1
00:00:04,078 --> 00:00:07,358
Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio.

2
00:00:15,318 --> 00:00:15,998
Speaker 2: Hey there and.

3
00:00:16,038 --> 00:00:18,918
Speaker 1: Welcome back to the Book of Joe podcast with me,

4
00:00:19,118 --> 00:00:24,238
Speaker 1: Tom Verducci and Joe Madden Joe. The Major League Baseball

5
00:00:24,318 --> 00:00:30,678
Speaker 1: twenty twenty five season is officially underway and Chakra of Schaker.

6
00:00:30,758 --> 00:00:34,238
Speaker 1: The LA Dodgers are undefeated, sweeping both games in Tokyo

7
00:00:34,358 --> 00:00:35,798
Speaker 1: against the Chicago Cubs.

8
00:00:36,478 --> 00:00:39,398
Speaker 3: I just watched the conclusion of the second game right now,

9
00:00:39,518 --> 00:00:43,678
Speaker 3: and you know, it's interesting. Obviously, the Dodgers are supposed

10
00:00:43,678 --> 00:00:46,398
Speaker 3: to do that, and they did. But there's a lot

11
00:00:46,438 --> 00:00:47,598
Speaker 3: to like about that Cup group.

12
00:00:47,638 --> 00:00:47,918
Speaker 4: I think.

13
00:00:47,958 --> 00:00:51,678
Speaker 3: I listen, I'm a big Kyle Tucker fan. Given an

14
00:00:51,678 --> 00:00:54,438
Speaker 3: option or choice, I think if I had the same

15
00:00:54,438 --> 00:00:57,118
Speaker 3: amount of money to spend, I might choose him over Soto. Actually,

16
00:00:57,198 --> 00:01:00,238
Speaker 3: I think he's that good. So they're going to catch up.

17
00:01:00,238 --> 00:01:04,198
Speaker 3: They're going to play well. But the Dodgers again played

18
00:01:04,238 --> 00:01:06,878
Speaker 3: with a lot of vengeance. I like like their attitude.

19
00:01:07,758 --> 00:01:09,478
Speaker 3: Kirby Yates is one of my guys from back with

20
00:01:09,518 --> 00:01:12,598
Speaker 3: the Rays. I like seeing him being as successful as

21
00:01:12,598 --> 00:01:14,398
Speaker 3: he is. Of course, show hey in the whole group,

22
00:01:14,438 --> 00:01:16,798
Speaker 3: but this is just you know, people should not read

23
00:01:16,838 --> 00:01:19,158
Speaker 3: too much into it. The Dodgers are good, yes they're

24
00:01:19,198 --> 00:01:21,358
Speaker 3: really good. But I think the Cubbies are going to

25
00:01:21,398 --> 00:01:23,878
Speaker 3: be better. I'll be obviously than last year.

26
00:01:24,278 --> 00:01:26,558
Speaker 1: Boy coming out strong right out of the gate show

27
00:01:26,998 --> 00:01:30,198
Speaker 1: Kyle Tucker over Juan Soto. If I had I get

28
00:01:30,238 --> 00:01:33,158
Speaker 1: your point. I get your point. You know, much better

29
00:01:33,198 --> 00:01:34,558
Speaker 1: defender and much better base reunter.

30
00:01:34,678 --> 00:01:36,958
Speaker 2: I get it. But there's no way I'm taking Kyle

31
00:01:36,998 --> 00:01:38,158
Speaker 2: Tucker over Jan Soto.

32
00:01:38,438 --> 00:01:40,438
Speaker 1: I mean, I just can't. I just think so much

33
00:01:40,478 --> 00:01:44,038
Speaker 1: of Wan Soto offensively. I think he's He's the surest

34
00:01:44,078 --> 00:01:47,318
Speaker 1: thing in baseball. He never has even close to a

35
00:01:47,358 --> 00:01:50,638
Speaker 1: bad season. Makes everybody else around him plays every day.

36
00:01:50,918 --> 00:01:52,718
Speaker 1: I get where you're going. If you want to break

37
00:01:52,798 --> 00:01:55,678
Speaker 1: them down, then package of skills. Kyle Tucker's got more.

38
00:01:57,038 --> 00:01:59,758
Speaker 1: But man, Wan Soto is like an all time great.

39
00:01:59,798 --> 00:02:01,838
Speaker 1: I'm not putting Kyle Tucker there yet.

40
00:02:02,198 --> 00:02:04,678
Speaker 4: I just I listen. I I've seen on the field.

41
00:02:05,398 --> 00:02:06,918
Speaker 3: You saw what he just did in his last that

42
00:02:07,038 --> 00:02:09,158
Speaker 3: bat with two strikes against the left, he went off

43
00:02:09,158 --> 00:02:12,038
Speaker 3: the wall. It doesn't matter to him if you right

44
00:02:12,078 --> 00:02:16,078
Speaker 3: or left handed. He does give an inch the other guys.

45
00:02:16,118 --> 00:02:19,478
Speaker 3: Probably Soto's major strength obviously, is to get on base.

46
00:02:19,838 --> 00:02:20,278
Speaker 4: He could hit.

47
00:02:20,398 --> 00:02:23,478
Speaker 3: He's a good hit or no question, but that's it.

48
00:02:23,518 --> 00:02:26,158
Speaker 3: I mean, it's the offensive side of his game is

49
00:02:26,198 --> 00:02:28,598
Speaker 3: where it's at, and I mean that's what people pay for.

50
00:02:28,638 --> 00:02:31,438
Speaker 3: I understand that. But Tucker, like you just suggested to me,

51
00:02:31,478 --> 00:02:34,038
Speaker 3: plays a complete game and when it comes down to

52
00:02:34,078 --> 00:02:36,118
Speaker 3: a big at bat against a tough left handed pitcher.

53
00:02:36,158 --> 00:02:40,518
Speaker 3: I mean, among all these guys, I Tucker is possibly

54
00:02:40,518 --> 00:02:43,238
Speaker 3: one of the most devastating for me. Him and albare

55
00:02:43,358 --> 00:02:47,678
Speaker 3: Is with with the Astros for years, those guys back

56
00:02:47,718 --> 00:02:50,238
Speaker 3: to back. For me, it was always a strange that

57
00:02:50,278 --> 00:02:52,118
Speaker 3: they bat at Tucker so far down in the batting

58
00:02:52,238 --> 00:02:54,598
Speaker 3: order because I thought he was that good and he is.

59
00:02:54,918 --> 00:02:56,598
Speaker 3: So we'll just see how it plays out this year.

60
00:02:56,998 --> 00:02:59,478
Speaker 3: I'm that big of a fan of his and I

61
00:02:59,478 --> 00:03:02,918
Speaker 3: do love complete game, a complete game five to a player,

62
00:03:02,918 --> 00:03:03,838
Speaker 3: and I think that's what he is.

63
00:03:04,198 --> 00:03:06,158
Speaker 1: A lot to talk about here, Joe, In terms of

64
00:03:06,198 --> 00:03:08,878
Speaker 1: first impressions coming off these two games in Tokyo, the

65
00:03:08,958 --> 00:03:11,358
Speaker 1: Dodgers and the Cubs, there's a lot to get into,

66
00:03:11,478 --> 00:03:15,638
Speaker 1: including the major league debut of Roki Sasaki. The good

67
00:03:15,878 --> 00:03:18,918
Speaker 1: and the bad, they were both really on display in

68
00:03:18,958 --> 00:03:24,638
Speaker 1: this game. Yeshobu Yamamoto, he made the opening start Game

69
00:03:24,678 --> 00:03:26,718
Speaker 1: one of that series, and man, he looked good. We'll

70
00:03:26,718 --> 00:03:28,998
Speaker 1: get into that. The Dodger depth will get into that.

71
00:03:29,078 --> 00:03:33,158
Speaker 1: The Cubs rode ahead, We'll get into that, but we

72
00:03:33,238 --> 00:03:36,078
Speaker 1: have to start with Shoho Tani Joe. I mean, come on,

73
00:03:36,678 --> 00:03:40,198
Speaker 1: he actually admitted he was a little bit nervous the

74
00:03:40,198 --> 00:03:43,158
Speaker 1: game number one. Why not, right, He's going back playing

75
00:03:43,238 --> 00:03:45,358
Speaker 1: in Tokyo, back in his home country for the first

76
00:03:45,398 --> 00:03:50,318
Speaker 1: time since he joined MLB, and what.

77
00:03:50,278 --> 00:03:50,718
Speaker 2: Does he do.

78
00:03:50,838 --> 00:03:53,518
Speaker 1: He rips two hits each over one hundred and seven

79
00:03:53,598 --> 00:03:56,838
Speaker 1: miles an hour, comes back the next day, gets on

80
00:03:56,878 --> 00:03:59,798
Speaker 1: base three more times, including of course a home run.

81
00:04:00,278 --> 00:04:02,358
Speaker 2: I mean, how many times does.

82
00:04:02,318 --> 00:04:05,838
Speaker 1: Show Hey have to show us that with all the

83
00:04:05,958 --> 00:04:10,518
Speaker 1: expectations on him, he's like he never disappoints.

84
00:04:10,758 --> 00:04:13,718
Speaker 2: He rises to the moment. It's just amazing.

85
00:04:13,838 --> 00:04:15,638
Speaker 1: Just think about all the pressure he was under in

86
00:04:15,678 --> 00:04:18,798
Speaker 1: the little sample of games Joe to go back there.

87
00:04:19,038 --> 00:04:22,398
Speaker 1: Everybody in that country wants to see show Hey bat

88
00:04:22,398 --> 00:04:25,518
Speaker 1: and do something good, and he delivers again. He's just

89
00:04:25,598 --> 00:04:29,518
Speaker 1: an extraordinary athlete. I mean, listen, I can go as

90
00:04:29,558 --> 00:04:32,078
Speaker 1: far as to say he's in that Michael Jordan category

91
00:04:32,198 --> 00:04:35,838
Speaker 1: right where just over and over in the big spot

92
00:04:35,878 --> 00:04:39,358
Speaker 1: when you expect the guy to come through, he does.

93
00:04:39,558 --> 00:04:42,078
Speaker 2: It's not that easy. He's just an outlier.

94
00:04:42,598 --> 00:04:45,278
Speaker 3: Well, I think it's actually really great to hear that

95
00:04:45,318 --> 00:04:48,158
Speaker 3: he could be nervous. You know, under these the fact

96
00:04:48,158 --> 00:04:51,598
Speaker 3: that he's accomplished all that he's accomplished on an annual basis,

97
00:04:52,038 --> 00:04:55,198
Speaker 3: he's risen to the top of his profession very very

98
00:04:55,238 --> 00:04:58,318
Speaker 3: quickly as a pitcher and as a hitter. Can't wait

99
00:04:58,318 --> 00:05:00,438
Speaker 3: to see him pitch again. But to say that he's nervous,

100
00:05:00,478 --> 00:05:03,078
Speaker 3: I love that. Actually, I think that just speaks him

101
00:05:03,078 --> 00:05:05,678
Speaker 3: as a human being, as person. I almost want to

102
00:05:05,678 --> 00:05:08,078
Speaker 3: believe the words more eager than nervous. I mean, just

103
00:05:08,398 --> 00:05:11,078
Speaker 3: let me get going, let me get going. You know,

104
00:05:11,158 --> 00:05:13,078
Speaker 3: that's almost like when you play football and you've done

105
00:05:13,078 --> 00:05:16,318
Speaker 3: it first hit, everything goes away after your first first

106
00:05:16,358 --> 00:05:18,678
Speaker 3: time you get touched in the football game, your brain

107
00:05:18,718 --> 00:05:21,198
Speaker 3: goes back to normal. And I'm sure after you're seeing

108
00:05:21,198 --> 00:05:23,478
Speaker 3: his first pitch, his first at bat coming back here,

109
00:05:24,078 --> 00:05:26,918
Speaker 3: everything went back to normal for him too. But that

110
00:05:26,958 --> 00:05:29,798
Speaker 3: also would probably mean a higher level of adrenaline flow,

111
00:05:29,878 --> 00:05:33,118
Speaker 3: maybe like doing things that he even at a greater level,

112
00:05:33,518 --> 00:05:36,638
Speaker 3: more keen level. So a nervous or eager show Hay

113
00:05:36,878 --> 00:05:38,638
Speaker 3: is a very dangerous baseball player.

114
00:05:38,958 --> 00:05:41,078
Speaker 2: Yeah, the fans were obviously a little disappointed.

115
00:05:41,118 --> 00:05:44,838
Speaker 1: In the seventh inning, the Dodgers were up by three,

116
00:05:45,198 --> 00:05:48,158
Speaker 1: Andy pa Has hustles into a double which leaves first

117
00:05:48,158 --> 00:05:51,078
Speaker 1: base open with two outs right hand or on the mound,

118
00:05:51,118 --> 00:05:54,038
Speaker 1: and Craig Counsel does what every manager has to do, right.

119
00:05:54,398 --> 00:05:56,278
Speaker 1: You just can't pitch the show. Hey there, you're trying

120
00:05:56,318 --> 00:05:58,758
Speaker 1: to keep the game intact. Seventh inning, It's still a

121
00:05:58,758 --> 00:06:02,318
Speaker 1: ballgame at that point, down three, and it worked out.

122
00:06:02,398 --> 00:06:05,078
Speaker 1: Tommy Edmonds is on deck, switch hit or he grounds out.

123
00:06:06,438 --> 00:06:09,398
Speaker 1: But you know, next time up as well. Ninth inning,

124
00:06:09,478 --> 00:06:12,358
Speaker 1: Ryan Presley on the mound and it's still a three

125
00:06:12,438 --> 00:06:14,838
Speaker 1: run game and Ryan Presley walks him on five pitches,

126
00:06:14,878 --> 00:06:18,038
Speaker 1: through one fastball, through him a three to one curveball

127
00:06:18,118 --> 00:06:21,998
Speaker 1: that was non competitive. Just the respect that you're saying

128
00:06:22,038 --> 00:06:26,358
Speaker 1: that managers and other pitchers now have for sho Hey Otani,

129
00:06:27,038 --> 00:06:28,718
Speaker 1: I don't think he's going to change his game, Joe,

130
00:06:28,758 --> 00:06:30,678
Speaker 1: but I was impressed there with that last a bet.

131
00:06:30,758 --> 00:06:32,758
Speaker 1: He's you know, he wants to come through again, we

132
00:06:32,878 --> 00:06:36,078
Speaker 1: know that, but give me your take on Craig Counsel

133
00:06:36,278 --> 00:06:40,078
Speaker 1: walking Otani there seventh inning, two outs based first base open,

134
00:06:40,438 --> 00:06:43,358
Speaker 1: and just the approach of opposing teams now against show

135
00:06:43,358 --> 00:06:44,038
Speaker 1: he of.

136
00:06:43,998 --> 00:06:47,118
Speaker 3: Course I would do the same thing, more than likely

137
00:06:47,758 --> 00:06:50,678
Speaker 3: knowing who's on deck, et cetera. That's why protection you

138
00:06:50,758 --> 00:06:52,678
Speaker 3: always talk about it who it's in front of, somebody,

139
00:06:52,678 --> 00:06:56,358
Speaker 3: who's going to hit behind somebody I've always loved. I

140
00:06:56,398 --> 00:06:58,598
Speaker 3: pay a lot of attention to who's hitting behind a

141
00:06:58,718 --> 00:07:01,878
Speaker 3: very good player. So that's exactly what happened. And furthermore,

142
00:07:01,878 --> 00:07:03,958
Speaker 3: why does a first base has to be open and

143
00:07:03,958 --> 00:07:06,318
Speaker 3: there's a base open? You know, so even if the

144
00:07:06,678 --> 00:07:09,118
Speaker 3: you know I've done that in the past, did the

145
00:07:09,278 --> 00:07:13,478
Speaker 3: years ago versus the Tigers with Miguel Carbrera coming up

146
00:07:13,798 --> 00:07:17,198
Speaker 3: with runners on first and second, walked it to load

147
00:07:17,278 --> 00:07:19,718
Speaker 3: the bases and bring up I can't remember the exact

148
00:07:19,758 --> 00:07:22,918
Speaker 3: hittor's name, but it was versus Randy chot left on left.

149
00:07:22,958 --> 00:07:24,318
Speaker 4: So I don't know.

150
00:07:24,358 --> 00:07:26,398
Speaker 3: I think there's this thing about it has to be

151
00:07:26,478 --> 00:07:28,878
Speaker 3: first base that's open. I don't think it has to

152
00:07:28,918 --> 00:07:31,038
Speaker 3: be first base that's open, if in fact, it's that

153
00:07:31,158 --> 00:07:34,678
Speaker 3: impactful if in fact it's a tawny that really looks

154
00:07:35,518 --> 00:07:38,558
Speaker 3: dialed in and you don't like the matchup on the mount,

155
00:07:38,638 --> 00:07:40,878
Speaker 3: I see nothing wrong with that, but it's pretty much

156
00:07:40,878 --> 00:07:43,158
Speaker 3: been that it has to be first base open.

157
00:07:43,518 --> 00:07:45,518
Speaker 4: So yeah, I understand why I did it. It's going to.

158
00:07:45,518 --> 00:07:49,518
Speaker 3: Happen a lot this year. Who's ever going to trail

159
00:07:49,638 --> 00:07:52,598
Speaker 3: my bets is out right now? That might have created

160
00:07:52,638 --> 00:07:56,158
Speaker 3: a different reaction from counsel in the Cubs dugout, but

161
00:07:56,638 --> 00:07:58,278
Speaker 3: you're going to see it a lot, and I don't

162
00:07:58,318 --> 00:07:58,798
Speaker 3: blame him.

163
00:07:59,238 --> 00:08:02,558
Speaker 1: Yeah, listen, you know show How you mentioned this, Joe,

164
00:08:02,918 --> 00:08:04,598
Speaker 1: We're going to see him back on mound again. I

165
00:08:04,638 --> 00:08:07,278
Speaker 1: think the Dodgers doing the exact right thing here. You know,

166
00:08:07,318 --> 00:08:10,478
Speaker 1: they started having him throw bullpen sessions in spring training.

167
00:08:10,518 --> 00:08:14,798
Speaker 1: He's ramping up, hitting mid nineties, and then once the

168
00:08:14,878 --> 00:08:17,998
Speaker 1: exhibition games started in spring training where he needed to

169
00:08:18,038 --> 00:08:20,718
Speaker 1: take a bats and get his work in offensively.

170
00:08:20,678 --> 00:08:21,638
Speaker 2: They backed him off.

171
00:08:21,918 --> 00:08:24,318
Speaker 1: And when they get back, they'll go back to train

172
00:08:25,078 --> 00:08:28,558
Speaker 1: in Arizona and have another week off before the state

173
00:08:28,638 --> 00:08:32,678
Speaker 1: side opener begins. But I think Joe, you're looking at

174
00:08:32,678 --> 00:08:36,958
Speaker 1: show Hay this year making let's say twenty starts you know,

175
00:08:37,678 --> 00:08:39,318
Speaker 1: last time he was on the mound twenty twenty three,

176
00:08:39,438 --> 00:08:40,278
Speaker 1: he made twenty three.

177
00:08:40,358 --> 00:08:42,758
Speaker 2: He's not going to throw that many, certainly not more

178
00:08:42,798 --> 00:08:43,078
Speaker 2: than that.

179
00:08:43,718 --> 00:08:45,878
Speaker 1: So if you've got those twenty starts and you're the

180
00:08:45,958 --> 00:08:48,718
Speaker 1: Dodgers and you build a season expecting to play a

181
00:08:48,758 --> 00:08:51,878
Speaker 1: full seventh month, right, you build a team to go

182
00:08:51,878 --> 00:08:54,318
Speaker 1: to the World Series. You don't want show Hay to

183
00:08:54,358 --> 00:08:56,398
Speaker 1: be making those starts in April and May. So you

184
00:08:56,478 --> 00:08:58,558
Speaker 1: start to clock on him, probably to me in the

185
00:08:58,598 --> 00:09:01,598
Speaker 1: beginning of June, to make sure that he's available for

186
00:09:01,758 --> 00:09:06,878
Speaker 1: you in September and October. And he's going to pitch

187
00:09:06,878 --> 00:09:08,718
Speaker 1: on the sixth day, sometimes the seventh day.

188
00:09:09,678 --> 00:09:10,678
Speaker 2: This is shaping up.

189
00:09:10,678 --> 00:09:12,798
Speaker 1: Really really well for the Dodgers, I think, and how

190
00:09:12,838 --> 00:09:14,838
Speaker 1: they're treating show Hey, and I do expect when he

191
00:09:14,878 --> 00:09:16,958
Speaker 1: gets back on the bound Joe, he's going to be

192
00:09:17,038 --> 00:09:17,678
Speaker 1: dominant again.

193
00:09:17,998 --> 00:09:19,758
Speaker 2: I think he just knows no other way.

194
00:09:20,238 --> 00:09:20,878
Speaker 4: No question.

195
00:09:21,078 --> 00:09:23,918
Speaker 3: And when you're building a schedule like this and most schedules,

196
00:09:24,238 --> 00:09:27,758
Speaker 3: you always build it backwards. When I did spring training schedules,

197
00:09:27,758 --> 00:09:30,758
Speaker 3: I always build it backwards, building into whatever the important

198
00:09:30,758 --> 00:09:33,278
Speaker 3: parts of camp are. How many times you want to

199
00:09:33,318 --> 00:09:35,958
Speaker 3: get something done, so a guy like show, Hey, any

200
00:09:35,998 --> 00:09:39,718
Speaker 3: any pitcher in this situation where they're rehabbing, but they're

201
00:09:39,838 --> 00:09:42,998
Speaker 3: very prominent regarding potentially winning it all at the end

202
00:09:43,038 --> 00:09:45,398
Speaker 3: of the season. You have to build it backwards, I believe.

203
00:09:45,478 --> 00:09:47,678
Speaker 3: So that's what they're gonna do. They're gonna they're gonna

204
00:09:47,678 --> 00:09:49,038
Speaker 3: look at the end of the season. They're going to

205
00:09:49,078 --> 00:09:50,718
Speaker 3: look at the seventh game of the World Series and

206
00:09:50,718 --> 00:09:53,758
Speaker 3: move it backward from there, maybe at least the playoffs,

207
00:09:53,758 --> 00:09:56,158
Speaker 3: and move it back from there. But that's what you're

208
00:09:56,158 --> 00:09:58,918
Speaker 3: going to see. There's no rush. There's no rush into this,

209
00:09:59,038 --> 00:10:03,198
Speaker 3: I don't think. So whatever your number is, and like

210
00:10:03,238 --> 00:10:06,918
Speaker 3: you're saying, I agree with that, based on multiple surgeries,

211
00:10:07,318 --> 00:10:10,398
Speaker 3: who he is, how dominant he can be, you move

212
00:10:10,398 --> 00:10:12,398
Speaker 3: it back from whatever that You pick a date. I

213
00:10:12,398 --> 00:10:14,518
Speaker 3: don't care if it's like the first play playoff game,

214
00:10:15,078 --> 00:10:17,038
Speaker 3: is that, the first game of the World Series, whatever

215
00:10:17,078 --> 00:10:17,598
Speaker 3: that date is.

216
00:10:17,598 --> 00:10:19,398
Speaker 4: You pull it backward from there.

217
00:10:19,518 --> 00:10:22,038
Speaker 3: And that's how you decide when to start him up,

218
00:10:22,358 --> 00:10:24,238
Speaker 3: and then you start ramping up the number of pitches,

219
00:10:24,318 --> 00:10:28,278
Speaker 3: number of innings, number, et cetera. So this scheduling, I

220
00:10:28,318 --> 00:10:30,318
Speaker 3: think most people understand that. But you need to work

221
00:10:30,318 --> 00:10:33,758
Speaker 3: a schedule backwards and really to understand what you want

222
00:10:33,758 --> 00:10:35,318
Speaker 3: to do and how you want to do it, especially

223
00:10:35,318 --> 00:10:36,398
Speaker 3: in a situation like this.

224
00:10:36,998 --> 00:10:39,638
Speaker 1: And let's sit back and remember show Hey, last year

225
00:10:39,638 --> 00:10:42,638
Speaker 1: in the World Series, tore his left labor m. He

226
00:10:42,718 --> 00:10:45,518
Speaker 1: had surgery right after the season. He did not go

227
00:10:45,638 --> 00:10:47,638
Speaker 1: home to Japan. This was the first time he was

228
00:10:47,638 --> 00:10:51,318
Speaker 1: back in Japan in more than a year. He rehabbed

229
00:10:51,318 --> 00:10:54,478
Speaker 1: all winter in Los Angeles. I mean five months later,

230
00:10:54,598 --> 00:10:57,038
Speaker 1: a little less than that. Joe, he's out there as

231
00:10:57,078 --> 00:11:00,878
Speaker 1: a dominant designated hitter. That is not an insignificant surgery.

232
00:11:00,918 --> 00:11:02,718
Speaker 1: And I know it's not his throwing shoulder, but we're

233
00:11:02,758 --> 00:11:06,118
Speaker 1: talking about swinging the best. It's just remarkable to me

234
00:11:06,238 --> 00:11:07,998
Speaker 1: that he bounce back the way that he did, because

235
00:11:07,998 --> 00:11:09,958
Speaker 1: you don't see as you see with a lot of

236
00:11:09,958 --> 00:11:12,198
Speaker 1: guys who have shoulder surgery sometimes it takes a while.

237
00:11:12,198 --> 00:11:16,598
Speaker 1: Whether it's Adrian gonzell Is, Matt Kemp, Cody Bellinger, it

238
00:11:16,638 --> 00:11:17,918
Speaker 1: looks just as dominant.

239
00:11:17,918 --> 00:11:21,638
Speaker 3: It's crazy he does he did, and I agree with that.

240
00:11:21,678 --> 00:11:24,318
Speaker 3: I would still just be just cautious. I'm still believe

241
00:11:24,318 --> 00:11:26,078
Speaker 3: they're not going to push, push push him. I would

242
00:11:26,078 --> 00:11:28,798
Speaker 3: imagine they're still going to give him some rest with

243
00:11:28,838 --> 00:11:31,238
Speaker 3: that shoulder moving into the season, maybe even the beginning

244
00:11:31,318 --> 00:11:35,518
Speaker 3: of the season again, build a schedule that permits days

245
00:11:35,598 --> 00:11:38,478
Speaker 3: off for him, just to make sure that that continues

246
00:11:38,518 --> 00:11:41,238
Speaker 3: to heal as they want it to be. So, yeah,

247
00:11:41,358 --> 00:11:44,318
Speaker 3: it's he's different. We've said this cizillion times. I witnessed

248
00:11:44,358 --> 00:11:49,398
Speaker 3: it in person, conversationally and as a manager from a dugout.

249
00:11:49,838 --> 00:11:52,158
Speaker 3: The guy people keep asking me, you don't want to

250
00:11:52,398 --> 00:11:55,078
Speaker 3: playing golf for just hanging out in the barroom. Who's

251
00:11:55,118 --> 00:11:57,958
Speaker 3: the best player and who's the listen? You got to

252
00:11:57,998 --> 00:12:01,438
Speaker 3: say show Hey, I mean, I've had some wonderful players

253
00:12:01,438 --> 00:12:05,278
Speaker 3: and athletes and moments. Is a league manager, as a coach,

254
00:12:05,318 --> 00:12:09,878
Speaker 3: what ever? But never have I been involved with anybody

255
00:12:09,998 --> 00:12:12,798
Speaker 3: like him. And I challenge if you've been in baseball

256
00:12:12,838 --> 00:12:15,718
Speaker 3: at all, and you as a reporter to actually see

257
00:12:15,758 --> 00:12:17,598
Speaker 3: something like this and be a round something like this.

258
00:12:17,638 --> 00:12:18,878
Speaker 4: It's the first time for all of us.

259
00:12:19,198 --> 00:12:22,278
Speaker 1: Oh absolutely no, He's the best player ever. Yeah right,

260
00:12:23,158 --> 00:12:24,998
Speaker 1: I'm not saying he's had the best career. He still

261
00:12:24,998 --> 00:12:26,998
Speaker 1: has a way to go. You know, he's not as

262
00:12:27,038 --> 00:12:29,958
Speaker 1: accomplished as you know, Barry Bonds, Babe, Ruth go on

263
00:12:29,998 --> 00:12:33,558
Speaker 1: and on. But his skill in playing this game of

264
00:12:33,598 --> 00:12:37,038
Speaker 1: baseball is unprecedented. You know, he's he's a guy. Every

265
00:12:37,118 --> 00:12:39,838
Speaker 1: year now he can contend for a Cy Young title

266
00:12:39,918 --> 00:12:40,878
Speaker 1: and a home run title.

267
00:12:40,998 --> 00:12:41,998
Speaker 2: I mean, it's just crazy.

268
00:12:42,118 --> 00:12:43,118
Speaker 4: His mental skills too.

269
00:12:43,278 --> 00:12:46,318
Speaker 1: Yeah, let's talk about the Dodgers, Joe, because you know,

270
00:12:46,758 --> 00:12:50,758
Speaker 1: if you thought the Dodgers might somehow be vulnerable, you

271
00:12:50,798 --> 00:12:52,918
Speaker 1: know what they did was they say, well, you know,

272
00:12:52,918 --> 00:12:55,398
Speaker 1: we're not going to have Mookie Batts at Freddy Freeman

273
00:12:55,478 --> 00:12:57,198
Speaker 1: in our lineup for these two games in Japan, and

274
00:12:57,198 --> 00:13:00,318
Speaker 1: we're going to win the games anyway they use. They

275
00:13:00,318 --> 00:13:03,718
Speaker 1: showed off their depth, man, that their bullpen is just

276
00:13:04,118 --> 00:13:04,758
Speaker 1: so deep.

277
00:13:04,838 --> 00:13:06,518
Speaker 2: Dave Roberts used nine.

278
00:13:06,518 --> 00:13:10,078
Speaker 1: Different relievers in these two games, and they struck out

279
00:13:10,158 --> 00:13:14,558
Speaker 1: fourteen batters in ten innings. I mean, they're just it's

280
00:13:14,598 --> 00:13:17,238
Speaker 1: hard to come back on the Dodgers because their bullpen

281
00:13:17,358 --> 00:13:19,878
Speaker 1: is so good, their offense is relentless, and as I said,

282
00:13:19,918 --> 00:13:22,638
Speaker 1: they'd even have Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in these games.

283
00:13:24,118 --> 00:13:26,158
Speaker 2: This is this is a handful team, Joe.

284
00:13:26,198 --> 00:13:28,478
Speaker 1: I mean, it's I don't know how anybody takes them

285
00:13:28,518 --> 00:13:30,238
Speaker 1: out in the National League West, and there's some really

286
00:13:30,278 --> 00:13:32,678
Speaker 1: good teams out there. It's a really good division. But

287
00:13:32,758 --> 00:13:35,238
Speaker 1: I think this team is as good as advertised. I

288
00:13:35,278 --> 00:13:37,678
Speaker 1: think Listen, we haven't had a repeat World Series champion

289
00:13:37,718 --> 00:13:41,198
Speaker 1: since the two thousand Yankees, and this team, to me,

290
00:13:41,318 --> 00:13:44,638
Speaker 1: should be as much favored to win as those Yankees

291
00:13:44,638 --> 00:13:45,918
Speaker 1: if Joe Tory were back then.

292
00:13:45,958 --> 00:13:46,598
Speaker 2: They're that good.

293
00:13:47,118 --> 00:13:48,358
Speaker 4: Yeah, I'm looking at it too them.

294
00:13:48,358 --> 00:13:50,678
Speaker 3: They're looking at the National League setup right now, and

295
00:13:50,718 --> 00:13:54,478
Speaker 3: of course they're they're phibotive favorite, no question about it.

296
00:13:54,518 --> 00:13:56,838
Speaker 3: The other teams, like you said, are pretty good, whether

297
00:13:56,878 --> 00:14:00,918
Speaker 3: it's the Padres, the Diamondbacks, the ascending Giants, and you.

298
00:14:00,878 --> 00:14:02,398
Speaker 4: Know Colorado still has a long way to go.

299
00:14:02,438 --> 00:14:05,958
Speaker 3: However, Yeah, with the Dodgers, it's just a they're in

300
00:14:05,998 --> 00:14:08,718
Speaker 3: a different stratosphere right now. Andrew's done a wonderful job

301
00:14:08,758 --> 00:14:10,958
Speaker 3: of putting that all together. And you use the word depths.

302
00:14:10,958 --> 00:14:14,238
Speaker 3: See that's the thing. For me, that's what they got

303
00:14:14,238 --> 00:14:16,678
Speaker 3: going on as well as anybody else has. And that

304
00:14:16,798 --> 00:14:19,958
Speaker 3: to me is what sets you apart regarding being able

305
00:14:19,998 --> 00:14:22,878
Speaker 3: to win on an annual basis. Uh, you're going to

306
00:14:22,918 --> 00:14:25,158
Speaker 3: get people hurt. How do we do we cover that?

307
00:14:25,558 --> 00:14:28,518
Speaker 3: And they cover They always cover with their depth, and

308
00:14:28,518 --> 00:14:31,798
Speaker 3: that's that's the part to me that should get more

309
00:14:31,798 --> 00:14:34,358
Speaker 3: credit that I think it's been given credit, but really

310
00:14:34,398 --> 00:14:37,518
Speaker 3: stands out. You look at other teams, other situations, and

311
00:14:37,638 --> 00:14:39,638
Speaker 3: it's always comes back to a look at the Dodgers.

312
00:14:39,678 --> 00:14:41,878
Speaker 3: They have this depth and that's what fills in these

313
00:14:41,918 --> 00:14:43,998
Speaker 3: in these very difficult moments, and that's what's going to

314
00:14:44,038 --> 00:14:45,918
Speaker 3: carry them because these guys are going to get hurt,

315
00:14:45,918 --> 00:14:46,918
Speaker 3: somebody's going to go down.

316
00:14:47,398 --> 00:14:49,078
Speaker 4: Showy is not going to pitch until.

317
00:14:48,958 --> 00:14:51,598
Speaker 3: Shoot, I don't know, July maybe whatever it might be,

318
00:14:51,718 --> 00:14:54,358
Speaker 3: but they're still going to be fantastic. They play a

319
00:14:54,398 --> 00:14:57,038
Speaker 3: Kiky at first base and he makes a great stretch

320
00:14:57,038 --> 00:14:59,398
Speaker 3: there in the last play of the game too, look

321
00:14:59,478 --> 00:15:01,758
Speaker 3: like a real first basement. So I it's it's just

322
00:15:01,838 --> 00:15:04,198
Speaker 3: it's incredible. A lot of a lot of veterans. They

323
00:15:04,238 --> 00:15:07,158
Speaker 3: got some young guys, but they have this thing going

324
00:15:07,198 --> 00:15:10,438
Speaker 3: on where it's not they got nice babies coming up

325
00:15:10,438 --> 00:15:12,758
Speaker 3: that fill in slots, but they they've done a nice

326
00:15:12,838 --> 00:15:16,838
Speaker 3: job supporting with the middle class. They don't pay them

327
00:15:16,838 --> 00:15:18,638
Speaker 3: like the middle class, but they have like these really

328
00:15:18,678 --> 00:15:21,198
Speaker 3: good baseball players that make them that good.

329
00:15:21,638 --> 00:15:25,598
Speaker 2: Yeah, and their pitching development. Joe is so good.

330
00:15:26,078 --> 00:15:28,038
Speaker 1: I know we talk a lot about the free agents

331
00:15:28,078 --> 00:15:29,598
Speaker 1: that they sign, which is great.

332
00:15:29,638 --> 00:15:30,878
Speaker 2: You have resources to do that.

333
00:15:30,998 --> 00:15:34,158
Speaker 1: But you know, Ben Casparis goes out there hits ninety

334
00:15:34,158 --> 00:15:34,958
Speaker 1: eight point five.

335
00:15:35,118 --> 00:15:36,758
Speaker 2: That's the hardest he's thrown.

336
00:15:37,278 --> 00:15:39,358
Speaker 1: They picked up a guy like Anthony Bondo, who's just

337
00:15:39,398 --> 00:15:41,838
Speaker 1: a journeyman, been around and around, and he has found

338
00:15:41,878 --> 00:15:44,158
Speaker 1: a home with the Dodgers. He was hitting ninety six.

339
00:15:45,078 --> 00:15:49,358
Speaker 1: Blake Trinan, How does anybody hit Blake Trinan. I mean,

340
00:15:49,438 --> 00:15:52,718
Speaker 1: he's thrown his sinker, Joe at ninety five to ninety

341
00:15:52,838 --> 00:15:56,718
Speaker 1: seven with twenty one inches of movement. You got Tanner

342
00:15:56,758 --> 00:15:58,758
Speaker 1: Scott now at the back end of the bullpen. You

343
00:15:58,758 --> 00:16:02,718
Speaker 1: know he hit ninety eight. You got Landon Nack who's

344
00:16:02,758 --> 00:16:06,198
Speaker 1: got a terb spinning four seemer. Guys just can't get

345
00:16:06,238 --> 00:16:08,958
Speaker 1: on top of You mentioned your guy Kirby Yates with

346
00:16:08,998 --> 00:16:13,478
Speaker 1: a split four seam combination. I mean, they've got everything

347
00:16:13,598 --> 00:16:16,878
Speaker 1: covered for every situation. I mean, Dave Roberts just has

348
00:16:17,038 --> 00:16:19,638
Speaker 1: so many choices no matter where the game is out,

349
00:16:19,678 --> 00:16:23,158
Speaker 1: and he's got so many choices, Joe, they won't be overused.

350
00:16:23,198 --> 00:16:24,958
Speaker 2: You know that. It's not like having depth in the

351
00:16:24,958 --> 00:16:26,198
Speaker 2: bullpen exactly.

352
00:16:26,358 --> 00:16:29,958
Speaker 3: When you have that kind of cast right there, you're

353
00:16:29,998 --> 00:16:33,118
Speaker 3: not pressed or feel pressed to back guys up back

354
00:16:33,158 --> 00:16:35,598
Speaker 3: to back. Definitely not three days in a row, but

355
00:16:35,678 --> 00:16:37,758
Speaker 3: you have to have that kind of ability in order

356
00:16:37,798 --> 00:16:40,758
Speaker 3: to feel comfortable doing those kinds of things. The most

357
00:16:40,758 --> 00:16:44,198
Speaker 3: difficult loss always is the lost late where your bullpen

358
00:16:44,318 --> 00:16:47,998
Speaker 3: struggles or falters, and with that, when you get into

359
00:16:47,998 --> 00:16:51,558
Speaker 3: those situations, you feel even more pressed to press guys

360
00:16:51,598 --> 00:16:54,838
Speaker 3: into service and action, maybe more than you normally would

361
00:16:54,878 --> 00:16:57,038
Speaker 3: like to, especially early in the season.

362
00:16:57,118 --> 00:16:57,918
Speaker 4: You don't want to do that.

363
00:16:58,118 --> 00:17:02,158
Speaker 3: So what they've done there again the depth component, Yes,

364
00:17:02,238 --> 00:17:05,118
Speaker 3: they could turn to so many different guys. He knows

365
00:17:05,158 --> 00:17:07,438
Speaker 3: on a nightly basis, he'll almost I'm talking about Dave,

366
00:17:07,478 --> 00:17:09,958
Speaker 3: He'll pop up three or four guys on his list.

367
00:17:09,998 --> 00:17:11,998
Speaker 3: We're going to go to these guys tonight. Okay, they pitched,

368
00:17:11,998 --> 00:17:13,318
Speaker 3: then we're going to go to these three or four

369
00:17:13,398 --> 00:17:16,238
Speaker 3: then almost like the spring training situation where you have

370
00:17:16,278 --> 00:17:19,198
Speaker 3: a different group of pitchers you're wanting to pitch on

371
00:17:19,238 --> 00:17:21,878
Speaker 3: a nightly basis and feel like as though during the

372
00:17:21,958 --> 00:17:23,838
Speaker 3: season you don't have to text anyone.

373
00:17:24,278 --> 00:17:27,598
Speaker 1: Let's talk about the game one starters Shota Imanaga was

374
00:17:27,638 --> 00:17:29,798
Speaker 1: really good for the Cubs. Craig Counsel got him out

375
00:17:29,838 --> 00:17:33,038
Speaker 1: after sixty nine pitches and went to the bullpen. That's

376
00:17:33,038 --> 00:17:35,438
Speaker 1: when the game got away. I mean, it's it's the

377
00:17:35,438 --> 00:17:38,198
Speaker 1: middle of March. You know, he was right around what

378
00:17:38,278 --> 00:17:39,918
Speaker 1: his pitch count was going to be. That's where the

379
00:17:39,958 --> 00:17:42,118
Speaker 1: game is. You can sit there all you want and say, well,

380
00:17:42,238 --> 00:17:44,478
Speaker 1: he should have left him in. Well, no, it's a

381
00:17:44,518 --> 00:17:50,958
Speaker 1: long season. He looked really really good Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Joe.

382
00:17:51,078 --> 00:17:53,758
Speaker 1: I mean last year he found it late in the year.

383
00:17:53,758 --> 00:17:56,078
Speaker 1: He looked really good. In the World Series, man, he

384
00:17:56,158 --> 00:18:00,238
Speaker 1: looked really really good. I'm talking like Cy Young quality stuff.

385
00:18:00,238 --> 00:18:03,878
Speaker 1: In that first game, you know, his velow was up.

386
00:18:04,118 --> 00:18:07,158
Speaker 1: He's averaging ninety six point eight. That was up almost

387
00:18:07,238 --> 00:18:10,878
Speaker 1: two ticks from last year through six different pitches. His

388
00:18:11,038 --> 00:18:13,758
Speaker 1: splitter was up two miles an hour, and he had

389
00:18:13,798 --> 00:18:16,598
Speaker 1: a forty seven percent with rate on that. I mean,

390
00:18:17,158 --> 00:18:20,398
Speaker 1: that's a power split that he's got. He was going

391
00:18:20,478 --> 00:18:23,158
Speaker 1: after people, Joe. We didn't see this in the first

392
00:18:23,198 --> 00:18:26,118
Speaker 1: part of last year when he made his MLB debut,

393
00:18:27,238 --> 00:18:30,078
Speaker 1: But my goodness, I mean I really do think if

394
00:18:30,078 --> 00:18:32,238
Speaker 1: he stays healthy, he can contend to win a cy

395
00:18:32,318 --> 00:18:32,838
Speaker 1: Young Award.

396
00:18:33,238 --> 00:18:33,398
Speaker 4: Well.

397
00:18:33,398 --> 00:18:35,198
Speaker 3: First of all, they are still in spring training, so

398
00:18:35,238 --> 00:18:37,398
Speaker 3: that the number of pitches is absolutely correct.

399
00:18:37,798 --> 00:18:39,078
Speaker 4: This is what the middle of March.

400
00:18:39,758 --> 00:18:41,918
Speaker 3: By the time he would have been pitching, like's just say,

401
00:18:41,958 --> 00:18:43,918
Speaker 3: the end of March beginning of April, he would have

402
00:18:43,918 --> 00:18:46,798
Speaker 3: been stretched out to seventy five eighty five. It would

403
00:18:46,798 --> 00:18:49,038
Speaker 3: have been more comfortable going closer to one hundred with him.

404
00:18:49,078 --> 00:18:50,398
Speaker 3: So that's just the way of the world right now.

405
00:18:50,558 --> 00:18:53,598
Speaker 3: Is going to play a regular season game this early,

406
00:18:53,678 --> 00:18:54,438
Speaker 3: They still have to do that.

407
00:18:54,478 --> 00:18:55,598
Speaker 4: Yamamoto, on the.

408
00:18:55,638 --> 00:18:57,798
Speaker 3: Other hand, I think he's a very dangerous cat this year,

409
00:18:57,958 --> 00:19:00,398
Speaker 3: meaning that I know how good he is coming into

410
00:19:00,478 --> 00:19:02,198
Speaker 3: last year, but right now he is a.

411
00:19:03,718 --> 00:19:03,918
Speaker 4: Three.

412
00:19:04,118 --> 00:19:05,998
Speaker 3: I believe he's at level three. I belong to I

413
00:19:06,038 --> 00:19:08,118
Speaker 3: can do this. Regardless of how great he had been

414
00:19:08,118 --> 00:19:10,238
Speaker 3: in Japan. I still think you come you're walking with

415
00:19:10,318 --> 00:19:12,718
Speaker 3: some trepidation unless your show. Hey, although even show I

416
00:19:12,758 --> 00:19:16,838
Speaker 3: struggled early on. So I think this guy came here sallow,

417
00:19:16,918 --> 00:19:19,678
Speaker 3: this got better year in progress, and I think he's

418
00:19:19,718 --> 00:19:22,238
Speaker 3: a very dangerous person this year regarding how great he

419
00:19:22,278 --> 00:19:25,678
Speaker 3: can be, because once you arrive at that point, whether

420
00:19:25,718 --> 00:19:29,438
Speaker 3: it's in baseball, in any profession, we may exist with

421
00:19:29,598 --> 00:19:33,158
Speaker 3: or have to feel like you belong here. Finally, and

422
00:19:33,198 --> 00:19:35,838
Speaker 3: I can do this. He's been a different cities. He's

423
00:19:35,878 --> 00:19:38,518
Speaker 3: watched how this thing works. I go to the ballpark,

424
00:19:38,558 --> 00:19:40,998
Speaker 3: I breathe more easily and part of the group. Right now,

425
00:19:41,358 --> 00:19:43,878
Speaker 3: all that stuff matters, So heads up on him. He's

426
00:19:43,878 --> 00:19:44,678
Speaker 3: gonna have a great year.

427
00:19:45,198 --> 00:19:46,078
Speaker 2: That's a great point.

428
00:19:46,198 --> 00:19:49,198
Speaker 1: I mean, he really did the body language, the command,

429
00:19:49,958 --> 00:19:53,158
Speaker 1: mound presence. It all looks like he's hitting that next level.

430
00:19:54,318 --> 00:19:56,278
Speaker 1: We're gonna take a quick break, Joe, and we want

431
00:19:56,278 --> 00:20:00,038
Speaker 1: to talk now about Roki Sasaki made his major league debut.

432
00:20:00,238 --> 00:20:02,758
Speaker 2: Lot of hype on Roki coming over here.

433
00:20:02,918 --> 00:20:05,758
Speaker 1: Obviously, he's signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent,

434
00:20:06,758 --> 00:20:10,918
Speaker 1: not nearly as advanced as Yamamoto or even when Showhy

435
00:20:10,998 --> 00:20:13,798
Speaker 1: came over here. We'll dive into what the Dodgers have

436
00:20:13,878 --> 00:20:27,878
Speaker 1: in Roki Sasaki right after this Welcome back to the

437
00:20:27,878 --> 00:20:30,878
Speaker 1: Book of Joe podcast. We're talking about the Major League

438
00:20:30,878 --> 00:20:34,118
Speaker 1: baseball season underway. Two games in Tokyo, both won by

439
00:20:34,158 --> 00:20:38,198
Speaker 1: the LA Dodgers over the Chicago Cubs. Now, Roki Sasaki

440
00:20:38,238 --> 00:20:40,998
Speaker 1: made his major league debut Joe. In game number two,

441
00:20:42,038 --> 00:20:44,718
Speaker 1: he showed why his ceiling is super high. I mean

442
00:20:44,758 --> 00:20:48,078
Speaker 1: he's he averages ninety eight miles an hour. He hit

443
00:20:48,118 --> 00:20:50,158
Speaker 1: one hundred point five, so you know he's got the

444
00:20:50,158 --> 00:20:54,598
Speaker 1: fastball velocity. He's got a split that Joe, I think,

445
00:20:55,078 --> 00:20:58,118
Speaker 1: I think it's the best splitter on the planet. I

446
00:20:58,158 --> 00:21:00,918
Speaker 1: mean he deadens the ball. The spin rate on that

447
00:21:01,038 --> 00:21:04,358
Speaker 1: is only like five hundred RPMs. It's just incredible way

448
00:21:04,398 --> 00:21:06,798
Speaker 1: back between the two fingers. It's almost like an old

449
00:21:06,798 --> 00:21:13,238
Speaker 1: fashioned forkball. It is like almost unhittable. He really doesn't

450
00:21:13,278 --> 00:21:15,798
Speaker 1: have a third pitch. He throws a slider that's just

451
00:21:16,038 --> 00:21:19,078
Speaker 1: so so, and he barely threw it at all in

452
00:21:19,358 --> 00:21:23,918
Speaker 1: the game against the Cubs. So you saw stuff wise, Yeah,

453
00:21:23,918 --> 00:21:26,998
Speaker 1: you can dream on this guy. Some other things to

454
00:21:27,038 --> 00:21:30,158
Speaker 1: be concerned about Joe. First of all, fastball command is

455
00:21:30,198 --> 00:21:34,158
Speaker 1: just not there. He's got a very long arm stroke.

456
00:21:34,238 --> 00:21:37,238
Speaker 1: He's actually a little late when he gets that ball

457
00:21:37,278 --> 00:21:39,398
Speaker 1: into the loaded position. In other words, when that front

458
00:21:39,438 --> 00:21:42,078
Speaker 1: foot lands, the ball is not completely raised at a

459
00:21:42,158 --> 00:21:45,158
Speaker 1: ninety degree or less angle. That concerns me a little

460
00:21:45,158 --> 00:21:48,518
Speaker 1: bit because especially because he's not a really especially big guy.

461
00:21:48,558 --> 00:21:51,478
Speaker 1: I know he's filled out, but he doesn't have the

462
00:21:51,638 --> 00:21:55,478
Speaker 1: kind of mature physical body that he's going to grow into.

463
00:21:55,518 --> 00:21:58,918
Speaker 1: He's young, he's twenty one, twenty two years old. That's

464
00:21:59,038 --> 00:22:00,998
Speaker 1: concerning to me. But the biggest thing to me was

465
00:22:01,038 --> 00:22:03,398
Speaker 1: watching his fastball command, and I think some of this

466
00:22:03,478 --> 00:22:06,398
Speaker 1: comes from mechanics and the way that he throws. He

467
00:22:06,478 --> 00:22:08,918
Speaker 1: came over here Joe admitting he's a work in progress,

468
00:22:08,958 --> 00:22:11,278
Speaker 1: and the Dodgers have been very upfront about that. I

469
00:22:11,278 --> 00:22:14,678
Speaker 1: think they have to be really, really careful about someone

470
00:22:14,678 --> 00:22:18,558
Speaker 1: who's thrown one hundred miles an hour with some you know,

471
00:22:18,718 --> 00:22:21,838
Speaker 1: less than perfect mechanics and command issues as well.

472
00:22:21,918 --> 00:22:23,518
Speaker 2: Now he threw three innings.

473
00:22:23,558 --> 00:22:27,598
Speaker 1: They got him out after fifty six pitches, and the

474
00:22:27,678 --> 00:22:30,638
Speaker 1: Cubs figured out with that split it's so hard to

475
00:22:30,718 --> 00:22:33,118
Speaker 1: hit and is typically out of the zone. Don't swing

476
00:22:33,158 --> 00:22:36,678
Speaker 1: at it. He threw fifteen, they swung a two of them.

477
00:22:36,958 --> 00:22:38,638
Speaker 1: It's out of this It was in the zone only

478
00:22:38,678 --> 00:22:41,038
Speaker 1: seven percent of the time. Ninety three percent of the time,

479
00:22:41,078 --> 00:22:43,278
Speaker 1: the split's not in the zone. He's got to be

480
00:22:43,318 --> 00:22:45,278
Speaker 1: more in the zone with that pitch. He's got enough

481
00:22:45,318 --> 00:22:47,678
Speaker 1: moving on it. But the big thing to me, Joe

482
00:22:47,758 --> 00:22:50,998
Speaker 1: is watching him pitch right now. If he needs to

483
00:22:51,038 --> 00:22:53,078
Speaker 1: throw a fastball, and we saw this in some three

484
00:22:53,438 --> 00:22:56,158
Speaker 1: ball counts, he's not able to command that pitch.

485
00:22:56,478 --> 00:22:56,678
Speaker 4: Yeah.

486
00:22:56,678 --> 00:22:58,158
Speaker 3: I saw that a little bit with Showy when I

487
00:22:58,238 --> 00:23:00,598
Speaker 3: first got to the Angels. Once he found his fastball

488
00:23:00,638 --> 00:23:02,998
Speaker 3: come in, everything absolutely took off.

489
00:23:02,998 --> 00:23:06,358
Speaker 4: But as you're saying all this the.

490
00:23:06,118 --> 00:23:09,918
Speaker 3: Fastball forkball thing, a, he's got to command his fastball.

491
00:23:09,958 --> 00:23:11,758
Speaker 3: And if he's going to be a two pitch pitcher,

492
00:23:11,758 --> 00:23:14,238
Speaker 3: which I don't believe is going to be very much longer,

493
00:23:14,918 --> 00:23:16,558
Speaker 3: have the experiment with a cutter with him at all?

494
00:23:16,558 --> 00:23:18,758
Speaker 1: Do you know that you know, I have not heard

495
00:23:18,798 --> 00:23:22,598
Speaker 1: that he's got an interesting four seamer because it really

496
00:23:22,678 --> 00:23:26,318
Speaker 1: depends mostly not so much on ride but run. He's

497
00:23:26,358 --> 00:23:28,918
Speaker 1: got a lot of horizontal movement on his four steamer.

498
00:23:29,078 --> 00:23:34,438
Speaker 1: So okay, I to me, he's got to tighten his slider.

499
00:23:34,598 --> 00:23:37,678
Speaker 1: To me, it's just it rolls. It's it's a little

500
00:23:37,718 --> 00:23:40,838
Speaker 1: too slow. I understand what you're saying, Joey, you probably

501
00:23:40,838 --> 00:23:44,398
Speaker 1: need something else. You know, he's got the split change obviously,

502
00:23:44,518 --> 00:23:48,558
Speaker 1: but it wouldn't surprise me, Joe if he doesn't show

503
00:23:48,598 --> 00:23:51,478
Speaker 1: the aptitude or the feel for that slider to just

504
00:23:51,558 --> 00:23:54,518
Speaker 1: maybe turn into a cutter, maybe easier to throw right.

505
00:23:54,558 --> 00:23:55,678
Speaker 4: That's that's my point.

506
00:23:56,358 --> 00:23:57,998
Speaker 3: They're going to have to find something that he's going

507
00:23:58,038 --> 00:23:59,958
Speaker 3: to be able to find his own with more consistently.

508
00:24:00,518 --> 00:24:03,158
Speaker 3: And I've always believed this, I mean the fastball. I mean,

509
00:24:03,398 --> 00:24:05,478
Speaker 3: of course you using your wrisk, but sometimes you're just

510
00:24:05,478 --> 00:24:08,158
Speaker 3: not on time with that release point. You talked about

511
00:24:08,158 --> 00:24:11,358
Speaker 3: what's happening behind him. So if you make or have

512
00:24:11,438 --> 00:24:14,398
Speaker 3: a guy work with a cutter where he's gonna manipulate

513
00:24:14,998 --> 00:24:17,718
Speaker 3: just how he grips it finger pressure, what he does

514
00:24:17,758 --> 00:24:20,158
Speaker 3: at the end of the pitch is just to activate

515
00:24:20,158 --> 00:24:22,798
Speaker 3: the wrist in a way that is more consistent. I'm

516
00:24:22,838 --> 00:24:25,838
Speaker 3: betting that he's going to end up cutter if they're

517
00:24:25,838 --> 00:24:28,158
Speaker 3: going to add that to the list. If the slider

518
00:24:28,358 --> 00:24:31,358
Speaker 3: has shown not the aptitude for the slider, it's difficult

519
00:24:31,358 --> 00:24:34,278
Speaker 3: to command. And like you've just suggested the break on,

520
00:24:34,358 --> 00:24:37,758
Speaker 3: it's just way too inconsistent. He needs something else. I mean,

521
00:24:37,798 --> 00:24:40,118
Speaker 3: the command's going to come. I would bet I haven't

522
00:24:40,158 --> 00:24:41,518
Speaker 3: really seen a lot of them, so i'd have to

523
00:24:41,518 --> 00:24:43,438
Speaker 3: see him in person and know what I'm talking about.

524
00:24:43,438 --> 00:24:46,958
Speaker 3: But fastball command, everybody wants it. But if it's if

525
00:24:46,958 --> 00:24:49,758
Speaker 3: he's not shown it yet and the armstroke is a

526
00:24:49,798 --> 00:24:52,118
Speaker 3: long one and difficult, I would bet they're gonna they're

527
00:24:52,118 --> 00:24:55,078
Speaker 3: gonna start thinking cutter, because you can't start thinking curveboy,

528
00:24:55,078 --> 00:24:57,438
Speaker 3: you can't start thinking change up. They're way more difficult

529
00:24:57,798 --> 00:25:00,238
Speaker 3: to add two if the guy doesn't already have an

530
00:25:00,278 --> 00:25:03,518
Speaker 3: idea what's going on the fastball. So I'm betting cutters

531
00:25:03,558 --> 00:25:06,078
Speaker 3: going to be at it soon. And I'm also betting

532
00:25:06,118 --> 00:25:07,798
Speaker 3: that he's going to find the strikes and with that

533
00:25:07,798 --> 00:25:09,598
Speaker 3: a little bit more often that would be like a pitch,

534
00:25:10,038 --> 00:25:13,558
Speaker 3: a fastball count pitch, normal fastball count pitch. He may

535
00:25:13,598 --> 00:25:15,958
Speaker 3: have to go to the cutter to try to just

536
00:25:16,158 --> 00:25:18,238
Speaker 3: learn how to throw that for a strike. And as

537
00:25:18,238 --> 00:25:20,518
Speaker 3: you suggested, if there's no command at all with these

538
00:25:20,518 --> 00:25:23,318
Speaker 3: harder pitches, they're just going to spit on the forkball.

539
00:25:23,318 --> 00:25:26,518
Speaker 3: They're not there are And furthermore, with the forkball, that

540
00:25:26,518 --> 00:25:28,318
Speaker 3: only concerns me a little bit if it's like way

541
00:25:28,358 --> 00:25:31,198
Speaker 3: back in his hand. And I know Japanese culture, the

542
00:25:31,198 --> 00:25:34,438
Speaker 3: shootou and all these other they're really big into throwing

543
00:25:34,438 --> 00:25:37,278
Speaker 3: a split or a real forkball. It's always that's always

544
00:25:37,318 --> 00:25:39,718
Speaker 3: a concern when you split your fingers like that and

545
00:25:39,758 --> 00:25:42,438
Speaker 3: what it means. I know there may be some that disagree,

546
00:25:42,478 --> 00:25:44,798
Speaker 3: but my experience has been a lot of guys that

547
00:25:44,878 --> 00:25:47,478
Speaker 3: throw hard. When I was back in the day, I

548
00:25:47,518 --> 00:25:49,278
Speaker 3: had some guys in the minor leagues, we had a

549
00:25:49,318 --> 00:25:52,078
Speaker 3: lot of forkballs, and a lot of these guys. It

550
00:25:52,118 --> 00:25:55,198
Speaker 3: wasn't necessarily Tommy John at that time, but ended up injured,

551
00:25:55,518 --> 00:25:58,398
Speaker 3: so I'd be concerned about that. I'm betting on cutter

552
00:25:59,118 --> 00:26:02,078
Speaker 3: command to cutter, work on the fastball command and then

553
00:26:02,198 --> 00:26:04,998
Speaker 3: play with the forkball off of that. Sounds like maybe

554
00:26:04,998 --> 00:26:06,958
Speaker 3: an immediate future kind of a fix.

555
00:26:07,398 --> 00:26:09,878
Speaker 1: Yeah, listen, it's one start, and I don't want to

556
00:26:09,918 --> 00:26:12,198
Speaker 1: put too much on the results of what we saw

557
00:26:12,278 --> 00:26:13,118
Speaker 1: from Sasaki.

558
00:26:13,838 --> 00:26:15,118
Speaker 2: It's definitely going to get better.

559
00:26:15,158 --> 00:26:17,678
Speaker 1: I mean, if Shohy was talking about being nervous before

560
00:26:17,718 --> 00:26:20,238
Speaker 1: this game, imagine if you're Sasaki, You're making your major

561
00:26:20,318 --> 00:26:23,118
Speaker 1: league debut back in your home country, all kinds of

562
00:26:23,158 --> 00:26:27,238
Speaker 1: eyes on you. Just imagine the anxiety, the nerves. Even

563
00:26:28,118 --> 00:26:30,158
Speaker 1: He'll be fine in that regard. The good news for

564
00:26:30,198 --> 00:26:32,878
Speaker 1: the Dodgers is, you know, his velocity last year in

565
00:26:32,958 --> 00:26:35,918
Speaker 1: Japan was down a couple of ticks. And it's back,

566
00:26:35,958 --> 00:26:37,998
Speaker 1: There's no question about it. One of the reasons he

567
00:26:38,078 --> 00:26:42,718
Speaker 1: chose the Dodgers because they're so good at developing pitchers.

568
00:26:42,718 --> 00:26:44,318
Speaker 1: He wanted to get better, and he's in the right

569
00:26:44,318 --> 00:26:47,758
Speaker 1: place to get better. I think he's really going to

570
00:26:47,798 --> 00:26:50,318
Speaker 1: be at times very very dominant. But I think you're

571
00:26:50,358 --> 00:26:54,118
Speaker 1: going to see the Dodgers be extremely careful with him,

572
00:26:54,158 --> 00:26:57,958
Speaker 1: more than any other starter that they have. You know,

573
00:26:58,078 --> 00:27:00,678
Speaker 1: Dave Roberts has these options in the bullpen we talked

574
00:27:00,678 --> 00:27:03,238
Speaker 1: about Joe. That really helps because when he gets the ball,

575
00:27:03,318 --> 00:27:06,038
Speaker 1: you want to deep bullpen behind him to cover five

576
00:27:06,158 --> 00:27:06,878
Speaker 1: six innings if.

577
00:27:06,798 --> 00:27:07,198
Speaker 4: You have to.

578
00:27:08,598 --> 00:27:11,238
Speaker 1: But I think he's there's going to be times where

579
00:27:11,278 --> 00:27:14,718
Speaker 1: he's going to look absolutely unhittable. If he throws his

580
00:27:14,798 --> 00:27:17,958
Speaker 1: fastball for a strike, commands his fastball and gets you

581
00:27:17,998 --> 00:27:20,758
Speaker 1: in a two strike count, you're done. So I think

582
00:27:20,758 --> 00:27:23,478
Speaker 1: he's gonna have some really high strikeout games. Even if

583
00:27:23,478 --> 00:27:27,078
Speaker 1: it's not seven eight innings, he'll go on some runs.

584
00:27:27,598 --> 00:27:29,638
Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, I'm looking forward to watching all that.

585
00:27:29,958 --> 00:27:35,518
Speaker 3: These are the kind of guys as a developmental person, coach, manager,

586
00:27:35,998 --> 00:27:39,238
Speaker 3: are really exciting. This is the kind of project you'd

587
00:27:39,238 --> 00:27:41,998
Speaker 3: love to get your hands on. I'm certain he's he's

588
00:27:41,998 --> 00:27:44,118
Speaker 3: a wonderful young man. I'm certain he's very humble. I'm

589
00:27:44,118 --> 00:27:47,118
Speaker 3: certain he listens very well. It's just it's part of

590
00:27:47,118 --> 00:27:50,158
Speaker 3: the culture. Anytime you have a player from Japan, they've

591
00:27:50,238 --> 00:27:53,998
Speaker 3: always been among the most respectful guys I've ever manager coached.

592
00:27:54,318 --> 00:27:57,078
Speaker 3: So you got that going in his favor. And then

593
00:27:57,118 --> 00:27:59,518
Speaker 3: it's just a matter of the plan that they create.

594
00:27:59,678 --> 00:28:01,518
Speaker 3: And of course they have a plan, and of course

595
00:28:01,518 --> 00:28:04,358
Speaker 3: they've talked about the cutter different things. I'm not bringing

596
00:28:04,398 --> 00:28:06,958
Speaker 3: this up as though it's something new. They have all this.

597
00:28:07,358 --> 00:28:09,958
Speaker 3: They got all this in their little playbook. There's no

598
00:28:09,998 --> 00:28:12,398
Speaker 3: doubt about it. And the fact that they can be

599
00:28:12,518 --> 00:28:15,198
Speaker 3: patient with it is really really important. So I just

600
00:28:15,238 --> 00:28:17,118
Speaker 3: set that play out. And again, just like we're talking

601
00:28:17,158 --> 00:28:19,238
Speaker 3: about a Momoto, I mean, this guy's got to feel

602
00:28:19,278 --> 00:28:21,758
Speaker 3: like he belongs to he can do this, being as

603
00:28:21,838 --> 00:28:24,078
Speaker 3: young as he is. And they've even admitted the Dodgers

604
00:28:24,118 --> 00:28:26,638
Speaker 3: coming into it, that he has a work in progress.

605
00:28:26,678 --> 00:28:28,398
Speaker 3: So all these things have been laid out. It's nothing new.

606
00:28:28,478 --> 00:28:32,198
Speaker 3: Like you suggested, they got the plan. I'm just saying

607
00:28:32,238 --> 00:28:34,478
Speaker 3: from my perspective, what I'm hearing is I'm betting on

608
00:28:34,518 --> 00:28:37,118
Speaker 3: a cutter being added or talked about or even tried

609
00:28:37,158 --> 00:28:39,078
Speaker 3: To this point, I'm just curious to see how it

610
00:28:39,158 --> 00:28:39,758
Speaker 3: plays out.

611
00:28:40,038 --> 00:28:41,278
Speaker 2: Let's talk about the Cubs.

612
00:28:41,318 --> 00:28:43,038
Speaker 1: We know how much you'd like Kyle Tucker and I

613
00:28:43,078 --> 00:28:45,238
Speaker 1: certainly look at that Cubs lineup now and say, wow,

614
00:28:45,318 --> 00:28:47,278
Speaker 1: you know, they've got a big bat in the middle

615
00:28:47,318 --> 00:28:50,638
Speaker 1: there which they had lacked before, good complimentary type players.

616
00:28:50,678 --> 00:28:54,278
Speaker 2: But listen, coming out of the gate, it doesn't get

617
00:28:54,318 --> 00:28:54,838
Speaker 2: any easier.

618
00:28:54,878 --> 00:28:57,438
Speaker 1: I mean, they go from seeing this Dodger pitching staff

619
00:28:58,038 --> 00:29:01,198
Speaker 1: to when the season starts, seeing the Arizona Diamondbacks, where

620
00:29:01,198 --> 00:29:05,798
Speaker 1: you're gonna see Zach Gallon, Corbyn Burns, Merril Kell, Duardo Rodriguez.

621
00:29:05,838 --> 00:29:07,558
Speaker 2: I mean they're up against they coming out of the gate.

622
00:29:08,238 --> 00:29:10,678
Speaker 1: Your quick impressions on the Cobs, well, I think are

623
00:29:10,958 --> 00:29:16,558
Speaker 1: definitely an improved team. But offensively, I still have some

624
00:29:16,598 --> 00:29:21,438
Speaker 1: concerns about depth here. Basically, they need Pete Crow Armstrong

625
00:29:21,638 --> 00:29:23,918
Speaker 1: to be a better offensive player, and he's young players,

626
00:29:23,918 --> 00:29:26,638
Speaker 1: so you can you can almost count on that, and

627
00:29:26,758 --> 00:29:29,798
Speaker 1: Dansby Swanson to break out and be the kind of

628
00:29:29,798 --> 00:29:32,358
Speaker 1: player he was in Atlanta a couple of years ago. Offensively,

629
00:29:32,398 --> 00:29:34,918
Speaker 1: because I just don't see right now they have a

630
00:29:34,958 --> 00:29:35,638
Speaker 1: deep lineup.

631
00:29:36,078 --> 00:29:38,358
Speaker 3: Yeah, I can't disagree with that. I do like Armstrong

632
00:29:38,398 --> 00:29:41,158
Speaker 3: the lock though. You gotta love that athletic is athletics,

633
00:29:41,358 --> 00:29:46,318
Speaker 3: athletics ism, he's I watched to watch that inside the

634
00:29:46,358 --> 00:29:47,038
Speaker 3: Park home run.

635
00:29:47,198 --> 00:29:48,598
Speaker 4: I watched it. We haveter fly balls.

636
00:29:48,878 --> 00:29:51,278
Speaker 3: Looks like he got some serious popp He's just a wiry,

637
00:29:51,398 --> 00:29:55,998
Speaker 3: strong guy and he's very exciting, so that that just

638
00:29:56,038 --> 00:29:58,998
Speaker 3: needs some time. He's still young. Swanson on the other hand,

639
00:29:58,998 --> 00:30:00,638
Speaker 3: I mean they brought him in not just for his defense,

640
00:30:00,638 --> 00:30:04,078
Speaker 3: but he has some offensive ability too, and that has

641
00:30:04,278 --> 00:30:06,078
Speaker 3: like that double down the line was really nice, and

642
00:30:06,078 --> 00:30:09,038
Speaker 3: that's what he's capable of doing. He's I think a

643
00:30:09,038 --> 00:30:10,718
Speaker 3: good start with him is really important. I think if

644
00:30:10,758 --> 00:30:12,158
Speaker 3: he gets off to a good start, you're going to

645
00:30:12,198 --> 00:30:14,118
Speaker 3: see him maintain that during the course of the year.

646
00:30:14,478 --> 00:30:16,158
Speaker 4: I've seen him really good in the past.

647
00:30:16,158 --> 00:30:18,558
Speaker 3: He's a really good heavy ball players, are winning kind

648
00:30:18,558 --> 00:30:21,478
Speaker 3: of a ball player, so I think he'll get his

649
00:30:21,478 --> 00:30:23,518
Speaker 3: feet on the ground with all of that. I think

650
00:30:23,638 --> 00:30:25,678
Speaker 3: Ian Happa is a big part of this. I mean Happer,

651
00:30:26,078 --> 00:30:28,478
Speaker 3: you know, HAPs been there for a while and Hap's

652
00:30:28,598 --> 00:30:31,478
Speaker 3: kind of like a leader in the clubhouse there, and

653
00:30:31,838 --> 00:30:34,398
Speaker 3: when he gets on a roll, he's he could be.

654
00:30:34,838 --> 00:30:37,758
Speaker 3: He's pretty darn good. He's pretty darn good, better from

655
00:30:37,758 --> 00:30:40,198
Speaker 3: the left side than the right side. And even when

656
00:30:40,198 --> 00:30:42,398
Speaker 3: I had him back then, I said he defined Mickey Mantle.

657
00:30:42,438 --> 00:30:44,558
Speaker 3: I know that's an overreach, but my point was not

658
00:30:44,718 --> 00:30:47,038
Speaker 3: very big. But my god, when he hits the ball,

659
00:30:47,078 --> 00:30:48,798
Speaker 3: when he gets when he squares it up, it goes

660
00:30:48,878 --> 00:30:50,318
Speaker 3: far and he gets small fast.

661
00:30:50,718 --> 00:30:52,118
Speaker 4: So I among all of.

662
00:30:52,078 --> 00:30:54,598
Speaker 3: Those guys, if he's gonna hit on the top, a

663
00:30:54,598 --> 00:30:57,398
Speaker 3: lot of it's going to center around him. He's got

664
00:30:57,398 --> 00:30:59,638
Speaker 3: a good eye at the plate. He's made some adjustments.

665
00:31:00,638 --> 00:31:02,038
Speaker 3: He used to swing straight up in the air and

666
00:31:02,238 --> 00:31:06,238
Speaker 3: he's leveled that off pretty well. Was elevated fastballs devastating him.

667
00:31:06,278 --> 00:31:07,998
Speaker 3: But I think he's made some nice adjustment. So I

668
00:31:08,478 --> 00:31:10,958
Speaker 3: think a lot of that is with Happer. If Happer

669
00:31:10,998 --> 00:31:15,558
Speaker 3: could really gain a level of consistency and set the tone.

670
00:31:15,358 --> 00:31:17,598
Speaker 4: For that entire lineup, that could be a big part

671
00:31:17,598 --> 00:31:19,078
Speaker 4: of it. On the right side. See, the thing is,

672
00:31:19,118 --> 00:31:21,278
Speaker 4: he always wanted to move him to the right side.

673
00:31:21,438 --> 00:31:24,478
Speaker 3: He's become more functional there, I think, but it's a

674
00:31:24,478 --> 00:31:27,038
Speaker 3: different it's a different hitter. Completely from the right the

675
00:31:27,118 --> 00:31:30,158
Speaker 3: left side, it is serious pop heads up. Every time

676
00:31:30,198 --> 00:31:32,558
Speaker 3: he swings the bat the right side, He's got pop,

677
00:31:32,558 --> 00:31:33,918
Speaker 3: but it's it's just a different swing.

678
00:31:33,958 --> 00:31:34,798
Speaker 4: It's not as fluid.

679
00:31:35,238 --> 00:31:37,918
Speaker 3: So a lot of I think they are keys right

680
00:31:37,918 --> 00:31:41,278
Speaker 3: there offensively, and I'm pulling for him. I really like

681
00:31:41,358 --> 00:31:42,638
Speaker 3: you and a lot I'd like to see if he

682
00:31:42,638 --> 00:31:45,678
Speaker 3: could get that thing going and really stabilize him at

683
00:31:45,678 --> 00:31:46,638
Speaker 3: the top of the batting order.

684
00:31:46,638 --> 00:31:48,238
Speaker 4: That would mean a lot to their production.

685
00:31:48,638 --> 00:31:51,558
Speaker 1: Well, I know this, Their defensive outfield is probably the

686
00:31:51,598 --> 00:31:55,038
Speaker 1: best in baseball. Ian happened left yep Hecrow Armstrong and

687
00:31:55,118 --> 00:31:57,958
Speaker 1: center Kyle Tucker and right Oh my goodness. It doesn't

688
00:31:57,958 --> 00:32:00,558
Speaker 1: get much better than that. Yeah, I think the Cubs,

689
00:32:00,598 --> 00:32:02,958
Speaker 1: there's no doubt this team. I think that the division

690
00:32:03,038 --> 00:32:04,798
Speaker 1: is open there in the NAST in League Central. No

691
00:32:04,958 --> 00:32:07,558
Speaker 1: disrespect to Milwaukee because they always are going to be

692
00:32:07,598 --> 00:32:10,638
Speaker 1: the mix, But the Cubs have played themselves and spent

693
00:32:10,678 --> 00:32:13,678
Speaker 1: themselves back into the mix, There's no question about it.

694
00:32:13,678 --> 00:32:16,078
Speaker 1: It may be a tough start offensively though, coming out

695
00:32:16,078 --> 00:32:19,478
Speaker 1: of the gate with the draw getting Arizona after the

696
00:32:19,678 --> 00:32:23,318
Speaker 1: LA Dodgers. Just happy too, Joe, that these games are

697
00:32:23,358 --> 00:32:26,518
Speaker 1: played over there in Japan, where baseball means so much.

698
00:32:26,798 --> 00:32:29,718
Speaker 1: I mean, it's just so rewarding to some of the

699
00:32:29,718 --> 00:32:32,758
Speaker 1: best fans on this planet, the way they just cherished

700
00:32:32,758 --> 00:32:35,878
Speaker 1: the game of baseball. You know, you saw it in

701
00:32:35,918 --> 00:32:39,358
Speaker 1: the crowd there, you know, just the excitement, all the

702
00:32:39,398 --> 00:32:40,758
Speaker 1: gear that people were wearing.

703
00:32:41,438 --> 00:32:43,838
Speaker 2: You know, go back to last year in the World Series.

704
00:32:43,478 --> 00:32:45,838
Speaker 1: When you had Otani and Yamamoto in the World Series,

705
00:32:45,878 --> 00:32:48,318
Speaker 1: the first two games of the World Series, and remember

706
00:32:48,358 --> 00:32:49,478
Speaker 1: the games there being.

707
00:32:49,278 --> 00:32:51,358
Speaker 2: Broadcast at about six am in the morning.

708
00:32:52,078 --> 00:32:54,838
Speaker 1: They did better ratings for those first two World Series

709
00:32:54,918 --> 00:32:58,838
Speaker 1: games than in America in prime time. Now, the overall

710
00:32:58,918 --> 00:33:02,558
Speaker 1: number in the US, the number was higher, but the

711
00:33:02,678 --> 00:33:05,238
Speaker 1: level of interest in Japan off the charts. The World

712
00:33:05,278 --> 00:33:10,358
Speaker 1: Series ratings actually in Japan in the morning outrated the

713
00:33:10,478 --> 00:33:15,478
Speaker 1: NBA Finals. Again, we're talking about breakfast with baseball, and

714
00:33:15,598 --> 00:33:18,558
Speaker 1: people's days are just beginning, and more people in Japan

715
00:33:18,598 --> 00:33:22,278
Speaker 1: are watching the World Series in America than actually Americans

716
00:33:22,278 --> 00:33:23,878
Speaker 1: are watching the NBA Finals.

717
00:33:24,198 --> 00:33:26,838
Speaker 2: So it's great that baseball goes over there.

718
00:33:26,758 --> 00:33:32,158
Speaker 1: Plays these games, not exhibitions, but actual live regular season

719
00:33:32,238 --> 00:33:35,918
Speaker 1: championship games being played in Japan, and it didn't disappoint

720
00:33:36,118 --> 00:33:38,998
Speaker 1: It was everything I thought be a great spectacle.

721
00:33:40,038 --> 00:33:42,798
Speaker 2: So congratulations to MLB for having these games over there.

722
00:33:43,278 --> 00:33:48,478
Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a different group, man. My personal experiences with

723
00:33:48,958 --> 00:33:52,558
Speaker 3: Japanese baseball and job I've not been there, but even

724
00:33:52,598 --> 00:33:55,798
Speaker 3: back in the eighties, the Tokyo Giants instruction League team

725
00:33:55,798 --> 00:33:59,438
Speaker 3: would come over to Arizona to play an instructional league

726
00:33:59,478 --> 00:34:01,238
Speaker 3: and I got to make some really good friendships back

727
00:34:01,238 --> 00:34:05,358
Speaker 3: there in the eighties, Pseudo Sun manager, Pseudo and I

728
00:34:05,398 --> 00:34:08,038
Speaker 3: became good friends. He's been part of the Tokyo Giant

729
00:34:08,118 --> 00:34:11,478
Speaker 3: organization for a while. The thing that I loved about

730
00:34:11,718 --> 00:34:15,798
Speaker 3: playing against them, and I still think it's it's prominent now.

731
00:34:15,958 --> 00:34:19,838
Speaker 3: I mean, they really strive to be fundamentally sound baseball players.

732
00:34:20,758 --> 00:34:23,438
Speaker 3: Sometimes in their methods are really a little bit extreme.

733
00:34:23,998 --> 00:34:27,398
Speaker 3: They have different kind of drills. They'll be throwing simultaneous

734
00:34:27,438 --> 00:34:30,118
Speaker 3: batting practice on the same field. You know, baseball is

735
00:34:30,118 --> 00:34:33,918
Speaker 3: flying all over the place. They're really they're really harsh

736
00:34:33,918 --> 00:34:37,318
Speaker 3: in a way regarding if you're not playing it well, man,

737
00:34:37,318 --> 00:34:37,998
Speaker 3: they're gonna.

738
00:34:37,758 --> 00:34:38,518
Speaker 4: Make you practice.

739
00:34:38,518 --> 00:34:40,598
Speaker 3: And I'm not saying that's good or bad, and sometimes

740
00:34:40,598 --> 00:34:42,478
Speaker 3: it might be a little bit too much, but there's

741
00:34:42,518 --> 00:34:46,358
Speaker 3: a dedication to the game. Wow, that's it's not just

742
00:34:46,398 --> 00:34:50,998
Speaker 3: about spin rate and you know tech. I think there's

743
00:34:50,998 --> 00:34:54,558
Speaker 3: still a high level of concern about playing the game

744
00:34:54,598 --> 00:34:56,758
Speaker 3: fundamentally right. At least that's my perception. I have been

745
00:34:56,758 --> 00:34:59,518
Speaker 3: around them enough more recently to know that. And I

746
00:34:59,558 --> 00:35:02,918
Speaker 3: think the Japanese baseball fan is a very sophisticated baseball fan.

747
00:35:03,038 --> 00:35:05,638
Speaker 3: I mean, they love stars, there's no question about that,

748
00:35:05,678 --> 00:35:08,998
Speaker 3: but they inherently just love the game for the sake

749
00:35:09,038 --> 00:35:10,878
Speaker 3: of the with the way the game is and how

750
00:35:10,878 --> 00:35:14,918
Speaker 3: it's being played, and they won a nice clean version

751
00:35:14,958 --> 00:35:16,478
Speaker 3: of the game of baseball. And I'll tell you their

752
00:35:16,878 --> 00:35:19,998
Speaker 3: their coaches and managers demand that. So I don't know how.

753
00:35:20,158 --> 00:35:21,838
Speaker 3: I think it just ties into the discipline of the

754
00:35:21,838 --> 00:35:25,198
Speaker 3: culture somehow too. I don't know that they're looking for

755
00:35:25,398 --> 00:35:28,958
Speaker 3: a lot of changes in the game necessarily to enjoy it.

756
00:35:29,358 --> 00:35:32,278
Speaker 3: I think they really enjoy the brand that we experienced

757
00:35:32,278 --> 00:35:35,318
Speaker 3: for years and they fell in love with. And I

758
00:35:35,358 --> 00:35:39,038
Speaker 3: think you know that maybe there there's no football, there's

759
00:35:39,038 --> 00:35:41,558
Speaker 3: no NBA there per se. I mean, this is their sport.

760
00:35:41,998 --> 00:35:45,038
Speaker 3: There's not as many distractions from other leagues. And I'm

761
00:35:45,158 --> 00:35:47,358
Speaker 3: you know, kids just liking the Dominican or Puerto Rico.

762
00:35:47,398 --> 00:35:49,358
Speaker 3: They're going up to be baseball players, and kids going

763
00:35:49,438 --> 00:35:52,278
Speaker 3: up into Japan outside of you know, there's a couple

764
00:35:52,278 --> 00:35:55,598
Speaker 3: of outlier sports obviously, but they want to be baseball players.

765
00:35:55,798 --> 00:35:59,278
Speaker 3: That's that's that's what I believe. So it's you know,

766
00:35:59,318 --> 00:36:01,478
Speaker 3: it's like the United States maybe I don't know, thirty

767
00:36:01,478 --> 00:36:04,598
Speaker 3: forty years ago, but it's not advancing in that regard.

768
00:36:04,798 --> 00:36:08,238
Speaker 3: It's just there's that died in the wool interested in

769
00:36:08,278 --> 00:36:11,158
Speaker 3: the game. And my experience has been great, and I

770
00:36:11,198 --> 00:36:14,038
Speaker 3: love competing against them because they're coming after you, and

771
00:36:14,078 --> 00:36:15,798
Speaker 3: they're going to come after you playing the game hard

772
00:36:15,838 --> 00:36:16,358
Speaker 3: and correctly.

773
00:36:16,678 --> 00:36:19,038
Speaker 1: It's funny that you said that shoe, because I was

774
00:36:19,078 --> 00:36:22,798
Speaker 1: over there for the Nippon World Series in nineteen ninety

775
00:36:22,838 --> 00:36:25,838
Speaker 1: four when Baseball had no World Series because of the strike.

776
00:36:25,958 --> 00:36:28,238
Speaker 1: So I got my Baseball World Series fixed over there,

777
00:36:28,878 --> 00:36:32,038
Speaker 1: and I had the impression I was watching baseball in

778
00:36:32,078 --> 00:36:37,158
Speaker 1: the US in the fifties and sixties just a very well, fundamental,

779
00:36:37,358 --> 00:36:42,158
Speaker 1: disciplined game and nothing was overproduced. Like you go to

780
00:36:42,238 --> 00:36:45,038
Speaker 1: a game now and I get it. I mean, the

781
00:36:45,198 --> 00:36:48,358
Speaker 1: music will just make your ears ring, and there's never

782
00:36:48,398 --> 00:36:52,238
Speaker 1: a moment of silence between pitches. That there's so much

783
00:36:52,358 --> 00:36:56,558
Speaker 1: cacophony going on, and you know, people just they our

784
00:36:56,638 --> 00:37:00,118
Speaker 1: attention spans have gotten so short. The idea that there's

785
00:37:00,158 --> 00:37:03,998
Speaker 1: actually a little bit of silence to think is a

786
00:37:04,078 --> 00:37:07,478
Speaker 1: athetical now. And when I was over there, Yeah, they

787
00:37:07,518 --> 00:37:09,718
Speaker 1: have bands in the outfield and they have you know,

788
00:37:09,878 --> 00:37:11,758
Speaker 1: play individual songs for every hitter.

789
00:37:12,118 --> 00:37:13,638
Speaker 2: I mean, I'm not saying it's a library.

790
00:37:13,678 --> 00:37:16,038
Speaker 1: What I'm saying, though, is people are watching the game

791
00:37:16,158 --> 00:37:19,758
Speaker 1: and paying attention to the game. And it wasn't overproduced.

792
00:37:19,758 --> 00:37:24,118
Speaker 1: They weren't putting up signs saying cheer, make noise. Just

793
00:37:24,198 --> 00:37:27,278
Speaker 1: this pure love of the game. That's that was my

794
00:37:27,438 --> 00:37:28,318
Speaker 1: takeaway from it.

795
00:37:28,558 --> 00:37:30,998
Speaker 3: Yeah, and that's what I haven't been there more recently,

796
00:37:31,078 --> 00:37:33,718
Speaker 3: and I'm just watching. When I watched the Spectacle on TV,

797
00:37:34,438 --> 00:37:36,358
Speaker 3: you know, you see the fans, they got their placers.

798
00:37:36,398 --> 00:37:39,238
Speaker 3: We had the thundersticks back in the day with the Angels.

799
00:37:39,238 --> 00:37:42,998
Speaker 3: I think we derived that from Japanese baseball Major League baseball.

800
00:37:44,318 --> 00:37:47,598
Speaker 3: It's just it's a pure form. It's like it's like

801
00:37:47,638 --> 00:37:50,438
Speaker 3: Division two football, you know, it's something. It's just a

802
00:37:50,558 --> 00:37:53,838
Speaker 3: more a more pure form of the game. Like you're saying,

803
00:37:54,198 --> 00:37:57,438
Speaker 3: less stressed up. It probably wears jeans a little bit more.

804
00:37:57,478 --> 00:38:00,558
Speaker 3: And you know, it's just it's just a more gritty,

805
00:38:00,638 --> 00:38:03,518
Speaker 3: blue collar kind of a game because it's demanded. It's demanded,

806
00:38:03,598 --> 00:38:06,038
Speaker 3: and that I don't want to overstate that in a

807
00:38:06,078 --> 00:38:09,038
Speaker 3: sense because I don't know exactly, you know, from front

808
00:38:09,078 --> 00:38:11,838
Speaker 3: office side of the Japanese baseball with they're demanding, and

809
00:38:11,838 --> 00:38:14,198
Speaker 3: I don't know how deep their analytics go over there.

810
00:38:14,358 --> 00:38:16,318
Speaker 4: I don't I can't speak for that. I don't know that.

811
00:38:16,758 --> 00:38:20,438
Speaker 3: But when I'm saying, just observationally and as an opponent

812
00:38:20,558 --> 00:38:24,798
Speaker 3: to these guys, it was so cool, man, because they came.

813
00:38:24,838 --> 00:38:26,598
Speaker 3: They're coming after you, and they're coming after you the

814
00:38:26,678 --> 00:38:28,838
Speaker 3: right way. And again I'm going back in time a

815
00:38:28,878 --> 00:38:30,038
Speaker 3: little bit. I can see that.

816
00:38:30,398 --> 00:38:30,918
Speaker 4: But when I.

817
00:38:30,878 --> 00:38:34,318
Speaker 3: Watched them, when you watch them when they're competing against us,

818
00:38:34,958 --> 00:38:37,278
Speaker 3: even a look at the the WBC, man, I mean,

819
00:38:37,398 --> 00:38:41,438
Speaker 3: they maybe they don't have the natural power the a

820
00:38:41,438 --> 00:38:44,278
Speaker 3: lot of the American guys who maybe it's although look

821
00:38:44,318 --> 00:38:46,278
Speaker 3: at show, He's got as much power as anybody. But

822
00:38:46,758 --> 00:38:48,638
Speaker 3: they play a more pure form of the game. They

823
00:38:48,638 --> 00:38:50,158
Speaker 3: play Division two and I love that.

824
00:38:50,398 --> 00:38:52,518
Speaker 1: Hey, listen where are that time of year right now, Joe,

825
00:38:52,558 --> 00:38:55,038
Speaker 1: that the other twenty eight teams are still reducing their

826
00:38:55,118 --> 00:38:57,278
Speaker 1: roster size. And I know you've gone through this as

827
00:38:57,318 --> 00:39:00,158
Speaker 1: a manager, when you have to tell guys that they

828
00:39:00,238 --> 00:39:01,358
Speaker 1: didn't make the team.

829
00:39:01,558 --> 00:39:02,798
Speaker 2: It's never easy.

830
00:39:02,838 --> 00:39:04,958
Speaker 1: There was a story at a book Baltimore with Brandon

831
00:39:05,038 --> 00:39:07,118
Speaker 1: Hyde that I want to get your take on. We

832
00:39:07,158 --> 00:39:09,758
Speaker 1: can talk about that right after this break on the

833
00:39:09,798 --> 00:39:21,718
Speaker 1: Book of Joe.

834
00:39:22,478 --> 00:39:24,598
Speaker 2: Welcome back to the Book of Joe podcast. Joe.

835
00:39:24,598 --> 00:39:27,678
Speaker 1: I love getting your insights on some of the things

836
00:39:27,678 --> 00:39:30,598
Speaker 1: that fans and we as reporters don't see, and that

837
00:39:30,718 --> 00:39:33,638
Speaker 1: is literally behind closed doors sometimes when you have to

838
00:39:33,638 --> 00:39:36,478
Speaker 1: tell a guy that he hasn't made the team. In Baltimore,

839
00:39:36,598 --> 00:39:40,078
Speaker 1: they have a real top prospect named Kobe Mayo, corner

840
00:39:40,118 --> 00:39:40,798
Speaker 1: infield guy.

841
00:39:40,838 --> 00:39:43,278
Speaker 2: He's twenty three years old. He's absolutely teared it up

842
00:39:43,278 --> 00:39:43,798
Speaker 2: in Triple A.

843
00:39:44,478 --> 00:39:46,318
Speaker 1: He's got big time powers, a lot of swing and

844
00:39:46,358 --> 00:39:48,878
Speaker 1: missing his game, but you know he's got major league

845
00:39:48,878 --> 00:39:50,638
Speaker 1: power and he's going to be an impact hitter.

846
00:39:50,558 --> 00:39:51,278
Speaker 2: In the big leagues.

847
00:39:51,998 --> 00:39:56,318
Speaker 1: But they're sending him back down the Triple A. And listen,

848
00:39:56,518 --> 00:39:58,918
Speaker 1: he had a little bit of a cameo cup of coffee.

849
00:39:58,958 --> 00:40:03,438
Speaker 1: Last year with the Orioles seventeen games and basically did nothing.

850
00:40:03,478 --> 00:40:06,238
Speaker 1: He ninety eight, struck out more than a third of

851
00:40:06,318 --> 00:40:09,118
Speaker 1: the time. And then this year in spring training and

852
00:40:09,638 --> 00:40:11,958
Speaker 1: you know, I know it's spring training and result results

853
00:40:12,038 --> 00:40:14,678
Speaker 1: really don't matter, but when you're trying to make the team,

854
00:40:14,958 --> 00:40:16,158
Speaker 1: you know, this is what you go by.

855
00:40:16,758 --> 00:40:19,398
Speaker 2: He hit won ninety and again a bunch of punchouts

856
00:40:19,398 --> 00:40:20,518
Speaker 2: as well, so.

857
00:40:20,478 --> 00:40:24,078
Speaker 1: They're sending him down and he's like, you know, this

858
00:40:24,198 --> 00:40:26,398
Speaker 1: is really not fair, he said, because now they're going

859
00:40:26,438 --> 00:40:28,118
Speaker 1: to send me back to Triple A and this is

860
00:40:28,158 --> 00:40:30,038
Speaker 1: a lose lose situation for me.

861
00:40:30,078 --> 00:40:32,398
Speaker 2: That's what he called it, a lose lose situation. Because

862
00:40:32,398 --> 00:40:33,078
Speaker 2: if he goes.

863
00:40:32,918 --> 00:40:35,198
Speaker 1: Down there and he's already proved you get it in

864
00:40:35,198 --> 00:40:37,358
Speaker 1: triple A, people are going to say, well, it's triple A.

865
00:40:37,478 --> 00:40:39,478
Speaker 2: You're you're expected to hit in Triple A. You've done

866
00:40:39,518 --> 00:40:40,518
Speaker 2: it before, we expect you.

867
00:40:40,838 --> 00:40:42,998
Speaker 1: And if you don't hit in triple A, people are

868
00:40:43,038 --> 00:40:46,238
Speaker 1: gonna say, I don't know about Kobe Mayo. Man, It's

869
00:40:46,278 --> 00:40:50,678
Speaker 1: it's like the bloom is off the rose. So I'm

870
00:40:50,718 --> 00:40:52,238
Speaker 1: sure you've been here before, Joe.

871
00:40:52,398 --> 00:40:52,998
Speaker 2: Where you guy?

872
00:40:53,198 --> 00:40:55,878
Speaker 1: He feels like he's got nothing left to go prove

873
00:40:55,918 --> 00:40:58,878
Speaker 1: in Triple A. But as Brandon said, you know that

874
00:40:58,958 --> 00:41:01,158
Speaker 1: means we're a good ball club if you've got major

875
00:41:01,238 --> 00:41:03,118
Speaker 1: league ability and we're sending you back to Triple A.

876
00:41:03,678 --> 00:41:07,438
Speaker 1: You know, So give me your take on what it

877
00:41:07,518 --> 00:41:09,478
Speaker 1: takes when you've got a guy you know is a

878
00:41:09,518 --> 00:41:11,478
Speaker 1: big league player. I don't think that's in question, but

879
00:41:11,598 --> 00:41:14,158
Speaker 1: he's just right now doesn't fit with the team, the

880
00:41:14,198 --> 00:41:14,918
Speaker 1: major league team.

881
00:41:15,358 --> 00:41:17,598
Speaker 3: Be honest with him, Just tell him exactly that, tell

882
00:41:17,638 --> 00:41:19,238
Speaker 3: him exactly why you're sending him back down.

883
00:41:19,838 --> 00:41:20,638
Speaker 4: And I've been through that.

884
00:41:20,718 --> 00:41:22,398
Speaker 3: I'm not going to name the player's name, but I

885
00:41:22,398 --> 00:41:25,998
Speaker 3: had to sit down almost an identical situation, and the

886
00:41:26,038 --> 00:41:30,758
Speaker 3: player kind of referenced triple as being a kiddie league

887
00:41:30,838 --> 00:41:33,918
Speaker 3: or something to that effect, little league, and I just had.

888
00:41:33,758 --> 00:41:36,078
Speaker 4: To look back at him, and I I stayed with the.

889
00:41:37,598 --> 00:41:40,518
Speaker 3: Conversation that we had created because just had to be

890
00:41:40,678 --> 00:41:43,798
Speaker 3: honest with them. Just we thought there was more work

891
00:41:43,838 --> 00:41:46,958
Speaker 3: to be done, We had enough on the major league level,

892
00:41:47,518 --> 00:41:50,638
Speaker 3: and we be very specific, what do we have to do?

893
00:41:50,678 --> 00:41:55,278
Speaker 3: And it's disingenuous to suggest that I have nothing left

894
00:41:55,318 --> 00:41:57,278
Speaker 3: to prove in Triple A. I think that's what we're

895
00:41:57,318 --> 00:42:00,358
Speaker 3: teaching kids today because everybody wants to get to the

896
00:42:00,398 --> 00:42:04,398
Speaker 3: big league so quickly. I'm sure Baltimore and Hyder mapped

897
00:42:04,438 --> 00:42:06,598
Speaker 3: it out from specifically what they want him to work on.

898
00:42:07,078 --> 00:42:08,998
Speaker 3: And furthermore, we're trying to win in the big leagues

899
00:42:09,158 --> 00:42:11,478
Speaker 3: until you're ready to help us win. Unless we're in

900
00:42:11,518 --> 00:42:14,078
Speaker 3: a rebuild mode, that'd be different. If Baltimore still a rebuild,

901
00:42:14,078 --> 00:42:15,478
Speaker 3: you bring him up, you put him in the outfield.

902
00:42:15,478 --> 00:42:17,638
Speaker 3: If you believe he's that good, let him play, play,

903
00:42:17,678 --> 00:42:20,078
Speaker 3: play because it doesn't really matter. But they're in a

904
00:42:20,118 --> 00:42:22,518
Speaker 3: situation where it does matter. And when they bring him up,

905
00:42:22,558 --> 00:42:25,638
Speaker 3: they need to know what to expect. If they think

906
00:42:25,678 --> 00:42:28,438
Speaker 3: they could throw somebody out there on a nightly basis,

907
00:42:28,558 --> 00:42:31,198
Speaker 3: that's going to outproduce this fella. Now maybe even in

908
00:42:31,198 --> 00:42:33,238
Speaker 3: the future. You got to stay with that, but you

909
00:42:33,398 --> 00:42:36,678
Speaker 3: got to be honest when you have that honest conversation.

910
00:42:37,798 --> 00:42:39,238
Speaker 3: When you walk out of the room, he might not

911
00:42:39,438 --> 00:42:42,958
Speaker 3: like you, but eventually, hopefully he's that good. He's going

912
00:42:42,998 --> 00:42:44,878
Speaker 3: to come back and he's going to appreciate the fact

913
00:42:45,038 --> 00:42:47,318
Speaker 3: that he can trust your honesty when you're speaking to him.

914
00:42:47,878 --> 00:42:50,958
Speaker 3: So guys like that didn't bother me as much, quite frankly,

915
00:42:51,198 --> 00:42:52,958
Speaker 3: because they're not out of a job. You're not sending

916
00:42:52,958 --> 00:42:54,838
Speaker 3: them home. We have Kenny Grant in our book, Kenny

917
00:42:54,838 --> 00:42:59,198
Speaker 3: Grant's been on our podcast. Kenny Grant was a minor

918
00:42:59,278 --> 00:43:01,078
Speaker 3: league player with the Angels back in the day, and

919
00:43:01,078 --> 00:43:03,158
Speaker 3: I had to release Kenny. But I knew Kenny was

920
00:43:03,158 --> 00:43:05,998
Speaker 3: going home, back to Patterson, New Jersey. He wasn't just

921
00:43:06,078 --> 00:43:09,078
Speaker 3: going back to the minor leagues off a big league roster.

922
00:43:09,198 --> 00:43:12,438
Speaker 3: Different when you're like shattering dreams and sending kids home,

923
00:43:12,798 --> 00:43:13,438
Speaker 3: that's one thing.

924
00:43:13,438 --> 00:43:14,998
Speaker 4: But you're sending a big leaguer.

925
00:43:15,558 --> 00:43:18,758
Speaker 3: Back down to Triple A because obviously there's things he

926
00:43:18,798 --> 00:43:19,558
Speaker 3: needs to get done.

927
00:43:20,158 --> 00:43:21,598
Speaker 4: I never felt badly about that.

928
00:43:21,678 --> 00:43:23,558
Speaker 3: I think it's it's made way too easy for some

929
00:43:23,598 --> 00:43:26,878
Speaker 3: of these guys today and they need to spend more time,

930
00:43:26,958 --> 00:43:29,198
Speaker 3: right But you're gonna understanding their their craft better, so

931
00:43:29,598 --> 00:43:31,078
Speaker 3: obviously be striking out that much.

932
00:43:31,078 --> 00:43:33,438
Speaker 4: We've got there's work to be done here. Figure it

933
00:43:33,478 --> 00:43:34,518
Speaker 4: out and if.

934
00:43:34,438 --> 00:43:38,158
Speaker 3: They if they wrap, if they specifically tell him that,

935
00:43:38,238 --> 00:43:41,158
Speaker 3: and in that way, it's up to him now to

936
00:43:41,238 --> 00:43:44,638
Speaker 3: make the adjustments necessary to get back up here and

937
00:43:44,798 --> 00:43:47,518
Speaker 3: prove to them they'll see They'll know it's Triple A,

938
00:43:47,598 --> 00:43:50,678
Speaker 3: but they'll see within the swing, Uh, the adjustments are

939
00:43:50,678 --> 00:43:52,798
Speaker 3: being made that they're going to feel good about. Whether

940
00:43:52,798 --> 00:43:56,078
Speaker 3: it's Chase Chase up, Chase breaking ball down in a way,

941
00:43:56,758 --> 00:44:00,078
Speaker 3: more more disciplined on these certain pitches. Uh, maybe the

942
00:44:00,318 --> 00:44:03,158
Speaker 3: swing's been a little bit too uphill. Whatever they whatever

943
00:44:03,198 --> 00:44:06,158
Speaker 3: that may be that they know is being the issue

944
00:44:06,198 --> 00:44:08,238
Speaker 3: regarding non success on a major league level.

945
00:44:08,518 --> 00:44:10,918
Speaker 4: They'll see that in Triple A beyond the numbers and

946
00:44:10,998 --> 00:44:12,518
Speaker 4: know it might be time to bring him back up.

947
00:44:12,678 --> 00:44:15,478
Speaker 1: Yeah, and listen, I have no problems with what Kobe

948
00:44:15,478 --> 00:44:17,358
Speaker 1: Mayo said. You know, you want a guy to be

949
00:44:17,398 --> 00:44:19,598
Speaker 1: disappointed that he didn't make the team. Sure, you don't

950
00:44:19,598 --> 00:44:21,678
Speaker 1: want to be happy with that. And the fact that

951
00:44:21,718 --> 00:44:24,118
Speaker 1: he expressed it, well, that's what happens when you know

952
00:44:24,198 --> 00:44:26,478
Speaker 1: the reporters are there, They ask you a question after

953
00:44:26,518 --> 00:44:29,198
Speaker 1: you've just been punching in the gut. Essentially, I have

954
00:44:29,278 --> 00:44:32,318
Speaker 1: no problem with that. This is the guy, you know,

955
00:44:32,358 --> 00:44:34,398
Speaker 1: And listen, He's played one hundred and fifty one games

956
00:44:34,398 --> 00:44:36,278
Speaker 1: in Triple A. It's not like he just got there

957
00:44:37,158 --> 00:44:40,198
Speaker 1: in the middle or late last year. Two seventy nine

958
00:44:40,598 --> 00:44:43,438
Speaker 1: batting average three seventy six, on base five point forty

959
00:44:43,438 --> 00:44:46,598
Speaker 1: three slug So he has produced. I mean, those nint

960
00:44:46,678 --> 00:44:50,118
Speaker 1: numbers translate to major league success, and it doesn't guarantee it,

961
00:44:51,638 --> 00:44:54,798
Speaker 1: but I get where he's coming from. My question for you, Joe,

962
00:44:54,838 --> 00:44:58,758
Speaker 1: is when you look at spring training, right, how do

963
00:44:58,798 --> 00:45:01,518
Speaker 1: you evaluate that? Because I go back, the Mets used

964
00:45:01,558 --> 00:45:05,838
Speaker 1: to have this outfielder named Darren re six one one

965
00:45:06,038 --> 00:45:10,638
Speaker 1: ninety good looking player, outfielder could fly, hit with power.

966
00:45:11,038 --> 00:45:13,758
Speaker 2: He would tear up spring training.

967
00:45:14,118 --> 00:45:17,318
Speaker 1: I mean he would just rake, and you're thinking, man,

968
00:45:17,438 --> 00:45:20,398
Speaker 1: this guy's gotta be a great major league ballplayer.

969
00:45:20,438 --> 00:45:21,198
Speaker 2: He never was.

970
00:45:21,518 --> 00:45:23,358
Speaker 1: I mean he got into a little more than eighty

971
00:45:23,398 --> 00:45:27,878
Speaker 1: major league games, hit a buck eighty three. So when

972
00:45:27,918 --> 00:45:32,838
Speaker 1: you look at spring training, especially from the offensive side,

973
00:45:33,118 --> 00:45:35,038
Speaker 1: what are you supposed to make of these numbers?

974
00:45:35,118 --> 00:45:35,398
Speaker 2: Joe?

975
00:45:35,878 --> 00:45:37,478
Speaker 3: Well, if a guy, if a guy has shown it

976
00:45:37,518 --> 00:45:39,998
Speaker 3: to me in the past, like a good minor league season,

977
00:45:40,078 --> 00:45:43,078
Speaker 3: just suggesting that he has had good minor league seasons.

978
00:45:43,238 --> 00:45:46,318
Speaker 4: Although what league do they play in? The Triple A?

979
00:45:46,518 --> 00:45:48,838
Speaker 3: Is that that's on East Coast? Isn't it for the Baltimore?

980
00:45:48,958 --> 00:45:49,118
Speaker 4: Yeah?

981
00:45:49,118 --> 00:45:50,798
Speaker 2: He is at Norfolk Norfolk, So.

982
00:45:51,158 --> 00:45:54,438
Speaker 3: You know there's I would subtract almost at least I

983
00:45:54,438 --> 00:45:57,358
Speaker 3: don't at least thirty forty points off the on base percentage,

984
00:45:57,718 --> 00:46:01,278
Speaker 3: even more maybe seventy five points off slugging all that

985
00:46:01,318 --> 00:46:03,918
Speaker 3: other stuff the ops, because there's it's just different.

986
00:46:04,078 --> 00:46:05,158
Speaker 4: The pitchers are not that good.

987
00:46:05,238 --> 00:46:06,958
Speaker 2: Yeah, you're right, you're right. Let me end you're right.

988
00:46:07,078 --> 00:46:09,358
Speaker 1: You're right, because especially now, a lot of teams keep

989
00:46:09,398 --> 00:46:12,718
Speaker 1: their better prospects in Double A and Triple A is

990
00:46:12,758 --> 00:46:15,678
Speaker 1: A is a big offensive level at this point.

991
00:46:15,718 --> 00:46:18,398
Speaker 2: The pitching just is really the better arms Actually you're

992
00:46:18,438 --> 00:46:18,918
Speaker 2: in double.

993
00:46:19,238 --> 00:46:21,118
Speaker 4: Yeah, you have to really consider all that. The thing

994
00:46:21,198 --> 00:46:22,318
Speaker 4: that really stands out to me.

995
00:46:22,358 --> 00:46:27,358
Speaker 3: Conversations the conversations with the Oriole coaches in the spring

996
00:46:27,398 --> 00:46:33,038
Speaker 3: training have to lead to that somehow this decision, somehow conversationally,

997
00:46:33,198 --> 00:46:34,678
Speaker 3: what he says and how he says it, is he

998
00:46:34,798 --> 00:46:38,558
Speaker 3: ready his ability to retain this information and make this adjustments.

999
00:46:38,678 --> 00:46:40,038
Speaker 4: Is he doing that? Is he ready?

1000
00:46:40,398 --> 00:46:41,958
Speaker 3: I would I don't even know, but I would bet,

1001
00:46:41,998 --> 00:46:43,998
Speaker 3: like you just if we walked into the stands and

1002
00:46:43,998 --> 00:46:46,278
Speaker 3: he's having in that bat and somebody's throwing the ball

1003
00:46:46,318 --> 00:46:48,398
Speaker 3: pretty well, like I'll just say ninety five, ninety six

1004
00:46:48,438 --> 00:46:49,198
Speaker 3: and the bat's late.

1005
00:46:49,798 --> 00:46:51,918
Speaker 4: It's late. So why do I all of.

1006
00:46:51,918 --> 00:46:53,678
Speaker 3: A sudden believe that Bat's going to be on time

1007
00:46:53,678 --> 00:46:56,478
Speaker 3: when he gets to a major league game in Baltimore

1008
00:46:56,598 --> 00:46:59,478
Speaker 3: in about a month. These are there's like little nuanced

1009
00:46:59,478 --> 00:47:01,398
Speaker 3: stuff that I got to see. I got to see

1010
00:47:01,478 --> 00:47:04,038
Speaker 3: from my very own eyes to believe that he's to

1011
00:47:04,038 --> 00:47:06,198
Speaker 3: be able to make this jump from Triple A to

1012
00:47:06,638 --> 00:47:08,998
Speaker 3: the big leagues. That's the biggest jump there is. And

1013
00:47:09,118 --> 00:47:11,638
Speaker 3: like you're suggesting, and again, I've been there around there

1014
00:47:11,758 --> 00:47:14,118
Speaker 3: enough to know that double A is filled with more

1015
00:47:14,278 --> 00:47:18,118
Speaker 3: or better arms than Triple A is. So there's this

1016
00:47:18,358 --> 00:47:20,598
Speaker 3: success on the triple A level does not it does

1017
00:47:20,638 --> 00:47:23,758
Speaker 3: not light me up, quite frankly. There's a lot. There's

1018
00:47:23,758 --> 00:47:27,358
Speaker 3: a lot going on there. There's the like you said,

1019
00:47:27,398 --> 00:47:31,078
Speaker 3: the caliber of competition, the number of teams available, the

1020
00:47:31,158 --> 00:47:33,118
Speaker 3: number of players playing. I mean, all this stuff has

1021
00:47:33,158 --> 00:47:36,518
Speaker 3: been diminished. And I know that there's a small percentage

1022
00:47:36,558 --> 00:47:38,798
Speaker 3: that always makes the big leagues. And it's everybody talks

1023
00:47:38,838 --> 00:47:40,518
Speaker 3: about the higher draft choices, you know, I because they

1024
00:47:40,518 --> 00:47:41,838
Speaker 3: only have higher draft choices.

1025
00:47:42,118 --> 00:47:44,838
Speaker 4: So I I just I think a lot of this

1026
00:47:44,918 --> 00:47:47,078
Speaker 4: is conversational anecdotal among the staff.

1027
00:47:47,398 --> 00:47:49,758
Speaker 3: I think this guy in spring training is not showing

1028
00:47:49,798 --> 00:47:52,278
Speaker 3: them what they need to see to feel comfortabout him

1029
00:47:52,278 --> 00:47:54,798
Speaker 3: going to the regular season. I need to see with

1030
00:47:54,798 --> 00:47:56,758
Speaker 3: my own eyes, man, And I would bet I don't

1031
00:47:56,798 --> 00:47:58,518
Speaker 3: know this, but I would bet he's laid on a

1032
00:47:58,558 --> 00:47:59,318
Speaker 3: fastball right now.

1033
00:47:59,358 --> 00:48:00,078
Speaker 4: That'd be my bet.

1034
00:48:00,478 --> 00:48:02,638
Speaker 2: So let's get back to the results wise.

1035
00:48:02,758 --> 00:48:05,598
Speaker 1: As a major league manager, you're watching spring training and

1036
00:48:06,078 --> 00:48:08,758
Speaker 1: you know you have all the numbers, batting averages on

1037
00:48:08,798 --> 00:48:10,038
Speaker 1: based lugging whatever.

1038
00:48:11,438 --> 00:48:13,398
Speaker 2: You're buying or selling stock based on that.

1039
00:48:13,638 --> 00:48:16,358
Speaker 1: No, because I know a lot of times, most of

1040
00:48:16,398 --> 00:48:19,798
Speaker 1: the times you know this, Joe, pitchers are not pitching

1041
00:48:19,878 --> 00:48:21,758
Speaker 1: to detailed scouting.

1042
00:48:21,358 --> 00:48:23,798
Speaker 2: Reports the way they do in the regular season.

1043
00:48:23,958 --> 00:48:27,758
Speaker 1: Regular season, man, they're breaking down everybody before a game.

1044
00:48:28,038 --> 00:48:30,238
Speaker 1: They're not doing that to the back end of a

1045
00:48:30,398 --> 00:48:33,118
Speaker 1: triple A roster for a spring training start where you're

1046
00:48:33,118 --> 00:48:34,038
Speaker 1: trying to get your work in.

1047
00:48:34,278 --> 00:48:37,598
Speaker 2: So the steaks are a little bit different, I'll say.

1048
00:48:37,598 --> 00:48:39,758
Speaker 1: And in spring training you also have some of the

1049
00:48:39,798 --> 00:48:42,478
Speaker 1: issues in Arizona with the dry weather, the daytime there,

1050
00:48:42,478 --> 00:48:44,958
Speaker 1: and the ball's a little slicker, all these other factors.

1051
00:48:44,958 --> 00:48:48,278
Speaker 1: But based on buying or selling stock on results, Joe

1052
00:48:48,318 --> 00:48:50,638
Speaker 1: and spring training how would you describe it?

1053
00:48:50,758 --> 00:48:54,598
Speaker 3: Zero, I was fulled years ago by Bill Robinson Junior.

1054
00:48:54,718 --> 00:48:57,598
Speaker 3: Great kid had a terrible season a year before. In

1055
00:48:57,678 --> 00:49:00,358
Speaker 3: a ball comes to camp and it's six homers in

1056
00:49:00,438 --> 00:49:02,518
Speaker 3: a very limited time in our spring training, and I

1057
00:49:02,598 --> 00:49:04,878
Speaker 3: mean we were playing at Genoautry Park. Those are big yards,

1058
00:49:04,918 --> 00:49:07,678
Speaker 3: and all of a sudden, oh, here he comes Freddy

1059
00:49:08,598 --> 00:49:13,038
Speaker 3: Freddy Carter, Joe Carter's brother, love Freddy Carter, big spring training,

1060
00:49:13,118 --> 00:49:15,638
Speaker 3: big numbers, first at bat and palm spring. The ball

1061
00:49:15,678 --> 00:49:17,838
Speaker 3: goes with left center field fence in a big yard.

1062
00:49:18,158 --> 00:49:20,678
Speaker 3: That's his last home und of the season. You just

1063
00:49:20,758 --> 00:49:23,598
Speaker 3: can't count on this stuff. It's completely different, the level

1064
00:49:23,638 --> 00:49:26,598
Speaker 3: of competition, the feelings of thoughts. Real baseball players don't

1065
00:49:26,598 --> 00:49:29,078
Speaker 3: really start playing baseball well, I don't think to at

1066
00:49:29,158 --> 00:49:32,238
Speaker 3: least two weeks into the season. That's when they really

1067
00:49:32,238 --> 00:49:33,878
Speaker 3: get their feet on the ground. So if you're gonna

1068
00:49:33,918 --> 00:49:36,478
Speaker 3: make some hey early, you're gonna you're gonna feast on

1069
00:49:36,558 --> 00:49:39,358
Speaker 3: a lot of situations that are kind of abnormal that

1070
00:49:39,438 --> 00:49:41,638
Speaker 3: you're not gonna see during the regular season. In regards

1071
00:49:41,638 --> 00:49:45,758
Speaker 3: to ability, really ability, whether it's sharpness of pitchers, sharpness

1072
00:49:45,758 --> 00:49:48,798
Speaker 3: of hitters, whatever, So I don't. I don't really swear

1073
00:49:48,838 --> 00:49:51,318
Speaker 3: I swear I don't place any I don't.

1074
00:49:51,318 --> 00:49:51,998
Speaker 4: I'm sorry to say.

1075
00:49:51,998 --> 00:49:54,678
Speaker 3: But if a young I've talked about this, we talked

1076
00:49:54,678 --> 00:49:57,638
Speaker 3: about this earlier. When you go to camp twenty six

1077
00:49:57,718 --> 00:50:00,198
Speaker 3: man roster, a good team should know twenty four of

1078
00:50:00,238 --> 00:50:02,678
Speaker 3: the twenty six, maybe with twenty five out of the

1079
00:50:02,678 --> 00:50:04,878
Speaker 3: twenty six guys they won on that teamers are going

1080
00:50:04,918 --> 00:50:06,358
Speaker 3: to be on that team when we break camp.

1081
00:50:06,718 --> 00:50:08,238
Speaker 4: You should know that.

1082
00:50:08,278 --> 00:50:10,718
Speaker 3: If you go in there with a cattle call and

1083
00:50:10,758 --> 00:50:12,798
Speaker 3: you're trying to fill out roster spots and who should

1084
00:50:12,798 --> 00:50:14,518
Speaker 3: be on this team, you're not good. And that would

1085
00:50:14,558 --> 00:50:16,918
Speaker 3: be different. It's a totally different process. I did that

1086
00:50:16,958 --> 00:50:19,438
Speaker 3: with the Rays Devil Raised my first year or so,

1087
00:50:19,878 --> 00:50:22,478
Speaker 3: completely different process. But when you go to camp knowing

1088
00:50:23,278 --> 00:50:25,438
Speaker 3: all pretty much who's going to be on this team,

1089
00:50:25,758 --> 00:50:28,038
Speaker 3: that's when you're pretty good. And for this guy here,

1090
00:50:28,038 --> 00:50:29,878
Speaker 3: he's been a bubble guy from the moment they walked

1091
00:50:29,878 --> 00:50:32,398
Speaker 3: into camp for them, he's probably never been on the

1092
00:50:32,398 --> 00:50:34,478
Speaker 3: team based on what he had done last year going

1093
00:50:34,518 --> 00:50:39,278
Speaker 3: out of camp. So no, I have zero confidence in

1094
00:50:39,358 --> 00:50:43,518
Speaker 3: a spring training number, especially if the guy that we're

1095
00:50:43,598 --> 00:50:44,878
Speaker 3: going off to what he did in the big Lee's

1096
00:50:44,918 --> 00:50:47,358
Speaker 3: year before was not good, and then he comes to

1097
00:50:47,718 --> 00:50:49,758
Speaker 3: camp and it's not good. So why do I expect

1098
00:50:49,798 --> 00:50:50,518
Speaker 3: a different result.

1099
00:50:50,678 --> 00:50:52,838
Speaker 1: I can always count on you, Joe. You always have

1100
00:50:52,918 --> 00:50:55,918
Speaker 1: an anecdote. I like you dropped the Bill Robinson Junior

1101
00:50:55,958 --> 00:50:56,238
Speaker 1: on me.

1102
00:50:56,958 --> 00:51:02,718
Speaker 3: Yeah, bomb six bombs at gene Autry Park is huge

1103
00:51:02,758 --> 00:51:05,358
Speaker 3: and the wind blows in a lot. He's popping him

1104
00:51:05,358 --> 00:51:08,758
Speaker 3: out and left central man and yeah, then Freddy Freddie Carter,

1105
00:51:08,838 --> 00:51:12,798
Speaker 3: wonderful Jac's brother, My god, love Freddy Carter. He hit

1106
00:51:12,838 --> 00:51:15,238
Speaker 3: a bomb and palm springs another big yard up by

1107
00:51:15,238 --> 00:51:16,318
Speaker 3: the scoreboard and left center.

1108
00:51:16,358 --> 00:51:18,398
Speaker 4: That was it for the year. I thought, here we go,

1109
00:51:18,798 --> 00:51:21,558
Speaker 4: because I was working with the hitting coach. We got this.

1110
00:51:21,998 --> 00:51:22,558
Speaker 4: No we didn't.

1111
00:51:22,798 --> 00:51:24,438
Speaker 1: Well, I can always count on you to bring us

1112
00:51:24,438 --> 00:51:28,678
Speaker 1: to a conclusion here with something that's both appropriate and wise.

1113
00:51:29,078 --> 00:51:31,798
Speaker 2: So what do you have teed up to end today's podcast.

1114
00:51:32,118 --> 00:51:35,078
Speaker 3: Well, at the beginning of the season was my motivation here,

1115
00:51:35,118 --> 00:51:37,478
Speaker 3: and I was thinking about spring trainings obviously, and even

1116
00:51:37,478 --> 00:51:40,158
Speaker 3: not just spring trainings, because I would start my stuff

1117
00:51:40,238 --> 00:51:42,998
Speaker 3: well in advance of that. Kenny Revis and I would

1118
00:51:43,078 --> 00:51:46,278
Speaker 3: sit down and I would like go over my opening day,

1119
00:51:46,398 --> 00:51:49,078
Speaker 3: talk to the pictures and catchers and the whole the

1120
00:51:49,198 --> 00:51:51,438
Speaker 3: entire team. I would sit with Kenny, and then Kenny

1121
00:51:51,438 --> 00:51:53,798
Speaker 3: would pop me into his class at cal State Fullerton

1122
00:51:54,038 --> 00:51:58,198
Speaker 3: or he got me up at Long Beach State the

1123
00:51:58,598 --> 00:52:00,958
Speaker 3: dirt Bags. I'd go into their clubhouse that I'll be

1124
00:52:00,998 --> 00:52:02,518
Speaker 3: in this beautiful blair Field.

1125
00:52:02,558 --> 00:52:03,838
Speaker 4: I love blair Field, and.

1126
00:52:04,118 --> 00:52:05,678
Speaker 3: I would, you know, sit at the one end of

1127
00:52:05,678 --> 00:52:08,718
Speaker 3: this narrow clubhouse and I would I would go over

1128
00:52:08,798 --> 00:52:10,358
Speaker 3: what I'm gonna go over with my team with whether

1129
00:52:10,358 --> 00:52:12,678
Speaker 3: it was the was with all the way back with

1130
00:52:12,758 --> 00:52:14,638
Speaker 3: the Rays and then the Cubs and in eventually with

1131
00:52:14,638 --> 00:52:17,318
Speaker 3: the Angels again. So it's preparation kind of stuff, you know,

1132
00:52:17,958 --> 00:52:20,278
Speaker 3: And and that's what you're doing right now. You're trying

1133
00:52:20,398 --> 00:52:23,518
Speaker 3: your best laid plans. And I so I went with

1134
00:52:23,758 --> 00:52:27,198
Speaker 3: that was my my topic before we got started today

1135
00:52:27,398 --> 00:52:30,318
Speaker 3: in my head based on and there's so many good ones.

1136
00:52:30,318 --> 00:52:33,398
Speaker 3: But this is why I guess I'm delaying this a

1137
00:52:33,398 --> 00:52:35,358
Speaker 3: bit because there's so much good stuff, and it's I'm

1138
00:52:35,358 --> 00:52:38,438
Speaker 3: gonna just start with Abraham Lincoln. Uh, give me six

1139
00:52:38,518 --> 00:52:41,438
Speaker 3: hours to chop down a tree, and I'll spend the

1140
00:52:41,478 --> 00:52:44,918
Speaker 3: first four sharpening the axe. You know that's it's true.

1141
00:52:44,958 --> 00:52:47,678
Speaker 3: I mean trying to get to this particular that's right.

1142
00:52:47,718 --> 00:52:51,638
Speaker 3: It's it's all prep. Good good fortune is what happens

1143
00:52:51,638 --> 00:52:55,678
Speaker 3: when opportunity meets planning. Mister Edison, uh Warren Buffett, I

1144
00:52:55,678 --> 00:52:58,198
Speaker 3: love this one. Someone's sitting in the shade today because

1145
00:52:58,198 --> 00:53:00,678
Speaker 3: someone planted a tree a long time ago. I mean,

1146
00:53:00,838 --> 00:53:02,998
Speaker 3: this is this is what's going on right now, and

1147
00:53:02,998 --> 00:53:05,118
Speaker 3: that's what you have to understand. I mean, people are

1148
00:53:05,158 --> 00:53:08,998
Speaker 3: breaking camp right now soon, and there's a lot of

1149
00:53:09,038 --> 00:53:11,958
Speaker 3: prep and time and thought and back and forth that

1150
00:53:11,998 --> 00:53:14,438
Speaker 3: goes into this moment. And it really is for me,

1151
00:53:14,478 --> 00:53:16,198
Speaker 3: it should be gear to getting off to a good start,

1152
00:53:16,718 --> 00:53:18,718
Speaker 3: and that's that's really important, if you could get off

1153
00:53:18,718 --> 00:53:20,878
Speaker 3: to a good start, because you're gonna snink at some point,

1154
00:53:21,358 --> 00:53:22,758
Speaker 3: and if you get off to that good start, it

1155
00:53:22,838 --> 00:53:24,958
Speaker 3: kind of hides it. But if you get up on

1156
00:53:25,358 --> 00:53:27,758
Speaker 3: a bad start, it's very difficult to hide a bad moment.

1157
00:53:27,798 --> 00:53:30,838
Speaker 3: You're always grinding the gears to try to get back

1158
00:53:30,878 --> 00:53:33,998
Speaker 3: to five hundred and then above that. So this is

1159
00:53:34,038 --> 00:53:35,838
Speaker 3: the planning time of the year. This is when everybody

1160
00:53:35,838 --> 00:53:39,598
Speaker 3: thinks they're good, and some really are and some it's

1161
00:53:39,638 --> 00:53:42,638
Speaker 3: just they're just fooling themselves. But that's that's what this

1162
00:53:42,718 --> 00:53:44,438
Speaker 3: time of the year means to me. It's about planning,

1163
00:53:44,478 --> 00:53:48,118
Speaker 3: sharpening the acts, you know, planning the shade tree a

1164
00:53:48,158 --> 00:53:51,118
Speaker 3: couple of years ago, which you know, like different teams

1165
00:53:51,118 --> 00:53:53,678
Speaker 3: have done in regards to their their four year plan

1166
00:53:53,758 --> 00:53:54,078
Speaker 3: or their.

1167
00:53:53,998 --> 00:53:57,158
Speaker 4: Five year plan. But that's it, and that's that to me.

1168
00:53:57,278 --> 00:54:00,278
Speaker 3: Was one of the most fun parts about what I've

1169
00:54:00,358 --> 00:54:02,998
Speaker 3: done in the game was the planning, whether it was

1170
00:54:03,038 --> 00:54:05,838
Speaker 3: my scouting, whether it's my minor league stuff. With planning

1171
00:54:05,918 --> 00:54:09,878
Speaker 3: spring instructional league, spring training, the planning individual plans for

1172
00:54:09,958 --> 00:54:12,958
Speaker 3: the players, having the meetings with them individually to go

1173
00:54:12,998 --> 00:54:16,118
Speaker 3: over exactly what we believe that they are right now

1174
00:54:16,598 --> 00:54:18,358
Speaker 3: where we like to see them go, and then you

1175
00:54:18,398 --> 00:54:20,038
Speaker 3: give them ideas on how to do that. I mean,

1176
00:54:20,038 --> 00:54:21,998
Speaker 3: you just don't tell them that they need to get

1177
00:54:21,998 --> 00:54:24,158
Speaker 3: better at something. You have to tell them how you

1178
00:54:24,198 --> 00:54:26,518
Speaker 3: think thinking. It's like going to the doctor. I don't

1179
00:54:26,518 --> 00:54:27,838
Speaker 3: want to go to the doctor and have the doctor

1180
00:54:27,878 --> 00:54:29,558
Speaker 3: ask me, well, what do you think what do you

1181
00:54:29,558 --> 00:54:31,838
Speaker 3: think we should do here? No, I want you to

1182
00:54:31,878 --> 00:54:33,798
Speaker 3: tell me what I think you think I should do here.

1183
00:54:34,118 --> 00:54:36,238
Speaker 3: So that's that's got to be thought out. And I

1184
00:54:36,278 --> 00:54:38,918
Speaker 3: never took that lightly, man, I took that very seriously.

1185
00:54:39,438 --> 00:54:41,838
Speaker 3: And now if there's anything I miss about it as

1186
00:54:41,918 --> 00:54:44,678
Speaker 3: much as anything, is that it's the putting, putting things

1187
00:54:44,718 --> 00:54:47,998
Speaker 3: together and then watching them blossom and grow. And it's

1188
00:54:48,038 --> 00:54:51,798
Speaker 3: not just about x's and o's. It's about nurturing the

1189
00:54:51,878 --> 00:54:57,558
Speaker 3: relationships and creating an atmosphere a culture that people want

1190
00:54:57,598 --> 00:55:00,398
Speaker 3: to walk through that door on a daily basis and

1191
00:55:00,478 --> 00:55:02,878
Speaker 3: get after it because they love being there. That all

1192
00:55:02,958 --> 00:55:05,758
Speaker 3: that stuff is important. That's what this should be all about.

1193
00:55:05,758 --> 00:55:07,758
Speaker 3: This time of the year. I'm just giving you an

1194
00:55:07,758 --> 00:55:09,998
Speaker 3: insight into what I thought going into spring training.

1195
00:55:10,198 --> 00:55:12,998
Speaker 1: That's great stuff, Joe, really is, especially at this time

1196
00:55:13,038 --> 00:55:15,478
Speaker 1: of year because, as you know, the other twenty eight teams,

1197
00:55:15,918 --> 00:55:17,958
Speaker 1: they're at that point now where they're finishing off their

1198
00:55:17,998 --> 00:55:22,038
Speaker 1: prep before opening Day. Listen to prep never ends throughout

1199
00:55:22,078 --> 00:55:24,438
Speaker 1: the course of the season. You're prepping before Game seven

1200
00:55:24,438 --> 00:55:26,838
Speaker 1: of the World Series. But in terms of getting your

1201
00:55:26,838 --> 00:55:29,678
Speaker 1: team ready for the grind of a regular season, that

1202
00:55:30,038 --> 00:55:32,838
Speaker 1: clock is ticking the next week obviously, Joe. You know,

1203
00:55:32,998 --> 00:55:37,318
Speaker 1: it's a huge time to really bring the team together.

1204
00:55:37,478 --> 00:55:40,838
Speaker 1: There's a lot of kind of practice work and calling

1205
00:55:40,878 --> 00:55:44,838
Speaker 1: of rosters and kind of a there's almost a laziness

1206
00:55:44,838 --> 00:55:48,038
Speaker 1: that can happen in spring training, but you're sharpening that

1207
00:55:48,118 --> 00:55:49,918
Speaker 1: act at this point here with a week to go.

1208
00:55:50,198 --> 00:55:52,318
Speaker 3: A laziness, and I understand what you're saying is kind

1209
00:55:52,358 --> 00:55:54,038
Speaker 3: of a nice relaxed attitude, but there's got to be

1210
00:55:54,078 --> 00:55:57,798
Speaker 3: an emphasis. I mean, almost every camp I've ever run,

1211
00:55:58,438 --> 00:56:00,598
Speaker 3: from the time nineteen eighty two, I think might have

1212
00:56:00,638 --> 00:56:03,158
Speaker 3: been my first one. You know, the number one emphasis

1213
00:56:03,158 --> 00:56:06,078
Speaker 3: I had for the offense, the players. Number one base running.

1214
00:56:06,318 --> 00:56:08,638
Speaker 3: Every year, that was it. And we used to start

1215
00:56:08,798 --> 00:56:12,358
Speaker 3: every drill, every practice with base running or base running

1216
00:56:12,398 --> 00:56:14,558
Speaker 3: drills of some form, even to the point we had

1217
00:56:14,558 --> 00:56:18,518
Speaker 3: our stretch. Kevin McNair was our base running, our speed

1218
00:56:18,558 --> 00:56:20,638
Speaker 3: coordinator in the nineteen eighties, we had one of those.

1219
00:56:21,038 --> 00:56:24,318
Speaker 3: We were trying to run better, faster, better starts through

1220
00:56:24,358 --> 00:56:28,678
Speaker 3: better form, and I had I had Kevin develop three

1221
00:56:28,958 --> 00:56:38,678
Speaker 3: four four different routines. There was Monday, Wednesday, Monday, Thursday, Tuesday, Friday, Wednesday, Saturday,

1222
00:56:38,718 --> 00:56:40,038
Speaker 3: and then Sunday was an easy day.

1223
00:56:40,838 --> 00:56:42,598
Speaker 4: We called it a moving worm up. But I wanted

1224
00:56:42,598 --> 00:56:43,358
Speaker 4: the worm up done on.

1225
00:56:43,358 --> 00:56:45,918
Speaker 3: The basis, so in other words, you go out there

1226
00:56:45,918 --> 00:56:47,558
Speaker 3: on the bases and you do your stretching, but then

1227
00:56:47,558 --> 00:56:50,078
Speaker 3: you get up and you there'll be some kind of

1228
00:56:50,518 --> 00:56:53,678
Speaker 3: baseball skill involvement going from first to third as we're

1229
00:56:53,998 --> 00:56:58,598
Speaker 3: working on our skills in regards to better form running.

1230
00:56:58,798 --> 00:57:02,438
Speaker 4: So this goes back to the eighties. So whatever you got,

1231
00:57:02,758 --> 00:57:03,518
Speaker 4: whatever you want to.

1232
00:57:03,558 --> 00:57:06,398
Speaker 3: Emphas size, which I've always, like I said, was always

1233
00:57:06,398 --> 00:57:08,918
Speaker 3: base running with pitchers. It was defense you got to

1234
00:57:08,958 --> 00:57:11,238
Speaker 3: do at the beginning, beginning of the day as often

1235
00:57:11,278 --> 00:57:13,518
Speaker 3: as you possibly can. Because whatever you do at the

1236
00:57:13,558 --> 00:57:16,278
Speaker 3: beginning of the day, this must be really important. They

1237
00:57:16,318 --> 00:57:18,998
Speaker 3: start thinking and then eventually it becomes important and they

1238
00:57:19,078 --> 00:57:19,678
Speaker 3: do it really well.

1239
00:57:19,758 --> 00:57:21,238
Speaker 4: So that's just an example.

1240
00:57:21,318 --> 00:57:23,478
Speaker 3: So I love, like you said, the laziness of it,

1241
00:57:24,478 --> 00:57:27,158
Speaker 3: but that's when you put your emphasis in and don't

1242
00:57:27,238 --> 00:57:29,838
Speaker 3: let up, man, don't let up on that emphasis, because

1243
00:57:29,878 --> 00:57:31,198
Speaker 3: the moment you do, it's going to go away.

1244
00:57:31,358 --> 00:57:32,318
Speaker 2: Great stuff, Joe.

1245
00:57:32,478 --> 00:57:35,598
Speaker 1: Then, Ancient League Baseball season is underway and the Dodgers

1246
00:57:36,038 --> 00:57:39,118
Speaker 1: they look as good as advertised. We'll see you next

1247
00:57:39,158 --> 00:57:40,238
Speaker 1: time on the Book of Joe.

1248
00:57:40,478 --> 00:57:47,238
Speaker 3: Take care of Tommy, Thanks Buddy.

1249
00:57:49,238 --> 00:57:52,438
Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio

1250
00:57:52,678 --> 00:57:57,558
Speaker 1: for more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,

1251
00:57:57,798 --> 00:57:59,558
Speaker 1: or wherever you get your podcasts.