High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Welcome Back, Rhys/James Is Going To London!

Episode Date: June 3, 2024

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz discuss Rhys Hoskins returning to Citizens Bank Park tonight, the Brandon Marsh injury and the Phillies upcoming trip to London. Presented by Miller Lite. 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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or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! On the Odyssey app and Sports Radio 94 WIP. The crowd was singing High Hopes. Smiling through a broken nose. Oh, High Hopes. High Hopes. I feel a little less alone.

Yo, it is another edition of the iOS podcast sponsored by Miller Lite, official sponsor of the Philadelphia Phillies. Taste like Miller time. Philadelphia celebrate responsibly as expected. Win the first two two lose on Sunday heading into Iowa's pot. I mean, we're back. I mean, that is this. I know take the first to blow

the last, lose it in a frustrating, maybe stay up late to do it. The whole thing. It was just it felt like the Phillies. I'm doing good. I'm doing good. I feel okay about the baseball team. It's good. Yeah. Yeah. We live with two and three.

We always live with two and three. Our ethos is what we've always done. Eight game winning streaks are fine. They're fine. Sweeps? What? Yeah. You did enough of that. You know, like, nice little just play good baseball. Last night was frustrating. You know, last night was so like, it was such a game that had they not been 41 and 18 41 and 19

i would have been way more worried about oh my god it would have been like especially with the marsh injury which we'll get to but like the injury happening and the way they lost the game if it was like you know to go to two games above 500 we would be like oh god this is the start of something bad no i know it was that it was that it was it was the pinch hitting situation which like i feel like the jt thing is definitely just mentally don't don't even put your head into the very clearly like yeah like you can't come in and just hit a fly ball like really yeah i mean what yeah and he's asked me he's like did you ever did you even think about it? He's like, no, absolutely not.

He was never going to touch the field. If they weren't as good as they were record-wise, it would have driven me crazy. And what would have driven me the most crazy is having three lefties at the top of your lineup so that you could easily be pretty much shut down late into it. Yeah. Yeah. Which he's done it a couple times. He did it.

Last time he did it, I think we were potting and you're like what a flex by rob thompson uh it's it's a it's a bad move like we saw it play out poorly for this team again i feel like i feel like he does this to say to people oh you don't want me to do left right left right oh you think we can oh again i just i think the pettiness that you ascribe to Rob Thompson is... I love it. I know he doesn't seem petty. He doesn't exactly scream Rob Thompson, I'm Mr. Petty.

But in my head, petty Rob Thompson is there at all times. Yeah, well, the Taiwan thing, you've got the, you know, just letting him out there to die, the whole thing, yeah. By the way, happy anniversary. Rob Thompson took over today ah

yes i mean what a moment changed the the course of the franchise one of the biggest moments franchise history you could argue if gerardi what by the way where the hell is what the hell happened to him he's doing some cubs games yeah but i mean you know i mean though like before he was the phillies manager he was manager you know managing a fair amount he was like he was the Phillies manager, he was managing a fair amount. He was always in the discussions for the new jobs. Managing, it's a thing. He was on TV. All of a sudden, he's just gone.

Did it ruin his career at the Phillies? Is he just done? I don't think he's ever going to get a coaching job. Pretty crazy. It's pretty bad. Even Gabe got back in. I know. Immediately. It's something. It's wild. Had they not fired Joe Girardi, Even Gabe got back in. I know. Like immediately. Yeah. No, it's something. It's wild. Had they not fired Joe Girardi,

I mean, I just wonder what the current Phillies team looks like. Obviously, we don't have the 22 run. We don't have the World Series run. But also, they'd probably ship out some players. I mean, they'd probably change the core up a little bit. Oh, yeah. I think they do. And Rob Thompson's definitely not the manager. Like if Girardi just...

Without a doubt, he's not the manager. And if they didn't do it early, like they could have done it in August. Right. But that's not enough sample size to say we got to bring Rob Thompson back. Totally. I mean, they doing it as early as they did. Again, it was the night after you guys had a night at the ballpark. Oh, yeah, buddy.

You know, I'm not going to say we did it, but we did it. And John Middleton was. We told John Middleton.leton weren't happy with joe gerardi was taking in what the fans were saying like callers were going up and being like when are you firing joe gerardi i couldn't believe it it was almost like uncomfortable to watch so i and what's so funny is that i've never been a huge fire the manager guy just because i think that you watch their moves and it's like it's like a coin flip most times like he active like it was the first manager i've seen actively hold back dude we yeah we talked about on the pod so much like like even from a you know obviously his in-game moves and his decision making the lack of the

refusal to play young players and to let guys grow and all that but even i i think the biggest thing that that we kind of forget about that you brought up so many times was just the lifeless clubhouse. The fact that it seemed like they were unhappy playing for him and the atmosphere that he fostered seemed so depressing and not fun. He was bad in-game, but he was bad all around. I think the thing that, and I'll turn this into a remembering the Joee gerardi era phillies was like he seemed so checked out of being like there was no passion for anything like

you know when when angel hernandez retired everyone's like sharing the schwarber video of him going nuts on him on sunday night baseball which is a great moment oh it's great and you're already didn't get thrown out after that. I don't believe we talked about in the moment. I remember people were like, how, what is, where is he? He's like, how do you like, like he barely even came out of the dugout.

It felt like, you know, like walk belly angel. What are you doing? Yeah. Especially cause like, that's one of the rare, I think it's rare that you see a guy get thrown out, argue for both sides.

Like I don't ever remember, like Schwarber was like, you're screwing it up for them. You're screwing up for us like everyone's getting like he was like that was a an all-time apoplectic i am going off because of like the sanctity of the game here and gerardi's like wait what's going on what happened kyle what's going on over there he wasn't paying attention never talk to players and and that's Again, that's the value of Rob Thompson. Rob Thompson's been here for now the manager for, I guess, what, 700

plus days. Look at you. Wow. 700 plus days. So dramatic. So dramatic. It is. But the biggest thing he's brought to this team is just a level of trust and saying, you're professionals, go be professionals. And I don't think that was Joe Girardi.

Of all the things going on right now with all the trip down memory lane, get the Reese thing tonight, which I can't wait for, and Girardi firing. It's a good little throwback to when things were shaky around here. It's a great point. It is wild to think with, especially with

how many moments there have been over the last couple years i mean just we talked about that first playoff run the 22 2022 run and even last year during the playoffs we're like it's kind of insane how many things happened in that 2022 run that moments that we can point to and remember and all that and then last year as well and the whole thing like it's now sitting here with the start they've had. It's crazy to think that it was only two years ago that we were like down as low as we could be as felt like we thought the Girardi was going to work at like the disaster of it all. Yet again, they're collapsing. Like it is like how much it's changed in two years and really like a year and a half, really since they made the playoffs in 2022. It is is it is wild how we feel about this team how

much we love this team the connection we have this team as opposed to what it was just two years ago yeah when no one was banging exactly we disliked them like actively disliked the way they went about their business yeah yeah and i'm you know it's good it's good i like this more believe it or not yeah big fan of this say what gerardi was a big swing and a miss. I was very excited about Girardi. Oh, man. Accountability. We were all pumped about that. He's going to yell at the umpires all the time.

He's going to bring... Oh, goodness. Just a big old swing and a miss. It's funny because I was about to say, well, look at it this way. At least Joe Girardi brought us Rob Thompson. But he didn't. Gabe did. So it didn't even matter.

We actually got him because of Gabe. So I can't even give him that. Do you think if Rob Thompson was the manager of the Yankees, they would have a World Series appearance since 2009? Ooh, I like what you did there. Just saying. Who would you rather have? I mean, Aaron Boone?

Is that where we're talking? Girardi? Yeah, I didn't have any questions. Come on. So, yeah. And so I look forward to Reese's return. I like that. Look at you.

Sentimental Jack. I will say your tweet this morning was like on the edge of like. Seltzer-ish? Yeah. A little seltzer-ish. Yeah. Like, oh, wow. We love him so much.

He's such a magical man. It is. It is. I could almost hear a tear coming down your cheek. I was stuck in traffic. So that was definitely. There's a different kind of tear. It's okay.

I have struggled with being vulnerable in this. Hardened media guy. Oh, man. You think of tough, hard-nosed coverage. Yes.

Big J guy. And yeah. Fully admit, tweet was a little thirsty. hard-nosed coverage. Yes. Yeah. Big J guy. This guy. Yeah. This guy. And, yeah. To fully admit, Tweet was a little thirsty. 100%. 100% thirsty. Yeah. But 100% on the point, too.

Yeah. I agreed with you. Like, we never got, we never were able to really say goodbye to Reese. And he never got his one-year send-off. I remember when we were talking, heading into that, in that spring training time, it was like, man, he's going to go out like Pat Burrell.

He's going to have that one year where he gets to ride off into the sunset as a World Series champion. He has the ACL. He comes out when they get the ring ceremony and he's, you know, he gets a nice ovation there. It's an emotional day. You feel bad for him.

And then we have the first pitch to start the postseason, which was a good moment. Which was a magical moment. It really was. Honestly, arguably, I mean, other than the stare down maybe and the slam, like one of the two or three best moments of the entire postseason. God. Had they gotten it done, it would have been the perfect kickoff to the postseason.

It would have been special. So I just, this is our chance to kind of say goodbye to Reese. And he was a polarizing figure here during the down periods when people were paying attention, but they were mad all the time. He was our first hope, you know, 2017. I know Nola was here already, but like position players are more fun generally. And also he came up in at 18 homers in 50 games or whatever it was, you know,

it was ridiculous. You know, there was like, is he better than Aaron judge? Yeah. Remember that out there and was he up and down? Yeah. He was up and down.

Is he a flawed player with the, with the defense? Yeah. Did he let Verlander off the hook in game five? He did, you know, you want to bring up the air? I'll bring up the at bat.

Yeah. So both, both awful, both horrendous moments yeah yeah but i just i love i love what reese and jamie brought to the city um and you know i always think about how he took being the face of of the phillies very seriously you know before bryce got here he was in that home run derby down there. And he was like, I want to go represent the Phillies. And he did.

And I think he always represented the Phillies in a very high class way. And it's really the first time that, you know, we never got to see Segura come back, you know, because he was. Well, we saw Segura come back. That's not true. Segura did play here. But Reese obviously has a little bit more sweat equity as a as a Philly. So I'm I'm planning on going. Oh, planning on going.

Oh, look at you. Only issue is we're off the air at six oh one forty. And I like that he gave us the for that to leave. That's the producer right there. Yeah. The hard out right there. Yes. Very specific.

Yes, it is. And I'm sorry for everyone. I trust me. You're speaking my language here, buddy. I knew exactly what you were doing there. I'm going to have to get off the air. I'm going to have to get in the car. Probably sitting 45,000 people

trying to get there tonight. The problem is, the whole point of going is being there. Especially if he bats early, he's going to bat in the first inning. He's going to have to leave and go to final out at home. That's a tough spot. I know. I need them to, if, now they don't have Craig Council as their manager anymore, so whatever.

Whoever the manager is at the Brewers now. Some old guy. But, if he could do me a solid and bat Reese fifth. Oh, there you go. He has been. He's been batting fifth since he's come back from the injury. Bat fifth, and then I need to I need him to go one, two, three.

I like that. Maybe the Phillies. Yeah. So I'm hoping to be there. I'm dying to be there. I want to be there. I'll try to be there. Okay.

I'm happy. That's good to know. I'm happy this is out there. And if you see Jack at the ballpark, say hi. Yeah. But if you don't see me, it's because I'm probably in the car. Yeah. I probably hear Reese coming up, and I'm like, I'm going to go.

Yeah. So I have, we have, Zoe has gymnastics on Mondays from 6 to 6.40. So that's not awesome. And it's the night where the parents can come watch the gymnastics. So it's a big night in gymnastics tonight. That is huge. Yeah. Many people talk about that.

Five-year-old gymnast. Yeah. Oh, yeah. This will be a night that we talk about for years to come. Are you going to miss the rescheduling? No, of course not. I told Emily I'm leaving in five minutes. I'll sit in the car and listen to it, and then I'll watch it later. I would obviously like to be able to watch it, but it is what it is. I'll sit in the car, listen to the whole thing,

and then I'll watch it. Are we getting Zelda tears tonight? It kind of, kind of feels seltzer tears. Look, I think. If you cried over freaking Luke Williams. Yeah.

I need, I need, I need Reese tears. I can't. I need Reese tears. But it's too early in the night. You got to wait until I'm like really tired

at the end of the night for the tears. Well, then you're thinking about bed. Yeah, that's exactly. I'm like crying as I get to go to bed. I'm like, God.

I think what you said, you used a word when talking about reason. It's just the word that sticks out to me is hope. Like he was the first time it felt like we had hope. I mean, he was like the first fun thing we talked about on our podcast. You know, high hopes. Like Reese Hoskins was probably the first truly exciting baseball action that we got to talk about on the I Hope Spot.

Seriously, you know? baseball action that we got to talk about on that spot. Seriously. And it just felt like that he was that first shining light of potential to bring us out of the 66 wins, the doldrums, the sadness that was that five-year stretch essentially from 13 to 18 or whatever. He was hope, man. And to your point, he embraced it. He was the face of the team. He always stood up and answered the questions and all that type of stuff. And it felt like he, to your point with Jamie and the whole thing, it felt like he truly became a part of Philadelphia. And it felt like, especially when we got to the playoffs and obviously the bat slam, that and Bedlam, the two greatest homers of, of our lifetime, you know, certainly of,

of this run and all that. And it felt like of all the guys on the team, because he was here so long, cause he had waited so long to get there. Like it felt like as close to one of us being out there and having a moment as it could be. Cause it was like, he, he wanted to make the playoffs so bad too. He wanted to make the playoffs in that uniform, in that scene. He always talked to me. He's like, I heard, I hear so much about how great the playoffs are bad too. He wanted to make the playoffs in that uniform, in that scene. He always talked about it. He's like, I hear so much about how great the playoffs are here. I just want to experience it. He said that so many times before going in. It was really special that he got to experience that. He got to have that moment. You got to be a part of that. Obviously wish he had been part of it last year, but I think for someone who's not a hall of famer, not like a all time franchise.

Great. Reese Hoskins hold a pretty holds a pretty special place in Philly's history. You know what I mean? Are we starting the Reese Hoskins wall of fame? I mean, he'll get in. Right. I mean, I don't think he's gone. He's probably not there.

Yeah. Honestly, I suppose, especially the art Harper is like, like this team keeps like kind of doing what they're doing, right? We're going to have a lot of names. We got to get on there. Real Muto, Wall of Famer. Harper, hopefully Jersey retired.

Yes. Yes. I mean, Nola. Nola is. Lockwell. I mean, Nola could get his Jersey retired if he ends. I mean, he could end his career as the leader in like everything in the franchise, other than like wins and stuff.

Yeah. Of course. Of course. That ain't happening. Rob Roberts, they're not getting punched. I mean i mean he's i think he's at 94 wins so he'll probably get to hopefully get to 100 this year but he's he moved into top 10 and wins yeah for nola so nola wheeler nola wheeler i mean ranger we'll see where his career goes but you know i mean he's got he certainly could end up on the wall of fame. Gasty?

Gasty? No, but Schwarber? Alvarado? Hold on, man. I will do the Schwarber campaign. Don't you worry. By the way, it's a cold start to June Schwarber. I know. What's going on? Well, he leased it all in May. Again, this is what everyone wanted. You all wanted your little singles and for him not to show up

until May. Go for some home runs. What's next for Schwarber? He's going to get a hit before the NLCS? I mean, this is a disaster. This is Schwarber season. Not to be dramatic. Yeah. Disaster.

Yeah, 41-19. Seems to be playing out okay. Disaster. Yeah, it is wild, though. It's been jarring. I keep expecting him to do something. It shows you never have confidence in anything. That's right.

Yes. Everything will let you down. There's nothing that you can count on. Everything will let you down. Yeah. Things that you can count on, you can't. Yeah. So Schwarber's a lock wall famer.

And I will. Oh, stop. Boom. I mean, if we're talking down the road. I know. I know. Aiden Miller. Well, Aiden Miller's got his number tired. So do not. Yeah, stop, boom. I mean, if we're talking down the road. I know, I know. Aiden Miller. Well, Aiden Miller should always number, sorry.

So do not. Yeah, it's a good distinction. It's an important distinction. Here's a big one. Ooh. Jose Alvarado. I mean, you know, he's on the path. That play last night was the greatest.

Great play. I love Jose Alvarado. And just the reaction. I mean, he is so fun, dude. He is. He gets so hyped like the joy that he has out there yeah i mean like that he's the he's got the best like you know yeah like celebrate pumps like tight into himself and gets all jacked up every time i watch alvarado celebrate

again i'm bad at living the moment i just think about him closing out a world series what is wrong with you i know yeah i don't know what to tell you, man. Enjoy a moment. Enjoy a moment. He will be. That would be the all-timer. Oh, my God. He's repeating your rips of shirt, right? Yeah, he would be. It will absolutely be shirt, wrestling, the whole thing. Yeah, it'll be great. Now I'm thinking about them

dogpiling after winning the World Series. And this is the worst thing I've ever done. You're not getting ahead of yourself. No, it's the worst. You know what I'm doing? I'm trying to imagine what JT does. I'm trying to imagine what jt does yeah i imagine what harper does i know remember like the reactions like howard running in of course it litched the knees the whole thing yeah of course please i know let's please reign it in all right and reign it in who has the best who has the best celebration if they do oh my god what do we do tucker what are we doing i know we're already down we're already down this path. Marshy?

Dude, imagine Marsh. Marsh would be pretty damn good. Yeah, I think Marsh is. Marsh might jump over the pile in his excitement, like running from center field. Exactly, but he might literally... Get ahead of yourself. He's going to jump over the pile, like literally

just miss it and totally over. I could see Stubbsy jumping on a trampoline. Oh, I like that. Like in a basketball game, like halftime, he'll be like, yeah, I like that. This is good. I like where your head's at. Stubbs is going to be on top.

He's at the top of the dog pile. That's where Garrett Stubbsy is. So as we start June for Phillies baseball, right? It's good. It's good. Yeah. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now.

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or wherever you get your podcasts. So Marsh, speaking of Marsh. I know. Maybe we should not talk about Marsh in the pile at the end of the season. Let's talk about the next month to six weeks. He's probably not going to be playing. That was annoying. And that was one that definitely, you know, month to six weeks. He's probably not going to be playing. That was annoying. And that was one that definitely,

you know, you look, you never know a soft tissue and some guys heals quick and stuff. But look, it's exactly one month today since Turner went down, you know, had the setback still isn't back. At least in the moment,

the Marshall one looked worse. You know, he certainly looked to be a more pain than Trey was when, when his was, I did not know if Trey was hurt. Exactly. It was like, he did the slide popped up while he was like,

fine. And then they're like, wait, why is Trey out of the game? Yeah. But Exactly. It was like, did the slide pop up? I was like, fine. They're like, wait, why is Trey out of the game? Go on. Yeah, but like Marsha was like, immediately come get me. Like, yeah. And you saw, I mean, they went back. The camera work showed he was kind of grimacing on first base right before that.

So he obviously popped something, which isn't great, which is not great. The, I guess I was such, again, there's so much confidence in this team to where I'm like well I kind of want to see a David Dahl like David you've been raking buddy he's been really good in AAA now we are both David Dahlman long David Dahlman yeah his 2019 all-star game they're gonna make a movie about it was magical I believe I compared him to the I believe I said he was a Ted Williams of course at one point so we've long been David Dalsman for sure so they'll probably bring him up and Rob Thompson did say

after the game last night how does this make you feel sports fans that Whitmerryfield just needs more playing I heard that yeah I am so disappointed in the Whitman like he's been horrible I know I am so disappointed in the Whitman. He's been horrible.

Did his pop up the first base last night? It was so feeble. I was like, hold on, that guy has a chance to drop. He has been. I know what Thompson's saying and Whitmerryville's talking about. It's like, I'm used to playing every day like, I know what Thompson's saying and Whitmerryville talking about, it's like, I'm used to playing every day. And then I got used to this. It's like, bro. I mean, he is.

Yeah. This is 940 OPS over there or whatever. Like, yeah. Whit has been a massive discipline. I mean, he's been like, yeah, people want Cody Clemens on the roster. Cody Clemens outplayed him. He should be on the roster ahead of him right now. Like he won't be, but

that's where we're at with Maryfield. Let's get this disclaimer out of the way. They're not making a trade right now. It's early. It's really, really early. It must be for a marginal player. You're not getting a real player. Taylor Ward's going to have to wait

a little bit. We'll get Taylor Ward here. I'm fully in on Taylorlor ward he's the name that like can't you just can't you just feel it yeah like can't you just feel a michael mercado for taylor right it like extend it in yeah send it in it's gonna happen why wait two months just do it do it now do it right now just do it right now and no one knows who he is. No, which is perfect. He's great. He's good. He's a good hitter. He's really good.

Yeah. Nice right-handed stick. Let's go. Now, I don't want to get ahead of myself and say he's really, really, really good because then he's going to come back here and not be great. Right. And then people are going to say, oh, you're an idiot. So I don't need that in my life. But David Dahl will be here.

Yeah. I'm excited to see what David Dahl can do. Yeah. but but david doll will be here yeah i'm excited to see what david doll can do yeah give a little bit of cause for balls because jk was hitting like 346 at this time last year in triple a and and dolls only three times so you're right that's an important comment it is an important thing to bring up you gotta remember that but i i i have confidence in david doll just needs a shot so um yeah we'll see i just this team's in such a good rhythm that even like an injury, I'm just like, well, they'll probably figure it out. Yeah, look, the much more concerning moment this weekend

was when Ranger got hit, obviously, and was holding the wrist, going off of the hand. It's like, oh, no, what did he break? Like, obviously, dodging the bullet there. That is, you know, if you had to choose one or the other love you brandon like ranger being okay was the much bigger positive news out there i just love the breakdowns in the clubhouse of what ranger was doing like he he popped out from underneath the ping pong i know i know i was like what he was like hiding his arm and like playing with

the reporters like yeah he's such a joy he is such a joy so it really is i would not pitch him in london like just give them they have a nice stretch here where they have like what four off easily set for someone who's not going to be in london no you're getting taiwan so all right so this is my first take of the pot i said i had a few takes for you and i might even throw one in the vault later by the way my white sock take coming back around baby 11 straight losses let's go 11 straight wow yes they're back on pace for like 40 wins we're back um uh so here's my take and and the ghost of david stern needs to come back or or even roger goodell would do it like the philly should be told they can't start

tywin walker in this is a national national This is an international Your sport is on the international stage. This is such a big deal. It's a game in London. We're trying to, yeah, in the London games. I'm saying this is such a big deal. It's on a different time. The whole thing, like, you, like, Major League Baseball, if Rob Manfred had any stones, which we know he doesn't, he would

go and say, you're not allowed to start Taiwan Walker. We are putting our game on display for the world in this big game in London that matters. Like you, sorry, Zach Wheeler starting that game. Like I honestly, like you think Roger Goodell, if Roger Goodell were charged MLB would let Taiwan Walker start with David Stern. If it were basketball, let Taiwan Walker start that game. 0% chance for the good of the sport for the good.

And yes, I'm going and i might be biased but seriously like this is the london games you can't start taiwan freaking walker no step in it's time to step in major are you turning this into an international conflict yeah maybe sure yeah i'll freaking bring the war back if we want like you know revolutionary war time yeah if i have to whatever you know yeah what are you willing to negotiate in the negotiations with Britain? You can have your tea back. We'll get it out of the. You can take Wyoming or something.

I don't care. Idaho or something like that. I don't know. Come on. Okay. South Dakota. Can we give up South Dakota? Keep Rushmore.

Okay. North Dakota. There we go. Mount Rushmore is in South Dakota. You can't give up Mount Rushmore. I know. What would we do on sports radio without Mount Rushmore? That's the big question.

That's the big question. So the Taiwan thing, he's just really not fun to watch. He's so not fun to watch, dude. But it's funny. All right. So here's my thing. Here's my thing. Has he reached?

On what level has Taiwan reached? is it eaten is it arietta those are the first two that come to mind yeah when i'm watching taiwan it's the same level it's the same it's right there i think i mean but think about this think about i mean arietta at least like arietta had to pitch on bad team like you know mediocre teams or whatever like they keep coming what if this team weren't 41 and 19? Can you imagine the heat would be lobbing it to like, Taiwan is getting off so light right now because this team's freaking awesome. And he's still getting crushed.

Like he should. I mean, he is a disaster out there to your point. I don't remember. Honestly, honestly, like Mike Moran is the last Phillies pitcher. I remember watching and being like,

you know what? Maybe I could hit it. You know what? I couldn't, I know that, but like, thaties pitcher I remember watching and being like, you know what? Maybe I could hit it. You know what? I couldn't, I know that, but like, that's how bad Taiwan looks. He like,

it looks like every pitch of fricking meatball. Like I can't believe it doesn't give up 10 runs. He doesn't need to get let off. But hold on. He kind of figures it out in the fourth through sixth innings as they're already down. The Alec Burleson home run last night. Cause Alec Burleson mostly stinks. night. Is Alec Burleson mostly

stinks? Yeah, and also had a chance to, I saw your tweet after, but I was already thinking it, like, had a chance to join the all-time enemies of Philadelphia list, you know, with the Ranger thing. Oh, Alec Burleson? Yeah. That's why me. He's the one who hit it at Ranger. Like, he had a chance. Like, if Ranger, broken wrist or

something, it's like Alec Burleson, enemy number one. So, you know me me right yes the listeners know me you know i'm a i'm a bitsman yes yes we do as as i believe your core core thing about you i believe i said on this podcast that life is a bit you have said it many times yes and much like jokes much like when you have to explain a joke nothing it means nothing worse nothing worse yeah Nothing worse. It's tough. Especially when you get stuck on the air having to tell a joke. Devastating. Crumble. It's a devastating life moment.

And I feel like I have to explain the John Lennon bit. Did you get a lot of people like, what are you talking about? I don't know who that is. First off, he was a Philly at one point. Yeah, he was. Yeah, you're right. And while I know it's bad having to explain the bit i'm not giving up the lannan list bit because i like it it's a great bit i mean it's a hilarious bit i like the lannan yeah me too so i'm a fan

of the lannan list it's even alliterative like it's alliterative there the lannan list like it just sounds it sounds like important it does sound important. The Lennon Files. Sure. That sounds important, too. So for, I guess, the younger audience, which is so... Man, I can't tell if I like that I'm starting to get... Like, that I can remember stuff that people... Welcome aboard, big dog. They were born in, like, 2004.

Welcome to my world, big dog. Do I like it or not? I like this. So in 2007, okay, John Lennon pitched inside and broke Chase Utley's hand, thus costing him the MVP because he would have won the MVP that year. Not Rollins. Love Jimmy Rollins. But Utley was batting like 330 before he broke his hand.

It was a ridiculous run. It was a ridiculous run. So Lennon broke his hand, and now every pitcher or player that hurts a beloved Philly like Blake Snell made the list Genesis Cabrera made the list Trent Thornton in spring training when he threw at Bryce Harper and I count this one no one else counts this one but I count it Brian Yarborough hitting Nicky Money oh yeah I, I forgot about that. I mean, yeah. I mean, who knows where Nicky's career could have gone here? I mean, it was coming off.

Some say the greatest spring train that any player's ever had. Yeah, no, he is Mr. Spring Train. That wasn't my words. That's what people around the game were saying. Exactly. So that's the Lannan list, the John Lannan list. For anyone that is confused as to why you're bringing up a middle 2000s Nationals yeah who's

no one's ever heard of most people have never heard of is when a philly gets hurt and we have to blame someone yep and alec burleson nearly made the list he was i was ready to put him right on there number one bullet number one yeah yeah so that did not help taiwan's's 515 batting average against his splitter. The Alec Burleson home run. Was it off the splitter? Yes. Oh, my God. Yes. Yes, it was.

Yes. Yes, it was. Or maybe it was the corner one. Either one. All right. One of them were. How, like, obviously, you know, if guys get hurt or this or that, but, like, how much longer do you think the Taiwan thing's a thing?

You know, seriously. Like, do you think the Taiwan things a thing? You know, seriously, like, do you think Taiwan's going to just be taken every fifth day if he's healthy? Or do you think there's going to be a point where they're like, let's just say he keeps doing exactly what he's doing. Do you think that at a point they'll be like,

all right, enough, enough of this. I'll start break. Yeah. I'll start break. Okay. I think that,

I think they'll give them time. They give eaten a lot of starts in a way. I was, I was looking at a shocking amount of starts, his in 08. I was looking up his game logs, and I was like, man, they really pitched out of Eaton in 2008. So I think they'll give him time. The thing that drives me nuts is this whole idea that if Spencer Turnbull pitches, his arm's going to fall off.

Oh, I know. It's like either he's got a pitcher or he can't. It's going to happen, whatever. You can't just baby him through the entire season. Especially when he's freaking locked in. Baseball's a game of runs, a game of streaks. We just talked about Reese Hoskins,

the all-time game of streaks guy. When Reese Hoskins is locked in, are you ever going to sit him? No. When a pitcher's locked in, get what you can out of it. Yeah, his arm might not last all year. That happens. Well, so I guess I could just say, all right, all-star break.

And then at that point, you have the end of July, August. So you have two and a half months to where maybe he manages the innings a little better. It was good to see that outing on Saturday because I had this fear of, okay, they're moving to the bullpen. And now you go, yeah. See him go four and a third or exactly like, and still have the stuff.

I mean, I mean, we had the stuff, his stuff pops, like whatever else you want to say, like the stuff plays, man. It does.

It does. It does. And it's about time I got one thing, right? You know what I mean? We've been fighting. You know what I mean? You've been fighting. You know what I mean? You've been really plugging away.

We've been grinding to get some things right. And I feel pretty vindicated that Spencer Turnbull's good. I do. And it's nice that it's happening here. Yes. Yes. What do you even make the Tigers? I'm not trying to steal a Tigers pod.

No, they'd send down Casey Meisner. Casey Meisner. Yeah, for sure. God. Reese Olsen. Tough last start for Reese Olsen. Jack Flaherty. Tough last start for Reese Olsen. Jack Flaherty.

Jack Flaherty's been really good. Been great. If the Phillies needed a starter, I'd be pushing for the Jack Flaherty. Yeah, that would have been a nice flyer to take. Yeah. Jack Flaherty. Well, it's okay, though. We had Taiwan taking down an inning.

It was great. We're set. There's also this thing that's like, well, listen, man. He's doing what a five-starter should do. It's like he's five-starter should do. He's being paid $74 million. I could have paid Turnbull. We did pay Turnbull. $2 million.

I get it. He's valuable. We don't have to do this fake smart thing with Taiwan. He's not good. He's a train to watch. Looks like he hurts when he walks. Dude, he does look like he like... Does he stretch?

He's kind of like got to take a dump all the time. You know what I'm saying? Like that kind of tight thing. Yeah, it's not great. He doesn't scream athlete when I watch Taiwan. He's a great athlete though. I know. That's what I'm saying. He does not look like he... You Morgan. He's a great athlete, though. He's a great basketball player. Yeah, I know. That's what I'm saying.

He does not look like... You know who else was a great basketball player? Nick Foles. He was. Foles could play, buddy. Allegedly. You saw those videos, right? I just don't. I don't buy it. You don't believe it? No. I'm not surprised. I'm backing on Foles. I told you that.

Thank God. It's pretty hard to be anti-Foles in Philadelphia. I feel like there are certain people who've just kind of ascended to a certain plane, and you're just like, yeah, we all love that guy. I'm back in. I'm happy. That was a bad take by you. I'm happy to

welcome you back. All right, give us a take back in a sec. Shout out to the Miller Lite account of the week. Today's show is sponsored by Miller Lite and the Fireside Bar and Grill in Ambler. Check out the Fireside for every Phillies game and enjoy a $4 Miller Lite

Aluminums. That's a good deal along with Fireside's Brick Oven Pizzas. Miller Lite's fills when celebrate responsibly. Gritsy. Take back. Thank you. Have no fear. I did watch the entire Phillillies game on friday night oh thank god so i already knew this you texted me and you're like do you think i'm watching and i said i hope not and you're like i i watched the whole thing so the good part using

it for those who might have not heard the last pod jack was at a bachelor party this weekend and was i was like don't watch the phillies you know bachelor party this weekend. I was like, don't watch the Phillies. Bachelor party. There you go. You know what the problem was? The Phillies were on. It moved to hit a ball about 700 feet. He smoked that one.

I was like, you know what? I'm missing this. I can't miss this. Here's in my defense. I was watching on my phone on the porch. That's okay. it's tough and i know you haven't been on bachelor party in 20 years but but it's tough being the high school friends at a mostly college oh yeah once it was just me and my buddy. I didn't really know anyone. I didn't know anyone. You're not a go make friends with everyone kind of guy either.

You're not going to walk up to everyone in the room and be like, hey, I'm Jack. Nice to meet you. You let them come to you. No, I know, but I'm not saying you're not like, you know. Plus, you set the tone early. This is who I am. This is what I do. They figured out who I was.

I was engaged in conversations but i was watching the game on my phone sorry it was good um all right question you have these two guys at the plate and they both look like they just ripped the baseball like who's coming up, who's falling shorter, Rojas or Stubbs? Like Stubbs hit that ball last night. Oh, in terms of where it looks like, it's like, damn, he smoked it and then the ball just dies.

It's such a great point. And we've talked about this with Rojas, same thing with Stubbs. Like there is no velocity on their baseballs when they leave the bat. Like Stubbs hit that and I was like, that might go. That might go.

Yeah, I do. I, it might still be Rojas actually actually like but but he has two home runs you're right you're right so she doesn't have as many chances though he's you know to get more yeah it's actually you know stubs is is legit eating up and still the best runner on the team by the way dude that when they went back to back on so yeah it was i mean that's baseball amazing i got like three texts like, small ball! Yeah! You excited? I actually was excited. I'm very pro-bunt.

I'm very pro-bunt. But yeah, Stubbsy. I thought that ball was at least ripping off the wall. Off the wall, minimum. It was like 10 feet short. It barely made the warning track. I was like, what? But to the point, it is nice. I'm happy. Obviously, we're happy anyone on the Phillies is playing well. But Yeah. But to the point, it is nice. It is.

I'm happy. Obviously, we're happy anyone on the Phillies is playing well, but I'm happy to see Stubbs get going a little bit because we were finally getting to the point where people are like, we sure about Garrett Stubbs? And it's like, yes. I don't care what he hits. We're sure. And I see him hitting, so we don't have to go through all that. Well, it's especially sickening from you because you used to just rip and your nap every single

chance you got i did yeah i crushed it but you but you just let stubsy fly yep i i knew i knew gary would come around so you trust him trust him to come through accountability on this point that's right does not exist you delete that dombrowski pod yet by the way get on that all right i didn't find it. You did? I did. Was it horrible? I've heard actually people go back and listen to it and they messaged me

like, wow, you guys were really wrong. As wrong as we've ever been. It's the most wrong I've ever been. So to take you inside my mind during that podcast.

Are you sure about that? Yeah. Well, I was so like take committed that I didn't want Dave Dombrowski. And then when I signed him,

I was like, I don't know, man, like might be might be a good. But I was so like take committed that I didn't want Dave Dombrowski. And then when I signed him, I was like, I don't know, man, like might be, might be a good, but I was so, I was already too far down the road of like, of,

of being anti Dombrowski. So once again, just listen to us. We know what we're talking about. We're always right. Always right. Yeah. Important.

I think that Kirk went back to back. He had not done that yet. Yeah, that's true. He is looking. He's also trusting the fastball. know about time it's about time you need to you've only been asking for it literally the moment he came up oh speaking of fastballs now what a segue we did save sir anthony dominguez here right like we oh we saved him yeah 100 like hey you guys should do this and they're're like, all right, great idea. I don't know how we're like a year and a half into the Gregory Soto thing.

And they can't develop a sinker with him. Can you save him seriously? Because it's infuriating. And he's always, and he's always the 10th inning guy. Yeah. I always, I own five.

They're on five, which is pretty wild. When you think about the fact that they've only lost 19 games, that they've lost five wild. But yeah, he is pretty wild when you think about the fact they've only lost 19 games, that they've lost five in extra innings. It's wild. But yeah, he is. It's like, honestly, and I know you used him earlier in the game, but like, I trust Jose Ruiz more.

I'm at the point where I'd rather see Jose Ruiz come out in the 10th inning than Soto. You agree, right? Probably, yeah. Yeah, that's crazy. That should not be happening. Yeah. Teach him a sinker. Yeah, well, it's just, it's so flat. Like, it's such a flat, right? Probably. Yeah. That's crazy. That should not be happening. Yeah. Teach him a sinker.

Yeah. Well, it's just, it's so flat. Like it's such a flat, flat fastball. It's the perfect example of like, it doesn't matter how hard you throw. Yeah. He throws freaking hard. Yeah. 99.

Like an easy 99. Yeah. They need to figure out some way to get some kind of sink to get him off. Like, I think he's worked on a cutter a little bit. He obviously, the slider is pretty good. It's just like, if you can get a sinker, there's a chance there for Gregory. Until he learns it, you just can't,

you can't trust him. You can't trust him at all. Yeah. So that's been frustrating, but Kirk ring, like clearly developing, um, and developing into someone that I think we can kind of trust.

Yeah, no, he's been, it's been big by the way, breaking news from, uh, our buddy Tucker texting me. Uh,

how about this? I did not think that he was that great in May comparatively, but Bryce Harper player of the month in May. Oh, wow. Slash three 13, four Oh seven, five 83 for the month of May.

So shout out to Bryce. It's good. The national league player of the month. I early towards the first off. Yes. If he were American league, he would not be the player of the month considering the month that Aaron judge had,

but otherwise we'll take it pretty good. Maybe like 17 homers. I really, I would love Phil's Yankees. Dude, it's pretty fun. I mean, sadly, Soto going to the Yankees is good for baseball. I told you that at the time. I told you that at the time.

The problem is they might not re-sign him. You see what Hal Steinbrenner... I know. Dude. Could you imagine that here? No, no, no. Your name is Steinbrenner, man know, dude. Could you imagine that here? No, no, no. Your name is Steinbrenner, man. Like what a travesty. I like I hate the Yankees. It's great, like beautiful.

But but to your point for the sport, it's better when the Yankees are good. And like more so, you can't be cheap if you're Yankees can't like that's just like, what are we doing here? I know. Yeah, I know. They got to see if Sosa can play left field. Absolutely. He can't like that's just like what are we doing here I know I know they gotta see if Sosa can play left field absolutely he can't play center they tried that yeah but at least go just see what it looks like totally look at what

Merrifield can hang out there you're telling me Sosa can't he's a better athlete and a better fielder like I would like to see I would like the I think this one you have to right it's it is a must because once Trey comes back Trey's playing every day. You can't have Sosa's bat just out of the line. I agree.

Yeah. I agree. At least until he cools off. Of course. Yeah, of course. I've had this thought for a while. This is just a general baseball thought. Playing, obviously, growing up, it sticks out too.

It's pretty romantic, I guess, is the way to put it. It's a beautiful representative of the line, like, how can you not be romantic about baseball? It always surprises me how no matter what,

the pitcher always beats the runner to first base. I know. It's like the perfect length to where they always get there before them even when like they're off the side of the mound and i'm always like how do you always beat them yeah but it's just it's just it's a cool little thing yeah it's a cool little thing they always beat them there it's true yeah it's the beauty of baseball yeah it's a good call i never really thought about it but you're right they do always beat them almost always beat them there yes and then final thing to take back.

It's pretty wild how they are averaging the most runs in baseball. I think it's about five plus. And maybe this is more of an indicative of the entire sport. But it's not like they're having anyone go nuts.

I think you hit it. It's indicative of the sport. Have you looked at where the offensive numbers are this year like it is like borderline you know like uh lower the mound situation we're at like the the league average is something like 240 i think or something like that bring back the juice ball yeah i mean the phillies are about like 256 they're way above the league average i mean 20 years, the league average used to be 270 or whatever. It is insane where we are at from an offensive perspective. Just league-wide, the numbers are worse than they've ever been.

That's good. That's good. Usually, when you have that, some guys go nuts. I did bring up the 2018 Red Sox. JD Martinez batted 330 with 40- home runs and 100 some RPI. Exactly. Like when we felt he was going to be bone, but bones cooled that up.

I mean, bones like under 900 OPS. Now we love that. He's betting 240. I know it's crazy. Yeah. Where? Why? The whole team really.

I mean, because Harper's numbers are fine. Like you look at him. It's like he's got a right around 900 OPS. So he's getting close there, but it's not like he's like MVP Bryce Harper right now. Now, granted he just won player of the month, but you're so right.

I mean, Cassie's been horrible. I mean, Rojas has been great with two outs and runners in scoring position. It's the weirdest stats out there. Like the, the numbers are pretty insane. And by the way,

I think the, I think the, the, the pirate patch over his eye to help track the baseball because i think it's actually helped yeah i think he's made some diving catches yeah like that last night that was a really nice catch so but i mean he's been a march has cooled off marsh has cooled off drastically i mean it's really been like sosa has been their best hitter so it's having an unbelievable yeah hitting around but it's like they're not getting that.

Wow. No, 45. I mean, sure. We're talking about even like, he doesn't feel like he hasn't gotten going all year. Like he's been,

he's been better and not as bad, but at no point have I been like, oh man, like we're, we're in the Schwarber thing. Like he's going to go nuts. Like it's just, it is really strange.

You're right. I think it's partially the, I think it's where the league's at. And I think, look, it's just another example of like,'s where the league's at. And I think, look, it's just another example of like, even in a year when pitching has been great, the Phillies pitching has been that much greater.

Yeah. Well, that's what, that's what I am most mad about with Taiwan is he's really hurting. He's ruining the whole thing. From having like an all time staff. Yeah. I mean,

seriously, I mean like we were, so here I'll, well, you're ready for another, uh, I'm going to go with my second in the vault. Take vault take vault.

Okay. Take. This is a little harder to, like, it's kind of a little more, you know, hard to pin down. I don't even know if this is that bold, but I think at the end of the year and moving forward, we're going to look back and say that Strom, Hoffman, and Alvarado is the best trio of relievers the Phillies have ever had ever in the history of the franchise.

Yeah, I mean, Madsen. I mean, obviously, Madsen, Lidge, Romero. Romero. That would be the other one. I think these guys are better. Well, and then when they... I think these guys are just more talented. Like, I feel more confident with these guys going in every single time.

Like, they are three superstars out there. Harrison and Madsen. I think Madsen's... Madsen was great. Yeah. Probably the most underrated player that run. But yeah me with Madsen. I think Madsen's... Madsen was great. Yeah. Probably the most underrated player of that run. Without a doubt. It's been...

Those guys are insane. And especially if you throw Kirkering in there. And you throw Kirkering in it, and then, you know, Sir Anthony last month's been pretty great. And there could be a big trade for a reliever if they wanted to. Sure.

The Bowden report of their looking at outfielders is fine. It's just... I don't're looking at outfielders it's fine it's just like I don't know what the outfield bat is that like people there's no there's no pence so no I mean I think it's like a you know and I don't he wouldn't be available but like you know who the kind of guy is it's Adam Duvall right yeah come on let's be honest right that's the type of guy like Mark Conha like Mark like it's like those type of guys where it's like a bench guy. You're looking for a platoon dude who can give you some right-handed at-bats when you need him. Taylor Ward.

Well, Taylor Ward would be perfect. He's an everyday guy. He's by a third. That doesn't matter at all. No, it doesn't. But yeah. Enjoy London. Are you excited?

I'm really, really, really excited yeah i didn't let myself really get geeked up for it too much you know it's just kind of happening or whatever but now that it's here i'm like can't wait if any i hopes listeners are going definitely come say hi we're gonna be at uh uh the two past young two of the past young avenue uh locations for the friday and monday shows going to the game the whole thing it's gonna be awesome good yeah safe Two of the Pass Young Avenue locations for the Friday and Monday shows. Going to the game. The whole thing. It's going to be awesome.

Good. Safe travels, buddy. Thanks, buddy. Are we doing high hopes over there? So hopefully. If we do, I'll do the headphones. You have a nice little time difference. I do.

I know. I get to do my show at 11 o'clock like a normal human being. It's unbelievable. I know. This guy. It'll be good. Yeah, it's going to be good. So no excuses then.

I don't need tired seltzer. No, you won't need tired selt good. Yeah, no, it's going to be good. So no excuses then. I don't need tired Seltzer. No, you won't need tired Seltzer. Yeah, I'll be sure. Good. Great. Until you fly back. Until you get a disaster. I don't.

And go right back to three in the morning. I'm like, oh God. I'm happy they're playing in London. Yes. I don't love four off days. Oh, I know. I know. If I weren't flying, it would probably drive me absolutely crazy.

But that's why they've played so many games so far. You know? Yeah. But I'm with you. If I were like that, I'm sorry I know. If I weren't flying, it would probably drive me absolutely crazy. But that's why they've played so many games so far. You know? Yeah. But I'm with you. If I were like that, I'm sorry for that. Honestly, I would really bother. What am I supposed to do? I don't blame you.

You watch other games, I guess. That's horrible. I know. I don't know about that. I know. I know. We know what you're going to do. Time to dial up the 2014 Philadelphia Phillies yearbook or something like that 2024 draft whatever

honestly you should be grateful you're right this is like you can actually get some work done here you know grind a little bit right there we go still all in on PJ Marlando okay good I'm excited I am I Jack I'm all in on whoever you're all in on thank you that's my official draft yeah all right uh you got anything else? I do not have anything else, but I hope they have Miller Lite in London for you They will, let's go! Cross the pond, baby, it's going to be awesome

Also, hold on We did do a sit-down interview with Keith Jones Oh yeah, check us out on the news No deal And he asked us, how do you think the series is going to go. I don't know, man. It's like a two game. Obviously, they're going to win. I was like, the Phillies are good and the Mets are bad. What if I said

I think they're going to get swept. You should have done a real high. I would have been like, listen, man. I just want to split. Live with a split. I always go in and super serious about it. I'm like, isn't it going to every series? Just hope we split. If it's a two or a four, just get me a split.

Get home with it with a win. I'll feel good. It's not in my head. I'm like, it's not football. What are we talking about here? It's not football. The win. Yeah.

Got it. They're going to go out there and sweep. But just for everyone listening, we live with this play. We always live with this play. We always live with this play. Yeah yeah i'll get spots in london yeah take the over this week yeah oh i like that it's a tiny stadium or something oh yes that's what i'm talking about it's a baseball yeah yeah yeah nice long game for your boy all right um seriously if you're in london me up. It should have been us.

That's the true outrage of it all. Tucker will be there. Tucker and I will hang out. We'll let you know how it is. We'll figure out a pod. Hopefully, we'll make it happen. Maybe I'll get a Fritz solo. Definitely a final out. That'll be happening. I'm doing leading off at 8 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Call in to Fritz at 8 a.m. on Sunday morning. Get ready for it. I'm going to be in the living room. I'm going to be in the living room with some coffee. Lots of coffee. I'll be up. We'll be back at some point. Phillies. Oh, Brewers.

Two or three? We're good? It is good. And the Reese tonight. Hopefully it doesn't go like Utley's. We're not lley came back. Yeah, no, no,

no, no, no. Don't be crushing us. Reese, you know, take your applause and, and,

and, you know, Bryce Wilson, Colin Ray, and the old N.A. Oh, love a good N.A. Yeah,

it's good. I'm excited. All right, we got it. We got it. They're going to, they're going to sweep. All right,

we'll be back later. Until then, you spread them