High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Many are Saying that Zoe Seltzer Ruined the Phils Season (Note: Only Jack is Saying It)

Episode Date: August 22, 2022

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to a disappointing series against the Mets. The guys discuss their disappointment with the Phillies, the awesomeness of Zoe's first game, and much more. 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

This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies. On Odyssey and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo! Man! That game sucked. That game sucked.

It is another edition of the iops podcast brought to you by the lovely wonderful miller light celebrate responsibly official partner of the philadelphia phillies uh a a great weekend to drink miller lights as always a less good weekend for the uh other side of that partnership uh jack the philadelphia phillies uh man and you know it's so funny because they lose the first two and obviously we're all bummed and you know expectations coming into the series and all that and and then you know they win the second game yesterday and you know they have a four nothing-0 lead, a 7-4 lead, an 8-7 lead, and runners on in the bottom of the ninth and the whole thing. And, man, you know, that was like the most old school, you know, as in the last four years, Philly's loss we've had in a while.

That was a gut punch, tough tough loss today um and look in the grand scheme of things i ultimately think the mets are just better you know larry anderson said it during the broadcast i was listening when i was trying to put zoe down and and he was just like you know ultimately they're losing to a better team and they are but man jack it would have been such a different feeling right now if they just found a way to to not blow it today yeah let me tell you how little i care about saying that the mets are a better team like i just i know i i could not it's not doing it for you no it's not it's not making me feel any better um today was the most mad today sucked today was the most mad today sucked. Today was the most mad I've been at a Phillies game, uh, since game five in 2011.

Like I haven't been that angry about a game in a while. Like really this whole weekend. It was just, it was an awful weekend. It really was. And yeah, thank God for Bailey falter for saving the weekend from being like a total disaster. Right, Jack? That's just like we always that's how bad the weekend was that if it weren't for Bailey Falter, it would have been an all time horrible weekend. Instead, it was just a really bad weekend.

Yeah. And like how I walked into this weekend feeling was like, I don't think this is going to determine their playoff outcome. I don't think this is going to do any of that. I still think they're going to make the playoffs. I still think they're a good baseball team. I don't leave this weekend thinking the Phillies are a bad baseball team. But I walked in this weekend saying, show me how good you are. Show me if you've really changed. And what this weekend just makes me feel is they're good. They're not winning the playoffs good yet. And the thing that annoyed me the most was the first two games, it genuinely felt like they were afraid to play the Mets.

And they were like, we don't belong on the same field as this team. And instead of being the aggressor, they played games on their heels. And I just don't know why. I don't know why they chose this weekend to be like, oh, I don't know if we're that good. Like, go out, be aggressive, and show the Mets that you're here, and you're going to compete, and you're just as good as them. But how I feel leaving this weekend is that Mets team is really good. They are a really good baseball team. I think they're going to win the National League,

and we'll see what happens in the World Series. I think they are that good. And the Phillies got out-executed this weekend. The Mets have a different style of offense. They put the ball in play. They have a bulldog, and Chris Bassett is our number three. It was a woefully— Chris Steve Traxell Bassett with the way he pitches.

Jesus. That's a really old reference. I don't know. Stay track. Human rain delay. Cause he pitched so slow. They call him the human. Like Bassett takes forever.

He's like Gibby, but worse anyway. God. Yeah. And, and the fact that you had Wheeler, you had Nola, you had Gibby,

obviously Suarez's team's three right now, but Gibby is one of their four best pitchers. And they lost three of those starts. And to top it off with today's utter disaster, obviously, they had four nothing. Vibes were good. If they won today, how things were trending, it was like,, I could I could easily take that. I will take a split against the Mets at home. But to go and lose in that fashion, it is it just feels like the Mets are in this team's head. And for me personally, just an absolutely devastating weekend and just a devastating way just to top it off. Like today was awful. Like why the why in the world is Tyler Sear coming into that game?

I know. It's a one-run game in the ninth. It's a one-run game. Oh, and shocking and ended up mattering. Just put in Coonrod or whatever. I know. Then the ninth inning, they would have tied the game up. I mean, it's just that's – again, you want to know what makes the matters worse

is that I didn't get to see the last two innings. I was sprinting to get home as fast as possible to try to catch the end. So I had to sit there in my car. And it was just a really, really disappointing weekend. And I think people go very quickly to here comes another collapse. This team's not that good. This team's not that I'm not there at all. Like, I think this is still a good team. I just legitimately feel like Pedro in 04 talking about how the Yankees are their daddy or whatever.

I think the Mets are this team's daddy. Like I just, and that's how I feel. That's exactly how I feel. And, uh, yeah, just a, a disappointing weekend. Yeah. Well, look, I think that's the interesting thing to your point. Tim Kelly had a good tweet, uh, over the weekend where, uh, the Phillies are 20 games above 500 against every other team other than the Mets. Like, it really is not that this team can't beat good teams and hasn't beaten good teams. I mean, look, just look at the fact that, you know, three teams essentially that they're competing with for a playoff spot, you know, for all intents and purposes, the Cardinals, the Brewers, and the Padres, they won the season series against each of those teams. You know, they have, they are not,

you know, unable to beat a good baseball team or at least a playoff level baseball team. But yeah, the Mets are just, the Mets are better, like flat out a better team. I mean, you didn't even mention not just the Phillies had their guys going, but you know, you didn't have to face DeGrom and Scherzer this weekend, too. And, you know, we're going, oh, it's great. And, you know, you lose three or four and that that sucks. But, you know, it is really it feels like a real Mets thing, like not a Phillies first good teams thing. And that's not OK either.

You know, I'm not excusing it, but it is it is interesting that it does really just seem to be this uh this thing with the Mets um all right I want to dive into a lot of the weekend stuff first look because this is obviously we're going to be a bummer and honestly I as we'll see you know in classic I hopes fashion I'm actually pretty chill you know that sucked today it was a horrible loss but to the stat I just read I I do think it's a weird thing when they play the Mets. I expect this team to beat the bad teams coming up. I think they're a playoff team, like Jack said, too. There's still, I believe, like a game and a half up on the Brewers, which is really

two and a half up when you talk about that tiebreaker we just talked about. There's still a half game behind the Padres with a game in the lost column to make up like it's okay like the injuries are tough we're going to talk about that but you know Harper's coming back there's stuff to get excited about um but we'll get into some of the negatives and some of the bummer from the weekend but first let me let me let me spin a quick positive because yes the the baseball game sucked this weekend but I got got a quick shout out to first and foremost, Cindy Webster, who is like the best human on the planet and said to me a long time ago,

I want to do like this big thing for Zoe's first game and you got to let me do it. And I was like, yeah, of course. Like, sure. And finally after a pandemic and all kinds of scheduling issues, like we finally did Zoe's first game on Friday night. And boy, did Cindy not lie about doing a big thing. It was, again, you know, as much as I'll remember tonight's loss or today's loss because that sucked, or I should say today and tonight's because it was like 8 million hours long. I will definitely, you know, someday not remember it,

whereas, you know, the game Friday night and going for Zoe's first game, first Phillies game, first baseball game, I will definitely never forget that. And other than them losing the game, it was a perfect night because of Cindy Webster and because of a lot of people at the Phillies. I was going through it with Emily and Zoe hit basically everything on the kid bingo card at a baseball game that you want. she hit it all in her first game essentially you know uh uh personal me with the fanatic we had the best seats i've ever had at a baseball game right behind home plate like first row uh personalized jersey unlimited food which

was ice cream cotton candy and candy essentially for she's on the jumbotron on tv she got a baseball like a inning-ending ball a Phillies employee brought over to her. She got to meet Franski and Murph. She got to meet Jamie Apodi. She got all this awesome, amazing stuff. And Shad, as Zoe stated, the entire game, a three-hour and 40-minute baseball game, Jack.

On the way out, she said, can I sleep at the ballpark? So that's, I swear to God, Emily can verify it. And if you come to High Hopes Night, you can verify that too, because Zoe and Emily will be there. More on that later. But stayed the whole game, had a blast. It is, again, a night that I would have remembered for the rest of my life no matter what. Going to baseball games, my dad is like my single number one most formative, memorable thing that we did. We went to hundreds of them. We went on trips. We went to tons of Phillies games all over, everywhere, New York, everything. So to get to do it with Zoe and to get to make it like such a magical, amazing experience.

Quick thank you to a couple people just for making it happen at the Phillies. Kevin Tedesco made like the seats and the food and all stuff amazing happened. Francis Winky, who gave us the Zoe personalized jersey, the number three jersey. Zoe, who's the most popular three in Philadelphia? I don't know. Is it Zoe? I don't know. Is it Zoe? I'm just saying. Troy Satin, who is best friend of the fanatic Tom Burgoyne,

another even closer friend of the fanatic, you could say. How about this, Jack? I sent this to you. Charlie Manuel. Cindy got Charlie Manuel to send me a video telling Zoe, like, have fun at your first Phillies game, which obviously I think is a lot more exciting for the dad than for Zoe But someday she'll be excited

And then like Rob Brooks, John Brazier Again, Scott Franskin, Greg Murphy I mentioned Jeff Hakeman, Nick Marchetta, Casey Holcomb And a bunch of other people Our awesome High Hopes listeners at Fantavision, our people. It was an amazing, awesome, unbelievable night. And again, Cindy Webster on top of all of it, the one who made it all happen. And I'm forever grateful to Cindy.

But it was an awesome night. So that was really cool. Now we can rip the Phillies, Jack, for their performance this weekend. But definitely would be remiss if I started with anything else other than what I'll remember most from the weekend. Well, and in classic Phillies fashion, they had to you know make it painful uh you know like welcome welcome to fandom uh you know i think i don't think you could have picked honestly a better game or a better like start to a series uh than that one to really indoctrinate uh zoe into being

a philly's fan yeah well i mean come on like you know i i'm not excited to remember nor admit down the road that her first major league home run live was peep freaking alonzo like our our number one enemy so um yeah it was awesome though and everyone who made it happen like i will be forever in your debt it was the best night ever uh more on zoe's second phillies game later but um let's uh let's get to the weekend and just in general look we're not going to break down every game in every situation because it sucked and there's not much exciting to talk about but you know um let today let's start with just today and kind of the roller coaster obviously you know boom one of the best games of his career the two homers were massive.

Wouldn't have even been in the game without him. Some key hits from people throughout. The Gene pinch hit, obviously. But ultimately, you know, we go into the game finding out about the Sir Anthony injuries. Knievel done for the season. We'll get into the effects of that more. But I think, you know, you really saw the effects of that in this game. robertson who had had to pitch last night you know tries to get it done just didn't have it the the bullpen prior to that doesn't have it you know gibby maybe didn't have

it tonight maybe oh shocking shocking was it a big game was it an important spot but then on top of that you know thompson um with a really disastrous decision to to put sir into the game there instead of you know keeping that a one-run game i mean it was like it was unbelievable um that that was the decision he made um what do you make it today and kind of you know what were the things that stood out to you the most from again you know it really is you know that seven to one loss is still the worst loss of the season but this this is like up there in the running for two three four whatever it is you know yeah it was awful um and it was very joe gerardi of uh of rob thompson to put in tyler sear or whatever it really was it really was

honestly jack it's the most joe gerardi's been yet i think that like if we had to pick one movies at a couple moments not many this is the single most i agree and i'm not one to uh you know i don't want to rip zoe zelter oh no i mean she's one in three in her career since becoming a Phillies fan. Well, Owen won at games live too. Are you sure you want to bring her to Ohio Oaks night on Friday? The recent track record would not suggest. Here's the thing. She's not going to stay for the whole game.

We'll see if that's a different mojo to it. She's definitely leaving early. to it she's definitely leaving early so okay you know um so today was just you know of course they have to blow three leads in in one game you know it just can't just be a normal brutal loss you have to go from four nothing to four four to seven four to seven seven to eight seven to eight to nine eight whatever and then-8 because for some reason we have to put in a guy who just found out he was on a major league roster today and frankly, James,

I follow the minor leagues pretty closely. Never heard of him. I never even knew he was on the roster. No, no, no. I don't know where Coonrod was in that situation, frankly. I know he pitched two innings on Friday. I know that he's coming back from Tommy John.

But, hey, kid, we're in a pennant race. I might even argue throw whoever. I legitimately don't think they had another arm. Like Cinderguard for an inning. I know he's pitching tomorrow. For a batter? Yeah, and he can't do that. But who's pitching on an off day?

I mean, like Nola. Can you pitch Nola for an inning or something? tomorrow. For a batter? Yeah, and he can't do that. But, like, who's pitching on an off day? Like, you know what I mean? Like, Nola, can you pitch Nola for an inning or something? Like, anything for a batter? I know what you mean, but, like, seriously, I know how crazy that is. But throwing this kid in there, like, who had no idea he was going to pitch, who got to the stadium, like, an hour before or a couple hours before, whatever, like, that's nuts. Yeah, and I promise I am not trying to sound old man yell at the cloud, whatever.

But this whole idea of I'm protecting David Robertson's health, like you're telling me that if he throws five more pitches. Well, that was what I was really going to say. At that point, just leave Robertson. I trust Robertson to figure it out with guts and guile more than than this kid you know well it's that and it's also like thompson said after the game like i'm not going to risk his health and it's like i understand i don't want you to risk his health either but you know like that's two outs in a one run game you know just i don't think five more pitches is really going to be the the ultimate thing that's going to make everything fall apart.

So I didn't think that was smart. If he starts getting ripped after that, whatever, that's fine. And then you put in Coonrod. That was managed like the Phillies were down by five or whatever. It was a one-run game with two outs. It's a one, like you still have a chance. You have Edwin Diaz, the best closer in the sport this year coming in.

Like you need that to stay at a one-run game. To do that in that situation was so Girardi-ish. So yeah, it was, I got out of the car. I was still fuming. Just saying just, just saying Tyler's here. Really? In that situation. Um, so it was just, again, I, I mentioned it at the beginning of this podcast, but it was one of those, like, it felt like the Mets were the aggressor.

It felt like the Mets were in our heads. It felt like the Mets were in our heads. And having a game like today, it's only going to further the belief in their head that the Mets are going to come back. And they're going to have this fight. And they're going to do whatever. And thankfully, they're not playing them again for the rest of the year. Like, whatever. And the only time they would have to face the Mets again would be in the postseason. And that's all well and good. But what makes this weekend so frustrating and annoying

is that the Phillies looked just outclassed, and I didn't totally think that was going to happen heading into the series. Yeah, I don't think any of us did, but at the same time, and they did, I agree with you. They did almost win today and they again that's nothing they lost it was horrible all that but they they came very close to spitting this series like the you know margin between not spitting and spitting was pretty thin and you know i agree the mets are just better they're a better baseball team they're better

built they're better put together they believe in each other more. They've been better longer this season. They've had more time to believe in that. And again, you know, know that they're going to come back in these games and, you know, have guys who come through in big spots and all that stuff. I do think that while it was a disappointing weekend and today the icing on it, they were very close to us coming out of the weekend saying, you know, the Mets are better, but hey, they pulled out a split. It was close, but who to thunk again? As usual, me being like, calm down, you panicking and saying the Phillies are screwed. Just the classic dynamic of the pod. I'm not saying that. Classic?

No, I know. I know. I know. And look, again. Here's how I need to explain this to you. Is that I feel like my soul has just been crushed. I really do. I'm happy you're taking this well.

Well, I just had so much expectations heading into this series. Like, I swear to God, James, I woke up on Friday morning with a knot in my stomach. Like, I was so nervous and excited heading into this weekend because I just wanted to see how this team would compete in that situation. And I leave it thinking like what the like what was that it's like what was wheeler and nola doing you know how did they blew three again three leads today in one freaking game um so it's like i i think i think i feel so crushed

because i was having visions of 07 and and I was like, this is it. This is a big moment for this team. This is where we can, like, you know what it is? I felt like this was the weekend that I could finally be like, no, this team's different. Like, enough with the whole, oh, they're going to collapse. Like, no, they're good. They're good.

And it's just like now we've got with deal with meltdown city all the time that they and then and then now we're gonna have to deal with oh my god they have an easy schedule like i know i know they have an easy schedule i i understand it um but i just i had this weekend so built up in my head of like it's this is this is our moment to kind of recapture and show the medicine i'm not gonna run away with this thing and I just it was just crushing it was a it was an absolutely crushing weekend regardless of Zoe Zeltser having a great first game yeah see and that's where we differ I went in thinking the Mets are just a better baseball team and I don't expect the Phillies to compete in this division I'm hoping they make the playoffs and I'm hoping maybe they make a little noise in the playoffs and

look I do think that there is a world where come October uh you know what's today today's August 21st come October 21st the Phillies are a better baseball team than the Mets I think that's possible we saw the Braves do that last year where the team they were on August 21st was very different the team they were on September 21st than very different from the team they were on September 21st and then October 21st. Things can happen. I just didn't build it up. Look, I wanted it. I'm with you, but I didn't build it up as this massive showdown series like you did

because I just think the Mets are further along right now, and that's okay. And look, the Phillies kind of got it. And you grew up in Mets. Oh, good one. Also, also, yeah, the weekend I take my daughter to my first game in honor of my father. My father dies 18 years ago. The thing I do most of them is go to baseball games.

It was like our formative thing. And then I finally take my daughter to a baseball game, and you just come at me. It's ugly is what it is, Jack. We can all see where you're at right now. I'm just trying to say, hey, you know what? It's okay. It's okay.

The Mets are good. It happens. It's not. It's not okay. The Phillies are still a playoff team. They've played well against us. Like, it's okay. It's okay.

The injuries, they're getting crushed. Like, Harper's coming back. They're getting crushed by injuries. I'm a lot more worried about Marsh Sir Anthony and and the loss of Knievel than I am about losing a three out of four of the Mets like I just am like but I understand look I get it I just think you had too much expectation for the series and it sucked and today's a crappy loss but you know I think that this team all season long has had bad losses had bad series like the Cubs series and you know, I think that this team all season long has had bad losses, had bad series like the Cubs series and, you know, obviously the start to the season and all that stuff.

And they've lost Harper and they've lost Gene and they've lost guys for periods of time and they've lost Schwarber for games. And yet they keep battling back and they keep winning games and they keep fighting through adversity. I just feel like because of a bad series against the Mets, I'm not going to count this team out. I don't think they're going to make serious noise in the playoffs, but I definitely think they're going to make the playoffs, and I think there's a world where they can make noise in the playoffs. Losing 3-4 this weekend to the Mets,

while it certainly dampens my belief that that can happen, it doesn't extinguish it. You know what I'm saying? And not for me either. Like, if they don't make the playoffs at this point, I would be shocked, frankly. Like, you know, I think they've proven enough over the time that Thompson's been the manager that they're fine,

and they're going to figure out ways to win games. And, yes, their schedule is easy. Man, I did kind of – We're on to figure out ways to win games. And, yes, their schedule is easy. Man, I did kind of – We're on to Cincinnati, Jack. That's what I'm trying to say. Like a famous coach once said, we're on to Cincinnati, Jack. No, I know. I do forget about the –

Except in Philadelphia. I do forget about the Cubs series a lot. I do. That was really another dark period. Yeah. And, yeah, listen, I think this team is going to make the playoffs. Believe me, I don't want people to misconstrue my frustration with this weekend with me thinking that this season is over because I don't.

I think they're a good baseball team. It's just, again, I kind of wanted to see how good. I get it. I get it. And I thought this was a good measuring stick series For are they going to make the playoffs Are they going to make the playoffs And us believing in

You know them Or are they going to make the playoffs like the Eagles did last year And you know like the Eagles made the playoffs last year And it was like cool I mean you're the 7th seed And like you played a bunch of crap teams to get there I think they're already better than that, though. Like, they've had a good year.

And, again, like, it's just the Mets. Like, they've beaten other good teams. Like, I don't know. I get your point, but I think you're putting too much stock into one series against a team that has their number this year. Well, I mean, you've got to remember. The Mets have their number. You know, it just is what it is.

Like, the Mets are just like they're to your point. The Mets are their daddy this year. That doesn't mean the Phillies can't still have a really nice year. You know, I listen, I agree. But at the same time, I went into this series saying this is one of the most important. I get it. You, you, you shocking. You put too much pressure on a weekend of Phillies baseball.

That is very unlike you. All right. I want to get to the take bag in a second. And then I had a couple of things at the end, but quickly, cause I mentioned it before and I did want to touch on it. Just your, you know,

overall thoughts. We haven't talked since the March injury and then the, you know, Sir Anthony tricep injury, you know, which luckily it looks like he will be back from, and then obviously can able, we get the news that he's cooked for the season.

It's a shame, obviously, you know, not a surprise can able historically that it feels like there's always a point where he's done for an extended period of time. It's just a bummer that it happened now. Your thoughts on those injuries and how they manage it. Oh, well, I've already cursed the baseball gods.

Like, I just like, it's like, why, why do you have to do this? You know, like the second that we have a lot of good feelings about the team, about where we're at and oh my God, it's like the reliever I've trusted the most since like 08 lidge it's you know it's just like every time once again any time you start believing in this team and believing in things it's like oh here's a nice reminder oh you lost your center fielder that was like starting to show some signs of life at the plate oh you're going through a lot guess what uh you're gonna lose sir anthony for a period. Oh, a reliever that you brought in that was starting to turn the corner a little bit and was settling into a role.

Bang, done for the year. Now, the Knievel thing isn't a disaster because Coonrod can take his spot and it's not going to be a big deal. The Sir Anthony thing is a totally different story. It seems like it's more precautionary than anything. But you're putting a lot of pressure on Robertson, on Brogdon, on Hand, on Alvarado, on Kunrod, on Bilotti. And those guys have done it this year. It was mildly concerning seeing Brogdon's fastball be 94 today.

You know, he's been kind of up in the 97 range for a little bit now, and that was, yeah, it's just something to monitor as we go forward. And, like, dude, he's been so good. And, like, dude, Mark Konya really, I mean, seriously, like why does it have to be Mark Konya? Like he's fine, whatever. Like having Alonzo hit moonshots off us is, like, that's kind of expected. You know, I actually, how much blame do you put on me having Alonzo hit moonshots off us is, is like, that's kind of expected. You know, I actually,

how much blame do you put on me for Alonzo just being a Phillies killer now? Because like, I, I hate Pete Alonzo. Like it's just, yeah, we know what we've talked about. I mean, I think obviously as with most of these things, a majority of it should be heaped your way. I really feel that way. Like if I don't go so hard on how much pete alonso is a dork and you know like that if he didn't hit baseballs like he'd be a total loser um i feel like he wouldn't be crushing the phillies but since i just went so aggressive at pete this is how i get

rewarded which is just another example of like never get confident like just if you ever want to come to me for life advice which i'm sure that you probably need to do, James, and I'm sure that many of our listeners do like they look at me and they're like, you know what? I do want to get some life advice from him. My big piece of life advice is don't ever be confident in anything because it's all going to come crumbling down. Wow. Yeah, I would. If I were giving life advice, I would, I would say the exact opposite, essentially. You know, confidence, comfort in your own skin, probably the key to life.

But I will say, if I were to ask you life advice, my question would be, how long till I can go to bed jack um that's my question we're at that point in the pod and that point in the it's only 32 minutes all right all right you got at least another half hour i wish i wish we could sometimes maybe do a short pod but it never happens but um it's okay how are we supposed to do how how i want you to explain to me how in the world that we are supposed to do a short pod when this weekend happened. Obviously, we're not. It didn't happen.

It's over. You got the take bag, which is like a 45-minute odyssey for you. All right. Take bag coming up in a second. Shout out to Miller Lite, the one constant that always comes through for the Phillies. And the one thing that makes you feel better after these brutal losses. Oh, my God, totally. I was on SNY with the Miller Light in hand.

It's always the first game. Shout out to SNY for putting me on the air with the Miller Light, just pumping out that awesome Miller Light information. We love it. And shout out to the Miller Light Restaurant of the Week this week, Bailey's Bar and Grill in Levittown. 16 beers on tap, including, of course, Miller Lite. $3 drafts for all Phillies games.

Beer store with a selection of over 240 beers for takeout. Bailey'sBarAndGrill.com. Is that Bailey Falters? Is that Bailey Falters? It could be. I think you've got to go find out. Or you can go to Bailey'sBarAndGr Grill PA.com to find out, Jack, where to place online orders.

How about that? And also we have a, or for takeout orders, we also have a $50 gift card courtesy of Bailey's that you can win if you go to 94wip.com and click on the contest page. That's good stuff. And, of course, as we mentioned before, coming up on Friday, this upcoming friday the 26 phillies pirates the next ring the bell night at miller light liberty landing high hopes

night at citizens bank park um 26 against the pirates jack and i are going to be there from 5 35 on in the landing 705 first pitch um listen to wip this week we will be giving tickets away again on wip so check that out. And obviously you can buy tickets online or whatever, but check it out. You should be able to win tickets on WIP if you pay attention. And I know we'll be giving them away on our show at least

for the first few days this week for sure. So Friday night, I hope so. Like I mentioned before, Emily and Zoe are locked in. They are coming at least for the first few innings. They'll be there at 530 with me. So there you go. How about that, Jack?

Zoe Seltzer's first High Hopes appearance. Well, it'll be just me. So sorry to disappoint all of our listeners, but just going to be me. So I'm coming solo, and I'll be there. Oh, well, that's all right. People have met Joe before. People have not met Zoe before. So that's okay.

Yes. No, it'll be great. So obviously our nights are very fun. They've been hot this year at High Ops Nights, I believe. Oh, yeah. Undefeated. Undefeated. Knock on wood.

And, of course, smart marketing by Miller Lite and everyone involved, you know, picking some cupcakes to make sure that we have some, uh, I'll take it. Yeah, of course. Yeah. And, uh, yeah, of course, if you listen to us, if you talk to us, if you talk to other people that go to High Hopes Nights, they're always a, a really, really good time. So, um, thoroughly, uh, looking forward to it. And as always, can't wait to see our people.

Yeah, it's going to be awesome. All right. Take back, buddy. Go ahead. Take back. All right. I want to start off on a positive note. And I know this is going to sound.

I didn't know you had that in you tonight. Dude, you know, you know, I didn't know you had that in you tonight dude you know you know I'm positive most of the time it's just this weekend took a lot out of me like frankly this weekend it really did like I could tell I could tell I could tell we're on to Cincinnati Jack just keep saying no I know I just and I feel like I need to tell you and tell all of our listeners, like I can't explain to the people how much like I, I love this baseball team. Like it's, it's,

you don't need to, everyone listens. We know it's like you bear your soul every week with it. I think we all know, honestly, we all know, honestly, even for the disease fans,

your love is, is unhealthy. So yes, we get it. it so like it's like this weekend where it's it's the classic you know i'm not mad i'm disappointed and like that's that's and i just i love them so much and for them to do that was personally insulting to me um and i just i just i i don't know if it's gonna take like i don't really need to watch tomorrow night like they'll probably beat the reds and i don't really care you not here's what i'll say you not having started the take bag yet is personally offensive to me so good i'm just trying to drag this out As long as possible

So my first take in the take bag Is tell me Now again This might be getting ahead of myself When does that stop you ever But tell me you didn't feel like You're watching a little bit of Cliff Lee Last night watching Bailey Falter

Oh my god I'm sitting this one out yeah i'm sitting this one out well dude when he got dude all i'm saying is that when he got in that rhythm from like the third through sixth inning i was like dang it's cliff lee back for the phil so um we're back in on bailey falter yeah you definitely need to do one of those polls, which member of the podcast compared Bailey Falter to Cliff Lee tonight. Just go back and rewatch and tell me you didn't feel like you're watching Prime 2009. I don't have to rewatch.

Because you lived it? I'm just telling you. A little bit of Cliff Lee. We're backing on Bailey Falter. Was this just like a last minute addition to the take back just to mess with me to make this go longer? Is this just a bit or a gag or something? Well, there's no bit here. I legitimately believe in Billy Valter and I always will be.

James, not only was this weekend personally insulting to me and everyone involved, but on top of it, the fact that they let the leader of the seven line throw out a first pitch because he bought whatever, like 1,500 tickets, is just so embarrassing. Wait, what is this? Wait, what? did you not did you not see this no tell me about they let the leader of who the seven line is like the high hopes community of the mets oh no are you kidding me yeah what are you i almost cursed did you hear that yes people are rewinding you can hear me me say the beginning of a letter. Dude, that's an embarrassment. Why? Why?

All right. Well, deep breaths. I know. This is why take back exists. So the leader of the seven line, they come down, they buy 1,500 tickets to the first game yesterday. And the Phillies let him throw out the first pitch because he bought that many tickets. And he goes out there in a men's jersey and throws up the first pitch. You want to talk about the vibes just being completely off from day one.

Wow, man. Like, that is astounding. Yeah. What are we doing here? It was. It was. And listen, I love T-Mac. I love Croc.

Whatever. But the fact on Friday night I have to be subjected to the fanatic eating in the booth when the season is melting down in front of my eyes was insulting. Having to deal with— Oh, I can't. I won't get on him about that. It's a broadcast. No, no, no.

But the Mets fan first. This is a real—this is supposed to be a real baseball team. Mets fan first pitch. This is supposed to be a real baseball team. I don't need the mascot being in the freaking broadcast booth as Nola. Jack Fritz hates the fanatic. That's the new take tonight. Wow.

The fanatic is fine. We should stop this conversation before you get in trouble because this is a horrible road to go down. Just don't even begin to start. What else you got to take back? I know it's always close personal friend. Yes, don't do it, man. This is not about the fanatic. It's about that I'm supposed

to be treating this team like a serious baseball team. And on Friday night, I got to deal with as Nola's not having a good inning. You really have a lot of piccadillos with this team. You really find like the littlest, you know, kind of things and make them into something that is really not what they

are. They let a Mets fan throw out. Well, that I agree. See, you had me and then you lost me and you, you always go too far. If you had just stopped after that,

I've been like, Jack, one of the best points you've ever made on this podcast. I couldn't agree more. It's an embarrassment. I can't believe they did it. But then you take it to the next step and say, no fanatic in the booth.

What are you doing? I just want my team to act like adults. I really do. Enough with the Little League stuff. I don't need it. I don't need it. Again, let's grow up a little bit, the little league stuff i don't i don't i don't i don't need it i don't need it it's it's again again let's let's grow up a little bit and let's act like we've been in a freaking

planet pennant race before seriously can we just act like we've been there before but no we got to deal with eating in the booth and everything whatever um and let you let a mets fan throw out a first yeah that's that's just essentially not just a mets fan throw out a first pitch. Yeah, that's just – not just a Mets fan, but like a Mets fan with a platform. Like that's just crazy. Like I think – hold on. If we got – Yeah, can we do that?

Like I'm down. Like I would love to – that's like a lifelong dream to throw out a first pitch. Like literally I've never wanted anything more in my life. How about you do it for the people that actually adore your team? That'd be cool. We have a high hopes night a couple times a year. Can we throw out a first pitch?

We will sell at least 5% of that many tickets. So, you know. Right. Right. And, I mean, as a guy that's thrown out a first pitch one time. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I mean, listen, I threw a pitch.

Threw a first pitch. It was 79 miles an hour with Derek low-level sync to it. And it was a really good pitch up at Redding in that magical night. It was a really good pitch. It was a great pitch. I'm very proud of you, buddy. What do you got next here?

I don't know. I'm going to see how long I can go. I know. I know. I'm really, it's really nice here, man. Um,

here's something for you. What do you think about Eflin to the pen? If this thing doesn't give if the pen issues are there they have the starting rotation they seem like they have their five in order Eflin to the pen would you you bring it back for what like be like a long

reliever take the Nick Nelson role and see if he can work his way into high leverage roles and possibly be another leading weapon for this team? Why the hell not, Jack? That's where I'm at with that, buddy. Why the hell not? I know.

It's shocking, man. I completely forget Zach Eflin's still here. Totally forgot. He's just so out of sight, out of mind, as they say. The Sir Anthony injury is just crushing. And it seems like it's precautionary, but he has just been so good for so long this year. And losing Knievel is one thing.

I just, losing Sir Anthony for a long period of time, and he's going to next to next like 15 days regardless, but losing him for anything more than that or or the the worst case scenario uh would just be absolutely crushing so um you know i'm just really need sir anthony to come back and be okay um here's a question for you what is the smarter way and i was thinking about this today did it help that he hit a home run late in the game? Sure. But honestly, I felt this way before. Like, I really like Gene Segura. Like, I like the way, I like his attitude.

I like his hitting style. I like his defense. I like everything. Is the smartest move for next year to re-s resign him for like, I don't know, 25 million for two years, uh,

and have stopped at the shortstop and then spread the possible trade Turner money around on other pieces of the roster. Or is it let's score a walk and you have started second and you signed trade Turner. Yeah, it's a great question. I think it really is all dependent upon what other pieces you're getting and how much you're spending on everything and all that and how much Gene might cost.

He might even be cheaper, you know, depending on how the market plays out. You never know. But, you know, it's hard to not say I want Trey Turner, right? But, look, we've also done this in the past where we want the big ticket guys, and then it's like, oh, you should have spread the money around. You should have gotten two starters instead of the big money guy and all that. So I don't know.

I got to let that stew a little bit. I'm not there yet, Jack. I'm on Cincinnati right now. How many times do we need to talk about this, buddy? I'm on to Cincinnati. By the way, wild thing with Gene, I totally forgot, and they mentioned it during the broadcast tonight, uh, when he hit that Homer, I always forget that, um, you know, cause I always get wrapped up in the, uh, Phillies being the longest national league team and second

longest team in baseball without making the playoffs. And then, you know, obviously the Mariners, the longest in baseball. And of course the, you know, two of the teams that Gene spent the most time in, uh, Philly and Seattle. And, and I the teams that Gene spent the most time in, Philly and Seattle. And I always forget that he's the active player with the most games played in the playoffs. So it's like, you know, I always forget personally for him too. It's just like us, man. He's right there with us right now.

I think JT's like third too. Wow. Great, great. But, yeah, no, I's like third too. Wow. It's a pretty good run. But yeah, no, I just, I really like Segura. And I'm not like totally prepared to move on from this offseason. So whatever. Listen, Rob Thompson has made a couple of disappointing decisions recently. Whatever.

I don't know who is helping make this line up. recently whatever i don't know who is is helping make this lineup but for the love of of all that is you know holy can we stop playing matt veerling against righties like he can't hit him like he can't hit righties just put maytown and left let him face righties and i promise you you have a better chance to win and i know it's coming from a guy that wanted to see matt veerling play every day whatever at the trade deadline but holy cow has he just been brutal for a little bit uh a good stretch now i mean bradley zimmer is really bad but he's obviously going to be in center field he He's a left-handed bat. He can play good defense, whatever. Can we just stop with Matt Veerling in left against righties in the mound and just put Maiton there? I find it very hard to believe that the defense will take a huge step back given how athletic he is and given that we've watched Schwarber and Reese Hoskins a couple years ago and left,

just let Mates on play left against righties and let Vierling get a couple days off and when a lefty is in there, let him play. But oh my gosh, I can't handle it anymore, James. Cosign. Good. They lost to a guy today by the last name of Butto. That's just infuriating. And my final thing in the take back is, well, two things. I know Rob Thompson shut it down today. But you can't convince me that there's not a chance that Griff McGarry comes up and is a September piece in this bullpen to give them legitimate strikeout stuff.

Now, I think that they were a bit deterred because he walked five guys in his last outing. And that's fine. I mean, his command is not there. It's not where it needs to be to be like a legitimate high-level major league starter. But if there's one guy in this system right now that I think can come up and get strikeouts at the big league level, it's Griff McGarry. So if Sir Anthony is legitimately done for the year, which I don't think he is and I don't think he's going to be okay,

but if the worst-case scenario happens, I would just call up Griff and see how it goes. Yeah, I agree. And look, let's hope they don't have to deal with that. But look, nice stretch of baseball coming up. You know, four against the Reds, three against Pittsburgh, three against Arizona.

So good stuff coming up. Hopefully those take advantage. And I know you're down now, but hopefully next time we talk, they'll be much better shaped. Oh, listen, it's a good week to beat up on some bad baseball. That's what I'm talking about, pal. That's what we do. A win is a win, Jack.

That's what they say. Two quick things. Right before we started recording, announced that the Phillies will be playing in the Little League World Series Williamsport game next year against the Nats. Super cool. Love that. Obviously, we've talked about that in the past, but big the Nats. Super cool. Love that. Obviously we've talked about that in the past, but big fan of that.

So that'll be fun. And second thing is Destiny Gardo pointed out JT, we were speaking to Gene Seguro before, JT Romito hit his 200th career double today. No round of applause by the fans as pointed out by Destiny. So still

maybe just pound for pound, moment for moment, the single weirdest thing that's happened in the last five years in Philadelphia. Just so insane. All right. That's all I got. You got anything else, pal? I would be remiss if I didn't end this

podcast that has filled me with so much misery and sadness and that has just really this week and crush my soul if i didn't end that type of podcast in talking about mick abel and andrew painter i mean i know you're dying to go to bed i can just feel it in your in your soul 51 minutes into this podcast but when i tell you that andrew painter is legitimately a top 10 prospect in baseball right now and very possibly the best pitching prospect in baseball his first double a start as the youngest player in the league he goes six innings with eight strikeouts and doesn't

allow a run and in watching it today his fastball is freaking absurd so uh andrew painter is legitimately giving me like a lot of hope about the future nick abel i think is going to be disgusting i think he has a long i think he has to uh work on his command a little bit and watching his start last night but andrew painter is so the real deal it's not even funny so um i can't wait i can't wait so you know ending this podcast on a positive note is that we have two future aces to add to wheeler nolan next year that i can't wait for and griffin mcarry in the bullpen in September has me very, very giddy. I love it. See, you always find a way to bring it back around, Fritzy. It's good.

All right, we'll be back at some point this week after the Red Series. Pirates coming up. We'll be back. And, again, Friday night, high hopes, bring the bell night, 26. We'll be down there again listening to WIP for the opportunity to win tickets this week, and, again, or buy tickets coming to the game. We'll be down there and shout to WIP for the opportunity to win tickets this week. And again, or buy tickets, come to the game. We'll be down there and shout out to Miller Lite for that. So until then, he's for himself. We'll talk you next time.