1 00:00:01,600 --> 00:00:04,880 Speaker 1: From the Berkshires to the sound from wherever you live 2 00:00:04,920 --> 00:00:09,120 Speaker 1: in MLB America. This is inside the Parker. You give 3 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:11,479 Speaker 1: us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop 4 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:15,200 Speaker 1: on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame 5 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: voter number seventy six, Rob Parker. Welcome into the podcast 6 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:24,119 Speaker 1: and I'm your host, Rob Parker. What a great show 7 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:27,240 Speaker 1: we have for you Today. We're gonna talk with former 8 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,320 Speaker 1: Yankees catcher Jim lay Roots, who have one of the 9 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:34,440 Speaker 1: biggest World Series home runs in Yankee history. We'll talk 10 00:00:34,479 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 1: about that, plus getting robbed and why baseball is better 11 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: than the NBA and NFL, that and much more. Let's 12 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 1: got to lead off. It's getting robbed to keep him on. 13 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major 14 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: League Baseball. Number one, pictures and catchers are arriving at 15 00:00:58,280 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 1: spring training in both Florida and Arizona. Yes, indeed, baseball 16 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 1: is back, baby. The Super Bowl is all done. Football 17 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:10,040 Speaker 1: is pushed to the side, and Major League Baseball will 18 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:12,679 Speaker 1: start to spread its wings for the season to start 19 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:16,600 Speaker 1: in late March. But spring training can't wait so much 20 00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:20,839 Speaker 1: to uh talk about and renewed spirit in the game 21 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: and all that, but also MLB has new rules that 22 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 1: are officially being unveiled this week at spring training. So 23 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:35,920 Speaker 1: there was the arrival of the pitch timer. Restrictions on 24 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 1: extreme infield shifts and bigger bases are the most significant 25 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 1: alterations to the MLB rules in decade like this is 26 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 1: going to be different, and so that's why MLB is 27 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:55,880 Speaker 1: using this week the startup spring training to demonstrate uh 28 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 1: the new rules for the media and uh also for 29 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:02,520 Speaker 1: the fair hands so they have a better idea of 30 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:05,920 Speaker 1: what to expect with the start of the season. And 31 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:09,120 Speaker 1: just a few little notes. Okay, so the pitch timer 32 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:12,359 Speaker 1: to create a crisper pace of the game, will be 33 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:16,320 Speaker 1: a thirty second timer between batters and then a fifteen 34 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:20,240 Speaker 1: second timer between each pitch with the basis empty, and 35 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 1: twenty second timer between each pitch with runners on base. 36 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:28,680 Speaker 1: So that's what they're trying to do, speed it up 37 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 1: a little while a little bit not crazy about a 38 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:35,600 Speaker 1: pitch clock, but I guess it's here This part I'm 39 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: good with, which is the shift restrictions, And basically, you 40 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 1: have to have two players on each side of the bag. 41 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 1: You can move them, but they can't be on the shortstop, 42 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:51,640 Speaker 1: and second shortstop and third baseman have to stay on 43 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:55,040 Speaker 1: that side of the second base bag, and the first 44 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 1: baseman and second baseman have to stay on that side 45 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 1: of the bag, and they can't go over and shift 46 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:04,240 Speaker 1: all the way where you have three or four guys 47 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:06,920 Speaker 1: on one side of the enfield. So those days are over, 48 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:10,119 Speaker 1: which is good. The shift took away too many good 49 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 1: too many hits, and we didn't have enough action on 50 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: the base pass too many home runs or strikeouts, So 51 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 1: I love that. And the last one is the bases 52 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 1: are now bigger, eighteen inches on each side instead of 53 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:30,399 Speaker 1: the traditional fifteen inches on each side. This allows players 54 00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:34,080 Speaker 1: more room the operator on the basis and reduced the 55 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:40,000 Speaker 1: risk of injuries. There was acent decline, according to Major 56 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 1: League Baseball injuries near the basis in the minor leagues 57 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 1: last year with the use of the larger bags. So 58 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 1: there you go. Your dad's baseball has changed. My baseball 59 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 1: has changed, and we'll have to live with it. Number 60 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 1: two bad news already for the Yankees coming into spring training. 61 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 1: Right hander Frankie Montas is already injury as a shoulder injury, 62 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 1: and uh is going to have surgery on his right 63 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 1: shoulders pitching shoulder, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on 64 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 1: Wednesday it's possible that the right hander could return in 65 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:25,480 Speaker 1: the second half of the season. His surgery is scheduled 66 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 1: for next Tuesday, and Uh he's already expected to miss 67 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:35,080 Speaker 1: He had some lingering, discomfort and inflammation in his shoulder. 68 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:40,159 Speaker 1: Uh Montas, who is UH will turn thirty in in March, 69 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 1: is eligible for free agency after this season. He was 70 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: five and twelve with the four or five e r R 71 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:48,679 Speaker 1: R and twenty seven starts last year for the Aids 72 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:51,720 Speaker 1: and Yankees. Remember he was traded from the Aids to 73 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 1: the Yankees and Um started eight games for the Bronx Bombers. 74 00:04:56,839 --> 00:05:00,240 Speaker 1: He was one in three with a six point three 75 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:02,039 Speaker 1: five e R ray. Obviously he's not the top of 76 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 1: the rotation guy, but you hate to see someone Uh 77 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:09,039 Speaker 1: have to have surgery and then the hopes of maybe 78 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 1: him making it back for the second half of the season. 79 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 1: Number three and say it isn't so. Rangers age Jacob 80 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:24,440 Speaker 1: Degram has running to his first speed bump already the 81 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:27,400 Speaker 1: first day of spring training. That's right. He felt a 82 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:31,480 Speaker 1: little tightness on his left side during a bullpen session 83 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 1: um a couple of days earlier. This was announced on Wednesday. Uh, 84 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:40,600 Speaker 1: the Arizona temperatures were in the high thirties and low forties. 85 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:44,239 Speaker 1: The field conditions were poor with some rain and hail 86 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 1: and whatnot. But anyway felt some uh tightness. They're gonna 87 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:50,040 Speaker 1: hold him back a day or two. When you know, 88 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:52,600 Speaker 1: when he pitched for the New York Mets, a lot 89 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: of injuries in his career. That was the thing that 90 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:59,200 Speaker 1: really stopped people from, you know, thinking that he was 91 00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:01,720 Speaker 1: the best picture in baseball because he couldn't stay healthy. 92 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:06,160 Speaker 1: And already, you know, day one, the Rangers gave him 93 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:09,799 Speaker 1: a historic contract, a five year, hundred eighty five million 94 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 1: dollar contract in December. The right hand, as you know, 95 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: a two time Side Young Award winner and a four 96 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:20,920 Speaker 1: time All Star with the Mets. But here's the caveat. 97 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 1: He hasn't made more than fifteen starts in the season 98 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:27,960 Speaker 1: since two thousand nine, and so here we are right 99 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 1: here with the starter spring training and a bump in 100 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:34,719 Speaker 1: the road for Jacob to Graham. No, you know, despite 101 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:38,120 Speaker 1: the setbacks, the Rangers say they are not worried about 102 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:41,920 Speaker 1: any long term or short term health about the gram 103 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:50,880 Speaker 1: entering this season, Here comes the big interview. Listen. All right, now, 104 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:54,920 Speaker 1: let's welcome in Jim lay Ritz, who was a catcher, infielder, 105 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 1: and outfielder in the major leagues. UH played for the 106 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:02,160 Speaker 1: New York Yankees, the angel the Rangers, the Red Sox, 107 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 1: the Padres, and the Dodgers in his career and won 108 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:10,200 Speaker 1: two World Series and nine Hey, Jim, welcome to the podcast. 109 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 1: I appreciate you. I appreciate you have for me. How 110 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:17,200 Speaker 1: you do today, I'm doing great, ay, Jim. Let's start here. 111 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 1: Spring training is underway. Pitchers and catchers are arriving in 112 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 1: Florida and Arizona, and baseball has unveiled some you know, 113 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 1: rule changes, including the pitch clock. Uh. The shift is 114 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 1: no longer going to be allowed where you could pile 115 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:36,920 Speaker 1: up three or four guys on one side of the infield. 116 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 1: And also the bases are bigger. What do you make 117 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:42,280 Speaker 1: of the pitch clock? Are you in favor of this? 118 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:45,880 Speaker 1: You know what to be answering enough? I mean, the 119 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 1: bottom line for me is, you know, when I go 120 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 1: to a football game, I know it's gonna be three 121 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 1: and a half hours when I got I know it's 122 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:57,440 Speaker 1: gonna say three or four hours or twice, and I'm 123 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 1: not gonna be surprised. I get it that. You know, 124 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 1: some people don't like the length of these games, sometimes 125 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:06,680 Speaker 1: for the amount of pit team changes, but I don't 126 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:10,000 Speaker 1: like all the changes and everything else. And I always 127 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,720 Speaker 1: felt like, especially watching the last four or five years, 128 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 1: with all these shifts and everything else, is if I 129 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:18,960 Speaker 1: was playing and there wasn't that much of a side 130 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 1: of an infield open, I knew how to hit a 131 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 1: baseball through that that whole and you know what, I 132 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:26,880 Speaker 1: didn't mind getting a base hit and giving my team 133 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:29,920 Speaker 1: an opportunity to go to score a run. And I 134 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 1: just I was blown away the last two years, uh, 135 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:37,440 Speaker 1: with the way hitting has gone, that the large angles, 136 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:40,320 Speaker 1: with the amount of strike count and are happening. To me, 137 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 1: it's just a different game, and I don't like it. Yeah, 138 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:44,920 Speaker 1: I'm with you, jim On on a lot of that. 139 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 1: The pitch cloud. I'm with you. Most baseball fans understand 140 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:52,240 Speaker 1: when they go to the ballpark and if the game 141 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:53,840 Speaker 1: goes long, you know what I do, I get in 142 00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: my car and listen to the rest of it driving home, 143 00:08:57,160 --> 00:09:01,640 Speaker 1: right exactly. I don't. I don't. It's it's you know, 144 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: it's whatever football game goes overtime, do you just leave? 145 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 1: I mean no, you stay till the end because it's exciting, 146 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:12,640 Speaker 1: you know, and uh, you know, it's it's interesting. Like 147 00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: I said, thinks it's a different perspective. I think as 148 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 1: a base if you really love the game at baseball, 149 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:20,680 Speaker 1: you don't want all these rules and all these changes 150 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 1: to happen. The only thing I will say now, i'm 151 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:26,800 Speaker 1: I'm I'm against the pitch timer and the basis of 152 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:29,559 Speaker 1: you know, three inches that doesn't change anything, but the 153 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:33,880 Speaker 1: ship I kind of agree with from this damdpoint. It 154 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 1: took away a lot of hits and and I get it. 155 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:38,800 Speaker 1: Yet you can go the other way. But do we 156 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:41,200 Speaker 1: really want to go to a ballpark where guys are 157 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 1: dribbling the ball down third base? You know what I mean, 158 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:46,720 Speaker 1: just to get on base. I want to see the 159 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:49,080 Speaker 1: best players get a chance to swing the bat. And 160 00:09:49,120 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 1: when you put four guys on one side, I think 161 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 1: you wind up making it jim where you can't get hits, 162 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:57,840 Speaker 1: like guys who normally would get a hit in the 163 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:00,880 Speaker 1: first base hole. Right, there's a guy sitting there, right, 164 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 1: So then I I agree with the as far as 165 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:08,439 Speaker 1: not putting a second basement out in short right center, 166 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:12,480 Speaker 1: right like you're playing softball exactly. You know, I don't. 167 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 1: I don't mind if you know, if if you get, 168 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:16,839 Speaker 1: if you get the first baseman, the second baseman and 169 00:10:16,920 --> 00:10:19,760 Speaker 1: in the shortstop playing over second base. To me, that's 170 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:22,280 Speaker 1: not a big deal. But yeah, I mean, you have 171 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 1: a guy playing short center or you know, it's reminds 172 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:27,760 Speaker 1: me of the days that we got one extra time 173 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 1: softball that he could play right behind second base and 174 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:33,559 Speaker 1: he got over them in the middle off, so that 175 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:36,080 Speaker 1: would be a little bit different. But yeah, I do. 176 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 1: I do think the shift change is going to bring 177 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 1: back some excitement and a little bit more, like you said, 178 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:44,199 Speaker 1: the ability for those left handed hitters to get some way. 179 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:46,600 Speaker 1: It's no doubt, and that's what we would love. We're 180 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 1: talking with Jim lay Ritz, who of course broke in 181 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 1: with the New York Yankees in n and played there 182 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 1: for seven seasons, one two World Series. And Jim, you 183 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 1: aren't going for singles. You had a couple of big 184 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:04,960 Speaker 1: home runs in your baseball career, nothing bigger, I think 185 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 1: in that home run in Game four World Series at Atlanta, 186 00:11:11,240 --> 00:11:13,079 Speaker 1: and do you remember that World Series. You guys were 187 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:15,600 Speaker 1: down to Oh, Atlanta beat you up pretty bad the 188 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 1: first two games. You trailed six to nothing. In Game 189 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 1: four and uh, you came up and hit a big 190 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:26,719 Speaker 1: three run home run off of Mark Wohler's Uh, can 191 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:28,520 Speaker 1: you take me back through that is that's still one 192 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: of your greatest memories playing baseball. Oh, especially at this 193 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:35,720 Speaker 1: point in my life, because when you look back on 194 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:38,480 Speaker 1: that now and you see that nineties six team, the 195 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 1: home run that I hit to change the entire World Series, 196 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:43,800 Speaker 1: and then the fact that we went on to win 197 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:47,040 Speaker 1: that series and what it did for the future of 198 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 1: the Yankees not only did it. When the Yankees lost 199 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 1: in nine, George Steinbrenner was ready to fire Joe Tory, 200 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:58,080 Speaker 1: He was ready to trade Mariano Rivera. And he walked 201 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:00,440 Speaker 1: into Gene Michael's office and said, get ready these guys, 202 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:03,000 Speaker 1: and Gee Michael say, wait a minute, did you forget 203 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:07,280 Speaker 1: about last year? And George said, okay, I'll give him 204 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 1: one more year. The New York Yankees in nineteen without 205 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 1: Joe Tory, without Marianna Rivera, and where that history may 206 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:22,520 Speaker 1: have changed had at that team not been kept together 207 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 1: to go on to win three more World Series the 208 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:27,559 Speaker 1: next three years. So to me, I look back on 209 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:30,200 Speaker 1: it now and going and what yes at home run 210 00:12:30,840 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 1: changed the history not only the New York Yankees, but 211 00:12:33,960 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 1: also the Atlanta Braves who never got back until last 212 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:41,440 Speaker 1: year or two years ago. You know that. For me, 213 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 1: I think that's when I looked back now, go wow. 214 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:47,280 Speaker 1: I didn't think it was that important at the time, 215 00:12:47,800 --> 00:12:49,840 Speaker 1: but man, I looked back at it now and realized 216 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:52,439 Speaker 1: there may have not been at Derek Jeter day, or 217 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,440 Speaker 1: a Marianna Rivera day, or even the Andy Pettitt Paul 218 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 1: O'Neil day. Had that nineties six team, not one and 219 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:01,360 Speaker 1: did what we did in nineties to keep that core 220 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 1: together so they could went on and go on to 221 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: win all those championships. That is a great story right 222 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: there with George and being mad at everything. But you're right. 223 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:14,560 Speaker 1: I mean that was the lynch pin because the Yankees 224 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:17,440 Speaker 1: hadn't won in seventeen years and nine until ninety six, 225 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: and that team was amazing. Again I said it. They 226 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:23,640 Speaker 1: were down to Oh, got destroyed at home the first 227 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 1: two games, and then one all three in Atlanta, came 228 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:31,000 Speaker 1: back closed it out Game six Yankee Stadium Charlie Hayes 229 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: catching that pop up right off a third base Do 230 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:37,560 Speaker 1: you remember that? And John Wetland, uh was the closer 231 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:40,960 Speaker 1: for the Yankees, and Marianna was a setup man. People 232 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:44,559 Speaker 1: don't even remember. Yeah, yeah, I mean that that was it. Then, 233 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:47,199 Speaker 1: you know the thing that I laughed about all the 234 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:50,360 Speaker 1: time to Carrol Strawberry is straw and I were actually 235 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:54,080 Speaker 1: up in the in the locker room just taking swings 236 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 1: off off the batting key, just in case we had 237 00:13:56,760 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 1: to be ready to hit if we kept going, if 238 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:02,960 Speaker 1: we kept playing. And all of a sudden, the first 239 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:05,680 Speaker 1: pop up to Charlie Hayes at third base, and he 240 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 1: goes for it, and the bat boy comes out of 241 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:09,400 Speaker 1: the dug out and gets him the way and he 242 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 1: misses it. Why, as soon as we saw that bak 243 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 1: go up in here, we sprint it down to run 244 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:16,439 Speaker 1: out on the field because we thought that was the 245 00:14:16,559 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 1: last out. So as superstitious as we were, when we 246 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:23,400 Speaker 1: didn't catch that one, Sean and I walked right back 247 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 1: up in the locker room and waited again, and then 248 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 1: sure enough to say that jack pop up almost, but 249 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 1: this time Charlie Hayes is able to catch it and 250 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:33,800 Speaker 1: then we had the big celebration on the field, no 251 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:36,400 Speaker 1: doubt those were. Those were when the Yankees would just 252 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:38,480 Speaker 1: turn in the corner and all the players that were there. 253 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 1: Let me talk about the current Yankees, and uh, they 254 00:14:41,920 --> 00:14:45,800 Speaker 1: have a superstar and Aaron Judge at the American League 255 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:48,760 Speaker 1: record for home runs was thrilling last year, sixty two. 256 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:50,800 Speaker 1: I mean, can you imagine when you talk about the 257 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 1: Yankees in the all time home run leader for the 258 00:14:54,120 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 1: Yankees is not Babe Ruth, is not Roger Marris, is 259 00:14:57,280 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 1: Aaron Judge. Did you enjoy last season and he was 260 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:03,480 Speaker 1: able to do? Yeah, And I especially enjoy it when 261 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 1: you have a kid as humble as he is. Uh, 262 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 1: that's one of the things that I loved about him, 263 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 1: is is his album is all through this whole thing, 264 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,320 Speaker 1: and you know, it was it was it was fun 265 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 1: to watch, Uh kept the Yankees going um into the 266 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:20,920 Speaker 1: late season when you know, when they pretty much knew 267 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:23,680 Speaker 1: that they were going to be in the playoffs. But 268 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 1: but again, to watch him write that record, to see him, 269 00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 1: you know, just handled with the way he did, I 270 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,000 Speaker 1: was very It was very exciting to watch him play 271 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:39,640 Speaker 1: last year. Yeah, it definitely was. And and people uh. 272 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:42,440 Speaker 1: You know, some people were saying that show, Hey, Otani 273 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 1: was the m v P, and he should be the 274 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 1: m v P every year because he pitches and and 275 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 1: he hits and we get it, you know, we've never 276 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 1: seen that. But Jim, don't you have to win too? 277 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 1: I just thought, like, two, where are you on that? Yeah? No, where? 278 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:00,480 Speaker 1: I tell you where I'm at. More than anything is 279 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: shay Otanny didn't put his career, his contract on the 280 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 1: line and go, no, I don't want your hundred million, 281 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 1: three hundred million. I'm gonna go make more and I'm 282 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:16,000 Speaker 1: gonna bet on myself and I'm gonna have the best year. 283 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:18,200 Speaker 1: And by the way, Yankees, you want to go play 284 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:21,400 Speaker 1: center field for eighty games, he should. I'll do that too, 285 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 1: you know. And for what he did last year, the 286 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 1: amount of pressure that he put on himself from that 287 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 1: by rejecting that contract and then to go out and 288 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,680 Speaker 1: do what he did and not only do have a 289 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 1: great here, but also break a record that it was 290 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 1: held in the American League forever and to have it. 291 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:45,200 Speaker 1: I can't imagine how if I was a voter for 292 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 1: the m VB, how I would even consider Otani in 293 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 1: the running with the player that did that and put 294 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 1: in play through not much pressure the entire season, and 295 00:16:56,360 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 1: exactly it was incredible. And now, as us said, you 296 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 1: want two World Series with the Yankees. The Yankees have 297 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:07,280 Speaker 1: not won a World Series since two thousand nine. Uh, 298 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:09,919 Speaker 1: they're overdue. Do you like what they've done in the 299 00:17:09,960 --> 00:17:13,440 Speaker 1: offseason and can they can they get there? They've they've 300 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:16,600 Speaker 1: they've been to the a LCS a few times over 301 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 1: the last couple of years, just can't haven't been able 302 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:22,080 Speaker 1: to get past the Astros. Yeah, you know what's it's 303 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:24,680 Speaker 1: it's the same thing. It's if you cannot get past 304 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:28,680 Speaker 1: the astros. You know, it's it's disappointing for every New 305 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:30,800 Speaker 1: York fan. But then when you look back on it 306 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 1: and go, you know what, they're They're there every year. 307 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,640 Speaker 1: They're winning a hundred games during the season. So maybe 308 00:17:37,840 --> 00:17:40,240 Speaker 1: some of the things that need to change is their 309 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:44,480 Speaker 1: mindset once they get the postseason and they have to 310 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 1: maybe have a little different mindset going into that than 311 00:17:48,119 --> 00:17:49,720 Speaker 1: they do during the season when they're just trying to 312 00:17:49,760 --> 00:17:52,040 Speaker 1: get home runs. And then you know, you're able to 313 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:54,880 Speaker 1: win a lot of games against the third, the fourth, 314 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:57,720 Speaker 1: and the fifth starter. Let's figure out a way to 315 00:17:57,760 --> 00:18:00,600 Speaker 1: beat that number one and number two guys. We can't hit, 316 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:03,919 Speaker 1: talk run every single time. Let's learn to put the 317 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 1: bomb play that we were runner over, to sacrifice ourselves 318 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:10,639 Speaker 1: to be able to win a close game because we 319 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:13,679 Speaker 1: haven't been able to do that with the Astros. No doubt. 320 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 1: His name is Jim lay Ritz. He's had some big 321 00:18:17,040 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 1: bombs in the major leagues, and we appreciate the insight 322 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 1: and thanks. Spring training is here, Jim. I'm excited. I 323 00:18:23,040 --> 00:18:27,320 Speaker 1: know you are, and we'll talk to you down the road, buddy, man, 324 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 1: I appreciate it, man, thanks for having me now bringing 325 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:37,000 Speaker 1: the closer. Here's why MLB is better than the NFL 326 00:18:37,359 --> 00:18:43,400 Speaker 1: or NBA, and it isn't even close. Reason number one 327 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:46,199 Speaker 1: thousand and three why Major League Baseball is better than 328 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:52,399 Speaker 1: the NBA the NFL. It's because of the preseason. Only baseball. 329 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:57,639 Speaker 1: People care about spring training games in Florida and Arizona football. 330 00:18:57,680 --> 00:19:01,360 Speaker 1: We don't even who wants to watch preseason football. Nobody 331 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:04,440 Speaker 1: cares about NBA preseason. That's why they only played like 332 00:19:04,760 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 1: three or four or ten games or eight games in 333 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:11,200 Speaker 1: the NBA and three in in the NFL. Major League 334 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:17,359 Speaker 1: Baseball has thirty games for spring training. People are into it. 335 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:20,359 Speaker 1: Do you ever see the stadiums in Florida and Arizona. 336 00:19:20,400 --> 00:19:25,679 Speaker 1: People schedule their vacations around going to these parks in 337 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:28,720 Speaker 1: in these uh warm weather to get out of the 338 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:31,720 Speaker 1: coal and to watch some baseball and get ready for 339 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:35,159 Speaker 1: the start of the Major League baseball season. I love it. 340 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:38,639 Speaker 1: Spring training is here. It'll just be a few days 341 00:19:38,720 --> 00:19:42,320 Speaker 1: or a few weeks before we get regular spring training 342 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:45,840 Speaker 1: games going, and we'll be able to watch them and 343 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,440 Speaker 1: uh see the new players and see the new teams 344 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:52,239 Speaker 1: and the assemble the new rosters and get ready for 345 00:19:52,280 --> 00:19:56,320 Speaker 1: the regular season. Yes, baseball is the winner when we 346 00:19:56,400 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: talk about preseason. Yeah. In the words of New York 347 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:09,320 Speaker 1: TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your 348 00:20:09,359 --> 00:20:13,200 Speaker 1: time this time until next time. Rob Parker out. He 349 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:15,919 Speaker 1: can't get it. This could be an inside the Parker 350 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:19,320 Speaker 1: to see you next week. Save bad time, Save Mats Station.