High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Pitchers and Catchers Have Finally Reported

Episode Date: February 14, 2020

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are back as pitchers and catchers have finally reported. The guys get into that, baseball's weird rule changes and a whole lot more on this episode of High Hopes. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Philadelphia Phillies on Radio.com and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo! It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. What was that big yo about, Jack? I mean, people are going to assume they traded for Chris Bryant. No, it's just that we're in studio. We're the first time recording together in the new beautiful 2400 Market Studios. It's kind of crazy.

You've been here for like a month. I know. I haven't recorded once. I know. It's not as easy. It's like way harder. So, you know, the parking. I used to be able to park for free when I would come to the other station. Can't do that here. All that stuff. But, you know. It's all going downhill for you. It's okay.

It's all going well. I made it a point to come in here, Jack. Yeah. It had been too long. We've gotten some comments about the audio quality, which is fine. We're getting there. We're doing our best, guys. We're doing the best we can. I mean, we just want to bring you High Hopes because we love High Hopes.

You love High Hopes. Just trying to, you know, be there for you. High Hopes is still my favorite. Well, I would hope so. Yeah. It's just like when I know we're recording a High Hopes podcast, there's just a little giddiness i know where we're coming from i know like the thing i love the most about high hopes the highest podcast and the high hopes listeners and the people that tweeted us and engage with us

and leave views it's like they understand us on a wavelength like it's the podcast for the diseased phillies like this is not this is not for, like, I'll watch a couple times a week. Yeah, check them out. This is for the people that, like, the Phillies are all you think about. That's where me and James are. Yes, do we have to put on an act on the radio and act like we care about what's happening with the Sixers or Eagles or, you know, some center? Like, what's his name on the Sixers? This is the podcast for disease Phillies fans by disease.

I love that. That should be our tagline. That's actually pretty good right there. We actually have a lot to talk about, too, because speaking of giddy, they're playing baseball, Jack. Honestly, it's been just dog crap weather up here. Raining every day. Awful.

It's going to be like 15 degrees tomorrow. I can't wait. 15 degrees tomorrow? Yeah, you didn't see that? For frick's sake. And Howard Erskine, Larry McCutcheon's best friend, calls into the show today. He's like, yeah, it's 80 degrees down here. I'm like, you jerk.

Yeah, it's unbelievable. But just seeing them practice makes it feel warmer. Oh, it really, honestly, genuinely has added a light to my life again, just seeing the videos, seeing the excitement. Like, we got baseball coming back, man. I know. The offseason always flies by, and then all of a sudden they're down there doing things, hitting.

I watched the Hoskins BP, I don't know, a hundred times. Well, you showed it to me like ten times. You came into the studio like ten times and been like, did you look at this? Who's it remind you of? Looking at this, who's it remind you of? Breakout season? I watched the video of Boehm fielding for at least an hour. I need to see what's going to translate. I've kind of

come to the grips that they're probably not going to trade for Chris Bryant. Even though we've got some news on that. There is some news. There is some news, but it feels like it's not trending in that direction. I agree. I have said all along

I would be surprised. I was always more on the I don't expect it to happen train, but I'd be really surprised if it happens at this point. I'm still on the train that if he gets traded, I still need to be a Philly. I'm just not sure he's going to get traded. I never thought he was going to get traded, at least until the trade deadline, depending on if the Cubs are out of it, all that type of stuff.

But I wasn't expecting a trade in the same way. Right. And I'm getting to the point where it's like. All right, give me Bum. Yeah, I'm excited. Give me Alec. I'm excited. I'm cool with both sides. Yeah. I'm cool with both sides.

Yeah. I'm cool with both sides. Although, if the freaking Braves or Nationals sweep in and take Bryant. Wow, that's this guy. So let's just get to that. Patrick Saunders, a very good beat reporter for the Colorado Rockies, tweets out, lots of Rockies, Nolan Arenado for Cubs, Chris Bryant rumors floating out there, which is. Bull.

Yeah, I mean, like, have you ever seen a less likely thing to have happened than that? Like, how do you fall for that? I mean, come on. But one source told me that the Cubs might be creating media noise to make a better deal with the Phillies, Nationals, or Braves. Are those teams in the same division, perchance? Oh, buddy. Oh, dude.

If one of those teams get them. Like, if I'm a Braves fan, I'm honestly furious that Chris Bryant isn't a Brave. Yeah, well, buddy. Oh, dude. If one of those teams get him. If I'm a Braves fan, I'm honestly furious that Chris Bryan isn't a Brave. Yeah, well, absolutely. I mean, if they wanted to, if the Braves wanted to, it could be over. I mean, they have the pieces. They have the assets. It's done. Yeah, and they would be World Series favorites.

Yeah. I mean, right now they're a legit World Series contender. Yeah. But if you get Chris Bryan to replace Josh Donaldson, Acuna's a year better. You have still a Freeman who's 30 and 100. And then you have that pitching staff and the bullpen that you fortified this offseason. And guys, you could just keep bringing up, too.

They wouldn't have to try Christian Pashy in that deal. It would probably be Kyle Wright, probably Austin Riley. I was going to say Austin Riley. And the guy that's going to say Austin Riley. And the guy that's going to be a top ten prospect once Christian Pashy graduates to the big leagues. I laugh. Because you instead of crying, right? It's like I laugh so I'm not crying.

No, I'm with you. I'm with you. I'm just hoping Bryant doesn't get traded at this point because I think it's far more likely it's the Braves and the Phillies at this point. Yeah, it's like almost like a rather not even Aaron Otto or Bryant get traded. Leave him as it is. You know, the Rockies are going to be a terrible team. Let them be terrible.

Well, they're going to – it feels like he's going to get moved to the deadline. I think so too. A year and a half left. That's what – that's not what Machado left. That's what – Machado only had a half a year left. He only had a half a year left. Who had a year and a half? I mean, there have been many guys who can trade with a year and aado left. That's what... Machado only had a half a year left. He only had a half a year left. Who had a year and a half?

I mean, there have been many guys who have been traded with a year and a half left. Yes. So, all right. Well, first and foremost, let's get back to spring training because of pitchers and catchers. What's been the most exciting thing

that's come out so far for you other than, of course, the revelations that Andrew's real name is Larry? I mean, I don't know. It's probably the most under-talked about story, of course, the revelations that Andrew's real name is Larry. I mean, I don't know. It's probably the most under-talked-about story, I think, in Philadelphia, in all of baseball, and in maybe the universe. Wow, the universe. That's legit.

Everyone on the Phillies is taking PEDs. Scott Kingery looked huge. They are yoked. Like, what were they doing all offseason? How long have we been asking for a PED, you know, thing with the Phillies? Sure. I mean, the Astros can freaking wear buzzers and stuff. Can we at least do something?

Give us a chance. I know. I mean, real Muto is looking jacked. Love it. They look ripped. And I think the thing, my main takeaway. Balco East, baby. Yeah.

My main takeaway, we used to be Boris Adelphia. Now we're just hoping that these guys win. Dude, I'm all in. I've long been a proponent of steroids and baseball, so let's go. But like, from, where are we? What are we? 2,000 miles from Clearwater? Is that about how far

we are? No, less than that. I would say just a guess, but I guess like 1,200, 1,500 somewhere in there. A 1,500 mile away view 1,500-mile-away view, for me, it seems like these guys came in like it's go time. And they might not be the most talented team in the NL East, but I think they saw a change in manager, and I think that they said, we really got to step our game up.

And I think that Real Muto's a leader. I think Harper's a leader. McCutcheon's a leader, obviously. McCutcheon's a leader for sure. McCutcheon's a leader, for sure. I just think that the leaders in the team, they came in motivated. They look right now like a team that's hungry. They look like a team that's motivated. See, the thing that I've liked is that, you know how after a trade deadline,

if they don't make a move, teams kind of go in the tank? Sure. This team could have done that because they feel like the Phillies didn't do enough from a pitching staff standpoint. But the fact that they look like a team that's like, no one believes in us. Let's go out. Let's prove everyone wrong. They look motivated.

And, like, Joe Girardi makes me run through a brick wall. Like, every time Joe Girardi speaks, like, I swoon. Me too. I don't care if he's pandering and telling the same thing. Yeah, I don't care at all. Dude, I don't. Like, the same thing Harper. Like, Harper I knew was pandering.

Don't care. Don't care. Love it. Honestly, pander. I prefer it. Make me feel all care. Don't care. Love it. Honestly, pander. I prefer it. Make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside because I love it. And like this is – we were both – well, you were out on Gabe pretty fast. I understood where Gabe was coming from.

But as a former player, I just knew that there's no way guys in that locker room could feel the authenticity. You talked about that a lot. Authenticity. There's no way guys in that locker room could feel the authenticity. You talked about that a lot. Authenticity. It's just such a major step up from what we saw with Kapler to what we're seeing with Girardi. I've said this a couple times this offseason,

and the more and more I see him talk and hear him talk, people joke about people saying that he could add five to six wins to this team. I legit think he could add that to this team. I think it's a lock. Honestly, somewhere in that range, five wins. five to six wins to this team. I legit think he could add that to this team. I think it's a lock. And it's not. Honestly, like somewhere in that range, five wins. And it's not because of the in-game strategy. It's the culture.

It's the culture. It's the. Professionalism. Absolutely. Correct. I don't have to get into anything. The in-game strategy is fine. I mean, he's long been a guy that rides his bullpen. He won't pitch in three days in a row.

He's more of a macro manager than a micromanager, which is good for a 162-game season. Absolutely. Good for a bullpen where you're not going to have guys you can count on that much anyway. I mean, they have like 71 guys at camp, so they got plenty of arms. They're fine.

Look, I think that's, for me, the biggest thing this season coming to this season is the the idea of that especially coming off Kapler I think Girardi brings that wherever he goes a level of demanding professionalism in a way a you know way you go about your business a toughness a culture but especially coming off Gabe where whether you like Gabe or not, I mean, he clearly did not demand professionalism in the same way that Joe Girardi does. He clearly let these guys kind of walk all over him. We knew that. We talked about that. He was more like a buddy than an authority.

Dude, I heard his first press conference. They replayed it the other day on the morning show. In San Francisco. No, no, no. Oh, from here. And he said, we're not going to have alarm clocks. Oh, I remember. Oh, my God.

We're just going to let them show up whenever they want to work. Who needs an alarm clock? And hearing it now, and it's like, oh, my God. Yeah. I bought this crap?

I know. I know. What player is like, oh, perfect. Cool. I see it too. Like, what? No, we're structured.

Yeah. We can't do that kind of stuff. And also, accountability, I think, is a big part of it. And also, Girardi, and I know we've talked about this, but Girardi just comes in with a level of clout, a level of cachet where those guys in the locker room have to look at him and be like, that's Joe F. and Girardi. Like, we have to man up for this dude.

Yeah. Won a World Series. Won a World Series. Won a World Series in New York. Yep. Like, everyone knows Joe Girardi, the manager. And everyone, a lot of these guys, some of them at least old enough to remember Joe Girardi, the player even.

And, I mean, he was a work hard type of player. He won World Series as a player too. You know, wasn't the best player, but got the most out of what he had to offer. Correct. Who wins in a arm wrestling match, Gabe or Girardi? Maybe still Gabe. I might take the old strength. Gabe's a big boy, man.

I might take the old strength. Sure, Girardi has that dad strength. That dad strength matters. Let me tell you about it. Did you hear the Gabe story from today? I love hearing Gabe stories from San Francisco. So this is from Henry Shulmanman and he says that uh capler plans to have a long get to know you chat with cueto as he does with every player today's

interaction was light i noticed his beard glistening and i asked him about i asked him about the beard oil he uses capler said no no he didn't come Come on, you missed him. No, I miss laughing at this stuff. I do. I do. He's such a weirdo. It's such a jump up. So I'm with you. I think the Girardi thing, I agree with you.

Reese Hoskins' new stance. Let's talk about it. Reese Hoskins' new stance. Because that's a big development. It is. And so I'm kind of thinking about it in two ways. So when I watched Reese Hoskins last season, I saw a guy that couldn't hit an outside pitch to save his life.

Like if you pitch him on the outside, he's going to try to yank it, and he's going to likely pull a foul. He's trying to pull everything. Pull everything. So it's weird because he started opening up his stance, which would suggest that he wouldn't be able to reach the outside pitch. But if it makes him more lethal on the inside pitch, like he was also late to inside fastballs. So Gelb did a really good breakdown.

So Hoskins was pretty much cutting himself off. So that's why he decided to open it up, because he was kind of stepping towards the first baseline. Not as drastic as that, but stepping in that direction. And it was cutting himself off so that even 94, where he would usually drive it for 400 feet, he's just popping it up or popping up weekly to first base. So he opened up his stance. And if he could just get back to, at least with the inside pitches,

being able to drive them, not being late on 94 on the hands, like he was at times last year that's massive i do worry about him um becoming pull happy with the with the swing but it just looked more it looked more fluid um it reminded me of chris davis a lot not the bad one the one that chris of the k batted 247 for what was it three years in a row 45 homers 40 hom homers, whatever. If he has a season, like, if he's Chris Davis with a week. Oh, my God, if he's 250 with 40 homers, boom. Yeah.

Let's go. Yeah, so the tough part about a swing change is that once things, once it doesn't work for the first time, because baseball's hard. I mean, baseball's a hard sport. It's not going to work at time. Like, obviously, the best players are 30 of the time i mean the struggle is going to be going back to what you've done your whole life so like sure you could have this new swing and it could work for a little bit but once it once it doesn't feel once it slips it's gonna go back to what he used to do

because that's what you're mentally that's that it's? Because that's what you're mentally – It's easy. Yes, it's a crutch. It's what you go back to. Correct, what he's always done. So I'm interested to see if he struggles, if he goes back to his old swing. But just the fact that he's being receptive to what Joe Dillon is teaching I think is massive. It seems like he was almost humbled by what happened last year.

Good. Should have been. Should have been. Should have been. He should have been. He was the worst hitter in baseball. He was. I mean, some of the stats that you see, Johnny Heller's put some crazy ones out on Twitter,

but things were like we're talking about, like if Andrew Knapp was better over the second half of the season. I mean, you know, there were pitchers who were better hitters over the second half of the season than Reese Hoskins. It's astounding how unbelievably horrendous he was over the second half of the season than Reese Hoskins. It's astounding how unbelievably horrendous he was over the second half of the season. Yeah, and I just, I don't

like what's going on with a lot of Phillies fans about like, oh, Reese is so bad. Like, I just don't think he's bad. Again, we're going to take a half a season versus the rest of his baseball career? Yeah. Literally, the minors through the majors, this guy's always hit. Let him figure it out. Yeah, let him figure it out. Let him figure him figure it out don't jump off the bandwagon so quick

no and like I just think that the lineups gonna be the lineups gonna be nasty the lineups gonna be nasty so I like where the swing's at it looks more smooth looks like it can generate more power it looks like he's gonna be able to catch up to the fastballs inside

and I think Joe Dillon's already making a bit of a difference I mean the fact that they spent almost the looks like he can generate more power. It looks like he's going to be able to catch up to the fastballs inside. And I think Joe Dillon's already making a bit of a difference. I mean, the fact that they spent almost the whole offseason together, Joe Dillon's been praised as the best assistant hitting coach in baseball, real hands-on guy. So I am giving Reece Hoskins a blank slate. I'm letting him just go. Yeah, and, I mean, look, Joe Dillon coming from working with Kevin Long,

who's long been one of the best hitting coaches in baseball, obviously did it with the Nationals last year. I just think the whole staff, we've talked a lot about Brian Price. I mean, man, what an upgrade. We talk about the upgrade from Girardi, from Kapler to Girardi, but I don't think we're talking enough about the upgrade from Chris Young to Brian Price. It's the whole staff. It's the whole staff.

It really is, though. It's the whole staff. It's the whole staff. It really is, though. It's the whole staff. I do think that really matters. Another thing that I think we haven't talked about enough, and it was fun watching Zach Wheeler throw some pitches when that came out. I think that, and again, I've definitely been a part of this, in that we've been so upset with the lack of filling out the roster, the not paying the tax, John Middleton,

all this type of stuff that I do think we've done a disservice of not talking enough about how big of an addition Zach Wheeler and Didi Gregorius are. And I know we talked about it when they happened, but I'm starting to get really pumped about those guys. Wheeler, I mean, I think Zach Wheeler could havei Gregorius are. And I know we talked about it when they happened, but I'm starting to get really pumped about those guys. Wheeler, I mean, I think Zach Wheeler could have a really big season. I'm feeling good about Zach Wheeler. I like what I'm seeing.

I like what I'm hearing. I like a new spot for him, kind of getting out of New York, kind of being someone who's counted on more here. I think he could thrive in that role. What have you seen from Wheeler so far? And have we kind of under-talked because we've been so upset counted on more here. I think he could thrive in that role. What have you seen from Wheeler so far? And have we kind of under-talked because we've been so upset they didn't get more pitchers about how much of a difference Wheeler can make? Yeah, I mean, listen, I would be lying if I said

I'm not going to take Zach Wheeler for his word. His word was I'm going to win two Cy Youngs in a World Series. That's a hell of a word. That is my expectation with Zach Wheeler, and if he doesn't reach that, I will be highly disappointed. Yeah, he could basically consider his career a failure if he doesn't do that. What if he does, though? What if he does, though?

That'd be crazy. Hey, if he does, guess what? That $120 million deal is one of the best deals in baseball, Zach. Never doubted Matt Klintzak. Never doubted Matt Klintczak for a second. But with Wheeler, I just think that if they added one more pitcher, we're like, wow, this is a staff. But here's the thing, is that everyone's melting down about the staff. I get it.

Everyone's like, oh, my God, staff, staff, staff. We're a year away from the staffing a surplus because Spencer Howard's coming. Yeah. Honestly, half a season away and they're going to have to watch his innings. I didn't realize he's never done more than 100 innings.

That worries me. But neither did Paddock. No. And Paddock never pitched above double A. But Paddock also really faded down the stretch. They had to keep, you know,

kind of messing with his innings, putting him on, you know, sending him back down, all that type of stuff. So Spencer Howard's not going to come up and pitch three quarters of a season with the Phillies. He's going to be someone who's going to go up and pitch three quarters of a season with the Phillies.

He's going to be someone who's going to go up and down, who's going to kind of be in and out, and they'll find a phantom way to – I almost said DL. IL him. We're so far away. I have to remember these things. You know, that kind of stuff will happen, but Spencer Howard is real. Like, he's real.

Yeah, the fact that they have Alec Bowman and Spencer Howard and they're both actually really good. We have two real guys. At the same time? Two top 30 prospects in baseball. Is that allowed? No. And they're major league ready.

I know. At the same time? I know. And they drafted and developed them. I know. I know. I can't believe it. And they're not like fringe outfitters like Adam Haseley.

No. They're legit. They could be real players for this team. Was that allowed? No. They broke the rules. Good job. It's basically the same thing as the Astros.

We're going to find a loophole in the system. Yeah, I know, right? Oh, and tell me, let me just get this off my chest. I was going to get there. You want to just go to it? I don't know if we're talking about the same thing. I'm talking about the Phillies are fourth in war since 2013. Oh, okay.

We're going to get to the Astros. That was my point. The Phillies are fourth in war since 2013 with their drafts. It's like, oh, my God. Can we stop? Is that a real thing? It's a real stat. I just don't care.

It drives me crazy. I mean, come on. Just look at what's there. They're just not. They haven't been great at this. But those two guys could be real. Real guys who matter. And I honestly, I'm starting to get annoyed with how people talk about the farm system.

Like, there's legit guys in the farm system that are close. Like, Damon Jones is legit. Like, he could be a difference maker in the bullpen. Like, Eric Miller is a guy who's, there's so many dudes. I'm just telling you, there's so many legit. What a shocking turn of events. Jack Fritz is higher on the farm system than other people. It's not what we're talking about believing in a Cole Irvin type.

These guys actually have stuff. Connor Siebel has stuff. These guys have stuff. It's turning. It's turning. Jackie O. Come on. Jackie O.

Dude, we're 40 days away from opening day. I know. You thought I was going to stay like, we'll see what happens. No. I don't want to see what happens. I'm feeling the juices, too. And look, we've both said, and I'm going to guess you haven't moved off it either, like, when the time comes that we're doing our season preview pods

and all that stuff, which, please bring. I need baseball in my life. I need my TVs to be filled up with the Phillies on one and some random game on the other. I need it. Like, I need it. I need my TVs to be filled up with the Phillies on one and some random game on the other. I need it. I like, I need it. I need it. But when we get to that time, we're both going to be saying we think they're going to get

a wild card spot. I think they've done enough. And I think Girardi is going to make a difference enough where I don't buy they're the fourth best. I think, sure, on paper, they might be the third or fourth best team in their division. But I think the Nationals are going to sag back a bit. I don't believe in the Mets as much as other people do. I think they're going to end up finding a way to get a wild card.

Oh, you don't believe in the Mets? A lot of people really believe in the Mets, man. I don't know what to tell you. What are people going to learn? What are people going to learn? They're the kings of preseason. I know. Although I guess they did technically go to the World Series in 15.

No, the Mets may be all right. They'll be fine. They'll be fine. The division's going to be good. The division's going to be fun, fun. It's going to be good. It's the best division in baseball. No, the Mets may be all right. They'll be fine. They'll be fine. The division's going to be good. The division's going to be fun, fun. It's going to be good. It's the best division in baseball. Think about that.

Even the Marlins. They'll be better. The Marlins will be better. The Mets staff is – I like that staff. Yeah. And I like the Bulls. 6-0 on the way up and all that still, too. Don't worry.

They won't pay him a couple years, and we'll take him back. There you go. Positive attitude, Jack. We're so close to baseball. This next month's going to fly back. There you go. Positive attitude, Jack. We're so close to baseball. This next month is going to fly by. I hope so. Or it could go like a take forever type of feel. Yeah, usually the

first couple of days it's like, oh my god, everything's so close. It's going to take forever because we just want it so desperately. The first spring training game. We're so close. With the 17th or 22nd or something. I'm in a personal dilemma because I don't ever watch TV when I'm producing. I don't either. But the Phillies played one during the day.

So we're both in a dilemma here. I'm going to record and watch at home anyway. I can't watch when I produce. I'm going to glance a glance, but I can't watch. I just can't. It's hard. There's so many guys. Dude, they have 71 players.

I know. They have 71 players. They get Tommy Hunter major league deal. And 65 of them are bullpen guys. Yeah, they don't even have a starting nine. There's so many bullpen guys. They're literally just throwing darts and seeing what happens. But I'm fine with that.

Sure. And listen, dude. I would much rather they have spent money. Don't get me wrong. But since they didn't, I'm fine with that. You know, if you're... Sure. I would much rather they have spent money, don't get me wrong, but since they didn't, I'm fine with this approach. But it's so hard. Like, it's...

We've learned in the last couple years, paying on bullpen guys and having a return on investment almost never happens. Yeah, look at it. I mean, the Mets made a traded top 10 prospect for MLS. They traded Mike Trout 2.0.

They traded Mike Trout 2.0. It's like a carried away. Well, I'm there. I love Jared Kalanick. He's great. I love him even more now the Mets trade him away. I'm rooting for that guy. Love it.

But, like, this is, of course, this is what we do. I get it. Of course we talked ourselves into this bullpen being, like, fine. But, like, I like this approach better than $9 million a year for Tommy Hunter. Look, I do agree with that. We've talked a ton. That's why we're really more upset that they didn't sign another starter. That's an area where you can't criticism.

It would have made everything so much better. We'd all feel so good about this. Although, did you see Cole Hamill's injury? I did. It's a real shame, that traitor. Is that called karma? It's going to keep him off the wall of fame. Karma.

It's going to keep his number unretired here. Anyone can wear 35. I don't care. You hate Cole. You don't give Cole the respect he deserves. I don't give Cole the respect. I know. Because he was an ace for one year.

He was the World Series MVP. Oh, my God. You put so much freaking emphasis. Because it's the only World Series I won in my lifetime. How could I not care? Nick Foles is the best quarterback in Eagles history, right? He was. It's ridiculous, dude.

He was the reason they lost in 09. If he didn't suck in 09, they're back-to-back World Series champs. Can I give you three words? World Series MVP. I got you. Flags fly forever. Nice. Guess what?

They could have had multiple flags if he didn't suck in 09. Quick question. What? What is the point of playing baseball? To have fun. To win the World Series, Jack. Don't give me that crap. Don't give me that crap.

For you playing baseball, it's a beer league. Sure, it's to have fun. Dude, I was thinking about that the other day. I got to get in shape. I was like overheating in my league last year, like five innings in. Oh, no. So hot. Oh, no.

So hot. I need to shed some weight fast. Well, that's a point of brian lennon i am down four pounds i'm actually as we kind of said before i'm wrapping back to it i am kind of the more we get to the you know i don't think they're going to trade for brian the more excited i am about mom and the more okay i am with not training for brian yeah we said it last time but we would have been devastated if they didn't get Bryce Harper. I wouldn't be devastated.

I would be... But here's the thing. If he goes to the Nationals or Braves, I'm going to be upset. Yeah, I'll be really upset. I'm going to be upset. It's easy to say that now than when they don't train for him

and someone else does. It's easy to see that when we see Girardi and Boehm fielding ground balls together. Oh, God. It's not going to be when we see Girardi and Boehm fielding ground balls together. Oh, God. It's not going to be great. What a guy. Can the DH get here already, please?

Nope, never. Please. The only reason I want the DH in the NL, which I hate the DH. It really helps the Phillies. It really helps the Phillies. The Phillies are so set up for the DH. Yeah. Oh, let's go.

Just move into the American League. You did it with the Astros. Yeah, true. And the Brewers flipped over the National League. It can happen. You old enough to remember that? No. Really?

No. I guess that makes sense. It was the early 90s. When did they move over? The early 90s. Oh. Yeah. The Brewers used to be an American League team when I was young.

How about that? Isn't that crazy, Jack? That sucks. They're an NL team for me. Back when Pat Listash was winning the Rookie of the Year. You remember that? No, I don't. But speaking of the Brewers, I was thinking about,

I think my favorite comp for Alec Boehm, you ready for it? Because I think it makes the most sense, is Ryan Braun. Because when Ryan Braun- Give me Ryan Braun. Because when Ryan Braun... Give me Ryan Braun. Because when Ryan Braun... Well, non-steroids. Minus the steroids, yes. When Ryan Braun came up, he was a third baseman.

He was a dog crap at third base. Remember 08? Oh, yeah. He was the third baseman on the Brewers team. He was terrible at it. Awesome as a hitter. Oh, my God. Like, raked from the jump.

Like, the moment he came up, raked. Dude, and it was like it was like 400 foot. He was one of those guys who won people fantasy leagues that first year because he came up a month into the season and was just a dominant player. Right, but so what they did and what I think the Phillies should do, and if they don't trade for Chris Bryant, like, just make Bowman the third baseman and let him sink or swim. Yeah.

Like, he's going to either be able to field or he's not going to be able to field. It's not that difficult. It's not that difficult to figure out. So in 2008, when Ryan Braun was 24 years old, which is what Boehm is going to be next season, he batted 285 with a 335 OBP and 37 homers. Yep. I don't think Boehm's going to do that.

37 homers. Don't think Boehm's going to do that. 37 homers. Don't think Boehm's going to do that. It's crazy. It's crazy. But he also, he started, he started in 07. So in 07, he played 112 games at third base. And he was horrible at it. And in 07, he came up and he batted 324.

Mm-hmm. Ryan Braun's a freak yeah Ryan Braun was really good he was really good really good but that kind of thing where they let him come up in 07

they let him sink or swim if he can play third base can play third base great that solves a lot of issues if he can't whatever

we'll move him to left field we'll figure it out I didn't put it together that the only two great Jewish ball players of my lifetime were both Jaders. Wow. Sucks. That hurts.

Speaking of which, let's really quickly get to this Astros thing. And then I want to get to some structural changes for the game this season, which I'm sure we're going to disagree on because we have in the past. And then some potential structural changes down the road that has everybody fired up. Everything's great.

I think people are not going to agree with me, but I can't wait for that. That's what happens. Astros. Obviously, Jim Crane came out today and just pissed at everyone's ears. One of the most horrendous... I mean, we ripped John Middleton

for that press conference. This was eight zillion times worse. This guy had a month to prepare, comes out and says, everything's fine, it's all good. It didn't help us. You can't know that it didn't help, but it didn't – I mean, it was insane, Jack. What was your takeaway from today's asinine press?

Yeah, it was like they weren't even remorseful for anything. It was unbelievable. They may as well have just come out banging trash cans, like walked into the room banging on some trash cans and being like, ha-ha, screw everybody. We won, and you can't take it away. Wouldn't that have been better? Like, than what they did today, than to just be a –

they may as well just lean into it and been the villains of baseball. You're going to be the villains of baseball anyway. You may as well say, screw you. We don't care. We won the World Series. Come at us. I would have respected it more, at least. Yeah.

I mean, it's just – it's so tough to root for those guys now. I know. It's just – Alec, as many High Hopes listeners know, as you know, I've long said that Alex Bragman, my favorite non-Philly in baseball, because he's Jewish, I can't say that anymore. Like, I can't. What a fall from grace. I'm really mad at him.

How's he handling that news? I think of everything going on, this is probably the biggest blow. Everything else, he can get by with everything else, but hearing that me, James Seltzer, doesn't like him as much anymore, I mean. Wow. What are you supposed to do? I don't know.

I don't know. I don't know how he's going to recover from this. It's going to be tough. I was kind of working, so I didn't get home and watch the whole thing, but I did see the Bregman and Altuve's 32nd. Oh, it was basically like, yeah, we feel bad. We'll see you later. Peace.

Yeah, it was like the PR staff handed him this. Whatever their statement was. And then it's like, all right, Alex and Jose aren't answering questions, but here's Dusty Baker. It's like, Dusty Baker had nothing to do with this. Poor Dusty's like, just happy to have a job again. Dusty's like, paycheck. Yeah. He said, please, Dusty, come make us likable. I mean, and to be fair, probably the only smart thing they did was put Dusty out in front

because he's the one person in that organization who has a clean record, so to speak, and is respected throughout the sport. It was smart. Everyone likes him. How could you not? I like Dusty. I mean, Dusty seems like a great guy. What a just bleep show.

It really is. I mean, seriously. So what do you think it means for baseball? What does it mean for the, I mean, obviously the Astros it's going to be, they're going to have a bullseye on them all season long. I think it's going to be really tough for the Astros to thrive this season. They're going to

have a bullseye in every single park they go to from the fan base, from the players. I mean, people like Clevenger and Bauer and all these guys. I mean, Mike Clevenger might take someone's head off when he's facing the Astros. Bauer definitely is going to take someone's head off when he faces the Astros. I wonder if the Reds played the Astros this year. I'm sure they do at some point.

I mean, interleague play, right? Well, that doesn't mean you play the – you don't play every AL team. You play every AL team? No. I thought you did. No. Well, the Phillies played the AL West this year, so we played the Astros. Oh.

I wish it was here because we could do the – remember the sign from when Bonds came? Like, Ruth did it on hot dogs. How'd you do it or whatever? Man, if I just – If the Astros came here – Everyone should bring a trash can. They would get destroyed. That would be amazing.

So they're not coming here? Is it in Houston? It's in Houston. It's a shame. They should be forced to change that and come here. I agree. Well, they could just come here in the World Series. Oh, buddy.

So the thing I think, honestly, my honest thoughts is that they made the Astros the poster child for this. Because the Astros are, like, so snobby. Yep. Jeff Lunau is awful. I can't stand. Oh, what a dick. I mean, he's just a dick. Like, let's be Jeff Lunau is awful. I can't stand, like, for everyone. Oh, what a dick. I mean, he's just a dick. Dude. Like, let's be real. He's awful. And, like,

just... He's still trying to blame other people. It's what I know. I didn't even know about it. I had nothing to do with these guys. It was the bench coach. And then the report comes out that it was all of them, and, like, it's like, it's out there. Like, we already knew it was you, but, like, now it's, like, clearly you. It's emails, dude. Like, I know. That's what I'm saying.

It's clearly you. He's clearly just a nerd that never had any friends. This is the first time he's ever had to deal with something like this. He's used to getting shoved in lockers as a high schooler. I just think that the Astros are just being made the post-trial because they're so awful and there's such a bad culture there. MLB's making an example of them and I don't think we're going to hear much

like stories will come out stories will leak out about other teams doing this because I think other teams are doing it. 100% I mean that's all you're hearing is a lot of players saying hey this is going on all over the place well yeah and like dude who which team was affected the most by the cheating the Dodgers have you heard anything from the affected the most by the cheating? The Dodgers.

Have you heard anything from the Dodgers? No, I'm sure the Dodgers were doing stuff, too. Right. The Dodgers are way too smart in organization, and I'll be looking for those types of advantages. Especially Friedman and stuff. Yes. So. In case you're wondering what that pause is about, the lights just went off.

The lights just flickered off and on here. So I just think that. We're still working out the kinks here. Yeah, I just think that the Astros are like, they're going to get the crap end of the stick this year. They will. And they deserve it. Just because other teams were doing something, which I'm sure they were, I'm sure

we'll hear something about Cora and the 2018 Red Sox. I think we can all assume that there was something going on there. But the Astros still, whether or not everyone else was doing it or what, the Astros deserve everything they get. They've acted like a-holes. And I would just really appreciate if stories stopped coming out about the Yankees

because I don't need Girardi getting involved in all this. Don't tell me about that. I will not. I will say the Yankees have been pretty strong in talking. Like, Hal Steinbrenner came out and was like, I'm pissed. Oh, Robertson. I mean, Robertson destroyed them. So at least, look, and I think that is a good point.

When you see these teams, like, I'm guessing the Cleveland Indians didn't do this because Clevenger, Bauer was on the team at the time. Like, all these guys and the Indians are coming at me and like, screw everybody. This is BS. So I do think that there is something to seeing these teams that are coming out and talking a lot. Like, it would take a lot of chutzpah to come out and say you know these assholes blah blah blah and you're doing it too like yeah that

would you know that's why that's why i don't think the dodgers i i'm with you i'm with you so they remade the post job which is fine they're terrible and awful culture down there so um they deserve it and i just again if you if anyone comes near Girardi, I'm going to lose it. I'll throw my body in front of it. I'm not in a mental state to lose Joe Girardi. No, no, no. I am too far down this road. Listen, dude, James, I'm not even kidding you.

Kidding with you. I've decided he's going to be my manager for the rest of my life. He's, get this. I'm 25 years old. He's the most important person in my life right now. That's how I feel like about Joe Girardi. Dude,

I'm 25. I realistically don't ever see myself not having Joe Girardi be my man. Sure. Could that be a short life? Lifetime contract.

I hope not, Jack. From me. I will give Joe Girardi a lifetime contract. I will not watch Philly's baseball without Joe Girardi. How's that?

Oh, man. What's so nice about this, I said this a couple times. When I first got into media and whatnot, I was like, I know more than every single person here. You? You're all stupid. And what the Kapler thing forced me to do was take mental notes

on signs to look for, signs that are bad. And the contrast I've learned from Kapler to Girardi is like, oh, that's what they are. I get it. I've been humbled. All great leaders of men

were humbled at some point. Well said. Very honest on the High House podcast. That's where we're at. It's good. It's good. So, yeah, I think it's going to be fascinating. This is not going away anytime soon.

And last point on this, like, Rob Manfred's not a good commissioner. I mean, this is, I mean, to allow the players to get off here with nothing, to allow them to have no repercussions on them at all, I mean, that's a, that's a bad miss.

That's a, but that's because they gave him, I know why, but, but regardless, man, like I don't care. Like,

I, I, I see what you're saying, but like, I would rather those guys be in the game and told everything and get the bad eggs quote unquote out, then lose them. Like,

I don't want to lose Alex. I don't want to either, but it just doesn't feel right. It doesn't feel right that they can come and, you know, sit on the podium and read some BS statement and then just go play baseball. Like, it just doesn't feel right. It feels wrong. Also, I know that we're piling on the Astros,

but I actually, I want to see A.J. Hinch get hired again. I like A.J. Hinch. Yeah. He's a good dude. I think he's a good dude. Look, A.J. Hinch get hired again. I like A.J. Hinch. Yeah. He's a good dude. I think he's a good dude. Look, A.J. Hinch, I think of all of them, the most sympathetic figure there, it does seem like at least he tried to do something about it, but clearly didn't do enough and deserves the punishment he gets

because you were the manager of the baseball team. And if you really wanted to stop it, you could have stopped it. You didn't have the balls to stand up to him. That's what it is. But I agree. Of all of them, A.J. Hinch seems like the best guy. Do you think that they were trying to buzz him when he had Garrett Cole warmed up in Game 7?

Buzz! Buzz! Shut up! I'm not listening to you guys. Beating up one of the cameras back there. Taking down the computer. Don't tell me to put Garrett Cole in this game. You think he didn't bring Garrett Cole in because he wanted to lose? He felt like it was. Oh, if they won again?

Yeah. The bleep storm that would have came out of it? Even then, just he was like, you know what? We deserve to lose. This is some BS. I don't know. I don't know. All right.

Let's. The only explanation. It's the only one. All right. A couple other things we got to get into as some interesting stuff from a Major League Baseball perspective. We'll get into the play some interesting stuff from a a major league baseball perspective we'll get into the uh the playoff thing in a minute because i'm sure that's gonna be a volatile conversation but uh some changes for the season that came out one of them the

biggest that we've talked about before um the three battle rule is a thing it's happening it's actually here it's happening how do you feel about i know you're very against it before you still feel very good i don't know if i was know you were very against it before. You still feel very good. I don't know if I was ever against it. You were more against it than I was, at least. No, I just, I want to, here's the thing, is that I think it's going to ultimately, there's going to be some thing that blows up in a manager's face

and it looks ridiculous. It looks like, hey, why do we even have the three batter minimum? But I don't hate it. I want to see what it could do. And now we even have the three batter minimum but i don't hate it like i i want to see what i want to see what it could do and now we have john bartraud here i just i just wanted to point out that you guys are obviously the rock stars of this building thank you because jack's been in here twice already meanwhile go birds podcast and everybody else has finally get in here so curse on this podcast on this podcast, Bart. Oh, my bad. Family podcast. My bad. I'm going to have to edit. You have to make me edit stuff now,

Bart. Come on. You've got to do a better job than that. But I just want to say I love you guys and I'm glad the studio's working and I'm getting out of here now. All right.

Go Phillies. All right. Go Phillies. I like that. There we go. A dynamite drop-in from Bart that we'll have to edit half of out. I like it.

It was a lot of bleeps. Yeah. Very excited, apparently. The three-better minimum. Back to baseball, which is what we're here for. Johnny baseball, everybody. The three-better minimum, it's interesting, and I like the

concept of it, because I hate watching September baseball. Me too. Now they're reducing their roster, so it doesn't totally matter. But I just think that my hope, I'm going into it with hope, that it moves the game along and we're not seeing loogies and guys are coming in. Like, no more one batter for a pitcher that I'm making a pitch. Like, if I have to see two to three pitching changes in an inning

without a bunch of hits in between. Not cool. So I understand that I'm pure baseball, like purist, I guess what people call me. People do call you that. But I'm interested to see how it works. I'm not just poo-pooing it because it's change, even though I don't like changing. Proud of you for that, man. Thank you.

I am. I'm really proud of you. Seriously. We're trying to grow. Trying to grow around here. Good stuff, man. I just want to see how this is going to work, because if it moves the game along,

I want to see all these pitching changes, and it makes Tommy Hunter more valuable. It does. He can face righties and lefties. Of course it makes him more valuable, for sure. That's why I swooped in a day before the- I know. It does. He can face righties and lefties. Of course it makes him more valuable, for sure. That's why I swooped in a day before the... I know. I know.

Klintak's playing chess while you're playing checkers. Come on. I've said that for years. Everyone knows it. Everyone listening to this podcast knows it. I've said that he's playing... You're going back to King Klintak, is that a thing? King Klintak.

I like it. I want to see how it's going to work. That makes me happy. I like the idea of moving the game along, not having a thousand pitching changes. And honestly, it could help offense, you know? Yeah. And I also think it, look,

I think it's a new layer of strategy too. And we have a smart manager. Like, why wouldn't I want another layer of strategy? I think that's really going to help the Phillies. I think Girardi is going to pick this up quickly. I feel really good about it. Yeah, and we have 71 bullpen members. Yeah, another good point.

And I get, you know, I know a lot of people are like, oh, this is going to make the Loogie extinct and all. It's like, stop it. You know what? Learn how to get out right in it or some sorrow. Jerry Blevins is fine. Yes, he'll be fine. He's been around for 200 years.

Yes. Jerry Blevins, the last Loogie. All I'm saying is Adam Morgan better figure it out. Adam Morgan better figure it out. It does make Liriano valuable, though. It does make Liriano valuable. Liriano can get righties out, too. They brought him in in both situations last year.

Well, it does seem like some of these moves they made were with this in mind, which is, you know, give Matt a little credit. Playing chess. A skosh of credit. Playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. Yes, sure. Said it for years. Yes, yes, sure.

The Braves are playing checkers, I guess. Yes, that sounds right. That sounds right. All right, so we're both on board for the three batter minimum. I'm pretty excited about that. I'm sure there will be situations that come out where there's things where, you know, maybe it is a, oh, they need to work on that or they need to adjust for that.

But I think on the whole it will be more positive than negative. Any of these others stand out to you? The roster. oh, they need to work on that or they need to adjust for that. But I think on the whole it would be more positive than negative. Any of these others stand out to you? The roster. Obviously, I think rosters being shrunk down to 26. Fantastic. That's one of the best things they could have done. We've been calling for that forever.

Quarterman rosters is insane. It was so stupid. I mean, I get it. Look, you could still call the guys up and all that stuff, but they just can't be active for those games. It's crazy town. So 28 players on the active roster is what it's going to be, so that is good. What do you think of the two-way player designation?

Did that do anything for you, that idea? No. Me neither. Not really anything exciting. That's nerd stuff. It's all nerd stuff. Okay. Wait, hold on.

But the one thing I think is interesting, they produced it from 30 seconds to 20 seconds, the challenges. Oh, you only have 20 seconds to decide if you're going to do it or not. I like that. I don't need to see, and I know Gabe, I think it was probably Gabe, was more annoying about it. But the hold up, hold up.

I got the finger in the phone. Get in the phone. Hold on. Move the game along. Move the game along. Also, it keeps the human element. So you don't have the Philly's replay guy being locked in and know exactly what's going to happen.

It's a great point. It makes it more strategy. I agree. And for what it's worth, in baseball, I feel like certainly more than football, like way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way, way more than football. They get it right in baseball, which I think is important. Well, because you know the outcome. Well, yeah, it's a lot more cut and dry. Once you slow it down to the- Guys hitting each other and balls flying out and all that type of stuff.

I agree, but still, I'm happy they got it right. All right, let's get into the big thing that a lot of people have been talking about. And this is not something that is definitely going to happen. We don't know if it's going to happen. Proposed for 2022, potentially, the new playoff format. The idea that they will add four wildcard teams to in each division. It would be seven teams making the playoffs instead of five. There would be a best two of three series between the first four teams.

As the fifth team, the top seed, would get a bye. And the higher seeds would get to pick their opponents. Jack, what do you think of these new proposed teams? I don't want any more teams in the playoffs. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I like that it's hard to make the playoffs.

I like that it's hard. I like that the best teams in baseball are in the playoffs. I hate when half the teams in the league make the freaking playoffs, and it just waters it all down. I absolutely hate it. Absolutely. I could not be more against it. half the teams in the league make the freaking playoffs and it just waters it all down i absolutely hate it absolutely i could not be more against it i understand more teams more playoff revenue i don't give it i don't care shove it i literally don't care i want the best version of the playoffs and the best version of playoffs playoffs does not involve an 84 win baseball

team like it just i mean that happens already so i mean it just doesn't happen like i just i don't have any interest if it happens in a fluke year that's fine but the Phillies were like would have been like three games out of making the playoffs last year and that team shouldn't snip the play yeah make some more fun though teams more involved I uh so here's the thing I the only literally the only part of this proposition that I don't like that much is the adding of teams but I think the positives outweigh the negatives. I love a lot of this. I mean, first and foremost, I know a lot of people don't like it. They think it's nonsensical or Mickey Mouse or whatever.

I love the idea of picking your opponent. I think it's awesome. I think it adds a whole other layer to it. I think it makes it fun. We talk so much about baseball needing to, to, you know, get with the times to, to be more young and fun and different and all that. This is a different idea. It's something that's fun and exciting and adds in it another level to these matchups, adds to rivalries, adds to the, the, the fire for each team in these games. I just think it's fun. Like, I think it's

different and fun. Bill Simmons has talked about this for years, but he's talked about it with the NBA, that they should allow teams to pick their opponents. Why not? Like, why not? Isn't that a fun idea? Do you hate that part of it?

No, I don't hate it. I think it's candy. It is a little Mickey Mouse, but you know what? Baseball needs to do some fun stuff. We can't just sit and be like, baseball has a problem. It's that it's an old person's game these days, man. I'm 25. You are the, first of all, you're an old 25.

When it comes to mentality, I'm younger than you are, even though, as we all know, I'm so old. I'm older than you. I'm definitely younger than you. How are your joints? The old fart? Not great. Dude, like, why am I less averse to chains than you?

Why? You're younger than me. You should be more into chains than I am. I love chains. I'm just sticking it. Change is good. Change is good. I don't hate it.

I don't hate it. I don't hate it. I've said it. I don't hate it. You said you're trying not to hate it. That's what you said. I think it's candy ass. Okay.

But I do think that. Here's the thing. And I love that. I love that the one seed gets a bye. Because that makes getting the one seed so much more valuable. It's something that now it's like, people don't care about the last couple weeks of the season. They don't care about being that top seed, playing for the best record.

You just want to win your division. Like, playing for that best record would mean something. And I think that that adds a layer of, you know, excitement. And I think it'll keep teams more invested at the top end of things instead of kind of just resting guys with the playoffs. And then we see a lot of those top seeds

kind of lose that fire. That's why wildcard teams seem to go on runs and stuff is because these teams are fighting for their lives and they keep fighting for their lives. I do think they could be a good thing for the best teams because they have to fight the whole way through

and they kind of keep that mentality. So I love the 1C getting a buy and and hopefully and i love i know you you have a very good counterpoint to this but i love getting rid of the one game plan i'm so it's it's just silly to play 162 games then your season comes down to one game it's so stupid but yeah it's the games it's a great game the games are always they the games, it's a great game. The games are always awesome. They're always great. It's a great game and it's fun for the viewer that,

you know, winner take all. It's like a game seven. Like, it's awesome. It just, if you want to talk about candy, it's the idea of 162 games

and it comes down to that. That's been, that's been argued over and over in my always counter and I, listen, I agree. Yeah.

Like, baseball's a game of series. You have series all year. You don't play one game. Yes. But, but'm like, always counter. And listen, I agree. Yeah. Like, baseball's a game of series. You have series all year. You don't just play one game. Yes. But. But. The games are amazing.

Every year, the games are amazing. I know. I know. Every year. They're always amazing. It's a great counter. It's a great counter. So, like, I, the picking your teams thing, I think people are making too big a deal out

of it. Like, you have, if you're baseball, if you're major league baseball, you have to figure out what are Skip and Shannon going to talk about? What are Stephen A and Max Gellerman going to talk about? It's such a great point, Jack. People talk about the NBA year-round. And the NBA sucks.

Yes! Baseball's so much better. It's just better. And people talk about the NBA year-round. The whole team movement. Oh, he's going here. And people talk about the NBA year-round. Like, oh, NBA players. The whole team movement. Oh, he's going here. Like, that should be baseball, man. Like, that's what baseball used to be.

Baseball should be the thing that people are talking about. And at least with this idea, it creates buzz. It creates excitement about the sport. Yeah. And think about it in local markets. Think about it in local markets. Like, Phillies are, you know, who should they decide? Should they pick the Mets?

Should they pick the Cardinals? Totally. Would that be wrong? What are they doing? And then when they lose, it's Meltdown City. It's like, why'd you pick that team? And if you're on the other side of it, you're like, those effing Mets want to play us?

Let's go. You know, it adds a level of excitement and enthusiasm to something that I just think baseball could use. It's not such a drastic change that the game is being changed. It doesn't change anything from playing the game perspective. Now, Bauer's been really outspoken about it, and I get it. Bauer's outspoken about a lot of things. He's right about one thing.

I mean, allow people to share whatever they want. Oh, my God. Of all his points, and Bauer did have some good points in there, I think a lot of them were crazy, and Buster only refuted one of them where he was like, you know, it's going to be too long a layoff. It actually turns out that the number ones, he would have the exact same layoff as they would have now because of the way it would be structured.

But regardless, that has been my number one criticism with baseball for a long time. Going back to why people talk about the NBA, it's because of House of Highlights. It's because of this and that. It's because you can find basketball content anywhere. Baseball is draconian about it. Like, let everyone see everything.

The fact that Pitching Ninja, we've talked about this before. Almost got shut down. Got shut down on Twitter, and it took, like, working out a deal with Major League Baseball to get him back. Like, it's crazy. All that guy was League Baseball to get him back. It's crazy. All that guy was doing was trying to get people to love baseball. It's crazy. He does love baseball.

I love Pitching Ninja. If you don't follow Pitching Ninja on Twitter, follow Pitching Ninja. It is such a great account. There's nothing more that I love than following people that love baseball. Me too. I love baseball. Me too. John Boy is up there for me.

Yes. Yeah. So just allow the game to be grown. Like we should be seeing every diving play. Organically. Exactly. It should be every time there's a big play, I should be seeing it all over Twitter, all over whatever.

The kids need to see Mike Trout. Yes. The kids need to see this though. Yes. Like home runs are not as easy to sell as they used to be because it just happens so frequently. Totally. But the defensive plays are like crazy.

Totally. Totally. So I'm very are, like, crazy. Totally. Totally. So I'm very with you, especially with – and that's the thing that I think, you know, like a lot of people don't realize about baseball is from a technological perspective, I mean, they actually were way – and at the time, I mean, bam. I mean, Bud Selig, a lot of issues with his tenure as a commissioner.

I think he's actually kind of – You miss him? Yes. I think Bud actually gets a much worse rap than he should. I think he wasn't as bad a commissioner as people make it out to be, but starting BAM was one of the best things that ever happened in Major League Baseball. I mean,

BAM is technology that is being used in so many other facets now. I mean, it was a genius thing to start BAM. They have done good things technologically. It's just they are so draconian about allowing this stuff to get out there and all that stuff. What is BAM?

What is BAM? It's their digital media type stuff that they did. It was a revolution in like 95. You were like, oh, my God, look at this. People are still using BAM. Who was I just listening to? Oh, my God. You'll be all right. People are still using BAM. Who was I just listening to? We talked about. Oh, my God.

You'll be all right. Ah, this is going to kill my soul that I didn't. Oh, Bob Iger. Bob Iger with the Bill Simmons podcast. We're talking about BAM. But regardless. Bob Iger sounds 100 years old. I don't know who he is.

Yeah. He sounds like an old guy. You know Bob Iger is. I don't know who Bob Iger is. Come on, dude. I don't know anything. Heger is. Come on, dude. I don't know anything. He's the CEO of Disney. Really?

Bob Iger's one of the most powerful people in the world. Yes, Bob Iger. He was on the Bill Simmons podcast. Check it out. If you listen to other podcasts. Okay. He's the only one that matters.

Anyway, final thoughts. Final thoughts. The High Hops IPA, I've been... Oh, my God. There are a few things I'm more excited about in this world. I've been working IPA. Oh, my God. There are a few things I'm more excited about in this world. I've been working on it. I've been researching what I want it to be.

Yes. And I decided that, like, it's kind of like a turn in my baby. So my idea is that I want to make it the ultimate beer to drink at a ballgame period. Drinkable. I just want to make it. It's got to be session-y. Yeah, I want it to be between 5% and 6%. Perfect.

West Coast. And, like, it's hoppy. It's piney. I just want to make it gotta be session-y yeah I want I want it to be between 5 and 6 percent perfect uh west coast and like it's hoppy it's piney I've just I've figured out the recipe I know where I want to go with it I want to make sure it's between 5 and 6 percent

and something you can drink a lot of and just makes you feel baseball like when I was 21 and I went to Sissomack Park the first time being post 21 and like getting a summer love

with the with the logo with the little ball on there, baseball on there. It's like baseball. So my whole goal with it is making it as baseball as possible. Now, James and I are, once we kind of get it made, it's in the hopper. Hopper.

It's in the hopper. Well done. I was hoping you would go there. It's in there. It's being worked on. Once it's made, James and I want to have a

high hops IPA release party slash watching a Philly game. I'm so excited. I want it to happen right now.

Like, now. Dude, if I could fast forward 42 days, I would do it. So it probably won't be opening day,

but we'll be shooting for the Saturday, March 28th. A high hops release party, and the Phillies play at 6 that day in Miami, which means it's going to be a demoralizing loss. And

Corey Dickerson's going to have at least three hits. Jorge Alfaro and Dickerson carry the Marlins to a victory. Jorge Alfaro's only three hits this season and people are like, oh my gosh, why would we let him go? One of them will be a 500-foot home run. Right, a tank shot off Arrieta. Crap, who's going to start that game, Arrieta?

Probably. Or F? And thank God they changed the stupid schedule this year so they're not off on the Friday after Thursday opening day. I hated that. We talked about it. I hated it. So it's in the works. It is being made.

I've already thought of a logo. I've already thought of my pitch to Citizens Bank Park to get it there. Wow, I like that. I didn't even think about it. You're going the next step. Yeah, this is like at least five years down the road. I'm so excited. But I'm already there.

I want to make it the best bearded watcher at a ballgame. I'm so excited, man. I'm so excited. So let us know if you'd be interested in IHOPs night. We're doing it anyway. Yeah, we'll be there. Regardless, we'll be there,

Mark and me. Jack and I will be drinking IHOPs watching baseball. And I met some IHOPs listeners last week at the brewery, which was cool, which is crazy. It's in Aston, right?

In Aston. Which is great. Well, I thought it was going to be in Westchester or something. I was like, I'm going to have to drive like an hour and a half to get there or whatever,

an hour to get there. So Emily has already said she's going to drive me. Beauty. Yeah, buddy. Beauty. The other thing I want to address in my final thought is, is there anything you want to say to the listeners? Oh, God. What did I do now?

You talked so much on this stupid Eagle show that no one cares about. And I could just imagine the High Hopes listeners were listening to this like, why is he talking about the stupid eagles? Jack, didn't we talk about before having to fake it a little bit here and there, man? What am I supposed to do? It was so much eagles. I was like, can you at least work in a Pavetta reference? Why are you even listening?

Because it was an interesting watch. I don't think I said a word on it yeah i i you know you hear the funniest part i've still only to watch like three episodes people keep being like you're all over it i'm like i haven't really seen that much so look at you being humble it's even that like i just i haven't had time i'll watch it and like this just you know for whoever may be, Amazon, we're open to being the voices of the All or Nothing Phillies edition. Only ones that matter.

I hope, say, a documentary. A docu-series. A mockumentary. More likely to be a mockumentary. And my final thought. This is your sixth final thought, I think. My final thought is, I was thinking about this on the train in today. How ridiculous it is that like at the –

so Jon Manos is not going to go over the luxury tax for the second wild card. But the deadline, they're probably going to be in position for the second wild card. And they're going to go over the luxury tax. And they're going to go over the luxury tax. It's exactly what's going to happen. And he's going to pay like $2 million or whatever it is to go over the luxury tax. Rather than just doing it in the offseason and making them better from jumping. And getting an extra 100 games out of that player or whatever.

90 games out of that player. Like, why would you want that? Why? It's so. And then maybe you're in position for the first wild card or for the division. I don't know. So. I know.

Very stupid. Yeah. They've not done well with the whole managing of this. We think we can say that pretty good. Go, Phils. Rate and review the podcast. It makes Jack happy. Let us know if you're interested in IOPs Night because we're going to be there.

And we'd love to see as many people there as we can. And we are going to start talking about High Hopes Night at the ballpark soon, too. We're doing two of them. We're going to do two. So we're going to do an earlier season, one later season. We're going to pick a date soon. We're going to talk to our people. It's a new web, sir.

And we're going to figure this out. So keep your eye out for that. Apparently, Barsh is also making Jackie O shirts. So we'll see where that one goes. Jackie O shirts! Jackie O. I love it. I still can't get over that.

So let us know High Hopes Night please rate and review the podcast especially this time of year it really helps people find the podcast with baseball coming back and all that iTunes reviews all that stuff it really helps people find the podcast and all that so if you love High Hopes and you want to

spread High Hopes to other people this is a nice way to help us do that so for Fritz I'm Seltzer. Talk to you later. 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 podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago. It is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is. Another fact. So jump aboard the B.I.B. Express.

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