1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: This is the player that we've seen under pressure, and 2 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:06,880 Speaker 1: he's handled his pressure moments exquisitely well, going back to 3 00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:12,920 Speaker 1: the twenty nineteen World Series. Welcome everyone to the third 4 00:00:12,960 --> 00:00:16,040 Speaker 1: day edition of Fair Territory. We hope you enjoyed your Christmas, 5 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:19,119 Speaker 1: the first night of Hanukah. Hope everyone got the presence 6 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,799 Speaker 1: they wanted and if you didn't, well, there's always next year. 7 00:00:22,239 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 1: We are here today, Alana Rizzo and I to reflect 8 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: on the year that was. And Alana, this was a 9 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:32,320 Speaker 1: year in baseball that was, let's just say, highly eventful. 10 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 2: It was so much fun. I can't believe twenty twenty 11 00:00:35,120 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 2: four is coming to a close. Looking forward to what's 12 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 2: going to happen in our great sport twenty twenty five, 13 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:41,879 Speaker 2: and we had to narrow it down ken to the 14 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:46,200 Speaker 2: top five most memorable moments of twenty and twenty five, 15 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:47,519 Speaker 2: so or twenty twenty four. 16 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:49,920 Speaker 3: Rather, why don't you go ahead and kick it off, all. 17 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:51,879 Speaker 1: Right, I'll start off with my number five moment. And 18 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 1: it actually wasn't a moment. It was an evening. It 19 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 1: was the rick wood Field game between the Giants and 20 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: the Cardinals. It happened in June. It was one of 21 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 1: the more memorable nights I can remember in a ballpark. 22 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:07,720 Speaker 1: It was so cool to see the Negro leagues honored 23 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 1: in this fashion. So cool to see the players on 24 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:14,759 Speaker 1: both teams, the current players, the Major leaguers, Black, White, Latin, 25 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:18,040 Speaker 1: all of them lining up to greet the Negro League's players, 26 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:21,319 Speaker 1: treating them with the respect that they deserved. And to 27 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:25,039 Speaker 1: see these guys highlighted and honored alta. For me, that 28 00:01:25,240 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: was just a thrilling evening. Honestly, the game was inconsequential, 29 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:32,479 Speaker 1: but to see what happened and all of the different 30 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: things that took place, it was an honor to be 31 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: a part of that broadcast, and it was just an 32 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 1: amazing night. 33 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 2: And I also love the fact, Kenny, that now, of course, 34 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:43,680 Speaker 2: the Negro League stats are being incorporated into our everyday 35 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 2: stats as they should have been a long time ago. 36 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:46,959 Speaker 3: So great to see that as well. 37 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 2: I remember being very jealous of you when you got 38 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 2: to cover that game, and of course you did a 39 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 2: tremendous job. My number five goes to three different guys, 40 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:57,120 Speaker 2: and it's just because I know in today's game it's 41 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 2: never about the starting pitcher. But for Dylan ce Blake 42 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 2: Snell and Ronel Blanco. It was for a moment those 43 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 2: three throwing no hitters in the twenty twenty four season. 44 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:09,720 Speaker 3: I thought, that's still very special. It's hard for guys 45 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 3: that are starters to go deep into the game. 46 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 2: They yanked after, you know, reaching one hundred pitches five 47 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 2: to six innings. 48 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:16,519 Speaker 3: So that's my number five moment. 49 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:19,079 Speaker 2: Are the three no nos that were thrown in twenty 50 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:19,639 Speaker 2: twenty four. 51 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 3: What's your number four? 52 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 1: Well, actually we'll kind of play off what you just said, 53 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:26,760 Speaker 1: because it deals with the starting pitcher. A starting pitcher 54 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:30,320 Speaker 1: who made his debut this year in May, started the 55 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:33,799 Speaker 1: All Star Game and eventually, of course won National LEAUE 56 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 1: Rookie of the Year. I'm talking about Paul Skeens, and 57 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 1: the moment to me was his debut. It wasn't the 58 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:44,080 Speaker 1: greatest debut ever. Four innings, six hits, three runs, Nico 59 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:47,120 Speaker 1: Horner hit a home run, seven strikeouts, two walks, just 60 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 1: the so so line, but in that game he did 61 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 1: hit one hundred miles an hour seventeen times, and just 62 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 1: the sight of Skeens finally something fans had waited since 63 00:02:57,760 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 1: the moment he was taking number one in the draft. 64 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 1: The previous year, just to see him on the mound, 65 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 1: see his presence, and he showed it the entire season. 66 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: That was really cool. That was my number four moment. 67 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:10,639 Speaker 2: And then being able to go to the All Star Game, 68 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 2: and of course all that he was able to accomplish, 69 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 2: exceeding expectations, not having a debut more anticipated, I guess 70 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 2: since Stephen Strasburg, of course with the Washington Nationalist Paul 71 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 2: Skeins was a lot of fun to watch. Mine is 72 00:03:24,160 --> 00:03:27,160 Speaker 2: in the same division. But as Cincinnati read Elie Dela Cruz, 73 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:30,960 Speaker 2: the reason being four for four with a walk, four 74 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 2: stolen bases back on May sixteenth against the Los Angeles Dodgers, 75 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 2: and just another glimpse of how exciting this young and 76 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 2: talented rising superstar can be. Obviously with the Cincinnati Reds, 77 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:44,840 Speaker 2: but think about what we have to look forward to 78 00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty five. Terry Francona enough said, right, you 79 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 2: also have Jose Travino over there now having been traded. 80 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 2: But Elie dela Cruz is everything that is good about 81 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,560 Speaker 2: this game, A young, dynamic player, a lot of fun 82 00:03:57,640 --> 00:03:58,000 Speaker 2: to watch. 83 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 1: He's my number four, great Alana, and of course remember 84 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 1: he owns LA right, he said that I owned his place. 85 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 1: La Delaprey is one of my favorite players. Number three 86 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 1: for me, all right, Let's get to the playoffs here. 87 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 1: Game three of the National League Wildcard Series between the 88 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 1: Mets and the Brewers. Now, the Mets had a lot 89 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:18,480 Speaker 1: of great moments down the stretch, though the door home 90 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:23,120 Speaker 1: run against Philadelphia one thing after another. But Peter Alonzo's 91 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:26,200 Speaker 1: home run off Devin Williams, a three run shot to 92 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:28,920 Speaker 1: rally the Mets from a two nothing deficit in the night. 93 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 1: That was an incredible moment, a season saving moment for 94 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 1: the Mets and the season redeeming moment for Alonso. Keep 95 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:40,599 Speaker 1: in mind, the Brewers had gone ahead to nothing in 96 00:04:40,640 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 1: the seventh inning on back to back homers by Jake 97 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 1: Bowers and Southrielely. It looked like it was over. Devin Williams, 98 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:49,839 Speaker 1: one of the game's great closers, was coming into the 99 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 1: game and Alonzo got him. It's my number three moment. 100 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:54,720 Speaker 3: That's a really good one. 101 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 2: And it'll be interesting to see ken if both Pete 102 00:04:57,080 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 2: Alonzo and Devin Williams are both playing in a New 103 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 2: York Obviously, Devin Williams, now a member of the New 104 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 2: York Yankees. Pie Alonzo is still a man on his 105 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 2: own island. Hasn't signed yet. We'll see if he's back 106 00:05:08,240 --> 00:05:10,480 Speaker 2: with the New York Mets or if he's playing in 107 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:12,840 Speaker 2: a different uniform. I love the Polar Bear, and I 108 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:14,400 Speaker 2: certainly love Devin Williams as well. 109 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:15,159 Speaker 3: Good one for you. 110 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,480 Speaker 2: My number three actually is and this could, honestly, it 111 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 2: could be number one. But there's a couple of other 112 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:23,679 Speaker 2: things I loved even more. Show hey Otani going six 113 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:27,840 Speaker 2: for six and one game eclipsing the fifty to fifty 114 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:30,920 Speaker 2: mark as far as fifty home runs and fifty stolen 115 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:34,040 Speaker 2: bases for the season, Show Hey Otani again. 116 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 3: We know we can't call him. 117 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 2: A unicorn because he actually is real like we've seen 118 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:41,679 Speaker 2: him ken like we've seen sho hey Otani in the flesh. 119 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 2: And he is my number three again very much could 120 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:45,679 Speaker 2: be higher, but he's my number three. 121 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 1: Alla, that's my number two moment that particular game, and 122 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 1: you're right, it could be number one. And when we 123 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:54,720 Speaker 1: look back on this game in ten fifteen years, maybe 124 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 1: we'll be saying, how could we ever put that number two? 125 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 1: Let's go over that game one more time. Six for six, 126 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:07,360 Speaker 1: two doubles, three homers, two stolen bases, seventeen total bases, 127 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:10,840 Speaker 1: ten RBIs. It was against the Marlins, granted, but it 128 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:14,240 Speaker 1: was a performance unlike any in Major League history, a 129 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:18,839 Speaker 1: performance that I'm not sure will ever even be approximated, 130 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:22,040 Speaker 1: much less duplicated. So that's my number two moment, the 131 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:25,160 Speaker 1: Otani six for six game when he hit fifty to fifty. 132 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:27,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, it's incredible everything that he was able 133 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:30,800 Speaker 2: to do. Another, of course, MVP season for Sho Heeo Tani. 134 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 2: The man is just so much fun to watch and 135 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 2: has done things nobody ever has, and has done things 136 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:39,040 Speaker 2: can that probably nobody after him ever will. All Right, 137 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,359 Speaker 2: my number two moment, And I know that this is 138 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:46,159 Speaker 2: a recency bias and be also massively being a homer, 139 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:51,160 Speaker 2: but for me, it is the Yankees lack of fundamental 140 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 2: baseball in the fifth inning of Game five of the 141 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:58,560 Speaker 2: World Series, something that obviously every Dodger fan has etched 142 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:02,720 Speaker 2: in their brain, just the lack of good fundamental baseball. 143 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:03,400 Speaker 3: One oh one. 144 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 2: Obviously, Aaron Judge dropping that pop fly that you know, 145 00:07:06,520 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 2: ten times out of ten he typically makes. Obviously the 146 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 2: throw it was a difficult throw, obviously with ki Key 147 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 2: Hernetta is running there, but Mookie running out of the 148 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 2: box quick, and then Anthony Rizzo and Garrett Cole not 149 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 2: covering first base. 150 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 3: Just basics, Ken, just basics. And what allow the Dodgers 151 00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 3: to do to. 152 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:24,840 Speaker 2: Come back even when the Yankees were to take the 153 00:07:24,920 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 2: lead again, but to have a five run deficit erased 154 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 2: on the road against an unbelievably good Yankees team. That 155 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 2: to me is my number two moment as far as 156 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 2: memorable moments in twenty twenty four. 157 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 1: A lot of Yankee fans would agree it certainly was 158 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 1: a moment. Actually it was several moments, and it unraveled 159 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 1: their World Series hopes. Now my number one, and I 160 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 1: think we're probably going to agree on this because it 161 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 1: was just one of those transcendent moments in the sports history. 162 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,080 Speaker 1: Freddie Freeman's walk off grand Slam in Game one of 163 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 1: the World Series, the first ever walk off grand slam 164 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 1: in a World Series game. The drama of the bat well, 165 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 1: it happened quickly, but the drama of Freddie Freeman nursing 166 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 1: that ankle injury, also playing with an issue in his side, 167 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 1: a ribcage problem, and going up there and doing what 168 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:19,680 Speaker 1: essentially Kirk Dibson did in nineteen eighty eight. I know 169 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 1: Gibby was limping more and had bigger problems. I get it. 170 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:27,000 Speaker 1: But the Joe Davis called a brilliant call. Gibby meet Freddy. 171 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:31,080 Speaker 1: It was just one of those baseball moments that none 172 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: of us will ever forget. It was brilliant, It was Freddy. 173 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:37,960 Speaker 1: Then he ran to his dad, when of course he 174 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:41,360 Speaker 1: was celebrating after the fact. That was a beautiful moment 175 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:45,040 Speaker 1: as well. So Freddy's walk off grand slam heard the top. 176 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:46,920 Speaker 2: This year, and I agree with you, and that's my 177 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:49,040 Speaker 2: number one as well, and I think any baseball fan 178 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 2: would agree. Maybe if you're not okay, maybe not a 179 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:54,440 Speaker 2: Yankee fan. Obviously, that's probably the one pitch that sent 180 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,160 Speaker 2: Nestor Cortes to the Milwaukee Brewers, Let's be honest. But 181 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:00,560 Speaker 2: Freddy Freeman with the walk off grand slam, to be 182 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:02,960 Speaker 2: able to do that in such a moment, as you mentioned, 183 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:07,560 Speaker 2: the ribcap issue, the ankle issue, Joe Davis saying she 184 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 2: is gone, Oli, Vin Scully, GiB me meat, Freddie, as 185 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 2: you mentioned, going over to his dad, John Sue, who 186 00:09:13,679 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 2: with the perfect shot always the Dodgers Hall of Fame 187 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 2: photographer right on top, basically like he was hanging on 188 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 2: the net or something able to get Freddie hugging his 189 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:25,440 Speaker 2: dad through the net there at Dodger Stadium in the celebration. 190 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:29,160 Speaker 2: What it did to change the dynamic of that postseason 191 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:31,839 Speaker 2: among other things, of course, is my number one moment 192 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:34,280 Speaker 2: as well. And everything that Freddie went through, he and 193 00:09:34,280 --> 00:09:36,600 Speaker 2: his wife Chelsea and their family went through with Max 194 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 2: and Max being so ill, and you know all the 195 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:41,600 Speaker 2: things that Freddie went through over the course of the season. 196 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 2: And I tell you what, if there's a moment that 197 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:46,320 Speaker 2: cemented Freddie Freeman's legacy as a Dodger, we know what 198 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 2: he meant to the Braves fan base, But if there's 199 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 2: a moment that cemented Freddy's to the Dodger fan base, 200 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:53,719 Speaker 2: I'd have to say that walk off Grand Slam is 201 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:55,199 Speaker 2: it a lot. 202 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:59,480 Speaker 1: It's worth recalling too, how emotional and upset he was 203 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 1: to the Atlanta Braves. He didn't want to be a 204 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 1: Los Angeles Dodger. And remember that first visit back to Atlanta. 205 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:08,640 Speaker 1: He was in tears. He's visiting the clubhouse on the 206 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:11,560 Speaker 1: other side. No, it didn't look so good. Yeah, and 207 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: Freddy knew it, and he knew he had to have 208 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,520 Speaker 1: some closure at some point. Well, he got his closure. 209 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:20,440 Speaker 1: He has been just capping his Hall of Fame career 210 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:23,400 Speaker 1: with his performance as a Los Angeles Dodger and what 211 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 1: he did this postseason, playing through injury, the way that 212 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:31,240 Speaker 1: he did that will etch him forever in Dodger's lore, 213 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:35,120 Speaker 1: in Baseball lore, and a great Hall of Fame player. 214 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 1: Elevated himself to another level. And that home run was 215 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 1: the capper. Yeah. 216 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:41,600 Speaker 2: A lot of times people say, well, what have you 217 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:44,200 Speaker 2: done in the postseason? While I tell you what I think. 218 00:10:44,559 --> 00:10:47,640 Speaker 2: Freddy Freeman was already going to Cooperstown. Ken, I think 219 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:51,600 Speaker 2: you'd agree that after that postseason performance, he certainly cemented 220 00:10:51,679 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 2: himself to make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 221 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:55,000 Speaker 3: You can see it there. 222 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 2: Ken's top five moments in twenty twenty four. He and 223 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 2: I are in agreement on number one. Differ a little bit, 224 00:11:01,559 --> 00:11:03,600 Speaker 2: but not too much, of course, as far as two 225 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:06,520 Speaker 2: through five are concerned, it was a beautiful year. Baseball 226 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:09,400 Speaker 2: has given us such amazing opportunities, and I cannot wait 227 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:12,959 Speaker 2: to see what happens in the two thousand and twenty 228 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:15,760 Speaker 2: five season. All Right, we switch our focus now here 229 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 2: on fair territory with Ken Rosenthal to our dude of 230 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 2: the year, not just the week. 231 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:24,439 Speaker 3: Due to the year, dude, dude due. 232 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:31,240 Speaker 2: All right, you got a lot of weeks to think 233 00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 2: about here, Ken, There's fifty two weeks in a year. 234 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 3: That's a lot of dudes and a lot of dorks. 235 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 3: So let's talk about your dude of the year for 236 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:39,120 Speaker 3: twenty twenty four. 237 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 1: There's one that stands out above all. It's not exactly 238 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:45,559 Speaker 1: a shocking choice. It's that guy who leads off for 239 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:49,920 Speaker 1: the Dodgers, Shohotani. Third MVP in four years, and he 240 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 1: didn't pitch this year. He is the first primary DH 241 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:56,960 Speaker 1: ever to win an MVP, and it's worth recalling that 242 00:11:57,040 --> 00:12:00,240 Speaker 1: he did this in a year that started with this 243 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:07,040 Speaker 1: unbelievable story with his former interpreter Ife Muzuhara basically stealing 244 00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 1: money from him and the drama that ensued there again 245 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 1: before the season even started. He shut it all out. 246 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 1: He played as he always plays. He is the first 247 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 1: fifty to fifty player. I don't know how many other 248 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:22,000 Speaker 1: people you can consider here. There's a lot of other 249 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:24,280 Speaker 1: people in baseball had amazing years, and I'm sure you're 250 00:12:24,280 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 1: gonna come up with Wanalana, but sho Heo Tani due 251 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:30,440 Speaker 1: to the year, and probably the dude of the decade. 252 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, I would say probably the dude of baseball and 253 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:38,480 Speaker 2: it's infinity infinity. I want to say, though again, you 254 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:40,719 Speaker 2: can never go wrong by picking show Hey Otani in 255 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 2: anything positive. As far as a category is concerned, I'm 256 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:46,080 Speaker 2: going to look at it Ken Moore as You're only 257 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:49,720 Speaker 2: as good as the sum of your parts. And for me, 258 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,760 Speaker 2: the job that Dave Roberts did as the manager of 259 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:57,200 Speaker 2: the Los Angeles Dodgers when they had so many unbelievable 260 00:12:57,200 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 2: injuries to massively key pieces, the way that he managed 261 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:05,840 Speaker 2: a different style of management for Dave, really pushing all 262 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:08,440 Speaker 2: of the right buttons over the course of the year 263 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:10,960 Speaker 2: because we pretty much thought the Dodgers were going to 264 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 2: win the division over the course of the year, but 265 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:16,199 Speaker 2: more importantly, what he was able to do in the postseason, 266 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:20,520 Speaker 2: really making all of the right moves to be able 267 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:24,200 Speaker 2: to get this Dodgers team past the Padres, who I 268 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 2: said nationally I thought the Padres were going to win 269 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:29,760 Speaker 2: in five to get them past the Padres to get 270 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 2: to the World Series and then win it in four games, 271 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:36,040 Speaker 2: essentially five games, but four to one as far as 272 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:41,080 Speaker 2: the series was concerned against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, 273 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 2: I think, to me is the absolute twenty twenty four 274 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:46,200 Speaker 2: due to the year. I think we all thought that 275 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 2: Dave having not gotten out of the Padres series in 276 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 2: the NLDS, and you can ask Dave himself probably thought 277 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:53,439 Speaker 2: his job was. 278 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 3: On the line. 279 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 2: But the way that he was able to get past 280 00:13:56,800 --> 00:13:59,720 Speaker 2: that round of against a very good Padres team and 281 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:02,440 Speaker 2: do all the right chess moves, to me, Dave Roberts 282 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:04,640 Speaker 2: deserves Manager of the Year. I know he was for 283 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 2: Baseball America. Didn't get it obviously for the BBWAA. That's 284 00:14:08,840 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 2: okay because there's other people there that were certainly deserving 285 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 2: of being considered too. But what he did to me, 286 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:18,560 Speaker 2: no asterisk when it comes to this one for sure. 287 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 1: Oh no, no, that's a great choice. And you're right. They 288 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: were down two one to the Padres in a best 289 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:28,360 Speaker 1: of five series. They had a bullpen game in Game four, 290 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:31,640 Speaker 1: he managed through that and then of course game five 291 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 1: they won that as well. It was a remarkable job 292 00:14:35,440 --> 00:14:38,480 Speaker 1: start to finish, and yes he was not Manager of 293 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 1: the Year, but that's because it's based on regular season performance, 294 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:44,920 Speaker 1: and the Dodgers manager, because of the money they spend 295 00:14:44,920 --> 00:14:47,200 Speaker 1: the talent they run out there is hardly ever going 296 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 1: to be a strong candidate for Manager the Year because 297 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:52,480 Speaker 1: the award generally goes to guys like Pat Murphy who 298 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:56,680 Speaker 1: take a team with minimal expectations and do big things 299 00:14:56,720 --> 00:15:00,160 Speaker 1: with them. But Dave Roberts, yes, his job was on 300 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 1: the line, and yes he acknowledged his job was on 301 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:05,640 Speaker 1: the line after they went and beat the Padres, but 302 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:10,360 Speaker 1: he kept his same countenance through it all. Was that upbeat, positive, 303 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:14,640 Speaker 1: relentlessly positive guy. And he certainly is a worthy choice 304 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:17,160 Speaker 1: for Due to the Year, And it was cool for 305 00:15:17,240 --> 00:15:19,640 Speaker 1: the sport for all the people in the sport who 306 00:15:19,760 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: know Dave Roberts, respect him and love him to see 307 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:23,760 Speaker 1: him get his due. 308 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:27,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, where I live here right outside of Boston, he 309 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:30,160 Speaker 2: still will never pay for anything because of that famous 310 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 2: steel in the four World Series as a member of 311 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:35,320 Speaker 2: the Boston Red Sox. So he's a Hall of Fame 312 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:37,560 Speaker 2: man for sure, and maybe we'll see him in the 313 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:39,560 Speaker 2: Hall of Fame one day as a manager. 314 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 3: All right. 315 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 2: From our Dude of the Year to our John Fisher 316 00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 2: Dork of the Year. 317 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:58,360 Speaker 1: Now a lota. There's a reason the award is named 318 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 1: the way it is, then Fisher Dork of the Week, 319 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:05,280 Speaker 1: John Fisher Dork of the Year. It's because this guy 320 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 1: won it so many times. And when you win an 321 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:12,080 Speaker 1: award of this nature so many times, it probably means 322 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:15,200 Speaker 1: you should win the annual award as well. And John Fisher, 323 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:18,560 Speaker 1: you are more than deserving the a's departure from Oakland, 324 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 1: the awful set of circumstances that led to this whole thing, 325 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:25,920 Speaker 1: the way they have run the team under his ownership, 326 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 1: and the move to Las Vegas, which all of us 327 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 1: will believe when we see it, and now even look 328 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: at what they're doing with their payroll. They were claiming 329 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 1: they were going to be about one hundred and thirty 330 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:38,840 Speaker 1: million starting in Sacramento, ramping up, and they're not going 331 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:41,400 Speaker 1: to be at one hundred and thirty million. John Fisher 332 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:44,880 Speaker 1: is a guy that I don't know why the other 333 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:48,600 Speaker 1: owners tolerate, to be perfectly honest, but they do. And 334 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 1: as long as he's going to be in the sport, 335 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 1: conducting his team the way he is, he is going 336 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:55,640 Speaker 1: to be the namestake of this award and he is 337 00:16:55,680 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 1: going to be winning it quite often. John Fisher Dork 338 00:16:58,840 --> 00:16:59,280 Speaker 1: of the Year. 339 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 2: I don't see that namesake being taken away anytime soon, 340 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 2: just continuing with the bad move after bad move after 341 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:12,000 Speaker 2: bad move. The optics of this man are unbelievable, all right, mine. Obviously, 342 00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:15,199 Speaker 2: I don't have the brainwi or bandwidth or the capacity 343 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:18,240 Speaker 2: to go back over the course of the entire twenty 344 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:21,520 Speaker 2: twenty four season and think about all of the guys 345 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:23,399 Speaker 2: that left you scratching your head. So I'm going to 346 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:26,600 Speaker 2: be a little bit more of a recency bias here, Ken, 347 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:29,720 Speaker 2: and I'm going to talk about signings at all hours 348 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 2: of the day or the night. And this for you 349 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 2: is for you, my friend. I want Ken Rosenthal to 350 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:38,240 Speaker 2: be able to get some sleep. 351 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:38,719 Speaker 3: People. 352 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:41,439 Speaker 2: I wake up and I find out that Sean and 353 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 2: I as signed at two am. Kenny, I'm sorry. I 354 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:48,360 Speaker 2: wish there was a time moratorium on signings just over 355 00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:51,240 Speaker 2: the course of you know, right before Christmas, right before Hanukkah. 356 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:53,920 Speaker 2: Can we have a little bit of respect for my peeps, 357 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 2: my writers, my hardworking people that are are insiders and 358 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:00,640 Speaker 2: people breaking news. They need their people too, They need 359 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:04,400 Speaker 2: to sleep, So these late night signings. 360 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:06,760 Speaker 3: Are my dork of the week or really. 361 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:09,600 Speaker 1: Alana, I appreciate you first of all saying we're people too, 362 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:12,560 Speaker 1: since a number of our readers and followers don't necessarily 363 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:15,520 Speaker 1: acknowledge that and call us a lot of other names. 364 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:19,720 Speaker 1: But you're absolutely right that the way the sports clock 365 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:24,600 Speaker 1: operates is just bizarre. And certainly signings happened in the 366 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:26,119 Speaker 1: middle of the night. It's kind of part of the 367 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:29,120 Speaker 1: magic of the offseason. I guess now the maniawa did 368 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:31,600 Speaker 1: seem to break and Jeff Passing and John Hamer on 369 00:18:31,680 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 1: this at about two am now now was three am 370 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:36,879 Speaker 1: my time, two am, whatever the time was. It was 371 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:39,919 Speaker 1: the middle of the night either way. And there was 372 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:43,840 Speaker 1: a time in this sport not that long ago, twenty 373 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:47,119 Speaker 1: years where there was a kind of a blackout period 374 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 1: and it was around the Christmas holidays. Nothing happened. But 375 00:18:50,280 --> 00:18:52,240 Speaker 1: if you did that now, nobody would obey it. It 376 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 1: couldn't enforce it. It would be a problem. And frankly, 377 00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:59,680 Speaker 1: I'm glad you mentioned us, Alana, but we're only part 378 00:18:59,720 --> 00:19:04,080 Speaker 1: of this ecosystem. The general managers, the agents, all of 379 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 1: these people never stop working. I wouldn't suggest it's the 380 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:12,720 Speaker 1: healthiest environment, and yet baseball seems unwilling to do anything 381 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 1: about it, powerless to do anything about it. And I 382 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 1: don't think fans care one way. I think fans love it, 383 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:19,760 Speaker 1: and maybe that's why MLB loves it too. 384 00:19:20,440 --> 00:19:20,680 Speaker 3: Yeah. 385 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:23,560 Speaker 2: Well, just be thankful that your beautiful wife hasn't dfaed 386 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 2: you yet. 387 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:24,399 Speaker 3: Okay. 388 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:26,680 Speaker 2: For all of the writers out there, all of the people, 389 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:29,360 Speaker 2: all the general managers, president of baseball ops, I tell 390 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 2: you guys have to have the most understanding and patient 391 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:35,320 Speaker 2: wives in all of the lands. All Right, it's almost 392 00:19:35,359 --> 00:19:37,639 Speaker 2: twenty twenty five. Ken, It's hard to believe it, but 393 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:39,280 Speaker 2: here we are. Before we know it, we're going to 394 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:42,400 Speaker 2: be at spring training, Cactus League, grape Fruit League, covering 395 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:44,560 Speaker 2: the greatest sport in the game as we get ready. 396 00:19:44,359 --> 00:19:45,040 Speaker 3: For another year. 397 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:47,960 Speaker 2: What's the one thing that you're kind of looking for 398 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:49,280 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty five? 399 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 3: Something to keep our eye on, Holana. 400 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 1: I was going to include this in my top five moments, 401 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:58,160 Speaker 1: the signing of Juan Soto, because it was certainly an 402 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:01,440 Speaker 1: electrifying moment. Didn't happen on the field, so I didn't 403 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:04,399 Speaker 1: talk about it much and didn't consider it my top five. 404 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:07,919 Speaker 1: But My thing that I'm looking forward to most in 405 00:20:07,960 --> 00:20:11,439 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five is seeing how Sodo plays in his 406 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:14,399 Speaker 1: first year with the Mets under that seven hundred and 407 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:17,760 Speaker 1: sixty five million dollar contract. He had an amazing year 408 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:21,120 Speaker 1: in twenty four for the Yankees. It was incredible, third 409 00:20:21,160 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 1: in the majors in ops, he did some big things 410 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:27,560 Speaker 1: forty home runs. Well with the Mets, the circumstances changed now. 411 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 1: He was under pressure last year. Anytime a player is 412 00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:33,320 Speaker 1: in his walk year, he's under pressure. But now he's 413 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:35,960 Speaker 1: the seven hundred and sixty five million dollar man. So 414 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:39,240 Speaker 1: I am anxious to see how he performs. I don't 415 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:42,800 Speaker 1: expect he's going to be wavering in any way, and 416 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 1: I'm anxious to see as well how the Mets performed, 417 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:49,320 Speaker 1: because the Mets now are in a different place in 418 00:20:49,440 --> 00:20:51,600 Speaker 1: terms of where they stand in the baseball universe. 419 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:51,760 Speaker 2: Now. 420 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 1: They kind of did this with Scherzer and Verlander a 421 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:56,000 Speaker 1: couple of years ago when they spent all that money. 422 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:58,720 Speaker 1: But Soto is twenty six. He's not in his late 423 00:20:58,760 --> 00:21:03,080 Speaker 1: thirties or forties. He is the generational talent that every 424 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:07,439 Speaker 1: team that could afford him wanted this offseason, So the 425 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:10,480 Speaker 1: Mets now are a focal point in a way they 426 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:13,879 Speaker 1: haven't been for several years, in a different way than Nathan, 427 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:16,159 Speaker 1: I should say, so, I'm looking forward to seeing Wan 428 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: Soda play. I always like watching Wan Soda play, and 429 00:21:18,880 --> 00:21:21,359 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to seeing how he and the Mets 430 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:24,280 Speaker 1: handle this new set of circumstances. 431 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:26,479 Speaker 2: Before I get to mind, I want to ask you 432 00:21:26,520 --> 00:21:29,200 Speaker 2: a follow up on the one Soda situation. Ken from 433 00:21:29,240 --> 00:21:32,960 Speaker 2: your perspective, what needs to happen in twenty twenty five 434 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:36,840 Speaker 2: for you to consider Sodo having a successful year. What 435 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 2: is a successful year for him? In his first year? 436 00:21:40,320 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 1: Is a met normal Wan Soda year and it's not. 437 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:48,120 Speaker 1: It's not always easy for free agents who signed big contracts, 438 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:51,000 Speaker 1: or even guys who signed extensions for big money to 439 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 1: perform under that new set of expectations that first year. Remember, 440 00:21:55,080 --> 00:21:58,480 Speaker 1: Lindor had a tough time adjusting to New York and 441 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:01,600 Speaker 1: adjusting to the Mets. Again, I don't expect Soda to 442 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:05,160 Speaker 1: have any problems, So you're basic. I don't know nine 443 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:09,040 Speaker 1: fifty to one thousand, ops, thirty five forty all the 444 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 1: things that Juan Soda does, and I would like to 445 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:13,719 Speaker 1: see him play better defense. He's going to be more 446 00:22:13,840 --> 00:22:16,280 Speaker 1: challenged in city field than he was in right field 447 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:18,840 Speaker 1: and Yankee Stadium, and that's going to be something we'll 448 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:23,160 Speaker 1: be all watching. So that's the thing. I expect him 449 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:25,280 Speaker 1: to have his normal year. He expects to have his 450 00:22:25,359 --> 00:22:28,119 Speaker 1: normal year. People in the industry, I'm sure expect the same. 451 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:31,600 Speaker 1: If he does find great, he's on his part. If 452 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:34,399 Speaker 1: he doesn't, then the tension mounts a little bit. 453 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:36,879 Speaker 2: At least he already knows what it's like playing in 454 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:40,680 Speaker 2: New York with those fans, with that type of atmosphere, expectation, 455 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:44,159 Speaker 2: reporters in the media. At least he has that already 456 00:22:44,200 --> 00:22:46,680 Speaker 2: checked off as far as his list is concerned. Okay, 457 00:22:46,720 --> 00:22:49,240 Speaker 2: mine is again sho Heyo Tani. We could talk about 458 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:51,840 Speaker 2: him for hours on end, and for me, kenn Is, 459 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:54,399 Speaker 2: I know he's not going to be ready to pitch 460 00:22:54,560 --> 00:22:56,840 Speaker 2: on opening day for the Los Angeles Daughters, but he 461 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 2: will be back early on in the season after having 462 00:22:59,680 --> 00:23:02,919 Speaker 2: that sh older surgery in the offseason after the World Series. 463 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:06,040 Speaker 2: My thing to watch for is what type of offense 464 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:09,160 Speaker 2: will show Heyo Tani be able to do in twenty 465 00:23:09,320 --> 00:23:12,359 Speaker 2: twenty five now that he will be pitching again. Obviously, 466 00:23:12,720 --> 00:23:15,080 Speaker 2: the first ever in the fifty to fifty club. How 467 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:17,760 Speaker 2: will the offense match up to what he was able 468 00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:20,200 Speaker 2: to do in twenty twenty four now that he has 469 00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:23,240 Speaker 2: the pitching duties back at least, you know, every fifth 470 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:25,320 Speaker 2: or sixth day. I don't know if that you can 471 00:23:25,960 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 2: expect the same time of offensive production. But I'm definitely 472 00:23:30,040 --> 00:23:32,359 Speaker 2: looking to see what Shoeo Tani can do next season. 473 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 1: I'm very confident a lot of saying that he's not 474 00:23:35,359 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 1: going to steal fifty bases. He might not steal fifteen bases. 475 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:41,480 Speaker 1: It's a much different equation with him on the mound. 476 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:43,720 Speaker 1: Now he's going to have to preserve energy. He's not 477 00:23:43,760 --> 00:23:46,760 Speaker 1: going to want to risk any injury. It's going to 478 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:49,480 Speaker 1: be the old Otani, the guy who pitched and hit 479 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:51,840 Speaker 1: and was really good at both. But as far as 480 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:55,840 Speaker 1: the runner, that last year was his one shot, and 481 00:23:55,920 --> 00:23:57,640 Speaker 1: he knew it was his one shot, and that's why 482 00:23:57,680 --> 00:24:01,000 Speaker 1: he pushed it, and that's why he became at base. 483 00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:05,480 Speaker 1: Stealing fifty to fifty was an incredible accomplishment. I put 484 00:24:05,520 --> 00:24:08,480 Speaker 1: nothing past him, but I don't expect him to be 485 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:10,960 Speaker 1: stealing many bases in twenty twenty five. 486 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:13,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, I don't think he will either. Who do you 487 00:24:13,480 --> 00:24:16,480 Speaker 2: think has more pressure on him? One Soto signing seven 488 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:20,320 Speaker 2: sixty five or Sho Heo Tani being the one of 489 00:24:20,359 --> 00:24:22,600 Speaker 2: a kind, one of a generation type of player that 490 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:25,879 Speaker 2: he is, and perhaps off Shoeotani was a free agent 491 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:29,840 Speaker 2: now after seven sixty five, some were saying a billion 492 00:24:29,920 --> 00:24:32,080 Speaker 2: dollar contract perhaps could have been offered. 493 00:24:32,080 --> 00:24:34,880 Speaker 3: Who has more pressure Sodo for. 494 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:37,919 Speaker 1: Sure, because he has the contract that was just signed, 495 00:24:37,920 --> 00:24:40,560 Speaker 1: the record deal Otani. You could argue you should have 496 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:43,879 Speaker 1: signed for a billion back when he did. But knowing 497 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:48,680 Speaker 1: what we know now, certainly Soto is accomplished as he is, 498 00:24:48,680 --> 00:24:51,720 Speaker 1: is not as accomplished as Atani. Three MVPs in four 499 00:24:51,800 --> 00:24:57,639 Speaker 1: years is incredible, and Otani has this baseline of success 500 00:24:58,160 --> 00:25:02,280 Speaker 1: that he will build on or not either way, but 501 00:25:02,359 --> 00:25:04,520 Speaker 1: he's done all this. He also has won a World Series, 502 00:25:04,840 --> 00:25:07,600 Speaker 1: Soto has not. Sodo is going to a team that 503 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:10,040 Speaker 1: has not won a World Series since nineteen eighty six, 504 00:25:10,440 --> 00:25:13,800 Speaker 1: the team that signed him in part because it wants 505 00:25:13,840 --> 00:25:17,760 Speaker 1: to end that particular drought. So Soto for me has 506 00:25:17,920 --> 00:25:20,280 Speaker 1: much more pressure on him, more pressure than anyone in 507 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:24,480 Speaker 1: the game in twenty twenty five. But again this is 508 00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:27,840 Speaker 1: the player that we've seen under pressure, and he's handled 509 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:31,480 Speaker 1: his pressure moments exquisitely well, going back to the twenty 510 00:25:31,560 --> 00:25:35,480 Speaker 1: nineteen World Series. It's something he's impervious to where seemingly is. 511 00:25:35,920 --> 00:25:39,760 Speaker 1: So it'll be really interesting again to see how Sodo 512 00:25:40,280 --> 00:25:42,760 Speaker 1: kind of deals with all of this. But if it's 513 00:25:42,840 --> 00:25:45,320 Speaker 1: Juan Soto and he's in the batter's box, I expect 514 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 1: good things again. 515 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:48,960 Speaker 2: And just by signing one Soto doesn't guarantee that you'll 516 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:51,360 Speaker 2: be in the World Series, but it certainly helps your chances. 517 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:54,919 Speaker 2: And Steve Cohen with some complimentary pieces as well, Sean Manaia, 518 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:58,680 Speaker 2: as we discussed earlier, getting signed early in the hours 519 00:25:58,760 --> 00:26:01,200 Speaker 2: of earlier this week. And I want to ask you this, 520 00:26:01,280 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 2: is that enough do the Mets have enough complimentary pieces 521 00:26:04,880 --> 00:26:07,000 Speaker 2: with what they've done so far in the off season 522 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:09,000 Speaker 2: to get them to the World Series. 523 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 1: One more bat would be necessary in my opinion, and 524 00:26:13,359 --> 00:26:18,679 Speaker 1: maybe Petere Alonso and also perhaps a bullpen piece. You 525 00:26:18,720 --> 00:26:21,920 Speaker 1: need one more bat net lineup to compliment Sodo and 526 00:26:22,040 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 1: to hit behind Sodo. I know protection can be overrated, 527 00:26:25,640 --> 00:26:28,600 Speaker 1: and we've seen that sometimes it's more important to have 528 00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:32,040 Speaker 1: the hitter in front of the superstar doing bigger things 529 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:34,480 Speaker 1: than the hitter in the back of him. But that said, 530 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:37,920 Speaker 1: the Mets lineup is short a major bat now, whether 531 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:41,359 Speaker 1: it's Alonzo or Alex Bregman with Viento's movie to first, 532 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:45,199 Speaker 1: I don't know. Expectation is it will be Alonso, but 533 00:26:45,560 --> 00:26:48,120 Speaker 1: they certainly need one more and I would expect them 534 00:26:48,119 --> 00:26:51,200 Speaker 1: to to kind of play around the edges with the bullpen. 535 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:54,800 Speaker 1: It's interesting, Alana. We're going to enter the new year 536 00:26:55,320 --> 00:26:58,119 Speaker 1: with a lot of relievers still unsigned, a lot of 537 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:04,480 Speaker 1: quality relievers. Also, a lot of teams not as financially 538 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:06,760 Speaker 1: flexible as they were at the start of the offseason, 539 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: so bargains are going to be available, and the Mets 540 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:11,960 Speaker 1: are not necessarily a team that ever shops for bargains. 541 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:15,680 Speaker 1: But David Stones likes those two and I expect them 542 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:18,280 Speaker 1: to do some more things to complement their team, to 543 00:27:18,359 --> 00:27:19,719 Speaker 1: kind of round it out a little bit. 544 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:23,439 Speaker 2: All right, Kenny, I always appreciate being with you. Happy 545 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:26,040 Speaker 2: Hanuka to you and your family. Thanks for letting me 546 00:27:26,359 --> 00:27:28,920 Speaker 2: join you this year on Fair Territory with Ken Rosenthal. 547 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:31,119 Speaker 2: Before we say goodbye, though, let's shout out our friends 548 00:27:31,119 --> 00:27:33,439 Speaker 2: at BETMGM. 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If you have a 559 00:27:58,640 --> 00:28:01,360 Speaker 2: gambling problem or you have a concern, please call one 560 00:28:01,440 --> 00:28:04,399 Speaker 2: eight hundred gambler. Thanks for watching, guys. Don't forget that 561 00:28:04,480 --> 00:28:07,920 Speaker 2: Foul Territory is next. Dodgers Territory follows that Ken is 562 00:28:07,960 --> 00:28:09,880 Speaker 2: back with Fair Territory on Thursday. 563 00:28:10,119 --> 00:28:12,840 Speaker 3: Happy holidays. Everybody, have a safe and happy New Year. 564 00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:15,520 Speaker 3: We appreciate it and we'll talk to you then. Bye Ken, 565 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:16,880 Speaker 3: Bye a Lin