← Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills podcast
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- [00:00]
A
The Buffalo Bills will win the super bowl guarantee. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Let's go, Buffalo. Let's go, Buffalo. Now we're talking. I love it. I grew up in Rochester, New York. Bill's mafia runs deep in upstate and western New York. So, you know, I started following them early on and, you know, I got through the dark days, and now they have a great team and they're really exciting to watch. You know, we just. We're just missing that super bowl close. The community in Rochester and Buffalo is one in the same. We love our sports, and we have a lot of pride in the sport teams, you know, so it's. It's just fun to follow those guys and, you know, it's. It's cool to watch them have so much success. Go, Bill.
- [00:58]
B
All right, Ernie. Welcome to Buffalo. Plus, how about that, because, you know, we're going to talk Bills, but we got it. We got to talk baseball. Because you've been kind of busy right now. What has this experience in total been for you and really your family and everybody around you?
- [01:17]
A
Yeah, it's been. Oh, man, it's been so special. Yeah, I keep using that word because it. To me, it's. I don't even know how else to describe it. It's. It's what I've worked so hard for. And, you know, I play this game because I. I, you know, love my teammates and. And I just want to win. So it's been extremely fulfilling for, you know, all the hard work that I've put in over the course of my career. So it's been really, really fun.
- [01:46]
B
I. I know you don't focus in the past. Right. You can't in baseball. And I'm sure if it did not go well, you would be trying to forget about what didn't go well and just focus on the next thing. Is it difficult to forget about what did go well so you can focus on the next thing?
- [02:05]
A
Yeah, I mean, I think it's. I think it's important to reflect at times. All the failures are so important to learn from. I think that's something that I've. I've definitely learned. I failed more than anybody in this game. And, you know, I've been DFA'd twice. I've been released. I. It took a long time to finally find a home in Toronto. So I've learned from all those failures and I've really grown, I think, as a human being and, you know, not just a baseball player. So, you know, I've taken all those failures and. And learned from them. And no matter how this whole thing ends up, it's, it's a great learning experience. It's valuable. You know, playoff baseball is the highest level of baseball you're going to find. So it's something that I'm definitely going to cherish and learn from it, no matter how it goes.
- [02:57]
B
You played a lot of baseball. You've been in a lot of games. You played everywhere. Was playoff baseball nerve wracking? I mean, how did you feel stepping on the field? Did it feel different?
- [03:10]
A
Honestly, when you look around and you see the crowds and there's 45,000 people yelling at you, it's pretty, it is different, but once the game starts, it's, it's been, you know, kind of the same. It's. I feel a lot, I feel a lot of similarities to how I felt when we were playing in the College World Series and in Omaha during my time at Virginia, where once you get out there, the game is, is the same and, you know, you're, you're prepared, you're, you're equipped to handle all the pressures of it. And I've just enjoyed it. I haven't really felt a whole lot of nerves. Yeah, it's just been fun. I've just really enjoyed it.
- [03:51]
B
Yeah, we're into the Series now. It'll be Seattle. It's that you're playing now in the alcs, but back to the Yankees. I know you grew up a Yankees fan and to feel that for, certainly in Toronto, you hit the two run homer, you have the great Series, and to win it in Yankee Stadium, did you just look around and go, this is a little surreal?
- [04:15]
A
Yeah, there was, there was a few times where I caught myself kind of, you know, looking out and, you know, just looking around and just kind of being in awe and then having to kind of reel it in and lock back in. But yeah, I was a huge Yankees fan and you know, we've, we've had some really cool games against them all year. So just to do it against a division rival and, you know, a really, really good team was, it was so cool. And yeah, Yankee Stadium's a, is a, is a special place. I think it's not easy to, to get it done there.
- [04:50]
B
Okay. So I have to bring in Buffalo plus his own Dan Fates. You know Dan, here's his question.
- [04:56]
C
Hey, Ernie, Dan Fates here from Buffalo plus, big fan. I don't know if you remember, we went golfing that one time. That was sweet. Thanks again for always texting me back after your, your big game. Sorry I couldn't be there for the interview today. I'm actually at Powers Farm Market with the family doing some fall activities. My question for you is, obviously everything that happened the last few weeks has been awesome between SVP John Schmoltz and Fox, all that stuff. Maybe what was the most surreal moment in understanding the concept that, you know, the job's not finished yet. Thanks, Ernie.
- [05:30]
A
Wow. Yeah, I'd recognize that. Those corn stalks anywhere, the maze over there or whatever they got. It's. I haven't been there since I was a kid, but I think I got to get back there at some point this fall. Powers Farm Market. That's awesome. I don't know. That's it. So I think honestly it's getting to do all this with, with my teammates and we've been through so many ups and downs all season and I've gotten so close with everybody. I mean, we spend every, every day together. We spend 10 hours a day together. And the failures, the losses, you know, the trying to just figure out what the best way to go about it as a team. We finally figured out, you know, a good formula for us as a group. And it's just been so fun going to war with these guys and then, you know, jumping around at, on the pitchers mount at Yankee Stadium after we, we won the Series and getting back into the clubhouse and, you know, popping champagne and just, you know, every step of the way, it's, it's been so cool to, to you know, celebrate our successes because, you know, a lot of people are like, why are you, you know, popping bottles of champagne and celebrating and you haven't won anything yet? And it's like, I just, I just think it's so important to, to, you know, celebrate those small victories. That's, that's part of, you know, baseball and you know, how, how special it is, is, is great to share with those guys. I love this team so much.
- [07:03]
B
Yeah, you mentioned, you said your failures, which, you know, you're a major leaguer, so failures are at a high level. But you started in Cleveland and you mentioned that and then you end up short time with the A's and you come back to Western New York and then I know it's hard work and I know you did a lot. You played with the Bisons, you end up with Toronto. Isn't it fitting for you that it clicked when you came back to Western New York?
- [07:31]
A
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. That was, that was one of the best seasons I've ever had. Just in terms of I got to play for the first time In a few years, I got to play every single day in Buffalo. And when I signed with Toronto, the reason, one of the main reasons I did is because they told me I was going to be able to play, you know, four or five times a week where I wasn't really promised any playing time anywhere else, even though it was just in aaa. It was kind of a, you know, I, I had a lot of confidence in myself, but I wasn't really getting a lot of opportunity to, to play every day, obviously in, in the big leagues in Cleveland or Oakland. So, yeah, I just wanted to take advantage of, you know, getting to play and, and getting to back on the field and playing the game I love, which I, I hadn't really gotten a, to do a whole lot. So it started in Buffalo and, you know, I got a lot of confidence that season and, you know, I got to, you know, to help Those guys in 20, 23 get to the playoffs a little bit, but it was the beginning of, of, you know, me just gaining a ton of confidence.
- [08:36]
B
All right, so now we'll continue with the Buffalo plus team. It's Jenna's turn. Here we go.
- [08:41]
D
Hey, Ernie, thank you so much for taking the time. Thank you also for golfing with Dan. He's mentioned that a couple times. And also thank you for texting back Dan. I think that means more than, you know, it's been really cool to watch all this success. I know the job is not done, but for me, my question is, I know you're a huge Bills fan. Just what has the response been from Bill's mafia? And also just here in Rochester, the Brighton community, the Rochester community, what's it been like to have all their support? All right, we'll keep cheering you on.
- [09:11]
A
Good luck. Yeah, we gotta get, we gotta get Dan back on the golf course as soon as possible, but we got a couple more weeks before we can do that. He's the best. The support is, is amazing. But yeah, the, the, the Bills mafia is, it runs deep in Toronto. I've actually, at a couple games last winter, I saw some Blue Jays fans and, you know, believe it or not, they, they recognized me and, you know, we were, you know, just, you know, chopping it up, talking Bills, and it's, it's so cool. I, I, I just, I, I, I, I've loved the Bills for a long time and, you know, I got to go on the field last year and kind of just watch them warm up and it's, it's created some cool opportunities, but I think I'll always Be, you know, just a grinder, you know, sitting in the 300 level and, you know, kind of grinding out that, that tough weather that's, that's in the blood.
- [10:14]
B
What, what's your best memory? I mean, that had to be cool. I think it was the Denver game, right? The playoff game when you were down on the field. That had to be great for you. But, you know, there was a lot of lean years. Even though you're young, there's still, you know, the lean years and then it's gotten better. What's it been like to be a Bills fan now? And what do you think back? Like, what was that moment that you remember the most leading up to the success?
- [10:41]
A
Yeah, you gotta, you gotta grind through the tough times. It makes the, the good ones that much sweeter. Yeah, you know, I, I actually remember, I actually remember Josh Allen's rookie year. And I watched him play. He start, he only started a few games, but I was just watching him play and I'm like, this guy is just a playmaker and he's a grinder. Like, you know, obviously the arm talent was there, but you just watched him make plays and they, they, they won a couple games while he started. I'm like, I really like this guy. This guy's gonna, gonna be a good player. I did not know he was going to turn into like, you know, a future mvp. And. But I just, you could tell that the, the will was there and that he just wanted to win. And, you know, he, he loved putting the body on the line, which, you know, I can relate to a little bit. But yeah, I just remember thinking, all right, we finally hit on one of these draft picks. Let's, let's, let's get it rolling.
- [11:37]
B
When you're playing and now, you know, you're into, you're into deep into October here and the Bills are playing like a September game and it's going on. I'm always wondering this, like, are you aware of what's going on? Do you block it out? Do people yell to you, Ernie, their bills are up 20. Like, what goes on? If it was a regular Sunday and you're in Toronto playing, how do you, how do you deal with that?
- [12:03]
A
Yeah, well, a lot of times our games on Sundays were 130, so, you know, I wouldn't really get to watch the beginning of the game, but I'd always run back in and have, you know, one of the security guys or there's some, there's a couple Bills guys who work for MLB that kind of monitor the Clubhouse for us, and they're giving me updates throughout the game, so I'm keeping up. I. I don't. I haven't really gotten to watch a whole lot of games, though. Like, I'm. I'm dying to actually watch what we're doing because I just. All I get to do is see the scores while we're playing. But. And I think even, you know, the Monday night game that's coming up, I don't. I think we're playing it right around the same time, but we might have an earlier game, so hopefully I'll get to watch that. But, yeah, I have people constantly filling me in on. On how the boys are doing the Shout song.
- [12:49]
B
When did that start for you? And what's that been like 20, 23?
- [12:54]
A
And while I was playing in Buffalo, I made that my walk up and that caught on pretty quickly, and I started getting a bunch of hits while I had it. So I'm like, all right, I kind of have to keep this going, but I think everybody in Toronto likes it and they. They don't want me to change it. So, yeah, I've had some. Some success with it. So I'm gonna. I'm gonna keep the, The Shout song going.
- [13:17]
B
Yeah, I. I would think sometimes, you know, a guy comes to a city or an area, like, even in Buffalo, and like, oh, you know, I'm support the Bills and all, but. But your mafia runs deep with you, right? So tailgating, all that stuff. Was that part of Ernie's growing up in Western New York?
- [13:34]
A
Yeah, I mean, I didn't go. I didn't go to a ton of games until probably the last couple years since I've had, you know, falls and winters pretty much free, you know, and I've live in Rochester in the off season, so I've been going to more and more games, which is great. But, you know, back in the day, I used to just. I'd roll out of bed, watch the one o' clock game on CBS against, you know, the jets or whatever, and I just remember watching every game. So I. Yeah, I've been. I've been a fan for a long time.
- [14:07]
B
Do you know Josh at all? Have you gotten to talk to him?
- [14:11]
A
No, never met him.
- [14:14]
B
What do you think when you. You mentioned him, what he is then? And here's what I wanted to ask you. You are very deferential to your teammates. I understand all that. But you watch Josh as a fan, and you're like, this makes me thrilled when I watch it. I'm assuming, right when you see him make a play. Kansas City runs it in the end zone. Right? You are watching fully as a fan. Can you appreciate, give us one moment here, that people were looking at you that way in the playoffs, like, you make a play, you're a Blue Jays fan. It's like Ernie did that, and people react. I'm not telling you to call yourself Josh Allen. I'm just saying is the way you feel as a fan is the way other people feel watching you and your team.
- [15:00]
A
Yeah, I'm no Josh Allen, that's for sure.
- [15:04]
B
How about on the golf course, though?
- [15:06]
A
No, it's, it's, it's wild. It's wild. I, you know, once in a while, I, I, you know, take a step back and just realize that, you know, I'm like, I'm playing on tv. I don't even, like, obviously you don't realize it in the moment. I'm literally in my own world out there. And then, you know, I get all these texts after the game, and I'm like, wow. People are like, you know, watching the game. And the other night after the Yankee series was just, just wild. So the support was, was crazy. I got a million texts, and people were just so nice. And it means a lot. It really does, but it's, it's been super cool.
- [15:44]
B
I was looking at social media after the series, and random Yankee fans are going, who the f is this Ernie Clement guy? That has to make you feel awesome when that's the case, right?
- [15:58]
A
I love it. I love it. I, I, it's, it's so cool, you know, seeing like the, they have, like, their podcasts and stuff and they're, you know, whatever. They're, they're people who watch the games live, and they're like, who is this guy? Like, why is he just killing us? And I just, I just chuckle. It's so funny.
- [16:16]
B
You played hockey. I know, I know. You're outstanding golfer. You know, you played all. Everything football for you ever.
- [16:26]
A
Yeah, I played my freshman year.
- [16:28]
B
What position?
- [16:29]
A
Your high school? I kind of, I was running back and wide receiver. They kind of just threw me wherever. It's pretty fitting, considering what I do on the baseball field is kind of just play wherever they need me.
- [16:40]
B
All right, so after the trade deadline and they were looking, they could use a little help at corner. Ernie, give them some.
- [16:46]
A
Yeah, yeah, whatever. Yeah, yeah. I could lock somebody down if they needed me to.
- [16:50]
B
All right, I'll give you a chance to say it. I know you've said it other times. You've said it in interviews. First of all, what do you think of this team, the Bills team currently, and where do you think it's going this year? And obviously, what do you want to see happen?
- [17:05]
A
Yeah, I mean, I think we keep saying it every year, we need a Super bowl or we need to at least get there. It's, it's so tough to beat the Chiefs in the playoffs. Obviously they're amazing and the Ravens have, are floundering a little bit. They got some injuries. But honestly, I think, I think it's going to happen. I think they're going to break through. I just have so much fun watching their team. Like the Bills are so fun to watch. To me, like they, they're such a team, it's such a team oriented culture there and you can just tell by the way they play. So it's. If even if I wasn't from Buffalo or from Rochester and cheered for the Bills, I would enjoy watching them. So, yeah, we'll be following closely. I think they break through. I think it's finally our year.
- [17:53]
B
So wouldn't that be something? Blue Jays world championship followed by a Bill Super Bowl. That'd be a pretty good Ernie Clement year, wouldn't it be?
- [18:01]
A
Yeah. Sign me up. Sign me up.
- [18:03]
B
Awesome. Ernie, thanks very much. I know you're busy. You got everything going on. We appreciate you stopping by, talking baseball, obviously, and talking little Bills football.
- [18:13]
A
Go Bills, baby. Thanks for having me. It.