June 20, 2023 • 42 mins
The Book of Joe Podcast begins with the MLB season approaching the halfway mark! Hosts Tom Verducci and Joe Maddon are in awe of Shohei Ohtani and with the Angels in the mix, Joe hopes the franchise is looking to protect their superstar. How has Ohtani adjusted his performance at the plate to get even more comfortable? On the fun side, should managers wear uniforms and numbers? Joe explains his attire and reveals how he got his number.
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. Hey,
welcome back the latest edition of the Book of Joe Podcast.
It's me Tom Berducci with my buddy Joe Madden and
(00:25):
Joe Believe it or not. This is Week thirteen of
the season of a twenty six week season.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
So do the math.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
After the conclusion of this week, we will be halfway through.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
The twenty twenty three baseball season. Amazing.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
I was just looking at the date I wrote it
down on my no it's June twentieth. That happened pretty quickly,
it does. I mean baseball from my personal evaluation was
spring trinning was like like you're starting the engine, like
Michael Chuck you staff is with all those old cars.
It's took forever to start. But once it gets going, man,
and it grabs its momentum, it just flies by all
(01:03):
of a sudden that you just rip off each calendar month.
So June twentieth already didn't realize the epicenter. But it's
kind of interesting. It's kind of playing out in a
very interesting way based on the changes to real changes.
And I have been watching more diligently.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Yeah, and I'll tell you every season.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
As you know, narratives start to develop that maybe you
didn't see comming some of you expected. And you mentioned
the rule changes. That was certainly a big one coming
into this season. And by the way, I have a
bone to pick with you, not you personally, but about
major league managers that we're going to get to later on.
But for now, I think the biggest narrative of this
season is sho Heo Tani.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
And I know you're sitting there saying, oh, we know
this guy's great.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
He's the unicorn of baseball, right folks, show Heyo Tani
is better than he's ever been, and now we're getting
to see him do this for an Angels team that
is in the mix. Not just in the mix, they're
actually holding a playoff spot right now. They're in a
second wildcard position. Yes, it's early, but for the Angels,
(02:05):
that's something new. I'm curious, Joe, you know, show hey, well,
obviously he pitched and hit for you. From your observations,
what are you seeing from Shohei Otani in twenty three.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Well, he just wants to be the best. He is
the best, and he wants to maintain that. I do
believe this. I don't know that. I'm a big fan
of the WBC, but them winning and how he responded
when they did win, the throwing the glove, the screaming
and everything that occurred then I think is playing into
now with him personally. I mean, he wants to win.
(02:43):
That's I'm telling you. He is great, pitching, hitting, running, whatever,
he's great, but he wants to win. And I think
that that moment glove toss in the air then winning
the WBC, I think that really personified exactly who he is.
So now with the Angels playing really well and in
the mix, you're going to see the best version and
(03:03):
if him, the biggest thing now for me with them
would be protect him. I know Trotty's behind him, and
I know Michael is this off a little bit right now,
but if he's not protected, this is one of those
things where you stop. You know, it's take an Aaron Judge.
You got to protect an Aaron Judge. You see what
happens when he's not in the line of But that's
what's going I think that's what's going on. It's a
free agent year. He is the best, he wants to
(03:26):
remain the best. He cannot be more focused, it's impossible.
So I think there's all these like little subplots conspiring
to make this the best year he's had to this point.
And I'm only saying to this point because it's gonna
be another great year and then he's gonna want top
it again next year.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Bengo, By the way, I think you're dead on, especially
about the WBC. We're gonna get to protection at Mike
Trout in a minute there, because that's also a part
of this.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
But you know that WBC.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
I know from the American point of view, a lot
of people are just plugged into their teams and spring
training and kind of pay attention to it casually.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
But that is a huge deal.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
You were talking about TV ratings in Japan, like more
than half the sets were tuned into that team playing
when those games were playing during the WBC and Showhy
not only was the de facto captain of that club,
think about what he did before the championship game. They're
playing Team USA, A lot of pressure on them. You
have to understand a lot of pressure on that team
(04:26):
to win. It's kind of like our basketball dream teams
going to the Olympics. You're expected to win. That's the
way they feel in Japan, it's a big, big deal.
Before the championship game against Team USA, Otani gets the
team together and calls a team meeting in the clubhouse
and he basically says, listen, we know those are superstars
on an other team. We know the Mike Trouts of
(04:46):
the world, that Trey Turners. We know those are big names.
But you know what, We've admired them and we respect them.
But tonight we can't be cowed by them. We have
to stand up to them and show them that we
not only can play with them, but can be better
than them.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
How about that Shoots. I mean, we don't talk about.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Him a lot as a leader, Joe, but in this situation,
with so much on the line, the dude stepped up
from a leadership standpoint, and then he delivered on the field.
I mean, you're talking about a guy in between at
bats going down to the bullpen to warm up to
close the game. Just a fantastic moment. And I agree
with you. I think that set the stage for him
for this season.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Yeah, a hundred percent. And it also illustrates I believe,
and everybody wants the manager to get up to make
this wonderful speech that implores him it's not the nineteen
eighty hockey team and it's not football team playing once
a week. When a player of his stature gets up,
I don't even know, maybe for the first time, and
basically it's just kind of like one true sentence at
(05:47):
a time. That's what he did. And with that passion
and that belief, of course it's going to spill over
into the rest of the group. And then on top
of that, go out there and be Michael Jordan make
the last shot, or Larry Bird whomever you could talk about,
our Tom Brady making the last pass. He was that guy,
all those guys on that one particular day, and this
has been welling up in him. This has been you know,
(06:09):
from the beginning, starts good, a little bit of a setback, injuries,
et cetera, and then comes back and finds his way
in the Major League Baseball. So again, knowing him, I
believe he finally he felt that it was okay that
he would get up there in front of everybody, that
he felt it was his obligation to do that. And
(06:30):
having played and it's been so successful in the major leagues,
I think there there was that that that thought or
that feeling within him. Okay, yeah, I am the right
guy for this right now. There's nobody else going to
do it at night. And I feel comfortable about this
and I feel good about what I got to say.
And when you get to that point when you feel
kind of like you're right, definitely the message comes through.
(06:52):
And I think all those things again conspired in that moment,
and when I heard that he had done that again,
it makes way more impact, I believe than any manager
standing up in that particular moment.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Yeah, and I think we're seeing, too, Joe how important
winning is to him, because it's actually bringing out the
best in him, whether it was the WBC or now
playing meaningful games every night with the Angels. Joey Otani, Listen,
he leads the world in home runs and he also
on the mound allows the fewest hits per nine innings.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
I mean, just think about that.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
I mean, yeah, that can happen in Williamsport in the
Little League, but it just does not happen in Major
League Baseball. So, Joe, we talk in our book a
lot you do about the five levels of being a professional.
Maybe it was always in there in show, Hey, in
terms of all I want to do is win. But
now that he's actually playing these games that matter, it
(07:47):
just seems obvious to me how much he is motivated
by winning.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah, it's not just been talked to this point. I've
always believed that I have getting to know him when
you have a conversation with him and you know E
pays there also is translator then now shows getting a
little bit better with the langue and is able to
understand the nuance of what he's saying. It's always been
there whenever he's talked about it. You can see it
in his face. This is not hyperbole. It's not like
(08:13):
I'm trying to convince you. I'm trying not to be
like saying the right things here. This is who he
is and what he feels. I thought that from the
beginning when I got to know him, he was hurting.
When he was hurting, it bothered him that he was
unable to contribute. And that's a big reason why. Also
that he wants to hit when he pitches, that when
we were able to finally do that, because he knows
(08:34):
he could impact the game with his bat. Also when
he pitches, and felt like seriously that he was letting
the group down a little bit if he did not
hit on the day that he pitched. We could think
about this, we could talk about it, but as a
mindset that's unique to him and it doesn't permeate our
country regarding on a major league level, because like you said,
(08:55):
we could do it in high school, maybe a little
leaguer at college, but to do it professionally, it ain't
gonna happen anytime soon again. And if it does not
to this level, just a different breed of a baseball
player and philosophically, how he was raised and who imparted
these thoughts in him. His work ethic beautiful stuff.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
And Joe you saw firsthand his work ethic.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
And anybody goes to spring training to watch the Angels
play and work out and go through their day, Otani's
pretty much on his own program, and it is so detailed.
I mean, everything is done with a purpose, everything for
a reason. He may not be stretching with the team
or doing infield and outfield relays, but he is so
(09:40):
purposeful with what he does. There's a great story about
show Hey going back to when he was in high school.
He actually, at one point as a freshman was pretty thin,
and he joined something called the Weight Game Club, and
after the end of the day, the principal would announce
it's time for the Weight Game Club to report to
this office, and they all got these protein shakes, and
(10:02):
Otani was packed on extra calories with cake and late
night snacks and all this stuff.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
And then his.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Sophomore year, he had a hip injury and he couldn't patch,
he couldn't hit.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
He had to basically rest for a while.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
And that's where he got so called religion when it
comes to what he put in his body and his training,
and he cut out all the junk food and just
ever since then, we've seen this guy literally grow. I mean,
if you get up to show hey up close, you're
astounded by how broad his shoulders are, how strong he is,
how big he is. Joe, what did you see in
(10:36):
this commitment that not just to be a two way player,
but to be the best athlete that he can possibly be.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Yeah, you brought it up there. I was asked about, well,
Show Hayes stretching by himself. It seems like Show Hayes
on his own program. I said, he should be. He
is the punter, he's the kicker, he's the quarterback, he's
the middle linebacker, he's everything. And to just set him
out there with the rest of the group, who has
who all have them more defined to practice on a
(11:04):
daily basis with different needs. How could you possibly pigeon
on him into that and ask him go ahead, show
you go ahead and do that like everybody else. No,
I knew from the beginning that he had to do
something differently. I didn't realize about the diet. But the
thing to really note on him that I have he
got hurt what once with his arm, he had to
get Tommy John whatever. But otherwise, this guy plays. This
(11:26):
guy answers the bell every night and within everyday. Major
League Baseball players counted upon. That's one of the greatest tools.
These guys play every night, through good and bad. And
he plays hard. This guy runs hard to first base
all the time. So yeah, the discipline with him reaches
into every component of his life. What he does after
(11:49):
the game, how he gets ready when he wakes up
in the morning. Everything has a purpose. And I think
if you really trace back some great athletes, like they're
the super superstars, the guys that are over the top,
that are there every year that are able to perform
at that level. Man, that mental level. Again, I bring
it up in the Jordans and the Birds, and in
(12:12):
basketball Brady of course, and the you know the Yankee
group and the you know the Juter group back then.
I mean that they're one of their greatest friends. Was
that how they played and what they believed in and
their dedication to their game and et cetera. So I
he's just a cut above and it'll be hard for
people to replicate him.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Oh absolutely, the idea that you know this will encourage
more two way players. Forget it, people, this guy is
just so so special and right now he turns twenty
nine next month in July. He's playing the best baseball
of his life.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Why is that?
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Well, we'll answer that question right after this. Okay, Joe,
we're talking about show Heyani, who is this year so
far a three hundred hitter. Besides the obvious power that
(13:09):
he has leading the league in RBI's home runs, adjustedsps,
total bases, you name it. I'm curious your take because
this is what I see. Shoey Otani has the lowest
strikeout rate in his career so far, and if you
watch many of his home runs, where are they going out?
They're going out to center field, They're going out to
(13:30):
left center field, They're going out to left field. It
looks to me like Otani is much more comfortable with
letting the ball back up and he's not out front
getting fooled off balance on that front side. And by
letting the ball get a little deeper, he has reduced
his strikeout rate. And if this guy puts the ball
in the air, folks, there's a good chance that's going out.
(13:51):
He's on a streak right now where his last nine
fly balls, eight of them have been home runs. I
mean the damage that he does is ratio of damage
to fly balls is ridiculous. If he touches it, it's
pretty much going out the way he leverages the baseball.
But I think Joe he's much more I don't know
if comfortable as a word or balance, but he's letting
(14:13):
the ball back up and he's doing damage the other
way and cut down the swings and misses.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Yeah, and why because he wants to. I am sure
that's a mindful adjustment that he made in the offseason.
Somebody brought something to his attention about where he's being
pitched at and what the results are. From the beginning,
I try to get him to hit the rocks in
Anaheim Stateium. That was my thing with him. Show, Hey,
we're going to celebrate after the game. You hit the
rocks tonight, we're celebrating after the game. You're coming in
(14:41):
my office. And that was that's that was very obvious
at the time when he's there. Listen, there's no part
of a ballpark that can hold him. And quite frankly,
think about how many times he just like pulls there
or hooks a home run. Normally it's like right center
on over that's that's where his swing plays. I think
that's it's just mindful. I also believe that with the
(15:04):
way the defenses are set up now he knew. Look
moving forward, I'm going to play with this whole field.
I'm going to set the table up for my guys.
What's the score right now? There's a home run needed?
Do I need to get on base with the guys
in front of me. He plays the game. He plays
the game striking out. I don't want to strike out anymore.
I want to strike out lists Okay, do I do
about it? And he's doing something about it? It's just again,
(15:26):
it's something that most of us can't do or ever do.
You might have that thought, somebody might give you that
piece of information, but he still can't put it into play.
He can't. I'm telling you he can't. It's amazing to watch
him prep every day, even watching him prepare for a game. Honestly,
he doesn't need a whole lot of scouting information before
(15:47):
he'll take those little nuggets and he's gonna go out
there and he's gonna paint as an artist as what
he's singing in the batter's box. Offensively, he'll look and
see what the guy's been trying to do to him before,
where his mistakes have been made, and he's going to
do something part of that game to fix it against
that guy out for that team that night or that
serious because he knows that's how they're pitching to him. Again.
(16:08):
Easier said than done, absolutely, but this is this is
who he is. He's just so mindful and able to
see what's going on in front of him and then
adjust physically.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
All right, Joe, let's talk about protection.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
You know all the time you spent putting lineups together,
sitting down with your Cafe Americano and what's the best
what's the best lineup you can put together a batting order.
Maybe it doesn't mean a whole lot, but you know,
subtle differences the way you arrange groups of hitters can
make a difference as the game plays out. In this case,
(16:42):
it was only about three weeks ago, two and a
half weeks ago. Phil Nevin kind of flip flopped Mike
Trout and show hey Otani. At the beginning of the season,
it was mostly Trout to Otani. Three lately he's flip
flopped him, and he's got Trout behind Otani. And here's
what Otani has done here since that flip flop four
(17:05):
twenty six batting average five forty one ohps, getting up
based more than half the time, and this slugging percentage,
this is not a misprint one eighty five. Oh my goodness, So, Joe,
I mean you were not lucky enough to have those
guys in the lineup all the time together, given their injuries.
But how about the order of those two Does it matter?
(17:28):
What did you notice Trout Otanni together?
Speaker 3 (17:31):
I think it does. I've had arguments with, you know,
guys in the front office or analytical dudes for years
because they just think it's it's not as important. I
know one thing, when the lineup card is sent over
from one team to the other, the first thing you
look at is how it's stacked up, and what could
I do in the latter part of the game. Who
do we not have to pitch to in certain moments,
who's like blazing hot, who are going to stay away from?
(17:53):
And even guys that are normally blazing hot that stink
right now, you're going to go after these guys. So
I totally believe in that. For years, I would go
right left, right, left, right left with my lineup before
the three batter minimum came in for the relief pitchers.
Once that occurred, I like to go right, right, left, right,
right left to try to protect my left hand, my
(18:15):
better left handed hitters. Furthermore, a guy like show Hey,
if in fact, it gets to the point where nobody
wants to pitch to him, that's what I really like
to lead him off, because I want the whole lineup
to protect him. And I've used that phrase in the
past too. At some point, if they want to continue
to tiptoe around this guy, I'm going to do that.
Then you say, well there's going to be nobody on
(18:35):
base in front of him, Well, he's not going to
get to swing the bat anyway. You might as well
put some good dudes behind him. I'm a big believer
in protection. I know it's a fact. I know it
goes on the other dug. And I'll tell you another thing.
Latter part of the game. It's not just about the first, second, third, fourth,
or fifth inning. When it gets late, man, you want
that guy to be able to hit. You want somebody
if something is happening, You want them to pitch with
(18:57):
this fellow. And if he's not protected, you're not going
to get pitched to it. You're just remember the year
I walked with How many times do we Bryce Harper
in Chicago?
Speaker 1 (19:05):
My god, Yeah, you sent him into a slump because
you didn't pitch to him in any situation base is
empty or runners on.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
Well, that was you know, that was mine of construction. Honestly,
I mean at that time, if friend Don't had been
behind him, or if Daniel Murphy had been behind him,
would have pitched to him. But Zimmerman was vandam and
zimm was a great player, but he was cold. He
could not have been more could So why would we
mess with Bryce right there when I know the other
guy really is not on top of his game. And furthermore,
(19:35):
you play a lot of pressure to some people that
they're not normally accustomed to. That pressure sometimes depends on
who that player may be. So again, there's I don't
even how many reasons I've given you right there, and
I'm still going to get an argument from somebody that
it's not true. It is true. It is true. Everybody
looks at that before the game. And as the pitchers themselves,
how do they feel about who's sitting? They're always looking
at the on deck circle. It always matters.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
That's a great point.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
I've seen that a pitcher literally will look to see
who's coming up just to remind himselves, Okay.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
I have to be careful or I better go after
this guy. A great point.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
So that brings us to Mike Trout, because now he
is the protection for shohe Otani, and I've seen things
this year that just boggle my mind with Mike Trout.
Mike Trout actually sees the greatest percentage of fastballs this
year than any hitter in baseball. Now, if you look
at the top five who see the most fastballs.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
We're taking cutters out.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
This is for steemers and sinkers, their leadoff hitter types
without power. We're talking about people like Stephen Kwan, John Birdie,
Brandon Nimo. You know these people, You're gonna go after
them if you're a pitcher. Mike Trout should not be
seeing the highest percentage of fastball But there's a reason,
and that's.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Because he hasn't hit them. He really hasn't.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
He hasn't hit a home run on a pitch over
ninety four all year. In the month of June, he
was seeing seventy five percent fastballs and hitting.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Under one hundred against them.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Mind boggling pitchers getting Mike Trout out one way now
last weekend in Kansas City, and you knew what was
gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
It started to turn.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
He got I think five hits off fastballs, everything from
Zach Grienki at eighty nine to the eldest Chapman at
one oh one. I think, Joe, this guy's turning a
corner right now. You know Mike is not going to
stay down for long. And if you get to watch
the Angels with Otani and Trout hot at the same time.
(21:28):
Oh my goodness, that's a fourth of July fireworks show.
I want to see. Agree, So give me your take
on a Mike Trout what he does behind the show. Hey,
and I don't know if he ever told you this,
but I've talked to Mike a lot. When things go
a little bit wrong mechanically for him, He's pretty simple
when it comes to that. It's all about just getting
his front foot down on time. Everything stems from getting
(21:49):
that front foot down for Mike Trout.
Speaker 3 (21:51):
Agreed, And you're right, he's gonna make the adjustment. I've
seen that. I've even seen that in the past, even
when I was with the Race. That's the one thing
we wanted to do was elevated fastball, and I used
to bring Jake McGeehan to pitch to him out of
the bullpen for that particular reason. Mikey's a really, really
good in the zone breaking ball hitter, and I think,
you know, with analytics, eventually somebody's going to figure that out.
(22:13):
Of course, you still need to throw those, but you
don't want to put him in a spot that this guy,
you know, the way his bat works within the strike zone,
it's devastating, So everybody understands that. Everybody knows that right now,
front foot down. The thing that I saw with Michael
right before I left, and I talked about is just
to remain more quiet. I thought, if you think about it,
the more you move your back before the pitch comes
(22:34):
in harder, it is the time that front foot being down.
I like him really quiet. I think when he gets
really quiet, that foot gets down more readily on time,
to the point where you don't even have to take
a strike, just keep the foot on the ground. He's
strong enough, so he's going to make all these adjustments.
He's gonna have to get on above the elevated fastball
or if it's a ball, he's got to just learn
(22:54):
to take that. He normally has a pretty good eye,
but like you're saying, I'm betting on him. Love to
see them both get hot at the same time. The
other guys they got in there, and Drury I really
like a lot Renfro. I like a lot Ursula Orcella.
Really a good baseball player, one of the better. Nobody
talks about him enough. He's a really good baseball player.
And I think Fletch's back up is that right, is
(23:15):
Fletcher because of Nito? Is that right?
Speaker 2 (23:17):
They just bring him back up.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Yeah, I mean they've had a bunch of injuries and
Netta was doing a fantastic job and he's got that
oblique injury.
Speaker 2 (23:24):
As you know, that can be a good four or
five weeks.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
They may be without him for a while, but yeah,
this is it's a deeper lineup now, even with some
of the injuries. And listen, I more protection around show
Hay so that people have to pitch to him. As
a baseball fan, I want to see that, you know.
I hope people don't get accustomed to how great and
(23:47):
unique Sho Hay is. And just to help you appreciate
him even more, I'm looking at his numbers through this
point in his career as a hitter and a pitcher.
It's a little more than six hundred games as a hitter,
you know, over seventy to eighty games as a pitcher.
And the players he is analogous too in terms of
his numbers as a hitter Frank Robinson and as a
(24:10):
pitcher Jim Palmer. Shoe Otani is a mashup of two
first Ballot Hall of famers, Frank Robinson and Jim Palmer.
If you were just one of those disciplines and you
were mentioning the same breath as Frank Robinson, you'd go wow.
Or a pitcher you'd say, hey, that guy reminds me
of Jim Palmer. You're like, wow, be careful. That's really
(24:30):
high praise. He's a combination of Frank Robinson and Jim Palmer.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Amazing.
Speaker 3 (24:36):
Yeah. Listen again, I know we all get to watch
him on TV and you read all these things and
you watch the last pitch of the WBC and then
you'll see a bomb to right central at Aynheim State
or Angel Stadium. It ain't going away. It's not just
with good health. It's not going away. Like I said,
he's gonna have his best year ever this year, and
(24:56):
then with good health, I anticipate the same thing happening
next year. We's gonna have a better year next year
than this year. Incredible mind you mentally, strong focus, and
the other thing he's he's able to just dump throw
away any kind of failure. It doesn't linger, it doesn't stick.
(25:19):
He's kind of tough on with that, and I think
that's important. Also. Listen, he goes to some bad moments too,
but the way he goes about his business, you could
see he just he's not a carrier. There's a trash can,
I'm throwing it in that trash can.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
And to move on to the next moment, Well, it
looks like we could be in a real treat in
the second half of the season watching show. Hey o
Tani play in meaningful games and once again I think
is bringing out the best in him.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
That will be fun to watch.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
Well, I promised you, Joe, I wanted to ask you
about this little pet peeve that I have, and we're
gonna do that right after the.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
Break, all right, Joe.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Major league managers, I watched a lot of these guys
go out to the mound to make a pitching change,
and they look like they just finished working out.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
I'm a what has happened to baseball uniforms. I've got
a suggestion here.
Speaker 1 (26:19):
If you're a manager and we can't you're not wearing
a uniform jersey. You know what, We're gonna take your
number away. You shouldn't have a number if you're gonna
go out there just in a T shirt like working out.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
Teach.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Come on, and you know the Yankees actually had petitioned
major League Baseball because the Yankees have retired so many numbers,
They're like, you know, can we have not assigned numbers
to our manager and coaches because we need those for
the players. I'm not saying that's the reason that we
should do this, but come on, there's to me, there's
something sacred about a uniform. And I don't say you
(26:53):
have to be Connie Mack and wear a three piece
suit and a straw boater when you're running a game.
And I'm not saying everybody you know should have a
full uniform walking out to the mound like you're being
in but sometimes getting too sloppy here, Joe. I just
think it's a bad look when when those gates are
open and you're on the field. I think there's a
level of professional I want to see. I know you're
(27:13):
gonna disagree with me because it's not important.
Speaker 3 (27:16):
You're speaking to me. You're speaking to me directly right now,
that's what you're doing. Yeah, Well, I was.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
A hoodie guy, you were.
Speaker 3 (27:23):
I love the hoodie. I love the hoodie, you know, And.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
I'm actually okay with the hoodie. I'm selling and contradicting myself.
But I'm talking about guys out there just in the
T shirt. I mean that to me is not a
good look.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
I can't disagree with that. I wouldn't do that. I
didn't do that, you know, the uniform top itself on
a warm day, that's what I would I don't want
to say to evolve into. But they give you so
many alternatives. That's part of the gig too. You get
in your locker, there are so many alternative looks to
choose from, and the guy's gonna pick the one that
he thinks she looks the hottest in and he's gonna
go out there on a warmer day and muscle it up,
(27:57):
you know. So I just like, I mean, I was
always cold, like even in the tropic cannon Field that
was always cold. So and I am I mean Chicago cold,
Anaheim at night cold. So I was a hoodie guy
for those reasons. But on a hot day you might
see me on occasion with that or even we got
to the point where we cut the sleeves out there.
The seamstress gotten real nice, and I'd have a short
(28:19):
sleeve hoodie. But that was my method. And I think,
if you're you agree, I don't like T shirts, but
the alternative methods. They're they're in your locker, they're encouraged.
I mean, we're going to sell these things. All those
things are part of the marketing I think from MLB.
So I don't know, You're right, I'm the wrong guy
(28:39):
to talk to you about this because I'm into individual
individuality with almost everything. But for me it was the
hoodie normally, or my jersey on a really really hot day.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
How about numbers for a manager and coach? You okay
with that?
Speaker 1 (28:55):
And by the way, you have to tell a story
about your number.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
Yeah, I mean, well, yeah, I like, and I mean
I think we all should have numbers. Absolutely. It's a
pretty big part of being part of a team is
having a number. Yeah. I mean as a kid growing up,
I was in football number twelve because of Joe Namath.
Baseball it varied a little bit. I didn't have that
same strong affinity to one number like I did in football,
But in baseball I was number twenty. I was number
(29:20):
twenty all through the minor leagues with the Angels. I
was number twenty as a minor league manager. Then I'm
wearing it in spring training and all of a sudden
we acquired Don Sutton and Don comes into town and
the audacity of Don to get or ask or have
my number over me. And so I show up at
spring training one day out at Genoutry Park and Mace.
(29:41):
I walked to my locker and I was, there's number
seventy in my locker, and I thought, all right, that's
all right, here we go. And I told Leonard Garcia
at the time he was the clubby, I said, I
will never ever, never ever change that number because nobody's
ever going to want number seventy, although today it's become
more in vogue. But that was my comment, I'll never
ever change my number from seventy again, and I haven't
(30:05):
and I didn't. But that was That's exactly how it worked.
That's exactly how it came down in that particular date.
And of course, mister Sutton, I mean, Don so longer
with us, What a good guy. He treated me so well.
But that's why I went from twenty to seventy.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
Joe, did you get anything from Don Sutton?
Speaker 1 (30:20):
Did you get a Rolex watch at dinner, a set
of golf clubs, anything?
Speaker 3 (30:24):
I think it was a thank you. It's not nice, thanks, buddy,
you know, thanks for doing that. No, I didn't know.
It's gotten become more mainstream to get something for this,
but at that time, I'm just a minor league shoot.
That was like my third or fourth fifth year maybe
as a minor league coach manager, and so we you know,
(30:46):
I'm just I'm just my corner locker or Geoautry park
that I had for years. There's number seventy.
Speaker 1 (30:53):
Well, all these they are great stories, but again, Joe,
let's go back to where we started. Show Hey, Otani
to me the biggest story of this season, and you
always have great insights on show Hey. I know if
I've ever asked you though, Joe, the first time you
met show Hey, did you have like some deep conversation
with him. I mean, obviously you heard and knew a
lot about him, but to meet sho hey and and
(31:16):
and to be his manager.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Tell me about first impressions.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
Yeah, well that was like as he was he had
been injured, you know when I first saw him, and
I'm seeing him coming off the injury, and honestly, he
just he wasn't. What we're seeing right now was not
what I saw. He was starting to throw again and
he's kept stuffing sliders, stuff, in his fastball, He's spinning
off everything with it. As a hitter, it was the
(31:40):
farthest thing it's he talked about the one eighty regarding
ability and what I saw him being Wow. I mean
he he really was not very good when I first
saw him, based on probably time down he you know,
he had already been Rookie of the Year apparently too,
and so I didn't see that. So conversationally, kind of quiet,
you know, and again not really impressive with his English yet,
(32:04):
although he is now. So it was kind of a
different awakening or method to see him for the first
time because it wasn't what I had heard about. It's
not what I expected. But you know, you're patient, you wait,
You go through that whole twenty twenty season not very good,
and then Man Superman shows up in twenty twenty one.
I guess that off season he went out and I
(32:26):
guess went up to Seattle, worked out a lot up
in Seattle. But his ability and his confidence came back simultaneously.
So when I first met him, he wasn't the confident
young man. He was very straightforward, very respectful, listened well,
all this stuff that he always does, but it would
lack that certain confidence that you normally see with him.
(32:46):
So it took a while to really see Olive showy.
So my introduction, my introduction to him was Wow, this
guy is not really good right now. And then now's
what we got to see.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
And obviously you are really instrumental in freeing him up
and taking the governors off on him. People were trying
to protect him from himself, basically from two way duty.
And I think he recognized that he's at his best
when he's doing both, and he will let you know
if he does need a day And I as Phil
Nevid about that about you know, the way he's managing
show Hey this year. Never told me he's not gonna
(33:20):
play as many games as he did last year. I
think he was one fifty seven eight, But I don't know, Joe.
It's hard, as you know, to give this guy a
day off. This seems to be working, you know, pitching
him on the six or seventh day, and as you mentioned,
he always wants to be in the lineup when he pitches.
It's tough to sit him down. So maybe he can
(33:41):
keep this up. We always ask that question, how how
long can he keep doing it? But he's just an
incredible athlete who takes care.
Speaker 2 (33:47):
Of himself so well to keep winning. Yeah, really tough
to get him a day off.
Speaker 3 (33:52):
I show how you feel, how you feel into the
big guy, you know, I know we talked about this DAYFF.
What do you think about the agent today? That's the
part of it that helps to obviously the DH component.
You know, he hits and he sits down. He hits
and he sits down. Of course that matters. But with him,
the original conversation was regarding giving him days off. It
(34:13):
was about him talking to me whenever he thought his
legs were heavy or tired, that's when he thought he
would need a day. So. I don't know this, but
I'm betting his work on his legs are like is
incredible based on he knows that that's what keeps him
off the field, so they win. It's harder to keep
him off the field.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
Yeah, it's it's just amazing the way he has improved.
And he mentioned this. You know, he wasn't throwing a
two seamer really. Back then, he didn't have the sweeper
he has now. Offensively, he had some holes. He was
more of a strikeout guy back then, and he's cut
that down.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
He's become a three hundred hitter.
Speaker 1 (34:47):
Maybe that's the most remarkable thing about show Hey, is
that as good as he is, he keeps getting better.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
Hey.
Speaker 1 (34:53):
By the way, one quick thought here as we go
out here, Joe, I know you've been watching a lot
of games. Tell me what you're seeing in terms of
how the games are being played from it with a
manager is critical, I because there's there's things we love
to dive into analytically, but style of play fundamentals, well,
what sticks out to you.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
What sticks out to me is more of a throwback game.
Obviously there is way more action on the basis teams
are more apt to run. Uh, you know, the younger
teams with some speed like Cincinnati. I think part of
their ascension is the fact that they're just young and
aggressive and and athletic, and they're and they're utilizing it.
It's a perfect example. I mean, the race have been
that for years, but I'm saying a more assertive method
(35:34):
on the basis, it's it's the antithesis of what the
analytical world wanted for years. Station and station back. You
talk about moneyball, man, you cannot run there's because only
two two or the three things that could happen would
be bad, so you're not going to run, So that
really stands out to me. On the other hand, I'm
watching some games and defensively maybe a little bit sloppy
(35:55):
at times, and when you when they do do a
cutoff relay really really well or somebody puts it again. Defense,
although bunting has become more prominent, I've seen more of
the safety squeezes back in vogue a little bit right
now too. So I think in general terms, with the
real changes have brought about is a willingness to attempt
(36:17):
to take advantage of them. And you take advantage of
these rule changes primarily I think through athleticism and and
speed and quickness and and aggressiveness and assertiveness and maybe
a little bit more quote unquote on school old school baseball,
so that I mean the Pirates are another great example.
So that's what I'm watching. Those are the teams that
really interest me to watch, uh and to see, you know,
(36:39):
big arms, typically big arms, but then you look at
a guy like Stroman with the cups. I love what
he's doing. I love what that guy's doing. He's a
bright young man, handles himself well, but he's got he's
like Kyle Hendricks with better stuff. That's that's pretty much
what he is. He's he's got great movement, a great
feel for what he's doing. He's not very big, very tall,
(36:59):
but god he's he's so athletic, and he pitches. He's
a pitcher man, and I'm hoping that's making an impact
to going to the next strap. Part of it is
short right hander could still be successful. Short right hander
with less than ninety six ninety seven can still be successful.
He's showing that pitching can be prominenta pitching, not throwing.
(37:21):
So that's I'm seeing more baseball, I think, is what
I'm seeing right now, less you know, like a computer
version of it.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:30):
I love the point because you know, we have focused
on time of game right and it's great that the
games are about twenty five twenty eight minutes shorter than
they were just last year.
Speaker 2 (37:39):
That's great.
Speaker 1 (37:40):
Yeah, But to me, what's even better is that style
of play and athleticism range on defense, base running ability.
I look at Arizona, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Tampa Bay. Those are
low pay roll teams, but they're playing a game that
is taking advantage of the new rules. There are some
of the youngest teams in baseball. They are some of
(38:01):
the best base running teams in baseball, the most athletic
teams in baseball, And to me, that's what's exciting. It's
even more exciting than having the games twenty five minutes shorter.
That's great again, but the style of play is I
think locking fans in to staying with these games and
watching it for more than just a bat or two.
Speaker 3 (38:19):
But that's and with that ascension in that style of
play being that it's a copycat industry, I want to believe,
I hope to believe that instruction leagues might become more
important again. I mean, there's a limited number of teams
per organization with the contraction within the minor league baseball,
so you need to get your guys out there with
(38:41):
some more concerted I believe training specific training in the fall.
I know it's hot, but that never stopped anybody from
learning while it's a little bit hot outside, and actually
always thought it was good for the soul and the
spirit and the character. But if you really want to
get all this stuff down and you want to bring
more athletic guys in, maybe not really good baseball players
(39:03):
yet the athletic like the old Kansas City Royals Academy,
which I still thought was one of the most brilliant
ideas ever. Just bring those guys into camp and then
get your best instructors in there, and also not only
get your best instructors in there, but create formulate your
method of play, your style of play. What do we
think is gonna win here? Now, what we think Cincinnati
(39:23):
does or would you know the Rays do? Whatever your
method I mean, that's another part that's frustrated me recently
is the fact that everybody wants to copy everybody else.
Nobody wants to go out there and be the first
in line. And that's why you're talking about the Rays.
And I know, I know Brandon Hatte, I know what
Hyder did there in Baltimore. I know that I don't
know as much with Arizona or Cincinnati, but it is
(39:47):
something that can be taught, nurtured, scouted and then and
then scouting and of course Final League. The player development,
to me is the two most important parts of the industry.
And everybody's worried about acquiring free agents in a winter time.
That's where this gets done. That's why these teams have
done so well.
Speaker 1 (40:04):
Yeah, it's been a great year when you think about
teams like Houston, the Mets, the Yankees, even the Dodgers
kind of struggling just to get in the playoff mix
or at least stay around. And these upstart teams are
proven themselves, and I think a lot of these teams
have the staying power to be in it at the end.
But above all is let's bring it back where we started.
It's it's show Hey. I always love your takes on
(40:27):
Show Hey, Joe, I mean, you know him well, and
it's I do think we're going to see even more
good things from Show Hey, even a better second half
possibly if that's possible that he had in the first.
Speaker 3 (40:40):
Brother, they stay, they stay in the running. Heads up,
you're going to see things you've never I mean we've never.
We'll just seeing things we've never seen before. But give
this guy an opportunity to be like center stage light
shining on him. This really matters. That's what I want
to see.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
Yeah, I can't wait to see Show Hey playing meaningful
games down the stretch.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
And it's not over. Brother. I'm telling you, he's to
stay healthy, show, and with good health, he's going to keep.
Speaker 1 (41:05):
Doing this stuff speaking of down the stretch. That's where
we are right now, Joe. So you've got something to
take us out here on this latest edition of the
Book of Joe.
Speaker 3 (41:12):
Yeah, it's typically mister Churchill, I mean, I leading a
hook like we've talked about this in the country through
significant part of our history. But he said the right thing.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak,
and courage is also what it takes to sit down
and listen. That's right on the money, man. We always
(41:33):
want to just keep on going, but sometimes it's shut
your mouth and keep your ears open. You can to
learn twice as much.
Speaker 2 (41:39):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
And with Major League Baseball playing games in London this
weekend comes to the Cardinals.
Speaker 2 (41:44):
Oh perfect, perfect timing.
Speaker 3 (41:46):
Didn't even realize look at that. My goodness.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
Let's see you next time, all right, Rather take care.
Speaker 1 (41:58):
The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio.
For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. Hey,
welcome back the latest edition of the Book of Joe Podcast.
It's me Tom Berducci with my buddy Joe Madden and
(00:25):
Joe Believe it or not. This is Week thirteen of
the season of a twenty six week season.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
So do the math.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
After the conclusion of this week, we will be halfway through.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
The twenty twenty three baseball season. Amazing.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
I was just looking at the date I wrote it
down on my no it's June twentieth. That happened pretty quickly,
it does. I mean baseball from my personal evaluation was
spring trinning was like like you're starting the engine, like
Michael Chuck you staff is with all those old cars.
It's took forever to start. But once it gets going, man,
and it grabs its momentum, it just flies by all
(01:03):
of a sudden that you just rip off each calendar month.
So June twentieth already didn't realize the epicenter. But it's
kind of interesting. It's kind of playing out in a
very interesting way based on the changes to real changes.
And I have been watching more diligently.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Yeah, and I'll tell you every season.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
As you know, narratives start to develop that maybe you
didn't see comming some of you expected. And you mentioned
the rule changes. That was certainly a big one coming
into this season. And by the way, I have a
bone to pick with you, not you personally, but about
major league managers that we're going to get to later on.
But for now, I think the biggest narrative of this
season is sho Heo Tani.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
And I know you're sitting there saying, oh, we know
this guy's great.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
He's the unicorn of baseball, right folks, show Heyo Tani
is better than he's ever been, and now we're getting
to see him do this for an Angels team that
is in the mix. Not just in the mix, they're
actually holding a playoff spot right now. They're in a
second wildcard position. Yes, it's early, but for the Angels,
(02:05):
that's something new. I'm curious, Joe, you know, show hey, well,
obviously he pitched and hit for you. From your observations,
what are you seeing from Shohei Otani in twenty three.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Well, he just wants to be the best. He is
the best, and he wants to maintain that. I do
believe this. I don't know that. I'm a big fan
of the WBC, but them winning and how he responded
when they did win, the throwing the glove, the screaming
and everything that occurred then I think is playing into
now with him personally. I mean, he wants to win.
(02:43):
That's I'm telling you. He is great, pitching, hitting, running, whatever,
he's great, but he wants to win. And I think
that that moment glove toss in the air then winning
the WBC, I think that really personified exactly who he is.
So now with the Angels playing really well and in
the mix, you're going to see the best version and
(03:03):
if him, the biggest thing now for me with them
would be protect him. I know Trotty's behind him, and
I know Michael is this off a little bit right now,
but if he's not protected, this is one of those
things where you stop. You know, it's take an Aaron Judge.
You got to protect an Aaron Judge. You see what
happens when he's not in the line of But that's
what's going I think that's what's going on. It's a
free agent year. He is the best, he wants to
(03:26):
remain the best. He cannot be more focused, it's impossible.
So I think there's all these like little subplots conspiring
to make this the best year he's had to this point.
And I'm only saying to this point because it's gonna
be another great year and then he's gonna want top
it again next year.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Bengo, By the way, I think you're dead on, especially
about the WBC. We're gonna get to protection at Mike
Trout in a minute there, because that's also a part
of this.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
But you know that WBC.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
I know from the American point of view, a lot
of people are just plugged into their teams and spring
training and kind of pay attention to it casually.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
But that is a huge deal.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
You were talking about TV ratings in Japan, like more
than half the sets were tuned into that team playing
when those games were playing during the WBC and Showhy
not only was the de facto captain of that club,
think about what he did before the championship game. They're
playing Team USA, A lot of pressure on them. You
have to understand a lot of pressure on that team
(04:26):
to win. It's kind of like our basketball dream teams
going to the Olympics. You're expected to win. That's the
way they feel in Japan, it's a big, big deal.
Before the championship game against Team USA, Otani gets the
team together and calls a team meeting in the clubhouse
and he basically says, listen, we know those are superstars
on an other team. We know the Mike Trouts of
(04:46):
the world, that Trey Turners. We know those are big names.
But you know what, We've admired them and we respect them.
But tonight we can't be cowed by them. We have
to stand up to them and show them that we
not only can play with them, but can be better
than them.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
How about that Shoots. I mean, we don't talk about.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Him a lot as a leader, Joe, but in this situation,
with so much on the line, the dude stepped up
from a leadership standpoint, and then he delivered on the field.
I mean, you're talking about a guy in between at
bats going down to the bullpen to warm up to
close the game. Just a fantastic moment. And I agree
with you. I think that set the stage for him
for this season.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Yeah, a hundred percent. And it also illustrates I believe,
and everybody wants the manager to get up to make
this wonderful speech that implores him it's not the nineteen
eighty hockey team and it's not football team playing once
a week. When a player of his stature gets up,
I don't even know, maybe for the first time, and
basically it's just kind of like one true sentence at
(05:47):
a time. That's what he did. And with that passion
and that belief, of course it's going to spill over
into the rest of the group. And then on top
of that, go out there and be Michael Jordan make
the last shot, or Larry Bird whomever you could talk about,
our Tom Brady making the last pass. He was that guy,
all those guys on that one particular day, and this
has been welling up in him. This has been you know,
(06:09):
from the beginning, starts good, a little bit of a setback, injuries,
et cetera, and then comes back and finds his way
in the Major League Baseball. So again, knowing him, I
believe he finally he felt that it was okay that
he would get up there in front of everybody, that
he felt it was his obligation to do that. And
(06:30):
having played and it's been so successful in the major leagues,
I think there there was that that that thought or
that feeling within him. Okay, yeah, I am the right
guy for this right now. There's nobody else going to
do it at night. And I feel comfortable about this
and I feel good about what I got to say.
And when you get to that point when you feel
kind of like you're right, definitely the message comes through.
(06:52):
And I think all those things again conspired in that moment,
and when I heard that he had done that again,
it makes way more impact, I believe than any manager
standing up in that particular moment.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Yeah, and I think we're seeing, too, Joe how important
winning is to him, because it's actually bringing out the
best in him, whether it was the WBC or now
playing meaningful games every night with the Angels. Joey Otani, Listen,
he leads the world in home runs and he also
on the mound allows the fewest hits per nine innings.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
I mean, just think about that.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
I mean, yeah, that can happen in Williamsport in the
Little League, but it just does not happen in Major
League Baseball. So, Joe, we talk in our book a
lot you do about the five levels of being a professional.
Maybe it was always in there in show, Hey, in
terms of all I want to do is win. But
now that he's actually playing these games that matter, it
(07:47):
just seems obvious to me how much he is motivated
by winning.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah, it's not just been talked to this point. I've
always believed that I have getting to know him when
you have a conversation with him and you know E
pays there also is translator then now shows getting a
little bit better with the langue and is able to
understand the nuance of what he's saying. It's always been
there whenever he's talked about it. You can see it
in his face. This is not hyperbole. It's not like
(08:13):
I'm trying to convince you. I'm trying not to be
like saying the right things here. This is who he
is and what he feels. I thought that from the
beginning when I got to know him, he was hurting.
When he was hurting, it bothered him that he was
unable to contribute. And that's a big reason why. Also
that he wants to hit when he pitches, that when
we were able to finally do that, because he knows
(08:34):
he could impact the game with his bat. Also when
he pitches, and felt like seriously that he was letting
the group down a little bit if he did not
hit on the day that he pitched. We could think
about this, we could talk about it, but as a
mindset that's unique to him and it doesn't permeate our
country regarding on a major league level, because like you said,
(08:55):
we could do it in high school, maybe a little
leaguer at college, but to do it professionally, it ain't
gonna happen anytime soon again. And if it does not
to this level, just a different breed of a baseball
player and philosophically, how he was raised and who imparted
these thoughts in him. His work ethic beautiful stuff.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
And Joe you saw firsthand his work ethic.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
And anybody goes to spring training to watch the Angels
play and work out and go through their day, Otani's
pretty much on his own program, and it is so detailed.
I mean, everything is done with a purpose, everything for
a reason. He may not be stretching with the team
or doing infield and outfield relays, but he is so
(09:40):
purposeful with what he does. There's a great story about
show Hey going back to when he was in high school.
He actually, at one point as a freshman was pretty thin,
and he joined something called the Weight Game Club, and
after the end of the day, the principal would announce
it's time for the Weight Game Club to report to
this office, and they all got these protein shakes, and
(10:02):
Otani was packed on extra calories with cake and late
night snacks and all this stuff.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
And then his.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Sophomore year, he had a hip injury and he couldn't patch,
he couldn't hit.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
He had to basically rest for a while.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
And that's where he got so called religion when it
comes to what he put in his body and his training,
and he cut out all the junk food and just
ever since then, we've seen this guy literally grow. I mean,
if you get up to show hey up close, you're
astounded by how broad his shoulders are, how strong he is,
how big he is. Joe, what did you see in
(10:36):
this commitment that not just to be a two way player,
but to be the best athlete that he can possibly be.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Yeah, you brought it up there. I was asked about, well,
Show Hayes stretching by himself. It seems like Show Hayes
on his own program. I said, he should be. He
is the punter, he's the kicker, he's the quarterback, he's
the middle linebacker, he's everything. And to just set him
out there with the rest of the group, who has
who all have them more defined to practice on a
(11:04):
daily basis with different needs. How could you possibly pigeon
on him into that and ask him go ahead, show
you go ahead and do that like everybody else. No,
I knew from the beginning that he had to do
something differently. I didn't realize about the diet. But the
thing to really note on him that I have he
got hurt what once with his arm, he had to
get Tommy John whatever. But otherwise, this guy plays. This
(11:26):
guy answers the bell every night and within everyday. Major
League Baseball players counted upon. That's one of the greatest tools.
These guys play every night, through good and bad. And
he plays hard. This guy runs hard to first base
all the time. So yeah, the discipline with him reaches
into every component of his life. What he does after
(11:49):
the game, how he gets ready when he wakes up
in the morning. Everything has a purpose. And I think
if you really trace back some great athletes, like they're
the super superstars, the guys that are over the top,
that are there every year that are able to perform
at that level. Man, that mental level. Again, I bring
it up in the Jordans and the Birds, and in
(12:12):
basketball Brady of course, and the you know the Yankee
group and the you know the Juter group back then.
I mean that they're one of their greatest friends. Was
that how they played and what they believed in and
their dedication to their game and et cetera. So I
he's just a cut above and it'll be hard for
people to replicate him.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Oh absolutely, the idea that you know this will encourage
more two way players. Forget it, people, this guy is
just so so special and right now he turns twenty
nine next month in July. He's playing the best baseball
of his life.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Why is that?
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Well, we'll answer that question right after this. Okay, Joe,
we're talking about show Heyani, who is this year so
far a three hundred hitter. Besides the obvious power that
(13:09):
he has leading the league in RBI's home runs, adjustedsps,
total bases, you name it. I'm curious your take because
this is what I see. Shoey Otani has the lowest
strikeout rate in his career so far, and if you
watch many of his home runs, where are they going out?
They're going out to center field, They're going out to
(13:30):
left center field, They're going out to left field. It
looks to me like Otani is much more comfortable with
letting the ball back up and he's not out front
getting fooled off balance on that front side. And by
letting the ball get a little deeper, he has reduced
his strikeout rate. And if this guy puts the ball
in the air, folks, there's a good chance that's going out.
(13:51):
He's on a streak right now where his last nine
fly balls, eight of them have been home runs. I
mean the damage that he does is ratio of damage
to fly balls is ridiculous. If he touches it, it's
pretty much going out the way he leverages the baseball.
But I think Joe he's much more I don't know
if comfortable as a word or balance, but he's letting
(14:13):
the ball back up and he's doing damage the other
way and cut down the swings and misses.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Yeah, and why because he wants to. I am sure
that's a mindful adjustment that he made in the offseason.
Somebody brought something to his attention about where he's being
pitched at and what the results are. From the beginning,
I try to get him to hit the rocks in
Anaheim Stateium. That was my thing with him. Show, Hey,
we're going to celebrate after the game. You hit the
rocks tonight, we're celebrating after the game. You're coming in
(14:41):
my office. And that was that's that was very obvious
at the time when he's there. Listen, there's no part
of a ballpark that can hold him. And quite frankly,
think about how many times he just like pulls there
or hooks a home run. Normally it's like right center
on over that's that's where his swing plays. I think
that's it's just mindful. I also believe that with the
(15:04):
way the defenses are set up now he knew. Look
moving forward, I'm going to play with this whole field.
I'm going to set the table up for my guys.
What's the score right now? There's a home run needed?
Do I need to get on base with the guys
in front of me. He plays the game. He plays
the game striking out. I don't want to strike out anymore.
I want to strike out lists Okay, do I do
about it? And he's doing something about it? It's just again,
(15:26):
it's something that most of us can't do or ever do.
You might have that thought, somebody might give you that
piece of information, but he still can't put it into play.
He can't. I'm telling you he can't. It's amazing to watch
him prep every day, even watching him prepare for a game. Honestly,
he doesn't need a whole lot of scouting information before
(15:47):
he'll take those little nuggets and he's gonna go out
there and he's gonna paint as an artist as what
he's singing in the batter's box. Offensively, he'll look and
see what the guy's been trying to do to him before,
where his mistakes have been made, and he's going to
do something part of that game to fix it against
that guy out for that team that night or that
serious because he knows that's how they're pitching to him. Again.
(16:08):
Easier said than done, absolutely, but this is this is
who he is. He's just so mindful and able to
see what's going on in front of him and then
adjust physically.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
All right, Joe, let's talk about protection.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
You know all the time you spent putting lineups together,
sitting down with your Cafe Americano and what's the best
what's the best lineup you can put together a batting order.
Maybe it doesn't mean a whole lot, but you know,
subtle differences the way you arrange groups of hitters can
make a difference as the game plays out. In this case,
(16:42):
it was only about three weeks ago, two and a
half weeks ago. Phil Nevin kind of flip flopped Mike
Trout and show hey Otani. At the beginning of the season,
it was mostly Trout to Otani. Three lately he's flip
flopped him, and he's got Trout behind Otani. And here's
what Otani has done here since that flip flop four
(17:05):
twenty six batting average five forty one ohps, getting up
based more than half the time, and this slugging percentage,
this is not a misprint one eighty five. Oh my goodness, So, Joe,
I mean you were not lucky enough to have those
guys in the lineup all the time together, given their injuries.
But how about the order of those two Does it matter?
(17:28):
What did you notice Trout Otanni together?
Speaker 3 (17:31):
I think it does. I've had arguments with, you know,
guys in the front office or analytical dudes for years
because they just think it's it's not as important. I
know one thing, when the lineup card is sent over
from one team to the other, the first thing you
look at is how it's stacked up, and what could
I do in the latter part of the game. Who
do we not have to pitch to in certain moments,
who's like blazing hot, who are going to stay away from?
(17:53):
And even guys that are normally blazing hot that stink
right now, you're going to go after these guys. So
I totally believe in that. For years, I would go
right left, right, left, right left with my lineup before
the three batter minimum came in for the relief pitchers.
Once that occurred, I like to go right, right, left, right,
right left to try to protect my left hand, my
(18:15):
better left handed hitters. Furthermore, a guy like show Hey,
if in fact, it gets to the point where nobody
wants to pitch to him, that's what I really like
to lead him off, because I want the whole lineup
to protect him. And I've used that phrase in the
past too. At some point, if they want to continue
to tiptoe around this guy, I'm going to do that.
Then you say, well there's going to be nobody on
(18:35):
base in front of him, Well, he's not going to
get to swing the bat anyway. You might as well
put some good dudes behind him. I'm a big believer
in protection. I know it's a fact. I know it
goes on the other dug. And I'll tell you another thing.
Latter part of the game. It's not just about the first, second, third, fourth,
or fifth inning. When it gets late, man, you want
that guy to be able to hit. You want somebody
if something is happening, You want them to pitch with
(18:57):
this fellow. And if he's not protected, you're not going
to get pitched to it. You're just remember the year
I walked with How many times do we Bryce Harper
in Chicago?
Speaker 1 (19:05):
My god, Yeah, you sent him into a slump because
you didn't pitch to him in any situation base is
empty or runners on.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
Well, that was you know, that was mine of construction. Honestly,
I mean at that time, if friend Don't had been
behind him, or if Daniel Murphy had been behind him,
would have pitched to him. But Zimmerman was vandam and
zimm was a great player, but he was cold. He
could not have been more could So why would we
mess with Bryce right there when I know the other
guy really is not on top of his game. And furthermore,
(19:35):
you play a lot of pressure to some people that
they're not normally accustomed to. That pressure sometimes depends on
who that player may be. So again, there's I don't
even how many reasons I've given you right there, and
I'm still going to get an argument from somebody that
it's not true. It is true. It is true. Everybody
looks at that before the game. And as the pitchers themselves,
how do they feel about who's sitting? They're always looking
at the on deck circle. It always matters.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
That's a great point.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
I've seen that a pitcher literally will look to see
who's coming up just to remind himselves, Okay.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
I have to be careful or I better go after
this guy. A great point.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
So that brings us to Mike Trout, because now he
is the protection for shohe Otani, and I've seen things
this year that just boggle my mind with Mike Trout.
Mike Trout actually sees the greatest percentage of fastballs this
year than any hitter in baseball. Now, if you look
at the top five who see the most fastballs.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
We're taking cutters out.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
This is for steemers and sinkers, their leadoff hitter types
without power. We're talking about people like Stephen Kwan, John Birdie,
Brandon Nimo. You know these people, You're gonna go after
them if you're a pitcher. Mike Trout should not be
seeing the highest percentage of fastball But there's a reason,
and that's.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Because he hasn't hit them. He really hasn't.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
He hasn't hit a home run on a pitch over
ninety four all year. In the month of June, he
was seeing seventy five percent fastballs and hitting.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Under one hundred against them.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Mind boggling pitchers getting Mike Trout out one way now
last weekend in Kansas City, and you knew what was
gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
It started to turn.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
He got I think five hits off fastballs, everything from
Zach Grienki at eighty nine to the eldest Chapman at
one oh one. I think, Joe, this guy's turning a
corner right now. You know Mike is not going to
stay down for long. And if you get to watch
the Angels with Otani and Trout hot at the same time.
(21:28):
Oh my goodness, that's a fourth of July fireworks show.
I want to see. Agree, So give me your take
on a Mike Trout what he does behind the show. Hey,
and I don't know if he ever told you this,
but I've talked to Mike a lot. When things go
a little bit wrong mechanically for him, He's pretty simple
when it comes to that. It's all about just getting
his front foot down on time. Everything stems from getting
(21:49):
that front foot down for Mike Trout.
Speaker 3 (21:51):
Agreed, And you're right, he's gonna make the adjustment. I've
seen that. I've even seen that in the past, even
when I was with the Race. That's the one thing
we wanted to do was elevated fastball, and I used
to bring Jake McGeehan to pitch to him out of
the bullpen for that particular reason. Mikey's a really, really
good in the zone breaking ball hitter, and I think,
you know, with analytics, eventually somebody's going to figure that out.
(22:13):
Of course, you still need to throw those, but you
don't want to put him in a spot that this guy,
you know, the way his bat works within the strike zone,
it's devastating, So everybody understands that. Everybody knows that right now,
front foot down. The thing that I saw with Michael
right before I left, and I talked about is just
to remain more quiet. I thought, if you think about it,
the more you move your back before the pitch comes
(22:34):
in harder, it is the time that front foot being down.
I like him really quiet. I think when he gets
really quiet, that foot gets down more readily on time,
to the point where you don't even have to take
a strike, just keep the foot on the ground. He's
strong enough, so he's going to make all these adjustments.
He's gonna have to get on above the elevated fastball
or if it's a ball, he's got to just learn
(22:54):
to take that. He normally has a pretty good eye,
but like you're saying, I'm betting on him. Love to
see them both get hot at the same time. The
other guys they got in there, and Drury I really
like a lot Renfro. I like a lot Ursula Orcella.
Really a good baseball player, one of the better. Nobody
talks about him enough. He's a really good baseball player.
And I think Fletch's back up is that right, is
(23:15):
Fletcher because of Nito? Is that right?
Speaker 2 (23:17):
They just bring him back up.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Yeah, I mean they've had a bunch of injuries and
Netta was doing a fantastic job and he's got that
oblique injury.
Speaker 2 (23:24):
As you know, that can be a good four or
five weeks.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
They may be without him for a while, but yeah,
this is it's a deeper lineup now, even with some
of the injuries. And listen, I more protection around show
Hay so that people have to pitch to him. As
a baseball fan, I want to see that, you know.
I hope people don't get accustomed to how great and
(23:47):
unique Sho Hay is. And just to help you appreciate
him even more, I'm looking at his numbers through this
point in his career as a hitter and a pitcher.
It's a little more than six hundred games as a hitter,
you know, over seventy to eighty games as a pitcher.
And the players he is analogous too in terms of
his numbers as a hitter Frank Robinson and as a
(24:10):
pitcher Jim Palmer. Shoe Otani is a mashup of two
first Ballot Hall of famers, Frank Robinson and Jim Palmer.
If you were just one of those disciplines and you
were mentioning the same breath as Frank Robinson, you'd go wow.
Or a pitcher you'd say, hey, that guy reminds me
of Jim Palmer. You're like, wow, be careful. That's really
(24:30):
high praise. He's a combination of Frank Robinson and Jim Palmer.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Amazing.
Speaker 3 (24:36):
Yeah. Listen again, I know we all get to watch
him on TV and you read all these things and
you watch the last pitch of the WBC and then
you'll see a bomb to right central at Aynheim State
or Angel Stadium. It ain't going away. It's not just
with good health. It's not going away. Like I said,
he's gonna have his best year ever this year, and
(24:56):
then with good health, I anticipate the same thing happening
next year. We's gonna have a better year next year
than this year. Incredible mind you mentally, strong focus, and
the other thing he's he's able to just dump throw
away any kind of failure. It doesn't linger, it doesn't stick.
(25:19):
He's kind of tough on with that, and I think
that's important. Also. Listen, he goes to some bad moments too,
but the way he goes about his business, you could
see he just he's not a carrier. There's a trash can,
I'm throwing it in that trash can.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
And to move on to the next moment, Well, it
looks like we could be in a real treat in
the second half of the season watching show. Hey o
Tani play in meaningful games and once again I think
is bringing out the best in him.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
That will be fun to watch.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
Well, I promised you, Joe, I wanted to ask you
about this little pet peeve that I have, and we're
gonna do that right after the.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
Break, all right, Joe.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Major league managers, I watched a lot of these guys
go out to the mound to make a pitching change,
and they look like they just finished working out.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
I'm a what has happened to baseball uniforms. I've got
a suggestion here.
Speaker 1 (26:19):
If you're a manager and we can't you're not wearing
a uniform jersey. You know what, We're gonna take your
number away. You shouldn't have a number if you're gonna
go out there just in a T shirt like working out.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
Teach.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Come on, and you know the Yankees actually had petitioned
major League Baseball because the Yankees have retired so many numbers,
They're like, you know, can we have not assigned numbers
to our manager and coaches because we need those for
the players. I'm not saying that's the reason that we
should do this, but come on, there's to me, there's
something sacred about a uniform. And I don't say you
(26:53):
have to be Connie Mack and wear a three piece
suit and a straw boater when you're running a game.
And I'm not saying everybody you know should have a
full uniform walking out to the mound like you're being
in but sometimes getting too sloppy here, Joe. I just
think it's a bad look when when those gates are
open and you're on the field. I think there's a
level of professional I want to see. I know you're
(27:13):
gonna disagree with me because it's not important.
Speaker 3 (27:16):
You're speaking to me. You're speaking to me directly right now,
that's what you're doing. Yeah, Well, I was.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
A hoodie guy, you were.
Speaker 3 (27:23):
I love the hoodie. I love the hoodie, you know, And.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
I'm actually okay with the hoodie. I'm selling and contradicting myself.
But I'm talking about guys out there just in the
T shirt. I mean that to me is not a
good look.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
I can't disagree with that. I wouldn't do that. I
didn't do that, you know, the uniform top itself on
a warm day, that's what I would I don't want
to say to evolve into. But they give you so
many alternatives. That's part of the gig too. You get
in your locker, there are so many alternative looks to
choose from, and the guy's gonna pick the one that
he thinks she looks the hottest in and he's gonna
go out there on a warmer day and muscle it up,
(27:57):
you know. So I just like, I mean, I was
always cold, like even in the tropic cannon Field that
was always cold. So and I am I mean Chicago cold,
Anaheim at night cold. So I was a hoodie guy
for those reasons. But on a hot day you might
see me on occasion with that or even we got
to the point where we cut the sleeves out there.
The seamstress gotten real nice, and I'd have a short
(28:19):
sleeve hoodie. But that was my method. And I think,
if you're you agree, I don't like T shirts, but
the alternative methods. They're they're in your locker, they're encouraged.
I mean, we're going to sell these things. All those
things are part of the marketing I think from MLB.
So I don't know, You're right, I'm the wrong guy
(28:39):
to talk to you about this because I'm into individual
individuality with almost everything. But for me it was the
hoodie normally, or my jersey on a really really hot day.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
How about numbers for a manager and coach? You okay
with that?
Speaker 1 (28:55):
And by the way, you have to tell a story
about your number.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
Yeah, I mean, well, yeah, I like, and I mean
I think we all should have numbers. Absolutely. It's a
pretty big part of being part of a team is
having a number. Yeah. I mean as a kid growing up,
I was in football number twelve because of Joe Namath.
Baseball it varied a little bit. I didn't have that
same strong affinity to one number like I did in football,
But in baseball I was number twenty. I was number
(29:20):
twenty all through the minor leagues with the Angels. I
was number twenty as a minor league manager. Then I'm
wearing it in spring training and all of a sudden
we acquired Don Sutton and Don comes into town and
the audacity of Don to get or ask or have
my number over me. And so I show up at
spring training one day out at Genoutry Park and Mace.
(29:41):
I walked to my locker and I was, there's number
seventy in my locker, and I thought, all right, that's
all right, here we go. And I told Leonard Garcia
at the time he was the clubby, I said, I
will never ever, never ever change that number because nobody's
ever going to want number seventy, although today it's become
more in vogue. But that was my comment, I'll never
ever change my number from seventy again, and I haven't
(30:05):
and I didn't. But that was That's exactly how it worked.
That's exactly how it came down in that particular date.
And of course, mister Sutton, I mean, Don so longer
with us, What a good guy. He treated me so well.
But that's why I went from twenty to seventy.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
Joe, did you get anything from Don Sutton?
Speaker 1 (30:20):
Did you get a Rolex watch at dinner, a set
of golf clubs, anything?
Speaker 3 (30:24):
I think it was a thank you. It's not nice, thanks, buddy,
you know, thanks for doing that. No, I didn't know.
It's gotten become more mainstream to get something for this,
but at that time, I'm just a minor league shoot.
That was like my third or fourth fifth year maybe
as a minor league coach manager, and so we you know,
(30:46):
I'm just I'm just my corner locker or Geoautry park
that I had for years. There's number seventy.
Speaker 1 (30:53):
Well, all these they are great stories, but again, Joe,
let's go back to where we started. Show Hey, Otani
to me the biggest story of this season, and you
always have great insights on show Hey. I know if
I've ever asked you though, Joe, the first time you
met show Hey, did you have like some deep conversation
with him. I mean, obviously you heard and knew a
lot about him, but to meet sho hey and and
(31:16):
and to be his manager.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Tell me about first impressions.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
Yeah, well that was like as he was he had
been injured, you know when I first saw him, and
I'm seeing him coming off the injury, and honestly, he
just he wasn't. What we're seeing right now was not
what I saw. He was starting to throw again and
he's kept stuffing sliders, stuff, in his fastball, He's spinning
off everything with it. As a hitter, it was the
(31:40):
farthest thing it's he talked about the one eighty regarding
ability and what I saw him being Wow. I mean
he he really was not very good when I first
saw him, based on probably time down he you know,
he had already been Rookie of the Year apparently too,
and so I didn't see that. So conversationally, kind of quiet,
you know, and again not really impressive with his English yet,
(32:04):
although he is now. So it was kind of a
different awakening or method to see him for the first
time because it wasn't what I had heard about. It's
not what I expected. But you know, you're patient, you wait,
You go through that whole twenty twenty season not very good,
and then Man Superman shows up in twenty twenty one.
I guess that off season he went out and I
(32:26):
guess went up to Seattle, worked out a lot up
in Seattle. But his ability and his confidence came back simultaneously.
So when I first met him, he wasn't the confident
young man. He was very straightforward, very respectful, listened well,
all this stuff that he always does, but it would
lack that certain confidence that you normally see with him.
(32:46):
So it took a while to really see Olive showy.
So my introduction, my introduction to him was Wow, this
guy is not really good right now. And then now's
what we got to see.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
And obviously you are really instrumental in freeing him up
and taking the governors off on him. People were trying
to protect him from himself, basically from two way duty.
And I think he recognized that he's at his best
when he's doing both, and he will let you know
if he does need a day And I as Phil
Nevid about that about you know, the way he's managing
show Hey this year. Never told me he's not gonna
(33:20):
play as many games as he did last year. I
think he was one fifty seven eight, But I don't know, Joe.
It's hard, as you know, to give this guy a
day off. This seems to be working, you know, pitching
him on the six or seventh day, and as you mentioned,
he always wants to be in the lineup when he pitches.
It's tough to sit him down. So maybe he can
(33:41):
keep this up. We always ask that question, how how
long can he keep doing it? But he's just an
incredible athlete who takes care.
Speaker 2 (33:47):
Of himself so well to keep winning. Yeah, really tough
to get him a day off.
Speaker 3 (33:52):
I show how you feel, how you feel into the
big guy, you know, I know we talked about this DAYFF.
What do you think about the agent today? That's the
part of it that helps to obviously the DH component.
You know, he hits and he sits down. He hits
and he sits down. Of course that matters. But with him,
the original conversation was regarding giving him days off. It
(34:13):
was about him talking to me whenever he thought his
legs were heavy or tired, that's when he thought he
would need a day. So. I don't know this, but
I'm betting his work on his legs are like is
incredible based on he knows that that's what keeps him
off the field, so they win. It's harder to keep
him off the field.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
Yeah, it's it's just amazing the way he has improved.
And he mentioned this. You know, he wasn't throwing a
two seamer really. Back then, he didn't have the sweeper
he has now. Offensively, he had some holes. He was
more of a strikeout guy back then, and he's cut
that down.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
He's become a three hundred hitter.
Speaker 1 (34:47):
Maybe that's the most remarkable thing about show Hey, is
that as good as he is, he keeps getting better.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
Hey.
Speaker 1 (34:53):
By the way, one quick thought here as we go
out here, Joe, I know you've been watching a lot
of games. Tell me what you're seeing in terms of
how the games are being played from it with a
manager is critical, I because there's there's things we love
to dive into analytically, but style of play fundamentals, well,
what sticks out to you.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
What sticks out to me is more of a throwback game.
Obviously there is way more action on the basis teams
are more apt to run. Uh, you know, the younger
teams with some speed like Cincinnati. I think part of
their ascension is the fact that they're just young and
aggressive and and athletic, and they're and they're utilizing it.
It's a perfect example. I mean, the race have been
that for years, but I'm saying a more assertive method
(35:34):
on the basis, it's it's the antithesis of what the
analytical world wanted for years. Station and station back. You
talk about moneyball, man, you cannot run there's because only
two two or the three things that could happen would
be bad, so you're not going to run, So that
really stands out to me. On the other hand, I'm
watching some games and defensively maybe a little bit sloppy
(35:55):
at times, and when you when they do do a
cutoff relay really really well or somebody puts it again. Defense,
although bunting has become more prominent, I've seen more of
the safety squeezes back in vogue a little bit right
now too. So I think in general terms, with the
real changes have brought about is a willingness to attempt
(36:17):
to take advantage of them. And you take advantage of
these rule changes primarily I think through athleticism and and
speed and quickness and and aggressiveness and assertiveness and maybe
a little bit more quote unquote on school old school baseball,
so that I mean the Pirates are another great example.
So that's what I'm watching. Those are the teams that
really interest me to watch, uh and to see, you know,
(36:39):
big arms, typically big arms, but then you look at
a guy like Stroman with the cups. I love what
he's doing. I love what that guy's doing. He's a
bright young man, handles himself well, but he's got he's
like Kyle Hendricks with better stuff. That's that's pretty much
what he is. He's he's got great movement, a great
feel for what he's doing. He's not very big, very tall,
(36:59):
but god he's he's so athletic, and he pitches. He's
a pitcher man, and I'm hoping that's making an impact
to going to the next strap. Part of it is
short right hander could still be successful. Short right hander
with less than ninety six ninety seven can still be successful.
He's showing that pitching can be prominenta pitching, not throwing.
(37:21):
So that's I'm seeing more baseball, I think, is what
I'm seeing right now, less you know, like a computer
version of it.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:30):
I love the point because you know, we have focused
on time of game right and it's great that the
games are about twenty five twenty eight minutes shorter than
they were just last year.
Speaker 2 (37:39):
That's great.
Speaker 1 (37:40):
Yeah, But to me, what's even better is that style
of play and athleticism range on defense, base running ability.
I look at Arizona, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Tampa Bay. Those are
low pay roll teams, but they're playing a game that
is taking advantage of the new rules. There are some
of the youngest teams in baseball. They are some of
(38:01):
the best base running teams in baseball, the most athletic
teams in baseball, And to me, that's what's exciting. It's
even more exciting than having the games twenty five minutes shorter.
That's great again, but the style of play is I
think locking fans in to staying with these games and
watching it for more than just a bat or two.
Speaker 3 (38:19):
But that's and with that ascension in that style of
play being that it's a copycat industry, I want to believe,
I hope to believe that instruction leagues might become more
important again. I mean, there's a limited number of teams
per organization with the contraction within the minor league baseball,
so you need to get your guys out there with
(38:41):
some more concerted I believe training specific training in the fall.
I know it's hot, but that never stopped anybody from
learning while it's a little bit hot outside, and actually
always thought it was good for the soul and the
spirit and the character. But if you really want to
get all this stuff down and you want to bring
more athletic guys in, maybe not really good baseball players
(39:03):
yet the athletic like the old Kansas City Royals Academy,
which I still thought was one of the most brilliant
ideas ever. Just bring those guys into camp and then
get your best instructors in there, and also not only
get your best instructors in there, but create formulate your
method of play, your style of play. What do we
think is gonna win here? Now, what we think Cincinnati
(39:23):
does or would you know the Rays do? Whatever your
method I mean, that's another part that's frustrated me recently
is the fact that everybody wants to copy everybody else.
Nobody wants to go out there and be the first
in line. And that's why you're talking about the Rays.
And I know, I know Brandon Hatte, I know what
Hyder did there in Baltimore. I know that I don't
know as much with Arizona or Cincinnati, but it is
(39:47):
something that can be taught, nurtured, scouted and then and
then scouting and of course Final League. The player development,
to me is the two most important parts of the industry.
And everybody's worried about acquiring free agents in a winter time.
That's where this gets done. That's why these teams have
done so well.
Speaker 1 (40:04):
Yeah, it's been a great year when you think about
teams like Houston, the Mets, the Yankees, even the Dodgers
kind of struggling just to get in the playoff mix
or at least stay around. And these upstart teams are
proven themselves, and I think a lot of these teams
have the staying power to be in it at the end.
But above all is let's bring it back where we started.
It's it's show Hey. I always love your takes on
(40:27):
Show Hey, Joe, I mean, you know him well, and
it's I do think we're going to see even more
good things from Show Hey, even a better second half
possibly if that's possible that he had in the first.
Speaker 3 (40:40):
Brother, they stay, they stay in the running. Heads up,
you're going to see things you've never I mean we've never.
We'll just seeing things we've never seen before. But give
this guy an opportunity to be like center stage light
shining on him. This really matters. That's what I want
to see.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
Yeah, I can't wait to see Show Hey playing meaningful
games down the stretch.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
And it's not over. Brother. I'm telling you, he's to
stay healthy, show, and with good health, he's going to keep.
Speaker 1 (41:05):
Doing this stuff speaking of down the stretch. That's where
we are right now, Joe. So you've got something to
take us out here on this latest edition of the
Book of Joe.
Speaker 3 (41:12):
Yeah, it's typically mister Churchill, I mean, I leading a
hook like we've talked about this in the country through
significant part of our history. But he said the right thing.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak,
and courage is also what it takes to sit down
and listen. That's right on the money, man. We always
(41:33):
want to just keep on going, but sometimes it's shut
your mouth and keep your ears open. You can to
learn twice as much.
Speaker 2 (41:39):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
And with Major League Baseball playing games in London this
weekend comes to the Cardinals.
Speaker 2 (41:44):
Oh perfect, perfect timing.
Speaker 3 (41:46):
Didn't even realize look at that. My goodness.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
Let's see you next time, all right, Rather take care.
Speaker 1 (41:58):
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