1 00:00:04,038 --> 00:00:07,358 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. 2 00:00:12,518 --> 00:00:16,398 Speaker 1: Hey there, welcome back. It's the latest episode of the 3 00:00:16,438 --> 00:00:21,318 Speaker 1: Book of Joe podcast, the most interesting podcast about baseball 4 00:00:21,638 --> 00:00:26,358 Speaker 1: and life with my good buddy Joe Madden and Joe. First, 5 00:00:26,518 --> 00:00:28,878 Speaker 1: I got to check in on you, make sure you're okay, 6 00:00:28,918 --> 00:00:34,198 Speaker 1: because spring training is underway and you are not there 7 00:00:34,238 --> 00:00:36,678 Speaker 1: for the first time and I don't know how many years, 8 00:00:36,758 --> 00:00:41,598 Speaker 1: how are you doing? It's I think when nineteen eighty 9 00:00:41,638 --> 00:00:44,158 Speaker 1: one was the first of my last break before that 10 00:00:44,238 --> 00:00:49,078 Speaker 1: was nineteen nineteen eighty, I wasn't there, so seventy six, seven, eight, nine, 11 00:00:49,838 --> 00:00:53,438 Speaker 1: eighty off and then eighty one to present tense. Yeah, 12 00:00:53,478 --> 00:00:58,198 Speaker 1: I'm here to report I'm okay. Honestly, I played again yesterday, 13 00:00:58,918 --> 00:01:01,518 Speaker 1: meaning golf, I'm playing again today. I got to go 14 00:01:01,558 --> 00:01:03,758 Speaker 1: to Tampa next week. I get an opportunity to play 15 00:01:03,758 --> 00:01:06,438 Speaker 1: in the Valspar Pro Am. Then I got another tournament 16 00:01:06,438 --> 00:01:08,278 Speaker 1: at Whisper Rock, Then I got another one out here 17 00:01:08,278 --> 00:01:11,078 Speaker 1: with Wally Joyner, and then I eventually do it at 18 00:01:11,118 --> 00:01:13,358 Speaker 1: Joe Naman So and in between that, we know, we 19 00:01:13,358 --> 00:01:17,358 Speaker 1: did the book signing and Savannah, which was outstanding. It 20 00:01:17,478 --> 00:01:20,558 Speaker 1: wasn't just cool, it was outstanding. So I'm like, really busy. 21 00:01:20,638 --> 00:01:23,398 Speaker 1: I'm really busy in a good way. So yeah, I'm 22 00:01:23,398 --> 00:01:26,198 Speaker 1: watching it, and we did. I did actually tweet about 23 00:01:26,238 --> 00:01:29,198 Speaker 1: it the pitch clock. I thought I was watching Bob 24 00:01:29,198 --> 00:01:32,158 Speaker 1: Gibson pitch for both sides. It was outstanding. It was 25 00:01:32,238 --> 00:01:34,518 Speaker 1: so cool, And like I said, I thought about this 26 00:01:34,598 --> 00:01:36,958 Speaker 1: too while I was watching it, like the other stuff. Okay, 27 00:01:36,998 --> 00:01:39,838 Speaker 1: so you know, people find it interesting the other rules, 28 00:01:39,878 --> 00:01:44,878 Speaker 1: but the one rule that really is participated within every 29 00:01:44,998 --> 00:01:47,998 Speaker 1: pitch is that one that rules the most used rule, 30 00:01:48,158 --> 00:01:50,958 Speaker 1: new rule that's going to be incorporated into the game, 31 00:01:51,798 --> 00:01:53,558 Speaker 1: and I think that's the best one. I think that's 32 00:01:53,558 --> 00:01:56,958 Speaker 1: the one that if you're going to attract more youthful 33 00:01:57,998 --> 00:02:01,198 Speaker 1: fans or more of a viewing audience, or just want 34 00:02:01,198 --> 00:02:03,078 Speaker 1: to come to the ballpark and check it out, that's 35 00:02:03,118 --> 00:02:04,478 Speaker 1: the one that's going to work. Going to kind of 36 00:02:04,518 --> 00:02:07,238 Speaker 1: dig it. It's awesome. I'm with you. I've been telling 37 00:02:07,318 --> 00:02:09,798 Speaker 1: people it's the greatest thing to happen to baseball since 38 00:02:09,838 --> 00:02:13,478 Speaker 1: they had nachos and a souvenir batting helmets. And I'm 39 00:02:13,478 --> 00:02:16,478 Speaker 1: glad to hear you're doing well, Joe, and we can 40 00:02:16,518 --> 00:02:21,998 Speaker 1: ask the same question of Dexter Fowler, who is officially 41 00:02:22,318 --> 00:02:25,438 Speaker 1: retired as a player from Major League Baseball after an 42 00:02:25,478 --> 00:02:31,558 Speaker 1: outstanding fourteen years in the bigs. Dexter, how are you doing. 43 00:02:32,038 --> 00:02:36,998 Speaker 1: I'm doing unbelievable. Honestly, I'm more busy. I'm busier than ever. 44 00:02:37,718 --> 00:02:40,798 Speaker 1: And you know, like you said, usually you go to 45 00:02:40,798 --> 00:02:43,958 Speaker 1: spring training and it's like, ah, like it's time, that time, 46 00:02:43,998 --> 00:02:46,398 Speaker 1: It's that time. But now I'm at home with the girls. 47 00:02:46,798 --> 00:02:49,958 Speaker 1: I'm a dance dad, and then I'm also doing some 48 00:02:49,998 --> 00:02:52,878 Speaker 1: TV stuff, so I'm getting calls all over the place, 49 00:02:53,358 --> 00:02:56,718 Speaker 1: along with some business things going on to four meetings 50 00:02:56,758 --> 00:02:58,958 Speaker 1: and all that. So I got a lot going on, 51 00:02:59,438 --> 00:03:01,438 Speaker 1: including dinner. The other night, we went out to dinner 52 00:03:01,598 --> 00:03:07,358 Speaker 1: up at Scottsdale, add myself, Decks, Eddie Vedder, Josh Cleinghoffer, 53 00:03:08,158 --> 00:03:11,478 Speaker 1: Bussy was there, Bussy was there, Sam Kennedy was just 54 00:03:11,518 --> 00:03:14,158 Speaker 1: such really fun evening. I got to sit next to 55 00:03:14,238 --> 00:03:16,438 Speaker 1: Decks and the moment you walk in the room and 56 00:03:16,518 --> 00:03:17,798 Speaker 1: Decks was there, I didn't know. I didn't know he's 57 00:03:17,798 --> 00:03:20,278 Speaker 1: gonna be there. He snuck up from behind, and god, 58 00:03:20,318 --> 00:03:22,398 Speaker 1: it's just it's just typical. I mean, and I was 59 00:03:22,398 --> 00:03:23,918 Speaker 1: gonna bring this up and I bring it up now, 60 00:03:24,638 --> 00:03:27,118 Speaker 1: decks lights upper room, and he just does when I 61 00:03:27,158 --> 00:03:30,238 Speaker 1: first met him, when we first got together. The smile 62 00:03:30,318 --> 00:03:32,038 Speaker 1: began then and it never ends. You can see it 63 00:03:32,118 --> 00:03:34,598 Speaker 1: right now. And that's a big part of the reason 64 00:03:34,638 --> 00:03:37,678 Speaker 1: why he played as long as he did. Such a 65 00:03:37,718 --> 00:03:39,878 Speaker 1: wonderful guy within the clubhouse and on the team. The 66 00:03:39,918 --> 00:03:42,558 Speaker 1: players really feed off of his energy, and you can 67 00:03:42,638 --> 00:03:44,558 Speaker 1: feed off his energy the other night just having dinner 68 00:03:44,598 --> 00:03:46,878 Speaker 1: with him. So it was great to see again, my brother, 69 00:03:46,998 --> 00:03:49,758 Speaker 1: It really was. I'm so happy for this new episode. 70 00:03:50,078 --> 00:03:51,878 Speaker 1: An adventure in your life. I know you're gonna be 71 00:03:51,878 --> 00:03:54,078 Speaker 1: great at it, but I just wanted to throw that 72 00:03:54,118 --> 00:03:56,198 Speaker 1: out there a bit too. Oh, I appreciate it. We 73 00:03:56,198 --> 00:03:58,438 Speaker 1: had we definitely did. We have fun. We have fun. 74 00:03:58,478 --> 00:04:01,278 Speaker 1: It was good. I say, get the band back together. 75 00:04:01,478 --> 00:04:05,118 Speaker 1: We remembered this one, some good stories about about those 76 00:04:05,158 --> 00:04:09,918 Speaker 1: two years. And yeah, and Joe, Joe was and you know, likewise, 77 00:04:09,998 --> 00:04:11,798 Speaker 1: Joe was one of my one of my favorite managers 78 00:04:11,838 --> 00:04:14,758 Speaker 1: ever to play for. So well, Joe, can I start 79 00:04:14,798 --> 00:04:17,318 Speaker 1: with a question for you, sure, because you know we 80 00:04:17,478 --> 00:04:21,038 Speaker 1: love to talk on this show about glue guys, right, 81 00:04:21,198 --> 00:04:25,118 Speaker 1: what makes a team a team? Obviously, a manager, head 82 00:04:25,158 --> 00:04:27,358 Speaker 1: coach and other sports has a lot to do with that, 83 00:04:27,798 --> 00:04:31,118 Speaker 1: but there's nothing like having that come within the player ranks. 84 00:04:31,838 --> 00:04:34,358 Speaker 1: And when we talk about glue guys, I have to 85 00:04:34,398 --> 00:04:37,558 Speaker 1: imagine that you've got to put Dexter near the top 86 00:04:37,598 --> 00:04:40,718 Speaker 1: of your lists of big time glue guys. What was 87 00:04:40,758 --> 00:04:44,358 Speaker 1: it about Dexter that made him such a glue guy 88 00:04:44,598 --> 00:04:47,998 Speaker 1: besides that smile? Yeah, regardless regardless of what was going on, 89 00:04:48,038 --> 00:04:49,158 Speaker 1: Like he had a good day, a bad day. I 90 00:04:49,158 --> 00:04:50,998 Speaker 1: mean he like he had he had a great run 91 00:04:51,878 --> 00:04:53,398 Speaker 1: during that year, but also he went into a little 92 00:04:53,398 --> 00:04:55,358 Speaker 1: bit of a slump. But the thing is, you never 93 00:04:55,438 --> 00:04:57,518 Speaker 1: know when he showed up at the ballpark. He was 94 00:04:57,558 --> 00:05:00,678 Speaker 1: always the same cat every day. So you know what 95 00:05:00,798 --> 00:05:03,078 Speaker 1: to expect. You know what you could count on as 96 00:05:03,078 --> 00:05:04,998 Speaker 1: a manager, and then as a teammate. I mean, some 97 00:05:05,038 --> 00:05:07,598 Speaker 1: guys are walking in the room surly and they don't 98 00:05:07,598 --> 00:05:09,078 Speaker 1: want to give. They don't want to they just want 99 00:05:09,078 --> 00:05:10,518 Speaker 1: to take all the time. They don't want to give. 100 00:05:11,038 --> 00:05:12,478 Speaker 1: But dex is the kind of guy that wants to 101 00:05:12,478 --> 00:05:14,198 Speaker 1: give all the time. And he's there like he'll he'll 102 00:05:14,238 --> 00:05:16,758 Speaker 1: sense that somebody else isn't doing so well. And in 103 00:05:16,798 --> 00:05:18,918 Speaker 1: spite of the fact maybe he's running through a bad moment, 104 00:05:19,078 --> 00:05:21,038 Speaker 1: he's still going to give to that guy and to 105 00:05:21,118 --> 00:05:23,838 Speaker 1: be that's really probably the best definition I can give 106 00:05:23,878 --> 00:05:27,598 Speaker 1: you of a leader is that he recognizes and gives 107 00:05:27,638 --> 00:05:29,598 Speaker 1: to everybody else in the room, and he's not always 108 00:05:29,598 --> 00:05:33,758 Speaker 1: seeking to be to get things from other people. Dex 109 00:05:33,998 --> 00:05:36,278 Speaker 1: is a giver and every player in that room felt it. 110 00:05:36,758 --> 00:05:39,518 Speaker 1: I appreciate it. And where does that come from, dex U. 111 00:05:39,998 --> 00:05:42,438 Speaker 1: I had to be my parents. They still keep me humble, 112 00:05:42,518 --> 00:05:44,998 Speaker 1: They humble me all the time. So I think that's 113 00:05:44,998 --> 00:05:47,078 Speaker 1: half of it. And at the end of the day, 114 00:05:47,358 --> 00:05:50,078 Speaker 1: like like Joe said, I feed off energy, and I 115 00:05:50,118 --> 00:05:52,838 Speaker 1: don't want anybody to have any type of ill energy 116 00:05:52,878 --> 00:05:55,238 Speaker 1: because I feel like a lot of people, you know, 117 00:05:55,358 --> 00:05:58,038 Speaker 1: in this game, like we're around each other all the time, 118 00:05:58,838 --> 00:06:00,718 Speaker 1: and we all need to be on the same page 119 00:06:00,718 --> 00:06:04,438 Speaker 1: at all. At the same time, it's crazy. It's crazy 120 00:06:04,478 --> 00:06:06,918 Speaker 1: to see a guy come in because I feel like 121 00:06:06,958 --> 00:06:09,158 Speaker 1: I've gone through a lot of this, a lot of 122 00:06:09,198 --> 00:06:12,998 Speaker 1: these things, and sometimes you get caught up in baseball 123 00:06:12,998 --> 00:06:17,038 Speaker 1: and baseball only and you people don't realize that we're 124 00:06:17,078 --> 00:06:19,638 Speaker 1: here at the end of the day, right and we're 125 00:06:19,638 --> 00:06:23,078 Speaker 1: going to excel. Like the best thing ever was Joe said, Hey, 126 00:06:23,238 --> 00:06:26,078 Speaker 1: if you feel good in it, where it? Remember and 127 00:06:26,238 --> 00:06:29,078 Speaker 1: that right there, like be comfortable in your own skin, 128 00:06:29,478 --> 00:06:31,518 Speaker 1: be able to come in. I think you'll have more 129 00:06:31,558 --> 00:06:35,878 Speaker 1: success if you come in and you're comfortable where you're at, 130 00:06:36,198 --> 00:06:38,598 Speaker 1: whether whether you're having a good day a bad day. 131 00:06:38,678 --> 00:06:41,798 Speaker 1: There's always guys. There should be your brothers there to 132 00:06:41,878 --> 00:06:45,878 Speaker 1: pick pick guys up and keep guys, hold guys accountable. Yeah, 133 00:06:45,958 --> 00:06:47,478 Speaker 1: there's a if you think you look hot, where it. 134 00:06:47,478 --> 00:06:49,118 Speaker 1: I mean, if the big thing for me was about 135 00:06:49,918 --> 00:06:51,998 Speaker 1: this is one of my tenants too, is that the 136 00:06:52,078 --> 00:06:56,038 Speaker 1: more freedom given, the greater respect and discipline returned. I mean, 137 00:06:56,038 --> 00:06:58,238 Speaker 1: I'm speaking to myself too, as as a young player 138 00:06:58,278 --> 00:06:59,918 Speaker 1: back in the day where there was football or baseball, 139 00:06:59,958 --> 00:07:03,358 Speaker 1: primarily the coaches that really permitted me to be myself 140 00:07:03,398 --> 00:07:05,958 Speaker 1: in a sense, and we're there to help when I 141 00:07:05,998 --> 00:07:08,918 Speaker 1: absolutely need it to help it. Otherwise, they permitted me 142 00:07:08,958 --> 00:07:11,278 Speaker 1: to make mistakes or they permitted me to do something 143 00:07:11,318 --> 00:07:14,038 Speaker 1: good without a whole lot of interference, and that's how 144 00:07:14,078 --> 00:07:16,558 Speaker 1: you grow, and that's it. I mean, I think as 145 00:07:16,638 --> 00:07:19,158 Speaker 1: an athlete, as a world class athlete, which all Music 146 00:07:19,238 --> 00:07:22,758 Speaker 1: League baseball players are. The more they are feel they 147 00:07:22,758 --> 00:07:26,198 Speaker 1: are able to express themselves and be themselves, then you 148 00:07:26,238 --> 00:07:29,758 Speaker 1: will find all of their abilities on the field at 149 00:07:29,798 --> 00:07:33,158 Speaker 1: any particular moment. The moment you feel constricted and you're 150 00:07:33,198 --> 00:07:35,838 Speaker 1: being controlled in a sense, then you're not going to 151 00:07:35,878 --> 00:07:40,238 Speaker 1: see the full impact of that particular player. Talking into baseball, 152 00:07:40,278 --> 00:07:42,198 Speaker 1: I think I could talk about the corporate world also, 153 00:07:42,318 --> 00:07:45,038 Speaker 1: but this is something I learned way back in the day, 154 00:07:45,158 --> 00:07:46,758 Speaker 1: whether it was high school than going to college and 155 00:07:46,838 --> 00:07:49,198 Speaker 1: talk about Coach Route in the Book of Joey was 156 00:07:49,238 --> 00:07:52,118 Speaker 1: my backfield coach at Lawfiette. This guy taught me how 157 00:07:52,158 --> 00:07:56,678 Speaker 1: to accept or teach through communication and non intimidation, And 158 00:07:56,758 --> 00:07:59,238 Speaker 1: to me, that's the best way to go about being 159 00:07:59,278 --> 00:08:01,558 Speaker 1: a teacher. Yeah, that goes a long way. It does 160 00:08:01,638 --> 00:08:04,358 Speaker 1: go a long way, especially you know you are the helm, 161 00:08:04,438 --> 00:08:07,478 Speaker 1: but you know as a player, he's spot on. I mean, 162 00:08:07,838 --> 00:08:10,238 Speaker 1: you respond better when guys are comfortable in their own skin. 163 00:08:11,358 --> 00:08:14,398 Speaker 1: So dexon. We and they will talk for years about 164 00:08:14,398 --> 00:08:18,198 Speaker 1: that sixteen team in Chicago. We know about the championships, 165 00:08:18,278 --> 00:08:21,198 Speaker 1: we can watch the highlights. What's kind of in your 166 00:08:21,238 --> 00:08:24,918 Speaker 1: heart when you think about how you remember that group 167 00:08:24,918 --> 00:08:28,638 Speaker 1: of guys that year twenty sixteen. Honestly, we were all 168 00:08:29,678 --> 00:08:31,598 Speaker 1: if we land in a city and you look up, 169 00:08:31,958 --> 00:08:35,278 Speaker 1: even in Chicago, we were all together at all times. 170 00:08:35,718 --> 00:08:37,718 Speaker 1: It was crazy, like I've never been part of a 171 00:08:37,718 --> 00:08:41,918 Speaker 1: team that's always been together, and like we'll go out 172 00:08:41,918 --> 00:08:44,998 Speaker 1: to dinner together, everybody's always invited. We'll go over somebody's house, 173 00:08:45,078 --> 00:08:48,678 Speaker 1: everybody's invited, whether it's a hotel room. Everybody was together 174 00:08:48,878 --> 00:08:51,118 Speaker 1: and everybody was willing to come. There was no really 175 00:08:51,158 --> 00:08:54,558 Speaker 1: any clicks, which was great. And then even the guys 176 00:08:54,558 --> 00:08:57,998 Speaker 1: who came in, like the Chappies and everybody who came, 177 00:08:58,478 --> 00:09:01,038 Speaker 1: you know, to help out, like towards the end of 178 00:09:01,078 --> 00:09:04,398 Speaker 1: the year, they were welcome with open arms, like and 179 00:09:04,438 --> 00:09:08,398 Speaker 1: they felt comfortable enough to come around and be together 180 00:09:08,598 --> 00:09:11,078 Speaker 1: as with us as well. Let me just say something there, 181 00:09:11,158 --> 00:09:13,558 Speaker 1: and that's a big part of that. I agree. Um, 182 00:09:13,878 --> 00:09:16,718 Speaker 1: when you get when you create, you talk about atmosphere 183 00:09:16,798 --> 00:09:19,118 Speaker 1: or you create a culture or whatever. Even though we 184 00:09:19,118 --> 00:09:20,838 Speaker 1: didn't have a long time together, we kind of created 185 00:09:20,838 --> 00:09:24,398 Speaker 1: a culture. So when somebody walks in the room, acquisitionally 186 00:09:24,478 --> 00:09:27,078 Speaker 1: say they walk in the room, and the guys that 187 00:09:27,358 --> 00:09:29,798 Speaker 1: have been there are basically in charge of the room, 188 00:09:29,798 --> 00:09:33,718 Speaker 1: which I love your your veterans need to run the clubhouse. 189 00:09:33,918 --> 00:09:36,598 Speaker 1: But when they walk in there, the guys coming in 190 00:09:36,878 --> 00:09:39,038 Speaker 1: will be immediately if they if they want to go 191 00:09:39,118 --> 00:09:42,198 Speaker 1: straight stray at all, that's not how we do things here. 192 00:09:42,318 --> 00:09:44,078 Speaker 1: These guys will be there. This is how we do 193 00:09:44,118 --> 00:09:46,038 Speaker 1: things that they're gonna they're going to make sure that 194 00:09:46,078 --> 00:09:49,318 Speaker 1: this thing is going to continue to run smoothly like 195 00:09:49,358 --> 00:09:51,558 Speaker 1: it had been running to that particular point. I don't 196 00:09:51,598 --> 00:09:55,078 Speaker 1: know that people understand that completely. But when you have 197 00:09:55,118 --> 00:09:57,958 Speaker 1: a room running properly and it's being run by your veterans, 198 00:09:58,198 --> 00:10:01,758 Speaker 1: if somebody wants to go a little bit sideways on you, uh, 199 00:10:01,998 --> 00:10:04,918 Speaker 1: those guys will they'll just get the guy off to decide. 200 00:10:04,958 --> 00:10:07,358 Speaker 1: Do it in a professional way. Listen, we don't. We 201 00:10:07,358 --> 00:10:09,478 Speaker 1: don't do that here. We do it this way, and 202 00:10:09,558 --> 00:10:12,078 Speaker 1: to me, that's the best way and the most successful 203 00:10:12,078 --> 00:10:14,438 Speaker 1: way to run a clubhouse. And you teach the young 204 00:10:14,478 --> 00:10:17,478 Speaker 1: guys too, like it's it's it doesn't just go with 205 00:10:17,518 --> 00:10:19,798 Speaker 1: somebody who comes in a clubhouse, even a guy who 206 00:10:19,838 --> 00:10:22,838 Speaker 1: just gets called up and doesn't know right right. You 207 00:10:22,958 --> 00:10:24,398 Speaker 1: do it, like like Joe said, we do it in 208 00:10:24,438 --> 00:10:27,758 Speaker 1: a respectful way, we're all family in there, and that's 209 00:10:27,798 --> 00:10:29,718 Speaker 1: and that's part of it. And you're gonna play a 210 00:10:29,798 --> 00:10:31,878 Speaker 1: lot harder for the guy next to you if he 211 00:10:31,958 --> 00:10:34,878 Speaker 1: knows that's like, this dude really cares about me. And 212 00:10:34,958 --> 00:10:37,878 Speaker 1: that's just human behavior. I mean people, well some people 213 00:10:37,878 --> 00:10:41,398 Speaker 1: may not understand that. But when you're with everybody with 214 00:10:41,438 --> 00:10:43,718 Speaker 1: each other every day, one hundred and sixty two plus 215 00:10:44,078 --> 00:10:46,478 Speaker 1: forty some days in spring training and then the postseason, 216 00:10:46,478 --> 00:10:49,278 Speaker 1: that's over two hundred games you could possibly be together 217 00:10:49,318 --> 00:10:52,678 Speaker 1: for during the course of the year. It's it's it's 218 00:10:52,718 --> 00:10:55,198 Speaker 1: a it's a family man, and you're gonna have your 219 00:10:55,198 --> 00:10:57,918 Speaker 1: disagreement arguments, and you're gonna have every wonderful times like 220 00:10:57,998 --> 00:11:00,878 Speaker 1: Decks talked about, but there's got to be a structure, 221 00:11:00,918 --> 00:11:03,278 Speaker 1: and the structure has to be built among the players 222 00:11:03,478 --> 00:11:06,118 Speaker 1: and not by the manager of the coaches. Yeah. I 223 00:11:06,558 --> 00:11:10,158 Speaker 1: love it when players are really good, but more importantly, 224 00:11:10,238 --> 00:11:12,758 Speaker 1: they're really good guys. And when you have that special 225 00:11:12,798 --> 00:11:15,078 Speaker 1: bond and you guys had that with the Cubs group 226 00:11:15,118 --> 00:11:18,158 Speaker 1: of yeah, talented players, but really good guys. One of 227 00:11:18,158 --> 00:11:22,438 Speaker 1: my favorite stories Decks, it was either fifteen or sixteen, right, 228 00:11:22,758 --> 00:11:25,798 Speaker 1: it's probably around August because the school year was starting up, 229 00:11:26,398 --> 00:11:28,038 Speaker 1: and you and your wife went in there and you 230 00:11:28,158 --> 00:11:32,878 Speaker 1: picked up the tab on family's layaway back to school items. 231 00:11:33,398 --> 00:11:35,638 Speaker 1: I just you picked up that tab. I know you 232 00:11:35,678 --> 00:11:39,278 Speaker 1: weren't looking forward to get any attention, but that has 233 00:11:39,318 --> 00:11:41,518 Speaker 1: always stuck with me. Is man, that's such a cool 234 00:11:41,598 --> 00:11:43,318 Speaker 1: thing to do, and you really have to be an 235 00:11:43,358 --> 00:11:46,558 Speaker 1: empathetic person to even come up with that kind of idea. 236 00:11:46,678 --> 00:11:49,118 Speaker 1: So kudos to you. I'm sure you've done and I 237 00:11:49,158 --> 00:11:50,838 Speaker 1: know you have done a lot more than that, but that, 238 00:11:50,918 --> 00:11:53,838 Speaker 1: to me was special, was unique and good on you. No, 239 00:11:53,878 --> 00:11:55,598 Speaker 1: I appreciate it. And how it came about. My mom 240 00:11:55,678 --> 00:11:59,558 Speaker 1: was a teacher, right, so going into and it was 241 00:11:59,598 --> 00:12:01,798 Speaker 1: an inner city She taught an inner city school, so 242 00:12:02,238 --> 00:12:03,798 Speaker 1: you know, I saw a lot of going in. I 243 00:12:04,038 --> 00:12:06,358 Speaker 1: used to speak to her classes and just seeing the 244 00:12:06,438 --> 00:12:09,678 Speaker 1: kids that were obviously not as privileged as I was. 245 00:12:09,918 --> 00:12:12,758 Speaker 1: And I told myself, I always wanted to help kids, 246 00:12:13,158 --> 00:12:16,878 Speaker 1: kids that didn't needed help, right, because sometimes it just 247 00:12:16,918 --> 00:12:19,038 Speaker 1: to go to school is just to get away from, 248 00:12:19,078 --> 00:12:21,078 Speaker 1: you know, what they've been going through. You know, some 249 00:12:21,158 --> 00:12:23,638 Speaker 1: kids just go there even to get a meal, right. 250 00:12:24,238 --> 00:12:28,318 Speaker 1: So that's how that all came about, you knows. So 251 00:12:28,558 --> 00:12:31,038 Speaker 1: you see families in there and you're like, hey, I'm 252 00:12:31,038 --> 00:12:34,518 Speaker 1: gonna help this family out. I know they they you know, 253 00:12:34,678 --> 00:12:37,438 Speaker 1: they're Penny pension here or there, and I mean you 254 00:12:37,438 --> 00:12:39,958 Speaker 1: can kind of see that, so you just jump in 255 00:12:39,998 --> 00:12:42,478 Speaker 1: and try to help. We're gonna take a quick break here, 256 00:12:42,478 --> 00:12:46,198 Speaker 1: and obviously we're gonna ask Dexter about, of course, Game seven, 257 00:12:46,718 --> 00:12:49,998 Speaker 1: but I want to ask him about game one, Game 258 00:12:50,078 --> 00:13:01,958 Speaker 1: one of his career. Back in a minute Welcome back 259 00:13:01,958 --> 00:13:04,998 Speaker 1: to the Book of Joe podcast. Are asked, is Dexter 260 00:13:05,278 --> 00:13:09,598 Speaker 1: Fouler Fourteen years in the major leagues? Not bad for 261 00:13:09,638 --> 00:13:13,598 Speaker 1: a guy who was drafted in the fourteenth round. And 262 00:13:13,678 --> 00:13:15,758 Speaker 1: I know, Dexter, probably that had a lot to do 263 00:13:15,798 --> 00:13:19,798 Speaker 1: with sign ability. You had offers, I believe from Miami, 264 00:13:19,998 --> 00:13:23,998 Speaker 1: from Harvard, and you signed on with the Rockies. That first. 265 00:13:24,038 --> 00:13:26,998 Speaker 1: Take me back to that time in your life and 266 00:13:27,078 --> 00:13:31,198 Speaker 1: making that kind of a decision. Well, I thought I 267 00:13:31,278 --> 00:13:34,118 Speaker 1: was gonna go first round. I just won the night 268 00:13:34,118 --> 00:13:36,518 Speaker 1: before they draft, I won National Player of the Year 269 00:13:37,478 --> 00:13:40,238 Speaker 1: at the All American Game, and everybody's like, oh, you're 270 00:13:40,278 --> 00:13:43,278 Speaker 1: gonna be the first pick, you know, from anybody here, 271 00:13:43,838 --> 00:13:45,918 Speaker 1: And I remember that day like it was yesterday and 272 00:13:46,318 --> 00:13:48,638 Speaker 1: I was sitting in the room and like de Witt 273 00:13:48,758 --> 00:13:50,878 Speaker 1: was the first guy to get drafted, and I'm sitting 274 00:13:50,878 --> 00:13:53,198 Speaker 1: there and I see my dad walking off on calls 275 00:13:53,638 --> 00:13:56,718 Speaker 1: and I'm like, oh, is this it? This? It so 276 00:13:57,278 --> 00:14:00,958 Speaker 1: ended up yeah, getting drafted in the fourteenth round. Found 277 00:14:00,958 --> 00:14:03,918 Speaker 1: out a few years later there like after I signed, 278 00:14:04,158 --> 00:14:06,598 Speaker 1: I signed for first round money, but everybody was like, 279 00:14:06,638 --> 00:14:09,078 Speaker 1: that's that's what it took like, and I found out 280 00:14:09,158 --> 00:14:13,478 Speaker 1: somebody had messed had got me sign ability wise, and 281 00:14:13,558 --> 00:14:16,838 Speaker 1: it was actually one of the coaches that wanted me 282 00:14:16,878 --> 00:14:19,998 Speaker 1: to play for their team. So I found that out. 283 00:14:20,078 --> 00:14:22,918 Speaker 1: But all in all, it worked out the way it 284 00:14:22,958 --> 00:14:25,278 Speaker 1: was supposed to work out. Yeah, I was I was 285 00:14:25,318 --> 00:14:29,038 Speaker 1: actually gonna. I signed both sport to play basketball and 286 00:14:29,278 --> 00:14:32,038 Speaker 1: baseball in the Major League, so I couldn't go back 287 00:14:32,078 --> 00:14:35,678 Speaker 1: and go back to college and play basketball. So at 288 00:14:35,758 --> 00:14:39,198 Speaker 1: then I signed, ended up going with Colorado and the 289 00:14:39,238 --> 00:14:42,758 Speaker 1: rest is history history. Yeah, I think at the time, 290 00:14:42,798 --> 00:14:46,878 Speaker 1: weren't you only a right handed hitter and you wound 291 00:14:46,998 --> 00:14:49,478 Speaker 1: up you look at your major league numbers. I've never 292 00:14:49,518 --> 00:14:52,678 Speaker 1: heard of this before. Joe natural right handed hitter and 293 00:14:52,718 --> 00:14:55,598 Speaker 1: in the Big League. His better side was the left side. Yeah, 294 00:14:55,598 --> 00:14:58,318 Speaker 1: I mean it was times. We've talked about that, and 295 00:14:58,998 --> 00:15:01,038 Speaker 1: we became at the Syria. When we went at the 296 00:15:01,078 --> 00:15:04,478 Speaker 1: Saint Louis. You know, there was a time that this 297 00:15:04,518 --> 00:15:06,318 Speaker 1: boy you could not get him out right handed. Man, 298 00:15:06,358 --> 00:15:08,798 Speaker 1: I tell you why he was hot with the Cubbies. 299 00:15:08,838 --> 00:15:11,398 Speaker 1: He got hot right handed, and I wanted to see 300 00:15:11,478 --> 00:15:13,598 Speaker 1: him up their right handed. The left side was a 301 00:15:13,638 --> 00:15:15,358 Speaker 1: little bit more movement. The right side. It was more 302 00:15:15,398 --> 00:15:17,918 Speaker 1: directed the ball. I think that's when you were on 303 00:15:17,998 --> 00:15:19,878 Speaker 1: top of your game right handed. My god, it was 304 00:15:19,878 --> 00:15:21,958 Speaker 1: like Bernie Williams good. It was that good from that 305 00:15:21,998 --> 00:15:24,918 Speaker 1: side for me. But then he would go through because 306 00:15:24,918 --> 00:15:26,358 Speaker 1: you hit left handed most of the time as a 307 00:15:26,398 --> 00:15:30,958 Speaker 1: switch hitteror you you hit left handed. Yeah, I didn't exactly. Yeah, 308 00:15:30,998 --> 00:15:33,118 Speaker 1: we told we've talked about this at dinner. We actually 309 00:15:33,158 --> 00:15:36,678 Speaker 1: talked about this, and I thank Joe because Joe used 310 00:15:36,718 --> 00:15:40,158 Speaker 1: to because he knew I wasn't getting so in Saint Louis. 311 00:15:40,998 --> 00:15:44,158 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna name any names, but somebody then let 312 00:15:44,158 --> 00:15:47,798 Speaker 1: me play against lefties only right handed. I mean only 313 00:15:47,838 --> 00:15:49,278 Speaker 1: I was only hitting left hand. So I would hit 314 00:15:49,398 --> 00:15:51,438 Speaker 1: left handed for probably like a week and a half 315 00:15:51,478 --> 00:15:53,318 Speaker 1: two weeks straight, and I didn't get any right handed 316 00:15:53,358 --> 00:15:55,958 Speaker 1: at bats. And Joe we played the Cubs, and Joe 317 00:15:56,038 --> 00:15:58,718 Speaker 1: used to flip me every time maybe hit, maybe hit 318 00:15:58,798 --> 00:16:04,118 Speaker 1: right hand, and I think it kind of locked and 319 00:16:04,278 --> 00:16:08,718 Speaker 1: locking back good. Right. I grew up hitting right handed, 320 00:16:08,718 --> 00:16:11,598 Speaker 1: so that like, once I start seeing some pitches, I'm 321 00:16:11,638 --> 00:16:13,638 Speaker 1: back like it's like riding a bike. But if I 322 00:16:13,638 --> 00:16:16,118 Speaker 1: don't see any pitches, I'm like timing's off. I'm rolling 323 00:16:16,158 --> 00:16:19,558 Speaker 1: over stuff. But I used to go up right handed 324 00:16:19,598 --> 00:16:22,678 Speaker 1: and tell everybody there's no way that anybody's getting me out. 325 00:16:23,438 --> 00:16:26,878 Speaker 1: I'll get myself out right handed, but you cannot get 326 00:16:26,878 --> 00:16:29,278 Speaker 1: me out technically. I liked your right handed swinging better. 327 00:16:29,278 --> 00:16:31,438 Speaker 1: Like I said, it's more short direct your left hand. 328 00:16:31,478 --> 00:16:32,998 Speaker 1: You had that little thing that would flip you a 329 00:16:32,998 --> 00:16:35,238 Speaker 1: little before, but when that stucker was timed up right, 330 00:16:35,758 --> 00:16:37,758 Speaker 1: when you got hot, left handed, man, nobody can get 331 00:16:37,798 --> 00:16:39,838 Speaker 1: you out left handed either. It was. You know, it's 332 00:16:39,878 --> 00:16:42,758 Speaker 1: a classic example switching. A young guy like that learns 333 00:16:42,838 --> 00:16:44,998 Speaker 1: the other side and then then all of a sudden, 334 00:16:44,998 --> 00:16:47,918 Speaker 1: of course left handed being the learned side, he's gonna 335 00:16:47,918 --> 00:16:50,558 Speaker 1: face mostly right handed pitchers. So there might be a 336 00:16:50,598 --> 00:16:53,438 Speaker 1: couple of flaws in that, but man, I even in 337 00:16:53,518 --> 00:16:55,198 Speaker 1: callar out he hit the ball well right handed for 338 00:16:55,238 --> 00:16:57,638 Speaker 1: me too. So anyway, this guy get it well from 339 00:16:57,638 --> 00:16:59,598 Speaker 1: both sides of the play and that's why he lasted 340 00:16:59,638 --> 00:17:01,318 Speaker 1: as long as he did. Did I ever tell you 341 00:17:01,358 --> 00:17:04,478 Speaker 1: how that came about? Did you know what? No? So 342 00:17:04,558 --> 00:17:08,478 Speaker 1: I'm in the cage and this is instructs my first 343 00:17:08,558 --> 00:17:10,878 Speaker 1: year like nobody's ever Like these guys have never seen 344 00:17:10,958 --> 00:17:13,518 Speaker 1: me play. So I'm hitting right handed or whatever, and 345 00:17:13,918 --> 00:17:15,758 Speaker 1: I don't even think I played a game. I go 346 00:17:15,798 --> 00:17:17,878 Speaker 1: in the cage and I'm just like, hey, y'all flip 347 00:17:17,918 --> 00:17:20,158 Speaker 1: me some you know, obviously, if you know me, I 348 00:17:20,278 --> 00:17:22,758 Speaker 1: goof around a lot, right. So I'm goofing around in 349 00:17:22,798 --> 00:17:25,278 Speaker 1: the cage and I just I'm hitting left handed. And 350 00:17:25,558 --> 00:17:28,678 Speaker 1: Jimmy Johnson says, hey, he was our roving heating You 351 00:17:28,718 --> 00:17:30,958 Speaker 1: ever hit left handed? I go, no, We just played 352 00:17:30,998 --> 00:17:33,198 Speaker 1: with my brother and I used to play harmon derby 353 00:17:33,278 --> 00:17:35,318 Speaker 1: in our yard because it was smaller. We just hit 354 00:17:35,398 --> 00:17:37,838 Speaker 1: left handed. But my feet were every day but everywhere, 355 00:17:37,878 --> 00:17:40,798 Speaker 1: but I had a good hand ichornation. The next day, 356 00:17:40,998 --> 00:17:43,918 Speaker 1: I get a call and it's like, hey, Bill, guy Vette, 357 00:17:43,918 --> 00:17:45,758 Speaker 1: which was our scouting director at the time, wants to 358 00:17:45,758 --> 00:17:48,038 Speaker 1: see you in his office and I'm over here thinking 359 00:17:48,118 --> 00:17:50,278 Speaker 1: like this is my first I'm like, what the hell 360 00:17:50,318 --> 00:17:53,838 Speaker 1: did I do? Right? So I go in the office 361 00:17:53,958 --> 00:17:56,358 Speaker 1: and I sit down and I'm like my heart's beating, 362 00:17:56,438 --> 00:17:59,518 Speaker 1: and he's like, so we want you to start switch hitting. 363 00:17:59,718 --> 00:18:01,238 Speaker 1: He's like no, he goes the reason I could. He 364 00:18:01,238 --> 00:18:02,998 Speaker 1: goes the reason I called you to the office today. 365 00:18:02,998 --> 00:18:04,438 Speaker 1: And I'm like, all right, let me have it. What 366 00:18:04,438 --> 00:18:07,278 Speaker 1: did I do? And he's like, because it's like the 367 00:18:07,318 --> 00:18:10,318 Speaker 1: principal's office, He's like, we want you to start switch hitting. 368 00:18:10,998 --> 00:18:14,238 Speaker 1: Jimmy saw your your your swing, um, and he said 369 00:18:14,278 --> 00:18:16,518 Speaker 1: that we think it will help you, you know, getting 370 00:18:16,518 --> 00:18:19,318 Speaker 1: down the first year really fast or whatever. And I said, well, 371 00:18:19,318 --> 00:18:20,918 Speaker 1: you guys haven't even seen me hit right. He goes, no, 372 00:18:21,038 --> 00:18:23,238 Speaker 1: you still hit right handed, just like you know against 373 00:18:23,278 --> 00:18:26,278 Speaker 1: against the right as you hit left handed. I said, okay, 374 00:18:26,358 --> 00:18:27,918 Speaker 1: I'll try it when when you want me to start? 375 00:18:27,958 --> 00:18:31,038 Speaker 1: And they were like today and I was like today, 376 00:18:31,198 --> 00:18:33,518 Speaker 1: Like you really want me to start today? It was 377 00:18:33,558 --> 00:18:36,438 Speaker 1: like absolutely, go to bass man, which was our our 378 00:18:36,958 --> 00:18:39,918 Speaker 1: our equipment guy and tell him in the minor leagues 379 00:18:39,918 --> 00:18:42,198 Speaker 1: and tell him you need some left handed bats. I 380 00:18:42,278 --> 00:18:46,158 Speaker 1: was like, okay. So I went in there and I said, 381 00:18:46,198 --> 00:18:48,158 Speaker 1: bass man, I need some left hand in the bat. 382 00:18:48,198 --> 00:18:50,678 Speaker 1: I need some left handed bats because I'm starting to 383 00:18:50,678 --> 00:18:53,478 Speaker 1: switch hit now. And he started laughing. He goes, what 384 00:18:53,518 --> 00:18:56,878 Speaker 1: do you want. No, I'm serious, like I'm switch hitting. 385 00:18:56,958 --> 00:19:00,078 Speaker 1: Like I asked you for left handed He goes, there's 386 00:19:00,078 --> 00:19:02,278 Speaker 1: no left handed bats. All the bats are the same. 387 00:19:03,158 --> 00:19:05,118 Speaker 1: He got me. So I was the day I started 388 00:19:05,198 --> 00:19:08,598 Speaker 1: I started switching. That's awesome. I you know, I really 389 00:19:08,758 --> 00:19:11,318 Speaker 1: m JJ. I know JJ from Arizona JJ, and I 390 00:19:11,358 --> 00:19:13,678 Speaker 1: uhould do clinics. Yeah. Yeah. And then Guy Vett was 391 00:19:13,678 --> 00:19:15,558 Speaker 1: one of my players in the minor leagues. I just 392 00:19:15,918 --> 00:19:17,318 Speaker 1: I just was with him a couple of weeks. So 393 00:19:17,398 --> 00:19:19,318 Speaker 1: it's kind of interesting that you have that same kind 394 00:19:19,318 --> 00:19:22,958 Speaker 1: of history with those guys too. Yeah. So Dexter's September 395 00:19:22,998 --> 00:19:26,278 Speaker 1: of two thousand and eight, you get called up tenth 396 00:19:26,278 --> 00:19:29,318 Speaker 1: thinning against the Giants. They send you in there to 397 00:19:29,398 --> 00:19:34,838 Speaker 1: pinch run. You got to pick up the story from there. Yeah. So, um, 398 00:19:35,238 --> 00:19:39,158 Speaker 1: first of all, let's let's rewind. So I get there 399 00:19:39,238 --> 00:19:43,518 Speaker 1: and I see on the day before I get called up, 400 00:19:43,638 --> 00:19:47,958 Speaker 1: I see Peter Gammons on baseball tonight, and he said, 401 00:19:48,038 --> 00:19:51,318 Speaker 1: notable September call ups. And I'm sitting there at a 402 00:19:51,398 --> 00:19:53,558 Speaker 1: team dinner, like our team party for the end of 403 00:19:53,598 --> 00:19:56,478 Speaker 1: the year in Northwest Arkansas, and I look up and 404 00:19:56,518 --> 00:19:58,078 Speaker 1: I look at school call. I'm like, did I get 405 00:19:58,078 --> 00:19:59,558 Speaker 1: called up? I'm in double A. I'm like, did I 406 00:19:59,558 --> 00:20:01,918 Speaker 1: get called up? They said, I just got called up? 407 00:20:01,958 --> 00:20:04,198 Speaker 1: Like what it like? And he goes, I haven't heard thing. 408 00:20:04,238 --> 00:20:07,438 Speaker 1: So I was like, in my playing tomorrow. It was like, yeah, 409 00:20:07,518 --> 00:20:09,518 Speaker 1: you're in there. So I end up waking up, couldn't 410 00:20:09,518 --> 00:20:12,598 Speaker 1: sleep the whole night, end up waking up playing, got 411 00:20:12,598 --> 00:20:17,198 Speaker 1: three hits. After the game, I get called up. They said, hey, 412 00:20:17,438 --> 00:20:19,238 Speaker 1: you need to hurry up and get back. So when 413 00:20:19,238 --> 00:20:22,438 Speaker 1: we get back, you'll just drive. You'll pick up your 414 00:20:22,438 --> 00:20:26,118 Speaker 1: stuff and you can drive to Denver. It's probably from 415 00:20:26,118 --> 00:20:29,438 Speaker 1: Tulsa's probably like an eight hour drive. I'm like, okay, 416 00:20:29,758 --> 00:20:33,038 Speaker 1: the whole time going home, I get it. I drive there, 417 00:20:33,198 --> 00:20:35,958 Speaker 1: can't sleep and they're like, yeah, you need to hurry 418 00:20:35,998 --> 00:20:38,478 Speaker 1: up and get there because you might start And I'm 419 00:20:38,518 --> 00:20:41,318 Speaker 1: looking it up and I'm like, who's who's pitching? They 420 00:20:41,358 --> 00:20:43,998 Speaker 1: were like ten months ago this is what the freak was. 421 00:20:43,998 --> 00:20:47,718 Speaker 1: The freak. So I'm over Oh man, you know, I'm 422 00:20:47,758 --> 00:20:50,718 Speaker 1: so excited. So I get there on three hours of sleep. 423 00:20:50,758 --> 00:20:53,998 Speaker 1: I get there and I'm like, not in the lineup, 424 00:20:54,198 --> 00:20:56,438 Speaker 1: and I'm like, oh man, I thought I was starting. 425 00:20:56,638 --> 00:20:58,518 Speaker 1: So I'm sitting there in the first big league game. 426 00:20:58,558 --> 00:21:01,238 Speaker 1: I'm sitting there, you know, watching the whole game, excited. 427 00:21:01,838 --> 00:21:06,478 Speaker 1: Top ten. Jamie Quirk comes down and says, hey, Decks, 428 00:21:06,518 --> 00:21:09,478 Speaker 1: if the catcher gets on that, you're gonna pinch runt. 429 00:21:10,038 --> 00:21:13,118 Speaker 1: He's leading off the ending. I said, okay, So I'm 430 00:21:13,158 --> 00:21:15,758 Speaker 1: down there. I'm I'm I'm amped up. He gets end 431 00:21:15,838 --> 00:21:18,638 Speaker 1: up getting on. I get out there and they're like, hey, 432 00:21:18,638 --> 00:21:20,358 Speaker 1: we need to we need you to get this bag. 433 00:21:20,838 --> 00:21:23,278 Speaker 1: So I'm like all right. So second pitch, I get 434 00:21:23,318 --> 00:21:26,518 Speaker 1: the steel sign. I look in. Benji Malina is behind 435 00:21:26,558 --> 00:21:29,758 Speaker 1: the plate, and I'm like, I gotta get a really 436 00:21:29,758 --> 00:21:33,438 Speaker 1: good jump, right, And so I get the steel sign. 437 00:21:33,798 --> 00:21:36,278 Speaker 1: I get a good jump. I look in and the 438 00:21:36,318 --> 00:21:38,598 Speaker 1: balls up and a way so it looks like a 439 00:21:38,638 --> 00:21:40,838 Speaker 1: pitch out Like when I peek in, he's already up 440 00:21:40,918 --> 00:21:43,678 Speaker 1: like this, and I'm like, oh damn. So I take 441 00:21:43,758 --> 00:21:46,838 Speaker 1: like I'm three quarters of the way. I stop and 442 00:21:46,998 --> 00:21:51,678 Speaker 1: go back to the bag. And this is probably the 443 00:21:51,758 --> 00:21:56,758 Speaker 1: only time that Benji Malina threw a ball offline. It's 444 00:21:56,798 --> 00:21:59,718 Speaker 1: offline to Emmanuel Birds. He comes across the bag like 445 00:21:59,798 --> 00:22:03,878 Speaker 1: this in stride, catches it throws at the first I slide. 446 00:22:04,078 --> 00:22:07,678 Speaker 1: Then I'm out. At first, I'm like, everybody's blooming me 447 00:22:08,038 --> 00:22:14,158 Speaker 1: like a parent. Everybody. Yeah. I go back and sit down. 448 00:22:14,238 --> 00:22:17,318 Speaker 1: I'm sad, and I remember they came up to me. 449 00:22:17,398 --> 00:22:19,758 Speaker 1: They're like, hey, look, you're in the books. It's all right, 450 00:22:19,998 --> 00:22:22,238 Speaker 1: It's all right. So that was my that was my 451 00:22:22,238 --> 00:22:24,598 Speaker 1: big league debut. Who's the manager at that time? Who'd 452 00:22:24,598 --> 00:22:29,278 Speaker 1: you have? Your manager? Went Hurdle was okay, hey, Dex. 453 00:22:29,478 --> 00:22:32,478 Speaker 1: We talk a lot in this episode and these podcasts 454 00:22:32,478 --> 00:22:35,198 Speaker 1: about that moment when you belong You've heard Joe talk 455 00:22:35,238 --> 00:22:38,558 Speaker 1: about the five levels of being a professional. For you, 456 00:22:38,718 --> 00:22:42,158 Speaker 1: When did that moment come when you knew you belonged? 457 00:22:43,278 --> 00:22:46,798 Speaker 1: I can't pinpoint one. I mean almost when I was 458 00:22:47,198 --> 00:22:49,838 Speaker 1: third and Rookie of the Year voting second ar yeah, 459 00:22:49,878 --> 00:22:52,718 Speaker 1: third and Rookie of the Year voting, like I guess 460 00:22:52,798 --> 00:22:58,118 Speaker 1: when I left Colorado. If that's because kind of like 461 00:22:58,438 --> 00:23:00,878 Speaker 1: It's kind of like you you grew up, you come 462 00:23:00,958 --> 00:23:04,238 Speaker 1: up in Colorado, and they still view you as a kid. 463 00:23:04,678 --> 00:23:07,358 Speaker 1: Right when you're eighteen, you come in and you were 464 00:23:07,478 --> 00:23:09,838 Speaker 1: I was a kid, and you know, you make it 465 00:23:09,878 --> 00:23:11,638 Speaker 1: through the ranks and you play. I played for them 466 00:23:11,678 --> 00:23:14,598 Speaker 1: for five years, and I was still viewed as a kid. 467 00:23:15,998 --> 00:23:18,838 Speaker 1: And at that point, you're you're grown. You got five 468 00:23:18,918 --> 00:23:21,558 Speaker 1: years in the big leagues. I went to Houston, and 469 00:23:21,638 --> 00:23:25,278 Speaker 1: as terrible as we were at Houston h BO Porter, 470 00:23:25,598 --> 00:23:27,918 Speaker 1: I was I was looked at as the guy, like 471 00:23:28,238 --> 00:23:31,118 Speaker 1: the one of the veterans. So like even when Springer 472 00:23:31,198 --> 00:23:34,198 Speaker 1: came up, like you live with me, like all two right, 473 00:23:34,278 --> 00:23:36,478 Speaker 1: Like they all looked up to me, right, I was 474 00:23:36,518 --> 00:23:40,238 Speaker 1: the guy. And I think that's when I realized, like 475 00:23:40,718 --> 00:23:43,958 Speaker 1: I belong here, Like this is like this is where 476 00:23:43,958 --> 00:23:46,278 Speaker 1: I belong. And then I get I ended up getting 477 00:23:46,278 --> 00:23:50,318 Speaker 1: traded to um to and fifteen to the to the Cubs. 478 00:23:50,478 --> 00:23:52,598 Speaker 1: So yeah, I mean that's we allays have. We all 479 00:23:52,638 --> 00:23:54,998 Speaker 1: have to go through that seminal moment, that moment when um, 480 00:23:55,598 --> 00:23:59,238 Speaker 1: you know, that epiphany strikes, um you finally I belong here. 481 00:23:59,358 --> 00:24:02,398 Speaker 1: I can do this. Um, I'm as good as everybody else, 482 00:24:02,438 --> 00:24:05,438 Speaker 1: if not better, you have to really believe that internally. 483 00:24:05,438 --> 00:24:08,158 Speaker 1: We all have to believe that internally in order to 484 00:24:09,598 --> 00:24:12,678 Speaker 1: really maximize our talents. I mean, I know even as 485 00:24:12,718 --> 00:24:15,918 Speaker 1: a coach, as a manager, as a major league coach, 486 00:24:15,918 --> 00:24:18,798 Speaker 1: I had to go through that same process as a 487 00:24:18,798 --> 00:24:20,398 Speaker 1: young minor league player. I had to go through that 488 00:24:20,438 --> 00:24:23,558 Speaker 1: same process the first time I went to Boulder, Colorado, 489 00:24:23,638 --> 00:24:25,678 Speaker 1: and can I play with these other guys from Texas 490 00:24:25,718 --> 00:24:28,758 Speaker 1: and Oklahoma, etc. It's weird of it, and I think 491 00:24:28,798 --> 00:24:30,918 Speaker 1: everybody and I think it again, it applies in the 492 00:24:30,958 --> 00:24:33,078 Speaker 1: business world too. You have to I don't care if 493 00:24:33,118 --> 00:24:36,598 Speaker 1: your attorney, doctor, whatever, a teacher, it's got to be 494 00:24:36,638 --> 00:24:39,358 Speaker 1: that one moment when you breathe and all of a sudden, 495 00:24:39,398 --> 00:24:43,998 Speaker 1: your brain works. It works, it's able to slow things down. 496 00:24:44,238 --> 00:24:46,758 Speaker 1: I'm as good as anybody else around here. And then 497 00:24:46,798 --> 00:24:48,958 Speaker 1: everybody gets to see the full benefit of what you're 498 00:24:48,998 --> 00:24:51,638 Speaker 1: capable of doing, and that it happens to all of us. Man, 499 00:24:51,798 --> 00:24:54,238 Speaker 1: And it's a perfect example with you. Once you had 500 00:24:54,278 --> 00:24:57,158 Speaker 1: that leadership role kind of it sounds like you're able 501 00:24:57,198 --> 00:24:59,398 Speaker 1: to take off from there. Well. I don't want to 502 00:24:59,398 --> 00:25:02,838 Speaker 1: overlook Texter's career too, either, Joey talked about his ability 503 00:25:02,838 --> 00:25:05,758 Speaker 1: as a glue guy. But again, a fourteen year career, 504 00:25:05,878 --> 00:25:09,678 Speaker 1: eighty two triples. If you want to know how many 505 00:25:09,758 --> 00:25:13,798 Speaker 1: that is, Nobody who has joined the Major League since 506 00:25:13,838 --> 00:25:17,438 Speaker 1: two thousand and five has eighty two triples. The active 507 00:25:17,558 --> 00:25:21,718 Speaker 1: leader's actually a tie. Charlie Blackman and Alcie dis Escobar 508 00:25:21,958 --> 00:25:25,518 Speaker 1: have only fifty eight. And here's a trivia question for you. 509 00:25:25,678 --> 00:25:28,678 Speaker 1: Joe Dexter had one hundred and twenty seven home runs 510 00:25:28,718 --> 00:25:33,438 Speaker 1: and eighty two triples. There's only one other switch hitting 511 00:25:33,478 --> 00:25:38,038 Speaker 1: outfielder in the history of baseball that has that combination 512 00:25:38,118 --> 00:25:41,758 Speaker 1: of home runs and triples, that many homers, that many triples, 513 00:25:42,198 --> 00:25:46,878 Speaker 1: Mickey Mantle. Not Mickey Mantle, but it is a Hall 514 00:25:46,918 --> 00:25:51,838 Speaker 1: of Famer home runs and triples. Yes, probably the second 515 00:25:51,838 --> 00:25:55,758 Speaker 1: greatest leadoff hitter in baseball history, because we have to 516 00:25:55,798 --> 00:25:57,918 Speaker 1: go with the Rickey at number one. No offense. Dexter, 517 00:25:58,678 --> 00:26:01,878 Speaker 1: come on, I had you got me at Mickey. It's 518 00:26:01,918 --> 00:26:04,358 Speaker 1: more even more of an ale guy. Maybe from back then, 519 00:26:04,478 --> 00:26:06,358 Speaker 1: back in the eighties, but he was in the other 520 00:26:06,398 --> 00:26:08,158 Speaker 1: league back in the eighties when you were in the 521 00:26:08,198 --> 00:26:14,638 Speaker 1: al Tim Rain Dexter, Fowler and Tim Rain how about that. 522 00:26:14,998 --> 00:26:18,158 Speaker 1: That's crazy, which leads me dexter to this question who 523 00:26:18,238 --> 00:26:20,278 Speaker 1: is your guy growing up? Like, who is the guy 524 00:26:20,318 --> 00:26:23,278 Speaker 1: you're watching? You're like, man, I like that Ken. I 525 00:26:23,278 --> 00:26:28,198 Speaker 1: want to be like him. J K Junior first year, 526 00:26:28,798 --> 00:26:31,798 Speaker 1: without a doubt. That's why I war twenty four for Junior. 527 00:26:32,198 --> 00:26:36,078 Speaker 1: I remember Don Baylor introduced me to him, and it 528 00:26:36,118 --> 00:26:39,438 Speaker 1: was crazy because when that was like, I don't get 529 00:26:39,478 --> 00:26:42,758 Speaker 1: star struck meeting people, but like Junior, I was. I was. 530 00:26:43,598 --> 00:26:45,598 Speaker 1: I just got called up. So two thousand and nine 531 00:26:45,598 --> 00:26:47,358 Speaker 1: and I made the team out of training and grew 532 00:26:47,558 --> 00:26:50,158 Speaker 1: Don Baylor walking me over there at the meeting. We 533 00:26:50,158 --> 00:26:53,478 Speaker 1: were in Peoria, and funny he knew who I was. 534 00:26:54,158 --> 00:26:55,878 Speaker 1: He told me, hey, don't be running down any of 535 00:26:55,918 --> 00:27:01,638 Speaker 1: my balls, gave me his number, and Junior has always 536 00:27:01,638 --> 00:27:04,038 Speaker 1: been great and that, like I said, that's why I 537 00:27:04,038 --> 00:27:06,398 Speaker 1: I was a Marinis fan growing up, even being in Atlanta, 538 00:27:06,518 --> 00:27:11,278 Speaker 1: just because Griffy was my guy. So cool, pretty good player, man, 539 00:27:11,558 --> 00:27:13,598 Speaker 1: I saw him in rookie ball. Pretty good player. The 540 00:27:13,638 --> 00:27:17,078 Speaker 1: one thing decks there's a little phrase he was coming 541 00:27:17,078 --> 00:27:19,558 Speaker 1: out of the dugout one time in Chicago. I don't 542 00:27:19,558 --> 00:27:21,118 Speaker 1: even know if you're like hurting a little bit or 543 00:27:21,318 --> 00:27:24,078 Speaker 1: I recognize something, but he's walking in front of me, 544 00:27:24,598 --> 00:27:27,038 Speaker 1: going to the on deck circle, probably going to hit. 545 00:27:27,158 --> 00:27:29,438 Speaker 1: And I just called him over and said, remember one thing, 546 00:27:29,998 --> 00:27:32,598 Speaker 1: you go, we go. And from that moment on, I 547 00:27:32,598 --> 00:27:34,798 Speaker 1: would repeat that to him before every game. You go, 548 00:27:34,958 --> 00:27:38,118 Speaker 1: we go. And it was absolutely true. The guy. You 549 00:27:38,198 --> 00:27:40,718 Speaker 1: think about fifteen, the home run in Pittsburgh, you think 550 00:27:40,758 --> 00:27:43,998 Speaker 1: about sixteen, the leadoff home running Game seven, There's so 551 00:27:44,038 --> 00:27:47,798 Speaker 1: many big hits that he had had and just and 552 00:27:47,838 --> 00:27:50,678 Speaker 1: then he would just he was an igniter. He's, like 553 00:27:50,678 --> 00:27:54,318 Speaker 1: you said, a classical leadoff hitter that everybody's seeking, because 554 00:27:54,358 --> 00:27:56,358 Speaker 1: he could handle it mentally too, like when you're not 555 00:27:56,438 --> 00:27:58,438 Speaker 1: going well, you have to be able to handle that also. 556 00:27:58,478 --> 00:28:01,318 Speaker 1: And he handled the downtime as well too. But you go, 557 00:28:01,438 --> 00:28:04,358 Speaker 1: we go. I always remember that about us, but absolutely 558 00:28:04,398 --> 00:28:07,718 Speaker 1: And I'm laughing because I remember in fifteen I went 559 00:28:07,758 --> 00:28:12,078 Speaker 1: up here often. I was struggling. I feel like every 560 00:28:12,478 --> 00:28:15,278 Speaker 1: every had back um to start the game, I was 561 00:28:15,278 --> 00:28:19,798 Speaker 1: punching out. You remember, yeah, you said, hey, okay, all right, decks, 562 00:28:19,798 --> 00:28:22,438 Speaker 1: we're gonna change your mindset. He said, hey, what are 563 00:28:22,438 --> 00:28:24,518 Speaker 1: we gonna do when we start this game? To day, 564 00:28:24,638 --> 00:28:29,878 Speaker 1: and I said, probably punch out and they go right 565 00:28:29,918 --> 00:28:32,558 Speaker 1: ahead and do it. Man did we go to? It 566 00:28:32,718 --> 00:28:34,678 Speaker 1: was like, hey, they go ahead, go ahead, it's punch 567 00:28:34,718 --> 00:28:36,598 Speaker 1: out as much as you have to. Yeah, right, But 568 00:28:36,718 --> 00:28:38,918 Speaker 1: that's the that's just the type of person, like the 569 00:28:38,958 --> 00:28:41,278 Speaker 1: type of relationship Joe and I had. He started laughing 570 00:28:41,318 --> 00:28:43,278 Speaker 1: and I started laughing. I was like, well, I haven't 571 00:28:43,318 --> 00:28:45,518 Speaker 1: doing it, so I was just keep doing it, but 572 00:28:45,678 --> 00:28:47,918 Speaker 1: ended up it ended up turning around so that the 573 00:28:48,118 --> 00:28:50,798 Speaker 1: ugo we go. It definitely helped out. But that's just 574 00:28:50,838 --> 00:28:54,318 Speaker 1: the confidence he had in me. And like that, Like 575 00:28:54,358 --> 00:28:57,038 Speaker 1: I said, dating back, that goes a long way. It 576 00:28:57,118 --> 00:28:59,358 Speaker 1: was just true. You did you were the you were 577 00:28:59,358 --> 00:29:02,038 Speaker 1: the shrug. Yeah, absolutely, you go we go? He used to. 578 00:29:02,158 --> 00:29:04,118 Speaker 1: We used to, we used to dap it up me 579 00:29:04,158 --> 00:29:07,278 Speaker 1: a hug, you go we go? And I say, hey, 580 00:29:07,398 --> 00:29:10,398 Speaker 1: it's true. Yeah, And Dexter is the same thing Game 581 00:29:10,478 --> 00:29:12,598 Speaker 1: seven of the World Series. Right first out of the 582 00:29:12,598 --> 00:29:16,958 Speaker 1: game and then you walk up to a hit. That's 583 00:29:17,038 --> 00:29:20,278 Speaker 1: that's I forgot all about. That's outstanding. That's beautiful. X. 584 00:29:20,358 --> 00:29:23,918 Speaker 1: This has been outstanding. But I've got one more job 585 00:29:23,958 --> 00:29:31,118 Speaker 1: for you. We'll be back with that in a minute. 586 00:29:36,038 --> 00:29:38,918 Speaker 1: All right, Dexter. Before we let you go, they have 587 00:29:38,918 --> 00:29:41,558 Speaker 1: a game to play with you. Okay, we call it 588 00:29:41,838 --> 00:29:46,878 Speaker 1: a reading from the Book of Joe. We take our 589 00:29:46,918 --> 00:29:49,238 Speaker 1: book and we like to think you can crack this 590 00:29:49,278 --> 00:29:52,478 Speaker 1: book open anywhere and you're gonna find something interesting and fun. 591 00:29:53,318 --> 00:29:55,318 Speaker 1: And we put that to the test with all of 592 00:29:55,318 --> 00:29:57,638 Speaker 1: our guests. So you get to pick a number anywhere 593 00:29:57,678 --> 00:30:00,638 Speaker 1: between one and three hundred and sixty eight and we'll 594 00:30:00,638 --> 00:30:06,198 Speaker 1: see what's on that page. So your choice, Um, let's 595 00:30:06,278 --> 00:30:14,118 Speaker 1: go twenty four. I what a shocker number, twenty four. 596 00:30:15,078 --> 00:30:17,718 Speaker 1: Where did you come up with that? I would never 597 00:30:17,758 --> 00:30:22,438 Speaker 1: have seen that one coming. Oh man, you're going back 598 00:30:22,438 --> 00:30:26,678 Speaker 1: to Joe's right, right right. Growing up with his college coach, 599 00:30:27,478 --> 00:30:30,078 Speaker 1: he talked about Norm Geigan. Is that how you say 600 00:30:30,118 --> 00:30:35,798 Speaker 1: at Joe gig Right? Yes? Who did play for the 601 00:30:36,078 --> 00:30:38,198 Speaker 1: He played for the Chicago Cups? He did? He did? 602 00:30:38,238 --> 00:30:42,158 Speaker 1: He played for the Cup. Yeah, So here we go, 603 00:30:42,238 --> 00:30:45,718 Speaker 1: page twenty four. Gigan was never as blunt with Madden 604 00:30:45,838 --> 00:30:48,878 Speaker 1: as he was one day when he discussed his chances 605 00:30:48,878 --> 00:30:52,798 Speaker 1: of playing in the major leagues. You know you're never 606 00:30:52,838 --> 00:30:55,478 Speaker 1: gonna play in the big leagues, Gigan told him. The 607 00:30:55,518 --> 00:30:57,998 Speaker 1: only chance you have of playing pro ball is as 608 00:30:58,038 --> 00:31:00,998 Speaker 1: a backup catcher, but you ain't never playing in the 609 00:31:00,998 --> 00:31:05,598 Speaker 1: big leagues, says Madden. I love when coaches were straight 610 00:31:05,678 --> 00:31:08,358 Speaker 1: up with me. Gig played in pro ball. He had 611 00:31:08,398 --> 00:31:11,678 Speaker 1: a good idea what the standard was. I wasn't close 612 00:31:11,758 --> 00:31:15,398 Speaker 1: to being as good as what he understood that standard 613 00:31:15,438 --> 00:31:19,038 Speaker 1: to be correct. How about that story, Joe, Yeah, I 614 00:31:19,078 --> 00:31:22,078 Speaker 1: could just I mean he was. He's no longer with us. 615 00:31:22,678 --> 00:31:26,238 Speaker 1: He was a very self confident man. He was. He 616 00:31:26,318 --> 00:31:28,358 Speaker 1: played at the big leagues so briefly with the Cubs, 617 00:31:28,358 --> 00:31:31,398 Speaker 1: I think in nineteen sixty eight sixty nine. He was 618 00:31:31,438 --> 00:31:35,038 Speaker 1: also the JB basketball coach. Their big athlete. Went to 619 00:31:35,078 --> 00:31:37,678 Speaker 1: Colby College in Maine. Tough, but this guy taught me 620 00:31:37,718 --> 00:31:40,718 Speaker 1: how to catch, and that was my ticket to to 621 00:31:40,878 --> 00:31:43,838 Speaker 1: professional baseball because I converted the catcher my freshman year 622 00:31:43,838 --> 00:31:46,758 Speaker 1: at college and this guy was an infielder, but everything 623 00:31:46,798 --> 00:31:50,398 Speaker 1: he taught me to catch in that freshman year. I 624 00:31:50,438 --> 00:31:53,638 Speaker 1: heard it again when I got to spring training with 625 00:31:53,678 --> 00:31:57,998 Speaker 1: the Angels in Holtville. From del Crando, Jack Hyatt, Chris Kenna, Zaro, 626 00:31:58,558 --> 00:32:00,838 Speaker 1: Larry Himes, all these dudes that had all this this 627 00:32:00,998 --> 00:32:03,878 Speaker 1: pedigree in catching, so I was really fortunate that Gig 628 00:32:04,478 --> 00:32:07,038 Speaker 1: was my skipper at that time. But man, the man 629 00:32:07,118 --> 00:32:09,318 Speaker 1: had an ego, but it was a lot of fun 630 00:32:09,358 --> 00:32:11,518 Speaker 1: to play for him. I love that. What's that line 631 00:32:11,518 --> 00:32:15,518 Speaker 1: you have, Joe about delivering truth but with compassion. Yeah, honestly, 632 00:32:15,518 --> 00:32:19,478 Speaker 1: without compassion equals cruelty. But I was okay with a 633 00:32:19,518 --> 00:32:21,918 Speaker 1: little bit of cruelty. I mean, coming back from where 634 00:32:21,918 --> 00:32:23,358 Speaker 1: we came from back in the day. I played for 635 00:32:23,398 --> 00:32:25,838 Speaker 1: Adam Seminska, I played for Norm Giggle, and I played 636 00:32:25,838 --> 00:32:28,398 Speaker 1: for Richie Rabbits and Jack Sywell. I mean, these guys 637 00:32:28,398 --> 00:32:30,278 Speaker 1: that shoot you right between the eyes when you're ten 638 00:32:30,278 --> 00:32:32,478 Speaker 1: and eleven years old. They tell you much a stink, 639 00:32:32,838 --> 00:32:34,718 Speaker 1: and so you just had to keep coming back and 640 00:32:36,078 --> 00:32:38,278 Speaker 1: I kind of liked it, kind of liked it. I 641 00:32:38,318 --> 00:32:41,558 Speaker 1: appreciate that too, you know, player, you appreciate you rather 642 00:32:41,678 --> 00:32:44,038 Speaker 1: that than guy just blow smoke and man do whatever 643 00:32:44,078 --> 00:32:46,398 Speaker 1: he needs to do. I really tell me, be honest 644 00:32:46,438 --> 00:32:48,878 Speaker 1: with me, Hey, I really don't like you. I don't 645 00:32:48,878 --> 00:32:51,278 Speaker 1: like your game, Okay, cool? Cool. I appreciate that. I 646 00:32:51,358 --> 00:32:53,278 Speaker 1: appreciate you telling me that instead of being like, hey, 647 00:32:53,278 --> 00:32:55,478 Speaker 1: you know what, You're great. I can't wait till you 648 00:32:55,638 --> 00:32:58,758 Speaker 1: and then really hate me like it's spot. I can 649 00:32:58,838 --> 00:33:02,878 Speaker 1: fee man, I'm a girl, I'm a big boy. I 650 00:33:02,918 --> 00:33:06,478 Speaker 1: can handle it right to give it to me exactly, Dexter, 651 00:33:06,598 --> 00:33:09,078 Speaker 1: this has been great, and I'm sure anybody listening to 652 00:33:09,118 --> 00:33:12,518 Speaker 1: this understands why you are an ultimate glue guy. Appreciate 653 00:33:12,558 --> 00:33:14,678 Speaker 1: your time before we let you go. Give us a 654 00:33:14,758 --> 00:33:17,238 Speaker 1: quick idea besides being a dance dad, of of what 655 00:33:17,278 --> 00:33:19,238 Speaker 1: you've got ahead of you. I understand you'll do a 656 00:33:19,238 --> 00:33:21,718 Speaker 1: little more work for the Marquis Sports Network doing some 657 00:33:21,798 --> 00:33:24,878 Speaker 1: Cubbs games. So what's ahead for you. I'm kind of 658 00:33:24,878 --> 00:33:28,478 Speaker 1: a free agent right now, so I'm setting through some 659 00:33:28,478 --> 00:33:32,158 Speaker 1: some things, um, Marquis set in stone. We're gonna solidify 660 00:33:32,238 --> 00:33:35,518 Speaker 1: some stuff here, um hopefully this week or next week 661 00:33:35,598 --> 00:33:38,838 Speaker 1: and get going. But you'll definitely see me in my 662 00:33:38,918 --> 00:33:45,278 Speaker 1: face on air, um somewhere, whether that's on YouTube via 663 00:33:45,958 --> 00:33:49,318 Speaker 1: social media, but I'll be uh, not just one place, 664 00:33:49,918 --> 00:33:53,638 Speaker 1: but not everywhere. So are ubiquitous, buddy, right, They're very good. 665 00:33:53,878 --> 00:33:56,718 Speaker 1: Love it. Thanks so much, Dexter. It's been great. Well, 666 00:33:56,758 --> 00:33:59,758 Speaker 1: thank you guys for having me. For sure. Deck's best wishes, man, 667 00:33:59,838 --> 00:34:01,918 Speaker 1: best wishes with everything you know that way in touch. 668 00:34:01,958 --> 00:34:04,198 Speaker 1: We got to play some golf. Man, absolutely got to 669 00:34:04,238 --> 00:34:07,198 Speaker 1: play some golf. Edited seventy nine, Yesterday seventy nine. I'm 670 00:34:07,238 --> 00:34:08,958 Speaker 1: coming after you. I love to see it. I love 671 00:34:09,038 --> 00:34:13,278 Speaker 1: to see let's go, let's go. All right, Well, Joe, 672 00:34:13,838 --> 00:34:16,718 Speaker 1: no surprise to you. You know Dexter Fowler really well. 673 00:34:16,758 --> 00:34:20,238 Speaker 1: But for a lot of our listeners maybe no, obviously 674 00:34:20,278 --> 00:34:22,078 Speaker 1: no him as a player. You get a little insight 675 00:34:22,118 --> 00:34:24,558 Speaker 1: into the person and you're even more impressed. That was 676 00:34:24,558 --> 00:34:27,598 Speaker 1: a real treat. Yeah, that's just that's typical decks right there, 677 00:34:27,598 --> 00:34:30,118 Speaker 1: And that's what I was talking about. These on a 678 00:34:30,198 --> 00:34:33,038 Speaker 1: daily basis. You know what to expect as the person 679 00:34:33,078 --> 00:34:35,278 Speaker 1: who the person is walking in the door. And that's 680 00:34:35,318 --> 00:34:39,678 Speaker 1: why he's so influential in the clubhouse. Speaking about there, 681 00:34:39,798 --> 00:34:42,558 Speaker 1: he was really really outstanding in sixteen. But of course 682 00:34:42,598 --> 00:34:44,238 Speaker 1: you're away was going to go through some bad moments, 683 00:34:44,238 --> 00:34:47,998 Speaker 1: but when he did, it was unrecognizable regarding his personality 684 00:34:48,118 --> 00:34:50,238 Speaker 1: and how he went about his business with everybody else. 685 00:34:50,278 --> 00:34:52,478 Speaker 1: And that that to me is a real leader, and 686 00:34:52,638 --> 00:34:54,558 Speaker 1: real leader is a leadoff hitter. I mean, your leadoff 687 00:34:54,638 --> 00:34:56,998 Speaker 1: hitter is going to go through some bad moments. You 688 00:34:57,038 --> 00:34:58,518 Speaker 1: might give him a day off, but you're not taking 689 00:34:58,598 --> 00:35:00,638 Speaker 1: him out of the leadoff spots. So he handled it 690 00:35:00,678 --> 00:35:03,638 Speaker 1: so well and we did some good things together, and 691 00:35:03,638 --> 00:35:05,878 Speaker 1: it's always wonderful to be in his company. And you 692 00:35:05,918 --> 00:35:08,078 Speaker 1: know what, I know, Dexter got every bit out of 693 00:35:08,118 --> 00:35:11,518 Speaker 1: his career. But hopefully, as we're watching spring spring training 694 00:35:11,518 --> 00:35:14,478 Speaker 1: games this year, Joe, there's going to be more Dexter 695 00:35:14,558 --> 00:35:16,478 Speaker 1: fowlers in this game. I think we're going to see 696 00:35:16,518 --> 00:35:19,678 Speaker 1: switch hitting comeback. We're going to see obviously a premium 697 00:35:19,678 --> 00:35:23,998 Speaker 1: on athleticism, on base stealing, all those qualities that sort 698 00:35:23,998 --> 00:35:26,758 Speaker 1: of we're a little bit devalued with the way the 699 00:35:26,758 --> 00:35:28,358 Speaker 1: game fell in love with the home run. I think 700 00:35:28,398 --> 00:35:32,438 Speaker 1: are coming back in a much more entertaining game. If 701 00:35:32,518 --> 00:35:35,118 Speaker 1: first indications of the rule changes in spring training are 702 00:35:35,158 --> 00:35:38,278 Speaker 1: any indications, so that's a good thing. That'd be very welcoming. Absolutely, 703 00:35:38,318 --> 00:35:40,478 Speaker 1: And just last point, I did the same thing with 704 00:35:40,518 --> 00:35:43,598 Speaker 1: a couple of young hitters, made them into switch hitters, 705 00:35:43,638 --> 00:35:46,158 Speaker 1: and they'll stay asked when I said today, you just 706 00:35:46,758 --> 00:35:48,718 Speaker 1: started up that day because when you're the minor leagues, 707 00:35:48,758 --> 00:35:51,158 Speaker 1: you don't want to waste a moment. You're okay with 708 00:35:51,198 --> 00:35:52,878 Speaker 1: a couple of bad at batch for a couple outs. 709 00:35:52,958 --> 00:35:55,238 Speaker 1: Let's just start it today, get a feel for it, 710 00:35:55,318 --> 00:35:57,398 Speaker 1: and then we just move forward from there. It's a 711 00:35:57,478 --> 00:36:01,078 Speaker 1: great idea. I just for background. Two thousand and nine, 712 00:36:01,158 --> 00:36:03,478 Speaker 1: Dexter's first full year of the Big leagues, there were 713 00:36:03,518 --> 00:36:07,718 Speaker 1: twenty five switch hitters who qualified. That's enough plate appearances 714 00:36:07,758 --> 00:36:12,918 Speaker 1: to qualify for the batting title. Last year there are thirteen. Well, 715 00:36:13,598 --> 00:36:16,158 Speaker 1: so you know, you think about the Hey days, which 716 00:36:16,198 --> 00:36:18,198 Speaker 1: hitter is probably the nineteen eighties, and we've kind of 717 00:36:18,198 --> 00:36:21,358 Speaker 1: gone downhill since then. Babe, it'll come back some better 718 00:36:21,398 --> 00:36:23,278 Speaker 1: athletes than As you said, you need some minor league 719 00:36:23,318 --> 00:36:26,318 Speaker 1: coaches to encourage it as well. Yeah, absolutely, Joe, you 720 00:36:26,398 --> 00:36:28,558 Speaker 1: got something to take us out here. Yeah. Again, I 721 00:36:28,598 --> 00:36:30,958 Speaker 1: went back to mister twin as I was playing with 722 00:36:31,038 --> 00:36:33,278 Speaker 1: Kurt Vonnegut a little bit. Vonnegut kind of messed my 723 00:36:33,318 --> 00:36:36,438 Speaker 1: head up in nineteen was at seventy something. He was 724 00:36:36,478 --> 00:36:37,958 Speaker 1: just kind of but I love him. I love all 725 00:36:37,958 --> 00:36:41,318 Speaker 1: of his stuff. Anyway, way back to Mark Twain, and 726 00:36:41,558 --> 00:36:43,998 Speaker 1: I love this too because it deals with the imagination. 727 00:36:45,078 --> 00:36:48,918 Speaker 1: You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is 728 00:36:48,958 --> 00:36:52,878 Speaker 1: out of focus. That's it's so important to be able 729 00:36:52,918 --> 00:36:58,558 Speaker 1: to visually see things in advance and be willing to 730 00:36:58,638 --> 00:37:01,718 Speaker 1: try new and different things and to take to take 731 00:37:01,798 --> 00:37:04,798 Speaker 1: the lead in those situations. So that's what I get 732 00:37:04,838 --> 00:37:08,118 Speaker 1: out of that. If your imagination is in focus, it's 733 00:37:08,118 --> 00:37:11,758 Speaker 1: really permit your eyes to see more clearly. The great 734 00:37:11,838 --> 00:37:13,878 Speaker 1: Mark Twain, one of my favorites, and the man who 735 00:37:13,958 --> 00:37:19,598 Speaker 1: said golf is a good walk spoiled good? How is 736 00:37:19,638 --> 00:37:22,318 Speaker 1: he was so good? Wasn't hit him straight? Joe? Thanks 737 00:37:22,318 --> 00:37:33,718 Speaker 1: brother nice going. The Book of Joe podcast is a 738 00:37:33,758 --> 00:37:37,398 Speaker 1: production of iHeartRadio. For more podcasts for my heart Radio, 739 00:37:37,638 --> 00:37:41,558 Speaker 1: visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get 740 00:37:41,598 --> 00:37:42,358 Speaker 1: your podcasts.