Best of the Phillies on WIP: Is this team a World Series contender?

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Welcome back, it is the midday show.

Hugh Douglas.

Joe Jolly, how are you guys doing?

It's 215-592-94.

A day away from opening day,

Citizens Bank Park tomorrow,

the Phillies and the Texas Rangers

with Christopher Sanchez on the mound.

Can not wait, we appreciate the high hopes guys

for the last hour,

and we continue to get ready for this Phillies season.

What are our guys?

Tom McCarthy, NBC Sports Photography.

Last time we saw Tom was down

at Phillies Spring Training,

and now he's back,

and the Phillies are back,

and away we go.

Team Matt, how are you doing today?

One day.

I always wanted to be one of those voiceover guys.

One day.

In the land, far, far.

You could do it, Tom.

You have that kind of voice.

You could pull it off.

What do you think?

Yeah, definitely.

You definitely could do that, Tom.

Team Matt, you got all of that.

Team Matt, how are you?

I'm great, boys.

I'm great.

I'm great.

The season's starting tomorrow,

so our last time we saw you was kind of

two, three weeks in a spring training,

so a lot obviously happened since.

Some of the guys disappeared

for World Baseball Classic came back,

but Tom, you're feeling on the team coming out of spring.

They stayed pretty healthy,

other than the Aiden Miller thing.

A couple of extensions given out

with Sanchez and Lazardo.

Feels like the Phillies feel pretty good

about what they saw and what happened the last few weeks.

Yeah, now I feel pretty good going in.

I mean, obviously the bullpen is totally revamped

and what we previously saw last year.

And I think we anticipated that.

There's some pieces to the puzzle that are still there,

but obviously it's something that we expected

would be embedded.

I'm at the ballpark right now.

Kevin's at the gate right now,

greeting me for the first time.

And he's very tan,

just seeing you guys.

Oh.

Yeah, so I'm excited about that part of it,

but I think it's going to be a solid year

from a bullpen standpoint.

And I look forward to these pieces

and what they're going to be able to add.

Tom, let's talk about the top of this rotation,

specifically what the Phillies did with those contracts.

I love the Lazardo one,

because I didn't want to let him get to free agency.

I thought if he did off another good year,

he could be a $200 million guy,

considering where some of the money now goes

with these starting pictures.

And then the Christopher Sanchez deal,

which I didn't see coming

and the Phillies thought,

hey, we gave this guy a long term deal,

but he had so far exceeded what we thought

he was going to be that, hey,

we got a reward him again.

What was your thought on both the deals?

Lazardo and Sanchez.

I love both of them, obviously,

because they're both going to be here now for the long term.

The Lazardo deal, I felt like they needed to get something done,

more so than even Christopher.

Obviously, Christopher was resigned for an extended period of time,

but I like the fact that they have made sure that this staff,

for the most part, is together with the exception of Zach Wheeler,

who obviously his contract is out very shortly,

but nobody knows whether he's going to keep pitching or what,

but they're still together now for the next couple of years,

which is sort of the objective of a Dave Dombrovsky team,

is to make sure that the starting rotation has foundation to it.

That's always been how he's progressed,

and it's always been how he's put together teams.

So I like it.

I mean, I just think Sanchez is just going to get better and better guys,

and for him to sort of scrap what he had and redo it,

I think it's a really good thing for the organization.

Okay, Tom, you know, open the days tomorrow,

we're all excited about the weather better be nice.

I've been telling Joe that.

It better be nice.

It better be nice, because if not,

I'm going to be mad at the weather people.

But tomorrow's game, who should I focus on?

Who should I be excited about seeing back in the city,

as far as it could be one of the young guys,

it could be one of the old heads?

Who should I lock in on tomorrow during the course of the game?

Well, you, I think it's Crawford, man.

I think he's the guy that you kind of focused in on.

It's going to be his first opening day.

He's got a new number, he's got a new feel.

I think it's him.

I think that's the guy.

I also think that Balm is really a guy to focus on to this year,

because I think it's a really big year for him.

I think he's a really big year for the organization

and him together.

I think he's got a lot to prove,

and I think he's improved defensively,

and I thought his spring was really sound.

So I would say Crawford first, and then Balm after that.

I think those are the two guys that everybody focuses on

going into this year.

Tom Price and Stott had a heck of a spring,

and it really looked like he carried over what he did.

The second half, you know,

late July, August, September, into spring training here.

Tom, I've always been a fan.

I love the way he conducts an at bat.

Obviously excellent defensively, and run on the bases.

But I've always kind of thought there was more there offensively.

We haven't really seen it yet over a full season.

What did you notice?

And do you think this might be the year

where he takes that leap offensively?

I think it has to be honestly, Joe,

because, and I think for him too,

because I think that there, you know,

there's obviously components in Aiden Miller

if he can stay healthy for both of these guys.

For Balm and for Stott to, you know,

to sort of overcome in the future.

I mean, there's nothing proven with Aiden Miller.

But I think for this organization,

I've always said,

if you are going to win a World Series championship,

you need to have pieces that are part of your farm system

that progress the way you have thought they should progress.

And I think it's important for those two guys

to progress and get better.

And I think they realize this too.

I will say one thing,

as they've gotten older,

they definitely are much more relaxed.

I mean, they're not overwhelmed by things.

Even though there might be a little perception that they are,

they're just not overwhelmed by things.

And I think that's a good thing in this city

that they can put their head down and grind

and be the players that they had hope they would be.

I'm with you.

I think he looked really good.

I think he showed signs of what he did at the end of last year

that he's carried it over to this year.

I think he's a gold glove caliber second baseman.

So you can't do anything but anticipate

that he's going to have a positive impact.

You can't do anything but anticipate

that he's going to have a positive year

and he's going to have a helpful year for this lineup.

So you, Matt, Tom McCarthy with us here

as we get ready for Philly's opening day tomorrow.

Tom, some great news a couple days ago.

Zach Willough threw in the minor league game on Monday

and then the thois announced

he was going to start that rehab assignment.

Triple A, Lehigh Valley on Saturday,

which means that clock starts that 30-day rehab assignment clock.

Tom, it sounds like

he's going to be back in the month of April here,

which if you told me that in August or September last year,

I would have said,

let's pump the brakes.

Let's just hope he's good back at some point early next season.

But it sounds like he could be back

within the first few weeks of the season.

You're thought on Wheeler and how he's progressed the last month or so.

I think it's phenomenal the way he's progressed.

And I agree with you.

I think he will be back before.

What people perceived was May 1st.

And I think a lot of people thought

when he had the surgery it would be sometime in June.

But I do think it's going to be sooner than that

because the clock does start.

He did the other day and his rehab started.

And it's batting practice stuff.

He was spinning the baseball.

He came out with no ill effects.

You know, I'm marvel at him.

And the way he does things.

I like the fact that it's been somewhat under the radar.

That there hasn't been, you know,

this intense focus on what he's doing

from rehab appearance to rehab appearance,

to batting practice, to batting practice,

to batting practice, to batting practice, to batting practice, to batting practice, to batting practice.

And the ballpen.

It's just like, yeah, it's your 25 today.

It looks really good.

That type of thing.

But I think now you're amp it up a little bit.

The fact that he's going to be in a game

and be for maybe three innings in that game.

So I think it's nothing but positive.

And every time he comes out of these things,

he feels better the day after.

And I think that's one of the most important things.

Team Ack with us here, day before opening day.

What's it like for you opening day each year?

a sense of different like opening day as a fan. It's just the best day. I even though

there's 162 games and we and by the time we get to next week we're kind of in the rhythm

of a season. There's something different always for me, Team Aka, about opening day. What

is it like for you each opening day to walk in there and call the game tomorrow?

I think it's the same feeling, Joe. I mean, I feel this way. There's that butterflies

in your stomach. It feels like it's a holiday and it is a holiday for baseball fans.

I get excited about it all the time, although I'm trying to figure out what we're going

to wear tomorrow because the temperatures are in the 70s. So it kind of throws off the

jacket or pullover. So that's my objective today. It's to try to figure out what we're

going to wear on the air because we have some new clothes that we're unveiling for this

one. That's nice. That's nice. Yeah. So you're going to like the jacket we have. It's

going to be pretty nice. I can imagine. So is it your now that you were here? Is it your

call or do you guys kind of work? So you you you make the call and then and then Crucky

and and then Ben Davis. They follow suit of Ruben. Yeah, it's the craziest thing because I,

you know, I'm as basic a person when it comes to clothing as there possibly is. But I've been

doing it since I came back in 2008. It's not as entertaining as it used to be when Sarge used

to screw up what he was wearing for game to game. That was always fun. Johnny always leaves a lot

of his stuff at the ballpark. So it's a little easier for him. But yeah, man, it's it's me like

right now I'm wearing sweats and a green pullover at this batting practice today.

If I if I could wear that every day with sneakers, that's what I would wear. But yeah, I try to

decide what we wear. And I always forget like, you know, Thursdays is the powder blues. So I got

to sort of coordinate with that. Friday is the city, you know, city connect. I got to coordinate

with that. So yeah, it's listen, it's not an easy job. It's not an easy job. It feels like a

lot of pressure. It's like a fashion icon over there, man. That's what I'm here. I would love to

be labeled as a fashion icon. You I mean, that would be an awesome thing. I think most people that

live every day with me would laugh at that. But yeah, I'd love to be a fashion icon. You're a

fashion icon of mine. Yeah, in huge eyes, you made it already. All right. Thank you, buddy.

Team back last time we had John down in spring training, we were in the midst of playing Hughes

Clues. And you you had an amazing reaction to want a Hughes Clues. You know, we thought we were

due today. We're going to play a little impromptu Hughes Clues right with you right now. All right,

let's play a little Hughes Clues here. Let me settle my hue. Let me settle my hue. Yeah,

you guys are good. Pop my music back. Okay. Have you seen my dog, you?

He's got a brand new clue. Yeah, it's with the trends. Yeah, the fighters look in

but Hughes Clues. Come on and come on in. He's Clues. It's Hughes Clues and you

the Hughes Clues. He's making this little T-Mac. These questions are specifically for you.

Right. All right. So, so this is an individual, right? And this is the first clue that you get.

He's attended Eagles games every year. Every year that the Eagles have played a game.

Yes. Well, no, no, no, that might not be true. No, I don't know if he's that old. In the last,

I would say three years. He's attended Eagles every year. Okay. Sorry. Okay.

All right. He's already so bad. Yeah. Do you want to give him a second clue?

When we get a second clue, you want to get you can guess guess the four. Okay, I give you a second clue.

T-Mac. All right. Give me a second clue. Okay. And I can say I can say my try to get a Bradley

Cooper, but I'm going to think he's attended every Eagles game for the last three years.

No, not every game, but he's attended an Eagles game for the last three years. Not everyone,

but an Eagles. Good to see you got these nailed out. Yeah, dude. I mean, it's it's Hughes Clues.

This is you know how these go. Let's stop it. Okay, you wait, man. You want the second clue?

Oh, my goodness. Yeah. I mean, he's a former pro football player.

Is it you? No, that's a good guess. That's a good guess by T-Mac. That's a good guess.

That's a good guess. You're on the right track. I won't give you that.

Like quick as it's attended every single night. You're on the right track. I'll tell you what,

I'll give you another clue. This individual loves beer.

Ross Tucker. Everybody.

He got it.

I did not know Ross Tucker loved beer like that. Oh, yeah.

He's a big beer guy. Ross Tucker loves beer. In fact, he loves it so much that he sends me beer

from time to time. Wow. That's how much I know he loves it. That's that's amazing. I did not

know he was such a beer guy. I know Joe's a big beer guy. He likes to get to like that. What's that?

The IPA or whatever? Oh, yeah. Yeah. Big Joe, have you ever got a Joe? Have you ever gone

to Old Heights, Brewing and Heights town? I have not. You got to go there, man. It's awesome.

Oh, I'm going to check that one out. Thank you for the recommendation. So T-Mac, just let you know,

we usually do one clue an hour. So while that seems fast, that would have taken you three hours

if we were playing Hughes Clues from the start of the show. I got nothing to do today, man.

I got to run up some errands. I got to watch a little batting practice. I could have called

you back every hour. We could have done that. T-Mac, we appreciate hopping on it as always.

Excited to have you back on the games and start of a new season and we'll see it at the park coming up.

All right, boys. See you. There you go. It's Tom McCarthy there who's now become a veteran of

Hughes Clues and he loves to laugh at the clues. I do like the repurposed the ghost to an Eagles game.

Because that's the one that caused that clutch. It's clutch. It got the T-Mac laugh at a T-Mac that we

it was just so good for all those all those weeks ago. I mean, I you know, I wish we could do

Hughes Clues more, but y'all, you know, y'all, what? I wish we could do it more like every day.

We brought it back recently. Yeah, we did. We could do it more. Yeah, I like it when you know,

people get a little bit, you know, turn. Are you saying you want? Hold on, is this sounds like a show

request from Hugh Douglas live on the air? He wants more Hughes Clues. More Hughes Clues.

I think we'll spare everybody. I think to be fair, since we brought it back,

we've been on a good weekly thing with Hughes Clues. Not bad. It's not been bad. It sounds like

you wanted to be a daily thing though. No, probably not. Because then people get mad and they don't

want to guess all this other good stuff. Well, of course, they get mad and you're close.

I don't understand why they get mad though, because I get some great clues and no idea. I get those

great clues. Again, that would have taken three hours if we started from the jump of this show.

Let's go to the phone lines here. Well, in the Northeast off on WIP talking Bryce Harper. What's up?

Well, you're in team. How y'all doing today, baby? Well, what's going on?

Hey, man, I think Bryce is going to have a good season this season, man. I think you just need

to get out of his own way. Get off that contract and I think he's going to start it.

Well, he needs to hip. Are we talking about elite or just good?

Well, he's going to be good. Okay. So that's not elite. That's different than good.

No, I mean, listen, for real, for real, Bryce can have a elite season this season. But

only thing you got to do is get out of his own way, man. I really think that, man. Um,

I think Bryce, he's going to be a leader. He's going to come through. And I think he's going

to work this year. Well, I think so too. Just don't. I mean, do they need it though? Well,

do they need it? Do they need it? Well, me is that the stare down, I was tiger,

Bryce Harper, man. I need him to come back, man. And I know he's here. And I know he's going,

I think he's going to be a good, um, I think he's going to be close this year. I agree with

you. Well, he's going to do good this year. He's going to do good. He got a good job. Well,

we appreciate the phone call out. Maybe Will's worst phone call ever. We'll get some slumps.

Yeah, it was about. I was, you know, it's like, you know, when, you know, when Tray swings

the pistols, the foot outside and he just gets in that zone, unfortunately, for a week or two,

when they got to get out of it, we'll get some. Yeah, that was just swinging in anything.

Will's had better. Now, do you sorry? That was, that was tough. No, it was a tough one. Do we

want to blame? He's close to that? Maybe. And his brain just like, my bad, will I mean,

to hit you with the clues, man. Yeah, it was, you're okay. You get everybody, everybody

getting a slump every night. Yeah, just the way you bounce back, man. Just like Bryce. He's

going to bounce back. Oh, yeah. No, we'll bounce back. Just, but, you know, are we comparing Will

to Bryce? He's an elite. Have you heard Will's phone call? I mean, Will can be, Will can bring it.

Well, pump up days before an Eagles game and the music under him. Yeah, you know, tomorrow is

probably Will's day. Maybe you need to open her. Maybe in order for it to be a slump bus, you need to

play music for Will to get him going. Yeah, but he needs to, like, he needs to earn the music

kind of. Like, I can't just, he can't just be like, you know, I think Bryce is going to start

hitting because that, and then it doesn't work, you know, it's something about the first or second

line of the call where you know the good stuff. Sure. You know, with Will, you can start to hear him go.

And guess what? Yes. He starts pumping himself off. Right. That one was kind of a little more.

He got a feeling. That was like a kind of a clue. Like, he went to an Eagles game. It doesn't,

it doesn't get out. He's a great clue. Hmm. It's not. It's a great clue. It's good to rob in

overbroke. Rob is up on WIP. Hey, Rob. Hey, how are you guys doing? Good. Rob is out.

Billy's. That's it. What's up, man? Yeah. Well, of course, there's opening day tomorrow.

Yeah. Thank God that for the Jimmy himself. I mean, he really called it clear up. Yeah. I mean,

he didn't overreact to these to the Bryce Harper jock sniffing stuff. I mean, he called it,

I liked you know, he called it like it is, man. So who's sniffing Bryce Harper's jock,

but by the way, who's who's doing that? It happens every day on your on your station. It's a station-wide

problem. It's not just, I mean, it's more guy sniffing than it's not. I actually think, I think

the conversation is shifted Rob over the last six months. I mean, most people acknowledge Rob,

he was not great last year. He was not a lead. I don't know if he'll ever get back to being a lead

again. I'm just not sure what you want people to say about him.

Well, you know what what I don't like is, and I was selling Kyle. I don't like when people feel

like they have to run jail in person to the ground to make Bryce Harper look better. And that's

what happened to the lot on your station too. Kyle, hello. And I feel like, you know, it's

something that's selling a jail in hurts jock snuffer for Rob. You sniffing jock snuffer. Yeah,

that jock is deep in your face. What are we doing? What are we doing? What are we doing? There is a

point of comparison between the face of the fillies and the quarterback at equals. It's a fair point

of comparison. Yes, that one's one one. One heck. Don't guy has won something. The other guy has

the same team that won. Yeah. I see. And now it goes down to the team. Well, it always has.

Always has. If you've ever paid attention. Oh, it's always been. Oh, like you told me last year,

all they dodged is they're pitching with so much better. It was. You know, have you seen them?

They went back to back world series, Rob. Well, Bryce has been, you know, Bryce has been

taking to hit that pitching. I don't want to hit it. Pitching is so much better. You know, hit.

Oh, Tony didn't hit the fillies pitching. The Dodger still won. Oh, my gosh.

You hit me with that matter. I'm going to tell you something. I heard you tell other players.

I mean, other callers. I know I'm not concerned about what other guys do because I live in

Philly. You told guys that. Well, but they were playing the Phillies. I mean,

it's not like I get it. Yeah, but they were playing the guys that when they're playing the Phillies,

the point of comparison is apples to apples, Rob. It was a series against the Phillies. Oh,

did it. That's not what you said. You told a guy heard you or you told a guy that called

and he compared somebody from another team and you said, well, I'm not concerned about that.

I'm going to concern about what I'm in Philly. Yeah, I remember. I remember. And I understand

your point on that. And to an extent, you're right that it is fair to bring up. It robbed

good phone call. But I think the what Rob is referencing there was someone saying,

wanting to talk about Josh Allen or talk about Joe Burrow, whatever the hell it was because I

didn't want to do with the discussion here about Joe and Hertz. When we're discussing the playoff

series last year, the Phillies lost. And you say, Bryce is paid to hit that pitching.

And we're arguing about how good the Dodgers pitching was versus the Phillies. I think it's

fair to point out that Dodgers won that series against the Phillies without their best hitter,

Otoni doing anything. So like the idea that it comes down to one person,

well, then how did the Dodgers win the series? Because Otoni didn't do, he did nothing in that series.

He got, I mean, he got shut down. Lizardo made one for 20 maybe. Lizardo made him look ridiculous.

So it can't just be like, well, Bryce didn't hit the playoffs for his loss. Well, Otoni didn't

hit the Dodgers won that series. That's why it's just way more than one player involved. That's why

I think it's fair to bring up. I think it's a little different than blah, blah, blah,

Jail and Hurston play well. Well, Joe, how can you don't say Josh Allen through forward picks

yesterday or whatever the hell the discussion was because we're not discussing that game.

That game isn't the discussion point on WIP. The Phillies Dodger series, that's what we're talking

about. So I think it's fair to bring up, you know, whatever, Otoni or Freeman or Betzer,

you know, whoever else played in the series. I think it's just different. No, I hear you. I mean,

the difference here is is that Otoni didn't hit, but that's what Bryce is supposed to do as well.

I mean, there were opportunities. One could actually say that there were missed opportunities

for us in that game because, you know, the Dodgers at that point that broken through, we haven't

broken through yet. So I think that's kind of the gist of what he's talking about.

No, I mean, I, I understand. Look, nothing, it doesn't matter if Otoni hit or not.

It's Bryce didn't hit enough in the playoffs. Yeah. We know that. No, none of them did. That's why

they went home. That's why they lost. All right. Two, one, five, five, nine, two, ninety, four,

ninety four. Your phone calls on all this to the Phillies need Bryce Harper to be elite this season.

I don't think they do. I think as long as he's good and healthy, they're going to win a lot of

baseball games. I think the elite stuff is overblown with Bryce Harper. Where do you come down?

And we'll get to the return. Can't wait. Paul George tonight. What do you have to say yesterday?

I cast peace. Yeah. It's first time speaking since his 25 game

suspension. Hear that next. Your phone calls the Phills. It is the midday show on sports radio

ninety four WIP. It's Charles Barkley here with Wayfair. Let me tell you,

game day is serious business at my house. If I'm grilling, chilling and watching hoops,

my outdoor setup, that'll be ready to play. That's where Wayfair wins.

From patio seating and umbrellas to grills and grill accessories, Wayfair's got it all

and it shows up fast. I'm talking fast and easy delivery. So level up your grill game and

you're outdoor chill game and head to Wayfair.com to get your outdoor space ready for the season.

Wayfair every style every home. Following the Philly's from outside Philly,

you're still invested. Every series, every matchup still matters. We put each game in perspective.

How decisions and trends may shape the rest of the season. Not just what happened last night,

but what it tells you about the bigger picture. Honest local focused Philly baseball talk,

wherever you are. Follow the ninety four WIP Morning Show, Judd Cameron,

Gen. Richie on Apple Podcast Spotify or wherever you listen.

I'm Brian, I work at Unite Healthcare. So Brian, why do you care?

I care because I don't want to leave anybody behind. I oversee one of the biggest resource

center in Unite Healthcare. I see people walked in in my office every day, just like my parents.

They have no idea about the healthcare. I feel like they are my uncles, aunties. I treat

as people of my family. I'm Brian and I'm committed to care.

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or situations. Price is very based on how you buy. It is a Wednesday on the WIP afternoon show.

It is also opening day eve. It is IX spike and Fritz. Ike, how you feeling brother?

Well, brother spike. I'm feeling pretty good, man. You're right. We are one day away from the

fighting's kicking off the 2026 season. I'm excited. Forget about all that pessimistic stuff. I

said two months ago a month ago when we were thinking about the team. We've gotten to the doorstep

of this thing. Fritz, I'm excited. I'll be in a, I don't know what color I'll be in tomorrow,

but I'll have something to represent the fighting's Jackie baseball. You're a time to shine.

How did you boy? Finally, finally. Kind of snuck up on me, honestly. Yeah. Really? Yeah,

like usually I have to count down on. Oh yeah. And now it's just like a lot of life stuff going

on. I keep you busy. Yeah. How many, you know, you got kids, family. Yes, seriously, man.

Come on, man. No, come on. This walks birthday. Happy birthday. Happy birthday to walk

Fritz. Yeah. Happy birthday, nephew. Yeah, listen already to critiquing my driving,

which is infuriating. Well, you probably deserve it. Don't even put two hands on the wheel.

Yeah. Daddy shouldn't be looking at Twitter. Well, it's right. What? Well, it is, it is a monstrous,

monstrous show. Of course, we will talk about the fills as opening day is tomorrow, opening day

mostly happening during the show. So today is our big fills, you know, what's going to happen show

and at four o'clock today. Oh, and Larry Anderson joins us at three o'clock. By the way,

his first appearance on the WIP afternoon show this season or Wednesday appearance as he will be

every three o'clock, every Wednesday at three o'clock. And at four o'clock, finally, the

Eagles insider of the year award is announced that will happen right here on WIP. Elliott will

be here blindfolded with a pillowcase on his head like is a hostage and he will have to present

the award to the winner of the award, which will happen at four o'clock today. A lot of excitement

in the streets I for Eagles insider of the year. Yeah, you know, a lot of premature, you know,

tweets out there things news sort of out there. We don't listen. But it didn't come from here.

It ain't happened. Rumors are just that. They are rumors. You know what I mean? One wise man said

they call it social media. It's not social and it's not media. You know, okay. So

so we start with classics. We start with the fills. It actually is. But whatever.

That's one of his classics. We start with the fills. 2155929494. Here is the question we're

going to ask today. The fillies and the world series. Do they have a real chance, a puncher's

chance or no chance? An opening day is tomorrow. Everyone is excited. Baseball is back. We all

like the fillies, right? It was an interesting offseason for the fillies. They resound Kyle Schwarber

to a five year hundred fifty million dollar contract. And when they did that, it sort of

signaled the direction they were going to go. Was this going to be largely a run at back sort

of thing? And you go spend that money on Kyle Schwarber and it sort of seemed like they were.

They signed a Dolis Garcia for right field. They signed Brad Keller to bolster the bull pen. They

trademarked Strom. They cut Nick Castellanos and we will get our first glimpse of the future,

which Justin Crawford in center field as well. They signed Jesus Lazardo to an extension. They

signed Chris Sanchez to an extension. And of course, we had the Bryce Harper controversy all

offseason and the beginning of spring training with Dave Dumbbrowski. But here we are with a team

that won 96 games last year. I always forget 96. 96 games last year. One of the highest payrolls

in baseball, three players who were top seven MVP voting last year, three pitchers who could be

Saiyong candidates this year. Really? Bryce was seventh, I think. Yeah. And Trey was fifth,

right? Wasn't Bryce seventh? No, 24. 24. He was six. Okay. So in top five MVP voting last year.

And then three guys who could be Saiyong candidates this year in Jesus Lazardo, Zach Wheeler. If he

comes back by the end of April and Chris Sanchez, one of the best closes in baseball. But we have

the same questions. So the mission is winner world series is the window closed. I think I will

start with you then to Jack Fritz to the Phillies have a real chance to win the world series,

a puncher's chance or no chance. Well, listen, the window hasn't completely closed just yet,

but it's getting smaller. And the way I look at this roster and I think the more you step back

and sort of look at it with a, with a clear view versus a frustrated view of what they didn't add

to the roster and look what's still here and what could be. I think there's a slightly better chance

than a puncher's chance, right? I'm going to make you pick one of the three. Punchers, real or no?

Well, let's go go puncher's chance. Okay. I go puncher's chance. Okay. It's a puncher's chance.

Okay. I believe they have it. And it's a legitimate puncher's chance. Yep. It's not a shot in the

dark. It's not a buster dog. Yeah. Yeah. It's not that type of a puncher's chance. So I think

of some things fall right for the Phillies primarily with the pitching staff. And obviously

what we've talked about at nauseam about them hitting in October, right? We know they have to do

that. But you go up against a lineup like that Dodgers lineup. You got to have the horses with

the arms to be able. Not many horses have arms. They all have legs. That's actually a really good

point. Yep. Some of them even have a fifth leg. Yeah. All right, Jack. Not the opening segment.

All right. You got to have the horses. You got to have the horses with the arms. Yeah.

To be able to take that Dodgers team down. I don't know if we have the type of offense

that can outslug the Dodgers. Of course. Yeah. To a title. So yeah, I'm giving them a puncher's

chance. I mean, I really am. I'm feeling good about the team right now. Didn't feel this way

a month ago. But hell, that's what happens when the rubber meets the road. Also known as

opening days tomorrow. There you go. Jack, real chance. Punchers chance or no chance.

Real chance. Real chance. They're one of the four best things in baseball, I believe. And listen,

we look at how far you've come. I know. We all know the Dodgers exist, right? Yeah.

You can't avoid them. Hopefully they face me in the NLCS. It can go seven games and

you can you can you can eat it out. Whereas last year things didn't go your way. Trey through

the wrong side of the base. Uh, Rojas Crawford aren't healthy to play to run on second base for

this thought. Bunt. So that Cassianos has to be in in that situation. Little things. Ryan

Kirkering, the called strike and then the two two count with Chris Sanchez and game four. Like

maybe those things go your way. It goes your way this year. The beta hammy. The beta hammy.

Everyone talks about the Harrison beta hammy around. We should. Yeah. We're so excited about

all regular season. We need to get the same in a post. Yeah. Yeah. So like how I feel like the

eve of of opening day is like this team's got to end it. Like that has to be the message for

the Phillies this year is ended. Everyone's talking about you're not going to get the job done in

October. Do you want to be remembered as a team that won a lot of games, but you didn't win a

title as there's been being legends here and just being remembered as really good players.

I kind of players sure, but it's a difference between legendary status and being remembered

for being a champion versus just having a really good team for a long time. I am not trying to

equate the early 2000's Eagles. We have talked about that at nauseam. We understand it. But that

is the message. You got to end it because it's the cherry on top for a bunch of guys who I think

deserve it. Well, before you go, Spike. Yeah. How do you have? What is it? The third option,

the real list. It was the third option. These real chance punchers chance or no chance.

Real chance. How do you have that as a real chance and you didn't mention the stars of this team

hitting? Yes. Well, in order for them to have a real chance, that's going to have to happen.

It is going to happen. Okay. In the post season meaning Bryce is going to like he's going to have

to do what he did in 2022 to some degree. Well, and Shorber. And Shorber is going to have to have

a moment. Shorber who hasn't had a moment in a post season yet that I can think of. There's

anything memorable in his time of being here. And we all love Shorber. But Shorber, after the

home run in the Met series and aside from the one game last year did not have two good playoff

series, I agree with all those things. That's top three. You have to do it. Absolutely. Now,

I've been saying I think they have a real chance. I think the Phillies have a real chance

of winning the World Series. I really do. I don't think you can have this pitching staff and not

have a real chance. I do think that they are the second best team in the National League. There

is a delta between them and the Dodgers. But I look back at last year and the Toronto Blue Jays,

now they didn't. Toronto Blue Jays could have beat the Dodgers. The Phillies could have had them.

They had them. The Phillies could have beat the Dodgers. It is not the NBA, right? Where the best

team always wins. And I think the Phillies have enough. It will come down to that question. And

and when I when you ask me when you say they have to hit and I promise I'm not doing that that's

baseball thing. I do not believe the cow Shorber's a choker. I do not believe the price harbors a

choker. I do not know. Trey has to prove it for sure. But but I don't think that the reason they

have failed is because the moment is too big for them. I just don't now agree with it. Yeah, it has

to happen. It has to happen. And you know, I think as much as the reason that they lost to the Dodgers,

their bat was their fundamentals too. That the Trey throw was a fundamental error. That the Castellanos

Kitten caught between that fundamental error that the Orion Kirkering thing fundamental. There

were fundamental errors that they made that cost them that series as much as their bats. Because

it's not like the Dodgers hit the leather off the the baseball last year either. So so I do believe

they have a real chance. Now for next question today, we do have a pair of tickets to go see Zach

Brian, the with heaven tour with Kings of Leon September 18th in the woodlands at Dover motor

speedway and Dover Delaware tickets available at the woodlandsdover.com. We are going now we don't

usually do sports for next question, but we are today. We want a bulltake for this Philly season.

Jack, do you want to start us off with a bulltake? Sure, throw a couple scorchers yesterday per

usual. You did you did. Cooked up another one to know. Okay. All right. What do you got?

I think Johnson Crawford finishes higher and rookie the year voting than Andrew Paner.

Oh, that's a good take. Yeah, it's a good take. Now it's sort of depressing. I think it's

more depressing for Andrew Paner to be honest with you, but that is a bulltake. I would give that

as a bulltake. All right. I like and the fact that we got a singles hitting center fielder.

Yes. Versus a guy who's supposed to be talented. He's supposed to be Paul Skame talent. Yes.

Yes, it must be Paul Skame. Yes, I got you. Might still 40 bags. Yeah. Okay. I'm just saying.

Yeah. I'm just looking at how far we've come with Andrew Paner. We are way down lower in the bar.

We're all admitting it. We're all admitting it. Yes. Well, you got a bulltake. Of course I do.

Okay. As with one of the three of my guys. Okay. I'm not going to go with Bryce. Okay.

I'm not going to go with Noles. Okay. We're riding the Bomber. Okay. And what is it?

All right. The Bomber. I think bomb is an all-star third baseman. I can't. I'm all-star third baseman.

Wow. All-star. I think it's all-star third baseman. Wow. That is bold. That is bold. That is bold.

Go big and go home. Here's what I'm going to do. Grab the Bomber.

Philly is going to have the most wins in the National League this year. I think they're not the most

winners in the National League. That's it. There are a bunch of little things I think could happen,

but I think that they are, that they have the team and they have the sort of, you know,

they have more roster continuity than pretty much any team in baseball over the last few years.

And I think it will benefit them this year. Lost their continuity. They do. Sort of like running it back.

It is a little bit like running it back. Look. I like the way you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you.

I like that. I like that. I like that. I like that. It is what it is. All right. I like that.

Two of five, five, nine, two, ninety, four, ninety four. Do the Philly's have a real chance.

A puncher's chance or no chance to win the World Series. The next question today.

We're going to look for a bold Philly's take. The winner today will get Zach Bryant tickets.

Corey and Columbus leads us off. Corey, you're on WIP.

Hey, yo, I'm there. You know, it's, it's like Christmas Eve. You know, I, I start off like,

you know, I wasn't high on the Philly's, but you know, we hear now. So I'm about like 95 wins. You know,

there you go. Yeah. Yeah. Captain Philadelphia Columbus.

So look, look, I'm at 95 wins. You know what I'm saying? I think they got a little bit more

than a puncher's chance. But if I got to pick between the three, I pick a puncher's chance.

Okay. We, we only can lose to the Dodgers. I don't care who we play.

Well, yeah, nothing else is acceptable. Nothing else is acceptable. Now, now this is the thing.

We get the Dodgers, you know, and the NLDS like last year, you know what I'm saying? We lose.

I'm going to be upset because it's early on, but that's still the only acceptable loss. You know,

I'm saying an acceptable loss to Dodgers. Everybody else we put in foot saying, you know what I'm saying?

This year, vice-harper, bow prediction, mix it in. Top three MVP boating. Put it in right now.

20 plus 2500, vice-harper going to be a top three MVP candidate. He might still it over Aaron

Judges, Mike's boy. That's my bow prediction. We're going into the Philly season.

Judges in the other league. Yeah, you can't see off from Judges. Yeah. That's true. That's true.

You right. You right. Yeah. Show me a tiny. Yeah, there you go. I just had to work spiking

there somehow. Yeah, there you go. Yeah. And also, Aaron Judges, not my boy. I just have ice.

So just so we're clear. But I think the Philly's I feel good.

I like bone clean up hitter. I'm really hoping that uh, what's his name?

Adults is Garcia, whatever. I'm hoping that he's at least Garcia. I'm hoping that he

can eventually develop into our clean up hitter, hit him with power and take over right

down a four hole because I'm feeling good. You know, so we got the best picture staff in the league.

You know what I'm saying? Aaron knows as your four starter ones, we're going to get back.

Hey, man, defense, Justin Crawford. Uh, uh, I mean, uh, Jack just told us you might be one of the

best rookie of the year. I go ahead, take care of us on defense aside defense.

And pitching is going to lead us through the postseason. It sound like another team in the city,

you know, defense in a running game, defense and pitching. You know what I'm saying?

That is going to lead us. And then when we get to the postseason, we got stars.

Vice hopper going show up. The Ohio legend is going to show up. We don't need no, uh, uh, uh,

standing ovation this year, but trade turner and I ride the bummer. No, no, we don't. We don't.

Let's miss the year. Okay. It's put up a shut up. We don't got no cast. Yano's excuses.

We don't got none of these guys' excuses. It's going to be here arguing, drinking in the,

drinking beer and a dugout. None of that focus. Vice hopper, you want to extension? So

I miss you. You're going to get that extension. Don't get that make, make your boy right?

Go out there and win this MVP. Right. You know what I'm saying? I like you. I like it. I heard

you yesterday. Look, look, look, I said stand on bed. Don't play with somebody else. Don't mention

my name when it comes to competition with others. Hey, man, we got, hey, you know, Ohio,

we put the best athletes in the world. Yeah. Yeah. I'm at the bottom. I'm at the bottom.

But I've told him, Paul, but I'm only told. I can't ask you something. Can I ask you something?

Corey, speaking of Ohio, so you guys know, I don't, I don't follow college football very much. I know

that Indiana won the national championship this year. Right. That happened. Okay. So I was looking

at a mock draft today and like five or six of the top 10 players were Ohio state players. Yeah.

So Corey, why didn't they win the national championship? We won last year. Well, no, no, I said

this year. Okay. And college football now, a lot of the older team like last year, we had a lot

of seniors. The year before that Michigan had a lot of seniors, Indiana had a lot of seniors.

Talent and winning is different. Remember, I told you that. You know, I'm saying you could be the best

talent. Yeah. I mean, you got half of the top 10 in the NFL draft. This is

Corey, the quarterback sucked. Who is going number one overall?

Well, Fernando Mendoza. Well, he was better than Ohio State quarterback.

I mean, we got a young guy doing the same next year, but I'm sorry for getting myself

out. I'm sorry. You got a roster full of NFL players. Yeah. It was a simple question. It's

unbelievable. Yeah. I was looking down the list. I was like, wait a minute, Ohio State, Ohio State,

Ohio State, Ohio State, Ohio State, Ohio State, roster full of NFL players. And just so I can

clarify on real chance, punchers, chance, no chance that they really have to do that with baseball.

Because we could talk ourselves into, you know, anybody can beat anybody in the baseball playoffs.

Crazy stuff happens. That's not what I'm looking for for for that's not a real chance. That's

a punchers chance, right? You get in there. You could beat anybody that and we understand we all

think the Phillies are going to be in the playoffs that the question is, do they have a real chance

or just a baseball chance, you know, and that that's I think it's an important difference with

with baseball because anybody could beat anybody, right? The time back's got to beat us, right?

That was 84 win team. We choked. Uh, two one five five nine two ninety four ninety four. Yeah. Derek

can pay only your on WIP. What's up, Derek? What's happening, fellas? What's up, Derek? What up, D?

No, I, man, I don't want to stay on this long, but man, with the ball, he, he, he, he thinks he

got a chance. Man, is the thing about it is if you do end up, you know, doing a little

five out of the house, you know, I'm starting to know what Fritz felt like. Yeah. I mean,

in doing this. Yeah. So, so if you're listening, you don't understand what happened here is that

the camera in the morning after winning his, his athletic challenge with Fritz has now turned

his eyes to Ike. And now Ike is in the unfortunate situation of having to respond to Joe the camera

every morning. Yes. And if he doesn't do it, then he's, you know, I tried to ignore him. Yeah.

Everybody has his impossible. Yeah. Well, I see you doing it. That's why I'm standing because

he won't keep talking and you're going to have to lay some up. You know, I mean, I, I, I, I,

that's how I see it. I feel you. I'll just say it's right now, Derek. So I'll let you know if it's

getting close to me even legitimately thinking about taking this on as a challenge. I'll let you

know it ain't there. Yeah. Right now he's just barking at the wind. He's just talking. He's

going, you know, and he's going to porch. I'm like the male man going by. He's just barking.

He's just barking. Yeah. That's why you got to, you got to kind of give Fritz a little,

a little bit more because if he, if he had a took care of business, man,

exactly. I wouldn't be in this position. I mean, like Joe is, Joe is going to high right now.

Yeah. Yeah. You can't really be mad at him, but it's like, come on. Now you, you're part of the wrong

channel. Derek, how many times do you think Joe has mentioned this victory to his girlfriend, Amy?

Like how many times in private, you know, has he started hearing about? Oh, I'm sure. You know,

he's probably playing the clip from the, the final three for her over and over and over and over.

Zoom off call. Yeah. For sure. Yep. Did you hear Amy? Did you hear him say best,

athlete? Did you hear him say that? Anyway, look, with the Phillies, right? This is my thing with

the Phillies. I do feel like these last few years, man, it's been some of the, even though we

haven't won it, it's been a good time, right? So I just want to see him get over to top. Like,

the Dodgers, the Dodgers won it all last year, but the Phillies had them, man. The Phillies had them.

Wasn't that game four when he threw them all away? Yeah. Yeah. It was. So when game five, it

would have been the Phillies, but I'm not mistaken, right? Yeah. Yeah. I'm not saying so you don't know

what would have happened. So I'm not just going to hang it up like, oh, the Phillies, like me,

they've been disappointed me because of how the seasons have ended, but I do feel like they do

got a good chance of making a run. Now, if they don't make a good run, then I don't know how long

this tenure, this, this team will stay together. That's not like a puncher's chance. Yeah. Well,

and like they, and also, here's the thing, the reality of, of if, if they don't do it, I don't

know how long they're going to stay together. Well, well, the, the key, they're all here.

Trey's not going anywhere. Everybody's on a long term. Yeah, it seems like. Trey's not going anywhere,

Bryce isn't going anywhere. Shorber's not going anywhere. Bowman's not right. A Bowman's not.

Those are the two things that you could do something with. I think moving forward. And you know,

the, I guess the entire outfield, you know, Bowman's not marsh. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

So my bowl, my bowl prediction is, yes, is like everybody be like, I don't, I don't dislike

Bryce Harper. I just think that like, what's that guy to call the other day? What do you, what do

the car you buy? Brought, Bryce Harper, Jock Snifers or whatever? That was hilarious. But,

oh, yeah. I do think that, um, Bryce does get a pass sometimes. Not just you like whatever,

but he's a good player. I don't know how I lead. He is, but my bowl prediction is, I think he

ain't going to get injured this year. I think he's going to play the whole year. Well, that would be

great. I mean, that, my bowl prediction. Yeah, that, that would be, yeah. I mean, I, I mentioned

the other day, missed 34 games a year since 2021. Yeah. Him playing a full season without

end playing 150 two games or something would be huge. A lot of blood transfusions would be

all over the Delaware Valley. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We would have to give credit to whoever

gave net IV switched out his blood down broad street. Yeah. Who I was listening to last night,

they were talking about, maybe it was a call or a call for it. I don't think it was you, Jack,

but correct me for me. In the sad sack. Yeah. We're just just basically talking about

the beating Bryce's body is taken. Yes. In his career. Oh, here it comes. Well,

I'm sorry. Is he out there crashing into the wall or something? He does kind of play like that.

He did play outfield. Yeah. I know. I, I get it. But his body, he, that's face, it's the,

it's the violent swing. It is the swing. That's not a beating that his body is taking. What kind of

is? No. See, as a football player, I just can't hear that as a football player that crashes into

guys who has real physical trauma every week. Yeah. Talk about swinging the bat as the body is

taking the beating. Well, let me, I mean, Tiger's body broke down and he played golf. Yeah.

You know, your body can break down. First of all, yeah. Bryce is only swinging forward,

bats a game. Yeah. Tiger just through the course of a round of golf probably swings the ball,

swings that club faster and harder than Bryce swings in a week. Well, it's just one round of

golf. It's not four straight days of it. So I can understand four straight days of Tiger Woods

doing that for 18 holes, but also playing the field also. I don't, I don't, look, I'm not a

Bryce guy, but I can about be a Bryce guy. I just can't hear that his body is taking a beating.

That doesn't register to me. I think it's less that his body is taking a beating and more

that his body is breaking down. I can accept that. Yes. I think it's more that and I do accept that

and we all agree. The swing definitely has something to do with that. I can accept that. And he

has a little bit of now like it's certainly selective, but he's got a little bit of oughtly to him

in in the running, you know, like, well, he's a head for slides. He jumped in front of fast balls.

Everything. I agree. I agree. That's a guy whose body took a beating. Absolutely. I agree. I'll give it

to Utley. Look at the positivity. I reckon I was a real tough guy when I see that guy's a tough guy.

Oh, what? Because he went to the same knee guys, Kobe. That's the only thing. All right,

two on five, five, nine, two, ninety four, ninety four. Tomorrow's opening day. Do the Phillies have

a real chance to win the World Series this year? A punch or chance or no chance? Coming up next,

John Middleton addressed the Harry the case situation. And I got to hear this. He did not mince words.

That is what I would say. It sounds like it was listening to the WIP afternoon show the other day.

To be quite honest with you. This is the WIP afternoon show with Ike Spike and Fritz.

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online. Really? What's going on, everyone? Joe, the camera and John Rich. It is 94WIP. Great to be

with you off and rolling. On this Wednesday morning, well, a bad flyers lost last night. They

needed it. We talked yesterday about how they really needed it and then they didn't get it.

Hurts the playoff chances quite a bit. Sixers. Paul George, he returns tonight. Better be ready to

bust his ass. Eagles with two roster moves yesterday, two signings. Fills opening days is one day

away. Christopher Sanchez tomorrow will have the ball. We'll talk about it all plus on the day

before the Fills start. Bryce Harper put him under the microscope today and do so with you on the

phone lines at 215-592-94-94. Richard Rich, good morning. Hello, Joe. Hello there, Johnny.

This is pretty unbelievable. I mean, really? You're excited? This made me. Wow, he never gets like this.

Beaming. It's just a funny picture. Okay. We're talking 400 BC. You got a picture from 400

pieces. Oh, just picture in your head, mental picture in your head. This is back in ancient China.

Soldiers used kites for spying in ancient China. Oh, that's the thing. They would make giant kites

and they would put soldiers. They would fly them up in the air. On a kite and they would be up there

looking at the advanced positions. It's like an early drone, right, John? Yes, exactly. Drones with

human beings on giant kites. That's pretty good. What are you going to notice that?

I would imagine definitely. Well, that's the thing. They didn't have the capacity to like

throw a spear all the way up there. And ultimately if troops are coming, you just kind of want to know

how they're positioned. And so you got a guy on a kite way up there. I like it. It's just

a funny picture. I like it a lot. Alright, so let's get out of here. First off, if you want to

comment on the flyers loss last night, we're the return of Paul George, which is two night. Please do

215 592 94 94. Look quickly on the flyers. Let's say this. I think they're likely done.

Here's the reason. Could they make the playoffs? Of course. But it's just implausible. That's the

word I'll use. Not a possible implausible that in the final 12 games will win like nine or 10.

So like are they theoretically still in it? Sure. Win 10 out of 12. Is that going to happen? No.

That's my flyers statement. Six years Paul George get ready to bust your butt man.

No messing around. You let the team down. You let the town down. I know you talked about it.

Yes, they will play the audio. Get ready to bust your ass. Score on offense, play fricking good

defense. Be a mate. Do $212 million. You're almost through year two of a four year contract.

$212 million. John, I feel like he has contributed nothing so far. He's almost halfway through the

contract. He hasn't done anything. Bust your ass, dude. It's time to go. All right. So you can

weigh on either than 215 592. You think you'll be able to tell a difference in his hustle. No,

please. My thought is he will not bust his ass. Right. So that's that is. But he said the 25 games

off. We're really good. Really. Really. Really. Really. Really. It feels good.

How would you sum up what he has accomplished in the first 150 games? What has he done? Nothing.

Zero. Yeah. That's done nothing. Zero. It's astonishing. I mean, talking about stealing money,

$212 million. We've talked about really bad contracts. It might be one. Is it worse than

buying when they sign? Bynum. Listen, Bynum never played. Bynum was at least only one year.

One year. Put it this way. Three or whatever. We're about to do it. Dive today.

Okay. And it's a rightful conversation. Is Bryce Harper still elite? And part of that conversation

will be 13 years, 330 million. Now think about this for a second. 13 330. That comes in a focus

for like worth it. Elite. How good is he? 13 330. Paul George. Four.

Two. Twelve. We've got eight years out of Harper, right? Yeah. Four. He's got four years halfway

through. Buster Astudes time. All right. Two, one, five, five, nine, two, nine, four, nine, four.

John, let's get to Harper. It's a simple question. Is he still elite? Yes. I want to make sure

everyone knows it's not was the elite. It's easy elite. John, you said, yes, you said it fast. Why?

I expect his what he's shown in the past to continue this season. And he has expressed

an added level of preparedness. He has with the shirt, the not elite thing. I think that's a great

sign for where his mind is where his focus has been this off season. We saw the world baseball

classic. We saw that he had clutch ability once again, the clutchiness. That's part that we

don't give him enough credit when you look at it. Typically until last year, until last October.

Well, he was the 2022 NLCS MVP. Yeah, the past like that was great. That was fantastic. But then

even since then, even since then, when you talk about 2019 to today, do you realize that

Bryce Harper, this is incredible. Bryce Harper is leading all major league baseball qualified

hitters in post season OPS between 2019 and 2024. You realize that? I mean, we're talking about

is post season. Can you put the bat on the ball? It's not just that though. What are you talking

about? He his post season, his post season performance has been as clutch as anyone. All major league

baseball qualified hitters were comparing OPS. Like this is not a throwaway number. This is not

a something in debate. OPS between 2019 when he got here in 2024 has, he's led all of baseball.

He's told us that this year, he's focusing on fixing his plate discipline. Because last year,

he got less pitches to hit than everyone in baseball. You know that part too, right? I've heard that.

That stat, the 43.1%. That's the pitches he saw in the zone last year. That's the smallest

number of pitches in the zone in all the baseball. Bryce Harper is, everyone else sees Bryce

Harper for what he is. He is dangerous. And yet, he still figures out a way to perform in the

post season. This, we don't give him enough credit. And then to top it all off, remember,

this is the one thing that this man has said he lacks. I am gunning. I'm going all in to go get

a world championship, a world series title because I don't have that. Bryce Harper has stated

he's hungry. He's fixing the things that ailed him. And we see that he has proven himself

when the pressure is on. I just think it's a matter of time. Why not this year? All right. So

team is so I do believe our team because of the pitching and the bullpen is going to be in a better

position. I think Bryce Harper will continue to play clutch baseball and bring those who need

to come along along with them. Why not this year? All right. So look, again, everyone can weigh in

two one five five nine two nine four nine four. It's not was he clutch. It's is he clutch.

So I will tell you full candor and I'm a I'm a big Bryce Harper fan. I think that's

pretty well understood. I started out very lukewarm on. I do think he does that pandering thing.

But he's been a great filly. All right. Let's not get it.

Pandering not so much the past years. Not as much. Not as much. But he's been a great filly.

You know, I think he's played at a higher level other than Ryan Howard's

unbelievably historic burst for a couple seasons. I think for a seven year span of time,

Bryce has been the best filly since Mike Schmidt. I believe that. I think since middie,

Bryce is next. And that's passing over a lot of great fillies. And that includes Ryan Howard

and Chase and Jimmy and Roy Halliday on and on. Jack Wheeler and all of them. I'm a big

Bryce Harper fan. I came in here today. Honestly, John thinking I was going to say yep,

still elite because of the type of things you're talking about because he's still pretty freaking

good. No doubt. But I dove into the numbers this morning and I was alarmed on two fronts.

And I'm going to give you a not elite answer. It doesn't mean he can't reestablish,

but I'm going to say currently not elite. And I'm going to break it down for two reasons.

One, he just doesn't play. He doesn't play a lot of games the way baseball players play

155 to 160. Like he misses big stretches every year. The last four years. Now these are the four

years. The fillies have made the playoffs. And none of these years were affected by pandemic

short seasons. So from 20, 22 on. Now remember, 20, that's bad luck. Well, getting hit in the face.

It's always bad luck. But it's, but it's okay. But it's what it is. What if it's not bad luck

this year? What if he doesn't get hit in the face this year? That really does help us out.

Ask yourself this. Do you think he's going to play 155 games this year after the last four

years being this 99, 126, 145. And last year, 132 is 30 games last year. So like that's not

inconsequential. They still make the playoffs. He's still always been available in the playoffs.

So that's critical. This isn't like who's to say he hasn't prepared harder than ever this.

Who's to say with the world baseball classic in shape a little earlier? Because he's played

meaningful baseball a little bit earlier. I don't buy that he wasn't prepared last year. I think

he's a player that his, his greatness of the past is in the past. That's my opinion. I hope I'm

wrong. So number one, he does miss a lot of. Well, then that's a really bad job by the fillies,

given a 13 year old. Well, not necessarily. You know the point of those deals. You're paying

for the front end of the deal. You know the back end isn't going to be. I think they've already

won the heart for you. I agree with that. You know, in the back end of the game, six, six,

so that's, so that's number one. He missed a lot of games. Number two, when you're really dig

into the production, like when he's actually on, because when he's on the field, he's still very,

very, very, very good. When he's on the field, he's very, very, very close to elite. But I would say

below elite for one thing is bad in average last year, 261. It's one of the lowest of his career.

He's just for what it's worth. 43.1%. Yeah, he's a career list number of balls to hit in all the

base. Look, he's a career 280 hitter. That's his career. Last year, 261. He's a career 387 on

base. Last year, 357. He's a career 519 slugging percentage. Last year, 487. If I am being honest,

and you guys know, I keep it real with you. And I'm assessing when he's on the field. You actually

think how he downed the field in his career so that that is going to continue. I think when

the numbers usually does. Why? Because he's getting older. He's not getting pitches. It's good.

He's not getting any pitches. He's getting less pitches than everyone in major league baseball.

How are you supposed to hit that? All right. Well, look, you tell us the 2155, 592, 94, 94 done

broski. Obviously made some very notable comments in the off season right when the off season

began in October. Do you think keep it real, guys? Is Bryce elite? Not do you want him to be?

Not was he? Is he? Put another way. What do you expect this season?

I'm Brian. I work at United Health Care. What's up, Brian? Why do you care?

I care because I don't want to leave anybody behind. I oversee one of the biggest resource

center in United Health Care. I see people walked in in my office every day just like my parents.

They have no idea about the health care. I feel like they're my uncles, aunties. I treat

as people like family. I'm Brian and I'm committed to care.

Go ahead. Get picky. Whether you're into subcompacts with heated cup holders,

crossovers with all-wheel drive, pickups with kicking sound systems, or SUVs that can survive

whatever chaos your kids unleash. Just drop in your info and you'll only see cars in your budget.

Really, once you find your one and only, you can do the whole deal online and have the car

delivered to your driveway. Or you can pick it up at the dealership and drive your new ride right

off the lot. Really, auto trader makes it easy to buy your car online because the whole process

is designed around your once and must have. Auto trader, buy your car online. Really.

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