Mike Krukow on Team USA–Giants, Pitching Staff, and Bryce Eldridge

0:00Every day, excessive delays and denials from big insurers keep patients from accessing the care they need. And when care is urgent, these delays can be disastrous. These practices cost billions in wasteful spending, driving up costs for American families. But while big insurers put up barriers, America's hospitals and health systems are in your corner, navigating endless reviews and appeals to get you the care you need when you need it most. It's time to curb these harmful practices and put the focus back on patients. Brought to you by the Coalition to Strength in America's Health Care. There's no question we got the best in the proof. That's why Murph and Marcus catch up with Krueck right now. Right now. All right, we last talked to Mike Tuesday morning when the World Baseball Classic team, Team USA, was about to visit Scottsdale. That happened. Giants were on TV last night. So a lot of good stuff to talk about, Mike. Good morning. How are you? Hey, morning, Mike. Yeah, good.

1:00A lot of Facebook going on around is after the words. It's so much fun to watch how it all is starting to fall. The red caps, of course, WBC is just taking on a different light than we've ever seen. I mean, they have 40,000 in a game in Japan yesterday in the middle of the day and Japan was in play. It gives you an idea of how this thing is gathered steam and what it means to the players to play in. It's like it's turned into the greatest thing ever. But I don't think whoever had the idea to do this, and initially I was dead set against it. The man it is really evolved into something special. So these next two weeks are going to be incredible in regards to that. Plus, I mean, just the regular stories of every campus is very entertaining. So I'm about to have to be happy. The only thing to make me happier is if I was sitting there next to Kype doing a game. Ah, there you go. Which will happen soon.

2:01Happen soon. By the way, just anecdotal evidence, I have a 14 year old and an 18 year old. So they, you know, grew up not knowing different, but they're all in like World Baseball Classic. Put it on. Put it on. Like, this is what a next generation is growing up knowing and, you know, I was like, you like, what is this? We don't know. And now they're like, yeah, heck yeah. In fact, last night, if I may missed it, Australia beat Chinese Taipei three, nothing there. Star Prospect Travis, Bizzana is a number one pick in the draft at Oregon State, but grew up in Australia. Went to high school in Sydney, the whole deal. And then last night, early this morning at two in the morning, a Junghulee in Korea, Czechia 11 to four Junghulee two for four. If you need more baseball, seven o'clock tonight, Australia versus Czechia, seven o'clock tonight on Fox Sports one. So that brings us to Tuesday, Mike at Scottsdale, wow, what a scene in Dwayne told us it was like the place to be. Like whether it is like everybody was there, Aaron Judge was talking to Richie Eurelia and Bryce Eldridge was meeting Bryce Harper and Ken Griffey, Jr. was shooting pictures and Greg Vitello was hanging out and, and Will Bednar's family was there for David Bednar

3:03and all that. The place was buzzing. Now the Giants got their teeth kicked in by an amazing roster the team USA has, but what was your takeaway? Was your main takeaway from the team USA game versus the Giants on Tuesday? My main takeaway was how quickly the USA team came together. I mean, you don't have a lot of time trying to find chemistry and when you bring everybody in and, I mean, you know, you're kind of uncomfortable because you don't know everybody yet. The game is coming into your homes, spring training site, playing with guys you played with for two, three, four, five, six years or whatever. You don't know these guys. You know these guys because you're a baseball fan and you, you either play against them or you watch them on TV. I mean, baseball players are fans, I mean, that's what they do, they attention to the game. So when you have a player like Aaron Judge, I mean, that guy catches your imagination. Now I was saying you look across the clubhouse and there he is getting ready and puts on the same uniform you're wearing.

4:03There's a period of unease, I mean, you're just not, you're not, you're not comfortable yet. You know, you have it settled in. Well, I didn't see any of that. When these guys put it on and we're in the dugout before the game, you know, they, they already had a camaraderie. I mean, they had a dinner together basically and now it's sitting here, they are strapping it on. And I just think the thing that they did so well and you credit Mark DeRosa and the coaches is they started to interact with with text messages and phone calls and they kind of cracked the ice months before they even got together. So when they got together, you know, there was a familiarity and, you know, they sort of eased into into those uniforms and they kind of became a team very quickly. Look, they came right out of bed and you know, they get two, two runs of the first sitting up a house or they could have got 10. I mean, it was just like bang, bang, bang, here they come and and and and you can't, you

5:04don't do that unless you had it unless you're in a comfort zone. So that would impress me the most about that team and and they haven't slowed down. I think they had five home runs yesterday against Colorado over at walkie stick and it's just a big expectations for this team having watched them gel so quickly. Yeah, Mike, to your point, I heard Aaron Joge on the Pat McAfee show talking about how team USA had a group chat going and they were texting each other during the USA men's hockey gold medal game. They're win over Canada and how they were already getting excited to represent USA on the front of their jersey. Now, we've seen good USA WBC rosters before Brandon Crawford, Buster Posey, a lot of position players have represented for this for the for the country. But this year, what's different to me, Mike is the pitching staff. You got a guy like Paul Skins that pitch for Air Force in college. Of course, Logan Webb, where we know well about here in San Francisco, you throw a scoop on to the mix, Mike, it seems like this year there's more pitching committed to playing for team USA than ever before. Yeah, that's been a big difference. I mean, that's always been the risk, you know, you don't want to go into an exhibition

6:08game is basically what these are and jeopardize your big league season. And again, you know, we talked a little bit about it a couple days ago. The difference between pitching a three in extent and a regular spring training game as opposed to pitching for team USA is adrenaline. Adrenaline change is everything. And but I think that they've they've they have an expectation of how to do it given the teams that have done this before they've come back with their takes and they've sort of evolved into a way to deal with the adrenaline hit and be able to to have a confidence that you're not going to hurt yourself going into the season because now you've got to hurt the guys that want to be on this team because of the of just the feeling of pride you have putting on the uniform. Everybody comes back just they don't just stop talking about it and they tell stories and it's all fun and everybody wants to be there. They want to be part of it. And then, you know, as we talked about it on Tuesday, I mean, you got to watch the US Olympic

7:12team and the men and women's team what they did and how much fun they were having. Well, everybody wants to do that. How often do you get a chance to do that? Well, for baseball players, I mean, the WBC, if you're a professional baseball player, at the big league level, this is your shot to do something about it. I mean, minor leagues have been able to go to the Olympics, but big leagues have never been able to do that. I don't know if they'll ever be able to do that, but the WBC is their shot. And now they can come into a feeling that they're not exposing themselves to injury and and they can't wait to get here and and you can see the enthusiasm and the confidence of this team early on. That's what is incredible and, you know, I kept my cap to mark the Rosen as a crew. Yeah. It's nice to pick up a pen of right wit Harper judge as you're one, two, three, two, pretty good. When you really need care, you need 24 seven access to a care team, not a maze of paperwork from a third party. Every day, America's hospitals and health systems show up for you, navigating healthcare and fuel overwhelming, but you can count on real doctors, real nurses, real people, providing

8:16quality around the clock care when you need it most. They're in your corner in communities across America, your neighbors, your lifelines, right beside you holding your hand and helping find answers. That's what putting patients first to actually means. Learn more at strengthinhealthcare.org, brought to you by the Coalition to Strength in America's Healthcare. Check engine, ABS or maintenance light on, take the guesswork out of your warning lights with O'Reilly Vera Scan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASC certified master technicians. And if you need help, we could recommend a shop for you. Ask for O'Reilly Vera Scan today. Oh, oh, oh, oh, O'Reilly, on all parts. Listen up, Redwood City residents. Your city council is calling on you to make your voice heard. The city is seeking passionate individuals to serve on various advisory boards, commissions and committees.

9:16Multiple positions are available on the Arts Commission, Library Board, Planning Commission and other important advisory bodies. Many positions are open to residents as young as 16. All voices are welcome because diversity strengthens our community. Ready to make a difference? Find out more and apply today at redwoodcity.org-vcc. That's redwoodcity.org-vcc. Mike Kruchko on the Uma Guest Line just shifted over to the Giants now, Mike, they're on TV again last night. So we've seen him back-to-back days on TV, Tuesday and Wednesday. Bryce Eldridge is on our mind. He has faced Paul Schienz on Tuesday, put a hell of a swing on an unbelievable pitch from Paul Schienz, tracked down by Byron Bucsden center, and then put a nice swing last night on an opposite field's skull job, 113 off the bat over the shortstop's head that rolled all the way to the wall for a two-run double. So now we are, here we are, we're still 20 days out from the opening day. So no decisions need to be made and there could be injuries, et cetera, et cetera. But those two swings, Mike, are you starting to see something? Where are you now with Bryce Eldridge? I'd add parenthetically about his interactions with Bryce Harper and Aaron Judges that seem

10:20to go positively for the young man too. So how did you digest all that Bryce Eldridge on an off-field stuff last couple days? Well, I have never wavered about this guy because I love his swing. I mean, first of all, I don't like tall hitters, he's six-seven. I don't like him because they have too much arm length, they have too much length and they're swing. Because of that, I've always felt that if you could crowd a guy in the hands and elevate above the hands and then sit part of the plate, that's where you go. I mean, if you drop one down, I mean they'll hit the low one, but that high pitch has always been something that very few tall hitters have been able to do much about. This guy inside out that pitch, now he did that from day one, and that got me on board very quickly. Now, it's just a matter of being able to see big, big pitching, to see movement, to see how guys are pitching you, and being able to have a realistic plan given the guy's ability on the mound, the strike zone, that given day, and the situation that you're being confronted

11:22with once you step in that batter's box, that's matured, that takes time. What I'm seeing now is his ability to stay back and get good balance swings on off-speed pitches. Rare as he get out on his front foot. That's another thing that's rare because when you're six, seven, you've got a lot of body to be in control of. Keeping your hands back is not an easy thing to do. You go take back and look in baseball history at the tall hitters. Very few have been able to accomplish this, Ted Williams, Dave Winfield, Ola Rood, Bruce Bock-D. These are tall hitters that Frank Howard has for that degree. They've been successful at something that's been very hard to do. I think that Eldridge can be that special. The other takes that I have on him is that he's turning into a pretty good defensive player. He's been making some really nice plays. He's a good thrower once he gets the ball. I think he may be as good of a thrower as Brandon Belt once he gets the ball.

12:24We've seen him go to his backhand, slide down to an knee, come up through a strike second base and get a double play. His range is good. His reaction off the ball is good. He seems relaxed. He doesn't get to stiff out there, which is another thing for tall players in the infield. They can get to stiff leg it. It's a lot to ask them to get down in a squat in a defensive position for a whole game. He hasn't had that problem in the other thing that I'm impressed with. He can run. He's got pretty good speed. The athleticism of this guy, I think, is off the charts. It's just a matter of him being able to acclimate to speed and get familiarized with his opponent. When you're a new player, you don't know the leg. It takes you a while to learn the leg. Once you learn the leg and learn a picture, he's in your mind for the rest of your life, literally. You could suggest hitters right now, but I am faced in 1989, and I can tell you exactly what type of hitter he is, and how I try and get him out, or how I got him out, or how I didn't get him out.

13:25This is the knowledge that Elders is being confronted with now. I am very, very high on this kid, and I think he's going to be a factor. The thing that he's doing also is he's going the other way. You mentioned the line drive that he hit over the short stuff, so let's see how it's away. He's doing more and more of that, and I think that has everything to do with the new philosophy that is in that clubhouse where the Hinges structure is coming from, bus reposy. So I love this guy. I don't know if he's ready yet. I mean, I think that odds are that he's going to go back to AAA and get some more at bats. Continue to get some of that seasoning, but it's just a matter of time before he's in that lineup. And when he gets to that lineup, he's going to stay. Mike circling back from Bryce Eldridge to Bryce Harper, Merff mentioned the conversations that they had before the game on Tuesday, Tuesday morning. We talked about Bryce Harper going on the Pat McAfee show and talking about how close he was to signing with the San Francisco Giants, but Bruce Bochi retired. But apparently Bryce Harper also has a connection with the Giants new manager.

14:26We found out Tuesday morning that Bryce Harper has actually gone out of his way to reach out to Tony Vitello to talk to him about building those relationships with veteran players in the big leagues. So just your reaction to that story between the connection between Tony Vitello and Bryce Harper. Well, what is Harper right down his contract? Do you guys hear what Hunter is talking about? No, he's got, Marcus is already talking about that. He's got five more, I think. Oh, well, that's kind of odd because usually you see guys who are established veterans who are kind of on the downside of their career. They start, they start campaigning. I mean, we saw it happen with Real Mute though. He was all over the place next year and then he'd go up to guys and say, hey, don't forget him coming out this year. So they start to campaign. So I don't know what the motivation is for him to, you know, talk good things. About the chance. I mean, I mean, he's a West Coast guy. He's a Las Vegas guy. I mean, he was aware of the great giant teams that they, the giant's had when he was a kid growing up. So I'm sure there were guys that he'd like to follow. Will Clark probably be one of the most and then of course, Barry Ponds.

15:28But I don't know. I mean, I think that it does tell you a lot about him is he is a guy that loves the game dearly. And, you know, hey, he likes to talk about it. It is fun. And yeah, I mean, I'm looking at it. He's signed through 2031 and is the numbers pretty doable. It's like 27 and 23 are his annual salaries. So I don't know. And he's a mad at Dave Dumbbrowski, I know. But another left-handed hitting first patient. Just what we need. A former outbuilder. We'll find a spot for him. He can play a little outfield too. Mike, as sort of 25 tell a Marcus mentioned him. He did some time on the on the microphone, both with ESPN Tuesday and with Dwayne and Sean Estes on Wednesday. I don't know if you're gleaning anything more about him. There's it's still too early about how he's going to manage this team. Let's style. They're going to play. How he's going to handle the media. How he's going to message. Are you getting more data? Well, you know, just from what I see, I'm not there. And I haven't actually been the same room with the guy. I should have looked into his eyes. I haven't had that conversation yet. I won't have that till about the 23rd of March.

16:33But I'm looking at nine and two. Now you see all right. It's spring training. It's early on. He has got confidence from that team. I mean, he's got that. I mean, this is one thing that, and what is his number one priority? It's that team. Finding a confidence from that team as a new manager, especially one with no professional experience, not just big league experience, none professional experience. That doesn't seem to be an issue. They are on board. They're nine and two. And you know, think back if he's two and nine, there'd be a big story. And the pressure would ratchet in into his office at the clubhouse. He would feel it. He's not feeling it now. It's a good vibe there right now. And the best possible thing has happened to him. He's got off to a good start. It didn't matter to anybody else in the game, not even the other new managers. It didn't matter as much as it has mattered for Tony Bitello.

17:38And he's got a good swagger right now, but it's humble. He has a lot to prove yet. And he knows that the second half of spring training is the most important for spring training. But he is one of the confidence of that team. And that's not an easy thing to do. And he's done it early. Yeah, for sure. And with each passing day, more and more comfortable. All right, Mike. We're going to end it on this. You know, Dwayne comes on on Wednesdays and young Tony our producer. He has this feature. It's he asks us me and Marcus questions every Wednesday. And Dwayne was listening at Starbucks and he said, hey, he goes, I want to be asked by a question by young Tony. So young Tony asked Dwayne weekly questions. And yesterday he said, hey, given that Bryce Harper or Bryce Eldredd said he wanted to idolize Bryce Harper, he said, Dwayne, are there any players out there in the history of Major League Baseball you wish you had played with and Dwayne went the other way with it. You know, because most of the guys, I didn't like it's what he said, he goes, he goes, he goes, you play for Frank Robinson, you play in a different era, you don't like the other guy because I'm not looking to play with another guy, I'm looking to not like him.

18:40So we kind of laughed about that. Then he said this, Mike, this is all setting up to your reaction to your best pal Dwayne Kuiper said this on the air yesterday. If I had to play against Mike a lot, I guarantee I would not have liked Mike Rukko. Just by the stuff he's doing is mound and you know, because if you look at a guy long enough when you play against him, you can find stuff that you don't like about him. You can invent stuff and I would invent a lot of stuff to dislike Mike. But the second he came over to the Giants, you know, that changes everything. There you go. Your reaction, Mike. Well, it's true. I mean, you have to remember what type of player he was. And first of all, he was a peacock. He was a uniform was perfect. Right on. He looked good in the uniforms. Air was always a perfect place. There was a lot of time around the KG and he wore a hat. Well, that'd be off, you know, if you're a, if you're an opponent, but then you watched the guy play and he was, I mean, he was really good defensive and really good defensive players

19:43for me. I mean, I, you know, I, as a pitcher, I like those guys, not that, but he was not afraid to die. I'm not afraid to contact. This is back in there where there was a big collision to second base. And that really is what ended his career as a premier defensive player that, you know, is Niga knocked out in left field in the way park. But when he came over to the, when I came over to the Giants, I looked in and he was the guy who was around that clubhouse. He was the guy that kept everybody going. And, and this is when he, you know, he was really playing on one and a half legs. And I really, really came to really love the guy. And I wish I would have been able to play with him when he was in his defensive prime because there was nobody better than him. And, you know, any, and his style of game, you're kind of got passed up, a fat control guy put the ball and played, buttern, took pitches. I mean, that's what he was. And now, you know, the, the second spot in the lineup has been redefined in most instances, as you see, the best hitter on the team.

20:43But Kai was the guy that, that was, you know, he, he was a finesse guy all the way. And I learned a really, really loved that peacock. In fact, he's my favorite peacock all the time. I love it. And you're, you're our two favorite peacocks of all time. All right, Mike. Great stuff. We enjoyed it. Listen, a lot of baseball between now and next Tuesday, enjoy the spring weekend and the baseball. We'll talk to you Tuesday and a bit like Kruco every Tuesday and Thursday on the Oomega side. He's the best. All right. We're going to stay on the Giants for the big hit. Now that you've seen him on TV back to back days, Tuesday and Wednesday. What are you seeing? What do you like? What do you not like? 808 can be ours the phone number. You guys check in for a little midway spring training progress report. 808 can be ours the phone number four one five eight away five six two seven is the golden state lumber and showroom text line the big hit next on the sports leader needs a peacock. Listen up, Redwood City residents. Your city council is calling on you to make your voice heard. The city is seeking passionate individuals to serve on various advisory boards, commissions and committees. Multiple positions are available on the arts commission library board planning commission

21:45and other important advisory bodies. Many positions are open to residents as young as 16. All voices are welcome because diversity strengthens our community ready to make a difference find out more and apply today at redwoodcity.org forward slash BCC. That's redwoodcity.org forward slash BCC. Hey, Adam divine here. Looking for a way to make a big change for all kids in your community. Just look for the balloon. When you see the children's miracle that were balloon at your local store, restaurant or gas station, your donation provides crucial funds for local children's hospitals, hospitals that provide life changing care for all kids. Children's miracle network, hospitals, partners, programs and donors like you learn more at cmn.org. The NFL Draft presented by Bud Light is coming to Pittsburgh and it's your chance to witness the future of the game for free from April 23 to April 25th, feel the energy of the NFL Draft, see the Vince Lombardi trophy and Super Bowl rings, meet NFL players

22:47and legends, enjoy interactive games and live music performances and be there as the future of the NFL takes center stage. The NFL Draft starts April 23rd, register for free entry at NFL.com slash Draft Access today. Listen up, redwoodcity residents. Your city council is calling on you to make your voice heard. The city is seeking passionate individuals to serve on various advisory boards, commissions and committees. Local positions are available on the arts commission, library board, planning commission and other important advisory bodies. Many positions are open to residents as young as 16. All voices are welcome because diversity strengthens our community. Ready to make a difference? Find out more and apply today at redwoodcity.org forward slash BCC. That's redwoodcity.org forward slash BCC.