1 00:00:01,800 --> 00:00:04,800 Speaker 1: From the Burke Shears to the South, from wherever you 2 00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 1: live in MLB America. This is Inside the Parker. You 3 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:11,240 Speaker 1: give us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the 4 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:15,120 Speaker 1: scoop on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of 5 00:00:15,120 --> 00:00:21,079 Speaker 1: Fame voter number one oh three, Rob Parker. Welcome into 6 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 1: Inside the Parker, your weekly baseball podcast. I'm your host, 7 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:29,800 Speaker 1: Rob Parker, Hall of Fame voter number one oh three, 8 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: And what a show we have for you Today. We 9 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 1: have Gary Sheffield, the man with over five home runs 10 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:39,160 Speaker 1: who should be in the Hall of Fame. We'll talk 11 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 1: with him. Also, Hall of Fame baseball writer Tom Gage. 12 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: A lot of reporters to my friend, but a lot 13 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: of your asses. We'll talk with Tom plus. But first 14 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 1: it's time for getting robbed my take on the three 15 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 1: Hottest stories in Baseball. To lead off, it's getting Robbed 16 00:00:58,760 --> 00:01:01,200 Speaker 1: to keep him on. Rob's hot take on the three 17 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one, The Chicago 18 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:11,360 Speaker 1: Cubs are out of bounds foul when it comes to 19 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 1: this whole idea that they want a baby Addison Russell 20 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 1: and they want key gloves. When he makes his return 21 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: to the Cubs, this coming Friday after a forty game 22 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 1: suspension UH for violating the league's domestic violence policy. And 23 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: I get it. They don't want people to pile on 24 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 1: him when he comes back. He's been through a traumatic 25 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:39,480 Speaker 1: UH moment in situation. This was a fine young player 26 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 1: who was a star, going to be a star in 27 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:45,679 Speaker 1: Chicago before this incident happened. But the bottom line is 28 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 1: reporters have to do their jobs. This is what Addison 29 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: Russell has to deal with when he comes back. Is 30 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:56,600 Speaker 1: it forever, No, it's not forever. There was a story 31 00:01:56,640 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: out there this week that the Cubs pr threatening media 32 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 1: members who are critical of him come. This goes with 33 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:09,800 Speaker 1: the territory. If you get the cheers when you hit 34 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 1: the game winning home runs and make the big plays 35 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:14,800 Speaker 1: to win game for the Cubs, you're gonna get this 36 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 1: when you get suspended, and people have a right to 37 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 1: write about them, talk about them, ask him questions about it. 38 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:25,800 Speaker 1: And yes, there's a big redemption story that's gonna be 39 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 1: out there for Addison Russell and I get that, But 40 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 1: before you can write that story, you still have to 41 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 1: cover the fire. That's what reporters do. There's no playing 42 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:42,120 Speaker 1: favorites and kid gloves for certain guys. Addison Russell will 43 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 1: be able to get back and and to change the 44 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:49,840 Speaker 1: narrative by first addressing and acknowledging what he did wrong. 45 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:53,080 Speaker 1: Let reporters right that they'll get that out of their system, 46 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:55,919 Speaker 1: and then it can go back to him playing baseball 47 00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 1: and the things that we knew before this whole situation. 48 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:02,640 Speaker 1: So the Cubs back off, the reporters, allowed them to 49 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 1: do their jobs, and you know what, Addison Russell will 50 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 1: be just fine. Number two earlier this week, Angel slugger 51 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:15,240 Speaker 1: Albert Pools bars. Earlier this week, Angel slugger Albert Pools 52 00:03:15,280 --> 00:03:20,519 Speaker 1: passed Barry Bonds for third on the MLB Career RBI lists. 53 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:25,639 Speaker 1: Soon he'll officially become just the third player in history 54 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:28,960 Speaker 1: to knock in more than two thousand career r B 55 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 1: I is it foul or is it fair to call 56 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 1: Albert pool Hosts the greatest hitter of this century and 57 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 1: we're talking two thousand and later. And I don't think 58 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 1: it's unfair. I think for some reason, Albert pool Hosts 59 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 1: actually gets dissed because of some of the bad years 60 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 1: in Anaheim with the Angels, and people look at him 61 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 1: now as an old man, damn kids, get off my love. 62 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: His numbers are beyond reproach. They just star. I mean, 63 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 1: at one time people were saying that Miguel Cabrera was 64 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 1: the best right handed hitter in the history of baseball, 65 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: and I think they forgot about Albert Poolhols in the 66 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 1: years he put it in St. Louis and what he's 67 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:24,600 Speaker 1: done in his long career. Go google his stats there 68 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 1: through the roof. They're unbelievable. When you think about all 69 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 1: the guys who have played Major League baseball and you're 70 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:35,159 Speaker 1: telling me that only three players have knocked in more 71 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 1: than two thousand career r B. I how in the 72 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:43,080 Speaker 1: world could you not look at Albert Poolhols, Hey, Garon 73 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 1: and a Rod Those are the guys. Those are the 74 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 1: only people who have ever done it in this game. 75 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 1: Albert Poolhols is without question, the greatest right handed hitter 76 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: of this century, the greatest there of this century for 77 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:04,159 Speaker 1: that matter, and maybe the greatest hitter period. When you 78 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 1: talk about the right handed hitter. When you look at 79 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 1: all of his numbers, stop pooh poohing Albert pool Hols. 80 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:17,960 Speaker 1: Number three. Vlad Guerrero Junior made his long anticipated Major 81 00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 1: League debut. What a scene it was, My goodness. He 82 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 1: also wind up getting a hit, a double and his 83 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 1: first game. Um. But but a lot of people were 84 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:34,160 Speaker 1: talking about the anticipation factor. Was it bigger than anybody 85 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:36,960 Speaker 1: else's because there's been some players that we have been 86 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:42,159 Speaker 1: looking forward to seeing. There was Ken Griffey Jr. Much anticipated. 87 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 1: There was a rod Alex Rodriguez. People were dying to 88 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:48,880 Speaker 1: see a rod when he came up in Seattle. And 89 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 1: what about Bryce Harper? He was another guy. We remember him, 90 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:56,600 Speaker 1: the Vegas kid with the home Roun Sports Illustrated cover. 91 00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: But I gotta say this Vlad Juniors might have been 92 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 1: the biggest. His game was nationally televised, with the social 93 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 1: media stuff, it was big. It was all over and 94 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:15,279 Speaker 1: then you had his dad, Lad Senior uh in the 95 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:19,840 Speaker 1: box swite watching his son. They were cutaways to him. 96 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 1: It was as big as it gets. And there's been 97 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 1: other players who have had their son's debut in in 98 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 1: the major leagues. But I gotta say, given the social 99 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 1: media aspect and the notoriety and what he had done 100 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 1: in the minor leagues and how people were uh anticipating 101 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:41,799 Speaker 1: his arrival and it happened in Canada, where he was born. 102 00:06:41,839 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 1: It was so big that even the Canadian Prime Minister 103 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:48,280 Speaker 1: mentioned him in his debut. That's how big it was. 104 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 1: It spanned two countries, the United States and Canada. So 105 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 1: I'm gonna give it that vlag Guerrero Junior's debut was 106 00:06:56,600 --> 00:07:02,640 Speaker 1: the biggest ever. Here comes a big interview. Listen, Headler, 107 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 1: it's so good. We now welcome in former big league outfield, 108 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:12,840 Speaker 1: the Gary Chef Field to me a guy who should 109 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:14,880 Speaker 1: be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. And we'll get 110 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:17,760 Speaker 1: to that and talk about that as well. Chef, welcome in. 111 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 1: How you doing? Always good talking to you, man. How 112 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:25,239 Speaker 1: you doing I'm doing. I'm doing great, no doubt about it, Chef. 113 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 1: I just want to get right to it and talk 114 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:31,280 Speaker 1: about you and your career and and uh you know, 115 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 1: as you know, I do vote for you every year 116 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 1: for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Um, how do you 117 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 1: do you feel like you got a shot of getting in? No, 118 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 1: you're not gonna get in. Just tell me your thoughts 119 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: on on you because you have the numbers. Man, you 120 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:46,480 Speaker 1: hit over five hundred home runs in your career, You 121 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 1: played a long time, you did a lot of good stuff. 122 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:53,200 Speaker 1: For a lot of good teams. Yeah, I look at it, 123 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 1: you know, I look at it as I put in 124 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: my work. I know I'm a Hall of Famer. They 125 00:07:57,680 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: know I'm a Hall of famous or it's just a 126 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 1: matter of technic reality. What what was going on with baseball? 127 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:06,480 Speaker 1: And everybody has their opinions, but that that everybody don't 128 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 1: have fact. And then the bottom line is that I 129 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 1: can live with my facts. And uh I did it 130 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 1: the right way. I played clean all my life. Um 131 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 1: you know, like I told him, and I said, you 132 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 1: can test me freeze but blood for a hundred years 133 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 1: if you want to. I don't care. But like I said, 134 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 1: I just know I'm an easy target to UH put 135 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 1: negativity towards because when you're outspoken person, UH need to 136 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:37,200 Speaker 1: depend anything on you, and then then most people believe it. Yeah, 137 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 1: that's that's the problem I have during that era. If 138 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 1: we had a test from everybody who played during that era, 139 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:45,400 Speaker 1: maybe I would look differently. And you never even tested positive. 140 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 1: I mean, I just I don't understand where guys decided 141 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:53,439 Speaker 1: to be judge and jury. And like I said, I 142 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 1: I look at some of the guys. When you see 143 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 1: other guys who get in Gary whose names have been 144 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:03,080 Speaker 1: linked What do you think when you see uh Pudge 145 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:05,720 Speaker 1: in piazza and guys whose you know, names have been 146 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:09,560 Speaker 1: linked to steroid use. Well, I think it's just probably 147 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:11,599 Speaker 1: like every other player that thinks about it, you know, 148 00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:15,000 Speaker 1: it's it's just a political game. Uh. They let in 149 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:19,199 Speaker 1: who they want and um they draw them narrative how 150 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:21,839 Speaker 1: they want baseball to be presented. And uh I was 151 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 1: crystal clear and that when I was eighteen nineteen years old, 152 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,280 Speaker 1: So it ain't changed now. It's just that I'm just 153 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:29,320 Speaker 1: not going to make a fuss about it. It is 154 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:31,880 Speaker 1: what it is. If I'm man, great, If I'm not, 155 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 1: that's fine too. It don't change my life one bit. Well, 156 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:36,600 Speaker 1: you got my vote as long as you're in the ballot. 157 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:40,959 Speaker 1: To batting average to almost undred hits, five hundred and 158 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 1: nine r bis and six six hundred seventy six RBI, 159 00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 1: solid career at Hall of Fame career. What was your 160 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 1: best stop? You obviously played for a number of teams. 161 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:54,560 Speaker 1: Was it winning the World Series in ninety seven with 162 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 1: Florida or was it somewhere else? Yeah, it was Florida Marlins. 163 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:01,240 Speaker 1: You know, I I even to go to show you 164 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 1: how this game is. I even called the Florida Marlins, 165 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:07,920 Speaker 1: you know, to make sure that that was my my 166 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:11,320 Speaker 1: team that I associate myself with. And I brought them 167 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:14,680 Speaker 1: their first championship, and I was the first franchise player 168 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:17,719 Speaker 1: that they ever brought there that to be a franchise 169 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: player and to bring a championship there and uh to 170 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 1: call them back and two thousand nine and two thousand 171 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:27,600 Speaker 1: ten season, um just to sign a one day contract 172 00:10:27,640 --> 00:10:30,920 Speaker 1: to retire there and to no avail, you know. So 173 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:35,080 Speaker 1: so you know, I still have love for the fans there, 174 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:39,320 Speaker 1: and I'm still going to associate myself there because of them. Well, 175 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:41,920 Speaker 1: and whenever you win a championship, it's hard to not 176 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:44,640 Speaker 1: remember those moments in those days and those things that 177 00:10:44,720 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 1: happened exactly when you see today, who who's a player 178 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 1: that jumps out? Now, you do the work for TBS 179 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:55,920 Speaker 1: UH post game baseball, pre game post game stuff. When 180 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 1: you look at the players today, who jumps out? Will 181 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 1: you say this kid is either already there a star 182 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 1: or was going to be a big star in baseball. Well, 183 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 1: when I look at uh teens, I known this kid 184 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:14,120 Speaker 1: when he was a little baby, and I and I 185 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:16,120 Speaker 1: and I used to watch this kid went around his 186 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:20,400 Speaker 1: dad and and everybody, and we saw Glad Junior and 187 00:11:20,559 --> 00:11:23,080 Speaker 1: he he jumps out like a sore thumb back in 188 00:11:23,080 --> 00:11:26,280 Speaker 1: the day like Prince Fielder was. He was coming around 189 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:28,439 Speaker 1: and you see him swing the bat, and you see, 190 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:31,079 Speaker 1: someday these kids gonna be up here. But is it 191 00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:36,040 Speaker 1: that Tift's kid? I saw him. I saw him catching grounders, 192 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:39,079 Speaker 1: and I saw him hitting, and I said, I guaranteed 193 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:40,559 Speaker 1: this kid gonna be a short stop in the big 194 00:11:40,640 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 1: league someday. And I thought his dad would try to 195 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:45,120 Speaker 1: play long enough to play with it, but uh, it 196 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 1: didn't work out that way. Well, you got a couple 197 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 1: of boys who are playing ball, right, are there eleven 198 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 1: and twelve? And tell me about those Are we gonna 199 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: see them in the big leagues? Well I can. I 200 00:11:56,160 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 1: can tell you my twelve year old today, he said, 201 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: when he was he was a baby. Uh, any time 202 00:12:02,840 --> 00:12:04,720 Speaker 1: we would have a game, my eleven year old and 203 00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 1: my sixteen year old, they wouldn't go down in the 204 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:10,119 Speaker 1: tunnel as babies and want to play in the playhouse. 205 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:13,240 Speaker 1: But my my middle son, he always sat there through 206 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 1: the whole game with his mom and watched me play, 207 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 1: and uh, even he mimic everything I did. And and 208 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:22,720 Speaker 1: now when you when you see him, it's like my 209 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:24,400 Speaker 1: wife said, I thought it would get better as he 210 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:27,560 Speaker 1: gets older, But everywhere I know he wants to be there. 211 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: You know, he's like on my hip pocket. So so 212 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:32,120 Speaker 1: I'll just tell you, yeah, as a love for the game, 213 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:35,160 Speaker 1: and that's the most important thing. If you love something enough, 214 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 1: you're gonna be determined enough to make it. So that's 215 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 1: that's what, all right, no doubt, no doubt about it. Uh, 216 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 1: when you see at one point it looked like collusion 217 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:47,679 Speaker 1: was going on and players weren't being signed this past spring, 218 00:12:47,800 --> 00:12:50,720 Speaker 1: and then all of a sudden, they baseball owners have 219 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 1: opened up the checkbooks. When you see the money and 220 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:56,720 Speaker 1: you see what Trout got four hundred thirty million in price, 221 00:12:56,800 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 1: Harper three hundred and thirty million, and many millions. You know, 222 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:04,800 Speaker 1: and you made good money in your day. You made 223 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:07,040 Speaker 1: a lot of money. But would you see these contracts, 224 00:13:07,040 --> 00:13:10,640 Speaker 1: what do you think to yourself? Well, you know, you know, 225 00:13:10,920 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 1: if I always always get asked that question, and my 226 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:18,440 Speaker 1: answer is always the same, the same, the same way 227 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:21,559 Speaker 1: people look at these contracts. It's the same way they 228 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 1: looked at mine when I was the hit highest paid 229 00:13:23,559 --> 00:13:26,880 Speaker 1: baseball player and maybe baseball probably in the history of sports. 230 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:30,400 Speaker 1: When I signed my first big deal, and everybody looked 231 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:32,080 Speaker 1: at me the same way, like, how could you be 232 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:34,199 Speaker 1: worth all this money? How much was that deal? To 233 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:36,640 Speaker 1: refresh people when you when and what year was that 234 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:42,680 Speaker 1: it was? It was only seventy two million dollars, you know, 235 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:44,839 Speaker 1: if I'm just saying based on what they're making now, 236 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 1: so and don't trust me, that's a lot of money, 237 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 1: trust me. But but but it's just the fact that 238 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 1: they're making so much now. But that was for seventy 239 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 1: two million dollars, and everybody looked at me like, how 240 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:58,480 Speaker 1: could you be worth all this money? And I was 241 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:03,480 Speaker 1: like saying the same thing. But but at the same time, 242 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:05,080 Speaker 1: you know, we didn't play for them, you know, we 243 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,839 Speaker 1: didn't play for that and that we played for the dream, 244 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:10,360 Speaker 1: you know, and the and the money calm. That's how 245 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:12,480 Speaker 1: we looked at it as be as we go on. 246 00:14:12,679 --> 00:14:16,880 Speaker 1: We got about thirty seconds baseball. Uh, baseball I think 247 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:19,680 Speaker 1: is in a good place because you got a lot 248 00:14:19,760 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 1: of younger stars coming along. Uh you know, maybe you 249 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:28,080 Speaker 1: need some more African American We saw Kyler Murray who 250 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 1: turned down the baseball right with the A's and instead 251 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 1: became the number one overall pick uh in the NFL. Uh. 252 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 1: Does baseball need some young black stars as well to 253 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:42,480 Speaker 1: keep coming up? Well, you know the thing is about 254 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:45,280 Speaker 1: that is and I'll tell you we're dealing with that. 255 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:47,680 Speaker 1: We're dealing with that right now. You know with my 256 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:51,440 Speaker 1: six team. Oh and high school and where the problem starts. 257 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:54,840 Speaker 1: People have their opinion about why blacks and in the game. 258 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:58,360 Speaker 1: It starts in high school. And I'll tell you, these 259 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:02,080 Speaker 1: coaches play these is that shouldn't be playing, and they 260 00:15:02,120 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 1: black kids and sitting on the bench and not playing 261 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 1: when they're better players, better athletes. And it's the political 262 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:10,760 Speaker 1: game is to pay the play. If they're not paying 263 00:15:11,280 --> 00:15:14,080 Speaker 1: to play on their travelball team, then they you know, 264 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:16,000 Speaker 1: they're not even letting some kids come out for their 265 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 1: high school team. I had to go speak on the 266 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 1: behalf of a friend of mine that that they wouldn't 267 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:24,440 Speaker 1: even let his son come out to trial because he 268 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 1: didn't play on the coaches travelball team. And that's the problem. 269 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:32,120 Speaker 1: That is not what baseball should be about. Gary Cheffel, 270 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:35,720 Speaker 1: my man, Thanks so much for joining the podcast, and 271 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 1: again you have my Baseball Hall of Fame vote. As 272 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:42,320 Speaker 1: long as you're on the ballot, I appreciate you man 273 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 1: and and and continue success. But it's time for the 274 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:51,920 Speaker 1: pocket protector Central the analytic numbers you need to know, 275 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:57,040 Speaker 1: Well maybe FS ones Anthony Mathson is his name, and 276 00:15:57,120 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 1: BS analytics is his game. What you got for me, Anthony? 277 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:03,000 Speaker 1: All right? Today we're giving some love to the pictures, 278 00:16:03,280 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 1: specifically the ones who rack up the strikeouts and keep 279 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 1: the ball in the ballpark. There's a stack called FIP 280 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:11,760 Speaker 1: or Fielding Independent Pitching that works just like e r A. 281 00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 1: But as it explains in the name, it takes a 282 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 1: pictures defense out of the equation. FIP gives you a 283 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:19,840 Speaker 1: great redow. Pictures perform in terms of what they can 284 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:24,320 Speaker 1: control strikeouts, walks hit by pitches, and home runs while 285 00:16:24,360 --> 00:16:27,240 Speaker 1: not penalizing them for four defense behind them, something E 286 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:29,840 Speaker 1: r A doesn't do. Now, the more times of batter 287 00:16:29,920 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 1: puts a ball in play, the less control a picture 288 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:34,720 Speaker 1: has on the outcome of that at that so a 289 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,600 Speaker 1: picture with a high strikeout profile is going to fare 290 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:40,000 Speaker 1: much better when it comes to fifth. Now it's no 291 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:42,320 Speaker 1: surprise that last year the Mets. Jacob Degram led the 292 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:45,280 Speaker 1: league in fifth, with the one nine nine mark, actually 293 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:46,840 Speaker 1: higher than his e r A last year at one 294 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 1: point seven zero. He was ridiculous, But get a common 295 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:52,920 Speaker 1: thread with the rest of the leaderboard. The top five 296 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:55,640 Speaker 1: and fifth last year all struck out more than ten 297 00:16:55,680 --> 00:16:58,920 Speaker 1: batters per nine innings, walks fewer than three for nine innings, 298 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 1: and allowed less than a home run per game. It 299 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 1: was de Graham, Trevor Bower, Patrick Corbyn, Max Scherzer, and 300 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 1: Garrett Cole. Not bad company, right by the way, top 301 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:11,520 Speaker 1: six teams in fifth last year one nine plus games 302 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:15,160 Speaker 1: or your fifth. Increase your wins, Rob, All right, there 303 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 1: we go, Thanks Anthony. Maybe when Rob was a newspaper columnist, 304 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:25,080 Speaker 1: he lived by this motto, if I'm writing, I'm ripping. 305 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:29,359 Speaker 1: Let's bring in a writer, a broadcaster, older new We 306 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:34,760 Speaker 1: now welcome in Baseball Hall of Fame writer Tom Gauge, 307 00:17:35,359 --> 00:17:38,160 Speaker 1: my colleague, got the Detroit News for a number of years, 308 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:41,000 Speaker 1: some of the best times covering baseball. Tom. How are 309 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:44,920 Speaker 1: you doing? I'm doing great? Rap, How are you doing? Man? Wonderful? 310 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 1: Great to have you on the podcast. Let's just get 311 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:52,119 Speaker 1: right to it. Miguel Cabrera is back with the Tigers, 312 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 1: but his bat isn't. What has happened to Miggy Tom, Well, 313 00:17:57,160 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 1: that's you know, that's a good way of putting it. 314 00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 1: Rob is bad, isn't bad. He is back and he's 315 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,400 Speaker 1: you know, it's kind of sad to watch because he's 316 00:18:05,440 --> 00:18:09,000 Speaker 1: trying so hard. He knows the team that depends on him, 317 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:12,800 Speaker 1: and you know, the impact just isn't there anymore. He's hitting, 318 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:16,280 Speaker 1: He's got ten RBIs he hasn't had. He hasn't had 319 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:20,240 Speaker 1: even in his rookie season. I mean, he this is 320 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 1: a guy who's had five aprils of more than twenty 321 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:26,919 Speaker 1: RBIs and one home run and he just kind of 322 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:30,800 Speaker 1: didn't dump that into the first drow at in Chicago 323 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: the other day to write field. He doesn't pull the ball. 324 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:37,720 Speaker 1: He's got thirty strikeouts Robin ninety nine at Batch. That's 325 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:40,680 Speaker 1: not the Miguel Cabrera you remember, not at all. And 326 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:43,720 Speaker 1: Tom at one point, you remember when he won the 327 00:18:43,760 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 1: Triple Crown, people were talking about he's the best right 328 00:18:46,359 --> 00:18:48,840 Speaker 1: handed hitter in the history of baseball. Do you remember 329 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:52,320 Speaker 1: that talk? Oh? Absolutely, And he's still a good hitter 330 00:18:52,359 --> 00:18:55,240 Speaker 1: because he's such a smart hitter, but he's not the 331 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:59,120 Speaker 1: impact hitter he was. I mean one RB, one home 332 00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:02,320 Speaker 1: run ten RB. Yes, he's sitting Lady three and his 333 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:06,359 Speaker 1: and his UH slugging average is in the mid trees. 334 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:09,120 Speaker 1: And that's just you know, he's more like a sixth 335 00:19:09,119 --> 00:19:11,720 Speaker 1: spot hitter instead of a three or four. Now, now 336 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:15,000 Speaker 1: they can change, you know, it can come back. But 337 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:19,280 Speaker 1: he missed most of last season with with that bisup problem, 338 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:23,320 Speaker 1: and uh now, and and he's and he's older now, 339 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 1: he's in his mid thirties, and uh, it just doesn't 340 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:29,199 Speaker 1: come back automatically. This is a guy to whom the 341 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:33,679 Speaker 1: Tigers still over a hundred million dollars. Speaking of that, 342 00:19:33,760 --> 00:19:37,440 Speaker 1: the Tigers and Owing and where they are now, how 343 00:19:37,480 --> 00:19:41,280 Speaker 1: have people accepted what's going on? Because it was a 344 00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:44,320 Speaker 1: missed window there Tom where they went to the World 345 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:46,600 Speaker 1: Series twice, they were a very good team and on 346 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:49,680 Speaker 1: the cusp of winning a championship, it didn't happen. How 347 00:19:49,720 --> 00:19:53,439 Speaker 1: have How has Detroit responded to this Tiger team? Well, 348 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:58,760 Speaker 1: I think Detroit's responded remarkably well and with remarkable patients. 349 00:19:59,080 --> 00:20:03,080 Speaker 1: I don't know how long patients last after after a 350 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 1: good team. I mean The Red Wings are going through 351 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:08,160 Speaker 1: that too, because they've not made the playoffs for three 352 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 1: years after after being you know, the Darlins of Detroit. 353 00:20:12,040 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 1: But I don't see that. Initially the Tigers, the fans 354 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 1: could blame Brad Awesomes because they didn't really care for Brad, 355 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:22,320 Speaker 1: but now I think they all like Garden higher and 356 00:20:22,359 --> 00:20:25,880 Speaker 1: he doesn't find job. But the team is not good. 357 00:20:26,280 --> 00:20:28,159 Speaker 1: I mean, it got off to a decent start, and 358 00:20:28,200 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 1: it has some It certainly has some some pitching and 359 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:38,640 Speaker 1: the pitching prospects. Casey Mayes, who the number one draft choice, 360 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:40,840 Speaker 1: want to double a last night and his in his 361 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:45,359 Speaker 1: double d you rob he if it's no hitter, and 362 00:20:45,480 --> 00:20:48,280 Speaker 1: uh so I think he's I don't think they'll give 363 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:51,840 Speaker 1: him a shot this year or maybe September. I don't know. 364 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:54,800 Speaker 1: But that's a name certainly to keep track of for 365 00:20:54,840 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: the future. But this is a this is a no 366 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:02,679 Speaker 1: name team except for Castanos. Is often a slow start, 367 00:21:02,880 --> 00:21:05,640 Speaker 1: and he's hired Scott Boys, so you know what that means. 368 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:08,800 Speaker 1: That probably means that he's gonna be elsewhere and uh, 369 00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:13,439 Speaker 1: it's just uh, I don't know, it's uh, it's they 370 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:16,800 Speaker 1: don't score runs. They don't give up many runs, but 371 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:20,199 Speaker 1: they don't score many. Tom, would this be fair? I 372 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:24,960 Speaker 1: want you to answer yes or no. Did Dave Dombrowski 373 00:21:25,080 --> 00:21:29,560 Speaker 1: cost the Tigers a championship by never fixing the bullpen? Yes? 374 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:34,200 Speaker 1: I would say that's not fair. I think they There 375 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:38,159 Speaker 1: are more reasons. You can give credit to Dombroski for 376 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:41,959 Speaker 1: helping the Tigers turn into what they did, uh, and 377 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:46,040 Speaker 1: then UH signed him. Blame. But at the same time, 378 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:50,359 Speaker 1: how did they not win a World Series? You know, 379 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:52,919 Speaker 1: if you don't win oh six, you gotta win twelve 380 00:21:53,280 --> 00:21:56,399 Speaker 1: and then with that thirteen team, how do you not 381 00:21:56,520 --> 00:22:00,480 Speaker 1: even get to the World Series. This was a premier 382 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:04,280 Speaker 1: not just franchise, but on the field. I mean they 383 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:07,120 Speaker 1: had that window. They should have won a World Series 384 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:10,240 Speaker 1: while they were that good, but they did not last 385 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:14,159 Speaker 1: thirty seconds. You wrote a book, you're writing working on 386 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:16,840 Speaker 1: another book. Tell us about the book you wrote and 387 00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:20,720 Speaker 1: the one that's coming up. Well. I stopped covering the 388 00:22:20,760 --> 00:22:24,239 Speaker 1: Tigers as a beat writer in two thousand fifteen. I've 389 00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:29,000 Speaker 1: written three books since, one general book about the Tigers, 390 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:32,720 Speaker 1: best moments and best players, one on Alan Trammell that 391 00:22:32,760 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: I wrote with the Tigers. Uh. Last year and one 392 00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:38,840 Speaker 1: with Mickey Lollwits in the sixty eight World Series. I'd 393 00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 1: love to write a book about Lou Whittaker because he 394 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:44,200 Speaker 1: might be next up for the Hall of Fame. And 395 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:47,359 Speaker 1: I don't think even after all these years, Robbed that 396 00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:52,359 Speaker 1: Detroit really knows Lou Hohitaker. And I can't wait for 397 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:55,920 Speaker 1: that book. His name is Tom Gage, Hall of Fame 398 00:22:56,000 --> 00:23:00,159 Speaker 1: baseball writer, and Tom, thanks for joining the podcast. Can 399 00:23:00,760 --> 00:23:05,600 Speaker 1: talking with this? Fasten your seatbelt, give me, give me five. 400 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:12,720 Speaker 1: Here comes Marker's top three MLB teams this week. Number three, 401 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:17,080 Speaker 1: the Los Angeles Dodgers. They continue to hit the ball 402 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:19,480 Speaker 1: out of the ballpark. Second in the National League with 403 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:23,760 Speaker 1: home runs with forty nine and first with a four 404 00:23:24,119 --> 00:23:28,560 Speaker 1: six seven slugging percentage. Cody Bellinger leading away, tied a 405 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:32,000 Speaker 1: major league record with his fourteenth home run on Sunday. 406 00:23:32,680 --> 00:23:36,639 Speaker 1: He joined an exclusive club. Only three others had hit 407 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:40,879 Speaker 1: that many home runs before May one. Number two. I 408 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:45,159 Speaker 1: know the Tampa Bay Rays. I'm giving them respect. I 409 00:23:45,280 --> 00:23:47,920 Speaker 1: know they got swept by the Red Sox and people 410 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:51,560 Speaker 1: said always what was me? Here it comes. But even 411 00:23:51,680 --> 00:23:53,960 Speaker 1: during their rough patch when they went four and five 412 00:23:54,040 --> 00:23:57,240 Speaker 1: over a nine game period. The bullpen has gotten better 413 00:23:57,920 --> 00:24:01,200 Speaker 1: and uh, I still believe the Rays have great starting pitching. 414 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:05,720 Speaker 1: They are number two, number one, it's the Yankees again. 415 00:24:06,280 --> 00:24:09,399 Speaker 1: I know the stars aren't there yet, they haven't shown up, 416 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:13,840 Speaker 1: but they continue to win. They went to San Francisco, 417 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:17,120 Speaker 1: they swept. They're hitting the ball out of the park. 418 00:24:17,680 --> 00:24:21,840 Speaker 1: It has been an unbelievable surgeon resurgence by the Yankees 419 00:24:21,880 --> 00:24:25,560 Speaker 1: despite the injuries. They remain number one. They out the 420 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:30,920 Speaker 1: It's time for trash talk Twitter. Twit with your chance 421 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:35,919 Speaker 1: to trash anyone or anything in Major League Baseball. Now 422 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:38,679 Speaker 1: it's time for trash talk Twitter, when you can trash 423 00:24:38,840 --> 00:24:44,560 Speaker 1: anyone anything in Major League Baseball. This week's winner is 424 00:24:44,800 --> 00:24:50,040 Speaker 1: at young a Rab on Twitter and he tweets this, 425 00:24:51,040 --> 00:24:53,879 Speaker 1: I want to trash the Yankees medical staff for not 426 00:24:54,080 --> 00:24:57,639 Speaker 1: being able to at least keep a starting eleven on 427 00:24:57,760 --> 00:25:08,800 Speaker 1: the field, and as this week's winner, he wins a 428 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:15,960 Speaker 1: New Era Baseball cap with the n Y interlocking congratulations. 429 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:18,560 Speaker 1: If you want to be a winner next week, make 430 00:25:18,600 --> 00:25:22,680 Speaker 1: sure you go to our Twitter at Parker Podcast one. 431 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:29,640 Speaker 1: Now bring in the closer. Here's why MLB is better 432 00:25:29,720 --> 00:25:33,479 Speaker 1: than the NFL or NBA and it isn't even close. 433 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:38,760 Speaker 1: Baseball is better than the NFL and NBA because they 434 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:42,080 Speaker 1: make better songs about the sport than any other sport. 435 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 1: Take a listen, are you an amazing Yes? Who's ball 436 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:50,720 Speaker 1: with that? Why wasn't left? I told you that every 437 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:52,399 Speaker 1: time we come to the game, we got to talk 438 00:25:52,440 --> 00:25:55,879 Speaker 1: about the next time I'm gonna hit in a gram stand. Hey, hey, fellows, 439 00:25:55,960 --> 00:26:01,479 Speaker 1: what's your name? Say? Well? They say hey, sail swaying 440 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:07,200 Speaker 1: at the plaint saying hey, hey will that tide gear 441 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 1: is plat When he hits the ball his longdon Man 442 00:26:12,880 --> 00:26:16,760 Speaker 1: hits some more th than camp end, swings the brats 443 00:26:16,840 --> 00:26:20,480 Speaker 1: black and laid right, and then beats the ball. It 444 00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:23,560 Speaker 1: overill right. He can't get it. This could be an 445 00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:26,560 Speaker 1: inside of Parker to see it next weekend. Save bad time, 446 00:26:26,960 --> 00:26:35,960 Speaker 1: Save bad station. M M.