Lyle and TJ welcome on Mariners reliever Gabe Speier to discuss his bounceback 2025 season, pitching in the WBC, meeting Clayton Kershaw, and more (16:16).
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00:00 --> 00:04 [SPEAKER_03]: Hey Marine Lair podcast listeners, we're on the lookout for 2026 season sponsors.
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00:07 --> 00:13 [SPEAKER_03]: Marine Lair pod at gmail.com Welcome to episode number 372 of the Marine Lair podcast.
00:13 --> 00:18 [SPEAKER_03]: We welcome on Mariners' Reliever Gabe Spire from our trip down to Spring Training in Arizona.
00:18 --> 00:26 [SPEAKER_03]: We talk to him about going to play in the WBC, what allowed him to have an even better season in 2025 and what he's gotten store for 2026.
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01:12 --> 01:13 [SPEAKER_00]: Let's get it rolling!
01:26 --> 01:40 [SPEAKER_03]: And we welcome you to this episode of the Marine Lair podcast part of the just baseball podcast network recording here on Tuesday evening March 3rd Mariners at an off day on Monday and they played one game here on Tuesday.
01:40 --> 01:43 [SPEAKER_03]: So uh, what do we got?
01:43 --> 01:44 [SPEAKER_00]: I guess.
01:44 --> 01:45 [SPEAKER_00]: Not a lot.
01:45 --> 01:46 [SPEAKER_00]: Storylines galore.
01:47 --> 02:00 [SPEAKER_00]: The biggest storyline is most of the starters are gone because we're at that point of spring training where it's about to be WVC season and the roster looks a little thinner because a lot of your best players are playing in the tournament.
02:00 --> 02:07 [SPEAKER_03]: And we watched Cal, we saw Cal taking it back, we're at Moss Bay Hall earlier today, filming some content for a burger the month.
02:07 --> 02:12 [SPEAKER_03]: And saw Cal taking it back, I don't think you got to hit, but he got less.
02:12 --> 02:12 [SPEAKER_03]: He flew out.
02:13 --> 02:14 [SPEAKER_03]: He did fly, okay.
02:14 --> 02:17 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, because I turned around and lie, I was like, oh damn.
02:17 --> 02:20 [SPEAKER_03]: Thinking he was going to take some giants minor league or yard.
02:21 --> 02:26 [SPEAKER_03]: Otherwise, the only storyline I have today,
02:26 --> 02:29 [SPEAKER_03]: I mean, this seriously warped my brain.
02:30 --> 02:32 [SPEAKER_03]: So Canada is playing an exhibition game.
02:33 --> 02:34 [SPEAKER_03]: Like many of the other teams are.
02:35 --> 02:39 [SPEAKER_03]: USA was playing the Giants and Scottsdale today on Tuesday.
02:39 --> 02:45 [SPEAKER_03]: Team Dominican Republic was playing Detroit in Puerto Rico.
02:46 --> 02:48 [SPEAKER_03]: Bless the Tigers players.
02:48 --> 02:50 [SPEAKER_03]: You've got flown to Puerto Rico.
02:51 --> 02:55 [SPEAKER_03]: just to get demolished by the Dominican Republic.
02:55 --> 02:58 [SPEAKER_03]: But no, no, that's not what caught my eyes today.
02:59 --> 03:00 [SPEAKER_03]: That's not what caught my eyes.
03:00 --> 03:02 [SPEAKER_03]: I saw the Canadian starting line up today.
03:04 --> 03:04 [SPEAKER_03]: Why?
03:04 --> 03:08 [SPEAKER_03]: So normally the Canadian starting line up, what have a few stalwarts in there?
03:08 --> 03:11 [SPEAKER_03]: They would have pretty free men who's not playing this tournament.
03:12 --> 03:14 [SPEAKER_03]: Tyler O'Neill's been in that line up a bunch.
03:15 --> 03:16 [SPEAKER_03]: What's today?
03:16 --> 03:20 [SPEAKER_03]: I saw a line up configuration that it's fucking with me.
03:22 --> 03:45 [SPEAKER_03]: batting second for the Canadian national team, Abraham Toro, batting third for the Canadian national team, Josh Naylor, why do you ask Josh Naylor what he thinks of Abe Toro when he comes back, maybe I will ask him, well I might have to, I don't know who's putting these lines up together.
03:46 --> 04:05 [SPEAKER_03]: Did they did clearly the manager of team candidate who's name is escaping me right now did not watch the 2022 marathon Maybe he sees that the underlying data with Abe Torres says he's going to be the MVP of the tournament the underlying data How many people have had tell me about the underlying data?
04:05 --> 04:13 [SPEAKER_03]: I mean it happened again last week With Abe Toro Yeah, wasn't wasn't there for an arm late and telling us about Abe Toro's underlying data
04:13 --> 04:15 [SPEAKER_03]: Oh, maybe it was, or was it a, or is it Joe?
04:16 --> 04:16 [SPEAKER_03]: Do I?
04:17 --> 04:19 [SPEAKER_00]: Uh, I think it was Joe, but it's fine.
04:19 --> 04:22 [SPEAKER_00]: Your Mr. Toro propaganda.
04:22 --> 04:23 [SPEAKER_00]: Yours biggest fan.
04:25 --> 04:26 [SPEAKER_03]: I'm gonna try and find this whole lineup.
04:26 --> 04:30 [SPEAKER_03]: But I mean, I just, I couldn't get, I could not get that out of my mind.
04:30 --> 04:32 [SPEAKER_03]: I mean, I'm sitting here.
04:32 --> 04:33 [SPEAKER_03]: I'm just trying to enjoy my day.
04:33 --> 04:38 [SPEAKER_03]: And I see the fact that Abe Coral still getting list still batting second in major lineups.
04:39 --> 04:43 [SPEAKER_03]: Like, I don't know who's leading off here for Canada, but I mean, Abe is batting second.
04:44 --> 04:45 [SPEAKER_03]: Josh Taylor is batting third.
04:45 --> 04:47 [SPEAKER_03]: Tyler O'Neill is batting fourth.
04:47 --> 04:50 [SPEAKER_03]: Owen Casey is batting fifth.
04:50 --> 04:55 [SPEAKER_03]: And then I think this is, oh, this is auto Lopez who we talked to this year,
04:55 --> 04:59 [SPEAKER_03]: And then, uh, Bo Nailer's catching, I think that's Denzel Clark in center.
04:59 --> 05:03 [SPEAKER_03]: Man, I pick Lyle, probably seven other guys to hit second over a Toro.
05:05 --> 05:07 [SPEAKER_02]: Most of those other guys are Big Leagueers.
05:08 --> 05:10 [SPEAKER_02]: Abe, I've watched with my own two eyes.
05:10 --> 05:12 [SPEAKER_02]: Not a Big Leagueer.
05:12 --> 05:13 [SPEAKER_00]: A lot of teams will beg the differ.
05:14 --> 05:19 [SPEAKER_00]: You remember how close we were to getting you an Abe Toro jersey shirt from Caravis for the Red Sox?
05:20 --> 05:22 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, he had to hit a home run though, right?
05:22 --> 05:25 [SPEAKER_00]: And he took a foul ball deep in that series.
05:26 --> 05:26 [SPEAKER_03]: It was close.
05:26 --> 05:30 [SPEAKER_03]: And not only did I have to wear it, I had to wear it at the stadium for that.
05:30 --> 05:31 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah.
05:31 --> 05:32 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, we talked about that.
05:33 --> 05:38 [SPEAKER_00]: And we had Jared Crowbis back on, it was about June, because it was before Red Sox series.
05:39 --> 05:40 [SPEAKER_00]: We had that talk.
05:40 --> 05:42 [SPEAKER_00]: And damn was it close.
05:43 --> 05:46 [SPEAKER_03]: Abe is, oh, dog.
05:46 --> 05:50 [SPEAKER_03]: Abe's unemployed right now.
05:50 --> 05:51 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, believe so.
05:52 --> 05:56 [SPEAKER_00]: He's on a minor league deal somewhere He has to be the mariners.
05:56 --> 05:57 [SPEAKER_00]: I always say it.
05:58 --> 06:07 [SPEAKER_00]: It's some point the mariners are gonna bring him back and you're gonna be forced to face the music Well at this rate, he's he'd have to be in minor league camp
06:07 --> 06:10 [SPEAKER_00]: It doesn't matter, like bring him back on a minor league deal for all I care.
06:10 --> 06:13 [SPEAKER_00]: At some point, my prediction is the Mariners will bring him back at some point in time.
06:14 --> 06:15 [SPEAKER_00]: You'll have to face a music.
06:16 --> 06:17 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, I can't find this.
06:17 --> 06:21 [SPEAKER_03]: I mean, his baseball reference page says he's currently not playing for any team.
06:21 --> 06:21 [SPEAKER_00]: No, I've got it.
06:22 --> 06:22 [SPEAKER_00]: I've got it.
06:22 --> 06:27 [SPEAKER_00]: Sometimes when you have to look at transactions, the best spot to go is just their MLB page rather than reference.
06:27 --> 06:29 [SPEAKER_00]: He's with the Royals in this spring training.
06:29 --> 06:30 [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, good.
06:31 --> 06:31 [SPEAKER_00]: Good.
06:32 --> 06:32 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah.
06:32 --> 06:34 [SPEAKER_00]: See if he doesn't, but he's not a minor league deal.
06:35 --> 06:37 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, but he's employed at some point.
06:37 --> 06:39 [SPEAKER_00]: At some point he's coming back to the amps.
06:40 --> 06:41 [SPEAKER_03]: And we're going to have to interview him.
06:42 --> 06:44 [SPEAKER_00]: No, you're going to have to interview him.
06:44 --> 06:45 [SPEAKER_03]: Oh, oh, oh.
06:46 --> 06:49 [SPEAKER_03]: It's like so, buddy, do you know the backstory here?
06:51 --> 07:00 [SPEAKER_03]: So you better that's the main thing I saw today that's that that is what jumped out today So there's not much else Mariners news to talk about so in that case We just need to talk about former Mariners.
07:01 --> 07:18 [SPEAKER_03]: I mean Cal to be fair in this exhibition did get two hits But the event we were watching he flew out so he had a couple hits, but Roman Anthony had a big home run today, too Yeah, yeah crush one But I saw ASU legend RJ Davovich pitching for Team USA
07:18 --> 07:23 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, I think they only had so many arms I wanted to throw, because we'll get through right at the end.
07:24 --> 07:30 [SPEAKER_00]: But I guess he had a solid inning, one inning, no runs, gave up a hit and a walk, but he struck out too.
07:31 --> 07:36 [SPEAKER_03]: So I didn't realize with these exhibition games and it makes sense.
07:36 --> 07:42 [SPEAKER_03]: The national teams will take minor leagueers from the other side to be their depth.
07:42 --> 07:50 [SPEAKER_03]: So once Team USA runs out of pictures, then it's all giant guys throwing in blank Team USA jerseys.
07:50 --> 07:52 [SPEAKER_03]: Which by the way, if you guys haven't seen these jerseys, I'm wearing one.
07:52 --> 07:57 [SPEAKER_03]: If you look on the YouTube fanatics and us this one, this one, it's fantastic.
07:57 --> 07:58 [SPEAKER_03]: But they'll get a jersey just like this.
07:58 --> 08:00 [SPEAKER_03]: It's going to be totally blank on the back.
08:01 --> 08:01 [SPEAKER_03]: And they'll get to throw.
08:02 --> 08:05 [SPEAKER_03]: So by proxy, do I get to throw in the next exhibition game?
08:08 --> 08:09 [SPEAKER_00]: Spare everybody the time.
08:11 --> 08:13 [SPEAKER_03]: They weren't impressed by my first pitch.
08:15 --> 08:16 [SPEAKER_00]: Were you impressed by your first pitch?
08:17 --> 08:17 [SPEAKER_00]: No.
08:19 --> 08:19 [SPEAKER_00]: Huh.
08:19 --> 08:25 [SPEAKER_00]: So, when you can't throw a ball, I let's call it 53 feet from the bottom of the mound.
08:26 --> 08:30 [SPEAKER_00]: In a first pitch, you want to go pitch at an exhibition game against Aaron Judge.
08:32 --> 08:35 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, yeah, I don't think that would work out very well.
08:36 --> 08:42 [SPEAKER_00]: You could ask Cal about that when we sat him down on the last pod and he said, you uh, you want to take an abad against me?
08:42 --> 08:52 [SPEAKER_03]: Well, if I knew they needed pictures, I would have suggested, hey, can we throw bullpen so I can see if you guys need to take me on a trip to Scottsdale and all throw.
08:53 --> 08:54 [SPEAKER_03]: You guys need a back fell.
08:55 --> 08:59 [SPEAKER_00]: There would have been minus 6 odds on the result of the abad.
08:59 --> 09:01 [SPEAKER_00]: You want to know without it, I've been home run.
09:01 --> 09:04 [SPEAKER_00]: No, it would have been a walk because you would not have thrown a strike.
09:06 --> 09:22 [SPEAKER_03]: Do you not also learned there there are going to be there's going to need to be a lot of Phil innings for team USA in the WBC I saw this man tarick school's pitch count for his open organs Britain 55 Oh dude people are pissed at school.
09:23 --> 09:27 [SPEAKER_03]: I'm all for the guy getting his back, but
09:27 --> 09:35 [SPEAKER_03]: It has also been in an objective fact over these last six to seven months.
09:35 --> 09:40 [SPEAKER_03]: I've watched this man compete in high stakes playoffs and playoff environments.
09:41 --> 09:43 [SPEAKER_03]: This man is yet to throw 100 pitches.
09:45 --> 09:54 [SPEAKER_00]: I just, if you're gonna make one start, even if you're gonna cap it at 60 pitches, why wouldn't you just wait till you inevitably get out of pool play?
09:54 --> 09:55 [SPEAKER_00]: Cause they're going to.
09:55 --> 09:58 [SPEAKER_00]: Why wouldn't you make that start saying the semifinals?
09:58 --> 09:59 [SPEAKER_03]: It's a good question.
09:59 --> 10:07 [SPEAKER_03]: Why wouldn't you get one more start with the tigers and ramp up a little bit more and then pitch in a more important game?
10:07 --> 10:09 [SPEAKER_03]: I don't really get that.
10:09 --> 10:21 [SPEAKER_03]: Maybe and it's clear they they can project out their starters all the way up until the final like USA announced who their starter for the final would be No one McLean McLean.
10:22 --> 10:25 [SPEAKER_00]: So that means schemes will probably pitch the semi final
10:26 --> 10:28 [SPEAKER_03]: Sure probably I didn't see the semifinal.
10:28 --> 10:29 [SPEAKER_03]: I just saw the final one.
10:29 --> 10:53 [SPEAKER_03]: I think I would be shocked It's not but I'll still learn today that for example Andre's moonios can just show up the team Mexico and ever they need him like he's not there yet Right, but when they need him he's gonna get on a plane and go go go play for them and don Dom Mexico's colors But he's still at Maris camp Moonios was really Why couldn't tear school do that?
10:55 --> 11:00 [SPEAKER_00]: Don't you think there's some part of Tarak Scooble that just wants to, like, a lot of players would.
11:01 --> 11:06 [SPEAKER_00]: Just want to leave Spring Training when it gets to the point where you're probably bored and you're like, yeah, I get to go be on Team USA.
11:07 --> 11:08 [SPEAKER_00]: but he's not really on team USA.
11:09 --> 11:14 [SPEAKER_00]: He's gonna make one start and then he's gonna report right back to the Tigers.
11:14 --> 11:15 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, I don't know.
11:15 --> 11:17 [SPEAKER_00]: The whole thing is definitely a little odd.
11:17 --> 11:18 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, look, I get it.
11:19 --> 11:19 [SPEAKER_00]: I get it.
11:20 --> 11:24 [SPEAKER_00]: If you're, this had Scott Bores written all over it, right?
11:24 --> 11:26 [SPEAKER_00]: Let's just take the cat out of the bag.
11:26 --> 11:28 [SPEAKER_03]: All of his actions have Scott Bores on it.
11:28 --> 11:31 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, this has Scott Bores written all over it.
11:31 --> 11:33 [SPEAKER_00]: That way, I know that.
11:33 --> 11:37 [SPEAKER_03]: I know the pictures are trying to protect their health,
11:38 --> 11:39 [SPEAKER_00]: It's interesting.
11:39 --> 11:40 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, it's a little interesting.
11:41 --> 11:57 [SPEAKER_00]: I just I would like more understand it if he was going to say, okay, I'd make one start Once we get out of pool play and he still wanted to be around the team for all of pool play You're going to throw them bullpens and done some sim games or whenever you have to do to keep your ramp up going but
11:58 --> 12:05 [SPEAKER_00]: Especially because it's great Britain right like if he had made a start against somebody else in their pool There was a little more competitive.
12:05 --> 12:11 [SPEAKER_00]: I would have said all right like Still a little odd, but I get it a little more Great Britain.
12:11 --> 12:24 [SPEAKER_03]: I mean there were tweets everywhere saying like he's facing milk band in this tournament He would have what he would probably have more competition if he faced a spring train lineup no fence
12:24 --> 12:28 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, I mean, who is the best player Great Britain has in their lineup?
12:28 --> 12:28 [SPEAKER_00]: Is it Harry?
12:29 --> 12:30 [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe it's Harry Ford.
12:31 --> 12:33 [SPEAKER_00]: No, no, it's it's a jazz chasm.
12:34 --> 12:36 [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, I'm for I always forget that.
12:37 --> 12:38 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, there are some loopholes.
12:39 --> 12:41 [SPEAKER_00]: Right, because he's from is it the Bahamas?
12:42 --> 12:45 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, but is that acclaimed British territory?
12:45 --> 12:46 [SPEAKER_00]: I guess.
12:47 --> 12:51 [SPEAKER_03]: I guess this is a school 101 on the Marine Lair pod cast.
12:51 --> 12:53 [SPEAKER_03]: Well, surely I'm really going to get a house favorite subject.
12:54 --> 12:57 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, I was just telling Brock and Sock today.
12:57 --> 12:58 [SPEAKER_00]: Sock looked pretty appalled.
12:58 --> 12:59 [SPEAKER_00]: I was just telling them today on air.
13:00 --> 13:02 [SPEAKER_00]: How many online classes we took when we were at ASU?
13:02 --> 13:04 [SPEAKER_00]: It was, it was the greatest thing ever.
13:04 --> 13:06 [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, it was awesome.
13:06 --> 13:10 [SPEAKER_00]: We just ripped online classes when we were at ASU dude.
13:10 --> 13:12 [SPEAKER_00]: It was like, I mean, like,
13:12 --> 13:30 [SPEAKER_00]: So basically, that's why do you even go to college, and it's like, well, there's a lot of other things we did with our time at school that we're super valuable, like being on the student radio station and getting all those reps and doing all the packed 12 broadcasts, you know, for the ASU packed 12 streams that they did and we covered baseball, we covered football, we did all this other stuff.
13:30 --> 13:34 [SPEAKER_00]: That was valuable and the journalism classes we took in a lot of ways valuable.
13:34 --> 13:37 [SPEAKER_00]: These ridiculous bullshit extra classes they made us take.
13:37 --> 13:39 [SPEAKER_00]: It's like, no, I'm not showing up in person for this.
13:39 --> 13:42 [SPEAKER_03]: We did do a lot of in person things and in person class.
13:43 --> 13:46 [SPEAKER_03]: Just not like a family studies we had to take.
13:46 --> 13:48 [SPEAKER_03]: Like I did not take that in person or whatever.
13:49 --> 13:51 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, you go on rate my professor.
13:51 --> 13:56 [SPEAKER_00]: You'd find the teacher that gives you that has the three credit class that makes you do two discussion post a week.
13:56 --> 13:58 [SPEAKER_00]: And that's the class.
13:58 --> 14:00 [SPEAKER_00]: Like, I'm just, I'm not wasting my time with this.
14:00 --> 14:02 [SPEAKER_00]: There's other things that demand more time.
14:02 --> 14:05 [SPEAKER_00]: Like, we used to do all the broadcast prep for those games.
14:05 --> 14:08 [SPEAKER_00]: We spent our time on that, or on things we do on the radio station.
14:08 --> 14:12 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm not wasting my time on whatever they were trying to make us take for three credit classes.
14:13 --> 14:16 [SPEAKER_00]: Anyway, we'll transition from WVC talk here in just a second.
14:16 --> 14:18 [SPEAKER_00]: I will say, I am a huge Terrix school fan.
14:18 --> 14:19 [SPEAKER_00]: I know you are too.
14:19 --> 14:21 [SPEAKER_00]: I don't want to spin this the wrong way.
14:21 --> 14:22 [SPEAKER_00]: I love watching that guy pitch.
14:23 --> 14:24 [SPEAKER_00]: But,
14:24 --> 14:33 [SPEAKER_00]: I guess selfishly, as two baseball fans and as people who are going to be watching the USA games pretty intently, I would have loved to see them throw just a little bit more.
14:33 --> 14:38 [SPEAKER_00]: But if you're in his camp, again, you've got $400 million on the line in about eight months.
14:38 --> 14:45 [SPEAKER_03]: and we can't be unfair to him and say he needs to pitch a ton and then turn around and be like, oh, they need to be very careful, Gabe Spire.
14:46 --> 14:50 [SPEAKER_03]: Please be very, very careful with Gabe Spire.
14:51 --> 14:53 [SPEAKER_03]: So, and we would rather than be careful with Gabe Spire.
14:53 --> 14:54 [SPEAKER_00]: So we can't be prepared.
14:54 --> 14:56 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, of course, that's what we're doing.
14:56 --> 14:59 [SPEAKER_00]: Gaves our guy and he pitches for the Mariners.
14:59 --> 15:02 [SPEAKER_00]: Of course, of course, we're like more concerned about that.
15:02 --> 15:09 [SPEAKER_00]: But yes, I guess I just would have thought if Terrick's going to make one star, maybe do it in elimination play, that's all.
15:09 --> 15:12 [SPEAKER_03]: While I'm down in the USA jersey, so is Gabe Spire.
15:12 --> 15:13 [SPEAKER_03]: We talked to him about this.
15:13 --> 15:17 [SPEAKER_03]: A ton in the interview, he is fired up to be a part of Team USA.
15:17 --> 15:21 [SPEAKER_03]: There's some details about the lead-up to it that he discusses in the interview that I thought were super cool.
15:22 --> 15:27 [SPEAKER_03]: He talks about what made him so great in this past season, perhaps even better than he was in his breakout 2023.
15:28 --> 15:34 [SPEAKER_03]: And a whole lot more because Gabe is one of our favorite guys to talk to both on the microphone and off the microphone at the ballpark.
15:34 --> 15:36 [SPEAKER_03]: And I think he really shows a lot of that in this interview.
15:37 --> 15:43 [SPEAKER_00]: I'd say the two biggest things I took away were he is absolutely fired up to pitch for Team USA.
15:43 --> 15:46 [SPEAKER_00]: The excitement he had was very genuine when he got the call.
15:47 --> 15:53 [SPEAKER_00]: And this dude, like a lot of guys on this team, he loves being a mariner, which is just the coolest thing.
15:54 --> 16:01 [SPEAKER_00]: Not only because we're Gabe Spire fans, but we just grew up with so much, so many examples that were the polar opposite of this.
16:02 --> 16:05 [SPEAKER_00]: Guys couldn't wait to leave Seattle when we were growing up.
16:05 --> 16:08 [SPEAKER_00]: Gabe Spire and a lot of guys on this team love being here.
16:08 --> 16:12 [SPEAKER_00]: And it's just all the more reason this culture is in as good of a place as it's maybe ever been.
16:13 --> 16:16 [SPEAKER_03]: Well, keep you guys any longer.
16:19 --> 16:25 [SPEAKER_00]: Well, we're down here boots on the ground in Peoria, Mariners Spring Training, and we're joined by, while candidly one of our favorite guys.
16:25 --> 16:30 [SPEAKER_00]: It's Gabe Spire, Mariners Reliever, Team USA Gabe Spire, does that even feel normal to hear yet?
16:30 --> 16:32 [SPEAKER_00]: No, I don't think it's quite hit me yet.
16:32 --> 16:47 [SPEAKER_01]: I think once I get the jersey on, and I'm in that clubhouse with those guys, it'll fully hit me, but super honored, super blessed to even be considered to play for that team, and just where USA crossed my chest and play the game I love, super excited about it.
16:47 --> 16:49 [SPEAKER_03]: How much of these last WBCs did you watch?
16:49 --> 16:57 [SPEAKER_03]: Do you like sit with the 2023 one before your break out season with the Mariners comes and you're like, you have this wishing feeling, were you indifferent about what was the feeling?
16:58 --> 17:02 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I mean, you know, it's such a huge event and it's gotten, I feel like it's gotten bigger and bigger every time.
17:02 --> 17:15 [SPEAKER_01]: And, you know, that clip of Otani striking out trout is such a big clip, I think that it'll be run for years to come and, and yeah, it's just, you know, it's gotten bigger and bigger, like I said, and just super excited to be a part of it, honestly.
17:15 --> 17:17 [SPEAKER_03]: You know, they're going to call on you to strike out Joe, hey, right?
17:18 --> 17:18 [SPEAKER_01]: I hope so.
17:18 --> 17:20 [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, I need to rematch that.
17:20 --> 17:20 [SPEAKER_01]: No pressure.
17:20 --> 17:26 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, after the last time I faced them, I need to, I need to get some redemption.
17:26 --> 17:31 [SPEAKER_00]: three years ago before opening day when that last WBC was going on when show hey struck out trout.
17:32 --> 17:35 [SPEAKER_00]: You had not even broken the Big League roster with the Mariners yet.
17:36 --> 17:41 [SPEAKER_00]: Did this even seem like in the world a possibility three years ago for you to now be here going to play for them?
17:41 --> 17:51 [SPEAKER_01]: No, to be honest, no, I mean, I'm just, I mean, I'm proud of myself for just the work I've put in to kind of get to this point and just believing in myself.
17:51 --> 18:03 [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, I was pitching, I mean, I was up and down in 2024 and to be named for Team USA, you know, a year and a half after that, it's crazy to me.
18:03 --> 18:17 [SPEAKER_01]: But like I said, just super proud of myself and just, you know, kind of bear down and stick with it and believe in myself and, you know, a lot of thanks to the Mariners too for believing in me and putting the ball in my hands and in big spots and so, you know, big shout out to them as well.
18:17 --> 18:21 [SPEAKER_03]: So if we're calling Aaron Judge Captain America, I think that's what they're going to call him.
18:21 --> 18:21 [SPEAKER_01]: Okay.
18:22 --> 18:23 [SPEAKER_03]: What should we call you?
18:23 --> 18:24 [SPEAKER_01]: Oh, man.
18:24 --> 18:25 [SPEAKER_01]: I'm gonna leave that up to you guys.
18:25 --> 18:27 [SPEAKER_01]: I you guys put me on the spot with that one.
18:27 --> 18:29 [SPEAKER_01]: I don't I don't know If you go.
18:29 --> 18:33 [SPEAKER_03]: I was I was gonna say you there's gotta be some super hairs you really like or any of them left handed.
18:34 --> 18:35 [SPEAKER_01]: Oh, gosh That's a good question.
18:35 --> 18:36 [SPEAKER_01]: I'm not sure.
18:36 --> 18:39 [SPEAKER_01]: I do you know, I'm like a marble guy a little bit I enjoy those movies.
18:39 --> 18:42 [SPEAKER_01]: I always always really like to iron man, but um
18:42 --> 18:43 [SPEAKER_01]: I don't know.
18:43 --> 18:44 [SPEAKER_01]: I'll leave it up to you guys.
18:44 --> 18:46 [SPEAKER_01]: You guys can come up with something like that.
18:46 --> 18:50 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, I feel like the Captain America stuff's going to probably have to be left for Cal.
18:50 --> 18:55 [SPEAKER_00]: I know people are calling Judge Captain America, but I feel like something like America's Dumpers going to have to be the Cal.
18:55 --> 18:56 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, I'm during the WVC.
18:57 --> 18:59 [SPEAKER_01]: They'll have to run that one.
18:59 --> 19:03 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, it runs on dump in, so something like that, we can play spin on words.
19:03 --> 19:04 [SPEAKER_01]: I'm suned up and that's exactly right.
19:05 --> 19:12 [SPEAKER_00]: You've talked about the story of how you got the call and how Mark Dorosa gave you the ring and then you missed it and then you had to come back to it later.
19:12 --> 19:23 [SPEAKER_00]: Were you doing the math in your head at all about, oh, well, this American reliever might pitch, but this guy might not, like, are you trying to think about it at all and you're looking at the ERA list from last year and thinking maybe?
19:23 --> 19:26 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, so I would be lying if they said no.
19:27 --> 19:33 [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, I had, I had thought about it, but it was truly brought to my attention by my agent.
19:34 --> 19:41 [SPEAKER_01]: He gave me a call and he's like, hey man, I'm looking through all the other American lefty relievers and he's like, you might be getting a call here.
19:42 --> 19:48 [SPEAKER_01]: And then, you know, I started doing the research myself and saw, like, yeah, I mean, like, I have a shot for sure.
19:48 --> 19:52 [SPEAKER_01]: By no means was I expecting it, but you know,
19:52 --> 19:55 [SPEAKER_03]: have you got like a strategy call yet because I don't have the roster memorized in my head.
19:56 --> 19:58 [SPEAKER_03]: Are there any other lefty relievers?
19:58 --> 20:01 [SPEAKER_03]: I mean, Kursha, I guess technically, is, and I'm going to ask you about him in a second.
20:02 --> 20:05 [SPEAKER_03]: But, like, where are you stacking up in this bullpen?
20:05 --> 20:06 [SPEAKER_03]: How have you, like, scattered out?
20:06 --> 20:07 [SPEAKER_03]: Like, what you think your role is going to be?
20:07 --> 20:11 [SPEAKER_01]: Honestly, I have no idea, you know, the there's Garrett Clevanger.
20:11 --> 20:12 [SPEAKER_01]: He's on the team.
20:12 --> 20:14 [SPEAKER_01]: He's I love watching him pitch.
20:14 --> 20:19 [SPEAKER_01]: He's so nasty, but you know, I haven't really given much thought to that.
20:19 --> 20:21 [SPEAKER_01]: I think, you know, with the right hand at arms that are in there.
20:21 --> 20:22 [SPEAKER_01]: So dominant.
20:22 --> 20:27 [SPEAKER_01]: I would see maybe shoot me into face a lefty, maybe getting a full inning here and there.
20:28 --> 20:29 [SPEAKER_01]: I'm not really sure.
20:29 --> 20:32 [SPEAKER_01]: And we haven't had those conversations yet, but I'm sure when we report on
20:32 --> 20:43 [SPEAKER_01]: March 1st, we'll have those conversations and kind of see, see what's going on in that department, but honestly, just super excited to be participating in it, period, and I'll pitch whenever they want me to.
20:43 --> 20:45 [SPEAKER_03]: And I know you've been scouting.
20:45 --> 20:48 [SPEAKER_03]: Some of the other teams, some of the opposition, you mentioned this to us a fan fest.
20:49 --> 20:52 [SPEAKER_03]: You don't have to give away all of your cards, but have you learned anything?
20:52 --> 21:00 [SPEAKER_01]: Well, you know, canned zone and mashabone airplane for Italy and they brought to my attention but their whole lineup is pretty much left-handed.
21:00 --> 21:01 [SPEAKER_01]: Perfect.
21:01 --> 21:03 [SPEAKER_01]: I would imagine that I'll be throwing against them.
21:04 --> 21:04 [SPEAKER_01]: Okay.
21:05 --> 21:10 [SPEAKER_03]: And then I remember we had a conversation about the DR and you said that lineup is loaded.
21:10 --> 21:11 [SPEAKER_03]: The problem is they're all right-handed.
21:11 --> 21:14 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I think one Soto is the only lefty in there.
21:14 --> 21:15 [SPEAKER_01]: So, no pressure.
21:16 --> 21:16 [SPEAKER_01]: We'll see.
21:17 --> 21:21 [SPEAKER_00]: All right, well, there's your one pocket for the DR. You see him coming up with him the first three batters.
21:22 --> 21:23 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, maybe you're going in.
21:23 --> 21:24 [SPEAKER_01]: Of like the fifth, sixth, seventh inning.
21:24 --> 21:26 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I mean, that lineup stack.
21:26 --> 21:29 [SPEAKER_01]: There's just so many stacked rosters in the WVC this year.
21:29 --> 21:36 [SPEAKER_01]: And yeah, I hope, you know, it would be awesome to be able to throw against all of them, but, you know, that's just not gonna happen.
21:36 --> 21:45 [SPEAKER_01]: So, really just looking forward to getting my feet, you know, on the mound and in that U.S. age jersey and just kind of doing whatever they asked me.
21:45 --> 22:07 [SPEAKER_01]: Is there one teammate you're hoping to face hoping to face it would be fun, you know, those Italy guys I mentioned earlier would be really fun to face canzone and and master, but who the I would be really fun and honestly any of them anyone that you've played with then teammates with and then you have the opportunity to face and there's always a little extra.
22:07 --> 22:12 [SPEAKER_01]: You know, you really, really want to get them out, um, so, um, I'm looking forward to that.
22:12 --> 22:17 [SPEAKER_01]: And I know there's going to be extra adrenaline just from the, the event itself.
22:17 --> 22:19 [SPEAKER_01]: But facing your teammates is always gives you a little extra.
22:20 --> 22:26 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, are there any of those guys that you haven't ever faced and live at bats that you might get to face for the first time or have you faced all those guys?
22:26 --> 22:28 [SPEAKER_00]: at Spring Training over the years.
22:28 --> 22:31 [SPEAKER_01]: I've faced Dom and Mastro and live VPs.
22:32 --> 22:33 [SPEAKER_01]: I faced when I was with Kansas City.
22:33 --> 22:45 [SPEAKER_01]: I faced Cal and Julio and, yeah, I don't, I think I faced Randy when we were, you had that buy before the playoffs and did a sim game and I faced Randy there.
22:45 --> 22:49 [SPEAKER_01]: I think I've faced almost all of them.
22:49 --> 22:49 [SPEAKER_01]: Okay.
22:49 --> 22:50 [SPEAKER_01]: At some point, yeah.
22:50 --> 23:01 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, so you mentioned us again at fan fest how much you were looking forward to meeting one guy on the USA team that you had never gotten a meet before and it makes a lot of sense You're a left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw is gonna play.
23:01 --> 23:04 [SPEAKER_03]: I think his last professional baseball in the WBC.
23:04 --> 23:07 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, what is the first thing you're gonna ask him?
23:07 --> 23:10 [SPEAKER_01]: Gosh, you know, I don't even know.
23:10 --> 23:12 [SPEAKER_01]: I just want to shake the man's hand.
23:12 --> 23:19 [SPEAKER_01]: And he's done, he's been so good in this game, arguably the best picture of this generation.
23:19 --> 23:22 [SPEAKER_01]: So just excited to shake his hand really.
23:22 --> 23:25 [SPEAKER_01]: And I'm sure the conversations will start flowing.
23:25 --> 23:26 [SPEAKER_01]: And it'll come naturally.
23:26 --> 23:29 [SPEAKER_01]: But off the top of my head, I really can't think of anything.
23:30 --> 23:37 [SPEAKER_01]: Probably just ask him about how he competes and how he prepares himself for his starts and stuff like that.
23:37 --> 23:39 [SPEAKER_01]: No, no, it's going through his mind and stuff.
23:39 --> 23:43 [SPEAKER_03]: Now, this is wild to say, because at the time, the clock doesn't make sense in my head.
23:44 --> 23:46 [SPEAKER_03]: But you grew up watching him right here from Southern California.
23:46 --> 23:48 [SPEAKER_03]: And he is the epitome.
23:48 --> 23:51 [SPEAKER_03]: It's him and Sandy co-fax Southern California lore.
23:51 --> 23:52 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
23:52 --> 23:57 [SPEAKER_01]: You know, actually, my uncle played in the big leagues for the giants.
23:57 --> 23:59 [SPEAKER_01]: So I grew up a huge Giants fan.
23:59 --> 24:08 [SPEAKER_01]: So I actually grew up not hating Kershaw, but um, but um, there's a little like, you know, he's so good for the Dodgers for so long and like I said, being a Giants fan.
24:09 --> 24:12 [SPEAKER_00]: Um, yeah, let me, let me, let me cut you off.
24:12 --> 24:18 [SPEAKER_00]: I just got to ask if you were Giants fan and you grew up rooting against the Dodgers and now you get to play with Clayton Kershaw.
24:18 --> 24:22 [SPEAKER_00]: If I were to make you take truth there, how many jokes about his posties and performances have you made over the years?
24:23 --> 24:23 [SPEAKER_00]: Is it a kid?
24:24 --> 24:25 [SPEAKER_00]: You know, none.
24:25 --> 24:26 [SPEAKER_01]: I have so much respect for that man.
24:27 --> 24:47 [SPEAKER_01]: I think you can't boil down, you know, maybe he's struggle a little bit, but like he can't boil his career down to any of that and he's just been so good and, you know, I love what he's about to, you know, he's a family man, he's a believer in Christ and that's, you know, that's super cool for me, I grew up, you know, in a religious family
24:47 --> 24:48 [SPEAKER_01]: you know, a believer as well.
24:48 --> 24:58 [SPEAKER_01]: So just the way he goes about his business and who he is is really who I want to get to know, you know, obviously a great pitcher, but I want to get to know Clayton Kershaw the man, you know.
24:59 --> 25:04 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, we talked to Taylor, so I'll say to about this years back when he was first in camp and see an each year all around.
25:04 --> 25:09 [SPEAKER_00]: And it was at the point of as somebody who grew up a Mariners fan, he said it took him a while to even walk up to him.
25:09 --> 25:14 [SPEAKER_00]: Like every time he'd see him in the halls here, he'd almost turn around to walk away because he was so nervous to go up to him.
25:14 --> 25:20 [SPEAKER_00]: If there any part of you would almost be like have a little bit of a knot in your stomach to go talk to him or you think it'll be free flowing?
25:21 --> 25:25 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I think there will be some nerves to kind of go up to him and start a conversation.
25:26 --> 25:29 [SPEAKER_01]: But like I said, you know, from everything I've seen, he's such a great guy.
25:29 --> 25:33 [SPEAKER_01]: I think they're come pretty naturally and but yeah, just really looking forward to that.
25:33 --> 25:41 [SPEAKER_03]: Besides Kursha, I mean, there's a lot of other really good American, like MLB arms that will be playing for Team USA, who else are you trying to take?
25:41 --> 25:43 [SPEAKER_03]: Who else bring your trying to pick AK steel pitch?
25:44 --> 25:47 [SPEAKER_01]: Oh, still pitch, you know, bed nurse splitter's gross.
25:47 --> 25:48 [SPEAKER_01]: I yeah, that would be cool.
25:49 --> 26:00 [SPEAKER_01]: I've always wanted to throw a splitter slash change up and never really been able to figure it out quite quite quite good, but you know, I have never really had a good change up slash splitter.
26:00 --> 26:01 [SPEAKER_01]: So it would be cool to maybe.
26:01 --> 26:19 [SPEAKER_01]: I talked to him about that, but it'll also be cool to reunite with the Brad Keller, and we were AA roommates with the Diamondbacks, so it's kind of crazy that AA roommates and Jackson Tennessee to Team USA, you know, we've both come a long way, so it'll be cool to reunite with him too.
26:19 --> 26:42 [SPEAKER_01]: So have you started ramping up for the WBC this year in terms of your offseason plan and and how you start to get up to speed and get your VLO up is it different than most off seasons you know I've been asked that question a lot and the truth is no and you know these games line up right with spring training so I kind of just did my normal routine obviously there are a lot more intense than a spring training game would be so.
26:43 --> 26:46 [SPEAKER_01]: No, but short answer is no.
26:46 --> 26:56 [SPEAKER_01]: I threw just as many bullpins as I normally do did my same way to ball routine, same throwing program, arms feeling good, so no complaints on that front.
26:56 --> 26:59 [SPEAKER_01]: And yeah, so no, not really, has nothing really changed.
26:59 --> 27:05 [SPEAKER_03]: I remember you told us last off season that once the season ended, you took that as like a mission to do two things.
27:05 --> 27:09 [SPEAKER_03]: You said you were going to lift heavy weights, get a lot stronger, and you were going to throw the heck out of the baseball.
27:10 --> 27:12 [SPEAKER_03]: Did you approach this off season the same way?
27:12 --> 27:19 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, you know, you know, pitching in the postseason, it was my first time, you know, throwing past the regular season.
27:19 --> 27:23 [SPEAKER_01]: So I think I took, you know, everything was just pushed back.
27:23 --> 27:24 [SPEAKER_01]: We played three weeks longer.
27:24 --> 27:26 [SPEAKER_01]: I think I pushed everything back just about three weeks.
27:26 --> 27:29 [SPEAKER_01]: So I only really relaxed for about a week though.
27:29 --> 27:35 [SPEAKER_01]: And then after a week, I picked up the baseball and started throwing really light into my net and got back into the weight room.
27:35 --> 27:36 [SPEAKER_01]: So
27:36 --> 27:50 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I mean, lots of the same though, just lifting heavy, trying to stay explosive and keep the arm moving, because I feel like for me personally, when I shut it down and stop throwing for too long, trying to get back into it can be a grind.
27:51 --> 28:02 [SPEAKER_01]: So kind of just keeping the arm going, and when I say that, it's literally just the first three weeks of throwing was just three times a week, 20 throws into a net, like super light.
28:02 --> 28:07 [SPEAKER_01]: just so that when it's time to start ramping up, it doesn't feel as foreign and it kind of comes more naturally.
28:07 --> 28:19 [SPEAKER_03]: I mean, last WBC question from me, because one of the drawbacks that I'd say a lot of the public has and I'd imagine to some point players have of the WBC is getting hurt, especially pitchers.
28:19 --> 28:27 [SPEAKER_03]: What made you comfortable saying yes to this opportunity and not worrying about the injury factor of the WBC?
28:27 --> 28:29 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, you know, it's a real thing.
28:29 --> 28:35 [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, you're ramping up to, you know, really high-level situations a lot sooner than you would be.
28:36 --> 28:38 [SPEAKER_01]: So there is, there is that factor, a hundred percent.
28:39 --> 28:56 [SPEAKER_01]: But for me, you know, if I wasn't feeling good when I got the phone call, it would have been a really tough decision and I probably would have leaned towards saying no, you know, because obviously my commitment in this game is to the Mariners, you know, and I wanna win a World Series here and help the team win a World Series.
28:56 --> 28:59 [SPEAKER_01]: That's the the end all be all goal.
28:59 --> 29:06 [SPEAKER_01]: But I felt you know that my off season was going great and my arm was feeling really good when I when I got the call so it was an easy.
29:06 --> 29:12 [SPEAKER_01]: Yes, but like I said the ultimate commitment is is to the Mariners and to winning World Series here
29:12 --> 29:14 [SPEAKER_00]: Well, hopefully that can come some of the fans down a little bit.
29:14 --> 29:18 [SPEAKER_00]: It's certainly we've gotten no comments at all about, oh, is he expensive in the WBC?
29:18 --> 29:18 [SPEAKER_00]: He's going to get hurt.
29:18 --> 29:19 [SPEAKER_00]: He's going to miss the year.
29:19 --> 29:22 [SPEAKER_00]: It's like, I don't think he'd do that if he thought he was going to get hurt in miss the year.
29:22 --> 29:23 [SPEAKER_01]: I will say this.
29:23 --> 29:27 [SPEAKER_01]: Any time you pick up a baseball and you're competing, there is a risk.
29:27 --> 29:29 [SPEAKER_01]: Whether that be in a spirit training game.
29:29 --> 29:31 [SPEAKER_01]: or in a high leverage game in the WBC.
29:32 --> 29:35 [SPEAKER_01]: There's always a risk when you're cranking the arm as hard as you can.
29:35 --> 29:40 [SPEAKER_01]: Um, obviously, like I said, the intensity is going to be, you know, up there.
29:40 --> 29:43 [SPEAKER_01]: So, um, I understand why fans would feel that way.
29:43 --> 29:47 [SPEAKER_01]: But for me personally, I was, I was feeling good and still I'm feeling really good.
29:48 --> 29:50 [SPEAKER_01]: Um, so right now, I'm not worried about it.
29:50 --> 29:50 [SPEAKER_01]: It's great.
29:50 --> 29:52 [SPEAKER_03]: Take us back to about a year ago.
29:52 --> 29:54 [SPEAKER_03]: You would just come off an injury riddle season.
29:54 --> 29:56 [SPEAKER_03]: You're up and down from Tacoma.
29:56 --> 29:57 [SPEAKER_03]: You didn't look like yourself.
29:57 --> 30:00 [SPEAKER_03]: You didn't look like the 2023 you, everyone fell in love with.
30:00 --> 30:02 [SPEAKER_03]: Did you feel like you had to prove yourself again?
30:02 --> 30:05 [SPEAKER_03]: Did you feel that kind of pressure in this camp?
30:06 --> 30:28 [SPEAKER_01]: Um, yeah, a little bit, you know, um, you know, I always believed in myself, my confidence to myself never wavered, um, I always knew I could do it, I always knew I could not only pitch in the big leagues, but pitch in the big leagues at a high level, um, but yeah, I mean that season was really tough mentally more than anything, you know, hurting my arm and and coming back and just not really getting back to my true self.
30:28 --> 30:32 [SPEAKER_01]: I guess you could say, uh, was really frustrating and, um, um,
30:32 --> 30:42 [SPEAKER_01]: So yeah, gave me a lot of motivation to get back to work in the off season and honestly it's hard to say I'm thankful it happened because you never want to get hurt.
30:42 --> 30:52 [SPEAKER_01]: You always want to be at your best healthy be the best you can be for your team but it really it was a turning point in a learning point for me.
30:52 --> 31:02 [SPEAKER_01]: I put it like I said put in so much hard work that off season to have the year I did in
31:02 --> 31:08 [SPEAKER_01]: for the offseason, you know, more weighted balls, more training, more just really doubling down on everything.
31:09 --> 31:13 [SPEAKER_01]: And in the long run, you know, I did the same this offseason and feeling really good right now.
31:13 --> 31:20 [SPEAKER_01]: So like I said, not thankful that I got hurt, but there were some positives that came out of it, really, really dialed in my routine in the offseason.
31:20 --> 31:22 [SPEAKER_01]: So I'm thankful for that.
31:23 --> 31:25 [SPEAKER_01]: But yeah, never fun to get hurt.
31:25 --> 31:27 [SPEAKER_00]: How common is that to do what you now do?
31:27 --> 31:30 [SPEAKER_00]: Do you basically never stop throwing?
31:30 --> 31:34 [SPEAKER_00]: Because I could be wrong, but I feel like a lot of guys really take a lot of time off before they ramp back up again.
31:34 --> 31:36 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, so I've done both.
31:37 --> 31:40 [SPEAKER_01]: I've taken time off like the off-season going into 2024.
31:41 --> 31:47 [SPEAKER_01]: I think I took two months off because of the 2023 season was the heaviest workload I had ever had.
31:47 --> 31:49 [SPEAKER_01]: Most games I had thrown in most innings, most everything.
31:50 --> 31:53 [SPEAKER_01]: So I thought, you know, oh, let's take more time off.
31:53 --> 31:57 [SPEAKER_01]: And then when it was time to ramp back up for the 2024 season, I felt like I was behind.
31:57 --> 31:58 [SPEAKER_01]: I didn't feel great.
31:59 --> 32:04 [SPEAKER_01]: And in turn, my, you know, my Velo is a little bit down, and then that became a really big concern of mine.
32:04 --> 32:10 [SPEAKER_01]: And I started trying to force the velocity and then in turn, got injured probably because of it.
32:10 --> 32:17 [SPEAKER_01]: So, for me, you know, taking that much shorter break, I think has been a blessing for me.
32:18 --> 32:29 [SPEAKER_03]: You were different last year in terms of your dominance than I think you were in 20, 20, through the less ground ball outs, the more strikeouts, your walk rate was lower, what led to those changes.
32:30 --> 32:34 [SPEAKER_01]: You know, if you look at it on paper, I'd say throwing my foreseen more.
32:34 --> 32:36 [SPEAKER_01]: You know, the foreseen creates less ground ball.
32:37 --> 32:40 [SPEAKER_01]: So that's probably where that stat comes in and more swing and miss.
32:40 --> 32:43 [SPEAKER_01]: So more strikeouts and all that.
32:43 --> 32:47 [SPEAKER_01]: But I think the biggest thing was just the confidence.
32:48 --> 32:51 [SPEAKER_01]: You know, I've always had a lot of confidence against left handed hitters.
32:51 --> 32:59 [SPEAKER_01]: And against righties, you know, I always told myself I was confident, but I wouldn't have that same mentality facing a righty.
32:59 --> 33:06 [SPEAKER_01]: And I really leaned into that this past year, just really believing in myself, knowing I can get any right handed hit or out.
33:06 --> 33:16 [SPEAKER_01]: And, you know, super thankful I was able to do that, because it worked out, that's the most success I've had against right handed hitters in my career.
33:16 --> 33:19 [SPEAKER_01]: And I want to say, I think a boils down to just being confident.
33:19 --> 33:21 [SPEAKER_00]: I feel like that's something people should probably take notice of.
33:21 --> 33:25 [SPEAKER_00]: And a lot of people do, but I think people look at you and say, oh, well, he dominates lefties.
33:25 --> 33:27 [SPEAKER_00]: He's going to face the lefty pockets, which is true.
33:28 --> 33:29 [SPEAKER_00]: But you're just a great reliever.
33:29 --> 33:31 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, you get righties out at a ridiculous rate.
33:31 --> 33:33 [SPEAKER_00]: It's not like it's just a lefty specialist thing.
33:34 --> 33:35 [SPEAKER_00]: I feel like that gets slept on a little bit.
33:35 --> 33:44 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, and you know, I'm still, I understand, you know, I'm going to face more lefties and more be put into situations where there's more, you know, lefty batters.
33:45 --> 33:54 [SPEAKER_01]: And that is because our right handed pictures are so good for, you know, mooney, brush, bizarre to Vargas, um, they're all, I mean, and there's more, but they're all so good.
33:54 --> 34:03 [SPEAKER_01]: So I understand why I face more lefties, but, um, but yeah, um, any pocket of any lineup, I'm confident in, for sure.
34:03 --> 34:10 [SPEAKER_03]: What is it like now having another high octane lefty in the bullpen so you don't have all of the responsibility on you?
34:10 --> 34:15 [SPEAKER_01]: You know, I haven't experienced it yet, but I'm looking forward to it for sure.
34:16 --> 34:23 [SPEAKER_01]: And last year was a really big workload being, you know, for the, for the, for the majority of the season, the only lefty down there.
34:23 --> 34:28 [SPEAKER_01]: And, but Ferrar, you know, I've gotten to watch some videos, some highlights of him.
34:28 --> 34:30 [SPEAKER_01]: He's an absolute dominant left handed pitcher.
34:30 --> 34:34 [SPEAKER_01]: And I don't think it's going to be me and him or him and me.
34:34 --> 34:36 [SPEAKER_01]: It's going to be us together as a tandem.
34:37 --> 34:40 [SPEAKER_01]: He's going to have to pick me up sometimes.
34:40 --> 35:03 [SPEAKER_01]: he's going to be pitching in the high-leveled situations and so am I and you know it we're going to work as a tandem I think and it's going to be I think really refreshing to you know have each other to lean on and and you know I think I can learn some things from him he's you know so he lead his arm is so big and and he's fun to watch and I'm really looking forward to you know being being on the same team
35:04 --> 35:12 [SPEAKER_03]: because something you guys ran into, especially in the playoffs last year, when you only have one guy like you and your role, the tigers or the blue jays get a lot of looks at you.
35:12 --> 35:21 [SPEAKER_03]: And a lot of looks mostly against the same pockets, too, because you have a set group of guys they would prefer you to face, they just, they, they almost know you like the back of your hand.
35:21 --> 35:27 [SPEAKER_03]: How, how is harder to pitch against teams that are more familiar with you?
35:28 --> 35:33 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, you know, seven games series is, seven games is a lot of games to play against one team in a row.
35:34 --> 35:42 [SPEAKER_01]: So, you know, as the series goes on, you throw three, four, maybe even five times, you know, they definitely get more familiar with you.
35:42 --> 35:46 [SPEAKER_01]: I think that that is 100% accurate, and it's tough.
35:46 --> 35:48 [SPEAKER_01]: You know, I only throw three pitches.
35:48 --> 35:49 [SPEAKER_01]: Sure.
35:49 --> 35:55 [SPEAKER_01]: So, you know, if they see them quite a bit, it's definitely, you know, the advantage starts shifting towards the hitter.
35:55 --> 36:00 [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, but at the same time, you can't think about that stuff.
36:00 --> 36:02 [SPEAKER_01]: You just gotta go out and compete with what you have that day.
36:02 --> 36:03 [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, that's all you can do.
36:04 --> 36:15 [SPEAKER_01]: So, yeah, but yeah, I think, you know, playing, you know, normally a three-game series, you know, you see the guys once maybe twice, but in a seven-week game series, seeing them four or five times, it makes it more difficult.
36:15 --> 36:19 [SPEAKER_00]: Can you describe the adrenaline of pitching in the postseason because that was your first one?
36:19 --> 36:24 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, it was crazy, you know, Seattle fans are insane.
36:24 --> 36:33 [SPEAKER_01]: They love their baseball, they love their sports Seattle sports in general, but it was so fun, so so fun to experience that.
36:33 --> 36:37 [SPEAKER_01]: I think we're all better for it, you know, I think it makes this more prepared for this year.
36:37 --> 36:55 [SPEAKER_01]: when we get there again, which we will and you know, everyone's more prepared and and so we have a slight advantage in that now and but yeah, just from pitch one it was like the moony throwing the last pitch and striking got it was like that every single pitch from pitch one just crazy I just I remember looking over to my
36:55 --> 37:05 [SPEAKER_01]: teammates in the bullpen and everyone's just like, whoa, this is crazy, just so much fun and and I can, myself and everyone part of this organization is looking forward to getting back to that.
37:05 --> 37:25 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, once you get out of a game and I'm thinking back to game five against the Tigers, where it goes 15 innings, once you get out of a game and you know you're not going back in, do you start to have any sort of a mindset like a fan and that sit like in that dugout in that situation because like we're pacing our floors and our houses and apartments with every pitch of that
37:25 --> 37:31 [SPEAKER_00]: Obviously players are wired differently than fans, but once you're out of a game Do you start to do any of that or are you still pretty locked in?
37:33 --> 37:46 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, it's it's a little bit of both, you know I'm definitely locked in as far as watching the game and seeing what's going on But yeah, there is definitely those nerves are like especially in that game You know, I gave up the lead sure that game so I was probably the most nervous in the
37:46 --> 37:50 [SPEAKER_01]: in the dugout and I was probably the also the most excited when Polo walked it off.
37:51 --> 38:07 [SPEAKER_01]: I was screaming at the top of my lungs and but yeah no it's um that's a good question it's tough to answer that because there's it's a little bit about like you're locked in but you're also you know that nervous energy especially when it's going that that far 15 inings and so yeah I guess a little bit above would be my answer.
38:08 --> 38:15 [SPEAKER_03]: Does it help you when you can't hear yourself think and you don't have time to be nervous about a game five situation protecting
38:16 --> 38:21 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I mean, it's so hard to describe out there, you're just floating.
38:21 --> 38:24 [SPEAKER_01]: Like you said, you're not really thinking about anything.
38:24 --> 38:28 [SPEAKER_01]: You're just in the moment, doesn't matter who's in the box.
38:28 --> 38:32 [SPEAKER_01]: It's the best hitter in their lineup or their worst hitter in their lineup.
38:32 --> 38:33 [SPEAKER_01]: The situation doesn't change.
38:33 --> 38:37 [SPEAKER_01]: It's just such a big, all your emotions are going.
38:37 --> 38:41 [SPEAKER_01]: It's like, I think the best way I can describe it is you're just floating out there.
38:41 --> 38:43 [SPEAKER_01]: And it's a great feeling.
38:43 --> 38:45 [SPEAKER_01]: It's crazy.
38:45 --> 38:50 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, I'll just give you an example, game two, you get out of that big jam against the Tigers, right?
38:50 --> 39:05 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, is that an example of like when the crowd is so loud and talking about Seattle loves its baseball and you feel like you're floating and you can't even sense any like of your six senses, like no nerves, nothing, you came off that mound just screaming after that punch out.
39:06 --> 39:08 [SPEAKER_00]: Is it almost impossible not to in a setting like that?
39:08 --> 39:09 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I would say so.
39:09 --> 39:22 [SPEAKER_01]: It's impossible, you know, there's like scenes in a movie where like, say, you know, there's like the crowd and the seven guys behind you and you and the catcher and the hitter and then there's like this tunnel vision moment where it's just like you and the catcher.
39:22 --> 39:22 [SPEAKER_01]: Right.
39:22 --> 39:30 [SPEAKER_01]: It's like almost how it is like everything else just doesn't it's just you in the catcher and everything else is blurred vision.
39:31 --> 39:32 [SPEAKER_01]: That's another way to describe it.
39:33 --> 39:37 [SPEAKER_01]: It's just your body just reacts in a different way when it's that big of a moment.
39:38 --> 39:41 [SPEAKER_03]: Last thing for me, Gabe, that was last postseason.
39:41 --> 39:44 [SPEAKER_03]: I think all of you guys are expecting to make the postseason again this year.
39:44 --> 39:49 [SPEAKER_03]: It was a difference in mindset from last camp to this camp and just knowing what you guys can be.
39:49 --> 39:54 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I think like I said, you know, the experience that we went through last year is going to help us this year.
39:55 --> 40:00 [SPEAKER_01]: We know what it takes to get there now and we know what it takes to win games in the postseason too.
40:01 --> 40:11 [SPEAKER_01]: You know, being six outs away or whatever it was from making it to the world series, you know, it leaves a little bit of a better taste in your mouth and it just makes you want to get there even more.
40:11 --> 40:13 [SPEAKER_01]: But like I said, I think we're just better prepared this year.
40:14 --> 40:18 [SPEAKER_01]: We've all been there now and we know it to expect and I think that that's a huge advantage.
40:19 --> 40:20 [SPEAKER_00]: Gabe, this has been awesome.
40:20 --> 40:21 [SPEAKER_00]: You know we're always rooting for you.
40:21 --> 40:23 [SPEAKER_00]: Mariners fans are always rooting for you.
40:23 --> 40:24 [SPEAKER_00]: And we can't wait for another awesome 2026.
40:24 --> 40:26 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, I can't wait to do it.
40:26 --> 40:26 [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for having me, guys.
40:28 --> 40:29 [SPEAKER_00]: Well, shout out to Gabe.
40:29 --> 40:31 [SPEAKER_00]: We said it at the start of the interview.
40:31 --> 40:32 [SPEAKER_00]: I'll say it again here now.
40:32 --> 40:33 [SPEAKER_00]: He really is one of our favorites.
40:33 --> 40:37 [SPEAKER_00]: And it's been that way for a few years now, since we've gotten to know him.
40:37 --> 40:45 [SPEAKER_00]: But hopefully for anybody that has any worries or concerns about players playing in this tournament, honestly, maybe a little bit like,
40:45 --> 40:51 [SPEAKER_00]: some of the concerns TJs had ever so slightly that Gabe helped diffuse those a bit.
40:51 --> 41:02 [SPEAKER_00]: Obviously, there's no perfect solution to pitching in the WBC, but hopefully he explained in a way that people can, you know, that people understand and can kind of take in.
41:02 --> 41:06 [SPEAKER_00]: there are ways to ramp up for this and there are ways to prepare for this and he's been doing that.
41:06 --> 41:15 [SPEAKER_03]: And as you can hear, all the concerns we have, I'm sure all the pictures think about when they are deciding whether or not they want to go play in the WBC.
41:16 --> 41:19 [SPEAKER_03]: You'll hear it a little bit in our interview with Logan Gilbert.
41:19 --> 41:22 [SPEAKER_03]: We talk about the same idea of playing,
41:22 --> 41:24 [SPEAKER_03]: in a non-major league environment.
41:24 --> 41:26 [SPEAKER_03]: We'll save most of the details for when that comes out.
41:26 --> 41:32 [SPEAKER_03]: But it's a similar thought process of what Logan wants to go through as Gabe goes through.
41:32 --> 41:37 [SPEAKER_03]: But Gabe ended up deciding to pitch for Team USA in the WBC and he feels really good about it.
41:37 --> 41:44 [SPEAKER_03]: And I'm really happy for him that as of right now when they're all hanging out together, that he gets to hang out with his buddy Clayton Kursha.
41:44 --> 41:52 [SPEAKER_03]: Now, I hope I can say his body, because I hope they've talked a bunch by now that Cal introduced him to Clayton Kursha, and they're having the greatest time in the world.
41:52 --> 41:59 [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, yeah, not a dodger fan because again, he had family members play for the Giants, but definitely a Carshaw fan.
42:00 --> 42:00 [SPEAKER_04]: Definitely.
42:00 --> 42:07 [SPEAKER_00]: I don't think that was always the case growing up because he said he wasn't always a Carshaw fan growing up because what did he used to do?
42:07 --> 42:08 [SPEAKER_00]: He probably, you know, are not probably.
42:09 --> 42:16 [SPEAKER_00]: He would torment the Dodgers, but he is certainly a Clayton Carshaw fan as we sit here now and hopefully like you said about the time this is released.
42:16 --> 42:21 [SPEAKER_00]: He's gotten a chance to talk to him and it's as cool as Gabe hoped it would be when he was talking to us about it.
42:21 --> 42:28 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, and won't you become a major league or you're more admiring the greatness of the player as opposed to who you had a rivalry with as a as a kid?
42:28 --> 42:29 [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah
42:29 --> 42:34 [SPEAKER_00]: Again, if you're a left-handed pitcher, you probably like Clayton Kershatt, just so.
42:35 --> 42:36 [SPEAKER_00]: Shout out to the Gabe Spire.
42:36 --> 42:37 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm really excited for him.
42:38 --> 42:39 [SPEAKER_00]: I hope he dominates in the WBC.
42:39 --> 42:40 [SPEAKER_00]: Hey, what if you got the last out?
42:40 --> 42:41 [SPEAKER_00]: That'd be pretty sick.
42:41 --> 42:43 [SPEAKER_03]: That would be really sick.
42:43 --> 42:44 [SPEAKER_00]: That would be so sick.
42:44 --> 42:45 [SPEAKER_02]: And then maybe, I hope that's the case.
42:46 --> 42:46 [SPEAKER_00]: Same.
42:46 --> 42:49 [SPEAKER_03]: Maybe he'll probably strike out Show Hay to finish it.
42:49 --> 42:50 [SPEAKER_00]: Sure.
42:50 --> 42:54 [SPEAKER_00]: And then maybe we parlay that with the final out in the 2026 World Series.
42:54 --> 42:55 [SPEAKER_00]: Question.
42:55 --> 42:57 [SPEAKER_00]: What a year for Gabe Spire that would be.
42:57 --> 42:58 [SPEAKER_00]: We pretty cool.
42:59 --> 43:02 [SPEAKER_00]: Alright, that's just about wraps up this edition of the Marine Lair pod cast.
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43:46 --> 43:50 [SPEAKER_00]: That's TJ, I'm Lyle, as always we thank you guys for tuning in, we'll talk to you soon.