1 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:05,320 Speaker 1: All right, this is Billy Wagner and this is the 2 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:05,920 Speaker 1: Philly Show. 3 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 2: Ruben Tomorrow, Junior, Jim Salisbury, Todd Z A lucky brought 4 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 2: to you by the Foul Territory Network. How is everybody doing? 5 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:19,440 Speaker 2: I hope you are doing well. The holidays are almost here, 6 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:23,159 Speaker 2: just days away, and we have a special gift for 7 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 2: all of you. Last week we spend some time with 8 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:30,280 Speaker 2: former Phillies closer Billy Wagner. Billy Wagner, who's going to 9 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 2: find out next month January twenty first, to be specific, 10 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 2: six pm Eastern on MLB Network if he has finally 11 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:42,920 Speaker 2: been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Billy 12 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:45,600 Speaker 2: is in his tenth and final year of eligibility with 13 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:50,360 Speaker 2: the BBWAA. He fell five votes short last year or 14 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:52,599 Speaker 2: earlier this year, I should say, so, he has a 15 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 2: great chance of getting in. Obviously, he hopes to get in. 16 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 2: Jim Rubin and I all think he is worthy of 17 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:01,279 Speaker 2: getting in. Billy for the Phillies two thousand and four, 18 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 2: two thousand and five, may the NL All Star Team 19 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:06,479 Speaker 2: in two thousand and five. Before we start this interview, 20 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:07,959 Speaker 2: I want to kind of just read to use some 21 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 2: of the stats on Billy's career and why I think 22 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 2: he's Hall of Fame worthy. Eighth in baseball history, four 23 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 2: hundred and twenty two saves, finish his career with a 24 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:21,120 Speaker 2: two point three to one ERA. It's second best, second 25 00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:25,679 Speaker 2: lowest in baseball history of any pitcher with seven hundred 26 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:28,320 Speaker 2: and fifty or more career innings. The only pitcher better 27 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 2: Mariano Rivera. Billy Wagner first in baseball history in strikeouts 28 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 2: per nine innings nine hundred more career innings eleven point 29 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 2: nine strikeouts per nine innings, lowest opponents batting average against 30 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 2: point one eight seven. Highest strikeout rate thirty three point 31 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 2: two percent. And when you look at those strikeout numbers 32 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 2: for Billy Wagner and you look at the guys just 33 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 2: below them on the list, they're all current modern day 34 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 2: pitchers Snell, Chris Sale, Robbie Ray, Jacob Degram, Max Suser. 35 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:06,760 Speaker 2: Billy was a unicorn in a day when guys did 36 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 2: not blow one hundred mile heaters nasty sliders past everybody. 37 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 2: Billy Wagner did it, and we wanted to have Billy 38 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,840 Speaker 2: on for quite a long time. Billy's a lot of 39 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 2: fun to cover, obviously, he's dominating the back end of 40 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 2: the bullpen, but also a very candid person, a good 41 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 2: person in general. And one of my favorite stories in 42 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 2: baseball history involves Billy Wagner and Jim Salisbury spring training 43 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:40,359 Speaker 2: of two thousand and five. Stay tuned, you're gonna love 44 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 2: that one. Billy Wagner, everybody, Billy Wagner Man, thank you 45 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 2: so much for joining the Philly Show. We're so excited 46 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:50,880 Speaker 2: to have you. It's the holiday season, which means a 47 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 2: lot of family stuff, of course, and you must, I mean, 48 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:56,799 Speaker 2: what a great year for you and your family. Your 49 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 2: son will makes his big league debut with the Blue Jays, 50 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 2: your daughter's playing college hoops that Winthrop. You know what, 51 00:03:02,919 --> 00:03:05,080 Speaker 2: what's this past you've been like for And of course 52 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 2: you know down the road, hopefully next month you find 53 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:09,239 Speaker 2: out if you're going to make the Hall of Fame. 54 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:12,640 Speaker 1: Well, the most stressful thing is watching your kids. 55 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 3: So I mean, you know, we have our months off 56 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:20,640 Speaker 3: that we get to actually relax and enjoy really life. 57 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 3: But you know, when our kids are into the sports, 58 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 3: I mean it's it's about twenty four to seven, you know, 59 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 3: either hoping for a hit, hoping for a basket. 60 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:32,959 Speaker 1: Yeah, getting you know, just it's so you know, it's 61 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:33,720 Speaker 1: an up and. 62 00:03:33,639 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 3: Down your parent time, I would say, And so you know, really, 63 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 3: I mean as much as my kids probably keep up 64 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 3: with the Hall of Fame more than I do, I 65 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 3: ain't got time. 66 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 1: I'm coaching. I'm following them. You know, when you become 67 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 1: a coach, become you know, you're a shrink, You're you're 68 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:55,080 Speaker 1: a personal trainer, your your your know. 69 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 3: You're maintenance guys. So literally it's a twenty four hour 70 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 3: job at times. 71 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:04,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, we'll definitely talk about the Hall of Fame, 72 00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 2: but I did want to ask you about, you know, 73 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 2: Will's Big league debut in August. You did you get 74 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:11,120 Speaker 2: to the game? It was in LA Did you get 75 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:12,839 Speaker 2: there in time? Did you not get there? 76 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: No? We got there. It was great. 77 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 3: I mean it was you know, we drove driven down 78 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 3: from Buffalo on that Saturday, and we get a phone 79 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:25,719 Speaker 3: call later that night and saying, hey, I'm going to 80 00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:28,480 Speaker 3: the big leagues and and you know, as luck would 81 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:31,280 Speaker 3: have it, it's in Anaheim, so you know, and so 82 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:34,280 Speaker 3: trying to coordinate that and get everybody. 83 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: There was it was quite a job. But it all 84 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 1: worked out. I mean, you know, we were all excited. 85 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:41,840 Speaker 3: I don't know who was more nervous, though, I think 86 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:46,000 Speaker 3: my wife or his fyance. You know, I'm a pitcher, 87 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:47,840 Speaker 3: so when I look at hitters, I'm like, dude, you 88 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:50,279 Speaker 3: got four shots of this thing, maybe five each night. 89 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:52,600 Speaker 1: I mean, come on, let's work in, let's let's go 90 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: and so. 91 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:55,120 Speaker 3: But you know that first one, get that first and 92 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:57,800 Speaker 3: out out of the way, and then you know, just 93 00:04:57,839 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 3: to have the debut ahead. 94 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 1: I mean, that is pretty special. 95 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:02,080 Speaker 2: Not only did he get it out of the way, 96 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 2: he swung at the first pitch and just ripped the 97 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:06,280 Speaker 2: double into the gap and right center field. And man, 98 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 2: he was not messing around. That was pretty cool. 99 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 3: Well, his mom didn't raise a fool's looking hard, look hard, baby, 100 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:16,760 Speaker 3: good Philly. 101 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:21,600 Speaker 4: I uh, you know, I can't imagine the thrill you 102 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 4: must have felt and you must feel, uh to see 103 00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 4: your son play in the big leagues. How does it 104 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:33,560 Speaker 4: compare to the thrill when you got the call and 105 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 4: made your debut. 106 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:40,160 Speaker 3: I think circumstances were completely different, But you know, for me, 107 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 3: it was uh, you know, I every every step I 108 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 3: took was new. I had no idea what I was doing, 109 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 3: what I was getting into there, was no preparation for 110 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:51,760 Speaker 3: what I was about to get into. Uh. 111 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:57,040 Speaker 1: For Will, you know, it's probably more enjoyable. 112 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:59,240 Speaker 3: Because you know the path and you have he has 113 00:05:59,279 --> 00:06:01,719 Speaker 3: a little bit more guidance of what to do and 114 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 3: how to do it, what not to do them, and 115 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:08,719 Speaker 3: things like that, and so the guidances, you know, it's 116 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 3: something that I think makes a big difference. 117 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:12,719 Speaker 1: So he's able to sit there. 118 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:15,440 Speaker 3: And understand things when you know, like when trades happen 119 00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:17,400 Speaker 3: and you're like, hey, there's probably more to this trade 120 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 3: than you know, so don't don't don't overthink this. You know, 121 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 3: when when trade were going on, when I was playing, 122 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 3: I had no idea what I was doing. 123 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:25,280 Speaker 1: When I got traded, I didn't know. 124 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:27,359 Speaker 3: I didn't understand that it was you know, it was 125 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 3: a personal thing where I was. I'm able to sit 126 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 3: there and tell Will, Hey, this is this is business. 127 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,440 Speaker 3: These are the good things. These are you know, anytime 128 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:37,279 Speaker 3: somebody's wanting you, that's a good thing. So I think, 129 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:40,239 Speaker 3: you know, being able to take this journey with Will, 130 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 3: I mean really from the start to finish, when you 131 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 3: look at him being on the field and taking ground balls. 132 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 1: Uh uh, all the way up when when he was 133 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: with when I was. 134 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 3: With the Phillies, I mean shagging and really understanding that 135 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 3: that locker room tend to where he's at today. I 136 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:58,600 Speaker 3: think it's you know, it's helped him to be able 137 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:00,679 Speaker 3: to handle his emotions a little bit better. 138 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: Well, uh, Billy, I'm sorry. 139 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 5: I'm great to have you with us, so so so 140 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:09,720 Speaker 5: good to see. Uh, you know, I had a lot 141 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:12,680 Speaker 5: of emotions when I called my father and made that 142 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:13,480 Speaker 5: phone call. 143 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 6: Tell me exactly went through what threatened? You know, I've 144 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 6: talked to my dad since then and now he's passed, 145 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 6: but I keep that and hold that close to my heart. 146 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 6: But tell me exactly what you were feeling when and 147 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 6: what were the circumstances behind that phone call. 148 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:31,080 Speaker 3: Well, you know how emotional I am. I'm very emotional 149 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:33,400 Speaker 3: about my kids, and so when he was when you 150 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 3: get that phone call, you know, and you see how 151 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 3: much they've worked, and you know, just like your father watched, 152 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 3: how hard you work to get to to fulfill your 153 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 3: dream that one moment to be there. I mean, you know, 154 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 3: to be able to share that, that's that's uh, you know, 155 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 3: that's priceless. That's something that you hold on, like you said, 156 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:52,400 Speaker 3: for a long time just to be part of that. 157 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 3: And so you know, and that that's the joy of 158 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 3: this whole battle to get to the big leagues. Uh, 159 00:07:57,760 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 3: you know, uh, to have that joy. And that's what 160 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 3: I've pushed along with him. As I said, smile a 161 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 3: lot more today. Every day you wake up, you o 162 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 3: for four. You can still smile if you're in the 163 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 3: big leagues. 164 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 2: That's right. You know, Billy, Jim and I were talking 165 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 2: a little earlier, and because we do have two generation 166 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 2: baseball families here. You know, Ruben's dad, of course played 167 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 2: in the big leagues. You played in the big leagues. 168 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 2: I'm wondering and each of you can maybe answer this question. 169 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:28,760 Speaker 2: How much do you think just being blessed physically had 170 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:32,240 Speaker 2: to do with maybe Will's success, Ruben, with with your 171 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 2: success versus just being around a dad who played in 172 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 2: the big leagues and can say no, no, no, no, 173 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:41,440 Speaker 2: this is how you catch a ground ball, this is 174 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:43,400 Speaker 2: how you can hit the baseball, this is the best 175 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:46,079 Speaker 2: way to throw a ball. You know, just having that 176 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 2: super expert expertise that can maybe kind of push them 177 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:51,800 Speaker 2: in the in the right direction. 178 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:56,319 Speaker 1: Go ahead, Rubin, you probably know more about those things. 179 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:02,079 Speaker 6: Well, I mean, for me, honest, it was less jeans. 180 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:04,319 Speaker 6: I think, even though my grandfather played in the big 181 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 6: leagues and are not in the big leagues, but was 182 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 6: an Hall of Fame type player, couldn't play in the 183 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 6: big leagues because of the color of her skin. But 184 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:14,800 Speaker 6: I think more than anything else, it was about me 185 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 6: being exposed to the game and sort of being taught, 186 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:25,320 Speaker 6: you know, how to manage your effort to get to 187 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 6: the big leagues, and sort of just being around the 188 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:30,840 Speaker 6: game itself was and falling in love with it was 189 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 6: more had a lot more to do with my overall talent. 190 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 6: We were different types of players. I was a switch hitter, 191 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:41,200 Speaker 6: I ran pretty well, wasn't my dad it was a 192 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:44,200 Speaker 6: great infielder. I was not a great infielder, and so 193 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:48,079 Speaker 6: they tossed me into the outfield. So I think there 194 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:51,320 Speaker 6: was probably the ladder of those two things todd for me, 195 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:53,560 Speaker 6: like the love of the game and just being around 196 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:58,079 Speaker 6: the game and watching these you know, amazing players perform. 197 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,920 Speaker 6: You know, in the late seventies and early eighties in Philadelphia, 198 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:02,920 Speaker 6: I mean some of the best players in the history 199 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:07,320 Speaker 6: of our organization, you know, the Schmidt's and BoA's and 200 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:10,480 Speaker 6: Carlton's and those kind of guys and just being around 201 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 6: it was more of ad more of an effect I 202 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:13,599 Speaker 6: think on me. 203 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 1: You billy, Oh, I agree. I tell you. 204 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 3: You know, when a young kid gets to walk into 205 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:23,240 Speaker 3: a locker room, you got Jimmy Rollins, uh, Chase Udley. 206 00:10:23,800 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 3: You know, David Bell told me, guys that can give 207 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:34,200 Speaker 3: you a lasting impression, you know, along with the ride 208 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 3: of your career, singing in a locker room with that 209 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 3: caliber you know, Visio bag. 210 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:43,240 Speaker 1: Well, things like that. I mean, things like that rub 211 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: off on you. 212 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 3: Not maybe in physical but I mean how you see 213 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:48,120 Speaker 3: them handling you, you. 214 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:49,080 Speaker 1: Know, as a father. 215 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 3: You know a lot of times I'm going, hey, that's 216 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 3: that's who you want to emulate right there. 217 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:56,040 Speaker 1: Look at those guys. See how they handled their business. 218 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 6: You know. 219 00:10:56,920 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 3: Plus, you know, being in the big league clubhouse allows 220 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 3: you guys to take out there. Jimmy Williams used to 221 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 3: take will out to the field and take hitting ground balls. 222 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:08,440 Speaker 3: I mean, so it's who you know and what you're 223 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 3: talking to and subjecting them to. And so you know, 224 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:15,680 Speaker 3: me being a picture, you know, I mean, thank god 225 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 3: I didn't rub off on him. 226 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:19,400 Speaker 1: So that they can really enjoy what they're doing. 227 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:22,760 Speaker 3: So I think that was part of uh, you know, 228 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:25,959 Speaker 3: you know, the experience and the journey is just putting 229 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 3: him in a situation where he's around people that you 230 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:30,960 Speaker 3: know that he that he looked, he sees his quality 231 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 3: and you know, emulates and I think there's things that 232 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:34,800 Speaker 3: he does that. 233 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:36,480 Speaker 1: You know when I look back and I go, I 234 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:38,720 Speaker 1: might have played with a guy like that, So you know, 235 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 1: I like that. 236 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:42,960 Speaker 3: I think, you know, he's a whole lot of you know, 237 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:47,040 Speaker 3: you know, I think one of my favorite players ever 238 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 3: in teammates was Chase Sutley. I mean, I just we 239 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 3: always hit it off when when we were there and 240 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:57,480 Speaker 3: just to watch and I think I look at Will 241 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 3: and more of that fashion, Who's you know, not gonna 242 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 3: be flash and he's gonna do what you gotta get 243 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:05,080 Speaker 3: done and you know he's going to do it the 244 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 3: best he can and so and he never had no excuse. 245 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:10,320 Speaker 3: So I think, you know, you can only be happy 246 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:12,680 Speaker 3: if you find people that he looks up to that 247 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 3: are his quality as a guy like Chase Billy. 248 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 2: You know, it's funny because we've had a lot of 249 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 2: like former players on the former Chase teammates and he 250 00:12:19,360 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 2: gets mentioned maybe more than anybody on this show. Do 251 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 2: you have a Chase utleast story that that immediately comes 252 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 2: to mind when you think of Chase or somebody asks 253 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 2: you about him. 254 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:30,800 Speaker 1: I don't know if there's a story. 255 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:34,080 Speaker 3: I think it's just the what he did every day, 256 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 3: how he handled itself every day. I don't think there's 257 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 3: a story or a particular thing that stands out. I 258 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:43,839 Speaker 3: know that when I when I joined the Phillies and 259 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 3: got to be around Chase. You know, he didn't break 260 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:49,240 Speaker 3: with us right out of the gate, and I remember 261 00:12:49,559 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 3: me and Bowen. I mean it was like, what are 262 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,960 Speaker 3: we doing? I mean, clearly, this dude's a dude, let's 263 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:57,319 Speaker 3: let's go. And I mean and it only took a 264 00:12:57,400 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 3: matter of time for him to come up there and 265 00:12:58,800 --> 00:12:59,000 Speaker 3: do it. 266 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 1: You know, when he got there, it was never overwhelmed. 267 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 1: H I just like how he went about his business. 268 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:06,680 Speaker 3: I mean, I think there's a lot to be said 269 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 3: about going out there and not having to beat your 270 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,720 Speaker 3: chest to do things, you know, and I think there's 271 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:15,200 Speaker 3: a quality to that, But there's a there's a fierce. 272 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:16,240 Speaker 1: Competitor in that too. 273 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:19,680 Speaker 3: I mean, he was he was one not to mess 274 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 3: with He he wanted to, he wanted to beat you, 275 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:24,400 Speaker 3: and he did what it took to. He really was 276 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:28,640 Speaker 3: a throwback. He was a you know that seventies eighties throwback. 277 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 3: I mean how he played was Larry Boa, you know, 278 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 3: in a prime. 279 00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:35,160 Speaker 1: I mean he was he was, He was hard nosed. 280 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 4: You were there when Jimmy Chase and Ryan Howard were 281 00:13:40,640 --> 00:13:44,480 Speaker 4: really just coming of age. What was it like to 282 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:48,200 Speaker 4: watch them as young players on the threshold of greatness. 283 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 3: Well, I think watching them, you knew it was just 284 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 3: gonna be a matter of maturation of time until they 285 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,079 Speaker 3: caught up with how to handle what they got coming 286 00:13:57,080 --> 00:13:57,439 Speaker 3: at him. 287 00:13:57,480 --> 00:14:00,240 Speaker 1: I mean commitments on and off the. 288 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:04,840 Speaker 3: Field, plus production, plus expectations. You know, that's a lot 289 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 3: to throw on some of these young kids. And you 290 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:09,400 Speaker 3: know it took some guys a long time. I mean 291 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 3: when Ryan Howard came up, I mean he came up 292 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 3: and told me and pretty much took a gym spot. 293 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:19,560 Speaker 3: And the kid goes and hits twenty two home runs 294 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:20,560 Speaker 3: and what a month and a half. 295 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:24,200 Speaker 1: And I mean you're like, holy God, what just happened there? 296 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:26,720 Speaker 1: And so you see a comnents, but you. 297 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 3: Know there was an air there that when those kids 298 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 3: came up, there was a way different mentality. They never 299 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 3: seemed overwhelmed or are beat up by the situation. They 300 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 3: knew how to handle it, and so that was that 301 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:39,960 Speaker 3: was fun to watch watch those guys. I mean I 302 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 3: went to Jimmy's very first All Star game in Seattle. 303 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 3: We were there, and I remember sitting with him trying 304 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:49,640 Speaker 3: to help him figure out how to get jerseys for 305 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:52,680 Speaker 3: his team. And I mean, there's you know, those are 306 00:14:52,760 --> 00:14:55,000 Speaker 3: great journeys together that when you look back, you know, 307 00:14:55,160 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 3: it's it's it's fun to see how far they've come 308 00:14:57,480 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 3: along and how awesome they were to play against. 309 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 6: Hey, Billy, I just wanted to sort of compare. You know, 310 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:06,760 Speaker 6: you've been around some great players and you mentioned before 311 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:10,640 Speaker 6: Bagwell b g O, I think you're around Caman Eddy. 312 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:13,600 Speaker 6: I'm not sure it was a Cammy as well. Tell 313 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 6: me compare those guys with you know, the Chase Utleys 314 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 6: and the Rollins's and and the Howards of the world. 315 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:24,440 Speaker 1: Because there's some great players there too. Man. 316 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 3: I think I think if you're comparing those guys, there's 317 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 3: I don't know if there's anybody that compares to Kaman 318 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:33,240 Speaker 3: Edti because he was just so. I mean he's an 319 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:37,640 Speaker 3: ultimate competitor, ultimate teammate, but I mean he could stare 320 00:15:37,720 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 3: holes through your brain. He was He had the death stare, 321 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 3: and I mean he was as intimidating a teammate as 322 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 3: I've ever had. But I tell you he he definitely 323 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 3: had your back. You know, when I think about guys. 324 00:15:49,880 --> 00:15:53,520 Speaker 1: Like uh, you know, Chase reminds me a lot of 325 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 1: like bagging. 326 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:57,200 Speaker 3: Hey, I just went around, did my job, Here's what 327 00:15:57,240 --> 00:15:59,560 Speaker 3: I do, made the play, hit a home run, did 328 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:01,240 Speaker 3: these things, stole the base when I needed to. 329 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:03,920 Speaker 1: Where when you watch like. 330 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 3: Visio, Vigio was a little bit more active, I mean 331 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:09,360 Speaker 3: you could see him. He he was chirpy at times, 332 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 3: and he could get after you a little bit like Jimmy. 333 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 3: I mean, not not as flashy, probably not as athletic by. 334 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:17,000 Speaker 1: Far as Jimmy. 335 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 3: Uh you know, but I mean that that whole era 336 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 3: had that talent. And I think what we've seen is 337 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:27,080 Speaker 3: the progression of baseball up to this point is just 338 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:30,480 Speaker 3: the amount of consistent talent that you're seeing day in 339 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:34,680 Speaker 3: and day out. You know, where you know, there's things 340 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 3: that as an old player, and I'm sure older players 341 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:40,080 Speaker 3: look at as far as you know a little bit 342 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:44,120 Speaker 3: more flashy. Uh, the talent on a whole is completely 343 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 3: different than it's ever been in my opinion, just watching 344 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,280 Speaker 3: the guys who come to the plate and hit the 345 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 3: ball so hard, and the guys who throw hard, and 346 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 3: the guys who run. 347 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 1: I mean, I just think the talent is so so unbelievable. 348 00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 3: And you know, but it's you know, it's kind of 349 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:03,680 Speaker 3: like the discussion of the Michael Jordan and Lebron and uh, 350 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:06,480 Speaker 3: you know, of course I'm a Michael Jordan fan. So 351 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:08,480 Speaker 3: when you look at that or an Iverson fan, you know, 352 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 3: when you look in that air, those guys were different, 353 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:14,359 Speaker 3: played different, and you know, you know, you have a 354 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 3: Pete Rose who would take out a catcher in the 355 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 3: All Star Game, where now today's games smitch different. 356 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:24,280 Speaker 1: But the quality of what you face daily is so impressive. 357 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:26,240 Speaker 6: Billy. 358 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:27,679 Speaker 2: I think I want to know if one of the 359 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:32,400 Speaker 2: biggest thrills of your Philly's career was catching Jim Salisbury 360 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:36,639 Speaker 2: catching in two thousand, do you remember this at all? 361 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 1: I mean absolutely, I mean, I mean, you know what 362 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:41,240 Speaker 1: I told Jim all long. It wasn't going to be 363 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:43,120 Speaker 1: a big deal. I said, it's gonna be easy. 364 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:45,119 Speaker 3: You're gonna walk up from though Jesus Christy and he 365 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:48,480 Speaker 3: get lit up more often. But I mean, you know 366 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:53,480 Speaker 3: it really, I mean, you know, I remember catching flat 367 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:56,840 Speaker 3: grounds for guys like Kim Broll and Lidge and guys 368 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 3: like that. But when guys can throw balls around you, 369 00:17:59,560 --> 00:18:03,360 Speaker 3: you you're just like, okay, it's it's different. I mean, 370 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:06,920 Speaker 3: I wouldn't want to catch Eralda Chapmans for I mean, 371 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 3: he's literally thrown from five feet from me. But I think, 372 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:12,280 Speaker 3: you know, once you get used to those guys. And 373 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:16,400 Speaker 3: I think jim Jim was so he was so excited, 374 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 3: so excited, and I was like, don't The only thing 375 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:20,920 Speaker 3: that I think was gonna give him my hard time 376 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,040 Speaker 3: was a breaking ball in which is like, well wait 377 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 3: a minute. But I mean, what do you expect? You know, 378 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:29,199 Speaker 3: I told Jimison, now you really know that it's not 379 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:29,840 Speaker 3: a big deal. 380 00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 2: I gotta tell you. 381 00:18:31,840 --> 00:18:34,560 Speaker 1: I was there and witnessed the whole thing, and it was. 382 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:35,879 Speaker 1: It was quite the spectacle. 383 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:38,320 Speaker 6: We did it right there in the right next to 384 00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:41,240 Speaker 6: the hot field where they do it. I think Jimmy 385 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:42,920 Speaker 6: handled himself extremely well. 386 00:18:42,960 --> 00:18:43,120 Speaker 3: Man. 387 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:45,200 Speaker 2: I think he did a heck of a job. 388 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:48,479 Speaker 6: I mean, I was really impressed that little Barney rebel 389 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:49,119 Speaker 6: looking fella. 390 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:50,359 Speaker 1: He did a nice job. 391 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:55,639 Speaker 2: I mean you said that, well, he said, well, I 392 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 2: mean so for people that don't know the whole story, 393 00:18:57,320 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 2: Jim came with Jim in spring training where he comes 394 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:02,320 Speaker 2: up to me one day He's like, I think I'm 395 00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:03,719 Speaker 2: going to go ask Billy if I could catch one 396 00:19:03,720 --> 00:19:06,720 Speaker 2: of his bullpen sessions. And I'm like, okay, good luck. 397 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:09,640 Speaker 2: And he came back He's like, holy crap. He said yes. 398 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:10,879 Speaker 2: And then Jim, you could take it the rest of 399 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 2: the way. You had to go through a process before 400 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:14,360 Speaker 2: you could actually catch him. 401 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:19,600 Speaker 4: Well, I actually I wanted to do it because Billy. 402 00:19:20,600 --> 00:19:23,840 Speaker 4: You know, when you were young, people said, oh, Billy 403 00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:25,320 Speaker 4: Wagner's just a power arm. 404 00:19:25,359 --> 00:19:26,120 Speaker 2: He's a thrower. 405 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:29,440 Speaker 4: And I knew that used to rankle you and kind 406 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:31,439 Speaker 4: of tick you off because you really worked hard to 407 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:35,399 Speaker 4: be a pitcher and develop that great slider and your 408 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:37,919 Speaker 4: command and everything. You were a student of pitching and 409 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 4: so all winter long and I'm thinking of I want 410 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:43,040 Speaker 4: to write this story. I want to catch it the 411 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:45,840 Speaker 4: bullpen and write a story about it and show people 412 00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:48,040 Speaker 4: this more than to this guy than just a rear 413 00:19:48,119 --> 00:19:51,920 Speaker 4: back and fire. And I rehearsed the entire sales pitch 414 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:54,919 Speaker 4: all winter long in my head. And then I go 415 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:58,960 Speaker 4: to Billy's locker and typical Billy down to earth, regular dude, 416 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 4: most regular dude, you know, jeans and cowboy boots. I said, 417 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:06,440 Speaker 4: I laid out my entire pitch, and he goes, okay, 418 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:11,479 Speaker 4: when you want to do it, I'm like, so I 419 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 4: had to sign a waiver form where like in the 420 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:19,119 Speaker 4: second sentence the word death was in there. And so 421 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:22,400 Speaker 4: you know, I had been a catcher as a kid, 422 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:27,800 Speaker 4: and I my biggest fear, Billy. I knew I could 423 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:29,199 Speaker 4: do it with the hands, because I'm not how to 424 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:33,240 Speaker 4: catch a ball, right. My fear was my eyes. And 425 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:35,840 Speaker 4: so I went to Todd and I said Todd, Billy 426 00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:39,640 Speaker 4: said yes, And we had about ten days because you're 427 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:41,480 Speaker 4: going to pitch back to back days in the bullpen. 428 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:42,920 Speaker 4: That's when we picked it out, and it was gonna 429 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:46,120 Speaker 4: be a night game down in clear Water. So Todd 430 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:48,040 Speaker 4: and I borrowed a couple of balls, and I think 431 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:51,200 Speaker 4: I borrowed a glove from John Vukovich. And every night 432 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:54,399 Speaker 4: after work we'd go across the street to that field 433 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:56,640 Speaker 4: across the street in cliar Water, and Todd would stand 434 00:20:56,680 --> 00:20:58,639 Speaker 4: forty feet in front of me. I'm like, throw it harder, 435 00:20:58,680 --> 00:21:00,960 Speaker 4: throw it harder, throw it harder. And he was right 436 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:02,720 Speaker 4: on top of me because I really needed to get 437 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:05,679 Speaker 4: my eyes going. But the upshot of that billy is 438 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 4: Todd's shoulder still hurts. I have an eight billy, I 439 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:11,359 Speaker 4: have an eight year old son. 440 00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:13,399 Speaker 2: I'll play in the backyard catch with them, and my 441 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:15,879 Speaker 2: about ten throws in my shoulder starts certain and I 442 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:20,280 Speaker 2: go the freaking belly Wagner story man, that's still barking 443 00:21:20,320 --> 00:21:23,720 Speaker 2: after like almost twenty years. You know, I'm still still 444 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,800 Speaker 2: fill in the pain from trying to get Jim so 445 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:29,040 Speaker 2: he could catch the baseball. But you know, I remember 446 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:33,840 Speaker 2: Mick bill Mury, Mick bill Meyer being there, was there. 447 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:36,400 Speaker 1: Everybody was thinking this was going to be a joke. 448 00:21:36,520 --> 00:21:38,320 Speaker 3: I mean I remember, and I was like, you know 449 00:21:38,440 --> 00:21:41,800 Speaker 3: this is I mean, it's you know, it's you're not 450 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:45,840 Speaker 3: catching a guy who just got to the you know, drafted, 451 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:48,080 Speaker 3: who's really not sure what's going on. I mean, all 452 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:51,000 Speaker 3: you're doing it and so you know the biggest thing 453 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:52,000 Speaker 3: is going to be a breaking ball. 454 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 1: It'd be you'd be like me trying to catch. 455 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:56,680 Speaker 3: I remember when I went to Japan and was playing 456 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:59,640 Speaker 3: I wanted to go play catch with Pauffman and him 457 00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:02,440 Speaker 3: filmy change up and flashed on me his breaking ball, 458 00:22:03,040 --> 00:22:04,720 Speaker 3: and all of a sudden You're like, hey, okay, now 459 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 3: don't tell me and just throwing then your coach shit, 460 00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:09,960 Speaker 3: I mean, and it's all of a sudden, that's what 461 00:22:10,359 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 3: That's what that all speed? 462 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:12,679 Speaker 1: Really, doesn't you know? 463 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:15,960 Speaker 3: And that really stands out to me is kind of 464 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:18,240 Speaker 3: like the feeling you had. There was no better feeling 465 00:22:18,240 --> 00:22:20,680 Speaker 3: to sit there and see what everybody else sees. 466 00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 1: Uh. The problem was I think you were like, this 467 00:22:23,960 --> 00:22:26,119 Speaker 1: is really hittable. I just don't. I don't. I'm not 468 00:22:26,200 --> 00:22:27,680 Speaker 1: getting it. I'm not getting it. 469 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:30,320 Speaker 3: And uh, you know whether where I'm sitting there catching 470 00:22:30,359 --> 00:22:32,840 Speaker 3: Hoffman and going, how in God's names anybody hit that? 471 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:37,040 Speaker 1: So, I mean, I appreciate you making me feel good. 472 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:41,040 Speaker 4: I'll tell you what though, So that day, you know, 473 00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:44,359 Speaker 4: the day comes, I was I was very anxious obviously, 474 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:47,600 Speaker 4: and you know I go out there, Now, Billy's all business. 475 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 4: I mean, because I remember telling Billy said, now, Billy, 476 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:52,960 Speaker 4: I want you to really, you know, give me it 477 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:54,800 Speaker 4: all right, And he goes, don't worry, I'm gonna cheat you. 478 00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:57,240 Speaker 4: And so we go out there on the half field 479 00:22:57,359 --> 00:22:59,560 Speaker 4: and he's he wants to warm up do his long 480 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:02,399 Speaker 4: toss on the flat ground. So I got no mask on, 481 00:23:02,920 --> 00:23:05,800 Speaker 4: and his first throw on flat ground just to get 482 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:11,000 Speaker 4: loose from like only ninety feet, I could hear it, 483 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 4: you know, and it was on my face like that, like, 484 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:18,359 Speaker 4: and I had no mask. It was on my face 485 00:23:18,359 --> 00:23:20,760 Speaker 4: and I'm like, holy good god, what have I just 486 00:23:20,800 --> 00:23:21,600 Speaker 4: gotten into? 487 00:23:22,280 --> 00:23:24,480 Speaker 3: Well, you asked me by Nobody liked to play catch 488 00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:27,320 Speaker 3: with me because I could get I could be loosing 489 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:31,560 Speaker 3: seven throws. That was I mean, my worst fear as 490 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:34,000 Speaker 3: a reliever was to have somebody go, oh, let's hold 491 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 3: up and get the bases loaded. 492 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:37,480 Speaker 1: That was the worst fear for me. 493 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:40,680 Speaker 3: I would literally tell coaches before when they call down, 494 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:43,320 Speaker 3: I go, I'm ready, and they'd be like what I'm like, 495 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:47,080 Speaker 3: by the time you've walked out there, I'm ready and stuff. 496 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:49,240 Speaker 3: Because that was my big spirit. I hated coaching the 497 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 3: well we'll give them one more hitter. I wanted to 498 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:52,920 Speaker 3: make that decision right away. I'm good, let's. 499 00:23:52,760 --> 00:23:57,439 Speaker 4: Go that was a real thrill. And you know, my 500 00:23:57,480 --> 00:23:59,639 Speaker 4: goal was to write a good story to tell the 501 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 4: reader that, you know, show the reader the fan the 502 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:07,000 Speaker 4: work that you put into your craft on days you're 503 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:11,400 Speaker 4: not on in the game. And uh and and hopefully 504 00:24:11,400 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 4: I succeeded. And you know, my dad actually clipped that 505 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:18,600 Speaker 4: story and had it mounted and hung in his in 506 00:24:18,680 --> 00:24:21,639 Speaker 4: his basement for years, and when he passed away, I 507 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:24,600 Speaker 4: grabbed it and now it's on my podcasting wall. It's 508 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:27,080 Speaker 4: right over my shoulder. Billy, that's pretty cool. 509 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 1: That's awesome. Hey, so, so. 510 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:31,680 Speaker 6: Billy, let me let me ask you this question. I mean, 511 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:34,120 Speaker 6: that was a great that was that was really wonderful. 512 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:38,679 Speaker 6: Tell me about what it was like to pitch in Philadelphia, 513 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:42,640 Speaker 6: people staring at that you know, radar gun. You'd hit 514 00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:45,800 Speaker 6: ninety nine and people were like boo, and then you know, 515 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:48,480 Speaker 6: and then you'd hit one hundred and people like yeah, 516 00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:51,520 Speaker 6: you know, tell us someone's going through your mind during 517 00:24:51,560 --> 00:24:51,920 Speaker 6: that time. 518 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:53,639 Speaker 3: You know what I wish, I wish I could go 519 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:56,480 Speaker 3: back in that moment and been way more mature on 520 00:24:56,560 --> 00:25:00,440 Speaker 3: how I handled that whole situation. But I tell you, 521 00:25:00,520 --> 00:25:04,879 Speaker 3: what I did appreciate about those moments is when you 522 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:08,560 Speaker 3: stepped out on that field, you better have your a game, 523 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:10,640 Speaker 3: You better be ready to go. 524 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:13,120 Speaker 1: There was no uh, you had a tough game. 525 00:25:13,640 --> 00:25:18,520 Speaker 3: There was just a moment, and you know, you don't 526 00:25:18,520 --> 00:25:20,760 Speaker 3: realize what a hundred looks like. I mean, now you 527 00:25:20,800 --> 00:25:23,120 Speaker 3: looked up and it's happening a little bit more often now. 528 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:26,040 Speaker 3: I mean when I was playing it, it wasn't as often. 529 00:25:26,080 --> 00:25:28,439 Speaker 3: And so you know, for me being a player in 530 00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:31,840 Speaker 3: that moment, I didn't realize how awesome that was because, 531 00:25:32,200 --> 00:25:35,840 Speaker 3: in my opinion, I'm chasing lines and tigers, that's who 532 00:25:35,840 --> 00:25:38,159 Speaker 3: I'm facing. I've got the bonds, I've got these guys, 533 00:25:38,640 --> 00:25:39,359 Speaker 3: and I ain't got. 534 00:25:39,240 --> 00:25:41,840 Speaker 1: Time to like pat myself on the back and do 535 00:25:41,960 --> 00:25:42,400 Speaker 1: those things. 536 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:46,360 Speaker 3: And so, you know, looking back and sitting there thinking about, hey, 537 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:48,520 Speaker 3: you know, when I stepped up there, everybody knew what 538 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:51,720 Speaker 3: was coming. There was no secret, and you know, people 539 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:54,359 Speaker 3: were excited to see that. I think, you know, those 540 00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:56,720 Speaker 3: were the moments I looked back and went, you know, 541 00:25:56,920 --> 00:25:58,600 Speaker 3: I should have played that a little different. 542 00:25:59,040 --> 00:26:01,479 Speaker 1: But you know, to know that you have that in 543 00:26:01,520 --> 00:26:03,760 Speaker 1: your bag, that's that's pretty good. That's pretty fun. 544 00:26:04,119 --> 00:26:06,679 Speaker 6: So I gotta have to say something about the hundred 545 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:08,880 Speaker 6: that you threw in the hundreds of being thrown now, 546 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:12,560 Speaker 6: I am, and I know this for certain that the 547 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:15,320 Speaker 6: hundred that's being thrown back then is not the same 548 00:26:15,359 --> 00:26:17,639 Speaker 6: one hundred that's being thrown now. That's probably like one 549 00:26:17,680 --> 00:26:20,400 Speaker 6: hundred and four to one hundred and six in this 550 00:26:20,480 --> 00:26:23,959 Speaker 6: day and age. And because they are not taking that reading, 551 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:27,600 Speaker 6: they're taking the reading at at the plate back in 552 00:26:27,640 --> 00:26:30,400 Speaker 6: the day, they're taking it out of the hand today, 553 00:26:30,720 --> 00:26:33,240 Speaker 6: and so it's a totally different reading. And I wanted 554 00:26:33,240 --> 00:26:35,480 Speaker 6: to point that out because I think it's something real. 555 00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:38,640 Speaker 1: It's it's a real thing. 556 00:26:38,720 --> 00:26:42,480 Speaker 6: Yes, more consistently guys are throwing harder, there's no question 557 00:26:42,560 --> 00:26:46,040 Speaker 6: about it. But it's a different one hundred. I think 558 00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:49,160 Speaker 6: that if you have been tracked today with stat cast 559 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:51,639 Speaker 6: and that kind of stuff, you be tracked at a 560 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:52,520 Speaker 6: much higher number. 561 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:56,840 Speaker 3: Well, you know, I've heard that often. I think, you know, 562 00:26:56,880 --> 00:27:00,960 Speaker 3: you're just seeing guys I think hard hard. I think 563 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:04,240 Speaker 3: there's ninety six is that really play up and play hard? 564 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:05,080 Speaker 5: You know? 565 00:27:05,240 --> 00:27:08,119 Speaker 3: And I think, you know, the numbers are always fascinating, 566 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:10,879 Speaker 3: but what really stands out is when you watch and 567 00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:13,560 Speaker 3: a guy that comes to mind me, it just amazes me. 568 00:27:13,880 --> 00:27:15,359 Speaker 1: Is uh Woody. 569 00:27:15,119 --> 00:27:19,200 Speaker 3: Williams who would go out there and throw eighty eight, 570 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:22,119 Speaker 3: but he would always pitch in a triangle, and he 571 00:27:22,160 --> 00:27:24,080 Speaker 3: would just sit here and to go eighty six, eighty eight, 572 00:27:24,119 --> 00:27:26,600 Speaker 3: eighty six, eighty eight, eighty eight, eighty seven, and you 573 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:27,960 Speaker 3: and just be sitting there and all of a sudden 574 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:30,600 Speaker 3: you look up and you're in sixth seventh. But that 575 00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:33,960 Speaker 3: played up so much, you know, and and the velocities today, 576 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:35,800 Speaker 3: and I mean, the good the good thing is being 577 00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:37,480 Speaker 3: able to talk to my son about guys. 578 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:42,000 Speaker 1: And I think he faced the kid from wool was 579 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:45,680 Speaker 1: it Anaheim? Ben Joyce? Is that his name? And I mean, 580 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:48,919 Speaker 1: you know that's I mean, that's funny money. 581 00:27:49,040 --> 00:27:52,160 Speaker 3: That's that's like you know, I mean starts winging when 582 00:27:52,160 --> 00:27:53,520 Speaker 3: he steps on the mount kind of stuff. 583 00:27:53,640 --> 00:27:56,280 Speaker 1: I think there's something to it. I just I think 584 00:27:56,359 --> 00:27:56,760 Speaker 1: there's a. 585 00:27:56,840 --> 00:28:02,640 Speaker 3: Defer difference in the commitment to what you're doing. Can 586 00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:05,840 Speaker 3: you imagine facing a Waldis Chapman in the seventies and 587 00:28:05,840 --> 00:28:08,800 Speaker 3: eighties who would throw at your neck? I mean that 588 00:28:09,080 --> 00:28:13,160 Speaker 3: being like that where today's game, you know, they're they're hey, 589 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:16,520 Speaker 3: it's you're you're in a box and stuff. I think 590 00:28:16,520 --> 00:28:20,000 Speaker 3: these kids today are the pitchers have to be a 591 00:28:20,040 --> 00:28:23,360 Speaker 3: little different unfortunately, but you know when I when I. 592 00:28:23,320 --> 00:28:25,800 Speaker 1: Talk to big league hitters, they still say hards hard. 593 00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:29,199 Speaker 2: Well, Bill, I mean, like, I was just looking at 594 00:28:29,240 --> 00:28:32,119 Speaker 2: your stats statement. Obviously you're throwing hard in the slider 595 00:28:32,160 --> 00:28:34,760 Speaker 2: and being a great pitcher. You had tremendous successes. Look 596 00:28:34,760 --> 00:28:36,639 Speaker 2: at your career numbers. Two point three one year in 597 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:40,000 Speaker 2: your career, four hunder, twenty two career saves. And this 598 00:28:40,040 --> 00:28:43,080 Speaker 2: is the cool part. Your strikeout rate eleven point nine 599 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:46,280 Speaker 2: strikeouts per nine innings. It's the best in baseball history 600 00:28:46,280 --> 00:28:48,960 Speaker 2: of any pitcher with nine hundred more innings pitched. One 601 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:52,720 Speaker 2: eighty seven. Opponent's batting average against, best in baseball history 602 00:28:52,720 --> 00:28:55,680 Speaker 2: at any pitcher with over nine hundred more innings. Second 603 00:28:55,680 --> 00:28:59,360 Speaker 2: lowest ERA ever nine hundred more innings. I think it's 604 00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:03,000 Speaker 2: the lowest by by a lefty. Uh, second lowest lowest 605 00:29:03,040 --> 00:29:05,280 Speaker 2: e RA A yeah, like yeah, like I said, by 606 00:29:05,480 --> 00:29:09,680 Speaker 2: by a lefty. So, you know, just a tremendous, tremendous career. 607 00:29:09,760 --> 00:29:13,000 Speaker 2: And you know you came so close to the Hall 608 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:15,000 Speaker 2: of Fame last year. I've read some things that you 609 00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:17,280 Speaker 2: said after that last vote said, it's just such a 610 00:29:17,320 --> 00:29:21,520 Speaker 2: wild roller coaster. Can you put into words what these 611 00:29:21,560 --> 00:29:22,959 Speaker 2: weeks are like right now? Are you? 612 00:29:23,880 --> 00:29:24,880 Speaker 1: Well? Is it? 613 00:29:25,600 --> 00:29:28,800 Speaker 3: I try really hard not to pay attention that last year. 614 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:32,479 Speaker 3: I mean, as we went along through this ten year grind, 615 00:29:32,560 --> 00:29:36,120 Speaker 3: you know, you know, it's easy to see the growth, 616 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:37,720 Speaker 3: and then all of a sudden you get over to 617 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:40,200 Speaker 3: sixty and then everybody's like, oh, hey, you know, that's 618 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:43,280 Speaker 3: nobody's ever not gotten in over sixty. And then you 619 00:29:43,360 --> 00:29:45,720 Speaker 3: get to sixty four and you're and you don't get 620 00:29:46,120 --> 00:29:49,120 Speaker 3: you know, you know it was it was. Last year 621 00:29:49,240 --> 00:29:52,800 Speaker 3: was tough emotionally, not so much just watching the process 622 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:56,160 Speaker 3: as much as you know, trying to stay. 623 00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:01,080 Speaker 1: Out of that mindset of what's going to happen. 624 00:30:01,120 --> 00:30:05,680 Speaker 3: I mean, uh, you know, coaching is my life and 625 00:30:05,720 --> 00:30:08,920 Speaker 3: I lean on that a lot, and especially in these 626 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:11,320 Speaker 3: days when there's the Hall of Fame talk and so, 627 00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:14,320 Speaker 3: you know, last year, all of a sudden, NBC Nightly 628 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:17,800 Speaker 3: News shows up. I had no idea, and so I'm 629 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:21,280 Speaker 3: I'm dealing with that, and you know, they pulled me 630 00:30:21,280 --> 00:30:23,080 Speaker 3: off side and go, hey, do you got meant to 631 00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:25,440 Speaker 3: talk about why you didn't make it? You know, I'm 632 00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:28,600 Speaker 3: on the I mean, and there's my team. It was 633 00:30:28,880 --> 00:30:32,680 Speaker 3: very hard to sit there and go all right, oh yeah, 634 00:30:32,720 --> 00:30:37,080 Speaker 3: you only missed about five votes. Huh nice, Okay, you 635 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:41,240 Speaker 3: know it was tough, but you know, you know, I 636 00:30:41,880 --> 00:30:44,440 Speaker 3: was blessed to be in a situation where I could 637 00:30:44,880 --> 00:30:47,920 Speaker 3: create a coachable situation and how to handle and deal 638 00:30:47,960 --> 00:30:50,400 Speaker 3: with it. But I really inside it was the most 639 00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:54,360 Speaker 3: miserable thing I'd ever had gone through as a for 640 00:30:54,480 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 3: myself personally, and so you know, I you know, it's 641 00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:03,360 Speaker 3: such a great honor to be on that ballot, and 642 00:31:03,400 --> 00:31:05,480 Speaker 3: there's so many people that's been on that ballot that 643 00:31:05,600 --> 00:31:08,800 Speaker 3: haven't gotten to the opportunity that I have and stuff. 644 00:31:08,880 --> 00:31:13,080 Speaker 1: But you know, as an athlete who. 645 00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:17,400 Speaker 3: Gets to this far or past athlete, you know, it's 646 00:31:17,440 --> 00:31:18,160 Speaker 3: the ultimate. 647 00:31:18,840 --> 00:31:21,600 Speaker 1: You've reached the top of the pyramid. Right now. 648 00:31:21,720 --> 00:31:24,080 Speaker 3: If to be in the Hall of Fame, you're talking 649 00:31:24,120 --> 00:31:26,880 Speaker 3: about the grades of the greats, You're not talking about 650 00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:31,400 Speaker 3: anything else. And you know, to think about yourself being 651 00:31:31,400 --> 00:31:36,800 Speaker 3: in any conversation where Hofs at the end of your 652 00:31:36,920 --> 00:31:41,200 Speaker 3: name is humbling, and you know, is pretty sacred for 653 00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:43,880 Speaker 3: me to look at. 654 00:31:45,480 --> 00:31:51,560 Speaker 4: Billy, I mean, here you are, this exciting time, you 655 00:31:52,120 --> 00:31:55,800 Speaker 4: keep going up on the ballot. I think you belong there. 656 00:31:56,040 --> 00:32:00,240 Speaker 4: I hope you get there. I am a sucker for 657 00:32:00,280 --> 00:32:03,920 Speaker 4: a good story. I just love a good story. I 658 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:05,960 Speaker 4: actually think they could make a movie about your life. 659 00:32:05,960 --> 00:32:10,640 Speaker 4: I mean, here's this kid who breaks his dominant arm, 660 00:32:10,720 --> 00:32:13,800 Speaker 4: his throwing arm as a little boy and says, Okay, 661 00:32:13,840 --> 00:32:15,600 Speaker 4: screw it, I'll learn to I learned to throw with 662 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:19,240 Speaker 4: my other arm and become like this great left hander. 663 00:32:20,120 --> 00:32:24,400 Speaker 4: You know, it's it's it's an amazing, amazing story. And 664 00:32:24,440 --> 00:32:27,520 Speaker 4: it shows like like I've been around pro athletes like 665 00:32:28,040 --> 00:32:31,080 Speaker 4: pretty much my whole life. They're special. They have this 666 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:40,920 Speaker 4: elite athleticism, but the really great ones have intangible character, competitiveness, drive, 667 00:32:41,120 --> 00:32:44,120 Speaker 4: that's the word I'm looking for. And you have all 668 00:32:44,160 --> 00:32:46,880 Speaker 4: that those physical tools, but you had that drive to 669 00:32:46,960 --> 00:32:49,800 Speaker 4: overcome that injury as a little kid, learn to throw 670 00:32:49,920 --> 00:32:52,600 Speaker 4: left handed and become the hardest throwing left hand on 671 00:32:52,640 --> 00:32:55,440 Speaker 4: the planet and one of the best relievers in the 672 00:32:55,480 --> 00:32:56,240 Speaker 4: history of the game. 673 00:32:57,120 --> 00:32:58,360 Speaker 1: My god, you. 674 00:32:58,360 --> 00:33:01,160 Speaker 4: Were blessed with unbelievable and tangibles. Where did all that 675 00:33:01,200 --> 00:33:01,720 Speaker 4: come from? 676 00:33:02,360 --> 00:33:05,560 Speaker 3: Well, I really think that you know, it's you know, 677 00:33:05,920 --> 00:33:07,760 Speaker 3: it's very easy to sit there and go hey, you know, 678 00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:09,960 Speaker 3: I was blessed by God. But it's obvious that I 679 00:33:10,040 --> 00:33:11,840 Speaker 3: show it every time I went out on the mound 680 00:33:11,920 --> 00:33:15,040 Speaker 3: that I was blessed. But I think it was also 681 00:33:15,160 --> 00:33:17,880 Speaker 3: one of those situations where it allowed me to be 682 00:33:18,000 --> 00:33:21,440 Speaker 3: on a platform and a lot of times that I, 683 00:33:21,760 --> 00:33:25,000 Speaker 3: you know, was humbled and went through some things that 684 00:33:25,840 --> 00:33:27,560 Speaker 3: I think it was God's way of giving me the 685 00:33:27,720 --> 00:33:30,760 Speaker 3: opportunity to be a coach, to talk to kids, to 686 00:33:31,240 --> 00:33:34,160 Speaker 3: really talk about ways to do things different and a 687 00:33:34,160 --> 00:33:37,080 Speaker 3: little bit better, to have the experience, you know, and 688 00:33:37,120 --> 00:33:39,560 Speaker 3: I had the blessing of playing with so many people 689 00:33:39,600 --> 00:33:41,640 Speaker 3: that were you know, inspiring to me. 690 00:33:41,880 --> 00:33:43,600 Speaker 1: That and meeting so many guys. 691 00:33:43,600 --> 00:33:47,520 Speaker 3: I mean, you know, you think about the people that 692 00:33:47,760 --> 00:33:50,080 Speaker 3: you get involved with on a daily basis in pro 693 00:33:50,160 --> 00:33:52,920 Speaker 3: baseball that you get to see and you get to see. 694 00:33:53,000 --> 00:33:56,200 Speaker 1: Walking Robin Roberts. I remember taking Robin Robins out to dinner. 695 00:33:56,280 --> 00:33:56,880 Speaker 1: Holy Cow. 696 00:33:57,000 --> 00:33:59,320 Speaker 3: I mean, one of the greatest things in my life 697 00:33:59,480 --> 00:34:02,480 Speaker 3: was sitting there talking to Sandy Kofex. Those are the things, 698 00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:06,760 Speaker 3: but I think that gave me an insight that also 699 00:34:06,920 --> 00:34:09,960 Speaker 3: God gave me the ability to have this journey and 700 00:34:10,000 --> 00:34:11,920 Speaker 3: get sixteen years in so that I could be a 701 00:34:12,000 --> 00:34:15,839 Speaker 3: coach and sit there and tell kids and help them 702 00:34:15,880 --> 00:34:18,959 Speaker 3: deal with today's anxieties in the day's game that has 703 00:34:19,239 --> 00:34:23,400 Speaker 3: manifest into something at times that is unrecognizable. 704 00:34:24,520 --> 00:34:27,279 Speaker 6: Billy, you and I have something in common, man, and 705 00:34:27,320 --> 00:34:29,520 Speaker 6: we both had to teach ourselves to throw with our 706 00:34:29,520 --> 00:34:32,239 Speaker 6: opposite hand. I was originally a left handed thrower, and 707 00:34:32,280 --> 00:34:34,480 Speaker 6: I wanted to be like my brother, so I turned 708 00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:38,040 Speaker 6: I taught myself how to throw right handed. I ended 709 00:34:38,120 --> 00:34:39,680 Speaker 6: up just like my dad. I wanted to be an 710 00:34:39,719 --> 00:34:41,960 Speaker 6: infielder and all the other stuff. Why didn't you teach 711 00:34:42,040 --> 00:34:45,480 Speaker 6: me how to create some arm speed? Because I had 712 00:34:45,520 --> 00:34:48,320 Speaker 6: the weakest arm on the planet in the outfield. 713 00:34:48,600 --> 00:34:48,840 Speaker 1: You know. 714 00:34:49,600 --> 00:34:53,680 Speaker 3: You know who else was a natural? Darryl Kyle was 715 00:34:53,719 --> 00:34:57,840 Speaker 3: a natural left hander, and me and him would trade 716 00:34:57,880 --> 00:35:01,360 Speaker 3: gloves and people play kitchen. If you could only have 717 00:35:01,400 --> 00:35:03,880 Speaker 3: seen how good he threw a curveball. His curveball is 718 00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:06,560 Speaker 3: really good anyway, then he could throw a left handed curveball. 719 00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:10,359 Speaker 3: There are so many guys that have that weirdness to him. 720 00:35:10,480 --> 00:35:14,839 Speaker 3: And you know, when it's it's amazing what athletes can 721 00:35:14,880 --> 00:35:17,359 Speaker 3: do to survive and to get to where they want 722 00:35:17,360 --> 00:35:17,560 Speaker 3: to go. 723 00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:21,200 Speaker 6: Well, your stories are one of the best ones ever man, 724 00:35:21,239 --> 00:35:23,480 Speaker 6: of all time, and I hope it culminates in the 725 00:35:23,520 --> 00:35:27,360 Speaker 6: right spot because you definitely deserve. As far as I'm concerned. 726 00:35:27,400 --> 00:35:29,600 Speaker 6: If I'm voting, man, you're You're a Hall of Famer 727 00:35:29,640 --> 00:35:31,160 Speaker 6: to me, Man, no question. 728 00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:33,680 Speaker 4: Billy, what does what does Hall of Fame night look 729 00:35:33,760 --> 00:35:34,080 Speaker 4: for you? 730 00:35:34,400 --> 00:35:34,799 Speaker 1: Look like? 731 00:35:34,880 --> 00:35:35,080 Speaker 2: For you? 732 00:35:35,120 --> 00:35:37,520 Speaker 4: In the family? Hall of Fame Day announcement day. 733 00:35:37,560 --> 00:35:39,960 Speaker 1: Well, I'm not going to know. I'm not gonna know. 734 00:35:40,440 --> 00:35:42,839 Speaker 1: I you know, that's too hard. I'm not very good 735 00:35:42,840 --> 00:35:46,439 Speaker 1: at that. I mean, you know, I know my kids 736 00:35:46,440 --> 00:35:47,640 Speaker 1: will be keeping up with it. 737 00:35:48,080 --> 00:35:50,439 Speaker 3: I know I'll be very anxious because I know what 738 00:35:50,600 --> 00:35:53,120 Speaker 3: this is, I know what what's on the line right here, 739 00:35:54,400 --> 00:35:58,120 Speaker 3: and so you know it'll be it'll be difficult to 740 00:35:59,040 --> 00:36:01,320 Speaker 3: find a way to get through to six o'clock. 741 00:36:02,000 --> 00:36:03,200 Speaker 1: To be honest with you, you. 742 00:36:03,000 --> 00:36:05,239 Speaker 3: Know, I know I've had conversations with the Hall of 743 00:36:05,239 --> 00:36:07,359 Speaker 3: Fame going, hey, you know, it looks like this, we 744 00:36:07,400 --> 00:36:09,600 Speaker 3: need to have time like nope, kiss of death. 745 00:36:09,680 --> 00:36:12,920 Speaker 1: I'm not talking to nobody, and I'm not trying to 746 00:36:12,960 --> 00:36:13,840 Speaker 1: be that guy. 747 00:36:13,920 --> 00:36:18,719 Speaker 3: But I mean, you know, my lifestyle growing up has 748 00:36:18,760 --> 00:36:21,200 Speaker 3: always been waiting on the other shoot of fall. And 749 00:36:21,280 --> 00:36:23,279 Speaker 3: I'm not going to sit here and put myself in 750 00:36:23,320 --> 00:36:27,680 Speaker 3: such a situation where it's so disappointing that you know, 751 00:36:28,280 --> 00:36:31,920 Speaker 3: it's that I have to, you know, apologize for being upset. 752 00:36:31,960 --> 00:36:34,440 Speaker 1: And so the less people around me the better. 753 00:36:36,200 --> 00:36:38,640 Speaker 2: Well, I mean, we all wish you the best of luck. 754 00:36:38,680 --> 00:36:40,239 Speaker 2: You know. Just a couple of weeks ago, we were 755 00:36:40,520 --> 00:36:43,800 Speaker 2: doing a show and somebody asked us about like favorite 756 00:36:43,800 --> 00:36:46,560 Speaker 2: people Jim and I covered, and you were one of 757 00:36:46,640 --> 00:36:48,959 Speaker 2: the guys that immediately popped into our heads just because 758 00:36:48,960 --> 00:36:53,440 Speaker 2: you were so much fun to talk to. And obviously you, Billy, 759 00:36:54,000 --> 00:36:57,440 Speaker 2: you were a great quote. 760 00:36:58,800 --> 00:37:00,640 Speaker 1: And we and we loved it in front office. 761 00:37:00,680 --> 00:37:02,320 Speaker 6: We loved in the office. 762 00:37:02,360 --> 00:37:04,920 Speaker 3: I say right now that that and see that right 763 00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:07,239 Speaker 3: there when when I talked to Will, that's exactly like, 764 00:37:07,960 --> 00:37:09,640 Speaker 3: I don't care how what's going on. 765 00:37:10,320 --> 00:37:12,879 Speaker 1: You just said, yes, sir, No certain, yes, ma'am. No, ma'am. 766 00:37:13,000 --> 00:37:14,959 Speaker 1: You do not say anything else. I said. 767 00:37:15,239 --> 00:37:19,000 Speaker 3: I said, I've got a whole wall of things to 768 00:37:19,200 --> 00:37:23,640 Speaker 3: not do. You know, but that you know, in that 769 00:37:23,800 --> 00:37:27,480 Speaker 3: environment you go from Houston to Philly, I mean, you're 770 00:37:27,520 --> 00:37:31,480 Speaker 3: you're talking about the opposite spectrum of everything, and then 771 00:37:32,400 --> 00:37:33,920 Speaker 3: even if you had a bad game in Houston. I 772 00:37:34,000 --> 00:37:36,799 Speaker 3: was never like, oh you you looked like you weren't 773 00:37:36,840 --> 00:37:38,520 Speaker 3: very good tonight, or you you know, you didn't have 774 00:37:38,600 --> 00:37:41,920 Speaker 3: those weird questions where in Philly you could go out 775 00:37:41,920 --> 00:37:44,279 Speaker 3: and punch out three with my pitching and you know 776 00:37:44,320 --> 00:37:45,120 Speaker 3: you've lost. 777 00:37:44,840 --> 00:37:46,680 Speaker 1: It looked like very good. 778 00:37:49,960 --> 00:37:52,000 Speaker 3: Those are things these kids, you know, from me, I 779 00:37:52,040 --> 00:37:54,480 Speaker 3: had no idea. Everything was a poke at me. And 780 00:37:54,520 --> 00:37:58,560 Speaker 3: so you know, from being from southwest Virginia to breezing 781 00:37:58,600 --> 00:38:00,000 Speaker 3: al Pakist, you name it. 782 00:38:00,040 --> 00:38:01,480 Speaker 1: And and that's. 783 00:38:01,200 --> 00:38:04,640 Speaker 3: Where I didn't have very good guiding send how to 784 00:38:04,760 --> 00:38:06,160 Speaker 3: handle these things. 785 00:38:06,960 --> 00:38:09,440 Speaker 2: Well, Billy, if you hadn't spoke up the Phillies, Bullpen 786 00:38:09,520 --> 00:38:10,839 Speaker 2: might still be on the top level. 787 00:38:10,960 --> 00:38:13,920 Speaker 1: So that's right. 788 00:38:14,080 --> 00:38:16,400 Speaker 2: Sometimes that mouth that really. 789 00:38:18,160 --> 00:38:23,360 Speaker 1: It doesn't exactly I remember after that, yeah exactly. 790 00:38:23,680 --> 00:38:26,040 Speaker 2: Oh my gosh, that was so great. The first Ondex series. 791 00:38:26,080 --> 00:38:28,319 Speaker 2: I think it was after the first game the Index series, 792 00:38:28,360 --> 00:38:32,640 Speaker 2: you came down like that will not work, we need 793 00:38:32,640 --> 00:38:33,440 Speaker 2: to move down. 794 00:38:33,320 --> 00:38:36,319 Speaker 1: Already getting crushed. I was like, Bullcraft, I am not 795 00:38:36,400 --> 00:38:38,919 Speaker 1: dealing with that. You have one bad game. 796 00:38:39,000 --> 00:38:42,480 Speaker 3: I got so but it was funny because you know, 797 00:38:43,000 --> 00:38:45,000 Speaker 3: you can just say I would much read the visitors. 798 00:38:45,040 --> 00:38:45,200 Speaker 1: Now. 799 00:38:45,239 --> 00:38:47,399 Speaker 3: Granted, you know, when I make that decision, I think 800 00:38:47,440 --> 00:38:49,719 Speaker 3: I'm gonna be in Philadelphia for the next ten years 801 00:38:49,719 --> 00:38:51,319 Speaker 3: and I'll be retired and I don't have to deal with. 802 00:38:51,280 --> 00:38:53,000 Speaker 1: This, you know, and then next thing you know, you're 803 00:38:53,040 --> 00:38:54,080 Speaker 1: dealing with it constantly. 804 00:38:54,120 --> 00:38:56,360 Speaker 3: I remember when I came back, I just put a 805 00:38:56,400 --> 00:38:58,000 Speaker 3: chair right out in the middle of the bullpen and 806 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:03,120 Speaker 3: I just said, have that four games. 807 00:39:03,160 --> 00:39:06,719 Speaker 1: So, you know. But you know what's funny though, when 808 00:39:06,719 --> 00:39:10,759 Speaker 1: I'm around Philly fans, they they are way more. You know, 809 00:39:10,880 --> 00:39:11,480 Speaker 1: there's so much. 810 00:39:11,560 --> 00:39:13,319 Speaker 3: I probably had two of the best seasons of my 811 00:39:13,440 --> 00:39:17,800 Speaker 3: career in Philadelphia and they also you know, the fans 812 00:39:17,840 --> 00:39:21,160 Speaker 3: are when I do stuff I've come through and I'm 813 00:39:21,200 --> 00:39:24,200 Speaker 3: doing a sign, you know, there's always a positive to it. 814 00:39:24,360 --> 00:39:25,160 Speaker 1: I mean, there's something. 815 00:39:25,160 --> 00:39:27,920 Speaker 3: But you know, when you're playing and you're young and immature, 816 00:39:28,200 --> 00:39:31,880 Speaker 3: you don't know that passion, what that really means. And 817 00:39:31,960 --> 00:39:34,640 Speaker 3: so you know, when you start talking to guys after 818 00:39:34,640 --> 00:39:36,320 Speaker 3: you retire, people are like, oh, we loved you, and 819 00:39:36,360 --> 00:39:40,319 Speaker 3: You're like, what you know? And you don't realize that, 820 00:39:40,360 --> 00:39:43,359 Speaker 3: but I think, you know that's what I think that 821 00:39:43,520 --> 00:39:45,880 Speaker 3: is something you know for me that when as I 822 00:39:45,960 --> 00:39:50,719 Speaker 3: went through this process maturing and you know, understanding that 823 00:39:51,040 --> 00:39:54,080 Speaker 3: you know, these guys what they do on a daily basis, 824 00:39:54,280 --> 00:39:57,000 Speaker 3: you know, to come watch me play, to do this. 825 00:39:57,160 --> 00:39:58,840 Speaker 1: You know this is important and you know this is 826 00:39:58,880 --> 00:39:59,919 Speaker 1: their way to vent. 827 00:40:00,080 --> 00:40:04,200 Speaker 3: But at my stage and my immaturity and my where 828 00:40:04,239 --> 00:40:06,279 Speaker 3: I was not used to that, that was that was 829 00:40:06,320 --> 00:40:10,080 Speaker 3: a completely different I mean, that was a constant attack. 830 00:40:10,160 --> 00:40:12,560 Speaker 3: And so you know, those are things that you know, 831 00:40:14,040 --> 00:40:16,160 Speaker 3: you know, if I could talk to kids coming through 832 00:40:17,920 --> 00:40:20,960 Speaker 3: you know, rougher cities like Philly and Boston and New 833 00:40:21,080 --> 00:40:23,080 Speaker 3: York things like that, I would be like, hey, it's 834 00:40:23,120 --> 00:40:23,800 Speaker 3: never personal. 835 00:40:24,360 --> 00:40:25,440 Speaker 1: I would really. 836 00:40:25,160 --> 00:40:27,000 Speaker 3: Make that a big differ because I mean there's a 837 00:40:27,040 --> 00:40:30,240 Speaker 3: tendency to make that really personal when it really wasn't. 838 00:40:30,280 --> 00:40:32,719 Speaker 3: And you know, sometimes you just need somebody to go, hey, 839 00:40:33,080 --> 00:40:34,439 Speaker 3: just it's not a big thing. 840 00:40:34,760 --> 00:40:36,440 Speaker 4: If I could ask you really quick, because I know 841 00:40:36,480 --> 00:40:38,520 Speaker 4: we're taking up a lot of your time, but I'm 842 00:40:38,719 --> 00:40:42,200 Speaker 4: so enjoying this. You mentioned having two good years in Philly. 843 00:40:42,200 --> 00:40:45,520 Speaker 4: Oh five was just an unbelievable year. Seventy five appearentss 844 00:40:45,520 --> 00:40:48,080 Speaker 4: a one and a half ur But you also had 845 00:40:48,120 --> 00:40:49,920 Speaker 4: a great year in Atlanta. 846 00:40:50,000 --> 00:40:50,560 Speaker 6: The year you are. 847 00:40:50,719 --> 00:40:52,040 Speaker 3: I thought you were going to talk about my bad 848 00:40:52,160 --> 00:40:55,120 Speaker 3: average great. 849 00:40:55,040 --> 00:40:56,560 Speaker 1: Emanuel, Charlie. Manuel gave me. 850 00:40:56,600 --> 00:40:58,279 Speaker 3: I went one for one and I came in and 851 00:40:58,320 --> 00:41:00,000 Speaker 3: I looked at Charlie and I said, Charlie, how hard 852 00:41:00,080 --> 00:41:04,440 Speaker 3: can it really be? And if you He got me 853 00:41:04,480 --> 00:41:06,440 Speaker 3: in more games to hit. And at the end of 854 00:41:06,440 --> 00:41:08,120 Speaker 3: the year we had an eight run lead, and he 855 00:41:08,160 --> 00:41:10,000 Speaker 3: put me in the hit so I would strike out 856 00:41:10,040 --> 00:41:11,240 Speaker 3: and be below three hundred. 857 00:41:11,880 --> 00:41:15,400 Speaker 1: How about that. That's what friends, Virginia, friends do for you. 858 00:41:15,760 --> 00:41:23,439 Speaker 4: Well, he wanted to be the best hitter from Southwest Virginia. 859 00:41:23,640 --> 00:41:25,880 Speaker 4: Last year in Atlanta, you were great. 860 00:41:26,200 --> 00:41:28,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, he was awesome. I've had enough. 861 00:41:28,200 --> 00:41:30,760 Speaker 4: You could have probably pitched two more three more years, right. 862 00:41:31,200 --> 00:41:33,200 Speaker 1: You know what, you know what I probably could have 863 00:41:33,239 --> 00:41:34,279 Speaker 1: pitched a year or two more. 864 00:41:34,360 --> 00:41:36,680 Speaker 3: But you know, there was a point where you know, 865 00:41:38,320 --> 00:41:41,160 Speaker 3: you knew, you know, as a player, it's enough, And 866 00:41:41,280 --> 00:41:43,799 Speaker 3: you know, I don't know what it had been like. 867 00:41:43,920 --> 00:41:45,719 Speaker 3: I mean, you know, I think people always sit there 868 00:41:45,719 --> 00:41:47,480 Speaker 3: and go, well, you know you pitch well, well, you 869 00:41:47,520 --> 00:41:49,359 Speaker 3: know I could have pitched two more years and maybe 870 00:41:49,400 --> 00:41:50,359 Speaker 3: I do do well? 871 00:41:51,160 --> 00:41:52,560 Speaker 1: Or what if I go out there and pitch two 872 00:41:52,600 --> 00:41:53,640 Speaker 1: more years and it's not well. 873 00:41:53,719 --> 00:41:57,560 Speaker 3: So you know, honestly, I told Bobby Cox before the 874 00:41:57,600 --> 00:41:59,480 Speaker 3: season started, I said, listen, I just want to let 875 00:41:59,520 --> 00:42:00,919 Speaker 3: you know I'm not coming back. 876 00:42:01,000 --> 00:42:03,440 Speaker 1: This is it. Please don't tell anybody. 877 00:42:03,640 --> 00:42:06,759 Speaker 3: So by the time I got to my locker, he'd 878 00:42:06,760 --> 00:42:10,439 Speaker 3: already told everybody that I was retiring and stepping away. 879 00:42:11,040 --> 00:42:12,279 Speaker 1: So he didn't make it, you know. 880 00:42:12,440 --> 00:42:14,319 Speaker 3: And I think it was easy because it was one 881 00:42:14,360 --> 00:42:16,680 Speaker 3: of those things that it wasn't I wasn't going to 882 00:42:16,800 --> 00:42:17,920 Speaker 3: change or do anything. 883 00:42:18,000 --> 00:42:20,480 Speaker 1: But I will say that I really feel like I 884 00:42:20,640 --> 00:42:22,080 Speaker 1: relaxed and really. 885 00:42:21,880 --> 00:42:25,560 Speaker 3: Looked around a little bit more, really enjoyed things a 886 00:42:25,600 --> 00:42:28,040 Speaker 3: little bit more, knowing that I was blessed to go 887 00:42:28,120 --> 00:42:30,719 Speaker 3: out on my own terms. But I mean, there were 888 00:42:30,800 --> 00:42:34,880 Speaker 3: so many nights I'm sitting there. I mean, the tortos 889 00:42:34,920 --> 00:42:38,000 Speaker 3: shots that I was getting in my back, my hips, 890 00:42:38,160 --> 00:42:40,440 Speaker 3: my ankles, I mean, you know, I we could sept it. 891 00:42:40,719 --> 00:42:42,239 Speaker 3: I mean, it was just it was one of those things. 892 00:42:42,280 --> 00:42:44,279 Speaker 3: I mean, I was wrapped up in tape from my 893 00:42:44,520 --> 00:42:48,239 Speaker 3: ankles through my growing you know, and I was like, man, 894 00:42:48,280 --> 00:42:50,200 Speaker 3: you know, the only thing that wasn't hurting was my 895 00:42:50,520 --> 00:42:53,080 Speaker 3: shoulder and my elbow, and so it was just one 896 00:42:53,080 --> 00:42:54,839 Speaker 3: of those things I said. You know, my kids are older, 897 00:42:55,040 --> 00:42:56,920 Speaker 3: they're getting ready to go into that high school. It 898 00:42:57,040 --> 00:43:00,120 Speaker 3: was important for me to be a dad first. And 899 00:43:01,040 --> 00:43:03,000 Speaker 3: you know, uh, you know, I'd like to think that 900 00:43:03,080 --> 00:43:05,400 Speaker 3: I could have played longer, but you know, you know, 901 00:43:05,960 --> 00:43:07,440 Speaker 3: I'm happy with where I left. 902 00:43:07,560 --> 00:43:09,359 Speaker 1: I don't regret what I've done. 903 00:43:10,400 --> 00:43:12,799 Speaker 6: Well, you definitely have. You definitely left your You left 904 00:43:12,840 --> 00:43:16,480 Speaker 6: your mark, man, you left your legacy, and and I 905 00:43:16,560 --> 00:43:18,400 Speaker 6: have a great deal of respect for for you to 906 00:43:18,440 --> 00:43:21,759 Speaker 6: step away from when you when you did, because that's 907 00:43:21,800 --> 00:43:25,480 Speaker 6: a personal thing, and that's something that that I appreciate 908 00:43:25,600 --> 00:43:28,760 Speaker 6: that you did and that you won't I agree. 909 00:43:29,000 --> 00:43:29,920 Speaker 1: I agree with Gruen. 910 00:43:30,040 --> 00:43:33,880 Speaker 4: You left your mark not only as a player and 911 00:43:33,960 --> 00:43:36,440 Speaker 4: a pitcher, but as a man. Billy, I have great 912 00:43:36,480 --> 00:43:38,080 Speaker 4: respect and appreciation for you. 913 00:43:38,600 --> 00:43:40,080 Speaker 1: Thank you, Yeah, we bet. 914 00:43:40,160 --> 00:43:42,040 Speaker 2: We wish you the best of luck. Hopefully it will 915 00:43:42,040 --> 00:43:45,080 Speaker 2: be a nice celebration, uh next month and then we'll 916 00:43:45,080 --> 00:43:46,920 Speaker 2: see in Cooperstown. We'll all be pulling for you. 917 00:43:47,360 --> 00:43:48,880 Speaker 1: I appreciate that. Look forward to that. 918 00:43:49,840 --> 00:43:53,080 Speaker 2: Thanks again to Billy Wagner for the time and good 919 00:43:53,200 --> 00:43:58,440 Speaker 2: luck to Billy. January twenty first, six pm, Eastern MLB Network. 920 00:43:58,520 --> 00:44:02,439 Speaker 2: Hopefully he gets the call to Cooperstown. We'll be back later, 921 00:44:02,520 --> 00:44:05,600 Speaker 2: guys for more Phillies talk. Thanks everybody. The Philly Show 922 00:44:05,719 --> 00:44:08,960 Speaker 2: is brought to you by the Foul Territory Network. Subscribe 923 00:44:09,000 --> 00:44:11,279 Speaker 2: to The Phillies Show on YouTube and wherever you get 924 00:44:11,320 --> 00:44:14,280 Speaker 2: your podcasts. If you like us, give us a review, 925 00:44:14,800 --> 00:44:19,080 Speaker 2: Follow us on Instagram, TikTok x, Facebook, and threads. Find 926 00:44:19,160 --> 00:44:22,240 Speaker 2: Rubens analysis before, during, and after Phillies games on NBC 927 00:44:22,360 --> 00:44:26,200 Speaker 2: Sports Philadelphia, on the Sports Radio ninety four, WIP Morning Show, 928 00:44:26,320 --> 00:44:30,200 Speaker 2: and MLB Network. Find Jim at all phl y dot com. 929 00:44:30,680 --> 00:44:33,280 Speaker 2: Find me at MLB dot com, the Phillies Bet Newsletter, 930 00:44:33,440 --> 00:44:34,640 Speaker 2: and MLB Network