RaysUp - Fortes & Jax shine - Caminero kills it & Kelsie Whitmore goes Bananas

309 BaseballBiz RaysUp & Women’s Baseball

[00:00:00] Mat Germain: And timeframe dropping dimes everywhere. The season just keeps spinning. Every time there's a new dime, you're like, oh, well I'm, I'm going in this direction. Another dime drops. Oh, I'm going in this direction. It never ends. 

[00:00:14] Mark Corbett: And there you have it, folks. It never ends. That's Mat telling you about what's been happening with the Rays season.

[00:00:20] It has been turning on a dime. It's been turning on a nickel. And my gosh, Mat, I mean, it was two days ago, I was looking at our record. We'd won two out of our last 10 games, and I think we're now up to four of our last 10 games. But my gosh, I, at that point, and I haven't looked at it today, what were we, we were probably, oh, probably five and a half, six games outta the Wild Card, and we're trading spaces with the Angels right now, I think in that slot.

[00:00:50] So we'll see how that rolls out. 

[00:00:53] Mat Germain: It's a little bit better than that actually. I think we're four and a half out of the wall curve, but I, I don't know if that's [00:01:00] now, or if that was then. Um, I think we are four and a half right now. Or I say we The Rays. 

[00:01:06] Mark Corbett: The the Rays, you know, you know you gotta own 'em when they're doing well, when they're doing bad as well.

[00:01:11] Right, right. You just, it's, you can be our Rays or us just, just don't do that flip when they suck and you say, yeah. Did you see those guys? 

[00:01:20] Mat Germain: Yeah, exactly. No, that's, that's all good. They, um, they scared us a little bit though today. 'cause they, they came out with a bang, right? They, they got that four nothing lead.

[00:01:30] , I don't like to feel safe in any Rays start just because they're, they've, they've seemed to find ways to actually lose some games that they probably should have won. And a lot of times, you can't blame anybody. You can't point fingers. It's usually just, guys not performing

[00:01:46] in the key moments, but, uh, today it was like Shane Baz letting in those four runs and, and they were pitching to Mike Trout and they served him that, you know, right. Where he loves that [00:02:00] swing to go. And I, and all I kept thinking was, what, what was the pitch that was called? And as opposed to what was thrown.

[00:02:08] Right. Was that really what they were intending to do? Or was it just. You know, uh, it was supposed to be lower, is what I keep thinking, you know, they were trying to get the ground out or something like that, or double play or, I can't remember what, how many outs there were in editing. But the, um, yeah, that, that was unfortunate is all I was gonna say because at that point it seemed to Rays, had everything under control.

[00:02:32] They were getting momentum. But in a way, mark, , that's what builds heroes. Oh yeah. So what came out of it was Chris Morel, getting to step up a guy who needs, good injection of good news, and, and he stepped up , and pretty much put him ahead , and now he gets to have that good feel.

[00:02:52] I think they have an off day tomorrow. And then, uh, they, they kick it off again against the Mariner. So that's going to be a tough series. Again, more [00:03:00] travel and more distance covered, but. They, they all have good feelings. And to win a series against a tough team like the angels that you're trying to, you know.

[00:03:10] Get ahead of again and may eventually create separation. That's, that's a good feeling. So I think the Rays are just happy to finally get in that direction. They had Baker contribute. They had Fortes contribute. They had Jax creating some magic. Which I think you saw my tweet about his inning loaded the bases, no outs.

[00:03:34] And all I kept thinking was, this is Brian Baker 2.0, like the whole I, after he gets, you know, traded over, but then I settled. I said, you know what, I'm going to tough it out. I'm gonna watch this and see what comes out of it. 'cause sometimes I cringe and I look away, but he struck out three guys. And, and I'll tell you what, mark, like he.

[00:03:56] He looked like he was in control the entire time. [00:04:00] I don't know what was going on in the head, but he looked like he knew he could get out of it. And I think that's the, the attributes that you want in a closer. So today I think we got a taste of a future closer whenever that comes to be. 

[00:04:15] Mark Corbett: No, I agree with you.

[00:04:15] Jax was just amazing to watch. And,, before we even got started today, I, I was thinking even before the show, let's take a look at these guys that we just got recently. You know, Griffin, Jax, Nick Forte, uh, hunter Feduccia, Adrian Houser. But today being able to see Nick Fortis and Griffin Jax do what they did, man

[00:04:34] Fortis got his first home run as a ray. I love that. Morel. You mentioned Christopher Morel and I was thinking with him, not, not that he's a new guy, but what I was looking at the record, I think he, he had been his last five or six at bats, had all been strikeouts. Yeah, Junior Caminero comes in with two home runs back to B, well, not back to back obviously.

[00:04:55] I mean, yeah, two at bats, two bats back to back there. And it was an [00:05:00] exciting game to watch and Shane Baz was doing, had such great command, you know, for the first three innings there, and then things just kind of fell apart. But he was still looking fantastic in the first part of all of that. So I was really glad to see, you know him, pull that together.

[00:05:16] Mat Germain: Absolutely. And the other thing I'll point out is Junior Caminero, you just mentioned before they went on that road trip, they had a graphic up, , during one of the games that was saying how terrible Junior Caminero Aero had been on the road and how little power he had shown. Well, , this is a statement series that basically says, okay, we can put that to bed now.

[00:05:36] And, and I think he's getting comfortable and he is getting his routine down on the road now. So hopefully that's a sign of more things to come. The Rays need a lot more series wins before we get too excited, but, uh, they're heading in the right direction and I like. Um, good feelings and where they can lead to.

[00:05:53] Like we all know September is that critical month. That's when you want to be your hottest. [00:06:00] So there's time for them to figure it out , and get there. 

[00:06:03] Mark Corbett: Well, some teams had to start losing as we win too. That, that might help a little bit. Is, uh, so, but 'cause it's getting closer, man, you know, it's, Mat, it is just, that window is closing.

[00:06:15] It's not closed by any stretch of imagination. I mean. But, uh, I thought we'd be well above 50 some odd wins by now. You know, I was seeing us at least 60, 65 as where my mind was going to be even a week ago. I thought we'd be at 60 and above a week ago. But, uh, you know, we're, we're gonna push through it.

[00:06:35] And I was looking across today, stepping away from the game for a moment. I'm wondering what Taj Bradley, I mean, he was, who We got, uh, Jack's far right. We got, he was for that trade and right now he's just in Triple A. And so I don't know what he's doing. He's gonna have to do to come up from that. See, he, uh, allowed one run in a game [00:07:00] where he did, uh, see he had 73 pitches and.

[00:07:05] He was averaging speed about 95, 95 0.6 miles per hour. So his speed's there. And if he only allowed one run with 73 pitches, I'm not sure how many innings that was. You know, he's, he's doing okay. Uh, that's AAA again, but, uh, we'll see what that. All right. You and I sat here a week ago and we thought we knew what was what, and we had to do second show because we found out we didn't know what was what.

[00:07:34] Yep. 

[00:07:36] Mat Germain: But, uh, go ahead. No, the, the Rays, you know, they, they left everybody hanging for a long while, so I want to give us, you know, some leeway on that. They, there was no clear direction. They were going head in. 

[00:07:50] Mark Corbett: No, but it was, it was interesting. Um, one of the changes we made was bringing to Adrian Houser, and he did not have his [00:08:00] best performance the other day coming in with a Rays.

[00:08:02] And I'm hoping that turns around. You know, the thing about it is, man, I, I always wonder personality wise, how things shake out. You know, one, we've got two new catchers, right? And, and. We've got the, the team that some of, there is a core who's been playing out there like ERO and Chandler Simpson, Diaz Walls, low Lowe.

[00:08:25] Um, they're there. But bringing all the rest of these new folks in and finding some kind of synergy, I thought it's gonna be a little disruptive at first, that they seem to be jailing. 

[00:08:38] Mat Germain: It's, you know, what you, it's not, for naught that a lot of, even if you look at the Blue Jays and Max Scherzer, he's taken a little while to get going.

[00:08:47] Uh, it happens to even the most veteran of pitchers you get in a new environment, new routine, new coaches, new faces at the ballpark. Everything is new. Um, sometimes you just get into your own head [00:09:00] too, where you think a, a team really dealt a lot of assets for me, so now I need to perform. And you try to be too refined with some of the things that you're doing.

[00:09:08] So it takes you away from your game. And, and I think once it gets settled, uh, I'd just be curious to see who they pair 'em up with. Because one of the things I came up with this series was, um, Ryan Pepiot and Hunter Feduccia had actually worked together quite a bit while they were in la and I just hadn't made that link for whatever reason until I saw it on the field.

[00:09:29] And I was like, wait a minute. They, they're both LA guys. Like how come I never thought, you know, maybe this is why they brought in Hunter. Maybe they, they think that he is going to help Ryan reach that next level and, and give him that comfort zone. Because from what I saw when I looked up the statistics, Ryan did well when Hunter was behind the plate.

[00:09:50] So, um. You know, you could lead to the same thing with Adrian Houser. Maybe he will try both catchers. Maybe he will get comfortable with [00:10:00] how the game planning goes with the Rays. I think he probably got told a lot of information from their. Stats gurus. Mm-hmm. And they play with his mind a little bit.

[00:10:10] And, and so that takes a little bit of buy-in and a little bit of time to kind of cash in on some of the things that they're trying to push on the new pitchers when they come in. So, like Baker like, uh, Jack's as well is probably hearing a few things. They don't try to change what the pitcher is doing, they just.

[00:10:31] Usually try to change how much and where. Yeah. Which is still a tweak, right? It still takes adjustments for that pitcher to. To get comfortable with. So, uh, yeah, I'll, I'll be curious to see what his second and third starts look like. Uh, but certainly it didn't make the Rays rush out and want to give him an extension yet.

[00:10:53] Mark Corbett: Well, let's, let's hope that's just a little shakiness that he'll sort that out and like I said, build up a, a [00:11:00] good rapport, whether it's Feducciary or, or, you know, also with, uh, Fortis today. So that's just, but man. I, I look at these guys and I play today, I'm gonna come back to the today's game. 'cause it was so exciting.

[00:11:13] Was it the eighth inning or ninth inning when, uh, Jake Mangum is out there fielding and this ball, he has to run a distance to get to it. He's out there in the outfield and man, he gets out there, he slides across his ribs. You see him out there, he gets that ball. He cups that in there with his other hand.

[00:11:33] He opens up to make the glove to make sure it's still there and closes it again. And it was, it was a beautiful, beautiful catch. But I thought, my gosh, is he gonna need an ambulance to walk away from that thing? 'cause the way he had to throw his body into the ground to get that was astounding. 

[00:11:50] Mat Germain: When they were reviewing that play, he took a knee and he was rubbing his ribs a little bit and he was like, yeah, I'm gonna feel that one tomorrow.

[00:11:56] I'm pretty sure it was a beautiful [00:12:00] play. Like there, there was no margin for error on reading the play, how it came off the bat. He had to act right away. So beautiful. And he was replacing Johnny DeLuca who got had a. A hamstring pull before that. So that just shows the Rays depth. Johnny probably could have made a similar play as well, but you know, the fact that the ray can just substitute him in for DeLuca, you know, they have so much talent when it comes to defensive play in the outfield

[00:12:29] Uh, it does beg the question, though. I saw. The Durham, uh, lineup card tonight, Cameron Meisner was taken out, so probably there's a chance that he's coming up and replacing Johnny DeLuca if there is the need to put him on il. Uh, that's sometimes that takes a while to decide. Yeah. But the Durham Bowls had Coco, Coco Montes in left field, so, uh, I think, I don't think that was the plan originally.

[00:12:54] Um, the other thing I'll point out is Junior Caminero's bare hand throw from third base earlier in that [00:13:00] game, and Yandy Diaz who made the scoop throw, uh, scoop pickup at first, like both that play was also a critical play for this game. So the Rays are doing very. You know, things that amp up your confidence because you're doing the small things to get your team through and across efficient finish lines.

[00:13:17] So, and Pete closed the door. So again, the, there's a lot of kudos to go around in this game, even with the four runs that we're giving up, uh, in the third, I think. 

[00:13:27] Mark Corbett: I, I agree. There was definitely a lot of kudos to go around on this and talking again just a little bit more about Delucca, it's been always amazing to watch him run up to the wall, to catch a ball or get up there, something look like something to go out and become a home run.

[00:13:40] But today. To get that triple, I mean, that's what he pulled the muscle from. I, I presume. But to see him take the bases like it, my gosh. I mean, this is exciting. Baseball. This is the kinda game I, I love to watch and you know, I'm, I'm obviously a big Rays fan, but I still respect when to see [00:14:00] trout come up to the plate, you know?

[00:14:01] Mm-hmm. I respect when we see our. Former Ray Darnell out there doing his work as well as their, their catcher and at bat. But my gosh, this team really seemed to gel today and, and everybody came through when they were needed. Uh, I, I don't know what else to say about it except that, uh, I'm excited about it.

[00:14:21] Can't wait to see what's coming. 

[00:14:23] Mat Germain: Absolutely. And the, uh, the only thing I would mention is there's so many guys that pull their hamstrings. When they get triples. I'm like, okay, we need to put a Gatorade station in that second day. They grab one of those little cups, you know, the cone ones they usually get at the doctor's office when you're, and they pass and they, they swig it on the way to third.

[00:14:43] 'cause there's just, it has to be a dehydration thing that's going on when they. When they do that kind of stuff. But, uh, you know, they're pushing hard, they're pushing the limits, and they are running suit a lot faster than you and I can, can, uh, run. Um, but yeah, it, it's nice to [00:15:00] see, uh, the Rays pick 'em up and, and still pull off the wind afterwards even without Johnny.

[00:15:06] Mark Corbett: Yeah, well they, again, they were amazing to watch and now they're off to Seattle. Mm-hmm. And I think, is Randy still up here? Randy Rosary? Still with them? Mariners. 

[00:15:16] Mat Germain: So is Luke Grayley? Uh, there's a bunch of, of, uh, x-Rays on the, uh, 'cause I think. If I'm not mistaken, they also had some relievers that were part of the Rays.

[00:15:27] Uh, I don't know if they're actually up on the active roster or if they're on just on the 40 man, but let me take a quick peek. Uh, no, they're not on the active roster, so they're more on the mins. Um, yeah, so those are, would be the big two. Uh, Luke Rayley and, and Randy a Rosana, uh, a Rosana I think is leading off most games for him.

[00:15:47] So, uh, chances are he will be the one greeting the Rays. When, when they get up there, uh, and then they get Cal Raleigh right behind him, he's the beast that they, the Rays are gonna have to contend with. And hopefully they don't, you [00:16:00] know, attack him too swiftly because, uh, he can, he can do some damage. And now.

[00:16:07] Behind, you know, usually hitting fifth or sixth, they have, uh, hin o Suarez who's able to actually chip in now and, and provide some power at the bottom of the lineup. So that's a dangerous team and uh, I'll be curious to see how the Rays handle that, that series. 

[00:16:21] Mark Corbett: Yeah. Cal Raleigh, he's just been. It's, it's amazing what he's been able to achieve as far as the home runs.

[00:16:26] I don't wanna see that Poseidon Tri and come outta the dugout for the home runs, brother. I wanna see that thing shut down. So, we'll, we'll see what our boys are able to do and you know, we love you Randy, but, uh, we're gonna, we're kind of keep you in check, my friend. We'll see how plays. There is 

[00:16:41] Mat Germain: one more Ray X-Rays that's on their team.

[00:16:44] It's Miles Mastrobuoni American baseball player Oh, right. I hadn't thought about him in a while. And so he had played for a while with the Cubs and, uh, I, I loved Miles. I think we interviewed him one way back when. And, uh, just a really well grounded down to earth guy. [00:17:00] Um, and, and plays every position, you know, fairly well. He's the role basically that I envisioned Taylor Walls having, which is just somebody off the bench, somebody that can play anywhere in the infield.

[00:17:12] Play it at a high level, uh, except for Taylor making two errors there, the yesterday's game. Yeah. But, uh, you know, he, that's the role that I think he would fit best in, and especially with the speed off the bench, which is what Miles contributes with as well. So, uh, yeah, it'll be nice to see what he's up to and how he's come along.

[00:17:32] Since,

[00:17:34] Mark Corbett: do we wanna talk about Taylor? I,

[00:17:38] Mat Germain: I think I've said my piece. I know I'm having a lot of back and forth. I have no issues with Taylor Walls being on the Rays that that's just. That's no problem. What I have an issue with is the usage time. Yeah. I don't want him to be a, a full use player until he earns it, and I don't feel like he's earned it, especially at the plate.

[00:17:59] He's just, he. [00:18:00] You know, there's some hardheadedness with certain guys. Like I remember watching Carlos Gomez and, and he would take the biggest swings, the longest swing. I know he is not around right now. Baseball Savant measuring swing pass, but I'm telling you, it would've been 10 or 12 miles long. That guy would swing all the way through, reach all the way back, like he was one of those cork cartoons that would come uncoiled afterwards.

[00:18:24] And his average suffered because of it, but the talent and the eye, the hand eye coordination were there so you know that he could have done better with Taylor. I just feel like if he picked the side, the hit for, uh, from at the plate, because right now he's not doing much with either side. Just pick one, get comfortable with it.

[00:18:42] Hit on that slide only and see how it goes. Maybe, you know, you would amp up your hitting to the point where you do earn a full-time role. But I feel like the Rays are, are essentially using him to the point where it's turning their lineup into a national league. Old LA National [00:19:00] League lineup where there just isn't any production from the nine hole.

[00:19:04] So, you know, that's not great. And, uh, Nick Fortes being on board now. Yeah, it makes that a little tedious, although I will say the, the look on his face from hitting that home run today. It was just precious. He's like that little kid that got the first start when he's in, you know, in, in elementary school, in the fir, you know, in the first week or month.

[00:19:25] And he gets that first start and he's like, wow, look, look, look what I did. So I'm really happy for him and I hope it, it, you know, it feeds into something long term for him. But, uh, Taylor Walls, I, I will be happy once he's used in a, a more, uh, supportive rule than, than a prominent rule. 

[00:19:44] Mark Corbett: Now I'm not sure what all you were able to watch, but were you able to see when Chandler Simpson had his balk or rather got a balk from the pitcher trying to steal second?

[00:19:56] There had already been two. Passes over to the [00:20:00] first to get Chandler out there with one at bat. Mm-hmm. And the third one, Chandler's on over and he gets stuck in a pickle, but he escapes, makes it back to first. And because that was the third throw over that, he automatically got second. And it's one of those little goofy moments in the game 

[00:20:18] that's, they counted it as a stolen base at that point, or.

[00:20:22] Huh? 

[00:20:23] I supposedly it was a balk was what I, I heard, you know, I don't know. I, the, the whole thing was crazy and ridiculous, but it's, it's part of the insanity of the game that makes it attractive too. It's those little 

[00:20:35] Mat Germain: weird moments. To me that's the same as giving people participation trophies as a, as adults.

[00:20:39] Right. That's, that's basically the same kind of deal there. Oh, 

[00:20:44] Mark Corbett: oh, oh my gosh. One, one more thing. I'll go back to another, another moment. Uh, when Morel hit that home run mm-hmm. I was looking in the dugout and seeing Junior Caminero, and he was, he was making his face almost of anger. And it was like, [00:21:00] what, what?

[00:21:01] And by the time Morel came in, I didn't realize they'd had a history together. Uh, a nice history. And he smacks him on the back of the head and it was sort of like. I had the sense, I don't know exactly what he said, but I had the sense that where have you been? You know, this is beautiful, but where, where, where's this been?

[00:21:18] But it's about time, you know, that's the sense I got from whatever was going on with that conversation. But it was, it was friendly, it was playful at the same time. It's like enjoying this moment. Glad to see you're here.

[00:21:36] Mat Germain: Yeah, no, you gotta enjoy the, I think that's where the road trip's gonna feed into the Rays a little bit because they've been home so much and like, I don't know what kind of lives they lead at home. But, , when you go on the road, there's more of that camaraderie that binds people together. And right now they're, they're in the foxhole together, the whole crew.

[00:21:54] So the more you know, jocularity there is like that, the better it is for them. For [00:22:00] sure. 

[00:22:00] Mark Corbett: Yeah. I know Brian Anderson was talking about something like that during the game, and he said to the effect, what was it? I liked it better when I was on the road than I was at home for a long period of time. I'd rather be on the road for a longer period of time than I would be at home for.

[00:22:15] I thought, well, that's, that's not nice. But, but it goes to what you were saying is that gelling with the team, the camaraderie, and I think that's sense of purpose, will carry over with the Rays as they go through the next few weeks with being on the road like that. So I'm, I'm really curious to see how it plays out.

[00:22:36] Mat Germain: Yeah, the, I wanted to bring something up too. Mark. The, the, did you see the Roman Anthony, uh, extension? 

[00:22:44] Mark Corbett: No. Tell me what, what was that about? 

[00:22:46] Mat Germain: Oh, man. So I've been clamoring for Junior Caminero to get extended by the Rays, right? So I'm thinking this might set. Floor for what Junior Caminero would get. So Roman Anthony got eight years, [00:23:00] 130 million to stick around with the Red Sox.

[00:23:03] Now there's escalators in there that can bring it up to 230 million. Like if he hits all those things. I'm sure some of them are reachable, some of them aren't. There's probably MVP things in there and, and things like that. Um, so. It all, it it tells me is that okay, the, the Red Sox cleared some money off, you know, by moving devs.

[00:23:26] So I'm not gonna give them a pat in the bag for handing Roman Anthony some money because it's just, , you made your choice between the two essentially. Alexander Bogaerts is in San Diego, uh, Rafael Devers is in San Francisco. You sent them all to the West Coast, including Mookie Betts. Who's in Los Angeles.

[00:23:45] So you dispersed the wealth and then you sign Roman Anthony to that deal, but eight years, 130 million. I think I, I have to wonder if you offered a similar deal, maybe a little bit more amped up because Junior [00:24:00] Caminero's shown it a bit more than what Roman Anthony has, and I think it might be weird in terms of the, the number of years.

[00:24:09] But if you have the right kind of Escalators . That are similar to what Roman Anthony has in there, I think. The Rays can probably get it done with, uh, with Junior ca narrow at a similar rate. Maybe it ends up being more like 175 million guaranteed for him. Somewhere between there and one 30, and then the escalators take it a little bit higher.

[00:24:29] But, uh, I, I think we've seen enough from Junior now where I'd be comfortable, especially defensively, the, the leaps and bounds that he's made on. His defensive game tell me that there's no reason to be scratching for more third basemen coming up, like you've, you've found your guy. So I, I would love for the Rays to make that investment and show fans that it's not all just about the stadium to let them forget about wa Franco to, to make him the core piece of the future for the [00:25:00] next decade.

[00:25:01] I think there'd be a lot, you know, of value in the Rays, new Rays, ownership, coming in and doing that as one of their first moves. 

[00:25:11] Mark Corbett: I think that's a great idea because let's face it, that kind of talent we're, we've, we're not gonna have a quote, franchise unquote player, but to have someone like this can still be the face for a few years or some commitment to seeing them succeed.

[00:25:27] Uh, it, it. It alleviates some of the pressure from them to worry about their career. And as for as fans, we're excited because we know we've got this great player, you know, more or less locked in for years to come. It's gonna be an exciting times ahead 

[00:25:41] Mat Germain: and not just that. Mark, we've spoken about this as well.

[00:25:44] What if the Rays do that in end of August or early September and then in Y season they approach Kyle Tucker. Well are, is he more likely to come aboard? If he knows Junior is signed or [00:26:00] if he's still lingering as a pre arbitration or arb one guy, you know, like that to me is the other key by signing Junior, the same way that the J should have done with Laddy Way, but way, way beyond.

[00:26:14] And it would've cost him way less than it did. Right. They they're paying what, 500 million? Yeah. For Vladi, like, so you know, if you're able to get out of it with 175 million. You're, you're, you're getting a, a pretty significant rebate, right? Uh, but he's getting his money now. He's getting the bonus now.

[00:26:33] He's, so there's value for him in that case as well. So I, I just think it makes the Rays a better, attractive. Product, not only because they still have a strong system and they have that core player, but now you add yourself into that as Kyle Tucker and you're like, yeah, now I can see the future. I know that I, I'll be well supported all the way through.

[00:26:54] So I, I think it, it has a lot of value on all sides of it really. [00:27:00] 

[00:27:00] Mark Corbett: I'm just still waiting for all this to come to fruition with our fellow from Jacksonville, to have that pen to paper and say Hi there. I'm the new owner. It's great to see you and the stadium. I won't worry about that. For a couple more years, I'll be just fine wherever the Rays play.

[00:27:17] So, 'cause I, I feel confident that they're gonna be here. So we'll see about that. 

[00:27:22] Mat Germain: Mark. The, the, the stadium saga for the Rays is gonna deserve a book. And, and you should write it because honestly you've lived 

[00:27:30] Mark Corbett: it all. Geez, haven't we all brother? I tell you what I feel like Marley's ghost hearing chain saying, beware of this, that, and the other.

[00:27:39] But, you know, with, see what the future holds. They're scrooge anyway. Uh, what else? This is, I made my Christmas Dickens Carroll thing going on there, you know. Oh, something else today with the Guardians? Did you see that? No. They're their pitcher. Let's see what's his name? My gosh, I'm gonna go crazy about this.

[00:27:58] He, I'm [00:28:00] bringing up here in a second. Hang on. He almost had a no hitter today. He, they had him in there for eight and a third innings and wa they were playing, the guardians were playing the Mets and Juan Soto got a hit off of him. And the guy's name's Gavin Williams. Okay. He, he, eight and two thirds innings.

[00:28:20] So they took him out for the last out and say, come on man. You know, I mean, at that point they were final was four to one and Gavin Williams pitched. Okay. Pitch count. 126 pitches. Yeah. Yeah. That's, that was a commitment of the guardians to saying, we're gonna give you the chance to, to complete this. No hitter, but 126 pitches.

[00:28:45] Yeah. Maybe they should take him out after the no hitter was No. No 

[00:28:48] Mat Germain: chance. You think he's still in the ice bath right now? Oh. Like he's been there for a couple of hours and 

[00:28:54] Mark Corbett: it's insane. I mean, you and I talk about that time and time again about, you know, pitcher's arm health, [00:29:00] and what is the team doing to keep it there?

[00:29:02] Uh, and watch. I, I think I watched pitcher's more closely. Now when on the show they bring up. What has been the mix of their last six, eight pitches when they've got a long at bat with one, with one, uh, batter there. And how many of these were, you know, fastballs, how many of 'em were sliders, et cetera, et cetera.

[00:29:23] And you find out real quickly what's in their repertoire as far as what that pitcher may have. And we've talked before, you know, whether we're some of the, uh. The elder statesman of pitching, if you will, who who have been able to come up with more versatility. But it was interesting coming back to seeing the him today, uh, with the guardians.

[00:29:46] Eight and two thirds innings, almost a geez, almost a no hitter. 

[00:29:50] Mat Germain: . You don't see that very often. And uh, yeah, you love to see it just because it's, it's one of those things that for, for whatever reason, [00:30:00] uh, amazes baseball fans, uh, you know, to No. And like you always remember those. I still remember Dennis Martinez having a, a no-hitter with the, the expos way back when.

[00:30:10] Like they stand out as moments in time. Right. Um, yeah, they're pretty cool. So it's too bad for him. He couldn't get at least a complete game, but 126 pitches, you're, you're feeling that rubber arm. So he was probably thankful. I don't think he was crying, getting off the mount. 

[00:30:26] Mark Corbett: No, I can't imagine it either.

[00:30:28] I tell you what the, you know, I, I made a special effort this week not to watch a certain game and that was one out that speedway. Wow. I thought, what is this? It's this the Savannah Bananas. Come on. You know, they're digging out the middle of a, a Raysway speedway there to, to build a ball field. And they had, uh, what is supposed, supposedly, you know how MLB does when they're talking about attendance.

[00:30:51] It's not about counting people in the seats. It's about counting tickets sewed. And there's like 90, 91,000. 

[00:30:58] Mat Germain: I think it was an opportunity missed [00:31:00] where was the Rays? I want what they did there. But with the cars going around at the same time, I want both events going on where I'm like, whoa, this is insane.

[00:31:13] Mark Corbett: I, I like that idea a lot. I, I, once, years ago when I was a young man, I attended a Daytona 500 and man, that is exciting. There we are in the, I'm watching it from the infield. So that's exactly where would be able to see in the infield of the Daytona 500. That would be, that would've been exciting. But I'm thinking, well, let's see.

[00:31:32] The Bananas have already, they dug up a, a college, uh, baseball field and they had around 82,000 or something at, at attending that. They did the, uh, the Tampa Bay Bucs Stadium and did well with that. And I'm mentioning this in part about the Bananas because we talked last week about. Women's baseball and trying to find a way where [00:32:00] women's baseball could have the success of something like the WNBA and seeing A face like Caitlyn Clark and the identity and how she is so broad beyond all that.

[00:32:15] Well, there is a professional baseball player by the name of. Kelsie Whitmore and Kelsie has played in some of the minor leagues and other leagues. She has been on the USA Women's national team now she's with, , the Bananas. Now it's interesting. There was another. Woman from the USA Women's National Team by the name of Val Perez.

[00:32:37] And Val Val also, uh, she is the captain of one of the teams. I love the names, man. The party animals, they've got four. There's the, oh, no, no, no. She's with the firefighters. She's a captain and a player for the firefighters. Uh, there's a softball player by the name of, uh, I think Jess, who's, uh, with the, uh.

[00:32:56] Party animals. Anyway, it's, it's kind of interesting 'cause I [00:33:00] look at the Bananas much as a way of looking back in the Negro Leagues when you had the Indianapolis clowns. Indianapolis Clowns were actually a great baseball team, but they also cut up some, you know, they played kind of before there were Harlem Globetrotters, there was guys who were throwing, you know, like shadow ball.

[00:33:16] Like they were throwing a ball around when they weren't, you know, doing some things pre-game. They wound up being a team that brought the first woman on there, Tony Stone, and I think we made this connection before that Tony Stone, if you look at her and the, you look at the clowns being part of Major League Baseball now, you could say that Tony was the first woman ever to be a major leaguer.

[00:33:40] So I'm thinking this Kelsie, I would love to see her be. Basically a, a face that people can kind of come to and look at the career that she's had and see what she's done as a player elsewhere, what she's doing with Bananas and be a spokesperson [00:34:00] for women's baseball throughout. She, she is already in many ways.

[00:34:03] I'm just trying to find that one piece we were talking about that's going to magnet be a magnet for more people to come to women's baseball and she may be a critical part of that. 

[00:34:15] Mat Germain: I'd be curious to find out, like, I know we probably will never know, uh, but I'd be curious to find out how much they're paying, you know, the players to play for the Savannah Bananas.

[00:34:25] 'cause it is such a. A huge event. Like they sell out everywhere they go. And, and I think she's gonna be playing with them through September. Yep. So, you know, it's a couple of months. So, uh, I'm not saying she's gonna be making the same as a major leaguer, but she's gonna make more, I would imagine, than she would have on any other, you know, team that she would be playing with at, uh, right now.

[00:34:46] So it's about as close to MLB. Caliber pay as she could get other than joining an MLB team and playing in aa, let's say, right? Like [00:35:00] it, it's about to that same kind of level. So hopefully that's the start of something, right? And it'll get more people to know her name and to recognize her and to, to drum things up.

[00:35:12] And, and I would imagine the Savannah Bananas are not just gonna stop there. She's not gonna be the only woman to ever play for them there. There'll be others that come up as well. And, and if ever you've seen pictures of, uh, of her take a look at her legs and how strong they look. Okay. Because it is, you know, impressive, uh, the, the amount of power and force that she's able to, to pitch with.

[00:35:33] So, um, I think, you know, the more that we see this kind of thing, the more that it will become normal and the less that we will feel the need to kind of point it out, it'll just become a normal, like, Hey, thank you. Did you see this happen and et cetera. So I'm hoping we get there, you know, 3, 4, 5 years from now.

[00:35:52] It moves pretty quick once the gates open. 

[00:35:55] Mark Corbett: Well, and I, I believe that that is happening here. I think that Kelsie, [00:36:00] Val Perez and the others are coming into the Jo Jocelyn, hello from, uh, softball, but women's baseball. This gets kind of a critical piece, you know, piece that you talked about last week. And I wasn't picking up the ball enough and that was, uh, running women's games.

[00:36:17] Was part of the World Baseball Classic. Mm-hmm. You know, that you could have those, uh, running simultaneously or back to back or something. I think that was a great idea. I think that's really gonna be something, uh, for the future as well. But, uh, the women's baseball, this past week, they had the tournament in Durham.

[00:36:35] With the All American Women's Tournament and four teams, and we were very fortunate. Some of the women who were managing or playing had been on the show before. We had Meggie Meidlinger, uh, Tamara Holmes, who was managing the Peaches, Alex Oglesby, she was with the Racine Bells and then Beth Greenwood who was catching for, I dunno if she was with the bells or what the comets, but anyway, [00:37:00] seeing all these great women come together and play.

[00:37:03] And this may be the proving ground too, uh, for those women for the next USA Women's National Baseball team. So we're gonna find out. I I'm gonna do a little bit more homework. I understood that they were there, things people were being watched, and we'll see what comes from there, my friend. 

[00:37:21] Mat Germain: Yeah. Do you know if women's baseball is part of the Olympics?

[00:37:24] Mark Corbett: No, they, they're absolutely not. Um, 

[00:37:28] Mat Germain: so why wouldn't they be that, to me, that seems like a. Way because it doesn't involve any other organizing than what the Olympics put on. Um, you do have to have qualifications and people actually getting in. So then that brings about another tournament where people get together and do the same kind of thing.

[00:37:49] But those kind. Tournaments normally propel a lot of attention towards that sport, right? Like you always see it with soccer. [00:38:00] Soccer. There's a whole bunch of tournaments that happen within North America, within South America and Americas in general to earn a spot in the World Cup or to earn a spot in the Olympics.

[00:38:09] Same thing could happen with baseball. If they're able to get in women's baseball, if they're able to get into the Olympics, then that draws attention and focus. On that game. So, you know, I don't know what, what steps they've taken to make it that, or if there's applications submitted and all that kinda stuff.

[00:38:28] I imagine there is, there has to be, but um, hopefully, you know, the Olympics, they have so many sports where you have like a hundred different medals being handed out, like for swimming, for running, for whatever, all different distances and this and that and the other thing. Well, you can have two. Gender in one sport, right?

[00:38:49] Yeah. Like I don't think that's too much to ask. Basically. 

[00:38:52] Mark Corbett: No, and, and you know, had Veronica Alvarez on here before, she was the manager of the USA Women's National team a few years back. She's working within the, A's [00:39:00] organization right now, and I think some with her Dominican League as well. And when I had her on here, I said, you know, I look at you guys being the USA Women's National Team.

[00:39:06] I look at you like the Avengers. You know, there's, there's only this one group of superheroes. There's, there's just it for all practical purposes, at least in the Marvel universe. Seriously. I said, but the thing of it is, I said. Where are the other ones coming from? And I said something, he says, well, I see us as an Olympic team, you know, I said, well, obviously 'cause what you're all able to do and because you have distilled the best of the best in the U.S., you know, what else would you ha what you call those women?

[00:39:38] And the thing I joked about with her is that the. Past Olympics. They had, uh, break dancing, you know? Yeah. They had, they had steeplechase. Okay, you got that, but you don't have women's baseball. Give me a freaking break. And she says, well, I don't begrudge those people or those [00:40:00] sports. She says, I am very happy for them, but she goes, but I agree with you.

[00:40:03] I'd like to see women's baseball. Here's the thing, Mat, it's not gonna happen with 2028 Olympics, but 2032 Brisbane, Australia. Uh, Australia's stronger with women's baseball, I believe, and I think it's time to pick up the ball and see about playing it now. 

[00:40:22] Mat Germain: I, that, that brings about the question of who makes those decisions.

[00:40:26] Like the Olympic committees have been torn apart and called corrupt for various different, uh, things, you know, along the way. So I don't know. I don't know who makes the call, but it's just, it's mind boggling that they don't have certain sports included in there, that they let them in and out and they make changes so freely, like there's certain things that should be automatics.

[00:40:50] Right. And I did, I do have to say that I enjoyed. The Olympics a little bit more when the professionals weren't there. Yeah. 'cause it was all amateurs, [00:41:00] right? They, and, and I don't know how you cross that line, like is drafted, uh, also a professional or is it like once you're playing at the professional level, but something like that could help along the way as well, because.

[00:41:15] I know the NHL is trying to figure it out and Major League Baseball is trying to figure it out on how to stop the game for that period of time and make it work. But it's just crazy like the, to stop your business that's worth billions of dollars just for, uh, a tournament. Uh, you know, it, it seems kind of a little bit crazy to ask, uh, ask them to do that.

[00:41:36] A lot of people are in on it and like it, a lot of people are against it. I don't know. Everybody loves an international tournament. They love cheering for their country and for their athletes. So I think if the WBC can be held at another time and it works great, then that's fine. Like you don't really need the Olympics.

[00:41:54] But, uh, I still think that amateurs should get to go and represent their countries and, you [00:42:00] know, it's still still worthwhile watching Mark. 

[00:42:03] Mark Corbett: Oh, I, I'm with you a hundred percent. I mean, when, I remember years ago when the NBA started bringing players into the Olympics, I'm like. Why, why? I enjoy, I enjoy collegiate sports.

[00:42:14] This is the best of all the co college players in, in the United States. Coming there. I don't need to see the pros come in there. The pros should be a different level. I mean, that's just been my mindset. But going back to what you were saying is right, who decides these things, and I have to go back and check my research map, but it was, I believe that.

[00:42:35] Whoever the hosting country is, they can pick two or four sports that they would want to bring to the Olympics. I don't know who has a final say on it, but the host country or the host location has that bit of, of, uh, pressure or uh, direction where they can actually do that. So I, I wanna go back and check all that.

[00:42:57] 'cause like I said, 2028, we're not gonna [00:43:00] be able to get anything done for that. But for 2026. For 2032. Yeah, I, I could see where in Australia that could happen. We'll see. 

[00:43:08] Mat Germain: It'll be interesting to see if the WNBA can sort out their labor issues to the point where they can also go to those Olympics. 

[00:43:16] Australia's very big in basketball as well. Um, so yeah, that, that's definitely something to consider. I, I hadn't thought of that, that way. I'll throw another one at you, mark, Yoniel Curet, please. Is making his, , the AAA debut after being promoted. And, uh, he's through four innings right now and he's only allowed one run.

[00:43:37] Uh, but it's, uh, or sorry, he's allowed two runs, but one of them was on a home run that he gave up to, uh, Andy Zy. Uh, and then he struck him out the next time up. But overall, he's looking comfortable. He is looking good. There's a good zip on his. Pitches, some of the hits that I've seen are just dribblers through the, uh, the infield.

[00:43:58] So, uh, I'm [00:44:00] really, really excited for him and for the bulls and for the Rays. To see what he's able to do from here to the end of the season. Some people are saying if the Ray did squeak in and and push for that playoff spot, he could become a really prominent piece. So he's somebody that the Ray fans, if they want to check it out and, and on ml, MILB tv, uh, it's worthwhile watching what he's got.

[00:44:23] 'cause I think he's about as close as that we have coming. That could resemble an ace, uh, at some point in time in the near future. So, um, you know, as sad as I am about Taj Bradley going to the twins, when you've got somebody like Curet coming up behind him and, and potentially chipping in, it's great. The other thing I'll say is Van Bell, the guy that they got for, uh, Zach Lettel, looked outstanding in his start.

[00:44:51] Outstanding gave up. One hit in six innings, just really, really, really, really looked strong. So, um, the ray, [00:45:00] the ray may not have had the start that they wanted from Houser, but if they need to replace him in a rotation for whatever reason, because you know, all of a sudden he's injured or something like that, then Van Bell seems like he's very close and, and ready to chip in right now.

[00:45:16] But both of those are on the 40 man RO roster, so it's good to hear. 

[00:45:20] Mark Corbett: , Definitely., 'Cause pitching is always weird anyway, as who's gonna be healthy and who's not. And um, it's really good news to hear about Curet And who's, uh, what's Bell? Is that the other gentleman's name? 

[00:45:32] Mat Germain: Van Bell. 

[00:45:32] Mark Corbett: Yeah, van Bell.

[00:45:32] Mat Germain: Van Bell. The Van Bell. It just sounds like something you would make up, right? Like, uh, what a cool name. It's gonna be Van Bell. 

[00:45:40] Mark Corbett: Well, you know, I didn't know with Griffin Jax or Jax Griffin. You know, when I first I saw that name too. Wait a minute. Okay. Yes, it Griffin Jax. But no, that's, it's a exciting time, man, and anytime you're bringing in new players after the trade and seeing them try to come in together in jail and today's game, [00:46:00] you know, here is Wednesday and August 6th and seeing the Rays do what they did last night and today.

[00:46:06] It's hopeful, you know, it gives me, it was, it was easy to kinda crawl into a shell. And I know as you were talking earlier today, when it was a third or fourth inning, when we start seeing a few runs go up on the board for the angels, it's like, cringe time to, can I continue to watch this now? You know, is it, what's, is this going to work?

[00:46:25] But, uh, yeah, stay the course. Mat, stay the course. Yeah. And that's what the, we gotta do, we gotta stay the course with the Rays. You 

[00:46:33] Mat Germain: know, you put a sheet of paper in front of your face, you just poke one hole and you peek at it once in a while, and then you look away and you peek at it and you look away.

[00:46:43] Mark Corbett: That sounds about right, brother. Oh man. Well, Mat, you got anything else on the toaster coming up here? Anything else we need to. 

[00:46:50] Mat Germain: Um, I, I just think like I, the, the road trip is going to be, you know, wearing on the Rays a little bit. Uh, and it's gonna wear on the fans. I don't know what [00:47:00] your routine is when they, when you have to watch games that late, but for me it's watch the first inning, get a taste of what that game may look like.

[00:47:08] Go to bed and then wake up and then look at the box score. And I'm like, oh, that happened. Okay. And then I watched the, uh, the game, you know, flicking through all the, the dead parts. So I do watch them. I just, it's the next morning 'cause I can't stay up that late. 

[00:47:24] Mark Corbett: Well, I, I keep forgetting, dude. You know you're a little bit before Eastern time.

[00:47:28] What are you, an hour, hour and a half before Eastern time? 

[00:47:31] Mat Germain: Hour before? Yeah, exactly. Oh, it gets to be too much. And I'm up at, honestly, I'm up at five in the morning and I'm at the gym and for six. So, uh, for me it's. Extra. You know, I can't really play around with too many hours, so, uh, yeah, I, I wish them all the best and I'll be, you know, cheering 'em on in the mornings.

[00:47:52] But, uh, I am not staying up for a lot of those games. And, uh, and I'll be, I'll look forward to the western part being done, but [00:48:00] I think after Seattle, they go to Sacramento for the s or something like that. I can't remember which one. So. They're, they're getting air miles all over the country and, and they get a little bit of a taste for what it feels like to be a Mariner.

[00:48:12] Mark Corbett: Yeah. Well, , Mat, I thank you, uh, again, buddy. It's always good to spend time shooting the breeze about the Rays and, uh, taking a dip into the sea of what's happening with women's baseball and trying to see what we can do to help support that. So thanks again, brother. It's always fun chatting with you.

[00:48:31] Mat Germain: Always fun, mark, and anytime, and I hope, uh, we have a, a winning streak to talk about next week because, uh, uh, I'll be extra excited at that point and I'll give you some data on, on what needs to happen for them to get into the playoffs at that point, if they have a winning record between now and next week.

[00:48:49] If not, don't expect any stats from me. 

[00:48:53] Mark Corbett: Okay, everybody. Thanks. It's Mat Germain, I'm Mark Corbett. You've been listening to Baseball Biz on Deck in case I didn't [00:49:00] do a good intro. at the beginning. So I wanna thank you all for joining us here today. Don't forget to like us, love us, subscribe to us and say wonderful things to all your friends.

[00:49:08] So we'll catch up with you all again next weekend. Thanks again. Yay.