High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Two People You Want to Give Up on But You Can't: James Seltzer and the Phillies

Episode Date: July 4, 2022

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies taking 2 of 3 from the Cardinals, James' return the IL, and much more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies. On Odyssey and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo! It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. It is a I only saw three of the six games since we last spoke because I survived COVID edition of the High Hopes Podcast. Fritzy, I'm back, buddy.

I COVID. How you doing? Well, I'm glad to say that the yo was not impacted. No, and you know, I thought an appropriate level. Not over the top. They won two or three from the Cardinals, which was great. I heard that they lost two or three from the Braves. I remember none of it.

No, I thought an appropriate yo. Yeah, the Brave series, we don't need to talk about. The first two games were demoralizing, and I was back to being bummed about the baseball team. And really my only, you know, huge thought off of the brave series was like,

I need that team to just go away. Like I, it's pretty much as simple as that. Like I just, I can't, I can't take that team. I can't take any aspect of the team. I can't take out,

uh, annoyingly good. They are seemingly every year. I can't take how annoyingly good they are seemingly every year. I can't take my baseball team not being able to be as good as that team. And, yeah, so we don't need to talk about it. We could talk about the last game when they scored 14 runs and demolished them, but that was a good game. The first two games, you didn't miss much.

It was demoralizing. And they moved on and took two or three from the Cardinals. Really should have swept, but much higher hopes on this podcast. Yeah, that was a fun, not a fun loss, a close loss that second game where they battled back. Really felt like they should win. And I've been in a fugue state all week. So for the second pod in a row, last time hung over and probably

the beginning stages of COVID as well who knew um so you're gonna have to carry me twice in a row so you know i'm just i'm just coming out of this jack so i mean just what else is new right i mean i mean some are saying i do that every single podcast so you know i don't know if that's like a i don't know if that's like a change of course so um what welcome back what do you expect me to boot what do you expect sunshine and rainbows and flowers yes all right bouquets of flowers we've been spoken in six days i was asleep for two of them like you know something some sort of like wow well. Well, I don't know. You know, like we said, I mean, you've been basically off work for a week and a half.

You've barely left your house. I don't think you've actually left your house. No, actually, Emily, we got to tighten this pot up today because Emily would like to go out for the first time in six days and get something to eat. So, yeah. Yeah, well, it's just like, and he couldn't even make the, he had to sleep in late again today. You know, we could have done this earlier. Was not my intent, that one. That one kind of just happened.

So. Yeah, well, listen, many people are starting to question the work ethic of one member of this podcast. I'm definitely going through a lull right now, Jack. I think it's fair to say I'm definitely in a lull. You have dead arm? I got dead arm.

I'm Zach Eflin. I got a heavy body. I really did have a heavy body this week. Let me tell you, man. It was hard to stand up at times. So it works out. Call me the Zach Eflin of this podcast. I'm very curious to see what you're going to look like at work.

Like you're going to have to jump back in that thing and be ready to go. Boom. Boom. Right back in. Come on. Come on, Jack. You know me. That's what I do. I come back. I jump right back in. Come on. Come on, Jack. You know me. That's what I do. I come back. I jump

right back in. I say, let's do a 20 minute podcast and I'll get out of here again and we're good to go. You know, that's what I do. Yeah. I'll say this, James. You know, I think you as a person, you kind of resemble the Phillies right now where where it's like i want to give up on you but i but i but i just can't i just can't do it yes this is it we found it yep yep and sadly we all know i'm never actually gonna win so this is this feels about right yeah it's a perfect analogy right here thank you you. Thank you. This is great. So, hey.

Is there anything worse that a friend, a co-host, anyone can do than compare you to the losing-est team in the history of sports? I don't know. I don't know. Man, they're only the losing-est team in the history of sports because they've been around the longest. You know, like, they're not that bad. I mean, it's led to a lot of brutal, brutal summers, but they're not that bad.

They're only bumped up by, you know, being around since 1883. It's pretty bad, though. No, listen, I mean, hey, hey, like I always say, James, and I want to keep things in perspective because I think that's important. At least it's not as bad as what I want. You're a big keep things in perspective guy. I don't get over the top. Never, never. It's always very even keel with you.

Just remember, it can't possibly be as bad as when they went from, like, 1916 to 1954 without, like, making the playoffs. Without, like, a winning season, I think. No, yeah, they had one winning season. I think, no, yeah, they had one winning season during that whole entire time before the whiz kids. So it's not that bad,

I guess. But, um, listen, they're, they're, they're, they're playing,

they're playing good ball. They're, they're, they're playing good, solid baseball. And, you know, I just,

I think a lot of people looked at when price went down, it was like, oh, this is going to be disaster. They're going to totally fall apart. And yeah, you know, I just I think a lot of people looked at when Bryce went down and was like, oh, this is going to be a disaster. They're going to totally fall apart. And yeah, you know, losing Bryce and him being the MVP of the league and how good he's been so far this year, their record without him would suggest that. But, you know, we sit here about a week in knowing that he's going to miss the next, I don't know, month and a half. And I'm telling you, James, I still have this weird feeling that they're going to stay in it. Like, I don't think that they're going to completely crumble and completely fall out of this thing. And that Cardinals series is one of those kind of checkmark, can they survive without Bryce kind of series? Because the Cardinals are ahead of them in the standings. I mean, Nolan Arenado was like ridiculous.

And Goldschmidt. I mean, both those guys. It's insane. Yeah. And they weathered the storm there a little bit. And they should have won Saturday. You know, Gibson was a disaster. You know, the first time in MLB history, I guess, there was four straight home runs in the first inning of a game.

Yeah, well, I looked it up and I don't know if this is still true, but it was from 2020, but it's only happened 11 times ever. That was the 11th time in the history of baseball that it was back-to-back to back-to-back. I would have sworn there are less perfect games than there are more perfect games than back-to-back to

back-to-back home runs. That's crazy. Yeah, and I'm pretty sure, like they said it on the broadcast, and I don't have the stat in front of me, but I think it was the first time it's ever happened. Like, there was something related to four straight home runs. Probably, if I had to bet,

considering it's only happened 11 times, probably the first time it happened with two outs and no one on at the first inning, that's for sure. Yeah, so something along those lines, because like they mentioned in the broadcast, it might be the first time it ever happened in the first inning of a game. I mean, if it's only happened 11 times,

there is at least a decent chance that it's never happened in the first inning, you know? Yeah. So, uh, besides that. And so they had that,

they had Aaron Otto having hitting for the cycle for the first time. Oh yeah, buddy. How about it? Which is insulting, again, because David Bell still. I will say, I will say, if Mark Gruselonic had been the Phillies holder, I don't think it would be a big deal. I would be fine with Mark Gruselonic being my cycle guy. Love Mark Gruselonic.

He's a fine little card. He's a fine little player. Final Expo. Gruselonic had a nice little career there. I'm down with Grus. Well, I mean, they had Gruselonic. They had Isringhausen. You know, just too many big names for a successful baseball team.

Those are your two go-tos, not Pujols or – Well, you know, anyone can say Pujols. Carpenter, whoever the hell you want to say. No, I would say my Cardinals growing up were David Eckstein Grisalonic, Matt Morris Jason Isringhausen that's about it okay

that's a good list man that's a World Series winning list right there which is embarrassing but whatever twice yeah go ahead but I will say that, um, so,

you know, I just keep watching the team and I keep waiting for them to kind of fall apart. And I just don't see that, that, that really happening, you know, and,

and Derek Hall coming up and they put them immediately into the four hole, which is just, where were you in Derek Hall? Save the season, Jack Fritz. I know, I know. It's ridiculous.

Um, well, before he had the single and like the eighth his three hits were all I know well it also is such a like I mean it's such an indictment from a roster building perspective when the guy you bring up because of the injury at this point in the season just steps into the four hole like just shows how clogged up you are at one spot when it's like this guy would not just get called up but hit in the cleanup spot like just shows how clogged up you are at one spot when it's like this guy would not just get called up but hit in the cleanup spot you just didn't have a spot in your lineup for him before it's so silly yeah and and um i also wonder like how long i mean

girardi would have bet him what like knife oh i honestly i think girardi would have brought him up have him sit on the bench for a week or so to get a feel for the major leagues then he'd pinch hit a few times and then eventually probably seven eight hole in the lineup probably depending on construction you know who's before and after of course yeah so honestly credit to them like having the the kind of stones in a way to come up and be like listen you're you're going to bad the four hole. And, you know, honestly, it does make sense just from the standpoint of wanting to keep the less road, the rest of the lineup kind of inconsistent spots. Um, but still, it's just a better hitter than the guys low, like whatever,

like I don't care if he just came up in terms of, he's a better four hitter. Like he's someone you can put the four hole who can drive in some runs for you, hit a home run for you. Like the guys at the bottom of the lineup can't do that. It is what it is. Yep. So, um,

yeah, that's interesting. First time it ever happened. First time it happened for the Phillies since 1939 that a guy made his like major league debut or whatever in the, in the cleanup spot. So, um,

yeah. And, and, you know, I don't know. It's just Saturday, even though they lost and, and it sucked that they, and, you know, I don't know. It's just Saturday, even though they lost, and it sucked that they lost, and they probably should have won that game, just the fact that they fought back and the fact that they made that a game, made it a tie game,

we kind of feel like they should have won that game. You know, they're down 5-0 in the first, and I just continue to think that in years past and in the beginning of the season they probably just roll over and fold and don't try to or they would try but I wouldn't have much faith in them coming back but there's just been little things these last couple weeks where it's like this is why I continue to think that they're going to be a good baseball team and why I think they're going to be okay without Bryce you know obviously you need the talent to kind of carry you. You need the Cassianos.

You need Schwarber not to go into a July swoon after an unbelievable June. You need Reese to be the same thing. But just the Derek Hall moments, the Garrett Stubbs moments, the Bryce and Stott walk-off, there's just little things. The bullpen's starting to round into form here a little bit, it seems like. So they're going to be tested here because of obviously with the injuries on the starting pitching staff. And I don't know where they turn to. You know, it'll be Chris Sanchez. But like, I don't trust Chris Sanchez. Bailey Falter, I like, but has not really, you know, backed up my liking this so far at the big league level.

liking this so far at the big league level so it's going to be some kind of choppy waters here for a little bit because you know we have about uh really i mean less than a month until the trade deadline but really you know this this whole thing kind of picks up in the next two two three weeks um because obviously teams are going to hold on to their guys as long as possible to try to get the maximum return on investment so really these next two weeks as long as they can kind of stay afloat here and uh you know the nationals coming it down this week uh is another example of hopefully being able to get continue to be over 500 get the maybe i don't know crazy six seven games over 500 um but regardless i just this cardinal series is big for me from the standpoint of i think they're going to be okay for the rest of the summer. Yeah, I have a

similar feel in that perspective. Like, this team fights, I think it's a different vibe around the team. The way they've played without Bryce shows it. And this series is a good example. You know, I think even though they didn't win the Saturday game, the battling back from five, nothing like that. And doing

it by, like, kind of whittling away, like, bit by bit. Not just the battling back from five, nothing like that, and doing it by kind of whittling away bit by bit, not just the beginning or not just, oh, we tied it. Like they fought back and they made their way back and then they stayed in it and, you know, they lost, but they fought. It was a tough loss. It was a good loss. Like, you know, if Nolan Arenado hits a home run and beats you,

like that happens. You know, like you played a good baseball game. You fought hard. I'm with you. My bigger concern with this team is absolutely the other teams in the national league more than it is them like i do think to your point they have proven to me that they're gonna survive without harper and i want to get to these other injuries in a sec because i do think that's kind of you know where the bread's going to be buttered right now over this next stretch of the season and they do luck out with the ulcer break coming up so at least a little bit

of extra time potentially for some of these guys to get better and whatnot but I do think they're a good baseball team and I think that's something we really haven't been able to say the last year is they have shown that they can battle adversity that they're not just going to crumble here and all that I'm much more concerned about the fact that the rest of the National League is good and they might just not be good enough, especially with the injuries they have. That's my bigger concern. But I agree.

I think they've proven they're a solid baseball team, and they're a group of guys who are going to fight. And it's no matter what, this is a different vibe type of baseball team than we've had here the last few years. And that alone is exciting. We still need guys. Look, I mean, nick castellanos i could do a a hungover podcast with covid it turns out and then come back from covid ready to roll

and you can't get freaking hit a baseball man you said you came here to hit baseballs you have a college degree you hit baseballs well buddy might want to go to college right now, all right? Like, come on, pal. Sorry. No one on this planet makes me angrier than Nick Castellanos right now. But let's stick to the injuries because we don't, you know, Emily will kill me if we go way too long today. So let's dive into some stuff here. With the Ranger injury, the Eflin injury,

obviously the Harper injury, this team being tested right now, the Segura injury. Forget about Segura. It's so funny. Like, when they lost Segura, it's like, oh my God. And now it seems like an afterthought with all the other stuff that's happened. But with these injuries, this time right now weathering it, especially because after the All-Star break, the schedule does open up. And to your point with the trade deadline, it's going to be a very interesting deadline because part of what the whole situation the Phillies are in with eight teams for six spots in the NL means, it also means that all those other teams are out of it and they know they're out of it.

Other than maybe the Marlins or whatever who thinks they're not out of it. So there's going to be teams with pieces to sell. So this is a really interesting couple weeks here because these games are tougher. After the All-Star break, it gets even easier. But they got got the Cardinals here again they got the Blue Jays coming up like they got a couple tough games along with the Nats the Marlins coming up here what what do they need to do how do you feel about this team first of all how do you feel about the injury the Ranger one particularly because that kind of came out of nowhere the Eflin stuff we've kind of been dealing with as it goes but those two injuries and then how it's going to affect this team,

particularly over the stretch before the All-Star break. Well, yeah. I mean, the starting staff was always kind of my big concern. You know, I think I said... Yeah, you said that was your number one trade request last pod. Yeah, so nothing's changed. You know, because I think the outfield, it's definitely not great, you know. But I like what I see from Vierling.

You know, I want him to play as much as possible. Yeah, O'Toole has just been so, like, he has the three hits and then he strikes out on Saturday. And it's like, well, there it is. And his numbers with runners in the scoring position is just atrocious. And then Mickey had the big hit on Friday, but we'll see there. So outfield, it's definitely not a strength, but when I'm looking at the concern level for this team,

they need a starter, especially if Gibson's given you the efforts that he's given them since June. Get the smile out of your voice right there. I can see you being like, I told you all Kyle Gibson stinks. I can see it. I can hear it. Well, here's the thing. I don't want him to say it.

Right. Smile's the wrong word. The knowing smirk is what I could hear. All right. Well, he drives me nuts. I know, buddy. I know. Because ZRA heading into yesterday in June was like 5.8.

So obviously that went up. Or heading into Saturday is going up. So I don't think you can trust him totally at this point. I'm sure he'll round into form and be a fine like 4.5, whatever. I don't think he's going to completely fall off a cliff here. But, you know, Ranger's been hit or miss even when he has been healthy and and efflin i just i don't know what we can get out of zach efflin at this point like i i you know i i want him to be great i love zach and and i i think he's shown flashes of being really good but i just can't trust it at this at this stage so um you

know i as soon as they could try to get a starter i would would kind of go for it. I just don't. I was looking over the depth charts yesterday, and I was trying to find, all right, who could be the small, under-the-radar pickup that would help this team immediately and give them some quality innings. And it's like there's just not a name out there. Because even the bad teams, unless you want to trade for Jose Quintana, sure, there's just not a name out there because even the bad teams, like, unless you want to trade for like Jose Quintana, like, sure. I mean, that's fine. But, you know, like there's the, the, the, the bad teams mostly have young starters that they want to try out and see what they have.

And then the teams that do have pitchers, you know, the Reds, Frankie Montas, we'll see what happens there with the, why he left the game yesterday. Not a great sign heading into the trade deadline. But, you know, it's Maley, Luis Castillo, and Frankie Montas, you know. And no team is going to trade one of those guys right now. And if you do trade for one of those guys, you're paying a crap ton to kind of do it. So, you know, it's on this team to kind of get creative, you know. They've done a good job in the bullpen of finding under-the-radar pieces that have helped them, the Nick Nelsons, the Andrew

Bilates. They've got to find the starter version of those guys, frankly. They've got to find one of those guys because I don't know where they turn to if Sanchez can't get the job done, if Falter keeps being okay and these guys continue to miss time. There's not really another name. There's Kent Emanuel, who they got

this offseason from the Astros. Maybe he's a guy. Plassmeyer is a guy they traded Austin Wins for with the Giants. He's been okay at AAA. They're not going to do this, but it seems like they're kind of fast-tracking Griff McGarry. But there's just no way that he's going to be up here taking down starts for this team. I would be shocked. So really, again, it's pretty much just tread water here and hope that you can kind of survive until the trade deadline. Yeah. The names are not super exciting when you look at whether AL or L. You mentioned some of them. Really, the Reds are the only team that have, and it's not even elite guys, but, you know, potentially elite guys or guys who could be close to elite,

the Castillos and, and mainly maybe a step down, you know, potential wise. But I mean, yeah, it gets ugly. I mean like Arizona, like, you know, Zach Davies has been pitching okay for them. Like, do you want Zach Davies? You know, Merrill Kelly, like these type of guys, not even there anymore like that, that like, you know, it's going to be names like that that are going around. It's, you know, the Frankie Montas to your point and assuming he's healthy, you know, that's a diamond in a group of, of coals, so to speak. You know, there's not a lot of, you know, Jose Quintana, a perfect example of a name

of a guy who's had success in the past is pitching fine for Pittsburgh you know a low four ZRA type guy like it's not exciting it's innings eating type of stuff but to to the point you just made like if we're talking Christopher Sanchez or Bailey Falter for an extended period of time then you know what like yeah Jose Quintana is better than that he is he's better than Christopher Sanchez so you know it is it is one of those balancing acts where it is a question of this team is going to need someone in that role and it's a question of what are you willing to do? Are you willing to go in and like really make a move for a Tyler Mailey or someone you think has the potential to make a difference for this team over the stretch runner? Are you trying to

kind of tread water and survive, you know, until guys get back? It's going to be fascinating. Yeah. It's honestly, it's, it's, it's a really tough decision. You know, I think you and I are. There's merits to both. There's merits to going both ways. There really is, yeah. Well, because you could easily chalk it up as like, listen, Bryce got hurt. Some of our stars got hurt. Like, we're not going to win the World Series this year anyway.

Yep. So why would we do it? But at the same time, 11 years. Yep. You know, 11 years without the postseason. So, honestly, I'm at the point where I don't really have much interest in rentals. You know, rentals are fine, I guess. Yeah, I agree.

Unless it's like nothing. Like if we're taking on some salary or something and giving up nothing for it, sure. But I'm not interested in giving up anything of value for any sort of rental at all. Right. Like if you can find the Solaire, Jack Peterson thing for like Pablo Zandoval. Yeah, exactly. Eddie Rosario,

the MVP of the world series or whatever. Like he was, he was bought for cash. Like that was it. He, there wasn't even a player. It was, Hey,

here's money. Give us the guy who's going to be the world series MVP or whatever the playoff, you know, stud. I guess Solaire was the MVP. You know what I mean? Yeah,

no, I got you. So yeah, we're on the same page there i just have this feeling with with dave dombrowski and honestly like i just he's been good at spending money but i'm really i'm kind of waiting for the dave dombrowski trade because we haven't seen it yet um but the track record of this guy is he's gonna go get aces you know that's what he did in Detroit.

He obviously got Miggy and whatnot, but he got Scherzer there. Verlander was already there. We all know he built the rotation in 2014 that ended up having five Cy Young winners. He got to Boston. His first trade was Michael Kopech and Yohan Mankata. Actually, it wasn't his first trade, but it was the big trade. It was a big one, yep. He traded the top prospects and assistants to go get Chris Sale and got them an ace.

The nice thing about what Dabrowski has here is that he already has an ace in place. And he has Aaron Nola, who's turning back into the Aaron Nola that we always were wondering if we would ever see again. But I just have this feeling that he wants to go get another difference-making arm. And if he does, you know, I think the bullpen could be fine. You know, I think they've kind of rounded the form a little bit here. Their ERA is like in the 3-5s since Girardi's been fired. And, you know, Sam Coonrod's on his way back. Jojo Romero's on his way back.

So you hopefully can get some decent reinforcements there if you can head into a a stretch run or hopefully god forbid a playoff playoff series with whether it's montas castillo would cost a ton but man like would just die um and and or tyler maylee you know you go you goola, Maile, Castillo, Montas. You have a chance in any series, and I think Dombrowski knows that. I think he's a big starting pitcher guy. So, you know, they've got to be willing to lose one of the big three pitching prospects, I think, to get that done.

But it's a really tough decision heading into a stretch run here where your team's playing well. They're showing you reasons to believe. And if they get Bryce Harper back, if you add one of those aces, if his offense can continue to kind of piece it together, Casillanos gets hot, there's a chance at more than just a playoff round here. So it's going to be fascinating. And frankly, James, like, I just can't wait.

I can't wait. I need to see what they're going to do. I need to see where this team is in a month. We've got the draft this month. We've got a trade deadline this month. There is so much that I just need to fast forward and get through because it's pretty much all I think about. I love it, buddy. I know you and I know that's where you're at, especially the draft. Let's not lie. Let's be honest. That's most important. Obviously, podcast presented by Miller Lite. Love Miller Lite.

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it's been a, a sick week for me. It was, it was really nice seeing that stuff. So, so shout out to Miller light and shout out to everyone. Make James Seltzer happy. That's the point of this thing.

That's why we're here. That's why we're here. So this is what we're trying to do here, buddy. That's what we're saying. Um, all right. Uh, again, chat to my light. They're the best Fritzy. Uh, that what we're trying to do here, buddy. That's what we're saying. All right. Again, Chad's my light to the best.

Fritzy, that's all I got. Take back. Little bit of take back action. All right. Here we go. So I can't believe that they broke the soft jersey retirement of Cole Hamels for Oscar Mercado. Oh, buddy. I'm sorry.

I should have had this at the very top of the show. This is a disaster. Go ahead. My fault. I apologize. Well, it's just like and I know I have the Hamels bit where it's like, what cost in the world series in oh nine, whatever Cole Hamels is a world series MVP that is homegrown. That is, is the second best lefty pitcher in franchise history.

Maybe, I don't know. Cliff Lee, whatever. Um, regardless, he's up. I mean,

he's up. And again, he's, he's one of two world series MVPs in the history of your franchise. And the other is Mike Schmidt. All right. So, you know?

Yeah. And like, I Mike Schmidt. All right. So, you know, yeah. And like, I, I just to, to, to break that for a, a, like a waiver claim that's gone in a week,

uh, and is already back with, with the guardians. It's just like, what are we doing here? You know, like Cole Hamels means a lot to this fan base means a lot to this franchise.

You know, the, the Eagles haven't given out number 12 since Randall. They haven't given out number 25. But those guys aren't retired. But it's a soft jersey retirement out of respect for a franchise icon. And I assume they were going to break it eventually. I don't know.

It just seemed like the wrong time. And he could have given any other number there. And to kind of break a soft jersey retirement for a backup center fielder, it just didn't feel right. And Cole means a lot to this city. It means a lot to bring a World Series here. World Series MVP was a good fill. And I just, you know, it felt weird in the moment and I don't know

why they I frankly I'm not really sure why they did it made no sense it's like what are you doing like this is crazy what was the guy was on the team for a day like I just it's crazy to me and even if it were even if it were someone legitimate coming in here I wouldn't have done it but but to do it for just some guy who, you know, is not a long-term part of your plans or whatever. It's like, sure kid take 35.

Like I just, it was absolutely insane to me, especially like we've talked about how they've kind of set them up and sells up in a weird spot from that perspective by retiring holidays, Jersey. And, you know, I'm fine with it.

Hall of Famer, one of the great players to ever play for this team, certainly in the modern era. But like, you know, like we talked about, when you retire Roy Halladay's number, you really make a strong case. Do you kind of have to consider retiring the four guys who won you the World Series in 04, the four core four of that group? And Hamels was one of those guys.

Hamels was the one who freaking won the MVP of the World Series, was the most important guy in that run as far as as the playoffs went like I mean I don't know and and I could see them just retiring you know Jimmy Ryan and Chase or just doing Chase or just doing Jimmy or doing whatever like I don't know what they're gonna do but it feels really weird this whole thing feels really weird with the jersey thing and it just feels so avoidable yeah it's almost like there's something behind the scenes that like it just seems off to me like why are you giving away number 35 like even if i think i think ryan zutley and howard i was always those three should have their numbers retired no one should ever wear those jerseys again but i like i was

never a big fan of like retiring cole's's jersey because I thought those guys were better. But it was a very weird move. It was very weird. Like, is another Eagle going to wear number nine? Yeah, it's just weird. You know? But Hamels was a better Philly than Foles was an Eagle. You know?

I mean, they basically had the same kind of run. Yeah, and he had a better career. No doubt. No doubt. Yeah. So it was a really weird move, and I think they could have picked almost any other number, and it would have been fine.

So that's that. Is Matt Veerling starting to turn into what the Phils envisioned Scott Kingery being? Ooh, yeah. He's playing third base. He played second base a little bit ago. He's played all the outfield positions. He works good at bats. Like I'm turning into a big Veerling guy.

And honestly, thankfully so, because I felt like last year I saw some valuable things that he did on the field. And it was frustrating being in this year. I just didn't seem to be, you know, the same kind of player that we saw at the end of last year. The guy that we've seen since he's been brought back up, really since he's the homer off of Hayter, that's a valuable player, and that's a good player. And he seems like a winner. You know, he can play.

He actually looks pretty good at third base. The one throw was just ridiculously bad, but it was kind of a rushed play, so whatever. But apparently he can play second base too. So, you know, this is kind of what they envisioned for Kingery. Shortstop, second base, third base and a pinch, some center field. And Vierling's doing all that while working good at bats and starting to hit the ball, you know, hard.

Yeah, dude, and seems to, you know, maybe be one of those hearts beats a little bit slower in the moments guys he's already had some clutch spots some clutch hits some clutch at bats the walk the other night they didn't win the game getting on base the ninth like i just i feel comfortable with him up in a big spot which is a lot to say for a kid who does not have a long major league track record and again to your point like i mean right now he's he's pretty much playing everyone the diamond he's playing like he could play like seven positions for them, essentially. You know, he hasn't played shortstop and hasn't really caught.

You know, I think you could. I mean, he hasn't played for his base, but I think we could assume he could probably play the other seven positions for them, which is pretty nuts. You know, so I mean, like Zobristian, so to speak. Yeah, he's turning into a player. A valuable piece, a valuable piece. A valuable piece and a winner. So good for Matty V. You know what I think is the biggest difference, James, in the bullpen management under Rob Thompson

and the bullpen management under Joe Girardi? Common sense. Mostly that. But I think guys are being rewarded for performance rather than just having blind faith. Sure, sure. Like Jerry Sommelier hasn't pitched in a big game ever since, I think, Rob Thompson's kind of taken over.

And Belotti's earning spots. Right. Yeah, it's a great point. Like Belotti's starting to earn spots. Nick Nelson's pitching in later, big, more crunch time situations and had an all-time uh like gift potential last night with the the check swing um so like belotti's getting belotti nelson alvarado has been really good which i still can't trust him just because i don't think he has

any idea where the ball is going but he's been really good and then a guy like knable who was in the closers role was was signed for $10 million to come here and be the closer of this baseball team, gets moved down to pitching in the freaking fourth. It's crazy, but has looked good

recently. Yeah, the other night looked nasty. Last night was or whatever. He looked nasty. Well, on Saturday, he came with the bases loaded. Uh, no out. Yeah. And,

uh, one run. Oh, oh, so close to like, I had my Corey period text ready to send to you and then the walk, but it was like, so close.

Yeah. But, um, you know, I think he's starting to get some, some trust back in, in Rob Thompson and the fan base a little bit. And honestly, if you can get the quirk enabled that we've seen for the last five years for the rest of the season,

that's the biggest trade deadline acquisition that they could even make. It's also nice that Sir Anthony allowed a home run and no one had this meltdown that he's terrible. They were like, ah, that sucks. It's good that it wasn't a complete meltdown city that Sir Anthony allowed one home run. So good to see that. It's so funny. And I'm a Schwarber guy. I think he's really important for this team.

And one thing I actually noticed from the Brave series was Wednesday night, they looked like they were dead, just had nothing. And Schwarber came back in the dugout all fired up and seemed like it was kind of challenging the teammates a little bit, like, let's go. Let's wake up a little bit. I think this is his clubhouse. I think he's the leader of this team. It was funny. I guess Reese was on postgame last night,

and they were talking like, oh, who's doing the grill for July 4th? And he was like, ah, Schwarber said he's great on the grill, so he's got it. I don't know. I love Kyle Schwarber, and I think he's really important to this team. But it's so funny seeing the way that he's talked about and how Reese has talked about, while Reese has been just as good since June,

or since Girardi's been fired. I know. It's like reverential with Schwerber. Yeah. I mean, I know because Hoskins didn you know 12 homers in a month or whatever um but he's been like it's like i think a better ops yeah better numbers better numbers i think if he just looks like a slash line yeah and i think he has like the second most win i don't even know what this i honestly have no idea what this means but wins probability added. I think he has the second most since Gerard's been fired. I'm a big WPA guy.

Love it. Yeah. Yeah. Again, no idea. But whatever. When it's about our guy, then we're in. Great set. So it's interesting seeing how those two are talked about.

Meanwhile, people are like, ah, you got to trade Reese ASAP. It's like, well, he's been really good. Kind of need him right now in this exact moment. Yeah. I feel Kyle Gibson. Like, I just think he lacks the the mental toughness to to pitch here. Wow. Like, I just it's just when things went, You went for the mental side. This is tough.

Well, no, it's just like when things go bad for him, it always seems to snowball, and he can't just bounce back. And, like, whenever runners get on base, it seems like he's trying to, like, he's almost just wanting the guy to get out or wanting the guy to make mistakes rather than making your pitch and having conviction like the it just doesn't feel like there's conviction there's a lot of nibbling there's a lot of pitches around the zone rather than it's a lot of to the catcher rather than through the catcher i just it seems like it always happens runners on base or when things start going a little bit wrong he just can't regroup and and

I mean that's honestly that's the one of the the the aspects of pitching is you have to be able to like things are gonna go wrong there's gonna be adversity all the time and you have to battle back and and and make good pitches be tough and and not let a thing crumble but it just feels like more often than not things just fall apart whenever a runner gets on base or two runners get on base, rather than I'm going to make this pitch here. The lack of conviction from Kyle Gibson is really, I think, the big issue and why he's never really been a good starter in Major League Baseball.

He's always been an innings eater, this kind of stuff. But what takes a guy from being good to being very good and great is when things go wrong, you know, locking in and not letting things fall apart. And it just seems like he consistently lets things kind of fall apart. Are you done with your victory lap yet? I mean,

before I mentioned it, you get some shots in and then take back time. You're like, you know what? I'm going to round back and kill Kyle Gibson again. Poor guy. It's not that I like him as a person and I want him to be good. It's just he's not very good.

And you hate him. It's okay. It's okay. You don't like rooting for him. I get it. I just want him to lock in. That's really all I want. And my last thing is that we are

now less than two weeks away from one of Drew Gilbert, Chase DeLauder, or Zach Netto being Philadelphia Phillies. I have gone to the point, James, where I have no interest in a prep pitcher. All these mock drafts

are like, give me a bat! What have we drafted another prep starter for? Give me James, where I have no interest in a prep pitcher, all these mock drafts. Give me a bat. What have we drafted another prep starter for? Like, give me a bat and let's go. You know, unless Dylan Lesko is there, I'd probably take him. But, like, I couldn't be more out on a prep starter. I know there's some nasty ones. They'd be great.

I get it. It's just we need to get some bats in the system. Yeah, big time, dude, big time, especially with the ones the ones that have promoted have you know not shined at the man and long long time to go in their career but you know with the recent promotions not shining definitely go for a bat yes so give me a bat and uh uh brian barber i have full faith in you and And James, I need Nick Castellanos to pick it up because he cost me a second round pick. And there is a lot of talent that I want the Phillies to draft in the second round

that I can no longer dream on because Castellanos is here. I'm happy he's here. I think he's going to figure it out. But I need him to do it soon because we're approaching draft time and there's a lot of players I want in the second round. Yeah, there's no one I'm more upset with in life,

much less Philadelphia sports and Nick Castellanos. You don't have to tell me that. He's making you look bad. Yes, no one has been a bigger personal disappointment to my soul than Nick Castellanos. Yes, take that for what it's worth, Nick. You've crushed my soul. Okay, buddy? That's how I feel about you right now.

He'll be okay. He better be. Better be. Kyle Schwarber f***ing hitting thongs. I curse. Damn it. Yep. See ya. Let's see if I edit that out or not. Will he edit it out or not? I don't know. So got a little COVID brain. So got a little COVID brain.

We'll find out. Alright. What else you got a little COVID brain. We'll find out. All right. What else you got? I got nothing. I guess I'll let you go and enjoy brunch. Oh, look at you. I have two things. I have two last things.

Yes, because like Emily's dying to go out and get some brunch and Zoe and all that. But I do have two things, okay? So these are my final thoughts. And if you have a final thought, you can go after. But quickly. One, it is so unbelievably stupid that the Phillies are not playing on July 4th. Like, what are we doing here? Why?

Why, Jack? Why? It's July 4th. And the Phillies aren't playing for no reason. Just saying. Yeah, it's weird. It's the first time since 1919 that they haven't played on July 4th. I hate it.

Like, I'm... It actively... I feel weird today without the Phillies playing. I don't like it. And my second thing, far more important, I really feel like there is not enough sympathy and empathy for me on this pod. You know, I'm returning from COVID. I make a triumphant return.

I show up. The morning my wife and daughter can't wait to spend a day with me for the first time in a week. And, like, it was just like, oh, hey, all right, let's do a pilot. I felt like I wanted a hero's welcome, a return. I feel like I didn't get that. So I just want to, you know, a little disappointed. I'm just putting that out there, right? Just a little bit.

Just a little disappointed. Open arms, I was hoping. Yeah, you know, I don't really, you know, I'm not, that out there, right? Just a little bit. Just a little bit. Open arms, I was hoping. Yeah, you know, I don't really, you know, I'm not, that's not me. No, it is the furthest thing from you that there is on this planet, probably. I just want you to come on. I want you to do your job, and I'll see you tomorrow. I'm like Belichick. I'm like Belichick.

Do your job. You are. You are. It's so true. It's so true. You know, just bella jack do your job you are you are it's so true it's so true you know just come in do your job and leave me alone all right that's all i need well what can i say what can i say i'm a lunch pail to work guy every day you see me you see my lunch it's true it's it's tin and it uh i got my hard hat yep you got a sandwich and a little ziploc baggie in there.

Yep. Yep. Yep. That's it. Thermos. That's who I am. A little soup in there maybe. Yeah.

I like it. Well, no. I would never. Soup is not a meal. Let's grow up here a little bit. Also, it's like 95 degrees out. I think the problem is you grow up too much when you eat too much soup. I think is the problem.

How would anyone enjoy soup? There's nothing has the problem. He goes the other way. How would anyone enjoy soup? There's nothing enjoyable about it. There's not great experience. I love that we're finishing with a fire food take coming in here. The only good soup is clam chowder. I like clam chowder. Wow.

What takes? French onion is the best soup. Go ahead, King. 215-592-9499. You got any final thoughts? Uh, I guess my final thought is that I continue to be proud of this baseball team.

And I just, I can't give up. And I, they won't give up. You'll never give up. It doesn't matter what's happening. You will never give up. Yeah.

And they're showing, they're showing good toughness. And I like that. So, you know, I, I've said it before and I'll say it again, like this, I, I hope they make the playoffs and die and I like that. So, you know, I, I've said it before and I'll say it again, like this,

I, I hope they make the playoffs and dying for them to make the playoffs, but it just reminds me a lot of the Oh 16 and how we started to see the, the seeds starting to grow a little bit of a, of a next core. And, uh, yeah,

hopefully it ends like Oh seven, but it reminds me more of Oh six. Um, and, uh, yeah, I can't wait for, the draft and the trade deadline.

There it is. We can't wait for the draft, the trade deadline, and maybe the Phillies make the playoffs. That's our life. And it's a beautiful thing, Jack. We're all right. It's better than it used to be. How about that? I think that's good.

Oh, listen, just remember, if we were doing this podcast from 1916 to 1952 or whatever, there would have been one winning season. Oh, my God. One winning season. It was like a barely over 500 season. Yeah, well, as of right now, we've been doing it from like 2017 or 2018 to now, and we've had one winning season.

So, yeah, I get it. All right. We'll be back later. It's Fritz from Salsa salsa we'll talk to you soon