May 5, 2026 • 7 mins
Mariners star center fielder Julio Rodriguez joins Softy and Dick Fain to talk about their win over the Braves last night and his good start to 2026 so far, being a veteran leader on this team now with many youngsters around, the defense, how he reacted to 2025’s game seven ALCS exit in Toronto last season, plus their World Series confidence now.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
There we go.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Well, we got a surprise guest on the radio show. Man,
here's the deal. When this guy says he's ready to
go on the air, you stop what you're doing. You
drop what you're doing, stop.
Speaker 3 (00:11):
And talk about heart throbs and everything.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
You pivot, and you welcome him to the radio show
for the first time this year. It is our absolute
pleasure to welcome to the show number forty four. Julio
Rodriguez with us now from T Mobile Park. Julio, how
are you, man?
Speaker 1 (00:28):
I'm doing great. I'm doing great. How you doing boys,
We're good.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
We're good.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Man.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Hell of a win last night? Tell us about that.
Howd a feel to get a win last night? Game one,
kickoff a series against the best team in baseball record
wise so far.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Man, it was great, It was great. I felt like
the fans and everybody was sorry into the game. We
had a great crowd on a Monday, so it was
just awesome, you know, to be able to get the
win for the fans and we all enjoyed it. Cool.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Let just talk about your start to the season, because
I mean it's no surprise you have been a second
half hitter usually and you're out to your best first
two months that you've ever had. What has been the
difference in twenty twenty six so early in the season
at the.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Dish, I mean, I just feel like, you know, I
after some experience, you know, this is about my fifth year.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
I feel like, you know, I know myself a little.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Bit better, and I'm being able to play better at
bats and you know, clean up some things that I
that I maybe I used to do in the past,
you know. So I'm just thankful for that, and like
you said, yeah, this is like kind of my best
start and like hopefully.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
We'll continue to go on and help the team win.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Well, give us, Julio some details if you can't. I'm
always curious when you say you wanted to clean some
stuff up, share with us if you don't mind, maybe
a couple of things that you wanted to work on
this offseason that you already felt like you're you're starting
to clean up.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
I just say, you like approach wise of the play
and like things like that.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
That's that's probably like the biggest one.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
It's just kind of understanding myself more as a heitter
and sending one of the other guys on the on
the other teams are trying to do to me and
this kind of like build plans for that. I feel
like that's that's where you know I've had success.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Well, you know, every every every every game is a
new game. Every game. You know, you always have to adjust.
This is game my adjudstment.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
But I feel like, you know, understanding myself better have
definitely helped me out.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Julio, At what point did you go from young buck
on this team that kind of looks up to the
veterans to one of those veteran leaders that other others
look to.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
I mean, I just I still feel young.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
You know, I definitely been around a little bit a
little bit, but I.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Still feel young.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
And you know, I feel like I'm transitioning still obviously,
like we have some younger guys on the team, but
we also have some older ones. So I just kind
of continue to embrace at time that I'm here and
just trying to support, you know, the younger younger guys
are coming in a little bit more every time, and
you know, I just I feel like I'm in that
transitioning process still.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Well, I remember the last time or maybe a couple
times ago that we spoke, Julio when Julio Rodriguez with
us on the radio show that you You came on
the air with us and you said, look, guys, I'm
twenty three years old, right, I mean, I'm twenty two
to twenty three years old. I'm just kind of getting
going in this game.
Speaker 5 (03:16):
Do you still because you mentioned you still feel young,
do you still feel like there's a lot about this
game that you don't know yet that you have to
figure out how to do certain things and react in
certain situations or is that maybe now starting to be
behind you you think.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
I mean, I feel like that's something that you never
lived behind.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
And obviously that I definitely know my way around a
little bit better and all that. Well, I feel like
this game is always teaching you something that you can
never like have it all figure out. So I just
feel like, I would say, learning and keeping my mind
open to new things because this game, this is the
beauty of this game. Yeah, I was giveing something something
new to learn and to kind of evolving too.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Julio Rodriguez joining us here on kJ R. Julio, one
thing that really helped you guys advance in the playoffs,
You guys were really really clean defensively do you feel
like you've been as clean defensively thus far this year?
And if not, why do you think that?
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Is? I played?
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Definitely that there's been like a lot of plays though
maybe that we can have like done better.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
And since I die, but you know, I play. As
a team, you always go through two tough times.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
You know it could be like even I was like
we're a really good offensive team too, and like sometimes
we go to some funds and you know, I played,
I just got out the side of baseball. But I
know that I know what this team is shapable of,
and like I just know we're really good in both
ends of the of the play of the baseball game.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Well, I I think I know the answer, Julio. I
just want to hear you say it because it gets
me excited to hear you say it. What do you
think this team is capable of? Honestly tell us?
Speaker 4 (04:53):
I mean, I mean just definitely getting out of the way,
you know, I play. That's the goal out that we
all have U for these teams just kind of I
feel like last year we just warm game out of
the Wars series and they playing that you know, special game, and.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
Just like that's what that's that's a mentality for this year.
I feel like we were hungry and we just want
more for us.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Yeah, well, I'm right there with you. It's been fifty
years for us, so we're starving to death over here, man.
And I got to ask you because that was hard
for me to get over as a fan. It was
hard for Dick. I know, it's hard for Mariner fans
to get over. That's something that stays with you, stays
with you for a while, right. It impacts your mood
obviously when you're at work. I mean, hell, Julio, We're
sitting here at Jimmy's that night watching Game seven. The
(05:35):
damn Seahawks are playing across the street. I had no
desire to go in there. I mean I just went home.
I wanted nothing else to do besides go home and
literally freaking cry like a baby after that night. How
did you handle that?
Speaker 5 (05:49):
Man?
Speaker 2 (05:49):
How did you handle that Game seven loss?
Speaker 1 (05:54):
That is so like for me.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
I was like, it was tough. It was tough to
lose out there. You put some much into it, like
a whole year and all that. But you know, I
also understood that. You know, if I actually want to
what I continue to play in the playoffs and you know,
get to where I want to get, like being part
of this team. I just needed to get better, you know,
(06:16):
and like I started looking at things objectively and understood that,
you know, the year was over and that we got
to you know, get better and come back stronger next
year to come and receive these times. So that's kind
of how I took it and try to make the
best out of it and grow, because that's how that's
how you can do at that point after you lose,
Like that's all.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
You can really do. You learn from it and try
to get better for next year.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
What did that run do for the confidence of your
baseball team? Because you always thought that you could get
that far in the playoffs. You always thought you could
be a World Series team. But now you know, beyond
a shotow of a doubt that you guys have what
it takes to go to the World Series. So what
did that do for you last year?
Speaker 1 (06:55):
I mean just a lot of confirmation, you know.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
I feel like, you know, like a lot of affirmation too,
like that we can actually do it.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
You know, it was a reality like we were dangerous
seeing the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
So like I feel like annoying that and I kind
of see him become real and like get it all
was getting closer and closer.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
I just feel like just just gives a team hungred.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Julio Rondriguez. Always great to hear your voice. We're across
the street at Jimmy's. Next time we're here, why do
you come over and have a cocktail with us before
the game and we're talking person All right, coffee done,
but whatever you want, man, We got some nice, nice
new menu items here. Got a nice new Ruben sandwich,
meatball sandwich for you. So we're waiting for you. But hey,
(07:35):
best of luck, thanks again for doing this and we'll
talk to night.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
All right, thank you, see you got it.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Julio Rodriguez with us, Let's do this. We're gonna break,
we're gonna come back and reset. Mitch Garver's gonna join us.
We have a lot going on here. As we continue
from Jimmy's on ninety three three kJ A r FM,
There we go.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Well, we got a surprise guest on the radio show. Man,
here's the deal. When this guy says he's ready to
go on the air, you stop what you're doing. You
drop what you're doing, stop.
Speaker 3 (00:11):
And talk about heart throbs and everything.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
You pivot, and you welcome him to the radio show
for the first time this year. It is our absolute
pleasure to welcome to the show number forty four. Julio
Rodriguez with us now from T Mobile Park. Julio, how
are you, man?
Speaker 1 (00:28):
I'm doing great. I'm doing great. How you doing boys,
We're good.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
We're good.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Man.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Hell of a win last night? Tell us about that.
Howd a feel to get a win last night? Game one,
kickoff a series against the best team in baseball record
wise so far.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Man, it was great, It was great. I felt like
the fans and everybody was sorry into the game. We
had a great crowd on a Monday, so it was
just awesome, you know, to be able to get the
win for the fans and we all enjoyed it. Cool.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Let just talk about your start to the season, because
I mean it's no surprise you have been a second
half hitter usually and you're out to your best first
two months that you've ever had. What has been the
difference in twenty twenty six so early in the season
at the.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Dish, I mean, I just feel like, you know, I
after some experience, you know, this is about my fifth year.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
I feel like, you know, I know myself a little.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Bit better, and I'm being able to play better at
bats and you know, clean up some things that I
that I maybe I used to do in the past,
you know. So I'm just thankful for that, and like
you said, yeah, this is like kind of my best
start and like hopefully.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
We'll continue to go on and help the team win.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Well, give us, Julio some details if you can't. I'm
always curious when you say you wanted to clean some
stuff up, share with us if you don't mind, maybe
a couple of things that you wanted to work on
this offseason that you already felt like you're you're starting
to clean up.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
I just say, you like approach wise of the play
and like things like that.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
That's that's probably like the biggest one.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
It's just kind of understanding myself more as a heitter
and sending one of the other guys on the on
the other teams are trying to do to me and
this kind of like build plans for that. I feel
like that's that's where you know I've had success.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
Well, you know, every every every every game is a
new game. Every game. You know, you always have to adjust.
This is game my adjudstment.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
But I feel like, you know, understanding myself better have
definitely helped me out.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Julio, At what point did you go from young buck
on this team that kind of looks up to the
veterans to one of those veteran leaders that other others
look to.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
I mean, I just I still feel young.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
You know, I definitely been around a little bit a
little bit, but I.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Still feel young.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
And you know, I feel like I'm transitioning still obviously,
like we have some younger guys on the team, but
we also have some older ones. So I just kind
of continue to embrace at time that I'm here and
just trying to support, you know, the younger younger guys
are coming in a little bit more every time, and
you know, I just I feel like I'm in that
transitioning process still.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Well, I remember the last time or maybe a couple
times ago that we spoke, Julio when Julio Rodriguez with
us on the radio show that you You came on
the air with us and you said, look, guys, I'm
twenty three years old, right, I mean, I'm twenty two
to twenty three years old. I'm just kind of getting
going in this game.
Speaker 5 (03:16):
Do you still because you mentioned you still feel young,
do you still feel like there's a lot about this
game that you don't know yet that you have to
figure out how to do certain things and react in
certain situations or is that maybe now starting to be
behind you you think.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
I mean, I feel like that's something that you never
lived behind.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
And obviously that I definitely know my way around a
little bit better and all that. Well, I feel like
this game is always teaching you something that you can
never like have it all figure out. So I just
feel like, I would say, learning and keeping my mind
open to new things because this game, this is the
beauty of this game. Yeah, I was giveing something something
new to learn and to kind of evolving too.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Julio Rodriguez joining us here on kJ R. Julio, one
thing that really helped you guys advance in the playoffs,
You guys were really really clean defensively do you feel
like you've been as clean defensively thus far this year?
And if not, why do you think that?
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Is? I played?
Speaker 4 (04:18):
Definitely that there's been like a lot of plays though
maybe that we can have like done better.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
And since I die, but you know, I play. As
a team, you always go through two tough times.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
You know it could be like even I was like
we're a really good offensive team too, and like sometimes
we go to some funds and you know, I played,
I just got out the side of baseball. But I
know that I know what this team is shapable of,
and like I just know we're really good in both
ends of the of the play of the baseball game.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Well, I I think I know the answer, Julio. I
just want to hear you say it because it gets
me excited to hear you say it. What do you
think this team is capable of? Honestly tell us?
Speaker 4 (04:53):
I mean, I mean just definitely getting out of the way,
you know, I play. That's the goal out that we
all have U for these teams just kind of I
feel like last year we just warm game out of
the Wars series and they playing that you know, special game, and.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
Just like that's what that's that's a mentality for this year.
I feel like we were hungry and we just want
more for us.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Yeah, well, I'm right there with you. It's been fifty
years for us, so we're starving to death over here, man.
And I got to ask you because that was hard
for me to get over as a fan. It was
hard for Dick. I know, it's hard for Mariner fans
to get over. That's something that stays with you, stays
with you for a while, right. It impacts your mood
obviously when you're at work. I mean, hell, Julio, We're
sitting here at Jimmy's that night watching Game seven. The
(05:35):
damn Seahawks are playing across the street. I had no
desire to go in there. I mean I just went home.
I wanted nothing else to do besides go home and
literally freaking cry like a baby after that night. How
did you handle that?
Speaker 5 (05:49):
Man?
Speaker 2 (05:49):
How did you handle that Game seven loss?
Speaker 1 (05:54):
That is so like for me.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
I was like, it was tough. It was tough to
lose out there. You put some much into it, like
a whole year and all that. But you know, I
also understood that. You know, if I actually want to
what I continue to play in the playoffs and you know,
get to where I want to get, like being part
of this team. I just needed to get better, you know,
(06:16):
and like I started looking at things objectively and understood that,
you know, the year was over and that we got
to you know, get better and come back stronger next
year to come and receive these times. So that's kind
of how I took it and try to make the
best out of it and grow, because that's how that's
how you can do at that point after you lose,
Like that's all.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
You can really do. You learn from it and try
to get better for next year.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
What did that run do for the confidence of your
baseball team? Because you always thought that you could get
that far in the playoffs. You always thought you could
be a World Series team. But now you know, beyond
a shotow of a doubt that you guys have what
it takes to go to the World Series. So what
did that do for you last year?
Speaker 1 (06:55):
I mean just a lot of confirmation, you know.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
I feel like, you know, like a lot of affirmation too,
like that we can actually do it.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
You know, it was a reality like we were dangerous
seeing the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
So like I feel like annoying that and I kind
of see him become real and like get it all
was getting closer and closer.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
I just feel like just just gives a team hungred.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Julio Rondriguez. Always great to hear your voice. We're across
the street at Jimmy's. Next time we're here, why do
you come over and have a cocktail with us before
the game and we're talking person All right, coffee done,
but whatever you want, man, We got some nice, nice
new menu items here. Got a nice new Ruben sandwich,
meatball sandwich for you. So we're waiting for you. But hey,
(07:35):
best of luck, thanks again for doing this and we'll
talk to night.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
All right, thank you, see you got it.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Julio Rodriguez with us, Let's do this. We're gonna break,
we're gonna come back and reset. Mitch Garver's gonna join us.
We have a lot going on here. As we continue
from Jimmy's on ninety three three kJ A r FM,
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