February 1, 2025 • 8 mins
Michael talks about signing with the Dodgers, mentoring younger players, and shares his excitement to play with Freddie Freeman.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And I'm really excited to be joined by a player
I wanted the Dodgers to sign three years ago. But
he is finally here and Dodger blue, wearing number twenty three.
He's gonna play left field for the Dodgers. A well
established Major leaguer and a proud Italian American, the one
and only Michael CONFORDO. Welcome the Dodger Fest. I'm sure
(00:21):
this is a very unique experience that you haven't found
in other places.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
You've been absolutely, I mean just trying to get in
this place. Yeah, was was was madness. You know, I
tried three different gates and then you know, as soon
as I said I was a player, they just waved
me all the way through. So, you know, I was
feeling the love with the uh, with the parking attendance
and and uh you know, some of the fans recognized
(00:46):
me on the way in as well.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
So it feels good, especially with all.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
This talent we have here on this team, to be
recognized by you know, some just baseball fans. Man.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
I mean, you know, I.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Have been around for a while, but you know, not
not for not for long on this side of the
of the country.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
So it's good to be It's good to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
I've been getting my butt kicked by the Dodgers for
too long, so I'm I'm excited to be on this
On this.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Side, obviously, teams have to step up financially for you
to want to sign there. But how much have you
heard about the culture of the Dodgers that really excited
you to sign here.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I've heard a lot.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
I mean I've you know, there's there's what you see,
you know, the product on the field that's easy to
see from the from the fan base and just from
you know, everybody watches the Dodgers, but there's things you
hear from from guys who have played for the Dodgers,
a bunch of guys that I've played with, just saying
that it's a first class organization. There's nothing that you
don't get that you need. Uh. On the players side,
(01:48):
the family side, you know, with my wife, my my
young son, you know, they do everything you need to
make sure that you're just focused on playing baseball and
and you don't have to worry about their you know,
needs being being taken care of. And and then obviously
you know I want to play with guys like show, Hey, Mookie,
Freddie will Smith, Chris Taylor, guys that I've played against
(02:10):
for so long, And like I said before, I mean,
you know, there's there's been a lot of sad nights
on the visiting side, you know, but it's always an
experience to come here to Dodger Stadium as a visiting player.
You feel that energy in the ballpark when you drive
up to the stadium. It's like you know you're coming
to the coliseum or something. It's just so historic, the
(02:33):
speakers in center field. I mean, there's just so many
reasons to want to come play here, and let alone
coming off of a World Series championship. I mean, to
be able to try to be a part of running
it back for back to back championships is is going
to be really cool.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
The Dodgers have been so good at home over the
course of the time that you've been playing against them.
The way you said it, a lot of sad nights here.
Isn't the same feeling going into Dodger Stadium as it
may be going to Finway or Wrigley Field or even
Yankee Stadium.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Yeah, it's similar.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
There's really nothing like coming to Dodger Stadium, though, I mean,
just the way that it's all set up, the massive
parking lot, you know, the way that the ballpark is
set you know, you're kind of sunking down. The stadium
is just up around, you know, on top of you.
It's one of the bigger stadiums as far as capacity
to so, if not the biggest, I don't know if
(03:27):
it's the biggest or not, but it is. I just
remember in twenty fifteen, playing as a rookie here in
the playoffs, I lost the ball in the lights actually,
and it was justin Turner. He hit a game tying
double and when I hit the ground, I dove for it,
couldn't see it. When I hit the ground, the ground
was shaking because it was a it was a game time,
(03:48):
playoff hit, and I just wanted to dig a hole and.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Get away. But we ended up actually winning that game.
So and the.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Series we know Daniel where we know Conforido. Yeah, yeah,
I actually feel like that was one of the best
pitch games Kershaw ever pitched in the playoffs to force
a Game five at City Field that night.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I was not in the lineup for that one as
a rookie left hander. Yeah, I don't you know, when
Kershaw's on like that. It doesn't matter righty, lefty. You know,
he's getting everybody out. But but yeah, that was that
was a really cool experience for me as a young
young player.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Michael Confordo is our guest at Dodger Fest. You always
hear pictures like even Blake's now was saying he wants
to help out the young pitchers on the staff. What's
the dynamic between hitters? Obviously you've seen a lot, you
faced a lot of guys. Are you looking forward to
trying to pick the brains of Freddy Freeman, maximun See
(04:48):
And what's the dynamic between hitters because you always hear
pitchers talk about that, but you don't hear hitters talk
about that as much.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Yeah, I mean I definitely.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
I mean I when I was a young player, I was,
you know, talking to guys like Jay Bruce, Curtis Granderson, Murdy,
So like I I would like to be that guy
for for some young guys. I mean, I've I've been
in Arizona working out with with Outman Love the kid.
He's he's awesome. We have some like we have some
connections baseball wise. He grew up in in norc call,
(05:20):
and I went to Oregon State.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
A lot of NorCal guys state.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah, but yeah, I mean, you know, I'm I'm looking
forward to I mean, I'm still looking to learn stuff
from Freddie. You know, I love watching him hit. I
played against him in the same division for for a
long time, see him at first base all the time,
and so now to be in the same lineup as him,
you know, I'm definitely gonna pick his brain. I'd love
(05:44):
to be a guy that you know, is easy for
the for the young guys to come and and and
ask questions too.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
I've been in their shoes, you know. I've been the
first rounder.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
I've been the the prospect come up and have a
good start to my career, and then I've had some
struggles along the way. So I've been in a lot
of different different situations that I think I have some
some insight for.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
When you would get to first base, Was it awkward
when Freddy would be so talkative and friendly when you got.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
There when I was when I was a young guy, Yeah,
when I was just my head spinning at first base,
I don't even know what happened at the plate, and
Freddie's just you know, talking, you know, chatting me up.
But over the years, of course, you know, I get
to know him a little bit more, and he's just
got a great sense of humor. And you know, sometimes
he'd be sitting there, like you know, the picture, slow
to the plate, and he's looking at me. He's like, Michael,
(06:32):
what are you still doing here? Why are you not
stealing that?
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Yeah, And I'm trying to figure out if he's trying
to get me to steal so they can stealing out,
or if I really should be on second base. You know,
he's like playing mind games with me. But you know,
it's it's all. It's always been a pleasure to watch
him play. And you know, again, I'm just I'm just
excited to be on the same team.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Man.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
You made a really good World Championship team that much
better with you in the lineup, and so many great
left handed hitters to compliment so many great right handed hitters.
It doesn't feel like there's any place one through nine
that a pitcher's going to be able to exhale.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
It doesn't, man, I mean, the the whole roster seems
air tight.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah, I mean, I know, the pitching st it's it's crazy.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
I mean just my buddies who aren't you know, affiliated
with the team. I'm still getting to know all the guys,
but you know, they're they're texting me about rookie signing.
Then we get Tanner Scott, then we get Kurbyer. You know,
it's like all right, the pitching.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Set, you know, and you're gonna get Kershaw.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, we got Kershaw coming back.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
I mean we have we have guys still coming and
it's just, uh, it's just a really.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
Cool, really really cool, uh team to be a part of.
There's no doubt. Awesome.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
That heartbeat, that slow heartbeat. The man that understands there's
not a linear path to any finish line. Michael Confordo
in a Dodger blue jersey left field is gonna give him.
I'm a lot of love as they are already right now.
Thanks a lot for stopping by and soak it all
in and we'll see you out in Arizona.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
I appreciate it, man, I can't wait. I'm excited.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
That's my one fan, whatever you hear right now. You
see that right there, that's one fan right there.
And I'm really excited to be joined by a player
I wanted the Dodgers to sign three years ago. But
he is finally here and Dodger blue, wearing number twenty three.
He's gonna play left field for the Dodgers. A well
established Major leaguer and a proud Italian American, the one
and only Michael CONFORDO. Welcome the Dodger Fest. I'm sure
(00:21):
this is a very unique experience that you haven't found
in other places.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
You've been absolutely, I mean just trying to get in
this place. Yeah, was was was madness. You know, I
tried three different gates and then you know, as soon
as I said I was a player, they just waved
me all the way through. So, you know, I was
feeling the love with the uh, with the parking attendance
and and uh you know, some of the fans recognized
(00:46):
me on the way in as well.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
So it feels good, especially with all.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
This talent we have here on this team, to be
recognized by you know, some just baseball fans. Man.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
I mean, you know, I.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Have been around for a while, but you know, not
not for not for long on this side of the
of the country.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
So it's good to be It's good to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
I've been getting my butt kicked by the Dodgers for
too long, so I'm I'm excited to be on this
On this.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Side, obviously, teams have to step up financially for you
to want to sign there. But how much have you
heard about the culture of the Dodgers that really excited
you to sign here.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I've heard a lot.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
I mean I've you know, there's there's what you see,
you know, the product on the field that's easy to
see from the from the fan base and just from
you know, everybody watches the Dodgers, but there's things you
hear from from guys who have played for the Dodgers,
a bunch of guys that I've played with, just saying
that it's a first class organization. There's nothing that you
don't get that you need. Uh. On the players side,
(01:48):
the family side, you know, with my wife, my my
young son, you know, they do everything you need to
make sure that you're just focused on playing baseball and
and you don't have to worry about their you know,
needs being being taken care of. And and then obviously
you know I want to play with guys like show, Hey, Mookie,
Freddie will Smith, Chris Taylor, guys that I've played against
(02:10):
for so long, And like I said before, I mean,
you know, there's there's been a lot of sad nights
on the visiting side, you know, but it's always an
experience to come here to Dodger Stadium as a visiting player.
You feel that energy in the ballpark when you drive
up to the stadium. It's like you know you're coming
to the coliseum or something. It's just so historic, the
(02:33):
speakers in center field. I mean, there's just so many
reasons to want to come play here, and let alone
coming off of a World Series championship. I mean, to
be able to try to be a part of running
it back for back to back championships is is going
to be really cool.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
The Dodgers have been so good at home over the
course of the time that you've been playing against them.
The way you said it, a lot of sad nights here.
Isn't the same feeling going into Dodger Stadium as it
may be going to Finway or Wrigley Field or even
Yankee Stadium.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Yeah, it's similar.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
There's really nothing like coming to Dodger Stadium, though, I mean,
just the way that it's all set up, the massive
parking lot, you know, the way that the ballpark is
set you know, you're kind of sunking down. The stadium
is just up around, you know, on top of you.
It's one of the bigger stadiums as far as capacity
to so, if not the biggest, I don't know if
(03:27):
it's the biggest or not, but it is. I just
remember in twenty fifteen, playing as a rookie here in
the playoffs, I lost the ball in the lights actually,
and it was justin Turner. He hit a game tying
double and when I hit the ground, I dove for it,
couldn't see it. When I hit the ground, the ground
was shaking because it was a it was a game time,
(03:48):
playoff hit, and I just wanted to dig a hole and.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Get away. But we ended up actually winning that game.
So and the.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Series we know Daniel where we know Conforido. Yeah, yeah,
I actually feel like that was one of the best
pitch games Kershaw ever pitched in the playoffs to force
a Game five at City Field that night.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I was not in the lineup for that one as
a rookie left hander. Yeah, I don't you know, when
Kershaw's on like that. It doesn't matter righty, lefty. You know,
he's getting everybody out. But but yeah, that was that
was a really cool experience for me as a young
young player.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Michael Confordo is our guest at Dodger Fest. You always
hear pictures like even Blake's now was saying he wants
to help out the young pitchers on the staff. What's
the dynamic between hitters? Obviously you've seen a lot, you
faced a lot of guys. Are you looking forward to
trying to pick the brains of Freddy Freeman, maximun See
(04:48):
And what's the dynamic between hitters because you always hear
pitchers talk about that, but you don't hear hitters talk
about that as much.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Yeah, I mean I definitely.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
I mean I when I was a young player, I was,
you know, talking to guys like Jay Bruce, Curtis Granderson, Murdy,
So like I I would like to be that guy
for for some young guys. I mean, I've I've been
in Arizona working out with with Outman Love the kid.
He's he's awesome. We have some like we have some
connections baseball wise. He grew up in in norc call,
(05:20):
and I went to Oregon State.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
A lot of NorCal guys state.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah, but yeah, I mean, you know, I'm I'm looking
forward to I mean, I'm still looking to learn stuff
from Freddie. You know, I love watching him hit. I
played against him in the same division for for a
long time, see him at first base all the time,
and so now to be in the same lineup as him,
you know, I'm definitely gonna pick his brain. I'd love
(05:44):
to be a guy that you know, is easy for
the for the young guys to come and and and
ask questions too.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
I've been in their shoes, you know. I've been the
first rounder.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
I've been the the prospect come up and have a
good start to my career, and then I've had some
struggles along the way. So I've been in a lot
of different different situations that I think I have some
some insight for.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
When you would get to first base, Was it awkward
when Freddy would be so talkative and friendly when you got.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
There when I was when I was a young guy, Yeah,
when I was just my head spinning at first base,
I don't even know what happened at the plate, and
Freddie's just you know, talking, you know, chatting me up.
But over the years, of course, you know, I get
to know him a little bit more, and he's just
got a great sense of humor. And you know, sometimes
he'd be sitting there, like you know, the picture, slow
to the plate, and he's looking at me. He's like, Michael,
(06:32):
what are you still doing here? Why are you not
stealing that?
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Yeah, And I'm trying to figure out if he's trying
to get me to steal so they can stealing out,
or if I really should be on second base. You know,
he's like playing mind games with me. But you know,
it's it's all. It's always been a pleasure to watch
him play. And you know, again, I'm just I'm just
excited to be on the same team.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Man.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
You made a really good World Championship team that much
better with you in the lineup, and so many great
left handed hitters to compliment so many great right handed hitters.
It doesn't feel like there's any place one through nine
that a pitcher's going to be able to exhale.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
It doesn't, man, I mean, the the whole roster seems
air tight.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah, I mean, I know, the pitching st it's it's crazy.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
I mean just my buddies who aren't you know, affiliated
with the team. I'm still getting to know all the guys,
but you know, they're they're texting me about rookie signing.
Then we get Tanner Scott, then we get Kurbyer. You know,
it's like all right, the pitching.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Set, you know, and you're gonna get Kershaw.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, we got Kershaw coming back.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
I mean we have we have guys still coming and
it's just, uh, it's just a really.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
Cool, really really cool, uh team to be a part of.
There's no doubt. Awesome.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
That heartbeat, that slow heartbeat. The man that understands there's
not a linear path to any finish line. Michael Confordo
in a Dodger blue jersey left field is gonna give him.
I'm a lot of love as they are already right now.
Thanks a lot for stopping by and soak it all
in and we'll see you out in Arizona.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
I appreciate it, man, I can't wait. I'm excited.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
That's my one fan, whatever you hear right now. You
see that right there, that's one fan right there.
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