On this week’s edition of Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob shares his thoughts Ron Washington's tit-for-tat with Aaron Judge, Justin Verlander's quest for 300 wins, and New York Mets fans turning on Juan Soto. Later, Chicago White Sox outfielder Michael A. Taylor swings by to discuss his career trajectory up to this point and how he plans to help turn things around in Chicago. Plus, MLBBro.com contributor Malik Wright reveals his #HighFive for the week, MLBBro.com managing editor JR Gamble has the latest edition of Foul or Fair, and we drop Rob's latest appearance on MLB Network.
Subscribe and download all of the latest Inside the Parker podcasts and follow Rob on Twitter!! #OddCouple
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
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 fifty seven, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Come on, I've been covering Major League baseball for almost
forty years now, in New York, in Cincinnati, in Detroit,
in LA.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
I love this game. Let's go.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Welcome into the podcast. I'm your host, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
What a show we have for you Today, we'll talk
with Chicago White Sox center fielder Michael A.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Taylor and his very long career in the big leagues.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Also from mlbbro dot com, we'll talk with reporter maleak Right.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
He has his top five of the week.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
We'll dive into that plus foul or let's go better.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
To lead off it's getting.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
Routed and keep them mind.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major
League Baseball.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Number one, Paul Ron Washington crazy with sugar. Whatever you
want to do, but the Angels manager is not having
it when it comes to Aaron Judge and he walked
the slugger his first time at bat and his second
time at bat.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
In back to back innings.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
He didn't want Judge to do any damage against him.
Very seldom do you see a manager walk a player,
especially in the first inning. But Judge is having a
season to remember, batting close to four hundred, hitting home runs,
at the top of the list in the American.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
League at home runs.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
When you put all those things together, it's a season
you don't see it sees the power or average.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Very is it both?
Speaker 2 (02:01):
And not at a clip when a slugger of Aaron
Judges stature is batting, you know, around four hundred and
here we are almost in the June. So I get
the point of it and guess what. Actually, Ron Washington's
strategy wasn't bad because the Yankees only scored one run
(02:21):
in the game. The unfortunate part on Wednesday night was
that the Angels scored zero, so they lost one to nothing.
Number two, No one has to panic about the start
of Juan Soto for the Mets in Queens. Okay, we
know his track record, we know what he's done in
(02:42):
his career, but baseball is not about a lifetime achievement award.
It's about current it's about what you're doing now and
now is no good. I don't care how you look
at it. Seven hundred and sixty five million or you're
making a major league minimum coming into Thursday. He was
old force last sixteen. I don't remember any stretch last
(03:04):
year with the Yankees when he was old for sixteen
he was unbelievable, had a career season, and then on
the season coming in to Wedds Thursday two twenty four,
eight home runs, twenty five RBIs we're almost at June.
So I don't know if it's the pressure of being
(03:25):
the highest paid player. You know, when show got the
seven hundred million, people thought that was the ceiling. It's
not seven sixty five Is now the ceiling? Is it
playing in Queens, that's not the Bronx where he was
familiar in the.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Ballpark and hav an Aaron Judge in the lineup. You
know what is it?
Speaker 2 (03:45):
But he's got to play better. Fortunately, the Mets are
still hovering and have enough. The pitching has been good
and they still keep to keep winning games, so it's
not like they're in last place. If he was in
last place, it would be a big deal. The fans
are getting restless. They bowed him Wednesday night at City Field,
and then more booze to come. Don't forget last year
(04:08):
before Aaron Judge won the MVP in the American League,
he was booed at Yankee Stadium in April because he
was off to a terrible start and fans were mad
and disappointed.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
So you just don't want this the freest or too long.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
I predicted before the season start that he would struggle
his first year in Queens, and I'm not totally surprised,
but he needs to be better. Oh for sixteen shocking
number three Justin Berlander, the San Francisco Giants starter.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
He's gonna make it to the Hall of Fame, but
it doesn't look like he's gonna make it to three
hundred wins.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Coming into Thursday, thirty eight wins shy of three hundred,
a magic number in baseball, but this season with the Giants,
oh to three a four point three to three Chubby era, so.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
It's gonna be rough.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
It's almost impossible to see him winning thirty eight games
in the next two years, especially getting off to such
a bad start here in twenty twenty five, He's already
had a Hall of Fame career. I'm sure it would
have been special to try to get to three hundred wins.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
That looks like it's gonna be hercule lee in order
to get to that place. That's a lot of w's
you need.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
And it doesn't look like it's the case. Verlin has
been pitching for a long time. I was there in
Detroit when he started his career. I can't believe he's
still pitching, to be honest, but he's gonna have to
turn it around to get close to it.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
We might not see another picture get to three hundred wins.
He had a chance.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Because the way things are now and the way they
take pictures out of games and people don't get decisions like.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
They used to, it's gonna be hard for pitchers.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
To accomplish three hundred wins, which is a magnificent fee,
and in my mind, three hundred wins automatically gets my
Hall of Fame vote.
Speaker 5 (06:05):
Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn what's so
good now. Let's welcome in Michael A. Taylor from the
Chicago White Sox center fielder. Michael, thank you for joining
us podcast.
Speaker 6 (06:18):
Yeah, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
No doubt, Michael Let's talk about your career twelve years
in the Big Leagues, championship in Washington, stops in Minnesota,
and here in Chicago. Let's start with Washington and a
team that you started with and obviously winning a World
(06:39):
Series in twenty nineteen. Talk about Washington and what that
meant for you to win a World Series.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
Yeah, I think getting drafted by them and coming up
with them, making my debut with them, and then winning the.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
World Series was very special.
Speaker 6 (06:53):
You know, that was their message from day one, that
we were planning to win championships and playing the game,
of course, and then to finally do that, get to
experience it was a once in a lifetime thing and
something I'll never forget.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
How about that home run you hit. I know you
guys were pouring it on, but still you got your
one at bat in the World Series and you went yard.
Talk about that moment and what.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
That was like.
Speaker 6 (07:19):
Yeah, very special moment. Just to be there and then
to be able to get in the game. It was awesome.
And you know, I didn't expect it to be a
home run, go one for one with the home run, but.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
A fan in one thousand in the World Series.
Speaker 6 (07:32):
Yeah, it's a cool moment, but winning it all I
think was the biggest, biggest reward.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
And overall your career.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Let's talk about Yeah, power had some home runs there
in Washington, not again nineteen was that the most you
had in watching it? And twenty one and in Minnesota.
So I know you don't consider this sof a home
run hit up, But when you had those years, what
is it? Are you looking to hit a home run?
Is it just a swing? Is it just trying to
you know, make a great connection with the ball. Where
(08:02):
do you generate that power?
Speaker 6 (08:04):
Well, for me, my goal is quality contact. If the
ball leaves the yard, it leaves the yard. But I'm
trying to burrow up the ball as many times as
I can, not necessarily trying to elevate the ball or
hit it in the air, but just find the center
of the barrel.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
And defensively, we know you want to go glove in
twenty twenty one. You a tremendous fielder. Do you enjoy that?
Is that like a part of some guys really, you know,
enjoy that part of the game. Some people are into hitting,
some people have been the base dealing, all kinds of
different things. Talk about what defense means to you.
Speaker 6 (08:38):
Yeah, I definitely take pride of my defense as a
converted infielder. Once I moved to the outfield, I really
dedicated myself to the craft and wanted to be the
best I could in the outfield and just being able
to help the team in any way I can. You know,
making a great play for your pitchers is a great feeling.
I mean for me, it's up there with hitting a
home run or you know something on the offensive side.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Do you have a moment? I mean, you have your
World Series home run, but is there some play that
you made where you think back and would like, man,
I got that ball or I don't know how I
got there, I got there or made that play? Is
the one that stands out to you?
Speaker 6 (09:17):
I would say maybe the play in Saint Louis. I
robbed a home run and Zach Craiki was on the mound,
and I think that's one of my favorite parts of
that play is just his reaction and knowing Zach, he
doesn't get too excited, but he was pretty pumped about that,
so that made it even better for me.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
And you also played in Minnesota, as I brought up
before twenty one home runs, that season. What was it
like playing there?
Speaker 6 (09:43):
I really enjoyed it. It's a great group of guys.
Getting to work with David Hopkins, the hitting coach there,
really changed my approach to hitting and I learned so
much just in a year with him and then making
it to the playoffs. You know, we didn't make it
all the way.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
But that crowd, I remember, it was tremendous there in Minneapolis, right.
Speaker 6 (10:02):
Yeah, the fans there are awesome. I enjoyed my time there.
That people are great, The organization was great, clubhouse was awesome,
So all around, it was an enjoyable year.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
I guess is Michael A Taylor, centerfielder for Chicago White Sox,
And let's talk about the White Sox. Obviously they had
a bad year last year and just you know, trying
to build this thing back up and deal with it.
As a player, what is your approach when things haven't
gone that well here? Is it just the same approach
(10:34):
and trying to get better, trying to win games? How
do you deal with you know the toughness of not
winning often?
Speaker 6 (10:40):
Yeah, I wasn't here last year, so I wasn't a
part of that club or that team. I think coming
into this year, there was an emphasis on turning the
page for the guys that were here last year. You know,
didn't get off to a great start this year. But
in my eyes, there's still so much baseball left and
I think if we focus on the little things and
(11:01):
play the game the right way, we have enough talent,
enough enough here to win ball games. So just continuing
to press on that and just pay attention to the
little things that might get away from you in a
in a long season, and I think the rest will
take care of itself.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
That's all you can do, is if I do your part,
played as hard as you can, and hopefully that things
will turn out. I agree, all right, Michael A. Taylor
joining us here on inside the Parker Man. We appreciate
it continued success to see.
Speaker 6 (11:30):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
That it was a big week in the big leagues.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Who's who's a believe?
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Is it foul or is it fair? And now from
mlbdbro dot com, here's Jrgamball.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Remember he had a hot start to the season but
has since slumped.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
JR.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Is it foul or fair that the Angels Kyron Paris
was demoted to Triple A after a slump?
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Fair? It's a fair ball. Kiren Pois could use a reboot.
Speaker 7 (12:13):
The Los Angeles Angels made the decision to demote one
of their young future stars to make room for veteran
Chris Taylor, and that makes sense. Kyn Parris got off
to a blazing start during the first two weeks of
the season, but since he has hit some struggles, slashing
one ninety two sixty six three eighty one with six homers,
(12:37):
eleven RBI and a zero point five war His run
creation was below average after that slump, but his defense
kept him above replacement level on the season, so the
plans are to bring him back when he has cleaned
up his hitting approach.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
He definitely has the skills now.
Speaker 7 (12:57):
Angels manager Ron Washington told reporters that he didn't option
Paris because of his poor play. He wants to put
that aside because if that was the case, he says,
he would have done it.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Already, it would have already happened.
Speaker 7 (13:09):
Warsh says he needs to play and get at bats,
saying he came to the ballpark, he showed tremendous work ethic.
He was a great teammate, but at twenty three years old,
he needs to be getting at bats every day. The
team chose to keep Joe Adell on the active roster,
and that makes sense. Adell is older, he has more experience.
(13:32):
With the Angels just five and a half games out
of first place.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
They are in last, but you never know.
Speaker 7 (13:37):
In that Al West, the thought is utilize veterans and
make a serious run at the wild card or at
least five hundred showing marked improvement.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
You know Karen Paris, He's.
Speaker 7 (13:51):
A twenty nineteen second round draft pick out of California.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
He has all the talent in the world. He'll be back.
Speaker 7 (13:57):
He's part of the Angels' future and he has this
skills to pay the bills.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
So Fan, he'll be back. 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 2 (14:14):
Now let's welcome into the podcast. Maleak right from mlbbro
dot com. Aleik, thank you for joining us.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
How are you, buddy, I'm good man.
Speaker 8 (14:23):
It's been it's been too long since I've seen the
inside the Parker show Man.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
I'm glad to be here.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
No doubt we'll appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
He's a content reporter, one of the fine young baseball
writers and reporters out there.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
Let's start right away.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
I mean we're about to turn into June, first couple
of months of the season.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
In the books, best team in the American League.
Speaker 8 (14:44):
Who you got, Yes, Sarah? When when when June gets here?
Robbed the early season slumps are over?
Speaker 4 (14:49):
You are what you are to me. I'm gonna grow
with the New York Yankees right now.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
It hurts me to say, but wait a minute, why
not the Tigers.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
I'm gonna just jump in real quick. The Tiger.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
They have the same amount of losses coming into Thursday
as the Yankees, and they've played two more games and
they have two more wins. Man.
Speaker 8 (15:07):
The pitching staff for the Tigers is deep, and that's
sort of what I would where I would give them
the edge, the slide edge with just with Garrett Cole out,
But I mean that Yankees bullpen. I think Devin Williams
is starting to figure it out. Luke Weaver, he closed out,
he had, he had a good playoff run last last year.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
I think his role on the knife inning is better.
Speaker 8 (15:27):
Devin Williams back in his old role that he took
away from Josh Hater.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
They're they're hitting the ball well in New York.
Speaker 8 (15:33):
Though you're getting contributions from from everybody. I'm always gonna
have flight questions.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
On that Tigers lineup. Hinch though, just as a manager,
the way.
Speaker 8 (15:43):
He's able to plug people's in and he gets the
most out of players, I think the Tigers are like
one solid piece away from being to where I could
go over the top. Now, as I say the Yankees
are the top team in the American League, I don't
think that they are clear shot favorite to win the
World Series yet, or to get there for that matter.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
But with the way Judge is playing, some good pitchon from.
Speaker 8 (16:04):
Rodin, and that bullpen is tough, I'm gonna roll up
the Yankees all right.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
How about in the National League.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
I know everybody thought the Dodgers were going to be
the Beatles, but they've had hiccups. They got pitching injuries,
inconsistent hitting from some people. I mean, shohe has like
coming into Thursday, twenty home runs and thirty five RBIs.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
I mean, that's not.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Where you want a guy who's in twenty home runs
to have in the RBI department.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
You still like the Dodgers.
Speaker 8 (16:31):
Yeah, I'm not too too worried about them yet. The
pitching injuries are something crazy to think about. Man they
have about it's like five or six potential cy young
candidates that they have on the list. But that's the
team I trust, and I think after their run last year.
I think Dave Roberts he can actually manage a bullpen.
I think that's their key. But there's just so much
(16:53):
deaf in that lineup, and you got to assume at
some point in the next maybe after the All Star break,
they show hey Otani is added back into that starting rotation.
I think that's gonna give them a huge boost. Mookie
Bets he'll start, he he. We haven't seen the true
uh true, Mookie Bets. I'm sure the defense, the playing
short top full time is kind of getting into him,
(17:15):
Tommy Edmond getting healthy. But I'm still gonna roll with
the Dodgers. Although we talked about it before this that
National League East, some of those teams.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
Over there, with the Mets and the Phillies, that's.
Speaker 8 (17:26):
Deaf and I've been waiting on the you you wait
on the We've been waiting on the Phillies to get
over that hump for a while now because I think
they have on paper the most talented roster. But if
I have to place my money, I'm gonna bet on
the Dodgers.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
All right, Well, well I'll guess.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
Is Malik right from mlbbro dot com, one of the
content creators reporters there on the site. Uh every week
and it drops every Friday on the site. Is your
top is your high five? When you look at the
top five Black baseball players around the major leagues. Let's
go through your list for this week. We got the
(18:02):
top five.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Yeah, it's it's funny.
Speaker 8 (18:05):
We were talking about the Tigers and how they're possibly
the best team in the American League. A guy I
think who's gonna really help that is Jack Flaherty.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
We call him black Jack. Six innings.
Speaker 8 (18:15):
This is the third time, only the third time this
season he's got into the six inning. He's done it
in his last two starts. Eight k's two hits against
the San Francisco Giants. I call him the robin to
Trek Schoubles batman. They he was doing strong with the
team last year, got traded to the World Series champion Dodgers,
and then came and signed back over the offseason. I
(18:36):
don't think they traded him again this season. He's starting
to solidify himself. He looks real comfortable in that Tigers rotation.
I got him leading off the list. Coming in second
is James Wood, one of the guys that we talk
about that one Soto trade all the team.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Yeah, he's breaking man, He's a young star. I love
watching him man, and and.
Speaker 8 (18:55):
He's doing what he's got Guys like Dylan Cruz.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
I had my worries about James with this, I'm.
Speaker 8 (19:00):
Gonna be completely honest with you, but he's He's.
Speaker 4 (19:02):
Proven me wrong.
Speaker 8 (19:03):
Three forty six average, ten RBIs, three bombs in his
last seven games. As the Nationals that the rebuild just
hasn't in terms of wins, hasn't been what they wanted
to see.
Speaker 4 (19:14):
I think they're probably a year away.
Speaker 8 (19:15):
But seeing guys like James Woods, he's ables ball out
is really a promising sign. They need to add some
around them in the three spot though. I'm gonna have
the keing Aaron Judge and for him, the biggest stat
and we could point out that he leaves the league
in every stack category but four to seventy one average,
one point seven six seven ops against lefties.
Speaker 4 (19:39):
We saw was it Wednesday night?
Speaker 8 (19:41):
Ron Washington looked at him and just laugh He said, no, sir,
we're not facing you.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
I think that's what every.
Speaker 8 (19:47):
Team should do against Aaron Judge though there's no point
to pitch with them with runners on base. There's barely
a point to pitch with them with anybody off base.
And if he keeps this up, he's gonna he's knocking
on the Ted Williams door for sure. I'm in my
fourth spot. A guy that we that I particularly thought
I was gonna take a.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
Huge jump this year. It's taken him a little while
to get going.
Speaker 8 (20:06):
I think he put a lot of pressure on himself
trying to get to that All Star Game in his
home time of Atlanta. That's Lawrence Butler, the law Dog.
Three seventy six batting average, but something I don't like
is only a three seventy six on base percentage. Law
Dog's got to start drawing some walks if he wants
to better himself at the plate. And then Mason Win,
(20:26):
I believe he started the season. He wraps up my
list started the season. I want to say, oh for
twenty oh, for twenty five, He's been hitting three hundred
ever since in his last thirty one of the best
young shortstops in the game, and he's he's sort of
took in a leap over Jordan Walker, who we thought
would be the best young player on that team. But yeah,
(20:47):
my list again, Jack Flaherty, James Wood, Aaron Judge, Lawrence Butler,
and Mason Win Here it is.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
Check out my League Rights high five every Friday on
mlbbro dot com.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
League always a pleasure talking baseball. Thanks for dropping by
my man, Appreciate you, Yes, sir, see you soon.
Speaker 7 (21:07):
It's the Gambler here. Vice president of Operations for mlbbro
dot Com and executive producer of the MLB bro Show
podcast The Mixtape Every Friday.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
You heard that right.
Speaker 7 (21:20):
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 accomplishments, clutch moments,
and contributions to culture that the Bros continue to breathe
(21:44):
into baseball. From Mookie Wilson to Mookie Betts. Doctor k
to doctor Sticks, 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,
(22:05):
just to name a few of the segments that truly
capture the voice of black baseball. If things get 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 the Negro leagues. I
(22:28):
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, fucking 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.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
We got the best starting five in the business.
Speaker 7 (22:54):
Listen to the MLB Bro Show podcast the Mixtape on
the iHeart Rate video app Apple podcasts.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Or wherever you get your podcast. In case you missed
Rob Parker on the MLB networks, here's his latest appearance
on Mlbina.
Speaker 9 (23:15):
Fox Sports Radios. Rob Parker is in the show and
he is fired up today. He is going to get
me and John him and very animated with his first
response and all the rest of it.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
So how about it?
Speaker 9 (23:24):
Rob is using Shoho Tani as a pitcher mistake. As
we all know, he's throwing twenty two pitches getting loose.
The rumors are around the All Star break, maybe July thirty. First,
we'll see you Tony back of the bump.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
You don't like it?
Speaker 2 (23:35):
What?
Speaker 3 (23:36):
No, I'm starting to change my mind on this.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
I understand the unicorn and everybody was all excited and
mad to see a guy pitch and hit, But that
was for the Angels. That was going nowhere fast. Can
I remind everybody that last year the Dodgers won a
World Series without show Hay pitching, and he put together
an unbelievable year at the place. And now you want
(24:01):
to take that bet out of the lineup. I don't
want to do it.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
If I'm the Dodgers, I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
Rob, that's crazy.
Speaker 9 (24:06):
Seven hundred million dollars for a DH You've had eleven
different starting pitchers in the eye out. They're gonna need
O Toni. It's not just like a gimmick. It's not
just a uniqurn a fun thing. They need him on
the mount because he's elite when he's there, and you
gave him all this money just to come on.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
You don't want to do that.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
Well, wait a minute.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Didn't they just give Wan Soto seven hundred and sixty
five million dollars just to hit.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
He's not pitching, He's not in the bullpen.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
What do you I mean the idea is that the
same way that Babou started doing both and they realized
his value was to be an everyday player. I don't
want to say, see showhy not be in a game
because he's got to get ready for pitching. I don't listen.
O Tani wants to be out there at all times.
He wants to be different and unique. He wants to
(24:50):
be a trailblazer for the game.
Speaker 9 (24:51):
If you tell him bat only, that will sap him
up some of the joy of the game, some of
his competitive edge.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
He's gonna be frustrated, angry. He wants to be unique.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
Rob.
Speaker 9 (24:59):
You take him and tell oh, you're just a hitter.
There's no way that's not gonna work out well with them.
You can't play worried about being injured. That's playing scared.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
I don't want to say not about being injured. I
don't want to take his bet out of the lineup.
If he was a cy Young Award winner on the mound,
I'm with you, he's not. He's a very good pitcher,
top tier picture, but he's not a cy Young Award winner.
What he is is a multiple MVP, and I want
to use him in that and get the most out
(25:27):
of him. The most out of him is him at
the plate, and the Dodgers need his bet every day.
Speaker 9 (25:33):
Fourth and sighing three years ago, So bite your tongue.
He might win a side one day if he let
him pitch. Not up to you. BK was wrong Rob
about the Red Sox. He's SI they're gonna get to
the World Series or you got.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
The Red Sox. They're in trouble right now.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
I had them not making the playoffs. I tried to
tell BK and look at that record. They're stumbling.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
I know they made some moves people were excited about
the things that they done. Of course, not if you
had some injuries which which don't help. And the Deverst
thing was mishandled. Obviously he's the swinging the bat real well.
But I look at the team and I'm just not
I don't see them making the playoffs. I think you
(26:11):
have a better chance of four teams making it out
of the Central than the Red Sox making the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
Wow, that is a bold pack.
Speaker 9 (26:18):
He would go Royals and Twins and the Guardians.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Wow, and Tigers. Yeah, that's amazing. With Boston how much?
Speaker 9 (26:25):
Who do you think is the loss of Bragman and
Castus You're losing those guys at third and first, Or
is the fact that there's too many young players not
ready for prime time yet.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
I think it's a combination.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
You know, the prime time.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
The young players got off to a good start, this
is the big leagues, and guess what happens after a while,
and they got your number, and they.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Got the video and they know what you can hit
and can't hit, and it changes.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
So they got off to great starts and people were like,
the Red Sox are loaded, and now those guys have
come back to Earth. You lose Bregman and whatnot, that's
going to hurt as well. So I'm not as highing
the Red Sox from Jump Street.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
And now I'm even.
Speaker 9 (27:01):
More so love the case you are being vindicid Terrek Scrubel,
I think is the best pitcher on the planet. So
who's gonna win the al Cing Awards him?
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Right now?
Speaker 3 (27:09):
It's Max Freed? Are you kidding?
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Like?
Speaker 1 (27:12):
This is the thing?
Speaker 3 (27:13):
I get the school bl and he's been fantastic.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
He won the cy Young last year in the American League.
But for Max Freed to show up to the Yankees,
they lose their ace, Garrett Cole, and he has the
pressure of holding this team together. He shows up to
the Bronx with a big contract.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
I've seen I've.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
Been covering baseball for thirty nine years. I've seen so
many players show up in New York and can't handle
the pressure. This guy's undefeated, unbelievable e r ray and
he's pitched in a situation where he was needed. The
Yankees are in first place, they're the best team in
the American League, not the Tigers, and Max Freed is
(27:55):
a big reason why.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
He has been phenomenal.
Speaker 9 (27:57):
Full Craft to Brian Cashman that signing, You're right, louse,
Garrett Cole. And yet this Yankees rotation has been superbinent
frames a part of it. They're ten and one in
games in which he starts. But Schooble to me, is
still the guy. Rob Scoobel to me, that feels like
Randy Johnson out there. That feels like Clayton Kershoff Freedman
of the better numbers right now, But ultimately I think
Scooba wins a sideng.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
He's going back to back. You see that last game.
By the way, he threw a match so it was
under one hundred pitches. That was incredible efficiency.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
But the cy Young is not a lifetime achievement award.
It's about the season that we're in. And I give
it to you that schoop Bold is a better pitcher
and probably will beat throughout his career. But this season,
Max Freedez's stepping up in the Bronx going undefeated. You
just gave the unbelievable record ten and one. He gives
(28:41):
you a chance to win every time he goes out there.
Schoopol's already lost two games.
Speaker 9 (28:47):
I'm just saying, by the way, Fred's going tomorrow against
the Dodgers.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
Can't wait for that matchup.
Speaker 9 (28:51):
And you said it, but I want to make sure
he said it again in my good ear. Best team
in the American League's not the Detroit Tigers. You're gonna
alienate the entire Midwest.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
It's the Yankees. It is the Yankee again. Look at
the injuries that they've piled up.
Speaker 4 (29:03):
You just met.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
It's unbelievable. Stan hasn't played Jazz Chisholm was heard. They've
lost a number of pitchers. You lose your a's. How
in the world are they just two games behind the Tigers,
but the Tigers have two games in hand. They have
the same amount of losses. It's incredible where the Yankees
are and that they're in first place in the American
(29:25):
League given all the injuries. They're playing a mass unit.
Give Aaron Boom credit. I mean, they are still rolling.
And the Yankees, what did they do? Just do They
just swept the Angels and now they're going to LA.
So they've been playing really good baseball.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
I agree with the Bony's doing to have a job.
Speaker 9 (29:43):
Yankees, by the way, largest division leader of any team
right now.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
He's the They're gonna run away.
Speaker 9 (29:47):
The at least only one other team above five hundred is
the rais Rob Parker course of I wobbro dot Com,
Fox Sports Radio, Great Stop My Prime.
Speaker 1 (29:53):
We'll talk to again soon, all right.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Appreciate it until John Hayman, I was right and he
was wrong.
Speaker 9 (30:00):
I gotta be in my shoes next time. Put on
the cowboy boots and put them up with Rob great
stuff man.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
In the words of New York TV legend the late
Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time. Until
next time.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
Rob Parker out he can't Davin. This could be an
inside the Parker.
Speaker 5 (30:21):
See you next week, same bat time, same Matt 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 fifty seven, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Come on, I've been covering Major League baseball for almost
forty years now, in New York, in Cincinnati, in Detroit,
in LA.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
I love this game. Let's go.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Welcome into the podcast. I'm your host, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
What a show we have for you Today, we'll talk
with Chicago White Sox center fielder Michael A.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Taylor and his very long career in the big leagues.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Also from mlbbro dot com, we'll talk with reporter maleak Right.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
He has his top five of the week.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
We'll dive into that plus foul or let's go better.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
To lead off it's getting.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
Routed and keep them mind.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major
League Baseball.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Number one, Paul Ron Washington crazy with sugar. Whatever you
want to do, but the Angels manager is not having
it when it comes to Aaron Judge and he walked
the slugger his first time at bat and his second
time at bat.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
In back to back innings.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
He didn't want Judge to do any damage against him.
Very seldom do you see a manager walk a player,
especially in the first inning. But Judge is having a
season to remember, batting close to four hundred, hitting home runs,
at the top of the list in the American.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
League at home runs.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
When you put all those things together, it's a season
you don't see it sees the power or average.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Very is it both?
Speaker 2 (02:01):
And not at a clip when a slugger of Aaron
Judges stature is batting, you know, around four hundred and
here we are almost in the June. So I get
the point of it and guess what. Actually, Ron Washington's
strategy wasn't bad because the Yankees only scored one run
(02:21):
in the game. The unfortunate part on Wednesday night was
that the Angels scored zero, so they lost one to nothing.
Number two, No one has to panic about the start
of Juan Soto for the Mets in Queens. Okay, we
know his track record, we know what he's done in
(02:42):
his career, but baseball is not about a lifetime achievement award.
It's about current it's about what you're doing now and
now is no good. I don't care how you look
at it. Seven hundred and sixty five million or you're
making a major league minimum coming into Thursday. He was
old force last sixteen. I don't remember any stretch last
(03:04):
year with the Yankees when he was old for sixteen
he was unbelievable, had a career season, and then on
the season coming in to Wedds Thursday two twenty four,
eight home runs, twenty five RBIs we're almost at June.
So I don't know if it's the pressure of being
(03:25):
the highest paid player. You know, when show got the
seven hundred million, people thought that was the ceiling. It's
not seven sixty five Is now the ceiling? Is it
playing in Queens, that's not the Bronx where he was
familiar in the.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Ballpark and hav an Aaron Judge in the lineup. You
know what is it?
Speaker 2 (03:45):
But he's got to play better. Fortunately, the Mets are
still hovering and have enough. The pitching has been good
and they still keep to keep winning games, so it's
not like they're in last place. If he was in
last place, it would be a big deal. The fans
are getting restless. They bowed him Wednesday night at City Field,
and then more booze to come. Don't forget last year
(04:08):
before Aaron Judge won the MVP in the American League,
he was booed at Yankee Stadium in April because he
was off to a terrible start and fans were mad
and disappointed.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
So you just don't want this the freest or too long.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
I predicted before the season start that he would struggle
his first year in Queens, and I'm not totally surprised,
but he needs to be better. Oh for sixteen shocking
number three Justin Berlander, the San Francisco Giants starter.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
He's gonna make it to the Hall of Fame, but
it doesn't look like he's gonna make it to three
hundred wins.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Coming into Thursday, thirty eight wins shy of three hundred,
a magic number in baseball, but this season with the Giants,
oh to three a four point three to three Chubby era, so.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
It's gonna be rough.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
It's almost impossible to see him winning thirty eight games
in the next two years, especially getting off to such
a bad start here in twenty twenty five, He's already
had a Hall of Fame career. I'm sure it would
have been special to try to get to three hundred wins.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
That looks like it's gonna be hercule lee in order
to get to that place. That's a lot of w's
you need.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
And it doesn't look like it's the case. Verlin has
been pitching for a long time. I was there in
Detroit when he started his career. I can't believe he's
still pitching, to be honest, but he's gonna have to
turn it around to get close to it.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
We might not see another picture get to three hundred wins.
He had a chance.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Because the way things are now and the way they
take pictures out of games and people don't get decisions like.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
They used to, it's gonna be hard for pitchers.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
To accomplish three hundred wins, which is a magnificent fee,
and in my mind, three hundred wins automatically gets my
Hall of Fame vote.
Speaker 5 (06:05):
Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn what's so
good now. Let's welcome in Michael A. Taylor from the
Chicago White Sox center fielder. Michael, thank you for joining
us podcast.
Speaker 6 (06:18):
Yeah, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
No doubt, Michael Let's talk about your career twelve years
in the Big Leagues, championship in Washington, stops in Minnesota,
and here in Chicago. Let's start with Washington and a
team that you started with and obviously winning a World
(06:39):
Series in twenty nineteen. Talk about Washington and what that
meant for you to win a World Series.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
Yeah, I think getting drafted by them and coming up
with them, making my debut with them, and then winning the.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
World Series was very special.
Speaker 6 (06:53):
You know, that was their message from day one, that
we were planning to win championships and playing the game,
of course, and then to finally do that, get to
experience it was a once in a lifetime thing and
something I'll never forget.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
How about that home run you hit. I know you
guys were pouring it on, but still you got your
one at bat in the World Series and you went yard.
Talk about that moment and what.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
That was like.
Speaker 6 (07:19):
Yeah, very special moment. Just to be there and then
to be able to get in the game. It was awesome.
And you know, I didn't expect it to be a
home run, go one for one with the home run, but.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
A fan in one thousand in the World Series.
Speaker 6 (07:32):
Yeah, it's a cool moment, but winning it all I
think was the biggest, biggest reward.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
And overall your career.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Let's talk about Yeah, power had some home runs there
in Washington, not again nineteen was that the most you
had in watching it? And twenty one and in Minnesota.
So I know you don't consider this sof a home
run hit up, But when you had those years, what
is it? Are you looking to hit a home run?
Is it just a swing? Is it just trying to
you know, make a great connection with the ball. Where
(08:02):
do you generate that power?
Speaker 6 (08:04):
Well, for me, my goal is quality contact. If the
ball leaves the yard, it leaves the yard. But I'm
trying to burrow up the ball as many times as
I can, not necessarily trying to elevate the ball or
hit it in the air, but just find the center
of the barrel.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
And defensively, we know you want to go glove in
twenty twenty one. You a tremendous fielder. Do you enjoy that?
Is that like a part of some guys really, you know,
enjoy that part of the game. Some people are into hitting,
some people have been the base dealing, all kinds of
different things. Talk about what defense means to you.
Speaker 6 (08:38):
Yeah, I definitely take pride of my defense as a
converted infielder. Once I moved to the outfield, I really
dedicated myself to the craft and wanted to be the
best I could in the outfield and just being able
to help the team in any way I can. You know,
making a great play for your pitchers is a great feeling.
I mean for me, it's up there with hitting a
home run or you know something on the offensive side.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Do you have a moment? I mean, you have your
World Series home run, but is there some play that
you made where you think back and would like, man,
I got that ball or I don't know how I
got there, I got there or made that play? Is
the one that stands out to you?
Speaker 6 (09:17):
I would say maybe the play in Saint Louis. I
robbed a home run and Zach Craiki was on the mound,
and I think that's one of my favorite parts of
that play is just his reaction and knowing Zach, he
doesn't get too excited, but he was pretty pumped about that,
so that made it even better for me.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
And you also played in Minnesota, as I brought up
before twenty one home runs, that season. What was it
like playing there?
Speaker 6 (09:43):
I really enjoyed it. It's a great group of guys.
Getting to work with David Hopkins, the hitting coach there,
really changed my approach to hitting and I learned so
much just in a year with him and then making
it to the playoffs. You know, we didn't make it
all the way.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
But that crowd, I remember, it was tremendous there in Minneapolis, right.
Speaker 6 (10:02):
Yeah, the fans there are awesome. I enjoyed my time there.
That people are great, The organization was great, clubhouse was awesome,
So all around, it was an enjoyable year.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
I guess is Michael A Taylor, centerfielder for Chicago White Sox,
And let's talk about the White Sox. Obviously they had
a bad year last year and just you know, trying
to build this thing back up and deal with it.
As a player, what is your approach when things haven't
gone that well here? Is it just the same approach
(10:34):
and trying to get better, trying to win games? How
do you deal with you know the toughness of not
winning often?
Speaker 6 (10:40):
Yeah, I wasn't here last year, so I wasn't a
part of that club or that team. I think coming
into this year, there was an emphasis on turning the
page for the guys that were here last year. You know,
didn't get off to a great start this year. But
in my eyes, there's still so much baseball left and
I think if we focus on the little things and
(11:01):
play the game the right way, we have enough talent,
enough enough here to win ball games. So just continuing
to press on that and just pay attention to the
little things that might get away from you in a
in a long season, and I think the rest will
take care of itself.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
That's all you can do, is if I do your part,
played as hard as you can, and hopefully that things
will turn out. I agree, all right, Michael A. Taylor
joining us here on inside the Parker Man. We appreciate
it continued success to see.
Speaker 6 (11:30):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
That it was a big week in the big leagues.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Who's who's a believe?
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Is it foul or is it fair? And now from
mlbdbro dot com, here's Jrgamball.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Remember he had a hot start to the season but
has since slumped.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
JR.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Is it foul or fair that the Angels Kyron Paris
was demoted to Triple A after a slump?
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Fair? It's a fair ball. Kiren Pois could use a reboot.
Speaker 7 (12:13):
The Los Angeles Angels made the decision to demote one
of their young future stars to make room for veteran
Chris Taylor, and that makes sense. Kyn Parris got off
to a blazing start during the first two weeks of
the season, but since he has hit some struggles, slashing
one ninety two sixty six three eighty one with six homers,
(12:37):
eleven RBI and a zero point five war His run
creation was below average after that slump, but his defense
kept him above replacement level on the season, so the
plans are to bring him back when he has cleaned
up his hitting approach.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
He definitely has the skills now.
Speaker 7 (12:57):
Angels manager Ron Washington told reporters that he didn't option
Paris because of his poor play. He wants to put
that aside because if that was the case, he says,
he would have done it.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Already, it would have already happened.
Speaker 7 (13:09):
Warsh says he needs to play and get at bats,
saying he came to the ballpark, he showed tremendous work ethic.
He was a great teammate, but at twenty three years old,
he needs to be getting at bats every day. The
team chose to keep Joe Adell on the active roster,
and that makes sense. Adell is older, he has more experience.
(13:32):
With the Angels just five and a half games out
of first place.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
They are in last, but you never know.
Speaker 7 (13:37):
In that Al West, the thought is utilize veterans and
make a serious run at the wild card or at
least five hundred showing marked improvement.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
You know Karen Paris, He's.
Speaker 7 (13:51):
A twenty nineteen second round draft pick out of California.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
He has all the talent in the world. He'll be back.
Speaker 7 (13:57):
He's part of the Angels' future and he has this
skills to pay the bills.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
So Fan, he'll be back. 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 2 (14:14):
Now let's welcome into the podcast. Maleak right from mlbbro
dot com. Aleik, thank you for joining us.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
How are you, buddy, I'm good man.
Speaker 8 (14:23):
It's been it's been too long since I've seen the
inside the Parker show Man.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
I'm glad to be here.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
No doubt we'll appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
He's a content reporter, one of the fine young baseball
writers and reporters out there.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
Let's start right away.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
I mean we're about to turn into June, first couple
of months of the season.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
In the books, best team in the American League.
Speaker 8 (14:44):
Who you got, Yes, Sarah? When when when June gets here?
Robbed the early season slumps are over?
Speaker 4 (14:49):
You are what you are to me. I'm gonna grow
with the New York Yankees right now.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
It hurts me to say, but wait a minute, why
not the Tigers.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
I'm gonna just jump in real quick. The Tiger.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
They have the same amount of losses coming into Thursday
as the Yankees, and they've played two more games and
they have two more wins. Man.
Speaker 8 (15:07):
The pitching staff for the Tigers is deep, and that's
sort of what I would where I would give them
the edge, the slide edge with just with Garrett Cole out,
But I mean that Yankees bullpen. I think Devin Williams
is starting to figure it out. Luke Weaver, he closed out,
he had, he had a good playoff run last last year.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
I think his role on the knife inning is better.
Speaker 8 (15:27):
Devin Williams back in his old role that he took
away from Josh Hater.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
They're they're hitting the ball well in New York.
Speaker 8 (15:33):
Though you're getting contributions from from everybody. I'm always gonna
have flight questions.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
On that Tigers lineup. Hinch though, just as a manager,
the way.
Speaker 8 (15:43):
He's able to plug people's in and he gets the
most out of players, I think the Tigers are like
one solid piece away from being to where I could
go over the top. Now, as I say the Yankees
are the top team in the American League, I don't
think that they are clear shot favorite to win the
World Series yet, or to get there for that matter.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
But with the way Judge is playing, some good pitchon from.
Speaker 8 (16:04):
Rodin, and that bullpen is tough, I'm gonna roll up
the Yankees all right.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
How about in the National League.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
I know everybody thought the Dodgers were going to be
the Beatles, but they've had hiccups. They got pitching injuries,
inconsistent hitting from some people. I mean, shohe has like
coming into Thursday, twenty home runs and thirty five RBIs.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
I mean, that's not.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Where you want a guy who's in twenty home runs
to have in the RBI department.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
You still like the Dodgers.
Speaker 8 (16:31):
Yeah, I'm not too too worried about them yet. The
pitching injuries are something crazy to think about. Man they
have about it's like five or six potential cy young
candidates that they have on the list. But that's the
team I trust, and I think after their run last year.
I think Dave Roberts he can actually manage a bullpen.
I think that's their key. But there's just so much
(16:53):
deaf in that lineup, and you got to assume at
some point in the next maybe after the All Star break,
they show hey Otani is added back into that starting rotation.
I think that's gonna give them a huge boost. Mookie
Bets he'll start, he he. We haven't seen the true
uh true, Mookie Bets. I'm sure the defense, the playing
short top full time is kind of getting into him,
(17:15):
Tommy Edmond getting healthy. But I'm still gonna roll with
the Dodgers. Although we talked about it before this that
National League East, some of those teams.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
Over there, with the Mets and the Phillies, that's.
Speaker 8 (17:26):
Deaf and I've been waiting on the you you wait
on the We've been waiting on the Phillies to get
over that hump for a while now because I think
they have on paper the most talented roster. But if
I have to place my money, I'm gonna bet on
the Dodgers.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
All right, Well, well I'll guess.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
Is Malik right from mlbbro dot com, one of the
content creators reporters there on the site. Uh every week
and it drops every Friday on the site. Is your
top is your high five? When you look at the
top five Black baseball players around the major leagues. Let's
go through your list for this week. We got the
(18:02):
top five.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Yeah, it's it's funny.
Speaker 8 (18:05):
We were talking about the Tigers and how they're possibly
the best team in the American League. A guy I
think who's gonna really help that is Jack Flaherty.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
We call him black Jack. Six innings.
Speaker 8 (18:15):
This is the third time, only the third time this
season he's got into the six inning. He's done it
in his last two starts. Eight k's two hits against
the San Francisco Giants. I call him the robin to
Trek Schoubles batman. They he was doing strong with the
team last year, got traded to the World Series champion Dodgers,
and then came and signed back over the offseason. I
(18:36):
don't think they traded him again this season. He's starting
to solidify himself. He looks real comfortable in that Tigers rotation.
I got him leading off the list. Coming in second
is James Wood, one of the guys that we talk
about that one Soto trade all the team.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Yeah, he's breaking man, He's a young star. I love
watching him man, and and.
Speaker 8 (18:55):
He's doing what he's got Guys like Dylan Cruz.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
I had my worries about James with this, I'm.
Speaker 8 (19:00):
Gonna be completely honest with you, but he's He's.
Speaker 4 (19:02):
Proven me wrong.
Speaker 8 (19:03):
Three forty six average, ten RBIs, three bombs in his
last seven games. As the Nationals that the rebuild just
hasn't in terms of wins, hasn't been what they wanted
to see.
Speaker 4 (19:14):
I think they're probably a year away.
Speaker 8 (19:15):
But seeing guys like James Woods, he's ables ball out
is really a promising sign. They need to add some
around them in the three spot though. I'm gonna have
the keing Aaron Judge and for him, the biggest stat
and we could point out that he leaves the league
in every stack category but four to seventy one average,
one point seven six seven ops against lefties.
Speaker 4 (19:39):
We saw was it Wednesday night?
Speaker 8 (19:41):
Ron Washington looked at him and just laugh He said, no, sir,
we're not facing you.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
I think that's what every.
Speaker 8 (19:47):
Team should do against Aaron Judge though there's no point
to pitch with them with runners on base. There's barely
a point to pitch with them with anybody off base.
And if he keeps this up, he's gonna he's knocking
on the Ted Williams door for sure. I'm in my
fourth spot. A guy that we that I particularly thought
I was gonna take a.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
Huge jump this year. It's taken him a little while
to get going.
Speaker 8 (20:06):
I think he put a lot of pressure on himself
trying to get to that All Star Game in his
home time of Atlanta. That's Lawrence Butler, the law Dog.
Three seventy six batting average, but something I don't like
is only a three seventy six on base percentage. Law
Dog's got to start drawing some walks if he wants
to better himself at the plate. And then Mason Win,
(20:26):
I believe he started the season. He wraps up my
list started the season. I want to say, oh for
twenty oh, for twenty five, He's been hitting three hundred
ever since in his last thirty one of the best
young shortstops in the game, and he's he's sort of
took in a leap over Jordan Walker, who we thought
would be the best young player on that team. But yeah,
(20:47):
my list again, Jack Flaherty, James Wood, Aaron Judge, Lawrence Butler,
and Mason Win Here it is.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
Check out my League Rights high five every Friday on
mlbbro dot com.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
League always a pleasure talking baseball. Thanks for dropping by
my man, Appreciate you, Yes, sir, see you soon.
Speaker 7 (21:07):
It's the Gambler here. Vice president of Operations for mlbbro
dot Com and executive producer of the MLB bro Show
podcast The Mixtape Every Friday.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
You heard that right.
Speaker 7 (21:20):
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 accomplishments, clutch moments,
and contributions to culture that the Bros continue to breathe
(21:44):
into baseball. From Mookie Wilson to Mookie Betts. Doctor k
to doctor Sticks, 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,
(22:05):
just to name a few of the segments that truly
capture the voice of black baseball. If things get 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 the Negro leagues. I
(22:28):
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, fucking 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.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
We got the best starting five in the business.
Speaker 7 (22:54):
Listen to the MLB Bro Show podcast the Mixtape on
the iHeart Rate video app Apple podcasts.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
Or wherever you get your podcast. In case you missed
Rob Parker on the MLB networks, here's his latest appearance
on Mlbina.
Speaker 9 (23:15):
Fox Sports Radios. Rob Parker is in the show and
he is fired up today. He is going to get
me and John him and very animated with his first
response and all the rest of it.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
So how about it?
Speaker 9 (23:24):
Rob is using Shoho Tani as a pitcher mistake. As
we all know, he's throwing twenty two pitches getting loose.
The rumors are around the All Star break, maybe July thirty. First,
we'll see you Tony back of the bump.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
You don't like it?
Speaker 2 (23:35):
What?
Speaker 3 (23:36):
No, I'm starting to change my mind on this.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
I understand the unicorn and everybody was all excited and
mad to see a guy pitch and hit, But that
was for the Angels. That was going nowhere fast. Can
I remind everybody that last year the Dodgers won a
World Series without show Hay pitching, and he put together
an unbelievable year at the place. And now you want
(24:01):
to take that bet out of the lineup. I don't
want to do it.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
If I'm the Dodgers, I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
Rob, that's crazy.
Speaker 9 (24:06):
Seven hundred million dollars for a DH You've had eleven
different starting pitchers in the eye out. They're gonna need
O Toni. It's not just like a gimmick. It's not
just a uniqurn a fun thing. They need him on
the mount because he's elite when he's there, and you
gave him all this money just to come on.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
You don't want to do that.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
Well, wait a minute.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Didn't they just give Wan Soto seven hundred and sixty
five million dollars just to hit.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
He's not pitching, He's not in the bullpen.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
What do you I mean the idea is that the
same way that Babou started doing both and they realized
his value was to be an everyday player. I don't
want to say, see showhy not be in a game
because he's got to get ready for pitching. I don't listen.
O Tani wants to be out there at all times.
He wants to be different and unique. He wants to
(24:50):
be a trailblazer for the game.
Speaker 9 (24:51):
If you tell him bat only, that will sap him
up some of the joy of the game, some of
his competitive edge.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
He's gonna be frustrated, angry. He wants to be unique.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
Rob.
Speaker 9 (24:59):
You take him and tell oh, you're just a hitter.
There's no way that's not gonna work out well with them.
You can't play worried about being injured. That's playing scared.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
I don't want to say not about being injured. I
don't want to take his bet out of the lineup.
If he was a cy Young Award winner on the mound,
I'm with you, he's not. He's a very good pitcher,
top tier picture, but he's not a cy Young Award winner.
What he is is a multiple MVP, and I want
to use him in that and get the most out
(25:27):
of him. The most out of him is him at
the plate, and the Dodgers need his bet every day.
Speaker 9 (25:33):
Fourth and sighing three years ago, So bite your tongue.
He might win a side one day if he let
him pitch. Not up to you. BK was wrong Rob
about the Red Sox. He's SI they're gonna get to
the World Series or you got.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
The Red Sox. They're in trouble right now.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
I had them not making the playoffs. I tried to
tell BK and look at that record. They're stumbling.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
I know they made some moves people were excited about
the things that they done. Of course, not if you
had some injuries which which don't help. And the Deverst
thing was mishandled. Obviously he's the swinging the bat real well.
But I look at the team and I'm just not
I don't see them making the playoffs. I think you
(26:11):
have a better chance of four teams making it out
of the Central than the Red Sox making the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
Wow, that is a bold pack.
Speaker 9 (26:18):
He would go Royals and Twins and the Guardians.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Wow, and Tigers. Yeah, that's amazing. With Boston how much?
Speaker 9 (26:25):
Who do you think is the loss of Bragman and
Castus You're losing those guys at third and first, Or
is the fact that there's too many young players not
ready for prime time yet.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
I think it's a combination.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
You know, the prime time.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
The young players got off to a good start, this
is the big leagues, and guess what happens after a while,
and they got your number, and they.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Got the video and they know what you can hit
and can't hit, and it changes.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
So they got off to great starts and people were like,
the Red Sox are loaded, and now those guys have
come back to Earth. You lose Bregman and whatnot, that's
going to hurt as well. So I'm not as highing
the Red Sox from Jump Street.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
And now I'm even.
Speaker 9 (27:01):
More so love the case you are being vindicid Terrek Scrubel,
I think is the best pitcher on the planet. So
who's gonna win the al Cing Awards him?
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Right now?
Speaker 3 (27:09):
It's Max Freed? Are you kidding?
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Like?
Speaker 1 (27:12):
This is the thing?
Speaker 3 (27:13):
I get the school bl and he's been fantastic.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
He won the cy Young last year in the American League.
But for Max Freed to show up to the Yankees,
they lose their ace, Garrett Cole, and he has the
pressure of holding this team together. He shows up to
the Bronx with a big contract.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
I've seen I've.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
Been covering baseball for thirty nine years. I've seen so
many players show up in New York and can't handle
the pressure. This guy's undefeated, unbelievable e r ray and
he's pitched in a situation where he was needed. The
Yankees are in first place, they're the best team in
the American League, not the Tigers, and Max Freed is
(27:55):
a big reason why.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
He has been phenomenal.
Speaker 9 (27:57):
Full Craft to Brian Cashman that signing, You're right, louse,
Garrett Cole. And yet this Yankees rotation has been superbinent
frames a part of it. They're ten and one in
games in which he starts. But Schooble to me, is
still the guy. Rob Scoobel to me, that feels like
Randy Johnson out there. That feels like Clayton Kershoff Freedman
of the better numbers right now, But ultimately I think
Scooba wins a sideng.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
He's going back to back. You see that last game.
By the way, he threw a match so it was
under one hundred pitches. That was incredible efficiency.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
But the cy Young is not a lifetime achievement award.
It's about the season that we're in. And I give
it to you that schoop Bold is a better pitcher
and probably will beat throughout his career. But this season,
Max Freedez's stepping up in the Bronx going undefeated. You
just gave the unbelievable record ten and one. He gives
(28:41):
you a chance to win every time he goes out there.
Schoopol's already lost two games.
Speaker 9 (28:47):
I'm just saying, by the way, Fred's going tomorrow against
the Dodgers.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
Can't wait for that matchup.
Speaker 9 (28:51):
And you said it, but I want to make sure
he said it again in my good ear. Best team
in the American League's not the Detroit Tigers. You're gonna
alienate the entire Midwest.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
It's the Yankees. It is the Yankee again. Look at
the injuries that they've piled up.
Speaker 4 (29:03):
You just met.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
It's unbelievable. Stan hasn't played Jazz Chisholm was heard. They've
lost a number of pitchers. You lose your a's. How
in the world are they just two games behind the Tigers,
but the Tigers have two games in hand. They have
the same amount of losses. It's incredible where the Yankees
are and that they're in first place in the American
(29:25):
League given all the injuries. They're playing a mass unit.
Give Aaron Boom credit. I mean, they are still rolling.
And the Yankees, what did they do? Just do They
just swept the Angels and now they're going to LA.
So they've been playing really good baseball.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
I agree with the Bony's doing to have a job.
Speaker 9 (29:43):
Yankees, by the way, largest division leader of any team
right now.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
He's the They're gonna run away.
Speaker 9 (29:47):
The at least only one other team above five hundred is
the rais Rob Parker course of I wobbro dot Com,
Fox Sports Radio, Great Stop My Prime.
Speaker 1 (29:53):
We'll talk to again soon, all right.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Appreciate it until John Hayman, I was right and he
was wrong.
Speaker 9 (30:00):
I gotta be in my shoes next time. Put on
the cowboy boots and put them up with Rob great
stuff man.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
In the words of New York TV legend the late
Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time. Until
next time.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
Rob Parker out he can't Davin. This could be an
inside the Parker.
Speaker 5 (30:21):
See you next week, same bat time, same Matt station,
Hosts And Creators
kelvin washington
Rob Parker
Popular Podcasts
Boysober
Have you ever wondered what life might be like if you stopped worrying about being wanted, and focused on understanding what you actually want? That was the question Hope Woodard asked herself after a string of situationships inspired her to take a break from sex and dating. She went "boysober," a personal concept that sparked a global movement among women looking to prioritize themselves over men. Now, Hope is looking to expand the ways we explore our relationship to relationships. Taking a bold, unfiltered look into modern love, romance, and self-discovery, Boysober will dive into messy stories about dating, sex, love, friendship, and breaking generational patterns—all with humor, vulnerability, and a fresh perspective.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com