Dodgers Territory - 3 Big Questions Remain Before Opening Day

Episode Date: March 19, 2026

With one week until opening day, Alanna Rizzo and Clint Pasillas dive into the 3 biggest questions that remain for the Los Angeles Dodgers... (1:20)Should the Dodgers give Hyeseong Kim the lion's shar...e of playing time at second base to see what they've got in him entering his second MLB season? Clint makes the argument that they should. (8:03) Is the starting rotation set? Following the move to option River Ryan to the minor leagues, it seems like the Dodgers could be primed to run with a 5 man rotation for the first few weeks. What will that look like? The hosts discuss. And we're talking Roki Sasaki. Again (11:33). Will adding pitches in the offseason prove to be a problem for Sasaki? And does dissention between the pitcher and the organization remain or are we just reading too much between the lines. Renowned baseball artist S. Preston joins to talk about his work and his love for the game. Get 10% off your first month of BlueChew Gold with code FOUL at BlueChew.com Check out DT merch at https://dodgersterritoryshop.com Support Guidry's Guardian at https://guidrysguardian.org Find Clint on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@alldodgers Follow Katie's work at The Athletic https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/katie-woo/  Subscribe to Dodgers Territory on YouTubeRate and review our podcast on Apple and SpotifySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Starting point is 00:00:04 Getting ready for a game means being ready for anything. Like packing a spare stick. I like to be prepared. That's why I remember, 988, Canada's suicide crisis helpline. It's good to know, just in case. Anyone can call or text for free confidential support from a train responder anytime. 988 suicide crisis helpline is funded by the government in Canada. Hey there, this is Josh from Stuff You Should Know with a message that could change your life.
Starting point is 00:00:34 The Stuff You Should Know Think Spring Podcast playlist is available now. Whether Spring has sprung in your neck of the woods yet or not, the stuff you should know, think spring playlist will make you want to get your overalls on, get outside, and get your hands in the dirt. You can get the Stuff You should know Think Spring playlist on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Let's go! Our IHeart Radio Music Awards are coming back.
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Starting point is 00:01:53 and listen on IHeart radio stations across America and the free IHeart app Give Hesson Kim all the playing time you can right now because you need to figure this guy out. Is he going to be the plan?
Starting point is 00:02:05 Is he going to be the man at second base or perhaps somewhere else? For the Thursday edition of Dodgers territory, that is Clint Pacific. see us. I am Alana Rizzo. Katie Wu will join us back next week. She's wrapping things up, making our way back to California after covering the world of baseball classic. We are psyched
Starting point is 00:02:36 that you are here. Thank you guys so much. Don't forget to like us. Rate us five stars. Make sure you subscribe to the pod on YouTube or anywhere that you get your podcast. We're working our way to get to 20,000 subs. A lot to talk about. We are excited to have S. Preston join us. He is an artist, a graphic designer. He has a gas. Valerie and Anaheim, big baseball fan. We'll talk to S. Preston momentarily. But first, let's get to the big ticket. Let's do it.
Starting point is 00:03:07 All right, Clint, we are a week away from opening day, and there are three big questions remaining. What is on top of your mind about what you need answered? Shockingly, or unshockingly, it's stuff that we have already talked about a whole bunch leading up to this point. At the top, I think we need to talk about second base here. What does that look like on opening day?
Starting point is 00:03:32 We know Heson Kim is in the mix. We know Santiago Espinall has made the team. Will he be in the mix on opening day starting against Zach Gallen? Probably not another guy. We probably haven't talked that much about or as much as about
Starting point is 00:03:48 that we should have, Miguel Rojas, who's having himself a very nice bring. Should the veteran get the start there? That's kind of my question number one. Has Heson Kim done enough to earn the lion's share, not only the opening day not, but the lion's share of starts at second base at least until Tommy Edmund is, you know, ready to come back from that ankle injury and surgery and all that kind of stuff. Where are you at with Hessong Kim?
Starting point is 00:04:15 We've talked about Kim already, but we also have, you know, some thoughts from Doc. We'll play in a second, but, you know, he spent a lot of time in, oh, not a lot, but he spent enough time in the WBC. Does that kind of hurt his chances? I don't know if Santiago Espinal is an insurance plan until Tommy Edmund gets back, Clint, or if they really, really enjoyed what they saw over the course of what was an incredibly strong spring for Espinall. And they're seeing him as more of getting not maybe the lion's share, but definitely getting some significant time at second base. I do think, and he can play the outfield too. So I do think that there might be a little bit more pressure on Kim to really kind of make a name for himself at the second base spot.
Starting point is 00:05:01 I definitely think he's on the roster. I'm not worried about that. I think, you know, he's going to move forward with being with the camp on opening day. But he's definitely going to have to prove that he deserves more playing time, right? And I think you're of the mind and correct me if I'm wrong, but you're of the mind that give him the load of it, right? See, I mean, what are we waiting for? Let's see what he can do.
Starting point is 00:05:23 Do you want to run him out there every single day? We got to figure out who he is, no? Yeah, I fully agree with that. And I think this is the time you learn about what Hesong Kim is going to be in his second year in the big leagues. Let's hear from Doc real quick a little bit about. He was asked about Heson Kim a day or two ago. We'll come back and, yeah, I'll give more thoughts about that. Well, we're just trying to get as much information on Haysong.
Starting point is 00:05:46 And he's played a lot in the WBC's. He's already got a buildup of playing. So I don't feel like it's a. concerned to play him four days in a row. He likes to play anyway. He likes to play. So he's off tomorrow and it's been good to see him. And I think for Hei Song, just know that he can play. Second, short, center field, he can steal a base. And so it's been good to see him on. The big line there from Doc is, you know, trying to get as much information on Hexon Kim as they can. Part of that is where he's at in his buildup. You know, coming back from the WBC,
Starting point is 00:06:22 also had a little bit of a hand injury there in the WBC, but also trying to get as much information, how is this guy going to handle big league hitters in his second go-around? Obviously, he came out, you know, came out of the gate pretty quick last year. It was hitting great. Hit around 400 for a little bit of a stretch. But the league made its adjustments to him, and he had a hard time adjusting back.
Starting point is 00:06:45 They went through some swing changes with him in the offseason. So far, like the early returns for Hessan Kim, very good. he's having a nice spring, adding more to the versatility as well, mixing in the center field, some outfield in general, along with second base. But give Hessan Kim all the playing time you can right now, because you need to figure this guy out. Is he going to be the plan? Is he going to be the man at second base or perhaps somewhere else?
Starting point is 00:07:12 Obviously, the most clear path to playing time for him is second base. But is he going to be somebody that you can count on into August, September? October or will it be Miggy Row? Will it be Tommy Edmund's spot all the way through or will be, you know, option D, which is trade deadline? I doubt that one. But I need to see Kim, more of Kim now because the tools, they're off the chart. He just needs to be able to hit big league hitting.
Starting point is 00:07:40 Okay. Well, you know what you're going to get from Miguel Rojas. Obviously, he's a true, you know, he's a proven player. You know exactly what you're going to get from him offensively, certainly what you're going to get from him defensively. I'd put him out there defensively at any point. But it's never been the defense for Kim that was in question, right? It's always whether or not he could continue to hit big league pitching and take his game offensively to the next level.
Starting point is 00:08:02 So someone in our chat had a pretty good point. Craig Osterberg, 007, was saying, hey, maybe is Kim the late replacement as a defensive replacement for inning seven through nine? Is that a role for him? Does that make sense to put him out there as a defensive replacement so you're not necessarily counting? I mean, it is difficult to come off the bench, too, as a pinch hitter and then leave him in the game as a defensive replacement. But maybe that's his spot. I'm not certain because I'm not taking Mickey's glove out of the game in late innings. You know, when Tommy comes back, I mean, this I guess is like, and again, we have three question marks going into the regular season, and this is the first one.
Starting point is 00:08:43 I don't know how it plays out. but it is an opportunity for him to show that he can hit big league pitching and deserves to be in the big leagues for the duration of the regular season. I would say I don't like as much the defensive replacement mostly because Miguel Rojas is, if anybody's going to be a defensive replacement, it's the guy who, if he had more playing time consistently, would be in the conversation with Gold Glove wherever he's playing, whether it's shortstop, second base or third base. So that is your, quote, defensive replacement guy for sure. When you're looking at Kim, his value is going to be in those legs in that glove and that ability to find grass, find grass in the gaps. That's what he's got to do. I don't want to see a lot of homers at a Kim.
Starting point is 00:09:31 That's not his game. That's not his game. Yeah. Yeah. Hit the ball. It wasn't making it. It wasn't made either. It is now, bitches.
Starting point is 00:09:41 Architect of the greatest homer in recent Dodgers history. That's question number one. It's second base. What are they going to do there? How does Kim take advantage of Tommy Edmund being sideline? That's my biggest question. That's, of course, leading into opening day and really for the first month of the season. Question number two, we've got to look at that starting rotation because it feels, maybe it's not even a question. I think it's essentially set. Something I talked about on my other show last night, it looks like they're going to be able to go with or are planning to go with a five-man rotation. to start the season because they have some days off over the course of a few days there. But I mean, the River Ryan move yesterday. I mean, that kind of solidifies it, right? I mean, River Ryan get an option to minor league camp pretty much with the calendar and play, as you had mentioned,
Starting point is 00:10:32 because of course they're looking at that, right? River Ryan gets the option to minor league camp. The calendar has the days off, at least for the beginning of the season until Blake Snell comes back. They probably only need something in terms of a five-man rotation. I mean, they're thinking about every single possibility. And our third biggest question mark plays into this as well, of course.
Starting point is 00:10:56 And we'll get to that momentarily. But I think you're right. I mean, with River Ryan being option, unless, and you pointed this out, Clint, unless Robo is the sixth guy, but I don't see them needing a six-man rotation to start the season. Obviously, Yama has already been established as the opening day starter. Then you have Tyler. than I, you and I both agree that Emmett Sheehan is in the starting rotation, of course, obviously Shohei Otani.
Starting point is 00:11:20 And then the question mark becomes, is it Rebleski? Is it Sasaki? Is it somebody else? Is it you? I mean, what are we doing here? I mean, I'm not. You're a big pitching guy. I'm not built up right now, Reyes.
Starting point is 00:11:37 And, you know, I got to tell you, you know, capping out, topping out at about 55, probably is going to get too many dudes. I got a bad elbow. I got a bad shoulder. I might have a bit of a weight problem to borrow from Chris Farley. So I wouldn't get too many big league hitters out. But yeah, looking at that starting rotation, I think running with a five man makes a lot of sense. You have a lot of days off over the course of April.
Starting point is 00:12:02 Most Thursdays off when we'll be live. They will have days off. So make sure you guys are still hanging out with us, subscribed and all that kind of stuff. Rebleski, as a sixth man, I don't like it as much because I do think early in the season, you are going to need some length. You're going to need some middle relievers that can give you bulk, really. And he's somebody who should be built up. They built him up to starters workload all spring training long. So you get him, you know, 45 pitches or something like that, three innings, him being able to take down three innings.
Starting point is 00:12:36 Same with Ben Casperius. I think he's somebody who needs to be able to take down at least two innings. at a time. Shohay Otani for his first start. I have him and I'll put the screen back up. We have him. I have him as the fourth starter because I think that makes the most sense. That puts him right online.
Starting point is 00:12:53 He has one more start on Tuesday and then that would put him on the next Monday as Cleveland comes into town. And just clear, this is strictly based on schedule. This is not big. Your order, I just want people out there to not freak out. We're not saying that M and Sheehan is a better pitcher than Shoha. It's not only guys. We're just doing it based on the calendar, the final tune-up against the Angels on Tuesday before the regular season starts. This is a likely order of which, again, opening day only matters opening day. And then after that, it's just all about who makes sense,
Starting point is 00:13:24 you know, in terms of opponent and, you know, lineups and those types of things. And I think these are the guys that kind of make the most sense right now. And, you know, you teased forward to that third big question, the Roki Sasaki angle and more so focusing on something I have I've championed since we heard he was adding two pitches. Is adding the pitches bad for for Roki Sasaki? It feels that way. It feels like it could be. Do we want to hear from the man himself and then kind of download off of that?
Starting point is 00:13:56 We do. All right. Here's Roki, friend of the show. Getting ready for a game means being ready for anything. Like packing a spare stick. I like to be prepared. That's why I remember 988, Canada's suicide crisis. Helpline. It's good to know just in case. Anyone can call or text for free confidential support from a train responder anytime.
Starting point is 00:14:21 988 Suicide Crisis Hubline is funded by the government in Canada. Hey there, this is Josh from Stuff You Should Know with a message that could change your life. The Stuff You Should Know Think Spring podcast playlist is available now. Whether spring has sprung in your neck of the woods yet or not. The Stuff you should know Think Spring playlist will make you want to get your overalls out. on, get outside, and get your hands in the dirt. You can get the stuff you should know think spring playlist on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Starting point is 00:14:57 So first two innings, I actually felt pretty good, intensity-wise, and it was okay. But the third inning, I threw a lot of two-semer. That kind of made my, you know, mechanics a little off. So that's kind of, yeah. Was it something you felt before you started that third inning or just with throwing those pitches, you kind of felt something off mechanically,
Starting point is 00:15:17 and how did you find adjusting out of it? Yeah, it's just, yeah, I started feeling that at the third inning. You think just because of the two seamers, the command went bad, or were there mechanical things you started feeling then, too? I think it's because of Tsishim, two-semer, and it kind of caused my, you know, forearm pronate a little more, and also I'm a little slow, a little down, so. I know it's only spring games,
Starting point is 00:15:40 but are you worried that the results haven't been better so far? So, yeah, there's a lot of things. need to work on but it's just a spring training so just you know keep continue working on that and then you know the result in the spring training doesn't really matter so yeah just keep going I mean it matters to a degree of course I think he everybody would feel a lot better if Roki was having a better spring training but it's concerning for me Riz that he is specifically calling out the mechanics kind of being altered from that two seamer from that sinker and
Starting point is 00:16:15 You guys know the baseball's coming out for this one. The idea of needing to get on top of that ball a different way, needing to kind of manipulate the forearm and the elbow in a different way. If I was going to be in that starting rotation, Alon, I'll tell you, I would lean on my forkball. It is pretty decent, very low spin forkball. Not good one, just low spin. And the way he throws that pitch, that is very important, the over the top,
Starting point is 00:16:40 staying over the top. I'm calling it a forkball. They call it a splitter. It is a forkball. staying over the top. As soon as you start to try to move the ball that way, try to move the ball, you know, into a right-hander or away from a left-hander,
Starting point is 00:16:54 almost naturally you're going to lose that arm slot. You're going to lose that elbow. You're going to lose the mechanics of it. And it feels like that is a concern area for Roki. And this was something I talked about. I mentioned to Mark Pryor when we had him on about a month and change ago.
Starting point is 00:17:11 He took the diplomatic approach, the Dodger approach, didn't you know, there was a little bit of concern. If I'm being honest, I don't remember what he said. Go back, check it out. It was February 5th. He was on the show. Like it, subscribe.
Starting point is 00:17:24 But yeah, this is a concern point, less so about where Roki is in terms of his buildup and the results. But this, the pitches changing Rokie's mechanics. Are you reading between the lines on this or am I doing it unnecessarily that he's still talking about the changing of the mechanics and it still feels like they're on two opposite sides of the equation. And I don't know. And I don't want it to be lost in translation because he is speaking through an interpreter. It's not having done English to Spanish and Spanish to English, it's not always word for word. Okay. So I'm not trying to start anything here. But it seems like an underlying theme is that there seems to be a little kerfuffle with changing the mechanics.
Starting point is 00:18:11 And it's like it just seems like there's not as much of an open. openness perhaps to, whether it's at another pitch or change the mechanics of certain pitches, whether it's arm angle or slot or, you know, your stance on the mound or where you're standing on the rubber or whatever it is. Does it seem like there's still not a perhaps open line of communication between the two sides? I don't know. I mean, Dave has said that the communication is better. I don't know if that's Dave Wash for the situation because it has seemed like there is a little bit of communication breakdown between the two sides here. You've got a young pitcher.
Starting point is 00:18:47 You got a different organization that is very forward-thinking, trying to find a way to align it. I don't think you're reading too much in between the lines. I think there is something there to the communication factor of it. I also agree with the idea that some of it is lost in translation. I've heard from people that, you know, the interpreter, that you mentioned it's a very difficult job they don't they don't do it word for word that I can promise you
Starting point is 00:19:16 I know from experience obviously I don't speak Japanese but I do speak Spanish and having to translate you know English to Spanish and back and forth and all the things it's not you're kind of paraphrasing you're trying to get the overall message across it's definitely not verbatim I will say that so this actually Dylan Hernandez who's a friend of the show and we know speaks and rights and understand fluent Japanese. So he got the actual direct quote here from Roki saying, kind of changing what he said
Starting point is 00:19:49 there at the end. He's like not so much that he's not worried about the results. He, what does he say? From a standpoint of results, I'm glad this was spring training. If I'm able to pitch the entire season, I don't think anyone will remember spring training. Now, I don't know about you. I feel a lot better than just like, yeah, whatever, this doesn't mean anything.
Starting point is 00:20:06 That makes me feel a little bit better. I also think he's right though. I think if he starts to perform, and this can be said for Blake Trine and Tanner Scott, whomever were supposedly, you know, having our eye on because of lack of production or lack of results or whatever, we're not going to remember spring training if he comes out and figures it out when it matters most. So I'm not worried. Again, I'm not worried. You ask Katie Wu.
Starting point is 00:20:30 She's definitely not worried about it more on that when she comes back next week. We'll hopefully have some answers. I mean, we only have seven days before the season starts. But it all doesn't have to be fixed right now. All right, much more to come on Dodgers territory. Clint and I are happy to be joined by S. Preston here momentarily. But first, a word from our friends at Fowl. This one's for the dudes looking for peak bedroom performance.
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Starting point is 00:22:10 988 suicide crisis helpline is funded by the government in Canada. Blue Chew Colin Clint Paseas to make sure that he knows that his order is ready. All right, we want to welcome in S. Preston to the show. He has been on before, but he is an artist and creator of S. Preston Art and Designs. You can check out his extensive gallery in Anaheim. He's a huge baseball fan who has created some great Dodgers art. S. Preston, good to see you. Good to be with you again.
Starting point is 00:22:40 Let's talk about this journey that you've had because I've heard the story before, but I find it to be an interesting one. Where did the love of baseball in particular come from? So I'm originally Canadian. So I was obviously a huge hockey fan being Canadian. But during the 92, 93 World Series, I saw the Blue Jays win and those two. And I started like finding myself flipping over the channels to the Lou Jays games more often. And I think back then the Cubs were on in the midday and the race were on. So I started watching more and more baseball instead of hockey.
Starting point is 00:23:16 And I've learned to love the game more as an adult and has really just been passionate about it. And then when I got licensed with Major League Baseball, it really just took it up another notch. Just learning and being part of the industry by being part of the fans and being able to draw the emotional connections. with the fans has been just an absolute blessing. So that's where my love for baseball really started. How do you translate the love for baseball into your style, your art, your design? Because I've seen your stuff. I love your stuff.
Starting point is 00:23:50 We need to add stuff here to the Dodgers Territory Studio West. But yeah, what kind of goes into making that love of baseball into a piece, into artwork? I think I'm a baseball. baseball fan first and then an artist. And I think that's, I think there's other sports have asked me to come and do art for them. But I feel like as an artist, you need to actually be a fan first and then draw on that emotion. So I was a graphic designer before that for big corporations and sort of freelancing for big brands. And part of graphic design and creating ads and brochures and things like that is you need to capture people's emotions quickly.
Starting point is 00:24:31 You have to make someone make a decision really quickly. So my style of minimalism is grabbing iconic moments, iconic pieces of being a fan or that championship or that stadium. And being able to capture you immediately. And I think that's what I've drawn as a baseball fan and also as an artist. How do I use as little as possible to capture your emotions? So I think when you guys were talking earlier, a lot of baseball is done in our brain. Like there's the brain, the heart, and the soul. And a lot of this banter, which I love to talk about,
Starting point is 00:25:06 is who's playing with this position and is all sort of how our brain processes all these, all of the sport. But I'm more focused as an artist on how your heart feels about baseball and how your soul feels about baseball. And that's a totally different thing. And I think that's why my unique, my artwork is unique. It's interesting, though, too,
Starting point is 00:25:25 because as an artist that tries to focus on the minimalist type of things, it's hard to, I would think, I can't even draw a stick figure. I would think it would be difficult to encapsulate the big moments by doing it minimally. So how does one do that? And let's show some of the great artwork that you've done with the Dodgers in particular.
Starting point is 00:25:44 I'm fortunate enough to have a couple of pieces behind me, one of Sarah Lang's, of course. And obviously, this is the back-to-back championships. And this is just so beautiful. And the reason I believe is because we started the season in Tokyo, right? And then, you know, tell us a little bit about this piece in particular. Well, when I was making it, I mean, I'm Dodger season ticket holder.
Starting point is 00:26:07 So I go to a lot of Dodger games, obviously surrounded by Dodger fans. I was in Tokyo for the original, for the games there. And so for me, it started into, it started in Tokyo and it ended in LA. What's actually funny enough is that actually, if I knew better, it ended in Canada. I would have put like Maple Leaf on this piece. But it got, it got a, this whole process it does, it happens in weeks and weeks. before the actual World Series ends. So that's what I was trying to focus on is there's obviously the back-to-back
Starting point is 00:26:38 and sort of the linear lines that are sort of throughout Dodger Stadium. But yeah, I was just trying to grab these iconic pieces that would just capture you immediately go, yes, there's a Japanese flavor. There's an L.A. flavor of this World Series. That's what makes this series difference. There's a back-to-back moment. So by just grabbing those little elements should be enough for you to connect. This is 2025 World Series.
Starting point is 00:26:59 This is another year. This is the 20-25 World Series. Well, you can say, listen, the parade was in LA. So it did end in LA because that's where the parade was. It started in Tokyo and the LA parade will take it every single time. How do you think that baseball relates to art in terms of are there similarities between the game that we all love and the art of, you know, drawing and designing baseball? It's so weird because art is where our heart is. So art is drawing upon our moment of what we love and seeing something that captures a whole different side of our logic.
Starting point is 00:27:35 So I think that's what baseball is to me. When I walk into a ballpark, it's not only the game that I'm anticipating, I'm anticipating the hot dog. I'm anticipating how my, you know, the kids are going to be happy. I'm anticipating the smell of the grass. There's other nuances that we're anticipating not only just what. the game. So that's so that to me is the art of baseball and that's where I'm trying to focus my artwork and I think I'm and obviously artwork has a lot to do with your feelings and I think that's where that that's the one moment I seem to
Starting point is 00:28:10 sort of capture and it's why I travel to a lot of ballpark. I just came back from Houston to the World Baseball Classic. Honestly I was getting on the playing going why am I going to the baseball game but then I when I get there I the cheers the energy the the people um getting excited and dressing up and the smell and sort of the murmur. Those are all the elements that capture me as an artist when it comes to baseball. You know, you have two trophies on there. I wonder how you're going to fit the third one coming up really soon.
Starting point is 00:28:42 But what would you say some of your favorite Dodgers pieces are the favorite artwork? You showed us before we came on live here, some of the stuff that you have there just in your office. and it's all just so damn cool and you know people really need to appreciate that minimalist touch and flavor to it because I don't know I think it speaks more sometimes than you know loud gaudy pieces of our I you well a lot loud gaudy pieces are amazing they're they're awesome but uh that's just not my style um so part of my part of my whole thing that is happening recently is is what I call hot market but It's sort of the championship moments, the moments when we are, as a sports fan, are like, we got really our blood flowing and getting excited. And I, like, last the other night, the World Baseball Classic, those moments as a sports fan means so much for us.
Starting point is 00:29:40 And that's what I go, I went to Seoul, I went to Houston, I went to the Olympics. So I go to these events, they're on my dime, no one's sort of paying my way, but I try to capture those moments. I think the two pieces that we talked about was this piece I did for the Seoul series celebrating sort of the historic, the culture of Korea, which is my heritage, but bringing that little foul pole into it and then this one also I did for the Tokyo series. So capturing those unique moments in baseball is a whole new sort of angle for me. of and it's minimalism these ones happen to be sketches but it's all about capturing iconic parts of each of each of each of those hot market or specialty events they're so beautiful i have the one uh the
Starting point is 00:30:37 tokyo series in my husband's office because obviously he's a baseball fan he played major league baseball but he's also very much into the art of bonsai bonzai uh so that one was a really yeah it was a really special piece for him um let me ask you this the last time we had you on the show you talked about after the show, somebody went to your gallery and picked out it. I want to say it was a Freddie Freeman piece. Somebody went into your gallery and picked out something and purchased something from you.
Starting point is 00:31:03 I mean, that's got to feel pretty cool. I mean, I would imagine not just that somebody went in and bought something that was Freddie Freeman, but just the fact that somebody wants to purchase a creation that you've made. Like, I've always thought about what it would feel like if you're a rock star or a music artist and you get on stage and everybody is singing your song
Starting point is 00:31:18 word for word and they're losing their mind because of something that you, you created. What is that like as an artist to know that somebody appreciates something that came from your heart and your soul and your mind? That rock star moment too, I remember when I first started doing this art career, I saw those moments in a totally different light. I was wild. They're actually singing his songs that he wrote in his bathroom in the shower. That's just that's that's and honestly this I could say that this world series piece I was in New York doing New York Comic-Con and I was in a cafe with my laptop open quickly doing the art because the Dodgers
Starting point is 00:31:56 locked up that locked up that spot and I quickly did it so that piece you know we sold you know probably like 1,100 pieces or something to that effect so it is wild to think that a little piece that you were sitting in a coffee shop in New York turns into you know that many pieces and um what's really cool is when when I do a signing so I just did a we're working on a yo um a yoshi finishing up a Yoshi signing and Will Smith signing. We just got a bunch of artwork. We're signed by TK. And now we actually send extra prints to them
Starting point is 00:32:26 because a lot of them, a lot of the players are signing, you know, pictures, balls, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then they get to my art and they go, oh, can I keep one? This is really cool. So that's actually a real, real sort of unique part of knowing that, hey, my art doesn't even
Starting point is 00:32:41 also resonates with the players. It means a lot to their championship. That's like, wow. Do you have a piece that you would never part with? something that's really near and dear to your heart that there you can't you can't put a price tag on that one stays with you you can't put a price tag on it uh interestingly enough that type of artist there's a price tag on everything because i can redraw it but that makes me a good entrepreneurial artist i'll be honest a lot of artists are like hey i want to
Starting point is 00:33:12 keep everything i don't want to show everything to everybody i i'm scared to show anyone i will like This is mine. It's like my heart's on this art and it's there for someone to enjoy. So I do have a Jim Abbott signed piece that I have. I'm a huge Jim Abbott fan. I think he transcends the game and the perseverance side of the game. So I do have an autograph of him. I do have a Bin Scully signed piece, which I don't think I'm ever going to get rid of.
Starting point is 00:33:44 So there's a couple pieces that are as a baseball fan I've collected. But the artwork, I can create another one. If there's depth, I have pools and pools of ideas here. So I will draw another amazing piece. How's that? Okay. Hey, I'm kind of curious. You know, we're seeing, in particular, Alana and I have got different things,
Starting point is 00:34:09 different AI bits and pieces from people, which I know is just like, it's cool when you see it. But then you think of the people who, are, you know, you're stealing from somebody else's creatives or their, their heart and soul and their work. Just kind of speak a little bit on, on, you know, the AI era we're in the culture of that. And, you know, do you like some of it? Like, does it offend you? Do you get really pissed about it? I'm curious from the mind of an artist. We have to be really, we have to be really carefully here because AI ranks quite low on everyone's sort of value lists. I mean, it's people think
Starting point is 00:34:47 It's taking jobs and it's taking artist jobs. I personally use AI every day. I open Photoshop when it came out. I used it every day. I use AI all the time. I'm trying to learn how to prompt better. It helps me with, obviously with the mathematical spreadsheet side of things, but it also helps me sometimes with the visuals.
Starting point is 00:35:13 So, for example, when I'm drawing a shirt or a jersey, in a certain angle or drawing something in a certain way. I can put prompts in, I'm just Googling and Googling and trying to find something that inspires me. Now I can put in prompts and find something that would inspire me. But the key is I don't draw what I see. It helps me, it helps inspire me to do different, different ideas. But it is a scary, scary world that we can generate other people's properties. So I'm so half and half over it. So, but I'm never scared of using new technology. But it's not art, as far as I'm concerned.
Starting point is 00:35:54 Art is, art is me. So that's- Yeah, that's just it. Actually, I'll say, let me throw this one more thing out there. I think people buy the artist, not the art. The art can be cool, but Alanna, you and I have talked, and Clint, you and I have talked, you like me and you like the way that I approach my art, and approach my artist as a baseball fan.
Starting point is 00:36:14 That's why you buy it. In my opinion, that's why you like it, not because it's just a pretty picture. Anyone can do a pretty picture. But I think I'm on your wall. That's how I perceive my artwork. I'm there. It's that relationship. And it's why I go to ballparks.
Starting point is 00:36:31 I like to meet people. And I like to meet the fans. It's not just about Twitter. It's because I represent my art. So AI can never do that. Yeah, absolutely right. It's a great inspiration tool, but it certainly does not replace the human element. As Preston, you can certainly go see.
Starting point is 00:36:46 his work, his exclusive gallery, extensive gallery, rather, in Anaheim. You can also check out his website, of course. Check him out. A lot of Dodger stuff, a lot of great baseball stuff, all different types of sports. But we appreciate you being on. Look forward to talking to you talking to you throughout the season. I'll work on that next World Series print right away. Yes, please do. I want that immediately. Put that third trophy up there. All right. Talk to you soon, my friend. All right, Clint, let's get some Netflix. I thought we were. Getting ready for a game means being ready for anything. Like packing a spare stick.
Starting point is 00:37:25 I like to be prepared. That's why I remember, 988, Canada's suicide crisis helpline. It's good to know just in case. Anyone can call or text for free confidential support from a train responder anytime. 988 suicide crisis helpline is funded by the government in Canada. Guys, we have an update on Peyton. If you've been watching the show the last week and change, she actually had surgery today.
Starting point is 00:37:55 She made it out of surgery just fine. She had her spleen removed because there was a mass on her spleen. The vet also found a red skin mass adjacent to the incision. So that was removed as well. Both of those things that have been sent out to pathology. She's being sent home with pain meds, antibiotics. And we're just praying for the best. It takes about two weeks for the pathology to come back to find out whether it was benign
Starting point is 00:38:19 or malignant. But this was the best course of action to try to save her life and extend her life. So it's a very, very expensive. expensive procedure. We are 100% donation-based, but I was not going to let her go without doing everything I could. So if you want to donate a buck, $10 to giddreysguardian.org, I would greatly, greatly appreciate it. And obviously, I'll keep you posted on the prognosis, but we have to wait for about two weeks. So there is that. Thank you for letting me talk about Peyton Girl. All right. Opening day, Clint, one week from today. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go.
Starting point is 00:38:55 It's more of a goo. Yeah, we are a week away from opening day. Dodgers, Diamondbacks. I don't know if they're also showing it on SportsNet, L.A., but we do know the new NBC broadcast is going to be starting, and they are lining up something I think is going to be really fun. I think baseball fans are going to appreciate the way they're having team analysts join Jason Benetti each week.
Starting point is 00:39:23 And we are lucky enough to have the Bulldog. Bulldog will be on that broadcast along with DeBack's legend, Luis Gonzalez, Clayton Kershaw, part of the pregame as well. So it's going to be definitely a lot. It's going to piss off a lot of people. It's such a Dodger show or whatever. But I love this. I love this so much.
Starting point is 00:39:44 My God, you know, we went, we talked all offseason about baseball needs to come back. Spring training needs to get here. Now it's, I'm done. Done with spring training. Listen, I mean, it's not like Gonzo's not going to be there. It's not like it's just oral. I mean, you know, like, Gonzo is going to be in the booth with him. So it's an equal opportunity show for the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers.
Starting point is 00:40:02 And Jason Benetti does a tremendous job. He hasn't been named the elite NBC play-by-play guy, still doing Tigers broadcast. It's a great job. So I'm excited. I'm excited to see Oral in there. I'm assuming SportsNet's still doing the game, but what do I know? It's worth noting. Gonzo.
Starting point is 00:40:17 Luis Gonzalez did spend part of a season with the Dodgers. So it's all Homer. up for the Dodgers. Oh, there you go. Yeah, they're not going to think about the World Series that he got with the Arizona Diamondbacks. That won't be mentioned at all, I'm sure. No, no, no one was. All right. No, that's exciting. That is very, very exciting. I think that's it for us today. We've had a lot of shows this week. Thank you guys so much for being here. Do not forget to please like and subscribe. Hit that subscribe button. You'll always know when we're on. Please rate and review the pod on Apple, Spotify, wherever you get your podcast.
Starting point is 00:40:46 Don't forget, check out Dodgers Territory Shop.com for cool stuff. I can attest it. It's still, It's still frippin, flipping, flipping, flipping cold here. The beanie, the hoodie, all the things. It's freezing here. It's hot here. So get yourself a mug to cool down. We will be back on Monday. Katie should be back with us on Monday.
Starting point is 00:41:09 Until then, have a great weekend, you guys. We are down the home stretch baseball for real first next week. Let's go. Bye. Let's go. Words are coming back. Thursday, March 26th. on Fox. Watch as we
Starting point is 00:41:32 honor the biggest stars from all genres of music that you loved listening to all year long on your favorite IHeart Radio station and the IHart Radio app. Hosted by Ludacris. Icon Award recipient John Mellencamp. Innovator award recipient. Miley Cyrus. With performances by Alex Warren,
Starting point is 00:41:48 Kaylani, Lainey Wilson, Ludacris, Ray, TLC, Saltin, and Invoke. Blur Swift makes her first award show appearance this year. Nicole Scher Singer. Nikki Glazer, Sark. Watch live on Fox.
Starting point is 00:42:17 Thursday, March 26th, at 8.7 Central. And listen on IHeart Radio stations across America and the free IHeart app. Hey there, this is Josh from Stuff You Should Know with a message that could change your life. The Stuff You Should Know Think Spring podcast playlist is available now. Whether spring has sprung in your neck of the woods yet or not, the stuff you should know, think spring playlist will make you want to get your overalls on, get outside, and get your hands in the dirt. You can get the stuff you should know think spring playlist on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
Starting point is 00:42:52 you get your podcasts. Good people. What's up? What's up? It's Questlove. So recently, I had the incredible opportunity to have a real conversation with an actress and producer Jamie Lee Curtis from routines to recovery, true lies, and a certain Jermaine Jackson
Starting point is 00:43:08 music video. Jamie's surreal and raw. And something I really admire about her. I am so happy that I'm the head bitch in charge at 67, that I have the perspective that I have at my age to really be able to put all of this into context. Listen to the Questleaf show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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