1 00:00:04,038 --> 00:00:07,358 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. 2 00:00:13,038 --> 00:00:16,358 Speaker 1: Hello again, It's time for another edition of the most 3 00:00:16,398 --> 00:00:20,318 Speaker 1: Interesting podcast on baseball. It is the Book of Joe 4 00:00:20,398 --> 00:00:24,558 Speaker 1: Podcast with Me, Tom Berducci and Joe Madden. Joe, the 5 00:00:24,558 --> 00:00:28,358 Speaker 1: baseball season has begun, and I seem to recall there 6 00:00:28,478 --> 00:00:31,358 Speaker 1: was a spring training for you with the Angels where 7 00:00:31,398 --> 00:00:34,838 Speaker 1: your theme was play like it's what was it, nineteen 8 00:00:34,878 --> 00:00:39,158 Speaker 1: eighty five? Yeah, right, right, You must be digging the 9 00:00:39,238 --> 00:00:42,358 Speaker 1: baseball that's being played right now, because it does remind 10 00:00:42,478 --> 00:00:47,238 Speaker 1: me a little bit of nineteen eighty five. Yeah. Honestly, 11 00:00:47,278 --> 00:00:50,398 Speaker 1: I have enjoyed the pace of the whole thing. I have. 12 00:00:50,638 --> 00:00:54,398 Speaker 1: I think everybody has. And actually that was one of 13 00:00:54,398 --> 00:00:56,838 Speaker 1: the things I wrote on the top of my heat 14 00:00:56,838 --> 00:01:00,998 Speaker 1: here today. Yes, no question. I don't think there's anybody 15 00:01:00,998 --> 00:01:03,438 Speaker 1: out there's not really enjoying the pace of the game. 16 00:01:04,198 --> 00:01:06,878 Speaker 1: And is I guess, but I don't know. It's a 17 00:01:06,918 --> 00:01:09,838 Speaker 1: rhetorical question, and maybe it's probably not, But it's just 18 00:01:09,918 --> 00:01:12,158 Speaker 1: the pace of the game. Is that enough to to 19 00:01:12,198 --> 00:01:15,598 Speaker 1: re conjure interest in the game, the fact that people 20 00:01:15,638 --> 00:01:18,438 Speaker 1: could watch it, or sit in a ballpark, or watch 21 00:01:18,478 --> 00:01:21,398 Speaker 1: it on TV. It is this going to wear off 22 00:01:21,438 --> 00:01:24,518 Speaker 1: the fact that it's a quickler paced game, or is 23 00:01:24,558 --> 00:01:27,318 Speaker 1: that the lynchpin to making you want to watch it 24 00:01:27,398 --> 00:01:29,758 Speaker 1: more intently? In other words, is that is it a 25 00:01:29,758 --> 00:01:33,518 Speaker 1: good enough reason to consider, even at this early juncture 26 00:01:33,558 --> 00:01:36,398 Speaker 1: the experiment of success? Um, you know, I still have 27 00:01:36,558 --> 00:01:39,798 Speaker 1: I've still heard people talk about, Yes, we love the 28 00:01:39,838 --> 00:01:41,478 Speaker 1: pace of the game, but the quality of the game. 29 00:01:41,838 --> 00:01:44,718 Speaker 1: You know, there's still a bunch of strikeouts. I don't 30 00:01:44,718 --> 00:01:47,198 Speaker 1: even know to what extent base stealing is up. I 31 00:01:47,318 --> 00:01:50,158 Speaker 1: know strikes are still there pretty heavily. I remember over 32 00:01:50,198 --> 00:01:53,518 Speaker 1: this past weekend reading about the Giants and the Yankees 33 00:01:53,598 --> 00:01:55,758 Speaker 1: still having a bunch of punch outs in those games. 34 00:01:56,558 --> 00:01:58,958 Speaker 1: So anyway, yes, the pace of the game is wonderful. 35 00:01:59,038 --> 00:02:03,078 Speaker 1: I'm just asking you. I guess also with the feedback, 36 00:02:03,278 --> 00:02:06,438 Speaker 1: you're more closely connected diame the feedback regarding that and 37 00:02:07,198 --> 00:02:09,438 Speaker 1: how it's connected to the actual play of the game, 38 00:02:09,478 --> 00:02:11,958 Speaker 1: the actual performance of the game, the fundamentals of the game. 39 00:02:12,358 --> 00:02:14,918 Speaker 1: Do people seem to feel or believe that those are 40 00:02:14,958 --> 00:02:18,318 Speaker 1: also trending in the right direction. Well, let's see, I'll 41 00:02:18,318 --> 00:02:20,398 Speaker 1: just give you some numbers to start out with, in 42 00:02:20,478 --> 00:02:23,798 Speaker 1: terms of the time of game because pace of place, 43 00:02:23,878 --> 00:02:26,198 Speaker 1: of our time of game, first week of the season, 44 00:02:26,758 --> 00:02:30,598 Speaker 1: two hours, thirty nine minutes. It has not been below 45 00:02:30,638 --> 00:02:37,318 Speaker 1: two forty five since. Drumroll please a long time. You're 46 00:02:37,358 --> 00:02:40,558 Speaker 1: talking about people who are forty and younger who've literally 47 00:02:40,798 --> 00:02:44,718 Speaker 1: never seen baseball played like this. I'm happy for them 48 00:02:44,758 --> 00:02:46,398 Speaker 1: and happy for the rest of us who are over 49 00:02:46,518 --> 00:02:51,438 Speaker 1: forty who are now seeing a better played, crisperg game. 50 00:02:52,878 --> 00:02:56,598 Speaker 1: So that's twenty seven minutes of dead time, cut out 51 00:02:56,718 --> 00:03:00,198 Speaker 1: one fell swoop from where the game was last year. 52 00:03:00,238 --> 00:03:02,318 Speaker 1: And I'll give you an example. I was at Yankee 53 00:03:02,398 --> 00:03:07,838 Speaker 1: Stadium or the Yankees playing the Phillies Monday night, first 54 00:03:07,998 --> 00:03:11,238 Speaker 1: week night of the season, night game, and I'm telling 55 00:03:11,238 --> 00:03:14,038 Speaker 1: you that was a game with nine walks nine runs. 56 00:03:14,118 --> 00:03:16,398 Speaker 1: Last year would have taken three and a half hours, 57 00:03:16,438 --> 00:03:18,998 Speaker 1: and it was under two forty, right around two forty. 58 00:03:19,358 --> 00:03:21,318 Speaker 1: And I'm telling you, if people were there at the 59 00:03:21,438 --> 00:03:24,278 Speaker 1: end of the game, even though the game was not competitive, 60 00:03:24,278 --> 00:03:27,198 Speaker 1: they stuck around the sear and judges lasted bat If 61 00:03:27,198 --> 00:03:29,438 Speaker 1: that's a three and a half hour game, people start 62 00:03:29,518 --> 00:03:31,758 Speaker 1: clearing out after two and a half hours. You can 63 00:03:31,878 --> 00:03:34,478 Speaker 1: now tell your family and we can go to a 64 00:03:34,558 --> 00:03:37,678 Speaker 1: week night game and we can get home in time 65 00:03:37,718 --> 00:03:40,878 Speaker 1: and bed in time to go to school tomorrow, to 66 00:03:40,918 --> 00:03:44,278 Speaker 1: go to work tomorrow. That makes a huge difference all right. Now, 67 00:03:44,798 --> 00:03:49,198 Speaker 1: Phase two, as you astutely pointed out, Joe, is the 68 00:03:49,278 --> 00:03:53,198 Speaker 1: quality of play now enough to keep people coming back? 69 00:03:53,798 --> 00:03:56,358 Speaker 1: And I think we're getting there. Stolen bases are at 70 00:03:56,398 --> 00:04:00,478 Speaker 1: their highest rate right now since two and twelve, the 71 00:04:00,558 --> 00:04:03,358 Speaker 1: stolen base percentage. I can't believe this. It's up to 72 00:04:03,478 --> 00:04:07,198 Speaker 1: eighty eight percent success rate. And once those dudes in 73 00:04:07,198 --> 00:04:11,438 Speaker 1: the analytics office realize that that success rate is that high, 74 00:04:11,478 --> 00:04:16,438 Speaker 1: they're going to green light even more attempts, runs, batting average, 75 00:04:16,558 --> 00:04:21,518 Speaker 1: home runs, singles, stolen bases all up so far, and yes, 76 00:04:21,598 --> 00:04:23,918 Speaker 1: strikeouts are up. We have to give that time though, 77 00:04:23,918 --> 00:04:26,198 Speaker 1: because right now we're seeing the front end of rotations 78 00:04:26,238 --> 00:04:29,478 Speaker 1: the better pitchers in the game. Let's see how that 79 00:04:29,518 --> 00:04:32,838 Speaker 1: plays out. But the other thing, here's a key for me, Joe, 80 00:04:32,878 --> 00:04:35,398 Speaker 1: and I know it's key for you. Would have noticed 81 00:04:35,438 --> 00:04:37,958 Speaker 1: so far, with the pull side of the field now 82 00:04:38,038 --> 00:04:43,238 Speaker 1: open up for groundball singles, launch angle has gone down 83 00:04:43,558 --> 00:04:47,358 Speaker 1: for the first time since this launch angle revolution began 84 00:04:47,398 --> 00:04:51,118 Speaker 1: in twenty fifteen. In other words, left handed hitters, not 85 00:04:51,198 --> 00:04:53,998 Speaker 1: that they want to hit groundballs, but when they do, 86 00:04:54,118 --> 00:04:56,438 Speaker 1: they're being rewarded, and when they step in the box, 87 00:04:56,438 --> 00:04:58,118 Speaker 1: they don't feel like they have to hit the ball 88 00:04:58,238 --> 00:05:01,518 Speaker 1: over the army of people who are on the right 89 00:05:01,558 --> 00:05:05,518 Speaker 1: side of the field. So I in time, Joe, to 90 00:05:05,558 --> 00:05:09,518 Speaker 1: answer your question, we are getting to a better, more 91 00:05:09,718 --> 00:05:13,438 Speaker 1: esthetic game that then we'll keep people coming back to 92 00:05:13,478 --> 00:05:15,838 Speaker 1: the ballpark for the product, not just the fact that 93 00:05:15,838 --> 00:05:19,078 Speaker 1: it's faster. Cool. Um. Yeah, and the back of your 94 00:05:19,118 --> 00:05:21,918 Speaker 1: base stealing part of it too. So the thing I've noticed, 95 00:05:21,918 --> 00:05:25,318 Speaker 1: I think, and I could almost imagine this, this might 96 00:05:25,358 --> 00:05:29,678 Speaker 1: be from top to bottom. Don't even try regarding stopping 97 00:05:29,678 --> 00:05:32,078 Speaker 1: the stone base, because that's something you know, historically there's 98 00:05:32,078 --> 00:05:34,678 Speaker 1: a lot of groups that weren't even concerned about the 99 00:05:34,678 --> 00:05:38,558 Speaker 1: stone base is being a really big run production productive 100 00:05:39,078 --> 00:05:43,918 Speaker 1: part of the game either. So I'm just curious our 101 00:05:43,958 --> 00:05:45,878 Speaker 1: teams just saying, you know, listen, I don't want my pictures, 102 00:05:45,918 --> 00:05:48,918 Speaker 1: I went our pictures changing any of this if we 103 00:05:49,198 --> 00:05:51,158 Speaker 1: if we happen to mitigate it a bit by the 104 00:05:51,158 --> 00:05:53,118 Speaker 1: one throwover and then having the other one in our 105 00:05:53,158 --> 00:05:56,518 Speaker 1: back pocket in case they don't want to go. Is 106 00:05:56,558 --> 00:06:00,478 Speaker 1: the conversation changed because you know, this whole time I've 107 00:06:00,478 --> 00:06:03,238 Speaker 1: been talking about pitchops, pitchouts, You're gonna be more prominent. 108 00:06:04,158 --> 00:06:07,198 Speaker 1: Pictures will get quicker to the plate. You know, I 109 00:06:07,238 --> 00:06:09,918 Speaker 1: thought these different things might become pertinent. But the other 110 00:06:09,958 --> 00:06:13,238 Speaker 1: thing I didn't take into consideration is that there's going 111 00:06:13,318 --> 00:06:15,198 Speaker 1: to be certain groups I think that might say, don't 112 00:06:15,198 --> 00:06:17,318 Speaker 1: worry about it. Even if they steal a base, it's 113 00:06:17,358 --> 00:06:19,918 Speaker 1: not a big concern because I don't want you guys 114 00:06:19,918 --> 00:06:21,798 Speaker 1: to alter what you're doing out there. Let's still get 115 00:06:21,878 --> 00:06:25,398 Speaker 1: up the hitter because the stolen base isn't as pertinent 116 00:06:25,438 --> 00:06:27,958 Speaker 1: the scoring runs as some people think it may be. 117 00:06:28,278 --> 00:06:32,158 Speaker 1: So I wonder how much that's part of the equation too, 118 00:06:32,158 --> 00:06:37,038 Speaker 1: in regards to team philosophies, and again, an analytical department 119 00:06:37,158 --> 00:06:40,358 Speaker 1: just trying to analyze when the base is stolen, and 120 00:06:40,398 --> 00:06:42,158 Speaker 1: then it would be with zero outs or one out 121 00:06:42,278 --> 00:06:45,198 Speaker 1: or two outs, there might be different levels of concern 122 00:06:45,238 --> 00:06:47,358 Speaker 1: based on a number of outs in the ning two. 123 00:06:47,998 --> 00:06:53,278 Speaker 1: All those things are going to be evaluated. I believe so, yes, 124 00:06:53,318 --> 00:06:55,518 Speaker 1: the stolen bases because the games I've watched, I've watched 125 00:06:55,518 --> 00:06:59,038 Speaker 1: like not even trying somebody still third base yesterday where 126 00:06:59,078 --> 00:07:01,518 Speaker 1: there was not even an attempt by the by the 127 00:07:01,598 --> 00:07:04,678 Speaker 1: picture to hold those it was a seattle game, but 128 00:07:05,038 --> 00:07:08,198 Speaker 1: not even an attempt to hold him at second base. Slow, 129 00:07:08,278 --> 00:07:11,038 Speaker 1: slow to the play, no chance, you know the guy's 130 00:07:11,118 --> 00:07:13,838 Speaker 1: going to run. And the same thing with a reliever. 131 00:07:13,878 --> 00:07:17,038 Speaker 1: I think with the Indians, was really really slow to 132 00:07:17,078 --> 00:07:18,678 Speaker 1: the play, and there was no way he was even 133 00:07:18,718 --> 00:07:22,718 Speaker 1: concerned about any of this. So I'd be curious. But 134 00:07:22,918 --> 00:07:25,598 Speaker 1: that kind of discussion looks like among analytical people that 135 00:07:25,678 --> 00:07:28,078 Speaker 1: don't even worry about it, just be concerned about getting 136 00:07:28,078 --> 00:07:30,158 Speaker 1: to hit her out. That's a great point. I think 137 00:07:30,198 --> 00:07:33,678 Speaker 1: there's some especially some of the bigger, slower relief pitchers. 138 00:07:33,718 --> 00:07:35,318 Speaker 1: I don't think they're going to change their game. I 139 00:07:35,398 --> 00:07:38,478 Speaker 1: just think that the green light is a little brighter 140 00:07:39,198 --> 00:07:42,358 Speaker 1: because you know, in recent years, it's kind of been 141 00:07:42,558 --> 00:07:44,478 Speaker 1: voting to make an out on the basis or even 142 00:07:44,558 --> 00:07:46,678 Speaker 1: risking out on the basis, and I think baseball is 143 00:07:46,838 --> 00:07:48,918 Speaker 1: starting to lose that. I don't think the stolen base 144 00:07:49,078 --> 00:07:51,638 Speaker 1: numbers right now are crazy high. As I mentioned, it's 145 00:07:51,678 --> 00:07:54,598 Speaker 1: the highest per game since twenty twelve, so we're not 146 00:07:54,598 --> 00:07:57,918 Speaker 1: really talking about the nineteen eighties yet. But that success 147 00:07:57,998 --> 00:08:00,278 Speaker 1: rate is super high, so I do think in time 148 00:08:00,918 --> 00:08:04,518 Speaker 1: that attempts will go up. That brings me. It's something 149 00:08:04,558 --> 00:08:08,118 Speaker 1: that a Commissioner of Baseball, Rob Manford said last week, 150 00:08:08,158 --> 00:08:09,838 Speaker 1: and I want to get your reaction to this. Joe. 151 00:08:09,918 --> 00:08:12,998 Speaker 1: I was at a luncheon with him at the Paley 152 00:08:13,118 --> 00:08:16,958 Speaker 1: Media Center in New York, and he brought up this story, 153 00:08:17,078 --> 00:08:20,078 Speaker 1: and we were talking about a better aesthetic game, if 154 00:08:20,158 --> 00:08:24,198 Speaker 1: you will, and he said, a long time owner told him, 155 00:08:24,358 --> 00:08:28,398 Speaker 1: I've got so many of these analytic guys on my staff. 156 00:08:28,758 --> 00:08:31,038 Speaker 1: I have no idea what they're doing. So I spent 157 00:08:31,278 --> 00:08:35,438 Speaker 1: one week with them in the bunker trying to decide, 158 00:08:35,638 --> 00:08:39,318 Speaker 1: you know, what impact are these guys making. And this 159 00:08:39,438 --> 00:08:42,358 Speaker 1: owner told the commissioner. I came away with this impression 160 00:08:42,958 --> 00:08:47,438 Speaker 1: analytics is an arms race to nowhere. He didn't think 161 00:08:47,518 --> 00:08:50,558 Speaker 1: the effort that was going into this now that everybody 162 00:08:50,638 --> 00:08:56,358 Speaker 1: is doing it was producing edges that were measurable, noticeable 163 00:08:56,638 --> 00:08:59,118 Speaker 1: difference makers in the game. Not to say they don't exist, 164 00:08:59,158 --> 00:09:02,398 Speaker 1: but he thought they were so marginal. This owner that 165 00:09:02,878 --> 00:09:06,638 Speaker 1: it's kind of lost that's edge. And the Commissioner Baseball said, 166 00:09:07,158 --> 00:09:12,158 Speaker 1: that has become one of my favorite sayings because it's true. 167 00:09:12,638 --> 00:09:14,878 Speaker 1: And I think what we're seeing with the rules here, 168 00:09:14,918 --> 00:09:17,158 Speaker 1: and it's not to say analytics so not good. You know, 169 00:09:17,198 --> 00:09:19,318 Speaker 1: I love them. I love what they're doing in terms 170 00:09:19,358 --> 00:09:22,678 Speaker 1: of shaping pitches. What's going on inside these pitching labs 171 00:09:22,678 --> 00:09:25,718 Speaker 1: and hitting labs now is just amazing. But when it 172 00:09:25,758 --> 00:09:28,238 Speaker 1: comes to the style of the game, I do think 173 00:09:28,278 --> 00:09:31,158 Speaker 1: and you saw this, Joe, the pitch framing with shifts. 174 00:09:31,158 --> 00:09:33,198 Speaker 1: You were at the forefront of shifts yourself with the 175 00:09:33,278 --> 00:09:37,518 Speaker 1: rays of a decade ago, but as everybody started adopting it, 176 00:09:37,798 --> 00:09:42,958 Speaker 1: the advantages disappeared and the game suffered, And I think 177 00:09:43,038 --> 00:09:45,838 Speaker 1: that's what he was driving at that. Now we're at 178 00:09:45,838 --> 00:09:48,958 Speaker 1: a point where you know, you have to have athletics 179 00:09:48,958 --> 00:09:51,118 Speaker 1: as m on defense because you can't rely on the 180 00:09:51,118 --> 00:09:55,718 Speaker 1: algorithms so tell you where to stand. So I'm curious 181 00:09:55,718 --> 00:09:58,518 Speaker 1: to your reactions as a commissioner Baseball now saying that 182 00:09:58,758 --> 00:10:01,958 Speaker 1: analytics is a race to nowhere at this point because 183 00:10:01,998 --> 00:10:07,398 Speaker 1: they're so far developed and essentially universally adopted. Yeah, I mean, everybody, 184 00:10:07,558 --> 00:10:09,798 Speaker 1: You're right, everybody's been trying to get the biggest baseball 185 00:10:09,838 --> 00:10:12,478 Speaker 1: ops and I think it's almost the contest to have 186 00:10:12,558 --> 00:10:15,238 Speaker 1: the team with the biggest baseball ops. There's so much 187 00:10:15,238 --> 00:10:19,478 Speaker 1: redundancy with all of this stuff. It's incredible because if 188 00:10:19,518 --> 00:10:21,638 Speaker 1: you hire somebody to be an analyst for your group, 189 00:10:21,678 --> 00:10:23,638 Speaker 1: you know what they do all day long the analyze stuff, 190 00:10:23,958 --> 00:10:27,518 Speaker 1: and then they really they start presenting things to you that, 191 00:10:27,838 --> 00:10:29,598 Speaker 1: you know, really look pretty on a piece of paper, 192 00:10:29,678 --> 00:10:32,158 Speaker 1: but have nothing to do with winning. You're losing the 193 00:10:32,198 --> 00:10:34,998 Speaker 1: game that night. It's just another thing that I do 194 00:10:35,038 --> 00:10:37,358 Speaker 1: because I sit and have to think of things all day, 195 00:10:37,558 --> 00:10:41,078 Speaker 1: and thus I'm analytically coming up with these new postures. 196 00:10:41,118 --> 00:10:44,718 Speaker 1: Here posture it's and all of a sudden doesn't really matter, 197 00:10:44,838 --> 00:10:47,958 Speaker 1: but that's what I'm paid to do. So and like 198 00:10:47,998 --> 00:10:50,758 Speaker 1: you're saying, the edges, the edges existed when this all began, 199 00:10:50,998 --> 00:10:54,278 Speaker 1: when it was new and unpopular. Basically at that time 200 00:10:54,318 --> 00:10:57,598 Speaker 1: went to raise man. The edges were wide. There were 201 00:10:57,838 --> 00:10:59,838 Speaker 1: wide edges, and we were just killing it on the 202 00:10:59,918 --> 00:11:03,758 Speaker 1: edges and everybody was making fun of us. And then eventually, 203 00:11:04,798 --> 00:11:06,718 Speaker 1: I remember the one series that might have talking. We're 204 00:11:06,798 --> 00:11:09,638 Speaker 1: playing the Yankees at the trop and I mean they 205 00:11:09,638 --> 00:11:13,478 Speaker 1: were hitting bullets everywhere and we're standing right in the way, 206 00:11:13,518 --> 00:11:15,558 Speaker 1: and they were like there was smoke coming out of 207 00:11:15,558 --> 00:11:18,678 Speaker 1: their ears, the hitters, the Yankee hitters. But that's where 208 00:11:18,718 --> 00:11:22,198 Speaker 1: we had our advantage. That's how the race got better quicker, 209 00:11:22,678 --> 00:11:25,678 Speaker 1: and that's where people began to take notice, but still 210 00:11:25,678 --> 00:11:28,638 Speaker 1: didn't want to do it because we were the outliers. 211 00:11:28,918 --> 00:11:31,198 Speaker 1: This is crazy. Why they're doing this stuff. They're trying 212 00:11:31,198 --> 00:11:32,958 Speaker 1: to reinvent the game. These are all the things we 213 00:11:33,038 --> 00:11:35,758 Speaker 1: heard at that time, but we were working on the 214 00:11:35,838 --> 00:11:38,358 Speaker 1: edges and we're working in really well. But now it 215 00:11:38,398 --> 00:11:40,918 Speaker 1: really speaks to what I've been saying about the lack 216 00:11:40,918 --> 00:11:43,958 Speaker 1: of identity per organization, because everybody wants to be the same. 217 00:11:44,758 --> 00:11:49,358 Speaker 1: Everybody is in an arms race, and analysts race in 218 00:11:49,358 --> 00:11:52,718 Speaker 1: regards to trying to get more brain power upstairs to 219 00:11:52,758 --> 00:11:57,198 Speaker 1: present more paperwork before the game with the attempt or 220 00:11:57,278 --> 00:11:59,118 Speaker 1: thought or desire that it's going to help win the 221 00:11:59,158 --> 00:12:04,558 Speaker 1: game more than the other side. Not true. Really, this 222 00:12:04,718 --> 00:12:06,478 Speaker 1: really speaks. But I think back to what I originally 223 00:12:06,518 --> 00:12:10,878 Speaker 1: had spoken to you about that acquisitions. That's where analytics 224 00:12:10,918 --> 00:12:14,638 Speaker 1: really shine. So we're talking about is we all have 225 00:12:14,718 --> 00:12:17,838 Speaker 1: this huge every team's got this huge, beautiful analytical department 226 00:12:17,838 --> 00:12:20,318 Speaker 1: with all these dudes that really are very bright, but 227 00:12:20,358 --> 00:12:21,798 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, who has better baseball 228 00:12:21,798 --> 00:12:24,518 Speaker 1: players to play the game of baseball better? And that's 229 00:12:24,558 --> 00:12:27,358 Speaker 1: really what it comes down to. The preparation to fundamentals, 230 00:12:27,638 --> 00:12:31,918 Speaker 1: the execution, the thought or the idea. What do you 231 00:12:31,958 --> 00:12:34,998 Speaker 1: consider important within that dug out, within that clubhouse. Everybody 232 00:12:35,078 --> 00:12:38,158 Speaker 1: keeps talking about the Indians and how you're kind of 233 00:12:38,158 --> 00:12:39,878 Speaker 1: like in a fistfight with these guys when you play 234 00:12:39,878 --> 00:12:41,758 Speaker 1: them right, because they're trying to play the game hard 235 00:12:41,758 --> 00:12:45,998 Speaker 1: and write not nothing revolutionary here, so to me, if 236 00:12:45,998 --> 00:12:51,358 Speaker 1: you really want to be successful in this game, yeah, 237 00:12:51,438 --> 00:12:54,198 Speaker 1: get really good baseball players, and yeah, teach the game 238 00:12:54,438 --> 00:12:56,638 Speaker 1: fundamentally sound and go out there and play it hard 239 00:12:56,678 --> 00:12:59,518 Speaker 1: every night. And while you're doing that, utilize this stuff. 240 00:12:59,598 --> 00:13:01,998 Speaker 1: Utilize some information. Put your short stuff in the right 241 00:13:02,038 --> 00:13:04,438 Speaker 1: spot as well as you can have your hit. Your 242 00:13:04,438 --> 00:13:07,198 Speaker 1: pitchers know exactly where to pitch to the number four 243 00:13:07,278 --> 00:13:08,918 Speaker 1: hitter on this team or where he's going to expand 244 00:13:08,918 --> 00:13:12,278 Speaker 1: the scrich zone. Yes, that's all part of it, absolutely, 245 00:13:12,318 --> 00:13:14,758 Speaker 1: but that's always been part of it. The difference now 246 00:13:14,838 --> 00:13:17,678 Speaker 1: is there's so much information. Yes, it's more accurate, it's 247 00:13:17,718 --> 00:13:19,238 Speaker 1: more accurate with them. And I was doing it back 248 00:13:19,278 --> 00:13:21,078 Speaker 1: in the day. It just is I didn't have that. 249 00:13:21,238 --> 00:13:25,438 Speaker 1: We didn't have that those resources to Scott everybody every day, 250 00:13:25,518 --> 00:13:28,638 Speaker 1: every game. But at the end of the day, better 251 00:13:28,718 --> 00:13:32,038 Speaker 1: baseball players playing better baseball win And how do you 252 00:13:32,078 --> 00:13:35,238 Speaker 1: prep your team? I would be so into developing my 253 00:13:35,358 --> 00:13:41,438 Speaker 1: own personal organizational philosophy and identity now because if you 254 00:13:41,518 --> 00:13:44,678 Speaker 1: do do that now, I think that's the next area 255 00:13:44,758 --> 00:13:46,518 Speaker 1: to really get ahead of the rest of the group. 256 00:13:46,518 --> 00:13:50,438 Speaker 1: If you could create your own cocktail and live by 257 00:13:50,478 --> 00:13:52,718 Speaker 1: it and be successful by that's what you really need 258 00:13:52,758 --> 00:13:55,438 Speaker 1: to do. By the way, you owe me two bucks 259 00:13:55,478 --> 00:13:58,758 Speaker 1: what I do borrowing from your fine system. When you're people, 260 00:13:58,918 --> 00:14:01,158 Speaker 1: you change the devil raise to raise right, people were 261 00:14:01,158 --> 00:14:03,798 Speaker 1: still calling the devil raise that baseball team in Cleveland. 262 00:14:03,918 --> 00:14:10,638 Speaker 1: They're the Guardiansay, yeah, you want me two bucks. Hey, 263 00:14:10,638 --> 00:14:13,118 Speaker 1: when we come back, I want to talk to you, Joe, 264 00:14:13,158 --> 00:14:16,438 Speaker 1: about one of your former players as it relates to 265 00:14:17,278 --> 00:14:22,558 Speaker 1: fan behavior when your players cross the line, and ask 266 00:14:22,638 --> 00:14:33,438 Speaker 1: that question and answer it right after this. Hey, welcome 267 00:14:33,438 --> 00:14:36,718 Speaker 1: back to the Book of Joe Podcasts. I'm talking, of course, 268 00:14:36,758 --> 00:14:41,678 Speaker 1: with Joe Madden, former manager of the Los Angeles Angels, 269 00:14:41,918 --> 00:14:44,638 Speaker 1: and one of those players got in hot water with 270 00:14:44,678 --> 00:14:49,158 Speaker 1: the Commissioner's office Anthony Rendon out in Oakland. It's probably 271 00:14:49,238 --> 00:14:52,158 Speaker 1: the most uncomfortable walking baseball for players when they leave 272 00:14:52,198 --> 00:14:54,598 Speaker 1: the field. There's no tunnel, at least until you get 273 00:14:54,638 --> 00:14:57,198 Speaker 1: to the tunnel. You have to walk essentially in front 274 00:14:57,238 --> 00:15:00,678 Speaker 1: of the stands and you're actually in arms reach of 275 00:15:00,718 --> 00:15:03,758 Speaker 1: the fans. And we saw that somebody said something to Anthony. 276 00:15:04,038 --> 00:15:07,318 Speaker 1: He reacted by pulling on the fans shirt and taking 277 00:15:07,318 --> 00:15:11,198 Speaker 1: a swipe at him. Thankfully he missed. He was suspended 278 00:15:11,358 --> 00:15:16,158 Speaker 1: five games, and basically challenge that got it reduced to 279 00:15:16,278 --> 00:15:19,798 Speaker 1: four games. So four game suspension for Anthony random for 280 00:15:19,918 --> 00:15:22,838 Speaker 1: what could have been a much worse incident. You think 281 00:15:22,878 --> 00:15:25,798 Speaker 1: about what might have happened if he actually made contact 282 00:15:25,838 --> 00:15:28,678 Speaker 1: with the fan taking a swing at him. First of all, Joe, 283 00:15:28,718 --> 00:15:30,998 Speaker 1: I need your reaction, you know, Anthony, Well, when you 284 00:15:31,038 --> 00:15:33,038 Speaker 1: heard about this, what did you think it had to 285 00:15:33,078 --> 00:15:36,078 Speaker 1: be something? Whoever this person was had to say something. 286 00:15:36,118 --> 00:15:39,198 Speaker 1: Obviously that cut pretty deeply, and like you're saying right there, 287 00:15:40,398 --> 00:15:43,398 Speaker 1: that walk is a really tough walk. And I'm betting 288 00:15:44,198 --> 00:15:46,878 Speaker 1: now you're going to see other measures being taken to 289 00:15:47,878 --> 00:15:50,958 Speaker 1: prevent that from happening again, because there's also that incident 290 00:15:50,998 --> 00:15:52,798 Speaker 1: a couple of years ago out in the bullpen too. 291 00:15:52,998 --> 00:15:55,918 Speaker 1: I mean, Oakland's right, it's ready for all kinds of 292 00:15:55,998 --> 00:15:59,678 Speaker 1: confrontation between fans and players at different times, the way 293 00:15:59,718 --> 00:16:02,918 Speaker 1: the whole thing is set up. But what I thought was, 294 00:16:04,198 --> 00:16:06,838 Speaker 1: like I said, it had to be something severe. Anthony's 295 00:16:06,838 --> 00:16:10,838 Speaker 1: pretty a pretty mild mannered fellow. But also I'm not 296 00:16:10,878 --> 00:16:13,478 Speaker 1: advocating fighting, but I also believe what he did there 297 00:16:13,638 --> 00:16:15,558 Speaker 1: with all the players around him, that's one of those 298 00:16:15,598 --> 00:16:18,478 Speaker 1: things they could actually charge up the team. Like you said, 299 00:16:18,478 --> 00:16:20,958 Speaker 1: Fortunately there wasn't any contact made. And you should never 300 00:16:22,838 --> 00:16:24,798 Speaker 1: we should never want to go into the stands. You 301 00:16:24,798 --> 00:16:27,838 Speaker 1: should never want to do that. But again, I've heard 302 00:16:27,838 --> 00:16:29,598 Speaker 1: some stuff, man. I've heard some stuff when I was 303 00:16:29,638 --> 00:16:32,958 Speaker 1: managing in Little Rock, Arkansas. We've talked about that. I've 304 00:16:32,998 --> 00:16:35,798 Speaker 1: heard some stuff in Port Charlotte. I've heard some stuff 305 00:16:35,798 --> 00:16:38,718 Speaker 1: in Shreveport. And I've heard some stuff on Major League 306 00:16:38,718 --> 00:16:41,438 Speaker 1: stands which comes out of the stands down to the field. 307 00:16:42,438 --> 00:16:46,438 Speaker 1: It's it's crass, it's brutal. It's crude, and I don't 308 00:16:46,438 --> 00:16:48,038 Speaker 1: care how much money you pay to get in the ballpark. 309 00:16:48,118 --> 00:16:52,078 Speaker 1: People shouldn't be yelling that stuff to players. So yeah, 310 00:16:52,278 --> 00:16:55,198 Speaker 1: everybody's gonna put the front of this on Anthony, and 311 00:16:55,198 --> 00:16:58,518 Speaker 1: I understand that because we do have to really curb 312 00:16:59,118 --> 00:17:03,478 Speaker 1: whatever that desire is for retribution because it could be 313 00:17:03,558 --> 00:17:07,278 Speaker 1: dirty sometimes. Man, he gets real dirty. So again I'm 314 00:17:07,318 --> 00:17:09,398 Speaker 1: glad he didn't make contact. I want to believe that 315 00:17:09,438 --> 00:17:13,718 Speaker 1: we have to be really recognized places like that that 316 00:17:13,838 --> 00:17:18,198 Speaker 1: can be a little bit more potentially volatile between fans 317 00:17:18,198 --> 00:17:21,318 Speaker 1: and players. So it had to be It had to 318 00:17:21,318 --> 00:17:23,318 Speaker 1: be bad because I know Anthony had to be like 319 00:17:23,398 --> 00:17:29,358 Speaker 1: really cutting and sharp. But again, weirdly, no harm, no 320 00:17:29,518 --> 00:17:32,478 Speaker 1: found his sense. Nobody was hitting, nobody was hurt. This 321 00:17:32,558 --> 00:17:34,638 Speaker 1: could really inspire the Angels a bit. I mean the 322 00:17:34,678 --> 00:17:37,438 Speaker 1: fact because he got in that fight last year when 323 00:17:37,438 --> 00:17:39,838 Speaker 1: they were against Seattle the latter part of the year. 324 00:17:39,838 --> 00:17:41,718 Speaker 1: He was the guy that stepped up for that too. 325 00:17:42,078 --> 00:17:44,958 Speaker 1: So Anthony, Anthony's got this quiet demeanor about him, but 326 00:17:45,558 --> 00:17:49,358 Speaker 1: it absolutely indicates what's going on within him. So there's 327 00:17:49,358 --> 00:17:51,598 Speaker 1: so many different ways of looking at it. No, don't 328 00:17:51,598 --> 00:17:53,678 Speaker 1: go after Finn, No, don't go in his nets. No, 329 00:17:53,838 --> 00:17:57,118 Speaker 1: never attempt to hit one. However, human beings, man, you 330 00:17:57,198 --> 00:17:59,198 Speaker 1: get some real dirty stuff being yelled at you, and 331 00:17:59,198 --> 00:18:01,158 Speaker 1: I think I'm sure whatever was said at Anthony was 332 00:18:01,158 --> 00:18:04,118 Speaker 1: really pretty bad. Yeah, two things to point out here. 333 00:18:04,118 --> 00:18:07,078 Speaker 1: At number one, these things have happened all the time, right, 334 00:18:07,278 --> 00:18:09,558 Speaker 1: I mean, it's nothing new in terms of this tension 335 00:18:09,558 --> 00:18:12,358 Speaker 1: and what people think they are allowed to do with 336 00:18:12,438 --> 00:18:15,478 Speaker 1: the ballpark. But number two, I think it has ratchet 337 00:18:15,598 --> 00:18:17,758 Speaker 1: it up. I think he's just part of the general 338 00:18:17,838 --> 00:18:21,878 Speaker 1: decline in civil discourse, the lack of other people to 339 00:18:22,078 --> 00:18:25,718 Speaker 1: stand up and say knock it off and let people 340 00:18:25,758 --> 00:18:28,758 Speaker 1: know in a group setting it's not acceptable behavior, rather 341 00:18:28,798 --> 00:18:33,158 Speaker 1: than just thinking it's funny or it's acceptable. So I 342 00:18:33,198 --> 00:18:35,838 Speaker 1: think this goes on. I think you referenced that ballpark 343 00:18:35,958 --> 00:18:38,518 Speaker 1: Joe and the incident in two thousand and four with 344 00:18:38,638 --> 00:18:42,598 Speaker 1: Frank Francisco, the reliever for the Texas Rangers. There was 345 00:18:42,638 --> 00:18:45,758 Speaker 1: actually a guy who prided himself on heckling people in 346 00:18:45,838 --> 00:18:48,318 Speaker 1: that Oakland bullpen, which is right next to this stands. 347 00:18:49,478 --> 00:18:52,238 Speaker 1: I guess he went too far in Francisco's book, and 348 00:18:52,358 --> 00:18:54,718 Speaker 1: Francisco went too far in his reaction. He threw a 349 00:18:54,878 --> 00:18:58,918 Speaker 1: chair into the stands. It broke a woman's nose. There 350 00:18:58,958 --> 00:19:02,078 Speaker 1: was a lawsuit that was eventually settled, but an ugly 351 00:19:02,158 --> 00:19:05,718 Speaker 1: incident he was suspended fifteen games. I'm gonna take you 352 00:19:05,758 --> 00:19:07,638 Speaker 1: back to nineteen eighty six. I was at a game 353 00:19:07,678 --> 00:19:11,078 Speaker 1: at Yankee Stadium where Spike Golling and Jim Rice collided 354 00:19:11,118 --> 00:19:14,398 Speaker 1: near the left field stands, and in the course of 355 00:19:14,438 --> 00:19:18,518 Speaker 1: those two players getting medical attention, a fan grab reached 356 00:19:18,558 --> 00:19:22,198 Speaker 1: over and grabbed Jim Rice's hat. Once Jim Rice found 357 00:19:22,198 --> 00:19:24,478 Speaker 1: out he was okay and things started to settle, He's like, 358 00:19:24,518 --> 00:19:27,558 Speaker 1: where's my hat? He saw someone in the stands wearing it, 359 00:19:27,878 --> 00:19:31,038 Speaker 1: Jim Rice, and then about four or five six other 360 00:19:31,118 --> 00:19:34,518 Speaker 1: Red Sox players went into the stands at Yankee Stadium. 361 00:19:34,558 --> 00:19:37,798 Speaker 1: You talk about a scary incident to retrieve his hat, 362 00:19:37,838 --> 00:19:40,958 Speaker 1: and he got it back luckily. I don't think there 363 00:19:41,038 --> 00:19:44,478 Speaker 1: was any kind of fine or suspension, but just to 364 00:19:44,518 --> 00:19:46,478 Speaker 1: make the point that there's been a long history of 365 00:19:46,558 --> 00:19:49,278 Speaker 1: things like this going on in baseball. We should never 366 00:19:49,398 --> 00:19:52,838 Speaker 1: accept it. We understand why it happens, but that's a 367 00:19:52,958 --> 00:19:55,958 Speaker 1: line a player can't cross. They understand some of the 368 00:19:55,998 --> 00:19:57,958 Speaker 1: things that are coming out of the stands here are 369 00:19:57,998 --> 00:20:01,398 Speaker 1: really nasty. And I know here's another story for you 370 00:20:01,518 --> 00:20:03,838 Speaker 1: and Joe. This is one of your and my favorite players. 371 00:20:03,918 --> 00:20:07,838 Speaker 1: Tony Phillips, playing for the Chicago White Sox in nineteen 372 00:20:07,918 --> 00:20:10,878 Speaker 1: ninety six, apparently heard a lot of heckling in the 373 00:20:10,918 --> 00:20:13,038 Speaker 1: course of the game playing the outfield there. He comes 374 00:20:13,078 --> 00:20:16,318 Speaker 1: out of the game after seven innings, and he had 375 00:20:16,358 --> 00:20:19,358 Speaker 1: told the fan who was heckling him to meet him 376 00:20:19,478 --> 00:20:22,838 Speaker 1: under the left field stands at the old Milwaukee County Stadium. 377 00:20:23,278 --> 00:20:26,918 Speaker 1: So during the game, Tony Phillips gets out of his uniform, 378 00:20:26,998 --> 00:20:30,278 Speaker 1: goes out under the stands, and left field punches the 379 00:20:30,398 --> 00:20:34,678 Speaker 1: dude out. I mean, you cannot advocate that he would 380 00:20:34,718 --> 00:20:38,078 Speaker 1: find five thousand dollars, which doesn't sound like a whole lot. 381 00:20:38,118 --> 00:20:40,278 Speaker 1: This is punching a fan in the course of a game. 382 00:20:41,158 --> 00:20:44,118 Speaker 1: Of course, Tony said the things he was hearing were super, 383 00:20:44,158 --> 00:20:47,438 Speaker 1: super nasty, and that's why he responded that way. But 384 00:20:47,638 --> 00:20:50,918 Speaker 1: I just think those are sort of isolated incidents. But 385 00:20:51,278 --> 00:20:54,518 Speaker 1: I think I'm curious your take on this, Joe. I've 386 00:20:54,598 --> 00:20:57,638 Speaker 1: heard from some players that things have gotten nastier in 387 00:20:57,758 --> 00:21:00,078 Speaker 1: the stands because people now think they have a quote 388 00:21:00,158 --> 00:21:02,398 Speaker 1: unquote right to say what they want. And I've actually 389 00:21:02,438 --> 00:21:04,958 Speaker 1: had some people play now say that now people are 390 00:21:05,118 --> 00:21:10,958 Speaker 1: betting on games. They actually are angrier when things don't 391 00:21:11,038 --> 00:21:13,678 Speaker 1: work out their way. It's an interesting concept now that 392 00:21:13,758 --> 00:21:17,638 Speaker 1: betting is so common and people have literally money riding 393 00:21:17,678 --> 00:21:20,878 Speaker 1: on the outcome of the game, with a deeper financial 394 00:21:20,918 --> 00:21:24,918 Speaker 1: and emotional investment, that ratchet it's up their reaction. It's interesting. 395 00:21:24,918 --> 00:21:27,198 Speaker 1: I don't know whether you noticed anything getting worse or 396 00:21:27,318 --> 00:21:30,438 Speaker 1: different in your years managing Joe, but I do think 397 00:21:30,438 --> 00:21:33,558 Speaker 1: it's a little edgier. I'm not just talking about baseball either, No, 398 00:21:33,958 --> 00:21:36,478 Speaker 1: it has, and there's been different cities, and I've had 399 00:21:36,558 --> 00:21:40,158 Speaker 1: security come down by the dugouts several times based on 400 00:21:40,278 --> 00:21:42,398 Speaker 1: different things that I was hearing just I was hearing 401 00:21:42,438 --> 00:21:45,518 Speaker 1: because listen, I'm really locked into a game, so for 402 00:21:45,598 --> 00:21:48,958 Speaker 1: me to have to get my attention split like that, 403 00:21:49,038 --> 00:21:50,878 Speaker 1: it has to be pretty awful to little. One of 404 00:21:50,878 --> 00:21:53,958 Speaker 1: the last ones was in Pittsburgh that I really I 405 00:21:53,998 --> 00:21:56,798 Speaker 1: couldn't even focus on the game anymore based on what 406 00:21:56,838 --> 00:22:00,758 Speaker 1: was coming out of the stands. And eventually I got 407 00:22:00,838 --> 00:22:03,198 Speaker 1: some attention of security there and I got them to 408 00:22:03,238 --> 00:22:06,038 Speaker 1: go talk to somebody. But apparently this person was some 409 00:22:06,238 --> 00:22:09,598 Speaker 1: kind of a contributor within the group there, and I 410 00:22:09,638 --> 00:22:12,838 Speaker 1: didn't get the kind of retribution I was looking for. Yeah, 411 00:22:12,918 --> 00:22:15,878 Speaker 1: it's um and you hit the nail on the head, 412 00:22:15,918 --> 00:22:18,998 Speaker 1: I believe. I mean all the gambling, the betting stuff, 413 00:22:19,398 --> 00:22:20,918 Speaker 1: you know we're talking about when you go to a 414 00:22:20,958 --> 00:22:23,758 Speaker 1: ball game in the Son of Domingo, you go to 415 00:22:23,798 --> 00:22:27,278 Speaker 1: winter ball down in particularly in the Dominican Republic, which 416 00:22:27,318 --> 00:22:29,958 Speaker 1: I've seen a lot of gambling going on in the 417 00:22:30,798 --> 00:22:35,198 Speaker 1: in the stands over anything, ball stripe, out hit, whatever 418 00:22:35,238 --> 00:22:39,478 Speaker 1: it might be. And there's it does tend to lead 419 00:22:39,478 --> 00:22:43,118 Speaker 1: to fights at that in those uh stands, and it's 420 00:22:43,158 --> 00:22:45,318 Speaker 1: kind of fun, it's raucous in a sense. But then again, 421 00:22:46,038 --> 00:22:48,758 Speaker 1: at the level that society is taking everything to today, 422 00:22:48,798 --> 00:22:51,838 Speaker 1: who knows what it could eventually lead to. And now 423 00:22:51,878 --> 00:22:55,678 Speaker 1: that gambling is so prevalent in our game in ballparks 424 00:22:55,758 --> 00:22:57,838 Speaker 1: up on the board, just talking about a fantasy king 425 00:22:57,958 --> 00:23:02,678 Speaker 1: or all these other things that promote betting on the game, 426 00:23:02,718 --> 00:23:05,598 Speaker 1: and you're right, it can get even more severe within 427 00:23:05,638 --> 00:23:09,718 Speaker 1: the stands. And that's where a player that may disappoint 428 00:23:10,798 --> 00:23:14,478 Speaker 1: somebody that's whatever writing on that particular moment. It can't 429 00:23:14,478 --> 00:23:16,438 Speaker 1: get it can get dirty. I'm telling you the words dirty, 430 00:23:16,438 --> 00:23:19,598 Speaker 1: and I've experienced it with my granddaughter in a World 431 00:23:19,598 --> 00:23:24,158 Speaker 1: Series game in Philadelphia. Um, the stuff. You know, as 432 00:23:24,158 --> 00:23:25,998 Speaker 1: a grandfather, you know, you might say, you know, the 433 00:23:26,038 --> 00:23:27,918 Speaker 1: hell with being a major league manager. I'm going to 434 00:23:27,958 --> 00:23:30,958 Speaker 1: defend my granddaughter's honor right here. This is like, it's 435 00:23:30,958 --> 00:23:34,238 Speaker 1: that bad. It's that bad, and it's stuff that all 436 00:23:34,278 --> 00:23:37,438 Speaker 1: of us normally in a normal walking down the street 437 00:23:37,558 --> 00:23:40,478 Speaker 1: or sitting in a restaurant. Somebody came up started blasting 438 00:23:40,598 --> 00:23:42,558 Speaker 1: like that they don't have the right to say those 439 00:23:42,638 --> 00:23:45,518 Speaker 1: kind of things to you just because they've paid to attend. Um, 440 00:23:45,718 --> 00:23:48,798 Speaker 1: So there is there's a there's a downgrading of deviancy 441 00:23:48,918 --> 00:23:52,318 Speaker 1: within our whole group, within society. We got it. Like 442 00:23:52,438 --> 00:23:54,398 Speaker 1: you said, somebody in the stands really needs to stand 443 00:23:54,478 --> 00:23:56,678 Speaker 1: up and say, hey, listen, you know, you know we're 444 00:23:56,718 --> 00:23:58,278 Speaker 1: not doing you don't do that here. We don't do 445 00:23:58,318 --> 00:24:01,718 Speaker 1: that here, Or tell it, there's a kid sitting right here. 446 00:24:02,078 --> 00:24:05,918 Speaker 1: Doesn't happen. It doesn't happen. And I'd love to see 447 00:24:05,998 --> 00:24:09,238 Speaker 1: us become more vigilant with that. I know, listen, he's 448 00:24:09,478 --> 00:24:12,838 Speaker 1: got securities everywhere, and we're worried about everything everywhere. But 449 00:24:12,918 --> 00:24:15,878 Speaker 1: I'm telling you, man, it's you're right. With the gambling component, 450 00:24:15,918 --> 00:24:18,358 Speaker 1: it's going to get accelerated, and we just got to 451 00:24:18,398 --> 00:24:20,598 Speaker 1: be really careful with that. Yeah, and I just wanted 452 00:24:20,598 --> 00:24:22,998 Speaker 1: to double down on what you said about if you're 453 00:24:23,038 --> 00:24:26,478 Speaker 1: at a situation like that in a ballpark, you do 454 00:24:26,558 --> 00:24:28,518 Speaker 1: not have to accept it. And in fact, I think 455 00:24:28,518 --> 00:24:32,638 Speaker 1: it's an obligation to speak up because what goes on 456 00:24:32,798 --> 00:24:35,158 Speaker 1: is only what we allow. And a lot of these 457 00:24:35,198 --> 00:24:39,758 Speaker 1: new ballparks they do have text messaging where you can 458 00:24:39,878 --> 00:24:44,798 Speaker 1: contact anonymously security and just alert them to a situation. 459 00:24:45,158 --> 00:24:48,598 Speaker 1: Let those people handle it, but make sure they know 460 00:24:48,678 --> 00:24:50,798 Speaker 1: about it. You know, it's a shame that you would 461 00:24:50,838 --> 00:24:54,358 Speaker 1: have to leave the ballpark with a negative feeling or 462 00:24:54,838 --> 00:24:58,038 Speaker 1: you know, a negative environment around you in the course 463 00:24:58,038 --> 00:25:00,878 Speaker 1: of enjoying a game that takes away from your enjoyment 464 00:25:01,198 --> 00:25:04,198 Speaker 1: without doing anything about it. So you are empowered, all 465 00:25:04,198 --> 00:25:08,358 Speaker 1: are standing up for what's right. It sounds hard sometimes, 466 00:25:08,518 --> 00:25:10,918 Speaker 1: but it's not the right thing to do. Is always 467 00:25:10,918 --> 00:25:14,158 Speaker 1: the better choice. We're gonna take a quick break and 468 00:25:14,558 --> 00:25:17,398 Speaker 1: I want to get Joe's take on the American League West. 469 00:25:17,638 --> 00:25:21,318 Speaker 1: Now it's the time of year to overreact because this 470 00:25:21,398 --> 00:25:23,478 Speaker 1: is all we have one week so far. But man, 471 00:25:23,558 --> 00:25:25,598 Speaker 1: there's a lot to talk about what might be the 472 00:25:25,638 --> 00:25:39,278 Speaker 1: most fascinating division in baseball. Okay, Joe, American League West, 473 00:25:39,478 --> 00:25:41,478 Speaker 1: and I mean we all have used to Astros as 474 00:25:41,478 --> 00:25:43,478 Speaker 1: the team to beat. That's not going to change after 475 00:25:43,478 --> 00:25:49,398 Speaker 1: a week of the season. But your buddy Bruce Bocci 476 00:25:49,558 --> 00:25:52,238 Speaker 1: already doing a heck of a job with the Texas Rangers. 477 00:25:52,278 --> 00:25:55,278 Speaker 1: I think he's got that team not just hoping that 478 00:25:55,398 --> 00:25:57,838 Speaker 1: they can win, but believing that they can win. Yes, 479 00:25:57,918 --> 00:26:01,718 Speaker 1: I think he's that kind of culture difference maker. Your 480 00:26:01,758 --> 00:26:05,558 Speaker 1: Angels are just on fire, and a lot of that 481 00:26:05,678 --> 00:26:08,198 Speaker 1: has to do at the momentum Mike Trout and Shoeotani 482 00:26:08,318 --> 00:26:12,478 Speaker 1: taking from the WBC into this season, and the Astros 483 00:26:12,478 --> 00:26:13,998 Speaker 1: have hit a couple of bumps in the road here 484 00:26:14,478 --> 00:26:17,598 Speaker 1: with some injuries, no question about that. But give me 485 00:26:17,638 --> 00:26:19,758 Speaker 1: your take on this division, Joe. Is it Is it 486 00:26:19,878 --> 00:26:22,758 Speaker 1: going to be a lot tighter than it's been the 487 00:26:22,838 --> 00:26:25,558 Speaker 1: last few years? I think so. Um. You know, if 488 00:26:25,558 --> 00:26:27,678 Speaker 1: you want to begin with the Angels, I know I 489 00:26:27,758 --> 00:26:30,238 Speaker 1: like the pitching a lot because I don't know they're bullpen. 490 00:26:30,318 --> 00:26:31,958 Speaker 1: I don't know how well that bullpen is going to 491 00:26:32,038 --> 00:26:34,718 Speaker 1: hold up. But the starters are really that good. Those 492 00:26:34,758 --> 00:26:37,478 Speaker 1: young starters are that good, big fan. I don't know 493 00:26:37,558 --> 00:26:41,638 Speaker 1: Anderson that well, but he's good. But Patrick Sandoval read 494 00:26:41,718 --> 00:26:46,638 Speaker 1: Deptner's Suarez. This whole group, they're that good. These guys 495 00:26:46,638 --> 00:26:49,838 Speaker 1: are that good, and they're very tightly knit. Their work 496 00:26:49,878 --> 00:26:53,198 Speaker 1: ethic is great. They're they're very motivated. So from that perspective, 497 00:26:53,398 --> 00:26:56,358 Speaker 1: I do like the pitching a lot. The team on 498 00:26:56,398 --> 00:26:58,318 Speaker 1: the field has gotten better. There's just more. There's more 499 00:26:58,438 --> 00:27:00,398 Speaker 1: grown ups. That's the word I used to use all 500 00:27:00,398 --> 00:27:02,438 Speaker 1: the time. I wanted more grown ups in the locker room. 501 00:27:03,038 --> 00:27:05,478 Speaker 1: I like Dreary of always like drey renfro. These guys 502 00:27:05,478 --> 00:27:07,718 Speaker 1: are real. And if you have David Fletcher coming off 503 00:27:07,718 --> 00:27:10,838 Speaker 1: the bench as a utility guy, obviously that makes you 504 00:27:10,878 --> 00:27:12,958 Speaker 1: stronger too. And I like, I tell you the hidden 505 00:27:12,998 --> 00:27:14,838 Speaker 1: secret there. I think, is it a hobbies that I 506 00:27:15,078 --> 00:27:17,638 Speaker 1: say his name the catcher? Yeah, yeah, he's he's got 507 00:27:17,638 --> 00:27:20,478 Speaker 1: a nice presence about him, and I've the limited time 508 00:27:20,478 --> 00:27:22,758 Speaker 1: i've seen them play, I really like. I just like 509 00:27:22,838 --> 00:27:26,198 Speaker 1: his presence. I think I like his swing. I have 510 00:27:26,238 --> 00:27:29,038 Speaker 1: to watch more, but first blush, he's he's really an 511 00:27:29,078 --> 00:27:31,798 Speaker 1: interesting young man behind the plate. And of course you 512 00:27:31,878 --> 00:27:34,358 Speaker 1: talk about show and Michael and everything, of course, but 513 00:27:34,398 --> 00:27:37,398 Speaker 1: and and Taylor Ward. Taylor Ward is that good. This 514 00:27:37,558 --> 00:27:40,118 Speaker 1: is not a flute. This guy is that good. He's 515 00:27:40,158 --> 00:27:42,718 Speaker 1: that good of a hitter. He has a great approach. 516 00:27:43,918 --> 00:27:45,118 Speaker 1: I think he has to do is stay on the 517 00:27:45,158 --> 00:27:48,038 Speaker 1: field and be well. But he's he's a nice baseball player. 518 00:27:48,078 --> 00:27:51,038 Speaker 1: So yes, And then I did watch the Rangers, and 519 00:27:51,078 --> 00:27:54,238 Speaker 1: again their pitching's greatly improved too. They got a really 520 00:27:54,318 --> 00:27:57,638 Speaker 1: good team on the field. And and Boach. Boach is 521 00:27:57,678 --> 00:28:00,158 Speaker 1: a very calming influence and an inspirational one too. And 522 00:28:00,198 --> 00:28:03,118 Speaker 1: he's gonna these guys are gonna quote unquote want to 523 00:28:03,158 --> 00:28:05,638 Speaker 1: play for him. Just are I mean, Boach is that 524 00:28:05,638 --> 00:28:08,038 Speaker 1: that kind of a dude. He's walks out there. It's like, 525 00:28:08,638 --> 00:28:10,678 Speaker 1: you know, Clint Eastwood in the latter days of his 526 00:28:10,758 --> 00:28:12,998 Speaker 1: life going out to the Mountain exchange of Pitcher. I mean, 527 00:28:12,998 --> 00:28:15,278 Speaker 1: he just has needs to be John Wyn. I think 528 00:28:15,398 --> 00:28:17,518 Speaker 1: now it's Clint Eastwood, but I love Boat and I 529 00:28:17,558 --> 00:28:21,038 Speaker 1: think that's exactly what he's got going on there. Houston 530 00:28:21,118 --> 00:28:23,838 Speaker 1: is gonna be Houston. I mean, coming off a World Series, 531 00:28:23,838 --> 00:28:26,118 Speaker 1: there's so many things going on. You don't have as 532 00:28:26,238 --> 00:28:30,278 Speaker 1: much time to heal injuries, there is a mental hangover. 533 00:28:30,318 --> 00:28:33,398 Speaker 1: I dispute that with anybody that disagrees there is such 534 00:28:33,438 --> 00:28:36,278 Speaker 1: a thing as that. In Seattle. Seattle's off to a 535 00:28:36,318 --> 00:28:39,158 Speaker 1: rugged start. They lost some tough games I saw with Cleveland, 536 00:28:39,838 --> 00:28:42,278 Speaker 1: and but they're nice, they're good, They're going to come back. 537 00:28:42,358 --> 00:28:45,998 Speaker 1: I just think that this division has an opportunity to 538 00:28:46,398 --> 00:28:50,318 Speaker 1: pretty much, you know, remain tight. It's going to be 539 00:28:50,358 --> 00:28:52,478 Speaker 1: a tightly knit race. I think the whole year. I 540 00:28:52,478 --> 00:28:55,278 Speaker 1: don't think you're gonna see anybody really break away because 541 00:28:55,278 --> 00:28:58,038 Speaker 1: I think the pitching each team has enough pitching to 542 00:28:58,078 --> 00:29:01,118 Speaker 1: prevent somebody else from breaking away. So yeah, it is. 543 00:29:01,198 --> 00:29:04,318 Speaker 1: It's really interesting and I have, I mean met the 544 00:29:04,398 --> 00:29:07,918 Speaker 1: point now again where I could watch a game really 545 00:29:07,958 --> 00:29:11,078 Speaker 1: without any kind of feeling that this is a very 546 00:29:13,278 --> 00:29:16,078 Speaker 1: able to just look at it, dissect it without any emotion. 547 00:29:16,078 --> 00:29:18,958 Speaker 1: I kind of dig in on that. So yeah, I 548 00:29:18,998 --> 00:29:20,798 Speaker 1: think that this division is going to be fun to 549 00:29:20,838 --> 00:29:24,198 Speaker 1: watch all year, and I think the pitching is really 550 00:29:24,238 --> 00:29:27,798 Speaker 1: going to make a big mark within this division. By 551 00:29:27,798 --> 00:29:29,878 Speaker 1: the way, I wanted to agree with you on Logano 552 00:29:29,958 --> 00:29:33,158 Speaker 1: Hopey thround him a little bit in spring training. He 553 00:29:33,238 --> 00:29:37,438 Speaker 1: does have a way about him super confident kid, relaxed 554 00:29:37,798 --> 00:29:41,838 Speaker 1: for a young player, driven for sure, but he's just 555 00:29:41,918 --> 00:29:44,318 Speaker 1: got this way about him like he knows he belongs. 556 00:29:44,318 --> 00:29:46,358 Speaker 1: And we talk a lot about that on the Book 557 00:29:46,358 --> 00:29:48,398 Speaker 1: of Joke podcast. When you get to that point where 558 00:29:48,438 --> 00:29:51,838 Speaker 1: you belong, it just appears, and it's a good sign 559 00:29:51,878 --> 00:29:55,478 Speaker 1: outwardly that he's already in that spot. Good trade for 560 00:29:55,518 --> 00:29:57,638 Speaker 1: them that was in the That was a Brandon Mars 561 00:29:57,718 --> 00:30:00,798 Speaker 1: trade with the Phillies. Phillies obviously went to the World 562 00:30:00,838 --> 00:30:04,238 Speaker 1: Series short term game and maybe marsh just got more 563 00:30:04,278 --> 00:30:06,678 Speaker 1: offense in the game than we've seen. But that's a 564 00:30:06,798 --> 00:30:09,518 Speaker 1: nice identifier by Perry Manaisi. And to pick up a 565 00:30:09,558 --> 00:30:11,318 Speaker 1: catcher like that, and the Phillies knew he was going 566 00:30:11,398 --> 00:30:13,238 Speaker 1: to be an everyday catcher. It wasn't like they traded 567 00:30:13,278 --> 00:30:16,598 Speaker 1: somebody they undervalued, but they were willing to pay that price. 568 00:30:17,198 --> 00:30:19,998 Speaker 1: Let me circle back to something you said, Joe, because 569 00:30:20,078 --> 00:30:25,358 Speaker 1: you talked about the hangover right, the letdown, you know, 570 00:30:25,598 --> 00:30:28,678 Speaker 1: and it's Houston has done a good job guarding against that. 571 00:30:28,718 --> 00:30:31,318 Speaker 1: But I'm looking at the Phillies right now and I've 572 00:30:31,358 --> 00:30:34,238 Speaker 1: seen this so many times, and you had two clubs 573 00:30:34,238 --> 00:30:36,558 Speaker 1: that went to the World Series came back. You warned 574 00:30:36,558 --> 00:30:40,078 Speaker 1: them about it, and it still happened. Phillies slow played 575 00:30:40,118 --> 00:30:44,038 Speaker 1: their starting pitchers, especially Nola and Wheeler in spring training 576 00:30:44,158 --> 00:30:47,238 Speaker 1: because they pitched that seventh month last year and you 577 00:30:47,278 --> 00:30:50,038 Speaker 1: saw it. And again, super small sample size, but first 578 00:30:50,078 --> 00:30:53,718 Speaker 1: start not the same Christmas Nola, who's a premier strike 579 00:30:53,798 --> 00:30:57,838 Speaker 1: thrower not throwing strikes. They're in trouble if those guys 580 00:30:57,878 --> 00:31:00,638 Speaker 1: do not pitch deep into the game and punch people out. 581 00:31:01,518 --> 00:31:03,638 Speaker 1: And again I'm not making a big deal of one start, 582 00:31:03,638 --> 00:31:05,958 Speaker 1: but just saying I've seen this hopping a lot where 583 00:31:05,958 --> 00:31:09,398 Speaker 1: teams it takes them two months to really get established. 584 00:31:09,438 --> 00:31:12,798 Speaker 1: After that, you know that excitement and full house every night. 585 00:31:12,838 --> 00:31:16,198 Speaker 1: I'm playing a pressurized games for a month straight and 586 00:31:16,278 --> 00:31:18,598 Speaker 1: you come back in the environment's different. I'm seeing that 587 00:31:18,678 --> 00:31:21,358 Speaker 1: with the Phillies and they're the first team. I look 588 00:31:21,398 --> 00:31:25,478 Speaker 1: at Joe and I say they're in trouble. No Breeze, Hoskins. 589 00:31:25,918 --> 00:31:28,838 Speaker 1: You know. Bryce Harper is going to come back sooner 590 00:31:28,838 --> 00:31:31,558 Speaker 1: than people think. They're just just saying all Star break, 591 00:31:31,638 --> 00:31:35,158 Speaker 1: but it wouldn't surprise me if it's early June. Everything 592 00:31:35,158 --> 00:31:37,478 Speaker 1: has been going so far, so unless he does have 593 00:31:37,518 --> 00:31:40,918 Speaker 1: a setback. He looks pretty good right now, but they're 594 00:31:40,958 --> 00:31:43,918 Speaker 1: short that that lineup is not nearly as deep, and 595 00:31:43,998 --> 00:31:47,398 Speaker 1: again the pitching now has just crumbled in the first 596 00:31:47,438 --> 00:31:51,038 Speaker 1: week of the season. Hangover. I don't know, but Joe, 597 00:31:51,118 --> 00:31:53,558 Speaker 1: you've gone through it. I've seen it so many times. 598 00:31:54,438 --> 00:31:57,038 Speaker 1: You can't tell me it's not there. There's some element. 599 00:31:57,078 --> 00:32:00,038 Speaker 1: I'm not writing off the start entirely to that, but 600 00:32:00,118 --> 00:32:02,478 Speaker 1: that's a backdrop that I've seen you've lived at. How 601 00:32:02,518 --> 00:32:06,398 Speaker 1: about that hangover effect? Yeah, I mean you mentioned it 602 00:32:06,518 --> 00:32:10,958 Speaker 1: in the right there regarding going slowly with the starting 603 00:32:10,958 --> 00:32:14,438 Speaker 1: pitchers during spring training, and they feel that they I'm 604 00:32:14,438 --> 00:32:16,518 Speaker 1: not disputing that I've done the same thing. We've done 605 00:32:16,558 --> 00:32:18,558 Speaker 1: the same thing. I did it with the We did 606 00:32:18,598 --> 00:32:20,798 Speaker 1: it with the Angels in two thousand and three, we 607 00:32:20,878 --> 00:32:22,878 Speaker 1: did it with the Raise in two thousand and nine, 608 00:32:23,558 --> 00:32:25,598 Speaker 1: and two thousand and three didn't turn out well for 609 00:32:25,598 --> 00:32:27,838 Speaker 1: the Angels. Two thousand and nine didn't turn out well 610 00:32:27,918 --> 00:32:31,838 Speaker 1: for the Raise either, But then two seventeen we did. 611 00:32:31,878 --> 00:32:33,638 Speaker 1: We got back with the Cups, we did get back 612 00:32:33,638 --> 00:32:37,638 Speaker 1: to the NLCS. So it's too early for me to 613 00:32:37,758 --> 00:32:41,158 Speaker 1: really panic in any way, shape or form. If these 614 00:32:41,198 --> 00:32:43,718 Speaker 1: guys if these really good players, these really good pitchers, 615 00:32:43,798 --> 00:32:46,798 Speaker 1: if you know they're healthy and they really are healthy, 616 00:32:48,398 --> 00:32:51,038 Speaker 1: or if there's some kind of little gizmo going on 617 00:32:51,078 --> 00:32:53,678 Speaker 1: there that you're aware of that nobody else is, that 618 00:32:53,718 --> 00:32:58,278 Speaker 1: could become a little bit more disconcerting and concerning. But overall, 619 00:32:58,318 --> 00:33:00,358 Speaker 1: I would just I know what's going on to my 620 00:33:00,398 --> 00:33:03,318 Speaker 1: locker room. I know it's going off my guys. I 621 00:33:03,398 --> 00:33:06,278 Speaker 1: know whether from I know Schwerber, I know real Mudo. 622 00:33:06,318 --> 00:33:08,878 Speaker 1: I mean, yeah, even though Harper's at least there in 623 00:33:08,878 --> 00:33:11,638 Speaker 1: the building, Reese Hoskins a nice player, but I still 624 00:33:11,638 --> 00:33:15,798 Speaker 1: think that's a little bit more replaceable. I would just 625 00:33:15,798 --> 00:33:17,678 Speaker 1: just be patient with that. I mean, they could break 626 00:33:17,678 --> 00:33:19,518 Speaker 1: out a win four or five in row anytime now. 627 00:33:19,558 --> 00:33:22,878 Speaker 1: They lost what three in Texas? Right, yeah, yep, and 628 00:33:22,998 --> 00:33:24,678 Speaker 1: that one in New York. You know, let let them 629 00:33:24,678 --> 00:33:27,838 Speaker 1: get home at some point here. Also, little home cooking 630 00:33:28,238 --> 00:33:30,598 Speaker 1: may be very beneficial to them too. If this was 631 00:33:30,638 --> 00:33:34,118 Speaker 1: happening at home, be a little bit more concerning, I think, 632 00:33:34,158 --> 00:33:37,678 Speaker 1: but I would just bear with it. If I'm the 633 00:33:37,718 --> 00:33:39,918 Speaker 1: manager of that team, I would just want to know 634 00:33:40,398 --> 00:33:44,118 Speaker 1: if anybody's really not healthy here, I'm watching them work. 635 00:33:44,198 --> 00:33:46,118 Speaker 1: I'm listening to them talk. I watched them in the 636 00:33:46,118 --> 00:33:49,238 Speaker 1: clubhouse where they're coming from. Is there any kind of 637 00:33:50,158 --> 00:33:54,398 Speaker 1: inner turmoil going on? No, it looks really good. I 638 00:33:54,518 --> 00:33:56,878 Speaker 1: like these guys, the conversations good. Plus I like their 639 00:33:56,878 --> 00:33:58,758 Speaker 1: short stuff a lot. And he's gonna get hot. So 640 00:33:59,238 --> 00:34:01,838 Speaker 1: all this stuff I think is going to rectify itself. Yeah, 641 00:34:01,958 --> 00:34:03,758 Speaker 1: there's no doubt. I think in time they will. When 642 00:34:03,798 --> 00:34:06,158 Speaker 1: I asked Rob Thompson if there was anything he, as 643 00:34:06,198 --> 00:34:10,398 Speaker 1: a manager, was concerned about besides the results, obviously, the 644 00:34:10,438 --> 00:34:12,678 Speaker 1: only thing he pointed out was they have to be 645 00:34:12,678 --> 00:34:15,518 Speaker 1: better at strike throwing, and as you know that that 646 00:34:15,638 --> 00:34:17,878 Speaker 1: can It's not just the number of walks, although they've 647 00:34:17,878 --> 00:34:20,798 Speaker 1: had a lot of those. It's not getting the count 648 00:34:20,878 --> 00:34:23,198 Speaker 1: leverage in your favor enough, and that's that's been happening, 649 00:34:23,278 --> 00:34:25,438 Speaker 1: especially out of the bullpen for Phillies. I think in 650 00:34:25,558 --> 00:34:29,518 Speaker 1: time they'll be fine. But you know, when you start 651 00:34:29,518 --> 00:34:33,918 Speaker 1: a season, Joe, until you really established, you've got some momentum, 652 00:34:33,998 --> 00:34:37,438 Speaker 1: get that first win, feel like you've got something building. 653 00:34:37,838 --> 00:34:40,678 Speaker 1: There's so much attention paid to the short sample of 654 00:34:40,718 --> 00:34:42,598 Speaker 1: how you get out of the gate. Yeah, I mean, 655 00:34:42,598 --> 00:34:44,718 Speaker 1: you got to stop it. You gotta get back on 656 00:34:44,758 --> 00:34:47,758 Speaker 1: the tracks before it really gets gets crazy off the tracks. 657 00:34:48,038 --> 00:34:49,998 Speaker 1: But we started with the raised one year. It was 658 00:34:49,998 --> 00:34:52,398 Speaker 1: it one in seven or owen seven, oh, and I 659 00:34:52,398 --> 00:34:55,038 Speaker 1: don't can't remember what it was, and it was something 660 00:34:55,078 --> 00:34:57,918 Speaker 1: that bad. And we're on a plane flight from Tampa 661 00:34:57,958 --> 00:35:01,118 Speaker 1: to Chicago to play the White Sox and had a 662 00:35:01,118 --> 00:35:04,078 Speaker 1: really good bottle of sharp Bay whiskey with me. So 663 00:35:04,398 --> 00:35:08,838 Speaker 1: I got those little little mouthwashed cups and I went 664 00:35:08,918 --> 00:35:11,158 Speaker 1: down the aisle, up and down the aisle of the airplane, 665 00:35:11,158 --> 00:35:14,038 Speaker 1: and I poured everybody a little shot of shar Bay, 666 00:35:14,118 --> 00:35:18,278 Speaker 1: which is really good if you get a shot punt attended. Anyway, 667 00:35:18,278 --> 00:35:19,638 Speaker 1: I went up and down yill that went back up, 668 00:35:19,638 --> 00:35:21,918 Speaker 1: and I grabbed the microphone in the front from the 669 00:35:21,918 --> 00:35:25,878 Speaker 1: flight attendant. I said, you know, here's two the best 670 00:35:25,918 --> 00:35:28,838 Speaker 1: one in six, seven, whatever it was, eight team in 671 00:35:28,878 --> 00:35:31,998 Speaker 1: the history of Major League Baseball. To stay with it, boys, 672 00:35:31,998 --> 00:35:34,398 Speaker 1: we're going to be just fine. And that team ended 673 00:35:34,478 --> 00:35:36,558 Speaker 1: up in the playoffs that year, and at the end 674 00:35:36,558 --> 00:35:38,878 Speaker 1: of the season, I didn't have any Sharbaila, but I 675 00:35:38,918 --> 00:35:42,038 Speaker 1: got another bottle of something. I walked around to the 676 00:35:42,118 --> 00:35:45,318 Speaker 1: same thing in the clubhouse after we lost, and I said, 677 00:35:45,318 --> 00:35:48,238 Speaker 1: you know what, I was correct. This is the best 678 00:35:48,718 --> 00:35:51,078 Speaker 1: one in eight team in the history of Major League Baseball. 679 00:35:51,158 --> 00:35:53,958 Speaker 1: So you just got to be patient. Bad things happened 680 00:35:53,998 --> 00:35:55,558 Speaker 1: during the year. When it happens in the beginning, you 681 00:35:55,558 --> 00:35:57,758 Speaker 1: get up to a bad start. When it happens in 682 00:35:57,798 --> 00:36:00,558 Speaker 1: the middle, you have a slump, and what happens at 683 00:36:00,558 --> 00:36:02,878 Speaker 1: the end you choke. According to Gene Mark, that was 684 00:36:02,998 --> 00:36:06,878 Speaker 1: Jane's way of describe being a bad start in something 685 00:36:06,918 --> 00:36:09,278 Speaker 1: that happens badly in the middle, and what happens at 686 00:36:09,278 --> 00:36:11,278 Speaker 1: the end of the year, it's either a bad start, 687 00:36:11,358 --> 00:36:14,958 Speaker 1: a slump, or you've choked. Game. It's a great game, man, 688 00:36:15,838 --> 00:36:19,318 Speaker 1: It's every day. There's an empi flow of emotion. You're right. 689 00:36:19,398 --> 00:36:20,998 Speaker 1: I mean, Philly's got to win a couple of games. 690 00:36:21,038 --> 00:36:22,918 Speaker 1: They need a short term victory right here to get 691 00:36:22,958 --> 00:36:25,998 Speaker 1: them going back in the right direction, and I believe 692 00:36:26,038 --> 00:36:28,478 Speaker 1: that they will, and I think to hold the four 693 00:36:28,518 --> 00:36:30,718 Speaker 1: down until Bryce gets back. I love the way you 694 00:36:30,718 --> 00:36:33,398 Speaker 1: brought it back to nineteen eighty five with Gene Maka 695 00:36:34,478 --> 00:36:38,238 Speaker 1: very untentional. What a great line that is though about beginning, middle, 696 00:36:38,238 --> 00:36:41,438 Speaker 1: and end. That's so good. I love that one way. 697 00:36:41,558 --> 00:36:44,158 Speaker 1: We're never going back to nineteen eighty five. In the 698 00:36:44,158 --> 00:36:49,238 Speaker 1: first sixty five games this year, there were five sacrifice bunts. 699 00:36:49,678 --> 00:36:52,758 Speaker 1: That's like one game's worth for Gene Mak. That's right, 700 00:36:52,998 --> 00:36:54,758 Speaker 1: Jane thought. If he scored one run, you have to 701 00:36:54,798 --> 00:36:57,918 Speaker 1: score two to beat them. That was his gig. Hey, 702 00:36:58,038 --> 00:37:00,598 Speaker 1: we always like you giving us some pearls of wisdom 703 00:37:00,598 --> 00:37:03,638 Speaker 1: getting Addie here. Before you do that, I'm gonna give 704 00:37:03,678 --> 00:37:05,838 Speaker 1: you one from the great Vince Gully. Since I was 705 00:37:05,878 --> 00:37:09,238 Speaker 1: remissing in bringing up this line from the Jim Rice 706 00:37:09,278 --> 00:37:11,318 Speaker 1: game where he went into the stands at Yankee Stadium. 707 00:37:11,358 --> 00:37:14,118 Speaker 1: That was actually an NBC Game of the Week. Okay, 708 00:37:14,278 --> 00:37:16,758 Speaker 1: we're really going back in the time machine now then, 709 00:37:16,758 --> 00:37:19,758 Speaker 1: and Joe Garagiola doing the game. How great is that? Well? 710 00:37:20,638 --> 00:37:23,438 Speaker 1: And they showed a replay of the fan while Jim 711 00:37:23,558 --> 00:37:25,998 Speaker 1: Rice and Spike on are on the ground on the 712 00:37:25,998 --> 00:37:29,278 Speaker 1: warning track next to the stands. There's the fan reaching 713 00:37:29,398 --> 00:37:33,558 Speaker 1: over to grab Jim Rice's hat, and Vince Gully is 714 00:37:33,598 --> 00:37:36,838 Speaker 1: only Vince. All he can do said, that's like a 715 00:37:36,838 --> 00:37:43,358 Speaker 1: an auto accident and somebody steals your watch. The humanity 716 00:37:43,438 --> 00:37:48,478 Speaker 1: of it's so good. I love that. So with that, 717 00:37:49,238 --> 00:37:51,758 Speaker 1: give us something to take out of here. Joe and 718 00:37:51,878 --> 00:37:54,718 Speaker 1: Spike was one of my old roomies up in Boulder, Coloraud. 719 00:37:54,918 --> 00:37:57,758 Speaker 1: I played with Spikey Spike was a lot of fun. 720 00:37:57,838 --> 00:38:00,038 Speaker 1: Love Spike, Oh, and can't get enough of that guy. 721 00:38:00,718 --> 00:38:03,678 Speaker 1: University of Texas. Yeah, this is this is Stephen Kobe 722 00:38:03,958 --> 00:38:07,118 Speaker 1: and back. And I think it was in the eighties. Also, 723 00:38:07,318 --> 00:38:10,918 Speaker 1: I read the book Seven Habits of Highly Successful People. 724 00:38:10,958 --> 00:38:14,398 Speaker 1: That's when I was really trying to understand myself better. 725 00:38:14,438 --> 00:38:17,238 Speaker 1: I was really trying to understand others. Seek first to understand, 726 00:38:17,278 --> 00:38:21,358 Speaker 1: then to be understood. That was one of his covenants 727 00:38:21,398 --> 00:38:24,998 Speaker 1: of Covey, Stephen Covey, and I've always loved that seek 728 00:38:25,038 --> 00:38:28,278 Speaker 1: first to understood, stand and then to be understood. But 729 00:38:28,438 --> 00:38:30,958 Speaker 1: beyond that, the one thing that I'm going to say 730 00:38:31,038 --> 00:38:35,198 Speaker 1: right now, I would love this because you know those 731 00:38:35,318 --> 00:38:38,998 Speaker 1: that that group of people out there that really suffer 732 00:38:39,078 --> 00:38:43,278 Speaker 1: from a victim's complex. I really find that unattractive. And 733 00:38:43,638 --> 00:38:47,118 Speaker 1: mister Kobe said, I am not a product of my circumstances. 734 00:38:47,558 --> 00:38:50,478 Speaker 1: I am a product of my decisions. And I love that. 735 00:38:50,638 --> 00:38:53,758 Speaker 1: And yeah, so I read him. I read his Speed 736 00:38:53,798 --> 00:38:55,918 Speaker 1: of Trust. That boy his son, his son wrote a 737 00:38:55,918 --> 00:38:57,798 Speaker 1: book called The Speed of Trust. They can't. Might have 738 00:38:57,798 --> 00:39:01,198 Speaker 1: been Steve Stephen Kobe junior. Right, So I read all 739 00:39:01,278 --> 00:39:04,038 Speaker 1: Kobe stuff is and his kids stuff. But I've always 740 00:39:04,038 --> 00:39:07,238 Speaker 1: been a big fan. I'm not a product of my circumstances. 741 00:39:07,238 --> 00:39:11,558 Speaker 1: I'm a product of my decisions, accountability. I love that 742 00:39:11,878 --> 00:39:15,438 Speaker 1: reminds me of Albert Camu. We are a product of 743 00:39:15,438 --> 00:39:18,478 Speaker 1: our choices. Here you go, very well said. We'll see 744 00:39:18,518 --> 00:39:21,758 Speaker 1: you next time, Joe straight, even if you don't, it's 745 00:39:21,758 --> 00:39:24,998 Speaker 1: a good day. It was yesterday over at in Lakeside, 746 00:39:25,038 --> 00:39:28,118 Speaker 1: Lakeside where all the stars. It was with Tom Dreeson, 747 00:39:28,718 --> 00:39:33,398 Speaker 1: Ray Romano and Jay Rowlands, Brady Brady Anderson when the 748 00:39:33,438 --> 00:39:35,998 Speaker 1: Long Drive Ball was a really fun day. A little 749 00:39:36,038 --> 00:39:38,838 Speaker 1: windy though, brother, about twenty mile hour winds. Yeah, I 750 00:39:38,838 --> 00:39:41,878 Speaker 1: feel bad for you. Let's see you next time. Thank you. 751 00:39:49,558 --> 00:39:52,758 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. 752 00:39:53,038 --> 00:39:56,838 Speaker 1: For more podcasts for my Heart Radio, visit the iHeartRadio app, 753 00:39:56,918 --> 00:39:59,878 Speaker 1: Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.