The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - Postgame Show: The Pitch Clock Finale

Episode Date: October 31, 2024

The World Series ended in 5 games last night with the Los Angeles Dodgers taking down the New York Yankees. That means this baseball season has come to a close, and with that, as does The Pitch Clock. In our final episode of the 2024 season, Jeremy and Chris square off in Taylor's Trivia titled, "Dodger, Yankee, or both?" Adnan Virk is back as our baseball expert to share his immediate takeaways from the World Series, what went wrong for the Yanks in Game 5, Aaron Boone's decision to take out Gerrit Cole in the 7th inning, and what this win means for the Dodgers franchise. Jeremy and Adnan also get to some of their favorite "B-plots" including Juan Soto's impending free agency, Walker Buehler's special World Series, and Blake Treinen's remarkable Game 5 effort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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["Principle of the Year"] Welcome to the Pitch Clock. Here's the Pitch, a two-part baseball segment combining a nostalgic baseball trivia game and an interview with an expert. This is the Pitch Clock. Is this the final episode of Pitch Clock? I think this might be the final episode of Pitch Clock for the Major League Baseball season, as we're here with porn lover Chris. Hey, it's me. The viral

sensation on the internet. Taylor as well will have Adnan Virk as our expert later in this episode. But we're going to get right to Taylor's trivia. Taylor, what do you got for me and porn lover Chris today? This is a simple game. Today's game is called Yankee Dodger, both or neither. Oh, a trip down memory lane. I've gathered 21 names from the nineties and the two thousands. You have to tell me where they Yankee, a Dodger, both or neither. And then we'll alternate between Jeremy and Chris. This is great. I like this idea a lot. Chris, I'll give you the first at bat here. So Taylor, fire off a name. Raul Mondesi.

Okay. Raul Mondesi was both. Raul Mondesi was both. Wow, all right. I knew he was a Dodger, but I was just like, that was feels like he played it as with the Yankee. That was my exact concern. All right, Taylor. Who's up? Freddie Garcia, Jeremy

I'm gonna say Freddie Garcia was a Yankee Freddie Garcia was just the Yankee in 11 and 12. All right Chris Gary Sheffield That's easy both Gary Sheffield was both Jeremy Juan, Juan Pierre. Juan Pierre was neither. Can I steal?

He was a Dodger. He was a Dodger? He was a Dodger. He was never a... Damn it! I knew that he was a Cub at one point. I knew that... Oh my God, what a nightmare.

All right, one strike for me, Chris. You're back up riding this porn thing Chris Cody Scott Roland Neither Neither that is correct. Oh, you gotta be kidding me. I feel like Chris has gotten an easier draw And now we bring in our major league baseball expert Adnan Virk after the Dodgers have won the World Series in five games. It is worth noting for the audio and video audience, our producer Taylor, when doing

our trivia game, let's be real, we taped that a couple of days ago. That Taylor did not know what modern day Taylor now knows, which is the Yankees collapsed in game five and ended up blowing a five nothing lead. Adnan, this series ends without Otani doing all that much with Judge doing very little and yet a couple of classic games, incredible moments, some of the best individual performances we've ever seen in the World Series. This ends up being a great five game series. You're our MLB expert for real. What are your immediate takeaways from the Dodgers win in five?

I guess my immediate takeaway is you and I sit here today is just I'm shocked at that Yankee collapse last night. I really thought five nothing league, Garrett Cole, you take this to the house. And again, I don't think they'd have enough juice to win game six and game seven on the road. I don't think it'd be the first year team to come down from 03 in the World Series. But to lose a game like that in that fashion

is nothing short of shocking. And it's funny because if you don't know what happened, you just see, you know, Garrett Cole's seven innings, five runs, you go, I guess he was shaky, worked through it. No, no, he was unbelievable. 108 pitches was great. It was just one terrible inning

and absolutely sloppy and inexcusable play by the Yankees. Aaron Judge, as you said, had a very disappointing class. There's no question about it. When you look at it, I love the guy. He's one of my favorite players. He's a class act. He's great to fans, the media, et cetera, but he's a two-time MVP. He's a rookie of the year. He's a six-time All-Star, who is great to fans, the media, etc. But he's a two time MVP. He's

a rookie of the year. He's a six time All-Star who is not a good playoff performer. Period. And he did not play well in the World Series. Period. And yesterday finally hits his first home run, which is massive in the World Series. But that drop ball was awesome. That started the comedy of errors for the Yankees. Took his eye off the ball. You got to make that catch. Volpe, who's great, but that's a terrible play to Chisholm. And then Cold, not covering first. Do you want to blame Rizzo for not running to the bag? Just unbelievable mental lapses by the Yankees. Later on, Weber, who just like he was running on fumes,

the fact that he has third disengagement, that's a balk. Wells, catcher's interference. But as you mentioned, Rotani did nothing. It was two for 19. Like, he's an easy out at this point. He's clearly hurt. And Wells, a catcher's interference, getting him first base.

It's just awful mistakes by the Yankees to lose a game like that's gotta be incredibly frustrating. So I think in a big picture you go, well, the Yankees a year ago missed the playoffs and this year they made the world series the first time in 15 years. Is that not a success? I suppose. And again, they were the underdogs going into this world series, but to lose a game in that fashion has to sting.

The Dodgers become the first team in MLB postseason history to overcome a five run deficit, lose that lead and then still win the game in the postseason. And it's to win the World Series. That's the comedy of errors that the Yankees had last night. And there were a couple of decisions that Aaron Boone had to make. And there were a couple of decisions that Aaron Boone had to make and the main one being Garrett Cole. So Garrett Cole comes out of the game

with a runner on after walking Freddie Freeman, six and two thirds, 108 pitches. Now, what was the most maybe impressive part of Garrett Cole's entire start is the fact that he was able to persevere through what had been a monstrous fifth inning where he was on the mound for what over 18 minutes of real time he comes back and look just as dominant facing Freddie Freeman puts them on and then there's the decision by Boone

to take Eric Cole out of the game. Adnan, I know Yankees fans are crushing Boone. They were going to have to find something to crush. What are your thoughts on taking out your ace who was still looking like he had it, even if he's 108 pitches in? I think it was the right decision, because honestly, it's not just 108 pitches, but high leverage in pitches. Jeremy, like that inning that you referenced,

I mean, John Smoltz at Afridge, he said that's one of the most incredible things he's ever seen, that Cole persevered through that inning, relinquished a 5-0 lead, and it still was so solid in the sixth and the seventh. But I don't think there's any doubt that it takes a toll. And I think if there's one thing, again, to encapsulate this Dodgers World Series run, I think of relentless and I think of persistent. And I specifically think of that line of every time watching a World Series game, you could

never really take a breath because the second you'd go, okay, well, that's Teosca now. Teosca goes to damage and he did last night massive hit which would tie the game. Tommy Edmond, well, he was in LCSMBP. Max Munson, he can get a big hit. Okay, what key care it is, playoff performer and then all of a sudden you go away and now we're going to face the gauntlet. Now it's with Tony Betts Freeman. Good night, good luck.

It was really tough every time watching this Dodger lineup because you never knew when you could take a breath. So to your point, when Mookie reaches first and also now you got to face Freeman, Cole gives up a base hit, which again, Freeman, we haven't even gotten to him yet, but we're going to talk about what the world's used for the ages.

I mean, that base hit, again, who else comes through a frame for you made a five-three game and then Teoshka made a five-all. I just think those were high leverage pitches. And again, it's really taxing on coal. The one thing I'll point out, and again, it doesn't matter because the Yankees won that game for but a friend of mine said, what about the,

what about coal pitching games one, four and seven? And I said, that's an interesting thought like old school age, you pay them $324 million for moments like this. And he only threw 88 pitches in game one. So I guess to that point, I do understand Yankee fans saying listen, 120 pitch, 130, who cares? Wait till his arm falls off.

But honestly, I was surprised in some ways that Booney even brought him out for the six. Because at that point, it was high 80 pitches. And as you said, 18 minute inning, I'm like, I think he might be on a gas. So to be honest, I never thought to myself last night saying, wow, I can't believe he took him out for 6 and 2 thirds. I was like, wow, I'm amazed that Cole

was able to persevere 6 and 2 thirds is a lot from your ace. And again, not a single earned run. If you look at his postseason era coming in he's a 288 postseason era guys always been a big game pitcher and he still is even if he couldn't get the win last night who's my next name Taylor former Marlin hodge Hudge Rodriguez was neither. Hudge was a Yankee in 2008. Oh wow. I would have got that one wrong.

Hudge was a Yankee in 08. Josep Kinseko. Neither. He was a Yankee. Alright, I knew that he had to play for one of them. Alright, Kinseko was a Yankee. Alright, I knew that he had to play for one of them. Alright. Kinseko was a Yankee. I kind of knew that.

I'd love to see him in those pinstripes. Alright, that's good news. Alright, let me see if I can get going. Taylor, what's the next name? Russell Martin. Russell Martin played for both. Russell Martin did play for both. Made all-star teams for both.

Yeah, he was... And Russell Martin, underrated player. player Chris Cody Delano de Shields I'm gonna go both now I'm feeling good Jeremy Sammy Sosa oh my mind's telling me both my mind's telling me but my body mind's telling me. But my body's. Um, he could have been a Dodger. He wasn't a Yankee. My mind's telling me Dodger. I remember the Orioles at the end.

Hey GQ, stop making faces. I'm gonna say neither. Neither is correct, all tied. That's why I said my mind's telling me both. Let's go. Chris Cody. Yes. Andrew Jones. Neither.

Stee-Ry! Incorrect, it was both. Really, both? Taylor, please, the next name. Jeff Weaver. Jeff Weaver played for both. Jeff Weaver did play for both. I can picture him in both uniforms.

Easy. Chris Robin Ventura. Both. That's a both for sure. Both. I shouldn't have thought that was correct. Did you see me nod my head? I knew that one was an easy one.

All right. Next name, Taylor. Barry Larkin. My mind's telling me one. I'm gonna say he was a Dodger. He was neither. No! Oh, my bad!

Damn it! It's just your fault! Damn it! Let's shift the focus from the Yankees, now back to the Dodgers. They're actually the World Series champions. It's their first full season World Series in quite some time.

I know that's very validating for a lot of the players over there, obviously for Dave Roberts. What does this mean to this Dodgers franchise that went out and spent $700 million to go get Otani? And in the very first year of him being a Los Angeles Dodger, he not only breaks a bunch of records, but they win the World Series despite his mediocre at best performance.

Yeah, I think it's great for baseball first and foremost, Jeremy, because the LA Dodgers are a signature franchise, they're an iconic team. And there's many people, myself included, who said, yeah, they won the World Series in 2020, but it was a bit of a fugazi. Like, let's be honest, that was in the COVID shortened season. No fans.

Like, is it a World Series? Yeah, and I'm not saying it's illegitimate, but at the same time, it wasn't a true World Series over the course of a season, where in tears since 1988. So you've had some notoriously flame outs these last few seasons. Like the LA Dodgers had something to prove. There's no question about it.

They had to come into this year and say, no, we can win a World Series and we'll spend the money for Ohtani, we'll make it happen. $700 million for a DH, has a season for the ages. But as you said, if I'm going to criticize Judge and say he was a disappointment come playoff time, so was Ohtani.

I mean, in the DS, didn't do much. LCS was awesome, couldn't win MVP. World Series didn't do anything, but probably was hurt to a much bigger degree than we realized. But this is a guy who normally has a good 1,000 OPS. I think for the postseason he was 800. So he was disappointing by his high standards. Still effective, still had his moments.

But we were kind of waiting for that signature Ohtani moment, right? Some big home runs. Like that's why I said, the catcher's interference was a big moment. Here we go. Ohtani has his World Series moment. Didn't happen.

But I think for the Dodgers, they needed this one. Quite honestly, it's their first true World Series. For their fan base They can say hey, we did it and honestly 98 wins they were the best team in baseball They did it without Tyler glass now being hurt down the stretch did it without Clayton Kershaw I'm still impressed man like I really am because I remember you and I were talking before the class and so many of us at M. Ob network were wrong. We all said the podgers are gonna beat him. It's their time. They're deeper. They're stronger

No, give credit to LA the Yankees were supposed to have an edge in starting pitching. Flaherty was really good in game one. Wasn't sharp last night. Yamamoto was great. Bueller was excellent and great in relief last night. Amazing. First relief appearance in six years. Good for Walker Bueller, who had looked like a diminished pitcher. He had won a win in the regular season this year. Walker Bueller had an ERA north of five and he was great come playoff time. And that supposed edge the Yankees hadn't started pitching, never materialized in their offense, as I said before, relentless is the word for it.

Good for the Dodgers. This was a great World Series win for them. And again, let's get to Freddie Freeman. Six straight games, the home run. Could have been seven straight, except that Aaron Judge robbed him. Overall his numbers, 300, four homers, 12 RBI. Outstanding work from a guy who's always been

a great player consummate professional and again you want a Hollywood ending what he overcame this season the illness of his son a lot of distractions off the field but clearly a bum ankle I mean he was one for his last 16 going into the World Series had missed games four and six and he steps up with a World Series for the ages good for Freddie Freeman it was awesome to see Freddie Freeman he was going to be my next question. So I'm glad you touched on it first because he's now homered or had going into last night in six straight world series games. He had four homers all there to really do major damage for the Dodgers.

He was so special. And that just shows a roster as deep as theirs, where you can go and lose all of that pitching, but your relievers are as strong as they are where Dave Roberts can push all the right buttons, where Otani can be hurt and struggle in the post season and Freddie Freeman could step up and have the type of world series that he did. This was an incredible win for the Los Angeles Dodgers. And so finally,

Adnan, I kind of want to take that because there were a million B storylines, right? That were available to you in this world series. And I'm just going to highlight a few and ask you for the one that kind of you know tickles your fancy the one that makes you the happiest when I talk about it here so we can mention one of the negative Otani struggles then Juan Soto potentially ending his career with the New York Yankees jazz just simply being like the coolest player who's ever lived Blake Trinen's performance in last night's game because that was unbelievable. Walker Bueller, who you've already mentioned, he becomes the first pitcher to allow five base runners or fewer in five innings in three separate starts in the world series ever.

And he's done it in his only three starts. He also closes out the final game of the world series. You got the Anthony Volpe game, even though ultimately it doesn't matter. He becomes the only player ever to hit a go ahead grand slam in an elimination game. And then there was that Aaron Judge caps. That was pretty unbelievable on top of having a home run. What is the one you want to focus on here Adnan? Love all the B stories, Jeremy.

The subplot, my runner up choice would be the Juan Soto. Again, he had an outstanding postseason. The Yankees fans will never forget that home run that catapulted them to their first World Series since 2009. And again, last night, wasn't able to come through in his last step up, had a base hit and three walks. I mean, he was on base four times in a game in which the Yankees had to win.

So show him the money and give him $600 million and let's get this taken care of for your Yankees fan. But of all those stories you mentioned, I wanna talk about Blake Trinen. I thought it was unbelievable last night. He was incredible and he had an amazing run this playoff. And you're right, Dave Roberts gets a lot of credit. He's a good manager who was smart and that he would punt on certain games.

You would go, you know what? Fine. I'm not going to use my high leverage guys in game four. Bring on Brent Honeywell. He can eat up innings for us and get it done. Flaherty also, he let him wear it his previous starting against the Mets, he got up eight runs because he won his high leverage guys. And nobody was more special than Blake Trine.

That moment, I said, the Yankees are still in this thing. And the way that Trine, I mean, first pitch he got Stanton to swing. I mean, Stanton went obviously a great playoff run. That's not a swing you want to take that first pitch. Sometimes that ball might go up, but he easily retired him, then strikes out Rizzo. That slider was unbelievable. His cutter was working working well it was old Blake Trine and he hadn't pitched

in like two years like for him to come back like that and it was really cool to see the way that Booty or Doc or whoever it was would use their high leverage guys in those moments like I'm not waiting till the ninth or we're going seventh inning this is the game right now Blake Trine gets through it and I was shocked that Dave Roberts pushed the pedal to metal and and credit again to Joe Davis and John Smoltz when he bounded out of the dugout and the Yankees had that moment. He goes, this is not a, I'm taking you out.

This is a litmus test. It's exactly what it was. Dave Roberts went out there, you good? I'm good. I'm gonna get Stanton, I'm gonna get Rizzo. Almost 40 pitches in a moment like that. It's a moment I don't, a lot of people will be talking about,

but that was what I was thinking in my head this morning. I said, wow, Yankees collapse and Blake trying it. What a performance. Unbelievable. You're right. Roberts just gives them a double pat right there on the chest. Like, all right, I trust you. You're good to go. And, and his belief in his relievers, the ability to push all the right buttons. It was a masterful playoffs from Dave Roberts. It really was. And it's a shame for Aaron Boone who's going to get criticized on a couple of

different moments. That's always going to happen when a team loses the world series, because up until the world series, he himself had had a pretty flawless postseason and now you can just question a couple of things, but an unbelievable world series, an unbelievable season of major league baseball Adnan and you sir, we're our most consistent guest here on the Pitch Clock, our post-season MLB expert. Thank you so much, seriously, for blessing the Pitch Clock with your knowledge. I know I had a

blast. I hope you did too. And again, thank you for joining us as many times as you have. Well Jeremy, I appreciate it, man. I think I was the most consistent and also lobbying to come on the Pitch Clock. I reserved my seat here a week in advance. I texted you and said, I'm in season family. You cannot fuck me. So with respect to Mike Scherr and David Sampson, I was not only eager, but also available. So I appreciate you guys accommodating me. This was a blast, dude. Honestly, the hell with Leventar not talking up baseball on his show. I'm glad the pitch clock is here and the pitch clock is a stay. Great job by you, sir. Thank you, Adnan. The pitch clock is here to stay no matter what the result of this

game is going to be. So let's check out the final results of our game on the last episode of this season of the pitch clock. All right. So we're tied at the moment. Chris, you're up. Chris, your name? Miguel Tejada. Yankee. Stee-Ryke! All right, next name, Taylor. Have a chance to take the lead.

David Justice. David Justice played for both of those teams. Stee-Ryke! This is a good game. Man! I had to go with an easier game when the past two games we've had Hank Bauer as an answer. Taylor we've got six names left and we've got Chris Cody up for the next one. Ichiro Suzuki Yankee.

He was just the Yankee that is correct 12 through 14 Jeremy Jimmy Rollins Neither Dodger no he was a Dodger Stop singing I'm trying to get my answer out before you start saying mother Chris your name Bobby a brave. Oh That's not fair. I know the answer to this one. I know that he was.

My mind's telling me none. I know that he was the Yankee. My mind's telling me one. I'm just gonna go with the Yankee. Wrong. He was both? He was both. Yes!

He played for the Dodgers in 2012. Okay. That like at the very end? Yes. That's the very end. Taylor? David Wells. David Wells was... This feels like a trick question, but I'm gonna say David Wells was just a Yankee.

He was both. I was gonna say, if you put him on there and he was just a Yankee, it would have been one of the most unfair things Taylor's ever done. This is Chris for the win. Heartbreaking Chris for the win. Jeremy Shush. Fred McGriff. Dodger. Damn it. Just a Dodger. He was he was just a Dodger. My mind's telling me no. I am heartbroken. But my body body Porn lover Chris always winning

This is a wheelhouse. He has said that horn. Well, this was the pitch clock Thanks for watching