High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - High Hopes Chapter 2: Should The Phillies Have Congratulated The Braves?

Episode Date: September 14, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz run through the take bag and discuss if it was ok for the Phillies to congratulate the Braves on winning the NL East. Presented by Miller Lite. 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

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 is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

Another fact, so jump aboard the B.I.B. 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. All right, Fritzie, take back. Take back. Take back. It is kind of crazy. We're not a produce stuff.

No, we don't produce. Hilarious. Hilarious. Ironic. That we don't have like a, it's the take back or some sort of like thing. We could have done that over the years. I know. We could at least yell, take back.

Take back. Something like that. We should do that. We should do our own producing in like live production. Just not at home because the mic will blow out and because my mic picks up everything very loudly. Yeah. Your mic is so intense.

It's the worst. I'm getting a new mic for my end of things. But your mic is like so hot. I'm thinking about it. Because, worst. I'm getting a new mic for my end of things. But your mic is like so hot. I'm thinking about Yeah, I'm like We're going to go to Rod Lake and our boss and say Rod, we need new mics. Demand a new mic. Hey, come on, alright?

The least you can do is get us a freaking microphone. Thank you. Damn it. Anyway, so I need to know if I'm alone here or if you feel it while watching. Okay, good. I love this.

I love these lead-ins. And I hope this doesn't ruin how people watch this guy, although he ruins most things. But don't you feel like every time Tywin Walker gets an out, it's by accident? Like if you watch him. I do feel like there are a lot of like balls hit off him that a fielder grabs and throws to fur

It's like every time he gets him out I feel like it's like oh neat You know what I mean like Cause it's I'm gonna watch I'm gonna like this is great If you watch it every time thinking He's getting it out by accident here

It'll completely change how you watch Taiwan Walker I'm very excited This is actually the most excited I've been to watch Taiwan Walker in a while so thank you for that yeah he's just i don't it's by accident i don't understand how a big leaguer can like it's just you're not even close to the strike zone i know and again i still can't like i don't get the diminished velocity early like i still don't get that why is every other pitcher able to come out and throw as hard as they can in the first inning and you can't like it makes no sense to me yes uh real quick yes before we move on from walker like you know we never move on from walker that's well that's where i'm going like just as a you know if we're gonna be you know

we open our but bear our hearts to the high ups listeners and lay ourselves bare and all that type of stuff yeah how disappointing is the whole Walker, Walker thing? Like when Taiwan signed, it was like, this is pretty freaking cool. Like my kid, Walker, they just got a Walker. There's a Walker jersey that says Walker. Like it's a really neat thing. My kid, when he's like three years old and knows what his name, two years old knows what his name is.

Hey, here's your name on a Phillies jersey. Like how cool is that? How disappointing is this? Well, at least he'll know who to boo first. Something that's the big takeaway yeah i think he'll have a good idea of who the first you ruined my name yeah you're ruining the namesake um i just want to get digging but it does tough it is tough because like you know all you hear on the station all you hear you know walker sucks or oh walker's killing me walker's a liability gotta be like jarring i know i will say when like uh because there weren't

really many jameses in philly sports at the time i've worked in philly sports so when we got hardened here and all of a sudden like when people are talking they're like james and i'm like what james and i'm yeah but no one calls him james though no but they do they do and then bradbury i got jameses now and it always throws me off that's all i'm saying okay that's good yeah tom walker's ruining everything anyway um have you noticed that rossio glacius is the new jonathan broxton dude bryce harper owns his soul it's it's almost it's almost reached uh did you hear the numbers when they said it's like he's like four of six with four homers or something like it's crazy it's a lot or four of eight with

four homers it's like nothing it's four of eight with four homers or something. Like, it's crazy. It's a lot. Or four of eight with four homers. It's like nuts. I think it's four of eight with four homers. Yeah. And so, like, because he used to own Julio Tehran. Now it's Rossi Alglacias. Love it. And I just, I need them to come here again. Yeah. And it's Rossi Alglacias in a big moment.

So. In a playoff game. I actually thought about it as it was happening at Harper at the Homer and they're talking about it. Like, I was like, if you come here in the playoffs, can you close him if Harper's coming up? I'm not kidding. Do you go to Minter or do you go to someone else in that spot?

He's your closer. Teams don't do that. You can't let... Or do they just walk cart? They can't let that guy throw pitches to Bryce Harper in a big spot. I always forget how much I can't stand AJ Mentor. I don't because you've brought this up so many times.

I think I've come to the realization, I don't think he's ever going away. Dude, he's been a brave since 2013, I swear. I have seen so much AJ Mentor. Well, relievers so rarely stay with teams for that long, especially non-closers. You'll see a closer stick around for a while or whatever. It's so rare that a middle reliever is just on the team for a decade.

That doesn't happen that often. Well, they did that with Moylan. Peter Moylan was there forever. Yeah, he was there for a while. I feel like Feliciano was a Met for a million years. Decent amount, but not that many years. AJ Mentor, I have just come to the realization he's never, like, for the rest of

my life, he's going to be a Brave. There's no doubt about it. I agree with that. I can't take it. Yeah. And he still throws 97. And now he's mixing it in anyway. But Iglesias is the new Broxton. Yeah. He's the new Broxton. Love it. Dude. The, I think the worst, it's the new broxton yeah he's the new broxton love it um but but but but but dude the i think

the worst it was the worst sequence of the season was easily the the jt three pitch strikeout oh my into the cassianas immediate double play it's just like and people and it's like look let's do the bonding things we didn't talk about like i mean mean, Rob Thompson just being, like, again, this is the most honest human on the planet. He's like, I don't think he even knows how to bunt. Like, what? And I get it. He hasn't bunted since 2015.

2015. And I understand it. I understand that that's where baseball is, and these guys are never asked to bunt. But, like, boomer. We're boomers. I'm sorry. In this case.

But, like, I'm sorry. Every Major League Baseball player should know how to bunt. Like, I'm sorry. I know that sounds like such a boomery thing, and I don't want them to bunt. Like, there are very Baseball player should know how to bunt. Like, I'm sorry. I know that sounds like such a boomery thing, and I don't want them to bunt. Like, there are very few spots where I want them to bunt. In that spot, you have to bunt. Like, JT Romero has to freaking be able to get a freaking bunt on the ground in that spot. And I don't blame Rob Thompson for not bunting him in that spot because he doesn't know how to bunt.

Like, that's cool. But, like, I know that you have a limited amount of time to work on what you work on, but you're telling me you can't spend 20 minutes a day whatever just teach them how to square up a freaking bat and get a bat on a ball and stick it in the freaking ground like it's not that hard sorry boomer segment that was that was very boomer it was but but again like I'm sorry sometimes boomers are right with this stuff like That is as basic baseball as it gets. Do you know how many sacrifices the Braves have this year? Two.

Two. I know. I'm not saying I want teams to bunt a lot. I'm just saying. I love a good bunt. I will say the Korean bunt derby is one of the most thrilling things you can watch. It is the most oddly stimulating thing ever. Imagine doing that at the All-Star game.

So great. I love it. It's so funny. I don't want to bunny and stuff, but if there is a situation, especially with the freaking playoff game, what if there were a playoff game in that spot and you're telling me that you're a baseball player who can't lay down a bunt when he has to? That all these guys can't lay bunts down

when they have to? That does bother me. It does. I'm sorry. I don't want Cassiano's bunting. No, I don't think he can handle it. But again, they should all be able to handle it. It drives me crazy. 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 wide receivers we analyze route running target share and all the metrics that matter giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers as you prep for your draft let us give you the coverage you need follow and listen to reception perception on the free odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts um so that was the one Thompson criticism. The other Thompson criticism was not putting in Garrett Stubbs. It's like, imagine walking back into the locker room and say, I just pinched at JT or the media for Garrett Stubbs.

I knew he wasn't going to. Like, there was no way that was ever going to happen. It's not worth it. I mean, just. It's not worth it. Again, it's not worth the human part of it. It's not worth, like, talking to JT and saying, you know. But again, like, you could also be like, hey, JT, learn how to bunt,

and I won't freaking pinch him. He doesn't have to learn how to bunt. He can't strike out there. I agree he can't strike out there. Like, hit the ball to the right side. I get it. I get it. Do a job.

You can throw the ball in the air and get him over in another way. I agree with that, but you don't disagree, right? Like, in a perfect world, these guys are freaking fine. Sorry. Bleep. I'll bleep. I just don't get how you talk on the air every day. I know.

And you never curse. I know. And then the second you step into a podcast, it's like you're a sailor. I know. I know. It doesn't compute in my head. I don't know. I don't either.

It's a great point by you. Thank you. I'm a weird man. The final thing in my take back. Well, one thing before the final thing. Oh, good. Again, and I don't want. A pre-final final thing.

I don't need you to get all riled up again. Okay. Was that riled up? Yes. Yeah, that's fair. I didn't need the Braves. Congratulations. Oh, my God.

Yeah. You're right. I will not freak out, but like. I understand sportsmanship. I get it. It's just. And maybe they're using it as right. I will not freak out, but like, I understand sportsmanship. I get it. It's just, and maybe they're using it as fuel. I thought it was a disgrace.

Like we just, like that's the word I'll use. I thought it was disgraceful. Don't need it. An embarrassment. And I hope that, like if you want to just put Atlanta Braves champs, like I wouldn't do that even,

but fine. Do not say congratulations. Like, are you kidding me? Unless they're forced by, unless Major kidding me? They're your biggest rival. Unless Major League Baseball forces them to do that. Agree. And that might be the case.

I don't know that. For like a photo op and like, we want this moment. But like. And people comparing to the Astros last year. They're not a rival. What are you talking about? I know. Just, I didn't need it.

I totally agree. I thought, again, and if Major League Baseball made them do it, which is absolutely possible, like then fine. I get it. You thought, again, and if Major League Baseball made them do it, which is absolutely possible, like, then fine. I get it. You don't have a choice. But if that was a decision made by someone in the organization, like, don't ever do that again, please. Well, it's like letting the Mets fan throw out the first pitch.

So many people brought that up today, and it's a perfect analogy. It's like the perfect analogy. The one thing I do hope out of that, and this is starting to think about a possible deep run. I hope that they, I hope that, I know Castellanos stayed for a while and watched it. Yeah. Well, it seemed like there were a few guys on the bench kind of. I hope they stayed and watched it.

That's all I want. I hope they stayed and watched it. And here's what I'll say. Outside of obviously the, you know, Rob Thompson bulletin board material and all that. But like, I do, I do dig this Phillies Braves thing. Like, it does feel like there's something brewing here. Like the Wheeler. Wheeler.

Dude being like, what's his name? There's hate here. There's hate. Obviously, we as fans have it, but let's go back to the Boomer thing. I'm all in for Sporting. Hates. Yes. Hates.

I grew up hating these people. I want to keep hating them, all right? Enough of this. Enough of this kinder, gentler. Too much love. Yes. i was about to curse and bleep them yeah no i just uh and if you want to start if you want i think this is the appropriate time to bring up positivity good point yeah is that i they hung with the braves majority of the series is that they hung with the Braves the majority of the series. They had a chance to take three or four,

and I think they create a little. Snitker came out and said, I don't want to play this team. He said, it's a team I most don't want to play. And that's good. I agree. That gets in the Braves' head. These guys know that they can fight back in these spots. And look, they were worse than the Braves in the regular season last year, handily as well. The Braves were a way better team last year. Now the Braves in the regular season last year handily as well.

Like, the Braves were a way better team last year. Now the Braves this year are even better than they were last year. But the Phillies beat them in the playoffs. Like, the baseball players are chaos. Like, anyone can win. It's just what it is. It is.

And it's so funny now. Now, I know you don't check your mentions. But, and I check my mentions. I don't, like, they don't get in my head. Good. I'm proud of you, buddy. It's funny. Some definitely get in my head. Good. I'm proud of you, buddy. But it is funny. Some definitely get in my head.

That's not true. That's a quick turnaround. Be Better gets in my head every single time. I bet. Although, don't take that for, because if you start doing that to me as a High Hopes listener, I'm not going to associate you with High Hopes, and I'm going to forget.

Yeah, and then you won't. And I'm probably going to block you. Yeah, it won't be good. Then you're missing out. I'm going to mute and move on. Yeah, and then you're going to have to come to an event and say, hey, please. But there's a lot of

people like, well, no shot they have a deep playoff run this year. And it's like, maybe you're right. But no one thought they were going It's so dumb. They were in the sixth seed last year. They had 87 wins. I can't do that. They're going to have no shot going deep. It's like, well, we all thought that last year.. They were in the sixth seed last year. They had 87 wins. I can't do the, they're going to, they have no shot going deep. It's like, well, we all thought that last year.

Every single team in the playoffs has a shot. Yes. Like, it's just the way baseball works. So, I will say this Braves lineup, though, is like. Oh, it's insane. It's one of the best lineups I think I've ever seen in my lifetime. In a regular season, like, I think it's one of the best I've ever seen. That's honestly how I feel about it.

And I hope they get rid of their trash cans in the postseason. There's just no way. Yeah, the numbers are absurdity. Yeah. I mean, they're really good. They're really good. And somehow they're on every pitch. Acuna is, like, dude's going to go 40-70.

I mean, it's like, I didn't think that was possible. And are you finally willing, I know you probably aren't, but are you finally willing to admit that Matt Olsen does not suck at baseball? I still think the swings,

it's going to be hard for him to catch up to fastballs with that swing. Official take. God, he is shot back up. 51 home runs. Also, another thing,

like, do we have to keep throwing the balls back? Like, we have to stop the game To give Matt Olsen Another home run ball I know Whatever Enough

Enough Enough I had a deal It's so much pain Yeah I think enough Is the big Like enough Phillies Alright

Enough Yeah Again another final Another thing to take back That I forgot about To take back That I want to get to Good

I I mean this totally truthfully. You might not agree with me. Okay. And I don't think many people do. Okay. I would have rather the Mets gotten Shohei Otani than David Stearns. Oh, I don't think there's any question.

Of course I agree. David, I meant to bring this up. I mean, that's the worst thing that's happened in the National League East in a year. And they're going to hire counsel. Dude, oh, you think he'll leave Milwaukee to go there? Yeah. I mean, Stearns is a freaking genius. And now with Cohen.

With Cohen. Yeah, like this is not good. Mayday! Yeah, to win now. Guys, take advantage of this little window here because, you know, that's going to be pretty good. We got a honey coming. Yeah.