On this week’s edition of Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob discusses Chris Sale’s return to glory for the Atlanta Braves, the Oakland Athletic’s refusal to go down quietly and Paul Skenes’ upcoming highly-anticipated debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Plus, Miami Marlins first basement Josh Bell swings by to discuss his expectations for the club this season, the keys to victory for any Major League team and the knowledge he tries to impart on his teammates as someone who has been around the block. Later, The Athletics senior writer and author Andy McCullough checks in to discuss the Los Angeles Dodgers’ sudden surge, Shohei Ohtani’s ability to perform at a high level even while mired in an off-field controversy and his new book, “The Last of His Kind: Clayton Kerhsaw and the Burden of Greatness”. Finally, we’ve got appearances by MLBBro.com managing editor JR Gamble, analytics guru Anthony Masterson and gambling expert David Gascon.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
From the Berkshars to the sound from wherever you live
in MLB America. This is Inside the Parker. You give
us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop
on major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame
voter number seventy, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome into the podcast. I'm your host, Rob Parker. What
a great show we have for you today. Marland first
base slugger or Josh Bell I'll drop the by.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
I can't wait to talk with him.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Also from the Athletic Andy McCullough, who covers Major League
Baseball and he also has a new book about playing Kershaw.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
We'll dive into that. Plus foul affair. Let's go.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Better to lead off, it's getting robbed to keep him out.
Rob's hot take, and the three biggest stories in Major
League Baseball.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Number one, it is official. I mean Chris Sale is back.
Chris Sale was a tremendous picture for the Red Sox.
Injuries derailed him. Now the lank he lefty is back
on the top of his game, and we saw that
in a five to nothing victory over his former team,
(01:18):
the Red Sox on Wednesday in Atlanta and guess what.
Chris Sale is now five and one with a two
point nine to five r ray, and he's been tremendous.
I mean easily. That was his best start as a Brave.
He fired six shutout innings in which he scattered six hits,
(01:41):
he only walked one, and he struck out a season
high ten and get this generated twenty whiffs from the
forty nine swings that Boston took against them.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
So he's throwing the ball by people.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
He's was a tremendous picture before all these injuries kind
of sidelined him. And Chris said, I mean, the Braves
need him with their injuries that they have. But man,
what a fine to be able to add him to
the Braves rotation. And the Braves will be in the mix,
and a big reason will be Chris Sale. Because five
(02:14):
and one and an era under three. Here we are
in May, the Braves have to be a static and
that was an impressive start against the Boston Red Sox.
Number two, the Paul Skeens Era, is about to start
in Pittsburgh and Pirates fans have every right to be excited.
(02:36):
Skeens is currently considered the number three prospect in Major
League Baseball top pitcher in the game, and he was
an overall number one pick by the Pirates last year,
and here he is making his major league debut, or
at least scheduled to make that major league debut on
Saturday at PNC Park against the Cubs. He's a six
(02:58):
foot six fireball. This guy has heat and people are
talking about he could be another Stephen Strasburg. He can
be a Justin Verlander. He could be a Dwight Gooden
like somebody of that ilk. And if you're a Pirates fan,
you know he could change the fortunes of a franchise
(03:19):
when you put him out on the mound and he
lives up to the billing. He could be that guy
you won't have long losing streaks. He gives you a
chance every time he goes out there. He dominated in
the minor leagues, where had an eer ray of zero
point ninety nine with forty five strikeouts in twenty seven
in the third innings in Triple A Indianapolis.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
I mean that's dominant. So he's the number one.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Pirates prospect and all of Pittsburgh and Baseball America will
have their eyes planted on Paul's Skeens.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Remember that name, Paul Skeins.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
I know there's a long way to go before the
season's over, but right now here we are in mid May,
the Oakland A's are the best story in baseball right now.
I know that sounds like hyperbole, ridiculous, rob they're eighteen
and twenty one, but just think about this. Last year,
(04:22):
when they got their seventeenth win, their record was seventeen
and fifty five zero, not seventeen and fifteen, seventeen and fifty.
This year, when they got their seventeenth win, they were
seventeen and seventeen.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
That's remarkable. Is it fair to say that.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
The A's have more wins than they have fans? I mean,
think about what they're going through. People not showing up
at the ballpark. They're gonna move to Sacramento next year.
Everything is in flux. The team is gutted, but guess what,
They're still playing eighteen and twent twenty one to start
(05:00):
the season. Is tremendous for the Oakland A's. Bravo to
the players, the manager, and the front office. Because they
haven't given up. They have every reason to throw in
the towel and the Oakland A's just have not done it.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
It's so good.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Let's welcome in now Josh Bell Sluggard for the Miami Marlins.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Josh, welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Appreciate you. Yeah, good to be here. Yep.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Let's talk about the Marlins as a whole before we
get to you off to a really slow start.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
What has it been? What was it? Some bad luck?
Hard luck?
Speaker 2 (05:41):
I mean when you put this team together, and I
mean that the Marlins people looked at a team that
made the playoffs a year ago and some good additions.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
How surprised are you where you are so far?
Speaker 4 (05:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (05:51):
I mean you look at a Russer this year compared
to last year. It's a little bit different this and
some some key pieces had some some pretty key injuries.
But I think the most part, you know, the core
of this team is the core that you know made
it to the postseason last year. And I think to
our standards, we haven't been playing well. So it's not
about us being a bad team. It's just us being
(06:13):
a team that's not playing well right now.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
We know.
Speaker 5 (06:18):
That we can play better. We know that we will
play better. It just takes you know, just a little
bit better luck on the field, better playing, better results
when when the lights come.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
On, And how do you just come to work every
day and just feel like things can turn around because
your talent here is different when you're looking around the
clubhouse and maybe there aren't talented players and you say, well,
this is who we are.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
You know, this team is better.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (06:46):
I think it's just part of being a professional. Control
which you can control, you can put you can you know,
hope for you know, a change in the past. But
in actuality all we have us today. You know, if
we keep that mindset, I think we get better as
the year goes on. And that's that's the name of
the game, is growth.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
How about you the past week, you're swinging the bat
much better. Uh. Do you feel better at the plate?
What was the cause of your slow start?
Speaker 4 (07:15):
Yeah, I think it's just just baseball. You know.
Speaker 5 (07:19):
I've had some stretches like this in my past. Uh,
And I can't really pinpoint one thing or another. I
think switch hitting is this pretty hard. But uh, when
things are going right from both sides, I'm the best
player in the league. Things are going wrong for both sides,
I'm the worst. So try to stay in the middle
for you know, the majority of the season, and you know, enjoy.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
The highest when I can not too many switch hitters anymore,
you still feel like you're special, you know what I mean,
because a lot of guys don't switch.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
They make people take one side.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
No, Yeah, I like it. I like the challenge.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
I like I said, when I'm on it's it's the
most fun in the world. You know, it's It's a
game that I know from you know, five on, So
it's the only game I want to play.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Josh Bell joining us here on inside the Parker from
the Miami Marlins. Josh, You've played around. You've been on
a number of teams obviously outside of Miami where you
are now. Which stop did you enjoy fan wise, just
like a place to play you've been you know, you've
been around.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
Yeah, I think the first one that comes to mind
is DC. I think the fan base was kind of
still riding on the high from the World Series run
in nineteen and there was season then twenty one didn't play,
you know, after our potential. But I love the city.
I love the coaching staff. How to blest service.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
And how do you when you do I mean, when
you get traded as much as you have, do you
look at it as people wanted you? Some teams have
wanted your bat, you know what I mean for playoff
runs or stretches or do you just have to or
would you love to just be in one spot for
a while and just kind of be able to grow there.
Speaker 5 (09:02):
I mean, I think you look at the larger majority
of the league. They are not a lot of players
that's staying the same spot and coming from Pittsburgh. And
you know, I saw Cutchwana saying Pittsburgh so bad he
designed the team friendly deal and even he got traded.
So I think, you know, seeing that, understanding the game,
understanding the business, just knowing that the most important thing
(09:23):
is just for me to be able to be on
a big lea field anywhere, have a jersey somewhere, have
an opportunity to play and continue to grow.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
So that's what I'm happy for.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
How about the game itself, We saw a couple of
weeks ago record attendance. You know for Major League Baseball.
People have come out the last two years with.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
The rule changes. How are you as a guy you know,
played with the rule changes and without? Do you like them? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (09:50):
I mean, I think it's a it's kind of a
loaded question. I think that it's it's definitely more entertaining.
I'm more of a like an old school baseball game.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Okay, so you you're traditional.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
Yeah, I missed like takeout slides. I miss like shortstop
chopping over gas hinda taking out and stuff like that.
I think that that brand of play was America's favorite.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
But but taking the shift out I think was good
for the game.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
There was there wasn't enough players on the field, you
know what I mean on the bass pass action because
guys were getting hits taken away?
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Did didn't you get hits taken away?
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Where they're shifting three guys on one side of the infield.
Speaker 5 (10:31):
I I always had higher banning averages on ground balls
with the shift. Yeah, so that's interesting. Yeah, I switch hitter.
Yeah I'm not just the lefties. So I can always
drive the ball the other way on the ground. But
it played without the shift, it doesn't play.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
No.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
How about the base dealing bases are a little big
and call them pizza boxes?
Speaker 5 (10:53):
You cool with that? Yeah, that's cool. I mean, you know,
the the younger players are gonna take advantage. I think
it kind of messes up. You know, some of the
records that have been you know, in place for you know,
one hundred years.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
But so would Ricky Henderson have like two hundreds.
Speaker 5 (11:09):
I can only imagine. I can only imagine with three pickoffs.
I can only imagine what what kind of records you
put up?
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Speaking of old school, last thing, your favorite player growing up?
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Who did you watch admire? And and the reason why?
Speaker 5 (11:24):
Oh, I have a couple of the first that comes
to mind is Griffy You I kind of mirror my swing,
Afder his you know, Griffy Barry, Josh Hamilton, Alex Rodriguez.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Those are the jerseys I had grown up.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
I know, who are you closest to? Like as far
as your starlear game?
Speaker 2 (11:45):
I know you said you you modeled your swing, but
who would you say your closest to.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
I mean, that's a good question.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
None of those guys to switch it, Yeah, I would.
Speaker 5 (11:58):
I would say that, like Carlo Santana is like what,
he's still in the league, so.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
But yeah, I was I like, like Joey Vada. I
like the guys that were like.
Speaker 5 (12:08):
More focused on putting together good at bats, putting together
you know, solid on base percentage, rather than like selling
out for power.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
All right, Josh Bell join us here inside the Parker
appreciated Josh uh continued success.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
Thank you that ball.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
It was a big week in the big leagues. Who's
who's a belie? Is it foul or is it fair?
And now from mlbdbro dot com, here's Jrgamball Jr.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Is it foul or fair?
Speaker 2 (12:45):
To sit it to Houston Astros, who sit dead last
in the Al West made it a huge mistake by
letting World Series winning manager Dusty Baker retire.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
It's a fair ball.
Speaker 6 (12:58):
What in the world is with the Houston Astros. Did
Dusty Baker really make that much of a difference? It
seems so. You can't replace experience, guts and connection to
your players with numbers. Dusty beat the machine and the
Astros are finding that out. The players are basically the same.
(13:19):
The World Series core is still there, Jose al Tuve,
Alex Bregman, You're Don Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Jeremy Pania. The
big difference without Dusty is clearly the pitching. Houston's staff
is ranked twenty six out of thirty teams. You can't
be real contenders like that, and thus the miserable record.
(13:39):
Dusty was savvy and he knew how to manipulate his
pitching rotation to get.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
The best outcome.
Speaker 6 (13:45):
In twenty twenty three, they were eighth in the league
in pitching, and in twenty twenty two, when they won
the franchise's first clean World Series under Baker, they were
second to the Dodgers. I know they've had some injuries,
and this is Joe s Bodi's first managerial job, but
this looks like another case of the metrics fellas.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Having to be justified.
Speaker 6 (14:07):
So the Astros cut off their noses despite their faces,
and not look where they're at. Wat chase Dusty off
in the first place. In four years, he went to
two World Series in two American League Championship Series. His
track record is legendary as far as taking teams to
the playoffs and being the leader. Susty says the organization
gave him too much pushback for not utilizing the computer geeks.
(14:30):
Well now they are one of the seller dwellers in
the league. Dusty's gone, and just like that, the dynasty's over.
What else can you call it but a terrible move
by the Astros.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
It's time for the pocket protector Centro. The analytic numbers
you need to know, Well, maybe.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Anthony Masterson is his name, BS analytics is his game.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
What do you got for me, Anthony?
Speaker 1 (14:58):
Is it possible?
Speaker 7 (14:58):
The most valuable pitch today's game is a ninety two
mile per hour fastball. Seems crazy in the age of velocity,
but the Cubs showta Emanaga is proving you don't need
triple digits to dominate in the big leagues. First off,
imanagus for Seamer isn't like everyone else's in the sense
that it has rising action. That just means it doesn't
drop as much as a hitter would expect, which is
why the league is hitting just one forty on the
(15:20):
pitch with twenty strikeouts through its first seven starts. Pitching
is easy when the laws of gravity don't apply to you.
It also helps that his other pitch is a lights
out splitter. Really the first lefty to showcase the pitch
since Sky's like Eric Badard and Jorge dala Rosa. A
decade ago. Stat Cast has a number called pitch run values,
which basically adds up the success of a specific pitch
(15:41):
in all situations as it relates to a run expectancy.
Chart even calculating the success when a pitcher gets ahead
in the count. So far, Imanavus Forsteamer is the most
valuable pitch in baseball according to run values at plus eleven,
a telling stat as to why Imanaga leads all of
baseball with one point h eight in his first season
state side. Even with the pitch that sits two full
(16:04):
miles power below the league average, Imonaga is barreling toward
Rookie of the Year and maybe even a cy young.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Money into more money. Now it's time for betting on
the basis with Dave Gascott. Love that money, Love that money.
Speaker 8 (16:19):
Hey, Ron back in the saddle again with three more
games in Major League Baseball over the weekend Friday Night's festivities.
Logan Webb and the San Francisco Giants against the Cincinnati Reds.
I'm gonna take WEB. So far the season three and
three with an ERA at three.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
And a half.
Speaker 8 (16:31):
I will take San Francisco at Oracle Park to get
the W. Meanwhile, Angels and Royals doing things up on
Apple TV from Anaheim. Griffin Canning has been brutal this
season for the Halos, one in four of the ERA
at six sixty nine Royals have played well to open
up the campaign, So I'll take Kansas City on the
road to get the W. Memei the final game that
I'll touch on as well, Dodgers and Padres from San Diego.
(16:53):
Todder Glassno. So far six and one with an era
at two seventy. He'll go on the road against the
Friars and Michael King. King hasn't been bad this year.
You already as at four twenty nine with a record
of three and three. But I'll take Los Angeles and
glossnow to pick up the W.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
There, it's the Gambler here.
Speaker 6 (17:10):
Vice president of Operations for mlbbro dot Com and executive
producer of the MLB bro Show podcast The Mixtape.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
Every Friday. You heard that right.
Speaker 6 (17:22):
Every Friday, we bring you the best from the world
of Black and Brown baseball. We cover the seven point
two percent of melanated Major leaguers from soup to nuts,
but with our own cultural flair and unique voice, will
take you on a ride reflecting on the accomplishment, clutch moments,
and contributions to culture that the Bros continue to breathe
(17:46):
into baseball, from Mookie Wilson to Mookie Betts, Doctor k
to Doctor Styx, from Bro Bombs to stolen bases to
black Aces. We're live at the ballparks and also bringing
you segments like Classic Hits with David Gruff, the Black
Ace Report, the Rundown, the Walk Off, and Going Deep
(18:07):
just the name a few of the segments that truly
capture the voice of Black baseball.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
If things get.
Speaker 6 (18:13):
Out of hand is the Boss, Rob Parker, He's kicking
up dust. We will gladly pay you on Tuesday from
an MLB bro doubleheader today. Remember the heart of the
game lies in the diversity of the game and the
spirit of black baseball that dates back to.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
The Negro leagues.
Speaker 6 (18:30):
I the Gambler, your friendly neighborhood diamond checker, making sure
that you stay on top of the game and in
touch with the soul of MLB. Fuckle up for a
wild baseball journey, showing respect to the Ogs and highlighting
the new breed of melanated Malma Robins. First thing through
MLB's pipeline, all pitching with the sound of Black Baseball.
(18:53):
We got the best starting five in the business. Listen
to the MLB Bro Show podcast on the iHeartRadio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto,
if I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer
or broadcaster, old or new.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
Now let's welcome into the podcast.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Andy McCullough, who is a writer baseball writer for The Athletic.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
He also has a new book out called The Last
of His Kind, Clayton Kershaw and the Burden of Greatness. Andy,
Welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
How are you.
Speaker 9 (19:33):
I'm well, Thank you so much for having me, man.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
Before we get into the book, because I do want
to talk about the book and about Clayton Kershaw's career
as it winds down, I want to ask you about
the Dodgers, and on paper, I mean, obviously they have
an unbelievable team.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
I mean three guys between Mookie.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
And Shohy and Will Smith that like all seem like
they're all batting three seventy. I've never seen anything like it.
And we're not even talking about Freddy Friedman. Those three
guys right off the charts. But when you look at
their record, they're they're like the Yankees record, They're like
the Orioles, They're like the Phillies, you know, like they
(20:14):
they don't they did ever run away from anybody.
Speaker 9 (20:17):
Yeah, I mean, I think it's a little early. They
really are starting to surge right now. I think over
the last two weeks they've played their most complete baseball.
They had a kind of low in late April where
you I think they like dropped the series to the
Nationals and things like that, but they went on a
road trip and kind of bludgeoned a bunch of teams
that came home. You know, they just played three games
(20:37):
against the Marlins, which they won. Those games hard to believe.
But yeah, I mean, I think I think that they're
in a place where like they're going to start to
really pull away, at the very least from the folks
in the you know, in the National League West. I
do think the Braves and the Phillies are pretty good,
and then obviously, you know, the Orioles and the Yankees
in the American League are you know, reasonable. But I
(20:58):
would you know, I don't bet on, as we've learned
from the Shoho Tani saga, don't bet on baseball, but
I would bet on the Dodgers having the best record
in the National League by the end of the year.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Speaking of Shoho Tani and gambling and how he came
through this, it was pretty amazing. First of all, I'm
still shocked that somebody could take seventeen million dollars from
your account and you not know about it.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
That is shocking.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
He must have way so too much money to not
know that that's missing, because it was to me. If
seventeen cents was missing from my checking account, I think
I would know about it. But but he's been fantastic,
Like he hasn't missed a beat. It says something about him,
doesn't it.
Speaker 9 (21:40):
Yeah, And there was also you know, he's coming off
major elbow surgery too. I mean he had Tommy John
surgery last fall, and the first time he came back
from Tommy John surgery, he wasn't you know, as sort
of dynamic a hitter as he was. And you know
right now, I mean like he's the best hitter on
the planet. You know, he has a chance to win
the MVP as a dh which something that no one's
(22:00):
ever done. So yeah, I mean, you look at the
way he has developed over the past three or four years,
Like his swing has gotten more physical, he uses his
legs more, he hits the ball just hllaciously hard, which
I know is not unique.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
You know, among big leaguers there's.
Speaker 9 (22:15):
A lot of guys who, you know, when they make contact,
really do damage. But he combines that with an ability
to control the strike zone, to take walks, you know,
to hit for average. I mean, he's just it. It's
really incredible watching him hit on an everyday basis. It's
almost enough where it's like, if he tries to come
back as a pitcher next year and it doesn't work out,
it's going to be challenging coming back from a second
(22:35):
Tommy John the Dodgers probably happy with be like, hey man,
just dh for the next eight years. Who cares, You're
like the best hitter in the world.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Well, it worked out for Babe Route, didn't it.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
I mean, when he gave up pitching and just decided
to be a slugger and the rest is history. Andy
McCullough from The Athletic he covers Major League baseball and
he has a new book out on Clayton Kershaw, which
I'm very interested in.
Speaker 3 (23:01):
And that book and we'll just pick this up.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
He has a new book about Clayton Kershaw, which I'm
very interested in. Called the last of his kind, Clayton
Kershaw and the burden of greatness. And I know the
Dodgers are anticipating him joining at some point in the
second half of this season.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
What is the update on that.
Speaker 9 (23:22):
Yeah, he threw a bullpen session a couple of days ago,
just fastballs. He's still sort of building up arm strength
as he comes back from you know, surgery to repair
a torn anterior capsule and his left or left shoulder.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
Excuse me.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
He's hopeful to be back in July or August. It's
a major operation he's coming back from. He'd never had
a surgery before in his life, and so you know,
he's kind of an unchartered territory in some sense. Yeah,
I mean, I think that it's a little too early
to have a sense for like how well it's going.
You know, he hasn't had any it seems like setbacks
(23:58):
and things like that. He's kind of on the right track.
But when you're coming back from surgery at his age,
you know, he turned thirty six a month or so ago, Like,
it's challenging, and I think he's trying to navigate kind
of a new rehab experience. You know, at a you know,
advanced baseball age, you know, and that is challenging. It
feels dumb to, you know, count him out, but it's
(24:20):
a significant thing he's trying to come back from. For sure.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
I was gonna say the Dodgers. I'm assuming that the
Dodgers are looking at it as it would be gravy
or icing on the cake if they could get him back.
But I can't believe that they think if he's coming
back in August, that he'll be back to you know,
being effective, and not only that, but that they could
(24:43):
count on him in the postseason.
Speaker 9 (24:45):
I think they just don't know. I think I think
they just don't know.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
You know.
Speaker 9 (24:48):
It's it's something where like if he's coming back from
you know, he's had back trouble a lot in the past,
you know, five or six years, when he's coming back
from the back stuff, he tends to come back and
look like himself. This is different. This is you know,
shoulder shoulder injuries are you know, it's like the worst
thing you can deal with as a pitcher pretty much.
So if he comes back and he looks like himself,
they would love to be able to pencil him into
(25:10):
the postseason rotation. But they certainly have created. You know,
they have enough surplus in terms of you know, the
rest of the rotation. Tayler Glass now, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, James
Paxson has been fine for them. They just got Walker
Buehler back earlier this week, and they will probably be
aggressive at the deadline as they often are. So yeah,
(25:30):
I think it's just too soon to say on any
of that. Just it just depends on like what does
he look like once he gets into games, and we
just don't know yet.
Speaker 3 (25:38):
Tell us about the book The Burden of Greatness like that.
Speaker 9 (25:44):
Yeah, sure, I wanted this to be kind of the
you know, definitive account of his time with the Dodgers.
I wanted to try and you know, chart his that
kind of eight year crucible he went through of trying
to win a championship they were finally able to win
one in the shortened season in twenty twenty, and explain
(26:05):
you know, his importance to not just the franchise, but
to the sport at large and to his sort of
you know, place within the history of the game. And
you know, we talk about the Burden of Greatness, it's
the idea of you know, why he is judged as
at a different standard I think than almost all of
his peers, and it's because he's earned that through his
(26:27):
ability on the field. And it's why people fixate on
his struggles in October, because he's held to a bit
of a different standard than.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
I think it's fair.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
He's so he's been sotal lat that when we look
at a picture of his caliber and what he's done
in his career during the regular season and the struggles,
I mean, people are going to look at that and quest.
Speaker 9 (26:47):
Absolutely when when Lebron James, you know, loses in the post,
I mean it's a little bit different now, But when
peak Lebron you know, loses in the playoffs, right, he
gets to blame. That's because he's earned that. You know,
if Tom Brady, not that he ever did this, but
you know, if Tom Brady throws a pick six to
lose a game, he gets the blond you know he is.
He is in that rarefied air of athletes.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
You know.
Speaker 9 (27:10):
I think the difference is that he is more, you know,
to the general public. He experienced more, you know, of
those sort of traumatic experiences than some of those other guys.
Think baseball is a bit different but yeah, it's just
basically about like what are the cost Like, what does
it cost, what does it require? What does it bring
you when you are able to reach that sort of
mantle of being considered one of the best ever. And
(27:31):
I think he's an excellent vessel for explaining.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
That last thing.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
And is this just the idea that he wants to
pitch his entire career with the Dodgers and nowhere else?
But I really thought he was going to go back
home and pitch for the Texas Rangers and finish his
career there. The Rangers are a good team, you know
what I mean, And it would be back to his
home state and all that is there. Is there any
thought of that or is this just the Dodgers or nothing?
Speaker 9 (27:58):
No, I mean there were times when he thought that
this winter. You know, I talked to him in during
the World Series, you know, which happened to be in Texas.
I visited with him at his home in Island Park,
and you know, he felt like he was leaning towards
going to the Rangers. But then you know, they win
the World Series. The you know, the off season unfolds,
the Rangers don't have much of a budget for new
(28:21):
additions because.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
They're no they cut back. Actually, yeah, right, they cut back.
Speaker 9 (28:24):
They made no money winning the World Series somehow.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
Uh.
Speaker 9 (28:28):
But you know, the Rangers were less interested than maybe
it seemed, and the Dodgers, of course, like are an
excellent option. And so Kirschhall was kind of torn throughout
the winter and ended up you know, going back to
LA And so, yeah, I mean I think that that
is definitely something that he has thought about a lot
in recent years. You know, he has four kids. You know,
two of them are in elementary school, the other two
(28:48):
will be getting there soon. He very much wants to
be present for them, and he was very interested in
the idea of being able to like not have to
fly home to see them on off days and things
like that, and not have to up them during the
year to bring them out to LA. But the end
of the day, it worked out where you know, he
went back to Los Angeles. And it's the sort of
thing that means so much to Dodgers fans. He is
(29:12):
such an important and beloved figure, you know, among the
people in southern California for what he has given to
the franchise that while you know, he should make decisions
based on what is good for him and his family,
and also from a narrative perspective, from you know that
sort of advantage, it worked out pretty well, all right.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
His name is Andy McCullough. Go check out his new
book on Clayton Kershaw. Sounds like something that I want
to dive into, the last of his kind, Clayton Kershaw
and the Burden of Greatness. And also you can file
Andy in the Athletic.
Speaker 3 (29:47):
Thanks Andy, We're appreciated. Thanks for you talking me.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
So much for having me.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
Now bring in the closer. Here's why MLB is better
than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Reason number ninety three why Major League Baseball is better
than the NBA and better than the NFL is as
we celebrate Willie Made's ninety third birthday that just passed
this past week. Baseball is like the only sport that
people make songs about the players, and in the era,
(30:23):
there's some great songs about former players. Remember the song
Willie Mickey and the Duke about the center fielders of
New York. But this song about Willie Mays is classic.
And take a listen. This is what makes baseball and
the connection with fans.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
Pretty awesome, say.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
Willey, Say hey, s sweighton the plain.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
Say hey, sae that giant kid it is.
Speaker 6 (30:50):
Creating when he hits the fall his song dun Man
hit sim than campighn Sweton's the best black.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
They laid right when they reached the ball. It's over righte.
Speaker 10 (31:04):
Say hey, say where lay?
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Say hey swing, get at the blade, Say hey, say
where lay that giant?
Speaker 9 (31:15):
Hey?
Speaker 1 (31:15):
It is great.
Speaker 10 (31:17):
He runs the bases like a chick chick train, swings
around black and harrow plane. His tap flies off where
it passes, and he has home lackade little boy.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Say hey, say where lay?
Speaker 6 (31:33):
Say hey, swing, get at the blade, Say.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
Hey, say where lay that?
Speaker 3 (31:40):
Give gi it is straight.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
In the words of New York TV legend the late
Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time until
next time.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
Rob Parker out.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
He can't get it.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
This could be an inside the park.
Speaker 9 (32:00):
See you next week.
Speaker 1 (32:01):
Save bath time, same bath station.
From the Berkshars to the sound from wherever you live
in MLB America. This is Inside the Parker. You give
us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop
on major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame
voter number seventy, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome into the podcast. I'm your host, Rob Parker. What
a great show we have for you today. Marland first
base slugger or Josh Bell I'll drop the by.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
I can't wait to talk with him.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Also from the Athletic Andy McCullough, who covers Major League
Baseball and he also has a new book about playing Kershaw.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
We'll dive into that. Plus foul affair. Let's go.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Better to lead off, it's getting robbed to keep him out.
Rob's hot take, and the three biggest stories in Major
League Baseball.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Number one, it is official. I mean Chris Sale is back.
Chris Sale was a tremendous picture for the Red Sox.
Injuries derailed him. Now the lank he lefty is back
on the top of his game, and we saw that
in a five to nothing victory over his former team,
(01:18):
the Red Sox on Wednesday in Atlanta and guess what.
Chris Sale is now five and one with a two
point nine to five r ray, and he's been tremendous.
I mean easily. That was his best start as a Brave.
He fired six shutout innings in which he scattered six hits,
(01:41):
he only walked one, and he struck out a season
high ten and get this generated twenty whiffs from the
forty nine swings that Boston took against them.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
So he's throwing the ball by people.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
He's was a tremendous picture before all these injuries kind
of sidelined him. And Chris said, I mean, the Braves
need him with their injuries that they have. But man,
what a fine to be able to add him to
the Braves rotation. And the Braves will be in the mix,
and a big reason will be Chris Sale. Because five
(02:14):
and one and an era under three. Here we are
in May, the Braves have to be a static and
that was an impressive start against the Boston Red Sox.
Number two, the Paul Skeens Era, is about to start
in Pittsburgh and Pirates fans have every right to be excited.
(02:36):
Skeens is currently considered the number three prospect in Major
League Baseball top pitcher in the game, and he was
an overall number one pick by the Pirates last year,
and here he is making his major league debut, or
at least scheduled to make that major league debut on
Saturday at PNC Park against the Cubs. He's a six
(02:58):
foot six fireball. This guy has heat and people are
talking about he could be another Stephen Strasburg. He can
be a Justin Verlander. He could be a Dwight Gooden
like somebody of that ilk. And if you're a Pirates fan,
you know he could change the fortunes of a franchise
(03:19):
when you put him out on the mound and he
lives up to the billing. He could be that guy
you won't have long losing streaks. He gives you a
chance every time he goes out there. He dominated in
the minor leagues, where had an eer ray of zero
point ninety nine with forty five strikeouts in twenty seven
in the third innings in Triple A Indianapolis.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
I mean that's dominant. So he's the number one.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Pirates prospect and all of Pittsburgh and Baseball America will
have their eyes planted on Paul's Skeens.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Remember that name, Paul Skeins.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
I know there's a long way to go before the
season's over, but right now here we are in mid May,
the Oakland A's are the best story in baseball right now.
I know that sounds like hyperbole, ridiculous, rob they're eighteen
and twenty one, but just think about this. Last year,
(04:22):
when they got their seventeenth win, their record was seventeen
and fifty five zero, not seventeen and fifteen, seventeen and fifty.
This year, when they got their seventeenth win, they were
seventeen and seventeen.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
That's remarkable. Is it fair to say that.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
The A's have more wins than they have fans? I mean,
think about what they're going through. People not showing up
at the ballpark. They're gonna move to Sacramento next year.
Everything is in flux. The team is gutted, but guess what,
They're still playing eighteen and twent twenty one to start
(05:00):
the season. Is tremendous for the Oakland A's. Bravo to
the players, the manager, and the front office. Because they
haven't given up. They have every reason to throw in
the towel and the Oakland A's just have not done it.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
It's so good.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Let's welcome in now Josh Bell Sluggard for the Miami Marlins.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Josh, welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Appreciate you. Yeah, good to be here. Yep.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Let's talk about the Marlins as a whole before we
get to you off to a really slow start.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
What has it been? What was it? Some bad luck?
Hard luck?
Speaker 2 (05:41):
I mean when you put this team together, and I
mean that the Marlins people looked at a team that
made the playoffs a year ago and some good additions.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
How surprised are you where you are so far?
Speaker 4 (05:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (05:51):
I mean you look at a Russer this year compared
to last year. It's a little bit different this and
some some key pieces had some some pretty key injuries.
But I think the most part, you know, the core
of this team is the core that you know made
it to the postseason last year. And I think to
our standards, we haven't been playing well. So it's not
about us being a bad team. It's just us being
(06:13):
a team that's not playing well right now.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
We know.
Speaker 5 (06:18):
That we can play better. We know that we will
play better. It just takes you know, just a little
bit better luck on the field, better playing, better results
when when the lights come.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
On, And how do you just come to work every
day and just feel like things can turn around because
your talent here is different when you're looking around the
clubhouse and maybe there aren't talented players and you say, well,
this is who we are.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
You know, this team is better.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (06:46):
I think it's just part of being a professional. Control
which you can control, you can put you can you know,
hope for you know, a change in the past. But
in actuality all we have us today. You know, if
we keep that mindset, I think we get better as
the year goes on. And that's that's the name of
the game, is growth.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
How about you the past week, you're swinging the bat
much better. Uh. Do you feel better at the plate?
What was the cause of your slow start?
Speaker 4 (07:15):
Yeah, I think it's just just baseball. You know.
Speaker 5 (07:19):
I've had some stretches like this in my past. Uh,
And I can't really pinpoint one thing or another. I
think switch hitting is this pretty hard. But uh, when
things are going right from both sides, I'm the best
player in the league. Things are going wrong for both sides,
I'm the worst. So try to stay in the middle
for you know, the majority of the season, and you know, enjoy.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
The highest when I can not too many switch hitters anymore,
you still feel like you're special, you know what I mean,
because a lot of guys don't switch.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
They make people take one side.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
No, Yeah, I like it. I like the challenge.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
I like I said, when I'm on it's it's the
most fun in the world. You know, it's It's a
game that I know from you know, five on, So
it's the only game I want to play.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Josh Bell joining us here on inside the Parker from
the Miami Marlins. Josh, You've played around. You've been on
a number of teams obviously outside of Miami where you
are now. Which stop did you enjoy fan wise, just
like a place to play you've been you know, you've
been around.
Speaker 5 (08:20):
Yeah, I think the first one that comes to mind
is DC. I think the fan base was kind of
still riding on the high from the World Series run
in nineteen and there was season then twenty one didn't play,
you know, after our potential. But I love the city.
I love the coaching staff. How to blest service.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
And how do you when you do I mean, when
you get traded as much as you have, do you
look at it as people wanted you? Some teams have
wanted your bat, you know what I mean for playoff
runs or stretches or do you just have to or
would you love to just be in one spot for
a while and just kind of be able to grow there.
Speaker 5 (09:02):
I mean, I think you look at the larger majority
of the league. They are not a lot of players
that's staying the same spot and coming from Pittsburgh. And
you know, I saw Cutchwana saying Pittsburgh so bad he
designed the team friendly deal and even he got traded.
So I think, you know, seeing that, understanding the game,
understanding the business, just knowing that the most important thing
(09:23):
is just for me to be able to be on
a big lea field anywhere, have a jersey somewhere, have
an opportunity to play and continue to grow.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
So that's what I'm happy for.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
How about the game itself, We saw a couple of
weeks ago record attendance. You know for Major League Baseball.
People have come out the last two years with.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
The rule changes. How are you as a guy you know,
played with the rule changes and without? Do you like them? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (09:50):
I mean, I think it's a it's kind of a
loaded question. I think that it's it's definitely more entertaining.
I'm more of a like an old school baseball game.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Okay, so you you're traditional.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
Yeah, I missed like takeout slides. I miss like shortstop
chopping over gas hinda taking out and stuff like that.
I think that that brand of play was America's favorite.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
But but taking the shift out I think was good
for the game.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
There was there wasn't enough players on the field, you
know what I mean on the bass pass action because
guys were getting hits taken away?
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Did didn't you get hits taken away?
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Where they're shifting three guys on one side of the infield.
Speaker 5 (10:31):
I I always had higher banning averages on ground balls
with the shift. Yeah, so that's interesting. Yeah, I switch hitter.
Yeah I'm not just the lefties. So I can always
drive the ball the other way on the ground. But
it played without the shift, it doesn't play.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
No.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
How about the base dealing bases are a little big
and call them pizza boxes?
Speaker 5 (10:53):
You cool with that? Yeah, that's cool. I mean, you know,
the the younger players are gonna take advantage. I think
it kind of messes up. You know, some of the
records that have been you know, in place for you know,
one hundred years.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
But so would Ricky Henderson have like two hundreds.
Speaker 5 (11:09):
I can only imagine. I can only imagine with three pickoffs.
I can only imagine what what kind of records you
put up?
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Speaking of old school, last thing, your favorite player growing up?
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Who did you watch admire? And and the reason why?
Speaker 5 (11:24):
Oh, I have a couple of the first that comes
to mind is Griffy You I kind of mirror my swing,
Afder his you know, Griffy Barry, Josh Hamilton, Alex Rodriguez.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Those are the jerseys I had grown up.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
I know, who are you closest to? Like as far
as your starlear game?
Speaker 2 (11:45):
I know you said you you modeled your swing, but
who would you say your closest to.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
I mean, that's a good question.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
None of those guys to switch it, Yeah, I would.
Speaker 5 (11:58):
I would say that, like Carlo Santana is like what,
he's still in the league, so.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
But yeah, I was I like, like Joey Vada. I
like the guys that were like.
Speaker 5 (12:08):
More focused on putting together good at bats, putting together
you know, solid on base percentage, rather than like selling
out for power.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
All right, Josh Bell join us here inside the Parker
appreciated Josh uh continued success.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
Thank you that ball.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
It was a big week in the big leagues. Who's
who's a belie? Is it foul or is it fair?
And now from mlbdbro dot com, here's Jrgamball Jr.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Is it foul or fair?
Speaker 2 (12:45):
To sit it to Houston Astros, who sit dead last
in the Al West made it a huge mistake by
letting World Series winning manager Dusty Baker retire.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
It's a fair ball.
Speaker 6 (12:58):
What in the world is with the Houston Astros. Did
Dusty Baker really make that much of a difference? It
seems so. You can't replace experience, guts and connection to
your players with numbers. Dusty beat the machine and the
Astros are finding that out. The players are basically the same.
(13:19):
The World Series core is still there, Jose al Tuve,
Alex Bregman, You're Don Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Jeremy Pania. The
big difference without Dusty is clearly the pitching. Houston's staff
is ranked twenty six out of thirty teams. You can't
be real contenders like that, and thus the miserable record.
(13:39):
Dusty was savvy and he knew how to manipulate his
pitching rotation to get.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
The best outcome.
Speaker 6 (13:45):
In twenty twenty three, they were eighth in the league
in pitching, and in twenty twenty two, when they won
the franchise's first clean World Series under Baker, they were
second to the Dodgers. I know they've had some injuries,
and this is Joe s Bodi's first managerial job, but
this looks like another case of the metrics fellas.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Having to be justified.
Speaker 6 (14:07):
So the Astros cut off their noses despite their faces,
and not look where they're at. Wat chase Dusty off
in the first place. In four years, he went to
two World Series in two American League Championship Series. His
track record is legendary as far as taking teams to
the playoffs and being the leader. Susty says the organization
gave him too much pushback for not utilizing the computer geeks.
(14:30):
Well now they are one of the seller dwellers in
the league. Dusty's gone, and just like that, the dynasty's over.
What else can you call it but a terrible move
by the Astros.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
It's time for the pocket protector Centro. The analytic numbers
you need to know, Well, maybe.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Anthony Masterson is his name, BS analytics is his game.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
What do you got for me, Anthony?
Speaker 1 (14:58):
Is it possible?
Speaker 7 (14:58):
The most valuable pitch today's game is a ninety two
mile per hour fastball. Seems crazy in the age of velocity,
but the Cubs showta Emanaga is proving you don't need
triple digits to dominate in the big leagues. First off,
imanagus for Seamer isn't like everyone else's in the sense
that it has rising action. That just means it doesn't
drop as much as a hitter would expect, which is
why the league is hitting just one forty on the
(15:20):
pitch with twenty strikeouts through its first seven starts. Pitching
is easy when the laws of gravity don't apply to you.
It also helps that his other pitch is a lights
out splitter. Really the first lefty to showcase the pitch
since Sky's like Eric Badard and Jorge dala Rosa. A
decade ago. Stat Cast has a number called pitch run values,
which basically adds up the success of a specific pitch
(15:41):
in all situations as it relates to a run expectancy.
Chart even calculating the success when a pitcher gets ahead
in the count. So far, Imanavus Forsteamer is the most
valuable pitch in baseball according to run values at plus eleven,
a telling stat as to why Imanaga leads all of
baseball with one point h eight in his first season
state side. Even with the pitch that sits two full
(16:04):
miles power below the league average, Imonaga is barreling toward
Rookie of the Year and maybe even a cy young.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Money into more money. Now it's time for betting on
the basis with Dave Gascott. Love that money, Love that money.
Speaker 8 (16:19):
Hey, Ron back in the saddle again with three more
games in Major League Baseball over the weekend Friday Night's festivities.
Logan Webb and the San Francisco Giants against the Cincinnati Reds.
I'm gonna take WEB. So far the season three and
three with an ERA at three.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
And a half.
Speaker 8 (16:31):
I will take San Francisco at Oracle Park to get
the W. Meanwhile, Angels and Royals doing things up on
Apple TV from Anaheim. Griffin Canning has been brutal this
season for the Halos, one in four of the ERA
at six sixty nine Royals have played well to open
up the campaign, So I'll take Kansas City on the
road to get the W. Memei the final game that
I'll touch on as well, Dodgers and Padres from San Diego.
(16:53):
Todder Glassno. So far six and one with an era
at two seventy. He'll go on the road against the
Friars and Michael King. King hasn't been bad this year.
You already as at four twenty nine with a record
of three and three. But I'll take Los Angeles and
glossnow to pick up the W.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
There, it's the Gambler here.
Speaker 6 (17:10):
Vice president of Operations for mlbbro dot Com and executive
producer of the MLB bro Show podcast The Mixtape.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
Every Friday. You heard that right.
Speaker 6 (17:22):
Every Friday, we bring you the best from the world
of Black and Brown baseball. We cover the seven point
two percent of melanated Major leaguers from soup to nuts,
but with our own cultural flair and unique voice, will
take you on a ride reflecting on the accomplishment, clutch moments,
and contributions to culture that the Bros continue to breathe
(17:46):
into baseball, from Mookie Wilson to Mookie Betts, Doctor k
to Doctor Styx, from Bro Bombs to stolen bases to
black Aces. We're live at the ballparks and also bringing
you segments like Classic Hits with David Gruff, the Black
Ace Report, the Rundown, the Walk Off, and Going Deep
(18:07):
just the name a few of the segments that truly
capture the voice of Black baseball.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
If things get.
Speaker 6 (18:13):
Out of hand is the Boss, Rob Parker, He's kicking
up dust. We will gladly pay you on Tuesday from
an MLB bro doubleheader today. Remember the heart of the
game lies in the diversity of the game and the
spirit of black baseball that dates back to.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
The Negro leagues.
Speaker 6 (18:30):
I the Gambler, your friendly neighborhood diamond checker, making sure
that you stay on top of the game and in
touch with the soul of MLB. Fuckle up for a
wild baseball journey, showing respect to the Ogs and highlighting
the new breed of melanated Malma Robins. First thing through
MLB's pipeline, all pitching with the sound of Black Baseball.
(18:53):
We got the best starting five in the business. Listen
to the MLB Bro Show podcast on the iHeartRadio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto,
if I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer
or broadcaster, old or new.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
Now let's welcome into the podcast.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Andy McCullough, who is a writer baseball writer for The Athletic.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
He also has a new book out called The Last
of His Kind, Clayton Kershaw and the Burden of Greatness. Andy,
Welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
How are you.
Speaker 9 (19:33):
I'm well, Thank you so much for having me, man.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
Before we get into the book, because I do want
to talk about the book and about Clayton Kershaw's career
as it winds down, I want to ask you about
the Dodgers, and on paper, I mean, obviously they have
an unbelievable team.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
I mean three guys between Mookie.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
And Shohy and Will Smith that like all seem like
they're all batting three seventy. I've never seen anything like it.
And we're not even talking about Freddy Friedman. Those three
guys right off the charts. But when you look at
their record, they're they're like the Yankees record, They're like
the Orioles, They're like the Phillies, you know, like they
(20:14):
they don't they did ever run away from anybody.
Speaker 9 (20:17):
Yeah, I mean, I think it's a little early. They
really are starting to surge right now. I think over
the last two weeks they've played their most complete baseball.
They had a kind of low in late April where
you I think they like dropped the series to the
Nationals and things like that, but they went on a
road trip and kind of bludgeoned a bunch of teams
that came home. You know, they just played three games
(20:37):
against the Marlins, which they won. Those games hard to believe.
But yeah, I mean, I think I think that they're
in a place where like they're going to start to
really pull away, at the very least from the folks
in the you know, in the National League West. I
do think the Braves and the Phillies are pretty good,
and then obviously, you know, the Orioles and the Yankees
in the American League are you know, reasonable. But I
(20:58):
would you know, I don't bet on, as we've learned
from the Shoho Tani saga, don't bet on baseball, but
I would bet on the Dodgers having the best record
in the National League by the end of the year.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Speaking of Shoho Tani and gambling and how he came
through this, it was pretty amazing. First of all, I'm
still shocked that somebody could take seventeen million dollars from
your account and you not know about it.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
That is shocking.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
He must have way so too much money to not
know that that's missing, because it was to me. If
seventeen cents was missing from my checking account, I think
I would know about it. But but he's been fantastic,
Like he hasn't missed a beat. It says something about him,
doesn't it.
Speaker 9 (21:40):
Yeah, And there was also you know, he's coming off
major elbow surgery too. I mean he had Tommy John
surgery last fall, and the first time he came back
from Tommy John surgery, he wasn't you know, as sort
of dynamic a hitter as he was. And you know
right now, I mean like he's the best hitter on
the planet. You know, he has a chance to win
the MVP as a dh which something that no one's
(22:00):
ever done. So yeah, I mean, you look at the
way he has developed over the past three or four years,
Like his swing has gotten more physical, he uses his
legs more, he hits the ball just hllaciously hard, which
I know is not unique.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
You know, among big leaguers there's.
Speaker 9 (22:15):
A lot of guys who, you know, when they make contact,
really do damage. But he combines that with an ability
to control the strike zone, to take walks, you know,
to hit for average. I mean, he's just it. It's
really incredible watching him hit on an everyday basis. It's
almost enough where it's like, if he tries to come
back as a pitcher next year and it doesn't work out,
it's going to be challenging coming back from a second
(22:35):
Tommy John the Dodgers probably happy with be like, hey man,
just dh for the next eight years. Who cares, You're
like the best hitter in the world.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Well, it worked out for Babe Route, didn't it.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
I mean, when he gave up pitching and just decided
to be a slugger and the rest is history. Andy
McCullough from The Athletic he covers Major League baseball and
he has a new book out on Clayton Kershaw, which
I'm very interested in.
Speaker 3 (23:01):
And that book and we'll just pick this up.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
He has a new book about Clayton Kershaw, which I'm
very interested in. Called the last of his kind, Clayton
Kershaw and the burden of greatness. And I know the
Dodgers are anticipating him joining at some point in the
second half of this season.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
What is the update on that.
Speaker 9 (23:22):
Yeah, he threw a bullpen session a couple of days ago,
just fastballs. He's still sort of building up arm strength
as he comes back from you know, surgery to repair
a torn anterior capsule and his left or left shoulder.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
Excuse me.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
He's hopeful to be back in July or August. It's
a major operation he's coming back from. He'd never had
a surgery before in his life, and so you know,
he's kind of an unchartered territory in some sense. Yeah,
I mean, I think that it's a little too early
to have a sense for like how well it's going.
You know, he hasn't had any it seems like setbacks
(23:58):
and things like that. He's kind of on the right track.
But when you're coming back from surgery at his age,
you know, he turned thirty six a month or so ago, Like,
it's challenging, and I think he's trying to navigate kind
of a new rehab experience. You know, at a you know,
advanced baseball age, you know, and that is challenging. It
feels dumb to, you know, count him out, but it's
(24:20):
a significant thing he's trying to come back from. For sure.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
I was gonna say the Dodgers. I'm assuming that the
Dodgers are looking at it as it would be gravy
or icing on the cake if they could get him back.
But I can't believe that they think if he's coming
back in August, that he'll be back to you know,
being effective, and not only that, but that they could
(24:43):
count on him in the postseason.
Speaker 9 (24:45):
I think they just don't know. I think I think
they just don't know.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
You know.
Speaker 9 (24:48):
It's it's something where like if he's coming back from
you know, he's had back trouble a lot in the past,
you know, five or six years, when he's coming back
from the back stuff, he tends to come back and
look like himself. This is different. This is you know,
shoulder shoulder injuries are you know, it's like the worst
thing you can deal with as a pitcher pretty much.
So if he comes back and he looks like himself,
they would love to be able to pencil him into
(25:10):
the postseason rotation. But they certainly have created. You know,
they have enough surplus in terms of you know, the
rest of the rotation. Tayler Glass now, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, James
Paxson has been fine for them. They just got Walker
Buehler back earlier this week, and they will probably be
aggressive at the deadline as they often are. So yeah,
(25:30):
I think it's just too soon to say on any
of that. Just it just depends on like what does
he look like once he gets into games, and we
just don't know yet.
Speaker 3 (25:38):
Tell us about the book The Burden of Greatness like that.
Speaker 9 (25:44):
Yeah, sure, I wanted this to be kind of the
you know, definitive account of his time with the Dodgers.
I wanted to try and you know, chart his that
kind of eight year crucible he went through of trying
to win a championship they were finally able to win
one in the shortened season in twenty twenty, and explain
(26:05):
you know, his importance to not just the franchise, but
to the sport at large and to his sort of
you know, place within the history of the game. And
you know, we talk about the Burden of Greatness, it's
the idea of you know, why he is judged as
at a different standard I think than almost all of
his peers, and it's because he's earned that through his
(26:27):
ability on the field. And it's why people fixate on
his struggles in October, because he's held to a bit
of a different standard than.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
I think it's fair.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
He's so he's been sotal lat that when we look
at a picture of his caliber and what he's done
in his career during the regular season and the struggles,
I mean, people are going to look at that and quest.
Speaker 9 (26:47):
Absolutely when when Lebron James, you know, loses in the post,
I mean it's a little bit different now, But when
peak Lebron you know, loses in the playoffs, right, he
gets to blame. That's because he's earned that. You know,
if Tom Brady, not that he ever did this, but
you know, if Tom Brady throws a pick six to
lose a game, he gets the blond you know he is.
He is in that rarefied air of athletes.
Speaker 4 (27:10):
You know.
Speaker 9 (27:10):
I think the difference is that he is more, you know,
to the general public. He experienced more, you know, of
those sort of traumatic experiences than some of those other guys.
Think baseball is a bit different but yeah, it's just
basically about like what are the cost Like, what does
it cost, what does it require? What does it bring
you when you are able to reach that sort of
mantle of being considered one of the best ever. And
(27:31):
I think he's an excellent vessel for explaining.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
That last thing.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
And is this just the idea that he wants to
pitch his entire career with the Dodgers and nowhere else?
But I really thought he was going to go back
home and pitch for the Texas Rangers and finish his
career there. The Rangers are a good team, you know
what I mean, And it would be back to his
home state and all that is there. Is there any
thought of that or is this just the Dodgers or nothing?
Speaker 9 (27:58):
No, I mean there were times when he thought that
this winter. You know, I talked to him in during
the World Series, you know, which happened to be in Texas.
I visited with him at his home in Island Park,
and you know, he felt like he was leaning towards
going to the Rangers. But then you know, they win
the World Series. The you know, the off season unfolds,
the Rangers don't have much of a budget for new
(28:21):
additions because.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
They're no they cut back. Actually, yeah, right, they cut back.
Speaker 9 (28:24):
They made no money winning the World Series somehow.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
Uh.
Speaker 9 (28:28):
But you know, the Rangers were less interested than maybe
it seemed, and the Dodgers, of course, like are an
excellent option. And so Kirschhall was kind of torn throughout
the winter and ended up you know, going back to
LA And so, yeah, I mean I think that that
is definitely something that he has thought about a lot
in recent years. You know, he has four kids. You know,
two of them are in elementary school, the other two
(28:48):
will be getting there soon. He very much wants to
be present for them, and he was very interested in
the idea of being able to like not have to
fly home to see them on off days and things
like that, and not have to up them during the
year to bring them out to LA. But the end
of the day, it worked out where you know, he
went back to Los Angeles. And it's the sort of
thing that means so much to Dodgers fans. He is
(29:12):
such an important and beloved figure, you know, among the
people in southern California for what he has given to
the franchise that while you know, he should make decisions
based on what is good for him and his family,
and also from a narrative perspective, from you know that
sort of advantage, it worked out pretty well, all right.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
His name is Andy McCullough. Go check out his new
book on Clayton Kershaw. Sounds like something that I want
to dive into, the last of his kind, Clayton Kershaw
and the Burden of Greatness. And also you can file
Andy in the Athletic.
Speaker 3 (29:47):
Thanks Andy, We're appreciated. Thanks for you talking me.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
So much for having me.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
Now bring in the closer. Here's why MLB is better
than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Reason number ninety three why Major League Baseball is better
than the NBA and better than the NFL is as
we celebrate Willie Made's ninety third birthday that just passed
this past week. Baseball is like the only sport that
people make songs about the players, and in the era,
(30:23):
there's some great songs about former players. Remember the song
Willie Mickey and the Duke about the center fielders of
New York. But this song about Willie Mays is classic.
And take a listen. This is what makes baseball and
the connection with fans.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
Pretty awesome, say.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
Willey, Say hey, s sweighton the plain.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
Say hey, sae that giant kid it is.
Speaker 6 (30:50):
Creating when he hits the fall his song dun Man
hit sim than campighn Sweton's the best black.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
They laid right when they reached the ball. It's over righte.
Speaker 10 (31:04):
Say hey, say where lay?
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Say hey swing, get at the blade, Say hey, say
where lay that giant?
Speaker 9 (31:15):
Hey?
Speaker 1 (31:15):
It is great.
Speaker 10 (31:17):
He runs the bases like a chick chick train, swings
around black and harrow plane. His tap flies off where
it passes, and he has home lackade little boy.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Say hey, say where lay?
Speaker 6 (31:33):
Say hey, swing, get at the blade, Say.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
Hey, say where lay that?
Speaker 3 (31:40):
Give gi it is straight.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
In the words of New York TV legend the late
Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time until
next time.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
Rob Parker out.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
He can't get it.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
This could be an inside the park.
Speaker 9 (32:00):
See you next week.
Speaker 1 (32:01):
Save bath time, same bath station.
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