Relatively Speaking: We're Chatting With Mike Vasil's Mom | 'Baseball Isn't Boring'

0:00Hey, I arrived almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes. That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped a video call, uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch group and Nana's with the group chat, and of course, still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone. All at once? Yep, story of my life. That's why I switched to D-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multitasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more, I'm totally switching. My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get D-Mobile. So many reasons to join D-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. Fastest based on analysis by Uclosepetextintelligence data of National Speed Score results in incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026.

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2:01Or trade with DraftKings predictions to get predictions dollars that expire in one year. Event contract trading involves risk of loss. Predictions offer void in New York. Nonwithdrawable rewards issued as $50 click to claims every seven days for 21 days. Terms at DKNG.co slash offer. Limited time offer. Nationwide based on sportsbook predictions and free to play sports contest availability varies by state. Rob Redford. There's nobody on the planet I would rather be talking to more than Kathy Vassel. That's a fact. It's a fact. How are you? I'm doing great. How are you? Thank you for coming. Oh my goodness. I'm so good. I'm so honored that you're on the podcast.

3:02And we just were coming on real quick. And you said, you know, we talked about like what? I admire you anyway. I admire your first pitch. Excellent first pitch. Oh, well, I mean, you know, it's practicing a little bit ahead of time. So, you know, well, we're going to get to that in a second. But you're the mom of one of our favorites. That's Mike. And, and you know, it's funny, Kathy. And I don't know how many of the his appearances you've seen on the podcast. But there's been quite a few now. And it started, you know, I very fortunate. We are very fortunate. The list is very fortunate. It started in the futures game when I met him. I was at the futures game. And, you know, I think he had cleats or something. Maybe it's something on his, I don't know what he had on his cleats. But it was, it was something interesting, right? Remember that? Yes, I do. I do. Yeah. Yeah, he had, I think it was, they were custom made something about, I think, being drafted

4:06in the eighth round. So that was a ode to that. And just different, different things that made them very unique. So I, that's sort of, I ended up talking to him. And I didn't realize, I gotta be honest, Kathy, like I, it's only like quick conversation. So I didn't get the full Mike experience. Yeah. And then I should have known, by the way, now that I know that you, you all, like he's, he grew up near where I, where I grew up, where I've lived. He went to iconic games, two of the most iconic games are in the history of the Red Sox, A, the David Ortiz Grand Slam game, correct? Oh, yeah. Were you there for that as well? No. No. No, I think he was at that one with my husband. And I think it might have been a school night. And I was texting them saying, this is ridiculous. You need to get home because you've got school tomorrow. And this game is going to go on, you know, forever or whatever.

5:11And so they, so obviously they didn't leave. They let me. I can't, I can't really, sorry, bad reception, bad reception. Yeah, right, right. Mom, we can't hear you. And then, and then he also said, told me that I didn't realize this one. To recently, then he was at the Joe Kelly Fight Club game. Oh, yeah. Yeah, like where there were maybe one of the, one of the things that were allowed for baseball and boring to be born. Joe Kelly fighting Tyler Austin, of course. Yeah, I didn't realize he was at that game. But then when he talked about it on your last podcast, I remembered he won those raffle tickets, surprise, surprise, and ended up going to the game with one of his high school buddies. Yeah, that was great. So it all comes back to, I should have known better. I should have been on the, the Vassal family train a lot earlier than now, but I'm just glad that not only are we, but I think the baseball world is, and we're going to talk

6:13a little bit about the how crazy this year has been for, for Mike, but also for you. As we just said, you just, you literally just coming back from throwing out the first pitch at, at guaranteed rate field, a rate field, the white size game. So by the way, had you ever thrown out the first pitch? For a game, never, never, and never, I'm, you know, what? No, not, not a little league high school. No, nothing, nothing. All right. So I do want to talk a little bit about that, but all roads, you know, I want to talk a little bit about how we've got to this point and, and your family and, and Mike and, and everything that has gone into sort of getting to the down this road. You know, first of all, I should mention, did he show you the backpack that he got from LLB? No, because no, we haven't had a chance to see it yet. Wait, you know, it was kind of a chaotic weekend, not chaotic, but just very busy.

7:15So he has not had an opportunity to show us yet, but he will. No, I always brought this, this, that's a signature of how far he's come, because when you see him on the billboard, we're in the LLB and made a very special backpack just for him. So we, he wanted, we asked him what he wanted to endorse. He said, a backpack's a good. We got him the LLB backpack. That's how much power he has. Wow. Okay. Well, let's get to know. I'm hearing it from you first. All right. Well, the, the Vassal family should have backpacks in the mail. Any second. All right. So, let me, so this year, from your perspective, let's start here. From your perspective, how is it changed for you and your family? Because before he was known as a good picture, is a good picture as a young, young guy, good picture at Virginia, good picture, you know, a BC high, good picture, you know, for the mats. But there's a lot of, like, there's a lot of good pictures.

8:16But this is my case sort of amplified what we talk about. This is what we love having as part of the family. You guys being part of it as well is that it represents everything that is fun. That is good. It is about baseball. So that's a long-winded way of me asking the question, when did you know, has he always been this way and has he always exhibited, exhibited this element of fun when he's played baseball? Well, how far do you want me to go back? Whatever you want. The floor is yours. Well, I mean, as far as ability, you know, my husband's the one that picked that one up when he was three years old. Ball came out of his hand a little differently. But as a person, you know, I think we kind of always knew he was always the listener. You know, he came from a family where his father's an attorney. So talkative, my older sister, bossy older sister, and we were very lively.

9:19We like to talk. He was always an observer and a listener. And then eventually he got older and he started to realize he had a voice too. But I would say, I remember a conversation I had with his fifth grade teacher. And even before that third grade, he, you know, the teacher would always put him or sit, seat him with other kids that might need some extra help or just, you know, kind of be that anchor. And then in fifth grade, I remember at a conference, parent teacher conference, she said to me, you know, he just gets it. Like there's just something about him that just gets it. He gets something beyond what other people might understand and how to treat people. How to behave, how to conduct himself. And yeah, he has this fun, loving side to him. And he always has, since he was a little boy, hilarious.

10:21I mean, he would make us laugh from the very beginning when he was like two and three years old. He would just always entertain the family and we would die laughing. But there's something even deeper in him that just resonates with so many different types of people. So I would say that's always been his character. It's just who he is. He just knows how to bring people together. He knows how to include people. He just, and he loves to have fun. And I think in the, you know, like when he was in high school, he was always a leader in the dugout. And it was just natural to him. He didn't try. He just was himself. You know, Kathy, you said something about listening and I'm fascinated by people who listen well. And I've said this a lot about, you know, to Tori LaVello who has been managing the Arizona Diamond Back to I Know. He's one of the best listeners and as a human being, he would come on the radio and ask a million questions, how does this work? How does this work?

11:21Why is this happened? But he was always listening. And as you're talking about Mike, I'm thinking, you know, one of the things I tell people when he's on the podcast has been on the podcast is that he's really good at not just looking to give an answer. But actually engaging in the conversation, if that makes any sense. And that part of that is listening, right? Part of that is, is okay, like we're having a conversation. It's not. And maybe that's a question back. Maybe it's thinking of a story, whatever it is. But he of all the people that we do podcasts with, he is maybe the best at that. Of you're not feeling like you're just trying to get the minute 15, you know? Yeah. Yeah. Well, I mean, we've noticed that and even we looked at him when he was in the bullpen, we're, you know, he's just chatting it up, but listening and just keeping things light and loose yet, just letting that person know that he's engaged and like we just said, listening.

12:28And I think he learned that as like again, we probably contributed to that because he couldn't get a word in edgewise. So we had to wait this turn. That's good though. So let me ask you, we talk about him being good at baseball. There was a time, there was another time where I talked to him. He was with the Syracuse Mats and he had a 60-RA. And so for parents, you were thinking, hey, this is great. This is a great ride. We get drafted in the Mats futures game. And then it sort of starts going the other way. And this is the side that, you know, for parents, this is an educational conversation of what was it like for you because you want the happy kid to be happy, right? You want your happy kid to be happy. Right. So what was that like? And we're going to get to like how he landed, where he landed. But what was that period like for you? Well, obviously it was challenging. And it was difficult because we knew that, I mean, in our hearts, we've always believed

13:33in him. We've always known his ability. And we just felt like something was just off. And maybe there were things that he needed to learn along the way. And every player goes through adversity. And he had never, well, in college, he went through some stages of adversity too. So I don't want to say he hadn't been through some rough times. But never did we feel that this was the end of the road for him. We never felt like, okay, this has been great. And he reached, you know, AAA. And this may be it for him. Like we just never felt that for him. We just always believed that at some point, something's going to happen, whether it's clicked and things started getting better for him. And you know, maybe ultimately the best thing that happened was for him not to be protected. And maybe that was supposed to happen. You know, that inflated ERA might have made decisions down the road for him to then open

14:36up opportunities for him somewhere else. And so what you're talking about, he gets picked by the rule five draft by the race, which again, led us to another podcast because basically, basically anything that happens to him, he represents a ton of people to give perspective of it, whether it's being a good young player, whether it's adversity. Now it's what's it like to be a rule five guy, which all of it, because you know what, Kathy, I think the reason is we keep coming back to him is because he can articulate it in an entertaining and engaging way. Like, oh yeah. Right? I might not be as funny as him. No, no, you can tell. You got the vassals are A1. So appreciate it. So he's picked the rule five. He's in Tampa. I actually see him in that camp. And I asked Shane Bosniss the other day, former teammate, I was a little like, behind site, do you remember the rule five kid, Mike Vassal, like, because rule five, you're

15:37cutting the corner. You don't want to make any waves. Typically, but did, hey, Shane, do you remember this kid, Mike, who was in camp with you that spring training, did he show you his personality? And he told some story, which he probably shouldn't have told about like some app about about like fighting out phone number, whatever it was. But, but it was okay. That made me feel good. Like that was that this guy, no matter what, no matter whether he's succeeding, struggling, and we're going to get to like the here and the now, but all of it, he's still at the heart of it, the guy that you just said, you know, the listener, the communicator, the entertainer, like all of that, right? Yeah. And there's, you know, of course, there have been times and we've seen as a family, some of his lowest points, you know, it hasn't always been where he just brushes it off and says, I'm going to be okay. I mean, there were times when things were really, really hard for him.

16:41And we were there for him. We had to support our son, but you know, we always felt like there was, we're just going to be a time when he'd be able to shine and show what he can do. We just always believed in him, not pushing him. We always said, if you want to do something else in your life, we'll support you, whatever it is you want to do. And he said, no, I know what I'm, I'm going to be fine. I know what I need to do. And you know, I just think it's always keeping a positive attitude and believing in himself. So you know, again, yeah, I remember he really connected with Shane, Shane Boss, right? Yeah. Yeah. Of course. So that's, I think to be a great player or a great person or a great teammate, you have to understand what it's like to go through really difficult times because that's the only

17:44way you're going to get to, you know, whatever level anyone has great success, you have to go through some hard times. And it's so true. That's in well put. So before you know, you have the year last year, like so he gets traded to the white socks and they have three rule five guys. It's like this weird, like, okay, super. And by the way, they're all like from Massachusetts. I remember I took a picture of the three of them at Fenway. You know, they came back early. It was April, right? April, I think they played that game. Yeah. Sean Berk was drafted by he wasn't rule five. Oh, rule five. I'm sorry. Yeah. Anyway, but yeah. So Sean Berk, Shane Smith, Mike, that's right. And so they were all there at Fenway. And ultimately you could see where all the tickets went. There was like, you know, hundreds of people all in the left field corner. But it's another one where it can crack me if I'm wrong.

18:45I believe so Mike gets to patient Fenway against the red socks. And they bring them in right with an extra innings. What was extra innings, right? Extra innings. Basis loaded. I mean, it was like something. Yeah. No, I think it was just extra innings. It was the 10th. It's the bottom of the 10th and the ghost runner was on second base. Yeah. So I'm thinking this poor kid, like this poor kid, I felt, I felt, and I didn't even know you that, but I felt for your entire family. I felt for everybody who was there. Like this is, but this is, it is what it is. And I think that all the lessons that he learned, it was whether you succeed or fail. It's okay. This is another experience. We're going to move on. Oh my goodness, but to go back to for you, you must be like, what are you doing? Bringing my son in and it's a good way to get Fenway par. Just a little bit. So, you know, of course, I think they didn't want to, but they went through their

19:45relievers. So they kind of didn't have a choice at that point, I believe. You know, Mike's always been a star. So just going into the bullpen that he last year was, you know, a change in itself and an adjustment. And then to be put in in the 10th inning in a, you know, win, lose situation, he had never experienced before. And again, he would be the first to tell you, well, now I can say I gave a walkoff, you know, at Fenway in front of all my friends and family. City I grew up in. It was, it was, yeah, no, we were, I mean, what are you going to do? When you see him after the game, you know, I know this like listen, as parents, you're always like, it's like I got to say the right thing. I got to do the right thing. I got to react the right way. But when you see him, is it, is it, you know, you were like, oh, hey, I love you. Like it's, it's okay. Or he's a, is he like, oh, yeah, oh, you know, it is what it is.

20:46Like what was that meeting after the game like? Oh, yeah. No, we were in worse shape than he was. Sure. And we, obviously, when it happened, we were just, you know, so upset for him and just felt badly and were worried about what his reaction was going to be. And again, he, he just, it's not like he totally brushed it off. I'm sure he was really disappointed. But he, you have to turn the page and move on. Or else it's going to eat you up. So he just kind of said, yeah, it is what it is. Like, you know, what, what am I going to do? It just, drink up, baby. Fantasy football happy hour is here to get you wins and have some laughs. Matthew Berry here and my podcast, Fantasy Football Happy Hour has the sleepers bust and start-sit advice you need to win your league. We're diving into the tape. We're crunching the numbers to bring you sleepers. Bust weekly start-sit advice, whether you're defending a title or desperately avoiding

21:47last place, I've got you covered every single weekday. The bar is open. It's Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry, wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, all right. It's almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes. That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped a video call, uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch gopananas with the group chat, and of course, still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone. All at once? Yep. Story of my life. That's why I switched to T-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multitasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more, I'm totally switching. My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get T-Mobile. So many reasons to join T-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. It's a space-down analysis by Uglos Speed Test Intelligence, the data of national speed

22:50score results in cooperating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026. Presented by T-Mobile, the official wireless partner of Odyssey Sports. With an awesome network and great savings, there's never been a better time to join T-Mobile. Visit your neighborhood store to make the switch today. Hey, it's Jen Hatmaker. Here's what I've learned in midlife. Joy isn't the reward you earn after all the work is done. Joy is the work. That's what this new series on For the Love is all about. The sacred, yes. It's choosing delight, rest, and pleasure on purpose. Because saying yes to yourself, that's the thing that finally lets you fill your table with everybody else. Come find your sacred, yes with me. Follow and listen to For the Love wherever you get your podcasts. It's funny. I feel like you're... My heart sank. My sister was there. We were all there. Her sister, her friends and family, and it was really tough.

23:55But ultimately, he has a great year, right? So, it's great year. What a fun year it was for you and your family. He's established himself as a major league pitcher, everything you want. And then, we'd come back to the adversity part, which is when he finds out he has to have surgery. And for you, what was that like? What was that like? Because it's one thing to have a six-er-a in AAA because you can figure that out. You know, hey, good times might be around the corner the next day. Yeah. Surgery, you know the deal. You know it's... We'll see in a year. What was that like for you? So, well, I think what was hard was... He's always been really diligent about arm care and taking care of himself and knowing what to do. But I don't know. It was a weird day because he was pitching against the Dodgers. We were watching at home. We were streaming the game.

24:56And he was humming. He was moving right along. You know, third inning. I think he was starting the fourth. And he was striking out. The pitch count was low. And then when he walked, you know, the Freddie Freeman and I think it was Max Muncie. Is that Max Muncie? Yeah. Max Muncie. Max Muncie. Yeah. We said something's off. And then when they went to the mound, that's when we kind of thought, oh, this is not normal. And then he texted us right away and just said they're going to check things. He goes, I'm going to get an MRI. So we're still holding our breath, hoping that maybe it's just a little arm fatigue or whatever it may be. It just felt a little something. And then he went and they took them. And it was a few hours before we really had an answer.

25:56But they were on it right away. And then when he told us, surgery. You know, what are you going to do? I mean, we just, you know, we felt terrible. We were so. Was that the toughest moment for you as a parent? As a parent? Not as a parent. Yeah. As a baseball player. Like, yeah, I mean, yes, I think we were kind of in not in shock, but just kind of, you know, trying to absorb it. So maybe shock to a decree. Yeah. Just trying to absorb it and say, okay, what are we going to do now? What can we do to help you? How are, you know, the white socks were amazing. I have to say the organization was unbelievable or is and has been all along. I mean, all we can do is just be there to support him and just pray and hope that all goes well and have a, you know, look at the silver lining of things.

26:57And it was soon after that that then all of a sudden his teammates and his coaches, are going and asking for him to travel with the team and rehab with the team. And then all of a sudden we're thinking, okay, well, that's great. We're starting to see this rally behind him, which was so uplifting. Can't even tell you because, you know, we know what it's, we can only imagine, you know, if you're in Arizona or Florida rehabbing at the facility, you're with the other guys too, which, you know, again, is what most people do. But I mean, that has helped greatly, obviously. I was literally going to ask that question. That was the, I mean, to jump ahead. No, no, no, I was, I was glad your instincts are keen. Like so, I, because, you know, we, it's great that we're talking about the tough times,

27:58because it's important to talk about the tough times. It's important to talk about adversity. It's important to talk about coming out of adversity. And it's important for you. And I really appreciate you doing this because I think there's a lot of, we forget the parents, we forget the relatives, we forget the friends like this, everyone is going through this. And, but to then have exactly what you said, which is the, the team saying, Mike, we you come, we want you to be part of the, on the road. And that isn't normal. Like that is not normal for, and then, and then to understand your son has made that sort of impact and that sort of impression on his team and his teammates. And then it's sort of like, and then obviously, you see, not only is it good for him, but you see slowly, thanks to magic ones and things like that, right? That this is, this is good for, this is good for everybody.

28:59This is, it may be the best rehabilitation from a surgery in the history of baseball. Well, and I don't want to gloss over and just forget about that day and even the days leading up to when the surgery was going to be and all those things because clearly our family was going through a lot because you just don't know how somebody's going to come back from it and you don't know how the surgery is going to go. And, you know, obviously he had Dr. Meister who was incredible. And I was there with him. I went to help him through the surgery and stayed with him for two weeks to get him acclimated to his apartment and everything. So there's all that in between that happened that, you know, I want people to understand and then, you know, other families have gone through it. It's really, really difficult because, you know, it's scary because you don't know this is their livelihood. This is their job and to have that taken away is not easy.

30:05But moving ahead and having all of this incredible fortune happened for him has been like, I don't even know how to describe it. First of all, it's crazy. But a year ago, not to interrupt you, Kathy, but a year ago, could you imagine that you will be throwing out the first pitch? No, no, no. Well, even he and I were laughing because he was in Houston. He had just come back from his appointment to see Dr. Meister and get the good, you know, some good news that he's doing really well. And then he, he was in the airport waiting to go back to the team and he's saying he's telling me, you know, mom, how crazy is this? I would never have thought ever that you'd be throwing out the first pitch when I'm not even on the roster and I'm having to give away in honor of this magic wand thing that has

31:09just, you know, taken off like wildfire. It's crazy. It's insane. It's great. It's great. It's great. It's what it is. Awesome. It's like this, this year, it can be all the things that happen. Like I said, I'm kind of lost for words in the sense of like, I do the way that I want to describe it is the best real builtation from surgery in the history of baseball. And I think that it all sort of is because of what we want, what we preach, what this whole baseball is and boring thing is about, which is baseball is so much more than throwing a ball to admit. It is about relationships. It is about the humor, the entertainment, the bringing people in, having reasons to care about somebody that people caring about, those people caring about the game, their

32:09teammates, all of that. I mean, all of this is encapsulated within this. And I know that I'm getting very cliche. No, but it's true. It's true. I think, obviously, and it's been written and told that at the beginning of their season, they were having a hard time. They were losing. And I think Michael might have made a comment and said, God, maybe I need to start casting magic spells or something on the other team and then lo and behold, Jordan Leisure buys them the wand and sticks it in his locker. Like, what is this? So he's like, I'm going to bring it out into the dugout, it starts waving it around and before you know it. And you know, all it is is a symbol and it, and you know, I mean, how superstitious these are. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. They start winning and all of a sudden that wand just takes on a different meaning. It's about keeping things light and focusing on and just having going out there and having

33:11fun. And it's a young team. Most of them have never experienced anything to this point. And so if that little wand is just a symbol and keeps them grounded and focused and having fun and hey, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. We know they're wrong. But it's just an overall just, I don't know. I just, but it's also organic. Kathy, like that's the other part about this. This isn't like sure you have a one night, right? But to get to that point, everything about that was organic. It wasn't like, you know what? I am going to do this one. What we, we are going to fix things with this wand. Yeah. No, no. No, he just went waving it around one day and it just, you know, and then it became a joke and then the joke actually then started to become a little bit more of a, but, you know,

34:11would have just, I don't know, mate, just, I don't know. What is it? Maybe there is a little magic in it. I don't know. I like that. So before I get to the first pitch, I do want to go back and ask you, I would be remiss and say asking if there was a good, if there was something that Mike did when he was even in Little League, that was that you remember of being unique, you know, whether it's Little League, whether it's whatever, Junior League, whether it's AU, whether it's BC, whatever it is. I mean, this may be not because maybe it's just, he has this great personality and his uniqueness is his personality, but I don't know if he had ever like brought out anything like a wand or anything like that. Oh, no. Yeah. I mean, I never, there's never been like a little gimmick or anything. He would just go out there. It's just who, his, again, like you said, his personality, just being himself.

35:13Hey, all right, almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes. That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped a video call, uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch group and Nana's with the group chat, and of course, still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone. All at once? Yep, story of my life. That's why I switched to T-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multi-tasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more, I'm totally switching. My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get T-Mobile. So many reasons to join T-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. Fastest based on analysis by Uclav Speed Test Intelligence, the data of National Speed Score Results incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026.

36:14Presented by T-Mobile, the official wireless partner of Odyssey Sports. With an awesome network and great savings, there's never been a better time to join T-Mobile. Visit your neighborhood store to make the switch today. Understanding Power requires more than headlines. I'm Peter Hamby, host of The Powers That Be, a podcast from Pock Examining Politics, Economics, and Media to provide context analysis and clarity without sensationalism. We ask how power operates, who benefits, and what's at stake. If you want to move beyond breaking news to deeper understanding, join us on The Powers That Be. New episodes every weekday follow The Powers That Be wherever. You get your podcasts. Yeah. Again, that's all it takes. Yeah. And then I'll say it again. I know. It's organic. That's one of the great things I love about what has happened with Mike. And we talk about the podcast. You've probably heard some of the stories you've told on it. You know, his roommate sleeping in the bathroom.

37:16Which I said that chased my draft. I'm like, oh my gosh. How are we not getting you a mask with a baseball is boring logo on the eyes or something? I mean, come on. They are having so much fun. It is, I mean, Chase is great. And you know, those guys living together. And then there's another, they have another roommate who Michael, you know, is very close with from his, the Met's days. Um, and who's playing Indie Ball actually in Gary, Indiana. And so the three of them are living together. And they're just having a ball together, you know, having a lot of fun and just being teammates and support a support system for each other. And I just want to know what goes on. Yeah. I really don't. All right. Let's talk about the first pitch. First of all, how long ago was it when you knew you're going to be thrown out the first pitch? Um, I would say a week before. Okay.

38:16Yeah. You know, maybe or yeah, just about a week before they announced, I mean, I didn't know. Yeah, they announced up magic one thing on. I think it was, I don't remember the date exactly, but um, you know, we were going to go. My husband and I were going to go to the game anyway. And then um, all of a sudden I get a text message from the player relations person. And then Michael's texting, I call him Michael. Michael's texting us in the family group chats and mom's in for a surprise. And then I'll read my text message and said, you know, on Mike's one night, he's, he can choose who he'd like to. Oh, he chose you. He chose me. He chose me. Yes. What? Yeah. Mom and dad, he chose me. Um, I don't know. Maybe, you know, I don't know.

39:17Maybe what an honor. I mean, I want to, that's, that's, oh my goodness. So I, you know, listen, and his dad too, look, I, I think it's, it's a been 50, 50, his dad has spent countless hours over the years, you know, being with him, helping him, throwing two, taking them to games. I've done the same. Um, but I think he just wanted me to throw it out. And, you know, I was there for him with this surgery and, you know, maybe it was a thank you. I don't know, but it was great. Are you nervous? I'm sure I was, but I was just trying to absorb it and take it all in. It was very hot and humid. I was, it was hot. It was humid like a sauna. And, um, I practiced a little bit. You did. I was going to, that's what I was going to ask you. I was getting my husband and had me out there throwing off the mound and I said, I can't

40:17throw off the mound. Yeah. So it took a few steps in. And then, you know, I did some band work. It's from band work. So, um, I practiced a little bit and I said, all I wanted to do was be able to throw it right to him and not have it go right or left. And that's what happened. I was a little nervous, but I was just trying to absorb it and take it all in and enjoy it. That's good for you. Good for you. For number one, good for you for executing. Good for you for absorbing it, taking it all in. We, uh, it's, it's not easy. As we have, uh, we just had baseballs in Borgnide at Fenway Park and, uh, CEO Joe, uh, I hit his first pitch. Yeah. But, uh, yeah. So, so yours was, yours was more accurate than it is. Oh, well, that's good. Okay. Yeah. Well, you know, the thing is to, um, I just, you know, it was just fun. It was fun.

41:18It was probably one of the biggest highlights of one of the highlights of my life, only because of, you know, what, I am so proud of what Michael's done for himself. And for his team and, you know, it's more than just throwing out the first pitch. It was just the whole symbolism of, of what this year has been. Really happy. It's not to deal in hyperbole, but it's really probably, you went from what you thought was going to be one of the worst years to one of the best years. Yeah. Right? In some ways. You know, obviously you want to see your son pitch, but oh, yeah. Sure. Of course we do. And back out there and he, you know, we, he will get out there. Um, but again, taking, you know, lemons and making lemonade, he just has really found a way to, um, make it a good year for everybody.

42:21And, you know, but I have to say to, it's his teammates in that organization. They gave him that opportunity. They hadn't, who knows what would be, what it would be like this year, honestly. So I want to thank the white socks organization, his coaches and his teammates for allowing him to be there. Well, one of my favorite things is filing, finding family members on the field after World Series championships. So I look forward to it. Oh, that was so much fun. Oh, my goodness. I look forward. So it's funny because I've done it a few times last few years because Joe has been on the Dodgers. And so two years ago when the meaty comes out, all that, it's all the family members are there, right? It's a cool thing. It's, yeah, I remember Freddie. Yeah, Freddie Freeman's dad is like holding court and everything else, but you get on there and the players aren't out there yet.

43:21So the first person you see, two years ago, it was Rob Lowe. So I'm like, hey, Rob Lowe, why are you not going to be on the phone? And then last year, it was bizarrely Tony Robbins. Oh, my gosh. Yeah. So it was like, all I could think of was a scene from shallow hell about him and the elevator and making his hand like us. But it's such a cool thing and I am pulling for you and your family to have that be the punctuation to this unbelievable story. Well, I know that's been my son's goal since he was probably three years old and he could speak in full sentences. He wants to win a championship. Nice. That's his goal. And, you know, I hope that happens for him and everybody else who's playing with and the fans. We can't ignore the fans. They are the ones that have enjoyed this ride too. Like, you know, what the city of Chicago is experiencing now is so much fun and to see

44:25the fans and to be with them and see how much fun. I mean, that one night to see all the fans holding their ones up and running. And it was crazy. Like, what is happening here? What's not? So I can only imagine what a world series would be like it being just the cherry on top. Well, I want to thank the Vassal family, all of you for meeting so much to us, to baseball, to making everything great. And again, enjoy the rest of it. I know you will. Enjoy the rest of it. Thank you. Thank you very much. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you for having me on. I really appreciate it a lot. And you're very good at podcasting. You should have your own. Oh, my gosh. Should I start a podcast? Yes. Yes. Listen. Thanks to your son right after this and say, yes, it went well. I'm thinking of starting my own podcast and see. Yeah. Yeah. But Kathy, thank you so much. I appreciate it. Thanks a lot, Rob.

45:25Take care. Have a good day. Hey, our rides almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes. That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped the video call, uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch group and Nana's with the group chat. And of course, still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone. All at once? Yep. Story of my life. That's why I switched to T-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multi-tasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more. I'm totally switching. My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get T-Mobile. So many reasons to join T-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. Fastest based on analysis by Uclav Speed Test Intelligence data of National Speed School Results incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026.

46:27Presented by T-Mobile, the official wireless partner of Odyssey Sports. With an awesome network and great savings, there's never been a better time to join T-Mobile. Visit your neighborhood store to make the switch today.