Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Dodger Talk. David Vase with you from Kemelback
Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. The Dodgers are just two days
away from leaving for Tokyo, Japan. We'll get into that
more later in the show, but just a recap of
what has taken place and what is going to take
place here tonight on Dodger Talk. We're with you until
(00:21):
eight o'clock right here on a five to seventy LA
Sports and we have a great show for you tonight.
We will be joined by future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw,
who spoke to me exclusively earlier today about all things Dodgers.
All things Kershaw, you will hear from the future Hall
(00:42):
of Famer, the three times Cy Young Award winner and
MVP winner coming up later in the show. And also
we are going to speak to a man that has
covered the Dodgers for over a decade, and that is
Bill Plunkett from the Orange County Register. He has a
brand new show, Hey Otani book titled La Story. It
(01:04):
is the Otani Story from his first season with the
Dodgers on their way to the World Series Championship. Bill
Plunkett will also be in Tokyo coming up starting tomorrow.
He's actually going to do this phone interview and then
bored a plane for Tokyo tomorrow morning. So you'll hear
from Bill Plunkett later in the show, and I also
(01:25):
will the last half of the show is going to
be very Otani centric because later in the show, I
am going to share with you what Barry Bonds had
to say on the Matt Barnes Steven Jackson podcast All
the Smoke when it comes to show, Hey Otani, and
what Bonds thinks about Otani being a player that could
(01:47):
play in his generation, and also what Bonds thinks about
Otani pitching, So we'll get to all that as well.
It was actually a pretty good interview. Barry Bonds actually
came across like I'm not sure how many people really
care about what Barry Bonds has to say as it
pertains to Dodgers, but you can't you can't deny how
(02:10):
great of a player he was, and he was certainly
one of the best players not only of his generation
but of all time. And we all know he did
get some help, but he was still a really great player,
so you can't take that away from him. Earlier today,
the Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks six to two at Camel
Back Ranch. Yamamoto won his first Cactus League game of
(02:34):
the spring. But I guess that falls into the category
where wins and losses don't really tell the story of
a pitcher, because I have seen a noticeable difference in
a good way from Yoshi Yamamoto this camp. Today, he
went five innings, allowed just one earned run. He had
seven strikeouts and a walk. The last out of the
(02:54):
game that he recorded was in the fifth inning and
he took a He covered first base and David body
underhanded toss was extremely high and not very accurate, and
Yamamoto was hustling to the bag and you were holding
your breath because he had to leap up to catch
(03:14):
the ball, and he almost landed on the first base bag.
If he does that, there's a very good chance he
tears up his knee. Luckily, he avoided doing that and
was able to get the out. But Yamamoto has been outstanding.
He is going to start game one of the regular
season out there in the Tokyo Series against Shota Imanaga
(03:38):
and the Chicago Cubs. I mentioned this on Petro Some
Money Show, and I'll say it right here. Again, nothing
changed from what I saw today. In fact, I feel
more convicted about this. And I'm not really a sports
betting person. I'll dabble if I'm there with friends or
if I'm in Vegas. But from what I've been told,
(03:58):
the odds are very good in your favor if you
were to put twenty bucks down on Yoshi Yamamoto winning
the National League Say Young Award. I know to a
certain extent it's subjective, but I feel very confident in
saying this. I believe Yamamoto is going to win the
(04:18):
Cy Young Award this year in Major League Baseball if
he stays healthy, and that's a big if after him
missing three months with the right shoulder issue, but he
seems very strong. His training, from what I understand during
the offseason, was a better tailor made for pitching in
Major League Baseball. So I'm going to be optimistic and
(04:41):
say he's not going to miss any significant time like
he did last year. But he is my pick to
win the National League Say Young Award this year. And
I'm not saying bet the house, but hey, if he
got twenty bucks, why not. From what I understand, the
odds are twenty to one for Yamamoto to win the
Cy Young Award. And look, that's that's saying something considering
(05:06):
who's on this starting pitching staff, including a two time
cy Young Award winner and Blake Snell, who wants to
win a third. You're talking about Otani, who's going to
pitch probably at some point in time this season. You
got Kershaw who's won three Cy Young's. You got Glass
now who's got good stuff. But I'm a firm believer
that Yamamoto, to me, is the leading candidate out of
(05:30):
these group of pitchers as it stands today to win
the National League Say Young Award. And speaking of Blake Snell,
he pitched yesterday and is going to pitch again on Sunday,
which means he is pitching one of the exhibition games
in Tokyo, which also lines him up to start the
home opener against the Tigers, and that would match him
(05:53):
up against Trek Skoubel, who also pitched yesterday and already
has been named the opening day starter for aj hinches
Detroit Tigers. So we probably, barring any sort of injuries,
are going to have a tremendous pitching matchup when the
Dodgers were turned back from Tokyo between Blakesnell and Trek
(06:14):
skuball two Cy Young Award winners in the Raigning American League,
say Young Award winner in Schooble, So that should be
an outstanding home stand. It should be a great first
two games. The home opener is always special, and then
the second game at Dodgers Stadium is when they're going
to have the pregame ring ceremony. And I do hope
(06:34):
they bring back guys that right now do not have
a team. Daniel Hudson retired, Joe Kelly does not have
a team. I wouldn't be surprised if he's going to
retire or still doesn't have a team by that point
in time. And bring back Brent Honeywell and that Perm
that eastbounded down, Perm, Kenny Powers Perm. I would love
to see those guys, and I would love to see
(06:55):
Kevin Kiermyer come back and be part of those pregame ceremonies.
So I hope that happens. But first things first, the
Dodgers have two games in Tokyo, and like I mentioned,
Snell Scooble, it's on track to happen. And here's what
Blake Sneil had to say against a subpar performance yesterday,
camel back ranch and a spring training that is kind
(07:18):
of slow playing him to that point in time. On
that afternoon at Dodgers Stadium for the home opener, it.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Was like in and out. Curveball was guiding some. I
was thing some over the plate. Then when I'd get
on it, I couldn't strike it. So I just battle
and feel change up was guiding that I wasn't throwing it.
I had one good change up today. And that's where
you'll see like Arshall is double and just you know deep,
(07:46):
you know the extra basse hats that they have. Avis. Uh,
he's just ambushing good pitch, good pitch. Uh, look a
heater swinging next it by I face some same things swinging.
So those are good tales to how I've gone in
the season. But and then urious are you're rias He's
(08:08):
swinging a good right now, good curveball kind of his
first bitch strike for him to see that, yeah, take
your cab, good job. But I faced him a good amount.
He doesn't do that, so I got to learn the
new swing that he has, so see what I can
do to get better there.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
But how do you feel at this stage of preparation
for whenever you make your first start feel good?
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, ninety seven, that's yeah, I'm happy with that. And
then towards the end there, I was just trying to
get a strike. I mean I kind of lost feel.
I got to get in the zone and that fourth
and and but overall felt good, kind of limiting my
rocking and getting better and better. But another another good
week ahead. I've hit Sunday next, so really looking forward
(08:54):
to that. And then yeah, I mean there's just so
many like tells that I'll have. It could be my glove.
I don't like where it's at, or I don't like
how my hand's coming out. It's coming out too quick
on curveball, and I'll need it slower longer. I mean,
there's just so many things. And you know, everyone wants,
you know, to come into Spring, and I expect, like, oh,
(09:14):
Blake's Sally and Blake He's gonna be light, Like that's
not realistic. I'm learning, I'm growing, I'm getting better, and
you know, it takes all of Spring to really you know,
start figuring it out. Okay, I need to do this
or you know, I need to do this a little
different than I did last Like you're figuring out like
who you are this year. It's such a big thing.
(09:35):
So I was pretty happy with it. Fastball comman, can
you get better? All Steed will start finishing out in
front with it. I'll be a lot more happier and
I'll have a lot more swing and mess with that.
So we're on the way on a good track. I
feel good, comfortable, feel strong, healthy, happy with them on that.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
The one thing about Blake's now that I appreciate, there's
no panic. He understands himself at this stage of his career.
He's thirty one years old. He understands what it takes
to as he was saying, calibrate himself for the regular season.
Other younger pitchers, if they had this going on where
he got hit around by a No Name A's team
(10:16):
and they scored some runs, they would be panicking and
trying to do an overhaul on a lot of things.
But that's not Snell. He's very in tune with his body.
He's really smart when it comes to baseball and understanding
hitter swings and what he needs to do to get ready,
and he understands it's a long season. So I'm not
concerned at all by any of the results by Blake Snell.
(10:40):
And look, you have to factor into the equation of
this spring of Snell really not having a lot of
time to have a regular schedule. The Dodgers have only
allowed him to pitch twice in the Cactus League. By
now he should probably under normal circumstances, have three starts
under his belt. The first one was one inning, and
(11:01):
then he went to the backfields this past Monday to pitch,
and then he pitched yesterday. So I mean, I'm not
concerned at all about Blake Snell. He knows how to
get ready for the season and he will be ready
to go. Other big news for the Dodgers today, manager
Dave Roberts reportedly has agreed to a four year extension
(11:24):
with the Dodgers at thirty two point four million dollars.
Our friend John Hayman, who was breaking that news while
sitting on the couch in the Camelback Ranch lobby, reported
that and it is a record record setting annual average
salary of eight plus million dollars for Dave Roberts. That
is more than Craig Council got last year from the
(11:46):
Cubs four years, thirty two point four million dollars for
Dave Roberts, and it is not official yet, but after
today's game, Dave Roberts had a bigger smile than usual.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
I can't talk so much about it, but I do
think that there's finally some closure, and I'm excited. You know.
Obviously this is the place I want to be, so
I'm sure i'll go into it more. But hopefully there's
an announcement coming soon. I'm waiting, but this is a
place I've always wanted to be, so I just love
what we're doing. I think it's been a good spring training.
(12:21):
I think our guys are ready to break camp and
get to Tokyo, and our guys are in a good spot.
So there's obviously things that are off the field that
are important. Try to make sure that my focus days
on the players, the game, the Dodgers organization, and I
think I've done a good job. But the other part
of that stuff just kind of is part of the job,
(12:41):
and I'm looking forward to some closure for sure.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
It's amazing how the narrative has changed around Dave Roberts.
Right a year ago, at this time, everybody was saying well,
if he doesn't win, he's going to be fired. The
Dodgers are not going to keep him. He better win
the World Series to last October, him being one of
the better October managers that we have seen in any
one playoff to now getting a four year, thirty two
(13:07):
point four million dollar extension. According to John Hayman, I mean,
I never The reason why I don't feel like this
is a big story or big news is because I
never believed after winning the World Series Dave Roberts was
going anywhere. But it does make a difference to have
(13:28):
more than one year on your contract. If he went
into the season with just a one year contract, that
could have been treacherous for him and the team. You
don't want to do anything that would spoil what the
Dodgers have got going right now, what they look to
try to do this season, and that's become the first
repeat champions in baseball since twenty twenty five. So Dave
(13:52):
Roberts is going to be here for at least four
more years according to this contract, and I'm happy for
Dave's a lot that goes into managing the Dodgers more
than just being ready at seven ten to manage nine
innings and talk to the media after the game. He
does have to manage one of the largest media corps
now with the Japanese media, following the Big Three of Otani, Yamamoto,
(14:17):
and Sazaki. He does have to manage his relationships with
Andrew Freeman and Brandon Gomes, and has to manage his
relationships with ownership, and he is so welcoming to so
many people. He's a great ambassador for the organization, and
he really does a lot more than just manage twenty
six guys for nine innings. So just on the surface,
(14:39):
forget about the results, because the resume speaks for itself.
He's won. He's managed five one hundred win seasons, he
has eight NLS championships, He's been to the postseason nine
times as the Dodger manager. He has four National League pennants,
two World Series Championships, and he won the National League
(15:01):
Manager of the Year in his first season with the Dodgers.
So the resume stacks up, and everything that goes into
this job certainly stacks up as well. When we continue
from Camelback Ranch on Dodger Talk, we will hear from
future Hall of Famer and three times Cy Young Award
(15:22):
winner and National League MVP, the one and only Clayton Kershaw.
All is right in the world with number twenty two
back in spring training in Dodger Blue. And don't forget
coming up at the bottom of the hour, we'll get
into bonds and what he had to say about show.
Hey Otani and Bill Plunkett will join us as well.
A lot to get to between now and eight o'clock.
(15:44):
Right here on five to seventy, LA Sports join right
now to a man that makes the baseball world here
in Glendale, Arizona feel right. If he wasn't here, nothing
would feel the same way. And it's not a coincidence
that his old pitching coach, Rick Honey h scheduled his
trip to camel Back Ranch at the same time that
(16:04):
Clayton Kershaw would come back here. So we're here to
see if that truck still works. Because you only got
so many summers, Clayton. Thanks a lot for the time.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
There was so much going on in that intro. I
don't even know how to start, but good to see it, Dave, Great.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
To see you too. Tip of the cap to your
guy Brad Paisley.
Speaker 5 (16:24):
Yeah, that was really good. So many summers. I'm in
that music video.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
There's a music video.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
You didn't seen it? Okay, good, we'll check it out, all.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
Right, thank you. MTV is not as popular as it
used to be, so true. How about Rick honeycut It
wasn't a coincidence to see him really taking interest in
your one and only bullpen session this spring.
Speaker 5 (16:47):
Yeah, Honey's great. It's always fun to have him here.
And you got to hold on to the old guard,
you know. It's nice to keep seeing people like I mean,
you're old now, you know. So Honey's been here a
while and we got awesome still. So there's a few
of us still around. But no, it's been great. Honey's awesome.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
I've never asked you this before, but during the seasons,
if you feel like you're a little off or you
want to bounce something off of somebody, do you ever
reach out to him during a season.
Speaker 5 (17:15):
We have a great group, you know, Mark. I have
a great relationship with Mark too. He's been awesome. And
Connor also as far as like pitch grips and different stuff.
We have a really good group. But yeah, if Honey's
ever in town or he sees something, and we always
we always talk pitching.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
I mean, that's what we both know.
Speaker 5 (17:30):
And so you know, there's too many cooks in the
kitchen sometimes, but not not with those guys.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
There's no egos. They just want to help if they can,
and we really do. We have a great group.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Clayton, you're back here in camel Back Ranch. We did
see the bullpen session, So I guess is that a
good sign that your knee and your foot are healing
the right way?
Speaker 3 (17:49):
I think so.
Speaker 6 (17:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (17:50):
I mean it's definitely progressing. Arms feeling good. So I
wouldn't say I'm like a hundred percent yet, but I
think I'm getting close and it keeps and better every day.
So keep throwing bullpens this month and start facing some
hitters here soon, and you know, doing the rehab starts
all that. We're still you know, it's still a process obviously,
(18:11):
but I feel I feel good about where I'm at
and I feel like I'm on a good track to
be ready soon.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
What we saw a couple of days ago, are you
holding anything back in that type of setting or when
you're landing on that front foot it's full force?
Speaker 5 (18:25):
Yeah, I mean I don't have any pain, it's just uh,
you know, I think obviously there's some mental hurdles to
come come through anytime with surgery. I think I haven't
done it with the shoulder, and now with these two,
there's just some mental hurdles like, hey, is it gonna hurt?
And so getting over that and not thinking about that
as hard. But that's what bullpens are for, you know,
And so there's no pain. It's just I think there's
(18:46):
some you know, a little bit out of sync, a
little bit maybe not using all of my lower half
like I can and just figuring out how to do
that again. But it's all coming together and I think
within the next you know, a couple of months to
get there.
Speaker 1 (18:58):
So you're traveling with the team to Tooke you are
you planning on doing something there?
Speaker 3 (19:04):
Yeah, I'm gonna do stuff, Dave.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
I want to know what to say. I want to
know the extent of how much you're gonna do at
the Tokyo Dome.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
Oh you mean baseball wise, Yes, I thought you meant
tourist wise.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
I know you're gonna do stuff that that way.
Speaker 6 (19:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (19:18):
I mean I'm kind of on like a Tuesday Friday
bullpen plan right now, So I don't know how the
days work over there. I'm assuming it's the same, but
uh yeah, I'll go Tuesday Friday for a while and
then start getting into like a five or six or
seven or eight day rotation at some point and start
facing some hitters.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
Are you planning on doing some ambassador's ship for the
Dodgers in Tokyo? What are you? Uh, you're gonna be
out there with your family, Charlie, Charlie and Cali are
gonna be there with you. So what's the Kershaw family
plans in Tokyo?
Speaker 5 (19:48):
Yeah, we got the whole crew coming. I don't know, obviously,
we gotta we want to try the food. Everybody says
the food's awesome. We want to ride the bullet train.
We wanna maybe make a trip to Kyoto. We heard
Kyoto is really cool. So I don't know, I know
Ellen's got it all dialed in itenerary wise. So it's
gonna be super fun once again, lifetime experience, once in
a lifetime to go over there with Shohe and the
(20:10):
Dodgers and kind of the global brand that they've become,
especially with you know, kind of our three Japanese superstars
that we have. So it's uh, it's gonna be wild.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Speaking of Otani and those guys, what have you seen
from Otani during the course of last year, just from
start to where you're at right now, where he's at
as a teammate with everybody.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
I think show is awesome, I really do, you know.
Speaker 5 (20:32):
I think I think having him around and he's just
been you know, you hear stories and until you actually
meet the guy for sure, you just don't know, right,
And so last year, I know, it was a lot
whirlwind getting to know everybody, and I felt like he
really came together with all of us, and this year's
kind of been more of an extension of the same.
(20:54):
And man, seeing what he has to do now, like
get ready to pitch and get ready to hit, it
is Uh, it's a lot. It's a lot like you
finish your throwing and then you go straight into the cage,
like I can't imagine trying to be elite, elite at
both and so but that's why you show, hey, you know,
and so we're excited to see that. Obviously, it's going
to be really cool to watch. And I mean the
(21:15):
year he had last year is pretty tough to beat.
But when you throw pitching on top of it. It's
gonna be kind of amazing.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
When you see Sazaki in spring training, does it remind
you of how Yamamoto was adjusting to life in Major
League Baseball and a new environment. Do we underappreciate how
much that is part of this learning curve?
Speaker 5 (21:34):
Yeah, I mean it's it's so much, you know, Like
I can't imagine going to Japan and learning a new culture,
learn like whole new living situation, speaking not speaking the language,
and then learning out how to pitch.
Speaker 6 (21:45):
You know.
Speaker 5 (21:45):
So Rookie's obviously super talented. His split is like one
of the best pitches in the game. Yeah, Like when
it's I don't think it's really hard to catch, let
alone hit. It's just got so much movement, and so
there's some stuff to work on.
Speaker 6 (22:00):
You know.
Speaker 5 (22:00):
Obviously he's only twenty three. He's not as polished as Yama.
You know, Yama was twenty five, a free agent, been
doing it for a while, and even Yama this spring
looks just way more comfortable than he did last year.
Speaker 6 (22:12):
You know.
Speaker 5 (22:12):
So there's gonna be some learning curves, I'm sure with Roki,
but the talent's undeniable and he's gonna get a lot
of people out for sure.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
We know you're a creature of habits. Starting pitchers are
creatures of habits. So what is the adjustment if all
six of you are in the rotation at one point
in time during the season. Is that an adjustment or
do you feel like Andrew and Dave have kind of
started to morph the pitching staff into five days of
rest the last few years?
Speaker 5 (22:41):
Yeah, I do think it's I do think like a
six day rotation has become a little bit more normal
for us, you know, I feel like the last couple
of years especially, you know, the trick is like if
there is a time where you have to throw on
that regular rest, you know, you don't want it to
feel like short. So it's kind of like having routines
locked in for both and kind of going for there.
But you know, I think the extra day everybody's gotten
(23:02):
used to now, and I mean, hey, when we have
Shoe and Roki and Yama all going, it's going to
be that way.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
That's the way it was in Japan, and that's the
way it's.
Speaker 5 (23:09):
Going to be here, and we're all going to have
to figure out how to adjust to that.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
But I think we all kind of did it last year,
So we'll be good.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Clayton Kershaw's our guest. Before I let you go, I
love to rewind to last year the World Series. Walker
Buehler is not with the Dodgers this year for the
first time in his professional career. I've never asked you
this during the excitement of the parade and all that.
What were you thinking when you saw him go out
to the bullpen and when you saw him come into
(23:38):
the game in the ninth inning, because he obviously said
he learned by watching you he wanted to be that
for the team because you were not available, like all
of that, How did you feel.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
Yeah, you can say whatever you want about Walker, but
you can't.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
You can't.
Speaker 5 (23:54):
You can't deny the way he takes the ball, you know,
and so we're gonna miss him here. He just he
he was special in that regard. There was a lot
of times when he just kept wanting to take the ball.
You know, he's not afraid, and that was a kind
of a great moment for him and super special and
we needed every pitch that he had and us, you know,
(24:17):
we were pretty much then we were pretty much out
at that point. So for him to come in close
a game like that. It was a really cool way
to end his Dodger tenure. And I'm happy for him.
I know Boston is going to be a good setting
for him and he can handle that media crowd and
be good and so you know, I hope, I hope
you pitch as well, just not against us.
Speaker 6 (24:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
Has he reached out to you since he signed with Boston?
Speaker 5 (24:40):
He uh, yeah, we faced some a few times. He's
feeling good. He's in spring training and the ball's coming
out good. You know, he's uh, he's back up to
ninety five or so, and I think he's excited, you know,
another year removed from surgery. So I think I think
he'll be good.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Did you uh did you appreciate him referencing you doing
what he did several times?
Speaker 3 (24:59):
I Walker's great.
Speaker 5 (25:01):
You know, I think there's he was going to do
that regardless stuff, you know, like he just uh, I
mean for better for whereas Walker's he go is gonna
let him go out there and he knows he's good.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
And that's just it was really cool to see.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
How about how he he did not hide the fact
that his pose after the last out of the World
Series was not spontaneous. He said he'd been thinking about
that pose for a while.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Yeah, he's like I said, he's special. He's special.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
Thanks a lot for the time.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
All right, thanks Dave.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
Good to see you, man, Great to see you too.
Were you really excited to see me?
Speaker 5 (25:37):
I was like in the middle, Yeah, yeah, yeah, but yeah,
it kind of you grow on you as the season goes,
you know.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
So we need an off season though, to reset.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
Well, maybe you and I, you and I can tag
along in Tokyo. Maybe I'll be the fifth cruise Shaw.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
You want to hang out with us?
Speaker 1 (25:54):
Yeah, you know, let's see where. Let's see where the
bullet train takes us.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
One step at a time.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
Thanks a lot for the time. Hey, that truck still
works there, he goes Clayton Kershaw. Yes, he doesn't like
my country puns, but he has to put up with
them for one more year. When we continue on Dodger
Talk from Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, you will hear
from Bill Plunkett, who's got a new show, Hail Tawny Book.
(26:21):
Bill does it for the Orange County Register. He's on
the beat every day, and he'll be in Tokyo with
the Dodgers as well. David vasse with you until eight
o'clock right here on AM five to seventy LA Sports.
On Wednesday morning, they got one more Cactus League game,
and that'll be heard right here tomorrow afternoon on AM
(26:43):
five to seventy LA Sports. They close it out against
the Cleveland Guardians and then it's off to Japan for
two exhibition games and also two regular season games. The
first two regular season games of the baseball season. Dodgers Cubs,
Yama mo Imanaga Otani all ready to go for Game
(27:04):
one of the season in Tokyo, Japan, and that will
also be heard right here on A five seventy LA Sports.
We will carry it live at three am in the morning,
and then you will hear it on replay later that
day in case you're not up that early in the morning.
In case you're not working that early in the morning,
(27:24):
we got you covered like we did last year when
the Dodgers opened up in Seoul, Korea. March eighteenth and
March nineteenth, a week from tomorrow is the first game
of the regular season against the Cubs at the Tokyo
Dome in Japan, and a man that will be there
covering the Dodgers and has been there every day of
(27:45):
spring training and has been there for the better part
of the last thirteen years. Covering the Dodgers for the
Orange County Register is Bill Plunkett, who joins us right
now on Dodger Taki's premiere appearance on Dodger Talking. There's
a good reason why. Bill, thanks a lot for coming on.
Speaker 6 (28:05):
Hey, David, thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
So you have not taken off for Tokyo, Japan, but
I think you're leaving tomorrow.
Speaker 6 (28:13):
Yeah, tomorrow afternoon.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
I'll be.
Speaker 6 (28:16):
Hidden over and get there a day before the team
and you know, maybe do a little thirsty stuff and
see what Tokyo has to offer.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
Well, when you're a best selling author, you have to
get there a day earlier as well. Bill has a
brand new book out on Show Hayo Tani's first Season
with the Dodgers, LA Story Show Hao Tani, The La
Dodgers and a season for the Ages. And it certainly
was tell us, you know, there is a version of
this book in Japanese. It's been sold there right now,
(28:49):
And Bill, how much demand is there for the book
and how much demand is there for you in Japan?
Speaker 6 (28:56):
I think there will be a parade I'm expecting a
marching band to meet me at the airport, marched me
right to a bookstore to do some signings. The publishers
over there seem to be very happy with how it's going.
Speaker 3 (29:10):
I will be doing.
Speaker 6 (29:11):
Some appearances while we're in Tokyo to promote the book.
It came out earlier in Japan. It's been out in
bookstores there since late December, and some of our friends
in the Japanese media who were home for the off
season sent me photos of the book in bookstores and
(29:34):
on shelves, And the thing that was most shocking to
me was the number of Otani books and the Oani
content there is. They can't get enough in Japan of
their national euro The coverage is constant and they follow
(29:56):
every single move he makes. I hope they're enjoying the book, because, yeah,
last year was something else.
Speaker 1 (30:06):
It really was. It was once in a lifetime, first
season with the team, once in a lifetime talent in Otani.
And do you feel like you saw, over the course
of writing this book as you were doing it experiencing
it a change in Otani's personality.
Speaker 6 (30:24):
Absolutely everybody who knew him from his Angels days has
said that he changed. Honestly, once Epei left, Epay was
kind of a wall between him and everyone else and
everything had to pass through Epei Mitsuhara his translator. And
(30:47):
when that, you know, gambling scandal broke and Epe went away.
Shohe became his own man a little bit last year,
and I think he had He became more involved with
his teammates. I think he became a happier person. Maybe
you know he got married last spring too. That'll that'll
(31:07):
change her outlook, right, David?
Speaker 1 (31:09):
Yeah, Yeah, sometimes sometimes did not Oh that did not
sound good.
Speaker 6 (31:14):
You were You're going to pay for that if she
actually listens to this. But he he did become more
more involved with the team, uh, the Angels. You know,
people over with the Angels were surprised when they saw
him show up at the chicken wing eating contest with
the Dodgers. You know, he didn't do that kind of stuff.
He showed a lot more emotion on the field than
(31:36):
he ever did with the Angels. I think back to
the home run in Game one of the NLDS when
he just two handed fired the bad away.
Speaker 3 (31:45):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (31:46):
You never saw that kind of emotion and passion with
the Angels. Maybe you know, not to take a shot
at him, but maybe because they have never played any
meaningful games when he was there for six years. So yeah,
last year was it was definitely an evolutionary one for
show Hey. A lot of things changed in his life.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
Bill Plunkett, the Dodgers beat writer for the Orange County Register,
is joining us. He has written a new book, chronicling
Show Heyotani's first season with the Dodgers. It's La Story
Show Heotani, the La Dodgers and a season for the Ages.
What did you learn about Otani writing this book that
maybe on the daily beat you really didn't have an
(32:29):
appreciation for.
Speaker 6 (32:32):
Well, one of the things that I've found interesting is
the free agency and looking back on that whole process
and talking to people involved in it at you know,
Andrew Friedman and Stan cast and Brandon Gomes as Bilelo
did an interview with USA Today where he talked about it,
(32:54):
and it was just there were so many twists and
turns in that free agency. You know, he was going
to Toronto, he was on a plane, and then he wasn't.
And then you know that deferrals were a shock to everyone.
(33:14):
That whole process was as unique as you can possibly
make it. It was one of the most unique moves
in professional sports. And then during the season the thing
that really jumped out at me, not having been able
to watch him on a daily basis before, but how
(33:35):
hard he hits the ball so consistently. It's like he
and Aaron Judge are in a category all by themselves.
It was, you know, you can just think back to
so many moments. The first hit he had in Korea
I think was about one hundred and ten miles an
hour off the bat. There was a home run that
(33:58):
really stood out to me in Washington where he hit
it to the third level of the stadium and I
swear I thought it was going to leave a hole
and just keep going. So that really jumped out at
me too.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
Hey, Bill, you've covered a lot of games, whether it's
with the Dodgers, the Angels. You've seen Barry Bonds play.
There's always that debate who's the greatest, but can in
your time covering baseball, the game where Otani finally reached
fifty to fifty and had that historic day in Miami
(34:34):
three home runs, ten RBIs just shy of the cycle.
Do you feel like that was the best game you
ever covered by a player regular.
Speaker 6 (34:43):
Season single offensive performance. Yes, I can't imagine anybody topping that.
I mean, he came very close to the cycle if
you remember, yeah, his double, he was thrown out at third.
He have had the cycle with three home runs with
ten RBIs while getting to the fifty to fifty club.
(35:08):
I don't see how you could top that. That was
It might have been the single most impressive offensive performance
by any individual in baseball history.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
Bill Plunkett is joining us. Not only has he written
a book about show Aotani, but he covers the Dodgers
on a daily basis. And earlier today we got breaking
news that the Dodgers and Dave Roberts have agreed on
a three year extension, so he's around for four more years.
How significant is this to get Dave Roberts an extension
(35:42):
rather than just him being on a one year contract
going into the season build. Does it really make a difference.
Speaker 6 (35:48):
Yeah, I think it does. I think players are aware
of the job security or lack thereof of a manager,
and I think it affects, you know, the clubhouse and
how that relationship goes. But I'll say this, I don't
think anyone in their right mind thought that Dave was
(36:09):
going to go into the season with just a one
year deal. I think this was on the to do
list all off season, and I expected them to get
it done before they had to Tokyo. Just you know,
the last time he got an extension, it was late
March that time as well.
Speaker 3 (36:28):
It's just.
Speaker 6 (36:30):
It's kind of on the bottom of the list of
things to do. But the thing that strikes me is
how dramatically the perception of Dave has changed with last fall.
You know, they go into that first round, they get
down two to one to the Padres. They're staring at
(36:53):
the possibility of a third straight first round exit, and
we all know that the heat underneath Dave's seat would
have been turned up immeasurably if they lost that game
four or five in San Diego. They end up winning it.
They get on a roll. Every pitching decision they've made
(37:15):
last fall seem to be the right one or played
out to be the right one. And now people are
talking about him in a whole different light.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
They certainly are, and he's around for four more years,
or at least has a contract for four more years.
Bill Plunkett is joining US from the Orange County Register.
He is just a day away from taking off for
Tokyo Japan to cover the Dodgers in the Tokyo Series.
Do you believe show Heyotani pitches for the Dodgers this year?
Barry Bonds again doubled down, said that he believes that
(37:49):
Otani would be better served just to hit this season
and maybe the rest of his career.
Speaker 6 (37:55):
I would put the the here's your hot take for
the day, David. I think the Dodgers would be fine
with him not pitching again. I think they would be
happy to take the DH guy that they saw last
year and not risk putting him on the mouth. I
think you can't put anything out of reach for Otani.
(38:18):
He's shown that throughout his career. But the idea of
sacrificing some of the offense, the dynamic leadoff hitter that
they got last year in order to get a starting pitcher,
I don't think they they would. I don't think they
need to make that move. It's remarkable that he can
(38:40):
do both. I want to see him do both, I
really do. But I think the Dodgers would be fine
with just getting a one way Otani. Now, when does
he pitch. Does he pitch? I think he pitches this year. Absolutely.
I think he wants to, so I think it's going
to happen. But I don't think there's any rush. I
(39:03):
don't think the Dodgers are in any hurry to put
him back on the mound.
Speaker 1 (39:08):
All right, Bill, thanks a lot for the time. We'll
see you in Japan, and good luck with the book
signings out there. Bill Plunkett's book can be ordered everywhere
you get your books, including Amazon, Barnes, and Noble. All
of it. La Story Show Aotani his first season with
the Dodgers. It was a season for the Ages, an
appropriate title for this book. We'll see you out there
(39:29):
in Tokyo. Bill, thanks a lot for the time.
Speaker 6 (39:32):
Thank you, David mata Ney. I think is a little
proper Japanese phrase.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
All right, you work on that on the flight to Tokyo.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
You got it, Thanks David.
Speaker 1 (39:42):
There he goes Bill Plunkett from the Orange County Register.
He will be in Japan with the Dodgers, and you
certainly can follow him on his Twitter account, and also
you could buy the book online right now. La Story
Showe Aotani, the Los Angeles Dodgers and a season for
the Ages. One of the few times Bill Plunkett has
(40:05):
been nice to me, and it was right here because
I was pimping his new book. But Bill does a
good job for the Orange County Register and beyond, and
appreciate him coming on the show. And yeah, he will
be a star out there because, like we mentioned, the
book is in Japanese and it is for sale. I've
seen the photos and the Japanese media has relayed all
(40:27):
of that to Bill here at Camelback Ranch, and I
will be taken off with the Dodgers on Wednesday morning.
I will be on the Dodgers charter to Tokyo, Japan.
We are expected to land at about three o'clock in
the afternoon on Thursday in Tokyo. And in case you're
wondering what the schedule is going to be, again here
(40:49):
on five seventy LAS Sports, your home for the world
champion Dodgers. We are not going to carry the two
exhibition games that are going to be played on Saturday
and Sunday in Tokio, but you can watch those on
Sports and at LA. Our first official broadcast is going
to be on Tuesday, March eighteenth, the opener against the Cubs,
(41:12):
and you will hear that live at three AM with
Rick Monday and Tim Neverett and we will replay that
game at noon that day as well in case you
did not wake up in time. And of course, you
know Rogan and Rodney need their rest. I mean, that's
why we're doing it on noon. Oh that's right, They're
going to be in Japan with me. And I heard
(41:33):
Rodney's already there, so he's got the advanced scanner report.
One of his kids lives out there full time. So
looking forward to see Rodney out there in Tokyo, Japan.
All right, we're gonna stick on the Otani topic here
because Bill Plunkett did a great job with this Otani book.
And last week Barry Bonds was on the All the
(41:57):
Smoke podcasts with Matt Barnes and Steve even Jackson and
they asked him about Otani and Bonds doubled down on
the opinion that he has shared recently that he believes
Showhy should no longer pitch.
Speaker 7 (42:11):
My opinion, I just hope he just stays at the
hitting category because his hitting ability is off the chart.
Pitching I just think might tire him out. I think
he should come out of the bullpen here and there,
like he has because he's DH and he come out
of the bullpen and throw an inning into here and
just because he's so good as the reliever too, like
he could be one of the dominant relievers and dominant starters.
(42:31):
I think as a starter, man, I think it might
get wear a tear a little bit and tire him out.
Why fix something that isn't broken, because that's like I
couldn't meet no broke. This is good, I'm good piece,
this is great. But I think coming out of the bullpen,
he could really dominate.
Speaker 1 (42:48):
Look, that's not an outrageous take by Barry Bonds. There's
a lot of people that feel the same way. But
I'll just say this. The Dodgers have one of the
most actually the most unique player in baseball. And the
reason why the Dodgers and Otani at this point are
still not closing the door on him being a starting
(43:09):
pitcher for the Dodgers is because the roster rules now
only allow you to have thirteen pitchers on your roster,
but show Haotani does not count against that, So in essence,
you have an extra pitcher that no other team is
allowed to carry. And look, the Dodgers are not asking
Otani to be the anchor like Bonds is thinking about
(43:32):
Randy Johnson and Kurt Shilling. They have plenty of pitching
to support the workload for show Heotani. And I know
they you know how many teams can say, you know what, Otani,
We're gonna scale you back from your pitching because we
have plenty of pitching and we just need you to
focus right now on hitting and we'll get to that
pitching later. So I could see eventually Otani not being
(43:58):
a starting pitcher and possible league going into the bullpen
as a closer or a high leverage reliever. But how
would he warm up if he's a reliever and he's
the DH. If he's the DH, how is he gonna
go warm up? You know, if he's coming up in
that inning and the Dodgers need him to come in
to close out the ninth inning. It's just I just
(44:18):
don't see how being a reliever is feasible because of
the variables of where he would come up in the
batting order. So if he's not a starting pitcher, I
just don't see him being a pitcher at all. And
my understanding is and I kind of feel this that
Otani understands that one day he is not going to
(44:41):
be the Unicorn. One day he will not be that
starting pitcher. He's just going to be a hitter. He's
and maybe plays the field. Remember last year he was
flaunting an outfield glove, a first base glove. I do
believe he understands that at one point during this period
of time with the Dodgers, it's going to come to
(45:03):
an end. So when that happens, I don't know. And
is he going to pitch this year? I think he is.
That's that's what I've gotten back from the Dodgers. But
who knows the left shoulder injury how that's a variable
in all this. So I do believe Otani's going to
pitch this year, But when is that going to happen?
(45:25):
I would tend to lean towards Junish because the Dodgers
want those innings for the postseason. They've got plenty of
pitching for the first half of the year. The second
half of the year is when it gets really scaled
into and zoned in on who they're thinking about for
October show, Hey, Otani, it's going to be a wild
ride in Tokyo, Japan. We will have live reports from
(45:49):
there from the Tokyo series when we take off on Wednesday,
I'll be reporting back for Dodgers Radio AM five to
seventy LA Sports, So stay tuned and you can follow
me on x at the Real Underscore DV on Instagram
at officially Vassa to see everything the pov as the
kids say. When I'm in Tokyo with the team, I'm
(46:12):
looking forward to it. Everybody's looking forward to it. It's
going to be wild being there with show hey Otani
and Yamamoto and Sazaki, but specifically Otani. I'm looking so
forward to being there and seeing just how popular he is.
It feels like he's on a deity level out there
in Japan. That'll do it for us. On Dodger Talk tonight,
(46:34):
we will have Tomorrow's Cactus League Finale for the Dodgers
on our air on the World Champion Dodgers Audio Network.
Our pregame coverage begins at twelve thirty, with first pitch
between the Dodgers and Guardians at one oh five. Thanks
to Colin Ye, thanks to Ronnie Fossio, and thanks to
you for listening in case you missed any of the
(46:56):
show or our interview with Clayton Krushaw. You can find
it on the iHeartRadio app. We will talk to you
tomorrow at twelve thirty. Have a great rest of your night,
see you
Welcome to Dodger Talk. David Vase with you from Kemelback
Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. The Dodgers are just two days
away from leaving for Tokyo, Japan. We'll get into that
more later in the show, but just a recap of
what has taken place and what is going to take
place here tonight on Dodger Talk. We're with you until
(00:21):
eight o'clock right here on a five to seventy LA
Sports and we have a great show for you tonight.
We will be joined by future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw,
who spoke to me exclusively earlier today about all things Dodgers.
All things Kershaw, you will hear from the future Hall
(00:42):
of Famer, the three times Cy Young Award winner and
MVP winner coming up later in the show. And also
we are going to speak to a man that has
covered the Dodgers for over a decade, and that is
Bill Plunkett from the Orange County Register. He has a
brand new show, Hey Otani book titled La Story. It
(01:04):
is the Otani Story from his first season with the
Dodgers on their way to the World Series Championship. Bill
Plunkett will also be in Tokyo coming up starting tomorrow.
He's actually going to do this phone interview and then
bored a plane for Tokyo tomorrow morning. So you'll hear
from Bill Plunkett later in the show, and I also
(01:25):
will the last half of the show is going to
be very Otani centric because later in the show, I
am going to share with you what Barry Bonds had
to say on the Matt Barnes Steven Jackson podcast All
the Smoke when it comes to show, Hey Otani, and
what Bonds thinks about Otani being a player that could
(01:47):
play in his generation, and also what Bonds thinks about
Otani pitching, So we'll get to all that as well.
It was actually a pretty good interview. Barry Bonds actually
came across like I'm not sure how many people really
care about what Barry Bonds has to say as it
pertains to Dodgers, but you can't you can't deny how
(02:10):
great of a player he was, and he was certainly
one of the best players not only of his generation
but of all time. And we all know he did
get some help, but he was still a really great player,
so you can't take that away from him. Earlier today,
the Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks six to two at Camel
Back Ranch. Yamamoto won his first Cactus League game of
(02:34):
the spring. But I guess that falls into the category
where wins and losses don't really tell the story of
a pitcher, because I have seen a noticeable difference in
a good way from Yoshi Yamamoto this camp. Today, he
went five innings, allowed just one earned run. He had
seven strikeouts and a walk. The last out of the
(02:54):
game that he recorded was in the fifth inning and
he took a He covered first base and David body
underhanded toss was extremely high and not very accurate, and
Yamamoto was hustling to the bag and you were holding
your breath because he had to leap up to catch
(03:14):
the ball, and he almost landed on the first base bag.
If he does that, there's a very good chance he
tears up his knee. Luckily, he avoided doing that and
was able to get the out. But Yamamoto has been outstanding.
He is going to start game one of the regular
season out there in the Tokyo Series against Shota Imanaga
(03:38):
and the Chicago Cubs. I mentioned this on Petro Some
Money Show, and I'll say it right here. Again, nothing
changed from what I saw today. In fact, I feel
more convicted about this. And I'm not really a sports
betting person. I'll dabble if I'm there with friends or
if I'm in Vegas. But from what I've been told,
(03:58):
the odds are very good in your favor if you
were to put twenty bucks down on Yoshi Yamamoto winning
the National League Say Young Award. I know to a
certain extent it's subjective, but I feel very confident in
saying this. I believe Yamamoto is going to win the
(04:18):
Cy Young Award this year in Major League Baseball if
he stays healthy, and that's a big if after him
missing three months with the right shoulder issue, but he
seems very strong. His training, from what I understand during
the offseason, was a better tailor made for pitching in
Major League Baseball. So I'm going to be optimistic and
(04:41):
say he's not going to miss any significant time like
he did last year. But he is my pick to
win the National League Say Young Award this year. And
I'm not saying bet the house, but hey, if he
got twenty bucks, why not. From what I understand, the
odds are twenty to one for Yamamoto to win the
Cy Young Award. And look, that's that's saying something considering
(05:06):
who's on this starting pitching staff, including a two time
cy Young Award winner and Blake Snell, who wants to
win a third. You're talking about Otani, who's going to
pitch probably at some point in time this season. You
got Kershaw who's won three Cy Young's. You got Glass
now who's got good stuff. But I'm a firm believer
that Yamamoto, to me, is the leading candidate out of
(05:30):
these group of pitchers as it stands today to win
the National League Say Young Award. And speaking of Blake Snell,
he pitched yesterday and is going to pitch again on Sunday,
which means he is pitching one of the exhibition games
in Tokyo, which also lines him up to start the
home opener against the Tigers, and that would match him
(05:53):
up against Trek Skoubel, who also pitched yesterday and already
has been named the opening day starter for aj hinches
Detroit Tigers. So we probably, barring any sort of injuries,
are going to have a tremendous pitching matchup when the
Dodgers were turned back from Tokyo between Blakesnell and Trek
(06:14):
skuball two Cy Young Award winners in the Raigning American League,
say Young Award winner in Schooble, So that should be
an outstanding home stand. It should be a great first
two games. The home opener is always special, and then
the second game at Dodgers Stadium is when they're going
to have the pregame ring ceremony. And I do hope
(06:34):
they bring back guys that right now do not have
a team. Daniel Hudson retired, Joe Kelly does not have
a team. I wouldn't be surprised if he's going to
retire or still doesn't have a team by that point
in time. And bring back Brent Honeywell and that Perm
that eastbounded down, Perm, Kenny Powers Perm. I would love
to see those guys, and I would love to see
(06:55):
Kevin Kiermyer come back and be part of those pregame ceremonies.
So I hope that happens. But first things first, the
Dodgers have two games in Tokyo, and like I mentioned,
Snell Scooble, it's on track to happen. And here's what
Blake Sneil had to say against a subpar performance yesterday,
camel back ranch and a spring training that is kind
(07:18):
of slow playing him to that point in time. On
that afternoon at Dodgers Stadium for the home opener, it.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Was like in and out. Curveball was guiding some. I
was thing some over the plate. Then when I'd get
on it, I couldn't strike it. So I just battle
and feel change up was guiding that I wasn't throwing it.
I had one good change up today. And that's where
you'll see like Arshall is double and just you know deep,
(07:46):
you know the extra basse hats that they have. Avis. Uh,
he's just ambushing good pitch, good pitch. Uh, look a
heater swinging next it by I face some same things swinging.
So those are good tales to how I've gone in
the season. But and then urious are you're rias He's
(08:08):
swinging a good right now, good curveball kind of his
first bitch strike for him to see that, yeah, take
your cab, good job. But I faced him a good amount.
He doesn't do that, so I got to learn the
new swing that he has, so see what I can
do to get better there.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
But how do you feel at this stage of preparation
for whenever you make your first start feel good?
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, ninety seven, that's yeah, I'm happy with that. And
then towards the end there, I was just trying to
get a strike. I mean I kind of lost feel.
I got to get in the zone and that fourth
and and but overall felt good, kind of limiting my
rocking and getting better and better. But another another good
week ahead. I've hit Sunday next, so really looking forward
(08:54):
to that. And then yeah, I mean there's just so
many like tells that I'll have. It could be my glove.
I don't like where it's at, or I don't like
how my hand's coming out. It's coming out too quick
on curveball, and I'll need it slower longer. I mean,
there's just so many things. And you know, everyone wants,
you know, to come into Spring, and I expect, like, oh,
(09:14):
Blake's Sally and Blake He's gonna be light, Like that's
not realistic. I'm learning, I'm growing, I'm getting better, and
you know, it takes all of Spring to really you know,
start figuring it out. Okay, I need to do this
or you know, I need to do this a little
different than I did last Like you're figuring out like
who you are this year. It's such a big thing.
(09:35):
So I was pretty happy with it. Fastball comman, can
you get better? All Steed will start finishing out in
front with it. I'll be a lot more happier and
I'll have a lot more swing and mess with that.
So we're on the way on a good track. I
feel good, comfortable, feel strong, healthy, happy with them on that.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
The one thing about Blake's now that I appreciate, there's
no panic. He understands himself at this stage of his career.
He's thirty one years old. He understands what it takes
to as he was saying, calibrate himself for the regular season.
Other younger pitchers, if they had this going on where
he got hit around by a No Name A's team
(10:16):
and they scored some runs, they would be panicking and
trying to do an overhaul on a lot of things.
But that's not Snell. He's very in tune with his body.
He's really smart when it comes to baseball and understanding
hitter swings and what he needs to do to get ready,
and he understands it's a long season. So I'm not
concerned at all by any of the results by Blake Snell.
(10:40):
And look, you have to factor into the equation of
this spring of Snell really not having a lot of
time to have a regular schedule. The Dodgers have only
allowed him to pitch twice in the Cactus League. By
now he should probably under normal circumstances, have three starts
under his belt. The first one was one inning, and
(11:01):
then he went to the backfields this past Monday to pitch,
and then he pitched yesterday. So I mean, I'm not
concerned at all about Blake Snell. He knows how to
get ready for the season and he will be ready
to go. Other big news for the Dodgers today, manager
Dave Roberts reportedly has agreed to a four year extension
(11:24):
with the Dodgers at thirty two point four million dollars.
Our friend John Hayman, who was breaking that news while
sitting on the couch in the Camelback Ranch lobby, reported
that and it is a record record setting annual average
salary of eight plus million dollars for Dave Roberts. That
is more than Craig Council got last year from the
(11:46):
Cubs four years, thirty two point four million dollars for
Dave Roberts, and it is not official yet, but after
today's game, Dave Roberts had a bigger smile than usual.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
I can't talk so much about it, but I do
think that there's finally some closure, and I'm excited. You know.
Obviously this is the place I want to be, so
I'm sure i'll go into it more. But hopefully there's
an announcement coming soon. I'm waiting, but this is a
place I've always wanted to be, so I just love
what we're doing. I think it's been a good spring training.
(12:21):
I think our guys are ready to break camp and
get to Tokyo, and our guys are in a good spot.
So there's obviously things that are off the field that
are important. Try to make sure that my focus days
on the players, the game, the Dodgers organization, and I
think I've done a good job. But the other part
of that stuff just kind of is part of the job,
(12:41):
and I'm looking forward to some closure for sure.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
It's amazing how the narrative has changed around Dave Roberts.
Right a year ago, at this time, everybody was saying well,
if he doesn't win, he's going to be fired. The
Dodgers are not going to keep him. He better win
the World Series to last October, him being one of
the better October managers that we have seen in any
one playoff to now getting a four year, thirty two
(13:07):
point four million dollar extension. According to John Hayman, I mean,
I never The reason why I don't feel like this
is a big story or big news is because I
never believed after winning the World Series Dave Roberts was
going anywhere. But it does make a difference to have
(13:28):
more than one year on your contract. If he went
into the season with just a one year contract, that
could have been treacherous for him and the team. You
don't want to do anything that would spoil what the
Dodgers have got going right now, what they look to
try to do this season, and that's become the first
repeat champions in baseball since twenty twenty five. So Dave
(13:52):
Roberts is going to be here for at least four
more years according to this contract, and I'm happy for
Dave's a lot that goes into managing the Dodgers more
than just being ready at seven ten to manage nine
innings and talk to the media after the game. He
does have to manage one of the largest media corps
now with the Japanese media, following the Big Three of Otani, Yamamoto,
(14:17):
and Sazaki. He does have to manage his relationships with
Andrew Freeman and Brandon Gomes, and has to manage his
relationships with ownership, and he is so welcoming to so
many people. He's a great ambassador for the organization, and
he really does a lot more than just manage twenty
six guys for nine innings. So just on the surface,
(14:39):
forget about the results, because the resume speaks for itself.
He's won. He's managed five one hundred win seasons, he
has eight NLS championships, He's been to the postseason nine
times as the Dodger manager. He has four National League pennants,
two World Series Championships, and he won the National League
(15:01):
Manager of the Year in his first season with the Dodgers.
So the resume stacks up, and everything that goes into
this job certainly stacks up as well. When we continue
from Camelback Ranch on Dodger Talk, we will hear from
future Hall of Famer and three times Cy Young Award
(15:22):
winner and National League MVP, the one and only Clayton Kershaw.
All is right in the world with number twenty two
back in spring training in Dodger Blue. And don't forget
coming up at the bottom of the hour, we'll get
into bonds and what he had to say about show.
Hey Otani and Bill Plunkett will join us as well.
A lot to get to between now and eight o'clock.
(15:44):
Right here on five to seventy, LA Sports join right
now to a man that makes the baseball world here
in Glendale, Arizona feel right. If he wasn't here, nothing
would feel the same way. And it's not a coincidence
that his old pitching coach, Rick Honey h scheduled his
trip to camel Back Ranch at the same time that
(16:04):
Clayton Kershaw would come back here. So we're here to
see if that truck still works. Because you only got
so many summers, Clayton. Thanks a lot for the time.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
There was so much going on in that intro. I
don't even know how to start, but good to see it, Dave, Great.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
To see you too. Tip of the cap to your
guy Brad Paisley.
Speaker 5 (16:24):
Yeah, that was really good. So many summers. I'm in
that music video.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
There's a music video.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
You didn't seen it? Okay, good, we'll check it out, all.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
Right, thank you. MTV is not as popular as it
used to be, so true. How about Rick honeycut It
wasn't a coincidence to see him really taking interest in
your one and only bullpen session this spring.
Speaker 5 (16:47):
Yeah, Honey's great. It's always fun to have him here.
And you got to hold on to the old guard,
you know. It's nice to keep seeing people like I mean,
you're old now, you know. So Honey's been here a
while and we got awesome still. So there's a few
of us still around. But no, it's been great. Honey's awesome.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
I've never asked you this before, but during the seasons,
if you feel like you're a little off or you
want to bounce something off of somebody, do you ever
reach out to him during a season.
Speaker 5 (17:15):
We have a great group, you know, Mark. I have
a great relationship with Mark too. He's been awesome. And
Connor also as far as like pitch grips and different stuff.
We have a really good group. But yeah, if Honey's
ever in town or he sees something, and we always
we always talk pitching.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
I mean, that's what we both know.
Speaker 5 (17:30):
And so you know, there's too many cooks in the
kitchen sometimes, but not not with those guys.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
There's no egos. They just want to help if they can,
and we really do. We have a great group.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Clayton, you're back here in camel Back Ranch. We did
see the bullpen session, So I guess is that a
good sign that your knee and your foot are healing
the right way?
Speaker 3 (17:49):
I think so.
Speaker 6 (17:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (17:50):
I mean it's definitely progressing. Arms feeling good. So I
wouldn't say I'm like a hundred percent yet, but I
think I'm getting close and it keeps and better every day.
So keep throwing bullpens this month and start facing some
hitters here soon, and you know, doing the rehab starts
all that. We're still you know, it's still a process obviously,
(18:11):
but I feel I feel good about where I'm at
and I feel like I'm on a good track to
be ready soon.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
What we saw a couple of days ago, are you
holding anything back in that type of setting or when
you're landing on that front foot it's full force?
Speaker 5 (18:25):
Yeah, I mean I don't have any pain, it's just uh,
you know, I think obviously there's some mental hurdles to
come come through anytime with surgery. I think I haven't
done it with the shoulder, and now with these two,
there's just some mental hurdles like, hey, is it gonna hurt?
And so getting over that and not thinking about that
as hard. But that's what bullpens are for, you know,
And so there's no pain. It's just I think there's
(18:46):
some you know, a little bit out of sync, a
little bit maybe not using all of my lower half
like I can and just figuring out how to do
that again. But it's all coming together and I think
within the next you know, a couple of months to
get there.
Speaker 1 (18:58):
So you're traveling with the team to Tooke you are
you planning on doing something there?
Speaker 3 (19:04):
Yeah, I'm gonna do stuff, Dave.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
I want to know what to say. I want to
know the extent of how much you're gonna do at
the Tokyo Dome.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
Oh you mean baseball wise, Yes, I thought you meant
tourist wise.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
I know you're gonna do stuff that that way.
Speaker 6 (19:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (19:18):
I mean I'm kind of on like a Tuesday Friday
bullpen plan right now, So I don't know how the
days work over there. I'm assuming it's the same, but
uh yeah, I'll go Tuesday Friday for a while and
then start getting into like a five or six or
seven or eight day rotation at some point and start
facing some hitters.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
Are you planning on doing some ambassador's ship for the
Dodgers in Tokyo? What are you? Uh, you're gonna be
out there with your family, Charlie, Charlie and Cali are
gonna be there with you. So what's the Kershaw family
plans in Tokyo?
Speaker 5 (19:48):
Yeah, we got the whole crew coming. I don't know, obviously,
we gotta we want to try the food. Everybody says
the food's awesome. We want to ride the bullet train.
We wanna maybe make a trip to Kyoto. We heard
Kyoto is really cool. So I don't know, I know
Ellen's got it all dialed in itenerary wise. So it's
gonna be super fun once again, lifetime experience, once in
a lifetime to go over there with Shohe and the
(20:10):
Dodgers and kind of the global brand that they've become,
especially with you know, kind of our three Japanese superstars
that we have. So it's uh, it's gonna be wild.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Speaking of Otani and those guys, what have you seen
from Otani during the course of last year, just from
start to where you're at right now, where he's at
as a teammate with everybody.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
I think show is awesome, I really do, you know.
Speaker 5 (20:32):
I think I think having him around and he's just
been you know, you hear stories and until you actually
meet the guy for sure, you just don't know, right,
And so last year, I know, it was a lot
whirlwind getting to know everybody, and I felt like he
really came together with all of us, and this year's
kind of been more of an extension of the same.
(20:54):
And man, seeing what he has to do now, like
get ready to pitch and get ready to hit, it
is Uh, it's a lot. It's a lot like you
finish your throwing and then you go straight into the cage,
like I can't imagine trying to be elite, elite at
both and so but that's why you show, hey, you know,
and so we're excited to see that. Obviously, it's going
to be really cool to watch. And I mean the
(21:15):
year he had last year is pretty tough to beat.
But when you throw pitching on top of it. It's
gonna be kind of amazing.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
When you see Sazaki in spring training, does it remind
you of how Yamamoto was adjusting to life in Major
League Baseball and a new environment. Do we underappreciate how
much that is part of this learning curve?
Speaker 5 (21:34):
Yeah, I mean it's it's so much, you know, Like
I can't imagine going to Japan and learning a new culture,
learn like whole new living situation, speaking not speaking the language,
and then learning out how to pitch.
Speaker 6 (21:45):
You know.
Speaker 5 (21:45):
So Rookie's obviously super talented. His split is like one
of the best pitches in the game. Yeah, Like when
it's I don't think it's really hard to catch, let
alone hit. It's just got so much movement, and so
there's some stuff to work on.
Speaker 6 (22:00):
You know.
Speaker 5 (22:00):
Obviously he's only twenty three. He's not as polished as Yama.
You know, Yama was twenty five, a free agent, been
doing it for a while, and even Yama this spring
looks just way more comfortable than he did last year.
Speaker 6 (22:12):
You know.
Speaker 5 (22:12):
So there's gonna be some learning curves, I'm sure with Roki,
but the talent's undeniable and he's gonna get a lot
of people out for sure.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
We know you're a creature of habits. Starting pitchers are
creatures of habits. So what is the adjustment if all
six of you are in the rotation at one point
in time during the season. Is that an adjustment or
do you feel like Andrew and Dave have kind of
started to morph the pitching staff into five days of
rest the last few years?
Speaker 5 (22:41):
Yeah, I do think it's I do think like a
six day rotation has become a little bit more normal
for us, you know, I feel like the last couple
of years especially, you know, the trick is like if
there is a time where you have to throw on
that regular rest, you know, you don't want it to
feel like short. So it's kind of like having routines
locked in for both and kind of going for there.
But you know, I think the extra day everybody's gotten
(23:02):
used to now, and I mean, hey, when we have
Shoe and Roki and Yama all going, it's going to
be that way.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
That's the way it was in Japan, and that's the
way it's.
Speaker 5 (23:09):
Going to be here, and we're all going to have
to figure out how to adjust to that.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
But I think we all kind of did it last year,
So we'll be good.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Clayton Kershaw's our guest. Before I let you go, I
love to rewind to last year the World Series. Walker
Buehler is not with the Dodgers this year for the
first time in his professional career. I've never asked you
this during the excitement of the parade and all that.
What were you thinking when you saw him go out
to the bullpen and when you saw him come into
(23:38):
the game in the ninth inning, because he obviously said
he learned by watching you he wanted to be that
for the team because you were not available, like all
of that, How did you feel.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
Yeah, you can say whatever you want about Walker, but
you can't.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
You can't.
Speaker 5 (23:54):
You can't deny the way he takes the ball, you know,
and so we're gonna miss him here. He just he
he was special in that regard. There was a lot
of times when he just kept wanting to take the ball.
You know, he's not afraid, and that was a kind
of a great moment for him and super special and
we needed every pitch that he had and us, you know,
(24:17):
we were pretty much then we were pretty much out
at that point. So for him to come in close
a game like that. It was a really cool way
to end his Dodger tenure. And I'm happy for him.
I know Boston is going to be a good setting
for him and he can handle that media crowd and
be good and so you know, I hope, I hope
you pitch as well, just not against us.
Speaker 6 (24:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
Has he reached out to you since he signed with Boston?
Speaker 5 (24:40):
He uh, yeah, we faced some a few times. He's
feeling good. He's in spring training and the ball's coming
out good. You know, he's uh, he's back up to
ninety five or so, and I think he's excited, you know,
another year removed from surgery. So I think I think
he'll be good.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Did you uh did you appreciate him referencing you doing
what he did several times?
Speaker 3 (24:59):
I Walker's great.
Speaker 5 (25:01):
You know, I think there's he was going to do
that regardless stuff, you know, like he just uh, I
mean for better for whereas Walker's he go is gonna
let him go out there and he knows he's good.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
And that's just it was really cool to see.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
How about how he he did not hide the fact
that his pose after the last out of the World
Series was not spontaneous. He said he'd been thinking about
that pose for a while.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Yeah, he's like I said, he's special. He's special.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
Thanks a lot for the time.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
All right, thanks Dave.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
Good to see you, man, Great to see you too.
Were you really excited to see me?
Speaker 5 (25:37):
I was like in the middle, Yeah, yeah, yeah, but yeah,
it kind of you grow on you as the season goes,
you know.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
So we need an off season though, to reset.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
Well, maybe you and I, you and I can tag
along in Tokyo. Maybe I'll be the fifth cruise Shaw.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
You want to hang out with us?
Speaker 1 (25:54):
Yeah, you know, let's see where. Let's see where the
bullet train takes us.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
One step at a time.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
Thanks a lot for the time. Hey, that truck still
works there, he goes Clayton Kershaw. Yes, he doesn't like
my country puns, but he has to put up with
them for one more year. When we continue on Dodger
Talk from Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, you will hear
from Bill Plunkett, who's got a new show, Hail Tawny Book.
(26:21):
Bill does it for the Orange County Register. He's on
the beat every day, and he'll be in Tokyo with
the Dodgers as well. David vasse with you until eight
o'clock right here on AM five to seventy LA Sports.
On Wednesday morning, they got one more Cactus League game,
and that'll be heard right here tomorrow afternoon on AM
(26:43):
five to seventy LA Sports. They close it out against
the Cleveland Guardians and then it's off to Japan for
two exhibition games and also two regular season games. The
first two regular season games of the baseball season. Dodgers Cubs,
Yama mo Imanaga Otani all ready to go for Game
(27:04):
one of the season in Tokyo, Japan, and that will
also be heard right here on A five seventy LA Sports.
We will carry it live at three am in the morning,
and then you will hear it on replay later that
day in case you're not up that early in the morning.
In case you're not working that early in the morning,
(27:24):
we got you covered like we did last year when
the Dodgers opened up in Seoul, Korea. March eighteenth and
March nineteenth, a week from tomorrow is the first game
of the regular season against the Cubs at the Tokyo
Dome in Japan, and a man that will be there
covering the Dodgers and has been there every day of
(27:45):
spring training and has been there for the better part
of the last thirteen years. Covering the Dodgers for the
Orange County Register is Bill Plunkett, who joins us right
now on Dodger Taki's premiere appearance on Dodger Talking. There's
a good reason why. Bill, thanks a lot for coming on.
Speaker 6 (28:05):
Hey, David, thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
So you have not taken off for Tokyo, Japan, but
I think you're leaving tomorrow.
Speaker 6 (28:13):
Yeah, tomorrow afternoon.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
I'll be.
Speaker 6 (28:16):
Hidden over and get there a day before the team
and you know, maybe do a little thirsty stuff and
see what Tokyo has to offer.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
Well, when you're a best selling author, you have to
get there a day earlier as well. Bill has a
brand new book out on Show Hayo Tani's first Season
with the Dodgers, LA Story Show Hao Tani, The La
Dodgers and a season for the Ages. And it certainly
was tell us, you know, there is a version of
this book in Japanese. It's been sold there right now,
(28:49):
And Bill, how much demand is there for the book
and how much demand is there for you in Japan?
Speaker 6 (28:56):
I think there will be a parade I'm expecting a
marching band to meet me at the airport, marched me
right to a bookstore to do some signings. The publishers
over there seem to be very happy with how it's going.
Speaker 3 (29:10):
I will be doing.
Speaker 6 (29:11):
Some appearances while we're in Tokyo to promote the book.
It came out earlier in Japan. It's been out in
bookstores there since late December, and some of our friends
in the Japanese media who were home for the off
season sent me photos of the book in bookstores and
(29:34):
on shelves, And the thing that was most shocking to
me was the number of Otani books and the Oani
content there is. They can't get enough in Japan of
their national euro The coverage is constant and they follow
(29:56):
every single move he makes. I hope they're enjoying the book, because, yeah,
last year was something else.
Speaker 1 (30:06):
It really was. It was once in a lifetime, first
season with the team, once in a lifetime talent in Otani.
And do you feel like you saw, over the course
of writing this book as you were doing it experiencing
it a change in Otani's personality.
Speaker 6 (30:24):
Absolutely everybody who knew him from his Angels days has
said that he changed. Honestly, once Epei left, Epay was
kind of a wall between him and everyone else and
everything had to pass through Epei Mitsuhara his translator. And
(30:47):
when that, you know, gambling scandal broke and Epe went away.
Shohe became his own man a little bit last year,
and I think he had He became more involved with
his teammates. I think he became a happier person. Maybe
you know he got married last spring too. That'll that'll
(31:07):
change her outlook, right, David?
Speaker 1 (31:09):
Yeah, Yeah, sometimes sometimes did not Oh that did not
sound good.
Speaker 6 (31:14):
You were You're going to pay for that if she
actually listens to this. But he he did become more
more involved with the team, uh, the Angels. You know,
people over with the Angels were surprised when they saw
him show up at the chicken wing eating contest with
the Dodgers. You know, he didn't do that kind of stuff.
He showed a lot more emotion on the field than
(31:36):
he ever did with the Angels. I think back to
the home run in Game one of the NLDS when
he just two handed fired the bad away.
Speaker 3 (31:45):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (31:46):
You never saw that kind of emotion and passion with
the Angels. Maybe you know, not to take a shot
at him, but maybe because they have never played any
meaningful games when he was there for six years. So yeah,
last year was it was definitely an evolutionary one for
show Hey. A lot of things changed in his life.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
Bill Plunkett, the Dodgers beat writer for the Orange County Register,
is joining us. He has written a new book, chronicling
Show Heyotani's first season with the Dodgers. It's La Story
Show Heotani, the La Dodgers and a season for the Ages.
What did you learn about Otani writing this book that
maybe on the daily beat you really didn't have an
(32:29):
appreciation for.
Speaker 6 (32:32):
Well, one of the things that I've found interesting is
the free agency and looking back on that whole process
and talking to people involved in it at you know,
Andrew Friedman and Stan cast and Brandon Gomes as Bilelo
did an interview with USA Today where he talked about it,
(32:54):
and it was just there were so many twists and
turns in that free agency. You know, he was going
to Toronto, he was on a plane, and then he wasn't.
And then you know that deferrals were a shock to everyone.
(33:14):
That whole process was as unique as you can possibly
make it. It was one of the most unique moves
in professional sports. And then during the season the thing
that really jumped out at me, not having been able
to watch him on a daily basis before, but how
(33:35):
hard he hits the ball so consistently. It's like he
and Aaron Judge are in a category all by themselves.
It was, you know, you can just think back to
so many moments. The first hit he had in Korea
I think was about one hundred and ten miles an
hour off the bat. There was a home run that
(33:58):
really stood out to me in Washington where he hit
it to the third level of the stadium and I
swear I thought it was going to leave a hole
and just keep going. So that really jumped out at
me too.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
Hey, Bill, you've covered a lot of games, whether it's
with the Dodgers, the Angels. You've seen Barry Bonds play.
There's always that debate who's the greatest, but can in
your time covering baseball, the game where Otani finally reached
fifty to fifty and had that historic day in Miami
(34:34):
three home runs, ten RBIs just shy of the cycle.
Do you feel like that was the best game you
ever covered by a player regular.
Speaker 6 (34:43):
Season single offensive performance. Yes, I can't imagine anybody topping that.
I mean, he came very close to the cycle if
you remember, yeah, his double, he was thrown out at third.
He have had the cycle with three home runs with
ten RBIs while getting to the fifty to fifty club.
(35:08):
I don't see how you could top that. That was
It might have been the single most impressive offensive performance
by any individual in baseball history.
Speaker 1 (35:18):
Bill Plunkett is joining us. Not only has he written
a book about show Aotani, but he covers the Dodgers
on a daily basis. And earlier today we got breaking
news that the Dodgers and Dave Roberts have agreed on
a three year extension, so he's around for four more years.
How significant is this to get Dave Roberts an extension
(35:42):
rather than just him being on a one year contract
going into the season build. Does it really make a difference.
Speaker 6 (35:48):
Yeah, I think it does. I think players are aware
of the job security or lack thereof of a manager,
and I think it affects, you know, the clubhouse and
how that relationship goes. But I'll say this, I don't
think anyone in their right mind thought that Dave was
(36:09):
going to go into the season with just a one
year deal. I think this was on the to do
list all off season, and I expected them to get
it done before they had to Tokyo. Just you know,
the last time he got an extension, it was late
March that time as well.
Speaker 3 (36:28):
It's just.
Speaker 6 (36:30):
It's kind of on the bottom of the list of
things to do. But the thing that strikes me is
how dramatically the perception of Dave has changed with last fall.
You know, they go into that first round, they get
down two to one to the Padres. They're staring at
(36:53):
the possibility of a third straight first round exit, and
we all know that the heat underneath Dave's seat would
have been turned up immeasurably if they lost that game
four or five in San Diego. They end up winning it.
They get on a roll. Every pitching decision they've made
(37:15):
last fall seem to be the right one or played
out to be the right one. And now people are
talking about him in a whole different light.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
They certainly are, and he's around for four more years,
or at least has a contract for four more years.
Bill Plunkett is joining US from the Orange County Register.
He is just a day away from taking off for
Tokyo Japan to cover the Dodgers in the Tokyo Series.
Do you believe show Heyotani pitches for the Dodgers this year?
Barry Bonds again doubled down, said that he believes that
(37:49):
Otani would be better served just to hit this season
and maybe the rest of his career.
Speaker 6 (37:55):
I would put the the here's your hot take for
the day, David. I think the Dodgers would be fine
with him not pitching again. I think they would be
happy to take the DH guy that they saw last
year and not risk putting him on the mouth. I
think you can't put anything out of reach for Otani.
(38:18):
He's shown that throughout his career. But the idea of
sacrificing some of the offense, the dynamic leadoff hitter that
they got last year in order to get a starting pitcher,
I don't think they they would. I don't think they
need to make that move. It's remarkable that he can
(38:40):
do both. I want to see him do both, I
really do. But I think the Dodgers would be fine
with just getting a one way Otani. Now, when does
he pitch. Does he pitch? I think he pitches this year. Absolutely.
I think he wants to, so I think it's going
to happen. But I don't think there's any rush. I
(39:03):
don't think the Dodgers are in any hurry to put
him back on the mound.
Speaker 1 (39:08):
All right, Bill, thanks a lot for the time. We'll
see you in Japan, and good luck with the book
signings out there. Bill Plunkett's book can be ordered everywhere
you get your books, including Amazon, Barnes, and Noble. All
of it. La Story Show Aotani his first season with
the Dodgers. It was a season for the Ages, an
appropriate title for this book. We'll see you out there
(39:29):
in Tokyo. Bill, thanks a lot for the time.
Speaker 6 (39:32):
Thank you, David mata Ney. I think is a little
proper Japanese phrase.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
All right, you work on that on the flight to Tokyo.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
You got it, Thanks David.
Speaker 1 (39:42):
There he goes Bill Plunkett from the Orange County Register.
He will be in Japan with the Dodgers, and you
certainly can follow him on his Twitter account, and also
you could buy the book online right now. La Story
Showe Aotani, the Los Angeles Dodgers and a season for
the Ages. One of the few times Bill Plunkett has
(40:05):
been nice to me, and it was right here because
I was pimping his new book. But Bill does a
good job for the Orange County Register and beyond, and
appreciate him coming on the show. And yeah, he will
be a star out there because, like we mentioned, the
book is in Japanese and it is for sale. I've
seen the photos and the Japanese media has relayed all
(40:27):
of that to Bill here at Camelback Ranch, and I
will be taken off with the Dodgers on Wednesday morning.
I will be on the Dodgers charter to Tokyo, Japan.
We are expected to land at about three o'clock in
the afternoon on Thursday in Tokyo. And in case you're
wondering what the schedule is going to be, again here
(40:49):
on five seventy LAS Sports, your home for the world
champion Dodgers. We are not going to carry the two
exhibition games that are going to be played on Saturday
and Sunday in Tokio, but you can watch those on
Sports and at LA. Our first official broadcast is going
to be on Tuesday, March eighteenth, the opener against the Cubs,
(41:12):
and you will hear that live at three AM with
Rick Monday and Tim Neverett and we will replay that
game at noon that day as well in case you
did not wake up in time. And of course, you
know Rogan and Rodney need their rest. I mean, that's
why we're doing it on noon. Oh that's right, They're
going to be in Japan with me. And I heard
(41:33):
Rodney's already there, so he's got the advanced scanner report.
One of his kids lives out there full time. So
looking forward to see Rodney out there in Tokyo, Japan.
All right, we're gonna stick on the Otani topic here
because Bill Plunkett did a great job with this Otani book.
And last week Barry Bonds was on the All the
(41:57):
Smoke podcasts with Matt Barnes and Steve even Jackson and
they asked him about Otani and Bonds doubled down on
the opinion that he has shared recently that he believes
Showhy should no longer pitch.
Speaker 7 (42:11):
My opinion, I just hope he just stays at the
hitting category because his hitting ability is off the chart.
Pitching I just think might tire him out. I think
he should come out of the bullpen here and there,
like he has because he's DH and he come out
of the bullpen and throw an inning into here and
just because he's so good as the reliever too, like
he could be one of the dominant relievers and dominant starters.
(42:31):
I think as a starter, man, I think it might
get wear a tear a little bit and tire him out.
Why fix something that isn't broken, because that's like I
couldn't meet no broke. This is good, I'm good piece,
this is great. But I think coming out of the bullpen,
he could really dominate.
Speaker 1 (42:48):
Look, that's not an outrageous take by Barry Bonds. There's
a lot of people that feel the same way. But
I'll just say this. The Dodgers have one of the
most actually the most unique player in baseball. And the
reason why the Dodgers and Otani at this point are
still not closing the door on him being a starting
(43:09):
pitcher for the Dodgers is because the roster rules now
only allow you to have thirteen pitchers on your roster,
but show Haotani does not count against that, So in essence,
you have an extra pitcher that no other team is
allowed to carry. And look, the Dodgers are not asking
Otani to be the anchor like Bonds is thinking about
(43:32):
Randy Johnson and Kurt Shilling. They have plenty of pitching
to support the workload for show Heotani. And I know
they you know how many teams can say, you know what, Otani,
We're gonna scale you back from your pitching because we
have plenty of pitching and we just need you to
focus right now on hitting and we'll get to that
pitching later. So I could see eventually Otani not being
(43:58):
a starting pitcher and possible league going into the bullpen
as a closer or a high leverage reliever. But how
would he warm up if he's a reliever and he's
the DH. If he's the DH, how is he gonna
go warm up? You know, if he's coming up in
that inning and the Dodgers need him to come in
to close out the ninth inning. It's just I just
(44:18):
don't see how being a reliever is feasible because of
the variables of where he would come up in the
batting order. So if he's not a starting pitcher, I
just don't see him being a pitcher at all. And
my understanding is and I kind of feel this that
Otani understands that one day he is not going to
(44:41):
be the Unicorn. One day he will not be that
starting pitcher. He's just going to be a hitter. He's
and maybe plays the field. Remember last year he was
flaunting an outfield glove, a first base glove. I do
believe he understands that at one point during this period
of time with the Dodgers, it's going to come to
(45:03):
an end. So when that happens, I don't know. And
is he going to pitch this year? I think he is.
That's that's what I've gotten back from the Dodgers. But
who knows the left shoulder injury how that's a variable
in all this. So I do believe Otani's going to
pitch this year, But when is that going to happen?
(45:25):
I would tend to lean towards Junish because the Dodgers
want those innings for the postseason. They've got plenty of
pitching for the first half of the year. The second
half of the year is when it gets really scaled
into and zoned in on who they're thinking about for
October show, Hey, Otani, it's going to be a wild
ride in Tokyo, Japan. We will have live reports from
(45:49):
there from the Tokyo series when we take off on Wednesday,
I'll be reporting back for Dodgers Radio AM five to
seventy LA Sports, So stay tuned and you can follow
me on x at the Real Underscore DV on Instagram
at officially Vassa to see everything the pov as the
kids say. When I'm in Tokyo with the team, I'm
(46:12):
looking forward to it. Everybody's looking forward to it. It's
going to be wild being there with show hey Otani
and Yamamoto and Sazaki, but specifically Otani. I'm looking so
forward to being there and seeing just how popular he is.
It feels like he's on a deity level out there
in Japan. That'll do it for us. On Dodger Talk tonight,
(46:34):
we will have Tomorrow's Cactus League Finale for the Dodgers
on our air on the World Champion Dodgers Audio Network.
Our pregame coverage begins at twelve thirty, with first pitch
between the Dodgers and Guardians at one oh five. Thanks
to Colin Ye, thanks to Ronnie Fossio, and thanks to
you for listening in case you missed any of the
(46:56):
show or our interview with Clayton Krushaw. You can find
it on the iHeartRadio app. We will talk to you
tomorrow at twelve thirty. Have a great rest of your night,
see you
Popular Podcasts
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Decisions, Decisions
Welcome to "Decisions, Decisions," the podcast where boundaries are pushed, and conversations get candid! Join your favorite hosts, Mandii B and WeezyWTF, as they dive deep into the world of non-traditional relationships and explore the often-taboo topics surrounding dating, sex, and love. Every Monday, Mandii and Weezy invite you to unlearn the outdated narratives dictated by traditional patriarchal norms. With a blend of humor, vulnerability, and authenticity, they share their personal journeys navigating their 30s, tackling the complexities of modern relationships, and engaging in thought-provoking discussions that challenge societal expectations. From groundbreaking interviews with diverse guests to relatable stories that resonate with your experiences, "Decisions, Decisions" is your go-to source for open dialogue about what it truly means to love and connect in today's world. Get ready to reshape your understanding of relationships and embrace the freedom of authentic connections—tune in and join the conversation!