Thursday, May 9, 2024 I Full Show

Where are we at in society today? Come after me. I'm a man, I'm forty. Go ahead, make my day every single week. I put my freaking heart and soul into this. I don't go out there and laugh. It's not funny. Nothing's funny to me. I don't wanna go out there and get embarrassed on Monday night football for everybody, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. So I ain't nothing changed from yesterday. Still the same person I was yesterday, and I got the same thing

for you that I had yesterday. You know why I'm here. You play to win the game. You don't play to just play it. That's a great thing about sports. You play to win. I don't care if you don't have any wins. You go play to win. You start telling me it doesn't matter to retire. Get out for the matters. Damn right, it does. It matters out Thursday two. It matters every day, doesn't at term? Right now? Welcome everybody, Clade, you're with us on

this Thursday edition of X's m Brose. Matt Shepard Ben is our producer. We welcome your thoughts on the Meyer Hotline eight six six eight three, eight forty eight, forty three. You can also text the program. All you gotta do to textas is send Sports Radio to twenty one thousand. There is plenty to discuss. The Tigers lose yesterday in the series wrap up to the

Guardians in Cleveland in ten innings five to four. Andrew Chaffin gives up the ninth innings solo homer to David Who to David Frye that tied the game, and then Brian Rochio singles in the winning run in the tenth off Alex Lang. This was one of those situations. Remember how I said not too long ago, if you were listening, that sometimes managers will be hesitant to use a player out of the bullpen in one inning and then start them in the

next inning as kind of an up down situation. You remember that, Yeah, I'm sure you do, okay. Well, in the past, anyway, Alex Lang has been designated in that category. Well, he came in and he got Loriano to strike out in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied, and then started the tenth A lot of times, at least from what I can recall, that was not done because of certain situations, certain reasons that aj Hinch just didn't want to do that with Alex Klin.

Well, yesterday might be an example of why he hasn't done it in the past. He takes the L Tigers, take the L back to a game above five hundred, and it's another one run loss for Detroit. How much those matter? How much the one run losses or one run wins matter? I don't know. What does it show to you that you can get it done then you've got to go bullpen? Maybe there's quite a few things. I know this. The Tigers a year ago were a game above five hundred

in one run games. It mattered for Baltimore because Baltimore had more wins, more one run wins than anybody else in baseball. They were thirty and sixteen last year in one run games. Thirty of their one hundred and one wins were by one run, So thirty percent of your wins in those types of situations pretty damn important. On the other hand, it's not always the most

important thing. Dodgers were just sixteen and fifteen in one run games, So I'm not trying to make too much of it, but I'm not trying to make light of it. I just want you to know the situations from a year ago. This year, the Tigers have played more one run games than anybody else in baseball. Long way to go, but still fifteen games and they're seven and eight. Yankees have played twelve, they're nine to three. Phillies have played ten. They're eight and two, and the Phillies are have

the most wins in baseball right now. They're playing as well as anybody. They've established. They lost yesterday, but they won eight of their last ten. They had that six game win streak and there they lose to Toronto five to three. But they've got the most wins in baseball right now with twenty six. So there you go. I mean, that's kind of the situation that Detroit's dealing with right now. They're off today and they open up a

nice six game homestand this weekend starting tomorrow with three against Houston. The question, I suppose for many will have to be what you did in the tenth inning? See in the tenth inning When you're the road team. The belief from aj Hinch and his staff is that you go for a big inning. And when I say big inning, I mean more than one run. I don't know how you feel about the baseball rule. You put a guy at second base in the tenth inning, but a guy in scoring position. Personally,

I've always hated it. People have warmed to it who originally didn't like it. I do not like it. Not to start the game or not to start the extra inning. I would like to see you in the tenth inning. Try to get your own traffic on the base pass. If it doesn't work in the eleventh inning, start a guy on first base. That doesn't work in the twelfth inning, then start a guy on second base, and then it ends there. One man's opinion, But the rules are what

they are. You start a guy on second base. The Tigers did just that. The out, the last out from the previous inning starts at second base. So Detroit has a runner at second base, Hovey or Bias. Wait for the inserted joke here. It comes good. One ground ball, and what does Baiaz do? Bias breaks for second. It's up the middle. The shortstop is there, and Bias gets thrown out. I don't know

what he's doing. I don't know why he's doing it. It's believed that he is a smart bass runner and guys are gonna make mistakes, understood, not those types of mistakes. Just can't do it. Say it like it is. It's a stupid baseball play, and it takes your team right out of it. No, not the wind out of the sales, bull crap. I'm talking about taking your team out of it. You go from one out and a man on second base to one out a man on first base

because it's a fielder's choice. Green strikes out, and then a bid news the grounds out to third foebishly, weakly, horrid Cleveland gets the chance, and what do they do. Loriano's at second base. They sacrifice him, lay down the bunt, fun mentals execution. He gets to third, and then Rokio singles to center. Even if he didn't singles center, excuse me. If he gets to get the ball in the air to the outfield, in all likelihood he's scoring. There's your walk off. It's flipping ridiculous.

Man. Games like this, we don't think a lot of times they matter because it's early May bull roar it does. Eventually they're going to matter. And now look at your situation. We're creeping up every day, I tell you this, we are creeping up thirty seven games deep almost at the quarter pole. Myyer hotline eighty sixty six eight three eight forty eight forty three the text line sports Radio to twenty one thousand, Just getting started on a Thursday

morning on X's and Bros. Across the great state of Michigan. Stay with us, Bill Simon, sit here for my good friend Josh Garvey. Now he's a managing shareholder at Dorn Mayhew's Grand Rapids office. Their world headquarters are in Troy, Michigan, on the east side of the state, and they have locations all around the world. They have over five hundred and fifty motivated accounting professionals ninety years in business, and I mentioned the ten offices worldwide.

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They're one of Americas and the worlds top CPA accounting and business firms. They're Dorn Mayhew. We're teeing off our tenth year at the Meyer LPGA Classic for simply give. Get ready for the best who are yet to help neighbors in need while enjoying golf, food and family fun. Join us June thirteenth through the sixteenth at Blakefield Country Club for fabulous food, discoveryland for kids, and of course, elite women golfers from around the world competing to help feed our

neighbors. Get your tickets now at Meyer LPGA Classic dot com. All right, welcome back, Exces and pros Monday through Friday six until not. Throughout our state, we are on in Traverse City WKAD ninety three point seven FM the Ticket. We are on in Potoski and Charlotte board to MMBN one oh four point seven The Ticket. Northern Michigan in Grayley and Galor wgr Y one o one point one FM, up North Sports Radio, the MIT in the middle of the state, Midland Sagment on basity w lu N one hundred point

nine. We're on a Cadillac WKAD The Ticket ninety three point seven FM. Our friends in Flint, hear us on WTRX Sports Extra thirteen thirty am, and in Grand Rapids on the Powerful ninety six point one FM. The Game. Ben is our producer. Please give him a call sometimes he gets a little lonely. Meer. Hotline eight sixty six eight three eight forty eight forty three Tech Sports Radio to twenty one thousand to jump in on the conversation as well. Jason Beck will join us. MLB dot Com will join us at

eight thirty five. Really looking forward to that to talk a little baseball, and specifically Tigers, who lost yesterday in ten innings five to four to Cleveland. I said just before the break, this is getting We're getting close. We're getting close to that quarter pole. So many things can change in baseball. It can be a challenging topic to talk baseball in sports radio because so many things are different. Game to game. First game of the series didn't

score any runs. We were on these airwaves complaining about it. Game two, Detroit opens up a can and scores eleven times. We were slightly concerned with kent to my ETA. Let me take that back. More than slightly concerned, very concerned in seven starts, but they won. This morning, we're talking about a loss and the mental part of the game where guys are just not doing what they're supposed to be doing. So again, don't want

to be super negative. Hate it. You're driving to work, you've had a busy night the night before, Perhaps you get a lot of stuff going on in your life. You really need somebody bitching and moaning about a baseball game. Probably not. I'm just bringing up things that matter down the stretch. At least I'm trying to. And I think if you watched, listened, or read about you understand that those types of games, especially in the

Division, though it's just thirty seven games deep, do matter. Doesn't mean they can't turn it around. But when you have baseball on a night tonight basis, you're going to break it down once in a while. Okay, So thoughts on the Tigers and the frustration a little bit from last night or yesterday is there on the Meyer hotline for eight six six eight three eight forty eight forty three. I liken it to this, It's a little like guarding

the inbound play in basketball. Do you guard the inbound play on the final play Duke Kentucky way back in the day when Christian Lightner made his famous shot. Well, I called Michigan basketball. Do you guard Ben Brust who launched from mid court for Wisconsin and beat Michigan on a prayer? It's a philosophy, Okay, do you believe in it? I don't know. It's the same thing in extra innings? Do you believe in bunting the guy over?

So many people love that. This is kind of a kind of a cliche, but so many people love what they love small ball in certain situations. I don't think you marry one philosophy. I don't think you just say, you know what, let's just we're gonna play small ball. That's what we're gonna do every chance we get. I think it depends on the situation and this situation, and he has been very consistent with it. A. J. Hinch doesn't believe you do that. When you're the road team, you

try to dictate what the other team is going to have to do. And I'm sure depending on the person in the box and the person on the base pass, but for the most part, if he's the road team, he's not playing for the one run, he's going to play for a bigger inning. It's hard to argue with that. He really is a He's a fascinating, borderline brilliant baseball guy. And I mean that. I mean, if

you sit down, you get a chance to talk to him. I've been fortunate enough sit down talk to him, not just in his office but in other settings, just about his philosophy in baseball, what makes certain situations more important than others, how far ahead he's looking in games, all those things. I'm sure you guys know this, but you know when offensive coordinators are in a game, they're not looking at Okay, here's it's third down and three, this is what I'm going to do. They've already got it done.

They've already decided because they have thought so many plays ahead. It's the same thing in baseball. You're not managing inning by inning. You're looking ahead constantly. It really is like a game of chess. You're trying your best to set up the opposition. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. But I liken it to that. I think it's very similar basketball. There's a lot of people who swear by it. You've got to guard the inbound pass,

make them have it difficult. Guyle on the baseline. Guile on the sideline doesn't matter. Make it difficult for the guy doing the inbounding. Some people truly believe in that. Others are like, no, give yourself a chance to have an extra defender out there. Well, in baseball, some people will play for that one run when they're at home, and some people will want to play for the beginning. It's a strategy. You may not always agree with it. That's fine, you're not. I can agree with

a lot of stuff. You don't agree with a lot of managers when they bring in a reliever, how long they leave a starter in, why a guy may be batting in a certain spot in the lineup. Totally get it. How do you feel about this philosophy? Meyer hotline eight sixty six eight three eight forty eight forty three. What you like, what you don't like?

Okay, there you go. That's what's going on. And by the way, if you're Cleveland and you're a top the division at twenty four thirteen and you're second in the division in run differential, I think that's a really important statistic. Kansas City is number one, believe it or not, Kansas City is a plus forty six in run differential this year. Last year they

were a minus one eighty three. Let me say that again. This year Kansas City is number one in the AL Central, not the best division in baseball, but still they are number one in the AL Central in run differential at a plus forty six. Last year they were a minus one eighty three. Talk about a turnaround. Amazing so far, so far. That wasn't worse in the division. By the way, Chicago is even worse than that. Full number is eight six six eight three, eight forty eight forty three.

That's the my hot line. Jason Beck joins us a couple of hours from now here on EXAs and Bros, we're back your thoughts. You can text us as well. We'll get to some NBA and NHL as well when we return right after this throughout the great state of Michigan. Huge here for

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You saw the mistakes, you know, too many mistakes, you know, pick a side of the ball, and and we didn't do enough to win the game. So yeah, this one got away because I think we put ourselves in a really tough spot to win the game. It's more about the eighth inning cheap run. You know, we gave them, you know, a full trip around the basis, so that counts the the lack of attack on I mean we did. We made many mistakes. That's that's the

point. A J. Hinch following the game yesterday in a five to four loss in ten innings, his frustration mounting in For good reason. He's referring to the eighth inning. Joey Wentz on the mound for Detroit, Brian Rochio singles to center On a strikeout. Rochio is still second. Jake Rogers throws one into center field, first throwing era of the year for Rogers. Rochio moves to third, and then a ground out to second allows Rochio to score

that gets him to within four to three. And then in the ninth it's the home run by Fry, and then in the tenth it's their ability to move the runner from second to third and then get him home with a single to win it. You're up four to two. And then that in a three inning stretch, eighth, ninth, tenth, ruins your day, ruins your series, and to a certain extent, may ruin the road trip.

So Detroit barely above five hundred. Pitching for the most part there, right, I would agree, pitching for the most part there, riees Oulsen was really good, really good. And then this just ridiculous margin for error. How many teams have that? What's the margin for error for certain teams? For a team like Detroit, the margin for error is thinner than a margin

for air. For Baltimore, it's thinner than a margin for air. For then it would be against a team like Philadelphia or Atlanta, or the Dodgers or apparently Cleveland. You can say what you want about Cleveland, here's what you cannot deny. Traditionally, under Terry Francona, and now it sure seems like under Stephen Vote they are a team that is fundamentally sound. What's the cliche, you don't beat yourself. The Tigers have a tendency to do that.

They beat themselves throwing air, misplaced pitch. It was outer half, allowing a player to extend his arms, home run down the right field line, base running air, the home run happens. Pitchers are gonna give up home runs, and Craig Kimbrel is it now but was considered it is prime the best reliever in baseball. One could argue he's a Hall of Famer, and then he's one of the best closers of all time. Not the best, but one of the best. Okay, last two times out he's given

up big bombs. He did yesterday against Washington, So those are going to happen. I think you and I get that. I mean, that's what baseball is, smashing home runs left and right. I mean, all you got to do is watch some clips of games around the league. Go to quick Pitch on MLB Network and you'll see home run after home run after home run. I mean, yesterday, to Askar Hernandez, a couple of them for the Dodgers. But the margin for error for Detroit is is not very

big. It's tough for it's tough for this team to overcome deficits, large deficits because of their inconsistent offense. I've told you this for a while now. It's not a team that is spectacular defensively. They don't have anybody like Hapier Bias makes a spectacular play or two or three, and he really does, but I don't. He's not a gold glove shortstop. They don't have a gold glove out player on this team. Find me one. So their offense is a little bit of a you know, up and down. Not

even their offense is challenged. Their defenses, okay, doesn't jump out of It doesn't make you want to jump out of your seat and go, yeah, okay, we got you now headed to anybody, No, that's not how you feel about this team. I guess what I'm saying is this outside of pitching, and pitching is going to come and go sometimes. I know offense will do the same, but I mean from a pitching standpoint what I mean by coming go Sometimes you can't expect Terrek Skouble to make thirty two starts

and be fantastic all thirty two. It's just not it's not realistic. It's it's just not gonna happen. I expect, you know, Kent Tamaida to be better than he's been so far. But overall, would you say you're good with their pitching? Okay? Good? I would hope so hard to deny what what resourceon did yesterday? Look even the greatest seasons of all time was Steve Carlton's nineteen seventy two season. Are you aware then? You're a young guy. I know that, But are you aware of that situation?

Carlton? Okay, no, okay, let me just give you a quick thing. Philadelphia Phillies won fifty nine games in nineteen seventy two. Fifty nine. They were horrible. Steve Carlton won twenty seven of those games. One guy earned the win in twenty seven of their fifty nine games. How do you like that? Twenty seven forty six percent of the wins went to one man. He was the cy Young Award winner that year. He led the

league in wins. The cy Young Award winner came from a team that won fifty nine games, led the league in wins, He led the league in era. He led the league and starts with forty one You don't see that anymore. He led the league in complete games with thirty. You'll never see that anymore. That was a career high for him. By the way, he led the league in innings pitched he threw for He threw three hundred and forty six innings. Ben, That doesn't happen anymore. I know a lot

of people don't like quote end quote old guy. But sometimes old guy is right. Sometimes old guy goes, you know what back in my day. Sometimes old guy says, all I want is this something similar to this? Last year, Logan Webb led the majors in innings pitched. Ben, guess how many innings pitched Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants threw led the league. Take a gander. I have no idea two hundred and sixteen, Holy cow, Okay, all right, Steve Carlton three hundred and forty six.

Yeah, that's a crazy difference. So he led the league in that category. He also led the league in strikeouts. That's incredible stuff, absolutely incredible. But he lost ten games. It's gonna happen. Can't expect him to be perfect in forty one games. He still lost ten or forty one starts, they should say. So he still lost a quart of his games, maybe not all his fault, but you can't expect You cannot expect a pitcher to be great every start. It's just not realistic. So Steve Carlton,

you know I use that example obviously. I'll give you an example of that season. Even though he was the best in base play, he still gave up four and runs in its fourth start that year. You gave up fore and runs in his ninth and tenth starts as well. Fell apart June ninth against the Mets. Complete game, gotta win, but gave up four and runs and six walks. They actually, back then, they actually used to

let pitchers throw through it get out of it on their own. So I would say, the pitching you'd be pleased with, and you feel like you can use that to contend in a game. But the offense, the defense, the base running all right now doesn't mean it can't change right now less than is that a fair assessment from what I've gathered? Yes. Now, Remember I'm the same person who said I expect this team to win the division.

That's the expectation I have. I believe this team should be good enough to win it all the division, not the World Series, and not the American Leegupennant, but they should win the division. NBA news yesterday, did you watch this? New York beats Indiana one thirty to one, twenty one? Really good game. Jaylen Brunson was hurt, missed the entire second quarter,

still scored twenty nine points in thirty two minutes. Og Ananobi had a career playoff eight, missed most of the fourth quarter, and yet New York still won. Not a big Knicks fan, but damn they're fun to watch. Jalen Brunson just you're going, holy crap, how are you making some of these shots? It's an entertaining It really is an entertaining series so far. And I know it's only two games, but a ton of credit for a team to lose really important players not once but twice in the game and

get it done now. Rick Carlisle's not happy, and I understand why he's telling people, we just want a fair shot the referees. But New York right now, right now, being led by a second round pick Jalen Brunson and a guy taking twenty third overall og Onanobi out of Indiana late in the first round. Pretty cool story. Same draft as Donovan Mitchell. By the way, dude's really athletic, which also means what yes, same draft as Lukenart Nikola Jokic wins the MVP. I think it was. I don't know

if it was yesterday or two days ago. I thought Doncis was gonna win it because people get so enamored with scoring. I'm really glad Jokic won it. I would have liked to have seen Shay Gilgess Alexander, quite honestly, because yeah, you're looking for some fresh blood. But if a guy earns it, he earns it, it's interesting. He's the MVP. Who do you think the best player in the game is? Do you think it's one and the same. How do you deny that right? I think you can

make some arguments. Love watching Anthony Edwards play Shay Gildas Alexander is really fun to watch too, and both those guys actually play defense, as does Jokic. In fairness, he garnered seventy nine first place votes, shake Gildess Alexander garnered fifteen. That's how much people thought of it. Doncis finished third. Janis Ante Tecompo, who went healthy still might be the best player in the world. He's fourth, Brunson fifth. Jokic is the first center in sixty

years to win an MVP Award three times in a four year span. He's also, you know, the last one to do it was Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He's also the ninth player to ever win at least three MVPs. Right now, if you're driving around Flint, Cadillac, Grand Rapids, Grayland, Gaylord, Midland, Saginaw Bay City, Pataski, Charlevoid, Trevors City, wherever is your mind scramble a little bit, a little bit, and you're saying some names out loud. Yeah, that's what I'd be doing too.

So you know Jabbar because he's got more than anybody. He's got six Mikey, Bill Russell, Lebron, James Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, who's the last one. This might be the tougher one, Moses Malone. Those are the other eight players that Nikola Jokic joined. When you're in that category, when you're with those names, that's when people I hate when we in the media put the proverbial cart before the horse, way too early,

right, the NFL Draft just finishes up. Let's look at next year's NFL draft. Well, can we just enjoy this one first? You know, national champion is crowned the next day, who's the odds on favorite to win it next year? Can we just enjoy what this previous team just did. I get the twenty four hour news cycle and the twenty four hour sports cycle, but can't you let it rest for a little bit anyway, I'm gonna I'm gonna do that right here when you're in that realm, Dude,

that is that's Hall of Fame stuff. Long way for him to retire, let alone get in the Hall of Fame. But you gotta be at least willing to acknowledge he's in amongst Hall of Fame players. When you're doing that, that's impressive, really impressive. He finished top five in points, rebounds, and assists in multiple years. That's see, he doesn't he doesn't fit

the narrative. He looks looks now because we're not playing against him. He looks kind of awkward playing it, doesn't he I was going to say gumpy, and that's not fair. He's he's an amazing player. But when you finish top five in total points. He was fifth this year top five and rebounds that's third this year top five and a This is second in multiple seasons. The only other player to do that more than once is elgim Baylor again

Hall of Famer. Really good stuff. Meyer hotline is eighty six to six, eight three eight forty eight forty three. The texta line Sports Radio to twenty one thousand. Jason Beck's going to join us at eight thirty five. We will talk about Cleveland's walk off win yesterday, his concerns, and perhaps what he likes most about the Tigers so far and Major League Baseball in general. He'll join us at eight thirty five when we come back boy A Donnybrook

taking place in Florida last night. We'll talk a little bit about the NHL playoffs when X'es and Bros. Continues after this On a Thursday morning, across the great state of Michigan, we're teaming off our tenth year at the Meyer LPGA Classic. Simply gives get ready for the best who are yet to help

neighbors in need while enjoying golf, food and family fun. Join us June thirteenth through the sixteenth at Blakefield Country Club for fabulous food, discoveryland for kids, and of course, elite women golfers from around the world competing to help feed our neighbors. Get your tickets now at Meyer LPGA Classics dot com. Huge here for the Michigan High School Athletic Association. You can stay up to date on the latest from Lansing twenty four to seven at MHSAA dot com,

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high school sports in Michigan. Log on to MHSAA dot com. Imagine this a day filled with indulgence, bursting with excitement, impacts with extraordinary moments that build memories to last a lifetime. To day, there's unmistakable university at the place that's undeniably spectacular, whether you're winning big, dining lavish food, or relaxing oh so comfortably. It's your getaway reimagined. It's Soaring Eagle Casino and

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hour of the program, Welcome to X's and pros. How the Meyer hotline eighty six six eight three eight forty three. That's the number you could call to joining the conversation. We'd left off discussing Nicola Jokic and just how good he is, likelihood will make his sixth all NBA teams already won his third MVP in the last four years, and I was reading about this last night, thinking to myself, when you join the likes of Jabbar and Malone and

Russell and Chamberlain and Jordan and Byrd and Magic Johnson. Guys like that as winners of three MVPs are more because Jabbar won six, Russell won five, Chamberlain won four. I think to myself that's he's destined to be a Hall of Famer. I'm going to give you some numbers associated with some of the greatest big men to ever play. Some of them have to be skewed, and I'll explain here in a minute. Kareem Abdul Jabbar is the greatest big

man to ever play. I know many of you think it's Shaquille O'Neal. It might be that's your opinion. Greem Abdul Jabbar had the shot and no one could stop. He won six titles. He was an MVP six times. He was All NBA First Team fifteen times. Bill Russell won eleven titles, five MVPs, All NBA First Team eleven times. Will Chamberlain won a couple of titles. Won in Philly one in LA, four time MVP ten times, all time NBA First Team, Shack was fourteen times All NBA,

four NBA Championships, one MVP. Agreed, makes no sense, ridiculous, whether you liked him or not, because I remember talking with people way back in the day while he's playing, and they're like, he's that big, he should dominate inside when you're seven one to three in a quarter, Yeah, you should dominate. His MVP season. Forget about the field goal percentages. You're so close to the to the hoop, right, But his MVP season he averaged twenty nine point seven will you allow me to round it up

to thirty? Thank you? And thirteen and a half rebounds. He finished second in the MVP race. Back in nineteen ninety five, David Robinson was MVP that year, his loan MVP. You could accept that, couldn't you? Yeah? He finished fourth. One year a chem Elijah On was MVP. Robinson finished ahead of Shaquille two that year. Could you accept it? With Elijah Wan's lone MVP that year? Absolutely? Look at Elijahwan's numbers,

and I think Elijahon's a really underrated player. Loved watching him play because everybody brings up when Shaquille O'Neal lost the MVP race to Steve Nash. So I've already told you he's lost one to Robinson, He's lost one to Elijahon, lost one to Alan Iverson, finished third that year to Alan Iverson, lost one to Tim Duncan. Jason Kidd finished ahead of him one year or that same year. But it's the two thousand and five where everyone's like, how

is that possible? How do you lose to Steve Nash who averaged fifteen and a half points, averaged eleven and a half assists, shot the ball. Well, Phoenix had a good year. I'm not saying it's right. I'm just saying people to a certain extent could understand there are other players he finished behind than just Steve Nash in his career. It's hard to fathom that he only had one MVP. It's hard to fathom that certain other players, Nikola

Jokic, for example, has three compared to checks one. But it's true. But I was watching this and I'm thinking, Okay, you know, Shaquille O'Neale just mentioned Akim Olaijuan had a couple of titles and MVP All NBA First Team twelve times, Moses Malone All NBA eight times, three MVPs had a championship, the championship with Philadelphia Robinson two titles with the Spurs and MVP and ten. Not that you had to watch those players because I didn't see

Bill Russell and Will Chamberlain in his prime play those guys. I mean, is Nicole Yokitchen in that category? Those guys are legends. Those are legendary centers, man, And if you never had a chance to watch any of those guys play, it's really too bad because they were. It was beautiful to watch Kareem Abdul Jabbar. It's not that I'm a huge fan. I just really appreciate he is. He was really enjoyable to watch. He was

very graceful, like Keim Elijaha, was incredibly athletic. Anyway, congratulations to Nicola Jokic, it is not It was a little bit of a surprise to me. Not super surprising, and look, you're in the running. How surprising can you be? But yeah, really really impressive season for him, even though his team's down to Minnesota and Florida blows out Boston six to one. Bruins allowed twelve goals total in the first round series against Toronto and that

went seven games. They allowed six in Game two. Boston won Game one five to one. Florida wins Game two six to one, but remember it's a little misleading. In the first game, despite losing five to one, Florida still had thirty nine shots. This one was kind of a blowout and the fights in the third were super intense. How much of that was Boston making a quote end quote statement for game three when it goes to Boston because that game was in Miami last night. How much of that is just that,

I don't know. Good for them, stand your ground, I'm okay with that, but Florida made sure they fought back. Thirteen penalties on the night for Boston, ten penalties on the night for Florida. Plenty of fighting taking place, including Brandon Monteur and Brad Marshan and David Pasternak and Matthew Kachuk. In the third Monteur scores had to go into his says, turns and basically gets in Marshan's face and he wasn't going to take any of that.

That was more of a wrestling match than it was a fight. Heavy punches thrown in the Kachuck and Pastrinak, who you would not have thought would be willing to drop the gloves, but he did because I mean, those are two elite offensive players. Could Chuck's more of a tough guy. It's hard not to like him. But there was plenty of spillover. Some undisciplined, sure, but there were plenty of fisticuffs taking place, not just in the third either early on. Here's what the coach had to say about it.

I think it's a good thing. They get two elite offensive players and the Chuck is a hundred point guy all day long, faster Knacks, just this brilliant player. But it's playoffs and they each have their team, right, They got their brothers in the room, gets a little spicy out there and they want to go. I think it was awesome. Well, I don't

think there's gonna be any spill over into the next game. You know, these there are two teams that are rivals, you know with you know, we played each other last year, playing each other this year, and it's going to be a series. And what I'm really proud of I'm proud of Pasta because there's so many guys out there pushing after whistle when the linesmen are there. Boston can Chuck. They just went out there and fought. That's

what you like you like your hockey players to be competitors. I love that man. That was Paul Maurice the first part of the cut, and then Jim Montgomery, the head coach of Boston the second. It's funny, I was thinking the exact same thing. Sometimes. The beauty of the playoffs is if you don't have your team in there, there's no dog in the fight, quote unquote, you can watch it with an open mind and you can just enjoy it. I think eventually everybody has there's some type of lean one

way or the other. But the beauty of that last night is I'm right there with Jim Montgomery. Too many guys. Too many times you see guys chirping a little bit and they're waiting for the linesman to come in. Those guys weren't waiting for anybody. They wanted to go after one another. They wanted to make a statement, They wanted to show their teammates. This is why I wear the A as an assistant captain. It was awesome. It's

what I love about hockey. They take care of their business on the ice, not words, and then they move on quick time out Meyer hotlines open for eight sixty six eight three eight forty eight forty three in text US Sports Radio twenty one thousand. Jason Beck joins us eight thirty five Here on Exis and Bros. Stay with us. We're teeing off our tenth year at the Meyer LPGA Classic for simply gives. Get ready for the best who are yet

to help neighbors in need while enjoying golf, food and family fun. Join us June thirteenth through the sixteenth at Blakefield Country Club for fabulous food, discoveryland for kids, and of course, elite women golfers from around the world competing to help feed our neighbors. Get your tickets now at Meyer LPGA Classic dot

com. Huge here for vandel Institute Purple Community Now there are grassroots fundraising network powered by the volunteers who support Vai's mission to improve health now and in the future. Learn more at Purplecommunity dot org. All right back with you, EXUS and pros. A little bit more than an hour from now, Jason Beck, we'll join us MLB dot com talk about the Tigers loss yesterday to Cleveland. What his assessment over the first thirty seven games are strengths, weaknesses.

See how on target we may be with what we've witnessed and what you and I have talked about on exes and bros. Throughout the great state of Michigan, Monday through Friday, from six until nine, the Meyer hotlines open for you eight sixty six, eight three, eight forty eight forty three. You could text sports Radio to twenty one thousand. My good friend Dennis Fithian will be in this chair tomorrow. Got to wait, got to head out to a destination wedding. Those things, what is it? What is it

today? With I mean, there's a lot of young people who they just they love the destination wedding. You got to go someplace else? Aren't you from here? Yes? Is she from here? Yes? But where are we? Oh? Everybody pretty much everybody who's going to the wedding is from here. But you're gonna go someplace, all right, Thanks a lot anyway,

That's where we're headed. Those are the things that happened. By the way, the one thing I did not get to is the uh, the other NHL score from last night, and that's Vancouver coming from three goals down to beat Edmonton five to four. They scored three goals in five and a half minutes. Connor Garland had the game winner. I started watching this game,

couldn't stay for the whole thing. Started watching this game, I'm thinking, thinking, and Edmonton is skating all over Vancouver and then boom they come back. What happened the other day against Colorado? Colorado comes from the Greek of three goals down and beats Dallas. You never know, it keeps you in there, keeps you hanging on there, don't you think? I've read this the other day and at some point I'm going to let it go. When it is, I don't know, but I've got to let it go.

Think about it. The nineteen ninety two Olympic men's basketball team. Nineteen ninety two. Some of you weren't even born that. It's thirty two years ago, right. Why does it bother me still? I don't know, man, It just there's something in me that has a hard time letting this one go. And it's brought up pretty regularly. Isaiah Thomas was left off

that team. It's known as the Dream Team. I'm sure you know who was on that team, you know, with Magic Johnson and Larry Byrd and David Robinson, John Paxson and Karl Malone and Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan, blah blah blah, Scottie Pippen, go on and on that, Patrick Ewing, Christian Layner. Ah. But anyway, Isaiah Thomas was left off that team. Charles Barkley appeared on a podcast of Shannon Sharp's the other day and

Sharp asked him. Barkley basically said, it's because Michael Jordan didn't want him on the team. He was left Isaiah Thomas left off the team because Michael Jordan didn't want to play with him. And he also admits that Isaiah Thomas was the best little man of all time. He has said that in a different interview. Steph Curry's right there, but he said, if I had if I had to win one game with a little guy, one of the younger, smaller guys in the league, it'd be Isaiah Thomas. Cut your

heart out, mad respect for his ability and his fight to win. Now, we would remind you it doesn't make him a great human being. A lot of people didn't trust him. I get it. We're talking about your ability to play the game of basketball, and he was one of the best players in the world at the time. But Michael Jordan ruled the roost. I've said this at nauseam, so I apologize if you've heard it before. Sure, I'm pissed off at Michael Jordan for that. I'm just as pissed

off as Chuck Daily and Magic Johnson. Magic Johnson was supposed to be his buddy, Chuck Daily was his coach, and neither one of them had the guts to say anything. But we do get now. Do I think Michael Jordan owes him a public apology like Isiah Thomas has asked for no? But I truly believe, and I've said it forever, back in the time I was working Detroit Radio in nineteen ninety two, and yes, I said the same thing. Jordan kept him off. What I didn't know until years later

is that Dali and Johnson went along with it just as troubling. I'd like to see somebody interview Magic Johnson and say, if you were supposed to be his best friend or one of his best friends, you guys met at Center Cordon back in nineteen eighty eight, in nineteen eighty nine, and you kissed each other on the cheek, and you know, you called each other, you know, hung out with one another. Why didn't you do something about

it? Why is it always Michael Jordan who's the bad guy in the situation, and nobody else who actually stood up and said, you know what, he's one of the best players in the world. He should be on this team. Am I being hypocritical because I think there is something to team chemistry? Maybe I'll admit that one hundred percent because he was a Piston because he

was representing my team, my state, my city. Yes, if it were somebody else, if it were Scottie Pippen and I said, hey, man, players got to trust one another, Players have to appreciate one another, players have to believe in that guy. There's something to harmony, there's something to chemistry. Okay, I'll open myself up. Absolutely. I could be seen as being a hypocrite here. I didn't think Scotty Pippen was in that category with Isaiah Thomas. But if you wanted to use that example,

you would win the argument. Charles Barkley is the latest to confirm what we have all felt for a while. The bothersome thing about it is that nobody he ever ask Magic Johnson about that or Jordan himself, And now so much time has elapsed thirty two years. Who really cares Meyer? Hotline eight sixty six eight three eight forty eight forty three. Let's go to the lines, Ben, who's waiting for us? Yeah, we got Jake and Grand Rabbins. Hi Jake, Good morning to you. How are you. I'm doing

well. Long time listener of you. I listened to you when you were back with Michigan basketball. Just had a couple of thoughts on what coach Montgomery said about the Pasta and ka Chuck fight. Yeah, I think it's kind of just kind of bogus that he said it's not going to bleed over into

games three. You know, this is playoff hockey. Like that's like saying that Lemieux and McCarty back in the late nineties, you know when they had their scuffles that they just didn't know when they were on the ice together, Like Ka Chuck's that guy. He's going to be out there a thorn in the side of Pasta and Marshawn. He's going to be looking for those guys when they're on the ice together. I think it's, you know, complete bogus for two rival teams like that, like, oh, it's not going

to bleed over. We're just gonna go on to the next game, get it out of the way. I think it's the complete opposite. I think especially sent Uh gave him the two pretty good shots to the head when Pasta is already on the ground. I think, you know, it's going to put something in the back of Pasta's mind, always looking out to make sure that Chuck's not on the ice in this series. And yeah, I don't disagree with that at all. I didn't say it wouldn't bleed over, Jim

Montgomery. That was the sound bite that he I'm saying, Yeah, I believe, I believe it bleed over. I don't know why. I absolutely will bleed Yeah, I think so. I think. Look it's Paul Maurice said it during that sound bite. These are two they've become rivals now because of playoff series a year agoing now this year. And thanks for the phone call. Sorry, we're up against the break. Appreciate the call and great insight. Yeah, absolutely, I mean, obviously huge hockey fan. You

and I are both watching it last night. I believe now will it be in the first period right away at first shift? Probably not, But yeah, I mean I think it was important for Pastro and Ich to do that because he's not seen as a fighter, and I think that says something to his team. I think there is something about that in sports. There are messages set, There's no doubt about it in every sport in different situations. Back with more Exis and Bros. Right after this, Hugh and schure for

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back with you on Exus and Bros. Throughout the great state of Michigan. I hate cutting people short, but I can't expect them to wait through a commercial break. It was such a that would have been a good conversation the hockey stuff last night. Look, I'm in total agreement with Scott who had called in just part of the break. He's dead on there. I do believe there is carry over. They said it during the broadcast. I forget which one, but I'm pretty sure it was during the Boston Florida game.

Hockey players have long memories. It was phrased by saying that they don't have short ones. They have long memories. They know what's going on. So Scott really appreciate that phone call. Love the passion. You can hear it in your voice call anytime. Really enjoyed that brief conversation. Wish it could go a little bit longer, speaking of hockey real quick, and then we're

going to get to something related to the Lions in football. I had mentioned yesterday the finalists for the Heart Trophy Nathan McKinnon Colorado, who I think is going to win. Of course, I thought Donchis would win MVP in the NBA, and I was wrong. Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucheroff of Tampa. Kucharovs already won it twice, McDavid's won it three times. McKinnon has not won it yet. He's had an unbelievable year. Colorado has had a really

good year. I think he's going to win it, but it wouldn't necessarily surprise me if Kutcheroff wins it either. I lamented that Austin Matthews is not a finalist. He scored sixty nine goals. He's not a finalist. What's interesting is the NHL Players Association has named their three finals for the Ted Lindsay Award. Matthews is on that. It's Player of the Year. Players in the NHL vote for this, going SOT Outstanding player in the NHL. What

means more that or writers voting? What do you think would be more prestigious. You're voted amongst your peers. I would guess that means a little bit more to you. And Matthews has won that before. Kucharov has won it as well. Here are the three Matthews, McKinnon. You're off as good as Nathan McKinnon is, and he's one of the greatest players in the world. Beau say, he's a top five player in the world. Nathan McKinnon, he's never won it. He's never won the Heart, and he's never

won the Ted Lindsay. Matthews is going to win this. He's not even up for the Heart. I bet you, I'll bet you players look at that as a huge slight. It's hard to narrow it down to three guys how good the NHL is. But I think what's gonna happen is he's gonna He's gonna win the Ted Lindsay Award, sixty nine goals, one hundred and seven points, Tenth player in NHL history to have six or more hat tricks in a season. McKinnon wins the Heart, Matthews wins the Ted Lindsay.

Just my opinion could be off base there, but I'm gonna call that shot. I don't want to be you know, the guy on MLB network who said, watch, we're gonna have no hit alert and then like first batter in guy hits a home run. I don't want to do I don't want to be that. I don't want to be that guy and have that type of reputation. I'm just giving you my thoughts, Okay, all right, NFL, when the Lions were able to move up and draft Terry on Arnold

out of Alabama, many people were a little surprised. They were surprised because they didn't think he would be there. I think they might be a little surprised that the Lions would give up a third to get to him. Probably more surprised that they drafted Breakstraw on the second, but whatever. Here's the question that many people wondered. What had to happen in order for him to be there. One of the things that had to happen was that the Raiders

had to pass on him. The Raiders, choosing thirteenth, selected brock Bowers, the tight end out of Georgia, who is a difference maker. He's going to help an O'Connell or who's ever under center for the Raiders. Terry on Arnold was on a podcast recently and here's what he had to say on what the Raiders told him on why he would eventually be available for the Lions at twenty four And the Lions picked you. For you to get that moment

on the stage with those Detroit fans was incredible to watch. I can only imagine how great it was for you. It's amazing. I mean, all my females from Alabama, they were like her, I would be the one to get drafted with the draft. Yeah, I mean, how much conversation did you have with Brad Holmes and with Dan Campbell and with that organization. I went on to visit there and honestly they told me, they said, you're one of those guys we have to trade up to get, but our

past may cross. We don't think we'll be able to get you. And my agent, Nicole sh did a very great job, but just she actually texted them that following morning and said, hey, you know, it's a heavy old line receiver, quarterback, heavy office, some draft class man, y'all. Y'all might have a chance. And then just from going back and talking to him, they they knew that the Raiders was that they took me.

And actually the Raiders coach they called me after the drift they were like, you know, we actually had a coin toss between you and brought Bowers and mand it on him. I was like, oh wow. And then after the Raiders passed they said, okay, we got to get up there before actually, actually, Brad, they were trying to trade all the way

up the thirteen sixteen to get them. So When's is one of those things where you go where you wanted and that right there, man, that fit in as far as how the fans are schemes that they run and just even being around guys like James or Jamir, especially Brian like man, it was a dream come true for me. So Terry on Arnold, they're on the Next Round podcast saying that the Raiders told him that it was It actually had a coin toss between him and Bowers and it landed on him. So he

was like, oh wow. Now the Raiders would not confirm that. Of course they're not going to admit to that. Do you think that's a figure of speech? A common phrase used it was a coin flipped between you two guys and we went with Bowers or in you lawns or do you think they truly flipped the coin? Now? In me, my thought was, wait a minute. The general manager, Champ Kelly, was asked about this, according to ESPN, and he said he can't confirm that at all. Do

you think there's not much clarification there? But do you think the Raiders are going on a coin flip? Hell no, that's got to be a figure of speech. And the reason he's not going to confirm it is because of what he wants to make sure brock Bowers feels good about himself as a Raider. He's not going to say we determine our draft picks when we have two guys rated highly based on a coin flip. Brock Bowers, your heads, Terry on Arnold your tails. No, that's not how it works. There's

no way that's what they did. This is not Matt Millen run in the front office. Now. Was I surprised? Yeah, I was a little surprised because they used a second round pick a year ago on Michael Mayer. He's not necessarily viewed as the a pure tight end. He's an offensive weapon. He's a really good pass catcher. He's a big, huge body, no doubt about it. But Bowers does everything. It's a good blocker, you can flex him. He's a mismatch of a cover. So I was

slightly surprised that Bowers landed there. But yeah, it's a coin flip. I think it's just a phrase. That's what I mean, because that's what everybody was saying. I mean, they're they're freaking out about this. They're going, oh my gosh, the Raiders. You know, they're not using it coin flip to say, Okay, this is how it works. Sorry, it's a figure of speech. CBS Sports came out with a recent article and I immediately thought, disrespect Sometimes. I think that word is overused in

sports. But I immediately thought disrespect. They ranked the quarterbacks in the NFL. Ben, If I asked you to name the top three quarterbacks in the NFL, who would you say? Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and probably Josh Allen good Okay, I would say Patrick Mahomes one. I'd probably say Josh Allen two and Joe Burrow three. Lamar Jackson. Yeah, yeah, up there. Brock Purty doesn't get much love, does he from people? They think he's a system quarterback. They think he manages the game two years

too, NFC title games, a super Bowl. I don't know what the guy's got to do. Anyway, CBS ranks them this way, and you'll understand my point when it comes to the disrespect. In a moment, Patrick Mahomes won, Brock Purty two, Josh Allen three, Joe Burrow four, CJ. Stroud five, Lamar Jackson six. Lamar Jackson wins the MVP for the second time in his career, and he's behind a guy who is one year deep into his NFL career. What Jalen Hurts seven, Dak Prescott eight,

Justin Herbert nine, Jordan Love ten. If I'm Justin Herbert, if I'm Jalen Hurts. You got c. J. Stroud ahead of me. Doesn't a guy have to prove a little bit more than one year? Maybe not. Where do you think they ranked Jared Goff? Where does Jared Goff stand among starting quarterbacks in the NFL? They only rank thirty two. Where do you think Jared Goff lies? Jared Goff is ranked thirteenth? Here's what

they write. Perhaps no signal caller has done more to restore respect in recent years, rewriting his reputation as a gutsy figurehead for the Lions return to relevance. Now comes another chance to prove himself, fresh off a bid for a Super Bowl appearance that painfully fell short. Now keep in mind, this is a guy who's already led one team to a Super Bowl rams and has turned around or helped turn around, because it's not all him helped turn around a

failing franchise into an NFC contender. He's ranked thirteenth. Besides the ten ahead of him, Aaron Rodgers to a tongue of Aloa are ahead of him as well. If you don't believe that he's thirteenth, if you believe he should be higher. The reason I bring up the other names, is who should he be in front of? And then it lends this question, is he a top ten quarterback? By the way, Matthew Stafford, I'm sure some of your wonder they got him ranked sixteenth behind Kirk Cousins and Trevor Lawrence.

Maybe that tells you something about the poll or the rankings. Let's go to the phone lines, the Meyer hotline. Eighty six eight three eight forty eight forty three? Who do we got next? Ben? We got David Hudsonville, Hi, Dave, how were you this morning? Say? Good morning, well, chef, how are you doing? Matt good? Good, Thanks for the call. So you know, it's an interesting topic because context

matters so much. Yeah, when you when you just talked about Stafford and when you talk about Cousins, and I think they're still significantly apart because of Stafford winning an mv oric seeming winning a super Bowl. But we got to see him. I mean, there's not a tougher quarterback and a guy who's produced with some real challenging situations in Stafford over the years. And I don't

detrade. Fans have mixed feelings, but man, I love Stafford as a Rider die Lions for like, you know, fifty five years because he gave us everything he had. And if you look at Cousins stat over his career, they're tremendous, you know. But he's got a story based on the I know, he can't win in prime time. He doesn't win in this

or that. Well if you put Kirk Cousins with you know, Shanahan and San Francisco or what goes on. So I really do think it's almost like to me when we think about great Tigers teams and we don't think about our number one pitcher or number two, but a guy who goes out there like maybe Dan Petrie or some of the other guys you know, not Jack Morris or not Berlander, but those guys that are a good fit and they just do their job, you know. And that's I think the love Purdy gets.

But you can't have Jordan Love in there. Jordan Low hasn't done anything, you know, well, not of substance. So here's what I try to weigh. And I don't know the answer to this. Maybe you can help me with it. If a guy has been around We'll use Lamar Jackson as an example. He's been around long enough and he's won two MVPs. Is he not ahead of c J. Stroud. On the other hand, if you look at a guy like Aaron Rodgers, he's ranked eleventh a lot,

so that is based on what his past reputation. Should he deserve to be at eleven because he was hurt all of last year but has a resume that is Hall of Fame worthy. You know that you nailed it right there, because you can be prisoner of the moment with CJ. Stroud and you can also say, oh my gosh, we have such great history with Aaron Rodgers. It's somewhere in between, you know what I mean, Because at

the end of the day, you know CJ. Stroud had a great season, but prove it over time like Rogers has, or like Stafford has or whatever. Joe Burrows that a couple of good, really good seasons, but at the end of the day create a body of work. You know. It's like in Major League Baseball they talk about when you get somebody who's been playing for seven eight years, you pretty much know their stats and what they're

going to be hitting the ball. They know that Darry Sheffield is going to hit this many home runs or Miguel's going to do this or that until they hit that decline age. I think it's the same as true as quarterback, but we just get too fascinated with quarterback one hundred percent. I mean it's like you wrote it and I signed my name to it. That's perfectly said. Thanks for the phone call. Great stuff, man, I mean dead on there. We are so fascinated with quarterbacks, there's no doubt about that.

But there's a reason for it. And the reason is is because they're touching the football every single play, and we truly believe that they are the difference maker. It's the most goalie. Those two positions are the most important positions in all of sports. Point Guards used to be really important. Now

you've got point forwards. You got centers stepping out, hitting threes not so much, right, Sure, a starting pitcher is really important, but there are also as you just mentioned, you got that number two guy, that number three guy who can help you in a lot of places, certain rotations. Number four, I mean, look at Philadelphia, look at look at the Phillies. You take Zach Wheeler, Yeah, is he a one or

is he a two? Either way, they got to Ahillies got a hell of a one to two punch, Aaron Nola, which one you want to determine us? The two in quarterback, Aaron Football, You've got to have the quarterback, have to You got to have the trigger. That's why we're enamored with it. But are we living in the moment? That's so well said. Are we living in the moment? The moment? At eight thirty five is when we talk to Jason Beck of MLB dot com. He joins

us on Excess and Bros. Stay with us the final hour coming up right around a corner. On the Michigan Sports Network, we're teeming off our tenth year at the Meyer LPGA Classic for simply gives. Get ready for the best who are yet to help neighbors in need while enjoying golf, food and family fun. Join us June thirteenth through the sixteenth at Blakefield Country Club for fabulous food, discoveryland for kids, and of course, elite women golfers from around

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rules and details. Attention Tigers fans, you can now get fifteen percent off every ticket for select games through May by going to Tigers dot com Forward Slash Huge Show. That's Tigers dot Com Forward Slash Huge Show. Get some facts and come back and seev. Get some facts and come back and SEV. Don't throw out salaries or other things. Get some facts and come back and Seev. You can't handle the true now told our players you need a bit more like a dog. We don't need a bunch of cats in here.

Looking in the mirror, I look good. I got my extra bands on, I got my other shoes. Be a doll. We don't need no meals. We don't need no cats. We need more dogs. Why a lot of the time are you not at the time we weren't good. There's no sense asking me things about the game. I'm telling you we laid an egg. So I'm not gonna break it down for you. He sucks, He sucked, He laid an egg. That's all I have to say. Guys, I'm sorry. I'm not going to break it down for you.

Nothing went well for us. It's on us. We have to figure it out and we went we needs your dad. It is showtime on a Thursday. Welcome on the ninth of May. Myer hotline eight sixty six eight three eight forty eight forty three. That's some good call here this morning. Really appreciate it. You add to the show man and you really do. I like it when we get calls then don't you love it when you get calls that make you think, oh, yeah, you know it's it really is

the beauty of what the show can bring. And same with tax in Text Sports Radio to twenty one thousand. This is exues and Bros. We're with you Monday through Friday, six until nine. Jason Beck will join us the

bottom of the hour. My good friend Dennis Fithian will be in this chair tomorrow morning, and you'll be able to hear them throughout the great state of Michigan and Grand Rapids WMAX ninety six point one FM, the game in Cadillac and Flint and Grayling and Gaylord and Midland, Saginaw, Bay City, Potasky, Charlavoi, Traverse City. We're honored to be on all those beautiful and

great cities throughout this state. If you missed it yesterday and we'll talk with Jason Beck about this coming up. Tigers lose in ten innings to the Guardians five to four, I said earlier in the sixth clock hour, But we get different listeners all the time. This is very similar to guarding an inbound pass. I believe, what do you do in the tenth inning? Do you play for the run and take the lead like the Tigers did not do in the tenth inning last night? They wanted to play for a big inning.

Javier bayaz On a ground ball to short gets makes the out, the first out of the inning, second, third, whatever, okay, tagged by Jose Ramirez, whatever, All right, So there's one out and that just diffuses everything. And then that allows Cleveland, knowing that all they need is to run, they're going to bunt their man over. Loreano was bunted to third and then driven in by Brian Rochio with a single dissenter. It's

more than just what took place in the tenth inning. It's what took place in the eighth inning, the throwing air by Jake Rodgers, the ninth inning, the bad pitch by Andrew Chaffin, and instead of a four to win it's four three, it's four to four, and then it's a five to four walk off win for Cleveland. Detroit seven to eight in one run games. The fifteen to one run games the most played in Major League Baseball. They're a game under five hundred and they host Houston. They host Houston in

the first of a three game weekend set tomorrow. Immediately when you think Houston, at least I do. Anyway, you think hose L Twove, Alex Brigman, Jordan Alvarez. Scary team. They're twelve and twenty four, They've lost four in a row. They are off to a horrid start. It has to be one of the biggest surprises in all of baseball. We'll talk to Jason Beck of MLB dot Com at the bottom of the hour about that. Jeremy Paine is a really good player, right Rooky of the year so

far. It's having a good season so far. Kyle Tucker, love him, hell of a player. When you have jose L Tuove, your Don Olivaz, Jeremy Panya, Kyle Tucker, Alex Bragman, just to name a few, you would expect to be better than where they are right now, last place in the al West. Doesn't help that they had to designate Jose L Jose Brau because of his struggles. But whatever, that's uh, that's this weekend down a k America Park. Okay, New York beats Indiana won

thirty to one to twenty one. Jalen Brunson had twenty nine points in thirty two minutes. He missed the entire second quarter injured. Oj Anobi missed the fourth quarter injured, but he had a career playoff high twenty eight. New York's up two games to none. Nikola Jokic wins his third MVP in the last four years. In the NHL, Florida blows out Boston six to one. Boston's defense so good against Toronto. They allowed just twelve goals in seven

games. The reason they beat the Maple Leafs. Remember we setting game six, we said that Toronto, even though they're high scoring and really love their talent of Tavares and Marner and Matthews and the like. He said, Okay, you're gonna have to win a more of a defensive game against Boston, and Boston allowed his twelve goals in the seven games they gave up six.

The Bruins gave up six to Florida in game two alone. It was six to one, fight filled third, really good game until the third when Florida just blew them out. Vancouver comes to three goals down to beat Edmonton five to four. They scored three goals in five and a half minutes. Connor Garland, that's the game winner. Those are your headlines in sports. Let's go to the meer hotline. Who do we got waiting? Ben? We got Morey and grand Rap. It's Maury. How are you? Thanks for

listening on w MAX ninety six point ONEFM the game. What's going on? Shep? I'm doing great man, Thank you. I hope you're doing good as well. You know, listening to the Tiger Shep and you're talking. I found myself thinking yesterday I think it was I think the subject was brought up in an article. Maybe I read about the possibility or you know Tor Wicklson going down, And I asked myself, you know, how do these

guys, how do these managers and organizations? And I get it veries, okay, from organization to organization, but in this case, how are they looking at a guy who you know, man last year when he have thirty one bombs and you know he was he had a good year, and you know he's not a rookie. I mean, I know he's a still young

guy. But I mean, what are your thoughts on that v because they're such a poor hitting offensive team, and which befuddles me by the way, they didn't go for the run, you know, on and sacrifice and all that. You know, it seems like so tiger to do that right now, but and by the way, the right thing. But anyways, back to my question, do you what do you think about that? Man? What do they do with the guy like Torque? So first things first,

do you believe it was the right thing? Top of the tenth, you're on the road, you play for one run? Or do you do you understand why they didn't? Okay? No, I played for the run every time you play for the run? Okay, all right, So it's a difficult osophy play with our offense, man, especially with our offense, and our pitching has been good. So anyways, yeah, that's for sure, that's that's what I do. Yeah, no, I get it. I respect the opinion. I suppose one could argue, if your pitching is that

good, you wouldn't have to worry about that. You could go for the multiple runs. What I do is, you know, I probably go for the multiple runs too, but I don't expect a veteran laden guy on second base to get to make it out. Yeah, I mean fat. Yeah, So that's a problem. What do you do with Spencer Torkels? You do? I think with what the Tigers are doing right now, and that's

move him down in the order to take a little pressure off him. I think what surprises me, and you're right, he had a really good year last year, thirty one bombs, ninety four stakes. I'm not looking at average. The on base is a little worrisome, There's no doubt about it. When you're on base just thirty one percent last year, that's a problem. I think what concerns me more than anything else is first of all, the lack of power, so he doesn't have a homer yet, and second

of all the fastballs. He's not on the fastball and that's a problem. And I don't know if he's up there guessing. I haven't talked to him about it, so I don't know. Last year or the years before, I would have a better clearer understanding but it's a serious issue right now. And this team, as I said earlier in the show, the margin for error is so slight with this team. You can't have him going through elongated slumps. They just can't afford it, no question. So you move him,

You move him down in the order. Do you do? You send him down to Toledo and put Mark Kennet at first base and bring up who justin Henry molloy. I don't think that should be out of the realm of possibility. I wouldn't do it after thirty five games. He's only played thirty five. I would, but I think you're getting to the point now at the end of this month. If it continues, absolutely you do it. Thanks for the phone call. Awesome stuff. Appreciate it. Always respect the

perspective. Eight six six eight three eight forty eight forty three. But I don't know. Twenty minutes away, half hour away from Jason back MLB dot Com. We'll ask him the same question that you just asked me when we come back. Stay with us in the dam step up to the Play with the Eagle Casino in Sports, the mobile sportsbook app that you can bet on all your our favorites all year round, including of course our national passed on.

So download the app and start winning today at Eagle Casino. In sports made in Michigan, made for Michigan, must be twenty one years or older and in Michigan to play. This is Matt Shepard after a series loss in Cleveland. The Tigers have the day off and we'll ready themselves for a six

game homestand starting Friday with a three game weekend series against Houston. You can't argue with the pitching Detroit has received so far, except for one starter, kent To Maida, signed to a two year deal in the off season. Maida has struggled so far and seven stars. He's allowed a league high nine home runs, one just once, and possesses an ERA of just under seven. Seven starts isn't a big sample size unless you look at his history.

Last year, Maeta started just twenty games. He hasn't started more than twenty six since his rookie season. In other words, he's close to thirty three percent of his start so far. The numbers have to improve or it'll be time to make a change. We're teeing off our tenth year at the Meyer LPGA Classic for simply gives Get ready for the best. Who are you to

help neighbors in need while enjoying golf, food and family fun. Join us June thirteenth through the sixteenth at Blakefield Country Club for fabulous food, Discoveryland for kids, and of course, elite women golfers from around the world competing to help feed our neighbors. Get your tickets now admire LPGA Classic dot Com Attention Tigers fans. You can now get fifteen percent off every ticket for select games through May by going to Tigers dot com Forward Slash Huge Show. That's Tigers

dot Com Forward Slash Huge Show. A really good call from Maury. I really appreciate that too. We've had some really good calls this morning. I can't tell you how much it means to us. I love the interaction first and foremost of all, you just bring up really good conversation and you bring up really good topics, So I thank you for that. You can call anything that might be on your mind in the Meyer hotline eight sixty six eight

three eight forty eight forty three. The only thing I would say is this, and I understand where more he's coming from. At We're going to go back to certain guys, You're going to fall back on it. Maybe, just maybe people now feel like, all right, I'm tired of beating a bias because I've done it for two years now. You know, he has not been what you expected when you signed him as a free agent, and he's been one to seventy six. So I think I don't want to speak

for more of there. But a lot of Tigers fans are like, Okay, it's a given. He's not a favorite. He's not going to be a favorite. He's underperformed, he's been a disappointment. Now let's get to the next victim. Torkulsen is that guy. And he's that guy because he's a one one and because he's not a high average guy. The thirty one homers in ninety four RBIs last year didn't convince you. I'm not saying you should be convinced. I'm just telling you this is my thought. This is

how I view it. You don't view him as the next fill in the blank, whoever, whoever is that really good first baseman who brings you power in the middle of the lineup, Beard Don Alvarez, now Paul Goldschmand. He's not Freddy Freeman. He's not Matt Olsen. He's not that first baseman. Rights not Bryce Harper. He's not going to be in your mind. Thirty one homers is a lot of homers. I think it's pretty damn good.

However, he doesn't have any yet, and I think people look at the at bats and say, you know what, he seems to be guessing a lot. He seems to have a preventtion to go through long slumps. You give Look, Riley Green doesn't have a high average either. He's been two fifty four, but he's got eight or nine homers. Right, You're not expecting Andy a Bonnyez to carry your team. It's a problem. He's got more homers in a game than Torkosen does on the year. You've been

pleasantly surprised with Lensil Perez carry Carpenter. He's come up with some big, big knocks over the last two years. Cole Keith, you give a free pass because he's just starting his career. Zach McKinstry is a utility guy. I don't mean to use that in a negative term, but he's not an everyday guy. Mark Canna is not the future of the franchise Parker Metals has been sent down. Drake Rodgers you believe is a defensive guy, but he's

not an offensive guy. Spencer Torkosen was billed as an offensive guy who's going to be a difference maker in the middle of your lineup, and he hasn't been this year. I understand where you're coming from. I like him. I like him as an individual, I like him as a person, I like him as a first baseman. I would keep trotting him out there, but even I have a limit, and it's getting dangerously close. Meyer hotline eight six six eight three eight forty eight forty three. I know we got

a Tiger's text, don't we bet? Yeah, that's right. What's going on says you know, the old saying you can't fire the players. I would like to see Scott Harris finally make a big splash right or wrong. Fire aj Hinch and bring in new blood. I'm tired of watching old, stale baseball. Win one, lose three, win two, lose five. I promote fetter and a manager or bringing somebody else. Wow, that's really drastic. Aj Hinch signed an extension. I just want you to know.

Aj Hinch signed an extension in the off season. The previous deal he had ran through next year, he signed an extension. So what that extension is I can't completely recall, but he's going to be there at least at least through twenty twenty six. Okay, so at least two more years you want. I like Chris Fetter. Chris Fetter's never been a bench coach. Being a pitching coach and being a bench coach and being a manager three drastically different

things. And I mean drastically different. It's like being a guy on the assembly line, a guy driving the truck and the guy making out the schedule, three completely different responsibilities. Chris Fetter works on his pitching staff and his pitching staff alone. The bench coaches next to George Lombard is next to aj Hinch all game. Aj Hinch is telling him what you're supposed to be looking for. Who you have to get ready in the bullpen, Who needs to

start getting ready warming up for a possible pinch hit situation. Who you think is going to be up in this situation? On why you got to go to this pitcher? There are I can't begin to tell you how many decisions a manager is making per inning and per game that Chris Fetter is not used to, that even George Lombard is not quite comfortable with for an entire season. That is a very drastic tact right there, one that I would not

subscribe to. However, I understand your frustration because this team is underperforming. Right now to the Meyer hotline, we go, who's up next? Yeah, we got Paul and gr Paul. Good to hear from you again. Thanks for listening right there on WAX ninety six point ONEFM. The game. What's going on? Shut? My friend? How are you great? What's going on? So, first of all, before I get into my airing my grievances here, because I'm very upset right now. If you look very

blessed to have a J. Hinch. He's top free manager in all of baseball, and he fell into our lab. You know, he really is the reason why we like overperformed last year in its twenty twenty one. So to me, that's just astonin. I'm sorry. Like, we're very lucky to have Aja as our manager, and I signed him to a lifetime extension of good I love it. So I think he's I think he's a very good manager. Absolutely I wouldn't go so far as to say a lifetime extension,

but I think he's one of the better managers in the game. Is he top three? That's a really good question, a really good debate, because you've got some really good managers out there, but even really good managers, Bob Melvin is a hell of a manager, but he has but his teams at times have struggled, right, I mean, you could be manager of the Year and still get fired. You can be coach of the Year Dwayne Casey and get fired. It happens, it does, But I just

think that's crazy because I really do think aj is really good. So I'm going right after guy. So I'm going after Scott Harris and Chris Villich, especially Chris Illich. Does he care, like, does he even want to win? Does he care about winning? Aaron? Scott Harris, I mean, yeah, wanted time to evaluate this team. Blah blah blah blah blah. You know what. I'm sick of it. I'm sick and tired of it. It has been a decade. We haven't won a World Series since

nineteen eighty four. Like you said, that is unacceptable, Chest, and I am so sick of oh well, our offseason consists of signing ice cream truck drivers and to a bush Garden's tour guides that have been DA made a million times and just hopefully find a diamond in their up like we can't. We have not made any serious moves, and we had such an opportunity this offseason to set ourselves apart from everybody else, and we didn't. We did it, And you know what I'm putting. I don't care if it's her

two. I'm putting Scott Harris on the hot seat, and I'm calling out Chris Illic. I do not think he cares about the Red Wings or the Tigers. I don't think he cares about winning. I think he cares more about like parking lot revenues than he does anything. And I'm just so sick of it. Yeah, but listen, Paul, I completely understand where you're coming from, because they haven't given you any indication to think otherwise. So

it's hard to disagree with that. It really is. I mean, when your payroll is what the Tiger's pay roll is, especially after saving thirty two million on mcguel Cobra, I completely understand where you're coming from. I do Scott Harris. I'm going to wait one more year, but I was disappointed he didn't get the big bat from the middle of the lineup, so I think he failed in that regard. Jason Beck will talk about that and more. And when we come back, you have MLB dot Com stay with us

exes and bros right around the corner with Jason Beck. Heugh and sure for

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in Michigan playing. Okay, welcome back to Exus and Bros. Throughout the state of Michigan. Glad you're with us in Flint and Cadillac and Grayling and Gaylord. Glad you've joined us in Midland, Saginaw, Bay City, in Petoskey and Charlevoy and Traverse City, and of course in Grand rapids as well. Jason Beck's a good friend of mine, as good as it gets in baseball, writing as good as it gets, and conducting interviews. I've witnessed it firsthand numerous times. You can fall m on x at Beck Jason,

and he joins us now to talk Tigers and Major League Baseball. Jason, hope you and your family are well. Good to visit with you as always. Really appreciate the time because I know you're busy. What's your take on this team? Thirty seven games in, knowing full well that it's too small of a sample size to come to a complete judgment. Yeah, you know, looking in now from where we were in string training to you know, nearly the quarter point, I suppose that, you know, it kind of

looks like how we suspected. You know, the pitching is better than I think when we expected coming in, and yeah, I think we expected a lot there. You know, school ball looks like the cy young candidate that there was some buzz about clarity looks like he's figured some things out and looked like a frontline starter again. You know, you've got a very good radiation going your resource and has been fantastic even though he hasn't really been rewarded for

it. Aside from my Ada struggles. You know, there's a lot to like there the bullpen. You know, it's been a little bit more up and down lately after a good start. But the question really is the offense, and you see signs of breakthroughs, but it's up and down. You know, the eleven run performance the other night was, you know, match the total runs they had scored in the previous five games combined, and in the game before that, before that five game eleven run stretch, you know,

they had also scored eleven. So you know, there there's Jacko and hide there. You know, there's a capability to really work pitchers. Even yesterday you saw it where you know, they were Canter Bivy for three four pitches in that four run in and inning, and then they couldn't get anything else going once Cleveland went to the bullpen. So it's you know, it's an up and down. It's a young squad with clear holes that is trying to win with their strengths while trying to you know, kind of do what

they can with the growth areas. Why wasn't the offense You and I talked about this at the end of last season. Why wasn't the offense addressed in the off season besides Orshell on a one year deal and Canna on a one year deal. What should have been done there? Or are you satisfied with those two moves to increase an offense that needed I think more punch. I think they wanted to try to figure out some things with some of the younger

hitters, and they felt like this was the year to do it. Rather than having those guys getting either part time playing time, we're spending more time in the minor leagues. I also think that it wasn't a great free agent market, and I think that kind of boardsself out. What with some of the guys who ended up lingering out there? Now, could they have done

something you know later on in the off season or during sprent training. Well, they kind of did with Urchella, you know, once he was out there for you know, relatively easy one year deals, they took the shots. Could they have done something similar with the JD. Martinez? Yeah, they could have it. I think that you know, you can debate whether that would have been a good option. But I think also too, once you get to that point in the off season With those guys to where they're

available on one year deals. I think it's, you know, their choices become a lot more plentiful as far as you know where they can go,

but also where they want to go. It's like, Okay, if JD's going in to a one year deal, does he want to come here where the playing time might not be quite so guaranteed, or would he rather go to, you know, the Mets or some other clubs that might be closer or you might have might be closer to a playoff spot even in the tougher division, but also might be able to guarantee more playing time where he could use that as a platform. So yeah, I wasn't even thinking. I

wasn't even thinking JD. Martinez just because he's a designated hitter, you don't necessarily need that. I was thinking all along the lines of a Matt Chapman like Detroit couldn't have done three years fifty four million dollars like he got in San Francisco, But perhaps Detroit would have had to overpay for something like that. And let's face it, these guys want to go to a winning team. I still think Detroit could be that winning team. In this division.

Jason Beck joins is here on x'es and bros. He have MLB dot com. You can fall him on x at Beck Jason. Matt Manning was a little bit of a surprise to me to be sent to Toledo. I think I know the reason why when you sign Jack Flaherty and ken To Maida, it's going to squeeze somebody. So it came down to Casey myies, it came down to Reese Olsen, and it came down to Matt Manning. He

has handled it rather professionally. At what point, though, do you think he gets the call and ken To Maida suddenly gets injured with you know, a sore shoulder, some type of blister or whatever the case may be. Because my ada through seven games has not been very good, I don't think anything like that imminent. For one thing, MLB has been ringing cracking down

on those phantom injury type things. Uh you know, you know we saw we saw that in New York where you know it's that called somebody their job and customer suspension, So you know, something like that to get creative, that's that's not going to happen. So I think we're waiting for you know, well they do something performance wise. That's tricky because, like you know, for one thing, Kansas track record shows you've kind of have to wait

it out with him for for him to figure things out. You know, he's not a guy who's had strong starts to seasons, so once you sign him, you're you're pretty much committed to kind of waiting for him to mary things out and to look like he was on that path and the other Knights were just really just look arguably his worst start this season, so you know, you wait to see what happens there. And he also figured that somewhere

along the line, you know, there's going to be an opening. Honestly, it's kind of surprising that they haven't had some sort of opening aside from double headers already this season, given you know, in previous years they were already on starter seven or eight or something like that by now, and they've generally been able to roll with the current five, you know, plus one for double headers. So you know, the odds and the injury hittories histories

with pitchers. You're not specific pictures like these guys, but just the way baseball roles would tell you that something's going to come up where they're going to need somebody, and he's in line right now, and you know, these things tend to come in bunches, so I think he waited out and see what happened. You're also going to have innings to watch with some of these guys. You know, reeese Olsen did not have a full use last year, even though he did get a pretty good innings total under his belt.

Yo, Casey Ma hadn't bitched in two years until out Neil. It would chuck me if at some point you've got to either give him a break or maybe stretch authorization, you know, to give madd as starter to and give him all of the extra rest. There different ways you can do it. Yeah, that's an excellent point. Excellent points A big reason why Jason Beck is so well respected throughout the game of baseball. He's with us here on

exes and Bros. Bear with me on this because you interact with fans a great deal on social media, and when you're at the ballpark, you understand the mindset, even though you don't always agree with it. Riley Green, he's got homers. People don't care about the average. They shouldn't. Andy Banya is not seen as an everyday guy when so Perez brand new, so they're not even sure. Carrie Carpenter has come up with some big hits over the last couple of years. They're okay with that. Cole Keith is a

young guy there, Let him grow into it. Zach McKinstry's kind of a you know, a jack of all trades, hobby or bias people have given up on for the most part. So where does the eyre go to. It goes to Spencer Torkulsen, fair or unfair. People forget about the thirty one bombs in ninety four stakes a year ago. They worry about the lack of power this year, and of course the average, which I think is

overrated. What do you think is the level of concern for the tigers on Spencer Torkelsen and what is the length of leash you give him before you do anything drastic about him. I mean, I think there's a good deal of concern. That's one thing. If it was like previous years where there's a ton of hard contact not getting rewarded for it, but we're not seeing that to the same degree this year. It's a lot of pop ups. It's

a lot of you know, low percentage. By low pretentige, I mean like the expected batting average or the hit probability, whatever you want to call it is not as high, so you know, but he's still making contact. It's not as they're the same strike a rate that he's had in years past. So you know, would you rather have it previous ways? Maybe to some degree, but it also suggests that he's at least seeing balls.

He's just not you know, with that swim, with the timing, he's just not making the same quality of contact he's been able to make it, And yeah, that's worrisome. Is it a reason to do him for his career? No, he's shown the ability to make adjustments, he's shown the potential, and he's shown the ability to heat up rather quickly once he figures things out. You know, what they say is that they don't think he can That triple A would necessarily make a huge amount of different with him,

because he's shown he can hit there. I think if you were to send him, it would have to be with specific targets that you want him to work on to figure things out to where like if he if when he does that, you bring him back up, you know, and then you know, you you go back and see what works. They're not at that point yet. You know, they've said they haven't talked about it, although you know, you kind of say that, you know all the time until you

actually do it. At the time you talk about it is the time you actually do it. But right now they're willing to give him, you know, more Leash. I don't think it's forever, but I think at this point you keep playing him go along. Remember like a couple of years ago, they let him go all the way through you know, up to you know, basically the All Star Break to try to figure things out. So they've shown, you know, of willingness to be abundantly patient here to let

him things work things out. But you know, it's been a grind and I think if he showed it was really wearing on him mentally, you know that Leash might be quicker. He is not so far, So you know, if he keeps not just his spirits up, because that's what you know, he's naturally a pretty optimistic guy, but also the determination that he's an adjustment a way that he really feels like there's progress there and that it's within

reach. That it's not helpless. I think you want to keep rewarding him for that, for that willingness to keep working, to keep giving him the shot to to see if this works. Yeah, and to his credit, I mean, he's such a he really is a great young man. To his credit, he's handled this adverse time with great class and dignity. Let me ask you, this is kind of a broad question. I think you've already partly addressed it with the offense, but this is kind of what I've

said. Look, they're pitching. It's hard to argue with the starting pitching like you've brought up. And I still truly believe in the bullpen. Shelby Miller has had some blow ups, but overall, you believe in the bullpen. Their defense is an elite there's not really no elite defender now that Parker Metos is down in Toledo. There's some guys who make some spectacular plays, but it's not an elite defense. It's a substandard offense right now. And

their speed on the base pass is for the most part lacking. You know, they don't you don't fear them, Let's say, like you would a Kansas city of the past, what do you think this team's biggest detriment is overall and how do they fix it? The biggest detriment, I think the most fixable detriment, honestly me is probably defense. I think they're a better defensive team, and they've shown so far. I think there are ways to

fix it. I think you've seen progress from at first base, and I think first base is critical, you know, for a lot of defenses, but particularly this one, because a good first baseman, what he can do on throws that are off target can make an entire endfield better. You know, Jim Lee wants to talk about that for years, and while hobby strows

have not been as wild, he's a lot more on target throws. I think, you know, work can do when he's right defensively, can help out a cold Keith, can help out what they're trying to do a third before Geo comes back, you know, can help out in a lot of areas, can help out on double plays, and I think we've we've seen that a little bit more in recent days to where you know, Torque reading balls right and stretching. It's kind of made a difference on some plays to

where you know, early in the year. Maybe those don't get made, Okay, all right, it's fixable with positioning. I think, yeah, third base becomes better once comes back. I think center field without post Parker has become a little bit better in recent days. Is Winsl has gotten settled in there, although I still think Fearing is a more solid, reliable option there on a players. Yeah, rightfield becomes better as Carpenter makes better reads.

Yeah, and you could actually move Riley Green to center and they've I know you guys have talked to the Tigers about that a little bit. One final thing before we let you go. This division has surprised me. I mean Cleveland Stephen voting his first year. That surprised me a little bit. I still think Detroit should win this division. I think that should be the expectation. I've said that for more than just this year. It a year

ago. That should be the expectation for Detroit fans and should be for the Tigers. Who's the biggest surprise to you so far as we reached the quarter pole in Major League Baseball? Me personally, the biggest surprise is Cleveland.

Oh, you know, they they've won recently, they've won in the past, but having watched the challenges that the Tigers went through when they went from Jim Leland to Brad Austmas, what they've been able to do in year one under Stevens vote is really impressive, and especially with a younger roster than they get credits for. You know, they don't defeat themselves and they've owned that.

You know, they they play good fundamental baseball. You know, they win at the margins, as some baseball people like to say, you know, and they put pressure on you and you know, the Tigers they felt that, you know that that was a very winnable series have this week, but the Indians pressured them and they took advantage of mistakes and I think the

Tigers were a little bit surprised by that. And you know, this is a division to where it's like, you know, even though the Tigers weren't in the rate last year, they had their way with the division and had to have a match up. That's right. And I think Cleveland made a statement you know, this week to where you know, you can't just assume it's going to be that way again. You know, that was very impressive and I think it's you know, that goes along the way towards establishing Cleveland

as the team to be if they weren't already. I agree with you, Jason. The other the other surprise to me be Houston and their struggles at the bottom. And of course you'll be there front and center for the Tigers and the Astros starting tonight. Thanks for your time, my friend. I appreciate it as always. Have a great weekend, all the best this season. Hope to talk to you again soon. Thanks Chef. Always good talking Bold with you. I missed that so good. Good to talk with you.

Yeah, likewise, I missing a great deal too. Jason Beck joining us from MLB dot com. You can fill on Twitter at Beck Jason. Really good follow great information. Always enjoy the perspective that he brings. Always enjoy your perspective as well. Thanks for the phone calls, Thanks for the texts. It's been an honor this morning. Please join my friend Dennis Fifthyan tomorrow. He's got you tomorrow morning six until nine. You can call him

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