PHNX Arizona Diamondbacks Podcast - Super Cooper

Episode Date: June 3, 2022

On this episode, Derek is joined by Arizona Diamondbacks' outfielder Cooper Hummel to chat about his first walk-off hit of his career, his love for the game of baseball, the adversity he has faced, and so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello and welcome to another edition of the PHNX D-Backs podcast right here on PHNX. My name is Derek Montaia. Of course, I am your mayor of PHNX, and I am joined by a brand new co-host today. That's right. I'm replacing both Jesse and Michaela with Cooper Hummel from the Arizona Diamondbacks. I think that it's going to be a magnificent show going forward. We have some great chemistry. But, of course, before we get to that, I want to let you guys all know that this show is brought

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Of course, very excited to be joined by Cooper Hummel from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Our boy, Coop, has been doing some great things this season as a rookie for the debacks, and it has been very exciting to see some of his big moments already early in this season. No disrespect. I will be bringing Jesse and Michaela back eventually, but I don't know. I'm going to see how long this thing with me and Coup can go.

But before, you know, before we get to any of that, I wanted to let you guys know to go over to go phtnx.com and sign up for a membership if you haven't done so already. Wonderful writing, all sorts of stuff coming out. Jesse and I have been talking about the home runs for the Diamondbacks in May. Joe Mantiply, what exactly is going on with certain members of this team and the offensive output that they've had. So make sure to sign up at go phnx.com if you're not a member already. You can get an annual membership, which will get you a free t-shirt over at the phnx locker.com,

or you can get a month-to-month option where you can get your first month for just 50 cents. Of course, both options give you not only access to our members-only discounts over at the PHNX Locker, the four-sed PhNX Locker.com, but you also get members-only. access to our Discord where we'll be chatting about this Diamondbacks team all season long. But without any further ado, now I wanted to introduce Arizona Diamondbacks, outfielder, potential catcher, and just all around great guy. Here's my interview with Cooper Hummel. And first, obviously, thank you so much for joining us, man.

I appreciate it. Very, very excited for your first walk-off hit, the other man. that was that was exciting this team has been exciting what was what was that like for you uh man as far as the walkoff goes like it's my first ever right literally high school college pro ball whatever um i've had game winning hits there's just nothing like there's nothing like a game winning hits cool but like the fact that you get a hit and the game's over it's like that's just super it's just a surreal feeling super exciting um as far as the team goes i mean I mean, you said it.

Like, this team is exciting. It's a different vibe. Like, we're pretty dang good, if I do say so myself, like, aside from our eight games against the Dodgers the last two weeks, like, we've been on a tear. Like, I really, I'm not jealous of the team that has to face us. And, like, this 10-game road trip coming up, like, Pittsburgh's coming in hot. And, like, obviously, you know, we just beat the defending world champs. Like, we're coming in hot, too. Like, it's going to be a fun series playing Cincinnati, too, and, like, going to Philly, which is a

another very good team like i'm like i take us 10 out of 10 times like there's no doubt about it like i bet on this team every day of the week like i love that confidence and i and i feel that too right like this team seems like even though the personnel isn't that different from last year which was probably the biggest biggest criticism coming into this year you guys have been a a damn good baseball team and i guess you being a newer guide to the to the team what's the atmosphere like in the clubhouse. I mean, has 2021 kind of been put behind and no one really talks about it? Or is there still like kind of discussions about how bad last year went for this time? I think the beginning of the year, like there was discussions like, hey, we got to flip the page. We got to flip the page.

Yeah. I wasn't here. I had no idea what it was like. I don't know what it felt like. Like you heard about it. Like, yeah. Like we're just not going to talk about that. Like that was a bad year. And it's like, you know, we start off game one and we're like, we're walking off San Diego. Like, dude, like this is. a new year, new team, like whatever. And obviously, we hit a skit. Like, the first week and a half, two weeks was not our thing. And you could kind of tell there was like, oh, no, like, are we going back into 2021? Yeah.

But we hit that series against the Dodgers. We would take two and then we haven't looked back. Like, it was just definite, like, turning point. And our pitching's been lights out all year. Our bullpen's been great. Our starters have been amazing. Like, we were doing really good things with the bats. for those first, you know, 14 games.

So I don't think anyone was hitting the panic button. You could just kind of tell like there was like a, like a, okay, like, when's it going to come? Like, when is the team kind of going to like explode and like become what 2022 is, not what 2021 was? Yeah, yeah. And we talked about, we talked about everybody working together at like all the pieces working at the same time. And when you guys do have everybody kind of clicking in the same direction, that's where this team seems to be very, very good. 100% and we're dangerous like i really believe it like when our starting pitching gone i would take our five guys over any other five guys like i know that's aggressive considering like you can go look

at the dodgers and like you have kershauer guler like you got ureis and you like you go to the met's you got scherzer like but like merrill on his best day can be any one of those guys galon on his best day can be any one of those guys yeah like i trust every single one of them whenever they go out and they have the ball like they're going to give it everything and they're good pitchers. I've caught a few of them. I caught Merrill this off season. His stuff is as good as anyone's.

And speaking of that, you did catch you, you are a catcher. Are we going to see more of that from you? Or is that just kind of like a backup role for catching the guys when they need someone to do bullpens and stuff? I think that's a better question for Tori. All right. I have no idea. We'll leave it up to him.

Yeah, I think obviously I had the two innings with position players. giving guys like an inning break. And then with Varsh getting hit in the shoulder the other day, getting that backup role behind Hosey, I love catching if that's something that develops more. Like I'm totally up for it. Obviously, we have Carson coming back at some point soon. And my role behind the plate will be limited even more.

When you got Carson and then Hosey, who's been doing a great job this year. And then, of course, you know, Varsh who caught a good amount last year. So I don't anticipate it being one necessarily, but if the role happens, then it happens. Like, I'm working on it. I'm ready. I can. Tori loves, Tori loves versatility.

So I promise you. I promise you. You keep that attitude. It'll happen. But my friend's a big fantasy baseball guy. And he's like, dude, you get 10 games. You're catcher eleanor. You've got seven more, like figure it out.

Just got to get you in there for this many. and you qualify, I can start you. But you've had some big hits already this year, not only the walkoff, but your first hit of the year was a three-run, home run. Your first major league hit for you. How did that feel to get not only that behind you, but for it to be such a momentous occasion? Man, well, I think the other thing, too, is like the end of the first series. Like, that was the last step out of the first series for me. And it's like, I really did not want to go into the next series not having a hit.

Sure, sure. So, like, there was that. And, you know, I had a couple the first day against, against Manaya where it's like, man, you hit that 100 plus. Like, that could have easily been a hit or like Abrams made two great, great plays on me. And like, guys are like, dang, dude, like you had it. And I'm like, yeah, okay. Like, but we're getting to the end of the day. I'm like, God, like, I really wish I had that.

Like, you know, it ended up been a better moment. And I'm, you know, more thankful now that, like, those other hits didn't happen or like those other grumb balls. or line drives that I might have had, like, got caught. Obviously, I like the hit. But it was pretty special having family and friends there. The reaction was pretty cool to watch too. It was awesome. It was a great.

I guess I wanted to know, like, can you describe what the first time hearing that coop chant from the crowd at Chase Field was like? Because that seems like a big moment. Yeah, I mean. I'm sure you've heard it before, right? but this is probably one of the more significant ones. Yeah, it definitely was, it was pretty significant. Like, I'd never, it's indescribable.

Like, I've, the moment I stood up on Chase Field, like my first at bat, like when like walking out there, you're like, oh, man, like this is happening. Yeah. It's just like I've had that moment multiple times this year where it's like, wow, like we got 30,000 people here and like the eyes are on my at bat. Like it's, it's really indescribable. It really is. Like I'm trying to think a word to describe like how I felt, but it's like it's all on you. Like it's, it's this moment that you've always like dreamed of. Sure.

And when it is come to fruition, like it is the most, it's actually the most at peace I've kind of ever been. Okay. The weird way to say. Yeah. No, I get it. I get it. That makes a lot of sense. Yeah.

Because you've wanted this for a long time. And I know how big of a. dream this has been for you. And I honestly, like as an observer for baseball from the outside, baseball is very difficult to get to the point that you're at right now and to make it to the big leagues and to have these wonderful moments that you've been able to have this season. And I get that. You know, it's it's definitely a long path. I know you've had a long path, but I also saw you were miced up on opening day, which was a lot of fun to watch. And I have to point out that a couple of times you said more than once that you snuck in.

in on opening day. Did it feel like that for you? Did you have like a bit of imposter syndrome being there on opening day? No, like I think the, I think kind of coming in like I had no idea where I was going to fit in this year. I didn't know going into camp like you had in your mind, you're like, yeah, like I belong. Like I can make this team. Like I was doing a lot of really good things at camp.

But you know, we have David who was in. is our left fielder. Like, you have Varsho, you know his spots in center field. Pavin is a great right fielder and has done a really good job for us this year and last year. And, you know, you have Seth and Walker and, like, got kind of like the way my positioning would work, like, there's got to be some moves. And like, I knew this coming in.

And obviously you have other guys like Alec, who's recently been called up and had a really good spring training and, you know, Jake McCarthy. and like no like I knew I was fighting for a spot but I didn't I didn't know how things kind of play out sure and when at the end of the at the end of spring training I still hadn't been told if I made the roster yet like guys are like well you're still here like congrats like like eating hennedy like the day before like season he's like dude congrats man I'm like thanks like I'm still here but I haven't made the team yet no one's told me.

Like Tori told me right after practice that Wednesday before the game. And like we had a couple other guys still, still around that didn't make the opening day roster. So like at that point, guys are like, have I made it? Have I not? And so when I say like snuck in, it's like I'm hanging around at these like moments and like they're using

videos and pictures from like the two or three days prior like in the exhibition games and the practices and they're making it like putting into opening day videos. And I'm like, They didn't edit me out. But I'm standing all these, like, in all these pictures or in these videos, and they're talking about, like, opening day, two days away. Yeah, yeah. I'm in, like, half of them.

And I'm like, I haven't made the team yet. No one's told me. So, like, a friend of mine had texted me and the comment was like, hey, like, don't mind me. I'm just sneaking into opening day. Sure. Like, I'm just standing there minding my own business. almost hoping not to get noticed so that they're not like

hey why is that guy still here? Yeah, yeah. But like, yeah, the imposter syndrome was not like there for me personally, but it was just kind of funny like not being told anything until like practice. And you know, there being all these things posted about opening day coming up. Did you, I mean, was there a point where you wondered if maybe like if they just forgot to tell you or something or like? To be honest, kind of. Like you're on Twitter and you're like, man, like,

Julio Rodriguez just was told. I'm trying to think of who else was told before opening day. Oh, Torkelson was told. And I'm like, yeah, like, their top prospects. Maybe that's just different. Like, my wife was sitting there talking to other wives. And they're like, yeah, like, yeah, so-and-so wasn't told before his opening day, like, three years ago that he made the roster. He was just there.

Yeah. I'm like, oh, my God. Like, I'm not going to have that moment. Like, I had no clue. And like I'm sitting there with like Hager was there a couple of days before opening day too. And he's like, we're talking. We're like, dude, opening day. Like this is going to be sick.

Obviously, Hager didn't make the opening day roster, but he's here now. So like just seeing how this all played out, like it was just like I'm sitting there going, well, I guess I'm here. You're here. Well, they were right for getting you here. You're now in the top 2% in the league in walk rate and been doing great. Have you always been a really patient hitter, by the way, or is that something that's kind of developed? Yeah. I mean, yeah, I'm always pretty patient, sometimes to a fault.

Okay. I think we've seen that a couple of times this year where I've, like, taken some good pitches to hit or like some borderline ones. I like to think my zone is better than the umpire zone, but I can't argue with that right now sometimes. But, yeah, I've always been pretty patient. think it kind of took a turn for me in college. I'm really aggressive to sometimes early in the count. And I think what's kind of happened is like the older I've gotten, the more I figured out how guys are going to pitch to me. And if I don't get a certain pitch, like first pitch to the at bat, like I can be super selective and hunt what I want. Yeah, it's just kind of happened.

I don't really, I don't really think about it. I don't really know. I know that's kind of my thing. is like, yeah, you get on base, you walk a lot. And like I said, it gets me in trouble sometimes. I've definitely been more patient recently. Well, we saw that with the team at a point too, right? You guys were walking more than any other team in the league, but the bats still weren't there as far as hits and things like that, right? But it came around.

And I wanted to ask about working with Joe Mather, as Joe Mather had a big impact on you so far? Yeah, Joe, easy and shorty. Like, I work with all three of them all the time. Um, they're awesome. Like, this is a great group of hitting coaches. Um, I really like what they're doing with everyone, uh, myself personally too. Like, um, we have a great routine set up and, um, they really get me as a hitter too. So, um, having the ability to bounce ideas off of them, both like from a swing standpoint and just as a mental standpoint, like they've really helped

ground me. Like I know I've needed that a couple times. Um, obviously knowing my role right now as a platoon bat versus lefties for the most part or a late game pitch hit role finding you know mentally how to do that you know the right way or like hey you're hitting balls hard but like you're out like let's you know stick to our approach like they've really helped me stay level-headed and grounded and like stick to what i'm do best we've heard that they've been providing a really tailored approach to everybody like specifically for each hitter same thing with with Brent Strom with the pitching. And I just, the coaching staff, we were kind of over the moon about the hires they made.

And I feel like it's kind of, you know, been reflected about how good you guys have been this year and the way you guys have been able to play some of these teams so well. Yeah, no, the coaching staff has been great. I mean, every single one of them here, like, I've only played for this big league staff. Like, I've had. Sure. Like, this is. It's a good staff to play for.

The great group to play for, like, everyone's positive. everyone's got an idea. And like you said, they're like really individually tailored to each person, which I think is huge because like we're all so different. Like you cannot me or like you cannot work with me on how to hit like Marte. Like it just doesn't work. We're totally different players. That makes sense.

Christian Walker and me like we're totally different guys. Like we might think the same way in some senses. But like my game is different than walks. Like walk's going to go out and hit 35, you know, and I'm, you know, hopefully going to hit 15. You know, it's just different. Yeah, yeah. But you've been doing this for a long time. I know we kind of talked about a little while ago,

but this has been your dream. I uncovered by accident an old tweet of yours from 2013 where you went to Chase Field saying that this was where you wanted to come play here one day. So it's really cool that this has happened. But you were also on the Lake Oswego Little League team that advanced to the Little League World Series when you were younger. And I guess how like what impact. I imagine that has a huge impact on a kid to want to.

to do this for the rest of their life. Yeah, I mean, I've kind of always been a baseball rat, baseball junkie. Yeah. I mean, it started when I was younger, like I would, you know, one of my closest friends growing up, like, we'd play with football every time we hung out. Like, we had, I lived in a cul-de-sac and we had different spots in the cul-de-sac. Like, you knew that was second base. Like, we were. Oh, yeah. We were playing right there. Like, the field was already set up. He had this great front yard where it was like, it was perfect. Like, he had this perfect edging, like kind of to the backside you're like if it goes over that it's a homer like each one of these spots the base like we knew and so we played all the time um and then uh not just like literally like

the literal series but um like i lived in japan for a couple years and played on a japanese little league team over there and that's kind of where i really like really got into it and like being um one of the few americans over there like my dad and i would just go hit all the time like it was like our thing. And it just kind of, it just became my happy place, hitting and baseball. So sure. Sure. How old were you when you went to Japan?

I was in second and third grade. Oh my God. What, like what a cool experience that is, though. Yeah, a great experience. You know, I've, I'm a big fan of Japan for their like love of baseball. And I'm a big pro wrestling guy too. So they love pro wrestling over there as well. But like, you know, I just.

I feel like that's just an amazing experience for you as a kid for that, not only just to do something that cool, but to see the world like that. Yeah. No, it was awesome. I loved every minute of it. My wife and I have talked about, you know,

taking a trip over there. My parents and I and my sister haven't been back since. So I know we all kind of want to go back at some point and experience it again now that I'm older. Sure. It was, yeah, it was awesome. But it like really the way they take baseball so seriously over there,

it's like it's so different. And so it really like you either love it or you hate it. Like I'm just going to put it that way. Like I was eight years old on a team. We were practicing from eight in the morning to 4 p.m. And it was like all defense in the morning, all hitting in the afternoon. Like you had to love it.

And I love it a little bit of it. They were making the future stars. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. 100%. Well, you and you've been a, a lot between now and then. I know you've had through your baseball journey, you've, you've had some discouragement along the way and you kind of like use that as times for,

you know, fuel and kind of a way to inspire yourself to to push harder and prove people wrong. What has that been like and how satisfying is it to be at this point after all that? Uh, man. I feel like even now, like, I'm still proving people wrong, you know, like, I wasn't the first round pick. I wasn't the, um, I'm not the six foot four power hitter that everyone loves. Like, that still is ingrained in me, but like, it's super satisfying knowing that I've done everything to prove myself right and prove other people wrong. Like, I've had people, I don't want to say against me, but like just not in my corner, you know, since I was like 12. Like even on the Little League team, like I was the smallest one there.

Like, I mean, was I one of the better ones in the league? Yeah, but like there's always politics. There's always different things I go on. You know, I did my own thing for, you know, JBO is what we called it, you know, junior baseball for junior high and stuff like that. Played travel ball. And like I know there were issues with that like when I went to high school because like I didn't stay with the same group. and, you know, the high school coach, I had issues with there, like, because I was the smallest one, and he told me not to switch it and, like, didn't want me to catch. And, like, there was always been different things.

And at one point, he told me I wouldn't amount to anything in baseball. So, like, hearing those type of things, like, it makes you want it even more. And, like, me and that coach have since talked and, like, we're in a good place. And actually, it's funny, like, one of my closest friends from college and my college roommate, he, he coaches with him every day. And so he reminds him, he goes, hey, you remember when you told him this? And like, he just wanted to let you know. He's doing really well.

And he did that. He probably was baseball card. By the way. It was just so funny here in his response. And yeah, so like I've had things like that or college coaches just like not want to recruit me because I was five, nine, five, five, ten, you know, in high school. Like, I didn't grow until my junior year, really. Like, I was five five freshman year.

and like Oregon State already had their catcher. Like Logan Ice, who was a second rounder out of there, was committed there like freshman sophomore year. And I was here in high school. Hey, I'm like the short guy. Like you want to come talk? And it was just so like different things like that or like having schools like be interested. And then their head coach be like, oh, no, he's too small.

He's like, you know, he can't catch this level. So I've had enough of that. And then in the minors like, you know, get drafted. and every single year it seemed like there was a speed bump you know like cool like you got drafted but like here you go like you're not active for this amount of time like figure it out and like 2017 I wasn't active for the first 40 games of the year and I was a I came in was a triple shy of a cycle my first day or sorry single shy of the cycle not a triple shy that was later in the year and like earned my spot and like I had to have had to do that each year in some regards.

guard. Like I had a position change from catcher to outfield the next year. And I had to earn my spot as an outfielder. Like they wanted me to play outfield so I could hit more. But I didn't have a spot. Like they were basically saying, hey, do this, but earn it. And every year I've kind of had to do that. Well, and it's wild because I can relate a lot to that myself just with doing this. Like ever since I was a kid, I like to write. And I was always discouraged in so many different ways because, you know, you know, there's not money in writing or it's, you know, there might not be a career for you or whatever, right? So it's like, as much as you would like to say along your journey that you had people constantly, and I'm sure you did and we all do, right? But you, you never expect to have

people actually telling you like, oh, yeah, that sounds great, but you're not good enough in some way to live out the dream that you have for yourself. And I'm glad you got to prove a lot of those people wrong. And in fact, your walk-up song, Hellen Back by Kid Ink, is a banger. by the way and is there a bit of connection there between the lyrics and kind of what you've been through because yeah yeah yeah there 100% is there's definitely a personal uh personal meaning to me for that one um obviously it's probably nowhere close to like what the song was actually meant for and like sure have i been a hell back no but like i've grinding my way through different things and like it for me like walking up to that is definitely like yeah i'm putting my head down like i know what i've

been through and I've know what I've done. Like, this is me and like, like, let's go. Like, it's, it's definitely, it definitely, there's some, there's some personal feelings there. It gets me amped up. I know that when I hear. So, I mean, I totally get it. And I, I know what you're saying. Yeah, like the lyrics, though, very much kind of talk about what you've kind of talked about with your journey a bit, right? And just like, again, putting, putting all of that discouragement behind you, right? With that behind you, you've had some great things. happen over the last year, including getting married and getting traded here to Arizona. And it all happened during a pretty chaotic time kind of in society with this pandemic and

everything else going on. So like how did you manage that? And now how memorable is all of it, now that it's kind of in in the rear view mirror of it? I mean, as far as trading, getting traded, I was the happiest guy in the locker room that day. Yeah, I mean, that was probably one of the best days last year. Like, I had a good year, but getting called in the manager's office before the game telling me I got scratched. And I was kind of like, what's going on here? Like, honestly, I thought I was getting called up because I was playing first base every day over there for like the first, for like the week before I got called up. And I was like, well, like, I guess.

the first basement in Milwaukee aren't really doing that well. Like maybe this is why. Sure. Like they had changed lineups a few days in a row like like where I was like set up and left where I wasn't playing and like we would get to the field and the lineup would be completely changed and I'd be at first. And so like when I just felt like something was. Yeah.

I was at the mall in Jacksonville with my wife and fiance at the time. And I get a I get a text like from like one of my best friends over there. And he texts me. He goes, dude, you're playing. first like what do you like where are you and i'm like what do you mean like that you saw the text last night i'm not playing game one yeah please no you're playing game one and you're playing game two today like we had a double header he's like you're playing both games and you're you're playing first and i'm like what and so we're like we're at the mall like 30 40 minutes away in jacksonville

and like i'm like hey we got to go like i got to get the first base because i have not going to say i have no clue what i'm doing but sure yeah you want to get here early and start ever in my life I'm a five, five, nine, five, ten. Like, you think I've ever played first? Like, no. I didn't know what I'm doing around the bag. It's more difficult than everyone gives credit. Like, first best credit for.

Definitely. I see walk through it every day and he's like, he's unbelievable. He makes it look easy, right? Especially like the stretches he makes to get to, oh my God. Like I try to bring that up quite often. But yeah, it's not easy what he does over there. No, it's not. So like, I knew some things were going on.

Like, I was hitting the ball well at the time to, too. seeing a lot of pitches like walking a lot. I was like, yeah, for sure. Like, okay, like I get called in. They're like, you're scratched. And I'm like, is this really happening? And they're like, congrats. You got traded Arizona.

I'm like, oh my God. Like what just happened? Like my whole world just totally flipped. I'm like, wait a second. This is great. Yeah. I walked out of the clubhouse like, or out of the office and into the clubhouse.

Like everyone's like, dude, are you good? Like I had like the most like, I don't even know how to describe. the face, but it's just complete shock and like, yeah, yeah, like, I just got traded. And literally, everyone was so excited for me, like, uh, that moment, like, it was so cool. I got a call from Hayeson a few minutes later, uh, Barfield, Josh Barfield a few minutes later. And like, just the excitement they had in their voice about like, how me coming over to Arizona. Like, it fit how I was feeling. So, that was awesome. But like, going home and like, packing

packing everything up and like hey like we got to get on a plane tomorrow morning yeah my wife's like okay like so we started packing everything up she goes i can't do this like you're just going have to go without me like i'll pack the whole thing up like this is too fast yeah she packed the whole thing up by herself but like it was a whirlwind total change of life like headed to rino um yeah that was wild yeah and then obviously getting married this off season so like we've been planning a wedding from she was in Nashville with me so like we've planned a wedding from Nashville and then she was gone like back to California where where her parents live in so we were doing it all over Zoom or over over FaceTime oh you do oh wow how was yes yeah I I imagine so so you guys didn't

you weren't one of the couples that like put it off oh no we put it off we were 20 20 to the situation we were December 5th 2020 and okay we got to so spring training was going on. We're like, yeah, like, we're still going to be good. Like, this is going to end in two weeks, three weeks. Like, we're golden. Yeah. And we're training.

We all felt that. Yeah. Yeah. And so, like, at the time, like, we were living in Oregon. And so we decided, oh, like, instead of going to Oregon, like, we'll just go from spring training in Arizona to her parents' house in Irvine, five-hour drive. Like, we'll stay there for a couple weeks. And instead of driving 20 hours back to Portland, like, we'll stay at her parents.

drive five hours in a couple weeks go back to spring training everything's going to be golden like why why drive an extra you know 15 hours you know uh little did i know that we would be there for three four months i mean it was great but like we didn't play um so during that time we're like yeah we're planning things out and we kind of hit a point where like maybe we should stop planning Like we're getting a lot of like, I don't know answers from vendors and stuff. Like, hey, yeah, we'll see like kind of like where it's going. I'm like, okay. Well, it gets to June and we hear through the grapevine that our venue is actually closing indefinitely.

And we're like, well, they haven't talked to us. Maybe they should tell people that have weddings plan there. Yeah, like you should probably tell us. and it just was like what are we what are we doing? Oh, my computer's like trying to kick me out of the internet. Oh no. Oh, no. It's like you've stayed long enough.

Okay. I'm good. Yeah. So it, it was kind of awkward. We were like, what's going on? So we were like, we're making all these calls, couldn't get a hold of anyone. Finally got a hold of someone and they were like, oh, like, yeah, we're just not sure what we're doing. I'm like, okay, like, give us an answer here. They eventually called this like a month

later. We're like, yeah, hey, like, we're not doing this. Like, here's your money. Like, like, like, you're good. Like, we're going to, it was like a, it was like a nicer hotel. And I think we're there changing it into condos and stuff like that. But, yeah, we ended up having to, like, redo everything. So like, we got a new venue and like had to get all the new vendors. It was, it was a mess. So we bumped it back from 2020 to 2021. one. Well, the important things is it got done, right? I mean, it's, it's funny because my advice to anybody getting married is you're, after all of that planning and everything, it, you don't even remember it. It happens so fast. Everything that happens that night happens just so quickly,

you know, but I just wanted to say again, congrats on that. Congrats on being a part of this Diamondbacks team. We are thrilled to have you here. And it's been a lot of fun to watch you and the guys this season. Thanks. Yeah, it's been a blast. Like, I've, I've loved every second of it. It's awesome, man. Well, thank you again for joining me. I appreciate it. And, you know, go kick some ass in Pittsburgh. We'll do. All right, man. I appreciate you. Thank you so much. That's great. And I look forward to seeing you out in Chase Field when you guys get back. Perfect. Yeah. See you then. Have a good one. Thank you again for you time. Yeah. All right, bye. Thank you once again to Cooper for joining us on the show. That was incredible.

It's so exciting to get to know these guys better than we all. already do, and I look forward to seeing him do big things on the diamond for this Debex team this year. Of course, got to go give a shout out to our friends over at OG's brands. If you haven't had a chance yet, stop by your local dispensary and grab some amazing scratch-made THC gummies from our friends at OGs. They have a wonderful variety of flavors like blackberries and cream, orange cream, sicle, pinoclotta, watermelon, all sorts of great flavors. They have a variety dosages, doses that come in either 3 milligram dose or a 10 milligram dose, depending on which ride you want to take, as I like to say. And they're perfect if you're in the mood for an

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course all roads lead to at phnx underscore sports on Twitter Instagram and Facebook you can also find our show over at PHNX underscore D-Bex. If you're listening to us right now in your favorite audio podcasting app, please subscribe. Leave us a five-star review. If you think Cooper deserves it, I think he does. I think he's a five-star guy. Also, if you're watching us right now on YouTube,

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Use our code of PHNX over at the Draft King's Sportsbook. Of course, that's after you got yourself some OGs gummy. So let's make it a great weekend, you guys. I hope you all have a fun time. We thank you so much for tuning in. On behalf of Cooper and myself,

we appreciate it once again. And remember, kids, baseball is fun, but it's so much more fun when you have Cooper Hummel on as a co-host.