High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Kyle Schwarber Is The Real Captain America

Episode Date: March 8, 2026

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to Kyle Schwarber's go-ahead home run in the WBC and give their thoughts on how some key Phillies have performed recently in spring training. Presented by Miller Lite. To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com 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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This is the High Hopes podcast. Hi-Holt! On the Odyssey app in Sports Radio 94 WIP. Another edition of the IOS podcast, sponsored by Miller Light, official partner of the Philadelphia. Phillies taste like Miller Time Philadelphia, celebrate responsibly fritzy. What about? You saw that whole run from Shores. He was fired up.

He was a lot more excited than I expected him to be. Like, he was like getting into it. Like, he was pumped. Yeah. He's a tank shot, too. It was tank. He's like, guys, you know, it's great Britain. You know, I mean, act like you've been there before, but that's fine.

It was a one-one game in the sixth, too. It was. It sure was. They were down one-n-other-in for a while. It was fun to watch. I know. Fun to watch. I thought they might have been in trouble when Ernie Clement slid into first base for no reason.

And, like, the fourth inning, I was like, hey, this is still Great Britain. You know, let's take it down a notch. But, but, yeah, no, Schwerber destroyed that baseball. And it does, it's so interesting watching the U.S. team. Well, first of all, they haven't played very well. well so far. Like they've not played good baseball yet. Yeah, they got like seven,

they just walked in. You know, they basically got seven runs walked in in the ninth or six rounds. Right. I was the other night. Yeah. Well, I was long gone.

I mean, it was a closer game against Brazil than it should have been for a while. It was like late innings. They're like, all right, time to pull away. Even though they did. They said, oh,

yeah. Yeah. Yeah. They didn't cover yesterday, though. They didn't cover against Great Britain. Did you? Did you? Is the team really as good as we thought?

I think so. not living up to the hype but but yeah no sure we're saying after the game that you know that just meant so much more because of what's uh USA across the chest oh yeah they are uh they are really it's I get so jealous

right you know watching the other watching Dominican Republic the the walk off last night for Puerto Rico and it's just the pure joy and it's just like they can't they can't do it they try like they get into it I think they care a lot I do think they care.

And Tarek Scooballs quotes after the game about how he's going to try to get back, shows that I think that there's real investment here. But they just can't recreate what the other countries can do. I'm so jealous of what they can do. I mean, all we can do is, like, hit home runs and, like, kind of stare it down a little bit and, like, you know, get around the bases. But there's no, there's no unbridled, you know, joy. But still, it was a good win.

And probably the lockiest lock of all locks was that Schwerber home run in that spot. Oh, yeah. You knew short, look, Schwerver's been good so far. You know, it's nice to see. He's coming in all just doing, he looks like he hasn't missed a beat. He's just like, yep, yep, this is what I do. I just coming to hit tank shots. Dude, is he just on that big poppy trajectory where his mid-30s are just good?

Oh, clear. I mean, like, I think he's going to be good. Yeah, I mean, it's great. I mean, his best year of his career was this 32. season, you know? It's, it's not, you just turn 33. It's nuts. Yeah, I don't, I think he's going to be really good.

That's why I was fine. And I was good with the contract, the idea of the contract to be with, because I think he ages well. But, you know, I don't know if he'll do the full on big Bobby thing. But yeah, I think, I think, I don't think the power is going anywhere. That's for sure. How much do you think it kills? How much do you think it kills Bryce?

I don't think, like, it has to just kill Bryce, the run that Shoreber's on. Oh, my God. I sure so much. I mean, it's like, yes, of course it does. I mean, he's six months older or something, right? He's six months older than Harvard. I mean, I'm sorry, they're not than Schwerber. Six months.

They're like the same age, essentially. Yeah, and Schwerber's, you know, Captain America. Everyone like raves about Schwerver. He's second an MVP last year, you know? They needed him there and stuff like that. Last year, he's 56 home runs. And I do think, you know, when, as we talk about with Bryce and chasing and why he was trying to do so much.

And a lot of people say, well, it's because the protection behind him. I don't think he really likes Schwerber. I think he really liked Schwerber. I think he saw Schwerber doing what he did last year. It was like, I want to join the party too. Like, I can carry the team too. And I think that's where you saw him kind of pressing at certain points. And now it's like, he hits that bomb last night.

And I will say, you know, Bryce has been really into this thing, which is, which is cool. You know, judge at the home run last night. He put like the king helmet on. He was getting to know. Yeah. Like he's got, already got his own handshake with judge and stuff. Like, they, that's like, like, he, he is dying to have, like, Aaron Judge play with him every day. Like, he was just like, but someone like that, you know, it was so funny to watch.

We are. Really, it really was funny to watch about it was like a combination, like the biggest combination I've ever seen of like, that is so awesome. And that is like kind of sad and like the same thing and the same. Because like it was so cool watch, but it was also you could tell like Bryce like it really, like he was so. like he was so into it, man. I know. Well, those two, I mean, those two seem like they are just bonding beyond control. It seems like they.

I mean, it is like a different level of fame. You know, we don't, we don't talk about all time and stuff like that. But like there is like being Aaron Judge or being Bryce Harper is different than being Kyle Schorber or, you know, whoever else you want to say. Like it's like they are like a level up. Like they are the most famous people in the sport. If you ask, you know, a million people to name a big. baseball player, Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper and now showy, obviously.

Like those are the names there said the most. So like I do get that, you know, sometimes it's even being famous, there's like levels to like kind of how, how famous you are. And thus how many people can truly understand what you go through. Do you know what I mean? Well, yeah. And I think that both of the, you know, both those guys have the pressures of being in the big markets. Both haven't got it done, but have been to a word. World Series.

Bryce has more playoff success than Judge. You know, Judge did hit the big home run last year. But yeah, I mean, it really feels like those. They're both Hall of Famers. They both retired now and they're probably still in the Hall of Fame. I mean, like, they're there, you know? Yeah. Well, it's just, it's just, it's almost, it's just funny to watch, you know, like Judge

last night is talking someone he made sure Bryce came down and talked to him. I know. Just, you know, I mean, hopefully this doesn't end in a forced trade to the Yankees. But, you know. Let's put this way. It's far more likely that Bryce gets traded the Yankees than Judge gets traded here. Come on, Judgey. He's talking to Schwartz and Harper after the game the other night against Brazil.

It's time. It is funny how the Yankees and Phillies are essentially the same team. I mean, they are essentially the same thing. I mean, we even like 0-8-09, neither have one since. It's really the just really the similar experience as a fan. Really, it's wild. Yeah. Except they didn't have the, you know, decade of not making the playoffs.

Sure. You've had some years. Overall, the U.S. games have been mostly snooze fest. Snooze Fest. I don't think you say mostly. They've been snooze fest. Yeah.

Puerto Rico Panama game was easily the best game of the tournament summer. I was a really, really fun baseball game. And then Monday should be good. Skeens versus Mexico, that is something that should be exciting and will be good. And I tell you what, I'm already, I can't wait for, I hope it happens. But like the Dominican versus the USA in Miami is going to be insane if it happens. Because I don't think the Japan team has it this year. I think they're still pretty good.

But I think this is clearly a collision course between the U.S. team and the Dominican. But yeah, that's that. That's that. I mean, like, I do think that watching the American team is kind of, it is kind of my experience with it, where to compare to like the, you know, watching Puerto Rico or Panama or this or that or whatever where it's like I,

it's great baseball. I've had it on my TV all weekend. I've had from start to finish. Like I was watching Italy play. I was watching, you know, I've just had it on. I watched Panama and Puerto Rico.

Like, I've just had it on the second TV. Like, so I've been, I've been into it having it on, but to your point, it is one of those things where like I don't, like emotionally and I'm watching it.

Like, I see these like Puerto Rican fans losing their mind. Like, it is the single greatest sporting experience of their lifetime. And like, I just don't have the connection to the tournament in the same way. And even really baseball as a national sport because, like, you know, it hasn't been the Olympics. It hasn't been like it doesn't feel, you know, you don't have that like the stakes.

It just doesn't feel like the stakes are as high as like as soon as the pinstripes are put on the red pinstripes. It's like, all right, life and death. Like, it matters so much every one of these. It's like I enjoy it more. And I think maybe in 20 years I'll be that much more. I've enjoyed it. Like, and I, the baseball is truly high level. And I think the most important thing is the players, to your point, really do care.

Like, these guys care. They're trying. Like, they really are. And that, and that I think is the most important thing for this to work. But I'm with you in that, like, I watch the way these other fans and even some of the players on these other teams kind of how into it they are and how much it seems like it matters. And I don't get that either. I mean, the players, like those guys talk like, I'm wearing the USA on my chest. It matters.

And I'm sure it does. but it just, other than Trubbriot in that home run and going nuts and the dugout, like it just doesn't feel like it has the same stakes for us. Do you know what I mean? Well, it's so funny.

Well, yeah. I mean, it, what I'll say is this is that I also think it's early rounds in Houston against the teams that could show up and beat. Like I don't,

personally, I didn't get into the U.S. hockey thing until, until it's late. Yeah, US Sweden, whatever. U.S.

Sweden. Yeah. Yeah. So I think that, like that's why I think Monday is going to be really cool because I think, I think USA Mexico, like that'll be fun.

And then once it gets into the, the latter portions, I mean, I think it has a chance to get. Like, again, the game against Venezuela in 2023 was incredible. Try it to. Oh, totally. And the USA, Japan, the trout show anything, that was amazing.

They've had moments, you know? Honestly, honestly, for what it is, like, I always think the idea of like just starting up a tournament is like nonsense. It's like there are all these things that have so much history and, and meaning and, and memory attached to it and stuff. it's so hard to just be like, all right, we're doing this thing and people are going to care about it because it's the thing.

Like, I think it's really hard. And they've gotten people to care. Like, the WBC matters and people care about it, especially like we talk about these other countries and the way they're into it. And like the teams embrace it like, the Italy espresso thing's hilarious. Like that's awesome. It's awesome.

And shout to Dante. More teams should be doing that. Like that, this is like it. I am in on the WBC. I think it's an awesome thing. I just want to, I want to like feel the passion, a little more. It's my own thing, you know.

And again, I think we will allay. My biggest question is, does the Italian people, do they know that there's team Italy in the world baseball? No, no, no, no. They're drinking their own espresso, you know, having, you know, some pasta and a nice piazza, looking at the beautiful, beautiful day that passed them by. And they're like, I think anything's going on out of, you know, in the sports world? Do we have a team? Outside of soccer. I don't think there's anything happening.

There's nothing going on. Maybe there may be tennis happening. Yeah. Yeah. So. You know what, Jack? You know what? They're probably living a beautiful.

Oh, they're fine. Yeah. Walking all over. Can't imagine not having baseball for them. It's probably working. Well, dude. And you mentioned the Puerto Rico fans. The stress on their face was, I love it.

It's like us in the world series. It really, it does feel like watching them. It feels like I said it before, but it really feels like they're watching the most important sporting amount of their life. Dude, the, the fans. in the stand i i i i no stress like i was looking at the porto rico fans and i was like i know that feeling i felt that but it was but but it was but it was like we usually experienced it on our couch you know it it felt like they were there living in time with it and then the home run and the and the emotion and it was freaking it was cool man it was cool so i again like the

tray home run in 23 against venas well that like the reaction to that from the crowd was was crazy uh but But man, I think as the later rounds get going, they'll get more into it. The hitters will get more locked in and we'll see. But you did mention Dante Noor. I'm glad you brought him up. Glad you saw him too home Rock. How do we now? Go on.

I don't care if they're both 85 on our meatballs down the middle. You know, he didn't miss them. He lined him right out, man. Boom. First one actually, like he lifted it. Like, he lifted that one. Well, if you've been listening to this podcast, we have detailed that Dante Nore's swing change where he started looking a little bit more like Bellinger,

a little bit more, a little bit more upright. Bellinger, that's it. Like on that one home run, like that, that looked bellingery. Yeah, I used to say that for sure. Come on, man.

Come on, man. Keep up. But, uh, no, the, and I don't know if you almost welled up, but I did almost well up. In the,

yeah, in the beginning of the USA game, the announcers were resetting what happened in the day. And they're like, team that only wins. They don't think they were Brazil, Danté Noree, three for three with two home runs.

And I was like, that's our guy. That is our. God. but no, it's, it's, like, I think he's going to play his way into being a top 100 prospect this year. He's, the bat's real. I know he's maxed out, but, like, he's got some power in there. He's just a ball player, man.

He's just a ball player. I'm looking forward to the Crawford Norrie eventual outfield, you know, one day. It's not going to those power proficient, but maybe in right field they could have. Maybe it's where Francis Go renteria plays. There you go. A big power hitting right fielder, Norian left. Crawford and Center, even though I think Norrie might be a better center filter right now. But who cares?

Prospects, prospects, prospects. It's all that matter. Olivia loves a challenge. It's why she lifts heavy weights and likes complicated recipes. But for booking her trip to Paris, Olivia chose the easy way with Expedia. She bundled her flight with a hotel to save more. Of course, she still climbed all 674 steps to the top of the Eiffel town. You were made to take the easy route.

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I was booked on the Deich podcast before. the Taylor Swift phenomenon. I must live up to my responsibility. Listen, wherever you get your podcasts. So where do we get from there? Got to talk about Painter? Yeah, please. I got nothing else. I like, yeah, God. I feel like, the WBC was pretty much exhausting, all that the baseball takes on. So yeah, let's roll.

All right, so I want to talk about Painter. And I want to say this. I want to say this, and I don't, I don't mean it to sound, like, super negative. because I don't think it's super negative. But I'm back in the mindset of like, I'll be floored if he has an ERA below four this year. Like I just, but that, but then, and I knew that's going to, I know that that was what the reaction was going to be. But it's just, it's going to be a year of, it's going to be a year of learning from him. It just is. I, it's, it's contact.

It is not a ton of swinging. a miss it's pretty good feel for off speed pitches i think he's going to eventually because i don't know if that fastball forcing fastball shape is coming back and i know everyone now is turned into fastball ball shape experts i mean the the every single time i tweeted about painter it's like fastball this fastball this fastball that blah blah blah blah blah blah like i think eventually he's going to turn into more of a more of a sinker guy and then use all of his off speed pitches at least to get by this year but but i think this year i'm back in the mindset with anrew painter where I will be, again, floor, blown away, thrilled.

Like, I'm lowering my expectations for him so that if he exceeds him, I'm happy. But I was kind of gets to the point, like, hey, maybe he pitches to like, because the way we're talking about him and the way even Thompson was like, future superstar. I'm like, all right, maybe we're in like the 3-5 to 3-7 range with Andrew Payne. And that's what we can get in the year one. And Justin watching him, it is three scoreless. He hasn't allowed a run yet.

I do, like, I think too many people are poo-pooing. what like soft contact and and things like that. But also in my head, I'm like, he's not really facing major leaguers right now. I mean, Dalton Varsho, major leager,

Miles Straal, not a major league caliber bat. Fringe, yeah. Yeah, Nathan. I actually, yeah,

you're right in the speed. I like Nathan Lucas a lot. But again, he's like a seven, eight hitter on the, on the Blue Jays, even though some he had it he batted a couple times in the playoffs.

And I don't think it's nothing that on a three one, pitch is the fastball count forcing fastball Lucas still didn't really square it up or in it looks didn't really square it up so um I don't want that to sound like as like super negative because it's not it's just where I think we're at with Andrew Painter because you know people freaked out about the command yesterday for those balls were the first batter was really a 21-9 split with his with this strike the ball ratio yesterday but the fast the forcing fastball is still not what it was in 2022. And I do think that matters.

I really do think it matters. I don't think he's going to be bad, but I think he's going to pitch like a four or five this year rather than like a three. And it's going to be times where he get shelled during the season and they're going to have to adjust it like they did with Lizardo last year where they changed some things around. It's going to be a work in progress. But like through two starts, I've seen someone who is. Definitely good, major league starter, but I haven't seen Star.

I haven't seen Star from Andrew Panor. Yeah, look, I think everyone should have lowered their expectations from the beginning. You know, we've said that at a ton of times. Like, I don't, I mean, to give Topper a little breathing, we said future superstar, I corrected himself. Yeah. We've stepped in the beginning. I think, you know, a four-underer-you-should be happy this year.

And it's going to be about watching the improvement start to start watching the changes he makes as he goes watching how he responds to a bad adding all that type of stuff. But yeah, I think, look, he's their fifth starter this year. You know, he's, that, that's what the expectation should be from him, from a production standpoint. But, yeah, I, like, for me, my biggest concern with Andrew Painter this year is how people react to him, you know, because I don't, I don't think there's going to be anything I see from Andrew Payner this year that's going to be like, I'm fully out on this guy. I'm full, like, he's a super, like, I just think there's, it's, we've seen so many guys come up and start hot. and then get adjusted to and vice versa and be sent back to the miners.

So many greats have been sent back to the miners. Like, if he can come up and hang as the fifth starter, I'll be ecstatic. Like, that's what I meant. 150 innings for ERA. I mean, like, that is a, that's a win for in this year.

There's just going to be growing pains. Like, there's just, he's not generating enough swing and mess as it stands right now. And if he was going against more major league quality lineups and like half the league, wasn't at the world baseball classic and he's throwing scoreless outings. I would say, okay, good. And I do think he has pitchability.

I think he has competitiveness. Like, I think he's, he's not wilting from that. I think he's, he's going to hang in there. He's going to hang in there. But, you know, and it's such a, it's such a bummer because this is kind of always how it was going to be for Andrew Painter, but when he's labeled untouchable in trades and then people start saying, how could you make a play? It's always going to be a work in progress.

So, yeah, I, there's definitely some good. I think the sinkers are really good pitch for him. I think he's going to refine that change up and that's going to continue to get better. I was really intrigued by the curveball yesterday. And I think that slider is, is going to be a good pitch for him. But it's like, and part of the reason why his foreseen shape matters, because I feel like I have to explain that now as everyone is looking at the, at the. I thought everyone was an expert already.

I thought we were just experts out there now. Yeah. So here's why this, here's why this matters. Is in 2022, it, it generated like 20-some percent whiff rate. It had the RPMs on it of like 24, 2,500 RPMs. It had good rise to it. And it was a pitch that he could like hunt people with, like hunt batters with. And he could blow it past them.

And they couldn't really do it. anything about it. It was one of the like special is it had special fastball traits. And what made him such an intriguing prospect is he had special fastball traits and then feel for like four pitches off of it. That's how you get ascended to the number one pitching prospect in baseball. But but where it's at right now is the RPMs are down. It doesn't have the ride that it used to have. Sometimes it has a little bit of cutting action to it. And it doesn't grade out the way that it used to grade out, which was an elite pitch, to where now it's more hitable, and it's one of the fastballs that you kind of have to sneak past hitters. And you have to use the other pitches to

set up the fastball so that these guys aren't just smoking it. And that didn't used to be the case with Painter where he could just let it ride and say, good luck hitting it. They're hitting it now. Now, they haven't totally squared it up, but the case of Sanchez yesterday could have hit a run if the wind wasn't blowing in from right field and there was that ball of the wall that cropper made a really really good play on which is super encouraging that hey maybe if the wind's not blowing left to right or right to left whatever that that that goes out so um yeah that's that's basically why the fastball shape matters it and and how it used to be versus it versus where it's at now and you know not to go super you know dorky on it but it but it but it does I I just think it matters I just think it

matters. Well, clearly matters. I mean, whether dork or not, like enough people have talked about it matter. And you could just, you know, you could see it with the life on the balls. Like, like, but, um, I mean, that's a concern. You know, I said you, you need to me up that. I mean, that was what made him truly special. So you got to hope. But also again, you know, the fact that if it's not back to start the year, I don't think that's a reason to freak out. But I do think that that is something that you want to see for turn, you know? Yeah. So we will see. uh i but again it's two starts early march yes yeah again it's the first two starts let's you know rain in yeah yeah yeah so maybe june you know like we can reassess the situation

but at least through two spring starts that's kind of where it's kind of where i'm at on on old painter all right let's do uh an extended take back all right is yours for it's i'm worried about the aiding back like i just no this what a what a what a fun Todd this is. I know. You're like, we're recording on a Sunday. Get ready. We're doing it.

Yeah. And then this is what you do. I could be hanging out with my family right now. So could I. But the, he sent back to Philadelphia yesterday. I guess here's my optimistic sense on the, the Adenback thing. So you get sent back to Philly yesterday to get work with the, the Phillies doctors on it. And it has this song of bat in two weeks.

And my, my optimistic sense is they know he's not playing grapefruit league. anyway so what's the point you know like we don't need to rush this thing let's send him back to philly let's let them work with our doctors and let's just knock this thing out let's let's knock it out as best as we can so that he can have an entirely healthy minor league season and rather than just like hey here there get out there and then maybe flares up again and he's back hurt let's just stop go back to philly the doctor's like they've been really good at least with health stuff the last couple years seemingly. Let's let's nip, let's get this thing figured out.

It's not rush it. Listen, we can break down with doctor spin rates and stuff like that. You know, the advanced analytics on the Philly's medical staff. It's good. Except when Thompson talks about the medical stuff, that's usually when we backfire. Then the guys on the IEL the next day, usually. But I really could use it just, it didn't be like, yeah, I'm fairly fine. Let's get up.

Topper saying yesterday. his concern level is none I it's probably manager speak I get it but he personally doesn't have the best track record with he he just got to stop enough of this like

I'm not concerned about it you guys are still like for thinking this or I'm like like stop like you know just be like yeah you know we'll see well Rob give us a few more we'll see

yeah well let's more of that nothing could beat the Reese Hoskins interview on TV where he's like, guys, basically cop skipping and jumping back in the clubhouse as he was torn ACL. Oh, yeah, that was the all-timer. That was the best fun.

Yeah, well, I saw him walking around back there. It looked pretty good. Looked fine. Okay, so, you know. So we'll say. But I would really like for it to go away and we can just have a great aid in season and we don't need to worry about the back

for the rest of his career. Hopefully, just knock it out. Just knock the back thing out. Don't rob us of a special prospect, please. Come on, baseball guys. Rate this in a little bit here. We're going way far here. Here's what I said.

I too am not like super worried about this or whatever. Could we just quit it with the, you know, could we just quit it? Me or Aiden's back? Aidan's back. Okay. Just quit. Let us have, let us have, let us have a great prospect. Enough.

Enough. Enough. Enough. Enough. Enough. Where are my gloves? Come on, heat. Winter is hard, but your groceries don't have to be.

This winter, stay warm. Tap the banner to order your groceries online at voila.ca. Enjoy in-store prices without leaving your home. You'll find the same regular prices online as in-store. Many promotions are available both in-store and online, though some may vary. Justin Crawford is continuing to look the part in center field. The bat has slowed down a little bit, but at least center field defense-wise. Just like we all thought, you know, was always going to be a defense first,

and we're always going to question the bat kind of player. But at least from that standpoint, I think is really important. Great thing I saw over the weekend is Alvarado getting swing and miss again. His first couple of outings, he was like 100, which is great. You know, 95 Alvarado, not that good. 100 Alvarado, much better. But I thought guys were squaring him up a little bit more than I would have liked to see. and then yesterday he was back to just nasty Alvarado.

So that was important. Well, they, he is, you know, I mean, I think for obvious reasons, the suspension, kind of the frustration, him not being a part of the end of last season and all that. But he is probably the most important guy that we've talked the least about. Like, he is incredibly, like, if the Phillies are going to do anything this year, Jose Alvarado is going to have to be a big part of it. I mean, he is their go-to lefty reliever.

Like, he is the guy. You know, I love Tanner Banks, big time. But Ovarado is going to pitch in important moments for this team, and they're going to need him. You got to learn Backus ball. You got to learn Kyle Backus. Is Kyle Baggers going to be the ninth inning? The lefty they go to to close out of game? Probably not, right?

That's all I'm saying. All I'm saying is this. All I'm saying is this. How many of us have seen Kyle Backus in person pitch? Did you, did you see him when you're down there? I have. I've seen Cowbagus twirl in person. I actually think I did see him.

I probably wasn't watching. All I'm saying is this. I'm a backistman. Soto's not touching that. So does not touch that. Tani's not touching that in the big spot. No. But yeah, they do need Alvarado back.

You know, it's funny. It's funny. They didn't have Wheeler. They didn't have Alvarado. I know. Bader got hurt in game one. Hey, they were right there. They're right there.

Did you see the J.T. quote? From when he's on the midday show about how the umpire immediately said. Oh, yeah, yeah. Did that make you want to die inside a little bit? It was really cool. It was really cool. See, in that instance, here, hear me out is if that happens, like in football, sometimes they pick up the flag, right?

I mean, if it happened immediately, can we say, like, hold on, time out. Yeah, time out. He got it wrong. He got it, like, time out. He said it. He missed it. He said it. He's mic up.

Right after just, can't you just like, say that? You know, it's a strike. It's a strike. I'm right away. You don't need a conviction. Go back and change it. Go back and change. I don't want to talk about it.

It makes me so bad. I'm so mad. The other thing. I did like some of the stuff Zach Wheeler had to say with the midday show. Totally. There's a couple big things in there. One,

so apparently he had the thoracic outlet surgery or, you know, condition. That was like the best outcome possible. So the one that he does not have the one that Strasbourg and Harvey had. He had the one that Merrill Kelly had and how Merrill Kelly's bounced back by. He also said, it's so funny listening to Wheeler because he's

almost so carefree. Yeah, he's so matter of fact when he says things. And he was trying not to say I feel exactly the same, but he basically said I feel exactly the same. Which is really good. I mean, if Wheeler gets back to

being, dude, every single thing has been perfect. Like every benchmark on the way every update we've gotten even when with toppers with you guys always actually at their boat like every step of the way it's been it's been the best possible report or update or whatever whether from the team or from wheeler himself every single one every single time dumbbrousie oh from what i understand it's going to be this like it's every single thing like every single one it's an unbelievable are they about to have three guys in rotation with an era under three come on man come on man that that's exciting

That's exciting. That's exciting. But yeah, no, Wheeler seems like he's great. And then, and then... Maybe... We're not done yet. We're not done yet. I mean, the fact that the most important thing he said, so for those of you that may have missed it, you know, Jilio asked him what his future was.

And because he's been, it seems like it's so set in stone that he's done after the 27 season. And maybe this has to do... Because he told everyone that, okay? Sure. We didn't just infer it or anything, yes. Sure. And maybe it has to do with a lockout. He doesn't want to go out with it being a lockout and stuff like that.

But he said, you never know, basically, which is much more exciting than I'm done after 27. Yeah. So I thought that was huge. I mean, listen, if he wants to do the Clemens route, you know, and just come halfway through the season. Dave Robertson style, it's all good. Whatever it takes to make sure Zach Wheeler gets a ring, first of all. Like I want that I want that dude to win a ring in a Philly's uniform almost as much as I want all the guys that want to ring like that guy I think deserves it in a crazy way he's been money But that was really really exciting stuff from from Zach Wheeler and I was awesome I might have been the highlight there was I think there's super interesting things to come out of all the interviews we did down there. I think the single best news to come out of any of the interviews

Was Wheeler feeling awesome and Wheeler maybe staying around longer like that was like the best news we could have gotten. Yeah. equally as great was when JT said that Duran was working on a splitter or a change up. Yes. So that is, so yesterday was a thrilling outing, I would describe it as,

for Joanne Duran. Because first off, fastball is back over 100. He was only, only reached 98 his first outing. You know, sound the alarms a little bit, reload down. But did you see the last pitch of the outing? No. Did you see it?

88 mile an hour little freaking split change that fell off the table. Come on, man. If you go 98, 100, and this is what he needed. This is what he needed. And this is why John the Papabon is freaking cooked here, man. Is he needed something to get off that fastball

because it is one of the hitable fastballs. It is a hitable 100. Not squared up all the time, but hitable. And if he can go fastball up at 100 and then keep a splitter on the same eye level and let it die that kind of tunneling with when he drops the knuckle curve ball that is going to be disgusting 13 out of 17 strikes yesterday as well a beautiful sight this again i can't tell who i'm more excited for the bullpen or the rotation probably still the rotation i got a little ahead of myself with the bullpen um but you know

because the rotation is going to be just sick. But having to, it's kind of jarring watching him just be the Phillies closer. Yeah, it's been a while since it was just a set guy and we just felt good about it. Let's roll. Not that I forgot that Joanne Duran was a Philly, but I think I just admired, admired him for so long from afar that he was pitching in Clearwater yesterday. I was like, oh, yeah. We had that guy. I've been, you know, thirsting over Joanne Duran for years.

Yeah, literally. And now he's just, he's just here. He's just here. So that's exciting stuff. That's exciting stuff. And then, I guess just the final thing for you here before we head on down the road is been really, been really impressed with the Dolies Garcia's quality that bats. Oh, buddy, give it to me. I mean.

Give it to me. Break it down. Break it down. If he has struck out, it's once or maybe twice. But listen, he worked two walks yesterday. He is, Adoli's Garcia has been so much different than I thought it was going to be watching Adolese Garcia. Because I thought it's going to be closer to Cassianos where he's chasing everything and he's, you know, whatever. He hasn't really...

368 OBP, let's go! But I was told, but I was told, 290s. Now he's got a... lower that slugging percentage that's not great but no he's a singles hitter right now he's a single hitter right now but you know four for 16 with four singles you got to love it he's all but he's always looking to do damage I think he's worked a couple runs he's playing strong defense out there this is the guy we wanted listen uh get on base great right fielder pop a home run every once in a while just uh at a birthday March 2nd did you realize that yes he is

also now 33 he joins the 33 club we have a bunch of 30 3rd three-year-olds on the team. They always say that's your prime to win a championship in baseball. It's 33. That's true. Did you know his nickname is El Bambi? It's a good nickname. It's a great nickname.

It's a good nickname. Am I cool about, can I call him El Bambi? I don't think so. That's not our, I don't think we could. I don't think we could get away. Oh, yeah, I'm sure. Tucker's cool like that.

I don't know why, but you know. He's got the vibe. Yeah, he's got the vibe. He's got the vibe. I think Tucker can call him al-bami. But, I do think he does look like a more, I think he's trying to be more hitterish this year. Get on base a little bit more.

Maybe take a little bit of the power down to raise the average a little bit. Then the power will come a little bit later as he's working through his, uh, uh, a swing mechanic. And Tucker was not. Tucker, I actually believe it. I believe it. You are cool like that and I am not, you know? And you, we knew you'd be locked in as always. There's always locked in.

What else are they going to do? He's here, you know? Yeah. Uh, but that's pretty much it. So you're excited about Bombay. Uh, yeah. Why? I'm intrigued. I'm intrigued.

I'm a bit. I'm starting to, you know, I had a little bit. Listen, Bome still hit the ball hard. Stocks hitting over like, was hitting over 700, you know, but until he got robbed on a play up the middle yesterday. There's a lot of good signs at a Phillies camp. A lot of good signs out of Phillies camp.

A lot of important stuff going on. Brad Keller, closing out of tight, you know, eight run win over the Great Britain last night. You know, coming in, getting it done. Did he pitch last night? Yeah, he pitched a night. nice nice yeah it's thrilling one two three when they went up when they went up seven one in the seventh that was like I'm good I didn't make it to make it through Monday at eight that's gonna be I'm gonna I'm I'm in bed at 930 guy now so oh you're speaking my language pal yeah yeah it's good

yeah so it's a real it's real battle and grind to stay after this and thing that I've noticed now with two kids you're probably out of this stage but maybe your your whole schedule's messed up anyway. Yeah, my schedule is just the worst. But there's something that I've realized in the last like six months is like everything's dad math for me now. So it's like if I stay up till 11. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, I've been doing this forever.

The boys are still getting up at six. It's, I don't, I can't be extra tired for them. So like, I'm going to go to bed early. Everything's dad math. Like if he, Walker falls asleep at 3.30 by accident, that means you staying up till 10, which means we got to really lock in, you know? Everything, everything is dad math. Everything at this point is dad math to try to figure out the,

our windows. Zoe is very into hang sessions. She calls it with me, which is basically just me and her hanging out, like watching videos or like me like pretending to like, you know, like we'll do some rogo like boom and she like drop and like, you know,

like we'll do like she does like judge her dance moves. We've got all these like things that we do, but she's like super into hang sessions. So now like I have to devote time each day to hang. She's like, it'll be like eight o'clock at night. And I mean, all right, we guys start. I was like, but we didn't have our hang sash today.

And it's like, what are we doing here? You know, so yeah. Gotta get the hack session, buddy. Yeah, so the timing and the math does start to. Dad math. It creeps up on you, man. You know what I'm saying? Now it's freaking March 8 somehow.

What the is happening? What is happening? We are 12 days. Was it? Yeah. Right now. Hold on. Not 12 days.

No, 18. We are 18 days away from the opening scene. That's nuts. I know. Office is actually flew by. And they might be sitting. It's 26. It's 26.

It's 26. Yes. That was bad math. It's 18. And you should not have asked me. I would have no idea. I know. I know.

See, that's the question I should ask Tucker. If we really want to get to know what Tucker's great at. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's off season flew by, man. It's off season flew by. We didn't run out of steam. Sometimes you run out of steam in the,

yeah, we didn't do it. We could. have done well this is boring based on what they did but we didn't not one podcast saying this is boring we showed up it was actually an interesting you on a freaking sunday in march all right come on you know you're welcome round of applause for james salter thank you thank you thank you round of applause that's good when i walk upstairs my family's going to give me a round of applause that's gonna be yeah 40 minutes 40 minutes all right that is uh you are you are you are you are free you're free to go now this is fun i just have nothing else to say we're good

All right. We'll be back next week. Go dad, I'll dad, Tucker. Just keep doing what you're doing, man. He's doing it great.

All right. We'll talk to everyone next week. Until that, peace for themselves.