High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The High Hopes Phillies Podcast: Fortnite Derails the 2018 Phillies and Monday Mailbag!

Episode Date: March 18, 2019

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are back as it's the first installment of Mailbag Monday! The guys react to the Harper injury, Fortnite derailing the 2018 Phillies season and more! 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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Rogers. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes. It's a bunch of baseball nerds. Well, without the computers. Talking about the Philadelphia Phillies. On Radio.com and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo, it is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast.

You knocked over your bag. Well, you're playing Fortnite in the middle of the podcast. So what do you want me to do here, Jack? I'm trying to carry the whole team while you're in there playing Fortnite. Jack! Fortnite, man. Fortnite.

Oh, man. Destroy the 2018 Phillies. This is where my old man-ness comes into play, Jack. Guess what? I've never even played or seen or know anything about Fortnite. I know that people like it.

Well, as I am now an old man, I am going to use my old man i am gonna use my old man happy birthday buddy yeah thanks over the weekend friday who knew both of my little brothers have the same birthday happy birthday to my brother peter my actual blood blood brother it was his birthday on march 15th and also my little brother jack fritz yes how about that and i did pose a question to james i said I said, which is a worse look for the podcast? Me telling NBC Bay Area that I do a podcast with a guy or James not wishing me a happy birthday until like five o'clock?

Yes. And the correct answer is obviously the podcast thing. But I also didn't know it was your birthday. And then when you told me I was effusive in my birthday love. Yes. So I'm 25. Such an old man these days. I am reaching my prime. Actually, I haven't even reached my birthday love. Yes, I'm 25. Such an old man these days. I am reaching my prime.

Actually, I haven't even reached my prime yet. We're going to get into that later. Jack is back. Oh, I'm back. I'm back. I'm definitely back, and everything also hurts. Both can be true. Yes.

I'm only a year younger than Bryce Harper, so we're basically best friends. Speaking of which, is Trent Thornton enemy number one for all of us now? Trent John Lennon Thornton. of which, is Trent Thornton enemy number one for all of us now? Trent John Lennon Thornton. I hate you, Trent Thornton. Not as bad as some people who went a little overboard with it. Yeah, it was a little much.

Let's chill out, all right? Let's chill out. He's going to be fine. All right, let's start there, and then we'll get to the Fortnite thing. Where were you when Bryce Harper nearly died? Okay, so here's how I found out. I wasn't watching the game. I was in the middle of doing this thing called being a father, which is a thing I have to do now.

Takes up a lot of my time, sadly. Now, I'm hanging with my daughter, and I go on Twitter. And all I see, the first tweet I see is just Spike Eskin going, yikes. And I know that he's in Clearwater. So my mind is racing. I'm like, what could possibly be happening? Scroll up, figure it out. And for that hour or so, 45

minutes, whatever it was in between the actual him getting hit and the news that he was not badly hurt coming out was the worst hour of my life, Jack. It was so awful. It was just pure. I was sick to my stomach for an hour just waiting because when you watch the video and

you hear the pop, it didn't sound like he was going to my stomach for an hour just waiting. Because when you watch the video and you hear the pop, it didn't sound like he was going to be totally fine, Jack. No, not at all. And my first thought was, well, Philadelphia's back. I was like, oh, that was a fun couple weeks, guys. We really enjoyed it. This is what they meant when they talked about Philly sports growing up, was moments like this.

But it wasn't, Jack. Yes. Well, listen, God is on our side. He's wasn't, Jack. Yes. Well, listen. God is on our side. Clearly. He's clearly on Philadelphia's side now. If that happened in 2006? We could just say any of the last 10 years.

Pre-Super Bowl era, Bryce Harvards didn't play this entire season. Yeah, I know. How about that? Or no. What would happen? He'd be out for like two months and then he'd come back and just not be able to get it together and just be atrocious yeah that was that was for i i wasn't too worried about him being hurt like i thought he's gonna be fine within like a month but i was more worried he's gonna just never be able to hit this year right and it's tough when that happens

the early i mean it happened to harper before where it just the whole first half of the season was essentially lost because of an injury wasn't able to recover from yeah so it's already i was already putting his 2019 season in the grave and talking myself out of that. Like, I was preparing my defense. We're ready for this. Like, as Philly fans, we've got that scar tissue that just comes right back up when we need it.

I was preparing my defense for Bryce Harper, saying, well, he was hurt. So that's why he batted.250 this year. You were going to say, he's only batting.230 because he got hit on the ankle in spring training. I mean, come on. I was ready for it. I already had my deflective refluxes up.

Jack, but not only is Bryce Harper, yeah, it worked. Reflexes. Not acid reflux. Reflex. Yes. Did you say refluxes? It's bad. Yeah, well.

Here's my problem. And I've said this to many people many times before. I only use big words in big scenarios because that's what I read when I was reading sports conversations, and I don't actually know what any of these words mean. Yeah, that sounds about right, Jess. Yes. So try to sound smarter than I am. Leave the big words to me, bud.

Yes. All right. So, Harper, not only okay, but look at this, Jack. What happened today? Got two hits in a minor league game. The man got a hit finally. He asked for the ball, too. I heard. That was pretty funny. He hits in a minor league game. The man got a hit finally. He asked for the ball too. I heard.

That was pretty funny. He's got a sense of humor. Did you see the video of him leading them in Happy Birthday? I did. I love this team. Yeah.

It's going to be fun, man. It feels like a special team already. It feels like they like each other. It feels like they all want to go out and play a game together and have fun.

It's really exciting. And granted, you need to win for this feeling to continue, obviously, because losing does not cure all, as they say. No, especially in this city. Now that people are actually paying attention to that.

No, not in this city. Now that people are paying attention to them, it's going to matter. I already love this team and I'm just more excited about Bryce. I'm even more for as excited as I am about Bryce I'm even more infatuated with his growth as like a person here

as like a superstar we've talked about this a fair amount but it really is amazing to see him step into this role that he was ordained for you know this is the again he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 16 that is nuts that is crazy he has always been predestined to on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 16. That is nuts. That is crazy.

He has always been predestined to be the face of baseball. And as we pointed out, Jack, you really harped on it. For the first time ever, he's really embracing that role when it feels like he's the face of baseball. It does. And he was leading the whole thing yesterday. It was Hoskins' birthday, Gene Sedora's birthday. Today's JT Rellamuto's birthday.

Let's go. Always forget JT Rell Romulo's on this team. It's like the most underrated thing that happened this offseason that we just don't talk enough about. It's like one of those things, I don't know, I can't really equate this to something that happens in life. It's like you forget about it, and then when you remember it, it's like, oh, it's awesome.

It's like every Thursday. Oh, yeah. But, yeah, go back and listen to our J.T. Romuto emergency trade podcast because we were pretty hyped then. But I think it's also part of just the fact that he plays catcher. So his numbers may not look as great as outfielder X or first baseman Y or whatever. But when you take into account the position he's playing

and how well he plays that position, his numbers are amazing. And then add in the fact that he's languished his entire career in the worst possible spot he could be in, I think that not just us, I think most people forget about how great JT Real Muto is and how big a deal he's going to be. Well, he's certainly making his case because this spring he is absolutely on fire. He's batting.407. With three homers.

And they're all bombs. Listen, I'm just saying, let me just get this out of the way now. He's like twice the player Buster Posey was at his peak. I'm not even interested in hearing any more Buster Posey conversation. A little aggressive on the take here.

A little aggressive on the take. Hall of Fame catcher right there. I'm not interested in hearing any more buzzer posing conversations. I do. He's one of the least likable players in baseball. That's true, too. That doesn't mean he wasn't a great player. All right.

What? Posey in 2012 batted.336? Whatever. No biggie. Yeah, it's okay. MVP and all that stuff. No. Okay.

So Posey's peak was great. Listen. Real Muto's batting, Posey's pretty good. You pulled up the stats, huh? Posey's pretty good. But I'm going to say, how about this? You've always been a buster Posey hater. How about this?

He's going to put up a peak Posey season. I mean, I'll take it. A peak-ish Posey season. I mean, you're saying he's batting 330? You heard it here first? He's about over 300. Look, I think that Real Muto is the most underrated guy on this

team right now in terms of he and also like we talked about but defensively and game calling and all that he is going to be, it might be the biggest, well I guess Reece Hoskins isn't playing left field anymore but it might be the biggest upgrade on the team going from Alfaro to Romulo in terms of everything Romulo does in terms of defensively for this team.

Well, I don't know, man. They're replacing a.226 hitter with a.276 OBP at shortstop with Gene Segura. No, defensively. I'm talking strictly defensively. Look, that's why I said the Hoskins and left field thing. There's no bigger upgrade than Andrew McCutcheon. Just any human being being out there in left field. Exactly, you or me out there in left field would play it better. But McCutcheon, obviously, that is a massive upgrade.

But I think that we underrate. You talked about it last pod, the idea of the, because he's got a strong arm and because he can frame or whatever, people look at Alfaro as this guy who's a much better defensive player than he actually was, and Real Muto actually is that guy. Now, I will say that Alfaro is a phenomenal receiver. We're talking about stealing strikes from people. And here's one thing that I think has been undersold a tad bit

when we're talking about the defense. The defense is not going to be great this year again. It's going to be basically they're going from one of the worst defenses of all time to a competent major league defense as we discussed which is fair which is fair and the one thing i didn't i don't think we brought up enough or has been talked about enough or uh whatever is that that is going to help the pitchers so much because because when you have a bad outfield or you have a bad infield it's like i have to strike every single person out and i think no one's really talked enough about how much it's going to help

as pitching staff. Not only is it helpful to have an actual – well, Alfaro is an actual catcher, but Real Muto is like a different level of catcher from a game-calling standpoint. Actually can block balls in the dirt. Not as strong of an arm or as great a pitch framer, but just an overall product better catcher. And then you have an actual – And calling a game part can't be underrated.

It can't. I mean, that is the most important thing a catcher does. and then you have a guy in left field not named rey sox now in andrew mccutcheon who is actually a very very good defensive left fielder that's gonna help a lot when it comes to fly balls like i think last year i think last year for a lot of the season i feel like the phillies pitchers um they felt like they had to get every single guy out because if the ball went in play there wasn't maybe not a great chance it was going to get out. So that's going to help us pitching staff even more. And while if you listen to this podcast in the last couple weeks,

you'd think that we have soured on the pitching staff. It's really just the only kind of weak. I think the bullpen is more of a weakness than people think, but it's the only really hole on this team that is so loaded. So that's the one thing you're obviously going to pick on when you're picking on a part of a team that's as good as this Phillies team. That is a World Series contender. Right. And I just think this year they're going to be helped so much by an actual confident major league defense.

I think it's a great point. And it goes back to what I was talking about a couple weeks ago, or I guess it was last week. Two pods a week is throwing me off, Jack.'s a lot of my corner that athletes is people they're human beings and if you're a pitcher out there and you know that your guys behind you are going to have your back at least to a much greater level than you did last season inherently you're going to pitch a little calmer you're going to be a little more comfortable out there you're going to be more willing to trust your stuff like you said you're going to be less willing to try and force something because you think you need

to strike out. It's a massive thing across the board. It allows guys to be more aggressive. Coming up, we are going to get into our Monday Mailbag. We're going to get into a bunch of questions today as we had some awesome, awesome questions in, but we got to talk about it, at least for a minute. What? Fortnite, Jack.

Alright, so what do you make of this story? Carlos Santana comes out, says he smashed a TV. That was confirmed. We've had missed reports on both sides. Arrieta saying they weren't playing during the game. Santana said they were playing during the game. Whatever. Kapler acknowledged and even came out and said something to the effect of

we weren't as focused as we could have been type of thing as a way to deflect it. What is your take on this whole situation? Well, it's a little better than drinking beer in the locker room like the Red Sox. And eating fried chicken. A little bit better than that. I still can't believe how they smeared Terry Francona on the way out. Yeah. Called him a pillhead.

The guy went to World Series. Anyway. I will say that this is probably one of the reasons why J.P. Crawford is in Seattle now. There is zero doubt in my mind that he was a part of this. I really do think it is a bad thing from a team standpoint to have guys. If it was happening during the games, we're not sure what's happening during the games. I mean, Arrieta said it wasn't. What else is Arrieta?

What else are the guys? It's hard. We don't know, and we're not going to infer, but I wouldn't expect the guys on the team to say anything else. I mean, they're standing up for their teammates, whatever. They should. I have no problem with it. It probably was happening during the game. And if it is, then that's a major problem.

It's a game problem. And it's a power problem. It's like you have your teammates out there competing, and you not being out there in the dugout at least trying to help them in any way and being back playing a video game while that while the biggest collapse in baseball history is happening on the field it is a horrible look and i think i think gabe has done a really good job this spring because the one thing i was worried about i was worried going from a players manager to kind of a bit of a hard ass is a hard transition because players are so used to this kind of way.

Absolutely. It's usually an easier transition the other way around, as we saw with Boa to Charlie Mignolet. Right. And I was worried a little bit about that. But I think that you bring in an Andrew McCutcheon. I think he helps you a lot. Harper obviously helps you a lot. Real Muto.

Real Muto. Another year of Hoskins. Arrieta not having to jump in at the end of spring training and actually be there the whole offseason I think helps a lot. I think the clubhouse culture from a winning standpoint, from a veteran standpoint is in a much better spot.

I think Gabe has already done a better job of navigating through the spring training because I think when you're a player and you're kind of semi-fresh out of the game, you have this idea in your brain like, oh, they got this. Like, as a former player, I never wanted to have a hard-ass manager always down my throat. And then once you become the manager, I think you realize that you have to do this in order for your clubhouse to run like a well-oiled machine. And that was the weird thing.

I was the incomparable, but I coached like 13-year-old Legion. And I was just so frustrated by the end because I felt like in the beginning I said, I'm the cool coach that played and whatnot. And then by the end I felt like I had to be like, are you guys kidding me? So obviously it's not the same as a major league. It's the same. I would argue that managing 13-year-olds is way tougher than managing. Well, millennials are just as bad.

But it's that kind of thing, though. It's like when you come from the player standpoint, you're like, oh, well, I didn't like having a hard-ass manager, so I just won't be a hard-ass. But you realize eventually that you have to be. You have to be to set a precedent in the locker room. And if that was actually happening, it's a bad look. And I think

it got nipped in the bud. I agree 100%. If I had to bet, I would bet it was happening. Look, there's no reason for Carlos Santana to lie here. He's not even here anymore. He's back in Cleveland. He's fine. Look. Did not appreciate the carlos santana jokes today though well what did he walk it what did he walk up to it i didn't see that it's a pretty good joke did he not swing it did he not swing the three two count not a bad joke right there but and look if if it is true

shout out to carlos santana for being the lone adult in this situation was like come out and watch your team play baseball. Totally agree with everything you said. And I do think that, I think Gabe learned a lot from last year. He does, he's talked a lot about being someone who is willing to learn from his mistakes. Obviously, we don't know until he actually puts it into action. But I think everything we've heard is good.

I think his plan to kind of put some of these guys, the McCutcheons, the Harpers, the Real Mudos, in a leadership position in the clubhouse and demand from players, players demanding from other players, I think is a good thing as well. You don't want to just put it all on them, obviously. But I do think that it will be stronger if guys in that locker room are the ones who are forcing other players to be accountable.

So I like that. But look, there's no way you can slice this and say it's not a bad look if it's true the period end of story it's a bad look it shouldn't happen here's the thing though and the blue jays a blue jays reporter john lot just came out and said that carlos montoya is carlos montoya the manager of the blue jays the manager blue jays carlos montoya it's a great name it's a great name montoya is just a strong name to begin with, any sort of baseball name. But he actually came out today and said that they have to have restrictions because there was too much Fortnite being played in the Blue Jays locker room last year. Is Fortnite ruining baseball?

I think so. Am I telling? Here's my thing. I hate Fortnite. I don't even know what it is. I hate it. But I do think that this is the type of thing that probably happens across Major League Baseball a lot more than anybody knows about.

It's the type of thing that happens, especially for teams that are not contending. I'll bet you this happens. That doesn't mean it's okay. And it's the type of thing where I agree with you. Gabe needs to be on the lookout for these types of things moving forward. Now willing to give him a pass, but no more.

Yeah. No more! Listen, they came into camp this year, and I think the first thing Gabe said was there's going to be a stricter clubhouse rules, and I think that's a good thing. I really do. I think it's necessary. Right. You mentioned, they had one of the worst collapses in the history of baseball. If you

don't look at something like that, whether or not you have an entirely new team of talent out there, which they do, if you don't look at something like that and learn from the mistakes that were made and say, all right, I'm not going to allow this, this, this, and this to happen again, then you're not doing your job right. Yeah, no, I know. It's a one-year thing. It was a first-year manager with one of the youngest teams in baseball that was in first place. Youngest, I believe.

Yeah, that was in first place that was enduring a major collapse, and it was a bunch of young guys that got supplanted by older veterans. Which is a really key point. You're absolutely right. If you're J.P. Crawford and you're told you're part of the future of this team, and then all of a sudden Estrubel Cabrera is playing shortstop instead of you or whatever is happening like that. I get it.

I can understand how you would say, all right, screw it. I'm going to play Fortnite during a game. It doesn't mean they were right, but I understand where it came from. Right. So I think it's nipped in the bud. I'm not worried about it now. This team looks hungry. They just look hungry.

Let's get it, Jack. Everything they do is hungry. I'm hungry just thinking about them. You're thirsty thinking about them. That's what you are. Don't lie. Alright, coming up a little bit, we'll get into your whole back-ness of it all. Are we doing the

mailbag now, or can we get some spring training takes out of the way? Who's running the show? I don't know. I have takes. I want to make sure I get them out there. I know you do. I'm going to get there. I was worried you were jumping to the mailbag. Mailbag coming up in a bit. Jack takes. Okay.

Now, this is one that... I was worried. I wanted to make sure I was going to get my takes in. Would I ever not let you get your takes in? I'm just saying. I was worried. I was worried. Do you think the audience is worried?

Do you think they're sitting there going like, oh God, we got to hear Jack's takes? Well, probably. That's the way I envision it. But let me Well, probably. That's the way I envision it. But let me just say this. That's the way I envision it. Let me just say this. Let me just direct this at one person, and that is Nick Pavetta.

I'm so sorry that I said last week that Arietta's going to have a better season than you. You should be sorry because I called you out in the moment, and, you know, it's kind of messed up. Did you watch Nick Pavetta? It's kind of messed up. Did you watch him Favetta? It's kind of messed up. Did you watch him on my birthday? He looked nasty on your birthday. He was disgusting.

Nasty! He was 99! Yeah, he was touching 99, man. Everything's quicker now. There's more momentum. And it feels like he's actually attacking and getting down the mound and really finishing. And that's why I felt last year watching Nick Favetta was that, sure, it 95 96 it was a good fastball it's just that when he was finishing up like he was finishing up instead of finishing down through his pitches and i thought it was cutting himself

off of how good he could possibly be and this year everything's a little bit quicker there's a little bit more momentum and it feels like there's more purpose to everything he's doing and the one thing that i really took away from it was they talked to chris young and he said he said to nick basically like just give me as many bullets as you got and just we'll deal with the the bullpen or however long you go into a game i think that's the different mentality to have okay because it goes from it goes from oh i'm gonna say some of my bullets were late in the game and try and navigate these first couple innings rather than just attacking those innings. And in watching Pavetta this whole spring training,

it looks like a guy that is here to attack and be a bulldog and get down the mound, and everything is just a little bit crisper on his fastball. And he's up to 99 now. His curveball looked much better than the first time I saw him. It looked like he was starting to develop a feel for it. Only through one changeup, it was disgusting. But I would like to see that used more in spring training because this is the time to feel for it. Only through one change-up, it was disgusting. But I would like to see that used more

in the spring training because this is the time to work on it. These games don't really matter. But I will say that everything is just starting to come into place. He's really finishing. And the one thing I think is interesting, and I don't know what's actually happening,

but to me, in my eye, it looks like his stride length is longer, which I am totally here for. Yeah, David Robertson-esque. What I want. I've always wanted his stride length to be longer and i think it's kind of here also nick pivetta got picked in front of me in both my fantasy draft i saw you i saw you too i'm so upset all right i think i should stop talking about nick pivetta he's actually bad don't even talk actually it's too late now cannot confirm or deny but i do know that nick pivetta lists in the last pod and that's why I look so much better on Friday

that's one to make sense yeah it makes sense to sorry Jack that's on you bro well I'm not no no no that's on you you if you believe in the Nick Vavetta breakout you don't get sniped by him because you took him around earlier that's on you well I mean on you now it's not all on me because we have

keeper leagues. Was he available? Instead of taking Jack Flaherty, I'm sorry. I'm going to take Nick Pavetta. I would take Jack Flaherty first. You have to take Nick Pavetta first. It's your brand, Jack. I'm here to win.

I don't have any Phillies in fantasy baseball. Is that bad? I mean, I have Reese Hoskins as a keeper in my keeper league. Now, that I'm jealous of. Yeah. That I am jealous of. I'm really excited about Reese Hoskins as a keeper in my keeper league. Now that I'm jealous of. Yeah. That I am jealous of. I'm really excited about Reese Hoskins this year. I swear to God, they all got picked like a little bit too early.

I was like, what are you doing? You got to reach, Jack. I know, I know. But I never like reaching for my own guys. I don't like reaching for anybody. I reach for my guys. I generally agree with you in a macro sense that when I play fantasy sports, I'm playing to win. And I don't care who is on my team to help me win.

That's all I want. So I get that. I think it's kind of an outrage that you didn't pick me for that. I'm just saying. I know, but I didn't know. Just saying. I didn't know that everyone listens to the podcast in my league. Nick, I know you're listening.

Obviously, it influenced your last performance. I would just like to wholeheartedly, from the High Hopes Nation, from all of us, except for Jack, apologize to you because it is wrong, and I don't know if I'm ever going to forgive him for it. What's your next take? So, listen. Is it your C-SAR take? I am back in on... I was never out, but he's going to be amazing this year.

I'm all in on that. What was my other take? You had a Cesar take, I believe. Who? Cesar Hernandez. Oh, Cesar. Yeah. So, I think Cesar Hernandez.

I like to go Cesar now. I've been doing that. Well, I thought you were saying Steve Ciszek, and I was very confused. I was like, what? Cesar. Cesar. So, there are a few things with that. Real Muto, Real Muto.

I thought it was Real Muto. Might be Real Muto. That's a tough one. Real Muto. Real Muto. I thought it was Real Muto. Might be Real Muto. That's a tough one. Real Muto. Real Muto. I know. I like Real Muto. I do too.

It sounds better, but I think it might be Real Muto. We got to get clarification on that. If any of the High Ups listeners know, tell us, because I've actually been fighting with John Ritchie about it. He said it's Muto, and I've gone and done some research. It's a tough one. The Marlins announcer says Muto, but then if you listen to his introductory press conference, Klintak calls him Muto. Kapler calls him. All these guys call him Muto. It's a real tough one. The Marlins announcer says Muto, but then if you listen to his introductory press conference, Klintak calls him Muto.

Kapler calls him. All these guys call him Muto. It's a real tough one. Next time I listen to Franski, I will make sure. Because Franski's always right. Franski's always right. So get me the answer. And then Cesar, Cesar.

I know it's Cesar, but I like Cesar. That doesn't even make any sense. Cesar. Cesar. Cesar. No. No, it is Cesar. Cesar.

Cesar Hernandez. I just think Cesar has been. That's it is Cesar. Cesar. Cesar Hernandez. I just think Cesar has been... That's pretty good. That's pretty good. I just think he's been... I think he's been a bit underrated by Phillies fans. And I once got Kingery to be the ultimate second baseman, you know, whenever Cesar's contract is done in the next two years.

And I think Kingery is going to be a good second baseman. But that doesn't mean that Cesar Hernandez is a bad player. Like, Cesar last year, in a year where he broke his foot put up the same ovp he always does there's a little points less but you get the point like when he started last year he was one of the best players along with oduble um and then he broke his foot and everything got derailed man think about that just for a second him and oduble were their best players and reese uh now what we got go ahead i know and he was He was top 10 in O-swing percentage

which is like I love O-swing percentage. It's a great stat. For those who don't know O-swing percentage is essentially how many balls out of the strike zone

you swing at so you want it to be lower is the concept of the stat. Right. And I just think You know who led baseball in O-swing percentage last year?

Joey Votto. Yes he did. You know who came in second? Jose Peraza. No. Yeah, Jose Peraza did. Not on Fangraphs. Top 10 for sure. Okay, well, do you know who came in second? Who? Cesar? No. Who? Andrew McCutcheon!

Ah, there it is! I know Peraza's like a O-swing percentage guy. You wouldn't realize how high he is. Anyway, this is where we nerd out and people are like, what the hell are these guys talking about? Well, Jose Peraza, I think, is garbage. So I don't really – I'm not a fan of Jose Peraza. Nice fantasy asset.

I mean, I'll steal his bases. No one steals bases anymore. But it just got me to thinking even more about just how dangerous this team – Andrew McCutcheon was two last year. What do you think about Cesar Hernandez's O-swing percentage? You want to in or out? He sucks. I want him out.

Johnny Marks coming in hot on Cesar. I want Cesar out. I guess after this year he'll be gone. What's up, guys? Wow, not a fan, huh? Cesar? He's fine. He gets on base.

You're a big OBP guy. The development of Scott Kingery's suffering because he's got to get everyday swings. But I guess it's a playoff team now, so it makes more sense. All right, what's the number one thing on your mind Phillies-wise right now? Yeah, Fortnite. Fortnite. And, well, Jake Arrieta's like, oh, well, that didn't happen. It's like, what else is he going to say, right?

Maybe once or twice. Meanwhile, in a story that was written last year, in the story it says Vince Velasquez, Jake Arrieta, Nick Pavetta, and Nick Williams were always playing Fortnite in the Fortnite room. In the Fortnite room. There's a Fortnite room. Right, so these idiots took advantage of what could have been

a good team bonding play the game and yeah, yeah. They were, I gotta go back on the air. Yeah, they were. We know, we're used to these short little drop-ins here. Very short. I do agree with him on the, the thing that it sucks about Cesar being a good player is that,

I'm not already that late. I gave Jack the eyes. I was like, can you believe we're already 27 minutes in? The thing that does suck about Cesar being a good player is that I think it is hurting Scott Kingery a little bit. And I think Kingery's played a lot of second base now this spring training because Cesar's been a little bit banged up. And he looks much better at the plate. Remember last year when he's hitting those home runs and whatever doubles all the time?

He's kind of just dropping the bat head and going. And he was just kind of gutting it out. Yeah, and he was just dropping the bat head, swinging. And they were barely making it over the fence. Yeah, that just kind of like gutting it out. Yeah, and he was just dropping the bat head, swinging. They were barely making it over the fence. Yeah, that's why. Okay, but I know. But I just think that

he's starting to get back to that point, whereas last year I felt he got a little, he was just all out of whack last year. I think he was in his head a lot.

The whole taking pitches. We talked about this a fair amount, but Scott Kingery's a go up, see a good pitch, hit it kind of hitter. They just need to let him do that.

Yes. By the way, Cesar was sixth last year in O-swing percentage. Okay. And where was Peraza? Peraza? Dude, I don't know if he's even on here. He was definitely on there.

He's not even on the first page. He's not even the first. He's not on Fangraphs. I think it might have been reference. Okay, well, I'm a Fangraphsman. I like both. It depends on what I'm looking for. Yeah, no. He's not even on the first page.

Sorry. But who else is on the first page is Reese Hoskins at 15th. The Phillies have the number 2, number 6, and number 15, and number 35 in O's swing percentage. Were you going to look at this for Raza thing? Yeah, of course I am. You're so mad about this. Yeah, keep talking.

We got other spring training takes? Spring training takes? What was my last one? Oh, I think Jared Eikhoff looked really healthy yesterday, and I think he is starting to get back to the Jared Eikhoff of 16, where it's a lot of soft contact. You're in on Eikhoff now, huh? A little bit. A little bit more than I was,

because early in spring training he was kind of all over the place. I thought his last start on Sunday, yesterday, he was pounding the strike zone. He's being aggressive. And the one thing I do love about him, and the one thing that does his last start on Sunday, yesterday, he was pounding the strike zone. He's being aggressive. And the one thing I do love about him, and the one thing that does frustrate me with Velasquez, is that Eikhoff is a bulldog competitor on the mound, and there's a lot of competitive pitching.

And the one thing I get frustrated with Velasquez is that he kind of nibbles and is all around the zone and whatnot. So I really do think they should give consideration to Eikhoff in the five spot and let him and Velasquez go at it. And whoever's pitching better gets that spot start. I don't think it should be Velasquez as Penzleton as your fifth starter because Eikhoff, I think, is starting to get back to his 16 level of goodness. He doesn't have the same kind of depth on his curveball that he had in the past, but

he has developed that slider a little bit more. So I think that is a good thing. And my final spring training thing. Oh, wait. Oh, my one other spring training thing with now watching Bryce is the guy. The guy does not swing at pitches like outside the zone. And when he does, it's only because he gets a little bit fooled. But, like, the guy just reads the pitches out of the pitcher's hand so well they're like it's if it's ball inside it's he can read the spin on it so

like when i was looking at ozone or oh swing percentage i thought he'd be higher up than he was like he was 35th in oh swing percentage and like hoskins and mccutchen and cesar all being higher than him i thought was really interesting and a good thing for the future of this Phillies team because they're just going to grind pitchers to a halt because he doesn't get fooled. And that's what separates good players from, like, okay players is the ability to not swing at bad pitches out of the zone. And Harper, you can just tell that the second he steps in the box.

It's like, oh, that's what separates him from a lot of guys. And it helps you when watching a guy like michael franco and understand what is so frustrating about michael franco and like nick williams and that guy all right i can't look it up it's hard for me to know my phone you have a computer you don't have to derail the whole podcast well that's why i stopped that's why i stopped looking up jose parraza mailbag let's get to it all right we're somehow 31 minutes into this podcast i said hey jack let's try and keep it like 40 minutes a day. That's never happening.

Never going to happen ever again. No. All right. From Sean Brennan. Brennan. You're not going to read like every question, right? I'll try not to. What are better, the Kelly Green jerseys for the Eagles or St. Patrick's jerseys for the

So this is a flawed question because, look, it's obviously Kelly Green for the Eagles, but the real question is, what is better, Kelly Green or the Powder Blues? And the answer is the Powder Blues. Yes, I agree. The Powder Blues are better. The Powder Blues are the best. Number one. From Ben Hoffman, which undervalued Philly do you think is most likely to break out this season?

Well, you just talked about Cesar. That's an interesting one. Undervalued. So are we talking breakout? Breakout defines something that, look, I don't think there, I don't know if there's a Philly on the roster. I mean, Pavetta is probably the correct answer, but people have talked a lot about his breakout.

If you want to limit breakout and make it a who's going to have a better season than people are valuing at right now, I think Scott Kingery could be a really good answer for that in the sense that we don't know how many of bats he'll get, but I agree with you that I think Scott Kingery could be a really good answer for that in the sense that we don't know how many at-bats he'll get, but I agree with you that I think that Kingery has made some adjustments his second year in the league. I think we're going to get a much better Scott Kingery

when he does play this year. And my guy will be Adam Morgan, the most reliable lefty reliever. He's got to make the team first, Jack. He'll make the team. He didn't pitch bad yesterday. He faced a lot of righties. He probably will make the team. He had Troy Tulew Okay. He didn't pitch bad yesterday. He faced a lot of righties. Okay. He probably will make the team. He had Troy Tulewitz.

He struck out, and then he called it a ball, and the next pitch was a bomb. That sounds familiar. I feel like I've seen that from Adam Morgan before. Listen, the fact that Jason Hayward was the first time he's called up to 95-plus since his rookie year is crazy. It's awesome. It's great. Thanks, Jack.

From Johnny Chatter, given ike's injury history and vinny's track record who do you trust more as a number five at this moment go back and listen to our last podcast you're an eikhoff i thought you were a drew anderson guy no drew anderson guy look if it's not eikhoff or velasquez there's not a great answer i think drew anderson makes a lot of sense oh he's asking who you trust more between oh i thought he was saying if it's not a great answer. I think Drew Anderson makes a lot of sense. He's asking who you trust more between. Oh, I thought he was saying if it's not one of those two guys. Who do you trust more between those two, Eikhoff or Vinny? Oh, God.

Neither. I guess Velasquez, but not by much. And it's only because of health for Eikhoff. I need to see Eikhoff really be healthy in pitch again. And, look, it's one of those things where who do I trust more to go out and give you six innings, four runs more consistently? It's probably Eikhoff. Who do I trust?

A healthy good to go Jared Eikhoff. Who do I trust more to actually give you a stretch of five starts where you could actually be a valuable member of the team Velasquez? I think that's a fair way to look at it. Neither is the correct answer, Jack. From Buttman Brooks. From Buttman Brooks. Big Buttman fan. From the last two years of losing, 94-06 or 12-18,

if you were to compile a lineup for each, who do you think would win? Oh, man. I know. What a horrible question. I mean, it's a great question, but it's horrible to think about the sadness and depression. But until 06, I mean, you could still put in Howard. Well, that's why. And you got Rollins, you got Burrell,

like Ryan's there. It's definitely the first. You just got Rollins at third base. It's definitely the first group. It's definitely the first group. It's definitely the first group. I mean, we're talking about like Tommy Joseph playing first base for the second. Although, who starts for that team?

I guess it's Schilling, right? Yeah, Schilling. Of course it's Schilling. Yeah, it's 94-6. It's absolutely. I mean, it's not even close. Do people understand how bad the 12-18 run was? No, I don't think so.

It was really bad. Michael Saunders got released yesterday. I know, right? Michael Saunders was a starter for this team. Here's the fun thing, though. If you want to go back and go like 80-whatever, 84-85, whatever-whatever, 84-85 to 92, that might be worse. Well, because who was not? An old Schmidt.

Well, Schmidt was done. You have bad Dalton. You get bad Dalton. You get, I mean, you got like the Steve Jeltzes of the world, Ricky Jordans, those type of guys. It was rough. I truly am glad I never saw those teams. You should be, my friend. You should be.

I truly, truly, truly am glad. So, let's see here. How worried, from Steven Appelman, how worried are you about the overall team defense they're still ranked near the last in the league even with the all the additions it concerns me certain with certain pitchers like arietta who are contact pitchers i think we talked about this a lot um they're gonna be much better they're gonna be a major league defense but i wouldn't be expecting like a like a like a stalwart defensive team out there. We're hoping that they're not the worst defensive team in baseball, and we're not bullish that they won't be.

But again, it's all comparative, and we've talked a lot about that. I think it's all about the idea that they're still going to be, in general, a bad defensive ball club, but they're going to be able to make the routine plays. They're going to be so much better than the unbelievably bad product they put out in the field last year. From Dino Spimoni, which 2019 Philly is most likely to

swing at a clubhouse TV this season? That's a great question. I would not have picked Carlos Santana last year. No, I don't think anybody would have. This is a great question. Who is most likely to take out a TV? I mean, Arrieta would have been someone you would have thought of. I got my sleeper.

Tommy Hunter. Sure. Because he's Tommy Hunter doing it. I could see Tommy Hunter doing it. I feel like Nick Pavetta. He's got some fire in him. If he has a bad start. Yeah, Pavetta go in.

If he has a bad start. What a silly thought, Jack. Nick Williams. Nah. Bryce Harper, it's another. What a silly thought, Jack. Nick Williams. Nah. Bryce Harper, it's another home run. He goes in there, why am I still on this team? Crash, maybe. Could you see Bryce Harper doing it?

He's got some fire, too. I could see it. I could see Bryce doing it for the reason Santana did it. If people are playing Fortnite, I'd be like, no, no, no. That won't happen this year. I know. I feel very confident in that. I'm going to go.

I like the Tommy Hunter answer as a sleeper, but I'm gonna say it's I'm gonna go Nick Pavetta. Gappler? Could it be Gappler? No. No? Okay. From Kyle Jackson. His name is

Kyle Drogo. I don't think he's actually Kyle Drogo. You never know. I think it's actually Kyle Jackson. Yeah. Yeah, I got duped there for a second. So you didn't think it was a character from Game of Thrones? No, I didn't. You didn't know it was a character from Game of Thrones.

But I did. I feel like I'm living in Game of Thrones right now because I rewatched season seven. I'm back in. Look at you. I'm back in. I can't wait. Oh, that's good. I can't wait.

I used to hate Game of Thrones, but I'm all in. I know. This is surprising. This is what I do is that I hate until I like. Okay. So you're in on Game of Thrones now? I love Game of Thrones. Oh, great.

I thought you hated it. You talk so much smack about it. Yeah, I know. That's what I do. Okay. That's what I do. Good to know. Noah's case this season.

It's weird. Is this weird? Yes. It's so weird. I swear to God, I can't get past it. Everything I used to hate, I end up absolutely loving. I hated beer. It's really weird.

Yeah. It's really weird. I know. I like it. What can I say? Nothing. There what can i say nothing there's nothing how my mind operates noah's case this season over under 230 last year he struck out 224 in 212 innings it's a good number i'll go under just because i don't think you can ever count on any pitcher throwing 200 innings in a season with all the little things that happen. So I'll say under, but I wouldn't be shocked at all if he goes over.

Yeah, it's 224 felt like a lot. Felt like a lot. Felt like a lot. 212 innings is a lot these days. That's a lot of innings. I feel like he pitched a lot of innings, but I guess 212 is not that crazy, but it is. It is in baseball now. That's just the way the sport is now.

If you reach 200 innings, you're a horse. You're a horse. Yeah, I don't think he goes over 230. But it's in play. It is in play, which is great to see. It's awesome. Remember when guys used to strike out 300 batters? What a crazy thing.

Anyway. From Russ, what is the future of kingery in philadelphia like i just said i think look look they made scott kingery almost a historic type of contract that they gave him buying out those years for someone who had never stepped foot on a major league field this organization believes in scott kingery one down year as a rookie at 24 in major league baseball is not going to dissuade them from that. Scott Kingery still has a bright future in this city. I still believe in Kingery, and as we've talked about,

we're expecting a little bit more from him this year. It's just right now there isn't a clear spot for him to play, and that's going to hurt his progress, obviously. But I still believe. Look, I don't know if Scott King will ever be an all-star, but I think he's going to be a quality player for the Phillies with upside. Is that fair? No, yeah, I think it's fair. Eventually he's going to be this team's second baseman.

You don't give him that contract if he's not going to be your second baseman. I agree. Cesar is going to be entering into his 30s. He only has two years left, I think. Eventually he's going to be the full-time second baseman, Cesar, is going to be entering into his 30s. He only has two years left, I think. Eventually he's going to be the full-time second baseman. Listen, they could have drafted Nick Madrigal last year if they didn't believe in Scott Kingery. They could have drafted Kesson Hiora the year before

if they didn't believe in Scott Kingery. Do I wish they drafted Kesson Hiora and Nick Madrigal? Probably. But that doesn't mean I don't believe in Scott Kingery. I think he's going to be fine. I can't believe how much more comfortable... I guess it's a thing. I guess it's a thing where if you play your position,

you're more comfortable to play it. I think that's kind of BS, but he does look more comfortable. Honestly, I can't believe that. I can't believe the whole Hoskins thing. Like, oh, he's going to be so much better at first. I don't believe it either. He probably is. Look, again, back to these guys are human beings and anything you kind of affect them in a

way that we might not understand but i don't think it's a major difference i don't think like you're a 230 hitter and then all of a sudden you go back to your natural position you're about 300 i don't think it's a major difference but on a on a small level maybe it impacts them i mean more so the the not that you're not playing your natural position, but that you're thinking more about defense. You're thinking more about what you have to do. And with King Ray Short, I believe that. Yeah, and you're thinking about all the things you have to do.

I got to make sure I cover this spot. I do this. I do all the things you're not as used to. So theoretically, sure, maybe it takes up a little brain space that you would normally be using to diagnose a pitcher, what he does, all that type of stuff. It's possible. Yeah, I guess.

I wouldn't put a lot of stock in it, but I don't think it's impossible that it had no impact. I mean, I guess this would be kind of the thing where I, this is me, but I couldn't come out of the bullpen because I'm so used to starting. Head case. Head case. Maybe it's one of those things. Head case. Some people wouldn't get that.

Why could you not do that? And I would explain to them that it's just a whole different mentality. It's back. Actually, this is an interesting question for you. Both of you. Between Mickey Moniak, Haseley, and Boehm, who was the first that actually makes it up? Man.

Maybe Haseley. I think Haseley probably makes the most sense, but I feel like Boehm could be precocious. If Boehm gets on a run, he's that type of potential elite prospect that could get called up quicker, potentially. But I think Haseley's the smart call. More of that elite last year.

Elite. He's an elite hitter. Yeah, man. I'm a little bit worried about their elite prospects right now. Just saying. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. It's called Johnny Prospects.

I don't think any of them is an all-star. Yeah, I don't think any of them is a lock all-star. Like you're going to say that guy is going to make five all-star teams or something like that. I think Haseley at this point you're hoping for an everyday player that has a little bit of pop. Agree. I mean, he's – I was hoping for more.

I don't know. Moniak actually I think even though it's going to take more time to develop, So is a high ceiling. I think Moniak, so is a high ceiling. I agree with you. I think that he's never going to be Christian Yelich, but he could be Christian Yelich light someday, theoretically. That'd be nice.

That's what I mean. I think his ceiling is so that I'm not expecting him to get there, but it's still in play if he bulks up a little more and all that. Any more Twitter? You got Twitter questions? I got Twitter questions. I think it'll be Haseley, but I think Bum pushes that case this year. I think Bum's going to have a monster

year. From Joe Berardi, what big arm would you like to see the Phillies target at the deadline if starting pitching is an issue that needs to be addressed? Now, obviously, we know the big names, Bum Gardner, Robbie Ray. I'm thinking I have one other name, but I'm going to save it. You guys

got any other names? Felix Hernandez is a... The corpse of Felix Hernandez you're going to trade for him? No, but see, here's the problem. The fact that you decided you didn't need Cole Hamels last year and then the staff ran out of gas, you could have had him this year on a one-year $20 million team option. It would be nice to have Hamels there as the lefty.

Yeah, Hamels would have been nice. It's a good thought. It would have been nice. It's a good thought. Would have been nice. But the corpse of Felix Hernandez is dead. Yeah, I think Felix might be done. He's one of the guys that could be available. All right, I have one name for you that I thought of. I mean, Mike Miner should be a name that we throw in.

They were interested in him in the offseason. Cute name. Type of guy they could be going after. Bumgarner is the big name. The big name. I have one for you. Who? What do you think about John Lester if the Cubs fall out of it? The Cubs are projected to win

79 games by Pocota, which I think is ridiculous. The Cubs are going to be in it. The NL Central is loaded. If they fall out of it... If they're not, of course! Jon Lester is an all-time playoff great. Why wouldn't I want that guy? But he's fallen off recently.

He's fallen off recently. I'll take him. All right. All right. I'm just saying. I think it could be one. I think it could be interesting. I don't want to bring up the boring names, Bumgarner and Robbie Ray.

Lester is owed $15 million this year, $25 next year. The Cubs have a bad GM that can't allocate his money correctly. Oh, God. the Cubs have a bad GM that can't allocate his money correctly? That would be not a salary dump, but it would be a way for them to free up salary for next year and then try to go after somebody else. I don't know. Yeah.

Okay. I'm with you. Marksy. Marksy. I'm trying to look through and think if there are any other names. There's really not. Maybe Chris Archer becomes available. I was just literally just about to say,

potentially if the Pirates fall out of it, Chris Archer, I think about two more years left on that deal, he could be available, or a year and a half at the point they would trade him. He could be available. Outside of that, I think Marcus Stroman is a name that pops into my head. Yeah. Right? I mean, Marcus Stroman's the type of name that could be available at the deadline.

The Blue Jays aren't going to contend. Signed to a nice contract. I think Stroman, an interesting name there, too. So, look, the big ones are Bumgarner and Robbie Ray, especially Bumgarner. That's the name, especially if you're making a playoff push and you're saying, all right, we need to trade for a starter to help us win in the playoffs. There's no one better than Mastro. You know what's so interesting about this trade deadline is, like,

that waiver deadline not being there. It's huge. It's so aggressive now. It's going to be so interesting about this trade deadline is that waiver deadline not being there. It's huge. It's so aggressive now. It's going to create so many moves. There's going to be more moves. They're going to go for higher prices. There's going to be more demand. It's going to be really exciting.

It worried me. I'm already preemptively worried about the Bumgarner trade. See, here's the thing. I'm excited about it because the Phillies have the best GM in baseball, so he'll handle it. Yeah, no, but I – King. Yeah, King. What up, King?

But I was already getting nervous about having to pay a lot for Bumgarner because there's no waiver deadline. Yeah, buddy. They can't just wait. It won't be cheap. It's not going to be cheap to bring in Mad Bum. If he's healthy and vigorous. If he's healthy and vigorous.

From Chaz, will Cousins make the team? Do you see him ever being more than a quad A Adam Dunn? No. Now, everyone's freaking out about – He might make the team, but no. He is quad A Adam Dunn. No. Now, everyone's freaking out about— He might make the team, but no. He is quad A Adam Dunn. That is who he is. Everyone's freaking out about Dylan Cousins, like what he's done this spring training.

And let me just tell you this. Spring training. This is where you can separate the spring training from this actually matters. Because if he is ever playing a lot, people are going to develop a game plan for him, and they're going to get him out whenever they want. It's a great reference by Chaz because Dylan Cousins is the quintessential quad A player. He is a guy who is going to rake in AAA whenever they send him down there.

He's going to murder minor league pitching. And then when he gets up to the majors, that massive jump that it takes from pitching in the majors to pitching in the minors, he can't hit him. They will have plans for him. They will throw him the stuff, the breaking stuff that he can't hit, and he's not going to succeed. We see so many guys like this. Yep, agreed.

From Salo Folina, more likely Harper 40 home runs or Hoskins 40 home runs? I saw this. This is a great question. Okay. I don't know where to go here. Like, that's how torn I am on this.

I think it's probably more likely Harper because of the short porch and all that stuff. But let's put it this way. I think Harper has more homers, but I think Hoskins has more RBI. Yeah, I would say that's true. And I wouldn't be shocked if Hoskins hit 40 homers either. Dude, I think we've underrated—not underrated. I think we haven't talked enough about how good Hoskins is. I agree with you.

I agree with you. I agree with you. I mean, he had, what, 34 home runs last year? 34 home runs and 96 RBI. And it was, like, quiet. It was, like, quiet 34 home runs. He's got more in him. Yeah, he's going to have a big year. He had 34 home runs, 96 RBI, and, like, that's driving him.

And he missed, like, three weeks because of the broken jaw, too. Yeah, he's just come up and raked. And now he has Harper and he has Real Muta behind him. He has actual guys. He's just going to be a monster. I'm so excited. He's going to be a monster. From Pavetta Hype, stat line for Julio Tehran on opening day.

So the Braves announced Julio Tehran today. Three and a third. Six earned. Three strikeouts. Nothing else really. Bryce Harper owns Julio Timber. Eight career home runs against Julio Timber. And Harper has five career opening day home runs in seven drives.

So we're saying Bryce Harper is homing on opening day. He's going to homer on opening day. And I say he goes four innings, six runs, fills by five. From Scott Price, what is more likely likely 75 wins or 95 wins 95 wins i like it i i i legit think that's more likely i'm not saying that uh i i look either is possible it's baseball we've seen so many times where a team is expected to do one thing and does the other i would be absolutely floored if this is not a better than 500 baseball team. Yeah, so would I. So would I.

All right, last two. From Johnny Heller, I asked a similar question a month ago, but now that we've seen some spring training action, which pitcher currently on the 40-man roster are you most comfortable with in the five spot of the rotation if VV underperforms? Okay, so I might have seen this question before when I was scrolling through, and that was the one I was thinking the other one is. So Drew Anderson's a name that popped into your head, and that was the one I was thinking the other one is. Right. So Drew Anderson's a name that popped into your head,

and you mentioned last week that's a possibility. Well, especially given his spring training. I think we could also – I mean, they've got guys in the minors who we've seen come up and make spot starts before. The Ranger Suarez's, the Enyel De Los Santos's. And just move Enyel – start moving Enyel to the bullpen now. Like, let him just be Jose Contreras in the bullpen. Look, I'm fine with that, but I do think you could see them mix and match with guys if neither Vinny or Eikhoff is working.

I could see Drew Anderson getting a shot. I don't think there's any defined guy who is the clear five if they have issues with both those guys. Yeah. I'm just thinking if anyone stayed up. Drew Anderson stayed up the longest in spring training, so it would most likely be him. If not him, I'd like to see JoJo get a shot.

That's what I would like, too. And Cole Irving can start morphing into Jay Happ right in front of our eyes if he wanted to start that train now. But, yeah, I think Anderson makes the most sense because he was up the longest, and he pitched really well in spring training. So if either of those guys falter, don't worry. Jonathan Pettibone, Drew Anderson is here. From Jersey, Josh.

Oh, jeez. All right, are we done yet? That's true. Has the Phillies hype officially died down? The Eagles did stuff, so it seems like it's back to business as usual in the world of Phillies sports. Just wait for opening day, baby. And let me just say this.

Sure, the Phillies day-to-day talk has definitely died down a little bit, which is going to happen. I mean, we were enthralled with this. We talked about Bryce Harper every day for two weeks and nothing else. Right, right. So it was always going to calm down. But I'll say this. This past weekend, they got 10,000, 10,000, 11,000 people.

Like, the fans are back. Like, that's a spring training. People are going out of their way to go down to spring training to watch this Phillies team. People are excited. It's not going to die down anytime soon. Once the season starts and they start winning, it's going to be awesome. All right.

Real quick, we got final thoughts. Jack, really quickly, you're back. Yes, I'm back. Yesterday, I pitched a little bit like i feel like a minor bullpen just see if i still had it still had it uh he's got it of course i had it he's got it i still i don't miss spots like i just i don't miss spots i might not walk a guy this year i'm being honest i i don't i don't think i'm gonna walk a guy this year it's control master but greg maddox over here but everything hurts everything. Everything in my body.

I forgot how much legs are involved with baseball. Oh, I didn't. They are. Yeah. My back's on fire. It's good. I can't even. You're 25 years old.

I can't even lift my shoulder. Oh, my God. Wait a decade. Just wait a decade. Literally everything hurts now. All right. I am so washed. But when I need to break it out i will break it out i'm very

excited for the updates although i threw five pitches and my arm fell i go and you're like i'm done i thought i thought something was gonna pop all right um not surprising i'm excited to hear how you progress as we go here um all right jack final thoughts as we are now 52 minutes into this podcast final final final thought how i gotta my final thought is a is a trivia question for you As we are now 52 minutes into this podcast. How? How? Final thoughts. How? My final thought is a trivia question for you. Ooh, good. Who has more World Series home runs than Ted Williams and more World Series wins than Nolan Ryan?

More World Series home runs than Ted Williams and more World Series wins than Nolan Ryan. I'm guessing that it's zero for both. Is that right? So everybody? Who's I'm guessing that it's zero for both. Is that right? So everybody? Who's playing? No, it's one player. One player has...

Oh, has both. I got you. I got you. Babe Ruth? No. Well, I'm sure he does. No. Who is it?

Joe Blanton. Oh! Good work. More World Series wins. I had a feeling it was just one for each, right? Yeah, that makes sense. Who is it? Joe Blanton. Ah! Good work. More World Series wins. I had a feeling it was just one for each, right? Yeah, that makes sense. And more World Series home runs than choker Ted Williams. That's very good.

All right, my final thought, and of course, rate and review the podcast. It makes Jack very happy. In fact, the only thing that he wanted for his birthday was to people rate and review the podcast. If you didn't see it on Twitter, do it for Jack's birthday. Make him happy. Everyone cares about me. Okay, Jack, my final thought. A quick impromptu addition of is this weird?

Yes. The game that's sweeping the nation. We went to the Flyers game on Thursday night with a bunch of Midday Show listeners. Had a blast. Shout out to everybody who went. And on the Jumbotron, they do the happy birthday thing, right? You know, happy birthday, Bob Smith. He's 50 years old, blah, blah, blah.

They had someone on there who was one year old. Is it weird to put your one-year-old's birthday name on the Jumbotron at a Flyers game when, A, they're never going to remember it, B, they're probably not even there because they're one year old, and C, who cares? It's your one-year-old's birthday and and you're putting on the Jumbotron. Is it weird, Jack? It's very 2019. It is.

They did that for the gram. I find it so weird. They did. You're right. They did it so they could take a picture and you're, oh, Jack. You millennials. I know my people. You get each other.

I know my people. No, it's not weird. It's just that's 2019 for you. I find it weird. You find it weird? I think you're more annoyed by it, to be's not weird. It's just that's 2019 for you. I find it weird. You find it weird? I think you're more annoyed by it, to be honest with you. It's a little... Look, as someone who is going to have a one-year-old in about nine months...

Are you going to put it on the Jumbotron? No! No! No! So at what age do you put it on the Jumbotron? Whenever they're old enough to go and see their name and be like, oh, wow, cool, that's my name on the Jumbotron. That's it.

Okay. All right. That's fair. All right that's fair right in review right in review April 2nd yes still my pin tweet we will be there $20 tickets so yeah still some tickets left so get in on that and uh

talk to you guys later this week All-Star Closer. Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball isn't boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

Another fact. So jump aboard the BIB Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.