All right. The Dodger bullpen has been outstanding this season, and Blake Trining
has been a big reason. Even though he will not make it about himself,
he's sitting right next to me. So so far, so good for
you and the rest of the crew down there, number one, thank you
for the time. You're welcome to Dave. Yeah. Yeah, guys have
been great down there. I think they've adapted really well with adversity and guys,
you know, falling under the injury bug and transitioning into different roles and
stepping up in big situations. So it's a lot of the same for some
guys and a lot of new for some other guys. So no matter what
the face is, I think our organization has done a good job of putting
guys in the best lines to be successful and they come through. It feels
like the pitching coaches really have done a great job of preparing you guys and
even helping reset guys at certain times. Connor McGinnis, Mark Pryor and Josh
part Yeah, you know, I've said it since day one I've been here.
I feel like they do a great job of finding what works best for
you as an individual and how can we get the best out of you for
the organization, and you know they're I guess the amount of time and attention
to detail they put into their craft of getting to know different grips, different
ways to attack hitters, how to get the best out of yourself is matched
by none that I've ever come across. I've had very gifted people in my
career that have blessed me. But I'm looking at what the Dodgers put in
play for players to be successful, and they've done the best job that I've
seen. The Dodgers are very fortunate to have veterans like yourself and Daniel Hudson
in the bullpen. Every player does not have the same path. How much
team pride do you guys have? And Daniel Hudson and the way he's battled
back the last couple of years to be part of this team, well,
Huddy's a warrior. Not a lot of people can go through what he went
through and still come on the backside as resilient as he has. So anytime
you have a guy like that in your bullpen alone with the talent or I
guess along with the talent that he possesses and has show, it's it's gonna
benefit the young guys. Are you guys the adults down there? I think
I think he is. Yeah, you see, is he more guys that
try to be adults down there? There's still there's still a lot of kid
which is good. I mean, it's a this is a kid's game,
but a bunch of men are playing it. So there's a professional aspect to
it that I think we all try to maintain. But having fun at hard
I think is important. So I think we have a good blend of guys
down there to keep it light and fun, and conversations are certainly entertaining.
Do you want to let us in on any of those conversations? You know,
I'm a big league bullpen, so no, no, I had to
try like a code of honor, and that's not breaking the coach. So
you're not you're not getting privy to that, Dave. And then you sneak
around the clubhouse. Your your phone is always on recording, not down in
the bullpen. I always tell you hot mics are everywhere. Yeah, yep,
you even got a pen that's got a microphone on it. So Blake
China has me down. Hey, it's been really a joy to watch you
pitch and you go through your journey to be back. Do you see the
game differently than you saw it even maybe five seasons ago. Uh? Yeah,
in a sense of more just appreciation for each moment. You know,
when you're younger, you're always trying to establish yourself or or show that you're
capable of being in several roles and then maintaining a level of success more than
just like a one year wonder. And now it's just being you know,
I guess grateful and honored to still be playing. Things have changed a little
bit. I'm still believing that there's more in there. I mean, you
always strive to be the best version of yourself, but it's what I have.
I'm grateful that I'm able to throw a ball and contribute and coming back
is definitely a little bit different, but in a good way. What's the
difference between getting the final three outs and being who you've in for the Dodgers
where you've done that at times but also has thrived and putting out different fires
and facing the best in different innings. I think you simplify. No matter
what your role is, your job is to get three outs and get them
as quick as you can. I think the game's falling in love with the
punch out and the home run and the swing and miss, but we forget
that sometimes missing a barrel is weak contact. And if a guy's going to
swing early on me and get a week out like, I'll take it.
So my job is to go out and do sweet contact as early and often
as possible and put up a zero. So the less pitches the better.
It means that I can be more fresh on a regular basis, and that's
that's ultimately the goal. All right, Blake, thank you for the time.
I see this nice leather glove right here. Oh yeah, how long
have you had that for? This is my first year. Yeah, they've
been great, chip over and Nakono has been been a blessing to me.
So yeah, all right, well thanks a lot for the time. Appreciate
it. And I like what you brought to the table today. Right here
felt like the eighth inning feel I was like four thirty