28,678 --> 00:33:30,758 Speaker 2: field line. Then you play your left fielder more in 693 00:33:30,838 --> 00:33:32,278 Speaker 2: and over towards line. Then all of a sudden he 694 00:33:32,318 --> 00:33:35,518 Speaker 2: go right over the shortstop's head on the infield. One 695 00:33:35,558 --> 00:33:37,238 Speaker 2: thing I thought I noticed was he rarely ever hit 696 00:33:37,278 --> 00:33:39,158 Speaker 2: a ball down the line on the ground, So I 697 00:33:39,198 --> 00:33:41,638 Speaker 2: always try to get my first and third basement off 698 00:33:41,918 --> 00:33:44,358 Speaker 2: and into the hole on both sides, because if he 699 00:33:44,398 --> 00:33:46,238 Speaker 2: hit the ball on the left side and the shortstop 700 00:33:46,238 --> 00:33:48,478 Speaker 2: pad to pick it up going to his right, he's safe. 701 00:33:48,518 --> 00:33:50,078 Speaker 2: He's safe. So you have to have the third basement 702 00:33:50,158 --> 00:33:52,478 Speaker 2: cut it off in order to hopefully, you know, get 703 00:33:52,518 --> 00:33:54,238 Speaker 2: him out and have him throw him out of first base. 704 00:33:54,398 --> 00:33:57,198 Speaker 2: And then if the guy wanted to hit for power, 705 00:33:57,278 --> 00:33:59,558 Speaker 2: trust me, he could have. That was not part of 706 00:33:59,598 --> 00:34:01,518 Speaker 2: his gig. But once in a while when he wanted 707 00:34:01,518 --> 00:34:03,918 Speaker 2: to really catch one. You watch him vp he hit home. 708 00:34:03,998 --> 00:34:05,518 Speaker 2: I was like it was nothing. Bogs. He was the 709 00:34:05,518 --> 00:34:08,278 Speaker 2: same way Wade Bogs, another guy, great line drive hitter 710 00:34:08,318 --> 00:34:09,878 Speaker 2: that knew how to hit the ball the whole field, 711 00:34:10,158 --> 00:34:14,358 Speaker 2: so he was impossible to defend. Part of his meticulous preparation, 712 00:34:14,518 --> 00:34:16,278 Speaker 2: he'd go up there do that thing with his arm 713 00:34:16,278 --> 00:34:18,438 Speaker 2: and stick his arm out and kind of swipe the 714 00:34:18,958 --> 00:34:20,398 Speaker 2: with the bat and the other arm would go up 715 00:34:20,438 --> 00:34:22,758 Speaker 2: and down his that arm with the bat in his hand, 716 00:34:22,758 --> 00:34:25,398 Speaker 2: and he'd look where might hit this ball, and it 717 00:34:25,478 --> 00:34:27,398 Speaker 2: was very And then on top of the speed, the 718 00:34:27,478 --> 00:34:30,278 Speaker 2: speed was oh my god. And then okay, defense, was 719 00:34:30,278 --> 00:34:31,998 Speaker 2: there a better arm at that time in the game, 720 00:34:32,078 --> 00:34:33,918 Speaker 2: I don't know. I don't know that there was a 721 00:34:33,918 --> 00:34:35,838 Speaker 2: better arm. And then if you talk about Dave Parker, 722 00:34:35,838 --> 00:34:37,878 Speaker 2: I'd love to see those two guys throw from right 723 00:34:37,918 --> 00:34:42,878 Speaker 2: field in a contest with like maybe Ellis Valentine, Jesse Barfield, 724 00:34:42,918 --> 00:34:45,198 Speaker 2: those kind of guys, because that's when arms really were 725 00:34:45,278 --> 00:34:46,958 Speaker 2: prolific in the big leagues. That was part of the 726 00:34:46,958 --> 00:34:48,998 Speaker 2: scouting culture at that time. You had to have right 727 00:34:49,038 --> 00:34:52,238 Speaker 2: fielders with great arms. So all of this stuff fascinating. 728 00:34:52,238 --> 00:34:55,158 Speaker 2: He could steal the base. Not a big guy, but god, 729 00:34:55,198 --> 00:34:58,878 Speaker 2: he was so difficult to defend. And on defense, nobody better. 730 00:34:59,038 --> 00:35:02,038 Speaker 1: Yeah, he's he knows the history of the game too. 731 00:35:02,118 --> 00:35:04,198 Speaker 1: Joe On like a lot of players, I mean, maybe 732 00:35:04,238 --> 00:35:06,878 Speaker 1: as much as anybody. He said he was thrilled when 733 00:35:06,918 --> 00:35:10,878 Speaker 1: he first checked into the Otasaga hotel, he met Wade Boggs. 734 00:35:10,918 --> 00:35:12,838 Speaker 1: He sounded like a little kid. And you can imagine 735 00:35:12,838 --> 00:35:15,318 Speaker 1: how much each year. Probably admired Boggs from Afar with 736 00:35:15,358 --> 00:35:18,238 Speaker 1: his ability to put the ball in play. And he 737 00:35:18,278 --> 00:35:20,598 Speaker 1: said one of the guys he really looked forward to meeting. 738 00:35:20,918 --> 00:35:23,958 Speaker 1: Because now you're remember this fraternity the most exclusive in 739 00:35:23,998 --> 00:35:27,878 Speaker 1: baseball was Rod Carw and you can see some similarities 740 00:35:27,918 --> 00:35:28,478 Speaker 1: there as well. 741 00:35:28,838 --> 00:35:33,598 Speaker 2: Yeah, Rodney, Rodney has had that ability to I got 742 00:35:33,638 --> 00:35:35,638 Speaker 2: to know Boggs. He really well done in Tampa. I mean, 743 00:35:35,638 --> 00:35:38,078 Speaker 2: I just love the guy. He says a He's a 744 00:35:38,118 --> 00:35:40,438 Speaker 2: man's man for sure, and he and he and he 745 00:35:40,518 --> 00:35:42,478 Speaker 2: used to come in and see me after games in Tampa. 746 00:35:42,518 --> 00:35:44,718 Speaker 2: Bay was all jacked up, all happy when we won. 747 00:35:45,158 --> 00:35:47,758 Speaker 2: And Rodney and I worked together for several years with 748 00:35:47,838 --> 00:35:51,118 Speaker 2: the Angels and I was actually used to throw a 749 00:35:51,118 --> 00:35:53,438 Speaker 2: batting practice to him when I was a young coach 750 00:35:53,478 --> 00:35:55,958 Speaker 2: with the Inch organization in the eighties. And one thing 751 00:35:55,998 --> 00:35:59,958 Speaker 2: about Rod Carw was so difficult as a BP pitcher. 752 00:36:00,318 --> 00:36:02,398 Speaker 2: There was certain pitches he would not swing at, and 753 00:36:02,438 --> 00:36:04,478 Speaker 2: I mean like I thought they were strike and it 754 00:36:04,518 --> 00:36:07,518 Speaker 2: would be like maybe belltie away on the outside edge. 755 00:36:07,718 --> 00:36:09,758 Speaker 2: And as when you're throwing batting practice, you want guys 756 00:36:09,758 --> 00:36:11,318 Speaker 2: to swing at that stuff. Let's move this thing along, 757 00:36:11,318 --> 00:36:13,798 Speaker 2: because it makes you look bad if you're not throwing strikes. 758 00:36:13,838 --> 00:36:16,278 Speaker 2: But I swear to you he would never swing at 759 00:36:16,278 --> 00:36:18,318 Speaker 2: that one, one particular pitch. And I brought it to 760 00:36:18,358 --> 00:36:21,518 Speaker 2: his attention because I threw to him often, just in 761 00:36:21,758 --> 00:36:23,798 Speaker 2: a craftsman and when you had that kind of an 762 00:36:23,838 --> 00:36:26,038 Speaker 2: angle watching this occur, the way he laid the bat 763 00:36:26,078 --> 00:36:27,438 Speaker 2: back and then all of a sudden it pick it 764 00:36:27,518 --> 00:36:29,958 Speaker 2: up and the stroke and I mean the hand, the 765 00:36:30,078 --> 00:36:32,638 Speaker 2: hands and the hand actual were incredible. Yes, there's so 766 00:36:32,718 --> 00:36:35,478 Speaker 2: many similarities. And even I'll throw like I said, Tony 767 00:36:35,478 --> 00:36:38,038 Speaker 2: and there Tony Gwyn who's a teammate of mine in Boulder, 768 00:36:38,078 --> 00:36:42,838 Speaker 2: Colorado in nineteen eighty just amazing command of the head 769 00:36:42,838 --> 00:36:45,398 Speaker 2: of the bat based on they never swung the bat 770 00:36:45,398 --> 00:36:48,598 Speaker 2: with their arms so dynamic from their fingertips to their elbows. 771 00:36:48,638 --> 00:36:51,518 Speaker 2: All these guys that we're talking about, So listen, I'm 772 00:36:51,518 --> 00:36:53,198 Speaker 2: pleased for him. I got to know eachro a little 773 00:36:53,198 --> 00:36:55,958 Speaker 2: bit what he did in the game on parallel between 774 00:36:56,038 --> 00:36:57,358 Speaker 2: Japan and the United States. 775 00:36:57,518 --> 00:36:59,678 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's and I can only imagine what it was like, 776 00:36:59,718 --> 00:37:02,718 Speaker 1: for you putting those early age hitting charts together for 777 00:37:02,798 --> 00:37:05,158 Speaker 1: someone like each hero and to defend him. Good luck 778 00:37:05,198 --> 00:37:06,878 Speaker 1: with that. You're right, it did seem like he could 779 00:37:06,918 --> 00:37:10,438 Speaker 1: almost steer the baseball, something we always say hitters can't do. Well. 780 00:37:10,638 --> 00:37:13,118 Speaker 1: He made it look like he could at least. And 781 00:37:13,158 --> 00:37:17,478 Speaker 1: this was either his eighth or ninth trip back to Cooperstown. 782 00:37:17,598 --> 00:37:19,798 Speaker 1: I mean he'd gone there seven times as a player. 783 00:37:20,078 --> 00:37:23,038 Speaker 1: He would break a record, say George Sissler's hit record, 784 00:37:23,118 --> 00:37:26,078 Speaker 1: and he wanted to go to Cooperstown to learn more 785 00:37:26,278 --> 00:37:29,838 Speaker 1: about those players he was surpassing. And he really has 786 00:37:30,278 --> 00:37:33,758 Speaker 1: a fascination with the artifacts of the game too, almost 787 00:37:34,718 --> 00:37:38,238 Speaker 1: there's almost a sacredness to it to each hero. In fact, 788 00:37:38,358 --> 00:37:42,478 Speaker 1: he called Cooperstown a baseball sacred land. I love that 789 00:37:42,678 --> 00:37:46,398 Speaker 1: line in his speech. He once said, I don't like 790 00:37:46,518 --> 00:37:50,078 Speaker 1: to visit places. Out of anywhere in the world, besides 791 00:37:50,158 --> 00:37:55,158 Speaker 1: the places I've lived, Cooperstown is the place I've visited most. 792 00:37:55,918 --> 00:37:58,718 Speaker 2: How about that, Well, he knew, he knew, I mean, 793 00:37:58,758 --> 00:38:00,878 Speaker 2: that was his goal. Obviously. I don't know if he 794 00:38:00,998 --> 00:38:03,118 Speaker 2: actually said that at any point. Growing up, as hell 795 00:38:03,198 --> 00:38:03,878 Speaker 2: he running Joe. 796 00:38:03,998 --> 00:38:07,638 Speaker 1: Growing up, he didn't even know Cooperstown existed. He didn't 797 00:38:07,718 --> 00:38:12,078 Speaker 1: have any idea about MLB until he Dio Nomo came 798 00:38:12,158 --> 00:38:14,998 Speaker 1: over in nineteen ninety five, and then he started to 799 00:38:15,038 --> 00:38:18,998 Speaker 1: see everybody's carrying Nomo highlights and games, and he was 800 00:38:19,118 --> 00:38:22,358 Speaker 1: introduced visually to the game of Major League Baseball and 801 00:38:22,398 --> 00:38:24,438 Speaker 1: wanted to keep playing at the highest level. That became 802 00:38:24,478 --> 00:38:26,838 Speaker 1: a goal. And it was only once he got here 803 00:38:26,878 --> 00:38:28,798 Speaker 1: to the States in two thousand and one that he 804 00:38:28,798 --> 00:38:31,958 Speaker 1: heard about this place called Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame. 805 00:38:32,238 --> 00:38:34,958 Speaker 2: Well, you know, bully for him for doing all the 806 00:38:35,038 --> 00:38:38,078 Speaker 2: research and then eventually getting because I love the historian 807 00:38:38,118 --> 00:38:39,998 Speaker 2: part of it. I don't know that enough young players 808 00:38:39,998 --> 00:38:44,518 Speaker 2: today are historians of the game. It's more of a job, 809 00:38:44,558 --> 00:38:49,038 Speaker 2: an opportunity, whether it's for riches or accolades, whatever, but 810 00:38:49,198 --> 00:38:51,278 Speaker 2: the true historians of the game. When you run into 811 00:38:51,318 --> 00:38:53,598 Speaker 2: a kid like that, it's really refreshing, you know, because 812 00:38:53,598 --> 00:38:56,038 Speaker 2: we were just our generation and the previous ones grew 813 00:38:56,118 --> 00:38:57,998 Speaker 2: up on baseball cards and looking on the back of 814 00:38:58,038 --> 00:39:03,358 Speaker 2: them and how dramatically and important those numbers were. You know, 815 00:39:03,758 --> 00:39:05,678 Speaker 2: you in my mind's eye right now and you have 816 00:39:05,798 --> 00:39:08,358 Speaker 2: the same vision. Is that you turn the card over 817 00:39:08,438 --> 00:39:11,118 Speaker 2: from the guy's face and you look on the back 818 00:39:11,158 --> 00:39:14,198 Speaker 2: and everything was there. Man, how good he was and 819 00:39:14,478 --> 00:39:18,718 Speaker 2: he had the simple numbers really mattered. Been slugging percentages, 820 00:39:19,198 --> 00:39:22,118 Speaker 2: on base percentages, all that stuff. I want to know 821 00:39:22,118 --> 00:39:24,438 Speaker 2: what his batting average was, how many homers he hit, 822 00:39:25,278 --> 00:39:27,878 Speaker 2: you know, singles, doubles, etc. That was what you looked 823 00:39:27,918 --> 00:39:32,718 Speaker 2: at stolen bases. It's gotten become obviously a lot more sophisticated, 824 00:39:32,718 --> 00:39:35,358 Speaker 2: I guess. But all you needed to do is turn 825 00:39:35,398 --> 00:39:38,998 Speaker 2: that card over. Those beautiful baseball cars that came out 826 00:39:39,038 --> 00:39:41,918 Speaker 2: a package of ten, maybe five, with that really thin 827 00:39:41,958 --> 00:39:45,158 Speaker 2: strip of bubblegum. I could still smell it opening up 828 00:39:45,198 --> 00:39:47,398 Speaker 2: the cars, picking him up a third base lunchinet out 829 00:39:47,438 --> 00:39:51,278 Speaker 2: of the candy counter. God, there was very few things 830 00:39:51,318 --> 00:39:55,118 Speaker 2: that were better in life at that age in the world. 831 00:39:55,118 --> 00:39:58,478 Speaker 2: Because that it would love for kids today to be 832 00:39:58,518 --> 00:40:02,718 Speaker 2: able to elicit that kind of feeling, a visceral feeling 833 00:40:03,038 --> 00:40:08,358 Speaker 2: from just opening this plastic e celophony package of cars 834 00:40:08,358 --> 00:40:10,278 Speaker 2: with a piece of gum, and how exciting that was. 835 00:40:10,718 --> 00:40:13,238 Speaker 1: Well, it was a great afternoon at Cooperstown, New York 836 00:40:13,278 --> 00:40:17,758 Speaker 1: on Sunday, some bittersweetness to it because of Dave Parker 837 00:40:17,878 --> 00:40:20,198 Speaker 1: and Dick Allen passing away before they could make it 838 00:40:20,238 --> 00:40:24,598 Speaker 1: to this inductions ceremony. And also it acquired another layer 839 00:40:24,958 --> 00:40:28,078 Speaker 1: of really sadness when we found out about Ryan Samberg. 840 00:40:28,158 --> 00:40:30,598 Speaker 1: We'll take a quick break and talk about the Hall 841 00:40:30,638 --> 00:40:45,398 Speaker 1: of Famer, the late Hall of Famer, Ryan Samberg. Welcome 842 00:40:45,438 --> 00:40:48,078 Speaker 1: back to the Book of Joe. We received really bad 843 00:40:48,158 --> 00:40:51,038 Speaker 1: news early this week, Joe about Ryan Samberg. He was 844 00:40:51,078 --> 00:40:53,678 Speaker 1: not doing well. I think that sounded obvious at the 845 00:40:53,678 --> 00:40:56,958 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame induction day when there was a moment 846 00:40:57,158 --> 00:41:00,678 Speaker 1: of prayer for Ryan Samberg and his battle with metastatic 847 00:41:00,678 --> 00:41:05,398 Speaker 1: prostate cancer and he lost that battle. And it's interesting, 848 00:41:05,518 --> 00:41:07,198 Speaker 1: Joe that Samberg has thought it was a Hall of 849 00:41:07,238 --> 00:41:10,078 Speaker 1: Famer and as obviously as a Cub, just an incredible career. 850 00:41:10,518 --> 00:41:12,398 Speaker 1: But I look at Samberg, who was like he was 851 00:41:12,438 --> 00:41:16,398 Speaker 1: so instrumental in when the Cubs became like the Cubs 852 00:41:16,758 --> 00:41:19,958 Speaker 1: right those magic years in the mid eighties. There the 853 00:41:20,078 --> 00:41:22,798 Speaker 1: ninety six win team that came within a game of 854 00:41:22,838 --> 00:41:26,958 Speaker 1: going to the World Series. That's when Rigley really started 855 00:41:26,998 --> 00:41:29,598 Speaker 1: to fill And I know there were rounds in sixty eight, 856 00:41:29,678 --> 00:41:33,798 Speaker 1: sixty nine, but when the Cubs really became this national 857 00:41:33,918 --> 00:41:38,238 Speaker 1: brand and selling out games began with those years, and Samberg, 858 00:41:38,638 --> 00:41:41,598 Speaker 1: who just arrived on the scene to trade with Philadelphia, 859 00:41:42,038 --> 00:41:45,518 Speaker 1: just was this beautiful player to watch playing second base 860 00:41:45,598 --> 00:41:50,198 Speaker 1: with fabulous defense, a forty home run season, an MVP season. 861 00:41:50,878 --> 00:41:54,478 Speaker 1: He's such a big part of what the Cubs are today. 862 00:41:55,278 --> 00:41:57,878 Speaker 1: And Joe, in your years managing the Cubs, I'm sure 863 00:41:57,918 --> 00:42:01,278 Speaker 1: you must have come across Ryan Samberg, but you know 864 00:42:01,358 --> 00:42:04,518 Speaker 1: better than most what his impact is on the Cubs 865 00:42:04,558 --> 00:42:08,278 Speaker 1: franchise and all the people who grew up watching Samberg 866 00:42:08,798 --> 00:42:11,438 Speaker 1: who became really deep Cubs fans. 867 00:42:11,558 --> 00:42:13,238 Speaker 2: Get out of my golf course. He came to one 868 00:42:13,238 --> 00:42:15,358 Speaker 2: of my events here. He actually flew into town just 869 00:42:15,398 --> 00:42:17,758 Speaker 2: to play in our golf tournament one time, and it 870 00:42:17,878 --> 00:42:21,198 Speaker 2: was just a very big hit throughout. On top of 871 00:42:21,238 --> 00:42:23,558 Speaker 2: everything you just stated and it's all obviously true, the 872 00:42:23,638 --> 00:42:26,918 Speaker 2: one thing that on my conversation I got to know Rhino, 873 00:42:27,518 --> 00:42:32,158 Speaker 2: Ah sweet guy, just an absolute gentleman, very very supportive, 874 00:42:32,278 --> 00:42:36,118 Speaker 2: very positive, come to spring trainings. Dress Out loved the 875 00:42:36,158 --> 00:42:39,438 Speaker 2: banner between him and Sutcliffe. Sutt would go after him 876 00:42:39,438 --> 00:42:42,718 Speaker 2: and Rhino would just in his own little, mild mannered, 877 00:42:43,278 --> 00:42:47,278 Speaker 2: sarcastic response I loved every second of it. He was 878 00:42:47,318 --> 00:42:49,278 Speaker 2: he turned out to be, you know, developed as a 879 00:42:49,278 --> 00:42:52,238 Speaker 2: pretty good friend. You remember, after he was done playing, 880 00:42:52,278 --> 00:42:53,958 Speaker 2: he wanted to be a manager. Nobody wanted to give 881 00:42:53,998 --> 00:42:56,998 Speaker 2: him an opportunity. They weren't just handing out managerial jobs 882 00:42:57,038 --> 00:42:59,278 Speaker 2: to just because you had a resume at that time. 883 00:42:59,598 --> 00:43:01,838 Speaker 2: But what did Rhino do? He went back and manage 884 00:43:01,878 --> 00:43:04,158 Speaker 2: in the minor leagues? God did that impress. 885 00:43:04,278 --> 00:43:06,438 Speaker 1: I felt the same way you think about a guy 886 00:43:06,478 --> 00:43:10,038 Speaker 1: with a Hall of Fame baseball career going to the 887 00:43:10,198 --> 00:43:13,758 Speaker 1: minor leagues to prove himself. I'm with you on that. 888 00:43:13,798 --> 00:43:16,398 Speaker 1: I'm glad you brought that up. That was such to 889 00:43:16,478 --> 00:43:19,998 Speaker 1: me a defining portion of the personality and perseverance of 890 00:43:20,038 --> 00:43:21,438 Speaker 1: Ryan Zamberg, quite. 891 00:43:21,158 --> 00:43:24,158 Speaker 2: Frankly a major league manager. And I hope people take 892 00:43:24,198 --> 00:43:25,958 Speaker 2: this the right way. It's kind of insulting when they 893 00:43:25,998 --> 00:43:27,718 Speaker 2: just give these jobs to people that have never done 894 00:43:27,758 --> 00:43:29,798 Speaker 2: it before. It is I mean, it's almost like you're 895 00:43:29,798 --> 00:43:32,238 Speaker 2: actually saying almost anybody can do it because it's kind 896 00:43:32,238 --> 00:43:34,678 Speaker 2: of been reduced in a way. It's not so much 897 00:43:34,718 --> 00:43:37,278 Speaker 2: about your skill as understanding the game as much as 898 00:43:37,278 --> 00:43:39,838 Speaker 2: it is about your skill being able to talk to 899 00:43:39,878 --> 00:43:42,198 Speaker 2: the press of being a good face of the organization, 900 00:43:42,238 --> 00:43:44,878 Speaker 2: which is absolutely necessary to be part of the job. 901 00:43:44,998 --> 00:43:46,838 Speaker 2: When he went back, I talked him about it. I 902 00:43:46,918 --> 00:43:48,798 Speaker 2: told him, I said, straight up, I said, Rhino, I 903 00:43:48,838 --> 00:43:51,558 Speaker 2: am so. I can't tell how impressed I am with 904 00:43:51,638 --> 00:43:53,318 Speaker 2: the fact that you went that back to the minor 905 00:43:53,398 --> 00:43:56,198 Speaker 2: leagues to learn your craft some more, because listen, I'm 906 00:43:56,238 --> 00:43:58,238 Speaker 2: a dummy, and I know how long it took me 907 00:43:58,878 --> 00:44:02,358 Speaker 2: to understand what I eventually understood when I got an opportunity. 908 00:44:02,358 --> 00:44:03,878 Speaker 2: I got the opportunity in the night when I was 909 00:44:03,958 --> 00:44:06,478 Speaker 2: fifty fifty to fifty one, I think, and I thought 910 00:44:06,558 --> 00:44:08,718 Speaker 2: that was just about the right amount of time that 911 00:44:08,798 --> 00:44:11,318 Speaker 2: I needed to wait and incubate before I thought I 912 00:44:11,358 --> 00:44:14,278 Speaker 2: was actually ready to be a major league manager. I'd 913 00:44:14,278 --> 00:44:16,478 Speaker 2: been the interim manager several times with the Angels. I 914 00:44:16,478 --> 00:44:18,958 Speaker 2: think I managed I don't know, sixty some games or 915 00:44:19,038 --> 00:44:21,798 Speaker 2: seventy games, something like that is interim. During my time 916 00:44:21,838 --> 00:44:25,598 Speaker 2: with the Angels, I interviewed several times and was declined 917 00:44:25,598 --> 00:44:28,118 Speaker 2: whether it was the Red Sox, the Diamondbacks, and of 918 00:44:28,158 --> 00:44:30,678 Speaker 2: course the Angels too in Seattle Mariners. But when I 919 00:44:30,678 --> 00:44:33,038 Speaker 2: finally got the job with the Rays, I thought I 920 00:44:33,118 --> 00:44:36,478 Speaker 2: was ready to do so based on my years, you know, 921 00:44:36,678 --> 00:44:39,558 Speaker 2: riding the bus, beating the bushes just like a short 922 00:44:39,558 --> 00:44:42,278 Speaker 2: stop pass to do so. When he went back there, man, 923 00:44:42,318 --> 00:44:46,398 Speaker 2: I was so I was so enamored with it and 924 00:44:46,798 --> 00:44:48,958 Speaker 2: so respectful of it. And I had to tell him, 925 00:44:49,038 --> 00:44:50,878 Speaker 2: and I told him that, I told him exactly all this, 926 00:44:51,678 --> 00:44:54,558 Speaker 2: and so bully for him. I'm glad he got that opportunity. 927 00:44:55,398 --> 00:44:59,638 Speaker 2: Beyond his wonderful Major League career and the impact he 928 00:44:59,678 --> 00:45:02,638 Speaker 2: had on the Cup organization, You're absolutely correct, But beyond that, 929 00:45:03,078 --> 00:45:05,678 Speaker 2: the fact that this Hahull of Fame players, the sweet 930 00:45:05,758 --> 00:45:08,318 Speaker 2: guy would go back and do what he did in 931 00:45:08,358 --> 00:45:10,438 Speaker 2: an effort to become kind of a Hall of Fame 932 00:45:10,478 --> 00:45:13,478 Speaker 2: manager too. That to me speaks volumes about him, and 933 00:45:13,518 --> 00:45:15,398 Speaker 2: I respect him most of all for that. 934 00:45:15,598 --> 00:45:18,118 Speaker 1: I always love hearing the Hall of Fame's beaches, Joe, 935 00:45:18,158 --> 00:45:22,078 Speaker 1: because you really find out the essence of greatness. And 936 00:45:22,118 --> 00:45:26,318 Speaker 1: we usually define that as skill or statistics, but you 937 00:45:26,478 --> 00:45:30,358 Speaker 1: really do find out what's behind the stories of these guys. 938 00:45:30,558 --> 00:45:34,998 Speaker 1: And for instance, listening everybody's got coaches, the high school coaches, 939 00:45:35,118 --> 00:45:38,878 Speaker 1: minor league coaches, teachers at school, those are the ones 940 00:45:38,918 --> 00:45:40,998 Speaker 1: who paved the way, and it was just as an 941 00:45:40,998 --> 00:45:44,358 Speaker 1: example with CC Sabbathia, he had Carl Willis there. Carl 942 00:45:44,398 --> 00:45:47,278 Speaker 1: Willis was his first pitching coach, way back when when 943 00:45:47,318 --> 00:45:49,518 Speaker 1: he signed as a nineteen twenty year old kid in 944 00:45:49,518 --> 00:45:52,758 Speaker 1: the Cleveland system, and as Ceci himself said, I didn't 945 00:45:52,758 --> 00:45:55,038 Speaker 1: even know how to grip a four seam fastball. That's 946 00:45:55,038 --> 00:45:59,158 Speaker 1: where he was starting from. So everybody had not just 947 00:45:59,358 --> 00:46:02,478 Speaker 1: thanking people, but they had reasons why they had Hall 948 00:46:02,518 --> 00:46:06,678 Speaker 1: of Fame careers started well before the TV cameras were 949 00:46:06,678 --> 00:46:09,278 Speaker 1: on and the stadiums were full, and I always love 950 00:46:09,358 --> 00:46:13,158 Speaker 1: hearing that. So it was lessons that to me, Joe, 951 00:46:13,198 --> 00:46:16,118 Speaker 1: you can't hear enough about to hear the stories behind 952 00:46:16,158 --> 00:46:19,118 Speaker 1: the greatness. We talk a lot on this podcast, you 953 00:46:19,158 --> 00:46:23,518 Speaker 1: know about philosophy and what makes a person, you know, 954 00:46:23,598 --> 00:46:27,518 Speaker 1: truly respectful, reliable. So it's always been a favorite day 955 00:46:27,518 --> 00:46:29,478 Speaker 1: for me on the calendar just to listen to where 956 00:46:29,598 --> 00:46:32,318 Speaker 1: these players go. We think that we know them, but 957 00:46:32,438 --> 00:46:35,518 Speaker 1: what's in their heart, what truly made them great? They're 958 00:46:35,518 --> 00:46:38,238 Speaker 1: always unique stories and I always love hearing them. 959 00:46:38,638 --> 00:46:41,798 Speaker 2: Absolutely. Carl the truth Willis. Carl used to put my 960 00:46:41,998 --> 00:46:44,758 Speaker 2: picture on the underneath the bill of his hat, because 961 00:46:44,798 --> 00:46:46,798 Speaker 2: every time I came in Edmonton, he would pitch, well, 962 00:46:46,918 --> 00:46:49,398 Speaker 2: he's such a great guy. Yeah. We talked about in 963 00:46:49,398 --> 00:46:51,518 Speaker 2: the Book of Joe often, don't we about the mentors 964 00:46:51,518 --> 00:46:54,758 Speaker 2: the mentorships that we had, those that group of men 965 00:46:54,798 --> 00:46:57,118 Speaker 2: and women that when we when we look back upon 966 00:46:57,238 --> 00:47:01,158 Speaker 2: however we got wherever we're at, we're so influential on 967 00:47:01,198 --> 00:47:03,398 Speaker 2: our success. And for me it started with my pop 968 00:47:03,518 --> 00:47:05,598 Speaker 2: and my and then eventually, you know, in our book 969 00:47:05,598 --> 00:47:07,998 Speaker 2: we talk about coach Bob Root from Lafayette College, you 970 00:47:07,998 --> 00:47:12,038 Speaker 2: talk about Bob Clear from the California Angels and others. 971 00:47:12,078 --> 00:47:13,758 Speaker 2: So at the end of the day, when you have 972 00:47:13,798 --> 00:47:15,998 Speaker 2: those real quiet moments and if you really want to 973 00:47:15,998 --> 00:47:18,478 Speaker 2: be introspective and think about, you know, how did I 974 00:47:18,518 --> 00:47:20,998 Speaker 2: get here, the same names keep popping up and the 975 00:47:20,998 --> 00:47:24,478 Speaker 2: influence that they've had on you is indelible, and you 976 00:47:24,918 --> 00:47:28,718 Speaker 2: feel like really fortunate that those people did cross your 977 00:47:28,758 --> 00:47:31,158 Speaker 2: paths and were willing to share what they did share 978 00:47:31,318 --> 00:47:33,358 Speaker 2: and in the way they did it. Bob Coach Bob 979 00:47:33,438 --> 00:47:37,718 Speaker 2: Route was a handholder, very positive guy. I always wanted 980 00:47:37,718 --> 00:47:40,318 Speaker 2: to gain his favorite I wanted to hear him say 981 00:47:40,558 --> 00:47:43,638 Speaker 2: good job because I knew if I did, if I 982 00:47:43,678 --> 00:47:46,398 Speaker 2: met with the acceptance of Coach Bob rut gosh, I 983 00:47:46,478 --> 00:47:48,758 Speaker 2: must have done something right. On the other side of us, 984 00:47:48,798 --> 00:47:51,358 Speaker 2: bob Aloo, same thing, but Bob Blu's approach you different. 985 00:47:51,358 --> 00:47:53,078 Speaker 2: Boblo would come out you a little bit harder man. 986 00:47:53,318 --> 00:47:55,238 Speaker 2: And if you didn't, if you did not want to 987 00:47:55,278 --> 00:47:58,078 Speaker 2: hear the answer, don't ask the question because you're you're 988 00:47:58,118 --> 00:48:01,638 Speaker 2: agatting it straight up, brother, And I want to believe 989 00:48:01,758 --> 00:48:03,718 Speaker 2: you know, there's a little bit I got a little 990 00:48:03,718 --> 00:48:07,038 Speaker 2: bit of both of those guys in me. Where bab 991 00:48:07,078 --> 00:48:09,558 Speaker 2: Aloo it was just so straightforward, He's gonna tell you 992 00:48:09,558 --> 00:48:11,918 Speaker 2: the truth. If I tell you the truth, you might 993 00:48:11,958 --> 00:48:13,438 Speaker 2: not like me for a week or ten days, but 994 00:48:13,438 --> 00:48:15,718 Speaker 2: at least you're not gonna hate me forever. And then 995 00:48:15,878 --> 00:48:18,278 Speaker 2: Coach Route was that guy that would tell you the 996 00:48:18,278 --> 00:48:21,158 Speaker 2: truth in a way that he didn't want to like, 997 00:48:21,278 --> 00:48:23,718 Speaker 2: pin you down or injure your confidence. He would say 998 00:48:23,718 --> 00:48:25,758 Speaker 2: it in a way that was he knew what you 999 00:48:25,798 --> 00:48:28,638 Speaker 2: could handle and which you couldn't handle. So all these guys, 1000 00:48:28,918 --> 00:48:31,958 Speaker 2: you know, school teachers, mister fran Libinatti from Hazelton, PA, 1001 00:48:32,358 --> 00:48:34,758 Speaker 2: who passed away a couple of years ago, the finest 1002 00:48:34,958 --> 00:48:37,998 Speaker 2: school teacher I've ever been associated with, and I would 1003 00:48:38,078 --> 00:48:40,038 Speaker 2: actually go visit him at home when I came home 1004 00:48:40,078 --> 00:48:42,198 Speaker 2: from wherever, I go down his house and his wife 1005 00:48:42,278 --> 00:48:44,278 Speaker 2: Jackie sit in the living room and we just discussed 1006 00:48:44,278 --> 00:48:48,078 Speaker 2: things because that's how that's how strongly he influenced my life. 1007 00:48:48,118 --> 00:48:51,118 Speaker 2: So we all have these mentors in our life, and 1008 00:48:51,118 --> 00:48:53,518 Speaker 2: they all come at us from different directions. We pull 1009 00:48:53,998 --> 00:48:57,878 Speaker 2: and peel away from them certain qualities or thoughts or methods, 1010 00:48:57,878 --> 00:49:00,078 Speaker 2: and so yeah, that would be kind of cool to 1011 00:49:00,078 --> 00:49:02,998 Speaker 2: hear that from these guys because we could all identify 1012 00:49:03,158 --> 00:49:04,678 Speaker 2: with those people that influenced our. 1013 00:49:04,518 --> 00:49:08,198 Speaker 1: Lives life lessons and words of wisdom. I lean on 1014 00:49:08,238 --> 00:49:11,798 Speaker 1: you every time to end our episodes, Joe with something 1015 00:49:11,798 --> 00:49:14,878 Speaker 1: along those lines. So this last bit of philosophy, I 1016 00:49:14,918 --> 00:49:16,638 Speaker 1: turned to you, What do you got to close out 1017 00:49:16,638 --> 00:49:18,038 Speaker 1: this episode of the Book of Joe. 1018 00:49:18,198 --> 00:49:20,118 Speaker 2: I have the word truth. The word truth is in 1019 00:49:20,158 --> 00:49:24,158 Speaker 2: this in this quote of the day, and my motivation 1020 00:49:24,238 --> 00:49:26,158 Speaker 2: because I'm always wanting to be transparent. It's like a 1021 00:49:26,198 --> 00:49:28,078 Speaker 2: lot of the things I read in the papers right now, 1022 00:49:28,558 --> 00:49:31,278 Speaker 2: where like in today's game, I mean the manager's role 1023 00:49:31,278 --> 00:49:33,558 Speaker 2: of the manager I'm just I'm guilty of it in 1024 00:49:33,598 --> 00:49:35,838 Speaker 2: a lot of ways. Where I said, do you praise 1025 00:49:35,878 --> 00:49:38,078 Speaker 2: publicly and criticize privately, but they also have to be 1026 00:49:38,118 --> 00:49:40,438 Speaker 2: pragmatic and honest in a certain way. And when you 1027 00:49:40,638 --> 00:49:44,038 Speaker 2: don't do that, I mean you can lose favor in 1028 00:49:44,358 --> 00:49:46,838 Speaker 2: a sense or credibility because of that. So that was 1029 00:49:46,838 --> 00:49:49,238 Speaker 2: part of my motivation. And then we're talking about, you 1030 00:49:49,278 --> 00:49:51,678 Speaker 2: know this truth tellers and how important it is to us. 1031 00:49:51,718 --> 00:49:54,278 Speaker 2: So I don't know this was exactly germane, but this 1032 00:49:54,398 --> 00:49:57,158 Speaker 2: is something that I really because of reading the newspapers 1033 00:49:57,358 --> 00:49:59,958 Speaker 2: and because of the first reason I gave this kind 1034 00:49:59,958 --> 00:50:02,478 Speaker 2: of steered me to this direction, which I love this quote. 1035 00:50:02,958 --> 00:50:04,838 Speaker 2: I can't remember the book that I read it in, 1036 00:50:05,038 --> 00:50:06,878 Speaker 2: but I had it. It's on the tip of my 1037 00:50:06,958 --> 00:50:10,878 Speaker 2: brain all the time because I think it's apropos And again, 1038 00:50:11,038 --> 00:50:13,518 Speaker 2: just call it down a little bit to try to 1039 00:50:13,598 --> 00:50:16,198 Speaker 2: understand where I'm coming from. But the leaders of the 1040 00:50:16,238 --> 00:50:19,678 Speaker 2: Soviet Union had a dangerous tendency to deny the truth 1041 00:50:19,678 --> 00:50:23,078 Speaker 2: of bad news, and so I love truth Tellers. Is 1042 00:50:23,078 --> 00:50:26,198 Speaker 2: literally what it comes down to. And when you conflate 1043 00:50:26,198 --> 00:50:28,518 Speaker 2: the truth and all of a sudden try to make 1044 00:50:28,558 --> 00:50:30,918 Speaker 2: it exactly talk when you've tried to distill it to 1045 00:50:30,998 --> 00:50:33,158 Speaker 2: the point where it works in your favor, and you 1046 00:50:33,198 --> 00:50:35,438 Speaker 2: try to convince others that it is accurate or true, 1047 00:50:35,478 --> 00:50:38,758 Speaker 2: even though it's not that bothers me. It obviously bothered 1048 00:50:38,758 --> 00:50:41,678 Speaker 2: me, and I recognize it very quickly. And it might have 1049 00:50:41,718 --> 00:50:43,998 Speaker 2: been a Clancy book. It could have been I'm not sure. 1050 00:50:44,518 --> 00:50:46,678 Speaker 2: It could have also been Eric Larson. I'm not sure. 1051 00:50:46,758 --> 00:50:49,398 Speaker 2: But the leaders of the Soviet Union had a dangerous 1052 00:50:49,438 --> 00:50:51,958 Speaker 2: tendency to deny the truth of bad news. And that's 1053 00:50:51,998 --> 00:50:54,718 Speaker 2: not a good thing. So truth tellers are very important 1054 00:50:54,718 --> 00:50:57,558 Speaker 2: in our society and to me. And if you want, 1055 00:50:57,638 --> 00:50:59,318 Speaker 2: you know, see the best side of me, and you 1056 00:50:59,358 --> 00:51:01,758 Speaker 2: want a friend forever, just tell me the truth. 1057 00:51:01,878 --> 00:51:03,158 Speaker 1: You're Jack Ryan's side. 1058 00:51:03,478 --> 00:51:06,638 Speaker 2: Yeah, right, that's it is exactly it don't after the 1059 00:51:06,718 --> 00:51:09,478 Speaker 2: game RV would walk in, Rick Vaughan, we'd have some 1060 00:51:09,558 --> 00:51:12,638 Speaker 2: situation would pop up, and this is how we're going 1061 00:51:12,678 --> 00:51:14,318 Speaker 2: to approach this, I said, r we were going Jack 1062 00:51:14,398 --> 00:51:16,678 Speaker 2: Ryan tonight not only was one of my one of 1063 00:51:16,678 --> 00:51:19,158 Speaker 2: my friends, he's one of my best friends. And when 1064 00:51:19,158 --> 00:51:21,838 Speaker 2: you when you run towards it, it disarms it very quickly. 1065 00:51:22,078 --> 00:51:24,238 Speaker 1: Great advice Joe, We'll see you next time on the 1066 00:51:24,238 --> 00:51:33,798 Speaker 1: Book of Joe, see your brother, thank you. The Book 1067 00:51:33,798 --> 00:51:37,238 Speaker 1: of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. For more 1068 00:51:37,278 --> 00:51:42,158 Speaker 1: podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or 1069 00:51:42,198 --> 00:51:43,758 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcasts.