WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:04.839
<v Speaker 1>And an exclusive interview with David Bassey for Dodger Talker.

2
00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:09.480
<v Speaker 2>All Right, we're here with the man that the Dodgers

3
00:00:09.560 --> 00:00:12.720
<v Speaker 2>rely upon and two things in life that you need

4
00:00:13.199 --> 00:00:17.000
<v Speaker 2>reliability and availability, and that means even more when you're

5
00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:19.280
<v Speaker 2>a relief pitcher and we're here with one of the

6
00:00:19.320 --> 00:00:22.000
<v Speaker 2>best in the game, that's the one and only Alex Vesia.

7
00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:23.960
<v Speaker 2>Thanks a lot for the time and thanks for being

8
00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:25.079
<v Speaker 2>available for us.

9
00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:27.440
<v Speaker 1>No worries. I think you also have to add in

10
00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:28.600
<v Speaker 1>there a lot of caffeine.

11
00:00:29.719 --> 00:00:32.000
<v Speaker 2>Well, we see you on the mound. It feels like

12
00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:35.439
<v Speaker 2>you do take it to another level. What world are

13
00:00:35.479 --> 00:00:36.600
<v Speaker 2>you in when you're out there?

14
00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:41.119
<v Speaker 3>I would definitely say it's it's my own world. Yeah,

15
00:00:41.479 --> 00:00:45.399
<v Speaker 3>you know, as a reliever, every day is a new day.

16
00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:49.439
<v Speaker 3>When I'm out on the mound, it's it's sort of

17
00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:53.119
<v Speaker 3>on the edge of like super focused and then blackout.

18
00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:56.359
<v Speaker 3>So there's there's there's a fine line between the two.

19
00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:00.359
<v Speaker 3>And uh, I feel like I'm riding that lot.

20
00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:02.640
<v Speaker 2>Can you think back to your first year with the

21
00:01:02.719 --> 00:01:04.319
<v Speaker 2>Dodgers to where you're at right now?

22
00:01:04.439 --> 00:01:05.719
<v Speaker 1>A World Series champion?

23
00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:09.120
<v Speaker 2>One of the pillars have strengthened that bullpen. How have

24
00:01:09.239 --> 00:01:11.439
<v Speaker 2>you been able to harness all of that emotion.

25
00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:15.719
<v Speaker 3>I mean, I think it's kind of leaning on veteran

26
00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:16.799
<v Speaker 3>guys throughout the years.

27
00:01:17.040 --> 00:01:19.359
<v Speaker 1>You know, you have like Kenley Jansen.

28
00:01:19.040 --> 00:01:21.400
<v Speaker 3>Was a was a big, big one that I kind

29
00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:24.280
<v Speaker 3>of looked after his routine and how he went about

30
00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:26.319
<v Speaker 3>certain things. And you have guys like Joe Kelly and

31
00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:29.359
<v Speaker 3>Blake Trining that you know, set the tone day in

32
00:01:29.400 --> 00:01:32.560
<v Speaker 3>and day out. So it's you know, really relying on

33
00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:35.560
<v Speaker 3>the veteran guys kind of bring you under your wing

34
00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:40.280
<v Speaker 3>and kind of show you the ropes, you know, from

35
00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:43.280
<v Speaker 3>twenty one until now. You know, it's I kind of

36
00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:46.920
<v Speaker 3>feel like I'm slowly getting into that role where you know,

37
00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:49.840
<v Speaker 3>guys like Jack Dryer and and you know Ben Consparis

38
00:01:49.959 --> 00:01:53.200
<v Speaker 3>is like I've kind of you know, taken them under

39
00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:56.879
<v Speaker 3>my wing, not not necessarily, like you know, they have

40
00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:00.159
<v Speaker 3>great routines, they they're very very good pictures, but I'm

41
00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:03.079
<v Speaker 3>always like open to you know, having conversations with them,

42
00:02:03.159 --> 00:02:06.760
<v Speaker 3>and you know, we have really good friendships and you

43
00:02:06.799 --> 00:02:08.199
<v Speaker 3>know they've been doing great for us.

44
00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:10.120
<v Speaker 2>It sounds like you're paying it forward.

45
00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:13.400
<v Speaker 3>Oh yeah, absolutely, absolutely, you know it's I always want

46
00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:16.759
<v Speaker 3>to make sure that there's like a level of comfort

47
00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:19.159
<v Speaker 3>down there. You know that we there is some some

48
00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:21.439
<v Speaker 3>turnover and you know, I'm always I want to be

49
00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:24.199
<v Speaker 3>welcoming to everybody who steps in the in the Pendent.

50
00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:27.080
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, speaking of turnover, there's a lot of guys from

51
00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:29.800
<v Speaker 2>last year's bullpen dogs, but you got some new guys.

52
00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:33.000
<v Speaker 2>Like you mentioned, what's the dynamic this year in the bullpen.

53
00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:36.360
<v Speaker 3>I also think we have a very good group of

54
00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:40.039
<v Speaker 3>guys right and it's it's a little bit different than

55
00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:43.360
<v Speaker 3>last year. But I also think that the you know,

56
00:02:43.360 --> 00:02:47.120
<v Speaker 3>we have about four lefties and you know, five ish

57
00:02:47.240 --> 00:02:49.960
<v Speaker 3>rieties depending on who we bring up and whatnot, So

58
00:02:50.360 --> 00:02:52.800
<v Speaker 3>it is roles are a little bit different. But I

59
00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:55.080
<v Speaker 3>also think that we're very versatile in that.

60
00:02:55.560 --> 00:02:58.319
<v Speaker 2>And Kirby Yates, he seems like he has a lot

61
00:02:58.360 --> 00:03:00.919
<v Speaker 2>of veteran salt and edge.

62
00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:03.039
<v Speaker 1>I wouldn't call it salt. I wouldn't call it saul.

63
00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:06.520
<v Speaker 3>You know, I've been around some salty vets. He's definitely

64
00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:08.360
<v Speaker 3>not one of them. I think he brings some really

65
00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:11.719
<v Speaker 3>good energy for us, and you know, he he loves

66
00:03:11.719 --> 00:03:14.080
<v Speaker 3>to keep it loose, loves to have fun and but

67
00:03:14.360 --> 00:03:16.199
<v Speaker 3>like you know, when his name's called it's you know,

68
00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:19.520
<v Speaker 3>all all go, So it's a it's a great dynamic

69
00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:19.840
<v Speaker 3>down there.

70
00:03:19.960 --> 00:03:22.719
<v Speaker 2>It seems like you've really embraced being a leader and

71
00:03:22.759 --> 00:03:26.919
<v Speaker 2>now being a world champion, being through it and being successful.

72
00:03:27.439 --> 00:03:29.719
<v Speaker 2>Are you embracing being that guy now?

73
00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:32.639
<v Speaker 3>I mean, I think it's it's just I go about

74
00:03:32.639 --> 00:03:34.800
<v Speaker 3>my business day in and day out, where you know,

75
00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:37.759
<v Speaker 3>I want to be available, I want to I want

76
00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:40.599
<v Speaker 3>the ball, and I think it's kind of just leading

77
00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:42.400
<v Speaker 3>by that, you know. I think someone who does a

78
00:03:42.520 --> 00:03:45.120
<v Speaker 3>very very good job with that is is Kershaw Right.

79
00:03:45.159 --> 00:03:47.919
<v Speaker 3>I mean, he every day he works, he you know,

80
00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:50.080
<v Speaker 3>he does, he has his set routine, and that's kind

81
00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:52.599
<v Speaker 3>of something that from the beginning, that's what I noticed

82
00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:55.039
<v Speaker 3>and why he's so great. So I kind of want to, you.

83
00:03:54.960 --> 00:03:57.840
<v Speaker 2>Know, mimic that that same on Wednesday, he'll be three

84
00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:00.879
<v Speaker 2>strikeouts away from three thousand. What will it be like

85
00:04:00.919 --> 00:04:03.039
<v Speaker 2>in the bullpen watching him start that game?

86
00:04:03.080 --> 00:04:06.000
<v Speaker 3>I mean, I'll be on the fence for every every pitch,

87
00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:07.759
<v Speaker 3>every batter until he does it.

88
00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:09.400
<v Speaker 1>So very special.

89
00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:12.599
<v Speaker 3>I honestly don't think it will set in until I'm

90
00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:16.720
<v Speaker 3>older about how special this moment really is. But I

91
00:04:16.759 --> 00:04:18.720
<v Speaker 3>do know how you know how hard he's worked and

92
00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:21.759
<v Speaker 3>just to come back, and you know he's been throwing

93
00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:23.560
<v Speaker 3>the ball great for us, and you know he's been

94
00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:24.279
<v Speaker 3>helping the pen out.

95
00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:26.480
<v Speaker 1>So I mean he's he's doing it.

96
00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:30.319
<v Speaker 2>When you have a guy like Kershaw around, what's what's

97
00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:32.360
<v Speaker 2>his presence mean to the team.

98
00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:35.360
<v Speaker 3>I think he holds a standard that is different than

99
00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:38.959
<v Speaker 3>than most right, and you know, being a pitcher as well,

100
00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:43.199
<v Speaker 3>I think it really resonates with me more obviously guys

101
00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:45.480
<v Speaker 3>like move to you and Freddie and show hey, right,

102
00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:49.040
<v Speaker 3>you know, Joey, I'm starting to see the pitching side,

103
00:04:49.160 --> 00:04:51.680
<v Speaker 3>but we mostly see him from the hitting side, right.

104
00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:55.800
<v Speaker 3>So Kersh definitely brings that that standard. The you know,

105
00:04:56.040 --> 00:04:59.879
<v Speaker 3>like I said, he's very focused and the I don't

106
00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:01.600
<v Speaker 3>know how to really explained to other than just like

107
00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:03.319
<v Speaker 3>he sets the example.

108
00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:07.639
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, today is Otani's start day. What's it like behind

109
00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:09.560
<v Speaker 2>the scenes? What is he like on start day?

110
00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:14.639
<v Speaker 3>Honestly, it's it's he's very quiet, right, he has his routine.

111
00:05:16.120 --> 00:05:17.680
<v Speaker 3>You can say what you can say hi to him,

112
00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:20.040
<v Speaker 3>you can say what's it like. Either it's not it's

113
00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:23.560
<v Speaker 3>not like it don't talk to me type, so, but

114
00:05:24.399 --> 00:05:26.759
<v Speaker 3>you know it is his his time, you know, and

115
00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:29.639
<v Speaker 3>you know he takes a serious and uh, I'm looking

116
00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:30.839
<v Speaker 3>forward to you know, keep.

117
00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:32.040
<v Speaker 1>Keep watching him and building up.

118
00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:34.680
<v Speaker 3>And you know it's a very interesting build up, right

119
00:05:34.680 --> 00:05:37.439
<v Speaker 3>because he can't go down to the minor leagues and

120
00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:39.639
<v Speaker 3>kind of have that build up process. So you know,

121
00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:42.680
<v Speaker 3>this is a great you know, kind of stepping stone,

122
00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:43.639
<v Speaker 3>you know, for for him.

123
00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:46.480
<v Speaker 1>And you know today today will be fun.

124
00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:49.680
<v Speaker 3>I was very, very surprised for him to be ninety

125
00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:52.120
<v Speaker 3>nine one hundred miles an hour the last time.

126
00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:54.560
<v Speaker 1>So you know, he's he's just so special.

127
00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:57.720
<v Speaker 2>Hey, so are you, Alex VESSI. It means a lot

128
00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:00.519
<v Speaker 2>to this Dodger team, to this Dodger bullpen. You've been

129
00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:03.199
<v Speaker 2>a lot since twenty one, since you arrived. I call

130
00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:06.000
<v Speaker 2>him the key a Hernandez of relief pictures. When the

131
00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:09.839
<v Speaker 2>lights are the brightest, the moments the biggest Vessia has delivered.

132
00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:11.560
<v Speaker 1>So thank you for the time. Yeah, I like that.

133
00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:12.160
<v Speaker 1>Thank you