WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:03.560 Dodger Talk is sponsored by LA Care Health Plan, providing 2 00:00:03.600 --> 00:00:07.240 affordable healthcare insurance to millions of Angelinos for over twenty 3 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:07.960 five years. 4 00:00:09.039 --> 00:00:10.880 Welcome to Off Day Dodger Talk. 5 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:13.919 David Vase with you until eight o'clock tonight here on 6 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:17.559 AM five to seventy. LA Sports ten games and ten 7 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:20.800 days not stopping us. We got an Off Day Dodger 8 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:24.079 Talk for his show, Off Day Dodger Talk Show for you, 9 00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:26.120 and it's a great show. We got a great show 10 00:00:26.120 --> 00:00:29.000 for you tonight. Ross Strippling is going to join us 11 00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:31.920 at the bottom of the hour. Ross just recently retired. 12 00:00:31.960 --> 00:00:35.600 He made that announcement on Instagram last week. So Chicken 13 00:00:35.640 --> 00:00:38.759 Strip will join us at the bottom of the hour 14 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:41.079 and coming up in about fifteen minutes. 15 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:43.200 Our man Colin Ee, our. 16 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:48.159 Studio producer, put together an eighties type montage of the 17 00:00:48.280 --> 00:00:52.399 highlights of the Dodgers recently completed ten game road trip, 18 00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:55.039 the longest of the year, that saw them go six 19 00:00:55.119 --> 00:00:57.920 and four, taking two out of three in Atlanta, two 20 00:00:57.960 --> 00:01:01.880 out of three in Miami, and Arizona in a big way. 21 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:06.519 The Dodgers in their two wins in Arizona scored twenty 22 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:09.719 two runs. Of course, the Electric come from behind victory 23 00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:13.239 in Game one, beating the Diamondbacks fourteen to eleven, and 24 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:17.560 yesterday an eight to one thumping of the Diamondbacks after 25 00:01:17.719 --> 00:01:20.799 Zach Gallen was taken out of the game. Freddie Freeman 26 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:23.519 a big day on Mother's Day, four for four with 27 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:25.879 a home run led the way, and Freddy has been 28 00:01:25.959 --> 00:01:28.560 leading the way for the last couple of weeks here. 29 00:01:29.040 --> 00:01:32.159 Also on this road trip, we saw the major league 30 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:36.120 debut of Hay Song Kim. He made a huge impact 31 00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:38.959 as a base runner. His first appearance as a major 32 00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:42.000 league player as a pinch runner, saw his first hit, 33 00:01:42.120 --> 00:01:45.319 saw his first RBI, got his first start in center 34 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:48.680 field in Arizona. You know, I feel like after seeing that, 35 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:52.719 by the way, he obviously needs a lot more work 36 00:01:52.760 --> 00:01:55.480 and experience out there, and I feel like that's the 37 00:01:55.519 --> 00:01:58.359 reason why the Dodgers put him out there. But that's 38 00:01:58.400 --> 00:02:01.319 a really big outfeel that Chase field and a really 39 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:05.079 tough place to cut your teeth as a center fielder. 40 00:02:05.519 --> 00:02:10.879 So one thing's for sure, Kim made a huge impact 41 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:13.360 as an elite defender and a base runner, and the 42 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:15.840 hittings coming along, it's right where it needs to be 43 00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:18.439 and Hayesong Kim is going to make an impact and 44 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:22.479 the Dodgers have some decisions to make here in the 45 00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:26.599 near future. When Tommy Edmund and ta Oscar Hernandez return 46 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:32.319 off the IL, who kind of goes to Oklahoma City again? 47 00:02:33.080 --> 00:02:36.280 One thing's for sure, whoever comes off the IL first, 48 00:02:36.280 --> 00:02:40.520 whether it's Edmund or Taoscar Hernandez, James Outman's going back 49 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:43.680 to Oklahoma City. But what do you do when the 50 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:47.039 next guy comes off the IL? Does Chris Taylor go 51 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:50.439 on the injured list? Because Taylor has been fighting a 52 00:02:50.479 --> 00:02:52.800 sore right knee here and there, he plays through it 53 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:57.280 doesn't really complain much, but the reality is Chris Taylor 54 00:02:57.400 --> 00:03:00.319 hasn't been really playing a lot. He no doubt is 55 00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:03.319 the last man on the bench. And really, if you're 56 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:06.199 gonna have the last guy on the bench be Chris Taylor, 57 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:08.759 doesn't Haysan Kim fit better? 58 00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:09.680 Now? 59 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:12.919 One thing's for sure, whether or not the Dodgers decide 60 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:17.280 to send Kim down now when Edmund and Taoscar Hernandez return, 61 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:21.120 he's not gonna be there for very long because he's 62 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:24.360 gonna be a big impact player for the Dodgers going 63 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:27.719 down the stretch and into the postseason. The Dodgers have 64 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:31.319 not had that dynamic of a weapon off the bench 65 00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:34.960 in the probably since Timmy low Castro tried to do 66 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:39.199 it in twenty seventeen. That's and Hayesan Kim is a 67 00:03:39.240 --> 00:03:42.479 way better player than tim lo Castro. He could play 68 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:46.960 elite defense on the infield. He's got great base running instincts. 69 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:50.319 There's a difference between a fast runner and a really 70 00:03:50.360 --> 00:03:53.319 good base runner, and Kim is both because he's a 71 00:03:53.360 --> 00:03:57.240 really smart base runner and he's a really fast runner. 72 00:03:57.400 --> 00:04:02.080 So to me, Kim is an invaluable weapon. The Dodgers 73 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:05.319 just have to make a roster decision when both those 74 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:09.080 guys come off the il. Either way, the Dodgers have 75 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:12.439 had a very good start to the season. They're twenty 76 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:16.439 seven and fourteen, and a big reason why is guys 77 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:21.199 like Taoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edmund, Will Smith, Shoheo Tani and 78 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:24.319 even Mooki Betts. I feel like Mooki's one of those 79 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:28.240 guys that goes a little unnoticed whenever, and I feel 80 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:30.399 like you have to put him in that relief pitcher 81 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:34.399 category because when a relief pitcher doesn't pitch well, or 82 00:04:34.439 --> 00:04:38.240 blows the save, everybody's at their locker, kind of like 83 00:04:38.319 --> 00:04:42.120 Mookie Bets at shortstop. Whenever he makes a bad throw 84 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:45.319 or a bad play, everybody's like, oh, he has to 85 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:48.399 go back to right field. But Mookie Betts has played 86 00:04:48.560 --> 00:04:52.360 really solid shortstop. He's still learning the feel of the position, 87 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:55.800 and there's so much more than just fielding and throwing 88 00:04:55.839 --> 00:04:58.240 at shortstop, you got to be kind of the main 89 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:01.879 guy up the middle. But when Tommy Edmond's healthy, he's 90 00:05:01.920 --> 00:05:04.959 a shortstop. He's a really smart player. He's played the 91 00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:08.240 infield his entire career, so he's kind of that guy 92 00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:12.279 for Mooki and Muki even acknowledged that when we spoke 93 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:16.800 to him on the last Homestand so, Mookie's played really 94 00:05:16.839 --> 00:05:20.639 good shortstop, and you know, obviously he's fighting an uphill 95 00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:23.399 battle after being so sick to start the year and 96 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:27.199 losing as much weight as he did. But yesterday's home run, 97 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:31.319 even in garbage time opposite field into the pool area, 98 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:35.040 that was encouraging to see from Mookie Bets. And I 99 00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:37.720 heard Eric Caro say this during the broadcast that his 100 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:40.920 swing path was really good yesterday. It's not so much 101 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:45.040 about bat speed for Mooki. The way Eric Caros explained 102 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:48.959 it was his batpath needs to be as perfect as 103 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:52.800 it has been his entire career. So that's a little 104 00:05:52.839 --> 00:05:56.560 inside baseball right there. But Mookie Bets certainly has been 105 00:05:56.600 --> 00:06:01.240 pretty good. But for me, Freddie Freeman, Taoska Hernandez, will Smith, 106 00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:06.079 Tommy Edmund Shoey O'tani have really started to really make 107 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:09.040 an impact early on this season, And when you play 108 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:11.480 one hundred and sixty two games, it's going to be 109 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:13.759 a group of different hitters. You're going to need that 110 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:16.360 the same guys are not going to be hot the 111 00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:19.439 whole year. It kind of feels hard to believe that 112 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:22.199 Freddie Freeman won't be hot the rest of the year 113 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:25.920 considering how well he's swinging the bat ever since coming 114 00:06:25.959 --> 00:06:30.000 off the il after slipping in the shower with his 115 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:34.079 right ankle that was surgically repaired, and Freddie was on fire. 116 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:37.319 In this last ten game road trip, Freeman hit four 117 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:41.639 seventy five with four home runs sixteen RBIs. He doubled 118 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:45.560 three times and even had a triple his ops on 119 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:49.279 the last road trip thirteen to ninety. He's just on 120 00:06:49.319 --> 00:06:52.319 a different level and yesterday four for four on Mother's 121 00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:53.519 Day with a home run. 122 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:55.199 That was just awesome. 123 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:59.079 Considering Freddie lost his mom when he was very young, 124 00:06:59.160 --> 00:07:01.959 ten years old. Then that's where his dad and him 125 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:06.480 really dove into baseball, and baseball certainly has uh has 126 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:10.199 been there for Freddie, and Freddie's one of those natural hitters. 127 00:07:10.199 --> 00:07:11.879 I know there's a lot of guys out there that 128 00:07:11.959 --> 00:07:15.240 are very envious of Freddie Freeman. He could roll out 129 00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:18.399 of bed and go four for four like you did yesterday. 130 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:21.040 We had a chance to catch up with Freddie before 131 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:24.160 the third game in Arizona and we talked about where 132 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:27.759 he's at with his swing and also Mother's Day. Freddie 133 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:31.399 swinging the bat really well right now. Everybody focuses on 134 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:35.000 what you're doing swing wise, approach wise, But is what 135 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:37.639 you're doing right now a testament to the work that 136 00:07:37.720 --> 00:07:39.839 you put in after your ankle surgery. 137 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:42.000 Yeah, I mean I feel like I'm doing the same thing. 138 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:46.079 I had the same approach, my same routine, and I, 139 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:48.319 like I've been saying the last I feel like I've 140 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:50.560 been fighting a cut swing for the last couple of years, 141 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:52.879 and it's not cutting right now, it's it's what it 142 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:54.759 would have been, would have been looking for for a 143 00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:58.639 long time, and everything's going up through the middle. Just 144 00:07:58.680 --> 00:07:59.959 like in Miami, I had a couple of low pay 145 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:01.600 I was able to say through them and hit him 146 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:04.439 into the gaps. And if I had my cut swing 147 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:06.199 that I've been trying to fight against and not have, 148 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:08.120 I would have rolled those over. If fouled those offers, 149 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:12.040 swung and miss. So sometimes you're just feeling good. There's 150 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:15.439 no there's no rhyme or reason to it. It's the 151 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:17.279 same thing I'm doing every single day, getting ready for 152 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:19.360 each and every game. But right now the swing is 153 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:20.040 going through the middle. 154 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:23.199 But it's remarkable, Freddie. Most guys I went through what 155 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:26.240 you did last postseason, not only with the ankle but 156 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:29.720 the ribs. To play through it and play at that 157 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:32.799 level and then have ankle surgery during the off season 158 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:35.879 and not skip a beat. That doesn't happen. But that's 159 00:08:35.879 --> 00:08:37.559 a testament to your work ethic. 160 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:42.240 I appreciate that, I really do. I do appreciate those words. 161 00:08:42.559 --> 00:08:45.399 In my mind, I'm just doing this what I expect 162 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:48.720 myself to do. I did put in a lot of 163 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:50.799 work trying to get back as fast as I could. 164 00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:54.600 It's still work in progress. Like I just was on 165 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:56.080 the table for about an hour and a half to 166 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:57.559 get to come out here and do my drills and 167 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:59.679 get ready for this game. So it's still going, you know. 168 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:03.320 But I'm in a good spot physically with my ankle, 169 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:05.759 my ribs. We've worked on that still too, just because 170 00:09:05.799 --> 00:09:07.399 of what happened in Japan and we weren't really thinking 171 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:08.799 about my ribs and then all of a sudden flared 172 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:10.600 up again real quick. So we've been working on that, 173 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:14.600 keeping that hopefully in check. So I in my mind, 174 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:17.360 it's I'm just trying to do my job and do 175 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:21.039 what is it expected of me. So I understand there's 176 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:22.919 been a lot of things that happened in the offseason 177 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:25.320 with surgeries and stuff like that, but I'm in a 178 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:27.840 good spot physically where I can go out there and 179 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:28.519 be myself. 180 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:31.840 I got a big picture question for Freddy Freeman, because 181 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:35.600 your career has endured generations now at this point in 182 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:39.519 a good way. What's the biggest difference hitting in twenty eleven, 183 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:42.279 your first year in the big leagues, compared to hitting 184 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:44.720 in twenty twenty five. The type of pitching you're seeing, 185 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:46.639 just the way the game is approached. 186 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:51.639 Yeah, I would say obviously velocity is a lot higher 187 00:09:51.720 --> 00:09:55.639 than it was in twenty eleven. I also think, like 188 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:58.759 we saw with the Miami start Blowzo two times through 189 00:09:58.759 --> 00:10:01.639 the order he was out, So your face seeing most 190 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:04.960 often you're facing at least three different pictures in a night. 191 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:08.679 There's different arm angles, like just like the Diamondbacks they have, 192 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:11.279 they have guys coming at all different angles. You got 193 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:15.120 Thompson who throws her side arm. You got lefties, you know, 194 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:17.399 facing another guy that we hadn't faced, Mario Yester night 195 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:20.159 throwing a hundred. So a lot of different things that 196 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:23.080 are a lot different from fifteen years ago. But I 197 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:26.080 would have to say more velocity and facing more pictures 198 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:27.279 each night than we did fifteen. 199 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:30.679 Loved Freddy and with Mother's Day on Sunday, you're always 200 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:33.200 in our thoughts. And I know Chelsea's done a great 201 00:10:33.240 --> 00:10:35.360 job being a mom to your kids, and I know 202 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:36.639 your mom's with you every day. 203 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:37.279 Yeah, you know. 204 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:39.559 I when I was younger, Mother's Day was a little 205 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:42.440 tough for my mom passed away, But now I know 206 00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:44.840 that she's she's looking down with the perfect seat to 207 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:47.480 everything that's going on. And Chelsea's an incredible mother. So 208 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:50.039 Mother's Day is a little bit happier these days now, 209 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:52.279 but I'll be always in remembrance of my mom. And 210 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:54.200 you know, Chelsea's an incredible mother. So I can't wait 211 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:55.480 to get home Sunday and see you. 212 00:10:55.559 --> 00:10:57.360 Freddie's the man, no doubt about it. 213 00:10:57.399 --> 00:11:00.879 And I have visions of Freddie starting at first base 214 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:03.519 for the National League in this year's All Star Game, 215 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:07.559 which so happens to be in Atlanta at Truest Park. 216 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:11.080 And I also have visions of Freddie taken at bat 217 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:15.639 in the first inning against his former Braves teammate Max Freed, 218 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:18.639 who is having a great year with the Yankees his 219 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:22.200 first year in pinstripes. No doubt Max Freed is going 220 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:25.080 to be the starting pitcher for the American League. Could 221 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:29.159 you imagine that Max Freed facing Freddie Freeman in the 222 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:32.240 first inning of this year's All Star Game in Atlanta 223 00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:35.919 at Truest Park. Two guys that the Braves just let 224 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:40.120 walk away that are having a major impact on their 225 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:45.000 current team. So thank you very much, Alex Anthopolis. When 226 00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:48.000 we continue here on Dodger Talk, we will hear from 227 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:50.600 Ross Stripling He's going to join us at seven point thirty. 228 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:53.960 He just retired and certainly a fan favorite with the Dodgers, 229 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:56.919 was drafted by the Dodgers in twenty twelve, made his 230 00:11:57.000 --> 00:12:00.120 major league debut with the Dodgers in twenty sixteen, and 231 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:02.720 even got a shout out from Dave Roberts during the 232 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:06.559 twenty twenty World Series trophy ceremony. So we'll hear from 233 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:09.480 Ross and coming up in our next segment, calling ye, 234 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:13.879 our Dodgers radio studio producer put together a great highlight 235 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:18.399 montage of this past ten game road trip. In the 236 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:21.679 highlights of the Dodgers fireworks that saw them go six 237 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:25.519 and four and now have a twenty seven and fourteen record, 238 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:29.720 the best record in baseball, and now have the A's 239 00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:32.919 and Angels coming to town to start a big nine 240 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:37.159 game homestand with Mookie BET's babblehead tomorrow night, and the 241 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:40.879 Dodgers for me, on this homestand the first six games, 242 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:43.519 no doubt, they should go five and one, two out 243 00:12:43.559 --> 00:12:46.600 of three against the A's and sweep the Angels, who 244 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:50.600 are not doing well and are in complete disarray in 245 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:53.759 more ways than one. And then you got the Diamondbacks 246 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:56.840 coming to Dodgers Stadium, so this should be one of 247 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:59.320 those home stands for the Dodgers where they stack the 248 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:04.399 chips in the win column, especially against the A's and Angels, 249 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:07.600 no doubt about it. So tomorrow night the Dodgers will 250 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:10.039 have land and knack on the mound against the A's, 251 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:14.440 then Yamamoto, and then Suzaki in the three game series 252 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:19.120 against the A's who are currently the Sacramento As. All right, 253 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:23.759 when we continue on Dodger Talk Off Night edition, our 254 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:27.320 highlight montage of a great road trip for the Dodgers 255 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:30.360 that saw them go six and four, letting everybody know 256 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:33.159 they're not even hitting on all cylinders and they're doing 257 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:36.840 pretty well twenty seven and fourteen. David vasse with you 258 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:40.559 until eight o'clock right here on five to seventy LA Sports, 259 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:44.159 your home of the world champion Dodgers. It's a big 260 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:46.759 fan favorite, and I wanted to get him on the 261 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:50.360 show on an off day night heading into a nine 262 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:53.759 game homestand for the Dodgers that begins against the team 263 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:57.600 that Ross last pitched for. That's right, Ross stripling was 264 00:13:57.639 --> 00:14:01.200 part of the final Oakland A's run. He was pitching 265 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:04.440 for the A's last year and now decided to retire 266 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:06.879 after not catching on with the team. He had a 267 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:09.919 great nine year career and Ross will join us coming 268 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:12.960 up in fifteen minutes. But before we get to that, 269 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:17.000 since the Dodgers just finished their longest road trip of 270 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:20.480 the season, so many great moments, so many great highlights 271 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:23.399 of a ten game and ten day road trip, and 272 00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:26.440 it was a successful road trip, no doubt about it. 273 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:29.840 The Dodgers had a lot of things to overcome and 274 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:32.360 they were able to and get through it in a 275 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:35.639 long season. And since there were so many great moments 276 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:38.000 and highlights of a long road trip, I thought, what 277 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:41.600 better way than to reflect than have our own colin 278 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:46.440 Ee put together an eighties like montage of the highlights 279 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:49.320 of the Dodgers' last ten game road. 280 00:14:49.080 --> 00:14:52.240 Trip in Atlanta, Miami and Arizona. 281 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:56.480 Enjoy live from Truis Park in Atlanta, Georgia. 282 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:59.320 It's the first game of a three game weekend series 283 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.960 after the Dodgers kicking off. 284 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:05.279 A three city through road trip. He's got the highest 285 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:09.759 exit velocity of any player in this game. It's almost 286 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:10.879 ninety six miles an hour. 287 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:13.639 Lookie swings hits a drive to left field and deep 288 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:17.120 going back is for Dugo, still going back and this 289 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:21.559 ball is gone. It's a home run for Bets, his 290 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:25.919 fifth of the season, a solo shot Forer Mookie and 291 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:29.840 the Dodgers lead it two or nothing. Three one pitching, 292 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:32.759 Freeman hits the ball high and deep to center field. 293 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:35.919 This ball is back, and this ball is gone. 294 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:41.039 Freddie Freeman with a three run homer here in Atlanta. 295 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:43.159 And the Dodgers lead it ten to three. 296 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:49.120 Freeman's sixth home run of the season in his third 297 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:52.120 hit of the ball game. The Dodgers have opened this 298 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:55.919 one up, stretching the two to Will Smith for mglacies. 299 00:15:57.200 --> 00:16:00.759 If all gets away from the catcher on strike three, 300 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:03.799 first bas is open and now Kim going for third, 301 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:08.840 He's gonna make it so strikeout two to three of 302 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:11.960 the putout. Because Smith had the presence of mind to 303 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.120 take off for first, the Braves had to make a 304 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:19.840 playdown there and Kim good timing smartly broke for third. 305 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:22.159 And now the tying run is ninety feet away. 306 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:25.639 An one they had. Freddie Hammer's won to center field. 307 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:28.840 This ball heading back, this ball on the way, it 308 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:33.720 is gone. Home run Freddy Freeman, a two h two 309 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:37.080 on homer and a Dodgers leader three and to hing 310 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:40.720 home run number seven for Freeman. 311 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:44.840 He extends his hitting straight to ten games, and. 312 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:48.159 He is now tied for the most home runs against 313 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:52.559 the Marlins all time with forty one. He's tied Ryan 314 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:54.559 Howard and Ryan Zimmerman. 315 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:56.679 With forty one. 316 00:16:56.840 --> 00:17:01.159 Encounter fire to spring training this year, some folks from 317 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:03.720 the Korean community in Los Angeles reached out to me 318 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:07.359 and told me how to do it. There's the first 319 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:10.400 major league hit for Kim. As he goes the other way, 320 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:13.000 lining on the left field, we'll get him. The ball 321 00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:17.319 loop comes the two two pick and Otani hammers this 322 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.359 one of right failed. 323 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:21.240 If it stays up, it's gone. It has gone. 324 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:26.680 A home run into the Dodger compan of frozen rope 325 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:34.720 for Altani. Hello showtown here in South Florida. A two 326 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:39.519 run shot. It is five nothing, Dodgers. That ball was 327 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:44.640 absolutely annihilated one hundred and seventeen point nine miles per 328 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:51.559 hour off the back. That ball's gotta be broken. He 329 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:53.640 looks one into shadow left center field. 330 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.880 That's gonna drop for a hit. 331 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:58.799 I haas racing around third, He'll come into store provos 332 00:17:58.880 --> 00:17:59.880 the second he gets away. 333 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:02.200 Canfloro's gonna rumble to third base. 334 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:05.759 Kim goes to first and anchors there and the Dodgers 335 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:08.559 now lead it six and up it one out one 336 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:11.680 on the one to one pitch from Gonsolo and Hick 337 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:14.319 swing hits a long drive to right his Paul's headed 338 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:17.279 back toward the wall. There is pie Has and he 339 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:19.640 makes the catch throwing back. 340 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:23.519 To first base. Double play from the wall. Oh what 341 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:25.559 a play by Andy pie Has. 342 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:29.000 Peels it off the top of the outfield wall, comes 343 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:37.799 down and doubles off fires. Incredible play, Absolutely terrific. Sean 344 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:41.319 o'tani leads off against left hander Anthony Veneziano. He comes 345 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:44.359 out of the bullpen to take over for Cal Quantrill 346 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:48.359 on top of the sixth and Otani Hammer's gonna turn. 347 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:53.000 That is an upper deck monster shot on the first 348 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:57.000 petch against the Marlins reliever, and he ties the game 349 00:18:57.079 --> 00:19:02.119 at two, his second home run in his many nights. 350 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:08.039 Shaw heyl Tonney, with ten home runs on the season, 351 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:11.960 ties the game with a four hundred three. 352 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:15.440 Foot shot to the upper deck and right in the dom. 353 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:18.799 Is designated for assignment today and Freeman, let's run high 354 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:19.960 and deep to center field. 355 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:22.880 This Paul heading back to the wall. It's gone a hommer. 356 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:27.839 Freddy Freeman with a homer, and that gives the Dodgers 357 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:29.200 a three to two lead. 358 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:33.319 Home run number eight for Freddie and he now is 359 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:35.680 the all time home. 360 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:40.200 Run leader against the Marlins with forty two. He had 361 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:42.839 progressed it back where it was, but he was swinging well. 362 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:45.720 He swings well here and he hammers one to center field. 363 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:48.240 It's deep, it's back to the wall. It's gone a 364 00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:52.680 home run, a three run home run for James. Upon 365 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:57.480 once a round the park, James, it is ten to 366 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.519 nothing Dodgers. 367 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:02.000 Lord, did he clobber that one? 368 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:05.920 Four hundred and sixteen feet and one hundred and ten 369 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:08.839 miles per hour off the bat? And you'll want pitch 370 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:11.240 the Kiki. He swings and drives one deep to the 371 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:15.559 left field. That falls way back. That fall is gone 372 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:16.960 home run. 373 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.720 KEI care. 374 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:19.599 Hard? 375 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:21.759 Did he put a charge into that baseball? 376 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:24.400 He gets a run right back and it's three to 377 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:28.839 two O and Otani hits it to left center field. 378 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:31.480 That ball is headed back toward the wall. It bounces 379 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:34.039 off the road and tracking off the wall. Here comes 380 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:37.480 Roha stepping on third. Here's the relay play at the plate. 381 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.920 Safe. 382 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:44.920 Otani tie's the game with a two out run, scoring double, 383 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:49.200 and it's three to three. Andy Pye has flied out 384 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:51.559 deep to center. First time up, he swings and he 385 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:54.000 rips it in the left. That's of Bates in Smith 386 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:57.920 is gonna score. Freeman beingway Tom he will score. And 387 00:20:57.920 --> 00:21:01.079 Andy pie has gives the Dodgers the with a two 388 00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:06.039 run single. It is five to three, Dodgers one two pits. 389 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:08.039 That's tapped to first name. It's gonna grab it, come 390 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:10.559 to the plate and it's safe, but the plates Pius 391 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.680 Carol gets away. 392 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:15.359 Here comes k K the store. The Dodgers get two 393 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:20.680 more on that play. It is now seven to three, 394 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:22.799 so just a rush through. 395 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:25.319 But I'm gonna tell you what you talked about baseball 396 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:27.880 in instinct, the fact that kicking her names could score 397 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:32.599 on that from second base troubled up with the base 398 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:37.039 coaching of Dino Evil at thirty. That is just tremendous 399 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:40.519 base run. It pitched the months East Wings hits. 400 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:42.039 A ground ball in the right pail and base said 401 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:44.039 k K's gonna come around third. 402 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.759 Here comes the turn from Carol. 403 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:49.079 It is not in time and the Dodgers are tighter. 404 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:52.839 Max Monson with a game time base hit of the 405 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:57.319 ninth a night it's eleven two in heaven. That's on deck. 406 00:21:57.720 --> 00:22:02.039 One out, two on, one ball, two strike, pick and 407 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:04.240 Otani swags and he hampers. 408 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:10.119 A dig rayfield way back and gone a three run 409 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:14.880 home run for show. Hey, o'tney, you won a show? 410 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:17.559 He is incredible. 411 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:24.240 His twelfth home run Emma Dodgers with a sixth spot 412 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:27.519 in the ninth lead at fourteen two eleven. 413 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:29.720 Can you believe this? 414 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:34.920 Normo playing up the middle third baseman Suarez way off 415 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:37.880 the bag, one out, The pitches swung on and hit 416 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:39.200 him the left center field gap. 417 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:41.640 That's down. It's gonna go to the wall. Rookie on 418 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.039 the run. 419 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:45.319 He's gonna get waked home by Dino evil rookie around third. 420 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:48.119 He is to the plate, He scores and the. 421 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:51.440 Dodgers lead it one nothing on a double by Freddie Freeman. 422 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:55.799 Carrol leeds at first base, held on by Freddy O 423 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:58.240 tu pitch there goes Carol pitches up high foo ball 424 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.519 throw down, Hey got him? 425 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:01.480 I want to throw by Will Smith. 426 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:04.759 He just cut down one of the fastest runners in 427 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:08.559 the game in Gorvin Carroll on a perfect strike to 428 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:13.519 second base, heel back two down, hits two. 429 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:16.240 Suarez swung out a little woe. 430 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:18.839 Holder of the third day side pairheaded by Monsey, throws 431 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:19.400 to first. 432 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:23.039 God, I'm gonna play by Max oh An. 433 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:28.279 Absolutely terrific play defensively by Max Munsey, charging and peeling 434 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:30.680 the ball off the artificial grass with one hand and 435 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:33.599 throwing in the same motion to get Suarez. 436 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:38.119 Here's a two two swung on well hit to right. 437 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.960 It's teep going back. 438 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:42.880 To the track to the wall. God, it's in the pool, 439 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:52.960 sprash down as Freddie Freeman HiT's a mother of a 440 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:58.799 home run on Mother's Day. It is five to nothing, 441 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:03.319 hits the bench range and he hits one up of 442 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:03.759 the air. 443 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:05.759 Tape to right center. It is heading back. 444 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:06.880 Toward the track to the wall. 445 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:09.359 Go on home run for Bets. 446 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:15.720 Mokey goes yard and it is six to one. 447 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.319 Wow. 448 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:22.079 So many great moments, including Hayes Sung Kim's major league 449 00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:26.160 debut first hit, first rbi Otani's home run in the 450 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:30.000 ninth inning in Arizona. Just a really awesome road trip 451 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:33.440 with a lot of superstar power from the Dodgers. So 452 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:37.000 thank you to Colin Yee for putting that together. When 453 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:40.880 we continue here on off day Dodger talk, Ross Strippling. 454 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.079 Will join us. 455 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:44.200 Don't go anywhere more Dodger Talk around the corner with 456 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:47.839 Chicken Strip next on a five to seventy LA Sports 457 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:54.079 formerly Oakland, formerly Kansas City, currently Sacramento and soon to 458 00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:57.720 be Vegas Athletics, so they will be back in action 459 00:24:57.839 --> 00:25:01.400 against the A's starting tomorrow night. And right now we 460 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:04.000 are joined by a man that pitched in Oakland the 461 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:07.319 final year the A's were in Oakland, but he will 462 00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:11.279 always be remembered as a Dodger and he just recently 463 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:15.039 announced his retirement on social media because that's how you 464 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:18.240 do things. In twenty twenty five. He made his major 465 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:21.559 league debut with the Dodgers. In twenty sixteen. He was 466 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:24.240 drafted by the Dodgers in the fifth round of the 467 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:27.720 twenty twelve draft out of Texas. A and M A 468 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:32.559 proud Aggie, the one and only Ross Strippling. Chicken Strip 469 00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:35.559 is joining us on Dodger Talk. Ross thanks a lot 470 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.279 for calling in. 471 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:38.960 Appreciate it, FASSA. 472 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:41.640 What's up, Man's It's great to be here. This is 473 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:45.319 like twenty sixteen all over again. Excited to talk with you, man. 474 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:49.240 I remember your first spring training in Major league camp. 475 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:54.079 Ross in twenty twelve, and just being able to see 476 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:56.880 your career where it started and where it finished. What 477 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:59.920 do you remember or what do you appreciate the most 478 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.440 about your major league career? 479 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:04.400 Gosh, man, right off the bat with a with a 480 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:08.200 hard hitter. You know, it's funny when when I announced 481 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:11.680 that retirement, it kind of forced me to reminisce and 482 00:26:11.880 --> 00:26:14.440 and being nostalgic more than I normally am, just with 483 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:17.400 how people reached out and seeing stuff on social media 484 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:19.680 and and all that stuff. And you really start, you know, 485 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:22.680 kind of thinking about your career and you know, firs 486 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:24.720 first and foremost, man, I'm just so lucky to have 487 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:27.599 been drafted and developed by the Dodgers that at I 488 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:31.440 will be adamant about that forever. Just uh, how good 489 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:34.880 they are at taking in talent and getting the best 490 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:36.880 out of them. You still see that to this day. 491 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:39.519 And uh, and then to have Kershaw there to kind 492 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:41.680 of take me under his wing and just learn by 493 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:44.279 osmosis from him, and and I'm just you know, no 494 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:46.400 doubt I wouldn't have lasted as long as I did 495 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:50.440 without the Dodgers, you know, picking me and and showing 496 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:52.359 me the way. And then as far as maybe what 497 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:54.480 I remember the most, or maybe most proud of, is 498 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:56.559 just the you know, the Swiss Army Knife, being the 499 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:59.920 key k Hernandez of the pitching staff, and and just 500 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:04.640 knowing that a team could ask me to do anything 501 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:06.160 and I'd do it with a smile on my face 502 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:09.400 and usually hopefully do it successfully and help us win 503 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:11.440 games in any way I could. I just think, you know, 504 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:14.160 that's what kept me around. And then now a few 505 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:16.920 months removed from it, that's what I remember and I'm 506 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:18.519 most proud of it is just being a guy that 507 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:20.440 a team could always rely on to give him a 508 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:23.400 shot and to do the job. I think I'm proud 509 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.000 of that for sure. 510 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:27.680 Well, speaking of being a Swiss Army Knife, we always 511 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:31.319 thought that you were the most well rounded human being 512 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:34.680 in a Dodger clubhouse because you had your sight set 513 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:38.079 on life after baseball. It wasn't going to be baseball 514 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:40.000 and then try to figure out what you could do 515 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:43.000 with your life. How much did that play into your 516 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:45.480 decision to say, you know what, I've had a great career. 517 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:47.680 I'm going to move on to the next chapter of 518 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.160 my life. 519 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:51.720 You know, it definitely did. Now I don't have the 520 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:54.640 next chapter figured out by any means, you know, kind 521 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:57.319 of what you said of kind of being well rounded 522 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:59.240 is now all of a sudden, I find myself interested 523 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:01.599 in like five different buckets of things, and I can't 524 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:04.240 decide how I want to spend my time. And all 525 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:06.440 the while, I have a six week old son or 526 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:09.599 third boy, and you know, so just enjoying the family time. 527 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:11.359 I'm kind of using that as an excuse right now 528 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:13.240 to punt some stuff down the road where I'm just like, 529 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:16.240 I'm gonna enjoy this this chapter with my family as 530 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.960 I start to get restless here a little bit and 531 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:20.640 need to start doing something. But for now, you know, 532 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:23.799 just enjoying that and knowing I got a lifetime to 533 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:26.039 figure that out and to work and to you know, 534 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:28.400 hopefully stay involved with baseball in some way, and then 535 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:30.680 to find some other things I'm passionate about. But yeah, 536 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:33.400 you know it, that makes it, I think a little 537 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:35.480 bit easier to walk away when we know you have 538 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:39.519 loves and passions away from baseball. But you know, all 539 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:42.160 the while, I showed up to spring trying and expecting 540 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:43.480 to make a team this year and it just fell 541 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:46.319 a little short. So like I still had the fire 542 00:28:46.359 --> 00:28:47.960 and my belly to compete, and I thought I could 543 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:49.920 get out to the big league level. It just, you know, 544 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:52.079 it didn't quite work out. And you know, now here 545 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:54.319 we are a few weeks removed from it, and it's, uh, 546 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:56.640 you know, I'm okay with it. It just it's always 547 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:58.039 weird leaving the game behind. For sure. 548 00:28:59.039 --> 00:29:01.440 Hey, I thought you were too looking over for Warren Buffett. 549 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.920 That's the reason why you retired. 550 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:07.640 Yeah, yeah, I put in my resume. He didn't take 551 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:09.440 me up on it. I guess you had someone else 552 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:09.880 in mind. 553 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:14.559 That's the voice of Ross Stripling forever a Dodger. He 554 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:17.079 just announced his retirement. And I'm going to ask you 555 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:20.359 another tough question. Ross, you played on a lot of 556 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:22.960 good Dodger teams. You were an All Star in twenty 557 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:25.279 eighteen when you guys went to the World Series for 558 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:29.319 the second straight year. Which Dodger team that you pitched 559 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:32.400 on was the best team that you played on? 560 00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:37.039 Oh my gosh, good question, man. That twenty seventeen team 561 00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:40.440 comes to mind. I mean, we we that was an 562 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:43.319 extremely talented team, as are all Dodger teams of the 563 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:47.359 last you know, fifteen years or whatever. But you just, 564 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:50.000 you know, obviously ending against the Astros in the way 565 00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:52.480 that it did that lived an infamy at this point. 566 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:55.759 But that team as far as like who we got 567 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:58.119 at the trade deadline and how confident we were going 568 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:59.880 in the playoffs, and I don't even want to guess 569 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:01.559 much we want the division by, but I guess it 570 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:05.680 is double digits. And I mean that team just felt 571 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:07.880 like we were firing on all cylinders and obviously take 572 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:09.319 it all the way to a Game seven of a 573 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:11.640 World Series against a team that was cheating to have 574 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:14.039 to beat us. I think that goes to show you 575 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:16.400 how good that team was. So I would ride with 576 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:18.119 that twenty seventeen team. 577 00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:22.359 How much does the way that season ended still kind 578 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:24.279 of stick with you and your teammates? 579 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:26.240 You think twenty years from. 580 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:28.839 Now, do you, guys, do you believe you'll still be 581 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:32.279 thinking about, you know, if they weren't cheating, how your 582 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:34.559 career and how a lot of careers would have been different. 583 00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:40.160 Well, you know, Bessy, that probably won't go too deep 584 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:42.759 into it, but you know, I think in group chats 585 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:45.880 and small rooms and stuff like that, twenty years from now, 586 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:49.200 we'll certainly still acknowledge that it's probably one of the 587 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:51.920 bigger cheating scandals in sports and certainly in baseball, But 588 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:54.359 you know it was what it was. We kind of 589 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:56.160 knew it in real time, and then you know, it 590 00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:59.599 comes out in twenty twenty and bastros go through what 591 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:02.079 they go through from a punishment standpoint, and you just 592 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:05.799 kind of move on, you know, And I wouldn't say 593 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:08.319 it's keeping us up at night or anything like that. 594 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:10.839 Maybe real legacy guys, if we're talking about Clayton and 595 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:13.200 you know, guys like that that could have used another 596 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:17.279 ring on their resume for historical reasons, we'll think about 597 00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:20.160 them more than maybe you think about yourselves and stuff 598 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:22.920 like that. But you know, obviously really thankful the Dodgers 599 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:26.519 got that twenty twenty ring, and you know that probably 600 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:28.559 won't go too much seaper down this rabbit hole with. 601 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:33.960 You, fair enough, Ross, this is a good feeling retirement interview. 602 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:37.519 And speaking of the twenty twenty World Series, how much 603 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:40.720 did it mean to you that, even though you weren't 604 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:44.160 there in Texas that Dave Roberts went out of his 605 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:49.079 way on stage as he's accepting the trophy to name 606 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:53.200 role call you out for what you meant to the Dodgers. 607 00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:56.559 Yeah, That'll always be amazing to me that say, I 608 00:31:56.599 --> 00:32:00.920 really will that when you are on stage accepting a 609 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:04.799 World Series trophy after a year's work worth of work 610 00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:08.079 and in COVID and even like multiple years worth of work, 611 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:11.279 and my name went through Dave Roberts's mind at that point, 612 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:13.400 for one, just shows you who he is as a person. 613 00:32:13.640 --> 00:32:16.240 And then you know, that's something I'm really proud of 614 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:18.559 that I left a little bit of legacy on that 615 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:21.960 team where you know, as definitely not the first ten 616 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:25.160 dudes on the call sheet of that team, they still 617 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:27.519 acknowledged me and what I did for those teams to 618 00:32:27.880 --> 00:32:30.160 get that ring that you know, when I think about 619 00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:32.200 my career, I think about, like my debut, I think 620 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:34.680 about pitching the first game back in Toronto in front 621 00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:36.519 of an entire country when baseball and been there for 622 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:38.039 a year and a half, and I think of Dave 623 00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:41.680 Roberts saying my name on stage when the whole world 624 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:43.720 was watching a World Series because we were shut down, 625 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:46.119 and he says thank you, Ross Stripling, you know, as 626 00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:49.160 his team accepts the World Series that I instantly called 627 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:50.000 my dad and I was like, did. 628 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.359 You see that? 629 00:32:50.400 --> 00:32:52.000 And he's like, yeah, I was like, oh my gosh, 630 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:55.039 you know so it that that really means a lot. 631 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:58.039 And I just think it's it's so cool for him 632 00:32:58.039 --> 00:33:00.200 to acknowledge me in that situation when he started, they 633 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:04.920 didn't have to. So that will forever mean absolute tounch me. 634 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:08.799 Well, that just shows how much ross strippling meant to 635 00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:12.920 Dave Roberts into the Dodger organization. Another name that you've 636 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:16.880 brought up a few times, and obviously he means everything 637 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:21.519 to the Dodgers is Clayton Kershaw. What was the dynamic 638 00:33:21.599 --> 00:33:24.799 between you two, like, and why do you believe Clayton 639 00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:28.000 took you under his wing when you first arrived in 640 00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:29.960 Big League camp and with the Dodgers. 641 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:33.000 Yeah, so I don't want to get ahead of myself. 642 00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:35.599 I would say Clayton took me under his wing as 643 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:38.599 best that he knows how because he is so laser 644 00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:41.079 focused on his especially at that time. You know, he's 645 00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:43.039 now got four kids. I think he's mellowed out a 646 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:45.920 little bit. At that time, he was still you know, 647 00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:49.319 hunting Cy Young's on a yearly basis, and so just 648 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:51.359 hell been on what he was going to do that 649 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:53.799 I you know, if you almost I got three kids. Now, 650 00:33:53.839 --> 00:33:56.440 I think about how my second kid follows around my oldest. 651 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.240 That was me. 652 00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:59.440 I was the second kid, and you know, my oldest 653 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:02.680 wants nothing to do with my second kid. And Clayton 654 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:05.559 was just you know, going about his business like throwing 655 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:08.800 his bullpens, working out, doing his arm care, scouting the 656 00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:10.719 lineup that he's about to face, all that stuff. And 657 00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:13.159 I would just watch him, and you know, I knew 658 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:15.440 that we had the Texas thing in common. He was 659 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.719 supposed to be an Aggi. He didn't go to A 660 00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:18.480 and m his wife's an Aggie, you know. And I 661 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:20.920 just kind of like played to my strengths as far 662 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:23.039 as what could keep me around him when I was young, 663 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:25.880 and you know, and then you kind of wear him 664 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:28.559 down and he starts opening up to you and helping 665 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:30.360 me out a little bit and all that. But I just, 666 00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:34.360 you know, from a mentor standpoint as far as being 667 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:37.800 a Christian man, a father, a husband, and then also 668 00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:40.039 you know, maybe the greatest left handed pitcher that's ever 669 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:43.320 grace a Major League Mound. I just learned so much 670 00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:45.559 from him, and I just, you know, I said it 671 00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:47.000 at the top, like I just I don't think I 672 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:49.960 would have made it nine years without being around him 673 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:52.599 and just seeing what it takes to work day in 674 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:54.880 and day out to be ready for a big league season, 675 00:34:54.880 --> 00:34:57.760 to stay healthy and to have success. I mean, I 676 00:34:57.800 --> 00:35:00.960 just I can't say enough about Clayton when he's up. 677 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:03.800 There at Cooperstown one day. Ross, do you feel like 678 00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:08.199 that's the privilege that you have that so many others don't, 679 00:35:08.320 --> 00:35:11.559 is that you got to see what it takes between 680 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:13.480 the starts to be as great as he was. 681 00:35:14.639 --> 00:35:16.320 Yeah. I think that's a good way to put it. Man. 682 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:19.440 You know, most all the fans, you know, they get 683 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:22.039 to see him every fifth day, and obviously you see 684 00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:25.280 the passion and how competitive he is. I mean, he's 685 00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:28.440 you know, one of a kind. But we that were 686 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:31.199 lucky enough to see him day to day like you, 687 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:33.000 or to play with him day to day like me, 688 00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:35.920 you know, really get to see the behind the scenes stuff, 689 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:39.360 which is where he's just an animal, and you know, 690 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:43.639 you realize what it takes to not only just like 691 00:35:43.800 --> 00:35:45.199 be in the big leagues, but for him to like 692 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:46.960 be a superstar, you know, to be one of the 693 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:51.000 greatest ever as far as how dedicated to it you 694 00:35:51.079 --> 00:35:53.880 have to be. And just you know, if he gave 695 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:55.480 up two runs. That was a bad start for like 696 00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:57.559 the first ten years of his career. Like, that's just 697 00:35:57.599 --> 00:36:00.239 so amazing to think about, you know. So he just 698 00:36:00.280 --> 00:36:02.960 said to be so laser focused. So not only did 699 00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:04.239 he have the stuff to back it up, but he 700 00:36:04.280 --> 00:36:06.320 had the mentality that you see from like the Verlanders 701 00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:09.159 insuresers of the world, where like if he gets three 702 00:36:09.199 --> 00:36:11.599 runs early, he's going for your throat and that game's over. 703 00:36:11.760 --> 00:36:13.719 And you know, there's just not that many guys like that, 704 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:15.840 and Clayton was certainly one of them, or is still 705 00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:17.079 certainly one of them. 706 00:36:17.599 --> 00:36:20.880 Yeah, still is Is that surprising to you that Ross 707 00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:24.559 Strippling retired before Kershawn? Maybe you can give us some 708 00:36:24.639 --> 00:36:27.119 insight on what's still driving him right now. 709 00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:31.440 I I will not put words in the Clayton Kershaw's mouth. 710 00:36:31.679 --> 00:36:34.519 I you know, yes, he was there long before me, 711 00:36:34.599 --> 00:36:37.320 and he's gonna be around after me. Still getting guys 712 00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:41.199 out in the big leagues, you know, I I honestly 713 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:43.840 don't know. I think that he still has the passion 714 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:45.840 to play and to get out. So I'm sure, you know, 715 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:47.880 not being healthy for one sixty two in the last 716 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:50.039 couple of years probably just drives him nuts. I'm sure 717 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:52.840 he just wants to like make thirty starts and feel 718 00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:55.199 that again and and you know, be a guy that 719 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:57.760 the team can rely on to go out every fit day. 720 00:36:57.840 --> 00:36:59.800 I know he holds his you know, has so much 721 00:37:00.280 --> 00:37:02.760 in that. And then you know, I'm sure his family's 722 00:37:02.760 --> 00:37:05.280 in a good spot where they feel good about he's 723 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:07.639 you know, he can still play and be a dad 724 00:37:07.679 --> 00:37:08.920 and do all the things that he wants to do. 725 00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:10.760 They got a good routine going. So I think it's 726 00:37:10.840 --> 00:37:15.480 like the Dodgers are in this awesome era of being 727 00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:17.960 so good, you know, like the mid nineties Braves kind 728 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:19.280 of thing, and he's like, I want to miss out 729 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:20.679 on it. I helped build this and I'm going to 730 00:37:20.719 --> 00:37:22.800 see it through. And I just I think, you know, 731 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:26.199 all encompassing it still works out where he can kind 732 00:37:26.199 --> 00:37:27.679 of do it on his terms, and when he's ready 733 00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:29.440 to pitch, he'll he'll show up and he'll be cutting 734 00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:31.679 Kershaw and I you know, I can't wait to see 735 00:37:31.719 --> 00:37:33.800 him in the second half of the season and hopefully 736 00:37:33.880 --> 00:37:36.159 make some postseason starts and do great And because you know, 737 00:37:36.159 --> 00:37:37.719 no one deserves it more than him. 738 00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:42.440 Ross Strippling is our guest he announced his retirement last week. 739 00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:43.199 Ross. 740 00:37:43.239 --> 00:37:45.719 Just a couple of more questions for you, because you 741 00:37:45.800 --> 00:37:50.000 have such a unique perspective considering where your career started 742 00:37:50.119 --> 00:37:53.159 as far as the time that baseball was being played 743 00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:55.800 and the way baseball's being played now and the whole 744 00:37:55.880 --> 00:37:57.519 Dodger's trajectory here. 745 00:37:58.400 --> 00:38:00.480 What do you think about this. 746 00:38:00.239 --> 00:38:03.199 Version of the Dodgers compared to where it was in 747 00:38:03.280 --> 00:38:04.199 twenty sixteen. 748 00:38:05.760 --> 00:38:09.159 Yeah, I you know, I really loved the teams that 749 00:38:09.239 --> 00:38:12.599 we had. Those teams probably felt a little more homegrown, right, 750 00:38:12.639 --> 00:38:15.920 And the Dodgers still unbelievably elite at drafting and developing 751 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:18.119 talent or taking guys from other teams that have been 752 00:38:18.880 --> 00:38:21.360 maybe spit out for various reasons and taking them in 753 00:38:21.440 --> 00:38:24.000 and getting the best out on think of like early 754 00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:26.840 Justin Turner, early Max Munty. You know, they're still elite 755 00:38:26.880 --> 00:38:29.599 at that. I'm obviously not saying they've they've lost their 756 00:38:29.639 --> 00:38:32.840 touch there, but you know that twenty twenty World Series team, 757 00:38:32.880 --> 00:38:35.440 I think the stat is either sixteen or nineteen homegrown 758 00:38:35.880 --> 00:38:38.960 players were on that roster. And then you know guys 759 00:38:39.039 --> 00:38:43.039 like Munsey and JT that certainly weren't, you know, highly 760 00:38:43.079 --> 00:38:45.760 touted from other organizations. So, like, I think those teams 761 00:38:45.800 --> 00:38:48.280 are really special because it shows that not only did 762 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:50.719 they have kind of an unlimited bank role, but they 763 00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:53.280 also drafted and developed from within and got them to 764 00:38:53.280 --> 00:38:57.400 the big leagues and had immense success with those guys. 765 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:59.960 So I just think that is like the ultimate testament 766 00:39:00.079 --> 00:39:03.480 to being a successful organization. But then you know, now 767 00:39:03.480 --> 00:39:06.880 it's like, let's bring in the star power, let's totally 768 00:39:06.920 --> 00:39:11.440 swallow up the Japanese market, and you know, and really 769 00:39:11.519 --> 00:39:14.719 like make Los Angeles baseball a show, I mean to Hollywood, 770 00:39:14.760 --> 00:39:16.599 and let's let's let's go all the way into this thing, 771 00:39:16.639 --> 00:39:18.320 and then in the first year win a World Series. 772 00:39:18.320 --> 00:39:21.320 So I think both are awesome, and I think, you know, 773 00:39:22.039 --> 00:39:24.599 ownership going all the way in one way or the 774 00:39:24.599 --> 00:39:27.119 other is just a testament to them being like one 775 00:39:27.159 --> 00:39:28.800 of the only ones that says like we're here to 776 00:39:28.800 --> 00:39:30.840 win baseball games and to make it look good and 777 00:39:30.880 --> 00:39:33.559 to be a powerhouse. And you know, obviously, as players 778 00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:35.960 would wish other owners would do the same because that 779 00:39:36.119 --> 00:39:38.760 leads to more money for players and just better things 780 00:39:38.800 --> 00:39:40.599 all the way around, a better show, better product on 781 00:39:40.599 --> 00:39:42.480 the field. So you know, I wish other teams would 782 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:43.039 fallow suit. 783 00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:46.840 No doubt perfectly said before I let you go, I 784 00:39:46.880 --> 00:39:49.719 want to end it on this, if I'm not mistaken. 785 00:39:49.840 --> 00:39:52.960 Back in twenty sixteen, twenty seventeen, as far as the 786 00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:57.440 relationships that you built with those same homegrown guys, what 787 00:39:57.559 --> 00:40:00.400 was it like sharing a house and lows Field with 788 00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:04.920 Alex Wood and Corey Seeger as roommates. Was that one 789 00:40:04.920 --> 00:40:07.679 of your fondest seasons being roommates with those guys? 790 00:40:08.599 --> 00:40:10.679 Yeah, I just think, you know, and you even go 791 00:40:10.800 --> 00:40:13.559 back to like the minor leagues before that, when we'd 792 00:40:13.559 --> 00:40:16.800 pile like six dudes into a two bedroom and you know, 793 00:40:16.800 --> 00:40:19.760 I'll sleeping on a twin mattress in the kitchen, and 794 00:40:19.840 --> 00:40:21.679 some of those guys were groomsmen in my wedding. You 795 00:40:21.679 --> 00:40:23.800 know that that those are gonna be the stuff that 796 00:40:23.920 --> 00:40:25.800 stick with me. You know, ten years from now, I'm 797 00:40:25.800 --> 00:40:29.400 not gonna remember the May outing against the Padres in 798 00:40:29.440 --> 00:40:31.920 twenty eighteen or whatever. You know, I'm gonna remember some 799 00:40:31.960 --> 00:40:35.639 of those funky memories from when we piled into houses together. 800 00:40:35.679 --> 00:40:38.360 And you know, an answer question that those are two 801 00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:41.679 still probably maybe my two best friends from baseball still, 802 00:40:41.840 --> 00:40:44.519 you know, are Corey and Alex. So I just think 803 00:40:44.559 --> 00:40:46.920 it that was and our wives were super close. Like 804 00:40:46.920 --> 00:40:49.000 that's just you look back at like when like true 805 00:40:49.000 --> 00:40:52.920 friendships and stuff were built right there where. It was 806 00:40:52.920 --> 00:40:54.639 cool because we were having success on the field, but 807 00:40:54.679 --> 00:40:57.320 then we were getting dinners and exploring Los Angeles and 808 00:40:58.360 --> 00:41:00.960 staying up late and talking about why and you know, 809 00:41:01.079 --> 00:41:03.039 just like building a real friendship with those guys and 810 00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:05.039 I hope last forever. So I just think it's like 811 00:41:05.199 --> 00:41:08.480 one of those perfect six months where you like will 812 00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:10.360 look back and just like, man, like my life changing 813 00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:12.880 an awesome way during that time, and I'm so thankful 814 00:41:12.880 --> 00:41:13.199 for it. 815 00:41:14.719 --> 00:41:18.480 Hey, Los Angeles is thankful for Chicken Strip Ross Strippling. 816 00:41:18.559 --> 00:41:22.760 You were always a professional, You're always first class Ross, 817 00:41:22.920 --> 00:41:25.760 and I'm happy to share you with the fans again 818 00:41:26.079 --> 00:41:29.519 as you announce your retirement. All you guys from those 819 00:41:29.519 --> 00:41:33.280 teams will always have a special place in Dodger fans' 820 00:41:33.280 --> 00:41:34.559 hearts and mine as well. 821 00:41:34.679 --> 00:41:37.119 So thank you for a great career. 822 00:41:37.280 --> 00:41:40.920 Thank you for being as good of a person as 823 00:41:40.920 --> 00:41:43.039 you were on the mound as a pitcher, so we 824 00:41:43.119 --> 00:41:44.079 all appreciate that. 825 00:41:44.960 --> 00:41:47.199 Well, Dave, thank you so much, man, And I'll do 826 00:41:47.360 --> 00:41:49.480 the same and say thank you for always making it 827 00:41:49.559 --> 00:41:53.400 fun and you know, making it enjoyable to talk with 828 00:41:53.440 --> 00:41:55.599 you and also making it easy. You know these questions 829 00:41:55.639 --> 00:41:57.559 we you know, kind of joke that they're hard hitting, 830 00:41:57.559 --> 00:41:59.440 but you're you're fun to talk to all the time. Man, 831 00:41:59.480 --> 00:42:02.599 So keep up the good work. And you know I'll 832 00:42:02.599 --> 00:42:04.639 come on anytime. Man, looking forward to doing it again. 833 00:42:05.639 --> 00:42:07.199 We'll do it for sure again. 834 00:42:07.400 --> 00:42:10.639 And you never know, Ross Strippling might be on sports 835 00:42:10.719 --> 00:42:14.760 at LA and running bert Shire Hathaway on his weekday. 836 00:42:14.920 --> 00:42:17.679 So this is not the last time you'll hear from 837 00:42:17.760 --> 00:42:22.280 Ross Strippling. I guarantee that. Thanks Ross, and congratulations on 838 00:42:22.400 --> 00:42:24.719 being a great husband and dad. And we'll see you 839 00:42:24.760 --> 00:42:26.000 soon at Dodger Stadium. 840 00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:28.320 All right, sounds good saying thank you man. 841 00:42:28.920 --> 00:42:32.400 There he goes Ross Strippling. He was a fan favorite, 842 00:42:32.519 --> 00:42:36.000 a great guy obviously and now turning the page to 843 00:42:36.159 --> 00:42:39.920 a post playing career. And Ross can do anything he wants. 844 00:42:39.920 --> 00:42:43.920 He could go into financial advising, he could be a broadcaster, 845 00:42:44.079 --> 00:42:46.280 he could be a coach, he could even work in 846 00:42:46.320 --> 00:42:49.519 the front office. I mean he is so well rounded 847 00:42:49.519 --> 00:42:54.280 and always a lot of times the most intelligent guy 848 00:42:54.880 --> 00:42:58.679 in a clubhouse and certainly could express himself really well 849 00:42:58.719 --> 00:43:01.840 and appreciate Ross taking as much time out of his 850 00:43:02.039 --> 00:43:05.760 night to join us. And uh, it was a fun 851 00:43:05.800 --> 00:43:08.800 time where Ross stripling and those group of Dodgers. And 852 00:43:08.960 --> 00:43:12.480 speaking of those group of Dodgers, I had a chance 853 00:43:12.559 --> 00:43:15.679 to catch up with Austin Barnes in Arizona and I 854 00:43:15.719 --> 00:43:19.559 asked him what his favorite memories were of Ross strippling. 855 00:43:19.880 --> 00:43:22.280 There's probably two. Ross was a great teammate, but two 856 00:43:22.360 --> 00:43:25.320 like incidents. It was probably when he threw behind Stan 857 00:43:26.400 --> 00:43:28.920 and he and he just looked down the whole time. 858 00:43:28.960 --> 00:43:32.079 And it was if I remember, I got in front 859 00:43:32.119 --> 00:43:35.639 of standing and his wife said thank you to me 860 00:43:35.800 --> 00:43:39.840 after after the game. But besides that, I remember he 861 00:43:39.880 --> 00:43:43.039 pinched ran too. I hit like a walk off double 862 00:43:43.480 --> 00:43:45.920 and he scored it. I liked his little jog around 863 00:43:46.320 --> 00:43:48.280 around the bases. But no, he was a great teammate. 864 00:43:48.880 --> 00:43:52.440 Still really close with Ross, congratulating on a great career 865 00:43:52.480 --> 00:43:54.760 and excited for his next chapter. 866 00:43:55.000 --> 00:43:56.920 Did you think you were going to stop Stanton if 867 00:43:56.920 --> 00:43:58.480 he really wanted to go out there. 868 00:43:58.519 --> 00:43:58.920 I would have. 869 00:43:59.360 --> 00:44:00.719 I would have been a wall speed bump. 870 00:44:01.079 --> 00:44:03.199 But that's also another big man. 871 00:44:03.320 --> 00:44:09.320 So yeah, that walk off Bass hit that Austin Barnes 872 00:44:09.400 --> 00:44:12.519 was talking about was in twenty seventeen against the Pirates, 873 00:44:12.719 --> 00:44:13.960 and it was Austin Barnes. 874 00:44:14.000 --> 00:44:16.920 I drove in Ross Stripling who was the pinch runner. 875 00:44:17.039 --> 00:44:21.280 And we totally remember John Carlos Stanton with the Marlins 876 00:44:21.320 --> 00:44:24.880 at the time kind of taking exception to Ross hitting 877 00:44:24.920 --> 00:44:28.480 him with a pitch. So I had forgotten about those 878 00:44:28.480 --> 00:44:32.400 two moments, but after Austin brought him up, I certainly 879 00:44:32.440 --> 00:44:35.639 remember them now. Eight six six nine, eight seven, two 880 00:44:35.679 --> 00:44:38.480 five seventy is the phone number. David Vasse with you 881 00:44:38.599 --> 00:44:41.559 until the top of the hour on off day Dodger Talk. 882 00:44:41.639 --> 00:44:45.039 The Dodgers are back in action tomorrow night against the A's. 883 00:44:45.119 --> 00:44:47.519 They'll have Landon Knack on the mound in the opener 884 00:44:47.599 --> 00:44:52.440 of the series, and then Yamamoto followed by Rochi Sazaki 885 00:44:52.719 --> 00:44:56.519 now speaking of the Dodgers pitching, Obviously they're a little 886 00:44:56.559 --> 00:45:00.119 short handed right now, but have the depth of players 887 00:45:00.159 --> 00:45:04.199 like Landon Nak, Bobby Miller, Justin Robleski to be able 888 00:45:04.280 --> 00:45:07.280 to fill the spots that they need to be filled 889 00:45:07.360 --> 00:45:11.000 right now. With Tyler Glass now, Blake Snell and Clayton 890 00:45:11.119 --> 00:45:14.480 Kershaw on the injured list. Who would have thought that 891 00:45:14.599 --> 00:45:17.559 Kershaw would be the first one of those three to 892 00:45:17.719 --> 00:45:21.480 come back, and that's what's going to happen. Kershaw pitched 893 00:45:21.519 --> 00:45:25.360 his final rehab game yesterday for Oklahoma City against the 894 00:45:25.360 --> 00:45:29.599 Albuquerque Isotopes. I still don't like that name, being a 895 00:45:29.679 --> 00:45:33.599 Dodger fan my whole life, Albuquerque being the Dodgers affiliate, 896 00:45:33.639 --> 00:45:38.000 they were always the Dukes in the Duke city of Albuquerque. 897 00:45:38.079 --> 00:45:42.320 But nonetheless, Kershaw faced Albuquerque yesterday and pitched really well 898 00:45:42.639 --> 00:45:46.039 to finish his rehab assignment. Four innings, two earn runs 899 00:45:46.360 --> 00:45:50.119 against Albuquerque, and now he's eligible to be activated off 900 00:45:50.159 --> 00:45:54.440 the sixty day IL on Saturday, which would set him 901 00:45:54.519 --> 00:45:57.760 up for a start on Sunday. I mean, there is 902 00:45:57.800 --> 00:46:00.000 a chance that he could start on Saturday, I suppose, 903 00:46:00.599 --> 00:46:03.000 so he's going to pitch against the Angels. Whether it's 904 00:46:03.039 --> 00:46:06.920 Saturday or Sunday still remains to be seen. And that's 905 00:46:07.159 --> 00:46:10.400 great news for Kershaw. And I'm interested to see what 906 00:46:10.679 --> 00:46:13.880 version of Kershaw the Dodgers get. I had heard different 907 00:46:13.920 --> 00:46:17.960 things about his fastball velocity, whether it was eighty seven, 908 00:46:18.039 --> 00:46:22.480 eighty eight, touching ninety. It would make life a lot 909 00:46:22.639 --> 00:46:27.280 easier for Kershaw. If he was touching ninety consistently, and 910 00:46:27.360 --> 00:46:30.719 even before he got hurt last year, his fastball was 911 00:46:30.800 --> 00:46:34.239 right there eighty nine to ninety. But having the fastball 912 00:46:34.639 --> 00:46:38.079 at ninety miles an hour helps his slider, helps his 913 00:46:38.199 --> 00:46:43.199 curveball because it gives more disparity of velocities to give 914 00:46:43.239 --> 00:46:47.360 the hitter a different look, not only changing north south 915 00:46:47.599 --> 00:46:52.239 east west, but velocities. That's important to have that type 916 00:46:52.360 --> 00:46:54.920 as big of a range between your fastball and your 917 00:46:54.960 --> 00:46:59.000 secondary pitches as possible. That's what made him so devastating. 918 00:46:59.039 --> 00:47:01.639 When he was at his he was throwing ninety five 919 00:47:01.760 --> 00:47:05.039 ninety six, then had a hard slider at eighty eight, 920 00:47:05.119 --> 00:47:07.480 coming down at the back foot of your feet if 921 00:47:07.480 --> 00:47:09.800 you're a right handed hitter, and then he had the 922 00:47:09.880 --> 00:47:13.880 curveball for a strikeout pitch. But now we're talking eighty 923 00:47:14.000 --> 00:47:18.199 seven to eighty nine, maybe ninety. It's going to be 924 00:47:18.280 --> 00:47:20.760 interesting to see how he's able to get hitters out. 925 00:47:21.159 --> 00:47:24.239 But the one way he will get hitters out is 926 00:47:24.320 --> 00:47:28.559 by competing out competing them, and that's one thing that 927 00:47:28.639 --> 00:47:31.280 has got him to this point in his career, to 928 00:47:31.360 --> 00:47:34.239 be in this position at thirty six years old and 929 00:47:34.320 --> 00:47:39.920 only thirty something strikeouts away from three thousand in his career. Now, 930 00:47:39.960 --> 00:47:43.760 as far as the other two guys go, Tyler Glassnow 931 00:47:43.800 --> 00:47:48.039 and Blake Snell were supposedly checked out by Neil Elatrosh today. 932 00:47:48.440 --> 00:47:51.119 I know, just talking to Snell, he just wasn't that 933 00:47:51.320 --> 00:47:54.840 concerned that this was going to be a whole season 934 00:47:55.079 --> 00:47:59.000 shoulder injury. He's never had a shoulder injury in his career. 935 00:48:00.119 --> 00:48:03.840 But he's still feeling something and that's the reason why 936 00:48:03.880 --> 00:48:07.960 he didn't play catch in Arizona on this road trip. Now, 937 00:48:07.960 --> 00:48:11.400 we did talk to Blake the first day in Arizona, 938 00:48:11.840 --> 00:48:16.280 and here's for the first time publicly him talking as 939 00:48:16.360 --> 00:48:19.159 much as he will about his shoulder injury. 940 00:48:19.440 --> 00:48:23.159 Yeah, I'm gonna be throwing here shortly, so we'll see. 941 00:48:23.400 --> 00:48:25.400 We're just taking a day, my day, going slow, but 942 00:48:26.559 --> 00:48:30.159 we should know soon. So once once I feel one 943 00:48:30.199 --> 00:48:34.000 hundred percent healthy, ready to go, that's the plan and 944 00:48:34.039 --> 00:48:35.599 then we'll see from there. 945 00:48:35.960 --> 00:48:38.199 You feel like you're moving in the right direction. 946 00:48:38.280 --> 00:48:40.119 Yeah, every day, you know, some days I feel a 947 00:48:40.119 --> 00:48:43.119 little worse than the others. This the longest I've been 948 00:48:43.159 --> 00:48:47.199 on the il and forever, so it's been frustrating and 949 00:48:47.599 --> 00:48:50.920 difficult to go through but I like being on the 950 00:48:50.960 --> 00:48:53.079 road trip. I like being able to, you know, support 951 00:48:53.119 --> 00:48:56.440 the teammates and and more so, just be selfless. I'm 952 00:48:56.480 --> 00:48:59.800 worrying about myself and start learning more about the team. 953 00:49:00.320 --> 00:49:04.239 That's really helped me mentally. Just you know, focus on 954 00:49:04.360 --> 00:49:06.320 day by day and when it's my time, it will 955 00:49:06.360 --> 00:49:08.320 be my time. But right now it's not, and I 956 00:49:08.360 --> 00:49:11.639 got to accept that and focus on rehab, get as 957 00:49:11.679 --> 00:49:13.320 strong and healthy as I can get, and then when 958 00:49:13.360 --> 00:49:14.840 it's my time, I'll be ready to go. 959 00:49:15.320 --> 00:49:18.920 Now, he didn't really say a whole lot there, but 960 00:49:19.840 --> 00:49:22.119 he doesn't seem like he's that concerned. 961 00:49:22.239 --> 00:49:25.320 And the Dodgers just want to be extra. 962 00:49:25.079 --> 00:49:28.480 Sure and extra careful before they start ramping up his 963 00:49:28.599 --> 00:49:31.559 throwing because the worst case scenario would be is if 964 00:49:31.599 --> 00:49:34.039 they say, come on, it's just a little pain, now, 965 00:49:34.559 --> 00:49:37.239 get out there, start your throwing program. You'll be fine, 966 00:49:37.559 --> 00:49:41.400 and then he comes back and has a major setback 967 00:49:41.679 --> 00:49:44.320 and he's lost for the year. That's not what the 968 00:49:44.360 --> 00:49:47.719 Dodgers want. And having the record they have right now 969 00:49:48.000 --> 00:49:51.800 twenty seven and fourteen, having the offense they have right 970 00:49:51.840 --> 00:49:56.119 now certainly gives them that luxury. Speaking of the Dodgers 971 00:49:56.119 --> 00:49:59.400 starting pitching. I'm sure you're well aware of right now 972 00:49:59.559 --> 00:50:03.320 before we say good night, that the Dodgers' bullpen has 973 00:50:03.360 --> 00:50:07.039 thrown more innings than any other bullpen in baseball. That's 974 00:50:07.079 --> 00:50:11.639 not sustainable. And you have veterans like Kirby Yates, Tanner Scott, 975 00:50:11.639 --> 00:50:14.719 and Alex Vesia that have pitched in half of the 976 00:50:14.760 --> 00:50:20.159 games the Dodgers have played. That's not something Andrew Friedman wants. 977 00:50:20.239 --> 00:50:23.079 So the Dodgers are going to have to figure out 978 00:50:23.119 --> 00:50:25.639 a way to get these starters deeper into games. They've 979 00:50:25.639 --> 00:50:29.400 had young arms like benk Casparrius throw twenty seven innings, 980 00:50:29.480 --> 00:50:33.400 Jack Dryer pitching seventeen games, multiple innings a lot of 981 00:50:33.440 --> 00:50:36.440 those times, they've had a huge impact in their first 982 00:50:36.480 --> 00:50:40.199 full years. So the Dodgers starters need to start picking 983 00:50:40.280 --> 00:50:43.440 it up, and hopefully the Dodger offense can keep going 984 00:50:43.480 --> 00:50:46.480 to kind of take the burden off their pitching staff 985 00:50:46.599 --> 00:50:50.320 because their offense. Without their offense, the Dodgers would not 986 00:50:50.360 --> 00:50:53.119 be twenty seven and fourteen. It's that good even without 987 00:50:53.280 --> 00:50:56.199 Edmn and those guys. All right, that'll do it for 988 00:50:56.280 --> 00:50:59.159 us on Dodger Talk tonight. Thanks to Ronnie Fossio for 989 00:50:59.199 --> 00:51:01.679 all his help thanks to calling Yee, and thanks to 990 00:51:01.719 --> 00:51:03.880 you for listening. In case you missed any of the show, 991 00:51:04.239 --> 00:51:07.360 you can find it on the iHeartRadio app. We'll talk 992 00:51:07.360 --> 00:51:10.000 to you tomorrow night at six o'clock with Morongo Casino, 993 00:51:10.079 --> 00:51:13.280 Dodgers on deck, first pitch from Dodgers Stadium at seven 994 00:51:13.280 --> 00:51:16.480 to ten on Mookie Bets Babblehead Night between the Dodgers 995 00:51:16.480 --> 00:51:18.719 and A's. Have a great rest of your night. Fox 996 00:51:18.760 --> 00:51:20.239 Sports Radio is next. 997 00:51:20.519 --> 00:51:21.079 See you