On this week’s edition of Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob discusses Aaron Judge's historic season thus far heading into the MLB All-Star break, why he believes Chris Sale deserves to get the start for the National League at the MLB All-Star Game and why this current swoon by the New York Yankees feels so jarring. Plus, New York Mets outfielder DJ Stewart swings by to discuss the club's strong play as of late and how The Grimace factors into all of it. Finally, we’ve got appearances by MLBBro.com managing editor JR Gamble and the analytics guru Anthony Masterson.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
From the berkshears to the sound from wherever you live
in MLB America. This is inside the Parker. You give
us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop
on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame
voter number seventy, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Welcome into the podcast. I'm your host, Rob Parker.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
What a great show we have for you today. On
the fourth of July.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Mets outfielder DJ Stewart he'll stop by.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Also Anthony Masterson.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
You know we call him the pocket protector around here.
You'll have some numbers that you can chew on. Plus
foul a fail with JR. Gampbell, that and much more.
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Better to lead off it's getting robbed and keep them on.
Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major
League Baseball.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Number one, we cannot say an about Yankee center fielder
Aaron Judge.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
This guy had a terrible April.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Remember fans in the Bronx were giving him the Bronx cheer.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
They boot erin Judge. He got off to a terrible start.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
People were upset, not happy with what was going on
with the Yankees to start the season. As far as
Aaron Judge is hitting, and guess what coming into the
month of July. Across his last fifty games five zero,
Aaron Judge was batting three ninety eight with an OPS
(01:39):
of fourteen thirty nine.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
That would be the highest OPS over any.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Fifty games spanned by a right handed hitter in the
history of baseball.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Did you hear?
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Is this Mike going? Did you hear what I said?
The highest ops of any right handed hitter in a
fifty game span. That's incredible in the history of the
game that's been around since Moby Dick was a guppy.
It tells you what kind of magical season Aaron Judges having.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Here we are.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
July fourth, he has eighty three RBIs Hack Wilson had
the most in a major league season one hundred and
ninety one. Hack Wilson, Judges are gonna get there. But
my god, could he get one sixty? And Aaron Judge
has thirty two home runs? I think he could get
(02:38):
to seventy.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
I really do.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Can you imagine if he broke Barry Bond's home run record?
What would that be like? Can he do it? He's
incredible and you talk about no it's amazing that they
still pitch to him when the you know, they're missing
a couple.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Guys in that.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Rizzo and in, and they still pitch the judge and
he still makes them pay. But he's put on a
absolute clinic every time I look and he gets another
hit or And he's not just swinging for defenses. With
thirty two home runs, and he's batting two ten, bat
like over three twenty in a league where nobody hits
(03:22):
over over two hundred anymore. Aaron Judge is hitting for average,
for power, he's driving in runs, He's doing it all
with the bat. We're watching an incredible season one we
have not seen from a hitter. So you know what
full that TV said a little closer to you, pay attention.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Aaron Judges having a season for.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
The Ages number two.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
You know, we're.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Starting to hear about the All Star starters as voted
by the fans, but also we have to talk about
who's gonna start.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Who's going to be the starting pitcher for the National League.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
I got a name. His name is Chris Sale. Chris
Sale should be the starter for the National League. The
Braves left hander has had a tremendous season. The Saft
Park has tallied and a major league leading eleven wins,
(04:29):
and he has returned to his elite status after the
past four years where.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
He was mostly injured. It's unbelievable what he's done.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Coming into Thursday, Sale ranked third in the National League.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
With a two point seven to one ERA.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
That was through sixteen stars, ninety nine to two third
innings pitched, and.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
He has been lights out for the Brakes. What a
pick up.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Chris Sale, who couldn't stay healthy in Boston, who was
a tremendous picture with the White Sox in Chicago, but
he has regained his mojo. It would be great to
see him on the mound in Arlington pitching and starting
for the National League in the All Star He deserves it.
(05:23):
Eleven wins. I don't know about you, but Chris Sale
deserves it and I hope he gets the NOD. Pretty
sure he will, and that'll be fun to watch. Number three,
It's official.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
The New York Yankees are Scotland.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
They lost back to back games at home to the
Cincinnati Reds by one run, five to four Tuesday and
three to two on Wednesday, and I noticed not the
hot start that they had.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
When they were running away with it and doing everything.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
But I think people will have, somehow, some way not
realize what's happened to the Yankees. Sure, they got Garrett
coleback the Cy Young Award. It seem like he's one
hundred all the way there. But what people forget is
that the lineup has been damaged. Anthony Rizzo is out injured,
(06:24):
John Carlos Stanton out injured. So the lineup, once you
get past Judge, to be honest, is not the same
team that was running away with it and was bashing
the ball. They have definitely been weakened offensively with the
loss of those two players.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
And that is where you could really go back.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
And look at the Yankees and see where they are
and why they've fallen on hard times. With the way
they started earlier this year, I wouldn't even believe that
they could have lost that many games seven of nine,
seven of nine. That team, their era was under three.
They were hitting home runs left and right. But now
(07:10):
that lineup is basically Aaron Judge and nobody.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
And you can't win like that. You gotta have production
from other people.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
And right now the Yankees are missing two big bats,
two big starters. And that's why they are officially on
the skids.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
We're so good. Now let's welcome into the podcast.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
DJ Stewart of course, Mets Outfield or DJ, how are you?
Speaker 4 (07:40):
I'm great, doing great. Teams, teams playing well. We're winning
games and that's all you can ask for doing great.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Yeah, let's talk about that. What a turnaround for the Mets.
I mean really, it was looking pretty shaky. Things were
not going well. And what happened here? I mean, obviously
it's a talent Layden roster, so people were even curious
as to why you guys were struggling so much. But
can you put a finger on what happened?
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Yeah, I think it's us having that team meeting all
together as hitters. We were having meetings every day kind
of trying to get over that hunt, like what can
we do more as an offense to help the team
out to win more games? And that wasn't really working.
And then when Francisco called the team meeting and had
the pictures involved as well, and just like everyone getting
(08:29):
everything out what need to be said, and just holding
each other accountable and understanding.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
At the end of the day.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
All that matters is winning. I think that's what really
changed it for us, just having everyone everyone come together
as one and just express their feelings.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
How much fun is it coming to the ballpark where
you got a shot to win almost every night. Obviously
you can't win every night in baseball, but you just
team has a shot.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Yeah, I mean, it's fun whether we're winning or losing.
Just the atmosphere that has changed. Everyone's pulling for one another.
Just even if you're not hitting right then you feel
like you're in that at bat with them, just trying
to help them. If you're not pitching, you feel like
you're on the mound with them, just trying to trying
to get everyone through it. It's just whether we win
(09:14):
or lose, we're we're very close in here, and that's fun.
I mean coming to the ballpark and you get to
play a kids game with your brothers, it's really fun.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
How about you started the season mostly of the DHA
d Martinez is here now and now you're in the outfield.
Is that change anything for you?
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Does it?
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Do you have to concentrate more on the fielding part
of it? Does that take away from your hitting or
does it all you know, rolling together.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Yeah, not really.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
I was still doing defensive work with our outfield coach
Antoine even when I was daching. Now with me not
playing as much, it's just preparing as if I'm going
to play, whether I'm in the starting lineup or I'm not.
Just being ready and available whenever my name is called
and preparing. I know, obviously it's different not seeing like
a live arm, but preparing as if you're going to
(10:04):
get in that game and just help the team anyway
you can. My biggest thing is just staying ready so
you're not surprised by anything.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
How about when it comes to pinchhitting, when they call
you in a spot, is there a mental preparation. Say
you're not in the lineup, do you think to yourself, Okay,
I gotta be ready. I'm watching these pictures as the
game goes on, I might need to be called and
get a big hit or deliver them.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
I talk with Mindy before every series to kind of
see what matchups and what spots. He kind of sees
me getting getting that at bat. I know when there's
big opportunities runners in scoring position that it could be
me at any time. But we talk about matchups and
everything before, and I kind of prepare as the game
(10:47):
goes along of the situation and I see that specific
person getting up in the bullpen, and I'm starting to
get hot as well, just to be ready. He might
call my name in that situation.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
He might not, but I'll be ready for it.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
We're with Mets outfield. The DJ Stewart joined us here
on inside the parker. So the turnaround, obviously, pitching and
hitting got better and people were delibering, but a lot
of people were giving credit to Grimace, the McDonald's character
who threw out the first pitch and then things seemed
to turn around. You already said it was the meeting
(11:21):
when everybody held themselves accountable, But did you know about
the Grimace and what that was all about.
Speaker 4 (11:26):
Yeah, so obviously I saw Grimace throw out the first pitch,
didn't know exactly what it was. I just thought it
was some purple kid's character. And I think after that
we went either six or seven and zero, and then
you start seeing people talk about it, start seeing fans
stress up as it. But I think it was just
kind of perfect timing we had that meeting. He threw
out the first pitch and things started to turn around.
(11:50):
But whatever they want to call it, as long as
it keeps going, I'm all for it.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
What's funny is when I was a kid, McDonald's used
to have these characters that they would advertise more than
the food, and it was the Grimace and the Hamburgler,
mayor mccheese. Have you looked into it at all or
seen any of the commercials? Oh, you need to go
to on YouTube.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Yeah, I honestly haven't.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
I actually just found out exactly what Grimace was the
other day, that he was a McDonald's character, But I
didn't know that there were more. Maybe we can get
all the whole group to the to the field and
maybe that'll produce even more wins.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
I was a maryor mccheese guy. But it's kind of funny. Uh,
And now let's go. H that was all fun and everything,
but there was a serious moment. Who we lost Willie
maid who of course played for the Mets his last
couple of years, and then you guys had a beautiful
ceremony for him. His numbers now on the uniform. Just
talk about the ceremony, Willie Mays and just maybe your
(12:45):
thoughts on Willie.
Speaker 4 (12:46):
Yeah, I thought it was obviously you hate to see
him see him go, but the timing of it us
playing the Yankees Subway Series and honoring him during that
game and then for us to come out here and
put up the performance we did. I think that kind
of it puts out in perspective like his career, Like
(13:07):
to me, he's one of the greatest of all time.
Everyone talks about the catches and everything, but he probably
would lead all the baseball and home runs if he
played at different parks.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
And he missed two years to go into military early
in his career, Like that.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Is the big thing.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
If you you know, after he dies, do you go
back and take a look at some of the numbers
and stuff and just try to.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Put it in a perspective.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
Yeah, definitely, because for me, like you always see the
highlight of the over the shoulder catch and you look
at the numbers and you're like, this guy wasn't just
a defensive stock.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Six and sixty home run.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Exactly in the parks that he played in. It's like
if he plays in some more hitter friendly parks, I mean,
he's hitting numbers that no one's ever gonna touch in
my opinion, So I think that he's one of the best.
When I was in Baltimore, actually I debuted with number
sixty two, and then when I got the opportunity to
change War twenty four. Obviously I'm not not here, but
(14:04):
I think it's it's awesome for us to have it
on our jerseys and I get to have it a
part of me for at least the rest of the season.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
I hope.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
I hope they honestly keep it for the rest of time. Honestly,
he needs to be honored in that way.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
DJ, thank you so much, man, I appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
Yes, sir, thank you.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
It's the Gambler here. Vice president of operations for mlbbro
dot Com and executive producer of the MLB bro Show
podcast for Mixtape.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Every Friday, you heard that right. Every Friday, we.
Speaker 5 (14:37):
Bring you the best from the world of Black and
Brown baseball. We cover the seven point two percent of
melanated Major leaguers from soup to nuts, but with our
own cultural flair and unique voice, will take you on
a ride reflecting on the accomplishment, clutch moments, and contributions
to culture that the Bros continue to breathe into base
(15:00):
From Mookie Wilson to Mookie Betts, Doctor k to Doctor Styx,
from Bro Bombs, the Stolen Bases to Black Aces, We're
live at the ballparks and also bringing you segments like
Classic Hits with David Gruff, the Black Ace Report, the Rundown,
the Walk Off, and Going Deep, just to name a
(15:21):
few of the segments that truly capture the voice of
black baseball. If things get out of hand, as the
Boss Rob Parker, he's kicking up dust, we will gladly
pay you on Tuesday.
Speaker 1 (15:32):
From an MLB bro doubleheader today.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
Remember the heart of the game lies in the diversity
of the game and the spirit of black baseball that
dates back to.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
The Negro leagues.
Speaker 5 (15:43):
I the Gambler, your friendly neighborhood diamond checker, making sure
that you stay on top of the game and in
touch with the soul of MLB, fucking up for a
wild baseball journey, showing respect to the Ogs and highlighting
the new breed of Melond Malmrode. First thing through MLB's pipeline,
(16:03):
all pitching with the sound of Black Baseball. We got
the best start in five in the business.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Listen to the MLB Bro Show podcast. The mixtape on
the iHeartRadio.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
App, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
It's time for the Pocket Protector Centrum. The analytic numbers
you need to know?
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Well, maybe Anthony Masterson is his name.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
BS analytics is his game? What do you got for me?
Speaker 6 (16:35):
Anthony lost in the al MVP discussion between Aaron Judge
and Juan Soto is a party crasher sitting in the
same division in the Orioles gunner Henderson. Henderson just turned
twenty three, but he's having a season for the Ages
to back up his Rookie of the Year campaign from
a year ago, with twenty six homers, forty seven extra
base hits, thirteen steals, and a nine to eighty nine
(16:56):
ops through June, all at or near the top of
el As well as the offense, his defense has been
sparkling two as he's been worth seven outs above average
according to Statcast, ranking in the top five of all
MLB shortstops now. The combination of offense and defense has
placed Henderson at the top of the wins above replacement
leader boards at six point two according to Baseball Reference Now.
(17:18):
In this century, there have been only two players worth
six wins or more by the time July first hit
Mike Trout in twenty eighteen and Barry Bonds in two
thousand and two.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Trout finished second in.
Speaker 6 (17:30):
MVP voting that season on a fourth place Angels team,
while Bonds won his second of four straight MVPs. Six
players have ever put up a ten win season at
age twenty three or younger, Trout, Mays Cobb, Ted Williams twice,
Eddie Collins, and an Oriel shortstop named cal Ripkin Junior
in nineteen eighty four.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Could Gunner be next ball? It was a big week
in the big leagues? Who's a week?
Speaker 5 (18:00):
Doesn't believe it?
Speaker 3 (18:03):
Is it foul?
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Or is it fair? And Now from mlbdbro dot Com,
here's Jrgambo.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
The Tampa Bay Rays have scrapped their way back to
the five hundred mark and second year piccher Taj Bradley
has been lights out Jr. Is it foul or fair
to say that Taj Bradley is a future All Star?
Speaker 1 (18:33):
Fair? It's a fair ball.
Speaker 5 (18:35):
This kid has been incredible in his last five starts.
Since Bradley's June one outing against Baltimore, in which he
surrendered nine of the twenty one runs and four of
the ten home runs he's given up all season, he
hasn't given up more than two runs in his last
five outings, and after Sunday's five nothing shut out of
the Nationals where he went five and two thirds innings
(18:57):
and fan eleven, giving up zero runs, Bradley's now surrendered
just four runs in his last twenty nine innings and
he's put down forty batters with his array of pitches.
We know Bradley has an explosive arm and throws an
average of ninety six miles per hour.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
The Georgia product.
Speaker 5 (19:16):
Throws a four scene almost half of the time and
then mixes in his split her about twenty eight percent
of the time, his hardcutter about twenty percent of the time,
and he also has the ability to drop a curve
ball at decreased velocity. After all of that hard stuff
that he delivers, he throws that less than ten percent
of the time. The Tampa Bay Rays have been fighting
(19:38):
to reach the five hundred mark all season, and they
finally peeked their heads above that mark on Sunday. They
are within wild Card reach, and when the All Star
Break hits, they should still be five or less games
within reach of that third wildcard spot. That's basically a
hot week and a half. Bradley has always had the stuff.
Remember when he came out in his rookie seed and
(20:00):
was up and down but showed flashes of great potential,
won his first couple of games and showed you he
has the raw skills to be an All Star. And
now that he's blossoming before our eyes and with him
elevating into an ACE quality arm, look out for the
Tampa Bay Rays.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
The farm system is doing what it do now bring
in the closer. You know, here's why MLB it's better
than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
Reason number nine hundred and ninety nine.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
While Major League Baseball is better than the NBA and
better than the NFL, it's real simple. This time of
the year, the All Star Game is upon us. I
can't wait to go to Arlington, Texas, to go to
the Texas Rangers Ballpark, their Globe Life Field and taking
the All Star Game the Midsummer Classic. And what makes
(20:57):
it so great is that the All Star Game still
has meaning. It's still a game you can watch. People
aren't throwing the ball underhand, people aren't trying to hit
a home run on every pitch. It's still a baseball game.
And the best part of all is that the fans
get to pick the starters. I don't think that should
(21:17):
ever change in baseball. Mattagers picked the reserves and the pitching.
That's all fine and good, but the starting lineup should
come from the fans. It's their game. Let them see
who they want to see. It's an exhibition. It doesn't
have to be like, let's throw everybody's stats into the
(21:38):
computer and then let the computer pick out.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
The All Stars.
Speaker 6 (21:42):
No.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
I hope it never comes to that. But the fans
are what makes the game special, and the fans do
a great job every year.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
I just don't have any issues with it.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Let the fans continue to pick the All Stars, and
made a lot of changes over the last few years.
Please Commissioner Rob Manford and the powers that be in
Baseball do not ever, ever, ever change this. Leave the
All Star Game to the fans, let them pick.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Who they want to see, and let's just leave it
at that.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
In the words of New York TV legend the late
Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time until
next time.
Speaker 3 (22:31):
Rob Parker out d can't, Gavin. This could be an
inside the Parker.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
See you next week. Save bat time from same Matt's station.
From the berkshears to the sound from wherever you live
in MLB America. This is inside the Parker. You give
us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop
on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame
voter number seventy, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Welcome into the podcast. I'm your host, Rob Parker.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
What a great show we have for you today. On
the fourth of July.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Mets outfielder DJ Stewart he'll stop by.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Also Anthony Masterson.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
You know we call him the pocket protector around here.
You'll have some numbers that you can chew on. Plus
foul a fail with JR. Gampbell, that and much more.
Let's go.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Better to lead off it's getting robbed and keep them on.
Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major
League Baseball.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Number one, we cannot say an about Yankee center fielder
Aaron Judge.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
This guy had a terrible April.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Remember fans in the Bronx were giving him the Bronx cheer.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
They boot erin Judge. He got off to a terrible start.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
People were upset, not happy with what was going on
with the Yankees to start the season. As far as
Aaron Judge is hitting, and guess what coming into the
month of July. Across his last fifty games five zero,
Aaron Judge was batting three ninety eight with an OPS
(01:39):
of fourteen thirty nine.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
That would be the highest OPS over any.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Fifty games spanned by a right handed hitter in the
history of baseball.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Did you hear?
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Is this Mike going? Did you hear what I said?
The highest ops of any right handed hitter in a
fifty game span. That's incredible in the history of the
game that's been around since Moby Dick was a guppy.
It tells you what kind of magical season Aaron Judges having.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Here we are.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
July fourth, he has eighty three RBIs Hack Wilson had
the most in a major league season one hundred and
ninety one. Hack Wilson, Judges are gonna get there. But
my god, could he get one sixty? And Aaron Judge
has thirty two home runs? I think he could get
(02:38):
to seventy.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
I really do.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Can you imagine if he broke Barry Bond's home run record?
What would that be like? Can he do it? He's
incredible and you talk about no it's amazing that they
still pitch to him when the you know, they're missing
a couple.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Guys in that.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Rizzo and in, and they still pitch the judge and
he still makes them pay. But he's put on a
absolute clinic every time I look and he gets another
hit or And he's not just swinging for defenses. With
thirty two home runs, and he's batting two ten, bat
like over three twenty in a league where nobody hits
(03:22):
over over two hundred anymore. Aaron Judge is hitting for average,
for power, he's driving in runs, He's doing it all
with the bat. We're watching an incredible season one we
have not seen from a hitter. So you know what
full that TV said a little closer to you, pay attention.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Aaron Judges having a season for.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
The Ages number two.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
You know, we're.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Starting to hear about the All Star starters as voted
by the fans, but also we have to talk about
who's gonna start.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Who's going to be the starting pitcher for the National League.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
I got a name. His name is Chris Sale. Chris
Sale should be the starter for the National League. The
Braves left hander has had a tremendous season. The Saft
Park has tallied and a major league leading eleven wins,
(04:29):
and he has returned to his elite status after the
past four years where.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
He was mostly injured. It's unbelievable what he's done.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Coming into Thursday, Sale ranked third in the National League.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
With a two point seven to one ERA.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
That was through sixteen stars, ninety nine to two third
innings pitched, and.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
He has been lights out for the Brakes. What a
pick up.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Chris Sale, who couldn't stay healthy in Boston, who was
a tremendous picture with the White Sox in Chicago, but
he has regained his mojo. It would be great to
see him on the mound in Arlington pitching and starting
for the National League in the All Star He deserves it.
(05:23):
Eleven wins. I don't know about you, but Chris Sale
deserves it and I hope he gets the NOD. Pretty
sure he will, and that'll be fun to watch. Number three,
It's official.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
The New York Yankees are Scotland.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
They lost back to back games at home to the
Cincinnati Reds by one run, five to four Tuesday and
three to two on Wednesday, and I noticed not the
hot start that they had.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
When they were running away with it and doing everything.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
But I think people will have, somehow, some way not
realize what's happened to the Yankees. Sure, they got Garrett
coleback the Cy Young Award. It seem like he's one
hundred all the way there. But what people forget is
that the lineup has been damaged. Anthony Rizzo is out injured,
(06:24):
John Carlos Stanton out injured. So the lineup, once you
get past Judge, to be honest, is not the same
team that was running away with it and was bashing
the ball. They have definitely been weakened offensively with the
loss of those two players.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
And that is where you could really go back.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
And look at the Yankees and see where they are
and why they've fallen on hard times. With the way
they started earlier this year, I wouldn't even believe that
they could have lost that many games seven of nine,
seven of nine. That team, their era was under three.
They were hitting home runs left and right. But now
(07:10):
that lineup is basically Aaron Judge and nobody.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
And you can't win like that. You gotta have production
from other people.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
And right now the Yankees are missing two big bats,
two big starters. And that's why they are officially on
the skids.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
We're so good. Now let's welcome into the podcast.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
DJ Stewart of course, Mets Outfield or DJ, how are you?
Speaker 4 (07:40):
I'm great, doing great. Teams, teams playing well. We're winning
games and that's all you can ask for doing great.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Yeah, let's talk about that. What a turnaround for the Mets.
I mean really, it was looking pretty shaky. Things were
not going well. And what happened here? I mean, obviously
it's a talent Layden roster, so people were even curious
as to why you guys were struggling so much. But
can you put a finger on what happened?
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Yeah, I think it's us having that team meeting all
together as hitters. We were having meetings every day kind
of trying to get over that hunt, like what can
we do more as an offense to help the team
out to win more games? And that wasn't really working.
And then when Francisco called the team meeting and had
the pictures involved as well, and just like everyone getting
(08:29):
everything out what need to be said, and just holding
each other accountable and understanding.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
At the end of the day.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
All that matters is winning. I think that's what really
changed it for us, just having everyone everyone come together
as one and just express their feelings.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
How much fun is it coming to the ballpark where
you got a shot to win almost every night. Obviously
you can't win every night in baseball, but you just
team has a shot.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Yeah, I mean, it's fun whether we're winning or losing.
Just the atmosphere that has changed. Everyone's pulling for one another.
Just even if you're not hitting right then you feel
like you're in that at bat with them, just trying
to help them. If you're not pitching, you feel like
you're on the mound with them, just trying to trying
to get everyone through it. It's just whether we win
(09:14):
or lose, we're we're very close in here, and that's fun.
I mean coming to the ballpark and you get to
play a kids game with your brothers, it's really fun.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
How about you started the season mostly of the DHA
d Martinez is here now and now you're in the outfield.
Is that change anything for you?
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Does it?
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Do you have to concentrate more on the fielding part
of it? Does that take away from your hitting or
does it all you know, rolling together.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Yeah, not really.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
I was still doing defensive work with our outfield coach
Antoine even when I was daching. Now with me not
playing as much, it's just preparing as if I'm going
to play, whether I'm in the starting lineup or I'm not.
Just being ready and available whenever my name is called
and preparing. I know, obviously it's different not seeing like
a live arm, but preparing as if you're going to
(10:04):
get in that game and just help the team anyway
you can. My biggest thing is just staying ready so
you're not surprised by anything.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
How about when it comes to pinchhitting, when they call
you in a spot, is there a mental preparation. Say
you're not in the lineup, do you think to yourself, Okay,
I gotta be ready. I'm watching these pictures as the
game goes on, I might need to be called and
get a big hit or deliver them.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
I talk with Mindy before every series to kind of
see what matchups and what spots. He kind of sees
me getting getting that at bat. I know when there's
big opportunities runners in scoring position that it could be
me at any time. But we talk about matchups and
everything before, and I kind of prepare as the game
(10:47):
goes along of the situation and I see that specific
person getting up in the bullpen, and I'm starting to
get hot as well, just to be ready. He might
call my name in that situation.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
He might not, but I'll be ready for it.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
We're with Mets outfield. The DJ Stewart joined us here
on inside the parker. So the turnaround, obviously, pitching and
hitting got better and people were delibering, but a lot
of people were giving credit to Grimace, the McDonald's character
who threw out the first pitch and then things seemed
to turn around. You already said it was the meeting
(11:21):
when everybody held themselves accountable, But did you know about
the Grimace and what that was all about.
Speaker 4 (11:26):
Yeah, so obviously I saw Grimace throw out the first pitch,
didn't know exactly what it was. I just thought it
was some purple kid's character. And I think after that
we went either six or seven and zero, and then
you start seeing people talk about it, start seeing fans
stress up as it. But I think it was just
kind of perfect timing we had that meeting. He threw
out the first pitch and things started to turn around.
(11:50):
But whatever they want to call it, as long as
it keeps going, I'm all for it.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
What's funny is when I was a kid, McDonald's used
to have these characters that they would advertise more than
the food, and it was the Grimace and the Hamburgler,
mayor mccheese. Have you looked into it at all or
seen any of the commercials? Oh, you need to go
to on YouTube.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Yeah, I honestly haven't.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
I actually just found out exactly what Grimace was the
other day, that he was a McDonald's character, But I
didn't know that there were more. Maybe we can get
all the whole group to the to the field and
maybe that'll produce even more wins.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
I was a maryor mccheese guy. But it's kind of funny. Uh,
And now let's go. H that was all fun and everything,
but there was a serious moment. Who we lost Willie
maid who of course played for the Mets his last
couple of years, and then you guys had a beautiful
ceremony for him. His numbers now on the uniform. Just
talk about the ceremony, Willie Mays and just maybe your
(12:45):
thoughts on Willie.
Speaker 4 (12:46):
Yeah, I thought it was obviously you hate to see
him see him go, but the timing of it us
playing the Yankees Subway Series and honoring him during that
game and then for us to come out here and
put up the performance we did. I think that kind
of it puts out in perspective like his career, Like
(13:07):
to me, he's one of the greatest of all time.
Everyone talks about the catches and everything, but he probably
would lead all the baseball and home runs if he
played at different parks.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
And he missed two years to go into military early
in his career, Like that.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Is the big thing.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
If you you know, after he dies, do you go
back and take a look at some of the numbers
and stuff and just try to.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Put it in a perspective.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
Yeah, definitely, because for me, like you always see the
highlight of the over the shoulder catch and you look
at the numbers and you're like, this guy wasn't just
a defensive stock.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Six and sixty home run.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Exactly in the parks that he played in. It's like
if he plays in some more hitter friendly parks, I mean,
he's hitting numbers that no one's ever gonna touch in
my opinion, So I think that he's one of the best.
When I was in Baltimore, actually I debuted with number
sixty two, and then when I got the opportunity to
change War twenty four. Obviously I'm not not here, but
(14:04):
I think it's it's awesome for us to have it
on our jerseys and I get to have it a
part of me for at least the rest of the season.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
I hope.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
I hope they honestly keep it for the rest of time. Honestly,
he needs to be honored in that way.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
DJ, thank you so much, man, I appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
Yes, sir, thank you.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
It's the Gambler here. Vice president of operations for mlbbro
dot Com and executive producer of the MLB bro Show
podcast for Mixtape.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Every Friday, you heard that right. Every Friday, we.
Speaker 5 (14:37):
Bring you the best from the world of Black and
Brown baseball. We cover the seven point two percent of
melanated Major leaguers from soup to nuts, but with our
own cultural flair and unique voice, will take you on
a ride reflecting on the accomplishment, clutch moments, and contributions
to culture that the Bros continue to breathe into base
(15:00):
From Mookie Wilson to Mookie Betts, Doctor k to Doctor Styx,
from Bro Bombs, the Stolen Bases to Black Aces, We're
live at the ballparks and also bringing you segments like
Classic Hits with David Gruff, the Black Ace Report, the Rundown,
the Walk Off, and Going Deep, just to name a
(15:21):
few of the segments that truly capture the voice of
black baseball. If things get out of hand, as the
Boss Rob Parker, he's kicking up dust, we will gladly
pay you on Tuesday.
Speaker 1 (15:32):
From an MLB bro doubleheader today.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
Remember the heart of the game lies in the diversity
of the game and the spirit of black baseball that
dates back to.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
The Negro leagues.
Speaker 5 (15:43):
I the Gambler, your friendly neighborhood diamond checker, making sure
that you stay on top of the game and in
touch with the soul of MLB, fucking up for a
wild baseball journey, showing respect to the Ogs and highlighting
the new breed of Melond Malmrode. First thing through MLB's pipeline,
(16:03):
all pitching with the sound of Black Baseball. We got
the best start in five in the business.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Listen to the MLB Bro Show podcast. The mixtape on
the iHeartRadio.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
App, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
It's time for the Pocket Protector Centrum. The analytic numbers
you need to know?
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Well, maybe Anthony Masterson is his name.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
BS analytics is his game? What do you got for me?
Speaker 6 (16:35):
Anthony lost in the al MVP discussion between Aaron Judge
and Juan Soto is a party crasher sitting in the
same division in the Orioles gunner Henderson. Henderson just turned
twenty three, but he's having a season for the Ages
to back up his Rookie of the Year campaign from
a year ago, with twenty six homers, forty seven extra
base hits, thirteen steals, and a nine to eighty nine
(16:56):
ops through June, all at or near the top of
el As well as the offense, his defense has been
sparkling two as he's been worth seven outs above average
according to Statcast, ranking in the top five of all
MLB shortstops now. The combination of offense and defense has
placed Henderson at the top of the wins above replacement
leader boards at six point two according to Baseball Reference Now.
(17:18):
In this century, there have been only two players worth
six wins or more by the time July first hit
Mike Trout in twenty eighteen and Barry Bonds in two
thousand and two.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Trout finished second in.
Speaker 6 (17:30):
MVP voting that season on a fourth place Angels team,
while Bonds won his second of four straight MVPs. Six
players have ever put up a ten win season at
age twenty three or younger, Trout, Mays Cobb, Ted Williams twice,
Eddie Collins, and an Oriel shortstop named cal Ripkin Junior
in nineteen eighty four.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Could Gunner be next ball? It was a big week
in the big leagues? Who's a week?
Speaker 5 (18:00):
Doesn't believe it?
Speaker 3 (18:03):
Is it foul?
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Or is it fair? And Now from mlbdbro dot Com,
here's Jrgambo.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
The Tampa Bay Rays have scrapped their way back to
the five hundred mark and second year piccher Taj Bradley
has been lights out Jr. Is it foul or fair
to say that Taj Bradley is a future All Star?
Speaker 1 (18:33):
Fair? It's a fair ball.
Speaker 5 (18:35):
This kid has been incredible in his last five starts.
Since Bradley's June one outing against Baltimore, in which he
surrendered nine of the twenty one runs and four of
the ten home runs he's given up all season, he
hasn't given up more than two runs in his last
five outings, and after Sunday's five nothing shut out of
the Nationals where he went five and two thirds innings
(18:57):
and fan eleven, giving up zero runs, Bradley's now surrendered
just four runs in his last twenty nine innings and
he's put down forty batters with his array of pitches.
We know Bradley has an explosive arm and throws an
average of ninety six miles per hour.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
The Georgia product.
Speaker 5 (19:16):
Throws a four scene almost half of the time and
then mixes in his split her about twenty eight percent
of the time, his hardcutter about twenty percent of the time,
and he also has the ability to drop a curve
ball at decreased velocity. After all of that hard stuff
that he delivers, he throws that less than ten percent
of the time. The Tampa Bay Rays have been fighting
(19:38):
to reach the five hundred mark all season, and they
finally peeked their heads above that mark on Sunday. They
are within wild Card reach, and when the All Star
Break hits, they should still be five or less games
within reach of that third wildcard spot. That's basically a
hot week and a half. Bradley has always had the stuff.
Remember when he came out in his rookie seed and
(20:00):
was up and down but showed flashes of great potential,
won his first couple of games and showed you he
has the raw skills to be an All Star. And
now that he's blossoming before our eyes and with him
elevating into an ACE quality arm, look out for the
Tampa Bay Rays.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
The farm system is doing what it do now bring
in the closer. You know, here's why MLB it's better
than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
Reason number nine hundred and ninety nine.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
While Major League Baseball is better than the NBA and
better than the NFL, it's real simple. This time of
the year, the All Star Game is upon us. I
can't wait to go to Arlington, Texas, to go to
the Texas Rangers Ballpark, their Globe Life Field and taking
the All Star Game the Midsummer Classic. And what makes
(20:57):
it so great is that the All Star Game still
has meaning. It's still a game you can watch. People
aren't throwing the ball underhand, people aren't trying to hit
a home run on every pitch. It's still a baseball game.
And the best part of all is that the fans
get to pick the starters. I don't think that should
(21:17):
ever change in baseball. Mattagers picked the reserves and the pitching.
That's all fine and good, but the starting lineup should
come from the fans. It's their game. Let them see
who they want to see. It's an exhibition. It doesn't
have to be like, let's throw everybody's stats into the
(21:38):
computer and then let the computer pick out.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
The All Stars.
Speaker 6 (21:42):
No.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
I hope it never comes to that. But the fans
are what makes the game special, and the fans do
a great job every year.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
I just don't have any issues with it.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Let the fans continue to pick the All Stars, and
made a lot of changes over the last few years.
Please Commissioner Rob Manford and the powers that be in
Baseball do not ever, ever, ever change this. Leave the
All Star Game to the fans, let them pick.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Who they want to see, and let's just leave it
at that.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
In the words of New York TV legend the late
Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time until
next time.
Speaker 3 (22:31):
Rob Parker out d can't, Gavin. This could be an
inside the Parker.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
See you next week. Save bat time from same Matt's station.
Host
Rob Parker
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