WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:03.640 Welcome the Dodger Talk. David Vasse with you until eight 2 00:00:03.640 --> 00:00:06.679 o'clock tonight here on AM five to seventy LA Sports. 3 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:09.240 We have a great show for you tonight. We have 4 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:13.160 Rich Hill joining US America's pitcher, a guy that pitched 5 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:17.320 four seasons with the Dodgers after being acquired from the 6 00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:21.280 then Oakland Athletics at the trade deadline in twenty sixteen. 7 00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:24.120 He was part of back to back Dodger teams that 8 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:27.280 went to the World Series became up short, and he 9 00:00:27.359 --> 00:00:30.920 also played for Mike Sooshia at forty four years old, 10 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:34.439 pitching for Mike Soshia in the Premiere sixteen for Team 11 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:38.520 USA this past offseason. So we'll check in with one 12 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:41.399 of the more popular Dodgers over the course of the 13 00:00:41.520 --> 00:00:44.560 last twelve years, in Rich Hill, and coming up at 14 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:48.119 the bottom of the hour, you will hear our conversation 15 00:00:48.280 --> 00:00:51.960 with Andre Ethier that took place on Saturday night at 16 00:00:52.039 --> 00:00:56.640 the Arrogant Butcher and downtown Phoenix. But before we get 17 00:00:56.640 --> 00:00:59.719 to those two veterans and two guys that left it 18 00:00:59.799 --> 00:01:03.159 all out on the field, let's recap today's game. The 19 00:01:03.240 --> 00:01:07.680 Dodgers beat the Texas Texas Rangers eight to four, Dustin 20 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:11.400 May pitched three scoreless innings and look the way the 21 00:01:11.480 --> 00:01:17.680 Dodger starting rotation is shaping up. These are my five Yamamoto, Glass, 22 00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:22.400 now snell Sazaki, and Tony Gonsolin. Where does that leave 23 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:26.200 Dustin May Well. Dave Roberts said that if Dustin May 24 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:29.280 doesn't break camp with the Dodgers, there's a chance they 25 00:01:29.680 --> 00:01:31.719 may want to have him go on a rehab a 26 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:34.959 signment considering he is a lot dinner than what he 27 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:38.439 was last spring because of the esophagus tear and the 28 00:01:38.840 --> 00:01:42.879 life threatening scare he had. So that's in play for 29 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:46.439 him to probably start the year on the IL and 30 00:01:46.480 --> 00:01:50.319 go on a rehab assignment before the Dodgers consider what 31 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:54.400 their options are to bring Dustin May back. Because Yeah, 32 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:57.079 I know the Dodgers have talked about a six man rotation, 33 00:01:57.319 --> 00:02:00.760 and I have said this repeatedly that the Dodgers ever 34 00:02:00.799 --> 00:02:05.159 since Andrew Friedman took over, have basically been employing five 35 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:10.000 days of rest for their starters and not necessarily making 36 00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:13.280 an announcement or sending out a press release that it's 37 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:17.000 a six man rotation. The reason why they only need 38 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:20.080 five starters is the first month of the year they 39 00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:23.000 basically have a day off every Thursday or a travel 40 00:02:23.080 --> 00:02:26.759 day every Thursday. So that's the reason why they don't 41 00:02:26.800 --> 00:02:30.120 need a six man rotation. Not to mention, Sho Hao 42 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:35.120 Tani not expected to pitch until May June ish, so 43 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:38.240 we'll get to that in a second. The Dodgers hit 44 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:41.879 three home runs tonight or today. Will Smith went deep 45 00:02:41.919 --> 00:02:45.599 for the first time this spring, Tommy Edmund went deep again, 46 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:48.719 and Freddie Freeman hit his third home run of the year. 47 00:02:49.039 --> 00:02:50.960 Freddy Freeman base is empty, two out. 48 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:52.080 He swings HiT's. 49 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:55.960 A high drive left field and deep going back, and 50 00:02:56.159 --> 00:03:00.560 Freddie Freeman has hit it out, his third spring home run, 51 00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:04.639 an officer field shot, nevera Dodgers leader, turn Enougher. 52 00:03:05.639 --> 00:03:08.879 Freddie Freeman's remarkable. He's going to the Hall of Fame. 53 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:11.840 He's one of the best hitters right now in Major 54 00:03:11.919 --> 00:03:17.479 League Baseball, coming off thirteen weeks of right ankle surgery. 55 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:21.319 It was thirteen weeks ago that he had right ankle 56 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:25.680 surgery on that famous or infamous right ankle that you know, 57 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:31.719 hobbled him throughout the entire October. But so far this spring, 58 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:35.479 Freddy is five for fourteen. Five of his hits are 59 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:39.439 home runs, excuse me. Three of his five hits are 60 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:42.319 home run. So he's five for fourteen this spring with 61 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:45.560 a three point fifty seven batting average, three home runs. 62 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:49.319 So Freddie hasn't missed a beat. Show. Hey, O'tani was 63 00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:53.280 two for four today and that brings me to this 64 00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:57.319 buzz that is going online right now that the sky 65 00:03:57.479 --> 00:04:01.280 is falling. Otani's elbow has re injured just because he 66 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:05.719 hasn't thrown a bullpen session in nine days. Look, Andrew 67 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:09.840 Friedman laid the plan out for spring training. Otani was 68 00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:14.360 never going to face hitters in spring training. Here's Andrew 69 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:18.160 Friedman on Dodger Talk from Dodger Fest laying that all 70 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:22.120 out for everybody. What should be our expectations of what 71 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:25.639 we see him do on the mound during the time 72 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:26.759 at Camel Back Ranch. 73 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:30.879 I don't know yet. You know, he's playing long toss 74 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:35.199 and he will start progressing and advancing. I don't know 75 00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:39.360 yet as far as win will start facing hitters. We 76 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:42.240 haven't figured that out. We want to get around him, 77 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:45.680 be a part of a stowing program with our pitching guys, 78 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:48.399 and you know, each and every day he's with our 79 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:51.279 trainers right now, and you know he's kind of moving 80 00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:55.959 out of rehab phase and to go compete mode, and 81 00:04:56.040 --> 00:04:58.720 so exactly how that progresses we haven't figured out yet. 82 00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:01.920 But there is a possibility a fan might be there 83 00:05:01.959 --> 00:05:05.759 on a Tuesday afternoon and see him maybe just pitch 84 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:06.480 to somebody. 85 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:10.560 Yeah, maybe left handed or underhanded or something. 86 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:12.639 Sure, Yeah, I don't, I don't. 87 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:15.040 I don't know when he's gonna face hitters yet, but 88 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:17.319 I do know he is gonna pitch for us this 89 00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:19.480 year and be a big part of what we do 90 00:05:19.560 --> 00:05:20.639 on both sides of the ball. 91 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:24.959 There you go, Andrew Friedman, even before the Dodgers got 92 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:28.399 to spring training, laying and out there that you shouldn't 93 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:32.279 expect to see Otani face hitters. And I am very 94 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:35.839 confident in saying this. There is no new injury or 95 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:40.000 irritation to his right pitching elbow. Look, Dave Roberts may 96 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:42.399 have gotten a little bit too loose with it when 97 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:45.199 he tried to, you know, just throw a piece of 98 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:48.519 meat to the media at Dodger Fest and say, yeah, 99 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:52.959 Otani's gonna pitch in May. Andrew Friedman never put a 100 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:56.199 timetable on when Otani was gonna come back and pitch. 101 00:05:56.360 --> 00:05:59.160 You just heard him, and Dave is a lot more 102 00:05:59.199 --> 00:06:02.000 in the micro, and Friedman's job is to be not 103 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:05.560 only in the micro, but in the macro. So I'm 104 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:09.680 going with Andrew Friedman. He never put may as a 105 00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:13.600 timetable for Otani to come back and pitch. And that's 106 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:16.240 why it's hilarious to me that everybody's trying to make 107 00:06:16.279 --> 00:06:19.319 a story that isn't a story that Otani has not 108 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:22.920 thrown a bullpen session in nine days, which, oh, by 109 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:26.800 the way, has coincided with him starting to dh for 110 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:30.519 the Dodgers in spring training games. Remember he had left 111 00:06:30.519 --> 00:06:34.000 shoulder surgery. Remember he's got to be ready to lead 112 00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:39.800 off for the Dodgers next week in Tokyo, Japan. If 113 00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:42.600 this was a regular pitcher and all he did was 114 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:46.360 pitch and he hadn't thrown a bullpen session in nine days, 115 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:49.399 the alarm bells would be going off for me. But 116 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:53.519 this guy, as you know, is super unique. There's a 117 00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:56.040 lot going on here. He not only is coming off 118 00:06:56.079 --> 00:07:00.160 a second Tommy John surgery, but it wasn't convenient for 119 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:03.959 him to dislocate his left shoulder. He has to be 120 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:06.680 ready to hit to start the year. He doesn't need 121 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:11.000 to be ready to start a game on March whatever. 122 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:16.879 So take it from me, it's not a big deal 123 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:20.000 that he hasn't thrown a bullpen session in nine days. 124 00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:23.759 He's balancing a lot, and the Dodgers never had a 125 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:28.079 plan for Otani to face hitters a during spring training 126 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:31.120 or B that he has to be ready at some 127 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:34.759 point in time in May, even if he didn't have 128 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:38.800 the left shoulder surgery. Even if he wasn't show Heyotani, 129 00:07:39.399 --> 00:07:42.319 the Dodgers were more than likely going to slow play 130 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:45.879 Otani like they have slow played every other pitcher coming 131 00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:49.360 off an elbow injury. So they had those innings for 132 00:07:49.480 --> 00:07:51.800 the second half of the year and have it for 133 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:55.000 the month of October. Eight six, six, nine eighty seven, 134 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:58.759 two five seventy is the phone number. Another big story emerging, 135 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:01.839 and this one is a real one. The Dodgers and 136 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:06.279 Dave Roberts are closing in on an extension for their manager, 137 00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:10.000 who has won two World Series Championships, who has taken 138 00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:13.519 the Dodgers to four World Series and has won two 139 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:16.600 of them. Dave Roberts only has one year left on 140 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:19.480 his contract, which is this year. You don't want to 141 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:22.639 have a lame duck manager. With this roster, with these 142 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:27.000 expectations going into the season, and Joel Sherman from The 143 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:30.160 New York Post is reporting that the Dodgers and Dave 144 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:34.639 Roberts will finalize a record setting contract by the time 145 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:39.080 the plane takes off for Tokyo, Japan next Wednesday. So 146 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:43.240 Dave Roberts, who is likely to get more annual salary 147 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:46.440 than Craig Counsel got from the Cubs, which was eight 148 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:50.480 million for five years, Dave probably wants to beat that, 149 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:54.120 just like any athlete would want to beat whoever he 150 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:57.639 believes he deserves more than or he's better than. So 151 00:08:57.840 --> 00:09:01.120 whether it's nine million or ten million, Dave Roberts is 152 00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:05.240 going to exceed the annual average salary that Craig Counsel 153 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:09.320 and Alex Cora got from their team. So that's on 154 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:13.600 the verge of happening. And look, I don't believe you 155 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:17.679 fully appreciate what it takes to manage the Dodgers in 156 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:20.759 twenty twenty four and twenty twenty five. It's not just 157 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:24.960 managing those twenty six guys. It's not just filtering the information. 158 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:29.039 It's not just having a relationship with his coaching staff. 159 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:32.480 It's not just about managing up with Andrew Freeman and 160 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:36.120 working with him. He does a lot of different things 161 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:39.799 that other managers don't have to deal with because of 162 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:43.600 the enormity and national international brand, I should say of 163 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:47.080 the Dodgers. Meeting with sponsors, meeting with fans, meeting with 164 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:52.679 season ticket holders, meeting with premium sponsors. He does all 165 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:55.240 of that and then has to manage a game at 166 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:58.399 seven to ten. So you know, he does a lot 167 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:02.480 more than just nine of managing, and he deserves to 168 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:05.639 be rewarded for that. He deserves to be rewarded for 169 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:10.600 winning two World Series championships and sustaining a great relationship 170 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:14.919 with his players, with Andrew Friedman first and foremost, and 171 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:18.200 with the people that pay the bills. There's a lot 172 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:21.360 that goes into it. So happy to hear that Dave 173 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:24.559 Roberts and the Dodgers are going to work this out 174 00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:28.120 before they even play a game in Tokyo, and we'll 175 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:30.919 find out what it is. Dave's fifty two years old. 176 00:10:31.399 --> 00:10:34.279 He loves being the Dodgers manager, and he does a 177 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:37.080 great job of understanding what it is and what it 178 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:40.120 means to be a Dodger. He has a connection to 179 00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:42.320 the old Dodgers, and I think there's a value to 180 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:45.360 that as well. Eight six six nine, eight seven two 181 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:48.120 five seventy is the phone number. We're gonna take a 182 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:50.679 time out here on Dodger Talk. When we come back, 183 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:55.279 Rich Hill will join us America's pitcher who still wants 184 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:58.360 to pitch. You'll hear from him next right here on 185 00:10:58.440 --> 00:11:01.480 a five to seventy LA Sport, your home for the 186 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:05.879 world champion Los Angeles Dodgers is a friend of assay 187 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:09.320 type of show because Andre Ethier, you're going to hear 188 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:12.080 from him coming up in the next segment. And right 189 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:15.559 now we are joined by a man that Dodger fans 190 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:18.200 loved when he was on the mound for them. Four 191 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:22.080 great years, the four best years of his life were 192 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:26.519 spent in southern California from twenty seventeen, you know, twenty 193 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:30.320 sixteen to twenty nineteen. And he's a guy that is 194 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:33.480 America's pitcher. And it was evident, and it came to 195 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:38.600 fruition pitching for Mike Sooshia and Team USA this past offseason. 196 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:42.720 And it is the one and only Rich Hill joining 197 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:48.279 us from Massachusetts. Even though he won't disclose the exact location, 198 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:52.639 he is in Beantown calling into Dodger Talk. Rich, thanks 199 00:11:52.679 --> 00:11:53.480 a lot for the time. 200 00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:55.960 Appreciate it, David, thank you for having me on. 201 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:57.759 It's great to hear your voice, Rich, and I know 202 00:11:57.840 --> 00:11:59.360 everybody loves hearing your voice. 203 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:02.279 It's great, great to hear your voice and great to 204 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:06.159 get back in touch with the Dodger fans. Yeah, you 205 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:08.200 hit the nail on the head with some of the 206 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:10.799 some of the best years in baseball that I've been 207 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:15.279 able to experience was in a Dodger uniform and pitching. Uh, 208 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:18.639 you know obviously at that that great ballpark in LA. 209 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:22.919 That's that's uh, you know, Dodger stadiums. Everybody always asked me, 210 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:25.159 what's your favorite park to pitch in? And and uh, 211 00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:28.120 Dodger Stadium is right up there as number one. 212 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:32.279 You played for eleven different teams and still counting. 213 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:35.440 Thirteen thirteen thirteen, David thirteen. 214 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:38.279 I'm sorry, the list is very long and distinguished. I 215 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:40.360 apologize long. 216 00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:42.759 It's like it's like a receipt from CVS. 217 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:49.000 Yes, no doubt, no doubt it is. But when you 218 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:52.240 look back at your time with the Dodgers, Rich, uh, 219 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:55.279 what are the fondest memories? I mean, you came close 220 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:59.240 to two no hitters. You had such great chemistry with 221 00:12:59.320 --> 00:13:02.200 so many guys on this team that lasts to this day. 222 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:05.360 What stands out to you the most of those years? 223 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:08.399 Yeah, I think the friendships that were built over the years. Uh, 224 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:11.960 you know, when we were in La just the camaraderie 225 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:17.200 with those teams, the fans, you know, that was that 226 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:20.559 was we had such good teams obviously, and we won 227 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:24.600 and that brought you know, the fans out to come 228 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:26.799 and watch us play. But just the intensity that the 229 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:29.360 fans brought and the love that they have for the Dodgers, 230 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:32.279 and you know that emanated over into the clubhouse. And 231 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:35.480 then obviously, you know, for me on an own, my 232 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:41.159 own you know, personal performance wise, I you know, wanted 233 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:43.399 to leave everything out there on the field every time 234 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:45.879 I got the opportunity to pitch, you know, for them 235 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:48.360 and also for the you know guys in the clubhouse 236 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:50.759 because they were doing the same thing on a nightly basis. 237 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:53.360 And that's what made it so much fun is just 238 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:56.240 seeing the effort that the guys were putting forth night 239 00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:58.559 in and night out, and you know, to do it 240 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:04.240 in that stadium with those fans, it really is special 241 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:08.159 and you know to everybody now with the success that 242 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:11.879 is going on, really enjoy it because you know it's 243 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:15.799 something that Again being from this area where I'm at 244 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.919 right now in Boston, there was a tremendous amount of 245 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:20.080 success for a long time with a lot of Boston 246 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:23.720 franchises here. But you know, it comes and goes, so 247 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:26.000 you really have to appreciate it while it's going on, 248 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:29.080 and I know that the Dodger fans certainly do do that. 249 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:33.559 Hey, Rich, you're one hundred percent right. Nothing stays the same, 250 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:37.120 it's always changing. I was thinking about this the other day. 251 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:40.519 That's how sick I am. I wasn't thinking about my kids, 252 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:44.039 I wasn't thinking about my wife. I was thinking about 253 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:48.600 the two biggest sports disappointments in my life in Los 254 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:53.200 Angeles sports and the nineteen eighty four Lakers losing giving 255 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:56.159 that series of way to the Celtics is at the top, 256 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:59.799 and a close second is twenty seventeen for a number 257 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:02.840 of different reasons. Obviously we know the Astros were cheating, 258 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:06.639 but for you, you were so close to winning the 259 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:09.559 World Series. How much do you think about twenty seventeen? 260 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:11.720 Yeah, I think, you know, I think a lot of 261 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:15.080 it will be thought about post career, post playing and 262 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:18.240 when everything's all said and done, and looking back on 263 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:24.279 certain moments and you know, talking about how my career 264 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:27.279 has kind of ebbed and flowed and had a lot 265 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:32.000 of milestones of perseverance through it and understanding how to 266 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:35.440 continue to keep moving forward when you get knocked down. 267 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:39.879 But yeah, I definitely think about twenty seventeen because that's 268 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:44.080 a culmination of many careers to be able to win 269 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:46.440 a World Series. And I think all the personal accolades 270 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:50.240 that come along with playing fall in the face of 271 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:54.279 winning a World Series, you know, and really throughout that 272 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:58.679 whole twenty seventeen and into twenty eighteen, those two seasons, 273 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:01.840 you know, again, even though we didn't get a chance 274 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:05.039 to raise the trophy, and you know, see the top 275 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:07.840 of the mountain, you know, at the at the end 276 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:11.320 of those seasons, it's who we became throughout the process. 277 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:14.679 So I think that's that's something when we look back 278 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:17.159 on it, and I look back on twenty seventeen, it's 279 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:23.120 it's really the perspective that has gained of understanding, you know, 280 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:29.240 the hard work, the perseverance, what it takes to you know, 281 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:36.600 the the ingredients into a championship season. So really understanding 282 00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:41.440 it from that perspective puts everything kind of in a 283 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.519 better light for me. 284 00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:46.159 What do you remember the most after being in that 285 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:49.679 clubhouse with your teammates after Game seven of the seventeen 286 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:52.120 World Series. I heard a few of you hung around 287 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:54.320 and just kind of chopped it up. What do you 288 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:56.120 remember about that experience? 289 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:58.919 Yeah, I mean it was very emotional. I think you know, 290 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:01.879 you put in one hundred and sixty two games plus 291 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:05.279 you know, forty five days in spring training, an entire offseason. 292 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:06.119 Uh. 293 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:09.559 You know that the team has been built to win. Uh, 294 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:11.400 you know, we want to. I think we won what 295 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:14.519 one hundred and seven games that year or something, and 296 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:18.799 you know, at the time, one of the best teams 297 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:23.240 of all time in Major League history. Uh, and and 298 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:25.000 to fall short, you know, it was it was a 299 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:29.480 very emotional experience. And uh that's why you play the 300 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:34.079 game though, and and to have that kind of uh 301 00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:37.279 peel back to curtain or or understand why we are 302 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:39.720 doing this or you know, it's not for it's not 303 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:43.079 for financial gain, it's not for you know, playing at 304 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:47.119 the highest level. It's to win. Yes, those things are great, 305 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:50.319 but it is to win a World Series and to 306 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:52.680 be able to get in that position and and put 307 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:57.119 yourself in that position is is so it's so fleeting, uh. 308 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:59.160 And then to have it come and go, it's almost 309 00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:00.960 like a wedding night. You know, it's just like wow 310 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.400 that that happens so fast. 311 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:03.240 Uh. 312 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:06.200 And then you know, regrouping again for the off season, 313 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:09.400 getting ready to do it, uh for the next year. 314 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:12.880 It seems like, you know, it's like, okay, we have 315 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:14.880 we know we're going to do really well during the season. 316 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:17.000 We just got to stay healthy, get through the season, 317 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.680 and then once we get to the playoffs, we're gonna 318 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:20.799 make a push to win a World Series again. But 319 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:24.359 it's really it's funny because you think about it as uh, 320 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:28.400 you know, this this this uh marathon that you just ran, 321 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:30.680 and then and then you know again you have to 322 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:33.720 you have to start again and and and uh. That's 323 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:36.680 that's part of the the joy of the journey though too. 324 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:40.119 You know, going through it, there's not a lot of 325 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:43.799 uh glamour or or anything like that that goes along 326 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:47.079 with playing at the highest level because it's it's really 327 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:51.960 the grind and learning how to get through uh difficult 328 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:55.880 moments and and continue to persevere and battle through UH 329 00:18:56.039 --> 00:19:00.759 soreness or injury or or you know, just terrible outcomes 330 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:08.319 or poor performances mentally physically, UH, you continue to just 331 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:13.119 gain uh, you know, reference points from the season before. 332 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:17.119 So that's that's really for me, you know, moving forward 333 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:20.200 as as a player and hopefully as a uh you know, 334 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:25.519 somebody who could help other players in the future. UH, 335 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:27.799 you know, see that ten thousand foot view and and 336 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:31.400 understand the perspective that they'll have for for an entire 337 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:34.519 career instead of just being you know, caught up in 338 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:39.200 uh an outcome. And and that's something that you know, 339 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:43.559 those years certainly gave me a different perspective than UH 340 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:45.839 and fortunate to have it because there's a there's a 341 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:47.599 number of players that get to play this game and 342 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:50.039 they never get an opportunity to play in a World series, 343 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:54.960 let alone the playoffs. So you know, that's something you know, 344 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.680 that that I'm definitely grateful for. 345 00:19:57.759 --> 00:20:00.960 And rich Hill wants to start the journey again even 346 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:05.759 after twenty seasons. Rich Hill, who was fantastic for Mike 347 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:10.440 Sosia's Team USA team this past offseason in Tokyo, Japan, 348 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:13.119 is not ready to call it a career. There's a 349 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:16.839 lot left in that Boston gas tank of his. So 350 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:19.880 you are not retired, You're just winning for that opportunity, 351 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.400 right Rich. 352 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:23.559 Yeah, you know, it was great experience. We went to 353 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:27.880 Mexico with Team USA, we qualified to go to Japan 354 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:30.440 and we ended up winning the bronze medal in Japan 355 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:34.759 in the Premiere twelve tournament this past offseason. And you know, 356 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:40.000 with Dino Ebol, Mike Soshia, you know, we had a 357 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:44.119 great coaching staff there with with with all the players, 358 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:46.759 you know, a lot younger than I am, obviously, David. 359 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:51.079 I think that the on average, I think everybody was 360 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:54.759 twenty two on that team. But I enjoyed it so 361 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:57.039 much and I threw the ball great came out of 362 00:20:57.039 --> 00:21:00.519 my hand the way that I wanted to. You know, season, 363 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:02.640 I get to do what I wanted to do as 364 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:06.279 far as you know, kind of planning out the entire summer, 365 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:09.359 having an opportunity to come back and pitch out of 366 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:11.359 the bullpen with the Red Sox, which was something that 367 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:14.200 I hadn't done in I don't know, ten or twelve years. 368 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:18.319 So that was certainly an interesting challenge, but gratifying in 369 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:20.720 the fact that I was able to you know, see 370 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:24.240 it through and to get the opportunity to start again. 371 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:29.200 Really it was just something that reignited the love for 372 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:33.079 going out there and competing and knowing that I can 373 00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:37.720 contribute to a team and not just contribute, you know, 374 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:39.519 in a small way, but I think it could be 375 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:43.319 a major contribution, you know, for this twenty twenty five season. 376 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:46.720 So with that, we'll we'll wait to see where kind 377 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:50.079 of all the chips fall after spring training. And as 378 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:52.720 we know, an unfortunate part of the game is injuries, 379 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:55.759 and we're already seeing some of those, you know, happening 380 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:58.880 throughout baseball. And I know that there will be needs 381 00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:02.599 for teams to uh, you know, looking for starting pitching. 382 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:05.400 So you know, I'm on my end. I'm just staying 383 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:09.720 ready and throwing and working out and and you know, 384 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:11.599 seeing where that that fit might be. 385 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:17.880 And somebody definitely could use and certainly gain some traction 386 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:21.480 by signing rich Hill, who is still has a lot 387 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:24.200 left in the tank, far from over, as the great 388 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:26.160 Frank Stallone would say, Richie. 389 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:29.839 Yeah, I mean, I you know, I'll be forty five 390 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:31.599 here in a couple of days, and I think that's 391 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:33.799 kind of you know, one of the things for teams. 392 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:37.200 They I totally get it. It's, you know, a risk 393 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:42.960 management type of probably outlook for them. How many forty 394 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:45.599 five year old pitchers are still looking to play? I 395 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:46.960 don't think there are any, so. 396 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:50.680 No, you know, by the way, did you just did 397 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:53.720 you just promote your birthday which is on March eleventh? 398 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:56.960 Were you promoting in Los Angeles that the fact your 399 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:59.920 birthday is coming up? Was that? Was that a humble brag? 400 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:04.160 Yeah? I guess so. I you know, I'm I hate 401 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:08.160