1 00:00:04,078 --> 00:00:06,518 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of My 2 00:00:06,718 --> 00:00:14,918 Speaker 1: Heart Radio. Hey, welcome back to another episode of the 3 00:00:14,958 --> 00:00:18,598 Speaker 1: Book of Joe podcasts. This is me Tom Berducci. I'm 4 00:00:18,638 --> 00:00:21,118 Speaker 1: here with Joe Madden. Every episode of the Book of 5 00:00:21,198 --> 00:00:24,598 Speaker 1: Joe is special, but Joe, I gotta say, I've been 6 00:00:24,598 --> 00:00:27,118 Speaker 1: looking forward to this one. This is extra special and 7 00:00:27,158 --> 00:00:30,918 Speaker 1: in some ways, this is the podcast you've been waiting 8 00:00:31,118 --> 00:00:38,398 Speaker 1: thirty four years for. Let's go back to nine spring 9 00:00:38,478 --> 00:00:43,198 Speaker 1: training gene Autry Park, Mesa, Arizona, and you, as the 10 00:00:43,358 --> 00:00:46,718 Speaker 1: minor league coordinator for the Angels, had to sit down 11 00:00:46,798 --> 00:00:51,558 Speaker 1: a young player and tell him his baseball dream was over. 12 00:00:52,438 --> 00:00:54,238 Speaker 1: And if you read the Book of Joe book, you 13 00:00:54,238 --> 00:00:57,478 Speaker 1: will understand listeners and readers why that was such an 14 00:00:57,518 --> 00:01:01,678 Speaker 1: emotional moment for Joe Madden. The imprint has remained all 15 00:01:01,718 --> 00:01:06,158 Speaker 1: these years, and now we unite Joe Madden with the 16 00:01:06,318 --> 00:01:09,598 Speaker 1: player he released, Kenny Grant. So, Joe, why don't you 17 00:01:09,798 --> 00:01:13,998 Speaker 1: introduce our guest Kenny Grant. Yeah, this is maybe the 18 00:01:14,798 --> 00:01:17,198 Speaker 1: greatest superstar we've had on our show to this point. 19 00:01:17,878 --> 00:01:20,838 Speaker 1: Like he said, this goes back into the eighties. Um, 20 00:01:20,918 --> 00:01:23,038 Speaker 1: I had just begun. I had been a manager in 21 00:01:23,078 --> 00:01:25,278 Speaker 1: a scott and minor league organization with the Angels. Then 22 00:01:25,278 --> 00:01:28,878 Speaker 1: it became a roving hitting instructor and the coordinator, so 23 00:01:28,918 --> 00:01:32,558 Speaker 1: I got to touch more players because of that. So 24 00:01:33,078 --> 00:01:35,038 Speaker 1: we're getting the late eighties there, and this young man 25 00:01:35,478 --> 00:01:38,598 Speaker 1: from Paterson, New Jersey Side High School as part of 26 00:01:38,598 --> 00:01:43,358 Speaker 1: the organization. I really thought that he had major league potential. 27 00:01:43,998 --> 00:01:45,998 Speaker 1: And again we were just talking about it this morning. 28 00:01:45,998 --> 00:01:49,478 Speaker 1: We're looking at all of his stats from what was 29 00:01:49,518 --> 00:01:53,238 Speaker 1: that eighty eight six and eighties seven. If he had 30 00:01:53,238 --> 00:01:56,198 Speaker 1: those two years like now, he'd have been been in 31 00:01:56,238 --> 00:01:59,198 Speaker 1: the most sought after minor league free agents if he 32 00:01:59,278 --> 00:02:01,198 Speaker 1: became a free agent or just a minor league player. 33 00:02:01,198 --> 00:02:06,518 Speaker 1: Based on those numbers today with the eventually and minutes 34 00:02:06,518 --> 00:02:10,198 Speaker 1: on base percentage was nuts. But beyond that, you think 35 00:02:10,238 --> 00:02:13,398 Speaker 1: that I always attracted me to Kenny was him, um 36 00:02:13,438 --> 00:02:15,718 Speaker 1: and you'll get you'll get that from the conversation today. 37 00:02:15,758 --> 00:02:20,958 Speaker 1: Just a really good fellow, very sincere, straight up played hard, 38 00:02:21,478 --> 00:02:24,638 Speaker 1: try to do everything right, and I I'm saying he 39 00:02:24,958 --> 00:02:27,478 Speaker 1: actually started to do that. I don't understand. I'm trying 40 00:02:27,478 --> 00:02:29,998 Speaker 1: to see her and figure out why we let him go. 41 00:02:30,198 --> 00:02:32,118 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm looking at these numbers I know, Kenny, 42 00:02:32,118 --> 00:02:33,958 Speaker 1: you made some errors at second base. I know that 43 00:02:33,998 --> 00:02:37,158 Speaker 1: I remember that, but but there were so many things 44 00:02:37,158 --> 00:02:38,718 Speaker 1: that you did well and the stuff that you did 45 00:02:38,798 --> 00:02:43,558 Speaker 1: is really sought after in today's game. So um, yes, 46 00:02:43,678 --> 00:02:47,838 Speaker 1: we ran him down. I did. I did. I cried 47 00:02:47,878 --> 00:02:49,518 Speaker 1: that day. We we we. I talked to you in 48 00:02:49,558 --> 00:02:52,838 Speaker 1: the office at do Notre Park, in that back office, 49 00:02:52,878 --> 00:02:55,558 Speaker 1: which was mine, I brought you and I can still 50 00:02:55,558 --> 00:02:57,238 Speaker 1: see you sitting in front of me, and I know 51 00:02:57,358 --> 00:02:59,358 Speaker 1: you were like like flabbery gas of what's going on, 52 00:02:59,478 --> 00:03:02,118 Speaker 1: because I know you didn't expect it either, So I 53 00:03:02,118 --> 00:03:05,158 Speaker 1: remember that clearly. It's uh, it's one of the mistakes 54 00:03:05,198 --> 00:03:07,038 Speaker 1: we made, and I made as a as a young 55 00:03:07,918 --> 00:03:10,758 Speaker 1: Angel minor league I guess executive at that time, or 56 00:03:10,798 --> 00:03:13,878 Speaker 1: coach or manage or whatever. But I, like Tommy said, 57 00:03:13,918 --> 00:03:16,118 Speaker 1: but wanting to get in touch with you. For so 58 00:03:16,158 --> 00:03:19,398 Speaker 1: many years we ran you down. Here you are and 59 00:03:19,478 --> 00:03:21,518 Speaker 1: thanks for coming on the show today, buddy. Great, great 60 00:03:21,558 --> 00:03:24,638 Speaker 1: to have you here. Thanks, no problem anytime. Hey, Kenny, 61 00:03:24,678 --> 00:03:27,998 Speaker 1: I I'm really interested. We'll get into your story. Um, 62 00:03:28,078 --> 00:03:30,118 Speaker 1: but I want to take you back to that day 63 00:03:30,118 --> 00:03:33,438 Speaker 1: in the Spraying Joe reference when you were released obviously 64 00:03:33,598 --> 00:03:38,918 Speaker 1: it was tough on Joe. Give me your recollections of 65 00:03:39,078 --> 00:03:42,878 Speaker 1: that day in the office with Joe Madden. Well, that day, 66 00:03:43,198 --> 00:03:45,438 Speaker 1: you know, we I think we just left the feel 67 00:03:46,358 --> 00:03:49,318 Speaker 1: and we went in his office. And I didn't know 68 00:03:49,318 --> 00:03:53,158 Speaker 1: why because I was having a pretty good spring. Uh. 69 00:03:53,358 --> 00:03:56,518 Speaker 1: I can't really recollect too much because I try to 70 00:03:56,558 --> 00:04:00,678 Speaker 1: forget a lot of it because I didn't believe it 71 00:04:00,798 --> 00:04:05,198 Speaker 1: was happening. But it was just a rough day, you know. 72 00:04:06,318 --> 00:04:10,238 Speaker 1: I just didn't understand it why, you know, I think 73 00:04:10,278 --> 00:04:13,998 Speaker 1: I was hitting about three something in the spring and 74 00:04:14,078 --> 00:04:16,998 Speaker 1: spring training, and then after Batton practice came in, he 75 00:04:17,038 --> 00:04:20,838 Speaker 1: talked to me, I didn't understand it. And that's it. 76 00:04:20,998 --> 00:04:24,318 Speaker 1: I mean, again, just looking at retrospectively, I wish I had. 77 00:04:24,318 --> 00:04:26,718 Speaker 1: I wish I'd remembered more of why. I do think 78 00:04:26,758 --> 00:04:29,158 Speaker 1: that we thought that defense played in that at some point. 79 00:04:29,718 --> 00:04:32,918 Speaker 1: I can't remember exactly what the conversation was about. But again, 80 00:04:32,958 --> 00:04:36,318 Speaker 1: as I'm looking at all this stuff today, that would 81 00:04:36,318 --> 00:04:37,798 Speaker 1: not have happened to Kenny you and not You're not 82 00:04:37,838 --> 00:04:40,518 Speaker 1: even let go with that kind of offensive ability and 83 00:04:40,638 --> 00:04:44,238 Speaker 1: your age. You're still very young at that time. You 84 00:04:44,278 --> 00:04:47,758 Speaker 1: were very very young, and uh, it just again, you're right, 85 00:04:47,798 --> 00:04:52,118 Speaker 1: it didn't make any sense. And the fact that you 86 00:04:52,238 --> 00:04:54,158 Speaker 1: had to go home, that's that's what really bother me. 87 00:04:54,198 --> 00:04:55,518 Speaker 1: I didn't know what was gonna happen. I guess ended 88 00:04:55,598 --> 00:04:57,718 Speaker 1: up with Minnesota a little bit and then back with US. 89 00:04:57,958 --> 00:05:02,918 Speaker 1: Yeah what Minnesota? And then uh yeah after that, I 90 00:05:02,958 --> 00:05:06,158 Speaker 1: think that season, yeah, I wanted back up in Quad Cities. 91 00:05:06,838 --> 00:05:10,238 Speaker 1: You know. Everything after that it was I just didn't 92 00:05:10,318 --> 00:05:16,238 Speaker 1: understand it because that year, the year before in Palm Springs, Yeah, 93 00:05:16,278 --> 00:05:19,718 Speaker 1: that that was my starting to breakout year where everything 94 00:05:19,798 --> 00:05:23,638 Speaker 1: was starting to come together to me. To whereas at 95 00:05:23,638 --> 00:05:25,758 Speaker 1: the end of the season, I was voted the best 96 00:05:25,758 --> 00:05:29,718 Speaker 1: second basement in the California League. And then after that, 97 00:05:30,158 --> 00:05:31,798 Speaker 1: about a year later, like you said, and now I 98 00:05:31,838 --> 00:05:34,118 Speaker 1: was out of baseball, and I'm like, why, you know, 99 00:05:34,478 --> 00:05:36,678 Speaker 1: is this weird? Let me throw this at you, because 100 00:05:36,678 --> 00:05:38,278 Speaker 1: I was looking at this this morning, and he's talking 101 00:05:38,278 --> 00:05:42,678 Speaker 1: about in the CALLI, which is really a very good 102 00:05:42,718 --> 00:05:44,678 Speaker 1: a ball league. From there, you're gonna you're gonna jump 103 00:05:44,758 --> 00:05:46,598 Speaker 1: to double A, which you should have done and eventually 104 00:05:46,598 --> 00:05:50,118 Speaker 1: triple A. But on his line across you had six 105 00:05:50,518 --> 00:05:53,078 Speaker 1: thirty nine plate appearances, which is a lot that means 106 00:05:53,118 --> 00:05:55,758 Speaker 1: you played almost every day. You did play every day. 107 00:05:56,118 --> 00:05:58,158 Speaker 1: Ten home runs. And I'm here to tell you Palm 108 00:05:58,278 --> 00:06:02,958 Speaker 1: Springs is like an airplane hang uh airport runway. It's huge, 109 00:06:02,998 --> 00:06:05,318 Speaker 1: it's very big. Into all didn't carry great. It was hot, 110 00:06:05,638 --> 00:06:08,358 Speaker 1: so over hundred degrees every night you play. Now, But 111 00:06:08,398 --> 00:06:10,398 Speaker 1: how about this though, And this is that I didn't 112 00:06:10,438 --> 00:06:13,318 Speaker 1: real realize I've forgotten. This is like, this is on me. 113 00:06:13,838 --> 00:06:16,918 Speaker 1: A hundred and seven walks and eighty five strikeouts in 114 00:06:16,918 --> 00:06:20,478 Speaker 1: a minor league season. That's stuff to me. When you 115 00:06:20,558 --> 00:06:22,958 Speaker 1: walk more than you strike out, that really says you 116 00:06:22,998 --> 00:06:25,398 Speaker 1: have an organized strike zone and you know how to 117 00:06:25,398 --> 00:06:27,438 Speaker 1: put the bat on the ball. So that led into 118 00:06:27,478 --> 00:06:29,798 Speaker 1: a two eight batting average of four oh six on 119 00:06:29,918 --> 00:06:35,518 Speaker 1: base uh four nineteen slug o ps. Brother, I'm telling you, man, Kenny, 120 00:06:35,558 --> 00:06:38,438 Speaker 1: that is really good stuff. And I I still like, 121 00:06:38,958 --> 00:06:40,798 Speaker 1: I wish I had better answers for you because I 122 00:06:40,838 --> 00:06:44,358 Speaker 1: don't because that's really a good year. And uh, at 123 00:06:44,358 --> 00:06:46,118 Speaker 1: that point that had it like kind of did that 124 00:06:46,198 --> 00:06:49,878 Speaker 1: really uh hurt your interest in playing the game because 125 00:06:49,878 --> 00:06:53,158 Speaker 1: it was so confusing to you. Yeah, it's after that, 126 00:06:53,278 --> 00:06:56,078 Speaker 1: I just I didn't even care for baseball really act 127 00:06:56,118 --> 00:07:00,238 Speaker 1: that it's uh, it hurt it because I didn't understand it. 128 00:07:00,758 --> 00:07:02,838 Speaker 1: You know, you see guys that made it, and we 129 00:07:02,838 --> 00:07:05,518 Speaker 1: were on the same team. You know, I'm like, how 130 00:07:05,638 --> 00:07:08,038 Speaker 1: is this? You know, we're on the same team. In 131 00:07:08,078 --> 00:07:10,318 Speaker 1: that year, I was a lead off. I was sitting 132 00:07:10,318 --> 00:07:13,318 Speaker 1: the lead off. Like I said, I know had Pete 133 00:07:13,398 --> 00:07:18,358 Speaker 1: Pete coachman. We had uh Fluff McLamore. They were ahead 134 00:07:18,358 --> 00:07:21,798 Speaker 1: of me. Fluff was there. He was you know, he 135 00:07:21,878 --> 00:07:25,198 Speaker 1: was up in the big leagues. But like I said, Um, 136 00:07:25,238 --> 00:07:28,758 Speaker 1: Bob Boone came down for rehab, Donnie Moore came down 137 00:07:28,758 --> 00:07:31,838 Speaker 1: for rehab. They seen me play and they said, within 138 00:07:31,918 --> 00:07:34,958 Speaker 1: two years man, or maybe late next year, we might 139 00:07:34,998 --> 00:07:37,838 Speaker 1: see you in the in the locker room book, you know, 140 00:07:37,918 --> 00:07:40,878 Speaker 1: because uh when they were there, they were there for 141 00:07:40,958 --> 00:07:45,038 Speaker 1: like maybe you know, we was on our homestead. One game, 142 00:07:45,078 --> 00:07:48,438 Speaker 1: I hit a double homer and I think a triple 143 00:07:49,278 --> 00:07:52,838 Speaker 1: and I played really defense because you gotta remember, coming 144 00:07:52,838 --> 00:07:55,438 Speaker 1: out of high school, I was a short stop and 145 00:07:55,438 --> 00:07:59,318 Speaker 1: then I went to third and then I wind up 146 00:07:59,398 --> 00:08:02,758 Speaker 1: moving the second. It took a little while for me 147 00:08:02,918 --> 00:08:05,638 Speaker 1: really the it, you know, because you're going from one 148 00:08:05,678 --> 00:08:08,158 Speaker 1: side of the field to the other So that took 149 00:08:08,158 --> 00:08:11,158 Speaker 1: a little just getting used to it. But like like 150 00:08:11,238 --> 00:08:13,838 Speaker 1: I said, after that, I didn't even want to play. 151 00:08:13,998 --> 00:08:17,158 Speaker 1: It took me a while to even it. Just wasn't 152 00:08:17,158 --> 00:08:20,118 Speaker 1: into it anymore. The fund was gone. Yeah. Yeah, let 153 00:08:20,158 --> 00:08:22,238 Speaker 1: me let me give you some numbers here, Joe, that 154 00:08:22,278 --> 00:08:26,798 Speaker 1: you mentioned here and Kennedy's last three seasons eight, his 155 00:08:26,878 --> 00:08:31,918 Speaker 1: on base percentages were four six, four oh six and 156 00:08:32,038 --> 00:08:35,598 Speaker 1: three seventy eight in seven that you mentioned with that 157 00:08:35,758 --> 00:08:39,798 Speaker 1: year at Palm Springs, he led the entire Angels organization 158 00:08:39,838 --> 00:08:43,478 Speaker 1: and played appearances was third and runs. He was one 159 00:08:43,518 --> 00:08:46,238 Speaker 1: of only six players in the organization who played a 160 00:08:46,278 --> 00:08:49,678 Speaker 1: hundred games and posted an on base percentage over four hundred. 161 00:08:50,078 --> 00:08:53,958 Speaker 1: The other five all made the major leagues. I mean, 162 00:08:53,958 --> 00:08:57,838 Speaker 1: these are really impressive numbers he's putting up. And in 163 00:08:57,918 --> 00:09:00,758 Speaker 1: the season, you know, in that same league he had 164 00:09:00,838 --> 00:09:03,638 Speaker 1: comparable numbers in terms of on base, if not better 165 00:09:03,758 --> 00:09:06,798 Speaker 1: to guys like Delono De Shields and Lenny Webster, Pat 166 00:09:06,878 --> 00:09:11,958 Speaker 1: listachh Todd Haney all made the major leagues, and some 167 00:09:12,038 --> 00:09:15,158 Speaker 1: of them didn't have his base percentage, which over his 168 00:09:15,318 --> 00:09:19,798 Speaker 1: career in the minors was three six seven. Uh and yeah, 169 00:09:19,878 --> 00:09:22,158 Speaker 1: and Kenny, You're absolutely right. I mean the year you 170 00:09:22,198 --> 00:09:25,718 Speaker 1: went to Minnesota, that was the season so released in 171 00:09:25,838 --> 00:09:28,558 Speaker 1: eighty nine. That was it. That was the end of 172 00:09:28,558 --> 00:09:30,798 Speaker 1: the road for Kenny Grant as a professional player at 173 00:09:30,798 --> 00:09:33,558 Speaker 1: the age of twenty three, with just these incredible he's 174 00:09:33,598 --> 00:09:38,478 Speaker 1: not bass machine. Um, so did you go home to Patterson, Kenny? 175 00:09:38,678 --> 00:09:43,678 Speaker 1: I I went to Sarasota. I started playing a little softball. 176 00:09:43,838 --> 00:09:46,918 Speaker 1: Then like, no, this is not for me. Then I 177 00:09:46,998 --> 00:09:50,518 Speaker 1: worked at Tropicana and then I like, you know know, I 178 00:09:50,598 --> 00:09:56,038 Speaker 1: got to be outside. So after that, I stayed in 179 00:09:56,078 --> 00:09:59,158 Speaker 1: Sarasota for about a year that I moved back to 180 00:09:59,278 --> 00:10:02,198 Speaker 1: Patterson and now you know, I'm driving the rolloff truck 181 00:10:02,198 --> 00:10:05,718 Speaker 1: for waste management. You know. So it worked do all right? 182 00:10:05,838 --> 00:10:08,158 Speaker 1: You know, not like you know, I wish it would have. 183 00:10:08,678 --> 00:10:12,118 Speaker 1: Like I said, I don't know what happened or with baseball. 184 00:10:12,438 --> 00:10:16,278 Speaker 1: But even now my interest in it is I don't 185 00:10:16,278 --> 00:10:19,078 Speaker 1: watch it. I coach it. You know. I'm coaching um 186 00:10:19,518 --> 00:10:22,118 Speaker 1: travel team, legit. You know, it took me a while 187 00:10:22,118 --> 00:10:25,038 Speaker 1: to even get into coaching, but I'm starting to get 188 00:10:25,078 --> 00:10:28,118 Speaker 1: back into it now. But the love of it is 189 00:10:28,118 --> 00:10:31,758 Speaker 1: still really not there. You know, Just why what happened. 190 00:10:32,078 --> 00:10:33,638 Speaker 1: I mean, you know sometimes you know when you hear 191 00:10:33,678 --> 00:10:36,718 Speaker 1: guys talk, I mean, everybody would think that it's sour grapes, 192 00:10:36,798 --> 00:10:39,318 Speaker 1: but in your case, it really is not. Um. I 193 00:10:39,358 --> 00:10:41,638 Speaker 1: can't emphasize it enough. And Tommy just pointed it out 194 00:10:41,678 --> 00:10:43,638 Speaker 1: had you been playing today, that the stuff would have 195 00:10:43,678 --> 00:10:46,078 Speaker 1: never have happened, and the different things that we valued 196 00:10:46,078 --> 00:10:49,198 Speaker 1: at that time. And quite frankly, I I really am 197 00:10:49,558 --> 00:10:52,278 Speaker 1: had a lost brother because I I was a big 198 00:10:52,278 --> 00:10:54,358 Speaker 1: fan of yours. I really was, but I probably should 199 00:10:54,358 --> 00:10:56,518 Speaker 1: have stood up more for you at that particular time 200 00:10:56,838 --> 00:10:59,478 Speaker 1: because we had that ability. That's that's when in the 201 00:10:59,518 --> 00:11:03,878 Speaker 1: minor league meetings, if a minor league manager coach, would 202 00:11:03,958 --> 00:11:06,518 Speaker 1: our instructors said, no, we're not going to release this guy. 203 00:11:06,558 --> 00:11:09,638 Speaker 1: He's staying, we would do that. You would somehow try 204 00:11:09,678 --> 00:11:12,718 Speaker 1: to make room for that guy, if somebody believe strongly enough. 205 00:11:13,438 --> 00:11:15,158 Speaker 1: It just bothers me a lot to hear all this 206 00:11:15,238 --> 00:11:17,278 Speaker 1: and the fact that even at that young age, you 207 00:11:17,438 --> 00:11:20,518 Speaker 1: chose not to continue, or that nobody gave you a chance. 208 00:11:20,598 --> 00:11:23,598 Speaker 1: That's that really boggles my mind because on top of that, 209 00:11:23,638 --> 00:11:25,358 Speaker 1: I want people to understand, this is a really good guy. 210 00:11:25,358 --> 00:11:27,638 Speaker 1: You're hearing that in his voice right now. He's a 211 00:11:27,638 --> 00:11:29,838 Speaker 1: great teammate, that guys loved him, very funny in his 212 00:11:29,878 --> 00:11:32,558 Speaker 1: own way without even trying, and played hard and played 213 00:11:32,598 --> 00:11:35,638 Speaker 1: every day. So again, Kenny, you're right on. I mean, 214 00:11:35,678 --> 00:11:38,478 Speaker 1: I understand why you would be, uh, you know, a 215 00:11:38,518 --> 00:11:41,078 Speaker 1: little bit off, turned off about the game for a 216 00:11:41,078 --> 00:11:43,878 Speaker 1: lot of different reasons. But your evaluations right on, and 217 00:11:43,918 --> 00:11:45,598 Speaker 1: I can't argue with it. And that's part of why. 218 00:11:45,678 --> 00:11:48,398 Speaker 1: Like with Tommy, I've been talking to me about you 219 00:11:48,518 --> 00:11:51,078 Speaker 1: a lot, and you you are in our book, um, 220 00:11:51,118 --> 00:11:53,118 Speaker 1: and it's kind of like this is kind of like 221 00:11:53,158 --> 00:11:54,998 Speaker 1: me saying I'm sorry, man, I'm sorry this happened to you. 222 00:11:55,038 --> 00:11:57,958 Speaker 1: I know it's not helping you right now, but you 223 00:11:57,998 --> 00:12:00,198 Speaker 1: were that good and you can tell your buddies and 224 00:12:00,238 --> 00:12:01,518 Speaker 1: if they want to talk to me, be happy to 225 00:12:01,638 --> 00:12:02,998 Speaker 1: that you were good enough to play in the big 226 00:12:03,078 --> 00:12:06,198 Speaker 1: leagues and wish you had gotten a better opportunity. You know, 227 00:12:06,358 --> 00:12:09,598 Speaker 1: things happened, but I just didn't understand it. You know. 228 00:12:09,958 --> 00:12:12,158 Speaker 1: It's you know, I played hard, I gave it everything 229 00:12:12,198 --> 00:12:14,878 Speaker 1: I had. You know, I left everything on the field, 230 00:12:15,118 --> 00:12:18,638 Speaker 1: and I know my skill level was there, but you know, 231 00:12:18,798 --> 00:12:21,038 Speaker 1: I just didn't understand it. And then after that I 232 00:12:21,118 --> 00:12:23,118 Speaker 1: really didn't care to play anymore, tell you the truth, 233 00:12:23,158 --> 00:12:26,158 Speaker 1: because I only wanted to play for one team. And 234 00:12:26,438 --> 00:12:29,278 Speaker 1: when I got dropped it, you were my first manager 235 00:12:29,358 --> 00:12:32,158 Speaker 1: to sell more again. And uh, I don't know if 236 00:12:32,158 --> 00:12:34,958 Speaker 1: you remember. We had this one old lady. She used 237 00:12:35,118 --> 00:12:37,758 Speaker 1: yelled out Jersey all the time. I came out because 238 00:12:37,798 --> 00:12:40,518 Speaker 1: she was from Jersey. But but like I said, I 239 00:12:40,598 --> 00:12:42,958 Speaker 1: learned a lot from you. Even now, my coaching style 240 00:12:43,278 --> 00:12:46,238 Speaker 1: is I take like I said, I watched it when 241 00:12:46,238 --> 00:12:48,358 Speaker 1: you were managing. I take a lot of that into 242 00:12:48,438 --> 00:12:51,478 Speaker 1: what I do now. You know, I had these two kids, 243 00:12:51,638 --> 00:12:55,798 Speaker 1: Uh so it Spinnerelli. Man, this kid he has it. 244 00:12:56,358 --> 00:12:59,158 Speaker 1: You know, I going to gym and he's working. His 245 00:12:59,278 --> 00:13:02,638 Speaker 1: dad is a state trooper. But man, he's one of 246 00:13:02,678 --> 00:13:05,758 Speaker 1: the kids that, like now, keeps me wanting to coach 247 00:13:06,238 --> 00:13:08,838 Speaker 1: because I see it in him, you know. But his 248 00:13:08,918 --> 00:13:12,318 Speaker 1: little brother, man, they're they're tough. But other than that, 249 00:13:12,678 --> 00:13:14,278 Speaker 1: you know, if it wasn't what I think them too, 250 00:13:14,278 --> 00:13:16,598 Speaker 1: I wouldn't even I wouldn't even do it. Yeah. Well, 251 00:13:16,598 --> 00:13:18,318 Speaker 1: I'm glad you're happy you are, man, because you have 252 00:13:18,358 --> 00:13:20,838 Speaker 1: a lot. You have a lot to give and you know, 253 00:13:20,838 --> 00:13:23,638 Speaker 1: even though it's a negative, bad experience, I mean, uh, 254 00:13:23,718 --> 00:13:26,598 Speaker 1: there's a lot to relate to these young players. And 255 00:13:26,678 --> 00:13:29,278 Speaker 1: even the fact that the amount of time that you 256 00:13:29,318 --> 00:13:31,038 Speaker 1: did play, you were you were impacted by a lot 257 00:13:31,038 --> 00:13:33,038 Speaker 1: of good players and coaches at time. Because I was there, 258 00:13:33,078 --> 00:13:35,598 Speaker 1: I know all that, and I love the fact that 259 00:13:35,638 --> 00:13:39,838 Speaker 1: you're taking it and passing it along. Um As as 260 00:13:39,878 --> 00:13:41,878 Speaker 1: a coach, how old are these kids are you're coaching 261 00:13:42,838 --> 00:13:47,358 Speaker 1: and fourteen? Perfect? Yeah, I can't deal with the younger ones. 262 00:13:49,918 --> 00:13:51,838 Speaker 1: You know. It's like when I get to the gym, 263 00:13:52,198 --> 00:13:55,798 Speaker 1: I'm teaching them what what I've learned, So they're getting 264 00:13:56,118 --> 00:14:00,598 Speaker 1: like professional instructions right away. It's like I tell him, 265 00:14:00,678 --> 00:14:03,278 Speaker 1: like saying, we have practice at five. I won't be 266 00:14:03,318 --> 00:14:06,918 Speaker 1: there at five. I be like, because at first, what 267 00:14:07,038 --> 00:14:08,718 Speaker 1: I do, I go over everything what I want him 268 00:14:08,718 --> 00:14:10,958 Speaker 1: to do, because when I get to the field, they 269 00:14:11,038 --> 00:14:13,958 Speaker 1: already stretched, and because I already have a game plan 270 00:14:14,038 --> 00:14:16,558 Speaker 1: when I get to the field. So now they're learning that. 271 00:14:16,758 --> 00:14:21,638 Speaker 1: So they're the one that's that's really keeping me going. Well, Kenny, 272 00:14:21,638 --> 00:14:24,358 Speaker 1: we're gonna take a quick break and when we come back, 273 00:14:24,838 --> 00:14:27,678 Speaker 1: we are going to talk about the days when you 274 00:14:27,718 --> 00:14:30,118 Speaker 1: were kind of around that age when you were a 275 00:14:30,518 --> 00:14:34,238 Speaker 1: legend on the fields of Patterson, New Jersey. We'll be 276 00:14:34,318 --> 00:14:45,438 Speaker 1: right back. Welcome back to the Book of Joe podcast. 277 00:14:45,518 --> 00:14:49,918 Speaker 1: Our guest is Kenny Grants, minor league player in the 278 00:14:49,958 --> 00:14:53,798 Speaker 1: California Angels system when Joe Madden was there, and I 279 00:14:53,878 --> 00:14:58,198 Speaker 1: mentioned a schoolboy legend at Patterson east Side High I want, Kenny, 280 00:14:58,278 --> 00:15:01,038 Speaker 1: want to want you to take us back to those days, because, 281 00:15:01,118 --> 00:15:02,558 Speaker 1: to be honest with you, it took the help of 282 00:15:02,558 --> 00:15:07,038 Speaker 1: the mayor of Patterson, Andre Say, to track you down 283 00:15:07,038 --> 00:15:09,758 Speaker 1: and get you on this podcast. But of course you 284 00:15:09,798 --> 00:15:12,718 Speaker 1: were an outstanding baseball player at east Side, hitting four 285 00:15:12,918 --> 00:15:15,638 Speaker 1: sixty six on the mound with a one point four 286 00:15:15,798 --> 00:15:18,638 Speaker 1: six e r A. There was one newspaper report that 287 00:15:18,718 --> 00:15:21,798 Speaker 1: had you as one of the best high school baseball 288 00:15:21,838 --> 00:15:25,478 Speaker 1: players in the country. And here comes the Angels in 289 00:15:25,518 --> 00:15:29,638 Speaker 1: the spring of three. They're drafting you in the tenth round. 290 00:15:30,158 --> 00:15:33,598 Speaker 1: Talk to me about that decision to sign with the 291 00:15:33,638 --> 00:15:39,278 Speaker 1: Angels at Paterson east Side. Well, with that, I didn't commit. 292 00:15:39,678 --> 00:15:43,958 Speaker 1: I had um offers, plenty of offers, but I had 293 00:15:44,038 --> 00:15:48,718 Speaker 1: narrowed it down to Georgia in Oklahoma State Coach Hill 294 00:15:49,078 --> 00:15:52,838 Speaker 1: my high school coach today, because I knew I was ready, 295 00:15:52,918 --> 00:15:55,478 Speaker 1: but I just didn't know. For one, I was a 296 00:15:55,478 --> 00:15:58,958 Speaker 1: little set getting drafted so low to me, maybe because 297 00:15:58,998 --> 00:16:02,238 Speaker 1: I didn't commit to college. You know, a lot of 298 00:16:02,278 --> 00:16:07,358 Speaker 1: kids should realize that commit to school. Then the brand 299 00:16:07,518 --> 00:16:11,838 Speaker 1: would would be higher. But my high school coach said, no, 300 00:16:11,918 --> 00:16:15,518 Speaker 1: you're ready. You know you don't need college. You're above 301 00:16:15,638 --> 00:16:19,518 Speaker 1: college level. That's still like training, and you know training 302 00:16:19,518 --> 00:16:22,158 Speaker 1: you to get better, and said right now is no 303 00:16:22,358 --> 00:16:24,158 Speaker 1: Go ahead and give it a try. He believed in me. 304 00:16:24,198 --> 00:16:26,278 Speaker 1: He said, Uh, just go do what you've been doing 305 00:16:26,318 --> 00:16:28,518 Speaker 1: and you should have no problem. Hey, Kenny, did you 306 00:16:28,558 --> 00:16:31,438 Speaker 1: play your games on hinge Cliff Field? Yeah? East Side 307 00:16:31,438 --> 00:16:34,518 Speaker 1: Park was our home field, but our aunt's rival, Kennedy 308 00:16:34,798 --> 00:16:37,878 Speaker 1: their home field was Hinchcliff, So I played a Hinchcliffe. 309 00:16:37,918 --> 00:16:40,238 Speaker 1: You know, pretty much in the States, we played the 310 00:16:40,318 --> 00:16:42,838 Speaker 1: Hinchcliff Because I asked you, because I know that the 311 00:16:42,878 --> 00:16:44,678 Speaker 1: Angels scout who signed you was a guy by the 312 00:16:44,758 --> 00:16:47,398 Speaker 1: name of ed Ford, and he watched you play on 313 00:16:47,438 --> 00:16:50,518 Speaker 1: what he said was such a terrible field. Yeah, you 314 00:16:50,838 --> 00:16:54,318 Speaker 1: handled the ball there, you were a professional baseball player. Yeah, 315 00:16:54,318 --> 00:16:56,758 Speaker 1: the turf was starting, uh to come up because of 316 00:16:56,798 --> 00:16:59,838 Speaker 1: the Patterson Great Falls. It was built right next to 317 00:16:59,838 --> 00:17:02,638 Speaker 1: the falls, and I guess the water to residue from 318 00:17:02,638 --> 00:17:06,358 Speaker 1: the water after a while got up underneath the turf. 319 00:17:06,598 --> 00:17:08,518 Speaker 1: It was rough. If you could pick the ball up there, 320 00:17:08,678 --> 00:17:12,998 Speaker 1: you could pick it up anywhere. Yeah, but I think 321 00:17:13,078 --> 00:17:16,158 Speaker 1: they're finished with it, so that might be a special 322 00:17:16,198 --> 00:17:18,038 Speaker 1: day for me to go back when they reopen it, 323 00:17:18,158 --> 00:17:22,198 Speaker 1: just to we'll pull up some memories. Yeah. It's They've 324 00:17:22,238 --> 00:17:25,958 Speaker 1: done a beautiful job renovating Hinchcliff Field, and the turf 325 00:17:25,998 --> 00:17:29,198 Speaker 1: has just now been put down. It is one of 326 00:17:29,318 --> 00:17:32,198 Speaker 1: two remain a Negro League ballparks. The other is rick 327 00:17:32,238 --> 00:17:36,838 Speaker 1: Quod Field in Birmingham, Alabama. It looks beautiful. H Kenny. 328 00:17:36,838 --> 00:17:39,478 Speaker 1: I'm curious where I know you have some older siblings 329 00:17:39,478 --> 00:17:41,798 Speaker 1: who played the game. How did you fall in love 330 00:17:41,838 --> 00:17:45,838 Speaker 1: with baseball? Just watching my brothers? My brother Charles, God 331 00:17:45,878 --> 00:17:48,678 Speaker 1: bless him. He was like one of the best ball 332 00:17:48,718 --> 00:17:52,398 Speaker 1: players I've seen in the seventies. He was He didn't 333 00:17:52,398 --> 00:17:54,438 Speaker 1: want to put put the Grant name on the mat 334 00:17:54,438 --> 00:17:56,998 Speaker 1: in parison. I mean he was a catcher. He played 335 00:17:57,078 --> 00:18:00,518 Speaker 1: varsity his freshman year, played varsity football his freshman year. 336 00:18:00,718 --> 00:18:03,118 Speaker 1: But he was throwing out runners in the seventies on 337 00:18:03,198 --> 00:18:06,318 Speaker 1: his knees and if the picture wouldn't do, you would 338 00:18:06,358 --> 00:18:07,958 Speaker 1: hit a right in ahead and I guess, you know, 339 00:18:08,078 --> 00:18:11,038 Speaker 1: just following behind him, and I just felt in love 340 00:18:11,118 --> 00:18:13,158 Speaker 1: with it the way he played. He would come home 341 00:18:13,198 --> 00:18:17,438 Speaker 1: from high school as a catcher and limping, getting spike ankle, 342 00:18:17,598 --> 00:18:19,798 Speaker 1: everything all bloody, And I said, you know what, that's 343 00:18:19,798 --> 00:18:21,478 Speaker 1: how I want to, you know, want to play the 344 00:18:21,478 --> 00:18:24,518 Speaker 1: game hard. And he bought a lot of that just 345 00:18:24,598 --> 00:18:27,638 Speaker 1: watching him play. That's great. And by the way, Kenny 346 00:18:27,638 --> 00:18:30,998 Speaker 1: had find a really fine arm. Also, you mentioned his 347 00:18:31,198 --> 00:18:34,318 Speaker 1: uh pitching statistics. But that's why I liked you at 348 00:18:34,358 --> 00:18:36,118 Speaker 1: third basically throw from that side of the field. I 349 00:18:36,118 --> 00:18:37,678 Speaker 1: thought you could. I thought you could have played anywhere 350 00:18:37,678 --> 00:18:39,558 Speaker 1: because for me, I was thinking about this too in 351 00:18:39,598 --> 00:18:42,598 Speaker 1: today's world that I had more experience at that time. 352 00:18:42,638 --> 00:18:44,958 Speaker 1: You're you would have been the perfect super utility guy 353 00:18:44,998 --> 00:18:46,438 Speaker 1: at that time. Mud have been perfect because you could 354 00:18:46,438 --> 00:18:47,918 Speaker 1: have played everywhere. You have the arm to do it, 355 00:18:47,998 --> 00:18:49,878 Speaker 1: you have to speed to do it, you had all 356 00:18:49,878 --> 00:18:52,278 Speaker 1: the different ingredients to do it. So that's that's really 357 00:18:52,358 --> 00:18:54,438 Speaker 1: interesting that your brother had such a wonderful arm too, 358 00:18:54,478 --> 00:18:56,878 Speaker 1: because we even talk about that you could really throw 359 00:18:56,998 --> 00:19:00,838 Speaker 1: to brother. Yeah, I think, uh, my first spring training, 360 00:19:02,158 --> 00:19:05,838 Speaker 1: I think what was his name, pig got Reggie, Reggie 361 00:19:05,838 --> 00:19:09,318 Speaker 1: Montgomery Montgomery right, he was playing. That was my first 362 00:19:09,358 --> 00:19:12,878 Speaker 1: spring twin. That was that third base right, and uh, 363 00:19:13,038 --> 00:19:15,278 Speaker 1: I didn't know they had a clock on me. He 364 00:19:15,358 --> 00:19:18,598 Speaker 1: hit one, I picked it through it the first and 365 00:19:19,278 --> 00:19:21,318 Speaker 1: I forgot who came up to me. I think it 366 00:19:21,358 --> 00:19:23,718 Speaker 1: was and he was a pitching coller. He said, you 367 00:19:23,758 --> 00:19:29,438 Speaker 1: know they called you from third to first Like I 368 00:19:29,478 --> 00:19:32,678 Speaker 1: didn't know. I was just cutting the ball loose. It 369 00:19:32,758 --> 00:19:35,638 Speaker 1: just came so fluently. I just you know, you can 370 00:19:35,678 --> 00:19:37,398 Speaker 1: throw me because I used to have them sit behind 371 00:19:37,438 --> 00:19:39,758 Speaker 1: the first baseman with the gun because I always wanted 372 00:19:39,798 --> 00:19:41,798 Speaker 1: to see how hard I did that as a scout 373 00:19:41,798 --> 00:19:44,798 Speaker 1: when I was scouting, even up in uh In, Utah. 374 00:19:44,918 --> 00:19:47,278 Speaker 1: Bring him young. Corey Snyder had a great arm and 375 00:19:47,798 --> 00:19:49,878 Speaker 1: while he join was playing first base, and I used 376 00:19:49,918 --> 00:19:52,918 Speaker 1: to just sit behind up in Provo just to get 377 00:19:52,998 --> 00:19:56,158 Speaker 1: some throwing uh speeds across the and and Snyder did 378 00:19:56,198 --> 00:19:59,638 Speaker 1: the same thing thrown across from shortstops. So it was 379 00:19:59,678 --> 00:20:02,158 Speaker 1: always curious to get like arm sprints just by that. 380 00:20:02,758 --> 00:20:04,918 Speaker 1: Uh just sneaking on the field with your gun like 381 00:20:04,958 --> 00:20:07,158 Speaker 1: that you could eventually find out, you know, the guys 382 00:20:07,198 --> 00:20:08,758 Speaker 1: got a good right. But then when you could validate 383 00:20:08,838 --> 00:20:11,238 Speaker 1: it and tell your Boston and he threw ninety three 384 00:20:11,478 --> 00:20:15,038 Speaker 1: across the diamond. That's pretty impressive. It just came so easy. 385 00:20:15,158 --> 00:20:18,798 Speaker 1: I mean it did. I know, Like you said, as 386 00:20:18,838 --> 00:20:23,718 Speaker 1: I got older, the games started becoming slower, easier, and 387 00:20:24,238 --> 00:20:26,758 Speaker 1: like everything was starting to be almost kind of like 388 00:20:26,878 --> 00:20:29,318 Speaker 1: high school. You know, I started having fun. But like 389 00:20:29,358 --> 00:20:32,518 Speaker 1: you said, after that day, man, it was when you 390 00:20:32,518 --> 00:20:35,438 Speaker 1: don't understand being so young and one day you're here, 391 00:20:35,558 --> 00:20:38,998 Speaker 1: next day you're gone. I'm like, what happened here? You 392 00:20:39,078 --> 00:20:42,758 Speaker 1: know what's wrong with this picture? So you know it 393 00:20:43,358 --> 00:20:45,358 Speaker 1: hurt it. But then, you know, I said, you know, 394 00:20:45,518 --> 00:20:48,398 Speaker 1: as I got older, you know, even to the day today, 395 00:20:48,478 --> 00:20:51,598 Speaker 1: it still bothers me. But like I said, these kids 396 00:20:51,678 --> 00:20:53,878 Speaker 1: they uh. I even talked to my wife about it 397 00:20:53,918 --> 00:20:57,278 Speaker 1: some time. I was telling about my best buddy, Tom Alfredson. 398 00:20:57,598 --> 00:21:03,318 Speaker 1: T uh. We were eight t and we had an apartment. 399 00:21:03,358 --> 00:21:06,398 Speaker 1: We didn't have a Salem Morga. We both got sent 400 00:21:06,558 --> 00:21:10,878 Speaker 1: back down from Peoria, so we got an apartment together. 401 00:21:11,038 --> 00:21:13,118 Speaker 1: At first, I didn't like the guy, and then you know, 402 00:21:13,318 --> 00:21:16,478 Speaker 1: we became roommates because you know, we knew each other 403 00:21:16,758 --> 00:21:20,198 Speaker 1: because we played prior. So we're walking from an apartment 404 00:21:20,238 --> 00:21:23,918 Speaker 1: to the field and uh, he's dipping, you know, like, hey, 405 00:21:23,998 --> 00:21:26,438 Speaker 1: let me try that. No, no, no, he said, you 406 00:21:26,438 --> 00:21:28,598 Speaker 1: don't want to. You don't want to do this. So 407 00:21:28,638 --> 00:21:32,358 Speaker 1: I bothered him enough. I guess I aggravated him. He said, 408 00:21:32,358 --> 00:21:34,758 Speaker 1: all right, here, he gave me a dip of Copenhagen 409 00:21:34,958 --> 00:21:38,518 Speaker 1: and Joe, I'm still dipping. Oh my god, I remember, man. 410 00:21:38,638 --> 00:21:42,118 Speaker 1: I remember. Hey, By the way, Tommy Alfredson had the 411 00:21:42,158 --> 00:21:44,478 Speaker 1: same kind of tools as dont David Schett. I thought 412 00:21:44,598 --> 00:21:46,798 Speaker 1: he might have had more power than Dot David Schett. 413 00:21:47,318 --> 00:21:49,198 Speaker 1: And that was one that was a big disappointment to 414 00:21:49,238 --> 00:21:51,278 Speaker 1: me that he he didn't get it done. I used 415 00:21:51,318 --> 00:21:54,718 Speaker 1: to call him boy George, if remember, because yeah, I 416 00:21:54,838 --> 00:21:56,798 Speaker 1: thought he had his chair like boy George at the time. 417 00:21:56,878 --> 00:21:58,478 Speaker 1: So I dropped the boy George on him. And one 418 00:21:58,518 --> 00:22:00,958 Speaker 1: day he made like five airs in one game at 419 00:22:00,998 --> 00:22:03,838 Speaker 1: shortstop in Salem. I love the guy that I loved, Tommy. 420 00:22:04,158 --> 00:22:07,598 Speaker 1: You still stay in touch with him? No, that's one 421 00:22:07,638 --> 00:22:10,358 Speaker 1: guy I really want to you know, try to run 422 00:22:10,438 --> 00:22:13,438 Speaker 1: him down for you too. But uh yeah, did he 423 00:22:13,478 --> 00:22:15,558 Speaker 1: went to the outfield? Yeah? Yeah, because he was not 424 00:22:15,598 --> 00:22:17,998 Speaker 1: good on the infield. And then he started that's when 425 00:22:17,998 --> 00:22:21,278 Speaker 1: he started putting the power. He started putting that power again. 426 00:22:21,878 --> 00:22:25,558 Speaker 1: It was it was really strong, really strong. Hey, Kenny, 427 00:22:25,638 --> 00:22:29,118 Speaker 1: I'm sitting here with a questionnaire that you filled out 428 00:22:29,238 --> 00:22:35,078 Speaker 1: in Night seven Kenneth Leon Grant from Patterson, New Jersey, 429 00:22:35,398 --> 00:22:40,198 Speaker 1: And there's a line here that asks for nicknames, and 430 00:22:40,358 --> 00:22:45,318 Speaker 1: for you, you wrote in ice Yeah. Tell me about that. 431 00:22:45,598 --> 00:22:51,558 Speaker 1: Tell me you know it started. I don't, Joe. I 432 00:22:51,598 --> 00:22:53,918 Speaker 1: think I got it from you, coach. I know you 433 00:22:53,998 --> 00:22:57,918 Speaker 1: called me Gumby, he called me Jersey. I think you 434 00:22:57,998 --> 00:23:02,038 Speaker 1: did in Tom Springs. I it just came. That's because 435 00:23:02,078 --> 00:23:05,798 Speaker 1: the game started becoming slow, and I guess just smooth 436 00:23:05,918 --> 00:23:08,678 Speaker 1: with it. I guess I don't know. Well, you never change, 437 00:23:08,678 --> 00:23:10,758 Speaker 1: You never changed. You never changed. I mean I never knew. 438 00:23:10,798 --> 00:23:12,518 Speaker 1: You don't know if you're in trouble or not. I 439 00:23:12,518 --> 00:23:14,758 Speaker 1: mean you even if you have a bad day, you're 440 00:23:14,758 --> 00:23:16,438 Speaker 1: still the same guy. Had a great day, You're still 441 00:23:16,478 --> 00:23:18,478 Speaker 1: the same guy. So maybe I came up with ice 442 00:23:18,518 --> 00:23:20,678 Speaker 1: Man because of that, because you were always on that 443 00:23:20,838 --> 00:23:23,398 Speaker 1: same plane and you people, we talked and you look right. 444 00:23:23,918 --> 00:23:25,918 Speaker 1: You always looked somebody right in the eye when you 445 00:23:25,958 --> 00:23:28,958 Speaker 1: spoke with him. Serious you're speaking to me. I can't 446 00:23:28,998 --> 00:23:30,558 Speaker 1: tell you having a good or bad day. I can't 447 00:23:30,558 --> 00:23:32,238 Speaker 1: tell if you're confused or not. I don't I don't 448 00:23:32,238 --> 00:23:34,198 Speaker 1: know if you've got this or not, because you always 449 00:23:34,198 --> 00:23:36,598 Speaker 1: had that same look, and you always listened. You always 450 00:23:36,678 --> 00:23:39,398 Speaker 1: listened to well. I thought everything was even till with 451 00:23:39,398 --> 00:23:42,878 Speaker 1: me is you can't be so high sol this to 452 00:23:42,998 --> 00:23:46,278 Speaker 1: stay on that even that even plane, you know, blright, 453 00:23:47,078 --> 00:23:49,278 Speaker 1: it's uh, this is one thing I want to bring 454 00:23:49,478 --> 00:23:52,638 Speaker 1: up to this day. I told my wife about it. 455 00:23:52,798 --> 00:23:56,238 Speaker 1: You guys want a road when I first got down Salem, 456 00:23:57,118 --> 00:24:00,278 Speaker 1: and so when you guys got back, I forgot the 457 00:24:00,278 --> 00:24:03,398 Speaker 1: the owner, but he found me back then we you know, 458 00:24:03,518 --> 00:24:06,558 Speaker 1: get was and saws with this old old lady, real nice, 459 00:24:06,678 --> 00:24:10,478 Speaker 1: great lady, and she was telling me about Eugene, Oregon. 460 00:24:10,838 --> 00:24:16,718 Speaker 1: And I'm like, huh, okay, So my first time ever 461 00:24:16,758 --> 00:24:19,318 Speaker 1: in the game, Joe put me in Eugene, Oregon. Man, 462 00:24:19,358 --> 00:24:23,238 Speaker 1: those fans were rough. My first bat. I remember it 463 00:24:23,278 --> 00:24:25,638 Speaker 1: like yesterday, my first a bat. I don't know where 464 00:24:25,638 --> 00:24:28,438 Speaker 1: I hit the ball too, but I took off running 465 00:24:28,438 --> 00:24:31,038 Speaker 1: out of the uh, out of the the batter's box. I 466 00:24:31,118 --> 00:24:33,918 Speaker 1: was so nervous my helmet fell down over my eyes, 467 00:24:33,998 --> 00:24:36,718 Speaker 1: I felt before I got the first and man, to 468 00:24:36,798 --> 00:24:39,918 Speaker 1: this day is I just can't forget it. Man, those 469 00:24:39,958 --> 00:24:43,518 Speaker 1: fans rode me so hard, and that that was kind 470 00:24:43,558 --> 00:24:46,398 Speaker 1: of a wake up calling. Hey, you're you're playing at 471 00:24:46,398 --> 00:24:49,758 Speaker 1: a different level now, and get it together guy. Well Eugene. 472 00:24:49,838 --> 00:24:52,158 Speaker 1: Eugene had a great crowds all the time because it 473 00:24:52,318 --> 00:24:54,358 Speaker 1: was like the standard down the first space side and 474 00:24:54,358 --> 00:24:56,438 Speaker 1: wrapped around a little bit. Yeah, that was the old 475 00:24:56,438 --> 00:24:58,758 Speaker 1: Triple A Ballpark for the Phillies back in the day 476 00:24:58,798 --> 00:25:00,958 Speaker 1: when they had some really good players. Yeah, it was 477 00:25:00,998 --> 00:25:03,118 Speaker 1: always packed. It was always five six thousand people in 478 00:25:03,198 --> 00:25:06,198 Speaker 1: Eugene for an a ball game, a rookie league game. 479 00:25:06,198 --> 00:25:07,798 Speaker 1: It was. It was a great place to play. Think 480 00:25:07,918 --> 00:25:09,918 Speaker 1: they were the Royals at that time. I think, yeah, 481 00:25:09,918 --> 00:25:12,078 Speaker 1: I know they were rough. They were I mean they 482 00:25:12,118 --> 00:25:15,038 Speaker 1: had I guess it was beer night. I don't know, 483 00:25:15,198 --> 00:25:19,918 Speaker 1: but it was. It was. That was rough. But that's 484 00:25:19,958 --> 00:25:23,318 Speaker 1: one of the memories. Man. I just tell my wife 485 00:25:23,358 --> 00:25:26,838 Speaker 1: and I just started laughing. You know, do I have regrets. 486 00:25:27,238 --> 00:25:29,998 Speaker 1: You know, one time I started hating baseball and I say, 487 00:25:29,998 --> 00:25:32,678 Speaker 1: you know what, Baseball didn't do this. You know, something 488 00:25:32,718 --> 00:25:35,718 Speaker 1: just happened that to me that shouldn't happen, and I 489 00:25:35,798 --> 00:25:38,358 Speaker 1: just didn't care for the game anymore. But now, like 490 00:25:38,398 --> 00:25:41,158 Speaker 1: I said, man, these kids, they got me starting to 491 00:25:41,158 --> 00:25:45,478 Speaker 1: get back into it. So it's it's all right. Hey, Kenny, 492 00:25:45,518 --> 00:25:48,238 Speaker 1: I'm wondering when you were growing up in Patterson, besides 493 00:25:48,278 --> 00:25:50,918 Speaker 1: your your older brothers, who are some of the guys, 494 00:25:50,998 --> 00:25:53,198 Speaker 1: if there were guys that you followed as sort of 495 00:25:53,318 --> 00:25:57,038 Speaker 1: role models as major league players where you said to yourself, hey, 496 00:25:57,078 --> 00:25:59,318 Speaker 1: I can do that, you know, I want to follow 497 00:25:59,398 --> 00:26:03,158 Speaker 1: that path, or in other words, do we have the 498 00:26:03,198 --> 00:26:06,878 Speaker 1: same opportunity these now, especially for you know, urban area kids, 499 00:26:06,958 --> 00:26:10,598 Speaker 1: African American kids, that some of the opportunities you had 500 00:26:10,678 --> 00:26:13,838 Speaker 1: or or or role models growing up? You know Ricky 501 00:26:13,878 --> 00:26:17,678 Speaker 1: Henderson because the way he hustle, you know, and that 502 00:26:17,758 --> 00:26:20,278 Speaker 1: was really about it. You know, we watched guys on 503 00:26:20,358 --> 00:26:22,638 Speaker 1: TV because we didn't have computers back then, so you know, 504 00:26:22,678 --> 00:26:25,518 Speaker 1: you have to watch what your father was watching. So 505 00:26:25,838 --> 00:26:27,798 Speaker 1: you know, I was a Yankee fan, you know, but 506 00:26:27,958 --> 00:26:30,798 Speaker 1: Ricky Henderson was my guy. But like the urban area, 507 00:26:30,918 --> 00:26:34,518 Speaker 1: these kids, baseball is too slow. I guess talent. Why 508 00:26:34,518 --> 00:26:37,518 Speaker 1: does you see the talent there? But I coached. I 509 00:26:37,598 --> 00:26:40,038 Speaker 1: have my old team, Duffy Boys. I think maybe I 510 00:26:40,078 --> 00:26:42,958 Speaker 1: have maybe one kid from the neighborhood, black kid. All 511 00:26:42,998 --> 00:26:46,158 Speaker 1: the other kids it's football, basketball, And you know, I 512 00:26:46,198 --> 00:26:48,078 Speaker 1: went to one payment. I said, you know your kids. 513 00:26:48,118 --> 00:26:50,438 Speaker 1: You know it was an athlete, you know, let him 514 00:26:50,438 --> 00:26:53,638 Speaker 1: on tryout for baseball. She told me, oh, no, my 515 00:26:53,678 --> 00:26:56,198 Speaker 1: son is never gonna play baseball because she didn't like it. 516 00:26:57,918 --> 00:27:01,038 Speaker 1: I was like, wow, like this is where it's not now. Huh. 517 00:27:01,398 --> 00:27:03,758 Speaker 1: So you know the parents right now? More like kids 518 00:27:03,958 --> 00:27:07,798 Speaker 1: want to go to games and see their kids run around, jump, shoot, 519 00:27:07,998 --> 00:27:11,478 Speaker 1: run through you know the holes. I guess because it's faster. 520 00:27:11,878 --> 00:27:13,838 Speaker 1: But the baseball is the best sport in the world. 521 00:27:14,598 --> 00:27:17,678 Speaker 1: You get longevity. But I don't know. I don't know 522 00:27:17,718 --> 00:27:19,558 Speaker 1: what to tell you. These kids, just kids in the 523 00:27:19,598 --> 00:27:23,238 Speaker 1: other neighborhoods, just don't want to play. Is there anything 524 00:27:23,278 --> 00:27:26,358 Speaker 1: you you might recommend to to turn that around? Tell 525 00:27:26,398 --> 00:27:29,198 Speaker 1: you the truth, though, I have no answers, especially if 526 00:27:29,198 --> 00:27:32,798 Speaker 1: you go to the parents. Sometimes the kid wants to play. 527 00:27:32,838 --> 00:27:35,438 Speaker 1: But like I said, the parents like, no, he has 528 00:27:35,878 --> 00:27:39,638 Speaker 1: football practice. You know, I don't want to interrupt with basketball, 529 00:27:39,998 --> 00:27:42,678 Speaker 1: Like you're two different seasons. I say, your kids, is 530 00:27:42,838 --> 00:27:45,958 Speaker 1: I see your husband, you're you're five to your husband 531 00:27:46,038 --> 00:27:48,358 Speaker 1: is maybe five eight? You know, I don't see no. 532 00:27:49,118 --> 00:27:51,638 Speaker 1: I don't see no five eight point guards anymore. Magic. 533 00:27:52,278 --> 00:27:56,118 Speaker 1: You know, magic Johnson magic Johnson rule did for all 534 00:27:56,158 --> 00:27:59,998 Speaker 1: the small guys in basketball. You know. But I guess 535 00:27:59,998 --> 00:28:03,038 Speaker 1: the parents want to be excited, you know, not tell 536 00:28:03,118 --> 00:28:05,198 Speaker 1: some parents is not the about you. You have to 537 00:28:05,198 --> 00:28:08,478 Speaker 1: give your kids as many opportunities. It's possible if he's 538 00:28:08,518 --> 00:28:11,358 Speaker 1: an athlete, let him play everything. But you know, they 539 00:28:11,678 --> 00:28:15,198 Speaker 1: cross out this, cross out that, and he's just gonna 540 00:28:15,238 --> 00:28:18,838 Speaker 1: do this. Okay, you're limited your kids, Kenny, That's interesting 541 00:28:18,838 --> 00:28:20,358 Speaker 1: that I never I thought, never thought of it from 542 00:28:20,358 --> 00:28:23,198 Speaker 1: that angle with the influence of the parents really not 543 00:28:23,238 --> 00:28:25,238 Speaker 1: wanting to play based on the stuff that you're saying, 544 00:28:25,238 --> 00:28:29,118 Speaker 1: because you're also talking about specialization where everybody needs to 545 00:28:29,158 --> 00:28:33,238 Speaker 1: specialize in one sport all year round primarily, and a 546 00:28:33,278 --> 00:28:35,438 Speaker 1: lot of the parents that do gather at these games 547 00:28:35,438 --> 00:28:37,758 Speaker 1: and these events, and again even dressed right down to 548 00:28:37,798 --> 00:28:40,078 Speaker 1: travel teams that are paying for your kid to play. 549 00:28:40,078 --> 00:28:42,718 Speaker 1: They're all looking to try to buy them into professional 550 00:28:42,758 --> 00:28:46,678 Speaker 1: sports and and eventually become a superstar in a major 551 00:28:46,998 --> 00:28:51,238 Speaker 1: major league baseball, football, basketball. But I never really heard 552 00:28:51,278 --> 00:28:53,318 Speaker 1: the take what you're talking about where the influence of 553 00:28:53,318 --> 00:28:56,038 Speaker 1: the parent actually is that we don't want them to 554 00:28:56,038 --> 00:28:57,918 Speaker 1: do that. We want them just to specialize in this 555 00:28:57,958 --> 00:28:59,958 Speaker 1: one or that one in And the part of the 556 00:29:00,078 --> 00:29:01,598 Speaker 1: you're talking, you're hitting the nail on the head with 557 00:29:01,678 --> 00:29:03,358 Speaker 1: the speed of the game or the pace of the game. 558 00:29:04,118 --> 00:29:07,238 Speaker 1: And that's why it's being addressed right now. So curiously 559 00:29:07,318 --> 00:29:09,958 Speaker 1: moving down at the end of the season, we'll we'll 560 00:29:09,998 --> 00:29:12,758 Speaker 1: talk again when you get to watch major league baseball 561 00:29:12,798 --> 00:29:15,038 Speaker 1: with the clock on it now, and the the fact 562 00:29:15,038 --> 00:29:17,838 Speaker 1: that the pace of the game should be improved. Curious 563 00:29:18,198 --> 00:29:20,878 Speaker 1: to take on it after that, where the the ball 564 00:29:20,918 --> 00:29:23,158 Speaker 1: should be put in play more consistent at least thrown 565 00:29:23,198 --> 00:29:26,158 Speaker 1: more rapidly, and see how people react to that, See 566 00:29:26,158 --> 00:29:28,838 Speaker 1: how you react to that, because now, like like we 567 00:29:28,918 --> 00:29:32,718 Speaker 1: talked earlier, I really don't even watch it, Holly, you know, 568 00:29:32,838 --> 00:29:36,398 Speaker 1: it's if a good Western design, I'll watch the Western 569 00:29:36,438 --> 00:29:40,958 Speaker 1: before I watch baseball. You get that from Bubba, Little 570 00:29:40,958 --> 00:29:44,038 Speaker 1: Bubba I taught you that's Addie Murphy, that's my guy. 571 00:29:44,438 --> 00:29:51,398 Speaker 1: But god, Ken, that is awesome. But the game changed 572 00:29:51,438 --> 00:29:53,918 Speaker 1: so much. Even now they have these kids with this 573 00:29:54,118 --> 00:29:57,118 Speaker 1: uh launch angle. You know, you got a kid nine 574 00:29:57,278 --> 00:29:59,478 Speaker 1: years old with a with a hole in his bat already, 575 00:29:59,758 --> 00:30:04,438 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, so we're gonna here, You're gonna 576 00:30:04,478 --> 00:30:07,438 Speaker 1: pop up to the shortstop. You know, like baseball it 577 00:30:07,638 --> 00:30:09,998 Speaker 1: is so different to hit. Remember we talked to hit 578 00:30:10,078 --> 00:30:14,238 Speaker 1: and run, Joe. I'll tell you right now, is I 579 00:30:14,358 --> 00:30:17,238 Speaker 1: killed teams with that. I played baseball the way I 580 00:30:17,278 --> 00:30:19,878 Speaker 1: think it should be played, the hit and run hitting. 581 00:30:20,438 --> 00:30:23,398 Speaker 1: If you catch your can throw still on you all day. 582 00:30:24,198 --> 00:30:26,398 Speaker 1: You know, coaches said, oh man, how you how you 583 00:30:26,438 --> 00:30:29,278 Speaker 1: win with that team? You work? You know, you got 584 00:30:29,278 --> 00:30:31,758 Speaker 1: to learn the kids. And I guess that's what happened 585 00:30:31,758 --> 00:30:34,998 Speaker 1: with me. You knew me, but you didn't really know 586 00:30:35,118 --> 00:30:38,078 Speaker 1: my demeanor or or really got to know the inside 587 00:30:38,078 --> 00:30:40,758 Speaker 1: of me is as as a person. But I think 588 00:30:40,798 --> 00:30:43,478 Speaker 1: I said, it still bothers me. But but that's all right. Now, 589 00:30:43,678 --> 00:30:46,278 Speaker 1: Everything is all right. You know, kid complain too much. 590 00:30:46,558 --> 00:30:49,198 Speaker 1: But the kids, the kids. Right now, I'm starting to 591 00:30:49,198 --> 00:30:52,118 Speaker 1: really get that into it. Baseball is starting to come 592 00:30:52,158 --> 00:30:54,638 Speaker 1: back to me. A little bit. Yeah, that's great to hear. 593 00:30:54,678 --> 00:30:56,318 Speaker 1: I love to hear it as well. We're going to 594 00:30:56,398 --> 00:30:58,838 Speaker 1: take a quick break, Kenny, and when we come back, 595 00:30:59,118 --> 00:31:02,998 Speaker 1: it is time for a reading from the Book of Joe. 596 00:31:04,318 --> 00:31:14,678 Speaker 1: H Welcome back to the Book of Joe podcast. Our 597 00:31:14,678 --> 00:31:19,118 Speaker 1: guest is Kenny Grant, minor league player for the California Angels. 598 00:31:19,158 --> 00:31:22,078 Speaker 1: And Kenny. Normally we have guests pick a number out 599 00:31:22,118 --> 00:31:23,678 Speaker 1: of the book and we read a page out of 600 00:31:23,718 --> 00:31:25,518 Speaker 1: the book. But in this case, I want to make 601 00:31:25,558 --> 00:31:27,678 Speaker 1: sure that we go back to the section of the 602 00:31:27,678 --> 00:31:32,518 Speaker 1: book where Joe writes and speaks very eloquently about the 603 00:31:32,598 --> 00:31:37,558 Speaker 1: day nine when he has farm director or coordinator released 604 00:31:37,598 --> 00:31:40,718 Speaker 1: you from the Angels organization. So I'm gonna make the 605 00:31:40,798 --> 00:31:43,998 Speaker 1: choice for you. This is a page one thirty two 606 00:31:44,078 --> 00:31:47,198 Speaker 1: of the Book of Joe. This is Joe Madden speaking 607 00:31:47,198 --> 00:31:51,878 Speaker 1: about releasing Kenny Grant. Of course I cried this one hurt. 608 00:31:52,678 --> 00:31:55,758 Speaker 1: Normally I'm really good at maintaining an emotional separation, but 609 00:31:56,198 --> 00:31:59,318 Speaker 1: sometimes you just can't. And there's this great line, I 610 00:31:59,398 --> 00:32:05,038 Speaker 1: love honesty without compassion equals cruelty. So you're honest, but 611 00:32:05,078 --> 00:32:07,558 Speaker 1: you never beat up or blow anybody up because you're honest, 612 00:32:07,758 --> 00:32:10,318 Speaker 1: and you pretty much know your students, your pupil. You 613 00:32:10,358 --> 00:32:12,758 Speaker 1: know what he can deal with and what he cannot. 614 00:32:13,078 --> 00:32:14,998 Speaker 1: So to what level you want to go to regarding 615 00:32:15,038 --> 00:32:17,598 Speaker 1: total honesty, go for it. And if you can't, be 616 00:32:17,678 --> 00:32:20,278 Speaker 1: aware of that too. But he's got to know the 617 00:32:20,318 --> 00:32:22,838 Speaker 1: straight up at what level you can present to him. 618 00:32:22,878 --> 00:32:25,278 Speaker 1: And I did, and I told him about pretty much. 619 00:32:25,718 --> 00:32:28,798 Speaker 1: They weren't getting there, and that's it. We shake hands, 620 00:32:29,118 --> 00:32:31,478 Speaker 1: he walks out the door, and you sit there and 621 00:32:31,478 --> 00:32:34,798 Speaker 1: you ask yourself, where did I screw up? Where did 622 00:32:34,918 --> 00:32:38,118 Speaker 1: I fail in this process? It's tough. It's tough because 623 00:32:38,318 --> 00:32:40,358 Speaker 1: I was that guy when I was released. It happened 624 00:32:40,358 --> 00:32:42,918 Speaker 1: in the wintertime. I was in Salinas and I got 625 00:32:42,998 --> 00:32:45,238 Speaker 1: that letter in the mail that the Angels were letting 626 00:32:45,238 --> 00:32:48,038 Speaker 1: me go. Apparently they were dropping a full club. I 627 00:32:48,038 --> 00:32:50,158 Speaker 1: guess twenty five or thirty of us were just lopped 628 00:32:50,198 --> 00:32:53,478 Speaker 1: off immediately. I think Mike Port was the purveyor of 629 00:32:53,518 --> 00:32:56,078 Speaker 1: the bad news, And of course I hated Michael at 630 00:32:56,078 --> 00:32:58,598 Speaker 1: that time. I wish I had an opportunity to be 631 00:32:58,638 --> 00:33:00,998 Speaker 1: in the same room with him. I mean, I had 632 00:33:01,038 --> 00:33:03,278 Speaker 1: that kind of fire. I don't think I would have 633 00:33:03,278 --> 00:33:06,118 Speaker 1: done anything, but you think you would, you get that 634 00:33:06,198 --> 00:33:10,078 Speaker 1: letter and then your dreams are absolutely crushed. That was 635 00:33:10,118 --> 00:33:12,798 Speaker 1: the winter of seventy. Of course, I was going to 636 00:33:12,798 --> 00:33:15,158 Speaker 1: be a player in the major leagues with the California Angels, 637 00:33:15,438 --> 00:33:19,198 Speaker 1: and Kenny probably thought the same thing. It's a tremendous 638 00:33:19,278 --> 00:33:22,518 Speaker 1: blow to your confidence and your ego. And that's the 639 00:33:22,558 --> 00:33:25,198 Speaker 1: beauty of my past. My professional baseball life was anything 640 00:33:25,238 --> 00:33:28,718 Speaker 1: but glamorous. I can empathize with anybody. When your ultimate 641 00:33:28,838 --> 00:33:32,678 Speaker 1: dream is crushed, that's tough. And when you're the purveyor 642 00:33:32,958 --> 00:33:37,318 Speaker 1: of or the crusher of that, wow, that is really hard. 643 00:33:37,758 --> 00:33:40,318 Speaker 1: And as I'm talking about it right now, I've got 644 00:33:40,318 --> 00:33:42,358 Speaker 1: to catch my breath a couple of times only because 645 00:33:42,358 --> 00:33:44,998 Speaker 1: I felt it and I still still feel it. There 646 00:33:44,998 --> 00:33:48,158 Speaker 1: you go, Kenny, Um, you probably didn't recognize how much 647 00:33:48,238 --> 00:33:51,078 Speaker 1: that affected Joe Madden, but here we are thirty four 648 00:33:51,158 --> 00:33:55,438 Speaker 1: years later, and Joe you probably can still feel it. Thanks, Thanks, 649 00:33:55,718 --> 00:33:58,998 Speaker 1: really appreciate it. Thanks happen. What do you gotta do? 650 00:33:59,038 --> 00:34:02,398 Speaker 1: You got you know, you gotta live, I hope. So 651 00:34:02,638 --> 00:34:06,118 Speaker 1: I'm glad to hear I'm really glad to hear that, Kenny. 652 00:34:06,518 --> 00:34:08,278 Speaker 1: I mean, I mean, like I said, it ate me 653 00:34:08,358 --> 00:34:10,318 Speaker 1: up for a while. Like I said, now is it 654 00:34:10,398 --> 00:34:13,918 Speaker 1: starting to find my way back a little bit? There's 655 00:34:13,958 --> 00:34:16,118 Speaker 1: there was there so many similarities, Kenn. I mean, you're 656 00:34:16,118 --> 00:34:21,318 Speaker 1: just expressing everything during this podcast, your own personal feelings 657 00:34:21,318 --> 00:34:24,118 Speaker 1: and thoughts on the moment and how it's impacted your 658 00:34:24,118 --> 00:34:27,038 Speaker 1: life afterwards, and even to the point now where it's 659 00:34:27,038 --> 00:34:29,598 Speaker 1: still there. You're kind of forgiven it, but it's still there. 660 00:34:30,558 --> 00:34:34,278 Speaker 1: I get it. I get it completely, and you've back 661 00:34:34,318 --> 00:34:36,838 Speaker 1: then that was I was very early on as my 662 00:34:37,078 --> 00:34:39,318 Speaker 1: as a coach and a mind league manager, scout whatever, 663 00:34:40,478 --> 00:34:42,318 Speaker 1: and uh, you guys were a lot closer to me 664 00:34:42,358 --> 00:34:45,398 Speaker 1: an age obviously than then. I even remembered her thought. 665 00:34:45,438 --> 00:34:48,798 Speaker 1: But there was such an impact, and yours was the first, 666 00:34:50,118 --> 00:34:52,558 Speaker 1: really in an a visceral way that I felt it 667 00:34:53,318 --> 00:34:55,718 Speaker 1: when we sat there and talked that day, And like 668 00:34:55,718 --> 00:34:56,958 Speaker 1: I said, it wouldn't be I knew you were a 669 00:34:56,958 --> 00:35:00,118 Speaker 1: good baseball player, and I knew it was too soon. 670 00:35:00,158 --> 00:35:04,718 Speaker 1: But I guess I said retrospectively, I should have fought harder. 671 00:35:04,798 --> 00:35:07,638 Speaker 1: I I really should have fought harder too. Had the 672 00:35:07,638 --> 00:35:10,158 Speaker 1: Aggles retain you at that point, because he's you you, 673 00:35:10,158 --> 00:35:11,998 Speaker 1: you would have played a long time brother. You would 674 00:35:11,998 --> 00:35:13,398 Speaker 1: have played, you would have played deeply. I don't know 675 00:35:13,438 --> 00:35:14,598 Speaker 1: if you'd have been a major league player, but we 676 00:35:14,638 --> 00:35:16,958 Speaker 1: definitely would have gotten a triple A, which would have 677 00:35:17,078 --> 00:35:21,078 Speaker 1: eventually given you that opportunity to get there. So, um, yeah, 678 00:35:21,278 --> 00:35:24,398 Speaker 1: it's it does it's things. It's still stings. Um, you 679 00:35:24,398 --> 00:35:27,558 Speaker 1: know I was wrong. We were wrong, and uh you were. 680 00:35:27,598 --> 00:35:29,318 Speaker 1: You were a lot better bite baseball player than just 681 00:35:29,358 --> 00:35:31,878 Speaker 1: a couple of years in eight ball. Thank you, thank you. 682 00:35:32,158 --> 00:35:36,518 Speaker 1: It's it's getting there. It's getting there. You know. I 683 00:35:36,638 --> 00:35:39,438 Speaker 1: coached him like how Like I said, I learned a 684 00:35:39,478 --> 00:35:42,518 Speaker 1: lot from you, and that's what I'm giving it. I'm 685 00:35:42,518 --> 00:35:45,038 Speaker 1: giving them everything that I've got. And you know, like 686 00:35:45,078 --> 00:35:46,638 Speaker 1: I told him, let me give you everything I have. 687 00:35:46,838 --> 00:35:49,118 Speaker 1: I want that back out of you, and I'm getting that. 688 00:35:49,398 --> 00:35:52,438 Speaker 1: So it's it's all right, it's all right. Well, it 689 00:35:52,518 --> 00:35:56,598 Speaker 1: just sounds like you're a wonderful family man. Your grandkids. 690 00:35:56,638 --> 00:36:00,438 Speaker 1: I have grandkids myself. I understand that. Um. I just 691 00:36:00,998 --> 00:36:03,238 Speaker 1: the thing that might take away people won't understand. But 692 00:36:03,438 --> 00:36:04,958 Speaker 1: like I've talked in to the same guy talked two 693 00:36:05,038 --> 00:36:07,718 Speaker 1: years ago. The thing I love, Kenny, you're really expressing 694 00:36:07,758 --> 00:36:10,318 Speaker 1: yourself so well. Uh. You know, back then, as a 695 00:36:10,358 --> 00:36:12,318 Speaker 1: young man and as a young player, you would definitely 696 00:36:12,318 --> 00:36:14,078 Speaker 1: not open up to me like you are right now. 697 00:36:15,078 --> 00:36:18,478 Speaker 1: And I'm impressed. I'm impressed with how you're expressing yourself. 698 00:36:18,478 --> 00:36:21,318 Speaker 1: I'm impressed. I feel I feel good for the people 699 00:36:21,358 --> 00:36:23,158 Speaker 1: in that particular area that's going to get you to 700 00:36:23,198 --> 00:36:25,478 Speaker 1: coach their kids because I know you're doing it for 701 00:36:25,518 --> 00:36:27,278 Speaker 1: all the right reasons. I know what your heart is 702 00:36:27,918 --> 00:36:31,198 Speaker 1: and your intellect and your knowledge. So just moving forward, 703 00:36:31,198 --> 00:36:32,838 Speaker 1: I've been I'm gonna definitely try to make it out 704 00:36:32,878 --> 00:36:34,318 Speaker 1: there when I get back East. I'll give you a 705 00:36:34,318 --> 00:36:36,078 Speaker 1: blast in advance to try to get out there and 706 00:36:36,118 --> 00:36:39,078 Speaker 1: visit with you guys. But I know you're gonna be 707 00:36:39,158 --> 00:36:43,238 Speaker 1: very successful with this, and I hope UM Baseball resonates 708 00:36:43,278 --> 00:36:45,678 Speaker 1: with you in a way again like it did prior 709 00:36:45,678 --> 00:36:47,398 Speaker 1: to that day when we let you go, because you 710 00:36:47,438 --> 00:36:50,158 Speaker 1: have so much stoffer to these kids. Hey, Kenny, really 711 00:36:50,158 --> 00:36:53,078 Speaker 1: appreciate it. Man. This was awesome. I'm so glad we're 712 00:36:53,078 --> 00:36:55,838 Speaker 1: able to find you get you on here, and uh, 713 00:36:55,878 --> 00:36:57,558 Speaker 1: I'm glad people get a chance to get to know 714 00:36:57,638 --> 00:37:00,678 Speaker 1: you through this podcast. So thanks so much, Thank you, guys. 715 00:37:00,758 --> 00:37:04,118 Speaker 1: I appreciate it. Well, Joe, that was quite a bit 716 00:37:04,158 --> 00:37:06,358 Speaker 1: with Kenny Grant. I'm so glad that we got him 717 00:37:06,398 --> 00:37:08,798 Speaker 1: on here. I'm sure it was. It was pretty powerful 718 00:37:08,838 --> 00:37:11,638 Speaker 1: for you. Huh. It was again not having heard him 719 00:37:11,638 --> 00:37:13,758 Speaker 1: in a while. He's a grown man last time I 720 00:37:13,758 --> 00:37:15,558 Speaker 1: saw him, he's a young man just leaving an an 721 00:37:15,678 --> 00:37:18,718 Speaker 1: roy baseball organization. But I was so impressed with his 722 00:37:18,998 --> 00:37:22,918 Speaker 1: uh ability to convey his thoughts, the fact that very 723 00:37:22,918 --> 00:37:27,318 Speaker 1: honest about the fact that was kind of baseball beat 724 00:37:27,398 --> 00:37:28,838 Speaker 1: him up a little bit right there, cut him a 725 00:37:28,838 --> 00:37:31,118 Speaker 1: little bit, and he's trying to let him back in 726 00:37:31,238 --> 00:37:32,438 Speaker 1: right now. I was trying to let the game back 727 00:37:32,478 --> 00:37:35,358 Speaker 1: in and he's doing it through teaching and coaching. Um. 728 00:37:35,398 --> 00:37:37,638 Speaker 1: It was just resonated to me, and I was reminded 729 00:37:37,638 --> 00:37:39,718 Speaker 1: of what a good guy this guy is, just a 730 00:37:39,758 --> 00:37:43,358 Speaker 1: good person. Uh and and then and again it reminds 731 00:37:43,358 --> 00:37:45,398 Speaker 1: me of why I enjoyed being around him so much 732 00:37:45,398 --> 00:37:48,278 Speaker 1: and why I felt that I felt the day that 733 00:37:48,318 --> 00:37:51,918 Speaker 1: we let him go. I'm definitely gonna make an attempt 734 00:37:51,918 --> 00:37:53,758 Speaker 1: to get to see him when I get when we 735 00:37:53,798 --> 00:37:57,198 Speaker 1: get back east this summer again. But God, that was 736 00:37:57,598 --> 00:38:00,318 Speaker 1: it was powerful and I really hope people take the 737 00:38:00,358 --> 00:38:02,318 Speaker 1: time to listen to that because he he does cover 738 00:38:02,398 --> 00:38:06,798 Speaker 1: some really interesting points there too. And uh, the fact 739 00:38:06,838 --> 00:38:09,278 Speaker 1: that he's been able to move on without any kind 740 00:38:09,318 --> 00:38:12,878 Speaker 1: of really real animosity for the game in a way 741 00:38:12,918 --> 00:38:16,238 Speaker 1: for giving us for I really believe we messed it up. 742 00:38:17,438 --> 00:38:20,198 Speaker 1: We did. And now he's making this comeback in his 743 00:38:20,358 --> 00:38:22,558 Speaker 1: late fifties and getting back involved with the game and 744 00:38:22,638 --> 00:38:25,358 Speaker 1: passed it along. I love it, absolutely love it. Yeah, 745 00:38:25,638 --> 00:38:28,118 Speaker 1: it makes me wonder how many other Kenny Grants were 746 00:38:28,118 --> 00:38:30,918 Speaker 1: out there in the eighties, when let's face it, we 747 00:38:30,958 --> 00:38:34,838 Speaker 1: have better ways to evaluate the value and contributions of 748 00:38:34,838 --> 00:38:37,478 Speaker 1: a player. You know, at the time, you know, it 749 00:38:37,558 --> 00:38:40,078 Speaker 1: was batting average, it was runs bettered in, not a 750 00:38:40,158 --> 00:38:42,678 Speaker 1: lot of attention being paid to just the art of 751 00:38:42,718 --> 00:38:45,918 Speaker 1: getting on base, and that was one of Kenny's best skills. 752 00:38:45,918 --> 00:38:48,638 Speaker 1: A guy who can play multiple positions, run well and 753 00:38:48,718 --> 00:38:51,838 Speaker 1: get on base. Was it a big power guy. But 754 00:38:51,958 --> 00:38:54,078 Speaker 1: back in the day that wasn't valued as much as 755 00:38:54,078 --> 00:38:57,398 Speaker 1: it as it was now. So maybe out of his time, 756 00:38:57,438 --> 00:38:59,678 Speaker 1: and hopefully now baseball is getting back to a game 757 00:38:59,718 --> 00:39:01,518 Speaker 1: that's going to have more Kenny Grants in it, with 758 00:39:01,598 --> 00:39:04,038 Speaker 1: room for guys who get on base, ath let us, 759 00:39:04,038 --> 00:39:08,118 Speaker 1: some speed, positional flexibility, all valued. I love the way 760 00:39:08,118 --> 00:39:09,718 Speaker 1: he said he's beating up other teams with the hit 761 00:39:09,758 --> 00:39:11,798 Speaker 1: and run. It's stole the basis, what are you doing 762 00:39:11,798 --> 00:39:15,038 Speaker 1: over there with those guys? That's so good. We talked 763 00:39:15,038 --> 00:39:17,558 Speaker 1: briefly the other day when I when I reconnected with 764 00:39:17,678 --> 00:39:20,158 Speaker 1: them and we started ramblings and then no, no hold back. 765 00:39:20,198 --> 00:39:22,158 Speaker 1: I don't I want you to say all this stuff 766 00:39:22,158 --> 00:39:25,718 Speaker 1: on the on the podcast, and he did. It's, Um, 767 00:39:26,198 --> 00:39:28,078 Speaker 1: you know, you don't even realize the impact you're making 768 00:39:28,118 --> 00:39:30,518 Speaker 1: on people at certain times. Um, you know, I'm the 769 00:39:30,518 --> 00:39:32,398 Speaker 1: coach and the manager, all that kind of good stuff. 770 00:39:32,398 --> 00:39:35,398 Speaker 1: But you do, you leave, You leave a mark, and 771 00:39:35,438 --> 00:39:39,278 Speaker 1: hopefully it's a positive one. Speaking of leaving marks, you 772 00:39:39,358 --> 00:39:41,198 Speaker 1: got one to leave on this episode of the Book 773 00:39:41,238 --> 00:39:43,758 Speaker 1: of Joe. Yeah, I think it. I think it kind 774 00:39:43,758 --> 00:39:47,038 Speaker 1: of applies. And it's one of my favorite quote quotable 775 00:39:47,078 --> 00:39:52,358 Speaker 1: people Winston Churchill. The pessimists sees difficulty and every opportunity, 776 00:39:52,958 --> 00:39:56,798 Speaker 1: and the optimists sees the opportunity and every difficulty. Pretty 777 00:39:56,838 --> 00:39:59,918 Speaker 1: much where Kenny's at right now and how he's conducted 778 00:39:59,958 --> 00:40:03,238 Speaker 1: his life from that moment on and again you can't 779 00:40:03,278 --> 00:40:05,958 Speaker 1: under under estimate that this is that you've heard the 780 00:40:06,038 --> 00:40:09,078 Speaker 1: passion in his voice and the dreams. And I can't 781 00:40:09,078 --> 00:40:11,238 Speaker 1: believe he didn't play after that. I mean, I really 782 00:40:11,278 --> 00:40:14,198 Speaker 1: can't believe that nobody gave him another opportunity, or maybe 783 00:40:14,638 --> 00:40:17,078 Speaker 1: he was just so turned off that he chose to 784 00:40:17,118 --> 00:40:20,878 Speaker 1: do something else. He said, he tried softball whatever. Uh, 785 00:40:20,878 --> 00:40:23,118 Speaker 1: it's you just gotta be careful, man. You gotta be careful. 786 00:40:23,238 --> 00:40:26,198 Speaker 1: You gotta be with your evaluations. Never make them cavalier 787 00:40:27,038 --> 00:40:30,278 Speaker 1: because you're impacting lives. Obviously, now his has turned out well. 788 00:40:30,278 --> 00:40:33,878 Speaker 1: He sounds very happy. But he talked about Mark mckamah, 789 00:40:34,038 --> 00:40:36,718 Speaker 1: that's what we called fluff and some other guys that 790 00:40:36,758 --> 00:40:41,158 Speaker 1: achieved the big leagues while he was there. Pete Coachman 791 00:40:41,198 --> 00:40:43,318 Speaker 1: could hit it was there was a nice group back then. 792 00:40:43,318 --> 00:40:45,518 Speaker 1: It was a really good group. So I love the 793 00:40:45,558 --> 00:40:49,998 Speaker 1: fact that he's he doesn't harbor uh resentment so badly 794 00:40:50,038 --> 00:40:52,438 Speaker 1: that he can't forgive and let the game back in 795 00:40:52,598 --> 00:40:55,038 Speaker 1: and now he's ready to pass it along to others. 796 00:40:55,078 --> 00:40:58,678 Speaker 1: I think it's outstanding. Absolutely. I could see him smiling 797 00:40:58,718 --> 00:41:01,358 Speaker 1: as he spoke, and hopefully he keeps that here going 798 00:41:01,478 --> 00:41:03,758 Speaker 1: especially with the young kids. That's who he is. Hey, 799 00:41:03,958 --> 00:41:06,638 Speaker 1: you've got an upcoming exciting event you should know about. 800 00:41:06,718 --> 00:41:10,278 Speaker 1: It's the Savannah Book Festival. Joe and I will be 801 00:41:10,358 --> 00:41:13,118 Speaker 1: at the Savannah Book Festival to make our presentation on 802 00:41:13,318 --> 00:41:15,958 Speaker 1: the Book of Joe. You're more than welcome to join. 803 00:41:16,078 --> 00:41:19,318 Speaker 1: It's a huge weekend in Savannah. Many different authors will 804 00:41:19,358 --> 00:41:23,358 Speaker 1: be there talking about their books, doing readings, taking questions. 805 00:41:23,838 --> 00:41:26,758 Speaker 1: It's a great place to listen to not just us, 806 00:41:26,958 --> 00:41:31,078 Speaker 1: but many other authors. So check it out Saturday February 807 00:41:31,438 --> 00:41:34,998 Speaker 1: in Savannah, Georgia. Looking forward to that, Joe, same here, Tommy. 808 00:41:34,998 --> 00:41:36,638 Speaker 1: It's going to be quite an experience for me. This 809 00:41:36,718 --> 00:41:38,478 Speaker 1: is something you're kind of used to. This is uh 810 00:41:38,878 --> 00:41:40,758 Speaker 1: fish shout of water from you. But I'm looking forward 811 00:41:40,758 --> 00:41:42,918 Speaker 1: to it, and it's a great place to get your 812 00:41:42,958 --> 00:41:45,878 Speaker 1: book signed. We will be signing books at the event, 813 00:41:45,958 --> 00:41:47,878 Speaker 1: so put that on your calendar. A couple of good 814 00:41:47,918 --> 00:41:49,878 Speaker 1: golf courses nearby from what I understand, so it'll be 815 00:41:49,918 --> 00:41:51,798 Speaker 1: a good couple of days. It sounds great. I'll see 816 00:41:51,798 --> 00:41:58,398 Speaker 1: you next time on the Book of Joey. The Book 817 00:41:58,438 --> 00:42:01,318 Speaker 1: of Joe podcast is a production of I Heart Radio. 818 00:42:01,518 --> 00:42:04,278 Speaker 1: For more podcasts for my heart Radio, visit the i 819 00:42:04,398 --> 00:42:08,398 Speaker 1: heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.