Phillies Are Back! Opening Day Is Special⚾

0:00This episode is brought to you by Progressive. Most of you aren't just listening right now. You're driving, cleaning, and even exercising. But what if you could be saving money by switching to Progressive? Drivers who save by switching saved nearly $750 on average and auto customers qualify for an average of seven discounts. Multitask right now. Quote today at progressive.com. Progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates, national average 12 month savings of $744 by new customers surveyed who saved with Progressive between June 2022 and May 2023. Potential savings will vary. Discounts not available in all states and situations. It's Charles Barkley here with Wayfair. Let me tell you, game day is serious business at my house. If I'm grilling, chilling, and watching hoops, my outdoor setup better be ready to play. That's where Wayfair wins. From patio seating and umbrellas to grills and grill accessories, Wayfair's got it all and it shows up fast. I'm talking fast and easy delivery. So level up your grill game and you're outdoor chill game and head to Wayfair.com

1:01to get your outdoor space ready for the season. Wayfair every style, every home. Testing season is right around the corner and this is when confidence really matters. When kids take time to review key concepts and strengthen their skills before assessments, it can make all the difference. IXL helps reinforce what they're learning right now so they walk into every test feeling prepared, capable and confident. IXL is an award-winning online learning platform that helps kids truly understand what they're learning, whether they're building math confidence, strengthening reading and writing skills, or reviewing science concepts. Designed for students from pre-K through 12th grade, IXL delivers personalized interactive practice that adapts to your child's level and pace. It's an easy, effective way to support learning as the school year heads into its final stretch. Studies show kids who use IXL score higher on tests, proven in all 50 states. IXL is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts

2:02in the US, making an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now and listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at IXLlearning.com slash audio. Visit IXLlearning.com slash audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Oh, it's a big day. It's opening day. Good morning, Taya. Opening days we broadcast from Chickies and Peats in South Philadelphia. You can be here pre-game during the game after the game. Chickies and Peats in South Philadelphia, the show brought to you by Budweiser. Game days are always better. Well, with Jim Arson. But also with ice cold Budweiser and crab fries from Chickies and Peats. Good morning, Taya. 215-592-94-94. So I thought what happened with the Sixers last night was exciting. James, you seem like you didn't move an inch on Sixers' excitement after last night. Look, I'm excited. I'm excited that Joelle was back and he looked good.

3:04Obviously, and Paul George, I'm happy you got his 25 game rast. And you can see it last night. I was not pushing that look. The bulls stink. Let's put that there. 14, he was under 500 over. No deep, yeah, they're a horrible team. But I will say it was fun to see last night. I was not pushing back on, oh, that was cool. I was pushing back on you saying they could go on a run. Like, I just, I don't believe it. Again, because we see M.B. and Paul George are good for one night. We can't be like, oh, this could be a thing. Like, M.B. won't say healthy. He won't say healthy. He won't be able to play every day. This is just to be clear. Just to be clear, you think they have essentially, and I'm not saying one percent chance. Essentially no chance to get to the conference finals. I like, I would say five day percent chance to get to the conference, but that's not nothing. That's pretty sad, Joe. And that's only because the East is a disaster. If Kate Cunningham didn't get hurt, I probably wouldn't say, like, it's only because the East, and even then I'm saying to get to the conference finals.

4:06I don't think they have, like, I think one percent to get to the NBA finals. Yeah, well, they got no shot to win it. I mean, Oklahoma City would have to all sorts of players injured in the finals. All right, let's go to the phones, 215-592-9494. Got what I think's an intriguing Philly's question for you. We'll get to that in a moment. Plus something Hugh Douglas said yesterday about, is it me versus, like, no, I don't know. Maybe. We'll get to that shortly. Dennis and Matt Laurel, on opening day. Dennis, good morning. Hey, how are you doing today, son? I feel great, man. I'm very excited. Opening day, 75 degrees. I can't remember 75 degrees opening day. How about that? Wow. Not since it was, like, April 4th, where we had opening day, or April 6th, or whatever you say, you know? I think it's, I think you kind of have to wear shorts when it's this beautiful, don't you? Like, even if it's close, you got to push through and get as, you know, close. As long as, let me say this, John, as long as the players don't, Dennis, you'll remember this before I was born. Was it the White Sox, three games and shorts, because their owner thought it would be a fun idea?

5:07That was that crazy. And they couldn't, they couldn't. That was the great Bill Beck. It was just an idea. How could he not consider that far? I don't know what to tell you. He was like a showman. He's the guy who was behind the demolition derby thing back in the day, all that. Like, all the crazy stuff. And he thought it was like something people wanted to see, the having their legs complete. He's the guy who did the Browsky, started his career with in the 70s. Wow. It was a disaster. The players are going to the manager and the owner, like, we can't slide. What do you want us to do? Hey, John, Hammer, we'll have to pick the people out today in the long flexing. We're good. Oh, yeah. You got to. Let me tell you something, Dennis. The only thing I'm trying to figure out right now is am I wearing the full uniform. I don't know. I think just half. You got a lot of production. And Dennis, I know if I wear full uniform, I'll wear US flag and the WIP couple walk around with it. Like, I was like, I have a gold rope chain.

6:09No. If you go, bottom half uni with the stirrups and saws. The stirrups. Gold rope chain and the American flag. Sure. As your top. Could do that. That is patriotic. That is ass kicking. Yeah, and that's Philly's audience, though. All right, Dennis, you excited, my man? I, you know, opening days just so special as a crack at a bat, you know, baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, share of the light. Opening days of tradition, it's one of the greatest days of the year. It really is. Yeah, no, it is. And to the point we made earlier, well, no, actually, she didn't make it. I guess it was the opposite. It's always a good day, but it is more exciting when you have a good team. I mean, I'll say, I'll say this. And Dennis, good call. When they stunk and they did for about two thirds of the years in my lifetime, I could actually make the case three. It was more exciting on the years when they stunk, because it was all you had. It was all you had. Oh, absolutely. I remember there was the year I was a freshman or a freshman or sophomore in college.

7:11And I didn't get to see the game because I was in Connecticut at Fairfield, but I do remember chilling was starting. And I remember, and the Philly's won. And are you many pitch well? And I just remember like, all right, well, that was it. That's it. They got the one game. I mean, they knew they were headed to 70 and 92 at best. Yeah, as, as not happy as I've been with her all season, you do know that that's happening with a lot of cities around the country. Sure. They got today and then that's it. That's right. That's exactly right. 215-592-94-94. So I'm hoping to have, James, I couldn't hear you. Can you say that again, please? Where's that? James's. Yeah, I know. All right, I'll pause. So we have a poll that I think we can't do today. It turns out. Oh, okay. So I'm sure I'll have to do it. No, no, no. He's not going to be there. So I thought of that possible. Yeah, so he's been put on a Ryan Kergrens and put on IL. No, I know, but he's still, if he's not in Florida, he's still in Florida. Apparently he's not going to be there. Is what? Kergren won't be part of the ceremony, okay? So what I was asked was a Twitter poll of, you know, I knew Kergren can't pitch today

8:12because he's on the injured list, but I figured he'd be part of the pregame ceremony. Unless he's rehabbing somewhere else, I would expect them, but maybe he won't be there. Maybe he's. I was told that he might not be. So someone's our poll and tweeted, I'm not sure. Like I'm so just so we have, we can put it out there, but I'm not sure he will be there today. Yeah, I would put it out there because unless he's in Florida, he's going to be part of the pregame ceremony. I mean, I can't imagine an injury, like Zach Wheeler's not pitching, he's part of the pregame ceremony. All right, here, let's get to the poll question. Let's get to the poll question because I want to throw what I think is an intriguing Orion Kergren poll question out to you. Twitter poll question brought to us by Armand Chevrolet. March is truck month at Armand Chevrolet. Get financing is low as 1.9% and every Silverado LD gets supplier pricing at Armand Chevrolet. We all remember what happened the last time the Phillies played, like really played. And literally the last three seconds of the season. It was not Joe Carter bad, but it was bottom five bad of probably any of our lifetimes for final three seconds of a season. Kauai Leonard shot, Patrick King,

9:13Goal, Runde Barber wasn't last three seconds of a season, but it was like season ending. Chris Weber timeout. Well, for, yeah, well, you went to Michigan. Yeah, that's for you. Real quick, I'm sorry, jump in. He's not going to be here. He's pitching tomorrow at BayCare Ballpark, Kirkering. Okay, and BayCare Bay ballpark in Florida. In his case, he's the tiger. Kirkering will make his first big league appearance of spring training tomorrow. Or excuse me, that's the wrong thing. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm getting an old update. He is not, it's like he won't be there. I've got people checking on it. Let me, I will get an update. I'm just going to ask this question, whether we put the poll out or not. John, if he's part of the pregame ceremony, fill it off your sports fans. Paul George, by the way, nice derivation that expected last night. If he's part of the George played hard, no, I know, but there was the moment before he played where you wonder what's going to happen. People were respected. Here's the question, John, if he's part of the ceremony today, will Kirkering get the biggest ovation of all players?

10:14No, but he would get a novation. I think he would get the biggest ovation. Here's the thing is the Paul, Paul George was self-inflicted. Orion Kirkering just made a mistake. So that he wouldn't get booed. I mean, but I don't think he'd get the bit. That's, that's reserved for Schwerber. Typically, Harper, but he might get that we're trying to prop you up thing. Yeah, no, he would get a very good ovation. I don't know. You don't think it would exceed Bryce? No. John would it exceed Bryce? Like it's a choice by the fans to say either we're going to extra prop you up or not. That's kind of hard to imagine. I don't think I think just naturally you got Schwerber and Bryce and Wheeler coming back. Wheeler probably gets the bit. You're right, John Wheeler. Yeah. Wheeler's going to get a huge one. I will say Dan Baker, if Kirkering's part of the ceremony will do, like Dan Baker has the way of leaning in when he says the name. Sure. And he will definitely try to prop up the Kirkering thing for the crowd to recognize it.

11:16Let's be real guys. It is a moment. It is going to be the first time over. Forget spring training. And by the way, he was injured. Like it is going to be a Ryan Kirkering. If he's the if he's there, part of the ceremony. In front of 40 something thousand fans at Citizens Bank Park for the first time since. An absolute adeclismic, cataclysmic endosiect. But Joe, you've been here every day. We've all been here every day. He has not gotten crushed. No, we haven't. People realize that it was, yeah, it was your 100% right, John. He made a terrible mistake in a big spot. But that was a 2-1 loss. There were a lot of other reasons they lost that game besides that. And so people haven't gone after him. I will look 2-1-5-5-9-2-9-4-9-4. I'm curious, because I'm sure a lot of people haven't thought about it. But as you start thinking about it, what's your sense on that one? If he's part of the ceremony, which we don't know. This episode is brought to you by Progressive. Most of you aren't just listening right now. You're driving, cleaning, and even exercising. But what if you could be saving money by switching to Progressive?

12:18Drivers who saved by switching saved nearly $750 on average. And auto customers qualify for an average of seven discounts. Multitask right now. Quote today at Progressive.com. Progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates, National Average 12-month savings of $744 by new customers surveyed who saved with progressive between June 2022 and May 2023. Potential savings will vary. Discounts not available in all states and situations. It's Charles Barkley here with Wayfair. Let me tell you, game day serious business at my house. If I'm grilling, chilling, and watching hoops, my outdoor setup, that'll be ready to play. That's where Wayfair wins. From patio seating and umbrellas to grills and grill accessories, Wayfair's got it all, and it shows up fast. I'm talking fast and easy delivery. So level up your grill game and your outdoor chill game. And head to Wayfair.com to get your outdoor space ready for the season. Wayfair every style, every home. Testing season is right around the corner. And this is when confidence really matters.

13:19When kids take time to review key concepts and strengthen their skills before assessments, it can make all the difference. IXL helps reinforce what they're learning right now. So they walk into every test feeling prepared, capable, and confident. IXL is an award-winning online learning platform that helps kids truly understand what they're learning, whether they're building math confidence, strengthening reading and writing skills, or reviewing science concepts. Designed for students from pre-K through 12th grade, IXL delivers personalized interactive practice that adapts to your child's level and pace. It's an easy, effective way to support learning as the school year heads into its final stretch. Studies show kids who use IXL score higher on tests, proven in all 50 states. IXL is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now. And listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at IXLLearning.com slash audio.

14:22Visit IXLLearning.com slash audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Let's get to the second poll question. Which of these players will have the best season? We're going to put three of, I would call them the intrigers. All right. Good name for a band. The intriger, the intrigers. None of them have ever played for the Phillies before. Which of these players will have the best season? Two young, one middle age. Choice A is Justin Crawford, Rook. Choice B is the Dallas Garcia, middle age. Choice C is Andrew Painter, Rook. Who's going to have the best season? You can vote at SportsReady at WIP on Twitter and certainly you can wait on the phone lines as well. Speaking of the best, John, it's very clear that Mr. Hugh Douglas thinks that if I play Ike in basketball and other sports, I will not be anywhere near the best. Hugh is, I think, actually concerned for me. Let's play some audio of the Hugh Man. We talk about the Ike Man, but we also got the Hugh Man. And Hugh, I think, cares about me. Does not want to see me stepping

15:23in the ring of competition against Ike. I have no fear of it at all. And I'm not predicting I would win, but I think I might better all around athlete. Maybe I certainly don't have fear of like major injury. Like Hugh seems to think I should. Let's listen to Hugh yesterday, midday show. He absolutely thinks I should not try to beat Ike. The camera asked me this morning, right? And you know, I'm going to be honest. I told him he was like, hey, you think I'd be Ike in a basketball game and I was like, dog, something I'm not going to lie to you. That ain't what you want. I said, Ike is one of the most competitive individuals that I know to this day. So much so that there's been times that he's intimidated me by how competitive he's been. He is. And that's a side like there's a side of Ike that you you never see, you know, because that's that's not who he is. There's a side of John Richie that you never see because you know, we're we're human far between that now. You aged out a little bit. Yeah, we aged out, but that that desire still burns. And I just told him I said, it wouldn't be

16:24because he's trying to hurt you, but you would probably get hurt because he's not going to let you score. He's not like his pride when the pride kicks in. It's going to be, it's going to be a more of a physical field than you're used to. You agree with him, John? I mean, it would be a more physicality than I'm used to, but yeah, I want to, I'm not going to get hurt. I, it just occurred to me. Do you remember that one time that I tripped Jimmy? Yeah. So it's also a sneak attack. Okay, it's Pearl Harbor. I tripped Jimmy in a way that was wasn't for me. It wasn't for me. It was me. It was, but I had a lot of practice at tripping people and fighting people and hand to hand, you know, whatever you'd call that through the years to where like you have Ike has developed ways of making you hurt, making you fall, making you fail physically

17:26that you don't even know exist because it's like, that's all we did for 25 years. Yeah, and you guys are wired that way. You tripped James on purpose? It was bad, right? Yeah. Well, it could have been bad. Luckily, I was able to catch myself. I like incredibly athletic moved by me to save myself. But John does this move where he like blocks your front leg and then trips you from the back. So it's like, so when you try to lift, I was surprised I didn't go down. I was really like, I was, I was annoyed for no reason. Because I was going to go down, yeah, I was joking around, but James was mad. Yeah, well, yeah, cause it ended up being like risky. Like he really, he did do an amazing job of saving himself. So, you know, kudos to James, but that's Ike will accidentally do things that you don't know are doable. Well, the two different issues here, there's hand to hand. Well, obviously, look, he's a great athlete. I'm not saying I'm not, so that's the thing. So there's, there's physicality,

18:26but then there's also the other point you said is I won score. James, do you think I wouldn't score? Yes. I mean, dude, I got a game, man. I don't care, but you might get a bucket. Like you might get a lucky bucket, but I mean, I think it's like 11 to two type basketball game, you know, you agree with that? 11 to two. Like you think it would be not competitive if I played Ike? I don't know about non competitive, but I don't think you would win. I don't say 11 to two, maybe a little closer than that. I mean, I, look, I'm just saying. He would actually defend you on your side. That's what you, you've lost track of. Jack defended, Jack tried to defend one shot that you took. It was the last shot, and he didn't get there. So there were no shots defended. Ike will contest, Ike will deny. Because Ike knows that's how you would win. Ike will take that away. He'd make me have to dribble around him. I will say I can definitely dribble a lot better than people think. I just didn't have to against us. But anyway, Ike can also shuffle with you, and he can probably shuffle longer and faster

19:28and keep you driving past. And part of Hughes points is he would bear it out and be competitive, and I got it. 2-1-5-5-9-2. Quick update, Chad's the great Dave Uram. We have confirmation from Dave Dombrausky Orion Kirkking will not be there at the opening. Got it. Well, we will not have that poll question then. That's okay. All right, 2-1-5-5-9-2-9-4. Is he glad he's not there for the opener? I'd want to get it out of the way. That's me. I'd want to do it, but. Yeah, because now it does feel like that. It's going to be a lot bigger when he's here. Well, it was just coming from the bullpen sometime, and then that'll be it. I mean, that'll be the moment. It might even be on the road. 2-1-5-5-5-9-2-9-4-9-4. Hey, when you call in today, your chance to win Brian Adams tickets. The great Brian Adams, we give away tickets today for his August 11th concert of Santander Arena and Redding courtesy of Live Nation. Tickets on sale beginning tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com. So the Phillies start today. It's a start for the Phillies.

20:28Today at 2-1-5-5-9-2-9-4-9-4, speaking of starting. We'll ask you for the best start ever to a movie. Doesn't have to be definitively the opening scene, but we're talking like opening scene or two. Start to it, yeah. You know, the early portion of the movie, like early portion. Gotta get off to a good start, right out of the gate. Best answer ever provides it. As the Phillies hopefully will get off to it. You know, the best start, my lifetime in Philadelphia sports, Sixers. 10-0-1. Oh, yeah. 10-0-1. And weren't the Eagles having a pretty good season two at the same time? Well, oh, one, the Eagles were good. So yeah, they lost the first game. But I remember some at the Sixers complaining that we're off to a 10-0 start, and you're just, you know, that's funny. But I go, you know, it's the start to your season. The Eagles are, you know. I will give us a great answer for the start of a movie, first scene or otherwise. Sean, what are you thinking here, Poe? There's just no comparison. I have to take saving private Ryan off the board. Yeah, that's it. Monumential opening scene.

21:31I was not ready for it. I'd heard it was amazing, but I could not fathom it. Great, absolutely wonderful. John, I had gotten a bag of M&Ms, and I opened them and the movie start, and I never touched them. It was just, it was amazing. It starts to a movie. What are you thinking? I believe in America, the first words of the Godfather. Oh, the Godfather, yeah. Well, that's a whole like 30-minute scene, for sure. Well, in and out of that room. I mean, I'm talking from the jump into through the wedding. That 30-minute is as good as it gets. Massive, really. What do you got, start of a movie? Office space. Remind me. So it's funny to say that, what was it? It's the, it kind of sets the sage for the whole movie because he's stuck in awful, soul-sucking traffic and he turns down the two-pock. That's so funny. That's so good, Rhea. There's an old man, I think, walking by the side and he's beating the cars. So it's just, when the movie unfolds, you get that that just sets the sage for it. Good answer.

22:32I don't think it was two-pock, by the way, softer, let's get it right. Wasn't it? I don't think so. That's not it. I don't know. Either way, turn the music. I think it was two-pock. I could be right. Two, one, five, five, nine, two, nine, four, nine, four. I've always been partial to the start of the natural. I mean, you got Roy Hobbs sitting there in the train station and you just know he's being reflective but you don't yet know what reflective about. And then it pans back to him as a kid. And you get to the world of the field. Yeah, well, no, no, that's, so how many inaccuracies you're gonna have there? Is it that, is that right after? The whammer is like 30 minutes into the movie. 30 minutes into the movie. Is it that long? That's 20 minutes. It's gotta get on the train. He's gotta leave his, his love of his life back there. He's gotta play catch with his dad. His dad's gotta die of architect first. There's a million things to have before the whammer. Come on, he's gotta see Barbara Hershey. Come on. Damn, it feels good to be a gangster. Yeah, yeah, that's right. Like, get old boys. It's not too pock. This is not horrible job across the board by me. This episode is brought to you by progressive insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue. And guess what?

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