High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - EMERGENCY BRYCE HARPER HITS A WALK-OFF FOR HIS 300th HR POD

Episode Date: August 31, 2023

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It is another edition of the I Am's Podcast. Jack, that yo could have been bigger. It could have been bigger. Yes. We were this close. Like, for real, though. We're this close to me bullying you into podcasting last night. I was going to have to pod during my fantasy draft last night.

It was up late. I know. It was not a great day for your boy. Other than being at the ballpark for three hundo. It was a great day. What a moment. I mean, like, in all seriousness, like, all seriousness, I know that people are doing the Mount Rushmore thing,

but forgetting that. Which we started. Literally, for real. But, I mean, all Philly's conversation, if we're being real about it. But, in all honesty, like, I think there's a real chance he's the most clutch athlete in my lifetime in Philadelphia. I'm not kidding. Yeah. I'm not kidding.

Like, it's like every time this guy comes up in a big spot, he hits a home run. It's freaking unbelievable. It's really just ramped up the last two years, I feel like. Like, you know, before that, we had the Grand Slam. We had the Cub Grand Slam. Yeah. And in his MVP year, I remember, do you remember that game where they were down like 7-0 early?

And he had a, it was against the Cubs as well. Oh, yeah. And he had like the double late. And I think that might have actually sealed his MVP that year. Even though he didn't make the playoffs. He is, yeah, and he's continuing to rack up big moments. Big moments. Like big moments.

Like big. Now the key is, like the bullpen can't blow all the big moments. Because obviously the home run last week, the Nick Nelson after the run against the Braves. I forgot all about that. That's honestly, the Phillies closing it out after it hit Bedlam at the bank is one of the bigger upsets. They got his ranger. Otherwise, they probably don't.

They said someone whose heart doesn't beat on the freaking mound. Otherwise, they're probably screwed. If Robertson's in there, there's no way. No chance they win that game. Zero. Every big home run outside of Bedlam at the Bank that Bryce has hit in the eighth inning. He has to walk it off. They've blown it. They've blown it.

No, and like for me, the game ended after the Harper home run. It was a walk off. I agree. A walk off for his 300th home run. Who remembers 300th home run as a walk off? Well, that's the funniest part because obviously in the moment, it's like, damn, that sucks. But as we have gone on and we've talked our way through it, no one really remembers they lost. Oh, no.

No, no, no. Yesterday was all about the—I mean, dude, I actually feel like he was—and I don't think he really was. He might have just been shocked in the moment, but I feel like he was more excited yesterday with hitting 300. I've never seen him going around the bases, pumping his fists. Like, obviously, the kiss and the jersey, the whole thing. Like, he was, like, really freaking into it yesterday, man. Well, and the greatest mark of an all-time great athlete is they know the moment. And he knew the moment.

He swung first bit. And it's just, again, again, basketball players have game winners. Like, it's in their hands. They can handle it. The amount of times he's been in these spots. It's unbelievable. Where it's like, we talked about this after Bedlam at the Bank, I believe. Yes.

Was about how it was the most walk-off, not walk-off, buzzer-beater basketball kind of shot of all time. Yeah. And also to your point you're just making about how it's so rare that in the playoffs, in that type of moment, that this all-time superstar actually even gets up in a spot to have a chance to take the lead like that with a home run. That alone is so rare. And then for him to actually grab it and take it,

it's rare, man. And the biggest difference between him and the fraud Derek Jeter is that he hits dingers, dude. He hits the little slap hit the other way. I mean, he hits dingers. I know that Jeter's, what, 3,000th hit was a home runoff, David Price? Which was pretty good. It was good.

It was good work. Cute. I can't wait for Bryce's 500th, you know, like stuff like that. I kid you not, James. And you know me. The listeners know me. Like everyone's aware of how this brain operates. Yeah, I think it's pretty clear.

Not great. But. To be Jack Fritz. But I have just thought so much about his 500. I know you have. I'm sure. Of course you have. I've already started planning.

I've already started having ideas of like obviously we're on the road for it. If he's not going to hit it at home, which given the last couple years, he's definitely going to hit it at home. I think he's going to be home. Yeah. Because I mean Schmidt hit on the road. Yeah. So you know Harper will not let that happen. No he might sit out games to get home to hit

it here in front of the crowd. 100%. I mean I knew him hitting that before going on the road was a lock yesterday. Yeah. They hit him with 300. Well, only three in a row. He's just like, no, I'm getting this, dude. I'm not going on the road without 300. Like, this is happening in this freaking ballpark. He said about the game, too, like, that's why

I'm at it. He's like, I wanted to do it in front of these fans. Like, that mattered to him. And he knows that he can't go. I mean, they're not home until next Friday. That's the point. He can't have a home or a list. Are you kidding me? Like, the dude can't go a day without home. He not home until next Friday. That's the point. He can't have a homer this week. Are you kidding me? The dude can't go a day without a homer. As hot as he's since the playoff. He's playoff Bryce Harper's here.

Of course he's going to homer over the next six games. Multiple times, I'm sure. But like, Bryce's 500th, that's going to be, again, you start thinking about, it's so fun right now. Because you can live in the moment of like what are you watching i know like what we're watching right now is a guy putting together and obviously an

all-time philly's resume you know he's he's he's coupling he's he's a mix it's crazy we talk so much about rollins utley howard right he's putting all three together in one. He has J-Roll's flair. He has Utley's aggressiveness. And, like, effort and, you know, the, like, baseball player thing. And he has the Howard power. And, like, dramatic. The flair for the dramatic and all that. Putting the team on his back.

The get-me-to-the-plate-boys mentality. He is all three of our favorite players in franchise history. Pillars of this franchise. He is all of that embodied into one player. And like Schmidt is going to be tough to touch because of the gold glove. Probably impossible. I mean again I always say

with Schmidt like there are nine positions in baseball and if you make an all time team in the history of the game like we got one of the nine. That's tough to pass. It is. But like Harper... When it's all said and done, I'd be shocked

if he's not the second best Philly of all time. I think he's going to be an inner circle Hall of Famer. I think I'm old. We know. Jokes. The whole thing. I'm old and all that. Hand up. The whole thing. I'm old and all that. But sadly, just not quite old enough for Prime Schmidt.

I remember the end of Mike Schmidt. I saw him. I went to the vet. I did all that. And I grew up knowing that Mike Schmidt was the greatest Philly of all time. It was all my dad talked about. I grew up as Schmidt's my favorite player and all that. But I really only got to see the end of his career.

The last couple years, without a doubt. and resume-wise, a different thing. When you talk about Rushmore and all, and you talk about the years they were here and everything they put together, but I am 100% sure that Bryce Harper is the best Philly I've ever seen in my lifetime. Like, flat out. Like, period. Like, that's it. This is the best player I've ever watched in my lifetime in a Philly's uniform when they're playing. Because, again, I saw Schmidt in a Phillies uniform but not Schmidt Schmidt. Like right

now, Bryce Harper right now is the best Phillies player I've ever seen. Yeah, and he's doing it without even really being in the field. Holiday, I guess the only one maybe I would even consider there. And for obviously Peaks, I mean 06 Howard is... Yeah, for Peaks, yeah. He was right there. I mean 06 Howard batted 3-6 with 58 home runs.

Like how silly is that? It's like, in the moment I was like, wow, that's pretty cool. He's like, sure, all right. Because we were coming off the end of the step right there. It didn't feel as like, oh, yeah, 58, sure. We already have 140 RBI. It's unbelievable. Yeah.

And it's like, now looking back, it's like, holy crap. It's like, if someone did that now, people would be, like, building a statue of him in the moment. Like, are you kidding me? Dude, it's, yeah, again, 0-6 Howard, another level that we might never see again. You're right. In a Phillies uniform. But the totality of the player, yeah, I agree with you.

Now, so I'm just going through the life cycle of James Seltzer, which unfortunately is coming to an end soon. But so early James Seltzer saw Schmidt cry when he retired, right? I did. And I'm sure you cried as well. I was at the, when they retired his number, I was at all. Oh, man, that's good. That's good.

You're an emotional man. I know. So that was young Seltzer. Yes. And then elementary school Seltzer saw the 93 Phillies win. And nothing else. Yeah. Exactly.

A lot of sadness. Exactly. Early college Seltzer saw an unbelievable Phillies run. Dude, else. Yeah. Exactly. A lot of sadness. Exactly. Early college shelter saw an unbelievable Phillies run. Dude, great time. End of college shelter through like 20s. 20s shelter was the heyday. I even aged you. You did.

I mean, I was 26 in 07, so it was like 20 to 30. Wow. Close to 30. Wow. I always forget that. I know. Anyway. So then that's mid prime. Clear prime. I know. Anyway. Do you? So then that's Seltzer's mid-prime. Clear prime. I would say right now it's actually her prime.

But in the prime of your life, you are seeing Bryce Harper. And then when you're in the retirement home, you're going to be talking about Aiden Miller. So it's going to be great. You'll be coming to visit me. Check it in on me. I'll bring you supper. It's nice. You can have your supper at four and go to bed

by five. That's like what I do. I know. I'm going to bed at like five today. That's the lock of all time. Good. I'm happy for you.

I'm really excited about it. But yeah, it's like the life cycle of James Seltzer is through Phillies players. It's great. Yeah, it's good. I'm not saying that.

You already told me I was dying soon. Right. Well, I was going to say that Aiden Miller is going to put you in the grave. You might. Yeah, you're going to go to the grave Miller is going to put you in the grave. You might.

Yeah. You're going to go to the grave with Aiden Miller being this person. You could do worse. You could do worse. If you've got to go, at least you've got Aiden Miller sending you there. It's good. Yeah. Anyway, not to get morbid.

If we ever get Aiden Miller on the pod, I'll ask him how he feels about killing me in the future. Yeah. Yeah. Being the last Philly James. Outlasting me. The last great Philly that james remembers aiden miller um but yeah dude he is he is just stacking so many moments and um i i think when it's all said and done there's never gonna i think he's gonna surpass doc i think he's gonna surpass i to surpass Iverson. I love Kelsey, but he's a center.

You know, like. Shout out to Kelsey. It's not Kelsey's fault. You know, I love Kelsey. All-time great? He is an all-time great. And if I had to Mount Rushmore of the Eagles, he's on it. Yeah.

And he is, like, for what, I get your point. He's a Hall of Famer. He's one of the great centers in this year. Totally great. He's the most famous center of all time. Well, by a lot. He's taking the center position. Like, hey, you could be famous. Guess what?

But I just think that Bryce is on his way towards being a, not Mount Rushmore, just the Phillies, but a Mount Rushmore of Philadelphia. I agree. So he's going to be here through all the 2020s into the 2030s. He is racked up on an all-time postseason moment already. If he gets,he needs a parade. That's obvious. Big time.

But you start thinking about— If he gets the parade, if he hits 500 here, that means 400. So you get 300, 400, 500. Like, these moments, these, like, historical things. And then I just—I've thought a sickening amount about the migration to Cooperstown. Like, for his hall like dude like first off I mean walks gonna be walks gonna be 20 probably like walks gonna be probably gonna be 24 like I have I have legitimately started getting Bryce Harper chills and like little

welling up thinking about taking a walk and whoever else. Obviously, I hope I have more kids. But taking them all up to Cooperstown to see Bryce get inducted and me giving the speech. Just kidding. Are you, though? I'm just saying. If Ray can do Tommy and me, it could be Bryce and me.

You know what I mean? Got it. Hold on. And again, why is it Tommy and me and not Tommy and I? That's a great question. You know what I mean? What if the whole time- Well, no, because he'd be saying, he's right.

He's right. Because he'd be like, he's talking about me. Believe me. Believe me. I don't think that Ray would have made a grammatical error in the eight years that this thing's Me and I is not your specialty either. I wouldn't- Because it's so, dude, there's things-

It's so easy. But there's things that. Just say it without the and. Just say, are you going to come with me? Or are you going to come with I? Boom. Right. And that's how I always did it.

Right? And I was like this, because this is common sense. And then I got ridiculed once by a teacher. So now that teacher is still in my head. There's a couple of things from school that don't compete with me. Me and I. Yeah. The 12 times tables, because I missed that week.

Really? Yeah. So I missed that week in school because I was skiing in Italy. So like all the times tables are just for 12s. I know all of the times tables. Up to 11 and then 12 you're in trouble. 12 I have no idea how they work. I don't know any of the tricks to remember the 12 times tables.

I know everything before that. And then the- They give you a trick? You just add 12 each time. I know everything before that. And then the- They give you a trick? You just add 12 each time. I don't know. I'll get there. I'm saying if it's 12 times 3, then 12 times 4 is another 12. I'm just a joke.

Can't do it. It's literally how you do anything. It's bad. It's bad. And then the last one is I before E except after C. Yeah. Which is not even true ever. It's not always true.

It's never true. It's true sometimes. Yeah, but to make it a grandstanding rule. I agree. I think this is a good take by you. You can't make I before E except after C. I think it just sounded good, and they're like, let's go with that. Yeah, exactly.

It's like, what was the school, not school of rock. What was the little thing, the conjunction, junction, what's your function? Schoolhouse rock. Yeah, schoolhouse rock. Schoolhouse rock. It was probably one of those things. Yeah, it's good. So that's my function um uh schoolhouse rock yeah schoolhouse rock schoolhouse rock it's probably one of those things yeah it's good so that's my three thing my three takes on school i think those are good takes yeah figure out the me and i thing pretty easy that one one of them was uh there's there's nothing i spend more time on twitter like trying to figure out which is the right one here it takes me like five i me like five, I ask Jill. Just text me, I'll tell you. I bring in Jill

for assistant on me versus I. Yeah. So good. Thank you. It really is. Yeah, thank you. So you're going to have

to get your Bryce speech. You're going to have to make sure that it's, you know, checked. Bryce and me. Bryce and me, not Bryce and I.

Bryce and I. Yep. And then I'm going to have to hear about it for years on the Amelie Network, I'm sure. But yeah, it's just, he is, he is, he is putting together an all-time, all-time Philly resume.

And the part that makes it so interesting and different than almost anyone else, right, is he's a free agent. Yeah. No, it's if they make it different than anyone else. He didn't start his career here. Yeah. He started here as a rival. Cole Hamels hit him in his first year. And now he's

like, dude, he's going to be when, again, when we eventually put together the WIP Mount Rushmore and we have it erected somewhere down in South Philly. Sponsored by WIP. That's right. It's going to be Schmidt,

Dawkins, Jalen, Harper. Love it. Love it. No, yeah. Like, can you, like, the Jalen, Harper, having them both here. I mean, they're just, like, they're too perfect. Like, in different ways, but they're just, like, hard to believe that this human being is here and ours as a, but some of the stuff with Bryce, I mean to your point, like, first and foremost for the most famous

player in the world to choose us, like that alone, just the fact that that happened in the first place. I know, right? The fact that it happened, like, that's so absurd that he chose to come here in the first place, and then for this guy to like embrace the city this way. Dude, he's shouting

out he's shouting out chuck are you freaking kidding me like are you serious like in my life i actually asked joe wechter about it and no one has been at wip longer than joe wechter not even here right yeah not howard not howard not really not any of those people wechter was here the longest i said have you ever ever heard a Philly athlete- Did you say it in this way? Yeah. Like such an intense- I was like very intense.

I was like, Joseph! Pretty intense way to do it. I called him Joseph. That's intense. I was like, have you ever in your life here seen a player shout out a caller? Shout out WIP like that? He said, nope. Well, yeah.

It's like it's never happened. It's awesome, but think about the show he's on no i know i mean they're hiding from that but regardless point being just like this is unique man like this is this and we've talked about the love affair between the two but like bryce harper is the conduit for it like bryce harper is like the face for it you know he's the guy who just tells us how much he freaking loves us all the time man you know i'm an attaboy guy. We've talked about this. If you yell at me, you're not going to get a lot out of me.

I'm going to get mad at you. I'm going to turtle up, whatever. If you tell me I'm doing a great job, I'm going to run through a wall for you. Hey, you're doing a great job. Thanks, buddy. We can run through a wall. I'll run through a wall for Bryce Harper. Yeah.

No, he's, yeah. So it's a combination of a lot of things with Bryce. It's a combination of he's freaking insane, dude. And the good part about Bryce, when we're talking about resume stuff, and not even just Philly, I'm just talking like Hall of Fame stuff, is that he's, given how good this team is, and we think they're only going to get better, he's going to be in a lot of postseason moments.

And he's going to have a lot of these kind of opportunities. And it is funny. I remember when we were doing the whole Bryce sign-em thing. Oh, yeah. People were like, whoa to be in a lot of postseason moments. He's going to have a lot of these kind of opportunities. And it is funny. I remember when we were doing the whole Bryce sign-em thing. Oh, yeah. People were like, whoa, does he have a good postseason? Has he ever had a big postseason hit? I remember that really well. And, yeah, of course there's a part of me like, well, what if he's not a winner?

You never know until you get in those moments. Exactly. It is nice that that is gone. So he's going to keep racking up those. So it's not only like, there's such an interesting combination with Bryce. It's like all-time moments, all-time great player.

You know, bedlam at the bank at this point is a Mount, we're doing a lot of Mount Rushmore talk. Yeah, it's a Mount Rushmore day. Yeah, but it like,

dude, people crap on Mount Rushmores, but like, it's interesting. It's such a good way. It's an easy way to try and encapsulate what you're doing. Yeah, so it's a deep breath. Yeah. It's not lazy. Anyway, but like, it way to try and encapsulate what you're doing. It's a deep breath.

It's not lazy. It's not like a top five or something. Why would you ever do a top five when you can have four? But do you like that I keep hitting this wall, by the way? You're really into it. It's good. You're like Bryce when he's running around the bases. But Bedlam of the Bank is Mount Rushmore Philly's moment.

Other than winning the World Series, actually the final out. Two of them? Yeah. No, I'm talking my lifetime. I was about to say, other than winning the World Series, the one that I won. And you were in there in 1980.

Yeah, Bedlam at the Bank's my favorite moment. It's my number one moment as a Phillies fan outside of actually winning the World Series. Bedlam at the Bank is my favorite. It's up there with Pavetta's complete game against the Reds. I would say Pavetta's complete game against the Reds. I forgot about that. I mean, the holiday no-hitter against the Reds.

Yeah, the holiday playoff no-hitter is right up there. That would be certainly in the short list. And look, we were in the building for Bedlam at the Bank, so that obviously, like, I'm a little biased. I was there for it. It was the coolest thing I've ever seen live. Has your ankle recovered or no? A little bit, yeah. So what's Bedlam at the Bank. Is that obviously like, I'm a little biased. I was there for it. It was the coolest thing I've ever seen live. Has your ankle recovered or no? A little bit, yeah.

You milked, dude. You, I swear to God, you milked that thing for four months just to say I was, like that you wanted. But it wasn't from Bedlam at the Bank.

It was from the Harper Homer in the World series. That's when I hurt my ankle. No, it wasn't. Yes, it was. Would you like to bet my life? Because I was the one who went through it.

I thought it was Bedlam at the Bank. No, it was the Harper Yes, it was. Would you like to bet my life? Because I was the one who went through it. I thought it was bedlam at the bay. No, it was the Harper-Homer and the 7-0 game was when I hurt my ankle. In game three? In game three. Off of McCullers? Where we were there, too. Yep. Really?

Yeah. I told everyone this the whole time. You did it for bedlam. Yeah, no. You should change it. I know. It's better. You should change it.

Personal advice to you, you should change it. Say it. I'm doing bedlam. Think about how way better of a story that is just saying like it's a way better story that I injured my ankle

and limped around for months complaining about it I did limp around for months because of Bryce Harper it's still like there'll be mornings where I wake up and I just

a little creaky yeah not just creaky like it's like oh that hurts like that is painful right now you get up

and you stand on your leg is my leg about to snap underneath me it's great it would be it would have been a great story had they won the world series yeah because that would have been the moment you were like they're gonna win the world exactly you know what i mean so uh again just trying to help you out thanks buddy i appreciate people helping people um but but

yeah it's just like um yeah bedlam at the bank by the way i meant to before we we start talking about your ankle again. Yeah, where did that come from? It's just like, you start thinking about all, like, this is why we love this team. Like, you just, it takes you back to exactly where you were from the moment. Of course. And it's just like, I just, I love them. I just, I love this baseball team.

Now, I watched the Halladay No-Hitter with my parents, so that's sick, right? It's adorable. Well, the fun thing about that, yeah, it's super cool. But the fun thing, I was a grown adult with a job um yeah but a job you hated yeah i did and i was home for it but the cool thing that for me what it always is with the holiday no hitter the coolest part of it is like it's you know unless you're like us and you watch every single baseball game in the season and then like what you get one every when was the last one before lorenzen you know it's like uh hamels so whenever like five to seven to ten years whatever it is

if that but like it's rare that you sit down and you watch every single pitch of a no-hitter like just you know even if you miss something you go to the bat like playoff games you'll miss a pitch like we're so like it was so cool because it's like that's the only no-hitter I've ever seen where I could say I didn't miss one freaking pitch of the no-hitter because it was a play like it was that was awesome yeah I remember I had a I had't miss one freaking pitch of the no-hitter because it was a play. That was awesome. Yeah, I remember I had to go to a meeting that night for something, and I was like, nope. I was like, yeah, I mean,

I'll get there. After this. I think the game started at like 4, right? It was an afternoon game. Yeah, it started at like 4. It was just, yeah. But yeah, bedlam at the bank is I still can't believe it happened. I can't believe it. I don't think Bryce could. Again, Bryce in the with the bank is, I still can't believe it happened. I can't believe it.

I don't think Bryce could. Again, Bryce in the moment, it was like, I can't believe that happened. Yeah. Meanwhile, Hoskins is slamming the bat and sprinting around. But the other cool thing, too, to your point about Harper and the history, and we saw it when he talked about that moment. We saw it with the excitement with 300. We saw it after the game when he talked about, you know,

what does this 300 mean to you? He's like, hopefully 300 more. Like, this is a dude, because of what he talked about, you know, what is this 300 mean to you? He's like, hopefully 300 more. Like, this is a dude, because of what we talked about, like how he's like obsessed with baseball and is just the biggest baseball nut ever, that it's like even more impactful because it feels like to him, he cares so much about these things. Like he wants to be remembered historically great.

He wants to be a part of the 500 home run club. He wants to win World Series and all that. And when he cares so much about it, when these things happen for him, obviously because we love him, but it makes it even more meaningful. You know what I mean? Because you feel like he appreciates it so much. Dude, if he gets the 600 home runs. 600. I mean, that's a

small list, dude. There's like 10 guys or something. And like half of the Sosa's in there and Bonds and A-Rod And all that stuff You know Yeah which But like the old school

I was gonna say When we were growing up I can't say When you were growing up When I was growing up It was like It was like Ted Williams

No he wasn't even He would have If he hadn't gone to war But when I was growing up The 600 home run club Was Hank Aaron Babe Ruth And Willie Mays

Done Wow In the list You know Wow Yeah And now Bonds A-Rod Sosa Tomy Griffey Babe Ruth and Willie Mays, done in the list. Wow. Yeah. And now Bonds, A-Rod, Sosa, Tomey, Griffey. Those guys are all in there now.

Yeah. And again, if Bryce gets in there. That's like rarefied. Oh, Pools is in there now. That's like rarefied air, man. Yeah, it's insane. It's insane. So, I mean, I would be pretty shocked if he gets a 600. 600 seems like a stretch. I would be pretty shocked if he gets a 600. 600 seems like a stretch.

I would be happy with 500. But the thing with Bryce is, like, I was like, well, I mean, I've kind of doubted him. Not doubted him. I've had questions of a lot of things, like, can he come back from the Tommy John and develop power? Last year before the playoffs, remember? We almost all forget because of how brilliant he was in the playoffs. But the month before the playoffs, when he came back from the wrist injury, he was a disaster. He stunk for a month.

And then the playoffs start, it was like, oh yeah, boom, best player in the world. I was talking to someone yesterday at the game. And I was like, you realize there were four games under 500 in September last year? I know. I was like, really?

I was like, yeah, dude. They were fluent. If it weren't for the Brewers, they might not meet the playoffs. Thank God the Brewers lost games down that stretch, too. Hey, hey, just a little PSA to this Phillies team if you're listening. Don't do that again. Don't do that again.

Like, seriously, no. Just don't do that again. Can't do it. I need Craig Kimbrell to get some rest down this stretch. I need you to be able to set the rotation the way you need it, all that stuff. I, if I could, I would gladly fast forward to this month. I know. Like, I just, I wanted to go. Like, I would gladly fast forward to this month. I know. Like, I just, I wanted to go, like, I don't want another month of baseball.

I want August to live in my mind for, I mean, that's an, like, Bryce. Yeah, but the Trey style, I mean, what a month. It was one, it's one of the best Augusts. Of our lifetime. In the history of the Phillies. Without, like, without a doubt. Honestly, I don't, I mean, I'm sure there are other Augusts. Like, if you, like, we'll all remember the September of the Phillies. Without a doubt. Honestly, I don't, I mean, I'm sure there are other August, like if you, like we'll

all remember the September of 07 is the best September and like that kind of stuff. But I don't remember an August with the moments like this. I mean, yesterday was the anniversary of the Utley comeback. Sure. Yeah. There have been moments, but like we're talking about like, not just the ovations thing and then these Harper moments. The no hitter.

The no hitter. But then also like. 59 home runs in a month no hitter the no hitter but then also like 59 home runs in a month yeah the most ever and then also like our role in it like it feels like

we actually like helped our team you know we actually played a role in this season turning around like that's crazy and the best part about it

is that it was catch with a win yesterday yeah exactly a walk off 300 home run wow I mean

can you script it any better? Can. That's why he's the best. You know what's sad, too, is, like, speaking to Trey, and it's funny, because both those guys' OPSs, like, they both raised their OPS over 100 points in a month, which is, like, in August. Like, insane to be able to do that, unless you're Julio Rodriguez, of course. But we forget about that Trey Homer yesterday, too.

I know. Like, that was a massive, massive run. Like, to take the lead. Like, it was like, you know, it's like that just gets lost because of everything that happened after. But, like, and that's the thing. Like, you know, it was nice. It was a walk-off win. But let's say even if they hadn't won that game and I had that in the world.

Even if Kimbrel came in and. Like, they fought back twice, man. Like, they kept fighting back. Like, this team, man. This freaking team, dude. I know. They are. Yeah. Yesterday they lost, and I get it.

And it stinks. And Kimbrel's definitely questionable. Honestly, if you have to say... Starting pitching, getting Nola's really sad, but like Kimbrel's my biggest concern right now with the playoffs. Like, looking ahead, he's my number one. Now, speaking of the bullpen... And it's not his fault. Like, it's a lot of freaking innings, man.

Like, he's on pace to get, like, the most innings since his second season in baseball. Go ahead. Yeah. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster.

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I guess my thing with the bullpen is this. Do I wish there was a guy I feel like I could turn to right now and be like, this inning's done. Like Alvarado earlier, Kimbrell for most of the season. And I think Alvarado's on his way back to that. I do too. And Sir Anthony can get there.

That's the thing. It's like the bullpen right now is probably the biggest question mark. And I said this on the air twice yesterday. And it's the only way I can compare it to the mostly everyday person. The baseball team is like a golf game. When your driver's great, your putter's terrible. Maybe this is just my golf game. I think that sounds, I mean, like for non-professional golfers or whatever.

When your driver's great, your short game. Oh, my golf game is bad. But I think for people who play golf, I think they can relate. Like your short game's terrible. So for those who don't know, you do not do a good enough job bragging about what a great golfer you are. Well, because I'm now just a good golfer. Okay. But for you, you're like, what are you, like a plus eight now or something like that?

Or ten? I'm probably ten to twelve. Okay. So that's a great golfer. Like for the average human being, that's a badass golfer. So just credit where due. What do you use to be like close to a scratch back in the day, right? Or something like that?

Or like five or six or something like that? I was like a six. I mean, that's freaking awesome man used to be good yeah well and now i play once a year okay well still i'm trying to give you a little cry here a little hype you up bit thank you that's a great golfer i shot a 90 in my first uh round of the year like that are you kidding me roll out of bed yeah that's what i mean i will never shoot a 90 in my life yeah well listening to camera it's just so sad. I know. It's great. It's like I'm never going to do that. It's like dying to crack a 100. I would love for him to, I would love to see if he can shoot under a 100.

Yeah. I might just go play with him and see if he can do it. You should. You could help him. His swing is just, it's so, it's just. It's not a bad swing. He has such little power. Well, it's the, it's.

It's almost like a sickly kind of power. So that's the funny thing with Joe, is that Joe is like, has like, he surprises you with his hand-eye coordination. Like he can swing a bat, he can hit a baseball. He's not like, he's not as like awkward as you would think, but yet it looks awkward happening. You know what I mean? Like when he, when he hits it, it's like he does it and he hits the ball, but it's like,

you don't look like you should be able to do that. Well, and there's just no power behind it. Like there's just no, I mean, come on. Yeah. It's just like good mechanics. Yeah. No oomph. Yeah. He's just no power behind it. Yeah. Like, there's just no. I mean, come on. Yeah, it's just like good mechanics. Yeah. No oomph. Yeah, he's like Yoan Rojas. Yeah.

Yeah, sure. He almost hit a home run the night before. I know, I know. But yeah, the Phillies right now are kind of like a golf game, where it's like, oh, you're bad off the tee, but everything else, and you just keep thinking, oh, if I can get all three to come together, I'd have a great round. Like, well, that doesn't happen.

That's not how golf works for most people. And that's kind of like this team right now. For the first half of the year, it was like bullpen is top five in baseball. And then June, the starters were insane. And then August, the bats go crazy. And the bats go crazy, but the bullpen. So the good part about the bullpen and the good part about the starting staff right now is that Wheeler looks back to being the ace and Nola's close.

You know what I mean? So what worried me is that if you were going to get— Yeah, those top two. You talked about it a ton. Yeah, so that was my biggest concern. And then after that, we'll see what Ranger looks like this weekend. And I still—Ranger, again, even if he doesn't look great heading into the playoffs, like, I will trust that dude in big spots until he, like, screws up.

Like, I just, I just do. I just, after what we saw last year and after his career here and that we always said we thought he would be that way, I just trust him. Yeah. But the part about the bullpen heading into the postseason is that those guys all have wipeout stuff. So if they can just find it for a little bit, this run could be something. Because Saranthi is a concern. But we know Saranthi can just...

Like that. Honestly, almost more than any other reliever I remember in recent years with the Phillies, where it's like he can go from looking lost to being the best pitcher on the team in a second. Right. So I know it's a Harry Roseman saying, but I've kind of stolen it from him. And I know it's tough to say hope is not a strategy. Yeah.

But you're hoping that these guys can just, because outside of finding a way to- You can't do anything, yeah. Well, they could. Reynaldo Lopez! Reynaldo! Come on down! What a dumpster fire.

What an embarrassment. And honestly, in all honesty, we should all be furious about this as Phillies fans. Basically, they are offering Lucas Giolito to teams that are competing with us, teams that are lower us on the waiver ride. They have the first chance at Giolito, Lopez, Grichuk, and all these guys. They're basically giving them away. It's actually, we don't curse on them. I was about to say it's effed up.

That is messed up. You are impacting a playoff race because you're just trying to get on a luxury tax or whatever. Like, it's messed up. It is. And I think how it works this year is, like, they have to – a team can claim all of them. Yeah. Like, it's not like a snake waiver or whatever where it's like, oh, you claim that. The others won't get any of them.

Like, they're not going to get any of them. Now, the one good part would be if all these owners are still cheap and don't want to pay guys right now. Well, that's what you hope. But that's the problem is that it's that most of the teams that are out of it aren't going to. And thus, it comes up to the Giants or the Reds or these teams that are in it and have a chance. They're like, sure, let's go for that.

So it is frustrating. It is annoying. And I just, again, if it comes out the Phillies are able to claim Ronaldo, I'd be very, very happy. It'd be amazing. Or Matt Moore. Bring him home. Sure.

Honestly, yeah. Matt Moore's been insane. He's been a great reliever the last few years. And he threw a no-hitter as a Philly. He did. Against the Reds, just like Pavetta. So, yeah, like the bullpen. But, again, and bullpen numbers do get inflated by just bad outings because

it just gets. Of course. So, like, for example, Kimbrel's ERA is six-something in August. But, like, if you take out yesterday, it's 3-6. You know what I mean? And if freaking Stubbsy just blocks the baseball, who knows how that any goes. I know. I know.

And it's excuse me, can I get it? But, like, 3-6 is not terrible. You can live with that. And he was still throwing 97, you know, so it's not like he was down to 94. And Joe made a good point on the air today that I hadn't thought about, but I should have.

It was obvious, but that, that Bilotti almost imploding had to get up and work. He had to get up and get ready and get loose. And like that, you know,

he was old, man. Like, it's like, you do have to kind of have kid gloves with him with some of this. I wish Thompson didn't do that. Me too. Because especially,

because like, why, it was still 12-7. It was 12-7 and like why Kimbrel in that slot? Like just because you're closer as me

has to come in in every single like three runs is still three runs if they got two more like wait you really had to. Like it just feels like

I'm right there with you. I thought that was it was 12-7. Yeah. It was 12-7. Even if it's a home run it's 12-10. Yeah.

I'm with you. No again I'm with you. I thought that was a mistake. Like just relax. Like I know you're we want to win. You know I get it. And it with you. No, again, I'm with you. I thought that was a mistake. Like, just relax. Like, I know we want to win. You know, I get it. And it's good. Like, win games.

I get it. But I thought in that spot I 100% agree with you. So, but, you know, and Soto, Soto is just, you have no idea. Like, he's either. He could be nasty or can't find the play. Like, it's just like. Yeah. You have no idea.

No idea. Yeah. And if I was running the Phillies bullpen, I'd look to try to switch him and Strom's roles. The Phillies like Strom is earlier, but I think he just looks great. Strom looks great. Just don't bring him out for a second inning. Every time. Deep breaths.

That was a huge out against Otani in that game, and then of course he comes out and it's like, oh, there you go. That was a big out, though. You know? Yeah. So switch those two, whatever. But they do have the upside, and they do have the stuff, and that's why you go get stuff, guys, to turn around and get hot.

And that's what we just, like, Alvarado, I think, looked closer to being early season Alvarado. I think he's looking better. I think he's looking better. Grichuk took him deep, but it was a solo shot, whatever. Grichuk kills lefties and all that. Yeah. My guy, Randall.

Yeah. I just, the bullpen right now is definitely a question mark, but I do think that as we get in big games and it's colder out and, and you know, you guys throw a 99, hopefully they can get it. And they also have enough guys back there. Like if, if Sir Anthony and, and Alvarado last year faltered at all, it was like, we're screwed. Nothing.

Now, at least at this team. Ranger came out to close game five of the NLCS. Like that tells you something. And Robertson was also bad, even though he closed out game one of the World Series. He had nothing. It was like, we're screwed. Nothing. Now, at least with this team. Ranger came out to close game five of the NLCS. That tells you something. And Robertson was also bad, even though he closed out game one of the World Series. He was bad. Yeah, close game without Cassiano's catch they lose. It was not clean. No, it was not. So, at least if one of those guys faltered, they do

have four other guys that have stuff that can go do something. So, right now it's a concern. We just gotta get through the year. Just get to the postseason and we'll see what happens. Yeah, I agree. All right, last thing before we get to the take bag. Thompson was on with us on the morning show yesterday. Joe asked him, because they had asked him about two weeks earlier

or three weeks earlier, you know, is it basically an open competition for the playoff rotation? Obviously, Wheeler's your one after that. And he's like, kind of, yeah. You know, and answer like, you know, we'll see who pitches well or whatever. They asked him again yesterday. He said, no, it was my two. Boom, flateler's your one after that. And he's like, kind of, yeah. And the answer is like, we'll see who pitches well, whatever. They asked him again yesterday. He said, Nola's my two. Boom. Flat out, your thoughts. And I think that I had that in the take back, too.

I think that motivated Nola. I think it was smart. And I think he did it on purpose. I think he is like, go earn it. And we knew they were going to put Nola in the rotation. The whole time, we're like, he could be the worst pitcher on the staff for the rest of the season. He's going to be in the rotation.

Correct. But I think it was like, all right, well, I guess I got to go earn this thing. And I mean, Howie's pitch since has been really, really good. Is it possible that Nola

does respond to pressure? It's just been weird coincidences. Yeah. He did. The way Thompson said it, he was like, I trust Aaron Nola

in a big spot. There's no one else I'd rather have there. It's coach speaking all that, but still, he's emphatic about it. He was. He was. So I think that did motivate him, and I think it got, obviously,

how he's pitched the last two outings, a better version of Aaron Nola. So that's – you talk about managers' impact on stuff. They are more philosophical and culture setters and stuff like that than they are tacticians. Big time. We talk about that all the time. Yeah. So that's an example of good management. Yeah.

And like we talked about last time, but the answer he gave me when he was on me on the morning show last week about the analytics. Now he's like, I asked him, how do you manage the analytics versus the gut? And he gave a perfect example about it. The numbers say pinch hit for Johan Rojas in the fifth inning, but that doesn't take into account Johan Rojas, the person, and how he's going to take that. And it's not like it's like I think Thompson's pretty damn good at that, like in terms of understanding his guys and what they need from him

and what he needs to do for them. All right, take back in a sec. Shout out to Miller Lite. We love Miller Lite. And it's time for the Miller Lite Bar of the Week. PJ Ryan's Pub out in Phoenixville. A great place. Today's Miller Lite Bar of the Week is PJ Ryan's Pub in Phoenixville, where you can watch all Philly's games with a $3 Miller Lite pint special. Go to PJRyansPub.com. We'll have some High Hopes Watch action to announce soon. So that's coming up. We will be doing a game together soon and

all that. So that's going to be super-duper fun. Shots of Merle White. We love them. Take back. Can they go 16-13 in September and get me to 90 wins? Oh. So, yes. Absolutely.

I mean, it's September. So your boy bet on 88 and a half over. So I'm right there with you. So I guess technically I only need 15 wins. But 90 would be nice. Would it be nice? Oh, yeah, you're right. You're right. Because 89 would cash it back. 89 would win for me. That's all I need.

I'll take 89. Big math guy. But 90 wins for me, too. I won't complain. I just, you know, I'm glad they made the World Series, but it was like 87 wins feels so Mickey. It does. Anything under 90, you're right. Even 89, it's like, you need to get to 90. If they go 18 and 11,

they get to 92. Look at that. How's that? Look at that. Quick math. Woo. Woo. I would love 90 wins.

Me too. It would make my heart happy to see the Phils win 90 games again. Because like, yeah, World Series is great, but 90 is a threshold that not many teams cross.

Especially because they're six games under 500 again. Anyway, so 16 and 13, let's do it. And again, we're heading into September. I know it's the worst thing, the worst month in the history of Phillies baseball.

September. It is wild when you think about since, again, 2017, whatever, before they didn't care. Reese Hoskins was the only one who didn't care about the NFL. Even in, wasn't it 11? Didn't 11, they get colder at the end of the only thing to care about the NFL. Even in, wasn't it in 11? Didn't in 11 they get colder at the end of the year? Yeah, yo, I wasn't even thinking about it. Yeah, but like literally since they started

competing again, the two Gabe years, the two Girardi's years, and last year even though they got the end, like they have collapsed every single September. Every one, man. Just, I'm just begging you. Don't do it. Please, guys. Like, please. And every time I say I'm at the point,

I say it's the kiss of death for the Phillies for at least like five games, is I always say I'm at the point now where I can kick my feet up. I'm not saying that. Don't say that. Not saying that. Please don't say that.

No, I'm saying don't make me stress. Yeah, I agree. Look, until I literally can kick my feet up in September, I will never say that I can kick my feet up in September. Yeah, like the last two, last two games last year, the Houston series. Yeah. Clinched. Didn't even watch.

I don't know what happened. Well, the one they lost like 10-0, I remember the next day it was like, they went out hard. Yeah. We know, now we know how much they party. At that moment, we didn't really, we saw this arrangement, but like they probably went hard. Of course. And now, I think it was Anthony Sanfilippo was talking about this, about how Nola

throws a scotch party after wins, and Schwerber, every story now, he's walking around, beers him and Castellanos. This guy's party. I just love it. That's different. I can get down with that. They're a very, very close team. By the way,

one of the more sneaky, underrated portions of the team right now is Rob Thompson's comedy. Oh, dude, that line about JT today, how funny was that? Did you hear that? Today or yesterday. Oh, yesterday. Excuse me. I'm sorry.

Yeah, Destiny tweeted it out. Yeah, so basically Richie asked him about, like, what's going on with the home road splits? He's like a 930 OPS on the road, five-something at home. Thompson goes, honestly, I don't know. He's got four kids at home road splits here he's like a 9 30 ops on the road five something at home and tom goes honestly i don't know he's got four kids at home maybe that's it yeah it's just like yeah he just gets it yeah so it's comedy you're starting to see like more of that rob thompson and you know as we go along here i think it's only going to come out more and more like i guess uh i think someone asked him in the pre-game media scrum like do you have a pair of the rally overalls and he's like i do and they asked him are you pregame media scrum, like, do you have a pair of the rally overalls?

And he's like, I do. And they asked him, are you going to wear them? He said, I will not. Like, it's just good. And he's quick. Like, he'll, like, throw in a little, like, you know, he'll be like, oh, so what'd you do? And they'll go through and be like,

oh, that was pretty good managing there, right? And, you know, like, just throw in lines like that that's, like, either the opposite or whatever. He's really funny, man. And super genuine. Like, we were talking about it. Like I don't ever remember a team official or coach doing interviews on the radio who is more open and honest consistently.

Like it is. Doug was pretty honest. Doug was. But even this is even more, man. Rob really tells it like it is. And he really says like what he's thinking and stuff. It's. He knows the station he's coming on.

It's phenomenal. Accountability. Accountability station. But I also think to your point that you're making about it, like whenever he's thinking and stuff. He knows the station he's coming on. He's phenomenal. Accountability station. But I also think to your point that you're making about it, like whenever he's asked, and obviously he's been asked like a zillion times because it's been like the story of the month, about like why is this team so, where does the culture come from?

Where does this chemistry, and he's like the guys love each other. He says it every time. He's like it's that they're a close-knit group of guys. He's like they hang out with each other they golf together they do this and that together and that just seems like it's been a common theme from him so yeah like it's like and that matters i mean how long have we freaking talked about that well and it's the biggest difference between dombrowski and klintak and by far the klintak's bringing the guys that are

playing video games in the yeah in the in the back in the clubhouse while everyone's out on the field. There's no camaraderie at those teams. That's why they collapsed every September. They weren't close at all. That was actually one thing I was thinking about Nola. I wonder who his guy on the team is. Him and Eflin were very close. They were, yeah.

That's a good point. Wheeler is kind of just himself. Wheeler feels like a lone wolf in a lot of ways. Well, they're both kind of quiet. They're just quiet guys. And I just wonder who Nola, like, I hope he has a buddy.

I hope he has a buddy. I'll be your buddy, Aaron. Aaron, if you need someone to talk to, we can win a World Series together. So, in case you missed it, any Philadelphia Philly, if you want to be friends

with Jack, he would love to. Exactly. Is the big takeaway from this podcast, yes. There's no one I would, I don't think that, I think I'd be friends with all of them. They're all great guys. I'd still be friends with Stubbsy. That's no one I would, I don't think that, I think I'd be friends with all of them.

They're all great guys. I just want to be friends with Stubbsy, that's what I want to be. Stubbsy, I feel like you and Stubbsy have the same, similar, you know. Jewish, you got a lot

we can talk about, you know. Similar vibes. Very energetic. Very energetic, we're bringing the party, you know. Block the ball though. Yeah, block the ball.

I know, I know. I think, I think. It's the first time we've kind of been able to rip Stubbsy for something on the field in a while. I think he, I think it time we've kind of been able to rip Stubbsy for something on the field in a while. I think he...

I think it hit the back of the plate and skidded. Like, in re-watching it... I was at the game, so it was impossible to see what happened because we were at the rooftop section, so we were way deep. So I couldn't see what happened in the moment. When I went back and watched it, that's what I thought.

It looked like it kind of skidded on him quicker than he... Obviously. But I think that makes sense that that was... But yeah, it was a bummer because it could be a different game of that you know really good me yeah really goody yeah um so i actually don't have much in here because we talked about a lot of it um but i wanted to i brought this up on the final out the other night i'm ready to run it by you oh did you notice you know i know i i get more offended of this than you because I know you do some Eagles podcast.

But I loathe Eagles fans at Phillies games. I know you do. Especially when they're playing well. When they're bad, I'm fine with it because it's almost like, play better. But I agree with you. I know you hate it more than anyone. I'm not going to yell at the people next to me if they do it,

but I don't like it. If the Phillies are good, I don't like it. I don't know how I would react if I was sitting up there. You wouldn't. Shut up! You're not confrontational. No, not at all. At all. You know what you would do if we were sitting up there? You'd be like, yo, James, can you go talk to those

people for me? Tell them to be quiet. Can you just go tell them to be quiet? I have no problem doing that. I'll walk right up to them and be like, yo guys. But did you notice what happened in the late stages

of the 12 before the Bellotti collapse? I did not. What happened? It's a roll call. There's a roll call at the Phillies game. They're chanting,

you know, doing the whole Alec Baum thing and once he acknowledged them they moved on to the, I don't know if they got to the entire team. But there was a little roll call.

Really? It could replace. Now, it's a Yankees thing. But the difference between the Phillies and Yankees is that the Phillies are doing it when they're up by a ton late in games, which is where you usually hear the Eagles chants, which I don't want to hear. I kind of love this. Versus Yankees. It's definitely better than the Eagles chant.

There's no argument against that. Well, it just replaces the drunk people at the end of the game. Who just want to yell. They're waiting for the game to end. Yeah, they just want to yell something. Because that's what the Eagles, Chan, is. The Eagles, Chan, is like, it's not, you know, most often. Now, it's not like, you guys suck. No, before it was.

Before it was. It was like, yeah. Yeah. Now, it's kind of like, well, we have nothing else to do. But if they start a roll call, that's your thing. I like it. Look, we stole the Cubs thing, and that was a giant mistake. What Cubs thing?

Throwing the ball back. Don't do that. That's dumb. But this is a good one to steal. I like this. Sure. We stole dancing on our own. Can we be honest?

Yeah, we did from the Red Sox, let's be honest. Can we also be honest? I mean, Yankees are an irrelevant franchise completely so it really doesn't matter you know it's like almost like stealing something from a minor league team or something well it's sort of sad too because like when i do a roll call there's like what five people there now so the players can't even probably hear i know they don't even know what's happening so uh i'm just saying it could replace the eagles i i dig it i Cool. Cosign.

Whatever. I still think the best thing you've said on the pod, though, is when you saw that kid doing the marbles. Oh, that's going to happen. Like, the whole crowd in the playoffs doing the marbles is, like, it's all I want now. Like, I'm like you with that one thing. Like, I'm not an envision, like, oh, I see it. That's your thing.

Like, you are the king of that. Like, I'm with that. Like, I you were the king of that like I'm with that like I can't stop thinking about it I can't stop thinking about it all the time how freaking awesome that's gonna be

yeah it's gonna be it's gonna be great hopefully it's like in the NLCS and we can get there and then like is Trey Turner about to end the season

like batting 270 275 I mean he might get up to an 800 OBS all of a sudden. Like he's like 750 something. Like 25 homers. It's unbelievable. I mean it's hard at this point of the season to raise your average from 235 to I believe he's 258. Yeah it's

really hard and to raise your OBS 100 points in a month like that's that's crazy. Yeah. They've got a lot of at-bats. It's really hard to move. Like, Schwarber was like a 189. He went 0 for 4. It's like 188.

Like, it's really hard to do. It's really hard. And that's a testament to how insane he's been in this month. But it's just like, if he can... After everything, to end the year like 275 with 25 homers and like 30 stolen bases, pretty good. Pretty good, man. That would be a pretty nice season.

It's like one of the best Philly shortstop seasons in forever, by the way. I know. Like since Jimmy or whatever. Like the 07 Jimmy problem. Yeah. I mean, you're right. It's so funny. Oh, my goodness.

Yeah. And, like, and obviously the chance to do stuff in the playoffs. Like, you know, we talked about it with Cassianos last year, and it was just making some catches. Trey's turned it around. A couple big playoff hits. I think already people don't, other than remember it because of the narrative,

we're past the Trey thing. Now he's just Trey Turner, I feel like. He's Trey Turner. It jogged my memory. Which loss? I guess physical loss. The ovation. know it's straight turner it jogged it jogged my memory which are people gonna which loss i guess physical the ovation the ovation like it's so they lost the ovation game and they lost the harbor it's so funny it's so funny they're both they're both all-time philly's yearbook moments oh yeah i i think the ovation they won the no hitter game that was good i think the it's rare that you don't

win the no hitter game i i think the ovation is i like i think it'll I think it might be the moment of the last 10 years. Outside of playoff, I think the ovations, especially if Trey's career just continues on this trajectory, is one of the five greatest regular season moments in the history of the team, potentially. Again, the vision that I have for the cover of the Phillies video yearbook is the Trey tip of the cap. The Trey comes out and advocates the home run.

And it's just seven Turner giving it back to the fans. But Bryce, I think, might have gotten it yesterday with the kissing. Yeah, the kissing. And also, the shot of the crowd through the dugout with Castellanos waving his towel for the ovation for Trey like I'll never forget that. I'm talking like still photo. I know you are. Like Castellanos on the top step

waving the towel with the shot of Trey from behind with the crowd standing. Mine that's a pretty good one too. Yeah but that was before the home run. So if we're talking just like if we're talking just picture it's Bryce kissing the jersey, I think. I do. I've never seen anyone.

Have you ever seen anyone do that in your life? No, never. I've never seen that. It was like, what compelled him to be like, I'm going to kiss the jersey? And he did it like four times. Because he's a Philly. Because he's a freaking Philly. He's our guy.

It's so great. I can't believe Bryce did it. What if he was grunted for an entire part? That's our guy. That's how I feel, though. I feel like I could just grunt through a pod with excitement. I can't wait Bryce. What if he was grunted for an entire pod? That's our guy. That's how I feel though. I feel like I could just grunt through a pod with excitement. I can't wait to talk to him at 4. I'm so jealous. I really hope he calls like three minutes before so we can catch up. Catch up.

Ask him to come on I hopes. What are we doing here? I know. WFP thing's nice and you love it Bryce but you know there's Bryce hey when you're driving in until listening marks and reasons. Check out the I hopes pod. I'll totally endorse that. Yeah. At least say that. Like, hey, dude, check out our pod.

Yeah. But what if he says, nice interview with Nick? I've thought about it. If he makes it, well, he's going to know you. He's going to be like, hey, Jack. You know that's going to happen because he's already mentioned your name before. So be ready for that. The question is, does he go the next step? I know. Like, hey, man, great pod or something like that. I doubt he's like to happen. Cause he's already mentioned your name before. And like, it's like, you be ready for that. The question is,

does he go the next step? Like, Hey man, great pot or something like that. Like, I doubt he's like, he's like, make interviews. Great.

Then I will die. Like you, you were joking about like Aiden Miller's going to kill me. That would kill me. I'd be done then. But if he like goes the extra step and like makes a comment about something you said, or like the top five or whatever it is, like you die.

I will not put them on the air because there will be a dead man in the studio. Imagine that. Like we're back from break. I collapse. John's like, oh, no. Oh, God. You're going to go to Bryce Harper, but Jag's lying. Yeah, he fainted.

He fainted. It's good. Nice and morbid episode for the end of August. I'm dead. You're dying during your shift. It was a good day. Sorry. I hope Spud's done.

Yeah, yeah. What a way to go out if this is our last podcast that's dark if this is our last podcast just please cut the beginning and play it at Bryce Harper's oh I like that yes honor it

honestly Bryce and I what'd you say would you go right now? Bryce and I. What'd you say? Would you go right now? Okay, so you're saying would I be willing to die right now if I knew that I would be honored at Bryce Harper's Cooperstown ceremony? Probably not. I didn't think about it. I didn't think about it.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 2-1-5. A lot of death. A lot of death. Go Phils. See, this is what happens when the Phillies are this team

like we spend so long talking about a very different type of Phillies team now we're just like alright we can die they used to make us want to die

for other reasons I know I know mostly watching them literally yeah alright you got any final thoughts yes my final thought

is this because I was thinking about this the other night what percentage of Phillies fans now remember 19-11? Like 19-11, the Marlins collapse

game with the Falaskas. What a great question. There's probably a large portion that don't. People listening to this podcast do.

Of course, but I'm saying if I went to Citizens Bank Park and it's like 40,000 people there and I polled, if I somehow could put a poll together and they put it on the big screen, do you know what 19 to 11 is?

I would say like 3% of people would get it right. We're sick of it. Just curious. Yeah, we're sick of it. I was thinking about that the other day. I knew you were.

You think about 19 to 11 a lot. Yeah. That's like a go-to comeback. You know what I think about a lot when I'm just thinking about the era just because it's, I still can't believe it happened. I think about that Hector giving up back-to-back- just because it's I still can't believe it happened. I think about that

Hector giving up back-to-back-to-backers in Los Angeles. Well, that was the night the Flyers also got Nolan Patrick. Yep, it was. You're right. The rights to get Nolan Patrick. I will just, like, I've never seen that. I've never seen a game end on back-to-back-to-back-home runs. It was like, yeah, and it was like right in the middle of it all, and it was September,

and we're just like, yeah, this is... See, the Hector moments, this is like right. The Hector moments. It was like July or whatever, like, yeah, this is... See, the Hector moments... This is great. The Hector moments was like July or whatever, June, but it was like right there. The Hector moments I think of was the Nationals

collapse in 18 or 17. Was that the Wilmer Defoe game? I believe so. I remember the Wilmer Defoe game. Yeah, I think it was 18. And JT calling for

a fastball against Pablo Sandoval down in Atlanta when he was set up for a splitter. I don't know if I'll ever get over that. They might make the playoffs if they just call one splitter. I know.

In that time period. What a good time, buddy. Now we're here. I know. Now we're talking about Bryce Harper's Hall of Fame induction. Like, what a turn this spot has taken. It sure has been. Great.

Now, look, our name used to be ironic. Now it's real. It's great. Yeah. And it was ironic before August. And basically all of last year except for October. Correct. And then most of this year until August. Yes. Cool. Yep.

I like this way better than the other one. Way better. Although, that made us who we are. Yeah, no, I wouldn't change it for the worse. Toughened us up. Yeah, it's exactly right. When we first started doing this podcast, I was like, oh my god, Phillies are the greatest teams. I love them. Oh, you get to talk about the Phillies.

This is so cool. I was like, wow, I stink, man. We were talking about Altair versus Nick Williams. I remember, buddy. Yeah. Again, Pavetta's spring training start against the Cardinals is awesome. When he's hitting 99, also all-time. But again, toughened us up.

also all time but like you know again toughen us up the 2018 like talking about that team again a team that competed for a lot

of the season like you look at that team compared to this team just in terms of talent it's astounding

dude they started it's astounding they started Justin Bore Carlos Santana I mean Jose Bautista was on that team Struble Cabrera

coming in Wilson Ramos. And I was just thinking about the other day. We're thinking about our current status, right? I mean, we literally said we're going to quit the podcast if Matt Klintak gets fired. I know. I don't think we can do that anymore. No, no, we're past it.

We're good now. That's great. Yeah. We're going to quit the podcast if Phillies don't win the World Series. Yeah. Yeah. Can that work? Damn it.

All right. Who we got this weekend? It's the Brewers. It's a big weekend, actually. Where's the house team in baseball? Wheeler-Nolan-The-Mount, which is good. It's a fun one. It's been a little, like, you know, I've loved it, but they've not had, like, a kind of show-me

series. Yeah, but I get nervous around show-me series. Really? I do. I do. I really do. I feel like they play up. Really? I do. I do. I really do. I feel like they play up. I think they do.

I agree with you. But there's always a part of me of like, damn it. I get it. This could be hard. No, I get it. Yeah, and look, again. No burns though.

Well, not just that. It starts tomorrow, which September 1st. So like, you know, that's what I'm afraid of. God, I just hate. I just, again, I want to fast forward this month.

Me too. I just want to get through it. Me too. I want the postseason to start. I do not want to watch the Phillies this month. All right, we'll be back October 1st. We'll talk to you guys in a month. All right, we'll be back after the weekend.

And show me serious, buddy. No, go good. I'm confident. No, cut that. Don't let that out there. You know what? Bleep that. Yeah, we'll bleep what I said. You don't know what it was. Don't let that out there. You know what? Bleep that. Yeah, we'll bleep.

Bleep what I said. You don't know what it was. Don't suck in September. Is that better? Can I say that? Much better. Don't suck in September. Yeah.

He's Fritz and Seltzer. We'll see you next time.