NEVER HEARD 2016 Cubs stories, BIGGEST PLAY of Game 7 & HATING the Cardinals | Lovable Reunion Ep 8

Summary

The Lovable Reunion, Ep. 8: Untold 2016 Cubs Stories, Game 7’s Biggest Play & Hating the Cardinals

Released: May 12, 2026
Guests: Matt Szczur, Chris Coghlan, Albert Almora
Hosts: Anthony Rizzo & David Ross

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Episode Overview

This special episode marks the 10th anniversary of the Chicago Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series win. Hosts Anthony Rizzo and David Ross sit down with three key 2016 “role players”—Matt Szczur, Chris Coghlan, and Albert Almora—to relive behind-the-scenes stories, reflect on clubhouse culture, discuss the pressure of their roles, recount the rivalry with the Cardinals, and revisit the most pivotal moments of that magical postseason, including Game 7’s most underrated play. The conversation is intimate, candid, and full of affection for a unique brotherhood.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Role Players’ Impact and Clubhouse Dynamics

Timestamps: 02:49–08:52

• Shared grind: The guests reflect on the unique challenges of being non-everyday players, the hustle required, and the sometimes modest financial rewards.
• “Every piece of the puzzle is a reason we won.” – David Ross (04:49)
• Leadership & inclusivity: Almora shares how Ross’s early support helped him shed rookie anxiety, setting a positive, open team culture.
• “One of the things Lester said to me… everybody’s family here. And I think that is a real testament to why we won.” – Albert Almora (04:39)
• Veteran wisdom: Coghlan and Ross remember learning from both supportive and tough vets and how important it is to make every player—no matter the role—feel needed and comfortable:
  “I want the guy that’s the most insecure to feel the most comfortable so… he can have his skill set and help us win ball games.” – Chris Coghlan (07:19)
• Contrast with past: Players recall clubhouses from less successful years, where insecurity and harsh hazing prevailed, and how the Cubs’ style was empowering, never mean-spirited.

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2. Turning Point: Cardinals Rivalry and Culture Shift

Timestamps: 09:04–14:25

• Building an edge: Coghlan especially recalls deep frustration from losing years and the lack of veteran leadership, culminating in a memorable brawl with the Reds (10:25) that he calls “a tone setter I’ll never forget.”
• Cardinals as nemesis: The group laughs about refusing to wear any red and the pride of finally beating St. Louis—both in regular season and playoffs—shifting the division’s balance of power.
• “I hated the Cardinals and I hated…they would just come up and want to hang out…then kick your teeth…such mad respect, but I didn't even want to see them.” – Chris Coghlan (09:15)
• Joe Maddon’s “take the ball back” speech is highlighted as a metaphor for seizing respect from their chief rivals.

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3. Team Family & Support Systems

Timestamps: 17:58–20:39

• Family first: Almora and Szczur reminisce about off-field camaraderie, Mario Kart in the clubhouse, Vince Vaughn sightings, and how the entire team supported each other's families, especially during hard times.
• “We did stuff outside the ballpark, with the families too…that’s what separates the good teams from the bad teams.” – Albert Almora (19:32)
• Transitions & emotions: Coghlan discusses being sent away and brought back during 2016, highlighting the brutal emotional side of trades and roster moves. Almora and Szczur echo the anxiety of constant call-ups and demotions.

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4. The Grind of a Role Player: Mental Approach & Sacrifice

Timestamps: 27:09–35:00

• The hosts probe what it’s like to see your playing time cut with summer acquisitions or be left off a postseason roster despite being a major part of the team’s chemistry and performance.
• Almora stresses controlling what you can: “Control what you can control. I put in the work… You just want to win and not be a cancer in the organization.” (28:12)
• Sacrifice & professionalism: The team admires Szczur for his attitude after being left off the World Series roster.
  • “You didn’t change a bit. That’s…what am I gonna do? I want my team to win.” – Matt Szczur (35:31)
  • “It is so rare…you were a pro pro dude, and that deserves mad respect.” – David Ross (36:19)

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5. Stories from the Road: Memories That Last

Timestamps: 30:36–35:00

• Player bonding: Plane and bus rides, goofy mic sessions with Jon Lester, impromptu rookie ribbing, taxi stories, and even gum-spitting at fans (“Feed the animals!”). These details highlight the chemistry forged away from the field, driving their focus and unity.

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6. The World Series: Untold Angles & The Biggest Play

Timestamps: 35:00–62:27

a) World Series roster and emotions

• Szczur left off the roster but lauded as a class act and essential part of the group’s heart.
• “You were every bit on that roster.” – David Ross (35:45)

b) Playing through adversity

• The decision to start Coghlan in Game 1 is dissected, including the pressures of filling in for Jason Heyward.
  • “Wherever you want to play me, I’m ready to roll… Just kept telling myself every three seconds, I’m excited, I’m excited, I’m excited. Hit it to me, please.” – Chris Coghlan (40:13)
• Ross shares how superstition and a mental “reset” (by switching to Szczur’s bat) “changed his postseason,” noting how small things domino into big outcomes.
  • “If I don’t switch to the Matt Szczur model Marucci bat, I…don’t go off in the playoffs.” – David Ross (59:15)

c) The rain delay and Game 7 pressure

• Almora recounts the agony after Rajai Davis’ game-tying home run and the ghostly quiet in the dugout:
  • “As loud as the stadium was, the dugout…you could hear a pencil drop.” – Albert Almora (49:31)
• Emotional scenes: Aroldis Chapman sobbing, Heyward’s unifying speech in the weight room, and the sense of the curse looming before the rain delay snapped them back to focus.

d) Breaking down the “Biggest Play”: Almora’s Tag Up in the 10th

Timestamps: 52:31–56:42

• Critical moment: Almora describes running for Schwarber in extras, managing nerves at first base, and his instinctual, heads-up tag to second on Bryant’s flyout—a move not typically taught in those situations.
  • “I was reading Davis the way he was coasting to the ball…as an outfielder, I know when that’s happening, it’s either a homer…or he’s going to make the play. If it’s caught, I gotta be on second.” – Albert Almora (54:43)
• Ross contextualizes its significance:
  • “To be able to do that at 22 years old as a rookie is insane. That’s not how we’re taught to play…But your instincts took over. Got you to second, and the rest is history.” – David Ross (55:08)

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7. Brotherhood & Lifelong Bonds

Timestamps: 62:27–End

• Winning links these players for life in a way that transcends statistics and on-field roles.
  • “No matter where we are in life, high, low, whatever—we’re always going to be linked because we won. That’s the coolest part about winning a championship.” – David Ross (63:07)
• The episode closes with laughter, gratitude, and a promise to party together, confirming that the 2016 Cubs were—and forever will be—a family.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Riz told a story about the Cardinals’ coaches and guys coming into the weight room all huggy and all friends. And then we started kicking their butt…all of a sudden they’re not showing up.”
  – Chris Coghlan (12:01)

• “I was a role player. I played once a week.”
  – Chris Coghlan (41:41)

• “After Rajai hits it… I go, so this is what it’s like to be a Cubs fan.”
  – Albert Almora (49:25)

• “I want to do that because I don’t want the kid down the street that wants my autograph when I’m 45 years old and we’re doing the 20-year anniversary and I look like a fat slob. Be like, wow, that dude was a really good athlete.”
  – Matt Szczur (37:15)

• “I was the cause of it. We just sent a really good guy down. You better get your stuff together… I wanted to punch him in the face.”
  – Chris Coghlan, recounting pressure and competition after La Stella’s demotion (43:12)

• “We used on our 25 man roster…like 24, 23 guys. …Winning in ’16 forever links us. No matter where we are in life… we’re always going to be linked because we won.”
  – David Ross (62:06, 63:07)

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Segment Timestamps Recap

• 02:49–08:52: Role players, leadership, inclusivity memories
• 09:04–14:25: Culture change, leadership vacuum, Cardinals rivalry
• 17:58–20:39: Team family, emotional toll of trades
• 27:09–35:00: Mental grind, personal sacrifice, supporting teammates
• 35:00–62:27: World Series emotions, Game 7, Almora’s tag up, behind-the-scenes postseason drama
• 62:27–End: Reflections on championship brotherhood

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Episode Takeaway

This is an episode about the magic behind the magic—the unseen sacrifices, the brotherhood, the laughter, and the unwavering support that transformed a group of individual players, often overlooked and shuffled around, into legends. The intimate stories, raw admissions, and emotional highs and lows offer a living history of the 2016 Cubs and a textbook on how true teams win championships.

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Transcript

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[David Ross]

David Ross, Matt Cesar, Chris Coghlan, Albert Almora Take one. Welcome back to another episode of the Lovable Reunion Podcast. Today we have three very special guests. Matt Cesar, Chris Coughlin and Albert Almora. Three huge parts of our team. More on the role side, more not on the everyday side. So it's gonna be fun to be able to pick their brains and see their vision of what 2016 looked like and relive the memories. Fellas, welcome to the show.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah, buddy.

[Chris Coghlan]

More relatable to my role than Riz's everyday role. We're gonna talk about. Yeah, you taking a rebound. We're gonna talk about what it's like to grind and not make a lot of money and try to be a part of the team.

[David Ross]

I think Cease, it starts with you. You were here. When did you get drafted? 2012. 10.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah. Yeah.

[David Ross]

And me and ceez, cez and I were workout partners every spring, what like 5:36am Grind. Cease would push me every day in the gym. He's in peak shape.

[Chris Coghlan]

Still on that grind. You're still on that grind, Animal?

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

I mean, I think it was, it was you pushing me as well. I mean, you came up and I remember. Was it 2014? You came over. When did you come over?

[David Ross]

2012.

[Albert Almora]

2012. Yeah. Dominated AAA. I mean, I remember deadlifting the house with you doing pull ups and stuff. Yeah. I mean it was just, you know, it's so relatable now because you're always looking for a workout partner and I think that's what makes people better. That's what made our team better, is because everybody was there trying to get better. They knew their role and they just wanted to be the best at the role. You know, one of the thing that Lester said to me at one time was like, you know, it doesn't matter if you're number one guy on the roster or number 25 guy on the roster. Everybody's family here. And I think that that is a real testament to why we won and why teams do win.

[David Ross]

Yeah, that's what we've been talking about a Lot is every single piece of the puzzle is a reason we won. Without every single person, there's no way we win. And I mean, each one of you probably got. I think you may have gotten the most of bats that year in 16, 200ish.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

Cece, you got traded over at the deadline. Al, you. You're a rookie.

[Chris Coghlan]

You made a debut, but you were missing. They brought you back.

[Matt Cesar]

I know. That is. That was awesome. Stinks. And then it was awesome. It was so depressing. But then I was so happy when I came back.

[David Ross]

Al, when you're a rookie.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

You drafted in the first round, young, out of high school. You get called up to this team. What are you thinking? Because you're coming into the big boys, Right. We're steamrolling everyone.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah. I mean, it. It all. So coming into the show, you have this perception of, like, hey, you're a young guy. Like, stay quiet. Stay to yourself. Like, don't do anything. You know, just play baseball and go home. And I actually shared this story with Rossi yesterday, that one of the first moments that impacted me in the league was first day, first game. He sat right next to me in my locker, and he was like, hey, I don't care if you're a rookie. I don't care if you have 10 years in the show. Like, you're here to help us win. Be yourself and act like yourself and just don't play with any pressure. And that took so much off of me, and just let me be me and I'm quiet on its own, but it just let me just go out there and not be afraid to make mistakes. And it really impacted my career.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah, you said that. That means a lot.

[Matt Cesar]

That's cool.

[David Ross]

Damn, look at you, partner.

[Chris Coghlan]

It's early. I got choked up early this morning, Al telling me his feelings when I

[David Ross]

got called up in San Diego, I had some veterans that were complete opposite of that. And I stunk in San Diego. My time in San Diego stunk. And I said to myself, I'll never be like that as a veteran. You had some good stories of veterans, too. Cc, cc, Black coffee. We'll get into those stories.

[Matt Cesar]

You already. Everybody knows who that is.

[Chris Coghlan]

Who's that?

[David Ross]

We'll get it.

[Albert Almora]

We'll get in.

[David Ross]

So here in Ross, he said, when I get called up to Chicago, Brian Dempster does the same exact thing to me. He goes, hey, man, we stink. Like, we're on our way to losing 100 games. And he's like, but you're here to help us win, and you Be you and don't change a thing. Like, exactly what you said verbatim. And that helped me. So hearing that from you as well,

[Chris Coghlan]

and over the journey of my career, too, like, coming up and the oldest guy in the room.

[Matt Cesar]

Right.

[Chris Coghlan]

Certain guys were hard on you. Certain guys were your friend. But the more I was in the league, you learned, like, we need everybody to win. Like, so I want the. I want the guy that's the most insecure to feel the most comfortable so, you know, he can have his skill set and help us win ball games.

[Matt Cesar]

And you're a better.

[Chris Coghlan]

I was a better player when I was more comfortable, as we all are.

[Matt Cesar]

Right.

[Chris Coghlan]

And you turn into a kid again. So having that pressure of, like, you know, trying to perform for your teammates or other stuff outside of just caring, you realize doesn't help anybody. So that was. That was a lot learned because of how, you know, you get treated early on from. From some other guys, and you're like, you still look back like, I hated that motherfucker, you know?

[Matt Cesar]

Oh, dude. There's some guys that we hated a lot different, too. Like, the game changed so much. But I do think on the teams I played on, it was for sure really cool. I thought we did such a good job. Welcoming, but still ribbing and never. But not like, hey, Cece, I'm a freeze your suit and cut your suit up, and you're not going to get your clothes and you're going to shave and cream your shoes and like, hey, me, get in the back and dress like a chick and go serve everybody stuff. And you're like, bro, we're like, ribbing somebody on the mic. And that's like, ribbing. But it was really good. I thought it was such a good cadence and balance at the same time where the younger guys could come and feel comfortable. That's so important. So important, because you're so insecure when you get up there. Like, you said it really well, and I think all of our guys that were older made people feel comfortable, and the young guys balled out.

[David Ross]

Well, I don't know how insecure you were. You were on the rookie of the year, so.

[Matt Cesar]

Well, I was in the beginning, that's for sure. I sucked in the first time.

[Chris Coghlan]

Maybe we should have been an asshole to you.

[Matt Cesar]

I had plenty of that from you, Rn, So you were good.

[David Ross]

So, Cece, you were here in 14 when we got into that scuffle with the Reds, and we were talking about it, just how. How that through your vantage point. What. What was that all about?

[Matt Cesar]

Well, Listen, we sucked, okay? And I've been on some sucky teams, and I was like, I'm so tired of sucking. And it was tough. You know, there's an evolution for me. I wasn't a dude. It was my first year over here, you know, but then once I was playing every day, you know, my personality injected in and we just lacked leadership. You know, you were there, but you were young, you were still developing. You were the dude on our team. We had a couple of other guys, but we didn't have that, like, veteran, no frills. And what I know about sucky teams is they lack leadership. They don't have a tone setter personality. To be able to say, this is B.S. know, well, I'm not putting up with this. Y' all need to toe the line and stop acting like cupcakes. And so, man, when we were getting drummed, I hated. I hated the Cardinals and I hated. They would just come up and want to hang out and come give you a hug and whatever and then kick your teeth. I'm like, I'm so tired. I don't even want to see those guys. I don't even want to see them in our locker room. I don't even want to go shake their hand. And the. And then it was finally with the Reds when he threw at. Sure, sure.

[David Ross]

Well, it was over his head twice.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah. And I still remember we were so pissed. And then, like, I just lost it and you lost it on a whole other level. But. And then when I got out to left field and we were like, gloves were off, I was. I still get jacked up telling the story. I. It was a moment for me that it was like a tone setter that I'll never forget because it was like, we're not going to keep sucking. I felt that after that, we're not going to get punked around anymore. And then 15, we go get some dudes. And then, then the story, the narrative starts changing. And that's just a big moment for me, you know, from 14 to 15 and then obviously 15, 16.

[Chris Coghlan]

Was there a time in 15 that you guys remember? It's like, oh, we're good. And I know you didn't get up till 16, but like 15. Do you remember that?

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah.

[Chris Coghlan]

Switch. When we started rolling.

[Matt Cesar]

I did. I just. Maybe because I hated the Cardinals so much that it was like. And it was a respect for them, you know, it was like they were the big.

[Chris Coghlan]

They had the big boy in the. They were.

[Matt Cesar]

They earned it. Right? Like, I mean, you mad respect. I Mean, I'm friends with dudes on that team. I mean, I didn't even want to see them because I was like, I remember when you said, hey, bro, C.C. we wear blue, we don't wear red around here. You remember that?

[David Ross]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

Oh, yeah.

[Matt Cesar]

And I was like, all right, we're moving the train. We're moving. People are starting to notice little things about winning that nobody ever noticed in 14. And I think when we beat the Cardinals a couple times, it was no biggie to them because it was a regular season, but in my mind, they can't beat us. And I. And then we play them in the division, it was like, I can't wait to play the Cardinals.

[Chris Coghlan]

I remember Joe saying, taking. You got to take the ball back. You know what I mean? You go on the playground, gotta go get the ball back when you want to play. And he was referencing St. Louis and to your point, Riz told a story about, you know, the Cardinals coaches and guys coming into the weight room huggy and all friends. And then we started kicking their butt,

[David Ross]

second half of 15, and all of

[Chris Coghlan]

a sudden they're not showing up.

[Matt Cesar]

That's right.

[Chris Coghlan]

Nobody says hello.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

Okay.

[Matt Cesar]

Tension is so good. That tension.

[David Ross]

Yeah, it sees. You were. I mean, yeah.

[Albert Almora]

I mean, dude, when I think of Cubs, Cardinals, I just. I think about you screaming in the locker room like, cubs, Cardinals, Cubs, cars, baby. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, dude, 15 was. Was a death, like from being there. From. From like the Jim Hendry's perspective.

[David Ross]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

To get.

[David Ross]

Because Jim had you drafted you, right?

[Albert Almora]

Correct. Yeah. So it was like a complete, you know, 360 change and the culture just changed. And I think it really started with you. And then for. For 15, I remember, like, you know, Arietta just fucking dominated.

[David Ross]

Dominated.

[Albert Almora]

And I. And. And it was like, is. We're winning every game.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

And. And it just. Every game, like you, you know, he's going to go and he's going nine innings and he's throwing a two hitter and we're winning, didn't matter. And I feel like just people started to like, buy into. We're winning every game. And like, I remember Rossi, we be coming in because. Because my locker was right there. If we lost, it was like, it.

We're.

We're going to win tomorrow.

[Chris Coghlan]

And.

[Albert Almora]

And there was never a point in my, my career, 14, 15 and 16, when I, when I thought we were going to lose the game, I thought

[Chris Coghlan]

that was the important. The good teams I've been on. And we had that in Chicago and I took that into Managing was like, we slept fine because we didn't beat ourselves, right? We may had. We may got. We didn't get the big hit or we may get out pitch one one day. But it was like, oh, we'll be back tomorrow because we've got Lester Arietta. Yeah, Hamill. You know, the boys are coming back. And I thought that was such a good thing that I learned later in my career, too, is like, yeah. And Joe, we were talking yesterday about his 20 minutes. You know, lose hard, win win hard, and then move on, right? And the good teams I've been on, it's just like, yeah, we did. As long as we don't beat ourselves, we'll be back the next day doing

[David Ross]

it, doing the same thing.

[Albert Almora]

And I think it starts from the top. You as a leader, you know, Lester Lackey, you. You guys not beating the team up because we fucking lost.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

Helps everybody be like, so what? We'll get on tomorrow, you know? And that's. That's why you win.

[Chris Coghlan]

You forget, as a veteran, how much impact. Like, looking back when y', all, you guys tell these stories, bro. I used to say that when I address the team every spring training, like, the one thing I remember from retiring was we would go and I would see guys around, and they would never talk about the big hit or the big pitch. Right. We'll talk about those today.

[David Ross]

How is that guy?

[Matt Cesar]

How.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah, how is he? Yeah, how is he?

[David Ross]

He's a good teammate.

[Chris Coghlan]

This guy affected. He affected my career this way. He bought me a suit, he took me to dinner. He told me how to be a big leaguer. Like, that's the stories people tell. And I would tell my team that, like, that's what your responsibility is really going to be as veterans, because everybody's watching, and you can impact somebody and let them have a long career.

[David Ross]

When I got. When I got traded to New York, you know, here I was here for so long, and I was. And if there was a problem with anything on or off the field, I was the one who went to either the front office or vj, whoever, and had to be the bad guy, right? So I get traded over to New York, and my first day, we're stretching on the line, and Brett Gardner is just ripping someone on the Yankees staff for, like, the music wasn't loud enough at BP or something, And I just sat back. It was like my first home game in New York, and I was so relieved and happy to just walk.

[Matt Cesar]

You love doing that. What are you talking about? I know.

[David Ross]

I loved it, but I loved seeing someone else do it. And I would. I loved being back behind the scenes in that role. And just seeing it, it was so relieving for me. Like seeing a veteran like that take control other people.

[Chris Coghlan]

Well, accountability was what we had in that team, right?

[Matt Cesar]

Well, yeah.

[Albert Almora]

And it starts. It starts from the top, goes down to the bottom.

[David Ross]

For sure.

[Albert Almora]

It started with Joe.

[Matt Cesar]

I want to tell you this one story. You're talking about 15. You just made me think about darn Cardinals again. But one of my favorite stories with you, there's several of them, but you remember. You know what I'm talking about. When we had to go to that event.

[Chris Coghlan]

Who.

[David Ross]

Oh, yeah, it was. Was it Jason Mott's event?

[Matt Cesar]

Yes.

[Chris Coghlan]

I mean, lacking.

[Matt Cesar]

Yes.

[Chris Coghlan]

Listen, listen.

[Matt Cesar]

It's a great story. It's a great story. So, you know, the bear is just, you know, he's in there and they put that, like, pad on you, you know that, like, pad. And Lackey.

[David Ross]

John Lackey had fucking drilled me the night before.

[Chris Coghlan]

On purpose.

[David Ross]

On purpose.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

And we retaliated. Right. I think Joe said we were going

[Albert Almora]

to hit up twice or something.

[Matt Cesar]

Great. It's great because I wish Lackey was here right now in the room with this story.

[David Ross]

Well, the thing is, I. I don't have a single hit off John Lackey. Like, he dominates me.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

But at the time, we were still figuring out that I couldn't hit him. And his pitch count was high. And he fricking drilled me right in the sweet spot. And I was hurting.

[Matt Cesar]

So when you get drilled right there, you can't, like, extend your arm all the way. Cause there's too much swelling. So he's got his pink pad on, you know, and we're like. I'm like, riz. He goes, bro, he's taking it off. He can't swallow. And I'm like, bro, what are you doing? We gotta play tomorrow, right? He's like, I can't let Lackey know that he did. He drilled me. And I'm wearing his big pants. Screw that guy.

[David Ross]

I couldn't show a sign of weakness.

[Matt Cesar]

I said, I knew I loved the bear. This guy's ripping the pink pad off just for an event so he doesn't show any weakness. We were in the, like, taxi. Show no weakness. Cc.

[David Ross]

Jason Mott did a cornhole event, I believe, and that was still earlier in 15, where they were still kicking our ass.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah.

[Chris Coghlan]

I didn't even want to go. We didn't want to go.

[Matt Cesar]

We're like, why are we going? It was mod Jason Mott came from there. Yeah, it was really, you know, he was kind of the bridge. But it was like, why are we doing this? And we're doing it for a good cause. But we were like, we got to do this with the Cardinals.

[Chris Coghlan]

Let's Fast forward to 16. I want to think about that team and the first thing that comes with the memories, the stories you tell your friends about that 16 team. What are they start with you, Al?

[Albert Almora]

Just a family. It's just being so close knit. You guys playing freaking Mario Kart like in, during the World Series. I always tell the story of you guys. Big league. What's it, Vince Vaughn or Vince? Remember when he showed up to the, he showed up to the club, he said, what's up, guys? And everybody's just locked in. I was a young guy, just looking, I'm like, holy shit. And then, and then Riz got up after the game. He's like, let me go say hi to Vince. Let me go say what's up. It was things like that, just how close knit we were and how we really cared for one another, cared for each other's families. Like, that was huge, man. Like being a first year guy, just getting married, having a kid and then

[Chris Coghlan]

your dad was going through some stuff.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah, he had prostate cancer at that time. And yeah, just seeing how much everybody cared and was really in it for the right reasons. And there was, you know, being on different other organizations and seeing how guys go about their business where they, they're pros, right. They just go in, but they work and they go home. But the Cubs there guys were staying after the games. We were even with losses. We'll have little light music playing, like knowing that the next day we're going to come on and beat everybody's ass. Like, it was things like that that really sat with me. And I wish I would have got to really experience winning a year or two after feeling losing, what it is like to lose and getting into it and winning our first year.

[David Ross]

That's all you knew?

[Albert Almora]

That's all I knew. I was like, oh, we're going to win every year. We're going to come in 17, we're going to beat the shit out everybody. And then we lose and we see how that feels and like how, how, you know, we're not going to see each other. A lot of guys are going different paths, like, so I wish I would have got to experience that a little later in my career. But nonetheless, like, what a great experience. What a great team.

[Chris Coghlan]

What about you, Cease?

[Albert Almora]

I mean, the same thing, man.

[David Ross]

That's.

[Albert Almora]

I literally tell everybody all the time that we were family. Like, we didn't just show up to the ballpark. We did stuff outside the ballpark, like, with the families, too. It wasn't just like, you know, the boys going out. It was, hey, bring your family. Bring your kids, you know, And I just think that's. That's what separates the good teams from the bad teams, is like, yeah, it is your job. It's work. But, I mean, you can. You can be a family outside of it, too.

[Chris Coghlan]

It's like Cogs. You got. You got kind of the shaft. We're all excited that Dex is back. And Cogs is one of those out the door, right? Like, I mean, to start, and then you come back to somewhere you'd been for a while and get to get on that run.

[Matt Cesar]

Like I said, there were so many emotions for that. I don't know if you guys probably remember. So there was such a unique time because I just gone with Theo on, like, a walk to, like. And he's, like, trying to feel me out, and I'm thinking, what? I've never. What are we going on a walk? I'm like, stretching at 6 in the morning? He's like, hey, can I talk to you? He's like, we'll get it after you work out. And I'm like, no, I'm pretty sure. Let's just go. Let's go. I've been around the block. What are you doing there?

[Chris Coghlan]

Leave me with that.

[Matt Cesar]

It's six in the morning. I'm not starting my morning. This is in 16. This is spring training. Like, we're about to start spring training. The first day we get Dex. So he pulls me. This is two days before I was early at camp. I kind of wanted to always be ready. And so we go for this walk and we have the talk. I won't go through all the details of that one, you know, but I'm like, yeah, man, I'm whatever I got to do, you know? And I hadn't really given my heart to another organization because I got cut in Miami. My heart when I gave so much, when I had all those surgeries. And so I swore I was never going to do that again. I was always just going to look out for my career and play for the boys and my family. And I was like, yeah, I'm cool if I need to be the fourth outfielder. Well, sure enough, the next day, they pulled me off stretch, you know, And I'll remember this. Y' all were all And I was excited for Dex, too. But. So I had texted Dex two days before or one day before. I'm like, hey, man, hang in there. Because he had gotten the arbitration, and sure enough, we get Dex, Right? Dex is kind of, like, being a little bit, like, vague with me.

[David Ross]

Yeah, same that time, bro.

[Matt Cesar]

And I'm like, what's the deal? So they pull me off Stretch, and they call me in, and I'm like, what the heck? I get traded. I'm. I'm like, really? I don't want to say devastated, but I am, like, really hurt and bummed because I'm like, I'm never going to win a World Series. That's. That was what I said. My first reaction. I'm like, what? Are you kidding me? I just told you I would play. I would go the fourth outfield, right? Well, you'll find out. So when they. When he. When. When they pull me in, I was just like, oh, my gosh. And then we walk out of the meeting. I'm like, oh, wait, who did you trade me to?

[David Ross]

Athletics.

[Matt Cesar]

I'm like, I'm. Everyone's gonna hate me. The Cards and the athletics hate me. I'm like, the athletics? Are you kidding me? They suck. And he's like, we think you'll get more playing time. See you later, you know? And I walk out, and here comes Dex. And I hadn't put it together. I just gotten fired, right?

[Chris Coghlan]

And.

[Matt Cesar]

And I'm like, dex, what's up? What are you doing here? And he looks at me, and I'm like, oh, that's the news? I'm supposed to find out? And I'm like. I'm like. He's like, kind of not. He can't look me in the eye, right? Cause he already knew what was happening.

[David Ross]

Yeah.

[Matt Cesar]

I'm like, hey, man, you didn't do anything. It's all good. I'm happy for you and your family. I get to my locker. They had already cleaned up my locker. Dex is already in my locker. I'm like, no. I look at Danny. I'm like, danny, who's in my locker? He goes, oh, Dex. I'm like, danny, I haven't even gotten fired two minutes. I got nothing in my locker. He goes, well, your boxes are over there. I'm like, my boxes? Can I get dressed? I'm still in the same outfit. Wow.

[David Ross]

It's a lot easier to talk about 10 years later.

[Matt Cesar]

It is. And I walk back out. And now I walk out of the locker room, and here comes Dext and Theo walking together. I'm like, the guy just fired me.

[David Ross]

Everyone's all humpy, gory.

[Matt Cesar]

The news is everywhere. So I shower, I'm by myself, shower, and I get out and it's all in the news. Everyone's excited, and I'm happy for every one of you guys and the whole team. And I'm like, wow, this is so sobering. Like, I was there and now I'm not. Now I'm getting a taxi with my boxes and I got to call my wife. I just got fired, and we're moving to Oakland. We just went from first place to last place.

[Albert Almora]

Baseball, that's a good stuff.

[David Ross]

That's a good kind of tale of baseball in general because someone's getting called up, someone's losing their job at all times. And as a professional, you have to balance that because as excited as we were for decks, oh, we're also losing a brother that his whole family's about to get rocked. Right? Like, that's what people don't understand. Getting traded, you get rocked quick, you know, getting sent down like you're part of the team.

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[David Ross]

you've guys been up and down a few times, right? You weren't as up and down as much.

[Matt Cesar]

I went, yeah, I went down twice.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah. 15. I was up and down nine times.

[David Ross]

Nine.

[Albert Almora]

So it's like yeah, they did something.

[Chris Coghlan]

You can't even do that anymore.

[Albert Almora]

Well, because of me.

[David Ross]

It's wow. Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

So it's like every, every two, three weeks I was up and down.

[David Ross]

Yeah. So like you're excited for someone to get called up and then you see someone getting sent out. So it's like these emotions are crazy. But speaking of that, you guys were with us for the most part. You got called up, but you were with us all year in 16, right? Yeah, I think you got sent out once.

[Albert Almora]

No.

[David Ross]

And speaking of roles and being happy for guys at the deadline or during July, we, we get you back CC and you guys, that's going to cut from your playing time, right? We're getting another outfielder. It's like how do you handle that? Because you Weren't already playing every day, you were getting decent at bats, but you weren't everyday guys. And then we bring in another guy, you're like, what the fuck? Like how do you handle that? Because it's not easy, right? It can't be easy personally.

[Albert Almora]

Well, I mean it's not, it's not cogs.

[David Ross]

Of course it's not fault.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah. So it's like, you know, you got to control what you can control. Control. And I think one of the things that I always kind of hung my hat on was just working hard and trying to do things right. I stayed in my lane. I didn't really, you know, around or do anything out of the ordinary. Like got my workouts in, got my training in, took bp, shagged hard. You know, when I played, got the opportunity, I just tried to ball out. So control what you can control and

[David Ross]

you're fucking the man on the bench you would ski.

[Albert Almora]

It's just, you know, you got to be positive because, because you want to be, you want to, you still want to win and you don't want to be a cancer in the organization because one, nobody likes you and two, you just don't want to bring the team down.

[Chris Coghlan]

I think that's one of the hardest things to do though as a young guy, especially when you have expectations or high round guys, you want to come in, you really want to play. And also it's not, it may not be your time yet, you know, and being patient in that and continue to work hard and not well.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah, the competitive edge. I mean, I still always think that I'm. Because I put in the work that you always think that you're better than people because you're like, man, I should

[David Ross]

be playing on the bad teams. Yeah, the bad teams. You have the guys that are bitter that they're everyday.

[Albert Almora]

Exactly right.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

And I, I play with a lot of guys like that and there's no disrespect to them.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

But then when you get on the good teams, you know, you weren't young. Like maybe young service time. But you were in the big leagues in 14, up and down, 14, 15, 16. So yeah. Oh, you were younger.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

Did you know any better? Like what was your emotions?

[Albert Almora]

I was so, you know, oblivious to it all. I was just happy to be and try to help whenever I get the chance.

[Chris Coghlan]

Like I knew that you're stage one with, with Joe. Remember Joe?

[Albert Almora]

Exactly.

[Matt Cesar]

Happy to be there.

[Albert Almora]

But, but it really, I, I knew that 16, there was something special going on. I remember I got called up When I think when Solaire something hurt his hamstring in June. And, like, I knew I was going to be there for a time or limited time, and I just wanted to, you know, take the most of it and try to do my best and be prepared. But I knew what was going on. We were like 20 games up in the. In the division at that time. I just wanted to help and not, you know, mess anything up. But I knew that I was going to be a role player that year. I wasn't. Even though as an athlete, like, you know, Cee says, we know we could play. We know he could be in there every day. But I was just taking it all in and just helping as much as I could.

Yeah.

[David Ross]

What? Give us some of your guys favorite things that pop to your mind when you talk about, like, plane rides, bus rides, behind the scenes.

[Albert Almora]

Do you remember when we were driving and the girl had a cast on?

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah. I tell that story and nobody knows that. I was so glad you brought that up, dude. That was like, from dinner.

[Matt Cesar]

Yep.

[Albert Almora]

Just.

[Chris Coghlan]

Oh, my gosh.

[Albert Almora]

I. I can't.

[Chris Coghlan]

We're jammed into a mini. A taxi. Minivan. And there's like eight of us in there. Big.

[Albert Almora]

I mean, we were in Colorado. I think we went to Elways, I think.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah, that's right.

[Albert Almora]

That's right.

[David Ross]

That's right.

[Albert Almora]

I guess I'll tell the story. So this.

[Chris Coghlan]

We.

[Albert Almora]

We're like, yeah, in a car, and there was a girl next to us. I don't know if she had a cast on and her hand was like this. And Rossy gives her like, she.

[Matt Cesar]

She had. We were next.

[Chris Coghlan]

I rolled down the cab window, and she had a cat. You know, she had her whole wrist cast. So it's like, you know how it goes over here? And she had it on the edge and was holding the steering wheel like this. So I roll down the window and I get her attention, and she, like, looks and I'm like,

[David Ross]

dude, it was

[Albert Almora]

like, we made it funny.

[David Ross]

It was the most random thing ever.

[Matt Cesar]

Like, I believe you remember that.

[Albert Almora]

So good. I mean, dude, it's just. It puts into perspective. Everybody's just normal people. Right. Like, you know, and I. People don't look at it like that, but it's. I don't know.

[Chris Coghlan]

That's a good one.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah, that's a good one. I think there was one more. Was. I always tell the story about the Gump when.

[Chris Coghlan]

Oh, with the fans.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah. So, you know, we were slapping everybody's high five. High five after a win, after win. Yeah. And you Know, I was a bench player, so I'm always at the end. Rossi wasn't catching that day, and we

[Chris Coghlan]

stood next to each other a lot on the pitch, so we sat together.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah. And he's like, hey, hey, see, watch this. He spits his gum out.

[Matt Cesar]

He throws it.

[Albert Almora]

He throws it to the fan. The fan's like, dude. He's like, they love us here.

[David Ross]

They love us here.

[Albert Almora]

It was incredible.

[Matt Cesar]

It was incredible.

[David Ross]

He was incredible.

[Matt Cesar]

That was the old dugout, too, where you're, like, right next to the person. They can, like, catch it in their

[Albert Almora]

mouth or, like, feed the animals. Feed the.

[Chris Coghlan]

Feed the animals.

[Matt Cesar]

Feed the animals.

[David Ross]

There's so many things that go on behind the. The scenes. Stuff that just. No one know.

[Albert Almora]

Camera.

[David Ross]

Even if the camera had.

[Matt Cesar]

I love that memory.

[Chris Coghlan]

That's great.

[Albert Almora]

Real gum. Took it out of his mouth, tossed it. I don't know if the guy threw it in his mouth or not, but he. He caught it, and he was like. I'm like, this is. This is the greatest thing I've ever seen.

[Matt Cesar]

He's so happy he's got a piece

[Albert Almora]

of gum out of David Ross's mouth. He's like. He's pumped about it.

I. I like the plane. Love the plane rides, especially as a young guy. We had the beer, carrying the beer, and then the back of the plane was you, Les Lack, and all those guys. And I, you know, I would sit in the front. I would sit behind you. It was kbu, and then me. And then I. Whenever I hear Lester, you know, I'll be here. And I would just want to go back there and just want to be in the back with the guys. And it's a lot of experience back there, you know, and even as a young guy, wanted to see how they acted. How was the show? How was it being in the show? And, yeah, those are the memories that you take with. And just the. The plane rides, the bus rides, the picking on, like, you know, the. The mic stuff.

[Chris Coghlan]

The mic stuff's fun.

[David Ross]

Yeah.

[Chris Coghlan]

Good, good, good. Mike. Guys, like, always. Always key. Always key freaking.

[Albert Almora]

Fellas, fellas.

[David Ross]

That was like Johnny Monster.

[Chris Coghlan]

He stole us from Ortiz. That was Ortiz in Boston. Yeah. Ortiz would get on there in his Latin act like, fellows, fellas, fellows on bus rides.

[David Ross]

Whenever we're traveling and when we land

[Chris Coghlan]

in the city, we land in the

[David Ross]

city sometimes on the ways, but there's always a mic guy on the bus. So Jon Lester was our guy, and John had to get some liquid courage to really get going. He was going. It was. It was Must watch entertainment.

[Matt Cesar]

It was a light show and we

[David Ross]

had Miguel Montero in the back, like doing it, running his part, the whole. The whole cast of character. No one was safe.

[Albert Almora]

No nobody.

[David Ross]

And. But John on the mic was.

[Chris Coghlan]

Was it funny how you talk about that, Al? Like you. As your career progresses, it's nice to be a veteran. When you start to get creep back on a team and you get to the back of the plane like that is. It's a real status thing.

[Matt Cesar]

Right.

[Chris Coghlan]

That nobody ever talks about, but you have to pick your own seat. Unless I use out of front.

[David Ross]

I was in the back.

[Chris Coghlan]

Huh.

[Matt Cesar]

You couldn't go a little deep? Little deep. There's a couple reminders. You threw some breadcrumbs. Little deep.

[Chris Coghlan]

Joe would come back.

[Matt Cesar]

I'm like, little deep.

[Chris Coghlan]

Madden, you're a little deep.

[David Ross]

Let's get. Let's get to the World Series.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

I mean, we rolled through the playoffs. We have this amazing team. We get to the World Series. Really three different scenarios here all in one. You got left off the roster and you were chapped, I remember. And I was chapped for you because you were such a big part of our. Of our culture, of our team. Right. And you're on the bench the entire time fucking being like the best person there is. That's why everyone loves you.

[Chris Coghlan]

You didn't change a bit. That's the. That's.

[Albert Almora]

That's. I mean, that's. You know, what am I going to do?

[Chris Coghlan]

Right.

[David Ross]

Exactly.

[Albert Almora]

Am I going to be a.

[David Ross]

No, no.

[Albert Almora]

I want my team to win.

[David Ross]

Exactly.

[Albert Almora]

Right. Like, yeah. Even though I wasn't on the roster, you know, I still.

[David Ross]

You were every bit on that roster.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[Matt Cesar]

Like, I want to say something real quick because you really were like, I'm going to get sentimental, but it is really cool to see. It's so rare, you know, like for yours because you, like, changed your swing that year. You were hitting some pumps. You were a different dude offensively. And to see you do that and then it is so hard. I can't imagine I wasn't in that shoe, but I. Mine was different, but like, you were a pro. Pro dude. And that you deserve mad respect for that.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[Matt Cesar]

I mean, just the genuineness that it shows your heart and your character.

[David Ross]

It's that South Jersey. Well, you know, real like, here's.

[Albert Almora]

Here's like a stat and I'm not a stat guy, but I, you know, led the league and pinch hits off the beds.

[David Ross]

Yes.

[Albert Almora]

At the All Star break, bro, you

[David Ross]

were like our best.

[Albert Almora]

And like you and Lello So I don't know. Yeah, yeah, you control better controls, right? Like, am I bitter?

[David Ross]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

Obviously I wanted to play, but, you know, I wanted to play, but I

[Chris Coghlan]

think too, what's cool about this room in this group is like, everybody recognized that. And the fact that they. If I look back and people ask about you, this is you right here. Every day you're the same way now. I follow you on Instagram every morning. You're working, grinding, and my inspiration.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah, I just, I think it's. It's really, you know, like, I just want to be consistent and I don't want my career, my life to go down. Right. Like, my first 33 years of my life was a really special time. So, you know, as I'm growing older, the fans, your kids, friends, like, I want them to see, like, wow, that that dude is still doing it, right? And I want to do that because I don't want the kid down the street that wants my autograph when I'm 45 years old and we're doing the 20 year anniversary and I look like a fat slob. Be like, wow, that dude was a really good athlete. You know, I want to be able to, like, show and. And lead by example, right? Like what I tried to do on the field, like, I want to do that forever.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah, you.

[David Ross]

Well, you always have. You always have.

[Chris Coghlan]

I was working out a little extra hard just for this reunion because I'm like, okay, I don't want the boys to be like, oh, Ross,

[Albert Almora]

you know what I mean?

Like, you're at the peak performance. You're the highest level. Why, like, not be at that or close to, you know, you can.

[David Ross]

Al you. You're on the roster, right? And then Cece started game one. Started game one, which is again in baseball. You're fucking pumped, bro. You're starting game one of the world's two Chicago Cubs, but you're also starting for our. Our guy, right? J. Hey, who was the right fielder?

[Matt Cesar]

It was so.

[David Ross]

That was a very. I remember when Joe pulled that trigger and started you game one, it was like, whoa, right? And it was like, you're excited, you're happy. There's also like, oh, J's not playing. J's played like, J just signed a big deal. Yeah, he's one of our guys.

[Matt Cesar]

It was. It was hard because they were texting me. I'll give you insight. It was Davey, you know, and he's texting me. He's like, hey, you're going to start game one. This is before, you know how we Send the lineup. Yeah. And I'm thinking like, hey, no, we. Like, what? I mean, I'm like, my role was like, to pinch hit and, like, the pitcher come in and then I walk off or, like, I will walk. That was kind of like, yeah, my role. Right. I'm not clowning it. I mean, that's just really what I was there to do.

[Chris Coghlan]

I understood that every piece matters, so.

[Matt Cesar]

So I'm like, okay. And again, the dog in me is like, oh, I can't wait. Right? Like, I'm like, yeah, I'm a shock the world. These guys are going to go, who's this clown star? What happened to J? Is he, like, lost his arm? And then I felt for J.

[Chris Coghlan]

He.

[Matt Cesar]

Because everyone did. He was. That was a tough year. You want to talk about another guy with character that posted under tremendous pressure and weight, didn't have the year. Mad respect for that character that he just toed the line. And then I was like, where am I playing? He's like, left field. And I'm like, okay, cool. Five minutes later. Hey, what do you think about playing right field? I'm like, are you kidding? I haven't played. I hadn't started. I don't know how many days it started been. What is it, like, 30 days between, like, I don't even know. It's probably been two months since I started a game. And I was like, yeah, where? Wherever you want to play me, right? He's like, well, Zo wants to play it. Stay in left. I'm like, yeah, I'll go play.

[Albert Almora]

Right?

[Matt Cesar]

I don't know. The last time I played right field, I was like, whatever, dude. I'm ready to roll. And I got punch. Yeah, 100%. I just kept saying, doc used to tell us all the time, when you get scared, it's the same emotion as being excited, but they manifest two totally different ways. And so when you feel that butterfly antsy feeling, just tell yourself how jacked up and excited you are. And I started doing that in 15, and, like, it changed my career.

[Chris Coghlan]

Like, wow.

[Matt Cesar]

I couldn't swing in the first pitch of a ballgame when I lead off because I was afraid to get out for seven years, I couldn't do it. Go. Look, it's just pump, strike one. And I had to go say that story. And then I hit one, and I'm like, oh, my gosh, this thing works. So that's why I just kept telling myself every three seconds, I'm excited, I'm excited, I'm excited. Hit it to me, please.

[Albert Almora]

Hit it to me.

[David Ross]

Meanwhile, it's like 20 degrees in Cleveland. It was freezing, the wind swirling. Fans are crazy. We. We go down three, one, right? And everyone. This is why I. We love doing this, is because people want to talk about 16. Like, KB won the MVP. Lester's finished second in the Cy Young, Right? We have a lot of big names, but without the role of. Seriously, you three in particular. Solaire as well.

[Chris Coghlan]

I'll throw myself in that boat.

[David Ross]

Yeah, you're in that boat, too.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah. I was a role player. I played once a week.

[David Ross]

And you know what? You were a role player who taught

[Chris Coghlan]

a lot of guys. No, I just mean, like, I can relate to that, how hard it is to pinch hit, to not play for a month. And, you know, I had.

[Matt Cesar]

I had four days off, and if

[Chris Coghlan]

Lester sucked, I came out in the third, you know, like, no, get your bat out of there, buddy.

[David Ross]

We had. We had Tommy Lell on the team. Tommy quit at some point during. They sent. They sent Tommy down, which was.

[Albert Almora]

Right.

[David Ross]

We were pissed that they sent Tommy down because it was for. It was like a paper move, and they needed a spot, and Tommy Listell had an option, and Tommy was like, fuck that. Like, I'm your. It was. It was you two that were like, yeah, righty, lefty. He was righty. Tommy was the lefty off the bench. And we. They banged off the bench. They were our guys. So when they sent Tommy down, Tommy was like this, I'm going home. And, like, Tommy went home. I remember I was so mad that they sent him down. And then I was so mad at Tommy for. For, like, quitting on us. But in the end, he didn't quit on us. He was just. He was so upset.

[Albert Almora]

I was in Triple A when that happened, and I remember texting Tommy, hey, you know, it's not that bad down here, you know, Come hang out. We'll grind, you know?

[Matt Cesar]

And so I had come back, I'd gotten. What did I have? I had an oblique in New York. I shouldn't have kept swinging, and I was an idiot. But anyhow, so I come back, you guys have been hitting off the bench, and I. I don't know what's going to happen. I'm just taking. Doing my thing.

[David Ross]

Oh, is that when Tommy got.

[Matt Cesar]

So I come. I come back.

[David Ross]

Oh, so great for.

[Matt Cesar]

For you, Rossi. You'll get a good laugh out of this. So I come back, and then I see the news, and it's the same thing, right? I've been on the other side of that coin, like, so Many times. And I know people, all of us are so tight. It's like we got. I mean, we were the best in the world because we had so much talent, right? And it was like, man, you only got 25 spots. There's only so many roles. So he gets sent down and I felt the same way. I felt bad. I texted him. But then I was like, the quitting thing, really, really. I've never seen that. And that really bothered me, so. But I was in a really tough situation because I was the cause of it. So we're playing the Mariners the first game, and Joe hits me lead off. And do you remember we had it scouting. Do you remember this? So we finished the scouting thing and you come over and we're walking out of the room. I hadn't been there 20 minutes. And he pulls the Rossi, right? Hey, Cox, come here. He goes, if you screw this up, he's mother right? He's mother. If you screw this up. We just sent a really good guy down. You better get your stuff together or do something. I want to punch him in the face. I'm dead serious. I come back and ain't many times I wanted to go toe to toe. And I was like, are you really coming at me like that right now? And so we play the game. I go, I. I think it was 2 for 4 with a walk. I hit a two run single. We win the game. And you're like, great game. I'm like, bro, freaking. Don't talk to me for like three days, bro.

[Albert Almora]

I had a.

[David Ross]

When I got traded, when I got traded here, Andrew Cashner, I got. Who I got traded for was throwing, like, throwing a hundred in San Diego. And Jeff Baker goes, hey, Riz, you better pan out because Cash is over there in san Diego throwing 100. And I to this day remember that. But Tommy ended up addressing the team when he came back and was just like, he went through his own personal thing. And Tommy's one of the. My favorite teammates I ever had.

[Chris Coghlan]

It was a big deal. We had team meeting. It was. It was a big deal. It's like a lot of turmoil. Remember that?

[David Ross]

That was within the season, within the greatest season of like the history of this organization, right? So we, we go down three one, right? Where. Where do you guys feel like we have, we can win this? Like, where is your guys motivation? Because not being the everyday guy, are you guys just like, like, do you feel help?

[Matt Cesar]

What for me, when we went down 3:1, I said to you, I was like, man, these movers have been asking me when to come pick my stuff up. Now I know when to send them because we're winning this thing. Do you remember when I told you that?

[David Ross]

Yeah.

[Matt Cesar]

We were going southern games when to come grab my stuff because we're going seven boys and winning.

[David Ross]

So we're down three one. We win game five, we go into game, we roll in game six, we go into game seven. Let's get right to the rain delay. Where, where are you guys at? Raja hits this home run, right? All these emotions. I know where I was at on first base. Where are you guys at on game seven after Raja hits the home run? What's going through your minds?

[Albert Almora]

I mean, I, I like when they took Hendrix out, I was like, what the fuck's going on? So like, that's, that was like my, that's where my head was at and you know, I. That's where I was.

[Chris Coghlan]

He led the league in ERA that year.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah, I know. And, and he like dealt and I know there was like, there's like statistics.

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[David Ross]

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[Matt Cesar]

Pays royalty fees to AARP for the

[David Ross]

use of its intellectual property. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers.

[Albert Almora]

Savings vary that go through you know a third time through like 4:1, right?

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah. Yeah. Till I got in and fucked it up.

[Albert Almora]

But yeah, so yeah, that was kind of where my head was at. And then we get to the rain delay and yeah, I mean I think J he was just speaking his mind, what everybody thought.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

Wanted to win for the boys. That's.

[David Ross]

Do you guys ever think of a curse or any of that pressure as

[Albert Almora]

soon as Roger Davis hit it.

[David Ross]

Yeah. Oh yeah.

[Albert Almora]

I go so this is what it's like to be a Cubs fan.

[David Ross]

Like it's

[Albert Almora]

12 year old guy. I was like we're up through 77 to 3 at the time, whatever. And then he hits the homer and I as loud as the stadium was the dugout. You could hear a pencil drop as

[David Ross]

loud as we were ghosts in that dugout.

[Albert Almora]

I heard Rob's just risen, just yelling, you know. And I'm just like no way. Like no way we're about to lose around. And then yeah, the rain delay and I'm walking in right before, you know, Jay calls all the guys into the weight room. Davey pulls me aside and he's like hey, when we pick this back up, Schwarber's Schorber gets Schorber hits a double. His his initial, you know, plan was like, hits a double, you're gonna pinch it. If it's a base hit, he's gonna stay out there. So, like, all right, I'm. I'm walking into the weight room as J. Hay's like, all right. And then Davey wants to walk in and he's like, no, no, no. Remember? I remember that.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

No, it's just the boys.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

And I was like, oh. And then seeing Chappie in the corner.

[Matt Cesar]

Oh, Chappie with.

[David Ross]

Chappie's emotional.

[Chris Coghlan]

And I'm like, I went. Got him from the bench, Mary. He was the only one miss. I went and got him from the bench. I got to the bench and he's sobbing on the bench with his head. I'm like, you know, he never showed that kind of emotion. And this giant of a man, I'm like, yeah, I'm getting chills thinking about it. I'm like, bro, come here.

[Matt Cesar]

We're not even.

[Chris Coghlan]

We're not even sniffing this game if you're not on our team, you know?

[Matt Cesar]

Right.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah.

[Matt Cesar]

I felt like it was the greatest thing because when we. When he did it and I said, so I say something to J.

[Albert Almora]

Hey.

[Matt Cesar]

I randomly saw him in Jackson Hole and said the same thing, like, years ago. It was like, bro, it was just so well timed and authentic in J. Hey. With everything that J. Hey had going on, thinking about just him, the layer of the team, of course. But like, it was so authentic again and genuine that it was like. And I get shivers every time. Sometimes I get choked up because, like, when you see Chappie and you're like, dude, this guy, it's the man, everything. I mean, he's got no more bullets left. The guy hits three, hits a round ball, round bat off a round pole, 350. It's like. And then we went out there and thumped him and it was like, amazing. But I did have the emotion when he hit it off the thing. I vividly remember LeBron James jumping up and down.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[Matt Cesar]

Like, yeah, yeah. And I'm like, I freaking hate the Cavs. Right? And I'm like. And the next thing I thought is my jaw was like this as he was running around. And I remember the cameras, I'm like, if they catch a glimpse of my jaw, I literally was thinking, this. This is going to be on the front page or something. I look like an idiot. And then I was like, Then the rain delay happened and then it kind of reset.

[Chris Coghlan]

We need to get a list of teams. You actually like organization. So there's a lot that you do. Yeah, yeah, yeah. There you go.

[David Ross]

But, bro, the biggest. The biggest. The biggest play in the World Series, in my opinion, other than Chappie getting through the ninth on the offensive side is you. Albert.

[Chris Coghlan]

You got to walk us through. I've thought about this so many times.

[David Ross]

Paint the picture of.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah.

[Chris Coghlan]

I mean, Schwarbs gets on.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[Chris Coghlan]

And you pinch run for Schwarbs.

[David Ross]

So 10th inning. 10th inning, game seven of the world Series.

[Albert Almora]

I'm in the. You know, I see Schwarbs on. Lead off, Rock leading rocket. No, but it wasn't a double, right?

[David Ross]

So you're like.

[Albert Almora]

I'm like, oh, I'm not. I'm not. I'm not there yet. But I'm like. I'm, like, peeking over.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah, you're changing his mind.

[Albert Almora]

You're like, right away, we got you over.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah, the manager does change his mind.

[Matt Cesar]

That's.

[Albert Almora]

That's like. That's a different, like, story, too, because now you're. You're like, oh.

But I'm like, that's a different. I'm seeing him on first, and I'm peeking over at Joe, and he's talking to Davey, and you could, like, I could read his lips. And he said, alora. And then as soon as he said that, Davey turns around, looks at me, we lock eyes, and he's like, go. I was like, oh, you know what I mean? It's game seven. Like, ty game. We're in extras. Like, I remember being the most nervous I've ever been on a baseball field. On those four steps, getting out to the field, I was like, oh, I didn't even. I. I didn't want to trip. I just wanted to get the first. The moment I got the first and I looked around, and I saw, like, the stadium packed to the gills. That's a big stadium that holds a lot of people. And Nap was on first, and Hider's there.

[Chris Coghlan]

Did Hider tell you anything?

[Albert Almora]

I don't remember, honestly. No. I think he was like, just don't get picked off. I think what's going through my mind as well. But I remember making a comment to Nap saying, this shit's pretty cool, huh? You know, like, trying to calm myself down, like, through, you know, through little comments here. And he didn't say anything.

[David Ross]

Anything, bro. He was a kind of a mute over there, too.

[Albert Almora]

He didn't say anything. And when he didn't say anything, he was locked in. I was like, all right. Like, it's. It's.

[David Ross]

It's.

[Chris Coghlan]

It's on.

[Albert Almora]

So, yeah. And Shaw was pitching. He picked over a couple times, and KB Was hitting, and I, you know, I knew I wasn't going to steal. I looked over to second base and it looked 100ft away.

[Chris Coghlan]

It looked so far.

[Albert Almora]

And so when he hit that fly ball, obviously no outs were taught to tag, but in that moment, I was more reading Davis the way he was coasting to the ball. And as an outfielder, like, I know when that's happening, it's either a homer. Like, he's either. It's either going to be over his head or for a homer or he's going to make the play because he wasn't full.

[Chris Coghlan]

I thought KB Clipped it when he hit it.

[David Ross]

If that's an hour earlier or earlier, it's over those bushes. It's a home. Yeah, he crushed that because the wind turned around. It started blowing in from there.

[Albert Almora]

So it was a. It was. When I knew it was either going to be a homer or caught, I was like, I got to get back, because if it's caught, I got to be on second. And if it's a homer, like, he's going to break and we're going to jog together and it's going to be sick. So, yeah, I just went back.

[David Ross]

To be able to do that at 22 years old as a rookie is, like, insane. And what people don't understand at home is that's not how we're taught to play. You're taught to go halfway three quarters, and then you go tag up with no outs at first base, but your instincts taken over.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

Got you to second, and then the rest is history.

[Chris Coghlan]

Well, and that's why I think it's so important, every little detail, we talk about that when you. The biggest games of your life and the fact of. You learned that a long time ago in player development and why. Why coaches are important and why, you know, learning throughout and growing and seeing certain moments, and you go and you do that. And like, I wasn't even thinking about. I was thinking about the homer. I wasn't even thinking about that. And you tag up and go. And then they walk. Riz.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah. And then Zo and I, when. So I tag up and I get the second, and obviously, I felt so long to get there. And then I slide. And Lindor just, like, kept trying to, like, tag me and tag me just to, like, you know.

[David Ross]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

He wanted me to, like, to step off in that excitement. And I've made sure I was like, I gotta have both of these being all the time But I knew what was going to happen. They were going to walk you to face Zo. And Zo was the hottest hitter in that whole series, you know, and. And I know a little bit. I know play with Lindor a little bit in high school with one of those USA teams. I look back at him and I go, this is a bad decision because, you know, to walk him into Fazzo. And. And he was also very quiet, didn't say anything to me, and, yeah, the rest was history.

[David Ross]

Damn. That's. I mean, that's. Well, that's the little. That's where we talk about. And we.

[Chris Coghlan]

Such a big.

[David Ross]

It's been the theme of everyone. We've.

[Matt Cesar]

What were you thinking when you went. When that happened? Right. When he finishes tagging, you're walking up. You want to be the man you want.

[David Ross]

I'm starting going through my whole fucking data. Data.

[Matt Cesar]

All right, well, give it to me. I want to hear it.

[David Ross]

I'm like, all right, are they going to pitch to me? If he does pitch me, he's going to be aggressive with me. Am I swinging early? I know he throws the cutter.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

And he likes to do it. Do I swing early? The situation is there's one out, maybe. So I'm running all these numbers through my head as I'm taking that little walk to the dugout, and I'm like, they're probably gonna walk me, but I can't show that they're gonna walk me. And I get up there, I'm like, all right, I'm just gonna take my bat and drive this run. And then next thing you know, I see the four, the intentional walk. I'm like.

[Albert Almora]

Right.

[David Ross]

Like game seven of the World Series, which you dream of. It's. Yeah. I selfishly wanted that moment.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah.

[Chris Coghlan]

When you were locked in and you had a home run the night before, like. Yeah, you were. You were swinging it good.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

Well, we didn't even get into this, which. We need to pivot. Game 4, 3 or 4 of the NLCS. I was. I was stunk in the DS. I was irrelevant. The first three games of the DS, I also. Or CS. I also stunk. I was irrelevant to our team. I was just playing defense, and I switched over to the Matt Caesar bat.

[Chris Coghlan]

Remember that?

[David Ross]

Literally, like, I got hot with that.

[Chris Coghlan]

It was a 33 and a half.

[David Ross]

33 and a half. 31. Well, I think.

[Albert Almora]

I think you did that, like, during the season.

[David Ross]

I've done it well because with. So I would choke up with two strikes. So instead of choke when I. My Swing got long. I would go to your bat because it was shorter.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

So I would keep me tighter, but I. I switched to your bat, and I took off in the playoffs, and I rode that the whole way. And I remember Ken Rosenthal asked me in the World Series, hey, I noticed you're using a different bat. And I told him the story, but I was like, ken, please do not break this. Because, like, I don't want them to know I'm using something shorter because I don't want them to adjust their. Their scouting reports. And, like, that's what I believed. I, Like, I literally believe. I didn't use your bat with your name on it. If it had my name on it. I did. I did it. I think series.

[Albert Almora]

I was like, you know, just the fact that you change something up, you know, helps put something in your. Your brain.

[Chris Coghlan]

It's funny how mental.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah, it really is.

[David Ross]

But, bro, that bat was like.

[Chris Coghlan]

And then you went off.

[David Ross]

Yeah, I went off.

[Chris Coghlan]

Went off.

[David Ross]

Hit homer in the. I hit a homer with it in the cs. I rolled in the World Series. But if I don't switch to the Matt Caesar model Maruchi bat, I. You say you still have it under your bed?

[Albert Almora]

KB 117. Yeah, under my bed. In case I got any Intruders signature.

[David Ross]

Was it for that Christmas you signed me one?

[Albert Almora]

Yeah, your dad had me.

[David Ross]

Yeah, he signed me a bat for Christmas. I still have it at the house.

[Albert Almora]

There's. There's a lot of, like, coincidence as with that, too, because that was the.

[David Ross]

Which is.

[Albert Almora]

This is just crazy. The same day that my second E60 came out was the day you switched to the bat.

[David Ross]

No.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah. And so you did that. That recoup of the recap of the bone marrow donation, they almost kind of, like, did it around 2016 season, and then they released it that day, and then you changed your bat and went off. So, like, that's. I. I just really don't think that those things, like, full circle. Yeah. Yeah. It's wild, you know, because you battle and survive cancer. I donated bone marrow to help somebody survive cancer. On that day that it was released, you changed your bat.

[David Ross]

Damn. I didn't know that.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

And, wow.

[Albert Almora]

You went off. So it's like.

[David Ross]

I don't know. Well, it's the power, too, of, like, Zeus.

[Chris Coghlan]

Yeah.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

Our friendships thinking about it, our friendship working out. Like, if we. If we didn't work out together, if. If we weren't comfortable and we didn't build that relationship. I'm not touching your bat ever. You know, What? I mean, it's like all these things have to come together.

[Albert Almora]

Yeah.

[David Ross]

For us to win and, and then we do and.

[Chris Coghlan]

What are you guys thinking, Al? You score that run, we win. We got a little hairy, but they got one back. He gets that big hit to give us the second one.

[Matt Cesar]

Right.

[Albert Almora]

He'll let you know.

[David Ross]

I don't think I agree.

[Albert Almora]

Even that grand slam and. Yeah, that's huge.

[Chris Coghlan]

That was one of my favorite moments of the season. That grand slam he hit was epic with all, all the chess match with Joe and Dave Roberts and bringing Blanton and switched again and one of the

[Albert Almora]

loudest I've ever heard.

[Matt Cesar]

Was it 12 or 02?

[Chris Coghlan]

I think it was 02.

[David Ross]

02. Yeah. Yeah.

[Matt Cesar]

I was hitting and I was wanting the same spot. I'm like, oh, my gosh. I'm, I'm gonna, I'm gonna get my glory. This is great.

[Chris Coghlan]

I love, I love your mental.

[Matt Cesar]

Talk to yourself.

[Chris Coghlan]

This is me. Do it.

[Matt Cesar]

I'm good. No, you're good. And then Mickey hits the gram, son. Like, that's such a better situation.

[Albert Almora]

Oh, yeah. No, dude, Miggy came up so big for us, and I feel like he does, he does well.

[Chris Coghlan]

And I, from a catcher standpoint, and I can't wait to talk to Miggy because just all the catching side of it. But the fun thing for me is, like, when I came out of the game, I got, I walked, got pitched in four, and then he came in the game and got Chappy through that ninth, and he spun it a lot, right. He spun, he spun my gun like he was in there and locked in. And it just shows like, like we, we used on our 25 man roster, I think we used like 24, 23.

[David Ross]

Solaire's the only guy didn't get the game in game seven from, from a

[Chris Coghlan]

position player standpoint, so. But yeah, I, I, I go back to, to, to Miggy getting those outs. From a catcher standpoint, I was like, oh, he's a perfect fit right now. Even though you don't want to come out of the game, you're like, oh, this worked out perfectly because how he called his game so much differently than I did.

[David Ross]

Use Chappie there. There's been so many teams throughout our careers, right. Where it was a great team, special team, a lot of memories you make. You can go down the roster of guys we've all played with, right. Oh, this guy was a great dude. I miss this guy. But winning in 16 forever links us. And no matter where we are in life, no matter, up, down high, low, whatever. We're always going to be linked because we won. And that's the coolest part about winning a championship that I, I don't think you realize until you win. Like all the guys I played with before this, I love to death, right? But the bond and friendship I have with my teammates from 2016 is everything.

[Chris Coghlan]

It's family.

[David Ross]

We appreciate you guys coming on and joining the pod and can't wait for this release.

[Chris Coghlan]

We'll party a little bit tonight.

[Matt Cesar]

Yeah, man.

[Chris Coghlan]

Thanks, boys.

[David Ross]

It's a wrap.

[Chris Coghlan]

All right. That was nice.

[Albert Almora]

That was awesome.

[David Ross]

You know how it's never really about

[Public Investing Ad Voice]

where you're going, it's about who you're going with.

[David Ross]

The right people can turn any drive

[Albert Almora]

into a great memory.

[David Ross]

That's something Toyota really believes. They design vehicles around real life and

[Public Investing Ad Voice]

real people, the ones who make plans

[David Ross]

happen and bring everyone together inside.

[Albert Almora]

Everything's built with passengers in mind.

[Public Investing Ad Voice]

Comfortable seating, smart layouts and space that actually works so everyone can relax and enjoy the ride.

[Albert Almora]

There's room for the people, room for

[Public Investing Ad Voice]

the stuff, and room for the moments

[David Ross]

that happen along the way.

[Public Investing Ad Voice]

Because when people are the destination, your ride is important. Learn [e-mail] and find the vehicle that fits your people.

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[Andrea Gunning]

This is Andrea Gunning from Betrayal. Sonesta Travel Pass is the most rewarding way to travel, designed to help you get more out of every stay. Sign [e-mail] to enjoy instant savings, bonus points and valuable perks like early check in, late checkout, room upgrades and free stays. Over time with Sonessa Travel Pass, every stay brings you closer to your next reward. Choose from more than 1100 hotels across 13 distinctive brands and unlock the best available rates when you book direct with Sinesta Travel Pass here today, Rome tomorrow. Join [e-mail] Terms and conditions apply.

[HomeServe Ad Voice]

Streaming May 22nd on Paramount. The acclaimed series from executive producer Lena Waithe reaches its final chapter. The shy for seven seasons, these stories, these streets, this community have stayed with us. Now it all leads to this as friendships are tested, families evolve and secrets refuse to stay buried, one thing is certain. The shy is more than just a series. It's a legacy. Don't miss the final season. May 22nd on the Paramount premium plan.

[Andrea Gunning]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[David Ross]

Guaranteed Human.