JOHN VALENTIN | Chirping Zebras Podcast | Ep #121

Mark Riley: Welcome everyone to Chirping Zebras, Mark Riley virtually alongside Gino Binda. And we want to right off the hop thank our sponsor, the referees crease, your one-stop shop for all your referee needs, from scheduling and payment to training. They do it all. Also want to remind you to like and subscribe on YouTube and follow us on all the social medias, the Instagram, the Facebook, and of course.
Geno Binda: The TikTok.
Mark Riley: Thank you, Gino. also want to give a shout out to AOA Studios for all they do up in Beverly. And we're coming off we got a great episode today. we're switching gears a little bit with some baseball. But last week, Pat Lahey, I mean, what a beauty.
Geno Binda: I mean what a what a story too, right? Just like a local kid making to the national league. I went to high school with him, right? And then, you know not too many kids from the Boston area like went out to like the Miami of Ohio's or, you know, those to those type of schools. They all went to the BCs, BUs, like him and his brother kinda went off the map a little bit and who also referees. yeah, and you know, just Harry is in insight on, you know, Joe Thornton and you know, scored his f you know, first call same game as Crosby. Like I didn't know that. That that was that's kinda cool. yeah, he was great. And he does a lot of
Mark Riley: Yep. Yeah.
Geno Binda: good good stuff with the Bruce alumni too. He's always he's always giving back and he's all like he always shows up for them.
Mark Riley: Yep. No, Patty's a great guy and appreciate him coming on. If you haven't seen that one, it's definitely worth a listen, especially the stuff like you said about Joe Thornton and and you know playing for the Bruins in that era and his take on that trade was interesting. So definitely want to check that out. Also, wanna mention I'm wearing one of the t shirts I got last week down at the Exceptional Citizens Week street hockey. game that I went down and refereed. you know, and we had the guys on from Exceptional Citizens Week. If you're not familiar, it's a special needs camp they do down in Pembroke. And we had him on episode one seven from the Bruins alumni game. And Dan Cronley invited us down. shout out to Tug Sexton and Colin Hennigan. they were all on that episode and And what a what an event. you know, it it was really cool to see the kids and and the waiters as they call all high school kids, college kids, you know, that are there volunteering, serving in the, you know, cafeteria. That's why they call them the waiters and helping out with all the kids. Really, really cool event to be a part of.
Geno Binda: that's awesome. Yeah, I was bummed I couldn't get down there. I wanna wanna go next year and make it like an annual thing almost. But yeah, that sounds like
Mark Riley: Yeah, definitely. Next I could have used you out there. I was alone as a referee and there was some serious chirping going on. All in good fun.
Geno Binda: I bet. Dougie was Dougie Smith was down there too, right?
Mark Riley: our buddy Dougie Smith was down there, the real goon. Also Joey Mullen. Joey Mullen was there, and it was
Geno Binda: nice, yeah.
Mark Riley: it was really Todd Angeli, our good friend sang the national anthem. Blades was down there from the
Geno Binda: I'll guess, foam I guess.
Mark Riley: Bruins. So
Geno Binda: Well
Mark Riley: it was really, really a cool event and just a really cool program that they run there. and and free to all the campers. That's the coolest part is that no one pays to go there. It's an overnight camp for a week and
Geno Binda: that's awesome.
Mark Riley: yeah, it's just if if you don't know about it, look into it, Exceptional Citizens Week. It's just a great program and you know, we're thankful we're able to be a part of it and hopefully we'll be a part of it for years to come. So good time.
Geno Binda: Yeah.
Mark Riley: all right. So this episode we had John Valentin, you know, Red Sox through and through. I mean, a true Red Sox, not only former player, but you know, a real fan and just really cool to get his insight,
Geno Binda: Yeah, right.
Mark Riley: you know, not only on the Red Sox now, but when he played, very cool.
Geno Binda: Yeah, I mean he was yeah, a lot of good insight on it. enjoyed watching him. I I mean I was in high school, you know, when he was coming like when he was on the Sox and even younger, but yeah, he was like a I like right in my prime high school years watching watching those teams and yeah, he was he was r you know, steady, always really good. Good good bat, can hit. yeah. He was and yeah, he was great guest today.
Mark Riley: Yeah, Mo Vaughn and him, I didn't bring it up, but i they they hit grand slams. Each of hit grand slams in one game. and they the shots won eight to nothing. And it was the only game that
Geno Binda: Mm.
Mark Riley: all eight runs came from two grand slams from in the in the same game, which was kind of cool. And
Geno Binda: He's been in a couple only, so yeah.
Mark Riley: Well, only guy to turn an unassisted triple play, hit for the cycle, and he had three home runs in one game. Only major leaguer ever to do it. So pretty cool. I mean, he and what's
Geno Binda: Yeah.
Mark Riley: great about it, he doesn't like talking about himself, but he was a damn good player. I mean, he was
Geno Binda: No. He was.
Mark Riley: he was really good. And on those teams with Mo Vaughn, you know,
Geno Binda: Those Sox teams are friggin' awesome too. I'm su like those teams were like I mean great that they finally got over that hump in 04, but I mean those guys, that team, that like his one of his teams should have should have won it. But those like you said, those Yankees, those Yankee teams were stacked. And you go back and look
Mark Riley: Yeah, they were.
Geno Binda: at those rosters, it's stupid. But yeah, it was ridiculous.
Mark Riley: Back in the nineties it was tough. But they I think they kinda laid the groundwork for that O four team to kind of get over the hump, you know? And
Geno Binda: They did. They did. Yep.
Mark Riley: so we had a great talk with John. I think you'll enjoy it. especially if you're you know, a fan of baseball. switching up as we do on the Zebras here. switching up sports. So without further ado.
Geno Binda: Back to hockey next week, baby.
Mark Riley: hockey next week, yes. if all goes well, we'll have a very cool
Geno Binda: No, we'll see.
Mark Riley: guest. We we learn not to do that coming up next. You never know.
Geno Binda: Yes, we're not gonna tell. We're not gonna tell.
Mark Riley: But the next guest is good. Well, they're all good. I mean, let's be honest. They're all our guests are good. But
Geno Binda: Yeah.
Mark Riley: yeah, we're looking forward. And this one was no different. major leaguer, long time Red Sox player and all around great guy, John Valentin. Enjoy this. with him. John, welcome to the Zebras. Great to have you on.
John Valentin: Thanks for having me. Appreciate it.
Mark Riley: Now I gotta I I gotta
Geno Binda: High on.
Mark Riley: bring this up. We met at Jamie Parker's Jimmy Fun golf tournament. And
John Valentin: Often. Yeah.
Mark Riley: one of the one of the things I loved what you said was you hate the Yankees. And and
John Valentin: Ha ha ha.
Geno Binda: Yes, who doesn't?
Mark Riley: as yeah, I mean as as Boston kids growing up as Red Sox fans, you know, as someone who played for the Red Sox, just to hear that is just so it's just refreshing. Like, you know what? It it it it's I don't know. I it struck me.
John Valentin: Well, you know, it's something that I've grown up with for a very long time. You know, my family was a New York Mets family. so you know, my first introduction into baseball was basically going to Shea Stadium. And you know, having the opportunity after my Red Sox days, spending, you know, obviously ten years, a decade with the Red Sox, I had Brian Cashman and obviously the New York Mets offer me the same contract. And you know, there were so many Red Sox players like Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, you know, Johnny Damon, Jacoby Ellsbury, obviously, you know, putting both uniforms on and that's something I could not do, you know? So you know, I I I can't
Geno Binda: Good for you.
Mark Riley: I love it.
John Valentin: I can't I can I just couldn't be able to live with myself, you know what I'm saying?
Mark Riley: I love it. Now,
Geno Binda: I mean
Mark Riley: what was it like growing up as a Mets fan and getting a play for the Mets? That must have been pretty cool.
John Valentin: Yeah, you know, being able to finish my career, obviously you know, I was older, I was hurt with the Red Sox, so that you know, to bring me back was something that was you know, some you know, when you when you play ten years for a team and you play every day, right? It it takes a lot out of you, you know. So they told me that I I'd be fighting for a position to be a a role player, and that's something I couldn't do. you know, obviously playing there ten years every day to be a role player and not play. I felt I still had some days with me to be able to play. and you know I did not get an everyday offer because you know my age of 30 being 35 at that time. So I said if I'm gonna play for anybody I'd like to play you know near home and you know the the New York Mets were very interested in me to be able to play short, stop, second base and third base at the same time. So I took if I was gonna be a role player, it'd be nice to be at home sleeping in my own bed and not doing it for the Yankees, you know? So
Mark Riley: That's awesome.
Geno Binda: Absolutely.
Mark Riley: now do you think because the rivalries like it was back then don't seem to be as strong now. Is that something that is is kind of missing in baseball now? Cause everyone seems to be friends and you know, it it's not that hatred between especially the Yankees Red Sox.
John Valentin: No, I I I think it's still there, to be honest with you. It it's just that they protect the player now.
Geno Binda: Mm.
John Valentin: You know, you can't throw at the player as much, 'cause they'll throw you right out of the game. You know, back in the day you could hit a person and then the the opposing team could hit your guy. You know what I'm saying? And they and they would not throw you out. So there's none of that. You know, taking a guy out at second base because of the Utley play when
Geno Binda: Mm.
John Valentin: Utley took out Tejada at second base with the New York Mets there's none of that. The the Busta Posey play at home plate when he got injured, you know, 'cause he was blocking the plate. You know, you can't you can't hurt players cause they make a lot of money. And you know, if
Geno Binda: Exactly.
John Valentin: they're hurt, they can't be on the field, right? So, you know, they're doing it they're trying to do a good job where you know you could take care of the player and he can stay on the field, you know, so and play more games. So that's what they're doing. So there's not a lot of throwing at each.
Mark Riley: Yeah.
Geno Binda: Not nothing like a hundred miles an hour coming at you, yeah.
John Valentin: Yeah, well, you know, taking taking a guy out at second base is is a lot of fun, you know, because
Mark Riley: Well,
John Valentin: you're trying to break up a double play. You're also, you know, you're not trying to hurt the guy, but you you know, you wanna let know that you're there. Yeah, you
Geno Binda: Disrupt the throw, right?
John Valentin: know. You know, so knocking him down is you know, but not hurting him is something that, you know, you don't want to you know, you wanna do but you don't wanna hurt him, you know.
Mark Riley: As a shortstop turning
Geno Binda: Yeah, well sportsmanship.
Mark Riley: that double play, was that something that was always in your mind?
John Valentin: No, because you know, You know, as a shortstop, even as a second baseman, we're taught to know where the player is when we throw the ball. So i if it's a slow developing double play, we know that guy's gonna be on us. So we gotta get out of the way and and be able to, you know, not be in a situation of harm. but when the play is hit hard and you know the guy's not there yet, you know, you could stay around the bag and be able to throw that ball to first base. It's just that players t you know, Some players don't know their surroundings, and they they hang in there way too long, you know, unfortunately, you know. And then they get hurt, you know. So it's our job to know, you know, where we are, what we do and and how to throw the baseball to first base without getting hurt, you know.
Mark Riley: You mentioned you know, shortstop and second. You were someone that, you know, you're an everyday shortstop and then you have to move to second and then eventually third. And and that can't be easy to do, but you seem to you know, handle it pretty well. What's the differences between those positions? Are they similar enough or are they that different that you have to kinda retrain your brain?
John Valentin: it's it can be quite different, for depending on the guy. I think the the key is that you have to have really good feet. You gotta be able to make different throws from different angles and be able to turn the d you know, obviously I'm facing the first baseman when I'm throwing the the pitch f the the the ball from shortstop double play situation to first and then then I got my back to me when I ha and I'm a second baseman, right? So I have to have really good hands. I have to have really good feet. And I gotta be able to make that, you know, transition seamlessly. You know, obviously No Mar was a really great player in his own right, and he was a number one pick. so they didn't really want to move him to second base or to third base. They really wanted to bring him up as a shortstop. I ended up winning the Silver Slugger award. Ward that year, you know, at shortstop, you know, hitting 27 home runs, 100 RBIs, or whatever. and they still wanted me on the field. So they they want they felt like I could move to any position because I had good feet, I had good hands, and I was able to make all plays. It didn't matter, you know, what position I was in. So and I was a veteran too. So because being in the league for more than you know, three or four. Four or five years, you know how to play the game, right? So you're you're you're playing at the highest level against the best players, and you're understanding how to make plays. It doesn't matter where you are, but it is very, very difficult, you know, especially for a young player to make that transition, you know. So they they asked me to move, which I was not happy. I was not, you know,
Geno Binda: Mm but you did it.
Mark Riley: huh.
John Valentin: I definitely wasn't happy for you know when they finally, you know, when they wanted me to to know that, you know, we want to keep both of you on the field because you hit very well in Fenway Park and you're knocking balls off the wall and you're making good plays on the field. So they they felt like, you know, I was the veteran. I could make the transition a lot easier. So
Geno Binda: Now did you think they thought the same with Rafi Delv Devers and he just kinda, you know, didn't didn't go and didn't move and kinda made a stink and then, you they shipped him out of town. Like is that, you know, very very similar, right? Like just like just like just shut your mouth and
John Valentin: Well, yeah, it's similar. Well
Geno Binda: go play, right?
John Valentin: well, yeah, it's similar, but you know you know, players are some players are sensitive. You understand?
Geno Binda: Mm.
John Valentin: and you know, in order to play in a big city like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, LA, you know, you have to have a little bit of tough skin. And if you don't have the tough skin, you're gonna be your ego is gonna be hurt, you know. So unfortunately they didn't handle well, I don't know what transpired between the the Red Sox, you know, front office and you know, Alex Cora and Devers and how they approached him to in the off season. Because
Geno Binda: Mm. Right.
John Valentin: let's let's let's take this for instance, okay? If he's the third baseman and you paid him over a decade, you
Geno Binda: Mm.
John Valentin: you know, of money to play for him, right? And they say, we're gonna bring in Alex Breckman to play your position. How do you feel about that? You know? He would
Geno Binda: Yeah, right.
John Valentin: say, you know, I'm a third baseman. You know, if you don't if you want Alex here, please please let me go. You know,
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: to trade trade me. You know? I've never played first base before and I don't want to make myself look like an idiot in a sense, right? So
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: they told him you're gonna DH and then you know obviously if you're gonna DH then you're never gonna use a glove again, you know, and then Casas gets hurt. And then Casas is supposed to be the first baseman. He's no longer the first base. And now Rafi, we want you to play first.
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: And if you're not playing first, then you're not really a team player. So it gets it gets really sensitive for the
Geno Binda: He kinda they kinda contered him, yeah.
John Valentin: Y you know, in a way it's tough for him because he is a team player. He wants to play for the Red Sox. He doesn't want to go through what he's going through. And then at the same time, you get Alex Cora saying, you know, we're gonna bring in Alex Bregman and he's gonna play second base because he can play a gold glove second base and we can keep Rafi at third base and have Alex come in, Bregman come in and play second. But once
Geno Binda: Right?
John Valentin: we get Bregman, guess what? We make him a third baseman. So do you ask Breg do you ask Devers, Devers, we're going to bring in Alex Bregman and he's going to play third base.
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: They didn't do that. You understand? So they they
Geno Binda: Fair enough. Yeah.
John Valentin: basically came out and said, you know, Alex Bregman's
Geno Binda: Interesting.
John Valentin: going to play second base because he's a gold glover and he can play second base. You know? And then when they brought him in, they switched him. And then they make you know, they put Rafi in a s situation where now he has to defend himself and say, no, no, no, I'm the third baseman. I'm not the s I'm not a DH. Even though Bregman is the better third baseman, right? He has a better glove. He's had gold glove. Rafi is a decent third baseman. You know, he he
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: could get he could have gotten better in a sense, but whatever You know, they were able to to sign him for over a decade to play third base. Right? So if they
Geno Binda: Yeah.
John Valentin: wanted him to be there for 10, 12 years, 13 years, then they're saying that you're our third baseman. But then you get Alex Corra coming in and say, that was the old GM. This is not the old GM anymore. This is the new GM. Right. So the player's stuck in a a a very, very weird situation where he has to now defend himself. He doesn't want to look like an idiot playing first base, you know? no one does, right? You you you're a major league player. If you've never played first base, not to say that it's difficult. I mean, it shouldn't be that difficult to play, but you still are not a first baseman in a sense, right? So you have to learn to position similar to Bryce Harper, who played right field, came into first base, and had
Geno Binda: Mm.
John Valentin: a a little bit of a learning curve to to be able to come in. And and had to learn the position. You know, it's
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: not eas it's not easy. If you look terrible at the position, you know, you're gonna get booed. Whatever the case may be, you don't want the team to not win, right? So, you know, he got defensive. There's no doubt about it that Devers got defensive. And at the end of the day, you know, maybe he should have said, you know, I love it here, I don't want to leave here. Let me play wherever you want me to play. You know, so at the end of the day that's what I did. I said, you know what, I love playing in Funway Park, I play well here. It doesn't matter where you play me, I'm gonna play well. I'll play second base. And then, you know, the third baseman, Tim Neering gets hurt, and then all of a sudden they wanna move me to third. I say, I don't care. Put me wherever. I can play wherever.
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: You know, I had the confidence in myself to be able to say I can play short, I could play second, I could play third. You put me anywhere, I can do it. But that's the difference in players, you know. I mean, you know, s some people get hurt.
Geno Binda: Right. Yeah, you gotta mean I'm I mean like Joe I mean I read Joe Tory's book and like his his whole thing was like at that level you're managing egos and personalities, right? Like they all can play and you just gotta manage the the personality and the player and and get him his head right. So like yeah, there's a lot a lot in that.
John Valentin: Yeah, I it's it's a it's a difficult position to be in as a player, but at the end of the day, you gotta be a team player. And that's
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: where, you know, Dervers was like, I I had enough of this, you know. You know,
Geno Binda: Fair enough.
John Valentin: it was it it was tough for him. You know, it was tough, you know. You're telling
Geno Binda: Bet.
John Valentin: you're you're telling him that he's not a good third baseman. That's what you're basically telling him. And then by doing that, then he says, you know, I'm I'm done.
Mark Riley: Do do you think it
Geno Binda: Fair enough.
Mark Riley: has to do with because it you know, obviously you come from a different era as as we do too, where athletes today have to be a little more coddled. do you do you think that kind of plays into it? You know, because back in the day, like you said, I'll I'll do where wherever you want me, I'll do it. And, you know, nowadays and and this goes across every sport, right? These egos get in the way, this, you know. They all got a trophy growing up. So no you know what I mean? Like that that kind
Geno Binda: Mm.
Mark Riley: of plays into it a little, no.
John Valentin: Yeah, yeah, I mean it does because of the money. I think it's because of the money also, because they make so much money today, you know, they feel like they're a little bit entitled in a sense, right? You know, I had to you know, not not to talk about myself. I don't really like to do that, but I had to I had to play well every year to get a one year deal. You understand? Until,
Geno Binda: Hmm.
John Valentin: you know, I was well entrenched in plum hitting doubles and and playing well and then they said, you know what, we want to keep you around for five, six more years. You know, and that was really after Nomar came, you know, so I you know, you have to fight we had to fight for everything, you know. So even though I was making good money, you know, that's not the issue. The issue is that I had to perform every year. You know, and then you have guys who I mean and and don't get me wrong, I want to perform every year, you know, but there is pressure. You know, when you play for Boston, New York, Philly, LA, there is pressure. Look what Justin look look what the right fielder for for for L A is is Justin Tuck. What's his name?
Geno Binda: tuck no,
John Valentin: The right fielder for LA. I should know this.
Geno Binda: Same.
John Valentin: but he's having difficulty he's having difficulty playing right field because he's dropped a couple of balls and he's not hitting. So he's he's had a tough time. And he's made
Mark Riley: Kyle Tucker.
John Valentin: Kyle Tucker and he's making
Geno Binda: Yes.
Mark Riley: Kyle Tucker, yeah.
John Valentin: he's make he's make he's making sixty million dollars a year. I mean, that's a lot of money, you know?
Mark Riley: That's nuts.
John Valentin: Yeah.
Mark Riley: Do you do you think
John Valentin: And and you're not playing you're not playing well, you know? No one wants to go through that, right? So yes, the player today is a lot different than than, you know, myself and Mo Vaughn when we were playing in in Boston. It was tough, you know?
Geno Binda: Is isn't Mo Vaughn still getting paid?
John Valentin: No, no, it's not.
Mark Riley: Ha ha ha.
John Valentin: No. But you know, I mean it was it was quite difficult. You know, it to play in Boston is is not easy. You know, you have to play well.
Geno Binda: I mean you hear it all over. I mean you hear it in the stands, you hear it on the radio, you hear it the news, like you can't you can't walk in Boston without hearing it, right? Like even like you're walking down the street after a game, someone just trips ya. It doesn't doesn't matter. I mean it just you gotta live up to it. You're in the bar, wherever, restaurant.
John Valentin: Yeah, like you know, the like the third baseman today w for the Red Sox, Durbin, you know, he's
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: he's done a great job of catching up and playing well for the last couple of months. But the first couple months he had a difficult time.
Geno Binda: do you think that has anything to do with the the coaching change with the swing? I mean they dumped everybody, like swing coach, hitting coach, all of it, and their philosophies have changed too. Like they're I just heard on the radio today, like their averages going after like aggressive pitching and everything else is just like the numbers are through the roof and I and they're hitting more more balls in play than they are than they ever have. And it's it's been great. I mean, do you think that has a lot to do with it?
John Valentin: Well, You know, each coach has a different philosophy. You know,
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: I do I do know that the the Red Sox today are a gritty, gritty bunch. They put the ball in play, they don't strike out that much. They you know, they hit line drives and you know, that's why they've been able to win fifteen in a row with good pitching and nine in a row. And and right now they're on a streak of five in a row, right? So it's something that, you know, you gotta hand it to them. They whatever
Geno Binda: Big time.
John Valentin: philosophy they're doing of being able to approach pitching today, you know, and they're doing a very good job. Yeah.
Geno Binda: One hundred percent. Now, I mean, batting averages, you know, across the across the league are low. And when you played, I felt like, you know, people were hitting, you know, you I mean you hit two ninety ninety, two ninety three one year. you know, I you're not you're not really seeing that as much anymore. like you think it's because now the pitching philosophy has changed where they're they're, you know, putting in these big arms and they they're just throwing a hundred miles an hour for an inning of two and then getting out of there. do you think that has a lot to do with the
John Valentin: I think you know, I think it definitely has to do with The you know, guys are throwing a lot harder, but that you're seeing a lot more pitchers. Like for instance, you know, you if if
Geno Binda: Nice.
John Valentin: the if the starting pitcher doesn't go four or five innings, you're gonna see like four or five different pitchers. And if you're seeing four or five different pitchers, most of them are throwing in the mid-upper
Geno Binda: Makes sense.
John Valentin: nineties. So that's you know, you're facing one pitcher for one at bat, then the next time you come up, you're facing another pitcher for a different at-bat. So you don't get to see the same pitcher all the time.
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: So that's why they say you you never want the pit the starting pitcher to see the the batting order three times in a row. Yeah
Geno Binda: Three times, yeah. Yep.
John Valentin: because if they see you three times in a row that third time they're you know us hitters are smart enough to know what you're gonna throw. You know so that's that's the difference. Back when we played you had a lot of guys chasing complete complete games,
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: you know, durable pitchers that were throwing well into the game, six, seven, eight innings.
Geno Binda: They just took Tolley out the other night. He was going for, you know, how the the strikeout wrecking, right? And I don't blame them for taking him out either, but I mean Yeah. No.
John Valentin: Yeah, they they don't do that anymore. They don't let the the they don't let the offense see you th th three times because if they do you're gonna get hurt, you know, sometimes most of the
Geno Binda: No, that makes sense.
John Valentin: yeah.
Mark Riley: Who is the who is the toughest pitcher you had to face?
John Valentin: There was plenty of tough pictures that I had to face.
Mark Riley: I know. It's a hard question, right? They're all major league pitchers.
John Valentin: Yeah, I mean, you know, you talk about Randy Johnson, you know, Bartolo Cologne in his prime, David Cohen was tough. You had guys that threw slow like Jimmy Key and and Jamie Moyer. You know, they throw a lot of change ups.
Geno Binda: Jamie was good.
John Valentin: but hard throw is Clemens, you know, facing Clemens was not not easy. You know, I played with him for six years in Boston and then he goes to Toronto and
Geno Binda: Right. Toronto.
John Valentin: then he goes to New York and he's very, very difficult to face. yeah. So, you know, there were a lot of guys that threw hard and threw slow too. You know, the left Left handers like Andy Pettit, Andy Pettit was difficult to face because he was a bulldog but also threw slow,
Geno Binda: He was good.
John Valentin: you know, and he could throw four pitches, so he was difficult. I mean the Yankees nineties teams were very, very difficult to play. And that's why they won. That's why they won.
Geno Binda: I mean how how good how good was Pedro?
John Valentin: Pedro's probably the best pitcher I've ever seen. Yeah. Yeah, he's probably the best pitcher I've ever seen. luckily I didn't have to face him. Being on
Geno Binda: Ha ha ha.
John Valentin: my team. But you know, you're talking about a guy that can throw ninety eight, ninety nine, you know, in his prime and have a fantastic curveball, fantastic cutter, a great changeup. I mean, you know, I I I saw him strike out Tino Martinez on five straight changeups, all different speeds. You know, you you know, he can
Geno Binda: It's filthy.
John Valentin: comm he could command a strike zone everywhere. Like it he didn't throw s he didn't throw balls unless he wanted to. You know, that's a guy that, you know, if you can throw a strike with every pitch, there is no better
Geno Binda: Click yours.
John Valentin: pitcher that can do that. You know, and I've seen Pedro do that, you know. He was that dominating. He's he's probably the most dominating pitcher I've ever seen. Yeah.
Mark Riley: Lou Lou Maloney said the same thing. He he said the same thing here. Pedro was just another level.
John Valentin: Yeah, he he was he it was a just a different animal. Yeah. You know, he was a different
Geno Binda: It was so fun watching him. Yeah.
John Valentin: yeah, he's probably the best pitcher I've ever seen. Yeah. Thank God I didn't have to face him. And and if he felt
Mark Riley: Now you played with Mo Vaughn.
John Valentin: yeah, you know you know what was so funny about Pedro? If he felt like you if he didn't like you, he hit you. You know? So he wasn't afraid to hit you either, you know, so
Mark Riley: must have been good though as a as a
John Valentin: You know, so you
Mark Riley: teammate, knowing that your pitcher had your back, you know, I mean you think of those those
John Valentin: Yeah.
Geno Binda: Mm-hmm.
Mark Riley: games, especially with the Yankees, he was not letting his teammates
John Valentin: Good dog.
Mark Riley: get even get pitched inside, let alone hit.
John Valentin: yeah, I mean y you know, if you felt like if this i if you felt like a picture was thrown at you and y all you he you didn't even have to ask him. He would know. He
Geno Binda: Mm.
John Valentin: would know. You know, 'cause he was a very very astute, you know, professional. I mean he used to watch the game not from the pitcher side, but also from the hitter side. And that's what made him so so special because he he could read swings. You know, if you if a person was swinging at a s a certain way and couldn't hit this or couldn't hit that, he would definitely know what that swing was like. And that's why he was untouchable, you know. You know, i you
Mark Riley: Yeah, you
John Valentin: know, the Yankee go ahead.
Mark Riley: No no no go ahead.
John Valentin: No, I I said the the time that he got hit with the Yankees, you know, he was left in the game and he was probably like I said, you know, you saw him for, you know, that was the seventh inning, I believe, with
Geno Binda: Yep.
John Valentin: Hideki Matsui and Posada and they got base hits off of him.
Geno Binda: Remember that.
John Valentin: that's that's you know, that's being Pedro You know, you've seen him for three, four times, then you have an idea of what h where he's gonna go, but he was still very difficult, you know, to hit.
Mark Riley: Yeah, that game was
Geno Binda: Man.
Mark Riley: a heartbreaker.
John Valentin: Yeah. That was two thousand three I believe. Yeah. Yeah.
Mark Riley: Yeah. Yeah. I was gonna say you played with Mo Vaughn in college and with the Red Sox. And he talk about a special talent and and just a a a special individual. I mean, what was it like to play for him?
Geno Binda: On in off the field.
Mark Riley: Yeah, on and off the field, like all the things he did for this community and stuff. but that must have been pretty special being able to spend that much time with him as a teammate.
John Valentin: Yeah, I mean, you know, ha you know, being able to s play with him in college is was something special. I also on that team was Craig Biggio who played for
Geno Binda: That's right.
Mark Riley: Yeah.
John Valentin: Hu for Houston. so, you know, we were dominant in college. and then, you know, to be drafted by the Red Sox myself and Mo Vaughn were something very, very special. You know, we took it, you know, we had a lot of pride. You know, we're East Coast players, East Coast kids. I'm from New Jersey and he is from Connecticut, I believe. Yeah, Norfolk, Connecticut. And, you know, the Matt Cesny, who was the scout who drafted us, loved East Coast players because they're tough, they're you know, they're tough minded, they're, you know, resilient, You know, they wanna win. You know, we play in cold weather, so, you know, we're able to withstand that cold weather
Geno Binda: Mm.
John Valentin: in April, in college per se, you know. and to be able to do that, you know, on the East Coast, and play for Fenwa in Fenway Park where it's probably a little bit colder in f in in Boston that than it is in New Jersey and New York in a sense. Ten degrees colder probably. and but the fan base is un I can't I can't speak enough about the fan base. The fan base is just unbelievable, loyal and you know, genuine and so special. You know, that, you know, when I got a chance to step into Fenway Park and play there and and get, you know, you know, get applauded by them, you know, when you do a good job, that's something that is so it stays with you forever. And that is the reason why I didn't want to leave. that I really wanted to stay there and play because it's that special, you know, when you play there. It's it's an awesome place to play.
Geno Binda: Yeah, it's great to see that park
Mark Riley: Now
Geno Binda: alive again.
John Valentin: Yeah. I mean it's great. You know, I hope it continues. Yeah.
Mark Riley: What do you i I I wanna ask you about a couple of things from your career, but what w who do you like this year for the World Series with the Red Sox playing so well? I know we're all caught up in kind of they're going to the World Series and they very well could, but who do you who do you like this year? Who's who do you think has the you know, who we might see in the final?
John Valentin: You know, a that's a good question, you know, to be honest with you. I mean, I don't get to see all games. I do see the Red Sox games. you know, I do have the package where I could see other games, but I you know, I'm not interested in anybody else. but you know, I you know, y you think about the Dodgers being able to come back and three pee. I think they're a lot vulnerable this year, to be honest with you.
Geno Binda: I agree.
John Valentin: You know, they're they're not as dominant as they were in the past two two years. I mean people have seen them, they know, you know, Yamamoto is definitely a great pitcher. and they do have you know, other pitchers there that are very, very good. But I don't see them as dominant as they were the last two years. To see them, you know, but you never know, right? I mean, because when the spotlight comes on in in October, you know, they're a type of team that can probably turn it on, you know.
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: They have that ability to turn it on. So, you know, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncie and guys of that they hit they they come in clutch hits, big home runs. Kiki Hernandez, you know, seems to hit 500 in the postseason, you know. So you have a lot of guys that, you know, play well when it counts. And they're the team that does play well when it counts. But right now, you know, what I've seen.
Mark Riley: The the thing about the Red Sox lately is that they're never out of a game. And and that I think yeah, I think that
John Valentin: Yeah, it is true. And that's yeah.
Mark Riley: will kind of translate to the playoffs really well.
John Valentin: Yeah, you hope so, right? You know, that's what you want. That's you you want a team that's scrappy, that plays a little bit of small ball, that can still hit the ball out of the ballpark. But, you know, putting the ball in play and and putting pressure on the defense is the ultimate thing that you want to do. You w you want to hit line drives and hit the ball on the ground and and make the defense make you know all the plays. And then, you know, when you ha when you're in the spotlight, you know, guys get nervous. Guys get nervous. It's the playoffs. You can't make mistakes. You you're you're
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: you know, your your awareness is heightened, right? So you're like I can't I can't mess up here, right? So that puts pressure on guys. And when you put pressure on the defense, things happen. You know? Similar to the Yankees a couple years ago, right? In that fifth inning against the Dodgers, they put pressure on them by putting the ball in play, you know, and and LA won that game because they put the ball in play. Right. So and then the Yankees made a lot of mistakes. you know, a judge dropped that ball in center field, Volpe threw that bad throw to third base, Cole doesn't, you know, cover first base, and the next thing you know they score five runs and they they win. Yeah, so
Geno Binda: Happens quick.
John Valentin: yeah, so pressure is is, you know, very, very tough, you know, tough.
Geno Binda: And that's what I love about Fedway. Like even this weekend, like watching watching the games, like the eighth innings, like the I mean they they had like the they walked the first you know the first first batter up and like the place just erupts and you just feel the like you just see the picture and like the pressure just put on just from just from the you know, the noise from the fans. It's it's awesome. I love seeing that.
John Valentin: Yeah, I mean just the other day, right? I was watching the game was it yesterday or the day before? I mean they didn't score in the eighth inning, but they ended
Geno Binda: Yeah, right.
John Valentin: up walking they ended up walking, who was the catcher, the left the lefty catcher. The sh short guy. guy No, no no.
Mark Riley: Wong. No.
Geno Binda: I forget the Kazan. W w we're we're horrible with names.
Mark Riley: I know he just got him.
John Valentin: Well anyway, they they they ended up walking and and then You know, they ended up walking him and then guys were, you know, getting a couple
Geno Binda: Yep.
John Valentin: hits and then, you know, that's what's so scrappy. And and Monasterios at shortstop has
Geno Binda: Yeah.
John Valentin: done a phenomenal job at shortstop. You know, every time he comes up to play, he he puts the ball in play. He's hitting a single or a double. He's moving the line. You know, guys are putting the ball in play and getting hits. You know, Sogard, Sogard's doing
Geno Binda: Hm. Right.
John Valentin: a great he has a great he has a great eye at the plate and then he comes up big and getting a hit the other night and
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: they end up and they end up winning. Yeah. So
Geno Binda: Now you think now you think when story's ready, do you think he comes right back in or what do what do you think they do with him? Like that's a that's a big wild card. Yeah. That's gonna be tough.
John Valentin: You know, that's that's that's it.
Geno Binda: 'Cause he wasn't playing well before he went out, so like I I hope, you know, who knows, right? Maybe the injury was lingering and that's why he wasn't playing well. Then he can come back and hit bombs, but who knows?
John Valentin: Yeah, I mean it's tough for a veteran player to come out of the game even when he's hurting because he doesn't want to come out of the game.
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: And that's probably Story's you know, misfortune in the sense that, you know, he should be probably not be playing, but he's playing 'cause he's playing hurt.
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: And then he's doesn't come up and play well, because he's hurt, you know, ends up getting hurt, and then now you have a guy who's scrappy, right? Taking the opportunity to get a chance to play in the big leagues and making
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: making the most out of it. And then you have a healthy story, right? And he could be a a guy that could hit home runs and doubles and play good defense and and steal bases,
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: but what do you do, right? What do you do with this?
Geno Binda: Stuff.
John Valentin: Scrappy, scrappy player, monasterio, right? There's
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: a b there's a bunch of scrappy players, right?
Geno Binda: The whole team is to love it.
John Valentin: Yeah. That that put the ball in play. It's really gonna be tough decision. What what do you do? You know?
Geno Binda: It'd be interesting to see how how that works out.
Mark Riley: You also have Roman Anthony might be coming back too. I mean, there's a whole nother
John Valentin: Yeah, and that's enough, you know.
Mark Riley: situation.
John Valentin: Yeah, I mean the kid is very, very talented and but you know, the difference too is with him, you know, he has all the talent in the world, he's big, they invested in him so they wanna see him play. But you know, the big league pitching is not triple A pitching, right? So you could see that, you know, he did have difficulty, you know, against big league pitching at times, right? And so did Marcelo Mara, mayor, right? You know,
Geno Binda: Might, yeah.
John Valentin: you have two guys that are, you know, number one picks and you know, they're not facing minor league pitching, they're facing big league pitching. And then they're no no longer this these great, great, you know I hope they're great players, right? But you know, what happens is they get neutralized w with good pitching. And you know, you hope they make adjustments and obviously, you know, the new coaching staff, the hitting staff is doing a r a really good job with everybody else. You hope they're doing a great job with them. And, you know, obviously Roman Anthony comes back and he plays well. You know, I hope he plays well. I want him to play well. Everybody wants him to play well, right? But, you know, big
Geno Binda: Absolutely.
John Valentin: le big league pitching is is no joke. You know, they get you out, you know?
Mark Riley: As someone that like because obviously if you if you don't never played pro ball, you wouldn't know, but the difference between triple A and Major League pitching, like, explain that. Because your average fan, you know, to the average fan, you're like, it's only one step down, but clearly it's not.
John Valentin: No, it's it's definitely not. Yeah, I mean it's really a big difference. You're talking about command, you know, being
Geno Binda: Mm.
John Valentin: able to throw the ball where you want to throw the ball. you know, you could throw a hundred miles an hour, but if you can't hit a corner, on each side of the corner, then you I'll give you a perfect example, okay? a rollers Chapman, when he was playing with the Yankees, they told they told him to throw the ball right down the middle. And look what he did, right? He fell behind. He didn't have a perfect command like he does now. He comes to Boston, they teet they tell him to work on hitting spots, throwing his fastball in the inside corner, you know, trying to throw directly to a spot and then, you know, they fix his mechanics and look at him. He's he's only blown two saves and he's been fant
Geno Binda: Incredible.
John Valentin: he's been fantastic. You know, and that's something that the Yankees, right, they couldn't figure out. Right? They couldn't figure out that he's that good, but you can't figure out how to fix him. And you gotta give a lot of credit to Boston and the way they fixed him, or not fixed him, but helped him. you know, be able to throw the ball exactly where they want to. That's big league pitching. You know, when minor leaguers come up and and they pitch, they're not able to throw the ball exactly where they want to throw the ball. They're not gonna they're not gonna stay there long enough. So that's the difference. So, you know, whenever you see a hitter, you know, and you know his weakness, he's gonna be able to, you know, if a pitcher no throws h knows how to throw the ball, and be able to throw different pitches in different areas that you can't hit and which is your weakness, right? Then you're going to have difficulty, right? So that's the difference. You know, guys are throwing harder and they throw the ball pretty much exactly where they want to throw it. And if they can do that, they're going to stay in the big leagues. And that's what happens to hitters. Young hitters don't make the adjustment. They have to make the adjustment You know, and you know, you talk about Roman Anthony, okay, he has pull power, right? He should be hitting balls off the wall. that you know, they're gonna throw him away, they're gonna make him hit balls, you know, and that's that's what happens. If you're a left-handed hitter and you don't hit balls off the wall, then that's your bad. 'Cause they're gonna they're gonna really, really throw the ball to the outside corner where a lot of people have difficulty hitting. And that's the difference. You know you know, pulling the ball is very, very easy. You know, that's the you know, we grow up as kids hitting the baseball on the inside corner all day long. You know, and they get us out when they throw the ball away. You understand? And then when we hit
Geno Binda: Yeah.
John Valentin: the ball away, they throw the ball soft, like change ups and curveballs. So you gotta hit all four things, you know, and if you have a good mix and be able to throw the ball where you want to, like a Pedro Martinez, which nobody did, right? You know, then you're you're able to neutralize the hitter. Similar to Aaron Judge, Aaron Judge hits fifty five home runs, sixty home runs during the regular season because they make a lot of mistakes
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: And then w when it comes to the playoffs, they don't make that many mistakes against Aaron Judge, right? So he ends up having a difficult time, you know, in the postseason. So that's the difference between, you know, major league pitching and even playoff pitching against, you know, minor leaguers, you know.
Geno Binda: I mean it is wild. I mean he is like he's smashing home runs all s like all season long and then he gets to the postseason and like he just disappears and that's always a big headline. It's like it's incredible.
John Valentin: Yeah, yeah. They know who not to throw to, right? You know?
Geno Binda: Yeah, right.
Mark Riley: Yeah.
John Valentin: You gotta be careful. You gotta be careful, you know.
Geno Binda: Yeah, the a little shout out to the the Bridgewater team. Callan Goodwin, good friend of mine, he was on the team and they lost to in in the sixth inning to a t to a kid that just all he does is hit home runs and nobody pitched to him. And they they pitched to him in the in the sixth and he first kid up at, smashed it right out center field. This kid was huge too. really good player for actually New Jersey guy, New Jersey team. So yeah. That was that was it was pretty fun watching those kids. were you ever a part of that?
John Valentin: no. I actually, you
Geno Binda: Ever playing? No.
John Valentin: know, I played well as a twelve year old and was able to win districts but
Geno Binda: Mm.
John Valentin: lost in the districts. you know, we weren't strong enough but was able to play well as a a little leaguer, yeah.
Geno Binda: Mm. Yeah, that's a fun little
Mark Riley: That
Geno Binda: tournament.
Mark Riley: that girl, the pitcher, the girl pitcher for I think she pitches for the Southwest. She's
Geno Binda: Yes.
Mark Riley: incredible. Complete game shout out. I mean, she's it's kind of cool to watch her pitch.
Geno Binda: She can hit, she can do it all. Yeah.
Mark Riley: Yeah. Yeah.
John Valentin: Yeah, yeah, I mean, shout out to her. I mean, for her to be great. I mean, I think it's great that, you know, young girls are getting an opportunity to to apply the sport, you know? And it's great.
Geno Binda: Yeah, my daughter plays, yeah.
John Valentin: Yeah, and it's great for that we're going to get a professional woman's team, right, this year. Right. So, you know, we're we're happy about that, you know. Yeah.
Geno Binda: That's awesome. It's
Mark Riley: Now,
Geno Binda: it
Mark Riley: I I was just gonna say, now we're you know, we're zebras, we're referees. We had Tim Sheeta, MLB ump on. What was your relationship with umpires? you know, did you get along with them? Were there ones that you liked or didn't like? You know, w talk a little bit about that because with baseball, especially that home plate it's kind of very personal because you're right there.
John Valentin: Yes, no. I think you know, referees are to be respected. Yes. You know, they have a tough job to do. You know, they they don't want to mess up, right? And you can't show them all. so, you know, I always had a really good relationship with all the umpires. I gave them much respect, said hello to them and didn't give them a hard time. You know, 'cause you know, y what it what's gonna happen if you give a hard time to an umpire, right? It's not gonna go your way, right? So yeah. You know, it's a difficult job to be able to, you know, umpire a game and you know, be questioned and you know, say that you're not doing a good job and you know, it doesn't go your way, you know. You know. So it's it's very difficult. I'm kinda you know, to me, you know, I'm a Boston guy, right? Okay, so
Geno Binda: yeah.
John Valentin: yeah, it's kinda nice to see Aaron Boone get thrown out fifty five times, you know? I'm cool with that. Yeah.
Geno Binda: I'm good with that too.
Mark Riley: Yeah, absolutely.
Geno Binda: I I Now you have all this like technology
Mark Riley: Absolutely.
Geno Binda: now with the with the the strike zone and the and the challenges and the replay and I like I heard Joe West on on the thing saying it's a it's a good thing for baseball. And in hockey I feel like it's going the other direction. I think it's just too much. But you know, for for umpires, especially behind home plate, he said it was like it's almost gonna help It's gonna mo you know, it's gonna get the right call. It's gonna make sure they, you know, tune in. And really really get the calls right. And it's gonna it's it's gonna make the umpires, you know, more in tune and more apt to get it right. And when when they are wrong or are right, there's really no argument. It's like, well, it wasn't, right? And then we're moving on. It's almost like kind of diffusing the the back and forth, like the the bullshit back and forth with each other, where they're saying, Well, this thing just said it's there's no argument now. That it's black and white almost. And I don't know how
John Valentin: Yeah.
Geno Binda: much I trust the digital thing either.
John Valentin: No, no, no. You have to trust
Geno Binda: Ha ha
John Valentin: him. But But I'm happy with the strike zone and and the challenges because it makes it makes the the game you know legit in a sense. You
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: get you know, you get umpires they need to focus a little bit better in a sense that they want to focus. They don't wanna they
Geno Binda: No.
John Valentin: don't want challenges going against them, right? So it gives them an opportunity to make sure that they're in tuned and focused on every pitch. And you know, you could see how difficult it really is, right?
Geno Binda: Right.
Mark Riley: Okay.
Geno Binda: It's like the shootout in hockey, right? Like, yeah, it's not
John Valentin: Let's go on something.
Geno Binda: it's not the real not a real game. It's not it's just, you know, let's just make get a result, right?
John Valentin: Right. The only the only thing that comes out good at that is that you save pitchers' arms in a sense, one, right? Two, you know, people don't want to be at the stadium for four hours, you know. And, you know, you wanna be able to you know, keep guys healthy. So that, you know, that is the the three things that I think are probably the most important, i is trying to keep guys on the field, healthy, the fans happy and you know, hopefully you know, it turns out to be a good game, you know.
Mark Riley: You got the pitch clock too. that's kind of sped up the game a little bit, which I think they needed to do. do you think though that like the challenges,
John Valentin: Yes.
Mark Riley: you only get two challenges? I I I feel like they should get more. You know, like I don't know, 'cause the sometimes the umps are just way off.
John Valentin: Yeah, but you can't give everybody you know, I think they have to be a little bit smarter with their challenges, you know, as far as you know, you you don't really want to do it in the first first inning, you know, s second inning. You you want to save when you need basically. You know, so you know, players have to be a little bit smarter with that. you know, and and that's pretty much it. I think they're getting You know, if you give the opportunity to the player, and not talk to him and how how smart it is to save the the the the challenges, then you you're gonna get every player going, you know, like Jazz Chisel man in New York, he's touch hatch tapping his hat in the first inning every you know, he's crazy, you know? So
Mark Riley: Right.
John Valentin: you don't want that. Yeah.
Geno Binda: Point. No. I I
Mark Riley: Yeah.
Geno Binda: like I like how they have a restriction on it 'cause it it would it would get too much.
Mark Riley: Well, I don't think it should be unlimited. Don't get me wrong. I don't think you should be able to do
John Valentin: Yeah, you guys Yeah, yeah.
Mark Riley: it all the time, but maybe a couple more. I don't know.
John Valentin: The fans will go crazy, you know, you be be there all day, you know.
Mark Riley: True. True. Now I I wanna bring this up because a lot of people, I don't think, realize this. You're the only major league player ever to do three things the unassisted triple play, three home runs in one game, and hit for the cycle. And I was talking
Geno Binda: That just happened.
Mark Riley: to a buddy of mine and I said, we got John Valentin coming on. He was like, and w he my actually it was my friend Greg Murphy. who who's a former guest and he was like I was at that game he did the he turned the triple play and he was all fired up about it. But that's
Geno Binda: I was sick.
Mark Riley: something that like that's a huge accomplishment.
John Valentin: yeah, I mean I'm proud of it. Yeah, I'm proud of it. I don't ri I mean
Mark Riley: I know you don't like talking about yourself, but it's pretty friggin' cool.
John Valentin: it's pretty cool to be the only guy to do it. Yes, yes. You know, but it's not something that I talk about. I mean it's right place, right time, I guess. I don't know. I think what was cool was the I mean the three homer game is great, you know, but
Geno Binda: That's awesome.
John Valentin: but the cycle was very, very cool. You know, getting a home run in your first at bat, then hitting a ball off a center field, off and then it bounced over the center fielder's head to give me a chance to go to third. That was fantastic. and then now I gotta get a single and a double. And even though I I knew I had to get I wasn't trying for them, you know? So, you know, my next hit was a blooper over the shortstop's head, off the end of the bat, and then, you know, I have a you know, I need a double, but I'm not thinking about it, you know. I get a first pitch slider from Joe McGrain who's still in the game, and I hit it over the third baseman's head. So at second base I'm like, Wow, I just did that, you know, so that's kinda cool. Yeah. It's kinda cool. Fine.
Geno Binda: That's so cool. A cycle.
Mark Riley: We're we're so I know you you're not you gotta be up there though. Is it in your head at all? Like like I could do this? Or would like the teammates like, Come on, you gotta get a double? Like that's gotta be you would just
Geno Binda: No, you don't say anything.
Mark Riley: Yeah.
John Valentin: No, we didn't say anything. No.
Mark Riley: Yeah.
John Valentin: You know, not not one thing. You know. It just happened. I mean, after the st the Homer and Triple, I mean no one's thinking about it, but you know, it's still you gotta get four hits, you gotta get four different hits, you know? That doesn't happen that long that much, you know.
Mark Riley: No, that's a huge I mean that but the triple play, you don't see that very often either.
John Valentin: That's luck. That's luck,
Geno Binda: Yeah.
John Valentin: you know?
Mark Riley: Right. Right place.
John Valentin: You know, I'm just so happy that you know, I'm just so happy Lou Pinello took the bunt sign off and gave his guy a chance to hit and I'm like, All right, you know, you know, he hits it to me, I'm like, All right, they're running. All right. I touch second base and I like, I'm not really sure, but I'm gonna tag anyway, you know.
Mark Riley: Yeah. But
John Valentin: You know, so
Mark Riley: but that's where I think it one of my favorite sayings is chance favors those who prepare. You know, if you're not in that game, that you know, yeah, it's lock, it's you know, you can say it's right place, right time, right situation, but you still have to execute. You still have to, you know, be aware of what potentially could happen. I think that's what's most impressive.
John Valentin: I mean, yeah, yeah. You gotta be prepared. There's no doubt. You know, y we're taught very young to actually think about what can happen before it happens, right? So it's man on first and second. We're trying to stop the bunt the the runners from going from first and second to second and third by a bunt play situation. We're actually trying to get the out at third, right? So we keep him close at second. But he hit hits a ground ball, right? We definitely have a chance to turn a double play. He misses the bunt, right? And then okay. Now everybody knows he's bunting. Everybody knows he's bunting, right? So now we ha we're very, very alert he's gonna bur bunt, so we're gonna try to get that guy at third base. And then Lu Pinella says, no, no, no, we're not gonna bunt, we're gonna hit. They're in a bunt situation, so I'm really close to the runner at second base, and shortstop's pretty much wide open, right? So he has to hit a ball at shortstop where he can, right? Right? And it so happens that he d he hits it right at me instead of to my right. You know, if he hits it to my right, yeah, they score a run, it's first and second again. Right? So yeah, it's it's just a coincidence and lucky that he hit it right to me.
Mark Riley: Right.
John Valentin: And you know, I was happy about that, right? So we're all happy about that. That was funny.
Mark Riley: No i you i major league everyone he has crazy stories. What's the craziest thing you saw in your time in the major leagues, you know, on or off the field?
John Valentin: God, craziest thing? God, I don't have any crazy things. Craziest thing. God. You put me on the spot here, you know?
Geno Binda: Yeah.
Mark Riley: Sorry. Maybe at Fenway. You know, j just like i certain things happen and you're just standing there in the field going, What the hell is going on?
John Valentin: I think seeing Jose Conseco pitch in the in the tenth, twelfth inning one time throwing knuckleballs, because you know, he always wanted to do that, you know? So yeah. I mean, why why would you put Jose Conseco on the mound to throw knuckleballs, right?
Mark Riley: Yeah.
John Valentin: Who knows? You know, but he was a he was a treat to play with. He was a lot of fun to play with, you know. Crazy guy.
Mark Riley: And and who was who would you consider your best teammate? We just had Pat Leahy on last episode and he talked about Joe Thornton and how Joe Thornton was like that teammate that everyone dreamed about. Who was that guy for you, that you played with?
John Valentin: I would say you know, the two players that I was really well three players were that I was really close to were Troy O'Leary, who played behind me at left field, Darren Lewis, who played, you know, center field.
Geno Binda: Delivery.
John Valentin: And Mo Vaughn, actually, you know, my college teammate. So, you know, we were really close. Our lockers were close to to each other, and you know, we had a lot of fun. So, you know, when it when it was time to talk to the team from a veteran standpoint, you know, we were the guys that were able to do it. You know, Mo was the leader. Mo was David Ortiz before David Ortiz, you know, you know, so he hit a he had great season with Boston. It's just that David obviously was Mr. Clutch and was able to beat the Yankees, right? You know, hit great home runs and hits and and be able to take the city by storm. Right. So, you know, I'm a very, very big fan of David Ortiz. he's been fantastic and everybody loves him and and and And obviously so. You know, we really want we we loved what he did and and his teams with Jason Veritek and Derek Lowe and Tim Wakefield winning world championships. It was it's like we want too, because they were you you know, most of those guys were our teammates too. You know
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: Jason Veritek and Derek Lowe, You know, Big Poppy came in two thousand two, I believe. I was or two thousand three, I'm not sure. and, you know, I was hurt, right? So I was hurting on my way out. and Mo Vaughn had left us in ninety six going to Anaheim because he he got a very good free agent deal. so, you know, mi you know, we missed him. You know, obviously. Would love to have had him stay at Fenway Park, but that didn't happen. but yeah, to see the the Red Sox win in two thousand and four against the Yankees down three, you know, that was something special.
Geno Binda: It was awesome.
John Valentin: You know, so you know, that was great and you know, to see in O seven and thirteen and eighteen to do it again, that's something that you you know, you don't see that often, right? so, you know, we're you know, all us Red Sox players are always rooting for the Red Sox teams. You know, the team the team this year is fantastic and you know, they're scrappy and they don't want to lose and they you know, they're they're sweeping you know they s they swept the Yankees. It's all started with the Yankees, right? They swept the Yankees, they swept Tampa, they swept Hawaii.
Geno Binda: Yep. Just went to LA.
John Valentin: Yeah, you know, so I mean you got to give them a lot of credit for coming back and, you know, deservingly so. They deserve it. You know, so hopefully they can keep going and obviously win and get into the playoffs and go for a deep run and hopefully with good pitching and timely hitting they can they you know get to that point again again to win a World Series. Tough to do though.
Geno Binda: Absolutely. Playoff baseball is the best. Every pitch
John Valentin: Yeah.
Geno Binda: means something. Ever yeah, it's awesome.
Mark Riley: What what I find really cool, John, is that you you're not only and you're in the Red Sox Hall of Fame, which is awesome. you played for the Red Sox, but you're i like and and we see it a lot with Boston sports teams, you know, they remain fans of the team they played for. You see it a lot with the Bruins. A lot of those guys stay around, they don't move, you know, they stay in Boston to make Boston their home. I think that's a a very cool thing. You know, that it it's it's and I guess it's unique nowadays because so many people move teams, right? Like very rarely do you have players stay with one team for their whole career or the majority of their career. I just think that I I just want to point that out 'cause I think it's it's refreshing. Like when I said I heard you say I hate the Yankees, it was like it was just I don't know, it's just cool to me.
John Valentin: Yeah, well, you know, I come from New Jersey, right? So I am a New Jersey, New York kind of kid, but really New Jersey. And you know, I hate to you know I love the city of Boston. I mean the city of Boston is so so awesome. I mean it's so clean. You know, it's so the people are so great, you know. and it's a small big city. It's a big city but a small city, you know?
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: And it's i you know, you have you have everything you want in Boston. You know, you have great living, you have great food, you have great restaurants, you have places to go, you have history, yeah history in Boston. So, it's a perfect place, really, to be honest with you. And you know, to have the opportunity to play in front of the fans in Boston is just a gift, you know, that I I think most players cherish. so it's that special, you know. You know, New York is yeah. New York is you know it's a big city and you know, it's it's It's distracting. It's you know it's so much to do but you know, it's still you know, it could be taken care of so much better. But Boston obviously knows what to do. You know? They do a great
Mark Riley: Love hearing that.
John Valentin: job.
Mark Riley: Love hearing that. last last question for me, because I'm interested. Do you think Chad Tracy should just be named manager and get the interim word out of there?
Geno Binda: Mm.
John Valentin: for what he's done, I would you know, I'm not I'm not anywhere in the position to make that decision or, you know, to you know, tell people what to do or whatever, but he he he definitely has the pulse of the
Geno Binda: Mm-hmm.
John Valentin: team and he's pushing the right buttons and he he knows the players and you know, he's giving them you know, a lot of you know, opportunity to have success and putting players in their places where they need to play and play well. You know, I would not I definitely would not want him to go. You know, obviously want him to continue his success and hopefully you know, hopefully they they give him an opportunity to do so. You know. You don't know what direction, you know, it's gonna go, right? So, you know, but yeah, he's deserving of an opportunity, sure. But you know, I'm not one to decide that. Yeah.
Mark Riley: Yeah, I just think how how do you get rid of them after I mean, no matter what happens in the playoffs, you know, this team has completely done a three sixty. I mean, they sucked at the beginning of the year, right? Like they everyone was rid wrote wrote off. And now they're doing so well. I just don't know how you'd get rid of them.
John Valentin: Yeah, I'm a fan of h him staying, so you know, yeah.
Mark Riley: Yeah. No. and well, all right, I I said that was my last question, but bringing up managers, who was your favorite
John Valentin: Well.
Mark Riley: manager to play for?
John Valentin: You know, I loved all my managers, to be honest with you. You know,
Geno Binda: Mm-mm.
John Valentin: You know, they all had their own personality and they all gave me an opportunity to play. and they were all in my corner. because, you know, everybody likes a p a guy who plays hard, I guess. You know, I tried to play hard all the time, you know. you know, I left it on the field, which, you know, if you don't then you know, you don't deserve to play, right? So you gotta be able to leave your heart and sleeve and blood Sweat and tears on the field, you know, and be able to at least give it your best effort to play your best. and Boston brought that out in me. but you know, I think it was instilled in me throughout the years in in my New Jersey upbringing and my, you know, family and the way we do things, and you only do it the best of your ability and so on and so forth. but you know, Butch Hobson gave me the opportunity to play. when when he was manager and I was very happy and fortunate for that. I you know I obviously played well enough to continue to play. Kevin Kennedy brought me in to bat in the two-hole where I was batting in the eighth and ninth hole to get play in front of the three four and five players like Mo Vaughn and Jose Conseco and and Mike Greenwell and guys like of That nature
Geno Binda: Greenwell.
John Valentin: put me in an opportunity to get on base and be a more like a doubles machine. I wasn't a person who stole bases, but I was able to swing the bat a little bit, and they gave me that opportunity, and that I'm thankful for that. And Jimmy Williams, you know, obviously was a very good manager, a very witty type manager. he got a lot out of his players, and also, you know, gave me the opportunity. to, you know, obviously, you know, I didn't like moving from shortstop, but, you know, I moved for the team. and I moved because I played well at at at Fenway Park and loved playing there. And, you know, he was a g he was a good manager too. we were able to go to the playoffs. It was just unfortunate that, you know, we were facing, you know, the New York Yankees of the nineties that were really tough, right? They had the core yeah, they
Geno Binda: They were nasty.
John Valentin: were really tough. They had tough pitching. They had timely hitting. and you know, they played good defense. So they were tough to beat and that's you know, to see the Red Sox, you beat them in two thousand and four was ph phenomenal. see you know get over the hump, right?
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: You know, I kind of feel like the Red Sox of today are not, you know,
Geno Binda: Mm-hmm.
John Valentin: they feel very, very confident against the Yankees now. You know, they don't they don't, you know, we didn't really take their, you know, we didn't take their shit. You know what I mean? So we we
Geno Binda: Okay.
John Valentin: we really wanted to go after them. And that's why, you know, I guess for not winning That's probably why I hate you know.
Geno Binda: Right.
John Valentin: But, you know, to see them you know, to see them struggle, you know, and and have the Red Sox play w well against them is something that I'd like to see. And, you know, obviously they're the Red Sox are gonna be coming and playing with them against them in the next week or so or whatever.
Geno Binda: Yep.
John Valentin: four games, hopefully they do well again.
Mark Riley: Yeah, four games in three days. And it's
John Valentin: Yeah.
Mark Riley: a pretty huge series for sure. So yeah.
John Valentin: For both sides, yes.
Geno Binda: Mm-mm.
Mark Riley: Well, John, this has been awesome, man. I as a kid who watched you play,
Geno Binda: Yeah, I agree.
Mark Riley: my my dad, I I didn't want to say this in the beginning, thinking I was, you know, trying to get on your good side. But my dad, you were one of his favorites because you played the way you played. He loved that type of player. And so this has been a really cool to have you on the podcast and And if he was still around, he'd he'd be he'd probably be sitting there next to me wanting to ask you questions. So just wanna thank you for coming on 'cause it's been
John Valentin: Yeah. It you know, I'm
Mark Riley: awesome.
Geno Binda: Yes, thank you.
John Valentin: yeah, no, thank you. I loved it. and obviously, you know, we bleed red for a reason, right? It's red socks
Mark Riley: Yeah.
John Valentin: red, right? Cool socks.
Geno Binda: Absolutely. Go socks, baby.
Mark Riley: One hundred percent. Right on. So all about baseball this week. I love it. Socks are into it. Things are looking up and w w John Valentin just just absolutely a
Geno Binda: Fenway's alive.
Mark Riley: great guy.
Geno Binda: Yes, yeah, yeah, he was great. just down to earth. Like you said, doesn't like talking about himself, but you know, when we get these guys open it up, you can just like they really like at the end, like you're like, I really enjoyed it, would like to come back. that that's what I like to see when we, you know, talk to these guys. And I you know, it's I mean like I said earlier in the opening, like it was so So cool to, you know, have a guy that you watch through high school and just, you know, get to you know, just talk about his time playing. 'Cause like we we got to enjoy it and yeah, it's a lot of fun.
Mark Riley: Yeah, it was cool. Like I mentioned, my dad he my dad loved John Valentin and for the way he played. So to have him on was pretty cool. And I love the fact that he hates the Yankees. So
Geno Binda: that's the best part, right? Like I mean you hear you hit y you know, like the Tom like the Patriots in the fucking Super Bowl and you got Brady going, I don't have a dog in the fight. It's like this guy, you know, he didn't win crap with the Red Sox, but you know, bled you know bled red. Red and white,
Mark Riley: Yeah.
Geno Binda: all you know, red the Red Sox and Yeah, it's the rival's real. That's like if that
Mark Riley: Yeah.
Geno Binda: that doesn't you know, that doesn't prove it, I don't know what we'll
Mark Riley: That's a great point bringing up Brady, you know, and and saying he had no dog
Geno Binda: Yeah.
Mark Riley: in the fight when he when he played here pretty much his whole career.
Geno Binda: Yeah.
Mark Riley: It's like i i and and John grew up a Mets fan, was able to play for the Mets
Geno Binda: Right.
Mark Riley: in his last year in the major leagues, but still bleeds Red Sox Red. So kinda cool. Definitely.
Geno Binda: Huh. Yeah. Yeah, he was great. Hope you enjoyed it.
Mark Riley: All right. Well that's gonna that's gonna wrap it up for us. chirping zebras. We wanna remind you to like and subscribe on YouTube and follow us on all the social medias, the Instagram, the Facebook and of course
Geno Binda: The TikTok.
Mark Riley: Thank you, Gino. Also want to thank our sponsor, the referees, Creese. You one stop shop for all your refereeing needs. And check out our website, chirpingzeebras.com. come out and see me do comedy sometime. Check me out, Mark Riley Comedy. And don't yell at referees when you're out in the ranks, right, Gino?
Geno Binda: Dude, that that yes, it don't do that. But one of your one of your bitch you put out the other night, sorry, you you screwed me up with the comedy thing. I spit my beer out out out loud. I mean I I was taking
Mark Riley: Tid you real?
Geno Binda: a sip of beer and I s and I spit it and went through my nose and everything. It was when the when the girl asked you a question, you were like, so we're asking questions now. I didn't know.
Mark Riley: Ha ha ha.
Geno Binda: Dude, I was just like that delivery, like you like you paused, you waited, you just set it up. Like, I spit my beer out.
Mark Riley: That's awesome. That's awesome. I appreciate that. That's what I go for, a little spit take every once in a while.
Geno Binda: Yeah, it was good. I mean a stupid reel I'm listening to. I laugh. I mean, I I
Mark Riley: Well it's
Geno Binda: I mean honestly, I I'm with I'm a fan of comedians, right? And like I you know, Josh Kyle and all the greats, right? I I mean I used to watch and listen to him my father all the time. It's just like, yeah, that delivery was fucking spot on. That was funny.
Mark Riley: Love it. I appreciate it, my man.
Geno Binda: Crowd work, crowd work's always good.
Mark Riley: Absolutely. We love it. so we'll with with with that, we'll sign off for Geno Binder or Mark Riley. We'll see you next time right here on the Chirping Zebras.
Geno Binda: you