WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:07.440 Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network. Guardians Weekly is brought 2 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:50.399 to you by Progressive helping Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance. Hi, 3 00:00:50.479 --> 00:00:55.799 everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim rosen House along with you from Progressive 4 00:00:55.880 --> 00:00:59.799 Field in downtown Cleveland. Great day with us for baseball talk on the radio 5 00:01:00.359 --> 00:01:06.599 as the Guardians continue their weekend series on Saturday afternoon against the San Francisco Giants 6 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:10.480 at Progressive Field with a four to ten first pitch, and they wrap up 7 00:01:10.519 --> 00:01:15.879 the homestand Sunday afternoon at one forty against the Giants coming up a little bit 8 00:01:15.959 --> 00:01:19.480 later on. On this week's show, it's another edition of at the Ballpark 9 00:01:19.519 --> 00:01:25.159 with Bobby d Senior Vice President Bob de Biasio. We'll also hear from pitchers 10 00:01:25.400 --> 00:01:29.959 Sam Henches, currently in the Guardian's bullpen, and Matt Boyd, who was 11 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:34.280 signed to a contract earlier this week. He's coming back from Tommy John surgery, 12 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:38.719 but could be a veteran armed to put into that rotation later on this 13 00:01:38.879 --> 00:01:42.319 season. And we'll also check in with Carlos Carrasco, who's been on a 14 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:47.159 real nice stretch on the mound for the Guardians as well. But first our 15 00:01:47.239 --> 00:01:52.400 weekend review. After an off day Monday Tuesday, the Guardians started the homestand 16 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:56.000 with a win over the White Sox. Chicago did take an early lead in 17 00:01:56.040 --> 00:02:00.280 the first inning on a solo home run from Andrew Vaughan, and they would 18 00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:05.560 more in the second if not for the throwing arm of Andre Semenez. One 19 00:02:05.599 --> 00:02:08.400 nothing socks second inning runner on one out. The pitch swung and drill to 20 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:12.560 the gamp and right center on the runners free and it gets down, takes 21 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:15.759 a bounce up against the wall. De Young hits third. He'll try to 22 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:19.719 score. Here comes the relay, throat of the plate and the slide tag. 23 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:28.479 He's on the play. Another great throw from shallow center, this time 24 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:36.039 Andre Semenez, a one hot throw of the plate and the hedges with the 25 00:02:36.199 --> 00:02:43.000 catch and the tag on the sliding the Young on another bang bank play at 26 00:02:43.039 --> 00:02:50.240 the plate. Andre Semenez might be the best in baseball when it comes to 27 00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:55.479 making that throws the cutoff man from the outfield a home plate. My goodness, 28 00:02:55.560 --> 00:03:00.560 it stays one nothing sucks in the middle of ending number two man. 29 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:05.520 Then the Guardians offense got going in the third with a man on and Daniel 30 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:09.400 Schneeman at the plate. So the league has adjusted to Daniel Schneman, and 31 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:15.800 now he is three for his last seventeen. So that's time for his adjustment, 32 00:03:15.879 --> 00:03:20.719 which is what the Angel Leagues is all about. Constant game of adjustments. 33 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:25.280 The one two swung in and ripped to deep right down the line, 34 00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:34.919 fair ball and a home run. Sometimes you make that adjustment. One pitch 35 00:03:35.080 --> 00:03:44.000 later, a two run shot just inside the foul polling right and Daniel Schneeman, 36 00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:49.840 with his third major league home run, has given Cleveland a two to 37 00:03:49.960 --> 00:03:55.520 one lead here in the third inning, and that just might jolt this Cleveland 38 00:03:55.599 --> 00:04:00.759 offense. In the fifth, Tyler Freeman, it started with a leadoff single, 39 00:04:01.039 --> 00:04:05.039 moved up to second on a bock, and then Brian Rochio came through. 40 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:09.360 Here's Brian Rochio, switch hitter, left side. The pitch to him, 41 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:12.599 he swings and loops it to shallow right. That gets down for a 42 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:15.560 base hit. They're gonna wave Freeman. Here comes the throw from Sheets, 43 00:04:15.639 --> 00:04:21.480 not in time. Freeman scores and the Guardians had a run. It's now 44 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:28.639 three to one Cleveland. No hesitation from ruglis Odor, the third base coach, 45 00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:32.279 sending Freeman, and he scored easily on that soft single to right off 46 00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:39.279 the bat of Brian Rocchio, and here's Rochio's fifteenth RBI on the season. 47 00:04:40.079 --> 00:04:43.639 The White Sox responded to the sixth of the game time two run home run 48 00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:46.279 from Luis Robert, but the Guardians came right back in the bottom of the 49 00:04:46.279 --> 00:04:50.279 inning with a double from Josh Naylor, and that brought David Fry to the 50 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:54.759 plate. Down the two to two, Fry hits a chopper to short. 51 00:04:54.839 --> 00:04:58.199 De Young will throw the third, hit Snailer in the back with a throw 52 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:01.079 cruise in the fall of ground. He's coming home to score. Thrown the 53 00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:08.160 second Fry in sliding and the Guardians take the lead on what was a base 54 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:14.920 running mistake by Josh Snayler, a routine chopperd to short. He would have 55 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:19.160 been out by thirty feet except Paul de Young hit him in the back with 56 00:05:19.240 --> 00:05:25.839 a throw. Oh what a break for Cleveland. Two batters later, Tyler 57 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:30.199 Freeman got into one. The next delivery swung on Yate to deep left down 58 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:39.600 the line. It goes it is gone. How about that one White Suck 59 00:05:39.800 --> 00:05:46.319 mistake. Three Cleveland runs and a backbreaking two run home run down the left 60 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:53.720 field line onto the home run ports for Tyler Freeman his seventh home run, 61 00:05:54.399 --> 00:05:59.639 and the Guardians have a six to three lead here in the sixth, and 62 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:04.920 they do make the White Sox pay the ultimate price. But the White Sox 63 00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:09.480 wouldn't go away easily, as they scored two more in the seventh to tie 64 00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:13.279 the game at six. It stayed that way until the ninth. Andre Si 65 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:16.439 Menez let things off with a single, moved up on a ground out, 66 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:20.000 and he was at second base and advanced a third on a wild pitch, 67 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:25.600 and that brought bon Naylor to the plate as a pinch hitter with one out, 68 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:29.519 winning run at third and a folk count with one down. In the 69 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:35.439 ninth, the payoff pitch a swing in a high fly, medium deep center. 70 00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:41.800 This will be interesting. Robert makes the catch, tagging him and his 71 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:46.560 the throat of the plate nowhere near in time. Bowl game is over a 72 00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:57.720 game winning sacrifice fly. As bone Naylor walks up the White Sox twice. 73 00:06:58.040 --> 00:07:04.360 Louise Robert took a strange approach to that fly ball to medium deep center. 74 00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:11.279 He drifted back on it, he never went back, then charged it with 75 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:16.879 his momentum, taking him to home plate and the Guardians get a bizarre win 76 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:23.639 tonight on a sack fly by Bow Nailer and beat the White Sacks seven to 77 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:28.160 six, And the following day we had a chance to catch up with Bow 78 00:07:28.199 --> 00:07:30.839 and he talked about the game winner and how he was able to stay ready 79 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:35.439 for a late game pinch hitting assignment like Tuesday nights. You know, I 80 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:39.879 really think it just comes down to, you know, every game, those 81 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:43.959 who aren't, you know, starting, we're always getting ready around like those 82 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:47.680 four fifth sixth inning just in case where we're we're needed in any spot. 83 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:49.920 So you know, it just really starts with that, getting your swings in 84 00:07:49.959 --> 00:07:55.120 the cage, getting a feel and then understanding the spot that you might come 85 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:58.759 in and the picture that you might be facing, so you know, kind 86 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:03.519 of just factoring all those things and really just understanding the role that you're gonna 87 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:05.279 be put in in that game. Who are you gonna face and how to 88 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:09.680 attack them. Is it different for you because you're a catcher and then you 89 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:13.120 might be needed defensively before you you have a chance to pinch it. Yeah, 90 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:16.879 I guess a little bit. You know. You know, it's definitely 91 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:20.600 a position that requires a lot, so you know, being able to understand, 92 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:24.839 you know, how to attack the hitters as well on the defensive side 93 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:28.560 going in there is definitely something that you got to consider and be aware of. 94 00:08:28.680 --> 00:08:31.839 So yeah, I mean, I guess, you know, taking care 95 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:37.080 of both sides and just being locked into the game from start to the point 96 00:08:37.080 --> 00:08:39.600 that you might get in things really important. Great approach to a hard game 97 00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:41.960 and paid off last night. I know that was fun. Thanks a lot 98 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:45.919 for coming back. I appreciate it. Thank you. The Socks bounce back 99 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:48.000 with a win on Wednesday, eight to two over the Guardians, so that's 100 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:52.480 set up the rubber match Thursday afternoon. On July fourth, the Guardians got 101 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:58.120 the scoring started in the first inning after singles from both Steven Kuan and on 102 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:03.639 Hell Martinez. Josh Naylor drove in the game's first run. Schuster checks the 103 00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:07.759 runners. The two pitch a swing and a smash in to right. There's 104 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:11.759 a base hit hitting third coming home as Martinez over running the ball and right 105 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:16.759 as fam that'll be an air that enables Ramirez to go to third. One 106 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:22.240 nothing Cleveland and Josh Naylor does it again to the White Sox, an RBI 107 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:28.639 single to right, giving him sixty two RBIs Chicago tied it with a run 108 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:33.519 in the second, but leading off the bottom of the third, Stephen Kwan's 109 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:39.240 power surge continued. Now the two to two swung on hit high, deep 110 00:09:39.399 --> 00:09:48.759 to right. It's got a change go on. Steven Kwan has hit his 111 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:54.240 eighth and every time he hits a home run, hits a new high water 112 00:09:54.360 --> 00:10:00.720 mark, a towering home run to right by the all star left fielder and 113 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:05.440 Stephen Kwan leading Major League Baseball and hitting. And also remember one other thing 114 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:13.320 about Stephen Kwan, folks, he has a nine to thirty eight ops on 115 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:16.799 Hell Martinez followed up with a double, and then his hustle resulted in another 116 00:10:16.919 --> 00:10:22.080 run, and Naylor hits a tamper to first, coming home Martinez throat of 117 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:26.559 the plate not in time, head first slide. Martine's got a great break 118 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:35.559 on that chopper to first and scores Naylor with a fielder's choice. RBI is 119 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:41.320 second RBI today, sixty three on the year. But Josh Naylor's got to 120 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:46.200 give credit for that RBI to on Hell Martinez, Oh my goodness, did 121 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:52.480 he get a great read and a great break from third and scored even with 122 00:10:52.559 --> 00:10:56.759 the infield in still in the third inning, the Guardians loaded the bases for 123 00:10:56.960 --> 00:11:01.440 Bo Naylor looking for a big two out hit, and the Guardians catcher sends 124 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:05.759 a liner toward the gamp and right center on the runners Robert It drops of 125 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:11.000 acid. This will score two runs. As the Guardians get the four run 126 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:16.399 inning, Naylor and Noel scored. He Menez ends up at third and a 127 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:20.240 good at bad for Naylor, did not trying to do too much and got 128 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:26.440 a two out, two run single to right center and the Guardians get that 129 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:33.240 mana hit they've been needing and it forces another White Sox pitching change. In 130 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:37.559 the fifth, Andre Semenez his RBI groundout made it six to one Cleveland, 131 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:41.600 and then once again the Guardians loaded the bases with Stephen Kuan standing in and 132 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:48.639 the three to one pitch up Hie ball four. He walked him and that'll 133 00:11:48.679 --> 00:11:52.320 force in a run as he Menez comes down the line from third and the 134 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:58.360 bases loaded, walk for Stephen Kuan makes it seven to one Cleveland. Chicago 135 00:11:58.399 --> 00:12:01.120 cut the lead to seven to three with two runs in the top of the 136 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:05.720 sixth, but the Guardians got one of those back in the bottom of the 137 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:09.600 inning thanks to some more heads up base running, this time from Jose Ramirez. 138 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:13.799 Now the pitch runner goes pitch swung on grounded to first. Up with 139 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:18.720 it is sheets to second, one throw to first, not in time. 140 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:26.720 Hoosey keeps running and scores from second. How about that Sheets started what he 141 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:33.080 thought was an inning ending twin killer and he threw the second and the throwback 142 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:39.679 to first made the play close, but Jose Ramirez, when they hesitated it 143 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:46.159 first to potentially argue the call, just kept coming and scored and the Guardians 144 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:52.320 steal a run thanks to Jose Ramirez and late at eight to three, the 145 00:12:52.320 --> 00:12:54.960 White Sox picked up a solo home run in the ninth from Lenning Sosa to 146 00:12:56.000 --> 00:13:00.519 make it eight to four and that would be enough as Nick Sandlins off the 147 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:05.240 il was on the mound to finish the job. Payoff pitch. That's strike 148 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:11.480 three bulge and the Guardians win the series, beating up the Socks today eight 149 00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:15.320 to four. So the Guardians took two out of three from the White Sox 150 00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:18.440 and then they opened up their series with the Giants this weekend with a Friday 151 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:24.279 night four to two defeat to San Francisco. Heading into the weekend, now 152 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:28.159 the Guardian's needing to win two to take another series before heading out on the 153 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:31.759 road. Stay with us when we come back. We'll hear from Guardians pitcher 154 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:37.360 Carlos Carrasco. That's next as we continue with Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic 155 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:45.240 Guardians Radio Network. Home Ownership Progressive. We know it's part of the American 156 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:48.159 dream. It's the land of the free and the home of student drivers. 157 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:52.759 Ready to beckon to your new fence at any given time. It's firing up 158 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:56.000 a round of burgers and dogs on your rusty grill with a faulty gas line 159 00:13:56.039 --> 00:14:01.600 that engulfs your tool shed in flames. It's also around the clock projection when 160 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:03.759 you bundle your Homonado with Progressive, which can help keep the American dream of 161 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:09.480 home ownership alive and kicking. Get a quote a Progressive dot com, Progress 162 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:11.039 in Cantion, Future in Company, aliots, other chores, unbuild mistakes. 163 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:33.480 Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim rosen House back with you from Progressive Field 164 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:39.440 in downtown Cleveland. The Guardians hosting the Giants this weekend and on the Mound 165 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:43.039 later on in the weekend. It will be Carlos Carrasco, who's been in 166 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:48.200 a real nice groove of late, in fact, really since returning from a 167 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:52.440 stint on the injured list with a sore neck. Didn't keep him out long, 168 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:56.879 but during that time he figured some things out and has been really sharp 169 00:14:56.960 --> 00:15:00.159 since returning. And when we caught up with them earlier this week, we 170 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:03.200 asked him what's clicked in and has them looking like the Carrasco of old. 171 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:09.840 Listen, I just gonna start first with all my teammates. They've been doing 172 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:13.600 a great job. Whoever's catching behind home plate, they've been doing a great 173 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:20.399 job, especially Joy Tory and a Car. They've been working with everyone, 174 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:24.080 but especially they've been working with me just getting back to my mechanics. They 175 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:26.600 know what they're doing and all that kind of stuff. I love to do 176 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:30.879 that, and I think everything that I've been doing for the last three again, 177 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:35.679 I think is ten for to Car and Enjoy Tory, because we'll be 178 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:39.559 working so hard so pretty much they find the little detail what I need to 179 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:45.159 fix on my mechanics, and I'm really happy for so. I've been feeling 180 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:48.159 really good right now because of those two guys that have been helped me a 181 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:52.320 lot. Nobody likes to miss time, but you did for just a little 182 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:54.799 bit. Did that turn out to be helpful kind of taking a step back 183 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:58.679 and then getting back to it and having a chance to work on some things. 184 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:02.159 Yes, yes, it was really good to take the tying off a 185 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:07.559 little bit, just getting back to possibly a couple a couple of years ago 186 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:11.000 and all that kind of stuff. But you know, at the enda, 187 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:17.360 it feel really good, and I think everything's doing well right now, and 188 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:21.440 the thing has been supporting a lot. Every time when we go in there, 189 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.840 I always say, is the energy what we have right now is the 190 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:27.759 same energy we had in twenty sixteen. I was gonna ask you, is 191 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:32.159 there some similarities from some past teams that you've been on that have been really 192 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:36.120 good here? Yeah, listen, it's different players, But the energy I 193 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:40.480 think is the main part of the game. And even when we win in 194 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:44.480 or losing, we still have that energy and that's the more important right now. 195 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:47.600 You're thirty seven. Now, are you enjoying us as much as you 196 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:51.000 ever did? This season? Listen? Yes, yes, you know. 197 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:56.279 To be honest with you, so many people said from thirty five pluses onthing 198 00:16:56.320 --> 00:17:00.000 YouTube of for Baseball, But listen, I feel really good. I feel 199 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:03.679 good. Then I can prove them from the last three star that I've been 200 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:07.720 getting my bilow he's getting he's getting there. But I've been joining a lot. 201 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:11.200 It's a joint team here, so I learned from them then learning from 202 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:14.880 me. There's a lot of guys in there. They ask me some question 203 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:18.599 and I go there answer questions. So this is about family here. Were 204 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:22.839 just here to learning and that's the whole process. Teams had a wonderful first 205 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:25.759 half of the season. All Star breaks coming up. What's the key to 206 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:29.519 keeping it going? Having been through this before for teams that finished strong, 207 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:32.440 what's the keep for this club to keep it going? I think the kids 208 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:36.680 never go back down, never go back, just continue energy, just continue 209 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:42.759 to play hard. Because the hard month of the season is when you start 210 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:48.680 in April and Leyaugul in September. I think that's the more harder. But 211 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:52.440 I think we need to play hard the same way we'll be doing right now 212 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:59.599 and never thinking about going back, nothing about that. We're just keeping just 213 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:02.640 keeping right there. Carlos, great to see it throwing well. Thanks for 214 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:04.880 coming back all right. Thank you. Always fun to visit with. Carlos. 215 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:11.000 Carrasco has a great outlook on things in this his age thirty seventh season 216 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:14.599 on the major League. Now stay with us when we come back, we'll 217 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:18.319 hear from relievers Sam Henches. That's next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. 218 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:40.079 Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse along with you from Progressive Field 219 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:44.400 in downtown Cleveland. Sam Henches has been a big key for the Guardians bullpen 220 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:48.440 in the past several seasons, and this year no different. He's been on 221 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:51.440 a roll of late, along with most of the bullpen, which has been 222 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:55.240 best in Major League Baseball for most of the season. We caught up with 223 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:57.640 Henches earlier this week and he talked to us about how he's been able to 224 00:18:57.680 --> 00:19:02.799 be so consistent each time his number has been called. The biggest thing is 225 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:07.359 attacking the strike zone. Usually when you're on a good stretch, you're not 226 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:11.119 giving up many free passes, and I think that's the biggest thing for me. 227 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:14.759 But yeah, I mean, it's nice to be on a roll, 228 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:17.279 and it's nice to see kind of the rest of the pen on a roll 229 00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:21.880 as well. And you do it after missing most of spring training and I 230 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:26.559 know you've been down that road before. What's the challenge and what made you 231 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:30.839 maybe more effective this time and in terms of coming back and being ready to 232 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:33.440 go when you were able to pitch again. Well, like you said, 233 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:37.240 I think it's kind of going through it that first time and learning what needed 234 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:41.440 to be done on that rehab assignment or while I was rehabbing to make sure 235 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:45.559 I was ready to go once I activated me. And I think this year, 236 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:48.839 working with the training staff and the strength staff, they did a good 237 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:51.880 job of communicating a lot with me, so I was ready to go when 238 00:19:52.359 --> 00:19:56.359 they needed me to be. What was that frustration level though, in spring, 239 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:59.319 when you're gearing up for a new season and you have to slow it 240 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:00.000 down for a little bit. Yeah, it was definitely. I mean, 241 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:04.920 it's kind of a fluky fluky thing with a finger, and they were I 242 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:07.640 think the training staff was a little bit more concerned about it than I was, 243 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:11.400 which made it probably that much more frustrating for me. But it was. 244 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:15.240 I mean, it was good. I think hindsight, I'll be thankful 245 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:18.200 that they kind of gave me a little a little break there at the beginning 246 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:22.880 of the year. But yeah, I mean, anytime you're not out there 247 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:26.440 playing with you guys, it's it's very frustrating talking about coming back after missing 248 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:30.519 some time in spring training. You came back for a little bit and then 249 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:33.759 then you're off again, but for great reason. You're welcome a new baby. 250 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:37.640 End of the world. And what's that been like for you as you 251 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:41.519 transition into that. It's been very fun, very exciting. A lot of 252 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:45.039 work, but it's been a lot of fun. It's it's really cool to 253 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:48.799 to have that, to see my wife care form, have her turned into 254 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:52.880 a mother, and and now now me as a father. It's definitely something 255 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:57.079 you can't really prepare for, but it's been super exciting. I mean the 256 00:20:57.079 --> 00:21:00.559 first few days when I when I did come back to the field, I 257 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:03.160 didn't really want to be here that bad. But now we've kind of gotten 258 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:07.519 into a little bit of a rhythm and it's it's a lot of fun seeing 259 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:12.039 him grow. And former Cleveland outfielder Michael Branley said on occasion when he would 260 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:17.279 come back from from the paternity listed it's a daddy's strength that helped him have 261 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:19.559 some success. Do you notice that at all? Not really. I was 262 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:23.640 expecting to have a little bit more velo right away. That didn't happen, 263 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:27.119 but hopefully it's it's coming in there. I think it's just kind of a 264 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:30.839 joke that everybody throws around that Dad strength hopefully holds it has some coming up 265 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:33.640 here soon. What a start to the season, and you touched on it 266 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:37.599 with the bullpen wanting to be a part of what has been a real strength 267 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:41.000 for this team. Overall. Team wise, it's been terrific. And did 268 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:44.920 you see this coming in the spring where there's some indicators to you that that 269 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:48.240 this could be a real special club. I mean, every spring training, 270 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:52.880 everybody's super optimistic and you're positive no matter what the previous season was, So 271 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:57.440 I don't think anybody's really caught off guard by this. We were a group 272 00:21:57.480 --> 00:22:00.400 that we like to show up and we try to win each each in every 273 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:03.519 game that we play, and we play really hard. You kind of see 274 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:07.160 it on the base pass especially and on defense with these guys, they they 275 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:12.079 work really hard as well as the pitching staff. Everybody just shows up and 276 00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:15.400 we're trying to win each each game, and so far we've been doing a 277 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:18.759 pretty good job of that, and the unit down and the bullpen seems to 278 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:23.480 have gelled real nice and it seems in terms of roles outside of a manual 279 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:26.279 class A, you'll move around a little bit to different points in the game. 280 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:30.200 And do you enjoy that part of it? Definitely? I think it's 281 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:34.160 it just shows kind of the strength of the bullpen, guys pitching in a 282 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:37.920 bunch of different situations. Everybody's versatile down there, except for like you said, 283 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:41.680 class he only he knows when he's going in the game. But yeah, 284 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:45.960 just kind of everybody's always ready to go. Everybody's kind of chomping at 285 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:49.400 the bit down there to get out there. And when that phone rings, 286 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:53.599 it kind of could be anybody's anybody's name that's called. It's been tremendous so 287 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:56.720 far, and Sam is always thanks for coming back. Thank you, Hat's 288 00:22:56.799 --> 00:23:03.480 relief pitcher Sam Henches a big to the best bullpen in all of baseball over 289 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:07.079 the first half of the Major league season. Now, the Guardians, they 290 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:11.240 have been in a constant search mode for pitching depth, especially starting pitching, 291 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:15.359 and it's going to be difficult to make any type of deal for starting pitching. 292 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:19.519 At the trade deadline. They went out and signed Matthew Boyd, who's 293 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:25.559 a veteran starting pitcher many seasons with the Detroit Tigers. He's coming back from 294 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:29.839 Tommy John surgery, so he's not quite ready to go yet. But when 295 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:33.599 we caught up with him on Friday, he talked about how he's feeling and 296 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:37.240 how the rehab process has gone. Yeah, I'm feeling great. I'm so 297 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:41.359 honored and a grateful deep part of this organization, in this ball club. 298 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:45.839 It's just full of so many special people, so many amazing people, high 299 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:49.359 character people, and you can see why they're having the success they've had this 300 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:53.640 year. So to get to be part of this is amazing. I feel 301 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:59.680 blessed beyond really beyond words that I get to walk into this situation and I'm 302 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:03.200 feeling great. I've thrown two live vps. They've both gone great. We've 303 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:07.160 gone two winnings already, we have one scheduled for tomorrow here at the ball 304 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:12.920 Ballpark. So things are going well. Things are going, you know, 305 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:18.240 just in an amazing, amazing direction and uh man, just you know, 306 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:22.920 making the most out of every you know, opportunity that's presented itself so far, 307 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:26.799 and hopefully, you know, sooner than later, I'll be helping this 308 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:30.799 ball club. You've been in this game long enough to experience a lot some 309 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:37.160 great times, some challenging times. Throwing a bullpen for a group of major 310 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:41.839 league teams on your way back from from Tommy John surgery. What was Describe 311 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:45.359 what that was like for you and how difficult that may have been with with 312 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:49.480 no fans, nothing like that, not a game situation. Well, there's 313 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:56.359 nothing against throwing a bullpen at my alma Matery psych Catholic High school, you 314 00:24:56.400 --> 00:25:02.359 know, to a a local catcher with with a local pigeon coach with eyes 315 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:06.759 on me. But that's not to degrade any of their talents or abilities. 316 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:11.279 But getting to throw, you know, down in the Heaton, California in 317 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:15.799 front of a lot of scouts was a welcome change to get the heart going 318 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:21.079 a little bit, you know, And it was it was exciting and it 319 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.880 just felt like another milestone, if you will. It was like, hey, 320 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:27.480 this is Tommy John surgery and the rehab is a long path. So 321 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:33.480 anytime you get to do something that's out of the norm as that was, 322 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:36.720 was was exciting. And yeah, it was. It was. It was 323 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:41.400 a fun, fun experience, something something that hopefully I don't have to experience 324 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:44.240 again, but you know, if I have to, it will be welcomed. 325 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:47.559 Matt Boyd is joining us. He's on his way back from Tommy John 326 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:55.440 surgery, veteran pitcher. You work out for eighteen clubs and it's the Guardians 327 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:57.720 that are are the place that you end up. How much did you know 328 00:25:57.799 --> 00:26:03.240 about this organization and before you signed and and what have you found in the 329 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:07.960 brief time you've been here so far? Man, I'm uh. I've watched 330 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:12.480 a lot of games from the other dugout and always washed with a lot of 331 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:18.960 uh, usually frustration and UH and envy because you know, it's a I 332 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:22.160 think I've smelled Champagne to be a poored on the other clubhouse, whether it's 333 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:29.079 here the other side many times over the years too. So anytime we got 334 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:33.519 to play Cleveland, it was a welcome challenge because they're always the cream of 335 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:37.759 the crop in the division. And getting the opportunity to join this ball club 336 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:42.680 is something that uh was was when when that was presented, it was something 337 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:48.000 that really excited me. So I'm so thankful to be here, so many 338 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:52.599 good people. Top down, I'm so excited to continue to work with uh, 339 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:56.839 you know, carl And and Joe and Brad and the pitching side, 340 00:26:56.920 --> 00:27:00.720 and again just I can't speak to how amazing that people are here. It's 341 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:04.400 really really cool. Probably first time in a long time you did not go 342 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:07.960 to spring training with a team. What was that like at this stage of 343 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:14.440 your career. Yeah, well it was It was special because I got to 344 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:19.240 coach the Samamish Little League Giants for my son Isaiah, and assistant coach the 345 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:26.480 six U Samamish, a Little League otter softball team. So it's a humbling 346 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:30.160 experience and it's something that was awesome. I hope to play ten more years. 347 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:33.559 I believe my best is ahead of me, so I don't know if 348 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:37.440 I'll be awarded that opportunity a getting to coach my kids teams. But it 349 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:45.759 was so special, so much fun seeing the game, uh be uh just 350 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:48.440 seeing the game that brought me so much joy, bring my daughter and my 351 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.960 oldest daughter, my oldest son so much joy. Was so much fun. 352 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:56.359 So yeah, I missed spring training, and uh yeah, I missed a 353 00:27:56.400 --> 00:28:00.079 lot of good things that come with that, but I wouldn't trade it for 354 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:04.480 anything. I'm gonna guess those teams were happy that you were around and had 355 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:08.200 that opportunity to Hey, Matt, great Tomtya, and best of luck. 356 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:11.920 On the way back. Thank you, Joe. That is Matt Boyd who 357 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:15.559 could be a big key to this ball club down the stretch once he gets 358 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:21.240 healthy. And he's not that far away from appearing in major league games. 359 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:23.839 So we'll follow that for you as time goes back, stay with us. 360 00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:27.720 We're back with a final segment of Guardians Weekly after this time out on the 361 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:33.880 Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. With Progressives, name your Price tool, you 362 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:37.160 can easily find coverage options that fit your budget. If only it was that 363 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:41.359 easy to name your baby. How about Jayden? No? Okay, Michael 364 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:45.559 went to middle school with the glue eating Michael Sebastian dated one in college. 365 00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:48.680 How about Damien Vampire? Name all right? Greg? Not feeling it? 366 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:52.799 Okay? No worse, No worse, Jeffrey, I love that one. 367 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:56.200 Really No. Find coverage options that fit your budget with Progressives, name your 368 00:28:56.200 --> 00:29:00.359 price tool, get a quote at Progressive dot Com. Progressive to you intern 369 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:02.720 company on Billie's price and coverage. Hats lended lest staple one not a faible, 370 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:17.200 New States. Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you 371 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:21.839 from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, where the Guardians are hosting the Giants this 372 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:26.799 weekend. Four to ten starts Saturday and a one forty start on Sunday to 373 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:30.640 wrap up the homestand for Cleveland. And before we go this week, let's 374 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:36.720 check in with Guardians Senior Vice President Bob D Biassio. It is another edition 375 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:44.799 of At the Ballpark with Bobby D. The perfectly manicured field, the unmistakable 376 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:52.319 aroma of a ballpark hot dog, and the electricity celebrating another victory. This 377 00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:57.759 is at the Ballpark with Bobby D. The ballpark is home to many stories, 378 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:04.400 many memory mos, and colorful personalities. Joining me now at the Ballpark 379 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:11.680 is one of my dear friends, Larry Dobie Junior, his father breaking the 380 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:17.720 color barrier in the American League July fifth, nineteen forty seven when he went 381 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:22.839 to the plate as a pinch hitter in Comiski Park in Chicago. Larry, 382 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:26.920 it's always awesome to have you back in Cleveland. It's always good to be 383 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:30.000 back here. Robert, thanks for having me. Let's talk a little bit 384 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:34.319 about your dad. I know You've done so many interviews. One of the 385 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:38.880 coolest things that I've heard you say over the many years that you and I 386 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:45.079 have connected is the fact that your father said he never got booed in Cleveland, 387 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:51.359 that this city truly embraced him. Yeah, exactly. He wasn't much 388 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:55.079 for telling the stories. Bobby and I would try to get him to when 389 00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:56.680 he wouldn't, And then one day we were sitting around and he made that 390 00:30:56.720 --> 00:31:00.680 statement, and I thought he was crazy because I grew up in New York 391 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:03.319 and New Jersey they bowed Mickey Mantle and he said, they never bowed me 392 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:06.680 there, and that meant so much to me, because that meant to me 393 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:10.640 that he was theirs. He was their guy, and whether he struck out 394 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.839 or got a hit, they were going to support him. And he never 395 00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:18.039 forgot that. You know. Another story that you shared was there'd be people 396 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:26.319 come to your home and stars of all pro sports, and your dad was 397 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:32.759 a fan of all sports, being a four sports star at Patterson High School 398 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:37.480 in New Jersey, terrific football player, basketball player, and also a member 399 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:41.400 of the US Navy, which we cannot forget his service to our country. 400 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:45.119 Tell us and share some of the names that as a kid, you were 401 00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:47.759 walking around the house and all of a sudden, at the dinner table, 402 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:51.240 there's some pretty special people. Yeah, but you got to remember, Bobby, 403 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:52.799 they were just my dad's friends. They weren't special people to me. 404 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:56.079 So he'd say, you know, come home early, maybe you want to 405 00:31:56.400 --> 00:32:00.759 meet these guys, and it would be Bill Russell, Sam Jones, Willy 406 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:04.799 Knowles, Willie Mays, don Nukeomb And you know, I was just like, 407 00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:07.359 Okay, nice to meet you, sir. You know my pleasure. 408 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:08.519 Can I go back and play dad? And he's like, yeah, sure, 409 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:12.440 of course. In hindsight, which we all know is twenty twenty, 410 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:15.400 I wish I would have stayed there and kind of soaked in some of the 411 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:17.200 knowledge that they were, you know, putting out. But you know, 412 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:20.319 you just when you're a kid, all you want to do is play when 413 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:22.920 you get the chance. So that's what happened. And you and I have 414 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:29.519 chatted about this, and I don't think we've ever shared this with the public. 415 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:34.640 So to me, it's a remarkable story that you were both a football 416 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:38.759 and baseball player and you were trying to identify a college in which you might 417 00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:44.759 be able to go and play both sports. Tell us the story about how 418 00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:52.279 you identified the school that you did. The story behind Paul Harvey. Remember 419 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:55.759 Paul Harvey and the rest of the story, well, to me, this 420 00:32:55.839 --> 00:33:00.640 is an incredibly interesting rest of the story. When you sat with your father 421 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:05.440 and decided to tell him where you were going to go to college. So 422 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:08.799 I got a bunch of offers and letters and stuff from different schools. And 423 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:12.720 one of the things was that I definitely knew I wanted to play two sports, 424 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:15.480 being football and baseball. And some schools automatically were like, well, 425 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:20.680 the money's coming from football, this is your priority, and so forth and 426 00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:23.720 song. And my goal was to go to the best school that I could 427 00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:28.319 go to and if possibly a warm weather thing. So I went to visit 428 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:31.200 Duke University of North Carolina in February. It was seventy degrees. I was 429 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:36.720 sold. Then all the initial contact came from the football office and coach Mike 430 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:40.079 McGee. And after we had met and sat down and talked, and you 431 00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:43.920 know, he said, Okay, I understand you know, baseball is pretty 432 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:49.759 important to you. He decided to sort of funnel my interest towards the baseball 433 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:52.200 team because he figured, I think that he could get two athletes for the 434 00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:55.480 price of one. Because id I was on baseball scholarship. Then I was 435 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:59.200 going to play football. He knew that, so that's what he did, 436 00:33:59.240 --> 00:34:02.759 which was pretty shrewd on his part. So it turns out that the recruiting 437 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:07.519 process had gone pretty far. I hadn't even asked or known who the baseball 438 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:10.360 coach was when it kind of took the direction towards baseball. I found out 439 00:34:10.679 --> 00:34:15.639 the baseball coach was Enis Slaughter. As people probably know, he was one 440 00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:21.119 of the guys who wasn't happy when Jackie Robinson signed and put his name on 441 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:22.960 a petition that they weren't going to play and so forth and so on. 442 00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:28.440 And my father had always taught me when I was younger to treat people the 443 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:30.679 way that they treat you, not what you hear about them, not what 444 00:34:30.760 --> 00:34:34.559 you think, you know, give him a chance. And he said, 445 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:37.719 even if I'm not friendly with them and they're friendly with you, that's okay. 446 00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:40.239 So, needless to say, this was a chance to put those lessons 447 00:34:40.280 --> 00:34:45.079 to, you know, a true test. Yeah. And the best thing 448 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:47.039 I'll say, Bobby, is that I think the true measure of a man 449 00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:51.599 is not where he begins the race, it's where he finishes it. And 450 00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:53.039 I have to say that coach Slaughter, you know, finished it on the 451 00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:58.320 right side. He was brought up and born into a segregated society. That 452 00:34:58.480 --> 00:35:00.440 was part of his life. But by the time I got to him, 453 00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:04.280 you know, he was a good guy. I loved playing for him. 454 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:07.199 You know, I wouldn't have traded the experience for the world. My father, 455 00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:08.639 on the other hand, you know, would always joke with me. 456 00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:10.840 They'd see each other that old timers game, and he go, I saw 457 00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:15.079 your coach, you know, and stuff like that. So I think he 458 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:16.920 had forgiven, but he didn't forget, and they had it, you know, 459 00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:20.800 me in common. So I think they became a little bit more friendly 460 00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:23.280 over the years. So that was part of the situation. I'm glad that 461 00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:27.519 I could have helped them get a little closer. So let's get specific. 462 00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:30.559 On the football field, what position did you play? I played strong safety, 463 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:36.480 and I could hit and I could run a little bit, so yeah, 464 00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:38.440 I did. I did almost to the point where the coach said, 465 00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:42.440 you don't have to let him catch it to tackle him. You can block 466 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:45.000 the ball, not hit him. But yeah, that's kind of what I 467 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:47.280 learned. So yeah, and that in baseball, what position did you play? 468 00:35:47.280 --> 00:35:51.639 Were you a center fielder like your dad? I played center field like 469 00:35:51.719 --> 00:35:54.559 him. Yeah, in a right handed hitter, switch hitter. Yep. 470 00:35:57.000 --> 00:36:02.559 I've always found that story to be so remarkable. Again for those who want 471 00:36:02.599 --> 00:36:08.559 to check the history books. Yeah, Ina Slaughter allegedly was the ringleader of 472 00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:15.440 even wanting the boycott baseball for integration at that time. But you said, 473 00:36:15.679 --> 00:36:19.840 you know, a man comes from a certain place and he has a chance 474 00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:24.159 to change, and did you integrate Dukes baseball team? Believe it or not, 475 00:36:24.280 --> 00:36:28.679 Bobby, I found out long after I had graduated that I was the 476 00:36:28.719 --> 00:36:31.719 first black player there. I didn't know that, and I think ironically I 477 00:36:31.840 --> 00:36:37.519 was the second black player in the Atlantic Coast Conference. But you know what, 478 00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:38.679 I was a freshman. Those guys, you know, it was a 479 00:36:38.760 --> 00:36:43.159 lot of upperclassmen. They never made me feel different. I had no idea. 480 00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:46.360 Now we were going to places and play like Valdosta, Georgia and places 481 00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:50.320 like that where it was a little crazy, but you know, I felt 482 00:36:50.360 --> 00:36:52.679 like I was part of the team, and you know, didn't have to 483 00:36:52.679 --> 00:36:54.960 go through the stuff my father did with not eating in the same restaurants at 484 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:58.719 the hotel. So you know, we were all together, and you know, 485 00:36:59.000 --> 00:37:01.880 I'm thankful for that experience. Well, we're thankful that you're willing to 486 00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:07.159 share that. We're thankful. I'm personally thankful we have this deep, long 487 00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:12.000 relationship that we have. I was one of the few that are still here 488 00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:16.000 that blessed to know your father and your mother, Helen, and what wonderful, 489 00:37:16.079 --> 00:37:22.559 gracious people they were. And hoping that you out there all enjoyed today's 490 00:37:22.760 --> 00:37:28.280 at the Ballpark story. We look forward to sharing more at the Ballpark on 491 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:36.400 the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network. Always fun to hear from Senior Vice President bobbi 492 00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:39.639 Biassio, and that puts a kapper on this week's show. We'll check in 493 00:37:39.719 --> 00:37:44.320 with you next week from Saint Petersburg, Florida, our last show before the 494 00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:47.280 All Star break, as the Guardians will be taking on the Rays next weekend. 495 00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:52.039 Until that, as always, thanks to Brian Matse for putting together our 496 00:37:52.079 --> 00:37:55.079 show each and every week until next week. This is Jim rosen House reminding 497 00:37:55.119 --> 00:38:00.000 you that you've been listening to Guardians Weekly. I'm a Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio 498 00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:22.960 Network. Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians fans save 499 00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:55.480 hundreds on car insurance sh