1 00:00:01,639 --> 00:00:04,880 Speaker 1: From the berkshears to the sound from wherever you live 2 00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: in MLB America. This is inside the Parker. You give 3 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:11,520 Speaker 1: us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop 4 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame 5 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: Voter number seven game, Rob Parker. 6 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 2: Welcome into the program. I'm your host, Rob Parker. Another 7 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:28,600 Speaker 2: great episode for you. Coming up on a program, we'll 8 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 2: talk with former Major league pitcher CJ. 9 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 3: Nikowski. 10 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 2: He'll drop by also Zach b Can and he covers 11 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 2: the Arizona Diamondback for the Athletic and the Diamondbacks have 12 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:44,199 Speaker 2: a surprising start to the season. That plus foul afare 13 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 2: let's go. 14 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:50,800 Speaker 1: Better up to lead off. It's getting robbed. 15 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:51,839 Speaker 3: Keep them on. 16 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major 17 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 1: League Baseball. 18 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 2: Number one, say it isn't so oh for the Texas Rangers. 19 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 2: My goodness, Jacob de Gram will have surgery Tommy Johns 20 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 2: surgery and will be lost for this year next year. 21 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 3: And is looking to return in twenty twenty five. 22 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 2: You know, the AL West leading Texas Rangers signed them 23 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 2: to a big deal in the offseason. Five years, one 24 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 2: hundred and eighty five million dollars. They knew they were 25 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 2: rolling the dice when you get a two time Cy 26 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 2: Young Award winner. But he's had nothing but injury issues 27 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:38,440 Speaker 2: with the Mets. He constantly hurt. But they roll the 28 00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:43,800 Speaker 2: dice on a guy who turns thirty five later this month. 29 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 2: And the goal was to, you know, try to give 30 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 2: them an ace at the top of the rotation, give 31 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 2: this team a chance to win. They've been playing incredibly 32 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:56,400 Speaker 2: well because they have a great lineup, hitting wise and 33 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 2: some other stuff. 34 00:01:57,280 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 3: But you know, it's a big blow. It really is 35 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:01,639 Speaker 3: a big blow. 36 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 2: The Rangers had won all six games that de Gram 37 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 2: started before he got hurt. De Gram was two to 38 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:12,240 Speaker 2: zero in those six games. But man, it is a 39 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 2: blow that Jacob de Grom just can't stay healthy. Disappointing 40 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,799 Speaker 2: because when he's healthy, and that's a big question mark. 41 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 3: When he's healthy, he's the best picture in baseball. 42 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:27,360 Speaker 2: I mean, it's hard to argue with that if you 43 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:30,799 Speaker 2: look at the numbers and what he was able to do. 44 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 2: But let's just face it, it was a crapshoot. De 45 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:38,200 Speaker 2: Gram was limited to just one hundred and fifty six 46 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:41,240 Speaker 2: in the third innings over twenty six starts in his 47 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:44,080 Speaker 2: last two years in New York with the Mets. It 48 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:46,320 Speaker 2: tells you how rough it has been for him to 49 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 2: stay healthy. Number two, Man, what a season it's been 50 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 2: for Texas Rangers second basement Marcus Simeon. On Tuesday night 51 00:02:57,760 --> 00:03:01,359 Speaker 2: against the Saint Louis Cardinals, he had a two run 52 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 2: double in the fourth in and it extended his major 53 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:09,400 Speaker 2: League leading hitting streak to twenty five games, twenty five 54 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 2: straight games going into Wednesday. Man has he been on 55 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 2: the tear. It's the longest streak in the Majors this 56 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:20,560 Speaker 2: season and the longest of Simeon's career. Simeon has also 57 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 2: reached base in thirty three consecutive games. And if you remember, 58 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 2: Simeon had the big year two years ago with Toronto, 59 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 2: hit the most home runs in a single season by 60 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 2: a second baseman. Came to Texas, signed a big deal, 61 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 2: but struggle and it wasn't the same kind of season 62 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:43,800 Speaker 2: last year his first year in Arlington. But man, has 63 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 2: he turned it around, batting over three hundred Now he 64 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:51,080 Speaker 2: has this big twenty five game hitting streak coming into Wednesday. 65 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 2: What a season has been for Marcus Simeon. And he's 66 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 2: a big reason why the Rangers are in first place 67 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:01,120 Speaker 2: in the AL West. 68 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:04,040 Speaker 1: Number three amazing. 69 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:11,080 Speaker 2: Luis Araaz is batting four oh one coming into Wednesday. 70 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 3: Hello, is this on? 71 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 2: Yes, we're in early June and he's batting four one. 72 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:21,480 Speaker 2: We know there's a long way to go. There's still 73 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:24,560 Speaker 2: four months to go to a regular season. And for 74 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:28,880 Speaker 2: a guy to try to hit four hundred. We always 75 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:33,160 Speaker 2: remember Ted Williams was the last one to bat four 76 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 2: hundred and four to oh six, if you can believe that, 77 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:42,719 Speaker 2: and that was back in nineteen forty one. I mean, 78 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 2: that's how long ago. That was four to six during 79 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,800 Speaker 2: the nineteen forty one season. And you know, we've had 80 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 2: some players. George Brett made a run at it. Tony 81 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:57,120 Speaker 2: gwyn Ready in nineteen ninety four batted three ninety four, 82 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:04,280 Speaker 2: George Brett in nineteen eighty on batted three ninety incredible numbers. 83 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 2: Rod Carew nineteen seventy seven, three eighty eight, Larry Walker 84 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 2: in nineteen ninety nine batted three seventy nine. So it's 85 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 2: no easy task to try to hit four hundred. And 86 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 2: I just think this so hard with not only like 87 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 2: the travel is definitely bigger and better. I mean and tougher, 88 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:33,119 Speaker 2: but also the scrutiny and all the coverage that would 89 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:36,160 Speaker 2: happen as you go forward. You know, when Ted Williams 90 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 2: of batting four h six in nineteen forty one, it 91 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:40,360 Speaker 2: wasn't the scrutiny that you get now. 92 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 3: It just wasn't. 93 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 2: And some of these other guys had great starts and 94 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 2: just couldn't close the deal. Tony Grinn three ninety four, 95 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:52,840 Speaker 2: I mean, that was incredible. And of course I remember 96 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 2: George Brett, the Hall of Fame third basement, who flirted with. 97 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 3: Four hundred. 98 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 2: This guy has had a four hundred going into late 99 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 2: September and then faded over the last thirteen games and 100 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:10,040 Speaker 2: finished batting three nineties. 101 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:12,840 Speaker 3: So it's gonna be tough, but what a story it is. 102 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:15,840 Speaker 2: And if you're a Marlins fan and you're looking at 103 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:18,919 Speaker 2: this young second baseman, saying, man, this dude is fun 104 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:19,480 Speaker 2: to watch. 105 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:22,600 Speaker 3: He doesn't strike out a lot, puts the ball. 106 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:26,880 Speaker 2: In play, and so far four one in June coming 107 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 2: into Wednesday's action is pretty darn impressive. 108 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 1: So here comes the big interview. Listen and learn. 109 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 3: It's so good. 110 00:06:36,640 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 2: All right, Now, let's welcome in former Major league pitcher 111 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 2: CJ Nikkowski, who played ten years in the big leagues, 112 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:46,679 Speaker 2: broke in with the Cincinnati Reds in nineteen ninety five 113 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 2: and is busy in his post major league baseball career. 114 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 3: He's a Rangers. 115 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:56,839 Speaker 2: Texas Rangers color guy on television, also has a radio 116 00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 2: show on Serious xm MLB networ Work Radio. 117 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 1: And I knew. 118 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:04,800 Speaker 2: Him back in his Detroit days when I was a 119 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:05,599 Speaker 2: reporter there. 120 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 3: What's happened to CJ? How are you, Rob? 121 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:08,800 Speaker 1: I'm doing great? 122 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:09,720 Speaker 4: Man? Touch up with that? 123 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:11,679 Speaker 3: How you been always good? Yes? 124 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 2: Indeed, Man and the Rangers are stories. It's great to 125 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 2: talk to you. And how surprised are you at where 126 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 2: they are? They made a lot of moves last year. 127 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 2: They spent like a half a billion dollars on up 128 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 2: the middle with Seeger and Simeon. They signed to Grom 129 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:29,160 Speaker 2: in the off season, so they spent some money. Are 130 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 2: you surprised that they're in first place? Here we are 131 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 2: in early June. 132 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 4: I mean, they're definitely exceeding expectations, but they also came 133 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 4: into the season expecting to contend to compete. I think 134 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:43,080 Speaker 4: we all looked at the Houston Astros and knew, you know, 135 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 4: what a juggernaut they have been over recent years, and 136 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 4: that they were going to be a problem, and so 137 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:50,720 Speaker 4: the fact that they're in first place here in early 138 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:53,520 Speaker 4: June with the pretty decent lead, yeah, I think it's 139 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:55,840 Speaker 4: probably safe to say that that part of them is 140 00:07:55,840 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 4: a little bit of a surprise. But a lot of 141 00:07:57,800 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 4: things for this team, and you know, you mentioned a 142 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:02,560 Speaker 4: couple of all seasons, they threw a lot of money 143 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 4: at this roster, but they've also done a good job 144 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 4: of getting some pieces from within, some pre arbitration guys 145 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:10,720 Speaker 4: that are non expensive that are contributing in really big 146 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 4: ways as well. And so they've kind of been clicking 147 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 4: on all cylinders for the most part this year. But 148 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 4: maybe no bigger surprise. And how good the offense has 149 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 4: been one of the best, that the best in baseball 150 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 4: depending on what bets the kibokat. 151 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,080 Speaker 2: Let's start here, and the offense has been incredible. But 152 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 2: Jacob deGrom, I mean, you know, you're rolling the dice 153 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 2: with him. He wasn't able to stay healthy in New 154 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,240 Speaker 2: York with the Mets. He signed him anyway, five years, 155 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:38,440 Speaker 2: one hundred eighty five million dollars. He wins his first 156 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:42,480 Speaker 2: gets two wins in his first six starts, and now 157 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 2: he's out with Tommy john A. What's the psyche or 158 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 2: the blow to the team not having him knowing he's 159 00:08:49,040 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 2: not coming back this year or next year, and who 160 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:54,960 Speaker 2: do they replace a guy like to Grom with. 161 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:58,360 Speaker 4: Yeah, so it's been interesting because he's been out since 162 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:01,640 Speaker 4: April twenty eighth, right, Well, yeah, he was really good 163 00:09:01,679 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 4: no six starts. The Rangers went six to zero in 164 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 4: his starts. They had the best winning percentage of baseball 165 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 4: since he's been on the IL. And then has to 166 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 4: do with the fact the guys that have stepped in 167 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:13,360 Speaker 4: and so when they started putting this pitching staff together 168 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:16,240 Speaker 4: in the off season, it wasn't just take up the ground. 169 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:19,960 Speaker 4: It was Native Baldy who's been terrific. They brought in Andrews. 170 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:22,840 Speaker 4: They also brought back the Martine Carrez to go along 171 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:24,640 Speaker 4: with John Gray, who had already signed a four year 172 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 4: deal the previous year. They brought in Jacob to Rizzy 173 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:30,439 Speaker 4: for depth. Jacob o'rizzi got hurt and he's going to 174 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:33,320 Speaker 4: miss the whole year as well. But in the meantime, 175 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:35,840 Speaker 4: Dame Dunning, who was the starter last year, did okay 176 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:38,840 Speaker 4: some up some downs for him had hip surgery in 177 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:40,840 Speaker 4: the off season or for the end of the year, 178 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 4: was going to be also one of those death pieces. Well, 179 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:45,679 Speaker 4: he has stepped into the ground spot in the rotation 180 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:48,559 Speaker 4: and has been terrific. And he's five and one now 181 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:50,760 Speaker 4: after being in the bullpen for a little while doing 182 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:54,200 Speaker 4: clay there. He's been a huge part of what's going 183 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 4: on here so well. Nobody looks at him necessarily to 184 00:09:57,120 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 4: replace Jakeo of the ground. There two completely different kind 185 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 4: of pittures. He has been really good and he's helped 186 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:05,240 Speaker 4: keep the team aflow. The offenses carried it as well, 187 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 4: but he's been the guy. The bigger issue now going 188 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:10,920 Speaker 4: forward is what happens if they need another guy. Right, 189 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:14,120 Speaker 4: so those two depth pieces in Dunning and odor Rizzi, 190 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:16,439 Speaker 4: who were not expected to be in the rotation when 191 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 4: the season started. Odor Rizzy is out for the year, 192 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:22,240 Speaker 4: Dunning is in, and so those first two pieces are 193 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 4: no longer available. Where do you go from here is 194 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:27,080 Speaker 4: probably one of the bigger questions if another need arises, 195 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 4: But as it stands right now, they like their starting five. 196 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 2: Our guest is CJ. Nik Kowski, former major league pitcher. 197 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 2: He does color on Rangers television, also as a show 198 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 2: on a serious xm MLB network radio. Let me ask 199 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 2: you about Marcus Simeon signed a big deal last year, 200 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 2: came over, remember, set the record for most home runs 201 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:51,520 Speaker 2: by a second basement in a single season, and struggled 202 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 2: last year. It was an okay season, not terrible, but okay. 203 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 2: And this year, coming into Wednesday, CJ twenty five game 204 00:10:58,320 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 2: hitting streak. 205 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:00,439 Speaker 3: What is he doing different? 206 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 2: Is he just more relaxed, maybe not trying to live 207 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:06,160 Speaker 2: up to the contract and just play or what is it? 208 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 4: I think the big thing with Marcus, and he's talked 209 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 4: about this. You know, both him and Corey Seger last 210 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 4: year signed those huge deals. If you remember, they signed 211 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:16,280 Speaker 4: their contracts and then we had the lockout, and for 212 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:21,080 Speaker 4: ninety nine days there wasn't anything going on. The guys 213 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:22,920 Speaker 4: could talk about themselves, so they couldn't get together as 214 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 4: a team. There was no official stuff going on, and 215 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:27,679 Speaker 4: so you're talking about trying to get settled after signing 216 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 4: that big deal, and you really couldn't. Once everything got done, 217 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:34,079 Speaker 4: then we had three weeks abbreviated spring training, and I 218 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 4: kind of put both of them in the same category 219 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 4: together because we were listening to him talk about it. 220 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:40,600 Speaker 4: But for Marcus and for Corey, you know, the relatively 221 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 4: kind of quiet guys need a little time to get 222 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 4: to know everybody and get comfortable, and that didn't exist, 223 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:47,560 Speaker 4: and they both got off to just slow starts. Marcus 224 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:49,440 Speaker 4: in particular, we didn't see his first time run until 225 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 4: late May last year, and no doubt it started to 226 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:54,200 Speaker 4: snowball a little bit because you are trying to make 227 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:56,760 Speaker 4: an impression. You are trying to show is you deserve 228 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 4: the contract, You're trying to impress new teammates, coaches, do 229 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:03,719 Speaker 4: fan base, do front office, all of it, and it's 230 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:05,199 Speaker 4: just for to kind of get away from him a 231 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 4: little bit. He's been completely different this year, much more relaxed, 232 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:12,360 Speaker 4: went through last year much more comfortable, got off to 233 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:14,600 Speaker 4: a great start, and back to doing what he does well, 234 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 4: which is hitting the fastball not missing it. Being a 235 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 4: great leadoff hitter, being out there every single day is 236 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 4: kind of a modern day iron man by today's standards. 237 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 4: And he's also driving in runs, which is not an 238 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:27,360 Speaker 4: easy thing to do when you're a leadoff hitter. That 239 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:28,840 Speaker 4: is more of a product of the guys that are 240 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:30,720 Speaker 4: hitting eighth and ninth in the line up, been getting 241 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 4: on base. But it's all gone right for Marcus and 242 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 4: he's always been a great example as I've always really 243 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 4: liked him a lot. He's always been well respected, works 244 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 4: his tail off and a lot of guys will fall 245 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:42,960 Speaker 4: online behind him because of it. But I think it 246 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 4: has more than anything than to do with the fact 247 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:47,760 Speaker 4: that he had a full spring training, got a little 248 00:12:47,800 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 4: taste last year and was much more comfortable when the 249 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:51,400 Speaker 4: season started this year. 250 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:54,760 Speaker 2: Last thing about the manager Bruce Bochi, who came out 251 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 2: of retirement and you know, people were a little surprised. 252 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:02,200 Speaker 2: Come down Rangels with three World Series championships in his 253 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 2: back pocket. What what difference has he made with this organization. 254 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:10,000 Speaker 4: Yeah, he's been big. I mean, I think legitimacy as 255 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 4: far as that track record that you're talking about, we 256 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 4: know that the expectations were already raised because of what 257 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 4: you know, we saw with the with the roster moves. 258 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,760 Speaker 4: Now it's gotten to the point where you bring him 259 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:25,040 Speaker 4: in and everything just kind of feels elevated. Right he 260 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 4: doesn't come to kind of work to help with and 261 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 4: you know, work that way there, he's ready to contend 262 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 4: right away. So you getting the legitimacy of what his 263 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:36,680 Speaker 4: history is and what he has done, how that elevates 264 00:13:36,679 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 4: everybody else from the clubout the flip side also that 265 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 4: goes along with that, he's a very guy, and the 266 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:45,160 Speaker 4: players have talked about with some consistency that there's just 267 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:47,559 Speaker 4: something about when he's in the home, when he is leading, 268 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:50,320 Speaker 4: when he's addressing the team, and just take the pressure 269 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:52,520 Speaker 4: off everybody because he's been there and done that. But 270 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 4: he also has kind of the softer side to him 271 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 4: that you're just comfortable around. He needs a joy to 272 00:13:56,880 --> 00:13:59,800 Speaker 4: speak with, but he done that without losing a competitive 273 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:01,520 Speaker 4: that right, trying to find the balance of those two 274 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:04,240 Speaker 4: things that they could be a struggle sometimes for managers, 275 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:06,880 Speaker 4: but it's very obvious that he's Bochi is ultra competitive 276 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:08,920 Speaker 4: as well, and when it's time to work and when 277 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:11,079 Speaker 4: it's time to get it done, he's going to ask 278 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:13,080 Speaker 4: his guys to do that. And what's been really kind 279 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:15,400 Speaker 4: of neat to see with him is that, well, even 280 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:17,720 Speaker 4: a couple of times where they've had to use young players, 281 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 4: there's no soft landings, there's no easing them in. There's 282 00:14:21,280 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 4: a championship caliber mentality here now. And so as an example, 283 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 4: this kid, Grant Anderson gets called up, never pitched the 284 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 4: big leagues. They need some help in the bullpen, and 285 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 4: Boach throws them in a game with the potential time 286 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 4: run a second base. So youre is noam going to 287 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 4: make it easy on you. If you're in the fire 288 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 4: right away. I need to know if I can trust you. 289 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:40,240 Speaker 4: Those kinds of things that we've seen with some consistency 290 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 4: and a little bit of that old school feel, I 291 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 4: think it's meant the world and it has been a huge 292 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:45,040 Speaker 4: difference for this organization. 293 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:46,720 Speaker 3: His name is CJ. 294 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:50,960 Speaker 2: Nik Kowski, a former Major league pitcher and Texas Rangers 295 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 2: color man on television. CJ thanks so much for your 296 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 2: insight and your knowledge, my friend. 297 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 4: Thank you of course, Rob, always great to talk with you. 298 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 1: Left ball is it was a big week in the 299 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:10,600 Speaker 1: big leagues. Who's a five I believe? Is it foul 300 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:16,200 Speaker 1: or is it fair? And now from mlbdbro dot com, 301 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 1: here's Jrgamball. 302 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:23,480 Speaker 2: Yankee slugger Aaron Judge was placed on the il after 303 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 2: injurying his big toe making a catch on Saturday in 304 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 2: Los Angeles? 305 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 3: Jr? 306 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:32,080 Speaker 2: Is it foul or fair to say that the Yankees 307 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 2: are worried about a return of nagging injuries that have 308 00:15:35,520 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 2: plagued him throughout his career. 309 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 1: Fair it's a fair ball. 310 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:44,280 Speaker 5: Potential injury is always a concern for Judge, despite the 311 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:47,440 Speaker 5: fact that he managed to stay healthy last season, He's 312 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 5: already had a few bumps and bruises, Let's be honest. 313 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:55,440 Speaker 5: Before he went down, the Yankees were eighteen and one 314 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 5: in games he homered, and were clawing their way back 315 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 5: into the Al East, cutting into that huge lead that 316 00:16:03,280 --> 00:16:06,080 Speaker 5: the Tampa Bay Rays had earlier in the season, and 317 00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:09,520 Speaker 5: trying to surpass second place Baltimore, who has been able 318 00:16:09,520 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 5: to stay just ahead of the Yankees thanks to some 319 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 5: hot hitting by a former Yankee named Aaron Hicks. We 320 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 5: know Judges destroy. That stirs the Yankees. Thankfully, their other 321 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 5: big Bapa, Gian Carlos Stanton, the artist formerly known as Mike, 322 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:30,440 Speaker 5: is back, so that will ease some of the loss. 323 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:31,160 Speaker 3: But like you. 324 00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:34,040 Speaker 5: Mentioned on MLB Central in your MLB Bro video on 325 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:38,120 Speaker 5: Wednesday morning, Rob Judge just does so much more than 326 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 5: hit home runs. They will miss his glove and leadership 327 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 5: even for this short stint. Thank goodness, it's only until Tuesday, 328 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:49,280 Speaker 5: when he scheduled to return in a series against Oakland. 329 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 5: But they can't afford these injuries or for him to 330 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 5: miss any time. If they are going to catch the 331 00:16:55,360 --> 00:17:00,360 Speaker 5: Tampa Bay Rays. 332 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:02,880 Speaker 1: It's time for the pocket protector centrum. The analytic numbers 333 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 1: you need to know. 334 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:10,119 Speaker 2: Well, maybe Anthony Masterson is his name, BS analytics is 335 00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 2: his game. 336 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:11,960 Speaker 3: What do you got for me, Anthony? 337 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 6: Something is happening in Cincinnati, whether people are noticing or not. 338 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:18,000 Speaker 6: On Tuesday, the Queen City was electrified by the MLB 339 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:21,119 Speaker 6: debut of top five infield prospect Ellie de la Cruz, 340 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:24,000 Speaker 6: the number five prospect in baseball. The sixty five to 341 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 6: two hundred pound twenty one year old has been breaking 342 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 6: stat cast all season long down in Triple A, and 343 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:32,520 Speaker 6: he's finally brought his talents to Great American Ballpark, even 344 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:34,560 Speaker 6: at his young age, at a high level day La 345 00:17:34,640 --> 00:17:36,760 Speaker 6: Cruz has recorded the hardest hit ball in baseball this 346 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:39,680 Speaker 6: season in MLB or Triple A one hundred and eighteen 347 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:42,679 Speaker 6: point eight mile per hour double on May ninth. Incredibly, 348 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:45,600 Speaker 6: in that same game, Ellie homer from each side of 349 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:48,359 Speaker 6: the plate in consecutive innings. Those were hit at one, 350 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 6: sixteen point six and one seventeen point one miles per hour. 351 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:55,080 Speaker 6: In the stack cast era, no player had ever recorded 352 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:57,560 Speaker 6: three batted balls at one hundred and sixteen miles per 353 00:17:57,600 --> 00:18:00,720 Speaker 6: hour or higher in one game. In fact, no team 354 00:18:00,800 --> 00:18:03,320 Speaker 6: had ever done it either. The only other players to 355 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 6: record two such batted balls in one game were John 356 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:08,479 Speaker 6: Carlos Stanton and Aaron Judge. And by the way, in 357 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:10,679 Speaker 6: his first big league game, Ellie wrote a double at 358 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:13,000 Speaker 6: one hundred and twelve miles per hour into second at bat, 359 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:15,240 Speaker 6: the hardest hit ball by a Reds player this season, 360 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 6: No big deal. It's not only with the bat. De 361 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:20,919 Speaker 6: la Cruz has dazzled in the field, too, recording the 362 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:23,640 Speaker 6: hardest throw on any infield put out of the year, 363 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:26,000 Speaker 6: a ninety nine point two mile per hour throw on 364 00:18:26,040 --> 00:18:28,600 Speaker 6: May fifth. He even cracked one hundred mile per hour 365 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 6: barrier on an error back on May twelfth. It's not 366 00:18:32,160 --> 00:18:34,480 Speaker 6: often when a prospect comes up that can do things 367 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:37,680 Speaker 6: no other player can. It's even crazier when he's twenty 368 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:39,960 Speaker 6: one year old cleanup hitter looking to change the entire 369 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:41,160 Speaker 6: fortunes of a franchise. 370 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:45,520 Speaker 1: When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto, 371 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:49,240 Speaker 1: if I'm writing I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer 372 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 1: or broadcaster, old or new. 373 00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:55,080 Speaker 2: All right, now, let's welcome into the podcast Zach Buchanan. 374 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:59,440 Speaker 2: He's uh with the Athletic and he covers the Arizona Diamondbacks. 375 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:02,240 Speaker 3: Zach, welcome to the podcast. Appreciate you. 376 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:04,480 Speaker 7: Yeah, thanks for having me on. 377 00:19:04,760 --> 00:19:05,320 Speaker 3: No doubt. 378 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:09,240 Speaker 2: What a surprise here we are coming into Wednesday the 379 00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:11,840 Speaker 2: d bacs thirty six to twenty five, one game lead 380 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:15,000 Speaker 2: over the Dodgers. How surprised are you, as a guy 381 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 2: who covered the team that. 382 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:18,119 Speaker 3: They are in first place. 383 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:19,600 Speaker 2: I mean, it's still a long way to go, we 384 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:22,399 Speaker 2: got it, but still, what a great start for the 385 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:23,040 Speaker 2: d Backs. 386 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:26,479 Speaker 7: It is a great start, And I would say that 387 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:29,479 Speaker 7: I am surprised that they're in first place, and that 388 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:32,080 Speaker 7: I think at the moment have our tired for the 389 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:35,320 Speaker 7: best record in the National League. But I'm not surprised 390 00:19:35,320 --> 00:19:37,399 Speaker 7: that they are playing well. I think a lot of 391 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:40,760 Speaker 7: us who have been watching this team, especially last year, 392 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:44,639 Speaker 7: and who had been paying attention to kind of the 393 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:47,920 Speaker 7: accumulation of talent they had on the in the farm system, 394 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:50,359 Speaker 7: would have predicted that they were going to take a 395 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:53,879 Speaker 7: noticeable step forward this year. But It is surprising that 396 00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:56,760 Speaker 7: they're in first place, both because you know, they were 397 00:19:57,240 --> 00:19:59,679 Speaker 7: I mean two years ago they were fifty one and 398 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:04,200 Speaker 7: one eleven, I think, and I mean they were just terrible, 399 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:07,240 Speaker 7: absolutely horrible, and last year they were losing club and 400 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:09,760 Speaker 7: even this year they you know, they're getting some tremendous 401 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:12,720 Speaker 7: performances across the roster, but there's still some soft spots 402 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:15,520 Speaker 7: in the bulten at the back of the rotation, in 403 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:17,760 Speaker 7: the in certain spots in the lineup, and they've been 404 00:20:17,800 --> 00:20:20,240 Speaker 7: able to turn to transcend those so far to be 405 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:22,080 Speaker 7: one of the best teams in baseball. 406 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:27,119 Speaker 2: Manager Tory Lavello, I mean, got a one year contract 407 00:20:27,119 --> 00:20:30,880 Speaker 2: extension through twenty twenty four. He's been there seven years, 408 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 2: one playoff appearance, but obviously management ownership feels good about 409 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:40,160 Speaker 2: where the team is headed, so Tory got rewarded. 410 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:41,640 Speaker 3: Were you surprised by that move. 411 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:46,400 Speaker 7: I wasn't surprised that they extended him. I was maybe 412 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 7: surprised that it was only for one year. It was 413 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:53,439 Speaker 7: more surprising when they extended him late, like with a 414 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:56,000 Speaker 7: couple of days left in the twenty twenty one season, 415 00:20:56,600 --> 00:21:00,959 Speaker 7: after they had lost over one hundred games, second worst season. 416 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:05,359 Speaker 7: In team history, and they made that move at that 417 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:09,040 Speaker 7: time basically to assert that Tory is not the problem here. 418 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:11,280 Speaker 7: We're not gonna lay this in his feet, that this 419 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 7: team was as bad, and it was kind of a 420 00:21:16,119 --> 00:21:18,080 Speaker 7: show of face that he was the right guy to 421 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:20,880 Speaker 7: leave the team going forward. They made the same move 422 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:25,119 Speaker 7: last year. I think in August. They've been playing better, 423 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 7: they were not going to be a playoff team, there 424 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:29,840 Speaker 7: was still some ground to gain, but they again handed 425 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:31,800 Speaker 7: him a one year extension, said look, he's our guy, 426 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:34,600 Speaker 7: we want to stick with him, and now one year again. 427 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:38,040 Speaker 7: Tory is already one of the longer tenured managers in 428 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:41,280 Speaker 7: baseball at this point. I think this is his seventh season. 429 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:46,680 Speaker 7: Every other coach in professional sports in Arizona in Phoenix 430 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:49,960 Speaker 7: has been fired and replaced since he joined, since he 431 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:53,919 Speaker 7: moved here. But it was a little surprising that it 432 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:58,240 Speaker 7: wasn't a longer deal for him now. A kind of 433 00:21:58,720 --> 00:22:03,200 Speaker 7: underrated aspect of the this is that Mike Hagan hinted 434 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:05,600 Speaker 7: that maybe they didn't want to go longer because it's 435 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:09,720 Speaker 7: possible that many key members of the front office have 436 00:22:09,840 --> 00:22:12,840 Speaker 7: deals that expire after this season, and it's pretty rare 437 00:22:13,080 --> 00:22:15,760 Speaker 7: to have a manager signed for longer than the GM 438 00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:18,560 Speaker 7: who hired him, So that may be a factor to 439 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:20,919 Speaker 7: look into going into this offseason. 440 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:22,200 Speaker 4: But given the way the. 441 00:22:22,160 --> 00:22:24,720 Speaker 7: Team is playing, I don't think anybody's thinking that any 442 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:25,960 Speaker 7: major shakeups are coming. 443 00:22:26,480 --> 00:22:27,560 Speaker 3: That makes sense does. 444 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 2: Zach Buchanan is our guest here on the podcast Inside 445 00:22:31,040 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 2: the Parker. 446 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:35,240 Speaker 3: He covered the d bag for the Athletic Let's. 447 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:38,840 Speaker 2: Talk about what's gone right Corbyn Carroll, the center fielder 448 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:42,359 Speaker 2: ten On runs twenty five RBIs to eighty seven batting 449 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:44,719 Speaker 2: average coming into Wednesday. 450 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:50,440 Speaker 7: Talk about Carol, I mean, he's just a superlot of talent. 451 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:54,040 Speaker 7: The way he's playing now, he's easily the favorite for 452 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:57,560 Speaker 7: Rookie of the Year in the National League. He's probably 453 00:22:57,600 --> 00:22:59,440 Speaker 7: going to make the All Star team. At this point. 454 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:03,040 Speaker 7: He leads the team and wins above replacement at least 455 00:23:03,080 --> 00:23:06,440 Speaker 7: in the Baseball Reference version of the stat and he's 456 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:08,800 Speaker 7: playing at a level that I wouldn't be surprised if 457 00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 7: he keeps it up that he gets some MVP votes. 458 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:16,240 Speaker 7: He's just a really unique, one of a kind player. 459 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:19,760 Speaker 7: I think that's reflected in how the Dowmondbacks gave him 460 00:23:19,800 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 7: an unprecedented extension for a player with less than one 461 00:23:23,880 --> 00:23:27,080 Speaker 7: hundred days of major league service before the season began. 462 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 7: It's the second biggest contract this team has ever given out, 463 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:33,920 Speaker 7: behind Zach Greenke's megadeal several years ago. 464 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:36,360 Speaker 1: And they just, I. 465 00:23:36,280 --> 00:23:38,320 Speaker 7: Think the second he showed up in the organization, they 466 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:41,080 Speaker 7: knew that they had something really unique, kind of a 467 00:23:41,160 --> 00:23:44,919 Speaker 7: once in a generation player that few teams get to enjoy. 468 00:23:45,760 --> 00:23:48,919 Speaker 2: I was in the ballpark on Saturday when the d 469 00:23:49,119 --> 00:23:52,800 Speaker 2: Backs hosted the Braves, and he made a great catch 470 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:53,520 Speaker 2: in center field. 471 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:55,280 Speaker 3: So he's splashed his leather too. 472 00:23:56,800 --> 00:23:59,240 Speaker 7: Yeah, I mean, he's He's really got a well rounded game, 473 00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:01,960 Speaker 7: which is somewhat surprising for a guy who's maybe only 474 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 7: five to ten one eighty five. He's one of the 475 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:08,280 Speaker 7: fastest players in them in baseball, if not the fastest. 476 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:11,400 Speaker 7: That's the part of his game that shows up the most, obviously, 477 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:13,360 Speaker 7: So you see it in the outfield, you especially see 478 00:24:13,359 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 7: it on the base pads. But he also has a 479 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:20,320 Speaker 7: really mature approach. You know, he spent a lot of 480 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 7: time studying imposing pitchers and tendencies, and he really goes 481 00:24:23,119 --> 00:24:25,200 Speaker 7: up to the plate with a plan. It's pretty hard 482 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 7: to get him out of that plan. But for me, 483 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:30,080 Speaker 7: the most surprising part of his game is the power. 484 00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:33,960 Speaker 7: He doesn't have this ken, griffy like fluid, lufty swing. 485 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:37,160 Speaker 7: It's it's more of a it looks more slack ititty, 486 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:39,960 Speaker 7: but it's not slack pitty. Yeah, I've seen him hit 487 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 7: so many balls that you look like maybe he's just 488 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:45,239 Speaker 7: going to shoot the ball the opposite gap and it 489 00:24:45,280 --> 00:24:48,760 Speaker 7: carries over the fence, and you know he's got I 490 00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 7: think ten home runs right now. I mean that puts 491 00:24:51,119 --> 00:24:54,240 Speaker 7: him on pace for twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven, 492 00:24:54,320 --> 00:24:56,359 Speaker 7: something like that. You'll pick that any day out of 493 00:24:56,359 --> 00:24:58,600 Speaker 7: your every date centerfielder. You don't see a lot of 494 00:24:58,600 --> 00:24:59,720 Speaker 7: players like that anymore. 495 00:25:00,560 --> 00:25:04,880 Speaker 2: Let's finish up with Zach Gallen seven and two, two 496 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:08,760 Speaker 2: point seven to two e already coming into Wednesday, Man 497 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:10,240 Speaker 2: having him at the top of the rotation. 498 00:25:10,359 --> 00:25:12,359 Speaker 3: He's been good for them. 499 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:15,720 Speaker 7: He has been. Gallen I think has some of the 500 00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:18,119 Speaker 7: same ingredients that Corbyn Carroll has in terms of his 501 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:23,040 Speaker 7: mental makeup. He is. He's an incredibly competitive, motivated guy, 502 00:25:23,080 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 7: but he's also very just kind of spurred on by 503 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:30,600 Speaker 7: this internal drive to keep getting better. He's a bit 504 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:33,640 Speaker 7: of a perfectionist in that way. I think that's kind 505 00:25:33,640 --> 00:25:35,280 Speaker 7: of reflected in the way he pitches. You know, he 506 00:25:35,359 --> 00:25:37,159 Speaker 7: has some really good stuff, but he's not like he's 507 00:25:37,160 --> 00:25:40,119 Speaker 7: out there throwing ninety nine. He's thrown in the you know, 508 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:43,280 Speaker 7: ninety four, ninety five, ninety six. But he's really working 509 00:25:43,320 --> 00:25:45,880 Speaker 7: these secondary pitches. He's got a really good command, and 510 00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:49,320 Speaker 7: he really knows how to set up hitters. And you know, 511 00:25:49,359 --> 00:25:52,280 Speaker 7: he's been pretty much good since the second he showed 512 00:25:52,359 --> 00:25:55,000 Speaker 7: up on the scene, first in Miami and then in 513 00:25:55,040 --> 00:25:58,640 Speaker 7: Arizona after he was traded for Jazz Chism. He's really 514 00:25:58,640 --> 00:26:02,520 Speaker 7: only had one, you know, mediocre season, but he's done 515 00:26:02,560 --> 00:26:05,000 Speaker 7: this long enough now that you know, I think he's 516 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:07,440 Speaker 7: a cy young front runner this year, at least based 517 00:26:07,440 --> 00:26:11,280 Speaker 7: on results at this moment, and I think it's safe 518 00:26:11,280 --> 00:26:12,960 Speaker 7: to say that he is one of the best pitchers 519 00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:13,520 Speaker 7: in baseball. 520 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:18,240 Speaker 2: Last thing, simple yes or no question. Will the Diamondbacks 521 00:26:19,359 --> 00:26:20,359 Speaker 2: win the Division? 522 00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:26,879 Speaker 3: Yes or no? Zach Buchanan, That's a tough one. 523 00:26:27,160 --> 00:26:29,120 Speaker 7: If you had asked me make the playoffs, I would 524 00:26:29,160 --> 00:26:31,159 Speaker 7: say yes and win the division. I don't think so. 525 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:34,240 Speaker 7: I think it's a tough road to ho and the 526 00:26:34,320 --> 00:26:38,119 Speaker 7: Dodgers until that someone really knocks them out off the scene. 527 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:39,760 Speaker 7: I'm gonna have to believe it's. 528 00:26:39,640 --> 00:26:40,120 Speaker 4: Going to be them. 529 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:43,960 Speaker 2: His name is Zach Buchanan, covers the Diamondbacks for the 530 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:45,639 Speaker 2: Athletic Thanks for all the knowledge. 531 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:47,400 Speaker 3: Were appreciate you. Thank you so much. 532 00:26:48,280 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 7: Yeah, anytime now bring in the closer. 533 00:26:54,800 --> 00:26:58,399 Speaker 1: Here's why MLB is better than the NFL or NBA. 534 00:26:58,720 --> 00:26:59,960 Speaker 1: And it isn't even. 535 00:27:02,840 --> 00:27:05,960 Speaker 2: Reason number four hundred and fifty five why Major League 536 00:27:05,960 --> 00:27:11,440 Speaker 2: Baseball is better than the NBA and the NFL. It's 537 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:15,479 Speaker 2: because of the anticipation of players who come up from 538 00:27:15,520 --> 00:27:18,359 Speaker 2: the minor leagues. In the NBA, you know all about 539 00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:21,400 Speaker 2: them they coming from college. The NFL, same thing. They're 540 00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:23,760 Speaker 2: coming from college. You know about them, their stars and 541 00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:27,240 Speaker 2: their own right. In Major League Baseball, you hear about 542 00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:30,200 Speaker 2: a player that drafted. You didn't really watch them when 543 00:27:30,280 --> 00:27:33,879 Speaker 2: they played college baseball or wherever they came from, if 544 00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:37,040 Speaker 2: they came from a foreign country or whatever. And then 545 00:27:37,119 --> 00:27:40,320 Speaker 2: here they are. You hear about them, You read about them, 546 00:27:40,320 --> 00:27:45,000 Speaker 2: how they're progressing. And then we saw the loud ovations 547 00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:48,960 Speaker 2: for each plate appearance yesterday in Cincinnati for Ellie day 548 00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:52,240 Speaker 2: La Cruz, who started at third base at twenty one 549 00:27:52,359 --> 00:27:56,280 Speaker 2: years old, a hot prospect for the Reds. They believe 550 00:27:56,359 --> 00:27:59,439 Speaker 2: this guy is the real deals, the future of the 551 00:27:59,480 --> 00:28:03,760 Speaker 2: Cincinnati He reads, and you know. Cincinnati did pull off 552 00:28:03,760 --> 00:28:06,520 Speaker 2: a huge victory on Tuesday with a nine to eight 553 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:09,520 Speaker 2: walk off victory over the Dodgers, but there seemed to 554 00:28:09,560 --> 00:28:14,440 Speaker 2: be even more excitement about Ellie de la Cruz making 555 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:18,240 Speaker 2: his first appearance in the major leagues. He reached base 556 00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:22,800 Speaker 2: three times, got his first hip major league kid, a 557 00:28:22,840 --> 00:28:25,359 Speaker 2: third inning double, and he had two walks. 558 00:28:25,359 --> 00:28:26,280 Speaker 3: He scored a run. 559 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:29,560 Speaker 2: But if you just want to hear the electricity and 560 00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:33,879 Speaker 2: the ovations he got, it tells you the anticipation for 561 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:38,800 Speaker 2: this kid, and the expectations from the fans, and just 562 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 2: the whole pure joy of finally seeing a guy you 563 00:28:42,520 --> 00:28:52,680 Speaker 2: only heard about make it to the major leagues. In 564 00:28:52,720 --> 00:28:55,880 Speaker 2: the words of New York TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen, 565 00:28:56,240 --> 00:28:59,000 Speaker 2: thanking you for your time this time until next time. 566 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:00,760 Speaker 3: Rob park out. 567 00:29:01,120 --> 00:29:03,800 Speaker 1: He can't get it. This could be an inside the Parker. 568 00:29:03,920 --> 00:29:07,120 Speaker 7: See you next week, same bat time, same Matt station.