May 9, 2025 • 40 mins
In the second hour, Dave Softy Mahler and Dick Fain chat with Mina Kimes from ESPN about Bill Belichick, the Browns, the Seahawks, Aaron Rodgers, and the Mariners, then they hear from Dan Wilson and sit down with Tacoma Rainiers’ star catcher Harry Ford.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Coming to you live from the Elliot Avenue studios of
Sports Radio ninety three point three KJR FM. This is
our weekly visit with ESPN's Mina Kimes, brought to you
by Bridge Physical Therapy and Wellness. Just find ninety and
Mercer Island. Bridge is your independent go to clinic for
quality care for the whole family. Taylor to you and
(00:20):
your goals cult today at two six four o two
six three three nine to schedule an appointment and to
let Bridge Physical Therapy be your bridge to wellness. Now
with Mina Chimes, here's SOFTI and Dick.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
All right, we are back inside Cheney Stadium in Tacoma
getting ready for the Rainiers coming up at seven o
five tonight. But are our final visits of the year
at least of the draft season. If you will with
our friend Media Times of ESPN courtesy Bridge Physical Therapy
and Wellness. Find them on Mercer Island, Women owned Women
formed Bridge Physical Therapy and Wellness on Mercer Island. Big
(00:56):
thanks to them for all their help getting this thing
together and let's face it, meeting Mina Kim's gigantic financial demands,
having our people meet with her people and making this
thing happen, Mina, how are you?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I'm good, especially now that I'm rolling in that dough
you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yeah, oh hey, look you know what, I know, things
are more expensive these days. So whatever we can do
to help out the cause we're a fan of. But
why don't we just start kind of where we ended
a week ago? You know, I feel like we're kind
of in a tabloid section talking about this Belichick girlfriend things. Well,
I asked you a week ago, like why we should
care about it. We talked about if you're a Carolina fan,
(01:31):
you know you might be concerned. Then there was the
report that came out this morning that she's been banned
from like all the facilities. North Carolina comes back and says, no,
that's not the case. And my reaction as well, why
would Belichick be there if his girlfriend can't hang around
with him when he's coaching the team or going to work.
So this is kind of turning into kind of a
a you know, you know what show out there?
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Is it not?
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Yeah? I mean it's hard to characterize it as anything
but disastrous. If you're certainly, if you're a Carolina football
fan and you want, you know, you make this big
hire's greatest coach in health, NFL history or you know
football history, and you're hoping that's gonna alert you know, prospects, recruits,
and all anyone can talk about is whether or not
(02:15):
his girlfriend is controlling the narrative or running, you know,
heavily involved in the program. I would say that that
definitely classifies as a train wreck.
Speaker 5 (02:25):
Well, and there's also, you know, a theory out there
that your your friend and your cohorted ESPN Populatory's report
was correct, and that North Carolina then received a call
from Bill Belichick or an angry Bill Belichick at the
door of the eighties office saying, no, she is going
to be here or else, I'm not going to be
Here's what's your thought on that theory?
Speaker 3 (02:48):
It sounds pretty plausible, wouldn't you guys say? Yeah, I
think it's like an outside observer, what seems almost hundred
percent likely to be true, maybe one hundred percent, But
it is that there's boring factions, right, because when you
have conflicting reports, it's usually what that means. And I
(03:09):
have no doubt because it's what I would imagine was happening,
even if there wasn't any reporting that there are people
there in the program, probably people with a lot of
power who are very unhappy with how things are going.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
No, I no doubt many times is with us on
the radio show. So do do we look into anything
Dylan Gabriel taking the first team reps with the Browns?
I guess that their at their camp this weekend. Should
we look into that to kind of show us anything
hardcore about what their plans are for quarterback or is
that just kind of happenstance?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
You think, well, I think it reflects where what is indisputable,
which is that the Browns liked Dylan Gabriel more than
they liked Shit or Sanders. That's not my interpret That
is literally how the drafts shook out, and the way
they talk about him, it's very obvious that they see
him as a good fit for their offense. So I think, what,
(04:02):
you know what, the fact that they're saying for seeing
reps that is just merely reflecting what we already know
they think about him.
Speaker 6 (04:10):
I do believe it.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
It's a legitimate quarterback competition. You know, if he was
thinking in the first round, that would be crazy. But
I would say, now you know he's got a position.
This is no competition. Third versus fifth, versus Pickett versus Flacco.
That's the quarterback competition. So I think you know at
this point it's anyone's game, but he certainly has a
leg up.
Speaker 5 (04:29):
Final conversation from with Mina Kyines from Bridge Physical Therapy
and welling this bringing you Mina on a weekly basis
the last six weeks.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
We appreciate their.
Speaker 5 (04:37):
Help and bringing Mina and Mina. You mentioned in one
of your posts this week that you thought the flour
that was raised by the Arizona Cardinals was maybe greater
than any team in the NFL. Do you think that
the Cardinals are a legitimate contender now in this division
up towards the top, or you are they still the
fourth best team in this division?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Well, at first, I want to say i'd said that
right after Danny Kelly, who is on my podcast, picked
the Seahawks as a team who potentially raised their ceiling
the most, so that choice was already taken. I actually
felt I will say I think both the Seahawks and
the Cardinals had really good drafts and also drafts with
very high ceilings. So and to that end, to actually
(05:19):
answer your question, I would not put the Cardinals over
the Seahawks. No, I do think they're pretty close. I
think the entire division is really dang close at this point.
I think the Rams are still at the top after
winning last year and going all in again with Stafford
and DeVonta Adams and whatnot. But I certainly don't think
there's a big gap between them and the other three.
It might be the most tight knit division in the NFL,
(05:42):
to be honest.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Right, then, why does Vegas and I think you and
I also talked about this last week too, why does
Vegas have them at seven and a half wins on
the over under? I mean, do they just think that
poorly of Sam Darnold versus Geno Smith down in the
desert down there, because that number you and I talked
about it just seems low.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, I think it probably reflects a couple of things.
I think we talked about this a little bit. There's
not an appreciation for how much the defense improved in
the second half last season. Defense, by the way, that
ends up finishing top ten in DVOA last year, and
that was a massive jump from where they finished the
year before, when, as you guys remember, they were just
awful frankly, so to that end, the Mike McDonald hire
(06:23):
is already a massive success and they've added some really
good players. So I don't think Vegas is appreciating that.
And I do think there is some justified skepticism about
whether the offense will improve, you know, not just Darnold,
but DK Metcalf walking out the door. I don't think
Cooper cup is seen as you know, a big upgrade
at this point in his career. So I don't I don't.
I don't disagree with their there. I'm obviously speculating here,
(06:46):
but skepticism of the offense. I just think people are
under appreciating the defense.
Speaker 6 (06:51):
Staying in the division.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Mean, what is the timeline for a brock party contract
and what is the number going to be?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Do you think, well, you know, to be a homer,
hopefully it starts as six, right, Yeah, I don't think so.
I think it probably like close ish to to a
tongue of I Lois, which I believe was like low fifties,
maybe a little bit above that with the passage of time,
That's what I guess. Uh, And I think I don't
(07:19):
think there's any doubt it's gonna get done, just the
way the Niners have moved, you know, letting go of
highly paid players suggests to me that they fully intend
on paying Rock Pretty well.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
You mentioned something there that I don't know really how
much we've talked about, and that's what to expect from
Cooper Cup. I mean, you're down there right in La.
I mean you got a bird's eye seed on what
he's been doing with the Rams. And he's obviously thirty
two years old, he's coming off some injuries. He's been
fine when he's performed, when he's been available, he's been great.
But the problem is he's missed a ton of I
think he's missed seventeen games whatever a full year in
the past three So what are your expectations for Cooper
(07:53):
Cup and how much do you think he has left
in the tank?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Yeah, you know, I think there's it. Look, he is
not who he was at the peak of his career,
if you saw that with the Rams, and of course
that comes with age. But I think for Seattle, there's
no expectations that he's going to be a target monster
in this offense, which is very much built around jays N.
I think there's hope that he can come in and
(08:16):
block and work the middle of the field and do
some of the dirty work that he's done at various
points in his career. Also provide some veteran leadership in
the locker room. But you know, I think that you
got to keep your expectations sensible just because of the
stage of his career.
Speaker 5 (08:29):
I gotta go back and talk about what you mentioned
about the offense this year versus last year for the Seahawks,
and do you think that because of the new style,
that the offense probably will score less points per game
than it did last year. But it'll also be a
little less fun and gun, and it'll help the defense
out by keeping the defense off the field more. So,
(08:50):
all in all, they'll be a better football team because
of that.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
I think a lot of it is going to come
down to whether or not they're better at running the football,
and it wouldn't be hard based on how bad they
were last year. But as you guys know, you know,
just the blocking has not been good enough, and they've
made investments, starting with of course their first round draft pick,
adding that grayzabele but and a Lucas's health is going
to be a massive factor. Scheme helps, but only to
(09:17):
a degree. You saw that with clintleb X offense last
year when they suffered injuries on the offensive line. You've
got to have better offensive line play. And that, to me,
more than anything more than Donald or Cup or Metcalf
leaving is going to go towards what you're asking about,
which is can the offense be more efficient? Q were
three and out stay on the field as opposed to
score a lot points.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
So is this many times again with us courtesy a
bridge physical therapy and wellness on Mercer Island.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
Is this receiver room right now weaker on paper?
Speaker 2 (09:45):
You think that it was a year ago with with
with with Jackson DK and Lockett DK and Pittsburgh. Lockett
signed down with the Titans. You bring an MBS, you're
bringing Cooper Cup. You draft a couple of wide receivers,
and Tory Horton and Ricky White. You know who knows
what those guys will be about. Obviously long shots to
do much as far as production. But is this receiver
room weaker today than it was a year ago?
Speaker 3 (10:06):
It's hard to not say it's weaker, right. I do
really like Tory Horton though in particular, and he's like,
you try not to get too excited about late round
draft picks or put too much stock in them coming
in and producing immediately. But he was a pick who
I thought had a really high ceiling, and if he
had got injured, I think would have got a lot higher.
But you know, he is a rookie coming up of injury,
(10:29):
and he was taking late in the draft. So yeah,
you gotta say it's probably weaker.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
I mean, we're so used to as Seahawk fans having
like superstars on the defensive side of the ball, and
I guess maybe Witherspoon is gonna get there at some point,
But other than that, there's just really not But is
there any concern Is there any real area of weakness
on the defensive side of the ball in your opinion?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
It's a good question, you know, I think that there's
no areas of glaring weakness. No, I think there's some
marry is with question marks. You know, maybe second linebacker
comes to mind, second corner if Witherspoon plays mostly in
the slot. But no, there's no big holes. And I
would argue by the way that Leo Williams should be
(11:13):
seen as a star. Actually I gave him an All
Pro vote a second team All Pro I think. I mean,
he was outstanding last year and I felt like that
really flew under the radar nationally.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
Yeah, mena times again.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
So, now that the George Pickens deal is done to
the Cowboys, how long until we read about Aaron Rodgers
becoming a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Oh Man, hopefully soon, so that I can stop doing
Aaron Rodgers. Well, no, then we're gonna have to do
new Aaron Rodgers segments.
Speaker 6 (11:43):
Day as long as he's.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
I've lived that life, you guys now for a few years.
You know, it's very The thing is with Pittsburgh, it's
like the idea that they would have approached the off
season the way they have this is respect to the
quarterback position and not thought Aaron Rodgers. If he doesn't
end up coming, I think it'll go down as one
of the more disastrous and bizarre offseasons ever. So I
(12:09):
gotta think he is. But do you want a quarterback
who's taking this long? I mean, I guess he doesn't
want to come to camp or whatever, But I don't know.
Speaker 6 (12:16):
They're a team.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
By the way, I thought she'd have been trying to
trade for Gino Smith. I think that was a huge
miss on their part.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Huh, Well, what is he? What's Rogers waiting for? Is
he just don't don't want He doesn't want to take
part in camp. He's like, Hey, the less work I
can do, the better I'll be there in July. Do
the Steelers not? Are they not certain they want him yet?
What is holding this thing up from happening?
Speaker 3 (12:37):
If I understood the inner workings of his mind, guys,
I would have to do a lot fewer segments of
wondering why. Yeah, I mean, I guess you know he did.
He's at this point in his career probably not super
interested in being part of the entire offseason program. But
how auspicious is that if you're a.
Speaker 5 (12:55):
Steelers fans very very and he wants superstars like Mina
comes on TV talking about it every single day.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Maybe wants to turn on.
Speaker 5 (13:02):
The TV and see Mina and the rest of them
in ESPN talking mentioning his name.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
So he's always in the news cycle.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
That's you know, I think a lot of people might
just kind of think you're kidding Meana.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Do you think there's something to that that he loves
the attention?
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Well, he is a national TV spot during the regular season,
So I don't really think it requires that much of
a leap to say he likes being on TV.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
Right, right, No, there's no question Safia alluded to George
Pickens a couple of minutes ago. I read a report
today that the league is quote laughing at the Cowboys
for trading for George Pickens. Are you one that would
laugh at the Cowboys as well?
Speaker 6 (13:39):
Or did you like the move?
Speaker 3 (13:40):
No? I like the move. I don't know who is laughing,
but I disagree. Look, he's he's inconsistent, He's a lot similar.
He's kind of like DK and that I would say
dk' is probably a better on the field or a
little bit less of a wild card. But it's not
like he's out there committing crimes. He just hassistant effort
(14:00):
and sometimes there's like little you know, his he fits
on the field or whatever. But the talent is unreal,
and I think for Dallas, a team that should be
all in on winning, it made a ton of sense,
especially after they weren't able to grab a receiver in
the draft.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Yeah, hey, Mien, I know we want to get a
couple of Mariners. Topics thrown at you before you before
you take off here. But I'll tell you that we had.
Matt Enz was on the radio show yesterday. He's the
current head coach at Fresno State and he was Gray
Zabel's coach for four years in Fargo. And I asked
him yesterday, you know, fill in the blank, Gray's Abel
will have a great long NFL career if he does
(14:33):
what And he just said, if he stays healthy, period,
and the story, I mean, he's he's he's that much
of a believer in this guy that if he stays healthy,
the left guard spot in Seattle, the turnstile has come
to an end.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Do you do you.
Speaker 7 (14:46):
Believe that.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
I'm inclined to think it's likely, you know, just a
high floor prospect. We talked about last week how Fox
other picks were kind of like high variants, could be
really really great or couldn't work out at all. Crazy
Abel was a safe pick. But then he also, I
think has a high ceiling. So yeah, I mean I
(15:09):
think he's right. Obviously we're talking about a guy who
played multiple positions as well, really good scheme fit for
this offense, So health is it. And then you know,
I think just kind of going from smaller school. That
can be a little bit of adjustment, but I'm excited
and confident about him.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
Well, men, and we got baseball in the brain. It's
a beautiful seventy degree day here. We're at Cheney Stadium
in Tacoma before the Rainiers game, and let's talk about
the Seattle Mariners.
Speaker 6 (15:34):
Los marin Arros are in.
Speaker 5 (15:36):
The first place. What has Surprise Slash impressed you the
most with this first month of baseball?
Speaker 8 (15:44):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (15:44):
Man, Well, not the hitting. I totally thought it would
be awesome and as good as obviously the hitting guys.
Come on, who thought this was going to be a
team led by the offense. It's unbelievable and I just
can't say I saw any of it coming and doing it.
I mean, Julio is starting to heat up a bit,
but to do it this far without really him leading
(16:04):
the way, it's just magical. It's it's it's been such
a fun season.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Are you buying what you're seeing from hore Polanco? Because
their big cell job on him was that, hey, he
had abum knee a year ago, he wasn't even close
to being the same. And if we can get him
for seven point five on a one year deal, that
might be a bargain. And so far it looks like,
what are you're buying what you're seeing from this kid,
that hey, he may not hit three eighty the whole year,
but he's going to be a pretty significant contributor for
(16:29):
six months.
Speaker 7 (16:30):
Yeah, I am.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
I think it's gonna come down to Earth's a kinda
bit somewhat, but nevertheless, I do think, yeah, it's obvious
that the injury impact him, and seeing what he looks
like with full health, you know, and when you look
at a lot of the underlying metrics, guys, the Mariners
aren't getting lucky. It's not even like they have high
you know, batting average on balls and play or whatnot.
(16:53):
Like they're hitch. They're just playing with such discipline. They're
not striking out, they're swinging at good pitches, they're getting walked.
I don't know, it's just I keep it's the Mariners
fan in me. I keep looking for reasons for regression
and doubt, but it's really not there.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
Well, yeah, we talked about that yesterday. It just seems like,
I mean, yeah, there's a couple guys playing out of
their minds. Polanco, you know, cal Rawley's probably not going
to hit fifty five bombs.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
On the season.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
But other than that, you're right, it's just the it's
the approach, it's how they're playing the game.
Speaker 6 (17:21):
It's their belief.
Speaker 5 (17:22):
Like those intangibles seem like they're more sustainable than if
just three or four guys were playing out of their
minds for a month and a half.
Speaker 6 (17:30):
Right, they keep.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
Winning games that they're supposed to lose too. I mean again,
this is where how many times have if I've missed
a game, I'm looking at the box score, I got
game cast up, and they're down by a couple of
runs going to date. I'm like, all right, this one's
probably over. I've watched this team now, you know, my
whole life. And then you check again. It's it's like,
holy smokes, the comebacks and you know, we seem that
against division rivals in recent weeks, and it's hard not
(17:52):
to believe there's a little bit of coaching and culture
factoring into that, which is really cool.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Yeah, hey, real quick, before you go, how much even
paying attention to the NBA playoffs center you rooting as
hard against OKC as we are.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
I love it. I love it because of the comebacks
and the craziness this year. I'm a pretty neutral fan.
I'm not super It's okay. She's tough for me because
I obviously hate what they did, but the players like
it's not their fault. I like the current players. I
don't know. I'm not rooting for them. They're not like
my picker, my favorite though.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Meana, you gotta learn to be a little pettier by
the way about stuff, all right, trust me. Life is
so much more enjoyable when you have pettiness in your hearts.
She's too nice for that, exactly. All right, you're the best.
Thanks again for doing this and we'll talk.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Down with bye guys.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
All right, mina times with us. We're gett a break.
But Harry Ford, though, is gonna join us. We'll talk
to the future Catcher, future dh future, first basement left fielder. Well,
ask Kim what he thinks his future looks like. It's
with the rain Ears now he'll join us. Coming up
on ninety three three kJ RFM.
Speaker 9 (18:56):
Casting live from the R and R Foundation, specialists Jeff Studio,
now Doctor Softie and Digg, powered by Emerald Queen Casino,
the Vetty and Capital of the Northwest. On sports Radio
and nutties three point three kJ R FL.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
All right, we're back here at Tacoma Chandy Stadium. Harry
Ford is going to join us in a matter of minutes.
He is awaiting his turn of the batting cage, by
the way. So I mean, frankly, if I were him,
knowing what a big opportunity this was for his career
to jump on this radio program, I would just ditch
the cage and get your ass up here and join
us on the radio show.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
But I don't know, man, Jackson's.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Kind of new maybe doesn't understand how big a deal
we are intact.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
Yeah, yeah, I don't. I don't know, man.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
I mean, people line up and just beg to come
on this radio show. So as soon as he's done
with a cage in the outfield, he'll he'll jump on
the air with us here from Tacoma and getting ready
for a couple of comments from Harry Ford. Speaking of comments,
Dan Wilson, Mariner manager with the Media today, thoughts on
the opening series, the opening game of the series tonight
against the Blue Jays.
Speaker 10 (19:58):
Let's start a new series here at home, coming off,
you know, a really good road trip for the guys.
Continuing to play really well, coming back fighting, great at bats,
great job by the bullpen tonight, Castillo on the mound
coming off a really good outing in Texas close game.
Pitch very well, gave us six strong in that one,
(20:21):
and uh, you know, guys on the other side, a
lot of splits tonight from him, so offensively.
Speaker 7 (20:25):
We'll be ready as well.
Speaker 10 (20:27):
First time this team has one nine consecutive series since
two thousand and one.
Speaker 4 (20:30):
Just how impressive has it?
Speaker 10 (20:33):
Just the streak you guys, barn and for for you
being on that team, whether something similars of differences from
that club in this one, I mean, I think it's just,
you know, these guys talk a lot about staying in
the moment and and you know, wanting to be present
each night, and and that's really what it's meant these guys.
These guys prepare and when they when they get to
(20:54):
game time, they're they're ready to go, and they're they're
ready to to to battle. And and that's you know,
they've been able to do that so consistently here over
this stretch, and every every night, you know, they're they're
ready to give it one hundred percent for for nine innings,
and and you know we we've seen that the benefits
of that, and and uh, you know, their consistency has
been unbelievable.
Speaker 7 (21:14):
Whether it's on the mound, whether it's.
Speaker 10 (21:15):
At the plate, these guys have have really competed and
competed very well. And and just continued in that same path.
Speaker 8 (21:23):
Conversation topic always when Toronto comes to town is flu
Jay's fans, you know, coming to the ballpark and showing up.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Do you hope that the recent.
Speaker 8 (21:30):
Success that you guys have had with especially with the
last month, will bring out heavier majority of Mariners fans.
Speaker 7 (21:36):
I mean, we're going to prepare the same way.
Speaker 10 (21:39):
We're gonna do what we do and and uh, you know,
I think our our job is to is to figure
out what to do on the field, and you know,
our guys will definitely be ready for that. And uh,
you know I know that, uh you know, this is
always a big series. But but our guys, you know,
have been in a lot of big series here already,
and you know they're going to continue to prepare the
way they do and and get ready to play tonight's game.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
For me, all right, the voice of Dan Wilson, you know,
it's not really his nature to say things like what
I'm about to say, So I know why he Jackson's
are you laughing here?
Speaker 3 (22:12):
We go?
Speaker 2 (22:12):
Well, because when when you know, like you were talking
about Loop Panella off years yead ago, right, yeah, if
somebody asked lou Panella, you know, you're kind of hoping that,
you know, the recent success will get more Mariner field
well like darn hope, So you know, of course. I mean,
it's just you know, I would love to hear a
manager say it's our job to change that. It drives
our players nuts. I hate it, the players hate it.
(22:34):
But we got to change that. And you know, a
little bit of a vanilla, But that's just kind of
who he is. That's who That's who Dan Wilson is.
And trust me, I don't have any critical comments about
Dan Wilson really for the most part at all. I mean,
he's not perfect. When you were gone, he made that mistake,
he owned up to it. But I mean, the team's
one hundred and twenty two win paced the last twenty
four games.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
For crying out loud, I mentioned what is there to
bitch about? Right?
Speaker 5 (22:56):
Mention you to the break, I mean, I said, it's
nice that for the first time in a decade, we've
had a manager that I can look in the dugout
and not just disdain disdainful, right, and which I.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Didn't have as much as you did, but I get it.
I mean he was he was an he was arrogant,
is very.
Speaker 5 (23:14):
Arrogant, and Dan Wilson's the exact opposite. So I don't
know if Dan Wilson's going to be a great manager.
He's certainly done. I would say a great job thus
for I wouldn't even say good job. I'd say great
job thus far. Now will it continue? I mean, to
be a great manager, you gotta do that for years
and years and years and years. But you know, he's
I don't look in the dugout and see like I
did with Loupenella. I was like when when we had
(23:35):
looked Loopennella, we were like, my god, we have a
top three manager, Like we have a Hall of Fame
candidate level manager. Want to look at Dan Wilson's like,
we just have a guy that I like, and I
like how he plays the game. I like how this
team plays baseball, which is which is exactly the opposite
of what they.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
Felt mostly the last decade.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
Yeah, I mean we talked about this yesterday that last
year they had five hundred and seventy one walks, which
was number four, pretty good. Right now that on pace
for over seven hundred, so they've improved on what was
already a pretty good trait for them. Stolen bases one
hundred and forty was number nine, pretty good a year ago,
but now that' on pace for one hundred and ninety three,
So they've taken whatever they were really good at making
(24:14):
up for their lack of actual bats. When they get
guys on the bag, make life difficult for the opposing picture,
you know, run them all over the place, you know,
like freaking fleas, and make life tough for the starting
pitcher or a reliever. They've just improved on all that stuff.
So I totally agree with that. But you know, it
is funny as we're sitting here waiting for Harry Ford
to come up and join us here in Tacoma, and
(24:35):
I heard Ian say this, and I don't know if
I heard it right or if I misheard the context
or whatever, but he said something about the Mariners being
America's team.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
Did you hear that, by the way, on his show today?
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Saying that, But I brought that up to you earlier today.
Maybe it was you, Maybe it was you. I thought
it was him. I got no idea, right, but somebody
somewhere said that the Mariners may be America's team. And
I actually meant to bring this up to Mina and
I just totally blanked and forgot. I had a bit
of a senior moment that I think the country guys
got behind the Boston Red Sox for a long time
(25:09):
during the Curse of the Bambino era which lasted what
seventy years or whatever it was.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Right, everyone was.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Jacked up when they came back from three to zero
to beat the Yankees in the ALCS twenty years ago,
when the Cubs in Indians were playing in the World Series.
Oh this, Greg, one of these teams is finally going
to get a World Series championship.
Speaker 4 (25:27):
The Lions, the the freaking Lions.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Right in the NFL in the last two years, people
have been all over them. Boise stayed against Oklahoma kind
of rooting for yeah, the Cavaliers when Lebron was there,
blah blah blah. And I'm this is just one little
example of this of what I'm talking about. But I
want to show this to you because I saw this
the other day.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
This is good. Well, I'm gonna explain it here.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
This is from optimistic five to five one eight optimistic
Nats fan. It's a Nationals fan. So MLB fan bases
that deserve a championship.
Speaker 4 (26:05):
Tell me who those four teams are?
Speaker 5 (26:06):
The Nationals, the Pirates, yep, the Rays because.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Mariners are the only team that have never been And
I don't even know if people know that.
Speaker 6 (26:17):
I don't think they do. And here's why.
Speaker 5 (26:19):
Because we went through a span of almost a decade
with Ken Griffy Junior, Edgar Martinez, Jay bunor Randy Johnson, Loupanela.
Speaker 6 (26:27):
I think a lot of a rod.
Speaker 5 (26:30):
I think a lot of people, casual baseball fans around
the country either think we won a World Series during
that stretch or at least got to a World Series
in that stretch. Because the Mariners were a team, a
national team. We had video.
Speaker 6 (26:44):
Games with a Mariner on it.
Speaker 5 (26:46):
I mean, they were an absolute national team during that time,
and I just think they I think the general consensus
is that we actually had more playoff success than we
actually did in reality.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
Maybe I mean either that or they just don't even
know we exist, honestly, but you know what I mean,
they knew then they did it. They knew, but that
was thirty years ago. Honestly, the ninety seven season was
twenty eight years ago. Now, okay, So I mean we
played this game all the time. If you're in your
early thirties, yeah, you got no clue those people.
Speaker 5 (27:14):
So so it's it's it's two different generations, right. I
think the who's on Twitter, the younger generation, they just
don't know about us, Like they don't know, they don't
know we have them.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
They don't know we exist, don't how come they're not
rooting for us?
Speaker 2 (27:26):
How come the country is not getting behind the lovable losers,
the Seattle Mariners.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
I think if the Mariners were to win a couple
of series to face the Yankees and the Alcs, right,
I think of the nation will be on there.
Speaker 4 (27:39):
Yeah, I mean, and I think you're right about that.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
But I just I just wonder why there's not more
chatter about that, right, Why there's not more chatter about
the Mariners being the only team to never ever make
a World Series.
Speaker 6 (27:52):
I thought you didn't want that chat because it's.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Embarrassed it Well, I mean, it's embarrassing for them. For
the ownership, I think it's embarrass us. I hope that
ownership hears that, like Larry Stone said on Wednesday show,
and has a burning desire to get that off their plate,
to get that label off their plate.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
And I want, I actually want people talking about it.
I changed my mind.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
I want I want people talking about it. I want
people reminding the world that the Mariners are the only
team in baseball to them to never play in the
World Series because maybe Jackson that will motivate these guys
to actually go out and end it and make something happen.
Speaker 11 (28:25):
I do I do wonder, like how much do they
hear and take in and like you know from like
obviously you know Twitter people right and like you just
you know people. Do they drive around and hear radio
shows and hear the criticism? Do they read you know,
their own clippings and read social media posts saying this
time sum oh Julio needs to get as average up, like, don't.
I don't know how much they actually take because every
(28:48):
every time we talk to athletes at least I mean,
sure you guys, and then for me how it sounders?
They always say, yeah, I don't listen to any of that,
but like, okay, sure, but how much do you actually
take in I don't know.
Speaker 2 (28:58):
Well, I think Dick and I had this conversation about
how much Stanton knows, you know, and you kind of
threw it out there, like, hey, maybe he thinks people
like them, right From what I understand, people that work
with the Mariners have told me that he's well aware.
He's well aware of the criticism that he gets from people.
Speaker 5 (29:15):
And look, I mean, so does he not care or
does he think he's doing the right time.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
I don't know, man, Honestly, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
I mean, again, they're doing a pretty damn good job
right now, so I mean, maybe leave it alone a
little bit. But then the other part of me, and
I said this on social media the other day, is like,
if there's ever a time to hammer them to take
advantage of this, it's right now. Well, if we hammered
him last year to take advantage of it, here's.
Speaker 6 (29:37):
What I don't they couldn't do it.
Speaker 5 (29:38):
Here's what I don't want to have happened. Can we
all agree that the Mariners will be in the playoff
race at the tread deck?
Speaker 4 (29:43):
I would, I would, I would assume.
Speaker 5 (29:45):
So right, So here's what I don't want. I don't
want to hear Jerry Depoto come on after making no
moves and say, well, you know we're getting a road
Blaze back and we're getting a Luke Grayley back. I mean,
those are our trade deadline acquisitions.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
Yourself at buffer, that's.
Speaker 5 (30:01):
Just like getting Polanco back and saying that's our offseason edition.
Speaker 6 (30:04):
That's not an addition. He was on the team last year.
Speaker 4 (30:07):
Gotta give yourself a buffer. Man.
Speaker 2 (30:08):
You know why birdies are good because you can have
an occasional bogie. That's why the more bardies you get,
the more bogies you can have. So I just let's
let's get some birdies here, right, Let's get some birdies
on this baseball team.
Speaker 4 (30:19):
So we can if we do have a couple.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
Of stretches where you lose eight of ten or blah
blah blah, that stretch doesn't result in you losing the
division lead or a wild card lead. We'll get a
break a lot more to get to. We're hoping Harry
Ford is gonna swing by very soon. Our bracket, though,
our Friday bracket. The most annoying fan base, the fan
base that we can't stand the most. We're gonna debate
(30:43):
it at five and pick a champion. Baby right here
on ninety three three KJRFL. I'll tell you what, what
do you say? We just keep it right here because
joining us right now on the radio show. How you doing,
basket to see you, softy Dick? Fang ahead, throw those
headphones on right there, those we are. We are looking
at the future right in front of us, the future
of Mariner baseball. Guy looks good for the first time
getting a chance to see him in person. Everyone keeps
(31:05):
talking about this guy. I figure ou hell, let's put
him on the air for crying out loud. Harry Ford,
Rainier's catcher is.
Speaker 4 (31:10):
One of us. How are you man?
Speaker 7 (31:12):
Doing good?
Speaker 3 (31:12):
Yod?
Speaker 4 (31:13):
That's great to see us.
Speaker 2 (31:14):
So tell me about for a kid who I believe
grew up in the state of Georgia, right coming all
the way across the country to the PNW in Tacoba, Washington,
what's this experience been.
Speaker 4 (31:23):
Like for you?
Speaker 8 (31:24):
Man?
Speaker 12 (31:24):
It's been really nice. I love the place. The people
here are awesome. But being in Washington is honestly really cool.
It's really far away from home, but it's a it's
a cool experience. I love the nature and the people.
Speaker 4 (31:35):
It's great to go good. Well, we're glad you're having fun.
Speaker 5 (31:37):
By the way, I'm looking at these main numbers, I'm
seeing three sixty four with a nine hundred ops in
the month of May.
Speaker 6 (31:45):
So what has been working for Harry Ford this month?
Speaker 7 (31:48):
Did you know that? By the way, No, I didn't know.
Speaker 4 (31:50):
Okay, what has been what has been working?
Speaker 7 (31:54):
I don't know. I just been hitting the ball good.
Speaker 2 (31:57):
Ye Are you a superstitious guy when it comes the numbers,
because some people don't want to know those numbers, right.
Speaker 12 (32:03):
I mean, I don't like digging into it, but like
I don't like if I hear it, it don't bother.
Speaker 7 (32:07):
Met it on every scoreboard.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
Well it it feels just to kind of back up
with Dick said that you're getting very comfortable, right with
yourself at this level of baseball.
Speaker 4 (32:16):
When you came here. How much of a transition was
there from double A to what you're seeing now in
triple A.
Speaker 12 (32:22):
It hasn't been the biggest transition. It's I think just
the floor has definitely raised. Like there's everyone here is
really really talented and they deserve to be here. And
obviously you get a lot of vets, a lot of
guys who have MLB time and thanks, but it's definitely
the level hasn't like necessarily raised a whole lot from
(32:43):
like the ceiling from the ceiling, it wasn't double a
but just as a whole you know, a lot more talent.
Speaker 7 (32:49):
I'm talked about it.
Speaker 5 (32:50):
Talk about what spring training was like under Dan Wilson
and Edgar and Kevin Sitzer compared to what you went
through last year with the prior regime.
Speaker 12 (32:59):
Yeah, I've I've loved every spring training I've had. This
spring training was definitely really cool. Dan's been a guy
who's been with me since I first got drafted, so
he's been one of our special assistants and he always
comes to visits and helps, especially me as a catcher. Right,
He's put so much time into me over the years
(33:19):
and again to see him as a manager now and
kind of having a really personal connection with him has
been It was so awesome. I loved loved him being
it and Sites is just amazing. Mags our other hitting
coach too. They had such a huge impact on me
during spring training, so I love them all.
Speaker 7 (33:37):
They're great.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
Yeah, Dan kind of knows what he's talking about when
it comes to catching, by the way, the major leagues,
just in case you didn't know that.
Speaker 4 (33:43):
But he's been fun.
Speaker 2 (33:44):
But Harry Ford is with us on the radio show,
and let me go back to that for a second,
because you've been for the most part when you do
play the field exclusively catching DH right every now and then.
You may have noticed, though, there's a guy named Cal
up on the Big League Ross.
Speaker 6 (33:58):
He's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
Yeah, who let the league and games caught last year
and I think led the American League or vice versa
in games caught two years ago. So when you think
about your future with this ball club, do you think
about it as a catcher, do you think about it
as a d H or do you think about it
at all and just go out and do your damn thing?
Speaker 4 (34:17):
Man?
Speaker 12 (34:17):
Yeah, I mean I my big thing is I put
my faith into a bigger plane, and I feel like
God has has a great plan for me, no matter what,
no matter what team that is, no matter what whatever
who it is. You know, Cal's an awesome, awesome dude.
Speaker 7 (34:34):
You know he is great.
Speaker 12 (34:35):
He's been so great to me and great to learn from.
I would love to be able to catch with him.
I would love if he's catching. If I'm catching, you.
Speaker 7 (34:45):
Know, it's it's not in my control. So I just
keep playing ball and just keep Have.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
They have they talked to you meeting the big league
club Jerry Justin whoever? Have they talked to you about
kind of what their vision is for you?
Speaker 8 (34:56):
Oh?
Speaker 12 (34:57):
No, no, that we We haven't had a conversation about
at that or nothing.
Speaker 7 (35:02):
Just yeah, just playing got it?
Speaker 4 (35:05):
Got it?
Speaker 5 (35:05):
How about the you know, we've talked a lot about
the Mariner's approach at the plate that has been different, right,
how much is that talked about down here versus I
mean obviously was talked about it in spring training? Is
that continue? Is the Mariner approach at the plate, getting
on baits back, hitting back up the middle? Is that
hammered home here like it is at T Mobile Parker?
Speaker 7 (35:28):
Yeah, we uh, you know spring training?
Speaker 12 (35:30):
They definitely it is a new philosophy, not really new philosophy,
but just a very certain focus on how we do
VP and how we hu situations in the game and
stuff like that. But so we we take up we
take all the same things as we were doing all
spring training, and our coaches have adopted that same thing.
Speaker 5 (35:48):
So can you give us an example of maybe the differences,
Like you said, it was very different, like what are
you drills or what the thought process? What was different
than what you had under the priory.
Speaker 12 (35:57):
So, I mean last year we were just it was
just normal, you know, you take four rounds, five rounds,
whatever it is. Yeah, but now the way we do
it is like our first our first round is middle opo,
So first five to seven swings, you're just trying to
go middle opo. And then the next round is a
situation round, which is hit and run and field in
and filled out, get them over, send one, you know.
(36:21):
So so we do those those first two rounds every
day and then the next two rounds or whatever you want.
But it kind of translates and gets you thinking in
the game of you know, okay, this is a situation,
not just I'm just swinging, you know.
Speaker 4 (36:35):
Right.
Speaker 2 (36:35):
Well, you mentioned kind of being part of part of
a bigger plan. Right, it sounds like you're kind of
a spiritual guy, right, there's no question about that. And
we had heard through the grapevine that you took a
mission somewhere early in your in your life. Tell me
about that where you went, what you did.
Speaker 7 (36:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (36:50):
So last last year at the end of the year,
went to Perun on a mission trip of water.
Speaker 4 (36:54):
Did you see the new pope by the way down there?
Speaker 6 (36:56):
No?
Speaker 12 (36:59):
Yeah, Yeah, to win to Peru on a water mission trip.
It was really amazing.
Speaker 4 (37:03):
Wow.
Speaker 12 (37:03):
So what water mission does? There's there're a group who
goes to different countries in different places and tries to
help in the global water crisis. There are about two
billion people right now who are suffering from not having
what's done as safe water, which is water water that
is just not contaminated and have parasites in it. Sure,
so they they go these countries and help bring safe water,
(37:25):
but also try to help them bring the living water,
which is Jesus. And uh so it's it's it's helping
them in two facets, you know, us spiritual and with
what their real needs, what they what they have, what
they don't have, and uh so it was really awesome
getting to, uh just be a part of it seeing
what they do do.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
I hear right that you are actually donating money every
time you go long, Is that correct?
Speaker 4 (37:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (37:51):
One hundred dollars hundred bucks every time. And how many
bombs you got so far this year? By the way,
one so far, you got one? Okay, Well, let's so
let's kind of get that going here, raise some money
for trying out out right now.
Speaker 6 (38:02):
Little Birdie tolds you were a musician too, Is that correct?
Speaker 12 (38:05):
I mean, I don't know if I classify myself as
a musician, but I try What do you play.
Speaker 4 (38:11):
Right now?
Speaker 7 (38:11):
I like playing guitar?
Speaker 4 (38:12):
Wow? Cool?
Speaker 12 (38:13):
I have a saxophone that I can play, but I
like guitar a lot more. You sing too when you're
playing guitar, for sure?
Speaker 11 (38:19):
Nice?
Speaker 2 (38:19):
You want to sing for us right now in the air.
You gotta get him a guitar, man, I mean, why not,
it's live radio. If this baseball thing don't work out,
we'll get your record contract.
Speaker 12 (38:27):
Yeah, I'll get on a record contract, but hopefully baseball
lasts a little longer.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
Absolutely well, Harry Ford, before you go, I'm looking at
this list of the top prospects in the minor legs
system right and there's there's six of them so far,
and I wonder how much of a friendly almost competition
there is between all you guys like you and Cole
Young and Emberson and last Montest and you got you know, Farmelo.
Speaker 4 (38:49):
Do you guys talk at all.
Speaker 2 (38:50):
About that stuff, because right now you're fifty ninth, and
if I'm Cole Young or I'm like, what's up fifty nine? Right,
I'm just kind of going after you talking a little smack.
How much do you guys talk about that stuff?
Speaker 7 (39:00):
I mean, it doesn't I don't really talk about it much.
Speaker 4 (39:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (39:03):
I mean we've had rankings on us since we were
like fourteen fifteen, right, yeah, So I mean it's it's
not like it's something new. But the whole, the whole
deal is just trying to get to the big leagues
out the team and also be a good teammate here
and try to, you know, help each other get there.
Speaker 4 (39:18):
Do you feel like you're ready now for that jump?
Speaker 2 (39:20):
If they called you up today and said, Harry, be
honest with me, are you ready to make this jump
tonight and get in the lineup against the Blue Jays
or the Yankees on Monday?
Speaker 7 (39:28):
What do you say for sure? I'd be ready?
Speaker 12 (39:30):
Okay, good, Yeah, I'm playing the same baseball game I'll
played down here.
Speaker 6 (39:33):
You get right now, you dream about what that day
is going to be like.
Speaker 4 (39:37):
Oh man, I dream about it. What it's like for
you by the way.
Speaker 12 (39:42):
I mean, it definitely crosses your mind. I mean, I've
dreamed of playing in the big leagues as a kid,
for sure, and I mean I don't I don't know what.
Speaker 7 (39:53):
It would be like.
Speaker 12 (39:54):
I would just hope that both my parents were able
to make it.
Speaker 7 (39:57):
Yeah, sure, sure.
Speaker 2 (39:58):
What Just do us a favorite and that call finally
comes before you call your mom and dad, call us
and let us know.
Speaker 7 (40:03):
Okay, all right, y'all be third and fourth. That works,
That works.
Speaker 2 (40:09):
Best of luck man, good to meet you, all right,
go get good luck. That's Harry Ford with us on
the radio show. We're gonna break a lot more to
get to from Tacoma. We'll get to our bracket next
on ninety three three kJ R f M
Coming to you live from the Elliot Avenue studios of
Sports Radio ninety three point three KJR FM. This is
our weekly visit with ESPN's Mina Kimes, brought to you
by Bridge Physical Therapy and Wellness. Just find ninety and
Mercer Island. Bridge is your independent go to clinic for
quality care for the whole family. Taylor to you and
(00:20):
your goals cult today at two six four o two
six three three nine to schedule an appointment and to
let Bridge Physical Therapy be your bridge to wellness. Now
with Mina Chimes, here's SOFTI and Dick.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
All right, we are back inside Cheney Stadium in Tacoma
getting ready for the Rainiers coming up at seven o
five tonight. But are our final visits of the year
at least of the draft season. If you will with
our friend Media Times of ESPN courtesy Bridge Physical Therapy
and Wellness. Find them on Mercer Island, Women owned Women
formed Bridge Physical Therapy and Wellness on Mercer Island. Big
(00:56):
thanks to them for all their help getting this thing
together and let's face it, meeting Mina Kim's gigantic financial demands,
having our people meet with her people and making this
thing happen, Mina, how are you?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I'm good, especially now that I'm rolling in that dough
you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yeah, oh hey, look you know what, I know, things
are more expensive these days. So whatever we can do
to help out the cause we're a fan of. But
why don't we just start kind of where we ended
a week ago? You know, I feel like we're kind
of in a tabloid section talking about this Belichick girlfriend things. Well,
I asked you a week ago, like why we should
care about it. We talked about if you're a Carolina fan,
(01:31):
you know you might be concerned. Then there was the
report that came out this morning that she's been banned
from like all the facilities. North Carolina comes back and says, no,
that's not the case. And my reaction as well, why
would Belichick be there if his girlfriend can't hang around
with him when he's coaching the team or going to work.
So this is kind of turning into kind of a
a you know, you know what show out there?
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Is it not?
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Yeah? I mean it's hard to characterize it as anything
but disastrous. If you're certainly, if you're a Carolina football
fan and you want, you know, you make this big
hire's greatest coach in health, NFL history or you know
football history, and you're hoping that's gonna alert you know, prospects, recruits,
and all anyone can talk about is whether or not
(02:15):
his girlfriend is controlling the narrative or running, you know,
heavily involved in the program. I would say that that
definitely classifies as a train wreck.
Speaker 5 (02:25):
Well, and there's also, you know, a theory out there
that your your friend and your cohorted ESPN Populatory's report
was correct, and that North Carolina then received a call
from Bill Belichick or an angry Bill Belichick at the
door of the eighties office saying, no, she is going
to be here or else, I'm not going to be
Here's what's your thought on that theory?
Speaker 3 (02:48):
It sounds pretty plausible, wouldn't you guys say? Yeah, I
think it's like an outside observer, what seems almost hundred
percent likely to be true, maybe one hundred percent, But
it is that there's boring factions, right, because when you
have conflicting reports, it's usually what that means. And I
(03:09):
have no doubt because it's what I would imagine was happening,
even if there wasn't any reporting that there are people
there in the program, probably people with a lot of
power who are very unhappy with how things are going.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
No, I no doubt many times is with us on
the radio show. So do do we look into anything
Dylan Gabriel taking the first team reps with the Browns?
I guess that their at their camp this weekend. Should
we look into that to kind of show us anything
hardcore about what their plans are for quarterback or is
that just kind of happenstance?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
You think, well, I think it reflects where what is indisputable,
which is that the Browns liked Dylan Gabriel more than
they liked Shit or Sanders. That's not my interpret That
is literally how the drafts shook out, and the way
they talk about him, it's very obvious that they see
him as a good fit for their offense. So I think, what,
(04:02):
you know what, the fact that they're saying for seeing
reps that is just merely reflecting what we already know
they think about him.
Speaker 6 (04:10):
I do believe it.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
It's a legitimate quarterback competition. You know, if he was
thinking in the first round, that would be crazy. But
I would say, now you know he's got a position.
This is no competition. Third versus fifth, versus Pickett versus Flacco.
That's the quarterback competition. So I think you know at
this point it's anyone's game, but he certainly has a
leg up.
Speaker 5 (04:29):
Final conversation from with Mina Kyines from Bridge Physical Therapy
and welling this bringing you Mina on a weekly basis
the last six weeks.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
We appreciate their.
Speaker 5 (04:37):
Help and bringing Mina and Mina. You mentioned in one
of your posts this week that you thought the flour
that was raised by the Arizona Cardinals was maybe greater
than any team in the NFL. Do you think that
the Cardinals are a legitimate contender now in this division
up towards the top, or you are they still the
fourth best team in this division?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Well, at first, I want to say i'd said that
right after Danny Kelly, who is on my podcast, picked
the Seahawks as a team who potentially raised their ceiling
the most, so that choice was already taken. I actually
felt I will say I think both the Seahawks and
the Cardinals had really good drafts and also drafts with
very high ceilings. So and to that end, to actually
(05:19):
answer your question, I would not put the Cardinals over
the Seahawks. No, I do think they're pretty close. I
think the entire division is really dang close at this point.
I think the Rams are still at the top after
winning last year and going all in again with Stafford
and DeVonta Adams and whatnot. But I certainly don't think
there's a big gap between them and the other three.
It might be the most tight knit division in the NFL,
(05:42):
to be honest.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Right, then, why does Vegas and I think you and
I also talked about this last week too, why does
Vegas have them at seven and a half wins on
the over under? I mean, do they just think that
poorly of Sam Darnold versus Geno Smith down in the
desert down there, because that number you and I talked
about it just seems low.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, I think it probably reflects a couple of things.
I think we talked about this a little bit. There's
not an appreciation for how much the defense improved in
the second half last season. Defense, by the way, that
ends up finishing top ten in DVOA last year, and
that was a massive jump from where they finished the
year before, when, as you guys remember, they were just
awful frankly, so to that end, the Mike McDonald hire
(06:23):
is already a massive success and they've added some really
good players. So I don't think Vegas is appreciating that.
And I do think there is some justified skepticism about
whether the offense will improve, you know, not just Darnold,
but DK Metcalf walking out the door. I don't think
Cooper cup is seen as you know, a big upgrade
at this point in his career. So I don't I don't.
I don't disagree with their there. I'm obviously speculating here,
(06:46):
but skepticism of the offense. I just think people are
under appreciating the defense.
Speaker 6 (06:51):
Staying in the division.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Mean, what is the timeline for a brock party contract
and what is the number going to be?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Do you think, well, you know, to be a homer,
hopefully it starts as six, right, Yeah, I don't think so.
I think it probably like close ish to to a
tongue of I Lois, which I believe was like low fifties,
maybe a little bit above that with the passage of time,
That's what I guess. Uh, And I think I don't
(07:19):
think there's any doubt it's gonna get done, just the
way the Niners have moved, you know, letting go of
highly paid players suggests to me that they fully intend
on paying Rock Pretty well.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
You mentioned something there that I don't know really how
much we've talked about, and that's what to expect from
Cooper Cup. I mean, you're down there right in La.
I mean you got a bird's eye seed on what
he's been doing with the Rams. And he's obviously thirty
two years old, he's coming off some injuries. He's been
fine when he's performed, when he's been available, he's been great.
But the problem is he's missed a ton of I
think he's missed seventeen games whatever a full year in
the past three So what are your expectations for Cooper
(07:53):
Cup and how much do you think he has left
in the tank?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Yeah, you know, I think there's it. Look, he is
not who he was at the peak of his career,
if you saw that with the Rams, and of course
that comes with age. But I think for Seattle, there's
no expectations that he's going to be a target monster
in this offense, which is very much built around jays N.
I think there's hope that he can come in and
(08:16):
block and work the middle of the field and do
some of the dirty work that he's done at various
points in his career. Also provide some veteran leadership in
the locker room. But you know, I think that you
got to keep your expectations sensible just because of the
stage of his career.
Speaker 5 (08:29):
I gotta go back and talk about what you mentioned
about the offense this year versus last year for the Seahawks,
and do you think that because of the new style,
that the offense probably will score less points per game
than it did last year. But it'll also be a
little less fun and gun, and it'll help the defense
out by keeping the defense off the field more. So,
(08:50):
all in all, they'll be a better football team because
of that.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
I think a lot of it is going to come
down to whether or not they're better at running the football,
and it wouldn't be hard based on how bad they
were last year. But as you guys know, you know,
just the blocking has not been good enough, and they've
made investments, starting with of course their first round draft pick,
adding that grayzabele but and a Lucas's health is going
to be a massive factor. Scheme helps, but only to
(09:17):
a degree. You saw that with clintleb X offense last
year when they suffered injuries on the offensive line. You've
got to have better offensive line play. And that, to me,
more than anything more than Donald or Cup or Metcalf
leaving is going to go towards what you're asking about,
which is can the offense be more efficient? Q were
three and out stay on the field as opposed to
score a lot points.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
So is this many times again with us courtesy a
bridge physical therapy and wellness on Mercer Island.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
Is this receiver room right now weaker on paper?
Speaker 2 (09:45):
You think that it was a year ago with with
with with Jackson DK and Lockett DK and Pittsburgh. Lockett
signed down with the Titans. You bring an MBS, you're
bringing Cooper Cup. You draft a couple of wide receivers,
and Tory Horton and Ricky White. You know who knows
what those guys will be about. Obviously long shots to
do much as far as production. But is this receiver
room weaker today than it was a year ago?
Speaker 3 (10:06):
It's hard to not say it's weaker, right. I do
really like Tory Horton though in particular, and he's like,
you try not to get too excited about late round
draft picks or put too much stock in them coming
in and producing immediately. But he was a pick who
I thought had a really high ceiling, and if he
had got injured, I think would have got a lot higher.
But you know, he is a rookie coming up of injury,
(10:29):
and he was taking late in the draft. So yeah,
you gotta say it's probably weaker.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
I mean, we're so used to as Seahawk fans having
like superstars on the defensive side of the ball, and
I guess maybe Witherspoon is gonna get there at some point,
But other than that, there's just really not But is
there any concern Is there any real area of weakness
on the defensive side of the ball in your opinion?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
It's a good question, you know, I think that there's
no areas of glaring weakness. No, I think there's some
marry is with question marks. You know, maybe second linebacker
comes to mind, second corner if Witherspoon plays mostly in
the slot. But no, there's no big holes. And I
would argue by the way that Leo Williams should be
(11:13):
seen as a star. Actually I gave him an All
Pro vote a second team All Pro I think. I mean,
he was outstanding last year and I felt like that
really flew under the radar nationally.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
Yeah, mena times again.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
So, now that the George Pickens deal is done to
the Cowboys, how long until we read about Aaron Rodgers
becoming a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Oh Man, hopefully soon, so that I can stop doing
Aaron Rodgers. Well, no, then we're gonna have to do
new Aaron Rodgers segments.
Speaker 6 (11:43):
Day as long as he's.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
I've lived that life, you guys now for a few years.
You know, it's very The thing is with Pittsburgh, it's
like the idea that they would have approached the off
season the way they have this is respect to the
quarterback position and not thought Aaron Rodgers. If he doesn't
end up coming, I think it'll go down as one
of the more disastrous and bizarre offseasons ever. So I
(12:09):
gotta think he is. But do you want a quarterback
who's taking this long? I mean, I guess he doesn't
want to come to camp or whatever, But I don't know.
Speaker 6 (12:16):
They're a team.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
By the way, I thought she'd have been trying to
trade for Gino Smith. I think that was a huge
miss on their part.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Huh, Well, what is he? What's Rogers waiting for? Is
he just don't don't want He doesn't want to take
part in camp. He's like, Hey, the less work I
can do, the better I'll be there in July. Do
the Steelers not? Are they not certain they want him yet?
What is holding this thing up from happening?
Speaker 3 (12:37):
If I understood the inner workings of his mind, guys,
I would have to do a lot fewer segments of
wondering why. Yeah, I mean, I guess you know he did.
He's at this point in his career probably not super
interested in being part of the entire offseason program. But
how auspicious is that if you're a.
Speaker 5 (12:55):
Steelers fans very very and he wants superstars like Mina
comes on TV talking about it every single day.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
Maybe wants to turn on.
Speaker 5 (13:02):
The TV and see Mina and the rest of them
in ESPN talking mentioning his name.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
So he's always in the news cycle.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
That's you know, I think a lot of people might
just kind of think you're kidding Meana.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Do you think there's something to that that he loves
the attention?
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Well, he is a national TV spot during the regular season,
So I don't really think it requires that much of
a leap to say he likes being on TV.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
Right, right, No, there's no question Safia alluded to George
Pickens a couple of minutes ago. I read a report
today that the league is quote laughing at the Cowboys
for trading for George Pickens. Are you one that would
laugh at the Cowboys as well?
Speaker 6 (13:39):
Or did you like the move?
Speaker 3 (13:40):
No? I like the move. I don't know who is laughing,
but I disagree. Look, he's he's inconsistent, He's a lot similar.
He's kind of like DK and that I would say
dk' is probably a better on the field or a
little bit less of a wild card. But it's not
like he's out there committing crimes. He just hassistant effort
(14:00):
and sometimes there's like little you know, his he fits
on the field or whatever. But the talent is unreal,
and I think for Dallas, a team that should be
all in on winning, it made a ton of sense,
especially after they weren't able to grab a receiver in
the draft.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Yeah, hey, Mien, I know we want to get a
couple of Mariners. Topics thrown at you before you before
you take off here. But I'll tell you that we had.
Matt Enz was on the radio show yesterday. He's the
current head coach at Fresno State and he was Gray
Zabel's coach for four years in Fargo. And I asked
him yesterday, you know, fill in the blank, Gray's Abel
will have a great long NFL career if he does
(14:33):
what And he just said, if he stays healthy, period,
and the story, I mean, he's he's he's that much
of a believer in this guy that if he stays healthy,
the left guard spot in Seattle, the turnstile has come
to an end.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Do you do you.
Speaker 7 (14:46):
Believe that.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
I'm inclined to think it's likely, you know, just a
high floor prospect. We talked about last week how Fox
other picks were kind of like high variants, could be
really really great or couldn't work out at all. Crazy
Abel was a safe pick. But then he also, I
think has a high ceiling. So yeah, I mean I
(15:09):
think he's right. Obviously we're talking about a guy who
played multiple positions as well, really good scheme fit for
this offense, So health is it. And then you know,
I think just kind of going from smaller school. That
can be a little bit of adjustment, but I'm excited
and confident about him.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
Well, men, and we got baseball in the brain. It's
a beautiful seventy degree day here. We're at Cheney Stadium
in Tacoma before the Rainiers game, and let's talk about
the Seattle Mariners.
Speaker 6 (15:34):
Los marin Arros are in.
Speaker 5 (15:36):
The first place. What has Surprise Slash impressed you the
most with this first month of baseball?
Speaker 8 (15:44):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (15:44):
Man, Well, not the hitting. I totally thought it would
be awesome and as good as obviously the hitting guys.
Come on, who thought this was going to be a
team led by the offense. It's unbelievable and I just
can't say I saw any of it coming and doing it.
I mean, Julio is starting to heat up a bit,
but to do it this far without really him leading
(16:04):
the way, it's just magical. It's it's it's been such
a fun season.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Are you buying what you're seeing from hore Polanco? Because
their big cell job on him was that, hey, he
had abum knee a year ago, he wasn't even close
to being the same. And if we can get him
for seven point five on a one year deal, that
might be a bargain. And so far it looks like,
what are you're buying what you're seeing from this kid,
that hey, he may not hit three eighty the whole year,
but he's going to be a pretty significant contributor for
(16:29):
six months.
Speaker 7 (16:30):
Yeah, I am.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
I think it's gonna come down to Earth's a kinda
bit somewhat, but nevertheless, I do think, yeah, it's obvious
that the injury impact him, and seeing what he looks
like with full health, you know, and when you look
at a lot of the underlying metrics, guys, the Mariners
aren't getting lucky. It's not even like they have high
you know, batting average on balls and play or whatnot.
(16:53):
Like they're hitch. They're just playing with such discipline. They're
not striking out, they're swinging at good pitches, they're getting walked.
I don't know, it's just I keep it's the Mariners
fan in me. I keep looking for reasons for regression
and doubt, but it's really not there.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
Well, yeah, we talked about that yesterday. It just seems like,
I mean, yeah, there's a couple guys playing out of
their minds. Polanco, you know, cal Rawley's probably not going
to hit fifty five bombs.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
On the season.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
But other than that, you're right, it's just the it's
the approach, it's how they're playing the game.
Speaker 6 (17:21):
It's their belief.
Speaker 5 (17:22):
Like those intangibles seem like they're more sustainable than if
just three or four guys were playing out of their
minds for a month and a half.
Speaker 6 (17:30):
Right, they keep.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
Winning games that they're supposed to lose too. I mean again,
this is where how many times have if I've missed
a game, I'm looking at the box score, I got
game cast up, and they're down by a couple of
runs going to date. I'm like, all right, this one's
probably over. I've watched this team now, you know, my
whole life. And then you check again. It's it's like,
holy smokes, the comebacks and you know, we seem that
against division rivals in recent weeks, and it's hard not
(17:52):
to believe there's a little bit of coaching and culture
factoring into that, which is really cool.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Yeah, hey, real quick, before you go, how much even
paying attention to the NBA playoffs center you rooting as
hard against OKC as we are.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
I love it. I love it because of the comebacks
and the craziness this year. I'm a pretty neutral fan.
I'm not super It's okay. She's tough for me because
I obviously hate what they did, but the players like
it's not their fault. I like the current players. I
don't know. I'm not rooting for them. They're not like
my picker, my favorite though.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Meana, you gotta learn to be a little pettier by
the way about stuff, all right, trust me. Life is
so much more enjoyable when you have pettiness in your hearts.
She's too nice for that, exactly. All right, you're the best.
Thanks again for doing this and we'll talk.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Down with bye guys.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
All right, mina times with us. We're gett a break.
But Harry Ford, though, is gonna join us. We'll talk
to the future Catcher, future dh future, first basement left fielder. Well,
ask Kim what he thinks his future looks like. It's
with the rain Ears now he'll join us. Coming up
on ninety three three kJ RFM.
Speaker 9 (18:56):
Casting live from the R and R Foundation, specialists Jeff Studio,
now Doctor Softie and Digg, powered by Emerald Queen Casino,
the Vetty and Capital of the Northwest. On sports Radio
and nutties three point three kJ R FL.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
All right, we're back here at Tacoma Chandy Stadium. Harry
Ford is going to join us in a matter of minutes.
He is awaiting his turn of the batting cage, by
the way. So I mean, frankly, if I were him,
knowing what a big opportunity this was for his career
to jump on this radio program, I would just ditch
the cage and get your ass up here and join
us on the radio show.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
But I don't know, man, Jackson's.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Kind of new maybe doesn't understand how big a deal
we are intact.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
Yeah, yeah, I don't. I don't know, man.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
I mean, people line up and just beg to come
on this radio show. So as soon as he's done
with a cage in the outfield, he'll he'll jump on
the air with us here from Tacoma and getting ready
for a couple of comments from Harry Ford. Speaking of comments,
Dan Wilson, Mariner manager with the Media today, thoughts on
the opening series, the opening game of the series tonight
against the Blue Jays.
Speaker 10 (19:58):
Let's start a new series here at home, coming off,
you know, a really good road trip for the guys.
Continuing to play really well, coming back fighting, great at bats,
great job by the bullpen tonight, Castillo on the mound
coming off a really good outing in Texas close game.
Pitch very well, gave us six strong in that one,
(20:21):
and uh, you know, guys on the other side, a
lot of splits tonight from him, so offensively.
Speaker 7 (20:25):
We'll be ready as well.
Speaker 10 (20:27):
First time this team has one nine consecutive series since
two thousand and one.
Speaker 4 (20:30):
Just how impressive has it?
Speaker 10 (20:33):
Just the streak you guys, barn and for for you
being on that team, whether something similars of differences from
that club in this one, I mean, I think it's just,
you know, these guys talk a lot about staying in
the moment and and you know, wanting to be present
each night, and and that's really what it's meant these guys.
These guys prepare and when they when they get to
(20:54):
game time, they're they're ready to go, and they're they're
ready to to to battle. And and that's you know,
they've been able to do that so consistently here over
this stretch, and every every night, you know, they're they're
ready to give it one hundred percent for for nine innings,
and and you know we we've seen that the benefits
of that, and and uh, you know, their consistency has
been unbelievable.
Speaker 7 (21:14):
Whether it's on the mound, whether it's.
Speaker 10 (21:15):
At the plate, these guys have have really competed and
competed very well. And and just continued in that same path.
Speaker 8 (21:23):
Conversation topic always when Toronto comes to town is flu
Jay's fans, you know, coming to the ballpark and showing up.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Do you hope that the recent.
Speaker 8 (21:30):
Success that you guys have had with especially with the
last month, will bring out heavier majority of Mariners fans.
Speaker 7 (21:36):
I mean, we're going to prepare the same way.
Speaker 10 (21:39):
We're gonna do what we do and and uh, you know,
I think our our job is to is to figure
out what to do on the field, and you know,
our guys will definitely be ready for that. And uh,
you know I know that, uh you know, this is
always a big series. But but our guys, you know,
have been in a lot of big series here already,
and you know they're going to continue to prepare the
way they do and and get ready to play tonight's game.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
For me, all right, the voice of Dan Wilson, you know,
it's not really his nature to say things like what
I'm about to say, So I know why he Jackson's
are you laughing here?
Speaker 3 (22:12):
We go?
Speaker 2 (22:12):
Well, because when when you know, like you were talking
about Loop Panella off years yead ago, right, yeah, if
somebody asked lou Panella, you know, you're kind of hoping that,
you know, the recent success will get more Mariner field
well like darn hope, So you know, of course. I mean,
it's just you know, I would love to hear a
manager say it's our job to change that. It drives
our players nuts. I hate it, the players hate it.
(22:34):
But we got to change that. And you know, a
little bit of a vanilla, But that's just kind of
who he is. That's who That's who Dan Wilson is.
And trust me, I don't have any critical comments about
Dan Wilson really for the most part at all. I mean,
he's not perfect. When you were gone, he made that mistake,
he owned up to it. But I mean, the team's
one hundred and twenty two win paced the last twenty
four games.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
For crying out loud, I mentioned what is there to
bitch about? Right?
Speaker 5 (22:56):
Mention you to the break, I mean, I said, it's
nice that for the first time in a decade, we've
had a manager that I can look in the dugout
and not just disdain disdainful, right, and which I.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Didn't have as much as you did, but I get it.
I mean he was he was an he was arrogant,
is very.
Speaker 5 (23:14):
Arrogant, and Dan Wilson's the exact opposite. So I don't
know if Dan Wilson's going to be a great manager.
He's certainly done. I would say a great job thus
for I wouldn't even say good job. I'd say great
job thus far. Now will it continue? I mean, to
be a great manager, you gotta do that for years
and years and years and years. But you know, he's
I don't look in the dugout and see like I
did with Loupenella. I was like when when we had
(23:35):
looked Loopennella, we were like, my god, we have a
top three manager, Like we have a Hall of Fame
candidate level manager. Want to look at Dan Wilson's like,
we just have a guy that I like, and I
like how he plays the game. I like how this
team plays baseball, which is which is exactly the opposite
of what they.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
Felt mostly the last decade.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
Yeah, I mean we talked about this yesterday that last
year they had five hundred and seventy one walks, which
was number four, pretty good. Right now that on pace
for over seven hundred, so they've improved on what was
already a pretty good trait for them. Stolen bases one
hundred and forty was number nine, pretty good a year ago,
but now that' on pace for one hundred and ninety three,
So they've taken whatever they were really good at making
(24:14):
up for their lack of actual bats. When they get
guys on the bag, make life difficult for the opposing picture,
you know, run them all over the place, you know,
like freaking fleas, and make life tough for the starting
pitcher or a reliever. They've just improved on all that stuff.
So I totally agree with that. But you know, it
is funny as we're sitting here waiting for Harry Ford
to come up and join us here in Tacoma, and
(24:35):
I heard Ian say this, and I don't know if
I heard it right or if I misheard the context
or whatever, but he said something about the Mariners being
America's team.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
Did you hear that, by the way, on his show today?
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Saying that, But I brought that up to you earlier today.
Maybe it was you, Maybe it was you. I thought
it was him. I got no idea, right, but somebody
somewhere said that the Mariners may be America's team. And
I actually meant to bring this up to Mina and
I just totally blanked and forgot. I had a bit
of a senior moment that I think the country guys
got behind the Boston Red Sox for a long time
(25:09):
during the Curse of the Bambino era which lasted what
seventy years or whatever it was.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Right, everyone was.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Jacked up when they came back from three to zero
to beat the Yankees in the ALCS twenty years ago,
when the Cubs in Indians were playing in the World Series.
Oh this, Greg, one of these teams is finally going
to get a World Series championship.
Speaker 4 (25:27):
The Lions, the the freaking Lions.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Right in the NFL in the last two years, people
have been all over them. Boise stayed against Oklahoma kind
of rooting for yeah, the Cavaliers when Lebron was there,
blah blah blah. And I'm this is just one little
example of this of what I'm talking about. But I
want to show this to you because I saw this
the other day.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
This is good. Well, I'm gonna explain it here.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
This is from optimistic five to five one eight optimistic
Nats fan. It's a Nationals fan. So MLB fan bases
that deserve a championship.
Speaker 4 (26:05):
Tell me who those four teams are?
Speaker 5 (26:06):
The Nationals, the Pirates, yep, the Rays because.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Mariners are the only team that have never been And
I don't even know if people know that.
Speaker 6 (26:17):
I don't think they do. And here's why.
Speaker 5 (26:19):
Because we went through a span of almost a decade
with Ken Griffy Junior, Edgar Martinez, Jay bunor Randy Johnson, Loupanela.
Speaker 6 (26:27):
I think a lot of a rod.
Speaker 5 (26:30):
I think a lot of people, casual baseball fans around
the country either think we won a World Series during
that stretch or at least got to a World Series
in that stretch. Because the Mariners were a team, a
national team. We had video.
Speaker 6 (26:44):
Games with a Mariner on it.
Speaker 5 (26:46):
I mean, they were an absolute national team during that time,
and I just think they I think the general consensus
is that we actually had more playoff success than we
actually did in reality.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
Maybe I mean either that or they just don't even
know we exist, honestly, but you know what I mean,
they knew then they did it. They knew, but that
was thirty years ago. Honestly, the ninety seven season was
twenty eight years ago. Now, okay, So I mean we
played this game all the time. If you're in your
early thirties, yeah, you got no clue those people.
Speaker 5 (27:14):
So so it's it's it's two different generations, right. I
think the who's on Twitter, the younger generation, they just
don't know about us, Like they don't know, they don't
know we have them.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
They don't know we exist, don't how come they're not
rooting for us?
Speaker 2 (27:26):
How come the country is not getting behind the lovable losers,
the Seattle Mariners.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
I think if the Mariners were to win a couple
of series to face the Yankees and the Alcs, right,
I think of the nation will be on there.
Speaker 4 (27:39):
Yeah, I mean, and I think you're right about that.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
But I just I just wonder why there's not more
chatter about that, right, Why there's not more chatter about
the Mariners being the only team to never ever make
a World Series.
Speaker 6 (27:52):
I thought you didn't want that chat because it's.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Embarrassed it Well, I mean, it's embarrassing for them. For
the ownership, I think it's embarrass us. I hope that
ownership hears that, like Larry Stone said on Wednesday show,
and has a burning desire to get that off their plate,
to get that label off their plate.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
And I want, I actually want people talking about it.
I changed my mind.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
I want I want people talking about it. I want
people reminding the world that the Mariners are the only
team in baseball to them to never play in the
World Series because maybe Jackson that will motivate these guys
to actually go out and end it and make something happen.
Speaker 11 (28:25):
I do I do wonder, like how much do they
hear and take in and like you know from like
obviously you know Twitter people right and like you just
you know people. Do they drive around and hear radio
shows and hear the criticism? Do they read you know,
their own clippings and read social media posts saying this
time sum oh Julio needs to get as average up, like, don't.
I don't know how much they actually take because every
(28:48):
every time we talk to athletes at least I mean,
sure you guys, and then for me how it sounders?
They always say, yeah, I don't listen to any of that,
but like, okay, sure, but how much do you actually
take in I don't know.
Speaker 2 (28:58):
Well, I think Dick and I had this conversation about
how much Stanton knows, you know, and you kind of
threw it out there, like, hey, maybe he thinks people
like them, right From what I understand, people that work
with the Mariners have told me that he's well aware.
He's well aware of the criticism that he gets from people.
Speaker 5 (29:15):
And look, I mean, so does he not care or
does he think he's doing the right time.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
I don't know, man, Honestly, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
I mean, again, they're doing a pretty damn good job
right now, so I mean, maybe leave it alone a
little bit. But then the other part of me, and
I said this on social media the other day, is like,
if there's ever a time to hammer them to take
advantage of this, it's right now. Well, if we hammered
him last year to take advantage of it, here's.
Speaker 6 (29:37):
What I don't they couldn't do it.
Speaker 5 (29:38):
Here's what I don't want to have happened. Can we
all agree that the Mariners will be in the playoff
race at the tread deck?
Speaker 4 (29:43):
I would, I would, I would assume.
Speaker 5 (29:45):
So right, So here's what I don't want. I don't
want to hear Jerry Depoto come on after making no
moves and say, well, you know we're getting a road
Blaze back and we're getting a Luke Grayley back. I mean,
those are our trade deadline acquisitions.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
Yourself at buffer, that's.
Speaker 5 (30:01):
Just like getting Polanco back and saying that's our offseason edition.
Speaker 6 (30:04):
That's not an addition. He was on the team last year.
Speaker 4 (30:07):
Gotta give yourself a buffer. Man.
Speaker 2 (30:08):
You know why birdies are good because you can have
an occasional bogie. That's why the more bardies you get,
the more bogies you can have. So I just let's
let's get some birdies here, right, Let's get some birdies
on this baseball team.
Speaker 4 (30:19):
So we can if we do have a couple.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
Of stretches where you lose eight of ten or blah
blah blah, that stretch doesn't result in you losing the
division lead or a wild card lead. We'll get a
break a lot more to get to. We're hoping Harry
Ford is gonna swing by very soon. Our bracket, though,
our Friday bracket. The most annoying fan base, the fan
base that we can't stand the most. We're gonna debate
(30:43):
it at five and pick a champion. Baby right here
on ninety three three KJRFL. I'll tell you what, what
do you say? We just keep it right here because
joining us right now on the radio show. How you doing,
basket to see you, softy Dick? Fang ahead, throw those
headphones on right there, those we are. We are looking
at the future right in front of us, the future
of Mariner baseball. Guy looks good for the first time
getting a chance to see him in person. Everyone keeps
(31:05):
talking about this guy. I figure ou hell, let's put
him on the air for crying out loud. Harry Ford,
Rainier's catcher is.
Speaker 4 (31:10):
One of us. How are you man?
Speaker 7 (31:12):
Doing good?
Speaker 3 (31:12):
Yod?
Speaker 4 (31:13):
That's great to see us.
Speaker 2 (31:14):
So tell me about for a kid who I believe
grew up in the state of Georgia, right coming all
the way across the country to the PNW in Tacoba, Washington,
what's this experience been.
Speaker 4 (31:23):
Like for you?
Speaker 8 (31:24):
Man?
Speaker 12 (31:24):
It's been really nice. I love the place. The people
here are awesome. But being in Washington is honestly really cool.
It's really far away from home, but it's a it's
a cool experience. I love the nature and the people.
Speaker 4 (31:35):
It's great to go good. Well, we're glad you're having fun.
Speaker 5 (31:37):
By the way, I'm looking at these main numbers, I'm
seeing three sixty four with a nine hundred ops in
the month of May.
Speaker 6 (31:45):
So what has been working for Harry Ford this month?
Speaker 7 (31:48):
Did you know that? By the way, No, I didn't know.
Speaker 4 (31:50):
Okay, what has been what has been working?
Speaker 7 (31:54):
I don't know. I just been hitting the ball good.
Speaker 2 (31:57):
Ye Are you a superstitious guy when it comes the numbers,
because some people don't want to know those numbers, right.
Speaker 12 (32:03):
I mean, I don't like digging into it, but like
I don't like if I hear it, it don't bother.
Speaker 7 (32:07):
Met it on every scoreboard.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
Well it it feels just to kind of back up
with Dick said that you're getting very comfortable, right with
yourself at this level of baseball.
Speaker 4 (32:16):
When you came here. How much of a transition was
there from double A to what you're seeing now in
triple A.
Speaker 12 (32:22):
It hasn't been the biggest transition. It's I think just
the floor has definitely raised. Like there's everyone here is
really really talented and they deserve to be here. And
obviously you get a lot of vets, a lot of
guys who have MLB time and thanks, but it's definitely
the level hasn't like necessarily raised a whole lot from
(32:43):
like the ceiling from the ceiling, it wasn't double a
but just as a whole you know, a lot more talent.
Speaker 7 (32:49):
I'm talked about it.
Speaker 5 (32:50):
Talk about what spring training was like under Dan Wilson
and Edgar and Kevin Sitzer compared to what you went
through last year with the prior regime.
Speaker 12 (32:59):
Yeah, I've I've loved every spring training I've had. This
spring training was definitely really cool. Dan's been a guy
who's been with me since I first got drafted, so
he's been one of our special assistants and he always
comes to visits and helps, especially me as a catcher. Right,
He's put so much time into me over the years
(33:19):
and again to see him as a manager now and
kind of having a really personal connection with him has
been It was so awesome. I loved loved him being
it and Sites is just amazing. Mags our other hitting
coach too. They had such a huge impact on me
during spring training, so I love them all.
Speaker 7 (33:37):
They're great.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
Yeah, Dan kind of knows what he's talking about when
it comes to catching, by the way, the major leagues,
just in case you didn't know that.
Speaker 4 (33:43):
But he's been fun.
Speaker 2 (33:44):
But Harry Ford is with us on the radio show,
and let me go back to that for a second,
because you've been for the most part when you do
play the field exclusively catching DH right every now and then.
You may have noticed, though, there's a guy named Cal
up on the Big League Ross.
Speaker 6 (33:58):
He's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
Yeah, who let the league and games caught last year
and I think led the American League or vice versa
in games caught two years ago. So when you think
about your future with this ball club, do you think
about it as a catcher, do you think about it
as a d H or do you think about it
at all and just go out and do your damn thing?
Speaker 4 (34:17):
Man?
Speaker 12 (34:17):
Yeah, I mean I my big thing is I put
my faith into a bigger plane, and I feel like
God has has a great plan for me, no matter what,
no matter what team that is, no matter what whatever
who it is. You know, Cal's an awesome, awesome dude.
Speaker 7 (34:34):
You know he is great.
Speaker 12 (34:35):
He's been so great to me and great to learn from.
I would love to be able to catch with him.
I would love if he's catching. If I'm catching, you.
Speaker 7 (34:45):
Know, it's it's not in my control. So I just
keep playing ball and just keep Have.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
They have they talked to you meeting the big league
club Jerry Justin whoever? Have they talked to you about
kind of what their vision is for you?
Speaker 8 (34:56):
Oh?
Speaker 12 (34:57):
No, no, that we We haven't had a conversation about
at that or nothing.
Speaker 7 (35:02):
Just yeah, just playing got it?
Speaker 4 (35:05):
Got it?
Speaker 5 (35:05):
How about the you know, we've talked a lot about
the Mariner's approach at the plate that has been different, right,
how much is that talked about down here versus I
mean obviously was talked about it in spring training? Is
that continue? Is the Mariner approach at the plate, getting
on baits back, hitting back up the middle? Is that
hammered home here like it is at T Mobile Parker?
Speaker 7 (35:28):
Yeah, we uh, you know spring training?
Speaker 12 (35:30):
They definitely it is a new philosophy, not really new philosophy,
but just a very certain focus on how we do
VP and how we hu situations in the game and
stuff like that. But so we we take up we
take all the same things as we were doing all
spring training, and our coaches have adopted that same thing.
Speaker 5 (35:48):
So can you give us an example of maybe the differences,
Like you said, it was very different, like what are
you drills or what the thought process? What was different
than what you had under the priory.
Speaker 12 (35:57):
So, I mean last year we were just it was
just normal, you know, you take four rounds, five rounds,
whatever it is. Yeah, but now the way we do
it is like our first our first round is middle opo,
So first five to seven swings, you're just trying to
go middle opo. And then the next round is a
situation round, which is hit and run and field in
and filled out, get them over, send one, you know.
(36:21):
So so we do those those first two rounds every
day and then the next two rounds or whatever you want.
But it kind of translates and gets you thinking in
the game of you know, okay, this is a situation,
not just I'm just swinging, you know.
Speaker 4 (36:35):
Right.
Speaker 2 (36:35):
Well, you mentioned kind of being part of part of
a bigger plan. Right, it sounds like you're kind of
a spiritual guy, right, there's no question about that. And
we had heard through the grapevine that you took a
mission somewhere early in your in your life. Tell me
about that where you went, what you did.
Speaker 7 (36:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (36:50):
So last last year at the end of the year,
went to Perun on a mission trip of water.
Speaker 4 (36:54):
Did you see the new pope by the way down there?
Speaker 6 (36:56):
No?
Speaker 12 (36:59):
Yeah, Yeah, to win to Peru on a water mission trip.
It was really amazing.
Speaker 4 (37:03):
Wow.
Speaker 12 (37:03):
So what water mission does? There's there're a group who
goes to different countries in different places and tries to
help in the global water crisis. There are about two
billion people right now who are suffering from not having
what's done as safe water, which is water water that
is just not contaminated and have parasites in it. Sure,
so they they go these countries and help bring safe water,
(37:25):
but also try to help them bring the living water,
which is Jesus. And uh so it's it's it's helping
them in two facets, you know, us spiritual and with
what their real needs, what they what they have, what
they don't have, and uh so it was really awesome
getting to, uh just be a part of it seeing
what they do do.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
I hear right that you are actually donating money every
time you go long, Is that correct?
Speaker 4 (37:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (37:51):
One hundred dollars hundred bucks every time. And how many
bombs you got so far this year? By the way,
one so far, you got one? Okay, Well, let's so
let's kind of get that going here, raise some money
for trying out out right now.
Speaker 6 (38:02):
Little Birdie tolds you were a musician too, Is that correct?
Speaker 12 (38:05):
I mean, I don't know if I classify myself as
a musician, but I try What do you play.
Speaker 4 (38:11):
Right now?
Speaker 7 (38:11):
I like playing guitar?
Speaker 4 (38:12):
Wow? Cool?
Speaker 12 (38:13):
I have a saxophone that I can play, but I
like guitar a lot more. You sing too when you're
playing guitar, for sure?
Speaker 11 (38:19):
Nice?
Speaker 2 (38:19):
You want to sing for us right now in the air.
You gotta get him a guitar, man, I mean, why not,
it's live radio. If this baseball thing don't work out,
we'll get your record contract.
Speaker 12 (38:27):
Yeah, I'll get on a record contract, but hopefully baseball
lasts a little longer.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
Absolutely well, Harry Ford, before you go, I'm looking at
this list of the top prospects in the minor legs
system right and there's there's six of them so far,
and I wonder how much of a friendly almost competition
there is between all you guys like you and Cole
Young and Emberson and last Montest and you got you know, Farmelo.
Speaker 4 (38:49):
Do you guys talk at all.
Speaker 2 (38:50):
About that stuff, because right now you're fifty ninth, and
if I'm Cole Young or I'm like, what's up fifty nine? Right,
I'm just kind of going after you talking a little smack.
How much do you guys talk about that stuff?
Speaker 7 (39:00):
I mean, it doesn't I don't really talk about it much.
Speaker 4 (39:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 12 (39:03):
I mean we've had rankings on us since we were
like fourteen fifteen, right, yeah, So I mean it's it's
not like it's something new. But the whole, the whole
deal is just trying to get to the big leagues
out the team and also be a good teammate here
and try to, you know, help each other get there.
Speaker 4 (39:18):
Do you feel like you're ready now for that jump?
Speaker 2 (39:20):
If they called you up today and said, Harry, be
honest with me, are you ready to make this jump
tonight and get in the lineup against the Blue Jays
or the Yankees on Monday?
Speaker 7 (39:28):
What do you say for sure? I'd be ready?
Speaker 12 (39:30):
Okay, good, Yeah, I'm playing the same baseball game I'll
played down here.
Speaker 6 (39:33):
You get right now, you dream about what that day
is going to be like.
Speaker 4 (39:37):
Oh man, I dream about it. What it's like for
you by the way.
Speaker 12 (39:42):
I mean, it definitely crosses your mind. I mean, I've
dreamed of playing in the big leagues as a kid,
for sure, and I mean I don't I don't know what.
Speaker 7 (39:53):
It would be like.
Speaker 12 (39:54):
I would just hope that both my parents were able
to make it.
Speaker 7 (39:57):
Yeah, sure, sure.
Speaker 2 (39:58):
What Just do us a favorite and that call finally
comes before you call your mom and dad, call us
and let us know.
Speaker 7 (40:03):
Okay, all right, y'all be third and fourth. That works,
That works.
Speaker 2 (40:09):
Best of luck man, good to meet you, all right,
go get good luck. That's Harry Ford with us on
the radio show. We're gonna break a lot more to
get to from Tacoma. We'll get to our bracket next
on ninety three three kJ R f M
Dave 'Softy' Mahler and Dick Fain News
Popular Podcasts
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
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.