High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Pitchers and Catchers!

Episode Date: February 17, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz get excited about pitchers and catchers reporting and much more. 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

what all right let's go yeah all right oh man all right Yo! It is another edition of the iOS podcast. I'll be completely honest with you, Jack Britt. I didn't think I had that yo in me. We all know.

Well, I'm heartbroken right now about sports i'm i'm angry about sports but you know what pitchers and freaking catchers buddy and i can't say that like like pitchers and catchers to me every year is such a special day it's such a joyous day it's such a day that really matters and like i can't say that i'm quite where i normally am for pitchers and catchers i'll get there i am but pitchers and catchers and and i can't i can't undersell that like baseball's back and that is that is really really exciting no matter how much I hate sports right now. How you doing? I love sports right now. It's so good to be back. I think this pod is all going to be Jack convincing me

to be excited about sports again after being just absolutely gutted. Just my guts and soul ripped from my body and thrown on a wet disgusting football field in the biggest game of the year just stomped on and crapped on and we don't curse on this podcast and i just restrained myself twice and you didn't even know it so i'm still a pro even though i'm devastated but you know i look i i love the Phillies, and it's going to be awesome. But how are you doing, pal? You're upset, too. Don't act like you're just totally fine.

I know you are excited with the Phillies, and for you, that is a bomb that will get you back. But that was tough. Well, yeah. back but um that was tough well yeah um so i was heartbroken about the eagles um till about 1005 this morning i think it was that yeah i saw i saw andrew painter throwing uh jt real and everything was like this is great and then i saw trey turner uh it hit Turner hit a car at batting practice. And I don't know about you, but I keep forgetting Trey Turner's affiliate. It's like they added the best shortstop in baseball. I know.

That's ridiculous. And it's like it's so – we talked about it, but the Gregory Soto thing was massive. They just got better. They definitively, no doubt got better. You know, other, obviously the Harper for half a season thing matters and all that, but like they got better, like they got better this off season.

Definitively better. Yeah. So, you know, seeing, you know, mitts popping and, and balls.

Oh, the crack of the bat, the crack of the bat the mitt pop the first mitt pop pop of the year is is is is definitely holy that is the special sound no no it's it's it's awesome um so listen the eagles hurt and like you know i i'm obviously a phillies guy first which seems to offend a lot of people i I'm not totally sure why. It's because you bring this on yourself. Don't act like you play no role in it. You definitely shove it in people's faces at times when they don't want you to.

Well, just being completely honest, you know, being in the trust tree here and, you know, bringing people into our lives uh so sunday when the eagles lost i did have the idea of tweeting phil season you read the moment well thank you for not doing that but i was like you know what not tonight like that i'll let these people be um because listen i I – so I'm actually surprised at how crushed I was by the Eagles. Yeah. And just being totally truthful, like, it hurt me more than the Phillies. And I know that I think would surprise people.

But the Phillies were so weird because it was like, first off, we shouldn't have been there. And what a run! What a run, dude! What a run! We shouldn't have been there. And what a run! What a run, dude! What a run!

There were more still, through the Super Bowl, like 15 better moments in the Phillies run than the best moment in the Eagles run. I mean, what are we talking about? Now, I think we'll look back, and I think we'll look back and say Game 5 was gutting. You know, I think it had a similar feel

after Game 5. Game 6, it was just like... The way I would explain it is that Game 5 was it was like that's when it kind of felt like the magic had run out um and literally i will you i was with you and you literally when that game ended turned to me and said the first words you said to me when that game ended was the phils just lost the world series that's literally what you you knew it in the moment like the moment that game ended you're like it's done um so that's what i feel like

the magic was over you know the the mancini play the cast jazz catch whatever um the brandon marsh at bat but the the uh a couple a good couple months here it's so funny because it's been a great couple months i know with like just some crushing losses just well it's easily yeah again like think about it in the last decade literally decade we have only had three teams get to the championship round of their sport and two of them happen this year it It's just the other one won. No one else. So it is by far just from like playoff success, the most successful year in the last, you know, since like 08 or 09, whatever you want to say,

like as a city. And it's been soul crushing. Soul crushing. But somehow the Eagles made it like that much worse. That was right. I will look back way. And again, the Eagles were way more dominant. Like they were a better team than the 2022 look back at the 2022 phillies team and run more fondly than i will look

back at the 2022 eagles team and run because of how it ended like the way it ended just like i i will recognize the dominance and i appreciate it and like if if they win a super bowl down the road you'll look back at it differently and jaylen will get one and all that type of stuff and i'll remember it's jaylen's breakout year and all that type of stuff. And I'll remember it as Jalen's breakout year and all that stuff. But ultimately, like, like, even though the Phillies loss in the moment was painful, it really was you. Everyone saw us talking like I am at the point with that Phillies run where even though I'm bummed they lost, I can look back and say, like, that was we don't curse on this podcast,

but that was bleeping awesome. Like, that was bleeping awesome like that was bleeping awesome like what a run like i can't believe we got all those moments and all those things we were down the ballpark for the freaking two clinchers and the world series games and like we got this amazing thing and the i know the eagles season was was like that and it was an amazing season but like you know they just kind of dominated all year and then it ended in like the most painful horrible way possible that like I just

don't know how I won't look back on that like and I'll always look back on that and remember the pain before I remember the good whereas with the Phillies season I will look back on the good then the pain does that make sense hate to hear it it is what it is with the Phillies season, I will look back on the good than the pain. Does that make sense? I hate to hear it.

It is what it is. Well, it's funny because before we just started recording the podcast, I came in and I put on Dancing on My Own. Oh, Jack was singing it. Jack was singing it. Oh, just right back. That's why we were laughing. If you catch the beginning of this broadcast, we come into it laughing because right as Jack's getting the live button, he's singing like, If you catch the beginning of this broadcast, we come into it laughing.

Because right as Jack's getting the live button, he's singing like, dancing in all my... He's getting into it. And it was like, you know, we were laughing. Yeah, it was good. It's fun. It's one of the greatest. And what's so cool is that just seeing the...

Actually, let me correct what I was saying. You were going, I'm in the corner. That's the part you were saying. Just so I can get it right. But, no, you know, and what's so cool this year, James, is that, you know, the guys are down there, and, you know, Shore was wearing a shirt yesterday saying, like, bleep and fills,

and they're all just, like, happy and joking around. And it's like it's like, they feel like our guys, you know what I mean? Like, I think guys, Jack, we got guys.

Well, because we talked for a while. It was like, you know, like these guys are all from the outside coming in here. And like, it's hard to build a culture and whatnot. It's hard to,

you know, if guys haven't had equity in the franchise, like it's hard for, for them to kind of come together and bond together. And it just seems like they picked up right where they left off and they added in trey turner and like harps not even out there right now you know it's like schwarber being the vibes guy turner hitting cars and kevin long busting his chops and and like andrew painters the talk of camp and like jt's talking about him today and it's just like they're all back dude and it's like i know that i know the eagles lost

i understand it's heartbroken i was heartbroken too but like it's like, I know the Eagles lost. I understand. It's heartbroken. I was heartbroken too. But like, it's 75 degrees and sunny and clear water right now. Mints are popping. Bats are cracking. The Phillies are back. And it like, we're talking about baseball in a month, man. Like in less than a month, the 25th. The 25th of freaking

February. We got nine days. We got nine days until we see the Phillies play baseball again. And like, they should go to the world series every year because it's way better when they go to the world series. And there's like no time in between. I know they lost.

It was crushing. They lost. But like the way that they are talking in camp right now, the way they're vibing around in camp, the way they're bouncing around, the way that they're throwing bullpens, the way that John Middleton's just like watching bullpens and hanging around chase at least at fantasy camp.

I mean, it's all coming together at the right time. I know you're not over it, James. I know you're not over it. But for me, it was the perfect elixir, and it reminded me of the things that truly matter, and that is Phillies baseball. So that was of every single thing and emily's tried to say nice things and you know we've done therapy sessions basically every single show four radio

shows i've done this week and every single one has been some form of therapy session and i honestly a day one i was like monday i was absolutely crushed like i wasn't even angry. I was just, you saw me. I was like despondent. Like it's, I, I like, honestly, it's one of the saddest days I've had in the last like 20 years of my life. Like it really was like, I was really, really, really, really sad. I felt devastated. And then Tuesday I was really angry and Wednesday I was really angry. And today it was like angry and sad, but not like quite as bad. what you just did there was by far the best i felt like that was a that was they should that should be in the freaking 2023 world series dvd all right phillies that speech right there when it all plays out put that in there because that was awesome

when someone had to i do feel better like honestly we we never lie that i was listeners like i feel i feel a little bit better like that i like you said i'm not over it i won't be over for for a while i'll never really be over it in a certain way but like but but that was that was good man that was good i'm excited let's go the eagles loss is like it's one of those losses that and we talked about this today you know off the air or whatever, it's one of those losses that, and we talked about this today, you know, off the air or whatever, but it's one of those losses that you'll tell your kids about and tell your grandkids about, like, oh, like for your generation and like the end of my parent, like, not your generation. This actually isn't an old joke, even though it's usually an old joke.

But for like the generation above you, I would say everyone talks about the 64 collapse, you know? Totally. They talk about Davey Lopes is out at first base. Forever. Chico Ruiz, buddy. Chico Ruiz. They talk about Joe Carter.

They talk about... Joe Carter, for sure. I feel like the 81 Super Bowl is like, whatever. Yeah, I mean, they just lost quick. Jaws threw a pick on the first pass he threw. They were down quick and easy. Yeah. then uh oh two and and uh you know the oh four super bowl which i never really considered heartbreaking um i didn't either jack for me everyone like people talked about this that this that week and i would this whole that i never thought we were being that patriot team like i went into that game not expecting to win.

Everyone's like it was close. And it was like, yeah, kind of like it was close at halftime. And then the Patriots had a 10 point lead. We had a 10 minute drive to score. And it just fell over that whole time. That whole time it fell over. I'm right there with you. Like that wasn't as crushing to me. Like that Patriots team was great.

It was their third Super Bowl in like five years or six years or whatever well and then Phil's losing a 10-11 crushing and and then this Eagles thing like I think I think game five for me is still gonna like I will always be crushed by what happened in here in game five

I think but I feel like I'm in the minority there you know I don't think many people bring up Taiwan up Brandon Marsh and Chaz and all that. They do. It was crushing. It was crushing. Honestly, I think people bring up Reese more. I think people bring up the Reese defensive player.

Oh, the error? I know it happened, but it never really... It's coupled because with his abat late, too. He had the abat and there. But I agree. Yeah. The Marsha bat was unforgivable.

The Marsha bat. And the play that I think that we will remember, it's talked about, but the play that I think that will age the worst is the Mancini play. Yeah. Just because that ball was smoked. It was right down the line.

That guy sucks at defense. He was just there. He was there yeah on the line yeah that was a hit it hit so yeah you're it's a great point and also i also think though like go ahead i'm sorry well but then but then i was going to say like the eagles losing that super bowl like we did it today there's five things that i think you could complain about for the rest of eternity yeah And that is the punt return, the fumble, Jonathan Gannon slash defensive line, whatever. The penalty flag and the turn. Like five things that I think for the next 30 years. Forever, forever.

Unless they win, unless they win. And then it's all forgiven. But I agree. Not all forgiven, but we will still think of the Super Bowl that we got kind of that they blew and that we kind of feel like we got cheated out of it in some ways. So like I'm so with you and also the point of like where I agree, game five was a crushing loss, especially in hindsight where you just lose six and it's over. But it's also not like this series wasn't over in that game.

Like it wasn't over. You still were in it in five until the, you were, you were not, you know, like you're an Homer. Like, so like,

but it wasn't the finality of it. Whereas in, in the Superbowl was like, it's one night, one game, it's all there in your hands. And like for it, and especially for it to end with that flag and that called in that spot.

And, and you know, we're not going to get into all of it, but just for it to feel so empty. And like that that's it all right that's the end this whole thing is ending there cool cool like it that's why so many nfl fans that's why like nfl like broadcasters and all these people i mean it was this for once it wasn't just like philly fans being like that shouldn't have thrown that flag. It was like freaking Kirk Herbstree,

who calls games for the NFL, was like, this is, I can't believe they threw it. Greg Olsen said on the broadcast twice, doubled down in the postgame. Like it was, you know, oh, Pat McAfee, like all these like real big NFL people. So it's like, I don't know, whatever. I'll never get over it.

I'll never get over it. So I think it's the finality of it. Whereas like in five, yeah, you knew it was over and we did, but like, I still had hope. I knew, I knew logically they weren't going to go to Houston, most likely and win both. But like when Wheeler came out and looked nasty and I was like, I was like, all right, wait, we could like, why the hell not?

Like this team's been unreal and special. So like, I think because we had that tiny upswing or hope after it, it doesn't hit as hard as the finality of the Super Bowl. And, I mean, and the Schwarber-Homer. Ah, the Schwarber-Homer-Homer. The whole thing. No, well, like, I mean, he did hit one in game six. Oh, yes, yeah, to get it started.

Another great point. Yeah, but then I was talking about the foul pole. And then, you know that? Oh, God. The game. The game. They're both scarring. They're both scarring.

And I was going to save this for the take back. But I feel like while we're kind of comparing these two teams and what we've been through in the last couple of months, I really think the Phillies have a better chance of getting back there first than the Eagles. I do, too. I do, too. I think this is I do too. I'm, I think this is a great take.

Like, I know that, I know it sounds surprising given, you know, like Jalen's ascended to a top five quarterback and people say that's all that matters. But like, for as good as Jalen was this year, I feel like a lot of us also like their roster is overwhelmingly

better than most teams in the NFL. Yeah. And now they got to pay him. and so much like 22 of 22 starters playing in the super bowl. Are you now they got to pay him. And so much luck. 22 of 22 starters playing in the Super Bowl. Are you kidding me? Brock Purdy. That'll never happen to Brock Purdy. Daniel Jones.

I'm right there with you, buddy. And we saw with that last Eagles team out just how hard it is to ratchet it back up. And granted, they won. So they had a different kind of motivation or whatever. But like, you know, I saw a stat today that blew my mind that that and I'm Burrow, I'm sure, or Hurts, one of those guys will break this. But like of the 17 last quarterbacks who went to their first Super Bowl and lost, none of

them ever got back again. None of them. And again, Burrow and Hurts are are on that list so like i'm guessing at least one of the two will and like i really do believe in hertz i think he's a superstar and i'm i'm like he's great but it's it's freaking hard it took 23 years of my life to see the eagles in the super bowl and i've only seen it three times and as you we talk about i'm freaking old man it's hard. You know, the Phillies like,

and I think this Philly team is well built for this next period of time right now where they are really. And, and I like the vibes. I think fives matter in the playoffs. I think it matters to get you through a season. We talk about that all the time. Like I'm with you.

And I just think like we, it's it, look, the history of baseball over the last 20 years, let's say you're the modern era of both sports, you know, says it's unless you're the Patriots says it's a lot easier to get back to the world series can set multiple years over a certain period of time,

like a five year run than it is for football teams to, it's just a fact. Well, and here's my thing, is that, like, obviously there's no salary cap, but at the same time, like, Turner's here,

Harper's in his prime, Schwarber's in his prime, JT is in his prime, Marsh, Stott, and Bum all theoretically should get better. We'll see what they do with Reese. I know he's going to be here for this year, but maybe they give him a contract extension after this year,

and he stays here, and he's a Philly for life and all that stuff. But that's a really good core. You combine that with the bullpens finally getting figured out, and they seem like they have more guys coming through the pipeline. A guy that I feel like I've let the city down and not getting excited about because I just haven't seen him that much. But it seems like he's going to be in their plans a lot is Andrew Baker. He's been talked about a lot.

Remember like 2018 Sir Anthony where there were stories. Well, there were stories in spring training. Yeah, of course I do. Where it was like this guy's going to be insane. Yeah. So I think we're kind of, you know, there's stories in spring training. Yeah, of course I do. Where it was like, this guy's going to be insane. Yeah. So I think we're kind of, you know, there's talk of like, oh, maybe they should make more bullpen additions.

I think he's going to be their final piece of the bullpen. But then you just, you think about Andrew Painter and you think about Zach Wheeler and we'll see what they do with Nola. Because now after Yu Darvish signed yesterday, he's by far the number one free agent on the starting market next year. So he could go to market and probably command $30 million a year.

Yeah, well, I mean, Darvish got, what, six for 108, and it's going to end when he's 42? You know, what can Noli get out there, you know? Yeah, so, you know, you just, we've talked about this a lot, but not only is there no salary cap, but it's also like they're building everything underneath the surfaces to where there should be this wave and wave of talent in here. There's such a good feeling about these two franchises, but if I had to choose the one that I think is going to go back first, the way the Phillies are talking so far and the way that it's almost the motivating factor they have this spring training and the relaxed,

there are guys kind of feel early, I think is massive. It reminds me a lot, it reminds me a lot of 07 to 08. Now, obviously the 07 team got swept and it wasn't great, but they got there. Now the Phillies went on a magical run and got to the world series. And now it's like, we got to do it again. And we got to get back there again, because like we said, all throughout the run and after the run is like how can that not be intoxicating for these guys like how can they how can they be at spring training today and not be like dude get me to cbb man like i know we gotta go to go to texas in the first weekend of the year and watch the

grom get shelled because he's hurt already you think the grom second half. Yeah, that's who they're making that start. No chance. But I just, I can't wait. And I've kind of been trying to shield my expectations, James, because I know how hard it is to get back. I understand all of that. But there's just this feeling about this team that they're going to make noise again. I'm not saying they're going to the World Series because I think that's unfair.

But I was much more worried about a lull than I already am early in spring trading. And apparently, like, secondary market tickets for Bay Care Ballpark are like, you know, like actual ticket prices again. It's like, it's just, it's so funny to me how in one season, or really six months, everyone's like,'s just it's so funny to me how in one season or really six months everyone's like oh baseball's fun again like like let's go let's go spend money and fly to

clear water and flock the streets and and sell out big care ballpark and like cheer these guys on it's it's uh it's a good spot to be back and uh we're almost there yeah Yeah, buddy. Like you said, they upgraded the roster. So, to you, to people who have listened to this podcast for a long time, literally, one of the earliest

running themes that I remember is us talking about the Phillies just not knowing how to win and how important that was. And in the September collapse, after September collapse, after September collapse, we just kept going back to this theme of like how important it was to know how to win big games and what it takes to win those games and to get through the full season and all that stuff. but big games and what it takes to win those games and to get through the full season and all that stuff. And,

and look, we can't say that now that they know how to win. Now that this group literally showed that they can really come through in big spots and moments and, and bond together and rise above and do something special. Like we can't now not say that that isn't going to matter to us. The season, right? Like we can't have said how important that is for years and then not say that that isn't going to matter to us going into the season, right? Like we can't have said how important that is for years and then not say, hey, this team has that experience now.

And that should be valuable heading into this season and through the course of the season and ultimately when the games matter most. And you have to win games in September. So I'm right there with you. And again, I think they're a deep team, a talented team. And, you know, I think they've really kind of filled up all the holes. You know, you could say depth in the starting rotation is a question, obviously. But, you know, I mean, Falter for a regular season guy, as long as he's not making playoffs starts again, you know, that's fine.

And Painter being the wild card of this just like insane upside guy where they just have to be super super smart with him in terms of making sure he's there for games that really matter but man i mean the upside with that kid like we've talked about if you know the the guys i saw someone in the chat and we're gonna get to chat comments in a bit if you want to throw some questions in whatever um we'll get to that in a couple minutes here but i saw someone say say Andrew Painter's Doc Gooden, and I'm like, yeah, dude, I get it. Like, you know, like someone at the age of 19, 20, you can just come out to the majors and absolutely dominate

because they're just that freaking good. And like Painter, like he fits the profile for that. Like, obviously, you have to see him come up and do it in the biggest moments. And look, you know my thing thing, Jack athletes are humans. Like, you know, Andrew fainter's never pitched in a major league stadium with a ton of people looking at him and,

and on TV and all that, like, who knows? But, but, but, but what did I tell him at the NLC? Yeah,

exactly. Right. Part of a huge crowd. I said, see you next year. So, yeah. So he feels good now.

It feels like, so he knows, he knows what it's like. So that's the point. But like, I think like he you next year. Yeah. So he feels good now. He feels like he's going to be able to be Jack. He knows what it's like. So that's the point. But I think he fits the profile of someone who could be Doc Gooden, someone who could come into the league and just be a Cy Young candidate as a 19- or 20-year-old rookie.

You know what I mean? And again, I'm not expecting that. I don't think he'll pitch enough innings, all that type of stuff. But I'm saying talent-wise, he could do that. So there is – I'm just, people should be really excited. I will say the one thing I was thinking about when you're talking about the two teams. And again, I think this is actually a really good thing in that I agree. If I had to bet on one of these teams to win the championship world series or the super bowl in the next, let's say three years,

I would bet on the Eagles before, or excuse me. I bet on the Phillies before I bet on the Eagles, but I will say, I do think both teams have a real chance, especially when you consider that the, the NFC being just a trash conference right now with trash quarterbacks. So I like, look again, it's so funny. I was just talking about this and we were just talking about this earlier where it's like the idea I was talking about with a buddy where it's like, he was like, who's not from here. He's he's a Chicago fan. And he was like, yes. He's like, has this been like an awesome year or horrible year? And, and I was like, we were just talking about it. And I do think that, you know, I think the hope that it gives us about the next few years is probably why it's more awesome than

the pain of the losses in the moment. But, you know, I think there's real hope. And I think the Phillies, like, again, I would not be surprised at all if they go to the World Series. I wouldn't at all. Well, it's so funny how we went from what, maybe a year and a half ago of like, what is the Phillies path to ever winning a championship in prices prime? You know, like what, like what's the path?

What's the path? And then it turns out it's just like oh sign schwarber and sign cast well to an extent oh well i mean you mean everyone's gonna be saying that when the cassianas breakout happens don't worry so this is really funny because like um this is actually around the time that we started the podcast like i think i think we probably started 2017 2018 range or whatever right um i was just looking at this because obviously i'm sure a lot of people know um you know hey last midday show for me tomorrow and then morning shows coming and all that and big life change and all that but i was thinking

about like the midday show and i was thinking about the years that we've done it and how it started in october of 2016 and i look oh i know adorable so after the 2016 philly season but i looked up the 20, I wanted to see like, all right, what was the first open? Cause you know, we're nerds and we care about dumb things and we're obsessed with the Phillies, Jack and I, um, and Philadelphia sports. I was like, all right, I like, I want to look up and see what was the, the first opening day lineup for the fills that, that I covered that,

you know, we were, we were a part of, we're just the opening day team and like, like oh my god man like oh my god you look at this roster here i'm actually going back to the opening day i pulled up the 2017 phils let me let me actually that team was a great year are you kidding let me let me let me actually get the opening lineup for you just i wonder i want to i want to while you're here i'm here i'm ready for but go ahead if i like well i'm just saying like i think i would take the 2017 phils over the 2018 19 or 20 phils in a heartbeat like all terrence grant's lame off kershaw bruce hodgkin's coming up like it was a magical time 66 win baseball team ready um so i are here we are ready this is the 2017 phill lineup. This is the very six years ago.

This is six years ago. Like six. Not even. This is in April. Six years ago. This is. Okay. Ready?

April 3rd. Six years ago. This was the Philadelphia Phillies starting opening day lineup. Your opening day catcher, Cameron Rock. Of course. Yeah. Your opening day for his baseman, Tommy of course yep your opening day first baseman tommy joseph joseph yes yep yep do you want to guess is that would that be more second baseman

cesar hernandez that was an obvious one shortstop freddie galvis yep and third is pretty obvious michael franco yep so just real quick real quick just to summarize an infield of Joseph Cesar Franco Galvis. Okay. Keep going. You're left fielder. Would that be, was that the Cedric Hunter year? No.

So the left fielder, in my opinion, the bet like was not for the Phillies, but the best major league baseball player career wise in this lineup. You'll never get it. Peter Borges? Howie Kendrick. Oh, man. They traded him

that year and then he won a World Series a couple years later. He was really a nice baseball player. But again, Howie Kendrick. I did too, but again, he is, I think, probably the best career of all the guys in the last time. This is the back end of the career. Obviously, center fielder, I think, relatively the best career of all the guys in the last time. This is the back end of the career. All right. Obviously, center fielder, I think, relatively obvious. Oh, double.

Yep. And then right field. How about it? Give it to me. Lefty. Lefty at a hit. Oh, Michael Saunders? Michael Saunders.

That was so good. And your starter, 2017, you want to remember? Jeremy Hellickson. Jeremy Hellickson. So six years ago, six years ago, the Phillies opening day lineup was Cameron Rupp, Tommy Joseph, Cesar Hernandez,

Mike Calfranco, Freddie Galvis, Howie Kendrick, Oduble Herrera, Michael Saunders, and Jeremy Hellickson. Yeah, dude,

we've come a fricking long way. Well, like a long way. Was that the year that uh jen marr was so lucky for the first like 30 some saves and he was just getting shelled but it's right at people i love jen marr gomez man i don't i bring it back now we love him because of fantasy we probably had him at the right moment in fantasy he was the derrick low of closers with that sinker man he can still pitch today um but yeah no and uh listen those are the years that you go through just for these

moments i agree with you dude i agree with you i think that we go through those years to have a chance to win champions i was so i was so pumped about michael saunders like like like i was sadly sadly excited about michael saunders all right j Jay Burnett in 14. I was really excited about him. Oh, buddy. And Aaron Durang. Oh, yeah. I was excited about Aaron Durang. I mean, again, so many of those guys.

Like Jay Bruce. I was excited about Jay Bruce. Well, Jay Bruce is supposed to help contribute and make a major league team. Yeah. Well, I guess that was later. Jay Bruce was a little later. Jay Bruce was 19? Yeah.

Jay Bruce was 19. Yeah, those teams. God. god dude what a what a run all right um let's do we'll get to the take bag coming up uh you got anything else before we do some youtube comments no no let's get let's do that let's get some youtube all right how about let's just i'm gonna scroll up a bit you scroll a bit let's pull some uh i'm just gonna say hi some people let's do some shout outs real quick, because why not? You're here. You're hanging out with us. You've ever been Major Matt, our buddy.

Love you, pal. Jersey. Major Matt loves gambling. He does. And well, he's good at it. He's good at it. You know, he's a lot better than I am. And I'll tell you that much.

Joe Girardi hater. I can get down with that. That's a strong name. Isaac. Shout out to everybody here. Anthony. Relly Matt. Really mad. I'm guessing that guessing that is but says really mad. Oh, that was Andrew

Andrew painters. Good guy. Good comment by you drew our buddy drew in Westchester. Shout out to Drew. I see now talk about someone that you think drew Westchester's over the Eagles lost or not. No, I drew drew feels it. I know true feels it feels me true feels the pain. All right Drew. Drew feels it. Drew feels the pain.

All right, let's roll here. How about this? Who improves the most this season? Stott, Boehm, or Marsh? Remember, improves compared to what they were last season. That's a very good question. That's from Ross. I'm going to go with...

It's a really good question. I'm struggling to think about it right now. I know what I'm going to go with, but I think it's a very good question, Ross. I'm going Bo it right now I know what I'm going to go with but I think it's a very good question though I'm going boom I am too I'm going boom um I think it's the extra weight like looking yeah listen I suck every year I'm like don't don't the best shape of the life the this guy put on muscle he's great. Don't overreact to it. Boehm's going to be awesome. He can't do it. 20 22. What are we doing?

No, like I legitimately every time like, oh, like, oh, why would we ever fall for best shape of your life? And then I get like one reported by his game, like 10 pounds. And it's just like, oh, sick. So he's going to be an all star. I, I legitimately cannot wait to see Alec Ball in this year. Like in like 10 pounds and it's just like oh sick so he's gonna be an all-star um i i legitimately

cannot wait to see alec ball this year like and and just in now this is obviously reading maybe more far into anything i've ever done but in the one the one swing i saw today look like he was trying to lift the ball more look like he was trying to lift the ball more. Looked like he was trying to lift the ball to the left. You're taking small sample size to a whole new level. No one better. But yeah, so I saw more

lift today. Dude, you know me. I'm a cast man. I know this cast. So maybe, I don't know, I guess we might have new listeners to bot after the run. Hopefully check us out. Pod's awesome. We love doing it.

The more people listen, the happier it makes us. Cause you know, we fricking love it and we want to keep doing it always. So, um, uh, I forget what I was going to say.

I like, I like, yeah, yes. Jack is a huge calf guy. Like as many times in our lives has said to me hey look at that guy's calves or some version of that or like wow can you believe can you believe those calves my buddy tommy you know my buddy tommy you've met my buddy tommy you've hung out

his house before also a huge calvesman huge they just kind of stick out anyway like like jt's calves are sculpted you know they're just sculpted calves uh but but the first video of boom the other day it was just like the legs the legs look thicker and when the legs look thicker that's when the power starts to to jump a little bit now people say oh i gotta see the arms like what the arms look like is that where the power's coming from the powers in the legs and. And he just looked bigger. He looked like he was stronger than Reese. And Reese is kind of just like big strong, you know,

whereas Boehm just looked strong, strong. So if you can couple the bat-to-ball skills that he's already shown with, like, not being a slap hitter, I mean, that's always been the dream. And that's been the dream that we've always dreamt on is can he lift the ball? Can he go from being Yandy Diaz to Jason Wirth in a way? So the fact that Boehm could be an impact bat that could start the year batting,

I don't know, seventh, James? But if Castellanos struggles... Nope. I agree. I'm back in. I'm back in. And when he's great, I'm going to go back to my original tickets. I knew it all along.

I might be more... Honestly, I might be more in on Castellanos than you this year. I could be more in. Oh, good. Which is sad. We're both in. I am so ready to be hurt by that guy again. I'm so ready. I'm so ready.

No, I mean, what are the odds? He's not a good hitter. He was a great freaking hitter. People don't just fall off a map at 30. Like, that never freaking happened. I guess unless, you know, you never know. But, like, it never happens. It would be very surprising.

It would be very surprising. So, but, yeah, I think he's going to be awesome. And I can't wait for the first spring training game to kind of see him. But, yeah, I mean, really mad. Put in there J.D. Martinez. That's always been, like, the perfect kind of count for him is, can in there J.D. Martinez. That's always been like the perfect kind of count for him is can he be J.D. Martinez? And, you know, maybe we're kind of turning that direction.

Well, yeah, he's got to get a lot more pop to be J.D. Martinez. Very similar hitters through the first start of their career. I love it. And look, he still is entering his physical peak. He's 26. He'll turn 27 in August, like 27, 28, 29. Like that's when guys like really start to really fully reach that physical peak he's 26 he'll turn 27 in august like 27 28 29 like that's when guys like really start to really fully reach that physical peak speaking really mad uh i just want your reaction to this comment okay i honestly it's one of those comments where like i don't know

which way to take it uh he says how many fills have been 100 dingers before their 27th birthday not many but franco was one of them. Mikey deserves a ton of respect, in my opinion. Not sure if you're being serious. Well, I thought it came up at like 21. No, no. Yeah, I mean, I

don't know. I just... He's pretty much out of the league at 29, you know? I saw him at a walk-off ones in person, which was really fun. Really? Well, I'm listening to who I will never forget the walk-off against the

Marlins. I mean, that was a magical evening. Wow. Mid-major Matt. Come on. There's no way. Total boss.

I mean, like, you know, whatever, fine for a year or two, but Holy cow. Just, Oh,

wow. Really serious. Wow. No, that's crazy. Mid-major Matt threw money on Cassie elite league and homers. So that sounds, that's what we call bold. Oh, okay. Anthony, I'm happy you brought this up. Shout out to Anthony in the chat. Jack, obviously us being, you know, different ages, definitely Andrew painter, definitively younger than you pal um and i was asked obviously about music is like you know it was a very funny thing or some kind of music

it's like oh i like old stuff like you know you know 2010s and 2000s maybe some 90s and it's like like a real knife to the heart of yeah yeah what was your take on the whole uh music gate or whatever we're gonna call it here well my first take was so like what does that make 60s and 70s it's like dead people it's freaking dead people is what it is what are we doing here man i know oh my goodness i mean it sounds like he's into Sean Kingston. You know, it sounds like, you know, those kind of throwbacks. Man! It's not surprising. It's not surprising at all.

It's not. Look, he's 19. I get it. It's just like, it's tough, man. Believe me. Like, I was talking to our buddy Nick Earnshaw, you know, and he's like. Shout out to Nick. 21 or 22. Like an Akon song came on. I was like, oh buddy Nick Earnshaw, you know, and he's like... Shout out to Nick, 21 or 22.

Like an Akon song came on. I was like, oh, this is awesome. He's like, I don't know what this is. And I was like, come on, man. This is like middle school. And he was like, what year was it? 06, 07? I was like, yeah.

He's like, oh, that was kindergarten for me. And I was like, oh, no. Did the young kid become the old man? Shout out to Nick. I'm not ready to be... Like, I'm really not good. I'm like... You are built to becomes an old man i'm not ready to be like i'm really not good i'm like you are built to be an old man you want to go into my you want to go into me and like my my makeup you know what i mean like as being an only child i talked to mostly adults my entire life so i'm way better at talking to older people than I am talking to younger people. So these kids at work, it's like, I don't know what I'm supposed to say to you.

I relate way better to the older 40-plus-year-olds like you than I do the younger people. Because I like older people. I don't like old music. You're an old soul with that. You're great with that. You're phenomenal with it. It's getting sad to be me, which is another day.

Yeah. Look at the guy looking at you right now and wonder if he has any sympathy whatsoever if you're in this. Zero. You should have. No, but that's not fair. I think you should have. Oh, not fair. You spent the history of this

podcast making fun of me for being old and i should sympathize with you yeah but you are upset that you feel old no way pal like suck it enjoy it also i mean hilarious that you know the old guy here is the one with airpods on you're wearing like you know freaking ancient like connect i didn't even know they still had those headphones like cord headphones like a a 75 year old man like my great my grandmother's dead but if you were alive you'd probably wear those headphones um you know just saying just saying here's why right back at you buddy enjoy it but here's why you should sympathize with me is that that you are cooked, right? You are.

And I'm more in the... I'm starting to realize what is in front of me. You know what I mean? Like, that's a dark place to be. Thanks, buddy. I think that's why... I'm the one who's like midlife crisis territory in life. You are.

Which is why... I'm sure you can't wait to wake up at three in the morning starting on Monday. Here's my philosophy on the whole thing. All right. Here's my whole philosophy. Like the camera's been waking up at like four o'clock, three 30 all week. He's like super ready,

but glasses and a light. And it's like, awesome. Like my alarm's going to go off and I'm going to get up and it's just gonna become what i do every day at that time and i'm just gonna hope it's gonna work out that's that's my way of going about it is hey i'm gonna go to bed earlier obviously during baseball season i'm gonna have to take naps during the day like that's gonna be weird but weird, but I'm going to have to figure it out. And then I'll say it for the Phillies game.

I'll go to bed right after it. And West coast games will be fun. Cause maybe West coast games, I'll come home and I'll go right to bed and like sleep all day. And then just stay up through the show the next day. There's all kinds of wild options for what my life could be. And I'm just going to figure it out. So it's going gonna be good buddy

i'm really happy for you that sounds like a really fun time i will be done at 10 o'clock every day yes i have a four-year-old daughter and i will be able to go to everything in her life i will be able to be there to coach her teams i'll be able to go to her recitals i'll be able to watch her plays i'll be able to be there to coach her teams. I'll be able to go to her recitals. I'll be able to watch her plays. I'll be able to like go to her school fun. I'll be able to chaperone fricking trips and stuff like that. So like,

you know what? Wow. This, this, this, um, it, I'm just saying though,

like I, that's what I think about. Obviously I have to think about like the positives. I have to wake up at three 30 in the fricking morning every day, Jack. All right. And one of the big positives is that I will get to do all that stuff with Zoe and I'll get to be a part of her life in a way that like, if I was done it, you know, if I worked at night or if I worked like late into the day that I wouldn't have the same

freedom to do. So how about that? I'm spinning a negative into a positive buddy. See, as someone who has almost made a career out of that on this podcast i appreciate the effort i really did and i and i like no the good part of it is that you made me feel awful uh like two minutes after it so like thank you so much for that i really do appreciate that meanwhile meanwhile you know that like i going to be working until six. Well, your kid's too young for it to matter. By the time your kid is... Yeah, but I leave earlier. It's going to be a whole thing.

It's all good. You're going to be... I want your schedule now. I know. Well, so do I. I mean, the saddest, and I am not sad. I'm very appreciative. I'm very excited.

It's an unbelievable opportunity. I'm really excited to do the mornings but like like middays and radio are the single is the single best hours you can have in any job in any like i am not i get it like i get that the last six years of my life have just been a freaking joy from a scheduling i mean now granted i do a lot of stuff after like for joe and john it's probably the best schedule of all time like i do have to do pods i do a lot of extra stuff and all that but just for radio hours like the midday show hours doesn't get better so but but but the real big question here is that i'm sure that everyone's wondering at this point is like how is this going to affect your high hope schedule like that's true i mean we're gonna sometimes well it won't really that much like there won't be as many like like obviously playoffs and stuff like that when

it really matters like there will be post game pods there will just be won't be as many like late night pods but like i'm done at 10 every day so like we could just record at 10 it's like you know so it won't be a big deal the point is we're still doing i hopes it's not changing anything from that perspective we'll be there we're doing it and look there'll be i have the whole day so like depending on days we can record at noon we were two on days where it's night or where they're off i can record at six we can do normal stuff like it's gonna be all over the place but the point is like the only thing that'll change is we probably won't do the after like a random three game brave series in june we won't record it like you know 11 o'clock on a wednesday night probably but that's pretty

much the only change like it won't be and and look when the playoffs are there i will my sleep will just suck like i will suck it up i'll figure it out i'll do whatever it takes we'll be recording after the games like i'll deal i'll figure it out. I'll do whatever it takes. We'll be recording after the games. I'll deal. I'll figure it out. That's my official statement. Is that fair? Are you good with that statement? It's a good start. We'll see if you live up to it. Your opening

press conference was good. Your opening press conference, I think the fan base is sold on what you got planned. I'm happy. I'm happy. I saw another good comment i wanted to get to um you made me laugh too but yeah one more and then oh it's art wow it's a long but you know we haven't done one in a while oh this i this is why i want to do

it i want to do it i did this for you this is for you yeah this is because i honestly like you know um as much as I've enjoyed this and the pitchers and catchers have got me going, I'm too bummed to go this deep. But this is for you, Jack. This is from Pessports. Not Passports. I expected Passports.

Pessports. Pessports, I'm guessing. Pessports, if it's P-E-S-S. Either way, I won. What current minor leaguers do we need to keep an eye on during spring training outside of the big three pitchers jack the floor is yours uh i gotta remember which young ones are up like i like the the problem is is like their most interesting hitters are like young you know

what i mean like how you and look there's no spots for a hitter like they're they're all clogged up offensively no one's yeah outside if someone's like beating out dalton guthrie for the extra outfield swatters there's like but there's not like the last couple years it's like moniac hazley uh boom stott late in games and like this year i mean off the top of my head it's like i mean it's gonna be guthrie you're gonna see like derrick hall uh you're gonna see like the the the kind of fringe players but the the difference I mean, it's going to be Guthrie. You're going to see Derek Hall. You're going to see the kind of fringe players. But the difference between this team and the last couple of years is you would watch Stott late in games and can he be the shortstop going forward?

You would watch Bone and be like, all right, is that the guy? Back in the day, you'd watch Reese. You'd watch Moniak. The good part about having a team that has World Series aspirations is that you don't really have to worry about that stuff you know and like some of the batters some of the hitters that draft the last couple years are like in the like they're

they're all probably a year away from being in this kind of spotlight so I I get no that's it's probably the worst answer ever given on prospects but like they're not here you know what I mean? All the prospect guys, all the pitching guys.

You mentioned Andrew Baker before already. I can't wait to see him pitch. I want to see what he looks like. Billy Sullivan's a guy that was throwing the other day in camp. These guys that... The 2020 undrafted class, I feel like almost all of them got hurt because they threw 100 miles an hour.

That doesn't really sustain itself well. So now they're kind of coming back around. So I'm excited to see Ben Brown and Chase Antle. Didn't Ben Brown get traded? No, there's another Brown that I'm forgetting. Okay, not Ben. There's these guys that signed undrafted free agents in 2020 that we're going to start to see. so i'm more excited for the pitching side and

spring training we'll see more like the possible bullpen pieces you know late in uh late in games so that's exciting all right take back all right um so like you know me i am very anti changes to baseball but the more and more that i've like looked at stuff like i'm legitimately excited for every rule change you know i was wow even including the uh the second base guy the ghost runner yeah yeah i've come around the ghost runner like dude trust me again especially with i morning show guy. Love face. Love goes runner. Anything that's going to end games quicker.

I I'm sorry. I'm in on now. It's just, it's, it's my lot in life. Well, first off, I think it all evens itself out over one 62. Like, I don't, I don't think it's that huge of a difference. And like, I hate extra baseball. Like I, I love that. There's no clock in baseball. I understand that.

But regular season, extra baseball just turned into home run derby every time. And I hated it. I hated it. It just turned into a terrible, terrible product. By the way, I figured out today that Angelo covered the 33 inning game. Did you know that? No, I didn't. I had no idea he covered the 33 inning game.

He's there for every inning. It was like a 37 degree. Wait, wait. I mean, so 26 is the most. The's there for every inning. It's like a 37 degree. Wait, wait. I mean, so 26 is the most. The longest game in baseball history. The longest game in baseball history. 26. 26 innings is the most longest game in baseball history.

Maybe it's like minor leagues or something. Might be. In major league baseball, 26 innings is the longest. There's a 33 inning game that Angela covered in Rhode Island. Yeah, so it's minor leagues. There's no major league baseball team in Rhode Island. No, I know. But but yeah i don't know i mean that might be the record for the minors i don't know um but yeah so like you know the the

ghost runner i just think it adds an interesting angle to the game like i've liked watching it um so i i was opposed to the game but i like it now um the bigger basis thing like we'll see you know but why not right it is 33 innings for a minor league game so it's the longest minor league game ever okay well yeah look at this paw target there you go all right red socks so you were like half right half wrong that's right but uh but yeah so like the bigger basis thing like we've said before but if theo thinks it's a good idea to save baseball quote unquote like i'll do it the shift like i i could have lived with it saying around but like i my whole uh premise the entire time was like i just want to see guys play baseball again and it felt like save it from himself just

it is what it is i i wish people could hit it where they ain't but like without hard these guys throws the lefties and all this stuff like they're just not gonna do it so like you know do we gotta do look that's what they've done in sports we talked about this like that's they've done with like you know three second violations and your shot clock originally and all this stuff like the you know like sometimes the the the thing in hockey with the blue lines like the two line pass like all this stuff like the you know like sometimes the the the thing in hockey with the blue lines like the two-line pass like all this stuff where it's like sometimes you just have to say all right like whether or not you know it's you know people just aren't

aren't figuring this out and we just or someone has figured this out too good like the trap that's why they're in hockey with the devils and stuff it's the same thing as you know it just is what it is like between the shifts and the the guys who throw really hard you know it's just not super fun to watch so yeah i'm with you the eagles touch push you know you gotta outlaw the that's just dumb in the sense that that's just one team doing it like every team does the shift every team it's not fun anywhere like that's just like oh you're like why doesn't every team do that because they don't have a quarterback who squats through 600 pounds anyway don't get me talking about this i'm i'm i've been happy it's been such a lovely hour for me go ahead um and the thing that i'm most excited about i thought i would hate it but given

everything i've seen in the minor leagues and the way that these guys talk about it like the pitch clock i think is just going to be, I think it's going to, I'm so happy to have you on board on pitch clock train as I've been for a long time. I'm so happy. I just think it's going to revolutionize how people, I think, I think it's going to legitimately put baseball back in like a,

a really good spot nationally because like, it's going to take it. It's going to keep the game moving. It's not going to, I'm not going to have the, the, the down time. And I think there's going to be a lot more balls in play so um it i i don't want to see the game change but at the same time like i i

it needs more action in it and and that's been my philosophy for a while now like they need more action and i think every single thing they did is is is a is an attempt to do that so i'm willing to give it a shot. I'm not. And they need a quicker pace of play. Like, they need the game to move. Like, nobody wants to see some dude walking around the mound. No one. Like, it just is what it is.

Like, games used to go way faster when we were younger, even when you were younger. I know that, you know, when I was younger, they certainly did. But, like, you know, it's a fight. Like, balls in play, action, fun that, you know, when I was younger, they certainly did. But like, you know, it's a fight like balls in play action, fun plays, you know, triples stolen bases,

like stuff like that. And, and a game that moves a game where it doesn't feel like I can look away from the TV for, for 50 seconds or a minute and not miss a pitch. Like it shouldn't be what the sport is, you know? Yep. So, uh, I'm excited and, and I want to see what they do and i hope that they help the game it's all i care about um

so all right you need to let me get like excited for there's two there's two things that like that like i got like almost butterflies talking about how wow excitement this is first some first the first was zach wheeler putting his locker right next to andrew painters and right next to bailey falter you know i love this you know i love this right there just print the world series tickets now yeah seriously honestly of all the things we've talked about this whole podcast, that makes me feel like they're going to the World Series as much as anything we've said. That and the Schwarber bleep in Philly.

Yeah, yeah. Those are the two things. You're right. Those are the top two things, without a doubt. And Turner hitting a car. And then Kay Long making fun of him. And boom! Look at him!

Oh! Let's go. But I think that's freaking awesome, man. I think i think it matters i just do uh but the other thing is like it's like i keep trying to calm myself down about andrew painter like i could be floating right now thinking about andrew painter but then tonight the the article from like gelb or or or alex coffee but how he's just like yeah i throw a cutter now it's like it's like do you want me to just do you want me to just over joy from excitement so not only does the guy throw 100 miles an hour not only can he spot as fast while both sides of the plate not only does he have feel for a curveball, feel for a changeup, feel for a slider.

Now he's just like, hey, I got a cutter too. Like, I just, I keep saying to myself, James, appreciate Andrew Panner, because I think we're about to start watching a Hall of Fame career. That's what I said last pod. I think we're seeing every- If he stays healthy, yeah.

If he stays healthy, like that's a whole thing. Like his profiles, hall of fame, like what he's done at his age, at the levels he's done it. Like that's hall of fame stuff. That's like multiple site,

young winner, talent type stuff. Like those guys who do what he did at his age in double a, like Jack's talking about so many times, like in small sample size, times like yeah and small sample size but like 12 and a half strikeouts per nine to 0.6 or whatever it is walks for nine like that's crazy like and he's 19 like again like 99 of baseball players don't even get to double a at 19 like it's what he's doing what he's done and what he looks like is like real special stuff.

Now he's a pitcher. Like we always check, talked about that. You talked about his last pod too. Like, it's just, it's harder to wrap your hands around a pitching prospect and say like, all right,

this guy, no matter what is going to have a great career because like, you know, it is what it is. These guys get hurt. It's harder to say healthy. It's harder to stay consistent and all that like, you know, it is what it is. These guys get hurt. It's harder to say all the, it's hard to stay consistent and all that. But you know, the profile is like hall of fame.

Like the profile is like one of the 10 best pitchers in baseball, five best pitchers in baseball. Like he's, he's that kind of guy, you know, potential wise. So, uh, can't wait. Like when, when, when his jersey comes out i might have to what number is he yeah i don't think it's out yet because he's throwing he's in the 70s right now it's gotta be a good number we need a good number i need something that's gonna pop i'm just saying no i know uh it's gonna be beautiful yeah see't wearing like, nah, cause Spencer Howard wore that.

Ah, it's going to be important. I want him in. Yeah. I won't. Yeah. I think, I think he wore,

I think he wore 24. I can see that. I can see. I had like, yeah, I can see that. Um, needs to be good.

Uh, last two things. Uh, shout out to our guy, our guys. But Scott Franski and T-Mac are going nowhere. So the Franski stuff is just massive. You know, like talk about having a postseason run for the ages.

Welcome back into our lives, you know, Scott Franski. So, you know, the city is kind of reminded of how incredible he is oh and speaking of the mccarthy family yes pat you are still dead to us yeah dude no do it we're out on you buddy well i you retweeted the mets yeah i'm scrolling through my timeline all innocent whatever my twitter timeline then i see at the top i'm like oh pat mccarthy retweeted something. I bet that's cool. It's the freaking Mets Twitter. Like, no. Gross. Out. Just out, buddy. Sorry.

I shouldn't say buddy. Guy. Out guy. Boss. Yeah. Haas. Yeah. Chief.

Just a guy. Just a guy. Pat McCarthy. So good news on that. And Garrett. Good news on that. Pat, you garrett good news on that pat you're out good yep um and then uh garrett stubs made the correct decision today he said the dancing on my own is retired of course it is it needs to be retired it's a one-year thing it was magical yeah time to move on no doubt no doubt i i i as a as a fellow member of the tribe i would have never expected anything less from garrett stubbs but just being wise

and knowing what the right thing to do in this situation is so shout out to my brother garrett well you're gonna watch him in the world baseball classic Classic on Team Israel? Hell yeah, man. That's my dude. Shout out. I'm excited. Look, I root for Team USA because I'm American and that's my country. I live here. But you better believe Team Israel is my number two team. You're damn right it is.

You're damn right it is. Go Israel, baby. Go. We got this. I believe in you guys. Gabe Kapler managing us? Go Gabe us okay no i don't think so maybe he's probably playing left field he's out there you think spring training is more important than managing the wbc yeah does he have any pride yeah outrageous you're a jew or not game come on

um all right uh i know you gotta go on the radio because you're a big star these days. Yeah. Well, it's Phil season, so I don't remember. It's like Jack Fritz, Phil's time. Get on the radio, buddy. Yeah. Yeah. That's what I do. Yes. All right.

You got a final thought. Final thoughts is, James, I hope that this last hour has been cathartic for you. And, you know, I hope to see you hope see hope sees you know some life back in you because i feel like you've been you've been so like you know jumpy and angry and lashing out at co-workers i was i was i was mean to you at one point i was like it touched me not really not really but like the tiniest bit mean and i did feel bad about it smidge me i felt really bad i love you lucky we do this podcast. It wasn't really mean, though.

Let's be honest. It wasn't. You've said way meaner things to me. Into a microphone. I say it with a smile. You said it with hate. Not hate for you, buddy. Hate for the Philadelphia Eagles in the moment and everything that happened

and that tragic day that will never never be forgotten February 12th 2023 one of the saddest days of the last 20 years oh and uh and Trey Turner's affiliate so yeah and I will say my final thought is it actually did like I really do this was fun fun. The Phillies. I'm, I love the Phillies. It reminded me that there is joy to be added in sports, even though it doesn't totally feel like it right now. So this was, it was, it was a positive,

positive hour for me, buddy. And it did help. So thank you. I appreciate you. All right. Thank you. Everyone showed up in the chat.

This is awesome. We'll do it again next week and answer chat questions. And we're getting close. It's going to be awesome. Business catchers. We got spring training games, like you said, next weekend. Was it Saturday, I believe, the first game? Friday or Saturday?

25th. And you're going to spring training this time, right? Because they're all going? Finally. For the first time in my life. You're 42, dude. It's like number one on my sports bucket list i can't wait i'm so excited it's gonna be awesome so i mean you're going obviously you're like a

fixture down there it's like what spring training without jack fritz these days jackie clearwater yeah all right you really do have to go so let's do this uh pot will be up soon for anyone who wants to listen again if you're a glutton for punishment, that'd be, that'd be wild. And I love everyone to listen. We love all you guys. Uh, we'll be back next week and we'll continue to get the, the Eagles out of our system and focus on what's important.

This Jack would say, Frickin Phillies are back. Spread some salsa.