October 15, 2025 • 32 mins
In the second hour, Dave Softy Mahler and Dick Fain chat with Bill Krueger about the Mariners leading the Blue Jays 2-0 in the ALCS with Game 3 tonight, then visit with M’s broadcaster Rick Rizzs down at the ballpark before hearing from Manager Dan Wilson.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's time for our weekly conversation with Bill Krueger, brought
to you by the brand new Occidental Hall next to
Lumanfield on Occidental, Seattle's newest hut spot for sports fans
with massive HD screens and a menu backed with Seattle's
best smash burger, wings and the best local craft beers
in town. Now with Bill Krueger, here's Saffian Dick.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
You know, I got to assume that if you're coming
down to Occidental to trying to grab a table at
one of the bars here, like Jimmy's or Occidental your Fried,
just bypass it and go right into the ballpark, man,
right into the stadium.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Well, here he is, Man.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
This is the reason why we have these guys on
the air. This is the moment that we've been waiting for.
To talk to Bill Krueger about the Mariners being two
wins away from the World Series. It's almost hard to
spit the words out, Man. But here we are, Billy,
and we are literally, potentially, let's face it, maybe twenty
eight hours away from seeing this team in the World Series.
(00:53):
It's almost overwhelming when you think about it. Billy, how
are you man? Great to visit with you what's going
through your mind right now as we're sitting year an
hour away from Game three.
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Well, I think it's just what's going through my mind
is just thinking about the long history of the Seattle
Mariners that's been somewhat toilet with so many great players
and so many great you know, just just great teams
that could never get there. A record setting team in
two thousand and one, the fabulous talented teams of the
(01:22):
late nineties, and yet here we are with a team
that's never been this far in the playoffs after all
that time and all those many Hall of Fame leable players,
that this group has a real chance to get to
the World Series, a very good chance. So that's exciting,
and it makes me reflect upon my time with the
Mariners and all the great players that played with Bill.
Speaker 5 (01:44):
I look back to Friday, September the fifth. The Mariners
were six and fifteen in their last twenty one on
that day with a lost game one of the final
series of the road trip in Atlanta, and we have
gotten to this point.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
How have we gotten to this point from that point?
Speaker 4 (02:02):
Well, at that point, the Mariners that had the schedule
really go against them, they really did. They had a
schedule that was really tough. Have to go two within
a span of three weeks, have to go and have
two of those weeks played on the East Coast in
hot and human weather and horror really terrific or horrific
travel conditions, and played some pretty good teams and a
(02:23):
lot of those teams had a bevy of left handed hitting,
so it was the recipe for a struggle, and the
Mariner struggled. And I just think that it was you know,
matchups make fights, and those were tough matchups for the Mariners.
And I think since then they got into some some
teams that matched well against them that didn't have the
left hand hitting or were teams that weren't in the
(02:43):
playoff hunt, and they got their footing and they got
their confidence, and their pitching got back in order, and
they started to pitch well, and the additions to their
lineup started to shine through. And it wasn't necessarily that
it was one guy, but the whole, the whole gauntlet
of guys that they had in their lineup has really
served them well because no one player has to make
(03:04):
the difference. It doesn't have to be cal raally, it
doesn't have to be Luio Rodriguez. It doesn't have to
beat Hi and we've seen that play out because Lako
Joor Polanco has done over the past two serieses, he's
been the difference maker. So I think that gives this
team a lot of confidence, right, And they survived the
(03:24):
Detroit series, which they almost got put into a different
cat matchup scenario where they've played, you know, aj Hinch's
game almost to the point where he was able, he
was almost able to beat the Mariners. I don't think
they're in that place now. Toronto is a much better
matchup for the Mariners, and it's showing.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Listen, guys, here's the deal.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
And we've been kind of reflecting here a little bit
to start the segment. Ye, there's gonna be plenty of
time for that, you know, if they pull this off,
there's gonna be well, I don't even know if it's
DVDs anymore, but we have Mayo my videotape from ninety
five at Cunningham narrating that great Husky run in ninety
one back in the day, things like that, So there
will be a time for all of that. The only
(04:05):
thing that matters to me right now is winning this
game tonight, Bill and acting like you're the team that's
down two games to non. So let's talk about Shane Bieber, right,
former Cy Young Award winner, acquired at the deadline by
Toronto from the Guardians.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
He was on the IL, he had Tommy John.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
He's made seven starts eight if you include the Yankee
game in game three. What is the key to getting
to Shane Bieber tonight and knocking him out early?
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Well, Shane Bieber is a crafty pitcher. He's not overpowering.
He has great breaking stuff. He understands how to make
you make it difficult on you. He understands hit her profile.
So he's not going to miss a step as far
as strategically how to face the Mariners. But this is
the Mariner club that has some very interesting hitters on
(04:50):
our team. We have hitters that handle the breaking ball.
We have three of them that if you make mistake
breaking ball pitches to them, they're going to lose it.
Andy Rose, Arena, Julio Rodriguez and Cal Rawley, which is
kind of different. Most teams are all about basketball mistakes.
We have three of our six hitters that really handle
(05:12):
the breaking ball. And I'm actually leading out one others,
and that's Gino Suarez, who is also a mistake breaking
ball hitter. We're a little more vulnerable to teams with
big fastballs, and so I think that Beaber, even though
he's a great pitcher and he's going to be smart
and he's not a guy that gives up a lot
of home runs. I think it's a good matchup for
(05:33):
this team. I think he's going to be forced to
be pretty careful and he's not a guy that's gone
deep in games, and the Jays bullpen hasn't been too great.
So I think the Mirrors are in a good position
now to be a little better than that because it's
a little more difficult to hit a homer at Team
Mobile Park. So they're going to lean on slugging. That's
(05:53):
just who they are. But I think they need to
be a little bit more willing to get a walk
or put the ball in play to kind of set
the table for that one or two slogging opportunities.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Bill, you mentioned Jorge Polanco.
Speaker 5 (06:05):
Has this just been matchups that he's taken advantage of
that are to his favor, or as I mentioned in
the last segment, as kids say today, he's just got
that dog in him. There's just certain guys on certain
teams when the spotlight is the brightest, they just love
to come through.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
Well, I think he's just a guy that's underappreciated. I mean,
he had such a point in his career where he
looked like he was done, and then he had this
unbelievable start of the season after nobody wanted him, and
even the Mariner's kind of game late to the party.
Because here's a guy that almost flatlined in his career,
had a Petella knee repair, wasn't ready to play in
spring training, and yet here he is today and he's
(06:45):
a difference maker for the Mariners. What a great pickup
he's been. He's quiet, he's not assuming, he's not a
guy that everybody's paying a whole lot of attention to.
But he's a dangerous guy. And why is he so dangerous. Well,
he's a switch hitter. Number one, he's experienced, number two
and number three, he's very short. He's short. She's short
to the ball, and that makes him dangerous. That makes
a day. So why I hit a couple homers off
(07:07):
of school ball Because he's short to the baseball, And
I think that Uh, you know, he's tightened up some
of his holes from last year. He just is strong,
stronger and quicker. I don't know how he's pulled it off.
I mean, did he find the path that pugs of
Dali Leone was looking for and found the fountain of youth?
I don't know. Maybe he did, maybe it thin Clayellham,
who knows, But uh, yeah, I don't know how he's
(07:27):
been able to do it. He did have some struggles
in the middle of the season, but now he's rallied
back and he's a dangerous cat because he's quick to
the baseball. He's short, he's got a short swing, and
you better not if you think you're gonna sneak the
rooster pass, you're gonna sneak the sun faster or rooster
with this guy, you're wrong because he can hit a fastball.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Well.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
So, I mean, what's the key for Kirby? We talk
about getting the Bieber. I mean, Kirby's been sensational in
his first two games in the playoffs so far. Uh,
what do you want to see from from from angry
George Kirby tonight?
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Well, George is on a nice role. He's a confident pitcher.
This is a team that doesn't have a really dangerous
component of left hand hitters. They've got a nice collection,
but not great. He's probably the best guy, and he's
probably the one you wouldn't think of. They got him
and z, They've got var Show, they got Barger. These
aren't guys that are gonna be a big problem for him.
(08:22):
They're right hand hitting. Are the guys that you have
to be wary of. And after watching Miller pitch and
how many fastballs he threw, George has got to be
licking his chops because he's gonna throw a ton of fastballs,
and he should because the Jays haven't proved they can
handle it, especially from the right side. And Vladimir Guerrero,
who turned the Yankees on its ear. We're not gonna
(08:43):
show him breaking stuff from left handed pitchers. This is
gonna be fastballs and fastballs in and they've kept him
in check. So all George Kirby, and granted he's gonna
be who he is after watching Bryce Miller pitch, he
should have the template. That's the template. Bryce Miller throw
a ton of fastballs. He pitched them in. He showed
him breaking stuff, but mostly he pitched with his fastball,
(09:04):
and the Jays they are dangerous when you get into
long counts with them and they're able to take stuff
that's a little bit off speed or a little bit
away from them and put balls in play. That's what
they do, and they beat you with paper cuts. And
I think George is gonna man handle them. So that's
the thing. Now, where is it? Where does the danger lie? Is?
(09:25):
How many times can Bizardo pitch? That's the real question, right,
how many times can he pitch? Can he pitch again?
He's got a rubber arm. He has been the most
the most incredible story, maybe on the team, but certainly
in the bullpen. He's been their best pitcher. Argue with
me on that one. I know Munos had a great year.
I know he went to the All Star Game. I
(09:46):
know Brash is a super unbelievable Nintendo Slider guy. But
for me, the best pitcher in our bullpen is is
where Edward Bizardo. And I probably have under appreciated him
for sure. But can he pitch again tonight? I guess
he can. He's got to rubb her arm. But I
think that's where you kind of would like to see
George carry the game into the seventh inning. Uh, that
(10:09):
would be like, great, Caspire isn't the guy you necessarily
want to say, Hey, he's our seventh inning guy. He's
going to be a complimentary pitcher against this team. He's
not going to be the guy you go to. And
I'm not saying that because he's been nicked up a
little bit. I think it would be great to see
George hands the brash. That would be like, we're going
to come for the kill.
Speaker 5 (10:28):
Then I think, talk to me more about Bizarto, because
you know, we played a cut where somebody was calling
Bryce Miller a journeyman pitcher, which he obviously Carton Craig Carton.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
But Bizardo, I mean, he is kind of the definition
of THEI. He's just he's a moron.
Speaker 5 (10:46):
But Bizardo is a thirty year old journeyman pitcher. He's
been to Boston, he's been to Baltimore, he's been to Seattle.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
How is he doing this?
Speaker 5 (10:55):
Why is Edward Bizardo no longer the mop up guy
that we kind of teased for being for so long.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
Well, I think he found a place that believed in
him and told him that, you know it isn't all
about how hard you throw. That we appreciate the fact
that he's got good movement and a good breaking ball,
and we just want to see him succeed with those
pitches and be more willing to pitch in the strike
zone with it and let the movement of your pitches
work for you. And I don't think the Mariners realized
(11:25):
how good he could be because he still started and
you know, kind of in the back of the bullpen,
and he's just gradually worked his way up all the
guys that kind of fell to the side because of
injury or underperformance. He's risen to the point where and
when you really needed someone to pitch in the middle
of the game, he's someding with the guy that could
do it. He not only pitched well when we need
him in even games, he's pitching games where the team's
(11:46):
been ahead. He's one game in games in extra any
which is like astounding in today's game. I mean, when
someone pitches three things out of the bullpen, I want
to think he's an iron man, which is ridiculous, But
I think it's if the guy that matured a little later.
Pitchers can mature later, and he's one of them, and
he's found a role that suits him well, and he's
(12:08):
pitching with confidence. He's got great movement on his fastball,
he wins in the strike zone, he's got great tilt
on his breaking ball, and he's fearless. I think he's
a what a tremendous story he's been.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
No doubt, Hey, Bill, one more from me.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
We started this segment off by saying, Hey, you know
the fan in you comes out, They're gonna stup on
their throats, ah bury him tonight, take away their hope right,
bury him in Game three and finish them. What does
that look like in baseball terms? I think in football,
we all know what it looks like. It means, go
rip somebody's head off is what it means in football.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
But what does that mean in baseball?
Speaker 2 (12:45):
If you're Dan Wilson and you really really don't want
this to go back Toronto, and you know that you
can deliver a hammer death blow tonight in Game three
and send them one foot to the grave with a
win tonight, what does that look like in baseball terms?
How Dan Wilson maybe manage this game different if he
really wants to step on their throats tonight?
Speaker 4 (13:05):
And finish them well, when you have to let the
game come to you. He needs to let players play,
and the Mariners will play good baseball, and they're going
to have a crowd that's going to be rowdy and
loud and behind them. And it's clear this team gets
a tailwind from them. They get a real push. It's
shown up since the clouds started showing up in September,
(13:28):
So that's going to work in their favor. This is
the crowd that's going to be loud. They're not going
to go quiet. If the Mariners will score the first
ratings like Toronto's crowd did, it went really quiet, right,
So I think that works in their favor, and I
think the matchup favors the Mariners. If the trip to
the Blue Jays can't start posting some runs, it's going
to start to lay heavy on them, right. If Carrero
(13:49):
doesn't show up and we continue to they continue to
pound it inside and he can't get it done, the
Jays are going to be in trouble. And so I
think the game comes to the Mariners. The Mariners sit
in the driver's seat. They have an excellent starting pitcher,
They've got two guys at the end that they don't
that the Lujas don't want to see in Brash and
Munio's and it's a lineup that's that's hard because they're slugging.
(14:11):
There's that moment of the home run ball where the
Jays don't have that they got it. They gotta spring
hits together and that's going to be tough against our pitching.
So I think Dan Wilson needs to let the game
come to him. And you know, my only suggestion would be, Hey,
you know, you're going to try to play to what
the situation asked you to play too. And he had
(14:33):
a great feel, not strong, he was flat, and he
got him out of there quick and he was able
to because Bryce Miller pitched six and he's have Bizarro
when he really really needed him, and that's where he
performed and was brilliant. Again. I think George needs some rope.
I need to give him some room. I don't think
(14:53):
he's going to make the colossal mistake that he's that
he made in his last start. He's going to learn
from that. There's no lefty that's got that kind of
that's going to do that to him. So I'd like
to see like I'd like to see him give Georgia
little rope, but a three run home ern in the
game weren't hurt, right, So let the game come to you, Dan,
and I think the Mariners are a good place to win.
I think it's it, you know. I know we want
(15:14):
to see him whitewash him, but I think they're in
the driver's seat to win it. I'm not so sure
they can beat him four roh, but hey, could happen.
Speaker 5 (15:23):
Bill, What do you think about the decisions that Dan
and Jerry have made on who's starting what game in
this series?
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Well, I think it's a it's an excess of riches, right,
and some of it has been fatigue, right. But I
think you know, when you feel like you have options
and your number one starter isn't even pitching, that should
tell you something about how deep you are, right, I
mean pretty remarkable how deep this team is. And these
two guys like castill you and we're stepping up in
the game that's need to sit side of the season.
(15:53):
The game that they had to win, the fifth game
against Detroit, where those two guys came through its pages
and shows you why the starting picture is the best
picture of the game. Don't forget that. Who the best
pictures are. They're the starters, don't forget that. And uh,
you know, I think we could argue it, and I
think you know they they uh, they've had it right
so far, so you got to let them make those decisions.
(16:16):
I think you can't really go wrong. Is it cast You,
is it Gilbert? Is it Kirby? I mean yeah? And
then it's Miller when you didn't even expect it. So
I think they're just blessed by depth and blessed by talent.
Because Brian moves not even in the mix. Most teams
would be dead without the number one starter.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Right, all right, Billy, great stuff man, let's uh, let's
hope you're wrong about not getting the sweep, because I'm
not sure if I can take.
Speaker 4 (16:40):
It to be somewhat of a real.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Get enough for your realism. All right, you take your
realism and you know where to stick it. I want
two wins tonight. One okay, one that that's said, I'm done.
I can't handle this anymore. Billy, you're the man, great stuff,
And h hey, next time we talk, we could be
talking about these guys in the world series, So be righty, buddy.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Appreciate that. Love it all right, go get them. No
Krueger with us. We're gonna break Rick.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Re's gonna join next on ninety three three k's I RFM.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Now back to the ALCS pregame show.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
There is nothing looked like postseason baseball.
Speaker 6 (17:16):
Brought to you by Seattle's closest sports books. No, call
me Casino in Hotel your place for a true in
game betting experience. Get in on the action at Seattle's
closest snow call me casino in Hotel.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Now here's something and here's.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
The pit swaging. The car fell up the first plays.
Speaker 7 (17:33):
And it's takes up to the ball.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Here, cops, mere, kiel, here.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
The right, do nothing close, stars here, stop.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Everybody, stores have abouts, take time to pay tight. Well
that was thirty years and thirteen days ago, Dick Fane
at the King No end Rick riz with one of
the greatest calls in the history of Mariner baseball.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
And who would have thought that we'd be sitting.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Here thirty years and twelve days later, still waiting for
a shot at the World Series. But I'll tell you what, man,
we can smell it, we can taste it, and I
know this guy's been waiting just as long as us,
forty two years on the job, and he could be
he could be about twenty eight hours away from seeing
his team play in the World Series. Our friend Rick
(18:32):
Riz joining us right now across the street at T
Mobile Park, Rico.
Speaker 8 (18:35):
How are you, man, Oh, Softy and Dick, I'm doing
just fine. That brought back a lot of great memories.
I got goosebumps again. Listen to that thing. I mean,
so got a broken bed face it inside the park
home run Grand Slam with actually so they're involved in there.
But it was incredible that everybody scored and the Mariners
were off and running was the one game play in game,
(18:57):
and they finally made it. Without the winning that game,
we don't have this beautiful ballpark and we're not here
get an a chance to get to the World Series
this season. So man, that brought back some great memories.
Thank you so much, guys, And now we're making a
lot of more more great memories with this team as
very special team here in twenty twenty five, you know,
thirty years later.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Well, let's hope by about eight thirty nine o'clock tomorrow night,
we're talking about maybe the biggest one ever.
Speaker 3 (19:21):
So Rick, I gotta tell you.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
First of all, I was on the golf course a
couple of days ago with a guy a little bit
younger than us, and he said, hey, did Rick Riz
ever get a chance to call any games with Dave Kneehouse?
Speaker 3 (19:31):
But maybe a coup? I don't know, maybe a couple,
just a couple, just a couple.
Speaker 8 (19:36):
Twenty five years worth of twenty five times one hundred
and sixty two. What Oh, that's how many games I
did with David?
Speaker 3 (19:42):
What what would this? What would this?
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Honestly, man, this run have meant to him? And Rick
personally professionally, What does this mean to you?
Speaker 7 (19:51):
Oh man, David would love this.
Speaker 8 (19:53):
He was the best and the you know at the
prime game. You know, he never missed a big call,
He added to the drama, even with Junior's old time
religion called the home run and Edgar's double down the
left field line and right before the pitch where Edgar
got the double off of Jack McDowell's struck him out
(20:14):
in the ninth inning. Edgar had the double eleventh and
he said, oh man, the Mariners would love a line
driving the gap right now with Junior speed, you know, that.
Speaker 7 (20:21):
Would win the game.
Speaker 8 (20:21):
Here's a swing in the line, drive, you know, down
the left field line, Joey Scories. Here comes Junior. They're
gonna wave him in.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
I don't believe it.
Speaker 8 (20:27):
By Amaya just continues to the Mariners are gonna play
for the America League Championship. Holy smoke.
Speaker 7 (20:32):
I mean, it was just amazing.
Speaker 8 (20:34):
He had what he did to, you know, set up
the drama. He had to create the drama for many
me of the years with the ball clubs that never
even got close to the postseason. They finally did in
nineteen ninety five. But he was the best ever. And
I had the privilege to sit next to David, the
Hall of Fame broadcaster for twenty five years, and he
taught me so much. He's one of the main lessons
(20:56):
he taught me was it if it's a bad game,
it doesn't have to be a bad bra guests. But
all of a sudden, in nineteen ninety five, the Mariners
had a great team. Fans came out to the Kingdome,
and that's why we're here today. That team saved baseball.
And for me, I'm happy, you know, as a broadcast
earned as a fan, and for these fans here at
the ballpark. I'm happy for them because they've been waiting
(21:18):
for such a long long time and now it's right
here for the taking. And you know what, they're gonna
take it. They're gonna get to the World Series this year.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
I love it. I love it. Rick.
Speaker 5 (21:27):
Those two moments, the one that we played and the
one you just described with Dave on the call Game
five and ninety five. How does what we saw on
Friday with Jorge Polonco, in your opinion, compare with those
two moments in Mariner history.
Speaker 8 (21:43):
You know, that's right up there, Dick and Softie, It's
right there with one of the greatest games ever played
with de Lonco getting to walk off face in in
the bottom of the fifteenth inning thirty years before that,
almost to the day where Edgar hit the double down
the left field line to put us, you know, into
the postseason after winning that one game, actually winning the
(22:08):
Mechland Division Series in Game five against the New York
Yankees and soho the big hit in the one game playoff.
But it's right up there. It's one of the greatest
games of all time in the history of this franchise.
And right now, Hore Ploco's becoming part of Mariners lore
because he's got eight hits, eight RBIs in this postseason.
(22:29):
He had two home runs off of Trek Skoobel, the
game's best pitcher, and then later onto the ballgame with
the game tied to two, cal and Julio Head the
back to back doubles and the Mariners win that game
three to two. Is Game two of the Division Series,
which is the best of five. If they don't win
that game, they're in deep trouble. But they won the
game because of Placo. Blocko had the walkoff they hit
(22:50):
in the fifteenth inning in Game five, and then you know,
he's got the two singles to give the Mariners them
a tie and a lead against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
And that's why the Mariners are here right now at
two and zero with a chance to u with two
more ones to get to the World Series. But Flanco
has been absolutely amazing. I just talked to him. I
said five minutes ago, I said, how you do it?
(23:10):
He says, I'm just trying to keep it simple, trying
to hit.
Speaker 7 (23:13):
The ball up the middle, and by doing that.
Speaker 8 (23:15):
He's come up with some of the biggest hits not
only this year but in the history of the franchise.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Well, let's talk about this pitching matchup rick tonight, George
Kirby versus Shane Bieber. You know, Bieber coming off to
Tommy John Blue Jay's traded for him at the deadline.
He was actually hurt on the on the IL I
think when they picked him up, and he's actually been
pretty good. I mean, his era may not show it,
but he's been pretty good for Toronto. So I mean,
how much do Danny and Pete Woodworth and company let
(23:41):
Kirby just roll tonight? And we saw the Dodgers last
night Games one and two with Yamamoto and Snell. They're
gonna ride those guys till their freaking arms fall off.
So how much do you think Danny will allow George
Kirby to go out there as long as he's feeling
it and just own this thing tonight.
Speaker 8 (23:56):
I'll tell you what. As long as he's feeling it
and he's rolling. You know, he said what thirty one
strikeouts in his last three outings during the course of
the regular season, I think they're going to try to
ride him as long as he's you know, getting people
out having quick innings, quick outs. I think they're going
to try to let him go deep in the game
because now the pitching has been reset because of what
(24:16):
Bryce Miller did in Game one allowed him to reset.
Miller went on three days rest and he went six innings.
They would have been happy with four, but he goes
six and now you get your high leverage guys. Fire
has been great this year. Spire Brash Munos and the
Mariners win that game, and then Logan Gilbert doing the
next night on two days rest because he pitched two
(24:37):
innings in the marathon a few days before that. So
I think with George now getting the start tonight, third
start of the postseason, on four days rest, pitching on
his fifth day, he's ready to go. I think as
long as he possibly can. I didn't talk to Danny
you know about that this morning, but I think that's
the plan. But it is the postseason, and you know,
(24:59):
anything can happen. You know, you try to all hands
on that kind of thing. But I think George is
ready to go deep in this game.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
Rick talk about the importance of having a guy like
Mitch Garver in the clubhouse to remind the team what
it's like to win two on the road and then
get swept.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
In three in a row at all. Yeah, in a
playoff series.
Speaker 8 (25:18):
Yeah, you know, it reminds us that it's baseball. The
Mariners want to get this done in a hurry. They
win two games in the road, and the Rangers came
home and lost three in a row. What was it
to Houston? And then they came back and won. But
it's never over till it's over. They know that, and
they're going to go after the Toronto Blue Chase tonight
(25:40):
like it's Game one of the postseason because they want
to get the job done. They don't want to take
this thing back to Toronto. They want they got three
games here at home. The goal is now two wins
away from the World Series, and they want to win
tonight one to tomorrow night. They want to wrap it
up as soon as possible. But it's baseball, and you
(26:01):
know Toronto's gonna be everything they've got tonight. But I
think this club is ready. Eddie Wilson has done a
great job to coaching staff to get these guys ready
to after it in. But it's great to have a
Mitch Garber on this team who has gone through that
and just kind of remind the guys, Hey, let's just
concentrate on this game tonight, get game three, and we'll
worry about tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (26:19):
Tomorrow, no question, man, just get it done, any means necessary,
fitting done.
Speaker 3 (26:25):
Their faces in the dirt.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
It's time to step on it and and these guys
and whatever hope they've got and take it away. Man, dude,
I am so freaking happy for you, but I'll be
happier if they can actually wrap this thing up. So
all the compliments, all the flowers, let's just put them
off to the side and we can talk about that
when they get this thing done. So go get him, Rick,
have fun tonight and we'll talk soon, buddy, Rick.
Speaker 8 (26:45):
All right, softie, thank you so much, buddy. It's gonna
be great time here to Mobile Park. Appreciate it, guys.
Speaker 3 (26:50):
Love it.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Rick raz with us on the radio show Man forty
two years on the job, going back to nineteen eighty three.
Awesome man, Awesome that he's a part of it. And
hope they can wrap it up partly for him. All Right,
we're gonna break, we'll come back. We're gonna here a
little bit from the skipper, I believe Dan Wilson. Kevin
Harlan joins at five. We're at Jimmy's Man. This place
has been pack since about one o'clock in the afternoon.
(27:12):
Right here on ninety three to three kJ a ARFM.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Now back to the ALCS pregame show.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
There is nothing look like postseason baseball.
Speaker 6 (27:20):
Brought to you by Seattle's closest sports book. Snow call
me Casino in Hotel your plays for a true in
game betting experience. Get in on the action at Seattle's
closest Snow call me Casino in Hotel.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
Now here's sub Dan did.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
All right before we get to Kevin Harland.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Next segment, we are minutes away from one of the
biggest bearer games in team history. Lineups are out of
Rose Arena, Raleigh, Julio Polanco, Naylor Suarez, can Zone, Robles Crawford.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
Nice to have a lineup that you can bet on.
We'll stay the.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Same from every game and they've been able to do that.
So great for them. Dan Wilson with the media before
tonight's pivotal Game three of the ALCS.
Speaker 7 (27:58):
So excited to get back out there tonight.
Speaker 9 (28:00):
I think you know we were excited about uh playing
in this ballpark tonight, and uh, you know, feeling the
energy again from from the fans who've been incredibly supportive.
They have just been fantastic, And and I mean that's
that's really what we're looking at. I think we're just
we're just focused on what's going to happen tonight and
and uh, you know, doing the things that we've been
(28:21):
doing and and not looking beyond that. And and that's
where our preparation has been all all season long, and
that's what's going to continue to be.
Speaker 7 (28:29):
And but but we are.
Speaker 9 (28:30):
Excited to get back out there and and you know,
be out here in front of the home fans and
in our own ballpark.
Speaker 10 (28:37):
Dan cam was talking a lot about heaping praise on George, Kirby,
Luis and the others that when the Lights skin Driver
in the postseason, they know how to perform, just paraphrase,
and that in what ways has calm be the biggest
difference with them as far as preparation for.
Speaker 7 (28:50):
Games like these?
Speaker 9 (28:51):
Yeah, I mean I think that you know, with all
our guys, particularly here in the playoffs, they've really gone
out there with a great game plan. And I think
you know, the plans are game plans.
Speaker 7 (29:01):
You go out there with it, but you have to to.
Speaker 9 (29:04):
Make adjustments as you go to and I think the
way Cal and all our pitching staff have been able
to to kind of read what's going on and make
those adjustments, I think has been outstanding. And yes, there's
no doubt he's he's absolutely right that that you know,
these guys have stepped up and that's what happens in
the playoffs and and you know that's what guys do.
(29:25):
But also I think a lot of the credit goes
to Cal too, that you know, they've they've made their
adjustments and and they've they've you know, he's kind of
felt the moment a little bit read things. I think
he's made great mound visits at times, like all those
things that go into you know, helping a picture along
in and outing.
Speaker 7 (29:40):
You know, Cal has been able to execute very very well.
Speaker 11 (29:42):
You have been close to this team throughout obviously your career,
but you stayed close to this team, You stayed low
who you stayed close to the city. When you look
at a in a bigger scale, what the energy and
excitement is doing around here, what does it mean to you?
Speaker 9 (29:58):
I mean, it's it's it's exciting, you know, you know,
just to see you know, the the amount of Mariner hats,
the amount of Mariner gear you see around town. Now,
that kind of thing is is always great and and
that's what makes you feel good about what's happening, you know.
Speaker 7 (30:13):
But but it's you know, we wanted.
Speaker 9 (30:15):
To continue and and so tonight that that's where our
focus turns to you It turns pretty quickly, but uh,
you know, to see the city come alive, to see
what Team Mobile is going to be like, you know, tonight,
and what it's been you know, in the Detroit series,
it's it's really exciting. And that's what's you know again,
that's the essence of October Baseball, dah and last.
Speaker 12 (30:34):
Series we talked about just the amount of times you
face certain pictures. This series, face Trade Savage for the
first time. I think you're facing Shane Beeber for the
first time this year as well. Just what was kind
of the difference between last series and having a game
established for guys bar scene compor to this series where
you know, scouting ahead and facing guys.
Speaker 7 (30:53):
For the first time. Yeah, I mean I think it
is a little bit different.
Speaker 9 (30:57):
I think you you know, again, you you don't really
have as much of an idea until you get in
the box and you physically see it yourself. But you know,
again we go back to Gar and Sites and Bobby
and the work that they do to prepare our hitters,
which is tremendous, and you know, video is a big
part of it, so you get a chance to at
least conceptualize it a little bit inside your head before
(31:19):
you get a chance to see it. And then you
know all the information, all the analytics that we have.
Our analytics teams does such a great job too of
putting together that the pregame stuff, and it does a
great job to prepare our guys and so they're ready
to go when they take the field.
Speaker 7 (31:35):
And then again, just like you go out on the
field with a game.
Speaker 9 (31:37):
Plan as a pitcher and catcher as a battery, you
do the same thing as a hitter, and then you
have to make your adjustments as you go based on
what your eyes are seeing and what you're experiencing. So
our guys, I think, have done a great job of
that so far, especially against the guys they haven't seen
much all right.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Dan Wilson, Mariner skipper, two games away from the World
series man and win tonight would obviously be gigantic in
that goal, and let's hope they can pull it off tonight,
and then go to bed tonight thinking about being a
game away from the greatest season in Mariner baseball history
bar none. We've gotta break headlines and then Kevin Harlan
gonna join us talk to some NFL next on
Speaker 3 (32:12):
Ninety three three KJRFM.
It's time for our weekly conversation with Bill Krueger, brought
to you by the brand new Occidental Hall next to
Lumanfield on Occidental, Seattle's newest hut spot for sports fans
with massive HD screens and a menu backed with Seattle's
best smash burger, wings and the best local craft beers
in town. Now with Bill Krueger, here's Saffian Dick.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
You know, I got to assume that if you're coming
down to Occidental to trying to grab a table at
one of the bars here, like Jimmy's or Occidental your Fried,
just bypass it and go right into the ballpark, man,
right into the stadium.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Well, here he is, Man.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
This is the reason why we have these guys on
the air. This is the moment that we've been waiting for.
To talk to Bill Krueger about the Mariners being two
wins away from the World Series. It's almost hard to
spit the words out, Man. But here we are, Billy,
and we are literally, potentially, let's face it, maybe twenty
eight hours away from seeing this team in the World Series.
(00:53):
It's almost overwhelming when you think about it. Billy, how
are you man? Great to visit with you what's going
through your mind right now as we're sitting year an
hour away from Game three.
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Well, I think it's just what's going through my mind
is just thinking about the long history of the Seattle
Mariners that's been somewhat toilet with so many great players
and so many great you know, just just great teams
that could never get there. A record setting team in
two thousand and one, the fabulous talented teams of the
(01:22):
late nineties, and yet here we are with a team
that's never been this far in the playoffs after all
that time and all those many Hall of Fame leable players,
that this group has a real chance to get to
the World Series, a very good chance. So that's exciting,
and it makes me reflect upon my time with the
Mariners and all the great players that played with Bill.
Speaker 5 (01:44):
I look back to Friday, September the fifth. The Mariners
were six and fifteen in their last twenty one on
that day with a lost game one of the final
series of the road trip in Atlanta, and we have
gotten to this point.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
How have we gotten to this point from that point?
Speaker 4 (02:02):
Well, at that point, the Mariners that had the schedule
really go against them, they really did. They had a
schedule that was really tough. Have to go two within
a span of three weeks, have to go and have
two of those weeks played on the East Coast in
hot and human weather and horror really terrific or horrific
travel conditions, and played some pretty good teams and a
(02:23):
lot of those teams had a bevy of left handed hitting,
so it was the recipe for a struggle, and the
Mariner struggled. And I just think that it was you know,
matchups make fights, and those were tough matchups for the Mariners.
And I think since then they got into some some
teams that matched well against them that didn't have the
left hand hitting or were teams that weren't in the
(02:43):
playoff hunt, and they got their footing and they got
their confidence, and their pitching got back in order, and
they started to pitch well, and the additions to their
lineup started to shine through. And it wasn't necessarily that
it was one guy, but the whole, the whole gauntlet
of guys that they had in their lineup has really
served them well because no one player has to make
(03:04):
the difference. It doesn't have to be cal raally, it
doesn't have to be Luio Rodriguez. It doesn't have to
beat Hi and we've seen that play out because Lako
Joor Polanco has done over the past two serieses, he's
been the difference maker. So I think that gives this
team a lot of confidence, right, And they survived the
(03:24):
Detroit series, which they almost got put into a different
cat matchup scenario where they've played, you know, aj Hinch's
game almost to the point where he was able, he
was almost able to beat the Mariners. I don't think
they're in that place now. Toronto is a much better
matchup for the Mariners, and it's showing.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Listen, guys, here's the deal.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
And we've been kind of reflecting here a little bit
to start the segment. Ye, there's gonna be plenty of
time for that, you know, if they pull this off,
there's gonna be well, I don't even know if it's
DVDs anymore, but we have Mayo my videotape from ninety
five at Cunningham narrating that great Husky run in ninety
one back in the day, things like that, So there
will be a time for all of that. The only
(04:05):
thing that matters to me right now is winning this
game tonight, Bill and acting like you're the team that's
down two games to non. So let's talk about Shane Bieber, right,
former Cy Young Award winner, acquired at the deadline by
Toronto from the Guardians.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
He was on the IL, he had Tommy John.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
He's made seven starts eight if you include the Yankee
game in game three. What is the key to getting
to Shane Bieber tonight and knocking him out early?
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Well, Shane Bieber is a crafty pitcher. He's not overpowering.
He has great breaking stuff. He understands how to make
you make it difficult on you. He understands hit her profile.
So he's not going to miss a step as far
as strategically how to face the Mariners. But this is
the Mariner club that has some very interesting hitters on
(04:50):
our team. We have hitters that handle the breaking ball.
We have three of them that if you make mistake
breaking ball pitches to them, they're going to lose it.
Andy Rose, Arena, Julio Rodriguez and Cal Rawley, which is
kind of different. Most teams are all about basketball mistakes.
We have three of our six hitters that really handle
(05:12):
the breaking ball. And I'm actually leading out one others,
and that's Gino Suarez, who is also a mistake breaking
ball hitter. We're a little more vulnerable to teams with
big fastballs, and so I think that Beaber, even though
he's a great pitcher and he's going to be smart
and he's not a guy that gives up a lot
of home runs. I think it's a good matchup for
(05:33):
this team. I think he's going to be forced to
be pretty careful and he's not a guy that's gone
deep in games, and the Jays bullpen hasn't been too great.
So I think the Mirrors are in a good position
now to be a little better than that because it's
a little more difficult to hit a homer at Team
Mobile Park. So they're going to lean on slugging. That's
(05:53):
just who they are. But I think they need to
be a little bit more willing to get a walk
or put the ball in play to kind of set
the table for that one or two slogging opportunities.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Bill, you mentioned Jorge Polanco.
Speaker 5 (06:05):
Has this just been matchups that he's taken advantage of
that are to his favor, or as I mentioned in
the last segment, as kids say today, he's just got
that dog in him. There's just certain guys on certain
teams when the spotlight is the brightest, they just love
to come through.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
Well, I think he's just a guy that's underappreciated. I mean,
he had such a point in his career where he
looked like he was done, and then he had this
unbelievable start of the season after nobody wanted him, and
even the Mariner's kind of game late to the party.
Because here's a guy that almost flatlined in his career,
had a Petella knee repair, wasn't ready to play in
spring training, and yet here he is today and he's
(06:45):
a difference maker for the Mariners. What a great pickup
he's been. He's quiet, he's not assuming, he's not a
guy that everybody's paying a whole lot of attention to.
But he's a dangerous guy. And why is he so dangerous. Well,
he's a switch hitter. Number one, he's experienced, number two
and number three, he's very short. He's short. She's short
to the ball, and that makes him dangerous. That makes
a day. So why I hit a couple homers off
(07:07):
of school ball Because he's short to the baseball, And
I think that Uh, you know, he's tightened up some
of his holes from last year. He just is strong,
stronger and quicker. I don't know how he's pulled it off.
I mean, did he find the path that pugs of
Dali Leone was looking for and found the fountain of youth?
I don't know. Maybe he did, maybe it thin Clayellham,
who knows, But uh, yeah, I don't know how he's
(07:27):
been able to do it. He did have some struggles
in the middle of the season, but now he's rallied
back and he's a dangerous cat because he's quick to
the baseball. He's short, he's got a short swing, and
you better not if you think you're gonna sneak the
rooster pass, you're gonna sneak the sun faster or rooster
with this guy, you're wrong because he can hit a fastball.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
Well.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
So, I mean, what's the key for Kirby? We talk
about getting the Bieber. I mean, Kirby's been sensational in
his first two games in the playoffs so far. Uh,
what do you want to see from from from angry
George Kirby tonight?
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Well, George is on a nice role. He's a confident pitcher.
This is a team that doesn't have a really dangerous
component of left hand hitters. They've got a nice collection,
but not great. He's probably the best guy, and he's
probably the one you wouldn't think of. They got him
and z, They've got var Show, they got Barger. These
aren't guys that are gonna be a big problem for him.
(08:22):
They're right hand hitting. Are the guys that you have
to be wary of. And after watching Miller pitch and
how many fastballs he threw, George has got to be
licking his chops because he's gonna throw a ton of fastballs,
and he should because the Jays haven't proved they can
handle it, especially from the right side. And Vladimir Guerrero,
who turned the Yankees on its ear. We're not gonna
(08:43):
show him breaking stuff from left handed pitchers. This is
gonna be fastballs and fastballs in and they've kept him
in check. So all George Kirby, and granted he's gonna
be who he is after watching Bryce Miller pitch, he
should have the template. That's the template. Bryce Miller throw
a ton of fastballs. He pitched them in. He showed
him breaking stuff, but mostly he pitched with his fastball,
(09:04):
and the Jays they are dangerous when you get into
long counts with them and they're able to take stuff
that's a little bit off speed or a little bit
away from them and put balls in play. That's what
they do, and they beat you with paper cuts. And
I think George is gonna man handle them. So that's
the thing. Now, where is it? Where does the danger lie? Is?
(09:25):
How many times can Bizardo pitch? That's the real question, right,
how many times can he pitch? Can he pitch again?
He's got a rubber arm. He has been the most
the most incredible story, maybe on the team, but certainly
in the bullpen. He's been their best pitcher. Argue with
me on that one. I know Munos had a great year.
I know he went to the All Star Game. I
(09:46):
know Brash is a super unbelievable Nintendo Slider guy. But
for me, the best pitcher in our bullpen is is
where Edward Bizardo. And I probably have under appreciated him
for sure. But can he pitch again tonight? I guess
he can. He's got to rubb her arm. But I
think that's where you kind of would like to see
George carry the game into the seventh inning. Uh, that
(10:09):
would be like, great, Caspire isn't the guy you necessarily
want to say, Hey, he's our seventh inning guy. He's
going to be a complimentary pitcher against this team. He's
not going to be the guy you go to. And
I'm not saying that because he's been nicked up a
little bit. I think it would be great to see
George hands the brash. That would be like, we're going
to come for the kill.
Speaker 5 (10:28):
Then I think, talk to me more about Bizarto, because
you know, we played a cut where somebody was calling
Bryce Miller a journeyman pitcher, which he obviously Carton Craig Carton.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
But Bizardo, I mean, he is kind of the definition
of THEI. He's just he's a moron.
Speaker 5 (10:46):
But Bizardo is a thirty year old journeyman pitcher. He's
been to Boston, he's been to Baltimore, he's been to Seattle.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
How is he doing this?
Speaker 5 (10:55):
Why is Edward Bizardo no longer the mop up guy
that we kind of teased for being for so long.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
Well, I think he found a place that believed in
him and told him that, you know it isn't all
about how hard you throw. That we appreciate the fact
that he's got good movement and a good breaking ball,
and we just want to see him succeed with those
pitches and be more willing to pitch in the strike
zone with it and let the movement of your pitches
work for you. And I don't think the Mariners realized
(11:25):
how good he could be because he still started and
you know, kind of in the back of the bullpen,
and he's just gradually worked his way up all the
guys that kind of fell to the side because of
injury or underperformance. He's risen to the point where and
when you really needed someone to pitch in the middle
of the game, he's someding with the guy that could
do it. He not only pitched well when we need
him in even games, he's pitching games where the team's
(11:46):
been ahead. He's one game in games in extra any
which is like astounding in today's game. I mean, when
someone pitches three things out of the bullpen, I want
to think he's an iron man, which is ridiculous, But
I think it's if the guy that matured a little later.
Pitchers can mature later, and he's one of them, and
he's found a role that suits him well, and he's
(12:08):
pitching with confidence. He's got great movement on his fastball,
he wins in the strike zone, he's got great tilt
on his breaking ball, and he's fearless. I think he's
a what a tremendous story he's been.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
No doubt, Hey, Bill, one more from me.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
We started this segment off by saying, Hey, you know
the fan in you comes out, They're gonna stup on
their throats, ah bury him tonight, take away their hope right,
bury him in Game three and finish them. What does
that look like in baseball terms? I think in football,
we all know what it looks like. It means, go
rip somebody's head off is what it means in football.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
But what does that mean in baseball?
Speaker 2 (12:45):
If you're Dan Wilson and you really really don't want
this to go back Toronto, and you know that you
can deliver a hammer death blow tonight in Game three
and send them one foot to the grave with a
win tonight, what does that look like in baseball terms?
How Dan Wilson maybe manage this game different if he
really wants to step on their throats tonight?
Speaker 4 (13:05):
And finish them well, when you have to let the
game come to you. He needs to let players play,
and the Mariners will play good baseball, and they're going
to have a crowd that's going to be rowdy and
loud and behind them. And it's clear this team gets
a tailwind from them. They get a real push. It's
shown up since the clouds started showing up in September,
(13:28):
So that's going to work in their favor. This is
the crowd that's going to be loud. They're not going
to go quiet. If the Mariners will score the first
ratings like Toronto's crowd did, it went really quiet, right,
So I think that works in their favor, and I
think the matchup favors the Mariners. If the trip to
the Blue Jays can't start posting some runs, it's going
to start to lay heavy on them, right. If Carrero
(13:49):
doesn't show up and we continue to they continue to
pound it inside and he can't get it done, the
Jays are going to be in trouble. And so I
think the game comes to the Mariners. The Mariners sit
in the driver's seat. They have an excellent starting pitcher,
They've got two guys at the end that they don't
that the Lujas don't want to see in Brash and
Munio's and it's a lineup that's that's hard because they're slugging.
(14:11):
There's that moment of the home run ball where the
Jays don't have that they got it. They gotta spring
hits together and that's going to be tough against our pitching.
So I think Dan Wilson needs to let the game
come to him. And you know, my only suggestion would be, Hey,
you know, you're going to try to play to what
the situation asked you to play too. And he had
(14:33):
a great feel, not strong, he was flat, and he
got him out of there quick and he was able
to because Bryce Miller pitched six and he's have Bizarro
when he really really needed him, and that's where he
performed and was brilliant. Again. I think George needs some rope.
I need to give him some room. I don't think
(14:53):
he's going to make the colossal mistake that he's that
he made in his last start. He's going to learn
from that. There's no lefty that's got that kind of
that's going to do that to him. So I'd like
to see like I'd like to see him give Georgia
little rope, but a three run home ern in the
game weren't hurt, right, So let the game come to you, Dan,
and I think the Mariners are a good place to win.
I think it's it, you know. I know we want
(15:14):
to see him whitewash him, but I think they're in
the driver's seat to win it. I'm not so sure
they can beat him four roh, but hey, could happen.
Speaker 5 (15:23):
Bill, What do you think about the decisions that Dan
and Jerry have made on who's starting what game in
this series?
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Well, I think it's a it's an excess of riches, right,
and some of it has been fatigue, right. But I
think you know, when you feel like you have options
and your number one starter isn't even pitching, that should
tell you something about how deep you are, right, I
mean pretty remarkable how deep this team is. And these
two guys like castill you and we're stepping up in
the game that's need to sit side of the season.
(15:53):
The game that they had to win, the fifth game
against Detroit, where those two guys came through its pages
and shows you why the starting picture is the best
picture of the game. Don't forget that. Who the best
pictures are. They're the starters, don't forget that. And uh,
you know, I think we could argue it, and I
think you know they they uh, they've had it right
so far, so you got to let them make those decisions.
(16:16):
I think you can't really go wrong. Is it cast You,
is it Gilbert? Is it Kirby? I mean yeah? And
then it's Miller when you didn't even expect it. So
I think they're just blessed by depth and blessed by talent.
Because Brian moves not even in the mix. Most teams
would be dead without the number one starter.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Right, all right, Billy, great stuff man, let's uh, let's
hope you're wrong about not getting the sweep, because I'm
not sure if I can take.
Speaker 4 (16:40):
It to be somewhat of a real.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Get enough for your realism. All right, you take your
realism and you know where to stick it. I want
two wins tonight. One okay, one that that's said, I'm done.
I can't handle this anymore. Billy, you're the man, great stuff,
And h hey, next time we talk, we could be
talking about these guys in the world series, So be righty, buddy.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Appreciate that. Love it all right, go get them. No
Krueger with us. We're gonna break Rick.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Re's gonna join next on ninety three three k's I RFM.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Now back to the ALCS pregame show.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
There is nothing looked like postseason baseball.
Speaker 6 (17:16):
Brought to you by Seattle's closest sports books. No, call
me Casino in Hotel your place for a true in
game betting experience. Get in on the action at Seattle's
closest snow call me casino in Hotel.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Now here's something and here's.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
The pit swaging. The car fell up the first plays.
Speaker 7 (17:33):
And it's takes up to the ball.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Here, cops, mere, kiel, here.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
The right, do nothing close, stars here, stop.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Everybody, stores have abouts, take time to pay tight. Well
that was thirty years and thirteen days ago, Dick Fane
at the King No end Rick riz with one of
the greatest calls in the history of Mariner baseball.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
And who would have thought that we'd be sitting.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Here thirty years and twelve days later, still waiting for
a shot at the World Series. But I'll tell you what, man,
we can smell it, we can taste it, and I
know this guy's been waiting just as long as us,
forty two years on the job, and he could be
he could be about twenty eight hours away from seeing
his team play in the World Series. Our friend Rick
(18:32):
Riz joining us right now across the street at T
Mobile Park, Rico.
Speaker 8 (18:35):
How are you, man, Oh, Softy and Dick, I'm doing
just fine. That brought back a lot of great memories.
I got goosebumps again. Listen to that thing. I mean,
so got a broken bed face it inside the park
home run Grand Slam with actually so they're involved in there.
But it was incredible that everybody scored and the Mariners
were off and running was the one game play in game,
(18:57):
and they finally made it. Without the winning that game,
we don't have this beautiful ballpark and we're not here
get an a chance to get to the World Series
this season. So man, that brought back some great memories.
Thank you so much, guys, And now we're making a
lot of more more great memories with this team as
very special team here in twenty twenty five, you know,
thirty years later.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Well, let's hope by about eight thirty nine o'clock tomorrow night,
we're talking about maybe the biggest one ever.
Speaker 3 (19:21):
So Rick, I gotta tell you.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
First of all, I was on the golf course a
couple of days ago with a guy a little bit
younger than us, and he said, hey, did Rick Riz
ever get a chance to call any games with Dave Kneehouse?
Speaker 3 (19:31):
But maybe a coup? I don't know, maybe a couple,
just a couple, just a couple.
Speaker 8 (19:36):
Twenty five years worth of twenty five times one hundred
and sixty two. What Oh, that's how many games I
did with David?
Speaker 3 (19:42):
What what would this? What would this?
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Honestly, man, this run have meant to him? And Rick
personally professionally, What does this mean to you?
Speaker 7 (19:51):
Oh man, David would love this.
Speaker 8 (19:53):
He was the best and the you know at the
prime game. You know, he never missed a big call,
He added to the drama, even with Junior's old time
religion called the home run and Edgar's double down the
left field line and right before the pitch where Edgar
got the double off of Jack McDowell's struck him out
(20:14):
in the ninth inning. Edgar had the double eleventh and
he said, oh man, the Mariners would love a line
driving the gap right now with Junior speed, you know, that.
Speaker 7 (20:21):
Would win the game.
Speaker 8 (20:21):
Here's a swing in the line, drive, you know, down
the left field line, Joey Scories. Here comes Junior. They're
gonna wave him in.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
I don't believe it.
Speaker 8 (20:27):
By Amaya just continues to the Mariners are gonna play
for the America League Championship. Holy smoke.
Speaker 7 (20:32):
I mean, it was just amazing.
Speaker 8 (20:34):
He had what he did to, you know, set up
the drama. He had to create the drama for many
me of the years with the ball clubs that never
even got close to the postseason. They finally did in
nineteen ninety five. But he was the best ever. And
I had the privilege to sit next to David, the
Hall of Fame broadcaster for twenty five years, and he
taught me so much. He's one of the main lessons
(20:56):
he taught me was it if it's a bad game,
it doesn't have to be a bad bra guests. But
all of a sudden, in nineteen ninety five, the Mariners
had a great team. Fans came out to the Kingdome,
and that's why we're here today. That team saved baseball.
And for me, I'm happy, you know, as a broadcast
earned as a fan, and for these fans here at
the ballpark. I'm happy for them because they've been waiting
(21:18):
for such a long long time and now it's right
here for the taking. And you know what, they're gonna
take it. They're gonna get to the World Series this year.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
I love it. I love it. Rick.
Speaker 5 (21:27):
Those two moments, the one that we played and the
one you just described with Dave on the call Game
five and ninety five. How does what we saw on
Friday with Jorge Polonco, in your opinion, compare with those
two moments in Mariner history.
Speaker 8 (21:43):
You know, that's right up there, Dick and Softie, It's
right there with one of the greatest games ever played
with de Lonco getting to walk off face in in
the bottom of the fifteenth inning thirty years before that,
almost to the day where Edgar hit the double down
the left field line to put us, you know, into
the postseason after winning that one game, actually winning the
(22:08):
Mechland Division Series in Game five against the New York
Yankees and soho the big hit in the one game playoff.
But it's right up there. It's one of the greatest
games of all time in the history of this franchise.
And right now, Hore Ploco's becoming part of Mariners lore
because he's got eight hits, eight RBIs in this postseason.
(22:29):
He had two home runs off of Trek Skoobel, the
game's best pitcher, and then later onto the ballgame with
the game tied to two, cal and Julio Head the
back to back doubles and the Mariners win that game
three to two. Is Game two of the Division Series,
which is the best of five. If they don't win
that game, they're in deep trouble. But they won the
game because of Placo. Blocko had the walkoff they hit
(22:50):
in the fifteenth inning in Game five, and then you know,
he's got the two singles to give the Mariners them
a tie and a lead against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
And that's why the Mariners are here right now at
two and zero with a chance to u with two
more ones to get to the World Series. But Flanco
has been absolutely amazing. I just talked to him. I
said five minutes ago, I said, how you do it?
(23:10):
He says, I'm just trying to keep it simple, trying
to hit.
Speaker 7 (23:13):
The ball up the middle, and by doing that.
Speaker 8 (23:15):
He's come up with some of the biggest hits not
only this year but in the history of the franchise.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Well, let's talk about this pitching matchup rick tonight, George
Kirby versus Shane Bieber. You know, Bieber coming off to
Tommy John Blue Jay's traded for him at the deadline.
He was actually hurt on the on the IL I
think when they picked him up, and he's actually been
pretty good. I mean, his era may not show it,
but he's been pretty good for Toronto. So I mean,
how much do Danny and Pete Woodworth and company let
(23:41):
Kirby just roll tonight? And we saw the Dodgers last
night Games one and two with Yamamoto and Snell. They're
gonna ride those guys till their freaking arms fall off.
So how much do you think Danny will allow George
Kirby to go out there as long as he's feeling
it and just own this thing tonight.
Speaker 8 (23:56):
I'll tell you what. As long as he's feeling it
and he's rolling. You know, he said what thirty one
strikeouts in his last three outings during the course of
the regular season, I think they're going to try to
ride him as long as he's you know, getting people
out having quick innings, quick outs. I think they're going
to try to let him go deep in the game
because now the pitching has been reset because of what
(24:16):
Bryce Miller did in Game one allowed him to reset.
Miller went on three days rest and he went six innings.
They would have been happy with four, but he goes
six and now you get your high leverage guys. Fire
has been great this year. Spire Brash Munos and the
Mariners win that game, and then Logan Gilbert doing the
next night on two days rest because he pitched two
(24:37):
innings in the marathon a few days before that. So
I think with George now getting the start tonight, third
start of the postseason, on four days rest, pitching on
his fifth day, he's ready to go. I think as
long as he possibly can. I didn't talk to Danny
you know about that this morning, but I think that's
the plan. But it is the postseason, and you know,
(24:59):
anything can happen. You know, you try to all hands
on that kind of thing. But I think George is
ready to go deep in this game.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
Rick talk about the importance of having a guy like
Mitch Garver in the clubhouse to remind the team what
it's like to win two on the road and then
get swept.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
In three in a row at all. Yeah, in a
playoff series.
Speaker 8 (25:18):
Yeah, you know, it reminds us that it's baseball. The
Mariners want to get this done in a hurry. They
win two games in the road, and the Rangers came
home and lost three in a row. What was it
to Houston? And then they came back and won. But
it's never over till it's over. They know that, and
they're going to go after the Toronto Blue Chase tonight
(25:40):
like it's Game one of the postseason because they want
to get the job done. They don't want to take
this thing back to Toronto. They want they got three
games here at home. The goal is now two wins
away from the World Series, and they want to win
tonight one to tomorrow night. They want to wrap it
up as soon as possible. But it's baseball, and you
(26:01):
know Toronto's gonna be everything they've got tonight. But I
think this club is ready. Eddie Wilson has done a
great job to coaching staff to get these guys ready
to after it in. But it's great to have a
Mitch Garber on this team who has gone through that
and just kind of remind the guys, Hey, let's just
concentrate on this game tonight, get game three, and we'll
worry about tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (26:19):
Tomorrow, no question, man, just get it done, any means necessary,
fitting done.
Speaker 3 (26:25):
Their faces in the dirt.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
It's time to step on it and and these guys
and whatever hope they've got and take it away. Man, dude,
I am so freaking happy for you, but I'll be
happier if they can actually wrap this thing up. So
all the compliments, all the flowers, let's just put them
off to the side and we can talk about that
when they get this thing done. So go get him, Rick,
have fun tonight and we'll talk soon, buddy, Rick.
Speaker 8 (26:45):
All right, softie, thank you so much, buddy. It's gonna
be great time here to Mobile Park. Appreciate it, guys.
Speaker 3 (26:50):
Love it.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Rick raz with us on the radio show Man forty
two years on the job, going back to nineteen eighty three.
Awesome man, Awesome that he's a part of it. And
hope they can wrap it up partly for him. All Right,
we're gonna break, we'll come back. We're gonna here a
little bit from the skipper, I believe Dan Wilson. Kevin
Harlan joins at five. We're at Jimmy's Man. This place
has been pack since about one o'clock in the afternoon.
(27:12):
Right here on ninety three to three kJ a ARFM.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Now back to the ALCS pregame show.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
There is nothing look like postseason baseball.
Speaker 6 (27:20):
Brought to you by Seattle's closest sports book. Snow call
me Casino in Hotel your plays for a true in
game betting experience. Get in on the action at Seattle's
closest Snow call me Casino in Hotel.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
Now here's sub Dan did.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
All right before we get to Kevin Harland.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
Next segment, we are minutes away from one of the
biggest bearer games in team history. Lineups are out of
Rose Arena, Raleigh, Julio Polanco, Naylor Suarez, can Zone, Robles Crawford.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
Nice to have a lineup that you can bet on.
We'll stay the.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
Same from every game and they've been able to do that.
So great for them. Dan Wilson with the media before
tonight's pivotal Game three of the ALCS.
Speaker 7 (27:58):
So excited to get back out there tonight.
Speaker 9 (28:00):
I think you know we were excited about uh playing
in this ballpark tonight, and uh, you know, feeling the
energy again from from the fans who've been incredibly supportive.
They have just been fantastic, And and I mean that's
that's really what we're looking at. I think we're just
we're just focused on what's going to happen tonight and
and uh, you know, doing the things that we've been
(28:21):
doing and and not looking beyond that. And and that's
where our preparation has been all all season long, and
that's what's going to continue to be.
Speaker 7 (28:29):
And but but we are.
Speaker 9 (28:30):
Excited to get back out there and and you know,
be out here in front of the home fans and
in our own ballpark.
Speaker 10 (28:37):
Dan cam was talking a lot about heaping praise on George, Kirby,
Luis and the others that when the Lights skin Driver
in the postseason, they know how to perform, just paraphrase,
and that in what ways has calm be the biggest
difference with them as far as preparation for.
Speaker 7 (28:50):
Games like these?
Speaker 9 (28:51):
Yeah, I mean I think that you know, with all
our guys, particularly here in the playoffs, they've really gone
out there with a great game plan. And I think
you know, the plans are game plans.
Speaker 7 (29:01):
You go out there with it, but you have to to.
Speaker 9 (29:04):
Make adjustments as you go to and I think the
way Cal and all our pitching staff have been able
to to kind of read what's going on and make
those adjustments, I think has been outstanding. And yes, there's
no doubt he's he's absolutely right that that you know,
these guys have stepped up and that's what happens in
the playoffs and and you know that's what guys do.
(29:25):
But also I think a lot of the credit goes
to Cal too, that you know, they've they've made their
adjustments and and they've they've you know, he's kind of
felt the moment a little bit read things. I think
he's made great mound visits at times, like all those
things that go into you know, helping a picture along
in and outing.
Speaker 7 (29:40):
You know, Cal has been able to execute very very well.
Speaker 11 (29:42):
You have been close to this team throughout obviously your career,
but you stayed close to this team, You stayed low
who you stayed close to the city. When you look
at a in a bigger scale, what the energy and
excitement is doing around here, what does it mean to you?
Speaker 9 (29:58):
I mean, it's it's it's exciting, you know, you know,
just to see you know, the the amount of Mariner hats,
the amount of Mariner gear you see around town. Now,
that kind of thing is is always great and and
that's what makes you feel good about what's happening, you know.
Speaker 7 (30:13):
But but it's you know, we wanted.
Speaker 9 (30:15):
To continue and and so tonight that that's where our
focus turns to you It turns pretty quickly, but uh,
you know, to see the city come alive, to see
what Team Mobile is going to be like, you know, tonight,
and what it's been you know, in the Detroit series,
it's it's really exciting. And that's what's you know again,
that's the essence of October Baseball, dah and last.
Speaker 12 (30:34):
Series we talked about just the amount of times you
face certain pictures. This series, face Trade Savage for the
first time. I think you're facing Shane Beeber for the
first time this year as well. Just what was kind
of the difference between last series and having a game
established for guys bar scene compor to this series where
you know, scouting ahead and facing guys.
Speaker 7 (30:53):
For the first time. Yeah, I mean I think it
is a little bit different.
Speaker 9 (30:57):
I think you you know, again, you you don't really
have as much of an idea until you get in
the box and you physically see it yourself. But you know,
again we go back to Gar and Sites and Bobby
and the work that they do to prepare our hitters,
which is tremendous, and you know, video is a big
part of it, so you get a chance to at
least conceptualize it a little bit inside your head before
(31:19):
you get a chance to see it. And then you
know all the information, all the analytics that we have.
Our analytics teams does such a great job too of
putting together that the pregame stuff, and it does a
great job to prepare our guys and so they're ready
to go when they take the field.
Speaker 7 (31:35):
And then again, just like you go out on the
field with a game.
Speaker 9 (31:37):
Plan as a pitcher and catcher as a battery, you
do the same thing as a hitter, and then you
have to make your adjustments as you go based on
what your eyes are seeing and what you're experiencing. So
our guys, I think, have done a great job of
that so far, especially against the guys they haven't seen
much all right.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Dan Wilson, Mariner skipper, two games away from the World
series man and win tonight would obviously be gigantic in
that goal, and let's hope they can pull it off tonight,
and then go to bed tonight thinking about being a
game away from the greatest season in Mariner baseball history
bar none. We've gotta break headlines and then Kevin Harlan
gonna join us talk to some NFL next on
Speaker 3 (32:12):
Ninety three three KJRFM.
Dave 'Softy' Mahler and Dick Fain News
Popular Podcasts
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.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com