1 00:00:04,078 --> 00:00:06,518 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of My 2 00:00:06,718 --> 00:00:16,198 Speaker 1: Heart Radio. Hey, welcome back to another edition of the 3 00:00:16,198 --> 00:00:20,718 Speaker 1: Book of Joe Podcast with Me, Tom Berducci, and Joe Madden. Joe, 4 00:00:20,878 --> 00:00:24,278 Speaker 1: I am super excited about our guests today. Likewise, I 5 00:00:24,318 --> 00:00:28,078 Speaker 1: got to meet this young man Um. It was I 6 00:00:28,118 --> 00:00:31,598 Speaker 1: remember specifically Um working off the tea near the batting 7 00:00:31,638 --> 00:00:35,638 Speaker 1: cage in Edmonton for the Edmonton Trappers. I loved Edmonton, 8 00:00:35,678 --> 00:00:38,118 Speaker 1: by the way, but that's that's where I first got 9 00:00:38,158 --> 00:00:40,358 Speaker 1: to know Billy. We had a lot of good conversations. 10 00:00:41,278 --> 00:00:42,678 Speaker 1: I thought he's a really good player. I thought the 11 00:00:42,718 --> 00:00:44,718 Speaker 1: guy was the perfect third or fourth outfield on a 12 00:00:44,718 --> 00:00:48,198 Speaker 1: major league level hard player, and that's that's pretty much 13 00:00:48,198 --> 00:00:52,118 Speaker 1: how we all recognized and evaluated him. So it was 14 00:00:52,158 --> 00:00:54,998 Speaker 1: really short lived experience. He left the Angels very quickly 15 00:00:54,998 --> 00:00:57,198 Speaker 1: and moved on, but nevertheless we got to be kind 16 00:00:57,198 --> 00:01:00,198 Speaker 1: of friends just based on that. Gosh, maybe a couple 17 00:01:00,198 --> 00:01:02,998 Speaker 1: of days, maybe even five days of a robing um 18 00:01:03,238 --> 00:01:05,998 Speaker 1: situation through Edmonton. But it's great to see you tonight, buddy. 19 00:01:06,078 --> 00:01:08,238 Speaker 1: You know he's also helped you helped us in Hazelton 20 00:01:08,318 --> 00:01:11,278 Speaker 1: with Hazelton Integration Project. We could talk about that more 21 00:01:11,278 --> 00:01:13,078 Speaker 1: in a bit. But it's wonderful to see you again, 22 00:01:13,278 --> 00:01:16,238 Speaker 1: and thanks for coming on the show. I'm humbled to 23 00:01:16,318 --> 00:01:18,478 Speaker 1: be asked, Joe, it's I appreciate it. So just a 24 00:01:18,478 --> 00:01:21,638 Speaker 1: little context of that. I had been in Japan uh 25 00:01:21,678 --> 00:01:24,598 Speaker 1: that year it was actually uh ninety two, and I 26 00:01:24,678 --> 00:01:27,958 Speaker 1: got hurt and came back, and I was such an 27 00:01:27,958 --> 00:01:32,118 Speaker 1: insecure player that I thought I'd better steign on and 28 00:01:32,238 --> 00:01:35,558 Speaker 1: uh and keep playing or I was gonna get forgotten quickly. 29 00:01:35,638 --> 00:01:38,758 Speaker 1: And and uh, the Angels were kind enough to sign me, 30 00:01:38,798 --> 00:01:42,438 Speaker 1: but I had a busted up wrist that but after 31 00:01:42,478 --> 00:01:44,398 Speaker 1: that I got healed and I was able to play 32 00:01:44,398 --> 00:01:47,518 Speaker 1: three years with the Padres after that. But you, I 33 00:01:47,598 --> 00:01:49,838 Speaker 1: knew about you a lot longer than you knew about me, 34 00:01:49,958 --> 00:01:53,758 Speaker 1: so uh, and it was it was always, uh, you know, 35 00:01:53,878 --> 00:01:56,158 Speaker 1: living in parallel lanes, as many of us in baseball 36 00:01:56,238 --> 00:01:58,358 Speaker 1: do for a long time. I'm thrilled to be here 37 00:01:58,518 --> 00:02:00,678 Speaker 1: and and uh, I hope I get a chance to 38 00:02:00,718 --> 00:02:04,398 Speaker 1: tell everybody how crazy I'm about all the sane against 39 00:02:04,398 --> 00:02:10,798 Speaker 1: that took place all around the right. That's a good 40 00:02:10,838 --> 00:02:14,598 Speaker 1: word Shenanigans. Of course, we're talking with Billy being carved 41 00:02:14,598 --> 00:02:17,958 Speaker 1: out a six year major league career with the Tigers, 42 00:02:17,958 --> 00:02:21,198 Speaker 1: the Dodgers, the Padres. He's been with Major League Baseball 43 00:02:21,238 --> 00:02:24,798 Speaker 1: for the last eight years. Started out in teen as 44 00:02:24,838 --> 00:02:28,438 Speaker 1: Major League Baseball's first Ambassador for Inclusion, and he is 45 00:02:28,518 --> 00:02:33,718 Speaker 1: currently Senior vice President and Special Assistant to the Commissioner. 46 00:02:34,238 --> 00:02:37,838 Speaker 1: That looks really good on a business card, doesn't it, Billy, Yeah, 47 00:02:37,878 --> 00:02:40,798 Speaker 1: it's interesting, Tom. You know, we've crossed past a lot. 48 00:02:40,918 --> 00:02:44,918 Speaker 1: Have been very fortunate to be a guest on MLB 49 00:02:45,038 --> 00:02:49,078 Speaker 1: Network often with you and Brian Kenny and and uh 50 00:02:49,198 --> 00:02:52,478 Speaker 1: talking baseball and and and that show was really instrumental 51 00:02:52,718 --> 00:02:57,118 Speaker 1: and allowing me a minute to explain what the whole 52 00:02:57,238 --> 00:03:00,998 Speaker 1: reason for me coming back to baseball was, which was, Um, 53 00:03:01,038 --> 00:03:04,438 Speaker 1: for those who are your listeners who don't know my story, UM, 54 00:03:04,678 --> 00:03:06,958 Speaker 1: the reason I'm in the chair not only is it, 55 00:03:07,238 --> 00:03:10,158 Speaker 1: you know, because of my relationship with baseball, which it's 56 00:03:10,158 --> 00:03:12,158 Speaker 1: been good to all three of us, right, it's a 57 00:03:12,318 --> 00:03:16,318 Speaker 1: it's an amazing phenomenon what this game is capable of. 58 00:03:16,398 --> 00:03:19,798 Speaker 1: But for me, the irony of of me being a 59 00:03:19,798 --> 00:03:22,278 Speaker 1: part of baseball now is was I was asked back 60 00:03:22,358 --> 00:03:25,358 Speaker 1: because of the the off field struggles I had as 61 00:03:25,398 --> 00:03:28,558 Speaker 1: a player. Um, not so much as a player. I 62 00:03:28,598 --> 00:03:31,158 Speaker 1: brought those struggles onto the field. But what I was 63 00:03:31,158 --> 00:03:34,798 Speaker 1: struggling with was a secret that I uh never intended 64 00:03:34,838 --> 00:03:38,118 Speaker 1: to tell my family or my friends. Uh. I was 65 00:03:38,198 --> 00:03:41,438 Speaker 1: raised in a military household, the oldest of five boys, 66 00:03:41,478 --> 00:03:44,398 Speaker 1: and my dad was in the Marine corps. UM and 67 00:03:44,438 --> 00:03:47,478 Speaker 1: I was in the big leagues one um, and so 68 00:03:47,518 --> 00:03:49,638 Speaker 1: I was around sports my whole life. But the secret 69 00:03:49,718 --> 00:03:53,438 Speaker 1: that I was hiding was that I'm gay, and I 70 00:03:53,438 --> 00:03:57,598 Speaker 1: I was not really comfortable with that and and lived 71 00:03:57,638 --> 00:04:01,558 Speaker 1: in the space of all the stereotypes and what the 72 00:04:01,558 --> 00:04:05,238 Speaker 1: culture of baseball said about some one who was gay. 73 00:04:05,358 --> 00:04:07,398 Speaker 1: And you know, all I ever wanted to be was 74 00:04:07,798 --> 00:04:10,518 Speaker 1: Paul Molitor, George Brett. That was all I could ever 75 00:04:10,678 --> 00:04:13,038 Speaker 1: you know, dream of. Those guys were my heroes, and 76 00:04:13,998 --> 00:04:17,198 Speaker 1: I was lucky enough to play against them, um when 77 00:04:17,238 --> 00:04:20,118 Speaker 1: they were baseball's best players. And and uh And one 78 00:04:20,158 --> 00:04:24,958 Speaker 1: of the the hardest parts about my story, um, and 79 00:04:25,038 --> 00:04:27,838 Speaker 1: what inspires me to work hard and be a part 80 00:04:27,838 --> 00:04:31,158 Speaker 1: of baseball and try to make a contribution um bill 81 00:04:31,238 --> 00:04:35,158 Speaker 1: purposeful is that I didn't get baseball a chance to 82 00:04:35,638 --> 00:04:39,518 Speaker 1: you know, people like Joe, you know who he saw 83 00:04:39,558 --> 00:04:41,998 Speaker 1: the human side of every player, and if you read 84 00:04:42,038 --> 00:04:44,958 Speaker 1: his book and he talks about that. But I I 85 00:04:45,038 --> 00:04:48,038 Speaker 1: wanted people like Joe to see me as a center 86 00:04:48,078 --> 00:04:50,958 Speaker 1: fielder and and I was afraid that if it was 87 00:04:50,998 --> 00:04:53,918 Speaker 1: anything other than that, that I would be, you know, 88 00:04:54,038 --> 00:04:57,438 Speaker 1: asked to leave quietly and quickly. And so I left 89 00:04:57,438 --> 00:05:00,758 Speaker 1: baseball as a young player. I had my partner died 90 00:05:00,798 --> 00:05:03,438 Speaker 1: of HIV while I was an active member of the 91 00:05:03,478 --> 00:05:08,038 Speaker 1: Sandy Padres, and I had never introduced that person to 92 00:05:08,518 --> 00:05:11,878 Speaker 1: any teammate. My roommate was Brad Osmas. For the two 93 00:05:11,878 --> 00:05:14,158 Speaker 1: and a half years I was on the team and 94 00:05:15,598 --> 00:05:18,838 Speaker 1: never introduced into my family or my friends. And it 95 00:05:18,918 --> 00:05:21,638 Speaker 1: was before the internet and you know, all those things 96 00:05:21,678 --> 00:05:24,798 Speaker 1: that we remember, and so it felt like a pretty 97 00:05:24,798 --> 00:05:28,958 Speaker 1: lonely place that I carved out for myself. And you know, 98 00:05:29,038 --> 00:05:32,358 Speaker 1: I I, instead of looking for help and believing that 99 00:05:32,438 --> 00:05:35,718 Speaker 1: I belonged in the big leagues or deserved the chance 100 00:05:35,758 --> 00:05:38,678 Speaker 1: to keep fighting to stay in the big leagues, UM, 101 00:05:38,718 --> 00:05:43,318 Speaker 1: I just quit. I quit on myself. And um you know, 102 00:05:43,718 --> 00:05:46,918 Speaker 1: it's it's something that is really hard to explain to 103 00:05:46,958 --> 00:05:51,918 Speaker 1: anyone who has never played, but to see, you know, 104 00:05:52,318 --> 00:05:56,958 Speaker 1: the amazing nature of our sport and the amazing opportunities 105 00:05:57,758 --> 00:06:02,518 Speaker 1: the cathedral stadiums we build, the platforms that are created 106 00:06:02,558 --> 00:06:05,718 Speaker 1: by being able to play basic ball. UH, you will 107 00:06:05,918 --> 00:06:11,278 Speaker 1: you never you always miss it and and so UM 108 00:06:11,318 --> 00:06:13,838 Speaker 1: I sat on the sidelines for a long time, almost 109 00:06:14,198 --> 00:06:18,438 Speaker 1: twelve years, and never thought baseball would ever ask me 110 00:06:18,518 --> 00:06:23,318 Speaker 1: to be a part of this sport again. And by 111 00:06:23,358 --> 00:06:25,718 Speaker 1: the great irony of my life, the work that I 112 00:06:25,798 --> 00:06:29,398 Speaker 1: had started to do away from baseball when I just 113 00:06:29,438 --> 00:06:32,638 Speaker 1: stopped lying about my truth and meeting people that were 114 00:06:32,678 --> 00:06:36,798 Speaker 1: brave battlers for civil rights and the right to fight 115 00:06:36,838 --> 00:06:41,198 Speaker 1: in the armed forces and be themselves or or you know, 116 00:06:41,918 --> 00:06:45,358 Speaker 1: married the person that they want to spend their life with. UM, 117 00:06:45,918 --> 00:06:48,798 Speaker 1: people that were much more focused on other people than 118 00:06:48,918 --> 00:06:52,358 Speaker 1: just their own baseball career, and they're they're worried about 119 00:06:52,438 --> 00:06:56,558 Speaker 1: being judged by others. Um. That's when baseball came calling. 120 00:06:56,638 --> 00:07:01,678 Speaker 1: And so I was able to begin conversations one at 121 00:07:01,678 --> 00:07:05,318 Speaker 1: a time with Big League h of houses because of 122 00:07:05,318 --> 00:07:07,918 Speaker 1: people like Joe inviting me to come talk to their 123 00:07:07,918 --> 00:07:12,678 Speaker 1: players and just make the consideration for uh, moving that 124 00:07:12,758 --> 00:07:16,438 Speaker 1: culture in a positive direction where we're more accepting, more 125 00:07:16,518 --> 00:07:19,358 Speaker 1: understanding that there are people less privileged than we are, 126 00:07:19,558 --> 00:07:23,358 Speaker 1: and and that soon we'll be working alongside people from 127 00:07:23,358 --> 00:07:26,798 Speaker 1: every and it's working. It We still have a long 128 00:07:26,838 --> 00:07:29,758 Speaker 1: way to go, but it's it's been working, yea, Billy. 129 00:07:29,798 --> 00:07:32,278 Speaker 1: You play such an important role for baseball and I 130 00:07:32,318 --> 00:07:34,878 Speaker 1: think society in general, and I've always believed that our 131 00:07:34,918 --> 00:07:38,918 Speaker 1: society and the game specifically is much better with the 132 00:07:38,958 --> 00:07:43,358 Speaker 1: most possible diversity that we can have, diversity of thought, 133 00:07:43,478 --> 00:07:49,198 Speaker 1: diversity of playing styles, diversity of backgrounds, um and what 134 00:07:49,238 --> 00:07:53,078 Speaker 1: you are doing is allowing now those conversations to take place. 135 00:07:53,678 --> 00:07:57,438 Speaker 1: And let's face it, a a arena where it wasn't 136 00:07:57,478 --> 00:08:00,278 Speaker 1: always welcome. You know that better than anybody. And one 137 00:08:00,318 --> 00:08:03,278 Speaker 1: of the reasons we asked you here now is once 138 00:08:03,318 --> 00:08:06,878 Speaker 1: again that it's in the news and baseball really wrapping 139 00:08:06,918 --> 00:08:09,598 Speaker 1: their arms. And I'm really curious to see how you 140 00:08:09,678 --> 00:08:12,998 Speaker 1: respond to this. With t J. House coming out, a 141 00:08:13,118 --> 00:08:18,998 Speaker 1: pitcher who pitched for both Cleveland and Toronto from seventeen now, 142 00:08:19,078 --> 00:08:22,798 Speaker 1: he is only the third player major League player to 143 00:08:22,878 --> 00:08:26,558 Speaker 1: come out as gay, and you, Billy, were the second. 144 00:08:27,198 --> 00:08:30,718 Speaker 1: And I believe that was nineteen after your career was 145 00:08:30,758 --> 00:08:32,798 Speaker 1: over when you came out. The twenty three years have 146 00:08:32,918 --> 00:08:38,358 Speaker 1: passed and t J wrote just a lovely open letter 147 00:08:38,918 --> 00:08:42,318 Speaker 1: explaining why he was doing this, and congratulations to him, 148 00:08:42,318 --> 00:08:45,798 Speaker 1: by the way, on his engagement. And I'm just curious 149 00:08:45,838 --> 00:08:49,398 Speaker 1: when you read that open letter, I'm guessing you saw 150 00:08:49,438 --> 00:08:52,238 Speaker 1: a lot of yourself and that Billy. Yeah, I I 151 00:08:52,238 --> 00:08:57,638 Speaker 1: I think the I'm pretty good at at conversations most times. 152 00:08:57,638 --> 00:09:00,038 Speaker 1: But the one question I could never answer is why 153 00:09:00,238 --> 00:09:04,878 Speaker 1: hadn't it happened since I did? I am out almost 154 00:09:04,878 --> 00:09:08,678 Speaker 1: three years after my last game, um, with no intention 155 00:09:08,718 --> 00:09:11,518 Speaker 1: of and and and t J you can tell is 156 00:09:11,558 --> 00:09:15,758 Speaker 1: in the same spirit and and that he's not looking 157 00:09:15,798 --> 00:09:20,238 Speaker 1: to exploit that that announcement um and neither was I. I 158 00:09:19,878 --> 00:09:22,918 Speaker 1: I never thought I would. I thought I would never 159 00:09:22,958 --> 00:09:27,598 Speaker 1: ever tell my even my own parents, UM and and 160 00:09:27,598 --> 00:09:29,598 Speaker 1: and it. It just goes to show you that you 161 00:09:29,678 --> 00:09:31,758 Speaker 1: don't make it to the big leagues unless you're a 162 00:09:31,798 --> 00:09:36,318 Speaker 1: baseball player, regardless of your sexual orientation. And and it 163 00:09:36,518 --> 00:09:41,438 Speaker 1: and it it's hard when people you know assume that 164 00:09:42,038 --> 00:09:44,598 Speaker 1: it would be otherwise, or the same way that a 165 00:09:44,678 --> 00:09:48,038 Speaker 1: man be able to control himself working near a woman, 166 00:09:48,718 --> 00:09:51,478 Speaker 1: or a woman is only working in corporate America to 167 00:09:51,518 --> 00:09:55,518 Speaker 1: find a man. You know, these types of old stereotypes, 168 00:09:55,598 --> 00:09:59,038 Speaker 1: but a nice story that t J. T J wrote 169 00:09:59,078 --> 00:10:03,198 Speaker 1: me a letter UH an email the day before his 170 00:10:03,238 --> 00:10:07,718 Speaker 1: announcement came out, and he said that I spoke to 171 00:10:08,198 --> 00:10:12,958 Speaker 1: the Cleveland Guardians and Indians at that time, UH in 172 00:10:13,038 --> 00:10:15,678 Speaker 1: two thousand and fifteen, and he was in the clubhouse 173 00:10:16,398 --> 00:10:19,918 Speaker 1: Terry Francona and Chris ANTONEI had asked me to come 174 00:10:19,958 --> 00:10:23,838 Speaker 1: speak to their major league club. And that was in 175 00:10:23,918 --> 00:10:27,118 Speaker 1: the first you know, I didn't have visuals in those days. 176 00:10:27,238 --> 00:10:30,078 Speaker 1: I was I was bringing my own message. And and 177 00:10:30,158 --> 00:10:33,678 Speaker 1: you know, I know that as a former player, you 178 00:10:33,678 --> 00:10:37,278 Speaker 1: know you've got five ten minutes max uh in those situations. 179 00:10:37,278 --> 00:10:42,398 Speaker 1: But it turned out to be a really uh compelling conversation. 180 00:10:42,518 --> 00:10:45,078 Speaker 1: And and t J said, the one regret he has 181 00:10:45,118 --> 00:10:48,798 Speaker 1: in his baseball career is that he didn't reach out 182 00:10:48,798 --> 00:10:52,118 Speaker 1: to me afterwards. UM that he was still struggling. He 183 00:10:52,158 --> 00:10:55,638 Speaker 1: was very young at the time. UM. And here we 184 00:10:55,718 --> 00:10:59,118 Speaker 1: are living in you know, parallel universes all this time, 185 00:10:59,198 --> 00:11:03,198 Speaker 1: and and um and and I understood that, but it 186 00:11:03,318 --> 00:11:07,078 Speaker 1: was he said that he appreciated he felt like I 187 00:11:07,118 --> 00:11:10,078 Speaker 1: was talking directly to him at the time. And I 188 00:11:10,158 --> 00:11:13,198 Speaker 1: had no idea that there was another person living with 189 00:11:13,278 --> 00:11:17,318 Speaker 1: that same experience that I had lived through. So a 190 00:11:17,358 --> 00:11:22,798 Speaker 1: lot of the the work when you're talking about inclusion 191 00:11:22,918 --> 00:11:26,358 Speaker 1: and acceptance and and trying, as you know, for me, 192 00:11:26,398 --> 00:11:29,878 Speaker 1: has always been trying to find that common ground for 193 00:11:29,958 --> 00:11:32,918 Speaker 1: people that think like why why do I have to 194 00:11:32,958 --> 00:11:37,998 Speaker 1: be talking about women in the workplace or LGBTQ community, 195 00:11:38,238 --> 00:11:41,758 Speaker 1: or are you know, not bullying a clubhouse kid or 196 00:11:42,678 --> 00:11:47,318 Speaker 1: treating fans with respect and and you know, always always 197 00:11:47,398 --> 00:11:51,158 Speaker 1: feeling that sense of privilege that comes with this amazing 198 00:11:51,278 --> 00:11:54,798 Speaker 1: life that baseball can provide you. Um, you don't always 199 00:11:54,838 --> 00:11:57,758 Speaker 1: get that that response or thank you, but you just 200 00:11:57,878 --> 00:12:03,518 Speaker 1: have to uh move forward with the thought that somewhere, somewhere, somehow, 201 00:12:03,638 --> 00:12:06,678 Speaker 1: some one's hearing and you are making an impact. And 202 00:12:06,758 --> 00:12:09,198 Speaker 1: that was that was nice to hear from him in 203 00:12:09,238 --> 00:12:12,598 Speaker 1: that way. Just quickly too, I'm because I've had I 204 00:12:12,678 --> 00:12:15,238 Speaker 1: mentioned early on Billy came to my hometown in Hazelton. 205 00:12:15,958 --> 00:12:20,198 Speaker 1: We have the Hazelton Integration Project. We had a tremendous 206 00:12:20,198 --> 00:12:23,718 Speaker 1: influx of Latino community into Hazelton, primarily Dominican, and there 207 00:12:23,798 --> 00:12:27,478 Speaker 1: was a tremendous disconnect. I come from that city Anglo 208 00:12:28,158 --> 00:12:32,318 Speaker 1: um by an Anglo city, primarily European and U. When 209 00:12:32,358 --> 00:12:35,998 Speaker 1: the when the Latinos started coming, my brothers and sisters, 210 00:12:36,118 --> 00:12:40,798 Speaker 1: they it really created this uh disconnect among the people 211 00:12:40,838 --> 00:12:42,278 Speaker 1: that had been there and the ones that were there now. 212 00:12:42,358 --> 00:12:44,998 Speaker 1: So we created the Hazel's Integration Project to try to 213 00:12:45,078 --> 00:12:47,598 Speaker 1: bring these groups together. We used to have banquets and 214 00:12:47,758 --> 00:12:49,238 Speaker 1: one of the first people I wanted to have at 215 00:12:49,318 --> 00:12:52,278 Speaker 1: one of these banquets was Billy to address the groups 216 00:12:52,718 --> 00:12:57,838 Speaker 1: specifically about the diversity and acceptance and the inclusion and 217 00:12:57,998 --> 00:13:00,438 Speaker 1: and it it crosses so many different lines like he's 218 00:13:00,438 --> 00:13:03,878 Speaker 1: describing right now. Uh, the fact that people in our 219 00:13:03,958 --> 00:13:06,718 Speaker 1: hometown would just not accept these people that were there 220 00:13:06,718 --> 00:13:09,398 Speaker 1: to actually save our city, I felt. And it was 221 00:13:09,518 --> 00:13:12,678 Speaker 1: so similar to what had happened seven years ago my 222 00:13:12,878 --> 00:13:15,638 Speaker 1: my grandparents had come. Eight ninety years ago, my grandparents 223 00:13:15,718 --> 00:13:18,038 Speaker 1: had come to the city. So anyway, we Billy came 224 00:13:18,038 --> 00:13:20,438 Speaker 1: to town. He did a wonderful job speaking to that 225 00:13:20,478 --> 00:13:23,158 Speaker 1: group and it made a tremendous impact on our town. 226 00:13:23,598 --> 00:13:26,078 Speaker 1: And with all that, how often did you get to 227 00:13:26,158 --> 00:13:28,918 Speaker 1: deliver your message, Billy? I mean, what is the and 228 00:13:29,158 --> 00:13:30,878 Speaker 1: how what's the method to get you to show up? 229 00:13:31,118 --> 00:13:33,038 Speaker 1: How does somebody how does somebody get the Billy to 230 00:13:33,078 --> 00:13:35,558 Speaker 1: say listen, we need we need to hear his message. 231 00:13:35,598 --> 00:13:38,118 Speaker 1: And then how do we get him to show up? Well, 232 00:13:38,798 --> 00:13:40,758 Speaker 1: first of all, when someone like Joe Madden asked you 233 00:13:40,878 --> 00:13:44,078 Speaker 1: to come, you say yes. And that one I also, 234 00:13:44,598 --> 00:13:48,118 Speaker 1: I love the Hazelton Project. I speak Spanish. I'm down 235 00:13:48,198 --> 00:13:54,558 Speaker 1: in the Dominican often a very Hispanic environment in sant Ana, California. Um, 236 00:13:54,998 --> 00:13:57,718 Speaker 1: I was, you know, been not been a part of 237 00:13:57,838 --> 00:14:01,998 Speaker 1: my life always and so you know, you know, Joe, 238 00:14:02,238 --> 00:14:05,398 Speaker 1: that platform that you have and influence you you have, 239 00:14:05,998 --> 00:14:09,078 Speaker 1: You've been such a strong educator and these are these 240 00:14:09,118 --> 00:14:11,478 Speaker 1: are great examples for you know. I tried to inspire 241 00:14:11,558 --> 00:14:13,998 Speaker 1: the players in that way, but to get Billy Bean 242 00:14:14,398 --> 00:14:16,838 Speaker 1: the first eight years, I didn't say no to anything. 243 00:14:17,038 --> 00:14:19,558 Speaker 1: And I think that it was on an airplane. Um. 244 00:14:20,278 --> 00:14:25,118 Speaker 1: And really it's interesting because the when Dan halom Um 245 00:14:25,958 --> 00:14:29,358 Speaker 1: was really one of the you know, the integral figures 246 00:14:29,398 --> 00:14:34,158 Speaker 1: and me coming on board. He's a deputy commissioner. Now, Um, 247 00:14:35,278 --> 00:14:38,718 Speaker 1: there was no definition for my job. I thought. When 248 00:14:39,038 --> 00:14:42,798 Speaker 1: Baseball called me, I got a cryptic voicemail from a 249 00:14:42,838 --> 00:14:45,678 Speaker 1: guy named Paul Misson, who still works here and is 250 00:14:45,718 --> 00:14:50,798 Speaker 1: a great champion for inclusion and social responsibility. Um. They 251 00:14:50,878 --> 00:14:55,598 Speaker 1: said that this message uh was twelve years late and 252 00:14:56,158 --> 00:14:59,278 Speaker 1: and uh and I thought a player might be coming 253 00:14:59,318 --> 00:15:02,398 Speaker 1: out and that they wanted to talk to me about 254 00:15:02,878 --> 00:15:04,878 Speaker 1: and and they to me to come to New York. 255 00:15:05,278 --> 00:15:08,598 Speaker 1: And so I come, and I'm sitting in a room 256 00:15:08,638 --> 00:15:13,118 Speaker 1: with Pat Courtney, Dan Halem, uh, Peter wood Fork and 257 00:15:13,238 --> 00:15:16,438 Speaker 1: Steve Venzalis, Paul all these people are still here. UM. 258 00:15:17,398 --> 00:15:20,478 Speaker 1: And they had no idea what they what what I 259 00:15:20,678 --> 00:15:22,518 Speaker 1: was gonna be when I walked in the room, or 260 00:15:22,598 --> 00:15:25,558 Speaker 1: what my message was gonna be. And they started asking 261 00:15:25,598 --> 00:15:28,518 Speaker 1: a couple of questions and and by the end of 262 00:15:28,598 --> 00:15:32,438 Speaker 1: that conversation, UM, they you know, they walked me around 263 00:15:32,518 --> 00:15:34,718 Speaker 1: and at the time I was the only other former 264 00:15:34,758 --> 00:15:37,798 Speaker 1: player besides Joe Tory in the whole building, which is 265 00:15:38,678 --> 00:15:41,718 Speaker 1: hard to imagine now we really moved in. Uh. You know. 266 00:15:41,918 --> 00:15:44,998 Speaker 1: MLB Networks helped a lot with that. But UM, I 267 00:15:45,118 --> 00:15:48,398 Speaker 1: go home. A couple of days later, they asked me 268 00:15:48,438 --> 00:15:51,718 Speaker 1: if I'll consider coming to work for baseball and what 269 00:15:51,998 --> 00:15:55,758 Speaker 1: changed it and what made I think the reason baseball 270 00:15:55,998 --> 00:15:58,638 Speaker 1: was ready regardless of me being in the chair not 271 00:15:59,038 --> 00:16:02,158 Speaker 1: was Dan Halem sent me to the GM meetings in 272 00:16:02,238 --> 00:16:06,838 Speaker 1: Arizona in two thous in fourteen, Um, and I got 273 00:16:06,878 --> 00:16:09,438 Speaker 1: the last ten minutes of the three days that they 274 00:16:09,478 --> 00:16:13,078 Speaker 1: were there, and and um, and I just started to 275 00:16:13,158 --> 00:16:16,558 Speaker 1: share my story and and I had really challenged baseball 276 00:16:16,678 --> 00:16:19,758 Speaker 1: too to live up to being the sport of Jackie 277 00:16:19,838 --> 00:16:25,238 Speaker 1: Robinson and quit just saying that, Um, and let's talk 278 00:16:25,318 --> 00:16:30,198 Speaker 1: about inclusion and make these players, you know, see the opportunity. 279 00:16:30,278 --> 00:16:33,038 Speaker 1: And they all are ambassadors in one way or another. 280 00:16:33,158 --> 00:16:37,638 Speaker 1: And and and after I got done, half the room 281 00:16:38,758 --> 00:16:42,558 Speaker 1: uh walked up to me, people like Sandy Alderson and um, 282 00:16:43,518 --> 00:16:46,878 Speaker 1: you know, Sam Kennedy and and it was it was 283 00:16:47,038 --> 00:16:50,638 Speaker 1: just it was just something else, man, Uh, you know. 284 00:16:50,838 --> 00:16:53,438 Speaker 1: And they asked me to come to spring training. Uh. 285 00:16:53,598 --> 00:16:56,958 Speaker 1: And so that first couple of years, I just I 286 00:16:57,078 --> 00:17:00,118 Speaker 1: just kept saying yes. And it was really from relationships 287 00:17:00,438 --> 00:17:03,798 Speaker 1: Joe and Tom, from that I had as a player. 288 00:17:04,438 --> 00:17:06,718 Speaker 1: In two thousand and fourteen, I had played with or 289 00:17:06,758 --> 00:17:12,398 Speaker 1: against seven of the thirty active managers, and I was 290 00:17:12,478 --> 00:17:14,758 Speaker 1: afraid they would only see me as a gay man 291 00:17:14,998 --> 00:17:19,918 Speaker 1: and not remember me as a former player or colleague 292 00:17:19,998 --> 00:17:22,478 Speaker 1: or Pierre. You know, we the brotherhood is pretty strong, 293 00:17:22,598 --> 00:17:25,998 Speaker 1: you guys know that. Um, it's hard to get to 294 00:17:26,038 --> 00:17:28,158 Speaker 1: the big leagues, it's hard to stay in the big leagues. 295 00:17:28,238 --> 00:17:33,318 Speaker 1: And there's a level of respect and appreciation for for 296 00:17:33,438 --> 00:17:35,958 Speaker 1: every player that you know, it was able to reach 297 00:17:36,078 --> 00:17:39,678 Speaker 1: that destination and and and so it was all credit 298 00:17:39,798 --> 00:17:44,638 Speaker 1: to you know, strong leadership. Um. You know, Brad Osmus 299 00:17:44,758 --> 00:17:46,998 Speaker 1: was a manager of the Detroit Tigers. He asked me 300 00:17:47,078 --> 00:17:51,158 Speaker 1: to come speak to his and you know, Alan Trammell 301 00:17:51,398 --> 00:17:54,358 Speaker 1: was a coach. Uh, you know, I mean players that 302 00:17:54,478 --> 00:17:57,438 Speaker 1: I played with. It, I was just I felt like 303 00:17:57,478 --> 00:17:59,238 Speaker 1: I was going to throw up the first couple of times. 304 00:17:59,318 --> 00:18:03,678 Speaker 1: It was pretty very well. Billy, you've already made a 305 00:18:04,078 --> 00:18:06,678 Speaker 1: huge impact on the game. We're gonna take a quick break, 306 00:18:06,918 --> 00:18:08,878 Speaker 1: and when we do come back, I want to ask 307 00:18:08,918 --> 00:18:12,078 Speaker 1: you about where we go from here. We'll be right 308 00:18:12,118 --> 00:18:23,798 Speaker 1: back with the Book of Joe. Welcome back to the 309 00:18:23,798 --> 00:18:27,398 Speaker 1: Book of Joe podcast. Our guest is Bill Bean, Major 310 00:18:27,518 --> 00:18:30,718 Speaker 1: League Baseball Senior Vice President and Special Assistant to the Commissioner. 311 00:18:30,918 --> 00:18:34,838 Speaker 1: Began in the Commissioner's office as its first ambassador for 312 00:18:35,078 --> 00:18:37,958 Speaker 1: inclusion in the game, and Billy, you literally have brought 313 00:18:38,078 --> 00:18:43,158 Speaker 1: conversations into the clubhouse that did not take place. Uh, no, 314 00:18:43,238 --> 00:18:45,198 Speaker 1: one would dare speak some of the things that now 315 00:18:45,278 --> 00:18:49,358 Speaker 1: we speak openly about. That's progress at least. The next 316 00:18:49,438 --> 00:18:52,758 Speaker 1: question is has there been enough progress so that a player, 317 00:18:53,278 --> 00:18:55,478 Speaker 1: It's like a T. J. House who listened to your 318 00:18:55,558 --> 00:18:59,078 Speaker 1: presentation as a member with Cleveland as an active player, 319 00:18:59,678 --> 00:19:02,438 Speaker 1: would come out and say, yes, I am a gay man, 320 00:19:02,678 --> 00:19:04,838 Speaker 1: I am an active made your league player. Are we 321 00:19:04,998 --> 00:19:08,358 Speaker 1: close to that? Is that important? Even? I? I think 322 00:19:08,438 --> 00:19:11,758 Speaker 1: we we've come so far and we are close. Tom 323 00:19:11,838 --> 00:19:13,758 Speaker 1: When I was a player, I was lucky enough to 324 00:19:13,798 --> 00:19:18,358 Speaker 1: play for Sparky Anderson. I played for Tommy Lossorda. Um, 325 00:19:19,318 --> 00:19:21,158 Speaker 1: you've guys have both we been around the game a 326 00:19:21,278 --> 00:19:24,238 Speaker 1: long long time. And you know the way managers used 327 00:19:24,238 --> 00:19:26,798 Speaker 1: to talk, the way the media would chuckle, the way 328 00:19:26,878 --> 00:19:31,958 Speaker 1: we would sexualized women or or you know stereotype you 329 00:19:32,038 --> 00:19:38,678 Speaker 1: know gays. Um, the culture, the the the level of professionalism, 330 00:19:39,198 --> 00:19:44,518 Speaker 1: UM from management from the top down. UM. I couldn't 331 00:19:44,518 --> 00:19:49,758 Speaker 1: be more uh proud of the way the managers have 332 00:19:51,198 --> 00:19:55,118 Speaker 1: realized that you know, it starts with them, with that leadership. 333 00:19:55,198 --> 00:19:57,238 Speaker 1: And it doesn't mean you can't be fiery and you 334 00:19:57,318 --> 00:19:59,278 Speaker 1: can't be aggressive and you want to go to battle 335 00:19:59,358 --> 00:20:03,798 Speaker 1: every night. Um. But you know how we talk about people, 336 00:20:03,918 --> 00:20:07,118 Speaker 1: how we talk about other players, that's the start, because 337 00:20:07,278 --> 00:20:10,398 Speaker 1: I mean, every single day that I played, you know, 338 00:20:10,598 --> 00:20:12,238 Speaker 1: half the time I was afraid to get and sent 339 00:20:12,318 --> 00:20:14,278 Speaker 1: to Triple A. And the other time I just thought 340 00:20:14,678 --> 00:20:16,718 Speaker 1: nobody could ever find out who I am or there 341 00:20:16,798 --> 00:20:19,638 Speaker 1: you know, And and you can't play in the big 342 00:20:19,718 --> 00:20:21,918 Speaker 1: leagues with you know, half of your mind worried about 343 00:20:22,038 --> 00:20:26,238 Speaker 1: keeping a secret. And you know that that part it 344 00:20:26,398 --> 00:20:29,798 Speaker 1: was tough. There was no messaging, there was no education, 345 00:20:30,278 --> 00:20:34,158 Speaker 1: there was no consistency. There were very few women, there 346 00:20:34,198 --> 00:20:36,798 Speaker 1: were very few people of color that were working in 347 00:20:36,918 --> 00:20:39,838 Speaker 1: and around baseball. There was you know, we had um. 348 00:20:40,078 --> 00:20:44,678 Speaker 1: You know, the field has always been the most diverse environment, 349 00:20:44,798 --> 00:20:47,598 Speaker 1: you know. And you know, ever since Jackie Robinson, you know, 350 00:20:48,158 --> 00:20:51,158 Speaker 1: every team has looked for the best player, regardless of 351 00:20:51,238 --> 00:20:54,198 Speaker 1: the package that they come in. But the assumption that 352 00:20:54,758 --> 00:20:59,478 Speaker 1: a player could never be gay, Um, that just lived 353 00:20:59,518 --> 00:21:02,958 Speaker 1: and breathed everywhere we you know. And and so I 354 00:21:03,078 --> 00:21:07,638 Speaker 1: think because of the the visibility of the sport, the accessibility, 355 00:21:07,958 --> 00:21:11,598 Speaker 1: the you know, for whatever reason, the way we talk, 356 00:21:12,278 --> 00:21:15,918 Speaker 1: that's a start. Um. The you know, the more stakeholders 357 00:21:16,038 --> 00:21:20,398 Speaker 1: we have that represent all of these different identities. That 358 00:21:20,558 --> 00:21:24,198 Speaker 1: helps socialize it with the players. UM. I've spoken in 359 00:21:24,238 --> 00:21:28,438 Speaker 1: the Dominican and you know, culturally there's all kinds of differences. Um. 360 00:21:29,238 --> 00:21:31,798 Speaker 1: You know, I was given a presentation in Spanish and 361 00:21:31,878 --> 00:21:35,038 Speaker 1: a young players stood up one time and he he said, 362 00:21:35,078 --> 00:21:39,078 Speaker 1: it's not possible that you're gay because you you played 363 00:21:39,118 --> 00:21:42,038 Speaker 1: in the major leagues, and he was. He couldn't have 364 00:21:42,078 --> 00:21:44,398 Speaker 1: been seventeen years old. He was playing in an academy 365 00:21:45,518 --> 00:21:48,118 Speaker 1: and he was. He was dead serious, you know. He 366 00:21:48,278 --> 00:21:52,238 Speaker 1: just like, culturally it was not it didn't seem possible 367 00:21:52,278 --> 00:21:54,438 Speaker 1: to him. Nor maybe that a woman could be the 368 00:21:54,518 --> 00:21:57,958 Speaker 1: general manager of a major League baseball team like Kim Angers, 369 00:21:58,078 --> 00:22:01,398 Speaker 1: you know. And so that's the challenge. We have to 370 00:22:01,558 --> 00:22:09,198 Speaker 1: continue to uh provide examples, um that players can relate to, 371 00:22:09,398 --> 00:22:12,238 Speaker 1: because they are our greatest messengers. There's a lot to 372 00:22:12,358 --> 00:22:19,398 Speaker 1: consider by coming out and inviting that type of intimacy 373 00:22:19,758 --> 00:22:23,078 Speaker 1: and to the public into your life. It's hard enough 374 00:22:23,198 --> 00:22:25,118 Speaker 1: right now, and it's never been harder to play in 375 00:22:25,158 --> 00:22:28,398 Speaker 1: the big leagues, and careers will be for some that 376 00:22:28,478 --> 00:22:30,878 Speaker 1: will be forever long and for and for the majority, 377 00:22:30,918 --> 00:22:33,478 Speaker 1: they're going to get shorter and shorter, and and and 378 00:22:33,598 --> 00:22:36,358 Speaker 1: so there's a lot of things to consider and I 379 00:22:36,518 --> 00:22:39,918 Speaker 1: want I want every player to understand that, and I 380 00:22:40,038 --> 00:22:43,158 Speaker 1: have since the very first day. I don't care what 381 00:22:43,638 --> 00:22:47,238 Speaker 1: your sexual orientation is. I want you to understand what 382 00:22:47,478 --> 00:22:52,598 Speaker 1: baseball UH feels about acceptance and inclusion and that everyone 383 00:22:52,838 --> 00:22:55,398 Speaker 1: should feel welcome in every room. And then and if 384 00:22:55,438 --> 00:22:58,158 Speaker 1: we're not doing that, I want to hear about it. 385 00:22:58,718 --> 00:23:01,718 Speaker 1: Need to work hard to try to make UM those 386 00:23:01,798 --> 00:23:04,518 Speaker 1: differences I'll share with you. You know, one of my 387 00:23:04,798 --> 00:23:07,918 Speaker 1: big initiatives was as an event we do every year 388 00:23:07,958 --> 00:23:12,278 Speaker 1: called Spirit Day. And when Joe was, you know, defending 389 00:23:12,318 --> 00:23:15,878 Speaker 1: world champion manager of the Chicago Cubs, I walked out 390 00:23:16,038 --> 00:23:18,438 Speaker 1: onto the field. He gave me a big hug and 391 00:23:18,518 --> 00:23:20,598 Speaker 1: I handed him a Spirit Day shirt, which is a 392 00:23:20,758 --> 00:23:25,198 Speaker 1: day that's that's signifies UM shining a light on on 393 00:23:25,358 --> 00:23:28,598 Speaker 1: the bullying against l g B, t QUTH or like 394 00:23:29,318 --> 00:23:32,638 Speaker 1: five times you know, more likely to be bullied or 395 00:23:32,678 --> 00:23:35,958 Speaker 1: five times more likely to take their lives. And it 396 00:23:36,158 --> 00:23:40,118 Speaker 1: was a you know, it was a progressive message. And 397 00:23:40,238 --> 00:23:42,318 Speaker 1: he threw that shirt on like it was nothing, and 398 00:23:42,558 --> 00:23:46,998 Speaker 1: you know he understood that for many you know, if 399 00:23:47,038 --> 00:23:49,878 Speaker 1: I'm talking to l G B, t Q people. They're 400 00:23:49,878 --> 00:23:52,398 Speaker 1: gonna listen to me. But the amount of people that 401 00:23:52,438 --> 00:23:55,758 Speaker 1: would listen or or make a consideration for that message 402 00:23:55,838 --> 00:23:59,878 Speaker 1: because Joe was wearing that shirt, That's that's how baseball 403 00:23:59,958 --> 00:24:02,318 Speaker 1: continues to move forward when we can get buy in 404 00:24:02,478 --> 00:24:05,038 Speaker 1: from the people that are the most influential. And that's 405 00:24:05,078 --> 00:24:09,158 Speaker 1: the moment I'll never forget. Thank you Listen. We've talked 406 00:24:09,158 --> 00:24:12,358 Speaker 1: about this to Billy. I mean utilizing technology to spread 407 00:24:12,398 --> 00:24:14,718 Speaker 1: the word. Also, I've been trying to get us, you 408 00:24:14,798 --> 00:24:17,998 Speaker 1: and I together to do different zooms. Um I should 409 00:24:17,998 --> 00:24:23,198 Speaker 1: do those skyping kind of with classes journalism classes. Baseball 410 00:24:23,238 --> 00:24:26,718 Speaker 1: teams have done Princeton at the University of Texas Baseball team. UM, 411 00:24:27,158 --> 00:24:30,278 Speaker 1: are you guys considering it all? How do utilize technology, 412 00:24:30,278 --> 00:24:33,478 Speaker 1: even like with a podcast like this, to really, um 413 00:24:34,438 --> 00:24:36,158 Speaker 1: get your message out there. That's the only way that 414 00:24:36,278 --> 00:24:39,038 Speaker 1: it's really going to hit home. And people are gonna 415 00:24:39,078 --> 00:24:42,358 Speaker 1: listen and and and possibly make some changes and the 416 00:24:42,398 --> 00:24:44,358 Speaker 1: way they look at themselves and the way they look 417 00:24:44,398 --> 00:24:46,078 Speaker 1: at life. But they have to hear you. They have 418 00:24:46,158 --> 00:24:48,598 Speaker 1: to hear you. So if you guys consider that at all, well, 419 00:24:48,718 --> 00:24:52,118 Speaker 1: I think more more so there's so many different platforms. 420 00:24:52,238 --> 00:24:55,918 Speaker 1: I think TikTok has is an environment where we might 421 00:24:56,198 --> 00:25:01,958 Speaker 1: be able to forge into shorter but really really effective 422 00:25:02,038 --> 00:25:05,358 Speaker 1: messages to youth. And you know, this is the kind 423 00:25:05,398 --> 00:25:07,998 Speaker 1: of thing that I'm I oversee the d e f 424 00:25:08,118 --> 00:25:12,558 Speaker 1: I Committee for our MLB owners and trying to bring 425 00:25:12,678 --> 00:25:15,758 Speaker 1: progressive ideas that not only help grow the sport, and 426 00:25:15,958 --> 00:25:18,038 Speaker 1: and if we can get like you're saying, Joe, if 427 00:25:18,078 --> 00:25:20,998 Speaker 1: we can get ten players to want to talk about 428 00:25:21,198 --> 00:25:24,998 Speaker 1: you know, CSR issues UM and you know, for some 429 00:25:25,198 --> 00:25:28,478 Speaker 1: owners that feels a little scary, and then for some 430 00:25:28,638 --> 00:25:31,718 Speaker 1: others they're like, I'm all in. And so you know, 431 00:25:31,958 --> 00:25:35,718 Speaker 1: the the great challenges, you know, if that is something 432 00:25:35,838 --> 00:25:38,758 Speaker 1: that needs to be monetized, and with the union and 433 00:25:39,398 --> 00:25:42,518 Speaker 1: and UH and agents and you know, I try to 434 00:25:42,598 --> 00:25:46,198 Speaker 1: go directly to the players and and for those you know, 435 00:25:46,438 --> 00:25:49,758 Speaker 1: I started a program called shred Hate, which was bowling 436 00:25:49,838 --> 00:25:54,798 Speaker 1: prevention education program, and we got Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, 437 00:25:54,878 --> 00:26:01,758 Speaker 1: Aaron Judge, Nolan Arronado, Justin Verlander, Hobby Bias, Francisco Lindor 438 00:26:02,758 --> 00:26:06,398 Speaker 1: and they I was so proud Um that they were 439 00:26:06,438 --> 00:26:09,798 Speaker 1: willing to say, you know, let a kids feel like 440 00:26:10,118 --> 00:26:13,278 Speaker 1: along whether they can hit a baseball or throw a baseball, 441 00:26:13,838 --> 00:26:19,038 Speaker 1: but you know they have such electric influence and that 442 00:26:19,358 --> 00:26:22,118 Speaker 1: that I've shared that idea, I've shared your name in 443 00:26:22,238 --> 00:26:25,158 Speaker 1: the in those meetings that talking about ways that we 444 00:26:25,278 --> 00:26:31,518 Speaker 1: can UM be more impactful and and and stay engaged UH. 445 00:26:31,878 --> 00:26:34,078 Speaker 1: And I really feel positive that we're going to make 446 00:26:34,118 --> 00:26:36,638 Speaker 1: some space there in the next year or so. I'd 447 00:26:36,678 --> 00:26:39,638 Speaker 1: love to see that. I mean, again, your message needs 448 00:26:39,678 --> 00:26:43,358 Speaker 1: to be heard. And I've told you this before. I'm 449 00:26:43,398 --> 00:26:45,838 Speaker 1: pounding on this subject basically because one of the first 450 00:26:45,918 --> 00:26:48,838 Speaker 1: zooms or skypes I ever did Sottle, eighth grader asked 451 00:26:48,838 --> 00:26:51,358 Speaker 1: me at the end of the the skype session. Whose 452 00:26:51,558 --> 00:26:54,758 Speaker 1: journalism or journalism class says? What is what is Major 453 00:26:54,838 --> 00:27:00,518 Speaker 1: League Baseball doing regarding utilizing technology to help um uh 454 00:27:01,118 --> 00:27:03,118 Speaker 1: create more interest in the game with us as as 455 00:27:03,318 --> 00:27:05,278 Speaker 1: eighth graders. It's an eighth Wade kid asking me this 456 00:27:05,358 --> 00:27:08,238 Speaker 1: particular question. So from that one question and this is 457 00:27:08,318 --> 00:27:12,758 Speaker 1: like two right, and this is about probably twenty twelve 458 00:27:13,398 --> 00:27:17,318 Speaker 1: or eleven that I was asked that question, and I 459 00:27:17,358 --> 00:27:20,798 Speaker 1: believe it's fertile. I believe there's a lot of positive 460 00:27:20,838 --> 00:27:23,318 Speaker 1: benefits that can occur with this and then furthermore, you 461 00:27:23,358 --> 00:27:25,278 Speaker 1: talked about all these good players and I think that's great. 462 00:27:25,318 --> 00:27:26,958 Speaker 1: I think they we could get them to do it 463 00:27:27,078 --> 00:27:29,358 Speaker 1: during the season also would be very very nice. And 464 00:27:29,678 --> 00:27:30,838 Speaker 1: when we're on the road, you know what it's like 465 00:27:30,918 --> 00:27:32,278 Speaker 1: being on the road during a hotel. What else you 466 00:27:32,358 --> 00:27:34,038 Speaker 1: got to do at ten o'clock in the morning, right 467 00:27:34,118 --> 00:27:36,678 Speaker 1: you could? You could connect with the classrooms all over 468 00:27:36,678 --> 00:27:40,238 Speaker 1: the United States, all over the world, um, and having 469 00:27:40,278 --> 00:27:41,598 Speaker 1: you as a moderator I think would be in a 470 00:27:41,678 --> 00:27:45,718 Speaker 1: perfect method or way of of getting the point across. Anyway. 471 00:27:46,358 --> 00:27:48,398 Speaker 1: I'm just I wanted to get this out here today 472 00:27:48,398 --> 00:27:50,038 Speaker 1: because it's something I've been pounded on. Is you know 473 00:27:50,198 --> 00:27:52,678 Speaker 1: for years. I think there's a lot being left on 474 00:27:52,718 --> 00:27:55,678 Speaker 1: the bone right now that needs to be um attack 475 00:27:55,798 --> 00:27:59,198 Speaker 1: more diligently. Everybody talks stuff, everybody talks good stuff, but 476 00:27:59,358 --> 00:28:01,478 Speaker 1: at some point you have to eventually get out there 477 00:28:01,478 --> 00:28:04,638 Speaker 1: and actually do stuff. And you are the perfect guide 478 00:28:04,678 --> 00:28:07,478 Speaker 1: to spirit all of this. And I think the players, 479 00:28:07,758 --> 00:28:11,998 Speaker 1: um being properly educated, what you would do to be great? Uh, 480 00:28:12,478 --> 00:28:16,438 Speaker 1: make significance rides regarding everything you've been talking about today 481 00:28:16,598 --> 00:28:21,438 Speaker 1: and making an impact on potential future baseball. Either players 482 00:28:21,478 --> 00:28:24,598 Speaker 1: are just fans right, Well, why don't we make a 483 00:28:24,678 --> 00:28:26,598 Speaker 1: deal with each other. If you have me on here 484 00:28:26,638 --> 00:28:28,318 Speaker 1: at this time, you hold me to task and I'll 485 00:28:28,318 --> 00:28:30,518 Speaker 1: bring some results in that space. So I am. I'm 486 00:28:30,598 --> 00:28:34,598 Speaker 1: dedicated to it. I feel like you know, the how 487 00:28:34,718 --> 00:28:38,598 Speaker 1: we presented uh uh and when you when they are 488 00:28:38,718 --> 00:28:42,678 Speaker 1: able to see the impact UM and and with all 489 00:28:42,798 --> 00:28:45,038 Speaker 1: the all the things that are coming with what it 490 00:28:45,118 --> 00:28:47,398 Speaker 1: means to be a superstar player in the big leagues. 491 00:28:47,518 --> 00:28:50,278 Speaker 1: Right now, it feels like an easy ask. We just 492 00:28:50,358 --> 00:28:52,638 Speaker 1: gotta make it easy for him that that's that's the 493 00:28:52,758 --> 00:28:58,678 Speaker 1: challenge there. We handle a lot of that UM infrastructure 494 00:28:59,118 --> 00:29:00,998 Speaker 1: here at the officer, the commissioner. And one of the 495 00:29:01,078 --> 00:29:04,158 Speaker 1: things I think that Commissioner Manford has done really well 496 00:29:04,718 --> 00:29:08,318 Speaker 1: since we got the the c b A behind us. 497 00:29:08,438 --> 00:29:13,078 Speaker 1: This past April, UM was go and meet players. He 498 00:29:13,558 --> 00:29:17,238 Speaker 1: visited all thirty clubs and for you know, the whole 499 00:29:17,278 --> 00:29:20,318 Speaker 1: time prior to that, he had been had some distance 500 00:29:20,358 --> 00:29:25,438 Speaker 1: and I think there was a you know, a little miscommunication. 501 00:29:25,558 --> 00:29:29,758 Speaker 1: Maybe that's an understatement, but the idea that they could 502 00:29:29,798 --> 00:29:32,998 Speaker 1: see that you know, he wants UM to do what's 503 00:29:33,078 --> 00:29:35,518 Speaker 1: best for the game. We all want to grow the game. 504 00:29:35,598 --> 00:29:38,158 Speaker 1: We all want to stay engaged. We all understand the 505 00:29:38,318 --> 00:29:43,198 Speaker 1: tension span is constantly evolving and and um and there 506 00:29:43,278 --> 00:29:45,918 Speaker 1: we've got to put our minds together. And uh, I 507 00:29:46,038 --> 00:29:48,518 Speaker 1: just think that you touched on gold when you know 508 00:29:48,638 --> 00:29:52,838 Speaker 1: the idea you've always been somebody that looks into the crowd, 509 00:29:53,318 --> 00:29:56,198 Speaker 1: you see a face, you lock eyes, and that person 510 00:29:56,318 --> 00:29:59,198 Speaker 1: remembers that moment forever and and you know, you can 511 00:29:59,278 --> 00:30:01,598 Speaker 1: make a fan for life. I think we all remember, 512 00:30:02,358 --> 00:30:04,518 Speaker 1: you know, one of those first or second you know 513 00:30:04,958 --> 00:30:08,518 Speaker 1: times said you know, we had that interface with a 514 00:30:08,638 --> 00:30:12,998 Speaker 1: big league player, um and and how magical it seemed. 515 00:30:13,038 --> 00:30:15,638 Speaker 1: And I don't want them to ever forget or take 516 00:30:15,718 --> 00:30:18,678 Speaker 1: that part for granted. Yeah, I'll just say one more time. 517 00:30:18,758 --> 00:30:20,918 Speaker 1: I'm just like saying, ten o'clock in a hotel room 518 00:30:20,998 --> 00:30:24,038 Speaker 1: on the road is not that difficult, right. I really wish, 519 00:30:24,118 --> 00:30:27,038 Speaker 1: I really wish that more guys would sign up for 520 00:30:27,158 --> 00:30:29,358 Speaker 1: something like that, because I like, you're just saying eyeball 521 00:30:29,398 --> 00:30:33,598 Speaker 1: to eyeball, contact answering questions, your your idolis stand is 522 00:30:33,638 --> 00:30:36,238 Speaker 1: on the other end of the screen. Uh, TikTok whatever. 523 00:30:36,478 --> 00:30:39,478 Speaker 1: I I'm just saying that could be very impactful and 524 00:30:39,838 --> 00:30:42,518 Speaker 1: on so many different levels. No, you're absolutely right, and 525 00:30:42,638 --> 00:30:45,238 Speaker 1: especially when it comes to relating those personal stories, and 526 00:30:45,318 --> 00:30:48,118 Speaker 1: Billy is a great example of that. The impact of 527 00:30:48,198 --> 00:30:53,158 Speaker 1: telling his story personalizing large issues goes a long way. 528 00:30:53,398 --> 00:30:55,918 Speaker 1: But Billy, before you get out of here, got one 529 00:30:55,958 --> 00:30:57,718 Speaker 1: more job for you, and I promise you it's going 530 00:30:57,798 --> 00:31:00,638 Speaker 1: to be easy. This is a segment we call a 531 00:31:00,758 --> 00:31:04,398 Speaker 1: reading from the Book of Joe. In our book, there's 532 00:31:04,518 --> 00:31:07,078 Speaker 1: just so I think it's just packed with so many 533 00:31:07,238 --> 00:31:11,678 Speaker 1: good life lessons and stories and and leadership lessons. You 534 00:31:11,758 --> 00:31:14,718 Speaker 1: can literally turn to any page and find something of interest. 535 00:31:14,878 --> 00:31:17,158 Speaker 1: So that we ask our guests to pick a number 536 00:31:17,358 --> 00:31:21,958 Speaker 1: between one and three hundred sixty eight and we'll see 537 00:31:22,278 --> 00:31:25,278 Speaker 1: what the Book of Joe gives us. Okay, so you're 538 00:31:25,318 --> 00:31:28,118 Speaker 1: up at beat, Billy Beane, pick a number. Alright. So 539 00:31:28,918 --> 00:31:33,038 Speaker 1: I'm gonna trust my gut, which is tapping into the 540 00:31:33,158 --> 00:31:37,038 Speaker 1: accumulated life experiences when we're in the dugout, and I'm 541 00:31:37,078 --> 00:31:43,278 Speaker 1: gonna pick page forty four. Page forty four is there? 542 00:31:43,518 --> 00:31:45,558 Speaker 1: I couldn't follow your logic. There is there a reason 543 00:31:45,638 --> 00:31:48,878 Speaker 1: you picked forty four. I was just Hank Karen came 544 00:31:48,918 --> 00:31:53,438 Speaker 1: to mind Okay, thank god Rizzo didn't have forty four 545 00:31:53,478 --> 00:31:56,078 Speaker 1: rizzles dropped the forty eight. Honest a couple of days ago. Well, 546 00:31:56,238 --> 00:31:58,518 Speaker 1: you're you'll appreciate this, billy, because it goes back to 547 00:31:58,838 --> 00:32:03,038 Speaker 1: Joe Madden starting out as a scout for the Angels. 548 00:32:03,998 --> 00:32:06,918 Speaker 1: Love It, Love It, Love It, Love It. His first 549 00:32:07,038 --> 00:32:09,438 Speaker 1: day as a professional scout, with a hundred dollars and 550 00:32:09,518 --> 00:32:11,598 Speaker 1: no credit card to his name, he wound up at 551 00:32:11,598 --> 00:32:15,238 Speaker 1: a dog track in Tucson. In the gray haze of 552 00:32:15,278 --> 00:32:19,118 Speaker 1: his cigarette smoke. Luke cohen Our studied the racing form 553 00:32:19,278 --> 00:32:22,558 Speaker 1: like a seminary in combing through scripture. This was the 554 00:32:22,558 --> 00:32:25,798 Speaker 1: guy who was mentoring Joe. By the way, clearly this 555 00:32:26,038 --> 00:32:31,198 Speaker 1: was not lose first night. Madden was thoroughly impressed by 556 00:32:31,238 --> 00:32:35,158 Speaker 1: the knowing figure he cut. I'm thinking, okay, maybe I 557 00:32:35,198 --> 00:32:37,518 Speaker 1: can make a couple of bucks out of this, Maddon says. 558 00:32:37,998 --> 00:32:41,118 Speaker 1: I just followed, Lou, I can possibly double my money. 559 00:32:41,678 --> 00:32:45,398 Speaker 1: And what happened? He lost whatever I bet I lost. 560 00:32:45,478 --> 00:32:47,758 Speaker 1: It was maybe bucks, which might as well have been 561 00:32:47,798 --> 00:32:50,678 Speaker 1: ten thousand at that point. Then Lou looks at me, 562 00:32:50,798 --> 00:32:53,958 Speaker 1: puffing on a heater, pulling on it deeply smoke all 563 00:32:53,998 --> 00:32:57,358 Speaker 1: around him, and he gives me that smokers squint and 564 00:32:57,518 --> 00:33:01,038 Speaker 1: says in that cornerhowerd giggle. Get him next time, kid, 565 00:33:03,398 --> 00:33:06,038 Speaker 1: bad night, Luke, bad night. I was counting on him too, Man, 566 00:33:06,358 --> 00:33:10,518 Speaker 1: bad night. Um Man, I don't know. There's many places 567 00:33:10,598 --> 00:33:13,278 Speaker 1: hotter than Tucson in the middle of the summer thing, right, 568 00:33:13,518 --> 00:33:18,198 Speaker 1: Oh my god, no doubt. Well. I I loved your book, Joe, 569 00:33:18,478 --> 00:33:22,278 Speaker 1: and I've just been a privilege to you know, stay 570 00:33:22,358 --> 00:33:24,758 Speaker 1: connected to you over the years, and and uh, this 571 00:33:24,958 --> 00:33:26,958 Speaker 1: is so is a treat. I love your Guys show. 572 00:33:27,078 --> 00:33:30,398 Speaker 1: And if I can never be of assistance YouTube, Tom, 573 00:33:30,478 --> 00:33:32,918 Speaker 1: you do great work. And you know, Tom, you did 574 00:33:32,958 --> 00:33:36,678 Speaker 1: a great story. Uh, you know, trying to you know, 575 00:33:36,958 --> 00:33:40,398 Speaker 1: learn more about mental health and wellness platforms at baseball, 576 00:33:40,518 --> 00:33:43,678 Speaker 1: and we're we've worked hard in that space. And appreciate 577 00:33:43,758 --> 00:33:47,078 Speaker 1: your fairness and your and your efforts to well, thank 578 00:33:47,118 --> 00:33:49,278 Speaker 1: you so much for everything you do, Billy. I just know, 579 00:33:49,438 --> 00:33:51,118 Speaker 1: all the years I've been in the game, there has 580 00:33:51,238 --> 00:33:54,478 Speaker 1: definitely been so much progress, especially in the last decade 581 00:33:54,558 --> 00:33:58,438 Speaker 1: or so, by the game becoming not just more inclusive 582 00:33:58,518 --> 00:34:01,598 Speaker 1: and diverse, which is great, but even more respectful. And 583 00:34:01,678 --> 00:34:04,758 Speaker 1: you know that's a word sometimes that almost people almost 584 00:34:04,798 --> 00:34:07,318 Speaker 1: looked down upon that. In the world of baseball is 585 00:34:07,398 --> 00:34:10,358 Speaker 1: pecking order. That was there, and I see it's a 586 00:34:10,558 --> 00:34:14,238 Speaker 1: It's a much better environment to enjoy and to play in. 587 00:34:14,438 --> 00:34:16,438 Speaker 1: So thank you, you got it, You got it. I 588 00:34:16,518 --> 00:34:19,638 Speaker 1: hope you guys both have a great holiday and Joe 589 00:34:19,718 --> 00:34:22,878 Speaker 1: will be in touch. All right, Buddy, Merry Christmas, Happy holidays, 590 00:34:22,918 --> 00:34:25,158 Speaker 1: and best to your family too. But I appreciate thanks, 591 00:34:25,198 --> 00:34:28,798 Speaker 1: Thanks again, appreciate it. Take care boy. That was that 592 00:34:28,918 --> 00:34:31,118 Speaker 1: was a treat Joe to listen to Billy Bean. He's 593 00:34:31,118 --> 00:34:32,918 Speaker 1: already made an impact and will continue to do so 594 00:34:33,038 --> 00:34:35,278 Speaker 1: on this game. Yeah. I mean just by listening to him, 595 00:34:35,278 --> 00:34:37,078 Speaker 1: if you're hearing for the first time, you can see 596 00:34:37,118 --> 00:34:39,878 Speaker 1: why he's the right person for this job. Um. Like 597 00:34:39,998 --> 00:34:43,638 Speaker 1: I said, we we talked about it briefly during the podcast. 598 00:34:43,998 --> 00:34:46,318 Speaker 1: Just an easy guy to like. And I just when 599 00:34:46,318 --> 00:34:48,158 Speaker 1: I first met him, he said ninety two. I thought 600 00:34:48,158 --> 00:34:50,798 Speaker 1: it might have been ninety three. But um, just a 601 00:34:50,838 --> 00:34:54,158 Speaker 1: good baseball player, a good fellow. And then he comes 602 00:34:54,198 --> 00:34:56,958 Speaker 1: to Hazelton and made a huge impact on my hometown 603 00:34:57,038 --> 00:35:01,718 Speaker 1: by by through his words, UM for the Hazelton Integration 604 00:35:01,758 --> 00:35:04,598 Speaker 1: Project hip back there, which we have so many issues 605 00:35:04,678 --> 00:35:06,998 Speaker 1: back there. A lot of it pertains to bullying and 606 00:35:07,278 --> 00:35:10,198 Speaker 1: and diversity and the fact that groups don't want to 607 00:35:10,358 --> 00:35:13,198 Speaker 1: accept one another. So anyway, he came into a wonderful 608 00:35:13,318 --> 00:35:15,958 Speaker 1: job and I thought he was outstanding and people just 609 00:35:16,038 --> 00:35:18,318 Speaker 1: need to hear more often. Yeah, it's an important message, 610 00:35:18,318 --> 00:35:20,798 Speaker 1: and I think even even more so it's important at 611 00:35:20,838 --> 00:35:22,958 Speaker 1: this time of year. I mean, folks, is as simple 612 00:35:23,038 --> 00:35:25,638 Speaker 1: as just being kind to one another, right, treat people 613 00:35:25,798 --> 00:35:29,478 Speaker 1: like family, and you really can't go wrong. And we 614 00:35:29,598 --> 00:35:31,678 Speaker 1: want to wish our listeners as well. Joe, of course, 615 00:35:32,158 --> 00:35:34,958 Speaker 1: the best of all holidays. I don't know about you. 616 00:35:35,478 --> 00:35:37,718 Speaker 1: Usually for me, I think about Christmas. You think about 617 00:35:37,838 --> 00:35:40,278 Speaker 1: being a kid, right and having that Christmas spirit. If 618 00:35:40,318 --> 00:35:42,958 Speaker 1: you have it as an adult, you've won people. Um. 619 00:35:43,198 --> 00:35:46,078 Speaker 1: So it got me thinking about Christmas gifts, Joe, did 620 00:35:46,158 --> 00:35:48,798 Speaker 1: you ever have a Christmas gift as a kid that, 621 00:35:48,998 --> 00:35:52,078 Speaker 1: even to this day you're like, Wow, I can't believe 622 00:35:52,198 --> 00:35:56,638 Speaker 1: I got that was the best gift. It was woke up. 623 00:35:56,718 --> 00:35:58,718 Speaker 1: We lived in a small apartment and I just peered 624 00:35:58,758 --> 00:36:02,598 Speaker 1: out the the doorway into the hallway and sent it 625 00:36:02,638 --> 00:36:06,118 Speaker 1: had already been there, and left the flexible flyer sleds 626 00:36:06,198 --> 00:36:09,798 Speaker 1: with the chrome bumper standing against the wall right there. Um. 627 00:36:10,078 --> 00:36:12,038 Speaker 1: I could not wait to get that stucker out the 628 00:36:12,118 --> 00:36:14,158 Speaker 1: next day on the hill and that was it. It's 629 00:36:14,198 --> 00:36:18,238 Speaker 1: a flexible flyer sled with the chrome bumper on the front. 630 00:36:18,278 --> 00:36:20,038 Speaker 1: You has to have the chrome bumper really be cool. 631 00:36:20,438 --> 00:36:22,398 Speaker 1: And their their logo in the center of that thing 632 00:36:22,518 --> 00:36:25,158 Speaker 1: was outstanding. I broken a couple of times. My dad 633 00:36:25,278 --> 00:36:28,358 Speaker 1: fixed it, but it was the flexible flyer. I might 634 00:36:28,438 --> 00:36:30,918 Speaker 1: have been nine or ten years old, something like that, 635 00:36:30,998 --> 00:36:34,598 Speaker 1: so it's like right around nine. That was absolutely an 636 00:36:34,638 --> 00:36:37,918 Speaker 1: indelible Christmas present. Pretty cool as long as you didn't 637 00:36:37,918 --> 00:36:39,998 Speaker 1: break your collar bone. I think you're good with breaking 638 00:36:40,038 --> 00:36:41,518 Speaker 1: the sled. I did that when I was a kid, 639 00:36:41,718 --> 00:36:45,838 Speaker 1: for me, for me, I, me and my brothers, we 640 00:36:45,918 --> 00:36:49,158 Speaker 1: were always playing, competing you name, we competed at it. 641 00:36:49,278 --> 00:36:52,478 Speaker 1: One year, I got one of those table top hockey games, 642 00:36:52,798 --> 00:36:55,278 Speaker 1: the rods, not the one the big ones that they 643 00:36:55,358 --> 00:36:57,038 Speaker 1: have in a game room with a dome on top, 644 00:36:57,118 --> 00:37:00,518 Speaker 1: the old school rod hockey, and we took the the 645 00:37:00,718 --> 00:37:03,078 Speaker 1: hockey puck that came with it, took that out and 646 00:37:03,158 --> 00:37:05,398 Speaker 1: we got this ball bearing type thing that was from 647 00:37:05,438 --> 00:37:08,118 Speaker 1: the game Carum and we used that as the puck, 648 00:37:08,238 --> 00:37:11,598 Speaker 1: so it was like at warp speed playing rod hockey 649 00:37:11,838 --> 00:37:13,918 Speaker 1: and we just would beat each other up. I love 650 00:37:13,998 --> 00:37:16,318 Speaker 1: that stuff. I know the game. I love the game. 651 00:37:16,838 --> 00:37:20,078 Speaker 1: Those things you just can't forget. So all the best 652 00:37:20,198 --> 00:37:22,638 Speaker 1: of all of our listeners throughout the holidays and the 653 00:37:22,718 --> 00:37:25,518 Speaker 1: New year, and um, hey, why don't we leave them 654 00:37:25,598 --> 00:37:27,678 Speaker 1: with a message, Joe, what do you got? Yeah, I 655 00:37:27,758 --> 00:37:29,358 Speaker 1: was just I was going through some stuff today and 656 00:37:29,398 --> 00:37:32,158 Speaker 1: this comes from Drake, and I thought it was really 657 00:37:32,278 --> 00:37:35,038 Speaker 1: pertinent based on our show today, what's going on right now, 658 00:37:36,798 --> 00:37:39,238 Speaker 1: the holiday season, plus in the world in general. And 659 00:37:39,278 --> 00:37:42,838 Speaker 1: I thought this was really pertinent life. Excuse me, live 660 00:37:43,038 --> 00:37:49,958 Speaker 1: without pretending, love without depending, Listen without defending, and speak 661 00:37:50,158 --> 00:37:55,398 Speaker 1: without offending. Um. Really really simple message. A lot of 662 00:37:55,478 --> 00:37:59,318 Speaker 1: withouts in there, without pretending, without depending, without defending, and 663 00:37:59,398 --> 00:38:03,158 Speaker 1: without offending. I thought, pretty simple and good way to 664 00:38:03,278 --> 00:38:06,518 Speaker 1: go about creating relationships with others. I thought it was outstanding, 665 00:38:06,718 --> 00:38:09,438 Speaker 1: terrific message. Thanks so much, Joe, and we'll catch it 666 00:38:09,558 --> 00:38:19,478 Speaker 1: next time, okay, brother, thank you very much. The Book 667 00:38:19,478 --> 00:38:22,318 Speaker 1: of Joe podcast is a production of I Heart Radio. 668 00:38:22,598 --> 00:38:25,278 Speaker 1: For more podcasts for my Heart Radio, visit the I 669 00:38:25,478 --> 00:38:29,438 Speaker 1: Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.