July 10, 2023 • 24 mins
On this edition of Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob is LIVE from the 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle to discuss who he's picking to win the Home Run Derby, why it was so important to have Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani involved in the week's festivities and whether we should expect teams like the San Diego Padres and New York Mets to become buyers or sellers at the upcoming trade deadline. Later, former MLB All-Star Mike Cameron swings by to discuss his playing days with the Mariners, what it was like to get traded for an icon like Ken Griffey Jr back in the day and much more! Finally, we've got appearances from MLBBro.com managing editor JR Gamble and the analytics guru himself Anthony Masterson.
This week's very special bonus edition of Inside the Parker is presented by Blue Moon - Made Brighter.
Subscribe and download all of the latest Inside the Parker podcasts and follow Rob on Twitter!! #OddCouple
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is Inside the Parker presented by Blue Moon Made Brighter.
Baseball's biggest stars have gathered in Seattle, and we've got
the biggest of them all coming to you live from
the Midsummer Classic. Here's Baseball Hall of Fame voter number seven,
Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome into the podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
I'm your host, Rob Parker for this very special all
Star edition from Seattle. And man, what a show we
have for you today, including former Seattle Mariners outfielder Mike Cameron.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
A little history.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
He was once traded for Ken Griffy Junior. He drops by,
we'll talk to him. Plus foul affair, all that much more.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Let's go better to lead off. It's getting robbed to
keep them on. Rob's hot take on the three biggest
stories in Major League Baseball.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Number one, of course, the big buzz here in Seattle
was about the home run Derby, which kicks off on
Monday night. And yes, Mookie Bets will partake in this
home run derby, and that'll be interesting. From the Los
Angeles Dodgers, what a season he's happening. Twenty six home runs,
get this ten from the leadoff spot, and that says
(01:22):
a lot for Mookie Bets becuz he ties Bobby.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Bonds, the former San Francisco Giant.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Great with the most home runs in the leadoff spot,
which is ten before the All Star break in Major
League Baseball history, and that dates back to nineteen seventy
three with Bobby Bonds. So this is not something that
happens that often. But Mookie Bets really really swinging the
bat well twenty six home runs. Had two home runs
(01:51):
against the Angels on Friday night. He had another one
on Saturday, three in his last two games, twenty six
again on this season. It'll be interesting if he has
a chance to win this and add to the already
incredible season he's having.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
One of the big.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Competitors, of course, is Pete Alonzo, who wanted a couple
of years ago for the Mets, the big first basement slugger.
He's a guy you gotta always look at. He has
an unbelievable home run swing. Juan Soda, of course, last year,
won it, so this will be interesting in Seattle. I'm
assuming that the Dome will be open in Seattle, which
(02:34):
should lend itself with some air and the ball carrying,
so the home run derby, which is turned into a
big night all onto itself is something to look forward to.
I'm gonna pick Mookie Bets. He's been swinging a hot
home run beat six home runs in his last ten games,
three over the last two games against the Angels before
(02:54):
the break. I'm betting on Bets Mookie Bets to win
the home run derby. You heard it here first on
Inside the.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Parker Number two.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Thank goodness, sho he Otani is a two way player.
It would have been a shame if we didn't get
to see him participate. We remember he got a blister
in his last start, forced him out of a game,
took him out of the mix for starting as the
pitcher in the American League for the All Star team.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
But he is going to play.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
He's in Seattle, He's going to DH and at least
we're going to see hopefully he'll get two, maybe three
at bats since he's not doing the pitching and the hitting,
and that'll be great. I think the best part about
show Hey is he understands his impact, how many people
want to see him, his place in the game.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
The game is.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Already miss an Aaron Judge and some other big time stars,
and it would have been a shame to not have Judge,
not have Otani. You know, Mike Trout was supposed to
be a starter in the American League. In the NFL,
he got hurt. You know, you're down some big stars,
So show Hey, at least hitting will be worth watching.
(04:12):
And I'm sure the fans will appreciate that he didn't
bow out altogether on a blister, which he could have
if he really wanted to make us think out of it. Instead,
he's in Seattle ready to go, and we're excited to
at least see show Hey at the plate. Maybe he'll
get a couple of home runs because he's had an
unbelievable first half on pace with Aaron Judges, who said
(04:35):
an American League record with sixty two home runs. So
ol Tani's on pace to do the same thing this year,
which is an incredible.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Season number three.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
And of course, the second half of the season kicks
off on Friday all around Baseball America, and you know,
the next couple of weeks will be very very important.
Some teams could fall out of the race and start selling.
Other teams can start buying, thinking that have a chance
to make a push. But I'm gonna stick by my prediction.
I know people think I'm crazy. I'm a sugar. I
(05:06):
still believe the Padres and Mets will make the playoffs.
I don't believe in the Arizona Diamondbacks, don't believe in.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
The Florida Marlins.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Are those are some spots I'm looking at and saying
to myself, the Mets and the Padres can potentially make
up ground. These two teams have really good rosters. If
you look at the back of their baseball cards, you know,
(05:36):
Max Schurzer and Justin Verlander are better than they've been
the first half.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Look at that.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Star studded lineup in San Diego. Some of the guys
have scuffled, some are playing better. Fernando Tattis juniors playing better.
I just believe that ultimately, in the course of one
hundred and sixty two games, those numbers are gonna be right,
and those two teams are going to do it. By hooker,
(06:02):
by crook, uh, They're gonna make it. The Mets had
a nice little stretch where they won five in a
row and then lost two out of three to the Padres,
but they seemed like they were turning things around, and
the Padres are playing better. A big series win against
the Mets. They needed that. It was in San Diego.
So I'm I'm going against everybody else.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
If you watch.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Everybody on MLB Network going against me in the debate,
they're all burying the Mets, burying the Padres.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
I'm not gonna do it.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
I say they both make the postseason and they will
not be selling off their teams, neither one.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
It was a big week in the Big leaguess a
is it foul or is it fair? And now from
mlbtbro dot com, here's JR. Gambo.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Chicago Cubs started Marcus Stroman, who is having a career season,
has decided not to participate in the MLB All Star
Game despite being selected and having a chance to start
the game. Jr. Is it foul or fair of Stroman
to sit this one out? Foul?
Speaker 2 (07:17):
That is a foul ball.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
As much as we love Strochow and understand that he's
the Workhoorse of the Cubs, leads the league in quality starts,
meaning he goes deeper than most pitchers, going games more frequently,
and we get that he pitched for Puerto Rico in
the World Baseball Classic prior to the season, so he's
done a lot, but come on, man, he's never in
(07:40):
his career had an opportunity to start an All Star game.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Give me one inning, dude, give me one inning.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
That swag, that fire you bring to baseball that has
to be seen on a large stage, and he represents
for the black pitchers, and any young aspiring pitcher of
any color would be so excited to see Stro show
on the mound at that All Star Game in Seattle.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
So sure, I'm a bit disappointed.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
Making the All Star Game is an honor, and when
the biggest stars in the game aren't there and Stro
is one of them, the game loses something that's part
of the disconnect sometimes in the partnership between player and
the league. We need to see that brother Strow on
the mound. That means everything to the fans. And while
(08:28):
his reasons are legit, and the Cubs might be making
a little playoff run in the second half, so he
has to be a bit careful. His action scream more
NBA than MLB. Let's go Strow. It's time for the
pocket protector Centro. The analytic numbers you need to know, Well, maybe.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Anthony Masterson is his name, BS analytics is his game.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
What do you got for me? Anthony?
Speaker 5 (08:57):
The All Star Game is back in the Pacific North
for the first time in twenty two years, and it's
bound to be a memorable one as long as injuries
don't take away too much from the festivities. With over
thirty first time All Stars and eight nations represented, including
a record eight All Stars from Cuba, this year will
truly be a snapshot of the international game. The fun
fast can start with who else? Shoheo Tani, a triple
(09:20):
Crown threat at the plate and one of the league's
top arms. He'll be the second DH in All Star
Game history to start three straight, joining David Ortiz, but
he's also the first player in MLB history to have
thirty home runs and ten steals in the first half
twice in a career, and only the sixth player ever
to do it once. Ronald Lekunya Junior is the only
(09:41):
player in MLB history with twenty homers and forty steals
before the break, and is currently on pace for an
unconscionable forty home run seventy seven steel season. The Rangers
are the first AL team since the twenty eleven Yankees
to have three infielders selected to start, and they added
a fourth with catcher Joonahigh. Even though Mike Trout won't play,
(10:02):
he earned his tenth fan selection, the fourth AL player
to reach double digits with one team, joining Cal Ripken Junior,
George Brett, and Ken Griffey Junior. Now the AL has
won nine straight All Star Games. Another win can make
it the second double digit streak in All Star Game history,
joining the NL from nineteen seventy two to nineteen eighty two.
Though it should be noted the AL was unbeaten from
(10:24):
nineteen ninety seven to two thousand and nine, with that
pesky little tie in two thousand and two breaking up
the streak. Tune in on Tuesday to catch a glimpse
of history.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Baseball's biggest stars are gathered in Seattle this week. The
big boppers, the ace pitchers, the slickfielders. They're all here
putting on a show for baseball fans around the world.
And whether you're watching the events in the stadium or
at home on the couch.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
I suggest you take things up a notch with the
blue Moon.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Blue Moon is part of baseball's fabric. In fact, it
was first that course field in Denver. How cool is
that I've been coming to these events for years, but
for me, it doesn't get any better than Derby Day.
Me and my buddies we like to play a game
where we each pick a player we think will hit
the most and whose ever guy comes in last, that
(11:18):
person has to buy around the Blue Moon for the group.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Baseball in Blue Moon. Talk about a win win.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
America's pastime deserves a bold, unique beer.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Enter Blue Moon.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
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a smooth, creamy finish. Keep baseball traditions alive with Blue
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get dop blue Moonbeer dot com slash Rob Parker to
(11:53):
find Blue Moon delivery options.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
That's get dop blue Moonbeer.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Dot com slash Rob Parker. Blue Moon Made Brighter, celebrate responsibly,
Blue Moon Brewing Company, Golden Colorado.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
Al Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
We're so good All right now, let's welcome in on
our special All Star edition of Inside the Parker from Seattle.
Mike Cameron, who wasn't All Star with the Seattle Mariners
in two thousand and one.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
Of course, played a.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Long time in the big leagues, had almost three hundred
the career home runs. But uh, Seattle, you played from
two thousand to two thousand and three. Tell me, Mike
and welcome to the podcast. What was it like playing
in Seattle with the great players that they had, the
atmosphere and returning to the city where you had a
lot of success.
Speaker 6 (12:50):
Definitely.
Speaker 7 (12:51):
You know, by the time I got Darren robbed, when
I got traded there for Grifthy Junr, obviously I was
under a lot of durest and trying to replace a
legend of the nature, you know, the pillar of the
city for so long. And you know, I got the
chance to play in the new ballpark.
Speaker 6 (13:07):
It was built, you know, opened.
Speaker 7 (13:08):
In June ninety nine, and so I got a chance
to basically Christian the ballpark and I play in it.
Speaker 6 (13:17):
Under you know, getting traded over from Griffy Junior.
Speaker 7 (13:21):
But you know, my time that was probably the best
of my career, you know, And how I ended up there,
and how I landed there, landing on my feet playing
you know too, I think I played with you know, offensively,
I played with two of the great, great four guys
(13:41):
that played there. You know, I played with a Rod,
and I played with Jay Bunner, and I and Edgar Martinez,
and obviously Griffy was the fourth piece of that, but
I was the one that got traded for him. So
me coming over in two thousand man and and I
having Loopanel left my manager, and we had a pretty
decent team.
Speaker 6 (13:59):
We ended up up going all the.
Speaker 7 (14:01):
Way to the Alcs and loss, you know, in six
games to the Yankees. And that's when the Yankees really
in their magic as far as their dynasty is so concerned.
Speaker 6 (14:11):
And basically, you know.
Speaker 7 (14:13):
I the people kind of gravitated to me, took to me,
and I just was still kind of growing my game,
and I was just on the up, you know, on
the up and up as far as like where I
was in my career, you know, being a fourth, fifth
year player at that time. And uh, I once I
got out of my mind that I don't have to
(14:34):
do what Griffy does. If I just do what I'm
capable of doing, I'm going to be really good. I
can catch a ball with anybody in the game. So
I'm not worried about that. It's where you're going to
bring to the table offensively, and I was able to
recreate what I did the year before in Cincinnati, you know,
hitting you know, twenty plus homers and stealing thirty something
(14:56):
plus bags and doing what I do best, and and
so that allowed me to kind of insert myself with
this team and make it very good man and the
people being very good to me. I work there now
as a special assignment guy. I do sometimes on wards
let of pre and post game stuff.
Speaker 6 (15:14):
So I'm rooted. I'm rooted down seat.
Speaker 7 (15:16):
Obviously, it's a long ways from Georgia, but I'm excited
about the opportunity to go back. My only first and
only All Star game was in our crazy year two thousand.
Speaker 6 (15:28):
When we were probably seventy games over five hundred.
Speaker 7 (15:31):
So it's just special to be able to be be
a part of something special. And it's been twenty two
years since it was their last time, so to be
on this side of it, to see it all kind
of shape up and seeing the new guys that are here,
and you know, obviously the new start there is Julio
rod Rigginz and him getting a chance to be included
in it too. It not only the home run every
(15:52):
but he actually was chosen to replace I think one
of the guys that have been hurt. So it's going
to be a blessing man to be able to see
all this kind of transpire.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
How about the Yeah, no doubt about it. I mean
I gave goosebumps just listening so much. But but but
how about the fans in Seattle? I mean, you know,
you get traded for Griffy, there's pressure, some people are
disappointed that you be gone. You know what I mean.
I mean that had to be I mean it is
big time bragging, right, you know I got traded for
(16:23):
Ken Griffy.
Speaker 6 (16:24):
Ye like, yeah, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
It won't happen, Okay, But how did how did the
fans treat you in Seattle?
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Because you were an All Star? You played well?
Speaker 6 (16:32):
Yeah? So yes, yes, I played there at a very
good time.
Speaker 7 (16:38):
Our teams were good, We were solid, We came up
showed a couple of times, you know, as far as reaching.
Speaker 6 (16:43):
The World Series. But our teams are very good.
Speaker 7 (16:46):
And you know, for me, once I got that out
of my mind about worrying about what the fans think
of the player in me supposed to me just showing
what I'm capable of doing, uh, you know, because I
was a good player, and it took me a while
to understand that, hey, I'm not going to be a
fifty homer back playing in this ballpark.
Speaker 6 (17:09):
For sure. I'm not gonna be probably not gonna.
Speaker 7 (17:11):
Be a forty homer back, but I can hit close
to twenty five to thirty, and no one's going to
be able to really replace a legend. This guy was
an all time great. I mean, he was on the
All Century Team while he still was playing. So to
be able to just kind of lean on him. I
(17:33):
actually leaned on Griffy a lot, you know, him being
kind of a role model for a lot of the
young center fielders that were coming up, so young black
center fielders that were coming up. So to be able
to lean on him and then understand that just as
much as pressure I was under replacing him, he was
going home to play in Cincinnati, and so he probably
(17:55):
had more because he definitely signed for a whole lot
more than I did, so, you know, just him trying
to remain being you know, King Griffy Jr. The superstar
King Griffy Jr. But we're all synonymous with Griffy Jr.
Because you know, we all tried to be like Griffy Jr.
At third point, and you know, obviously my idol was
Eric Davis, but you know, we all wanted to be easy, graceful,
(18:17):
you know, smiling backwards, being being able.
Speaker 6 (18:22):
To play like a guy like Griffey Jr.
Speaker 7 (18:23):
Man, So you know, I lean on him a lot, man,
And it opened up so many doors of me playing
in Seattle. I never would have thought in all my
whole career that that was one place I would ever play,
but it turned out to be the best place for me,
uh in my situation. And uh you know it's the
people are so generous, so grateful. Uh there they are.
(18:45):
Uh yeah, they're a little bit disgrunning because they really
winning teams in a long time, been with winning there.
But the people when you once you get you know
and you have a competitive team. I me, I've never
played in that stadium. When I played there, in the
stadium not being basically sold out every single night, I
used to say it was the biggest block part of
(19:06):
They had downtown steat every single day.
Speaker 6 (19:09):
And we were we were really good man.
Speaker 7 (19:12):
So and I was really hurt when I wasn't able
to have a chance to sign back there, you know,
because they came from my general manager, from Pat Gillick
to Bill Ravesei and he just felt like I was
a you know, older player. Now I was kind of like,
I guess going down or they were moving in a
different direction. But I was hurt because I felt like
that was my home. I had kind of laid my
(19:32):
roots down and being being very big part of that.
I'm forever greatful Seattle Man. It's it's a blessing. And
the people still to this day many they you know,
they Twitter and they're all over my Instagram and they
root for you heavily. And you know, I'm grateful that
I got a chance to play some good baseball there
with good baseball teams.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
And I'm also glad that they got the new ballpark,
t Mobile Park over the Kingdom, which was I know
you played as a visiting player, but it was kind
of drabbing there.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
It wasn't a place. It really wasn't the indoors, wasn't it.
Speaker 6 (20:11):
No, it wasn't.
Speaker 7 (20:13):
It took away from such a beautiful skyline that they
have there, you know in the summers, and I know
it was it was a it was a blessing to
be in a part of that place. I'm sorry, Rob,
but I know it was a blessing to be a
part of that place for a lot of people or
whatever the king because it was loud, man, it was
(20:35):
so loud in that but that turf was that turf
was brutal to the body, and it was just dark
and dreary in there.
Speaker 6 (20:41):
But you know it's home to many in that place.
Speaker 7 (20:44):
But uh, you know when they got a chance to
get some of that Pacific fresh north Pacific northwest air
man and having that skyline with a semi you know,
retractable roof, I just played there at the best time.
You know, people wanted to be side, and we had
the best summers there because it doesn't get dark to
like nine point thirty sometimes almost chem as the summer
(21:07):
goes on. So I mean, it's just it's a beautiful place.
Once the winter or spring months passed by, you can't
beat it.
Speaker 6 (21:15):
And hopefully, you know, some.
Speaker 7 (21:17):
Of these guys today they can make it much as
the teams that they can make it much as a
home feeling that as it was for us when we
played there.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
All right.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
His name is Mike Cameron. Going back to Seattle, all
those great memories with the Mariners, all Star festivities all
this week coming up Derby on Monday, the game on Tuesday.
Mike Cameron, thanks for your memories, thanks for your insight,
thanks for your knowledge.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
Appreciate you.
Speaker 6 (21:46):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Rob, Now bring in the closer right. Here's why MLB
it's better than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't
even close.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
Reason number five hundred and ninety five why Major League
Baseball is better than the NBA and the NFL centers
around the All Star Game and the whole way that
this thing is done. And remember that every team in
baseball is represented in the All Star Game. And this
is very, very important. It wasn't always like that when
(22:20):
I was a kid growing up in the seventies and
early eighties, and the Mets with my team growing up,
and they were bad back then. If there wasn't an
All Star player on your roster, guess what your team
wasn't represented. So I can remember being a kid, you know,
ten eleven, twelve years old watching the All Star Game going,
(22:43):
I wish there was a Met out there. I can't
believe there's not one Met player and the Met uniform
at the All Star Game. It used to be disappointing
and make me just question the whole thing. I could
be an All Star Game in their team's not represent it.
Every team needs to be represented. And it does make
(23:04):
sense because for every team, no matter how good or
bad they are, there's somebody who's excelled at a level.
There's there's somebody on the Oakland Age who's good and
had a good year despite them not winning.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
So every fan base can get involved and.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
Feels included and has a rooting interest in the All
Star Game.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
It makes total sense.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
And it's not like having the same five or six
teams with all the players like you would see in
the NBA or maybe the NFL, where their teams they're
not represented, and and and you're watching these All Star
games or and and there's no representation. Baseball doesn't get
everything right, but Baseball gets this right. They let the
(23:50):
fans vote to see who they want to see, and
they make sure that there's at least one All Star
from every team. So when you tune in on Tuesday
night and all the greatest players in the league line up,
your team will be called and one of your players
will be on that baseline being introduced in the words
(24:15):
of New York TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking
you for your time this time, until next time, Rob
Parker Out.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
This edition of Inside the Parker was presented by blue
Moon Made Brighter
This is Inside the Parker presented by Blue Moon Made Brighter.
Baseball's biggest stars have gathered in Seattle, and we've got
the biggest of them all coming to you live from
the Midsummer Classic. Here's Baseball Hall of Fame voter number seven,
Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome into the podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
I'm your host, Rob Parker for this very special all
Star edition from Seattle. And man, what a show we
have for you today, including former Seattle Mariners outfielder Mike Cameron.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
A little history.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
He was once traded for Ken Griffy Junior. He drops by,
we'll talk to him. Plus foul affair, all that much more.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Let's go better to lead off. It's getting robbed to
keep them on. Rob's hot take on the three biggest
stories in Major League Baseball.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Number one, of course, the big buzz here in Seattle
was about the home run Derby, which kicks off on
Monday night. And yes, Mookie Bets will partake in this
home run derby, and that'll be interesting. From the Los
Angeles Dodgers, what a season he's happening. Twenty six home runs,
get this ten from the leadoff spot, and that says
(01:22):
a lot for Mookie Bets becuz he ties Bobby.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Bonds, the former San Francisco Giant.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Great with the most home runs in the leadoff spot,
which is ten before the All Star break in Major
League Baseball history, and that dates back to nineteen seventy
three with Bobby Bonds. So this is not something that
happens that often. But Mookie Bets really really swinging the
bat well twenty six home runs. Had two home runs
(01:51):
against the Angels on Friday night. He had another one
on Saturday, three in his last two games, twenty six
again on this season. It'll be interesting if he has
a chance to win this and add to the already
incredible season he's having.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
One of the big.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Competitors, of course, is Pete Alonzo, who wanted a couple
of years ago for the Mets, the big first basement slugger.
He's a guy you gotta always look at. He has
an unbelievable home run swing. Juan Soda, of course, last year,
won it, so this will be interesting in Seattle. I'm
assuming that the Dome will be open in Seattle, which
(02:34):
should lend itself with some air and the ball carrying,
so the home run derby, which is turned into a
big night all onto itself is something to look forward to.
I'm gonna pick Mookie Bets. He's been swinging a hot
home run beat six home runs in his last ten games,
three over the last two games against the Angels before
(02:54):
the break. I'm betting on Bets Mookie Bets to win
the home run derby. You heard it here first on
Inside the.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Parker Number two.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Thank goodness, sho he Otani is a two way player.
It would have been a shame if we didn't get
to see him participate. We remember he got a blister
in his last start, forced him out of a game,
took him out of the mix for starting as the
pitcher in the American League for the All Star team.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
But he is going to play.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
He's in Seattle, He's going to DH and at least
we're going to see hopefully he'll get two, maybe three
at bats since he's not doing the pitching and the hitting,
and that'll be great. I think the best part about
show Hey is he understands his impact, how many people
want to see him, his place in the game.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
The game is.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Already miss an Aaron Judge and some other big time stars,
and it would have been a shame to not have Judge,
not have Otani. You know, Mike Trout was supposed to
be a starter in the American League. In the NFL,
he got hurt. You know, you're down some big stars,
So show Hey, at least hitting will be worth watching.
(04:12):
And I'm sure the fans will appreciate that he didn't
bow out altogether on a blister, which he could have
if he really wanted to make us think out of it. Instead,
he's in Seattle ready to go, and we're excited to
at least see show Hey at the plate. Maybe he'll
get a couple of home runs because he's had an
unbelievable first half on pace with Aaron Judges, who said
(04:35):
an American League record with sixty two home runs. So
ol Tani's on pace to do the same thing this year,
which is an incredible.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Season number three.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
And of course, the second half of the season kicks
off on Friday all around Baseball America, and you know,
the next couple of weeks will be very very important.
Some teams could fall out of the race and start selling.
Other teams can start buying, thinking that have a chance
to make a push. But I'm gonna stick by my prediction.
I know people think I'm crazy. I'm a sugar. I
(05:06):
still believe the Padres and Mets will make the playoffs.
I don't believe in the Arizona Diamondbacks, don't believe in.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
The Florida Marlins.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Are those are some spots I'm looking at and saying
to myself, the Mets and the Padres can potentially make
up ground. These two teams have really good rosters. If
you look at the back of their baseball cards, you know,
(05:36):
Max Schurzer and Justin Verlander are better than they've been
the first half.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Look at that.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Star studded lineup in San Diego. Some of the guys
have scuffled, some are playing better. Fernando Tattis juniors playing better.
I just believe that ultimately, in the course of one
hundred and sixty two games, those numbers are gonna be right,
and those two teams are going to do it. By hooker,
(06:02):
by crook, uh, They're gonna make it. The Mets had
a nice little stretch where they won five in a
row and then lost two out of three to the Padres,
but they seemed like they were turning things around, and
the Padres are playing better. A big series win against
the Mets. They needed that. It was in San Diego.
So I'm I'm going against everybody else.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
If you watch.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Everybody on MLB Network going against me in the debate,
they're all burying the Mets, burying the Padres.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
I'm not gonna do it.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
I say they both make the postseason and they will
not be selling off their teams, neither one.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
It was a big week in the Big leaguess a
is it foul or is it fair? And now from
mlbtbro dot com, here's JR. Gambo.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Chicago Cubs started Marcus Stroman, who is having a career season,
has decided not to participate in the MLB All Star
Game despite being selected and having a chance to start
the game. Jr. Is it foul or fair of Stroman
to sit this one out? Foul?
Speaker 2 (07:17):
That is a foul ball.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
As much as we love Strochow and understand that he's
the Workhoorse of the Cubs, leads the league in quality starts,
meaning he goes deeper than most pitchers, going games more frequently,
and we get that he pitched for Puerto Rico in
the World Baseball Classic prior to the season, so he's
done a lot, but come on, man, he's never in
(07:40):
his career had an opportunity to start an All Star game.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Give me one inning, dude, give me one inning.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
That swag, that fire you bring to baseball that has
to be seen on a large stage, and he represents
for the black pitchers, and any young aspiring pitcher of
any color would be so excited to see Stro show
on the mound at that All Star Game in Seattle.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
So sure, I'm a bit disappointed.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
Making the All Star Game is an honor, and when
the biggest stars in the game aren't there and Stro
is one of them, the game loses something that's part
of the disconnect sometimes in the partnership between player and
the league. We need to see that brother Strow on
the mound. That means everything to the fans. And while
(08:28):
his reasons are legit, and the Cubs might be making
a little playoff run in the second half, so he
has to be a bit careful. His action scream more
NBA than MLB. Let's go Strow. It's time for the
pocket protector Centro. The analytic numbers you need to know, Well, maybe.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Anthony Masterson is his name, BS analytics is his game.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
What do you got for me? Anthony?
Speaker 5 (08:57):
The All Star Game is back in the Pacific North
for the first time in twenty two years, and it's
bound to be a memorable one as long as injuries
don't take away too much from the festivities. With over
thirty first time All Stars and eight nations represented, including
a record eight All Stars from Cuba, this year will
truly be a snapshot of the international game. The fun
fast can start with who else? Shoheo Tani, a triple
(09:20):
Crown threat at the plate and one of the league's
top arms. He'll be the second DH in All Star
Game history to start three straight, joining David Ortiz, but
he's also the first player in MLB history to have
thirty home runs and ten steals in the first half
twice in a career, and only the sixth player ever
to do it once. Ronald Lekunya Junior is the only
(09:41):
player in MLB history with twenty homers and forty steals
before the break, and is currently on pace for an
unconscionable forty home run seventy seven steel season. The Rangers
are the first AL team since the twenty eleven Yankees
to have three infielders selected to start, and they added
a fourth with catcher Joonahigh. Even though Mike Trout won't play,
(10:02):
he earned his tenth fan selection, the fourth AL player
to reach double digits with one team, joining Cal Ripken Junior,
George Brett, and Ken Griffey Junior. Now the AL has
won nine straight All Star Games. Another win can make
it the second double digit streak in All Star Game history,
joining the NL from nineteen seventy two to nineteen eighty two.
Though it should be noted the AL was unbeaten from
(10:24):
nineteen ninety seven to two thousand and nine, with that
pesky little tie in two thousand and two breaking up
the streak. Tune in on Tuesday to catch a glimpse
of history.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Baseball's biggest stars are gathered in Seattle this week. The
big boppers, the ace pitchers, the slickfielders. They're all here
putting on a show for baseball fans around the world.
And whether you're watching the events in the stadium or
at home on the couch.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
I suggest you take things up a notch with the
blue Moon.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Blue Moon is part of baseball's fabric. In fact, it
was first that course field in Denver. How cool is
that I've been coming to these events for years, but
for me, it doesn't get any better than Derby Day.
Me and my buddies we like to play a game
where we each pick a player we think will hit
the most and whose ever guy comes in last, that
(11:18):
person has to buy around the Blue Moon for the group.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Baseball in Blue Moon. Talk about a win win.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
America's pastime deserves a bold, unique beer.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Enter Blue Moon.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
It's carefully crafted and full flavored with refreshing notes and
a smooth, creamy finish. Keep baseball traditions alive with Blue
Moon Belgian style wheat ale. Check out shop dot Blue
Moon Brewing Company dot com for baseball merch and visit
get dop blue Moonbeer dot com slash Rob Parker to
(11:53):
find Blue Moon delivery options.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
That's get dop blue Moonbeer.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Dot com slash Rob Parker. Blue Moon Made Brighter, celebrate responsibly,
Blue Moon Brewing Company, Golden Colorado.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
Al Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
We're so good All right now, let's welcome in on
our special All Star edition of Inside the Parker from Seattle.
Mike Cameron, who wasn't All Star with the Seattle Mariners
in two thousand and one.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
Of course, played a.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Long time in the big leagues, had almost three hundred
the career home runs. But uh, Seattle, you played from
two thousand to two thousand and three. Tell me, Mike
and welcome to the podcast. What was it like playing
in Seattle with the great players that they had, the
atmosphere and returning to the city where you had a
lot of success.
Speaker 6 (12:50):
Definitely.
Speaker 7 (12:51):
You know, by the time I got Darren robbed, when
I got traded there for Grifthy Junr, obviously I was
under a lot of durest and trying to replace a
legend of the nature, you know, the pillar of the
city for so long. And you know, I got the
chance to play in the new ballpark.
Speaker 6 (13:07):
It was built, you know, opened.
Speaker 7 (13:08):
In June ninety nine, and so I got a chance
to basically Christian the ballpark and I play in it.
Speaker 6 (13:17):
Under you know, getting traded over from Griffy Junior.
Speaker 7 (13:21):
But you know, my time that was probably the best
of my career, you know, And how I ended up there,
and how I landed there, landing on my feet playing
you know too, I think I played with you know, offensively,
I played with two of the great, great four guys
(13:41):
that played there. You know, I played with a Rod,
and I played with Jay Bunner, and I and Edgar Martinez,
and obviously Griffy was the fourth piece of that, but
I was the one that got traded for him. So
me coming over in two thousand man and and I
having Loopanel left my manager, and we had a pretty
decent team.
Speaker 6 (13:59):
We ended up up going all the.
Speaker 7 (14:01):
Way to the Alcs and loss, you know, in six
games to the Yankees. And that's when the Yankees really
in their magic as far as their dynasty is so concerned.
Speaker 6 (14:11):
And basically, you know.
Speaker 7 (14:13):
I the people kind of gravitated to me, took to me,
and I just was still kind of growing my game,
and I was just on the up, you know, on
the up and up as far as like where I
was in my career, you know, being a fourth, fifth
year player at that time. And uh, I once I
got out of my mind that I don't have to
(14:34):
do what Griffy does. If I just do what I'm
capable of doing, I'm going to be really good. I
can catch a ball with anybody in the game. So
I'm not worried about that. It's where you're going to
bring to the table offensively, and I was able to
recreate what I did the year before in Cincinnati, you know,
hitting you know, twenty plus homers and stealing thirty something
(14:56):
plus bags and doing what I do best, and and
so that allowed me to kind of insert myself with
this team and make it very good man and the
people being very good to me. I work there now
as a special assignment guy. I do sometimes on wards
let of pre and post game stuff.
Speaker 6 (15:14):
So I'm rooted. I'm rooted down seat.
Speaker 7 (15:16):
Obviously, it's a long ways from Georgia, but I'm excited
about the opportunity to go back. My only first and
only All Star game was in our crazy year two thousand.
Speaker 6 (15:28):
When we were probably seventy games over five hundred.
Speaker 7 (15:31):
So it's just special to be able to be be
a part of something special. And it's been twenty two
years since it was their last time, so to be
on this side of it, to see it all kind
of shape up and seeing the new guys that are here,
and you know, obviously the new start there is Julio
rod Rigginz and him getting a chance to be included
in it too. It not only the home run every
(15:52):
but he actually was chosen to replace I think one
of the guys that have been hurt. So it's going
to be a blessing man to be able to see
all this kind of transpire.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
How about the Yeah, no doubt about it. I mean
I gave goosebumps just listening so much. But but but
how about the fans in Seattle? I mean, you know,
you get traded for Griffy, there's pressure, some people are
disappointed that you be gone. You know what I mean.
I mean that had to be I mean it is
big time bragging, right, you know I got traded for
(16:23):
Ken Griffy.
Speaker 6 (16:24):
Ye like, yeah, you know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
It won't happen, Okay, But how did how did the
fans treat you in Seattle?
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Because you were an All Star? You played well?
Speaker 6 (16:32):
Yeah? So yes, yes, I played there at a very
good time.
Speaker 7 (16:38):
Our teams were good, We were solid, We came up
showed a couple of times, you know, as far as reaching.
Speaker 6 (16:43):
The World Series. But our teams are very good.
Speaker 7 (16:46):
And you know, for me, once I got that out
of my mind about worrying about what the fans think
of the player in me supposed to me just showing
what I'm capable of doing, uh, you know, because I
was a good player, and it took me a while
to understand that, hey, I'm not going to be a
fifty homer back playing in this ballpark.
Speaker 6 (17:09):
For sure. I'm not gonna be probably not gonna.
Speaker 7 (17:11):
Be a forty homer back, but I can hit close
to twenty five to thirty, and no one's going to
be able to really replace a legend. This guy was
an all time great. I mean, he was on the
All Century Team while he still was playing. So to
be able to just kind of lean on him. I
(17:33):
actually leaned on Griffy a lot, you know, him being
kind of a role model for a lot of the
young center fielders that were coming up, so young black
center fielders that were coming up. So to be able
to lean on him and then understand that just as
much as pressure I was under replacing him, he was
going home to play in Cincinnati, and so he probably
(17:55):
had more because he definitely signed for a whole lot
more than I did, so, you know, just him trying
to remain being you know, King Griffy Jr. The superstar
King Griffy Jr. But we're all synonymous with Griffy Jr.
Because you know, we all tried to be like Griffy Jr.
At third point, and you know, obviously my idol was
Eric Davis, but you know, we all wanted to be easy, graceful,
(18:17):
you know, smiling backwards, being being able.
Speaker 6 (18:22):
To play like a guy like Griffey Jr.
Speaker 7 (18:23):
Man, So you know, I lean on him a lot, man,
And it opened up so many doors of me playing
in Seattle. I never would have thought in all my
whole career that that was one place I would ever play,
but it turned out to be the best place for me,
uh in my situation. And uh you know it's the
people are so generous, so grateful. Uh there they are.
(18:45):
Uh yeah, they're a little bit disgrunning because they really
winning teams in a long time, been with winning there.
But the people when you once you get you know
and you have a competitive team. I me, I've never
played in that stadium. When I played there, in the
stadium not being basically sold out every single night, I
used to say it was the biggest block part of
(19:06):
They had downtown steat every single day.
Speaker 6 (19:09):
And we were we were really good man.
Speaker 7 (19:12):
So and I was really hurt when I wasn't able
to have a chance to sign back there, you know,
because they came from my general manager, from Pat Gillick
to Bill Ravesei and he just felt like I was
a you know, older player. Now I was kind of like,
I guess going down or they were moving in a
different direction. But I was hurt because I felt like
that was my home. I had kind of laid my
(19:32):
roots down and being being very big part of that.
I'm forever greatful Seattle Man. It's it's a blessing. And
the people still to this day many they you know,
they Twitter and they're all over my Instagram and they
root for you heavily. And you know, I'm grateful that
I got a chance to play some good baseball there
with good baseball teams.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
And I'm also glad that they got the new ballpark,
t Mobile Park over the Kingdom, which was I know
you played as a visiting player, but it was kind
of drabbing there.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
It wasn't a place. It really wasn't the indoors, wasn't it.
Speaker 6 (20:11):
No, it wasn't.
Speaker 7 (20:13):
It took away from such a beautiful skyline that they
have there, you know in the summers, and I know
it was it was a it was a blessing to
be in a part of that place. I'm sorry, Rob,
but I know it was a blessing to be a
part of that place for a lot of people or
whatever the king because it was loud, man, it was
(20:35):
so loud in that but that turf was that turf
was brutal to the body, and it was just dark
and dreary in there.
Speaker 6 (20:41):
But you know it's home to many in that place.
Speaker 7 (20:44):
But uh, you know when they got a chance to
get some of that Pacific fresh north Pacific northwest air
man and having that skyline with a semi you know,
retractable roof, I just played there at the best time.
You know, people wanted to be side, and we had
the best summers there because it doesn't get dark to
like nine point thirty sometimes almost chem as the summer
(21:07):
goes on. So I mean, it's just it's a beautiful place.
Once the winter or spring months passed by, you can't
beat it.
Speaker 6 (21:15):
And hopefully, you know, some.
Speaker 7 (21:17):
Of these guys today they can make it much as
the teams that they can make it much as a
home feeling that as it was for us when we
played there.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
All right.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
His name is Mike Cameron. Going back to Seattle, all
those great memories with the Mariners, all Star festivities all
this week coming up Derby on Monday, the game on Tuesday.
Mike Cameron, thanks for your memories, thanks for your insight,
thanks for your knowledge.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
Appreciate you.
Speaker 6 (21:46):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Rob, Now bring in the closer right. Here's why MLB
it's better than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't
even close.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
Reason number five hundred and ninety five why Major League
Baseball is better than the NBA and the NFL centers
around the All Star Game and the whole way that
this thing is done. And remember that every team in
baseball is represented in the All Star Game. And this
is very, very important. It wasn't always like that when
(22:20):
I was a kid growing up in the seventies and
early eighties, and the Mets with my team growing up,
and they were bad back then. If there wasn't an
All Star player on your roster, guess what your team
wasn't represented. So I can remember being a kid, you know,
ten eleven, twelve years old watching the All Star Game going,
(22:43):
I wish there was a Met out there. I can't
believe there's not one Met player and the Met uniform
at the All Star Game. It used to be disappointing
and make me just question the whole thing. I could
be an All Star Game in their team's not represent it.
Every team needs to be represented. And it does make
(23:04):
sense because for every team, no matter how good or
bad they are, there's somebody who's excelled at a level.
There's there's somebody on the Oakland Age who's good and
had a good year despite them not winning.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
So every fan base can get involved and.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
Feels included and has a rooting interest in the All
Star Game.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
It makes total sense.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
And it's not like having the same five or six
teams with all the players like you would see in
the NBA or maybe the NFL, where their teams they're
not represented, and and and you're watching these All Star
games or and and there's no representation. Baseball doesn't get
everything right, but Baseball gets this right. They let the
(23:50):
fans vote to see who they want to see, and
they make sure that there's at least one All Star
from every team. So when you tune in on Tuesday
night and all the greatest players in the league line up,
your team will be called and one of your players
will be on that baseline being introduced in the words
(24:15):
of New York TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking
you for your time this time, until next time, Rob
Parker Out.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
This edition of Inside the Parker was presented by blue
Moon Made Brighter
Hosts And Creators
kelvin washington
Rob Parker
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