1 00:00:01,600 --> 00:00:04,880 Speaker 1: From the Berkshires to the sound from wherever you live 2 00:00:04,920 --> 00:00:09,120 Speaker 1: in MLB America. This is Inside the Parker. You give 3 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:11,479 Speaker 1: us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop 4 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:15,440 Speaker 1: on major League Baseball. Now, here's Baseball Hall of Fame 5 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 1: Voter number seven day, Rob Parker. Welcome into the podcast. 6 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:24,320 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Rob Parker, and we are here. That's right, 7 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 1: opening day twenty twenty three to Major League Baseball season. 8 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:31,840 Speaker 1: And man am I excited? And what a show we 9 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 1: have for you today. Former Major League infielder Harold Reynolds 10 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:41,000 Speaker 1: stops by, and of course from MLB Network plus longtime 11 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:44,720 Speaker 1: Boston columnists. He now works for The Athletic Steve Buckney 12 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:49,520 Speaker 1: he joined us as well. Let's go to lead off. 13 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:52,840 Speaker 1: It's getting robbed to keep him on. Rob's hot take 14 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:58,080 Speaker 1: on the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball Number one. 15 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: Here we are opening a Major League baseball season twenty 16 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:05,160 Speaker 1: twenty three, and as always, I'd like to take a 17 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 1: look into my crystal ball and think what will happen 18 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:13,319 Speaker 1: this season and make some predictions. And here we go 19 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 1: the American League. I'm just gonna pick the division winners, 20 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 1: the teams. That's gonna come out of each league and 21 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 1: the World Series winner. Okay, so at least I'm gonna 22 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,680 Speaker 1: pick the New York Yankees at the top. When it 23 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:31,040 Speaker 1: comes to the AL Central, I'm going with the Minnesota Twins. 24 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:35,039 Speaker 1: I know people are like, you're crazy, You're sugunu. I 25 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 1: thought they underachieved last year. I just think I'm not 26 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: sure about the White Sox, and I'm not sure about 27 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 1: the Guardians, even though you know the Guardians played well 28 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: last year. I'm gonna go with the Twins in an 29 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 1: upset in the AL Central. And I mentioned the Yankees. 30 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: I just think that they loaded. When they get their 31 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 1: starting pitching all healthy, they will be tough to be red. 32 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 1: Sox are down, Oils and Rays are just they're good. 33 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 1: I don't think they're better than the Yankees. In the West. No, 34 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:09,239 Speaker 1: I'm not picking the Houston Astros that everybody thinks they're 35 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 1: gonna win another World Series and they're gonna run away 36 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:13,920 Speaker 1: with stuff. I'm not doing that. I'm not picking the 37 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:17,760 Speaker 1: Angels because of show Hey and Trout. I'm not doing that. 38 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:20,519 Speaker 1: But I do have a dark course. I'm picking the 39 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 1: Texas Rangers. Jacob to Graham has a healthy year leads 40 00:02:25,160 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 1: that rotation. They don't lose more than four games in 41 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 1: a row all year, and somehow someway with the Bats 42 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 1: in that line. I'm picking the Texas Rangers with an 43 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:39,280 Speaker 1: upset in the AL West. In the National League, jam 44 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 1: packed NL East, Braves, Mets, Phillies, all great teams. Phillies 45 00:02:44,760 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 1: of course made it to the World Series. I'm gonna 46 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 1: go with the Braves to win the NL East, Mets 47 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:54,519 Speaker 1: of course, great, Phillies, of course great. So that's going 48 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 1: to be some dog fight to see there. NL Central 49 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 1: Saint Louis Cardinals will go there. Cardinals are consistent, the Cubs, 50 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:07,400 Speaker 1: reds Pirates, Brewers, you know, I just don't have much faith. 51 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:11,239 Speaker 1: Maybe the Brewers will make the postseason, the other teams 52 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: not so much. And in the NL West, there's a 53 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:18,919 Speaker 1: new division winner in my mind, San Diego Padres. I'm 54 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:22,360 Speaker 1: all over the Padres hater in the bullpen, three studs 55 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 1: at the top of their rotation and a lineup that 56 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:30,079 Speaker 1: will get Fernando Tattis Junior back. So there's another one 57 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:34,600 Speaker 1: that is pretty important. And here we go in the 58 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 1: National League. I'm picking the San Diego Padres to come 59 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:40,320 Speaker 1: out of the NL, and I'm picking the New York 60 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 1: Yankees to come out of the AL and I have 61 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 1: the Padres beating the Yankees in seven games in the 62 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 1: World Series. Number two, and of course, the new rules 63 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: are the biggest thing in Major League Baseball for the 64 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three season, and we'll see. I mean, they're 65 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 1: using the model from spring training that twenty six minutes 66 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 1: were shaved off of games. That sounds good, and if 67 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 1: that holds up in a regular season, then it's worth it. 68 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 1: But I'm just not convinced. I just need to see 69 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 1: when guys take pitches work counts. You know, is it 70 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 1: really going to be a thirty minutes less twenty six 71 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 1: minutes less or will it be five or six minutes 72 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 1: less once we get into these games, games with real 73 00:04:23,440 --> 00:04:26,960 Speaker 1: major leaguers. So we'll see where that is. I'm cool 74 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 1: with no shift, I'm cool with the bigger basis the 75 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:33,440 Speaker 1: pitch clock. I'm still skeptical, but I'm going to going 76 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:35,600 Speaker 1: with an open mind, take a look at it and 77 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:40,680 Speaker 1: see what happens. Number three. You know, the big story 78 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 1: all year will be about show Hey Otani and about 79 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:51,279 Speaker 1: him leaving the Angels at some point, whether they trade 80 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: them during the season, they hold on to them all year, 81 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:59,640 Speaker 1: and you know, people are expecting him to make at 82 00:04:59,640 --> 00:05:02,600 Speaker 1: the in a moment of fifty million dollars a year. 83 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 1: You know, like that's gonna be the starting point. We 84 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 1: saw how important he is to Japan and Japanese baseball 85 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 1: the World Baseball Classic. One hundred million people in Japan 86 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 1: watched as Japan beat the United States. And you know, 87 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:27,159 Speaker 1: Forbes is predicting that Shohail Tani is expected to make 88 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:32,040 Speaker 1: ready a Major League Baseball record sixty five million dollars 89 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 1: for the twenty twenty three season. That's including endorsements. They 90 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:43,719 Speaker 1: believe that his endorsements will dwarf everybody because of his 91 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:48,760 Speaker 1: appeal internationally and of course in Japan. So they expect 92 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 1: his endorsements to be around thirty five at least thirty 93 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 1: five million dollars, which is incredible, and that'll be up 94 00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:01,240 Speaker 1: from six million in twenty twenty one and twenty million. 95 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:03,880 Speaker 1: He made twenty million in endorsements in twenty twenty two. 96 00:06:04,279 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 1: They're expecting that to jump up even more. And when 97 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 1: you think about guys like Judge and Trial, those guys 98 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:15,839 Speaker 1: make Judge made four point five million in endorsements and 99 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 1: trial made four million. So you're telling us that old 100 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 1: Tani's expected to make at least thirty five million. I 101 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 1: think it's I think he could be making fifty million 102 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: a year because of his international appeal, and so he 103 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:33,920 Speaker 1: will be raking in the loot. The question is will 104 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: will he play? Here comes the big interview. Listen, headler, 105 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 1: it's so good. All right, now, let's welcome into the podcast. 106 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 1: Harold Reynolds, of course, former Major league second baseman, two 107 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 1: time All Star and of course one of the main 108 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 1: men on MLB Network. Harold, Welcome to the podcast, Hope, 109 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:59,279 Speaker 1: Happy opening day, my man. Yes, sir, it's finally here 110 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:03,600 Speaker 1: to talk to your eye always always. Let's let's talk 111 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 1: like there's an excitement about baseball and maybe, Harold, I 112 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: don't know, uh the WBC leading into it. You know, 113 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 1: we weren't like put to sleep by just uh exhibition 114 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:18,119 Speaker 1: game spring training games. The WBC had a little juice 115 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:20,400 Speaker 1: to it. I don't know about you, but I'm geeked 116 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:25,679 Speaker 1: for the season. Man. The WBC just jumped it off. 117 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 1: And then the new rules and spring training have got 118 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 1: everybody's curiosity of excitement, of anxiety of so When we 119 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 1: have that combination of all those, uh, you're in for 120 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 1: an exciting time. So I think that's where we're at 121 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: in baseball right now, and let's start there with the 122 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 1: new rules. The base is being bigger. I'm fine with 123 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 1: that if that's gonna, you know, prevent some injuries. Okay. 124 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: I love the idea, Harold, of not allowing more than 125 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 1: two guys on each side of the bag. I think 126 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 1: we lost a lot of base hits, guys hitting the 127 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:00,680 Speaker 1: ball on the screws up the middle on the third 128 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 1: baseman's up there. Where are you on the shift? Are 129 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:09,240 Speaker 1: you happy that with what the new changes? Absolutely, I'm 130 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 1: happy about it. I think the biggest thing by having 131 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 1: the shift rule in place, I'm taking it away, i 132 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:21,320 Speaker 1: should say, is allowing the athletes to be athletes. And 133 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 1: we've missed that. We've missed guys been able to hit, 134 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 1: miss guys trying to steal. We missed a lot of 135 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: the actions guys ranging going up the mental making a jump, 136 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:33,559 Speaker 1: throw range and left dive and get to the knee, 137 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:36,560 Speaker 1: throw a guy out. We haven't seen enough of that. 138 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 1: So I'm excited for what the sport is going to 139 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:41,960 Speaker 1: bring now. Some of those new rules, and then the 140 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 1: pitch clock. That's the big one. Now, Harold, I'm gonna 141 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:48,120 Speaker 1: just be upfront. If this is gonna shave thirty minutes 142 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:51,400 Speaker 1: off the game, then okay, I'll buy into it. And 143 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: we saw some of that in spring training. But if 144 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:56,840 Speaker 1: this is gonna be a six or eight minute difference 145 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:58,959 Speaker 1: in the game once we get in and guys are 146 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 1: taking pitches and work in the pitcher and work in account, 147 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:04,680 Speaker 1: then I'm not so sure. If this is great, where 148 00:09:04,679 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 1: are you on the pitch clock. Well, I think the 149 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:09,680 Speaker 1: pitch clock is gonna work. I think what we're saying 150 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 1: in the spring training is gonna be a product of it. 151 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 1: And I understand a lot of guys that played with 152 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 1: the pitch clock in the minor leagues are in major 153 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 1: league spring trainings now they're sent down. Now you're starting 154 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:24,080 Speaker 1: to see a lot of major leaguers. But the clock 155 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:25,840 Speaker 1: is the clock. I don't care if you're playing in 156 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:29,120 Speaker 1: the w NBA, the NBA, or the G league. Clock 157 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:32,439 Speaker 1: the clock. And so the same thing's gonna happen in baseball. 158 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 1: But here's why I think we're gonna stay at thirty 159 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:41,360 Speaker 1: minutes are so shaved off games because guys are not overthinking. 160 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 1: They're getting in the box and they're saying, luck's go. 161 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 1: I think when you wander around and the overton, what's 162 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 1: he gonna throw me here? Two in one the percentages 163 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 1: is eighty two. No, it's the twenty five. Is he 164 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: gonna throw me instead of get in the box, see 165 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:00,439 Speaker 1: the ball and hit it. I think you can speed 166 00:10:00,559 --> 00:10:05,160 Speaker 1: up everybody's process. And again, that's all under the same umbrella. 167 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:09,559 Speaker 1: In my mind, as being an athlete, we've been overthinking 168 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: way too much. Athletes react. They can take it through 169 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 1: ahead of time and you react to it. And I 170 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 1: think that's what we're gonna see now in baseball. A 171 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 1: lot more of our guest is Harold Reynolds, former Major 172 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:25,560 Speaker 1: league second baseman and of course star on MLB Network. 173 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: Let's go here. The team that jumps out to me 174 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:33,600 Speaker 1: the most, Harold, the San Diego Padres. I just I 175 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:37,319 Speaker 1: think they got pitching, they got a bullpen, a closer, 176 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:41,880 Speaker 1: they got a star lineup, and now Tattoos is eventually 177 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:44,960 Speaker 1: gonna join that. I don't think Juan Soto's gonna bat 178 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:47,080 Speaker 1: two thirty six Again, I mean, what do you make 179 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:49,760 Speaker 1: of that team and how loaded they are. Do you 180 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:52,800 Speaker 1: like them as much as I do. Yeah, it's easy 181 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 1: to fall in love with them on paper. And you know, 182 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:57,880 Speaker 1: they've got guys that have a track record, so I 183 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:00,280 Speaker 1: think that that makes it a a little bit easy year. 184 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:03,319 Speaker 1: I think also the fact that you have spring training 185 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:07,559 Speaker 1: and you can get some some continuity and some cohesiveness 186 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:11,800 Speaker 1: will help the padre. So yeah, I'm in on them. 187 00:11:11,840 --> 00:11:15,520 Speaker 1: I'm excited about them. We'll fifty able to deliver. I 188 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:17,439 Speaker 1: love it when a team goes out and makes a 189 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:21,640 Speaker 1: run to be challenging like that. I hope they get 190 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 1: rewarded for you know, step sitting the neck out there, 191 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 1: put some money into it, going for it. I don't 192 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 1: think it rewarded for that, all right. And now East, 193 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 1: of course you got three year headed monster. Of course 194 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:37,679 Speaker 1: the Braves, the Mets, and the Phillies. And we know 195 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 1: the Phillies went to the World Series a year ago. 196 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 1: But Bryce Harper is going to start the year on 197 00:11:44,880 --> 00:11:48,480 Speaker 1: the I l who do you like in the NL East? 198 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:53,320 Speaker 1: Tell you what? The more and more I watched the Phillies, 199 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:57,319 Speaker 1: see the Phillies and get to understand the DNA and 200 00:11:57,400 --> 00:12:00,280 Speaker 1: what they're about. I like them more every day. But 201 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 1: the Mets, the Braves and the Phillies. To me, they're 202 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:07,200 Speaker 1: almost like throwbacks. You know, you can go to the 203 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:09,840 Speaker 1: Mets and go, you're not gonna spit in our face. 204 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 1: We're coming after you. That's you know, that's an old 205 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 1: school We're gonna fight you. And then you got Buck Show, Walter, 206 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 1: the Puppeteer, and the Wizard being able to figure things out. 207 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:23,560 Speaker 1: I love that about them. Then the brains, the brands 208 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: are just that old school. We're gonna keep bringing pallet 209 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 1: at you right out of our farm system and you 210 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:31,800 Speaker 1: can't stop them. And now you know what we're gonna do. 211 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:34,560 Speaker 1: We're gonna lock them all up. And so that's what 212 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:38,000 Speaker 1: they've done. And then you look at the Phillies, and 213 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:40,080 Speaker 1: the Phillies are like, we're gonna go out and get 214 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:43,080 Speaker 1: us a franchise player at Bryce Harper, and he's gonna 215 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:46,319 Speaker 1: be the personality of what we go get. So every 216 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:49,920 Speaker 1: guy they've gone since then, bringing back Riha Muto, you 217 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:52,680 Speaker 1: bring back, you go get Slober, you go out and 218 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: get Trade Turner. They got the same grit that Bryce 219 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 1: Harper does. You knock me down. I'm getting in the 220 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 1: box a day to throw one hole over, you know, 221 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 1: so I love what I'm seeing with the DNA of 222 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 1: these teams. Let's go to the American League. Obviously you 223 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 1: have the Yankees in the AL least, but the Central 224 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 1: Guardians and the White Sox do they bounced back? And 225 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:20,280 Speaker 1: then you got the AL West, the Mariners, obviously the 226 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:23,040 Speaker 1: Astros that won the World Series, but also the Rangers 227 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:25,560 Speaker 1: of Jacob de Graham can be at the top of 228 00:13:25,559 --> 00:13:28,480 Speaker 1: that rotation. Who do you like in the AL or 229 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 1: give me maybe a wild card team that could make 230 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 1: noise that we're not expected. Well, the AL obviously you're 231 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:39,959 Speaker 1: gonna have the Angels were thrilled to see what old 232 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:43,080 Speaker 1: Tani and Trout looks like. They might have a supporting cast. 233 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:47,079 Speaker 1: So they're gonna be competing that Mariners have turned the corner. 234 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:49,960 Speaker 1: They're gonna be up there competing the Astros of the 235 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 1: Astros and the Champs. But the surprise team, not only 236 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:58,440 Speaker 1: in the West but in baseball is the Texas Rangers. 237 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 1: I picked the Tech. It's just Rangers to win the 238 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 1: AL West. I'm not picking them to win the West. 239 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 1: I think they're gonna be a playoff team. Here's why 240 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:11,600 Speaker 1: the Texas Rangers can beat two. In baseball, you want 241 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:14,360 Speaker 1: to win two out of three, right, stay out of five, 242 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:17,960 Speaker 1: four out of seven. But during the summer it's two 243 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 1: out of three. That's what we played. Three games sets, 244 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:26,360 Speaker 1: and with the starting rotation, they are set up, if healthy, 245 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 1: to beat the two out of three every series. That's 246 00:14:29,880 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 1: how I look at the Rangers. They could win the West. 247 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:36,240 Speaker 1: It wouldn't shock me at all. But I do think 248 00:14:36,280 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 1: they're a playoff continue team that's gonna surprise people. Wow, 249 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 1: I did pick them. I like that. Whenever you have 250 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 1: pitching like that, you pick the Rangers. I picked the Rangers. 251 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:48,600 Speaker 1: I sure did. Why did you pick the Rangers? What 252 00:14:48,680 --> 00:14:51,200 Speaker 1: do you like? I just like I like the grim 253 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:53,000 Speaker 1: at the top because you know when you have if 254 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:56,040 Speaker 1: and obviously has to stay healthy. But as you know, Harold, 255 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:58,560 Speaker 1: when you have a stud at the top like that, 256 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 1: you're not gonna have eight game losing streaks. You know 257 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 1: what I mean, You're not. And that's what makes you consistent. 258 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 1: If you have a guy every fifth day is gonna 259 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 1: give you a chance to win. You might have a 260 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 1: three game but that guy's gonna a three game, four 261 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 1: game stretch and then you'll get right back to winning. 262 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 1: And that's what I like when you have a real 263 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 1: and a true ace. And uh, I think he's that guy. Now. 264 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 1: I love that. I love that thinking and luck. We 265 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: both said it comes down to being healthy. If they're 266 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:29,480 Speaker 1: not healthy, they're not beating anybody. But if healthy, they 267 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:32,560 Speaker 1: got a shot, no, no doubt. Last thing from Harold 268 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:36,400 Speaker 1: Reynolds World Series, Uh, give me your two teams, who 269 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:38,560 Speaker 1: wins and then how many games? That's the last thing. 270 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 1: You go ahead, I'm gonna put it to you this 271 00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 1: way though, they're never how they start the games. Always 272 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:52,000 Speaker 1: you ask me it's a trade that line, I'd be like, okay, yeah, 273 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:55,680 Speaker 1: that's a new team. Um, but I'm looking right now. 274 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 1: I don't see the Houston assholes being beat in the 275 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:00,760 Speaker 1: American League. I got the ass those going back to 276 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:05,760 Speaker 1: the series. I talked about the Phillies glowing glowingly earlier. 277 00:16:06,640 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 1: I just don't know if they can hold off the 278 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 1: resources of a couple of these clubs that are gonna 279 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 1: put it together at the end. I just gotta feeling 280 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:18,200 Speaker 1: the Mets are gonna make a run. They're gonna be 281 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:20,400 Speaker 1: knocking at the door of Verland there as shows are 282 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:25,160 Speaker 1: in company. Wow, Okay, I love that And tell us, now, 283 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:27,760 Speaker 1: how are you guys have a new look on the 284 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 1: MLB Tonight. Admin is your partner? Tell me about that? Well, yeah, 285 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 1: you're absolutely right. The new look. It's a new time 286 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 1: for me, six o'clock. MLB Tonight has always kicked off 287 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 1: at six pm, but we're doing a little bit different. 288 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:46,240 Speaker 1: We're gonna have the main two guys to me and 289 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 1: ad Man will rotate the analysts in and out, but 290 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:52,480 Speaker 1: a little different in that we're not gonna be sitting 291 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 1: at the desk for two hours. We're gonna be moving around. 292 00:16:55,760 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 1: We'll be in different parts of the studio. I'm gonna 293 00:16:57,600 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 1: building forty two a lot doing breakdown as We're gonna 294 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:04,080 Speaker 1: have special guests come in. And then there's gonna be 295 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:07,720 Speaker 1: certain occasions like looks like on April tenth to be 296 00:17:07,720 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 1: going out in the city field for a game. It's 297 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:14,679 Speaker 1: the Mets out there. We'll be bouncing around. In May, 298 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:17,680 Speaker 1: I'm gonna be out in Seattle at T Mobile, so 299 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:20,720 Speaker 1: you know, trying to really get the ballparks so people 300 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:24,520 Speaker 1: can engage with the players and coaches and that's what 301 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 1: really people want to do. And the last thing on 302 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:30,560 Speaker 1: it round is Our mission and our job at six 303 00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 1: o'clock is to get you ready for the games. We 304 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:36,879 Speaker 1: are going to the ballpark cameras. You're gonna watch batty 305 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:39,560 Speaker 1: practice and you're gonna get a chap to see what 306 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:43,320 Speaker 1: guys look like in BP. And I'm excited about that. 307 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 1: Love it the new look MLB tonight. Harold Reynolds Ad 308 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:53,800 Speaker 1: Nainberg will be anchoring the coverage there, can't wait, And 309 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:56,320 Speaker 1: I always appreciate you, Harrold. We'll see you down the 310 00:17:56,400 --> 00:17:59,640 Speaker 1: road at a ballpark, my man, my brother, and we'll 311 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: be seeing a lot of Rob Parker on them ULB 312 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 1: network too. Yes, can't wait, man, Thank you, man, I 313 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:13,720 Speaker 1: appreciate you. Stay well, thank you. It's time for the 314 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:18,840 Speaker 1: Pocket Protector Central, the analytic numbers you need to know. Well, 315 00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:24,760 Speaker 1: maybe Anthony Masterson is his name, BS analytics is his game. 316 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:27,000 Speaker 1: What do you got for me, Anthony. It's rare when 317 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:29,600 Speaker 1: a sports league makes such drastic changes to the sport, 318 00:18:29,880 --> 00:18:32,200 Speaker 1: ones that could potentially alter the way the entire game 319 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:34,920 Speaker 1: is played, But that's where baseball is. In twenty twenty three, 320 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:38,679 Speaker 1: Shifts will be restricted, bases will be enlarged, and pictures 321 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:40,720 Speaker 1: and hitters will now be on the clock in an 322 00:18:40,760 --> 00:18:43,320 Speaker 1: effort to speed up the game and increase action. Let's 323 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:45,120 Speaker 1: start with the shift. It's a bit of a hot 324 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: button issue, but the fact is shifts are based on 325 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 1: information and trends. As baseball shifts more toward analytics, No 326 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:54,159 Speaker 1: pun intended, Why shouldn't they use the information given to 327 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:56,760 Speaker 1: them buy an opponent? If a guy hits ninety seven 328 00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:59,440 Speaker 1: percent of his groundballs to his pulseide, why not put 329 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 1: three guys were there? Anyway? With shifts restricted to two 330 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:05,160 Speaker 1: players on the dirt on each side of second base 331 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:07,720 Speaker 1: when the pitch is thrown, guys like Corey Seeger, who 332 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:10,200 Speaker 1: has shifted on in a league high ninety three percent 333 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:12,640 Speaker 1: of his pitches face last season, are going to find 334 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: a lot more gaps for base hits. Larger bases are 335 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:18,840 Speaker 1: an attempt to increase stolen bases, a number that bottomed 336 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 1: out in the modern araback in twenty twenty one, barely 337 00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:24,360 Speaker 1: over two thousand stolen bases league wide, or just under 338 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:27,560 Speaker 1: half a stolen base per game. Since twenty ten, there 339 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:30,600 Speaker 1: have been only five instances of a player stealing sixty bases, 340 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:33,760 Speaker 1: compared to twelve in the previous decade. Seventeen in the 341 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:37,639 Speaker 1: nineties and thirty six in the eighties. With similar rules 342 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:41,200 Speaker 1: in the minors last season, ten players stole a sixty bags, 343 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:44,440 Speaker 1: and that is what MLB is looking for. Relievers will 344 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:46,359 Speaker 1: have the toughest time with the new pitchclock, for sure. 345 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 1: Guys like Kenley Janssen twenty six seconds Devin Williams twenty 346 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:53,600 Speaker 1: five seconds will have to speed up their deliveries considerably 347 00:19:53,960 --> 00:19:56,480 Speaker 1: to abide by the fifteen seconds they have to begin 348 00:19:56,520 --> 00:19:59,359 Speaker 1: their motion between pitches with the bases empty twenty with 349 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:02,000 Speaker 1: runners on. It won't take long to see just what 350 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:05,800 Speaker 1: effect these new rules have on America's pastime. When Rob 351 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:09,560 Speaker 1: was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto. If 352 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:14,520 Speaker 1: I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer, a broadcaster, older, 353 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:17,640 Speaker 1: new All right, now, let's welcome into the podcast a 354 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 1: friend of mine. I've known it for a gazillion years, 355 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 1: Steve Buckley. He's a columnist with The Athletic and has 356 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:27,080 Speaker 1: worked in Boston for a million years. Steve, Happy opening 357 00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:31,239 Speaker 1: day and welcome to the podcast. Buddy. It feels like 358 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:34,240 Speaker 1: a million years. I've been doing this for a long time, 359 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 1: and I went to my first Opening Day. I think 360 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:40,000 Speaker 1: in nineteen sixty five when I was nine years old. 361 00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:43,680 Speaker 1: If you can't believe that, that is amazing Opening Day 362 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:46,639 Speaker 1: for me. I always remember Steve. I was such a 363 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:49,240 Speaker 1: baseball fan. My mom used to write me a fake 364 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:53,640 Speaker 1: doctor's note so I could leave school middle school early 365 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:57,720 Speaker 1: to go home to watch the Mets on Channel nine. 366 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:00,119 Speaker 1: You know, I had to watch the first pitch. How 367 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:05,560 Speaker 1: about that? I applaud that we had similar childhoods, with 368 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 1: different results here and there, but the same the same 369 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:12,960 Speaker 1: kind of hope springs eternal attitude in April that I 370 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 1: grew up with. I don't know if I have it 371 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:17,080 Speaker 1: with this year as Red Sox, but I've always been 372 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 1: kind of wedded to the notion that things begin anew 373 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:23,480 Speaker 1: in April. So no doubt, and that's great. That's where 374 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:27,159 Speaker 1: we want to start with the Red Sox. And what 375 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:31,360 Speaker 1: are the Red Sox now? I am totally confused. They 376 00:21:31,359 --> 00:21:34,440 Speaker 1: don't feel like Steve, like they're in that they're out. 377 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 1: I don't know what this team is. Please tell me 378 00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:40,199 Speaker 1: what is the direction of the Red Sox in twenty 379 00:21:40,280 --> 00:21:47,720 Speaker 1: twenty three. Well, John Henry and Tom Werner, they're the owners, 380 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:52,639 Speaker 1: and they wanted to bring in a guy that would 381 00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 1: sort of turn the organization upside now make it more efficient. 382 00:21:58,720 --> 00:22:03,480 Speaker 1: They believe they can win games, win championships with a 383 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:07,440 Speaker 1: leaner product where they don't invest in free agency, and 384 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:13,280 Speaker 1: to some degree, there's some there's some understanding of where 385 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:17,320 Speaker 1: they're going, because oftentimes free agents do not put up 386 00:22:17,320 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 1: the numbers once they landed their big deals than they 387 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:23,960 Speaker 1: did before they landed their big deal. Having said that, 388 00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:27,920 Speaker 1: there's also a couple of guys they didn't keep that 389 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:31,639 Speaker 1: were right here in Boston. It continues to amaze me. 390 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:34,680 Speaker 1: They turned around and traded Mookie Betts a few years 391 00:22:34,680 --> 00:22:39,359 Speaker 1: ago in twenty twenty, and perhaps even more us they 392 00:22:40,320 --> 00:22:43,560 Speaker 1: did not make the right offer to keep Xander Bogarts. 393 00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:47,920 Speaker 1: These were two cornerstone players who were fun to watch, 394 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:52,200 Speaker 1: who put up great numbers, and I for one wanted 395 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:56,200 Speaker 1: them to be to follow in the footsteps of Pedro 396 00:22:56,359 --> 00:22:59,639 Speaker 1: Martinez and David Ortiz. Now, again, those two guys didn't 397 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:02,800 Speaker 1: begin his careers with the Red Sox. You know, Pedro 398 00:23:02,920 --> 00:23:06,680 Speaker 1: was with the Dodgers and expos and Ortiz with Seattle 399 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:09,720 Speaker 1: and the Twins. But still once they landed here and 400 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:12,880 Speaker 1: got solid, they were Sox lifers. I wanted to see 401 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:17,040 Speaker 1: these two guys be those kind of players. Zender what 402 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:21,200 Speaker 1: even remotely interested in signing him? Did they make a 403 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:26,920 Speaker 1: fair offer? I mean to lose, you know, a star shortstop, 404 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:29,440 Speaker 1: as you said, a guy who was produced and now 405 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:31,879 Speaker 1: he's going to San Diego on a team that's loaded. 406 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:36,680 Speaker 1: How stunt were have fans in Boston that he was 407 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:42,119 Speaker 1: gone he left. They were very upset because Beaugards and listen, 408 00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:45,440 Speaker 1: I'm not a big fan of like, oh, he's super popular, 409 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:47,680 Speaker 1: therefore we have to have him, or else we would 410 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:50,320 Speaker 1: have you know, Lumer Loney, who was a kid from 411 00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:52,840 Speaker 1: framing him. Manis who played seven years with the Red Sox. 412 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:55,159 Speaker 1: He's a good friend of mine, work in radio with 413 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:59,400 Speaker 1: Lupie years. Enormously popular. You know, Mark Thromberry was enormously 414 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:02,600 Speaker 1: popular the Mets, but they didn't keep him for fifteen years. Right. 415 00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:06,240 Speaker 1: But but if you've got a guy who puts up 416 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:10,119 Speaker 1: great numbers year after year after year, and there's the 417 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:14,240 Speaker 1: added attraction of him being great in the community, very 418 00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:19,760 Speaker 1: fan friendly, good looking and everything of the whole thing, 419 00:24:19,800 --> 00:24:23,879 Speaker 1: from marketing to baseball, any department at Fenway Park be 420 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:26,960 Speaker 1: at the marketing department or baseball ops could see value 421 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:29,960 Speaker 1: in keeping this guy, and they didn't put up They 422 00:24:29,960 --> 00:24:33,160 Speaker 1: said he was in number one priority. Clearly wasn't considering. 423 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:36,760 Speaker 1: They got outbid for him, and off he goes. Now, 424 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:39,160 Speaker 1: I understand he's not going to be a short stop 425 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:41,920 Speaker 1: for the rest of his career. He's a big guy. 426 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:44,960 Speaker 1: I don't think he goes through his right as a 427 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:48,000 Speaker 1: big league short stop should. But that doesn't mean he 428 00:24:48,040 --> 00:24:51,320 Speaker 1: couldn't make a natural segue to third base and first 429 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:55,080 Speaker 1: base and whatnot that that older players do. I mean, 430 00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:56,840 Speaker 1: Robin Ya moved to the outfield. I mean, we can 431 00:24:56,920 --> 00:24:59,760 Speaker 1: go on and on. And they got a kid in 432 00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:02,439 Speaker 1: the mine who's who's probably the next big shortstop. So 433 00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:04,640 Speaker 1: but but even so, there should have been a place 434 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:06,240 Speaker 1: for him on his team over the next five or 435 00:25:06,280 --> 00:25:09,679 Speaker 1: six seven years. Our guess is Steve Buckley from the 436 00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:14,760 Speaker 1: Athletic columnist there in Beantown. They did bring bring in 437 00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:18,439 Speaker 1: Justin Turner. Is there anything left there? Or is this 438 00:25:18,600 --> 00:25:21,560 Speaker 1: just to fill the spot because J. D. Martinez wound 439 00:25:21,640 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 1: up in LA. Yeah, I mean Turners what eight thirty 440 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:30,200 Speaker 1: eight I think, And he's he's he's not gonna he's 441 00:25:30,280 --> 00:25:33,400 Speaker 1: a stop gap. He's a tweener or whatever you want 442 00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:35,959 Speaker 1: to call it. But that's okay. I mean, if you 443 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:39,480 Speaker 1: can bring in he's got a winning environment. He's played 444 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:44,359 Speaker 1: on winning teams. Um. I if he remains healthy, he 445 00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:47,040 Speaker 1: can play the position and put up some members. I 446 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:50,640 Speaker 1: mean if he has seventeen eighteen home runs and sixty 447 00:25:50,640 --> 00:25:53,120 Speaker 1: to seven RBIs, I think I kind of think that's 448 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:56,800 Speaker 1: all they're expecting of him. Um but you know, we'll 449 00:25:56,800 --> 00:26:00,480 Speaker 1: see he's gonna he's gonna be mostly near DH. I'll 450 00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:02,920 Speaker 1: tell you something about about him. He's not as big 451 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:04,919 Speaker 1: as I thought he was. I knew he wasn't, you know, 452 00:26:05,040 --> 00:26:08,640 Speaker 1: j D Martinez, But seeing him in spring training, he's 453 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:12,200 Speaker 1: got that kind of Reggie Jackson thing going where where 454 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:14,919 Speaker 1: when you see Reggie on TV, big and strong and 455 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 1: hits some runs in and then you meet him, you see, geez, 456 00:26:17,320 --> 00:26:19,639 Speaker 1: Reggie's not that big. And I kind of feel the 457 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:22,880 Speaker 1: same way about this guy as in a side Let's 458 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:27,440 Speaker 1: go to the rotation, Chris Sale, let's go start there. 459 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:31,840 Speaker 1: Has made eleven starts since the twenty nineteen seasons, has 460 00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:34,919 Speaker 1: had just a ton of injuries and whatnot. Where is 461 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:37,560 Speaker 1: he is he going to finally be healthy. I know 462 00:26:37,640 --> 00:26:40,119 Speaker 1: he's not starting on opening date. That's Corey Klueber. But 463 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:44,400 Speaker 1: what are they expect him from Chris Sale. I think 464 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:47,760 Speaker 1: they're expecting, you know, just south of two hundred innings 465 00:26:47,880 --> 00:26:54,399 Speaker 1: and for him to be that guy again that he 466 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 1: can put up the kind of memories he put up 467 00:26:56,800 --> 00:27:01,679 Speaker 1: several years ago. It was not a good signing by 468 00:27:01,800 --> 00:27:04,080 Speaker 1: David Dombrowski out the door to give him a long 469 00:27:04,160 --> 00:27:07,560 Speaker 1: term contract. He had shown signs of wear and chairs 470 00:27:07,680 --> 00:27:09,800 Speaker 1: us a couple of years with the Red Sox. But 471 00:27:09,880 --> 00:27:12,000 Speaker 1: I think I think a motion played into it. He 472 00:27:12,040 --> 00:27:14,720 Speaker 1: had that what I like to call hold my beer 473 00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:17,840 Speaker 1: moment in the fifth game of the World Series when 474 00:27:17,880 --> 00:27:20,800 Speaker 1: he came into the ninth inning blew away at the 475 00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:27,120 Speaker 1: Dodgers struck out Manny Machado to end it, Machado flailing 476 00:27:27,160 --> 00:27:29,960 Speaker 1: on one foot and falling to the ground. And there 477 00:27:30,040 --> 00:27:34,040 Speaker 1: was some added revenge for Red Sox fans because it 478 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:39,000 Speaker 1: was the Machado take outside at second base that had 479 00:27:39,040 --> 00:27:42,919 Speaker 1: basically destroyed dustin Pejoria's career. And now you've got Sale 480 00:27:43,320 --> 00:27:47,520 Speaker 1: wins the World Series and turns Machado when a sawdust 481 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:52,120 Speaker 1: in the process and come spring training twenty nineteen, they 482 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:54,760 Speaker 1: signed him to this big contract. And this isn't like 483 00:27:54,880 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 1: I told you so, because I had written a piece 484 00:27:57,600 --> 00:28:03,000 Speaker 1: for The Athletic during that OFCAS saying, hey, your priority 485 00:28:03,119 --> 00:28:07,200 Speaker 1: should be to number one, to sign Mookie Bett's long 486 00:28:07,320 --> 00:28:09,840 Speaker 1: term and at the bottom of that list, I had 487 00:28:09,920 --> 00:28:12,760 Speaker 1: Chris Sale. Not because I don't think he's a great 488 00:28:12,760 --> 00:28:14,600 Speaker 1: guy or a great picture and all that, but I 489 00:28:14,680 --> 00:28:18,240 Speaker 1: was just concerned about workload and injuries and the fact 490 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:21,439 Speaker 1: that he's, you know, a very thin guy. And they 491 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:23,480 Speaker 1: gave him the big money anyway, and so far I 492 00:28:23,520 --> 00:28:26,919 Speaker 1: have not reached any dividends from it. Also, Corey Kluber, 493 00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:29,440 Speaker 1: who I mentioned, who was the Red Sox opening Day 494 00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:33,119 Speaker 1: picture ten and twelve last night four point last year, 495 00:28:33,160 --> 00:28:35,760 Speaker 1: I said, say, four point two five r A twenty 496 00:28:35,840 --> 00:28:39,640 Speaker 1: nine starts not going to be a cy young guy anymore, 497 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 1: veteran right hander. But what what what kind of what 498 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 1: could we expect? Does he win fifteen games for the 499 00:28:45,120 --> 00:28:49,160 Speaker 1: Red Sox? Well, you know I have I have kind 500 00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:53,760 Speaker 1: of all. Let's put it this way. I like him 501 00:28:53,800 --> 00:28:56,040 Speaker 1: as being one of those guys who could be a 502 00:28:56,040 --> 00:28:58,680 Speaker 1: big surprise this year. Remember this is like his fifteen. 503 00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:01,440 Speaker 1: In five years, he's found around. He had his great 504 00:29:01,480 --> 00:29:03,240 Speaker 1: years in Cleveland, and I think he goes to Tampa 505 00:29:03,280 --> 00:29:05,960 Speaker 1: Bay and the Yankees in Texas and he's all over 506 00:29:06,040 --> 00:29:09,680 Speaker 1: the place. So he comes in here now. But there's 507 00:29:09,720 --> 00:29:12,960 Speaker 1: a and again, I don't think this translates to victories, 508 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:16,640 Speaker 1: but I'll say it anyway. He has lived in Boston 509 00:29:17,360 --> 00:29:19,720 Speaker 1: since he was in the minor leagues. Now. I think 510 00:29:19,720 --> 00:29:22,400 Speaker 1: he was born in Alabama. He was raised in Texas, 511 00:29:22,520 --> 00:29:26,120 Speaker 1: right outside of Dallas. He went to college baseball. He 512 00:29:26,160 --> 00:29:29,440 Speaker 1: put his college baseball in Florida. But he met his 513 00:29:29,480 --> 00:29:31,760 Speaker 1: wife when he was in the minor leagues. She's from 514 00:29:31,760 --> 00:29:35,040 Speaker 1: outside Boston. He's been living in the area for years 515 00:29:35,040 --> 00:29:36,840 Speaker 1: and years and years. He told me I talked to 516 00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:39,280 Speaker 1: him a few weeks ago that when his minor league 517 00:29:39,320 --> 00:29:41,320 Speaker 1: season was over, he used to go to games at Fenway. 518 00:29:41,440 --> 00:29:44,880 Speaker 1: So he has a place in Tampa, his wife and kids, 519 00:29:44,920 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 1: but they all they own a home in Winchester, mass. 520 00:29:48,520 --> 00:29:52,760 Speaker 1: He knows the area. If you bank anything on comfort 521 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:56,080 Speaker 1: level and familiarity and being accustomed to what I like 522 00:29:56,160 --> 00:30:01,040 Speaker 1: to call the Boston baseball experience, that account for something. 523 00:30:01,120 --> 00:30:03,920 Speaker 1: And I think that he's in a good place, and 524 00:30:03,960 --> 00:30:06,320 Speaker 1: that if he stays healthy and he can harness his 525 00:30:06,440 --> 00:30:09,920 Speaker 1: skills some years past, you said yourself, he's not going 526 00:30:09,960 --> 00:30:12,120 Speaker 1: to be a cy Young Award winner. I agree with that, 527 00:30:12,320 --> 00:30:14,280 Speaker 1: but I think he could be a very pleasant surprise. 528 00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:19,040 Speaker 1: Last thing, mister Buckley, just the expectations overall. Is this 529 00:30:19,120 --> 00:30:23,440 Speaker 1: a last place team? Second to last place? I don't 530 00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:27,160 Speaker 1: see them on the playoff radar. Where do the Red 531 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:31,000 Speaker 1: Sox finish in twenty twenty three. I think they're going 532 00:30:31,040 --> 00:30:34,560 Speaker 1: to be a better team than people think, but a 533 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:38,040 Speaker 1: team not good enough to make the playoffs, and if 534 00:30:38,080 --> 00:30:41,920 Speaker 1: they do, it would be sort of double a like 535 00:30:42,160 --> 00:30:45,520 Speaker 1: one and out type thing. I don't see them going 536 00:30:45,560 --> 00:30:49,280 Speaker 1: deep into the postseason. But I am literally finishing up 537 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:51,560 Speaker 1: a column on them that will run The Athletic tonight 538 00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:54,320 Speaker 1: or tomorrow morning, in which I plause it that they 539 00:30:54,360 --> 00:30:57,600 Speaker 1: will indeed be better than people thinking. All right, there, 540 00:30:57,600 --> 00:31:01,120 Speaker 1: it is Steve Buckley from the Athletic, a man who 541 00:31:01,160 --> 00:31:04,280 Speaker 1: knows all about the Red Sox for the last a 542 00:31:04,440 --> 00:31:06,840 Speaker 1: million years. I don't know what's not that long, Steve, 543 00:31:06,880 --> 00:31:10,160 Speaker 1: but it feels like that. Appreciate your time and energy 544 00:31:10,240 --> 00:31:12,400 Speaker 1: here on the podcast. My friend and I'll see you 545 00:31:12,800 --> 00:31:16,400 Speaker 1: at a ballpark somewhere this summer, or maybe you won't. 546 00:31:16,400 --> 00:31:19,640 Speaker 1: You're way too important to go to press boxes anymore. 547 00:31:18,960 --> 00:31:22,400 Speaker 1: I never see you anymore. Come on, Steve, No, that's 548 00:31:22,400 --> 00:31:25,480 Speaker 1: not true. Absolutely, but since she became a big TV star, 549 00:31:25,760 --> 00:31:27,840 Speaker 1: you just don't do that kind of thing anymore. It's 550 00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:31,160 Speaker 1: beyond no, no, no, I try to make my way. Definitely. 551 00:31:31,160 --> 00:31:34,920 Speaker 1: I hope to see you, okay, buddy, Now bring in 552 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:41,280 Speaker 1: the closer. Here's why MLB it's better than the NFL 553 00:31:41,680 --> 00:31:47,520 Speaker 1: or NBA, and it isn't even close. Reason number one 554 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,680 Speaker 1: thousand and forty nine why Major League Baseball is better 555 00:31:50,680 --> 00:31:54,760 Speaker 1: than the NBA and the NFL. It's Opening Day? Are 556 00:31:54,800 --> 00:32:00,360 Speaker 1: you kidding me? Goose bumps, all that butterflies, just the 557 00:32:01,760 --> 00:32:05,080 Speaker 1: start of the season is just very special. Opening Day. 558 00:32:05,200 --> 00:32:07,560 Speaker 1: When you say opening day, it doesn't register in the 559 00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:10,440 Speaker 1: NBA or the NFL. No one thinks of it like that. 560 00:32:10,520 --> 00:32:15,040 Speaker 1: It's about baseball Opening Day. And here is the old 561 00:32:15,120 --> 00:32:18,440 Speaker 1: to opening Day that we play every single year here 562 00:32:19,360 --> 00:32:26,480 Speaker 1: on inside the park. So much of my love for 563 00:32:26,600 --> 00:32:31,680 Speaker 1: baseball started at an early age, and my family knew 564 00:32:31,680 --> 00:32:34,920 Speaker 1: how much I loved baseball, even my mom, who was 565 00:32:34,960 --> 00:32:38,440 Speaker 1: a stickler for school and about getting your work done. 566 00:32:39,680 --> 00:32:41,640 Speaker 1: But when I was in junior high school, my mom 567 00:32:41,720 --> 00:32:44,480 Speaker 1: used to write a fake doctor's note for me so 568 00:32:44,520 --> 00:32:47,800 Speaker 1: that I could leave school early so that I could 569 00:32:47,840 --> 00:32:51,160 Speaker 1: get home to watch the Mets. On Opening Day. I 570 00:32:51,240 --> 00:32:53,960 Speaker 1: had to see the first pitch of the season on TV. 571 00:32:54,600 --> 00:32:57,520 Speaker 1: I couldn't come home in the third or fourth inning. 572 00:32:57,920 --> 00:33:01,080 Speaker 1: I had to see it from the beginning. And back 573 00:33:01,120 --> 00:33:05,080 Speaker 1: then I was a Mets fan. I wasn't a reporter. 574 00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:11,480 Speaker 1: I was a fan. Opening Day that stands out to 575 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:16,640 Speaker 1: me the most dates back to college nineteen eighty three. 576 00:33:17,560 --> 00:33:20,480 Speaker 1: I was a student at Southern Connecticut State University. Me 577 00:33:20,520 --> 00:33:23,040 Speaker 1: and my three buddies. We hopped in the car. We 578 00:33:23,240 --> 00:33:26,640 Speaker 1: barely had money for tickets, but we had to see 579 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:31,440 Speaker 1: Tom Sever returned to the Mets. We drove from New Haven, Connecticut, 580 00:33:32,520 --> 00:33:36,200 Speaker 1: and I can remember standing up in our seats in 581 00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:40,360 Speaker 1: the bleachers and watching Tom Sever walk from the bullpen 582 00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:58,280 Speaker 1: and to the mound. What a moment it was. In 583 00:33:58,360 --> 00:34:01,520 Speaker 1: the words of New York TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen, 584 00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:04,680 Speaker 1: thanking you for your time this time until next time. 585 00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:08,360 Speaker 1: Rob Parker out, he can't get it. This could be 586 00:34:08,400 --> 00:34:11,480 Speaker 1: an inside of Parker. See you next weekend, same bad time, 587 00:34:11,920 --> 00:34:12,880 Speaker 1: same bad station.