WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.640 --> 00:00:04.879 Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network. 2 00:00:05.799 --> 00:00:10.320 Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians 3 00:00:10.359 --> 00:00:12.640 fans save hundreds on car insurance. 4 00:00:56.799 --> 00:01:01.159 Hi everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly Humors in house along 5 00:01:01.159 --> 00:01:04.599 with you as we continue with our hot stove shows, 6 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:07.560 hopefully warming you up a bit during what has been 7 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:11.400 I can't some more typical Northeast Ohio winter after a 8 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:14.599 couple of mild ones the last few years. But man, 9 00:01:14.599 --> 00:01:17.599 we're getting winner now and that always makes the start 10 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:20.560 of spring training and baseball season right around the corner 11 00:01:20.840 --> 00:01:24.040 that much more something to look forward to for sure. 12 00:01:24.480 --> 00:01:27.280 Good show lined up for you today. In just a 13 00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:31.400 little bit, we will hear from Senior Vice President Bob D. 14 00:01:31.480 --> 00:01:34.079 Biassio with a look back of the life and times 15 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:38.640 of the great Rocky Colavito, who passed away this past December, 16 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:42.840 arguably one of the most popular Cleveland Indians ever in 17 00:01:42.920 --> 00:01:46.319 franchise history. And Bobby D. Will have some great memories 18 00:01:46.319 --> 00:01:48.439 and a look back at the life and times of 19 00:01:48.439 --> 00:01:52.760 the rock and certainly gone but not forgotten and never 20 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:57.519 will be in Cleveland baseball history. With the weather being 21 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:01.439 what it is, we've decided to air an interview that 22 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:03.840 we did a little while back, and we'll air for 23 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:07.400 the first time today. Austin Hedges, who re signed with 24 00:02:07.480 --> 00:02:10.240 the Guardians to be part of their catching corps for 25 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:12.719 the coming season, will join us. There's no one better 26 00:02:12.759 --> 00:02:16.280 when the weather stinks and you're looking forward to baseball 27 00:02:16.520 --> 00:02:19.199 than talking to Austin Hedges, and we'll have that interview 28 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:21.759 in just a little bit. First couple of news and notes, 29 00:02:21.800 --> 00:02:26.680 though some good things happening on the report date front. 30 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:29.000 We have the official dates now for when things will 31 00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:33.360 begin out in goodyear at spring training. February the eleventh 32 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:37.960 is when pitchers and catchers officially report. The full squad 33 00:02:38.039 --> 00:02:42.560 reports on February sixteenth, with their first full squad workout 34 00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:47.360 on February the eighteenth, and later that week, Saturday the 35 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:51.879 twenty second, the Cactus League opener between the Guardians and 36 00:02:51.960 --> 00:02:55.560 the Cincinnati reds Now being led by Terry Francona. That'll 37 00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:57.560 be a three zero five first pitch, and of course 38 00:02:57.840 --> 00:03:00.960 you can hear that game right here the Cleveland Clinic 39 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:03.560 Guardians Radio Network. So a lot to look forward to 40 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:06.319 coming up, and a lot to look forward to after 41 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:09.639 the break, as will be joined by Austin Hedges, who 42 00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:14.280 re signed with Cleveland this past fall after a solid season. 43 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:18.319 Again and no coincidence, the two seasons that Hedges has 44 00:03:18.360 --> 00:03:21.879 played for the Guardians twenty twenty two and twenty twenty 45 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:25.400 four very young ball clubs, but he has been one 46 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:28.319 of those veterans that has provided some leadership and guidance, 47 00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:31.879 and both of those clubs made the postseason. So he 48 00:03:31.960 --> 00:03:33.960 is back in the fold this year, and when we 49 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:36.080 come back, we'll talk to him about it. That's next. 50 00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:38.400 The Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio. 51 00:03:38.199 --> 00:03:44.560 Network drivers a switch and save with Progressive could save hundreds. 52 00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:46.840 With that kind of money. You could go bid time 53 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:49.199 and skip the regular line at the. 54 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:51.599 Airport him pay for speedy security. 55 00:03:52.199 --> 00:03:54.360 Imagine not having to quickly unpack and pack at the 56 00:03:54.360 --> 00:03:57.240 place you already came back to and wearing your shoes 57 00:03:57.360 --> 00:03:59.439 the whole time you're there. You can't put a price 58 00:03:59.479 --> 00:04:02.120 on that kind of luxury. Well, actually you can, and 59 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:04.560 you paid for it. Switched to Progressive and you could 60 00:04:04.639 --> 00:04:09.400 save big time for speedy security. Progressive casual tea TERNS 61 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:18.920 company affiliate's not Devakableno states potential savings will vary. 62 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:31.800 The One Ozer swung on, hit high, hit deep to left. 63 00:04:32.040 --> 00:04:33.639 HiT's got a chance. 64 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:35.000 Gone to the porch. 65 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:42.399 Austin Hedges gets his first home run. Polante's ready. Here 66 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:43.920 it comes and he bunts it. 67 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:47.879 Safety squeeze and a beauty that'll score Straw Goldsmith the 68 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:51.519 first basement thirty feet from the plate. Fielded it threw 69 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:55.079 back to first to the second basement, covering boy. Hedges 70 00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:58.879 has done that three times this year. The bitch and 71 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:03.160 he sends its guy high foul ground behind the plate 72 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:04.560 near the Twins dugout. 73 00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:09.439 Austin Hedges caught it, fill into the dugout and hung 74 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:11.160 on our goal. 75 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:12.600 Looks like he wants to go there. 76 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:16.560 He goes, pitches high, throw it a second perfect tag big. 77 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:21.639 Buye him in house. Oh what a throw by Austin Hetches. 78 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:29.759 Welcome back to Guardians Weekly and we are joined by 79 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:32.920 Guardians catcher Austin Hedges back in the fold for twenty 80 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:36.519 twenty five. Signed a contract in the off season and 81 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:40.800 Austin were talking earlier about you coming back and returning 82 00:05:40.839 --> 00:05:42.839 to the ball club, and I'm sure you're at a 83 00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:45.800 stage in your career where you're looking for the right fit, 84 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:49.480 and it just seems like Cleveland, is that fit for you? 85 00:05:49.720 --> 00:05:54.360 And how important is being in a place where you 86 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:57.759 can do what you do so well, especially at this 87 00:05:57.839 --> 00:05:58.800 stage of your career. 88 00:05:59.639 --> 00:06:03.720 Yeah, So, I mean, obviously you want to as a 89 00:06:03.720 --> 00:06:05.360 as a young player, you want to work as hard 90 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:06.920 as you can to try and get a free agency 91 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:09.160 and that's where you know you can you can make 92 00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:11.439 the most money, and you can you know, have teams 93 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:14.560 fight over you a little bit, and you know, and 94 00:06:14.959 --> 00:06:16.600 you actually get a little bit of leverage. For the 95 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:18.959 first six years of your career, you you really don't 96 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:22.399 have much leverage to to do anything because you're just 97 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:25.600 you know, you're on whatever team you're on. So for 98 00:06:25.720 --> 00:06:29.279 me in the in going into twenty three first year 99 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:33.519 free agent, you know, it was an exciting time and 100 00:06:34.759 --> 00:06:36.680 you know, there was obviously there was talks with Cleveland 101 00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:39.839 of signing back, but then we both decided to. 102 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:40.560 Go a different way. 103 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:44.319 And I think pretty early on in the twenty three season, 104 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:46.879 I think both of us realized we'd probably made a bad. 105 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:48.639 Decision and. 106 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:53.759 So and then in re signing this past year and 107 00:06:53.839 --> 00:06:57.199 obviously the success that we had it made it it 108 00:06:57.279 --> 00:06:59.800 made I think on both ends between our front office 109 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:03.920 and and myself made it just obvious that like, all right, 110 00:07:03.959 --> 00:07:06.279 we're not gonna make the same mistake twice, and we 111 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:06.800 got to make. 112 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:07.759 Sure we run this thing back. 113 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:12.000 What is it about Cleveland that that works for you? 114 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:14.839 First the team wise and then maybe city wise. 115 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:19.519 Well, it starts with the personnel. Just the people in 116 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:22.399 our organization. They well, first of all, they believe in me, 117 00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:25.160 and that goes a long way. You go to a 118 00:07:25.160 --> 00:07:28.240 lot of places and you might just be player a 119 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:32.120 player B who happens to play catcher, and you're gonna 120 00:07:32.199 --> 00:07:34.759 go do this, this and this, and that's kind of 121 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:40.279 how we treat you. Where in Cleveland they appreciate the 122 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:42.680 little things that I do, and I take a lot 123 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:46.040 of pride in those little things, and and I think 124 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:47.240 they go a really long way. 125 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:49.639 And they they seem to have noticed that. 126 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:54.360 And you know, we talked about like, you know, maybe 127 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:56.079 at a different point in my career it could be 128 00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:58.160 a little bit different. But for me, you know, a 129 00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:02.399 thirty two year old catcher, you know, been been around 130 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:06.199 and seeing some things. So now I just want I 131 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:09.279 want a place where I can do the things that 132 00:08:09.959 --> 00:08:13.120 I you know, that I'm good at and am allowed 133 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:15.639 to and where I don't have to necessarily start over 134 00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:18.560 where if I go to another organization, you know, maybe 135 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:21.319 there maybe there's a culture problem, or maybe there needs 136 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:21.959 some things. 137 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:23.959 That need to be fixed. That doesn't happen overnight. 138 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:26.839 You know, that takes serious work in spring training and 139 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:30.160 then throughout the season where you know, I feel like 140 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:32.879 the process really started for us in Cleveland in twenty 141 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:36.039 two where where things started really moving in the right direction. 142 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:39.600 And so it made it, you know, a lot simpler 143 00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:43.039 going to this past year because it was basically that 144 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:46.080 whole team back from twenty two and had a and 145 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:48.600 that whole group it had a twenty three season that 146 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:50.879 they weren't real proud of. So it was like, okay, 147 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:52.759 like we know what works, we know it doesn't work. 148 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:56.960 Now let's just obsess over even getting better and building 149 00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:59.399 on the things that did work in twenty two. And 150 00:08:59.399 --> 00:09:02.879 then obviously we went out and had an amazing season, 151 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:06.600 so and we showed ourselves how close we are to 152 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:08.279 actually winning the whole thing. 153 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:11.919 So going into this next season, I'm just so. 154 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:13.759 Excited that we just get to build off of what 155 00:09:13.799 --> 00:09:15.600 we've already done and it's not like we have to 156 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:18.879 like go back to the drawing board and you know, 157 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:21.000 try and come up with new ideas. I feel like 158 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:23.440 all the boys have seen the road map and they 159 00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:25.639 know exactly how to get there, and now it's just 160 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:26.480 about doing it again. 161 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:31.320 You mentioned twenty two and you mentioned last season. Very 162 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:35.360 similar seasons and that just solid seasons from start to finish, 163 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:37.200 and then this year a little bit further run in 164 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:41.519 the playoffs under different managers who seem so different in 165 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:45.039 terms of experience. They are Terry Francona in twenty two 166 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:48.360 and then Steven Voda rookie manager this year. But it 167 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:51.440 seemed like you really enjoyed playing for both and the 168 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:55.559 team responded to both. What were some of the common 169 00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:59.200 themes between the two and maybe some differences that helped 170 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:00.240 this year for this up. 171 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:04.120 Well, they're both amazing leaders of men, and that is 172 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:06.240 in what I've noticed in my career. 173 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:09.919 A true leader of men is what the real role 174 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:10.679 of the manager is. 175 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:14.519 And that's not just for players. That's that's for coaches, 176 00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:17.320 in front office and staff members. You got to be 177 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:21.840 you have to make everybody feel like they are important 178 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:25.080 to helping us win. Today in both Tito and Voter 179 00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:29.000 do an amazing job at that if you stop by 180 00:10:29.320 --> 00:10:32.320 Voter's office or when Tito is there too, Like those 181 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:36.200 guys are going to make you feel like you are 182 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:39.000 so valuable and are. 183 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:42.480 Just there to help. And it's just it's it's it's 184 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:44.679 probably the most important thing for a manager to have, 185 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:49.480 and you know, obviously it was. Yeah, it doesn't come 186 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:51.399 as a surprise that Terry Francono. 187 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:53.480 Is that way with all of his history of success, 188 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:56.240 But for Steven Vote to be a first year managers 189 00:10:56.279 --> 00:11:01.279 to already be that poised able to respond difficult situations 190 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:04.840 and to be able to lead an entire clubhouse. 191 00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:07.960 Especially a young clubhouse that we had, it's just. 192 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:10.519 It's really incredible, and it's so cool for me too, 193 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:14.320 because I just I learned so much from both of them, 194 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:18.360 and uh, probably a really special thing for me this 195 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:22.440 past year was I vocalized to Voter that like I 196 00:11:22.440 --> 00:11:24.639 wanted to learn about like some of the things that 197 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:27.559 that he was doing if I could ever possibly possibly 198 00:11:28.279 --> 00:11:30.200 take on a role like that in my career someday. 199 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:33.840 And and this guy just passed on so much wisdom 200 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:37.120 to me, uh really on a daily basis, And I 201 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:39.679 feel like I learned so much, remember on just how 202 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:43.120 to respond to tough situations, how to communicate with you know, 203 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:48.399 one hundred plus people on a daily basis, and uh, 204 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:51.399 you know, obviously he deserves to be the manager of 205 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:51.840 the year. 206 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:52.120 As he is. 207 00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:59.200 Austin Hedges joining US Guardians catcher. Uh, awesome off season 208 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:01.799 for you. We talk so much and maybe it's not 209 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:05.559 fair and the impact you make on a team in 210 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:08.320 the clubhouse, but I know we talked about this in 211 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:10.200 spring training. You still want to get it done on 212 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:13.360 the field. That's important and obviously a big key to 213 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:16.919 coming back. What do you work on this offseason at 214 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:18.559 this stage of your career to try and be the 215 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:20.759 best you can be on the playing field. 216 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:24.559 Yeah, I each off season tends to be a little 217 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:26.399 bit different as you get a little bit older. It's 218 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:29.600 just it's a little bit more about maintenance and really 219 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:34.240 just staying healthy. But for me right now, I'm trying 220 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:37.519 to I'm trying to come up with as many you know, 221 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:43.519 you know, interesting ways to to enlighten the group, to 222 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:47.639 to push even farther this this next season. Obviously, want 223 00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:49.840 to want to always get better at catching and then. 224 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:52.320 And then it's always it's just really always about hitting 225 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:55.120 for me. So Uh, you know, it hasn't. 226 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:57.399 It hasn't gone as well as out of hope for 227 00:12:57.480 --> 00:13:01.200 my you know, year after year, but every years the 228 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:06.519 new year, and despite my you know, lack of success 229 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:10.240 on the offensive side, you just never know when when 230 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:12.200 when that one year is gonna happen. And you know, 231 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:14.679 as a thirty two year old, there's no reason that 232 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:16.559 my thirty two year old season can't be my best 233 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:19.080 offensive season. I feel like I have a good idea 234 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:21.679 of what to do. I'm gonna be healthy, I'm going 235 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:23.840 to hit every day and and work as hard as 236 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:27.440 I can, and you know, I feel like it's it's 237 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:29.679 it's so great for me to be in Cleveland because 238 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:32.200 they know the value that I have if I don't hit, 239 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:37.039 But if I do hit, then we got some we 240 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:37.960 got some fun things. 241 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:38.279 To work with. 242 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:42.840 And on that defensive side, obviously, what you bring to 243 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:46.320 the table is second to none. Coaching staff wise, it 244 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:49.519 seems like all it is is catchers and how is that? 245 00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:50.919 How did that go? This season? 246 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:55.720 Having so much experienced catching help on a daily basis, 247 00:13:55.799 --> 00:14:00.559 whether it's Sandy Alamark, Craig Albernez, Steven vote, how helpful 248 00:14:00.679 --> 00:14:02.679 was that? Not only for you, but but to help 249 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:04.879 pass along some good things to bow Naylor as well. 250 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:08.960 Yeah, I mean obviously they helped both so much and 251 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:12.360 they helped me a ton too. Where catchers just see 252 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:15.840 the game different catchers are, it's it's it's wired in 253 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:19.000 you to watch everything and to pay attention to everything. 254 00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:21.679 You know, when you're playing the position, you're the only 255 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:24.919 guy looking at everybody else in the field. Everybody else 256 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:27.279 is looking at you for the most part, looking at 257 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:29.840 the pitcher, looking at the catcher. So just the perspective 258 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:32.679 that you have from playing, you even just without even 259 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:37.120 really like consciously thinking about it, you subconsciously notice so 260 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:40.000 many things and then and so it seems like all 261 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:43.720 the coaches that our ex catchers just see. 262 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.919 The game in that way. One of the. 263 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:48.120 Biggest things is, uh is just the lessons that they 264 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:50.519 can teach, the things that they notice on a daily 265 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:53.000 basis and just remind you that you just you never 266 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:56.200 have this game figured out everything. You're always learning and 267 00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:58.559 that's just such a cool thing that. 268 00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:59.440 You get to always keep learning. 269 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:02.039 That doesn't ma matter if you've played a thousand games 270 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:03.679 in your career, like you're. 271 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.360 Gonna something new, is gonna happen. 272 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:07.919 Something's gonna get brought up, You're gonna see something, and 273 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:11.480 it's just gonna open your mind up to so many 274 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:14.720 new possibilities for you know, how to win a ball 275 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:17.480 game today. And all the guys in our clubhouse, you know, 276 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:20.559 especially you know Voter and Albi and Sandy like they 277 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:23.240 just they just want to win. And when when your 278 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:26.840 culture is about caring about people and learning and winning, 279 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:28.559 it just seems that good things happen. 280 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:32.399 Austin Hedges joining us and he's back in the fold 281 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:35.000 for twenty twenty five. Austin will close with us. The 282 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:37.720 team so close to getting where they wanted to be 283 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:42.440 this past season. U the prior season with Texas, you 284 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:46.159 saw what a team can do to reach the World 285 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:49.840 Series and then win the World Series. How fine a 286 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:51.960 line is it? And what do you see in this 287 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:55.519 team that that can maybe push them over that line 288 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:57.159 to make that last step? 289 00:15:58.360 --> 00:16:01.159 You know, one of really the biggest difference was it 290 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:03.639 was that that Texas team was such a veteran team 291 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:06.519 with so many guys that had played so many big 292 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:08.960 games before, and we just happened to have a group 293 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:12.480 that that hadn't quite played that many big games you know, 294 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:15.840 obviously in twenty two we had gone to the ALDS 295 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:17.679 and then now now we got to the CS. 296 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:19.639 And each time you you get to. 297 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:23.159 A new you know, level, a new where you it's 298 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:26.240 the wild card than the DS whatever. You kind of 299 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:28.279 just that that roadmap for how to get to the 300 00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:30.720 World Series and win the World Series becomes clearer. 301 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:34.399 And the stage that it's a big stage. 302 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:36.360 I mean, you know, the two times that we've lost 303 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:38.000 in the playoffs, you know, two out of the last 304 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:40.159 three years been to the New York Yankees. That is 305 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:45.000 a big Stage's let's just be honest, there's probably not a. 306 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:47.000 Bigger more hostile environment in all of sports. 307 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:49.720 You're playing at Yankee Stadium in the playoffs, that is 308 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:53.399 that's the stage and really all of sports. And now 309 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:55.360 we've been there and a lot of guys have been 310 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:58.919 there twice now and so it's so clear that just 311 00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:00.840 the little things that we could have done better, but 312 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:03.639 more importantly, we've noticed you know. 313 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:05.880 That we can hang and that we can win. 314 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:09.079 And when you when you truly believe that and feel 315 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:12.440 that in experience it, then it just becomes so clear 316 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:15.039 of how to do it. So tr Us going into 317 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:17.960 this year, we know exactly what to do, and a 318 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:21.240 lot of what that is is to do nothing different 319 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:25.839 just to now we have the experience and we get 320 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:31.559 to use that experience, and we also have some heartbreaking 321 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:34.559 failures in those playoffs that we also get to use. 322 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:39.400 And in my experience, it seems like failure teaches you a. 323 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:40.759 Hell of a lot more than success. 324 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:45.359 And this group just wasn't satisfied with making it to 325 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:48.599 you know, the final four. Our our goal all year 326 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:50.440 was to win the World Series, not just get there. 327 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:54.799 And I feel like everybody knows how to get there 328 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:57.400 this next year and then ultimately go win the whole thing. 329 00:17:58.200 --> 00:18:00.480 Well, it's great to have you back and a part 330 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:02.480 of that effort to try and get it done in 331 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:06.359 twenty twenty five. Austin Hedges, congratulations on the new contract 332 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:07.599 and thanks a lot for com bye. 333 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:10.119 Appreciate it all right, Thank you, Robie. 334 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:12.839 It's Guardians Catcher. Austin Hedges, stay tuned a lot more 335 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:14.319 of Guardians weekly after this. 336 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:07.839 Are you ready enough? 337 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:11.480 Get up and count it down and sometimes and sometime 338 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:21.039 we should make it down to us his family and 339 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:32.880 so tund to be from the east to the west sunset, we. 340 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:35.240 Are we are. 341 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:51.160 In the sunset. 342 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:59.519 Found on a beautiful summer night off the shores of 343 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:02.720 Lake You these are the kind of nights you long 344 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:08.160 for in the middle of a blizzard in mid January 345 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.440 singing songs. 346 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:19.400 Welcome back to Guardians Weekly, Jim Rosenhouse along with you 347 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:23.240 as we continue our hot Stove shows on what has 348 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:25.359 been a very cold week. A little break here this 349 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:28.440 weekend if you're in northeast Ohio, but man, it looks 350 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:32.279 bad next week in terms of low temperatures and hard 351 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:35.440 wind chills. But hopefully a little baseball talk on the 352 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:38.759 radio gets you going. And we are welcoming in now. 353 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:42.799 Bob di Biassio, Senior Vice President, to talk about the 354 00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:46.200 life and times of Rocky Colavito, who passed away at 355 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:49.839 the age of ninety one this past December. What a 356 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:54.599 career in the major leagues for colorbdo. Yes, he did 357 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:57.759 spend some time with the Tigers. Controversial, of course, but 358 00:20:58.720 --> 00:21:02.039 one of the most beloved Cleveland Indians of his time, 359 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:05.960 A player who was at the time one of only 360 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:09.160 eight to hit four home runs in a game a 361 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:12.559 win at Baltimore back in June of nineteen fifty nine. 362 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:15.480 He had a whole season where he did not commit 363 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:19.119 an error in the outfield. He exceeded twenty home runs 364 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:23.119 in a season eleven consecutive years, topping the forty home 365 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:25.799 run mark three times. One of the great players of 366 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:28.319 his era. He was in the big leagues from nineteen 367 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:31.359 fifty five to nineteen sixty eight. And we had a 368 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:33.880 chance to catch up with Bob D. Biassio, who I 369 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:38.279 think can speak for so many fans who enjoyed the 370 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:41.319 career of Rocky Colavito. He was a big part of 371 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:44.559 that too, and hopefully this interview with Bobby D can 372 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:46.680 take you back to some good times and some great 373 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:49.519 memories of one of the greats in franchise history. 374 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:53.319 Well, happy New Year to you and yours, Rosie. You 375 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:57.160 know my heart still aches at the passing of Rocky, 376 00:21:57.279 --> 00:22:03.480 a generational hero, childhood hero. My two older brothers, Danny 377 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:09.680 and Tony, their childhood hero. One thing I can remember, 378 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:15.039 I was only five when he was traded prior to 379 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:19.319 the nineteen sixty season. But my older brother Danny six 380 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:24.119 years older, Tony three years older, and my mom crying 381 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:28.839 their eyes out, and I'm asking them what's wrong, and 382 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:35.160 that Rocky was traded to the Detroit Tigers. So there's 383 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:40.119 so many of us in our town that were connected 384 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:45.720 to this generational hero and felt such a love affair 385 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:52.200 with Rocky because he returned the adoration our fans gave 386 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:56.920 him like no other player that I've dealt with. When 387 00:22:56.960 --> 00:23:01.200 you hear the stories and you hear Rocky talk. When 388 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:05.640 we dedicated the statue down in Little Italy's Tony Brush 389 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:10.240 Park on his eighty eighth birthday in twenty twenty one, 390 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:15.200 that was August tenth, the outpouring of love for him 391 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:20.400 was just remarkable And one of the reasons why I 392 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:25.400 believe Rosie is a story that he would share that 393 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:30.400 after a ballgame at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, if it wasn't 394 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:34.359 the last game of a homestand and they were headed 395 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:36.960 on a bus to get to the airport or wherever, 396 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:44.000 Rocky would tell Carmen, his wife, give me two hours, 397 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:49.680 and he would spend an hour talking to the media, 398 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:54.319 dealing with the trainers, taking a shower, getting dressed. He 399 00:23:54.480 --> 00:24:00.599 was notoriously a slow guy after ballgames. His son would 400 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:04.519 tell me that all the time, but that he would 401 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:09.599