High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Thankfully They No Longer Have The Best Record In Baseball

Episode Date: May 26, 2025

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Are you ready to dive into the story stats and personalities that make baseball the greatest game in the world? Rob Bradford from the Baseballs & Boring Podcast here, and we'll have you covered every day with podcasts that bring you closer to the action. From the bleachers to the clubhouse, whether you're a diehard fan or just a casual observer, these conversations are aimed to educate, entertain, and most importantly, inform you. Follow the Baseballs and Boring podcast in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast. This is the High Hopes podcast. High Hopes! On the Odyssey app and sports radio 94WIP.

This crowd was singing High Hopes Smiling through a broken nose. Oh, hi ho, hi ho. I feel a little less alone. Oh, it is another edition of the I Hope's Pod. Wasn't really sure where to go with the oh, yo on that one, Fritz. It's like, you know, two out of three, I'll take it.

Thought they're gonna win the last one, they didn't. It's all good, by the way, presented by Miller Lite, official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies. Tastes like Miller time, Philadelphia celebrate responsibly. Fritz, how you doing, pal? We really should have recorded at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning. That would have been that would have been a fun part. That would have been thrilling. That would have been through.

I was there. I was there for it. I was ready. Yeah, I I woke up around time. I woke up, I woke up, you know, to the postgame show. So it was it was awesome. Yeah, I don't know. Like they, they, they're just a damn good baseball team. I think it's like, I think if we could just saw the podcast and do it in about five minutes, they're just a damn good team.

Like they are just a, a team that is showing up, taking care of business. They're fighting back when we want them to fight back. They could have lost Saturday. You know, they, they could have just rolled over. They could have rolled over yesterday. You know, they were down three nothing yesterday. And by the way, it seems like that mound really is a disaster. Every single starter. Yeah, it's unbelievable. Everyone complained about it. Yeah. And like, you know, so for people that were like, oh, it's an excuse, excuse. Well, somewhat, but also like a hard mound,

what they're complaining about is it feels like you're slipping. And if you can't get traction on the mound and you feel like you're slipping, you're like hesitant to, you know, like you don't know if you're gonna land, if your foot's gonna move. And I think that's actually the thing

that happened with Romano was that Friday night where slash Saturday morning I get it but is I think he just could not find a footing and that's why I think he went down to 93 all of a sudden and you know I don't think we would make a huge deal out of the mound if it wasn't Wheeler didn't look the same Sanchez didn't look the same and Lazardo at the beginning of the game didn't look the same. So it seems like the mound was a thing. They all commented on it too. It was like, I mean, Wheeler was like, he sounded like angry.

The guy threw sick shutout and he's like, this was horrible. I hate it here. You know? So, yeah, it seemed like it was a real thing. Before we get any deeper, May 31st, we're less than a week away. Look at you. It's coming up this Saturday. We're gonna do this 31st coming out with us. We're going to see the Redden Phil's Play Aidan Miller is gonna be playing he's gonna come say hi hang out We're gonna meet and greet before Fritz and I are throwing out the first page. It's gonna be insane

It's gonna be awesome. You have to coming out with us May 31st. Check out Twitter accounts for a link to tickets. It's gonna be so much fun, dude. We had a blast and Wilmington is gonna be better. Yeah, tickets are flying fast. They opened up another section for us. So hopefully, here, I mean, if not, see me in Fritz, our first pitch would be where the lawyers leave after and you're're good. Yeah Yeah, you make fun of us and then and then head on exactly As always we want to take over a stadium. So let's take over a beautiful baseball town I can't I i haven't seen a game again. We've talked this last podcast, but that was also I was kind of working So I don't really have to hang out I've probably been there since like the early to like a real go to the game like early 2000. So a long time. I think it's a it's an unbelievable park. And it's like it's so it's so minor league

baseball. It's about it's the it's the most it's the perfect minor league baseball state. And there's the random pool and right field. It's great. It's awesome. Yeah. It's like watching a game in Sacramento. Yeah. All right. One quick question. then we'll get back to the Phil's cuz we won't play but please seriously make like there's gonna be This is as much as you know, we'll do a high hopes night at the ballpark I'm sure at some part this season and we've got our nights out and stuff But of all the things we did last year at least in my mind the Wilmington trip was the coolest It was the most memorable. It was most fun. We had it was the most most special, the roll call, the whole thing. I think, like I said, this was going to be better. I think if you're going to go to one high hopes thing this year, go to this. I think it's going to be super

fun. So coming out with us, one question then that fills, who has more pressure on them for the first pitch? Because obviously, I mean, you're just a way better, you're a pitcher, picture. So you are going in with a less likely poor outcome. So in a way, you're just a higher level, so less stress there. But also, I mean, as long as I don't bounce the ball, I'm kind of fine. I don't need to fire a strike right in there. You more so do. Who do you think has more pressure? I've been thinking about this a lot. So it's always me. I think it is too. I didn't want to like just shirk it from myself, but I think it is you. I agree. I have I have that I think I have a pretty like low floor like it could go bad for me. I don't expect to what I'm saying. I could but you it's the worst case scenario is is you.

Well, here's what I need to figure out. Am I getting a mascot or am I getting a player? If I get a mascot, well, I'll probably lob it up in there. But if we're going to play. Look, I'll take the mascot. If there's one of each, I'll take the mascot. Trust me. Don't worry. Hold on. I haven't worked this out, but I mean, can we get the first pitch? Come on. Come on. Come on. Just people helping people. We've got a bunch of ideas. And then, so here's, can I just, you know, come with me here for a moment, get into my head. You know, first pitch to Aidan 20 years down the road on the steps of Coobertown, you know, Aidan throws a pitch to you someday.

And then, you know, I think it's a speech lead him in. You know, wow. And me. I'm just saying, I'm just saying like the I mean, that the pageantry of it, the poetry of it. I mean, I'm just saying, I'm just saying like the, I mean, that the pageantry of it, the poetry of it. I mean, I'm just saying that's all. Yeah, it's the start. And then obviously there's, there's extra pressure because eventually we have to throw out a first pitch at CBP. And if it's, if it's a disaster up in Reading, they're going to hear about it and, and words can get back and they're gonna say,

not allowed, not allowed on our field. So I might go have a catch today. I'm trying to have a catch today. I did get, I rolled out of bed this morning. So I couldn't sleep for some reason. So I was up at like five because, and you, this is where I don't understand you at all, right? Because when you don't work, you are able to just sleep,

which is interesting because you would think with your body clock that it would still get you up at four or whatever. So I thankfully went to bed at like 10 last night because the fills are done and Walker is asleep. And I was, my body was just like, yeah, you're up at five. You're gonna do it. So I went out and got a three miles in.

It's fun. Good job. Good job. And I too am, you know, soliciting a catch partner, shout out to neighbor Tommy, who said he would help me out and go throw the ball. I'm sure he would. If there's ever anyone that is in for anything, it's Tommy.

I was like, who can I have a catch? And I was like, oh, I don't even need to think about it. I'll just text Tommy. But I was like, I probably shouldn't go years without throwing a baseball before I throw one. But yeah, I, and then I totally forgot what I was gonna say. Rain in the, rain in the arms, pal. This is the point, this is why it works with my thing.

I know, and that's why. Here's why I can do that is because when you're on my schedule, you are just so constantly tired at all times that anytime you're in a bed, it could just go. If you don't alarm, you could just sleep through things. I will say to your point, it is harder for me to sleep later on Saturday than on Sunday or in this case, Monday, Saturday after doing the Friday thing and being on the schedule.

I can't sleep as late, but once I get the one day of kind of pushing it back a bit Sunday, I'm pretty good. This is a mistake. This is. Yeah. All right. Good. Come into my friggin octagon and start throwing stuff around. Out of out of out of out of out. All right. All right. Let's get back to the fell. All right. So two or three will take it.

Obviously frustrating. Oh, I'll do it when you win nine straight. It's hard to complain too much. But when you looked at look, Saturday night was an all-timer. I mean, as far as a game in Sacramento against the A's can be an all-timer. But in terms of a fun baseball game, the Kepler Homer, the way they fought back, the Marsh played the play probably, you know, if you had to pick one play this

season that you kind of you know think about it's it's probably the most exciting defense play of the season so far and was such a big moment and just kind of a fun series you know for nothing on Friday then Romano gives it back but they still close it out and to your point yesterday very easily at the end of a long west coast or not long west coast trip, but you know, Seven days out there eight days out there doing the Colorado Sacramento thing Playing on this kind of you know, low budget field and all that They could have just walked home yesterday. They could have been like, yeah, you know what take the days are what?

I wait with 10 game losing streak at that point desperate for a win. It could have been a I'm with you. I'm not going to give them all the credit in the world for losing a game to the A's. But I did like the way they fought really the whole trip in Colorado. They handle business in Sacramento. They played tight games, but handled their business. It was just it was it was a good trip. Well, unlike I know they had lost 10 straight and it's

obviously not great. I I don't think the A's are a disaster, though. I mean, obviously the the the Rockies are a disaster. But dude, is there ever a player more like more Philadelphia than than Jacob Wilson? I could just see this the stance from the stance on up every little bit of it. He's like Tim Tuffle up there with the Tuffle shuffle back of the day. Is that even before your time? I think I had no idea who that is. Okay, so Tim Tuffle was he was on the those 80s Mets teams and he was like their bench guy.

He was there, but he used to when he came up, he used to do this little like butt wiggle thing and it was called the tuffle shuffle. So- A little different, a little different than the Soto shuffle. A little different. Jacob Wilson has that thing where he's just constantly kind of moving and going and the feet are moving. He's wild to watch, but he always, he just hits it every time.

I know. I think, and that's Jacob Wilson along with Andrew Painter. I would say those two are the two headliners. My biggest like draft misses. I couldn't stand Jacob Wilson. Like I was so nervous about the Phillies taking him. Well not really because they weren't gonna take a short, just slap hitting shortstop from Grand Canyon University.

You know, we go for upside. You mean the next Tony Gwynn, Jack? Yes, right. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So big old swing and a mess on Jacob Wilson. But whatever, they weren't taking him anyway. He actually just reminds me of, he reminds me of Polanco. He's got a little Polanco to him.

But I can just, can't you just imagine the calls in a WIP where it's just, you see that? He puts the bat on the baseball, hits it the opposite way, little bit of power. Now he is legitimately great. Nick, Kurt's kid's gonna be nasty, dude. I mean. Yeah, Saunders, I mean they got dudes. They got some guys.

There's a bunch of first rounders. Lawrence Butler is some pedigree. Like they have some real. Love Lawrence Butler. Yeah, I mean, R of first rounders, Lawrence Butler is some pedigree. Like they, they, they have some real. Yeah. I mean, Rooker, obviously I texted you on Saturday night where we don't play them enough, but Brent Rooker is like sneaky Phillies killer status guy already. It feels like it feels like he's never won the guy. Oh, that one Homer.

I mean, both were huge. That one, he hit a dashboard alley. The guy hit it the freaking dashboard alley. It was nuts. I think it two baseballs travel over 700 feet that day off of poor Michael Mercado. Poor Michael Mercado. But yes, the after he dealt in Chicago just came out and dealt. Everyone's like Mercado. Yep. We're ready to have t-shirts of the Ricardo club. Tyler, we had a few of those where we were like,

look at that guy. I know, interesting. And that's where Abel's so refreshing because he actually has stuff. So that's as like multiple pitches rather than just one pitch. But yeah, so I don't think he's a super pushover. I think they're going to be good here in a little bit.

Kurtz, by the way, we're going to count him as a High hopes guy. We're a Philly's fan. Yeah. Yeah. Well, so Lancaster counts when it's in relation to being a Philly's fan, of course. So but- Certainly Chris Podcast. I feel like we can extend a little further than just, you know, yeah. All right. So I don't think they're the rocky territory. Now they are. The bullpens weren't exactly the strongest out of the A's and the 29th in baseball. So listen, I think that they're really bad during their losing streak.

They were flashing those stats each game where it was like an 11 ERA or whatever from their bullpen over the last 10, 11 games or whatever. That's it's hard to win games. And we know what you're like. Yeah. ever from their bullpen over the last 10, 11 games or whatever. That's it's hard to win games. We know what you're like. Yeah. So, so they, so they're facing a desperate team, which I think is, it's sometimes tough to go against when you're not the Phillies aren't in a mind, I think their mindset is to win every game, but they're not like

stressing right now they're kind of just going out business, like taking care of it and, and trying to get home. So I just think that the way that they Didn't roll over. I think they're doing a lot of the little things, right? And and it's been you know with the runner and on on third base with less than two outs or doing a pretty good job Of getting them home They've also done a much better job with with two outs and runners scoring position that you know the game on Saturday when Bryce just took a single up the middle just take a single up the middle and and get the get the game tied Trey yesterday before the home run late

You know you had that just a single up the middle now I have no idea why the A's were playing infield in in that situation. It was hilarious He hit the ball I didn't because obviously on TV you can't you know unless the announcers mentioned that the infields in, you don't always get that view of it. And Trey hit up the middle and I was like, oh, maybe that'll get through and they pan back and it's like past the infield already. I was like, what just happened there? Okay, cool. Yeah.

So I think they're doing, I think the most encouraging part about how they're currently playing, we've talked about this, you know, a little bit, but they're just taking what's there. They're not trying to do too much. Like when they when they want to try to hit a home run, they usually do it early and count. But then they but they really are grinding out some of that. And that's mostly it's mostly one through four. It's really just the stars, you know, and Stats in there as well. And then Bohm's obviously doing a good job. Yeah, yeah, credit.

But I think that's the encouraging part about where they're at is, this is not always home runner bust. You know, I think they're 20th in home run rate this year. It's not like they're just a team that's trying to launch baseball. I think they're playing the game in a really good way. And that's the thing that I probably have been the toughest

on with them the last couple of years when they would lose is that they're just not playing a winning brand of baseball, that the talent would take over at some point and they would beat some teams. But I think for arguably the first time in this course time here. Like they're they're playing the game right. And I think that that's that's just exciting.

I think that's exciting. Yeah, I mean, 20 at the home run rate, when you have the league leader on home runs is particularly astounding only two months into the season. I mean, that's that's pretty crazy. And and it passed. It's like the eye test. I'm with you. And look, we've done the whole so many times and I'm sure we'll continue to and we get tired of it, but it's unavoidable that the hey, well, wake me up in the playoffs. Let's see if they come through and if they don't chase and if

they don't do the same thing they did the last two playoffs when it matters most. And that's absolutely true. There's no comeback to that other than, yeah, let's say, I hope so. But if we're going to pay attention to the season on the way to that, this is all you could ask for to hope that it could be different. Why will it be different this October? We're seeing why it could be.

Now, again, they have to do it. They have to get there and maintain this. They have to be consistent. They have to not fall back into old habits, especially when guys are struggling and trying to find answers. You know, we know that that baseball's a long season and there can be ups and downs and teams can go in and out of it. But the fact that they're doing this and doing this so successfully, you hope that they can recreate it when it matters most in the playoffs. And this is what they were missing. The ability fact that they're doing this and doing this so successfully, you hope that they can recreate it when it matters most in the playoffs. And this is what they were missing, the ability for when they're not hitting home runs. And by the way, you know, hate to say it, but

it's still usually the team that hits the most home runs in the playoffs usually ends up winning. So you do need that in your tool bag, but to also maybe feel confident both as fans, but the team that they believe they can go out there and spray the ball around the field and they know how to spray a ball around the field and pass the baton and take pitches when they have to, they have those reps of doing that together and the success that comes from it.

I just think that, again, I know they have to do it in the playoffs, but this is as good a sign that things might be different this year that you could ask for on May 26th in my opinion. Well, I think that they're only going to get, I think there's a chance they can get even better. And I think what, Yeah, they can start hitting all the odds and still do this. Like you're not, you're allowed to do both. You know, it's, it's, she can.

Yeah. Well, and I think that the thing that is also so encouraging and what I think is gonna eventually keep playing itself out in a really positive way is You're starting to see the the Bryce Schwab or three four thing just starting to they're starting to get comfortable with it and Bryce's I think starting to see more pitches You're seeing his average creep up and the biggest thing that, you know, I might have mentioned the last podcast, I forget, but when we're talking about pass baton and buying in and the fact that I think Bryce has bought in, but he's buying in partially because he's a guy that's leading the league in home runs hitting behind him, not, and this is not a shot at Bomer, but like it's

not Alec Bohn been hitting behind him or Cassiano when he's going going through it It's a real cleanup hitter to where he can get more pitches he can he feels comfortable not having to play hero ball all the time and Trying to launch and and and feel like he has to wear the Superman cape. He can just say I'll take my base I'll take my little single to left field I'll hit my single up the middle when I want to, I'll try to launch or I'll just take a walk because I have a guy behind me who is on an absolute freaking heater. Could be the National League MVP. I mean, he's going to be in the mix for it, at least top five. I think right now it's him or Pete Crowe Armstrong, who did thunk it two months into the season, but I think they're the two like it stat-wise

Otani always there. He's just part of it. I know it's actually why It's why I don't bet the national league mvp. It's a waste of time. Yeah, whatever But outside of otani, I mean piquro armstrong and kaos wormer have been the two most Valuable players on contending teams in the national league this year. It's crazy. It's awesome. That's awesome. He's the man, dude. And I thought it was actually such a heads-up play. He kept running when he ran to the first. It was one of those heads-up plays all year, I think. I mean, it was just a... you watch it, you're like, dude, that's a baseball player right there, man. Yeah. And I think Gel brought this. And he said that that was that happened in a game in twenty twenty two.

And he just remembered it in the middle of running, I guess, which is which is awesome, which is which is high level stuff. So yeah, I just I really I think that I think again, I didn't expect to be where I'm at with them. Like obviously I'm pretty damn good at talking myself into the Phillies. Like it's, some would say the best, some would say the best. But I think, I think if you,

the only way you're still not buying it is if you're just skeptical about everything and you're gonna, and you can do the whole wake me up October thing. But again, everything that you like you said, everything we could have wanted to see from them, they're really showing it. And I think it's really just they're scratching the surface. They obviously have to figure out the bullpen. I mean, it's going to be tough sledding until mid July. And David Robertson apparently wants a lot of money, which is 15 million.

Come on, buddy. Dave, you know what that is? That is, that is I'm 40. Yep. And if you really want me, I'll do it. Listen, I'm fine sitting on my couch. I'm actually at that point where I'm retired. Like I'm cool guys. But you know what? If you want to pull me off that couch, it's gonna cost you. Like that's basically what he's saying. Yeah, it's all time. I don't blame him. You know, it's annoying, but I don't blame him. You know, good for you, dude. If there's leverage there, if you can make, again, this is probably the last contract to ever make. Make every second you can pal. I get it, you know Well, you know what I would do if I was I would actually I would go up to jib I would I would this goes up the flagpole to middleton

You know what I would do if I was john middleton. I would show him the first contract I gave him and say You owe us Because the first contract was a disaster. You were hurt. Come on. Dude, David Robertson had never been hurt his entire career until his first three games at Philly. It was unbelievable.

And then he stinks here when he does pitch leaves. He's like two ERA guy everywhere else. Of course. Come on, man. He closed that game one of the World Series. So it's funny. I was thinking about this the other day. It's so wild that we're almost pretty, like we're pretty far removed from like the doldrums of Phillies baseball. You know, it's 2025. Those teams were... Just think about the 2026 Phillies in the doldrums. When we were in the doldrums, the

bit was, don't worry, in 2026 it's going to be awesome. And it's 2025 now. And they've been really good years for a few years now. It's crazy. Yeah. I was watching the app to address the elephant in the room because everyone's talking about it. Everyone's thinking about it. I was going to do it because I'm I am understanding and I'm a good teammate and a friend and I don't care. It's all good. I know. I don't question you. You're the most dedicated. I know. I would never question you.

So I just want that out there. I wasn't going to do this. OK, just saying. Yeah. So to address the elephant in the room, the back of my eyelids, all the solid marsh throw, so it's all the elephant in the room the back of my eyelids all the solid marsh throw Saw the game of the year, I mean We were texting actually throughout the game for a while and like sometime after I guess like the eighth inning or somewhere in there No, I dozed off after the Kepler home run. Whatever it was. You just stopped responding I think yeah, you're right. I said Kepler all caps and Whatever it was, you just stopped responding. I think, yeah, you're right, because I sent Kepler all caps.

And then that was the last one I got. And then there's like an MVP text in there. There's a mark. Like I had all these texts. And I know it's like six in a row. And I was like, uh-oh. Yep. Yep.

And here's the mistake I made. And I got cocky. I'm just going to be completely honest. I got totally cocky in my ability. Because I did so well on Friday night. Like Friday, I was still pretty jazzed, frankly, when they won. I wasn't. Yeah, it helped that Romano raised the heart level very hard level in the in the in the ninth.

It's the most Phillies reliever thing ever to. Oh, we're finally in on this guy. This guy's good. Oh, I'm going to go out and give up a three round homer and almost go game. It's like the most Phillies thing of all time. Well, we're blaming the mound on that one. We're blaming them. But so I got cocky. I was like, I'm good. I'm fine. And I made the mistake and I put my feet up on the couch and laid down.

And I mean, within five minutes, it was it was it was it was over. So that's on me. But I was thinking Saturday morning while I rewatched it, once I bullied Walker out of watching poo and said, hey, I got I got stuff to do. This is why I'm a kid. Every morning, I'm not willing to do. All right. Yeah.

Every morning, it's but But, so I was watching them and like the Marsh play and the Schwabre double and again it just hit me of if this, like they've gotten back to they need to win a title. Like these guys, I want them to go down as legends here and I don't want them, now I think that they've won enough, I think that there's been enough moments. We're not gonna look, we might look back on this era and just say, wow, that was a frustrating era. Like I don't think it's been super frustrating. But you said it last podcast,

they're very early 2000s Eagles-ish where we, like we love these guys. We still love those early 2000s Eagles. I mean, 93 fills they were the worst team in baseball in 92 had this run in 93 and that group was never good again in the strike in 94 and then it was just never the same. And we love that team. We love that team so much still and even as some of the team is maybe not aged great in being likable and all that like all that. But we still love that group because to your point there, Jack,

we don't have enough championships here to be picky with loving our teams that give us great errors of just runs. It's really true. So yeah, I think that especially down the road as time, whatever happens, no matter how this plays out, they obviously have a chance to be true legends forever. But I think that in 20 years, we'll look back fondly on the memories and the time. But I think that with how close they've gotten, the messaging, the mentality,

Middleton's mentality, the whole thing, how badly they want it, I do think that no matter how fond we are of the group in time, if they don't win it, there will always be that missed opportunity should have won, thinking of it. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And I, cause I remember beginning of the season, it's like, I'm just tired of this group. Like I'm just tired of seeing. I get, I know. I just thought it was the month end of the season, you know, yeah. And it's like, I know what they are. I know what they are. I know what they are.

And they're really changing that. Like they're changing that. And that's, I think what has been the most exciting is that I think they've changed a lot of the, ah, this is who you guys are. Like I called the final out the other night. And I've started to get a little bit quicker with the hang ups because I don't feel like dealing with it.

But he called and he's like, yeah, this team already, we know who they are. It's already been written. All they try to do is hit home runs. And I said, they don't. Like, you're just not watching if that's how you feel. Like, you're just not watching it. So I think they're really doing a good job of currently changing the narrative around them. And I'm straight for that.

I'm already ready for October, of course. Very ready for October. I'm actually very ready for the trade deadline. I can't wait for the trade deadline. Well, this is, it's the biggest one. I mean, we've wanted to be like, I mean, it's up there in the history of the franchise. Like they made that one that mattered, like, you know, seriously, I mean, it's up there in the history of the franchise. Like they have that matter.

Like, you know, seriously, I mean, how many, you know, they've only been competitive, you know, for like a 10% of their seasons or whatever it is. You know, I know. But I was like, I feel like every election they're like, this is the most important election of our lives. And then, and so the trade deadline, this is the most important trade deadline we've ever seen in our entire history. I think for Dombrovsky, though, I do think legacy wise, it's so big for him because

it's really the one thing that he has failed at. You know, you could quibble with building the roster this move instead of that mover, you know, signing Familia and that didn't work. And we always had things, right? But on the most part, he came in and took over a team that hadn't made the playoffs in a decade and we've made the playoffs three years now. We're probably gonna make it a four year year. They're set up pretty well. All the infrastructure, building, Preston Manning,

Brian Barber, all these great people he's brought in, all the stuff, he's done a really good job. He's made it a professional organization. But if you can point to like one glaring, you know, siren red flashing light mark, you know, negative mark on Dave Dombrowski's resident as the as the residency as the Phillies president baseball operations jacket is disastrous trade deadlines, both not trying hard enough in certain cases and the moves he's made have all been, I mean, Brandon Marsh is the best trade he's made and like, wasn't a good one.

We are not at a deadline move. I mean, so, so it was a good trade. Like it's, so I think that's the one thing where for Dombrowski especially, it really is, you know, a potential legacy maker, obviously in terms of winning and all that too. Yeah, well, and what's so funny, what's so funny is that he's still kind of that. I don't want to, I don't want to trade Aidan, Andrew Painter, uh, Ty, Arun,

Escobar. I'd probably still a trade Crawford, but regardless, like those, those four, like that's, they're still, I don't want to move those guys. I don't want to move those guys. And then I think they're really important to the future of the team. So I think the nice part about about where he's at, where he's at at this deadline is there is some some interesting movable parts. I mean, Abel Abel from the standpoint of of pitching the way he has, by the way, shoved again over the weekend.

I think he went six innings, struck out eight up in Lehigh Valley, deepest picks team of our lives. Everyone's talking about it. But with what Abel's done in bouncing back from looking like a non-prospect to looking like a really interesting, like to put it this way, let's put it this way, Abel right now gives him a better chance to win than Andrew Bo Painter if they wanted to do that,

which is crazy. That shows how, in my opinion, how just how big how good he's gotten so fast. Like Mick Abel is turning into a real interesting piece, but I also think that he can be traded. Like I think you can trade Mick Abel and the most fascinating part about what he has to decide at the trade deadline is does mcable help me more at this bullpen like could they put mcable in the pen i think they could i think that's going to be a decision for after the trade deadline there's no reason to do it right now because you want to continue to to build his value up now the argument could be made i don't care about his trade value i want to get him up here as fast as possible if that's in bullpen, that's in the bullpen.

I hear that. I don't think that's what they're going to do. I think they're going to start him in AAA for as long as they can. If the team's like, OK, we'll add him as one of the centerpieces to a deal to help add a difference maker in the bullpen. But at the same time, I don't know if I'm like giddy to get rid of a 23 year old with his stuff that I think could play in bullpen this year and then could start and then could start going forward but in the in the conversation of having pieces to move the trade that land that aren't those top four. more interesting players than they've had in years past. Now, the Colossum was really interesting last year and he was traded.

Ben Brown and Ohapi, I know, but I just think there's more, there's the, now Kemp's 26, I don't know how much his trade value is gonna be, but you have Rincones, you have Crawford, you have Abel, you have some of the younger kids that they have. So I think he has some at his disposal to where you can get something but he's also kind of stuck because you don't want to give up those top four because the core is getting older. And I think they do and are concerned about extending this window and making sure it stays open as long as possible. So I agree with you. It's a big trade at land from that standpoint. But also, I'm sort of with them where I don't

want to give up the big pieces to go out and get whatever's on the market. And then other interesting parties, I don't know who's gonna be on the market. You know, I don't know. Like, there's not, there might not be that guy. I mean, Felix Bautista probably moved. We'll see what happens with the I mean, Hellsley, the Cardinals keep keep winning games, Pete Fairbanks, maybe he's he's interesting. Obviously Mason Miller, we got to give up the farm for Mason Miller.

So I don't know, it's it's a it's going to be a really it's a delicate balance. I think that the Nebraska is currently trying to walk and it's more nuanced than, you know, good, bad, you know. Yeah, you're right. You're right. It really is. And, you know, to, you're right. You're right. It really is. And, you know, to that point about who's gonna be available, it's also how the market shakes out.

If there's 10 teams looking for relievers and two teams that have them, the guys who are really good, who wanna move them, all of a sudden those guys will go for more than they're worth. And that's the balance. That we saw that partially at the trade deadline last year

where guys, it felt like we're going for more than they should have been and all that type of stuff. So that's a part of the factor or the situation, the equation as well. And look, in a large, big picture sense, I am appreciative in a way that Dave Dabrowski hasn't come in here and said, I'm gonna burn this to the ground to win another championship, right? You know, I wanna win my fourth, I wanna win.

I'm 70 years old or 68 years old or 66 or whatever, you know, I'm here to win. And instead he's come here and really, and I do think John Middleton deserves credit for this too because I think that's a Middleton directive that is, you know, a tandem between him and Nebraska. I do think Middleton after the decade of, of, you know, in the wilderness that he, he has made a concerted effort to care about drafting, developing and hanging on to those

guys and having a bridge and all that type of stuff. But I do think that, you know, Dave, Nebraska could push Middleton this and that he has, and he's come in here and said, we're going to build a farm system. We're going to build a structure. We're going to build development team. We're going to do all this stuff. And I'm not just going to poach it every second I can get to make the major league team better, even though the major league team has a chance to win.

So while part of me is frustrated, go win. I want to win. I want to win. I also, especially what we were expecting Dabrowski to be, what the Dave Dabrowski thing was coming in, I do, part of me does really appreciate that he has gone about his business in a different way, even if maybe we're not getting what we want as much in the moment, you know, in the trade deadline, be at the moment.

No, it's, it's, it's, it's going to be really interesting. And what's so funny, you know, we're talking about keeping the window open and keeping the window open and, and hopefully they can squeak out a championship in the middle while keeping the window open. That'd be fun. I've almost forgotten the bad times so much that I can't even envision. It is bad. This is totally a bad feeling. I can't envision being back in the 70s and it's like the 60s win,

like the win totals, like type of seasons. I just, I like, this is much better. And I think that they're in a really, I think they're in a really good spot organizationally and I think they're only continuing to get better. Like it's so hard to envision them being in the 70 win total in the next couple of years. Now, maybe like the prospects don't pan out and all the guys get old and bang, you're right there. But I don't know. It's just I also there probably could spend their way out of it if they if they wanted to.

It's just part of the theme in Ring the Bell, the book, of course, you could forget is is before certain series, you know, whether it was the Giant series in 10 or the or a couple of games in 11 or or nine. I like I wrote at sometimes I wish I was like the the Paul Revere of Phillies fans where it's like I was running down the streets of Philadelphia saying the Giants are coming, you know, like don't stop getting cocky, stop getting cocky. And I feel like I need to do that on myself right now

and say, don't get cocky. They're not gonna be good forever. Hey, remember the time in that series, you know, like let's not, oh yeah, you're, remember the Jeremy Helixon opening day starts. That's what you should be remembering. Yeah, Cedric Hunter and Les Field. Remember the 2020 bullpen, Jack.

Remember those days? I know. Remember, no matter who was exiting that bullpen door when it opened, the feeling of like deflation as we see someone running the JT meme, the Jared Heath meme. That was all of us every time someone ran from the bullpen. So yeah, I'm with you, Jack. Now it's like, oh, we got bullpen problems on the best record in baseball. It's like, yeah, we need some bullpen arms, but like we had bullpen problems. Like real, real problem.

Yeah. Yeah. No, Blake Parker, all those guys. Yeah. So good. And, and I, I did guide you through that Mike Moran. I gonna say guy through 69 like more on yeah they had no one that threw over 95 it was inferior and this that felt like there was a time where they had no one to throw over 90 like it felt like a bunch of guys would come in and then who is pumping it in there at 88 today I was really feeling it was what are we doing here well there's stretch there where Adam Morgan was the only lefty starter they started for like two years ourselves we had Adam Morgan moments where weapon knew Andrew Miller I

Love that in Oregon. I love that there's but see that that dumb stuff. It's what this podcast I mean this pot is absolutely built on the bad times not the good times There's no doubt about that. And we we thrive in those times. All right. One more thing before we get to the take back, because I mean to say it and I'm sure we'll say it many times and we'll go back and forth on it and all that. But, you know, we've talked a lot about how they're playing and you can just wait till perhaps if you want, or you can appreciate

what you're watching on a nightly basis and be happy that they're playing the game a certain way. And we didn't mention his name, but I think that the person who's most, you know, the biggest example of this, the guy who exemplifies it the most, has been Trey Turner. And he just continues to do it. He is playing baseball the way we wanted to see Trey Turner play baseball. He's running. He's slapping the ball over the field. The power is starting to come a little more. You know, another lead off home run Saturday had

the big hit late to get him back into it. Um, he is just, he's really, it feels like every time I look up, he's, he's on first base stealing secondary. He's got a double or, you know, he just, it's, it's been really fun to watch this guy That I hoped I would see you know I'm saying Yeah, well, I hope everyone's ready to apologize. I hope all All you he stinks the nods whatever he's a bum Get rid of them All you are happy. Needed to be better. But you know what? Credit worth due. Thank you, Trey.

No, this is, I think this is the Trey that we thought we were signing. Now, again, I would never call out a coworker. Would never do that. Not my style. Not yourself, no. But, I mean, can brads lock in a little bit. I mean, I didn't know which way I was gonna say ZSP. Is it is it John Johnson? Is it this? Is it that broads? Let's go. Yeah.

Love Broads. I get it. But he needs to stick to Puck. And yesterday he tweeted this is just the three hundred million dollars. Are we finally seeing the three hundred million dollar Trey Turner? He was batting three fifty before the All-Star break last year and was the starting shortstop in the all-star game He was the best hitter in baseball post August 4th, 2023 like we've seen flashes Okay To act like he's just been garbage his entire time here. I think is so is so ridiculous. Has he been disappointed defensively?

Yes, there's also been some moments where it's like Barry is now though my hope here is because I don't I'm almost like Hesitant to go to over the top with how how well Trey Turner is playing well you just told us I apologize so you know I don't you know doesn't seem yeah I know I know I know I know so but in reality I am extremely hesitant because we've seen the hot and cold stretches, but the hope is that this is just a, I don't need him to be, no, obviously I'd take him

hitting 330, but it's just up the floor a little bit. Like just up the, I don't need the 450 for two weeks and then 200, 150 for three weeks. If he gets 300, it's all season long. If you honestly, if he goes, you know, if he hits 300 every like just consistently the rest of the season without any hot or cold streaks, I would be ecstatic. That's all we need and that's a lot. You know what I mean though, but just hit consistently.

Yeah, mix it and don't expand the strike zone. Do not like start the bad chase stuff. Get in the strike zone, don't strike out a ton. Don't try to just hit home runs to left field. Use the entire field, steal some bags. Like this was the Turner that I think we expected them when they were signing him. Now we'll take the infield hits

when the ball's actually in the ballpark. You know, the infield hits are great. Get you on first base, bang. That usually takes you to being on second base because he's gonna steal a bag But man, I he he's a super super super super super fun watch right now Like a super fun watch and even well, he went what oh for four on Saturday nights Sunday morning, but it didn't feel awful. Like it didn't feel Oh, there's the the bad tray with the the ugly strike. Even when he's off, he's still pretty on.

Like he's on balance. Like that's what I thought about Bryce yesterday. Like Bryce smoked some balls. And it wasn't an off, he just didn't get a hit. He just didn't get a hit. Sometimes it happens, but it wasn't a, you know, that's a red flag, that's a red flag. No, like all these guys,

Schwaber has never gotten fully off the path. He had a bad stretch there when he went into the four hole for the first time or protecting Bryce spot for the first time. But none of these guys have gotten super off track. Castellanos, Castellanos has gotten super off track. Dude, I keep, I still keep expecting him to swing at these pitches and he's holding off

in big spots. It's like Mason Miller, Miller's throwing him stuff that Nick Castellanos should swing at. My gut says that Nick swings at that. He swings at that pitch out of the zone and he's laying off and you can see him and it's become, and Turner too in those situations too. And there'll be some of that's returnal like go down too quick and I'm like, oh my god And then it works way back and taking pitches and it the command of the strike zone the ability to Hold off and not you know, give it these pitches that are out of the strike zone Way out of the strike zone in some cases. It's been again to the point we're making It's not just the spring it all over the field that people should be excited to be seeing, it's this stuff,

it's the control of the strike zone, it's the not swinging it stuff that they absolutely were swinging out a year ago. I've been really impressed with these guys, man. Really impressed. Boom too. They're really just, they're just growing up before our eyes. They really are.

They're buying into what the coaching staff is preaching. They're all doing what they're supposed to be doing. They're playing the game the right way. They're they're doing a little bit of small ball. They're getting guys over to getting them in. Oh, it's just this is this is baseball. I haven't this baseball. I haven't. I'm not going to look at the opponents.

I don't care. Are we in St. Louis? I didn't even notice. Oh, my God. It's amazing. Oh, this is this is good stuff. This is dynamite. I can't believe they're not. First mention of the opponents. Forty four minutes in. Tony, this is this is good stuff. This is dynamite. I can't believe they're not first mention of the opponents. Forty four minutes and Tony give us. Don't care. Yeah, exactly.

And look, I am excited and they should be playing today. This is nonsense. But I am excited for this brave series that I think that would be a really. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. All right. Yeah, buddy. Take back in a second.

Shout out to the Miller Lite account of the week. Miller Lite Bar of the Week this week is the Union Tap House. Love the Union Tap House in Manny Onkka where you can watch all Philly's games. With a $4 Miller Lite special, go to the uniontaphouse.com. Alright, Princey, what do we got in the bag? Well, first off, it's pretty sickening that Acuna comes back and is right back to being round Acuna. So I know. I know. First, a bad homer. We were watching Braves Padres

yet Saturday, I guess, when we're waiting for the night game. Was it sorry? Maybe it was yesterday waiting for the afternoon game. And he just hit a tank shot where it was off the bat. Emily wasn't looking up and I just go, whoa. So what happened? I'm like, you got to watch replay of this. That ball was just so gone Right the moment the bad touch it was just one of those It's like man that that big swing when you get to hold the one. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah good player

What's interesting is that a rune Escobar is his cousin and they have the same kind of setup So mmm like that, but look at. Way to bring it back around money. It's good. Always. We got Kenny Okunia on the way. Oh, yeah. 30 fillies are going to be loaded with Kenny Okunia. Sure. So too soon. Twenty thirty two or something. Anyway, good. So so I do mean this. I do mean this. And it's it's I guess it's a little inside the brain, which is good, I think healthy for everyone involved. Yes. I'm glad they don't have the best record in baseball anymore. I, I don't want them to have the best record.

Oh, yeah. If I had if I saw this quote written like on a website or whatever, but it was uncredited. and it could be anyone in the world I beg I know So a part of me was relieved when they lost yesterday, I don't want to win 10 in a row I don't want to I don't want to be the best record in baseball I want to I don't want to lose two or three of the Braves not saying that at all, but I just There's a there's there's scar tissue from last year Where it was like you were saying they had the best record in baseball until until September or whatever and then it didn't matter

So part of me is relieved and let the Tigers have the best record in baseball I don't care but the Dodgers just let the Dodgers Go out in front run and have the best record in baseball and get hot, whatever. I will take the third best record in baseball. I'll take the fourth best record in baseball. I don't care, but I don't need the best record in baseball. Frankly, don't want the best record in baseball. So I'm gonna with you.

I've died, cosine, honestly. I was joking about this being a very you thing and it is, but I got nothing to say about it. Just what you very soft of me. It's very soft. But whatever it was, because because essentially the point you made is so true. And we were all guilty of it. I know I did it.

I'm on WIP being like baseball. You got trust this team when I'm like, well, not in that voice. No, no, you know, I'm like well not in that voice no no you know you would never do it in that voice no I wouldn't I know I couldn't I don't think I could have maintained that but it's more like this it's more like this it's more like this is how it really is what are you talking about what do you mean what do you mean I knew I knew regardless yes I'm with you with you go. Go Tigers. I'm with that. What do you mean? What do you mean, Joe?

What do you mean? We talk about presents. Idiot. All right. So so I have another Reese thought. I know you said it now, like Tom Kelly and Dan Wilson are talking about it out there. You even said it. You said I'm going to be the first one to put this out there. I want everyone. It came from here first.

And now it's it's out there. It's out there. Yeah, it's spread like wildfire. People that just are. Whether you're on the fence, the fence don't want respect want respect imagine Imagine a sold-out CBP August 3rd, I don't know right after the trade deadline and you hear the walk-off song for the first time and and

Restressed the plate. Do you know I I I don't often cry I actually really only kind of well up at at Philly's moments more than anything and old Walker and Sutton videos but like by the way, I was sitting in my car charging it yesterday and The video from the video yearbook of bedlam at the bank came up which warbler narrating it got a little misty I in the parking lot. Not gonna lie. It was car charging sitting there by myself had to wait like 40 minutes got a little misty eyed it was it was quite a moment I said outside looking in I looked like a loser inside the car. I felt like a

winner. But just imagine him slowly maybe they play his greatest hits as he's walking up. I don't know, the bat spike. Ending with the bat spike, yeah. Oh, and CBP, everyone's crying in CBP. There's not a. Baby Hoskins is in the first row, and she's bought the whole section of gears. With their new baby, by the way, congratulations to them

as two dad guys. We appreciate that. And- I'll bet you Reese would be a great dad. He seems like a great dad kind of guy. For sure, for sure. But there's not a dry eye in the place and then he works a nice five pitch walk.

I mean, it's- Uh-huh, it is written. Yeah. I just, man, I, the pop, the pop of bringing Reese back and like that, imagine the clubhouse. It'd be one of the great regular season pops in recent memory without a doubt.

Maybe they could. I'm getting chills just thinking about it. I really am. I got the whole, I need, I need inside the Phillies, whatever, Phillies clubhouse, I don't know, just Reese's first walk back into the clubhouse as they welcome him back. Imagine how happy they'd be to see Reese

walk through those doors again and how happy Reese would be. Ah, come on. But anyway, not to bring down the mood about the Reese situation, and I'm sorry to do this, but I have to bring it up. It's not terrible Schwab or insurance either if it if for some reason they don't pay Schwab He has another

I'm really sorry. I didn't want to do that. You know, I didn't want to do that. And you didn't need to, you know, I think I think it stood on its own. Just the Reese thing. We're all good. And then you had to just, you know, go that extra step. Sure, we're going to be a Philly. Sure, we're going to be a Philly. Also, I need to know. I need to see the Kepler Reese interaction when it when Reese demands It's like sorry Max That was a dope home run It really unfortunately unfortunately for Max,

reminded me of David Doll's home run in London. Of course, yeah, of course. You could forget. But you were there, so you can trust me. I know, I know. Uh, dude, how funny was it watching watching Mark Godse have to just leave the field? Oh, I know. Walk through center field.

It was so funny. It was like the all time walk. Yeah, left field, whatever. Yeah. That down the sideline. And that is what I meant. It was just an all time walk of shame. So funny. So funny. I loved it. I loved every second.

And I and I do like Mark Godse. I'm in on him. I think he's some strange decisions this series. Yeah, I did have some weird decisions. You're right. But and I mean, Mace Miller three nights in a row. I was I was shocked. Wow. He had a bitch in a month. So I figured they may as well use of them.

It's like a good plan. Yeah. The number one and number two leaders in on fan graphs for Cy Young is Hazis, Lizardo and Zach. We are sick. It's amazing. It's it's amazing. I can't believe we are getting like not many things have

worked out for us on this podcast. No, no, no. Sort of. I sort of sort of tongue in. Some things here and there. Yeah. But you know, Zardo, Liz something's here and there. Yeah, but yeah, Luzardo Lazardo coming here and being unbelievable and even yesterday like what struggle in the first thing?

Yeah, and then just for intense right gaps. It's overpowering at times. Yes. Yes. He's disgusting Who's your game to starter? Probably Zeus man. Come on starter. Probably Zeus, man. Come on. It depends on what's at home, I guess, that Sanchez splits and all that.

But yeah, I think he might be the biggest win this year, the bug, you know, might be he's up there. Yeah, well, until Aiden comes up. Yeah, obviously. Really big, really big stones from Kirk ring over the weekend. I mean, that was a tough spot on Saturday.

And that was by the way, he pitched three straight days. Now, the one inning was was one pitch and he got out of it. So I don't know if we count that. But that was the first time they'd gone a pitcher in three straight days since twenty twenty three. And especially this early in the season. So again, they are stuck in a Thompson's talking stuck in a tough spot because obviously he's only so many relievers he can trust. And he wants to use them, obviously. spot because obviously he's only so many relievers he can trust and He wants to use them obviously, but even like he's again we mentioned this last podcast and he saw it with Lizardo like he's stretching these these starters pretty deep and It's it's it's interesting from the standpoint like okay. Well, then do we go six man? Well, if you go six man, then you're down another guy in the bullpen, which you also can't really afford to do.

I know the Alvarado situation stinks, but I am really fascinated and damn near excited to see how they're going to navigate this thing. Because it's truly, which way do you want to go here? Six man to save some of the starter's health, because I think you have to do that at this point. Or do you just keep throwing them out there and having them go as deep as they can and trying to get the most out of this bullpen?

It's a really, really delicate balance. It just is. Yeah, I'll agree with fascinated, can't get to damn near excited or anywhere close. But I feel you. It is going to be really interesting to see how they navigate it, what they're willing to trade when the time comes, all that type of stuff. And then final thing.

You're not going to like this. Oh, great. Can't wait. Really love that lead in. But for but for what he does defensively and what he brings to this pitching staff, they need to resign JT. I know. I know. I know. But he the offense is not great. I get it. But he for what he does behind the plate and the value he brings from that standpoint, the last two years of the starters and and working his way with the with the bullpen guys, he is invaluable from from that standpoint, the last two years for the starters and working his way with the bullpen guys, he is invaluable from that standpoint.

So, believe it, resign him. I don't, if it's two years, if it's a good price, like I'm not gonna freak out about it, I get it, I get it. I, they don't have any other options right now. I'm not, whatever, any other options right now. I'm not whatever. Okay, it's fine. I will say I was when he beat out that infield single was that yesterday when like I was pretty he's really fast for a catcher much less than 36 year old catcher 35 year old catcher whatever he he down the line. I was look, he has aged very gracefully and well from an athleticism standpoint, you could do a lot worse the next

couple years. I just, I'm I think I'm just more I'm just worried about doing the like we're committing to guys and we're gonna have 8037 year olds out there trying to win a World Series, you know, but look, I I know, I don't, I'm not like I wouldn't just be totally against it, but it has to be cheap and it can't be more than two years. That's right. Now you were impressed when he beat out the ground ball. Okay. What were you saying when he grounded into his 10th double play of the year? Yeah. Or something similar or, and they ended up winning the game, but, uh, when he dropped

that pop up, uh up in foul territory. And then, of course, the next pitch, boom, RBI single. It was like, yeah, of course, of course, of course. But there's something weird because Harper missed two straight pop ups. Yeah. Yeah, there's got to be something with the lighting. And we know, you know, it was weird. It was weird. Also not.

And, you know, not being the Coliseum, but I just have, so I didn't realize I had such an instinctual when there is a foul pop hit against the A's on the road that there's going to be so much space to get it. And then that kept being like, Oh wait, where all the space go? You know? So it was weird. That was a little weird thing. You know?

It was, it was. So yeah, I just, what he does defensively and listen, he's infuriating offensively. You can bat a knife for all I care, but it's just pure catching wise. He's still good. He's still looking at that. That's the one position you could, you could self-doubt it. Uh, all right. So that's all I got.

Good. I got to get a mission impossible anyway. So shout out, get ready. Woo. Um, this is fun. Uh, all right. We'll be back later this week. Big series against the Braves back to react to it.

Again, most importantly, May 31. That is the upcoming Saturday five days away. Reading fills, we're gonna go out and play. It's gonna be awesome. Coming out with us. It's gonna be a great time. All right, until that you spread themselves. use them for yourself.