Press Box Insider – October 6, 2018

The Press Box, presented by the Genesee Brew House, airing October 6/7, 2018.  Hosted by Bill Pucko, with guests Mike Catalana (13 WHAM Sports) Pat Duffy (WCMF Breakroom) and former Detroit Tigers Pitcher, and current RIT Pitching Coach, Greg Keagle.

Greg is a Horseheads High School grad, and pitched at Monroe Community College before being drafted in 1993 by the San Diego Padres, in the 6th round.  In a 1995 deadline deal, he was the “player to be named later” when the Padres traded Andy Benes to Seattle.  Greg’s time with Seattle was brief, as later that December, he was taken by the Tigers in the Rule 5 draft. Between 1996 and 1998, Greg appeared in 46 games for the Tigers, including 23 starts.  He went 6 – 16 for his career, with a 6.76 ERA – this was the height of the steroid era, so for comparison sake, his ERA+ was 72 (a stat where league average is 100, so a 72 is well-below average.  In 2018, Lance Lynn with the Yankees was a pitcher with a 103 ERA+, despite his 4.14 ERA)

After his time in the majors, Greg spent some time pitching for the Elmira Pioneers, while also serving as Pitching Coach.  From 2000 – 2002, Greg went 23 – 16 with the Pios.

Greg has been on The Press Box several times, and is always entertaining… especially when the cameras stop rolling, and the Cecil Fielder stories start flowing… not that those are for public consumption.

Our opening topic this week is the MLB Postseason.  We taped the show prior to the Yankees-A’s wild card game, so the panel is making predictions unsure if the Yanks were even in it.

Next up, it’s time to talk the Bills.  Coming off the up and down stretch of beating the Vikings, and getting shutout by the Packers – it’s hard to get a reading on this year’s team.  The panel, coming off a strong week of picking (both Pat and Bill went 2 – 0 last week), was split in talking about the Bills chances at home vs the Titans.

Here’s the standings… Mike heads into week 5 looking for win one.  Greg went 1- 1 last year in Week 5, including picking the Jaguars to upset the Steelers, who were heavy 8.5 point favorites.  The Jags were a surprise team last year, and Greg was on it early.

Like it or Not this week begins with a Patrick Mahomes discussion.  In something that may become one of the Bills greatest gaffes… the Bills traded the pick that the Chiefs used to draft Mahomes in 2017.  And now, Mahomes looks legit, while the jury is still out on the Bills QB situation.

Next up, the surprising decision of the Minnesota Twins firing Paul Molitor.  Just a year after being named AL Manager of the Year, the Twins let Molly go… and it appears that the move had more to do with the Twins tandem General Managers (Derek Falvey and Thad Levine) wanting to put their own guy in charge.  A familiar theme in sports, but still surprising when the team had (a) a lot of injuries to deal with and (b) actually ended the year 28 – 28, which isn’t a bad thing.

Unfinished Business this week features Pat Duffy, begging and pleading with the Buffalo Sabres.  He wants a winner.  He wants to be competitive.  He wants… no, he needs it.  NHL Season is here, and Pat is already on edge.

Greg Keagle likes to golf, as many ballplayers do.  He had expectations for the Ryder Cup, and after the way Tiger played down the stretch, who wouldn’t expect a strong US performance.  And that’s why they play the game(s)… Anything can happen – including the US folding.

Mike Catalana is up next…

This has been a topic so far this season.  A rookie QB has a good game, and suddenly, everyone is looking to hand out a gold jacket.  Mike says “hang on a minute”.  He also might have said “chill out”… although I may have imagined it.

That’s the show for this week.  Thanks to Greg for joining us again, and we hope someday to hear (on broadcast) some of his great behind-the-scenes MLB stories.  For something completely unrelated, here’s a story on Cecil Fielder’s gambling debts.

Here’s a link to this week’s full episode – check it out, and leave us a comment or follow @TheRocPressBox on twitter to send a comment.

Tune in to the Press Box every Sunday – we are now on the CW Rochester for the fall, same day- Sunday, and time- 10:30am, and check local listings for other airings.  You can always catch the latest episodes on the Classy Wolf Media youtube page, which you should definitely subscribe to.