George Lombard Jr. Debuts & Giants' BIG Odell Problem

**Craig Carton** (0:00)
Well-hit Bata left, she's got legs. Jorge Lombardo has done it again.
Two nothing Yankees, cause that's all the Yankees can muster these days. Don't matter who your starting shortstop is, don't matter who's pitching, doesn't matter who's catching, it really doesn't matter who's got the pinstripes on. The New York Yankees are a two-shot Johnny, and that's it. But two last night was all they needed. One more to take the series, and it's gotta be another series that the Yankees win with absolutely zero offense at all. Good afternoon, Big Mac, how are you today, Craig?

**Chris McMonigle** (0:37)
I'm fantastic this morning, Craig.

**Craig Carton** (0:40)
As you should be.

**Chris McMonigle** (0:40)
Last night was a great experience being in the ballpark, albeit in the press box. I couldn't necessarily cheer, but I was in the building for the beginning of the George Lombard era.

**Craig Carton** (0:49)
There you go. I was there for you. Very similar to the Derek Jeter era, some people say.

**Chris McMonigle** (0:53)
Some people do say.

**Craig Carton** (0:54)
Yeah. You're one of them. I am one of them. And you're getting beat down? I don't know why.

**Chris McMonigle** (0:58)
I don't know why either.

**Craig Carton** (0:59)
That was a fair comment to make.

**Chris McMonigle** (1:00)
Yeah, I was having a little bit of fun in the moment.

**Craig Carton** (1:02)
In the moment.

**Chris McMonigle** (1:03)
It dawned on me. We saw the great defensive play to start with, and really even more than the home run. It was the defense, and it wasn't just the great play. It was the double play. The double play to start, no doubt. That's the play.

**Craig Carton** (1:15)
The double play is the money play.

**Chris McMonigle** (1:16)
When I referenced the Jeter opening day in 96, and it's the over-the-shoulder catch with signature, and then the home run, there's no doubt. It's the double play in the hole, and like Paul O'Neill said, we haven't seen a play, and I would go back further than just this year. We haven't seen a defensive play like that. As smooth as that was, as strong an arm, off balance, perfect to second base. I don't even know if Deedee had it, to be totally honest with you. It's a long time, and it's more than even just that play. That play stands out. It was incredible.
It's unfair to do this to Anthony Volpe, and I know I'm not alone. Everybody's been doing it. It's just fair. When the ball is hit to him, it doesn't look like there is an ounce of skittishness.

**Craig Carton** (2:02)
I'm just saying. No, you're right. It's one game.

**Chris McMonigle** (2:05)
No, that doesn't matter. That doesn't matter.

**Craig Carton** (2:08)
I read those comments too.

**Chris McMonigle** (2:09)
One game you can tell. No, no. The home run, one game. The level of play, the moment, one game.

**Craig Carton** (2:16)
Anthony Volpe won a gold glove.

**Chris McMonigle** (2:18)
Listen, I get it. I've been a protector and defender of Anthony Volpe.

**Craig Carton** (2:23)
Not since you and I have been together.

**Chris McMonigle** (2:24)
No, because it's been the third year of it. Because it's been the third year of it, Craig. But initially I was.

**Craig Carton** (2:29)
I got to push back, not just against you. I saw all the comments also. I'm sorry. We haven't seen shortstop play like that. No, you didn't. Paul O'Neill said it. Anthony Volpe won a gold glove.

**Chris McMonigle** (2:38)
I'm sorry, Craig.

**Craig Carton** (2:39)
You're not right. How many gold gloves did Dede win? How many gold gloves did Jeter win?

**Chris McMonigle** (2:42)
No.

**Craig Carton** (2:42)
Right?

**Chris McMonigle** (2:43)
I think two or three.

**Craig Carton** (2:44)
But not right now out of the gate.

**Chris McMonigle** (2:46)
No, not right out of the gate.

**Craig Carton** (2:47)
And you can argue that Jeter was never a gold glove caliber for shortstop. I know the Volpe body ain't cold yet and people are already shoving dirt on him. Again. There's got to be someone who pushes back and goes, was he the shortstop you wanted? He turned out he wasn't. But the kid won a gold glove here.

**Chris McMonigle** (3:03)
Absolutely did. And he's better defensively than a lot of people want to give him credit for. But I disagree with my guy, Brian Cashman, was on here yesterday and called him elite defensively. He is not elite defensively. He was for a year and a half, two years.
Since the last couple of years, it's not as bad as last year. It doesn't matter. Here's the point. I'm sorry. This isn't about Anthony Vault, but you're right. But maybe it's because we've seen him for this long.