The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Parker – Inside the (Rob) Parker - Yelich/Bellinger early MVP favorites; RIP Bill Buckner; Rob's Top 3 MLB Teams

Episode Date: May 29, 2019

Listen to Inside the (Rob) Parker in Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-rob-parker/id1460750158This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob looks at Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich separating themselves as early MVP favorites; remembering Bill Buckner, and Hammering Hank weighing in on politics. He also runs down his Top 3 MLB Teams of the Week, names this week's 'Twitter Trash Talk' Winner, and gives the Analytic Stat of the Week.. Guests: 2-time World Series champ David Justice gives his take on the Braves' resurgence and Oakland A's beat writer Julian McWilliams on the A's recent hot streak.and his new gig covering the Red Sox. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. I'm Michelle McPhee, and I've been unraveling the strangest criminal alliance I've ever reported on, a Mormon polygamist, and an Armenian businessman.

Multi-million dollar house, Ferrari's and Lamborghinis, private jets, a billion-dollar fraud. But how long can this alliance last? Tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Listen to Kingdom of Fraud

on the I-Heart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Life is full of hurdles. So how do you keep going? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we're talking with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness from professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions about the challenges that shape them and the mindset that keeps them moving forward. At our level, at this scale, being able to fail in front of the entire world.

Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of I Heart Women's Sports. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to SportsSlic.

On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman

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The Berkshires to the sound. From wherever you live in MLB America, this is inside the You give us 22 minutes and we'll give you the scoop on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame voter number 103. Rob Parker. Welcome into this week's edition of Inside the Parker. Rob Parker here, you there. Two-time World Series winner David Justice is coming by. Plus, we'll talk to the athletics, Julian McWilliams, about the A's surging.

That and much more. Let's go. Better up. To lead off, it's getting robbed. And keep him out. Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one. I know it's early, but we have a whale of a National League MVP race

on our hands between Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers and Christian Yellage of the Brewers. They are tearing the cover off the ball. Can I give you some numbers? As of Tuesday, Bellinger, 383, 19 home runs, 49 RBIs, and he's number one in the majors, in RBIs, runs, OBP, slugging, OPS, hits. He's been incredible for the Dodgers. That's why they're off to such a great start.

The Dodgers, of course, are 36 and 18 as of Tuesday, had won eight of their last 10, and had a four-game winning streak going. But Yellich has also been lethal, batting 32, leads the league in home runs with 21 and 44 RBIs and great numbers across the board as well. Slugging percentage, he's number two in the majors and number two in OPS. And Milwaukee's out to a good start, 31 and 24, and the Milwaukee Brewers and the Dodgers both off to great starts. These two guys are going to slug it out. I know it's not even June yet, but it's going to be hard for anybody else to get into this race with the way Bellinger and Yellich have started the season. Number two. We had some sad news in Major League Baseball this week with the passing of Bill Buckner at the age of 69 from dementia.

Buckner, of course, was a really good, very good baseball player who had over 2,700 hits. People remember him. He started out with the Dodgers. He also played for the Cubs. And, of course, with the Red Sox. And a lot of people are talking about how great he was and unfortunately how most people think of him about that play in 1986 and game six of the World Series. but to be honest, it might not be the thing that his whole career is about because he was a really good baseball player. But it's impossible for people not to think of Bill Buckner and this play.

When he misplayed that ball through his legs and the Mets were able to win game six and ultimately game seven and win the World Series, that's one of the most infamous plays in the history. of sports, not just baseball. So people can remember that, but just remember, it's not the only thing about Bill Buckner, but it will be hard for people to dismiss

that. Number three. 85-year-old Hall of Fame outfielder Hank Aaron might be long in the tooth, but he's still hammering away. And on Friday, he said that he supports athletes who use their platform to

speak out about social and political issues, adding that he would not NOT visit the White House today if he were part of a championship winning team, quote, there's nobody there I want to see, said Hank Aaron to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Bravo to Hank. You would think that maybe, you know, a guy from his era would just fall in line, respect the office, and not feel like that would be proper. to do. But in this case, I think everybody has a right to make their own decision on what they

want to do, pro or con, and Hank Aaron, one of the greatest sluggers we ever saw. Don't forget those 755 home runs. Just hit another home run in my eyes. Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn. Oh, it's so good. All right, let's welcome in David Justice, the former National League rookie the year in 1990 and, of course, two-time World Series champion and played for about four teams in the major leagues, mostly with the Atlanta Braves. But Dave, welcome to the podcast. How you doing? What's going on, Rob? Nice talking to you, brother. You already know, Dave. No doubt about it. One of the sweetest left-handed swings I ever saw.

What are you doing now? We haven't heard from you. Where are you at? You know, I'm just living in a family life. Man, my wife, 19 years. We've got our oldest son who, who's in college now at San Diego State. I'm playing football. And then we got our other son, who's a sophomore in high school, up here at Bishop Balamanian, L.A. And then our daughter is our little aspiring actress. So she's been on Disney, Andy Mack,

know, Ricky Diggie and Dick, Nguyen, Donald. So she's trying to make her path in that world. So just running around with the family, right? Very nice. Nothing wrong with that. But talk about, I want your take on Major League Baseball as we talk about it right now. with the strikeouts and the home runs and where it is,

do you look at it and can you believe like how strikeouts are okay now and where the game is headed? You don't see as much stolen bases. Do you like where the game is? That's right. I'm sure when I was playing the game was different than it may have been in the 40s, right? So the game has a way of evolving, and they have number.

Dave, I'm glad you brought that up because here's my biggest problem. baseball, they're following the Oakland A's lead with all the analytics, but what have they won? They haven't won anything. When you look at the teams that win, they usually have the best players, right? And they have all kinds of, like the Boston Red Sox and teams like that. I know that they use analytics, but the A shouldn't be, you know, what teams are trying to model after. These guys don't give, you know, the great pitch just don't give up more than three runs in their starts. We don't man on with a double with.

And all I got to do is we just need to hit a ground ball. We've got three runs now in the first three innings. With 2.2, just much better, you know, and that thing would have double. And I said that, I wasn't trying to hit a ball to left field. I was trying to hit a ground ball to second base to move him to third base so that Javier Lopez could get him in with one out. I see it now. I play for the home run of potential.

Right. Because of that type of approach. What about speaking of the Atlanta Braves, the new Atlanta Braves. They got a lot of young players on that team. Is there anybody you really like on that team that you've seen because, you know, they made the playoffs last year, and they're good. Well, you got to like Okuna.

I mean, Okuna, Jr., you got a lot like him. But they got the young kids just got called up, Austin, I think Riley. You know, they got the right guy, though, as manager. Their manager is Pratt Snicker, who was my manager. What is he good at, Dave? What makes him a good manager? Right.

but three has a great way of relating to the players. Those went not to smile that you will abide by, or he's like Bobby Cox. They don't play around. They don't mess around. And, you know, when you win, I think that him. Speaking of the Braves, and I've always said this, the Atlanta Braves had an unbelievable run, which you were part of, but you guys didn't win enough.

I mean, you didn't win multiple World Series. You had three Hall of Fame pitchers on the same staff, Smoltz, Glaven, Maddox, when you look back, do you feel like you guys missed an opportunity to really dominate? I know you won the NL East a lot, but I'm talking about to win more World Series. He's right, but let's not forget Toronto Blue Jays went back to back in 92 and 93. They were better than us. In 1991, to be honest with you. So the twins thought that nobody out, Rob, and Ronnie his film.

Wow. You know, we lost that World Series in next ratings. Tell me about this. you won a World Series in Atlanta, right, in 95, and you won one with the Yankees in 2000. In fact, you were the ALCS MVP in 2000 for that Yankee team. Which one was sweeter as far as winning? Was there a difference? I know that's hard. Winning is great. Atlanta.

Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levant this went to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive?

The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness.

athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them and the mindset that keeps them going from the WNBA standout Kate Martin and rising hockey star Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't feel like you don't belong.

Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladeke. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile. that means the world to me, and that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. At our level, at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything.

I can do anything. Because resilience isn't just about winning. It's about showing up, even when it's hard. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Last night, a blown call. changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are

flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions

everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast,

Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kyr Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking.

Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses.

Steve Burns, Dustin Ross. Because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person.

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So they had a lot under the belt. What? And then, Atlanta, and then in Atlanta, you know, to hit the home run, to be the deciding run of the World Series in Game 6. That makes Atlanta's World Series definitely more special. But I will say this. The lights are brighter, lights are brighter, more media, more focus, more everything. It was a subway series, which made it close.

And then the parade in Manhattan, that was incredible. Right. But I think the meaning of the Atlanta parade winning from 95, and we had already lost to win that one. They were calling us to Buffalo Bills of that team. and to finally get one, it just shows you how hard it is to win them, I'll be honest with you. It shows you how hard it is the winner.

It's a hard to win championship. I was talking to Chris Paul the other day. He don't have one yet. They mean something to the guys. And his window is closing. But they're hard to win, brother. No doubt about it. His name is David Justice,

305 career Major League home runs. 279 lifetime batting average, one of the sweetest left-handed swings I ever saw. Dave, thanks for joining us on the podcast, man. Appreciate you. Rob, any time, but always a pleasure, man. Let's get up.

Let's catch up, okay? All right, let's do it. All right. Okay, brother. Thanks. You know when you've been at the job for years and at your annual review, your boss gives your promotion to the new hire? And when you try to talk to your boss, he shuts you out.

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FS-1's Anthony Masterson is his name. BS analytics is his game. What you got for me, Anthony? All right, Rob. With the rise of stat cast, you've likely heard the term spin rate thrown around when talking about certain pitchers. Now, what is that? Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen, kingdom on earth.

He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levant this plant to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, Just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history.

You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring, women in sports and wellness. Professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the

challenges that shaped them and the mindset that keeps them going from the WMBA standout Kate Martin and rising hockey star Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't feel on. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs, Gabby Thomas and Katie Ledecki. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile, that means the world to me. And that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. At our level, at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Because resilience isn't

just about winning. It's about showing up, even when it's hard. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of I Heart Women's Sports. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs,

the moments that never make. the highlight reel. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kier Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my

own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Destin, Ross because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth or are you a good person because you're afraid. Because that's two different intentions, bro.

Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free I Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Exactly.

It's measured in revolutions per minute. is the rate of spin of a pitch after it's released. Now, the higher the spin rate, the more likely a pitcher will be to generate movement, making the pitch more difficult to hit. Spin rate can tell you a lot, but context is necessary. Take two four-seam fastballs, one with a league average spin rate of about 2,300 revolutions per minute, and one with a higher spin rate. Brad Keller of the Royals throws a four-seamer with exactly league average spin rate.

The league is about 270 off that pitch. Now, the same pitch out of the hand of Justin Verlander, whose four-season spin rate is nearly 2,600 RPMs, second highest of any qualified pitcher, has a league hitting just 222 off the pitch, a 50-point difference. You could also find out more from spin rate than just movement. If a pitcher's spin rate drops off significantly as he goes deeper into the game, he may be getting tired,

and the manager can replace him better than just using the eye test or rigid pitch count. Now, also, massive change in spin rate can also be the, first sign of an injury. It may need some context, but spin rate is a fantastic new tool to evaluate pitchers. Anthony, I don't know. I'm always out of the spin zone, but we'll check it out. It was a big week in the big leagues. Who's up? Who's up? Or is it fair? And now, here's shadowleague.com MLB insider, J.R. Gamble. Long time Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Bredroia, who's been hurt basically the last two years

and isn't sure if he's going to play baseball again, but there are some now who are saying his numbers line up with the late-grade Kirby Pucket for the Hall of Fame. J.R., is it foul or fair? Fow. That is a foul ball. So foul. Why, I respect everything that Petroia has done in the game. game, Rob, from helping the Red Sox break the World Series curse to winning an MVP in 2008,

Prodoria's career fell off a cliff in his last three season. He hit, what, seven homers and 63 RBI over his final three seasons. He has none of what you, Rob, called the magic numbers. 140 career homers. Didn't even hit 300, 299, 18505 hits. He had Hall of Fame moments, but he's no Hall of Fame player. Now, he's a Red Sox Hall of Famer, but when compared to a Kirby Puckett, who some say, you know, had similar career numbers, there's no comparison. Puckett finished his career strong in his last two seasons. He hit well over 300.

He had, what, 112 and 99 RBI, 43 combined homers over those two years. He started and finished as an all-time great. Padreya was a clutch hard-nosed player, four-time All-Star, two world. series, but I can't find guys with his numbers. Being the second basement helps, but he doesn't even make the top second baseman of all time. You got Sanberg and Alamar and Carole and Morgan, Robinson. These guys were beast, and they had at least 2,000 hits.

But Joya isn't in that class. He's a cut below, but he's a legend in Boston, no doubt. This clip is brought to you by State Farm. At State Farm, they know it's important to ensure the things you love. They also get that everyone has a budget. That's why they have options, like insuring your car and your home, getting you great rates on both. It's a good idea to consider State Farm. For surprisingly great rates, like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

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Here comes Park. top three MLB teams this week. Number three. Minnesota Twins, as of Tuesday, they were 36 and 16. They're playing great ball. How about this? After achieving not a single eight home run game in the past 55 seasons, the twins haven't done it once, but twice already in 2019.

And it's before June. Everyone's talking about the offense and rightfully so, but Minnesota's pitching has been surprising, and that's a reason that they've been dominating. So they have Martin Perez is 7 in 1 with a stingy, 2.98 ERA. The Minnesota Twins are for real. Number two. The Los Angeles Dodgers. I know people think they belong in the top spot.

Not yet. Cody Bellinger, what are you doing? Leads the National League in war. The Dodgers pitching has been off the charts. They just continue to roll. They've been stream rolling everybody at Dodgers Stadium. They have an impressive, as of Tuesday, 20 and 6 record at that beautiful ballpark in Los Angeles. And everything seems to be pointing that the Dodgers are in route to yet a seven straight National League West Division title.

Number one. And I tried to warn you early in the season. You didn't believe me, the best team in baseball is still the New York freaking Yankees. During their seven-game win streak, which was snapped on Sunday, the Yankee scored at least six runs in. every game, an average eight and a half runs. And they still don't have all their players back. The Yankees have won almost as many games on the road this year as they have at home, which is incredible, 17 and 8 on the road as of Tuesday. And here's the other one. The B-Team bombers, the backups are bidding to equal the Yankees 2018 historic home run pace. They're hitting the ball out on a park

without Stanton, without judge. This Yankee team bruised and battered is the best team in baseball. Be sure to catch live editions of the odd couple with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker. Weekdays at 7 p.m. Eastern, 4 p.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the IHeart Radio app. Trash Talk Twitter. Your chance to trash anyone or anything in Major League Baseball.

This week's winner is Chris Perfet. And he tweets at me. Most teams go cheap after they win something, but the Indians went ahead and skipped the step, and now it shows. So much for contending. They'll finish second in the AL Central. That's like second place in the ugly contest.

You placed, but why brag? If you want a chance to win like Chris, a new era snapback, Send your trash to at Rob Parker FS1 on Twitter. When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto. If I'm writing, I'm ripping. Let's bring in a writer or broadcaster, older new. Let's welcome in the athletics, Julian McWilliams.

Julian is a baseball head from uptown Harlem, New York, and he covers the Oakland A's. Welcome to the podcast, Julian. Rob, thanks for having me, man. I appreciate any time. And you were covering one of the hottest teams in baseball right now. The Oakland A's have run off basically 10 straight. They do have to finish that game in Detroit that they were leading.

But basically, they've won the last 10. What's turned around for the A's? Man, it's kind of the same recipe as last year. I guess they can hit, right? I think on that road trip, which started in Seattle and ended in Cleveland, in which the one that you were at in Detroit, they hit 21 home runs on that road trip.

And I think, you know, at top the bottom, they've been able to produce a lot of runs, you know, just in this time period. I think match that with their pitching. They've gotten a lot from their pitching from guys. You never, you know,

really haven't heard about Chris Bassett. You haven't really heard about, Daniel McGinn you haven't really heard about, you know, Frankie Montas. That's, that he's turned to one of the better pitchers in the league, I think. he's out of option.

So they've gotten across the board, man. Their bullpen hasn't been as great. They still have Luce Ravino, who's a fixture in there. They should have Blake trying to know. He's been a little bit shaky. He seems to be getting off in the right – or he seems to be getting back on the right foot. Just all around, they're just clicking on all cylinders.

And it seems to be going with their bats, mainly with their bats, and then I would say with their defense and then they're pitching. And how about this? They've made this run without Chris Davis. basically, right? He's currently on the 10-day injured list, and how are they doing this without their big home-run slugger? He's the one who normally moves the offense.

Right. It's funny that you asked that. Like, we were making a joke yesterday because, you know, the whole thing in Oakland right now is can the Warriors win without KB? Like, can the Warriors win without KB, right? So now it's like they also call Oakland, the A's KD.

They also call Chris Davis KD. Okay. Okay. Like, can they win without, why are they winning without KD? Do they need KD? No, but they definitely do need KD. I don't think, I don't, Chris Davis, I don't think they'll be able to keep this up for that long. You know, obviously he has an oblique thing going on, but I think, and, you know, Aaron Judge, those things kind of maybe take a little bit of time.

They're just calling it a bruised oblique, but you never know. But, you know, I think they've just been able to manufacture a lot of runs. they're getting in a lot of unexpected places. You know, you look up and down the lineup, Josh Feigley, who's in the nine spot, the catcher, he has 32 RBIs on the season, and he's hitting 22. Ramon Luriano, he's on a 10-game hitting streak.

He's had five doubles in his past five games or six doubles in his past seven games or something like that. He didn't, if Jureton ProFAR, he hasn't been hitting that well, average-wise, but he also has 30 RBIs. They've been able to manufacture runs at the top, at the top of the lineup and then at the bottom of the lineup. And it's kind of been the stabilizing forces so that to be able to create a lot of run support.

I remember I was looking at that staff yesterday that said that they scored 30 runs since May 13th and the seventh inning or later. They pounce on you, man. And when this offense is going, especially with the power that they got, they're lethal. Let me ask you this. We already know the A's have been able to somehow,

some way with a low payroll, be able to make the playoffs. But the playoffs always seem to be the dud after they get in. Right. This is why I don't understand why other MLB teams follow the A's lead. I get the analytics. I get all that and that you can win without having these star players. But they're like next to last in attendance so people aren't showing up. And then they can't make a run or win.

You know, they haven't been able to win. Does it make sense? it's kind of weird, okay, this formula works during the regular season, but people don't want to show up to watch the team play the way that they play, and yet, because everybody always says winning cures everything,

but people don't show up in Oakland. It's a fact. So how do you fix this? You know, I remember being at the wild card game last year in New York, and I remember being on the field and looking at the A's players,

then looking at the Yankees players. And I'm like, oh these these are some dudes over there over for the yankees they just it's just night and day right right and so like it's just it's so i think it comes a point where talent wins out right like you look at you know i don't like really make like cross sports references because i know this is a baseball podcast but you look at somebody like i don't know the milwaukee bucks right like you're not going to win a title with chris middleton as your second best play you're just not right like it's so it's kind of the same thing with the A's like, yeah, it's cute in the regular season, and people will talk about it. But eventually you need those Aaron judges.

You need those Louis Severino's. You need those mookie vetsers of the world to be able to get it done. I looked at the Red Sox last year, and just from top to bottom, they just had the best team. And speaking of Boston, congratulations are in order. Starting on Friday, you start covering the Boston Red Sox for the Boston Globe. You've got to be proud to land that job. It's just, it's been an incredible ride, and I'm looking forward to being able to bring that over to the Boston Globe as best as I can and bring out the best content as best I can. All right, Julian, my man, Julian McWilliams from the Athletic. Congratulations. Thanks for joining the podcast.

Hey, thanks, Rob. Now bring in the closer. Track one, right two. Here's why MLB is better than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close. It's so obvious why Major League Baseball is better than the NFL and the NBA. There is no better quality time that you can spend with somebody. The weather is nice. You go sit out at the ballpark and you spend three hours.

Imagine being able to talk and catch up and watch the ball game and have a hot dog and a beer at the same time. No other place can you spend that kind of time with a friend or family member. A football game, you're watching back and forth. There's very little time to talk. Same goes with an NBA game. You got to pay attention all the way through. You can't talk.

Baseball I can talk and watch at the same time. Thanks for joining us. Rob Parker out. He can't get it. This could be an inside of Parker. See you next week. Same bad time. Same bad station.

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