High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - One Week Until Pitchers And Catchers, Who's Your Favorite Tucker?

Episode Date: February 7, 2024

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to Dave Dombrowski's comments about the Phillies offseason and preview next week's start of Spring Training. 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. 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.

So it is! Odyssey and Sports Radio 94. WIP. Yo! It is another edition of the I Am Spice Guys. I got tired of just doing the, like, the, yo. I had to give, like, something there. We're a week away. Well, here's the real thing. We're a week away, which is exciting. And I just got tired of the, you know, well, this is boring. So I just booked Dave Dombrowski for the morning show for us.

So we had something to talk about. You're welcome, everybody. No, yeah. No big deal. Could not care less. I'm here for I Oaps. This is not a shot at Joe DiCamera or John Ritchie or yourself. I don't care what you guys have to say about the Dave Dombrowski interview.

I care about what I have to say. I think everyone does. That's why I did it. I did it so that we could hear what you had to say. Exactly. No one else really cares, so you're welcome. Correct. It was fine.

It was good. He's amazing. I would like to say that in the history of this pod, we've had some really great takes. We've nailed some stuff. I mean, we've done some things. Got Bryce Harper here, saved Trey Turner's career, all that type of stuff.

But I think the single most on point we've ever been was when we absolutely adored the dave dombrowski hire when we were like what a hire nailed this gonna turn the franchise around and we like i mean it's almost we can just nailed it exactly so best take in the history of the podcast good job by us man he's a really he's a really good talker he's a great talker obvious uh knows how to say something without not saying anything yeah but also giving you enough like it's not one of those things where you're like you didn't say anything it's like he gives you something but it's it's it's it's smooth man yeah he's smooth very good he's very good yes um

and yeah like uh i the rojas thing is one of the biggest takeaways from it. Dude, he went out of his way to mention Rojas. And then Joe wisely followed up on it. But in that first answer, he just kept saying, and Rojas, and Rojas. Yeah. Which you were all over. You know, I asked you like a month plus ago, you know, do you buy that Rojas is the guy they want to be the center fielder?

And you were in on it. Yeah. And it's obviously going to be a big uh you know it is a gamble you know and the rojas thing is interesting because again the the 302 was probably the the fakest three in my entire life yes um we saw what happened in the postseason i think it's i think you go almost too far worrying about what he did in the postseason he was in double A to start the year. And he's tasked with, again, he's just batting ninth.

It killed him in game seven. Well, it's because of big spots. Big spots. It really didn't backfire until game seven. And by the way, you talked about the Trey Turner play last pod where you're like the biggest forgotten defensive play ever. That Rojas play against the braves was wasn't them they might not win the series without that play you know we conveniently forget about yeah listen um i'm i'm starting to look back on the 2023 highlights and

and i i let out a smile me too i let out i'm like the the pain will always be there i'll always remember it of course but i'm but i'm i'm i'm not over it's the wrong phrase but i've moved on you know i mean i moved on to 2024 and i'm very excited me too that's where i'm at so but but rojas it's it's the biggest it reminds me so much and if it's funny it's the same position but a couple years ago when they went to the year and it was like all right it's gonna be hazely monia and like it just did and they remember that remember the uh the panic simone muziati simone muziati was roman quinn in there for a minute or two um i do simon muziati got some plays out there yeah some starts out there i think he made his

debut against the mets because that was when that when Haseley just left in the middle of the series. Yeah, that was tough. So it reminds me a lot of that gamble that they're making with Rojas. It feels eerily similar to that. Now the good part is that the rest is pretty much set. Also, there is a big, big difference there in that he is light years a better fielder

than any of those guys you talked about. He is a truly elite center fielder which provides of those guys you talked about. Like he is in a truly, he is a truly elite center fielder, which provides on its own, like regardless of the bat is valuable in a different way than those other guys. Yeah. I think, I think they are,

they are clearly higher on Johan Rojas than I think that the general public isn't. That's usually how teams are with their guys. And then I think the, the things you see of him bulking up down in uh clear water is exciting uh the face time and it's hitting coaches i know working and that stuff's great it's it's important and it matters it's just i don't know how much you can do to help pitch recognition like i think almost being able to see pitches out of hand is just it's you're you're either

born with it or you're not. Bryson Stott can see a pitch out of the hand. Harper can see a pitch out of the hand. Well, obviously Harper. I was trying to use someone who's a little closer to Rojas. Castellanos, not so much. Not often, yes. But makes up for it with power and doubles and all that.

I don't know what Johan, you just want him to hit singles? The Rojas bet is a big one, but at the same time, signing Bellinger would be awesome. You have Bellinger in center, Marsh in left. A lot of lefties in that lineup.

I was just about to say, it's another lefty, man. It's a lot of lefties. And for what it's worth, Bellinger was great last year, like really great, but... He was DFA of the year. Literally DFA'd. Now hold really great. But literally DFA.

Now, hold on. Schwarber was DFA. I know. It's just my point being that, you know, the big issue, what everyone felt, we all agreed at the end of the season was a lack of contact when you need it. If you're going to pick the biggest thing that fell apart with the Phillies offense at the end of the season or then the playoffs, like, you know, Bellinger is risky in that sense, in that the loopy swing. And look, I know he batted 307 last year. So, you know, and he is risky in that sense in that the loopy swing and look i know he batted 307 last year so you know and he wasn't as loopy he's won an mvp but i'm just saying that i'm

saying there's a there's a low a low floor when it comes to going out sure yeah i just it would be fun it'd be fun i don't think they're gonna go to bellinger i think that was um i mean that was boris yeah i'm more trying to you know spook other teams. Use a little leverage there. A little bit. And look, it's smart not just because they're the Phillies and they spend money, but because we just saw them do this. I mean, the Castellanos deal was two years ago where everyone's like, all right, they've spent their money, whatever,

and a great deal, in their opinion, fell in their lap and they took it. So it's smart. And I guess with the Rojas thing is I don't think it's the worst idea in the world. Now, of course, you could get a voucher. But I don't think it's the worst idea in the world that you give him the first half of the year, see how he looks, see if the offseason he made improvements hitting-wise and he's starting to make a little bit more impact on the baseball. And if it becomes such an apparent need, then the the deadline like you know what your thing is

you know what i mean so i think they're heading into the season basically saying we have a pretty set roster you know if you want to do the the numbers analytics whatever they have a top five rotation a top five bullpen and a top five lineup they don't know what the issue is right now so sure what i like them to correct all the issues and or whatever the issues they think they have in the offseason. But it's also not the craziest thing in the world to go into a year where you don't have an obvious hole. And then at the deadline, that's when you go and try to fill that.

Yeah, and I think that's what they're doing organizationally. Look, I think that, and Dave alluded to it, he was asked about Montgomery and Snell, I believe Richie asked the question. And he's like, we're not looking to do anything, but hey, if a great deal falls in your lap, it falls in your lap, essentially. So I do believe that, particularly with the pitchers, I think more likely than Bellinger,

that if perchance those guys are sitting out there and there's a one-year deal, a two-year deal to be had, which I think more likely with Snell than Montgomery, but they're both still out there. I do think the Phillies would jump on something like that, but I wouldn't expect it. I'm not counting on it. No, but the nice part about Montgomery is no qualifying offer.

Oh, right. Oh, man. I'm going to talk about my dream. Sign someone that doesn't have a qualifying offer so I don't have to lose a freaking second-round pick for the millionth year in a row. That's all I care about. I know.

Keep the picks. That's all you care about. It's your whole thing. Thank you. Thank you. That's why this all season has been a massive i have not signed anyone with your traffic that's all i care about dombrowski um listen i i appreciate the answer about tywin walker in the in the interview no i'm not it doesn't pass my smell bad yeah it was a lot like It was a lot like the Ben Brown and Logan Hoppy

are untouchable. Like, there's no way. Like, if there's one thing to upgrade, that would be like, oh, man, that takes you to another level. It's finding a way to upgrade that spot. And look, they could use another arm in the bullpen. Good.

You know, I think if you were looking up, I'm not saying that they need it, but they could use another arm in the bullpen. Good. I think if you were looking up, I'm not saying they need it, but they could use it. Michael Rucker? I mean, just quickly, I gotta do it. We'll get back to Dave. How do you not sign Hector Neris for one year, $9 million?

It doesn't make any sense. That is the most surprising contract that has happened this offseason to me. Why did he only get one year, $9 million? Why didn't the Phillies give it to him? I'm perplexed by the actor, the actor Naras. It makes zero sense to me. The underlying stats are bad. That's why.

Whatever. He's a good pitcher. I watch him. Oh, you're out on Naras now? You wanted him in your perfect offseason. We're both there. You're out now just because you got a bad deal? You're like, ah, I price things.

Strong disappointment. They're not Neres away from the woods. I feel pretty good that that one-year $9 million was a good move by the Cubs. Well, contrary to popular belief, it's not like they've nailed the one-year $9 million. True, true. But that's why you signed Hector. Do what you don't want to do and sign the guy I want you to. We told them we'd help them with that. He did

allude to they were in on Robert Stevenson. Very clearly. So Jordan Hicks, but just an example of how honest he is. He's like, yeah, we were in on this pitcher, but he got a job to be a starter. It's like, so everyone knows you're in on Jordan Hicks. That's just clear. And then the sign on the West Coast. It's just like, so it's Robert

Stevenson. Okay, cool. Thank you. And the other thing of you're going to be shocked at how much we offered. yeah dude yeah he was like we we we offer yeah moto yes and i believe it was he's right um but yeah it's just there's there's gonna be a i think they're gonna sign a bullpen guy by the by the end of the aussie the mayton thing, that pissed me off more than Hector. Six and a half million for a guy who is a soft contact king. That hurts a little bit. It does feel like they really are not signing guys. I feel like that all just hit you in one sentence. I saw your face strain.

You're like, they really might not sign anyone. Which again, and I am okay. You made this case, and I agree with you. I think the roster's set, and I do think they have a good roster, and I don't think you need to go out. But it's disappointing. But it's disappointing. Of course it's disappointing.

It just feels like I wanted more. What did this podcast accomplish this offseason? Nothing. We did nothing. We talked to Preston, and that was amazing. That was a great time. You know, like, we essentially just sat on our hands. Like, this podcast also sat on our hands.

We had nothing to react to. We had four straight episodes called, well, this is boring. We got Nolan. That's not a shot at Nolan. No, it's not. But it was also the very first signing of the offseason. So it's like signing, and then it's like nothing. Yeah.

Like months. But like we always say, we could just not record. You know, which we've done a couple of times. That's true. But, but, but. We're a week away. Yeah. Yeah, that's right.

That's good. Let bygones be bygones. It's all good. Yeah, we're back. I do think, to your point, though, i do think they are going in with this you know we are going to make moves at the deadline the last couple deadlines have been light comparatively i mean you know they made some moves around the edges things that helped and obviously brandon marsh was probably the biggest of those in terms of a piece of your team but i

think they're going into this deadline going for it assuming the first half of the season works i don't love that i don't love banking I mean, what if it's a situation where there are a lot of teams in it, there's less people on the market. You never know how the trade deadline's going to play out. So I don't love that as a philosophy, but it does feel like that's kind of what their mindset is. Yeah, and-

And Dave talked, Dave mentioned it. Yeah, no, and it's a fair way to go about it when you don't have something that's obvious. And once they sign Nola, I think Yamamoto they viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime luxury. 25-year-old, yep. We'll pay that. You know what I mean?

We'll pay that. But the only thing giving me hesitancy about that plan is I've felt for the last freaking two years, where's the Dave Dombrowski trade? Yeah. Where's the patented, push your chips in, like, and maybe that's why.

It is wild. He has done the exact opposite. He's protecting prospects. He's like building a franchise. Just like we always thought he was going to do. He's wild. Like, it really is. It's the best bit.

There's a lot of bits going. It's a good bit. Dombrowski turning into I'm not trading anyone guy. Yeah, it's a bit. It's a new one. Yeah. It's a good bit. Dabrowski turning into I'm not trading anyone guy. It's a bit. It's a new one. It's a new one. So, yeah, it's something that I just keep waiting for that.

And maybe that's why I feel like there's been a lot of, and I like Mick Abel, but it feels like there's been a more pushing of, eh, he made progress towards the end of the year. Like really trying to get him out there is like not, his prospect ranking hasn't fallen that far.

I think he's still in the 60s. He's still in the 60s at most places, at least where you look. Speaking of that, like, this isn't to rip

the people that cover prospects, but just go watch Aiden Miller. Yeah, I saw him. He was second on one list I saw. Second?

I think he's been in like the 80s. No, I'm talking in the Phillies list. I've seen him in the second. But in top 100 lists, he's mostly been in. Has he been on top 100? I mean, that's good to begin with. He's made a couple of them. I mean, that's impressive.

Our good friend Keith Law did put him in there, which I appreciate. Oh, yeah. Good job, Keith. Friend of the pod. Friend of the pod. Yeah. Loved coming on. Really had a great time. He has, Keith. Friend of the pod. Friend of the pod. Yeah. Loved coming on. Really had a great time.

He has said it. It's his favorite interview he's ever done. I've heard him say that. So, yeah, that's a quick tangent. Very complimentary of him after as well. No disagreements with what he said. So positive. So positive.

Yes. Such a warm. Ray of shining light. Yeah. Hey, you idiot. Hey, they're not. They're not doing that moron pay attention to whatever and then they do so so uh by the way i mean not a bad i always like for nick vitzko yeah

i always like when nick vitzko how about that i always like when we reference things that happen a long time ago on the pod and wonder what percentage of listeners actually know what the hell we're talking about. I would say I would actually put it at about 15-20%. I think it's probably a little higher but not much. 25-30. We're doing it just for us. Those people.

You gotta learn the bits. I did. 25-30. 35-40. Touch. Not as bad as what the camera did. 35, 25, 30, 35, 40. Um, that's, that's bad. Moving on. Um,

not as bad as what the camera did. Uh, Oh, the God, it's the worst thing I've ever in my life. Yeah. It, it,

it, it just honestly, it was, it, it was, we should have shut his microphone off in the morning. Yeah, it was tough,

tough to listen to. By the way, uh, speaking of the morning show. Yes. I didn't want to bring this up. Oh, good.

Yeah. Yeah. But Dave Dombrowski that we had him on. Yeah, sure. I don't care about that. No know um i uh i'm doing a bit on the on the afternoon show oh you bit you're doing bits uh you sure about that called called morning show side topic oh good it's great yeah because we're giving away uh prize uh doing different a different morning show oh so it's a way to to steal our bit and do the bit and kind of make fun of us.

But in reality, we're helping you out. Yeah, it's great. Yesterday I did. Hey, hey, hey, what's relaxing? That's a good one. Thank you. Yeah, listening to baseball on the radio. Listening to High Hopes.

Watching golf. Would you say that High Hopes is a relaxing listen? I think it's probably a pretty chill listen. Yeah. I don't know. Relaxing. Honestly, I don't think me and relaxing can be involved in any sort of way. You could be a relaxing listen sometimes.

Yeah. Am I trading away everyone? Yes. When you're not talking about A.J. Brown, you're a pretty relaxing listen. Otherwise, you're the enemy. Believe it or not, people didn't agree with that one.J. Brown, you're pretty relaxing. Listen, otherwise you're the enemy. Believe it or not, believe it or not, people didn't agree with that one. No, I thought it was pretty funny when the Midday Show

yesterday just did a trade for Patrick Sartain show and it was like, oh, it's fine. You're like, wait a minute. What the hell just happened here? Yeah. All pro for all pro. It's been a few weeks for you. You had a moment. No, it's awful. It's awful.

Not having any fun. I could really use Philly season starting. Yeah. Well, that's the thing that I'm most mad at the Phillies for, is that they haven't given me anything to react to. Yeah, it's true. So it's like I can't. Do you want me to nerd out to Michael Rucker?

No, I don't need to do that. Not Michael Rucker. Michael Rucker. Yeah, not Darius Rucker. Michael Rucker. There you go. Hootie. Shout out to Hootie. Do you know Not Michael Rooker. Michael Rooker. Yeah, not Darius Rooker. Michael Rooker. There you go. Hootie. Shout out to Hootie.

Do you know who Michael Rooker is? No, I do. You would recognize Michael Rooker. I know Brent Rooker. Can I just say, I freaking love Brent Rooker. Do you follow him on Twitter at all? No. He's a great follow.

Like, really, really entertaining stuff. Talks a lot about, like, pitching and people he faced and, like, cities he's been in and stuff. Big Brent Rooker guy over here. Nice. Yeah. And now the A's. Now the A's might not be going to Vegas. Talks a lot about pitching and people he faced and cities he's been in and stuff. Big Brent Rooker guy over here. And now the A's. Now the A's might not be going to Vegas. Now Las Vegas might be saying, now we're good.

How about that? How about that? Yeah, we're all right. That was unbelievable. Yeah. What was I looking at? Oh, Michael Rooker. A picture of Michael Rooker for you.

Is he an actor? Yeah, you will recognize him. He's in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Did you see those? Oh. He plays the pseudo father for Chris Pratt. This might surprise you. This guy.

Oh, okay. Yeah, in a ton of stuff. This might surprise you. All rats back in the day. I don't watch the, I don't do the Marvel. I know you didn't. I know you didn't. It was just the most popular thing he's been in recently, but he's been in a ton of stuff, Michael Rooker.

I know Michael Rooker. Okay. All right, good talk. No, Michael Rooker. It's a good podger it's a good pod it's a good pod do you know who michael roger is um yeah so uh deadline no but um yeah they're clearly waiting for the deadline the ross thing feels like a big gamble do you think people will start calling him michael oh i bet you did yeah i bet you did yeah yeah i'm shocked i'm really shocked that high Oh. Tucker got that a lot growing up. I'll bet you did.

Yeah, I bet you did. Yeah, I'm shocked. I'm really shocked that high school kids couldn't handle your name being Tucker. When things were going bad for him. I like that. Ross Tucker. There you go. We've reached the point of the pod.

What's your top five, Tucker? Chris Tucker? Ross Tucker? Chris Tucker is a good one. Tucker Bagley? Tucker Barnhart. Tucker Barnhart. Tucker Barnhart. That's a good one. That's a good one. That's a good one. That's a good one. That's a good one Tucker Bagley yeah Tucker Barnhart Tucker Barnhart that's a good one baseball

Michael Tucker Mike is that a guy PJ Tucker PJ Tucker I might have made up Michael Tucker there's probably a

Michael Tucker I think there's probably a Michael Tucker I was thinking of Michael Turner the former Turner the Burner yeah

yeah so that's a Donovan chess bet on me that's good I might be all tucked out I might be all for Turner the Burner. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So that's a Donovan Chastpad on me. That's good. Um, it might be all tucked out. It might be all tucked out. Tucked.

There you go. That might be it. That might be it. I think there are others. There's definitely others. There are a couple that I just don't feel like saying. Yeah. Like there's one in particular

and I'm just not even going to say the name. So yeah. Yeah. Not a fan. I'll just say that. Kyle Tucker. Kyle Tucker. Kyle Tucker,

by the way, helped me win a fantasy championship last year. And his scrub brother. Huge fan of Kyle Tucker. He's a brother? Yeah. Who? Preston Tucker? Really?

There's Cole Tucker, too. Well, there's one that was on the parade. Well, Cole Tucker is the one dating someone famous, right? No, he's married to... Married to someone famous, right? Yeah. She was in High School Musical. Yes.

Vanessa Hudgens. Vanessa Hudgens. Vanessa Hudgens. Is that it? Yeah, yeah, yeah. There you go. Cole Tucker. There you go.

Good Tucker discussion. Good Tucker running. Did people turn this podcast off yet? Vanessa Hodges Vanessa Hodges is that yeah yeah there you go there you go good Tucker good Tucker has people turned this podcast off yet I hope so it's going down it's going down that's what I figured

no that's what I figured this is for the 30 percenters the 20 percenters whatever I actually we can save it for later but I do have a top 5 list for you

oh no way yeah I know because it's been a while I'm really excited like actual phillies yes oh we'll get back to rather than talking about so david all right so of all the things in rowski said what's it up to um uh boris definitely asked for an extension and deborah definitely shot him down and they were like no way i mean he was very he's like here's what i'll say happy bryce here for the next eight years go right thanks yeah that's very cool very interesting um so oh um and i didn't realize a rule until i believe uh galbro about it so they're gonna sign wheeler but it's not they're not they can't they can do it it wouldn't be smart to do

it before spring training how come because spring training if you sign them then it doesn't affect this year's luxury tax really that's the uh so they might have a wheeler deal waiting to go exactly but why would you do it right now i didn't know that was it i didn't of course it's a no brainer of course yeah i'll find the exact uh wording or whatever the exact wording that he did but yeah like so that's why it makes sense like because you keep waiting for it um yeah so this is what galbro the phillies are still expected to engage zach wheeler on a potential contract extension this spring by waiting until the spring a potential new contract would not have luxury tax ramifications

in 2024 there are other extension extension, two of whom agreed Thursday on salaries to avoid arbitration. So yeah, if you can wait two weeks. It's like a no-brainer, why wouldn't you? Absolutely no-brainer. And I guess it's, because I guess the reason is it doesn't affect, because he's not making more money this year.

Is that why they put that in there? Because it doesn't affect this year's salary? I would assume so, yeah. If you do it before then, it doesn't affect this year's salary i would assume so yeah if you do it before them then it would affect this year's salary again this is the first i'm hearing because what doesn't what didn't make sense to me was that you can sign players in spring training yeah and it affects this year's luxury tax strange well especially if it's an extension because you would think the new money isn't coming until the future right so strange i don't get it interesting but hey whatever whatever whatever yeah that signs like wheeler now it makes what do you expect year-wise for wheeler four i was thinking for i mean obviously ideally you're hoping for three but that probably won't

happen i think he's probably shooting for five you meet in the middle yeah i don't think. Like 4-1-30, 4-1-40, something like that? I would be not very fun. I agree. 4-1-30, 4-1-40? 4-1-20. Okay. Feel about right? Sure. I mean, 30, I think. He gets a 30, no matter what. Oh, I think he gets, that's my question.

Does he get higher than 30? Yeah, exactly. But yeah, I think 30 is possible. And the good part about Wheeler, and we've talked about this, I think, in years past on this podcast, like, he just has that fastball that, it's weird how some pitchers' arms work, where like,

there's just life on it. Scherzer can pitch at least 39, and now he's breaking down, but still. But Verlander, I mean, we see these guys, yeah.

For power guys, the old agile, these guys can change speeds, they can last, whatever it's, you're right. It's been fascinating seeing some of these power. I The old adage, all these guys can change speeds, they can last, whatever. You're right. It's been fascinating seeing some of these power. I mean, then look, then there's Nolan Ryan back in the day.

Pitcher was 46. Some of these guys just have that type of arm where they can just throw fastballs forever. Yep. And the way that his fast, even last year, I'd be freaking out because he'd be at 95 in the fourth. And it just doesn't really matter. He's got one of the best fastballs in the sport. He's got life on it, yeah. And what was encouraging is that in the postseason,

he was still about 95, 96. He wasn't back. It wasn't like he ramped up in the postseason. And he put together another all-time kind of run. He's been an unbelievable postseason pitcher for the Phillies so far. He's one of the best of my lifetime. As a Philly, the best. It hasn't been 100. Him and Schilling. And Cole for one year.

And Doc. We've had some good ones. And Cliff Lee. Cliff, though, ruined it the next year. Or two years. And Doc. Doc was pretty good. Believe it or not. Wheeler or not, he's all right. But yeah.

Wheeler's going to pitch him more post-seasons, though. That's the thing. Wheeler's got a chance to really put a resume together from post-seasons. For sure. And he stepped up a big moment. So, yeah, he has one of those fastballs where I just don't worry about it anymore. It is so funny that we're sitting here talking about signing him Signed him to it with 34. I believe he is right. 34.

Like there's a guy who, when the Philly signed him, they got him for such a discount because people thought he was just like, he couldn't last like his first, what three, four years of his career were a disaster from an injury perspective. And he's come here and just been the, the,

the bastion of health. It's fascinating. The funniest part about the Wheeler thing. And because today is also the five year anniversary of the JT trade. Oh, is that that shows fun? It was fascinating. The funniest part about the Wheeler thing, because today is also the five-year anniversary of the JT trade. Oh, I remember that show. It was fun. It was fun. Remember they made moves?

That was great. Trades. Trades. Where are the trades? Where are the trades? Poor Sexto, man. Just has not ever put it together. And when he did come up for that moment.

Oh, he was sick. Like it was electric watching that guy. It was amazing. Electric. Yeah. sick like it was electric watching that guy electric yeah um so so it's funny that it feels like clint sack and ed wade both have like the same like trajectory like clint sack got yeah i think wade i think wade more so because wade wade really did draft those guys and whatever but like yes you want me to get technical on you sure mike arbuckle mike arbuckle i agree with you mike arbuckle you're absolutely right mike

arbuckle did but ed wade's tenure was better than matt klintex i think but you're right look klintex kind of put this team together he had no idea klintex had no idea how to build a team but when it came to signings and i mean like the harper contract and the wheeler contract are both like the jt trade the jt trade but really just you're talking contracts like those and i mean like the harper contract and the wheeler contract are both like the jt trade the jt trade but really just you're talking contracts like those are i mean the wheeler contract is the best contract in my life in philly sports i think it's arguably i'm forgetting like you know rookie contracts i'm talking like i think it's the best in my lifetime and i think it's arguably one of the best baseball contracts of my lifetime five for a hundred for what they

got from that guy i mean it's pretty ridiculous it's absurd or 5-1-20 whatever it was it's arguably one of the best baseball contracts of my lifetime. Five for 100 for what they got from that guy. I mean, it's pretty ridiculous. It's absurd. Or 5-1-20, whatever it was. It's like, it's crazy. He's been a $40 million pitcher. And it's like half the price. But yeah, I mean, Klintak, you know, last year, obviously,

Segura was on the team. He traded for Gene Segura. I mean, Harper signed the JT trade. Wheeler. I mean, it was an obvious pick at the time, but Boehm was a draft pick by him. Stott, a draft pick by him. And Stott at 14 looks like a really good pick there. Yeah.

You know what? Are we going back to King Klintak? King Klintak appreciation? No, never. But, yeah, it's just funny looking back. And Gillick is so like Dombrowski, except Dombrowski hasn't gotten it done yet. Yeah, but you're right.

Comes in with a very similar resume coming in and all that. Find the right pieces to put together. Now, Dombrowski isn't found as worth yet. That's true. Where's the worth? Where's the worth? Marsh, sort of. Kind of, but not really. It's not worth. it's not it's not honestly the best funny enough the best move

that dembrowski has made just in terms of value in terms of like what he gave up to get it sign whatever is actually the first movie made yeah i think that the the clevenger for alvarado is the single best you know uh give to get that dembrowski's done since he's been here. Yep. Which is wild because that was the first movie made. It's funny. The biggest thing that Dombrowski's done is just rounded out the edge of the roster.

And the biggest thing he's done, and it's what we talked about at the beginning, what we hoped for and what has been proven true, is creating a winning organization. With Dombrowski, the stuff that, like on the field he's been fine. Off the field, Dombrowski has been a rock star here you know the way he's built this organization up the way they've taught them how to win the way

he's uh built the infrastructure in the our guys you know Brian and and Preston and bringing out all these people in the drafting development focusing on that all that stuff and just bringing a winning culture to well I mean it's been unbelievable with Dombrowski and value in the clubhouse which I think that's one thing that the more analytically driven organizations. That's going from Girardi to Thompson. Yeah. You know? And Klintzak.

That was probably Klintzak's biggest downfall. Yeah. Is it just did not care about it. Yeah. And Girardi. I mean, that was a mistake. Yeah, for sure. So, you know, a little appreciation, I guess, for Matt Klintzak.

But still. Yeah. Wasn't expecting that. Well, it's just funny to Matt Glintock, but still. Yeah. Wasn't expecting that. Well, it's just funny to think about. It is. Five years ago, the JT trade, I'm not extending Wheeler, did good things here. You did. You're right.

And it was funny enough because I was a normal person. I was re-watching the 2019 Phillies video yearbook. Oh, total normal. Normal move. 80-win baseball team. Even McCutcheon was playing well until I tore his ACL.

That's an underrated, forget about crappy moment that submarine to season. No, we don't forget about it because we work at WIP, so impossible to forget about that moment. Correct. One of the all-time moments in the history of the station. It was awesome. Even McCutcheon's signing was forget about that moment. Correct. Led to one of the all-time moments in the history of the station. Yeah, it was awesome. But yeah,

like even the, even the Kutcher signing was the right, I mean, they had a game, they got a leadoff hitter that wasn't, that was good

until he got hurt. Yeah, you're right. Yeah. Fun fact. You, you're the world's biggest No, he's the worst. By the end,

he was the worst. But for a moment there, he did some good things. He did. He did. All right, what else from Dombrowski? I thought it was interesting.

Again, he's so honest. There are so many little nuggets. Like, Schwerber is not playing the outfield at any point. I mean, that was strong. He was like, yeah, Schwerber's knees ain't hanging out there. Like, we can't do this. Just so you know. I think that's why he's gotten off to some slower starts.

I mean, he was talking about how much trouble he was having running. Yeah. Well, I mean, I think he's had injuries the last couple years that never became public you could tell that kind of hurt him from that standpoint and listen if a whole year at DH can we get like a Schwab bomb season

can I get 230 imagine if he had 230 everyone would just calm down 30 seconds didn't answer the leadoff hitter question. Was interesting, though, because he said they were like, Dave, do you have a... He's like, I do.

He's like, I would pick someone. That was fascinating. I do wonder if they try Stott there for at least the beginning again and see how it would go. And why Stott over Turner? Because I think Turner provides value in the two-hole. And I think Stott has a more traditional leadoff hitter kind of mold i mean harper has about third like none of this harper batting for it like i know i'd rather bat first than third and i don't want

betting first but i'm saying like harper has to hit in the first inning in my opinion every day no matter what so i mean look i we've talked about this i think the lefty righty thing is incredibly overrated to your point that you've made many times I do think it matters late in innings to not have too many lefties in a row but I think the I think Rob Thompson goes a little overboard with the right lefty thing but look if he wants to do it which he does you know start Turner Harper makes a lot of sense top line and the only problem with Turner at leadoff is like who bets too well you have to Harper that's the point and I don't want I agree I'm just saying but again or you don't have to go righty lefty but whatever you know whatever uh well who would you put to then if you want righty righty I wouldn't I would I would bet

Schwarber leadoff no I know yeah and I would go I would go Schwarber Turner Harper as my top three yeah what I would do personally but if not I would rather go Stott Turner Harper I wouldn't put Turner one I'm just throwing it out there because you mentioned's what I would do personally. But if not, I would rather go Stott, Turner, Harper. I wouldn't put Turner one. I'm just throwing it out there because you mentioned it. What I mentioned. Again, I think Stott will eventually be a leadoff hitter here. I think he's going to be good at it. I do want to see it.

Listen, I'm a Schwarber leadoff defender forever. I understand the value that he provides. And again, how he wants to do it very clearly correct you know which matters again that was i think that we had jim salisbury on last week great to your jim um but he was talking about you know he's like one of the things that rob thompson is best at is knowing what his players need from him and kind of understanding the the uh you know the mind of the player and the psyche of the player.

And he's like, Kyle Schwarber likes batting leadoff, man. He thinks he loves starting the game off. He loves to put one in the seats. He loves the roar of the crowd. It's like, gets him going. It is something that Kyle Schwarber is a better player at leadoff because he wants to do it and he's excited to do it. And that is the kind of thing where you have to,

it's not the only reason to put him there, but it is the kind of stuff that we don't know on the outside that does need to be taken into account. Of course. So, listen, if he's there game one, I'll be happy. It's just, yeah, I think eventually Stott will do it. And, you know, curious to see how it does. I agree.

And, look, I think he'd be great at it. He just needs to walk a little bit more. Seriously, to get there. I mean, because he has such amazing plate recognition, the ability to put the bat on the ball as well as anyone, maybe outside of Luis Arias that we've seen right now. But he does need to take a few more walks. If you want to be a classic prototypical leadoff hitter,

there are spots where maybe a few more walks. The answer on Panner was not surprising. What's going on with everyone online being like, what? No. It's like, dude, we all knew this. They said it immediately they're like 2025 guys like you know you never know between like i thought that was i was very surprised by the reaction to that answer and i don't know why i don't either i wasn't that was

very clear like i saw prominent people tweeting out like what i know um yeah but it's things about painter obviously yeah and you'll be back soon. We're ready for that guy. Yeah. The funny part is he's only 22 when he... I know. I know. Well, he was 19 when...

Exactly. It's a boy. He's 19. Like, again, I don't think people understand 22-year-olds reaching the majors, that's still young. Like, that's still super young to reach the majors. So, yeah, it's not... And look, it's the kind of thing where, you know,

as weird as it is these days with these pitchers, you almost expect them to have to get Tommy John at some point. It's almost like a, you know, I don't want to say a rite of passage, but almost just a necessary evil with the amount of, with how high velocity it's gotten, with the torque on these arms. Like, arms are not supposed to do this. You know, it's almost kind of the point where, you know, you're almost surprised if someone doesn't get Tommymmy john you know in the first five six years

of their career whatever yeah which things it stinks of course but it's like get it now i'm fine with it you know like you know just have to hope stronger stronger elbow moving forward yeah hopefully look show a you know he's gonna again you know it's it's tough yeah it stinks not for us do the dodgers dodger are they if they don't do it this year it'll be the it'll be an all-time all-time all-time it surpasses the last year's I mean like they oh yeah I mean even though it's funny which it makes the last year's mess thing that much funnier is that how much more money last year's mess spent than what the dodgers spent this year because that's crazy I mean the last year's mats i mean they've spent 500 million dollars something ridiculous ridiculous but um yeah it's like the dodgers

didn't just go out and get joey they went and got yamamoto they went i got glass now they went out like i mean they've just gone like they went got tay oscar it's it's almost it's especially in an off season where that's the thing like we're sitting here being like oh the phillies didn't do anything it's been so quiet no one one's done anything. No one did anything. Like, there are a lot of teams that have done one move. The Yankees haven't got Soto. They haven't done anything else.

Like, all these teams, like, so just the Dodgers? It's just the Dodgers have gone out and done everything. And if they don't do it, I mean, holy cow. It'll be about as big an embarrassment of a...

But again, that's the thing. Like, if there's a sport other than hockey where you're not guaranteed to do it just because you got talent, it's baseball. Yeah. You know, like the Braves have been better than the Phillies last two years.

Guess what? They lost to the Phillies two years in a row. Yeah. So it's just what it is. So, man. One week away. One week away. Let's go.

Yeah. One of these. Finally did it. We finally made it to the All-Star. We finally made it. Yeah. Now we are getting very excited for pitchers and catchers. Yeah.

Still a ways away from actual baseball games being played, but we're on the way. End of February. We're getting there. When March hits. We're getting there. It's baseball month. Oh. Baseball month.

Yes! So we need to start petitioning Rod to send us to London, our boss, Rod Lagan. Correct. This is an important thing. I feel like we're slacking on this. Do we bring Tucker, too? I'm already going. Oh, okay. Tucker, let's replace that letter.

Ucker. You know what I'm saying? Way to be a me guy. I know. Did you try and help get us to go? No, I didn't. I just assumed you had the connections. Yeah, you think. I thought the morning show in the afternoon

would already be sent I'm thinking about this even if we don't get sent by the station I might go Emily wants to go I'm thinking I might just take the week off

and go to London I'm thinking about it Philly's in London man I know I'm thinking about it plus you're a big you seem like a big London guy I'm not a London guy

I've been I was 12 so it's been a while since I've gone so I'm not really gone I need I've been. I was 12, so it's been a while since I've gone. So I'm not really gone. I need to go. You in London, Elliot in Brazil. Yes, I'm a bit of an Anglophile.

You could say that. Peter, my brother, is like Mr. Anglophile. I don't know. Someone who loves England. Oh. Like a Francophile is someone who loves France. You never heard those before? No.

Okay. Well, an Anglophile is someone who loves English, British culture, English stuff, all that type of stuff. I'm not really an Anglophile. Like, I hate the crown. I hate all the – The crown's awful. Out on all that. Anything to do with the royal family, I'm fully out on.

It just couldn't be more. Yeah. Dave Shaw. Dave Shaw fully in. Could not be more in on Dave Shaw. Hamels is going now. Oh, really? So Hamels and Utley hanging out?

I would love to go. I'd love to go. We got to make this happen. I don't know. We Oh, really? So Hamels and Utley hanging out? I would love to go. I'd love to go. We've got to make this happen. I don't know. We'll see. We'll see. But we'll be at opening day. Will we?

I don't know. I mean, I assume so. We're going to be at opening day. Better be. Listen, I'll be in spring training in a month. Yeah. Do you know when you're going? Yes.

Okay. So do we. A month. A month. Today. Oh, exactly. So you're going early. Yes.

I think we're in the middle of March. Nice. Yeah. That'll be fun. Nice. I can't wait. I'm excited. Hey you're going early. Yes. I think we're in the middle of March. So, yeah, that'll be fun. Nice. I can't wait. I'm excited. 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. 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. So it's going to be awesome. All right, we got anything else? Yeah, I figured my take back. Oh, yeah, take back. I forgot about it. I forgot about it. There we go.

Oh. Oh, this is called producing. Do you do that? I haven't put together a top five in so long you know so i almost forgot what to do i know you're mr host guy now it's like you never even produce i know i know i missed my drop i have seen some uh i'll just say embarrassing top fives in your stead oh yeah you know i mean just no one knows how to do it some tragic tragic yes you minutes of radio, but that's fine. Yeah, well, it's all about making it funny. I know. It's all about making it funny. Yes, it is.

The most important Phillies in 2024 for them to win the division. Do the thing. Yes, yes, okay. I think there's no doubt about it. Rojas is one. Absolutely. He cannot be, he can't be one. He's the biggest question mark in the line pending in

this he can't be 150 hitter guy can't be just defense because he can't be 220 hitter guy uh and that's a lot he can be too that's a lot he can be 220 220 with like five homers yeah yeah and they can't all be off pitchers yeah yeah the one ball that yohan ross has ever crushed no he had two homers but the other one that one barely got out. That was an opposite field homer. It barely got out. The one off the pitcher, he smoked that. It was hilarious. I would have thrown the ball. Imagine having to apologize after hitting your first major home run.

It should not have counted. He was like, I'm sorry. Off a hitter. I kept saying off a hitter. I said the other day on the air, I was like, yeah, Yohan Rojas' first home run off a pitcher. I kept saying off a hitter. No, I know. I said that the other day on the air. I was like, yeah, Johan Rojas' first home run off a pitcher. I know. I did the same.

I just did. I was like, what do you mean? And I was like, oh. You meant a hitter pitching. A hitter pitching. Sorry. Yes. That was pretty obvious.

It was very obvious. I think two is Kirk Ring. Yeah, that's a good one. I think everyone else pretty much has. That's very good. Because he could be the closer. Yeah. And Dave said that.

That was interesting, too, because they asked, do you have a closer? And he's like, you know, that's very good has because he could be the closer yeah and dave said that that was interesting too because they asked do you have a closer and he's like you know that's not my decision but like we don't he's like it could be a bunch of guys but he did throw kirk in there he's like i could see kirk getting a few saves like that kind of thing so i feel like by may he's gonna be i think so too i think that he'll he'll because i think they like having alvarado work around i think they like sir anth Anthony to be able to jump around. I'm curious about, like, Hoffman was so good. So good. Can he do that again?

Dude, he's as big a question mark as anyone in the sense that, I mean, how many times have we seen guys have a freaking awesome built-in year and then just not be good the next year? It happens all the time. I mean, Sir Anthony wasn't even good this year. So, like, look, he was awesome last year, and I'm not going to doubt that he could be awesome again, but I certainly can't. I'm not sure

of it. I'm excited about him, but you know. It's a little like, it reminds me a lot of Tyler Matzik. Sure. With the braids. It was like a red dick. He's like the best lefty reliever in postseason that I've barely pitched since. I'm really curious about Hoffman, because he's just good. He's awesome. Oh, it's a game changer. So I'm really curious about Hoffman because he's just good.

That's a game changer. He's awesome. Oh, it's a game changer. Totally. Especially because they need a right hand and arm that they can count on in that part of the baseball game. Game one. NLDS. Not enough righties we can count on the bullpen.

What we always thought would happen. Hoffman in the fourth. Rob Thompson masterclass. Masterclass. Only in a masterclass in games. Four and five against the NMAC. Third most important affiliate, I think, is actually Alec Baum. I don't know where we're at with Alec Baum.

Will he ever hit for power? Ever, ever, ever? Him having 20 home runs last year feels shocking. Like a fluke. I know. Well, it's funny because remember, like, spring training, bulked up, started the season, spring training, then the start of the season, hitting tank shots. I know. Well, it's funny because remember, like spring training, bulked up, start of the season, spring training, then the start of the season, hitting tank shots.

I know. And then he went two months down or whatever without many, you know? But he, like he ended the year last year as the cleanup hitter. He might be there on opening day again. Look, so that's an interesting one because I think you have three, assuming they. Put Harper third. Yeah.

And have a lefty at the top of the line, but it's not Turner, you know, and he wants a right-lefty thing. Then it comes down to three options. You're either doing JT, you're doing Cass, or you're doing Boehm there. And I think Boehm makes the most sense from the sense that he puts the bat on the ball the most.

I think, you know, I think Cassianos is not the clean. I think it's either JT or Boehm, in the sense you need someone there who's going to put the bat on the ball a little more consistently. But look, I think by the end of the season last year, JT was the guy I counted on. I trusted the most of those three by the end of the season.

So I think it'll be one of those two. Who could forget Boehm's home run in Game 7? Especially after. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Who could forget? I did until you said that. I know. Totally, totally, totally forgot it. So yeah, just like defense was good at third base last year.

Maybe he focused so much on that. I just – I'm curious. He was great defensively last year. I mean, it's close to extension time for him. Like, do they want to extend Alec Baum? And it's a legitimate question. It's not a no-brainer. I like Alec Baum a lot.

I just – we'll see what they do. What does he have? Two more years of RRB left? Three more years? I think it's two or three. He came up in 20, right? So, he's? Two more years of RRB left? Three more years? I think it's two or three. He came up with 20, right? So he's got three more years of RRB left. Yeah.

He's getting there. He's getting there. So that's going to be an interesting one. I think he's really important. Four is Nola. We know what Wheeler is going to be. Were the adjustments in the postseason real, or were they not?

And I feel good about nola heading into the year because i think contract's self-settled he's here for life he can just calm down and go out and do his thing and maybe the adjustments are real maybe that he you know buys into the because he's not never been a huge analytic guy maybe this has him buying in more i have no idea so nola gets the contract Can he live up to that? And, you know, he's huge because you have Wheeler, but the only way they're winning 90 plus games

is if they have a legit two. They need Nola to be a tip. No doubt. And, you know, I'm very bullish on Aaron Nola's season. We'll make our season prediction coming up, but I would expect a bold prediction from me on Nola. I'm really, really, really bullish on him. Ooh. Yeah.

That's a tease. Mm-hmm. That's a tease. And the last one is Turner. Ah, your boy. Your guy. Are we going to get an MVP type year from Turner? Can we get a full season? Can we get a top 10 MVP vote for Turner this year?

I mean, we should. We should. Again, with the contract, we should. That is the type of player he should be considering when he got paid. Especially now in these early years of the contract when you really need to make hay. And it's so funny because like Boehm has turned into a guy I trust more defensively than Turner. It's unbelievable. Can he bounce back defensively?

Because that's the really only hole defensively they have right now. Even Castellanos. Who would have thunk it? Two straight years down there, man. Their only hole defensively is that's the really only hole defensively they have right now even cassie honest who'd have thunk it two straight years down there man their only hole defensively is trey turner yeah what yeah yeah he had what 26 errors it's unbelievable and and look dombrowski did make it a point when they were talking about the ross thing and schwerber all that like they care about defense they do like they really that has been a big organizational change the whole defense doesn't matter. More homers.

It does. It does. Who would have thunk it? Quite disappointing by Dave Zimbrowski. Yeah, we learned that lesson in both baseball and football. Defense matters, turns out. Yeah, so Turner's a big one. Are we going to get an MVP year from Turner,

or is it going to be 275-28? It won't be as bad as it was until August 4th of last year. Is it going to be a 275-280 year with 20-some home runs or is it 315-330 with 25 plus?

315-330 would be. I'll take 300. I'll be good. Does Stott bat 300 this year? No, but I bet he bets, I'm going to say 294. Cook him. 294. I'm saying it's close.

If he didn't essentially not feel like he didn't get a hit for September. That's what it was. I mean, he was betting 306 or something when September started. I can't wait for 305. Oh, Stotty.

Stotty. He would be very high on my list of players I'm most excited to watch this year. I agree with you. I got to be honest, buddy. I'm excited to see them all. I know.

I know. You're asking the wrong guy. You're asking the wrong guy. Just Bryce at first for the year, just a full season of Bryce Harper, like start the year at first. That's going to be exciting. It is funny how like Reese was so bad at playing first base. Yeah, and like that.

Again, his first game, he was better than Reese ever was. Immediately. Unbelievable. Yeah, so that's my top five. That's great stuff. I love it. Thank you. A couple other things.

Jimmy Williams passed away, which is a shame. Yeah, it's a shame. Big 08 Phillies guy. Yep, yep. Great bench coach. Just a baseballman. Baseball guy. Jimmy Williams.

Baseball guy. So that was a shame. Plus the rare J-I-M-Y I know rarely see it I know the City Connect jerseys look horrible

dude what a disaster like they look like Union jerseys why do we do what are we doing here what were we so inside inside baseball

or inside baseball guys text thread our thread with Elliot Elliot sent us those when they leaked and Jack and I were both like this is horrible and Elliot of course was, I like them.

Of course. They're great. They're horrible. They're elite. They are trash. They are about as bad. I just don't know. Yeah.

Who is the City Connect for? It's like a union. It looks like a union shirt. What are we doing here? I'm just, you know. No one cares. Sorry. Sorry who?

Who are you apologizing? I'm sure someone was oh the union yeah i'm sorry no one cares yes they don't but they look like the one like the one yeah they look like the one manger yeah the union major is cool the main kit is cool it's cool um it's a bad city connect and then and my final thing is not baseball related but i wanted to bring it up with you because i've been it's been on my mind for the last couple of days. Love this. Like, is there, like, does anyone write good music when they enter like their 40s?

That's a good take right there. Like, I feel like. You're right. Is there any, like, everyone just writes all their 20s. Stop writing stuff, yeah. And then they perform it all their 30s. And by 40s, it's like, because no one's ever like, oh, I can't wait to hear the new whatever.

No, it's a great point. There are not that many musicians. I like the stones did they had songs into their 40s and stuff like they had some good albums in the 80s and stuff like that i would say um but not really like rare i mean fish obviously still pumping out new music that's great you know no they don't new music new albums um but they But their older stuff's better. I'm with you. It's just so funny. What was why it was such a big deal at the Grammys? They're like, Billy Joel actually wrote a new song for the first time in 40 years.

They didn't write it. They didn't even write it. They performed a new song for the first time in 40 years, whatever, 30 years. Taylor's going to be an interesting test. Yeah, she is. She pumps stuff out, man. She's 34, I believe. Yeah, she's heading in that direction. Does she hold up through her 40s with making new music?

I mean, there have been people, like Bob Dylan. There are older people, like Prince wrote until he died. There are people. Did they have a hit? I think they did. I mean, some hits. I guess what made me think of it is like- But it's rare.

It's a great point. I've been listening to this guy named Wyatt Flores, and he's like 24. He's writing about heartbreak and all this. And I figured out his age. I'm like, well, what do you know? Yeah. Are you kidding me? And then someone pointed out,

it's like, well, I mean, like McCartney wrote Let It Be at 27. That's true. So, you know, it's just like, everyone just puts it all in their 20s. And then after that, just, yeah, what happens now? If you had asked me,

what new artist am I listening to, some guy named Wyatt would have been my third or fourth guess. It would have been a pretty high guess, a guy named Wyatt. Because it's a country music sounding guy. Is it country music? No, it's more like the,

I don't know, Americana. It's not, because it's not country, but it's, you would say it like folk i like folk music all right well listen okay listen big jim croce guy love jim there you go um yeah listen do you want to make the admission on the pod that you made to me through text that was really made my month yeah yeah please uh i don't know because i might

have found that i just i'm not a big fan of the grateful dead as a band not bad thank you welcome aboard welcome you finally listen to a little music and you're like oh this doesn't suck okay it's just everything around the grateful dead yeah i get that the scene is a lot not yours believe it or not not my scene as far from your scene as you possibly can Jack Walker you're like

where am I where am I so grateful dead not bad okay good John Mayer maybe didn't put them on the map

well plays their music enthusiastically okay all right okay you got anything else pitchers and catchers

baby damn next time we do next baby next time we do next time we do a pod well truck day is tomorrow yeah pitchers and catchers will be there I will watch I believe I'll be able to finish every yearbook before pitchers and catchers

no you didn't I probably will be I haven't done it yet I'm on my track so what do you mean every yearbook when you say every yearbook well like 2018 alright that's better I don't think I'm going to watch I do Saturday nights. What do you mean every yearbook? When you say every yearbook, is it? Well, like 2018. All right, that's better. I thought you were going to go back to 2000 and just, you know.

No, I don't think I'm going to watch 2020. Okay, so this era. Like, start at 19. Start with Harper. Oh, yeah. Start with 19. I had to finish 2018. Had to.

I had to remember it all. Had to, the operative term. Well, because I did bring back the memory of sitting in costa rica on oh i mean i remember you guys watching scherzer versus no yeah on it that's worth it that's a good point i forgot 2018 nola buddy that was a year buddy struck out mookie in the all-star game dominated at fenway maybe 2024 is gonna be similar i don't know i'm just saying all right it was good talking real baseball yeah that was good i feel like that's the most phillies we've actually talked even though there were large stretches there we didn't cut out the tucker which no that was the best part the best portion of the body easily five minutes on who's your go-to tucker everything else is pretty good

justin tucker that's a good one never said justin tucker there we go justin tuck no that's good. All right, do the tuck. Yeah. Your sans lambs. The tuck rule. Oh, there you go. Yeah.

I like how you moved right past the sans lambs to the tuck. That was good. Yeah, because I almost made a really dumb comment. Oh, good. And I was going to say, oh, the tuck push. And then I realized it's the tush push. It's so good. I love itush bush. It's so good. I love it.

Yeah. All right. We got nothing else. Ross Tucker should take that. Yeah, he should. Yeah, the tush bush. The tush bush. I like that.

It doesn't flow as well. No, it doesn't. Believe it or not. All right. We'll be back next week. As will the freaking Phillies, baby. Let's go. He's for himself.