November 15, 2024 • 39 mins
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt completes 2025 coaching staff making limited changes. We'll hear from him talking about who's joining the squad. Plus, our Game of the Week looks back to Game 5 of the ALDS. That's all on this edition of Guardians Weekly with Jim Rosenhaus on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse along with
you this weekend with another of our hot Stove editions
of the show. As we get deeper into the offseason.
Coming up shortly on the show, we'll hear from manager
Steven Vote as the.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Major League staff.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Has been announced for the twenty twenty five season, mainly returnees,
but a couple of changes, and the manager will fill
us in on that.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Shortly.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
We'll also have another edition of our Game of the
Week segment looking back at some of the great games
of the season gone by, and we'll head right to
the postseason for the pivotal Game five, the deciding Game
five of the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers,
a series that turned out to be really an entertaining series,
(01:56):
had you on the edge of your seat most of
the way, and we will look back at that Game
five at Progressive Field that feature the grand Slam home
run from Lane Thomas and put the Guardians into the
American League Championship Series, so that's coming up in a
little bit. We'll also fill you in on the award
winners Guardians players and coaches among those who are award
(02:20):
winners this offseason or at least candidates anyway, and we'll
fill you in on those who have won awards announced
by Major League Baseball earlier this week. So a lot
to come on our show today, stay with us. We're
back after this on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 5 (02:39):
The pitch swung a shot to right, diving stop on
one hop by hem Anders. I'm throwing to get them,
just give them the gold twelve tonight.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
What a play again by him and us robbing Russman.
Speaker 5 (02:55):
Out of one hop, pulling diving in the shallow right,
then popping up to throw out Rustman. What a game
by human Is, who leads the American League and most
defensive run safe.
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Speaker 2 (04:09):
Welcome back to Guardian's weekly Jim Rosenhause along with you
this weekend and for the Guardians this week, news made
as they announced their on field staff for the twenty
twenty five season. Just one new name in there, and
that is the major league hitting coach. With Chris Baleka
accepting a position with the Cincinnati Reds for their new manager,
(04:29):
Terry Francona, that opened up a spot on the Guardian's
major league staff, and Grant Fink is the name that
you'll become familiar with as we get closer to the
start of spring training and then once the season begins.
He has spent the last three seasons as Cleveland's minor
league hitting coordinator, overseeing the hitting development of the organization's
(04:50):
position players. Began his pro career coaching wise with Cleveland
back in twenty seventeen after a three year playing career.
He originally was Cleveland's third round draft pick as a
player back in twenty thirteen out of Missouri Western State University.
So he'll work with Dan Puente, who returns for his
second season on the staff, and Jason Esposito, who's been
(05:13):
promoted to Major League assistant hitting coach. So tip of
the cap to es Bo for all of his great
work and he's rewarded with a promotion for the coming season.
Others in terms of changes with Grant Fink the only
new hire on the staff, Craig albern As his back.
He had been the bench coach and now his new
title is associate manager. Kay Correa is also back. He's
(05:36):
the Major League field coordinator slash director of defense, base
running in game strategy, and he did great work on
the defensive front a year ago, a big reason why
the Guardians were one of the best in baseball in
terms of defense, both infield and outfield. Returning to the
staff this year great news. Carl willis back for his
(05:58):
fifteenth season as Cleveland pitching coach Sandy Alomar's back as
the first base coach and catching coach. This will be
season number sixteen for Sandy. Joe Tare as the assistant
pitching coaches back along with bullpen coach Brad Goldberg. They
did great work this past season, especially with that best
bullpen and all of baseball. Rugless Odor is back for
(06:20):
a second season as the third base coach and outfield coach.
Jat McGuire and hitting analyst Josh Tubbs also returned for
the Guardians to that major league coaching staff. Earlier this week,
Stephen Vote met with the Cleveland media talked about some
of the staff changes, specifically Grant Fink, the new hitting coach,
(06:40):
and what that means for the ball club.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Yeah. I mean, obviously, the first thing I need to
do is just, you know, thank Chris Palaika for all
that he did for us, and you know, wish him
well in Cincinnati. And we're definitely gonna miss having Valor
around and what he brought for our team. It was
really fun working with him, but wish him all the
best obviously, and so with Grant, you knows, as we
looked at the landscape of the hitting you know, across
(07:04):
the game. It's just we kept going back to Grant
and what he brings from a leadership standpoint, from you know,
familiarity with a lot of our players, and familiarity with
the other three hitting coaches on our staff. And with
Grant coming on board, just you know, he's taking the
reins the last few years in the minor leagues, and
we just feel like Grant's going to help the rest
of the hitting group and and our players head in
(07:25):
the right direction. And we're really excited to bring Grant
on board.
Speaker 7 (07:28):
Is there anything in Grant's background from you know, when
he first joined the Guardians as a coach and the
miners to to now that sort of makes him, you know,
fit really well with your group.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
Yeah. I mean I think you have to start with
his content knowledge and his ability to get the best
out of players. We've seen him do that, you know,
I've seen it for a year, but the you know,
the organization's seen him do it for a number of
years now. But what we're really excited about is the
way he interacts with the other coaches, the way he
interacts with players, the relationships he can build. The content
knowledge is there you know, this is a this is
(08:04):
a person who has worked diligently hard to learn and
to continue to learn, and we really feel like with
his ability to use the relationships he already has while
also just driving that hitting staff as a group and
the four of them working together.
Speaker 8 (08:20):
Steven, how fun is it for you knowing that Albi
will be back again next year? And then just is
there a big difference out the title of the responsibilities
of someone that's a bench coach too?
Speaker 4 (08:33):
No, I mean, first of all, I'm just so so
excited he's coming back. You know, obviously for him to
get the two opportunities and for him to choose to
come back to us, it just speaks to who Albi is.
And you know, we always want what's best for our people,
and that doesn't change with Albi. You know, for Albi,
Jen and the kids, we wanted what's best for them
and fortunately that's back with us and so his responsibilities
(08:56):
won't change. It was just a recognition of you know,
you're more than a bench coache. You mean more to
us than a bench coach, And for for Craig and
for his family, we couldn't be more excited they're gonna
be back with us in Cleveland, and so nothing, not
a whole lot will change there.
Speaker 7 (09:11):
As far as being able to retain you know, Kay
Korea and Carl Willis as well, just to keep that
group together that you were able to sort of lean
on so much during during the season. How important is
that for you?
Speaker 4 (09:26):
Yeah, it's huge. I mean, I couldn't be more thankful that,
you know, Carl's coming back, what he means to this organization,
what he means to me, what he means to our
pictures and the rest of our staff. We lean on
him a lot. You know, this is the most experienced
on our staff. And for Carl, you know, to want
to come back, to want to be with us, we
couldn't be more thrilled. And I know I'm looking forward
to sitting next to him for another season and him
(09:47):
having to hear my words during the game and call
me down and things like that. But what he means
to this organization and our pictures, I can't I can't
say enough about so really happy Carl's coming back, and
for you know, to be coming back in a similar role.
You know, he's going to be taking on more of
an organizational role with the defense and base running and
just so that we have continuity between you know, all
(10:09):
the levels and what we're doing and everyone on the
same page. And he was doing a lot of that
last year so behind the scenes, and so this is
not a huge change in what he does every day.
It's just a recognition of you know, Kai means more
to us than what a title can bring. And so
really happy to have Kai back and to have Albi
Kai and Carl specifically coming back is huge.
Speaker 7 (10:31):
To see the players be recognized with Gold Glove Awards,
with Fielding Bible Awards, Is that an affirmation to you
of what Kai and what what Ruby were able to do. Defensively,
we saw them putting in the work all season long.
Every day they were out there with the with the
machines and putting an extra work before each series. Just
(10:51):
does that affirm just that the process is working.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
With them, absolutely, And I think you know, the credit
goes to the players first of all for all the
individual awards. You know, they're the ones that go out
and do it. They're the ones that put in the work.
And so for a lot of our guys, the number
of our guys we recognized all across different you know, platforms,
and different awards. I think we had you know, we
got two, but we should have had a lot more
than that. And I think we all know that a
(11:14):
lot of that comes from you know, Kay and Rugi
and and our staff in general.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
J T.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
McGuire deserves a ton of credit for what he did
with our outfield this year, and Sandy with our catching.
So I mean, we we feel really good about our
defensive group, and and Kai has taken some leadership in that.
And it's just a testament to what this staff has
accomplished and what our players are able to go out
and do. We love watching them play, and our staff
put in a ton of work behind the scenes for
(11:38):
our guys to be prepared.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Stephen, when you talk about the different people on the staff,
did it take much for you to learn how to
delegate and let them do their jobs because it seemed
like they really were able to do that from day
one last year.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
Yeah, I think, you know, part of part of my
inexperience helped because I had to really on people. I've
never been an outfield coach. I've never been an infield coach.
You know, I have the one year of coaching experience
and just learning and understanding who our staff is. I
got to sit back and manage, and I think that's
what made this group so special. And the trust that
(12:15):
I have in this group of staff members to do
their job and to push our players to be at
their best. It makes my job a lot easier because
I don't have to keep pushing. They want to go
out there and do the work. They want to put
it in, and so it's just a testament this staff
worked incredibly hard. I did ask a lot of them,
and they did it and more and I'm really thankful
(12:36):
for him.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
And just circling back real quick on Grant, think how
much communication did you have with him last year and
would it have increased because of some of the players
who came up from the minor leagues and were able
to hit the ground running here.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Yeah, I think. You know, I got to know Grant
pretty well. You know, throughout spring training I talked with
him a lot, and then he came to visit us
quite a bit throughout the year. You know, he would
come and observe, he would help in the cage, you know,
behind the scenes, and so Grant was very involved with
our major league group and he was a good resource
for Val and the hitting group because he did help
that bridge for guys that were making the transition from
(13:12):
Triple A to the major leagues. He was speaking the
same things that Val and the hitting staff wanted to
be spoken. So Grant had a huge hand in what
we did last year and a lot of that went
into our decision. But also it's just the person. Grant
Fink is exceptional and I'm really excited to work with him.
Speaker 9 (13:28):
Grant, Sorry, Steven, do you see a change in hitting
philosophy with the new hitting coach?
Speaker 4 (13:36):
You know, I don't really know. You know, we're still
we're still starting, you know, to get that together. I
thought we did a lot of things really well this year, Hoisey.
I thought, you know, Val, you know, in his group,
they wanted we wanted to impact the ball more. We
did that very well, you know, and I think that's
something that we're going to continue to talk about. But
I know that Grant and Alex Ecklman and the rest
of the hitting group, they're all putting their heads together
(13:58):
on how we can help our guys. And that's really it, Hoisey.
That's going to be our philosophy, is how do we
continue to get better every single day and how do
we train our guys every day to be ready to
beat that night's starter. And He's got a lot of
good ideas as well as s Bo, Dan and Tubbs,
you know. So we're really excited that those three guys
are coming back because they're three elite hitting people as well,
and we feel like with the four of them, we've
(14:18):
got one of the best teams in baseball.
Speaker 7 (14:21):
We saw Kyle Manzartago go back and then and come
back to the major league club, you know, with a
sort of he looked like a completely different hitter when
he came back. Was was Grant involved in any of
the communication when when he went back down to the
minors and and you know, worked out things.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
Yeah, I think, you know, the Triple A hitting staff
was tremendous, you know. I think Junior does a great
job there and you know, and Grant obviously has a
big hand in that as well. So I think there
was a lot of learning for Kyle. You know, I
think he did some reflecting and when you were we
talked about this during the season. When you're able to
reflect and then you have the people around you that
are going to support you and help you get back
to feeling the way you do. You come with a
(15:00):
new confidence and in better understanding of what that role
looks like, what it feels like, what do I need
to do to be prepared for a pinch hit versus
you know, the DH role. And we asked a lot
of Kyle. We asked Kyle to do some things that
are not easy, and he really answered the call when
he came back in September in the play in the postseason.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
How long is it taken you to kind of just
kind of like digest what happened this season, especially the postseason.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
I'm not sure yet, you know, I think you know,
it took me. It took me a couple of weeks
to really just kind of put my eyes towards twenty
twenty five. And I think I've gotten to the point
now where you know, it's behind us, We've learned from it,
and now we look forward. You know, my least favorite
statement is last year. I don't like talking about last
year because it's going to be a new group. It's
going to be a new group of people that show
(15:47):
up in Goodyear, and this is that we get to
make a mark on a new team, and that starts
with our players off seasons and how we can support
them through having a great winner. So we're already eyes forward.
Speaker 5 (15:59):
Did you guys, do you external candidates and internal candidates
for the hitting coach?
Speaker 4 (16:07):
We did not. We we we did internal candidates, and
you know, we put our heads together and like I said,
we looked at the landscape of what the hitting coach
you know, looked like, and we just kept going back
to our staff, our Grant think, and then our three
that were already here. So we we feel really good
about it. This is something that you know, we're confident
in and we're confident in Grant's leadership, even not.
Speaker 8 (16:29):
To completely pivot away from coaching staff, but just for
a manual class A to be a finalist for the
cy Young and how ridiculously difficult that has become for
relievers to even crack into the top three. Just what
does that say about his season as a whole, for
what he was able to do.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
I think I think it confirms everything that we saw
that we watched. You know, we were fortunate to watch
it every night, and what Emmanuel did this entire season
was just incredible. And so for him to be recognized
as one of the top three pitchers in the American
League he should have been and you know, if it well,
we'll see how voting turns out. But you know, I mean,
I think even just for Emmanual to be a finalist,
(17:04):
it's it's really refreshing to see that what he did
for us all year long was is being recognized.
Speaker 7 (17:11):
What does it say about the quality of the managing
in the American League Central Division where all three finalists
are are from the division there, Yeah, it's really fun.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
I mean, just for me first year in ALE Central
getting to know that brand of baseball, and you know,
we all we all played very good baseball. We all grind,
we all have to work, we have to make things happen,
and it was really fun to see both, you know,
matc Utrro and aj Hinch be recognized in that way.
And it's a testament to how our division was. Our
(17:41):
division went down to the wire. It was a dogfight
and none none of the teams went away, and it
was a really tough year and everybody played us tough.
So really happy for them and it's a really cool honor.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
As manager Steven both talking about the new coaching staff,
among other items, as we get deeper into the off
season and head toward the holidays season. Stay with us,
We'll have more to come. It's the Game of the
Week seven coming your way next the Cleveland Clinic. Guardians
Radio Network, Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse along
(18:43):
with you as we join you for another of our
hot stove editions of Guardians Weekly and at least prior
to the holiday break for us, which starts Thanksgiving weekend
and takes you through to the new year. We like
to look back at some of the great games of
the season gone by, and we'll fat forward right to
the postseason. An all time classic and anybody who was
(19:04):
there most memorable for them. A decisive Game five in
the American League Division Series the Guardians and the Tigers,
the Guardians getting the series back to Cleveland with a
gut check Game four win over in Detroit thanks to
David Fry's late home run that put the Guardians in
front and put them on their way to a Game
(19:26):
four win to set up a Game five of a
series even up at two wins apiece on the mound
for Cleveland. Matthew Boyd. He was getting the start and
he had the Tigers hitters off balance early on in
this one.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Nothing into the count. Now people get up and get
into it. This will be a great atmosphere. It would
have been off the charts tonight. Now the set. Now
the O two delivery. Swam with the fastball.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
How about that. Matthew Boyd puts two on.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Strikes out the side, gets his first standing ovation of
the day.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Detroit leaves a pair.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Cleveland coming to ban and now they rises one at
the corner of Carnagia and Ontario. Ken Matthew Boyd get
out of it again. Nothing into the count on, Sweeney.
Here it comes swinging in a mess out of the slider.
You wanted even more drama after Thursday, We've got it.
(20:29):
Early today, no score from downtown Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
And as we saw throughout the playoffs, manager Stephen Vote
was not afraid to go to his dominant bullpen early.
So just a couple of innings for Boyd. Then it
was Kaye Smith getting the call in the third down the.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
One two swimming and a miss. He threw the fastball,
ain't by Riley Green. Middle of the third, Cleveland Detroit
scoreless in a winner. Take Gallmanchum.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
Now the channel for the Guardians in that game five
was the Tigers had their ace and soon to be
Cy Young Award winner. You would think trek Scoubel on
the mound, he was trying to keep the game scoreless.
In the third.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
Outfield fairly deep toward left, Brocchio, Kwan Ramirez aboard the
pitch swing and a broken bat pop up to first.
Torkolsen will make the catch and Cleveland's opportunity is wasted.
And credit trek Scuobel from rising to the occasion as
he has all season long for the Tigers.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
In the top half of the fifth inning, the Tigers
broke through for the game's first run. It was an
RBI single by Kerry Carpenter and that put Detroit up
won nothing. But in the bottom of the fifth the
Guardians responded. Andre Simenez, Stephen Kwan, and David Frye each
singled that load of the bases with one out for
Jose Ramirez.
Speaker 3 (21:54):
Well, jose had a great quote the other day.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
They asked him, boy, how about having to face again?
And Josey said, Hey, how about the fact he's gonna
face us?
Speaker 3 (22:08):
Oh in one the count, here comes the pitch inside.
Speaker 9 (22:11):
It hit him Ramirez hit by the pitch that'll force
in the tying run, and Ramirez is hurting behind home plate,
but the run is scored to tie the game at.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
Won Hosey was okay, and that brought Lane Thomas to
the plate, facing the mainly unhittable Eric Scouble. Thomas digs
in hole for two. But he's been one of the
hottest hitters for the Guardians for a month. Here's the
pitch to him. He swings and.
Speaker 9 (22:45):
Drives it high in the air left field. Will it
make the bleachers grandsand.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
Lamee Thomas has put the Guardians in.
Speaker 10 (23:03):
Front with a grand saund five to one Cleveland and
this place is shaking.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
What a moment it was at Progressive Field. But there
was still a long way to go in this one.
Detroit came right back with a run in the sixth
on a Jake Rogers RBI single. They scored another run
in the seventh Cole Keith with an RBI doubled there
and it was five to three Cleveland at that point.
In the bottom of the seventh, Cleveland was looking to
get some of that momentum back in their favor, and
(23:41):
nobody better to get it started. Than Stephen Kwan.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
Here's the pitch.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Kwan rifles won in the righties got another three hit game.
He is a hitting machine. Stephen Kwan three for four today,
could easily have four hits, and Kwan in this series
he's gone eleven for twenty.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Two batters later, Jose Ramirez singled, moving Kwan to third,
and then Lane Thomas delivered again the bitch.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
He swings and sends a looper towards second basement. Keith
has it, battles it. Everybody's safe into scores Kwan. That'll
be another kind of off the bat single as Lane
Thomas scorted one the other way and Colt Keith, who
(24:34):
was shaded up the middle the second basement broke to
his left, bottled it, but it probably wouldn't have mattered.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
It'll go as a base hit.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Kwan scores Lane Thomas five RBIs today nine in the series.
Speaker 2 (24:51):
In the top half of the eighth inning, Detroit threatened
again a lead off walk to the speedy Parker Meadows.
He stole second to get into scoring position with nobody out,
and that brought a Manuel class On to face Jake Rogers.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Class A deals the pits swung on lined the short bleeping.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Grab by Rochio.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Well, if Brian Rochio's vertical leaf was twelve inches, he
just went about sixteen. You can't make a better leaf
than Rochio just did, timing it perfectly to Rob Rogers
of a hit.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Two batters later, it was the dangerous carry Carpenter at
the plate.
Speaker 3 (25:33):
He's ready again.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
The two to two swim in the mess went tutter
away and struck him out. Middle of the eighth inning
off the shores of Lake Erie on a day that's
getting prettier. Cleveland six, Detroit three.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
Then in the bottom of the eighth, Andre Simenez reached
with a one out double, bringing Brian Rocchio to the
plate again.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
The one two swung on banged up the middle base
it centerfield.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
Pimnus hits third. He will score.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
Seven to three Cleveland. Bryan Rocchio's second hit today, his
first starb I in the Division Series, and Cleveland, which
had been shut out in back to back games games
two and three, have erupted for seven today five off
(26:29):
Derek Scooble.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
And in the ninth Classe was back out there trying
to finish it up and send the Guardians to the
American League Championship Series.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Two down seven to three Cleveland ninth inning. Now the
two to two delivery, a swing in a bouncing ball
to Nailor at first, backs up long flip to clause boogam,
and for the first time in eight years, Cleveland has
(26:59):
headed to the American League Championship Series. And this October
to Remember will continue with Game one of the American
League Championship Series Monday night in New York. Cleveland eliminates
the Detroit Tigers today in Game five by a final
(27:23):
score of seven to three.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Now, the celebration was on and moments after the game,
David Fry stopped by to talk to Tom Hamilton about
the big win.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
David, congratulations.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
Is there any way to put into words what today
in this season has been for you?
Speaker 8 (27:42):
No?
Speaker 11 (27:42):
Uh, this is unbelievable. I don't even really know what's say.
This has been so exciting. I mean I blacked out
at second base when Lane hit that homer. I mean,
this has been the funnest day ever.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Well, you know what, and it took all of you, obviously,
but David, this ball club was in trouble on Thursday
and the seventh inning and you come off the bench
and really flipped this series with that pinch hip to
run homer.
Speaker 11 (28:11):
Yeah, I mean, been been fortunate enough to have opportunities
all series to get to drive in some runs. And
Vodi went to me yesterday for a big one and
kind of got the boys going. But we talked about
all year it's a new guy every single day, and
it's Hosey hitting a homer, and then today it's Lane
and my gosh and Maddy Boyd and the bullpen were
so fantastic.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
What a day, David.
Speaker 1 (28:32):
How about your down one nothing to Trek schoobl who
hasn't given up a run since mid September, and you
guys get five in the fifth, take us through that inning.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Yeah, unbelievable.
Speaker 11 (28:44):
I mean, himmy and Rokyo at the bottom all day
where we're so good. They gave us so many chances
with runners on and like you said, I mean, give
credit to school wel he's been so good all year.
But we knew if we were gonna win the game,
we had to beat him. They weren't gonna go to
the bullpen, they were gonna try to ride him, but
we just put together good at bat. Stephen Kuant Shaker
got on base, and I mean we get to Lane
(29:06):
in my gosh, what a swy.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
So you have had a new baby daughter, your first child,
your first All Star appearance, and you're headed to New York.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
How much better can it get? Beck? Yeah? Two more series, baby,
two more series. Thank you, David, great job, Thanks hemy
appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
Also after the game, Guardians manager Steven Vote talked about
an incredible game and series against the Tigers.
Speaker 4 (29:29):
I'm close was the script going in that?
Speaker 1 (29:33):
Joining the follow Humush was just managin by what you're seeing,
what you're feeling.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
I think kind of all of the above. You know,
we had a little bit of a script, but you know,
it went pretty close. You know, there was a couple
of times that we had to kind of go off script.
But at the same time, it was it was watched
the game, see what the game's telling us to do.
Matthew Boyd was outstanding. I think he could have gone longer,
you know, but we've won with our bullpen all year
(30:02):
and that's been who we are just as a manager
in the first year, maybe just in this series alone.
How would you be walking about that? Yeah, I think
the best thing that we do is that we plan
the game every night, and we've done this all year long.
We plan the game. Obviously there's nights we have to
rip it up, but we've talked through exactly what we
(30:24):
want to do and win, and you know, using Carl,
using the pitching staff, using the analytics, using everybody, And
I think I've just learned that there's times where you
can follow the script when the game tells you to,
and there's other times you have to rip it up
and go rogue. And you can't be married to one idea. Steven,
what do you have to say about can you say
(30:45):
about Lane Thomas?
Speaker 1 (30:47):
Obviously it was a tough month for him, but he's
really turned it around and especially today.
Speaker 4 (30:52):
Yeah, I mean we when when we were approaching the
trade deadline, we identified Lane as a player that we wanted.
He fitted, he fit a lot of what we needed.
And this guy's been a great player in this league
for a few years now. And Lane has just been
obviously had a great series for us, you know, the
two biggest hits, you know, outside of Fry's homer, but Lane,
(31:13):
Lane is a phenomenal baseball player and we're thankful we
got him. Questions can in the front get one across
and get five. Just what you see and how to
build up that five run any with you know him
and as geting a single kwan frize zone. That's who
we are, That's who that group in that room has
been all year. As soon as we get punched, we
(31:33):
answer that that's been ourm O all year long. Is
as soon as we give up a run, our guys
come right back and you know, to put up the
five spot. You know, Hosey gets hit by the pitch
lane comes right up and it gets the big blast.
But you know, we can't rely on the home run.
We have to you know, string things together, and our
guys did both today and uh then we got the
add on runs at the end. And I thought today
(31:55):
was just a perfect picture of who our team is
at our best and couldn't have come on a better day.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
And then as the Guardians prepared to head to New
York to take on the Yankees and the Alcs, we
caught up with Game five hero Laine Thomas and he
talked about what it meant to be one step closer
to a World Series.
Speaker 5 (32:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (32:16):
Absolutely, I mean that's the goal from spring training. So
you know, obviously I wasn't here in spring training. But
you know, that's the mindset I feel like for any
player is to you know, get to this point, whether
you know, no matter where you're at.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
And now you mentioned that, and I know you've you've
referenced it before, the ability of this team to make
you feel a part of it soon after you were
traded and it wasn't the easiest when you first got here.
But but what were some of the keys day to
day that helped you settle in and become the player
that you always can be.
Speaker 12 (32:42):
I think it's always easier when you have a great
group of guys around you, you know, kind of pushing
you and kind of hanging in there with you when
you are, you know, picking you up when you are
going thro those rough times on the player's side. And
the coaching staff was awesome too, So you know, I
got nothing but good things to say.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
And obviously you have the big hit in Game five
against the Tigers, the Grand Slam. We caught up with
you afterward, and obviously there's a million things going on
in the clubhouse, but you've had some time to digest it.
What's the last day or so been like, especially hearing
from maybe some people you hadn't in a long time.
Speaker 12 (33:15):
Yeah, I mean I think it finally hit me this morning.
You know, you wake up and you know, finally getting
sorted through a lot of the text messages and phone
calls and you know, just talking to my wife. It
was it was cool. It was really cool.
Speaker 2 (33:26):
And obviously you you probably can't go too much, whether
it's phone, social media, things like that television where if
you don't see that highlight, is that kind of surreal
sometimes when it's you who's part of that.
Speaker 12 (33:36):
Yeah, absolutely, especially when you're not looking for it, you know,
and then something pops up. So yeah, it's it's been awesome,
you know, but that was yesterday, and you know today
we're you know, about to take VP and Yankee Stadium
and kind of you know, start getting prepared for the
next step.
Speaker 2 (33:50):
So you do turn that page and this team has
been so good at that win or lose getting to
the next game, and what are some of the keys
that as you start to dive in on the Yankees
a little bit that you think will allow this team
to play to its potential and be a real contender here.
Speaker 12 (34:07):
I think over the course of the regular season, you
know that there's a part of you that obviously wants
to win every game, but you also, you know, you
want to put up numbers too for yourself, And I
think that's the difference between these games and the regular
season games. It's, man, it doesn't matter if I go
zero for five or you know whatever. It's about the
team winning the game. So anything that I can do
to help us win is the mindset that I know
(34:28):
our whole clubhouse has. So that's kind of how we're
looking at it going forward.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
And maybe that leads into the next question, playoff pressure.
Does that help you handle it a little bit better
when you don't think of it in terms of yourself
but more for the team.
Speaker 12 (34:41):
Yeah, absolutely, because you know, no one in this dugout
cares what anyone else does as long as we're winning games.
So you know, I think that kind of relieves, like
what you're saying, some of that internal pressure about what
I have to do, you know, because you're just as
happy if someone else does it or yourself.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Playoffs means a lot of things to a lot of people.
As much fun as you've had in this game at
the major league level, Oh, it's been incredible.
Speaker 12 (35:03):
The last two months has been the most fun. I've
hadn't have been in a clubhouse too, so it's been
it's been an awesome it's been awesome so far.
Speaker 2 (35:09):
We enjoyed a I'll see as Lane, thanks for coming.
Speaker 3 (35:11):
I appreciate it absolutely, thank you.
Speaker 2 (35:14):
It was Lane Thomas and the Guardians on their way
to the American League Championship Series, a series that the
Yankees will win four games to one, but it takes
nothing away from the memorable Game five that decided the
American League Division Series in October. Stay with us, will
havest some final thoughts after this time out on the
Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio.
Speaker 13 (35:35):
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Speaker 2 (36:28):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly Jim Rosenhouse pack with you
for our final segment and for the Guardians. When you
have a year that results in a good run in
the postseason and a ninety two win regular season, there
are individual awards that will come that team's way most likely,
and it's no different for the Guardians. A Silver Slugger
(36:48):
Award for Jose Ramirez, fifth time that he has won
the Silver Slugger Award as the top hitting third baseman
in the American League. So congratulations to Hosey with an
MBA caliber type season for him, and also on the
mound for the Guardians winning the Mariano Rivera Reliever of
the Year Award a Manuel Classe, second straight year that
(37:11):
he has won that award, the seventh time that's been
accomplished by any relief pitcher, and he was an All
Star for a third consecutive season. What a regular season
it was for Classe, who was four and two forty
seven saves, a new franchise record there five earned runs
all season, his RA at the end zero point six
(37:34):
to one. Just an incredible season for Emmanuel Classe and
among pitchers with at least ten saves in a single season,
his era was the third lowest all time. Only Zach
Britton with the Orioles back in twenty sixteen and Fernando
Rodney back in twenty twelve had lower earned run averages
than the zero point six to one from Classe.
Speaker 3 (37:56):
That's going to do it.
Speaker 2 (37:57):
For this week's edition of Guardians Weekly, Thanks as always
to Brian Montsey for helping to put together our show
each and every week until next week. This is Jim
Rosenhouse reminding you that you've been listening to Guardians Weekly
on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:23):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse along with
you this weekend with another of our hot Stove editions
of the show. As we get deeper into the offseason.
Coming up shortly on the show, we'll hear from manager
Steven Vote as the.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Major League staff.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Has been announced for the twenty twenty five season, mainly returnees,
but a couple of changes, and the manager will fill
us in on that.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Shortly.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
We'll also have another edition of our Game of the
Week segment looking back at some of the great games
of the season gone by, and we'll head right to
the postseason for the pivotal Game five, the deciding Game
five of the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers,
a series that turned out to be really an entertaining series,
(01:56):
had you on the edge of your seat most of
the way, and we will look back at that Game
five at Progressive Field that feature the grand Slam home
run from Lane Thomas and put the Guardians into the
American League Championship Series, so that's coming up in a
little bit. We'll also fill you in on the award
winners Guardians players and coaches among those who are award
(02:20):
winners this offseason or at least candidates anyway, and we'll
fill you in on those who have won awards announced
by Major League Baseball earlier this week. So a lot
to come on our show today, stay with us. We're
back after this on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 5 (02:39):
The pitch swung a shot to right, diving stop on
one hop by hem Anders. I'm throwing to get them,
just give them the gold twelve tonight.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
What a play again by him and us robbing Russman.
Speaker 5 (02:55):
Out of one hop, pulling diving in the shallow right,
then popping up to throw out Rustman. What a game
by human Is, who leads the American League and most
defensive run safe.
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Speaker 2 (04:09):
Welcome back to Guardian's weekly Jim Rosenhause along with you
this weekend and for the Guardians this week, news made
as they announced their on field staff for the twenty
twenty five season. Just one new name in there, and
that is the major league hitting coach. With Chris Baleka
accepting a position with the Cincinnati Reds for their new manager,
(04:29):
Terry Francona, that opened up a spot on the Guardian's
major league staff, and Grant Fink is the name that
you'll become familiar with as we get closer to the
start of spring training and then once the season begins.
He has spent the last three seasons as Cleveland's minor
league hitting coordinator, overseeing the hitting development of the organization's
(04:50):
position players. Began his pro career coaching wise with Cleveland
back in twenty seventeen after a three year playing career.
He originally was Cleveland's third round draft pick as a
player back in twenty thirteen out of Missouri Western State University.
So he'll work with Dan Puente, who returns for his
second season on the staff, and Jason Esposito, who's been
(05:13):
promoted to Major League assistant hitting coach. So tip of
the cap to es Bo for all of his great
work and he's rewarded with a promotion for the coming season.
Others in terms of changes with Grant Fink the only
new hire on the staff, Craig albern As his back.
He had been the bench coach and now his new
title is associate manager. Kay Correa is also back. He's
(05:36):
the Major League field coordinator slash director of defense, base
running in game strategy, and he did great work on
the defensive front a year ago, a big reason why
the Guardians were one of the best in baseball in
terms of defense, both infield and outfield. Returning to the
staff this year great news. Carl willis back for his
(05:58):
fifteenth season as Cleveland pitching coach Sandy Alomar's back as
the first base coach and catching coach. This will be
season number sixteen for Sandy. Joe Tare as the assistant
pitching coaches back along with bullpen coach Brad Goldberg. They
did great work this past season, especially with that best
bullpen and all of baseball. Rugless Odor is back for
(06:20):
a second season as the third base coach and outfield coach.
Jat McGuire and hitting analyst Josh Tubbs also returned for
the Guardians to that major league coaching staff. Earlier this week,
Stephen Vote met with the Cleveland media talked about some
of the staff changes, specifically Grant Fink, the new hitting coach,
(06:40):
and what that means for the ball club.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Yeah. I mean, obviously, the first thing I need to
do is just, you know, thank Chris Palaika for all
that he did for us, and you know, wish him
well in Cincinnati. And we're definitely gonna miss having Valor
around and what he brought for our team. It was
really fun working with him, but wish him all the
best obviously, and so with Grant, you knows, as we
looked at the landscape of the hitting you know, across
(07:04):
the game. It's just we kept going back to Grant
and what he brings from a leadership standpoint, from you know,
familiarity with a lot of our players, and familiarity with
the other three hitting coaches on our staff. And with
Grant coming on board, just you know, he's taking the
reins the last few years in the minor leagues, and
we just feel like Grant's going to help the rest
of the hitting group and and our players head in
(07:25):
the right direction. And we're really excited to bring Grant
on board.
Speaker 7 (07:28):
Is there anything in Grant's background from you know, when
he first joined the Guardians as a coach and the
miners to to now that sort of makes him, you know,
fit really well with your group.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
Yeah. I mean I think you have to start with
his content knowledge and his ability to get the best
out of players. We've seen him do that, you know,
I've seen it for a year, but the you know,
the organization's seen him do it for a number of
years now. But what we're really excited about is the
way he interacts with the other coaches, the way he
interacts with players, the relationships he can build. The content
knowledge is there you know, this is a this is
(08:04):
a person who has worked diligently hard to learn and
to continue to learn, and we really feel like with
his ability to use the relationships he already has while
also just driving that hitting staff as a group and
the four of them working together.
Speaker 8 (08:20):
Steven, how fun is it for you knowing that Albi
will be back again next year? And then just is
there a big difference out the title of the responsibilities
of someone that's a bench coach too?
Speaker 4 (08:33):
No, I mean, first of all, I'm just so so
excited he's coming back. You know, obviously for him to
get the two opportunities and for him to choose to
come back to us, it just speaks to who Albi is.
And you know, we always want what's best for our people,
and that doesn't change with Albi. You know, for Albi,
Jen and the kids, we wanted what's best for them
and fortunately that's back with us and so his responsibilities
(08:56):
won't change. It was just a recognition of you know,
you're more than a bench coache. You mean more to
us than a bench coach, And for for Craig and
for his family, we couldn't be more excited they're gonna
be back with us in Cleveland, and so nothing, not
a whole lot will change there.
Speaker 7 (09:11):
As far as being able to retain you know, Kay
Korea and Carl Willis as well, just to keep that
group together that you were able to sort of lean
on so much during during the season. How important is
that for you?
Speaker 4 (09:26):
Yeah, it's huge. I mean, I couldn't be more thankful that,
you know, Carl's coming back, what he means to this organization,
what he means to me, what he means to our
pictures and the rest of our staff. We lean on
him a lot. You know, this is the most experienced
on our staff. And for Carl, you know, to want
to come back, to want to be with us, we
couldn't be more thrilled. And I know I'm looking forward
to sitting next to him for another season and him
(09:47):
having to hear my words during the game and call
me down and things like that. But what he means
to this organization and our pictures, I can't I can't
say enough about so really happy Carl's coming back, and
for you know, to be coming back in a similar role.
You know, he's going to be taking on more of
an organizational role with the defense and base running and
just so that we have continuity between you know, all
(10:09):
the levels and what we're doing and everyone on the
same page. And he was doing a lot of that
last year so behind the scenes, and so this is
not a huge change in what he does every day.
It's just a recognition of you know, Kai means more
to us than what a title can bring. And so
really happy to have Kai back and to have Albi
Kai and Carl specifically coming back is huge.
Speaker 7 (10:31):
To see the players be recognized with Gold Glove Awards,
with Fielding Bible Awards, Is that an affirmation to you
of what Kai and what what Ruby were able to do. Defensively,
we saw them putting in the work all season long.
Every day they were out there with the with the
machines and putting an extra work before each series. Just
(10:51):
does that affirm just that the process is working.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
With them, absolutely, And I think you know, the credit
goes to the players first of all for all the
individual awards. You know, they're the ones that go out
and do it. They're the ones that put in the work.
And so for a lot of our guys, the number
of our guys we recognized all across different you know, platforms,
and different awards. I think we had you know, we
got two, but we should have had a lot more
than that. And I think we all know that a
(11:14):
lot of that comes from you know, Kay and Rugi
and and our staff in general.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
J T.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
McGuire deserves a ton of credit for what he did
with our outfield this year, and Sandy with our catching.
So I mean, we we feel really good about our
defensive group, and and Kai has taken some leadership in that.
And it's just a testament to what this staff has
accomplished and what our players are able to go out
and do. We love watching them play, and our staff
put in a ton of work behind the scenes for
(11:38):
our guys to be prepared.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Stephen, when you talk about the different people on the staff,
did it take much for you to learn how to
delegate and let them do their jobs because it seemed
like they really were able to do that from day
one last year.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
Yeah, I think, you know, part of part of my
inexperience helped because I had to really on people. I've
never been an outfield coach. I've never been an infield coach.
You know, I have the one year of coaching experience
and just learning and understanding who our staff is. I
got to sit back and manage, and I think that's
what made this group so special. And the trust that
(12:15):
I have in this group of staff members to do
their job and to push our players to be at
their best. It makes my job a lot easier because
I don't have to keep pushing. They want to go
out there and do the work. They want to put
it in, and so it's just a testament this staff
worked incredibly hard. I did ask a lot of them,
and they did it and more and I'm really thankful
(12:36):
for him.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
And just circling back real quick on Grant, think how
much communication did you have with him last year and
would it have increased because of some of the players
who came up from the minor leagues and were able
to hit the ground running here.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Yeah, I think. You know, I got to know Grant
pretty well. You know, throughout spring training I talked with
him a lot, and then he came to visit us
quite a bit throughout the year. You know, he would
come and observe, he would help in the cage, you know,
behind the scenes, and so Grant was very involved with
our major league group and he was a good resource
for Val and the hitting group because he did help
that bridge for guys that were making the transition from
(13:12):
Triple A to the major leagues. He was speaking the
same things that Val and the hitting staff wanted to
be spoken. So Grant had a huge hand in what
we did last year and a lot of that went
into our decision. But also it's just the person. Grant
Fink is exceptional and I'm really excited to work with him.
Speaker 9 (13:28):
Grant, Sorry, Steven, do you see a change in hitting
philosophy with the new hitting coach?
Speaker 4 (13:36):
You know, I don't really know. You know, we're still
we're still starting, you know, to get that together. I
thought we did a lot of things really well this year, Hoisey.
I thought, you know, Val, you know, in his group,
they wanted we wanted to impact the ball more. We
did that very well, you know, and I think that's
something that we're going to continue to talk about. But
I know that Grant and Alex Ecklman and the rest
of the hitting group, they're all putting their heads together
(13:58):
on how we can help our guys. And that's really it, Hoisey.
That's going to be our philosophy, is how do we
continue to get better every single day and how do
we train our guys every day to be ready to
beat that night's starter. And He's got a lot of
good ideas as well as s Bo, Dan and Tubbs,
you know. So we're really excited that those three guys
are coming back because they're three elite hitting people as well,
and we feel like with the four of them, we've
(14:18):
got one of the best teams in baseball.
Speaker 7 (14:21):
We saw Kyle Manzartago go back and then and come
back to the major league club, you know, with a
sort of he looked like a completely different hitter when
he came back. Was was Grant involved in any of
the communication when when he went back down to the
minors and and you know, worked out things.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
Yeah, I think, you know, the Triple A hitting staff
was tremendous, you know. I think Junior does a great
job there and you know, and Grant obviously has a
big hand in that as well. So I think there
was a lot of learning for Kyle. You know, I
think he did some reflecting and when you were we
talked about this during the season. When you're able to
reflect and then you have the people around you that
are going to support you and help you get back
to feeling the way you do. You come with a
(15:00):
new confidence and in better understanding of what that role
looks like, what it feels like, what do I need
to do to be prepared for a pinch hit versus
you know, the DH role. And we asked a lot
of Kyle. We asked Kyle to do some things that
are not easy, and he really answered the call when
he came back in September in the play in the postseason.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
How long is it taken you to kind of just
kind of like digest what happened this season, especially the postseason.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
I'm not sure yet, you know, I think you know,
it took me. It took me a couple of weeks
to really just kind of put my eyes towards twenty
twenty five. And I think I've gotten to the point
now where you know, it's behind us, We've learned from it,
and now we look forward. You know, my least favorite
statement is last year. I don't like talking about last
year because it's going to be a new group. It's
going to be a new group of people that show
(15:47):
up in Goodyear, and this is that we get to
make a mark on a new team, and that starts
with our players off seasons and how we can support
them through having a great winner. So we're already eyes forward.
Speaker 5 (15:59):
Did you guys, do you external candidates and internal candidates
for the hitting coach?
Speaker 4 (16:07):
We did not. We we we did internal candidates, and
you know, we put our heads together and like I said,
we looked at the landscape of what the hitting coach
you know, looked like, and we just kept going back
to our staff, our Grant think, and then our three
that were already here. So we we feel really good
about it. This is something that you know, we're confident
in and we're confident in Grant's leadership, even not.
Speaker 8 (16:29):
To completely pivot away from coaching staff, but just for
a manual class A to be a finalist for the
cy Young and how ridiculously difficult that has become for
relievers to even crack into the top three. Just what
does that say about his season as a whole, for
what he was able to do.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
I think I think it confirms everything that we saw
that we watched. You know, we were fortunate to watch
it every night, and what Emmanuel did this entire season
was just incredible. And so for him to be recognized
as one of the top three pitchers in the American
League he should have been and you know, if it well,
we'll see how voting turns out. But you know, I mean,
I think even just for Emmanual to be a finalist,
(17:04):
it's it's really refreshing to see that what he did
for us all year long was is being recognized.
Speaker 7 (17:11):
What does it say about the quality of the managing
in the American League Central Division where all three finalists
are are from the division there, Yeah, it's really fun.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
I mean, just for me first year in ALE Central
getting to know that brand of baseball, and you know,
we all we all played very good baseball. We all grind,
we all have to work, we have to make things happen,
and it was really fun to see both, you know,
matc Utrro and aj Hinch be recognized in that way.
And it's a testament to how our division was. Our
(17:41):
division went down to the wire. It was a dogfight
and none none of the teams went away, and it
was a really tough year and everybody played us tough.
So really happy for them and it's a really cool honor.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
As manager Steven both talking about the new coaching staff,
among other items, as we get deeper into the off
season and head toward the holidays season. Stay with us,
We'll have more to come. It's the Game of the
Week seven coming your way next the Cleveland Clinic. Guardians
Radio Network, Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse along
(18:43):
with you as we join you for another of our
hot stove editions of Guardians Weekly and at least prior
to the holiday break for us, which starts Thanksgiving weekend
and takes you through to the new year. We like
to look back at some of the great games of
the season gone by, and we'll fat forward right to
the postseason. An all time classic and anybody who was
(19:04):
there most memorable for them. A decisive Game five in
the American League Division Series the Guardians and the Tigers,
the Guardians getting the series back to Cleveland with a
gut check Game four win over in Detroit thanks to
David Fry's late home run that put the Guardians in
front and put them on their way to a Game
(19:26):
four win to set up a Game five of a
series even up at two wins apiece on the mound
for Cleveland. Matthew Boyd. He was getting the start and
he had the Tigers hitters off balance early on in
this one.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Nothing into the count. Now people get up and get
into it. This will be a great atmosphere. It would
have been off the charts tonight. Now the set. Now
the O two delivery. Swam with the fastball.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
How about that. Matthew Boyd puts two on.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Strikes out the side, gets his first standing ovation of
the day.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Detroit leaves a pair.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Cleveland coming to ban and now they rises one at
the corner of Carnagia and Ontario. Ken Matthew Boyd get
out of it again. Nothing into the count on, Sweeney.
Here it comes swinging in a mess out of the slider.
You wanted even more drama after Thursday, We've got it.
(20:29):
Early today, no score from downtown Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
And as we saw throughout the playoffs, manager Stephen Vote
was not afraid to go to his dominant bullpen early.
So just a couple of innings for Boyd. Then it
was Kaye Smith getting the call in the third down the.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
One two swimming and a miss. He threw the fastball,
ain't by Riley Green. Middle of the third, Cleveland Detroit
scoreless in a winner. Take Gallmanchum.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
Now the channel for the Guardians in that game five
was the Tigers had their ace and soon to be
Cy Young Award winner. You would think trek Scoubel on
the mound, he was trying to keep the game scoreless.
In the third.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
Outfield fairly deep toward left, Brocchio, Kwan Ramirez aboard the
pitch swing and a broken bat pop up to first.
Torkolsen will make the catch and Cleveland's opportunity is wasted.
And credit trek Scuobel from rising to the occasion as
he has all season long for the Tigers.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
In the top half of the fifth inning, the Tigers
broke through for the game's first run. It was an
RBI single by Kerry Carpenter and that put Detroit up
won nothing. But in the bottom of the fifth the
Guardians responded. Andre Simenez, Stephen Kwan, and David Frye each
singled that load of the bases with one out for
Jose Ramirez.
Speaker 3 (21:54):
Well, jose had a great quote the other day.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
They asked him, boy, how about having to face again?
And Josey said, Hey, how about the fact he's gonna
face us?
Speaker 3 (22:08):
Oh in one the count, here comes the pitch inside.
Speaker 9 (22:11):
It hit him Ramirez hit by the pitch that'll force
in the tying run, and Ramirez is hurting behind home plate,
but the run is scored to tie the game at.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
Won Hosey was okay, and that brought Lane Thomas to
the plate, facing the mainly unhittable Eric Scouble. Thomas digs
in hole for two. But he's been one of the
hottest hitters for the Guardians for a month. Here's the
pitch to him. He swings and.
Speaker 9 (22:45):
Drives it high in the air left field. Will it
make the bleachers grandsand.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
Lamee Thomas has put the Guardians in.
Speaker 10 (23:03):
Front with a grand saund five to one Cleveland and
this place is shaking.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
What a moment it was at Progressive Field. But there
was still a long way to go in this one.
Detroit came right back with a run in the sixth
on a Jake Rogers RBI single. They scored another run
in the seventh Cole Keith with an RBI doubled there
and it was five to three Cleveland at that point.
In the bottom of the seventh, Cleveland was looking to
get some of that momentum back in their favor, and
(23:41):
nobody better to get it started. Than Stephen Kwan.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
Here's the pitch.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Kwan rifles won in the righties got another three hit game.
He is a hitting machine. Stephen Kwan three for four today,
could easily have four hits, and Kwan in this series
he's gone eleven for twenty.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Two batters later, Jose Ramirez singled, moving Kwan to third,
and then Lane Thomas delivered again the bitch.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
He swings and sends a looper towards second basement. Keith
has it, battles it. Everybody's safe into scores Kwan. That'll
be another kind of off the bat single as Lane
Thomas scorted one the other way and Colt Keith, who
(24:34):
was shaded up the middle the second basement broke to
his left, bottled it, but it probably wouldn't have mattered.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
It'll go as a base hit.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Kwan scores Lane Thomas five RBIs today nine in the series.
Speaker 2 (24:51):
In the top half of the eighth inning, Detroit threatened
again a lead off walk to the speedy Parker Meadows.
He stole second to get into scoring position with nobody out,
and that brought a Manuel class On to face Jake Rogers.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Class A deals the pits swung on lined the short bleeping.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Grab by Rochio.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Well, if Brian Rochio's vertical leaf was twelve inches, he
just went about sixteen. You can't make a better leaf
than Rochio just did, timing it perfectly to Rob Rogers
of a hit.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Two batters later, it was the dangerous carry Carpenter at
the plate.
Speaker 3 (25:33):
He's ready again.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
The two to two swim in the mess went tutter
away and struck him out. Middle of the eighth inning
off the shores of Lake Erie on a day that's
getting prettier. Cleveland six, Detroit three.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
Then in the bottom of the eighth, Andre Simenez reached
with a one out double, bringing Brian Rocchio to the
plate again.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
The one two swung on banged up the middle base
it centerfield.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
Pimnus hits third. He will score.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
Seven to three Cleveland. Bryan Rocchio's second hit today, his
first starb I in the Division Series, and Cleveland, which
had been shut out in back to back games games
two and three, have erupted for seven today five off
(26:29):
Derek Scooble.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
And in the ninth Classe was back out there trying
to finish it up and send the Guardians to the
American League Championship Series.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Two down seven to three Cleveland ninth inning. Now the
two to two delivery, a swing in a bouncing ball
to Nailor at first, backs up long flip to clause boogam,
and for the first time in eight years, Cleveland has
(26:59):
headed to the American League Championship Series. And this October
to Remember will continue with Game one of the American
League Championship Series Monday night in New York. Cleveland eliminates
the Detroit Tigers today in Game five by a final
(27:23):
score of seven to three.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Now, the celebration was on and moments after the game,
David Fry stopped by to talk to Tom Hamilton about
the big win.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
David, congratulations.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
Is there any way to put into words what today
in this season has been for you?
Speaker 8 (27:42):
No?
Speaker 11 (27:42):
Uh, this is unbelievable. I don't even really know what's say.
This has been so exciting. I mean I blacked out
at second base when Lane hit that homer. I mean,
this has been the funnest day ever.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Well, you know what, and it took all of you, obviously,
but David, this ball club was in trouble on Thursday
and the seventh inning and you come off the bench
and really flipped this series with that pinch hip to
run homer.
Speaker 11 (28:11):
Yeah, I mean, been been fortunate enough to have opportunities
all series to get to drive in some runs. And
Vodi went to me yesterday for a big one and
kind of got the boys going. But we talked about
all year it's a new guy every single day, and
it's Hosey hitting a homer, and then today it's Lane
and my gosh and Maddy Boyd and the bullpen were
so fantastic.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
What a day, David.
Speaker 1 (28:32):
How about your down one nothing to Trek schoobl who
hasn't given up a run since mid September, and you
guys get five in the fifth, take us through that inning.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Yeah, unbelievable.
Speaker 11 (28:44):
I mean, himmy and Rokyo at the bottom all day
where we're so good. They gave us so many chances
with runners on and like you said, I mean, give
credit to school wel he's been so good all year.
But we knew if we were gonna win the game,
we had to beat him. They weren't gonna go to
the bullpen, they were gonna try to ride him, but
we just put together good at bat. Stephen Kuant Shaker
got on base, and I mean we get to Lane
(29:06):
in my gosh, what a swy.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
So you have had a new baby daughter, your first child,
your first All Star appearance, and you're headed to New York.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
How much better can it get? Beck? Yeah? Two more series, baby,
two more series. Thank you, David, great job, Thanks hemy
appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
Also after the game, Guardians manager Steven Vote talked about
an incredible game and series against the Tigers.
Speaker 4 (29:29):
I'm close was the script going in that?
Speaker 1 (29:33):
Joining the follow Humush was just managin by what you're seeing,
what you're feeling.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
I think kind of all of the above. You know,
we had a little bit of a script, but you know,
it went pretty close. You know, there was a couple
of times that we had to kind of go off script.
But at the same time, it was it was watched
the game, see what the game's telling us to do.
Matthew Boyd was outstanding. I think he could have gone longer,
you know, but we've won with our bullpen all year
(30:02):
and that's been who we are just as a manager
in the first year, maybe just in this series alone.
How would you be walking about that? Yeah, I think
the best thing that we do is that we plan
the game every night, and we've done this all year long.
We plan the game. Obviously there's nights we have to
rip it up, but we've talked through exactly what we
(30:24):
want to do and win, and you know, using Carl,
using the pitching staff, using the analytics, using everybody, And
I think I've just learned that there's times where you
can follow the script when the game tells you to,
and there's other times you have to rip it up
and go rogue. And you can't be married to one idea. Steven,
what do you have to say about can you say
(30:45):
about Lane Thomas?
Speaker 1 (30:47):
Obviously it was a tough month for him, but he's
really turned it around and especially today.
Speaker 4 (30:52):
Yeah, I mean we when when we were approaching the
trade deadline, we identified Lane as a player that we wanted.
He fitted, he fit a lot of what we needed.
And this guy's been a great player in this league
for a few years now. And Lane has just been
obviously had a great series for us, you know, the
two biggest hits, you know, outside of Fry's homer, but Lane,
(31:13):
Lane is a phenomenal baseball player and we're thankful we
got him. Questions can in the front get one across
and get five. Just what you see and how to
build up that five run any with you know him
and as geting a single kwan frize zone. That's who
we are, That's who that group in that room has
been all year. As soon as we get punched, we
(31:33):
answer that that's been ourm O all year long. Is
as soon as we give up a run, our guys
come right back and you know, to put up the
five spot. You know, Hosey gets hit by the pitch
lane comes right up and it gets the big blast.
But you know, we can't rely on the home run.
We have to you know, string things together, and our
guys did both today and uh then we got the
add on runs at the end. And I thought today
(31:55):
was just a perfect picture of who our team is
at our best and couldn't have come on a better day.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
And then as the Guardians prepared to head to New
York to take on the Yankees and the Alcs, we
caught up with Game five hero Laine Thomas and he
talked about what it meant to be one step closer
to a World Series.
Speaker 5 (32:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (32:16):
Absolutely, I mean that's the goal from spring training. So
you know, obviously I wasn't here in spring training. But
you know, that's the mindset I feel like for any
player is to you know, get to this point, whether
you know, no matter where you're at.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
And now you mentioned that, and I know you've you've
referenced it before, the ability of this team to make
you feel a part of it soon after you were
traded and it wasn't the easiest when you first got here.
But but what were some of the keys day to
day that helped you settle in and become the player
that you always can be.
Speaker 12 (32:42):
I think it's always easier when you have a great
group of guys around you, you know, kind of pushing
you and kind of hanging in there with you when
you are, you know, picking you up when you are
going thro those rough times on the player's side. And
the coaching staff was awesome too, So you know, I
got nothing but good things to say.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
And obviously you have the big hit in Game five
against the Tigers, the Grand Slam. We caught up with
you afterward, and obviously there's a million things going on
in the clubhouse, but you've had some time to digest it.
What's the last day or so been like, especially hearing
from maybe some people you hadn't in a long time.
Speaker 12 (33:15):
Yeah, I mean I think it finally hit me this morning.
You know, you wake up and you know, finally getting
sorted through a lot of the text messages and phone
calls and you know, just talking to my wife. It
was it was cool. It was really cool.
Speaker 2 (33:26):
And obviously you you probably can't go too much, whether
it's phone, social media, things like that television where if
you don't see that highlight, is that kind of surreal
sometimes when it's you who's part of that.
Speaker 12 (33:36):
Yeah, absolutely, especially when you're not looking for it, you know,
and then something pops up. So yeah, it's it's been awesome,
you know, but that was yesterday, and you know today
we're you know, about to take VP and Yankee Stadium
and kind of you know, start getting prepared for the
next step.
Speaker 2 (33:50):
So you do turn that page and this team has
been so good at that win or lose getting to
the next game, and what are some of the keys
that as you start to dive in on the Yankees
a little bit that you think will allow this team
to play to its potential and be a real contender here.
Speaker 12 (34:07):
I think over the course of the regular season, you
know that there's a part of you that obviously wants
to win every game, but you also, you know, you
want to put up numbers too for yourself, And I
think that's the difference between these games and the regular
season games. It's, man, it doesn't matter if I go
zero for five or you know whatever. It's about the
team winning the game. So anything that I can do
to help us win is the mindset that I know
(34:28):
our whole clubhouse has. So that's kind of how we're
looking at it going forward.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
And maybe that leads into the next question, playoff pressure.
Does that help you handle it a little bit better
when you don't think of it in terms of yourself
but more for the team.
Speaker 12 (34:41):
Yeah, absolutely, because you know, no one in this dugout
cares what anyone else does as long as we're winning games.
So you know, I think that kind of relieves, like
what you're saying, some of that internal pressure about what
I have to do, you know, because you're just as
happy if someone else does it or yourself.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Playoffs means a lot of things to a lot of people.
As much fun as you've had in this game at
the major league level, Oh, it's been incredible.
Speaker 12 (35:03):
The last two months has been the most fun. I've
hadn't have been in a clubhouse too, so it's been
it's been an awesome it's been awesome so far.
Speaker 2 (35:09):
We enjoyed a I'll see as Lane, thanks for coming.
Speaker 3 (35:11):
I appreciate it absolutely, thank you.
Speaker 2 (35:14):
It was Lane Thomas and the Guardians on their way
to the American League Championship Series, a series that the
Yankees will win four games to one, but it takes
nothing away from the memorable Game five that decided the
American League Division Series in October. Stay with us, will
havest some final thoughts after this time out on the
Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio.
Speaker 13 (35:35):
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Speaker 6 (35:49):
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Speaker 2 (36:28):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly Jim Rosenhouse pack with you
for our final segment and for the Guardians. When you
have a year that results in a good run in
the postseason and a ninety two win regular season, there
are individual awards that will come that team's way most likely,
and it's no different for the Guardians. A Silver Slugger
(36:48):
Award for Jose Ramirez, fifth time that he has won
the Silver Slugger Award as the top hitting third baseman
in the American League. So congratulations to Hosey with an
MBA caliber type season for him, and also on the
mound for the Guardians winning the Mariano Rivera Reliever of
the Year Award a Manuel Classe, second straight year that
(37:11):
he has won that award, the seventh time that's been
accomplished by any relief pitcher, and he was an All
Star for a third consecutive season. What a regular season
it was for Classe, who was four and two forty
seven saves, a new franchise record there five earned runs
all season, his RA at the end zero point six
(37:34):
to one. Just an incredible season for Emmanuel Classe and
among pitchers with at least ten saves in a single season,
his era was the third lowest all time. Only Zach
Britton with the Orioles back in twenty sixteen and Fernando
Rodney back in twenty twelve had lower earned run averages
than the zero point six to one from Classe.
Speaker 3 (37:56):
That's going to do it.
Speaker 2 (37:57):
For this week's edition of Guardians Weekly, Thanks as always
to Brian Montsey for helping to put together our show
each and every week until next week. This is Jim
Rosenhouse reminding you that you've been listening to Guardians Weekly
on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:23):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
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