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 --> 00:00:15,440 Speaker 1: on major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame 5 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:21,800 Speaker 1: Voter number seven day, Rob Parker. Welcome into the podcast. 6 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Rob Parker. What a great show we 7 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 1: have for you today. Toronto Blue Jay's right fielder George 8 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:33,920 Speaker 1: Springer stops by. Also, we'll talk with Mark Tompkins. He's 9 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 1: the Tampa Bay Time beat writer who covers the Tampa 10 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:40,640 Speaker 1: Bay Rays and what their amazing streak has been like. 11 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:45,160 Speaker 1: We'll do that, plus foul or fair, all that and more. 12 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:51,440 Speaker 1: Let's go to lead off it's getting run off and 13 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:54,320 Speaker 1: keep him on. Rob's hot take on the three biggest 14 00:00:54,320 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 1: stories in Major League Baseball. Number one, the Tampa Bay Rays, 15 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 1: Oh my, have come out of the gate and this 16 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 1: Major League Baseball season like bulls in the China shop. 17 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:13,400 Speaker 1: I mean, unbelievable start. They win their first eleven games 18 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:17,080 Speaker 1: and I just hit like an unbelievable number of home 19 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 1: runs in the wake up the carnage. And it has 20 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 1: been such an incredible story for a team to win 21 00:01:24,319 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 1: that many games coming out of the gate. But a 22 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: lot of people are like, are to raise that good? 23 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 1: Are they really that good? And I have to say 24 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 1: they're not that good. They're good, but not that good. 25 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:43,200 Speaker 1: They have been very, very fortunate with the teams that 26 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:48,440 Speaker 1: they've played. They have beat up on the worst teams 27 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: in baseball. They've beat up on the Detroit Tigers, the 28 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: Washington Nationals, the Oakland A's, and even the Boston Red Sox. 29 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: The Red Sox might be the best of the bunch, 30 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 1: but those other teams are as bad as it gets 31 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 1: in baseball. That's why I have to throw the fugaisy 32 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:11,120 Speaker 1: flag on the eleven game winning streak. I know you 33 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 1: can only play was on your schedule. I'm not trying 34 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 1: to pooh pooh that they won these games or discounted totally, 35 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:21,359 Speaker 1: but I don't believe that they're this good. And the 36 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 1: pitching they've just eaten up these opposing teams pitching. But 37 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:28,119 Speaker 1: but let me tell you how bad the Oakland A's 38 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 1: pitching is so bad that not even a single starter 39 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:36,639 Speaker 1: has recorded a win thus far in the young major 40 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 1: league season. So give the Rays their due. They won 41 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:44,239 Speaker 1: their first eleven games. But guess what, they're not world beaters. 42 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:49,640 Speaker 1: They are beat uppers of also rans and Neville Wases. 43 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 1: Number two man is you're a new star in Major 44 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:59,519 Speaker 1: League baseball and his name is Jordan Walker. On Wednesday, 45 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 1: Walk hitting his twelve straight game to start his major 46 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: league career. He gets a late hit to extend his 47 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:14,240 Speaker 1: hitting streak to twelve games. Twelve games out of the 48 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:18,080 Speaker 1: door in his major league career. This guy's twenty years old, 49 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 1: wasn't expected to make the team when he went to 50 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:25,160 Speaker 1: spring training. He was gonna be going to Triple A. 51 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 1: And somehow, some way has gotten himself a spot in 52 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 1: the show in the major leagues. And now he's off 53 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 1: to this incredible start, a three nineteen batting average, hits 54 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:41,520 Speaker 1: in all twelve of the games he's played. It's a 55 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 1: fantastic story. The St. Louis Cardinals of a history of 56 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:50,160 Speaker 1: you know, developing players, and they have their guy. And 57 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 1: he was a third baseman. But with Arnado there a 58 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 1: third you know, it's hard to get into that spot, 59 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 1: so they moved Walker to the outfield. He's playing right 60 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 1: field every day for the Cardinals. He's an exciting young player, 61 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 1: six foot six two hundred and fifty pounds just twenty 62 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 1: years old. Cardinal fans must be loving this. To be 63 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 1: able to watch this kid play and perform, It's pretty 64 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: awesome to see number three. Don't look now, but show hey. 65 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:26,119 Speaker 1: Old Tani, the two way star is already lighting up 66 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 1: the pitching mount. Oltani now has improved with his win 67 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:35,280 Speaker 1: on Tuesday Night to two and oh with an old 68 00:04:35,279 --> 00:04:40,480 Speaker 1: point four seven r twenty four strikeouts in nineteen innings. 69 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 1: That's through three starts this year. So Oltani is off 70 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 1: to a great start. And I got more for you. 71 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:52,919 Speaker 1: Oltani set the Angels franchise record by allowing two or 72 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 1: fewer runs in his tenth consecutive start, passing none other 73 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:01,719 Speaker 1: than Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan back in nineteen seventy 74 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: two and nineteen seventy three. And just in case you 75 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:09,359 Speaker 1: think he's a slouch at the plate, it's not the case. 76 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:14,520 Speaker 1: He's batting three hundred coming into Wednesday, with three home runs, 77 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: two doubles, and eight RBI in eleven games. And to 78 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:23,160 Speaker 1: take a little bit more into how dominant Oltani has 79 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,400 Speaker 1: been so far on the mound, you're ready, batters are 80 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: hitting a poultry one hundred that's six for sixty against 81 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 1: them this year and they have ready just two extra 82 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:39,920 Speaker 1: base hits. It's ridiculous. It is ridiculous. Thank you, Oltani. 83 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 1: But your game, both on the mound and at the 84 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 1: plate right now, are both ridiculous. Here comes the big interview. 85 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:54,240 Speaker 1: Listen and Larry, it's so good. All right now, let's 86 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:58,880 Speaker 1: welcome in George Springer, right fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays. George, 87 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: thanks for joining us here on the podcast. Thanks for 88 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:05,719 Speaker 1: having me, no doubt. Let's let's start here. Last season 89 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 1: had to be frustrating injury wise. How do you move 90 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 1: past that as we look into twenty twenty three and 91 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 1: it started a new season. Yeah, I mean I think 92 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:17,720 Speaker 1: for me, just understand that if you play the game hard, 93 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 1: at some point, something's gonna happen. So, you know, but 94 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:25,120 Speaker 1: now I feel good, I'm past it. Uh. You know, 95 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 1: I'm gonna do everything I can, you know, to stay healthy, 96 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 1: you know, to stay on the field for as many 97 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:32,080 Speaker 1: games as I can. Um, Because you know, I obviously 98 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 1: I don't know, I don't know any player that likes 99 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:36,840 Speaker 1: to get hurt. So um. But for me, you know, 100 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 1: obviously a little bit older now, so you know, I 101 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:41,200 Speaker 1: just have to be smart to take care of my 102 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:43,440 Speaker 1: body and you know, hopefully stay out there every day. 103 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:48,719 Speaker 1: Four time All Star, UM World Series champ, and I'm 104 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:50,479 Speaker 1: sure you know you want to get back there. Do 105 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:53,440 Speaker 1: you guys give me a forecast for the Blue Jays 106 00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 1: and where you guys are and can you make a 107 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 1: run in the tough al least and also the America League? Yeah, 108 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 1: you know, Um, I believe in this team, you know, 109 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 1: That's why I'm here. Um. I've seen the work that 110 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: all the guys have, you know, put in how you 111 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 1: know how much everybody cares. And obviously the alas is stuff, 112 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 1: you know, it's a dog fight every single day. But 113 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 1: but the rest of the league is the exact same way, 114 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:22,240 Speaker 1: you know, And and I think for us, it's it's 115 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:26,320 Speaker 1: all about, you know, staying within ourselves, you know, doing 116 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 1: the small things. And there's a letting the chips of 117 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:30,160 Speaker 1: the ball where they made. But I like our chances. 118 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:34,679 Speaker 1: What about playing baseball in Toronto? Obviously the Blue Jays 119 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 1: have a history. Uh that place was packed out for 120 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:41,480 Speaker 1: years and years when they went back to back World Series. 121 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:45,440 Speaker 1: People in Canada love baseball. Talk about the the fans 122 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:49,280 Speaker 1: there Oh man, it's it's it's an undescribable feeling. It's 123 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 1: it's it's it's incredible. Um. You know, I think a 124 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 1: lot of guys understand that we're not just playing for 125 00:07:56,560 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 1: a market, We're playing for a country. And to know 126 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 1: every single day from East coast to West coast, you 127 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 1: know there's Blue Jay fans out there. It makes us happy, um, 128 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 1: and it makes you look a little bit more proud, 129 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 1: you know, to to uh you know, to have that jersey, 130 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:19,240 Speaker 1: to to hear the anthems. Man, the fans are everything 131 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 1: to us. I love Actually, Old Canada is my favorite 132 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 1: national anthem. I know people get mad when I say that, 133 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 1: but it's pretty amazing, isn't it. But if you listen 134 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 1: to the world, yeah, it's you know what I tell 135 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 1: there's there's no cooler thing than when when you know 136 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 1: on he either on on opening day, the playoff game, 137 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:42,960 Speaker 1: uh Canada Day. You know you you you hear the fans, 138 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:47,760 Speaker 1: who are you know, hanging loud and proud. It's it's uh, 139 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 1: that's awesome to hear our guests here on inside the 140 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: Parker blue Jay's right fielder George Springer. Uh. George also 141 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 1: let me ask you about the new rules in twenty 142 00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:02,400 Speaker 1: twenty three. Okay, I'm the bigger basis if it stops 143 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 1: people from getting hurt, I like that, and if people 144 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 1: are willing to steal more more. Pitch clock is the 145 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 1: big thing. We saw a couple of big time players 146 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 1: get thrown out recently with the pitch clock and the shift. 147 00:09:14,920 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 1: Tell me which ones you like you don't like and walk? 148 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:20,680 Speaker 1: I mean, I don't really think it matters which ones 149 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:23,000 Speaker 1: anybody likes or not. You know that they're all here 150 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 1: to stay, and I think, you know, everybody has to 151 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 1: play with the same one, So I did. I just, 152 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,319 Speaker 1: you know, just think for us because we haven't had 153 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:32,079 Speaker 1: this before. You know, there there hasn't been a pitch clock. 154 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 1: There hasn't been you know, a shift restriction. I just 155 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 1: think it's gonna take time for guys to get adjusted 156 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 1: to it. But at the end of the day, you know, 157 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:42,360 Speaker 1: it just kind of is all what it is. Should 158 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 1: umpires though, I mean, and I get it, there's rules, 159 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 1: everybody's got to play by them. But shouldn't umpires be 160 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:52,240 Speaker 1: a little with the veterans who haven't been a part 161 00:09:52,280 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: of that, Like, I don't think the game is good 162 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:56,959 Speaker 1: if many Machado's throwing out in the first inning or 163 00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:59,319 Speaker 1: tim managers is thrown out, like fans come here to 164 00:09:59,360 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 1: see those guys play. Is that good for the game 165 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 1: throwing guys out like that? Yeah, I mean I don't. 166 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 1: I don't think anybody wants to to see anybody thrown out, 167 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 1: and I don't, you know, especially high profile guys like 168 00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:14,720 Speaker 1: those two. Um, you know, yeah that that's a tough 169 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: situation there. Um, But I think us as players just 170 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:19,800 Speaker 1: have to try to do our best to stay cool, 171 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:23,720 Speaker 1: um because at the end of the day, you really 172 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:25,960 Speaker 1: can't do anything about it. You know. The pitch clock 173 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:28,199 Speaker 1: is the pitch clock. It is what it is. Yeah, 174 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:30,640 Speaker 1: I mean it's tough. But does the game feel different 175 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:32,760 Speaker 1: with the pitch Does it feel different? Like as far 176 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:35,480 Speaker 1: as the pacing off the game, the games have been 177 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:38,199 Speaker 1: shaved off like twenty five twenty six minutes, which is 178 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 1: amazing to be honest. Yeah, I mean it's it's definitely 179 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:45,840 Speaker 1: you feel like you're you're definitely just kind of going faster. 180 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:48,439 Speaker 1: I mean this team, at least for us, I mean 181 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 1: our opening today game was three was four hours long, 182 00:10:53,040 --> 00:10:57,680 Speaker 1: so it did. Yeah. Yeah, So it's it's I mean, yeah, 183 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:01,160 Speaker 1: I think overall the fan experience, or at least for 184 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:03,440 Speaker 1: us on the field, it is faster. But at the 185 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:06,200 Speaker 1: same time, you know, I don't think anybody's ever complained 186 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 1: about a five hour playoff game. So it's it's, uh 187 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 1: just kind of is well what it is. Yeah, I'm 188 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 1: with it. I think a good baseball game doesn't matter 189 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 1: what the time. I just think, you know, people get 190 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:18,600 Speaker 1: caught up and sometimes you know, you want to do 191 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 1: something for the casuals, but don't turn off to traditional people. Yeah. 192 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:27,080 Speaker 1: You know, obviously this this game was created and it 193 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:29,439 Speaker 1: didn't have a clock to start, and you know it 194 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:33,440 Speaker 1: has one now. So I just think again, overall, there's 195 00:11:33,440 --> 00:11:35,439 Speaker 1: just gonna be a big adjustment period. But I think, 196 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 1: you know, well, once everybody gets adjusted to it, it'll 197 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:41,080 Speaker 1: it'll just it'll, you know, it'll flow and no one 198 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:42,960 Speaker 1: don't even know it's there. How about the base dealing, 199 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 1: it definitely picked up in the big leagues the first 200 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:49,200 Speaker 1: week of the season. Is it appetizing to you to 201 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 1: try to get some bags or yeah? I mean, at 202 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:54,120 Speaker 1: the same time, I just think, well, you know, the 203 00:11:54,679 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 1: biggest difference is the cat and mouse game between the pitcher, catcher, 204 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 1: and the and the base runner is kind of gone. Um, 205 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 1: you know, them not knowing what I'm gonna do. I'm 206 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 1: not knowing that they're gonna do, you know, you know, 207 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:09,319 Speaker 1: trying to decipher back moves and you know, high leg kicks, 208 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:11,440 Speaker 1: the short leg kicks and all that stuff. I just 209 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 1: think with the you know the uh was it the 210 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:20,439 Speaker 1: step off twice rule, Um, that's kind of changed. And 211 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:22,160 Speaker 1: so I just think that, you know, the guys are 212 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:26,200 Speaker 1: just more willing to to to take a gamble. Last thing, 213 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: I heard the story you were telling about Tory Hunter, 214 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:32,199 Speaker 1: who I covered in Detroit. I worked in Detroit. I'd 215 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 1: love to hear that story about growing up a player 216 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:38,880 Speaker 1: who you admired and somebody you wanted to you know play, 217 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 1: like right, yeah, yeah, you know he was again. You know, 218 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:46,280 Speaker 1: he's a guy I saw him play back back in 219 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:49,960 Speaker 1: the early nineties and you know, he just he the 220 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:54,840 Speaker 1: way he played it captivated me. You know obviously in 221 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:59,360 Speaker 1: my hometown, I I thought the rock hats were you 222 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:02,960 Speaker 1: know we're here, yeah right, so you know to see 223 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:05,839 Speaker 1: what I thought, what was a major league baseball player 224 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,200 Speaker 1: sliding head first into home play, you know, diving into 225 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 1: the wall, you know, kind of playing with no regard 226 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:15,800 Speaker 1: for him, but playing for his teammates was was awesome 227 00:13:15,840 --> 00:13:17,920 Speaker 1: in it it It were really stuck with me. You know, 228 00:13:17,960 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: I pretty much modeled my game after his um you know, 229 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:25,200 Speaker 1: because he he played. He played like a man on 230 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:29,360 Speaker 1: a mission every day. And that's you know, how I 231 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 1: like to play. But I like to play for my teammates, 232 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:35,559 Speaker 1: and you know that's exactly who he is. One last year, 233 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 1: I was watching the game last Friday night, I should say, Uh, 234 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 1: when you came up to bat, I could hear, you know, 235 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:45,160 Speaker 1: with the mics, the kind of rasing you still about 236 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 1: the astral scandal? Could you? Is that? Is that still 237 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:51,839 Speaker 1: a thing like fans? Can you they still? I mean 238 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:54,960 Speaker 1: it's my job to to lock it out, to focus 239 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:56,800 Speaker 1: on the picture. You know, I'm not you know, I'm not. 240 00:13:56,960 --> 00:14:00,640 Speaker 1: I'm not paying attention to what's hop But then you know, 241 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:03,400 Speaker 1: outside of the stuff on the right, just doing what 242 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:05,880 Speaker 1: you do. Yeah, all right, man, I appreciate it. George 243 00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:10,520 Speaker 1: scoring again from the Blue Jay's right fielder, not center fielder. 244 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:13,520 Speaker 1: Not all right? Oh yeah, ogree with that. Yeah, to 245 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:15,840 Speaker 1: do a hell of a center fielder too, Hey, I'll 246 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 1: do whatever I can to help this team. That ball 247 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 1: is it was a big week in the big league. 248 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 1: Who's Who's a f Is it foul or is it fair? 249 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 1: And now from MLB bro dot com, here's JR. Gamba. 250 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:40,160 Speaker 1: The Tampa Bay Rays are off to the best start 251 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 1: in the major leagues since the Milwaukee Brewers won thirteenth 252 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 1: straight to start the nineteen eighty seven season. But JR. 253 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:53,240 Speaker 1: Is it foul or fair to say they're built to 254 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:57,760 Speaker 1: win a World Series? Foul? That is a foul ball. 255 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 1: With all due respect to the tam Raise, their farm 256 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:04,400 Speaker 1: team and the way they keep payroll low and are 257 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 1: still competitive, but as we've seen, that method of team 258 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 1: construction doesn't work in the playoffs. It's great for the 259 00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 1: regular season. They might even break the all time wins 260 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 1: record this year, but I'd still pick against them in 261 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:24,240 Speaker 1: a series the Yankees or the Blue Jays, even Baltimore. 262 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 1: Let's be honest. The other AL divisions are playing like 263 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:30,880 Speaker 1: the parody Kings and the rest are hot garbage, and 264 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:33,560 Speaker 1: all you have to do is be pretty good to 265 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 1: grab a wildcard or even a division crown. It's looking 266 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 1: like this season outside of the AL East, no matter 267 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:44,640 Speaker 1: how great the Rais play during the season, the AL 268 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:48,040 Speaker 1: East is loaded and they definitely won't pick up this 269 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 1: pace when they start meeting teams in their division regularly. 270 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 1: It does, however, let us know that the Raids will 271 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:58,600 Speaker 1: once again be a team to reckon with all season long. 272 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 1: They really only have one true superstar and Randy and Rosarina, 273 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:08,239 Speaker 1: but they can beat you and in multitude of ways. 274 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:11,880 Speaker 1: Their top five in batting, their first in all of 275 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 1: baseball and pitching, and their top ten in fielding. That's 276 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 1: a recipe for success over one hundred and sixty two games, 277 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:24,800 Speaker 1: but not enough to win it all turned money into 278 00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:27,760 Speaker 1: more money. Now it's time for betting on the Basis 279 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:32,520 Speaker 1: with Dave Gascott Love Rob. I'm looking to rebound after 280 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 1: a tough week one going one in two, so I'll 281 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 1: start things off with a Friday night affair in New York. 282 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: He at the Yankees and the Minnesota Twins. Both teams 283 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 1: have gotten off to a good start this season. Nestor 284 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:46,560 Speaker 1: Cortez second home start of the season. He's two and 285 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 1: oh so far with an ERA of two sixty one. 286 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:52,360 Speaker 1: That's the good. The little troubling part is his distance 287 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 1: or endurance or lack thereof, and both contests against Baltimore 288 00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:58,360 Speaker 1: and Philadelphia that he won him the max. He threw 289 00:16:58,400 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 1: his five and a third innings. See if you can 290 00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:02,280 Speaker 1: ramp that up. But I'm gonna take the Yankees at 291 00:17:02,280 --> 00:17:05,399 Speaker 1: home against the Minnesota Twins. Away from that, we've flipped 292 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 1: the script over to Saturday. Saturday's affair we're gonna have. 293 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 1: I got Carlos Carrasco, who has not pitched well so 294 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: far this season. He goes up against the Oakland A's 295 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:17,400 Speaker 1: to get the Mets and the A's Mets haven't found 296 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:19,240 Speaker 1: their groove yet, but I expect them to get fat 297 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:22,080 Speaker 1: over the weekend against Oakland. The other affair that we're 298 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:24,160 Speaker 1: gonna have is gonna be on Sunday. You got Kansas 299 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 1: City against Atlanta, and this thing is in Kansas City. 300 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 1: Zat Granks so far this season has a record of 301 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:32,239 Speaker 1: owen three. The era is good, but right now he's 302 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 1: matched up against Bryce Elder. Elder so far one or 303 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:39,199 Speaker 1: old record era is straight zero thirteen strikeouts in a 304 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:41,439 Speaker 1: couple of games so far for him, he'll probably be 305 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:44,000 Speaker 1: in the starting rotation for that the entire season. But 306 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:46,400 Speaker 1: I have Atlanta moving zat grank In to Owen four 307 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:49,200 Speaker 1: in the year. So I got Atlanta New York Mets 308 00:17:49,280 --> 00:17:54,440 Speaker 1: on Saturday and the Yankees at home on Friday. It's 309 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:58,480 Speaker 1: time for the pocket protector centrum. The analytic numbers you 310 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 1: need to know. Maybe Anthony Masterson is his name, BS 311 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:07,440 Speaker 1: analytics is his game. What do you got for me, Anthony? 312 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:09,920 Speaker 1: It's been thirty six years since we've seen a start 313 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:12,160 Speaker 1: like this in Major League Baseball, but the Tampa Bay 314 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:14,720 Speaker 1: Rays are all the rage early in twenty twenty three. 315 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:17,200 Speaker 1: Not only are they the first team to start eleven 316 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 1: and oh since the nineteen eighty seven Brewers, who started 317 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:22,600 Speaker 1: thirteen and oh, but they're doing it in dominant fashion. 318 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:25,320 Speaker 1: In the first eleven games of the season, the Rays 319 00:18:25,359 --> 00:18:28,639 Speaker 1: have outscored their opponents by sixty three runs, the highest 320 00:18:28,680 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 1: mark in the modern era and best since Chester eight 321 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:35,359 Speaker 1: Arthur was president in eighteen eighty four. They have club 322 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:38,600 Speaker 1: twenty nine home runs, tied with the two thousand Cardinals 323 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:41,199 Speaker 1: for the most through eleven games, and have trailed at 324 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:43,960 Speaker 1: the end of just five of ninety nine innings played 325 00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:46,919 Speaker 1: this year. They lead the league in runs run differential 326 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:50,160 Speaker 1: O BP, slugging, OPS, extra base sits home runs while 327 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:52,840 Speaker 1: also striking out at the lowest rate in the league. 328 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 1: They boast ten different players with multiple home runs. Five 329 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: other teams only have one such player, while their top 330 00:18:59,320 --> 00:19:03,080 Speaker 1: three starters in Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen 331 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:07,200 Speaker 1: have combined to allow three total runs in seven combined starts. 332 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 1: Now the rub is this. Through the first fourth series 333 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:13,040 Speaker 1: of the season, they played three teams that finished in 334 00:19:13,119 --> 00:19:15,520 Speaker 1: last place last season, the Nats, the A's and the 335 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 1: Red Sox, and another that lost ninety six games in 336 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:21,320 Speaker 1: the Tigers. I'll go out on a limb and say 337 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:23,240 Speaker 1: they won't go one hundred and sixty two and no, 338 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:26,600 Speaker 1: but a fifth straight playoff appearance is well on the way. 339 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto, 340 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 1: if I'm writing, I'm ripping, Let's bring in a writer 341 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:38,720 Speaker 1: and broadcaster older new All right, now, let's welcome into 342 00:19:38,720 --> 00:19:41,879 Speaker 1: the podcast a friend of mine, Mark Tompkin, who had 343 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:45,840 Speaker 1: been covering the Tampa Bay Race for all twenty six 344 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:49,960 Speaker 1: seasons from the Tampa Bay Times. Mark, Welcome to the podcast, buddy, 345 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:53,480 Speaker 1: How are you? Thanks? Rob? Quite an honor to be 346 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:55,720 Speaker 1: a guest on your podcast when you were first starting 347 00:19:55,760 --> 00:20:00,080 Speaker 1: this out, So full circle moment here, no doubt. And 348 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:02,560 Speaker 1: we've known each other for a gazillion years and covered 349 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:06,400 Speaker 1: World Series together and see each other out around Major 350 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:09,440 Speaker 1: League Baseball. But man, what a start for the Raise 351 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:16,920 Speaker 1: eleven and old winning their first eleven games? Uh? What? What? What? How? 352 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:19,879 Speaker 1: How much of a surprise was this? And did the 353 00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:22,560 Speaker 1: team coming out of spring training think they had a 354 00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:24,760 Speaker 1: good team. Nobody thinks they're gonna win every game, but 355 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:27,760 Speaker 1: did they think they were going to have a good year. Yeah? 356 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:30,439 Speaker 1: I think a couple couple of factors, and one is, 357 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 1: you know, they even though they made the playoffs last year, 358 00:20:33,119 --> 00:20:36,399 Speaker 1: they had a disappointing year by their standards. They squeaked 359 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:38,679 Speaker 1: in at the last wild card. They were kind of 360 00:20:38,760 --> 00:20:41,560 Speaker 1: ravaged by injuries last year. They were changing the roster 361 00:20:41,640 --> 00:20:44,119 Speaker 1: round on the fly quite a bit, so that was 362 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:45,800 Speaker 1: one of the factors. I think there was a lot 363 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:47,640 Speaker 1: of frustration they got knocked out in the first round 364 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 1: by Cleveland. They scored one run in the two games, 365 00:20:50,480 --> 00:20:53,040 Speaker 1: so that was one factor. They had a couple of 366 00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:56,239 Speaker 1: three pretty key offensive players who were hurt last year 367 00:20:56,240 --> 00:20:58,760 Speaker 1: and missed half or more of the year. Those guys 368 00:20:58,760 --> 00:21:04,360 Speaker 1: were all back in healthy. Another factor, Wander Franco, Brandon Low, 369 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:06,680 Speaker 1: who's their big home run guy, and Manuel Margot all 370 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:08,480 Speaker 1: missed half or more of the season, so that was 371 00:21:08,520 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: a big factor. And I think there was a little 372 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:13,680 Speaker 1: bit of sense of you know, they didn't bring a 373 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 1: lot of guys in. They kept the group together, which 374 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:17,760 Speaker 1: is unusual for the Raid. There let some guys go, 375 00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:21,040 Speaker 1: but kier Meyer, de Nino g Manchoi, those guys were 376 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:23,239 Speaker 1: all Kurt didn't play a big role or not at 377 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:25,600 Speaker 1: all in the second half in the case of Kiermyer 378 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:28,439 Speaker 1: and Denino, so they moved on. It's kind of a 379 00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:30,159 Speaker 1: little bit of a new generation. But they kept the 380 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:32,760 Speaker 1: group together, so there's a lot of building from the continuities. 381 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:36,000 Speaker 1: I think those three factors all gave him some confidence 382 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:40,400 Speaker 1: that the Faceball Operations president Neander refers to bounce back 383 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:42,160 Speaker 1: guys and breaking through guys. So they had the injury 384 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:43,640 Speaker 1: guys bounce them back. They had a couple of young 385 00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:45,479 Speaker 1: guys who played last year didn't do very well. They 386 00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:47,800 Speaker 1: gave another chance to Rather than bring in a bat 387 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:51,359 Speaker 1: during the off season long winded as to rob but 388 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:53,720 Speaker 1: it's all clicked and that's how they're eleven. And oh, 389 00:21:53,720 --> 00:21:55,919 Speaker 1: I mean the pitch. He's been spectacular. The defense has 390 00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:58,600 Speaker 1: been as usual, really good, stellar self, but the offense 391 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:01,800 Speaker 1: has been just had control. As we sit here right now, 392 00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:04,760 Speaker 1: leading the majors at Homer's leading the majors in runs, 393 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:07,920 Speaker 1: at record pace, on run differential, just all kinds of 394 00:22:07,960 --> 00:22:10,800 Speaker 1: crazy stats you can come up with and find through 395 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:14,160 Speaker 1: the first what is it through the first eleven games 396 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:17,080 Speaker 1: during the stretch the street, what do they have like 397 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:21,879 Speaker 1: a sixty run, fifty seven run or sixty it's like sixty. 398 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:24,639 Speaker 1: I think it's sixty five maybe sixty five run differential. 399 00:22:24,840 --> 00:22:27,639 Speaker 1: Here here's another great stats. Sarah Langs from MLB dot 400 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:30,640 Speaker 1: Com came up with this one. They've played ninety nine 401 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:34,119 Speaker 1: innings at this point and they have trailed in only 402 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:39,000 Speaker 1: five of those innings. That is incredible. They won their 403 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:42,199 Speaker 1: first nine games by four or more runs, which was 404 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:45,520 Speaker 1: challenging a record. The record was thirteen going back to 405 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:48,520 Speaker 1: the eighteen eighty four Saint Louis Maroons. I think you've 406 00:22:48,520 --> 00:22:50,359 Speaker 1: covered those, didn't you with Rick Humble back and say, 407 00:22:50,440 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 1: oh yeah, back in the day. That's why how McCoy 408 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:56,280 Speaker 1: was along for the ride to Floy and Rick Commel 409 00:22:56,359 --> 00:23:00,720 Speaker 1: were the beat for those eighteen eighty four Saint Louis Maroons. Humble. Yeah, 410 00:23:00,760 --> 00:23:02,800 Speaker 1: So then they win one nothing the other night that 411 00:23:02,960 --> 00:23:04,879 Speaker 1: breaks that streets. But then here we are to night. 412 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 1: They're gonna they have a chance to tie the franchise 413 00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:10,480 Speaker 1: record for wins at any point in any season, and 414 00:23:10,520 --> 00:23:13,160 Speaker 1: then they're too shy of the Major League modern day 415 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 1: record for wins the starter season, which is thirteen by 416 00:23:16,520 --> 00:23:20,000 Speaker 1: the eighty two Brays the eighty seven Brewers. Now, let 417 00:23:20,040 --> 00:23:23,520 Speaker 1: me pour some cold water on this. Okay, I'm that guy. 418 00:23:23,640 --> 00:23:27,200 Speaker 1: You know that. Okay, where you're going, I'm ready. They've 419 00:23:27,280 --> 00:23:30,159 Speaker 1: played the worst teams in baseball. I mean, let's just 420 00:23:30,240 --> 00:23:35,240 Speaker 1: be honest. The Detroit Tigers, the Washington Nationals, the Oakland 421 00:23:35,280 --> 00:23:37,800 Speaker 1: A's and even the Boston Red Sox. I know, people 422 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:40,240 Speaker 1: don't think of them as bad. They're not a good team. 423 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 1: I don't know where they're going home dinner, maybe a show, 424 00:23:43,359 --> 00:23:46,280 Speaker 1: but they're not competing in the Al East. The Red Sox. 425 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:49,840 Speaker 1: Is this uh you know, streak have to do with 426 00:23:49,960 --> 00:23:54,240 Speaker 1: the schedule as well. Absolutely, there's there's It would be 427 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:58,359 Speaker 1: you know, it would be disingenuous to not point that out. Certainly, 428 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:01,639 Speaker 1: the offensive numbers have been in half I think based 429 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:03,840 Speaker 1: on the pitching they've seen. I love there's a couple 430 00:24:03,840 --> 00:24:05,760 Speaker 1: of JIT starters in that group you mentioned at Warner 431 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:09,080 Speaker 1: Rodriguez started Opening Day for Detroit. Patrick Corman puts one 432 00:24:09,119 --> 00:24:11,440 Speaker 1: of the games, and watching did. But for sure, the 433 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:14,080 Speaker 1: schedule is tilted heavily in the race favor early in 434 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 1: the season. Their first three series against arguably you've got 435 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:19,840 Speaker 1: three of the five worst teams in the majors. Probably, 436 00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:21,680 Speaker 1: I mean, Detroit's the best of us three. By the way, 437 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:25,920 Speaker 1: scouting report for anybody listening that tells you was Detroit's 438 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:30,000 Speaker 1: the best of those three. But yeah, that's a factory. 439 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:31,680 Speaker 1: You know, it's going to come around and catch the Rays. 440 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:33,440 Speaker 1: They're in a streak of playing thirty days in a 441 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 1: row now fifty two games and fifty five days. They 442 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:41,360 Speaker 1: run a stretch in May where they're gonna play Yankees Orioles, Yankees, 443 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:44,840 Speaker 1: met Brewers, Dodgers, So it's gonna come back around on them. 444 00:24:44,880 --> 00:24:48,439 Speaker 1: But hey, the way the schedule is now, you play everybody, right, 445 00:24:48,600 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 1: is the new format? You play off twenty nine other teams, 446 00:24:51,119 --> 00:24:54,400 Speaker 1: So take advantage of what you got. This road trip Toronto, 447 00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:56,600 Speaker 1: they'll lead tough. That's obviously a very formal team. But 448 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:59,159 Speaker 1: then the race have Cincinnati, They've got Pittsburgh coming up 449 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:01,159 Speaker 1: in a couple of weeks. They at the White Sox twice. 450 00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:03,480 Speaker 1: So take it where you can get it, right, Robs, 451 00:25:03,880 --> 00:25:08,440 Speaker 1: no doubt. Our guest is Mark Tompkins, long time Tampa 452 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:11,439 Speaker 1: Bay Rays BT writer for the Tampa Bay Times, and 453 00:25:11,480 --> 00:25:15,800 Speaker 1: of course he's covered all twenty six seasons with the 454 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:19,919 Speaker 1: Rays in their existence. Last thing, what kind of season 455 00:25:20,040 --> 00:25:25,240 Speaker 1: was expected? Um this year? And obviously despite the you know, 456 00:25:25,280 --> 00:25:27,800 Speaker 1: eleven and old start, they haven't buried the Yankees or 457 00:25:27,880 --> 00:25:30,639 Speaker 1: any other teams in the at least because they've they've 458 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:35,520 Speaker 1: played pretty well as as as well. Uh is it 459 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:37,600 Speaker 1: to win the division or get to the World Series? 460 00:25:37,640 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 1: What are the expectations for his team? Yeah? Yeah, Look, 461 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:43,360 Speaker 1: they've made the playoffs four consecutive years in a row. 462 00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:45,560 Speaker 1: I know you can you can break the sat off 463 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:47,440 Speaker 1: in different ways, but I've seen it where they've got 464 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:51,280 Speaker 1: the best like winning percentage, like maybe except for the Dodgers. 465 00:25:51,359 --> 00:25:54,520 Speaker 1: It's twenty eighteen, so they've been really good. And you 466 00:25:54,560 --> 00:25:57,280 Speaker 1: know the COVID year. People don't necessarily remember or put 467 00:25:57,280 --> 00:25:59,040 Speaker 1: an asterisk on it. But they didn't make the World 468 00:25:59,040 --> 00:26:02,280 Speaker 1: Series in the COVID year. They did win a hundred 469 00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:04,440 Speaker 1: games in twenty twenty one, but they get knocked out 470 00:26:04,440 --> 00:26:07,920 Speaker 1: in the first round by wild card Boston. They squeak 471 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:10,320 Speaker 1: in last year, so thinking maybe the script will change. 472 00:26:10,359 --> 00:26:12,320 Speaker 1: They're the last team in instead of being the team 473 00:26:12,359 --> 00:26:15,160 Speaker 1: that coasted in. And then they lose their last five 474 00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:17,480 Speaker 1: regular season games and score one run and two games 475 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:19,879 Speaker 1: at Cleveland, and that the new format with the bet 476 00:26:19,880 --> 00:26:22,800 Speaker 1: of three all the bet of three all at one site. 477 00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 1: Think so, they expect to make the playoffs this year. 478 00:26:26,600 --> 00:26:29,480 Speaker 1: They expect a challenge for the division title. I don't 479 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:31,720 Speaker 1: think they expected to set a world record for home 480 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:34,280 Speaker 1: runs and run sport. But they'll take you a while. 481 00:26:34,320 --> 00:26:36,400 Speaker 1: They can get it right now. So they thought they'd 482 00:26:36,440 --> 00:26:38,000 Speaker 1: be good. They are playing with a bit of a 483 00:26:38,080 --> 00:26:40,159 Speaker 1: chip on their shoulder. I mean, it's the cliche. We 484 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:43,080 Speaker 1: hear it. It's a very if it's the narrative. People 485 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:44,760 Speaker 1: say it when it doesn't fit, just like you know, 486 00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:47,479 Speaker 1: good camaraderie versus bad. When the team's winning. They love 487 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:50,280 Speaker 1: each other when they're not winning, there's issues whatever, but 488 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:52,400 Speaker 1: there is a sense of that, there is a sense 489 00:26:52,480 --> 00:26:55,239 Speaker 1: of you know, they're angry how they got knocked back 490 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:56,760 Speaker 1: the last couple of years, or is a sense they 491 00:26:56,760 --> 00:26:58,440 Speaker 1: could do better. There were a couple of guys, rob 492 00:26:58,480 --> 00:26:59,919 Speaker 1: and then you know, as the writer of you, you 493 00:27:00,240 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 1: relistive because it give you some some flavor, some some 494 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:04,640 Speaker 1: quotes that are going to get some attention. But there 495 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:07,680 Speaker 1: were a couple of guys going into the season race players. Yeah, 496 00:27:07,680 --> 00:27:10,120 Speaker 1: we said on the record that you know, they need 497 00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:11,960 Speaker 1: to get to the World Series, they need to win 498 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:14,880 Speaker 1: a championship. Just making the playoffs is no longer good enough. 499 00:27:15,359 --> 00:27:18,679 Speaker 1: And you're thinking where this franchise was the first fifteen years. 500 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:23,760 Speaker 1: That's the last different story, no doubt about it. And 501 00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:26,640 Speaker 1: he's been there throughout the thick and the thin of it. 502 00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:31,080 Speaker 1: Mark always a pleasure, my man. We appreciate it so much. 503 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:38,359 Speaker 1: Thank you, buddy. Now bringing the closer. Here's why MLB 504 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:42,119 Speaker 1: is better than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't 505 00:27:42,119 --> 00:27:47,960 Speaker 1: even close. Reason number five hundred and fifty five why 506 00:27:48,040 --> 00:27:52,760 Speaker 1: Major League Baseball is better than the NBA and the 507 00:27:52,880 --> 00:27:57,240 Speaker 1: NFL is because of giveaways. Yes, when you go to 508 00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:00,520 Speaker 1: the ballpark, they have giveaway nights all the time. Jerseys, 509 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:04,680 Speaker 1: miniature bats, helmets, all kinds of stuff. And people going 510 00:28:04,760 --> 00:28:07,720 Speaker 1: to the Washington Nationals game on Saturday will get a 511 00:28:07,880 --> 00:28:12,560 Speaker 1: Josiah Gray one are their starters. That's right, Josiah Gray 512 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:18,800 Speaker 1: babo head Man. Babbo heads are huge. They still are huge, 513 00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:22,160 Speaker 1: especially at baseball games. I've never been to a football 514 00:28:22,200 --> 00:28:24,600 Speaker 1: game or an NBA game when they gave something away 515 00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:28,440 Speaker 1: to the fans. I was at the Angels game last 516 00:28:28,480 --> 00:28:31,960 Speaker 1: Saturday and it was an old Tani bubble head and 517 00:28:32,160 --> 00:28:34,800 Speaker 1: Mike Good to the first forty thousand fans. And guess 518 00:28:34,880 --> 00:28:38,360 Speaker 1: what people showed up early to get. The babble heads 519 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 1: still very popular with fans in Major League Baseball and 520 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:46,320 Speaker 1: Major League Baseball smart to continue pumping these things out. 521 00:28:46,960 --> 00:28:56,040 Speaker 1: Here's to the bubble heads. In the words of New 522 00:28:56,120 --> 00:28:59,320 Speaker 1: York TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for 523 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:03,040 Speaker 1: your time this time until next time. Rob Parker out 524 00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:06,240 Speaker 1: he can't get it. This could be an inside the Parker. 525 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:09,640 Speaker 1: See you next week, same bad time, same bad station.