Hour 2: Ohtani's Postseason Slump and Giants Super Bowl QB Trivia

Craig Carton (0:00)

Oh yeah, give it to me, baby.

Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, New York Football Talk. Haven't had this in a long, long time. Jets relevant, Giants more than relevant, chance to win a division, and it is in the back of my brain to bring up the Yankees later on for Big Mac. And maybe even also get your take on what the heck happened to Ohtani.

Chris McMonigle (0:22)

He's hurt?

Craig Carton (0:22)

Hurt my ass.

Chris McMonigle (0:24)

He hurt your ass?

Craig Carton (0:25)

No, my ass is just fine. He said hurt, pause my ass.

Chris McMonigle (0:30)

Okay.

Craig Carton (0:30)

Yeah. He didn't play like this when he was allegedly gambling.

Chris McMonigle (0:35)

You think not enough juice?

Craig Carton (0:38)

By the way, I said allegedly. I thought about that out there. No, I mean. Or when his interpreter had money on the Dodgers allegedly.

Chris McMonigle (0:44)

They're thinking about benching him.

Craig Carton (0:46)

Yeah. You can't bench him though, can you?

Chris McMonigle (0:48)

He's a shell of himself out there.

Craig Carton (0:50)

But can you bench Ohtani for some guy I never heard of? I mean, you can.

Chris McMonigle (0:54)

You can.

Craig Carton (0:55)

I mean, quite famously, you bring this up all the time. A-Rod batted 8th.

Chris McMonigle (1:00)

A-Rod batted 8th and got pinch hit for.

Craig Carton (1:02)

Right.

SPEAKER_3 (1:02)

So can you?

Chris McMonigle (1:03)

Yes.

Craig Carton (1:04)

Is it a good idea?

Maybe also yes. He's an automatic out right now.

SPEAKER_3 (1:09)

He can't swing.

SPEAKER_4 (1:10)

And he's flailing like he's never played baseball before.

Chris McMonigle (1:13)

Yeah, he looks terrible.

SPEAKER_5 (1:14)

Dodgers could be in a little bit of trouble.

Chris McMonigle (1:15)

We'll see. I'm not going to-

Craig Carton (1:16)

Can I ask you a quick question?

Chris McMonigle (1:17)

Yeah.

Craig Carton (1:18)

If everyone agreed that Ohtani is the best player in the sport when healthy, check that box. And then most people, yourself included, will tell you that Aaron Judge, after Ohtani, is the next best player in baseball. Check that box, okay?

And I don't know the answer, but I think it's an interesting, very quick question. Judge is out hurt. Ohtani's- something's up with him, whatever it is, right? Who would lay claim, if not those two guys, because Judge was hurt and didn't play most of the season or the postseason, and they're actually contemplating benching Ohtani, who would then grab X caliber sword and be the unquestioned best player in baseball? Is that a fair question?

Chris McMonigle (1:55)

It's a fair question, yeah.

Craig Carton (1:57)

Is there an obvious answer or no?

Chris McMonigle (1:58)

I mean, yeah, yes and no.

Craig Carton (2:01)

Go ahead.

Chris McMonigle (2:01)

I mean, the best player in baseball this year was Pete Crow Armstrong.

Craig Carton (2:05)

So right now, today, you would say he inherits the title until Ohtani's healthier, figures out how to hit a baseball again.

Chris McMonigle (2:13)

He's an all-world defensive center fielder, and he's had a monster year.

SPEAKER_3 (2:16)

And he's MVP, right? He's gonna win the MVP.

Chris McMonigle (2:18)

Okay. And Alvarez is gonna win the MVP for the American League. Great hitter.

Doesn't really, you know, he's DH slash left fielder, but he's terrible out there. I mean, Pete Cromstrong is the best all-around baseball player in the league. Okay.

Craig Carton (2:30)

So right now, PCA, also not playing in the postseason.

Chris McMonigle (2:34)

He did. They lost.

Craig Carton (2:35)

Got eliminated first round.

Chris McMonigle (2:36)

Yes, they got eliminated.

Craig Carton (2:37)

He right now would lay claim, almost like if we're going back to the Medieval times.

SPEAKER_6 (2:43)

I lay claim the best player he in the sport of hardball. I anoint you PCA as Numen Ono.

Chris McMonigle (2:53)

The kings are dead, long live the king.

Craig Carton (2:55)

Exactly right.

SPEAKER_6 (2:56)

All right.

Craig Carton (2:57)

I didn't have an answer to that question.

Chris McMonigle (2:58)

I mean, look, he is not so entrenched in that, where it could be someone totally different next year. Like it's not like he's clear cut. But if we're going on what we've just seen over this baseball season, he's the best player in the league.

Craig Carton (3:11)

You have something there, Pete?

SPEAKER_7 (3:12)

I have a question for you.

Craig Carton (3:14)

He too forth wants to ask the Royalist a question about baseball.

SPEAKER_7 (3:19)

We talk about like-

SPEAKER_6 (3:20)

You are being recognized, sir, as the surf from Eastchester.

Chris McMonigle (3:23)

I have sick thighs.