The Pitch Clock: The Classic Pitcher’s Duel

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: The Pitch Clock: The Classic Pitcher’s Duel
Release Date: June 20, 2025

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Introduction to The Pitch Clock Segment

In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz introduce their beloved baseball trivia segment, "The Pitch Clock." Although Taylor is absent this week, the team seamlessly fills the gap with guest host Ethan Badowski, setting the stage for an engaging and competitive trivia showdown.

Notable Quote:

Jeremy: "The Pitch Clock is back." [00:00]

The Pitch Clock Trivia Duel

Round 1: Rookie of the Year Edition

Ethan lays down the rules: ten questions, each answer being a Rookie of the Year awardee. Jeremy and Chris vie for the top spot, but the competition proves tougher than anticipated.

Memorable Moments:

• Jason Jennings Question:
  Jeremy inaccurately guesses Ubaldo Jimenez, while Ethan reveals the correct answer as Jason Jennings.

  Quote:

  Chris: "The answer was Jason Jennings." [02:43]

• Fernando Valenzuela Revelation:
  Fabian intercepts with a producer’s note, providing valuable context about Jennings' achievement.

  Quote:

  Ethan: "In his major league debut, Jason Jennings hit a home run and tossed a complete game shutout, becoming the first major leaguer to accomplish that feat." [02:14]

• Struggles Continue:
  Both Jeremy and Chris falter on subsequent questions about the Mariners' Rookie of the Year winners and the Athletics' back-to-back awards, leading to a score of 1-0 in Jeremy's favor.

  Quote:

  Ethan: "The answer is Kazuhiro Sasaki." [04:03]

Expert Analysis with Fabian Ardaya

With the trivia stuck at a close score, the segment transitions to discussing current MLB happenings with guest Fabian Ardaya, a Dodgers specialist from The Athletic.

Key Discussions:

1. Shohei Ohtani’s Triumphant Return:
   Fabian praises Ohtani's performance post-recovery, highlighting his ability to both pitch and hit effectively.

   Quote:

   Fabian: "Ohtani... his command was in and out, but is better than you'd expect for a guy coming off a second major elbow surgery." [05:15]

2. Giants’ Strategic Trade for Rafael Devers:
   The conversation shifts to the Giants' acquisition of Devers from the Red Sox, analyzing its impact on the team's lineup and long-term strategy.

   Quote:

   Fabian: "If you're the Giants right now and you've swung a missed Aaron Judge at Bryce Harper, Shohei Ohtani over the years, like you needed a big bat in that ballpark and they finally got one." [08:34]

3. Red Sox’s Managing of Star Players:
   Fabian critiques the Red Sox's front office decisions over the past five years, pointing out inconsistencies and communication issues, particularly concerning Rafael Devers.

   Quote:

   Fabian: "It seems like there's something off with the Red Sox at this point... something was not communicated well to him." [11:19]

4. Max Freed’s Impact on the Yankees:
   Highlighting Max Freed, Fabian discusses his role as a leading pitcher for the Yankees and the significance of his performance in the postseason context.

   Quote:

   Fabian: "He's been everything the Yankees could have asked for." [13:52]

Closing the Trivia and Showdown

Returning to the trivia game, the final questions prove challenging, with only Jeremy managing to correctly answer one additional question, cementing his lead at 1-0. Despite the competitive spirit, both teams find the questions particularly tough.

Closing Moments:

• Final Score: Jeremy leads 1-0 in a tight, pitcher’s duel.

  Quote:

  Ethan: "There is one point on the board. One nothing. Jeremy leads an absolute pitcher's duel going on right now." [10:22]

• Tribute to Fabian:
  The hosts express gratitude towards Fabian for his insights, hinting at future collaborations as the MLB season progresses toward the World Series.

  Quote:

  Jeremy: "Fabian, thank you so much. You can follow him at @fabianardia on Instagram." [14:03]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a lighthearted acknowledgment of the challenging trivia round, emphasizing the competitive yet friendly atmosphere of "The Pitch Clock." The seamless integration of expert analysis with lively host interactions encapsulates the show's unique blend of sports insight and entertainment.

Final Quote:

Jeremy: "But that's okay. But we'll see you next week on the pitch clock." [16:07]

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Follow Us:
Stay updated with The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz by following Dan and Stugotz on their social media platforms. For more in-depth MLB analysis, follow Fabian Ardaya on Instagram and Twitter at @fabianardia.

Transcript

[Jeremy]

At Chipotle, we also have a playlist. Guacamole as it's being hand mashed. The sizzle of adobo chicken on the grill, the chopping of onions and cilantro. We call our playlist Real order now. Chipotle for real. Welcome to the Pitch clock. Here's the pitch. A two part baseball segment combining a nostalgic baseball trivia game and an interview with an expert. This is the Pitch Clock. Hey, the Pitch Clock is back.

[Chris]

Hi, everybody. That's Chris.

[Jeremy]

We don't have Taylor with us this week. He will be back. Taylor on the Pitch Clock.

[Chris]

Taylor's not here. But we've swiftly replaced him with Taylor Swift. Yeah.

[Jeremy]

Ethan Badowski is going to be your trivia host this week. Ethan, are you mentally prepared for this challenge?

[Ethan]

I'm very excited. I also do a Harry carry, by the way.

[Jeremy]

Let's hear it.

[Ethan]

Hi, everybody.

[Jeremy]

It's worse than Chris's. We will have our 2025 MLB expert coming up in just a moment. But Ethan Taylor's trivia. What do we got this week, boys?

[Ethan]

I'm looking at this sheet now.

[Fabian]

Is this.

[Chris]

I want to know.

[Ethan]

Taylor's done it again.

[Chris]

Okay. This is Taylor created. This is not. This is you getting the assignment I trusted Taylor created.

[Ethan]

This is just straight trivia. We're going to go back and forth. You will have a chance to steal if your opponent gets the question wrong. There are 10 questions. It'll be the most points at the end of the 10 questions. Now what I'm going to tell you, every answer to these questions is a rookie of the year. I'm gonna start with Jeremy and then we're gonna go to Chris.

[Chris]

You're doing great so far.

[Ethan]

First question.

[Chris]

Thank you.

[Ethan]

In 2004, this Colorado Rocky pitcher became the only pitcher in history to hit a home run off of hall of famer Greg Maddox.

[Chris]

I think. I mean, there's only one obvious guess to this. I know you're up, so go.

[Jeremy]

Yeah. I mean there's only. There's only one.

[Chris]

Don't take it. Save it for me.

[Jeremy]

Ubaldo Jimenez.

[Chris]

Oh, wow. That was not what I was gonna say.

[Ethan]

That is not the correct answer.

[Chris]

See, the guy that I' think was like played in like the late 90s.

[Jeremy]

Jimenez is the only Rockies pitcher that I can think of. So there's.

[Chris]

I could think of a.

[Fabian]

What?

[Chris]

I can think of a Rockies pitcher who was a really good hitter.

[Ethan]

So I, I have a producer note in here from Taylor.

[Fabian]

Yeah.

[Ethan]

Want to get this in here? In his major league debut, on August 23, 2001. So this player hit a home run and tossed a complete game shutout, becoming the first major leaguer to accomplish that feat.

[Jeremy]

That would have been good to know.

[Chris]

Before, I guess I did not know that this. See this guy. I don't even imagine ever being good enough to throw a complete game. No hitter. But I'm sure he just did. I'm gonna just go. Mike Hampton.

[Fabian]

The answer was.

[Ethan]

The answer was Jason Jennings.

[Chris]

I think Jason Jennings was on this list months ago. And we were like. It was like we were looking for some rocky rookie. I think it was rookie.

[Jeremy]

It might have been the rocky.

[Chris]

And we were just like, who the.

[Jeremy]

Hell is that guy? Hey, pitch clock fans. Find that and tell us what we got wrong with Jason Jennings last time. Yeah, Chris, you're up.

[Ethan]

In 1981, this player was the only player to win both Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young in the same season.

[Chris]

And 81, obviously this is. I mean, Nolan Ryan.

[Ethan]

Not Nolan Ryan.

[Chris]

Where did this 1981 come out of nowhere.

[Jeremy]

There's no way. Is it Tom Seaver.

[Ethan]

Nolan Ryan made his major debut in 1966. It's not Tom Se.

[Jeremy]

That's too late too. Yeah.

[Ethan]

The answer is Fernando Valenzuela.

[Jeremy]

And this is a nightmare.

[Ethan]

These are getting a little tough. All right, number three. The Mariners won back to back rookie of the years in 2000 and 2001. A reliever and an outfielder. You have to name both of them.

[Jeremy]

Yeah, I know. So Ichiro is the outfielder.

[Ethan]

Correct.

[Chris]

You have to get them both to get it right.

[Fabian]

Right.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Ethan]

He only pitched four seasons in the major league.

[Jeremy]

So I'm going to go ahead and I'm going to say Felix Hernandez, even though that's wrong because I just. I just want. I just want something I can name.

[Chris]

A dip. But he wasn't a rookie there. He played other places and then went to Seattle. Eddie Guardado.

[Fabian]

I know.

[Chris]

I guess in the other.

[Jeremy]

That's a fun one.

[Ethan]

Not Eddie Guardado. The answer is Kazuhiro Sasaki.

[Jeremy]

We are struggling. Yeah, I know. We probably should have. For. For Fernando Valenzuela. That's on us.

[Ethan]

We're three questions in. There are no points on the board.

[Jeremy]

Yeah.

[Ethan]

Not sure this has ever happened before.

[Chris]

You know what that means? Anyone's game.

[Jeremy]

And our 2025 Major League Baseball expert is here. We have Fabian Ardaya who covers the Dodgers for the athletic and. And guys on this show. You know, if you listen. Normally I try to highlight teams and players from maybe some smaller markets. You're not paying attention to. We're focused on the big markets today. This has been a huge week in Major League Baseball for big market teams. And we're going to start with Fabian's Dodgers, who he covers because maybe the biggest story in baseball was Shohei Ohtani returning to the mound after the 5050 season last year. He's now back on the hill and Fabian was there to witness it. So. So Fabian, how did Shohei look? How does this impact the Dodgers season long term? And maybe most importantly, how insane is it in general just to have this guy back on the mound after the offensive production we've seen the last couple.

[Fabian]

Of years having back on the mound, especially the way the last like 22, 23 or so days sort of came together where it seemed like the Dodgers were kind of kicking the can on his rehab as long as possible. And then he goes in starts facing hitters. And then after three simulated games like I'm ready to go, I want to pitch in games. You're sort of seeing a rehab assignment in front of 50, 000 people. And last night I think obviously like the Finals like stat line is not the most like eye popping or anything like that. He allowed to run, gave up two hits, didn't strike anyone out. But I think it was everything the Dodgers could have asked for and probably a little bit more in terms of the stuff, I think they weren't expecting to see 100 in there. I'm sure they knew it was possibly in there down the line, but I don't think they expected that. In his first inning back and he hit 100 a couple times, obviously the off speed stuff looked sharp, the command was in and out, but is better than you'd expect for a guy coming off a second major elbow surgery. So I think the Dodgers kind of came away with it really encouraged. And then obviously he goes back out there as the DH and gets two hits in the game, including bringing, bringing home a couple runs. So that's just a day in the life for Shohei Ohtani.

[Jeremy]

I guess it is a day in the life for Shohei Ohtani, the most freakish player that we have ever or will ever see. More likely than not in Major League Baseball. The idea that he's out there throwing 100 off his second Tommy John when down here we're witnessing Sandy Alcantara and what it takes to try to come back from Tommy John surgery, it's pretty remarkable. But let's stick with that division in the NL west because the Giants made the big splash of the season probably going to end up being the biggest trade of the year, regardless of what happens at the trade deadline. They trade for Raphael Des from the Red Sox and we'll get into sort of the Red Sox mess in just a moment. But from the Dodgers perspective, you've got Buster Posey at the helm. A team that's playing spectacular baseball. They might just be the story of this season. So what is your view here? What does this mean for the Giants?

[Fabian]

I think it legitimizes them really. It's hard to like really like say it carefully without like sort of like talking down on what they've accomplished. Because what they've accomplished is obviously, I mean, they pushed the Dodgers to this point. There was a stretch this past weekend where they were tied for first place. And that's a testament to them. Well, they built what their pitching staff has done. But he kept looking at that lineup saying, all right, do they have enough bats to really hang around? And now I think I would argue they do. Especially if they can get Matt Chapman back healthy. If Patrick Bailey, when it comes to healthy, can start to turn around offensively a little bit, then you're looking at a pretty deep Giants lineup. You're looking at a bullpen that's really good. You're looking at starting pitching staff that's really good. You've seen that formula work well in that ballpark before. And Devers is kind of fits exactly what they need. Obviously there's a lot of questions about like where he fits, where is he going to play. But at the end of the day, like that left handed bat is going to play even at Oracle park and that's kind of exactly what they needed. Obviously there's some recent questions long term, but how the contract sort of ages and everything like that. But if you're the Giants right now and you've swung a missed Aaron Judge at Bryce Harper, Shohei Otani over the years, like you needed a big bat in that ballpark and they finally got one.

[Ethan]

All right, number four, here we go. The Athletics won back to back rookie of the years in 2004 and 2005. A shortstop and a reliever.

[Chris]

I'm gonna go Miguel Tejada and Keith Folk.

[Ethan]

Those are both incorrect. Jeremy, I'm gonna go over to you.

[Jeremy]

Yeah, this is the issue now.

[Ethan]

Tejada was on the 2002 Moneyball A's that we talked about recently.

[Jeremy]

I'm going to say the answers are Bobby Crosby and Houston Streak.

[Chris]

Wow.

[Jeremy]

Did I get it?

[Ethan]

Unbelievable.

[Fabian]

Let's go.

[Ethan]

Nice job, Jeremy. We've got one on the board. This 1997 Rookie of the Year also won Comeback Player of the year in 2006 when he was a member of an NL West.

[Jeremy]

Yeah, I'm. I'm just going to. I'm just going to guess. I'm just. And I don't think it's right. I'm going to guess. Craig Counsel.

[Ethan]

That is incorrect. Ford goes over to you. You were thinking Diamondbacks, Craig Counsel.

[Jeremy]

Yeah, I was.

[Fabian]

He.

[Jeremy]

He might have been.

[Fabian]

He.

[Jeremy]

I know he was there earlier. I just figured maybe there was a chance. There was an injury and, you know, came back after that.

[Ethan]

This is a name you should be.

[Chris]

Able to get the name that I have in my head for some reason, I don't think one Rookie of the Year or Comeback Player of the Year. No, that's just Rich Aurelia.

[Ethan]

That is incorrect. The answer is Noma Nomar.

[Jeremy]

Really?

[Ethan]

Through five rounds. This is a struggle.

[Jeremy]

It's a one nothing.

[Ethan]

There is one point on the board. One nothing. Jeremy leads an absolute pitcher's duel going on right now. This one goes to Chris Cody. This 2010 Rookie of the Year also won Comeback Player of the year in 2012 when he was a member of an NL west team. NL west should absolutely be able to get this.

[Chris]

I get what Taylor's doing with this.

[Jeremy]

I'm getting. Yeah.

[Chris]

It's really hard.

[Jeremy]

It is really hard.

[Chris]

I know Ethan thinks it's easy when you can look at the answers.

[Fabian]

Yeah.

[Jeremy]

But this is not. It's not as easy as it feels. I know there's a lot of people now who've been.

[Fabian]

Who.

[Jeremy]

They've been, like, tweeting at me and DMing me that they play trivia along with us. I'm fascinated to see this week how fans are doing.

[Chris]

James Loney.

[Ethan]

Not James Loney. Jeremy, it's over to you.

[Jeremy]

Oh, man. So there's two names that came into. There's really. There's three names that came into my head, but I'm going to go with the one that has been most relevant as of recently. Buster Posey.

[Ethan]

Nailed it.

[Jeremy]

Let's go.

[Ethan]

This 1991 Rookie of the Year also led Major League Baseball in errors in 1999 when he developed the yips for an Al east team.

[Chris]

Thank God.

[Jeremy]

Chuck Knoblock.

[Chris]

I thought that was on. That was my turn.

[Jeremy]

My turn.

[Ethan]

That was Jeremy's turn. And he is correct.

[Jeremy]

3 Nothing. Which means as we get to question 8.

[Chris]

I knew that one.

[Jeremy]

Chris, not only.

[Ethan]

Chris needs to shut you out from here.

[Jeremy]

All right, let's move to the Red Sox side of things now when it comes to that Rafael Devers trades. And it seems like things generally for a team that's hanging in there in a playoff race are just a bit of a mess right now in Boston. So what's your outlook on how the Red Sox handled the this situation with Devers and what things look like for them moving forward?

[Fabian]

There is a world where you kind of look back on the streets like, all right, that actually made some sense to get off that contract to like, long term. You're kind of in a position where you don't have to worry about a guy who's potentially a DH for the rest of his contract. And there is a world where that is the case. But I think you have to look at in the grander scheme of things, look at the last five years, not just with this front office, but with this ownership group. And a lot of it obviously was back to the Mookie Bets trade. What has happened to that 2018 team that won the World Series since then? You've traded Mookie Betts, you've let Xander Bogarts walk, you've sort of traded Chris Sale only to have him win the Cy Young the next year. And now you've traded Rafael Devers. And it just seems like there's something off with the Red Sox at this point. It seems like especially obviously, I don't think Devers is necessarily blameless in the situation, but clearly something was not communicated well to him. You're making a commitment to the player, yes, with the financials, but also in it's a relationship at that point. There's a back and forth. There's a special back and forth that happens when you give a guy that kind of big contract. Devers obviously voice where he was. I think it made more sense baseball wise for Alex Bregman to be the third baseman. But there is a better way to communicate that, especially if you're looking at Craig Bresla, who's a guy who's a former player. You would think we kind of understand the dynamics at play there.

[Jeremy]

The irony is you go from one former player running a team to another in Buster Posey and clearly someone who at least to this point point has done a better job of communicating with his players what what the goal is for them. And when you look back and now see that the three position players you named, Mookie Betts, Xander Bogarts and Rafael Devers, all in the NL west, all anchoring separate lineups, it's pretty unbelievable for Boston fans. It's time to highlight our star of the week here on the pitch clock. We're always giving our analysts a couple of different stars and then giving them the choice of who to highlight. So we're going to stick with the major markets. We've done it out west. We've done it with Boston. It's time to head to New York. Two pitchers each leading their respective leagues in ERA as starters right now. Kodai Sanga with the Mets, Max Freed with the Yankees. Who stands out to you that we want to highlight here on the pitch.

[Fabian]

Clock going into this winner? I'll admit I was kind of the low man on Freed. Just kind of understanding the injury history there. Like, if the guy kind of comes up with some sort of forearm thing every single year, that's going to raise some red flags for me. Obviously, the Yankees, after losing out Juan Stto, they really kind of. You kind of look at what they've did since then, and everything kind of has worked out. He obviously has kind of anchored that rotation, especially without Garrett Cole there. And he's been everything the Yankees could have asked for. So I'm gonna go with Max Freed.

[Jeremy]

You got to go with Max Freed. And he, he'll be a huge piece of whether or not we can ultimately see a repeat World Series matchup between those Yankees and the team Fabian covers here, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fabian, thank you so much for joining us. You can follow him at by fabianardia on Instagram at Fabian Ardaya on Twitter. Fabian, thank you so much. Hopefully we'll have you back sometime soon maybe, as we head toward that inevitable World Series rematch. Thank you. And let's get back to our trivia game. So if Chris loses here, we can just run through the next couple and call it a day. So question number eight, this one goes to Chris.

[Ethan]

This 1998 rookie of the year also led the National League in strikeouts in 2003 when he was a member of an NL Central team.

[Chris]

Chris Carpenter.

[Jeremy]

Dude.

[Chris]

No, no, no, man.

[Ethan]

Over to you, Jeremy. Kerry Wood was the answer it had.

[Jeremy]

To be carried or mark.

[Ethan]

Four nothing.

[Jeremy]

Four nothing. I got four. How impressive.

[Chris]

I was rattled after the 1981 question ended your day.

[Jeremy]

Can you give us the last couple questions and those answers, even this one.

[Ethan]

You should be able to could have been able to get because it involves the Marlins 1996 Rookie of the year outfielder went on to win his only World Series with the Marlins in 2003. The answer is Todd Hollingsworth.

[Jeremy]

Nice.

[Ethan]

And number 10, the 1997 Rookie of the year infielder went on to win his own only World series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. Recent hall of Fame inductee Scott Roland.

[Jeremy]

Wow. All right. Well, we were not quite rolling today, huh?

[Ethan]

No, I would say so.

[Jeremy]

But that's okay.

[Ethan]

Next time, I. I got a victory.

[Jeremy]

And that's all that. All that ultimately matters is that I won this game. So we'll see you next week on the pitch clock.