1 00:00:04,038 --> 00:00:07,358 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. 2 00:00:13,518 --> 00:00:17,278 Speaker 1: Hey there you found us. It's the most interesting podcast 3 00:00:17,318 --> 00:00:20,158 Speaker 1: in the business. It's The Book of Joe with me, 4 00:00:20,278 --> 00:00:23,278 Speaker 1: Tom Berducci, and of course Joe Madden. And this is 5 00:00:23,318 --> 00:00:30,038 Speaker 1: a special edition twenty twenty three MLB preview issue. Yeah, 6 00:00:30,038 --> 00:00:33,718 Speaker 1: opening Day right around the corner, and Joe, we're going 7 00:00:33,758 --> 00:00:36,358 Speaker 1: to go through what I've picked out as the five 8 00:00:36,758 --> 00:00:40,838 Speaker 1: biggest storylines heading into this season. But before we get there, 9 00:00:41,798 --> 00:00:43,998 Speaker 1: I have to ask you how you are doing because 10 00:00:43,998 --> 00:00:46,238 Speaker 1: I think about opening Day and I think of wait 11 00:00:46,278 --> 00:00:49,838 Speaker 1: a second, Joe Madden is not in a uniform somewhere 12 00:00:49,838 --> 00:00:53,438 Speaker 1: on opening Day, So tell me what that feeling is like. Yeah, 13 00:00:53,478 --> 00:00:55,918 Speaker 1: that's exactly right. I thought I have thought about that, 14 00:00:56,158 --> 00:00:58,518 Speaker 1: excuse me, the last couple of days, but it hasn't 15 00:00:58,558 --> 00:01:00,758 Speaker 1: been burning through me by any means. I don't know 16 00:01:00,758 --> 00:01:03,878 Speaker 1: what that means. I've been really busy between book signing, 17 00:01:04,078 --> 00:01:06,278 Speaker 1: in our podcast and a little bit of golf, and 18 00:01:06,638 --> 00:01:09,118 Speaker 1: my kids are over here last night, private events things 19 00:01:09,158 --> 00:01:12,318 Speaker 1: like that. So I mean keeping busy. I on the ball. 20 00:01:12,358 --> 00:01:14,358 Speaker 1: I mean like this stuff like we're doing today, and 21 00:01:14,438 --> 00:01:17,318 Speaker 1: the podcast in general has permitted me to stay on 22 00:01:17,398 --> 00:01:20,758 Speaker 1: top of my baseball intellect whatever. But for the most part, Wow, 23 00:01:21,038 --> 00:01:23,798 Speaker 1: I'm not as buckled as I you know, you think 24 00:01:23,838 --> 00:01:26,398 Speaker 1: I would be. I will watch a couple of games, 25 00:01:26,438 --> 00:01:28,238 Speaker 1: I believe I want to start doing that a little 26 00:01:28,238 --> 00:01:30,318 Speaker 1: bit in the event that's something would have transpired during 27 00:01:30,318 --> 00:01:32,798 Speaker 1: the year. I gotta stay concurrent. But overall, man, I'm 28 00:01:32,838 --> 00:01:36,238 Speaker 1: doing okay. Yeah. By the way, opening Day, all thirty 29 00:01:36,318 --> 00:01:38,878 Speaker 1: teams are playing. I think that's a great idea. It's 30 00:01:38,878 --> 00:01:42,078 Speaker 1: sort of an unofficial national holiday in my book, to 31 00:01:42,118 --> 00:01:44,838 Speaker 1: see the teams out there, the foul lines, the anthems, 32 00:01:44,878 --> 00:01:47,718 Speaker 1: it's I can't wait for it. And I'm just stoked 33 00:01:47,758 --> 00:01:50,758 Speaker 1: about this baseball season, Joe, And we'll get into the 34 00:01:50,798 --> 00:01:53,638 Speaker 1: new rules and some of the reasons why it's I 35 00:01:53,718 --> 00:01:56,478 Speaker 1: think going to be a very exciting season. But let's 36 00:01:56,518 --> 00:01:58,958 Speaker 1: start with what I picked out. We'll go into reverse 37 00:01:59,078 --> 00:02:01,598 Speaker 1: order here. By the way, biggest storylines of this season. 38 00:02:02,478 --> 00:02:07,078 Speaker 1: Number five is young players making an impact. Now, I 39 00:02:07,158 --> 00:02:09,958 Speaker 1: go back to twenty fifteen when you had Chris Bryant 40 00:02:10,118 --> 00:02:13,758 Speaker 1: absolutely killing the Cactus League. And back then, of course 41 00:02:13,798 --> 00:02:16,718 Speaker 1: he couldn't make the Cubs opening day roster. There were 42 00:02:16,718 --> 00:02:20,238 Speaker 1: some issues there with service time, which went pretty much 43 00:02:20,358 --> 00:02:23,958 Speaker 1: unsaid from the Cubs end. But now I see last 44 00:02:24,038 --> 00:02:26,358 Speaker 1: year you had a guy like Julio Rodriguez to the 45 00:02:26,398 --> 00:02:29,478 Speaker 1: Mariners make their opening day roster at twenty one, kind 46 00:02:29,518 --> 00:02:32,518 Speaker 1: of scuffled for three weeks, no home runs, hitting under 47 00:02:32,558 --> 00:02:35,078 Speaker 1: two hundred, and wow, he came on and had a 48 00:02:35,198 --> 00:02:37,558 Speaker 1: huge season, won the American League Rookie of the Year. 49 00:02:37,678 --> 00:02:40,278 Speaker 1: This year, I'm gonna throw some names at you. Anthony 50 00:02:40,358 --> 00:02:44,598 Speaker 1: Volpi is the shortstop opening day for the New York Yankees. Yeah, 51 00:02:44,598 --> 00:02:47,158 Speaker 1: he's twenty one years old, He's from New Jersey. A 52 00:02:47,198 --> 00:02:50,678 Speaker 1: lot of Derek Jeter comparisons you will hear. This kid 53 00:02:50,718 --> 00:02:54,678 Speaker 1: won the job in spring training. Jordan Walker outfielder Saint 54 00:02:54,758 --> 00:02:59,638 Speaker 1: Louis Cardinals six six, two fifty. Originally a third baseman 55 00:02:59,678 --> 00:03:02,638 Speaker 1: of course, that belongs to Nolan Arnatto in Saint Louis, 56 00:03:02,638 --> 00:03:04,958 Speaker 1: so Walker will be in the outfield. He absolutely tore 57 00:03:04,998 --> 00:03:07,918 Speaker 1: it up in spring training. And Oscar Colas of the 58 00:03:08,078 --> 00:03:10,958 Speaker 1: Chicago White Sox is their new right fielder. We've heard 59 00:03:10,958 --> 00:03:12,998 Speaker 1: a lot about him over the last couple of years. 60 00:03:13,278 --> 00:03:15,478 Speaker 1: So Joe, I want to get your take on when 61 00:03:15,478 --> 00:03:19,118 Speaker 1: you have a young player, especially someone. Now these days, 62 00:03:19,158 --> 00:03:21,518 Speaker 1: we see these guys coming a mile away. Nobody shows 63 00:03:21,558 --> 00:03:24,678 Speaker 1: up in spring training, the elite guys anyway unannounced, so 64 00:03:24,798 --> 00:03:27,838 Speaker 1: there's expectations right away on every player, but especially that 65 00:03:27,998 --> 00:03:30,558 Speaker 1: high profile prospect. Give me a sense of how you 66 00:03:30,638 --> 00:03:33,158 Speaker 1: handle these type of young players and trying to get 67 00:03:33,198 --> 00:03:35,758 Speaker 1: their feet on the ground. Well, first of all, I 68 00:03:35,838 --> 00:03:37,798 Speaker 1: know what the rule was you're talking about with KB 69 00:03:37,998 --> 00:03:39,798 Speaker 1: and the fact that I have to wait a couple 70 00:03:39,798 --> 00:03:42,158 Speaker 1: of weeks before you clumb up, But overall, that's not 71 00:03:42,198 --> 00:03:44,838 Speaker 1: a bad thing to do, because sometimes if you let 72 00:03:44,838 --> 00:03:46,918 Speaker 1: these guys go out and start the season the triple. 73 00:03:47,038 --> 00:03:49,198 Speaker 1: I know this is counterintuitive and I'm not talking about 74 00:03:49,238 --> 00:03:51,718 Speaker 1: the rule at all right now, but if you let 75 00:03:51,718 --> 00:03:53,158 Speaker 1: them go out and get their feet on the ground, 76 00:03:53,238 --> 00:03:55,598 Speaker 1: get their swing going, get in kind of a nice rhythm, 77 00:03:55,798 --> 00:03:57,558 Speaker 1: and then bring them up, that's not a bad thing. 78 00:03:58,038 --> 00:04:00,358 Speaker 1: Longori did the same thing with the Rays and then 79 00:04:00,438 --> 00:04:02,518 Speaker 1: hit the ground running. I think KB did pretty well 80 00:04:02,518 --> 00:04:04,838 Speaker 1: once he came up, so I know the rule was there, 81 00:04:04,838 --> 00:04:07,278 Speaker 1: and I know there was a lot of complaining about that. However, 82 00:04:07,678 --> 00:04:09,718 Speaker 1: making the team out of spring training is different. There's 83 00:04:09,718 --> 00:04:12,918 Speaker 1: a different mental component to it. You come and again, 84 00:04:12,958 --> 00:04:15,038 Speaker 1: we can talk about spring training numbers all day long. 85 00:04:15,078 --> 00:04:17,118 Speaker 1: I'm not a big fan. It just does not normally 86 00:04:17,158 --> 00:04:19,998 Speaker 1: play out unless the guy's got a great track record, whatever. 87 00:04:20,438 --> 00:04:24,638 Speaker 1: But spring training can be deceptive. But on that note, 88 00:04:24,838 --> 00:04:27,238 Speaker 1: I do like I do like a guy starting out 89 00:04:27,278 --> 00:04:29,718 Speaker 1: before he comes up. And then beyond that, how do 90 00:04:29,758 --> 00:04:32,998 Speaker 1: you get to these guys? And again, you have to 91 00:04:33,038 --> 00:04:35,038 Speaker 1: have them understand and because there's gonna be a lot 92 00:04:35,078 --> 00:04:36,758 Speaker 1: of hype. I looked at the New York Post today, 93 00:04:36,798 --> 00:04:39,238 Speaker 1: volpay is right up front and they're talking about him, 94 00:04:39,238 --> 00:04:42,718 Speaker 1: and I thought to myself, Wow, somebody within that clubhouse, 95 00:04:42,958 --> 00:04:45,918 Speaker 1: I'm certain, because the New York's used to it, had 96 00:04:45,958 --> 00:04:48,118 Speaker 1: to have gotten to him and say, listen, you're there, 97 00:04:48,158 --> 00:04:50,718 Speaker 1: everybody's talking about it, but please just be yourself, go 98 00:04:50,878 --> 00:04:53,598 Speaker 1: play your game. And it sounds like that he may 99 00:04:53,678 --> 00:04:55,838 Speaker 1: do that, But that would be the biggest thing is 100 00:04:55,878 --> 00:04:58,998 Speaker 1: to I get guys. I always got the young guys, 101 00:04:58,998 --> 00:05:00,718 Speaker 1: and I would bring him in. I would say, do 102 00:05:00,758 --> 00:05:02,118 Speaker 1: you know what I want you to do? Differently now 103 00:05:02,158 --> 00:05:03,438 Speaker 1: that you're on the big league team where he made 104 00:05:03,478 --> 00:05:04,878 Speaker 1: the team out of spring training, they look at you 105 00:05:04,958 --> 00:05:07,878 Speaker 1: and say what, and I said nothing. I really want 106 00:05:07,918 --> 00:05:09,478 Speaker 1: you to do nothing differently. I want you to go 107 00:05:09,518 --> 00:05:11,718 Speaker 1: out there like you had been in the minor leagues, 108 00:05:11,718 --> 00:05:14,078 Speaker 1: how you've been in spring training, and go out there 109 00:05:14,118 --> 00:05:16,318 Speaker 1: and try to be the same cat. So those are 110 00:05:16,318 --> 00:05:19,318 Speaker 1: the kind of things that early in the season, a 111 00:05:19,358 --> 00:05:22,238 Speaker 1: lot of deception going on. People fall in love. But 112 00:05:22,318 --> 00:05:24,798 Speaker 1: guys like Bulpi Walker and against Coloss, as you said, 113 00:05:25,158 --> 00:05:28,998 Speaker 1: they sound legit, but I don't mind a youngster starting 114 00:05:28,998 --> 00:05:31,238 Speaker 1: a trip away before he comes up. Yeah. Of course, 115 00:05:31,278 --> 00:05:33,998 Speaker 1: they put some rules in place in the last CBA 116 00:05:34,118 --> 00:05:37,558 Speaker 1: to sort of encourage teams to carry these better prospects 117 00:05:37,558 --> 00:05:39,478 Speaker 1: from opening day. You can get a draft pick if 118 00:05:39,478 --> 00:05:42,318 Speaker 1: someone winds up with support for Rookie of the Year awards. 119 00:05:42,318 --> 00:05:44,838 Speaker 1: So I think it is working. I think teams are 120 00:05:44,998 --> 00:05:47,678 Speaker 1: more likely to carry their players on the opening game 121 00:05:47,758 --> 00:05:51,398 Speaker 1: roster now than they did, say, back in twenty fifteen. 122 00:05:51,478 --> 00:05:54,718 Speaker 1: Chris Bryant, by the way, in twenty fifteen, took him 123 00:05:54,798 --> 00:05:57,318 Speaker 1: twenty one games to get his first home run, but 124 00:05:57,358 --> 00:06:00,358 Speaker 1: he did get his hits. He wasn't really scuffling. The 125 00:06:00,398 --> 00:06:02,558 Speaker 1: power came, of course, you know, it's like early in 126 00:06:02,558 --> 00:06:06,358 Speaker 1: the season anyway in Chicago. But that certainly turned out 127 00:06:06,358 --> 00:06:08,278 Speaker 1: to be his success story. Chris was Rookie of the 128 00:06:08,318 --> 00:06:10,838 Speaker 1: Year and then the MVP the next year, and all 129 00:06:10,878 --> 00:06:13,838 Speaker 1: good things happened for him. Volpi, it sounds like, and 130 00:06:13,878 --> 00:06:16,958 Speaker 1: I've met him before, a great kid. Parents are great 131 00:06:16,958 --> 00:06:20,558 Speaker 1: makeup off the charts. I mean, this guy basically played 132 00:06:20,558 --> 00:06:24,478 Speaker 1: minor league ball in his home county of New Jersey, 133 00:06:24,918 --> 00:06:26,838 Speaker 1: living at home. He had some buddies on the team 134 00:06:26,878 --> 00:06:29,358 Speaker 1: staying with him at the time, and it's a great 135 00:06:29,398 --> 00:06:32,118 Speaker 1: story because he gets drafted in nineteen. Of course, twenty 136 00:06:32,238 --> 00:06:35,518 Speaker 1: the season gets wiped out because of COVID and really, 137 00:06:35,878 --> 00:06:37,958 Speaker 1: I Joe, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. 138 00:06:38,118 --> 00:06:40,438 Speaker 1: I thought it would really regress a lot of young 139 00:06:40,558 --> 00:06:43,318 Speaker 1: prospects to have a year without competitive baseball. As it 140 00:06:43,438 --> 00:06:46,558 Speaker 1: turned out, some of them really used it to their advantage, 141 00:06:46,558 --> 00:06:49,598 Speaker 1: almost like a year of instructional league. And Volpi is 142 00:06:49,638 --> 00:06:52,038 Speaker 1: one of these guys. He hooked up with his personal 143 00:06:52,118 --> 00:06:55,078 Speaker 1: hitting coach, he made some swing changes, he gained ten pounds, 144 00:06:56,078 --> 00:06:59,278 Speaker 1: so I think playing not playing, but going through that 145 00:06:59,358 --> 00:07:03,518 Speaker 1: first year without playing, but training to be a professional. 146 00:07:03,918 --> 00:07:06,038 Speaker 1: In this case, give a kid credit. He put it 147 00:07:06,078 --> 00:07:08,318 Speaker 1: to use. And I think some times, even with some 148 00:07:08,358 --> 00:07:10,918 Speaker 1: of these pictures to work on some things without the 149 00:07:10,958 --> 00:07:13,958 Speaker 1: pressure of game environment. I've mixed feelings about whether that 150 00:07:14,038 --> 00:07:16,198 Speaker 1: you're hurt or help people. I guess it all dependent 151 00:07:16,278 --> 00:07:19,198 Speaker 1: on what approach they took. Yeah, and you know, the 152 00:07:19,478 --> 00:07:21,638 Speaker 1: talent level to begin with. I mean, this kid obviously 153 00:07:21,718 --> 00:07:25,038 Speaker 1: was good from the beginning. You might be referencing some 154 00:07:25,038 --> 00:07:27,038 Speaker 1: pictures are also very good to begin with. I just 155 00:07:27,358 --> 00:07:29,438 Speaker 1: Frank Howard said the best teacher of the game of 156 00:07:29,438 --> 00:07:32,798 Speaker 1: Baseball's nine innings, and I still believe that. You know, 157 00:07:32,838 --> 00:07:35,798 Speaker 1: the instructional leagues have really diminished in over the last 158 00:07:35,838 --> 00:07:37,998 Speaker 1: several years in regards to lamp that what's being taught 159 00:07:37,998 --> 00:07:40,478 Speaker 1: there and how we go about it, and everybody is 160 00:07:40,478 --> 00:07:43,118 Speaker 1: into this training component. But guys like Bulpy, they're probably 161 00:07:43,518 --> 00:07:47,318 Speaker 1: regardless if they played instructional league or played in twenty 162 00:07:47,318 --> 00:07:50,198 Speaker 1: twenty or twenty twenty one, whever, a lot still would 163 00:07:50,198 --> 00:07:52,278 Speaker 1: have been good. You know, some of these guys are 164 00:07:52,358 --> 00:07:56,678 Speaker 1: just good. I don't diminish the possibility that having a 165 00:07:56,718 --> 00:07:59,198 Speaker 1: little bit more time off possibly getting a little bit 166 00:07:59,198 --> 00:08:03,198 Speaker 1: stronger working on something specifically. Listen, you could probably argue 167 00:08:03,198 --> 00:08:06,038 Speaker 1: it both ways. But again, the really good guys, I 168 00:08:06,038 --> 00:08:08,438 Speaker 1: don't think it's going to matter. On the other side 169 00:08:08,438 --> 00:08:10,438 Speaker 1: of it, guys that maybe you're like fence guys, guys 170 00:08:10,478 --> 00:08:14,078 Speaker 1: that are trying to ascend, having had an opportunity maybe 171 00:08:14,078 --> 00:08:16,518 Speaker 1: to play more often and being seen it might have 172 00:08:16,558 --> 00:08:18,238 Speaker 1: impacted them. Again, I don't know. I don't have a 173 00:08:18,238 --> 00:08:21,958 Speaker 1: specific answer, but I do know I like guys playing baseball. 174 00:08:22,078 --> 00:08:24,558 Speaker 1: I do know I like the game being taught specifically, 175 00:08:24,558 --> 00:08:28,038 Speaker 1: fundamentally daily. And then again, you could argue for Volpi's 176 00:08:28,078 --> 00:08:30,038 Speaker 1: case because you know him better than I do, the 177 00:08:30,078 --> 00:08:32,638 Speaker 1: fact that that timedown really helped them a lot. All right, 178 00:08:32,718 --> 00:08:35,718 Speaker 1: Let's move on to number four. The fourth biggest storyline 179 00:08:35,758 --> 00:08:37,878 Speaker 1: coming into this season, and it's it's more of a 180 00:08:37,998 --> 00:08:41,078 Speaker 1: question than a statement. Who is going to be the 181 00:08:41,118 --> 00:08:45,318 Speaker 1: big surprise team come October? And I say that, Joe, 182 00:08:45,518 --> 00:08:48,598 Speaker 1: because I've gotten by this sort of rule of thumb 183 00:08:48,678 --> 00:08:51,638 Speaker 1: or trend every year when I watch people make their picks, 184 00:08:51,678 --> 00:08:54,118 Speaker 1: and it's very easy to pick the twelve best teams 185 00:08:54,118 --> 00:08:56,638 Speaker 1: on paper going to the postseason, or stick with the 186 00:08:56,638 --> 00:08:59,838 Speaker 1: playoff field from last year. No, folks, it doesn't happen. 187 00:08:59,918 --> 00:09:02,758 Speaker 1: Let me give you an amazing stat. In twenty eight 188 00:09:02,838 --> 00:09:07,798 Speaker 1: years since we went to the wildcard playoff system. Twenty 189 00:09:07,878 --> 00:09:10,438 Speaker 1: seven times there has been at least one team in 190 00:09:10,478 --> 00:09:14,398 Speaker 1: the postseason that had a losing record the year before, 191 00:09:14,998 --> 00:09:21,118 Speaker 1: and it's happened seventeen straight years. Okay, Alan average, it's 192 00:09:21,158 --> 00:09:25,918 Speaker 1: two point three per year that had a losing record 193 00:09:26,038 --> 00:09:28,438 Speaker 1: one year, it made the playoffs the next year. It's 194 00:09:28,558 --> 00:09:31,518 Speaker 1: just the nature of today's game. So when you make 195 00:09:31,518 --> 00:09:34,478 Speaker 1: your picks, folks, you better have a surprise team or 196 00:09:34,598 --> 00:09:38,558 Speaker 1: two in your bucket when it comes to these playoff brackets. 197 00:09:38,598 --> 00:09:42,118 Speaker 1: It just works that way. It's difficult to acknowledge which 198 00:09:42,158 --> 00:09:43,998 Speaker 1: ones you like and don't like. One of the things 199 00:09:44,038 --> 00:09:47,158 Speaker 1: I did find though, two biggest denominators, if you will, 200 00:09:47,198 --> 00:09:51,878 Speaker 1: in terms of breakout teams, improving on run prevention was 201 00:09:51,958 --> 00:09:56,518 Speaker 1: more important than run production and a new manager. Almost 202 00:09:56,558 --> 00:09:59,838 Speaker 1: forty percent of these turnaround teams had a new manager. 203 00:10:00,518 --> 00:10:03,198 Speaker 1: So that being said, Joe, I'm gonna throw out some 204 00:10:03,238 --> 00:10:06,598 Speaker 1: possibility for you. Teams I had losing records last year, 205 00:10:07,318 --> 00:10:09,838 Speaker 1: it just might be in the postseason this year. Okay, 206 00:10:09,958 --> 00:10:13,478 Speaker 1: You've got the Boston Red Sox, who really shouldn't have 207 00:10:13,518 --> 00:10:15,278 Speaker 1: been as down as they were last year, but were 208 00:10:15,838 --> 00:10:22,518 Speaker 1: Minnesota Twins Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and I'll throw the 209 00:10:22,558 --> 00:10:25,798 Speaker 1: Arizona Diamondbacks in there. So there's a handful of teams there, 210 00:10:25,878 --> 00:10:27,478 Speaker 1: and we're not going to see the Marlins or the 211 00:10:27,558 --> 00:10:30,358 Speaker 1: Nationals or the A's and the Pirates go to the postseason. 212 00:10:30,438 --> 00:10:33,798 Speaker 1: So I gave you five teams there, and I'll let 213 00:10:33,798 --> 00:10:35,318 Speaker 1: you go first here, and then I'll give you my 214 00:10:35,438 --> 00:10:40,278 Speaker 1: choice surprise playoff team this year. Well, I didn't realize 215 00:10:40,278 --> 00:10:42,518 Speaker 1: that Minnesota would be considered a surprise, but I kind 216 00:10:42,518 --> 00:10:45,198 Speaker 1: of like their pitching staff. That's part of the reason 217 00:10:45,198 --> 00:10:47,318 Speaker 1: why I like them, and also like Texas because of 218 00:10:47,998 --> 00:10:51,718 Speaker 1: their acquisitions plus Bocchi. So if there's going to be 219 00:10:52,518 --> 00:10:57,118 Speaker 1: a surprise between those two teams, I would choose both 220 00:10:57,118 --> 00:11:00,238 Speaker 1: of them. And I think they'll both fare a lot 221 00:11:00,278 --> 00:11:03,078 Speaker 1: better this year than they had last year. You know, 222 00:11:03,118 --> 00:11:05,398 Speaker 1: Texas has made a lot of good stuff. Simeon had 223 00:11:05,398 --> 00:11:08,118 Speaker 1: a tough start last year. Seeker's got to make some 224 00:11:08,278 --> 00:11:10,558 Speaker 1: adjustments at the play to not just wing it everything. 225 00:11:10,838 --> 00:11:13,278 Speaker 1: But again, they've done a nice job. But they're pitching too. 226 00:11:13,318 --> 00:11:15,838 Speaker 1: So those are my two teams. I mean, again, the 227 00:11:15,918 --> 00:11:18,718 Speaker 1: run prevention part of it. They both are somewhat better, 228 00:11:18,758 --> 00:11:21,398 Speaker 1: I think on defense, but I like their pitching, and 229 00:11:21,678 --> 00:11:23,598 Speaker 1: you know the Graham going there, he's got to stay healthy. 230 00:11:23,638 --> 00:11:26,158 Speaker 1: I get that. And the Minnesota side of things, I 231 00:11:26,198 --> 00:11:28,918 Speaker 1: just like that particular group. So glad to choose. I'd 232 00:11:28,958 --> 00:11:32,838 Speaker 1: say Minnesota in Texas. That's a great call. I say 233 00:11:32,878 --> 00:11:34,638 Speaker 1: that because I agree with you on both of those. 234 00:11:34,678 --> 00:11:37,238 Speaker 1: I think the Twins can win the Central and I 235 00:11:37,278 --> 00:11:39,758 Speaker 1: think the Rangers can get a wildcard spot. I do. 236 00:11:40,358 --> 00:11:42,798 Speaker 1: I love the addition of Bruce Bocci. I think Chris 237 00:11:42,878 --> 00:11:45,318 Speaker 1: Young is doing some amazing things there with the culture 238 00:11:45,358 --> 00:11:48,318 Speaker 1: and the people he's got in place. You mentioned Degram 239 00:11:49,438 --> 00:11:52,638 Speaker 1: difference maker. I know twenty six starts the last two years. 240 00:11:52,638 --> 00:11:55,798 Speaker 1: It is all about health, but I literally have not 241 00:11:55,918 --> 00:11:58,918 Speaker 1: seen a pitcher throw a baseball at the kind of 242 00:11:58,998 --> 00:12:02,558 Speaker 1: velocity in command that Jacob Degram does as a starting pitcher. 243 00:12:03,038 --> 00:12:05,398 Speaker 1: Every time he takes the ball. It's amazing to watch, 244 00:12:06,038 --> 00:12:09,158 Speaker 1: you know, Nathan of Aaldise there, Jacob Loizi, Andrew Heeney, 245 00:12:09,198 --> 00:12:11,838 Speaker 1: they've done a lot to improve their run prevention. So 246 00:12:12,598 --> 00:12:15,998 Speaker 1: Texas Rangers to me, coming off a really last couple 247 00:12:16,038 --> 00:12:19,478 Speaker 1: of years, really tough years for them, I think I've 248 00:12:19,518 --> 00:12:21,558 Speaker 1: got those two teams as well in the mix. So 249 00:12:21,638 --> 00:12:24,558 Speaker 1: I like Minnesota as well, the addition of Pablo Lopez, 250 00:12:24,598 --> 00:12:26,878 Speaker 1: their pitching staff, some of the things they do behind 251 00:12:26,918 --> 00:12:29,758 Speaker 1: the play. Christian Basquez now defense first catcher. I know 252 00:12:29,798 --> 00:12:31,598 Speaker 1: you gotta like that, Joe having a guy behind the 253 00:12:31,598 --> 00:12:34,638 Speaker 1: plate who is a defense first guy. No, I agree. 254 00:12:34,678 --> 00:12:36,798 Speaker 1: I like all of those things that you just said. 255 00:12:36,838 --> 00:12:39,238 Speaker 1: I meant to Gram. The Grom to me has the 256 00:12:39,278 --> 00:12:42,558 Speaker 1: easiest gas I've ever seen. And a couple years ago 257 00:12:42,638 --> 00:12:45,238 Speaker 1: when Zach Wheeler was available, I really like in Zach 258 00:12:45,278 --> 00:12:46,838 Speaker 1: Wheeler to de Grom. I know they pitched with the 259 00:12:46,918 --> 00:12:50,278 Speaker 1: Mets simultaneously, but I think Wheeler has that same kind 260 00:12:50,358 --> 00:12:53,918 Speaker 1: of ability to lift the really easy delivering the ball 261 00:12:53,958 --> 00:12:56,598 Speaker 1: comes out hot. And Andrew Heaney. I had Andrew with 262 00:12:56,678 --> 00:12:59,238 Speaker 1: the Angels, and I'd go up to him and I say, Andrew, 263 00:12:59,278 --> 00:13:01,158 Speaker 1: do you realize I'm telling you this. I tell them 264 00:13:01,198 --> 00:13:03,158 Speaker 1: I'm a good scout. You got one of the best 265 00:13:03,238 --> 00:13:05,358 Speaker 1: leftendant arms in the game. And I'm not even talking 266 00:13:05,358 --> 00:13:07,678 Speaker 1: about I don't care what the gun says. It's the 267 00:13:07,718 --> 00:13:10,478 Speaker 1: way the ball gets on the hitter. And for me, 268 00:13:10,598 --> 00:13:13,758 Speaker 1: I thought, if he really learned how to pitch with 269 00:13:13,798 --> 00:13:16,518 Speaker 1: his fastball primarily and not get hurt with the off 270 00:13:16,518 --> 00:13:20,878 Speaker 1: speed stuff. He could be really really good, meaning that 271 00:13:20,958 --> 00:13:22,838 Speaker 1: of course he's got to throw the other pitches, but 272 00:13:22,958 --> 00:13:25,758 Speaker 1: more like maybe early in the account ball strike and 273 00:13:25,758 --> 00:13:27,598 Speaker 1: then later in the catlan had to go strike ball, 274 00:13:28,038 --> 00:13:30,318 Speaker 1: but to not get hurt with off speed stuff in 275 00:13:30,358 --> 00:13:32,838 Speaker 1: his own because the fastball plays up. And also when 276 00:13:32,838 --> 00:13:34,838 Speaker 1: he gets in on right, he's There's a lot to 277 00:13:34,878 --> 00:13:36,958 Speaker 1: like about Andrew and just might be the right time 278 00:13:36,958 --> 00:13:39,278 Speaker 1: for him to develop. That is a great point. I 279 00:13:39,358 --> 00:13:41,278 Speaker 1: think that's a good sleeper candidate. There's been a lot 280 00:13:41,278 --> 00:13:43,558 Speaker 1: of teams who looked at Andrew's stuff, whether it's the 281 00:13:43,598 --> 00:13:45,318 Speaker 1: metrics of the pitches or just the way the ball 282 00:13:45,318 --> 00:13:47,198 Speaker 1: comes out of his hand. I'm talking about when the 283 00:13:47,238 --> 00:13:49,598 Speaker 1: Yankees traded for him, and some other teams he's pitched for. 284 00:13:50,078 --> 00:13:53,958 Speaker 1: The Dodgers saw it. There's a lot more in Andrew Heeney, 285 00:13:53,998 --> 00:13:55,958 Speaker 1: and it's been good, but there's a lot more in there. 286 00:13:56,078 --> 00:13:57,958 Speaker 1: And this could be the year. He's got Mike Maddox 287 00:13:57,998 --> 00:14:00,478 Speaker 1: as his pitching coach there in Texas as well, so 288 00:14:00,518 --> 00:14:02,998 Speaker 1: maybe that is a good combination. Agree, Hey, we're gonna 289 00:14:02,998 --> 00:14:05,078 Speaker 1: take a quick break and we come back. We're gonna 290 00:14:05,078 --> 00:14:07,958 Speaker 1: go to the number three biggest storylines of the year 291 00:14:08,198 --> 00:14:11,638 Speaker 1: and hangout, folks, We're going to Queens. What's up next? 292 00:14:21,558 --> 00:14:23,918 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the Book of Joe podcast. This is 293 00:14:23,918 --> 00:14:26,798 Speaker 1: our twenty twenty three Major League Baseball preview. We're up 294 00:14:26,798 --> 00:14:29,878 Speaker 1: to storyline number three and it has to be the 295 00:14:29,918 --> 00:14:34,678 Speaker 1: New York Mets most expensive team in baseball budget not 296 00:14:34,838 --> 00:14:37,118 Speaker 1: a problem for Steve Cohen and the New York Mets 297 00:14:37,518 --> 00:14:39,838 Speaker 1: coming off a great season last year in which San 298 00:14:39,838 --> 00:14:42,438 Speaker 1: Diego took them out really with their pitching in the 299 00:14:42,478 --> 00:14:45,798 Speaker 1: postseason after the Mets won one hundred and one games, 300 00:14:46,118 --> 00:14:49,918 Speaker 1: Will it end differently this time? It's interesting, Joe, because 301 00:14:50,678 --> 00:14:53,278 Speaker 1: I tend to like teams that are loaded, kind of 302 00:14:53,278 --> 00:14:55,798 Speaker 1: like your twenty sixteen Cubs team, that are loaded with 303 00:14:55,878 --> 00:14:59,118 Speaker 1: players in the prime of their career. Younger players tend 304 00:14:59,158 --> 00:15:03,038 Speaker 1: to be more predictable. I'm talking about established younger players 305 00:15:03,918 --> 00:15:07,118 Speaker 1: and get hurt less often. The Mets are on the 306 00:15:07,158 --> 00:15:10,078 Speaker 1: other end of the age spectrum. They're going older here, 307 00:15:10,198 --> 00:15:12,438 Speaker 1: especially at the front of the rotation, which is amazing 308 00:15:12,518 --> 00:15:16,198 Speaker 1: with Verlander and Scherzer. You know, the question is are 309 00:15:16,238 --> 00:15:19,478 Speaker 1: the Mets better than the Braves. Um, you know, they're 310 00:15:19,518 --> 00:15:21,358 Speaker 1: a playoff team, There's no question about it. There are 311 00:15:21,478 --> 00:15:24,318 Speaker 1: ninety five plus win team, no question about it. But 312 00:15:24,398 --> 00:15:26,438 Speaker 1: remember there's no Edwin Diaz at the back of the 313 00:15:26,478 --> 00:15:31,638 Speaker 1: bullpen based on his injury out of the WBC. So 314 00:15:31,758 --> 00:15:33,838 Speaker 1: Joe breakdown the Mets for me. I mean, are they 315 00:15:33,918 --> 00:15:37,078 Speaker 1: the team to beat in the National League? The payroll 316 00:15:37,198 --> 00:15:38,918 Speaker 1: says they are, But what do you think. I like, 317 00:15:38,998 --> 00:15:42,558 Speaker 1: the Phillies actually there and the Mets are they're they're 318 00:15:42,558 --> 00:15:44,558 Speaker 1: a little bit there's stuff going on there, you know. 319 00:15:45,438 --> 00:15:48,358 Speaker 1: Not having das as large, Autovino's gonna have to accept 320 00:15:48,438 --> 00:15:50,478 Speaker 1: a much larger role. The guy's done it in the past. 321 00:15:50,558 --> 00:15:53,078 Speaker 1: But as you suggest it, some of them are getting 322 00:15:53,078 --> 00:15:54,878 Speaker 1: a little bit long into tooth. Even there, they're two 323 00:15:55,358 --> 00:15:58,238 Speaker 1: biggest starters. And listen, I'm a huge Scherzery guy, and 324 00:15:58,438 --> 00:16:02,918 Speaker 1: no everybody is. However you are, it's longer in your career, 325 00:16:02,998 --> 00:16:04,958 Speaker 1: and to rely on these guys all the way through 326 00:16:04,998 --> 00:16:07,998 Speaker 1: into a long playoff season, I would almost bet that, 327 00:16:08,398 --> 00:16:11,038 Speaker 1: knowing Billy Upper they're they're probably already plotting how to 328 00:16:11,558 --> 00:16:13,318 Speaker 1: give them rest during the course of the middle of 329 00:16:13,318 --> 00:16:15,798 Speaker 1: the season or as it gets into August, in order 330 00:16:15,838 --> 00:16:18,638 Speaker 1: to keep them really strong and solving for the playoff run. 331 00:16:19,478 --> 00:16:21,598 Speaker 1: The team on the field, obviously, there's there's some nice 332 00:16:21,638 --> 00:16:24,718 Speaker 1: guys out there, but I don't know. I know there's 333 00:16:24,718 --> 00:16:26,278 Speaker 1: a lot of money being spent there, and there's a 334 00:16:26,318 --> 00:16:29,478 Speaker 1: lot of really good major league professionals. But I like 335 00:16:29,598 --> 00:16:31,478 Speaker 1: the Phillies. I like the Philly group. I like what 336 00:16:31,518 --> 00:16:33,398 Speaker 1: they did at the end of last year. I just 337 00:16:33,478 --> 00:16:36,718 Speaker 1: saw a projected lineup with Brandon Marshitty ninth, which that's 338 00:16:36,758 --> 00:16:38,438 Speaker 1: pretty solid. If he said he ninth, then I liked 339 00:16:38,478 --> 00:16:41,478 Speaker 1: their rotation. The Kit Suarez. I mean they're talking about 340 00:16:41,518 --> 00:16:43,598 Speaker 1: him like as a mid range starter. I like this 341 00:16:43,678 --> 00:16:46,878 Speaker 1: guy a lot. This guy has got kind of a 342 00:16:48,198 --> 00:16:50,758 Speaker 1: big balls, and he goes after hitters and he knows 343 00:16:50,798 --> 00:16:53,438 Speaker 1: how to miss bats right up to the top with 344 00:16:53,558 --> 00:16:55,238 Speaker 1: Noah and who's the other start of the really good 345 00:16:55,238 --> 00:16:59,158 Speaker 1: starting oh and Wheeler so and their bullpens got some 346 00:16:59,238 --> 00:17:02,238 Speaker 1: thunder two and they got they got, like I got 347 00:17:02,278 --> 00:17:05,038 Speaker 1: an edge. They have an edge. Planning in Philadelphia. You 348 00:17:05,158 --> 00:17:07,558 Speaker 1: have to bring it every day because if you don't, 349 00:17:07,598 --> 00:17:10,398 Speaker 1: you can hear about it. So for me, out of 350 00:17:10,518 --> 00:17:12,918 Speaker 1: all that national League stuff. This year, I think the 351 00:17:12,958 --> 00:17:15,598 Speaker 1: Phillies are going to get back to the World Series. Wow, 352 00:17:15,758 --> 00:17:18,398 Speaker 1: it's a big pick right there, knowing Ries Hoskins out 353 00:17:18,438 --> 00:17:22,238 Speaker 1: for the year. Bryce Harper maybe back in June. We'll see. 354 00:17:22,358 --> 00:17:24,558 Speaker 1: But yeah, I like the vibe there in Philly. They 355 00:17:24,598 --> 00:17:26,958 Speaker 1: do get after it, and I think the playoff experience 356 00:17:27,078 --> 00:17:30,638 Speaker 1: last years had got them hungry for more. I'm gonna 357 00:17:30,678 --> 00:17:33,198 Speaker 1: talk about a roster move the Mets made that will 358 00:17:33,238 --> 00:17:36,998 Speaker 1: bring us into our storyline Number two. The Mets say 359 00:17:37,038 --> 00:17:40,278 Speaker 1: goodbye to Darren Ruff. They traded for him last year. 360 00:17:40,318 --> 00:17:42,358 Speaker 1: He was a right handed half of a platoon, really 361 00:17:42,398 --> 00:17:45,478 Speaker 1: didn't hit. They ate three and a half million dollars 362 00:17:45,518 --> 00:17:49,318 Speaker 1: on his contract and they kept Tim Lecastro. To me, 363 00:17:50,038 --> 00:17:52,718 Speaker 1: you know, Rough didn't hit. Probably he was in danger anyway, 364 00:17:52,798 --> 00:17:55,278 Speaker 1: But that speaks to how the game is changing in 365 00:17:55,358 --> 00:17:58,958 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three. You have Lecastor on your bench who's 366 00:17:58,958 --> 00:18:02,438 Speaker 1: a premier defender and especially a base runner in a 367 00:18:02,598 --> 00:18:05,638 Speaker 1: year in which we are changing the rules to encourage 368 00:18:05,918 --> 00:18:09,478 Speaker 1: more base stealing and more athleticism. That's a back end 369 00:18:09,518 --> 00:18:12,118 Speaker 1: of the roster move, but that is a move that 370 00:18:12,238 --> 00:18:15,518 Speaker 1: can win games for the New York Mets. I looked 371 00:18:15,518 --> 00:18:17,478 Speaker 1: at that and I said, hmm, that's not going to 372 00:18:17,518 --> 00:18:19,878 Speaker 1: get a lot of attention. But the Mets and Billy 373 00:18:19,918 --> 00:18:24,078 Speaker 1: Eppler are paying attention to roster constructions so to refresh 374 00:18:24,158 --> 00:18:27,398 Speaker 1: for people, and this is our storyline. Number two. Three 375 00:18:27,478 --> 00:18:30,038 Speaker 1: big rule changes this year. Number one a pitch clock. 376 00:18:30,398 --> 00:18:33,798 Speaker 1: It's fabulous, folks. I'm sure most of you have seen 377 00:18:33,918 --> 00:18:38,358 Speaker 1: spring training games. On average, they're taking twenty six minutes 378 00:18:38,558 --> 00:18:42,078 Speaker 1: less than they did last year, with slightly more runs. 379 00:18:42,558 --> 00:18:45,878 Speaker 1: Who doesn't want that? We all do stolen bases. The 380 00:18:45,998 --> 00:18:50,558 Speaker 1: success rate jumped from seventy one percent to seventy seven percent. 381 00:18:50,958 --> 00:18:52,838 Speaker 1: Doesn't sound like much, but let me tell you in 382 00:18:52,918 --> 00:18:56,958 Speaker 1: an analytical world, that is huge. That will encourage teams 383 00:18:57,118 --> 00:18:59,838 Speaker 1: to run more and that's because of the bigger bases. 384 00:18:59,918 --> 00:19:02,238 Speaker 1: That was rule number two. And of course there's no 385 00:19:02,518 --> 00:19:06,678 Speaker 1: shift this year, and that is just heaven sent for 386 00:19:06,838 --> 00:19:09,318 Speaker 1: left handed hitters. You can now hit a groundball hard 387 00:19:09,398 --> 00:19:11,238 Speaker 1: to the right side and actually get a hit. So 388 00:19:11,998 --> 00:19:14,838 Speaker 1: with those three rules, I think you're going to see 389 00:19:15,318 --> 00:19:20,318 Speaker 1: faster games, more stolen bases, more offense this year. So 390 00:19:21,038 --> 00:19:22,918 Speaker 1: you can take your pick out of any of those Joe, 391 00:19:23,038 --> 00:19:24,558 Speaker 1: which one do you think is going to have the 392 00:19:24,638 --> 00:19:29,278 Speaker 1: biggest impact on the twenty three season. Oh? Man, well, 393 00:19:29,318 --> 00:19:32,158 Speaker 1: I think the shift. I love the pace clock, but 394 00:19:32,278 --> 00:19:34,758 Speaker 1: I think the shift is going to permit or the 395 00:19:34,838 --> 00:19:36,598 Speaker 1: lack of the shift that's going to permit left handed 396 00:19:36,678 --> 00:19:39,598 Speaker 1: hitters to really some guys that have been kind of 397 00:19:40,318 --> 00:19:42,678 Speaker 1: mentally destroyed by the whole thing. I mean, we can't 398 00:19:42,718 --> 00:19:44,758 Speaker 1: be evaluated is how many times hit the ball hard 399 00:19:44,798 --> 00:19:46,918 Speaker 1: on the pool side and there's three guys standing there 400 00:19:47,358 --> 00:19:50,078 Speaker 1: and you go back to the dugout and you're out, 401 00:19:50,998 --> 00:19:52,718 Speaker 1: And now you're gonna hit something off the hands, You're 402 00:19:52,758 --> 00:19:54,598 Speaker 1: gonna roll something over off the end of the bat. 403 00:19:54,638 --> 00:19:57,638 Speaker 1: It's gonna get through contact not nearly as good, but 404 00:19:57,678 --> 00:20:00,718 Speaker 1: you're gonna feel really really good about yourself, which then 405 00:20:00,838 --> 00:20:02,718 Speaker 1: leads to more hits because you go up to the 406 00:20:02,758 --> 00:20:05,678 Speaker 1: plate more confident, and it really just that's just how 407 00:20:05,798 --> 00:20:09,518 Speaker 1: hitting works. Sometimes you take the bloop. There's a lot 408 00:20:09,518 --> 00:20:11,758 Speaker 1: of guys that will take the broken back that lands 409 00:20:11,798 --> 00:20:13,718 Speaker 1: on the left field fall and a left hand hitter 410 00:20:13,958 --> 00:20:16,238 Speaker 1: as opposed to the one hot bullet to the second basement. 411 00:20:16,358 --> 00:20:18,478 Speaker 1: So I think that's going to have a really big 412 00:20:18,638 --> 00:20:21,598 Speaker 1: impact on other stolen basis again, I well, you're talking 413 00:20:21,638 --> 00:20:25,438 Speaker 1: about the castro versus rough. I mean, the teams are 414 00:20:25,438 --> 00:20:27,318 Speaker 1: gonna have to make the determination do I want to 415 00:20:27,358 --> 00:20:30,638 Speaker 1: pinch hitter or a platoon guy, or do I want 416 00:20:30,678 --> 00:20:33,318 Speaker 1: somebody to pinch one late in the game that absolutely 417 00:20:33,358 --> 00:20:36,078 Speaker 1: can steal a base and put me in scoring position 418 00:20:36,158 --> 00:20:39,038 Speaker 1: with nobody out to start off the ninth inning. Perhaps, 419 00:20:39,118 --> 00:20:42,478 Speaker 1: So those are the kind of things I think our 420 00:20:42,558 --> 00:20:45,678 Speaker 1: pertinent point is though with the larger basis, I'm still 421 00:20:45,718 --> 00:20:51,078 Speaker 1: curious with front office is how they the perspective of 422 00:20:51,118 --> 00:20:53,798 Speaker 1: the front office and what they're going to permit to 423 00:20:53,918 --> 00:20:55,638 Speaker 1: be done there or not done. I mean, if teams 424 00:20:55,718 --> 00:20:58,038 Speaker 1: get off for a certain player gets off who they 425 00:20:58,118 --> 00:21:00,158 Speaker 1: thought was going to steal and all of a sudden 426 00:21:00,278 --> 00:21:02,038 Speaker 1: is not getting thrown out a little bit, they might 427 00:21:03,598 --> 00:21:05,918 Speaker 1: put pull the reins in on him. And that's all 428 00:21:05,958 --> 00:21:07,998 Speaker 1: I'm with the stolen base. I know the bigger bases, 429 00:21:08,358 --> 00:21:10,678 Speaker 1: everybody's saying that. I know the throwers, everybody's saying that. 430 00:21:10,718 --> 00:21:12,558 Speaker 1: But I think the pitchout's going to become more prominent. 431 00:21:12,958 --> 00:21:14,558 Speaker 1: And I tell you what, if a team though somebody's 432 00:21:14,598 --> 00:21:17,918 Speaker 1: going to pitch out that really that's one of the 433 00:21:18,078 --> 00:21:21,518 Speaker 1: greatest deterrence as I found when I manage and when 434 00:21:21,518 --> 00:21:23,958 Speaker 1: I'm managing the texasly we're playing a five game series, 435 00:21:24,278 --> 00:21:27,558 Speaker 1: and I tell my picture, listen, please be patient. I 436 00:21:27,678 --> 00:21:29,878 Speaker 1: might pitch out even twice in this game because I 437 00:21:29,958 --> 00:21:31,798 Speaker 1: want to put the seed of dot in this team's head. 438 00:21:32,238 --> 00:21:35,238 Speaker 1: So I want to do it early in a series, 439 00:21:35,678 --> 00:21:37,838 Speaker 1: so other teams think about that. And the other thing 440 00:21:37,998 --> 00:21:41,518 Speaker 1: is the backup. So I pick off from the from 441 00:21:41,558 --> 00:21:43,278 Speaker 1: the ketcher did the first base when you're gonna see 442 00:21:43,398 --> 00:21:45,998 Speaker 1: something more prominent with that, you could even see, you know, 443 00:21:46,078 --> 00:21:48,238 Speaker 1: a pitchout, pick it for a space. I mean, there's 444 00:21:48,278 --> 00:21:52,238 Speaker 1: different ways to deter these guys from getting really big leads. 445 00:21:53,318 --> 00:21:55,038 Speaker 1: So you get to the Okay, we're gonna get to 446 00:21:55,078 --> 00:21:57,518 Speaker 1: the point where I've already thrown over two times and 447 00:21:57,758 --> 00:21:59,958 Speaker 1: in few showing a propensity to go at that point, 448 00:22:00,038 --> 00:22:02,078 Speaker 1: why not just drop a pickoff in, I mean a 449 00:22:02,118 --> 00:22:05,078 Speaker 1: pitchout in. And then finally spring training, I don't know this, 450 00:22:05,238 --> 00:22:08,158 Speaker 1: but I have to believe they're working on some quick 451 00:22:08,198 --> 00:22:10,238 Speaker 1: steps getting to the ball to the catching more quickly, 452 00:22:10,798 --> 00:22:14,438 Speaker 1: so bigger basses and the pitcher was average one five 453 00:22:14,478 --> 00:22:16,918 Speaker 1: to the plate I mean smaller bases. The guy was 454 00:22:16,918 --> 00:22:20,318 Speaker 1: won five, the bigger bases, he's won three. Not the same. 455 00:22:20,758 --> 00:22:22,918 Speaker 1: So if they if they, if they're smart enough to 456 00:22:23,838 --> 00:22:26,838 Speaker 1: really work on it in camp and get it down 457 00:22:26,878 --> 00:22:28,478 Speaker 1: to the point where it becomes comfortable, I think they 458 00:22:28,478 --> 00:22:30,958 Speaker 1: can mitigate this. So I'm just I'm curious. Yeah, I 459 00:22:31,078 --> 00:22:33,118 Speaker 1: am too, Joe. And I can tell you that, you know, 460 00:22:33,238 --> 00:22:36,438 Speaker 1: watching spring training games, two things along those lines jumped 461 00:22:36,438 --> 00:22:38,278 Speaker 1: out of me where you really don't know until you 462 00:22:38,358 --> 00:22:41,358 Speaker 1: see it in practice, and I mean major league regular season, 463 00:22:41,438 --> 00:22:43,918 Speaker 1: because I think with the stolen bases and spring training, 464 00:22:43,998 --> 00:22:46,278 Speaker 1: I get the sense of teams we're really testing it. Right, 465 00:22:46,478 --> 00:22:48,278 Speaker 1: Sure you might as well. That was the time you 466 00:22:48,398 --> 00:22:50,958 Speaker 1: run these plays. See if guys can get bags. I 467 00:22:51,038 --> 00:22:53,118 Speaker 1: mean the White Sox for stealing bases. They're not a 468 00:22:53,718 --> 00:22:56,278 Speaker 1: team that steals bases, but they took advantage of the rules. 469 00:22:56,358 --> 00:22:59,918 Speaker 1: Let's see once the season starts. That I'll wait to see. 470 00:23:00,118 --> 00:23:01,878 Speaker 1: I do think there will be more stolen bases. It 471 00:23:01,998 --> 00:23:05,998 Speaker 1: may not be earth shaking, that's a I interrupted, that's 472 00:23:05,998 --> 00:23:08,118 Speaker 1: one hundred percent right, that's one hundred percent right. Spring 473 00:23:08,158 --> 00:23:12,278 Speaker 1: training you try all these different things, and I know 474 00:23:12,438 --> 00:23:14,998 Speaker 1: that was like probably the topic of conversation when they 475 00:23:15,038 --> 00:23:16,878 Speaker 1: came in the door of the first meeting. Hey, we're 476 00:23:16,918 --> 00:23:18,718 Speaker 1: gonna try to steal more bases. My big thing was 477 00:23:18,798 --> 00:23:21,358 Speaker 1: going first to third. I wanted guys to get out thrown. 478 00:23:21,398 --> 00:23:23,158 Speaker 1: You could get thrown out going first to third as 479 00:23:23,198 --> 00:23:25,278 Speaker 1: often as you want, but I want you to try 480 00:23:25,318 --> 00:23:26,998 Speaker 1: to go first to third as often as you can. 481 00:23:27,478 --> 00:23:30,598 Speaker 1: But with the stolen base gig, they don't care if 482 00:23:30,638 --> 00:23:32,358 Speaker 1: you get thrown out in spring training. But I'm telling 483 00:23:32,398 --> 00:23:34,478 Speaker 1: you once the season begins and outs are made on 484 00:23:34,518 --> 00:23:39,038 Speaker 1: the bases and again, who I'm curious Because if I'm 485 00:23:39,118 --> 00:23:42,278 Speaker 1: running that thing, I'm the pitching coach of the manager, 486 00:23:42,358 --> 00:23:44,158 Speaker 1: I would insist that they're in camp. If you were, 487 00:23:44,238 --> 00:23:45,958 Speaker 1: like I said one five last year, let's bring it 488 00:23:45,998 --> 00:23:47,958 Speaker 1: down at least one three to five. To me, that 489 00:23:48,078 --> 00:23:50,358 Speaker 1: does not impact your stuff. I actually I think sometimes 490 00:23:50,398 --> 00:23:53,198 Speaker 1: it improves it because I like front foot pitcher up 491 00:23:53,238 --> 00:23:54,598 Speaker 1: and down. Get that foot up and down just like 492 00:23:54,678 --> 00:23:56,318 Speaker 1: you hit or get your front foot down. I don't 493 00:23:56,358 --> 00:23:58,358 Speaker 1: think there's any loss of a lossity to actually believe 494 00:23:58,398 --> 00:24:01,598 Speaker 1: that there's a potential impact with greater command. So all 495 00:24:01,638 --> 00:24:04,278 Speaker 1: these things, to me, I want to see it out 496 00:24:04,718 --> 00:24:09,678 Speaker 1: how seriously or how the pitchers themselves, how how much 497 00:24:09,758 --> 00:24:11,558 Speaker 1: that they believe it's important. That's really what it's going 498 00:24:11,598 --> 00:24:14,318 Speaker 1: to come down to. But it could be it's it 499 00:24:14,438 --> 00:24:17,238 Speaker 1: could be done. You could make the adjustments to actually 500 00:24:17,318 --> 00:24:20,638 Speaker 1: whatever that length is in regards to time, three inches 501 00:24:20,678 --> 00:24:23,118 Speaker 1: on each side. By adjusting your time to the plate, 502 00:24:23,158 --> 00:24:24,918 Speaker 1: you could get it back to where it had been. Yeah, 503 00:24:24,958 --> 00:24:27,718 Speaker 1: and obviously that was a point of emphasis throughout spraying 504 00:24:27,798 --> 00:24:30,438 Speaker 1: on the backfields, getting these pitchers to defend the running 505 00:24:30,478 --> 00:24:34,638 Speaker 1: game better. I think you're you're big bodied, max effort 506 00:24:34,718 --> 00:24:36,598 Speaker 1: relievers are going to have a really tough time with 507 00:24:36,678 --> 00:24:39,718 Speaker 1: the clock and the bass. I look at that and say, oh, oh, 508 00:24:39,998 --> 00:24:41,998 Speaker 1: they're in trouble. But here's the other thing that jumped 509 00:24:42,038 --> 00:24:44,158 Speaker 1: out of me. And you made a great point about this, 510 00:24:44,358 --> 00:24:47,038 Speaker 1: that spring training is so different than having, you know, 511 00:24:47,238 --> 00:24:49,678 Speaker 1: things of importance on the line in a regular season game. 512 00:24:49,758 --> 00:24:51,678 Speaker 1: That that's the test lab. Now we're getting into the 513 00:24:51,798 --> 00:24:55,358 Speaker 1: real play coming up on Thursday, And this is how 514 00:24:55,478 --> 00:24:58,758 Speaker 1: it affects starting pitching. The pitch clock. And I've talked 515 00:24:58,798 --> 00:25:00,758 Speaker 1: to a lot of baseball people and they have two 516 00:25:00,838 --> 00:25:03,638 Speaker 1: different perspectives on this one. Is saying, you know what, 517 00:25:04,118 --> 00:25:08,558 Speaker 1: there's less recovery between pitches, which is literally true. Guys 518 00:25:08,598 --> 00:25:10,478 Speaker 1: would get in the gym, or maybe they started to 519 00:25:10,478 --> 00:25:12,598 Speaker 1: get fatigue. They're twenty five pitches into an inning, they 520 00:25:12,638 --> 00:25:14,998 Speaker 1: can walk off the back of the mount and literally 521 00:25:15,198 --> 00:25:19,318 Speaker 1: gather themselves physically and get a second win. You cannot 522 00:25:19,518 --> 00:25:22,518 Speaker 1: do that now. And then I have other people tell me, well, 523 00:25:22,558 --> 00:25:24,878 Speaker 1: you know what, the pitch clock is forcing these guys 524 00:25:24,958 --> 00:25:28,638 Speaker 1: to be more efficient. They're going to get quicker outs. 525 00:25:28,678 --> 00:25:30,838 Speaker 1: They're going to disarm the hitters who are used to 526 00:25:30,998 --> 00:25:33,598 Speaker 1: cracking nuclear codes every time they're wait for a pitch 527 00:25:33,638 --> 00:25:36,918 Speaker 1: to see what's coming. And so there's two schools of 528 00:25:36,998 --> 00:25:40,318 Speaker 1: thought here. But we may wind up with starting pitchers. Actually, 529 00:25:40,598 --> 00:25:44,358 Speaker 1: if you can believe this throwing less, well, I'm talking 530 00:25:44,358 --> 00:25:49,118 Speaker 1: about less innings because throwing ninety pitches under a pitch 531 00:25:49,198 --> 00:25:52,278 Speaker 1: clock is not the same as throwing ninety pitches when 532 00:25:52,318 --> 00:25:54,438 Speaker 1: you can take as much darn time as you want. 533 00:25:55,078 --> 00:25:57,238 Speaker 1: I'm curious to see how that plays out, Joe, we 534 00:25:57,358 --> 00:26:00,478 Speaker 1: may be looking at shorter starts from starting pitchers. I 535 00:26:00,518 --> 00:26:02,478 Speaker 1: agree with that one hundred percent. That was my big 536 00:26:02,558 --> 00:26:05,638 Speaker 1: thing from the beginning to anything and I don't know 537 00:26:05,838 --> 00:26:10,478 Speaker 1: how much that's been really scrutinized, because again, this is 538 00:26:10,518 --> 00:26:13,318 Speaker 1: spring training. These guys can throw. They're gonna throw up 539 00:26:13,318 --> 00:26:15,878 Speaker 1: maybe eventually up to ninety pitches by their last start, 540 00:26:16,878 --> 00:26:19,598 Speaker 1: but prior to that they're throwing. Maybe they go from 541 00:26:19,678 --> 00:26:22,878 Speaker 1: a twenty five, thirty forty up to fifty sixty, up 542 00:26:22,918 --> 00:26:26,038 Speaker 1: to seventy eighty, So that's different. And then then again, 543 00:26:26,118 --> 00:26:31,358 Speaker 1: let's do it every five or six days all of April, May, June, July, 544 00:26:31,398 --> 00:26:33,278 Speaker 1: and then all of a sudden, this this starts adding 545 00:26:33,358 --> 00:26:36,358 Speaker 1: up and it takes its toll. That is why I 546 00:26:36,558 --> 00:26:40,318 Speaker 1: think I like the six man rotation. I do, and 547 00:26:40,638 --> 00:26:45,958 Speaker 1: I believe that sometimes in today's game, by having six starters, 548 00:26:46,518 --> 00:26:48,518 Speaker 1: you might find it easier to find six starters that 549 00:26:48,598 --> 00:26:50,998 Speaker 1: you like as opposed to five, which is counterintuitive also, 550 00:26:51,118 --> 00:26:53,318 Speaker 1: but the point would be that I think it could 551 00:26:53,398 --> 00:26:56,718 Speaker 1: reduce the risk of injury. It would reduce the risk 552 00:26:56,798 --> 00:26:59,278 Speaker 1: of this thing we're talking about right here, kind of 553 00:26:59,358 --> 00:27:03,278 Speaker 1: burn up from having to throw every fifteen twenty seconds 554 00:27:03,678 --> 00:27:06,718 Speaker 1: and now you may need and they're not going to 555 00:27:06,758 --> 00:27:08,758 Speaker 1: want it to pitch us. No, I'm good. I worked 556 00:27:08,798 --> 00:27:11,358 Speaker 1: out differently. I worked out harder. I got it. You know, 557 00:27:11,358 --> 00:27:13,198 Speaker 1: you can hear all that kind of stuff too, but 558 00:27:13,398 --> 00:27:17,238 Speaker 1: until we actually go through it, you're not going to know. Again, 559 00:27:17,318 --> 00:27:18,878 Speaker 1: I love the rule. I think it's that's to me, 560 00:27:18,958 --> 00:27:21,438 Speaker 1: that's the one rule, that's the only rule for me 561 00:27:21,518 --> 00:27:24,798 Speaker 1: that should have been in place over everything else. But 562 00:27:24,998 --> 00:27:27,798 Speaker 1: beyond that, I'm curious because I think the rapidity with 563 00:27:27,878 --> 00:27:30,278 Speaker 1: which you have to throw the ball is going to 564 00:27:30,358 --> 00:27:32,998 Speaker 1: have an impact. Yeah, and by the way, you're absolutely 565 00:27:33,038 --> 00:27:35,318 Speaker 1: a hundred percent right with the six man rotation that 566 00:27:35,598 --> 00:27:37,598 Speaker 1: is going to be, based on what I've heard from 567 00:27:37,598 --> 00:27:40,998 Speaker 1: around the league standard procedure, at least in the first 568 00:27:41,038 --> 00:27:42,518 Speaker 1: two months of the season. I can tell you that 569 00:27:42,718 --> 00:27:44,598 Speaker 1: I don't know that there's any team that's locked into 570 00:27:44,598 --> 00:27:46,718 Speaker 1: with guys pitching on the fifth day. First of all, 571 00:27:46,798 --> 00:27:48,998 Speaker 1: more starts are made on five days rest now than 572 00:27:49,038 --> 00:27:52,118 Speaker 1: on four, so we've been in a transition mode anyway. 573 00:27:52,158 --> 00:27:53,878 Speaker 1: But I think this is going to make the six 574 00:27:53,998 --> 00:27:58,158 Speaker 1: man rotation status quo in the big leagues. I'm in 575 00:27:58,238 --> 00:27:59,798 Speaker 1: on that. I think it makes a big difference. And 576 00:27:59,958 --> 00:28:01,958 Speaker 1: if you're because the big thing is health, you want 577 00:28:01,998 --> 00:28:05,318 Speaker 1: to keep guys healthy, right, And with the Angel situation, 578 00:28:05,398 --> 00:28:07,718 Speaker 1: with showy being used to that that was already a 579 00:28:07,798 --> 00:28:11,438 Speaker 1: locked in situation. But I would just from the minor 580 00:28:11,518 --> 00:28:14,158 Speaker 1: league perspective, you have to start nurturing, you know, not 581 00:28:14,318 --> 00:28:15,718 Speaker 1: just a six or the seventh guy. I have to 582 00:28:15,758 --> 00:28:19,238 Speaker 1: have up to maybe nine, maybe ten guys that you 583 00:28:19,278 --> 00:28:21,638 Speaker 1: could believe could at least get out there and represent 584 00:28:21,758 --> 00:28:24,678 Speaker 1: you well on any particular date, because during the course 585 00:28:24,718 --> 00:28:26,798 Speaker 1: of the season there's going to be attrition, and you've 586 00:28:26,798 --> 00:28:28,558 Speaker 1: got to go way deeper than just looking at five 587 00:28:28,678 --> 00:28:30,518 Speaker 1: or six starters at the beginning of the year. One 588 00:28:30,678 --> 00:28:33,518 Speaker 1: last thought of the pitch clock, I think overall, especially 589 00:28:33,558 --> 00:28:36,718 Speaker 1: when it comes to position players, it will keep players healthier. 590 00:28:36,918 --> 00:28:40,278 Speaker 1: I mean, already players are talking about being off their 591 00:28:40,358 --> 00:28:44,358 Speaker 1: feet that extra half hour to forty five minutes. Multiply 592 00:28:44,558 --> 00:28:47,638 Speaker 1: that over one hundred and sixty two games season. I mean, 593 00:28:47,678 --> 00:28:51,078 Speaker 1: Joey Voda talked about getting games back in your career. 594 00:28:51,398 --> 00:28:55,278 Speaker 1: I mean literally, the attrition factor in baseball, even if 595 00:28:55,278 --> 00:28:58,198 Speaker 1: it's not, you know, an explosive sport so to speak, 596 00:28:58,278 --> 00:29:01,358 Speaker 1: like football or basketball. You know this, Joe. You get 597 00:29:01,398 --> 00:29:04,838 Speaker 1: these three and a half four hour games night after night, 598 00:29:05,078 --> 00:29:07,478 Speaker 1: there's wear and tear. That's when you start having those 599 00:29:07,558 --> 00:29:11,998 Speaker 1: lower body injuries, the quads, the hammy's, and I think 600 00:29:12,318 --> 00:29:14,398 Speaker 1: it's just my guests here. Let's see again how it 601 00:29:14,438 --> 00:29:16,918 Speaker 1: plays out. I think it's going to keep position players healthier. 602 00:29:17,238 --> 00:29:20,598 Speaker 1: That's part of my philosophy on more of a limited pregame. 603 00:29:20,678 --> 00:29:24,038 Speaker 1: Also Kenny Guy system. I don't want my relief pitcher 604 00:29:24,118 --> 00:29:27,078 Speaker 1: standing in the outfield shagging flyballs. As an example, the 605 00:29:27,198 --> 00:29:29,518 Speaker 1: guys on the field getting groundballs, the early work to 606 00:29:29,558 --> 00:29:31,678 Speaker 1: extra work that a lot of these teams are choreographing 607 00:29:31,798 --> 00:29:34,598 Speaker 1: right now, to me, that's just that's just I wash 608 00:29:34,678 --> 00:29:36,518 Speaker 1: a lot of times. Yes, we all need work. I 609 00:29:36,718 --> 00:29:38,958 Speaker 1: understand that, I get it. But you have to be very, 610 00:29:39,118 --> 00:29:42,478 Speaker 1: very vigilant and understand that each guy's got only so 611 00:29:42,638 --> 00:29:45,518 Speaker 1: many moments standing on the field working on a particular skill. 612 00:29:45,558 --> 00:29:49,078 Speaker 1: The point of diminishing returns is gonna set in. It's 613 00:29:49,158 --> 00:29:51,718 Speaker 1: gonna set in, and you have to be wary of that. 614 00:29:51,998 --> 00:29:54,118 Speaker 1: And so all of this stuff that we're talking about. 615 00:29:54,438 --> 00:29:58,478 Speaker 1: The two superstars of performance are the breath and rest. 616 00:29:58,638 --> 00:30:01,798 Speaker 1: Those are the two high performance superstars. And I think 617 00:30:01,838 --> 00:30:04,238 Speaker 1: if you pay more attention to that and us to 618 00:30:05,278 --> 00:30:07,838 Speaker 1: all these different kinds of choreograph moments that you're everybody 619 00:30:07,878 --> 00:30:10,918 Speaker 1: finds interesting. You're gonna get a better result. We just 620 00:30:11,038 --> 00:30:14,878 Speaker 1: talked about I think the most monumental rule changes in 621 00:30:14,998 --> 00:30:16,998 Speaker 1: baseball since I don't know, maybe going back to the 622 00:30:17,118 --> 00:30:21,278 Speaker 1: DH right, baseball will look and be played extremely differently 623 00:30:21,398 --> 00:30:25,038 Speaker 1: this year. But that's not even my number one storyline 624 00:30:25,118 --> 00:30:28,238 Speaker 1: going into this season. Cool, what is We'll tell you 625 00:30:28,318 --> 00:30:41,998 Speaker 1: after this very groovy? All right? What's bigger than major 626 00:30:42,078 --> 00:30:44,358 Speaker 1: League Baseball having a clock for the first time? What 627 00:30:44,598 --> 00:30:48,158 Speaker 1: is bigger than bigger stall basis? What is bigger than 628 00:30:48,238 --> 00:30:50,318 Speaker 1: getting rid of the shift, which, by the way, hurt 629 00:30:50,398 --> 00:30:52,798 Speaker 1: Corey seeger more than any hit or the big leagues 630 00:30:52,918 --> 00:30:55,838 Speaker 1: last year. Well, he's bigger than anything in the game, 631 00:30:55,958 --> 00:31:00,038 Speaker 1: and that is Showhey, Otani, he is the biggest story 632 00:31:00,238 --> 00:31:02,678 Speaker 1: of this season. He obviously is a free agent at 633 00:31:02,718 --> 00:31:05,958 Speaker 1: the end of the season. Artie Moreno, owner of the Angels, 634 00:31:06,078 --> 00:31:08,798 Speaker 1: told me, as long as the Angels are in contention, 635 00:31:09,078 --> 00:31:12,318 Speaker 1: he is not trading him at the deadline now already 636 00:31:12,358 --> 00:31:14,398 Speaker 1: told me he had five deals on the table last 637 00:31:14,838 --> 00:31:19,398 Speaker 1: trade deadline, did not trade his superstar. I asked him 638 00:31:20,038 --> 00:31:23,118 Speaker 1: what happens if you're not in contention, and he said 639 00:31:23,158 --> 00:31:26,198 Speaker 1: I'm not answering that because we built this team to 640 00:31:26,398 --> 00:31:30,878 Speaker 1: contend and you're asking me to create a theory based 641 00:31:31,038 --> 00:31:34,798 Speaker 1: on a business plan that's not one that we're adhering to. 642 00:31:35,078 --> 00:31:36,678 Speaker 1: So he didn't want to go down that route. I 643 00:31:36,798 --> 00:31:39,238 Speaker 1: get that, And actually, Joe, it's hard for me to 644 00:31:39,358 --> 00:31:43,198 Speaker 1: believe that in a world with six teams go to 645 00:31:43,238 --> 00:31:45,878 Speaker 1: the playoffs in each league, the Angels will be so 646 00:31:46,198 --> 00:31:49,318 Speaker 1: bad with the additions they made that they'll be hopelessly 647 00:31:49,438 --> 00:31:52,078 Speaker 1: out of the race by the middle of July. So 648 00:31:53,038 --> 00:31:56,838 Speaker 1: it looks like Otani is an Angel all year. So 649 00:31:56,998 --> 00:32:00,078 Speaker 1: the question now is how much can he really keep 650 00:32:00,158 --> 00:32:04,398 Speaker 1: this up and where does he want to go from here? Now, 651 00:32:04,438 --> 00:32:08,318 Speaker 1: if you watched the WBC and you watched what he 652 00:32:08,478 --> 00:32:10,958 Speaker 1: did in that tournament, this is a guy, and Joe, 653 00:32:10,998 --> 00:32:13,438 Speaker 1: I'm not exaggerating here. He may be looking at half 654 00:32:13,478 --> 00:32:16,918 Speaker 1: a billion dollars in his next contract. Yeah, ten times fifty. 655 00:32:17,918 --> 00:32:20,158 Speaker 1: He raised his hand and not only said I want 656 00:32:20,198 --> 00:32:23,278 Speaker 1: to play in a WBC, but I want to start. 657 00:32:23,918 --> 00:32:25,678 Speaker 1: And if we're in a situation with a one run 658 00:32:25,758 --> 00:32:29,038 Speaker 1: game against Team USA for the championship, while I've been 659 00:32:29,118 --> 00:32:32,118 Speaker 1: dhing all night, running the bases and sliding. I want 660 00:32:32,118 --> 00:32:33,838 Speaker 1: to warm up in the bullpen like I'm back in 661 00:32:33,918 --> 00:32:35,838 Speaker 1: Little league, in between the bats and close the game. 662 00:32:36,598 --> 00:32:39,878 Speaker 1: And when he did that, it's this is amazing. The 663 00:32:40,118 --> 00:32:44,278 Speaker 1: last pitch that he threw was literally the best breaking 664 00:32:44,358 --> 00:32:46,438 Speaker 1: ball he threw as a Major league or to strike 665 00:32:46,478 --> 00:32:48,998 Speaker 1: out Mike Trout. When you broke it down in velocity, 666 00:32:49,678 --> 00:32:52,078 Speaker 1: spin rate and the break on the pitch, it was 667 00:32:52,198 --> 00:32:55,118 Speaker 1: literally the best breaking ball he has ever thrown. And oh, 668 00:32:55,158 --> 00:32:57,878 Speaker 1: by the way, the pitch before that was his second 669 00:32:58,038 --> 00:33:01,558 Speaker 1: fastest pitch he's ever thrown over one oh one. I mean, 670 00:33:01,598 --> 00:33:03,398 Speaker 1: this guy is just a freak. I don't have to 671 00:33:03,438 --> 00:33:06,398 Speaker 1: convince Madden of that. You saw it up close. But 672 00:33:06,558 --> 00:33:10,478 Speaker 1: I think Joe, what we watched in that WBC is 673 00:33:10,518 --> 00:33:15,238 Speaker 1: a guy who more than anything wants to win. That 674 00:33:15,718 --> 00:33:20,758 Speaker 1: environment brought out the best in Shohei Otani, and I 675 00:33:20,918 --> 00:33:23,438 Speaker 1: think with just a taste of that anyone he went 676 00:33:23,518 --> 00:33:25,238 Speaker 1: over there too. In Japan. It wasn't like it was 677 00:33:25,278 --> 00:33:27,558 Speaker 1: the first time he won. But the US fan I 678 00:33:27,638 --> 00:33:30,998 Speaker 1: got a chance to see Shohei Otani pitching in important 679 00:33:31,038 --> 00:33:33,798 Speaker 1: games and hitting in important games, and they saw this 680 00:33:33,918 --> 00:33:36,558 Speaker 1: guy go next level. That's why I say He is 681 00:33:36,638 --> 00:33:41,798 Speaker 1: the story of this season. No argument, zero argument. He is. Wow. 682 00:33:41,878 --> 00:33:44,878 Speaker 1: I was watching that whole thing unfold, And of course 683 00:33:45,158 --> 00:33:46,798 Speaker 1: he's not gonna be able to do that every day 684 00:33:46,838 --> 00:33:49,278 Speaker 1: because he was that jacked up. I've never seen him 685 00:33:49,318 --> 00:33:53,358 Speaker 1: that animated. Ever. He may have done that looked that 686 00:33:53,438 --> 00:33:55,518 Speaker 1: way in Japan at some point. He's always been Um, 687 00:33:55,998 --> 00:33:57,518 Speaker 1: you know, he's he's high energy all the time, but 688 00:33:57,678 --> 00:34:00,038 Speaker 1: not that animated he was. He was wanting to get 689 00:34:00,118 --> 00:34:02,918 Speaker 1: that done. He was playing for his country there and 690 00:34:03,038 --> 00:34:05,838 Speaker 1: he's played against his teammate and his friend, and wow, 691 00:34:05,998 --> 00:34:09,318 Speaker 1: it was that is that is as good as show 692 00:34:09,398 --> 00:34:12,838 Speaker 1: can throw the baseball. No question longevity wise, how long 693 00:34:12,878 --> 00:34:15,958 Speaker 1: could he do this? Everybody always, any scout's going to 694 00:34:16,038 --> 00:34:20,198 Speaker 1: start that that question off with with good health, right, Um, 695 00:34:21,078 --> 00:34:23,718 Speaker 1: there's there's no time limit on this fella. And if 696 00:34:23,758 --> 00:34:25,198 Speaker 1: you had to pick one or the other, he probably 697 00:34:25,238 --> 00:34:26,918 Speaker 1: would probably think if he's gonna get hurt, it's going 698 00:34:26,958 --> 00:34:29,478 Speaker 1: to be as a pitcher as opposed to a pitch 699 00:34:29,718 --> 00:34:32,878 Speaker 1: position player first. But I don't know he is. He 700 00:34:33,118 --> 00:34:35,238 Speaker 1: is like so locked in mentally right now. He takes 701 00:34:35,318 --> 00:34:38,678 Speaker 1: such great care of himself. He's already been through some surgeries. Um, 702 00:34:39,758 --> 00:34:43,078 Speaker 1: he's gonna he just he's very instinctive. He knows himself 703 00:34:43,158 --> 00:34:47,798 Speaker 1: really well. Longevity wise, you know, nobody knows. But um, yeah, 704 00:34:48,518 --> 00:34:50,438 Speaker 1: half a billion. I think it could exceed that. Actually, 705 00:34:50,438 --> 00:34:52,758 Speaker 1: I think at the end of the day, there's gonna 706 00:34:52,758 --> 00:34:55,238 Speaker 1: be such a bidding word for this fella. And part 707 00:34:55,278 --> 00:34:56,798 Speaker 1: of that is the fact that I think he'll go 708 00:34:56,878 --> 00:34:58,758 Speaker 1: anywhere now and not just stay on the West Coast. 709 00:34:58,798 --> 00:35:01,318 Speaker 1: So this opens up other venues for him. Um, So 710 00:35:01,398 --> 00:35:04,398 Speaker 1: I think all of that is in play final point, 711 00:35:04,438 --> 00:35:07,918 Speaker 1: trade him or not. Yeah, I think from the Eagles perspective, 712 00:35:07,998 --> 00:35:09,718 Speaker 1: I do like a lot of what they have done 713 00:35:09,758 --> 00:35:12,998 Speaker 1: this year, like the like the couple of the kind 714 00:35:13,038 --> 00:35:15,118 Speaker 1: of like the veteran players that they've included, like Drury 715 00:35:15,158 --> 00:35:17,758 Speaker 1: as an example in renfro or Shell. I like that 716 00:35:17,878 --> 00:35:19,718 Speaker 1: a lot because Pray and I had talked about those 717 00:35:19,758 --> 00:35:21,798 Speaker 1: guys in the past, and I like, I like their 718 00:35:21,838 --> 00:35:25,438 Speaker 1: pitchkins have always liked the young starters there. But I mean, 719 00:35:25,558 --> 00:35:28,118 Speaker 1: if you don't feel as though you legitimately have a 720 00:35:28,238 --> 00:35:29,958 Speaker 1: chance to go all the way to the World Series, 721 00:35:29,998 --> 00:35:32,398 Speaker 1: you still have to consider trading him, I believe. I 722 00:35:32,478 --> 00:35:35,798 Speaker 1: mean the take on that is going to be pretty 723 00:35:35,878 --> 00:35:39,558 Speaker 1: pretty darn large. It's kind of herschel Walker esque. I 724 00:35:39,598 --> 00:35:42,278 Speaker 1: think at that point, when you get to the latter 725 00:35:42,318 --> 00:35:43,478 Speaker 1: part of the year and the team is in it, 726 00:35:43,518 --> 00:35:45,878 Speaker 1: you're going to really come home with some really nice players. 727 00:35:45,958 --> 00:35:48,438 Speaker 1: So it's gonna be difficult, I think, to walk away 728 00:35:48,478 --> 00:35:50,598 Speaker 1: from that and just eventually get nothing for him except 729 00:35:50,638 --> 00:35:53,438 Speaker 1: for a pick. So that's going to be interesting to watch. 730 00:35:54,078 --> 00:35:57,558 Speaker 1: But yeah, okay. I think the big things are the 731 00:35:57,638 --> 00:36:01,878 Speaker 1: fact that now he's been more Americanized, he will go anywhere. 732 00:36:01,958 --> 00:36:04,958 Speaker 1: This is my opinion. He hasn't told me that longevity 733 00:36:05,038 --> 00:36:08,198 Speaker 1: like anybody else. It's just sometimes it's just a flip 734 00:36:08,278 --> 00:36:10,758 Speaker 1: of the coin. But the trade value, wow. And I 735 00:36:10,878 --> 00:36:12,758 Speaker 1: know it's it's hard to do that regarding your home 736 00:36:12,798 --> 00:36:15,398 Speaker 1: fan base whatever. But I think unless unless they really 737 00:36:15,438 --> 00:36:16,998 Speaker 1: feel by that time that they have a shot to 738 00:36:17,038 --> 00:36:20,798 Speaker 1: do it all, i'd really feel strong consideration to trade him. Wow. 739 00:36:20,878 --> 00:36:23,238 Speaker 1: That's interesting. A couple of things they are. Number One, 740 00:36:23,878 --> 00:36:25,638 Speaker 1: obviously have known show Hey since he got to the 741 00:36:25,678 --> 00:36:28,758 Speaker 1: big leagues, and just standing next to him in the 742 00:36:28,838 --> 00:36:32,518 Speaker 1: clubhouse during the WBC, Joe and you've seen this too, 743 00:36:32,678 --> 00:36:36,198 Speaker 1: he has literally grown. Oh yeah, and he has his 744 00:36:36,358 --> 00:36:38,638 Speaker 1: man muscles now, and I think you are actually going 745 00:36:38,758 --> 00:36:42,558 Speaker 1: to see better from Shohiotani than what we've already seen, 746 00:36:42,678 --> 00:36:45,598 Speaker 1: which is amazing. And you know how hard this guy works. 747 00:36:45,678 --> 00:36:50,038 Speaker 1: This guy is so focused on preparing his body. Basically, 748 00:36:50,158 --> 00:36:52,838 Speaker 1: baseball is his hobby and I'll play video games, I 749 00:36:52,918 --> 00:36:56,478 Speaker 1: get that, but he devotes his downtime, if you will, 750 00:36:56,638 --> 00:36:59,518 Speaker 1: to the game of baseball and preparing himself. Just so 751 00:36:59,678 --> 00:37:05,198 Speaker 1: impressed by how large he is and has maintained hand flexibility. 752 00:37:05,278 --> 00:37:07,358 Speaker 1: That's the key. You watch him throw a baseball, I 753 00:37:07,478 --> 00:37:09,718 Speaker 1: don't feel like it's max effort. I feel like the 754 00:37:09,798 --> 00:37:12,598 Speaker 1: way his body moves, he's like Michael Phelps. The way 755 00:37:12,678 --> 00:37:16,118 Speaker 1: he's built, with the long levers and total like off 756 00:37:16,198 --> 00:37:20,118 Speaker 1: the charts flexibility. Those a bode well going forward. But 757 00:37:20,238 --> 00:37:21,798 Speaker 1: you made I want to get back to your point. 758 00:37:21,838 --> 00:37:23,758 Speaker 1: This is not a small thing because if you remember 759 00:37:23,798 --> 00:37:26,718 Speaker 1: when Shohei came over as an international free agent, one 760 00:37:26,758 --> 00:37:29,158 Speaker 1: of the first things he did was rule out the 761 00:37:29,238 --> 00:37:31,558 Speaker 1: big market teams on the East Coast. I mean, the 762 00:37:31,678 --> 00:37:34,718 Speaker 1: Yankees had set aside as much international signing money as 763 00:37:34,758 --> 00:37:37,118 Speaker 1: they could. They wanted out any more than anything in 764 00:37:37,158 --> 00:37:39,958 Speaker 1: the world. Why not and he basically said, Nope, I 765 00:37:39,998 --> 00:37:41,998 Speaker 1: don't want New York. I don't want Boston, not going 766 00:37:42,078 --> 00:37:44,398 Speaker 1: East coast. The Yankees turned around and traded for John 767 00:37:44,438 --> 00:37:47,878 Speaker 1: Carlos Stanton. Now you're telling me that he's been here, 768 00:37:48,318 --> 00:37:50,718 Speaker 1: now this will be a sixth year, you think he's 769 00:37:50,758 --> 00:37:54,598 Speaker 1: more open to markets and teams. That's my opinion. I 770 00:37:55,118 --> 00:37:57,718 Speaker 1: really haven't had that conversation. But if you think about 771 00:37:57,718 --> 00:37:59,558 Speaker 1: it when he first came over, because I sat across 772 00:37:59,598 --> 00:38:03,398 Speaker 1: from him at that table at his agency there and 773 00:38:04,078 --> 00:38:06,798 Speaker 1: I was there with deal and the Cup contingency, and 774 00:38:06,958 --> 00:38:09,638 Speaker 1: you know, this is a great kid, a humble kid, 775 00:38:09,998 --> 00:38:11,798 Speaker 1: but you can see there was still like a reticence. 776 00:38:11,878 --> 00:38:13,798 Speaker 1: This is like a big deal, and I got to 777 00:38:13,838 --> 00:38:15,758 Speaker 1: come here, and he probably thought at that point some 778 00:38:15,798 --> 00:38:17,838 Speaker 1: thing closer to home was important. And I get it. 779 00:38:18,198 --> 00:38:20,478 Speaker 1: That's like by six hours, which dust doesn't seem like 780 00:38:20,518 --> 00:38:22,758 Speaker 1: a whole lot, but if you're gonna be flying back 781 00:38:22,798 --> 00:38:24,878 Speaker 1: and forth, that does turn out to be a lot 782 00:38:25,238 --> 00:38:28,238 Speaker 1: over the course of time, family members coming by. But 783 00:38:28,478 --> 00:38:31,878 Speaker 1: now the fact that he's kind of like taken over them, 784 00:38:31,958 --> 00:38:36,558 Speaker 1: not just the West Coast or the United States, He's 785 00:38:36,558 --> 00:38:38,558 Speaker 1: taken over the world baseball wise, he's right now the 786 00:38:38,878 --> 00:38:42,958 Speaker 1: most grand attraction there is. I think he's Uh. You 787 00:38:42,998 --> 00:38:44,518 Speaker 1: saw him, like I said, you saw him when they 788 00:38:44,558 --> 00:38:48,278 Speaker 1: won the game. You saw his attitude, his confidence level, 789 00:38:49,438 --> 00:38:53,278 Speaker 1: his animation, all these things. Now I think Tommy opens 790 00:38:53,318 --> 00:38:56,638 Speaker 1: everything up, opens everything up. I don't think he'll be 791 00:38:56,678 --> 00:38:59,398 Speaker 1: as intimidated possibly by playing in a New York or 792 00:38:59,438 --> 00:39:01,798 Speaker 1: Boston or whatever, like maybe he probably had in the 793 00:39:01,878 --> 00:39:04,518 Speaker 1: beginning because he didn't know and he was Rookie of 794 00:39:04,518 --> 00:39:05,758 Speaker 1: the Year and all that stuff. But I was there 795 00:39:05,758 --> 00:39:07,758 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty when he had a really hard year. Man, 796 00:39:08,278 --> 00:39:11,478 Speaker 1: it was not easy hitting the ball, throwing the ball. 797 00:39:11,678 --> 00:39:14,118 Speaker 1: It was a very tough year for him, and which 798 00:39:14,158 --> 00:39:16,158 Speaker 1: you saw in twenty twenty one was not at all 799 00:39:16,638 --> 00:39:18,438 Speaker 1: like what I saw in twenty twenty. So there may 800 00:39:18,478 --> 00:39:21,558 Speaker 1: have been some kind of like a doubt in his head. 801 00:39:21,598 --> 00:39:25,678 Speaker 1: Who knows based on all of that. But now I 802 00:39:25,798 --> 00:39:30,678 Speaker 1: think any any sumission of doubt has been eradicated, and 803 00:39:30,838 --> 00:39:32,838 Speaker 1: so now he's ready to conquer the world. And I 804 00:39:32,918 --> 00:39:35,198 Speaker 1: think you could do it anywhere. Well, I know, watching 805 00:39:35,238 --> 00:39:38,158 Speaker 1: the WBC and we knew this already, but it really 806 00:39:38,238 --> 00:39:41,798 Speaker 1: convinced me that if you're a fan of baseball. We 807 00:39:42,038 --> 00:39:45,518 Speaker 1: need to see show Hey Otani and Mike Trout in 808 00:39:45,638 --> 00:39:48,678 Speaker 1: the postseason. I thought it brought out the best of them. Trout, 809 00:39:48,718 --> 00:39:51,798 Speaker 1: as you know, another super even keeled guy, has a 810 00:39:51,918 --> 00:39:55,078 Speaker 1: great attitude about playing the game. He was jacked up. 811 00:39:55,238 --> 00:39:58,078 Speaker 1: I mean he called it the most fun experience of 812 00:39:58,238 --> 00:40:01,358 Speaker 1: his life playing those two weeks with Team USA. And 813 00:40:01,358 --> 00:40:04,158 Speaker 1: as you mentioned, you saw us Showhy more and made 814 00:40:04,198 --> 00:40:06,638 Speaker 1: it than he's ever been before. You put things on 815 00:40:06,758 --> 00:40:11,358 Speaker 1: the line, the great players find another level and you 816 00:40:11,518 --> 00:40:14,318 Speaker 1: saw that with shoe Hey and Mike and it's kind 817 00:40:14,438 --> 00:40:16,998 Speaker 1: it's a shame. There's no other word to say this, Joe, 818 00:40:17,118 --> 00:40:19,918 Speaker 1: but it's a shame that baseball hasn't been able to 819 00:40:19,998 --> 00:40:23,958 Speaker 1: see these guys on the biggest stage for everybody to 820 00:40:24,118 --> 00:40:27,638 Speaker 1: appreciate them. And whether it's with the Angels or somebody else, 821 00:40:27,758 --> 00:40:31,118 Speaker 1: I hope that that day comes soon. I agree. I mean, 822 00:40:31,398 --> 00:40:34,078 Speaker 1: the talent is oppressive. You've got to be with these 823 00:40:34,158 --> 00:40:36,638 Speaker 1: guys every day, and i'd, like you alluded to, we're 824 00:40:36,678 --> 00:40:39,358 Speaker 1: talking like not only great athletes, but big great athletes. 825 00:40:39,398 --> 00:40:42,318 Speaker 1: I mean, Mikey could definitely be playing for the Eagles. 826 00:40:42,438 --> 00:40:44,718 Speaker 1: I mean, there's no question in my mind and show 827 00:40:44,758 --> 00:40:46,238 Speaker 1: if he was if he wanted to, you could play 828 00:40:46,318 --> 00:40:49,798 Speaker 1: the basketball or or football. They're that great of athletes. 829 00:40:49,838 --> 00:40:52,078 Speaker 1: They could run, they got great bodies that moved. The 830 00:40:52,118 --> 00:40:55,198 Speaker 1: body moved so well. And yeah, i'd love to see 831 00:40:55,238 --> 00:40:57,318 Speaker 1: them both there at the end of the season. And 832 00:40:57,438 --> 00:41:00,318 Speaker 1: like you're suggesting here, saying that baseball fantasy to see 833 00:41:00,358 --> 00:41:03,478 Speaker 1: stuff like that. That's that's also part of the allure. 834 00:41:04,478 --> 00:41:06,358 Speaker 1: We're trying to attract more fans. We're trying to get 835 00:41:06,438 --> 00:41:08,758 Speaker 1: more people not only in the stands, but just to watch. 836 00:41:08,878 --> 00:41:10,638 Speaker 1: You just got to get eyeballs on these guys, and 837 00:41:11,278 --> 00:41:13,438 Speaker 1: so yeah, I'd love to see that happen for them. 838 00:41:13,678 --> 00:41:15,678 Speaker 1: I'm such a big fan of these these guys and 839 00:41:15,758 --> 00:41:17,998 Speaker 1: all those fellas in the Angel locker room. I mean 840 00:41:18,038 --> 00:41:19,798 Speaker 1: that there's so many good dudes in that locker room. 841 00:41:19,878 --> 00:41:22,598 Speaker 1: So it'd be wonderful to see that. And yes, it'd 842 00:41:22,598 --> 00:41:25,158 Speaker 1: be wonderful for baseball. Well, Joe, before we get out 843 00:41:25,198 --> 00:41:27,998 Speaker 1: of here, Opening Day is Thursday. As I mentioned, it's 844 00:41:27,998 --> 00:41:30,678 Speaker 1: sort of an unofficial national holiday, at least in my book. 845 00:41:30,838 --> 00:41:34,518 Speaker 1: And I'm wondering if you have a favorite Opening Day 846 00:41:35,238 --> 00:41:38,518 Speaker 1: memory that stands out, because there's something about opening Day. 847 00:41:38,718 --> 00:41:41,238 Speaker 1: That I mean, yeah, everybody's got hopes and dreams and 848 00:41:41,318 --> 00:41:44,278 Speaker 1: all those things, but it seems like things to happen 849 00:41:44,358 --> 00:41:46,878 Speaker 1: on opening day. Whether it's Toughie Roads hitting three home 850 00:41:46,998 --> 00:41:51,158 Speaker 1: runs or Emilio Botifasio getting inside the ballpark home run, 851 00:41:52,118 --> 00:41:54,838 Speaker 1: it's indelible if it happens on opening day. So something 852 00:41:54,918 --> 00:41:57,358 Speaker 1: in your mind that stands out above some others as 853 00:41:57,398 --> 00:42:00,918 Speaker 1: far as opening Day goes, well, I have to if 854 00:42:00,958 --> 00:42:04,558 Speaker 1: you don't mind opening day is, as you know, that's special. 855 00:42:05,078 --> 00:42:06,918 Speaker 1: My first one I didn't have because in ninety four 856 00:42:06,958 --> 00:42:09,518 Speaker 1: I just got called up during the season. But starting 857 00:42:09,518 --> 00:42:12,158 Speaker 1: in ninety five, I had one. And what it is 858 00:42:12,398 --> 00:42:15,158 Speaker 1: to me, you actually got nerves. I got nervous going 859 00:42:15,158 --> 00:42:17,838 Speaker 1: out to the line, just just running to the line 860 00:42:17,958 --> 00:42:20,638 Speaker 1: on opening day. Whether it's my first year in ninety 861 00:42:20,638 --> 00:42:23,558 Speaker 1: five up to my last year to this point in 862 00:42:23,638 --> 00:42:27,798 Speaker 1: twenty nineteen or twenty twenty one, twenty one, twenty two, 863 00:42:29,038 --> 00:42:32,918 Speaker 1: there's this there's this this buzz nervousness throughout your body 864 00:42:33,878 --> 00:42:36,238 Speaker 1: that it is opening day. So that's the first part. 865 00:42:36,278 --> 00:42:40,038 Speaker 1: The second part is when I run up there. Since 866 00:42:40,158 --> 00:42:42,918 Speaker 1: my dad passed away and my uncle Rick, I always 867 00:42:42,998 --> 00:42:44,878 Speaker 1: go up there to the line and I put him 868 00:42:44,878 --> 00:42:47,798 Speaker 1: in a seat. I put him in a seat. Look 869 00:42:47,798 --> 00:42:49,718 Speaker 1: in the stands, there might be an empty seat here there. 870 00:42:49,718 --> 00:42:51,158 Speaker 1: And I put my dad there and my uncle Rick there. 871 00:42:51,238 --> 00:42:53,518 Speaker 1: Uncle Rick because I lived the creek in Long Beach 872 00:42:53,558 --> 00:42:55,958 Speaker 1: when I first got my job with the Angels in 873 00:42:56,038 --> 00:42:59,798 Speaker 1: nineteen ninety four. But that's it. That's that's my gig 874 00:42:59,998 --> 00:43:03,038 Speaker 1: on opening day. So they all kind of like are 875 00:43:03,078 --> 00:43:06,078 Speaker 1: the same, because there's this nervousness about it that's hard 876 00:43:06,118 --> 00:43:10,558 Speaker 1: to describe. But you go out there and then you're 877 00:43:10,558 --> 00:43:12,678 Speaker 1: all looking around. You're looking around. Who comes the anthem? 878 00:43:12,758 --> 00:43:14,798 Speaker 1: Let's get this going. Come on, let's get back inside 879 00:43:15,278 --> 00:43:17,158 Speaker 1: the dug out, Let's go. But the big thing for 880 00:43:17,278 --> 00:43:19,358 Speaker 1: me is looking to the stance, picking out two seats 881 00:43:19,598 --> 00:43:22,398 Speaker 1: next to one another so these guys can sit there 882 00:43:22,398 --> 00:43:26,678 Speaker 1: and enjoy the game. So that's my opening days and 883 00:43:26,798 --> 00:43:30,598 Speaker 1: the major league level is to fight through the jitters 884 00:43:31,118 --> 00:43:33,238 Speaker 1: and then place my papam Uncle Rick in his seats 885 00:43:33,238 --> 00:43:35,678 Speaker 1: where I can see them. That is such a cool story. 886 00:43:35,758 --> 00:43:37,998 Speaker 1: I've never heard that before, and I knew you to 887 00:43:38,038 --> 00:43:39,998 Speaker 1: come up with something that was just fascinating and that 888 00:43:40,318 --> 00:43:43,598 Speaker 1: you did not disappoint for me. I'll go back to 889 00:43:43,718 --> 00:43:46,598 Speaker 1: my first opening day as a beat writer. I've been 890 00:43:46,638 --> 00:43:48,798 Speaker 1: covering Major League Baseball for a few years, but I'm 891 00:43:48,798 --> 00:43:51,958 Speaker 1: on the Yankees in nineteen eighty five, and I wake 892 00:43:52,078 --> 00:43:54,398 Speaker 1: up and it's in Boston. The Yankees are opening in 893 00:43:54,558 --> 00:43:58,038 Speaker 1: Boston against the Red Sox, and it's snowing, which was 894 00:43:58,158 --> 00:44:00,118 Speaker 1: kind of cool. It wasn't the snow that would wipe 895 00:44:00,118 --> 00:44:01,998 Speaker 1: out the game, but it was like being in a 896 00:44:02,038 --> 00:44:04,118 Speaker 1: snow globe. It was just a bright sunny day. It 897 00:44:04,238 --> 00:44:07,358 Speaker 1: happened to have a snow storm come through. I got 898 00:44:07,358 --> 00:44:10,598 Speaker 1: out to the ballpark super early, as the first time. 899 00:44:10,638 --> 00:44:12,358 Speaker 1: I walked on the warning track in front of the 900 00:44:12,398 --> 00:44:15,278 Speaker 1: Monster in left field, and it was quiet, almost like 901 00:44:15,358 --> 00:44:18,358 Speaker 1: a cathedral, being there in church before the doors open. 902 00:44:18,558 --> 00:44:20,678 Speaker 1: And then I'll never forget looking up at the Green 903 00:44:20,718 --> 00:44:23,758 Speaker 1: Monster and seeing the face of the Green Monster looks 904 00:44:23,758 --> 00:44:26,318 Speaker 1: like a titleist. It's got all these dents and dimples 905 00:44:26,358 --> 00:44:28,478 Speaker 1: in it from balls say. I could not never saw 906 00:44:28,598 --> 00:44:30,678 Speaker 1: that on television, but seeing it up close in the 907 00:44:30,798 --> 00:44:34,878 Speaker 1: quiet moment that that just struck me. And I felt 908 00:44:34,918 --> 00:44:38,238 Speaker 1: so privileged to be there walking the outfield at Fenway 909 00:44:38,318 --> 00:44:40,358 Speaker 1: before opening day. By the way, the Yankees that lose 910 00:44:40,478 --> 00:44:43,198 Speaker 1: the game nine to two. They lose the next day 911 00:44:43,318 --> 00:44:46,398 Speaker 1: Sunding like fourteen to five. And it was after that 912 00:44:46,518 --> 00:44:49,478 Speaker 1: second game I got my indoctrine into being a Yankee. 913 00:44:49,558 --> 00:44:52,598 Speaker 1: Beat writer. George Steinbreder gets the press together after the 914 00:44:52,638 --> 00:44:57,318 Speaker 1: game and he says, tomorrow is a critical, crucial game. 915 00:44:58,478 --> 00:45:01,278 Speaker 1: It was the third game of the season. Joe, welcome 916 00:45:01,318 --> 00:45:03,238 Speaker 1: to cover and the Yankees. Of course they lost game 917 00:45:03,318 --> 00:45:07,358 Speaker 1: three as well. That's awesome, but yeah, that's looking forward 918 00:45:07,398 --> 00:45:10,758 Speaker 1: to some new memories again on Thursday, opening day for 919 00:45:10,838 --> 00:45:15,118 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty three Major League season. Beautiful, We'll enjoy yourself, buddy, 920 00:45:15,118 --> 00:45:18,038 Speaker 1: I'll be watching. Yeah, it'll be fun, there's no doubt 921 00:45:18,078 --> 00:45:20,758 Speaker 1: about it. We went through the five biggest storylines and 922 00:45:21,078 --> 00:45:23,758 Speaker 1: it's it's going to be exciting, no question about it. 923 00:45:23,878 --> 00:45:26,198 Speaker 1: So beyond that, Joe, you got something to take us 924 00:45:26,238 --> 00:45:29,278 Speaker 1: home as we get these twenty three season underway. Yeah, 925 00:45:29,398 --> 00:45:32,078 Speaker 1: you kind of made me pointing me in this direction. 926 00:45:32,118 --> 00:45:34,718 Speaker 1: It has something else. But once you talked about Showhey 927 00:45:34,798 --> 00:45:36,438 Speaker 1: and Mike, you know the fact that the way that 928 00:45:36,598 --> 00:45:39,398 Speaker 1: Showhey reacted in the fact that he has some success 929 00:45:39,438 --> 00:45:42,038 Speaker 1: in Japan but really has not had it as readily 930 00:45:42,198 --> 00:45:44,878 Speaker 1: here in the United States, and Mike's still searching for 931 00:45:44,958 --> 00:45:49,598 Speaker 1: that postseason game and success. But both were so impacted 932 00:45:50,198 --> 00:45:54,718 Speaker 1: by the atmosphere around the WBC and it had a 933 00:45:54,758 --> 00:45:57,718 Speaker 1: great impact on their psyche. So for me, I love 934 00:45:57,798 --> 00:45:59,358 Speaker 1: this line. I don't know I got it from or 935 00:45:59,438 --> 00:46:02,438 Speaker 1: what's an attribute to, but a mind once stretched has 936 00:46:02,438 --> 00:46:05,678 Speaker 1: a very difficult time going back to its original form. 937 00:46:06,118 --> 00:46:09,998 Speaker 1: So they definitely had their minds stretched during the WBC, 938 00:46:10,238 --> 00:46:13,878 Speaker 1: whether it was competitively against one another's show a versus trot, 939 00:46:13,998 --> 00:46:17,158 Speaker 1: just the fact that showe wanted the vibe within that ballpark. 940 00:46:17,398 --> 00:46:19,158 Speaker 1: I want more of this. It's kind of a drug. Man. 941 00:46:19,318 --> 00:46:22,278 Speaker 1: That's there's nothing like Major League playoff baseball. I can't 942 00:46:22,278 --> 00:46:25,478 Speaker 1: agree more. You know, I'm very fortunate. I've done that often. 943 00:46:25,758 --> 00:46:27,998 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to doing it again. But a mind 944 00:46:28,038 --> 00:46:30,758 Speaker 1: one stretched as a very difficult time going back to 945 00:46:30,838 --> 00:46:33,438 Speaker 1: its original form, and I think Show and Michael both 946 00:46:33,478 --> 00:46:37,758 Speaker 1: experienced that. I love that thought. Very cool. Happy opening day, Joe, 947 00:46:37,758 --> 00:46:39,678 Speaker 1: will see you next time, you two, brother. Thank you. 948 00:46:47,198 --> 00:46:50,398 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. 949 00:46:50,678 --> 00:46:54,158 Speaker 1: For more podcasts from my Heart Radio, visit the iHeartRadio 950 00:46:54,238 --> 00:46:57,478 Speaker 1: app Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts