January 21, 2025 • 34 mins
In the second hour, Dave Softy Mahler and Dick Fain chat with Ryan Franklin about teaching Ichiro a famous phrase, then Bucky Jacobsen, Jeff Nelson, and Mariners’ Manager Dan Wilson all jump on to discuss Ichiro making the baseball Hall of Fame.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, So last segment in Fun with Audio Dick.
(00:03):
Big day for each Rosuzuki. Congratulations the first Japanese born
player ever to go into the Hall of Fame and
he's a Mariner. Second highest vote total of all time.
Should have been unanimous, but one schmuck did not vote
for him. We played the clip of an interview in
two thousand and three with Bob Costas where each hero
repeated his favorite American saying of all time. And we've
(00:24):
all been kind of kicking around this idea. Where did
he hear that?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
From what? Ex teammate? And you know what, Dick, I
gotta be honest with you.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
I've known our next guest for a long time and
the fact that I was not able.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
To put two and two together and realized.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
That this dipstick was probably the guy that told him
that it's unbelievable. Each euro Suzuki went on the MLB
Network moments ago and revealed the source of that famous
quote that he loves.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
What is your favorite American expression?
Speaker 4 (00:54):
August in Kansas City, it's it's out than.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Two InChI row you tagged that by saying I have
bad teammates, which teammate gave you that expression, cool guy
seems first of all, I regret saying that in front
of the television.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
And who told me about this that expression was Ryan Franklin.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Ryan Franklin, Ryan Franklin.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Excellent. Wow, Ryan is joining us right now on the
radio show.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
He ratted you out, man, InChI ro ratted you out, boy.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
How about that, buddy?
Speaker 5 (01:48):
Hey, I guess I'm a star now right, I'm famous? Yeah,
I mean, Bob, we go way back to the Olympic days,
you know, two thousand.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Dude, did you did you know about this before we
called you that? Each year old rited you out?
Speaker 5 (02:06):
No, not at all. I mean somebody sent it to
me a clip of a YouTube clip about Actually there
was a reporter that worked for a Japanese newspaper named Brad.
He sent me a clip of that like about It
was probably eight months ago or something, and you know,
I just got kicked out. I remember the exact same
day when we were sitting in the dugout. It was
(02:27):
it was right before batting practice and me and him
were just sitting there. I was teaching some good English
and some good sayings and uh and and he uh
I told him that and uh no, actually I was
sitting in there. I was hitting balls because it's like
twenty degrees here on a golf simulator thing, and I
got a text message from old teammate Jamie Moyer and he's.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Like, hey, you're you're a star.
Speaker 5 (02:51):
Its year old just said your name on his MLB
network or whatever. I was like, really, what's he doing.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
It's this Hall of Fame we deal all right?
Speaker 5 (03:02):
All right?
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Cool? Yeah, so that's.
Speaker 5 (03:04):
How my old oh teammate Jamie told me about it.
But uh, I guess that's pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Well, Ryan, your thoughts of this day.
Speaker 6 (03:13):
Obviously there was a point where you knew this day
was going to happen and maybe give us your thoughts.
And also when that point was, when did you get
to the point where you're like, Okay, this dude isn't
just an all star, this dude's an all time great, right.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
I mean, just his routine, the same thing, he did
the same thing every single day for five or six
years whatever I played with him. I mean it was
from going in to get his massage from his trainer,
to going down the weight room and doing a little
bit of weights, to going back in the locker room
and eating like twelve rice balls and then and then
(03:52):
I'm serious. No, they were rice balls, and I think
his wife made him or somebody shipping to him from Japan,
but I never got to try one.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
But then he'd get.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
A little this little wooden dow rod and like work
on his feet. And dude, I mean it was the
same thing every day as you saw the same thing
he got in the box. He did the same exact thing,
the same routine. And just as much as him like
his sling his defense. I mean, I don't know, man,
(04:22):
I don't know how much more than I can say
about the greatness that he was.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Yeah, well, you spent I think five years overall with
him in Seattle.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Did he hang with you guys like when you went
on the road.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
There were always these rumors that he would get his
own hotel and stay somewhere else and fly himself and
do his own thing. Is any of that true? And
was he was he kind of? Was he one of
the guys on the road? Did you guys hang with him?
Did you drink and eat with him on the road?
Speaker 3 (04:51):
No?
Speaker 5 (04:51):
I mean we every once in a while we did.
It wasn't all the time, and I don't I'm almost
positive he didn't get a new hotel from the team hotel.
I mean, he's stayed with us.
Speaker 7 (05:03):
I wish, I wish.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
I don't even know. I probably could, I remembered, I
could probably remember his alias, but I probably shouldn't say that.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
But statute of limitation, I'm sure it's changed.
Speaker 5 (05:16):
I mean, come on, yeh, I know, I know, but no,
one time he would invite us out to uh. I
remember one time me and Uh. I forget it was
some another one teammates. He invited me another guy to
some Japanese barbecue in LA and that was the first
time I've ever seen cal toongue getting eaten. And that
(05:38):
dude was tearing up the cow tongue. I was like, hell, no,
I'm eating that man, And they like cooked it right
in front of you and all this stuff. And I'm
a redneck from Oklahoma. We don't eat cow tongue. We
just raise them.
Speaker 6 (05:50):
Ryan, you know, in his in his Mariner Hall of
Fame speech, was really the first time Mariner fans even
heard the guy. And he was tremendously entertaining. I don't
know if you heard it or not, but he was funny,
he was glib, and he was obviously that way with
you guys, but we didn't hear it for twenty years.
Why wasn't he that way with us, the media and
the fans.
Speaker 5 (06:12):
I don't know, man, Maybe he just wasn't comfortable with
you guys as he was with the guys he's spent
one hundred and sixty two games with. But I mean
he would, I mean he was he was comic.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
I mean he was funny. You know.
Speaker 5 (06:25):
He would, you know, try as much American English as
he could, and he would try everything food. Really outgoing dude,
and he speaks really good English. I don't know, maybe
he just hadn't worked on it in a while or something.
I don't even know where he's at right now, where
he's in the United States or Japan, but he could,
(06:46):
he could carry on a conversation.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Wow, really good.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
I think he's actually here because the Mariners are hosting
a press conference at five o'clock tonight from T Mobile.
Porker unless they're going to patch him in via zoom,
could actually, no doubt. So we'll find out at five o'clock.
But Ryan Franklin's with us. What other dirty words and
sayings did you teach Eachero when you were in Seattle.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Come on, man, you.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
Know, I can't. I can't think of anything. And that's
like obviously the famous one. He taught me all the
bad words in Japanese, but I really can't. That was
the main one, Softie. Yeah, I don't really remember any
of the other ones. But he was a fun, fun
teammate man, a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
Well, Dick was asking about him speaking English, which when
he went into the Mariner Hall of Fame, well just
a couple of years ago, twenty twenty two, Ryan, that
was the first time most of the fans and most
of us had gotten to hear him speak English, and
it was really cool. Did you ever tell him, hey, man,
you know, maybe you should address these guys, Maybe you
(07:51):
should talk to the fans, maybe you should talk to
the media. Was that ever a conversation amongst you guys?
And he never did it? And I'm wondering if you
kind of have a few for why he never did.
Speaker 5 (08:02):
No, I don't.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
I don't think anyone ever did.
Speaker 5 (08:05):
I mean we always wondered and just kind of didn't
didn't We didn't I us pursue asking about it. He
kind of just kind of did his own thing in there,
and I mean, I don't know, man, I don't I
don't know why he never did, but I would have
a problem on me. I know a lot of Spanish,
and I don't think I could put sentences together right,
(08:26):
you know.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
So it's it's tough. It's tough. So I've given the
benefit of.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
That of that Ryan.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
Another mystery of Etro was the lack of home runs.
I mean, we've heard Dan Wilson say, the dude hit
bombs in batting practice. Is I gotta cut from Ralul
banias he says Etro could have hit thirty five home
runs every year. Do you think now, if.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
We're in the era more of war and.
Speaker 6 (08:50):
Ops versus batting average, do you think if you would
have played in this day and age, he actually would
have tried to hit more home runs one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
And I'll be right there with Dan and Roll.
Speaker 5 (09:01):
I mean that dude he had. I mean I played
with a lot of dudes, a lot of pop, and
he had just as much pop as Albert Poohols, just
as much Pap as Jay Buner or Griffy I mean
all them. I mean when he wanted to hit the
ball out, he would go upper deck and what's it
called now, T.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Mobile not safe?
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Yeah, yeah, T mobile.
Speaker 5 (09:22):
But I mean, dude, he could he could mash him.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
I'm telling you.
Speaker 5 (09:26):
I think I don't know if you guys ever heard
his story, but one time when he first got there
and Lou was Lou was this is spring training, Lou
was our manager, and uh, I heard Lou say something
to somebody that this guy he can't obviously he doesn't
hit the ball the other way and h and Lou
said went to him, It's like, hey, can you maybe
hit a little more power? And I think that game,
(09:46):
Itchy might have hit two or at least one home run.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Wow, that that game.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
I mean, he was that talented if if if he
wanted to go deep, he would go deep.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Wasn't his game, you know.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Right, Ian Franklin's with us and rhyme before you go.
Were you there the day that Panela, I mean you
probably were. But when they did each yer old Babblehead
night for the first time. And you remember, Lou would
hardly ever go into the clubhouse itself. His locker his
office was across the hallway, but you know, very rarely
when he walking in there, and he walks in I've
told the story on there before. He walks into the
clubhouse and he finds Eachiro and he's cradling the bobblehead
(10:22):
like it's a little baby. And he walks up to
each row and he says Itachiro, make you look good, meye,
make you look goodny No, and Eachiro looks at him like, yeah,
I can speak English, man, I know what you can
talk about.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
You remember that when he brought up the bobblehead for
the first time. I do know.
Speaker 7 (10:39):
I'll be laughing to say that. I don't.
Speaker 5 (10:42):
I don't remember that, but I can see Lou doing
that because Lou had that kind of sense of humor,
and uh, I'm sure just like freaking laughed it off
and was hilarious.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Well, listen, man, we have been searching for years to
find out the man who taught each Heiro.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Suzuki is saying right here.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
August in Kansas City, it's it's hotter than two rats
in the suck.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
And it was Ryan Franklin, the redneck from oh he
did well, give us, give us the proper saying, and
don't forget we're on live radio.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
By the way, Ryan, I know, I don't care no,
I'm kidding.
Speaker 5 (11:23):
No, all right, Like I said sitting in the dugout
Kansas City August, and I said, it's real. You know
what it is. I said, it's hotter than two rats
efing and a wolf.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Saw and helos.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
So you know, he he botched it up, but he
got his point across.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
Ryan, You're the man. Great stuff. Great to hear your voice.
Tell people real quick what you're doing these days?
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Man?
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Oh not a lot, man.
Speaker 5 (11:52):
I play golf, I hunt, I own. I got about
fifty something rental properties and a billboard company and uh
that's about I got two grand kids.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Wow.
Speaker 5 (12:05):
Yeah, I'm fifty one, man, but I don't feel it.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
I can still hit it three hundred yards unbelievable. Man.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
Hey, great to have you on. Let's talk to it
all right, buddy, Thanks for doing this.
Speaker 7 (12:16):
Man.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
Yeah, buddy, I've still got the same number.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Softie, I'm still waiting done.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
I got you, man, that was good stuff, dude, moy
was that fun to hear from him?
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Or what?
Speaker 2 (12:24):
We're got a break?
Speaker 1 (12:25):
I think Jeff Nelson's going to pop on as well
as we continue to pay tribute to the brand new
Hall of Famer E Shiro Suzuki is in next on
ninety three to three KJRFL.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Thanks go now back to Softie and Dick on your
home for the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl fifty nine
Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFL.
Speaker 8 (12:46):
Our first leftee was a ten time Major League golf star,
a ten time Goal Glove Award winner, and a two
time American League batting Champion, becoming the thirtieth member of
the three thousand hit Club over nineteen seasons with the
Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
And Florida Marlins.
Speaker 8 (13:02):
Today, Eachiro Suzuki becomes a member of the National Baseball
Hall of Fame.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
That's the official announcement from the president of the Baseball
Hall of Fame.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
And there's one cool fact to it. He did not
mention right there, played with Bucky Jacobson.
Speaker 6 (13:15):
Well, and did you know that each Hero's all time
war excuse me, his ops payals in comparison to Bucky
Jacobson's career war of eight thirty five.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
How do you leave that fact out that he played
with Bucky Jacobson. Joining us right now on the show
one half of the Morning Show. A guy who spent
forty two magical Games in two thousand and four with
each Euro Suzuki as a teammate. Our friend Bucky Jacobson
in the car on the way to t Mobile Park
to see his old teammate. As we speak, Bucky, how
bad it man? Second highest vote total of all time?
(13:48):
One dude did not vote for him, and he falls
one vote short of being the second unanimous Hall of
Famer of all time?
Speaker 2 (13:56):
How about that man?
Speaker 7 (13:58):
Okay, guy feels special, I really do. I hope they
feels good about himself not voting a guy that's obviously
a unanimous Hall of Famer. But whatever, not gonna let
it doubt bring down a good day. It's pretty pretty
cool to be able to say that I played with
a guy like Tiro and ed your Martinez. You know,
Hugh comes on all the time. He's like, I waited
with fifteen Hall of Famers and coach by this many,
(14:20):
I can now say I played with two Hall of Famers.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
That's right, that's right.
Speaker 6 (14:24):
And you know, and you're coming from a different perspective
as the last two guys we had on because they
saw a Cameron and Franklin saw eachro as a rookie.
So they're like sight unseen, what's this dude all about.
I'm interested in your perspective because eachro was like basically
a legend by the time you got a chance to
(14:44):
play with him.
Speaker 7 (14:46):
Yeah, he was. I mean in growing up a Mariner fan,
you know, I was. I was watching him on Sports
Center while I'm in the minor leagues watching him do
what he did, you know, in two thousand and one,
two thousand and two, and then all of a sudden
two thousand and four, I myself in spring training with
the guy. And he's a little bit quiet, at least
until you get to know him. And so it was
(15:07):
kind of one of those I was a little bit
in awe of sharing a dugout with, Like I said,
Edgar Martinez and e Tiro and some of the other
guys on the squad. Dan Wilson was one of them,
John Olrood. And then as you got to know him
a little bit, he opens up and all of a
sudden you realize, yeah, there maybe is a slight language barrier,
(15:27):
but he speaks perfectly good English to carry on a
conversation with him, and he's got a good sense of humor.
So I mean, before you know it. I was calling
him itchy balls, which I don't think he necessarily cared for.
But you guys know me, well, I didn't really care,
and so I kept going there. There's there was a
there was At one point I asked him, how do
(15:48):
you say I love you? And he said I used to,
And so then I proceeded to when I got called
up every time he would get a hit, because it
was that magical two thousand and four season where he
got hit just about every single time, two hundred and
sixty two hits a year, yep. And I he'd come
in and I'd say balls I used to do, and
He's like, no, no, because apparently that's like a more
(16:11):
formal way of saying I love you somebody that is
like a serious relationship.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Yep.
Speaker 7 (16:15):
There's fun ons to say it as well, if you're
just saying it to you know, a friend or you
know someone a little bit more playful.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (16:23):
And so he didn't like that, But then again, I,
like I said, I still just say hey, boss, I
love you.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Well, when you see him today, you can say that
to him when you head over there to tea mobile park.
It sounds like bucket there's going to be a bunch
of X teammates like you joining Eachi Rosuzuki at Tea
Mobile for the press conference. Did you did you actually
learn anything from him? I mean you were two totally
different players, obviously, and two totally different hitters. But did
you pick up anything from him, whether the way he
(16:52):
approached the game, his worth work, ethic, is swing anything, well,
I mean just.
Speaker 7 (16:58):
The professionalism that obviously is something you It's undeniable and
you can't not notice it. You know, there's there's other
guys varying degrees of how they go about their business
to get ready. And if you're not gonna if you're
not going to put the proper amount of time and
focus in, you're probably not going to be a big
leaguer for very long. And and he's the type of
(17:18):
guy that went out there and I mean it was
his routine was down to the minute, doing the exact
same thing every single day. We had a guy on
today that Gozzo that follows has followed him around his
entire career, and he ended up telling us that he
eats the same thing every day. I mean we're talking
like five six years in a row where he would
never change the same thing he eats at the exact
(17:41):
same time, so it's far more regimented than anybody had
ever seen before. But the bare bones of it is
he was always prepared. He was one hundred percent prepared.
And I know that's part of their culture is you
prepare you you just go out there and basically do
everything you possibly can to get yourself ready to play,
and then you let the chips fall where they may
(18:01):
once it comes game time. So I would say I
learned that a little bit. But at the same time
I also learned, Yeah, I don't know if I have
that in me. I don't know if I have that
type of regimen and discipline in me. And yet he
did it every single day for twenty years and it
was crazy impressive.
Speaker 6 (18:19):
Well, Bucky, we were talking about the power that Ichiro
had and that he showed in batting practice before games.
Did you ever go up to him and just go,
hey balls, why don't you do that during the game
and not just before the game?
Speaker 7 (18:34):
Oh? No, did I talked to him about it. I
was usually in his group hitting. It would usually be
the first five hitters in the lineup, in the first group,
and it was crazy because as a power hitter, I
was always taught. And the way that kind of got
me more zoned in ready for the game was to,
you know, start by trying to hit balls down the
right field line, staying inside the ball and working back
(18:57):
up the middle and trying to hit line drives. And
then as batting practice went on, I would start loosening
up a little more and then start kind of trying
to pop a couple OFFO. And then the last round
you're just trying to juice balls left and right, and
and then you know, in the game, I'm just trying
to go yard. I'm trying to hit as far as
I can, as hard as I can, every single time.
Each Hero, on the other hand, every first swing, he
(19:20):
didn't make it like a little noise dig every single
time and just launching balls first pitch, second pitch, one
after another. And then he gets to the game and
he's slapping it, trying to hit line drives the other
way and up the middle the whole time. And so
it was completely opposite of anything I'd ever seen before.
But yeah, I mean I remember asking him multiple times,
come on, balls, you gotta just do the home run
(19:41):
derby man, you got you got it because it wasn't
just how far he could hit it. He could hit
a long ways, especially for a dude that weighs one
hundred and sixty pounds, but it was how consistent. I
mean my bats, my batting practice bat was black and
it it would wear out on the barrow where you
hit it, you know, time and time again. But I
mean my spot that would wear out was probably the
(20:03):
size of like a dollar bill. His was like the
size of a dime. His barrel accuracy, I've ever seen
anything like it. It was literally the size of a dime.
He hit it right on the sweet spot in the
center of the sweet spot just about every single time
in batting practice. And he was like, no, no, I'll
leave that to you, you big guys. I'll leave that
to you big guys. But that Causo guy that we
(20:25):
had today on said that in two thousand and eight,
I think he said he was actually planning on doing
the home run derby. He was full fledged gung ho
going to do it, and I'm almost certain he would
have won it. And he then, like the day or
two before the All Star break, he ended up hurting
one of his fingers doing something sliding or something, and
(20:46):
so he ended up not deciding not to do the
home on Derby. But that would have just been another
amazing chapter in the Hall of Fame career because he
would have put on an absolute show, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
No doubt.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
All right, man, get over there, say I give him
a big old Bucky hug. I appreciate this and look
forward to hearing more on this from you tomorrow at
six am.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
I appreciate it, buddy, Hey, my pleasure, he does? You
got it?
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Well, that's Bucky Jacobson, who spent one magical summer with
each ei Ro in two thousand and four. A guy
who was with each ei Row when he was a
rookie in two thousand and one is now joining us
on the radio show or Old Pal, host of Tuesdays
with Nelly. Former reliever Jeff Nelson is with us, calling
in to talk about the big news.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Hey, Nelly, do you hear about the big news? He
CHROs in the Hall of Fame? How about that who.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Was the one guy? Did anybody know the.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
One guy that didn't vote for him?
Speaker 1 (21:39):
Where there's a guy that works for the National Inquirer
that apparently hoodwinked a lot of people on social media
into thinking it was him, but it was not that guy.
As of right now, we don't know, and Nelly, I
don't think we ever will know. But I mean, what
do you make of that man? One guy does not
vote for each your Row, and he misses by one vote,
becoming the second player ever along with your other former
(22:01):
teammate mol Rivera, from being the second unanimous player of
all time.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Well, you know, Derek Jeeter missed it by one vote
as well. And I think if I didn't, they find
out actually who who who?
Speaker 7 (22:13):
That was?
Speaker 2 (22:15):
God, I don't even know.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
I think it was like somebody, Yeah, it's whatever it is.
You know, I don't understand how some of these players
aren't a hundred percent unanimously voted into the Hall of Fame.
I just don't get it. Ken Griffy should have been
been there. You know, you can go back to Willie
Mays and Hank Aaron. How do you not vote for them?
So and same with each Yi Row who was the
(22:35):
one guy that did not vote for him? But what
a career. I remember him in spring training and how
there were all kinds of question marks about was he
going to be able to hit in the Major League.
So defensively he was always solid. But even lou Panella
had had some reservations about Okay, I don't think he's
going to be able to hit in the major leagues.
(22:57):
Next c you know, two weeks and I think before
we broke camp, you know, he turned it on and
obviously it's history. This guy was an amazing player. His
rookie season was just you know something that we just
sit back and watched this guy and how great he was.
Speaker 6 (23:13):
Well, you mentioned the defense, my favorite intro play of
all time. He didn't even have a bat in his hand,
and that was his eighth game of his rookie season.
I had to go back and look, I didn't realize
was this close to the beginning of his career, but
the throwout of Terrence Long at third base. I mean
I just remember like thinking, what the hell was that?
I was watching it live and you could tell. You
(23:34):
could tell Dave Niehouse was like, what the hell was
that in his call where he said it was like
something out of Star Wars. I mean, do you remember,
I mean, did you know that Eatro had that kind
of gun? Had he shown that off in spring training
at all? Because we didn't know that.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
Well, the way he played catch, he probably threw the
ball further than anyone on the team that that we saw.
He played. When he played long toss, I mean he
played long toss. I mean he was from one line
all the way into center field. Everybody knew what kind
of army had it, just you didn't see it until
that play. And after that play, nobody ran on him.
(24:09):
You know, he was a great defender, covered a lot
of ground, you know, being on the mounds, you know,
having him in right field was just a joy because
you knew he was going to cover all kinds of
bases and all kinds of gaps. I remember I was
on the mound and Sweeney, Mike Sweeney from the Royals
hit one down the line and it was an easy
(24:30):
double and he sat there, picked it up off the wall,
threw him out of second base. So when you're on
the mound you have that kind of defender with that
kind of arm it's you absolutely love it. And see
he went one hundred percent all the time, a guy
that played almost every single game, and that type of
player really doesn't exist, and or very few does it exist.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Yeah, Well, I just think in the top four vote
getters of all time percentage wise, Dick in the history
of the Hall of Fame. Now, he played with all
of them, Derek, Jeter, Rivera, Ichiro and King Griffy Junior.
He played with every single one of them. He's a transfer.
It's unbelievable. But you know, Dick and I were talking
about this, and look, I mean, I don't want to
have you say anything bad about mol Rivera, because the
guy's the greatest closer of all time. But I just
(25:15):
personally think that the honor of being a unanimous Hall
of Famer, if there's gonna be one guy, it should
go to a position.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Player and not a closer.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
I mean, it just bothers me that Griffy and Ichiro
and even Jeter fell short.
Speaker 2 (25:28):
As much as you love.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
Rivera as a teammate, would you agree with that that
that honor should go to a position player.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
I you know, I think if you're worthy of being
in the Hall of Fame and you're that dominant, you
should automatically get one hundred percent of the vote, whether
you're a closer like Marion Rivera, which will never be
like again, because I you know, Gus Goat should's he
was a Hall of Famer. He did an old school
about going three innings, and you can look at Trevor
(25:55):
Hoffman and some of the other closers that were in
that are in the Hall of Fame, is probably one
of the only guys that could actually go those three
innings and get that saved. So for me, I think
one hundred percent of the vote he absolutely deserved it.
I understand you you're looking for an everyday player, but
those guys deserve it as well. You know who didn't
vote for them? I mean even go way back. I mean,
(26:16):
how many more Hall of Famers should have been unanimous.
I think you can go.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
Way back and lots, lots, no doubt.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
No, I mean you look at Nolan Ryan, you look
at you know, Tom sever I mean just pitchers, hitters.
It's just ridiculous of who didn't vote them vote them.
Speaker 6 (26:32):
In well, And my point to kind of back up
Rivera is the fact, I mean, what percentage of the
pitches did he throw that were high leverage pitchers pitches
in his career, Like he never got to ease through
a fourth inning up four to nothing.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
How many pitches did he throw and how many pitches
he threw one pitch in any and he got and
did he what he and did what he did.
Speaker 1 (26:54):
But if you're gonna make Kim unanimous, then you got
to make these other guys.
Speaker 3 (26:59):
I mean, there's it is the problem right right, And
then you then you have to go back to the voters.
I mean, who's voting. If you're not voting for these guys,
and all of a sudden he doesn't get unanimous in
the Hall team unanimously by one vote, those guys should
not have a vote again.
Speaker 1 (27:16):
Nelly, great stuff, man, I appreciate you jumping on the
air with us and sharing some memories about each ye. Row,
you're still doing Marlins and Yankee games.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
By the way, this summer, I am yes, I see
good baseball and bad baseball.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Yeah, at least you get some good baseball, man, no doubt.
All right, go get him, enjoy it and we'll see
you when you swing through town.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
Man.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
Appreciated, buddy, Okay, take care, I'll see you early this year.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
I love it. You got it, Jeff Nelson with us.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
And by the way, people were asking about Felix twenty
point six percent, I think you got to get at
least five percent to stay on the ballots and he's okay.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
I don't think twenty's best for a first one.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
No, no, maybe the dipstick that didn't vote for each
Or will vote for Felix Ornendez, who knows?
Speaker 2 (27:54):
All right?
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Four forty we're gonna breathe a little bit here, kind
of recap the day. Big thanks to Nelly, Bucky Jacobson,
Mike Cameron, Ryan Franklin. We're all joining us on the air.
Each Heiro is in the Hall of Fame ninety nine
point seven percent, the second highest vote total of all time.
We're gonna hear from Echiro Mariners hosting a press conference
at T Mobile at five, which we will carry live
(28:15):
right here on ninety three three KJRFM.
Speaker 7 (28:18):
I got it.
Speaker 4 (28:19):
Now back to Sufdy and Dick on your home for
the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl fifty nine. Sports Radio
ninety three point three KJRFL shuts down.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
All right, we're back on a this kind of a
chaotic Tuesday.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
Huh. I love it.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
I love the chaos behind the scenes. People have no
idea what really goes into this radio show. You think
it's an easy show, an easy job to do, well,
you're right, it is, okay, But every now on that
a day like today, we're having a lot of fun
because Eachiro has made the Hall of Fame ninety nine
point seven percent of the vote, Tis Derren Jeter for
the second highest vote total of all time. Let's go
(28:58):
down to Tmobile Park because so we have not had
a chance to talk to this guy since he became
the Mariner skipper. He's been ducking us for crying out loud.
Joining us right now on the radio show. Former teammate
of Ichiro Suzuki and the skipper of your Seattle Mariners
number six, the backstop, Dan Wilson, Danny and Softie and Dick.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
How are you, man? What's going on?
Speaker 9 (29:18):
Good guys, how are you?
Speaker 2 (29:19):
We're good? Appreciate this. Let's talk about it.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
Ichi Rosazuki, former teammate of yours first of all in
the Hall of Fame, Tis Darren Jeters, second highest vote
total of all time. What's running through your head on
a day like today when a former teammate becomes a
Hall of Famer?
Speaker 9 (29:37):
Yeah, what an incredible honor for Ichi and well deserved.
I mean when you see what he was able to do,
and I think we all marveled at it for so
many years here in Seattle, and I'm just really excited
for him, and I know this has been something he's
been in anticipating for a while and hoping for. And
to hear that and hear the vote total too, I'm
(29:57):
sure he's.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Blown away by that.
Speaker 9 (29:59):
So it's uh got to be an incredible day of celebration.
And and you know, another another Mariner in the Hall
of Fame, which obviously is awesome for Seattle baseball too.
So uh, just a just a great day of celebration
all around, for sure.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Well, it's so amazing about Ero is so well rounded.
Speaker 6 (30:15):
I mean, we have Hall of Fame players that were
just great at one thing and that's what got him
into the Hall of Fame. But what was there one
aspect of Eatro's game that maybe tip the scales for you,
is better than all others.
Speaker 9 (30:28):
Well, I mean I think obviously his his ability to
to find his way to first base. You know, his
ability to control the bats, control the barrel, pick up
a base hit. He had so many different ways he
could do that. Obviously a great bunner, we saw that, uh,
you know, his ability to to get down the line
and use his speed uh.
Speaker 7 (30:47):
To beat something out.
Speaker 9 (30:49):
We we we saw that a lot. His ability to
hit the ball to all politic parts of the ballpark.
And you know when you when you watch him take
VP and he's launching balls into the right field seats,
and you you know, he had all parts of the
swing that that he could execute.
Speaker 7 (31:04):
And and he had power and.
Speaker 9 (31:06):
The ability to get the base hit.
Speaker 3 (31:08):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (31:08):
He was.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
He was a well rounded hitter.
Speaker 9 (31:10):
And then you know when you look at what he
did on the other side of the ball on defense,
the great throwing arm, obviously able to run the ball
down in the outfield tremendously. It was a part of
some great Mariner outfields for sure.
Speaker 7 (31:22):
And yeah, uh you know just uh he was.
Speaker 3 (31:25):
He could do He could do just.
Speaker 9 (31:26):
About everything, and and uh, to get a chance to
watch him play and do what he did with the bat, uh,
day in and day out, was was pretty incredible.
Speaker 8 (31:34):
Well.
Speaker 1 (31:34):
Mariner manager Dan Wilson joining US press conference for each
thro starting in a few minutes. And obviously you're leaning
on Edgar Martinez a ton for your offense.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Uh what about each thiroll? How much will you lean
on him?
Speaker 1 (31:46):
How much will you kind of talk with him and
get his input on on this offense as you continue
into your first full year.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
Uh, this spring is the skipper.
Speaker 9 (31:56):
Oh yeah, absolutely, Uh, you know, Edgar has been so
huge addition, no question about it. And and you know,
I think in some ways, you know, when you talk
about Ichi and you talk about Edgar, you know, what
they were able to do on the field was both
of them in their careers was was astounding. But really
as a player, you got to saw what they did
(32:18):
behind the scenes, and that was what's really really impressive.
And and Edgar and each ye row really their preparation,
their routines, the work ethic that they had off the
field and away you know from game time. You know
what they put into each and every day prior to
the ballgame was was very impressive. And to get a
(32:38):
chance to see that as a player really had an
impact on you and really made you rethink some of
the things you did, the routines you had, and how
much work you were putting in. So both these guys
tremendous in terms of that. And and certainly you know
as we get close to the season, you know, Edgar
having such a big impact offensively each He's a guy
that's around a lot, and and he is someone also
(33:01):
that we will. We will be seeking for wisdom and
these guys when when they are both able to do
what they did at such a high level and to
put the preparation in that they did.
Speaker 3 (33:13):
You know, they're they're they're a.
Speaker 9 (33:14):
Batting clinic, just listening to him every time you talk
to him about hitting. So uh, these guys are definitely
going to be a part of of what's going on
this year.
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Well, Danny, we haven't spoken since you got the job.
We'd love to have you on again soon. We got questions,
but we'll skip those for now and let you enjoy today.
We won't hammer you too much or put you know,
the cleag lights too much. All right, We'll let you
enjoy today exactly, but we will talk down the road.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
Man.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
It's great to have you back on and we'll catch
up very soon. All right. I appreciate this.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
I appreciate you guys.
Speaker 7 (33:43):
Good talking with you.
Speaker 2 (33:44):
You bet, Dan Wilson joining us.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
We're gonna break because the press conference is about to
begin at Tea Mobile Park, scheduled for five o'clock each
Hero is there. He was at his home apparently, or
in is saquad somebody else's house talking to the MLB
network and got in the car and drove the team mobile,
so we will catch up with that. Get to the
press conference, eacher who is in the Hall of Fame,
and you'll hear from him next on ninety three three
(34:06):
KJRFM
All right, So last segment in Fun with Audio Dick.
(00:03):
Big day for each Rosuzuki. Congratulations the first Japanese born
player ever to go into the Hall of Fame and
he's a Mariner. Second highest vote total of all time.
Should have been unanimous, but one schmuck did not vote
for him. We played the clip of an interview in
two thousand and three with Bob Costas where each hero
repeated his favorite American saying of all time. And we've
(00:24):
all been kind of kicking around this idea. Where did
he hear that?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
From what? Ex teammate? And you know what, Dick, I
gotta be honest with you.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
I've known our next guest for a long time and
the fact that I was not able.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
To put two and two together and realized.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
That this dipstick was probably the guy that told him
that it's unbelievable. Each euro Suzuki went on the MLB
Network moments ago and revealed the source of that famous
quote that he loves.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
What is your favorite American expression?
Speaker 4 (00:54):
August in Kansas City, it's it's out than.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Two InChI row you tagged that by saying I have
bad teammates, which teammate gave you that expression, cool guy
seems first of all, I regret saying that in front
of the television.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
And who told me about this that expression was Ryan Franklin.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Ryan Franklin, Ryan Franklin.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Excellent. Wow, Ryan is joining us right now on the
radio show.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
He ratted you out, man, InChI ro ratted you out, boy.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
How about that, buddy?
Speaker 5 (01:48):
Hey, I guess I'm a star now right, I'm famous? Yeah,
I mean, Bob, we go way back to the Olympic days,
you know, two thousand.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Dude, did you did you know about this before we
called you that? Each year old rited you out?
Speaker 5 (02:06):
No, not at all. I mean somebody sent it to
me a clip of a YouTube clip about Actually there
was a reporter that worked for a Japanese newspaper named Brad.
He sent me a clip of that like about It
was probably eight months ago or something, and you know,
I just got kicked out. I remember the exact same
day when we were sitting in the dugout. It was
(02:27):
it was right before batting practice and me and him
were just sitting there. I was teaching some good English
and some good sayings and uh and and he uh
I told him that and uh no, actually I was
sitting in there. I was hitting balls because it's like
twenty degrees here on a golf simulator thing, and I
got a text message from old teammate Jamie Moyer and he's.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Like, hey, you're you're a star.
Speaker 5 (02:51):
Its year old just said your name on his MLB
network or whatever. I was like, really, what's he doing.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
It's this Hall of Fame we deal all right?
Speaker 5 (03:02):
All right?
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Cool? Yeah, so that's.
Speaker 5 (03:04):
How my old oh teammate Jamie told me about it.
But uh, I guess that's pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Well, Ryan, your thoughts of this day.
Speaker 6 (03:13):
Obviously there was a point where you knew this day
was going to happen and maybe give us your thoughts.
And also when that point was, when did you get
to the point where you're like, Okay, this dude isn't
just an all star, this dude's an all time great, right.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
I mean, just his routine, the same thing, he did
the same thing every single day for five or six
years whatever I played with him. I mean it was
from going in to get his massage from his trainer,
to going down the weight room and doing a little
bit of weights, to going back in the locker room
and eating like twelve rice balls and then and then
(03:52):
I'm serious. No, they were rice balls, and I think
his wife made him or somebody shipping to him from Japan,
but I never got to try one.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
But then he'd get.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
A little this little wooden dow rod and like work
on his feet. And dude, I mean it was the
same thing every day as you saw the same thing
he got in the box. He did the same exact thing,
the same routine. And just as much as him like
his sling his defense. I mean, I don't know, man,
(04:22):
I don't know how much more than I can say
about the greatness that he was.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Yeah, well, you spent I think five years overall with
him in Seattle.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Did he hang with you guys like when you went
on the road.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
There were always these rumors that he would get his
own hotel and stay somewhere else and fly himself and
do his own thing. Is any of that true? And
was he was he kind of? Was he one of
the guys on the road? Did you guys hang with him?
Did you drink and eat with him on the road?
Speaker 3 (04:51):
No?
Speaker 5 (04:51):
I mean we every once in a while we did.
It wasn't all the time, and I don't I'm almost
positive he didn't get a new hotel from the team hotel.
I mean, he's stayed with us.
Speaker 7 (05:03):
I wish, I wish.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
I don't even know. I probably could, I remembered, I
could probably remember his alias, but I probably shouldn't say that.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
But statute of limitation, I'm sure it's changed.
Speaker 5 (05:16):
I mean, come on, yeh, I know, I know, but no,
one time he would invite us out to uh. I
remember one time me and Uh. I forget it was
some another one teammates. He invited me another guy to
some Japanese barbecue in LA and that was the first
time I've ever seen cal toongue getting eaten. And that
(05:38):
dude was tearing up the cow tongue. I was like, hell, no,
I'm eating that man, And they like cooked it right
in front of you and all this stuff. And I'm
a redneck from Oklahoma. We don't eat cow tongue. We
just raise them.
Speaker 6 (05:50):
Ryan, you know, in his in his Mariner Hall of
Fame speech, was really the first time Mariner fans even
heard the guy. And he was tremendously entertaining. I don't
know if you heard it or not, but he was funny,
he was glib, and he was obviously that way with
you guys, but we didn't hear it for twenty years.
Why wasn't he that way with us, the media and
the fans.
Speaker 5 (06:12):
I don't know, man, Maybe he just wasn't comfortable with
you guys as he was with the guys he's spent
one hundred and sixty two games with. But I mean
he would, I mean he was he was comic.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
I mean he was funny. You know.
Speaker 5 (06:25):
He would, you know, try as much American English as
he could, and he would try everything food. Really outgoing dude,
and he speaks really good English. I don't know, maybe
he just hadn't worked on it in a while or something.
I don't even know where he's at right now, where
he's in the United States or Japan, but he could,
(06:46):
he could carry on a conversation.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Wow, really good.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
I think he's actually here because the Mariners are hosting
a press conference at five o'clock tonight from T Mobile.
Porker unless they're going to patch him in via zoom,
could actually, no doubt. So we'll find out at five o'clock.
But Ryan Franklin's with us. What other dirty words and
sayings did you teach Eachero when you were in Seattle.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Come on, man, you.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
Know, I can't. I can't think of anything. And that's
like obviously the famous one. He taught me all the
bad words in Japanese, but I really can't. That was
the main one, Softie. Yeah, I don't really remember any
of the other ones. But he was a fun, fun
teammate man, a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
Well, Dick was asking about him speaking English, which when
he went into the Mariner Hall of Fame, well just
a couple of years ago, twenty twenty two, Ryan, that
was the first time most of the fans and most
of us had gotten to hear him speak English, and
it was really cool. Did you ever tell him, hey, man,
you know, maybe you should address these guys, Maybe you
(07:51):
should talk to the fans, maybe you should talk to
the media. Was that ever a conversation amongst you guys?
And he never did it? And I'm wondering if you
kind of have a few for why he never did.
Speaker 5 (08:02):
No, I don't.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
I don't think anyone ever did.
Speaker 5 (08:05):
I mean we always wondered and just kind of didn't
didn't We didn't I us pursue asking about it. He
kind of just kind of did his own thing in there,
and I mean, I don't know, man, I don't I
don't know why he never did, but I would have
a problem on me. I know a lot of Spanish,
and I don't think I could put sentences together right,
(08:26):
you know.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
So it's it's tough. It's tough. So I've given the
benefit of.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
That of that Ryan.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
Another mystery of Etro was the lack of home runs.
I mean, we've heard Dan Wilson say, the dude hit
bombs in batting practice. Is I gotta cut from Ralul
banias he says Etro could have hit thirty five home
runs every year. Do you think now, if.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
We're in the era more of war and.
Speaker 6 (08:50):
Ops versus batting average, do you think if you would
have played in this day and age, he actually would
have tried to hit more home runs one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
And I'll be right there with Dan and Roll.
Speaker 5 (09:01):
I mean that dude he had. I mean I played
with a lot of dudes, a lot of pop, and
he had just as much pop as Albert Poohols, just
as much Pap as Jay Buner or Griffy I mean
all them. I mean when he wanted to hit the
ball out, he would go upper deck and what's it
called now, T.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Mobile not safe?
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Yeah, yeah, T mobile.
Speaker 5 (09:22):
But I mean, dude, he could he could mash him.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
I'm telling you.
Speaker 5 (09:26):
I think I don't know if you guys ever heard
his story, but one time when he first got there
and Lou was Lou was this is spring training, Lou
was our manager, and uh, I heard Lou say something
to somebody that this guy he can't obviously he doesn't
hit the ball the other way and h and Lou
said went to him, It's like, hey, can you maybe
hit a little more power? And I think that game,
(09:46):
Itchy might have hit two or at least one home run.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Wow, that that game.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
I mean, he was that talented if if if he
wanted to go deep, he would go deep.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Wasn't his game, you know.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Right, Ian Franklin's with us and rhyme before you go.
Were you there the day that Panela, I mean you
probably were. But when they did each yer old Babblehead
night for the first time. And you remember, Lou would
hardly ever go into the clubhouse itself. His locker his
office was across the hallway, but you know, very rarely
when he walking in there, and he walks in I've
told the story on there before. He walks into the
clubhouse and he finds Eachiro and he's cradling the bobblehead
(10:22):
like it's a little baby. And he walks up to
each row and he says Itachiro, make you look good, meye,
make you look goodny No, and Eachiro looks at him like, yeah,
I can speak English, man, I know what you can
talk about.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
You remember that when he brought up the bobblehead for
the first time. I do know.
Speaker 7 (10:39):
I'll be laughing to say that. I don't.
Speaker 5 (10:42):
I don't remember that, but I can see Lou doing
that because Lou had that kind of sense of humor,
and uh, I'm sure just like freaking laughed it off
and was hilarious.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Well, listen, man, we have been searching for years to
find out the man who taught each Heiro.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Suzuki is saying right here.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
August in Kansas City, it's it's hotter than two rats
in the suck.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
And it was Ryan Franklin, the redneck from oh he
did well, give us, give us the proper saying, and
don't forget we're on live radio.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
By the way, Ryan, I know, I don't care no,
I'm kidding.
Speaker 5 (11:23):
No, all right, Like I said sitting in the dugout
Kansas City August, and I said, it's real. You know
what it is. I said, it's hotter than two rats
efing and a wolf.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Saw and helos.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
So you know, he he botched it up, but he
got his point across.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
Ryan, You're the man. Great stuff. Great to hear your voice.
Tell people real quick what you're doing these days?
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Man?
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Oh not a lot, man.
Speaker 5 (11:52):
I play golf, I hunt, I own. I got about
fifty something rental properties and a billboard company and uh
that's about I got two grand kids.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Wow.
Speaker 5 (12:05):
Yeah, I'm fifty one, man, but I don't feel it.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
I can still hit it three hundred yards unbelievable. Man.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
Hey, great to have you on. Let's talk to it
all right, buddy, Thanks for doing this.
Speaker 7 (12:16):
Man.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
Yeah, buddy, I've still got the same number.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Softie, I'm still waiting done.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
I got you, man, that was good stuff, dude, moy
was that fun to hear from him?
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Or what?
Speaker 2 (12:24):
We're got a break?
Speaker 1 (12:25):
I think Jeff Nelson's going to pop on as well
as we continue to pay tribute to the brand new
Hall of Famer E Shiro Suzuki is in next on
ninety three to three KJRFL.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Thanks go now back to Softie and Dick on your
home for the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl fifty nine
Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFL.
Speaker 8 (12:46):
Our first leftee was a ten time Major League golf star,
a ten time Goal Glove Award winner, and a two
time American League batting Champion, becoming the thirtieth member of
the three thousand hit Club over nineteen seasons with the
Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
And Florida Marlins.
Speaker 8 (13:02):
Today, Eachiro Suzuki becomes a member of the National Baseball
Hall of Fame.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
That's the official announcement from the president of the Baseball
Hall of Fame.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
And there's one cool fact to it. He did not
mention right there, played with Bucky Jacobson.
Speaker 6 (13:15):
Well, and did you know that each Hero's all time
war excuse me, his ops payals in comparison to Bucky
Jacobson's career war of eight thirty five.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
How do you leave that fact out that he played
with Bucky Jacobson. Joining us right now on the show
one half of the Morning Show. A guy who spent
forty two magical Games in two thousand and four with
each Euro Suzuki as a teammate. Our friend Bucky Jacobson
in the car on the way to t Mobile Park
to see his old teammate. As we speak, Bucky, how
bad it man? Second highest vote total of all time?
(13:48):
One dude did not vote for him, and he falls
one vote short of being the second unanimous Hall of
Famer of all time?
Speaker 2 (13:56):
How about that man?
Speaker 7 (13:58):
Okay, guy feels special, I really do. I hope they
feels good about himself not voting a guy that's obviously
a unanimous Hall of Famer. But whatever, not gonna let
it doubt bring down a good day. It's pretty pretty
cool to be able to say that I played with
a guy like Tiro and ed your Martinez. You know,
Hugh comes on all the time. He's like, I waited
with fifteen Hall of Famers and coach by this many,
(14:20):
I can now say I played with two Hall of Famers.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
That's right, that's right.
Speaker 6 (14:24):
And you know, and you're coming from a different perspective
as the last two guys we had on because they
saw a Cameron and Franklin saw eachro as a rookie.
So they're like sight unseen, what's this dude all about.
I'm interested in your perspective because eachro was like basically
a legend by the time you got a chance to
(14:44):
play with him.
Speaker 7 (14:46):
Yeah, he was. I mean in growing up a Mariner fan,
you know, I was. I was watching him on Sports
Center while I'm in the minor leagues watching him do
what he did, you know, in two thousand and one,
two thousand and two, and then all of a sudden
two thousand and four, I myself in spring training with
the guy. And he's a little bit quiet, at least
until you get to know him. And so it was
(15:07):
kind of one of those I was a little bit
in awe of sharing a dugout with, Like I said,
Edgar Martinez and e Tiro and some of the other
guys on the squad. Dan Wilson was one of them,
John Olrood. And then as you got to know him
a little bit, he opens up and all of a
sudden you realize, yeah, there maybe is a slight language barrier,
(15:27):
but he speaks perfectly good English to carry on a
conversation with him, and he's got a good sense of humor.
So I mean, before you know it. I was calling
him itchy balls, which I don't think he necessarily cared for.
But you guys know me, well, I didn't really care,
and so I kept going there. There's there was a
there was At one point I asked him, how do
(15:48):
you say I love you? And he said I used to,
And so then I proceeded to when I got called
up every time he would get a hit, because it
was that magical two thousand and four season where he
got hit just about every single time, two hundred and
sixty two hits a year, yep. And I he'd come
in and I'd say balls I used to do, and
He's like, no, no, because apparently that's like a more
(16:11):
formal way of saying I love you somebody that is
like a serious relationship.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Yep.
Speaker 7 (16:15):
There's fun ons to say it as well, if you're
just saying it to you know, a friend or you
know someone a little bit more playful.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (16:23):
And so he didn't like that, But then again, I,
like I said, I still just say hey, boss, I
love you.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Well, when you see him today, you can say that
to him when you head over there to tea mobile park.
It sounds like bucket there's going to be a bunch
of X teammates like you joining Eachi Rosuzuki at Tea
Mobile for the press conference. Did you did you actually
learn anything from him? I mean you were two totally
different players, obviously, and two totally different hitters. But did
you pick up anything from him, whether the way he
(16:52):
approached the game, his worth work, ethic, is swing anything, well,
I mean just.
Speaker 7 (16:58):
The professionalism that obviously is something you It's undeniable and
you can't not notice it. You know, there's there's other
guys varying degrees of how they go about their business
to get ready. And if you're not gonna if you're
not going to put the proper amount of time and
focus in, you're probably not going to be a big
leaguer for very long. And and he's the type of
(17:18):
guy that went out there and I mean it was
his routine was down to the minute, doing the exact
same thing every single day. We had a guy on
today that Gozzo that follows has followed him around his
entire career, and he ended up telling us that he
eats the same thing every day. I mean we're talking
like five six years in a row where he would
never change the same thing he eats at the exact
(17:41):
same time, so it's far more regimented than anybody had
ever seen before. But the bare bones of it is
he was always prepared. He was one hundred percent prepared.
And I know that's part of their culture is you
prepare you you just go out there and basically do
everything you possibly can to get yourself ready to play,
and then you let the chips fall where they may
(18:01):
once it comes game time. So I would say I
learned that a little bit. But at the same time
I also learned, Yeah, I don't know if I have
that in me. I don't know if I have that
type of regimen and discipline in me. And yet he
did it every single day for twenty years and it
was crazy impressive.
Speaker 6 (18:19):
Well, Bucky, we were talking about the power that Ichiro
had and that he showed in batting practice before games.
Did you ever go up to him and just go,
hey balls, why don't you do that during the game
and not just before the game?
Speaker 7 (18:34):
Oh? No, did I talked to him about it. I
was usually in his group hitting. It would usually be
the first five hitters in the lineup, in the first group,
and it was crazy because as a power hitter, I
was always taught. And the way that kind of got
me more zoned in ready for the game was to,
you know, start by trying to hit balls down the
right field line, staying inside the ball and working back
(18:57):
up the middle and trying to hit line drives. And
then as batting practice went on, I would start loosening
up a little more and then start kind of trying
to pop a couple OFFO. And then the last round
you're just trying to juice balls left and right, and
and then you know, in the game, I'm just trying
to go yard. I'm trying to hit as far as
I can, as hard as I can, every single time.
Each Hero, on the other hand, every first swing, he
(19:20):
didn't make it like a little noise dig every single
time and just launching balls first pitch, second pitch, one
after another. And then he gets to the game and
he's slapping it, trying to hit line drives the other
way and up the middle the whole time. And so
it was completely opposite of anything I'd ever seen before.
But yeah, I mean I remember asking him multiple times,
come on, balls, you gotta just do the home run
(19:41):
derby man, you got you got it because it wasn't
just how far he could hit it. He could hit
a long ways, especially for a dude that weighs one
hundred and sixty pounds, but it was how consistent. I
mean my bats, my batting practice bat was black and
it it would wear out on the barrow where you
hit it, you know, time and time again. But I
mean my spot that would wear out was probably the
(20:03):
size of like a dollar bill. His was like the
size of a dime. His barrel accuracy, I've ever seen
anything like it. It was literally the size of a dime.
He hit it right on the sweet spot in the
center of the sweet spot just about every single time
in batting practice. And he was like, no, no, I'll
leave that to you, you big guys. I'll leave that
to you big guys. But that Causo guy that we
(20:25):
had today on said that in two thousand and eight,
I think he said he was actually planning on doing
the home run derby. He was full fledged gung ho
going to do it, and I'm almost certain he would
have won it. And he then, like the day or
two before the All Star break, he ended up hurting
one of his fingers doing something sliding or something, and
(20:46):
so he ended up not deciding not to do the
home on Derby. But that would have just been another
amazing chapter in the Hall of Fame career because he
would have put on an absolute show, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
No doubt.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
All right, man, get over there, say I give him
a big old Bucky hug. I appreciate this and look
forward to hearing more on this from you tomorrow at
six am.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
I appreciate it, buddy, Hey, my pleasure, he does? You
got it?
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Well, that's Bucky Jacobson, who spent one magical summer with
each ei Ro in two thousand and four. A guy
who was with each ei Row when he was a
rookie in two thousand and one is now joining us
on the radio show or Old Pal, host of Tuesdays
with Nelly. Former reliever Jeff Nelson is with us, calling
in to talk about the big news.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Hey, Nelly, do you hear about the big news? He
CHROs in the Hall of Fame? How about that who.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Was the one guy? Did anybody know the.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
One guy that didn't vote for him?
Speaker 1 (21:39):
Where there's a guy that works for the National Inquirer
that apparently hoodwinked a lot of people on social media
into thinking it was him, but it was not that guy.
As of right now, we don't know, and Nelly, I
don't think we ever will know. But I mean, what
do you make of that man? One guy does not
vote for each your Row, and he misses by one vote,
becoming the second player ever along with your other former
(22:01):
teammate mol Rivera, from being the second unanimous player of
all time.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
Well, you know, Derek Jeeter missed it by one vote
as well. And I think if I didn't, they find
out actually who who who?
Speaker 7 (22:13):
That was?
Speaker 2 (22:15):
God, I don't even know.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
I think it was like somebody, Yeah, it's whatever it is.
You know, I don't understand how some of these players
aren't a hundred percent unanimously voted into the Hall of Fame.
I just don't get it. Ken Griffy should have been
been there. You know, you can go back to Willie
Mays and Hank Aaron. How do you not vote for them?
So and same with each Yi Row who was the
(22:35):
one guy that did not vote for him? But what
a career. I remember him in spring training and how
there were all kinds of question marks about was he
going to be able to hit in the Major League.
So defensively he was always solid. But even lou Panella
had had some reservations about Okay, I don't think he's
going to be able to hit in the major leagues.
(22:57):
Next c you know, two weeks and I think before
we broke camp, you know, he turned it on and
obviously it's history. This guy was an amazing player. His
rookie season was just you know something that we just
sit back and watched this guy and how great he was.
Speaker 6 (23:13):
Well, you mentioned the defense, my favorite intro play of
all time. He didn't even have a bat in his hand,
and that was his eighth game of his rookie season.
I had to go back and look, I didn't realize
was this close to the beginning of his career, but
the throwout of Terrence Long at third base. I mean
I just remember like thinking, what the hell was that?
I was watching it live and you could tell. You
(23:34):
could tell Dave Niehouse was like, what the hell was
that in his call where he said it was like
something out of Star Wars. I mean, do you remember,
I mean, did you know that Eatro had that kind
of gun? Had he shown that off in spring training
at all? Because we didn't know that.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
Well, the way he played catch, he probably threw the
ball further than anyone on the team that that we saw.
He played. When he played long toss, I mean he
played long toss. I mean he was from one line
all the way into center field. Everybody knew what kind
of army had it, just you didn't see it until
that play. And after that play, nobody ran on him.
(24:09):
You know, he was a great defender, covered a lot
of ground, you know, being on the mounds, you know,
having him in right field was just a joy because
you knew he was going to cover all kinds of
bases and all kinds of gaps. I remember I was
on the mound and Sweeney, Mike Sweeney from the Royals
hit one down the line and it was an easy
(24:30):
double and he sat there, picked it up off the wall,
threw him out of second base. So when you're on
the mound you have that kind of defender with that
kind of arm it's you absolutely love it. And see
he went one hundred percent all the time, a guy
that played almost every single game, and that type of
player really doesn't exist, and or very few does it exist.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Yeah, Well, I just think in the top four vote
getters of all time percentage wise, Dick in the history
of the Hall of Fame. Now, he played with all
of them, Derek, Jeter, Rivera, Ichiro and King Griffy Junior.
He played with every single one of them. He's a transfer.
It's unbelievable. But you know, Dick and I were talking
about this, and look, I mean, I don't want to
have you say anything bad about mol Rivera, because the
guy's the greatest closer of all time. But I just
(25:15):
personally think that the honor of being a unanimous Hall
of Famer, if there's gonna be one guy, it should
go to a position.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Player and not a closer.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
I mean, it just bothers me that Griffy and Ichiro
and even Jeter fell short.
Speaker 2 (25:28):
As much as you love.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
Rivera as a teammate, would you agree with that that
that honor should go to a position player.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
I you know, I think if you're worthy of being
in the Hall of Fame and you're that dominant, you
should automatically get one hundred percent of the vote, whether
you're a closer like Marion Rivera, which will never be
like again, because I you know, Gus Goat should's he
was a Hall of Famer. He did an old school
about going three innings, and you can look at Trevor
(25:55):
Hoffman and some of the other closers that were in
that are in the Hall of Fame, is probably one
of the only guys that could actually go those three
innings and get that saved. So for me, I think
one hundred percent of the vote he absolutely deserved it.
I understand you you're looking for an everyday player, but
those guys deserve it as well. You know who didn't
vote for them? I mean even go way back. I mean,
(26:16):
how many more Hall of Famers should have been unanimous.
I think you can go.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
Way back and lots, lots, no doubt.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
No, I mean you look at Nolan Ryan, you look
at you know, Tom sever I mean just pitchers, hitters.
It's just ridiculous of who didn't vote them vote them.
Speaker 6 (26:32):
In well, And my point to kind of back up
Rivera is the fact, I mean, what percentage of the
pitches did he throw that were high leverage pitchers pitches
in his career, Like he never got to ease through
a fourth inning up four to nothing.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
How many pitches did he throw and how many pitches
he threw one pitch in any and he got and
did he what he and did what he did.
Speaker 1 (26:54):
But if you're gonna make Kim unanimous, then you got
to make these other guys.
Speaker 3 (26:59):
I mean, there's it is the problem right right, And
then you then you have to go back to the voters.
I mean, who's voting. If you're not voting for these guys,
and all of a sudden he doesn't get unanimous in
the Hall team unanimously by one vote, those guys should
not have a vote again.
Speaker 1 (27:16):
Nelly, great stuff, man, I appreciate you jumping on the
air with us and sharing some memories about each ye. Row,
you're still doing Marlins and Yankee games.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
By the way, this summer, I am yes, I see
good baseball and bad baseball.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Yeah, at least you get some good baseball, man, no doubt.
All right, go get him, enjoy it and we'll see
you when you swing through town.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
Man.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
Appreciated, buddy, Okay, take care, I'll see you early this year.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
I love it. You got it, Jeff Nelson with us.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
And by the way, people were asking about Felix twenty
point six percent, I think you got to get at
least five percent to stay on the ballots and he's okay.
Speaker 2 (27:47):
I don't think twenty's best for a first one.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
No, no, maybe the dipstick that didn't vote for each
Or will vote for Felix Ornendez, who knows?
Speaker 2 (27:54):
All right?
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Four forty we're gonna breathe a little bit here, kind
of recap the day. Big thanks to Nelly, Bucky Jacobson,
Mike Cameron, Ryan Franklin. We're all joining us on the air.
Each Heiro is in the Hall of Fame ninety nine
point seven percent, the second highest vote total of all time.
We're gonna hear from Echiro Mariners hosting a press conference
at T Mobile at five, which we will carry live
(28:15):
right here on ninety three three KJRFM.
Speaker 7 (28:18):
I got it.
Speaker 4 (28:19):
Now back to Sufdy and Dick on your home for
the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl fifty nine. Sports Radio
ninety three point three KJRFL shuts down.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
All right, we're back on a this kind of a
chaotic Tuesday.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
Huh. I love it.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
I love the chaos behind the scenes. People have no
idea what really goes into this radio show. You think
it's an easy show, an easy job to do, well,
you're right, it is, okay, But every now on that
a day like today, we're having a lot of fun
because Eachiro has made the Hall of Fame ninety nine
point seven percent of the vote, Tis Derren Jeter for
the second highest vote total of all time. Let's go
(28:58):
down to Tmobile Park because so we have not had
a chance to talk to this guy since he became
the Mariner skipper. He's been ducking us for crying out loud.
Joining us right now on the radio show. Former teammate
of Ichiro Suzuki and the skipper of your Seattle Mariners
number six, the backstop, Dan Wilson, Danny and Softie and Dick.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
How are you, man? What's going on?
Speaker 9 (29:18):
Good guys, how are you?
Speaker 2 (29:19):
We're good? Appreciate this. Let's talk about it.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
Ichi Rosazuki, former teammate of yours first of all in
the Hall of Fame, Tis Darren Jeters, second highest vote
total of all time. What's running through your head on
a day like today when a former teammate becomes a
Hall of Famer?
Speaker 9 (29:37):
Yeah, what an incredible honor for Ichi and well deserved.
I mean when you see what he was able to do,
and I think we all marveled at it for so
many years here in Seattle, and I'm just really excited
for him, and I know this has been something he's
been in anticipating for a while and hoping for. And
to hear that and hear the vote total too, I'm
(29:57):
sure he's.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Blown away by that.
Speaker 9 (29:59):
So it's uh got to be an incredible day of celebration.
And and you know, another another Mariner in the Hall
of Fame, which obviously is awesome for Seattle baseball too.
So uh, just a just a great day of celebration
all around, for sure.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Well, it's so amazing about Ero is so well rounded.
Speaker 6 (30:15):
I mean, we have Hall of Fame players that were
just great at one thing and that's what got him
into the Hall of Fame. But what was there one
aspect of Eatro's game that maybe tip the scales for you,
is better than all others.
Speaker 9 (30:28):
Well, I mean I think obviously his his ability to
to find his way to first base. You know, his
ability to control the bats, control the barrel, pick up
a base hit. He had so many different ways he
could do that. Obviously a great bunner, we saw that, uh,
you know, his ability to to get down the line
and use his speed uh.
Speaker 7 (30:47):
To beat something out.
Speaker 9 (30:49):
We we we saw that a lot. His ability to
hit the ball to all politic parts of the ballpark.
And you know when you when you watch him take
VP and he's launching balls into the right field seats,
and you you know, he had all parts of the
swing that that he could execute.
Speaker 7 (31:04):
And and he had power and.
Speaker 9 (31:06):
The ability to get the base hit.
Speaker 3 (31:08):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (31:08):
He was.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
He was a well rounded hitter.
Speaker 9 (31:10):
And then you know when you look at what he
did on the other side of the ball on defense,
the great throwing arm, obviously able to run the ball
down in the outfield tremendously. It was a part of
some great Mariner outfields for sure.
Speaker 7 (31:22):
And yeah, uh you know just uh he was.
Speaker 3 (31:25):
He could do He could do just.
Speaker 9 (31:26):
About everything, and and uh, to get a chance to
watch him play and do what he did with the bat, uh,
day in and day out, was was pretty incredible.
Speaker 8 (31:34):
Well.
Speaker 1 (31:34):
Mariner manager Dan Wilson joining US press conference for each
thro starting in a few minutes. And obviously you're leaning
on Edgar Martinez a ton for your offense.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Uh what about each thiroll? How much will you lean
on him?
Speaker 1 (31:46):
How much will you kind of talk with him and
get his input on on this offense as you continue
into your first full year.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
Uh, this spring is the skipper.
Speaker 9 (31:56):
Oh yeah, absolutely, Uh, you know, Edgar has been so
huge addition, no question about it. And and you know,
I think in some ways, you know, when you talk
about Ichi and you talk about Edgar, you know, what
they were able to do on the field was both
of them in their careers was was astounding. But really
as a player, you got to saw what they did
(32:18):
behind the scenes, and that was what's really really impressive.
And and Edgar and each ye row really their preparation,
their routines, the work ethic that they had off the
field and away you know from game time. You know
what they put into each and every day prior to
the ballgame was was very impressive. And to get a
(32:38):
chance to see that as a player really had an
impact on you and really made you rethink some of
the things you did, the routines you had, and how
much work you were putting in. So both these guys
tremendous in terms of that. And and certainly you know
as we get close to the season, you know, Edgar
having such a big impact offensively each He's a guy
that's around a lot, and and he is someone also
(33:01):
that we will. We will be seeking for wisdom and
these guys when when they are both able to do
what they did at such a high level and to
put the preparation in that they did.
Speaker 3 (33:13):
You know, they're they're they're a.
Speaker 9 (33:14):
Batting clinic, just listening to him every time you talk
to him about hitting. So uh, these guys are definitely
going to be a part of of what's going on
this year.
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Well, Danny, we haven't spoken since you got the job.
We'd love to have you on again soon. We got questions,
but we'll skip those for now and let you enjoy today.
We won't hammer you too much or put you know,
the cleag lights too much. All right, We'll let you
enjoy today exactly, but we will talk down the road.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
Man.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
It's great to have you back on and we'll catch
up very soon. All right. I appreciate this.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
I appreciate you guys.
Speaker 7 (33:43):
Good talking with you.
Speaker 2 (33:44):
You bet, Dan Wilson joining us.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
We're gonna break because the press conference is about to
begin at Tea Mobile Park, scheduled for five o'clock each
Hero is there. He was at his home apparently, or
in is saquad somebody else's house talking to the MLB
network and got in the car and drove the team mobile,
so we will catch up with that. Get to the
press conference, eacher who is in the Hall of Fame,
and you'll hear from him next on ninety three three
(34:06):
KJRFM
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Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.