Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Jack gambling here with my good friend Matt Sloan a
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Speaker 2 (00:05):
That's right, Jack.
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Speaker 1 (00:24):
Zero percent. Can't get much lower than that. That's exactly right, Topac,
Matt in the gang here on West Grand River, Omiz.
They're making friends.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Welcome back everyone to the Drive with Jack on this Tuesday,
wet afternoon as we continue to be in a delay
for the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners. Not like Detroit
Tigers fans are excited about this game already, kind of
continue to wait it out. I'm Boston Rob Bennett filling
in for the Hall of Favor today Jack Ebling, who
(01:01):
is actually sitting in the rain at America Park. As
I mentioned during the break, I'm telling you guys that
Jack Ebling curse. Gotta be careful gotta be careful with it,
and a guy we don't have to be careful with
and of course my bumper music coming back warrior, a
true warrior in the Michigan media realm for years and years,
(01:22):
a guy, a jack of all trades when it comes
to this profession's joining us now. We will talk Tigers,
we will talk hockey, we will talk maybe even Michigan
State football with the great Shawn Bellegian. Shawn, thank you
so much for joining me here today. Appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
Oh, it's always a pleasure to talk to you. But Nel,
thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Thank you for coming on man more so. Yeah. So
I've asked all my guests during this show to start
off with your confidence level right now as we continue
to wait out this rain delay from one to five
right what is your cop bas level? In the Detroit
(02:01):
Tigers with Jack Flaherty on the hill today, eventually hopefully
to take a two to one lead against the Seattle
Mariners in the best of five here in the Al
Divisional series, what is your I.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Would say two, I you know, I mean, it was funny,
you're kind of hoping for anything you can get, and
in one of the narratives, around here last week was well,
Jack did what what you wanted out of him, and
it was like going for and two thirds is not
what you want out of I'm not not a guy
(02:37):
that you know, signed that big contract. And you know,
it would be one thing if this was the bullpen
of last year. It's not the bullpen of last year.
We know there are some holes in this in this
bullpen this year. So you know, asking both these guys
a little bit longer the last couple of days, it's
(02:58):
asking a lot. I mean, there are two guys that
haven't you know, gone long into a game for a while. Now.
Of course I'm talking also about Casey how that wasn't
exactly Casey my's choice last week when when he was
taken out after three innings and sixty two pitches. But
I think anybody who's followed the Tigers this year also
knows this. This is a guy that doesn't very often
(03:21):
get into the seventh inning, to put it mildly, and
so I would say too, you know, it's you know,
as the game goes on, Jack gets it, gets hit hard,
he just does, you know. And I think you saw
that throughout the season. I think you saw that a
little bit in that Cleveland game last week and right now,
(03:43):
I mean, this is what we've been dealing with for
about a month now. Just the bats just struggling, no
other way to say that. And it was huge at
Torque Cotton to pick me up the other day. But boy,
I'm just terrifiing these bats, Rob, I really am. You
put it off together, and I guess I have no
choice but to say, too.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
What happened to Jack Flaherty this year? Is it just
simply a location? Is it simply what? What what happened
to him last year compared to the year before.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
You know, I think he's always been good Jack, bad Jack,
But it seems to me it's it's been more pronounced
this year, it really does. It just seems like it's
been more pronounced this year that when he's going he's
really going well, and when he's not, he's really not
going well. And you know that this is the last
(04:35):
thing in the world you could do. Listen, this is
a guy that could have gone anywhere, and he wanted
to come to Detroit. You know, he got his ring.
He got his ring not far from where he grew up.
And you know, for all I know, you know, there
may have been an opportunity for him to go to
the Dodgers. He could have gone to a lot of
different places, and he chose to come here. And it's
(04:56):
been an up and down season, even more so than
in his career. But you know, that's the running joke,
at least in my house, is good good jack, bad jack.
You pull out of coin, you flip it. If it's heads,
it's good jack. If it's scales, it's bad jack. And
that's it seems like that's kind of the Jack flaarerty
that we've seen.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yeah, And but I mean how I mean when you're
the Detroit Tigers on the road and it's the best
of five series, I know a lot of people are
disappointed that they didn't get the win when especially with
schoolball in game two, Right, that's the last thing they remember, Right,
it's bad taste in their mouth. But how important when
(05:34):
you're on the road, and it doesn't matter in any sport,
Sean you know this better than anybody. If you're the
road team and you and it's a series, whether it's
the best of five, best of seven, best of twelve,
it doesn't matter. If you can steal one on at
home or away excuse me from from the away team.
That's basically you know that you've done your job. Yes,
(05:56):
you'd like to take two in this case, right, especially
with scoobl on the mound coming home tied one to one.
I mean, in all things considered, that's what you want, right.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
I think. So I think the Tigers are different though,
you know, I really do, and no, no, and I
mean that in all sincerity. I mean, look, we rely
so heavily on Errek's scooble and you know, I mean,
how many times do you hear it? I was one
of those guys Rob that I didn't like the three
game series because you only get Terrek Scuba once in
(06:30):
a five game series, you could potentially get him two times.
And obviously we know that didn't work out a couple
of days ago, and that's duly noted. But right now,
I mean, we could use the confidence level question about
Jack Flaherty, We could use the competence level question about
Casey Miz, We could use the confidence level question about
(06:52):
this lineup once or nine. Yeah, it really is a
mazing So in that regard, you know, I guess they
kind of have to stand by what I said Yeah, Yeah,
you're generally right. But I think this Tiger team is different.
I really do. It's I can't say enough about what
(07:13):
aj Hinch has done to get this team in spot
that he's gotten this team two years in a row,
because look, there are deficiencies with this team. There's no
other way to say that. And yet here they are
in the position that you just so adequately described. I mean, really,
this is part we're at right now. Hey, you've got, legitimately,
(07:33):
you got a chance to try to clinch this at
home the next couple of days if you get some
decent pitching out of these two guys.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Yeah. And if you're the Seattle Mariners, right, I mean
you've got to be kind of scratching your head a
little bit, especially after Game one. I mean, I mean,
is there I guess the question is is the pressure
now on Seattle because of what happened in game one?
(08:01):
And my goodness they came through in game two, because
if they were down to nothing to Detroit, I mean,
that's a hell of a hill to climb.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
I agree. I started to interrupt you. Yeah, no, sorry
to interrupt you, Rob, I agree with you, And and
you know what, there's got to be part of them
right now that are doing the same thing that we're doing, saying,
look at our lineup, We're so much better than this team.
How are we in this position right now? Because they
are rob I look at their lineup and they are
(08:31):
better than the Tigers. I don't have any I don't
have any problems saying that. But you know, the Tigers
have this thing going on, and AJ seems to push
the right buttons for the most part. You know, he's
not insolible. There have been some head scratchers. The one
that drove me nuts last round, obviously was Jami Jones,
a pinch hitting for Riley Green. There's no world where
(08:55):
that was a good decision. There's I don't care what
the splits say. You know, this is a guy that's
a career journeyman and it never had a postseason at bat.
So I think that was a miss by AJ. But
let's be honest, most of the stuff that he does
tends to work.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Let me let me ask you this. You leave me
right into my next question. That's why you're so damn good?
Speaker 4 (09:14):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (09:16):
When you look at AJ and and actually I'll give
credit to Jack as much as it pains me. I'll
give credit to Jack Eveley on this because he asked me.
He asked me this question the other day when we
were off air. Do you think aj Hinge and far
be it from me to say this as I'm sitting here,
but do you think he overthinks things and doesn't go
(09:39):
with his gut as much as maybe he should, over analyzes,
relies too much on the numbers and the statistics. Would
you agree with that or how would you explain? Aj
Hinch is a manager, very good manager, one of the
best in the game, no question about it. But if
there's one little if there's one little hiccup, what would
it be for you?
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Boy? That's a good one. I you know, I know
a lot of people in September went down hill. A
lot of people said, well, he needs to show some fire,
he needs to have that Jim Leland, that's meltdown. Well,
that's not him, you know, it's an even keel. This
is a guy that, for all intents and purposes, that's
just not the way that he operates. So in that regard,
(10:23):
you know, you can't ask somebody to be something that
they aren't. I think sometimes he's guilty of being the
smartest man in the room. I do, and I think
that's an organizational problem right now. I really firmly believe
that that, Oh, don't worry, you know, things, You're gonna
be okay. We can we can look past we can
look past everything. And I think, you know again, I
(10:44):
hate to bring it up the Jamai Jones and Riley
Green thing last week, but I don't care what the
split say. It's a small sample size. It's a guy
that hasn't had a whole heck lot of it bats
in his career, and he's never had a postseason at bat.
So I think that was a case of overthinking. Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Yes, all right, final baseball question for you. Does this
series go five games? Because I think I think it does.
Speaker 4 (11:11):
I do too. I do, and I said all along,
if this goes to five, I love the Tiger's chances
and I can't deviate from it. I mean, look, they
got Trek Scooble the other night, or I should say
Jorge Polanco got Terrek Scooble the other night, and I look,
I picked the owners to win this series. But if
this goes five games, I love the Tiger's chances. I'm
(11:32):
not gonna lie, And I.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Gotta say, I told my wife the Lovely Patricia the
other night, and I'm I'm surprised I didn't end up
sleeping on the couch when I said this. But Terrek Skouble,
my goodness, the man is human. I mean, everybody expects
Terrek Scouble to go out every start right and just dominate,
and it's so hard to do. That's what makes this
(11:54):
whole thing over the last what two years? Now, I
guess we're going on with Trek Scouble and unbelievable story
because it's just not that simple. And I wish fans
would understand he I don't want to say he's do
a bad game, right, but the man is human. You
can't expect him to go out there, you know, fourteen
(12:14):
strikeouts and seven innings, one walk, you know what I mean,
a run, you know what I mean. It's just it's
do you expect that now it's.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Been such a prolonged period that right or wrong, I
don't know what the answer is. I do expect that,
you know. I mean, really it's going back to like
the last month and a half of the twenty three season.
It was, you know, people had kind of tuned out
from the Tigers, and there was a lot of excitement
about the upcoming football season, and you know, in particular,
you know, all the Lions and how good are the
(12:45):
Lions going to be and everything, and it was almost
like people didn't pay attention really and truly, people didn't
pay attention to that strong finish, that strong finish that
he had in a twenty two twenty three. So, as
much as I hate to say it, yeah, that's kind
of where my brain is for that.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
It's programmed that way. Now, well, yeah, I think we
can agree no matter what team he lands up ends
up on, no matter what team, they're going to have
to back up not one, but two brink trucks because
he certainly has deserved it. Well, you believe he should
get the money he's getting a knot as a pro athlete.
That's a whole other discussion for another day. But he
(13:28):
has deserved everything he's going to get financially going forward here.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
And he's going to get it, you know as well
as I do. He's going to get it. Somebody's going
to get it to him. I have a feeling it'll
be the Yankees, I really truly do. I have a
feeling that that'll be the team that gets it done.
But we'll wait and see. You know, the speculation ends
as there's going to be a concerted effort as soon
as the season ends not to let that dragon into
next year and and to pursue some potential trades. We'll
(13:56):
wait and see.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Well, Sean, you just broke my heart. The Yankees, as
you know, coming from Boston. Don't tell me. Don't tell
me schoobl is gonna be. Put him on the Dodgers,
put him on the even the Mets, I'll even accept.
Don't tell me he's going to the Yankees.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
Man, come on, I have a I have a feeling
that's where he's going to end up. Well, we'll wait
and see. We'll wait and see.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
All right, Well, quick football question before I we really
talked the real sport of hockey here before I let
you go. But football question for you, straight and straight
easy question for you now? Is this? How big of
a game is this for Michigan State football? Homecoming against
going against a UCLA team that most certainly one of
(14:40):
the biggest upsets not only this year, but maybe in
several years. What we saw last Saturday as they upset
Penn State a lot of people, A Penn State team
who a lot of people thought would be in the
National Championship game now sitting with two losses. But just
how important is this game now for Michigan State football
(15:01):
heading into homecoming on Saturday.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
Massive, I mean, it's absolutely.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
It's got to be a must win, right, I think so?
Speaker 4 (15:10):
I think so, Rob. I don't see a path to
six wins if they lose this game. I don't, and
I hope I'm wrong. I pray I'm wrong. You know,
I've said jokingly, although it's a factual statement. You know,
when my daughter started school a couple of years ago,
I promised her, listen, that that'll be our trip at
(15:30):
at holiday time, you know, whenever Michigan State gets to
a bull game wherever they're going. Let's let's let's, you know,
take a couple of days and we'll go out to
the game and we'll have a blast. Why I haven't
been able to fill that and fulfill that yet, so
darn it, Rob, it's all about me, and I'm selfishly
thinking about me and my daughter. But no, all jokes aside. Yeah,
I mean, I don't see a road to even going
(15:52):
six and six. If you lose this game. And you know,
this was one of those games that, let's be honest,
this was one of those games that I think we
all sat back and said, well, this is a gimme,
and then we all saw what they did against Penn State.
So I don't feel that way right now. I saw
what their offense did. Let's face it, I've seen what
our defense or the Spartans defense is doing right now.
(16:15):
So yeah, it's terrifying, Rob, no doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
And I'll say this, and I understand as like thirty
forty mile per hour wins out in Nebraska, but one
of the strengths of this team has been special teams,
and boy, did they take a step back. I want
to say straight, I'll say the team and me and
Jack kind of got into a discussion a little bit
yesterday about the positives and negatives that we saw with
(16:41):
that Nebraska team. But it kind of reminded me, right
or wrong, of the Michigan State team of last year. Yes,
they came back and they took a lead despite being
down fourteen to nothing early. I don't know if that
team from last year could do that. But overall, when
you see things kind of and coming off a bye week. Man,
(17:03):
it just seemed like this team took a step back,
But they do have the ability to make a statement
against a team that's going to come in with nothing
to lose. We talked about Michigan State having nothing things
to lose. Ucla, in my view, has nothing to lose
in this game.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
No, you're right, and Rob. The way that I look
at this right now is there are little pieces, there
are shiny, little pieces on this team that you can
look at and say, Okay, I get it. We just
don't have enough.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
I think a lack of depth. I think a lack
of talent at far too many positions. And I hate
feeling this way. I was talking privately with Jack the
other day, I feel this is like the pre D'Antonio
era again, where well, Gollie, g maybe we can get
to a bowl game and then next year, you know,
maybe we can go seven and five, eight and four again.
(17:55):
And I boy, I hate feeling that that way. I do,
But that's the reality of where we're at right now.
And and and if it isn't, I mean the defense, honestly,
I boy, I wish something could be done with it.
I I've seen enough that makes me think, I think
this is just what we're going to have to deal
with the rest of the year. But you're right, whether
it be the special teams, whether whether it be up
(18:16):
and down play. You know, I think we are all
feeling good about Child's and and and then you know,
a step back and everything. If it's not one darn thing,
it's another.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Yeah, well we're going to talk about expectations as we
switch now to the ice. Happy opening night for the NHL,
by the way, to you, Yes, I know, I know
you celebrate that being a Montreal Canadians fan. Man, first
you tell me Schooble's going to the Yankees, and now
I'm talking to a Montreal Canadians I don't know about
having you on anymore. Sean. This is getting at it's
(18:46):
getting a little uncomfortable. But boy, speaking of expectations, and
that leads me right to Michigan State Hockey and I
know we're going to let you go here in a
few minutes, but I got to get your thoughts and
your excitement level for this team and this year. Who
despite being back to back Big Ten regular season and
back to back Big Ten Tournament champions, you gotta feel
(19:08):
still thinks they got to prove something to a lot
of people nationally, right.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
And I like that. I'm not gonna lie. So many
of these guys have been part of that disappointment, you know,
and they know what people are saying, you know, I
mean they went from two years ago, Wow, what a
great story. Let's see what happens and is you know,
Jack and I were down in Toledo together when the
season so unceremoniously ended, and so now, yeah, they know
(19:37):
what people are saying, and they know they look at
what Michigan got off to and you know some of
the star power that Michigan has and obviously we know
about the guy who I mean almost undoubtedly will go
number one in the draft. And yeah, absolutely, let people
talk about other people and let this team do what
(19:58):
they do. And this is built for long term success.
This isn't a short window. That's the one thing that
you have to say about the way that they've built
this and bringing the talent in that they've brought and
making this place desirable again. Because Rob, you and I
have probably talked about this before. When I was working
(20:18):
for the national team development program, Michigan State wasn't on
anybody's radar. It wasn't on anybody's radar, and it broke
my heart. You know, you come out with these you
come out with these media sheets before the game and
the line combinations and everything, and you would see all
the logos of so many different colleges, and I mean,
you never ever saw the logo for Michigan State. And
(20:41):
it was depressing. And now all of a sudden, you know,
word is out this is a great place to be
in Eastland. And we all knew that East Lanting is
a great place to be. And you know, to people
that have grown up around this program and gone up
to games for the last forty years, we know how
dangerous a place mone can be. So word is getting
(21:02):
out again about how good this program is and it's back.
Let's face it, it was dormant for a while. None
of us wanted to see it. It was dormant for
a while, and it's back. Well, now is the next step.
Stop talking about how good jar stopped taking a peek
at at those rankings. It's time to make that deep
(21:23):
run come tournament time. And that's what I firmly expect
them to do. And I think Coach Nightingale and his
staff completely feel that way.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
Oh absolutely, you talking about the Spark logo on the
US developmental team, But now you see NHL logos thirteen
as a matter of fact, on the line sheets for
Michigan State hockey, including the backup goaltender. I don't know
how many of you see of those, right, I mean, yep,
I mean the depth on this team. I'll make the argument.
(21:58):
And again I've mentioned this earlier in the show. Maybe
be you right up there in my neck of the woods,
Boston University can make this argument. But no question, Michigan
State's depth is no question, if not top in the
nation right now, right near the top with the depth
of quality of depth that they have no doubt.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
And you know, the most important thing, Rob, And you know,
I called some games back in the day, you know,
a few years back on television and you didn't see
the scouts there. It was a whole heck of a
lot of the NHL logos on the media sheets and
everything and things have changed. But again it's a process.
(22:39):
It's time to take that next step. And you know,
we all have to remind ourselves sometimes it isn't linear,
you know, sometimes it isn't linear. You know, you look
back at the way they finished twenty twenty four and
we all fell into it last year. And I'm not
saying we were wrong, but okay, it's time didn't take
that next step, and they weren't able to take that
next step. I mean no doubt about that. So we
(23:00):
have to remember it's not linear. You just have to
trust that. You know, we've got the right people in place.
I have no idea how a living breathing organism could
doubt that in any way, Jay perform and and you
know what, trust that, you know, Yeah, this is a
year to take a big step.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
Yeah, and maybe the step right?
Speaker 4 (23:17):
Amen?
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Maybe?
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Amen?
Speaker 2 (23:19):
A step? All right? I was gonna let you go
and I can't believe I'm gonna do this, but I
mentioned before we go here, and I know the NHL
season starts tonight with three games, a hat trick of
games tonight, So here we go. I'm gonna let you
go ahead and and prop up your Montreal Canadians. And
how excited you are YadA, YadA, YadA about this team,
(23:41):
because boy did they make a step right? And this
is I will say this to me, is one of
the young up and coming teams most certainly in the season.
Your expectations for those Bastard Canadians Coming from a Boston, Rob,
what do you what are your ex expectations for Montreal
this year?
Speaker 4 (24:02):
They're not ready for a big step. There's still the
youngest team in the league. Like honestly, I mean, yeah,
when you when you when you look at when you
look at the numbers there there. I was just reading
this today. They're still the youngest team in the league.
And as exciting as it was down the stretch, yes,
and certainly they got better. I don't I don't think
there's any debate about that. Picking up Dobson, having Ivan
(24:24):
Demidov for for a full year is just so exciting
to me. I've been telling anybody that listen, Rob, I
don't know how much you've seen of him. This kid
is absolutely, positively the real deal.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
I'll tell you what happened. I'll tell you what happened,
Sean real quick. I had him pegged in my in
the Fantasy Hockey League that I know you're familiar with
Neil Kepke. Yeah, but that son of a gun took
him from me. I thought I was the only one
who knew about him. I was so excited to get him. Right,
I'm like, oh, this could be the sleeper pick of
(24:56):
the draft. And what did Neil Kepke do? You're breaking
my heart today, you really? Yeah, But you're right, this
kid is going to be something. Right. He has all
the potential in the world.
Speaker 4 (25:10):
He really does. And and you know they're they're still
so young at at other positions. And you can say
it's not linear. I think a lot of people you
don't think, Okay, well, it's time to take that next
step and win a series or may win two series. Robi,
I'm gonna say the same thing to you that I that.
(25:30):
And I know you're a fan of a team in
this division, and I say it to red wing fans
all the time. This is the most difficult division in hockey.
I don't care what anybody says. I felt that way
for two years and I stand by it. And you know,
is this the year as crazy down? Is this the
year that the Buffalo Sabers start to play better hockey?
You know, because they've got such a plethora of talent.
(25:53):
I just can't quite figure out how they don't put
it together. It's one of those is there something in
the water in Buffalo type of situations, and so yeah,
you know, I'm going to be really intrigued. I'm intrigued
to what the Red Wings are doing. You know, finally
Steve saying, yeah, let's bring some of these guys along.
Let's where they're at. I still think goaltending is an
achilles feel for the Habs. I really do. Montambole played
(26:16):
really strong down the stretch, but you know they're They're
guy in waiting is Faller. And that's not to just
dismiss Adblas, but no, I really think, I really think
that this is going to be a good team, but
not quite ready for prime time.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
All right, enough Montreal Canadian Time. That went about five
minutes too long, now, I'm kidding, Sorry about that. I'm
glad you're excited about your NHL team because my NHL team,
the Boston Bruins, could be in for a long season.
We'll just leave it at that, although could be in
for the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes, if you know what I mean.
(26:54):
We'll see what happens. Yeah, we'll see what happened.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
I'm really intrigued to what he's gonna do. You know,
it's going to be more of the change on the
fly type of stuff, orre they just going to say,
all right, it's operations, shut her down and and you know,
let's see what we can do to get in at
McKenna sweet stake. So I'm going to be intrigued.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
I feel like the first thirty games, right, it's a
long season. But somewhere what a Sparky Anderson tell me
about And I know one hundred and twenty six games
is a little different than eighty two, but what a
Sparky Anderson or Jim Leland or Sparky in one of
the Hall of Fame Tiger Sparky Sparky did.
Speaker 4 (27:26):
Yeah, yeah, it was great.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
Get me after forty games, Well, hit me after forty
games and we'll see where the Bruins are after that.
That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
Yeah, it's not easy in this division. You know, Florida's
not going anywhere, Tampa is not going anywhere. Mister keepk
Toronto's not going anywhere, especially come playoff time. But you
know that that's just the way things are.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Yep, well, the way things are is we love to
have Sean Belligan on this show, if you haven't guessed,
and I appreciate you taking time, especially with Jack not
being on the host of the show today, I appreciate
the time taking time with me to talk all sports man.
You're best. Thank you so much. Have a good rest
of your rest of your night, and let's uh, let's
see what the Tigers can do once mother nature cooperates.
(28:07):
What do you say, Yeah, I'm.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
Being told it's going to be a couple hours. I
have a pretty good source and told me it's going
to be a couple of hours. So let's wait and see.
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Speaker 1 (30:25):
Jack Kevlin here with my good friend Matt Sloan a
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That's right, Jack.
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You zero percent. Can't get much lower than that. That's
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Jack gambling here with my good friend Matt Sloan a
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Speaker 1 (00:24):
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Speaker 2 (00:39):
Welcome back everyone to the Drive with Jack on this Tuesday,
wet afternoon as we continue to be in a delay
for the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners. Not like Detroit
Tigers fans are excited about this game already, kind of
continue to wait it out. I'm Boston Rob Bennett filling
in for the Hall of Favor today Jack Ebling, who
(01:01):
is actually sitting in the rain at America Park. As
I mentioned during the break, I'm telling you guys that
Jack Ebling curse. Gotta be careful gotta be careful with it,
and a guy we don't have to be careful with
and of course my bumper music coming back warrior, a
true warrior in the Michigan media realm for years and years,
(01:22):
a guy, a jack of all trades when it comes
to this profession's joining us now. We will talk Tigers,
we will talk hockey, we will talk maybe even Michigan
State football with the great Shawn Bellegian. Shawn, thank you
so much for joining me here today. Appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
Oh, it's always a pleasure to talk to you. But Nel,
thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Thank you for coming on man more so. Yeah. So
I've asked all my guests during this show to start
off with your confidence level right now as we continue
to wait out this rain delay from one to five
right what is your cop bas level? In the Detroit
(02:01):
Tigers with Jack Flaherty on the hill today, eventually hopefully
to take a two to one lead against the Seattle
Mariners in the best of five here in the Al
Divisional series, what is your I.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Would say two, I you know, I mean, it was funny,
you're kind of hoping for anything you can get, and
in one of the narratives, around here last week was well,
Jack did what what you wanted out of him, and
it was like going for and two thirds is not
what you want out of I'm not not a guy
(02:37):
that you know, signed that big contract. And you know,
it would be one thing if this was the bullpen
of last year. It's not the bullpen of last year.
We know there are some holes in this in this
bullpen this year. So you know, asking both these guys
a little bit longer the last couple of days, it's
(02:58):
asking a lot. I mean, there are two guys that
haven't you know, gone long into a game for a while. Now.
Of course I'm talking also about Casey how that wasn't
exactly Casey my's choice last week when when he was
taken out after three innings and sixty two pitches. But
I think anybody who's followed the Tigers this year also
knows this. This is a guy that doesn't very often
(03:21):
get into the seventh inning, to put it mildly, and
so I would say too, you know, it's you know,
as the game goes on, Jack gets it, gets hit hard,
he just does, you know. And I think you saw
that throughout the season. I think you saw that a
little bit in that Cleveland game last week and right now,
(03:43):
I mean, this is what we've been dealing with for
about a month now. Just the bats just struggling, no
other way to say that. And it was huge at
Torque Cotton to pick me up the other day. But boy,
I'm just terrifiing these bats, Rob, I really am. You
put it off together, and I guess I have no
choice but to say, too.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
What happened to Jack Flaherty this year? Is it just
simply a location? Is it simply what? What what happened
to him last year compared to the year before.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
You know, I think he's always been good Jack, bad Jack,
But it seems to me it's it's been more pronounced
this year, it really does. It just seems like it's
been more pronounced this year that when he's going he's
really going well, and when he's not, he's really not
going well. And you know that this is the last
(04:35):
thing in the world you could do. Listen, this is
a guy that could have gone anywhere, and he wanted
to come to Detroit. You know, he got his ring.
He got his ring not far from where he grew up.
And you know, for all I know, you know, there
may have been an opportunity for him to go to
the Dodgers. He could have gone to a lot of
different places, and he chose to come here. And it's
(04:56):
been an up and down season, even more so than
in his career. But you know, that's the running joke,
at least in my house, is good good jack, bad jack.
You pull out of coin, you flip it. If it's heads,
it's good jack. If it's scales, it's bad jack. And
that's it seems like that's kind of the Jack flaarerty
that we've seen.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yeah, And but I mean how I mean when you're
the Detroit Tigers on the road and it's the best
of five series, I know a lot of people are
disappointed that they didn't get the win when especially with
schoolball in game two, Right, that's the last thing they remember, Right,
it's bad taste in their mouth. But how important when
(05:34):
you're on the road, and it doesn't matter in any sport,
Sean you know this better than anybody. If you're the
road team and you and it's a series, whether it's
the best of five, best of seven, best of twelve,
it doesn't matter. If you can steal one on at
home or away excuse me from from the away team.
That's basically you know that you've done your job. Yes,
(05:56):
you'd like to take two in this case, right, especially
with scoobl on the mound coming home tied one to one.
I mean, in all things considered, that's what you want, right.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
I think. So I think the Tigers are different though,
you know, I really do, and no, no, and I
mean that in all sincerity. I mean, look, we rely
so heavily on Errek's scooble and you know, I mean,
how many times do you hear it? I was one
of those guys Rob that I didn't like the three
game series because you only get Terrek Scuba once in
(06:30):
a five game series, you could potentially get him two times.
And obviously we know that didn't work out a couple
of days ago, and that's duly noted. But right now,
I mean, we could use the confidence level question about
Jack Flaherty, We could use the competence level question about
Casey Miz, We could use the confidence level question about
(06:52):
this lineup once or nine. Yeah, it really is a
mazing So in that regard, you know, I guess they
kind of have to stand by what I said Yeah, Yeah,
you're generally right. But I think this Tiger team is different.
I really do. It's I can't say enough about what
(07:13):
aj Hinch has done to get this team in spot
that he's gotten this team two years in a row,
because look, there are deficiencies with this team. There's no
other way to say that. And yet here they are
in the position that you just so adequately described. I mean, really,
this is part we're at right now. Hey, you've got, legitimately,
(07:33):
you got a chance to try to clinch this at
home the next couple of days if you get some
decent pitching out of these two guys.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Yeah. And if you're the Seattle Mariners, right, I mean
you've got to be kind of scratching your head a
little bit, especially after Game one. I mean, I mean,
is there I guess the question is is the pressure
now on Seattle because of what happened in game one?
(08:01):
And my goodness they came through in game two, because
if they were down to nothing to Detroit, I mean,
that's a hell of a hill to climb.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
I agree. I started to interrupt you. Yeah, no, sorry
to interrupt you, Rob, I agree with you, And and
you know what, there's got to be part of them
right now that are doing the same thing that we're doing, saying,
look at our lineup, We're so much better than this team.
How are we in this position right now? Because they
are rob I look at their lineup and they are
(08:31):
better than the Tigers. I don't have any I don't
have any problems saying that. But you know, the Tigers
have this thing going on, and AJ seems to push
the right buttons for the most part. You know, he's
not insolible. There have been some head scratchers. The one
that drove me nuts last round, obviously was Jami Jones,
a pinch hitting for Riley Green. There's no world where
(08:55):
that was a good decision. There's I don't care what
the splits say. You know, this is a guy that's
a career journeyman and it never had a postseason at bat.
So I think that was a miss by AJ. But
let's be honest, most of the stuff that he does
tends to work.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Let me let me ask you this. You leave me
right into my next question. That's why you're so damn good?
Speaker 4 (09:14):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (09:16):
When you look at AJ and and actually I'll give
credit to Jack as much as it pains me. I'll
give credit to Jack Eveley on this because he asked me.
He asked me this question the other day when we
were off air. Do you think aj Hinge and far
be it from me to say this as I'm sitting here,
but do you think he overthinks things and doesn't go
(09:39):
with his gut as much as maybe he should, over analyzes,
relies too much on the numbers and the statistics. Would
you agree with that or how would you explain? Aj
Hinch is a manager, very good manager, one of the
best in the game, no question about it. But if
there's one little if there's one little hiccup, what would
it be for you?
Speaker 4 (10:00):
Boy? That's a good one. I you know, I know
a lot of people in September went down hill. A
lot of people said, well, he needs to show some fire,
he needs to have that Jim Leland, that's meltdown. Well,
that's not him, you know, it's an even keel. This
is a guy that, for all intents and purposes, that's
just not the way that he operates. So in that regard,
(10:23):
you know, you can't ask somebody to be something that
they aren't. I think sometimes he's guilty of being the
smartest man in the room. I do, and I think
that's an organizational problem right now. I really firmly believe
that that, Oh, don't worry, you know, things, You're gonna
be okay. We can we can look past we can
look past everything. And I think, you know again, I
(10:44):
hate to bring it up the Jamai Jones and Riley
Green thing last week, but I don't care what the
split say. It's a small sample size. It's a guy
that hasn't had a whole heck lot of it bats
in his career, and he's never had a postseason at bat.
So I think that was a case of overthinking. Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Yes, all right, final baseball question for you. Does this
series go five games? Because I think I think it does.
Speaker 4 (11:11):
I do too. I do, and I said all along,
if this goes to five, I love the Tiger's chances
and I can't deviate from it. I mean, look, they
got Trek Scooble the other night, or I should say
Jorge Polanco got Terrek Scooble the other night, and I look,
I picked the owners to win this series. But if
this goes five games, I love the Tiger's chances. I'm
(11:32):
not gonna lie, And I.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Gotta say, I told my wife the Lovely Patricia the
other night, and I'm I'm surprised I didn't end up
sleeping on the couch when I said this. But Terrek Skouble,
my goodness, the man is human. I mean, everybody expects
Terrek Scouble to go out every start right and just dominate,
and it's so hard to do. That's what makes this
(11:54):
whole thing over the last what two years? Now, I
guess we're going on with Trek Scouble and unbelievable story
because it's just not that simple. And I wish fans
would understand he I don't want to say he's do
a bad game, right, but the man is human. You
can't expect him to go out there, you know, fourteen
(12:14):
strikeouts and seven innings, one walk, you know what I mean,
a run, you know what I mean. It's just it's
do you expect that now it's.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Been such a prolonged period that right or wrong, I
don't know what the answer is. I do expect that,
you know. I mean, really it's going back to like
the last month and a half of the twenty three season.
It was, you know, people had kind of tuned out
from the Tigers, and there was a lot of excitement
about the upcoming football season, and you know, in particular,
you know, all the Lions and how good are the
(12:45):
Lions going to be and everything, and it was almost
like people didn't pay attention really and truly, people didn't
pay attention to that strong finish, that strong finish that
he had in a twenty two twenty three. So, as
much as I hate to say it, yeah, that's kind
of where my brain is for that.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
It's programmed that way. Now, well, yeah, I think we
can agree no matter what team he lands up ends
up on, no matter what team, they're going to have
to back up not one, but two brink trucks because
he certainly has deserved it. Well, you believe he should
get the money he's getting a knot as a pro athlete.
That's a whole other discussion for another day. But he
(13:28):
has deserved everything he's going to get financially going forward here.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
And he's going to get it, you know as well
as I do. He's going to get it. Somebody's going
to get it to him. I have a feeling it'll
be the Yankees, I really truly do. I have a
feeling that that'll be the team that gets it done.
But we'll wait and see. You know, the speculation ends
as there's going to be a concerted effort as soon
as the season ends not to let that dragon into
next year and and to pursue some potential trades. We'll
(13:56):
wait and see.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Well, Sean, you just broke my heart. The Yankees, as
you know, coming from Boston. Don't tell me. Don't tell
me schoobl is gonna be. Put him on the Dodgers,
put him on the even the Mets, I'll even accept.
Don't tell me he's going to the Yankees.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
Man, come on, I have a I have a feeling
that's where he's going to end up. Well, we'll wait
and see. We'll wait and see.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
All right, Well, quick football question before I we really
talked the real sport of hockey here before I let
you go. But football question for you, straight and straight
easy question for you now? Is this? How big of
a game is this for Michigan State football? Homecoming against
going against a UCLA team that most certainly one of
(14:40):
the biggest upsets not only this year, but maybe in
several years. What we saw last Saturday as they upset
Penn State a lot of people, A Penn State team
who a lot of people thought would be in the
National Championship game now sitting with two losses. But just
how important is this game now for Michigan State football
(15:01):
heading into homecoming on Saturday.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
Massive, I mean, it's absolutely.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
It's got to be a must win, right, I think so?
Speaker 4 (15:10):
I think so, Rob. I don't see a path to
six wins if they lose this game. I don't, and
I hope I'm wrong. I pray I'm wrong. You know,
I've said jokingly, although it's a factual statement. You know,
when my daughter started school a couple of years ago,
I promised her, listen, that that'll be our trip at
(15:30):
at holiday time, you know, whenever Michigan State gets to
a bull game wherever they're going. Let's let's let's, you know,
take a couple of days and we'll go out to
the game and we'll have a blast. Why I haven't
been able to fill that and fulfill that yet, so
darn it, Rob, it's all about me, and I'm selfishly
thinking about me and my daughter. But no, all jokes aside. Yeah,
I mean, I don't see a road to even going
(15:52):
six and six. If you lose this game. And you know,
this was one of those games that, let's be honest,
this was one of those games that I think we
all sat back and said, well, this is a gimme,
and then we all saw what they did against Penn State.
So I don't feel that way right now. I saw
what their offense did. Let's face it, I've seen what
our defense or the Spartans defense is doing right now.
(16:15):
So yeah, it's terrifying, Rob, no doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
And I'll say this, and I understand as like thirty
forty mile per hour wins out in Nebraska, but one
of the strengths of this team has been special teams,
and boy, did they take a step back. I want
to say straight, I'll say the team and me and
Jack kind of got into a discussion a little bit
yesterday about the positives and negatives that we saw with
(16:41):
that Nebraska team. But it kind of reminded me, right
or wrong, of the Michigan State team of last year. Yes,
they came back and they took a lead despite being
down fourteen to nothing early. I don't know if that
team from last year could do that. But overall, when
you see things kind of and coming off a bye week. Man,
(17:03):
it just seemed like this team took a step back,
But they do have the ability to make a statement
against a team that's going to come in with nothing
to lose. We talked about Michigan State having nothing things
to lose. Ucla, in my view, has nothing to lose
in this game.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
No, you're right, and Rob. The way that I look
at this right now is there are little pieces, there
are shiny, little pieces on this team that you can
look at and say, Okay, I get it. We just
don't have enough.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
I think a lack of depth. I think a lack
of talent at far too many positions. And I hate
feeling this way. I was talking privately with Jack the
other day, I feel this is like the pre D'Antonio
era again, where well, Gollie, g maybe we can get
to a bowl game and then next year, you know,
maybe we can go seven and five, eight and four again.
(17:55):
And I boy, I hate feeling that that way. I do,
But that's the reality of where we're at right now.
And and and if it isn't, I mean the defense, honestly,
I boy, I wish something could be done with it.
I I've seen enough that makes me think, I think
this is just what we're going to have to deal
with the rest of the year. But you're right, whether
it be the special teams, whether whether it be up
(18:16):
and down play. You know, I think we are all
feeling good about Child's and and and then you know,
a step back and everything. If it's not one darn thing,
it's another.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Yeah, well we're going to talk about expectations as we
switch now to the ice. Happy opening night for the NHL,
by the way, to you, Yes, I know, I know
you celebrate that being a Montreal Canadians fan. Man, first
you tell me Schooble's going to the Yankees, and now
I'm talking to a Montreal Canadians I don't know about
having you on anymore. Sean. This is getting at it's
(18:46):
getting a little uncomfortable. But boy, speaking of expectations, and
that leads me right to Michigan State Hockey and I
know we're going to let you go here in a
few minutes, but I got to get your thoughts and
your excitement level for this team and this year. Who
despite being back to back Big Ten regular season and
back to back Big Ten Tournament champions, you gotta feel
(19:08):
still thinks they got to prove something to a lot
of people nationally, right.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
And I like that. I'm not gonna lie. So many
of these guys have been part of that disappointment, you know,
and they know what people are saying, you know, I
mean they went from two years ago, Wow, what a
great story. Let's see what happens and is you know,
Jack and I were down in Toledo together when the
season so unceremoniously ended, and so now, yeah, they know
(19:37):
what people are saying, and they know they look at
what Michigan got off to and you know some of
the star power that Michigan has and obviously we know
about the guy who I mean almost undoubtedly will go
number one in the draft. And yeah, absolutely, let people
talk about other people and let this team do what
(19:58):
they do. And this is built for long term success.
This isn't a short window. That's the one thing that
you have to say about the way that they've built
this and bringing the talent in that they've brought and
making this place desirable again. Because Rob, you and I
have probably talked about this before. When I was working
(20:18):
for the national team development program, Michigan State wasn't on
anybody's radar. It wasn't on anybody's radar, and it broke
my heart. You know, you come out with these you
come out with these media sheets before the game and
the line combinations and everything, and you would see all
the logos of so many different colleges, and I mean,
you never ever saw the logo for Michigan State. And
(20:41):
it was depressing. And now all of a sudden, you know,
word is out this is a great place to be
in Eastland. And we all knew that East Lanting is
a great place to be. And you know, to people
that have grown up around this program and gone up
to games for the last forty years, we know how
dangerous a place mone can be. So word is getting
(21:02):
out again about how good this program is and it's back.
Let's face it, it was dormant for a while. None
of us wanted to see it. It was dormant for
a while, and it's back. Well, now is the next step.
Stop talking about how good jar stopped taking a peek
at at those rankings. It's time to make that deep
(21:23):
run come tournament time. And that's what I firmly expect
them to do. And I think Coach Nightingale and his
staff completely feel that way.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
Oh absolutely, you talking about the Spark logo on the
US developmental team, But now you see NHL logos thirteen
as a matter of fact, on the line sheets for
Michigan State hockey, including the backup goaltender. I don't know
how many of you see of those, right, I mean, yep,
I mean the depth on this team. I'll make the argument.
(21:58):
And again I've mentioned this earlier in the show. Maybe
be you right up there in my neck of the woods,
Boston University can make this argument. But no question, Michigan
State's depth is no question, if not top in the
nation right now, right near the top with the depth
of quality of depth that they have no doubt.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
And you know, the most important thing, Rob, And you know,
I called some games back in the day, you know,
a few years back on television and you didn't see
the scouts there. It was a whole heck of a
lot of the NHL logos on the media sheets and
everything and things have changed. But again it's a process.
(22:39):
It's time to take that next step. And you know,
we all have to remind ourselves sometimes it isn't linear,
you know, sometimes it isn't linear. You know, you look
back at the way they finished twenty twenty four and
we all fell into it last year. And I'm not
saying we were wrong, but okay, it's time didn't take
that next step, and they weren't able to take that
next step. I mean no doubt about that. So we
(23:00):
have to remember it's not linear. You just have to
trust that. You know, we've got the right people in place.
I have no idea how a living breathing organism could
doubt that in any way, Jay perform and and you
know what, trust that, you know, Yeah, this is a
year to take a big step.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
Yeah, and maybe the step right?
Speaker 4 (23:17):
Amen?
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Maybe?
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Amen?
Speaker 2 (23:19):
A step? All right? I was gonna let you go
and I can't believe I'm gonna do this, but I
mentioned before we go here, and I know the NHL
season starts tonight with three games, a hat trick of
games tonight, So here we go. I'm gonna let you
go ahead and and prop up your Montreal Canadians. And
how excited you are YadA, YadA, YadA about this team,
(23:41):
because boy did they make a step right? And this
is I will say this to me, is one of
the young up and coming teams most certainly in the season.
Your expectations for those Bastard Canadians Coming from a Boston, Rob,
what do you what are your ex expectations for Montreal
this year?
Speaker 4 (24:02):
They're not ready for a big step. There's still the
youngest team in the league. Like honestly, I mean, yeah,
when you when you when you look at when you
look at the numbers there there. I was just reading
this today. They're still the youngest team in the league.
And as exciting as it was down the stretch, yes,
and certainly they got better. I don't I don't think
there's any debate about that. Picking up Dobson, having Ivan
(24:24):
Demidov for for a full year is just so exciting
to me. I've been telling anybody that listen, Rob, I
don't know how much you've seen of him. This kid
is absolutely, positively the real deal.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
I'll tell you what happened. I'll tell you what happened,
Sean real quick. I had him pegged in my in
the Fantasy Hockey League that I know you're familiar with
Neil Kepke. Yeah, but that son of a gun took
him from me. I thought I was the only one
who knew about him. I was so excited to get him. Right,
I'm like, oh, this could be the sleeper pick of
(24:56):
the draft. And what did Neil Kepke do? You're breaking
my heart today, you really? Yeah, But you're right, this
kid is going to be something. Right. He has all
the potential in the world.
Speaker 4 (25:10):
He really does. And and you know they're they're still
so young at at other positions. And you can say
it's not linear. I think a lot of people you
don't think, Okay, well, it's time to take that next
step and win a series or may win two series. Robi,
I'm gonna say the same thing to you that I that.
(25:30):
And I know you're a fan of a team in
this division, and I say it to red wing fans
all the time. This is the most difficult division in hockey.
I don't care what anybody says. I felt that way
for two years and I stand by it. And you know,
is this the year as crazy down? Is this the
year that the Buffalo Sabers start to play better hockey?
You know, because they've got such a plethora of talent.
(25:53):
I just can't quite figure out how they don't put
it together. It's one of those is there something in
the water in Buffalo type of situations, and so yeah,
you know, I'm going to be really intrigued. I'm intrigued
to what the Red Wings are doing. You know, finally
Steve saying, yeah, let's bring some of these guys along.
Let's where they're at. I still think goaltending is an
achilles feel for the Habs. I really do. Montambole played
(26:16):
really strong down the stretch, but you know they're They're
guy in waiting is Faller. And that's not to just
dismiss Adblas, but no, I really think, I really think
that this is going to be a good team, but
not quite ready for prime time.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
All right, enough Montreal Canadian Time. That went about five
minutes too long, now, I'm kidding, Sorry about that. I'm
glad you're excited about your NHL team because my NHL team,
the Boston Bruins, could be in for a long season.
We'll just leave it at that, although could be in
for the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes, if you know what I mean.
(26:54):
We'll see what happens. Yeah, we'll see what happened.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
I'm really intrigued to what he's gonna do. You know,
it's going to be more of the change on the
fly type of stuff, orre they just going to say,
all right, it's operations, shut her down and and you know,
let's see what we can do to get in at
McKenna sweet stake. So I'm going to be intrigued.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
I feel like the first thirty games, right, it's a
long season. But somewhere what a Sparky Anderson tell me
about And I know one hundred and twenty six games
is a little different than eighty two, but what a
Sparky Anderson or Jim Leland or Sparky in one of
the Hall of Fame Tiger Sparky Sparky did.
Speaker 4 (27:26):
Yeah, yeah, it was great.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
Get me after forty games, Well, hit me after forty
games and we'll see where the Bruins are after that.
That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
Yeah, it's not easy in this division. You know, Florida's
not going anywhere, Tampa is not going anywhere. Mister keepk
Toronto's not going anywhere, especially come playoff time. But you
know that that's just the way things are.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
Yep, well, the way things are is we love to
have Sean Belligan on this show, if you haven't guessed,
and I appreciate you taking time, especially with Jack not
being on the host of the show today, I appreciate
the time taking time with me to talk all sports man.
You're best. Thank you so much. Have a good rest
of your rest of your night, and let's uh, let's
see what the Tigers can do once mother nature cooperates.
(28:07):
What do you say, Yeah, I'm.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
Being told it's going to be a couple hours. I
have a pretty good source and told me it's going
to be a couple of hours. So let's wait and see.
Speaker 1 (28:16):
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Speaker 1 (30:25):
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Speaker 7 (30:59):
Are you passionate about college sports? Foster Swift's Sports Talk
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