WEBVTT 1 00:00:04.360 --> 00:00:06.759 By Billy Cunningham, the Great American. Coming up about an 2 00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:08.800 hours my interview with Sean Hannity, who was with the 3 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:11.720 President last night's he Gonna be with the President tonight. 4 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:14.599 We talk a lot of politics today, but politics now 5 00:00:14.720 --> 00:00:17.600 is put to the side. We have some baseball world 6 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:20.760 with me now, the Great Jeff Brantley, also Brand Metter, 7 00:00:20.839 --> 00:00:24.199 and both brand Metters, the GM and Jeff Brantley. You're 8 00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:27.160 the uh, you know, the color analyst. And first of all, 9 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:30.120 I'll begin with the general manager, Brad. Who are the 10 00:00:30.160 --> 00:00:33.039 two or three additions to the Reds this year that 11 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:36.119 we're not here in September thirtieth of last year. That 12 00:00:36.200 --> 00:00:39.039 should excite Reds baseball fans all over the tri State, 13 00:00:39.079 --> 00:00:40.079 the nation, and the world. 14 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:43.280 Yeah, I think, you know, we should probably start with 15 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:44.079 Terry Francona. 16 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:45.119 I like that. 17 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:50.119 Yeah, We're all excited to h to have Tito. You know, 18 00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:52.600 we've we've had a lot of fun this offseason trying 19 00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:55.719 to you know, get this put together, both his staff 20 00:00:55.759 --> 00:00:58.880 and the rest of the roster. And I really excited 21 00:00:58.920 --> 00:01:01.200 to have him on and and to get going in 22 00:01:01.240 --> 00:01:04.040 spring training. You know, from a player's side, we added 23 00:01:04.040 --> 00:01:07.159 Brady singer. That was a tough trade that we had 24 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:09.879 to make with Jonathan India. I know, you know Jonathan 25 00:01:10.040 --> 00:01:12.560 was was drafted by us and developed by us and 26 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:15.000 was you know, a fan favorite here and a big 27 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:17.560 part of what we were doing. And it really just 28 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:20.959 came down to, you know, a team fit. It was 29 00:01:20.959 --> 00:01:22.400 a good trade for us, it was a good trade 30 00:01:22.439 --> 00:01:27.200 for them. We added quality depth in our rotation. So 31 00:01:27.439 --> 00:01:31.000 we're looking forward to to what what Brady brings to uh, 32 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:34.319 to our to our starting staff, to our starting rotation. 33 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:37.799 You know, we just added Gavin Lux not too long 34 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:40.760 ago with the Dodgers. 35 00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:42.359 That's right, he didn't play. 36 00:01:42.120 --> 00:01:45.560 And yeah, and so he it's a quality at bat 37 00:01:45.599 --> 00:01:48.079 we like, you know, what he can bring to our lineup. 38 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:51.359 He can play second base. He you know, he's played 39 00:01:51.400 --> 00:01:53.000 some third base, he's played some left field. So we'll 40 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:55.000 get to spring training. We'll see exactly how he fits 41 00:01:55.040 --> 00:01:56.879 on the field. But we're really excited what he can do, 42 00:01:57.319 --> 00:01:58.480 uh in in our lineup. 43 00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:02.319 Give me the starting lineup first base, Well, we'll see. 44 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:07.439 I think is that a player we I hope not. 45 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:11.680 We're gonna have to it could be Christian Candelario will 46 00:02:11.719 --> 00:02:14.240 get some time there, Spencer steeril get some time there. 47 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:16.599 So there'll be some mixing and match and we'll get 48 00:02:16.599 --> 00:02:19.879 to spring training. We'll see what it all looks like. Well, 49 00:02:19.879 --> 00:02:22.960 Matt McLean is healthy and ready to go. Stop Ellie 50 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:28.319 third base, Candelario espinall lucks. 51 00:02:28.680 --> 00:02:31.919 Not Marte yet, Marte Marte. 52 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:35.400 You know, we'll see Marte had a rough going when 53 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:37.400 he came up, you know, came back last. 54 00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:39.919 Year and but he can't hit. That's the only problem. 55 00:02:39.800 --> 00:02:42.759 He's he's still a prospect and so he's still young 56 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:45.479 and he still has a huge upside and what we 57 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:49.159 hope will you know, be a really good career here, Brad, 58 00:02:49.159 --> 00:02:50.240 what about left field? 59 00:02:50.319 --> 00:02:50.639 Steer? 60 00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:55.080 Probably Spencer Steer. Maybe some lucks. You know, we have 61 00:02:55.159 --> 00:02:59.520 Freedom and center, we have Stu Fairchild and uh and 62 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:04.159 Jake for I like Jake Frayley. Yeah he looks mean, yesty. Yeah, 63 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:06.360 he's Stevenson. 64 00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:06.759 Yep and uh. 65 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:10.840 And then we added Jose Travino, which you know, he's 66 00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:14.240 a Gold Glover. He's one of the best catchers in baseball. 67 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:17.319 He also is a winner. He's been on winning teams. 68 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:19.039 He came from the Yankees, played in the World Series. 69 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:21.520 So all three of the guys that we added, I 70 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:23.560 said it earlier, we talked about it. You know, they're 71 00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:26.039 all winners. They came from places that have won and 72 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:28.319 so and their veterans, and so we feel like adding 73 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:31.800 them with our young group of position players will will 74 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:33.879 help kind of show us, you know, show us the way. 75 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:37.759 Jeff Brentley, you're the cowboy. You're the starting pitcher supreme. 76 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:40.840 As far as your analysis, I got some names written here. 77 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:44.000 Opening day starter will be Hunter Green. Is that correct? 78 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:47.360 Well, I think that's what you would like to have. 79 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:50.199 I think that's what you have penciled in going into 80 00:03:50.199 --> 00:03:53.560 spring training. I mean, he threw the ball awfully well 81 00:03:53.639 --> 00:03:55.520 last year and he seems to be able to handle 82 00:03:55.520 --> 00:03:55.919 the moment. 83 00:03:56.199 --> 00:03:59.560 And Nick Ladolo he's a stud. Paul O'Neil would love 84 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:02.719 to not hit off lately, but Nick Ladolo is in 85 00:04:03.520 --> 00:04:09.280 the mix. I would say yes, Martinez, I would say yes, Abbott, Yes, singer, 86 00:04:09.479 --> 00:04:11.719 and so I left out Ashcraft. What about him? He's 87 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:13.439 got a TOBA. I think you have to. 88 00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:16.519 You're going to have some competition obviously in spring training, 89 00:04:16.519 --> 00:04:19.600 and you left out Rett Louder, who also is obviously 90 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:23.560 going to compete for that spot. But as we have 91 00:04:23.639 --> 00:04:28.079 seen heading from August tenth to the finality of the season, 92 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:31.399 those guys, all those guys that you mentioned, they've had 93 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:33.839 a tough time finishing the race. 94 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:36.600 Why is that Because in twenty thirteen, you might recall 95 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:39.560 the red set is starting pitching staff that did not 96 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:42.560 miss a start the one hundred and sixty two games. 97 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:45.319 There was one rain out that someone pitched that game. 98 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:49.000 You had five starting pitchers and they didn't miss a start. 99 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:52.079 Here we are ten eleven years later, and every one 100 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:54.319 of these guys are on the DL at some point. 101 00:04:54.360 --> 00:04:56.040 Why well, I think. 102 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:59.079 A lot of it is having to learn the sinker 103 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:01.600 swim mentality that you have coming to the big leagues. 104 00:05:01.639 --> 00:05:05.000 Now for young pitchers, when you get to the big leagues, 105 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:08.920 you're sometimes you don't really know what you're doing. You 106 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:11.839 just know you have good stuff, and that stuff is 107 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:14.360 really spent by the time you get to the third 108 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:17.319 or fourth inning, so you're pitching the fifth inning if 109 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:20.639 you're lucky, just on straight adrenaline. 110 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:23.040 So you're worn out. I mean, you're worn out way 111 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:24.279 more than you would. 112 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:26.600 If, say you had five or six years in the 113 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:29.639 big leagues and you were just kind of changing speeds 114 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:32.120 and didn't really kick it into high gear until you 115 00:05:32.240 --> 00:05:35.000 had to. But you don't really learn that your first 116 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:36.160 two years in the big leagues. 117 00:05:36.199 --> 00:05:38.519 You don't. You're just trying to just survive. 118 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:42.199 And I think we're all looking for this staff to 119 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:45.079 take that next step because the talent is there. I mean, 120 00:05:45.079 --> 00:05:48.360 this is a talented enough pitching staff to be as 121 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:50.560 good as any staff in the Big League. You wouldn't 122 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:52.800 trade this staff, Brad. Would you trade this staff for 123 00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:55.319 any staff in the National League Central. 124 00:05:57.560 --> 00:05:57.879 Staff? 125 00:05:57.920 --> 00:05:58.000 No? 126 00:05:58.040 --> 00:06:00.560 We feel really good about all the time. 127 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:03.800 Everybody talks about that staff that's up in Seattle and 128 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:06.560 how good they are. Yeah, this staff can be that 129 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:08.160 staff even in this ballpark. 130 00:06:08.279 --> 00:06:10.680 If they stay health. They stay healthy, We stay healthy. 131 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:14.040 Why can't they stay healthy, Brad, You're in charge of that, right, 132 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:16.839 you're the general manager. Why aren't they healthy? Well, I 133 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:19.240 mean it's a fair question. I think a lot of 134 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:22.720 it is what Jeff just said. They're young, and part 135 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:25.079 of it is figuring out how to get through one 136 00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:26.279 hundred and sixty two games. 137 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:30.360 They you know, college colleges, college kids come up, we 138 00:06:30.480 --> 00:06:32.639 draft them. They they're used to pitching once a week. 139 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:36.240 They have six days off, it's a shorter season. We've 140 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:38.279 had to get some of these kids here a little 141 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:41.720 quicker than we would probably like to just because of 142 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:44.399 you know, we've had to that's just where we are 143 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:49.480 and so hopefully we've learned. They've learned last year what 144 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:51.519 it looks like a little bit more. I think adding 145 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:53.199 Nick Martinez, it was a big part of why we 146 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:54.199 run him back. 147 00:06:54.120 --> 00:06:55.680 One more year. He signed up. 148 00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:56.120 That's right. 149 00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:59.800 Let me give you a quick example of this starting staff. 150 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:05.040 You're the dad and you're holding the bike for your kid. Okay, 151 00:07:05.160 --> 00:07:07.600 if it starts to wabble a little bit, that's what 152 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:09.839 happens in the minor leagues, they grab the bike, they 153 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:12.240 take you out of the game. When you get to 154 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:15.000 the big leagues, not only are you on the bike 155 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:18.079 without dad, you're going downhill full speed and you better 156 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:20.279 figure it out. And I think that's kind of where 157 00:07:20.279 --> 00:07:22.959 our staff is at right now. It's time to figure 158 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:25.160 it out and ride the bike full speed. 159 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:27.959 And that's a good point. And those are discussions that 160 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:30.240 we've had. We just met, you know, a couple of 161 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:31.920 weeks ago, we had a Pitcher Catcher camp out in 162 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:35.279 Arizona and myself and Jeremy Farrell and Derek Johnson and 163 00:07:35.319 --> 00:07:38.160 our pitching coordinators set down and one of the things 164 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:41.199 that I brought up is we need to have some 165 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:46.000 of that happen more in Double A, because what's happening 166 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:48.199 is we're getting these kids to Double A and very 167 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:51.519 quickly they are getting here. And so you have to 168 00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:54.560 balance keeping them healthy through the minor leagues and pushing 169 00:07:54.600 --> 00:07:56.959 them enough to where they experienced some of this before 170 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:58.920 they get here so they know what it looks like. 171 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:01.759 And so it is a balance. You're trying to keep 172 00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:04.399 kids healthy and in the minor leagues and protect them 173 00:08:04.439 --> 00:08:06.240 and watch their innings and all of that stuff. But 174 00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:08.399 at the same time, they have to be ready when 175 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:09.120 they get. 176 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:11.879 We've got some cool arms coming. Yeah, and you've seen 177 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:14.000 we've got we've got cool arms in the big leagues. 178 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:15.040 But we got some more coming. 179 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:15.480 Now. 180 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:19.600 What is Tito d brad that perhaps was missing? I 181 00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:23.240 love David Bell. I helped him to hit with Buddy. 182 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:26.120 I taught him how to hit in Midland and uh, 183 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:29.399 he had a different personality, shall we say? And Tito 184 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:33.159 has World Series rings? Is that the differential that somehow? 185 00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:36.480 And he also played his father played and so both 186 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:39.279 of them fathers played Major League baseball. But what does 187 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:41.840 Tito bring that was lacking? Yeah, I don't know. 188 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:45.320 I'd hate to say what he brings that David was missing. 189 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:48.759 I like you like I love David Bell. I'm very 190 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:52.240 close to him and Buddy and and no one cared 191 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:56.399 more about players and people than David, no one that 192 00:08:56.440 --> 00:09:01.399 I've ever been around. What Tito brings is, you know, 193 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:04.440 he's he's a proven winner. He's as a manager, He's 194 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:08.879 he's managed, he's a veteran manager who's won a lot. 195 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:15.279 He's a natural communicator with everyone. It's just pretty easy 196 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:17.480 for him, at least it feels easy. He's an easy 197 00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:20.320 guy to get to know and to really connect with 198 00:09:20.440 --> 00:09:22.919 and want to want to get behind. 199 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:25.600 Hearon Red's country. When this happened, most people when he 200 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:27.440 was being interviewed, there was a time that I guess 201 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:29.519 you and Nick and maybe Bob or Phil were out 202 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:31.919 there talking to him and was like, this ain't gonna happen, 203 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:35.879 because why would Tito He left the Indian I'm sorry, uh, 204 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:38.639 the Guardians. Trump's in the White House. I guess I 205 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:42.320 can say Indians now. But nonetheless that when he left 206 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:44.600 Cleveland it was like, I don't want to do this anymore. 207 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:48.279 I'm unhealthy, I'm not up to it. What happened between 208 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:52.879 Tito leaving the Cleveland ball Club saying I don't want 209 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:54.879 to do this anymore, and they were a good ball club. 210 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:57.039 I mean it made the playoffs, made a run last year. 211 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:59.879 What was the differential between that Tito and this Tito? 212 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:02.440 In his mind? Why did we take the job? 213 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:04.960 Well, I think he took the year off to focus 214 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:07.320 on his health and his family. And he did that, 215 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:11.120 and he'll tell you he really enjoyed it. He didn't 216 00:10:11.159 --> 00:10:13.720 have any intention of coming back. He really enjoyed the 217 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:17.039 year off. He lost some weight, he was swimming every day, 218 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:20.879 he was playing golf, he was spending time with his grandkids. 219 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:23.559 And so, I don't know. I kind of think it 220 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:27.000 was a little bit of a perfect fit. He wasn't 221 00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:29.720 sure he was interested. And when we reached out to him, 222 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:32.360 you know, Marty Renhaman, Tom Hamilton, we had talked to 223 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:34.000 some people that said you need to reach out to him, 224 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:35.320 you need to reach out to him. I think he's 225 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:37.200 got the itch. I think he wants to get back in. 226 00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:39.320 We did reach out to him, and initially he said, 227 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:43.039 I'm not sure. And we talked to him a couple 228 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:45.159 of times during that last week, and then when we 229 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:48.000 Nick and I flew out there to Tucson, he said 230 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:49.600 he'd meet us in Atlanta or something, and he said, 231 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:51.120 let's just we'll just come to your house. And we 232 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:54.440 went to Tucson and we sat down in his living room. 233 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:57.879 And the more we talked, the more he got on 234 00:10:57.919 --> 00:10:59.840 the edge of his seat, and the more fired up 235 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:02.480 he got, and the more you've heard him say. He 236 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:05.840 started talking about if we were doing this, Like he 237 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:09.440 started using the word we and as he's yeah, and 238 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:11.440 as he started doing that, I kind of looked at 239 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:15.240 Nick and I just felt like, Okay, this is this 240 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:17.159 is real, Like this has a chance to happen. And 241 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:18.919 by the end of the conversation we sat there for 242 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:21.480 four or five hours. By the end of that conversation, 243 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:26.039 I felt like he's he's ready and was part of 244 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:26.919 the club itself. 245 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:30.000 I can't imagine going to a bad ball club at 246 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:32.559 his age and status. He's a future Hall of Famer, 247 00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:34.840 and I can't imagine him saying, Wow, I want to 248 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:36.519 go to a rebuild. Well, he wouldn't have come here 249 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:39.080 if he didn't think we could explain that, explain that piece. Well, 250 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:41.720 I mean, we went through the roster, we talked, talked 251 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:43.519 through it. He watched us play a lot, he watched 252 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:46.519 everyone play a lot. He knows how talented we are, 253 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:50.200 our young kids are. And the more we talked, I'm 254 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:53.519 telling you, the more I think he just got. He 255 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:54.960 was on the edge of his seat and he was 256 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:58.240 He's ready, He's raised. I was fired up. And Jeff 257 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:01.919 Brantley looking at the division itself. Milwaukee we thought was 258 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:03.440 going to have a bad year. Last year they did, 259 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:05.799 and this year they got rid of more players. Chicago's 260 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:08.639 into market, buying some clubs. But Saint Louis historically a 261 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:11.799 problem for the Reds and Pittsburgh. Both of them are 262 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:14.679 on the downslide, not the upslide. There was only one 263 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:17.480 club in our division making steps moving forward, are the 264 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:20.879 Cincinnati Reds. And so when you compare our club to 265 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:23.080 the other four clubs against they're going to be judged. 266 00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:25.240 How do you react to the idea that the Reds 267 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:29.000 are the favored to win the Central Division? Many publications 268 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:30.840 say the Reds are favored. Why is that? 269 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:33.279 Well, I think a lot of it has to do 270 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:36.799 with the talent. I think it has to do with 271 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:40.200 what we talked about before. Last season started with a 272 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:46.320 healthy Matt McClain and a healthy Incarnasi on strand that 273 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:49.320 takes care of your right side of your lineup along 274 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:51.879 with the rest of the guys. Jela Cruz is a star, right, 275 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:54.840 He is an absolute and I think that as you 276 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:58.480 when you look at baseball in general, that third and 277 00:12:58.519 --> 00:13:01.120 fourth year is usually when you see guys just take 278 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:04.759 off because they feel more comfortable. They have a pretty 279 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:07.279 good idea about what it takes to be successful in 280 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:09.480 the big leagues. A lot of them have gotten their 281 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:12.559 first big paycheck, so they feel like they belong. They 282 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:15.159 feel like they're comfortable at the big league level. And 283 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:18.679 when you have great talent that's comfortable, that usually equates 284 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:22.960 into some pretty good success in every organization needs a star. C. C. 285 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:25.399 Sabathia gets in the Hall of Fame a couple of 286 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:27.559 nights ago, and he gave an interview in New York 287 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:30.080 Times in which he said, when I told my son, 288 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:32.559 I'm in the Baseball Hall of Fame, he said, Dad, 289 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.600 can you get the Can you get me an autograph 290 00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:39.600 from Dela Cruz and C. C. Sabbathia said what he said, 291 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:42.120 I want an autograph from Dela Cruz, and that is 292 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:44.840 the star of this ball club. If you've seen a 293 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:48.279 more exciting player this side of Eric Davis than the 294 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:51.840 other number forty four. No, I think when you watch 295 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:56.639 Ellie play there there's nothing that he can't do, so 296 00:13:56.720 --> 00:14:02.159 there's always a reasonable expectation that something great is about 297 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:04.799 to happen. He's never a guy that you're going to 298 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:08.240 the concession stand or going to the bathroom when his spots. No, no, 299 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:10.840 you're not not going to do it. And you're also 300 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:13.279 not going to leave when he's on the defensive side, 301 00:14:13.320 --> 00:14:16.320 because he could make a play that nobody else bred. 302 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:19.559 Does he belong to centerfield? We don't know that. Come on, 303 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:21.600 it's I mean, it's been asked for four or six 304 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:23.879 y five runs like a deer has the reach of 305 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:27.120 and I'm thinking most shortstops are not six foot four. 306 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:30.159 Yeah, don't ask him that question. He gets mad. 307 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:31.320 He gets mad. 308 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:33.200 The only thing he said to us for two years 309 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:36.600 in the minor leagues was I'm a shortstop. He wants 310 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:38.320 to be a shortstop. I think he could be the 311 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:40.840 best shortstop in the game if we put him in centerfield, 312 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:42.480 I think he'd be the best centerfielder in the game. 313 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:45.000 So to answer your question, I absolutely think he could 314 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:48.120 go there and be great at it. But for right now, 315 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:51.720 he's our shortstop. Red's caravan's underway. Do we know where 316 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:54.320 they're going? On the website, Red's websites got all the 317 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:56.240 information you're going to be out of for the next 318 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:56.919 three or four days. 319 00:14:56.960 --> 00:15:00.480 And where's Brentley going? Washington Courthouse and then on the 320 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:05.559 Columbus Columbus it's great, it's wonderful, excited. College basketball not 321 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:08.919 so good, not happening, Xavier's It depends on where you're at. 322 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:13.559 How Mississippi State doing not bad, not bad. But Xavier 323 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:16.440 had Saint John's down by like sixteen points and lost, 324 00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:19.360 and you see he's not doing a darned thing. And Bengals, 325 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:23.480 God bless him. But we're Reds Country. We love the Reds. 326 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:25.519 This this town is alive when the Reds are doing 327 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:28.080 when you're it should be. It should be right now, Brad, 328 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:29.960 Thank you very much. Thank you. Frankly, you have any 329 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:33.919 questions for me about sports, politics, world capitals, geomorphologies, not 330 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:37.320 at this point in time, read any questions on World Capitals. 331 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:39.200 You're good to go. Yeah, I don't want to get 332 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:42.000 in trouble. Gentlemen, Thank you very much. We'll see what happens, 333 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:43.639 and let's do it again at the end of the 334 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:46.600 year when the Reds are hoisting the trophy and get 335 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:48.120 the fly, get it all cooing us have a big 336 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:50.639 rally on Fountain Square. What are you say, certain bred 337 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:53.279 Meta and the great Jeff Frankly, Jeff, how many years 338 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:58.960 is with the Reds? Twenty something? Twenty something? You're like 339 00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:02.679 the children four years here? Nobody remembers that. I remember 340 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:05.879 you Willie's and Covington really love that Saves record. Yeah 341 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:08.879 you do. Is it for the season? Yes? How many 342 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:11.559 forty four? You belong in the Red's Hall of Fame. 343 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:13.960 I don't know about that. Yes you do have it, Yeah, 344 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:15.559 yes you do, Brad, Thank you very much. 345 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:15.720 You. 346 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:21.240 Bill Cunningham News Radio seven hundred WLW hit the music, 347 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:24.720 Dave hit the music. And as you know, Red's Caravan 348 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:27.679 is underway. Go to the website. I'll tell you where 349 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:30.279 they're going to be at what time and where. I 350 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:32.600 sense there's more excitement for this club than we've had 351 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:36.159 in a long time because of the acquisition of a 352 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:39.080 couple of new players, plus the pitching staff. I think 353 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:41.960 Tito is another major factor, someone that's been there and 354 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:44.120 done it before. But you know, we'll see what happens 355 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:46.200 during spring training, which starts in about two and a 356 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:48.879 half three weeks. I think February the tenth is when 357 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:51.480 pitchers and catchers report. First game is about a month 358 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:54.919 from now. They play, of course Cleveland and then getting 359 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:56.720 ready in about two months, about eight weeks for the 360 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:59.559 Reds opener, and I'll give my pregame speech. I'm working 361 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:02.639 on it all ready, from the Holy Grail first pitch 362 00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:05.079 about four to ten. I'll be down there probably between 363 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:07.799 two and four something like that. Get you ready for 364 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:10.480 Reds baseball and more. Plus Billy Joel coming to town. 365 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:13.799 So good things are happening. It looks like the weather 366 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:16.880 has broken slightly, and won't people knoww zero there is 367 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:19.000 a little bit sheets of ice on the Ohio River 368 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:22.039 and Steve Horsmayer saying, don't walk down on the Ohigh River, 369 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:25.079 and I said, well, if you're that stupid, good luck 370 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:28.119 to you, because sheets of ice do not support a 371 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:31.759 body weight. But nonetheless, I think the worst part of 372 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:35.240 winter is concluded coming up in about twenty five minutes. 373 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:38.240 I have my interview do it two or three times 374 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:40.880 a year with the Great Sean Hannity, who was with 375 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:43.960 the President last night in the Oval Office, and we 376 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:46.839 probably talk or text at least once or twice a 377 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:50.480 week on various issues. And he's going to describe how 378 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:53.319 he scored the interview with the President, why it happened, 379 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:56.720 how it happened, and some of the positions the President's 380 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:58.440 going to take. I think the one news item that 381 00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:02.000 came out is that it appears likely there's going to 382 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:06.039 be at least a civil investigation of the Biden family 383 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:08.720 to see where Joe Biden received millions of dollars over 384 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:12.000 the years, having performed no services to receive the money. 385 00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:15.000 He's been, shall I say, a dedicated public servant for 386 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:17.880 more than fifty years, never making more than one hundred 387 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:19.920 and seventy five thousand dollars a year in any year. 388 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:23.920 But he is he's worth multi millions of dollars. According 389 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:27.000 to Forbes, he's worth about twenty five to thirty million dollars. 390 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:31.000 Joe Biden and didn't do much to get the money, 391 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:35.039 unless you listen to the information on the Hunter Biden laptop. 392 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:39.440 He was constantly paying bills for his dad through oligarchs 393 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:43.279 all over the world. And so when the Democratic Party 394 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:46.640 talks about the oligarchs being Elon Musk and others that 395 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:49.400 have earned it here in this country, I think it's 396 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:53.759 obvious because of numerous reports that the Biden family has 397 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:57.880 been paid millions of dollars through dozens of different shell 398 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:01.759 companies to pedal influence. It's all over the world. Wherever 399 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:04.200 Joe Biden went, his son was with him out of 400 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:07.319 side and stayed behind it as the bagman to collect 401 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:10.799