Countdown to Opening Day - 2/28

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This is the Raise Radio Network.

We're going to high fly ball the left.

Going back a rose arena, this is 40.

Junior coming arrow becomes just the second player in the history of the Tampa Bay

Raise with a 40 home run season.

Welcome to countdown to opening day.

That's taken inside corner, called strike three.

Drew Rasmussen has now retired in his last six.

Coming up, we sit down with Raise Players, coaches and front office executives

to discuss the latest news in Raise Baseball.

Here's your host, Chris Adams-Wall.

And welcome to our latest show, everyone.

My name is Chris Adams-Wall.

I'm very happy to have you with us.

The countdown opening day is on and just 26 days remain before the raise take the field.

And that's the Cardinals on March 26th in St. Louis.

But let's get right to it and hear from Bill Walsh.

I asked the Raise Chief Business Officer about how excited he is to finally return home to Tropicana Field.

It's really exciting. Right now, our offices here are getting packed up.

The staff is moving back into Tropicana Field over the next week,

which is just again, a great milestone here.

Kind of been the resilience and in the come back for the organization and for the community.

And you know, the roof went on the building towards the end of last year.

And that was so visible to the community.

And since then, there's been a tremendous amount of work and improvements and upgrades and enhancements for the fan experience

under the roof that no one has had a chance to see yet.

And we can't wait to share that with the fans starting on April 6th.

Yeah, well, let's start with the seats because people are going to come into Tropicana Field.

And they're going to need a place to sit and watch Raise Baseball.

What can you tell us about these new seats?

We've heard, by the way, that everything is going to be better than ever inside Tropicana Field than I think.

If we start with the seats, we can see why that is.

Yeah, there's a number of seats, several hundred of them that have been replaced around down near the field and around the dugouts.

These are in some of our lower box seats and in some of our field side box areas around the dugouts,

as well as all of our premium areas.

All new, all new padded seats of a variety of different types depending on the area that you're in.

And happy to kind of layer on some additional amenities to some of these spaces too.

We've got a new premium area right around the home plate club called the home plate box.

And that's got a new high back padded seat.

It's going to have all inclusive in seat service through delivery from your mobile phone when you order,

which is really, really fun and a great, a great amenity.

We've got all new padded seats around the dugouts.

And so there's some really nice improvements just to fan comfort and seating product.

And I know you guys have a little bit of an emphasis on the premium experience.

Can you tell us a little bit about that?

I know that we have the Baldwin Group Club.

You mentioned the home plate club.

There's some kind of a candy store going on as well as maybe even a speakeasy, right?

Yeah.

The premium program at Tropica and I feel really is getting turned inside out and reinvented in the best possible way.

You know, starting kind of with our most exclusive area, the Dex Imaging Home Plate Club.

You know, these are the black seats right behind home plate.

For starters, all those seats have been replaced.

They're nice and new and fresh.

And the hospitality areas right underneath the seating bowl there, that's service this particular area,

are getting a pretty fun upgrade.

There's two different rooms back there.

One is going to become this very upscale, yet nostalgic candy room,

where you can kind of browse around the different glass containers and fill your bag with kind of your childhood favorites.

And then we also have this speakeasy bar where we'll have a mixologist station there.

We've got all new glassware and it's just a very kind of fun, exclusive and private area

where you can, you know, conduct some business, have a meeting, catch up with a friend at the game.

So some really nice improvements there.

And then of course, the Baldwin Group Club is also getting a really significant renovation torn down to the studs,

all new flooring and finishes and tile work and lighting, as well as a host of new food and beverage equipment and experiences going in there.

So some of these places are just going to be, you know, unrecognizable to fans and really put our premium program on par.

And I think, I think, really a notch above anything else that they'll be able to find here in the market.

As soon as the first pre-game show is over when we're back in tropical field, you can catch me in the candy store.

I can tell you the candy room.

Let's talk about the new suites though, Bill, because as we understand it, those are also getting upgraded.

And there are two different kinds from what I understand.

Yeah, so we'll similar story. So again, some of these areas that just suffered really catastrophic damage from the storm.

You know, we face the decision about whether we were going to just put things back the way they were,

which might have been the easiest thing to do or whether we're going to take a beat and try to create, you know,

a new and enhanced product that we really felt would meet the needs of our fans better.

We elected the latter.

And so we've got, you know, a number of new improvements happening in the premium program.

And the suites are among them also.

So all of our suites on the 200 level have been completely renovated.

All new cabinets, stone countertops, tile backsplash, you know, new televisions and technology.

And then we do have a more exclusive suite product called our executive suites.

Those are down a level on the main concourse.

There's only five of those available to the public.

And those again are real notch above even the suites on the 200 level.

There's in suite bathrooms there.

We have built-in induction burners right into the countertops.

So really taking advantage of, you know, the latest technology and the latest in fan experience from a premium hospitality standpoint.

And when fans first come to tropical field, come back to tropical field after I think it's going to be something like 561 days on April 6th, 2026.

Are there any changes that they might recognize right away, like say the entrance or maybe like the Budweiser porch out there in center field?

Yeah, for sure. I mean, you don't you don't have to be sitting in a premium area.

I think to feel the improvements and the upgrades that we've made to tropical field.

There's a really substantial overhaul of the Budweiser porch in center field, which is one of our most popular areas.

It's a kind of a meet me at the at the porch, you know, spot right near gate one near the main rotunda.

And you know, it's kind of that that fantastic first view of the field that you get when you come up to the top of the escalator.

Again, an area that suffered some significant damage and again, taking an opportunity to try to enhance what we're offering out there.

We've got new food and beverage equipment.

We've rearranged the whole layout up there to make things less congested so we can accommodate more people and comfortable and more social way.

And trying to bring in some new technology as well.

We're always, you know, trying to do that here in the race organization.

And this year we've partnered with Amazon and they're just walk out technology, which is a frictionless checkout free shopping experience.

We're going to have two two markets serving both hot and hot and cold food items as well as beverages.

And very, very easy, very fast speed of service.

We're going to be able to accommodate a lot more throughput in this space.

So, you know, again, trying to take opportunities wherever we can just to reduce lines, reduce cues, bring some more fun into the experience for everyone.

I can tell the listeners right now I've had the opportunity to experience this technology at a Seattle Seahawks game in December.

It was that crazy Thursday night gaming.

It's the Rams pretty much decided the NFC champion and then the Super Bowl champion, but that technology is outstanding.

And I know that there's going to be a digital wallet, which I know that you have talked about.

And that will be new.

What about the sound system, the video board and the lights?

Those are all going to be upgraded and improved too.

Yeah, absolutely.

I mean, our lighting system from our LED lights that we use to light up the roof and certainly post game, but also during the game experience as well.

Get it getting an overhaul as well as an all new and all new sound system, which will be fantastic for the fan experience.

And then an expanded video board area as well.

So growing the board by a pretty significant size, swapping out some of some of the old panels and upgrading that experience as well.

So it's going to be really, you know, a wonderful show of technology as part of the game, the game day experience.

And Bill, can I ask you what you are personally most excited about going back to Trop Canada field or is it just that?

Yeah, I mean, the totality of everything is really exciting.

I love the food.

We've worked really hard with our hospitality partner, David, to curate, you know, really fun and high quality food items that tell a fun story that are also delicious.

And I think, you know, people walk away often quite surprised at the level of food service that, you know, we're able to provide and the quality of the items that we're able to provide.

Certainly, I'll have a hot dog from time to time and absolutely an opening day, but things like the short rib grilled cheese sandwich and foot long tater tots and pretzel dogs that are made, you know, in house that that morning, our culinary team just does a fantastic job.

And, you know, I think the fans have really, really responded to that positively. So I'm looking forward to some of those those comfort food items.

These are consistently in the top five of concessions throughout all of Major League Baseball. It seems like year after year after year.

So we can't wait for that finally bill of people want to learn more about this.

And if they want to start getting some tickets and started to pin down their seats for the 2026 season, where can they go?

Yeah, raisebaseball.com, of course, is your source for all this information. We have information on all of these new premium areas, as well as the season memberships, you know, starting with just 20 game packages, all that information is online.

You can also call 888 fan raise and one of our representatives from our ticket sales department will be happy to speak with you about the options that that might be available.

We also still have, you know, our pop up retail store open. And on the second floor of that location, we've got a preview center where you can actually go and sit in and try a lot of this new seating product.

And that is still open to the public and available by appointment to go check that out as well. So that's also really fun.

Well, we can't wait to get back there in April 6th. It's on my polo shirt right here that's Tropicana Field home of your Tampa Bay raise, but raise chief business officer Bill Walsh. Thanks so much for joining us on countdown opening day.

And we will see you over at Tropicana Field very soon, my friend.

We'll see you there, Chris. Thank you.

And we thank Bill Walsh for his time and for getting us up to speed on all of the upgrades to Tropicana Field. We can't wait to be back there on April 6th.

We are going to go to our first break on countdown opening day, but don't go anywhere because we're coming right back with raised righty.

You address Gomez, that's right after this on the raised baseball network.

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Okay, we continue on countdown opening day. Chris Adams will join now by Andrew Scomas and new race translator Kevin Vera.

First and foremost, thank you very much for joining us here, Andrews.

Welcome to the Tampa Bay Race in the first place. Welcome to the Tampa Bay Race.

Thank you very much.

Just thankful and thank you for the opportunity.

Of course, how was your off season? Did you focus on any particular areas to improve your game before this upcoming season?

Well, it was very good. I was working in the gym. I tried to improve my physical and maintain my health.

And I was also working on the mechanics of my work to improve this year.

Yeah, so I just spent the off season working on my physique, working on my body.

And then obviously got into my mechanics and just starting to polish everything up right there and you just becoming a better pitcher.

You're gearing up for both the MLB season with the race and the World Baseball Classic with Venezuela.

How do you manage both responsibilities and stay focused?

Tejas preparando tanto para la temporada de MLB con los race, como para el clásica mundial de baseball con Venezuela.

Como manejas ambas responsabilidades y te mantienes enfocado.

Bueno, este igual y igual trabajando todos los días enfocado en tener una buena rutina y hacer mi trabajo cada día para estar preparado para su momento.

Yeah, just the preparations stays the same. I'm trying to work every day.

You know, just keep getting better and you know, so far, you know, it's been a simple process, but yeah, just keep getting better.

Can you describe the moment when you found out that you were traded to the race from the White Sox?

And what was your reaction? What does this reveal at the momento?

Okay.

Hey, interaste.

Hey, if we stay cambiado a los race, this is a los White Sox.

Qualfway to reaction?

Hoy contento, sabe. Yo vivo en Tampa y voy a estar más cerca de mi casa.

Pero bueno, gracias también a la organización de baseball y a mi hola oportunidad de empezar a abrir otra vez en juego en grandes liga.

Y bueno, agradecido con tampoco que haya cambiado su equipo que estoy contento estar aquí en casa.

Yeah, so I already live in Tampa, so it made things pretty simple.

But obviously first and foremost, really thankful for the White Sox for giving me the opportunity,

but same goes for the race for giving me the chance and with this new team and the new faces for adding me on.

And what does it mean to represent your country in such a prestigious tournament like the WBC?

¿Cómo es lensar para Venezuela en el clásico mundial de baseball?

¿Qué significa representar a tu país en un torneo tan prestigioso?

Bueno, significa mucho, sabe.

Todo niño quiere representar su país y bueno, llevar ese nombre de tu país es demasiado importante.

No, hacer un buen trabajo es la mentalidad.

Yeah, it's a great privilege.

Obviously every little kid comes growing up and wanting to represent their country.

So it's different when you have the name across your chest.

So yeah, very grateful for the opportunity and super excited to get to work.

And Venezuela has obviously produced so many great players over the years,

but talk about little kids growing up.

Who did you look up to when you were growing up and who inspires you the most?

Venezuela has produced so many great players over the years.

Who did you look up to when you were young and who inspired you the most?

Bueno, así de cuando empecé a jugar que estuve ya en un académico y todo eso,

que es súper debajo porque no veía mucho juego.

Me gustaba escuchar mucho Miguel Cabrera y ya después escuché también Feligenand y todo eso.

Y ya después empecé a hacer lanzador y todo eso, pitch.

Me enfocaba más en Feligenand y toda su cosa.

Yeah, so when I started getting into the Academy,

I obviously started watching baseball a lot more.

And one of my biggest idols was Miguel Cabrera on the offensive side

and then Felix Hernandez on the pitching side.

And then once I started to become more of a pitcher,

I continue to admire Felix and just what he does.

And you made your big league debut in 2023.

You pitched for three teams last year, right?

The Yankees, the Dodgers, and the White Sox.

What have you learned so far on your baseball journey?

Debutaste en las grandes ligas en 2023.

El año pasado, hubo gasté para tres equipos, los Yankees, los Dodgers y los White Sox.

Que has aprendido hasta ahora,

and tu traje actoria en el baseball?

Bueno, que nunca puede, no sé, bajar la cabeza, sabe por todo lo que pase.

Seguir trabajando y mejorar lo que está fallando

hasta que regreses otra vez a donde queremos estar que es en grandes ligas

y seguir haciendo un buen trabajo.

Yeah, the first thing is never let your head down, right?

Just keep your feet on the ground and keep working

and keep having the right mindset to, you know,

just keep improving and keep working as a baseball player.

And I mentioned the Dodgers,

well, you get a World Series ring,

recibirás un anillo de la Serie Amunía.

Yeah, with a big smile.

And as a pitcher, what part of your game

have you worked hardest to improve and why?

Como lense a toda que parte de tu juego has trabajado

más para mejorar y por qué?

Bueno, este año me enfoque bastante en el cambio

que últimamente no ha sido un buen picheo

pero he tratado de mejorarlo para utilizarlo más en los juegos.

Yeah, I've been focusing on my change up.

You know, I've had a little bit of struggles with it in the past,

but now I really want to focus

and make that one of my better pitches.

And the rays are known for their data-driven approach to pitching.

How do you incorporate advanced stats

and analytics into your routine?

Los rays son conocidos por su enfoque, basado,

and datos para el picheo.

Como incorporás las estadísticas avanzadas

y la analítica en tu rutina?

Bueno, adaptarme.

Cada vez que ellos quieran ayudarme

o todos los días que me quieran ayudar

o mejorar en algo,

tratar de enfocarme

y aprender lo más rápido posible

es lo que ellos me quieran explicar.

Yeah, any time they sit with me day-to-day

with the analytics stuff,

I just try to take it all in

and continue to learn that.

And so, obviously, super grateful for that,

but yeah, just the both of us sitting together

and working together whenever it comes to that type of stuff

with analytics.

The rays fanbase is incredibly passionate.

What does it mean to be a part of this team

in front of such dedicated fans the base

of the fanaticals of those rays?

It's incredibly, incredibly passionate.

What does it mean to be a part of this team

and to play against the fanaticals so dedicated?

Well, thank you for always supporting the team

and we're here to give a good show to them as well.

And all of this is because of the fanaticals.

We were there, so we have to give them love too.

I'm always grateful for the support.

We're all grateful for that.

And obviously, we're here to give them a really good show

and this is all for the fans, right?

Without us, you know, this is for the fans.

So, without them, you know, nothing like this is possible.

Baseball is obviously a very difficult game.

How do you approach the mental side of this game,

especially when you're facing adversity

or difficult situations on the mound?

Como abordas el lado mental del juego,

especialmente cuando enfrentas adversidades

o situaciones difíciles en el montículo?

Bueno, primeramente estar enfocado

en el trabajo que tengo que hacer

y mantenerme encarnado cada día

y en cada momento que, si me está yendo bien,

igual o si me está yendo mal lo mismo,

mantenerme encarnado y enfocado en cada bateador.

Yeah, the biggest thing in this process

is just handling my emotions and making sure I'm calm.

Whether it's a good moment, whether it's a bad moment,

you know, just be calm and be steady

and, you know, just handling my emotions is the biggest thing.

And as a player from Venezuela,

you've seen the challenges that your home country has faced.

How do those experiences shape your perspective

on the game and life?

Como jugador de Venezuela has visto los desafíos

que ha enfrentado tu país.

Como moldean esas experiencias

tu perspectiva sobre el juego y la vida.

Bueno, este, nada.

Yo creo que todo estamos siempre como que trabajando

y enfocado en hacer un buen trabajo

y nada, seguirá adelante, say.

No importa lo que pase, siempre somos luchadores

en cada momento, en todo.

Siempre, pues.

You know, we're always just focused

on working hard and working the right way

and, you know, it's just part of it, right?

We're fighters.

You know, that's what my people are

and, you know, just keep that same mindset

of working hard every day

and no matter what we're doing.

And what message do you have for Venezuelan fans

who are supporting you both in Major League Baseball

and in the World Baseball Classic?

Camenzaje, Tienes para los feláticos.

Venos a lanos que te apoyan tanto

en la MLB como en el clásico mundial de Baseball.

Bueno, que gracias por el amor que nos dan

cada día, por el apoyo

y que siempre están ahí.

No importa lo que pase, pero, bueno,

nosotros vamos a dar 100%,

el 100% todos los días

y vamos a ganar esta broma.

Always grateful for the love and the support

from my people and, you know,

we're always working hard

and we're going to try

and we're going to try to do our best to win

and, you know, it's just been a great experience.

Best of luck to you, you and your scomas.

Thank you so much for joining us today

on Countdown Opening Day

and go get them out there.

Muchas gracias.

Y bueno, suerte.

No, gracias.

Gracias por la entrevista también.

Y bueno.

Yep, thank you for the interview.

And that was Ray's right-hander,

you and your scomas

and Ray's translator, Kevin Farah.

We wish you and your best of luck

for Venezuela at the WBC.

We're leaving today

and entering a world

of Mickey Mouse waving,

princess meeting and greetings.

Lightsaber Classic!

Employee lights on tower of terror dropping!

Banshee flying!

Space Mountain launching!

Galaxy rewinding!

What's the one that look galaxy rewinding?

Fireworks igniting!

World of other worlds.

For whatever you love,

infinite worlds await

at the most magical place on earth,

Walt Disney World Resort.

So let's go to Frey's lefty,

Garrett Clevverjert.

I asked the southpawn,

how his offseason was.

As usual, it seems to go by faster and faster every year.

Yeah, we hung out at home.

It was nice to relax a little bit.

Spend some time at home.

We took a quick trip to Costa Rica,

which is always great.

Down there for about five days

right before spring training.

So it was good.

Very nice.

Well, we'll get to your upcoming season.

But let's go back quickly to 2025.

I think it was maybe your best season as a Ray.

A 255 ERA.

You were in there in all kinds of high-leveraged situations.

Did you think it was your best year as a Ray?

Yeah, I felt like we had a really strong year.

I feel like I did a lot of good things.

And it was, you know, I made it fun to go out there every day.

And when you're feeling good and things are going well,

it's nice to show up and get to do that every day.

And what was working for you so well last season?

It was a combination of a few things, really.

There were some mechanical changes that we made

that really helped out a lot.

But it was just overall being in the strike zone more.

We get in trouble when we kind of hurt ourselves.

When you fall behind and start walking guys and stuff.

So it was really nice to be able to fill up the strike zone

and kind of attack.

What were those mechanical issues if you can talk about them?

I kind of just tried to keep things more simple with my delivery.

In the past, I would kind of get in trouble when my leg kick

would get too big or my front side would get too big.

And so, you know, with the help of Kyle and Jorge,

we kind of simplified things and kept it a little smaller.

And I think that really just allowed, you know,

my body to work a little better and just to be in the strike zone more.

Now here we are in 2026.

We're at race, spring training.

But pretty soon, you're going to be playing for Team USA

at the World Baseball Classic.

First of all, tell us what that means to represent the United States.

Yeah, incredible honor for sure.

You know, I've never gotten to do anything like this.

So I feel like it's a great time to be able to do it

and to be a part of that roster is, you know,

an incredible honor and I'm super happy about it.

And, you know, to have a whole country behind us is really exciting.

Can you tell the listeners how all this came about?

Like, how did this all go down?

Did you get a phone call?

Or did you call somebody?

Yeah, I mean, it was kind of random.

Like, you know, it's on the horizon.

You know, like, you know, they're going to be picking the team here pretty soon.

And it's always something that, you know, you hope you get selected for.

But yeah, we were just sitting at home one night and I had a,

I missed the phone call.

I think a lot of us did.

I missed the phone call from D.R.O.

And so, you know, I had the voicemail.

And, you know, as soon as you see his name, you kind of know what's going on.

So, called him back and we had a nice chat.

And yeah, super excited to be doing it.

Were you surprised to get that call at all?

I mean, when you saw that he had called you,

you were like, oh my god, I got to get right back to this guy.

Yeah, I mean, definitely a little surprised.

Like, I feel like I put up a strong 2025.

But yeah, a little surprise to see his name come across my phone.

I never thought I'd be picked for something like this.

So, yeah, super excited to be doing it.

And the fact that Jackson's doing it as well is a lot of fun.

Yeah.

And were there any, I guess, reservations about playing for Team USA?

Because this is tough, right?

Like, you're in Ray's camp and you got to get ready for the Tampa Bay season.

But at the same time, the World Baseball Classic starts a little earlier than the regular season.

Yeah, it's definitely, it's, you know, it's a little tricky timing with it being so early.

And, you know, when I first, you know, had the conversation with him,

I was like, I'm interested for sure, but I got to check with our guys here

and make sure that they're cool with it.

And, you know, so I called Kyle and I called Eric.

And they were more than supportive.

And they were almost more excited than I was at the time.

So that was, that was really cool and really reassuring that, you know,

they were super excited and they're like 100% we're behind you.

So that was, that was a really good feeling.

So kind of a no brainer to suit up for Team USA.

For sure.

Yeah, and that's, you know, that's what Kyle said.

He's like, you have to, man, like this is a, you know,

a once in a lifetime opportunity.

So yeah, I definitely don't want to miss out on that.

Can you break down for our listeners how all of this is going to go?

March 1st, you and Griffin Jax are going to Phoenix first, correct?

Yeah, so we'll fly back.

Me and Jax will fly back to Arizona on March 1st.

I believe we practice on the second.

We play a couple exhibition games against the Giants and the Rockies.

And then we all, you know, hop on the plane and head Houston.

I believe we play like four games there, something like that.

And then if you make it out of pool play, we'll go to Miami after that for the semifinals and finals.

And I asked Griffin Jax this already, but how neat is it to be doing this with him when of your race teammates?

Yeah, it's great.

You know, it's, it's a level of, you know, familiarity with somebody.

You're not going in alone.

Like, there's already a familiar face in there, which is great.

So it's, it's helpful and it's a cool experience for me and him.

What are you most looking forward to playing for Team USA?

I think just being around the guys.

Like, I mean, you look at, you look at that roster and it's, it's loaded, right?

I feel like they did an incredible job of getting, you know, guys to say yes this year.

And so yeah, I think just being around the guys and being in the locker room, you know, kind of hanging out and, you know, picking each other's brains.

I mean, they're the best for a reason.

So you should kind of pick up whatever you can.

I know you haven't started yet, but do you have any nerves about this thing?

I guess it depends on how far Team USA goes, yeah?

Yeah, for sure. There's a little bit, you know.

High, high level environment, you know, some intense games right from the jump.

So yeah, there'll be some nerves, I'm sure.

But, you know, hopefully we have a pretty loose group and we can kind of, kind of keep those in check a little bit.

Do you remember a time when you were extremely nervous, I guess?

Or the most nervous during your professional career? Maybe your debut?

Yeah, but I mean, probably something like that, right?

Like everybody's debut is pretty wild and we're all kind of out there fighting for it.

But yeah, I'm sure there's been some big moments there, you know, throughout my career.

So hopefully we can kind of navigate it.

You had a fantastic year last year, Garrett.

And you guys were playing outside at Steinbrenner Field.

Not a single cancellation, by the way.

We had a couple of rain delays, but that's it.

What was that experience like to play at Steinbrenner and then we'll get to Tropicana Field?

Yeah, those guys did an incredible job.

I mean, the turnover that they had to do to get that place ready for us after spring training was incredible.

Like the facility is immaculate.

It's pretty much brand new. Like it's gorgeous.

They did a great job with the field.

Like you said, we didn't lose a single game, which was pretty impressive.

But yeah, I didn't mind it too much. Like it's hot, right?

But, you know, middle of summer it's going to be hot just about everywhere.

So I didn't mind playing outside. I liked pitching there.

But yeah, I think we're all looking forward to getting back to the chop for sure.

Yeah, let's talk about that because you guys are going back to Tropicana Field this year.

It's probably going to be nice.

I imagine to know that it's going to be 72 with no rain every single home game.

Yeah, for sure. You know, I think the wives and the families are really going to appreciate that.

But yeah, it's going to be nice. You know, it's one less variable that we have to deal with.

And it's home, right? Like we've, it's been a minute since we've been there.

So it'll take a little getting used to, but I think we're all excited to get back in there.

How are you going to navigate getting ready for the race season and getting ready for the WBC?

Because let's face it, if the United States goes on a little bit of run, a little bit of a run.

There's a good chance you won't be here for two and a half weeks.

Yeah, it's a little tricky, but I think, you know, our guys here, Kyle and Jorge have done a great job of scheduling everything out and making sure we're ready.

And it's maybe a tiny bit quicker of a buildup, but it's not all that different.

Like, you know, we show up to camp, we throw a bullpen, we throw a few lives, and then you're getting into games anyways.

So they're going to do a good job of taking care of us and making sure that, you know, we have time in between outings.

And we're getting the correct buildup that we need.

And, you know, hopefully we go on a run and go win this thing.

And then we come back and we'll have, you know, a week or so before the opening day.

And we should be in a good spot.

And you guys can go on a run here with the Tampa Bay race.

Let's talk quickly about the race bullpen.

Looks a little bit different this year with no Pete Fairbanks at the back end.

But I think that's going to present some unique opportunities for a lot of these relief pitchers like you.

And you're no stranger to closing out games, but it sounds like it's almost going to be a closer by committee or a situational type thing.

How do you think that's all going to go?

And do you feel like your other teammates in the bullpen are ready for that challenge?

For sure. Yeah, it's going to be different.

You know, I spent the last three years with Pete, so we'll miss him for sure.

But yeah, I think it's a great challenge for all of us.

And, you know, you look up and down the bullpen and there's so much talent there.

There's a lot of experience.

So I think we're ready, you know.

And I think it is a unique situation where it is kind of, you know, match up based or committee.

However, you want to word it, which, you know, I think could be an advantage to us.

You know, they're not, the other team's not sure who's going to be, you know, that guy.

Like, we can kind of play the match up that favors us.

And, you know, it gives them a tough look too with, you know, the talent that we have in that room, which is cool.

And I'm sure you're looking forward to that opportunity to maybe closing out some more games.

Yeah, it'd be fun, you know, it's, it's a cool experience.

And, you know, whatever's good for the team, you know, if we can just keep winning games.

And finally, Garrett Clevenger, I'm curious if you had a chance to take in the 2025 World Series.

And if so, what did you make of it?

You got an A L East rival against the team that you have played for the L.A Dodgers.

That was a pretty good one.

Yeah, it was, it was an incredible series.

I think, you know, a lot of us, a lot of us guys, once we get home from the season, we're not too keen on watching too much more baseball.

But, yeah, I feel like we all find ourselves kind of throwing it on the TV and, you know, paying attention to the background a little bit.

But, yeah, it was a fun series.

It was, it was really cool to see Toronto in there.

I mean, the Rogers Center was, was electric.

So that was, that was a lot of fun.

Any takeaways from that World Series, though?

I mean, the race did have a winning record against the Blue Jays last year.

Yeah, I feel like we played them tough.

You know, they had to come down to Steinbrenner, and that was a little different environment for them.

It's always tough going up to Toronto, but I feel like we played pretty well up there.

You know, they got hot at the right time, and that's kind of what it's all about.

We so appreciate the time, Garrett Clevenger.

Thanks so much again for joining us on Countdown Opening Day.

Best of luck with Team USA.

Go bring home the gold, my friend. Go win it all.

Absolutely, I appreciate it.

And we thank Garrett Clevenger for taking the time to talk to us today and wish him all the best at the WBC for Team USA.

We are going to go to our first break, though, here on Countdown Opening Day.

But don't go anywhere because we're coming right back with a new race first base coach, Corey Dickerson.

That's coming up right after this on the race baseball network.

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Chris Adams, wall back with you here on Countdown Opening Day.

And I am joined now by new race first base coach Corey Dickerson.

Corey, thanks so much for taking the time. We appreciate it.

Thanks for having me. Appreciate it.

So what is this like to be the new race first base coach in spring training?

That's awesome. It's exciting.

Also, very new learning, learning this side of the game.

How much the coaches really dove deep into the players and how they look at players.

And getting sped up with how they view players and how to coach them to incrementally get better.

You know, they're all professionals. So something new but very excited.

And how did this opportunity come about?

That's a long story, but I've always had a great relationship with Neander.

We had some conversations in November.

I didn't really lead into much just conversations and then later on he mentioned to me this base outfield job.

And first base and really took an interest to it and talked to my family.

And saw all the positives, weighed the negatives.

And continue to go through that interview process.

And, you know, Cash called me and offered me the job after, you know, about 10 hours of interviewing.

So it was a, it was a cool process to go through.

And I'm thankful that they think that I'm capable to be able to help the team.

But you've been at a majorly baseball for, what, just a little over two years.

So you're still fairly new to the retirement community, I suppose.

But you weren't retired. You were still coaching at Jackson Academy in Mississippi.

But I am curious, was this something that you had thought about doing coaching in the big leagues?

Not at all. I mean, towards the end of my career, I, I loved helping people.

I love getting, you know, filling joy from being able to wake up knowing that my words or thoughts for someone else

can really help them.

And, you know, it's crazy how I got led into taking over a high school baseball team after I retired.

I had no desire whatsoever to do that.

And I was still trying to play tips and just didn't get the right opportunity.

And wound up taking over a high school that really taught me a lot about, you know, managing people, coaches, you know,

buying uniforms, budgets, working with school, the board, all that, and, you know, discipline with kids and the culture.

So I don't think without that, I don't think I'll be here today.

But it sounds like you really grew into it and you really started to enjoy it, yeah?

Yeah, for sure. I think in anything, if you don't really lean into something, you don't really get the blessing from it.

So, you know, you can be one foot in, one foot out. You know, there's days right now that, you know, I watch these guys.

And I feel really good and I feel like I could still really do it.

But if I stay in that mind frame, I'm not giving my best effort to the kids and players individually out here.

So, you know, know where you're being led and trust in and believe in it.

I think I'm here for a reason and I'm thankful for that.

You were a Tampa Bay Roads player in 2016 and 2017. You were an all-star in 2017.

Of course, the manager back then is still the manager now. That's Kevin Cash.

What is it like having played for Cash and now to be on his coaching staff?

It's pretty cool to be able to, like I said, see this side of it and realize how he's the same guy, you know, to your face, to the players that he is.

Behind closed doors, he's, you know, a different thinker always has been, which that's kind of how I am.

It's pretty cool just to come back and be able to have people I know, even with motor and Cash and be able to have that relationship is really neat.

He's talked a lot about why they brought you in. One of the things they really like is that you were a player just back in 2023 with the Washington Nationals.

So, you haven't been away from the game for that long. Do you feel like that's a positive, the fact that you did most recently play just a couple of years ago?

Yeah, the only really worry I had coming into it is, you know, learn how to coach younger kids.

So, the discipline aspect is a lot different here with grown men, but I'm very detailed oriented.

I'm very, I have my way about certain things, but I'm very open-minded, but also I'm going to build them up at the same time.

But as a player, formally, I can tell them why, I can give them information, I can give them feels when they don't feel good mentally because this game, not many people understand this is, I like to say 99% mental to be a different type of player, to be a lead.

And sometimes you need to talk about those things. You need to be able to vent and being able to vent to a player or a former player not far removed, I understand the game is hard.

And can talk you through it and kind of give you confidence with that. I think that's a huge component to it.

Kevin Cash also likes the fact that you want to go glove during your time in the big leagues 2018 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

And I talked to Cedric Mones about this, but we have a young outfielder named Chandler Simpson who's still kind of learning the ropes out there.

He made some spectacular grabs last season, but he's still kind of trying to get his footing out there.

Are you excited to work with Chandler Simpson this spring?

Yeah, for sure. That's the coolest part about working with all these guys. They make such good adjustments early on because they're so competitive and they don't want to be shown up during drills.

And all this stuff that we preach and all this stuff that we can help them with and really take their game to a next level, don't work unless they have the mental component of aggression or anticipation and really, really desiring every single ball to be really hit to them.

Because there's a level anticipation if you're not willing to be locked in on every single pitch, there's only so far that a coach or somebody can take you.

So we're big on not only are we working technique wise to improve him, but also on the mental side of realizing how good you are and could be if you really take control and really have some swagger about you and really anticipate every single pitch.

Hoping the ball is hit to you, it changes the whole dynamic of your career and your athleticism and the players around you.

So we're trying to really dive deep into having a group of outbuilders that are dog slash very aggressive and anticipating the ball.

You were in the big leagues for about 10 years, though, Corey had a great career.

Rocky's raised pirates, Marlins, Blue Jays, Cardinals and Nationals.

So you've been to a lot of different spring trainings.

I'm curious to know your approach to spring training because obviously it's the beginning of everything, but it's a long time, right?

It's a bit of a slog.

It can go on for six, seven weeks before opening day.

How did you come in every spring training?

How did you approach it as a player?

I mean, it changes as your career goes on.

Early on, you have way more energy.

You're trying to impress.

You're trying to life or death.

You know, make the team, get a hit.

And later in my career, having the flexibility, you really listen to your body.

But you came into camp ready.

That's really a big component of it coming into camp ready.

What you're doing to all season really matters and being dialed into that.

But mentally coming in ready, knowing your routines and things like that.

But be locked in to the moment.

That's what I preach to a lot of the guys, even the Outfitters here.

Be good as you can be when you foam roll.

Be good as you can be when you walk out the stretch.

Be good as you can be during my drill work.

And be good as you can be when you shag, etc.

And time will take care of itself.

But just can you be as good as you can be in every moment that you walk into and not look ahead.

And that's if I can get you there or close to there, you're going to be just fine

and open a debut right around the corner.

Who were some coaches during your career besides race manager Kevin Cash

that really helped you approach the game in the way that you just described?

There's so many, so many.

You know, wall-wise, first manager.

She doesn't go on and on.

But like on my goal glove, I put Camero Barte on the side of it.

You know, it's my first-based coach that unfortunately passed away.

But he's my first-based coach when I want to go glove.

And the confidence he breathed into me, you know, when we're in the Outfield shagging,

the confidence that he walk out there telling me that things I'm doing right.

And if we stay on this path, we're winning it together and not just me.

You know, it was us doing it together.

I really thought that was something that stuck with me, that coaches and people that really believe with you.

They're in your corner.

And how you work with them is very important.

You know, you're not alone.

So being able to give those guys that kind of confidence is huge.

But now you get a chance to pay that forward.

I mean, how special is that?

Is it to do it for a team that you played for?

No, it's awesome.

That's what life's about.

You know, as you get older, given back and what you do for others,

how you make people feel.

It's probably the only thing that you can really lay your hat on.

You know, money, all those things are great.

But it's never enough.

So realizing I can wake up every single day and have excitement knowing that I can either change somebody, help somebody.

They can carry that message to somebody else is really cool.

And I'm very thankful for the opportunity.

Well, we're really happy that you're back, Cory Dickerson.

This time in a coaching role, the new Raise First Space Coach.

We thank you so much for joining us on Countdown Opening Day.

Best of luck in spring training, best of luck.

And your first year as a coach with Tampa Bay Race.

Thank you. I really appreciate it.

And that will do it for this week's episode.

Special thanks once again to all four of our guests,

including race chief business officer Bill Walsh,

you end risk Gomez, Garrett Clevenger, and Cory Dickerson.

We'll see you next time right here on the Tampa Bay Race Podcast.

I'm Chris Adams-Wall.

Have a great week, everybody.

Thank you for listening to Countdown Two Opening Days.

Swing in a misty struck him out. He's out of it on three pitches.

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If you missed any of the show, catch it on archive at raisebaseball.com slash radio.

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