September 18, 2019 • 28 mins
This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob gives his take on Luis Severino's return to the Yankees, Jose Altuve's second half tear, and Pirates Closer Felipe Vazquez's arrest for solicitation of minors. He also names his Top 3 MLB Teams of the Week, 'Fair or Foul' and the Analytic Stat of the Week.
Guests: Barry Larkin - MLB Hall of Famer on why he's still involved in the game as an instructor, why he couldn't strike out as much as players do today, why which players he likes watching today.; Jesus Ortiz - La Vida Baseball Writer looks at the Astros heading into the playoffs, and Big Papi's return to Fenway after a near fatal shooting.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
From the Burke shears 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 one oh three, Rob Parker. All right,
welcome into the show. I'm Rob Parker here, your host.
(00:23):
You there, and we got a great show coming ahead
for you, including Baseball Hall of Fame or former Red
shortstop Barry Larkin. He is coming by. Plus we'll talk
with Y sus Ortiz from La Vita Baseball, plus so
much more. Let's go up to lead off. It's getting
(00:44):
robbed and keep him on. Rob's hot take on the
three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one, The
Yankees got their ace pitcher, Luisa Vrino Beck on Tuesday.
He had been missing all season long, and yes, he's
back for the Yankees, just in time for the playoffs.
(01:07):
In his return, he pitched against the Los Angeles Angels
and pitched four in He gave up no runs, two hits,
a successful return when you think he's missed the entire season.
He had went down with shoulder inflammation. And later suffered
a strain and while he was recovering. But he's back.
(01:30):
The Yankees have to feel good as you go forward
and you get closer to the postseason that that rotation.
Remember they didn't make a trade to go get a
starter at the trade deadline. Well they got their man,
their race, A guy who started Game one of the
postseason for them a year ago is back and he
(01:51):
looked good in four innings of shutout baseball on Tuesday Night,
number two. All year, people have talked about the Houston Astros,
all their good young players, everybody else, Springer, Bregman, everybody.
You know who they forgot. They forgot Jose Altuve. You
(02:14):
remember that guy, a l m v P. While he's back,
stop ignoring him. He has been unbelievable over the last
two and a half months. He's been a top ten
hitter in baseball. Altuve's batting three thirty six eighteen home
runs in sixty four games since the start of July.
(02:37):
He has been amazing. And my goodness, he couldn't come
at a better time for the second half of the season.
So he was gone. People weren't talking about Altuve. He
had kind of fallen to the background a little bit.
People weren't paying attention to him, But you gotta pay
attention to him because that guy as a huge dimension
(02:59):
at the top of that line up for that Astros
team that is already loaded. So imagine the Astros are
gonna be even harder to knock out because Altuve is
back to the way he was a couple of years
ago when he was almost unstoppable. Number three Pittsburgh Pirates
closer Felipe Vasquez is in a heap of hot water
(03:23):
and has been put on a leave of absence by
Major League Baseball for being arrested for solicitation of a
child and him being linked to a girl who is
now fifteen years old. Apparently he met her two years
ago when she was thirteen. So this is a story
that is a bad story from Major League Baseball in
(03:47):
Mr Tavasquez. Uh I, I just it's just a shocking
turn of events. He's been arrested and will not be pitching,
and we will hear more about this, but this is
a very very serious and sad story. Here comes the
big interview. Listen Headler Good, All right, let's welcome into
(04:11):
the podcast Hall of Famer. Yes Cincinnati Red shortstop Barry Larkin.
B Larkin? Man, what's happening? How you doing? All good?
Rob finishing up the season, working in the minor leagues
with the Red organization. Let a couple of teams go
to the playoffs. Pretty successful season and just waiting for
(04:31):
the big league boys to finish up. Very nice and
as people. If you don't know, you better know Barry Larkin,
a twelve time All Star. Of course, they won the
World Series in nineteen nine and n L M v
P in gold Gloves, silver Sluggers, on and on and on.
Number retired. He's a Hall of Famer, all right, Barry.
(04:52):
A lot of things jump out in your career, and
I just listed a ton of accolades. But in Night
you let all major leaguers by striking out only twenty
four times in five hundred eight at bats. When you
look at the strikeout numbers of today, is that not incredible?
Do you even marvel at that that you could be
(05:13):
in the big leagues and only strike out twenty four
times and that many at bats? Well, you know, it
was something that was really personal to me. I hated
to strike out. Um strike out meant the picture got
me out as opposed to me getting myself out. And
I didn't want to give any picture any credit or
enough credits to say that you could get me out.
(05:35):
And each and every out I may record, it was
because I did something wrong, not that you did something right.
So look more of a a personal thing to me.
I see all the strikeouts now in the game, and
it it you know, it is what it is right now.
I just couldn't see myself playing and striking out as
much as many of these guys that don't even hit
(05:55):
for power, don't hit home runs, but striking out a
hundred and h it twenty times and like it's no
big deal. I I can't fathom that, just the competitiveness
and me, I just there wasn't something I could deal
with it all. And I think that's the analytics that
said it doesn't matter, well which way you're making out.
I guess, right, isn't that weird? It is because you
(06:16):
would have been sent down to the minor league striking
out the alarming rate that most guys are striking out
these days. This is true, um, but you know, putting
pressure on the defense, the fact that that I could run, um,
the fact that you know the fact that I played
short stuff and how I felt when a guy that
(06:38):
could run put the ball in play record, regardless that
we recorded and out or not, it puts the stress
on the defense. So that was just my That was
my take on it. It's not something that I know
that they input into the analytics. I don't know if
you can quantify that, but I know any time that
(06:58):
any guy that could run put the ball and play
with runners on base or with nobody on base, just
the fact that he could run and made me as
a short stop shorten up or think about getting rid
of the ball quicker. Anytime the guy could run would
strike out, it would just alleviate a lot of pressure
and a lot of tensions. Barry, there's so many good
(07:22):
young players out there, uh, Vladimir Guerrero junior, Tattoos Junior,
Akuna junior. I just can't get over. Who who do
you like out there? With all these great young players
we're starting to see in baseball. Well, I I like
short stuff, so I think you can classify him still
(07:44):
as a young short stop. And Francisco lindoor Um, he's uh,
He's a guy I loved watching. I love how he plays.
I get a chance to work with him and get
a chance to work with the Gordon. To see those
guys doing the things that they're capable of doing and
doing it still, Uh, it's a it's a marvel for me.
I had a chance to work with Donte Bischett or
(08:06):
Bo Baschett in Toronto and uh, he's amazing. And you know,
I had him play for my Brazilian team a few
years ago and hopefully you'll be playing in the the
WBC qualifier that we have coming up in March of
this next year. But to watch him do the things
that he's doing and continue to get better, uh, both
(08:29):
offensively defensively is amazing. But the one outfielder that I
love is a Coon Jr. Uh, that kid is He's amazing.
I love watching him play. Him and Alb's I see
the joy that he has and that they have. And
you know, to see Atlanta doing so well, Um, you
(08:49):
know those those guys. The game is in great hands,
the great The game is definitely entertaining. There's some great
players out there and uh, you know, I'm still a fan.
I'm with you. It's just amazing. And how about all
of you were just mentioning uh, Baschett son. But but
there's so many players who have sons in the big leagues.
(09:11):
Why is that? Is that because guys just were able
to have, you know, get their kids into it early,
or be around baseball, get the right training and stuff.
It just seems like there's been an explosion of former
players kids playing in the big leagues. Well, I'm telling you,
Toronto has the market on it. And they got and
they got Guerrero, and they got Gavin Biggio also, right,
(09:34):
they got three. Yeah, I'll get a couple more somewhere. So, um, yeah,
I don't know my son. My son happens to be
playing basketball. He didn't want to play baseball. I was
gonna I was gonna ask you about Shane. Tell me, Bob,
did he ever want to play baseball or no. Shane
played baseball as a youngster and he had a pretty
(09:56):
bad experience. Pete Rose Tony Press haught him out of hit.
And when he went to go play for little league coach, Um,
the coach shold him whoever taught him how to hit
didn't know what There is just a true story. And
uh and he just said okay, and he just said,
well then I'll just do something else and I'll play basketball.
So but junior son, junior son doesn't play baseball. EI there,
(10:20):
he plays football, so Ken Griffey Jr. So, Um, yeah,
I think it's all on the in in the individual.
While I know that I took my son to spring
training and I had aspirations of my son actually playing
baseball and doing the things that I did, just like
I wanted to do what my father did, no doubt. Hey,
(10:41):
last thing, Barry, Uh, it was back in ninety two,
the infamous Loupvanella Rob Dibble fight in the locker room.
Is was today back in nineteen ninety two? Remember that
very vividly, don't you that that video? Berry? You have
(11:02):
a towel on and these guys are scrapping and you're
like trying to break it up, trying to make sure
that towel stays on. That was someday I could still
remember that. I had to prioritize real quick because I
didn't know that there were cameras in the clubhouse at
that time. But uh, somebody's certainly got a picture of it,
(11:23):
and I think that I think it had I do
not prioritized that little cover that I had on it
might have been a little different career from me. I
think you're right, man, you were. You were a smart man.
Hold onto that towel during the fight. His name is
Barry Larkin, the Hall of Famer Cincinnati Red shortstop. Hey, Barry,
(11:46):
thank you so much for joining the podcast. Appreciate you
all right, Rob, thanks for having me. Bro. It's time
for the pocket Protector Central the analytic numbers you need
to know. Well maybe fl Swan's Anthony Masterson is his name.
BS analytics is his game? What you got for s, Anthony?
(12:06):
We'll when we talk about five tool players, what does
that mean? The player, if it's for average power fuel
to this position, has a great arm and runs well,
I think that last one. But it's not just about
stolen basis. Base running runs or BSR is a metric
developed by Fangraphs that turns stolen basis, cat stealings, and
other base running plays like taking the extra base in
(12:26):
one handy metric, and it also makes up the base
running component of wins above replacement or war. The stolen
based component weighs large here because of run probability. A
stolen base is great, but if you get caught, it
does way more damage to your team than successfully snagging
that extra bag, because it not only removes a base runner,
but it also adds an out. Basically, what it comes
(12:47):
down to is you need to be successful as stealing
bags at least two thirds of the time to positively
impact your team, which is tough for runners who work
in volume. You can also use sprint speed to see
which players are better at going from to home on
a double or second to home on a single, for example.
Now the leaderboard works like war. There is a lead
baseline which every player is measured against. Therefore, a base
(13:10):
running run score or BSR score of five is considered great,
while anything below zero is considered poor. Now this year,
the Orioles Jonathan VR leads all of baseball with a
b SR of nine point five thanks to a stolen
based success ratetty three. Bringing up the rear, the Tigers
(13:30):
Miguel Cabrera minus six point four. Rob Maggy doesn't get
around much anymore. All right, Anthony, we appreciate you. Stay well.
It was a big week in the Big League. Who's
is it followed? Or is it fair? And now here's
(13:53):
shadow league dot Com MLB insider JR. Gamble Jr. Is
it foul or fair to say that the Brewers can't
make the playoffs without Christian Yellows in the lineup for
the rest of the season. That's fou Not having Christine
(14:15):
Yellow just gonna hurt Milwaukee. But it's not like the
last twelve games will be against Juggernaut. Uh. They have
three games against San Diego, three against the Pirates, three
against the Reds, and three against the Rockies. I believe
all of those things pretty much stick. So yeah, that's
funky funky, like my grandma's draws in the middle of
(14:38):
mortal words a cut from a child called quest. But
at the normal circumstances, I say it's over. But because
of having problems with injuries as well, and Milwaukee has
been on fire lately, possible they could grab the wild card.
But without the potential forty forty guy in the lineup,
the chances of Milwaukee doing anything in the playoffs is
(14:58):
probably equal to the chair that lines up ball will
ever wear a big ball of brand speaker again? Zero awesome,
my man, fasten your seatbell, you do give me? Here
comes Marker's Top three MLB teams this week. Number three.
(15:21):
I thought about it for a minute, I was thinking
about putting the Atlanta Braves in the third spot, bumping
out one of the Big three. Coming into Tuesday, the
Braves were nine and fifty eight. The Braves took two
out of three from the Nationals. That's five out of
seven from their NL each rivals this past month. And
(15:45):
of course, Ronald Lacuna Jr. Has been on fire, unbelievable.
He has thirty nine home runs thirty six stolen bases.
But you know what I didn't do it. I put
the Dodgers on the third best team. They are nineties
seven and fifty four. They are vying with the Yankees
and the Astros for the best record, whole field advantage
(16:09):
come postseason time. And I have to give the Dodgers
the third spot. We know they clinched their seventh straight
division title. They're starting pitching got out of their mini slump.
We saw Kershaw just give up two runs or four
hits and six and the third innings UH to the
(16:30):
Mets and UH. The Dodgers are the third best team
in baseball. Number two it's the Houston Astros and fifty three.
Coming into Tuesday, they are tied with the New York
Yankees for the best record in baseball and the Astros
(16:51):
top the bottom. They have two guys and Garrett Cole
and Justin Verland are vying for side in the National League.
They have a lineup that's out of this world. They
continue to do everything that you would want him to do. Also,
out feel the George Springer. Everybody knew he had a
(17:12):
lot of power because he's average home runs over the
past three seasons, but he's having a really a special
year this year. And Springer could reach a hundred runs
scored for the fourth consecutive year as well, So he's
definitely one of the top leadoff hitters in the game.
And while people love the Astros, I still have them
(17:35):
as a second best team in baseball, number one, the
number one team in baseball. It's the New York freaking Yankees.
I've been saying this since week one or two, or three,
or whatever it was. As of Tuesday, they were ninety
eight and fifty three, tied with the Astros for the
(17:58):
best record in base ball. It's a big deal. It's
gotta be a big deal when you think about it,
because it will be about home field and it could
mean the difference in a big game seven that could
decide a series. But come on, the Yankees. This past week,
the injury bug continues to hit them. Gary Sanchez was
(18:19):
out with tightness and his left groin edwinning, and Carnacion
was out with an oblique injury. Uh Gen Carlos stand
still hadn't been back yet. But they still keep winning.
They still keep winning. How the Astros have everybody, They're loaded,
and the Yankees are neck and neck with them. It's
(18:40):
an incredible thing. The Yankees are the best team in baseball.
When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto.
If I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer,
a broadcaster, older new All right, let's welcome into the
podcast one of my favorite people I've known for a
long time. Hey sus Ortiz from La Vita Baseball. He edited, Hey,
(19:07):
what's happening man? Everything is going away? He said, excited
for this playoff races. He's gonna be the uh who's
gonna have the best record in baseball? Dodgery Yankees Astros.
That's that's the big thing over here in Easton right now.
Home field advantage, no doubt about it. Let's talk about
those Astros. I mean, it's pretty it's been pretty amazing.
(19:28):
You know, they won the World Series two years ago.
They go out and, uh, they got a great team,
a lot of young stars, a lot of you know,
veterans who were there when they won the championship in
seven team. What about the actuals and their chances. I'll
tell you what. You've covered a lot of baseball. Rob
Carlo's career is batting seventh in one of the best
(19:54):
short stops in baseball. He returns from the age list
today in batting seventh. That's how deep this lineup is. Uh,
you know, I've covered a lot, you know, a lot
of Hall of famers, you know, with the men, Mike Piazza,
you know, with the Astros, Jeff Bagbo, Craig Bigio. I've
never seen a young talent looks so dominant, quite like
(20:21):
yourgan from Cuba, twenty two years old. Total stud has
already set. I mean, this kid didn't come up to
mid June to the majors and he's already set the
franchise record for home runs by a rookie. His his
RBIs are on pace to break everybody else's bigging history
(20:47):
based on games as a rookie, amazing designated hitter, Alex Bregman.
Don't laugh at me, but I think he deserves serious considerations.
Could be the americanly m v P over Mike Trout.
I think that I think that he's getting some traction
and people see that even though Trout had an unbelievable year,
(21:08):
he's out for the rest of the year and he's
on a bad team that's not going to the playoffs.
So I don't think that that's far fetched. No, absolutely not.
You know, old school, you know when I started coming baseball,
you're you're already coming for a while. But old school
Trout wouldn't have gotten the attention, right because he's not
gonna winning team, and you give the ed to Bregman.
(21:31):
But with with analytics now and winsom of replacement, you
still would getting a lot of people still give the
edge to Mike Trout. But I'll tell you what this
This kid, Bregman's special. He's the leaders the way he
carries himself. He has this nice um combination of confidence,
(21:58):
almost arrogant while while not being a total jerk and
the ultimate team guy. You know, learned how to be expanish,
so he could communicate and be part of that Nfield community.
And you know how big that is. And to be honest,
because they all too steal the glues Enfield. And you
(22:20):
know we haven't even mentioned him. That's the two thousand
and seven team MVP, who has been one of the
best hitters in baseball in the second half of the season.
I mean, this team is just slot out stats. Let's
switch over the Big Poppy who made a return to
Fenway Park throughout the first pitch during the Yankees a
Red Sox series. How amazing was it to see him,
(22:44):
uh be back out on the baseball Diamond. Amazing heartwarmings. Uh,
you know, I still remember the night when when he
got shot and just the craziness. Uh you la, you
the lives You think if you're in the Dominican, nobody's
gonna mass with Big Poppy, right Uh And just to
(23:07):
see him back, He's he's must spinner. He truly. You know,
I'll never forget the story that we commissioned a story
um the Dominican and just what he told the nurses,
the buggy the desperation saved me. I'm a good person.
(23:30):
I mean you know that that he is a good person.
He's been a good steward. He's been uh you know,
tell me you've covered baseball for a long time. Have
you ever seen a Latino ball player who wasn't born
in the United States become the face of the city
(23:51):
of a city quite like Big Poppy in any sports,
A big Poppy in Boston. No, I agree with that.
I mean, and he was beloved in Boston, uh, as
we know and around the country. One last thing from you,
all right, give me the biggest young Hispanic ball player
out there. Who's the next big thing? There's so many,
(24:12):
I mean, who do you think is that guy who
is really going to be the next big star? Trout? Like, uh, well,
well Qunia Queenia I had I had dinner was a
brave scout just a couple of days ago, and I
literally said I would take Kunia over Trout. The only
(24:37):
I just hope he hustled like Trout hustled. But a
Kunya is the is the next case of baseball. That
dude is amazing, great ball player. He just needs to hustle,
he needs to making those semi mistakes. And ironically, you know,
we did a story with his dad a couple of
years ago. I talked about um not hustling, doral minor
(25:01):
league career, this cage one of the best players and basically,
but I'll tell you what this rookie class. Vladimir Grell Junior,
Fernando Texis Jr. I probably take Jr. But don't tell
anybody in Houston. But Jordan Alabadeve is uh you know.
With the b B w A, we can't say who
(25:22):
we would vote for on our votes, but I do
have a Rookie of the Year award, but I'm be
hard pressed not to vote for Jordan Alabadez, no doubt
about it. So much good talent his name. Hey sus Ortiz,
my man from La Vita Baseball, and you know what,
we appreciate you joining the podcast. Thank you so much,
(25:43):
thank you for the invitation. You know I love you,
Love you back, no doubt. Now bringing the closer. Here's
why MLB is better than the NFL or NBA, and
it isn't even close. Here's why baseball is better than
the NBA and the NFL. Here we are with a
(26:06):
few weeks left in the regular season, and guess what
earlier this year the Minnesota Twins that broke the all
time home run record, which was set by the New
York Yankees in at two hundred and sixty seven home runs.
The Twins have two hundred and eighty seven home runs
as of Tuesday. But guess what, they're not out of
(26:28):
the ones. We have a home run race here at
the end of the season to enjoy. As teams jockey
for playoff position, they also can break the record. As
of Tuesday, the Yankees are just one home run behind
at two six. Don't stop that is. Houston Astros at
(26:49):
two hundred and sixty two home runs are in the mix.
So are the Los Angeles Dodgers at two hundred and
sixty one home runs. So when this season ends, think
about the four current teams could wind up with five
of the best six home run records for a single
(27:11):
season by a team. That's right, four teams are in
the mix to break the record with weeks to go.
I can't think of anything you could talk about in
the NBA or the NFL that would be that exciting
as we reached the final weeks of a season. In
(27:38):
the words of New York TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen,
thanking you for your time this time until next time,
Rob Parker out. He can't get it. This could be
an inside the Parker Chastic Satial as the as the
(28:08):
Special
From the Burke shears 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 one oh three, Rob Parker. All right,
welcome into the show. I'm Rob Parker here, your host.
(00:23):
You there, and we got a great show coming ahead
for you, including Baseball Hall of Fame or former Red
shortstop Barry Larkin. He is coming by. Plus we'll talk
with Y sus Ortiz from La Vita Baseball, plus so
much more. Let's go up to lead off. It's getting
(00:44):
robbed and keep him on. Rob's hot take on the
three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one, The
Yankees got their ace pitcher, Luisa Vrino Beck on Tuesday.
He had been missing all season long, and yes, he's
back for the Yankees, just in time for the playoffs.
(01:07):
In his return, he pitched against the Los Angeles Angels
and pitched four in He gave up no runs, two hits,
a successful return when you think he's missed the entire season.
He had went down with shoulder inflammation. And later suffered
a strain and while he was recovering. But he's back.
(01:30):
The Yankees have to feel good as you go forward
and you get closer to the postseason that that rotation.
Remember they didn't make a trade to go get a
starter at the trade deadline. Well they got their man,
their race, A guy who started Game one of the
postseason for them a year ago is back and he
(01:51):
looked good in four innings of shutout baseball on Tuesday Night,
number two. All year, people have talked about the Houston Astros,
all their good young players, everybody else, Springer, Bregman, everybody.
You know who they forgot. They forgot Jose Altuve. You
(02:14):
remember that guy, a l m v P. While he's back,
stop ignoring him. He has been unbelievable over the last
two and a half months. He's been a top ten
hitter in baseball. Altuve's batting three thirty six eighteen home
runs in sixty four games since the start of July.
(02:37):
He has been amazing. And my goodness, he couldn't come
at a better time for the second half of the season.
So he was gone. People weren't talking about Altuve. He
had kind of fallen to the background a little bit.
People weren't paying attention to him, But you gotta pay
attention to him because that guy as a huge dimension
(02:59):
at the top of that line up for that Astros
team that is already loaded. So imagine the Astros are
gonna be even harder to knock out because Altuve is
back to the way he was a couple of years
ago when he was almost unstoppable. Number three Pittsburgh Pirates
closer Felipe Vasquez is in a heap of hot water
(03:23):
and has been put on a leave of absence by
Major League Baseball for being arrested for solicitation of a
child and him being linked to a girl who is
now fifteen years old. Apparently he met her two years
ago when she was thirteen. So this is a story
that is a bad story from Major League Baseball in
(03:47):
Mr Tavasquez. Uh I, I just it's just a shocking
turn of events. He's been arrested and will not be pitching,
and we will hear more about this, but this is
a very very serious and sad story. Here comes the
big interview. Listen Headler Good, All right, let's welcome into
(04:11):
the podcast Hall of Famer. Yes Cincinnati Red shortstop Barry Larkin.
B Larkin? Man, what's happening? How you doing? All good?
Rob finishing up the season, working in the minor leagues
with the Red organization. Let a couple of teams go
to the playoffs. Pretty successful season and just waiting for
(04:31):
the big league boys to finish up. Very nice and
as people. If you don't know, you better know Barry Larkin,
a twelve time All Star. Of course, they won the
World Series in nineteen nine and n L M v
P in gold Gloves, silver Sluggers, on and on and on.
Number retired. He's a Hall of Famer, all right, Barry.
(04:52):
A lot of things jump out in your career, and
I just listed a ton of accolades. But in Night
you let all major leaguers by striking out only twenty
four times in five hundred eight at bats. When you
look at the strikeout numbers of today, is that not incredible?
Do you even marvel at that that you could be
(05:13):
in the big leagues and only strike out twenty four
times and that many at bats? Well, you know, it
was something that was really personal to me. I hated
to strike out. Um strike out meant the picture got
me out as opposed to me getting myself out. And
I didn't want to give any picture any credit or
enough credits to say that you could get me out.
(05:35):
And each and every out I may record, it was
because I did something wrong, not that you did something right.
So look more of a a personal thing to me.
I see all the strikeouts now in the game, and
it it you know, it is what it is right now.
I just couldn't see myself playing and striking out as
much as many of these guys that don't even hit
(05:55):
for power, don't hit home runs, but striking out a
hundred and h it twenty times and like it's no
big deal. I I can't fathom that, just the competitiveness
and me, I just there wasn't something I could deal
with it all. And I think that's the analytics that
said it doesn't matter, well which way you're making out.
I guess, right, isn't that weird? It is because you
(06:16):
would have been sent down to the minor league striking
out the alarming rate that most guys are striking out
these days. This is true, um, but you know, putting
pressure on the defense, the fact that that I could run, um,
the fact that you know the fact that I played
short stuff and how I felt when a guy that
(06:38):
could run put the ball in play record, regardless that
we recorded and out or not, it puts the stress
on the defense. So that was just my That was
my take on it. It's not something that I know
that they input into the analytics. I don't know if
you can quantify that, but I know any time that
(06:58):
any guy that could run put the ball and play
with runners on base or with nobody on base, just
the fact that he could run and made me as
a short stop shorten up or think about getting rid
of the ball quicker. Anytime the guy could run would
strike out, it would just alleviate a lot of pressure
and a lot of tensions. Barry, there's so many good
(07:22):
young players out there, uh, Vladimir Guerrero junior, Tattoos Junior,
Akuna junior. I just can't get over. Who who do
you like out there? With all these great young players
we're starting to see in baseball. Well, I I like
short stuff, so I think you can classify him still
(07:44):
as a young short stop. And Francisco lindoor Um, he's uh,
He's a guy I loved watching. I love how he plays.
I get a chance to work with him and get
a chance to work with the Gordon. To see those
guys doing the things that they're capable of doing and
doing it still, Uh, it's a it's a marvel for me.
I had a chance to work with Donte Bischett or
(08:06):
Bo Baschett in Toronto and uh, he's amazing. And you know,
I had him play for my Brazilian team a few
years ago and hopefully you'll be playing in the the
WBC qualifier that we have coming up in March of
this next year. But to watch him do the things
that he's doing and continue to get better, uh, both
(08:29):
offensively defensively is amazing. But the one outfielder that I
love is a Coon Jr. Uh, that kid is He's amazing.
I love watching him play. Him and Alb's I see
the joy that he has and that they have. And
you know, to see Atlanta doing so well, Um, you
(08:49):
know those those guys. The game is in great hands,
the great The game is definitely entertaining. There's some great
players out there and uh, you know, I'm still a fan.
I'm with you. It's just amazing. And how about all
of you were just mentioning uh, Baschett son. But but
there's so many players who have sons in the big leagues.
(09:11):
Why is that? Is that because guys just were able
to have, you know, get their kids into it early,
or be around baseball, get the right training and stuff.
It just seems like there's been an explosion of former
players kids playing in the big leagues. Well, I'm telling you,
Toronto has the market on it. And they got and
they got Guerrero, and they got Gavin Biggio also, right,
(09:34):
they got three. Yeah, I'll get a couple more somewhere. So, um, yeah,
I don't know my son. My son happens to be
playing basketball. He didn't want to play baseball. I was
gonna I was gonna ask you about Shane. Tell me, Bob,
did he ever want to play baseball or no. Shane
played baseball as a youngster and he had a pretty
(09:56):
bad experience. Pete Rose Tony Press haught him out of hit.
And when he went to go play for little league coach, Um,
the coach shold him whoever taught him how to hit
didn't know what There is just a true story. And
uh and he just said okay, and he just said,
well then I'll just do something else and I'll play basketball.
So but junior son, junior son doesn't play baseball. EI there,
(10:20):
he plays football, so Ken Griffey Jr. So, Um, yeah,
I think it's all on the in in the individual.
While I know that I took my son to spring
training and I had aspirations of my son actually playing
baseball and doing the things that I did, just like
I wanted to do what my father did, no doubt. Hey,
(10:41):
last thing, Barry, Uh, it was back in ninety two,
the infamous Loupvanella Rob Dibble fight in the locker room.
Is was today back in nineteen ninety two? Remember that
very vividly, don't you that that video? Berry? You have
(11:02):
a towel on and these guys are scrapping and you're
like trying to break it up, trying to make sure
that towel stays on. That was someday I could still
remember that. I had to prioritize real quick because I
didn't know that there were cameras in the clubhouse at
that time. But uh, somebody's certainly got a picture of it,
(11:23):
and I think that I think it had I do
not prioritized that little cover that I had on it
might have been a little different career from me. I
think you're right, man, you were. You were a smart man.
Hold onto that towel during the fight. His name is
Barry Larkin, the Hall of Famer Cincinnati Red shortstop. Hey, Barry,
(11:46):
thank you so much for joining the podcast. Appreciate you
all right, Rob, thanks for having me. Bro. It's time
for the pocket Protector Central the analytic numbers you need
to know. Well maybe fl Swan's Anthony Masterson is his name.
BS analytics is his game? What you got for s, Anthony?
(12:06):
We'll when we talk about five tool players, what does
that mean? The player, if it's for average power fuel
to this position, has a great arm and runs well,
I think that last one. But it's not just about
stolen basis. Base running runs or BSR is a metric
developed by Fangraphs that turns stolen basis, cat stealings, and
other base running plays like taking the extra base in
(12:26):
one handy metric, and it also makes up the base
running component of wins above replacement or war. The stolen
based component weighs large here because of run probability. A
stolen base is great, but if you get caught, it
does way more damage to your team than successfully snagging
that extra bag, because it not only removes a base runner,
but it also adds an out. Basically, what it comes
(12:47):
down to is you need to be successful as stealing
bags at least two thirds of the time to positively
impact your team, which is tough for runners who work
in volume. You can also use sprint speed to see
which players are better at going from to home on
a double or second to home on a single, for example.
Now the leaderboard works like war. There is a lead
baseline which every player is measured against. Therefore, a base
(13:10):
running run score or BSR score of five is considered great,
while anything below zero is considered poor. Now this year,
the Orioles Jonathan VR leads all of baseball with a
b SR of nine point five thanks to a stolen
based success ratetty three. Bringing up the rear, the Tigers
(13:30):
Miguel Cabrera minus six point four. Rob Maggy doesn't get
around much anymore. All right, Anthony, we appreciate you. Stay well.
It was a big week in the Big League. Who's
is it followed? Or is it fair? And now here's
(13:53):
shadow league dot Com MLB insider JR. Gamble Jr. Is
it foul or fair to say that the Brewers can't
make the playoffs without Christian Yellows in the lineup for
the rest of the season. That's fou Not having Christine
(14:15):
Yellow just gonna hurt Milwaukee. But it's not like the
last twelve games will be against Juggernaut. Uh. They have
three games against San Diego, three against the Pirates, three
against the Reds, and three against the Rockies. I believe
all of those things pretty much stick. So yeah, that's
funky funky, like my grandma's draws in the middle of
(14:38):
mortal words a cut from a child called quest. But
at the normal circumstances, I say it's over. But because
of having problems with injuries as well, and Milwaukee has
been on fire lately, possible they could grab the wild card.
But without the potential forty forty guy in the lineup,
the chances of Milwaukee doing anything in the playoffs is
(14:58):
probably equal to the chair that lines up ball will
ever wear a big ball of brand speaker again? Zero awesome,
my man, fasten your seatbell, you do give me? Here
comes Marker's Top three MLB teams this week. Number three.
(15:21):
I thought about it for a minute, I was thinking
about putting the Atlanta Braves in the third spot, bumping
out one of the Big three. Coming into Tuesday, the
Braves were nine and fifty eight. The Braves took two
out of three from the Nationals. That's five out of
seven from their NL each rivals this past month. And
(15:45):
of course, Ronald Lacuna Jr. Has been on fire, unbelievable.
He has thirty nine home runs thirty six stolen bases.
But you know what I didn't do it. I put
the Dodgers on the third best team. They are nineties
seven and fifty four. They are vying with the Yankees
and the Astros for the best record, whole field advantage
(16:09):
come postseason time. And I have to give the Dodgers
the third spot. We know they clinched their seventh straight
division title. They're starting pitching got out of their mini slump.
We saw Kershaw just give up two runs or four
hits and six and the third innings UH to the
(16:30):
Mets and UH. The Dodgers are the third best team
in baseball. Number two it's the Houston Astros and fifty three.
Coming into Tuesday, they are tied with the New York
Yankees for the best record in baseball and the Astros
(16:51):
top the bottom. They have two guys and Garrett Cole
and Justin Verland are vying for side in the National League.
They have a lineup that's out of this world. They
continue to do everything that you would want him to do. Also,
out feel the George Springer. Everybody knew he had a
(17:12):
lot of power because he's average home runs over the
past three seasons, but he's having a really a special
year this year. And Springer could reach a hundred runs
scored for the fourth consecutive year as well, So he's
definitely one of the top leadoff hitters in the game.
And while people love the Astros, I still have them
(17:35):
as a second best team in baseball, number one, the
number one team in baseball. It's the New York freaking Yankees.
I've been saying this since week one or two, or three,
or whatever it was. As of Tuesday, they were ninety
eight and fifty three, tied with the Astros for the
(17:58):
best record in base ball. It's a big deal. It's
gotta be a big deal when you think about it,
because it will be about home field and it could
mean the difference in a big game seven that could
decide a series. But come on, the Yankees. This past week,
the injury bug continues to hit them. Gary Sanchez was
(18:19):
out with tightness and his left groin edwinning, and Carnacion
was out with an oblique injury. Uh Gen Carlos stand
still hadn't been back yet. But they still keep winning.
They still keep winning. How the Astros have everybody, They're loaded,
and the Yankees are neck and neck with them. It's
(18:40):
an incredible thing. The Yankees are the best team in baseball.
When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto.
If I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer,
a broadcaster, older new All right, let's welcome into the
podcast one of my favorite people I've known for a
long time. Hey sus Ortiz from La Vita Baseball. He edited, Hey,
(19:07):
what's happening man? Everything is going away? He said, excited
for this playoff races. He's gonna be the uh who's
gonna have the best record in baseball? Dodgery Yankees Astros.
That's that's the big thing over here in Easton right now.
Home field advantage, no doubt about it. Let's talk about
those Astros. I mean, it's pretty it's been pretty amazing.
(19:28):
You know, they won the World Series two years ago.
They go out and, uh, they got a great team,
a lot of young stars, a lot of you know,
veterans who were there when they won the championship in
seven team. What about the actuals and their chances. I'll
tell you what. You've covered a lot of baseball. Rob
Carlo's career is batting seventh in one of the best
(19:54):
short stops in baseball. He returns from the age list
today in batting seventh. That's how deep this lineup is. Uh,
you know, I've covered a lot, you know, a lot
of Hall of famers, you know, with the men, Mike Piazza,
you know, with the Astros, Jeff Bagbo, Craig Bigio. I've
never seen a young talent looks so dominant, quite like
(20:21):
yourgan from Cuba, twenty two years old. Total stud has
already set. I mean, this kid didn't come up to
mid June to the majors and he's already set the
franchise record for home runs by a rookie. His his
RBIs are on pace to break everybody else's bigging history
(20:47):
based on games as a rookie, amazing designated hitter, Alex Bregman.
Don't laugh at me, but I think he deserves serious considerations.
Could be the americanly m v P over Mike Trout.
I think that I think that he's getting some traction
and people see that even though Trout had an unbelievable year,
(21:08):
he's out for the rest of the year and he's
on a bad team that's not going to the playoffs.
So I don't think that that's far fetched. No, absolutely not.
You know, old school, you know when I started coming baseball,
you're you're already coming for a while. But old school
Trout wouldn't have gotten the attention, right because he's not
gonna winning team, and you give the ed to Bregman.
(21:31):
But with with analytics now and winsom of replacement, you
still would getting a lot of people still give the
edge to Mike Trout. But I'll tell you what this
This kid, Bregman's special. He's the leaders the way he
carries himself. He has this nice um combination of confidence,
(21:58):
almost arrogant while while not being a total jerk and
the ultimate team guy. You know, learned how to be expanish,
so he could communicate and be part of that Nfield community.
And you know how big that is. And to be honest,
because they all too steal the glues Enfield. And you
(22:20):
know we haven't even mentioned him. That's the two thousand
and seven team MVP, who has been one of the
best hitters in baseball in the second half of the season.
I mean, this team is just slot out stats. Let's
switch over the Big Poppy who made a return to
Fenway Park throughout the first pitch during the Yankees a
Red Sox series. How amazing was it to see him,
(22:44):
uh be back out on the baseball Diamond. Amazing heartwarmings. Uh,
you know, I still remember the night when when he
got shot and just the craziness. Uh you la, you
the lives You think if you're in the Dominican, nobody's
gonna mass with Big Poppy, right Uh And just to
(23:07):
see him back, He's he's must spinner. He truly. You know,
I'll never forget the story that we commissioned a story
um the Dominican and just what he told the nurses,
the buggy the desperation saved me. I'm a good person.
(23:30):
I mean you know that that he is a good person.
He's been a good steward. He's been uh you know,
tell me you've covered baseball for a long time. Have
you ever seen a Latino ball player who wasn't born
in the United States become the face of the city
(23:51):
of a city quite like Big Poppy in any sports,
A big Poppy in Boston. No, I agree with that.
I mean, and he was beloved in Boston, uh, as
we know and around the country. One last thing from you,
all right, give me the biggest young Hispanic ball player
out there. Who's the next big thing? There's so many,
(24:12):
I mean, who do you think is that guy who
is really going to be the next big star? Trout? Like, uh, well,
well Qunia Queenia I had I had dinner was a
brave scout just a couple of days ago, and I
literally said I would take Kunia over Trout. The only
(24:37):
I just hope he hustled like Trout hustled. But a
Kunya is the is the next case of baseball. That
dude is amazing, great ball player. He just needs to hustle,
he needs to making those semi mistakes. And ironically, you know,
we did a story with his dad a couple of
years ago. I talked about um not hustling, doral minor
(25:01):
league career, this cage one of the best players and basically,
but I'll tell you what this rookie class. Vladimir Grell Junior,
Fernando Texis Jr. I probably take Jr. But don't tell
anybody in Houston. But Jordan Alabadeve is uh you know.
With the b B w A, we can't say who
(25:22):
we would vote for on our votes, but I do
have a Rookie of the Year award, but I'm be
hard pressed not to vote for Jordan Alabadez, no doubt
about it. So much good talent his name. Hey sus Ortiz,
my man from La Vita Baseball, and you know what,
we appreciate you joining the podcast. Thank you so much,
(25:43):
thank you for the invitation. You know I love you,
Love you back, no doubt. Now bringing the closer. Here's
why MLB is better than the NFL or NBA, and
it isn't even close. Here's why baseball is better than
the NBA and the NFL. Here we are with a
(26:06):
few weeks left in the regular season, and guess what
earlier this year the Minnesota Twins that broke the all
time home run record, which was set by the New
York Yankees in at two hundred and sixty seven home runs.
The Twins have two hundred and eighty seven home runs
as of Tuesday. But guess what, they're not out of
(26:28):
the ones. We have a home run race here at
the end of the season to enjoy. As teams jockey
for playoff position, they also can break the record. As
of Tuesday, the Yankees are just one home run behind
at two six. Don't stop that is. Houston Astros at
(26:49):
two hundred and sixty two home runs are in the mix.
So are the Los Angeles Dodgers at two hundred and
sixty one home runs. So when this season ends, think
about the four current teams could wind up with five
of the best six home run records for a single
(27:11):
season by a team. That's right, four teams are in
the mix to break the record with weeks to go.
I can't think of anything you could talk about in
the NBA or the NFL that would be that exciting
as we reached the final weeks of a season. In
(27:38):
the words of New York TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen,
thanking you for your time this time until next time,
Rob Parker out. He can't get it. This could be
an inside the Parker Chastic Satial as the as the
(28:08):
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