Brewers Built a Baseball Machine & Is THIS Finally the World Series Team?

0:00It's time for the best 60 minutes of your life. This is The Homer Hour, broadcasting live from the Gruber Law offices won't call that's all studio with the avenue in downtown Milwaukee. Here's Emmy Award winner, Homer. Here's Emmy Award winner, Homer. Here's Emmy Award winner, Homer. Here's Emmy Award winner, Homer. Here's Emmy Award winner, Homer. Here's Emmy Award winner, Homer. I leave four October fans here. All the stuff the birds are giving away, everybody. Celebrating that there will be tickets for the postseason. Some went on sale today. Special Wisconsin resident pre-sale started this morning. People taking advantage of it here in the rally for October and tickets for the first round of the postseason will go on sale to the general public beginning on Wednesday, September 23rd. That will be tomorrow at noon. Fans can purchase tickets at brewers.com slash postseason. The brewers win the division for the fourth year in a row.

1:00They're getting close, very close to getting the buy. Everybody's assuming they'll get the buy. Either as a one seed or a two seed, probably a one seed. Postseason bound for the eighth time in the last nine years. Wow, it is incredible. Joining us now is 755, formerly known as Jerry Augustine because Jerry Augustine was the winning pitcher when Hank Aaron hit his final, 755th home run. 755, good afternoon. Good afternoon, Homer. It's getting exciting. You get to the end of the season and this is the time and year where you start thinking about the postseason and all the excitement but there's still some games to be played and that's pretty, they have some interesting games and it all starts tonight with the Philadelphia Philly. I want to know, given your understanding of the brewers and did you play 10 years? Was it 10 years with the brewers? Am I close? Yes, I did.

2:02To consider what your thought is when I tell you the brewers have one postseason play for the eighth time in the last nine years and the division champs for the fourth consecutive year. It is amazing, and it's a real credit to an organization when you talk about what they do and what they had to do to build a good organization. And it started from the top to the bottom and it was about being able to get players that you fit your type of personality, the type that you go out and you build each and every year and get the guys that can invest in, that can improve and help your ball club. And they've changed it. It all starts way back. When you look at it, it starts way back when David Sterns took over. Craig Colson started saying that, you know what, we're going to change the, we're going to change what this ball club is all about. That when players come here, they're going to be good teammates. It's going to be from top to bottom. We're going to have it and it's progressed and now it's just at a stage right now

3:03where this ball club, this organization really is one of the best in all of baseball. And that is not to say that Doug Melvin did anything wrong. He didn't. I think Doug Melvin is pretty good, this is a whole new level. Well, I think Doug Melvin started it. I think after the 2008 season, he knew that he was coming to the end for him or how long he was going to be the GM here. I think he started sitting to tone. If you remember, he made a train for, trade for Josh Aitor. That trade right there kind of started things a little bit. We started getting some good young players. We started building the organization. We started thinking as an organization that we have to change. We have to evolve and we have to get better in certain areas. One of those areas was pitching and you saw this organization go out and get good quality young players in the pitching area. Now what they do, they get good quality players in all positions and that's really paid off.

4:03Talking with 755, formerly known as Jerry Augustine, he hasn't changed his middle name yet. Jerry 755 Augustine, if that ever happens, we're having a parade. We're having some kind of a party. We're doing something. But that's that. I gotta do it, Homer, I gotta do it. You're Jerry Augustine, you're 755. You don't have to do anything. You don't have to do anything. Let's just, it was honor. It's honor. It's honor. Let's just, because in baseball, you understand and observe how hard it is to select talent. More so than any other sports, you're gonna have somebody who's the second overall pick and maybe not even make it to the majors. It's hard to be able to figure out who's gonna be good, even if you're good at it, it's hard. What? It is really hard. It's hard, Homer, I think. I think you have to be. They have to be analyzing, you brought up some of it, but how hard does he pitch?

5:05Or what, there are so many stats now. And clearly, everybody has the stats, but that doesn't mean they use them the same way. Or you develop them the same way. Take it away. I think every organization takes on a personality of which they feel best fits them. And I think that's what the brewers do. They pick guys that are not only talented in the physical side of it that have a good arm, but the guys that they know that are gonna fit their personality, not only in the educational part of learning how to pitch and be better and willing to learn and step back and take that step back if you have to be better. And also, the one education part of it is are you willing to step up and make some changes if you have to? And I think that's what they do. They get good young players with good arms that are talented, they're athletic, and they make them players. And they make them players, first of all, physically, they make them players mentally, and the last thing, educational-wise, that part of it is such a big part of the game.

6:07And I'll tell you why, the classic example is Jacob Mizorowski. He was a great pitcher, had a great arm, but you look at his development. His development was not only that he could throw the ball 100 miles an hour. His development was that educational-wise, he learned how to become a good pitcher. And talking again with 755, formerly known as Jerry Augustine, I bring this up because you have all these other teams doing the same thing, trying to do the same thing. You have David Sterns, it was so successful here, more successful here than with the meds where he's gone and he has five times as much money. Whatever, I know this, if I was with another organization, and they hire me, the first thing I do is say, I hire someone, say, your job is to figure out everything the brewers do. Just figure it out. Why? Because the money is huge. How can they do this? What do they see that all the other teams don't see

7:09to a certain degree? Because everybody is trying to do exactly the same thing, correct? I think the first thing they did is they got the pitching lab. And the pitching lab made them understand of what you need to be a major league pitcher. I think you do a lot of things. They do a lot of things in there that give them instruments to help a pitcher become better. So then I'm at another team, 755. I'm hired somebody from the brewers because I want to know more about that pitching lab. But you've got to take it to another extent there, Homer. It's not just that pitching lab. It's who do you hire? Who's the person that's going to be lead the pitching? And I think when they got Chris Hook, Chris Hook hired and does pitching a little bit different. First of all, he understands that pitchers have ability to throw the ball well. They take that pitch and they make that best pitch better. But I think he learns more on a personal way, and learning about who they are, what they do, how they function,

8:09what their attitude is. And I think that is as important as throwing the ball over to plate. I think that attitude and that ability to make adjustments and willing to learn is as important. And I think Chris Hook and Jim Henderson have done an excellent job. What did they not know about you that you knew, or they knew that turned you into a major league pitcher? You pitched for what? Concordia UW lacrosse, UW-River Falls, UW-R. What? Where? Actually it was like that. I think when they drafted, I pitched in the first year that I pitched. I think they found out that inside of me, I really had the willingness to do whatever I had. There was nothing that I believed that I couldn't do. I had the urge that I said, you know what? Give me an opportunity and I'll step up and I'll do well. What did you have to change? Up above anything else? I don't know how you pitched as a college pitcher. I think the one thing is I learned when I got to professional level

9:11that you have to step it up and you have to be the best you can be every time out, that you have the willingness to step back and say, hey, you know what? I'm not perfect. But I can only work to be the best I can be. And I think that's what happened early in my career. I was able to command the strike zone, I was able to move the ball. And all of a sudden, mentally, there was nobody that was going to beat me. I don't care who it was, when it was, or who I was facing. I don't care how I could pitch against anybody. And if it's one on one, I'm going to beat you because that's my job. Hold on. I'm trying to thank who are the great hitters when you play? Who are the best hitters you face? George Brent. I mean, there's all gamers or dirt and licks. I'm George Brents at the plate. And your cherry Augustine, come on, George. George Brents going, thinking, you don't have anything that can make it that hard for me to hit. Or what? How do you look at George Brents? I can get him out. I'll tell you what, I got it first of all. I'm a kind of guy that pitches the both sides of the plate. I move the ball around. George Brent was the kind of guy that I got a success of George Brent when I didn't throw

10:14consistently to one side of the plate. I had to show him that I could pitch in, not only down in the zone, but up in the zone. Up in the zone that George Brent was so important because I could back his hands off the plate. And then I could use the fastball either a sinker away or a slider away. And I'd get him to go out and reach and pull the turn the ball over and hit a ground ball the second base. So that, I think that's the style that I use against something. But you change, you get every hitter. You find out what your successes are and then you pitch that way. Then you don't have to mention names. Whether some people you face and they came to the plate and you go, dude's got no chance. I own this guy. I mean, I might make a mistake, dude, but I can throw at this and this. And he just can't hit it hard or what's the dynamic of exactly the other way? The dynamics of the other way was Jerry Remy. I think Jerry Remy hit 900 off of me. A little second baseman. I could not get him out no matter if I pitch him in or out. He just put the ball and play off of me and he ball. He got on base.

11:15I remember one time in Boston against him. I threw a ball in, he had a double down the right field line. I threw a slider away, he had a double down the left field line. Third time up, I got him out. And I asked Charlie, I said boy, Charlie, we got him out that time. Charlie said I told him what was coming right down the middle of the line drive right at Gumby. So, you know, hold on, hold on, hold on, Jerry. Hold on, Jerry. People need to know. That's not a story. That's the truth, right? That is the truth. I really ran me against Boston. First time I've double over over the first baseman. Had a double to right field in the corner. Third time up, I went in at the Charlie. I can't get this guy out. Third time up, he called fastball, sat down in the middle. Boom, line drive right at Jimmy Gander, second baseman. I got to the sidelines, I sat down to Charlie. He said, we got him that time, Oggi, I told him what was coming. So, I mean, it was, I don't know if Charlie did. I don't know. He probably said fastball, maybe or whatever. But I got the guy out and that was, that's what was important. Well, I know, I bet I could see him going. There's no hope.

12:16So let's try this. It couldn't do worse. But clearly, time with 755, formerly known as Jerry Augustine. There can't be too many hitters like that or you're gone. You're done. Did you ever had a stretch where you lost it and then had to get it back and what you do to get it back? I pitch the game against the Boston Red Sox. Now you're bringing back memories. I pitch against the Boston Red Sox. I gave a four runs in the first inning with five hits. The rest of the game I gave up two hits. I mean, I what happened after that first inning, I got out there and what I was doing, I was just overthrowing, I was getting behind. I went out the second, I went out that inning all of a sudden I got my break and ball over for strikes to both sides of plate. I started throwing the ball, sinking the ball away. And number one, I pitched the head. I pitched down in his own and I pitched the head and I shut him out the rest of the game. I ended up losing four to three, but I pitched the complete game and almost, and almost made a comeback. Bruce almost got me back and almost got a win. Talking with 755, formerly known as Jerry Augustine because I'm out at Ampham the rally for October.

13:18The brewers giving all kinds of stuff away. People were getting tickets that is special Wisconsin resident pre-sale. Every ticket's go on sale to the general public tomorrow at noon and they're just doing all kinds of nice stuff, giving tons of stuff away. People are out here even though it's cold. Talking with Jerry Augustine, we'll get to the brewers about the chances of winning the World Series at that level. But so you're, there's always this discussion about the catchers. And then there's Bob Euker's line that he walked halfway out to Lou Berdette and Berdette said, go back behind the play. You come out here, people are going to think you're going to tell me something about pitching. You don't know Jack about pitching. I don't know if that's accurate. I think you could probably have that with some pitchers. I don't know that they would be that rude because Euker never said it. But there weren't that many catchers in the big leagues. If you were good enough to be a catcher on any team, you had to be good. There weren't many teams and every team I think had two catchers.

14:21Wasn't that pretty much it? Pretty much so, you know, some carry three. But many was too. I think back in those days, you know, every pitcher has their own personality. And when they're on the mound, some people like to be left alone. If you're not taking me out of the game, don't come out and talk to me. I mean, I'm in sync with what I have to do. I know how to make the adjustments and certain pitchers, you just leave them alone, you let them make their adjustments. But you know, there's times when catchers go out and they really have a lot to do it. I think William Contreras and Gary Sanchez are the best duel of catchers in the major leagues right now. And let me tell you why, Homer, because they're invested in this pitching staff. When you watch William Contreras behind the plate, he's always making motion to the pitcher. If you make a mistake, you ever watch him throw the ball back to the pitcher, he throws a 90 mile in our fastball right back at him. Just to wake up and say, hey, hey, watch me, watch me. There are times when you'll look at him and you'll go, you'll guy make a good pitch. It's maybe not a strike, but it's a good pitch.

15:22The kind of pitch he wants, you see him make that fist. And I think if there's not a better catcher in all the baseball that studies, hitters and studies teams and how to pitch, then William Contreras. And he's a huge reason why this pitching staff is so good. Time to go to Jerry Augustine now. I will say this. That I would have done anything Ted Simmons ever told me if I was a pitcher. Other than a probably say, you just need to quit. You're no good. I'm asking this as a question, but I can't believe there was anybody, any catcher ever smarter. Now what value that has, that's just, am I close to accurate or what were his ideas as a catcher? Because clearly to me, he was a major leader on that team that went to the World Series. No question, there's no question. I remember I, I'm a first game I started that Teddy caught me behind a plate.

16:24He had caught me a couple of times before that, not in starting rotation type things, but maybe in relief pitches. He came up to me and he sat by the lock and he says, Jerry Augustine, this is where I see you. This is what I want to accomplish. When you get out there, I'm at throw balls in a certain spot. If you disagree with me, step off and I'll rethink it. I don't think I stepped off at one pitch. I don't think I ever shook off a pitch to Teddy Simmons. And there's times I can honestly tell you, I came and I faced guys in the major leagues where he walked out to the mountain. He said to me, you know, Oggi, no strides tonight. No August, no signs for you tonight. You're fastball, they can't hit it. I'll put up the target, get it and we'll get out of it. And he was successful. Probably 90% of the time. He just has so much great knowledge, but I don't remember that much ever shaking Teddy Simmons off. And this is an old testament thought. People do not realize how great he was.

17:25And if he had not lived at almost exactly the same time as Johnny Bench, Teddy Simmons would be viewed as one of the greatest catchers ever. One of the greatest minds behind the plate. Yeah, but he always had to compare him to Johnny Bench. And he was right. That's right. Johnny Bench. That's right, but his mind behind the plate was. Yes, it was so good because any time Teddy Simmons would have a little group of guys out. We talked pitching. It was always so much fun because you learned every time. Each and every time. And he, where he set up a game. And I can remember games. He came up to me. I started a couple of games that he came up. He said, you know, this is dominant break. This is dominant fastball. He didn't keep all he had. You've got to give me your breaking ball. You've got to give it to me. And you know, he'd go back and we we use it. But we use it beside my fastball. Locate the fastball. Use the breakable. A lot like the pitches today. A lot like Contrares does today. He knows when to the when to use it. He knows how the pitches make a just. But he knows when his pitchers on his staff

18:27are struggling and how to get them back. I think William Contrares is the best catcher in all of baseball. And I just this I don't care if you agree or disagree. But I was there when he was on the team. And he was the first person I would always go to. And he'd be sitting in his chair. And I'd say, can I do an interview? He said, sure, wait a second. He had to take a puff of his cigarette and a drink of his beer, middle of life. Once he did both, put him down. He would be happy to talk. Yeah, he is. You know, Timba, great guy. I mean, there's a guy with knowledge if anybody is fun to talk to. And when you get him into a baseball conversation, one of the great, I tell you, not only one of the great catchers with a baseball mind behind the plate, one of these players that had a great mind about the game of baseball in its entirety. And he was something very special. And I'll say, we were very lucky to have him back in 81 and 82.

19:28Talking with Jerry Augustine, we're going to break. And then I want to get to what I think is the biggest part. And that is that this brewer team might have the best chance to get to the World Series of any brewer team since 1982 and 755, former Lenovo's Jerry Augustine, but no, because he was on the team in 82 next. All right, we have Corey Hart and Jeff Jenkins. And I did my job. My younger brother, the tennis coach at Western Kentucky, he knows everything about Corey Hart from when he was two years old. The story about Corey Hart is, I think I have this right, that he was so good at baseball, like you're supposed to Jerry start at eight. And he was six, and his dad lied on his birth certificate, saying he was eight, so he could start playing. And he was so good, no one noticed. Do you think that's true? Hold on a second, did I mess this up?

20:31I'm not hearing anybody. Am I okay? I'm here, Homer. Okay, sorry. Did you hear my Corey Hart story? Yeah, you know what? I believe that when you look at Corey Hart and the way he played the game, it's just his natural ability that he had and going on and watch you know that this was a young man that was, he was talented when he was real young. That whole group of guys with Corey Hart, JJ Hart, he Prince Fielder, they all had a special, they're all very special athletes. And also I'm gonna ask you this, because they were part, Jenkins was before got like that. I think this team has the best chance to win the World Series of any team since 82. It's no guarantee, the Dodgers are great, but Bay Bruth might be heard a little bit. Is that a fair? It's not, I'm gonna be upset if they don't do it, but they've got stuff. This is a really good baseball team homer

21:31and it all starts with what they've done. And you know, back when we got hit Harvey, Harvey took over midway through the season and he changed the culture the next day. When he took over as manager, he changed the culture by saying, you guys are great baseball players. All I expect is when you walk through that door, you play, you come in to win, and when you take the field, you play 100%. It's no different than what Murph has done with this ball club now. This is a team from the beginning of the season was focused on doing one thing, playing good, solid baseball in all three phases. I think they have by far, have the best pitching staff in all of baseball. And I think that's what's gonna carry them to the World Series. And we will see you're the best. I can't wait till you change your middle name to 755. Today's the first day I thought it might actually happen. And I will inform Jeff Jenkins and Cory Hart who was the last person on so they know your new name. Thanks, Jerry, you're the best. 755, Cory Hart, Jeff Jenkins, next.

22:33The Homer Hour is back after this on ESPN Wisconsin and the ESPN Wisconsin app. [♪ OUTRO MUSIC PLAYING [♪ This is the Homer Hour We're at Amphanfield and Jeff Jenkins and Cory Hart are here and I don't have to do anything. You guys can just talk. Cory, you go first. I know everything about you, my younger brothers at Tennis Coach in West Virginia, his kids, his oldest is about your age. You were a superstar at four or whatever. The story I heard was that your dad lied and did an illegal birth certificate so you could play youth baseball two years earlier than you should have and you were so good, no one noticed and no one cared. Very true and very irresponsible. Don't do that. That's nice. Yeah, I went up high. All right, better, better. Okay. And now Jeff Jenkins, I know everything there isn't no about you. What do you want me to tell you that I know about you? Had to have been one of the greatest college baseball players however you had like 500 and 100 home runs.

23:33How you ever lost in the championship game to Cal State Fullerton. However, to be fair, they had some pretty good players too. Yeah, Mark Cotsay was the gold and spikes winner of that year. He was their closer and he, you know, he same thing he had a massive year offensively. We came up a little little short. I believe we lost 11-7 in the championship game but what a feeling that was to wake up and feel like you're the last two teams on the planet playing for a title. Now, what's the difference in age? You've got to be like 50? 52. And you're 26? I feel like 26. Hold on, I got to get your mic up a little bit here. Go ahead. I feel like 26, but now I'm 44. 44. So you come back. They have this event. They want the two of you here. They ask you to come. What's it like? What's the first thing that you think of when you are back in Milwaukee? Just the excitement that the fans always bring. I mean, I think as a young guy coming up, you don't realize the importance the fan base brings to the team. So you go out there and it's like,

24:34you're so used to just going out there and hanging out and trying to figure the game out. But the fan base here, man, it's like that 26 man and something you hear in football sometimes. And it is different than the fans at other parks. It is. They're so unbored. They're so focused on the team and they just have your back all the time. I love coming back this because I don't get that. Obviously anywhere anymore as an I'm old. You still live in bowling, great contact. No, I'm in Arizona now. So, but no, it is great. The fans are so good. And it just, it becomes part of like the system and you just love it. Jeff? Yeah, it's just, it's a testament. The fans are amazing. I think anybody that has never been to a brewer game doesn't understand the loyalty of these fans. And, you know, they've been through a lot. A lot of loot. Oh, you lost me. We got it. Sorry. I was missing and, you know, a lot of the years I was here was a little tough, but, you know, they stayed the course. Mark's just done an amazing job at hiring the best people and all these roles from all the way down through the brass to all the coaching staff and the development part

25:35and the scouting part. So, now you're seeing the fruits of that for the last nine years, being the playoffs what eight of nine years, four division titles straight. And it's a pretty special feeling that you could have that kind of team. Every team used to look at us like we're the laughing stock. They now look at us like we're the bar. How, how did they do it? Every other team's trying to do exactly the same thing. And I guarantee you, after the brewers did a couple of times, they start hiring you. Go find out what they did. There's no way, Milwaukee should be that good and they do it and do it and do it. Yeah, it's just, I think it's just an internal, like systemic thing that they've figured out a formula of the players to draft, the player, and then find the guys to actually the coaches to develop them and then ultimately get them the big leagues and have them perform at a high level with the coaches taking them to that next level. So, it's just a, it's a franchise plan. It's something they've put in place for a decade now. And now you're seeing like how crazy it is at the top of the level. And it's so hard, especially when you see a Corbin Burns get traded away or Freddie Peralta,

26:37some of these guys leave and you're like, well, okay, we had a run. And they do it again. That's right because they know they have these, these next prospects that are gonna be the same type of player, not to take anything away from those guys because they're incredible, but when they're trying to mix and match salaries and how they're gonna pay everybody, it just shows you it's not just about the development. It's like they have this formula of how they're gonna get guys in and trade away, but utilize them as long as they can and do it for their payroll. That's Jeff Jenkins, now Cory Hart, you were the beginning of the start of a level of success that you wish you could have had here. But you could say. Hold on, hold on. That was, I didn't tell you about the other thing I know. I believe this team has the best chance to win a World Series since 82 given all they have. I understand the Dodgers and there are other great teams, Cory, you're on some of them that were very good as well, but they just, but anyway, you, unlike Cory, as good as things were here, you know what it's like to have that ring, it wasn't here, it wasn't Philly. And we'll get to that because there's got to be an experience that's unlike anything else that you guys,

27:40you were good and you knew you were good, but it was still hard. But I think the difference between this team and the teams that we had were, I guess, that we always had that kind of like trying to be the next team. These guys have been good for a long time. Like they said, like Jeff said, they do everything right. Guys get hurt or traded and they, they farm system so good because of the coaching staff and the scouting that they bring in the next guy and they fit right in. They're athletic and young and they fundamentally sound. So there's no drop down. They do such a good job of plugging guys in and guys aren't overwhelmed when I get here, which can be a big thing for a young guy. If you're overwhelmed, it's hard. So they do such a good job of making sure these young guys fit in and they do the right thing and Murf, being able to handle young guys the way he does. Like those guys love playing for him and they play hard for him. Were you ever overwhelmed? I was fortunate because I came up with like Prince and JJ and Ricky and Bronnie. So we were kind of friends. So if I think I was by myself, like kind of stepping in, it could have been overwhelmed me. But when you come up with a group of guys

28:41that you're friends with and you're kind of at the experience together, it's not that overwhelming. And you have the right veteran guy to show you the ropes. So like Jeff, so when I came in, some of my favorite moments were like Benchese and Jenkins because they were, I'm sure they saw the light that we're getting good. Well hold on, let's ask them, did you, what did you see? Oh yeah, I mean, I saw it was just one year after the next. I mean, it's Prince and it's Bronnie and Prince and Cory and JJ and Ricky and all these guys. And you know, with a couple of key trays in there too, but these guys had this core group of players where I knew like my tenure was coming up and you know, Bronnie's gonna, you know, it's a changing of the guard. I mean, I came up and Greg Vaughan moved along along with other guys. So it's just, it's part of life. It's a circle of life. But at the end of the day, I saw that they had these core group of players and I knew man, if they can get these guys a few big arms on the mound, they're gonna have something special. See you're nice because I would've said, damn, why weren't these guys eight years older? Right, because it all comes down to, and I asked this because you then went after you're done to the Philly one year,

29:43you went a world series. You lived what Cory dreams about and this team is trying to do. So the question is simple, what's the difference? What, what did you observe that year as to, this is how or why we got it done in Philly? Well, we had the MVP on our team plan first base and Ryan Howard, but then when you have Chase Sutley, Jimmy Rawl, your picture, you know, Cole Hamms, Hamils and Lee Jamie Moir. Now, Cliffly was, he was an extra, but we Brett Myers and Joe Blaine, and the back end of our bullpen, and everyone stayed healthy. Nobody was hurt ever. Brad Lynch didn't blow a save all year. We just, Ryan Madsen was a set up guy. Was it a qualms two or no, was that your before? No, no, he wasn't there. Jacey Romero and Jacey. So would you just say, we were just better or everything has to fall in place that year? I think what I'm seeing, I'm not inside the clubhouse, when I saw in Philadelphia and witnessed inside that clubhouse on a daily basis of how close we were and how close knit, I see what I see that right now with the brewers,

30:45because they're unselfish. They're willing to play any position, bat anywhere in the order, and everyone just accepts their roles and just does their job. How do you do that? Because you're a team player, and that's part of the organizational thing. These guys are raised like that when they come up, be prepared to be in a multiple position player. Be prepared to, maybe you're not the closer, the set up guy, you know, you may have this in the back of your mind and you may get to that point, but be prepared that you might not be that guy, and if you do get that role, be the best possible player you can be in that role. I don't wanna be mean to Corey, but so is that the greatest feeling that you had as an athlete, the day the game ends and you realize, we're the best in the world. I'm on this team. Yeah, I mean, that's what you, you know, when you were a little kid on your, I was playing Wiffle Ball against my brother, and you used to pretend that you're in game five and hitting it and all of a sudden you're doing it. So it's like, it's just, it's an amazing feeling. It's one that a lot of guys don't even get a chance to even get to the postseason, and that was obviously my first taste. We got all the way, so it was a special run

31:46for a special team and it was pretty cool. Corey, what players will say the postseason's difference? Is that true? Is it oversold or is it accurate that you've, at some point early on learn, this is different? No, it's very different. I think the Brewers, we had a, that September, my special No 8, the year they won, you know, it was kind of like down to the, down to the wire. So every game was kind of playoff atmosphere, but we still, like, so we had that going into the playoffs, but we still were a little intimidated going into the playoffs because we were still trying to take, you know, make up for that long period of, and you don't know. We don't know. So as much a young guy said, when we came back in 11, we were a little more prepared, but I understand when he went to Philly, the veterans and that group, they were so prepared, they were so good. And like, when we saw that, we matched up a little bit, but when you, like, the experience part of that, we were so behind that team, so, but it was pretty easy to see that they were going to do

32:46a lot of good things and they, why they won the game. That's Corey Hart and it was Jeff Jenkins. If you don't know who they are, you can just stop listening and go somewhere else. If you need an explanation. How much do you follow this team? Are there any players on the team or anything that, that when you watch, you just, I mean, I'm just curious, when you played it, you watch, there have to be things you see you like, whether it's different or, Terex, my favorite player. You know what I told Jim Gantner? What's that? I said Jim, he's better. He's the best second-based player I've ever seen in Gantner goes, no. I go, why not? Gantner goes, they don't have to turn the double play when the guys running down, gonna kill you at second base. I go, fine. How about all the other stuff? He goes, I'm not there yet. Yeah, he's, he's range. It's incredible. Yeah, I just see, you know, he's really went from a, from a kid that was a really great defensive player, but now the hitting has caught up and, you know, I think playing in the WBC really stepped his confidence up.

33:49I think he believes he's, he's now, maybe the best second-based man in the game, and he's playing like it. And the way that he leads, by example, he reminds me a lot of Utley, because he's just kind of no nonsense. He doesn't really let you in. You don't really know a whole lot about him, I feel like, but the kid is like such a special guy. I've had a chance to talk to him, and he's, he's really, really, they should be very blessed that they have this kid playing for their team in this moment. Cory? Like as favorite players? No, just, just observation. It can be, you're watching a game and going like, I want to, I asked Robin yet, so what would you do against Miz? He goes strike out. So I, well, I was going to say, it's raining just because, I think that's the obvious choice for a lot of players, because he worked his way into, he was a good player, but he worked his way into an elite player in my mind. So, but I think- Which is hard, isn't it? It is very hard, but I think, on an, so I'll go with Jake Bauer's. I like his turn around. When did he get this good? I think probably being involved in the system. I mean, he got a chance to play every game, and Murph does a really good job of picking and choosing certain,

34:52you know, certain, advanced, right? He doesn't always play, but like, he's turned himself into a legit guy. Like, he is a force, and I just, I think I love guys that work their way into, start him. People have a fascination with Murph. What, I don't know, any of your action you have, or what your thoughts are, he seems like a college coach. Well, yeah, I played against him at USC when he was an ASU, so I'm noting that one. What I mean, it seems as if he does it the same way, and we're on the outside, so we don't really know. So I'm just curious, any just watching our observation. I just think he allows the players to play. You know, if you take your role every day, go out and hustle on the field, hustle on off the field, the results are the results. Heirs are heirs. I don't think Murph worries about that. I think he trusts his players. I think he knows that he's, he's got a very good staff of pitchers, and the guys that go out there and take the field, he knows whatever lineup he puts out there, any day can win a what baseball game.

35:52So when's the losses for him, I feel like, I mean, obviously you want to win every game, but I think he just, the process for him is about getting the players out there that he trusts on that day, and let's go get a dub. Cory? I would say, like I said earlier in the interview, I think Murph's like, there's a player, like, I don't know if you always want to win for your coach. You know what I mean? I think there's the key, but if you want to win for your coach, your coach is doing the right thing. I think the players want to win for Murph, they play their butt off for Murph. So I think he has that, you don't want to let him down kind of fill. So the players really get after it, and it's fun to watch. And I think we had it, I'm sure we've had, but you had some different manners, I had it some different manners. You don't always have that at the top, and Murph definitely brings it. One thought on what you'll be watching, I don't want to say what the brewers have to do, but what you see will be most important in the playoffs. One thing that would be one of the most important things for them to make a run, just don't change who they are. I think the playoffs have a tendency to speed guys up,

36:55and we always, you know, you hear a football a lot about, you know, it's the speed of the game. Well, it does seem faster in the post season because it's always, I always talk about it, you know, the regular seasons, game to game, inning to inning, but in the post season, every pitch is an event. And you're just on the, you know, edge of your chair, like what's going to happen now? I think the players that have the ability to slow that moment down and just stay in the moment and just trust their abilities. I think those are the ones that succeed. And that's why they talk about what guys experience because they've done it before so that they don't get as nervous. And I think guys are really excited to play at it. Everyone wants to be the hero, but I think you've got to let the game come to you and just get your pitch to hit, you know, throw strikes, hit your spots, and just be the same guy you were in the regular season. Corey? I would say the same thing, just kind of like he said, slow it down. I think you look at the brewers last year, they won a ton of games, and when they get to the Dodger series, you can see the bats are a little different. But a lot of times, you change who you are, you're trying to be a little different, maybe a little better than you should be. Just be yourself. We have a lot of good players out there that do what they're supposed to do and they do things really well.

37:56But when you start trying to hit the ball out of the ballpark and you're not maybe a power guy, things can change a little bit. And I think if these guys stay within themselves and they're approached, that's kind of where they've been all year and they should have a pretty good success in the playoffs. Last quick question. Fastest pitcher you faced, your miss when you were playing. Fastest guys got to be Billy Wagner. Okay. I mean, he was throwing 103 back then. I'm fine now. 100, yeah, exactly. So do you, is it that much harder or guys throw a hundred? Well, he's coming into close the game so as a lefty, he's rushing balls up and in. So yeah, it's really frickin hard. He's, you know, he's five, five, or he's five eight or something. But Verlander was in that 102. I mean, he was up there. It's, you could see that the bigger, faster stronger athletes are coming. And, you know, we're seeing a lot of those right now. It's just pretty crazy. All right. I mean, probably a challenge. I mean, I guess when Chapman came in, he's, he's still, which is crazy. He's still, I don't know if he's 40, but he's close and he's still throwing 100. And he was 105, I'm early on and that was something you just hadn't seen.

38:58Corey Hart, Jeff Jenkins, now you both get the last word. You can say whatever you want. You have 30 seconds. The millions are listening to this show. Milwaukee fans, Corey, you can go first. No, thanks for support. Keep, keep, uh, rooting these boys on. Hopefully this is the year. Yeah. Yeah, just, uh, it's been an exciting year. I've been falling along the way. Sometimes you watch a full game. Sometimes you watch a couple innings, but it's really an exciting brand of baseball. I think it's really good for baseball to see it come back to, you know, not having a group of basters that, you know, you're playing for three run homers. These guys play baseball. They manufacture runs, they move runners, they run bases and play amazing defense. And I hope this brand of baseball, along with the fans, they deserve it. And I hope it comes, a championship comes back to Milwaukee. Thanks to you both, Jeff Jenkins, Corey Hart. No, thank you. My brother was true. He said you were really nice guy. Oh, you're a kid before we became fans. Next. The home rower is back after this on ESPN, Wisconsin, and the ESPN Wisconsin app. Thanks again to Jeff Jenkins and Corey Hart.

40:00The big events going on out here rally for October at AMP, fam. Big news for three pillar senior living communities. They've once again been named one of the best senior living communities in the country by US News and World Report. They're the only community in Wisconsin earn a best rating in every category. And that senior living communities is every category because there's so many categories. Continuing care retirement community, independent living, assisted living, memory care, much like sports recognition is earned and 300 acres. I keep telling you makes it not easy, but allows them to do all these different things for so many different kinds of people who live at three pillars. Just like a championship team, three pillars who are in the recognition through consistency, dedication, putting people first. So if you are a loved one and looking for more supportive and connected lifestyle for everything, put three pillars at the top of the other schedule tour at threepillars.org. As I much as I like talking about three pillars, I love talking about Milwaukee Weight Loss. Never thought in my life.

41:01I would have weight loss program in which I eat less and I'm happy eating less. That's it, it's over. What about how else do I have to change? Nothing. I keep eating less and I'm happy eating less from 229 to 205. It's been eight, nine months. I look forward in three months, six months a year. It'll be the same thing. I can have whatever weight I want in the key is I do nothing. But what about maybe you have to do pre-packaged meals and no, and now that I don't even have to walk because somebody says, don't you need to exercise? No, I don't even have to do that. All I have to do in all any weight loss program says is eat less and be happy eating less. For me, cauliflower is huge. I love steamed cauliflower, having a barbecue sauce and a salad dressing with no sugar. That's help, but your situation might be different. Get a free consultation at MilwaukeeWateLoss.com. MilwaukeeWateLoss.com, free consultation. Yes, I'm so confident I give my phone number out. A few people have called their left messages. 414308, 4075, 4785, that's my cell.

42:05That's my direct line, why? Cause you have a question. It's easy to think homework. It can't be like that. It is. MilwaukeeWateLoss.com, eat less, happy eating less. For how many months from 229 to 205, I can now weigh whatever I want. I think I go down to 200, but I'm old. My head gets skinny. I think it looked like I'm gonna die. So I could do even better than I have. And some people have lost 20 to 40 pounds in 60 days. MilwaukeeWateLoss.com. Again, out at Ampham, I know we have golf coming up next. Yogi. Am I out of time? Do I have any time left? You got a minute and a half, two minutes. I got a minute and a half, or I want to thank Jerry Augustine. Where can they go to listen to Jeff Jenkins in Cory Hardigan? The King of the Lies. The King of the Lies. And the homework hour, wherever you get your podcasts. Wherever you get your podcasts. Now everybody likes to see the video too. Yeah. And will it be that this can be the year?

43:08Certainly have the possibility. And again, all the specifics and all the things being done by the Brewers. Tickets will go on sale to the general public, beginning tomorrow at noon. Fans can purchase tickets at brewers.com slash postseason. Could it be we're gonna get out early? Is that possible, Yogi? That would be a part. First time ever. How many more seconds do I have? I feel like I just want to go over even though I don't have to. You got 50 seconds. Don't go over. I got 50 seconds. No, because we have golf next. The president's cup I'm sure and in studio, right? Correct. I got Gabe right here looking at me. Yes. Just ask him to further strive this year. I'm going with 385. He could tell you it's further. Further strive. 378th this year. 378th, seven yards off. I look forward to the day. Gabe Knight's who gets a hole in one on a par four. That's what I want. What's the closest you've ever come?

44:08On a par four? Yes. I hit one at eight feet this year. A number seven. Yeah. At Wild Rock up and up and down. Yeah. Because there's a hole in one and there's a hole in one on a par four. Golf is next.