October 7, 2024 • 17 mins
Gene Watson joins the show to discuss the MLB Postseason with Craig Way including the crazy delay in Los Angeles, the Wild Card results, his thoughts on the Divisional Series, and Terry Francona's un-retirement.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We are joined as always by our MLB insider Gene
Watson from the Chicago White Sox front office. There. But
before we even get to the baseball we should point
out that what we were just talking about whatever, and
I use the word sewer to describe it, used to
be called FedExField.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
It's got a.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Different sponsor name now where the Washington Commanders play. That
it was a terrible place. And and Gina was there
for that Texas Maryland game as I was in eighteen
or nineteen, and Gina was also there the night before.
So Gene invites me to go with him to Nationals Park.
(00:47):
The Nationals are playing the Brewers, and our good friend
Brian Anderson BA, who's you know, working for TBS during
the baseball postseason as well, was calling that game. So
you had a former Georgetown resident in Brian Anderson who
grew up there and went to Georgetown High yet it
at the time, a current Georgetown resident in Gene Watson,
and a future Georgetown resident myself. I wasn't at the
(01:09):
time but am now. So we were all there for that,
and then Gino tells me to meet him at the
Lincoln Memorial at ten point thirty at night.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
So we do and we hang out.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
And then there's the game the next day, and it
was miserable and it was raining and I did not
know this, but you'd let me know that you almost
got arrested at.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
That game, is that right?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
You know?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
I did? I did.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
We had some good friends that were in the stands.
We actually had sweet access that day because a young
man that I helped to get into professional sports was
the ticket manager for the Commanders and got us access
to the suite. But I went down to see some
(01:50):
friends and as you know, there was a heavy weather
delay and we're completely underneath the awning. We're out of
complete harm's way. It rained sideways, lighting everywhere, and the
ushers began to come up and tell us that if
we did not go downstairs, we would be arrested and
find five thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
It was very bizarre experience.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
And the whole weekend, other than us at the Lincoln
Memorial at midnight, was was.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
A kind of a strange weekend. But that's a great trip, nonetheless.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Yeah, yeah, it was. It was. It was also strange
for me yet that morning, well Friday morning, before we
got together that night that morning, yeah, it was at midnight.
You wanted to meet at the Lincoln Memorial, right, and
that was some sort of tradition thing you had working.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Oh yeah, yeah, long, long tradition. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
So that morning I actually got up. I'd flown in
on Thursday. I got a Friday morning and went to
have breakfast at at a Dinet or somebody recommended, and
I was in there, and who should walk in but
lifetime logorn Ariel Atkins, who plays for the Washington Mystics
and the WNBA. And of course I'd called all of
ariieals games when she played at Texas and called two
(02:57):
of her state championships when she played the Dunken Bill.
So great to Sagarette, it was a very it was
a very strange, very odd weekend. The way it ultimately
shook out, now the way the baseball playoffs have shaken out,
Correct me if I'm wrong on the division. On the
Wild Cards series, you went three and one, right, Yes,
that's right, because she had the Astroids winning. But you
(03:19):
did caution after Detroit won Game one with what they
could do in Game two and they ended up sweeping,
and and you you definitely called uh, San Diego winning
and uh and then you and you called the Royals
to beat the Orioles. You thought they would beat Baltimore,
and uh and uh you and you and I think
(03:40):
you called the Mets to beat the Brewers, didn't you.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
I did?
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Yeah, I thought I thought the Mets and the Tigers
were the two most dangerous teams. Just having been through
that and that momentum that you get, I thought they
were the two most dangerous teams coming into the round.
And so they they just keep they just keep grinding.
You just HiT's a momentum you can't explain. And it
doesn't matter who you play, you think you're gonna win
(04:03):
that day.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
All right, Let's let's start with the American League. Uh,
they're going to the bottom of the fifth in Game
two with the Guardians and Tigers scoreless. On this now, now,
if I remember correctly your World Series picture, the Guardians
and the Padres, if I if I Readmber correctly, okay, Uh,
the Guardians looked every big the part in the first game,
they won seven to nothing handily. Right now, this, uh,
(04:24):
this looks like a Matthew Boyd's pitching really well for them.
We know scoot Ball was good, pitch very well for
the Tigers. So it's about what we kind of expected
at zero zero.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
It is and it's just it's Cleveland. Is just they've
been They've been through it so much. They they're probably
the most under the radar organization in Major League Baseball.
They know who they are as an organization. Uh, the
way they go about acquiring players, Uh, they they've got
their models, they don't apologize for it.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
And and what.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Stephen Vote has done and kind of uh, you know,
kind of a continuum of Terry Francona and that you know,
they know what they were looking for and as a manager,
and Steven is certainly one of the more you know,
funny guys in the game. But because he has so
much credibility as a person and as an ex player,
he's never going to really get much pushback from any
(05:16):
of the players. And they they just have their system
and they know what they believe in and they stick
to it. Detroit has just been such a surprise, and
you know, this is just the beginning. And I have
talked to aj Inch every morning for the last seven
to ten days, and he's just so proud of what
they've accomplished, you know, for where they were six weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
And this is only the beginning.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
They're playing with house money right now, they know it,
but it's a team that is not They're not done
and they're going to battle you for twenty seven outs
every game. They do need guys like Jackson Job to
step up and come up in big situations, which hasn't
happened yet. But very very dangerous team. And this is
going to be a great series to the end.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
If if the if the Tigers should find a way
to win today and have it one one going to Detroit,
does it give them a huge advantage, even though we
could ultimately if it goes to a fifth game, we'll
go back to Cleveland. Do you see this thing shifting
momentum wise if Detroit draws even today, I really.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Don't, because for me, momentum is the next day starting pitcher,
and Cleveland has such great starting pitching. And if it
was a situation where it was Cleveland going to Yankee
Stadium or maybe into Houston, you could say that. But
these two teams are so familiar with each other, not
only this season, but in the past seasons that they've
all they've played each other so much that there's not
(06:43):
going to be really much vibration from that standpoint, So
I would say that in most cases it could happen,
but I don't think it'll happen here. It's it's going
to be the momentum of that starting pitcher on the mound,
and they certainly be qualifying that department.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Talking postseason baseball with Gene Watson here on sports Radio
AM thirteen hundreds. All right, the other American League Series.
What a great first game for the Yankees and Royals.
Back and forth, Seahaw, seesaw, and eventually the Yankees found
a way to get a run in the bottom the
eighth and they wind up winning it by a score
of six to five. Do you see this thing going
the distance?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Could it go five? I really don't.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
I think that that New York is just so prepared,
and they've waited for this moment. It's arguably been one
of the best teams they've had in a very very
long time, intangibly, the clubhouse mix as well, the personnel
mix as well. Inasmuch as the Royals have done such
a great job this season and and they've built so
(07:40):
much momentum and they have so much to look forward
to in the future. And look forward to Detroit and
Kansas City battling it out for the next few years.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
In that division.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
And but I just think the experience and the expectation
level of what's expected in New York is probably going
to prevail overall. If they can get it's going to
be Lark Smith versus Seth Lugo in Game three, So
they really have to get tonight's game with Cole Reagan's
on the mountain.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Did it matter much? Does it matter much?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Historically?
Speaker 1 (08:09):
I've had some people ask me about this about the
off day between Game one and Game two. It wasn't
a travel day, just an off day. This is done
for television. We all know that. So Game one Game
two in the America LA, whereas Nashley went back to back,
and then of course they have their travel day today
before they resume the series in New York and in
(08:30):
San Diego, respectively. But does it matter? Does it make
much of a difference? Does it help anybody out of this?
The fact that the off day comes between game one
and Game two, and then there's another off day before
Game three.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
I think it's an enormous advantage for the Yankees because
they're home.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
It's an older club.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
You know, the pitchers are probably having a dinner somewhere,
the position players are gathering somewhere, the coaching staff is
gathering somewhere. They're they're acclimated, they're familiar with their surroundings,
they're comfortable.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Where you have a younger club like Kansas City that.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
You know, they're they're making the most of the day
and enjoying the city and and and and getting out
and doing things that they've never had an opportunity to
do as a group. And so I think that was
probably a big momentum shift for the for the Yankees tangily.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
All right, let's jump to the Nation League. Before we
get to the two series. I want to ask you. You
mentioned Terry Francona. Tito's back in the game. It's coming
out of retirement to manage the Reds, and of course
he played briefly with the Reds as well. What's your
thoughts about Francona back in baseball managing again.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
You know, I was in Tucson for the Fiesta Mexicana
until yesterday. You know, he's obviously an Arizona Wildcat, and
three of his ex teammates were at the game. With
me and and they were so excited. One was with
the Reds and so extremely excited. And in an era
where that manager means so much to an organization and where.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
That team is.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
I mean, they could not have landed a better hire
for what that team and that organization needs in Tito Francona,
and it just it's an amazing hire. It's right on
time for them, and you're going to see a huge difference.
Not that they were, you know, real undisciplined in the
way they played, but just the accountability that he brings
to the table, those little things that the day to
(10:22):
day operations of managing a team.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
He's just going to be enormous for them.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
And look for the Reds to really be active this
winner in major league acquisition and really try to make
a big splash in twenty twenty five with that team.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
I think it's a given that everybody feels the Dodgers
have the best player in all of baseball obviously in
choey Otani. But Choey is thirty years old. Who knows
if he can come back as effectively as a pitcher
in the future, and he will continue to swing the
bat well, obviously, My question is this Tino. How far
off are we from saying the best player in baseball was.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Elie de la Cruz.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
It's close, and you give him a supporting cast. And
you know, Matt mc lane was injured this year and
that really hurt them. They had a number of injuries
to that pitching staff. But I've said it for a
few years and it's not a criticism, it's a fact
that the Reds have just been laying in the weeds
for a few years and really the only thing they've
missed and it's not an indictment on who's been there
(11:16):
before anything, but but just that credibility, that long term
winning success and reputation that a Tito Francona brings to
the organization is just going to be huge for them.
And look for them to play an extremely clean style
of baseball next year, very disciplined. But also I'm sure
that Tito said, you know, you got to sell me
(11:37):
on what your plans are going to be and what
you're going to do this winner to build this team
up to make us a contender, because that was probably
a big factor in him coming back.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
All right, talking baseball, here, the Major League playoffs with
Geene Watson from Chicago White Sox.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Our MLB insidles.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Shift to the National League Storm Philadelphia, and the Mets
must win yesterday for the Pills, don't you agree? And
they and they found a way to get that with
the walk off hit there from Castianos and obviously Bryce
Harper got in the mix with the big home run
after the Mets had built the Mets had played so
fearlessly to this point. How about your take on Philly
(12:12):
and New York as the series shifts now the Queens.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
What an incredible, incredible series for Mark Viento's and the
just to never quit that the Mets have shown.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
And I'm going to tell you something.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
You know, those fans have been sitting at home watching
this team play on the road.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
And now they get a home game.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
And I was in there in fifteen when we played
them in the World Series, and that is a very
hungry fan base and it's going to be an electric
environment where the home field crowd can really play a factor.
But I thought the Phillies they've shown great resilience. Also,
the expectation is a little higher there and so the
pressure can be a little bit higher, but they certainly,
(12:56):
you know, they have all the momentum with the starting rotation.
Nick Giano's for as polarizing as he's been, you know
over the years with his comments and his kind of
laxadaisical play. You know, he's a money player and when
the game is on the line, he's a guy you
wanted to plate and he certainly proved that yesterday.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Well, speaking a Rabbit fan, basis San Diego has it
and the Dodgers head down there, you know for all
of that stuff. For me, Gino and you know me
what my rooting interest is, but for me really plainly
and simply, and I think John Smoltz has done a
fabulous job in outlining this of her games one and two.
This comes down to the fact that the Dodgers are
(13:35):
at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to starting pitching,
and that was on display last night.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Yeah, they've just been so injured. I mean, they've got
seven players on the sixty day. They're hoping to get
Brunt Honeywell back and whatever role he could serve in
if they put him on the roster, but they've just
been beat up so bad with the injuries. And you know,
this is one of those situations where the pressure lies
on them a little greater than it does the Padres,
(14:02):
and you're just seeing things from the San Diego Padres
that we've never seen. You've got the Robert Merril rookie
who people don't realize is truly the leader in that clubhouse.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
He's a young.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
Player, Rookie of the Year candidate, and he is truly
leading that clubhouse and holding that clubhouse accountability.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
But then you look at what Manny Machado.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
Did last night and bringing that team together in the dugout,
and when you know you've got all those fans in
your face and you've been there, I've been there many times.
Television does not do justice for how difficult Dodger Stadium
is to play in. And that was a very very
dangerous scene last night in the outfield. I don't think
(14:42):
people realize how dangerous it was for Jerks and Profar
and Manny Machado stepping up and leading. We've never seen
anything like that ever before. And so you're seeing all
the intangible things that kind of have held the Padres
back over the last few years taking place right now
out on the road, and that makes them a very
(15:02):
very dangerous team along the way because Petco Park is
one of the most vibrant, electrifying environments in all of baseball.
And now they get to go back home. And trust
me when I say to you, they have no plans
of going back to Dodger Stadium.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Oh yeah, I'm sure they want to finish it there.
And then just one other comment on that, You're absolutely
right it was. It was a real tent situation in
left field of the fans that got out of hand
out there. And then not only that, I think you'll
agree with me on this because you've known jorks in
profar since he played for the Rangers. He's an incredibly
emotional guy and that was a power keg. It didn't happen,
(15:37):
thank goodness, and the umpires did a good job getting
him away, but he was also really amped up, and
that thing had the potential to get ugly.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Fortunately it didn't.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
And you I don't think fans truly realize. I mean,
when you're out there that open, in that environment, it
is really a scary scene. I mean, I mean through
you know, twenty five years in scouting and thirty five
in the game. You know, our families during the playoffs,
the World Series in fourteen. Sadly enough, in Houston when
(16:08):
I was with the Braves, there can be some really
dangerous environments for families. And when you're that wide open
and you don't know what's sitting in the stands, and
you've got baseballs flying at you, people are throwing quarters
at you, people are I mean, it is really a
dangerous scene and it can be really unnerving, and when
you put it in the point of the game where
(16:30):
it took place, makes it even more challenging.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
And you darbish.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
And the time that he took just to stay loose
and warm at his age and to be able to
perform the way he did after the long delay was
truly incredible. And it's a miracle for what the score was.
It's a miracle that they got out of there with
a win.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Yeah, it worked out really well, and then they got
very very impressive with what they did down the stretch
when they're hey, your predictions are looking good.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
So far, my man, so far.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
We'll see well. See, you know, we got vested interest.
My son works for the Padres and oh, he's already
texted me he's already tested playing to San Diego with
our ninety eight National League championship rings and pendants, and
so we're pulling hard for them this week.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
He texted me and said, I'm going out.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
Let's see the dodge.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
The Padres wipe out the DoD So I said, yeah,
expect an ass all right, Uncle Craig, Gina, thanks for
the time.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
I appreciate it. We'll do it again soon, all right, guys,
I'll take care of all right.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Gene Watson x in with us periodically now during the playoffs,
uh more than once a week if the situation war.
And so we'll see how this week uh develops there
with both the American.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
League and National League Division series.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
We'll hear more from Long Wort's head coach, Steve Sarkisian
coming up on Sports Radio AM thirteen Hunderd The Zone
We are joined as always by our MLB insider Gene
Watson from the Chicago White Sox front office. There. But
before we even get to the baseball we should point
out that what we were just talking about whatever, and
I use the word sewer to describe it, used to
be called FedExField.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
It's got a.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Different sponsor name now where the Washington Commanders play. That
it was a terrible place. And and Gina was there
for that Texas Maryland game as I was in eighteen
or nineteen, and Gina was also there the night before.
So Gene invites me to go with him to Nationals Park.
(00:47):
The Nationals are playing the Brewers, and our good friend
Brian Anderson BA, who's you know, working for TBS during
the baseball postseason as well, was calling that game. So
you had a former Georgetown resident in Brian Anderson who
grew up there and went to Georgetown High yet it
at the time, a current Georgetown resident in Gene Watson,
and a future Georgetown resident myself. I wasn't at the
(01:09):
time but am now. So we were all there for that,
and then Gino tells me to meet him at the
Lincoln Memorial at ten point thirty at night.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
So we do and we hang out.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
And then there's the game the next day, and it
was miserable and it was raining and I did not
know this, but you'd let me know that you almost
got arrested at.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
That game, is that right?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
You know?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
I did? I did.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
We had some good friends that were in the stands.
We actually had sweet access that day because a young
man that I helped to get into professional sports was
the ticket manager for the Commanders and got us access
to the suite. But I went down to see some
(01:50):
friends and as you know, there was a heavy weather
delay and we're completely underneath the awning. We're out of
complete harm's way. It rained sideways, lighting everywhere, and the
ushers began to come up and tell us that if
we did not go downstairs, we would be arrested and
find five thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
It was very bizarre experience.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
And the whole weekend, other than us at the Lincoln
Memorial at midnight, was was.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
A kind of a strange weekend. But that's a great trip, nonetheless.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Yeah, yeah, it was. It was. It was also strange
for me yet that morning, well Friday morning, before we
got together that night that morning, yeah, it was at midnight.
You wanted to meet at the Lincoln Memorial, right, and
that was some sort of tradition thing you had working.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Oh yeah, yeah, long, long tradition. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
So that morning I actually got up. I'd flown in
on Thursday. I got a Friday morning and went to
have breakfast at at a Dinet or somebody recommended, and
I was in there, and who should walk in but
lifetime logorn Ariel Atkins, who plays for the Washington Mystics
and the WNBA. And of course I'd called all of
ariieals games when she played at Texas and called two
(02:57):
of her state championships when she played the Dunken Bill.
So great to Sagarette, it was a very it was
a very strange, very odd weekend. The way it ultimately
shook out, now the way the baseball playoffs have shaken out,
Correct me if I'm wrong on the division. On the
Wild Cards series, you went three and one, right, Yes,
that's right, because she had the Astroids winning. But you
(03:19):
did caution after Detroit won Game one with what they
could do in Game two and they ended up sweeping,
and and you you definitely called uh, San Diego winning
and uh and then you and you called the Royals
to beat the Orioles. You thought they would beat Baltimore,
and uh and uh you and you and I think
(03:40):
you called the Mets to beat the Brewers, didn't you.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
I did?
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Yeah, I thought I thought the Mets and the Tigers
were the two most dangerous teams. Just having been through
that and that momentum that you get, I thought they
were the two most dangerous teams coming into the round.
And so they they just keep they just keep grinding.
You just HiT's a momentum you can't explain. And it
doesn't matter who you play, you think you're gonna win
(04:03):
that day.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
All right, Let's let's start with the American League. Uh,
they're going to the bottom of the fifth in Game
two with the Guardians and Tigers scoreless. On this now, now,
if I remember correctly your World Series picture, the Guardians
and the Padres, if I if I Readmber correctly, okay, Uh,
the Guardians looked every big the part in the first game,
they won seven to nothing handily. Right now, this, uh,
(04:24):
this looks like a Matthew Boyd's pitching really well for them.
We know scoot Ball was good, pitch very well for
the Tigers. So it's about what we kind of expected
at zero zero.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
It is and it's just it's Cleveland. Is just they've
been They've been through it so much. They they're probably
the most under the radar organization in Major League Baseball.
They know who they are as an organization. Uh, the
way they go about acquiring players, Uh, they they've got
their models, they don't apologize for it.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
And and what.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Stephen Vote has done and kind of uh, you know,
kind of a continuum of Terry Francona and that you know,
they know what they were looking for and as a manager,
and Steven is certainly one of the more you know,
funny guys in the game. But because he has so
much credibility as a person and as an ex player,
he's never going to really get much pushback from any
(05:16):
of the players. And they they just have their system
and they know what they believe in and they stick
to it. Detroit has just been such a surprise, and
you know, this is just the beginning. And I have
talked to aj Inch every morning for the last seven
to ten days, and he's just so proud of what
they've accomplished, you know, for where they were six weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
And this is only the beginning.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
They're playing with house money right now, they know it,
but it's a team that is not They're not done
and they're going to battle you for twenty seven outs
every game. They do need guys like Jackson Job to
step up and come up in big situations, which hasn't
happened yet. But very very dangerous team. And this is
going to be a great series to the end.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
If if the if the Tigers should find a way
to win today and have it one one going to Detroit,
does it give them a huge advantage, even though we
could ultimately if it goes to a fifth game, we'll
go back to Cleveland. Do you see this thing shifting
momentum wise if Detroit draws even today, I really.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Don't, because for me, momentum is the next day starting pitcher,
and Cleveland has such great starting pitching. And if it
was a situation where it was Cleveland going to Yankee
Stadium or maybe into Houston, you could say that. But
these two teams are so familiar with each other, not
only this season, but in the past seasons that they've
all they've played each other so much that there's not
(06:43):
going to be really much vibration from that standpoint, So
I would say that in most cases it could happen,
but I don't think it'll happen here. It's it's going
to be the momentum of that starting pitcher on the mound,
and they certainly be qualifying that department.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Talking postseason baseball with Gene Watson here on sports Radio
AM thirteen hundreds. All right, the other American League Series.
What a great first game for the Yankees and Royals.
Back and forth, Seahaw, seesaw, and eventually the Yankees found
a way to get a run in the bottom the
eighth and they wind up winning it by a score
of six to five. Do you see this thing going
the distance?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Could it go five? I really don't.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
I think that that New York is just so prepared,
and they've waited for this moment. It's arguably been one
of the best teams they've had in a very very
long time, intangibly, the clubhouse mix as well, the personnel
mix as well. Inasmuch as the Royals have done such
a great job this season and and they've built so
(07:40):
much momentum and they have so much to look forward
to in the future. And look forward to Detroit and
Kansas City battling it out for the next few years.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
In that division.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
And but I just think the experience and the expectation
level of what's expected in New York is probably going
to prevail overall. If they can get it's going to
be Lark Smith versus Seth Lugo in Game three, So
they really have to get tonight's game with Cole Reagan's
on the mountain.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Did it matter much? Does it matter much?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Historically?
Speaker 1 (08:09):
I've had some people ask me about this about the
off day between Game one and Game two. It wasn't
a travel day, just an off day. This is done
for television. We all know that. So Game one Game
two in the America LA, whereas Nashley went back to back,
and then of course they have their travel day today
before they resume the series in New York and in
(08:30):
San Diego, respectively. But does it matter? Does it make
much of a difference? Does it help anybody out of this?
The fact that the off day comes between game one
and Game two, and then there's another off day before
Game three.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
I think it's an enormous advantage for the Yankees because
they're home.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
It's an older club.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
You know, the pitchers are probably having a dinner somewhere,
the position players are gathering somewhere, the coaching staff is
gathering somewhere. They're they're acclimated, they're familiar with their surroundings,
they're comfortable.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Where you have a younger club like Kansas City that.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
You know, they're they're making the most of the day
and enjoying the city and and and and getting out
and doing things that they've never had an opportunity to
do as a group. And so I think that was
probably a big momentum shift for the for the Yankees tangily.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
All right, let's jump to the Nation League. Before we
get to the two series. I want to ask you. You
mentioned Terry Francona. Tito's back in the game. It's coming
out of retirement to manage the Reds, and of course
he played briefly with the Reds as well. What's your
thoughts about Francona back in baseball managing again.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
You know, I was in Tucson for the Fiesta Mexicana
until yesterday. You know, he's obviously an Arizona Wildcat, and
three of his ex teammates were at the game. With
me and and they were so excited. One was with
the Reds and so extremely excited. And in an era
where that manager means so much to an organization and where.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
That team is.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
I mean, they could not have landed a better hire
for what that team and that organization needs in Tito Francona,
and it just it's an amazing hire. It's right on
time for them, and you're going to see a huge difference.
Not that they were, you know, real undisciplined in the
way they played, but just the accountability that he brings
to the table, those little things that the day to
(10:22):
day operations of managing a team.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
He's just going to be enormous for them.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
And look for the Reds to really be active this
winner in major league acquisition and really try to make
a big splash in twenty twenty five with that team.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
I think it's a given that everybody feels the Dodgers
have the best player in all of baseball obviously in
choey Otani. But Choey is thirty years old. Who knows
if he can come back as effectively as a pitcher
in the future, and he will continue to swing the
bat well, obviously, My question is this Tino. How far
off are we from saying the best player in baseball was.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Elie de la Cruz.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
It's close, and you give him a supporting cast. And
you know, Matt mc lane was injured this year and
that really hurt them. They had a number of injuries
to that pitching staff. But I've said it for a
few years and it's not a criticism, it's a fact
that the Reds have just been laying in the weeds
for a few years and really the only thing they've
missed and it's not an indictment on who's been there
(11:16):
before anything, but but just that credibility, that long term
winning success and reputation that a Tito Francona brings to
the organization is just going to be huge for them.
And look for them to play an extremely clean style
of baseball next year, very disciplined. But also I'm sure
that Tito said, you know, you got to sell me
(11:37):
on what your plans are going to be and what
you're going to do this winner to build this team
up to make us a contender, because that was probably
a big factor in him coming back.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
All right, talking baseball, here, the Major League playoffs with
Geene Watson from Chicago White Sox.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Our MLB insidles.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Shift to the National League Storm Philadelphia, and the Mets
must win yesterday for the Pills, don't you agree? And
they and they found a way to get that with
the walk off hit there from Castianos and obviously Bryce
Harper got in the mix with the big home run
after the Mets had built the Mets had played so
fearlessly to this point. How about your take on Philly
(12:12):
and New York as the series shifts now the Queens.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
What an incredible, incredible series for Mark Viento's and the
just to never quit that the Mets have shown.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
And I'm going to tell you something.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
You know, those fans have been sitting at home watching
this team play on the road.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
And now they get a home game.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
And I was in there in fifteen when we played
them in the World Series, and that is a very
hungry fan base and it's going to be an electric
environment where the home field crowd can really play a factor.
But I thought the Phillies they've shown great resilience. Also,
the expectation is a little higher there and so the
pressure can be a little bit higher, but they certainly,
(12:56):
you know, they have all the momentum with the starting rotation.
Nick Giano's for as polarizing as he's been, you know
over the years with his comments and his kind of
laxadaisical play. You know, he's a money player and when
the game is on the line, he's a guy you
wanted to plate and he certainly proved that yesterday.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Well, speaking a Rabbit fan, basis San Diego has it
and the Dodgers head down there, you know for all
of that stuff. For me, Gino and you know me
what my rooting interest is, but for me really plainly
and simply, and I think John Smoltz has done a
fabulous job in outlining this of her games one and two.
This comes down to the fact that the Dodgers are
(13:35):
at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to starting pitching,
and that was on display last night.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Yeah, they've just been so injured. I mean, they've got
seven players on the sixty day. They're hoping to get
Brunt Honeywell back and whatever role he could serve in
if they put him on the roster, but they've just
been beat up so bad with the injuries. And you know,
this is one of those situations where the pressure lies
on them a little greater than it does the Padres,
(14:02):
and you're just seeing things from the San Diego Padres
that we've never seen. You've got the Robert Merril rookie
who people don't realize is truly the leader in that clubhouse.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
He's a young.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
Player, Rookie of the Year candidate, and he is truly
leading that clubhouse and holding that clubhouse accountability.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
But then you look at what Manny Machado.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
Did last night and bringing that team together in the dugout,
and when you know you've got all those fans in
your face and you've been there, I've been there many times.
Television does not do justice for how difficult Dodger Stadium
is to play in. And that was a very very
dangerous scene last night in the outfield. I don't think
(14:42):
people realize how dangerous it was for Jerks and Profar
and Manny Machado stepping up and leading. We've never seen
anything like that ever before. And so you're seeing all
the intangible things that kind of have held the Padres
back over the last few years taking place right now
out on the road, and that makes them a very
(15:02):
very dangerous team along the way because Petco Park is
one of the most vibrant, electrifying environments in all of baseball.
And now they get to go back home. And trust
me when I say to you, they have no plans
of going back to Dodger Stadium.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Oh yeah, I'm sure they want to finish it there.
And then just one other comment on that, You're absolutely
right it was. It was a real tent situation in
left field of the fans that got out of hand
out there. And then not only that, I think you'll
agree with me on this because you've known jorks in
profar since he played for the Rangers. He's an incredibly
emotional guy and that was a power keg. It didn't happen,
(15:37):
thank goodness, and the umpires did a good job getting
him away, but he was also really amped up, and
that thing had the potential to get ugly.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Fortunately it didn't.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
And you I don't think fans truly realize. I mean,
when you're out there that open, in that environment, it
is really a scary scene. I mean, I mean through
you know, twenty five years in scouting and thirty five
in the game. You know, our families during the playoffs,
the World Series in fourteen. Sadly enough, in Houston when
(16:08):
I was with the Braves, there can be some really
dangerous environments for families. And when you're that wide open
and you don't know what's sitting in the stands, and
you've got baseballs flying at you, people are throwing quarters
at you, people are I mean, it is really a
dangerous scene and it can be really unnerving, and when
you put it in the point of the game where
(16:30):
it took place, makes it even more challenging.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
And you darbish.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
And the time that he took just to stay loose
and warm at his age and to be able to
perform the way he did after the long delay was
truly incredible. And it's a miracle for what the score was.
It's a miracle that they got out of there with
a win.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Yeah, it worked out really well, and then they got
very very impressive with what they did down the stretch
when they're hey, your predictions are looking good.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
So far, my man, so far.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
We'll see well. See, you know, we got vested interest.
My son works for the Padres and oh, he's already
texted me he's already tested playing to San Diego with
our ninety eight National League championship rings and pendants, and
so we're pulling hard for them this week.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
He texted me and said, I'm going out.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
Let's see the dodge.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
The Padres wipe out the DoD So I said, yeah,
expect an ass all right, Uncle Craig, Gina, thanks for
the time.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
I appreciate it. We'll do it again soon, all right, guys,
I'll take care of all right.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Gene Watson x in with us periodically now during the playoffs,
uh more than once a week if the situation war.
And so we'll see how this week uh develops there
with both the American.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
League and National League Division series.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
We'll hear more from Long Wort's head coach, Steve Sarkisian
coming up on Sports Radio AM thirteen Hunderd The Zone
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