It’s always nice to serve the visiting media a Faidley’s crab cake and talk baseball. Longtime Yankees insider Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record joins Luke Jones and Nestor for an All Star Game chat and trade deadline debate on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour.
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
yankees, orioles, teams, year, bullpen, pitching, uniforms, talked, game, win, week, relievers, star, trade, nestor, brian cashman, gerrit cole, players, era, part
SPEAKERS
Nestor J. Aparicio, Luke Jones, Pete Caldera
Nestor J. Aparicio 00:00
Welcome home we are W n s t Towson, Baltimore. Baltimore positive we are positively here in the Mecca I Nancy Devine is staring at me wonder she’s not wagging her finger at me here. The Gold Rush doubler sevens we have from the America lottery we’re giving away we’re fadeless in Lexington market the new lights in the market. We are here with Yankees Oreos. Pete caldera is our guest from the Bergen record I look I bring other reporters here old schoolers here by the way you get a ticket you get everybody gets a ticket around you get a ticket. Pete and I were talking Sinatra we’ve let’s see what you’ve missed. We talk Sinatra life covering the Yankees 25 years of him covering the Yankees doing all this stuff. And I said you know we’re gonna save all the juicy trade stuff even though he’s gone through all he knows about Mayo he knows everybody’s coming to get Jackson holiday even though it’s about the kids catching down and buoy I don’t know that much. You know a lot he knows a lot this guy. So trading deadline Luke is going on vacation he’s gonna be gone for the next 10 days sunning himself eating Max pizza in Wildwood up in Jersey, seeing Yankees fans? Probably a lot more Phillies fans anything else? What do you guys expect to happen here in the next couple of weeks?
Luke Jones 01:14
I’ll say this from the Orioles perspective and how Mike Elias has operated now for five years how he’s operated the last couple years as they’ve become more and more competitive. I mean, led the AON wins last year, we saw what they did last year, they got Jack Flaherty who is again, one of the big names on the market, which I think is ironic, didn’t work out so well. We’re not getting him again. I wouldn’t think so. And I don’t think it was a case that that he didn’t fit or that they hated him or anything like that. He just didn’t perform well. And, you know, are you gonna go to that same? Well, again. So I think with Mike Elias, and we’ve talked about this a lot Nestor, the Oreos being where they are, where they are with new ownership still unknown in terms of where the payroll is going to go, I think cautiously optimistic, but until we see it, we don’t know where that’s going to be. I certainly don’t expect it to be at the level where the Yankees spend or the Dodgers or anyone like that, of course. But I think it’s trying to find that sweet spot as far as identifying a couple of individuals who fortify the back half of the rotation, perhaps certainly with the bullpen. They you know, we’ve talked about two arms, I think they need their butt. And you can certainly attest to this. Over the years we tend to fixate on CC Sabathia go into the Brewers, Randy Johnson go into the Astros I mean, you think about all these moves that did pay off and pay huge dividends. Usually it’s on the margins or in some cases it doesn’t work out at all. So I think as much as there’s excitement and as much as I expect the Orioles to make moves. I’ve said this to you a few different times this past week Nesta, starting rotation. I think they’re obviously looking for an upgrade over Dean Kramer or Albert Suarez as their number three. But I think whoever that number three is going to be because I’m less the Tigers say will part with Tarik Scoble. And the Orioles say we’ll give you the premier prospects to do it which san is impossible, but I still think that’s unlikely. I think whoever they acquire is going to be better than Dean Kramer but probably closer to Dean Kramer than a high a healthy Kyle Bradish as your two and three with you know, take your pick him and Grayson Rodriguez behind burn. So I just I think fans are going to end up feeling frankly underwhelmed on paper. Now it’s just going to be a matter of do you identify someone’s reliever whose numbers may not look great, but the peripheral say hey, we think we can make a little tweak here or there and he’s got some upside is that a starting pitcher somewhere that maybe isn’t having the best 2024 but has a recent track record of saying, you know, we look at the K numbers, we look at the walk rate, we look at the homeruns we think this guy’s going to have a better second half. I think the Orioles are probably going to be in that wheelhouse. A little more than maybe fans would like in terms of like finding a star because guys I spent all of yesterday kind of just scanning the 30 teams in Major League Baseball, first of all, figuring out who the heck are buyers and sellers is still such a difficult endeavor now with the third wildcard but I just don’t see a ton of big names and I’m necessarily confident that we’re going to see moved at the deadline. I mean, I think a team like Toronto is such a wild card, but are they going to trade within the division? I think if it’s the right deal, they probably Tampa. I think Tampa is intriguing. I think both those teams I’m starting pitchers, that would be interesting. But this goes back to my question about ownership and where the Orioles are payroll wise. Zach Eflin someone like that he’s owed money next year now. It’s not extraordinary money, but it’s real money. Are you willing to pay? Yeah, I look at Kevin Gasman. I look at you know some of some of the Bassett who’s owed money for Toronto. I mean, these are guys that bass it’s been good this year. God has been has been down but he’s a recent all star, you know a couple times I mean, or is he just at 33 declining or do you think Hey, he’s gonna bounce back. So I just think you cast such a wide net In terms of who exactly is selling, and then it’s a case of what exactly are you looking for and without knowing the financial piece of it, you kind of you’re forced to kind of go back to Okay. Your priors in terms of who the prospect the big prospects are that everyone wants from the Orioles because everyone knows that but I don’t think there’s a guy out there that the Orioles would trade Jackson holiday for I don’t know if there’s a guy out there that they definitively would trade Kobe Mayo for unless like I said it’s Tareekh or Tarik school so you know, Garrett crocheted the White Sox are going to ask for the moon we know they asked for the moon with Dylan cease at this time last year and the Orioles balked at it. So you know he
Nestor J. Aparicio 05:40
does this every October and you know, he’s got to clear his singing schedule because the Yankees playing but the pressure on the Yankees every year is where we have felt it the last two years with the Orioles where Hey, you’re good you’re good not good enough and worse for your franchise right now really slumping kind of bad and in a weird way and feeling like they need to do something the fans feel like they need to do something right. Yeah,
Pete Caldera 06:02
well, Brian Cashman addressed to reporters in Tampa Bay a couple days ago about you know that obviously they’ll be looking in all areas to try to upgrade but didn’t mention anything specific but their needs are obvious and it’s sort of the same as the Orioles they are looking at pitching right now and specifically relief pitching. At least they’re not in a position where you know, you need that that that you know that frontline starter right now that you’ve got to spend prospects to get and they could possibly fix some of their their lineup deficiencies at the margins with a corner infielder. But, you know, right now, I mean, if I’m the Yankees, I’m looking at the Marlins closer, Scott, I’m looking at, I’m looking at Kopec with the White Sox. I mean, I think these guys are, could help them the Yankees need a better setup bridge to clay homes, they need a lot more swing and miss in their bullpen than what they’re getting. Now he talked about they’re right there, right, because a lot of their guy’s profile is the, you know, the sinker slider ground ball types. And you know, when and certainly they’re closer, is in that category, too. So, you know, but it’s a seller’s market right now. And as Luke said, Listen, we as we stand here today, we’re not sure how all in Toronto is, as being a seller, I think they should be Yeah, I think they, you know, it would help, you know, get that that talked
Nestor J. Aparicio 07:34
about. Right. And they were and what they did, I don’t think you could ever be predicted.
07:38
Yes, I mean, but I mean, who’s been a bigger disappointment in Toronto Blue Jays in the last, you know, four years with all that talent, just expecting them to fire and they never have, you know, maybe it’s time for them to rethink and reshape that organization and start to, you know, I mean, they really got to think hard about, you know, trading and Bichette or, or some of their other pitchers, and their pitchers. Because, you know, that’s, that’s what’s going to drive the market right now. This is what and and you mentioned the angels too. I’ll be interested to see what they do. I mean, this that should be a complete sell off, shouldn’t it and they’ve got some pieces that that teams could use. You know, but the
Nestor J. Aparicio 08:22
A’s to sell right? And B A’s have had played
Luke Jones 08:24
Of course, yeah, just to what the ground like I don’t know if they’re gonna sell Mason Miller but they have what Lucas airsick who is also a swing and miss guy and their bullpen that’s someone I’ve thought with the Orioles could maybe identify because I don’t think the A’s are going to accept what the Orioles would be willing to trade for. I’ll be at a fantastic phenom at the back end of the bullpen but still a bullpen Well
Nestor J. Aparicio 08:46
the one thing I said to Luke at length and this goes back to 33 years of me doing this the Orioles can win any trade if they want to you right i mean that that is schools available the Orioles can win that trade by they can pull off any trade
Luke Jones 09:00
now that we can debate whether it would be a win win they get it can be the highest bidder we win.
Nestor J. Aparicio 09:05
They can get it they can question they’ve never really ever been in that position ever. And it was always sort of perceived that the Yankees could win because they could drop the hammer of money that they could take on players that smaller markets wouldn’t want to take on you mentioned carrying salary into another year. But I mean, the Orioles are prime position and in first place but to all of our points. They you know the pitching has been disappointing to some degree in that they haven’t had their best pictures available that they have to go and buy all these things that are broken now is from the bullpen in Batista last year to the middle of the rotation pick means certainly Bradish that these these pieces are different to replace when you’re the Orioles and you go dealing off pick anybody Mayo nor any of these guys that turn into players or teases now a five six year player in Milwaukee that’s going to work on the cheap and or is going to get him for six months of corporate Barrett’s Maybe they won a World Series. But you can’t continue to burn it that way where you’ve been watching this for 25 years, whatever mistake and stupid thing the Yankees might do, you can cover it off, they get it they get an eraser on everything. The Orioles don’t get an eraser on Chris Davis.
10:13
But there’s areas of the Yankees aren’t going I mean, listen, they they made the Soto trade, I mean as impactful the trade is you’re going to make without having to spend, you know, they’re the top line of their prospects, right. I mean, Spencer Jones is probably the number one guy they have right now. Obviously, he’s not going anywhere for anything they could, they could get as help. In fact, he could be in the mix to help them in September, Jason Dominguez, another guy at the top of their prospect list, who’s dealing with an oblique injury, they could get him back in September. And he’s a guy that they can actually use right now, because of their lineup has been lacking since John Carlos Stan has been out. And
Nestor J. Aparicio 10:55
that’s amazing. Both of these franchises have players that aren’t on the field that are at that quad level that we expect Jackson Holloway to win games for this team. You call me off this morning, you got him off, like, you know, we’re expecting and these are good teams, I was gonna
Luke Jones 11:11
make this general point, as we’re starting this weekend in Baltimore, you have two teams that are duking it out for first place, both teams on pace to win 100 Or just under 100 games. And both fan bases are very anxious and not happy right now. Because of how they’ve been playing the last because
11:27
of where they start, especially with the Yankees. I mean, I mean, we kind of had a 2022 flashback with this team, when, you know, they, they they kind of peaked in June, and played the ad or under 500 For the rest of the way. And then of course, they get eliminated in the playoffs. But, you know, I think this team is better constructed than that team. But you know, they they’ve still they’ve they played at the level. I mean, they they’re coming into Baltimore right now Oh, seven and one, their last eight series. You know, this is a team that needs to pick me up right now in a lot of ways. And but it’s going to have to come from mostly the the guys that they have to, to pick it up and perform better. And you’re really looking at the starting pitching with the Yankees too. Because I mean, that starting pitching was so good. Without Gerrit Cole, when you thought that this was an area that you know, if they could just, you know, just stay around 500 get cold back then possibly they could take off. It’s kind of gone on to reverse right now. Nothing to do with Gerrit Cole. I mean, he’s, you know, he’s, he’s the ACE and he’s, he’s, you know, he’s back with no restrictions on him now you’re gonna see him.
Nestor J. Aparicio 12:34
Nestor they always claim that as long as I’ve been alive Well
12:38
you know that’s Nestor pitches very well. He’s got his Have you seen his rode home splits there really? It’s strangely different. Got a six plus era on the road this year and under two era at home will you
Nestor J. Aparicio 12:53
tell the fake nastiness through that you met the real ones All right, let him know yesterday when infinity era five years ago really? We can finally get a guy named Nestor on the team that’s not the long your Christmas donkey you know what I mean? He
Luke Jones 13:09
just needed the big wall and left when he was a real five for the Orioles he probably would have stuck at the best
Nestor J. Aparicio 13:13
part about this is when Palmer calls the games and he always calls the Yankee series that he has to say Nestor out loud like 50 times so I hear Jim Palmer say my name it’s just a beautiful fall
13:23
you know the Yankees got rid of them too. You know they he wasn’t just rule fired off off their team they released him at 1.2 in Seattle pick them up and then they got him back later on but so you know they gave these two but at least they made up for it I guess. But yeah, and he really loves pitching here and pitching it it means something and Baldwin investor pitches against the Orioles well he didn’t get his chance this time no he’s not going to pitch in the in this series October Baby but you’ll see you’ll see Cole you’ll see Luis he’ll who was better as last time out betters last time out he had you know he was picture of the month rookie the month in May still obviously a prime rookie the year candidate the American League. I mean his stuff here it really is electric. But yeah, but you wonder about the uncharted territory. He is innings wise as as a professional now and coming off, you know essentially to last seasons after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. But you know the way he’s pitching now and the needs that they have in their rotation Clark Schmitt they may get back in mid mid August it seems you know, he’s essential to them right now and they need him to perform, you know, close to the level he was in May than that he was in the earlier part of of June. So that’s part of the the Yankees dilemma right now. I mean, they’re not getting any length out of their starting pitching right now and it’ll be a huge boost for them. If if Gerrit Cole can be Gerrit Cole tonight and he’ll can can pick up where he left off. His last start, and then you get calls for Don? Yeah, he’s the guy that’s been a man who has, I mean, after first month and a half where everything was clicking, it has gone back to 2023 on him in a hurry. Yeah,
Luke Jones 15:12
I mean, it’s just, it’s so unpredictable. And this, this lends itself back, going back to the trade deadline, where you’re trying to evaluate these pitchers. You’ve seen what they’ve done. You try to look at peripheral strikeout rate, walk rate, home run rate, all those different things. And yet, like, with her own, who high price guy had success earlier this year, and now he’s a mess. So it’s, it’s not just trying to identify those guys, you’re also giving up assets to go acquire someone, and then you’re throwing them into an entirely new environment. I mean, we talked about Jack Flaherty at the beginning of our conversation. I mean, you know, wasn’t that that the Orioles hated him or he hated Baltimore, but it didn’t translate. It didn’t go well. And sometimes that’s that’s a bigger factor sometimes. And I think, you know, what, we’re all as media are fans looking at potential trade scenarios where there is the human element there, there is such a thing as fit and all that. So, but and then you mentioned Copic, for for the whites, yes. Look at the era, it’s ugly, right. I mean, he is one of those guys and I was talking about this, specially in the bullpen, especially and you mentioned this with the Yankees and it applies for the Orioles as well, when you’re looking for swing and miss. I can go through and rattle off 10 Different relievers who have a good era, you know, walk rates good, they might be a bit more of a ground ball guy, which there’s still value to that. But you look at some swing and miss guys that might have an era that doesn’t look great. And we know how bullpen statistics are you have too bad outings and you’re chasing in your era for the next six weeks after that. But he’s the kind of guy that I could see the Orioles looking at and saying, You know what, we liked the peripherals. We love the stuff. We you know, they tried to do this with Fuji last year, right? It didn’t work out. But you know, that’s the kind of guy that I still think they could be looking at. And now, you’re clearly not trading one of your premier prospects for that. But, you know, second third tier guys you have, you know, I still think that there’s going to be some of that I’m not saying that’s all they’re going to do. But I would not be surprised if there’s an arm that they’re going to acquire where you look at the era and you just kind of scratch your head where they’re saying we think this can be this is a you know, we’re kind of buying low right now and we think it could pay some dividends but if you want swing and miss I feel like those are the kinds of guys might need to take a gamble on because the Mason Miller’s of the world. You’re given up insane packages to try to get guys like that. And again, I don’t even know if Oakland’s going to move him. That’s why I said I’m looking at Irsay, who also misses bats. And you know, he’s not going to be cheap either, because he’s got some club control left. But I think that swing and miss stuff. It’s so important. And in October, every team needs everyone, even the teams who have it, or even have a surplus of it. They’re afraid of guys getting hurt. So they’re holding on to it. And even the teams that know it’s okay they’re looking for more and it’s just it’s tough. That’s why you’re kind of looking you mentioned Tanner Scott old friend of the Orioles obviously, it’s right now you’re kind of looking for that a rental and you know, not I’m not opposed to that idea, but at the same time, it’s really unpredictable. I mean, Josh Hader right off the bat, the Astros sign up to that deal. And, you know, it’s just relief pitching. It’s the nature of it. It is like the craziest riskiest stock year to year you just don’t know how a guy’s going to translate year to year
18:37
the most volatile area of of any baseball team. Absolutely. And from year to year how drastically changed but you know that that you know one of you know, Brian Cashman the Yankee front office’s better traits has been to find some of these relievers with with the peripherals that you know, they find some what’s underlying what’s underneath the you know, the surface stats that you know, this guy could you know, actually has something to contribute here. They did it making the the clay homes trade, you know, homes was, I mean that that was an under the radar, who’s this guy trade and all of a sudden he becomes a an all star closer,
Nestor J. Aparicio 19:15
they believe they can make guys better, right? I mean, I’m from the football side, I always felt that coaches would take chances on talent and say we can make that guy better. This group with the Orioles is the first group that has made young players and identified other team’s problem guys, first round picks. I mean, we got a guy from Kansas City last year that nobody wanted. We picked up your scrap people last year, got some mileage out of it, but they think they can fix Fuji right? They think if he’s got an arm, we can teach them a pitch we can drop arm angle. They believe in that part of it. The Yankees sort of are the beginning of that of we can make players better, but
19:59
I mean what I think they saw something their analytics department you know works with you know, their scouts and their front office to to you know find a guy we they can take a chance on you know they’ve resurrected a couple of guys even this year. You know Jake cousins, Tim Hill are in the Yankees bullpen now they’ve actually been performing well of late they they took a chance on Michael Tonkin who was released by two teams this year, the Mets and the twins so and he’s performed very well in their their bullpen now so there’s even guys now that you know they’ve to use it Brian Cashman phrase patch the tire with but do they need more help? Absolutely. Because they were depending on you know, guys like Louisa, who aren’t here out for the year, even to some extent, Nick birdie. I mean, a guy who’s had a terrible injury track record was lighting it up again in spring training, and you’re thinking, hey, this, this could be a premier setup guy, and now he’s back on the aisle for the second time. So, you know, there’s a lot of volatility, there’s a lot of passion, that tire but there’s gonna be a lot of, you know, knocks on the door for guys like Scott and Kopec. And, you know, being a seller’s market, you know, they could drive that price up to where it’s uncomfortable for a lot of teams.
Luke Jones 21:17
You mentioned the angels a little bit earlier. Carlos esta vez. I mean, they’re closer. He feels like one of the better relievers that are realistically going to be available in the market. I mean, it’s but it really is. I mean, look at Jacob Webb who’s arguably been the Orioles second best reliever this year. I mean, it was a reclamation lose away regard from the angels last last year. And now it didn’t he pitch really well then struggled in late September, did not pitch well in their brief postseason against the Rangers. But I mean, he’s emerged so that’s where it’s so tough again. Fans and as media we’re guilty of it, too. You’re either big names right? You you either shiny toy. And a lot of times those aren’t the necessarily going to be the best acquisitions at the trade deadline. I mean, oh, the Orioles Delta shiny toy away a couple of years ago in the in the bullpen and it worked out great for them. Sure. Sure. And I think this is where Orioles fans and Yankees fans. Even though right now as as both teams are struggling, they can take some solace in the fact that I’m pretty sure both these teams are going to be in the postseason. Regardless of what happens over the next few weeks. I’ve
Nestor J. Aparicio 22:21
never been able to say that I feel pretty confident and say you’re a Yankee guy every year at the All Star break. You’re like, well, October can’t sing much Sinatra songs. Might be game three, but this week, they put a Duran Duran show on sale here at CSG bank. Everybody my time like, I’m going I’m going I’m going I’m like, Steve three to worlds. We never had to say that around here.
Luke Jones 22:46
But it really is a case of these two teams. And I think this is another interesting factor. We talked about the three wildcards I mean, at this time a year ago, no one was talking about the Arizona Diamondbacks. Now, that doesn’t mean that you copy what they’re doing all the time. But it is food for thought in saying that, look at the Orioles were in this boat last year 101 wins. First time since 1980. They’d won triple digits wins. And they were swept in the divisional round. I mean, it’s you know that it really truly is about Yeah, four to five try to get better all that but so much of it is still going to be what’s gonna Henderson doing in October what’s Adley rutschman doing in October? What’s Corbin burns and Grayson Rodriguez, what’s Aaron judge and Juan Soto are they at the absolute best of the best that they can be at that point in time because your stars are gonna win it and yeah, there might be a couple underdog off the radar kind of guys that contribute but I think both these teams no matter what they do at the trade deadline it’s still going to be much more about the guys that are on the roster right now. Stepping up staying healthy being such a huge part of
Nestor J. Aparicio 23:49
it he wasn’t in their county they’re not leyritz Hit the bomb when I was and you know, it’s always a labor it’s hitting up it’s always a TITO Landrum dude. Yeah, I
Luke Jones 23:57
mean, Andrew Jones at the beginning of that series, my gosh, the Braves are on their way so so and so much of it is in fact, there is a luck element there absolutely is the element of who’s getting hot at the right exact time. And again, for every Sebastia every Randy Johnson blockbuster that guys are talking about 2530 years later all those different big trades of the past there are many more that have been forgotten. And there are some that didn’t work out at all. So the
Nestor J. Aparicio 24:28
two of us are old Get off my lawn guys and that would be peekaboo my way you just have to get in there. A few more few more summers away you’ll you’ll be that guy the all star game you ate the jerseys. I hate the jersey before you got here. He and I were like man when Lee Mozilla was a met and he was a Mets guy and like all this stuff. What what would make this better and worrying? I don’t I’ve always hated the Home Run Derby so like, because I’ve been worthy of them. I’ve sat in the stadium Well, it’s other than Chris Berman back back, back back back in
24:59
the four To watch a ball go out of the ballpark do we have to have, you know, 10 pitches in six seconds. I
Luke Jones 25:06
do miss the simplicity of the old format.
25:09
I do enjoy it. Let’s not make it the not
Luke Jones 25:13
to mention let’s not have guys straining, because they’re swinging the bat 45 times let’s not have gunner Henderson tweak his oblique and then he’s on the IOL to start the second
25:21
judge that’s another I think it should have moats or promotes injury but that certainly the risk factor is well fixed.
Nestor J. Aparicio 25:31
I’ll tell you this, the Orioles made this big hire this week. Welcome to Baltimore Katie Griggs. And part of her gig is that she ran all star games and we’re gonna get an all star game there put $600 million in like the stadium now where do they put another deck in the upper deck? You know, kids can come and drink beer and do all that. So we’re gonna get that game here. And I was here in 93. I was on the air I was a part of it. The city was electric. I’m not saying it won’t be that again. But it won’t be like it was in 93 in that just the shiny objects of the game and the star power of the game and all of that. But the uniforms are the thing we I think all of us hate the most. But with that holiday we do see these things are wearing this week. They look like they’re in Palm Beach somewhere. But yeah, what do you think? Yeah, what makes it better? Well,
26:16
no, I uniforms are one go back to having having the oriels where the orals home uniforms in Texas and the Yankees were the pinstripes there and, and the cubs were there road uniforms and the Dodgers were there. That yeah, I that that made that was so interesting to me. That was, you know, yeah, I mean, we were talking about, you know, old school stuff. Yeah. Mike Schmidt and Pete Rose and Steve Garvey and all those guys are out of the dugout was 1978. All Star in their uniform. That was, yeah, that was amazing. You know, next to your guy on the meds for from 1980 John Stearns or somebody like that. Yeah, that that was so cool for me
Nestor J. Aparicio 26:56
not to wear their pajamas. They were it is black nonsense. They
26:59
look awful. Yeah, well, some of these city connect, uniforms have been rather strange.
Nestor J. Aparicio 27:05
And you want to look like musi Eva and I’m an Oreo guy from 69.
27:09
I’ll say credit to the Yankees for this. They haven’t gone into those alternate uniforms. So it’s either the road gray, which I think that uniform looks better now than it ever has.
Luke Jones 27:19
I think they created that oh, the talk about Nike and majestic or majestic fanatics and just the you know what show that’s been Yup, that’s been the one positive where I’d say that’s a good old school, old yet not 1980s 90s Yankees, but old school road uniform,
27:37
it helps that they don’t have the name on the back, right shrunken down and it would ruin the whole thing, obviously. But Aaron judge actually gets a big assist on that. Because when the Yankees played the White Sox in the Field of Dreams series, they wore uniforms similar to that the older style, you know, the stuff that mantel wore in the 50s. Right? In that those teams, but judge went to one of the Yankees equipment guys, clubhouse attendants and said, Hey, we should look into this. You know, this is a uniform we should have all the time. And they took it up the chain that towel Stoneburner and before this season he Aaron judge reason Aaron judge gets a huge assist because he was among the EQ and the dealers were
Nestor J. Aparicio 28:22
black on Fridays for Scott Erickson for 25 years and he’s just friggin Scott Erickson you know, these Aaron judge made this move, you know,
28:28
and and, you know, the, the Yankees like that and, and they got it done. So, he gets a big assist for that one.
Luke Jones 28:37
All Star game. Because you mentioned this, I will say this again, I said this to you a few weeks ago, I still think it is in a much better place than what the Pro Bowl has been. What it always was, but now I mean now. I mean, it’s just at a point where why are we even doing the event anymore? And the NBA? NBA game? That’s what I was just gonna say. I mean, the NBA All Star game this past year. I mean, that was an abomination. How bad that was. So I still think Major League Baseball with the all star game it is the closest in terms of replicating especially in this day and age where Hey, starters aren’t going deeper anymore anyway, and it’s all about bullpens. Yeah, but
Nestor J. Aparicio 29:15
I think he’s most of the guys go play in the game too, though. But baseball the player shot.
Luke Jones 29:18
Um, yeah, you almost took the words out of my mouth because I’m going to mention a specific name. I’ll tell you something that’s going to fix not fix it, but it’s going to be make this game better than it would have been with anyone. Paul Skene. Starting the all star game is a phenomenal idea. I have no idea if he’s going to be shut down in August. I have no idea at this got kids gonna stay healthy the other night, but he is but his talent and what he’s done since he’s arrived in Pittsburgh in one of those cities where I mean save for two minutes 10 years ago. Well Strasburg was that way in DC but it’s just capitalize on this and i i Praise Major League Baseball and there are plenty of things I beat Major League Baseball up about in terms of marketing their game or not marketing their game very well. Great idea. Because ultimately, yes, you want players in the game who are deserving we all I think we all agree with that. But at the same time, it is an exhibition that is meant to showcase the game both with the greats that are in the twilight of their career who maybe aren’t the most deserving, but you still want them there. And in this case, where you have a phenom, Now think back to the bird back in the 70s. Right. I mean, you want to showcase someone like two of us remember that game? Yeah, I don’t remember what it was before my time. But I know about it that speaks to how how relevant that was.
Nestor J. Aparicio 30:36
Man that was never seen nothing like that when you’re seven, but I
Luke Jones 30:39
just did this. This is one of those times where I like seeing major league baseball say yeah, you know what, maybe there’s a veteran starting pitcher who you know, you could give it to and you know, out here Ranger Suarez and some other guys in the NFL who are having great years and, and pitched from opening day with their big big league club, but everybody’s watching the first day. I love that I really do love that. beyond some of these things we just mentioned. You’re never recapturing the mystique of pre interleague play I mean, there was something about in 93 when Barry Bonds separate boys stepped onto the field and Camden Yards. That was just it was different. Yep, the Giants were never going to come to Baltimore in play, you know, at that point, we didn’t think so. You’re never going to recapture that. But some of what we just mentioned which I don’t think any of these things are all that unreasonable. Fix the uniforms you know, and just make sure you’re marketing the game you know, celebrate young players make sure any any guy that’s on his way out I mean, Cal Ripken his last year wasn’t deserving of being in the All Star game but it was a no brainer same with Tony win that year and and we saw how everyone remembers that all star game but you know it’s just celebrate the game and for the most part the good thing is it seems like most of the players do want to be there and that’s been a challenge with the Pro Bowl and different things I
Nestor J. Aparicio 31:59
gotta take a break baseball guys get here all day. He kept Eris here from the Bergen record Luke Jones is here word fade please look at you want that you know you’re really gonna get your own output you want to go peek out there is heading over to ballpark who’s gonna stay with me we’re doing football right loose on a vacation next week. It’s all brought to you by our friends at the Maryland lottery we got the gold rush sevens doublers where families or friends at Liberty Liberty pure solutions make our water crystal clear. They’ve been doing that for me and a leak too. So I had to call them because of plumbing. I got like a corroded pipe thing going on. Also our friends at Jiffy Lube multi care, nothing corroded there because my wife got our car lubed and the oil changed a few weeks ago. Out in Timonium back for more for families my thanks to you Pete Thank you man. Nice to summer when Kane blowing in and you just right here from across the jersey will be all round all next week. All Star Game week Luke’s gonna be at max pizza up in the wild would have you seen him up there honk the horn. He’ll be the guy sitting with Flacco up there I am Nestor we are wn st back. For more from fade Lee’s on the Maryland crab cake tour. Stay with us.
