WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.520 --> 00:00:06.480 One thing about this gene is the invisible and tangibles 2 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:06.879 that they have. 3 00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:10.199 This team is really becoming a family. Let's not play 4 00:00:10.199 --> 00:00:11.720 one on Tom Let's wind it. 5 00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:13.679 I love writing me these guys after the show. 6 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.120 So just thank you, give me are your attention, your 7 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:19.719 fire and not a pisson. This is world champion, Dodger 8 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:23.120 world championing for a small soft time. They get up 9 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:24.039 people what they want to. 10 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:26.600 Die in a row two is special. I'm like, yeah, 11 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:31.359 it's not a headache one of a con. This ball's gone. 12 00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:35.439 You ready to go? Hell time to the sound grab 13 00:00:35.520 --> 00:00:37.640 your phone to get in on the show called eight 14 00:00:37.799 --> 00:00:40.640 six six nine eighty seven two five seven and go 15 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:44.920 to the show. And now your host of Dodger Talk, David. 16 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:49.320 Basse, Welcome the Dodger Talk. 17 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:52.679 David Vasse with you until the top of the hour 18 00:00:53.240 --> 00:00:56.359 after the Dodgers defeat the Athletics tonight by a final 19 00:00:56.439 --> 00:01:01.000 score of nine to three. Eight six six seven two 20 00:01:01.079 --> 00:01:04.640 five seventy is the phone number we will get you 21 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:08.400 updates on Tommy Edmund and ta Oscar Hernandez and also 22 00:01:08.599 --> 00:01:12.319 Blake Snell Jose Moto will join us as well, and 23 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:15.280 we will take your phone calls at eight sixty six nine, 24 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:19.280 eight seven two five seventy. But my favorite moment of 25 00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:22.799 the game tonight obviously came in the eighth inning when 26 00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:28.280 Mark Ktsee did with a few different managers have done 27 00:01:28.680 --> 00:01:32.599 since the beginning of last year, or since the Dodgers 28 00:01:32.599 --> 00:01:36.719 decided to hit Otani first and Mooki Beds second the 29 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:39.959 second half of last season. I believe Ron Washington of 30 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:43.439 the Angels was the first manager to pay for that, 31 00:01:43.680 --> 00:01:46.879 and Mooki Bets hit a home run at Angel Stadium 32 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:52.879 last year for after Washington intentionally walked show Hey Otani 33 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:57.920 and Mookie Betts the last two years, after managers have 34 00:01:58.040 --> 00:02:01.439 walked Otani in front of you. Him is three for 35 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:05.519 four with a double that home run in Anaheim and 36 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:10.039 seven RBIs so the two run double tonight drove into 37 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:12.759 in the eighth inning and Mookie Betts let out a 38 00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:17.719 primal scream and emotions that we haven't seen at this 39 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:21.520 time of the year in that type of situation in 40 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:23.879 a very long time. I can only think about the 41 00:02:23.960 --> 00:02:28.319 home run in Anaheim where he kind of was directing 42 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:32.120 his emotions towards his own dugout. But I have never 43 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:37.319 seen Mookie Betts scream towards the opposing dugout and basically 44 00:02:37.759 --> 00:02:42.280 was given Mark Cosse the Mtumbo finger and a very 45 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:43.360 primal scream. 46 00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:46.000 And I love it. I love it. You know, we. 47 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:50.039 See Katel Marte do that dumb jump shot between second 48 00:02:50.120 --> 00:02:56.120 and third. We saw Lord Deescuriel do that ridiculous celebration 49 00:02:56.280 --> 00:03:00.560 in Arizona over an eighth inning home run. That was 50 00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:05.120 the type of play that you show emotion. You're one 51 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:09.879 of the best players, not only on your team, you're 52 00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:14.240 one of the best players in baseball. And the opposing manager, 53 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:17.960 even though it's Shoeo Tani is saying, you know what, 54 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:21.599 You're not as good as that guy. We're gonna get 55 00:03:21.639 --> 00:03:24.960 you out with a guy by the name of Tyler Ferguson. 56 00:03:25.639 --> 00:03:29.080 Tyler Ferguson can get you out. Mookie Betts. I don't 57 00:03:29.080 --> 00:03:31.919 care if he's right handed, left handed, he can get 58 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:36.199 you out. And that's the reason why I loved what 59 00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:39.280 Mookie Betts did at second base. I thought that was 60 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:45.719 completely in bounds because he proved Kostse wrong. And look, 61 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:49.199 Mooki's been fighting himself a little bit. He admitted that 62 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:52.840 to us after the game tonight. But I think going 63 00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:56.199 back a couple of years when JD. Martinez, his buddy 64 00:03:56.240 --> 00:03:59.479 that was teammates with him in Boston and then again 65 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:03.039 for that one season with the Dodgers, told me that 66 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:06.199 a lot of times Mookie Bets has to be reminded 67 00:04:06.319 --> 00:04:10.400 how good he is. And I feel like Mookie Bets 68 00:04:10.520 --> 00:04:14.599 reminded himself how good he is in that eighth inning. 69 00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:16.000 So good for Mookie. 70 00:04:16.279 --> 00:04:19.199 And I know I was joking that he was humble 71 00:04:19.240 --> 00:04:21.079 bragging about what he did. 72 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:23.160 But that's a real thing. 73 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:27.079 As incredible as it sounds, Mookie Betts needs to be 74 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:30.839 reminded often how good he is. He's a humble guy 75 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:35.000 and in baseball being humble as great, humble and hungry 76 00:04:35.079 --> 00:04:38.079 as Jim Harbaugh likes to say. But you know, in 77 00:04:38.160 --> 00:04:41.839 that situation, I'd love seeing that type of emotion. And 78 00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:44.480 I believe you know, it sends a message to your 79 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:47.600 team that here we are in the middle of May, 80 00:04:47.720 --> 00:04:52.800 May fourteenth against the Athletics, and you're showing that type 81 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:56.920 of emotion, that sort of competitive drive. You don't see 82 00:04:56.920 --> 00:05:00.439 that from Mooki Bets too often, and that's what makes 83 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:04.639 it organic, and that's what makes it authentic. Eight six 84 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:08.240 six nine eight seven two five seventy is the phone number. 85 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:12.519 Dodgers hit four home runs tonight, Shoeo Tani, Andy Paez 86 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:15.600 who had a big night three hits. Max Munsey hit 87 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:18.399 a three run home run in that five run eighth inning, 88 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:22.759 And hey Sung Kim. How about Hayes Sung Kim. He 89 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:26.079 gets the start at second base tonight. He made a 90 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:31.680 great play at second base against Louis Orias in the 91 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:37.160 fourth inning, and he beats out an infield single ground 92 00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:40.720 ball to second base in the second inning, and the 93 00:05:40.839 --> 00:05:44.759 athletic second baseman Louis Orias could not throw him out, 94 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:48.120 and then for good measure, he hits his first major 95 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:51.920 league home run in the fifth inning. Now here's the 96 00:05:52.040 --> 00:05:55.160 update on Teoscar Hernandez and tom Y Edmond and how 97 00:05:55.199 --> 00:05:58.560 it relates to Hayesung Kim and kind of the tough 98 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:02.519 roster decision the Dodgers are going to have to make again. 99 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:07.480 They made one today sending bringing up Dalton Rushing and 100 00:06:07.959 --> 00:06:10.759 cutting ties with Austin Barnes, who has been on the 101 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:14.959 team since twenty fifteen, won two World Series championships. And 102 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:19.319 that's Andrew Friedman's guy. That was not an easy decision 103 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:23.040 for Andrew by no means. But going back to the 104 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:26.160 Kim dilemma, if you want to call it that, it's 105 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:28.959 a high class problem to have if you're the Dodgers. 106 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:33.319 But with ta Oscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman likely coming 107 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:37.120 off the IL next week, obviously James Outman is going 108 00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:40.600 to be sent back to Oklahoma City, but after the 109 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:44.160 second player, whether it's probably Tommy Edman, I feel like 110 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:46.759 ta Oskar is gonna come off the IL first from 111 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:50.560 what I've seen observed. But when Tommy Edmund comes back, 112 00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:54.319 what do the Dodgers do with Hay Sun Kim? Have 113 00:06:54.399 --> 00:06:58.240 they found something that they can trust for the stretch run? 114 00:06:58.720 --> 00:06:58.920 Yes? 115 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:02.279 Does he make the Dodgers better right now and more 116 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:04.360 dynamic one? 117 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:06.680 Yes? But where does he. 118 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:11.199 Play when Tommy Edmin and Taoscar Hernandez are back. Andy 119 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:15.120 Pajes is going back to center field, Taoscar Hernandez is 120 00:07:15.160 --> 00:07:19.000 going to play right field, Michael Confordo's not going anywhere 121 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:22.920 in left field, Mookie Betts is not going anywhere at shortstop, 122 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:26.759 and Tommy Edman is likely going to get the line's 123 00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:29.639 share of time at second base like he did before 124 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:33.519 he tweaked his right ankle. So here's the question the Dodgers, 125 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:37.120 I'm sure are asking themselves. Yes, Kim is a weapon 126 00:07:37.160 --> 00:07:40.560 off the bench, but how often is he going to play? 127 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:43.000 How often are you going to give Tommy y Edmond 128 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:46.279 days off? How often are you gonna give Andy po 129 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:49.279 Has days off? I mean, Paes is one of the 130 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:51.639 best hitters on the team, one of the bigger threats 131 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:54.800 on the team. So here's the question the Dodgers are 132 00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:58.399 going to have to ask themselves. Will Kim be benefited 133 00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:02.079 more by being sent back to Oklahoma sitting and city 134 00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:04.920 and getting every day at bats, or sitting on the 135 00:08:04.959 --> 00:08:08.360 bench and play sparingly because he's still a work in 136 00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:11.360 progress with his swing. I know it's hard to say 137 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:15.759 that right now, but he is, so you know, there 138 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:18.199 is an argument to be made that it would benefit 139 00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:21.600 Kim to go back to Oklahoma City, play every day, 140 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:26.160 and then come back to LA when the Dodgers need him. 141 00:08:26.519 --> 00:08:30.519 And one hundred percent, no doubt in my mind Kim 142 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:33.679 will be back for the stretch run and will be 143 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:37.320 part of the Dodgers postseason roster. I have no doubts 144 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:40.960 about that because he is so dynamic in so many 145 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:41.639 different ways. 146 00:08:41.679 --> 00:08:43.039 He's an elite infielder. 147 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:46.519 I think we've seen that centerfield is not obviously as 148 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:51.159 good as second base and shortstop. For Kim, he's a 149 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:53.919 dynamic bas runner. You saw what he did tonight in 150 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:56.080 the in the second inning beating out that ground ball. 151 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:59.639 And by the way, his interpreter Joe Lee showed me 152 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:02.000 a highlights of Kim in the KBO. 153 00:09:02.440 --> 00:09:03.679 He was doing that on a. 154 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:07.600 Regular basis, and he just creates so much havoc with 155 00:09:07.679 --> 00:09:11.559 his speed that I mean, that's something that you kind 156 00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:14.080 of need in the postseason, that would put a lot 157 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:19.240 of pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses. So you know, 158 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:23.120 I mentioned this last week and I'll say it again. 159 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:27.240 You shouldn't be outraged if the Dodgers send Kim down 160 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:29.960 for the time being and then call him back up 161 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:33.720 when necessary or when a roster spot opens up, because 162 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:36.480 there is not regular at bats for him right now. 163 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:39.960 But he's a dynamic player and certainly was a weapon 164 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:43.039 in Atlanta as a pinch runner. So there's an argument 165 00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:46.720 to me to be made both ways. Eight six six, 166 00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:49.600 nine eighty seven two five seventy is the phone number 167 00:09:49.919 --> 00:09:53.759 now to the news of the day, and that is 168 00:09:53.799 --> 00:09:58.480 the fact that Austin Barnes was designated for assignment after 169 00:09:58.559 --> 00:10:02.000 being part of the Dodgers or organization since twenty fifteen. 170 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:06.080 All Austin Barnes has ever known in the major leagues 171 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:08.639 as wearing a Dodger uniform. Yeah, he was in the 172 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:12.360 minors with the Marlins when Andrew Freeman acquired him during 173 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:16.679 his first winter meetings in charge of the Dodgers. Remember 174 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:21.200 that was that trade that was wheeling and dealing three 175 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:27.200 way trade Marlins Angels Dodgers where Andrew Freeman acquired Austin Barnes, 176 00:10:27.320 --> 00:10:31.840 keyk a Hernandez and Andrew Heeney and flipped Heeney for 177 00:10:32.279 --> 00:10:36.240 Howie Kendrick. And then in the same process that same night, 178 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:39.639 I was there in San Diego until two am, Andrew 179 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:42.440 Freeman was able to pull off a trade to acquire 180 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:47.279 Yesmani Grandahal for Matt Kemp as well. That was Andrew's 181 00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:51.039 first off season in charge of the Dodgers, and I'm 182 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:53.759 sure it was a tough decision for him to cut 183 00:10:53.799 --> 00:10:58.480 ties with Austin Barnes, but the reality was in gathering 184 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:02.360 from what Dave Roberts said today is that this is 185 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:06.679 something that really was brought to light even more after 186 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:09.600 that last game that Barnes played in Arizona where he 187 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:13.240 just couldn't make the throws to second base. And in 188 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:16.399 the last three seasons, Austin Barnes has only thrown out 189 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:20.240 fifteen of one hundred and forty one base dealers. 190 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:23.360 Now you might say that's awful, how could he not? 191 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:25.440 But here's the thing. 192 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:29.600 Austin Barnes didn't just stop learning how to throw or 193 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:32.879 all of a sudden lose arm strength. He has never 194 00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:35.320 admitted this, and even when I've asked him in the 195 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:39.320 most private times, he would not concede that his right 196 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:43.480 throwing arm was barking, was hurting. He played through it 197 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:47.919 and it just wasn't working. And the Dodgers were forced 198 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:51.039 to make a decision because Dalton Rushing was forcing them 199 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:53.600 to make a decision. How much longer could he be 200 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:57.559 down there, especially with the Dodgers wanting to give Will 201 00:11:57.600 --> 00:12:02.840 Smith more days off. Dalton Rushing's going to start tomorrow, 202 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:06.200 and he's probably gonna start a couple of more times 203 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.840 before this homestand is over. 204 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:10.320 He is that good. 205 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:14.440 And I love his edge, I love his competitive spirit. 206 00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:18.360 I love that he values the pitcher catcher relationships. So 207 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:22.679 as much as you may when something like this happens, 208 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:26.320 make it about what Austin Barnes couldn't do, it was 209 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:29.879 more about what Dalton Rushing is doing, how he fits, 210 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:33.759 and the Dodgers wanting to keep Will Smith as fresh 211 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:37.159 as possible the second half of the season because he 212 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:41.039 has fallen off a cliff offensively each of the last 213 00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:44.919 two second halves and Dalton Rushing isn't here just to 214 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:49.519 you know, be Will Smith's caddie. He wants to compete, 215 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:51.960 he wants to be out there, and yeah, he's a 216 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:54.360 rookie right now and he's gonna have to ease into that, 217 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:58.960 but you are going to see a very competitive young 218 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:02.240 man that wants to fight. He'll be emotional in that 219 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:06.039 batter's box. He's not giving away at bats. So he's 220 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:10.559 a great kid. But still a bittersweet day for the 221 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:14.240 players in that clubhouse because Austin Barnes was a very 222 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:18.480 popular teammate, a guy that was very unselfish with the 223 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:21.720 pitching staff. He was a servant to that pitching staff 224 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:24.799 since he got called up and really became a catcher 225 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:28.279 full time. And you know, Austin Barnes meant a lot 226 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:31.039 to me, and we'll be friends beyond baseball. 227 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:32.720 He was that type of guy. 228 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:35.919 Eight six six nine, eight seven, two five seventy is 229 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:38.399 the phone number. Let's go out to Sasan, who is 230 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:41.399 at Dodger Stadium tonight. Hi, Sasan, You're on Dodger Talk. 231 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:44.679 Hey, Davis's taking my call. Yeah, I just wanted to 232 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:46.279 talk about a few things. I'll just try to make 233 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:48.240 it quick at first. I just want to be appreciative 234 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:50.679 of Austin Barnes and you know, his career in Dodger 235 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:53.159 Blue and everything that he's done for the pitching staff, 236 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:55.759 and you know, his clutch moments that he's had in 237 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:59.080 the World Series. I appreciate that what he's done today. 238 00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:00.320 You know, I was at the game. You know, it 239 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:04.120 was awesome getting to see Mookie Betts and Max Monsey 240 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:06.320 comes through in the eighth inning and it one an 241 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:08.960 amazing moment for them and I'm super happy. I hope 242 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:11.200 they can keep it up. And the last thing I 243 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:13.679 wanted to talk about was where I was during Game 244 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:16.720 one of the World Series during the Freddie Freeman walk off. 245 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:19.200 I forgot to do that yesterday, but I was in 246 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:21.000 the top deck I was there at Dodger Stadium. I 247 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:24.159 was surrounded by Yankees fans the whole day. They were 248 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:27.080 trash talking, and when they took to leave in the tent, 249 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:31.360 the trash talk, you know, continued, and you know, when 250 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:35.200 Freddy Freeman came in, the whole crowd was chanting his name. 251 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:38.200 The Yankees fans were saying, we got nasty nesser in, 252 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:40.799 he's gonna strike Freddie out win this game. And then 253 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:46.279 when Freddy, yeah, that's what they said. And when they 254 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:48.240 hit the when he hit the whole. 255 00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:52.799 Yeah, they you know, they walked out of. 256 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:55.440 The stadium, heads held down in shame, and you know, 257 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:59.840 we were all screaming and high fiving and hugging because 258 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:02.759 he knew we had just witnessed history and something that 259 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:06.279 would be talked about for, you know, generation after generation. Well, 260 00:15:06.679 --> 00:15:09.799 thank you, Dave. I appreciate everything you do and I look. 261 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:12.559 Forward to calling your future the seasons. Take care for that, all. 262 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:14.519 Right, Thank you for the phone call, Thanks for sharing 263 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:18.039 that moment, and certainly thank you for celebrating Austin Barnes, 264 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:21.440 because he deserves to be celebrated. He was a really 265 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:24.720 great teammate. He is a Dodger he will always be 266 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:28.320 remembered as a Dodger. Eight six six ninety seven two 267 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:31.360 five seventy is the phone number. Dodgers beat the Athletics 268 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:35.279 tonight nine to three, and tomorrow night, Dalton Rushing is 269 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:38.639 going to make his first major league start in Earlier today, 270 00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:42.240 he answered some questions about how he found out that 271 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:44.320 he was getting the call to the big leagues. 272 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:47.519 Uh, it was. It was a different one, for sure. 273 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:51.200 It was about one am last night. I was almost 274 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:53.120 I was almost a sleep. I was about to put 275 00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:56.039 my phone downs at my alarm, and yeah, I got 276 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:59.000 a call from our manager. Manager beat her on the 277 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:01.679 bus for a minute and then he got to the 278 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:04.440 news and basically like, hey, you need to start packing. 279 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:07.639 So yeah, I got got straight to packing. And Uh, 280 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.759 it was a quick turnaround. 281 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:11.000 With how well you played last year and the way 282 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:14.200 you've played to start this season, how much did you 283 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:17.759 have to fight against being impatient for your opportunity. 284 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.919 Yeah, it's I feel like we've talked about this a 285 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:22.320 couple of times, and it's like you just understand who 286 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:27.679 you're with, You understand the situation, You understand not not 287 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:29.480 really who you're competing against. I mean, you get to 288 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.799 I get to play with these guys. Now, you know, 289 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:34.559 it's just I guess I understand the situation a little 290 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:37.440 bit and continue to play because I mean, essentially, that's 291 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.720 that's what I want to do. I want to come here, 292 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:40.240 I want to play every day. I want to play 293 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:41.840 as much as I can. If I'm in the minor leagues, 294 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:43.919 I still just want to play. That's the biggest thing. 295 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:47.120 Like we enjoy playing, you know, and it's uh, not 296 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:49.000 as much of where you're playing. Yeah, it helps when 297 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:51.720 you're playing in the middle of Los Angeles, but yeah, 298 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.879 I just want to play. 299 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:56.279 And he wants to play, and he's going to compete 300 00:16:56.320 --> 00:16:59.559 for more time behind the plate, no doubt about it. 301 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.720 Whether it's it's Will Smith or anybody else. 302 00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:04.799 He's not backing down and he's not backing down from 303 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.839 that picture on the mound, that's for sure. You're going 304 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:09.400 to see that tomorrow night, even in his first major 305 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:13.440 league start. And look, the Dodgers were looking for ways 306 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:16.640 to try to get Dalton Rushing up here in a 307 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:19.519 different position because his bad is that good and has 308 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:22.079 been that good at Triple A. Will find out how 309 00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:25.200 good he is at this level. Nobody will know until 310 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:27.440 they give him an opportunity, which he is going to 311 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:31.759 get starting tomorrow night. But he really relishes being a catcher, 312 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:34.400 and he talked about getting to know the staff. This 313 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:39.119 opportunity is going to really get him able to understand 314 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:43.400 the pitching staff, understand the preparation of being a Dodger catcher, 315 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:46.839 and he definitely is embracing the fact that the Dodgers 316 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:49.480 believe in him to be a catcher at the major 317 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.160 league level. 318 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:55.200 Yeah. Absolutely, It's a boost of confidence for sure, and 319 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:57.519 it shows you that they believe in your skill, and 320 00:17:57.559 --> 00:18:01.720 I think that's pretty special from an organization having a 321 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:05.319 guy like Will behind the plate every day. Obviously Will 322 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:07.319 had a starting point and they believed in Will in 323 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:10.000 twenty nineteen. And kind of thinking the same way here 324 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:12.880 as I've said it in spring training. It's my jobs 325 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:14.680 to show up here and one help the team win, 326 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:17.880 but two just make his job as easy as possible, 327 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:19.720 you know, And like he's gonna make my job easy, 328 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:21.720 but it's also there's a helping hand that I can 329 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:23.759 give to make his job easy as well. 330 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:26.440 All Right, there's Dalton Rushing. 331 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:29.079 I've got to know him the last couple of springs 332 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:32.759 and I really enjoy this young man. He's mature beyond 333 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:35.079 his years, has a great head on his shoulders, and 334 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:37.920 that's what you need to be a successful catcher. 335 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.799 And he's competitive. I love that. 336 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:42.640 Let's go out to see me Valley. Ben, You're on 337 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:45.039 Dodger Talk Live from Dodgers Stadium. 338 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:50.720 Hi, Ben David, thanks for taking my call. Good victorious 339 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:54.720 victory tonight. I enjoyed that. And listen, I know the 340 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:57.839 Dodgers have looked out for Austin Barnes, you know, picking 341 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:04.440 up his option during this previous offseason. But you've asten 342 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:08.279 talked about like how these big leaguers they strive to 343 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:10.799 get to that ten year mark and that ten Once 344 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:13.279 you hit that ten year mark, you know, they get 345 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:16.200 all these benefits and whatnot. So I was just wondering 346 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:20.480 if Austin Barnes was able to get to that ten 347 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:22.880 year mark before the Dodgers let him go. 348 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:26.039 Thank you all right, thank you for the phone call. Ben. 349 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:28.920 No, he's not at ten years of service time. He's 350 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:33.119 at eight years and change. So he's not done playing. 351 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:35.839 He's going to catch on with another team and certainly 352 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:39.200 try to compete for another couple of years at the 353 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:42.640 big league level, and there's some pitching staffs that certainly 354 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:45.359 could benefit by having a guy like Austin Barnes helped 355 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:47.839 them out. No doubt about it. He's got a lot 356 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:51.759 of baseball left in him. It was just the circumstances 357 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:55.319 that kind of got him when the Dodgers let him 358 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:59.359 know they were designating him for assignment after last night's game, 359 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:04.359 shocking everybody, the players, Barnes himself all shocked that that 360 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:07.519 was the message when he went into Dave Roberts's office 361 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:12.079 after last night's game. Eight six six seven two five 362 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:14.839 seventy is the phone number. We're gonna take a time 363 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:17.880 out here on Dodger Talk when we continue more of 364 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:20.079 your phone calls, and we're also check in with Jose 365 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:24.039 Mota after the Dodgers defeat the A's tonight nine to 366 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:28.559 three on a F five to seventy LA Sports. 367 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:35.039 Dodger Talk is available on AM five seventy LA sports 368 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:39.079 dot com, hand on the iHeartRadio app. Back to more 369 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:42.599 Dodger Talk with Dodger insider David Basse. 370 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:48.160 First pitch, hammer down the left field side is Tom 371 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.200 That's a home run? 372 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.359 Andy Pie? 373 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:52.039 Has he just ambush? 374 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:57.200 Holdron on the first pitch home run numbers seven for piz. 375 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.720 It's two to nothing. 376 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:03.519 Andy Pai has one of four Dodgers to homer tonight 377 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:08.880 to help the Dodgers beat the Athletics nine to three. Otani, Paz, 378 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:12.839 Hayesung Kim, and Max Munsey all went deep for the 379 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:15.480 Dodgers tonight as they win the second game of this 380 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:20.200 series after getting thumped last night. Daniels Jewelers presents the 381 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:23.279 home run forecast go to AM five to seventy. LA 382 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:26.559 Sports dot Com used the keyword home run for your 383 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:29.480 chance to win a fifty dollars Daniels Jeweler's gift card 384 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:32.559 predicting the number of home runs in the next game. 385 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:36.119 Daniels Jewelers owned the dream. You know, our last caller 386 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:40.200 brought up a great point. Andrew Friedman picked up Austin 387 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:45.119 Barnes' team option three and a half million dollars. The 388 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:48.720 Dodgers could have very well have cut ties with Barnes 389 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:52.480 during the offseason, but obviously he's meant a lot to 390 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:56.160 the organization. He brought a lot that you don't see 391 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:58.640 in the box score, and that's the reason why Andrew 392 00:21:58.680 --> 00:22:02.160 Friedman did it. Knowing that there was a possibility that, 393 00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:05.000 you know, Austin Barnes may not be on the team 394 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:08.240 by the end of the year. Look, Austin Barnes is 395 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:12.680 the same player that he was when Andrew Friedman decided 396 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:15.160 to pick up that three and a half million dollar option, 397 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:18.200 So he was well aware of what was going on 398 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:21.400 and what the possibilities were. So you have to give 399 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:24.759 some credit to Andrew Friedman to having loyalty to that extent. 400 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:28.240 Eight six six nine eight seven two five seventy is 401 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:31.400