WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.120 --> 00:00:07.879 Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio network. Guardians Weekly is brought 2 00:00:07.919 --> 00:00:56.880 to you by Progressive helping Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance. Hi, 3 00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:02.159 everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Schummeros in house along with you this weekend 4 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:07.480 as we join you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. It is our wall 5 00:01:07.480 --> 00:01:12.519 to wall coverage edition of the introduction of new manager Stephen Vote, who became 6 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:19.079 the forty fifth manager in club history at a press conference yesterday, the official 7 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:23.000 announcement naming Steven Vote manager for the ball club, and he takes over a 8 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:27.760 team that for eleven seasons was managed by Terry Francona. So the first time 9 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:33.959 that we've had one of these announcements since the fall of twenty twelve, and 10 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:38.200 that is an eternity in the game of baseball. So our coverage today, 11 00:01:38.840 --> 00:01:42.040 in the second half of our show, we'll have a one on one conversation 12 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:48.120 with Steven Vote. Certainly a tremendous major league career in terms of variety, 13 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:53.519 some great times for him, some struggles to try and stay on an active 14 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:57.200 roster, and all the while, especially later in his career, opportunities to 15 00:01:57.319 --> 00:02:02.400 learn from some really good manager and think about the future and where that brought 16 00:02:02.519 --> 00:02:07.519 him yesterday and now in the days ahead as manager of this ball club. 17 00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:10.680 We'll also hear from Mike Chernoff, the general manager for the Guardians. He'll 18 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:15.000 tell us about that process that led to Steven Vote being named manager of the 19 00:02:15.080 --> 00:02:20.319 team. And we'll also visit with one of the new coaches, Craig Albernaz, 20 00:02:20.360 --> 00:02:24.199 who will be the Major League field coordinator for this ball club heading forward, 21 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:30.199 and a longtime cohort of Steven Vote when they were growing up in the 22 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:32.599 Tampa Bay Rays organization. So a lot of good stuff. In the second 23 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:36.759 half of our show. We'll take a short break and then we'll come back 24 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:42.159 and kind of give you the flavor of yesterday's events, Friday's events at Progressive 25 00:02:42.199 --> 00:02:46.520 Field, the press conference for Stephen Vote that's coming your way shortly on the 26 00:02:46.520 --> 00:02:59.280 Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. Don't go away, folks. Baseball, basketball, 27 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:04.439 pickleball, those are sports and people love sports. If you love sports, 28 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:07.560 you should know this. Drivers who switch and say with Progressive could save 29 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:10.960 hundreds, the saving of anything to do with sports. No, the people 30 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:16.680 love sports, So I'm yelling sports out. Hockey swimming, golf, not 31 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:20.639 all sports of the word ball in there, so save big when you switch 32 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:25.120 to Progressive those sports jeams, Progressive casually insurance company and affiliates, potential savings 33 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:47.919 will vary. Shim Rose announced back with you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland, 34 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:53.080 where on Friday, Stephen Boat was introduced as the new manager, the 35 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:59.000 forty fifth manager in Cleveland franchise history. He will take over this ball club 36 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:03.159 heading into twenty twenty four after eleven seasons with Terry Francona. And we'll get 37 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:08.039 into more of his bio a little bit later on in our show, but 38 00:04:08.199 --> 00:04:12.719 first let's listen to as much as the press conference as time allows here on 39 00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:17.240 our show this week, and it began with President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonette. 40 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:23.079 Welcome everybody, good afternoon, Thank you for joining us for what is 41 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:28.800 a very exciting day for our organization and our franchise. So you might remember 42 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:31.000 at the start of this process, we shared that we were looking to find 43 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:36.000 a true partner to join our organization and build on the foundation that we have 44 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:42.160 in place. We wanted someone who appreciated the unique culture that we have within 45 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:45.879 our organization. But at the same time, could come in challenge us, 46 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:49.920 help us learn grow together as we seek to win multiple World Series championships. 47 00:04:51.160 --> 00:04:55.120 Well, there were a ton of things we look for throughout this process, 48 00:04:55.160 --> 00:04:59.480 there were three things that really stood out as defining attributes that we were looking 49 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:02.839 for. First and foremost, we were looking for a collaborative partner. We 50 00:05:02.839 --> 00:05:08.199 were looking for someone who is a caring connector and finally, a self confident 51 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:11.759 learner. So what do I mean by that? Well, as a collaborative 52 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:15.600 partner, we were seeking a leader with whom we could build a true, 53 00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:19.600 trusting partnership. Someone who could be aligned with our beliefs and our values, 54 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:26.000 but challenge us to learn and grow and get better through their unique perspective, 55 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:30.439 skills, and experiences. We also sought someone who was a caring connector, 56 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:38.600 someone who cares so deeply about people that he or she would build very meaningful, 57 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:44.639 lasting relationships. We wanted someone who would build a fun and inclusive environment 58 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:48.399 where everyone would enjoy coming to work each day to tackle the challenges that we 59 00:05:48.519 --> 00:05:53.959 had together. And lastly, we were looking for a self confident leader. 60 00:05:54.720 --> 00:05:58.879 We were seeking a leader that combines a self confidence and strength to lead within 61 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:03.240 a major League clubhouse well at the same time having enough humility to continuously learn, 62 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:09.560 grow and help us all get better. We wanted someone who helped create 63 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:14.560 an open and welcoming environment where any idea is welcome, where we will constantly 64 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:17.839 bring the best ideas to the table to help each other get better. And 65 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:23.240 so we believe Steven Vote is all of these things and so much more. 66 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:27.800 We know we will help us learn, grow and get better as we all 67 00:06:27.839 --> 00:06:32.399 pursue our World Series championship in Cleveland. So Steven, welcome to the Guardians. 68 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:35.439 We're thrilled to have you, and I will turn it over to Mike 69 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:40.639 Dad a few comments, Thanks Chris, before I turn it over to Stephen. 70 00:06:41.399 --> 00:06:45.279 I just wanted to touch briefly on our hiring process a little bit. 71 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:50.839 This type of hiring process is for our organization is an incredibly collaborative process. 72 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:57.199 We did reference calls, framing of the job, a huge amount of interviews. 73 00:06:57.199 --> 00:07:00.079 As I'm sure Voter will tell you if you ask him about it, 74 00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:04.680 we probably had over fifty Guardians teammates that were included in that from all different 75 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:10.199 areas of the organization, helping us to go through this process together. I 76 00:07:10.199 --> 00:07:14.000 won't go through through each individual, but it was front office support, staff, 77 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:18.079 field staff, players, performance areas R and D, and many other 78 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:20.519 people that were involved in so I just, more than anything, I wanted 79 00:07:20.519 --> 00:07:24.839 to say thank you to all of them for helping us in this process, 80 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:29.959 and maybe in particular, I do want to call out our assistant GM Matt 81 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:34.839 Foreman, who took a massive leadership role in leading and coordinating the manager hiring 82 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:38.800 process for us. So thank you, Matt. We really appreciate it. 83 00:07:39.399 --> 00:07:43.399 And now I will turn it over to Steven Well. First of all, 84 00:07:43.399 --> 00:07:46.240 I just want to say thank you to mister Dolan, to Mike, Chris, 85 00:07:46.360 --> 00:07:51.120 Matt and the entire Guardians organization for allowing me the opportunity to earn this 86 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:56.399 chance. I don't take it lightly and I'm very excited to get started. 87 00:07:57.360 --> 00:07:59.680 I'd like to thank a bunch of people, but we don't have time for 88 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:03.199 that. So I'd like to just say thank you to all of the teammates 89 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:05.759 that I've had over the years, all of the staff members in their various 90 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:11.839 areas, and all the numerous coaches that I've had, starting with my dad 91 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:16.160 Randy from four to eighteen years old, taught me everything I know about the 92 00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:20.079 game of baseball. It's become my true love on this earth. Besides my 93 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:24.319 family, is the game of baseball and the people who play it. And 94 00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:26.519 my dad taught me that from a very young age. I'm going to need 95 00:08:26.519 --> 00:08:30.040 these all day, I think, as you get to know me, this 96 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:33.120 is not abnormal. I'd like to thank my brother Danny for being a great 97 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:37.679 example of a leader, an older brother, a husband, and a father, 98 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:41.039 and thank him for that. And I'd like to thank my family, 99 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:45.840 my three kids, Peyton, Clark admit it, and my beautiful wife Alissa. 100 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:50.120 You four have put up with way too much, Dad being gone, 101 00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:56.159 way too much traveling, way too many moves and here comes another one. 102 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:00.919 But thank you, Alyssa. You are a rock. You are my best 103 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:05.200 friend and my biggest support system and will continue to be. I'd just like 104 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:11.759 to say that joining the Guardian's Organization is such a privilege for my family and 105 00:09:11.799 --> 00:09:18.600 me. The gnarly hours that they put me through through this interview process allowed 106 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:22.159 me a look into this organization and the great people that are a part of 107 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:26.720 it, and I couldn't be more honored to be joining that and hopefully moving 108 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:31.799 that forward in that direction. My goal is to have every single person who 109 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:35.360 puts on a Cleveland Guardian uniform from the Dominican League all the way up through 110 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:39.519 the big leagues knows exactly what it means to be a Cleveland Guardian. That's 111 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:43.960 my goal, and I have going to have a wonderful staff and support group 112 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:46.919 around me in order to do that. I couldn't be more thrilled to be 113 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:50.679 here, and I'm excited to get to know all of you better as we 114 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:56.200 as we move forward throughout the years. Stephen tom Winer's Associated Press, Welcome 115 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:58.120 to town. I wanted to ask you about living in a van down by 116 00:09:58.120 --> 00:10:01.360 the river, but we could do another time. Hey, you've kind of 117 00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:07.120 taken this speed pass to be a manager. Obviously the Guardians think you're ready. 118 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:13.000 Why do you think you're ready? Yeah, besides eating a steady dueted 119 00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:16.320 government cheese. No, it's a fan down by the river reference by the 120 00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:22.399 way. I feel like I've been planning for this for a long time. 121 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.639 I've been working towards this for a long time, and it started back in 122 00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:28.240 two thousand and nine when I was with the Tampa Bay Rays as a minor 123 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:31.919 leaguer and unfortunately had a shoulder injury early in the year and sat down with 124 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:37.039 my manager Jim Morrison, Mitch Lukavics, and Jimmy Hoff, the kind of 125 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:39.240 the leadership group at that time, and asked them for the opportunity to be 126 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:43.039 in the dugout with the team on the on the home games and really dove 127 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:46.320 into learning how to become a coach. You know, I was twenty four 128 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:50.120 in Hi a figured you know, another another guy that got hurt and high 129 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:54.080 a and probably get ready to coach, and really dove into that side of 130 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:58.159 the game and started to learn, you know, some intricks to season coaching, 131 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:03.440 and it really started to get me excited about that opportunity and gave me 132 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:07.639 a different lens and perspective as my playing career moved on, and it really 133 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:09.759 started then and there. And obviously learned so much along the way, played 134 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:16.639 for a ton of unbelievable managers, coaches and just asked questions and paid attention 135 00:11:16.720 --> 00:11:20.440 to games in a different way than I think a lot of players did. 136 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:24.519 And a lot of people provided me insights along the way that really aided that. 137 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:28.600 And I think I've really been preparing for this since two thousand and nine. 138 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:33.360 Zach Meisel the athletic Steve just you kind of touched on it. But 139 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:37.279 the managers you played for during your career, anything you can point to specifically 140 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:41.960 from any of them that you know you broke down in twenty eighteen with the 141 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:46.360 Brewers or something like that that you wanted to remember one day when you were 142 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:50.320 in this chair. Yeah, I mean, I've got a couple of notebooks 143 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:54.639 full. But you know, one of the things that really stuck out to 144 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:58.519 me was Bob Melvin with the A's and my time with him and the way 145 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:05.279 he commune unicated with players, and the way he kept his emotions in check 146 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:07.559 at all times. He knew when to talk to you, he knew when 147 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:09.879 to leave you alone, and when I would ask him about it, he 148 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:13.039 said, it's all about knowing your people. It's all about knowing their personalities, 149 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:18.799 their learning styles, their listening skills, their abilities, and allowing them 150 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:22.440 to be themself. And when I heard Bob tell me that been able to 151 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:26.159 pay attention to my teammates, pay attention to the coaches in the way everyone 152 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:31.399 was interacting, that one message from Bob about knowing your people really stuck with 153 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:37.600 me. A Stephen congratulations, john'sable Fox eight here in Cleveland. What made 154 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:41.759 this organization so attracted to you early in the process and how much did you 155 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:46.120 know about how they were operated from Afar as a player and then last year 156 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:50.360 as a coach in Seattle. Well, last year in Seattle, you know 157 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:54.600 what, I would hear a lot of comparisons between the two organizations, and 158 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:58.000 there are a little a lot of similarities, but I didn't know a whole 159 00:12:58.039 --> 00:13:01.600 lot about the guardians Oration, to be honest. But again, the process 160 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:07.759 of the interview and the forty hours of interviews and zooms and numerous phone calls 161 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:11.080 and things like that. But honestly, the first day of the process of 162 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:16.320 the interview gave me a great insight into the inner workings of the organization, 163 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:20.960 but more importantly the people that are here and top to bottom. The first 164 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:24.480 thing every single person that I spoke to in the interview process mentioned was their 165 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:28.799 family, and that told Alyssa and I everything we needed to hear that this 166 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:33.000 is a family first, family oriented group that just wants to go out and 167 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:37.000 win a bunch of baseball games. And learning that through the interview process, 168 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:41.200 there was no doubt in my mind. I think I mentioned to my wife 169 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:43.759 after I got off that first day of interviews and I said, I want 170 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:46.320 to be there, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart, 171 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:48.600 and it's still true, and I again couldn't be more proud to be here. 172 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:54.960 Terry Putt Cleveland playing dealer, Steve, did you talk to Terry Frank 173 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:58.440 Colin at all about Cleveland or anything? I did? Yeah. I was 174 00:13:58.480 --> 00:14:03.440 able to talk to Tito a couple of times throughout the process and have spoken 175 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:07.320 with him already since getting the job. And you know, I knew Tito 176 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:09.000 a little bit from playing against him from across the way, and you know, 177 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:13.240 you hear all the stories. But Tito has made it very clear to 178 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:16.679 me that he wants to allow me to do this, but also he wants 179 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:18.600 to be a resource for me. Anytime that I feel like he's there, 180 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:22.360 and he's already been. It's just so much fun to talk to him and 181 00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:28.840 so insightful, and he's such a special person. So I'm very thankful for 182 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:33.840 Tito. Did he give you any couple of reasons why what type of job 183 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:37.240 this is? And you know that kind of thing, which just what it 184 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:39.679 would be like, said, guess what I'm saying. A couple of things 185 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:45.120 have stuck with you that maybe he said about Cleveland again, he couldn't say 186 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:48.440 enough great things about the people. And at the end of the day, 187 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:50.559 for me and for all of us, I think we're aligned on this is 188 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:54.399 that this is a people business. Yes it's about winning baseball games, and 189 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:58.559 yes it's about going out and competing, but it's all about the people that 190 00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:03.600 are doing it. And Tito was right and aligned with that, and everything 191 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:07.759 he said just confirmed everything that I had been seeing, believing, hearing, 192 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:11.399 and it really made me feel at easy that this is the place where I 193 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:13.519 want to come. All right, one last question to let you go. 194 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:16.240 But you you know it's a small market budget, small market team, that 195 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:22.159 kind of thing. Your feelings about that managing and that situation. Yeah, 196 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:24.440 I mean, and I think Chris can maybe speak a little more on this, 197 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:28.559 But I've had the experience of playing in Tampa Bay, Oakland, Milwaukee. 198 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:31.440 You know some places that you know, not the same but similar, 199 00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:37.080 And I've experienced playing on those teams. I've won with those teams, and 200 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:39.759 I know what it takes to work with a group that we have, and 201 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:43.080 I'm really excited about the group that we have, and I do have a 202 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:52.759 lot of experience in this type of environment. Jason Lloyd of The Athletic Steve 203 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.639 All, you guys have joked a little bit about the interview process, So 204 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:58.639 what was it like? How many interviews was it? Total time spent on 205 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:03.679 it? Well, I'm not sure we have enough time to cover that, 206 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:08.559 but you know, honestly, it was. It was. It was a 207 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:11.399 long process, and I don't mean long in a negative way. It was 208 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:15.559 a thorough process. And I would say we probably ended up twenty two to 209 00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:19.919 twenty three hours in total, whether in person or via zoom or phone call, 210 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:25.440 and I'd probably take the over on that number. But at the end 211 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:30.240 of it, I felt like through the first two sessions, they knew who 212 00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:33.200 I was, and I knew who who I was going to get to join 213 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:36.720 if I did get the job. And I'm thankful for the thorough process. 214 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:41.039 I'm thankful that the due diligence happened because it confirms that they feel like they 215 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:44.799 found the right person, and it confirmed for me that I know I found 216 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:48.879 the right place and for Chris or Mike. It's been quite a while since 217 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:52.799 you guys have had to do this, and the game has changed so drastically 218 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:56.720 in that time on the field. Did it change at all which you were 219 00:16:56.759 --> 00:17:00.639 seeking in a manager this time around, just because the game seems to be 220 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:06.599 played differently than it was ten eleven years ago. Well, I think, 221 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:11.640 first and foremot first and foremost, what we were seeking to do with the 222 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:15.559 interview process was the same, and that is really to try to find the 223 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:18.720 best leader for our organization, but also to have that person get to know 224 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:22.640 us as well as possible. So we took that same approach with Tito as 225 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:26.759 we did with Steven. Now, the process itself evolved a little bit because, 226 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:30.519 as you said, it's a lot more complicated. I think, as 227 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:33.720 Mike mentioned, we had over fifty people from our organization that were involved in 228 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:37.880 getting to know Steven and also tried to give him some insight into how we 229 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:41.480 operated. So hopefully, by the end of that process, as Stephen said, 230 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:45.400 he got a chance to know us really well, and we felt we 231 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:48.880 got a chance to know him really well as well. That's just some of 232 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:55.160 the press conference on Friday in which Stephen Vote was introduced as the new manager 233 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:57.720 for the Cleveland Guardians. When we come back, we'll go one on one 234 00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:08.960 with the new Skipper. Next the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. Buckle up, 235 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:37.039 folks, Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhause back with you from 236 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:44.039 Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. And yesterday Friday, Stephen Vote introduced as the 237 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:47.640 new manager for the Cleveland Guardians and we had a chance to go one on 238 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:52.880 one with him after the press conference and just a quick snippet on the bio 239 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:57.000 for Vote. He had a ten year major league career. He was a 240 00:18:57.000 --> 00:19:00.519 two time All Star, but all so, there were several times where he 241 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:04.880 was just battling to make a ball club and that may come into play big 242 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:10.319 time here. He was a member of the twenty twenty one World champion Atlanta 243 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:15.920 Braves, originally selected by the Tampa Bay Rays back in two thousand and seven 244 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:21.440 and ended up with a sixteen year professional playing career that was completed in the 245 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:25.720 twenty twenty two season with Oakland, the team that he spent the most time 246 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:30.160 with in the major leagues and will reference his last day as a player in 247 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:36.359 the major leagues. The last game he played that was with Oakland in September 248 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:41.079 of twenty twenty two, and in his last at bat with his kids on 249 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:47.319 the public address announced system at the Oakland Coliseum. They introduced him for his 250 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:51.519 last at bat. That was emotional enough and then he hit a home run 251 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:55.440 and what a way to go out, and he'll talk about that, and 252 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:59.319 that was it in terms of a playing career. Last year part of the 253 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:03.799 staff, quality control and some bullpen activity for the Seattle Mariners, his first 254 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:08.359 year as a coach and now manager of the Cleveland Guardians. And when we 255 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:11.680 caught up with him yesterday, we asked him how that sounds. That sounds 256 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:17.880 awesome. Still doesn't really seem real, but it's becoming more and more real 257 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:22.960 as each moment goes by, and it sounds amazing. You look at managing 258 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:26.839 a major league baseball team, You're not that far removed from your playing career. 259 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:30.480 I'm not sure how far back it goes the dream to be able to 260 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:33.359 do this, But do you feel like it came more quickly than you could 261 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:37.680 have expected just based on one year coaching in the major leagues? Yeah? 262 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:40.720 I mean, I don't think you're ever prepared for when it's going to happen. 263 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:42.200 I think that's the beauty of it is you never know when. You 264 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:47.200 just always stay ready and I knew right when I finished playing, I knew 265 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.759 that this is where I wanted to get to. I just wasn't sure what 266 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:52.680 the path would look like or anything like that. You don't know until you 267 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:56.400 go through it. But to be given this opportunity by the Guardians was a 268 00:20:56.880 --> 00:21:00.200 dream come true. And as we went through the interview process, and as 269 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:03.400 we kept getting to different stages, it just started to feel like it could 270 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:07.200 could could become a reality more and more. And now that we're here, 271 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:11.880 it's it's pretty surreal. I remember Terry Francona said it when he was playing, 272 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:15.039 the last thing he thought about was what he would be doing down the 273 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:18.680 road, because he was focused on playing. But it sounds like maybe the 274 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:22.039 seeds of coaching or managing were planned a little bit earlier for you. And 275 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:26.799 can you explain when that really first started to kick in for you as a 276 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:29.559 player. Yeah, it started back in two thousand and nine as a minor 277 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:32.279 league player when I missed a year to injury. And it allowed me to 278 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:34.279 watch the game through a different lens, and it made me a better player 279 00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:37.599 because I got some perspective on what it's like to be a coach, you 280 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:41.079 know, I wasn't necessarily a typical coach because I was still a peer of 281 00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:45.240 the players, but it allowed me to remove my emotions from playing the game, 282 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:48.079 and it really, like I said, I saw the game through a 283 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:52.480 different lens and it really helped my playing career moving forward. And yes, 284 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:55.880 I was one hundred percent focused on being a player, but I also learned 285 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:57.400 how to kind of be a little hybrid where I could watch the game through 286 00:21:57.440 --> 00:22:00.519 a different lens, and it helped me be a better player. It helped 287 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:03.440 me get out in front of situations behind the plate. It helped me at 288 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:06.519 the plate with knowing what's the pitcher been doing all game. It helped me 289 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:10.880 watch the game differently and learn the game differently as I went along. When 290 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:17.480 you look at and making that transition, rarely do players get to to walk 291 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:22.319 off in a great way, and you literally got to do that with Oakland. 292 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:26.759 Can you imagine what would be equal that your first game as a major 293 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:30.400 league manager. No, I don't think anything will ever top that final game 294 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:34.119 as a player. I really don't. It was you know, not very 295 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:38.240 many people get to choose when their career ends, and you know, mine 296 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:41.799 was probably coming into an end. Whether I chose to or not. But 297 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:45.400 getting to go out on your terms is something that I'll never take for granted, 298 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:49.000 and it's something that I worked hard for. And the Oakland A's provided 299 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:53.119 that opportunity for me, and the sendoff that that organization gave me was something 300 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:56.960 that was truly, truly remarkable for my family and me. And I'll never 301 00:22:57.000 --> 00:23:00.759 forget it, good or bad that the Guardians open in Oakland next spring. 302 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:03.200 I think it's great I get to go back home. You know, it's 303 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:07.960 always going to be a part of me is Oakland and getting to see the 304 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:11.720 people that I care about so deeply in my first game managing and getting to 305 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:15.279 do it in front of my friends and family back in California, and hopefully 306 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:19.079 getting my first couple wins in Oakland as well, in our first couple wins 307 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:22.720 of the season. Is You couldn't draw it up any better. It just 308 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:26.319 seems like these things just continue to happen, which I'm a firm believer, 309 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:30.960 and nothing happens by chance, and you earn everything, and I definitely, 310 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:36.079 going through this rigorous process, feel like they allowed me to earn this opportunity. 311 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:40.519 And you mentioned that they chose you, but did you have to choose 312 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:44.400 Cleveland in terms of other opportunities, maybe thinking about different things. What made 313 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:48.400 the Guardians the place for you as well? In addition to them wanting you, 314 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:51.680 Yeah, the people you know right away. When I first started the 315 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:55.200 interview process and getting to know Chris, Mike and Matt and then meeting the 316 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:59.279 other dozens of people that I met on that first day via zoom, the 317 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:03.559 recurring theme was people. These are amazing, family oriented people that deeply care 318 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:07.880 about the players, because at the end of the day, everything we do 319 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:11.519 is for the twenty six players that go out every single night. They're the 320 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:14.400 ones that are playing, They're the ones that are fighting for their careers. 321 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:18.240 They're the ones that determine whether we win to lose that night, and it's 322 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:21.799 our job to put them in the best positions possible. And this group and 323 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:25.480 these and the people here in Cleveland deeply, deeply care about each person that 324 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:27.839 puts on a Guardian's uniform every night. How much do you know about Cleveland 325 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:30.799 as far as it may relate to your family and things like that. You 326 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:33.359 know, I don't know much. You know, I've been here a lot 327 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:37.920 for three days since, but really haven't left downtown much. But everything we 328 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:41.079 hear about this area it fits us. You know, we're We're a small 329 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:45.079 town family, hard working family, blue collar. It's just who we are. 330 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:49.480 And you know, I've been fortunate to work for seven wonderful organizations before 331 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:53.799 this one, and We've fallen in love with every single city that we've played 332 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:57.039 in or worked in, and I don't think Cleveland's going to be any different 333 00:24:57.079 --> 00:25:02.279 for us. We love it. People here have been so welcoming and we 334 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:06.119 just couldn't be more excited to get a new chapter of life started. You're 335 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:10.319 about twenty minutes out of your first official act as manager of the Guardians How 336 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.440 to Go? You think? I feel like I did pretty well. You 337 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:15.440 know. I was able to show them my personality a little bit and didn't 338 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:18.000 fumble my words too bad. But you know, that's the first of many, 339 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:22.960 I understand. But I'm ready for this, and Chris, Mike and 340 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:27.960 Matt and the entire organization solidified my belief in that by giving me this opportunity 341 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:34.160 and going through that process has really showed me that nothing happens by chance, 342 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:40.680 and I had to do it, and I'm so thankful that they're allowing me 343 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:42.960 this opportunity, best of luck, Thank you for the time. Thank you. 344 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:48.599 It's the new manager of the Cleveland Guardians, Steven Vote and one of 345 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:52.720 many. And what we learned yesterday about fifty different people were a part of 346 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:57.440 the process in terms of hiring a new manager for the Guardians, including General 347 00:25:57.480 --> 00:26:04.079 manager Mike Chernoff, who spoke about just how extensive the process was to get 348 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:08.400 to this point, exhaustive and exhausting. I think, you know, it's 349 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:12.039 a long six weeks. I think this was a very different process than the 350 00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:15.559 last one eleven years ago, right when Tito was involved. Last time, 351 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:19.279 he had a Hall of Fame resume already when he came on board, and 352 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:23.119 so it was a different and much quicker process as we sort of vetted him 353 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:26.720 and interviewed a couple of other candidates, but in the end knew pretty clearly 354 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:30.960 he was the right guy. This time around, we cast a much wider 355 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:34.799 net. We had probably nearly fifty names that we were looking at and kind 356 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:38.960 of narrowed that pool. But the process of narrowing that pool to the you 357 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:44.839 know, handful or plus that we ended up bringing in was through hundreds of 358 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:48.319 reference calls probably that we had to make and to make those determinations. So 359 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:52.400 yeah, it was a stressful six or eight week period here, but we 360 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:56.519 couldn't be more happy than we are with Steven and the ability to bring Stephen 361 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:59.920 in here. What made him stand out so much to eventually get the job. 362 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:03.720 I think there were a few things that really stood out with him. 363 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:07.759 One, he's the ultimate teammate. I mean, we just got back from 364 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:12.400 everybody that he had played with or coached with that he is just a self 365 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:18.000 absolutely selfless teammate who cares about all the people around him. He's an incredible 366 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:22.279 connector, He brings people together, builds great relationships, and he sees the 367 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:25.319 game really well. I mean, I know he hasn't coached for very long, 368 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:29.359 but as a player, he was thinking through the lens of a manager 369 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:32.759 for much of his career, and I know he'll rely on our veteran staff 370 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:34.279 a lot to help him. But he also sees the game really well and 371 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:40.720 brings some unique perspective to us that Chris and Matt and I feel like we 372 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:45.559 really could use organizationally. So you kind of alluded to experience and how you 373 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:52.039 may be able to overcome lack of managerial experience when you talk about experience for 374 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:56.160 a manager, where can that come in to play and how can he maybe 375 00:27:56.240 --> 00:28:00.359 overbridge that gap a little bit. Yeah, the manager job, what you 376 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:04.319 watch on TV that's so visible is managing the two and a half hours of 377 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:07.000 the game, right, And so it feels like that's so much of what 378 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:10.680 the job is. Of course, that's where the wins and losses are, 379 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:14.279 so I don't want to minimize that. But most of the job for a 380 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:17.720 manager is actually in the clubhouse beforehand, or in spring training, or in 381 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:21.680 the calls and texts that they're having with players, or connecting with front office 382 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:23.160 or whoever it is over the course of a day, in the course of 383 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:27.640 a season, and Stephen had a lot of those experiences as a player. 384 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:32.400 He was known as a real clubhouse connector and culture builder in the clubhouse. 385 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:36.160 In his year of coaching, he was connecting with the R and D staff 386 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:40.400 in Seattle and really trying to like open up his perspective on the game. 387 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:44.319 So I think Stephen has a lot of the experiences that will serve him really 388 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:47.400 well. He'll just have to get the reps of actually managing games under his 389 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:49.920 belt. So what's next for the new manager? And the front office. 390 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:53.240 Now, well, now we turn to the work of our ball club, 391 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:57.680 and you know, we're we obviously had a bit of a disappointing year this 392 00:28:57.759 --> 00:29:02.319 year, but still have a really young team and guy, a lot of 393 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:06.960 guys are working hard this offseason to try to improve their games. So Steven 394 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:10.480 has started connecting with our coaching staff and with some of those players on those 395 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:14.559 player plans. And then obviously we'll focus on trades and free agency and all 396 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:19.759 the offseason things that go on around building our team. So we'll kind of 397 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:23.039 shift to that once we get through the coaching staff over the next few days. 398 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:26.440 Mike, thanks for the time. You're welcome. Rizzi. That's Mike 399 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:32.759 turn Off and his staff again. Chris Antonetti at the top of the baseball 400 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:37.559 operation staff as the president of Baseball Operations and the journey always great with his 401 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:41.319 time for us explaining the processes. And next week or the week after, 402 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:44.880 we're going to try and catch up with Matt Foreman, the assistant general manager 403 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:48.680 who led the process and maybe take a deeper dive into how they go about 404 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:52.759 it and arrived at the spot of having Steven Vote as the manager for this 405 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:57.039 ball club. There was a new coach announced yesterday. It's Craig Albernas, 406 00:29:57.079 --> 00:30:00.160 who's going to be the major league field coordinate for this ball club. We'll 407 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:04.920 explain what that means and his background as well as we visit with him next 408 00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:12.880 the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio network score, pass out of bounds. Those are 409 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:17.599 sports words. Some people hear any sports word and they can't help but listen, 410 00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:21.519 like drive drive is another sports word, and drivers who switch and save 411 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:25.720 with Progressive could save hundreds. You might say those savings are on par with 412 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:27.960 the best in the league. You see, parr is also a sports word, 413 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:32.000 So I know you're still listening. And that's called covering our bases. 414 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:34.400 Okay, I'm done now, but I'm serious about drivers saving big with Progressive. 415 00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:37.880 Now, I'm really done. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and in affiliates. 416 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:52.880 Potential savings will vary. Welcome back to the Guardians Weekly, Jim Rosenhause. 417 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:57.480 Back with you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. And the Guardians have not 418 00:30:57.599 --> 00:31:03.119 made any official and now on their coaching staff. We do know that third 419 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:07.000 base coach Mike Sarbaugh will not return. We also know that Rego Beltron the 420 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:12.160 bullpen coach also will not return, and Mike Barnett, the video replay review 421 00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:17.839 coordinator, will not return as well, So there are three spots opened on 422 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:23.279 the staff if everyone else returns, and they all have. The remaining coaches 423 00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:29.039 have talked to the ball club about that and some are still in that decision 424 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:33.440 process, so the Guardians did not make an announcement yesterday at least. But 425 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:37.440 one of the new coaches is Craig Albernez, who's the Major League field coordinator. 426 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:41.960 He had spent four seasons as the bullpen coach with the San Francisco Giants. 427 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:45.960 He has a background as a player a catcher in the Tampa Bay Rays 428 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:51.039 system as well as being in their player development system, so a lot going 429 00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:56.440 on. And also he was one of the people who interviewed for the managerial 430 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:59.839 position. He was one of the candidates who got down to the last four 431 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:02.200 or five and had some on site interviews, and now he will be a 432 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:07.720 part of Steven Vote's staff. They have a long track record of being teammates 433 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:13.079 when they played and also coaches together at certain points in time, so their 434 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:16.200 paths have crossed quite a bit throughout their playing and coaching careers. We had 435 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:22.319 a chance to visit with Craig Albernas yesterday and asked him what in the world 436 00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:25.079 what does major League field coordinator mean? And he breaks it down for us 437 00:32:25.119 --> 00:32:30.680 at certainly a spot that has developed for a lot of teams and now for 438 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:34.480 this team here, the Cleveland Guardians. Yeah, a few teams had this 439 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:37.160 title. It's just more of a holistic view of the team, helping out 440 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:40.559 when I can, you know, being a conduit with the front office and 441 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:45.599 the analysts, and then also helping out the other coaches whether they see whatether 442 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:47.680 they need any assistance on, whether it be the you know, game plan, 443 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:53.240 integration in game decisions with voting and hale or you know, or talking 444 00:32:53.279 --> 00:33:00.599 through some some post AARs like reviews of the game and also player development as 445 00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:05.079 well. So there's pretty much an all encompass ing role. We know about 446 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:07.279 what I'm here for Steven, the organizations whoever they Indeed, I'm going to 447 00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:10.759 be there for him. And you joined this organization after four years in San 448 00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:16.039 Francisco with the Giants on field role. How did that prepare you for what 449 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:20.880 you're doing now? When when you were working as as a bullpen coach and 450 00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:23.799 also on field coach. Yeah, I mean just being around you know, 451 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:27.640 Gabe Kapler give me the opportunity to be in San Francisco, and you know, 452 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:30.319 he threw a lot at me both in the in the bullpen as a 453 00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:32.839 bullpen coach, you know, and then doing the catching work as well. 454 00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:37.319 And you know, had a great opportunity to be in the dugout for it'll 455 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:38.960 pass year and a half with Kap you know, as a quasi run prevention 456 00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:43.359 coordinator. So I got exposed to a lot of different things, whether it 457 00:33:43.400 --> 00:33:45.880 be you know, in game decision like I said, game planning and having 458 00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:50.079 a great viewpoint of what the organization is trying to do in your initiatives. 459 00:33:50.359 --> 00:33:53.440 So integrating that with how it goes on field is going to be you know, 460 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:58.599 one of my you know, real responsibilities for Steven in the organization to 461 00:33:58.599 --> 00:34:00.640 making sure that we're all aligned and what we're trying to do on the field 462 00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:05.200 and that that it reflects with the front office and and what the product we're 463 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:07.840 trying to give the fans. We don't see the Giants much being an interleague 464 00:34:07.840 --> 00:34:14.920 opponent a little born now with the yearly visit, but similarities in the organizations 465 00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:17.480 that that you see. Are there real differences there? Yeah? I think 466 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:22.199 the similarities is, you know, when I left the Giants, you know 467 00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:23.880 last year, you saw to see the influx of young talent coming up, 468 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:28.679 whether it be you know, Patrick Bailey, Kyle Harrison, Luis Mato's case, 469 00:34:28.679 --> 00:34:30.719 you SPI goes on and and here is very similar with the amount of 470 00:34:30.719 --> 00:34:35.760 young talent that's here and the exciting talent that that's here to play. And 471 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:37.760 then also you kind of get to look at you know how you know, 472 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:43.119 especially Cap and you know with far Han and you know before before Pete Mattillio 473 00:34:43.239 --> 00:34:45.800 was you know, Scott Harris as a GM and how they value the culture 474 00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:49.400 and the people. And that's something here that they really value the coachure and 475 00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:52.119 the pupil and that's something that really really kind of you know, gravitated me 476 00:34:52.239 --> 00:34:55.400 towards this position and to be with Steven and Chris and Mike and the rest 477 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:59.599 of the group. And and that's something with the similarities are are here, 478 00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:01.280 and that's something where we're gonna double down on to really move the needle. 479 00:35:01.800 --> 00:35:06.239 And I know your past crossed with Steven vote early, very early in your 480 00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:09.159 career. Can you explain that how far back was that going. Yeah, 481 00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:13.880 I mean our passed grow back to grinding in the you know, in the 482 00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:16.199 trenches in the bullpen, and my league spring training with the Rays back in 483 00:35:16.239 --> 00:35:21.079 two thousand and eight was our first time together, you know, and then 484 00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:23.840 you've had an opportunity to kind of kind of learn and grow together both as 485 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:27.320 you know, players and then as friends. You know, became really good 486 00:35:27.320 --> 00:35:30.239 friends throughout over the years. And you know, I lean on him a 487 00:35:30.239 --> 00:35:32.320 lot, he leaned on me a lot. It was a great conversation. 488 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:37.800 And so when when this transpired and you know, he got brought into to 489 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:40.480 interview and you know, and and got the job, and he reached out 490 00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:44.280 to me in the organization and it was to me it was a slam dunk. 491 00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:46.280 And just to be with voting and the person he is and what he 492 00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:51.199 brings to the table, the passion, the knowledge, it's really gonna really 493 00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:55.079 energize this, you know, team and also the city as well. Great 494 00:35:55.199 --> 00:36:00.599 Alberts, who's the new Major League field coordinator for the Guardians. To sorry 495 00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:05.079 off the field, fans may be able to notice, you don't have a 496 00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:07.199 West Coast accent. What is this? What does this mean moving here. 497 00:36:07.639 --> 00:36:10.320 Tell us about your background, where you're from, and why this is a 498 00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:13.480 nice move for you and your family. Yeah, I think the first thing 499 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:16.400 I apologize anyone that does don'tunderstand me, probably some subtitles here or translator. 500 00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:20.599 You know, I got that Massachusetts accident and it's real and it's thick. 501 00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:24.199 But yeah, I know we we live thirty minutes north of Philadelphia, so 502 00:36:24.719 --> 00:36:27.960 it's definitely a lot close to I know, I believe it's just under a 503 00:36:27.960 --> 00:36:30.760 six hour drive and our flight. So for me, it's geographical or works 504 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:36.199 outstanding for us and my family and that dynamic. But you know, we 505 00:36:36.199 --> 00:36:38.519 we feel the roots and you know, we understand, like you know how 506 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:43.760 the baseball life and you know, the city here like really gravitates the audience. 507 00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:46.519 And you know, me and Vote and especially Vote is very anxious to 508 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:51.360 kind of get this ball going and and get the ascitement and win games here 509 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:54.320 because we know how specialist place is and will be. Greig nice to Mestia, 510 00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:58.280 Thanks for the time, Thank you appreciate it, and let's let's go 511 00:36:58.320 --> 00:37:01.199 Guardians. That's it's a new major League field coordinator. In addition to the 512 00:37:01.239 --> 00:37:08.000 coaching staff, Craig Albernez joining us yesterday Friday at the press conference for new 513 00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:13.519 manager Stephen Vote. That's going to do it for this week's edition of Guardians 514 00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:15.920 Weekly. As always, thanks so much to Brian Motsee for helping to put 515 00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:20.679 together our show each week. We'll join you again next week. Until then, 516 00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:24.760 this is Jim Rosenhause reminding you that you've been listening to Guardians Weekly on 517 00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:38.920 the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by 518 00:37:39.320 --> 00:37:44.599 Progressive helping Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance