Episode Transcript
[00:00:05] Speaker A: Booyah. That's time for the Game Sports podcast. Booyah. It is for sure for a lot of reasons here on the Game Sports Podcast, but I gotta gotta relax for a second. We got the introduction to do here on the Game Sports Podcast. The game is powered by 91 Network, which is a YouTube channel. You can watch video editions of the show. You may be tune into that right now. Make sure you hit like follow, subscribe, comment, all the fun things follow on social media, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, the Game Sports podcast to get it all in all the interactions or you may be tuning in on one of the audio platform, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, wherever you're tuned into of the Game Sports Podcast, make sure you're following along. And we appreciate all the frequent updates for the past few months on TikTok and interactions and all the pages we've been interacting on. We love the fan interaction and we are going to be getting into that more in the second segment with the Susie Marie Greyhounds. But in the first segment here we're going to be talking top shelf all about the National Hockey League and what just transpired in the NHL Draft Lottery and the NHL before. Segment 2 will be with Jordan Trudeau. We'll be talking about the Chukapuck segment that segment three will be our strike zone segment where we get into some baseball.
Nonetheless. Brendan, my friend, hi. How you doing? Before we get into everything, how are you doing, my friend? How is life? How was your trip? Welcome. We missed you here on the show. It's been a month plus since we've had you on. Yeah, Dave, good to be back.
[00:01:34] Speaker B: Peru was awesome. Good to have a little RR.
And man, what a. What a crazy 48 hours it's been for Toronto. I mean you had the media veil with Heli, Sundine and Jacob and everyone's been tense and on edge. And then an article came out, courtesy Chris Johnson, about Matthews unsure if he'll return in the fall. And then tonight it is a city collective exhale as Elise will be picking first overall. I cannot believe that. I cannot believe it. I can't.
[00:02:09] Speaker A: Tsn, where you are employed, had a draft lottery simulation, Brendan, at the I
[00:02:15] Speaker B: know O Dog Trade Center.
[00:02:16] Speaker A: And what was the result to remind listeners of that draft lottery simulation? Who won the draft lottery tdot. Is there gonna be.
[00:02:25] Speaker B: I honestly, I. I cannot believe it, man.
[00:02:27] Speaker A: Is there gonna be investigation?
[00:02:31] Speaker B: I saw before we started recording, I saw, I saw this tweet or sorry, a message on X.
Drives me nuts. Is now Sundine, is, is he gonna go For Stenberg now with the Swedish connection, You know what I just say?
[00:02:45] Speaker A: Like it got.
[00:02:46] Speaker B: I think he just gotta go. McKenna, right? I know it's not like an absolute like undisputed McDavid or McKinnon or Matthews year, but like McKenna is the dog, right? Like, I don't, I don't know much about the Stenberg cat, but I think it's got to be McKenna. No.
[00:03:01] Speaker A: Would you not. Would you explore a trade? Would you explore a trade for two or three? Give me two. Let me give you two quick scenarios. Vancouver, McKenna. Vancouver has assets that they can take. Retained salary, someone like Pedersen, guys like that. Would they. Not saying that's the trade package. I'm just saying that's the one thing. Second thing, San Jose, you know, San Jose has in the pot a lot of prospects and they have a lot of people they can move up. Why not trade number two? Maybe you throw in. Let's be bold. Throw in Michael Misa and your second overall pick and we'll give you Gavin McKenna. How's that sound? For a little trade? And you get Mike Misa and Stemberg. Let me, Let me say the Leafs. Now this is worth checa. This analytics perfection that he's claimed to be, which I can't wait to talk about Chaika a little bit. Why not think or other. There's other players too. There's. There's actually a pretty good top seven picks. You're getting a good player. Would you not consider trading that pick? Is that an option here?
[00:03:59] Speaker B: I. I don't, I don't think if, if you have the number one overall pick. Because think of it this way. If Matthews does, which at this point I think he's going to. If he says bye bye. Check please. In two years, you still, you still have likely McKenna. And then at the same time, Matthews is reading this today saying, holy. We, we. We're gonna, we're gonna hit the first overall pick and then he can play with them for the remaining two years. So even if, you know, let's say the Leafs win, win it all, right? And they have Matthews. Matthews goes to frickin Anaheim or San Jose, and the Leafs still have the number one overall pick.
[00:04:35] Speaker A: Think about it this way. The Leafs nation and hockey fans, the Leafs lost Mitch Marner, a very elite playmaker. Don't get me wrong. Gavin McKenna does it all, baby. Guy does it all. He can score, he can pass. His vision is wild. He's finesse on the ice. Wouldn't he just look peachy on the wing? He could play center he is. He could play both. He can play the wing with Matthews and Matthew. Nice. I don't know. Just throwing two names out there. I don't know. That's a pretty good first line. And when Matthews is a godaddy in the slot and McKenna's like toe drag, backhand, toe drag, grab the neck, whatever he's doing out there. Michigan, tap the stick through the legs to Matthews. It's going to look real pretty. So what a coincidence. And we're going to talk about Matthews. I didn't like that comment today. If you don't want to be here, leave. I have a. So I have a comment about that. We'll get to that in a second draft lottery. Stay positive. The first overall pick. The Leafs have so many options here. Brennan. It is drafting or trading. I think if they trade, they could just ream the farm system out of a team. You want Gavin McKenna, San Jose. I want Misa. I want your first. I want this. Okay, that's too bold. Okay, well you could. You're all the owners and GMs think that of Chica or Cha anyway, so who the hell cares, right? So. Oh, Vancouver, you want that pick? Okay, you want that pick? I want your pick this year. I want you pick next year. I want you to pick the next year. And I want Elias Petterson on 50% retained. And I want you to take Riley and take his full contract.
That's how bold you can be. Screw it. How bold that sounds. You could do what you want if you want that generational. I don't. I'm not going to say he's Connor McDavid or Connor Bedard, but he is still going to be a damn good hockey player in this league. And let me where. Let me tell you where I think McKenna is going to be. Celebrity level. Celebrini came into this league with people like, ah, he's not generational. He'll be good. What do you do this year? What do you do? 115 points because he had the people around him.
McKenna's coming this league with Tavares, Matthews, Nylander, Nies around him already, which is going to be absolutely sexy. So if you're the Toronto Maple Leafs, you either sell that pick at Kings Ransom or you draft McKenna and you get what you need to get to get a number one defenseman on that team. And then this retool.
[00:06:50] Speaker B: Well, okay, so who do you think they should go after then? McKenna or Stenberg?
[00:06:54] Speaker A: Maketa easy answer. Easy answer.
[00:06:56] Speaker B: Stenberg.
[00:06:58] Speaker A: Easy answer. I'm sorry. Stenberg's.
[00:07:00] Speaker B: And you know, you don't want to see him actually Don Leaf Jersey. You want, you want to, you want to ship him out, McKenna?
[00:07:06] Speaker A: No, I would, I would either draft. If I'm drafting him, I'm keeping him. But I would, I would dangle that pick and be like, who wants it? You want it? San Jose? Well, you're gonna have to give me this. Oh, you can screw off, John Ch. Okay, see ya. Because guess what? It doesn't matter if you don't want it. I'm still drafting Gavin McKenna. So the Leafs can do whatever the heck they want. But I'm concerned about the people running this team, that they're going to make the right call. To be honest with you.
[00:07:31] Speaker B: I think, I think we're overthinking it, man. I think you pick McKenna, you let him play with Matthews for two years, and then if Matthews leaves, which he probably will, you still have McKenna, right? Like before Matthews, they only drafted first overall one other time. That was what, 85 when they got Wendell, right? I mean, it was 10 years ago. They won the lottery. Almost to the day. Almost to the day. I don't, I don't think you, you, you trade the first overall pick, man, when was like, we need, we need to get Jerry on that. When was the last time Someone traded their first overall pick?
[00:08:03] Speaker A: Honestly?
[00:08:04] Speaker B: Was it 99? Was it, was it the sadine year?
[00:08:09] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. That is the last year. Yeah, that is the last year. Yeah.
[00:08:13] Speaker B: Well, it hasn't happened, it hasn't happened in the century, though.
So I, I, I know you're high on this Michael Misa cap, but man, like, I think you just enjoy the night and enjoy the off season. It's been a disaster few days and I think if you're, if you're part of the Leafs plan, it's a big exhale.
[00:08:30] Speaker A: So to go through the NHL draft lottery results just to remind everyone the first overall pick is going to be the Toronto Maple Leafs and likely drafting Gavin McKenna. As much as I talk about trades guys on here, I want to make sure I stress, I Hope they draft McKenna. I got my McKenna jersey ready. And if you see a thumbnail from a few shows ago, it says Gavin's best fit. You know what's funny? It's his Penn State jersey. Pretty close to some blue and white in there. I'm just saying, we're already pretty close. Number 72 is going to look very nice on the blue and white. But if you trade them, if the Leafs are going to trade him, I'm hope if someone in the brass is seeing this King's Ransom, man, like, I mean, something so astronomical is out of the movie draft day for goodness sake.
But the Leafs get one, San Jose two, Vancouver three, Chicago four. New York gets number five.
[00:09:17] Speaker B: Man, if you're, if you're obviously Vancouver, that sucks. And New York, that stinks too. Like San Jose, they already have Celebrini, Smith, Eklund. I mean, if you're Mike Greer, you're liquor in your chops right now.
[00:09:29] Speaker A: Are you taking Stenberg or are you taking one of Verhoeffer Reed? I think that's a team that could trade down. Realistically. Realistically, because I don't think they need forward depth. I think they would not mind some more defensive depth.
[00:09:42] Speaker B: Yeah, I think they could use a. A defenseman big time. So that, that could be. That could be certainly a route that, that Greer goes. Well, they were in a playoff spot earlier this year and then they, they just missed it, right? Yes. Did you see Sundin?
Do you think. You think he called Matthews? Like tonight they. They must be on the phone and
[00:10:01] Speaker A: tonight being like, while we're talking, they're on the phone.
[00:10:04] Speaker B: So what do you think about this right now?
[00:10:07] Speaker A: That comment you said earlier, Want to retract that statement or what do you. What do you want to do?
[00:10:12] Speaker B: Nylander, Domi, they were all watching. They were posting it to Instagram. Man, this reinvigorates the team. So was that like he's checked out or he's waiting to talk with Jake and Sandin. He will dep. I mean, this is. This must change his mind now. Like, how does it not.
[00:10:31] Speaker A: If it doesn't two words. Get out. I don't care.
[00:10:34] Speaker B: I. If it doesn't. If it doesn't, then see ya.
[00:10:36] Speaker A: Yeah, I don't care. Because now guess what? The Leafs do have the first overall pick and we have someone who can replace you.
[00:10:42] Speaker B: I honestly, with all the burner accounts, man, like, I. I had to watch that live. If I was just scrolling on social media, I would, I would throw my phone at the wall because I'm like, no, this is bogus. I had to like, even though I watched it live, I still had to like quadruple check. Is it. It still feels like it. It. Yeah. No, like, like what happened?
[00:11:04] Speaker A: Like, it feels like a pinch. Like a pinch. Now the other thing, because again, time I know we're short on so Jacob and Sundance press conference. I've never been. There's one thing I'll say about the press conference. I want to give it to you to talk about more than me. Two people had paper. One person didn't. Matt Sundine didn't. Yeah. Other two did. Keith Pelly. This ChatGPT nonsense. I believe it. Sorry, Simmons, comment about Chica. Look, I'm not sold on Chica because of what he did in Arizona, and I don't think he is the right guy. I'll say it. Dundee. Love it. Love all of that. And his answers were perfect. And that part where they're looking at each other. You want to answer, bro? You want to answer? You're the GM of the hockey team. Show some backbone, because this media is going to tear you up apart. John Cha. I was not a fan of that press conference, but today puts a whole new perspective on being a Leaf fan. But I want to give your take on the press conference for the Leafs yesterday or today's May 5th. The press conference happened May 4th, so that press conference happened May 4th. What do you think?
[00:12:06] Speaker B: Yeah, it was definitely, like, an awkward media veil, but I still think you have to let them work. Like, you don't want to assess it too early. Right? I think you assess midseason. I think you roll the dice with Chaika. Right. I know his history hasn't been that great with the Coyotes, but everyone deserves a second chance. And with Sundin, I think it's cool. Even though we don't really know exactly what his role is. It seems to be every job title but president.
I don't know if that's for security or insulation, whatever you want to call it. But it's cool that Matt Sandin is part of. Part of this front office, and you know that that's someone who. Who embodies the Maple Leaf. So I think it's important just to, like, let them actually get to work. And then you start, you know, pointing fingers, if you will, halfway into the season. But I don't think it's fair to just be like, that's it, that's all. And I think a lot of people will start crawling back now that the Leafs have the first overall pick.
[00:13:01] Speaker A: I think so, too. But I. I honestly feel that that press conference, Simmons's comments were just wild that that came out. I did not expect that to come out.
[00:13:13] Speaker B: Yeah, but that's who he. That's who he is, though, right? I mean, he's been doing that for years. That's how. That's how he makes his money. And he's on. He's on, like, the back nine of his career. So at this point, if. If he gets canned you know, I'm sure he's got a nice, healthy pension waiting for him. But I do think, yeah, like, Cha was there with his wife and three kids. Like, if, if I was in his position, I'd be pretty pissed as well. And it's just, it's, it's rude. You can be aggressive and persistent as a journalist, but I don't think you need to, you know, come from the top rope and start calling them names and criticizing them. All you had to say was, hey, I spoke to X amount of people and 90% of them said, you know, it's not a good fit. Like, you can paraphrase it in a different way and say, hey, it wasn't. You know, they're, they're saying you're not the guy. Like, how do you respond to that? Something like that. You know what I mean? But, you know, he's the guy who always steals, steals the headlines. He also was the guy that made that article about Matthews having Covid in 2020. And Matthew's piped back and said, you know, I'm not answering a question because what you wrote was unethical. So you can, you can run into some choppy waters if you're going to act that way sometimes you might get a punch to the nose. So I think Jacob handled it pretty well. I'd be pissed. And like I said, I think you got to let. It's kind of typical Toronto market. You do have to let these guys go to work and give them, you know, some time here.
[00:14:35] Speaker A: I like that point. Good perspective. I've been on the other side of it. Not just I haven't supported his comments. I want to know that. I think that it was kind of gutless to say it in that direction, especially given legacy players being in the room and family, but there's still an opportunity there for him to say it in a different matter. I agree with that, but I will stay firm that, you know, you bring up a good point, but giving them a chance. I guess the negativity in me is coming out a little bit if I speak as a fan, but as a sports person and as a podcast host, I. It's been the same story. Babs got hired and you look at the people. That seems to always be the same circus. I just want to see change. And then I think the opinion and the mindset will change in Leafs Nation. But the last topic, Brennan, is Leon Draisaitl for a minute that not only is he Connor McDavid calling out the Oilers with not being good enough, saying that operating we had too high expectations that we were an average team. You got Leon Draisaitl that's mentioning that we have the best player in the world and the best player in the world is going to walk in two years if we don't get better. What do you say about the Oilers? They have their own drama to deal with. It seems like in my opinion, having a good GM at the helm. I'm a Sam Bowman fan. I have been for what he did. Like, not for what he constructed a good team in Toronto or Toronto in Chicago. Like I, like I've said before, I'm not talking about the background stuff, but this is someone. Leandre settle and Connor McDavid did not make it past the first round. Lost to a team that arguably.
[00:16:00] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean if, if you're a Leaf fan and you're watching 29 and 97 in their end of year media veil, you're wishing Matthews and Nylander talk like that. Take some onus, take some responsibility. Leon and McDavid were in the Cup Final last two years and now they're, now they're out in the first round, so leaves a bitter taste in their mouth for sure. And it's also a, you know, shot to the front office to say, hey, we need a better supporting cast, we need better goaltending. Your goaltending has been awful the last couple of years. You imagine they had, they had like, I don't even want to say a hell of a, like just, I don't know, like a, like a Wedgewood or something or somebody. Last year, last year, last year or something like that. Right. And they're, they're pissed off. I know, but they still, they still take the, the brunt of everything, which I think is why they're, they're so beloved and people appreciate their work and effort. But at the end of the day, I think Bowman has to take a lot of this at him. He's got to take a lot of the bullets.
[00:17:03] Speaker A: So. Last thing we'll say before we wrap up, second round has begun. We won't have time to do our like, I don't mean time just here, just in general. I'm not going to upload a, a clip about when we're hitting game two of the second round, but obviously I had my predictions thinking that, you know, my, my prediction beginning was Buffalo Colorado final with Colorado walking away as the cup champions this year was, was my prediction at the beginning. As you can see on clips on TikTok. Check that out.
[00:17:26] Speaker B: I like that pick.
[00:17:28] Speaker A: I, I It's a boring pick for the winner, but my. I obviously. Was I cheering for the Oilers? Yes. My underrated. You know, I would love to see a Minnesota Buffalo final. I think that would be so cool. Teams that haven't done it, you got. Minnesota has a lot of veterans, but you know, we don't have to sit here to predict. We can save our predictions for the conference finals overall, but this Minnesota colorad by far going to be the most entertaining. And I said that before their 96 game and going into action as of recording tonight May 5th. There is game two tonight going on, but I, I think it goes without saying that the second round is going to have a lot of story lines, Brennan, but is there any upsets and any series is that you're keeping an eye on in particular as we continue into the second round?
[00:18:07] Speaker B: Do you want me to just give you my winners for. For series?
[00:18:10] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, let's do that. Give me your winner instead of mine. Give me yours.
[00:18:13] Speaker B: So I initially had Dallas to win the cup. So womp womp. So give me mini over Colorado. Give me Anaheim over Vegas. I guess that's an upset. Buffalo Habs. That's going to be tough. I'm going to take Montreal. I'm going to take Montreal and then Carolina and Philly. Carolina hasn't lost yet in the playoffs. I think it's got to be Carolina.
[00:18:34] Speaker A: Yeah, the. When I look at Carolina, I say I have a weird feeling right here. I just look at them and go, they're looking like a wagon right now. Looking like a wagon. But I think their toughest matchup is waiting in the other round. Buffalo, Montreal. That's where it's going to get tough for them.
[00:18:51] Speaker B: Yeah, that's a good point.
[00:18:53] Speaker A: And it's been like that for them since the last four years.
So we'll see how the third round goes for them.
[00:18:59] Speaker B: Well, they don't have. They don't have Florida to. To battle with this year. So that. That's a. That's a green light special.
[00:19:04] Speaker A: So in a night maybe 20, 26, we waited to record and I'm so happy we did because in the event of waiting to record, you didn't get to see our live reaction. My kid heard my live reaction and he was crying because I was too excited. Let me tell you, son, gonna be Leaf fan. You're in for a long haul in this household if you're gonna be upset about dad yelling about the Leafs. Jokes aside, Leafs win the draft lottery. Second round has had some good storylines. I'm loving The Minnesota series in Colorado. Montreal makes it Buffalo. Montreal. Love that.
Matthews wanting out of Toronto. That I'm sure wants back in there.
Yeah.
You have dry settle, McDavid, Connell management, lots to dissect. Any final thoughts, Brenner, before we go to break?
[00:19:51] Speaker B: It's funny. A year ago, May 5, 2025, the Leafs were up 2 nothing on the Florida Panthers. And now we're celebrating winning the first overall pick. Isn't that wild?
[00:20:00] Speaker A: That is wild. And if you talk about retool, the Leafs have the golden ticket now. See what Sundine and the lads do. I didn't say the other guy's name. Sundine. General Manager of Operations is not a title. I'm sorry.
[00:20:13] Speaker B: It's Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations, which just seems like a glorified title for your. For Pres. I guess. But he's not president, so he can't shoulder a lot of the responsibility if things go south. So I don't know, it seems to be a cushioned role. Just preserve his legacy.
[00:20:32] Speaker A: What's your white shoot in the office? The special assistant to the manager. Is that him? Yeah, yeah. Like, it's like, it's what it seems like. John Cejka is General Manager of operations. Sunny. And senior executive of Opera. Like, these are fake titles. These are. These aren't real titles.
[00:20:48] Speaker B: But do you think. Do you think Ruby stays on as coach? I've been saying yes since, like, the Olympics, but I might be in the minority.
[00:20:55] Speaker A: Is it right that my mind is saying yes from my heart, saying no?
[00:20:59] Speaker B: I don't think so either. But I wonder if. I wonder if Alex Parr will make her return now that there's some hope and leap. Leafland. Oh, talk to him. We.
[00:21:06] Speaker C: You.
[00:21:06] Speaker B: We should. We should get him on for a. A cameo or something.
[00:21:09] Speaker A: I. I think so. Because now that he's, you know, gonna have a bit more to cheer about. I'm waiting for the message about the lease, but the only. The only people that a message are about eight friends that messaged me, but Alex Parr is not one of them.
[00:21:22] Speaker B: Well, throw something in in the group chat and see if he pipes up.
[00:21:25] Speaker A: Yeah, he said Gavin McKenna's face is going to be my picture. Gavin McKenna to the Toronto perfect. Love that. Okay, Brennan, thank you for taking the time. We're gonna take a quick break, but before I sign off to go to that break, Brennan, again, thank you for taking the time, my friend. We are back every two weeks. We're going to be doing the show. So as we hit near the draft, Brandon And I will do a draft preview for you, but thanks again for taking the time.
[00:21:49] Speaker B: Dude, thank you, man. Had to do it on the couch because I was still in shock over police winning the lottery.
[00:21:54] Speaker A: And if you hear Brandon's TV in the background, it's because he's keeping an eye.
[00:21:58] Speaker B: It's the Wild and Colorado game. It's two one, end of the first.
[00:22:02] Speaker A: That's where we get our live updates. Okay, everybody, just so you're aware. All right, we're going to take a quick break. When we come back, Jordan Trudeau's coming on to discuss some Chuck A Puck in the major junior hockey scene in Ontario. Welcome back to the Game Sports podcast. Your host, Dave McKay continuing to host you. This evening, we're going to talk Chuck A Puck. All right, now, Chuck A Puck is known here on the game as being more local. More local focused is what I mean to say. Suse Marie Greyhounds, but we talk all major junior, in particular the Ontario Hockey League. So, no, it's not just Susei Marie Greyhounds, but of course, that is the meat and potatoes of our content. And guess what? We do have some Suse Marie Greyhound content in the Chakapak, as promised. But first, let me introduce who's going to be co hosting and leading the way, as he always does on this segment, the one, the only, Jordan Trudeau Trudes, the French teacher of the past. The, the, the scholar himself, the legend, as we hear on TikTok. How's it going, my friend?
[00:23:00] Speaker C: I'm good. How are you?
Been a while.
[00:23:03] Speaker A: It's been a bit. We had to schedule conflicts. We're now on the bi weekly schedule of the show.
[00:23:09] Speaker C: But I mean, it's good to be here again. It's good to talk again.
I mean, obviously I don't think anybody's really surprised on the results.
There wasn't really much to cover anyways, but honestly, we.
[00:23:23] Speaker A: We didn't get a chance to dive into the second round and I was solo on that and I missed you. I did my best on what I could without. In the absence of yourself.
You know, I had somebody ask me upstairs at a local bar here in Sault Ste. Marie and they asked me, dave, I'm gonna ask. I'm gonna ask that guy because he's a podcast guy and I didn't really know who this guy was, to be honest. If I did know him, I apologize. But nonetheless, the. He said mentioned the podcast, which is cool, but he mentioned who do you think's gonna win? And I gave him that look going Gonna make me say it. Are you not recording Right. Obviously, you know, I believed in the hounds of great players, great team. But that Kitchener team was just, just so powerful. And I did say kitch my prediction and I know you would probably be aligned to that to say that they were going to win. I don't think. Not that the Hounds couldn't have done it, but they just were not there. But before we talk Hounds and before we get into that interactive piece of the metrics, I know we only have 10 minutes actually on this segment. We'll each out playoffs. We know our finals.
[00:24:20] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:24:20] Speaker A: We didn't get a chance to do predictions but you know, I'm very surprised that it wasn't Branford. I thought it was going to be a brand for a Kitchener final. We're not, we're not going to have the chance to see that. Barry with, let's call it the upset of course, beating Branford, going on to the finals against Kitchener. What's your preview about the finals? And as we near Memorial cup time in major junior.
[00:24:41] Speaker C: I'm going to go with Kitchener, but I think it's going to be a lot closer than. Well, I don't think. Not many people predicted this so realistically, you know, all the matchups and everything was probably going to say Branford, Branford versus Kitchener, Windsor. Right. Like that was probably mostly what everybody thought or everybody's bracket had Branford easily as the east champion and then probably one of Kitchener or Windsor as the west champion. So Barry being there kind of puts it throws a wrench in things. From what I've read, I haven't watched but from what I've read and from what I've looked at stats wise, it seems like if Ben Horevic, Barry's goaltender who stopped 94 of 97 shots he faced in game six and seven of that series is that good.
Including a shutout in game seven, a 40 shot shutout and not to mention they were down 3:1 in the series and won game I try to math here. Game five in overtime. Oh, Brenford had the opportunities to win this series and like good on Barry to, to come back and win three in a row, two of which in overtime.
[00:25:56] Speaker A: Three in a row is the surprise. Yeah, like Branford, that's, that's the surprise of that series.
[00:26:03] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean they really pressed on the gas and stuck with their system and stuck to their structure and you know, beat the, beat the favorite, the heavy favorite to I think win the ohl.
[00:26:16] Speaker A: What at all. I, I thought this was Kitchener's year. I, I'm, I'm not gonna lie to you.
[00:26:21] Speaker C: Yeah, I would think like they, they are the favorite going into it.
I mean, Barry's already proved that they can knock off a heavy favorite, so you're not gonna wanna take them lightly. Barry, I think has the edge and goal, so that will play a part. And I think special teams are probably gonna come into play too. We saw Kitchener, how much their power play, like how big of a role it played in, even in the Greyhound series. So, you know, Kitchener's power play is going to be huge. And then obviously Barry's power play is going to be huge as well. So you're going to have to have a lot of like a big special teams battle to see who's going to come out on top really.
Away from the five on five play 100%.
[00:27:06] Speaker A: Now what I, as I said with Kitchener going there, I still consider them the favorite to win that. And I thought the Greyhounds played Kitchener better than Windsor did, to be honest with you. I know that's a very hot take by people, but it's, it's very. I, I just watching that series more potentially, that's what I saw.
[00:27:24] Speaker C: I mean it was, it was pretty. It's funny how even it went, like, obviously Kitchener, I didn't think they were going to beat Windsor in five.
I thought Windsor had a good shot at winning this series, let alone kind of dropping in five. So I, I mean like, good on Kitchener for kind of sticking with it. They got a really solid team, like structure wise. I didn't think that the Hounds were that far out of the series as it showed. I mean, a bounce here, a bounce there might have got them an extra win or two. But yeah, it came down to just Kitchener's being older, just older and more structurally sound. I thought that's an example. Good example on an inability to kind of like give George the opportunity to stop, like make solid saves. Like most of their goals came off odd man rushes and like three on twos, two on ones. Guys wide open in front of that with lots of space and time. Too much space and time. And Carter George, like Carter George being one of the best goalies in junior hockey, even he is not gonna stop many of those. So it was a tough series and obviously leading into the changes that are coming in the Greyhounds organization. I think that that leads into it perfectly. As you mentioned, John Dean is no longer the head coach of the Sioux Greyhounds. And while there's have been no changes, other changes announced yet, there could very well be more to come more than likely I would say in the hockey ops. And so we're going to see this organization go in a new direction for the first time since 17 2018. Yeah when they had Drew Tennessee and that was the last year that the Greyhounds were past the second round of the playoffs.
[00:29:12] Speaker A: So and this is key because I mentioned on the Sioux Greyhounds fan Club Facebook page which is heavily followed here in Sault Ste. Marie and we appreciate all the reactions it did have. I'll give an exact number I'm not considering say there's thousands of comments. There wasn't the Exact number was 52 comments at the time of this recording which hey for people to respond to a local platform that's pretty good And I love the reactions. I said I would do what I can to mention out names. I'm going to go through that quickly on my post I gave my three favorites three friends one friend of the show Jordan Smith Kraskos I always pronounce his last name wrong Butcher me below Brendan Taylor was the three options but there were some interesting names brought up. The funniest one was from Nick Gordon saying Mike Babcock. I have to give him compliments for that one. I think that's one I had to mention Jim Cappy mentioning who's a coach of mine Fortier and Jordan Smith. You can you can look at Mark Little said Jordan Smith and Jason Fortier. The consensus was definitely Forche Jordan Smith and Drew Bannister but Derek Brooks Jordan Smith, Barrick Otch was Jordan Smith. Drew Bannister was an option. He mentioned Mo Saint on said Belanger as a as an option that was one that float around David Wilson said Jordan Nolan. Why not reach out to Jordan Nolan then there was continuous response of Bannister and Smith Smith just invading that names go down from obviously Mikey J, Catherine Smiley, Joey Burnetta, Garrett Willis, Brandon Gandhi saying Bannister and Smith Renee Fortier who I know Jason Fortier said on a biased opinion but nonetheless Jason Fortune relation there I'm guessing yes it seems that way and obviously interesting I will say
[00:30:53] Speaker C: no I know my uncle mentioned it too David Gagne he might or Tjo Garnier he might be in those comments as well.
He's interesting. He's an interesting choice. I I feel like they will or have had interest in the role for them to like agree to part ways because I think he only has one year left so I feel like I don't have any leads on who it is or I mean I honestly want
[00:31:18] Speaker A: to See, before we let you go, who do you want to see?
[00:31:21] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:31:21] Speaker C: I don't even like, I don't.
[00:31:23] Speaker A: I want to see Jordan Smith. I want to see Jordan Smith. I will be honest. That's why.
[00:31:28] Speaker C: Well, and Smith and Jordan Smith coached when you're with Dean. Right. So we're. If you remember that. I think it was Dean's first year. Jordan Smith was his assistant.
[00:31:36] Speaker A: But why would New Blood not hurt Forte is New Blood and Jeff Krasgos. I'm a fan of bringing in from a team that's successful. Kitchener's still in the playoffs. Jeff. I think Jeff makes the most sense. Jordan Smith. Taylor is an obvious choice, but I think that New Blood piece and I consider Jordan still New Blood. Even though he's not. It's still.
He's been gone for a while. Yeah. He's been doing different things. But if you had one. Name truths. Who you picking? Who's your guy? I know you've thought about it. There's got to be a guy you're thinking of right on the spot.
[00:32:05] Speaker D: I got to do it.
[00:32:06] Speaker A: I got to do it. Everyone else put their opinion. I had someone say, Mike Bab.
[00:32:10] Speaker C: I'm so bad at decisions. It's funny. I am. But like, I don't have a clear cut name for. For you. Like I, I have. I don't know. I. I like locally. Like my mind keeps going. Going back to Drew Bannister. Like I, I feel like that's been kind of in the back of my mind ever since he did make a trip up here this past year. So he, he was here. I know he was on the ice with the Hounds a few times. It feels like a fit. However, comes back to legacy. Right. And I know we're kind of like a little over time. Like names like Ted Nolan and Craig Hartzberg were brought up too. In your. In your.
Like in on your.
[00:32:53] Speaker A: Jordan Nolan as well.
[00:32:55] Speaker C: Well, that's different. Right. But like Ted Nolan, Ted Craig, like they have legacy. Bannister has a legacy. Do we want to just kind of leave that where it is? Right. Like they are hounds legends or do you want to bring them back? I don't know. But Drew Bannister is the name that comes to my mind when I think of who's going to coach the greyhounds next season.
[00:33:16] Speaker A: Love it.
[00:33:17] Speaker B: Love it.
[00:33:17] Speaker C: But there's also. There's changes. Are probably more changes coming to.
[00:33:20] Speaker A: Yeah. From the higher ups. 100%.
[00:33:23] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:33:24] Speaker A: We'll leave it that. I love the interaction. I think we know how we want to get responses for the show. I think we figured it out. Instead of just the clips, we will include everyone on those for sure. With us going forward and Trudes, I want to say thank you, my friend, for taking the time as always here on Chuck a Puck. And till next, till our next segment, man. We're going to be talking probably Mem cup by that point.
[00:33:47] Speaker C: Yep, sounds good.
[00:33:49] Speaker A: Welcome back to the Game sports podcast. It's been one heck of a show. Like I talked about, the second segment said, enough draft lottery, enough Toronto Maple Leafs drama, enough hockey.
Of course, I will dare to remind you the number one overall pick is owned by the Toronto Maple Leafs. I will remind you because I feel like it. But you know what? It is not hockey time. We've talked hockey twice on this show already. We've had Brennan, we've had troops. Now you got me and Conor. We could talk hockey. We could talk anything, Connor and I. But this is dedicated to the Strike zone segment and baseball season's in full swing. It's been a few weeks, if not a bit more since Connor and I have been able to sit down because of the dang technological failures that happen at times with microphones. But we figured it out today.
And Connor, how you doing, my friend? The rookie of the year. If you know, you know I'm in
[00:34:52] Speaker D: a grumpy mood today, Dave. I, I'm running on low sleep. I slept like four hours on Sunday doing, doing work and last night was maybe four or five. I shouldn't complain. I know you've got a child. I do not.
So I, you know, I, these, these sleepless nights are few and far between for me, but I'm coming off back to back ones right now and I feel like death incarnate.
[00:35:14] Speaker A: I'm gonna be transparent with you and I know a lot of moms and parents out there are not going to be big fans of me saying this, but my son has been basically sleeping through the night since he's been two and a half months old.
Alcon Wood. He is now 11 months old. Next week, which would be May 19, he'd be 11 months old, almost a year. So it's not him that's causing me to lose sleep. I want people to know that he's had a couple nights where he's been would be. When he has had those couple nights where he's not good, I get excited to get up because I don't get to live that moment as much. To feel having to need to help him in the middle of the night when he's not feeling good or comfortable because it's only happened twice. So my wife and I get up together those two times that happened just so we can embrace that. And I'm not saying that as much as people are probably going to comment below or send me hate mail. You're allowed to. I get it because I know there's been parents that have dealt with babies that don't sleep. And I commend you in a respective way that I've never respected anybody in my life. I want people to know that. But we're talking baseball. Maybe this is baseball because my son, maybe, maybe you know, you know, or you know, one of those. Whatever. We, we never know we might have one of those in the family. I know it wasn't me that did that men's league, but nonetheless honor. You know what? There's two topics we're diving about with baseball today. One is fees. Two is about just updating the raw, the world of baseball. And we're going to start hot. We're going to start hot. And I think you know exactly where I'm starting to. Last week I shared news with you and I'm making sure that I pivot this information correctly. Okay? So I'm not mentioning leagues people can assume. Doesn't matter. I didn't say it.
I've done research outside of Sault Ste. Marie. So this isn't just Sault Ste. Marie, the fees in baseball now people are like, what are you talking about fees and baseball? What do you guys pay? $100?
Look, hockey is expensive. Hockey is very expensive. I know that from friends and youth. I know playing when I was younger and I know if my son plays that the fees are just astronomical. Paying five digits a year for hockey is absolutely insane. But for men's league hockey in the league here in Sault Ste. Marie, in the Mayor's league, it's called the Mayors men's open division, very competitive division here in the Sioux. If you're from the Sioux, we're a very hockey driven community. A lot of good hockey players play that league. Former pros, well, obviously they're all former pros. Not all. But like if they're not anything now because they've played pro or you got guys who played junior, you got guys played major junior, whatever, all sorts of talent.
And I like to say that the 80s 90s thousands birth years are a very impressive hockey talent here in Sault Ste. Marie. And I'm not tripping anything after that. I just haven't seen it yet. But we pay $325 a year for Mayor's men's league hockey in Sault Ste. Marie ring that covers 30 games in the regular season plus four or five or six depending on the season.
Mayor's games so almost 36 seasons. Almost 36 games which almost equates to house league games.
Think of that for a minute.
We pay for Zamboni ref scorekeeper that is paid out of our fees.
This year there were six teams. Why is that comparable? Well in baseball in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario there's a men's open division. That's how Connor and I even came closer was because of the team we played for called the Renegades now called the 91N pandas two time back to back champions mind you, a couple of years ago no longer champions after being defeated by the Flamingos and a dominant team now in the league called the Cardinals. That is absolutely just unbelievable. A lot of good ball players in Sault Ste. Marie II A lot of people don't know that there's a lot of good ball talent in Sault Ste. Marie, especially in that age group. Connors1 he won't tell you that. Colton Reed. There's another name. Biaki is another name. There's. There's a lot of names. Lot of names in the soup. A lot of good names. If you think of the team like the Flamingos it give JJ Bergman Binkley drafted by the Mets. Darren, I need to say more. The fee started in 2017 as $125. It went up to 150 in 2018. I believe it was 150.
Now I'm not talking about Susei Maria like I told you. I told you I'm not going to talk about what it is now. I'm going to tell you what I paid before this is in Ontario. Here and out of province have seen a massive increase in fees for men's league participation, women's league softball leagues and for youth leagues. Now in southern Ontario they haven't seen the same increases as they have in northern Ontario.
Out of province as well, that being Alberta is. I'm just gonna stick to Alberta. Got some information about. Alberta is very similar to Sault Ste. Marie where Manitoba is very similar to the GTA area and both those provinces, Alberta and Manitoba are very low enrollment and the talent there I don't know can't speak of. But again I've heard that it's not too competitive is what I was told. So I don't know what that means because our league as well he had me who never played before until I played. So I mean I think I'm pretty good at baseball, but that's because I'm being confident. I know if you line me up against Connor, it's pretty easy.
So I'm not going to talk about competitiveness or levels. I'm just going to talk about fees overall is what I mean. I've done my research outside of Sault Ste.
[00:40:34] Speaker D: Marie.
[00:40:35] Speaker A: I stopped at 2018 to tell you what I paid to play baseball. But let me tell you something that I will say that's Suse Marie based, outside based. I'm keeping in mindful, I'm not chirping or calling out one league mindful of that. I pay more for baseball. Now that is equivalent not just in a Sault Ste. Marie. It's a province and potentially nationwide challenge and a lot of it is youth baseball. The leagues are all combined.
The leagues are all combined and all help out each other. And I know that's how it is in Sault Ste. Marie and outside and I don't know how it is fully outside but I know fees are high.
So Connor, as I get into that spiel for about five, six minutes, I want to talk to you about the fees in baseball of being of high enrollment for youth baseball and for men's and not talking about a league. But is it warranted based on these increases? Like does it make sense to do that in baseball or does it depend or what can you give as feedback?
[00:41:41] Speaker D: So speaking in generalities, baseball was always in Canada, one of the cheaper option sports you play in the summertime. Typically if you have a glove, you're good and teams usually would supply bats thing a catcher's gear for your team for your season. Everybody shares everybody's fine. Hockey typically was the rich kids sport or at the very least it would thin out a lot of lower income families who just couldn't afford not only the gear or the cost to get into the leagues, but the repeated need to buy new stuff. I had the same baseball glove from age 14 through 24. In hockey. When you're growing up and you're growing in and out of all of your gear, you're basically cycling through all of your stuff every one to two years as you go through your growth spurts. You don't really have the same sort of thing in baseball. What I can say also in part with that is a lot of wealthier families now, especially with the cost of living crisis in Canada, are the ones who don't really care about fees going up, some of which are oftentimes the administrators or the volunteers who have the money and the time to volunteer in a sport. Whereas lower income families oftentimes are busy working or they don't have the luxury of free time to volunteer and help run those organizations. Maybe they get less of a voice that way where increased costs. You know who might hit harder on a low income family? Well, the people in those room making those calls are typically older, typically wealthier, whether it's nonprofit boards or you know, parent volunteers. Sometimes, you know, if you're unemployed or if you're, you're in those sorts of volunteer roles, it's because you have the luxury to be able to. And obviously there's a commitment that comes with it. But it's part and parcel like it's, you're volunteering your time, but also it's because you can volunteer your time and, and increased costs often, you know, especially with inflation in the last five to six years, basically post Covid, it's been quite, quite aggressive. So if you take whatever, something like Dave mentioned in 2018 that you paid and you say okay, what's that? Plus eight years worth of aggressive inflation in the economy, where do we land? I can say locally, umpires in baseball games are paid more if they're umpiring games at higher levels. So an open league game for Dave McKeg and that league, the umpires get paid substantially more than umpires who umpire rookie ball games. So when I was umpiring, I would get paid, you know, 18 bucks or so for doing bases for a mosquito game, which was nine year old kids, I'd get paid 18 bucks. But the guys who would do a plate game for, you know, U18 rep would get paid 55$60. So all else equal, it is more expensive to run older games than it is to run younger games. Also the older games oftentimes are played at night where you have to pay electricity associated with turning on light at fields, which younger games, younger kids, they never play under the lights. They're, they're home by 8, 8 o', clock, 8:15. So the electricity associated and whatever costs might flow from that, does it pale in comparison to the electricity costs to run a rink at a hockey stadium? Absolutely. But, but yeah, all else equal, older leagues require more experienced umpires who get paid more and oftentimes play at night which costs more and they're playing on better fields, which maintenance costs go into that as well. And sometimes older leagues, especially ones that are brand new, are subsidized in a way where in order to build the league and garner interest, they may very well charge less than younger leagues will in order to generate the interest. And then once the league is up and running, those feeds catch up to the, to the younger age group. So those are all considerations that go into the pot. But suffice to say, we're in a really hard economy right now. A lot of families are struggling. A lot of guys, especially in the Sioux, affected by tariffs, layoffs, steel plant making massive cuts, affecting so many people not only who work there, but families of people who work there also affected. And you know, being conscious of their spending. And youth sports with the ever growing costs, and I say youth, but all sports with the ever growing costs as a luxury and as a fun outlet is often where people feel that pain because it's, you know, when you come home from work, want to go do something fun with your friends, like let's go to the rink, let's go to the ballpark. And when that is taken away or that's making that, making it that much harder, you know, it's like salt on
[00:46:30] Speaker A: the wound, you know, that's a very good point. Your last point, talking about going to the rake and going to the ball fields. I'm. I still consider myself a new dad. I know it's going to be year in June, which is, which is wild. I know I was conceded at the beginning about saying how I sleep, but I'm a bad sleeper at night as it is. I don't sleep well and I have a, I have a job that I really care about and that keeps in my mind all day. I'll thinking of if it's ideas or things and I like to come home and be with my family. I want everyone to know that our baseball team that has been together since 2017 or 18 season, this was, it's still basically the same team. There's been some young guys that have added to it, but these the same guys have been playing baseball with for over eight years.
Trudeau and Connor here, listeners and viewers are no longer with the team. Conor has an excuse, Trudeau doesn't. I still call Trudeau at.
[00:47:22] Speaker D: That's so I'm glad I never had to get put in that situation, Dave, because all of my teammates are on the former team.
[00:47:32] Speaker A: I hope, I hope because you play with us when the slugs were there, I hope you would have stayed with us, you know, but Truitts didn't. But I, I get it, I get it. You gotta play with your friends. I, I get it. But that's the point, right? So I Talked about being a new dad. The point of that is, is I look forward to these sporting events that I have the friend interactions and stuff. They're still there. And, and you try to conn not as much where you're going out every weekend or every night. So sports is that additional social aspect instead of those once in the odd time friend connections that you have now as you get older. Those are my disconnects I like to call from reality or my active lifestyle that I still try to live despite gaining 50 pounds since I played hockey that I look forward to challenging. But you know, it wasn't. It's the increase in fees as a general scope.
Some people may be okay with it, some not. And ultimately I am okay with it in regards to. Because I want to play. I want to play with the team and my friends.
But the league has grown a lot in 2018 and for the sue, for example, and I'm using the sue here for an example in this, in this case is there was four teams.
It's went to five, then to six, then back down to four for Covid. And then we almost only. We only had three. We only had three.
[00:48:46] Speaker D: It got as low as three. At one point it was three.
[00:48:50] Speaker A: Now the Flamingos came back in the league, beat us in the finals that year. They first came when they entered when they were the game in the league. But after that we had two new teams, Midland and the Cardinals. Now we're at six, five, I can't count five, five teams. And there's a rumor I heard this year, so I don't know if it's true or not. I was going to ask the chat but I heard that there's gonna be a six team this year and if it's too college based or not, not too sure if they're coming back because they were in the league before too for us. But nonetheless five or six teams. This league is growing and people are interested. People my age are interested, younger and surely the fast pitch league is good. I had someone tell me they wanted to make a team this year. A friend of mine that played some fast pitch. The point of this discussion is the inflated costs. We want to point to the Blue Jays being that reason, right. For youth because of how good they're doing. But this Connor said at the beginning this was an intent to be a more affordable sport in Canada. And that should always be the mindset of baseball because of our short summers here in Canada and because we're trying to grow the game. We're not hockey. And again for the third time and say going back to me a new dad. This is my disconnect from being in that I look forward to. That's what I'll say. Again, I'll stress for the eighth time I'm not pointing at anything Susei Marie related. I know it seems that way. Yes. That there was an increase here in the Sioux. Yes, there was question about it.
But I'm saying there's a wide discussion about fees. Keep the fees of baseball at an affordable rate.
Saying Connor, any final thoughts on that before we go to updates and mlb?
[00:50:19] Speaker D: Yeah, I think just it's always good to be conscious of, you know, locally what sort of capital expenditures have been made. I I can say like in the sue with baseball. The fields look a lot different now than they did when I was playing as a teenager. I know our premier field had a lot of upgrades done to it where when I was playing it looked pretty rough now I mean they, they added, they moved the dugouts. They added, you know, scorebox. They pulled everything so that it was new scoreboard. They pulled everything back behind own plate so that it was regulation distance. They added, you know, like, like all sorts of things like a shed. They added. They did work all around the premier field in a way where when I was playing it looked like it had seen better days at that point, especially in the infield. So you know, there's capital expenditures and all sorts of youth sports. But I think it's always good to appreciate those families and where everybody's coming from and how expensive things can be. Especially now, especially when jobs are getting lost every single day and people are looking for that outlet for that fun. You know, it's always tough.
[00:51:29] Speaker A: It's wild. And I know this topic went a little longer and that's fine. I know I allowed it for about two, near 20 minutes on the show. We're a couple minutes over. But I want to dive into the major leagues as well and anyone can comment below. Any other people that want to be a guest on the show to come discuss this if you're from outside. From the Sioux, outside the Sioux. Anything you want to come talk about if you're involved or not involved, either way, your involvement in the game. We would be interested to get into that. Content about the charges of baseball, a popular complaint. But it started to come up for the for a lot of the communities that play men's league baseball in particular and youth baseball as well. So school Dave. Dave Scubal. Scubal. Talk to me.
[00:52:09] Speaker D: Connor two to three months out with his elbow Injury in the contract year of his lifetime. He was going to be the most highly sought after and highest paid pitcher ever. Might still be in free agency, but
[00:52:21] Speaker A: he will be suffered.
[00:52:22] Speaker D: Yeah. Figure yeah, he needs to have surgery on his. On his throwing arm and will be out likely two to three months. The Tigers are cooked right now. I mean, half. Half of their rotation is. Is on the DL. Il. Sorry, is it DL in the il? They're injured.
[00:52:38] Speaker A: They're injured. Listed list. Like there's still designated list, whatever it's referred to. Yeah.
[00:52:45] Speaker D: They're cooked, Dave. They're so cooked.
[00:52:47] Speaker A: Without Scuba, that's a guaranteed win when you're on the mound. That's a guaranteed win when you have Scuba on the mound.
[00:52:53] Speaker D: And they're a good team with them, but without them, oh boy.
[00:52:56] Speaker A: And with the Guardians in that division and the White Sox surging right now, it's definitely a challenge. But you're really going to have to depend on some of the depth in that rotation for the Tigers. And I'm not sure if it's going to be able to keep up with the rest in that division. Even though I'm not a big this year. I've seen the Cleveland Guardians and seen some recent posts. People think Max Freed's a better pitcher. You're crazy. Derek Skubal is by far the best pitcher in baseball right now. I would rather take Scubal on a half an arm than half the league. Okay, so interesting. Take love seeing the Athletics getting up just in time for when they go to Vegas pretty soon. It's pretty coincidental. Vegas is going to have another great sports team to eventually watch. Love seeing the Astros down.
[00:53:38] Speaker B: It's great.
[00:53:38] Speaker A: Angels. How many times, how many years are we gonna. You know what? We're not gonna talk about it. But Mike Trout. Free the man.
[00:53:45] Speaker D: He's cooking this year, Dave.
[00:53:46] Speaker A: He's cooking, cooking. Betrayed the man. You know how you talk about Vlad, Pay the man.
[00:53:50] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:53:51] Speaker A: No, Trout is free the man.
[00:53:53] Speaker D: Can I talk about one guy who's really cool right now in the mlb? Munetaka Murakami out in Chicago.
[00:53:59] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:54:00] Speaker D: First season in in the mlb. The south side Samurai going toe to toe with Aaron judge. Both with 14 home runs right now in the battle for. For most in the league.
[00:54:11] Speaker B: What a.
[00:54:12] Speaker D: What a cool story there.
[00:54:14] Speaker A: What a great story. And you can't discount even Kazuma Okamoto from the chase.
Near 10 home runs. You gotta love that. The Japanese players coming into the league and finding their swing. Obviously always pronounce his name wrong. Let's call him the Samurai from the south side.
[00:54:34] Speaker D: 30 hits, 14 of which are home runs. It's hilarious.
[00:54:37] Speaker A: Like he's just bomb or nothing. Bomb or nothing. It reminds me of the. Just reminds me of the old fashioned days with Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and those guys that just either hit bombs or just walked. The Braves have refound their identity obviously being top the Phillies. You know what I love in that division?
New York Mets. Hey, Boba Shet, how we doing, huh? I don't care where the Jays are right now. The Jays are playing decent for a team that's missing 14 regular guys of their lineup. I don't care what anybody says, their excuse. It doesn't matter if you're missing half or your full fricking roster. Connor, how many guys to a roster when you play baseball? 26 guys.
[00:55:18] Speaker D: Yeah, 26. Yeah, 26.
[00:55:20] Speaker A: They're missing 14 guys.
[00:55:23] Speaker D: It's not good.
[00:55:24] Speaker A: That's a lot. Now they've got Trey back. They got some guys back. So I think it's more like 12 now 11, but it still doesn't matter. Okay, don't be tripping the Blue Jays below. Okay, Tigers. You know what, they're still first in their division even though Scuba. So we even chirping the Tigers. But yeah, Mets fans out there. And what do I say about the Cubs division favorites in my eyes this year? I love, I love the Cubs. The brewers for me though, Connor have to be the biggest surprise for me being just near.500. I thought after last year, you know, they were going to find their stride, but that's a surprise. On the, on the negative end. But the Cardinals, Jordan Walker living up to expectation. These guys, they're looking good in the Central. That Central division is looking real competitive. They got three teams that have 20 wins.
[00:56:06] Speaker D: Yeah, the National League Central's hilarious when you compare it to the American League Central where the last place brewers at 18 and 16 have a better record on balance than the first place tigers do in the AL Central at 18 and 18.
Pretty ridiculous.
[00:56:22] Speaker A: Do you think they should change? Let's ask you this question. I know we've talked about this. I think we have. But let's talk about it again before we wrap up the show and get to. Because obviously we dove into almost eight minutes extra here, which is actually allotted because we had less time with Trudes tonight. So we're actually only technically near five minutes over from our allotted show. So that's fine. Do you think baseball should ever change its seating for baseball for, for, for have divisions but change its Seating for playoff positions, divisions. Sort of just like you have the three wild cards. Right. Which is I guess fair. But I guess you keep the division alignments. What I'm saying. But treat it like a conference base. Or is that that takes away the game of baseball. Don't get me wrong. It's a. It's a whole other conversation. But do you think it can ever be an attraction to have a more receding based playoff in baseball? Perhaps.
[00:57:11] Speaker D: I like that they've introduced the wild card system they have now because more teams have a fighting chance.
Previously when it was just, you know, best team gets in, that's it. Or it's really hard for some teams to ever get a chance. But once you introduce this play in round, wild card round, whatever you want to call it, anything can happen in a three game series. Anything can happen in a one game playoff. So it evens out the playing field a little bit.
[00:57:36] Speaker A: It does. It does. 1%. Now, I talked about the Jays a little bit in terms of depth. But I will say to everybody out there, Vlad has found his swing, but he's not hitting bombs. Zuma, Okamoto looking great. The bullpen is throwing a lot of duds. Hoffman's not a closer. There's a lot there that we could talk about. Jays we get a chance to. But for people say that the Jays. People should be panicking. It does suck when you lose against your division though. Those are the games that the Jays have to find ways to win. Is in their own division. Despite being men down. You have to find ways to win. And that's what I'll say about the Tigers. Despite Scuba being out. Still got Verlander on that mound. Okay. He still got some.
[00:58:17] Speaker B: He's been out too, Dave.
[00:58:19] Speaker A: I know, but he still got guys that you know could get the job.
[00:58:22] Speaker D: You won't be able long term. I hear what you're saying. You know what I'm saying.
[00:58:24] Speaker A: He got some swag there. The Tigers bounce back. Especially in a division that I think is more of the weaker division in baseball. Just.
[00:58:31] Speaker D: Oh, God.
[00:58:32] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:58:32] Speaker D: Oh, God.
[00:58:33] Speaker A: Yeah. Just saying.
[00:58:33] Speaker B: 100.
[00:58:34] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:58:35] Speaker B: They're a poverty division.
[00:58:36] Speaker A: My favorite thing this year though to this point I think is quite obvious. Boba Shet. How is the seller? I'll say it. I don't care. How is the seller? Sellout.
[00:58:46] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:58:47] Speaker A: Anyways, I'll leave it on that. No Connor, any final thoughts before we wrap up the show tonight?
[00:58:51] Speaker D: No, Dave, I am tired. I am ready to go to bed. So it's been great chatting.
[00:58:56] Speaker A: I will let you go to bed and I appreciate your patience beforehand with all the mic stuff and you stayed patient to jump on here tonight. So thank you for Strike Zone. We're going to be off for another two weeks after tonight so we'll touch base after the long weekend. We tend to do shows after stats that's or on long weekends. It always adds up that way. But we will have a show the week in a couple of weeks after the May long weekend. So we hope everyone has a great weekend and Connor or a great long weekend and great upcoming couple weeks. Connor hope you the same as well and hope all is well my friend and you get some sleep tonight.
[00:59:25] Speaker D: Thanks brother.
[00:59:25] Speaker B: Take care.
[00:59:26] Speaker D: All the best to you and everyone.
[00:59:28] Speaker A: Definitely thank you and I want to thank you again to Brandon McCarthy for our top Shelf segments. Thank you to Trudes for our Chocolate Puck segment. Connor for a Strike Zone segment to you, the listeners and viewers. Make sure it like Follow subscribe on the Game Sports Podcast.
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