1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,320 Speaker 1: They've they've been slow to pivot, so when will they do? 2 00:00:02,360 --> 00:00:06,160 Speaker 1: They will require an eventual ownership change, whenever that day 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:08,559 Speaker 1: might come. But yeah, the Rockies are behind the curve 4 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:09,879 Speaker 1: in a lot of areas. 5 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:13,920 Speaker 2: Here we go. 6 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:16,520 Speaker 3: We're excited to have Travis Sauchik back on the show 7 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:19,239 Speaker 3: with us MLB writer for the Score. Has really great 8 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 3: books out there as well, a really good follow up 9 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:23,560 Speaker 3: at Travis Underscore saw Chick. 10 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:24,240 Speaker 2: Travis. 11 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:26,319 Speaker 3: Great to have you on. We're going to start with 12 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 3: a team that is near and dear to your heart. 13 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 3: I'll let you start. There's a lot of different layers here. 14 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:34,480 Speaker 3: What happened in Pittsburgh this past weekend. 15 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 2: Well, they lost, they lost, which we knew what is 16 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:38,159 Speaker 2: going on? 17 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:42,159 Speaker 1: Oh man. I was a beat writer for the Tribune 18 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 1: Review in Pittsburgh in twenty thirteen to twenty sixteen, which 19 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 1: was the peak period to be there since like the 20 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 1: seventy nine World Series, they made three straight playoff trips. 21 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 1: So I was there for the good times. But this 22 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 1: pack week, this past weekend was was It was interesting. 23 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 1: I know there's been a lot of animosity between the 24 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:05,800 Speaker 1: fan base and ownership just because of the lack of 25 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:10,839 Speaker 1: spend during Bob Nottings nineteen years as the principal owner, 26 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:14,840 Speaker 1: they've been a bottom a twenty six or lower opening 27 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 1: day payroll in seventeen of nineteen of those seasons. So 28 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:21,160 Speaker 1: the fan bases of course frustrated with that. And then 29 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 1: there's a performance on the field, and then in winning 30 00:01:23,920 --> 00:01:27,320 Speaker 1: that lottery ticket that is Paul Skins, there's this expectation 31 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: that if not now win and then there's just a 32 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:34,400 Speaker 1: lack of commitment this offseason to improving the club. So 33 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 1: you have all that, and then a pile on top 34 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 1: of that heap of anger are two pr hits in 35 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 1: which during the opening homestand the Clemente Wall signage had 36 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:51,240 Speaker 1: been which had been their last several seasons. I think 37 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 1: it's a Clemente twenty one, of course, the great pirate 38 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 1: and humanitarian to commemorate the wall, and that had been 39 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:02,960 Speaker 1: removed ad for a hard lemonade beverage had been placed up, 40 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: so that angered people, including Clementi's own son on social media. 41 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 1: And then the real the other prsna FU was these 42 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 1: Bucco bricks in which people had purchased personalized brooks of 43 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:23,120 Speaker 1: sorts that were put in the pavement outside of PNC Park. 44 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:26,679 Speaker 1: So they're just folks names or messages to loved one, 45 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:30,920 Speaker 1: honoring the ceased loved ones. Folks, some fanc ha notices 46 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 1: were removed and they had asked a local I think 47 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:36,239 Speaker 1: it was a local CBS affiliate, and Pittsburgh had gone 48 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: out to investigate and they found that they had been 49 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 1: removed without The pirates had not informed anyone, but they'd 50 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:46,640 Speaker 1: removed these bricks and they'd sent them to this recycling center, 51 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 1: so I think it was Katie K and Pittsburgh had 52 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 1: images photos of just this heap of bucko bricks, these 53 00:02:52,760 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 1: personal mentos that had just been discarded without any notice. 54 00:02:57,400 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 3: You know. 55 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:00,520 Speaker 1: The pirates claimed that they were going to you know, 56 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 1: put up another way to honor folks that had purchased 57 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:08,840 Speaker 1: these bricks and whatnot, but just to see to have 58 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 1: that image and not give fans a chance to reclaim 59 00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 1: the stone the bricks that they have. Like in Cleveland, 60 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: my own dad had bought us bricks back when Progressive 61 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 1: Field open and when they remove those, they gave chance, 62 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 1: they gave fans a location day to pick them up 63 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 1: if they wanted to retrieve them. They've removed from renovation. 64 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 1: So I think you saw all that we saw them 65 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:33,639 Speaker 1: to sell the team chance and just all this animos. 66 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 1: He's just been reaching a boiling point. And I think, 67 00:03:37,240 --> 00:03:40,160 Speaker 1: just in addition to the on the field failures, that 68 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 1: the pr hits of just fans are at a breaking 69 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,440 Speaker 1: point in Pittsburgh. And I think you know we can 70 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 1: understand that just as baseball fans. 71 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 2: Travis. 72 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 4: So, you mean they took the bricks out, got rid 73 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 4: of them, and now they're going to resell more bricks, 74 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 4: probably to try to make more money without giving. 75 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 2: The old people. 76 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 4: And that's crazy to me that you don't give people 77 00:03:57,480 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 4: a chance to come get their bricks and you do this. 78 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 2: I don't know, maybe I'm way off on this one. 79 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 4: That just seems crazy that they would not give people 80 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 4: a chance to come get the brick that they paid 81 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 4: their money. 82 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 1: For, right right, You think it would be simple PR 83 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 1: to allow the folks if I think they were intending 84 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 1: to replace them, but just even if you are, just 85 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 1: to allow folks to reclaim them, it just seems like 86 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:22,279 Speaker 1: an obvious pr PR thing to do. Other teams have 87 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:25,560 Speaker 1: done it. There's a roadmap, and I think the Pirates 88 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 1: over the weekend now there it was supposed to. I 89 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 1: believe the first twenty thousand in for the Skiens Bibbleheaday, 90 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 1: I believe it was Saturday. It was supposed to be 91 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 1: limited to twenty thousand. I think the Pirates are looking 92 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 1: for some PR wins, so now they're any fan who 93 00:04:39,560 --> 00:04:41,839 Speaker 1: is at the game will get a Skien's bobblehead. So 94 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:43,640 Speaker 1: they're trying to They're trying to make up with some 95 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 1: other PR victories. But yeah, just it is one thing 96 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 1: after another in Pittsburgh. And it's a shame because there 97 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:52,480 Speaker 1: is a gre There's a sleeping giant fan base there. 98 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:54,839 Speaker 1: We saw it in the I think back to the 99 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 1: twenty thirteen wild Card game that environment there when Pirates 100 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:00,799 Speaker 1: beat the Reds and Johnny Quato dropped ball on the mound. 101 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:03,280 Speaker 1: So there is a sleeping Giant fan base. We see 102 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:06,120 Speaker 1: how the Steelers are supported, the Penguins when they're in 103 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:09,839 Speaker 1: the playoffs, how they're supported. So you know, this isn't 104 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 1: a city that needs a new stadium. They have a 105 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 1: great stadium. They have a great sleeping giant fan base. 106 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 1: They just need they need a better on the field product. 107 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:20,919 Speaker 1: They need more ownership commitment, and you know, I think 108 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:24,920 Speaker 1: baseball be better if there's a legitimate effort to build 109 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 1: a winner around Paul Skeen's and Bubba Chandler who's on 110 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 1: the doorstep. So hopefully parts fans get that one day. 111 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:32,279 Speaker 1: All right. 112 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 5: I have two questions. First one is not serious, the 113 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 5: second one serious. Did they can you confirm that they 114 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 5: sent surfside hard lemonades to the people who their bricks 115 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:44,359 Speaker 5: got taken out instead of sending the bricks back, So 116 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 5: it's kind of like a full circle thing. 117 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, maybe it's a Clemente edition surfside lemony. Can I 118 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:56,599 Speaker 1: don't know? Okay, okay, yeah, Yeah. 119 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 5: The serious question is because I saw Ertal Clemente Junior 120 00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 5: and his family throughout the first pitch, do you any 121 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:08,359 Speaker 5: idea or inkling or have you heard anything? Has the 122 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 5: relationship been mended? Because synonymous with the Pirates is the Clementes. 123 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 5: Roberto Clemente, what he did for Latin players in the 124 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 5: game is seen throughout baseball, but in the Pirates organization, 125 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:27,720 Speaker 5: I mean you go down to Pirates City, you go 126 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:30,800 Speaker 5: down to Pirate City in the dr the complex that 127 00:06:30,839 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 5: they built down there, like it's Roberto Clemente everywhere. Has 128 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 5: that relationship been mended or is this something that will 129 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:38,679 Speaker 5: take a little bit of time. 130 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:44,360 Speaker 1: I think if it has been damaged, it'll it will 131 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:46,600 Speaker 1: be mended over time. And to the Pirate's credit, there 132 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 1: is there's many tributes to Clemente and throughout pnc P 133 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 1: and c Park throughout the organization, as you mentioned, but 134 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: this was one of the most visible ones. So why 135 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 1: take that signage down on the wall Clemente wall? It 136 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 1: was it was an odd choice not to communicate with 137 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: the family or given anyone heads up, just these unforced 138 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 1: communication areas. So you know, you can make an argument 139 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 1: that twenty one should be you know, retired everywhere, and 140 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 1: I you know the pirates have I believe, pushed for that, 141 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 1: so I think we'll see that relationship mended over time. 142 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: This is just an unfortunate case that of course had 143 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:25,920 Speaker 1: a lot of eyeballs on it too, since it was 144 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:29,200 Speaker 1: the home opener opening weekend and an addition to all 145 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:32,360 Speaker 1: the other Pirates related issues going on. But yeah, it 146 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 1: was an unforced air and you don't like to see those. 147 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:39,560 Speaker 3: Todd Father. I want to pull a very expensive card 148 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:43,960 Speaker 3: out of a pack, very difficult to do and very expensive. 149 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:46,640 Speaker 3: I can't pay for it. Okay, how could I acquire 150 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 3: that card? 151 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:47,760 Speaker 1: Simple? 152 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 3: Instead of driving somewhere, you go on Arena Club, Go 153 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:52,200 Speaker 3: get you a slab pack, and you have some of 154 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 3: the best cards you're ever going to see, some one 155 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 3: on ones, some cards that you want to have, and 156 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 3: you can't get out of your home. 157 00:07:57,520 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 2: Go right online, check out Arena Club. 158 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:03,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, cannot recommend it enough. And every time you rip 159 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 3: a slab pack, Arena Club will make you an instant 160 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:08,920 Speaker 3: offer for your card based on its market value. That's right, 161 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 3: no guessing, no waiting, instant offer for the estimated fair 162 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 3: market value. You can accept it on the spot and 163 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 3: you can use that cash for another slab pack, or 164 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 3: you can buy, sell, trade. This platform has it all 165 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 3: for the collectors out there. And right now you can 166 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:24,760 Speaker 3: get twenty percent off your first slab pack or card 167 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 3: purchase by going to Arena club dot com slash fowl 168 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:31,760 Speaker 3: and use codefoul that's Arena Club dot com slash foul 169 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 3: code foul for twenty percent off your first purchase. All right, 170 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:39,560 Speaker 3: So let's get into the team for a moment here. 171 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 3: What did you see this weekend that is really not 172 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 3: working out for the ball club. Of course, they lose 173 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:48,199 Speaker 3: on the schemes Bobblehead Day. I mean, his quotes seem 174 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:51,439 Speaker 3: honestly kind of depressing, where he's like, positive things in 175 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:54,840 Speaker 3: friendships don't win championships. The other thing I don't want 176 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 3: to overlook is Andrew McCutcheon tweeting. His tweet got overshadowed 177 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 3: by Accunya's tweet, but cut put out a tweet like 178 00:09:01,679 --> 00:09:04,560 Speaker 3: you're sitting me. Gotts looks pretty damn good for them 179 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 3: right now. So what are they doing? They do a 180 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 3: little platoon city with Ben Charrington and the boys in 181 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 3: the front office, And why is the offense so bad? 182 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:19,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's I saw the mccutch and tweet and that 183 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 1: was interesting. This lineup, there's just so many below replacement 184 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 1: level performers right now offensively, and it's unfortunate because you 185 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:33,840 Speaker 1: think about schemes. Of course, Mitch Keller's is at the 186 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 1: very least competent innings eater. Hopefully they have Jared Jones 187 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:39,320 Speaker 1: coming back in a few months, getting you have Buffa 188 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:42,360 Speaker 1: Chandler in a doorstep, arguably the top pitching prospect of baseball. 189 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:44,680 Speaker 1: But you have this lineup that just has too many 190 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 1: voids in it. Outside of O'Neil Cruz and Brian Reynolds 191 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,720 Speaker 1: has been dealing with the triceps injury, and he's your 192 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:54,719 Speaker 1: most consistent offensive performer. And just to you know, one 193 00:09:54,760 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 1: of the big issues is under ben Cherrington, they have 194 00:09:57,559 --> 00:10:00,920 Speaker 1: not produced an above average position player yet in year six. 195 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 1: I think of the regime regime, I think they've had 196 00:10:03,880 --> 00:10:07,679 Speaker 1: some more promising drafts later, but internally they haven't found solutions. 197 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:11,320 Speaker 1: They're big off season addition with Spencer Horwitz from the 198 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:14,000 Speaker 1: Blue Jays who's been hurt with a wrist injury, and 199 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:16,800 Speaker 1: even Hords at his best is probably a platoon option 200 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 1: in first base. The other external ads or you know 201 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 1: Tommy fam and Andrew McCutcheon who's off to a solid start. 202 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 1: But these are older players, and to think that there's 203 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:31,360 Speaker 1: no ability to add more, to not be a little 204 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:34,280 Speaker 1: more urgent and making a trade, if ownership as a commitment, 205 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 1: it's a little baffling. Considering the young starting pitching wealth 206 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:40,320 Speaker 1: you have as a club, you could it's almost like 207 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:43,440 Speaker 1: the equivalent to having a star quarterback in the NFL 208 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 1: and a rookie deal with these young arms. To not 209 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:49,319 Speaker 1: build around that advantage is baffling, and it has a 210 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 1: lot of folks in Pittsburgh questioning, if not now, when 211 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 1: this should be the time to bolster that lineup and 212 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:58,520 Speaker 1: build a better supporting cast for schemes and company. 213 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 4: Well A Skeen says, positive things and friendships don't win championships. 214 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:04,520 Speaker 4: So another team we want to ask you about is 215 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:07,079 Speaker 4: the Rockies. They get all kinds of positive things and 216 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:10,480 Speaker 4: friendships going on in Denver, they draw almost three million 217 00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:12,480 Speaker 4: fans a year, but they still aren't very good. 218 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 2: What the heck's going on in Denver? 219 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 5: Yeah, I was. 220 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 1: I looked this up and not that it's a bill 221 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:24,040 Speaker 1: end all, but the Fangrafts playoff odds going the as 222 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:27,520 Speaker 1: of April twentieth, the Rockies haven't had better than zero 223 00:11:27,559 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 1: percent playoff chances a cornet Fangrafts since twenty nineteen, I believe. 224 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: So it's just part of that is a testament to 225 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:35,520 Speaker 1: the strength of the NLS. 226 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 2: Wait, can you say that again? I don't think my 227 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 2: earpieces work. You say that again, please. Yeah, it's twenty nineteen, 228 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:44,320 Speaker 2: April twenty. 229 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:48,240 Speaker 1: Tieth, April twentieth, they haven't had maybe it's higher than 230 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:51,240 Speaker 1: one percent playoff chances, but it's been below one percent 231 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:53,440 Speaker 1: as of April twentieth every year. 232 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:58,320 Speaker 4: Since, so that since four twenty, the Rockies can't get 233 00:11:58,400 --> 00:11:59,120 Speaker 4: high enough. 234 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 2: And I mean there's a million, there's a million jokes 235 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 2: in there, but go ahead. 236 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:08,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, it's just it's unfortunate because it's such a 237 00:12:08,320 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 1: great ballpark to go watch a game, and yeah, it 238 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:15,440 Speaker 1: speaks to it's a challenge to win in Denver, of course, 239 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:18,439 Speaker 1: to build a pitching staff, and it speaks to the 240 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:22,320 Speaker 1: quality of the Dodgers, Diamondbacks Padres of course, but the 241 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: Rockies are viewed as being behind the curve and not 242 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:29,200 Speaker 1: just analytics, but player development and how well they've scouted 243 00:12:29,240 --> 00:12:33,040 Speaker 1: and developed. So it's organizational. It's not even so much 244 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 1: a spending issue like in Pittsburgh as they've signed players 245 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: like Chris Bryan to large deals. It's more of a 246 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 1: are you on the cut do you are you involved 247 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 1: in creating the best practice as possible from not just 248 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 1: analytics building out that department, but player development, scouting. I 249 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 1: think you talked to folks in the game and they're 250 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 1: one of the lower ranked organizations across the board in 251 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 1: those categories. So they really need sweeping investment in those 252 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:02,720 Speaker 1: areas and change the organization, and I don't know. Uh, 253 00:13:02,880 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: they've they've been slow to pivot. So when will they do? 254 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 1: They won't require an eventual ownership change whenever that day 255 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 1: might come. But yeah, the Rockies are behind the curve 256 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 1: in a lot of areas. 257 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 5: Let's go to Spencer Strider and the conversation that you 258 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 5: had with him about his second elbow surgery. Are we 259 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:23,680 Speaker 5: at the point in the game where we still don't 260 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 5: know anything? I think one of your quotes was doctor 261 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:30,400 Speaker 5: meister even didn't really give him an idea of where 262 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 5: he should be, if if I read that correctly, when 263 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:35,840 Speaker 5: Strider was talking to you about it. Are we at 264 00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:39,600 Speaker 5: the point where such a good player that's young like 265 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 5: this having a second surgery, he could be the one 266 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 5: that's the like the next Nathan Valdi, or is he 267 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:50,200 Speaker 5: going to fall into the category of every other pitcher 268 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:54,240 Speaker 5: that has had their second Tommy John surgery or bracing 269 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:55,439 Speaker 5: whatever elbow surgery. 270 00:13:57,080 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 2: Yeah. 271 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,960 Speaker 1: I spoke to Strider because I was curious. Yeah, of course, 272 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:03,040 Speaker 1: so many pictures have had Tommy John. Now I believe 273 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:06,400 Speaker 1: it's like something else outrageous, Like thirty six percent of 274 00:14:06,480 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 1: active Major league pictures have had Tommy John, and the 275 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:12,480 Speaker 1: first time you have Tommy John, it is something of 276 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:16,280 Speaker 1: a miracle procedure where almost all pictures come back and many, 277 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 1: the majority come back to a performance level near where 278 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:23,280 Speaker 1: they were prior to the surgery. But it's that second operation, 279 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:26,520 Speaker 1: that second Tommy John, where the track record is really poor. 280 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 1: MLB's injury studying December, I believe it was fifty they 281 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:34,680 Speaker 1: found fifty six percent of second Tommy John recipients returned 282 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 1: near their previous level, which is not good. And Jeffrey Dugas, 283 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:43,960 Speaker 1: who innovated the internal brace procedure, told me that only 284 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: forty two percent of second Timmy John cases have exceeded 285 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 1: ten plus out starts in the major leagues after that. 286 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:53,080 Speaker 1: So it's really the second operation there's so troublesome much 287 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:55,680 Speaker 1: second Tommy John. And I wanted to speak with Strider 288 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:58,320 Speaker 1: because he wanted to avoid Tommy John if he could, 289 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,360 Speaker 1: and he did. But as you mentioned, going in that 290 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 1: procedure before he was put under anesthesia, it was I'm 291 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 1: trying to it was meister who did the surgery, and 292 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 1: as good as MRIs are, Meister wasn't didn't want to 293 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:14,360 Speaker 1: commit until he actually opened up the elbow and he 294 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:17,320 Speaker 1: wanted to have a menu of options available, including Tommy John. 295 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:23,440 Speaker 1: But when he began the operation, he found that Strider's 296 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 1: damage wasn't as bad as they had feared, and because 297 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 1: of the location of his injury, he was a candidate 298 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 1: for the internal brace. And I was curious in writing this, 299 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 1: speaking Strider and writing this piece, is why do so 300 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:40,040 Speaker 1: many second Tommy John's fail And are there breakthroughs and 301 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:44,040 Speaker 1: surgery and medical sports science advancement where we can have 302 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 1: some better outcomes in second operations? And can we avoid 303 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 1: second Tommy John's with something like an internal brace. So 304 00:15:50,880 --> 00:15:53,600 Speaker 1: Strider was and we can get into details if you'd like, 305 00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 1: but Strider was a candidate for the internal brace, and 306 00:15:56,560 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 1: the hope is that there can be some better outcomes. 307 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 1: It'll that because of how the procedure works, there will 308 00:16:03,680 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 1: be more successes like Brian wu is an example in Seattle, 309 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:10,440 Speaker 1: and the NFL brought Purty is probably the most notable 310 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: exam success story of the internal brace. But Strider did 311 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:16,000 Speaker 1: take a risk as when he had the surgery, I 312 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 1: think there only been forty pitchers above the Division one 313 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:22,600 Speaker 1: college level that had the internal brace done. So it 314 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:25,480 Speaker 1: is something to go into that surgery room and be 315 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:27,960 Speaker 1: open to that as an option. It was a little risk, 316 00:16:28,400 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 1: but Strider is very He's a very science data minded 317 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:37,640 Speaker 1: based player, and he trusted my Street, trusted the early returns, 318 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 1: and so far in the field it looks encouraging for Strider. 319 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 3: Travis last one for a Chandler Simpson made his debut 320 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:46,080 Speaker 3: this weekend. 321 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 2: I love speed. 322 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:50,560 Speaker 3: I've been looking forward to this getting some Billy Hamilton comps, 323 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 3: although technically, if you look at the power it's even 324 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:56,240 Speaker 3: less than what Billy brought to the table. I just 325 00:16:56,280 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 3: want to know if he's going to get on base 326 00:16:57,560 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 3: enough to really be a problem. Plus, right now they 327 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 3: actually have some outbuilders playing well. So anyway, add it 328 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:05,199 Speaker 3: all up. Are you excited about this player when you 329 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:09,159 Speaker 3: think about him? What do I guess numbers say in 330 00:17:09,280 --> 00:17:11,639 Speaker 3: terms of how he could fare in the big leagues? 331 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:15,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, just as a fan of the game, it would 332 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:17,399 Speaker 1: be so great if he can stick for the rays 333 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:21,399 Speaker 1: and be this hundred base stolen base through at the 334 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:23,199 Speaker 1: top of line. That'd be great for the game that 335 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:27,640 Speaker 1: we do. Hear to Billy Hamilton comps and Hamilton if 336 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:30,480 Speaker 1: he just got on base, he could have been such 337 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 1: a fun, dynamic player. And I don't think Chandler is 338 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:37,440 Speaker 1: going to be Simpson because if you look at his 339 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:41,480 Speaker 1: minor league track record, he doesn't have any power. I 340 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:43,040 Speaker 1: don't think he's ever hit an out of the park 341 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:46,920 Speaker 1: home run, but he's always been an elite contact hitter. 342 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:48,960 Speaker 1: In last season, he had an eight and a half 343 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 1: percent strikeout right of minors, which amongs. They were like 344 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:55,320 Speaker 1: eleven hundred qualified minor league hitters, he had the thirteenth 345 00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:58,680 Speaker 1: lowest strikeout rate. So this is a player with great 346 00:17:58,720 --> 00:18:00,680 Speaker 1: back to ball skills. And when he puts the ball 347 00:18:00,800 --> 00:18:03,400 Speaker 1: on the ground in play, as we sell over the weekend, 348 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:06,600 Speaker 1: he's a threat to get on base. As we say, 349 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:09,480 Speaker 1: the hit that broke up freeds no hitter, Well, I 350 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:12,440 Speaker 1: guess later rule to hit, but he's going to contact 351 00:18:12,440 --> 00:18:14,320 Speaker 1: the ball. He is going to get on base at 352 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:17,960 Speaker 1: a greater clip than Hamilton ever did. And like when 353 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 1: Simpson told me in the spring, when he gets hunt 354 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:23,439 Speaker 1: for space, he views himself as being in scoring position. 355 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:26,400 Speaker 1: And we saw that first steel in the second game. 356 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 1: So I do think he's a better bet to stick 357 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:32,400 Speaker 1: to be a productive hitter in the major league's and 358 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,119 Speaker 1: he knows who he is like he is trying to 359 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:39,000 Speaker 1: model his training his game. His training routines off like 360 00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:42,200 Speaker 1: a luritz arias he's not trying to put the ball 361 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:44,880 Speaker 1: in the air. He knows he does his damage when 362 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:47,639 Speaker 1: he's a low launch angle guy. When he's putting the 363 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:50,399 Speaker 1: ball in the grounders are good for Chandler Simpson. So 364 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:54,399 Speaker 1: I hope he's not Billy Hamilton. As far as the 365 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 1: hitting profile, I don't think he will be. I think 366 00:18:57,080 --> 00:19:00,119 Speaker 1: there's a legitimate chance he'll be an everyday player, but 367 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 1: it all comes down to the bat, and there's some 368 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:05,200 Speaker 1: fear that pictures will knock it out of his hands. 369 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 1: But I do think he'll make enough contact. Even weak 370 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:10,159 Speaker 1: contact is gonna be good enough for a guy with 371 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:12,840 Speaker 1: just incredible You see those home to first times, they 372 00:19:12,840 --> 00:19:16,120 Speaker 1: are just incredible. So hopefully for the sport, for the Rays, 373 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 1: it works. 374 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:20,200 Speaker 4: I mean, he already started almost a riot with Yankee 375 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:23,320 Speaker 4: fans yesterday when he was gonna beat that ground ball out, 376 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:25,439 Speaker 4: and I mean, holy cow, I mean that should have 377 00:19:25,480 --> 00:19:27,119 Speaker 4: been a hit. I don't know, but his speed you 378 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:28,919 Speaker 4: saw right there, Goldsmith, as soon as he went to 379 00:19:28,960 --> 00:19:31,480 Speaker 4: the right, he was saying, Freedom wasn't beating him there. 380 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:33,959 Speaker 4: That's why I mean, I'm glad someone else got a Mangham, 381 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:36,520 Speaker 4: I think got a hit later on, but I'm happy 382 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:38,800 Speaker 4: someone else got a hit because that poor of official score. 383 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:40,480 Speaker 2: That should have been a hit from the get go. 384 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:41,960 Speaker 4: And I know we're gonna talk about it later, but 385 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 4: come on, Trow, that's a hit. 386 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:44,560 Speaker 2: Yeah. 387 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, Simpson makes the first basement move to his right 388 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,120 Speaker 1: to field a ball. It's it's gonna be a hit. 389 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 1: You think Kevin Cash was saying that in the spring. 390 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:57,320 Speaker 1: So I'm glad for the official scorer's sake that there 391 00:19:57,359 --> 00:19:59,920 Speaker 1: was another hit in that game. But that was a hit. 392 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:02,120 Speaker 2: That was a hit exactly. Yeah. 393 00:20:02,119 --> 00:20:03,800 Speaker 3: There was a play in the miners where I think 394 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:06,160 Speaker 3: it went to the first baseman and he was way 395 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:08,119 Speaker 3: close to the bag and Simpson beat him. 396 00:20:08,119 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 2: I saw Johnny Damon do that in high school. He 397 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:12,240 Speaker 2: really fast, dude, I saw, and he did like a 398 00:20:12,280 --> 00:20:14,320 Speaker 2: ground ball of the first basement like one stept was right. 399 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:15,200 Speaker 5: He beat it, and I was. 400 00:20:15,160 --> 00:20:18,240 Speaker 4: Like, that's real speed right there. And I mean, Simpson 401 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 4: looks faster than anyone I've ever seen. 402 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:21,679 Speaker 3: Yeah, I hope he makes it because it'd be awesome. 403 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:22,560 Speaker 2: Oh he doesn't beat. 404 00:20:22,600 --> 00:20:24,639 Speaker 4: Yeah, I just I mean not that like Terrencecore and 405 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:26,960 Speaker 4: those guys, you know, even Quintin Berry, they didn't have 406 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:28,720 Speaker 4: nice careers. But I want to see this dude do 407 00:20:28,840 --> 00:20:32,359 Speaker 4: some stuff. Billy Hamil, you know, Billy Hamilton had a 408 00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:34,760 Speaker 4: nice career. Yeah, but I feel like this guy could 409 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:35,520 Speaker 4: be maybe better. 410 00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:37,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, get on base and still first. That was the 411 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:38,800 Speaker 2: biggest problem, right. 412 00:20:38,760 --> 00:20:40,760 Speaker 3: You just got to get on first and then it's 413 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:43,240 Speaker 3: a double, so then then he's a doubles machine because 414 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:45,080 Speaker 3: then you're still in second most of the time after 415 00:20:45,200 --> 00:20:45,879 Speaker 3: Chandler Simpson. 416 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:47,879 Speaker 2: So, Travis, this was awesome. Thank you so much for 417 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:49,920 Speaker 2: joining us. Always great to have you on again. 418 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 3: Courage everyone to give Travis a file and then check 419 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:53,560 Speaker 3: out all the work he's doing for the Score and 420 00:20:53,600 --> 00:20:54,200 Speaker 3: everywhere else. 421 00:20:54,359 --> 00:20:56,360 Speaker 2: Appreciate you talksing it. Thanks fellows 422 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 4: Hip.