High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - All that Matters are Wins and Losses

Episode Date: May 7, 2021

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to a 4-game sweep over the Brewers and a Phillies team that is sitting atop the NL East standings. The guys also discuss some reasons to be positive about the Phillies moving forward, Zack Wheeler's latest great outing, the unfair maligning of Hector Neris, and much more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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you'll want to extend your stay beyond the matches. Get the ball rolling on your soccer getaway. Head to visittheusa.com. Visit your nearest Best Buy store today. Terms and conditions apply. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on Radio.com and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo! Yo! It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. Jack Fritz, it is a Phillies that won four straight.

They swept the frickin' Brewers in first place. And yet again, for the first time since the start of the season, two games above 500. Jack, I'll quote Jack Fritz here. Uh-oh. Who's letting the Phillies get hot? Don't let them get hot. What a bunch of morons around Major League Baseball letting this team get hot.

And James, let me just say one thing and that is this we don't care how they played because ultimately the most important stat is a win baby 4-0 that's the most important analytics I know oh my god I mean that's really all that analytics is right wins and losses that's how we judge things that yep here here's my concern here's my concern and it's for one of one of our guys someone we love a potential fan of the show we don't know we know his son we love pat a fan of the show i'm worried for tom mccarthy because here's my worry the phillies are so hot right now jim nance is a free agent. Like, where else is Jim going to go but, you know, to come call Phillies games? I'm worried for TMAC with Jim Nance out there lurking.

Well, as we all know. Got it in early this time. How about that? I didn't see this coming within the first two minutes of the podcast. I know. I know. But what I will say is this t-mac also part of the cbs sports family i think he might welcome it oh good point maybe t-mac can do the

masters and take over for jim and all that clever yeah clever i think he would be pumped about it well we had to make it special and i think the phillies knew that because uh i don't know if people could tell i can tell um we're gonna find out how the audio sounds but this is your first podcast in your cavernous mansion that you moved into i know i know so uh i'm sorry if it sounds echoey there's not much up here besides me it's at the very tippy top of our house so it's a little hot so to me it sounds like you're literally in the middle of the grand canyon by yourself it's great well i mean that sounds like a dream imagine being by yourself in the middle of the grand canyon with the phils being florida

and getting hot but um yes so i am doing this by guest from uh the very tippy top of my new house it is uh it's hot up here because if you don't know if you know this james but um heat rises and if you can we're great at science here you know of course i knew that because our track record in science related things unmatched is right yeah right so if you if you sense by the end of this podcast that I am a little starting to overheat, it may be the Phillies run that is currently happening right now and how hot this baseball team is, but it could also seriously be me overheating. One or the other, right? It's only one or the other. That's it. So listen, spirits are high. I've been freaking smiling for the last two and a half hours.

I've completely attempted to get over Mickey being brought up, brought down. It's just toying with my emotions. He's down in Lehigh Valley right now. That's okay. I mean, just let him get consistent at-bats down there. But the feels are hot. We're excited to be here. Brewers stink.

Let's have a podcast. Yeah, you know who stinks is Craig Council. We've been bitching, and rightfully so, about Joe Girardi. And we'll get into it. Not that I'm sure any baseball games actually happened last weekend. So there's nothing really there to get into. But, you know, in the Brewers game, they won the game but you know maybe a little lineup card what the we don't curse on this podcast jack type of thing but um like even as bad as gerardi's been craig council was

freaking awful like hates bunting like two spots in two straight games where it's like the eighth inning they're down a run he's got a runner on second with no outs. He doesn't, but it's like with bad hitters at the plate, Jack, we're not talking about Christian Yelich at the plate. Like I, and then of course, you know, counsel not using Devin Williams or Josh Hayer the entire series, like in one run games, like cool. While we're rolling out Matt Moore and Eniel De Los Santos

in the seventh and eighth inning in high-leverage innings, Jack, like, let's just start with the— I can't believe they won four straight. I can't believe they're actually two games above.500 after that. Like, what felt like a year of win-one-lose-one, win-one-lose-one, win-one-lose-one, win-one-lose-one. It's nice to see the Phillies put something together, Jack. Yeah.

Yeah. And we're going to completely ignore how it happened, the NEL De Los Santos of it all or the one hit after the first inning last night and just say, hey, four, no. Two base runners. You get five runs in the first and you somehow win a game getting two base runners the rest of the game. You're like practically no hit. It's terrific. I know.

I know. But it's all well worth it. All that matters is the wins and losses, and you take them when you can get them. You know, James, I don't know if you've ever heard this old saying, but hey, it's hard to win games in this league. You're right. And no less one-run games, Jack. One-run games. I know.

And like. What's that about? Seven straight one-run games? Like, that never happens. That's crazy. And again, it's like, why does it always have to be the Phillies? I know. I know we've talked about this in the past.

And we've talked about how we obviously don't watch every other Major League Baseball team. But it sure damn well feels like the Phillies always play the most excruciating baseball games possible. Like, what other normal baseball team is just like, hey, you know what we're going to do? Yeah, we're going to reel off seven straight one-run games. And then today not get a run to the seventh on a Boomer Homer. Like, I mean, it's just they're just the weirdest baseball team. games and then today and then today not get a run to the seventh on a boomer homer like i mean it's just they're the just the weirdest baseball team uh and yes uh craig counselor not great not a great weekend uh or not great week and i would just like to say that this is

all ben harris's fault um ben harris who is now with the brewers from the athletic um it's all his fault he's ruined baseball with his analytics and, you know, that show this weekend, not playing small ball and not getting, you know, the best reliever in the sport in the game in Devin Williams. Yeah, I like that. Let's blame Ben Harris. That seems like a good tack to take here.

And, like, look, they do a good job developing pitching. I'll take Ben to come over and get our get our pitch i mean even the bad relievers are better but look uh like like here's what matters this team like we're sitting here it's it's may 6 it's you know tomorrow's may 7th like we're we're creeping closer to june 1st and this team is not to your point like what you just talked, this team hasn't been very good. Like they've been fine. Like they've been pretty much average, right? Like 500 as we talked about when we lose one, when we lose one. And to be sitting here on May 7th with everything that's gone wrong with a center field position that like historically bad through the first month plus of the season, like you assume, assume that whatever they end up doing in that position,

assumingly bringing someone in, like that by the end of the season, the center fielder is not hitting a hundred, right? Like you assume like Alec Boehm, like has been incredibly unlucky, but also has not been the Alec Boehm we expected to see. Joe Girardi has been a disaster for the most part. Like, look, Joe Girardi might not be the all, you know, amazing thing we thought he was going to be, but he's not bad. Like, Joe Girardi is not bad. So, like, he'll get better. Like, things, there are a lot of things on this team that you can point to and say, and Segura being her, and like, you know,

there are things you can look at and say, like, all right, they're going to improve. And Dave Dombrowski, if they're good, if they contend, is going to add players at positions of need, which there clearly are.

Like, they're still in first place, Jack. Like, that's the crazy thing is as mediocre as, you know, hole ridden and like massive giant holes that we've ripped apart as they are. They're two games above 500 and they're like, you know, hole ridden and like massive giant holes that we've ripped apart as they are. They're two games above 500 and they're like, you know, semi comfortably in first place in their division. Like, you know, that's something. Right. Right. And before we go any further, I just want to point out that if it sounds like I'm not fully enunciating my words tonight, it is because I bit my lip

and it's bleeding and it hurts and I can't fully get through what I'm saying without being very deliberate. So it sounds like. Oh, man. What's funny is I didn't even notice. I noticed nothing, buddy. I'm sitting here trying to fully get through saying a word. And then I'm like, no. So you're saying this this is your bloody sock game that's what you're trying to just

know this like realistically this might be the most gritty performance on a podcast we've seen in a long time so um yeah it's so funny i love how you bring it back to you you know i'm like wow the philly's finding a way to be in first place with all these things kind of working against them. You're like, yeah, but my lip, man, my lip. Yeah, listen, the Phillies are struggling with the bats, and I'm struggling with my lip right now. It feels like I have a bubble on the inside of my mouth. So here we go.

We are all thinking about you, Jack. I know. I didn't want people to think, hey, Jack sounded terrible on this podcast. I wanted to explain it. Sometimes, James, you've got to learn this in the profession that we're in. You've got to get ahead of the story. You've got to get ahead of the story. And obviously the story out of this podcast is going to be, wow, Jack sounded really bad.

What's new, buddy? Just another day at the office. Just another day at the office just another day at the office um but hey let's get it back to the fills here yes yes enough about me how about this let's let's make you sound good let's put you in your in your happy place your your trust tree your your spot let's talk about zach will today and we'll get to everyone else but but not just today but also like we've seen three starts from him this season that were better than anything we saw from him I mean the cumulative what he was last year was very good the ERA was great and all that but like in terms of dominance in terms of hit and miss stuff all

that like we've already seen three starts from this year where he has been better than anything we saw last year. And even today, it felt like he wasn't even, like, 100% as sharp as he could have been. What are your thoughts on Wheeler and, like, kind of what he could be? Because he out-dueled a freaking awesome pitcher today. Like, Brandon Woodruff is, like, a top-ten-ish guy in the league, and he out-dueled him today. But I think Zach Wheeler, all right, I think Brandon Woodruff's better, but I think Zach Wheeler's right there with him. You know, I didn't watch those two today and say,

you know what, I think Wheeler's just kind of pitching above his head. I think he's right on line with Brandon Woodruff. Also also i did think it was hilarious uh did you catch the beginning of the game at all um like he throws like six straight balls and the trainers are like i know i know and then he throws like eight straight strikes and she's just like okay at one point at one point he had thrown like 51 strikes and 21 balls it's like oh okay so he's just perfectly fine he just had a bad to it like he was so bad for two batters that the Brewers came out and they were like oh he's got to be hurt I know um no I wonder if it's like the same thing we'll get to but like the same

thing with Freddie uh yesterday like Freddie I mean we all know Freddie Peralta's freaking nasty and like he was nasty for the rest of his outing, but they got on him in that first day and they were kind of able to take advantage of him when he wasn't fully Freddy. Totally. Totally. So, but with Wheeler,

he's one of those guys that you can kind of tell early what stuff that he has. And I don't think it's a coincidence that Nappy was behind the plate today. Let's just put it kindly. The day after JT makes this unbelievable athletic play to swipe tag Fat Dan Vogelbach at the plate jumping up and a play that 1% of catchers could possibly make and you're like yeah but nappy better game caller well jt is a very good defensive catcher he's not

a very good game caller no it's fair it's fair it's fair there can be two different stories but um like the thing that i love about here's here – this is what's been my problem with JT and what I like about Nappy is that Nappy consistently sticks with the fastball and makes sure that those guys are comfortable with it. They can spot it to both sides of the plate before working in the other pitches. The first three things today, I don't have the numbers on me, but it felt like 80% fastballs from Zach Wheeler, whether it was his four-seamer, whether it was a sinker, or whether it was that cutter-slider thing that somehow is still like 93 miles an hour, which is ridiculous. But for you to pitch deep into games and for you to be a good major league pitcher, you have to be able to spot the fastball at both sides of the plate. You see it with the Grom. I mean, we literally saw it with the start here where it was 24 straight fastballs and it's like,

holy smokes, this is different. And guys still can't square them up. That's when Wheeler's at his best, when he can spot the fastball early, both sides of the plate, and then work in the other stuff. Because his curveball is not great. He doesn't have great, he can't command it very well. But when you play it off of being able to spot a fastball in the outside corner, spot a fastball in, and then drop the curveball in, it's good. Change-up, same thing. Like his change-up's not great. It's a fine pitch when it's working off of his fastball, but it's not going to be the pitch that it could be if his fastball is not where it needs to be. We see this every single time with Aaron Nola. Aaron Nola needs to command both sides of the plate with his fastball early, or else if he doesn't have it,

then that's when we see the three curveballs in that bat and two changeups in that bat. That's not when Aaron Nola is at his best. Aaron Nola is at his best when it's fastball both sides of the plate. So my problem with the JT called game is he tries to get cute too often where he tries the full hitters with off-speed stuff when it's like, yo, stick with the fastball and stay with it and then work in the other stuff off of that, not try to full hitters off the time. Sometimes the fastball is good enough.

And what Wheeler did today, when I looked in the seventh inning, he was like 65 to 70% fastballs, whether it was a fastball, four-seamer, or a sinker. And that's a good plan of attack for Zach Wheeler. It's freaking 98 miles an hour. Use it. Use it. It's 98. Just stick with it. It's a good pitch. It's hard to square up all of that stuff. So I mean, you can tell early, though, when he's off. If he's able to come out and spot the fastball, it's going to be a good day. If he can't and you're seeing – if you're seeing three curveballs in the first inning, it's probably not going to be a great Zach Wheeler start. But from Jump Street today, fastballs, fastballs, fastballs.

Because you want to know why, James? That Brewers lineup stinks. Yeah. And you better just attack them with fastballs. I mean, they had the Taylor guy batting three today. Yeah. I mean, just not great. Yeah.

There are guys, you know, we always kind of talk about, joke about how, you know, we watch every Phillies game, but, like, we also watch a lot of baseball. Like, as we're talking, I'm watching Pablo Lopez pitching the Marlins Diamondbacks game. Pablo's the Jack Fritz guy. I love Pablo. I own him on a fantasy team. Maybe thanks to you, maybe not. But, like, we watch a lot of baseball and stuff.

So, that Brewers lineup has guys I've never heard of, man. Like, I'm in multiple fantasy leagues. Like, they had guys I'd never heard of in that lineup. Like, that's not often. And certainly not often for a team that came into the series 17 and 12 and in first place or whatever they were like, you know, like, and obviously their pitching is great and that's why they can compete and stuff. And, and Yelich went healthy. Like their lineup is, is banged up and something we saw at that one night with Yelich and Kane.

I mean, still not good. But I think it's a great point. And also Wheeler, the thing about his fastball too, is it just, it holds, man. I mean, like his 117th, 118th pitch was 97 miles per hour. Like in the ninth inning, like 100 plus pitches in, he's still dialing it up like that. And I actually, look, I joke around with you about the JT stuff, but I actually think that's a really really valid point like wheeler's best pitches is fastball like that's it like that's his best weapon like why wouldn't you use it more often and work off it it really does make a lot of sense and you know when you compare it to nola stuff it's interesting to watch because i do think

look i mean jt is the best catcher in baseball for a number of reasons. And I know you're not disputing that. I know you're not. But I do think this is an interesting thing to watch because it could be like something you need to work on, you know? Right. And again, like I'm very happy JT's here. He's like hitting the crap out of the ball. He's been awesome. He's plus 900 OBS.

He's been awesome. He's been awesome. He's plus 900 OBS. He's been awesome. He's been unbelievable. And the defense stuff, obviously, you know, the wild pitch in St. Louis was not characteristic. I'm just saying, like, he doesn't call a very good game. And it's something that, you know, I hope that he works on. I mean, he's obviously a student of the game. But sometimes I think he thinks of how to get himself out

rather than catching a game and calling a game using the pitcher's strengths like um i don't know it's it's just something to monitor and and and personally i think nap calls a good game i i have always thought nap calls a good game you know when I watch games I kind of when I watch when I watch games I like to kind of go through the sequences which with the pitcher and like and just try to like say I would go this year I would go this year um I don't know it's just how I watched and I think it's fun and it feels like I'm more in line with the nap game plan than I am the the JT game plan. And, um, I, I think, I think nap has done a really good job this year. Obviously he's not the best at the plate,

but I mean, you saw today, I mean, uh, he literally just put nine innings of shutout ball for the first time since, since 2014. I mean, that says something about the guy they have behind the plate. So, yeah, it was a beautiful day. But, you know, with Wheeler, I still don't trust him start to start. You know, I mean, I think he's always going to give them a good solid performance. But, like, I don't know if I trust him to make the jump to where I can expect, like, seven innings, three runs or less or whatever. Yeah. Kind of do what aces do.

Like he's still he's still not consistent enough for me. Like we always saw with the 31 pitch first inning the other day and he did bounce back. Yeah, that wasn't a gutsy performance to have that four run first inning and still go seven and only give up those runs. Like I was impressed with that, but I agree. Like he's not, you know, he's not that elite level of guy who you feel like every single time out is likely going to give you either a totally dominant effort or a, a really, really good out. You know, I get it. I think it's a fair criticism, but I do think just this version of Wheeler that we've seen this year is better than last year's.

Yeah, definitely. Definitely. And I do think that a lot of that has to do with Caleb Gotham. Yeah, buddy. Well, because Wheeler was hilarious quote at the time. But, I mean, part of the reason that he said he signed here was because he liked the time, but I mean, part of the reason that he said he signed here was because he liked the Phil's analytics department.

And I don't know really what that consists of, but, um, obviously we know Cotham is a, uh, driveline kind of, you know, it's funny.

He's, he pitched in the major leagues, but he also believes in the driveline stuff. So it's, I think it's like almost a perfect mix. Um, but definitely into the data and given Wheer's propensity to like the data stuff i think a lot of his success right now has to go to working with the guy like kotham and and helping him kind of get to this next level and it's funny like i talked about how his 99 never felt like 99

but this year whatever adjustments are made to his fastball to increase the spin efficiency it really you know feels like a legit 99 all right so since we last talked nola's been nola chase anderson you know is what he is vinny vinny giving us the best outing we've seen from him in a while look i'm not at all expecting anything from Vinny, but, but what did he, what did he do in that outing that they can try and replicate? Like he was really good. Like, you know,

he, he pitched really well in that game. Yeah. And like, listen, I would love to say, here's what he could do to replicate. It's just,

we've seen it too many times. It's like, we've seen him have a good outing and then be Vinny again. That's the problem. Yeah, exactly. Well, that's the problem that he's part of the rotation right now too like that's a a whole jack well first off i mean like matt moore shouldn't shouldn't see the rotation over vinny agree agree and that's crazy and look i like the quote about matt moore i saw destiny legardo tweeted out that was like you know he's, I just want to be a part of this team wherever they want me, a long man bullpen. Like, I don't care. Like I haven't

been on a good team in a long time. This is fun. I thought that was really cool. I appreciate it. But like, he's clearly not someone who can start games for you. And in reality, like he's probably like, he should be what David Hill is like David Hill, like what David Hill should be, excuse me, because David Hill somehow getting high leverage innings still for this freaking team. David Hale, not a major league pitcher. That is very clear. That guy should not be on any roster, much less a, a potential playoff contending roster. But like Matt Moore should be what David Hale theoretically is. A guy you can bring in kind of in any situation to give you like if you're getting if you're losing eight to get Matt Moore the ball let him give you a three four inning whatever that kind

of spot but like and I know he had to take down as Gabe would say high leverage innings the other night and look Matt Moore did a good job the leadoff walk gets a double play strikes guy out like nice job but um I think Matt Moore theoretically should be what David Hale is supposed to be. And instead, David Hale is like Joe Girardi's child or something. He's like, I got to get him in,

in, in massive high leverage spots. Yeah. I don't know. I don't know if that's the best sentence you said, you know what I mean? What David L should be like the Matt Moore should be the, the, the L should be. Matt Moore should be the mop-up guy. He should be the guy in your bullpen

who's there for those spots where you just either are way behind in a game or you're up seven runs and you don't want to waste an arm. He's that guy. That's who he should be right now. So you're saying that shouldn't be Spencer Howard in Colorado? That shouldn't

be him? Dude. Dude. Yeah. Yeah, I know. I know. What a— Girardi's been so bad.

Like, Girardi's been so bad. He's just been bad. Yeah. It is what it is. He's only managed this team for 92 games. 91 if you don't count his, you know, graduation night, because I guess he really didn't manage them that night, his daughter's graduation. But, like, so i'm willing to give him time like i

said before but like you'd be fooling yourself to say he's done a good job yeah i i haven't been like a fan but ultimately it comes down to um it comes down to making you know you know making pitches uh and and doing jobs i mean you saw it the other night with the Matt Moore and Eniel De Los Santos. It's like, okay, well, listen, sometimes guys have to step up. I mean, Eniel hadn't been to big leagues in two years. Pumping it at 96, Jack. Yeah, I'm not. No, he almost gave it up.

First, third, two outs, he hit a guy. It was terrifying. He got through it. Matt Moore, a much cleaner inning. Yeah, well, he got lucky, too, with the double play. Dude, it was all lucky. It was six lucky outs as far as I look at it. Yeah, it was one of those nights where the baseball gods were like,

you know what? You guys deserve this. Yeah, you know what? We feel bad been we've been pretty hard on you guys lately i know it's just so funny like if we did this podcast two days ago you know we're destroying yeah i mean as we should have been again dude like i know that the all the excuses we're hearing in the you know computer and blah blah blah like that's bad on Girardi, man. Like, this guy's been a manager in the big leagues for like, you know, what, 15, or, you know, for a 15-year period, you know, a year with the Marlins, 10 with them, a couple years off with the Phillies now, and he played in the league for, you know, well over a decade.

Like, that's bad on Girardi. That's like a lack of attention to detail. That's a lack of systems in place to check things. Like, all that type of stuff. Like, that's bad. You know systems in place to check things like all that type of stuff like that's bad you know he he should feel like an ass for that yeah and it was definitely bad it's just like i care way more about pulling nola after of course 80 pitches of course or or bringing david hale into three straight high leverage situations. Like, how about that? How about that? I mean, how about that? I know.

No, I know. And ultimately, like, the thing that made me the most mad about the NEL fiasco or debacle was that Coonerod had to take down five outs. I know. I know. I mean, that could, I mean, obviously, it took them out of the next two games,

so they couldn't use Sam Coonerod. And they had to do the same. I mean, Hector, obviously, the 40- two games, so they couldn't use Zamperini. And they had to do the same, I mean, Hector, obviously, the 40-pitch inning the night before he's out because of it. And, like, you know, then you've got your basically with, you know, those two in Alvarado, you're honestly only three relievers we really trust with R.J. Hurt. And Connor, you know, kind of, you know, hit or miss right now

in terms of when he can pitch. And I don't blame him too much for that rain adding. Like, that was a tough spot. Like, it was pouring. Like, I have faith in Connor Brogdon. But, like, you know, when you have Kunra and Neris who are two of three or four guys you trust, like, and they're just out for a couple days because of what they had to do,

like, that's a tough spot. No, it is. And I get it. spot no it is and and and i i get it um but here's the thing is that if you manage your way into a situation where in back to back nights you need your guys to get you yep five out saves like that's a problem that's that's that's not good so yeah and the bench i mean this guy runs out of players like it's like like i've never seen anyone so obsessed with double switches. It's like, you don't always have to do a double switch. Like, man, like, relax.

And two nights ago, he double switched so much, he had to double switch Hoskins out of the game again. I mean, the game the other night in the eighth inning, he was out of players. Like, it didn't go to extra innings. He's lucky, but it certainly could have. It was a one-run game, and he was out of players in the eighth inning. Like, that's hard to do. Yeah my hope is this james and i you know me i will always look

at the glass half full no not you not you're always doom and gloom yeah but but it's just really this is the first time he's been the the NL in 15 years. No doubt. 15 years. So I get it. It might take time. Just kind of like cool his jets a little. It's like, I get to do double switches again. This is so cool.

He's like Nick Sirianni with his double switches. Well, listen, I just like that Joe Girardi has a passion for the NL game like I do. And it's clear that he's addicted to double switching and needs to calm down. God, I miss the DH. Bring me the DH. How? How do you miss the DH? Forgetting the fact that there is no team in the world that could use the DH

like this just atrocious defensive disaster team like the Philadelphia Phillies. The ability to put Reeves at DH, move Boehm to first. Whatever else you do is just such a massive defensive upgrade for your team. So that alone is like huge. But also it's like pitchers suck at hitting. It's not fun. And double switches aren't that fun

especially when it's Joe Girardi doing it with no seeming strategic advantage just because he wants to friggin do double switches. I mean I totally disagree. I actually have enjoyed the whole pitchers hitting. Oh, stop. And I've enjoyed the bunts and all this stuff. Yeah.

You're talking to the wrong guy, pal. This is not the right guy to have this conversation with. Trust me. I know. Listen, when I was arguing for the DH, I didn't know the Phillies were hiring a manager that was addicted to double switching. So, like, yeah, I don't think I like double switching as much as Joe

Girardi does. But if you're going to – listen, I love it. I love NL baseball. And, honestly, I am – like, I'll get get over it but i'm sick that this is going away next year like it's just such a more interesting product and like i guess it's you know it's kind of like you're rooting not rooting but you want to see if your manager can handle it and i don't know i just think i think nl baseball is more fun i again, not happy that my manager loves it so much. But other than that, it's just more fun probably.

National League Baseball is the thinking man's game. We've talked about that a lot. And I'm going to miss it next year. I'm sure Gerard might. So overrated. I can't wait. I've been baited breath to get rid of this. This is just horrible

I think what we're learning here And correct me if I'm wrong He said I love baseball And you don't really love baseball Or something stupid like that Is that what you're going to say? Correct me if I'm wrong And the people can correct me if they want to

But James Doesn't like thinking critically Andames doesn't like thinking critically yes and yes yes very much like thinking yes the guy with on the podcast with the master's degree hates thinking critically yeah dude congrats congrats on paying money to go back to school awesome you're such a dick you are such a dick. I enjoyed it. It was fun. You know why?

Because I did a lot of thinking critically, Jack. How about that? Wasn't your thesis on like sports radio or something? No, my thesis was on how sports have intersected with the world, like politics and pop culture and all that it was a three-part podcast series about sports and and why they matter jack well that sounds riveting do you want to go work at the ringer or something dude i did this was a decade ago like what are you giving me crap for only a decade i'm actually a little less than a day. It was like eight years ago I did the master's. I started grad school 10 years ago in August.

You know what I was doing 10 years ago? You were a child. I was dominating the Westchester High School baseball team. You were learning how to drive, probably. No, I was 18. I was a professional driver at that point. Oh, big time. Look at you.

Professional driver. All it's quickly um uh because we mentioned that first of all can we quickly like dave dombrowski definitely had some clear misses this offseason like you know i don't know matt moore and chase anderson but but but make some trades dave dombrowski because getting jose alvarado and sam coonrod for garrick clevenger and carson ragsdale is like two unbelievable trades like how do you get those two guys sam coonrod has been amazing for this team jack well we don't we don't slander Carson Ragsdale around here because one member of this podcast did compare him to Dylan Patances, so that felt like a shot. But that was also apparent.

Well, the Coonrod trade happened before Dabrowski was hired anyway. Oh, really? Yeah, that was strictly Ned Rice and the analytics. I was going to say before, you know, not to give Matt Klintak credit, but now I guess it's either Klintak or whoever making that trade, but also like the Zach Wheeler contract is looking pretty damn

awesome right now too. So just, you know, throw it out there. And Alec Bone did hit a go-ahead home run today. He did. And Aaron Nola is an ace that they got for $45 million over four years. I mean,

coming around on Matt Glenzak and he hired Brian Barber and they brought in all the driveline guys. I don't know. But there's also You wanted to keep Gabe Kapler. Well, might have been.

Imagine Gabe and Caleb Gotham. All right. I got a question for you. Oh, quickly, quickly, before I forget. And then I got a question for you and some other stuff. But Quinn Hurt, who in the world taught this guy to bunt? I mean, what are we doing? Dude, I was watching it.

I was like, I swear to God, god I who was a pitcher my whole life was taught how to bunt better than Roman Quinn of course you were we all were I was taught in Little League not to hold the bat like that when I'm bunting like what's that and especially like this guy this guy should be a freaking savant at bunting like this guy

should be like Brett freaking Butler like he should be able to put the ball wherever rag bunt like drop bunt like do everything with a bat you could possibly do because that's what his like best skill would be like this guy could could get on base all the time if you were a great bunter like any and he doesn't even know how to hold the bat right, Jack. Yeah. Here's the thing. Roman Quinn is not a very smart baseball player. No. I mean, the guy's been thrown at third base more times than I can count. With two outs.

With two outs, no less. Right. So, yeah. I mean. And yet he's better than Odubo Herrera, which is like, how about it? I disagree. I mean, I disagree. But the thing that sucks, the thing that sucks,

and I don't want to root for Odubel at all, and I wish he wasn't here, and I wish his leg was just permanently caught in the fence the other night. Like, I mean, he did have, he hit the ball hard today. Oh, wow, he hit the ball hard. That's all I have to say. I don't like rooting for him at all. I wish he wasn't here. He sucks.

All that fun stuff. All right, well, here was where I was going with it. And obviously, you know, Romico and Hurd, you know, drank. What else is new? Drank. But the whole Maytona center field thing, like, where do you stand? First of all, obviously, Maytona's cooled off a bit do you stand first of all obviously Mayton has

cooled off a bit but like you know he's been a nice find for this team this season in this spot but like what are your thoughts on Mayton the player but also the idea of taking someone who's never professionally played the outfield and putting him in center field with a couple weeks of practice in drills and stuff, I don't know. You're more of a, you play baseball at a higher level than I did, but that seems ridiculous to me. And look, there's some natural athletes, some guys, and look, if you've played baseball your whole life,

you've fielded out fly balls before. You've shagged fly balls. You've done all that. So it's not totally foreign to him, but this just feels like a stretch to me, Jack. You know what, though? Here's the thing. I've watched Brad Miller play right field.

I've watched him play left field, and he's a terrible defender. He's horrible, horrible, horrible. Nick Maytong would be 1,000% better than that. Just because he's young and athletic? Right, he's definitely athletic enough to get the job done. There's no doubt about that. Right, if he were left or right field, I'd feel better.

We're talking about center field. Yeah, no, but in my gut, honestly, James, in my gut, I think he could do it. Wow. I think – All right, this is making me feel better. Because, look, I'd rather him in the lineup than any of the guys that are rolling out there, obviously. Yeah, I mean, it would be nice if he got more than a hit this week. But he honestly –

He can't win them all. Honestly, they might not win that game if he doesn't have that at bat today where he got 11 pitches and really grinded it out against Brandon Woodruff. I mean, that jumped Woodruff's pitch count from like 75 to 86, I think, and got him in the 90s heading into the seventh. So that was actually a pretty underrated important part of today's game. But I just think he's athletic enough. I think he's athletic enough.

I've seen his movements in the field. i've seen his instincts going back on balls and it wouldn't be the best scenario um but i think he could do it if they asked him to do it i think they would do it but i really just think and i i just think they're a man i think they want to do a lot there and i think until he proves them otherwise like he he's going to be out there, and it's unfortunate. But the dilemma that they're going to face is Segura's back tomorrow night. Brad Miller has to stay in the lineup. Has to.

Has to. Has to. Do you really want to keep Maytown up here to get four bats a week? Or do you want him to go down to the minor leagues and play every day and keep him fresh in case there's another injury? I almost would rather do that because that gets him more consistent. It bats, keeps him hot. If there's another injury, then they can bring him right back up

and he should be fresh enough to play rather than just grabbing him off the bench. Being a bench player takes a long time to get used to the routine and used to getting in that spot. Brad Miller's got it down. Our good friend, our good friend, Kevin Franson obviously got it down. Like, but, but those guys have been in the big leagues for a decade or five to 10 years, whereas Maytown's a rookie. So if I'm them and I'm weighing, do I want to keep Maytown up here because he's obviously one of the 26 best players and he would make our team better, I get that. But also, I don't hate the idea of sending him down, leaving him in AAA, and letting him get consistent at bats. And then if something goes wrong,

bring him up here rather than just sticking him on the bench and saying, hey, you're going to get four at bats this week and sometimes be a substitution on defense when Girardi decides to double switch. So it's a tough decision, but I lean more towards the AAA. Yeah, I get that. I do. It's just it's hard to say when you're a team that's trying to make the playoffs and has a disastrous bench. Like, let's be real. I mean, it's horrible. I mean, Matt Joyce, I was I was in I was in for Matt Joyce year 15 or whatever. Like, whoops, that guy stinks now. Like he's cooked like Matt and he's hurt now anyway. But like, I mean, they don't, Ronald Torres is not a major league quality hitter.

Like, he's a fine defensive player, but, like, he's not. Like, so, like, I get it, but they're so thin, man. And, like, organizationally thin. Like, they can't just say, all right, like, otherwise, you know, Maytime wouldn't be the only one. Like, they don't have guys that can just cycle in and say, all right, well, you're our new bench guy and you're going to be good at it because you can hit.

Like, they don't have those guys. And that's an issue. And I think roster depth is a real issue for this team. And obviously, I think they're going to fit if they can stay in this and compete. I think they'll fix it with some moves. And there are moves to be made and positions that can be helped. But, I mean, I don't know. I get the point.

Like developmentally, certainly, I get the point. And also just the idea of keeping him kind of locked in. But I don't know if they can afford to. I get it. I just don't know if they can afford to. I think he might be more valuable as a pinch hitter, as a pinch defensive player, as a guy who gets a start, you know, a couple times a week if you can get him in center field, whatever. So, I don't know.

I don't know. It's a tough one for me. I get what you're saying. But, you know, I'm a little conflicted on it. I think that, honestly, I think the bigger decision is what happens when Bryce is back. Well, that's what I was about to – we haven't even mentioned the fact that they did this sweep without Bryce.

Like, that's pretty exciting that we're getting Bryce Harper back. I can't believe they didn't IL him. It turns out they probably should have and just not had him play in that Sunday night game. But, you know, Bryce back soon would be huge. Well, some are saying better without Bryce. Not me, buddy. Not I, not I, not I. Never.

Not one of those people. I'm just so bummed. He was so it's the most locked in we've seen him, like, potentially since he's been here, and certainly to start a season here. Yeah, but he only missed a week. No, I'm not worried about missing. Like, it's just a bummer.

He has to get re-locked in, the timing, all type of stuff. And, you know, getting hit in the face is no joke. So, like, I'm just bummed about it. Like, he'll be fine. Well, he did get thrown out of the game. Yeah, that was fun from the bench. He's locked in. That's true.

So, yeah, the Bryce coming, it's another decision that's going to have to be made. So. Well, I bring that up. Sorry, I bring that up because, you know, if Bryce comes back and Segura comes back tomorrow night, let's say, I mean, what do you do with Brad Miller I mean do you do you and uh you brought this up on the midday show today and I thought it's fascinating but I mean Bryce has played 187 games in center field I mean you put and again I don't want Bryce

in center field I don't think he's a center fielder, but you could easily make the case that their best nine is with Bryce in center and Brad Miller in right, and you just sacrifice the defense for the offense. Especially if we're talking about putting, like we were just talking about putting a guy who's never played outfield professionally in center field. Like I'd much rather have Bryce out there, and it's obviously a better offensive lineup with Brad Miller than Nick Maton. Like, look, you know, obviously you have to talk talk to Bryce see if he's willing to do it I have

no doubt he would be because you know we know he's a freaking team guy and he he's here for the next decade no matter what you know so or you know they could trade him all that stuff but you know what I mean like he's not looking to leave he's not like trying to get a new contract or anything like there's no reason for him to not do it um so i think it's it's certainly their best offensive lineup without a doubt and if this team's gonna suck defensively anyway which i mean i don't i don't see a a fix a quick fix like even bringing in a one player at a position like a center fielder who you know mitch hanniger or someone like you're not getting that much better defensively that it makes a massive difference i think right now like harper and miller make the most sense i'm all in on it it's that that's the new high ups position

bryce harper center fielder and then we'll put brad miller and right um all right i have one more two two more things for you and then we'll go to the take bag. Um, one is a quick one, but I just, I have to shout out that the high hopes poll that was put up, which was, um, essentially if you had to pick one of these three guys to get, you know, to pitch an inning for you, it was an inning or an out. I can't remember. It was an inning, right? Uh, was an inning right uh no it was to get it now to get it now okay yeah one yeah one of the three who do you pick and it's it's david hale heath embry and brandon workman and i i bleep you not i sat there staring at it for five minutes before i answered because like it was like on so many levels first of all it's a. Like just, if you look at it from a baseball sense, like forgetting how much

they've hurt us and our souls, like it's a great baseball question. Cause they're all pretty equally crappy, you know, and certainly were as Philadelphia Phillies. Um, so that aspect of it, then the aspect of just the pain I felt thinking about each of them and what they've done for us ultimately. And I want to see where you came down. I think I have semi confidently landed on Brandon Workman. And I, I don't feel good about it. Obviously.

Neither do I, but I have to say, I agree. He is, he has closing experience in the AL East. The other two are just absolute scrubs. Although. He's a scrub too

but he's I think the least scrubby. Although I think he was the first one of the three to be released by their new team. It's something. I mean David Hale should be released though so that's not fair. David Hale is pitched well enough to be released. Alright last thing I have for you david dale david dale should is pitched well

enough to be released um all right last thing i have for you and then we'll go to the take bag um i was thinking about it and because like we're kind of like you know look i've been looking at the positives you know because philly's one per usual four straight you might not know that in first place you might not know that and like i really do love this top three and we talked about wheeler obviously we've talked a lot about Nolan. And everyone knows who's listening to this pod how excited we are about Zac Eflin. And he's backed it up so far.

And I was going through the teams in the National League. And like, there are other teams that have way better fours and fives and just way more depth and all that type of stuff. But like, in terms of if you're just taking each team's top three, like, there's an argument to be made that other than the Dodgers, they might each team's top three. Like, there's an argument to be made that other than the Dodgers,

they might be the best top three. Like, it's a question of how much you weight DeGrom being a part of the Mets' top three. You know, do you take the Padres' top three over them? Like, there are a few ones that are real tough. I mean, the Brewers, another one that you would talk about. But like, I think there's a chance if we're just going three, Nola Wheeler and Eflin are really up there in the National League, Jack. Yeah. Castillo has obviously been terrible for the Reds, but I still like those

guys. Yeah. I mean, Gray looks awesome again. So. Yeah. But I mean, even the fact that we're having this conversation kind of shows how good these guys have been. And what I like the most is, and I don't have the stat off the top of my head, but I did see it today, that Wheeler is number one in the NL in innings pitched. Eflin, I think, is number six. And Nola is number nine in the NL in innings pitch. And you're getting length out of these guys, which you need, especially when your four fives are Chase Anderson and Vinny Velo.

But, like, legitimately, I mean, those three have been great. Eflin, like, it's crazy where we are with zach efflin like i just think of him as one of those guys yeah i think of him i trust him i trust him i just trust him when he takes the hill also his walkout song is uh a lumineer song and it's like such a calm song i'm so surprised to walk out song but i guess it uh it relates to him and what he's been through in his life and all that stuff. And we've talked about it. He's clearly a super good guy who seems thoughtful and like a good human being.

So that's cool. Yeah. And he's a great guy. Yeah. And would love to, if we could have one guy on the High Hopes podcast, it would be him. Yes. I agree.

Sorry, there would be him. Yes. I agree. Sorry. There was a guy. I mean, it's May 7th, so, you know, whatever. Zac Eflin, I mean, and obviously Mick is our favorite, our guy, our number one. Of course. But, like, the number one Philly we want on is Zac Eflin. Give us Zac Eflin. And obviously, look, Bryce, if you want to come on, I'm just, you know.

I mean, if Bryce wants to come on, say thanks. But like Zach Eflin, we love you. We want you on the pod. Come on the pod, Zach. All right, take back. Yeah, so good amount of stuff on the take back today. I'm just going to go top down, the old top down approach. The old top to bottom.

A T to B, I. The old top down approach. The old top to bottom. A T to B I like to call it. I genuinely I genuinely love how the Mets fans are handling Lindor. Oh, it's great. It is so funny. It's so short-sighted

and outstanding. It's not a surprise when you see the videos of Gi giants fans reacting to the davante smith pick and then you know how mets fans are handling or like you know new york fans just can't handle it man i get it yeah it's just so funny like i saw a picture today of uh them and him in uh their triple a triple a hat i mean it's just amazing it's awesome mean, it's just amazing. It's awesome. It's just awesome. It's so sad. This guy's generational. I love it.

Well, he used to be generational. Yeah, now he's bad. You're right. You're right. He's a Met now. That's what it is. So, obviously, and I feel like, and James, this might be another high hopes position that we're running by you.

I love when you throw them out there and just, we'll find out. I think that this podcast is Hector's protectors. Going back to our old, if they had the, you know, Wolfpack and the, you know, the Padilla Flatia and all that, we would go as Hector's protectors. Because I feel like it's deeper than those fan groups, because this is like the onslaught of Twitter and callers. I feel like we have to protect Hector Neris because Hector Neris is definitively good. I feel like we have to protect Hector Neris because Hector Neris is definitively good. He has an ERA of 1.8 and is striking out over 11 guys per night and walking less than three per night. Can we please leave Hector Neris alone?

I don't get why every day has to be a discord. It's almost as annoying as is the Aaron Nolan ace conversation. I think I genuinely hate the Hector Neris one more um but I will say I will say if he does falter here I do think Coonrod would be a really good closer just from the standpoint of like he comes in he's fired up he's like excited to be there he tried to fight the Mets he tried to fight the Cardinals I don't know James I like that in the closer um so if Hector does falter here I will endorse Sam Coonrod for the closer position yeah Coonrod definitely has that feel dude like he's he's like fire and brimstone and

I love it and also you know that the 97 to 100 on the reg is, you know, it helps for closers. But the Phillies' closer is Hector Neris. And Hector Neris is a damn good baseball pitcher and potentially the most maligned for bad reason guy in this city. Like, for some reason, it's like people are just waiting for him to fail. People are just like, anytime he gets the save and people are like, well, he went on those base runners. It was scary. I thought they were going to lose. But they didn't. They didn't lose. He got the job done. Like, do you remember Brad Lynch? Do you remember life on a Lynch? Do we all, were we there for that? Like 48 for 48, you're damn right. But guess what? A ton of those were scary as hell too. Like closers are scary, especially when they're

playing all these one run games. Like it's going to be scary. It's going to be tight. I am Jack official high ups position. Hector's protectors official high ups position. Hector is a damn good baseball pitcher, official position. We're sick and tired of this. Like it's enough. Like Phillies fans are too smart. Like We're too smart to think Hector Neris stinks. When we have real pitchers here who stink, when we see real pitchers who stink all the time, and last year saw tons of real pitchers who stink, please, enough with the Hector Neris.

Hector's protectors. Let's go. Yeah, it's just insane. Hector is good. And now he's starting to throw, it's just insane. Like, Hector is good. And now he's starting to throw a slider more and more. And the fastball's back up to 95, and the split is the split. And dude just gave us a five-out, 40-pitch gutty save. Like, come on.

Like, enough already. Yeah, and everyone's like, ah, well, what about the bases loaded? It's like, oh, my God. I know. Oh, God. And I disagree with you on Philly's fans. yeah everyone's like ah well what about the base is loaded it's like oh my god i know oh god what yeah and i disagree with you on philly's fans moving on um all right well yeah you're right because high hopes fans are definitely not the one saying there's a difference that's fair there's a difference it's fair um i thought vinny v lo smacking yellage on the butt on the way to first base it was great. It was terrific.

One of the most underrated Vinny. He was so cocky. Dude, he was feeling it. You pointed out to me, I hadn't heard it. Jack comes in the next day of where it worked the next day and he's like, did you hear Vinny's post-game speech? And I was like, no. He's like, you gotta listen. And I listened and I'm like, he's dropping S-bombs and it was just he was like feeling it. He's like,

my bleep was good tonight. It was, you could tell Vinny was and he seems like a good guy. All the like, my bleep was good tonight. Like it was, you could tell like Vinny was, and he seems like a good guy. Like all the crap we've given him over the years. Like he's always seen, he's always been there. He's always answered questions. He's always took it like a man. And he seems like a good guy when things are going good.

And he seems like a positive guy to be around. So yeah, that was fun. Yeah, yeah. I, yeah, it's funny. Yeah, yeah. It's funny. I like Vinny a lot. And yeah, he's obviously frustrating. But overall, he's a good dude.

And he tries hard. And he just has been frustrating. And I get it. I fully get it. But his changeup was actually awesome the other night. So I hope he uses it more and more and more, but who knows. So I have this working theory that I'm excited to kind of see and see how it develops. I love the unveiling of a theory.

Big fan. I love that they are in this much one-run games. I know it's excruciating for the time being and sitting there and watching it and wanting to pull your hair out, but it should be good for team growth that they're in as many one-run games and the fact that if they're good in them,

that it should give them the trust in themselves that, hey, we're good in these games. We know how to win these games. We've been in that. And like, I looked at the top five teams and in one run games, like in 2019, back when baseball was real and it was all the teams,

like every team that won 95 to 102 games was in the top five. So, um, I think it's important. And I think they got to figure out how to win these games. And the fact that they are kind of winning those games is, is good. And I think getting it out of the way early, hopefully it can lead to figure out how to win these games. And the fact that they are kind of winning those games is good.

And I think getting it out of the way early, hopefully it can lead to more success as the year goes on. I love this take, this theory. I was actually going to mention it before when we talked about the seven straight-run games, like a variation of it. The idea that what I was going to say is every year, and it's anecdotal, but you just confirmed it with last year at least, or two years ago when they had a real season, that every year the teams in the playoffs,

when you're watching playoff games, are always like, and the Diamondbacks were 35-15 in one-run games. You hear it every year. Every year those teams that played in a bunch of one-run games, and that's not even enough one-run games. They're usually more than that. But the teams that play in a bunch of one-run games and have good records, good records in one-run games.

And yes, there's luck involved. It's a year-to-year thing sometimes and all that. But like, I agree with you. I think it matters. And to your point, I think it builds that like muscle memory of like, we know how to win one-run games. We know how to gut these games out. We know how to come back when we're down a run and get a one-run lead and hold on.

We know how to lead five to nothing in the first and hold on for dear life and win a one run game. Like, I do think that stuff, especially as it accumulates, matters. Yeah. And we're on the same page tonight, man. This is like too agreeable almost. I know. I know. But it has been, you know, a little while in between pods.

It's true. Yeah. It's true. Yeah, no, but I think it's something to monitor going forward. I don't know if it's going to completely translate over. The team has been frustrating, but hopefully they can start believing in themselves as a team that can win close games. I bought MILB TV, James. Well, let's tell everyone what you did. You were at work and you turned to me and go, Hey, should I, should I spend the money

on MLB TV? And I was like, my response to you was, I'm shocked you haven't already. Like, I don't even know what you're asking me. Like, just do it. Of course. Yeah. Yeah. So I'm all in uh i'm excited

to watch some phil's minor leagues yes yeah it's just it's just it's just getting more and more nerdy as we go watch my boy i need i need weekly casey martin updates i'm i'm that's my guy hashtag my guy well he had walked in three straight plate appearances and then he yeah but then he struck out in three straights so you know he's a you know even out you know and even out hey that's a that's a uh it's a 500 on base percentage jack think about it that way how about that speaking of uh things that actually matter mick abel was up to 98.5 miles an hour yeah and he had a uh he had a max a max spin rate of 2700 rpms on his fast on his four-seam fastball which is freaking ridiculous so um i you know i couldn't be more giddy for mick abel uh i just i'll leave it at that i'm not gonna jinx him i'll try to jinx him

but keep him out of the bio all that good stuff please i mean this i mean this please from from everyone please and most importantly mick but i i mean this in the most sincere way possible. The day Mick Abel makes his Major League debut, I will shed a tear. Like, there is no doubt in my mind I will shed a tear. Let's hope that he's not making it for, like, the Royals, right? Don't even say that sentence right now. That's the worst thing you've ever said to me on this podcast. You won't be.

Not even Dombrowski. Dombrowski's Mr. Power Pitcher Jack He would never let this guy go He's gonna trade Casey Martin For someone and break my heart That's what's gonna happen Yeah, whatever But And also

We had our first Stott shot of the season tonight. Oh, buddy. Bryce and Scott did his first dinger. So, that's exciting. Do you think that John Middleton was right for not trading Zach Wheeler for Babe Ruth? I mean, what has Babe Ruth done lately? It's kind of hard to argue. Zach Wheeler has been great.

As we all know, Major League Baseball is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, and personally, Babe Ruth hasn't done anything in about 60 years. Yeah, a really long time. So I feel pretty good with Zach Wheeler at this point. Good non-trade by John. Way to go. Look at Middleton.

Savvy John. And my final take from the take back what do you think about uh a gently used albert pool holes for the bench another reason we need the dh i will say i i like the angels who are in last place uh yet again i know they're not far out they're like 13 and 16 or 14 so something like that but but like in the last year of his contract you paid this whole freaking contract and like you cut him now like i don't know man like i probably would have just let him have his last season and let it let him go to the freaking off he was mad that he didn't play the other night or something

against is that what it was? I don't know. Either way, he can't field anymore, so no. I'm out. But again, to be fair, we talk about the team we have. He'd probably fit right in. He could be a better first baseman than Reese. I mean, you know, anybody could.

Yeah, but I'm talking about a right-handed power off the bench. No, look, honestly, sure. Yes, you're telling me, okay, pinch hitting situation, I can have Albert Pujols or Ronald Torres come up? Yeah. Yeah, I'll take Albert Pujols for cool. Or Nappy. Love you, Andrew.

Especially right-handed, Nappy. Like, yeah, I'll take Pujols. All right. All right, there it is. Let's get on the horn, Dave. Sign Pujols. Hashtag sign Pujols. Should we start all tweeting it?

Sign. Just like sign jt sign sign sign pool yeah why not hashtag why not albert yep um yeah but pool holes just so unfortunate with where his career went because i mean 2000s pool holes was the best year i've ever seen him yeah i was gonna say he was the best that you've ever seen barry bonds was the best i ever saw and like you got the end of bonds but like you didn't really see that the heart of bonds but like bonds the best i've ever seen pool's the second best i've ever seen mike trout you know right there like he's on his way to being in that group but but pools is the second best hitter i've ever seen in my lifetime flat out like he's i mean that run i mean you just if you want to take five minutes and if you're i was about to say if you're a baseball nerd you're listening to this podcast

you're a baseball nerd just look at his baseball reference like look at what the guy did year to year with the 350s and the 45 homers and the you know 100 plus runs rbis every single i mean he was like his nickname was the machine and it was the most deserved nickname you could possibly think of like just what a monster yes and uh i i'm kind of put you on the spot here and i i'm sorry i did that but the are you really are you really sorry are you sorry his? Are you sorry? His his home run off of Bradledge is still the furthest ball I've ever seen. Oh, do you have one that tops it? I mean, I don't know. Like the pool holes, pool holes off of Lidge was the was the most crushed I've ever seen a base.

Oh, my God. And certainly in terms of moment and spot. I feel like. I feel like it has to be i mean like there are a couple stanton shots that i can think of that had a similar feel to them um obviously the matt starr's homework yeah well duh i think it's probably the most crushed i think it's right there like i'm trying to think of like old school stuff that I might not be thinking of. But, man, he murdered that baseball. Like, I'm not sure it's landed yet.

No, and honestly, it might be the only reason we had Brad Lidge in 08. Yeah, it's true, actually. That's a really good point, Jack. I don't even know if might be. Like, it probably is if things go differently. Yeah mean he was not the same pitcher and no it like crushed him and he was and he couldn't pitch there because of it too like there was that whole like aspect of it you know yeah imagine if that happened here oh my god dude oh i mean it kind of did mitch williams yeah and billy wagner not be able to get over to the

people were booing him for not throwing 100 yeah yeah that's a that's a different one though um but yeah i uh i'm gonna miss pools uh he was he was awesome to watch and and look i mean the career is gonna go down as one of the best you know careers we've ever seen like you know he's a 300 hitter essentially for his career like if he hadn't had the last few years he would have been over 300 you know it was like 667 home runs like 3 000 hits like he's got everything like every and and won a couple world series too as the best player on world series teams like you know he's got everything you look for in a baseball resume. Yeah. The Cardinals won two with him?

Yeah. 0-6? 0-6 and 11, I think. 0-5 or 0-6. They made the World Series in 0-4, obviously, and lost to the Red Sox. Good job, Albert. Good job. Yeah.

Happy trails, buddy. Assuming you don't have time. Although we could use some power off the bench. Yeah, I'll take it, man. I'm with you. You made a compelling case. I caved pretty quickly on it. It would just, it would honestly, it would just, you know, make up for the Ryan Howard

for our pool holes trade from a couple years ago. That's a good point. I like that point. All right. You got any final thoughts before we get out of here, Fritzy? I don't have any final thoughts. I just think this was a gritty podcast performance. Oh, I had forgotten.

That's how good you did. That's how good you did. I couldn't even tell, buddy. Again, I don't like to make things about me, but I think this is a very gritty podcast. I just can't wait to hear if it sounds like you're in a cavern or not. I'm hoping not. It'll be good either way, I think.

Yeah, me too. I'll get closer to them. It did get less cavernous during the recording, for whatever that's worth, at least for me. So who knows? All right, cool. All right, my final thought, beat the Braves. Like, beat the frickin' Braves.

Like, you don't have to sweep, but, like, it'd be cool if you did. But two or three, all right? And also, like, let's win some frickin' games on the road. on the road we got a freaking 10 game road trip coming up here right i mean like in fact in fact they have 10 then six then another like eight like 18 of their next 24 games are on the road jack like this is a team that's 13 and six at home we know what the math is you know not great on the road so let's take two or three man like take two take two or three in Atlanta and get this road trip going. You know what I'm saying?

Yeah, honestly, that sounds horrible. I'm so not excited for this road trip. Me neither, man. I mean, it's a big one. You got the Braves, Nats, and then Dundeen to face the Blue Jays. So at least we got a DH in those games, Jack. Yes. Great.

Give it to me. Give it to me. All right. Sunday night baseball again, Give it to me. All right. Sunday Night Baseball again, which like enough already. All right. Yeah, we'll see if we do those. People have jobs. Okay. You know, there's an off day

on Monday. We're letting you know now we are recording on Monday. You will not get a podcast Sunday night. I apologize, but I have to work early and it's late for me, but off day monday i promise you have my word is that fair to say on monday we'll record a pop we're good with that uh depending if the game is awesome yeah look if they sweep and if it's like a crazy game we'll be there sunday night don't get me wrong if if if we let's put it this way if we need to be there sunday night we'll be

there sunday night if it's cool for there on monday we'll be there Sunday night. If it's cool if we're there on Monday, we'll be there Monday. Is that fair, Jack? Gotta be honest. I think it's gonna be cool that we're there Monday. Oh, man. He's Fred some seltzer. We'll see you later. All-Star Closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question.

What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball isn't boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game it's my podcast it's my passion it's a cause i started more than two years ago and it's now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is another fact so jump aboard the bib express follow and listen to baseball isn't boring presented by wasabi hot cloud storage on the free odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts