- 1 week ago
Red Sox play by play man Will Flemming talks about the energy he brings to the radio, the Sox playing the villain in Los Angeles, and the team’s moves at the trade deadline.
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00:00The great Will Fleming joins us now.
00:02Will, this has been one hell of a ride,
00:06and I have to think that you've got some SEPA call there in the booth lately
00:10from all the over-the-top home run calls that you have had to make, my friend.
00:17Great to be with you guys.
00:18Thanks so much.
00:19Yep, there's been a little bit more tea, a few more lozenges these days,
00:22but what more could you ever want to have?
00:25I mean, I know I'm an idiot.
00:27I know I lose my mind, but especially, you know, guys,
00:30there was something even different about it at Dodger Stadium.
00:33Like, we've had this great, great run where it's like every night they fall behind.
00:38Doesn't matter.
00:39You come back, you win a game.
00:40That was different.
00:41I felt like that was more special at Dodger Stadium just because of the opponent,
00:46the environment, their arrogance, to be frank,
00:50the fact that they got Scoobble in the series.
00:52I mean, it just, it was like old-school Red Sox,
00:55where you could go in there and kind of be the villain again,
00:58and I loved every minute of it.
00:59Well, the best is you could hear on your call after Yoshida,
01:03which was the third home run in, I believe, seven pitches.
01:06The crowd was just like, oh, sweet Lord.
01:09Like, I could hear there was like a din.
01:13It was like music to my ears.
01:15You know, when you hear that, especially, you know, of this team that just seems like,
01:21you know, it's, as I said, like rooting for the Dodgers with the amount of money they spend
01:24and the way that they carry themselves, it's like rooting for Microsoft.
01:27Like, you can't do that.
01:28They're just this enormous thing that should really have no fans.
01:32So that's why it felt good.
01:34And it must have been not only good to be there,
01:37but also just to see that this team has remained consistent.
01:40Like, they haven't slipped back after the streak.
01:44Yeah, and you know what?
01:46Yes to all of that.
01:48But also, it's just that no matter the environment, no matter the opponent,
01:54they just have enormous courage and balls.
01:57They just do.
01:58And like, you know, game one in L.A., it's a different environment there.
02:03Like, I frankly think it's one of the overrated venues in all of sports because of what it's become.
02:07Like, it is such a show in there right now where, I mean, it is an assault on the senses.
02:13Every single pitch, they are blasting something, right?
02:17And so, and, you know, there's celebrities everywhere.
02:20They're just, and they're strutting around.
02:22And look, they have every right to do it.
02:23They've owned the sport.
02:24They've been the best team by far for two years running.
02:27And they're looking like they're going to get back there again.
02:30But like, the thing is, I think as gritty and scrappy and all this stuff that the Red Sox have
02:36been,
02:36it is different when you go up 2-0 and here comes Otani to hit a home run and that
02:42place is going bonkers.
02:44It's different when you got Yamamoto on the mound.
02:47It's different when Teoscar Hernandez hits a home run.
02:50And every single time, they just responded.
02:53And by the way, they responded like immediately.
02:56And I think that's why our city is falling in love with this team.
02:59It's why I certainly have.
03:00They're just, it's not only that it's a bunch of likable personalities, which it most certainly is.
03:06It is that they play the game this way.
03:09And I think that's another part of what's made Fenway so awesome and why I can't wait to get back
03:14there tonight.
03:14Because that belief emanates through 40,000 people every night.
03:18It's like, you just scored three runs?
03:20Watch this.
03:21And I think that is, that's the defining characteristic of this group.
03:26And it's just a delight to be a part of.
03:28Will, what do you think of the Adley Rutschman fit?
03:30And that was a name that I had not heard that was, you know, being dangled.
03:33We had a lot of names flying around.
03:34But were you surprised that he actually did come to Boston?
03:38No.
03:39No, I wasn't.
03:39I'd heard some rumblings about that.
03:41But, you know, I think in the end, we're starting to learn a lot of things about Craig Breslow, both
03:47on position players and hitters and certainly pitchers.
03:51And I think he's got a little bit of a type for both.
03:54And I think, you know, we all know now that, you know, with Curtis Mead and Durbin and Wilson, he's
03:59gotten this right about these dudes who he thinks whatever model they're using is working to say, this guy is
04:04going to be great at Fenway Park.
04:06And in our yard, that matters a lot.
04:09And I think they feel that way about Rutschman.
04:12But I think it's even more layered than that with a catcher.
04:15And I think that's where, you know, would we like Hunter Goodman to come to Fenway and hit 40 home
04:19runs?
04:20Yeah, of course.
04:21But I think, you know, you look at the numbers, he's like the worst defensive catcher in the game.
04:25And so I don't see for a club that values defense so much, that has one of the great pitching
04:31staffs in the world, I never thought like that one was like the totally obvious fit.
04:37And so when you peel it all back and when you piece it together and you think about what they're
04:42actually looking for in a catcher, I thought this one made a whole lot of sense.
04:46And I also think, frankly, in a lot of ways it sounds crazy, but he's kind of a buy low
04:51guy where, like, he's been a little injured, he's been a little down.
04:56But when he's at his desk, there aren't many catchers better in the world.
05:01And so I think he's a perfect fit.
05:03The other thing is I don't know whether you guys have been talking about this or hearing this from people
05:06today.
05:07The minute it happened, I got 100 messages, not 100, but 15 from people I know in Baltimore and have
05:13been around him.
05:14And to a person, they say this guy is one of the great people in baseball that they've ever been
05:20around.
05:20And I think that matters, too, for the Red Sox.
05:22If you think about the stuff that's been going on now in the last 12 months, you ship out Devers,
05:28you fire a manager, you trade Marcelo Meyer,
05:31they always pouting on the mound, he shipped to AAA.
05:33Like, they want culture.
05:35And they want guys who buy into this thing.
05:38And I think they believe firmly that Rutschman will come and do that.
05:42And I know that people think it's a lot to give up.
05:44And, you know, it is.
05:45It's a lot of prospect talent.
05:47But guess what?
05:49They have total belief in their ability to do that over and over again.
05:54To develop them and in a year have to either be in the big leagues or be big trade pieces.
06:02And that is such a valuable skill.
06:04I mean, we didn't know who these guys were two years ago.
06:07Now everybody today is like, oh, my God.
06:10How in the world?
06:11Does anybody in Boston know who Anthony Ianson is?
06:14Will, you are speaking my language, Will.
06:18You're literally saying – I said the same thing.
06:20I'm like, honestly, how many of you guys had to Google who some of these dudes were?
06:24And you're all like, this is the worst day of my life.
06:26Sean McAdam had a tweet out yesterday.
06:28And it wasn't his – it wasn't what he was saying.
06:30But he said that someone in the front office of one of the teams had gotten a hold of him
06:35and said,
06:35worst trade in 30 years.
06:38And I'm like, there's been some bad trades.
06:40Listen, you've worked in this business, Rich.
06:43You know how this works.
06:44What do you want to bet?
06:45What do you want to bet that that person either used to work for the Red Sox or somehow got
06:50burned by the Red Sox and has a phone to pick?
06:53That's how this stuff works.
06:54It's not – and, you know, people can think whatever they want.
06:57And by the way, like, Marcelo Meyer was the number three prospect in the game.
07:02You know?
07:03Like, as of now, how's that worked out?
07:05Like, it's just – you never know.
07:06So, Adley Rutschman's a three-time All-Star at an utterly premier position.
07:11And so, they traded some minor league pitchers who are very talented and who may have good careers,
07:16but the odds are against all of them having great careers.
07:19I love the shift in mentality and philosophy.
07:22It signals a team that thinks they can win the World Series.
07:25What have we watched lately that proves they can't?
07:27Nothing.
07:28And I love that they behave that way.
07:30I love it.
07:31Will, thoughts on what this bullpen looks like now with the addition of Eric Miller?
07:36And were you surprised that Marcelo Meyer was traded for Eric?
07:41I was not surprised that Marcelo was traded.
07:44I was maybe surprised that that's what they went for.
07:47I think Miller's stuff is totally elite, just across the board.
07:51Hard thrower.
07:52You know, extension, all the things that Craig loves in pitchers.
07:56I think it tells you that the game, the industry, has changed its mind a little bit on Marcelo.
08:04Because we're talking about he's not played a lot, but that's because he's been injured.
08:09And maybe he was rushed to the major leagues.
08:11Maybe whatever.
08:12He was hurt.
08:13But when he was here, it wasn't exactly All-Star stuff.
08:16So, whereas a year ago, you're talking about to see the key piece in a Cattell-Marté trade,
08:21now you're getting a really good left-handed reliever for him.
08:24I was not surprised that he was moved just because of two things.
08:28One, I think there's only a certain shelf life to a guy having, you know, premier value around the game.
08:36And I think they thought maybe that was dwindling.
08:39And so, get what you can while you can.
08:42And I think that the more he was hurt, the less he played.
08:47I think that's something to really consider when you're thinking about the long-term future of a player.
08:52So, I was not overall surprised that he was moved.
08:55I thought they would try to get a bat for him in return.
08:57Or maybe even, like, the best, you know, kind of rental-type shortstop.
09:01Because I know everybody thought they'd get a shortstop.
09:03And I know they were in on all the big ones.
09:05But, like, I think that's going to be revisited in the offseason.
09:08Those kinds of deals.
09:09Because I think one thing people need to realize is this front office is willing to spend
09:15and offer major dollars for people they believe in long-term.
09:18And I think they will be back in on people like Ellie De La Cruz and Bobby Witt.
09:23And name your, like, superstar shortstop.
09:25They'll revisit that.
09:26But those things at the deadline these days, fellas, they just don't happen.
09:30Because too many teams are in it.
09:32Too many GMs are nervous that they're not going to maximize the return and get everything they need.
09:37Those are the kinds of things that happen for two months of talking over the offseason.
09:41So, once it wasn't those guys, I didn't have a problem with them saying, you know what?
09:46Let's hope we get Story back.
09:48And he's even some of himself.
09:49Monasterio's been good.
09:51We can piece this thing together.
09:53So, I'm not surprised he was moved.
09:56And I'm really excited to see Miller pitch.
09:58And, by the way, quick breaking news, Cotillo reporting the Red Sox have designated Ryan Watson for assignment.
10:03So, Eric Miller will take his spot, Rich.
10:05And so, that's the Rule 5 guy we thought they would carry all year.
10:09But he's on his way up.
10:09So, we're going to see the Haas sooner than later, right?
10:12Yes, yeah, maybe tonight.
10:13And I'll tell you what, guys.
10:15That's another one of these things that just proves this is no longer kidding around time.
10:20This is no longer roster flexibility, none of that nonsense.
10:23It is, we're putting the best 26 dudes on the roster, and we're going for the whole thing.
10:28Well, finally, Will, I want to ask you, because you said something during the Dodgers broadcast
10:33that I think that all of us have been contemplating and been a little gun-shy in saying it.
10:38But maybe this Dodgers series confirmed it.
10:40And you said this is the best team in baseball.
10:43Do you, after what, did it take this series for you to think that?
10:47Or just kind of tell me your thinking on that.
10:50Because I think after that series, I think the same thing.
10:54Well, I mean, you've got to beat the best to be the best, right?
10:57Right.
10:57And the Dodgers are the gold standard.
10:59And so, I mean, look, guys, we're going on six weeks now with this thing.
11:02Like, it's not a flash in the pan anymore.
11:05This is every night, every series, every opponent, and it sweeps.
11:11You know, you guys have seen the numbers.
11:12It's all the best teams, Yankees, Rays, White Sox, now Dodgers.
11:16All the best teams stand toe-to-toe with the Red Sox, and they get their butts kicked, right?
11:20So, it's not a fluke anymore.
11:23This is not short-term.
11:25Part of that, if I were just, like, if I were to maybe add a parenthetical, I meant, and that
11:34meant right now.
11:35Right?
11:36Like, this is today, right now, they're the best team.
11:38And I think adding Adley Rutschman only adds to that.
11:42The Dodgers are still so formidable, right?
11:45I mean, they're going to get Snell and Glasnow back, and you've got Scooble and Yamamoto and Shohei in a
11:50rotation.
11:50That's stupid, right?
11:52But that's for the National League to contend with.
11:54The Red Sox don't have to worry about that until October, and what a great problem that could be to
11:59have.
11:59And so, by the way, I just think psychologically, Ted, I'm sure you've played in games against rivals in the
12:05regular season.
12:06And then you got back against them in the playoffs, and all of a sudden, you're walking into that field
12:11with a little bit more swagger and a little bit more knowing that they're fearing you.
12:16Seriously, baseball's not always this way.
12:18But just being in that ballpark the way that it was and seeing the games go down the way that
12:24they did, I guarantee you, guarantee you, if the Red Sox meet them in October, if it's game one at
12:30Dodger Stadium, Yamamoto's on the mound, whatever, they're going to be thinking, wait a minute.
12:35These guys came in here and kicked our ass, you know?
12:38And we saw how tough and gritty they are.
12:40So, I thought that element was also important.
12:43So, I just think they've got so much positive energy right now.
12:48Well, Will, great stuff, as always.
12:50We love coming in the next morning after a win like that and hearing the Wilcano go off.
12:55You know, it is always.
12:57It's funny because I've been listening to a lot of them on the radio.
13:00If I'm driving around and I'll just be like, I'll instantly text the guys like, all right, you got to
13:03pull the audio.
13:04Wilcano, yep.
13:05The Wilcano goes off after that first run.
13:08But great stuff, Will.
13:10Thanks for coming on.
13:11And, man, have fun at Fenway.
13:14Like, this is going to be – I'll tell you one thing.
13:16And tickets ain't cheap right now.
13:18I just took a look at the secondary market.
13:21Not cheap to get into Fenway Park.
13:22So, I guess that's the price of success for these guys.
13:25Will, have a great time this week.
13:27And thanks for coming on with us, man.
13:28We appreciate it.
13:30It's the place to be.
13:31And I can feel the lava building right now as we speak.
13:33Thank you for having me on.
13:34Absolutely.
13:35All right.
13:35See you, man.
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