April 3, 2024 • 12 mins
Former MLB shortstop and 11-time Golden Glove winner Omar Vizquel joins Next Up following the Houston Astros losing 2-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. The Astros began the ninth inning with 1-0 lead; however, Davis Schneider hit a two-run homer off Josh Hader who blew the save. "You have to try and take advantage of every game," but "people have to be patient with [Joe Espada]" and the Astros, Vizquel said. Vizquel discusses Yordan Álvarez hitting in the No. 2 spot, as well as the Texas Rangers presenting a problem in the AL West.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Let's get in man, a friendof the station, a friend to the
show. You talk about a manthat's got nearly two decades in pro baseball
Seattle, Cleveland, San Francisco,the Rangers, White Sox, and Blue
Jays. He's also been on thebench three time all Start, eleven time
gold Glover, Omar Viscale, Ohmar, good morning, bro Hey, guys,
how you doing today? Doing?Miss you so much? Man outside
(00:22):
and get you as we were goingthrough getting ready to get spring training and
all that. But we're glad tohave you today. Okay, Omar uh
starting pitching versus middle relief, andwe get into this closing situation between Presley
of Bray, you and hater.When you look at the record being one
(00:45):
and five for the Astros, wheredo you start? Well? I think
this is normal for the Astros.You know, remember last year they started
on a similar situation when our twoit was heard. They have a couple
other guys that were hurt and thestart wasn't too hot. This is a
(01:07):
situation that they know how to handle. I don't. I don't think anybody
is panicking yet. They have thecore of the team, everybody is playing.
Everybody knows the role on the team, except the closer situation. Like
you mentioned, Uh, this issomething that they have to solve. Obviously,
Josh hated coming with great credentials.Everybody know the kind of picture he
(01:30):
is. But remember that he's comingfrom the National League and now he's trying
to adjust to a different league,and it's gonna take a little time for
him to to to fit into thisteam and into the role and everything that
is going on. Uh, theother guys are waiting there see how they're
(01:53):
gonna adjust the whole the whole closersituation. But I believe that they have
the team to go all the way. The only bad thing about this is
remember last year Seattle, the SeattleMariners and the Texas Rangers played so such
a good baseball that at the endof the season, one game was the
(02:15):
one that was decided in between thesethree teams. And if that situation happened
again, these games in April arereally important and they cannot let they cannot
let this thing happen any longer.They have to really start playing the game
the right way, because every gameis important nowadays. You're right, Omar,
(02:36):
But also on paper, we lookedat the schedule. He said,
Man, it's gonna be a toughApril when you saw all the Rangers games,
and the Yankees and the Braves arecoming in here. So I almost
kind of said, even with theinjuries to Verlander and Kidi, and you
know we're expecting on the back halfof the season, Leans mccollus will be
back. Welluis Garcia, you knowagain, we're gonna get Verlander and Herkidi
back here soon. And I lookat those games in August September. They
(02:58):
got a lot of games against theA's, the Royals, the Reds.
So I almost kind of look atit as you know, if I stumble
out of April. Okay, Butto your point, you don't want to
dig yourself too big of a hole. And last night was just one of
those games when you can't you can'tgive that away. But to your point,
like you got to get these wins, you can't. You can't dig
yourself too big of a hole andhave to try to dig out of it
(03:19):
all summer. Yeah, exactly.I mean you cannot wait getting into July
and then oh yeah, we're gonnaplay the low average team. No,
you can't think that way. Youhave to try to take advantage of every
game as possible right now. Andyou know what, looking at the division
and the league and everything, Ithink a lot of games are going to
(03:40):
be decided by one game. Iremember that last year the Astros did a
great job trying to hold the leadand trying to win a lot of games
by one run. But this yearit's going to be a challenge because every
team seems to be different in thedivision. They seem to be stronger,
and they really have to get ahold of this division. Talk with Omar
(04:04):
Viskale, former infielder that is,man's got twenty plus years in this league.
Man, it's crazy. So anytimewe get a chance to get the
knowledge and the experience from Omar visScale, we will do that. He's
also in the Cleveland Guardians Hall ofFame. I might have said Indians early.
I don't mean any disrespect there.All right, let's let's take a
look at this batting order. Omar, I get the trend of putting your
(04:28):
on it the twoth hole. It'snot working, Omar, I have not
seen my yourd on Alvarez. Whatwould you do with you? Joe Spotta
Go ahead, Well, I thinkthey decided they talk about it in screen
training, to let Jordan get somemore at bats, seeing he's one of
the biggest bats in the lineup,and that given the opportunity to score some
(04:50):
runs, some more runs laying thegame, you know, when you get
to the eighth and ninthe inning.It's a move that Espata believe on,
the Ostros believe on they were theone that kind of came up with this
uh cyber metric stuff or letting thebest hitters getting at bads most bad for
(05:10):
the game. And I think Jordanis getting that opportunity, but I don't
know. I'm not quite sure thathe feels comfortable of that spot since he's
been hitting third the whole year andnow he had to move to the second
spot. This is something that peoplesometimes don't don't realize that might bother you
a little bit, but it mightbe bothering him. You know, the
(05:31):
fact that he's hitting second and hedoes doesn't comfortable. But he's gonna get
some some some opportunities to drive outto way In, who is swinging the
bat pretty well. And I thinkit's gonna work. It's gonna work in
the long run, but it's gonnatake a little bit of time for him
to adjust refresh my memory. Didn'tyou hit two whole up behind Kenny Lston,
(05:53):
Yes, I did. But wewere built different and our team was
building on getting on base for thebigger guy like Albert Bell, Eddie Murray,
the guys that were coming behind.And this Houston team is built a
little bit different when they rely onthe on the power on the top of
the line of and everything. Ithink we're talking two different things here,
(06:15):
But the fact that you have apower hitter on the second spot give a
two way more chances to get onbase, to see more fascibles, and
I think it's gonna be It's gonnabe a great combination later on, Oh
Mar, it has to be spokenas well. Again, my issue is
not mostly now that was some bsfrom fromber Game one versus the Yankees,
But my issue is not mostly withthe starterists. My issue is mostly with
(06:40):
last night we see base running snapfoods. I mean it looked like all
due respect, like double A oror travel baseball or something like look would
And then the other thing I wantto ask you about Astro's now multiple games
six runners left on base last nightand a number of others left in scoring
position, if you will. Whatwhen you see it repeatedly this early in
(07:00):
the year, is that just springtraining and trying to get your regular season
legs up under you, or isthat something more along the lines of just
like philosophically, something's not connecting.No, this is something that happened in
every team. Stand I don't thinkwe should kind of panic about it.
This is something that happened and everyteam. The guys are not clicking on
(07:23):
the right time right now. Youknow, they they're putting a lot of
pressure on themselves, and they swingingthe bad pitches. You know, there
is a combination on things right now. But I'm unsure that they're gonna they're
gonna come up with a plan.They're gonna start swinging the bad better.
And the other teams are pitching reallywell. You know, you take a
(07:43):
look at the Yankees, how theycame out out of the gate. Uh,
They're pitching was clicking perfectly. Uh. You know, Toronto, it's
not easy team to beat. Andyou know you're gonna see You're gonna see
that every once in a while.And I think they're hitting that's right now.
Just what one more thought real quick. Omar on Joe spot as a
(08:05):
manager, I know it. Youknow, he takes over as the new
guy, and it can be youknow, it could be challenging. You
know, you get swept in thefirst four game series, you finally get
your first win, you do itin an incredible fashion with the no hitter.
But how important is it for himto and I know baseball, when
you play one sixty two man,you gotta have the same you know,
whether you got to bring the sameattitude basically, whether you're on an eight
game win streak or an a gamelosing streak. How important is it for
(08:28):
him to to block out that outsidenoise and keep everybody focused day to day.
Yeah, you know, when youget a spot as a manager,
I know that everybody in the organizageyou believe on this guy. This guy
is one of the smarttest people theyhave in there. And I know that
everybody that's around Joe Spatta is givinghim good advice. That he is familiar
(08:52):
with the team. The team isfamiliar with him, so it's not like
there is a stranger that is comingto change things the crazy way. So
I think people have to be patientwith him. He have the same guys
and last year, and he's trying, He's trying his best. There is
(09:13):
no doubt that the Astros have agreat team to go all the way,
and he's gonna be a great guyfor them. He's just gonna get a
little bit more confidence. All right, We'll get you try to hear on
this one. Omar Viscale several times. Gold glove? What man got?
Let them go? Glove? Threetime All Star, twenty plus years in
the majors both as a player andas a bench coach around the league.
(09:37):
Just real quick, when you takea quick snapshot around all of baseball,
you know, O tany notwithstanding,but what are you seeing? What are
the trends out there? How isthis thing shaping up? Right off the
gate? Just overall? Well,I believe the Yankees have a lot to
prove this year. And you know, with the disappointed year that they have
(09:58):
last year, they're playing baseball rightnow. Let's see if they can continue
to play that the whole year round. Remember that they always have problems with
the injuris and they trying to avoidthat this year. Taking care of everybody.
Their plan of braves look very good. There is another team that everybody's
looking for the Dodgers with all thesignings that they did. It's another team
(10:20):
that is looking really good in theAmerican League. I still like the Baltimore
Orioles. Believe it or not,there's a team that makes some improvement from
last year. All the younger guysare getting stronger and smarter, and I
think that is a team that wehave to take a look at. And
I believe that the Texas Rangers stillhave a good team. So you know,
(10:41):
the Astros are sitting on the samedivision and that's why these games in
April and May are so important.So when they get to July, then
they're sitting on the first part andthey feel real comfortable in there. Hey,
oh, Mark, you saw thosepictures of a dolars Garcia. Though,
if I'm the Astros' I'm said ofa quest, MLB, can we
get a get a little I'm notaccused anybody anything, but can we get
(11:03):
some drug tests? Maybe random drugtests. That dude is big, man,
That dude's big. Those muscles areway bigger than they were a year
ago. I don't know what's goingon down there, man, I don't
know what these guys. Wait programming. They all see some are going.
Man, everybody seems to be stronger, bigger, faster. You know,
there is a lot of stuff goingon that we don't know what's going on,
(11:28):
but believe this athlete. Nowadays theybuild to the hit homers to be
faster and they're preparing themselves. Sothere's a lot of guys in the league
that looking like that. All right, that's the great Omar Viscale. Drop
it by next up courtesy at theguest line to kick it with staying fleet
and going it for a while.O Mar, Let's not let it be
so long before we do this again. We appreciate you and with respect.
(11:50):
Not only are you in the ClevelandGuardians Hall of Fame, eleven time goal
glover, three time All Star andyou're All Star. Good dude, we
appreciate you. On a Wednesday,thank you time. Appreciate it. Taker
man, Please tell you
Let's get in man, a friendof the station, a friend to the
show. You talk about a manthat's got nearly two decades in pro baseball
Seattle, Cleveland, San Francisco,the Rangers, White Sox, and Blue
Jays. He's also been on thebench three time all Start, eleven time
gold Glover, Omar Viscale, Ohmar, good morning, bro Hey, guys,
how you doing today? Doing?Miss you so much? Man outside
(00:22):
and get you as we were goingthrough getting ready to get spring training and
all that. But we're glad tohave you today. Okay, Omar uh
starting pitching versus middle relief, andwe get into this closing situation between Presley
of Bray, you and hater.When you look at the record being one
(00:45):
and five for the Astros, wheredo you start? Well? I think
this is normal for the Astros.You know, remember last year they started
on a similar situation when our twoit was heard. They have a couple
other guys that were hurt and thestart wasn't too hot. This is a
(01:07):
situation that they know how to handle. I don't. I don't think anybody
is panicking yet. They have thecore of the team, everybody is playing.
Everybody knows the role on the team, except the closer situation. Like
you mentioned, Uh, this issomething that they have to solve. Obviously,
Josh hated coming with great credentials.Everybody know the kind of picture he
(01:30):
is. But remember that he's comingfrom the National League and now he's trying
to adjust to a different league,and it's gonna take a little time for
him to to to fit into thisteam and into the role and everything that
is going on. Uh, theother guys are waiting there see how they're
(01:53):
gonna adjust the whole the whole closersituation. But I believe that they have
the team to go all the way. The only bad thing about this is
remember last year Seattle, the SeattleMariners and the Texas Rangers played so such
a good baseball that at the endof the season, one game was the
(02:15):
one that was decided in between thesethree teams. And if that situation happened
again, these games in April arereally important and they cannot let they cannot
let this thing happen any longer.They have to really start playing the game
the right way, because every gameis important nowadays. You're right, Omar,
(02:36):
But also on paper, we lookedat the schedule. He said,
Man, it's gonna be a toughApril when you saw all the Rangers games,
and the Yankees and the Braves arecoming in here. So I almost
kind of said, even with theinjuries to Verlander and Kidi, and you
know we're expecting on the back halfof the season, Leans mccollus will be
back. Welluis Garcia, you knowagain, we're gonna get Verlander and Herkidi
back here soon. And I lookat those games in August September. They
(02:58):
got a lot of games against theA's, the Royals, the Reds.
So I almost kind of look atit as you know, if I stumble
out of April. Okay, Butto your point, you don't want to
dig yourself too big of a hole. And last night was just one of
those games when you can't you can'tgive that away. But to your point,
like you got to get these wins, you can't. You can't dig
yourself too big of a hole andhave to try to dig out of it
(03:19):
all summer. Yeah, exactly.I mean you cannot wait getting into July
and then oh yeah, we're gonnaplay the low average team. No,
you can't think that way. Youhave to try to take advantage of every
game as possible right now. Andyou know what, looking at the division
and the league and everything, Ithink a lot of games are going to
(03:40):
be decided by one game. Iremember that last year the Astros did a
great job trying to hold the leadand trying to win a lot of games
by one run. But this yearit's going to be a challenge because every
team seems to be different in thedivision. They seem to be stronger,
and they really have to get ahold of this division. Talk with Omar
(04:04):
Viskale, former infielder that is,man's got twenty plus years in this league.
Man, it's crazy. So anytimewe get a chance to get the
knowledge and the experience from Omar visScale, we will do that. He's
also in the Cleveland Guardians Hall ofFame. I might have said Indians early.
I don't mean any disrespect there.All right, let's let's take a
look at this batting order. Omar, I get the trend of putting your
(04:28):
on it the twoth hole. It'snot working, Omar, I have not
seen my yourd on Alvarez. Whatwould you do with you? Joe Spotta
Go ahead, Well, I thinkthey decided they talk about it in screen
training, to let Jordan get somemore at bats, seeing he's one of
the biggest bats in the lineup,and that given the opportunity to score some
(04:50):
runs, some more runs laying thegame, you know, when you get
to the eighth and ninthe inning.It's a move that Espata believe on,
the Ostros believe on they were theone that kind of came up with this
uh cyber metric stuff or letting thebest hitters getting at bads most bad for
(05:10):
the game. And I think Jordanis getting that opportunity, but I don't
know. I'm not quite sure thathe feels comfortable of that spot since he's
been hitting third the whole year andnow he had to move to the second
spot. This is something that peoplesometimes don't don't realize that might bother you
a little bit, but it mightbe bothering him. You know, the
(05:31):
fact that he's hitting second and hedoes doesn't comfortable. But he's gonna get
some some some opportunities to drive outto way In, who is swinging the
bat pretty well. And I thinkit's gonna work. It's gonna work in
the long run, but it's gonnatake a little bit of time for him
to adjust refresh my memory. Didn'tyou hit two whole up behind Kenny Lston,
(05:53):
Yes, I did. But wewere built different and our team was
building on getting on base for thebigger guy like Albert Bell, Eddie Murray,
the guys that were coming behind.And this Houston team is built a
little bit different when they rely onthe on the power on the top of
the line of and everything. Ithink we're talking two different things here,
(06:15):
But the fact that you have apower hitter on the second spot give a
two way more chances to get onbase, to see more fascibles, and
I think it's gonna be It's gonnabe a great combination later on, Oh
Mar, it has to be spokenas well. Again, my issue is
not mostly now that was some bsfrom fromber Game one versus the Yankees,
But my issue is not mostly withthe starterists. My issue is mostly with
(06:40):
last night we see base running snapfoods. I mean it looked like all
due respect, like double A oror travel baseball or something like look would
And then the other thing I wantto ask you about Astro's now multiple games
six runners left on base last nightand a number of others left in scoring
position, if you will. Whatwhen you see it repeatedly this early in
(07:00):
the year, is that just springtraining and trying to get your regular season
legs up under you, or isthat something more along the lines of just
like philosophically, something's not connecting.No, this is something that happened in
every team. Stand I don't thinkwe should kind of panic about it.
This is something that happened and everyteam. The guys are not clicking on
(07:23):
the right time right now. Youknow, they they're putting a lot of
pressure on themselves, and they swingingthe bad pitches. You know, there
is a combination on things right now. But I'm unsure that they're gonna they're
gonna come up with a plan.They're gonna start swinging the bad better.
And the other teams are pitching reallywell. You know, you take a
(07:43):
look at the Yankees, how theycame out out of the gate. Uh,
They're pitching was clicking perfectly. Uh. You know, Toronto, it's
not easy team to beat. Andyou know you're gonna see You're gonna see
that every once in a while.And I think they're hitting that's right now.
Just what one more thought real quick. Omar on Joe spot as a
(08:05):
manager, I know it. Youknow, he takes over as the new
guy, and it can be youknow, it could be challenging. You
know, you get swept in thefirst four game series, you finally get
your first win, you do itin an incredible fashion with the no hitter.
But how important is it for himto and I know baseball, when
you play one sixty two man,you gotta have the same you know,
whether you got to bring the sameattitude basically, whether you're on an eight
game win streak or an a gamelosing streak. How important is it for
(08:28):
him to to block out that outsidenoise and keep everybody focused day to day.
Yeah, you know, when youget a spot as a manager,
I know that everybody in the organizageyou believe on this guy. This guy
is one of the smarttest people theyhave in there. And I know that
everybody that's around Joe Spatta is givinghim good advice. That he is familiar
(08:52):
with the team. The team isfamiliar with him, so it's not like
there is a stranger that is comingto change things the crazy way. So
I think people have to be patientwith him. He have the same guys
and last year, and he's trying, He's trying his best. There is
(09:13):
no doubt that the Astros have agreat team to go all the way,
and he's gonna be a great guyfor them. He's just gonna get a
little bit more confidence. All right, We'll get you try to hear on
this one. Omar Viscale several times. Gold glove? What man got?
Let them go? Glove? Threetime All Star, twenty plus years in
the majors both as a player andas a bench coach around the league.
(09:37):
Just real quick, when you takea quick snapshot around all of baseball,
you know, O tany notwithstanding,but what are you seeing? What are
the trends out there? How isthis thing shaping up? Right off the
gate? Just overall? Well,I believe the Yankees have a lot to
prove this year. And you know, with the disappointed year that they have
(09:58):
last year, they're playing baseball rightnow. Let's see if they can continue
to play that the whole year round. Remember that they always have problems with
the injuris and they trying to avoidthat this year. Taking care of everybody.
Their plan of braves look very good. There is another team that everybody's
looking for the Dodgers with all thesignings that they did. It's another team
(10:20):
that is looking really good in theAmerican League. I still like the Baltimore
Orioles. Believe it or not,there's a team that makes some improvement from
last year. All the younger guysare getting stronger and smarter, and I
think that is a team that wehave to take a look at. And
I believe that the Texas Rangers stillhave a good team. So you know,
(10:41):
the Astros are sitting on the samedivision and that's why these games in
April and May are so important.So when they get to July, then
they're sitting on the first part andthey feel real comfortable in there. Hey,
oh, Mark, you saw thosepictures of a dolars Garcia. Though,
if I'm the Astros' I'm said ofa quest, MLB, can we
get a get a little I'm notaccused anybody anything, but can we get
(11:03):
some drug tests? Maybe random drugtests. That dude is big, man,
That dude's big. Those muscles areway bigger than they were a year
ago. I don't know what's goingon down there, man, I don't
know what these guys. Wait programming. They all see some are going.
Man, everybody seems to be stronger, bigger, faster. You know,
there is a lot of stuff goingon that we don't know what's going on,
(11:28):
but believe this athlete. Nowadays theybuild to the hit homers to be
faster and they're preparing themselves. Sothere's a lot of guys in the league
that looking like that. All right, that's the great Omar Viscale. Drop
it by next up courtesy at theguest line to kick it with staying fleet
and going it for a while.O Mar, Let's not let it be
so long before we do this again. We appreciate you and with respect.
(11:50):
Not only are you in the ClevelandGuardians Hall of Fame, eleven time goal
glover, three time All Star andyou're All Star. Good dude, we
appreciate you. On a Wednesday,thank you time. Appreciate it. Taker
man, Please tell you
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.