Will Smith (6-10-25)

Will talks about last night's thrilling game, feeling great at the plate, and his upcoming charity comedy show. 

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
And an exclusive interview with David Bassey for Dodger Talk.
The Dodgers and Padre is getting set for game two
of this three game series, and we're enjoying right now
by Dodger All Star catcher Will Smith. Will thanks a
lot for the time, appreciate.

Speaker 2 (00:15):
It, got it. Thanks for having me on.

Speaker 1 (00:16):
I know you're a guy that keeps everything very steady.
But how fun was it to play in a game
like last night?

Speaker 2 (00:22):
Yeah? It was fun. You know games are always fun,
you know, intense, intense uh in tense atmosphere. You know,
crowds or their crowds into it. Obviously a really talented team,
you know, kind of back and forth game last night,
so you know, if I want to come out on top.

Speaker 1 (00:35):
Yeah, when you look at the way you guys were
able to navigate the end of that game, did you
feel like Bonda's two innings and the way kirbyates and
yourself navigated that tattoo sat bat were key moments?

Speaker 2 (00:49):
Yeah? I think so. I think BANDA did a great job,
you know, give us two really strong innings, you know,
killed Romentum, then Kirby coming in. I think it was
the ninth thing at that time, putting up a zero,
let us get to the top of the ten to
score a couple of runs. It was huge.

Speaker 1 (01:02):
Kirby was telling me earlier today that with experience has
come him not only understanding who he has to attack
at the plate, but also who's on deck and understand
that whole dynamic. How much do you pay attention to
those type of things too? Oh?

Speaker 2 (01:18):
Yeah, that's always always going through my head, you know,
from the first pitch on. You know, it's just part
of calling a game, is managing the lineup, knowing where
we're at, no one's too hot, who's not no one,
you know, kind of the matchups and no one you know,
just kind of seeing the future what helps us to
us win. So yeah, I'm always looking at that stuff.

Speaker 1 (01:38):
Will Smith is our guest in front of first pitch
here in San Diego. Will, it seems like the first
day of the season, all the way back in Tokyo,
you've had a feel for whatever's going on in the
batter's box. Can you describe the feel or is there
that feel that you felt since the first day?

Speaker 2 (01:57):
Uh No, I just feel like my swing's in a
really good spot. Keep it in a good spot so far,
this year, which is always which is always challenged, so
I'm gonna try to maintain that. But yeah, you know,
just sticking my approach, moving most forward, driving guys in
that's you know, what I try to do.

Speaker 1 (02:12):
On a day like today, the Dodgers are making a
concerted effort to give you more days off behind the plate.
Do you appreciate them keeping that in mind for the
long term?

Speaker 2 (02:23):
Uh? Yeah, I mean that's just you know, part of it.
My position. I can't go out there every night. I
wish I could, so yeah, just trying to be smart
about it. We've done a really good job the last
few years, so yeah, just sticking to it.

Speaker 1 (02:34):
What do you think about them making it such a
concerted effort on nights like tonight to get you off
your feet?

Speaker 2 (02:41):
Yeah, I mean I called the last three so you know,
travel I want four in a row. Yeah. Those will
come probably at some point, maybe not with a travel
day in between, but yeah, that's just part of it.

Speaker 1 (02:52):
On a day like today, what is the routine for you?

Speaker 2 (02:55):
Ah, just a lot of recovery stuff, you know, get
in the training room, doing some stuff in the weight room.
He just give my body right for tomorrow.

Speaker 1 (03:03):
Were you able to watch Otani throw his simulated game today. Nope,
you were not one of the many of the teammates
that were fans watching that.

Speaker 2 (03:13):
No, I was not. I heard it went well though.

Speaker 1 (03:15):
It's pretty incredible to think that even though he's not
pitching in a major league game, he could go out
there throw forty pitches in three simulated innings and then
dh for you guys tonight.

Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yeah. Yeah, it's it's definitely not a lot for him
and the training staff and the coaches to you know,
to manage and watch what he's doing and get him
back healthy to pitch for us, you know, this year.
So yeah, it's a it's definitely a thing. It's definitely
you know, a lot of thought and thoughts going into it.
So it's impressive. But yeah, so hopefully see in the
night hit a couple of Homer and Trapp, a couple
guys in and actually count to help, you know, help

(03:49):
win some games.

Speaker 1 (03:49):
Yeah, that would be very Otani and Otani has a
sneaky good sense of humor. Do you believe that Otani
will show up at your charity comedy event on August sixth?
Will he be on stage?

Speaker 2 (04:02):
I don't know it sounds like you're trying to promote
the event by saying he'll be there, but no, I
don't know yet, so we'll see. I love for hiving
to me out there. You know, all the teammates had
a really good time last year. I know guys are
excited for it this year coming back, so it should
be another good night.

Speaker 1 (04:15):
What is the genesis of this idea for a charity?
I mean, are you a big comedy guy? You going
home and watching Got Chappelle? Are you going back to
the room watching Eddie Murphy Raw? Like, where does this
come from?

Speaker 2 (04:29):
No? It was honestly, you know, we we know the
Netflix people pretty well and have a really good relationship
with them, so they brought the idea to us teaming
up and doing you know, part of their festival last year.
And then I know they're not doing the festival this year,
but you know, wanting to keep the tradition going with
catching hope. So yeah, we're excited for another good night. Obviously,
Karen and I avery fans of comedy and you know

(04:50):
I love watching the shows, so it's more of that,
not really us being huge comic fans, but we've we've
definitely got into it, you know, get to know more comedians,
knowing you know, and knowing their their skills on the stage,
which is really cool. So it's it's a fun night.
We're excited.

Speaker 1 (05:08):
Hey, is it tough for you and your wife to
find a show that you both like? Because my wife
is so tired of the shows that I pick, either
they're too violent or too much sports.

Speaker 2 (05:18):
Ah. No, we usually agree on some Sometimes, you know,
she'll put on her I call it trash TV, and
I just kind of tune out. But uh, and then
you know, we're flying on planes, I watch, but she
doesn't want to watch. So we've got it done pretty good.
All right.

Speaker 1 (05:31):
Well, thanks a lot for taking the time out. Glad
you got a day off today, three in a row.
Of course, I'm counting those days. And we'll see you
out there tomorrow, got it.

Speaker 2 (05:39):
Thanks Dave,