1 00:00:04,078 --> 00:00:06,518 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of My 2 00:00:06,718 --> 00:00:15,558 Speaker 1: Heart Radio. Hey, welcome back to the Book of Joe podcast. 3 00:00:15,598 --> 00:00:18,038 Speaker 1: And I know Joe, you and I are really looking 4 00:00:18,118 --> 00:00:22,678 Speaker 1: forward to our conversation with our next guest, Jason Haywood. 5 00:00:22,838 --> 00:00:25,158 Speaker 1: I know you've had a lot of players that you've managed, Joe, 6 00:00:25,238 --> 00:00:26,958 Speaker 1: but this has got to be one of your favorite time. 7 00:00:27,158 --> 00:00:29,598 Speaker 1: That is true, and he and I've spoken about this 8 00:00:29,638 --> 00:00:32,198 Speaker 1: in the past. And Jay, just so you know, a 9 00:00:32,238 --> 00:00:34,878 Speaker 1: big part of our our broadcast on our podcast is 10 00:00:34,958 --> 00:00:38,598 Speaker 1: try to get and connect with the glue guys, Guys 11 00:00:38,598 --> 00:00:42,518 Speaker 1: that we consider the glues, the glue component within a team. 12 00:00:42,558 --> 00:00:44,478 Speaker 1: And when we when we came up with this concept, 13 00:00:44,558 --> 00:00:48,118 Speaker 1: originally your name was kind of front and center. Um. 14 00:00:48,198 --> 00:00:52,318 Speaker 1: And again Jay, Hey, Um, he's the guy that always 15 00:00:52,318 --> 00:00:55,118 Speaker 1: put the team ahead of his own personal feelings. That's 16 00:00:55,158 --> 00:00:57,878 Speaker 1: something that I gathered from you from the very beginning 17 00:00:58,078 --> 00:01:01,238 Speaker 1: and that's a really big reason why guys and players 18 00:01:01,278 --> 00:01:04,758 Speaker 1: are drawn towards you. But anyway, welcome to our show. 19 00:01:05,198 --> 00:01:07,598 Speaker 1: You're a true glue guy and I just wanted you 20 00:01:07,638 --> 00:01:10,278 Speaker 1: to know that's part of the premise here today. No, 21 00:01:10,358 --> 00:01:12,518 Speaker 1: I appreciate you guys having me and uh you know, 22 00:01:12,598 --> 00:01:15,638 Speaker 1: considering me as a blue guy. You know, when I 23 00:01:15,678 --> 00:01:19,118 Speaker 1: think of baseball in my thirteen year career, now I 24 00:01:19,118 --> 00:01:21,598 Speaker 1: think of you know, when I think of Tom Berducci, 25 00:01:21,838 --> 00:01:24,438 Speaker 1: Jill Madden. You know, these are people that are around 26 00:01:24,478 --> 00:01:26,958 Speaker 1: a lot of important baseball games, a lot of important 27 00:01:27,558 --> 00:01:30,118 Speaker 1: baseball thoughts. And you know, I see both of you 28 00:01:30,158 --> 00:01:33,158 Speaker 1: guys in playoff baseball as well. So now it's it's 29 00:01:33,158 --> 00:01:36,518 Speaker 1: awesome to join you. Well, Jason, yeah, we um. We're 30 00:01:36,518 --> 00:01:40,198 Speaker 1: going to dive into the glue guy affect really quickly here. 31 00:01:40,238 --> 00:01:42,638 Speaker 1: But I gotta give you props to thirteen year career. 32 00:01:42,678 --> 00:01:46,678 Speaker 1: As you mentioned, five Gold Glove awards. That's rare company. 33 00:01:46,918 --> 00:01:48,718 Speaker 1: And this is the other thing I looked at. Jason 34 00:01:49,278 --> 00:01:52,878 Speaker 1: compiled more than four hundred hits, a hundred and fifty homers, 35 00:01:52,878 --> 00:01:56,478 Speaker 1: and a hundred stolen bases. Now, there's been twenty two 36 00:01:56,518 --> 00:01:59,878 Speaker 1: thousand or so major league players across history, and only 37 00:01:59,878 --> 00:02:04,358 Speaker 1: a hundred and fifty six have reached those levels. That is, 38 00:02:04,478 --> 00:02:08,158 Speaker 1: by my math, less than one percent of all players. 39 00:02:08,398 --> 00:02:11,278 Speaker 1: So we're gonna get into the glue. But this guy 40 00:02:11,318 --> 00:02:14,558 Speaker 1: could play too, Joe, absolutely, um, And that's that's part 41 00:02:14,638 --> 00:02:17,998 Speaker 1: of it. Adjason the thing that he was able to do. 42 00:02:18,038 --> 00:02:20,678 Speaker 1: He turned around games with his glove also, and and 43 00:02:20,758 --> 00:02:23,958 Speaker 1: you kind of alluded to within those numbers, um, just 44 00:02:24,078 --> 00:02:28,278 Speaker 1: his instincts for the game on the basis, in the outfield, 45 00:02:28,278 --> 00:02:30,598 Speaker 1: on defense, I e. The catch that he made in 46 00:02:30,598 --> 00:02:32,438 Speaker 1: San Francisco a couple of years ago in that death 47 00:02:32,518 --> 00:02:35,438 Speaker 1: value and right central. Big hits, I mean big hits, 48 00:02:35,438 --> 00:02:37,638 Speaker 1: big moments. And one of the things Jay I wrote 49 00:02:37,678 --> 00:02:40,238 Speaker 1: at the very end of my notes for today is 50 00:02:40,278 --> 00:02:42,278 Speaker 1: that there was no no moment too big for you. 51 00:02:42,318 --> 00:02:45,558 Speaker 1: That's how I felt. I I regardless if you were 52 00:02:45,558 --> 00:02:48,798 Speaker 1: on a street kidding wise, you're not regardless of that. 53 00:02:48,878 --> 00:02:51,598 Speaker 1: I I told you this. I've always felt better when 54 00:02:51,598 --> 00:02:54,478 Speaker 1: you were on the field for us. I felt a 55 00:02:54,518 --> 00:02:56,638 Speaker 1: better chance of winning just because of the impact you 56 00:02:56,718 --> 00:02:59,638 Speaker 1: had on the people around you. So those numbers are 57 00:02:59,678 --> 00:03:02,358 Speaker 1: reflective of that. I believe. It's the ability to play 58 00:03:02,438 --> 00:03:04,598 Speaker 1: the complete game of baseball. I think that's something you've 59 00:03:04,638 --> 00:03:07,478 Speaker 1: taken pride in and that's something that I really appreciated 60 00:03:07,518 --> 00:03:11,558 Speaker 1: about you. Oh man, I appreciate that fellows the numbers 61 00:03:11,598 --> 00:03:15,198 Speaker 1: and the stuff, you know, but behind the scenes, um, 62 00:03:15,278 --> 00:03:16,958 Speaker 1: you know, it's it's really been a pleasure. And I've 63 00:03:16,998 --> 00:03:18,758 Speaker 1: been fortunate enough to obviously be on a lot of 64 00:03:18,798 --> 00:03:22,198 Speaker 1: good teams that that put winning first. But I've just 65 00:03:22,238 --> 00:03:24,598 Speaker 1: been fortunate enough my whole life playing baseball, like set 66 00:03:24,598 --> 00:03:27,238 Speaker 1: out every single day to win, and a lot of 67 00:03:27,318 --> 00:03:30,278 Speaker 1: numbers come from that, but you know, just a lot 68 00:03:30,358 --> 00:03:32,518 Speaker 1: of good vibes, a lot of you know, overcoming a 69 00:03:32,518 --> 00:03:34,998 Speaker 1: lot of adversity comes from that as well. So it's 70 00:03:35,398 --> 00:03:37,318 Speaker 1: that's just been who I am and what I love 71 00:03:37,318 --> 00:03:40,158 Speaker 1: about the game. And that's something else. Uh, I thought 72 00:03:40,158 --> 00:03:43,278 Speaker 1: about wondering about to j Um in Nate. Was this 73 00:03:43,318 --> 00:03:45,358 Speaker 1: in Nate when you were a kid growing up? But 74 00:03:45,398 --> 00:03:48,678 Speaker 1: where did you really establish this method of player this 75 00:03:48,678 --> 00:03:53,198 Speaker 1: this team attitude first? Was that UM a particular person 76 00:03:53,318 --> 00:03:56,318 Speaker 1: somebody that inspired you. How did you arrive at this 77 00:03:56,358 --> 00:03:59,118 Speaker 1: particular point where you understood and realized the importance of 78 00:03:59,118 --> 00:04:02,278 Speaker 1: putting team first? Well, at seven years old, I feel 79 00:04:02,278 --> 00:04:05,318 Speaker 1: like I was really fortunate to learn the game um 80 00:04:05,318 --> 00:04:07,878 Speaker 1: from from a coach we had. His name is Ricky Archer. 81 00:04:08,438 --> 00:04:10,998 Speaker 1: I want to say he played college ball at Columbus 82 00:04:11,478 --> 00:04:15,238 Speaker 1: UM at the college in Columbus, Georgia. But he taught 83 00:04:15,318 --> 00:04:18,118 Speaker 1: us like the game the base running to know like 84 00:04:18,158 --> 00:04:20,918 Speaker 1: how many outs there are before you to play. Um, 85 00:04:20,958 --> 00:04:23,518 Speaker 1: you know, just the sixth sense type of things. You know, 86 00:04:23,518 --> 00:04:25,958 Speaker 1: how to get a lead, how to play defense, and 87 00:04:26,358 --> 00:04:29,158 Speaker 1: where literally every position had to be on the field. 88 00:04:29,758 --> 00:04:32,238 Speaker 1: So learning that at seven years old, and then the 89 00:04:32,318 --> 00:04:34,758 Speaker 1: very next year, at eight years old, our team won 90 00:04:34,838 --> 00:04:37,758 Speaker 1: the Roberto clement A Double ABC World Series and we 91 00:04:37,798 --> 00:04:41,598 Speaker 1: had to travel to Denver, Colorado, Uh, from mcdonna, Georgia 92 00:04:41,958 --> 00:04:44,878 Speaker 1: to go play in that World series. Uh. It was 93 00:04:44,918 --> 00:04:47,318 Speaker 1: just winning at a very early age. And then every 94 00:04:47,398 --> 00:04:50,038 Speaker 1: year after that, I created more and more and more, 95 00:04:50,598 --> 00:04:52,678 Speaker 1: um you know, from having a group that held each 96 00:04:52,678 --> 00:04:55,278 Speaker 1: other accountable, wanted to play the game the right way, 97 00:04:55,638 --> 00:04:57,438 Speaker 1: and had a lot of fun going out there and 98 00:04:57,478 --> 00:05:00,278 Speaker 1: just completing your ass off. And you know the results 99 00:05:00,278 --> 00:05:02,238 Speaker 1: were the results, but you knew every day you put 100 00:05:02,238 --> 00:05:05,878 Speaker 1: your best foot forward to try to win. And then lastly, 101 00:05:06,598 --> 00:05:10,038 Speaker 1: growing up in Georgia watching the Atlanta Braves and then 102 00:05:10,038 --> 00:05:14,078 Speaker 1: my mom being from New York Yankees Embraves being my 103 00:05:14,078 --> 00:05:16,198 Speaker 1: two favorite teams growing up in the nineties, I just 104 00:05:16,238 --> 00:05:19,358 Speaker 1: had a lot of reinforced watching teams win. That's great. 105 00:05:19,398 --> 00:05:21,558 Speaker 1: I mean I really thought that it had to have 106 00:05:21,678 --> 00:05:24,398 Speaker 1: been impacted upon you when you were very young, and 107 00:05:24,438 --> 00:05:27,398 Speaker 1: you just validated all that. Very cool. Yeah, And I'm 108 00:05:27,398 --> 00:05:29,958 Speaker 1: wondering too, Jason, once you get to the big leagues, 109 00:05:29,958 --> 00:05:33,558 Speaker 1: because you got there at a very young age, who 110 00:05:33,558 --> 00:05:36,678 Speaker 1: were the ones that you considered to be mentors that, 111 00:05:36,918 --> 00:05:39,718 Speaker 1: even if it wasn't something somebody talking to you, by 112 00:05:39,798 --> 00:05:42,038 Speaker 1: watching them how to be a professional and how to 113 00:05:42,038 --> 00:05:44,158 Speaker 1: be a team player, that you learned some things about 114 00:05:44,158 --> 00:05:47,238 Speaker 1: that at a young age, I will say in the 115 00:05:47,318 --> 00:05:51,118 Speaker 1: very beginning, being twenty years old two thousand and ten, Um, 116 00:05:51,358 --> 00:05:54,038 Speaker 1: I was fortunate to have a group of vets Um 117 00:05:54,518 --> 00:05:59,638 Speaker 1: Eric Henski's, Brian mccainn's, Tipper Jones, UM, Tim Husson, Derek Lows, 118 00:06:00,118 --> 00:06:04,278 Speaker 1: Martin Prado, Um, David Ross was there, of course. Uh, 119 00:06:04,318 --> 00:06:06,518 Speaker 1: just to name a few guys. Billy Wagner Um took 120 00:06:06,518 --> 00:06:09,798 Speaker 1: me under his Wayne Troy Gloss. But outfield wise and 121 00:06:09,798 --> 00:06:13,238 Speaker 1: then every day player wise. I gotta give so much 122 00:06:13,238 --> 00:06:15,838 Speaker 1: credit to Michael Borne Um. We got him in a 123 00:06:15,918 --> 00:06:19,278 Speaker 1: trade with Houston in two thousand eleven, so he played 124 00:06:19,278 --> 00:06:20,758 Speaker 1: with us that half of the season and then the 125 00:06:20,758 --> 00:06:24,918 Speaker 1: full two thousand twelve. He just really allowed me to 126 00:06:24,958 --> 00:06:27,278 Speaker 1: sit back and and learned how to be a big 127 00:06:27,358 --> 00:06:29,878 Speaker 1: leaguer every day, Um, how to move on and off 128 00:06:29,878 --> 00:06:32,078 Speaker 1: the field, how to get your work done, you know, 129 00:06:32,078 --> 00:06:34,118 Speaker 1: how to be a professional. And and he's one of 130 00:06:34,158 --> 00:06:36,558 Speaker 1: the most positive people I know. So it was just 131 00:06:36,598 --> 00:06:39,198 Speaker 1: another reinforcement for me of everything that I that I 132 00:06:39,198 --> 00:06:42,278 Speaker 1: had learned and enjoyed about the game at this level. 133 00:06:42,438 --> 00:06:44,038 Speaker 1: Is that come right down to the point where you 134 00:06:44,078 --> 00:06:46,318 Speaker 1: came off the field off of defense, coning back to 135 00:06:46,358 --> 00:06:48,198 Speaker 1: the duggoat that you would always tap gloves with the 136 00:06:48,198 --> 00:06:51,438 Speaker 1: other outfielders. Yeah, I mean we just I don't even 137 00:06:51,478 --> 00:06:54,918 Speaker 1: remember where that started. That might even started in high school. Um, 138 00:06:54,958 --> 00:06:56,358 Speaker 1: you know with the with the teams that I played 139 00:06:56,398 --> 00:07:00,558 Speaker 1: with in the East Cobbs because being a fifteen sixteen 140 00:07:00,638 --> 00:07:03,838 Speaker 1: year old playing for the East Corps Astros, you play 141 00:07:03,958 --> 00:07:06,278 Speaker 1: against the best of the best in the country every 142 00:07:06,278 --> 00:07:08,598 Speaker 1: single year. And that that meant you're playing against you know, 143 00:07:08,678 --> 00:07:11,118 Speaker 1: eighteen and under teams where guys are committed to college 144 00:07:11,158 --> 00:07:13,838 Speaker 1: and whatnot and they're going to be draft picks. Um, 145 00:07:13,878 --> 00:07:16,438 Speaker 1: just a lot of camaraderie and those those games. And 146 00:07:16,838 --> 00:07:22,118 Speaker 1: just to paying a picture my junior summer playing for 147 00:07:22,158 --> 00:07:26,718 Speaker 1: the Astros, our team we went in nineties six and four, 148 00:07:28,358 --> 00:07:30,878 Speaker 1: you know, And and that's obviously that's you know, that's 149 00:07:30,918 --> 00:07:33,758 Speaker 1: a lot of damn baseball today in high school, but 150 00:07:33,918 --> 00:07:36,638 Speaker 1: there was so much competition, and so I just took 151 00:07:36,678 --> 00:07:39,518 Speaker 1: certain things from from those teams and the winning teams 152 00:07:39,518 --> 00:07:41,678 Speaker 1: over the years and just always were a part of me. 153 00:07:42,238 --> 00:07:44,998 Speaker 1: That's incredible, that's an incredible record. Tell me, you know, Joe, 154 00:07:45,038 --> 00:07:48,918 Speaker 1: I remember Jason writing a story about Jason that rookie year, 155 00:07:48,918 --> 00:07:51,398 Speaker 1: and he was telling me stories about playing more than 156 00:07:51,438 --> 00:07:54,638 Speaker 1: a hundred games as a kid growing up. We're talking 157 00:07:54,638 --> 00:07:57,558 Speaker 1: about as an adolescent or even younger. I was blown 158 00:07:57,558 --> 00:08:00,398 Speaker 1: away by the baseball world was changing, the whole travel 159 00:08:00,438 --> 00:08:04,718 Speaker 1: business and guys really diving in and an opportunity to 160 00:08:04,758 --> 00:08:08,678 Speaker 1: play a ton of baseball. Um and obviously Jason played 161 00:08:08,678 --> 00:08:11,878 Speaker 1: at a high level. And what's interesting, and this really 162 00:08:11,878 --> 00:08:14,478 Speaker 1: close to my heart, Jason has really come made to 163 00:08:14,518 --> 00:08:17,918 Speaker 1: come full circle. He has now built a baseball academy 164 00:08:17,918 --> 00:08:21,998 Speaker 1: to Jason Heyward Baseball Academy in Chicago in North Lost 165 00:08:22,038 --> 00:08:25,078 Speaker 1: the neighborhood on the West Side, hundred and fifty thousand 166 00:08:25,118 --> 00:08:28,318 Speaker 1: square feet to serve what really had been underserved communities. 167 00:08:28,438 --> 00:08:31,398 Speaker 1: And when it comes to opportunities to play sports in general, 168 00:08:31,398 --> 00:08:35,878 Speaker 1: but baseball specifically UM. And it's just a wonderful thing 169 00:08:35,918 --> 00:08:38,438 Speaker 1: that he's doing to get back And Jason, I want 170 00:08:38,518 --> 00:08:42,598 Speaker 1: you to explain obviously it's close to your heart. UM 171 00:08:42,638 --> 00:08:45,558 Speaker 1: in Chicago now does seem like it's your adopted hometown. 172 00:08:46,318 --> 00:08:49,078 Speaker 1: When did this idea take root in your mind to 173 00:08:49,118 --> 00:08:51,998 Speaker 1: do something like this. I appreciate you're asking me about 174 00:08:51,998 --> 00:08:55,998 Speaker 1: that time. UM so was a different year for obviously 175 00:08:56,038 --> 00:08:59,598 Speaker 1: all of us around the world, UM, but athlete wise, 176 00:09:00,318 --> 00:09:02,718 Speaker 1: it was really cool in Chicago to come together with 177 00:09:02,758 --> 00:09:07,318 Speaker 1: some athletes from other schools. UM in its small world, 178 00:09:07,398 --> 00:09:09,438 Speaker 1: and everything happened for a reason. I believe in that. 179 00:09:09,918 --> 00:09:15,438 Speaker 1: UM steven SUSA, who I played one season with, and 180 00:09:15,678 --> 00:09:17,958 Speaker 1: he introduced me to Sam Macho, who played for the 181 00:09:17,958 --> 00:09:20,358 Speaker 1: Bears for a little bit. UM played for a couple 182 00:09:20,358 --> 00:09:24,238 Speaker 1: of different teams, but Sam introduced me to this nonprofit 183 00:09:24,278 --> 00:09:28,038 Speaker 1: called By the Hand Club, and they do charter schools 184 00:09:28,438 --> 00:09:32,118 Speaker 1: and through their program they know By the Hand, they 185 00:09:32,158 --> 00:09:35,958 Speaker 1: take kids from pre K to elementary, to middle school, 186 00:09:36,278 --> 00:09:39,878 Speaker 1: onto high school and then onto college and into a 187 00:09:39,878 --> 00:09:42,918 Speaker 1: profession and and stay with them in one of the 188 00:09:42,958 --> 00:09:47,318 Speaker 1: toughest communities in this country in the neighborhood of Austin. UM. 189 00:09:47,358 --> 00:09:49,838 Speaker 1: So we had the opportunity to go into that community 190 00:09:49,878 --> 00:09:53,198 Speaker 1: on the west side of Chicago. UM. We went into 191 00:09:53,238 --> 00:09:56,358 Speaker 1: some healing circles. You know, there was some social injustice 192 00:09:56,398 --> 00:09:59,198 Speaker 1: things going on at that time, and I just wanted 193 00:09:59,198 --> 00:10:01,638 Speaker 1: to bring some peace there with kids in that community. 194 00:10:01,678 --> 00:10:05,118 Speaker 1: But they brought the idea of letting us know they 195 00:10:05,118 --> 00:10:08,038 Speaker 1: were wanting to start a sports facility in North Austin, 196 00:10:08,518 --> 00:10:11,238 Speaker 1: and they asked me to be the head of the 197 00:10:11,278 --> 00:10:15,478 Speaker 1: baseball park of of this facility. And you know, it 198 00:10:15,518 --> 00:10:17,518 Speaker 1: didn't take long for me to say, yeah, like I 199 00:10:17,598 --> 00:10:21,078 Speaker 1: want in. UM. They were very organized, had this very 200 00:10:21,078 --> 00:10:23,398 Speaker 1: well thought out. They had the land and they've been 201 00:10:23,438 --> 00:10:26,918 Speaker 1: acquiring land over time. And once they shared their vision, 202 00:10:27,358 --> 00:10:30,518 Speaker 1: I said, I'm absolutely wanted to be a part of this, 203 00:10:31,118 --> 00:10:35,718 Speaker 1: to start something different. UM. I saw these communities in Chicago, 204 00:10:36,038 --> 00:10:38,438 Speaker 1: especially you know in the year like where a lot 205 00:10:38,438 --> 00:10:40,718 Speaker 1: of people were hurting. UM. Not to say that's the 206 00:10:40,718 --> 00:10:42,558 Speaker 1: first time they've been hurting, but it was just, you know, 207 00:10:42,838 --> 00:10:45,238 Speaker 1: an opportunity for us to not have a job at 208 00:10:45,278 --> 00:10:49,158 Speaker 1: the moment and go actually break bread with these people. UM. 209 00:10:49,278 --> 00:10:50,918 Speaker 1: To put a facility over there and give them a 210 00:10:50,918 --> 00:10:53,638 Speaker 1: community center where that's that's not a normal thing. You know, 211 00:10:53,878 --> 00:10:57,278 Speaker 1: these families don't have that. They have more liquor stores 212 00:10:57,358 --> 00:11:00,318 Speaker 1: in their communities than they do grocery stores, um, and 213 00:11:00,318 --> 00:11:02,798 Speaker 1: in places to convene as community. So that's a big 214 00:11:02,838 --> 00:11:05,278 Speaker 1: part of why I wanted to to be in this facility. 215 00:11:05,318 --> 00:11:08,438 Speaker 1: But then again just starts with the opportunity to give 216 00:11:08,518 --> 00:11:10,998 Speaker 1: kids somewhere to go to to have some accountability, to 217 00:11:10,998 --> 00:11:14,438 Speaker 1: build some some team sport, you know, character, some some 218 00:11:14,518 --> 00:11:16,478 Speaker 1: incentive to have somewhere to go that they can take 219 00:11:16,478 --> 00:11:21,078 Speaker 1: pride in their community. Um. But then lastly, I gotta say, um, 220 00:11:21,118 --> 00:11:23,758 Speaker 1: the way this community and Austin, the kids and and 221 00:11:23,798 --> 00:11:26,198 Speaker 1: the parents you know, reacted to things like this, the 222 00:11:26,278 --> 00:11:29,518 Speaker 1: positivity I'm interested to see them make it their own 223 00:11:29,598 --> 00:11:32,118 Speaker 1: and to what comes from it. That's pretty impressive. Man. 224 00:11:32,158 --> 00:11:34,478 Speaker 1: I I knew of it, but I didn't realize to 225 00:11:34,518 --> 00:11:39,598 Speaker 1: what extent in your explanation is is beautiful man um Uh, Listen, 226 00:11:39,638 --> 00:11:41,438 Speaker 1: I've known you for a while. I didn't realize how 227 00:11:41,478 --> 00:11:44,358 Speaker 1: deeply all this ran with you. And it's really impressive 228 00:11:44,358 --> 00:11:47,678 Speaker 1: to hear you explain yourself that well appreciate, appreciate this 229 00:11:47,718 --> 00:11:52,718 Speaker 1: is this is the uh the Cubs Roberto Clemente nominee, 230 00:11:52,718 --> 00:11:55,598 Speaker 1: and that's that's one of the biggest awards you can 231 00:11:55,638 --> 00:11:59,798 Speaker 1: be nominated for in baseball and well deserved. So we 232 00:11:59,878 --> 00:12:06,318 Speaker 1: can't talk Jason Hayward without talking about Game seven teen 233 00:12:06,358 --> 00:12:08,758 Speaker 1: World Series, and we'll do that right after a quick break. 234 00:12:16,238 --> 00:12:18,638 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the Book of Joe podcast. We've joined 235 00:12:18,678 --> 00:12:21,358 Speaker 1: by our special guest, Jason Hayward. And Jason, I mentioned 236 00:12:21,398 --> 00:12:26,518 Speaker 1: that Game seven World Series. How often does that game 237 00:12:26,638 --> 00:12:33,078 Speaker 1: come up around fans for you know that uh that 238 00:12:33,078 --> 00:12:37,358 Speaker 1: that Game seven it comes up, It comes up enough, right, 239 00:12:37,598 --> 00:12:40,718 Speaker 1: like just and I just say that because Joe, you 240 00:12:40,718 --> 00:12:42,718 Speaker 1: know how it is with with cub fans that they're 241 00:12:42,718 --> 00:12:46,278 Speaker 1: they're so appreciative and grateful that we got it done. Um, 242 00:12:46,318 --> 00:12:47,798 Speaker 1: but you know, some of them are just kind of 243 00:12:47,798 --> 00:12:51,038 Speaker 1: tickled to know, like all the little intricacies of of 244 00:12:51,118 --> 00:12:53,878 Speaker 1: our journey there and when it comes up, you know, 245 00:12:53,918 --> 00:12:56,718 Speaker 1: I'm happy to, you know, talk about it, but I 246 00:12:56,758 --> 00:12:58,558 Speaker 1: know that only the people that were there in that 247 00:12:58,678 --> 00:13:01,398 Speaker 1: room in that moment, and everyone there was you know, 248 00:13:01,798 --> 00:13:04,518 Speaker 1: obviously a part of our group. Only we can feel 249 00:13:05,038 --> 00:13:07,638 Speaker 1: you know, all those moments and leading into a Game seven, 250 00:13:07,638 --> 00:13:09,798 Speaker 1: which was crazy in Cleveland. Yeah, I mean the way 251 00:13:09,798 --> 00:13:13,758 Speaker 1: that I've asked about it often also just we've we've 252 00:13:13,918 --> 00:13:15,598 Speaker 1: been on kind of a book tour two and I 253 00:13:15,638 --> 00:13:19,478 Speaker 1: get that question a lot. But my my recap of 254 00:13:19,518 --> 00:13:22,918 Speaker 1: it is, I was when that occurred. The rain started 255 00:13:22,958 --> 00:13:25,878 Speaker 1: to come on down. I'm walking in and that dugout 256 00:13:25,878 --> 00:13:28,318 Speaker 1: in Cleveland, downstairs and and upstairs, and all you guys 257 00:13:28,318 --> 00:13:30,758 Speaker 1: are peeling off to the right, and I go upstairs 258 00:13:30,758 --> 00:13:34,358 Speaker 1: and I'm talking with Jed Hoyer just looking at the rain, 259 00:13:34,478 --> 00:13:38,358 Speaker 1: a situation on the iPad, and then somebody said, yeah, 260 00:13:38,438 --> 00:13:41,118 Speaker 1: Jason called the team meeting downstairs. And to me, and 261 00:13:41,118 --> 00:13:43,438 Speaker 1: this is my explanation, it was so appropriate that you 262 00:13:43,478 --> 00:13:46,398 Speaker 1: would do that and not me that the peer component 263 00:13:46,438 --> 00:13:48,278 Speaker 1: of all this, to me is what really stands out. 264 00:13:48,718 --> 00:13:51,238 Speaker 1: And it also indicates the respect that you had among 265 00:13:51,318 --> 00:13:53,718 Speaker 1: the group. I don't think there was anybody else there 266 00:13:54,278 --> 00:13:58,118 Speaker 1: at that time capable of even having the thought of 267 00:13:58,198 --> 00:14:00,718 Speaker 1: drawing them all into the room simultaneously like that and 268 00:14:00,798 --> 00:14:03,358 Speaker 1: come across with the message that you delivered. So as 269 00:14:03,358 --> 00:14:06,518 Speaker 1: a manager, I'm eternally grateful for that moment because I believe, 270 00:14:07,118 --> 00:14:10,078 Speaker 1: I really truly believe that sincerely that it had uh 271 00:14:10,158 --> 00:14:12,358 Speaker 1: as great an impact on anything that we did that 272 00:14:12,518 --> 00:14:15,398 Speaker 1: night in Reglets just winning that World Series. No, I 273 00:14:15,718 --> 00:14:19,278 Speaker 1: I appreciate that, and I mean being there and being 274 00:14:19,318 --> 00:14:23,438 Speaker 1: there from our Cubs convention starting in January seen to 275 00:14:23,558 --> 00:14:26,438 Speaker 1: that last game. You I know, you're not blowing smoke there, 276 00:14:26,518 --> 00:14:30,078 Speaker 1: Joe Hump, just just from you know, the journey we 277 00:14:30,118 --> 00:14:33,358 Speaker 1: all had. Um. You know, everyone in that room knew 278 00:14:33,438 --> 00:14:36,438 Speaker 1: that I wasn't just getting people together to to step 279 00:14:36,478 --> 00:14:38,358 Speaker 1: in and and and be a ra Ray guy or 280 00:14:38,358 --> 00:14:40,998 Speaker 1: anything like that. It wasn't about me, Um, you know, 281 00:14:41,158 --> 00:14:43,598 Speaker 1: I just wanted to remind him that, look, this is 282 00:14:43,638 --> 00:14:46,518 Speaker 1: this is a baseball season, and we all go through 283 00:14:46,598 --> 00:14:48,918 Speaker 1: ups and downs, and and no one's handled those ups 284 00:14:48,918 --> 00:14:51,918 Speaker 1: and downs the way we have throughout the year. Like 285 00:14:51,918 --> 00:14:53,598 Speaker 1: we've done that better than any other team. And I 286 00:14:53,598 --> 00:14:55,678 Speaker 1: said that we're not gonna stop now. You know, like 287 00:14:55,718 --> 00:14:58,078 Speaker 1: we played this game a certain way. You know, we 288 00:14:58,078 --> 00:15:01,038 Speaker 1: we handle adversity, you know, a certain way, and we're 289 00:15:01,078 --> 00:15:03,118 Speaker 1: gonna go out there and do this our way the 290 00:15:03,118 --> 00:15:04,878 Speaker 1: way the Cubs do. We laugh at it, We laugh 291 00:15:04,918 --> 00:15:07,358 Speaker 1: at those challenges, and you know we don't care about 292 00:15:07,398 --> 00:15:10,518 Speaker 1: the result, like we wanted to get that w and 293 00:15:10,518 --> 00:15:13,478 Speaker 1: and and the curse whatever, but more importantly just you know, 294 00:15:13,638 --> 00:15:17,478 Speaker 1: to win a ring um. But still, I really believe 295 00:15:17,558 --> 00:15:19,598 Speaker 1: that we had to do it our way and and 296 00:15:19,638 --> 00:15:21,798 Speaker 1: not focus on, you know, a moment that it's already 297 00:15:21,798 --> 00:15:23,598 Speaker 1: passed us by. We just had to focus on what 298 00:15:23,678 --> 00:15:26,478 Speaker 1: was in front of us and the opportunities we still had. 299 00:15:26,598 --> 00:15:29,678 Speaker 1: And I mean I tell people, every time the right 300 00:15:29,718 --> 00:15:32,158 Speaker 1: people were in the room, you know that that doesn't 301 00:15:32,158 --> 00:15:34,798 Speaker 1: happen with that group. Without that group, that really illustrates 302 00:15:34,838 --> 00:15:38,718 Speaker 1: everything I talked about regarding don't forget the heartbeat. And 303 00:15:38,758 --> 00:15:41,958 Speaker 1: I really think that that moment that we achieved there 304 00:15:41,998 --> 00:15:43,918 Speaker 1: that night, when you went into that room with the guys, 305 00:15:44,478 --> 00:15:46,598 Speaker 1: that really brought that to the forefront for me. Because 306 00:15:46,638 --> 00:15:49,798 Speaker 1: everybody's always looking for these analytical methods of winning a 307 00:15:49,838 --> 00:15:52,998 Speaker 1: baseball game or numerical methods of winning a baseball game, 308 00:15:53,038 --> 00:15:55,038 Speaker 1: and a lot of times that we're forgetting the human element. 309 00:15:55,478 --> 00:15:59,038 Speaker 1: And right there, it cannot be illustrated more prominently than 310 00:15:59,078 --> 00:16:01,558 Speaker 1: what happened that night with you and the boys. Uh, 311 00:16:01,598 --> 00:16:05,718 Speaker 1: the human element, the appealing to emotion and thoughts and 312 00:16:05,718 --> 00:16:07,638 Speaker 1: and even the strategic plan that we had set out 313 00:16:07,638 --> 00:16:10,278 Speaker 1: from the beginning of the year regarding how we're gonna 314 00:16:10,318 --> 00:16:13,598 Speaker 1: approach the day, Um, things are going to go awry. 315 00:16:13,678 --> 00:16:15,158 Speaker 1: One of the first things we talked about in the 316 00:16:15,198 --> 00:16:18,638 Speaker 1: team meetings prior to the playoffs beginning to expect something 317 00:16:18,638 --> 00:16:20,758 Speaker 1: bad to happen, and it's gonna happen, and when something 318 00:16:20,798 --> 00:16:22,918 Speaker 1: bad does happen, what's going to set us apart is 319 00:16:22,998 --> 00:16:25,478 Speaker 1: how we react to that moment. So this is the 320 00:16:25,558 --> 00:16:27,638 Speaker 1: kind of stuff that I don't think gets enough play 321 00:16:27,678 --> 00:16:30,678 Speaker 1: because everybody believes teams win just based on numbers. Teams 322 00:16:30,718 --> 00:16:35,398 Speaker 1: win based on personalities, really good baseball players, character and 323 00:16:35,438 --> 00:16:38,598 Speaker 1: being able to handle difficult moments in a way that's 324 00:16:38,678 --> 00:16:41,958 Speaker 1: unique to that particular group. And that's really that's not 325 00:16:42,038 --> 00:16:44,758 Speaker 1: forgetting the heartbeat, and that's what happened on that particular night, 326 00:16:45,078 --> 00:16:47,118 Speaker 1: and probably as a manager, that's what I'm most proud 327 00:16:47,118 --> 00:16:53,158 Speaker 1: of reflectively, reflectively looking back on that World series. Absolutely, 328 00:16:53,198 --> 00:16:55,638 Speaker 1: And uh, I just want to say, you know, on 329 00:16:55,638 --> 00:16:57,438 Speaker 1: on the show and while we had this open form, 330 00:16:57,478 --> 00:16:59,838 Speaker 1: which I think is awesome, Um, you know, with this 331 00:16:59,878 --> 00:17:02,438 Speaker 1: group of people, but no, Joe, those are things that 332 00:17:02,478 --> 00:17:06,278 Speaker 1: you were preaching from day one. Um, you know when 333 00:17:06,318 --> 00:17:10,198 Speaker 1: I signed with the team, and you also, you know, 334 00:17:10,318 --> 00:17:11,838 Speaker 1: will tell us first that you don't like to have 335 00:17:11,838 --> 00:17:13,558 Speaker 1: a lot of meetings. You know, you don't you don't 336 00:17:13,598 --> 00:17:15,478 Speaker 1: like talking at us. You want us to kind of 337 00:17:15,478 --> 00:17:17,958 Speaker 1: police ourselves and that, but you know, to to build 338 00:17:17,998 --> 00:17:21,158 Speaker 1: our own you know, jelling and and mojo or swagger 339 00:17:21,198 --> 00:17:23,038 Speaker 1: or whatever you want to call it. And you know, 340 00:17:23,118 --> 00:17:25,758 Speaker 1: I feel like you were always saying those exact words 341 00:17:25,838 --> 00:17:27,918 Speaker 1: that you you know, did you just finished speaking on 342 00:17:28,358 --> 00:17:31,558 Speaker 1: you know, who can handle the toughest moments the best 343 00:17:31,638 --> 00:17:34,438 Speaker 1: and overcome those. But I feel like it's very easy 344 00:17:34,478 --> 00:17:36,598 Speaker 1: to miss that, you know how it is when your 345 00:17:36,598 --> 00:17:38,518 Speaker 1: managers talking. You've got a great team, we want a 346 00:17:38,598 --> 00:17:42,878 Speaker 1: hundred and three regular season games, super easy to overlook that. 347 00:17:43,078 --> 00:17:45,318 Speaker 1: But when we had that moment right there, we needed 348 00:17:45,438 --> 00:17:47,598 Speaker 1: at the most and you've always been consistent with that. 349 00:17:47,958 --> 00:17:50,358 Speaker 1: Appreciate it. Um. Let me ask you this too, because 350 00:17:50,918 --> 00:17:52,918 Speaker 1: I'm listening to to your child that it didn't even 351 00:17:52,958 --> 00:17:55,638 Speaker 1: realize we go back to seven eight years old to 352 00:17:55,678 --> 00:17:59,758 Speaker 1: really establish this this method of operation, uh, this team's 353 00:17:59,798 --> 00:18:03,998 Speaker 1: spirited kind of method at any point, Uh, from that 354 00:18:04,318 --> 00:18:06,358 Speaker 1: moment on seventh to the point you got to the 355 00:18:06,358 --> 00:18:09,038 Speaker 1: Braves and eventually Cardinals in the and the Cubs. Was 356 00:18:09,078 --> 00:18:11,318 Speaker 1: there a moment of struggle, kind of a moment there 357 00:18:11,318 --> 00:18:13,838 Speaker 1: where you kind of doubt it yourself, you were confused 358 00:18:13,838 --> 00:18:16,478 Speaker 1: with things that you may have actually considered taking a 359 00:18:16,518 --> 00:18:19,038 Speaker 1: different course. I'm always interested in that because I think 360 00:18:19,038 --> 00:18:22,358 Speaker 1: a lot of successful people, when they retrace their existence, 361 00:18:22,358 --> 00:18:24,678 Speaker 1: they're going to go back to different moments in their 362 00:18:24,718 --> 00:18:27,798 Speaker 1: career where the struggle occurred and they have to make 363 00:18:27,838 --> 00:18:30,638 Speaker 1: decisions and you kind of doubt what you're doing right now? 364 00:18:30,638 --> 00:18:33,158 Speaker 1: Did that ever arrive for you? Because from what I'm hearing, 365 00:18:33,198 --> 00:18:35,158 Speaker 1: and it seems to be that you were pretty much 366 00:18:35,798 --> 00:18:39,198 Speaker 1: um devoted to a particular method of thinking her line 367 00:18:39,478 --> 00:18:42,558 Speaker 1: without any real doubt in your head. So was there 368 00:18:42,598 --> 00:18:48,038 Speaker 1: that struggle moment that you really were considering doing something else? Possibly? Well, Fortunately, 369 00:18:48,678 --> 00:18:50,958 Speaker 1: I think that's one thing that comes to winning. Uh, 370 00:18:51,078 --> 00:18:52,758 Speaker 1: you know, it covers up a lot of things. But 371 00:18:53,238 --> 00:18:55,638 Speaker 1: I've been on winning teams every step of the way, 372 00:18:55,838 --> 00:18:59,238 Speaker 1: and I never doubted myself. Um, I knew the game 373 00:18:59,318 --> 00:19:02,478 Speaker 1: was gonna be hard. I expected to fail. Um that's 374 00:19:02,638 --> 00:19:04,478 Speaker 1: you know, it wasn't cliche for me. They say with 375 00:19:04,598 --> 00:19:07,558 Speaker 1: baseball you fail more times than you succeed. Well, I 376 00:19:07,598 --> 00:19:10,638 Speaker 1: truly believe that. And and so that gave me a 377 00:19:10,718 --> 00:19:12,838 Speaker 1: sense of peace, the fact that I knew I was 378 00:19:12,878 --> 00:19:15,038 Speaker 1: gonna go out on the field every day to help 379 00:19:15,078 --> 00:19:17,478 Speaker 1: my team win, to put that best foot forward. And 380 00:19:17,558 --> 00:19:20,078 Speaker 1: over time that's what happened. You know. I saw those 381 00:19:20,078 --> 00:19:22,038 Speaker 1: things play out, did a lot of winning things on 382 00:19:22,038 --> 00:19:25,398 Speaker 1: the field off the field with teammates, and so I 383 00:19:25,438 --> 00:19:28,878 Speaker 1: never I never had an opportunity to doubt myself, and 384 00:19:28,918 --> 00:19:31,958 Speaker 1: that I just knew that when I'm fourteen years old, Um, 385 00:19:32,118 --> 00:19:34,638 Speaker 1: you know, I said I want to play baseball professionally. 386 00:19:35,318 --> 00:19:37,198 Speaker 1: I step on the field with eighteen year olds and 387 00:19:37,238 --> 00:19:41,158 Speaker 1: they're all throwing seven eight right there. The field got 388 00:19:41,158 --> 00:19:44,598 Speaker 1: a little bit bigger. Basis got bigger, the fences get taller, 389 00:19:44,638 --> 00:19:46,758 Speaker 1: and players are stronger. I know, like, hey, if you 390 00:19:46,758 --> 00:19:48,518 Speaker 1: want to do this, it's it's put up a shut up. 391 00:19:48,638 --> 00:19:52,038 Speaker 1: So I enjoyed that challenge. And uh, like I said, 392 00:19:52,118 --> 00:19:57,838 Speaker 1: just obviously winning helps cure a lot of doubts. Yeah yeah, 393 00:19:57,918 --> 00:20:00,238 Speaker 1: just as to me a sort of a neutral observer 394 00:20:00,358 --> 00:20:03,718 Speaker 1: in that game seven story you're going through, Jason, all right, 395 00:20:03,758 --> 00:20:06,438 Speaker 1: was in the dug out as a reporter for Fox, 396 00:20:06,678 --> 00:20:10,318 Speaker 1: and I saw how down the Cubs were after the 397 00:20:10,358 --> 00:20:13,318 Speaker 1: Indians came back and tied that game. And I also 398 00:20:13,358 --> 00:20:16,718 Speaker 1: saw a completely different team that came back into the dugout. 399 00:20:16,758 --> 00:20:18,998 Speaker 1: I now, I didn't know that you had held that meeting, Jason. 400 00:20:19,038 --> 00:20:22,518 Speaker 1: I just knew the teams sounded and looked completely different. 401 00:20:22,638 --> 00:20:25,678 Speaker 1: I'm convinced the Cubs don't win that game without what 402 00:20:25,798 --> 00:20:28,238 Speaker 1: happened during that rain delay. And I've got to go 403 00:20:28,278 --> 00:20:30,678 Speaker 1: back to something you said. It's sort of a confirmation 404 00:20:30,718 --> 00:20:35,798 Speaker 1: of a couple of things. Joe's methodologies that allowed players 405 00:20:35,838 --> 00:20:38,318 Speaker 1: to be empowered, where you could step up and have 406 00:20:38,398 --> 00:20:40,838 Speaker 1: a meeting like that without telling the manager, Hey, this 407 00:20:40,878 --> 00:20:42,798 Speaker 1: is what I want to do. And the other thing 408 00:20:42,838 --> 00:20:45,678 Speaker 1: is you've gone through your background to prepare for that moment, 409 00:20:45,718 --> 00:20:48,678 Speaker 1: a guy who put winning above all else. That was 410 00:20:48,758 --> 00:20:50,998 Speaker 1: true not just that night, but every night that you 411 00:20:51,038 --> 00:20:53,598 Speaker 1: played baseball. So I have to remind people. I never 412 00:20:53,598 --> 00:20:57,438 Speaker 1: remind you, Jason. This World Series, where you're known for 413 00:20:57,638 --> 00:21:00,118 Speaker 1: being the ultimate blue guy, began with you on the bench. 414 00:21:00,598 --> 00:21:02,638 Speaker 1: And if I believe, if I remember right, I think 415 00:21:02,718 --> 00:21:04,838 Speaker 1: Joe talked to you before game one. Here, you get 416 00:21:04,878 --> 00:21:06,918 Speaker 1: to the World Series and you're not in the starting lineup. 417 00:21:07,318 --> 00:21:09,358 Speaker 1: That to me is the ultimate glue guy who's gonna 418 00:21:09,358 --> 00:21:12,878 Speaker 1: look beyond whatever his situation is and say, how can 419 00:21:12,958 --> 00:21:15,238 Speaker 1: we what can I do to help us win? Period? 420 00:21:15,598 --> 00:21:18,918 Speaker 1: Do you remember was there a conversation before Game one? 421 00:21:19,198 --> 00:21:21,958 Speaker 1: There there was a conversation. But I have to say, 422 00:21:22,278 --> 00:21:26,798 Speaker 1: and and this is with over time and more understanding. Um, 423 00:21:26,838 --> 00:21:31,438 Speaker 1: you know, since then, things are happening so fast out 424 00:21:31,438 --> 00:21:35,398 Speaker 1: there right Um the way you know, a team front office, 425 00:21:35,638 --> 00:21:38,118 Speaker 1: you know, manager, coaching staff prepared for a game in 426 00:21:38,158 --> 00:21:41,158 Speaker 1: a series, you know, all that stuff happens fast, you know, 427 00:21:41,198 --> 00:21:43,758 Speaker 1: within itself. But when it's World Series and you've got 428 00:21:43,958 --> 00:21:45,998 Speaker 1: all the things the Cubs had going on around it, 429 00:21:46,358 --> 00:21:49,238 Speaker 1: you know, there wasn't much time for you know, you 430 00:21:49,238 --> 00:21:53,318 Speaker 1: know taking uh, you know, side conversation. Um, and I'm 431 00:21:53,318 --> 00:21:55,478 Speaker 1: not talking about just with me, but but anyone. You know, 432 00:21:55,518 --> 00:21:57,238 Speaker 1: it was like we we gotta get you know the 433 00:21:57,238 --> 00:21:59,998 Speaker 1: guys that we got gone, we got media, you got 434 00:22:00,038 --> 00:22:02,278 Speaker 1: you know, people ask you a billion questions on you know, 435 00:22:02,318 --> 00:22:05,158 Speaker 1: it's been a hundred and eight years Cleveland. It's been whatever, 436 00:22:05,438 --> 00:22:08,958 Speaker 1: you know, eighty five years or whatever. It was for them. UM. 437 00:22:08,998 --> 00:22:12,038 Speaker 1: So our conversation before the game was was pretty quick. 438 00:22:12,598 --> 00:22:15,718 Speaker 1: And you know, I believe that I should be playing, 439 00:22:15,798 --> 00:22:18,118 Speaker 1: no doubt. And I feel like that's what every single 440 00:22:18,118 --> 00:22:22,038 Speaker 1: baseball player UM has to have and better have in 441 00:22:22,078 --> 00:22:23,798 Speaker 1: those moments. You better believe you need to be on 442 00:22:23,838 --> 00:22:26,878 Speaker 1: the field. UM. But I knew what our group had, 443 00:22:27,278 --> 00:22:30,078 Speaker 1: and you know, I just wanted to hear you know 444 00:22:30,238 --> 00:22:32,158 Speaker 1: what we got, you know what what what what what 445 00:22:32,518 --> 00:22:35,318 Speaker 1: they were thinking? So I just knew how to prepare. UM. 446 00:22:36,078 --> 00:22:39,078 Speaker 1: Was never looking for an answer on hey, Jason, like 447 00:22:39,358 --> 00:22:40,718 Speaker 1: you know what we're gonna get you in in the 448 00:22:40,718 --> 00:22:43,078 Speaker 1: fifth inning and you know we really think that what 449 00:22:43,158 --> 00:22:45,758 Speaker 1: wasn't looking to be coddled. I just needed, you know something, 450 00:22:45,798 --> 00:22:47,718 Speaker 1: so I knew, like, well, let me have my mind 451 00:22:47,838 --> 00:22:49,718 Speaker 1: right enough to do what I need to do to 452 00:22:49,718 --> 00:22:52,718 Speaker 1: help this team win. UM. And And that was that. 453 00:22:52,918 --> 00:22:55,558 Speaker 1: So I had that conversation. You know, Joe spoke to me, 454 00:22:56,078 --> 00:22:57,838 Speaker 1: you know, said that they believed that you know, the 455 00:22:57,878 --> 00:22:59,638 Speaker 1: guys we had, which we had some guys that have 456 00:22:59,758 --> 00:23:02,518 Speaker 1: been there in fifteen, UM the year before already and 457 00:23:02,558 --> 00:23:05,878 Speaker 1: contribute and look, you got a hundred three game, hundred 458 00:23:05,878 --> 00:23:09,678 Speaker 1: and three win season. In the regular season, everyone contributes, right, 459 00:23:09,718 --> 00:23:11,878 Speaker 1: It's it's not just one group. So you really believe 460 00:23:11,958 --> 00:23:14,438 Speaker 1: that anyone you put out there and the best matchup 461 00:23:14,518 --> 00:23:17,038 Speaker 1: is is gonna work. Um and they're gonna do their 462 00:23:17,118 --> 00:23:19,678 Speaker 1: job that night. But I knew what I had, I 463 00:23:19,758 --> 00:23:22,638 Speaker 1: knew what I had to bring and no so I 464 00:23:22,878 --> 00:23:25,278 Speaker 1: that that World Series started with me on the bench 465 00:23:25,318 --> 00:23:28,878 Speaker 1: for three games in a row, um against right handed pitching, 466 00:23:29,958 --> 00:23:32,558 Speaker 1: and and that that was my beginning to my first 467 00:23:32,558 --> 00:23:35,838 Speaker 1: World Series. Parents, that is just so impressive that from 468 00:23:35,878 --> 00:23:39,558 Speaker 1: that sitting against as you said, right handed pitching, not 469 00:23:39,718 --> 00:23:42,358 Speaker 1: used to that, and being there in the crunch moment 470 00:23:42,398 --> 00:23:44,518 Speaker 1: for your team I made that that's the ultimate clue 471 00:23:44,518 --> 00:23:47,318 Speaker 1: guy to me, Joe absolutely um and that really that's 472 00:23:47,318 --> 00:23:50,638 Speaker 1: just that sums it all up. That's why I really 473 00:23:50,718 --> 00:23:53,638 Speaker 1: enjoyed my time with Jason so much. He was the 474 00:23:53,678 --> 00:23:55,358 Speaker 1: kind of guy. And I've talked about this in the book. 475 00:23:55,358 --> 00:23:56,878 Speaker 1: If I tell you the truth, you might not like 476 00:23:56,998 --> 00:23:58,718 Speaker 1: me for a week or ten days. If I lie 477 00:23:58,758 --> 00:24:00,878 Speaker 1: to you can hit me forever. And so you just 478 00:24:01,038 --> 00:24:03,518 Speaker 1: you with guys like Jay, you never you never wanted 479 00:24:03,558 --> 00:24:06,358 Speaker 1: to send you never want to you know, parce out 480 00:24:06,398 --> 00:24:09,078 Speaker 1: the truth, possibly in different ways. You've just got to 481 00:24:09,118 --> 00:24:11,958 Speaker 1: tell Jason exactly what's going on in Jason, just like 482 00:24:12,038 --> 00:24:14,758 Speaker 1: he described, Uh, he needed to know that and then 483 00:24:14,758 --> 00:24:16,998 Speaker 1: he could prepare. He knows how to prepare for that 484 00:24:17,118 --> 00:24:19,558 Speaker 1: night over that game. And that that is like that 485 00:24:19,718 --> 00:24:23,278 Speaker 1: is every manager, is every any kind of captain team 486 00:24:23,638 --> 00:24:25,718 Speaker 1: coach would ever head coach. That's the kind of guy 487 00:24:25,758 --> 00:24:29,078 Speaker 1: you want. And and everybody talks about being a team player, 488 00:24:29,078 --> 00:24:31,718 Speaker 1: and this this goes for coaches and managers too. We 489 00:24:31,798 --> 00:24:33,438 Speaker 1: all talked about it, but then you actually got to 490 00:24:33,518 --> 00:24:36,238 Speaker 1: live it and breathe it, and everything j just described 491 00:24:36,318 --> 00:24:39,558 Speaker 1: right there indicates what we've been talking about at this 492 00:24:39,598 --> 00:24:43,078 Speaker 1: point in this UM podcast. He is that guy, and 493 00:24:43,078 --> 00:24:45,078 Speaker 1: it started when he was seven or eight years of age, 494 00:24:45,518 --> 00:24:47,758 Speaker 1: and it was embedded in him to the point where 495 00:24:47,758 --> 00:24:50,798 Speaker 1: he gets to the World Series and we asked him 496 00:24:50,838 --> 00:24:53,038 Speaker 1: to not start. You know, he's not gonna be started 497 00:24:53,038 --> 00:24:55,558 Speaker 1: for the first three games and it cannot be handled 498 00:24:55,558 --> 00:24:58,078 Speaker 1: any better, to the point where he's possibly the most 499 00:24:58,278 --> 00:25:02,398 Speaker 1: inspirational component of that team victory. In this is Tom 500 00:25:02,478 --> 00:25:05,518 Speaker 1: Verducci with Joe Madden, and you're listening to the Book 501 00:25:05,518 --> 00:25:08,758 Speaker 1: of Joe podcast and when we get back, we'll talk 502 00:25:08,838 --> 00:25:19,838 Speaker 1: some more with Jason Heyward about what's next. Welcome back 503 00:25:19,878 --> 00:25:22,398 Speaker 1: to the Book of Joe podcast. This is Tom Berducci 504 00:25:22,478 --> 00:25:25,398 Speaker 1: with Joe Madden and Jason. Before we let you go, 505 00:25:25,518 --> 00:25:28,558 Speaker 1: there's two things we need you to do. Number one 506 00:25:28,758 --> 00:25:32,438 Speaker 1: is give us an idea of what's ahead now for 507 00:25:32,558 --> 00:25:35,278 Speaker 1: Jason Hayward. I know that Jason Hayward Baseball Academy is 508 00:25:35,318 --> 00:25:37,558 Speaker 1: going to have pretty much a soft opening in the 509 00:25:37,598 --> 00:25:42,238 Speaker 1: next month or two up and running full time. Give 510 00:25:42,318 --> 00:25:44,838 Speaker 1: us an idea of where you're at with that and 511 00:25:45,078 --> 00:25:47,958 Speaker 1: especially your baseball career and what might be next for you. 512 00:25:48,438 --> 00:25:50,878 Speaker 1: So I guess I love the academy stuff and with 513 00:25:51,038 --> 00:25:54,558 Speaker 1: off the field. Um, you know, first I'm gonna be 514 00:25:54,598 --> 00:25:56,798 Speaker 1: a dad. You know, we gotta we got an eight 515 00:25:56,798 --> 00:25:59,438 Speaker 1: month year old now, MESSI my wife and my wife 516 00:25:59,478 --> 00:26:02,118 Speaker 1: V and I we're doing that and we we love having, 517 00:26:02,318 --> 00:26:04,758 Speaker 1: you know, a bigger family strength, and so that's that's 518 00:26:04,758 --> 00:26:07,798 Speaker 1: been an amazing experience. UM. You know, if you got 519 00:26:07,838 --> 00:26:09,558 Speaker 1: I know, Joe, you have kids, Tom, if you have 520 00:26:09,678 --> 00:26:13,238 Speaker 1: kids like that's there's nothing better, but you know, going 521 00:26:13,278 --> 00:26:17,398 Speaker 1: on to this academy, UM, hoping to have construction done 522 00:26:17,518 --> 00:26:22,238 Speaker 1: first week of January, so we can have this soft opening, um, 523 00:26:22,318 --> 00:26:24,798 Speaker 1: you know, and get that in before either before kids 524 00:26:24,798 --> 00:26:27,518 Speaker 1: go back to school or right after, um to give 525 00:26:27,558 --> 00:26:30,438 Speaker 1: them like a fun weekend, uh, to pop their ear off. 526 00:26:31,318 --> 00:26:36,438 Speaker 1: In three. But then as far as baseball goes, man, 527 00:26:36,478 --> 00:26:38,918 Speaker 1: I'm I'm looking to get with a team that's just 528 00:26:38,918 --> 00:26:41,958 Speaker 1: trying to win a ring. You know, like obviously you 529 00:26:41,958 --> 00:26:44,438 Speaker 1: know results, you know, we we'd love to have them, 530 00:26:44,478 --> 00:26:46,798 Speaker 1: don't know how they're going to pan out, But I'm 531 00:26:46,838 --> 00:26:49,958 Speaker 1: looking to play for a team that you know, wants 532 00:26:49,998 --> 00:26:51,598 Speaker 1: to give me an opportunity to join what they have 533 00:26:51,678 --> 00:26:54,158 Speaker 1: going on and and put their best foot forward to 534 00:26:54,198 --> 00:26:55,598 Speaker 1: try and win the ring and compete for that. In 535 00:26:56,358 --> 00:26:59,638 Speaker 1: three after hearing all this and and hearing and even 536 00:26:59,678 --> 00:27:02,958 Speaker 1: deeper sight of you for me, um, have you even 537 00:27:03,038 --> 00:27:06,158 Speaker 1: given considerate and eventually after the playing days are done? 538 00:27:06,678 --> 00:27:09,958 Speaker 1: Is uh, what kind of employment would you like to 539 00:27:09,958 --> 00:27:11,358 Speaker 1: get into at that point? Is it would you like 540 00:27:11,478 --> 00:27:14,158 Speaker 1: to stay in the game at baseball as your academy 541 00:27:14,358 --> 00:27:16,758 Speaker 1: that important that you're gonna get still staying baseball in 542 00:27:16,758 --> 00:27:19,798 Speaker 1: another way? But as you're describing everything and after as 543 00:27:19,838 --> 00:27:23,958 Speaker 1: you've talked about everything today, Uh, pretty impressive, brother, really 544 00:27:23,998 --> 00:27:27,878 Speaker 1: impressive your thoughts and where you've been going. We've we've 545 00:27:27,958 --> 00:27:30,318 Speaker 1: gotten to with all of this. So have you given 546 00:27:30,358 --> 00:27:34,158 Speaker 1: any consideration to post baseball playing what you may want 547 00:27:34,158 --> 00:27:38,718 Speaker 1: to do in those years to follow. I appreciate that, Joe. UM. 548 00:27:38,758 --> 00:27:41,078 Speaker 1: I mean, of course, it's nice to have that constant 549 00:27:41,118 --> 00:27:45,718 Speaker 1: and you know, wanting to have an obligation with the academy. Um, 550 00:27:45,758 --> 00:27:48,998 Speaker 1: but I do believe that if I do stay in baseball, 551 00:27:49,118 --> 00:27:52,278 Speaker 1: then that's that's only gonna be better for the academy. Uh. 552 00:27:52,358 --> 00:27:54,318 Speaker 1: You know, some of the guys will come through Chicago 553 00:27:54,438 --> 00:27:56,918 Speaker 1: throughout the year, of course, playing for the White House, 554 00:27:56,958 --> 00:27:59,398 Speaker 1: playing for playing for the Cubs and other teams, so 555 00:27:59,438 --> 00:28:02,798 Speaker 1: it'll be easy to network. Um, but I'm not sure 556 00:28:03,318 --> 00:28:07,398 Speaker 1: what what after playing side looks like. Uh. I would 557 00:28:07,398 --> 00:28:10,078 Speaker 1: love to help a team compete. I would love to 558 00:28:10,278 --> 00:28:13,918 Speaker 1: be able to shine light, uh two players on you 559 00:28:13,918 --> 00:28:16,918 Speaker 1: know what it's like to come into this as a 560 00:28:16,958 --> 00:28:20,998 Speaker 1: young as a young kid, and and playing this profession. Um, 561 00:28:21,038 --> 00:28:23,718 Speaker 1: you know, it's a job, you know. I think now 562 00:28:23,758 --> 00:28:26,038 Speaker 1: it's really cool that the game is getting that much 563 00:28:26,038 --> 00:28:29,478 Speaker 1: closer to young guys that are in high school and college. Uh, 564 00:28:29,518 --> 00:28:32,398 Speaker 1: it's a beautiful thing. But I don't think they know 565 00:28:32,518 --> 00:28:35,758 Speaker 1: that checking in every day is you're going into the 566 00:28:35,798 --> 00:28:37,958 Speaker 1: training room getting your body right, you're going into the 567 00:28:37,958 --> 00:28:42,238 Speaker 1: cage getting loose, and you know you're you're punching the clock. Uh. 568 00:28:42,358 --> 00:28:45,198 Speaker 1: You know, I want to shine light on that stuff. Um. 569 00:28:45,278 --> 00:28:47,998 Speaker 1: But also having so many perspectives on you know, being 570 00:28:48,038 --> 00:28:50,998 Speaker 1: a free agent twenty six years old, Um, you know, 571 00:28:51,038 --> 00:28:55,318 Speaker 1: playing for three historic franchises. UM, I think I have 572 00:28:55,398 --> 00:28:58,678 Speaker 1: a lot to you know, insight to give to guys, 573 00:28:58,758 --> 00:29:02,518 Speaker 1: like playing for the Cubs and US winning that World Series. 574 00:29:02,918 --> 00:29:05,198 Speaker 1: I said it in h I guess you've called my 575 00:29:05,198 --> 00:29:08,598 Speaker 1: my exit press conference with the Cubbies earlier this year. 576 00:29:08,678 --> 00:29:12,638 Speaker 1: That you know, winning is a is a sacrifice and 577 00:29:12,918 --> 00:29:15,798 Speaker 1: there's so much debt that that you have to to 578 00:29:15,918 --> 00:29:18,438 Speaker 1: pay for what it takes to do that. And you know, 579 00:29:18,598 --> 00:29:21,278 Speaker 1: in everyone's world, you know, even watching you know, our 580 00:29:21,318 --> 00:29:25,398 Speaker 1: team over the years, you know, business wise, seeing players 581 00:29:25,398 --> 00:29:28,318 Speaker 1: move on, seeing Joe move on, you hate to see it, 582 00:29:29,078 --> 00:29:31,038 Speaker 1: you know, But I don't think people are prepared for 583 00:29:31,158 --> 00:29:33,718 Speaker 1: like what it takes to win and then what it takes, 584 00:29:33,798 --> 00:29:35,558 Speaker 1: you know, the aftermath of that. Like it's it's not 585 00:29:35,598 --> 00:29:38,398 Speaker 1: always easy but you know it's it's that mentally taxing, 586 00:29:38,758 --> 00:29:41,158 Speaker 1: there's that much dedication, that there's that much time away 587 00:29:41,158 --> 00:29:44,598 Speaker 1: from family. UM. So whenever I can do to find 588 00:29:44,598 --> 00:29:47,038 Speaker 1: a role that hits me there, Um, whether it's with 589 00:29:47,118 --> 00:29:49,878 Speaker 1: one team or whether it's with you know, a bunch 590 00:29:49,918 --> 00:29:51,958 Speaker 1: of teams and a bunch of guys. I think that's 591 00:29:51,998 --> 00:29:53,678 Speaker 1: that's where I can help out a lot of guys. 592 00:29:53,918 --> 00:29:56,838 Speaker 1: It's beautiful thought, well done. Well. You have so much 593 00:29:56,998 --> 00:29:59,958 Speaker 1: to offer baseball, Jason, both on the amateur level and 594 00:30:00,038 --> 00:30:02,198 Speaker 1: obviously still in the major league level. We wish you 595 00:30:02,758 --> 00:30:05,998 Speaker 1: all the best. Um. The word winner certainly comes to 596 00:30:06,038 --> 00:30:08,318 Speaker 1: mind when you hear the name Jason Hayward. That that 597 00:30:08,398 --> 00:30:10,998 Speaker 1: will not change the other thing I'd like you do. 598 00:30:11,158 --> 00:30:13,838 Speaker 1: We wanted to start a new segment here, Jason. We 599 00:30:13,918 --> 00:30:17,438 Speaker 1: call it a reading from the Book of Joe. I 600 00:30:17,518 --> 00:30:20,478 Speaker 1: want you to pick a number between one and three 601 00:30:20,558 --> 00:30:22,718 Speaker 1: hundred and sixty eight. That's how many pages we have 602 00:30:22,798 --> 00:30:26,318 Speaker 1: in our book, the Book of Joe. UM, just randomly 603 00:30:26,358 --> 00:30:30,318 Speaker 1: pick a number, and we'll go to a reading in 604 00:30:30,358 --> 00:30:33,398 Speaker 1: the course of that page, which I think will give 605 00:30:33,478 --> 00:30:36,918 Speaker 1: fans an idea that this book has a lot in it. 606 00:30:37,278 --> 00:30:42,278 Speaker 1: So your choice, your pick here one to three. I 607 00:30:42,278 --> 00:30:44,518 Speaker 1: don't know if I'm first to pick a number. I 608 00:30:44,518 --> 00:30:47,158 Speaker 1: hope I am. I want to know what's on page one, 609 00:30:48,358 --> 00:30:55,318 Speaker 1: So that's a great call, would this number? But you 610 00:30:55,358 --> 00:31:00,838 Speaker 1: talk about great leadoff that. I'm curious now too, what's 611 00:31:00,838 --> 00:31:03,598 Speaker 1: on one oh eight? Man? All right? The story of 612 00:31:03,918 --> 00:31:09,918 Speaker 1: Mark mc lemore, remember that one, Joe, absolutely, Jason. Have 613 00:31:09,958 --> 00:31:11,998 Speaker 1: you met Have you met Mark? Jason? Do you know Mark? 614 00:31:12,598 --> 00:31:14,758 Speaker 1: I don't. I don't believe, so, I don't believe. So 615 00:31:14,878 --> 00:31:17,678 Speaker 1: he's with the Texas Rangers right now doing a lot 616 00:31:17,718 --> 00:31:20,358 Speaker 1: of broadcasting, and had called him fluff, had fluff when 617 00:31:20,398 --> 00:31:22,958 Speaker 1: he was seventeen years of age and Salem, Oregon, had 618 00:31:22,998 --> 00:31:26,038 Speaker 1: a great major league career, really shined as a like 619 00:31:26,078 --> 00:31:29,238 Speaker 1: a utility guy, like really a wonderful super utility guy. 620 00:31:29,518 --> 00:31:31,678 Speaker 1: And we still stay in touch when it when he laughs, 621 00:31:31,678 --> 00:31:34,398 Speaker 1: he sounds like my brother Mark actually, and we've always 622 00:31:34,398 --> 00:31:36,878 Speaker 1: had this really strong connection. So anyway, this is good stuff. 623 00:31:36,918 --> 00:31:39,238 Speaker 1: Go ahead, Tommy. Yeah, well, Mark, and I'm not sure 624 00:31:39,238 --> 00:31:41,398 Speaker 1: if this ever happened with you, Jason, but he has, 625 00:31:41,558 --> 00:31:44,758 Speaker 1: like a lot of young players, he was homesick and 626 00:31:44,878 --> 00:31:48,918 Speaker 1: wanted to quit baseball. Um, he was probably what Joe 627 00:31:49,078 --> 00:31:53,918 Speaker 1: eighteen nineteen, seventeen, seventeen eighteen, Yeah, from San Diego. Wow, 628 00:31:53,998 --> 00:31:57,198 Speaker 1: So here we go. Joe calls him into his room 629 00:31:57,238 --> 00:32:00,438 Speaker 1: to convince him to stick around and keep playing baseball. 630 00:32:00,998 --> 00:32:02,998 Speaker 1: And what Joe had told him was that what he 631 00:32:03,038 --> 00:32:06,038 Speaker 1: was missing was no longer there. And that's a quote 632 00:32:06,038 --> 00:32:09,318 Speaker 1: from Joe. He conceded eventually that I was right. Going 633 00:32:09,398 --> 00:32:11,398 Speaker 1: back home would have been the worst thing he could 634 00:32:11,398 --> 00:32:14,078 Speaker 1: have possibly done. And he ended up having a great season. 635 00:32:14,438 --> 00:32:17,158 Speaker 1: We win the Northwest League championship with him playing second 636 00:32:17,198 --> 00:32:21,638 Speaker 1: base and Kevin Davis playing shortstop, both seventeen eighteen years 637 00:32:21,638 --> 00:32:24,198 Speaker 1: old at the most, and we beat the Midford A's, 638 00:32:24,238 --> 00:32:26,638 Speaker 1: who were just chock full of college players at the time. 639 00:32:27,238 --> 00:32:29,518 Speaker 1: Fluff goes on from there, He goes to the Double 640 00:32:29,558 --> 00:32:31,998 Speaker 1: A Texas League, gets hurt. We said him to Anaheim 641 00:32:32,038 --> 00:32:34,398 Speaker 1: to rehab at that time because everybody thought this guy 642 00:32:34,558 --> 00:32:37,278 Speaker 1: is so important to the organization. It was one of 643 00:32:37,278 --> 00:32:39,438 Speaker 1: the bigger mistakes the Angels made at that point and 644 00:32:39,518 --> 00:32:44,118 Speaker 1: something I learned a great lesson from. So Joe, he 645 00:32:44,238 --> 00:32:47,278 Speaker 1: talked Mark and the sticking around, but he made a 646 00:32:47,278 --> 00:32:51,118 Speaker 1: great point that they brought him to Anaheim as a 647 00:32:51,158 --> 00:32:53,518 Speaker 1: minor league player to rehab, and he kind of got 648 00:32:53,918 --> 00:32:56,918 Speaker 1: I don't know, what do you call it? Major league itis? Yeah, 649 00:32:56,958 --> 00:32:58,758 Speaker 1: I got a little full of himself at that point. 650 00:32:58,838 --> 00:33:00,798 Speaker 1: When he came back, he wasn't quite the same and 651 00:33:00,838 --> 00:33:03,078 Speaker 1: it took him some time to get old ridden. And 652 00:33:03,118 --> 00:33:04,638 Speaker 1: you have to understand, this is a kid that I 653 00:33:04,758 --> 00:33:07,358 Speaker 1: never thought that could happen with. Mark was one of 654 00:33:07,358 --> 00:33:11,318 Speaker 1: the most humble, nice, fun sincere young men that you're 655 00:33:11,318 --> 00:33:13,158 Speaker 1: ever gonna want to meet. So if it could happen 656 00:33:13,198 --> 00:33:15,878 Speaker 1: to him, it could happen to anybody. So the moral 657 00:33:15,878 --> 00:33:18,318 Speaker 1: of the story right there for me is he gets 658 00:33:18,398 --> 00:33:20,558 Speaker 1: hurt in double ashus, stay in Double A and get 659 00:33:20,598 --> 00:33:23,118 Speaker 1: treated like everybody else should have got treated. At that point, 660 00:33:23,438 --> 00:33:26,438 Speaker 1: it was not the time to accelerate anything for him 661 00:33:26,518 --> 00:33:29,758 Speaker 1: because you don't know, as a young person at seventeen 662 00:33:29,798 --> 00:33:32,318 Speaker 1: and he's able to handle that particular moment, he doesn't 663 00:33:32,398 --> 00:33:35,318 Speaker 1: have the kind of cachet of experience that maybe even 664 00:33:35,358 --> 00:33:37,958 Speaker 1: like Jason had starting at seven eight years of age 665 00:33:37,958 --> 00:33:39,718 Speaker 1: and moving all over the country and playing and winning 666 00:33:39,798 --> 00:33:42,958 Speaker 1: nineties games whatever. So anyway, he came back he was 667 00:33:42,998 --> 00:33:45,398 Speaker 1: a different cat, and it really bummed me out for 668 00:33:45,438 --> 00:33:48,278 Speaker 1: a long time. He eventually recovered, but it took him 669 00:33:48,318 --> 00:33:50,358 Speaker 1: a while. It actually took him a while to get 670 00:33:50,398 --> 00:33:53,598 Speaker 1: back to the point where he used to paint uh 671 00:33:53,638 --> 00:33:56,718 Speaker 1: an eye on his flap on his shoe. At that time, 672 00:33:56,718 --> 00:33:58,518 Speaker 1: he used to have flap like a flap. It was 673 00:33:58,518 --> 00:34:01,198 Speaker 1: the eye of the Tagger from the Rocky movies. Right 674 00:34:02,078 --> 00:34:03,838 Speaker 1: before is that bat. He'd go up to home play, 675 00:34:04,038 --> 00:34:06,318 Speaker 1: he'd reached down, look at the eye of the Tagger 676 00:34:06,438 --> 00:34:08,678 Speaker 1: and put it back down because it was underneath. And 677 00:34:08,678 --> 00:34:10,518 Speaker 1: then he then he proceed hit the line drive up 678 00:34:10,558 --> 00:34:12,198 Speaker 1: the middle because he just wanted to have the eye 679 00:34:12,238 --> 00:34:14,598 Speaker 1: of the Tiger and everything that he did. I love 680 00:34:14,678 --> 00:34:16,598 Speaker 1: the guy for that. But anyway, the more of the 681 00:34:16,638 --> 00:34:20,038 Speaker 1: story was that really be careful because you think some 682 00:34:20,118 --> 00:34:22,718 Speaker 1: people may not change because you think they're they got 683 00:34:22,718 --> 00:34:24,798 Speaker 1: it wired and they're they're so grounded and they're so 684 00:34:24,838 --> 00:34:27,758 Speaker 1: well done in all different ways, and and and Mark 685 00:34:27,838 --> 00:34:30,638 Speaker 1: taught me that that's not necessarily true. So it's not 686 00:34:30,638 --> 00:34:33,638 Speaker 1: always you can't read the book by its cover. Sometimes 687 00:34:33,638 --> 00:34:35,678 Speaker 1: you can't judge it. And that's what I learned from 688 00:34:35,678 --> 00:34:38,558 Speaker 1: that particular moment with Mark's I'd love for you to 689 00:34:38,558 --> 00:34:40,798 Speaker 1: meet him sometimes. Jay, Hey, you guys had really hit 690 00:34:40,878 --> 00:34:43,798 Speaker 1: it off. He's a beautiful human being. We stay in 691 00:34:43,878 --> 00:34:46,998 Speaker 1: touch and uh yeah, that's just a typical example what 692 00:34:47,118 --> 00:34:51,798 Speaker 1: happened in the minor leagues. That was two in Salem, Oregon, Salem, Oregon, 693 00:34:51,998 --> 00:34:54,518 Speaker 1: and I could I could see him sitting in my 694 00:34:54,598 --> 00:34:57,278 Speaker 1: room like it was yesterday. That's awesome. Um, could I 695 00:34:57,318 --> 00:35:00,758 Speaker 1: just say to that story? And then I love that 696 00:35:00,798 --> 00:35:03,958 Speaker 1: there's a book of these that it's so hard to 697 00:35:04,598 --> 00:35:07,878 Speaker 1: you know, obviously they always say the cliche highsight. Um, 698 00:35:07,998 --> 00:35:10,678 Speaker 1: you know, everything's all trial and error, but it's so 699 00:35:10,758 --> 00:35:13,918 Speaker 1: hard to especially being a part of winning and wanted 700 00:35:13,918 --> 00:35:17,158 Speaker 1: to develop people. Um, to be in the moment and 701 00:35:17,158 --> 00:35:20,838 Speaker 1: and do everything quote unquote perfectly, you know. So I 702 00:35:20,958 --> 00:35:23,038 Speaker 1: love that you have these experiences and you have a 703 00:35:23,038 --> 00:35:25,238 Speaker 1: book of them to go back and say, well, you know, 704 00:35:25,318 --> 00:35:27,158 Speaker 1: let me reflect on these a little bit and and 705 00:35:27,158 --> 00:35:29,558 Speaker 1: then share that because it's so hard to do in 706 00:35:29,638 --> 00:35:31,558 Speaker 1: the moment. And I do believe you need some time 707 00:35:31,558 --> 00:35:34,438 Speaker 1: in separation to look back and and dissect and and 708 00:35:34,438 --> 00:35:38,718 Speaker 1: see everything for its true value. So Jason, we can't 709 00:35:38,758 --> 00:35:41,558 Speaker 1: thank you enough. This has just been fascinating and I 710 00:35:41,638 --> 00:35:44,118 Speaker 1: personally want to thank you for not just the way 711 00:35:44,118 --> 00:35:46,318 Speaker 1: you've represented the Cubs and every team you played for 712 00:35:46,358 --> 00:35:49,798 Speaker 1: the major leagues, but especially giving back to this game 713 00:35:49,838 --> 00:35:54,078 Speaker 1: and especially to underserve communities. I think that's the ultimate 714 00:35:54,118 --> 00:35:56,398 Speaker 1: test of of what it takes to be a winner, 715 00:35:56,558 --> 00:35:58,758 Speaker 1: is that you give back to this game. And it's 716 00:35:58,838 --> 00:36:01,038 Speaker 1: near and dear to my heart. I'm about this game 717 00:36:01,478 --> 00:36:04,398 Speaker 1: of baseball with a small b not necessarily Major leag baseball, 718 00:36:04,398 --> 00:36:07,358 Speaker 1: but the game of baseball. Maybe not future major leaguers 719 00:36:07,398 --> 00:36:10,598 Speaker 1: at the Jason Heyward Academy maybe you'll have a couple hopefully, 720 00:36:10,758 --> 00:36:13,358 Speaker 1: but it's all the life lessons that you're teaching those 721 00:36:13,438 --> 00:36:15,758 Speaker 1: kids that I think, um, that that will be an 722 00:36:15,758 --> 00:36:18,598 Speaker 1: even bigger legacy than Game seven. So thank you. Yeah 723 00:36:18,638 --> 00:36:20,958 Speaker 1: the same for me, j Ward. Thank thanks for coming on, brother, 724 00:36:21,038 --> 00:36:24,158 Speaker 1: and please best to be and messy. Looking forward to 725 00:36:24,158 --> 00:36:26,398 Speaker 1: seeing you guys again and we wish you nothing but 726 00:36:26,478 --> 00:36:29,558 Speaker 1: the best of success this coming season. And of course 727 00:36:29,598 --> 00:36:31,838 Speaker 1: if you're endeavor with the academy, I think that's awesome 728 00:36:32,238 --> 00:36:35,398 Speaker 1: and it really probably call your friend. No. Thank you, guys. 729 00:36:35,598 --> 00:36:38,358 Speaker 1: Thank you both so much for having me on. Um. 730 00:36:38,678 --> 00:36:41,398 Speaker 1: I really appreciate you, know you guys, just taking the 731 00:36:41,438 --> 00:36:43,438 Speaker 1: time and opening up a forum. You know, I think 732 00:36:43,478 --> 00:36:46,678 Speaker 1: it's super hard to let people peek inside of our 733 00:36:46,718 --> 00:36:49,158 Speaker 1: minds and and the thoughts that we have and the 734 00:36:49,238 --> 00:36:51,598 Speaker 1: things that we wish we could make right or things 735 00:36:51,598 --> 00:36:53,838 Speaker 1: that we learned from as well. In this there's there's 736 00:36:53,838 --> 00:36:55,998 Speaker 1: a lot of accolades, no doubt, but to be able 737 00:36:56,038 --> 00:36:58,398 Speaker 1: to highlight the other things and and bring it all 738 00:36:58,478 --> 00:37:01,798 Speaker 1: full circles amazing. And uh, you know, lastly, this this 739 00:37:01,838 --> 00:37:04,838 Speaker 1: game has taken me so far. Uh, you know, around 740 00:37:04,878 --> 00:37:08,518 Speaker 1: the world. You know, obviously different stadiums, clubhouses are in 741 00:37:08,558 --> 00:37:11,278 Speaker 1: front of different people, but these, uh, these baseball mind 742 00:37:11,318 --> 00:37:14,798 Speaker 1: relationships are super awesome. So again, thanks for having me, guys. 743 00:37:15,318 --> 00:37:19,838 Speaker 1: J will Brother, thank you, Thank you, Joe. That was amazing. 744 00:37:20,518 --> 00:37:24,118 Speaker 1: Jason Hayward, Wow, I mean you knew firsthand how impressive 745 00:37:24,438 --> 00:37:27,598 Speaker 1: a person Jason is. But after listening to that, my 746 00:37:27,718 --> 00:37:31,438 Speaker 1: question is, how does a major league organization not want 747 00:37:31,518 --> 00:37:34,878 Speaker 1: to hire Chasing Hayward to play, to be in the 748 00:37:34,878 --> 00:37:37,278 Speaker 1: front office. I want him on my team no matter 749 00:37:37,318 --> 00:37:39,238 Speaker 1: what it is. Yeah, listen, I we he and I 750 00:37:39,278 --> 00:37:41,878 Speaker 1: were together for several years, but even this brief what 751 00:37:42,398 --> 00:37:46,038 Speaker 1: thirty minutes of conversation. He revealed a greater depth to 752 00:37:46,038 --> 00:37:49,078 Speaker 1: me than I ever ever realized in the past. His 753 00:37:49,198 --> 00:37:55,278 Speaker 1: words really well chosen, h descriptions as a counselor, outstanding 754 00:37:56,398 --> 00:37:58,518 Speaker 1: his his heart's definitely in the right place, what he's 755 00:37:58,558 --> 00:38:01,078 Speaker 1: looking forward to do. I love the way he speaks. 756 00:38:01,078 --> 00:38:04,478 Speaker 1: A matter of factly, Jason's always I felt, Uh, he 757 00:38:04,518 --> 00:38:06,998 Speaker 1: always thinks before he says something. He's always he's really 758 00:38:06,998 --> 00:38:09,558 Speaker 1: well thought out. And it really came through in this 759 00:38:09,598 --> 00:38:13,198 Speaker 1: episode today. Also, it makes me, it makes me like 760 00:38:13,318 --> 00:38:16,078 Speaker 1: him even more, uh, if that's even possible. But it 761 00:38:16,358 --> 00:38:19,838 Speaker 1: also validates everything I thought about him, the great team 762 00:38:19,878 --> 00:38:22,638 Speaker 1: player that he is and he still is. And you're right, 763 00:38:22,678 --> 00:38:25,598 Speaker 1: he's gonna benefit some group this year. And uh. And 764 00:38:25,638 --> 00:38:28,678 Speaker 1: it's a shame sometimes that we only consider batting average 765 00:38:28,758 --> 00:38:32,078 Speaker 1: or ops as the standard to which are by which 766 00:38:32,078 --> 00:38:34,878 Speaker 1: you're gonna possibly sign somebody. J. J. Ward plays the 767 00:38:34,918 --> 00:38:39,198 Speaker 1: complete game. He's a complete game players, defensive, outstanding, his 768 00:38:39,238 --> 00:38:41,838 Speaker 1: base running and again I could go, you know, the 769 00:38:41,878 --> 00:38:43,798 Speaker 1: five tools, whatever you want to, but then he's got 770 00:38:43,798 --> 00:38:46,358 Speaker 1: that sixth and seventh tool, his ability to relate to 771 00:38:46,438 --> 00:38:49,158 Speaker 1: people in the clubhouse. And if you need a player 772 00:38:49,238 --> 00:38:52,238 Speaker 1: or two actually mentored in the appropriate way, he's the 773 00:38:52,238 --> 00:38:53,718 Speaker 1: guy you're looking for. When I was with the Rays, 774 00:38:53,758 --> 00:38:56,758 Speaker 1: I thought we got over the hump because we did 775 00:38:56,758 --> 00:39:00,318 Speaker 1: sign Troy Percival and Cliff Floyd and uh Eric Kinsky, 776 00:39:00,318 --> 00:39:03,078 Speaker 1: and he also mentioned Ski when he was in Atlanta. 777 00:39:03,398 --> 00:39:05,478 Speaker 1: These are the on the players that got the two 778 00:39:05,878 --> 00:39:08,078 Speaker 1: and eight Rays over the hump. And it was for 779 00:39:08,198 --> 00:39:10,278 Speaker 1: a variety of different reasons and not just because of 780 00:39:10,278 --> 00:39:13,198 Speaker 1: an ops um. And and again, I was you asked 781 00:39:13,198 --> 00:39:15,038 Speaker 1: the question. I was going to ask the same thing, 782 00:39:15,438 --> 00:39:17,798 Speaker 1: what's going to happen afterwards? And what did he want 783 00:39:17,798 --> 00:39:19,998 Speaker 1: to do this year? And again I love his answer, 784 00:39:20,078 --> 00:39:23,958 Speaker 1: So I I was. I was really impressed, and uh 785 00:39:24,238 --> 00:39:27,118 Speaker 1: even more impressed. Knowing him for so many years, I 786 00:39:27,158 --> 00:39:30,278 Speaker 1: came away even greater, more greatly impressed by his answers 787 00:39:30,278 --> 00:39:32,398 Speaker 1: and his thoughts. Today. Well, we've been talking a lot 788 00:39:32,438 --> 00:39:35,518 Speaker 1: about glue guys on this podcast, and if you weren't 789 00:39:35,558 --> 00:39:38,558 Speaker 1: sure what a glue guy is, after listening to that 790 00:39:38,718 --> 00:39:42,158 Speaker 1: podcast and listening to Jason Heyward, the Ultimate glue Guy, 791 00:39:42,598 --> 00:39:45,358 Speaker 1: you know exactly what we are talking about. And I 792 00:39:45,398 --> 00:39:48,598 Speaker 1: love the fact that in our first rendition of the 793 00:39:48,718 --> 00:39:51,038 Speaker 1: reading from the book, of Joe. He went to one 794 00:39:51,078 --> 00:39:54,038 Speaker 1: oh eight, Like you said, everything with a purpose that 795 00:39:54,158 --> 00:39:56,878 Speaker 1: was spot on. It was. And I really was trying 796 00:39:56,918 --> 00:39:59,358 Speaker 1: to think what was his number? And uh, twenty two, 797 00:39:59,398 --> 00:40:01,278 Speaker 1: I think, right, yes, And I thought he I thought 798 00:40:01,278 --> 00:40:03,118 Speaker 1: he might have gone to twenty two, but he dumps 799 00:40:03,198 --> 00:40:06,038 Speaker 1: right to the team that brow one oh a blue guy. Joe, 800 00:40:06,038 --> 00:40:08,038 Speaker 1: You've got something to take us home here. Yeah, I 801 00:40:08,038 --> 00:40:10,598 Speaker 1: mean one of my favorites. I don't remember exactly where 802 00:40:10,638 --> 00:40:12,918 Speaker 1: I read this, but uh, and again comes down to 803 00:40:12,958 --> 00:40:14,998 Speaker 1: the present tense and a lot of the stuff that 804 00:40:15,078 --> 00:40:17,198 Speaker 1: j Wood was talking about it. But if we take 805 00:40:17,198 --> 00:40:19,678 Speaker 1: care of the seconds, the minutes, hours, and days will 806 00:40:19,718 --> 00:40:22,158 Speaker 1: take care of themselves. Stay in the present tense. I 807 00:40:22,278 --> 00:40:24,438 Speaker 1: love it. We'll see you next time on the Book 808 00:40:24,438 --> 00:40:34,718 Speaker 1: of Joe podcast later, my brother, Thank you. The Book 809 00:40:34,718 --> 00:40:37,598 Speaker 1: of Joe podcast is a production of I Heart Radio. 810 00:40:37,838 --> 00:40:40,518 Speaker 1: For more podcasts for my Heart Radio, visit the I 811 00:40:40,718 --> 00:40:44,718 Speaker 1: Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.