On this week’s edition of Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob discusses the unfortunate passing of Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, the incredible television ratings through the MLB Postseason thus far and his officially pick for the Dodgers-Yankees World Series. Later, Yankees Unloaded host Gary Sheffield Jr swings by to discuss why he's picking New York to win the title, Juan Soto's looming free agency negotiations, whether Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton is more likely to win World Series MVP and much more! Finally, Rob closes the show with a friendly reminder for why MLB is better than the NFL and the NBA.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
From the Berkshars to the sound from wherever you live
in MLB America. This is inside the Parker. You give
us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop
on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame
voter number seventy, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Welcome into the podcast. I'm your host, Rob Parker. What
a great World Series edition of the podcast coming your way.
Coming up, we'll talk with baseball analyst Gary Sheffield Junior.
He covers the Yankees, He'll dive into the Bronx Bombers
and this first trip to the World Series since two
thousand and nine. Plus getting Rob and why baseball is
(00:44):
better than the NBA and the NFL.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Let's go better up to lead off, it's getting robbed
and keep them on. Rob's hot take and the three
biggest stories in Major League Baseball.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Number one.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Baseball lost an icon this past week when Fernando Valezuela,
the left handed, the crafty, left handed pitcher with that
screwball and unbelievable motion, passed away at the age of
sixty three. I had seen Fernando at Dodgers Stadium maybe
a month before, and you know he didn't look good.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
He was really thin. You know, I didn't know. I
knew something was going on. I didn't know he was
going to pass.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
But sixty three we lost an iconic baseball player and.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Baseball more because they loved Fernando.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
No one who loves baseball or is a baseball fan
doesn't know about Fernando Mandia when he broke into the
major leagues in nineteen eighty one and had one of
the all time.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Greatest rookie seasons ever.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
He was Rookie of the Year, he won the Cy
Young and helped the Dodgers win the World Series in
nineteen eighty one against the Yankees. It's kind of wild
that he would pass right before this rematch, and so
many that's taken so many years to happen. But Fernando
Vealezuela was a god in Mexico, obviously in Los Angeles
(02:16):
with a huge Hispanic population and Mexican population, and just
baseball fans who loved his caamsmanship, his competitive spirit. He
was just a fun guy and a great guy to watch.
And those were the days when you used to decide
(02:36):
which games do you go in to, you would say
Fernando's pitching That's the game I want to go to.
If I had to pick one of the three games series,
you used to look at the starting pitcher and say, well,
who's pitching today? Fernando, That's the game I want to
go to. He was one of those guys and we've
lost a great one. But his legacy and memory will
(02:57):
last forever. And I can still look see that motion
where he looks up at the heavens before delivering the
pitch to home plate. Fernando Venezuela dead at sixty three, gone,
but will never be forgotten.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Number two.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
As we know, the Baseball playoff TV numbers have been soaring,
My goodness, gracious, all across the board. The League Championship Series,
the six game series in the nl between the Mets
and Dodgers, averaged five point sixty four million on Fox
in FS one. It was the over a year over
(03:36):
increase of plus twenty from twenty twenty three, making it
the highest TV rating audience for nlcs since two thousand
and nineteen. We saw the Yankees Guardian series as well
do very well, and when they put all the numbers together,
the MLB has the most watched League Championship Series since
(04:00):
seventeen and this is on Fox and TNT, and now
all these games in the World Series are on free television.
They're on Fox. There's no cable to be had. There
is a chance that baseball will turn back the clock
on TV ratings. Friday night and Saturday night baseball nights,
(04:23):
you know, there's no football. There's nothing else that people.
You know, college football is mostly during the day for
most people. And here'll be a chance for people on
a Friday night and a Saturday night to watch the
World Series with these two Titans. I'm expecting big numbers
for people who don't know. The Dodgers have a huge
(04:44):
fan base in Los Angeles, and it showed out during
the League Championship Series because Los Angeles led all markets
with a twelve point four rating and a thirty eight share,
which is in credible numbers, even like New York with
(05:04):
the Mets. The Mets drew it an eight point six
and a twenty two. And you gotta remember it's a
split allegiance in New York. You know, like you got
the Yankee fans who could care less about the Mets,
and the Mets still did in eight point six. It'll
be interesting to see with no Mets involved and the
Yankees and Dodgers, what the numbers will be. I'm gonna
predict it's gonna be the best ratings numbers for a
(05:26):
World Series in twenty five years. That's how big I
think it'll be. That it'll be that big, The number
will be that big, and we're all looking forward to
this world series between Titans, the Yankees, and the Dodgers.
Number three, here is why I'm not picking the Los
(05:46):
Angeles Dodgers for the World Series. Too many question marks.
Number One, Freddie Freeman's health. Ah, I don't know what
Freddy Freeman you're gonna get. He's been struggling, you know,
hitting wise, running on that ankle and leg. Just I'm
(06:08):
not sure which Freddy Freeman you're gonna get. I think
that hurts the Dodgers overwork bullpen. Yes, they had three
or four days off before the start of the World Series,
but they've been taxed and pitched a lot. Because the
Dodgers really only have two and a half starters if
you count Walker Buehler as the half. I can't trust
Walker Buehler if Flaherty or Yamamoto get lose, and my
(06:33):
confidence enough about Walker that he could pick up the
slack and then you know the bullpen situation. I think
the Yankees are deeper as far as pitching goes. I
just don't think they have as many question marks in
this series. I do believe that if an MVP if
the Dodgers win, it could be Mookie Betts. I think
(06:56):
the Yankees will be very careful about show Hey and
try to work around him. Remember Tommy Edmonds was the
MVP of the NLCS for the Dodgers, not Showhy, not Mookie,
not Max Muncy.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
You know. Strange.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
He had eleven RBIs against the Mets, which was incredible.
So I think the Yankees will make somebody else do it.
And I just think they have more boppers. If you
avoid Judge, you gotta pitch the Stanton, you gotta pitch
the Soto, Jazz, Chisholm. There are other people there, and
I just think the Yankees are deeper, and I like
(07:37):
that they have their ace, Garrett Cole pitching in Game
one at Dodger Stadium. I'm gonna go with the Yankees
in six they finally win their first World Series since
two thousand and nine.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
It would be epic.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
It would enhance Aaron Judges legacy as a Yankee. You know,
people will never fully embrace you unless you win wearing
the pinstripes, and this is going to be his opportunity,
and I think the Yankees get it done. So I've
the Yankees and six much more competitive series than we
saw the Mets and the Dodgers, a lot of blowouts
(08:10):
in that I'm not expecting blowouts like we saw in
that series, and the Dodgers that have scored like ten
runs a game against the Mets so since, or at
least it seems, I don't see the Dodgers scoring that
many runs against the Yankees.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
It's the gambler here. Vice president of operations for mlbbro
dot Com an executive producer of the MLB bro Show
podcast for mixtape.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
Every Friday. You heard that right.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Every Friday, we bring you the best from the world
of black and Brown baseball. We cover the seven point
two percent of melanated Major leaguers from soup to nuts,
but with our own cultural flair and unique voice, will
take you on a ride reflecting on the accomplishment, clutch moments,
and contribution to coach that the Bros continue to breathe
(09:02):
into baseball, from Mookie Wilson to Mookie Betts, Doctor k
to Doctor Styx, from Bro Bombs, the 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,
(09:24):
just to name a few of the segments that truly
capture the voice of Black baseball. If things get 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
(09:47):
the Gambler, your friendly neighborhood diamond checker, making sure that
you stay on top of the game and in touch
with the soul of MLB. Fuckle up for a wild
baseball journey, showing respect to the Ogs and highlighting the
new breed of melanated malt rodders. First thing through MLB's pipeline,
all pitching with the sound of Black baseball. We got
(10:10):
the best starting five in the business. Listen to the
MLB Bro Show podcast the Mixtape on the iHeartRadio app,
Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Here comes the Big Interviews.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Listen and learn.
Speaker 6 (10:29):
It's so good.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Welcome into the podcast.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Gary Sheffield Junior of course, host of Yankees Unloaded on YouTube.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
Gary, Welcome to the podcast. My man, how are you, Rob?
Speaker 5 (10:40):
What's up? My Yankees are in the World Series? You
know I'm in a good mood.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Of course you are. And let's say this.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
This is the World Series baseball fans. You know, baseball
as a whole has been waiting on. There have been
other great World Series the last few years. It's been
a long time for the Yankee and finally the Yankees
and Dodgers. Right, we can't make too much of this.
This is great for the game.
Speaker 6 (11:08):
Well, I mean, look at the numbers, right, you're talking
about the League Championship Series. Viewership on Fox was up
thirty nine percent. It's the highest it's been since twenty seventeen.
But then you look at the numbers worldwide. Obviously, Shoheo Tani.
The reason why they're talking about twelve million people watch
this game. Right in the League Championship Series what those
(11:29):
numbers are going to look like in the World Series
is just a completely different dimension than this game's ever
been on. And it's good for the game. It's good
for my podcast, it's good.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
For you, no doubt about it. And star power everywhere,
that's the thing too. You know, it's one thing to
have great teams, but you have the two MVPs. You know,
we assume they both will win showhand the National League,
and Aaron Judge in the American League. And then the
other guys who are there are no slouches. I mean,
(11:59):
why Soto and what he's able to do. Of course,
you have Mookie Betts, John Carlos stan has been unbelievable
in the postseason, Jack Flaherty pitching starting Game one in
his hometown, pitching for the Dodgers.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
I mean, it's just a lot of good stuff here
to like. But the star power is out and bright,
no doubt.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
How about the personality power? How about that?
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Right?
Speaker 6 (12:27):
Everyone talks about talent, and talent's important in any sport, right,
But as far as what people want to see, people
want to see the personality. They want to see, the
fist pumping, they want to see. Michael Jordan high flying.
They want to see a guy like Shoheyotani that is
sliding into third base and doing a celebration that seems
(12:48):
like when he's coming into a game and doing these things.
This is a game that's considered outdated, a game that's
been considered over the years these past couple of years
at least, a stale game where everyone strikes out and
and it's a boring game that old people are essentially
keeping down. But Shoheyo Tani seems to be playing it
in a different way and everyone's watching it. So for
(13:11):
me coming into a World Series as a Yankees fan,
it's weird to see that the biggest show is on
the other side. But I'm okay with that because of
how baseball is going to.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Benefit no doubt, I mean, there's no denying with showhy impact.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Is on the game.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
But if you're a long suffering Yankee fan about getting back,
it's hard not to like this team. And let's talk
about this team. And before we get to the big
the big dogs and all the other names, Glabor Torres
has been outstanding for the Yankees in the lead all spot.
I mean, he has been incredible to me and turned
(13:50):
his season around.
Speaker 6 (13:51):
Yeah, the crazy part about Glabor is that he seemed
to be a player. He was struggling with hustle. He
obviously wasn't performing. He's in a con track year. It's
a year that you would have expected. You probably penciled
him in these last couple of years. He's been really
good for this team. You just thought, okay, player, he's
going to be out there trying to earn his next deal,
he's going to have the best year of his career.
(14:12):
And yet first half of this season he was atrocious.
He was bad, and then manager Aaron Boone for the
New York Yankees decides, we're going to bench this player.
We are going to send a message that it doesn't
matter how much money you've been paid for this team,
it doesn't matter what the type of role we think
you should have. You need to go out and earn
your role. And that benching has completely flipped this season
(14:34):
around and to the point where Glaber Torres has been
one of the more reliable players on this team. So
the Yankees have to have him perform in the World Series.
I'm sure at this point how he's performed from the
Division Series on to this point, he's they're considering him
as one of their better hitters. He's leading off for
this team. My expectation is he's going to make an impact.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Our guest is Gary Sheffield, junior, host of Yankees Pot
the Yankees on Low Loaded on YouTube. And your dad
played for both teams. He played for the Dodgers and
he played for the Yankees.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Let's talk about this Juan Soto.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
And you know, I raised my hand as the first
person that was wrong when it came to Juan Soto,
because when he turned down that four hundred and forty
million dollars guaranteed from the Nationals, I thought.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
He was nuts. I thought, like, you.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Could get hit in the face, you could have two
or three bad years, you know what I mean, Like
so many things can go wrong and you not get
back to that. This guy comes to the Bronx, embraces
New York. The fans, the Dominicans there are in love
with him, obviously.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Embraces it.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
I remember then he hit a knocking the winning run
on Day one against the Astros, right and then here
he is sending the Yankees to the World Series with
an epic at bat and a three run home run
in the top But a tenth inning and extra inning.
I mean, what hasn't he done? I mean, he's been
(16:05):
tremendous and he's going to get paid six hundred million
dollars by somebody.
Speaker 6 (16:09):
Yeah, and some people look at that, is that no
player's worth six hundred million. But I think if people
realize how much money these players bring in for these owners,
whether it be thes and tickets, whether it be jerseys
right so or.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Tarking hot dogs. Are you kidding?
Speaker 5 (16:24):
Yeah, it's ridiculous.
Speaker 6 (16:25):
So if people also, by the way, Rob, just to
just to give you a little bite back on that contract,
people need to also remember these numbers for the contracts.
When you hear the Washington Nationals offered over four hundred million,
those numbers are put out intentionally so that people can
think that you're essentially having greedy players. The players are
(16:47):
always after the next dollar, which it is business, that's
how this goes. But I will say this, when you
talk about a player turning down a four hundred plus
million dollar contract, you also need to talk about the
years were attached to that contract and what that player
was going to get paid per year right now as
it currently stands Wan Soto on arbitration, not a contract
(17:09):
is making over thirty million dollars. That contract that he
would have agreed to with Washington would have paid him
less than what he's making today.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
So as far as get.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
I get that, But there's a risk involved.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
And when he went to San Diego he did not
play as well.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
And I know he made a lost team, Am I right?
He was right?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Yeah, people, he was kind of like lost there. I
don't know what happened in San Diego.
Speaker 6 (17:34):
Well, that's part of the reason why you hire a
guy like Scott Boris, who has he's the ultimate leverage piece.
He's an agent that has signed billions of dollars worth
of contracts. He doesn't need his next dollar. He would
love it, but he's not going to be a person
that rushes into a contract the way you saw Ronald
Acuna Junior do with the Atlanta Braids. That's how you
(17:55):
get a player of that talent signing a contract to
get paid twelve million dollars.
Speaker 5 (18:00):
Now, that's twelve million dollars a year.
Speaker 6 (18:02):
Sounds pretty good to you and I, but the reality
is is when you're a person who's already worth sixty
or seventy million, dollars you can afford to essentially use
your leverage and see if you can go up to
the next tax bracket.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Aaron Judge, let's go there, Aaron Judge.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
You know, got off to a really slow start in
the postseason, had a couple of home runs. But to me,
that home run in Cleveland, I know it didn't wind
up being a home run that helped them win the
game because they wound up losing.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
The bullpen gave it up.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
But that was a clutch two run home run to
tie the game in a big spot, going the other way,
right field against the best arguably the best closer in
the game. I thought that was a that was a
great sign for Yankee fan.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
Yeah, I mean it's a great sign. And I will
say this, the moment was Rob Herham, right, you just
you mentioned it. They didn't end up winning that game,
and the reality is that fans are going to remember
what you did in big games that you won. That's
the way that this goes, whether that's fair or not.
When Michael Jordan hits the game winning shot, if they'd
end up losing that game in Utah, we don't remember
(19:12):
the shot quite as much, right, So, it's about the result.
And if they win a World Series and he has
a big hit, well he's the new face of baseball.
Speaker 3 (19:21):
And let me ask you this, here's the other guy.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
I'm going out on the limb and I said, I
know the show, hey, Judge, thing is out there. It
would be written in for Hollywood, one of those guys
being the MVP having a big hit in the Game seven.
But if I'm picking an MVP, I'm thinking John Carlos
Stan has just a great of a chance of being
that guy because his numbers at Dodger Stadium.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
He's from La.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
His numbers at Dodger Stadium are sick. You remember the
home run he hitting the All Star Game a couple
of years ago in La.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Oh Yeah, and he's been a monster.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
He has the best home run at bat Ray Shield
in the history of the postseason, better than Babe Rue.
Speaker 5 (20:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (20:05):
For him, it's all about availability. He's on the field,
he's producing. That's the way it goes. And when you're
talking about players, let's not forget John Carlo Stan was
clutched during the short twenty twenty season as well. He
would have broken the all time home run record in
a postseason had they not been eliminated by the Tampa
Bay Rays. So people need to remember when you're talking
(20:27):
about John Carlow, He's probably headed to the Hall of Fame.
He's going to surpass five hundred home runs.
Speaker 5 (20:32):
He's going to be.
Speaker 6 (20:33):
Considered one of the most clutch players that's ever played
this game, which sounds ridiculous because the conversation on him
has always been he's not living up to this contract.
But the reality is is that he's an all time
great player that's being surrounded by other players that maybe
have overshadowed that.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Two more things starting pitching.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
This is where I think the Dodgers have a disadvantage
because basically, to me, they have two that you can
rely on, and the bullpen has been overworked. But if
you're the Yankees, you gotta feel good your a's Garrett Cole,
who you signed for these moments, is starting Game one
of the World Series. He's pitched some great games in
the postseason. He's pitched in big games. How do you
(21:14):
like Garrett Cole as being the starter for Game one?
Speaker 6 (21:18):
Well, I mean, we love Garrett Cole, but let's be clear,
he is somewhat of a wild card, right He's a
guy that even back to his days in Houston, he
would have a blow up start and just essentially be
not competitive in any way in a World Series game,
can't have it. But then the next start he's Dyna mine.
So you just have to hope as a Yankees fan,
you don't have home field, Garrett Cole is locked in
(21:41):
for a Game one because if you can steal a
Game one, you stolen home field as well. So at
that point, like you mentioned, the Dodgers' bullpen is overworked.
There's no question about that. This four or five day
break will help them, no question. But eventually using your bullpen.
Speaker 5 (21:58):
Catches up with you.
Speaker 6 (21:58):
It's just a matter of when, and the Yankees are
praying that that moment is during the World Series. But
Garrett Cole and a lot of those Yankees starting pitching,
they have to be on their game because the team
at the end of the series with the healthiest bullpen
is probably going to win.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
Speaking of bullpens, last thing, Gary Sheffield Junior, Jordan us
here on inside the Parker Luke Weaver, who I mean
when I watched this guy's stuff, I just was amazed
at his fastball and Howard just just jumped out of
his arm and just you know what he was able
to accomplish early on, and then of course he wound
(22:36):
up giving up that big home run to a pinch
hitter Guy Noel, who was one for sixteen as a
pinch hit or batting less than two hundred or whatever
it was.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
It was a big blow and he became human there.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
But do you think it was good that he had
that moment, got that out of the way wether than
it being in the World Series, Because no one's that good,
even Mariano and some of the all time greats have
given up home runs and situation.
Speaker 6 (23:03):
Absolutely, because when you talk about closers, we all have
revisionist history, right we talk about Marianna Rivera, the arguably,
if not the greatest closer of all time.
Speaker 5 (23:12):
He did give up a double down the right field.
Speaker 6 (23:14):
Line to Tony willmack right and essentially Blue the two
thousand and one World Series. But the reality is is
as a closer, you need to be remembered as what
you do most often. And Luke Weaver, you said, is
this a benefit that he did give up something and
then came back out and rebounded. Absolutely, because it shows
confidence in a picture. Luke Weaver didn't lose any confidence.
(23:35):
He came out in the series clincher and he looked
like he had never blown a game the last six months.
You have to have that type of confidence as a closer,
and if you don't, you end up like the person
who closed games all year for the Yankees team in
Clay Holmes.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
Right.
Speaker 6 (23:49):
So sometimes it's about talent and what you see on
the field, but also personality.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
All Right.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
His name is Gary Sheffield Junior. We would be remiss
if we don't get a prediction. I'm sure you're picking
the Yankees. How many games?
Speaker 6 (24:04):
I'm gonna go Yankees. Let's go Yankees in six. I
think in general they're gonna win one of these first
two games. Not sure which game it's gonna be. If
I had to tell you what I think it'll be,
I think it's gonna be Game one. You take home field,
it's going back to Yankee Stadium. I think they win
the World Series. I think they win the World Series
on the road at Dodger Stadium, which is gonna be crazy,
(24:27):
but everyone's gonna be watching, and hopefully you're watching a
Yankees unloaded.
Speaker 3 (24:32):
All Right. His name is Gary Sheffield Junior.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
Check him out and all things Yankees, one of the
best in the business.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
Always appreciate you, thanks, Chef.
Speaker 5 (24:40):
Rob, appreciate it man.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
Now bring in the closer. Here's why MLB is better
than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Reads a number four hundred and fifty five. Why Major
League Baseball is better than the NBA and better than
the NFL brings me to a story when I was
a kid in nineteen eighty one, seventeen years old in
high school, and Fernando Valezuela came to New York. It
was Fernando Mania, and at that time, the Metro were
(25:18):
a really bad team, averaging eight or nine thousand fans
a game.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
And I remember going to this game. It was a.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
Friday in New York at Shay Stadium and Flushing and
they all, you know, sold forty thousand tickets to see
Fernando Valenzuela pitch against Mike Scott.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
And it was a.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
One nothing victory by Fernando, who went to seven and
zero pitch all nine innings, walked five and had given
up only seven hits.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
But I just remember how caught up.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
People were with Fernando because he was really like a mania.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
You know.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
We you know, we talk about insanity when Jeremy Lynn
and the Knicks, and then you know some other situations
where players come on the scene and everybody's just like
focused in and they want to see what they're doing.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
But this was real.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
This guy was unreal with that screwball, and I remember going,
I'm going to that game?
Speaker 3 (26:23):
Are you kidding?
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Fernando Valenzuela is pitching reminds me of when Mark the
Bird Friedrich started with the Tigers in nineteen eighty four.
He wound up be a Rookie of the Year, He
started the All Star Game for the American League, and
the Tigers won the World Series in nineteen eighty four.
It reminded me of that era. But Fernando, I remember
(26:48):
how excited I was. I remember taking the train. This
is one of those most vivid games for me as
a kid because I did get swept up in it.
And Fernando Valenzuela had a huge impact not just on
Los Angeles and a Hispanic and Mexican community, and not
just in Mexico, but in baseball because I lived it
(27:09):
and I was a part of it and It's very
memorable in my history. In the words of New York
TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your
time this time until next time, Rob Parker out d
can't Gavin.
Speaker 3 (27:30):
This could be an inside of Parker.
Speaker 5 (27:32):
See you next week, same bat time, same Matt's station.
From the Berkshars to the sound from wherever you live
in MLB America. This is inside the Parker. You give
us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop
on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame
voter number seventy, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Welcome into the podcast. I'm your host, Rob Parker. What
a great World Series edition of the podcast coming your way.
Coming up, we'll talk with baseball analyst Gary Sheffield Junior.
He covers the Yankees, He'll dive into the Bronx Bombers
and this first trip to the World Series since two
thousand and nine. Plus getting Rob and why baseball is
(00:44):
better than the NBA and the NFL.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Let's go better up to lead off, it's getting robbed
and keep them on. Rob's hot take and the three
biggest stories in Major League Baseball.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Number one.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Baseball lost an icon this past week when Fernando Valezuela,
the left handed, the crafty, left handed pitcher with that
screwball and unbelievable motion, passed away at the age of
sixty three. I had seen Fernando at Dodgers Stadium maybe
a month before, and you know he didn't look good.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
He was really thin. You know, I didn't know. I
knew something was going on. I didn't know he was
going to pass.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
But sixty three we lost an iconic baseball player and.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Baseball more because they loved Fernando.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
No one who loves baseball or is a baseball fan
doesn't know about Fernando Mandia when he broke into the
major leagues in nineteen eighty one and had one of
the all time.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Greatest rookie seasons ever.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
He was Rookie of the Year, he won the Cy
Young and helped the Dodgers win the World Series in
nineteen eighty one against the Yankees. It's kind of wild
that he would pass right before this rematch, and so
many that's taken so many years to happen. But Fernando
Vealezuela was a god in Mexico, obviously in Los Angeles
(02:16):
with a huge Hispanic population and Mexican population, and just
baseball fans who loved his caamsmanship, his competitive spirit. He
was just a fun guy and a great guy to watch.
And those were the days when you used to decide
(02:36):
which games do you go in to, you would say
Fernando's pitching That's the game I want to go to.
If I had to pick one of the three games series,
you used to look at the starting pitcher and say, well,
who's pitching today? Fernando, That's the game I want to
go to. He was one of those guys and we've
lost a great one. But his legacy and memory will
(02:57):
last forever. And I can still look see that motion
where he looks up at the heavens before delivering the
pitch to home plate. Fernando Venezuela dead at sixty three, gone,
but will never be forgotten.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Number two.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
As we know, the Baseball playoff TV numbers have been soaring,
My goodness, gracious, all across the board. The League Championship Series,
the six game series in the nl between the Mets
and Dodgers, averaged five point sixty four million on Fox
in FS one. It was the over a year over
(03:36):
increase of plus twenty from twenty twenty three, making it
the highest TV rating audience for nlcs since two thousand
and nineteen. We saw the Yankees Guardian series as well
do very well, and when they put all the numbers together,
the MLB has the most watched League Championship Series since
(04:00):
seventeen and this is on Fox and TNT, and now
all these games in the World Series are on free television.
They're on Fox. There's no cable to be had. There
is a chance that baseball will turn back the clock
on TV ratings. Friday night and Saturday night baseball nights,
(04:23):
you know, there's no football. There's nothing else that people.
You know, college football is mostly during the day for
most people. And here'll be a chance for people on
a Friday night and a Saturday night to watch the
World Series with these two Titans. I'm expecting big numbers
for people who don't know. The Dodgers have a huge
(04:44):
fan base in Los Angeles, and it showed out during
the League Championship Series because Los Angeles led all markets
with a twelve point four rating and a thirty eight share,
which is in credible numbers, even like New York with
(05:04):
the Mets. The Mets drew it an eight point six
and a twenty two. And you gotta remember it's a
split allegiance in New York. You know, like you got
the Yankee fans who could care less about the Mets,
and the Mets still did in eight point six. It'll
be interesting to see with no Mets involved and the
Yankees and Dodgers, what the numbers will be. I'm gonna
predict it's gonna be the best ratings numbers for a
(05:26):
World Series in twenty five years. That's how big I
think it'll be. That it'll be that big, The number
will be that big, and we're all looking forward to
this world series between Titans, the Yankees, and the Dodgers.
Number three, here is why I'm not picking the Los
(05:46):
Angeles Dodgers for the World Series. Too many question marks.
Number One, Freddie Freeman's health. Ah, I don't know what
Freddy Freeman you're gonna get. He's been struggling, you know,
hitting wise, running on that ankle and leg. Just I'm
(06:08):
not sure which Freddy Freeman you're gonna get. I think
that hurts the Dodgers overwork bullpen. Yes, they had three
or four days off before the start of the World Series,
but they've been taxed and pitched a lot. Because the
Dodgers really only have two and a half starters if
you count Walker Buehler as the half. I can't trust
Walker Buehler if Flaherty or Yamamoto get lose, and my
(06:33):
confidence enough about Walker that he could pick up the
slack and then you know the bullpen situation. I think
the Yankees are deeper as far as pitching goes. I
just don't think they have as many question marks in
this series. I do believe that if an MVP if
the Dodgers win, it could be Mookie Betts. I think
(06:56):
the Yankees will be very careful about show Hey and
try to work around him. Remember Tommy Edmonds was the
MVP of the NLCS for the Dodgers, not Showhy, not Mookie,
not Max Muncy.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
You know. Strange.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
He had eleven RBIs against the Mets, which was incredible.
So I think the Yankees will make somebody else do it.
And I just think they have more boppers. If you
avoid Judge, you gotta pitch the Stanton, you gotta pitch
the Soto, Jazz, Chisholm. There are other people there, and
I just think the Yankees are deeper, and I like
(07:37):
that they have their ace, Garrett Cole pitching in Game
one at Dodger Stadium. I'm gonna go with the Yankees
in six they finally win their first World Series since
two thousand and nine.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
It would be epic.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
It would enhance Aaron Judges legacy as a Yankee. You know,
people will never fully embrace you unless you win wearing
the pinstripes, and this is going to be his opportunity,
and I think the Yankees get it done. So I've
the Yankees and six much more competitive series than we
saw the Mets and the Dodgers, a lot of blowouts
(08:10):
in that I'm not expecting blowouts like we saw in
that series, and the Dodgers that have scored like ten
runs a game against the Mets so since, or at
least it seems, I don't see the Dodgers scoring that
many runs against the Yankees.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
It's the gambler here. Vice president of operations for mlbbro
dot Com an executive producer of the MLB bro Show
podcast for mixtape.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
Every Friday. You heard that right.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Every Friday, we bring you the best from the world
of black and Brown baseball. We cover the seven point
two percent of melanated Major leaguers from soup to nuts,
but with our own cultural flair and unique voice, will
take you on a ride reflecting on the accomplishment, clutch moments,
and contribution to coach that the Bros continue to breathe
(09:02):
into baseball, from Mookie Wilson to Mookie Betts, Doctor k
to Doctor Styx, from Bro Bombs, the 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,
(09:24):
just to name a few of the segments that truly
capture the voice of Black baseball. If things get 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
(09:47):
the Gambler, your friendly neighborhood diamond checker, making sure that
you stay on top of the game and in touch
with the soul of MLB. Fuckle up for a wild
baseball journey, showing respect to the Ogs and highlighting the
new breed of melanated malt rodders. First thing through MLB's pipeline,
all pitching with the sound of Black baseball. We got
(10:10):
the best starting five in the business. Listen to the
MLB Bro Show podcast the Mixtape on the iHeartRadio app,
Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Here comes the Big Interviews.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Listen and learn.
Speaker 6 (10:29):
It's so good.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Welcome into the podcast.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Gary Sheffield Junior of course, host of Yankees Unloaded on YouTube.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
Gary, Welcome to the podcast. My man, how are you, Rob?
Speaker 5 (10:40):
What's up? My Yankees are in the World Series? You
know I'm in a good mood.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Of course you are. And let's say this.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
This is the World Series baseball fans. You know, baseball
as a whole has been waiting on. There have been
other great World Series the last few years. It's been
a long time for the Yankee and finally the Yankees
and Dodgers. Right, we can't make too much of this.
This is great for the game.
Speaker 6 (11:08):
Well, I mean, look at the numbers, right, you're talking
about the League Championship Series. Viewership on Fox was up
thirty nine percent. It's the highest it's been since twenty seventeen.
But then you look at the numbers worldwide. Obviously, Shoheo Tani.
The reason why they're talking about twelve million people watch
this game. Right in the League Championship Series what those
(11:29):
numbers are going to look like in the World Series
is just a completely different dimension than this game's ever
been on. And it's good for the game. It's good
for my podcast, it's good.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
For you, no doubt about it. And star power everywhere,
that's the thing too. You know, it's one thing to
have great teams, but you have the two MVPs. You know,
we assume they both will win showhand the National League,
and Aaron Judge in the American League. And then the
other guys who are there are no slouches. I mean,
(11:59):
why Soto and what he's able to do. Of course,
you have Mookie Betts, John Carlos stan has been unbelievable
in the postseason, Jack Flaherty pitching starting Game one in
his hometown, pitching for the Dodgers.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
I mean, it's just a lot of good stuff here
to like. But the star power is out and bright,
no doubt.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
How about the personality power? How about that?
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Right?
Speaker 6 (12:27):
Everyone talks about talent, and talent's important in any sport, right,
But as far as what people want to see, people
want to see the personality. They want to see, the
fist pumping, they want to see. Michael Jordan high flying.
They want to see a guy like Shoheyotani that is
sliding into third base and doing a celebration that seems
(12:48):
like when he's coming into a game and doing these things.
This is a game that's considered outdated, a game that's
been considered over the years these past couple of years
at least, a stale game where everyone strikes out and
and it's a boring game that old people are essentially
keeping down. But Shoheyo Tani seems to be playing it
in a different way and everyone's watching it. So for
(13:11):
me coming into a World Series as a Yankees fan,
it's weird to see that the biggest show is on
the other side. But I'm okay with that because of
how baseball is going to.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Benefit no doubt, I mean, there's no denying with showhy impact.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Is on the game.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
But if you're a long suffering Yankee fan about getting back,
it's hard not to like this team. And let's talk
about this team. And before we get to the big
the big dogs and all the other names, Glabor Torres
has been outstanding for the Yankees in the lead all spot.
I mean, he has been incredible to me and turned
(13:50):
his season around.
Speaker 6 (13:51):
Yeah, the crazy part about Glabor is that he seemed
to be a player. He was struggling with hustle. He
obviously wasn't performing. He's in a con track year. It's
a year that you would have expected. You probably penciled
him in these last couple of years. He's been really
good for this team. You just thought, okay, player, he's
going to be out there trying to earn his next deal,
he's going to have the best year of his career.
(14:12):
And yet first half of this season he was atrocious.
He was bad, and then manager Aaron Boone for the
New York Yankees decides, we're going to bench this player.
We are going to send a message that it doesn't
matter how much money you've been paid for this team,
it doesn't matter what the type of role we think
you should have. You need to go out and earn
your role. And that benching has completely flipped this season
(14:34):
around and to the point where Glaber Torres has been
one of the more reliable players on this team. So
the Yankees have to have him perform in the World Series.
I'm sure at this point how he's performed from the
Division Series on to this point, he's they're considering him
as one of their better hitters. He's leading off for
this team. My expectation is he's going to make an impact.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Our guest is Gary Sheffield, junior, host of Yankees Pot
the Yankees on Low Loaded on YouTube. And your dad
played for both teams. He played for the Dodgers and
he played for the Yankees.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Let's talk about this Juan Soto.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
And you know, I raised my hand as the first
person that was wrong when it came to Juan Soto,
because when he turned down that four hundred and forty
million dollars guaranteed from the Nationals, I thought.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
He was nuts. I thought, like, you.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Could get hit in the face, you could have two
or three bad years, you know what I mean, Like
so many things can go wrong and you not get
back to that. This guy comes to the Bronx, embraces
New York. The fans, the Dominicans there are in love
with him, obviously.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Embraces it.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
I remember then he hit a knocking the winning run
on Day one against the Astros, right and then here
he is sending the Yankees to the World Series with
an epic at bat and a three run home run
in the top But a tenth inning and extra inning.
I mean, what hasn't he done? I mean, he's been
(16:05):
tremendous and he's going to get paid six hundred million
dollars by somebody.
Speaker 6 (16:09):
Yeah, and some people look at that, is that no
player's worth six hundred million. But I think if people
realize how much money these players bring in for these owners,
whether it be thes and tickets, whether it be jerseys
right so or.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Tarking hot dogs. Are you kidding?
Speaker 5 (16:24):
Yeah, it's ridiculous.
Speaker 6 (16:25):
So if people also, by the way, Rob, just to
just to give you a little bite back on that contract,
people need to also remember these numbers for the contracts.
When you hear the Washington Nationals offered over four hundred million,
those numbers are put out intentionally so that people can
think that you're essentially having greedy players. The players are
(16:47):
always after the next dollar, which it is business, that's
how this goes. But I will say this, when you
talk about a player turning down a four hundred plus
million dollar contract, you also need to talk about the
years were attached to that contract and what that player
was going to get paid per year right now as
it currently stands Wan Soto on arbitration, not a contract
(17:09):
is making over thirty million dollars. That contract that he
would have agreed to with Washington would have paid him
less than what he's making today.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
So as far as get.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
I get that, But there's a risk involved.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
And when he went to San Diego he did not
play as well.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
And I know he made a lost team, Am I right?
He was right?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Yeah, people, he was kind of like lost there. I
don't know what happened in San Diego.
Speaker 6 (17:34):
Well, that's part of the reason why you hire a
guy like Scott Boris, who has he's the ultimate leverage piece.
He's an agent that has signed billions of dollars worth
of contracts. He doesn't need his next dollar. He would
love it, but he's not going to be a person
that rushes into a contract the way you saw Ronald
Acuna Junior do with the Atlanta Braids. That's how you
(17:55):
get a player of that talent signing a contract to
get paid twelve million dollars.
Speaker 5 (18:00):
Now, that's twelve million dollars a year.
Speaker 6 (18:02):
Sounds pretty good to you and I, but the reality
is is when you're a person who's already worth sixty
or seventy million, dollars you can afford to essentially use
your leverage and see if you can go up to
the next tax bracket.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Aaron Judge, let's go there, Aaron Judge.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
You know, got off to a really slow start in
the postseason, had a couple of home runs. But to me,
that home run in Cleveland, I know it didn't wind
up being a home run that helped them win the
game because they wound up losing.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
The bullpen gave it up.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
But that was a clutch two run home run to
tie the game in a big spot, going the other way,
right field against the best arguably the best closer in
the game. I thought that was a that was a
great sign for Yankee fan.
Speaker 6 (18:51):
Yeah, I mean it's a great sign. And I will
say this, the moment was Rob Herham, right, you just
you mentioned it. They didn't end up winning that game,
and the reality is that fans are going to remember
what you did in big games that you won. That's
the way that this goes, whether that's fair or not.
When Michael Jordan hits the game winning shot, if they'd
end up losing that game in Utah, we don't remember
(19:12):
the shot quite as much, right, So, it's about the result.
And if they win a World Series and he has
a big hit, well he's the new face of baseball.
Speaker 3 (19:21):
And let me ask you this, here's the other guy.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
I'm going out on the limb and I said, I
know the show, hey, Judge, thing is out there. It
would be written in for Hollywood, one of those guys
being the MVP having a big hit in the Game seven.
But if I'm picking an MVP, I'm thinking John Carlos
Stan has just a great of a chance of being
that guy because his numbers at Dodger Stadium.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
He's from La.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
His numbers at Dodger Stadium are sick. You remember the
home run he hitting the All Star Game a couple
of years ago in La.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Oh Yeah, and he's been a monster.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
He has the best home run at bat Ray Shield
in the history of the postseason, better than Babe Rue.
Speaker 5 (20:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (20:05):
For him, it's all about availability. He's on the field,
he's producing. That's the way it goes. And when you're
talking about players, let's not forget John Carlo Stan was
clutched during the short twenty twenty season as well. He
would have broken the all time home run record in
a postseason had they not been eliminated by the Tampa
Bay Rays. So people need to remember when you're talking
(20:27):
about John Carlow, He's probably headed to the Hall of Fame.
He's going to surpass five hundred home runs.
Speaker 5 (20:32):
He's going to be.
Speaker 6 (20:33):
Considered one of the most clutch players that's ever played
this game, which sounds ridiculous because the conversation on him
has always been he's not living up to this contract.
But the reality is is that he's an all time
great player that's being surrounded by other players that maybe
have overshadowed that.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Two more things starting pitching.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
This is where I think the Dodgers have a disadvantage
because basically, to me, they have two that you can
rely on, and the bullpen has been overworked. But if
you're the Yankees, you gotta feel good your a's Garrett Cole,
who you signed for these moments, is starting Game one
of the World Series. He's pitched some great games in
the postseason. He's pitched in big games. How do you
(21:14):
like Garrett Cole as being the starter for Game one?
Speaker 6 (21:18):
Well, I mean, we love Garrett Cole, but let's be clear,
he is somewhat of a wild card, right He's a
guy that even back to his days in Houston, he
would have a blow up start and just essentially be
not competitive in any way in a World Series game,
can't have it. But then the next start he's Dyna mine.
So you just have to hope as a Yankees fan,
you don't have home field, Garrett Cole is locked in
(21:41):
for a Game one because if you can steal a
Game one, you stolen home field as well. So at
that point, like you mentioned, the Dodgers' bullpen is overworked.
There's no question about that. This four or five day
break will help them, no question. But eventually using your bullpen.
Speaker 5 (21:58):
Catches up with you.
Speaker 6 (21:58):
It's just a matter of when, and the Yankees are
praying that that moment is during the World Series. But
Garrett Cole and a lot of those Yankees starting pitching,
they have to be on their game because the team
at the end of the series with the healthiest bullpen
is probably going to win.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
Speaking of bullpens, last thing, Gary Sheffield Junior, Jordan us
here on inside the Parker Luke Weaver, who I mean
when I watched this guy's stuff, I just was amazed
at his fastball and Howard just just jumped out of
his arm and just you know what he was able
to accomplish early on, and then of course he wound
(22:36):
up giving up that big home run to a pinch
hitter Guy Noel, who was one for sixteen as a
pinch hit or batting less than two hundred or whatever
it was.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
It was a big blow and he became human there.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
But do you think it was good that he had
that moment, got that out of the way wether than
it being in the World Series, Because no one's that good,
even Mariano and some of the all time greats have
given up home runs and situation.
Speaker 6 (23:03):
Absolutely, because when you talk about closers, we all have
revisionist history, right we talk about Marianna Rivera, the arguably,
if not the greatest closer of all time.
Speaker 5 (23:12):
He did give up a double down the right field.
Speaker 6 (23:14):
Line to Tony willmack right and essentially Blue the two
thousand and one World Series. But the reality is is
as a closer, you need to be remembered as what
you do most often. And Luke Weaver, you said, is
this a benefit that he did give up something and
then came back out and rebounded. Absolutely, because it shows
confidence in a picture. Luke Weaver didn't lose any confidence.
(23:35):
He came out in the series clincher and he looked
like he had never blown a game the last six months.
You have to have that type of confidence as a closer,
and if you don't, you end up like the person
who closed games all year for the Yankees team in
Clay Holmes.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
Right.
Speaker 6 (23:49):
So sometimes it's about talent and what you see on
the field, but also personality.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
All Right.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
His name is Gary Sheffield Junior. We would be remiss
if we don't get a prediction. I'm sure you're picking
the Yankees. How many games?
Speaker 6 (24:04):
I'm gonna go Yankees. Let's go Yankees in six. I
think in general they're gonna win one of these first
two games. Not sure which game it's gonna be. If
I had to tell you what I think it'll be,
I think it's gonna be Game one. You take home field,
it's going back to Yankee Stadium. I think they win
the World Series. I think they win the World Series
on the road at Dodger Stadium, which is gonna be crazy,
(24:27):
but everyone's gonna be watching, and hopefully you're watching a
Yankees unloaded.
Speaker 3 (24:32):
All Right. His name is Gary Sheffield Junior.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
Check him out and all things Yankees, one of the
best in the business.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
Always appreciate you, thanks, Chef.
Speaker 5 (24:40):
Rob, appreciate it man.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
Now bring in the closer. Here's why MLB is better
than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Reads a number four hundred and fifty five. Why Major
League Baseball is better than the NBA and better than
the NFL brings me to a story when I was
a kid in nineteen eighty one, seventeen years old in
high school, and Fernando Valezuela came to New York. It
was Fernando Mania, and at that time, the Metro were
(25:18):
a really bad team, averaging eight or nine thousand fans
a game.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
And I remember going to this game. It was a.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
Friday in New York at Shay Stadium and Flushing and
they all, you know, sold forty thousand tickets to see
Fernando Valenzuela pitch against Mike Scott.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
And it was a.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
One nothing victory by Fernando, who went to seven and
zero pitch all nine innings, walked five and had given
up only seven hits.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
But I just remember how caught up.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
People were with Fernando because he was really like a mania.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
You know.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
We you know, we talk about insanity when Jeremy Lynn
and the Knicks, and then you know some other situations
where players come on the scene and everybody's just like
focused in and they want to see what they're doing.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
But this was real.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
This guy was unreal with that screwball, and I remember going,
I'm going to that game?
Speaker 3 (26:23):
Are you kidding?
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Fernando Valenzuela is pitching reminds me of when Mark the
Bird Friedrich started with the Tigers in nineteen eighty four.
He wound up be a Rookie of the Year, He
started the All Star Game for the American League, and
the Tigers won the World Series in nineteen eighty four.
It reminded me of that era. But Fernando, I remember
(26:48):
how excited I was. I remember taking the train. This
is one of those most vivid games for me as
a kid because I did get swept up in it.
And Fernando Valenzuela had a huge impact not just on
Los Angeles and a Hispanic and Mexican community, and not
just in Mexico, but in baseball because I lived it
(27:09):
and I was a part of it and It's very
memorable in my history. In the words of New York
TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your
time this time until next time, Rob Parker out d
can't Gavin.
Speaker 3 (27:30):
This could be an inside of Parker.
Speaker 5 (27:32):
See you next week, same bat time, same Matt's station.
Host
Rob Parker
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