Dodgers Territory - Austin Barnes Joins! Golden AB Rule, Teo Deal Incoming?

Episode Date: December 5, 2024

DT hosts Alanna Rizzo and Clint Pasillas react to reports that the Dodgers are finishing the final touches on a deal to bring back Teoscar Hernández. (1:10)(7:21) Rumors are swirling about a potential new “Golden AB” rule, but would it be a step backward for baseball?(11:28) Austin Barnes joins to chat about the Dodgers' World Series parade and what it means to secure his second ring in his 10th season.(20:03) With a revamped pitching staff, Barnes takes us through his daily routine as the Dodgers' backup catcher.(25:43) And the big question: why is Austin Barnes the guy everyone wants by their side in a dark alley?Subscribe to DT on YouTube! DT is LIVE on Mondays & Thursdays at 12p PT/3p ET all year long!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peace to the planet. Shalameen to God here. And listen, We are back. The Black Effect Podcast Festival is back in Atlanta on April 25th at Pullman Yards. And the full lineup is nuts. We got the Grits and Age podcast,

Deante Kyle, and Big Ice Cup Cat. We got Club 520 with Jeff Teague and the gang. Don't call me white girl. Mona will be there. Keep it positive, sweetie with Crystal Renee. We got reality with the king with Carlos King. And yes, drink champ will be in the building. Plus, you know, we'll be in the building.

going to have a lot of guests, so you need to join us. And we got the Black Effect Marketplace to pitch your podcast and everything you expect from the Black Effect Podcast Festival. Tickets are on tail right now. Go get yours at blackeffect.com slash podcast festival. Don't play yourself, okay? Pull up. Then she says, have you seen a photo of my son?

And I'm like, who is this person? Welcome to the Boys and Girls podcast. Arranged Marriage is basically a reality show and you're auditioning for your soulmate. And who's judging? Only your entire friend. family, I sacrificed myself to this ancient tradition, hoping to find love the right way. And instead, I found chaos, comedy, and a lot of cringe.

Listen to boys and girls on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. When you feel uncomfortable, what do you put on? Biggie. You put on Biggie when you feel uncomfortable? Because I want to get confident. This is DJ Hester Prynne's Music is Therapy, a new podcast from me, a DJ and licensed therapist. 12 months, 12 areas of your life. Money, love, career, confidence.

This isn't just a podcast. It's unconventional therapy for your entire year. Listen to DJ Hesterprin's music is therapy. On the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I thought it was a joke when I first heard it. I couldn't, like, grasp that Major League Baseball would actually make that a rule. It's just weird. Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to a brand new live.

edition on this Thursday afternoon. If you're on the East Coast, Thursday morning, I guess just barely afternoon on the West Coast of Dodgers territory. We are your host for the next half an hour. I am Alana Rizzo. That is my guy, Clint to see us. Thanks so much for being here. Rate us five stars. Like, subscribe, all the things. Tell your friends. Put us on your Christmas list. All of the different things. We appreciate it. We're excited. We're going to be joined by two-time World Series champion and one of the longest tenured Dodgers, Austin Barnes, the real AB coming up here momentarily. And by the way, before I forget,

Blake Trinan, who I hope is a Dodger next year, who very much helped the Dodgers win the World Series this year, was just on foul territory and a great interview with Eric Crats and Trevor May. So please check that out. It was a lot of fun. Thank you. You were there. Time now to get to the big ticket.

Let's do it. I'm loving what I'm hearing, Clint. I'm hearing that Teosker Hernandez, hashtag Extenteo, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, your favorite team, are close to perhaps nailing the final details of the contract. Now, Matthew Moreno, who is a friend of the program, does a great job as well covering this team, said that David Vassay on the Petros and Money Show

was talking about the fact that Teosker is telling people, his understanding is that Teosker is going to resign with the daughters. Many people around the league expecting that to happen, find their way back to each other. The Dodgers and Teosca are very much engaged in trying to nail the final details of a conference, contract. So things are looking good for Tay Oscar and the Dodgers to reunite, if you will. Now, Ken Rosenthal on Fair Territory this morning with Ken Rosenthal didn't know how deep in terms of

finalization it was, but it looks like Teo's going to be back and right field. I mean, this is what this fan base needed to hear. It just makes sense. Yeah, as we've gone through all the Juan Soto talk and an offseason talk, Teasasaskser Hernandez, we keep coming back to this guy because we'll say it. We've said it a million times. We'll say it again. Teosker Hernandez wants to be a Dodger. Dodgers fans really, really want him to be a Dodger. Even if Juan Soto comes to L.A., I think people still really, really want this man to be a dodger. He's fun. He fits the clubhouse cohesion. It's there. We know what he brings to that team, but we also know what he brings to that lineup. So if you're able to add him back to the

mix, whether it be in right field, left field, whatever the plan is, it's a move that needs to happen. And I fully do believe that Vassé is. onto something. Maybe some of the logistics are a little bit off, but I do trust Dave Vassay when it comes to players, especially players he knows, and we know he knows to Asker Hernandez as well. No question. Dave Sase has been covering this team for the better part of two decades. I can't wait for this to actually be official. I love when Blake Snell was official. I loved, obviously, when Tommy Edmund was official. Let's make this official as well. So does this, in your opinion, if they get him, does this finally put to bed the Juan Soto and Los Angeles Dodgers talks?

Or is there still a little bit of an opening there? It feels like with the Dodgers, at least this version of the Dodgers that have all of the money in the world, they're manufacturing money there at Dodger Stadium. I just don't think you can close the door on any one Soto talk. And we're hearing the latest, of course, Dodgers remain amongst the finalist, Jeff Passon reporting. Dodgers are in there. John Heyman confirming or stating the same in rumors this morning as well,

about a half an hour before we go live. all five teams that we heard a couple days ago, we're in the mix on Juan Soto, including the Dodgers, are still in the mix. And we know it's north of $600 million. That's at least the target finances right now, maybe 12 years in length.

I'll say, I think the door is not closed, but he really need a barge through that door to end up signing with the Dodgers. What's your stance on Soto and where he ends up? Well, I think whoever gets him is going to have to pay a pretty hefty price sag and I'm talking about more than 600 million. We had Buster only on Fowel territory just a few moments ago talking about the whole

fact that the Toronto Blue Jays really are in this desperation mode of trying to prove like, you know, they want to sign this guy perhaps like a, you know, a face of the franchise. And Trevor May was even saying to you, if you get, you know, if you get a Juan Soto in Canada, see you later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Because that's a massive deal, right? You'll have the whole country behind you. And having missed out on Shohei Otani and having. having missed out on some other folks, perhaps that's the way that they can, for lack of a better word, redeem themselves.

So whoever gets Soto, it's going to have to be at a massive, massive price tag. I think it's going to be at an overpaid price tag. I still don't think it's L.A. And I'm okay with that. Great player. Great player. Young player. A lot of value there.

I just don't think you need to spend that price tag if you're Los Angeles. If you're Toronto and it's been a minute since you've been there, if you're San Francisco and it's been a minute since you've been there. okay. Not that San Francisco's in the running, but my point is you don't need him as the Dodgers. You don't need him if you're the Dodgers. You just won a World Series. You don't have to prove a point. So I'm happy to take Tay Oscar back. And by the way, you can also get Blake Trinenback, who we just had on foul territory. And he said he has nothing but great things to say about the Los Angeles Dodgers. He obviously can't really address free agency. It's not in his best interest to do so publicly. But he said he loves the organization. He's keeping it all at arms length, but there's nothing that I would like more than for Blake

Chironin to be back in L.A. So, Soto and Toronto. I mean, it's a move that I think Toronto really needs to make. They, you know, they're still scorned from Shohei not being on that plane a year ago. They have money, you know, the Rogers family or whatever, whoever the owners are, they have money and they need to make a move. But it's also, we've heard Scott Boris talk about it, as I say, Scott Braun,

but, you know, he's too busy today with, like, love and stuff. But Scott Boris is pointing out smartly, not shockingly, that Juan Soto would like to also go to a contender. He would like to go to a team that is ready to win. And Toronto, you know, they got a couple of guys, a couple of stars that are in their final years of a deal. So as much as it comes down to money or maybe they have to overpay, if I'm on Soto, I'm still looking at, I could stay in New York, go play for the Mets. Steve Cohen's got a but ton of money and there's something brewing there at City Field much less so than

what's happening at Roger's Center. Here's what I would say though and we've said this before. We said this on the Monday show of Dodgers territory that the Dodgers, whoever's going to like hurry up because the more they wait, the longer that they wait, the price tag on Tay Oscar Hernandez is going to go up in the interest level for the other

four teams that don't get Soto it's going to make Tay Oscar look pretty pretty pretty pretty good. So give the man three years, $70 million or whatever the heck it is. Let's lock him in right field. You know he wants to be there. Let's get this done.

You know, I don't know. By the way, that's something we definitely want. You know something we definitely don't want, this stupid golden at bat roll. What are we doing? This thing is absurd. And of course, Austin Barnes will be joining us soon. So I'm really interested in a player's take on this.

Most players are talking about this. But yeah, what in tarnation is this idea? Did people at MLB just smoke crack and see what came out of it? I hate the idea. You don't need to make baseball into some sort of weird spectacle. It's already perfect. I love the rules that they most recently implemented. Of course, you know Alana covering this team.

It's nice to be able to get out of the ballpark early or have an earlier postgame show or whatever it is. That's been lovely. That's been great. But to have a player and we don't know the logistics of it because, again, they're literally just making it up. They're just talking aloud right now. To have players, you know, a player be able to come up at any point in the game and hit. And then everybody's just cool with that. I saw, you know, Blake trying to talk about it like as a reliever.

It's stupid. The old switcheroo. I hate the idea. The game is good now. You don't need to gamify it. I'd rather see something like they do in Japan or do outside of the States. Make more of a hullabaloo, like in between innings. head cheerleaders fanfare fireworks whatever player all you need to do all you need to do is go to a savanna

bananas game which is so much fun like so that that's cool but that's what that's meant to be that's what the creator and you know and the people organizing the zavana bananas wanted and it's a blast you can't even get a flipping ticket do not i don't understand why we want to make major league baseball so gimmicky and i guess give rob manford credit that you know and ken rosenthal brought this up earlier, get him some credit, I guess, for having people talk about baseball in the offseason because the winter meetings haven't even started. Juan Soto hasn't signed, and people are talking about this. But people, active players versus inactive players, are talking about this. And it's not a single person that I have seen yet is in favor of this.

Even Buster only who said that, you know, he was opposed to the wild card and ended up liking it. He was opposed to the pitch clock and ended up liking it. He is not in favor, of course, of the golden bat roll. So we'll definitely ask Austin when we can when he gets, you know, on here in just a few minutes. So I don't know. I think it's absolutely silly. I went and sat on the little ottoman in front of him. Hi, Dad.

And just when I said that, my mom comes out of the kitchen. She says, I have some cookies and milk. This is a badass convict. Right. Just finished five years. I'm going to have cookies and milk at him. Come on. On the senior show podcast, each episode invites you into a raw, unfiltered conversations about recovery, resilience, and redemption.

On a recent episode, I sit down with actor, cultural icon Danny Trail to talk about addiction, transformation, and the power of second chances. The entire season two is now available to binge featuring powerful conversations with the guests like Tiffany Addish, Johnny Knoxville, and more. I'm an alcoholic. And without this trouble, I'm going to die. Open your free IHeart Radio app. Search the Cito Show. And listen now. I heart and TikTok have come together to create something new.

I love it. Where the world of TikTok meets your playlist. Three words that will change your life. Iheart TikTok radio. The biggest hits across IHeart Radio. What's trending for you on TikTok? Tell me a sound that's better than this. Plus TikTok's most influential creators all in one place.

Search for IHard TikTok Radio. Make it a preset and stay connected all day. A ambitious, well-intentioned, ferocious, and wealthy mother looks like in the black community. This Woman's History Month, the podcast, Keep It Posit, Sweetie, celebrates the power of women choosing healing, purpose, and faith, even when life gets messy. Love, it's not a destination.

You have to work on it every day. Keep It Posit, Sweetie, creates space for honest conversations on self-worth, love, growth, and navigating life with grace and grid led by women who uplift, inspire, and tell the truth out loud. I have several conversations with God, and I know why it took 20 years. To hear these and more, listen to Keep It Pazas, Sweetie, on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Let's spin back for a second to Soto, Teo Talk. There's also the other big name on the market, Willie Adomis. And it feels like Teosker Hernandez, you know, echoing off of what you said a minute ago about you need to sign Teo now before the price goes up.

If Soto signs, the price goes up immediately on Teosca Hernandez. The same with Willie Adamas, who a lot of teams, you know, we're hearing reports saying that that's kind of the fallback plan. It's going Willie Adamas, maybe spreading the wealth around. Would you say that like Teo gets done before Soto? Do you think a Teosker signing or resigning needs to happen before Juan Soto? if the Dodgers are going to not have to, you know, pay an extra premium on them? I mean, it all depends on how serious the Dodgers are about Soto. I mean, I don't think a signing with one Soto or excuse me,

what to Oscar Hernandez happens if the Dodgers are legitimately trying to get Soto. And again, with this blind bidding situation, you really don't know what's happening. And I said this earlier on one of the shows. I said, just say, just offer whatever it is and say, we're going to go $1 higher. Because then you're guaranteed to have the highest bid. So we're going to offer what. Whatever the other team is that has the winning bid at the time, we're offering $1 more or making a million more.

I mean, who cares? That $700 million? What's $701 million? Who gives that crap? You know, offer $1 million more. And then that's it. Then you win, right? It depends on how much the Dodgers legitimately want Juan Soto.

I think if they sign, if they signed, if they signed, Hey, Oscar first, they never had the true intent of signing Juan Soto to begin with, which again, I'd rather get three really good players than one superstar. Yeah, no, I agree with that one. But we can ask our guest here, Alana, I want you to go ahead and introduce this guy. You know very, very well. All right.

Austin Barnes is one of my favorite people in the world, including his beautiful wife, Nicole, their son, Royce. I've known Austin for a really long time. Kind enough to join us now from, I believe you're an AZ, Austin. Thank you so much for being with us on Dodgers territory. Congratulations, my two-time World Champion. champion friend. How are you?

Good. That sounds good on two times. But yeah, I'm good. We're just, you know, in the middle of the off season, skin going with the family. Yeah. All right. So let me take you back to, obviously, game five of the World Series. And a situation where, you know, of course, a lot of people, Austin said that in 2020, when you guys won it and we were all in Texas, that it was an asterisk. Now they can send that stupid asterisk to the moon. Because you guys legitimately had one of the the hardest seasons you've ever been through with injury.

How gratifying was that for you to be able to hoist that trophy in a regular season as well? Yeah, you know, people will talk a lot about 2020. To me, 2020 will always be a real world series. Everybody had the same shot to win it. But to do it in 162, the Yankee Stadium, it's just really hard to win. It's not easy. Baseball's a really hard game. We've been there so many times.

you know, Houston, Boston, then won in 2020, and then doing it in New York, you know, it was special. It was special. I think any time you get a chance to win with the group of guys, it's something that, you know, sticks with you forever. And, you know, it was something I'm glad that my family got to go through again. And nothing I take for granted. Hey, let's talk about that parade.

That was a fun thing to watch. It looks like it was a lot of fun for you guys there on those. buses going to the stadium, watching everybody get maybe a little more hammered in public than you would usually see. What was your experience like going through all of that, watching the boys really tie one on and more so celebrating with what looked like, felt like just the entire city of, I realize I've got the switch of camera, sorry about that, the entire city of Los Angeles watching you there. No, I was blown away. Obviously, we didn't get one in 2020. And, you know, I talked to Seeger and I talked to Jock after they won in Atlanta and with the Rangers.

And they said, man, we got robbed. They said the parade was crazy and they were right. You know, I think there was a lot of pent-up aggression or something from the Dodger fans and they showed out. And, you know, I don't know how many people were actually there. There was, what is it? Like, do people have the real number now? Does someone say, like, a couple million? It was supposed to be, like, supposed to be like two million or something like that.

An insane amount of people. but you got to figure this is the first time since 1988 that we've been able to go out and party and have the parade so people showed out no I thought it was you know it was crazy I remember just taking it in I seen some confetti in the flat in the sea of blue people

and it was just it was crazy they were throwing some people with throw beers at us it got kind of dangerous though that was I think somebody got hit in the head I think it was Hudson's wife actually that's no idea that wasn't good but she got smoked

But besides that, it was really fun. You know, obviously the guys got going. There were some beer bongs. There were some shots or some cigars. And, you know, that's something that we've all been waiting for since we, you know, started playing this game. Hey, what was Dave drinking, by the way? Hold on.

What was Dave drinking to go up there with Ice Cube? Oh, he was, I'm not sure. I saw that dance. I saw that dance with the Ice Cube. He was doing it. He was letting loose, I guess. I don't, I'm not sure. But the Ice Cube thing was during the,

During the World Series, when I did that thing before the first, I knew he was going out there. I thought that was really cool. I thought that was one of the coolest things I've seen. I knew we were about to go play a baseball game, but that was sick. Yeah, I was sick. And then, of course, New York has Fat Joe, and we're all like, what the F is happening? Fat Joe, come on now. Austin, it was so great to know that you're coming back for 2025.

And obviously, you're one of the longest tenured Dodgers. What's it been like for you just going through the whole process? I remember when you were traded over and getting to know. you for the first, you know, a couple times and just seeing all the different iterations of this team, what's that been like for you? It's, uh, you know, it's been a journey. Obviously, being here for so long. Um, you know, I grew up obviously in, uh, Southern California, not too far away from, uh, L.A., about an hour, about hour east. Um, grew up loving the Dodgers. Um, just the opportunities, you know, the Dodgers, you know, you always have, you have the opportunity

to be, to be great with them, you know, you have the opportunity to be great with them, you know, you have the opportunity in the playoffs every year. You know you guys have that goal. You know, there's a lot that goes with it. You know, the fans expect a lot from you, you know, they expect you to win. And when we don't deliver, you know, it hurts us too. But winning two World Series and the time that I've been there, you know, that's an awesome experience.

It's not many people get to go to the playoffs, let alone play in four World Series. So, no, it's just been awesome. I couldn't ask for a better organization. I remember when I got traded over there from the Marlins. I remember where I was. And I remember it was a weird feeling, you know, being traded, especially because it was in minor leagues. And, yeah, but it worked out great.

The first big trade of the Andrew Friedman era, and it's still paying dividends for this team. You, Kike Hernandez, coming over. Switching gears a little bit. We were talking about it. A lot and I were talking about it before welcoming you on. And there you are again. There's this whole thing going on.

Someone called me. My bad. It's all good. It's all good. Hey, it's live. We're having fun with it. Listen, the whole thing, Major League Baseball, doing what they do best. You have a good season. Let's find a way to shoot ourselves in the foot, understanding you're employed by it, so you don't need to trash them too much. But this Golden at Bat rule, have you seen it? What are your thoughts about Golden at Bats in games? I thought it was a joke when I first heard it. like um i couldn't like grasp that major league baseball would actually make that a rule but i i guess

i don't i don't know i mean it'd be it'd be interesting to you know as a catcher i i i put like my mind went straight to like okay so you'd have to plan for different situations and like prepare like oh if i pitch around this guy then there's another guy like another show hey otani that'd be coming up. I don't know. It's just weird. I think it's a I think they're trying too hard a little bit. I don't know. I think baseball is great the way it is. I've said that from, you know, when they first started changing everything. I do kind of like the pitch clock. But yeah, I love the game the way it is. I know I'm not trying to be a purist or anything, but I love baseball the way it is. If they do it, then I guess we'll adapt and go. I guess we have Shohei. So show you showy can hit a lot.

But then show he's going to be like every... He might be taking some of the bats for me. It's for sure. The good thing is, though, so what happens, though, if he hits, like, if he hits, like, if I hit in the nine hole, he hits number one, he gets to hit twice. That's a great point.

I think he hits back to back, doesn't he? He better crank a Homer, huh? Yeah. But at least in this case, you do get to stay in the game. That's the important thing, you know? You're getting pinch it for, but then you're still in the game, hopefully catching Kersh.

shower, whatever the hell is going on in that game. So kind of works out a little bit. Yeah, I do like that. Usually I, you know, I get pinchated and I'm done. Early showers. That's a good part of the rule. This whole thing is bullshit. And it's not going to happen. And I don't like it. And it's dumb. So, Austin, we have a super chat from a swelling sausage, which I can only imagine how that name came up. Tell Alana and Barnes. Hello. Hello. Also, did you try the beer bong. I did. Yeah. Locker's my guy. He brought it out. I'm not going to tell know he was vibed you know he had a great postseason he did so much for us and he brought the beer bong out i i i take it once i'm a cigar guy i like the cigars that's we smoked a lot of cigars we smoked a lot of cigars um but yeah i hit the beer bomb i was feeling good too good

you deserve it absolutely again it was fun watching you guys celebrate that well-deserved uh championship I went and sat on the little ottoman in front of him. I said, hi, dad. And just when I said that, my mom comes out of the kitchen. She says, I have some cookies and milk. This is his badass convict. Right. Just finished five years.

I'm going to have cookies and milk at my mom. Yeah. On the Ceno Show podcast, each episode invites you into a raw, unfiltered conversations about recovery, resilience, and redemption. On a recent episode, I sit down with actor, cultural icon Danny Trail, to talk about addiction, transformation, and the power of second chances. The entire season two is now available to bench, featuring powerful conversations with the guests like Tiffany Addish, Johnny Knoxville, and more.

I'm an alcoholic. And without this trouble, I'm going to die. Open your free IHart Radio app. Search the Cito Show. And listen now. I heard and TikTok have come together to create something. new. I love it. Where the world of TikTok meets your playlist.

Three words that will change your life. I heart TikTok radio. The biggest hits across Iheart Radio. What's trending for you on TikTok? Tell me a sound that's better than this. I heart TikTok radio. Plus TikTok's most influential creators all in one place.

Search for IHard TikTok Radio. Make it a preset and stay connected all day. A ambitious, well-intentioned, ferocious and wealthy. looks like in the black community. This Woman's History Month, the podcast Keep It Posit, Sweetie, celebrates the power of women choosing healing, purpose, and faith, even when life gets messy. Love is not a destination.

You have to work on it every day. Keep It Posit, Sweetie creates space for honest conversations on self-worth, love, growth, and navigating life with grace and grid led by women who uplift, inspire, and tell the truth out loud. I have several conversations with God, and I know why. took 20 years. To hear this and more, listen to Keep It Pazas Sweetie

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Let's spin a little sideways on this one because this one's for me and also for a lot of fans that have, you know, stuck with you guys over the years.

It's not really sticking with you guys because the Dodgers are very, very good at baseball. But specifically you, you are a guy, you are the longest tenured position player on the team. I think you're the longest senior player currently on the roster. because Clayton is a free agent.

But some people see, oh, he's the backup catcher. Like, what's he doing on the days where he's not starting? Listen, I'm a big-time Barnsey defender. I think you had a phenomenal year this year. And I understand you do a lot of work on those game days, almost the unofficial player coach. Can you explain to people what the hell it is that Austin Barn does to help guys like Will Smith, help guys in the bullpen,

help guys all around, help that Los Angeles Dodgers be a better team each and every day? You know, Smitty knows what he's doing now. He's, you know, he's been in those situations. He's not young anymore. You know, he's played in World Series. He's played in the postseason. But it's just getting on the same page with the guys, you know, seeing what I see, trust him what I feel when I catch those guys.

You know, and just having those conversations, I think it's, you know, with guys who play every day, it's hard for them to be able to, you know, they're in their routines. They're going out there. They're doing, they're getting ready to play a baseball game every day. the guys who don't play every day, they have the ability to, you know, just check in and see how the pitchers are doing, you know, just seeing what's going on. Because it's ever-changing the way people will pitch, the way they're feeling, the way their pitches are feeling, you know, and just having some feedback with the pitching coaches, the bullpen guys, starters. And, you know, everybody goes through ups and downs during the season, especially pitchers.

And just being able to, you know, have a conversation with them and just getting some clarity and some more conviction. on the on the on the mount i think it's the most important thing you know when when the when the pitcher is about to throw the baseball i think the the biggest thing a catcher can give them is just hopefully they're just convicted in their pitch and then that usually when you're convicted in your pitch good things happen i want to ask you a question we had a conversation with mark prior on dodgers territory a week and change ago austin and he was talking about the evolution of of having to go perhaps with a couple of japanese starting pitchers and who knows roki susaki may be in the mix i don't know but having to go to like a six-man rotation.

What are some of the benefits of that, in your opinion, as a catcher? And what are some of the challenges of keeping guys on a six-man rotation schedule? I guess it's just if they're used to. I think in Japan, right, they only pitch once a week. But, you know, it's just trying to keep everybody healthy. A team like us, I think we're, you know, obviously we have to go out there and perform, but our expectation is to be in the playoffs every year. And it's just trying to keep everybody healthy.

And sometimes it's hard to do. is either, you know, long, we try, I think people, we've tried longer playoffs and everything, but in today's age, it feels like a lot of people get hurt, but, you know, we have a lot of pitchers. You know, obviously we just signed Blake Snell, Yoshi, and I'm sure there's more to come. It's just trying to keep everybody fresh, I think, and whatever it is to make everybody feel like they're healthy and they're ready to go. I think that's probably the best route.

You know, obviously our front office does a great job, and so does our, you know, prior and the pitching guys to get everybody lined up the way they need to get lined up. Yeah, you mentioned Blake Snell. When he's on a team that's not yours, he's annoying. He annoyed me. Now I can't wait to see him in a Dodger uniform. What was your reaction when you found out that you were going to be catching him? He's your teammate now.

Yeah, just one of the best pitchers in baseball. You know, we've seen it enough. He just can be so dominant at times, you know, just can take a game over and really just shut down an offense. Obviously, you know, as not saying I was surprised, right, everybody with the Dodgers, everybody, they always make the big movie feels like, you know. And getting a Cy Young award winner like Blake's now to this rotation, I think it's just, it's great. You know, it's great. People can hate on it and all that. But, you know, Dodgers are going out there and they're trying to win.

And I think I'm excited to go see them, excited to meet them, and excited to catch them. And, listen, I know you guys are on the internet enough. some fans will call him your son because of reasons. Glad you're able to welcome Blake Snell to the team. During his introductory presser, too, he mentioned his excitement of joining a very good friend of yours, Clayton Kershaw. Can you talk to us at all about where Kershaw is at? I'm assuming you're keeping up with them at least a little bit. Obviously he had the surgeries, says, you know, with a couple of drinks and cigars in him,

wants to be a Dodger for life, confirms that on the stage. What can you tell us about Kersh, where he's at, and just kind of how that relationship has blossomed. since you came here in 2016, 2015. Yeah, obviously that's my guy. He had that surgery. His foot looks disgusting, but, yeah, it's a gross foot. But, you know, obviously he's going to be a doctor for life. I feel like I've been watching Courtschard pitch since I was, like, eight years old.

I tell him that all the time. He always tells me he's a year older than me. But, yeah, I feel like I've been watching him since I was in elementary school, but that's not really possible with the with the age um but yeah he's a dodger for life he's you know he's part of this he's when you think about the dodgers so you think about you know him and uh what he's accomplished and everything he's poured into this organization so um he's you know he's just a competitor he goes out he wants to go out there and win so um i'm sure that's what he's you know getting lined up back to do all right austin before we let you go when we ask other

teammates of yours, who would they like to have as their representative in a cage match or who they would like to have them, you know, defend them in an alley, a dark alley someplace when you guys are walking in San Francisco or somebody. They always say Sam. They always say Austin Barnes. But like in my conversations with you, you're just a nice guy, calm, cool, collected, great husband, great dad. But everybody thinks you can kick the ever-living shit out of anybody that bothers you. Why is that? I think it's because I'm from Riverside. I don't know if people have been there. It's not that bad.

It's not that, you know, I think it's a bad rap. It's a nice place. You go to the right areas. And maybe it's my eyes. I don't know. I get, you know, I take some Vivance and get a little, you know, but it's, I don't know. I hear that sometimes, too. I think it's funny.

Yeah, it's the 909. Lana doesn't get the 909. I get it. I'm sorry. Lana's from Denver. She's probably past the Uber side, though. I've passed for Riverside. Lots of doors.

And by the way, no, that's not, hey, listen, I grew up in Colorado Spring. I didn't grow up in, like, Cherry Hills or, you know, Cherry Creek. Don't, don't, just stop it. Don't play along like that. That's right. That's where Austin knows. Austin picked me to be his representative in a cage match, so I don't want to hear it. That's right.

Austin, Merry Christmas. Tell Nicole and Royce, we love him. Thank you for being here. So glad you're back next year. Thanks for all that you've done for this organization. We appreciate your time, my friend. All right. See you guys. Thanks for having me out. Thanks, Austin. All right. Austin Barnes, two-time World Series champion of your Los Angeles Dodgers. Let's get to last Licks.

Let's do it. All right, guys, this story bums me out a little bit. This is Lila, who's absolutely wonderful. She is a shepherd mix. Her dad, Matt, has fallen upon some hard times. I've actually been helping her dad Matt since last Christmas. He lost his job, was living out of his car. His friends were watching Lila. Long story short, very long story. we got her into a foster home and I don't think Matt's going to be able to take her back. So the good news is Matt is safe, but they have to be separated a little bit. But that's okay. Our goal now is to get Lila a great home.

She is the sweetest dog. She is super calm. She is not high maintenance. She's great. She's healthy. She's perfect. She's wonderful. She's just great with other dogs.

She's great with everything. So if you're interested in meeting Lila, please reach out to Gidri's guard. or hit me up on the social channels. Appreciate it very much for you guys letting me talk about Lila. And please always choose adoption. All right. So Austin's a great guy. He's a quiet guy, but he's sneaky funny.

And I've covered him for a really long time. We appreciate him being on. What was the biggest takeaway from your conversation with him, Clint? No, Austin, and he's one of those guys I've met in the clubhouse in passing here and there. Obviously, he knows his place on that team. He's a veteran. and he's very important to the clubhouse culture. I'm assuming very important to Dave and all of that.

Well, not assuming. He is very important to Dave, but he's also very important to everybody that comes into that clubhouse, new team, new players, players old, all that kind of stuff. You've got to have those glue guys. And there's a reason. There's a reason Andrew Friedman makes sure. And it's not just because he's Clayton Kershaw's personal catcher,

whatever the hell that means. It's a reason you make sure you have guys like that. the character guys sticking around. There's a reason he brought back, Kike Hernandez, those character guys for a team like the Dodgers that are as good as they always are, having those guys in the clubhouse just makes everybody's job that much easier.

You know, and you said something, and I know you did it tongue in cheek. I'm sorry, but Clayton Kershaw is the first ballot hall of famer. His next stop after he chooses to retire is Cooperstown. And if Clayton Kershaw wants you to be behind the plate, that says a lot to me. And remember, it was Austin Barnes, who ended up when Yasmani Grandal was behind the plate for the Dodgers.

It was Austin that was catching in the postseason. Austin has been in a lot of postseason games. He's been in a lot of critical situations. And, you know, I know what I just ask our friend Eric Cratz what it's like to be a backup catcher. You know, my husband for a big part of his career was a backup catcher, if you will. And it's not an easy role. But I tell you what, he's a huge reason they beat Blake Snell in 2020.

They don't make it to the World Series, let alone win that World Series in 2020. without Austin Barnes coming in there. I mean, I think back to that game, Walker Bueller had the bases loaded against the Braves. And he pointed to Austin being that guy that brought down, you know, brought down the heart rate. Let's get through this. And, you know, love Austin. Hopefully he sticks around with the Dodgers after he retires. Hey, we don't know how much longer it's going to be until he hangs up in them spikes.

He's getting longer in the tooth. But he's been a great Dodger. And he's got at least one more season in Dodger Blue. That's fun. It's going to be fun to watch, hopefully three-time World Series champion by this time next year. Yeah, no doubt. All right, I've done three shows today, so I'm done, but you're not done. You're tired?

I'm just, I'm ready for a cocktail. What's coming up on your show, my friend? Tonight we have a, well, provided I can get everything lined up, I won't be live tonight unless somebody signs, but I do have an interview with a friend of my show, a guy that you know as well, former big league reliever Javi Gera because I've taken it upon myself to a little mission. I don't think the Dodgers end up signing Juan Soto. However, there's this perception amongst Dodgers fans that Juan Soto must just be the worst clubhouse guy in the world.

Oh, no, I don't think that at all. That's what you see a lot online. So I'm making it a mission. I welcomed our buddy Derek Lewandowski to my show last night, somebody who watched Juan Soto. So check out that interview as well. Because again, I want to know what is Wonsoto the first? person like, even if he's not going to be a Dodger, I want to kind of squash this, you know, bad teammate or bad clubhouse guy narrative because I don't believe that's it.

I believe he's going to cost a lot of money and they could allocate that money elsewhere. But check that out. That'll be on tonight. And then tomorrow provided the schedules line up right, something special for longtime fans of mine, my friend Doug McCain will be joining me on my show 7 p.m. Pacific time. So tube in all Dodgers. It should be a good time. Unless he flakes and go be mad at him, everybody.

All right. not going to play. All right. It's always good to be with you. My friend, Clint and I are going to be back with a brand new episode on Monday. Have a wonderful season. And we go to first season. Have, have a wonderful season. In the meantime, in the meantime, have a great weekend. How about that? Thanks for being here on Dodgers territory. Make sure you like, subscribe all the things. We appreciate it. Go Dodgers. Okay, bye. Peace to the planet. Shalamine the God here. And listen, We are back. The Black Effect podcast festival is back in Atlanta on April 25th at Pullman Yards. Yeah. And the full lineup is nuts. We got the grit.

Shaneh podcast, Deante Kyle and Big Ice Cup Cat. We got Club 520 with Jeff Teague and the gang. Don't call me white girl. Mona will be there. Keep it positive, sweetie with Crystal Renee. We got reality with the king with Carlos King. And yes, drink champ will be in the building. Plus, you know we're going to have a lot of guests.

So you need to join us. And we got the Black Effect Marketplace to pitch your podcast and everything you expect from the Black Effect Podcast Festival. Tickets are on tail right now. Go get your at black effect.com slash podcast festival. Don't play yourself, okay? Pull up. Then she says, have you seen a photo of my son?

And I'm like, who is this person? Welcome to the Boys and Girls podcast. Arranged Marriage is basically a reality show and you're auditioning for your soulmate. And who's judging? Only your entire family? I sacrificed myself to this ancient tradition, hoping to find love the right way.

And instead, I found chaos, comedy, and a lot of crime. Listen to boys and girls on the IHartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. When you feel uncomfortable, what do you put on? Biggie. You put on Biggie when you feel uncomfortable? Because I want to get confident. This is DJ Hester Prins' music is therapy. A new podcast from me, a DJ and licensed therapist.

12 months, 12 areas of your life. Money, love, career, confidence. This isn't just a podcast. It's unconventional therapy for your entire year. Listen to DJ Hester Prins, music is therapy, on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.