2 Guys Talking Baseball
Batter Up! Our First Pitch
What if we told you a simple jersey could symbolize years of baseball passion? In our inaugural episode of Two Guys Talking Baseball, join us, Dallas Danger and Brian Logan, live from the newly revamped Three Crows Studio in Dandridge, Tennessee. We kick things off with our "Who You Reppin'" segment, where Brian flaunts his Big League Chew Chicago Cubs hat and Tennessee Smokies Bat Boy jersey, and Dallas showcases his Los Angeles Dodgers City Connect jersey in honor of Julio Urías.
Get ready to be captivated by our deep dive into the Mets' incredible early-season dominance. Uncover the strategic moves by new owner Steve Cohen that propelled the Mets to new heights, including their historic combined no-hitter on April 30th. We also tackle the curious case of the Mets' unusually high rate of batters hit by pitches and how this is affecting their season. Shifting gears, we speculate on a potential freeway World Series between the Dodgers and Angels, spotlighting MVP contenders like Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.
From divisional races in the National League to MLB's experimental rule changes, our lively debate covers it all. Hear our thoughts on the pitch clock, larger bases, and the controversial automated balls and strikes system. We also celebrate Miguel Cabrera's recent milestone of joining the 3,000-hit club and ponder the future longevity of stars like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. Join us for an engaging and passionate discussion, filled with predictions and baseball love, that sets the stage for an exciting journey ahead.
What if we told you a simple jersey could symbolize years of baseball passion? In our inaugural episode of Two Guys Talking Baseball, join us, Dallas Danger and Brian Logan, live from the newly revamped Three Crows Studio in Dandridge, Tennessee. We kick things off with our "Who You Reppin'" segment, where Brian flaunts his Big League Chew Chicago Cubs hat and Tennessee Smokies Bat Boy jersey, and Dallas showcases his Los Angeles Dodgers City Connect jersey in honor of Julio Urías.
Get ready to be captivated by our deep dive into the Mets' incredible early-season dominance. Uncover the strategic moves by new owner Steve Cohen that propelled the Mets to new heights, including their historic combined no-hitter on April 30th. We also tackle the curious case of the Mets' unusually high rate of batters hit by pitches and how this is affecting their season. Shifting gears, we speculate on a potential freeway World Series between the Dodgers and Angels, spotlighting MVP contenders like Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.
From divisional races in the National League to MLB's experimental rule changes, our lively debate covers it all. Hear our thoughts on the pitch clock, larger bases, and the controversial automated balls and strikes system. We also celebrate Miguel Cabrera's recent milestone of joining the 3,000-hit club and ponder the future longevity of stars like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. Join us for an engaging and passionate discussion, filled with predictions and baseball love, that sets the stage for an exciting journey ahead.
Hello, hello everyone. Welcome inside the Three Crows studio, newly renovated and redecorated. This is Two Guys Talking Baseball. We're so happy that you are tuned in and listening to us here today. My name is Dallas Danger and I'm joined by my good friend and colleague, mr Brian Logan. Brian, how you doing, man? You're looking sharp today. I am doing great.
Speaker 2:How are you? You?
Speaker 1:I've been waiting for this for a long, long time and it's finally here it is and we, we've, we've done some prep, we've, we've been very amped up about uh, this, uh, this podcast, this project, if you will, and we finally got the, the studio here the way we like it, and uh, uh, I'm ready. I mean, it's, you know, it's, it's, it's all kind of built up to this.
Speaker 2:It's all coming together, man. I mean, what a beautiful studio we have here. Uh, newly renovated the three crows studio here, studio a in dandridge, tennessee, we have uh, baseball has taken over the three crows studio.
Speaker 1:It sure has. And if you are only hearing this, you're not seeing us. That's okay. We welcome that.
Speaker 1:But if you'd like to see us in our nice studio and all the things we have on display here, find us on YouTube. Just search for Two Guys Talking Baseball. We're also on Twitter, at 2GTBpod, and we're even on Facebook, instagram same deal. Just search for us. We're easy to find Two guys talking baseball. And if you like what you hear today, you want to help us out financially.
Speaker 1:We have a litany of products that we will tell you all about a little bit later on. That is, at 2Gbstorecom, so you can peruse all those great items and help us out. That's really the best way to directly support what we're doing here and what we're going to continue to do. We've got a lot of great plans for the future, but before we go any further and look at what we're going to be talking about today, this is something we're going to be doing each and every week and again, it helps to enjoy this portion of the podcast if you can see us on YouTube or you're watching us on YouTube, and we call this who you Reppin', and what we're going to do each and every week for who you Reppin' is. We're each going to talk about what we're wearing. We like to bring it with the jerseys, the t-shirts, the caps, whatever it is that we might be sporting week to week. And so, brian, without further ado, who are you repping today?
Speaker 2:Well, I have got my Big League Chew Chicago Cubs hat on right now. I love it. It's the cotton candy version, which was one of my favorite flavors growing up as a kid. I was a big big league chew kid and also I have my Tennessee Smokies Bat Boy jersey that I just recently got. I went to the game I guess it was a week or so ago and was looking through the shop and and they had some game-worn jersey shirts you know different memorabilia and I saw that they had the Bat Boy jersey and I was like, oh my gosh, that is wild, that it's game-used and it's a Bat Boy jersey.
Speaker 1:Very cool, very, very cool. And I love the hat too. I was a little I don't't know on the fence, I guess, about the big league chew hat line, but seeing seeing yours in person, I I get it now it's. It's very, very cool, very big league chew with, uh, you know and and and. Even though it was big league chew was big in general when I was a kid, it was was never something that you know. I guess it was the sugar.
Speaker 1:I was a sugar-free gum kid because you know my parents and looking out for those things, but was never a big big league shoe guy. But I get it. I mean it's a cool thing and a great invention. So yeah, man, you're looking good. And you know, for those of us those listening and watching that maybe don't know us personally, you know you actually moved where you live here in Dandridge partially because of your proximity to the Smoky Stadium.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm originally from West Virginia and we would come down to the Smoky Mountains, the Pigeon Forge area, about three or four times a year and then we decided to finally move and we settled on Dandridge. And one of the reasons is from my living room to my seat at the stadium, section 107, it is exactly 26 minutes. It takes me 26 minutes to leave the house and be sitting in my seat at the ballpark and that was one of the deciding factors in moving here into Dandridge, into this area.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's a very easy trip over there. We've done it together a couple of times now and you know, for those that maybe again that can't see that aren't watching with us on the video stream on youtube you'll see, uh, uh, behind brian and next to brian is a lot of cubs gear brian, a big chicago cubs fan, and of course, the tennessee smokies just down the road, the double, a affiliate for the chicago cubs, and uh, just like b Brian, is a diehard Cubs fan. You can, if you're on the video stream, see behind and beside me a lot of Dodger gear. I'm a lifelong Dodger fan and you know we'll talk about that I'm sure a lot as we go on with the podcast week to week. But I am repping today my Los Angeles Dodgers. I got my City Connect jersey number seven for El Kuliki himself.
Speaker 1:That's Julio Rios, as we're recording today. He's starting tonight and I felt like it was fitting. This is the first time we've hit record, so wanted to show off the Dodger blue. That's pretty self-explanatory. And up top today I'm repping the Asheville Taurus. They're just over the mountain there, about an hour from where I live. We went myself and my partner this past weekend to catch a game there. We usually try to go at least once a year to McCormick Field, one of my favorite minor league ballparks of the many I've had the pleasure to attend games at, and it was free Hawaiian shirt night, which was a big reason we wanted to be there.
Speaker 2:What a great night, what a great giveaway. I mean free Hawaiian shirt. I mean that's one of the greatest giveaway ideas I've ever heard.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we were there very early and in line to make sure we scored a Hawaiian shirt, and I did. I was very happy with that and I'm sure if you join us week in and week out here, eventually you will see me sporting my Asheville Taurus Hawaiian shirt. I'm just waiting for the right occasion, as it were. But yeah, McCormick Field very historic.
Speaker 1:There in Asheville the tourists have been around for goodness decades. I mean, they've been around forever. They've been the tourists pretty much that whole time and a lot of history there with Bull Durham and just the years and years of baseball in Asheville. I remember a few years ago, the very first time I went to McCormick Field, I was by myself and I was in the smoking section. There was a designated smoking area and there was an older gentleman, a much older gentleman than myself, I should say, and he was in a suit because you know, I'm sure when he was a young man that was what you wore to the ballpark and he just never changed that and I thought that was pretty cool considering the temperature outside. That was commitment.
Speaker 2:Well, now wait a minute. You hear Rex in the background we're not going to sell the, the bark in the park stuff. Quite yet it's coming up, little buddy you know, but not quite yet. He's so excited about the products that, uh, he wants to get it in now. But uh, you'll have to excuse rex, he'll have to wait a little bit, that's okay, I'm pretty used to rex.
Speaker 1:Um brian's dogs will occasionally be making guest appearances, I'm sure, as they live here just outside of the studio, uh, but yeah. So first time I met mccormick field this, this nice older guy I was I was actually uh that day wearing a brates hat and he noticed the hat and struck up a conversation with me. We talked about, you know, he had some family in the Bristol area. I told him that I had lived in Bristol and grew up in that part of the world and we had a great little conversation and he finished his smoke and went on and as I finished mine I heard the crack of the bat and the roar of a crowd and I realized I had smoked at the wrong time because I missed a home run, and it was not really long after that that I quit smoking, brian Well that is just a tragedy, because you know we advocate good tobacco products here at the podcast yeah, you know brian is uh, brian is very much the personification of peer pressure.
Speaker 1:Uh, I still partake from time to time when I'm around him, but that's pretty much it. I don't really touch him otherwise. But when you're around brian logan it's just part of the experience. That's pretty much it.
Speaker 2:I don't really touch them otherwise, but when you're around brian logan it's just part of the experience, that's right well, real quick, let me ask you this for those who don't know you mentioned a connection between the field and bull durham. Tell us a little bit what that is yeah, okay.
Speaker 1:So if you're not familiar with uh bull durham, first off, what in the hell is wrong with you? Uh, go watch it now. Uh, the podcast will still be here when you get back. Just pause us, go, go rent it or find it on streaming and watch it. It's one of the greatest baseball movies, uh, of all time. But, uh, there's a character named crash davis who is very close to the all-time minor league home run record and he ends up in asheville playing for the tourists and that's where he breaks the record is at McCormick Field, and there's a very quick shot of Crash Davis, played by Kevin Costner, rounding the bases on his record breaking home run. And there's also a shot inside the clubhouse in Asheville with the tourist, the old tourist logo, the wall, and so McCormick Field, along with the old Durham Bulls ballpark making an appearance in that great flick from 1988. So, yeah, so that's who we're repping today and I guess that brings us right up to our lineup for the day. So every week we're going to hit you with our lineup.
Speaker 1:This is the topics we're going to be talking about on the podcast today, leading off for us holy shit, the Mets are good. They really are, it's true. It's true and I think they're going to stay that way. We'll talk about the Mets and we're also going to give some of our predictions, mine and Brian, both for the 2022 season. Now that we're about a month in and we're getting things rolling with the podcast, we're going to prognosticate, as it were, about the rest of the season in the two slot today. Timing is everything. Brian and I recently were together at a game and we got our first real taste of just the difference with some of these experimental rules that Major League Baseball is using in the minors to try and see how they're going to pan out before they bring them up to the big leagues. We're going to talk about some of those rules, how I feel about them, how Brian feels about them, and that one's going to be a doozy because I think brian's got some strong opinions on some rule changes.
Speaker 1:Then, in the three spot, quick hits just going to rapid fire, some topics, some things that maybe we can't talk quite uh, at length about, but we we want to. We want to mention here on the show, let you know how we're feeling, what we're thinking on those, and then, in the cleanup spot, our main event, so to speak, have we hit the end of an era? We're going to celebrate Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers, the most recent member of the 3,000 hit club in the majors, and we're going to try to look into the future to see if we ever see another one and there's some question there, potentially. We're going to discuss that and then we're going to look at some potential candidates to maybe be the next person to get to 3,000 hits in their career. And all that and so much more here today. That's our lineup, so I think we're ready to get things kicked off with holy shit.
Speaker 1:The Mets are good. As I mentioned, the Mets are, in a honestly, a bit of an unfamiliar place for them. As far as recent memory goes, as we are recording today, the New York Mets have the best record in the National League. They're one of only two Major League teams, along with the Toronto Blue Jays, that through the first month of the season did not lose a series, won every series so far, and they're just turning and burning. They're doing it everywhere pitching, hitting. I mean they're just really firing on all cylinders. And, brian, you've actually been watching the Mets a little bit more closely here the last week or so I guess what have been your biggest takeaways watching this team as they start the season off so successfully?
Speaker 2:Well, the pitching is doing a great job and you know they're getting the runs in. In a recent series with the Phillies, they would get down by, say, a run or so. They would come right back and answer in the very next inning. So they're staying competitive along the way, along with pretty good, healthy pitching, and we'll just see though. I mean, where did all this come from? I mean, where did the Mets first start? What made them do the decision? Is it the thing that they are spending some money this year? Is that what's getting them into competition?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, I think for most people, the buzz and the excitement around the New York Mets started with Steve Cohen purchasing the franchise. That was a long time coming. The previous ownership group had been mired in controversy and just questionable decisions surrounding how they were running the baseball operations over there. And Steve Cohen admittedly just a billionaire fan, a guy who's got the money, he's putting it where his mouth is, he's, he's gone out and he, you know they go out. And they get Francisco Lindor, they get Max Scherzer, um, they add to Pete Alonso Jacob deGrom, you know the, the stars they had in place, um, but I think for me the most impressive thing has been yeah, yeah, you've got to have the stars If you want to be successful, if you want to win a World Series, and that's what it's all about you got to have the star players, the straw that stirs the drink, so to speak. But beyond that, you've got to look top to bottom at that roster and go okay, there's Mark Canna, there's Starley Marte, there's James McCann shoring up the catcher position. I mean, there's so much going on. They've turned over a new leaf and they're just running things completely differently than they have for the last. I mean gosh, two decades, and it's exciting.
Speaker 1:This is a franchise that's got tons of history, a beloved franchise in the state of New York and nationwide. You know, I grew up in Virginia and one of my brothers is a diehard Mets fan, so he's obviously pumped up, like the rest of the contingency is. But yeah, man, it's all about getting in there and being willing to spend that money. Go and not only get the star players, but get the pieces to make the team better top to bottom. And you know you talked about the hitting and the run scoring. But, man, you look at this pitching staff.
Speaker 1:Like I said, they already had Jacob DeGrom, he's not even been healthy. They're said they already had Jacob DeGrom, he's not even been healthy. They're doing this right now without Jacob DeGrom. But you know you have to really hope that at some point he's going to be healthy. You add Max Scherzer, who is just a bulldog. I mean he's a machine, just mows guys down at the plate. You know, chris Bassett, I think, is in a lot of ways he's Max Scherzer in training. I mean this guy has an edge to him, he's got an attitude and he, you know, he just flat out says you know, I'm coming for you and makes no bones about it. But you know, you add Bassett, you add Cookie Carrasco, taewon Walker, tyler McGill has been solid this year. In DeGrom's absence, edwin Diaz shoring up the end of that bullpen. I mean, this is a team that's just doing it in every aspect of the game right now.
Speaker 2:And what about the April 30th combined? No-hitter man, I mean, they look great there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, and that was, I think that was the point. You know, you start hearing early in the year. You know, hey, the Mets are doing this, hey, the Mets are winning games, the Mets are winning series, but April 30th, the combined no-hitter I think that was the moment that it went from being excitement from the Mets fans and the New York market to this is a national story now. Now we're going oh, the Mets really are this good, the Mets really could be a contender, uh, at a level that they haven't been in a very long time, as, as I mentioned, and that was just, you know, um, say what you will about a combined no-hitter. I know it's not quite as romantic as one guy doing it, pitching all nine innings, but it's right now where we sit.
Speaker 1:In baseball history, excuse me, it is more rare than a perfect game. There's been 23 perfect games. There's only been 17 combined no-hitters and I think we'll see them be more prevalent as a perfect game. There's been 23 perfect games. There's only been 17 combined no-hitters and I think we'll see them be more prevalent as we move forward. But right now it's a special. I mean even you know, no matter how many there are, it's a special, special thing to do that as a ball club.
Speaker 2:Well, I was just going to ask too. I mean you're talking about it being rare. I mean it would be harder for a combined no-hitter because there's multiple moving parts there. You know it's hard enough with one guy not giving up a hit, but then you've got multiple pitchers coming in. Think about being the last guy in that chain and how stressed he probably was.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and Edwin Diaz talked about that. I mean, he said you know, he looked up getting getting warmed up for the ninth and it was like don't say anything but look at the zero on the board and and he knew, you know, he was feeling that pressure going in and I and I think you're right I think there's a, there's a way of looking at this where it's actually more difficult. I mean, I think about you know, for me, this always kind of stays fresh in my mind. But game six of the 2020 World Series, the Rays have Blake Snell on the bump and he is just not giving the Dodgers anything. I mean, he is just dominating the game. They get to the third time through the order and they pull him and everybody's going.
Speaker 1:What's Kevin Cash thinking? And that wakes the bats up, that wakes that dugout up for the Dodgers and they just jumped on the bullpen right away. Win the game, win the World Series, razor hanging their head because of what could have been. So I think you're right. I think at some level it it can be more difficult to have five, six, seven pitchers combined for a no hitter, as opposed to one guy going the whole distance well, and you think you know, uh, pitchers are going shorter time, they're putting less time in, they're not throwing as many pitches.
Speaker 2:That is what we may have to see down the line is a combined effort, because a lot of pitchers aren't going to go the whole game, even if they haven't given up a hit, because they want to conserve that arm for the bigger picture.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. And again, say what you want, but that's just the game that's being played right now. Before we move on from the Mets, brian, something you mentioned off air was the amount of times this team's getting hit at the plate. I mean, it's something that they're getting hit. Their batters are getting hit by pitches more than any team in the bigs right now 19 times 19 times they're hit by pitch.
Speaker 2:I mean something is going on there. You know their coach had said that they didn't think that not a single one of them was intentional. So that's 19 times that the opposing pitcher lost control and hit a person.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You know, and I mean these are guys getting hit in the head, I mean mean 19 times. Something is going, is out of control and what they're alluding to is the ball. Um, you know a lot of discussion of the ball that they used in the olympics this year. There's getting a lot of high praise from from that ball and they're talking about implementing it and they're they're trying it out in some triple a areas.
Speaker 1:But uh, yeah, the the pitchers are having a hard time grasping the ball yeah, yeah, and, and you know that's something that's been a story since last year, obviously, major league baseball cracking down on the quote, unquote, sticky stuff, checking the gut, you know, checking the uh, the hats and the hands of the pitchers as they come off each inning.
Speaker 1:And you know, I saw recently where Hugh Darvish had come out and said that he's struggled with it because when he played in Japan they had a tackier ball, a ball that was a little easier to grip based on the surface of it. And you know, ever they, they did away with the sticky stuff. He, he's had a hard time gripping the ball and it's affected his game. So I think they are going to look at that. But you know, and getting hit um in in the series uh the Mets had with, uh, the Cardinals not that long ago, I mean, that really got tempers flaring and, and you know, led to some fines and suspensions. But honestly, that's the type of thing that can bring a team together and light a fire under them well, that's, that's how you play baseball.
Speaker 2:I know we disagree, but I believe in full contact baseball and uh, you know, if you're not willing to get fighting mad, then you're just not playing hard enough.
Speaker 1:Well, you gotta have passion. I'll agree with you there. You gotta have passion and, and you know when, when you're getting paid that kind of money and it is your job, it is literally your job to succeed as a ball player. Um, there's, there's a there's a sense of warrior mentality there and you start coming for guys, domes. I mean that that's, that's going to get dicey really, really quick. Um, and it did in that series between the mets and the cardinals.
Speaker 1:Again, fines and suspensions laid out. We're not going to get into all that it's been talked about to death. But, yeah, man, this mets team, I think they're here to stay. Um, I think they have all the tools. Like I said, this first month of the season, they're doing it without Jacob DeGrom, who, by many, is regarded, when he's right, as the best or one of the best pitchers in the game. So, you know, chances are he's only going to get healthy and get back in there, and I mean, if he does, this team's going to be a hard out. So, with that said, brian, why don't you lay your predictions for the 2022 season on our listeners and viewers?
Speaker 2:Well, one thing I want to talk about real quick before we finish up the Mets, is they've got to get past the world champions. So to win their division they're going to have to beat the guys who just won, who are feeling all of that and are on top of their game. So a lot of people are picking them for their division and I just don't know. I mean it's going to be a toss-up between the two. But in the National League I'm going to pick, and you're going to be very happy with this, and I wish I could say my Chicago Cubs, you can if you want to. Well, I can, but I wouldn't probably be right.
Speaker 1:Hasn't stopped you in the past, hasn't stopped me in the past. That's who.
Speaker 2:I'm rooting for. But no, I'm going to go with the LA Dodgers for the National League, because they're a machine and they're rolling right along.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean obviously biased opinion any time the Dodgers come up here, but I just, you know, watching the preseason coverage on, you know, mob Network and ESPN and Sports Illustrated and the Athletic and anywhere, anybody was predicting how this season was going to shake out. There are so few people talking about the Dodgers and I don't get it. I mean, people are coming up with flaws but you know, before the season the talk was oh, they don't have the pitching depth. Well, andrew Heaney, our number five starter, looks like a Cy Young Award winner. Through two starts he gets hurt. The next guy up is Tyler Anderson, and he's been fantastic. Through two starts he gets hurt. The next guy up is Tyler Anderson, and he's been fantastic, you know, sub one or around a one ERA, you know.
Speaker 1:And we still got guys that can start games in the bullpen. We still have guys Dustin May, who's not going to be healthy until the summer, and you know, tommy Canley just now got activated as a bullpen weapon. I mean in that that lineup. You know, I don't need to say anything about that lineup. It's a historic lineup now, not everybody's uh, hitting the ball to start the season at the same time but still scoring a lot of runs. You know five or so runs a game and yeah, I, I mean obviously I'm going to agree with you there. Um, just because number one, I'm biased. But number two, I think the dodgers are almost getting overlooked in the, in the preseason predictions, and that's crazy to say yeah, that's, that's out there.
Speaker 2:I mean I don't know if there's truth to that or not. I mean they've got to be a top choice, they've got to be in the picture well, they've got to be in the picture.
Speaker 1:Well, the expectation with the Los Angeles Dodgers now is to do really well. I mean, you know, it's just year to year, every year, the Dodgers are a team that are in it and it's not a sexy pick, you know. It's not as sexy of a pick as the Mets. Or you know, uh, I saw some, some, some uh personalities, um, and and analysts picking the Phillies. That's a sexy pick because they added a lot of power. You know, power bats with Castellanos and, uh, schwarber. So I think that's all it is is trying to get a reaction. Um, you know, bumping up your ratings and, and ultimately it's my belief and obviously yours too it's going to make some people look foolish and wrong yeah, I mean, uh, I think the dodgers are definitely going to be there in the end.
Speaker 2:Uh and uh, I'm picking mookie betts as MVP. Wow.
Speaker 1:Okay, that one's a little bit of a surprise, not because Mookie's not an MVP caliber guy, because obviously he is. I just look at what the Dodgers do day in and day out, how the Dodgers win, and I think there are two or three guys Betts Freeman, trey Turner that might steal votes from each other. Two or three guys Betts Freeman, trey Turner that might steal votes from each other. I mean, I really think we could have two, three guys in the hunt, but the vote gets split and the Dodgers don't end up with an MVP. But as long as there's another World Series win, I don't care.
Speaker 2:Well, they almost have a whole team of MVPs. I mean, I hate to say that it's cliche, but they sort of do. That's what they've built to get them where they're at. Is everybody on? There could be an MVP candidate.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely Absolutely. What do you got in the AL? Neither of us are AL guys, so this could get interesting.
Speaker 2:Well, I'm going to go with the Angels. I'm very familiar with Joe Maddon and I really think that he's the second best coach in baseball. I think he's got a heck of a team there. One of my all-time favorite players are playing on there, tommy LaStella, former Cubsubs, who has to go where joe goes. But you've got a, a tiny there and I think that they're going to be the the ones there in the end and I mean it's, it's wild.
Speaker 1:You're talking, you're picking the angels and a freeway series in the world series, love that. And you didn't even bring up mike trout, who many you know view is the greatest player in in the in the game right now. So that's that's a testament to what they're doing and they've been red hot so far this year and I think, uh, they've gotten some contributions from some uh unexpected places and they're they're, they're surprising some people already. And it's just, you know, it's just first week of may absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 2:I mean, every division is tough. You know every game is tough and that's the name of the game. But I really do like I'm going with the Angels. But you know, neither one of us keep up that much with the AL. So you know it will be a surprise who it is, the al. So you know it will be a surprise who it is. But uh, so let's say there is a freeway, uh series. Who you taking there?
Speaker 1:no gosh, um, like there's any question well, it's just so hard for me to pick against the dodgers. I watch the dodgers every day, I follow them very closely and, and you know, um, it's hard. Again, I think it's I think it's hard to pick against them right now. Biased opinion as it may be.
Speaker 2:So what are your? Okay, obviously the Dodgers, but what's your AL pick?
Speaker 1:Do you have an MVP pick in the AL? Oh, ohtani, yeah, I mean, I'll agree with you on that one too. I think he's just doing such special things right now. Ohtani, yeah, I mean, I'll agree with you on that one too. I think he's just doing such special things right now. If he's anywhere close to where he was last year, he's repeating. It's just difficult to imagine picking a hitter or a pitcher over a guy who's doing both at an elite level, I mean absolutely that's a pretty good pick, yeah.
Speaker 1:So I'm sticking with the Dodgers and the NL. Just kind of looking up and down the National League, there are some tough division races. I think the East and the West in the National League are going to be gauntlets. The East, right now the Mets, are kind of outclassing everybody but the Braves kind of starting cold. But I don't see that lasting very long. I mean they're going to get it right.
Speaker 1:They started 7-10 last year and won the World Series. They won 88 games last year, that's it. And World Series champions. In the playoffs they were the team top to bottom. And the Marlins are over .500 right now and Donnie Baseball has been doing a fantastic job leading the way for them the last couple years as their
Speaker 1:manager. I don't think they have enough to go the whole 162 with the mets and the braves. But and again, the phillies are right there that's a team that they're gonna have to score a metric ton of runs to beat a lot of teams. But they can do it, um, if they get, if they get everybody going to say at the same time um, you know the central I, I. I have to kind of agree with most that the brewers and the cardinals are going to be duking that one out. But I think your cubs are going to be more in the conversation than most people were willing to give them credit at the outset. So you know they're going to be in that
Speaker 1:conversation. Obviously, the Brewers and Cardinals just chugging along doing what they do, I mean, and in the West I mean. That's been a huge shocker to me and, I think, a lot of people, that there are four teams in the NL West right now with 13 or more wins. The Rockies have been a big surprise, you know, getting again another team that's getting contributions from some unexpected places. Chris Bryant, their big free agent signing their star, really the face of their franchise over the next few years on his contract. He's out with an injury right now and they're still plugging away. I mean, and he's always out with an injury, yeah that's why we got rid of it.
Speaker 2:Nothing, nothing not to break in there. But you know, I was watching. I believe it was 2017, maybe 2018. They had moved Chris Bryant over to first base when he was playing with the Cubs and ground ball to short and the pitch comes in and he curls up. He actually curls up and, you know, is scared of the ball, and that's where Chris Bryant lost me.
Speaker 1:You cannot say the name Chris Bryant around Brian Logan without hearing that story. Guaranteed yes, and he's not bitter about it at all. No, not even a little bit. He's totally fine.
Speaker 2:I'm bitter about Chipper Jones. That's a whole other story that involves a bar in Marietta in 90-something. But no, I'm not bitter about Chris Bryant.
Speaker 1:Oh God. So, yeah, you know that's. You know I got to stick with my boys, I got to stick with the Dodgers and you know, again, you can call me biased, you can call me a homer, and that's fine, because I lived through, uh, I lived through the days of eric caros being the best player on the team and embarrassing ownership and all that. So I'm, I'm gonna, I'm gonna live it up while the getting is is freaking good, uh, for as long as it lasts, because this is a special time, uh, to be a Dodger fan and I just think the Dodgers are the class of the National League and went out and made some good moves got even better If you can make a 106-win team that gets deep into the playoffs. If you can make that better, I think the Dodgers did it. So that's my NL pick. If you can make that better, I think the Dodgers did it. So that's my NL pick.
Speaker 1:As far as the MVP there, you know there's a lot of candidates. Obviously, I think Seiya Suzuki is going to be in the conversation. I mean, this guy has come in and just torn it up right away. Absolutely Been incredibly impressive, and I think that shocks a lot of people because there's not really been a right-handed batter. Come from Japan and just so quickly acclimate to the Major League American game, but he's done that.
Speaker 2:And I wasn't sold on him. No you weren't at all. I, I've thought for sure that they were going to fuka domain and come out and uh, which is a saying here? Uh, you know, don't fuka dome the season where you come out and you have a ticker tape parade and then you hit one home run and that's the only thing you do for the rest of your life fuka dome who, by the way, is, uh, still doing great things over closer to where he's from in the game of baseball.
Speaker 1:But yeah, I think Seiya Suzuki is going to be in the conversation. But I'm looking at Nolan Arenado. He's off to a hot start, the NL Player of the Month for April that was just announced and I think he's hitting like 375. And I think he's. You know, things don't go the way he wanted them to. In Colorado. They decide to part ways.
Speaker 1:Not a lot of better places he could have landed than the St Louis Cardinals as far as going to an organization that's committed to winning year over year. And I think he's comfortable now. I think he's been there long enough. I think he's acclimated with everybody else around him. I think that that team of gold glovers they've got is finally some of them are finally starting to contribute with the bat and that's protecting him a little bit more. They bring Pujols back and he's been more than serviceable so far, and that's another guy that you have to think about.
Speaker 1:If you're pitching around a guy like Arenado, you know I mean Goldschmidt's there you can't put guys on base for Goldschmidt. So I think if I had to pick an MVP today my gut is going with Nolan Arenado of the St Louis Cardinals. I think he's got the inside track there. Just, you know, if he stays hot at the plate, obviously he does it with the glove. I mean a multiple-time platinum glover he's got. You know, he's the worst thing that's ever happened to Manny Machado, because Manny Machado can't win a gold glove at third base because of Nolan Arenado. So yeah, I think it's Arenado if I had to pick today.
Speaker 2:Well, you know he's got one problem he's not a cup, yeah.
Speaker 1:A famous Loganism.
Speaker 2:Yes, that's. His only downfall is that he's not playing in the right team, so when I look at the American League this year it's fascinating year.
Speaker 1:It's fascinating. I mean, you're looking at the central gets sort of um for lack of a better term shit on as a weak division. But the twins are playing good baseball right now. Um, the guardians have one of the best hitters in the game and jose ramirez and and he's kind of you know and shane bieber uh, as far as pitching goes, is is um top of the class too. It's keeping him in it, them in it.
Speaker 1:Um, the tigers and the royals are on the up. I don't think they're there yet, but they're moving in the right direction and, um, if the White Sox can figure it out, they're loaded and that's the weak division there. I mean, you look at the East and if you forget, the Orioles exist, anybody in that division can come out on top. And the Blue Jays again are great so far out of the gate this year. They're one of the sexier picks. A lot of people looking at them. You know they um they add matt chapman at third to give them a really, really good looking, historic, potentially infield um, and I think they get it done this year. I think they dethrone the rays and the yanks and the red socks and I think they win that division. But I'm looking at the West and the Astros and the A's have been the top of that division for a long time. The A's are still competitive, even though they're sort of doing what the A's do and selling the farm every year.
Speaker 1:Year they unloaded, you know, um chapman olsen, um bassett, uh, you know a lot of guys leaving that were really good, that are going to help other teams, but you know the a's are still right there in it. The astros I mean, you know the astros lose carlos correa, um, who's a phenomenal hitter, a great player all around. And here's this Jeremy Pena that nobody really knows anything about. But Dusty Baker says hey, look out for this kid, and he's hitting the cover off the ball. So far, I mean, he has just stepped into that shortstop position and done a lot of good things. And the Angels and the Mariners two, two teams that I thought if things kind of went their way this year they could be in the conversation. And there they are. You know they're right at the top of that division. Um, I'll be honest, my gut right now says the angels, but I don't want to be boring on the first time we record this podcast and just agree with you on everything.
Speaker 2:Well, you mean that's not going to be the formula here. I just say that's right and you agree with me.
Speaker 1:I got a feeling that's not going to be the case on a consistent basis. Yeah, man, I think I'm going to go with the Blue Jays. Man, I think they've got just enough to get it done. I think the AL is competitive enough top to bottom that there's not going to be. You know, last year I think the AL East there were four teams in it all the way down to the last day of the regular season and I think they just beat each other up and beat each other up and that did end the teams from that division in the postseason. But I think everybody is dealing with that this year in the American League. I think all three divisions are going to be highly contested down to the wire. So it's. I mean it's weird to say this because this is so unlike baseball, but I think the AL playoffs are starting quick. I mean, I think you got to start playing playoff baseball really, really soon if you want to win the AL, and I think the Blue Jays have enough there in the pitching staff.
Speaker 1:This is all contingent on guys staying healthy, but I think if everybody stays healthy, everybody's bringing their A game all year long. I think the Blue Jays are going to edge out the Angels. There's too much unproven with the Angels for me right now. They've got some guys, you know Taylor Ward is coming out of nowhere in that leadoff spot and doing really well for them, but the lineup's not the issue for them. They've got to find some pitching and they have Noah Syndergaard and some other guys are stepping up and really really throwing some heat, you know, so to speak for the Angels. But I think between the two I think the Blue Jays are more ready. So I'm going Dodgers-Blue Jays in the World Series.
Speaker 2:Well, there you have it, Dodgers-Blue Jays, so you're not going to even entertain the freeway deal right, I'll entertain it because I think it would be awesome.
Speaker 1:I'll be honest with you, man. One of my favorite times of the year is the freeway series to end spring training right before the start of the season. I mean, it's, it's so cool. Uh, you know red team versus blue team and you know um, la and anaheim, and, and you know um, you know there was, there was a few years ago. It looked like we might get the dodgers and the angels in the world series and it just didn't. La and Anaheim, and you know there was a few years ago. It looked like we might get the Dodgers and the Angels in the World Series and it just didn't come to be, didn't come to pass.
Speaker 1:But yeah, I mean, I'm here for the Angels. I mean you've got two guys in Otani and Trout that in 50 years people are going to be telling their kids and their grandkids hey, I remember when these guys played and the kids are going to look at you wide-eyed. I mean they're you know, I mean Ohtani's doing stuff that hadn't been done since Babe Ruth. And you want proof that Mike Trout is as good as everybody says he is? Just look at the numbers. I mean this guy just is a numbers machine. He's incredible and I think it's great that they are finding some success. I hope they maintain it because the idea that those two players are on the same team but they're not in the playoffs every year is a shame. It's not good for the game. So, the Angels being successful, competing, getting a playoff spot which there are more of this year I think that's good for the game, I think that's good for Major League Baseball and it's going to grow the sport. So yeah, thinking about the mvp, um again, it'd be easy to agree with you and say otani, because you know once more, he's just doing stuff that hasn't been done in 100 years. Um, but I'm going to see it's getting easier to agree with me.
Speaker 1:Well, here's the thing, off the bat. Here's the thing, regardless of whether or not cleveland is there excuse me as a team at the end of the year or even in the postseason. Jose ramirez is just an elite hitter, does a lot of really good things and I'm big on the definition of MVP and I think the value he brings to that team is irreplaceable. I think without him they're not even in this conversation today, they're not 10 and 12, which is they are, uh, as we speak, uh recording this and and you know that's not anything to write home about, but you know, I think they're down in that orioles reds conversation as far as you know, how many games are they going to lose without jose ramirez? So it's hard for me, um, to pick against otani just because he's doing something that not only is nobody else in major League Baseball doing right now, but that hasn't been done in decades generational talent type of guy. But just to disagree with you, I'm going to go Jose Ramirez as the American League MVP.
Speaker 2:Well, there you have it. There's the picks for this season. I tell you, there's a lot of excitement, there's a lot of buzz. We will find out. Will it be the Mets, will it be the Braves, will it be the Cubbies, or will it be the Dodgers and the Angels, or possibly the Blue Jays?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, and that's just it. You look, I mean, and I'm sitting here looking at the standings and you look, I mean, and I'm sitting here looking at the standings and I mean it could go a lot of different ways. I mean there's a lot, a lot of teams that have a shot at this. I mean it's really cool. It's a great time to be a fan. It's going to be a great season to watch.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, it's going to be fun. You know all the Cubs have to do is play 500 ball to the all-star break and then break out. Real well, that's all they got to do, you know easy peasy, just the Cubs. That's all the Cubs have to do. That's all the Cubs have to do Arguably.
Speaker 1:that's all anybody has to do. All right, so that's our picks for the season. Yeah, we'll see how it plays out. Be sure to tweet us at 2GTBpod.
Speaker 2:That's a lot for you to say.
Speaker 1:Easy for me to say and tell us how wrong we are and tell us what you think. Moving on, we're going to talk about some experimental rules. Major League Baseball for the last couple of seasons has kind of played around with the idea of changing some things up, and they're using the minors as a way to test these things out. We're going to talk about some of that. But I want to start, brian, with the pitch clock, because we were at a Smokies game a couple of weeks ago I guess it is now and we saw a situation Nobody's on base, a 3-2 count, the pitcher steps off the rubber and the pitch clock expires. Well, apparently, when the pitch clock expires, that is a ball.
Speaker 1:Well, it was a 3-2 count, so that resulted in a walk of the batter. The argument was that the pitcher stepped off the rubber but the umpire uh, best we could hear because there's no. You know, the umpires aren't mic'd up in the minors, unfortunately, and even if they were, I don't think they would bother to explain what happened to everybody and we couldn't hear a game broadcast for them to speculate. But we were sitting close enough to be able to hear the umpire say that no, there was nobody on base so the pitcher had to reset and didn't get the. The clock wouldn't reset for him. I guess is basically the point that was being made there and you have some strong feelings about this pitch clock well, I do I.
Speaker 2:I think it's a waste of time. Um, I mean, the game takes as long as the game takes. That's the beauty of baseball. You want a fast-paced game? Go watch basketball. You're rushing your pitchers. In some cases you're rushing the batter to get in there and get set, and I mean you know the batter has to concentrate. He's got to get out of his head. He's got to get in there and really concentrate on what he's got to get out of his head. He's got to get in there and and really concentrate on what he's doing. Um, all this is doing is rushing it up. It's it's the sake of moving it forward, for the sake of moving it forward.
Speaker 1:It is not helping the game at all yeah, and I think that that is the main argument here. Um, with a lot of these pace of play rules, because that's the goal. The goal is to shorten the game times, pick up the pace of play, and that's sort of the argument. Baseball guys like us, I don't know that we care how long the game takes. I don't. Yeah, I don't really either. Most of the time Now I don't want to sit there for six, seven hours, but that's an extreme extra innings example. Whether the game is three hours and 20 minutes or two hours and 50 minutes, that doesn't make a big difference to me or you. But I think the goal is to grow the game and that's kind of what they're looking at here. So for those of you that maybe aren't familiar with what we're talking about, let me read real quickly.
Speaker 1:This is directly from mlbcom, an article about the rules that are being tested out in the minor leagues. Real easy to find if you just google. It's an mlbcom article that says for the expanded pitch clock in all full season leagues, batters will be required to be ready and pitchers will be required to deliver within 14 seconds at all full season levels, with additional time allotted 19 seconds in AAA, 18 at all other levels for pitchers with runners on base. So you get more time if there's a runner on levels for pitchers with runners on base. So you get more time if there's a runner on at all levels. The hitter must be in the batter's box and attentive to the pitcher with nine seconds left on the timer. Additionally and this is something I just noticed that I want to get your take on, brian additionally, pitchers will be limited to two pickoff attempts or step-offs Per plate appearance. Any more will effectively function as a balk, resulting in automatic base runner advancement.
Speaker 2:Well, first of all, they don't know a balk when they see one, because they happen all the time and they don't get called. They get called at the most inopportune time and the umpires don't even know what they're looking at. But limiting two pickoff moves, you don't think that the runners are going to count that and know that they're not going to get. I mean, okay, so he throws over twice, he can't throw back. Why wouldn't I just walk all the way down to second Because he's got to come to the plate? It's ridiculous, it's just craziness. While we're at it, why don't we just limit it? That they can only throw balls, or they can only throw strikes, or hell, let's just move left field out.
Speaker 2:I mean you're changing the game for something ridiculous. I mean you cannot throw over more than twice. Oh my God, if I want to throw over there a hundred times. Now look, and I don't really believe in the pickoff move. Okay, yeah, I believe in concentrating on the batter and let the you know, let let him hit it, let the fielders field and everybody do their job, right. But if I want to do that, then I want to be able to do it a times. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Or four or three or two if I choose, but I want my pitcher to choose. Or as the manager choose, right, yeah.
Speaker 1:Well, again, not that I agree that this is an issue that needs to be addressed, but the goal again is to shorten the time of the games and so far, the pitch clock is helping with that. Um, shout out to jeff passon great follow on twitter if you're a baseball fan, one of the best baseball writers out there. I saw recently where, uh, he wrote about the results of the pitch clock and some of these other experimental rules. Games in the leagues in all these full-season leagues, the average game time is down 20 minutes and again, me and you people like us don't care about that, but that's the goal. So the experimental rules are working to the goal. Now, that's not me agreeing with it, it's just the facts. They're trying to make games shorter and they are. They're making games shorter.
Speaker 2:Okay, so they're making games shorter. Okay, so by the time you get in there and you get your girlfriend settled down, you get your pretzel and your hot dog. You've already missed two innings. So you're sitting there, you get to see two full innings then. Then you've got the game is shortened by an hour and a half and 20 minutes because of all these ridiculous rules. And then you got to leave early to beat traffic. So really what's the point of going to the game anyway?
Speaker 1:yeah, who leaves early to beat traffic. I've seen it.
Speaker 2:I don't I stay late just just because I don't want to leave the park. But uh, there you go yeah, I mean, okay, they're shortening the game and the result is 20 minutes.
Speaker 1:Well, I mean again, not not agreeing with it, just laying the facts out. Let's. Let's move on to larger bases. This is also going to be in all full-season leagues. Now they tried this in AAA and the Arizona Fall League already, but let me read a little bit about what's going on there. In 2021, the size of first, second and third base was increased from 15 to 18 inches at AAA in the Arizona Fall League, resulting in a quote decrease in the severity of base-related injuries. Mlb said all full season levels will play with 18-inch bases. This season, home plate will remain the same.
Speaker 1:Obviously, this is one you know. Obviously I want to hear your take, but I really like this because I think I don't know if it's going to work. Obviously, but the goal here is to get more action on the bases, to get more teams running, sending runners hit and run stolen bases and you know, when you factor that in, along with player safety, which is another issue here, this is one that I don't have a problem with. I don't think it's going to make a huge difference, but I think, if it makes a subtle difference and teams are going to run a little bit more and things are going to be a little more exciting. I think this is a good rule change for the majors.
Speaker 2:Well, when you first say that, I picture in my mind a giant Bakes with Ricky.
Speaker 2:Henderson standing on it, real tiny, and I'm thinking I mean, okay, so here's the argument. So they're bigger bases. Well, where does it stop? Okay, so what are the argument? So they're bigger bases, well, where does it stop? Okay, so what are we going to do? We're going to have these giant bases and then it's two steps in between. I played that game as a kid because my neighbor was short, so it took twice as many steps for him to run as it did me, so we had to shorten the bases for him. I don't know, I don't really care about this either. I don't think it'll make a big difference. I think it will stop some ankle injuries on some bang-bang plays at first. I don't think it'll affect the other two bases, but I think that will help at first with the extra little bit. But I like it. I'll support this one. I'll say if you got to change some rules, you feel like you got to do something that you know. This is a good one, this is one that's okay yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:And and you mentioned the giant base with you know, I saw so many memes when this got announced and there was some, there were some doozies, I mean you. You mentioned ricky henderson too. Um, I saw one that was the picture of him holding up the base that he stole to break the all-time record and it was like the twice his size and he's holding up this massive. Just really good, funny stuff. Uh, man, the internet just uh. I won't say it never lets us down, but sometimes it just really gets it right, it delivers.
Speaker 1:But yeah, I mean I think know if this does make a difference. I think those bang-bang plays at first is where it's going to make a difference, because a lot of those are so close that just that subtle change to the size of the base could mean more runners safe at first on those plays. And while that might sound like a bad thing, I think it's a good thing. I mean you look at the numbers across the board right now in the majors to start this season, offense is lacking and it's been on that trend for a while now. And if it takes a little bit bigger base to get more guys on, to get more teams running, like I said earlier, and electrify the game from an offensive standpoint. I think that's good for baseball.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, I agree, you know it's a benign change it's. You know it's not going to. I've got to concede something here in order for me, in order for me to win. Sure, this pitch clock thing, I gotta give the league something so I'm giving the. I'm giving this to the league. I'm gonna let them have their giant bases well, that's awfully nice of you.
Speaker 1:You don't have to. You don't have to give them anything. If you hate everything, just hate everything.
Speaker 2:I'm a giver, yeah, and I'm giving plus. I like the idea of the giant bases, you know, like a ufo size. I mean, are they making home plate bigger now? No well, no well, why not? Well, I mean let's, let's just make the strike zone bigger.
Speaker 1:I mean, come on let's, let's not go tempting angel hernandez with anything while we're at it.
Speaker 2:let's get NBA players to come and play, and then the bases will be the same size as they were to begin with.
Speaker 1:All right, Okay, we're going to move on to the next experimental rule here. This is one I'm a little torn about, and I'm anxious to hear what Brian has to say, too, on this matter and we are talking, of course, about the dreaded shift. So the 2021 rule requiring AA infielders to set up within the infield limits is being expanded to include two more levels and factor in lateral positioning in 22. This year, teams in AA and both class a levels, that's, high a and low a must have a minimum of four defensive players on the infield when their pitcher delivers the pitch, with at least two infielders on each side, either side of second base. So more of a traditional setup there. For first, second, short and third. The penalty for violation is an automatic ball, but if the hitter swings and gets a better outcome, the offensive team can take that.
Speaker 1:The goal here is to increase batting average on balls in play. There are a lot of left-handed hitters that just scream expletives at the sky, at their bats, at the ground, at the fans, because they're pulling the ball, and it seems like there's always that guy whether it's the third baseman or the second baseman in shallow right field, right where I don't know where you're taught to put the ball in that situation, and the glove is always there. Again, I'm torn on this one. My gut is that this is a good thing because, again, offense is hurting, and it has been. It's been on a downward trend for a handful of years now, and if this is what we've got to do to inject some offense back in the game, then I think it's a good thing. With that said, learn to hit the ball the other way.
Speaker 2:Yes, I mean absolutely. I mean every time I see the shift, you know, I think what would Pete do and Pete Rose would eat them alive. You just slap it where they're not. And I can't believe that. Not one single time do these guys try that. They just don't try it. That's bad batting choices. So that goes to the batting coach. So every batting coach in both leagues should rethink their life choices because of the shift, because this is crazy. There's a mile-open hole. All you have is your giant base and 45 feet over there and you can't hit it through there. I mean, come on, the whole point is, I believe a wise man once said hit them where they ain't. Yep, you know. So why would you pull it just onto the ship? It just it makes that there. It shouldn't be a part of baseball. Ban the shift, get rid of it. It's stupid. Or learn to hit it up through the hole. Hey, one time in the world series someone hits it through the hole like that.
Speaker 1:It's over yeah, well, you know, and that's again. That's why I'm torn, because I think a complete major league hitter should be able to adjust their timing, start their their swing a little later and put the ball the other way. Because here's the thing, that's what freddie freeman does, just because it's tuesday, and they don't shift on him because he's putting the ball the other way. He prefers to put the ball the other way and that's an extreme example. That's just his approach compared to other approaches. Um, yeah, I don't know, man, I don't know where I stand on this. I think I need to see it get to the big league level, which, uh, apparently is happening next season. Uh, to see if what the difference is. If there's a difference.
Speaker 1:Um, I know the two guys that come to mind are joey gallo, max Muncy. These are guys that are lefties, they're straight pull hitters and they sometimes can't buy a hit because, again, that third baseman or that second baseman is always right where they're hitting it. I mean just over and over again. And while there's a part of me, like I mentioned, that says learn to hit the ball the other way, find the hole, that's not good for the game. It's not good for the game for great hitters, because Gallo and Muncie are great hitters.
Speaker 1:It's hard to argue that. But if great hitters are hitting the ball in a place that for years, for decades, traditionally is a base base hit and there's a glove there, I don't know that that's necessarily good for the game. I don't know, man, this one, this one gets me debating and arguing with myself sometimes, because it's just, I don't know, we'll see again. Um, apparently this is a, this is going to be a thing in the major leagues next year, so we'll find out what difference it makes. But again, if this is what we've got to do to get some offense and some electricity back in this game, maybe it's what we need to do.
Speaker 2:Maybe we ought to bring Pete Rose in and have him go on a tour to all the clubs and teach them how to hit the other way. Can you imagine it would be amazing? Can you imagine it would be?
Speaker 1:amazing. Can you imagine Pete Rose walking into a clubhouse in 2022? And I mean first off, I think a lot of guys would welcome it. Well, yeah, because you know who has more hits than Pete Rose? That's right, not a one, that's right. He's the man, not a soul. But you know, I don't know. I don't want to get in on Pete Rose right now, or we're going to go way off on a tangent.
Speaker 2:Hey, I could go Pete Rose. We could do a whole podcast on Pete Rose. Matter of fact, we should do a whole series on Pete Rose the Life and Time of Pete Rose Dun dun dun.
Speaker 1:In case you can't tell, a couple things about Brian Logan. Number one he doesn't like it when you mess with baseball in any way, and he really likes Pete Rose.
Speaker 2:I do. I love Pete Rose, Pete Rose. He's always been good to me.
Speaker 1:So now, well, I'm sure there will be a time in the future of this podcast to talk about your uh experiences with uh, with Mr Pete Rose. Uh, as a matter of fact, I'll make it a point that we we get that worked in at some point, cause, uh, brian's got some cool uh tell about old Charlie Hustle. But with that said, we're going to move to the last of these experimental rules, and this is one that might lead to the biggest argument that Brian and I have ever had, and that is Robot Arms. Mlb's experiment with an automated balls and strike system at low A Southeast will continue in 2022 with a new wrinkle, with the system also expanding to triple A. The goal is to use technology to improve accuracy and reduce controversy, while coming at those issues in two distinct ways. By and large, the ABS system that stands for automated ball strike will operate at AAA in 22, much like it did at low A in 21, with a home plate umpire relaying ball or strike calls generated by Hawkeye tracking technology, which recalibrates the top and bottom of the strike zone based on each hitter's height. Automated calling begins may 17th in the triple-a west division. It will be used throughout the season and all triple-a east games played in charlotte, so in charlotte, only in the east, but after may 17th, triple-a west. I'm sure that's just the availability and the short notice to get it installed.
Speaker 1:I'm going to start on this one, Brian, because I want it now. I want it now. I'm sick and tired of Angel Hernandez and Joe West who thankfully retired making the game all about them, making these ungodly, awful, clearly wrong calls. I want it now. The strike zone should be the same all the time and if you automate it, it is. There needs to be an umpire there for the calls at the plate. Obviously, if the home plate umpire there um for the calls at the plate, you know obviously, if, if, if the home plate umpire is the crew chief, he has a role outside of just calling balls and strikes and calling plays at the plate. But give me the automated strike zone now. I want it now. I'm not even willing to wait. I want it. I want it.
Speaker 2:Right the fuck now, brian well, I mean okay, so the game is simple you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball. We're making this thing too complicated now. We've got robots on the field, we've got giant UFO bases, we've got half the team on the left side, nobody on the right side and no one can hit it to that part. I mean this is getting carried away here. Now. Look, I don't like joe west, I can't stand him. Uh, and the umpires are terrible. So it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't. Situation, because the umpires suck, they're terrible, they can't get it right. But also we've got a freaking robot on the thing. I mean, does the robot have, does it look like an umpire? Because I might, could go for that.
Speaker 1:Okay, I think you're oversimplifying the term. Quote robot ump. There's still going to be a human being behind the plate, but the balls and strikes are going to be automatic.
Speaker 2:I guess it's like a radar system, so it's not like an actual robot it's not an actual robot arms and like a chest plate and the mask on and you know, it's like seven foot tall and kind of looming over no, I don't think that's quite, um how this is going to translate on the field.
Speaker 1:No, well, then it might be okay. Well, again, you started your side of this with we're overcomplicating, complifying, complifying, complifying.
Speaker 2:We have the technology. We have the technology.
Speaker 1:We're overcom complicating it. What is what is simpler than automating the strike zone? It simplifies the whole thing. I don't think there's.
Speaker 2:I mean, you can't argue with an automated strike zone now, I agree with that and and this could be a good thing, uh, I'm gonna have have to see it, I'm going to have to warm up to it and all that. But what happens when it gets hacked?
Speaker 1:Well, I don't like that as the argument against anything technology related, because I think that that's part of why these are experiments in the minors. First is to make sure that things like that don't happen. I mean to make sure that the technology is strong enough that it can't be compromised like that. It's just like the pitch comm systems that we're starting to see used for signs between the catcher and the pitcher. These things have to be vetted to some degree, right. I mean they have to be confident that you can't hack in and compromise this technology. I mean I would be shocked if that's not already going on. I mean just making sure that that's not already going on.
Speaker 2:I mean, um, just making sure that that that's not going to happen well, and I've wondered, you brought I mean, this is a little off on a tangent, but you, what did you call it?
Speaker 1:the pitch comms is that yeah, pitch comm is one version. There's a couple others, one they're using college. I'm not sure, maybe, maybe, maybe pitch comm is the one they're using. Anyways, there's a couple different versions. Pitchcom is one of them.
Speaker 2:I like that until somebody like the Astros figures out the wavelength it's on Right and then they're listening in.
Speaker 2:Well, there's a reason that didn't work back in the 70s, and it wasn't because they didn't have it, it's because the guys would have figured that out. But I do like it figured that out, you know. But I do like, I like it, I like the possibility of that. I wish it'd go a step further. I wish it would go to where, if, uh, the pitcher shakes off the catcher, it gives them a shock. So they're at max scherzer's up there going no, no, huh, no, no, no, no. And every time jit jit, jit.
Speaker 1:Okay, we'll implement that on one condition. Okay, you have to tell Max Scherzer to his face oh I will that he doesn't get to throw whatever the hell he wants.
Speaker 2:Oh, without a doubt.
Speaker 1:I have no problem I have no problem.
Speaker 2:Hey, my history with Major League Baseball players and telling them what I think is not a big, you know it's not anything new.
Speaker 1:No, no, no indeed. But you know, Brian, I mean, I know that a lot of this you don't like and doesn't make you happy, but the game is changing. The game is evolving to some degree, as it has for a long, long time, I mean for over 100 years. This game has evolved and changed a lot. Things do, though, look different now than they did when me and you were growing up, you know, first watching the game, that's for sure.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely, I mean it's, and mostly for the good. You do have to get modern with modern times. Where I lose everything in the conversation is is because, well, kids can't pay attention to the game anymore. Well, yeah, if they're taught the game they can, because that's the whole point is to pay attention. Now, you know, if they're the kid out there looking at the butterfly in the outfit, well, they're not gonna learn anyway. They don't want to be there. So if you really want to love the get, learn the game, you will learn to love it like we have. Hey, well, I'll tell you it's it is about that time.
Speaker 1:It's almost time rex. Rex is just chomping at the bit to sell some, some products the puppy product, the puppies are giving us the hook to end this segment because they know that it's time for us to tell you about all the great products for humans and pets alike.
Speaker 2:over at 2gtbstorecom, brian, tell them about the great line of pet products we have well, we've got pet beds, we've also got collars and we have leashes and for bark in the we have shirts for them. It is great, it's good quality merchandise with the logo on there, and we also have bandanas, so it is fully. We can deck your puppy out just. He will be the best dressed dog at Bark in the Park.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I'm more of a cat person person, but I love the pet mat to put down under their food and water bowls, dishes and the like. It's very stylish, it's very practical. A very nice product there. But I also like some of the stuff we've got already available over there at 2gtb storecom for humans some great t-shirts.
Speaker 2:Uh, baseball jersey that looks really slick um, it's an amazing baseball jersey and a jacket to go along with it yeah, a really, really, really nice jacket.
Speaker 1:One of the more high dollar items, but worth it if you are in need of a jacket and want to support what we're doing here at two guys talking baseball. Uh, we, we really I think have knocked it out of the park with the variety of products we're offering. Uh, right, right from the word. Go uh in in our, in our shop there at 2gtbstorecom something for everyone.
Speaker 2:Uh, you know, we've got a a good little speaker system there that you can listen to, uh, your favorite podcasts like this one. I mean, it's just a little bit of something for everyone. Check out our assortment of teddy bears and plushie toys.
Speaker 1:We got a little bit of everything there, folks yeah, we have multiple different species of animal available in the stuffed variety. Uh, I mean, we we really just have, as Brian said, something for everybody. And again, folks, this is the best and easiest way to support us financially directly is to head on over to 2GTBStorecom and pick up some Two Guys Talking Baseball gear today, all right, some two guys talking baseball gear today, all right. Well, I think with that we're gonna move on to some quick hits. Brian, we're gonna try and move through these pretty quickly, not take up too much time. Uh, just some things of note that we want to um mention and give our quick thoughts on. Hence the name quick hits.
Speaker 1:You ready? I am ready, I'm gonna start her up. I'm gonna start throwing some heat at you. All right, give them to me. Let's start with this. Kelsey whitmore of the staten island fairy hawks has become the first woman to start a game in the atlantic league. She did that on may 1st against the gastonia honey hunters, and she got a base hit in that game too. She's already making waves, brian. What do you think about women playing the game?
Speaker 2:I love it. I absolutely love it. I think it's something that's well overdue. And here's what I have to say on that whole thing. It's not about the gender, it's not about race, it's not about creed, religion or anything. It's about whether you can play the game. If you can hit the curve, if you can play the game and you're great and you contribute to the team, then it doesn't matter. You're out there to play the game, just like everybody else. However, the flip side works too. If you suck, you need to get off the field. So if she's a great player, then she's welcome, but if she's terrible, then let's replace her with somebody else. But I think it's awesome and I think it's a great thing. Women in baseball.
Speaker 1:Couldn't agree more. Kelsey Whitmore has a background with the national team, the United States women's baseball national team. Fantastic ball player Kudos to Staten Island, the Fairy Hawks, there in their new ballpark, an exciting new franchise in the Atlantic League giving her the opportunity and not only that but really getting the whole team, the social media, the marketing behind it to make sure people know that this is going on. I mean, I've seen it on MLB Network, I've seen it on pretty much every major sports media outlet. This is great, man. Women have always been a part of the game. They're becoming a bigger part of the game and they should. I mean you know Kim Ng for the Marlins, now the first woman general manager in the majors. We've seen a field coach now in the major leagues Alyssa Nacken for the Giants. This is going to keep happening and I hope that it does one day lead to the right woman coming along and breaking that barrier in the major leagues, because to me that is long overdue.
Speaker 2:Well, you know, there was a time where you know there were certain limitations and they were like it's going to ruin baseball, and it did the opposite. It opened up baseball and made the game great and it made the world better, and this is exactly what could happen again.
Speaker 1:Yeah, 100%. Couldn't agree more. All right, moving on. Next quick hit we're sticking and moving, sticking and moving, sticking and moving. Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs we talked about him earlier. He's been fantastic so far in his rookie season. He wins the National League Player of the Week and then goes into a slump. The following week, cody Bellinger of my Los Angeles Dodgers wins the Player of the Week. It's exciting he's coming out of a really rough year and a rough spring and then it takes him an entire week to get ahead. After that, brian, is there a curse of the National League Player of the Week, a hit after?
Speaker 2:that, brian? Is there a curse of the National League Player of the Week? Well, there could very well be, and I mean we need to check and see did they wear the same socks? Did they have the same batting gloves? Did they take the same route to the ballpark? I mean, if they changed any of that, I'm going with there's a curse. But you know, maybe it's a coincidence, maybe just maybe, but it could very well be a curse. We're gonna have to see in weeks to come I don't believe in coincidence.
Speaker 1:This is the new madden cover curse. Stay away from the nl player of the week at all costs, boys, because you will be cursed. Indeed, moving right along clayton kershaw, my man, my main man, became the dodgers all-time strikeout leader on april 30th against the tigers brian. In your estimation, is he the greatest pitcher of this generation?
Speaker 2:absolutely. There's nobody better. Uh, I mean, he's just an ace on. You know. That goes without saying he is, without a doubt, the best one of this generation.
Speaker 1:Three Cy Youngs first guy as a pitcher to win an MVP in the major leagues in over 40 years. When he did it in 2014, the year he threw his no-hitter. I could sit here all day and sing the praises of this guy. I don't think there's anybody better. I don't think there has been since 2008. When he first broke in. You know, obviously I was watching this live and we knew he entered that game four shy of passing Don Sutton and taking the record, all by his lonesome. So he gets a couple strikeouts.
Speaker 1:You start looking at that Tigers lineup and there were two names that stuck out to me. One was Miguel Cabrera, because how cool would it be for that highlight to be shown for generations? And Miguel Cabrera, who we're going to talk about later, is one of the greatest hitters of all time to be the guy swinging and missing or looking at strike three. But the other name that stuck out and the guy that ended up being the strikeout victim when Kirsch broke the record Tigers rookie, former number one overall pick, spencer Torkelson. It's one of those things you know, one of my brothers and I we like to say a lot.
Speaker 1:Only baseball. It's the only sport that can write nonfiction that's better than fiction. How cool is it that Spencer Torkelson, in the rookie year of what potentially could be, and many estimate will be, an all-time great career maybe playing for 15, 20 years his rookie year, he's the guy. He's the guy that went down on strikes so Clayton Kershaw could take his rightful place as the next Hall of Famer to be the Dodgers all-time strikeout king. Just poetic, beautiful. I mean no notes on that one whatsoever. All right. Finally, our last quick hit Brian, your Cubs, my Dodgers, this weekend play for the first time this season. How mad are you going to be when the Dodgers sweep the Cubs?
Speaker 2:How mad are you going to be when your big loaded-up team takes a couple losses? Yeah, I will be irate if that happens. I'm not going to say they're going to take all three, because that would just be ridiculous. But you're going to get upset a couple days. I can tell you that already.
Speaker 1:Well, upset a couple days, I can tell you that already. Well, if, if, if what you're saying comes to pass, I will not be a happy a happy camper, that's for sure.
Speaker 2:I mean, what do you think? You think they're gonna take all three, because there's no way.
Speaker 1:Um, they're not even gonna take two I think I think it'll be a split series. Uh, if, if I, if I really had to guess because again, you know the, the cubs are. The cubs have been a little up and down so far this year. They're kind of getting counted out because of the Brewers and the Cardinals in that division. But I think they're a more than competitive ball club and if I had to really objectively pick, I think it will be a 2-1 series one way or the other. I'm not going to say which way, just because you know at that point it could go either way. But it should be a good series man, it should be a good way to spend the weekend.
Speaker 2:As long as the Cubs pitchers are on their game, we got you.
Speaker 1:If you say so, buddy.
Speaker 2:If you say so.
Speaker 1:So, folks, if this is the last time we ever record this podcast, you know why this is the last time we ever record this podcast. You know why Brian and I couldn't stand to sit this close to each other after this coming weekend. All right, that does it for Quick Hits. I think we did pretty good there. We did.
Speaker 2:That was nice. It was a good segment and they were quick.
Speaker 1:They were hitting and they were quick.
Speaker 2:They lived up to their billing. The marquee said quick and hits, and it was. It was billed as to be quick and hard hitting. What they got was nothing of the such very good, very good.
Speaker 1:Well, folks, that brings us to our cleanup hitter this week, our main event that we entitled, have we Hit? Get it Hit, Hit the end of an era. We mentioned Miguel Cabrera just a moment ago. On April the 23rd, on a single to right, he got his 3,000th hit. He became, I think, the 32nd Major League player to reach that milestone. Coolest thing for me about that famously Miguel Cabrera, a big deal in his native Venezuela, really has influenced a lot of guys there. He hit no 3,000 off of Venezuelan pitcher Antonio Zenzatella. The catcher was also Venezuelan. That was Elias Diaz for the Rockies. A couple of teammates in the infield former teammates, I should say, of Miggies on the infield there when he reached the milestone and just by all accounts an all-around good guy, one of the best hitters of all time, one of only three players ever with 3,000 hits, 500 home runs and a career average over 300, which he's going to finish with the only other two maybe you've heard of them Willie Mays and Henry Aaron.
Speaker 2:I think that rings a bell, a little bell.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so when you're on a list and there's only three names on it, it's yours Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. That's pretty stinking good, that's pretty good company right. Yeah, I mean that's first ballot, Hall of Famer stuff right there. I mean that's just.
Speaker 2:That's the equivalency of being on the list with myself and Pete Rose.
Speaker 1:That's a bit of a thinker, but I'm just going to breeze right past it there. Brian so, miguel Cabrera in his 20th season. He's 39 years old. I saw some coverage of this that illustrated that over the last I don't know three, four decades each decade, the number of players that reached the 3,000 hit milestone has gone down each decade to the point where there was only a handful or so in the 2010s. It's 2022 and Miguel Cabrera is the first in the 2020s, in this decade, to reach the 3,000 hit milestone.
Speaker 1:So I sort of am asking myself the question if we're going to see another player get to 3,000, and I honestly think we will who could be next, or who are some good candidates that are well on their way now? So what I have done is I went to my trusty baseball reference, stat hedge, stat head excuse me, shout out to baseball reference. It's a cool service, not that expensive, and if you're a stat geek like me, you can generate all kind of cool lists. You can, uh, do a lot of cool things there. Uh, it's worth checking out if you're into baseball statistics, um, or you want to be more into baseball statistics. I've learned a lot since subscribing to the service, but I took to my trusty stat head and I looked at the active um trusty stat head and I looked at the active um leaderboard for hits and I got down to uh, to where I was far enough down on the list, where, uh, it was the guys who aren't yet to 3 000 and most of the guys that are just under 3 000 um are, you know, in in the, in the twilight of their career and most likely are not going to get enough hits to reach the milestone. But there are some guys who are hovering right around the 30-year-old mark 29, 30, 31 in one case here that are I mean, I've got five examples here and it's five of the best hitters in the game and I'm crunching some numbers and I've calculated, if they stay on their current pace of hits per game and games played per season, how long they would have to continue playing at that same pace to reach 3 000. So I'm gonna go at these one at a time, brian, and we can talk about each one individually.
Speaker 1:So first, uh, third baseman for the padres, manny machado. Uh, not my favorite guy in baseball but no, oh, come on, no doubt a talented dude, not only with the bat but with his glove at third base. Um, I mentioned earlier, the worst thing that ever happened to his career was Nolan Arenado, because he can't get a gold glove at third base in the National League to save his life because Nolan's got it on lock. But he currently has 1,457 hits. That's not quite halfway. He's 29 years old. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, he averages 120 games per season up until this season.
Speaker 1:Of course, I didn't use this season because that would bring everybody's average down, and it is worth noting that each of these five players are going to have a lower average than they normally would because of the shortened 2020 season. That was only 60 games period, so keep that in mind. But again, machado averages at this point in his career 120 games per year, right around 1.1 hits per game. So that means he would need to play 1,402 more games, which would get him to 41 years old. I think he's got a good shot. I mean, I think this is a guy that you know. He's an everyday guy. He's going to be with the Padres for a long time and he's going to be in that lineup and as long as he's in the lineup, he's going to be getting hits. I think, if he stays healthy. Brian, he's got a really good shot.
Speaker 2:Well, that's right there. There's your thing. Does he stays healthy? Brian, he's got a really good shot. Well, that's right there. There's your thing. Does he stay healthy? Because playing till you're 41 is pushing it and if he gets injured in there somewhere it's going to cut down. That's probably how he would miss it. If he would miss it, yeah, but if he stays healthy, I think he's got a shot at it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, 100%, just a great bat. Don't like his attitude, but that's neither here nor there. He speaks very highly of you. I bet he doesn't, and that's okay. And I think that's the biggest issue with a lot of these guys is can they post every day? Can they post every day, you know? Can they, can they, you know? And again, all these guys are going to be 29, 30 or 31 and, scientifically speaking, men hit their physical peak at 33. So these guys could up these averages in the next five years. I mean they really could. I mean it's just a good possibility.
Speaker 2:Um, but I don't know, man, guys, guys aren't playing 150, 560 games a year like they used to no, and that's that's the problem that I have with the game, to begin with, is, you know, back in the 70s and 80s these guys played. Now, granted, they had to, and a lot of times it was, it was against the, their better interests, health-wise, and their careers were probably shortened and that kind of makes the argument against me right there. But these guys aren't playing as long today. They're not playing as many games, and I don't know if it's the modern athlete, if it's smarter, I don't know what the it factor is on that, but I think it's a problem. I think these guys need to play more games.
Speaker 1:All right. Well, we're going to move along and keep going. This next guy is maybe the most interesting case that I've come up with here of the five, and that is Mike Trout, who who, if you're listening to this podcast, you know all about highly regarded as one of the best hitters of all time, and he's not anywhere close to done. He is 30 years old. He is at 1439 hits. Remember. He's dealt with some injury issues and that's been really the only hindrance to his career so far. So he currently averages just under Machado, 119 games per season, and he is a year older. This is his age 30 season um season. He would need to play 1428 more games and that would put him at 42, with a with a little bit of a history of injury.
Speaker 1:Beginning of the season, there was already some whispers and some chit chat about him moving out of center field for that very reason. Joe madden was a little mom is the word on it. I don't know. Man Trout's great, no mistaking it A guy that we're going to be telling our kids and grandkids and generations from now about that type of player. I don't know. I don't feel as confident about Trout getting there if he doesn't stay healthy and up his averages of games played and hits per game.
Speaker 2:No, I don't think he makes it, I don't think he can stay healthy. And you know, 42, that's pushing it. I just don't see him lasting that long. I don't think the you know, I just don't see it.
Speaker 1:That would be a shame, man. I mean it would remind you of Mickey Mantle, and you know the famous knee injury and his career getting cut short and the great numbers he could have put up. I mean he did put up great numbers, but it could have been a whole different level, um, had he stayed healthy and not had the issues with his knees that he did. And um, if that's the case for mike trout, I mean that's going to be the story. Um, he's, he's, he's the new mickey mannell. I mean he's, he's that guy that could have broken every record. But health was the was the hindrance there yeah, I agree, I totally agree with that all right.
Speaker 1:So next up on my list it's the only 31 year old. But I looked at it and I thought, okay, he's got about as good a shot as some of these 30 year olds. And that is the guy that was just named nl player of the month for april. He's the guy I picked as the national league MVP this year. That's the St Louis Cardinals third baseman, nolan Arenado. So again, he's 31 and he is currently at 1384.
Speaker 1:So he's a little behind where Machado and Trout are with a year or two, age-wise on them based. But he he's averaging more games per season. He's averaging 134 games per year and that means he would need to play 1469 more games. That would also put him playing till he's 42 to get to 3000. I mean, when you look at 120 per per season, 119 per season and that jumps up to 134. I think that's the attribute again that these guys have to have for the rest of their career if they're going to get to 3,000 hits, and I think Nolan Arenado is a lot closer to already having that built into his game. I think he's a guy that hates it when he's not in the lineup not saying that Machado and Trout aren't, but just Arenado's approach to the game. His attitude. He's not in the lineup not saying that Machado and Trout aren't, but just Arenado's approach to the game, his attitude. He's that guy that wants to be in there every single day and if he stays, that guy, I think he gets there.
Speaker 2:Well, he's definitely the wild card of this group of guys. He really could or he couldn't. It's hard to pick one way or another on that. If I had to look at this, I just don't know. I don't know, I don't know. 42 is that's getting up there again. It might be health-wise. Does he stay healthy, you know?
Speaker 1:um, he's got a shot, he's got a shot yeah, well, again, arenado, while a great hitter, is also a multiple-time platinum glove winner, like we've talked about. He's great flashing the leather at third. I think if his offensive numbers take a dip later in his 30s, he stays in the game because of what he can do with the glove and I think that could be the difference between a mike trout who gets banged up and can't play center field anymore uh, at at 36, 38, 39 to nolan arenado getting close to 40 and maybe not hitting the ball quite as well, but he's still elite defensively and is going to still be in the lineup and that's going to give him those extra hits he might need to get to 3,000. I think that could be the x factor for him.
Speaker 2:It could very possibly, could could very well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, okay. So we got two more examples here and it just gets even more and more interesting as we go down this list. The fourth guy I wanted to take a look at was last year's NL MVP, currently of the Philadelphia Phillies, bryce Harper, who is 29 years old, so he's not even 30 yet and he is at 1294. He also is averaging more games per season than Trout or Machado. He's at 130 per season thus far in his career. So that is putting him at 1,706 more games. He also is going to have to play until he's 42 at that current pace to get to 3,000.
Speaker 1:But I think he is a prime example of a guy. As he gets closer to 33, those numbers are going up. I think he's going to play more. I think he's going to hit more. I think he is. I think we started to see bryce harper on a national stage so young we forget this guy's not 30, he's not in his physical peak yet. I think all those numbers ramp up over the next five years for bryce harper and I think he's got a really, really good shot of getting those next. You know, 1,706 hits.
Speaker 2:Well, I completely disagree. I don't think he can stay healthy. I think his number one problem is he doesn't play enough games because he's always injured. So I take him completely off the board here because he just, I just don't think he's going to do it. I think as he gets older, those injuries are going to get worse and be more problematic yeah, and again, health is the main thing here.
Speaker 1:I mean, there's a, there's a litany of some of the greatest hitters of all time that did not get to 3,000 hits. For that very reason, they could not continue to play. Their body just gave up on them before they got to that milestone. That's why it's such an exclusive club. I mean because you really do. You've got to play into your 40s. You've got to play a lot of games. You've got to continue to hit into your late 30s and early 40s. It's tough to do. We're just going to continue to hit into your late 30s and early 40s. It's tough to do. We're just going to have to agree to disagree, though. I think Harper's got a good shot. You obviously disagree, and I understand why. But that brings us to number five and this one. He was pretty far down the list, but I saw his name and I went huh, I hadn't thought about him. So I took a look and this is the guy you picked to be the National League MVP this year for my Dodgers Morris, excuse me, mookie Betts. He's at 1169 and he's 29 as well.
Speaker 1:Now, we've looked at these games per season. We've looked at these games per season. Mookie so far in his career has played 141 games per season. That's a lot higher than anybody else on this list and that's only as low as it is because of that 60-game 2020 and a little bit of last year. He missed some time last year with some hip issues, played through it a lot, but also took more days off, spent some time on the IL, things like that. So he would have to play in approximately 1,526 more games. That only puts him at 40 years old. So Mookie stays healthy, trends up offensively. Like I said, as he gets towards 33 in his physical peak as a man, he's only got to play until at least 40 at the current pace. I mean right now Mookie's looking like a shoe-in for 3,000 compared to these other four.
Speaker 2:I agree, I totally agree. I think that he is, without a doubt. I mean, he's healthy, he's young, he's on his way there. I think he's healthy, he's young, he's on his way there. I think he's the one to do it. Of all of these guys, I think he's the one. He would be my pick.
Speaker 1:I felt that way too, but I wanted to bring him to the table just to show that it wasn't only bias with that opinion. Obviously, you know it's funny. I knew about Mookie Betts, obviously, when he was in Boston, saw a little bit of him in that 2018 World Series when the Red Sox beat the Dodgers. My younger brother, who is a Red Sox fan, talked very highly of Mookie Betts. Next thing, you know, he's a Dodger. He's inking up that long-term deal before he ever plays a game with the Dodgers and the thing I kept hearing. The thing I kept hearing was, in order to really see how good Mookie Betts is, you've got to see him every day. You've got to see the things he does. That don't translate into statistics and I know we're talking about statistical things here, but nothing's ever been more true for me, because one spring training in, I went. I get it now. This guy's special. I mean this guy does things that nobody else is doing. As far as his work ethic, as far as his approach, as far as what he expects of himself, I mean the guy last year had above average numbers and I mean two years ago the Dodgers win the World Series, he's second in the MVP voting and he called it a disappointing year for him. That's how hard he is on himself. He pushes himself every day. This guy is an everyday right fielder. He takes infield every single day. This guy is an everyday right fielder. He takes infield every single day. I mean this guy is special and I think special players play late enough into their career and do enough to get on lists like 3,000.
Speaker 1:And I think Mookie is that type of player. I mean I really do. I believe he is. I mean, and he's under contract for a long time with the Dodgers. I mean he's the guy there. I mean he is the guy for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a premier franchise in Major League Baseball, and he's a premier player. And I think, again agreeing with you, when you look at these five as the five likely candidates, or five of the likely candidates, I think Mookie is the safest bet if you're putting money on it. I think Mookie is the safest bet. If you're putting money on it.
Speaker 2:I think Mookie is the safest bet of these five Absolutely, I mean for every reason you just said. I mean you know Dodgers is your team, you know you're always going to go with Dodgers. Again, I'm biased you are, and that's okay because you know the statistics are there. He could very well do this, and only time will tell.
Speaker 1:That's the uh theme of this whole segment is only time will tell. And if there's somebody we did not evaluate or look at here that you think has a good shot of getting the 3 000 hits, hey, plead your case. Hit us up at 2gtb pod on twitter and all the other socials. Just search for us. Two guys talking baseball with that. I think that's all we got for this week, brian.
Speaker 2:I think that's it. We made it through. I'm very excited. You agreed with me most of the time, which is good. We'll get used to you doing that as you agree with me. I'm not alone, so I can't wait to do it again.
Speaker 1:All right. Well, I guess we'll do it again in seven days, assuming you and me don't give up on our friendship based on this weekend series between the Cubs and the Dodgers. All right, folks, thanks so much for joining us. For Brian Logan, I am Dallas Danger. This is Two Guys Talking Baseball again at 2GTBpod on Twitter. Search for Two Guys Talking Baseball again at 2GTBpod on Twitter. Search for Two Guys Talking Baseball on Facebook, instagram and if you want to see us, you want to see who we're repping every week, you want to see the great studio that we've worked really hard on and we want people to see. Search for Two Guys Talking Baseball on YouTube. You can watch the stream every single week and until next week. Have a good one.