On this week’s edition of Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob discusses Andrew McCutchen's historic home run in Pittsburgh from earlier in the week, why it's clear that many major leaguers are jealous of New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, and what Boston Red Sox rookie Roman Anthony needs to change quick if he's going to succeed in the Big Leagues. Later, Seattle Mariners shortstop JP Crawford swings by. Plus, a conversation with USA Today MLB columnist Bob Nightengale, a hot and fresh edition of Foul or Fair with JR Gamble, and Rob's latest appearance on MLB Network.
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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 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 3 (00:30):
I love this game. Let's go.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Welcome into the podcast. I'm your host, Rob Parker. What
a show where you have for you today? Coming up
Seattle Meredith shortstop JP Crawford, he drops by. Plus we'll
talk with Bob Nightingale, the baseball columnist from USA Today.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Plus foul or fair? Let's go better up to lead off,
it's getting robbed. Keep him mind.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Rob's hot take.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
On the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Congratulations and mazel tov to Andrew McCutcheon, the Pittsburgh Pirates
center fielder, seventeen year big league career, and on Wednesday afternoon,
he had a home run to pass Roberto Clemente for
third time all time on the Pittsburgh Pirates home run
(01:29):
list with two hundred and forty one bombs.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
What a career it's been for Andrew and Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
You know, he did leave and he wound up coming
back to finish his career, and I guess he's not
finished because he's still providing power, still hitting for the Pirates.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
He's been a great guy. He's been a long time.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
He's one of those guys who probably could wind up,
you know, having his number of retired with the franchise,
maybe even working for the team when his career is
finally over. But congratulations, McCutchen has been a great Pittsburgh Pirate.
And boy did they celebrate him, passing a legend in
Roberto Clemente number two. Here's why I always pooh pooh
(02:10):
player polls.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
The Athletic did another one recently about baseball.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Players and players and whether or not people are overrated,
or if they're exciting, or you know, who would you
rather pitch to, all kinds of stuff like that, and surprisingly,
when it came to exciting players, Aaron Judge did not
top the list. Really, I get the old tawny thing.
(02:37):
He got a mile like twenty nine first place votes,
a ton of votes because he does two things, even
though he hasn't pitched in a year and a half,
even though he was banged up in the World Series
and didn't do anything, and still voted him as the
most exciting player. Aaron Judge was down like fourth or
fifth or somewhere in that area. And I just don't
(02:58):
understand how can hit the kind of home runs that
he does win the kind of MVPs. I always thought
the chicks loved the long ball. I guess other major
leaguers don't. I always think when you get players involved,
there's a jealousy factor. We've seen Paul Pierce get on
television talk about his top ten lists in the NBA
and Lebron James not be in it. The first year
(03:20):
that the NBA allowed players to vote for the All
Star team, like one hundred and thirty players didn't vote
for Lebron, one hundred and ten didn't vote with Kevin Durant.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
Like what do we have here.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
I don't think you can get honest opinions about players
from other players because they're still in the game. They
have skin in the game, and it's hard for them
to give it up to other players or other peers.
And I think that's why Judge was snubbed. He is
the most exciting player in the game right now. Number three,
(03:54):
major League Baseball's number one overall prospect, Roman Anthony made
his major League debut for the Boston Red Sox.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
He's off to a slow start.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
One for twelve coming into Thursday, three, RBIs batting eighty
three and baseball is a marathon, not a sprint, so
no one's expecting him to light everything on fire. But
I will admit being the number one prospect in all
of baseball, I was stunned at the.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Era he had in right field and his debut. Maybe
he was nervous, I don't know what it was. But
on a.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Base hit hard to right field, he went to the
side to try to glove it. It went by him,
went all the way back to the wall, a couple
of runs scored. It was just ugly, And I thought
to myself right away, why isn't he in front of
the ball. Why wouldn't you get in front of the ball.
I'm sorry, even in the outfield, you can't have a
(04:50):
ball go by you. It's like the worst feeling in
the world. So hopefully Roman Anthony will learn from that.
I'm sure he heard plenty from his teammates and his
manager about that play. You cannot play a ball to
the side. I'm sorry, ever, ever, ever, Major leagues, little leagues.
You remember in the World Series, Aaron Judge took his
(05:12):
eye off the ball for a millisecond and it opened
up the floodgates and cost the Yankees a game. That's
how important it is. You gotta play it right.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
It's so good.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
All right, now, let's welcome into the podcast. JP Crawford,
John Paul Crawford. For people who don't know, thanks for
joining us. Appreciate you, Thanks for having me. Yes, let's
talk about your team and expectations. A couple of years ago,
you guys got that taste of the postseason. Is that
what this team's expectation is this year?
Speaker 5 (05:48):
Oh yeah, there should be every team's expectation. You know,
play in October and should be everyone's goaling here for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
You let's talk about you and you're hitting. You're on
a hot streak since we started the month of June.
Actually before that, I know you had a sixteen game
hitting streak earlier, but of late you've really been swinging
the bat. Well, what's click? What's going on? I think
since May thirtieth, batting four eighty four.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
You know, just keep staying with the same approach. I'm
not trying to do too much and just not filing
off pitches that you know should be hitting.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Let's talk about you as a shortstop. Obviously you want
to go glove in twenty twenty. You've also had some
pop in your bat. Two years ago, I had a
career high nineteen home runs. Well, you like better field
and short stop hitting the ball out the park.
Speaker 5 (06:40):
Definitely hitting the ball at the park. I don't do
it that often, so when I do, it feels really good.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
When you hit home runs, do you try or is
it just trying to hit the ball hard somewhere? What
is the approach and what's the difference. Because everybody's not
a home run hit or everybody can't get it out
the yard. But for you, what are you trying to
do those that bats?
Speaker 5 (07:01):
Yeah, definitely not trying to hit a home run, and
I do. It never ends up well, So you know,
I had to stick with my same approach and hit
the ball back up the middle and then sometimes you
catch it out a little out in front, and then
those are the ones that you know leave the yard.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
I guess it's Jp Crawford, shortstop with the Seattle Mariners.
Let's talk about your love for baseball and where you
got it. Obviously not everybody has a first cousin who's
a major leaguer call Crawford, of course. Where did it
come from? And when did you fall in love with baseball?
Speaker 5 (07:30):
I fell in love with the game really early. My
older sister she started playing softball when you know, I
was too little to play, So just watching her, I
think that's where I really found a love for the game.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
And just talk about having a cousin who's a major
leaguer and all that, What was that like just growing
up seeing him?
Speaker 5 (07:46):
Yeah, it was really cool. And he got traded to
the Dodgers. You know, we went to a couple of
games and I was like, dang, like I really want
to do this when I get older. So, you know,
I made a priority and the goal to you know,
get better, and thankfully here I am.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Now, how about us? I read somewhere Derek Jeter was
your favorite player. Was it just that he played shortstop
or was it that he saw all those big moments,
and though he did a lot of World Series winning
during those formative years, which one did you like or
what was it that drew you to Derek Jeter.
Speaker 5 (08:16):
I think the thing that drew me to Jeter was,
you know, he's half African American, half fight just like me,
and you know, seeing a guy that looks like me
and I could do it. I mean gave me hope
that I could do it too.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
And I'm sure do you have any special memories or
of I know he has a classic ones, even on
his Hall of Fame Black Mister November when he hit
the home run in November for the Yankees. Do you
have any memories that was that behind the back flip
against Oakland in the playoffs? That was another one. He's
got a couple. One he dove into the stands, came
(08:49):
out bloody.
Speaker 5 (08:50):
Which yeah, I was just about to say that, the
one where you know, he dove into the stands at
a black guy instantly and seeing how he stayed in
the game, I was just like, man, this guy's a dog,
you know, try to remodel my game after him.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
And you're from Long Beach, so being in southern California,
Bay close home. I was it always good to come
here and play in neither Anaheim or at the Dodgers.
Speaker 5 (09:11):
Oh yeah, for sure, love coming down here to play.
All my family and friends get to see me play.
And you know, there's no better place to play for me.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
And you grew up as a Dodger fan. Soon as
you get to the big leagues, that goes away, doesn't it.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
Yeah, it does for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
All right, all the best. We appreciate you, Thank you
so much.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
Thank you appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
It was a big week in the big leagues.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
Who's who's a believer?
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Is it foul or is it fair?
Speaker 1 (09:42):
And now from mlbdbro dot com, here's Jrgamball.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Some say that, with.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
The exception of Aaron Judge, that MLB star power is
down this season? Jr? Is it foul or fair? To
say that statement is an exaggeration?
Speaker 7 (10:03):
Fair?
Speaker 3 (10:05):
It's a fair ball.
Speaker 7 (10:06):
We have to give props to several MLB bros who
are keeping the spirit of black baseball alive and inspiring
many others to continue along their diamond dreams not named.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts.
Speaker 7 (10:20):
Seeing the incredible aerial feats of Denzel Clark, reminds me
of several gold Glovers, from Devon White to Gary Maddocks
and Ken Griffy Jr. And Kenny Lofton Brothers, whose web
gems electrified the world of baseball. Check out mlbbro dot
com the mixtape for Brett quinn Time's breakdown of Black
gold Glovers. These are crucial athletic aspects of baseball that
(10:43):
we can't deny. Let's not ever think that hitting is
the only aspect of baseball that makes you a great
player or.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
Hall of Fame worthy.
Speaker 7 (10:52):
The aerial feats of the Canadian sensation Denzel Clark have
not only saved runs for the Athletics, but for a
team that can win and currently doesn't have a permanent home.
The excitement that Clark's defensive wizardry brings to the game
is undeniable. Baseball fans will come to the ballpark just
to see Clark climb walls like Spider Man Josh Nllerdy Impale.
(11:16):
On the other hand, Arizona not sure what Cleveland was
thinking letting him go.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
He was approving back.
Speaker 7 (11:24):
Who's the epitome of a streak shooter because when he
heats up, he has these runs like he's Frank Thomas
in the nineties. Last season was Nailer's first thirty homer
one hundred RBI season, so at the age of twenty seven, fellas,
he's in middle of his peak years. Arizona had the
(11:47):
bases loaded for Nilla when he stepped up to the
plate with one out in the bottom of the eleventh
against the Seattle Mariners on Monday Night. He fouled off
three pitchers in a row, then he settled in and
crushed a high slider from Carlos Vargas. It was the
third woke Off Grand Slam in Diamondbacks history and the
(12:08):
type of dramatics that Nila has become accustomed to do.
Y'all remember as a member of the Cleveland Guardians, he
had an eight rbi night, yet eight against the White Sox.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
What he and Clark are.
Speaker 7 (12:22):
Doing right now are making MLB Bros proud.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Keep it up.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
There's a lot.
Speaker 7 (12:28):
Going on for the Bros this season, and we'll keep
you locked in. It's the Gambler here. Vice president of
operations for mlbbro dot Com and executive producer of the
MLB bro Show podcast The Mixtape.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Every Friday.
Speaker 7 (12:45):
You heard that right, Every Friday, we bring you the
best from the world of Black and Brown baseball. We
covered the seven point two percent of melanated Major leaguers
from soup to nuts, but with our own cultural flare
and unique voice, will take you on a ride reflecting
on the accomplishments, clutch moments, and contributions to culture that
(13:08):
the Bros continue to breathe into baseball.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
From Mookie Wilson to Mookie Betts.
Speaker 7 (13:14):
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 Grubb,
the Black Ace Report, the Rundown, the walk Off, and
Going Deep just the name a few of the segments
that truly capture the voice of black baseball.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
If things get.
Speaker 7 (13:37):
Out of hand, as 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've the Gambler, your friendly neighborhood diamond checker, making sure
(13:59):
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.
We got the best starting five in the business. Listen
(14:21):
to the MLB Bro Show podcast the Mixtape on the
iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this model.
If I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer
or broadcaster, old or new.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Now let's welcome into the podcast one of the best
baseball writers in the country, Bob Nightingale from USA Today. Bob,
thanks for joining us here on Inside the parking My.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Man, my pleasure.
Speaker 8 (14:52):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Ron appreciate it. Let's get right into it. And a
couple of things I want to look at. I'm gonna
start here a little different. The La Angels are coming
into Thursday. One game under five hundred is a team
that almost lost one hundred games last year. It looks
(15:14):
like Ron Washington has them, you know, playing some decent
ball and they are only four games out of the West.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
Can they win the division or my dreaming they.
Speaker 9 (15:24):
Can't win the division, but they can hang around in
the wildcard race for a long time. You know, I
sure they can make the wild card at least they can,
you know, hang in there. You know, Mike Drout's you know,
back playing again. And like you said, Rob and Ron,
Washington's got these guys playing good, solid, good selling baseball.
Speaker 8 (15:41):
And then in the AL West isn't nearly as strong
as we thought it would be.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
No doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Let's go to the Toronto Blue Jays, the team people
I haven't been talking about, but coming into Thursday, they
won twelve out of fourteen games.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
What are they doing?
Speaker 3 (16:00):
What do they have there?
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Because the season start off kind of just mediocre and
I didn't think much of them.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
But are they a threat?
Speaker 9 (16:08):
Yeah, that they should be able to get into the
playoffs and the evaner g in the last couple of years.
I think they have to make the playoffs or some
heads are going to roll there, whether John Schneider or
people in their front office. But yeah, a lot of
money committed, you know, about two hundred and forty million
dollars in this thing, and it's time they start to win.
Great fan base. It's only team in Canada. Uh yeah,
(16:30):
but this is a big year for them for all
some jobs on the line.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
I also want to go to the Texas Rangers. They
get Jacob to grumb. I get the year after. You know,
they don't make the playoffs after winning the World Series, Bob.
And if you look at you know it happens to teams,
right they have a lull or something. It's not automatic
that you're going to come right back. But this year,
(16:54):
I thought, you get Jacob de Grom back in your
rotation coming into Thursday six and two great Erra and
yet this team is still under five hundred, still underperforming.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
I don't even know what to make of them.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
A couple of years ago they were looked like they
were going somewhere.
Speaker 9 (17:12):
Yeah, sometimes they switch at endings with the mirrors of
a year ago where they can just dominate on the
mound that can't hit. Studying that these guys have struggled
so much offensively, you know, Seeger has been hurt a lot,
Marcus Samion has struggled. Everybody's pretty much on lineup has
struggled so but that bitching staff has been lights out.
I think third best in baseball. I still think they
(17:34):
can bounce back and win that division. They were my pick,
Rob to not get you World Series, but win it
until Bruce boche is the every other thing, every other
year thing.
Speaker 8 (17:43):
It's like you did in San Francisco.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
Right.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
It's weird too because Bruce Bochi has one four World Series,
been to five.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
Every year after the World Series.
Speaker 4 (17:54):
They don't make the playoffs, but then you know what
I mean, they bounce back. So it's kind of weird, right.
Speaker 9 (17:59):
Yeah, shows how hard it is to you know, continue
after year. That's why, you know, what the Dodgers have done.
What the Yankees have done is stunning. Not that they're
you know, repeating as World Series champions every year, but
least are in the mix, you know, just like Atlanta was,
you know, back in the day.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Our guest is Bob Nightingale, baseball writer columnist for USA Today. Uh, Bob,
let's talk about those Dodgers started out a no, they
looked like they were gonna be the Beatles.
Speaker 4 (18:27):
They were gonna go around. It was a tour.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
The NL West was a forgive, foregone conclusion. You know,
it was like everybody else they're gonna run together. No
team that repeated in twenty five years. They don't look
like a team that's going to repeat his World Series champs.
Am I is it too early to say that.
Speaker 8 (18:44):
It's probably too early. Just get a rotation speed up.
Speaker 9 (18:47):
But man, they win the World Series last year with
only three starting pitchers, so they could do the same
thing again. I think they're slow playing this thing, Rob.
I think it's almost like a dress rehearsal the regular
season for the post for the October. I think, Shohyotani,
why don't you could be pitching right now.
Speaker 8 (19:03):
I think he could have pitched in April that they
want him to be, you know, strong and stuff, you
know come on August.
Speaker 9 (19:09):
So I think they're slow playing these guys to make
sure at least they have four good starters, you know,
come October.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
How about the Mets, they have been their pitching has
been fantastic. Uh coming into Thursday, best record in baseball
they overtook the Tigers for that title. And Wan Sodo
is not even really hitting. I mean, I know he's
kind of perked up the last week or so, still
batting up two fifty two, forty eight, not the one
(19:38):
Sodo numbers we expect.
Speaker 4 (19:39):
But what about that team? How good are the Mets?
Speaker 9 (19:42):
Yeah, I mentioned what to do with that pitching staff.
I mean getting big time for the Ages at all,
and you know, look at him without Manaya, uh, you know,
pitching like this.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
And they get Clay Holmes from the Yankees who couldn't
even get anybody out.
Speaker 9 (19:56):
I mean some believe, Yeah, David Peterson pitching League game shutout,
you know, their night. It's amazing what they've done without
spending money. It's almost say, you know, take away Sodo.
It's almost David Sterns to say, you know what, I'm
doing the same midle at work in Milwaukee, even though
I'm in New York and it's working. I mean, it
could be a nightmare for agents who have big time
starting pitchers in the future against David Sterns has proven, Hey,
(20:21):
just get the right people.
Speaker 8 (20:23):
You don't have to have the big time contracts for pitchers.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Okay, I'm gonna say it's a four goone conclusion barring
an injury, that you know, Aaron Judge will win the
AL MVP again. I mean, I just guy's batting almost
four hundred. He's on page for fifty eight sixty home runs. Bob,
what about in the National League?
Speaker 4 (20:44):
Is there is show?
Speaker 8 (20:46):
Hey?
Speaker 2 (20:46):
I know he scored a lot of runs. His RBI
production is way down. At one point he had twenty
three home runs and thirty nine RBIs, which is ludicrous.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
But how about in the National League? Who would you
pick for MVP if we did it right now?
Speaker 9 (21:01):
And if I be close to a toss up with
the uh you know Otani and uh Pete crow Armstrong
of the uh Chicago Cubs. Uh, you know, three or
four weeks ago, I would have said Fernando Tatis of
the Potteries. That was my preseason pick. But yeah, totally
at tel Uh. You know, could ball schemes win it?
Speaker 8 (21:20):
Oh no?
Speaker 9 (21:21):
But it's unbelievable what he's doing. As far as Dominique,
you know, every time he takes the mount so this
thing is wide open. What's gonna give a tiny advantage
is when it takes the mountain, it's like, okay, now
he's you know, pitching two in hitting, it's almost like,
you know, fair to complete if he does both ways.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Last thing All Star Games not that far about a
month or so out uh in Atlanta this year and
a guy I think who should be on the All
Star team finally healthy and we saw Wednesday night what
is bat and his Glove Byron Buxton from the Twins.
I mean, I think he's having a fantastic season. Is
he an All Star?
Speaker 8 (21:59):
If he's he'll stay healthy. I mean that's the thing.
Speaker 9 (22:01):
I mean, he's got as much talent as anybody in baseball,
just as not be able to stay healthy. But if
he stays healthy until the All start break, absolutely fun
guy to watch, great personality and fun team. I mean
they're showing that day when those guys are healthy, they
can win. But buxtend will be cool for him because
he's had so many injuries that have just derailed and
(22:24):
pretty much a great what should be a great career,
It has been very injury prone.
Speaker 4 (22:31):
No doubt.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
His name is Bob Nightingale.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
Check him out in USA Today or online. Hey Bob,
always the pleasure to see you at the ballpark pretty soon.
Speaker 8 (22:39):
I'm man all right, look forward to it. Thanks Ron.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
In case you missed Rob Parker on the MLB next words,
here's his latest appearance on Mlbina.
Speaker 10 (22:51):
Rob Parker is a regular on the showdown. He's quick
on the draw. Rob, good to have you back. How
are you always good?
Speaker 5 (22:57):
B K?
Speaker 3 (22:57):
I'm ready to go, my man, let's go.
Speaker 10 (23:00):
So what we just talked about Dodger's white flagging it?
Speaker 4 (23:02):
Right?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Ki? K?
Speaker 6 (23:03):
Two and a third? Are you good with this?
Speaker 2 (23:06):
I'm not good with it? I mean, BK. It's a
mockery of the game.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
It's gotta be somebody else in the bullpen to get
a couple more outs.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
It was a sixth inning, right, I mean more the
seventh thing. You're gonna have them pick your most three innings.
I'm not with it.
Speaker 10 (23:23):
So what do you do? There's ways of doing it.
There's already a rule on the books. You gotta be
losing by eight or winning by ten. And by the way,
the Dodgers do the winning by ten thing a lot too.
I think they're about the only team that does that.
So they're doing this. Are you gonna do something to
stop it? If you're the league?
Speaker 3 (23:41):
I think so. I just don't. I just don't like it.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
I don't think that's what people have come to the
ballpark to pay for. I don't think it's good for
the opposing hitters to go up against the guy throwing
sixty miles an.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Hour or whatever, lav and the ball over the play.
It's just not good for anybody.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Not good for the steps, not good for the players time,
not good for the fan enjoyment. No put a picture
out there, let him get lit up, and it happens sometimes.
Speaker 10 (24:09):
I'm off the top of my head, I think you
make it ninth inning. If you're losing my eighth ninth inning,
fine bringing Key ca Hernandez throw fifty miles an hour.
Speaker 6 (24:17):
That's good. Sixth, no, seventh, no.
Speaker 10 (24:21):
Eighth ninth maybe all right, you've been around a while,
you like that opening. Hey, Rob, you've been around a while.
Our umpire is now more sensitive. And I gotta have
examples of guys getting tossed very quickly. Nico Horner, who
just said, hey, having a really bad day.
Speaker 6 (24:34):
That's how fast he got thrown out.
Speaker 10 (24:35):
And then Tyler Taylor Walls, who got tossed out when
he did the mock going to the helmet. You know, go,
that's the challenge system that they had in spring training.
Speaker 6 (24:44):
He got tossed right away for that.
Speaker 10 (24:46):
So you tell me, are they more sensitive or are
they drawing the line properly?
Speaker 3 (24:50):
They're more sensitive.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Everybody in this society, in this world is sensitive about everything.
I mean, umpires are important, but I always say on
umpires like third base, we needed to play the game,
but no one's bought a ticket to see third base.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
That's not what umpires should be. You shouldn't be running
players out of game. Again, the fan experience.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
People go to a ballpark to see players play, and
if a guy's out of line or very profane or
something like that, I get it.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Yeah, but a little small.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Gesture or something, or say, hey, you're having a bad
day or something like that, that shouldn't be grounds to
be tossed out of a game.
Speaker 6 (25:30):
I think this should be a conversation, right.
Speaker 10 (25:32):
I think at any point you're not supposed to argue
balls and strikes by thinking both of those instances, the
umpire could have said, that's enough, one more, one more
wise guy, and then boom, you're gone.
Speaker 6 (25:42):
I'm good.
Speaker 10 (25:43):
I'm good on an umpire making a quick call. But
give a guy one chance, especially if they're being clever.
And both of things, you know, Walls and Horner, Actually
both of those things were rather clever.
Speaker 4 (25:54):
I agree.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
I love I love the helmet challenge.
Speaker 6 (25:57):
I mean, I think it's so good.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
You know, I didn't say anything.
Speaker 10 (25:59):
I would just say you're not in the same way, right,
just tweaking people.
Speaker 6 (26:04):
Yeah, No, I didn't say anything. What are you talking about?
Speaker 2 (26:06):
All right? And the Impire should look at that and go,
you know again, all right, buddy, cut that out. No
more that, no more going to your helmet, and you
do it again, I'm gonna toss you and then you.
Speaker 6 (26:16):
Go, yeah, I'm a fan of that. Actually, I kind
of like to say, you get out.
Speaker 10 (26:19):
Of here, all right, you have American League Manager of
the Year.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
Go ahead, give it to me.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Ron Washington of the La Angels. I know it's real early, BKA,
but you know what, they're one game under five hundred.
I think the last time the Angels were one game
under five hundred this late in the season, Moby.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
Dick was a guppy. That's how long ago it fit.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
And look at this what he's been able to do
with the team he has. They went to Dodger Stadium
this year, swept the Dodgers first time since twenty ten.
You know, Trout's been in and out of the lineup,
you know, so he hasn't had like Trout Simon's monster year.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
Already, He's developed some players. I see Joe Adell finally
breaking out.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
You know, haven't so some of the younger guys have
developed under Ron Washington.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
This is his second year.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
They haven't been over finished over five hundred since twenty fifteen.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
I like, you know, I live in la I go.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
To the ballpark a lot. I see what's going on there.
I like what the Angels are doing.
Speaker 6 (27:25):
I'm with you on that.
Speaker 10 (27:26):
Also, we're talking about the braves and things being missing.
I think a lot of it is Ron Washington, Eric
Young where it's like those guys were lauded as coaches
and you lose something. I think doing an excellent job
this year, And I'm glad and you're right you a
manager of the year doesn't have to be the division
winner or the surprise.
Speaker 6 (27:43):
It can just be a guy.
Speaker 10 (27:44):
Sometimes the best managers are doing a job right around
five hundred, I think you're right. All right, Do you
see this Roman Anthony. He's the number one prospect in
the sport. He just took number nineteen for the Red Sox,
a new number, Fred Linn's number. Fred was very gracious
on this say that number nine was good for me.
Speaker 6 (28:00):
I hope it's good for Roman. Are you good with this?
Speaker 2 (28:04):
First of all, Jackie Bradley wore number nineteen and was
the ALCS MVP. More recently, why aren't we skipping over
Jackie Bradley? As if he didn't play for the Red
Sox and didn't wear that number for seven or eight years?
Who won a World Series which Freddy Lynn didn't do
with the Red Sox. But the bottom line is, if
(28:25):
that was such a great Freddy Lynn number, number nineteen,
it would have been retired.
Speaker 10 (28:30):
They shined tired of it, red Sock. You know I'm
gonna jump in wrong. The Red Sox for a while
until they decided we should probably honor Johnny.
Speaker 3 (28:38):
Pesky for a century of service.
Speaker 6 (28:41):
They wouldn't.
Speaker 10 (28:42):
They wouldn't retire a number unless the guy was in
the Baseball Hall of Fame. Finally they rescinded that it's
a ludicrous thing. You have a team hall of Fame
for guys who don't get into the Cooperstown Hall of Fame.
Speaker 6 (28:53):
Fredlinn Absolutely, you remember fred Lane. We were kids.
Speaker 10 (28:56):
But Fredlin was a marvelous player, not quite a whole famer,
marvelous player.
Speaker 6 (29:01):
That number should be retired, right.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
But then that's my point is the Red Sox are
the ones that even allow this to happen, you know,
like because Fredline was rookie in a year also MVP,
and then Fredlin the Red Sox in that memorable World
Series in nineteen seventy five.
Speaker 6 (29:19):
I mean, he has a lot of great history.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
Yeah, all time.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
So the idea that is still available is a shame.
Speaker 2 (29:25):
And really, if I'm the kid, a rookie, I want
to have my own legacy. I don't know if I'm
wearing anybody else's number, come up with something different.
Speaker 6 (29:33):
Now, but bottom line is he's wearing them. It's nice.
Speaker 10 (29:36):
It actually enhances the legacy a bit. I'm just saying
Fredlin should be whatever Hall of Fame they have number.
He should be so honored. I want to throw this in.
Check out Rob Parker on I know, we know Rob
is a funny guy. Here's Rob Parker doing it professionally.
Speaker 6 (29:50):
Check this out.
Speaker 3 (29:51):
It's a great talent. People always ripping on Detroit, all
the crime and all that.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Man, that's just the vicious rumor starting my two million victims.
Speaker 10 (30:03):
So well, you're doing stand up, by the way, that's
very good that you killed right there.
Speaker 6 (30:07):
Congratulations, good job.
Speaker 3 (30:09):
Yeah, I've been doing it for about four years.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
Every so often I get on stage, and you know,
Brian have a radio show on Fox Sports Radio every night,
so I'm always thinking I'm funny. I decided to go on.
Let me see what for an audience. I have to
stand up in front of an audience and do it.
So it's a way of getting out of my comfort zone.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
It's a lot of fun.
Speaker 4 (30:31):
I enjoy it.
Speaker 6 (30:32):
Look, that is the uh. That is the toughest thing
to do in show business. Right.
Speaker 10 (30:37):
It's one thing like here where we're engaging you're a
funny guy, and another thing get on stage, grab the
mic in front of an audience.
Speaker 6 (30:43):
So good for you.
Speaker 10 (30:44):
You should get your own Netflix special soon. Red Sox
are on Netflix. What about Rob Parker?
Speaker 2 (30:48):
Come on there we go from your ears from your
mouth to Netflix ears.
Speaker 3 (30:53):
I'm ready to go.
Speaker 10 (30:54):
I'm behind you all the way, Rob, great job. We'll
talk to you next week.
Speaker 3 (30:57):
Always b K.
Speaker 4 (30:58):
Thank you so much appreciation.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
In the words of New York TV legend the Lady
Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time until
next time. Rob Parker out d can't Davin this could
be an inside of Parker.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
See you next week, same bat time from same batt 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 3 (00:30):
I love this game. Let's go.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Welcome into the podcast. I'm your host, Rob Parker. What
a show where you have for you today? Coming up
Seattle Meredith shortstop JP Crawford, he drops by. Plus we'll
talk with Bob Nightingale, the baseball columnist from USA Today.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Plus foul or fair? Let's go better up to lead off,
it's getting robbed. Keep him mind.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Rob's hot take.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
On the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Congratulations and mazel tov to Andrew McCutcheon, the Pittsburgh Pirates
center fielder, seventeen year big league career, and on Wednesday afternoon,
he had a home run to pass Roberto Clemente for
third time all time on the Pittsburgh Pirates home run
(01:29):
list with two hundred and forty one bombs.
Speaker 4 (01:32):
What a career it's been for Andrew and Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
You know, he did leave and he wound up coming
back to finish his career, and I guess he's not
finished because he's still providing power, still hitting for the Pirates.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
He's been a great guy. He's been a long time.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
He's one of those guys who probably could wind up,
you know, having his number of retired with the franchise,
maybe even working for the team when his career is
finally over. But congratulations, McCutchen has been a great Pittsburgh Pirate.
And boy did they celebrate him, passing a legend in
Roberto Clemente number two. Here's why I always pooh pooh
(02:10):
player polls.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
The Athletic did another one recently about baseball.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Players and players and whether or not people are overrated,
or if they're exciting, or you know, who would you
rather pitch to, all kinds of stuff like that, and surprisingly,
when it came to exciting players, Aaron Judge did not
top the list. Really, I get the old tawny thing.
(02:37):
He got a mile like twenty nine first place votes,
a ton of votes because he does two things, even
though he hasn't pitched in a year and a half,
even though he was banged up in the World Series
and didn't do anything, and still voted him as the
most exciting player. Aaron Judge was down like fourth or
fifth or somewhere in that area. And I just don't
(02:58):
understand how can hit the kind of home runs that
he does win the kind of MVPs. I always thought
the chicks loved the long ball. I guess other major
leaguers don't. I always think when you get players involved,
there's a jealousy factor. We've seen Paul Pierce get on
television talk about his top ten lists in the NBA
and Lebron James not be in it. The first year
(03:20):
that the NBA allowed players to vote for the All
Star team, like one hundred and thirty players didn't vote
for Lebron, one hundred and ten didn't vote with Kevin Durant.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
Like what do we have here.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
I don't think you can get honest opinions about players
from other players because they're still in the game. They
have skin in the game, and it's hard for them
to give it up to other players or other peers.
And I think that's why Judge was snubbed. He is
the most exciting player in the game right now. Number three,
(03:54):
major League Baseball's number one overall prospect, Roman Anthony made
his major League debut for the Boston Red Sox.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
He's off to a slow start.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
One for twelve coming into Thursday, three, RBIs batting eighty
three and baseball is a marathon, not a sprint, so
no one's expecting him to light everything on fire. But
I will admit being the number one prospect in all
of baseball, I was stunned at the.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Era he had in right field and his debut. Maybe
he was nervous, I don't know what it was. But
on a.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Base hit hard to right field, he went to the
side to try to glove it. It went by him,
went all the way back to the wall, a couple
of runs scored. It was just ugly, And I thought
to myself right away, why isn't he in front of
the ball. Why wouldn't you get in front of the ball.
I'm sorry, even in the outfield, you can't have a
(04:50):
ball go by you. It's like the worst feeling in
the world. So hopefully Roman Anthony will learn from that.
I'm sure he heard plenty from his teammates and his
manager about that play. You cannot play a ball to
the side. I'm sorry, ever, ever, ever, Major leagues, little leagues.
You remember in the World Series, Aaron Judge took his
(05:12):
eye off the ball for a millisecond and it opened
up the floodgates and cost the Yankees a game. That's
how important it is. You gotta play it right.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
It's so good.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
All right, now, let's welcome into the podcast. JP Crawford,
John Paul Crawford. For people who don't know, thanks for
joining us. Appreciate you, Thanks for having me. Yes, let's
talk about your team and expectations. A couple of years ago,
you guys got that taste of the postseason. Is that
what this team's expectation is this year?
Speaker 5 (05:48):
Oh yeah, there should be every team's expectation. You know,
play in October and should be everyone's goaling here for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
You let's talk about you and you're hitting. You're on
a hot streak since we started the month of June.
Actually before that, I know you had a sixteen game
hitting streak earlier, but of late you've really been swinging
the bat. Well, what's click? What's going on? I think
since May thirtieth, batting four eighty four.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
You know, just keep staying with the same approach. I'm
not trying to do too much and just not filing
off pitches that you know should be hitting.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Let's talk about you as a shortstop. Obviously you want
to go glove in twenty twenty. You've also had some
pop in your bat. Two years ago, I had a
career high nineteen home runs. Well, you like better field
and short stop hitting the ball out the park.
Speaker 5 (06:40):
Definitely hitting the ball at the park. I don't do
it that often, so when I do, it feels really good.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
When you hit home runs, do you try or is
it just trying to hit the ball hard somewhere? What
is the approach and what's the difference. Because everybody's not
a home run hit or everybody can't get it out
the yard. But for you, what are you trying to
do those that bats?
Speaker 5 (07:01):
Yeah, definitely not trying to hit a home run, and
I do. It never ends up well, So you know,
I had to stick with my same approach and hit
the ball back up the middle and then sometimes you
catch it out a little out in front, and then
those are the ones that you know leave the yard.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
I guess it's Jp Crawford, shortstop with the Seattle Mariners.
Let's talk about your love for baseball and where you
got it. Obviously not everybody has a first cousin who's
a major leaguer call Crawford, of course. Where did it
come from? And when did you fall in love with baseball?
Speaker 5 (07:30):
I fell in love with the game really early. My
older sister she started playing softball when you know, I
was too little to play, So just watching her, I
think that's where I really found a love for the game.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
And just talk about having a cousin who's a major
leaguer and all that, What was that like just growing
up seeing him?
Speaker 5 (07:46):
Yeah, it was really cool. And he got traded to
the Dodgers. You know, we went to a couple of
games and I was like, dang, like I really want
to do this when I get older. So, you know,
I made a priority and the goal to you know,
get better, and thankfully here I am.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Now, how about us? I read somewhere Derek Jeter was
your favorite player. Was it just that he played shortstop
or was it that he saw all those big moments,
and though he did a lot of World Series winning
during those formative years, which one did you like or
what was it that drew you to Derek Jeter.
Speaker 5 (08:16):
I think the thing that drew me to Jeter was,
you know, he's half African American, half fight just like me,
and you know, seeing a guy that looks like me
and I could do it. I mean gave me hope
that I could do it too.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
And I'm sure do you have any special memories or
of I know he has a classic ones, even on
his Hall of Fame Black Mister November when he hit
the home run in November for the Yankees. Do you
have any memories that was that behind the back flip
against Oakland in the playoffs? That was another one. He's
got a couple. One he dove into the stands, came
(08:49):
out bloody.
Speaker 5 (08:50):
Which yeah, I was just about to say that, the
one where you know, he dove into the stands at
a black guy instantly and seeing how he stayed in
the game, I was just like, man, this guy's a dog,
you know, try to remodel my game after him.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
And you're from Long Beach, so being in southern California,
Bay close home. I was it always good to come
here and play in neither Anaheim or at the Dodgers.
Speaker 5 (09:11):
Oh yeah, for sure, love coming down here to play.
All my family and friends get to see me play.
And you know, there's no better place to play for me.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
And you grew up as a Dodger fan. Soon as
you get to the big leagues, that goes away, doesn't it.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
Yeah, it does for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
All right, all the best. We appreciate you, Thank you
so much.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
Thank you appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
It was a big week in the big leagues.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
Who's who's a believer?
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Is it foul or is it fair?
Speaker 1 (09:42):
And now from mlbdbro dot com, here's Jrgamball.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Some say that, with.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
The exception of Aaron Judge, that MLB star power is
down this season? Jr? Is it foul or fair? To
say that statement is an exaggeration?
Speaker 7 (10:03):
Fair?
Speaker 3 (10:05):
It's a fair ball.
Speaker 7 (10:06):
We have to give props to several MLB bros who
are keeping the spirit of black baseball alive and inspiring
many others to continue along their diamond dreams not named.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts.
Speaker 7 (10:20):
Seeing the incredible aerial feats of Denzel Clark, reminds me
of several gold Glovers, from Devon White to Gary Maddocks
and Ken Griffy Jr. And Kenny Lofton Brothers, whose web
gems electrified the world of baseball. Check out mlbbro dot
com the mixtape for Brett quinn Time's breakdown of Black
gold Glovers. These are crucial athletic aspects of baseball that
(10:43):
we can't deny. Let's not ever think that hitting is
the only aspect of baseball that makes you a great
player or.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
Hall of Fame worthy.
Speaker 7 (10:52):
The aerial feats of the Canadian sensation Denzel Clark have
not only saved runs for the Athletics, but for a
team that can win and currently doesn't have a permanent home.
The excitement that Clark's defensive wizardry brings to the game
is undeniable. Baseball fans will come to the ballpark just
to see Clark climb walls like Spider Man Josh Nllerdy Impale.
(11:16):
On the other hand, Arizona not sure what Cleveland was
thinking letting him go.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
He was approving back.
Speaker 7 (11:24):
Who's the epitome of a streak shooter because when he
heats up, he has these runs like he's Frank Thomas
in the nineties. Last season was Nailer's first thirty homer
one hundred RBI season, so at the age of twenty seven, fellas,
he's in middle of his peak years. Arizona had the
(11:47):
bases loaded for Nilla when he stepped up to the
plate with one out in the bottom of the eleventh
against the Seattle Mariners on Monday Night. He fouled off
three pitchers in a row, then he settled in and
crushed a high slider from Carlos Vargas. It was the
third woke Off Grand Slam in Diamondbacks history and the
(12:08):
type of dramatics that Nila has become accustomed to do.
Y'all remember as a member of the Cleveland Guardians, he
had an eight rbi night, yet eight against the White Sox.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
What he and Clark are.
Speaker 7 (12:22):
Doing right now are making MLB Bros proud.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Keep it up.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
There's a lot.
Speaker 7 (12:28):
Going on for the Bros this season, and we'll keep
you locked in. It's the Gambler here. Vice president of
operations for mlbbro dot Com and executive producer of the
MLB bro Show podcast The Mixtape.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Every Friday.
Speaker 7 (12:45):
You heard that right, Every Friday, we bring you the
best from the world of Black and Brown baseball. We
covered the seven point two percent of melanated Major leaguers
from soup to nuts, but with our own cultural flare
and unique voice, will take you on a ride reflecting
on the accomplishments, clutch moments, and contributions to culture that
(13:08):
the Bros continue to breathe into baseball.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
From Mookie Wilson to Mookie Betts.
Speaker 7 (13:14):
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 Grubb,
the Black Ace Report, the Rundown, the walk Off, and
Going Deep just the name a few of the segments
that truly capture the voice of black baseball.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
If things get.
Speaker 7 (13:37):
Out of hand, as 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've the Gambler, your friendly neighborhood diamond checker, making sure
(13:59):
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.
We got the best starting five in the business. Listen
(14:21):
to the MLB Bro Show podcast the Mixtape on the
iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this model.
If I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer
or broadcaster, old or new.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Now let's welcome into the podcast one of the best
baseball writers in the country, Bob Nightingale from USA Today. Bob,
thanks for joining us here on Inside the parking My.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Man, my pleasure.
Speaker 8 (14:52):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Ron appreciate it. Let's get right into it. And a
couple of things I want to look at. I'm gonna
start here a little different. The La Angels are coming
into Thursday. One game under five hundred is a team
that almost lost one hundred games last year. It looks
(15:14):
like Ron Washington has them, you know, playing some decent
ball and they are only four games out of the West.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
Can they win the division or my dreaming they.
Speaker 9 (15:24):
Can't win the division, but they can hang around in
the wildcard race for a long time. You know, I
sure they can make the wild card at least they can,
you know, hang in there. You know, Mike Drout's you know,
back playing again. And like you said, Rob and Ron,
Washington's got these guys playing good, solid, good selling baseball.
Speaker 8 (15:41):
And then in the AL West isn't nearly as strong
as we thought it would be.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
No doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Let's go to the Toronto Blue Jays, the team people
I haven't been talking about, but coming into Thursday, they
won twelve out of fourteen games.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
What are they doing?
Speaker 3 (16:00):
What do they have there?
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Because the season start off kind of just mediocre and
I didn't think much of them.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
But are they a threat?
Speaker 9 (16:08):
Yeah, that they should be able to get into the
playoffs and the evaner g in the last couple of years.
I think they have to make the playoffs or some
heads are going to roll there, whether John Schneider or
people in their front office. But yeah, a lot of
money committed, you know, about two hundred and forty million
dollars in this thing, and it's time they start to win.
Great fan base. It's only team in Canada. Uh yeah,
(16:30):
but this is a big year for them for all
some jobs on the line.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
I also want to go to the Texas Rangers. They
get Jacob to grumb. I get the year after. You know,
they don't make the playoffs after winning the World Series, Bob.
And if you look at you know it happens to teams,
right they have a lull or something. It's not automatic
that you're going to come right back. But this year,
(16:54):
I thought, you get Jacob de Grom back in your
rotation coming into Thursday six and two great Erra and
yet this team is still under five hundred, still underperforming.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
I don't even know what to make of them.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
A couple of years ago they were looked like they
were going somewhere.
Speaker 9 (17:12):
Yeah, sometimes they switch at endings with the mirrors of
a year ago where they can just dominate on the
mound that can't hit. Studying that these guys have struggled
so much offensively, you know, Seeger has been hurt a lot,
Marcus Samion has struggled. Everybody's pretty much on lineup has
struggled so but that bitching staff has been lights out.
I think third best in baseball. I still think they
(17:34):
can bounce back and win that division. They were my pick,
Rob to not get you World Series, but win it
until Bruce boche is the every other thing, every other
year thing.
Speaker 8 (17:43):
It's like you did in San Francisco.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
Right.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
It's weird too because Bruce Bochi has one four World Series,
been to five.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
Every year after the World Series.
Speaker 4 (17:54):
They don't make the playoffs, but then you know what
I mean, they bounce back. So it's kind of weird, right.
Speaker 9 (17:59):
Yeah, shows how hard it is to you know, continue
after year. That's why, you know, what the Dodgers have done.
What the Yankees have done is stunning. Not that they're
you know, repeating as World Series champions every year, but
least are in the mix, you know, just like Atlanta was,
you know, back in the day.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Our guest is Bob Nightingale, baseball writer columnist for USA Today. Uh, Bob,
let's talk about those Dodgers started out a no, they
looked like they were gonna be the Beatles.
Speaker 4 (18:27):
They were gonna go around. It was a tour.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
The NL West was a forgive, foregone conclusion. You know,
it was like everybody else they're gonna run together. No
team that repeated in twenty five years. They don't look
like a team that's going to repeat his World Series champs.
Am I is it too early to say that.
Speaker 8 (18:44):
It's probably too early. Just get a rotation speed up.
Speaker 9 (18:47):
But man, they win the World Series last year with
only three starting pitchers, so they could do the same
thing again. I think they're slow playing this thing, Rob.
I think it's almost like a dress rehearsal the regular
season for the post for the October. I think, Shohyotani,
why don't you could be pitching right now.
Speaker 8 (19:03):
I think he could have pitched in April that they
want him to be, you know, strong and stuff, you
know come on August.
Speaker 9 (19:09):
So I think they're slow playing these guys to make
sure at least they have four good starters, you know,
come October.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
How about the Mets, they have been their pitching has
been fantastic. Uh coming into Thursday, best record in baseball
they overtook the Tigers for that title. And Wan Sodo
is not even really hitting. I mean, I know he's
kind of perked up the last week or so, still
batting up two fifty two, forty eight, not the one
(19:38):
Sodo numbers we expect.
Speaker 4 (19:39):
But what about that team? How good are the Mets?
Speaker 9 (19:42):
Yeah, I mentioned what to do with that pitching staff.
I mean getting big time for the Ages at all,
and you know, look at him without Manaya, uh, you know,
pitching like this.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
And they get Clay Holmes from the Yankees who couldn't
even get anybody out.
Speaker 9 (19:56):
I mean some believe, Yeah, David Peterson pitching League game shutout,
you know, their night. It's amazing what they've done without
spending money. It's almost say, you know, take away Sodo.
It's almost David Sterns to say, you know what, I'm
doing the same midle at work in Milwaukee, even though
I'm in New York and it's working. I mean, it
could be a nightmare for agents who have big time
starting pitchers in the future against David Sterns has proven, Hey,
(20:21):
just get the right people.
Speaker 8 (20:23):
You don't have to have the big time contracts for pitchers.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Okay, I'm gonna say it's a four goone conclusion barring
an injury, that you know, Aaron Judge will win the
AL MVP again. I mean, I just guy's batting almost
four hundred. He's on page for fifty eight sixty home runs. Bob,
what about in the National League?
Speaker 4 (20:44):
Is there is show?
Speaker 8 (20:46):
Hey?
Speaker 2 (20:46):
I know he scored a lot of runs. His RBI
production is way down. At one point he had twenty
three home runs and thirty nine RBIs, which is ludicrous.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
But how about in the National League? Who would you
pick for MVP if we did it right now?
Speaker 9 (21:01):
And if I be close to a toss up with
the uh you know Otani and uh Pete crow Armstrong
of the uh Chicago Cubs. Uh, you know, three or
four weeks ago, I would have said Fernando Tatis of
the Potteries. That was my preseason pick. But yeah, totally
at tel Uh. You know, could ball schemes win it?
Speaker 8 (21:20):
Oh no?
Speaker 9 (21:21):
But it's unbelievable what he's doing. As far as Dominique,
you know, every time he takes the mount so this
thing is wide open. What's gonna give a tiny advantage
is when it takes the mountain, it's like, okay, now
he's you know, pitching two in hitting, it's almost like,
you know, fair to complete if he does both ways.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Last thing All Star Games not that far about a
month or so out uh in Atlanta this year and
a guy I think who should be on the All
Star team finally healthy and we saw Wednesday night what
is bat and his Glove Byron Buxton from the Twins.
I mean, I think he's having a fantastic season. Is
he an All Star?
Speaker 8 (21:59):
If he's he'll stay healthy. I mean that's the thing.
Speaker 9 (22:01):
I mean, he's got as much talent as anybody in baseball,
just as not be able to stay healthy. But if
he stays healthy until the All start break, absolutely fun
guy to watch, great personality and fun team. I mean
they're showing that day when those guys are healthy, they
can win. But buxtend will be cool for him because
he's had so many injuries that have just derailed and
(22:24):
pretty much a great what should be a great career,
It has been very injury prone.
Speaker 4 (22:31):
No doubt.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
His name is Bob Nightingale.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
Check him out in USA Today or online. Hey Bob,
always the pleasure to see you at the ballpark pretty soon.
Speaker 8 (22:39):
I'm man all right, look forward to it. Thanks Ron.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
In case you missed Rob Parker on the MLB next words,
here's his latest appearance on Mlbina.
Speaker 10 (22:51):
Rob Parker is a regular on the showdown. He's quick
on the draw. Rob, good to have you back. How
are you always good?
Speaker 5 (22:57):
B K?
Speaker 3 (22:57):
I'm ready to go, my man, let's go.
Speaker 10 (23:00):
So what we just talked about Dodger's white flagging it?
Speaker 4 (23:02):
Right?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Ki? K?
Speaker 6 (23:03):
Two and a third? Are you good with this?
Speaker 2 (23:06):
I'm not good with it? I mean, BK. It's a
mockery of the game.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
It's gotta be somebody else in the bullpen to get
a couple more outs.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
It was a sixth inning, right, I mean more the
seventh thing. You're gonna have them pick your most three innings.
I'm not with it.
Speaker 10 (23:23):
So what do you do? There's ways of doing it.
There's already a rule on the books. You gotta be
losing by eight or winning by ten. And by the way,
the Dodgers do the winning by ten thing a lot too.
I think they're about the only team that does that.
So they're doing this. Are you gonna do something to
stop it? If you're the league?
Speaker 3 (23:41):
I think so. I just don't. I just don't like it.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
I don't think that's what people have come to the
ballpark to pay for. I don't think it's good for
the opposing hitters to go up against the guy throwing
sixty miles an.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Hour or whatever, lav and the ball over the play.
It's just not good for anybody.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Not good for the steps, not good for the players time,
not good for the fan enjoyment. No put a picture
out there, let him get lit up, and it happens sometimes.
Speaker 10 (24:09):
I'm off the top of my head, I think you
make it ninth inning. If you're losing my eighth ninth inning,
fine bringing Key ca Hernandez throw fifty miles an hour.
Speaker 6 (24:17):
That's good. Sixth, no, seventh, no.
Speaker 10 (24:21):
Eighth ninth maybe all right, you've been around a while,
you like that opening. Hey, Rob, you've been around a while.
Our umpire is now more sensitive. And I gotta have
examples of guys getting tossed very quickly. Nico Horner, who
just said, hey, having a really bad day.
Speaker 6 (24:34):
That's how fast he got thrown out.
Speaker 10 (24:35):
And then Tyler Taylor Walls, who got tossed out when
he did the mock going to the helmet. You know, go,
that's the challenge system that they had in spring training.
Speaker 6 (24:44):
He got tossed right away for that.
Speaker 10 (24:46):
So you tell me, are they more sensitive or are
they drawing the line properly?
Speaker 3 (24:50):
They're more sensitive.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Everybody in this society, in this world is sensitive about everything.
I mean, umpires are important, but I always say on
umpires like third base, we needed to play the game,
but no one's bought a ticket to see third base.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
That's not what umpires should be. You shouldn't be running
players out of game. Again, the fan experience.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
People go to a ballpark to see players play, and
if a guy's out of line or very profane or
something like that, I get it.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Yeah, but a little small.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Gesture or something, or say, hey, you're having a bad
day or something like that, that shouldn't be grounds to
be tossed out of a game.
Speaker 6 (25:30):
I think this should be a conversation, right.
Speaker 10 (25:32):
I think at any point you're not supposed to argue
balls and strikes by thinking both of those instances, the
umpire could have said, that's enough, one more, one more
wise guy, and then boom, you're gone.
Speaker 6 (25:42):
I'm good.
Speaker 10 (25:43):
I'm good on an umpire making a quick call. But
give a guy one chance, especially if they're being clever.
And both of things, you know, Walls and Horner, Actually
both of those things were rather clever.
Speaker 4 (25:54):
I agree.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
I love I love the helmet challenge.
Speaker 6 (25:57):
I mean, I think it's so good.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
You know, I didn't say anything.
Speaker 10 (25:59):
I would just say you're not in the same way, right,
just tweaking people.
Speaker 6 (26:04):
Yeah, No, I didn't say anything. What are you talking about?
Speaker 2 (26:06):
All right? And the Impire should look at that and go,
you know again, all right, buddy, cut that out. No
more that, no more going to your helmet, and you
do it again, I'm gonna toss you and then you.
Speaker 6 (26:16):
Go, yeah, I'm a fan of that. Actually, I kind
of like to say, you get out.
Speaker 10 (26:19):
Of here, all right, you have American League Manager of
the Year.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
Go ahead, give it to me.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Ron Washington of the La Angels. I know it's real early, BKA,
but you know what, they're one game under five hundred.
I think the last time the Angels were one game
under five hundred this late in the season, Moby.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
Dick was a guppy. That's how long ago it fit.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
And look at this what he's been able to do
with the team he has. They went to Dodger Stadium
this year, swept the Dodgers first time since twenty ten.
You know, Trout's been in and out of the lineup,
you know, so he hasn't had like Trout Simon's monster year.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
Already, He's developed some players. I see Joe Adell finally
breaking out.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
You know, haven't so some of the younger guys have
developed under Ron Washington.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
This is his second year.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
They haven't been over finished over five hundred since twenty fifteen.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
I like, you know, I live in la I go.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
To the ballpark a lot. I see what's going on there.
I like what the Angels are doing.
Speaker 6 (27:25):
I'm with you on that.
Speaker 10 (27:26):
Also, we're talking about the braves and things being missing.
I think a lot of it is Ron Washington, Eric
Young where it's like those guys were lauded as coaches
and you lose something. I think doing an excellent job
this year, And I'm glad and you're right you a
manager of the year doesn't have to be the division
winner or the surprise.
Speaker 6 (27:43):
It can just be a guy.
Speaker 10 (27:44):
Sometimes the best managers are doing a job right around
five hundred, I think you're right. All right, Do you
see this Roman Anthony. He's the number one prospect in
the sport. He just took number nineteen for the Red Sox,
a new number, Fred Linn's number. Fred was very gracious
on this say that number nine was good for me.
Speaker 6 (28:00):
I hope it's good for Roman. Are you good with this?
Speaker 2 (28:04):
First of all, Jackie Bradley wore number nineteen and was
the ALCS MVP. More recently, why aren't we skipping over
Jackie Bradley? As if he didn't play for the Red
Sox and didn't wear that number for seven or eight years?
Who won a World Series which Freddy Lynn didn't do
with the Red Sox. But the bottom line is, if
(28:25):
that was such a great Freddy Lynn number, number nineteen,
it would have been retired.
Speaker 10 (28:30):
They shined tired of it, red Sock. You know I'm
gonna jump in wrong. The Red Sox for a while
until they decided we should probably honor Johnny.
Speaker 3 (28:38):
Pesky for a century of service.
Speaker 6 (28:41):
They wouldn't.
Speaker 10 (28:42):
They wouldn't retire a number unless the guy was in
the Baseball Hall of Fame. Finally they rescinded that it's
a ludicrous thing. You have a team hall of Fame
for guys who don't get into the Cooperstown Hall of Fame.
Speaker 6 (28:53):
Fredlinn Absolutely, you remember fred Lane. We were kids.
Speaker 10 (28:56):
But Fredlin was a marvelous player, not quite a whole famer,
marvelous player.
Speaker 6 (29:01):
That number should be retired, right.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
But then that's my point is the Red Sox are
the ones that even allow this to happen, you know,
like because Fredline was rookie in a year also MVP,
and then Fredlin the Red Sox in that memorable World
Series in nineteen seventy five.
Speaker 6 (29:19):
I mean, he has a lot of great history.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
Yeah, all time.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
So the idea that is still available is a shame.
Speaker 2 (29:25):
And really, if I'm the kid, a rookie, I want
to have my own legacy. I don't know if I'm
wearing anybody else's number, come up with something different.
Speaker 6 (29:33):
Now, but bottom line is he's wearing them. It's nice.
Speaker 10 (29:36):
It actually enhances the legacy a bit. I'm just saying
Fredlin should be whatever Hall of Fame they have number.
He should be so honored. I want to throw this in.
Check out Rob Parker on I know, we know Rob
is a funny guy. Here's Rob Parker doing it professionally.
Speaker 6 (29:50):
Check this out.
Speaker 3 (29:51):
It's a great talent. People always ripping on Detroit, all
the crime and all that.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Man, that's just the vicious rumor starting my two million victims.
Speaker 10 (30:03):
So well, you're doing stand up, by the way, that's
very good that you killed right there.
Speaker 6 (30:07):
Congratulations, good job.
Speaker 3 (30:09):
Yeah, I've been doing it for about four years.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
Every so often I get on stage, and you know,
Brian have a radio show on Fox Sports Radio every night,
so I'm always thinking I'm funny. I decided to go on.
Let me see what for an audience. I have to
stand up in front of an audience and do it.
So it's a way of getting out of my comfort zone.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
It's a lot of fun.
Speaker 4 (30:31):
I enjoy it.
Speaker 6 (30:32):
Look, that is the uh. That is the toughest thing
to do in show business. Right.
Speaker 10 (30:37):
It's one thing like here where we're engaging you're a
funny guy, and another thing get on stage, grab the
mic in front of an audience.
Speaker 6 (30:43):
So good for you.
Speaker 10 (30:44):
You should get your own Netflix special soon. Red Sox
are on Netflix. What about Rob Parker?
Speaker 2 (30:48):
Come on there we go from your ears from your
mouth to Netflix ears.
Speaker 3 (30:53):
I'm ready to go.
Speaker 10 (30:54):
I'm behind you all the way, Rob, great job. We'll
talk to you next week.
Speaker 3 (30:57):
Always b K.
Speaker 4 (30:58):
Thank you so much appreciation.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
In the words of New York TV legend the Lady
Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time until
next time. Rob Parker out d can't Davin this could
be an inside of Parker.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
See you next week, same bat time from same batt station.
Host
Rob Parker
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