WEBVTT 1 00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:16.359 Get some facts and come back and Seebee. Get some facts and come back 2 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:20.640 and Seebee. Don't pull out salaries or other things. Get some facts and 3 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:24.960 come back and Seebee. You can't handle the true now told our players you 4 00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:27.760 need a bit more like a dog. We don't need a bunch of cats 5 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:31.359 in here. Looking in the mirror, I look good. I got my 6 00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:35.280 extra bands on, I got my other shoes. Be a doll. We 7 00:00:35.320 --> 00:00:38.920 don't need no meals. We don't need no cats. We need more dolls. 8 00:00:39.240 --> 00:00:44.280 Were not a detain Oh you're not that detained. We weren't good. 9 00:00:44.280 --> 00:00:46.719 There's no sense of asking me things about the game. I'm telling you. 10 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:49.079 We laid an egg. So I'm not gonna break it down for you. 11 00:00:49.399 --> 00:00:54.159 He sucks. He sucked. He laid an egg. That's all I have 12 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:56.399 to say. Guys, I'm sorry. I'm not gonna break it down for 13 00:00:56.479 --> 00:00:59.479 you. Nothing went well for us. It's on us. We have to 14 00:00:59.479 --> 00:01:07.280 figure it out. Emily went ahow final hour of the program and excited to 15 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:10.680 have Jim Leeland. At the bottom of the hour at eight thirty five, 16 00:01:10.840 --> 00:01:17.920 we will talk with the skipper and the acknowledgment of number ten being put up 17 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:21.000 on the wall at Comerica Park, where is some of the greatest who ever 18 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:26.159 played for the Tigers. He had a great line yesterday he said about when 19 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:32.000 he was originally brought into the Tigers organization as a player, but never made 20 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:38.840 it to the Tigers till until two thousand and six. And now he's having 21 00:01:38.840 --> 00:01:44.400 his number retired. It's got to be a humbling experience for him, but 22 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:49.920 also just the love affair fans have with him. So we'll talk to him 23 00:01:49.959 --> 00:01:53.519 about that and a whole lot more coming up at eight thirty five. He's 24 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:57.719 a good man. He's probably the best joke teller I've ever heard. I 25 00:01:57.719 --> 00:02:01.000 miss his company at Comerica Park and on on the road as well, and 26 00:02:01.879 --> 00:02:07.439 I missed our golf games in Lakeland. Very fortunate to to create a friendship 27 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:12.520 with Jim Leland, and I'm excited to have him on at eight thirty five 28 00:02:13.080 --> 00:02:15.879 here on Exus and Bros. Ben is our producer. Sometimes he gets a 29 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:19.039 little lonely, so join him on the Meyer hotline eight six six eight three 30 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:23.000 eight forty eight forty three. You can also text us text us at Sports 31 00:02:23.080 --> 00:02:25.560 Radio to twenty one thousand. Ben'll read those texts and we'll get your thoughts, 32 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:30.240 and we'll have some comments of our own. I know we've got somebody 33 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:32.840 on the line, Ben, who's called into the Meyer hotline here on a 34 00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:37.560 Wednesday morning. Yeah, we got Freddy on the line. Freddy, how 35 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:40.599 are you my friend? Good morning, the chef, good morning. One 36 00:02:40.639 --> 00:02:46.039 of those guys that asked, I'm one of those guys that absolutely loves Jim 37 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:53.039 Leland and definitely miss him, miss him and into dugouts and just it's just 38 00:02:53.639 --> 00:02:57.199 it's just too much to say. And you know, kind of you know, 39 00:02:57.400 --> 00:03:00.199 kind of ironic now on a kind of on the sad note, the 40 00:03:00.280 --> 00:03:05.039 year he makes the Hall of Fame, he was part of one of those 41 00:03:05.520 --> 00:03:07.039 one of those big moves in the playoffs, because this is kind of the 42 00:03:07.039 --> 00:03:12.919 point of my phone call, was he brought up a kid from the miners 43 00:03:12.919 --> 00:03:16.400 in the playoffs, kid named Tim Wakefield in a big moment. I believe 44 00:03:16.400 --> 00:03:21.400 he pitched Game one. And the year this Jim Lina makes the Hall of 45 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:23.680 Fame, Tim Wakefield passes away. Just kind of ironic. I know it's 46 00:03:23.719 --> 00:03:28.080 a sad I know it's a sad moment. But I know you remember that, 47 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:30.400 I know you remember that when they called him up and and uh, 48 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:36.240 just knuckleballer coming up and pitching in a game one of a playoff series, 49 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:39.599 a big, big series, I believe versus Atlanta just incredible, just just 50 00:03:39.800 --> 00:03:45.439 you know, I mean, Major League Baseball playoffs are just absolutely incredible. 51 00:03:45.479 --> 00:03:51.400 And that was a big, big moment. But I have a couple of 52 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:53.120 comments about the Tigers. I you know, a couple of comments that you 53 00:03:53.159 --> 00:03:57.520 were talking about this morning. First of all, you were talking about the 54 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:01.439 kid that refused the ring. First, Nick immediately thought of, yes, 55 00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:05.319 the first kid. The first guy I thought about was, imagine if Rick 56 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:09.800 Mahorn, Remember when Rick Mahorn won the championship in eighty nine and then the 57 00:04:10.159 --> 00:04:14.319 Timberwolves picked him up. Yeah, and during the parade, I believe in 58 00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:18.319 he took his ring. He didn't say nothing, So that that came to 59 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:23.519 mind. And then uh, dual running back, this guy came to mind 60 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:27.360 for me. Shop is work done to have a bay in Atlanta? Great 61 00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:33.120 running back? Good ones? Right yeah. Yeah. So but on the 62 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:36.639 Tigers, you know, I heard the callers say, hey, if you 63 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:41.000 get if you get to that playoffs, I don't know, I don't know 64 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:44.680 what he said. You don't may not have a chance or something. Listen, 65 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:47.319 pitching wins in the playoffs. I mean, we just talked about Wakefield 66 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:50.680 bringing him up with you know, he the moment he had, Jeff. 67 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:53.800 I mean, we can go back Jack Morris, and we'll go back to 68 00:04:53.800 --> 00:04:58.279 a lot of examples, but pitching wins in the playoffs. And if this 69 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:00.319 pitching stands for real and we get to the playoffs, it's because they're for 70 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:04.519 real. I wouldn't want to face I wouldn't want to face School Bowl rees 71 00:05:04.639 --> 00:05:11.040 and uh Flaherty and whoever whoever's hot at that time. And how do we 72 00:05:11.079 --> 00:05:15.480 not know a guy like Jackson Joe doesn't get called up late in the season 73 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:18.360 if he's having a great year and he's that guy. I remember in two 74 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:23.800 thousand and two for the California Angels, I believe they were California Angels at 75 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:27.000 the time, they brought up a kid number fifty seven. His name excase 76 00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:29.879 me. He close for the Tigers. I can't think of his name right 77 00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:32.680 now, but he was absolutely incredible in those playoffs in the World Series. 78 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:40.959 He won them that World Series. Yeah, in two thousand and two, 79 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:46.480 they called him up late in the season and he was their guy that won 80 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:47.720 in that World Series. I mean, he wasn't the only guy, but 81 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:51.399 he was. He was huge for them in the in the bullpen. So 82 00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:57.439 I wouldn't If the Tigers can get there, they have the pitching to win 83 00:05:57.480 --> 00:06:01.920 a playoff series. They really do, so I would. I wouldn't count 84 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:04.560 them all if they got there, and there's no way I wouldn't do it. 85 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:06.959 So that's kind of what I thought about when I heard the phone call. 86 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:10.680 I'm like, no, man, if they if they got the pitching 87 00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:13.639 here, I think they can do in the playoffs. It's a good call. 88 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:15.079 Touchdown a lot of really good things. Is always thanks Freddy, have 89 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:17.399 a great day. They were known as Anaheim back then, not not not 90 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:24.800 California. But who cares? That's splitting hairs. Yes they I do. 91 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:29.319 That's why I said, I said school ball Flaherty Olsen, you would not 92 00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:32.600 feel good about that. I would. The question I think some people might 93 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:40.360 have. I'm not saying that that that Scott had this and the phone call, 94 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:45.160 but the question they might have is could they win it all? Winning 95 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:48.759 a series is one thing. Winning the best two out of three is one 96 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:55.639 thing. Could you win a best of seven series? I know it depends 97 00:06:55.680 --> 00:07:00.879 on who you're up against. But look, you're asking an awful lot of 98 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:08.759 those pitchers to be dialed in every start when you have the offensive deficiencies this 99 00:07:08.839 --> 00:07:13.800 team has. But like you said, and I would concur with you, 100 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:16.879 I don't think you sit there and go, ah, we have no shot 101 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:24.000 whatsoever. I sure wouldn't sacrifice the future, though I would not sacrifice the 102 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:28.959 opportunity to keep this thing on the tracks. If you already think it is 103 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:32.199 on the tracks. Now that's debatable. It is whether or not we think 104 00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:40.600 this team is close or this team has the personnel within its system to maintain 105 00:07:40.720 --> 00:07:46.879 success over an extended period of time in this division. And I know we 106 00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:48.959 bring this up a lot, but it's worth bringing up because it's not a 107 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:57.600 real strong division in this division. If you should be able to contend for 108 00:07:57.639 --> 00:08:01.839 an extended period of time, if you have those right building blocks, how 109 00:08:01.879 --> 00:08:05.160 has Cleveland done it? I mean, to Freddie's point, how has Cleveland 110 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:11.519 done it? Cleveland's done it with pitching and a superstar in Jose Ramirez, 111 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:16.360 and he is he's a superstar. He's a phenomenal player. And you know, 112 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:22.439 some really nice fill in pieces. But they've also to their credit, 113 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:30.040 they've also known when to get out when certain guys have run their course. 114 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:35.320 This is a tricky, tricky part of managing sports, not just baseball, 115 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:41.600 but sports in general. When do I say enough is enough? When am 116 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:50.320 I done with Todd Gurley? When am I done with certain players that we 117 00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:54.879 don't feel can play up to that potential anymore? I used Cleveland as example. 118 00:08:54.120 --> 00:09:01.279 Corey Klueber, I use Cleveland as example. Mike Clevinger moving on. 119 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:11.919 Well, that's that's why they're supposed to get paid big bucks. They're supposed 120 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:15.759 to be able to see and understand that stuff. I do want to get 121 00:09:15.759 --> 00:09:18.759 to the CJ. Stroud comments, and we will do that when we come 122 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:22.720 back. And then Jim Leland at eight thirty five on a Wednesday morning on 123 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:28.440 Exus and bro stay with us. We're teeing off our tenth year at the 124 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:33.039 Meyer LPGA Classic for simply give. Get ready for the best who are yet 125 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:37.799 to help neighbors in need while enjoying golf, food and family fun. Join 126 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:43.120 us June thirteenth through the sixteenth at Blakefield Country Club for fabulous food, discoveryland 127 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:46.600 for kids, and of course, elite women golfers from around the world, 128 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:52.879 competing to help feed our neighbors. Get your tickets now at Meyer LPGA Classic 129 00:09:52.039 --> 00:10:18.759 dot com eighteen after the hour on extras and Bros Baseball lifer Jim Leland will 130 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:26.559 join us at the bottom of the hour. Why why is he a lifetime 131 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:33.519 baseball guy? What is it about the sport? And it's not like he 132 00:10:33.559 --> 00:10:37.519 needs some money. It's not like he wants to go to certain places. 133 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:45.879 He's been everywhere. The gold, gold medalist, right the World Series champion, 134 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:52.200 He's a Hall of Famer. Amazing accomplishments for a man who's given so 135 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:56.600 much to the game of baseball, Why does he keep doing it? So 136 00:10:58.919 --> 00:11:01.399 just one of the questions among many that we'll have with Jim Leland at the 137 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:05.559 bottom of the hour. I've teased this for a little bit, now I 138 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:09.360 want to get to it. CJ. Stroud Rookie of the Year, rightfully, 139 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:15.519 so hell of a player as Houston is the favorite in the AFC South 140 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:20.519 and a team that some people truly believe with some of their additions, are 141 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:28.799 on the cusp of being a challenger in the AFC overall. Okay, with 142 00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:35.240 teams like Kansas City and Baltimore for example, I read to you what he 143 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:41.960 said about Aaron Rodgers and how he wonders if Aaron Rodgers was as good to 144 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:46.799 his teammates as a guy like Tom Brady because he's Rogers only got the one 145 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:52.559 ring. I say, only you win the ring. It changes everything, 146 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:56.879 doesn't it. Here's what CJ. Stroud he said. I'm a student of 147 00:11:56.919 --> 00:12:03.559 the game and that's all I watch. I watch nobody else except for Stafford. 148 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:09.480 He said. I'll watch Mahomes at times because Mahomes does stuff I like. 149 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:16.600 But you can't touch that Stafford. He'll beat you with the same thing 150 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:26.279 every time. I'm a fan of his, not of Rogers, but of 151 00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:37.279 Stafford. During the interview on this podcast, Stroud said this about Stafford too, 152 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:43.799 because, as I mentioned, Rogers has the one ring. He said, 153 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:48.600 if you give Matthew Stafford a chance like Aaron Rodgers had, I guarantee 154 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:54.000 you he might have had more rings. I'd say he would have had like 155 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:58.480 three or four rings. Okay, Well, I like Matthew Stafford too. 156 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:03.399 I think Aaron Rodgers is an unbelievable talent. I think c J. Stroud 157 00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:11.799 has an incredible future. And I don't mean to sound nitpicky here piece says, 158 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:15.200 I get if you give me Matthew Stafford a chance like Aaron Rodgers, 159 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:18.679 that I guarantee you he might have had more rings. You can't have a 160 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:26.759 guarantee and might. At the same time, I don't know how he figures 161 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:33.559 he'd have three or four. That's a really tough thing to project. But 162 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:41.159 I do understand, appreciate respect how much he has for Stafford's game. I'm 163 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:50.919 not going to sit here and say Lions fans should wish they had him back 164 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:56.399 because Jared gossipin pretty damn good. I'm not going to sit here and suggest 165 00:13:56.799 --> 00:14:03.840 that Detroit Lions fans owe him an apology either they don't. Many were wrong 166 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:09.600 about him, but that doesn't mean you have to apologize. But I would 167 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:15.960 say when you have a young talent like this who's inspired by one of your 168 00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:20.080 own, because he must have been inspired at least for the most part in 169 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:22.679 his collegiate days, by watching him play for the Lions. He wasn't watching 170 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:26.159 him play at Georgia. I don't think. I think he's watching him play 171 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:33.600 for Detroit and then obviously with the Rams over the last few seasons. It 172 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:41.120 does say something about those of us who were supporting him while he was here, 173 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:52.600 despite his constantly being ridiculed because they weren't winning enough. It does say 174 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:56.480 something about the talent that was recognized by many of us who covered him here. 175 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:05.000 I really admit there are certain things that Stafford did while here in Detroit 176 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:13.200 that made me like him more than just his on field performance. You can 177 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:20.120 consider that a fault, and you'd probably be right. It can be difficult, 178 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:28.080 I think, in sports to separate the emotional part of things and the 179 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:37.919 statistical and you know, tangent things that you can prove while Stafford was here. 180 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:43.120 I like the fact that he reached out the community. I like the 181 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:46.360 fact that he partnered with Mitch Album for a football field in Detroit and helped 182 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:54.559 West Bloomfield firefighters who may have lost loved ones or families of West Bloomfield firefighters 183 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:58.759 or firefighters in general. I liked that he did things under the radar and 184 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:07.279 he wasn't looking for a me moment. On top of that, I like 185 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:12.320 the way he handled himself in the media and with the fans, And I 186 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:18.279 really like the way he performed. Doesn't mean he wasn't to blame for a 187 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:26.159 lot of things. Because he was, but he's still the best quarterback the 188 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:37.519 franchise has had. Just because you don't win doesn't mean you're not the best, 189 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:44.080 right. I mean, if you'd rather have Bobby Lane, it's a 190 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:52.559 hell of a player. I'll take Matthew Stafford. But to have a guy 191 00:16:52.639 --> 00:17:00.840 like CJ. Stroud, who most of us who follow this sport, and 192 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:03.920 I think a lot a lot of people were surprised at how well he adjusted 193 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:08.680 and how good he was. But I think I think his opinion carries a 194 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:17.079 lot of weight. Obviously, one guy mattered that much to him, influenced 195 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:21.519 him enough. It's not the reason he was named the Rookie of the Year. 196 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:27.119 Okay, let's not go that far. But he is, don't kidd 197 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:36.160 yourself. He's a guy who studied the former Lions quarterback and was impacted by 198 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:41.559 that player's arm angle throws when so many people criticized him. You remember rich 199 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:47.559 Gannon, Right, how can you throw a sidearm? Now it's the coolest 200 00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:52.640 thing and everybody does it. From two a tongue of Aloa to Patrick Mahomes, 201 00:17:52.960 --> 00:18:00.119 they're all doing it and everybody thinks it's really cool and amazing. It's 202 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:06.079 always amazed me how certain athletes, based on their track record, they do 203 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:12.160 something and it's ridiculed. A winner does something and it's praised, or does 204 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:17.039 the same thing and it's praised. I used to say that about Brett farv 205 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:21.039 all the time. Brett Favre throws a touchdown pass and the end of the 206 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:23.680 game, takes his helmet off, runs down the field, hugs the guy 207 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:27.960 in the end zone, and it's one big love affair on a national broadcast 208 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:38.480 because the passion that he displays, somebody else does it and it's not viewed 209 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:48.240 as that. Instead, it's viewed act like you've been there before. I've 210 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:51.720 noticed that a little bit. When Stefford used to wear his hat backwards at 211 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:56.000 the podium, people were blown away. How can you it's so disrespectful. 212 00:18:56.000 --> 00:19:00.079 I see some of the world's best tennis players where their hats back while playing 213 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:03.119 the game, not in a press conference, while playing the game itself. 214 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:10.519 On the other side, Jim Leland, he'll join us. We will talk 215 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:17.680 about the latest and greatest accomplishment that he will receive. It'll take place in 216 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:21.640 early August before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park, when 217 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:25.160 number ten goes on the outfield wall. We'll get his thoughts on that and 218 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:29.079 more when Jim Leland joins us on Exis and Bros. Right after this. 219 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:38.359 Rocks Best plays at Soaring Eagle Casino in Resorts Sunday two twenty third Motley Crew 220 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:45.920 on Friday August ninety Loved Live, Don't miss Leonard skinnerd and z z Ta, 221 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:52.240 all part of the Soaring Eagle Summer up to our concert series. Tickets 222 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:56.079 for all shows on zelm now at the Fox office and etics dot com, 223 00:19:56.079 --> 00:20:00.000 which at the entire lineup at Soaring Eagle Casino dot com. We're teeing off 224 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:07.599 our tenth year at the Meyer LPGA Classic for simply gives. Get ready for 225 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:10.920 the best too, are yet to help neighbors in need while enjoying golf, 226 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:15.319 food and family fun. Join us June thirteenth through the sixteenth at Blakefield Country 227 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:19.759 Club for fabulous food, discoveryland for kids, and of course, elite women 228 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:25.480 golfers from around the world competing to help feed our neighbors. Get your tickets 229 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:32.039 now at Meyer LPGA Classics dot com. What's up, Michigan. You're listening 230 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:37.359 to my good friend Shep the huge show is coming up later today at three 231 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:48.160 right here on the Michigan Sports Network thirty five after the hour, Welcome back 232 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:51.720 on Exus and Bros. Throughout the Great state of Michigan. We're on and 233 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:56.079 Plint and Cadillac, Ron and Grand Rapids and Grayling and Gaylord, Midland, 234 00:20:56.119 --> 00:21:00.839 Saginaw, Bay City, Potoski, Charlotte Boyd, Traverse City. That's where 235 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:03.559 you can hear us throughout the Great State of Michigan. And that's where we 236 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:07.559 pick it up with our good friend Jim Leland, who's a Hall of Famer. 237 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:10.599 He's a three time Manager of the Year, He's won a World Series, 238 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:14.759 three pennants. He's the best joke teller I've ever heard. He's also 239 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:19.279 a hell of a golfer. And he will have his number ten retired in 240 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:22.720 August at Comerica Park, and rightfully so when he joins us here on Exus 241 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:26.039 and Bro Skip, great to have you. How are you, Matt, 242 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:30.279 How you doing, Buddy? I'm doing fantastic. Hey, when you hear 243 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:37.799 this news, who comes to mind who influenced your life and your baseball career? 244 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:41.480 Well, my dad, I think first of all my dad and mom 245 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.720 really, but my dad most of all. I mean as a kid, 246 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:45.759 like a lot of dads have you out in the backyard. You know, 247 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:49.480 we had a lot of fun playing catch, and you know, he was 248 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:52.880 a big baseball fan, a little bit of a player himself, not professional, 249 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:57.599 but semi pro. And I know that he'd be really proud of this, 250 00:21:57.759 --> 00:22:02.799 as my mother would be. I think I thought of my parents right 251 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:07.920 off the bat. Yeah, you're a baseball lifer. You've accomplished an unbelievable 252 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:12.559 amount in your career. Why are you still doing it? Well? I 253 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:15.680 love it and I still love it. I mean, I you know, 254 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.680 I don't go certainly at the pace that you used to have to go at 255 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:22.720 when you're managing or playing whatever, but I still like it. I got 256 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:26.680 back from Area a few days ago. I'm going out to Toledo next week 257 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:30.240 to see her top a club, and you know, just hopefully he's going 258 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:33.839 to make a little contribution, as Scott calls you and ask you about some 259 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:37.559 players. I go to spring training, as you know, for the whole 260 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:40.839 month to watch all the games, and I love it. I watched the 261 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:44.839 Tigers every night. Another great win last night, very close game, and 262 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:48.160 you know, it's just it's still I still get a rush with watching it 263 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:52.920 and participating a little bit, but certainly, you know, not at the 264 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:55.559 pace you used to have to go at it. Yeah. I was always 265 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:57.720 amazed in talking to you or listening to you, either it be in spring 266 00:22:57.759 --> 00:23:03.319 training or during games, about how much baseball you know and what you look 267 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:04.960 for. And I know this is a challenging question, but I'm going to 268 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:08.960 ask it anyway. When you watch young players, what do you look for 269 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:15.799 to try and differentiate them from anybody else. Well, I look at how 270 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:18.759 they handle the ups and downs, probably more than anything else. Obviously, 271 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:22.240 their skills are out there in front of you, whether they control or run, 272 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:26.119 or they got getting power that you haven't seen yet, which usually comes 273 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:32.640 late for young players. But the other thing I look for the toughness in 274 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:34.000 a player. And you can tell that by getting to know the player. 275 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:38.880 That's why I spent so much time talking to players individually in the outfield before 276 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:42.119 games and stuff. You could you get an idea, Plus you get an 277 00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:47.440 idea who can slow the game down and who can't. Who speeds it up 278 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.920 in a big moment, who slows it down in the big moment. You 279 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:52.119 can tell a lot of times while their personalities, you can tell why they're 280 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:56.680 demeanor, and I think all those things are important. I think the other 281 00:23:56.720 --> 00:24:02.839 thing is I was very fortunate. It was normally you know, I don't 282 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:04.880 mean it's a Samrang, but I was normally pretty good at being patient, 283 00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:07.960 because you have to be patient. The Tigers are going through some of that 284 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:11.279 stuff right now. I just sent Cardos it down. You know, I 285 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:14.960 sent a lot of good players down that came back to be really good major 286 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:17.880 league players. He'll be back. If he's a real deal, he'll be 287 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:19.680 back. And there's no doubt in my mind he's the real deal. So 288 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:23.000 you've got to have patience. You got to have understanding, You got to 289 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:26.519 know one to pull the trigger. I think, like AJ said, and 290 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:30.640 I certainly agree with that, it's hard to fix things sometimes at the major 291 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:33.799 league level. And even though it's you know, it's a little discouraging for 292 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:37.880 the player itself, in the long run, it usually turns out best. 293 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:40.720 I you had a great line the other day. You said, I signed 294 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:42.640 with the Tigers in nineteen sixty three. I didn't get to Detroit until two 295 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:48.279 thousand and six, which is kind of funny but obviously true. Anytime you 296 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:53.359 do, or are associated with some type of presentation or awards ceremony or out 297 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:56.680 there meeting with people, you feel the love. I mean, you get 298 00:24:56.720 --> 00:25:03.160 the biggest ovations of anybody. How does how does that make you feel? 299 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:06.759 Number one? And number two? Is that surprising at all to you that 300 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:11.599 people have just gravitated towards you and stayed with you for so long, knowing 301 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:15.079 the great memories you've given them, Well, it surprising a little bit, 302 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:18.279 to be honest with you. But I always looked at I think the one 303 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:22.759 thing I appreciate that I'll never forget is those people that came out to the 304 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:27.599 park. They worked hard all day, and my job was to work hard 305 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:32.880 for them all night. I mean, they're out there supporting their families all 306 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:34.880 day long. I think we developed a relationship. I was one of them. 307 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:38.079 I worked in a factory, I worked at a post office. I've 308 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:44.440 seen the real life, so to speak, and I always I always marveled 309 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:48.839 at how they worked hard all day and try to get some supper for the 310 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:52.240 kids and rush out to the ballpark to see the game. That's amazing to 311 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:56.279 me. But not to mention spending their money. So I always felt like 312 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:59.720 it was our responsibility as a team, you know, to make sure we 313 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.960 were work and hard for them each and every time they gave me to the 314 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:04.720 ballpark. And I think for the most part we did that, and I 315 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:10.240 think we all developed a relationship. I don't think the fans will ever know 316 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:15.599 how much their excitement and enthusiasm meant to our ball clubs when I was there. 317 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:18.720 They may have think it went unnoticed, but a dim they were a 318 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:22.920 source of energy for those teams when I was in Detroit. That was unbelievable 319 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:26.000 and I'm so appreciative of that. Yeah, he's the Hall of Famer. 320 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:30.319 Jim Leland Joiner is here on Exis and Bros. You had mentioned you've worked 321 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:33.319 in a factory, post office, things of that nature. What of the 322 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:41.119 jobs that you grew up doing prepared you best and which characteristics served you best 323 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:45.359 to make you such a great manager? Well, I don't know that as 324 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:48.039 a great manager, but I well, you're a Hall of Foy man. 325 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:51.000 You're a Hall of Fame man. You may downplay it, but you're a 326 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:55.440 Hall of Fame manager. Come on, I understand, but you know, 327 00:26:55.599 --> 00:27:00.440 I just think you know, my dad was one of sixteen children. I'll 328 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:03.160 never forget this. I had so many different aunts and uncles, and it 329 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:08.160 was amazing to me for some reason, as a younger person, I noticed 330 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:12.640 all those different personalities and what made them work, and which one got irritable, 331 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:15.039 which one didn't, which one had a sense of humor, which one 332 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:18.880 didn't. I kind of, I don't know, that just kind of fell 333 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:22.480 on me, to be honest with you. But I think you know, 334 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:25.880 like you know, work in construction and working in the post office, working 335 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:29.720 in a factory, you got to know how people felt about a lot of 336 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:33.359 things, and you know you heard, you know, you heard things about 337 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:36.880 their tough times, you heard things about their great time. It's the real 338 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:41.519 world out there, and I always felt that I've realistically been part of that. 339 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:47.319 How do you treat today's young players maybe differently than you treated the players 340 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:51.839 you managed? Oh, I wouldn't treat them any different because I always treated 341 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:55.160 them in the West I could. I always felt that I was fair. 342 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:59.279 I think I think that's so misleading when they talk about the young players different. 343 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:02.759 I don't think it's differ at all. People are people, and I 344 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:07.119 always felt like my job as a manager and our coach's staff was to get 345 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:11.400 the best version of the player, and how you get the best out of 346 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:14.519 Ends might not have been the same way you get the best out of Maglio. 347 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:18.519 So you had to figure all those things out. But our job was 348 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:21.400 to get the best version of the player, make him the best player he 349 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:25.279 could be, which ultimately went into the team concept that made us the best 350 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:27.960 team we could be. So, you know, I don't think it's any 351 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:33.519 different. I believe in my heart to this day that young people are looking 352 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:37.839 for discipline. They may not show it. They may be a little macho, 353 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:41.920 you know, they may be a little vacy the time, but I 354 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:47.759 believe, deep down inside, I think they're looking for leadership. I think 355 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:53.440 there's so many famous stories about how you established your way of how it was 356 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:56.880 going to be with a certain team. Why did you think that was so 357 00:28:57.119 --> 00:29:02.880 vital, especially early on, whether it will be you in Pittsburgh, Florida, 358 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:06.799 Detroit, Colorado, wherever it may be. Well, I think I 359 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:10.000 emphasized that we're not going to do things my way. That was always my 360 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:11.960 line. I know that Sparky's line was this my way or the highway, 361 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:15.279 which was fine. It worked out pretty good. He's a Hall of Fame 362 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:18.559 manager. My line was, we're not going to do things my way, 363 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:22.119 We're going to do things the right way. And you know that's that's just 364 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:25.279 the way I thought about it, and that's the way I approached it. 365 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:32.400 What does this Tigers team? It's so hard in a baseball season skip to 366 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:36.400 try engage whether or not you believe or don't believe in a team. I'm 367 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:38.480 talking to fans now and I talk to him every day, and it's a 368 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:41.960 roller coaster, just like it's an emotional roller coaster for you guys when you 369 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:48.000 when you coached and played, What would you encourage Tigers fans to watch, 370 00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:51.480 not just this month, but maybe the rest of the year about this team 371 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:56.079 on whether or not they truly want to buy in. Well, I would 372 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:59.960 hope that the fans buy in. And I'm not one of those guys. 373 00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:03.400 I understand the patience line and all that, and I know fans get tired 374 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:07.839 of that. I totally get that. But the one thing that I will 375 00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:11.400 say about the Tigers right now, the Tigers, in my opinion, are 376 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:15.480 well on their way because and this is the reason I say this, I'm 377 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:21.119 a big believer in pitching, and the Tigers have some of the best young 378 00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:26.559 pitching in all of baseball. When you're sending the school and Celerity and Olsen 379 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:30.240 and Miz out there, Tiger fans could be encouraged because that's, you know, 380 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:36.400 the fifth guy they've floated around with a little bit. But that's each 381 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:38.359 time that one of those guys goes out there, you've got a chance to 382 00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:41.759 win the game. I totally believe that. And I know if the offense 383 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:44.960 is going to get a little there's got to get a little better. There's 384 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:48.000 no question about that. I see you've seen a little bit right, a 385 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:49.599 green up and down a little bit. I think he now has eleven home 386 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:55.440 runs or maybe twelve, you know, so that might take a little bit 387 00:30:55.480 --> 00:31:00.279 of time. But I think Tiger fans more than ever should be encouraged because 388 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:03.039 they have the number one ingredient that it begins with and it ends with, 389 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:07.240 and that's starting pitching, in my opinion, So I think they have a 390 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:11.319 lot to look forward to it. And we have more pitching comer too, 391 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:15.559 So it's you know, it's pretty good, to be honest with you, 392 00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:18.559 and you know the offense you're going to go through some growing page with young 393 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:22.160 hitters. That's just the way it is. It's a totally that's the one 394 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:27.599 part of the game that's different. It happened when I managed towards the end, 395 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:32.400 but for years it didn't happen. When you got to three and one 396 00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.599 count, three and two count, you were going to get a fastball the 397 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:37.440 hitter. You very rarely ever see a fastball three one, three two anymore. 398 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:41.519 I left the guys just so overpowering. That's the one thing that's why 399 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:44.799 it's made it so difficult to hit. Plus, a lot of guys are 400 00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:48.839 using their pitches a little shorter, so you're seeing different pitches. But in 401 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:53.000 the case of the Tigers that's starting pitching, there's seven innings in about four 402 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:57.319 of those guys potentially every time they go out, and that's a very very 403 00:31:57.319 --> 00:32:04.839 good start. How many at bats does it take for a young hitter to 404 00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:08.440 try to adjust to the major league level because so many people are up and 405 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:13.799 down on as you mentioned Torklesen, Cole Keith and young players. I keep 406 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:16.839 stressing fifteen hundred. How far off am I on that? Well, I 407 00:32:16.839 --> 00:32:21.359 think you're pretty close. I think we were set about twelve hundred, and 408 00:32:21.400 --> 00:32:24.079 I would never doubt ear he was pretty good so he said about twelve hundred, 409 00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:28.279 and I think, like you said, the power comes a little bit 410 00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:30.279 later. Like I mentioned earlier in the show, the power comes a little 411 00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:36.200 bit later. And you know, but it's really a grind, and there's 412 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:39.839 nothing wrong with players getting sent back down and then I'm actually coming back up. 413 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:44.759 I mean, in Tarcles's case, Turckleson had thirty one home runs in 414 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:47.359 the big leagues last year. That's pretty good. I mean, you've got 415 00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:51.160 to have some ability to do that. So is he out of whack right 416 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:53.880 now? Evidently? I really don't know the you know, what the deal 417 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:57.880 is with the you know, his batting stance or his hands or his feet. 418 00:32:57.920 --> 00:33:01.599 I don't know all that, but you know, it does take some 419 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:06.640 time. But I think it all goes back to what I mentioned earlier in 420 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:12.440 the show. It's about toughness, and the tough guys come back and they 421 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:15.680 come back pretty good. I had Jeff King and Jay Bell and Denny Nagel. 422 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:17.400 I have about a bunch of them that came back to really be good, 423 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:22.680 big big players. Jim Leland with it's just a couple of more. 424 00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:27.400 When you and I were in Lakeland last year, you had a putt off 425 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:32.200 the first hole from about eighty feet you're in the fair way. You took 426 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:35.960 a putter out rather than chipping it on, and I asked you, I 427 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:37.559 said, skip, you're not going to chip that. And you told me 428 00:33:37.599 --> 00:33:40.599 something that Arnold Palmer told you. Do you still live by that and tell 429 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:45.319 our audience what that was? Oh? Yeah, I definitely still live about 430 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:47.880 it. Arnie. I played with Arnie a couple of times, fortunately, 431 00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:51.799 and he told me that. He said, anytime you can get that putter 432 00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:53.000 in your hand, get the putter in your hand. Plus, I'm not 433 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:55.799 a good chipper, so I use the putter a lot. I guess they 434 00:33:55.839 --> 00:34:00.319 call it a Texas wedge or something whatever they call it. But yeah, 435 00:34:00.440 --> 00:34:04.119 I'll never forget playing with Armie. One time we were walking. It was 436 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:07.839 the whole golf experience, and I played really good on the front for me. 437 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:09.800 When I say good for me, I shot a forty one on the 438 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:13.360 front of the Laurel Valley. I was so tickled. I part number ten 439 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:17.320 and then I start to fall apart and Nie can see that I'm getting upset, 440 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:21.039 and he come over and put his arm around me, said Jim, 441 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:23.559 just to enjoy this experience. You're not good enough to get mad, and 442 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:27.880 I've never gotten mad again on a golf course. It was the best advice 443 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:30.000 I ever got. You know, I had the same advice. I had 444 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:34.840 the same advice by a pro I was playing with at Warwick Hills and I 445 00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:37.079 used to get really upset and he said, you can't let that happen. 446 00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:39.719 I said, I know, but you know I must have opened the club 447 00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:42.440 a little bit. And he says, no, no, I'm not referring 448 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:45.199 to the shot. I'm referring to your attitude. You're not good enough to 449 00:34:45.199 --> 00:34:49.599 get that angry. And that changed my entire outlook. It changed my entire 450 00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:52.440 Routelok, Yeah, I agree. I played golf with good friends now, 451 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:55.880 and that's who you play with. You know, I think it's more important 452 00:34:55.920 --> 00:35:00.599 who you played with, who's in your four shore or whatever able part of 453 00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:02.760 golf. And you know I can't hit it very fire anymore of us still 454 00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:07.360 enjoy it? All right? If you could have one foursome, the best 455 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:10.239 foursome ever, I don't care what they do now, and I don't care 456 00:35:10.280 --> 00:35:13.960 how good of a golfer they would be. It's about the company and stuff. 457 00:35:14.199 --> 00:35:17.960 Who would they be who would be in your foursome, uh, Gina 458 00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:29.320 Mott, Don Zimmer, and Tony LaRusso wow, that's impressive. So a 459 00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:31.880 quick story about Don Zimmer. One of the first assignments I ever had. 460 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:37.679 I was at Yankee Stadium and Don Zimmer was a coach then, and he 461 00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:39.320 was across the way and it was a rain delay, and I was in 462 00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:44.360 the Tigers dugout, the visiting dugout, and I see Don Zimmer over there, 463 00:35:44.920 --> 00:35:46.920 and I went up to Don Zimmer and I said, mister Zimmer, 464 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:50.760 great to meet you. Just want to tell you my dad and I used 465 00:35:50.800 --> 00:35:52.559 to have debates about great hitters all the time, and I would bring up, 466 00:35:52.599 --> 00:35:55.239 you know, the various hitters in my generation. My dad would mention 467 00:35:55.679 --> 00:36:00.960 Williams and May's and Demagio and Mantle. He'd say, Son, you don't 468 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:02.760 know what the hell a good hitter is. These are the good hitters. 469 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:07.119 Don Zimmer looked at me, spit because he was dipping. He's spit and 470 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:09.920 he goes sounds like a smart man, and that was it. That was 471 00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:15.000 about the extent of conversation. Yeah, he was one of my all time 472 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:17.440 favorites. I talked to him every day. We lost him a few years 473 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:22.239 back, but yeah, he was one of the baseball studies for so many 474 00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:25.199 years and a great guy, a lot of fun, you know, just 475 00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:30.880 a great competitor and was certainly was instrumental in those Yankee championships with Joe Torre. 476 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:37.079 Yeah. Well, you were inspirament and instrumental in so many people's fondness 477 00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:38.800 for the game of baseball here in Detroit. It's it's an honor to talk 478 00:36:38.840 --> 00:36:43.280 to you as always. Really appreciate it and appreciate everything you've done for me. 479 00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:46.880 Thanks for the time. Congratulations on the number being retired. It should 480 00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:51.519 be retired. It's well deserved. You're up there with the all time greats. 481 00:36:51.719 --> 00:36:52.639 Have a great rest of your weekend. Okay, and thanks for the 482 00:36:52.679 --> 00:36:57.800 time. Today's skip, Matt, thank you very much. You bet Jim 483 00:36:57.880 --> 00:37:00.719 Leland joining us here on XUS and bro what a man, what a great 484 00:37:00.800 --> 00:37:04.320 dude. And I can be on it. I'm telling you right now, 485 00:37:04.800 --> 00:37:07.880 best joke teller I've ever heard. I mean, one of the things I 486 00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:12.639 miss more than anything. Do I miss calling games? Absolutely? Do I 487 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:15.519 miss being at the ballpark for sure? Do I miss being in the clubhouse, 488 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:22.719 yes, But the chance to just visit before a game with guys like 489 00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:30.000 that and just talk baseball sometimes. Like Hen and I disagreed on a couple 490 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:36.039 of things. The chemistry thing he just mentioned. The pitching. I think 491 00:37:36.079 --> 00:37:37.559 it's really important to be able to score runs too. But you know, 492 00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:40.679 I know, pitching does win. I mean, Freddy said it earlier today 493 00:37:42.199 --> 00:37:44.800 in our conversations. Freddie said, hey, you know what, you know, 494 00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:47.159 you get a chance to win in a series, absolutely, and Jim 495 00:37:47.239 --> 00:37:52.079 just said the same thing. Those guys are going to give you a chance 496 00:37:52.159 --> 00:37:55.840 to win games every single time they're on the bump. That's what you need 497 00:37:55.840 --> 00:38:00.239 from your starting pitching, and Detroit's getting that. The offense is got to 498 00:38:00.280 --> 00:38:07.239 come though. He truly believes that Spencer Torkolsen went right, can hit forty 499 00:38:07.280 --> 00:38:13.519 homers in the league. He told me that a year ago and thirty one. 500 00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:15.880 You got to have some ability to do it. You don't just that's 501 00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:20.639 not a mistake. You might turn turn into a few here or there, 502 00:38:21.719 --> 00:38:23.519 but you're hitting thirty one homers. No, no, no, that's not 503 00:38:23.599 --> 00:38:29.559 by mistake. That is not luck. Okay. I don't know who the 504 00:38:29.639 --> 00:38:32.920 player is yet. I don't know if he's last year or earlier this year. 505 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:38.760 You don't know it either, so that's why it's tough to be patient. 506 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:44.360 But you have to be patient. Really enjoyed that conversation with Jim Leland. 507 00:38:44.400 --> 00:38:45.159 Hope you did too,