Latest / The Mike Keith Show / The Mike Keith Show | TRENT THOMAS, BRAYLON STALEY, CHRIS RAMIREZ (10.13.26)

Transcript

The Mike Keith Show | TRENT THOMAS, BRAYLON STALEY, CHRIS RAMIREZ (10.13.26) · The Mike Keith Show

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_07: From the peaks of the smokies to the banks of the Mississippi.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_07: This is your home for the University of Tennessee.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_07: Coaster that doesn't work.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_07: This is the Fall Network.
• 0:26
  SPEAKER_07: Inside Access, behind the scenes.
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_07: From Rocky Top, direct from the coaches.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_07: In tight from the players, the inside track.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_07: Mike Keith starts now.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_06: Welcome to the show.
• 0:41
  SPEAKER_06: We're excited to have tight end Trent Thomas and wide receiver Braylon Staley.
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_06: One guy's from Alabama.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_06: The other has been on a Tennessee team that has beat Alabama.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_06: Infielder Chris Ramirez was one of Tennessee's top portal signees.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_06: We've got a chance to introduce him to you on Kibb's Corner, presented by Calhoun's.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_06: We start with Inside the Orange.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_06: The Vols and the Tide will meet at Nealand Stadium preserved by pilot on Saturday, and the two teams will do something they haven't done for 56 years.
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_06: We'll see orange and crimson on Shields Watkins Field.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_06: Inside the Orange is presented by Google Gemini, official Gen AI partner of Tennessee Athletics.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_06: We will all witness history.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_06: We will see Tennessee play Alabama, both wearing their home colors, in Neeland Stadium on a national stage.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_06: I'm excited to see Tennessee play in orange and Alabama play in crimson.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_06: It's something that I had a chance to look at pictures of when I was a young fellow.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_06: And as I got interested in the series, it was one of the defining features of every photograph.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_06: Alabama is crimson, Tennessee is orange, two very different colors, but in the battles themselves, it just gave the pictures a totally different look.
• 2:16
  SPEAKER_06: It popped, it it came off of the page, off of the screen.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_06: And as we get to see this again, and we understand what this rivalry has been about for almost 100 years, Tennessee is orange and Alabama's crimson.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_06: And when we get together, that's how it should be.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_18: And that took away the glamour, so to speak, of the orange and the crimson when Tennessee and Alabama played.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_06: We've clearly lost something visually from the rivalry, having one team in white jerseys and then one team in their home jerseys.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_06: Because as you got into that period of time where the two teams wore their colors against one another, the pictures and the big plays of the series were marked by the contrasting colors.
• 4:36
  SPEAKER_06: You could see it.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_06: It made me feel incredibly nostalgic about what was something that was so special to my grandfather and those moving forward in my life and even people that I know from Alabama.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_18: I think anybody who has seen Tennessee and Alabama when they were playing with the Jersey contrast, that they will come in and say, wow, this is what this is what we need to have.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_18: And so I think that's going to be their expression.
• 5:12
  SPEAKER_18: And people who come in will see the color contrast with the green, the orange, green of the field, the orange of Tennessee, the crimson of Alabama, and tradition that's been embedded for all these years.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_18: I think it'll be outstanding.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_06: They are the crimson tide.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_06: They wear their color everywhere.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_06: They may wear accent colors, but they know who they are is crimson.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_06: Tennessee is orange.
• 5:40
  SPEAKER_06: We are orange.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_06: We embrace Pantone 151.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_06: Other people say, well, that's a different color.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_06: That's that's us.
• 5:48
  SPEAKER_06: That's who we are.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_06: That's what we're about.
• 5:50
  SPEAKER_06: It goes deep in this heart.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_06: You cut us and we'll tell you at least that we bleed that color.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_06: What I'm most proud of with Josh Heippel and the program in talking with the players is their understanding of history.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_06: Players from years ago didn't always get it.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_06: They didn't know the names, they didn't completely understand the rivalries.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_06: But Josh Heipel makes it part of everything the football team does to understand what Tennessee's about, who came before them, and what Tennessee's expectation is based on that history.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_12: I can only speak for me.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_12: Right?
• 6:31
  SPEAKER_12: Someone who grew up in Alabama that was told that you either root for Alabama or you root for Auburn.
• 6:39
  SPEAKER_12: And didn't think she root for even, any one of them.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_12: And uh Tennessee became my home, and I got a quick lesson of of what this robbery means.
• 6:52
  SPEAKER_12: Our coaches always did a great job of just laying out the history.
• 6:55
  SPEAKER_12: I'm pretty sure our guys will do the same thing, Coach Hypool and company, letting these guys know how much this game means.
• 7:02
  SPEAKER_12: Five overtime game in 2003, low-scoring game in 2005.
• 7:08
  SPEAKER_12: Um you graduate in that type of game.
• 7:14
  SPEAKER_12: It doesn't matter if you are a young player or an old player, when you play in that game, you you graduate.
• 7:20
  SPEAKER_12: Um it's a game for men.
• 7:22
  SPEAKER_12: It's a game for warriors.
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_12: That's what I think about.
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_12: And so for me, this is a game I always circled on the calendar.
• 7:30
  SPEAKER_12: Um you want to win every single game, but this game was always special to me.
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_12: And so there's a reason why cigars come out in the locker room for the winning team.
• 7:43
  SPEAKER_12: It's a reason why.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_12: Because this game means so much to so many people from so many different generations.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_06: Tennessee fans can tell you where they were when Tennessee beat Alabama in 1982.
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_06: The same way my grandmother could tell you where she was when Johnny Butler made his famous S-shaped run in 1939 to beat Alabama.
• 8:09
  SPEAKER_06: Tennessee fans could tell you where they were in 2022 when the balls beat the Crimson Tide.
• 8:16
  SPEAKER_06: Those are moments that you live for if you're a college football fan.
• 8:20
  SPEAKER_06: Those moments of passion when you do something extra special.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_06: Tennessee, Alabama is tradition, which means it's a big game every single year.
• 8:30
  SPEAKER_12: I mean, I hope they feel like they normally supposed to feel when you play against Alabama.
• 8:36
  SPEAKER_12: And that is a sense of responsibility.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_12: You know, there's guys before you that laid it out there on the line and gave it their all in games like this, that you know, created their legacy in games like this.
• 8:55
  SPEAKER_12: And you know that one play can be the difference between winning and losing, that you gotta make your play each and every time.
• 9:03
  SPEAKER_12: That if you don't, then maybe your team loses.
• 9:05
  SPEAKER_12: That's the type of pressure that sometimes, you know, this game brings.
• 9:10
  SPEAKER_12: And uh that's kind of part of playing in this type of game.
• 9:12
  SPEAKER_12: That's why you come to Tennessee, it's why you come to the SEC to play in these type of games.
• 9:16
  SPEAKER_12: So it's about doing your job to the best of your ability and uh playing with passion, playing with pride, playing with unbelievable effort.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_12: And uh that's what this game is all about.
• 9:26
  SPEAKER_06: On a national stage, we will witness the game like it was back in the 60s and the 50s before that.
• 9:36
  SPEAKER_06: This is tradition.
• 9:37
  SPEAKER_06: When people talk about tradition, they say we should go back to the old ways.
• 9:42
  SPEAKER_06: We are going back to the old ways.
• 9:44
  SPEAKER_06: Saturday at 3:30.
• 9:47
  SPEAKER_06: Tight end Trent Thomas caught a touchdown pass at Arkansas.
• 9:51
  SPEAKER_06: He'll talk to us about that and more when the Mike Keith Show, delivered by Uber Eats, returns right after this.
• 9:59
  SPEAKER_07: This is the Mike Keith Show.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_07: It's side access, delivered by Uber Eats.
• 10:05
  SPEAKER_14: Today's show sponsored by Pilot, official travel stop of the vault.
• 10:10
  SPEAKER_14: See you out here by First Horizon, Big Bank Muscle, small bank hustle, by Food City, the official supermarket of the Tennessee Volunteers, UT Medical, the official health care provider of the vault, with Bradley Roofing.
• 10:24
  SPEAKER_14: Let us fix your lead, the proud official roofer of the Big Orange.
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_14: Buy Five Euro insurance, the official insurance of the vault, Tennessee Insurance for Tennessee Life.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_11: In Big Orange Country, we live for big moments, but we know there are surprises along the way.
• 10:44
  SPEAKER_11: When you need help with auto, some peace of mind for your home.
• 11:05
  SPEAKER_06: Not funny, guys! Saturdays are all about the big R.
• 11:10
  SPEAKER_06: From the roar of Nealand Stadium to the energy of the tailgate, one thing belongs on every game day menu.
• 11:17
  SPEAKER_06: Calhoun! Whether you're dining at one of Calhoun's nine-area restaurant locations, taking the feast to your tailgate, or grabbing a bite from one of Calhoun's locations inside Neiland Stadium, Calhoun's makes it easy so you can focus on cheering the balls to victory.
• 11:34
  SPEAKER_06: Calhoun, a taste of dynasty.
• 11:37
  SPEAKER_11: Brought to you by Foods Today, it's the Ask Coach Heifel Show.
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_11: Hello, and welcome to Ask Coach Heifel.
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_11: I'm your host, Josh Heifel.
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_11: Glenn asks, Coach, how does one join the VOL Navy?
• 11:50
  SPEAKER_11: It's a great question.
• 11:53
  SPEAKER_11: Well, Glenn, you don't necessarily need a boat.
• 11:56
  SPEAKER_11: You need a friend with the boat.
• 11:58
  SPEAKER_11: Always arrive with beef, fresh cut by a Food City butcher, and you'll be welcomed aboard.
• 12:04
  SPEAKER_11: This has been at Coach Heifel.
• 12:06
  SPEAKER_11: With me, Coach Hypel.
• 12:33
  SPEAKER_11: Sort aluminum, sort plastic, keep landfills clean.
• 12:37
  SPEAKER_11: And when you see green compost bins on campus, use them because the future is zero.
• 12:44
  SPEAKER_11: And we're just getting started.
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_09: Sponsored by Eastman Waste Connections, UT Sustainability, and Food City.
• 12:52
  SPEAKER_03: Valvine Instant Oil Change Technicians Train Hard.
• 12:57
  SPEAKER_03: As a proud sponsor of the Tennessee Volunteer, we gave this walk-up a shot, owning their speed, accuracy, and efficiency.
• 13:07
  SPEAKER_03: To be a champion, you have to train like one.
• 13:10
  SPEAKER_04: Ready for oil babe!
• 13:17
  SPEAKER_03: Valvine Instant Oil Change.
• 13:23
  SPEAKER_19: What does the$7 Big Deal meal get you at Sonic?
• 13:26
  SPEAKER_19: The real question is, what doesn't it get you?
• 13:29
  SPEAKER_19: Enjoy a full meal, now including dessert for just$7.
• 13:33
  SPEAKER_19: Try the$7 Sonic Big Deal meal today.
• 13:36
  SPEAKER_19: You want to live free?
• 13:38
  SPEAKER_04: Tennessee is growing.
• 13:40
  SPEAKER_04: New homes, new businesses, new opportunities.
• 13:44
  SPEAKER_04: Natural gas powers that progress.
• 13:47
  SPEAKER_04: Efficient energy, reliable systems, dependable when communities need it most.
• 13:53
  SPEAKER_04: Ready for today's demands and the growth happening across our state.
• 13:58
  SPEAKER_04: Because in Tennessee, progress isn't slowing down, it's moving forward.
• 14:03
  SPEAKER_04: Natural gas, fueled for the future.
• 14:10
  SPEAKER_06: He is Trent Thomas.
• 14:12
  SPEAKER_06: I'm Mike Keith.
• 14:13
  SPEAKER_06: And this is the Mike Keith show.
• 14:14
  SPEAKER_06: We could call it the Trent Thomas show.
• 14:16
  SPEAKER_06: You want to?
• 14:17
  SPEAKER_06: Well, he scored a touchdown.
• 14:19
  SPEAKER_06: We should.
• 14:20
  SPEAKER_06: Congratulations.
• 14:21
  SPEAKER_05: Thank you.
• 14:22
  SPEAKER_06: All right, so first college touchdown.
• 14:24
  SPEAKER_06: Yes, sir.
• 14:25
  SPEAKER_06: All right.
• 14:26
  SPEAKER_06: So what are you thinking?
• 14:27
  SPEAKER_06: You're wide open.
• 14:29
  SPEAKER_06: What are you thinking to yourself as you see that ball coming at you?
• 14:32
  SPEAKER_05: Yeah, so I'm thinking, first of all, don't mess this up.
• 14:34
  SPEAKER_05: This wide open.
• 14:35
  SPEAKER_05: Um to catch the ball, get in the end zone, and celebrate with my guys.
• 14:39
  SPEAKER_05: What's the play?
• 14:40
  SPEAKER_05: What are you what are you running right there?
• 14:42
  SPEAKER_05: And the design is the design for the ball to go to you?
• 14:44
  SPEAKER_05: Right.
• 14:45
  SPEAKER_05: Yeah, we were just designing to uh to sell uh a run blocking and and then get out on the edge there, slip out to the flat there and and walk into the end zone.
• 14:53
  SPEAKER_06: You have been used you have been used a great deal in the passing game.
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_06: Did you anticipate that you would get as much action catching the football as what you have through the first six games?
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_05: No, I I didn't necessarily anticipate it, uh, was ready for it for sure, but didn't anticipate it.
• 15:09
  SPEAKER_05: But um, you know, whenever the opportunities come to you, you you gotta be able to capitalize and make the most of them.
• 15:14
  SPEAKER_06: You played a lot of plays.
• 15:16
  SPEAKER_06: How are you keeping your body in shape during the course of the season?
• 15:20
  SPEAKER_06: Understanding you don't have a buy coming up until the first weekend in or the last weekend in October.
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_05: Right.
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_05: So, first of all, it's a shout out and a testament to our to our trainers here, our training staff here.
• 15:30
  SPEAKER_05: Um it starts as soon as the game is over.
• 15:31
  SPEAKER_05: Um, in and it's little things, you know, with with the fireflies on the on the planes and the long blush rides just promoting blood flow and then getting up here on Sunday and hammering treatment, even when you don't feel like it on a Sunday after a a long, a long game and a long flight.
• 15:45
  SPEAKER_05: But um, you know, just staying in the training room and staying with treatment to keep my body prepared to be able to go out there and perform.
• 15:51
  SPEAKER_06: Trent, I'm interested.
• 15:52
  SPEAKER_06: The the recovery process and how scientific it scientific that has gotten.
• 15:57
  SPEAKER_06: Has that developed even more since you got to college?
• 16:01
  SPEAKER_05: Have you noticed a difference?
• 16:02
  SPEAKER_05: For sure.
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_05: It's developed a lot since I've got to college.
• 16:05
  SPEAKER_05: Um, and even just coming here to Tennessee with all the resources we have here with the with the cryotherapy and the massages and the red lights and things of that nature.
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_05: Um, it's developed a lot for sure.
• 16:15
  SPEAKER_06: Did they have to convince you about any part of the recovery?
• 16:19
  SPEAKER_06: Did they have to say, Trent Thomas, trust us, this will work?
• 16:22
  SPEAKER_05: There was no convincing for me.
• 16:24
  SPEAKER_05: Um these resources and being able to see those things, um, I I've I listened to them, I trust them uh about the the results and um and then doing them myself, I felt the results in my body as well.
• 16:34
  SPEAKER_06: So this is why you wanted to come play at a program like Tennessee.
• 16:37
  SPEAKER_06: Is that is that fair, just the entire experience of it all?
• 16:41
  SPEAKER_05: Yeah, sir, for sure.
• 16:42
  SPEAKER_05: It's um it's definitely a big part when you come to a program like this, is you know, the resources and and the recovery aspect that they have to make sure that we're good and we're ready to go on Saturdays.
• 16:52
  SPEAKER_06: So this weekend, you play Alabama and you're from Alabama.
• 16:58
  SPEAKER_05: Yes, sir.
• 16:58
  SPEAKER_06: Um what what did you think of Tennessee, Alabama growing up as a young man in LA, lower Alabama?
• 17:07
  SPEAKER_05: Yeah, so growing up, I mean, you know, as my family, we were they were Alabama fans, and you know, Tennessee was always a great opponent, but um now that I'm I'm here at Tennessee, I'm excited to be able to play an opponent like Alabama.
• 17:20
  SPEAKER_05: Um ready to get it started.
• 17:21
  SPEAKER_06: Yeah, you've come a long way since since high school, where you've figured out how to become a tight end and you do that and it goes well, and you've developed and you've come here this year.
• 17:32
  SPEAKER_06: And I don't want to say you've been a surprise, but you had not caught that many passes in your career, and so now you're you know, the two tight end packages, one tight end package, you're on the field all the time and getting a getting a chance.
• 17:43
  SPEAKER_06: How excited is your family for this weekend?
• 17:46
  SPEAKER_05: Oh, they're very excited, they're excited to see me out there on the field, excited that I'm getting the opportunity to go out there and show my skills for sure.
• 17:53
  SPEAKER_06: Now you shared that your brother plays for Kentucky.
• 17:55
  SPEAKER_05: He does.
• 17:55
  SPEAKER_06: All right, so how does the family they've kind of got it going on too?
• 17:59
  SPEAKER_06: You might have been watching that game on the plane, yeah, coming back from Arkansas.
• 18:03
  SPEAKER_06: Crazy ending.
• 18:04
  SPEAKER_06: Crazy ending.
• 18:05
  SPEAKER_06: Okay, so um, how does your family divide and conquer when it comes to your brother and then you?
• 18:11
  SPEAKER_06: Because Kentucky's got Oklahoma this weekend.
• 18:14
  SPEAKER_06: Correct.
• 18:14
  SPEAKER_06: In Norman or I believe it's in Norman.
• 18:17
  SPEAKER_06: Okay.
• 18:17
  SPEAKER_05: So how are they gonna do it?
• 18:18
  SPEAKER_05: So they um they try to make the home games as best they can.
• 18:21
  SPEAKER_05: So if one of us is playing at home, they'll go to that game.
• 18:24
  SPEAKER_05: And if we're both playing at home, they'll have to split it up and uh one will go to Lexington and one will come up here tonight.
• 18:29
  SPEAKER_06: Have they had the opportunity to do both?
• 18:31
  SPEAKER_05: In the same day?
• 18:32
  SPEAKER_05: In the same day.
• 18:33
  SPEAKER_05: Oh, sorry, they don't make that drive.
• 18:34
  SPEAKER_06: I was gonna say because I mean, you know, if you finish the game here, you might be able to get to Lexington for a night game or vice versa.
• 18:41
  SPEAKER_05: Right.
• 18:41
  SPEAKER_05: So little brother plays on Friday night, so they're driving through the night to get up here.
• 18:45
  SPEAKER_05: So little brother's still in high school, he's still in high school.
• 18:47
  SPEAKER_05: Okay, now what does he do?
• 18:48
  SPEAKER_06: He plays football, he's a receiver.
• 18:50
  SPEAKER_06: He's a receiver, okay.
• 18:51
  SPEAKER_06: And he's what year?
• 18:52
  SPEAKER_06: He's a senior.
• 18:53
  SPEAKER_06: Okay, well, you can't miss.
• 18:54
  SPEAKER_06: Right.
• 18:54
  SPEAKER_06: Yeah, but you can't miss.
• 18:55
  SPEAKER_06: Right.
• 18:56
  SPEAKER_06: Is he gonna try to play college?
• 18:57
  SPEAKER_06: I think he's gonna try.
• 18:58
  SPEAKER_06: That's great.
• 18:59
  SPEAKER_06: Yes, sir.
• 19:00
  SPEAKER_06: The very busy Thomas football family.
• 19:03
  SPEAKER_06: Hey, okay, so if you're gonna go see the exhibition basketball game on Thursday at seven against Xavier, or you're gonna go see the baseball team play against Lipscomb in the exhibition at Covenant Health Park, six o'clock on Friday night, you're gonna stop at Pilot.
• 19:20
  SPEAKER_06: Trent Thomas is gonna have some snacks for the game.
• 19:23
  SPEAKER_06: What do you get?
• 19:24
  SPEAKER_05: So, first thing I'm gonna grab a drink, I'm gonna grab a Powerade, blue Powerade, favorite um flavor there.
• 19:29
  SPEAKER_05: And then I'm gonna go Doritos, the spicy Doritos.
• 19:31
  SPEAKER_05: I like the purple ones or the dark red ones, uh, the spicy ones.
• 19:35
  SPEAKER_05: And then for my candy, I'll go Nerd's clusters, big gummy guy.
• 19:38
  SPEAKER_06: Not like a chocolate bar?
• 19:39
  SPEAKER_05: Not a chocolate bar.
• 19:41
  SPEAKER_05: Nah, not really.
• 19:42
  SPEAKER_05: Really?
• 19:43
  SPEAKER_05: Not a really big chocolate.
• 19:44
  SPEAKER_06: We've got to talk.
• 19:45
  SPEAKER_06: Stay right here.
• 19:46
  SPEAKER_06: Hey, so happy for this guy.
• 19:47
  SPEAKER_06: He's number 82 in your program.
• 19:49
  SPEAKER_06: He's Trent Thomas.
• 19:50
  SPEAKER_06: Transfer here last year from uh South Alabama, doing an outstanding job for the balls.
• 19:55
  SPEAKER_06: You see him on offense almost every play.
• 19:57
  SPEAKER_06: So glad to have him here with us, uh, sponsored by Pilot.
• 20:01
  SPEAKER_06: We got more of the Mike Keith Show coming up right after this.
• 20:05
  SPEAKER_07: Taking you inside the walls of Rocky Top, the Mike Keith Show presented by Uber E.
• 22:02
  SPEAKER_06: The left hander in the chemistry.
• 22:10
  SPEAKER_06: The ball's getting off the field as the past intended for home and short.
• 22:21
  SPEAKER_08: Running to anyone.
• 22:39
  SPEAKER_06: A minute 35 to go in the third.
• 22:48
  SPEAKER_06: We go to the fourth quarter.
• 22:50
  SPEAKER_06: And Tennessee's gonna win it.
• 22:52
  SPEAKER_06: They've got to win the fourth quarter.
• 22:54
  SPEAKER_06: At Razorback Stadium as the Long Trail Arkansas for three.
• 22:59
  SPEAKER_06: 14 to 10.
• 23:07
  SPEAKER_06: 30 20.
• 24:27
  SPEAKER_08: Alright.
• 24:30
  SPEAKER_08: Two minutes and eleven seconds.
• 24:34
  SPEAKER_06: Look at underneath and illy up.
• 24:37
  SPEAKER_06: Got there with the pressure again.
• 24:42
  SPEAKER_06: The throw.
• 24:43
  SPEAKER_06: First incomplete.
• 24:45
  SPEAKER_06: Your final score from Fannyville.
• 24:47
  SPEAKER_06: 24 to 17.
• 24:49
  SPEAKER_11: No excuses.
• 24:50
  SPEAKER_11: Come on the road.
• 24:51
  SPEAKER_11: Said it was gonna be fourth quarter as a box and match.
• 24:53
  SPEAKER_11: Keep winging it.
• 24:54
  SPEAKER_11: We said it at some point in the fourth quarter.
• 24:56
  SPEAKER_11: We throw a blow that knocks him out.
• 24:58
  SPEAKER_11: We threw a blow that knocked him out.
• 25:00
  SPEAKER_11: Our job, simple.
• 25:01
  SPEAKER_11: Be the best on the field that Saturday.
• 25:03
  SPEAKER_11: That's it.
• 25:04
  SPEAKER_11: All right.
• 25:04
  SPEAKER_11: Give yourself five.
• 25:07
  SPEAKER_06: The Mike Keith Show delivered by Uber Eats continues with Braylon Staley, number 14 of your Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver.
• 25:15
  SPEAKER_06: Welcome.
• 25:16
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, sir.
• 25:16
  SPEAKER_01: How are you doing?
• 25:17
  SPEAKER_06: I just had Trent Thomas in here.
• 25:19
  SPEAKER_06: Okay.
• 25:19
  SPEAKER_06: Number 82, tight end, who just scored a touchdown.
• 25:21
  SPEAKER_06: Yes, sir.
• 25:22
  SPEAKER_06: He did.
• 25:23
  SPEAKER_06: This is his first Tennessee Alabama game.
• 25:26
  SPEAKER_06: It's the first Tennessee Alabama game for a lot of guys on this roster.
• 25:29
  SPEAKER_06: Yes, sir.
• 25:31
  SPEAKER_06: For you guys who have been through this experience at Nealan, what do you share with the newer guys about what this is going to be like and how this may be a little different than what they've seen so far?
• 25:44
  SPEAKER_01: Obviously it's an experience.
• 25:47
  SPEAKER_01: Don't let the moment get too big for you.
• 25:49
  SPEAKER_01: Obviously, we'd have been in a couple of big games already.
• 25:52
  SPEAKER_01: Um so this is just another one.
• 25:53
  SPEAKER_01: Um the rivalry is like one of the best in college football, so you gotta be ready to bring your A game and let's play ball.
• 25:59
  SPEAKER_06: What is your Nealand Stadium moment so far, Braylon Staley?
• 26:06
  SPEAKER_01: My Nealand Stadium.
• 26:06
  SPEAKER_06: Just for you.
• 26:08
  SPEAKER_06: What is that moment that you had that you experienced like none other?
• 26:13
  SPEAKER_01: Man, I think my fur I could probably I'd say two.
• 26:16
  SPEAKER_01: Uh my first was probably my first Georgia game in there.
• 26:20
  SPEAKER_01: Uh my first college game day.
• 26:22
  SPEAKER_01: Um and then I think my 75 yard touchdown versus Oklahoma last year was kind of kind of crazy to me, man.
• 26:29
  SPEAKER_01: It was it was just a moment for me just to you know score right in front of my parents.
• 26:33
  SPEAKER_01: That was that was a crazy one.
• 26:35
  SPEAKER_01: So that was my my two biggest moments so far.
• 26:37
  SPEAKER_06: Do you fully comprehend as a young man the overall experience that you're getting to have as part of the SEC, as part of Tennessee football history, as part of Southern football history with Tennessee and Alabama?
• 26:52
  SPEAKER_06: Does that sink in at all yet?
• 26:55
  SPEAKER_01: I don't think it sink in yet.
• 26:56
  SPEAKER_01: But I think just being in the rivalry for three years that I've been here, uh, been to every game, so it's just been like, man, amazing.
• 27:05
  SPEAKER_01: So I can't wait to, you know, just experience it more at all.
• 27:08
  SPEAKER_06: After last year, they're gonna know who you are.
• 27:09
  SPEAKER_06: Yes, sir.
• 27:10
  SPEAKER_06: They will.
• 27:10
  SPEAKER_06: Yes, sir.
• 27:11
  SPEAKER_06: So what's that like when you understand, hey, they're gonna circle 14 because of what I was able to do last year in Tuscaloosa?
• 27:18
  SPEAKER_01: Um, man, it means a lot uh just to be able to, you know, have guys know actually looking at that number 14.
• 27:25
  SPEAKER_01: Um obviously we got a couple of other receivers in the room that they're looking at too.
• 27:29
  SPEAKER_01: Um so I think that uh we get it going early, you know, you know, just being on our P's and Q's that that'll get us going so so fast.
• 27:36
  SPEAKER_01: So I think Can you believe we're halfway through the season?
• 27:39
  SPEAKER_01: Man, we're halfway through.
• 27:40
  SPEAKER_01: Week seven, right?
• 27:41
  SPEAKER_06: Yeah.
• 27:42
  SPEAKER_06: Week seven.
• 27:42
  SPEAKER_06: Week seven.
• 27:43
  SPEAKER_06: How do you think it's gone so far for you?
• 27:45
  SPEAKER_06: How do you grade yourself or do you grade yourself?
• 27:48
  SPEAKER_01: Um I'm not grade myself yet, um, but I feel like it's been pretty, pretty solid, pretty solid right now.
• 27:54
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, obviously I've been you know blocking my tail off this year.
• 27:58
  SPEAKER_01: Um uh the balls have been kind of limited, but you know, I think you gotta stay down for the moment.
• 28:03
  SPEAKER_01: Um I think you can't get too frustrated in the moment.
• 28:05
  SPEAKER_01: I think you gotta stay down and you know just you know let it let it develop.
• 28:09
  SPEAKER_01: Um so I think you know, just being able to stay in it, stay in it, uh, you know, the time gonna come.
• 28:14
  SPEAKER_01: And then when they do, you gotta be ready for that moment.
• 28:16
  SPEAKER_06: A lot of people have talked about the Arkansas game and that the third quarter just was in the tank for Tennessee.
• 28:22
  SPEAKER_06: It was not good.
• 28:23
  SPEAKER_06: And yet, you guys come back over your last four possessions, not counting the kneel downs, you gain 245 yards.
• 28:32
  SPEAKER_06: The defense response, they give up only 41 yards.
• 28:36
  SPEAKER_06: Where does that resiliency come from with this team that you can be here and go back to here in the space of just a few plays?
• 28:44
  SPEAKER_01: Um, I think, you know, just having the guys we have on this team uh being able to walk down the sideline and talk to each each uh bench on the sideline, telling them, like, let's pick it up, let's go.
• 28:55
  SPEAKER_01: Like, this is not us.
• 28:56
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, but I feel like we got to have that earlier.
• 28:59
  SPEAKER_01: Uh just being able to have the guys come up first quarter, first drive of the game, like, let's go.
• 29:04
  SPEAKER_01: I need y'all, I need us to start fast right here.
• 29:06
  SPEAKER_01: And I think just having those guys on the football team on the sideline, um, you know, that helps us a lot.
• 29:10
  SPEAKER_01: That gets us going.
• 29:11
  SPEAKER_06: So is it a different and better bond on this team than you've seen in maybe maybe through your entire career, like high school, all the way through, in terms of the way the offense and the defense comes together?
• 29:23
  SPEAKER_06: It seems like you guys really get along.
• 29:25
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, sir.
• 29:25
  SPEAKER_01: I think I think this team is really bonded together.
• 29:28
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and I think that comes from you know offseason stuff, uh, summer workouts.
• 29:32
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, you know, we was in the building all the day, all day with each other.
• 29:35
  SPEAKER_01: So I think that comes from those those moments.
• 29:37
  SPEAKER_01: Um, it helped us so much uh just to bond with each other.
• 29:40
  SPEAKER_06: So okay, the game's at 3 30 on Saturday.
• 29:43
  SPEAKER_06: What what does it all look like for Braylon Staley leading up to it?
• 29:47
  SPEAKER_01: Man, gotta get my sleep.
• 29:49
  SPEAKER_01: Okay.
• 29:50
  SPEAKER_01: Gotta get up and get out of here.
• 29:50
  SPEAKER_06: How much sleep do you want?
• 29:52
  SPEAKER_01: I gotta get like eight hours.
• 29:53
  SPEAKER_01: Eight hours.
• 29:54
  SPEAKER_01: Okay, that's good.
• 29:54
  SPEAKER_01: Gotta get my eight hours.
• 29:55
  SPEAKER_01: Uh wake up, eat my breakfast.
• 29:57
  SPEAKER_01: Okay.
• 29:58
  SPEAKER_01: And you have the same same breakfast, okay, same pre-game meal, uh, you know, gotta drink my fluids, um, you know, gotta get stretched, gotta do, you know, my my joint work or whatnot.
• 30:08
  SPEAKER_01: And then when it's game time, it's game time.
• 30:10
  SPEAKER_01: Gotta have my headphones on and gotta be ready to roll.
• 30:13
  SPEAKER_06: What do you like to listen to?
• 30:14
  SPEAKER_01: I listen to anything.
• 30:15
  SPEAKER_01: Really.
• 30:16
  SPEAKER_01: I really listen to anything.
• 30:17
  SPEAKER_01: I listen to some gospel music, uh, you know, some kind of some rap music in there, uh, some RB.
• 30:22
  SPEAKER_01: You know, I switch it up a lot.
• 30:23
  SPEAKER_06: So who do you like RB?
• 30:26
  unknown: I like R.
• 30:27
  SPEAKER_06: Are we talking Motown or are we talking later than that?
• 30:30
  SPEAKER_01: Okay, I like um, I like a little, I think it's S V W S W V.
• 30:34
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 30:35
  SPEAKER_01: That's one on.
• 30:36
  SPEAKER_01: Um I like City George's wife.
• 30:38
  SPEAKER_01: I like a little uh little Tyrese in there.
• 30:40
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 30:40
  SPEAKER_01: Um, I like I like the code people.
• 30:42
  SPEAKER_01: I like covers.
• 30:43
  SPEAKER_01: You know, Dr.
• 30:44
  SPEAKER_01: Dre.
• 30:44
  SPEAKER_01: That's that's some that's some stuff I listen to.
• 30:46
  SPEAKER_01: So I can take you through some Motown.
• 30:49
  SPEAKER_01: You can?
• 30:49
  SPEAKER_01: I love Motown.
• 30:50
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, sir.
• 30:50
  SPEAKER_01: You got who you got hoop me up.
• 30:51
  SPEAKER_06: Yeah, it's pretty pretty, pretty good stuff with the Motown.
• 30:55
  SPEAKER_06: Hey, really enjoy always talking to you.
• 30:57
  SPEAKER_06: All right, we're going to Pilot.
• 30:59
  SPEAKER_06: Let's say we were talking with Trent about this.
• 31:01
  SPEAKER_06: You're gonna go see the baseball team, take on Lipscomb, 6 o'clock Friday night, Covenant Health Park, downtown Knoxville.
• 31:07
  SPEAKER_06: What do you what are the snacks you're getting in Pilot?
• 31:09
  SPEAKER_01: Oh, I gotta go give me a Getter Red or a Propel.
• 31:11
  SPEAKER_01: Okay.
• 31:12
  SPEAKER_01: Great Propel.
• 31:13
  SPEAKER_01: Okay.
• 31:14
  SPEAKER_01: That's delicious.
• 31:17
  SPEAKER_01: Probably a bag of chips.
• 31:18
  SPEAKER_01: I don't know what bag of chips I want yet, though.
• 31:19
  SPEAKER_01: Okay.
• 31:20
  SPEAKER_01: But whatever I'll see.
• 31:21
  SPEAKER_01: I gotta look at it.
• 31:22
  SPEAKER_06: Well, you know, Pilot has an apple selection.
• 31:24
  SPEAKER_01: They got a lot of chips.
• 31:26
  SPEAKER_01: Gotta give me a bag of chips.
• 31:27
  SPEAKER_01: So that's it?
• 31:28
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, sir.
• 31:28
  SPEAKER_01: No candy?
• 31:29
  SPEAKER_01: I might get a little candy here and there, but not candy bar?
• 31:32
  SPEAKER_01: Trent says he doesn't like chocolate.
• 31:34
  SPEAKER_01: That's crazy.
• 31:35
  SPEAKER_01: I like chocolate.
• 31:35
  SPEAKER_06: I do too.
• 31:36
  SPEAKER_06: Snicker bars.
• 31:37
  SPEAKER_06: So you're gonna go Snickers if you're gonna get a candy bar.
• 31:39
  SPEAKER_01: I might go Snicker Bar or the Hershey Cookies and Cream.
• 31:43
  SPEAKER_01: That's good.
• 31:43
  SPEAKER_01: Man.
• 31:44
  SPEAKER_01: Kit Kat?
• 31:44
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, sir.
• 31:45
  SPEAKER_01: I like Kit Kat.
• 31:46
  SPEAKER_01: All right.
• 31:46
  SPEAKER_06: Hey, I got two touchdowns this weekend.
• 31:49
  SPEAKER_06: How about that?
• 31:50
  SPEAKER_06: Yes, sir.
• 31:50
  SPEAKER_06: Two touchdowns.
• 31:51
  SPEAKER_06: I like it.
• 31:51
  SPEAKER_06: Would that make Brian Staley happy?
• 31:53
  SPEAKER_06: No, make man, he'll go crazy on Twitter.
• 31:55
  SPEAKER_06: Go crazy on Twitter.
• 31:56
  SPEAKER_06: Shout out to Father Staley.
• 31:58
  SPEAKER_06: Yes, sir.
• 31:58
  SPEAKER_06: Great to see you.
• 31:59
  SPEAKER_06: Good luck this weekend.
• 32:00
  SPEAKER_06: And uh congratulations on what you're doing here in Tennessee.
• 32:03
  SPEAKER_06: You keep making us all proud.
• 32:04
  SPEAKER_06: Yes, sir.
• 32:05
  SPEAKER_06: I appreciate it.
• 32:05
  SPEAKER_06: Number 14, Bradley and Staley with us.
• 32:07
  SPEAKER_06: We're gonna talk a little baseball.
• 32:08
  SPEAKER_06: They do have the big uh exhibition at the downtown park here in Knoxville against Lipscomb on Friday at 6 o'clock, trying to get a big crowd.
• 32:17
  SPEAKER_06: Kibb's Corner is next on the Mike Keith show delivered by Uber Eats.
• 32:22
  SPEAKER_14: You're one-on-one with Mike Keith, sponsored by Food City, the official supermarket of the Tennessee Volunteers.
• 32:29
  SPEAKER_14: By Farm Bureau Insurance, the official insurance of the Vols.
• 32:33
  SPEAKER_14: Tennessee insurance for Tennessee life.
• 32:36
  SPEAKER_14: By First Horizon, Big Bank Muzzle, Small Bank Hustle.
• 32:40
  SPEAKER_14: By Pilot, official travel stop of the Vols.
• 32:43
  SPEAKER_14: See you out here.
• 32:45
  SPEAKER_14: By Rackley Roofing, let us fix your leap, the proud official roofer of the Big Orange.
• 32:51
  SPEAKER_14: And by UT Medical, the official healthcare provider of the Vols.
• 32:57
  SPEAKER_11: When you travel across the great state of Tennessee, one thing you're sure to find is big orange passion.
• 33:02
  SPEAKER_11: You see it throughout every inch of the volunteer state, just like you see First Horizon, serving communities big and small, offering big bank products with small bank passion.
• 33:13
  SPEAKER_11: What else do you need?
• 33:14
  SPEAKER_11: Big bank muscle, small bank hustle.
• 33:17
  SPEAKER_11: That's First Horizon, the official bank of the Vols.
• 33:20
  SPEAKER_11: Proudly serving Tennesseans for over 160 years.
• 33:26
  SPEAKER_17: In the heart of every community, caring comes naturally.
• 33:30
  SPEAKER_17: At Farm Bureau Health Plans, we are your neighbors, your friends, and partners in health.
• 33:37
  SPEAKER_17: We believe everyone deserves the very best care tailored to your unique needs.
• 33:41
  SPEAKER_17: Become a valued member of our family, and we'll take care of you and yours.
• 33:46
  SPEAKER_17: Together we care.
• 33:48
  SPEAKER_17: Together we grow.
• 33:50
  SPEAKER_17: Together we thrive.
• 33:52
  SPEAKER_17: Farm Bureau Health Plans.
• 33:54
  SPEAKER_17: Plan on us.
• 34:39
  SPEAKER_02: Touchdown!
• 34:44
  SPEAKER_22: Out here.
• 34:46
  SPEAKER_22: Passion prevails.
• 35:03
  SPEAKER_06: Bring on the passion ball naked.
• 35:08
  SPEAKER_06: And let the capability of the Ford F-150 bring the rest.
• 35:15
  SPEAKER_06: Game four.
• 35:17
  SPEAKER_06: With the latest offers on a new Ford F-150 truck, see your local Ford dealer, proud sponsor of Tennessee Athletics.
• 35:26
  SPEAKER_00: Being at the Vols game saved my life.
• 35:29
  SPEAKER_00: It was a normal day going to the game with my son, but this time it felt like a sledgehammer hit my chest.
• 35:35
  SPEAKER_00: The UT medical team knew exactly what they needed to do and just kept me calm throughout the process.
• 35:42
  SPEAKER_00: It was probably the most serious heart attack that you could have.
• 35:45
  SPEAKER_00: The team took care of me, worked quickly, efficiently, and I did catch the end of the game.
• 35:52
  SPEAKER_15: These are the stories of the region's academic health system.
• 35:58
  SPEAKER_13: Sometimes it starts with protecting the quarterback.
• 36:01
  SPEAKER_13: Sometimes it's holding the line.
• 36:03
  SPEAKER_13: Sometimes it's making sure no one gets through.
• 36:07
  SPEAKER_13: We protect each other.
• 36:08
  SPEAKER_13: We prepare.
• 36:09
  SPEAKER_17: We stay ready.
• 36:10
  SPEAKER_17: Protection looks different depending on where you stand.
• 36:13
  SPEAKER_17: Whether it's protecting the quarterback or protecting what matters at home, the responsibility is the same.
• 36:18
  SPEAKER_13: Best five medals.
• 36:19
  SPEAKER_13: Designed to inspire.
• 36:21
  SPEAKER_13: Made to protect.
• 36:22
  SPEAKER_13: Driven to serve.
• 36:29
  SPEAKER_06: Tennessee beat Troy in Nashville on Sunday, 8-6 in an action-packed fall scrimmage.
• 36:36
  SPEAKER_06: We've already told you that Josh E.
• 36:38
  SPEAKER_06: Lander's balls will host Lipscomb Friday night in downtown Knoxville at Covenant Hell Park at 6 o'clock.
• 36:45
  SPEAKER_06: To prepare for that and to meet new infielder Chris Ramirez, let's head to Kibb's Quarter.
• 36:52
  SPEAKER_06: The show within this show.
• 36:54
  SPEAKER_06: Hosted by ball assistant Ross Kibbick.
• 36:56
  SPEAKER_06: Kibbs Quarter is brought to you by Calhoun.
• 37:11
  SPEAKER_16: I usually don't like to talk too highly to your face.
• 37:14
  SPEAKER_16: No, like you were great to me.
• 37:16
  SPEAKER_16: Like the whole staff was super, it felt like family from the start.
• 37:20
  SPEAKER_16: So that was kind of what you know made me go this way.
• 37:23
  SPEAKER_06: If you're not a hardcore Tennessee baseball fan, then tell them if you would, Ross, who Chris Ramirez is as a play.
• 37:31
  SPEAKER_21: For us, our evaluation, our rankings are based off our eyes, and we had identified Chris right from the start when he went in.
• 37:38
  SPEAKER_21: It's high contact.
• 37:39
  SPEAKER_21: He doesn't stretch the zone.
• 37:41
  SPEAKER_21: He he knows the zone really well.
• 37:42
  SPEAKER_21: There's not a lot of swing and miss.
• 37:45
  SPEAKER_21: There's some power that'll be added thanks to Coach Keegan Knoll and some other things with you know Chuck and Coach E.
• 37:52
  SPEAKER_21: Lander offensively, but as good of a defender as I've ever been around, can do it to his left and to his right, will stick it short, can play other positions for a team that you know likes to shift a lot.
• 38:04
  SPEAKER_21: Really excited to have his level of athleticism inside that wildcat position we call it when you do go into an advanced shift.
• 38:13
  SPEAKER_21: And then, I mean, probably the makeup portion is the most important thing as we got to know him, and he, you know, he talks about family, but we really did connect with Chris from the start.
• 38:24
  SPEAKER_21: His family, especially when they came under the visit, just well rounded, his village is superb, and expect him to be a vacuum and to get on base and score a lot of runs.
• 38:34
  SPEAKER_21: And then hopefully drive some runs in as well.
• 38:37
  SPEAKER_21: So this was a this was a good one for us, and and I guess since it's my show, but you're the guest, how show within a show, sorry, Coach Keith.
• 38:48
  SPEAKER_21: How has the transition been?
• 38:50
  SPEAKER_21: Because that's something we talked about from the beginning, is how is it gonna be leaving where you've pretty much been your whole life to to come in here?
• 38:58
  SPEAKER_16: The longest I'd been away from home was you know summer ball for a month.
• 39:02
  SPEAKER_16: Um, but like it's been great.
• 39:04
  SPEAKER_16: Everyone is is great here, they treat me super well, like there's never really a time where I feel like I'm by myself, which is great.
• 39:12
  SPEAKER_16: The guys, you know, some of my best friends now, and like even the coaching stuff, you guys do a great job of I mean you tell me all the time, like, do I want to go to your house and watch a soccer game?
• 39:22
  SPEAKER_16: Like, I can kick it at your place whenever I want, which is cool.
• 39:25
  SPEAKER_21: That turned as well.
• 39:26
  SPEAKER_21: You gotta you gotta be fun to hang out with to do that.
• 39:30
  SPEAKER_21: Understood.
• 39:31
  SPEAKER_21: I I guess the other thing, just to kind of piggyback on that, is we didn't do a lot of portal the last four or five years.
• 39:38
  SPEAKER_21: This year was a little different.
• 39:39
  SPEAKER_21: Some of the attrition and graduation, obviously, we had a coaching change.
• 39:43
  SPEAKER_21: How has the clubhouse been?
• 39:44
  SPEAKER_21: Because that's what people are gonna want to see when you guys get to play here, you know, this Friday.
• 39:49
  SPEAKER_21: Is how's the clubhouse?
• 39:51
  SPEAKER_21: How's the makeup of the clubhouse?
• 39:53
  SPEAKER_21: What's that been like over the last two months?
• 39:56
  SPEAKER_16: I mean, this is some of the most fun I've had playing baseball.
• 40:00
  SPEAKER_16: It's always fun coming to the field.
• 40:01
  SPEAKER_21: Um, I mean, we talk about it all the time, like work is fun with this group of guys, so what do you think is the biggest um I guess adjustment from where you were summer ball and then facing the arms that you face this fall, whether it be in inner squads with our own guys or Troy?
• 40:24
  SPEAKER_21: You know, how's how's that been?
• 40:26
  SPEAKER_16: The one thing that I need to get used to now is everybody throws hard.
• 40:30
  SPEAKER_06: So you don't see that as much playing in Southern California?
• 40:34
  SPEAKER_16: I mean, I was in a mid-major, so like you'll get a couple of guys in a weekend that you know ramp it up, but like now, especially in inner squads, like everybody's mid-90s, and that's that's pretty normal.
• 40:46
  SPEAKER_21: That's crazy.
• 40:48
  SPEAKER_21: It's been fun watching the inner squads.
• 40:50
  SPEAKER_21: That's what I've heard.
• 40:51
  SPEAKER_21: And we've kept the gates open.
• 40:52
  SPEAKER_21: People need to come out there and watch it because every bolt's been 94 plus.
• 40:56
  SPEAKER_06: Do we expect to see a lot of Chris Ramirez at short and uh Wyatt Hanoian at second?
• 41:03
  SPEAKER_21: I I think you'll see a mix of Travis Sanders, who's one of their close buddies, who's moving all around the infield.
• 41:09
  SPEAKER_21: Blake Grimmer will move around the infield.
• 41:12
  SPEAKER_21: Um, you know, Mario Travel is another name.
• 41:14
  SPEAKER_21: I I think the athleticism and the depth is is, you know, shout out to Coach Elander and his plan and executing the plan this summer because it is deep and it's probably the best group I've been around, and we've been around some really good ones.
• 41:28
  SPEAKER_21: Chris, where do you like to hit in a lineup?
• 41:30
  SPEAKER_16: I like in the top of the lineup, but like lead-off?
• 41:33
  SPEAKER_16: I like leading off the game, yes, and the tone, but um if I'm in the lineup, I won't complain.
• 41:37
  SPEAKER_06: And there's a different mentality for a two-hole hitter, too.
• 41:40
  SPEAKER_06: I mean, it's a it's a completely different set of responsibilities at times.
• 41:44
  SPEAKER_06: It's like the two-hole and the eight-hole hit very in very similar ways in terms of what they're often asked to do.
• 41:52
  SPEAKER_06: The leadoff is is a mindset as much as anything else.
• 41:56
  SPEAKER_06: And it sets the the table quite obviously, but but from a mindset standpoint, it sets the tone for the baseball team.
• 42:04
  SPEAKER_06: Lead-off hitting is your thing.
• 42:06
  SPEAKER_16: Yeah, I mean, I've done it a long time.
• 42:08
  SPEAKER_21: When we went and saw him in uh not high school, but in Cape Cod, it was always leading off, which I think I I let off in college, believe it or not.
• 42:16
  SPEAKER_21: And I think a lot of why'd you let down like that?
• 42:19
  SPEAKER_21: I I think a lot of the like you said, coach, is the mentality of it, but also like you have to be bought into a plan every game.
• 42:26
  SPEAKER_21: Because the scouting report is only really for the leadoff hitter because you're gonna come back and give that day's scouting report to the rest of the crew, right?
• 42:36
  SPEAKER_21: So I think you you gotta have a little bit of courage too, of like, hey, I'm gonna go out there and I know my best beats you know his best.
• 42:44
  SPEAKER_21: He separates the game really well, coach.
• 42:46
  SPEAKER_21: So we talk about impacting games, scoring runs, driving in runs, or defending.
• 42:50
  SPEAKER_21: The third thing you do may be the best in the entire country.
• 42:53
  SPEAKER_21: I'm obviously biased because I coach that position and I coach you.
• 42:57
  SPEAKER_21: But is that something that you really like as far as hitting and then defense, you really have bought into your defensive part of your game?
• 43:05
  SPEAKER_16: Yeah, ever since I mean I was a little kid, like my dad and I, we'd go out to the field, we'd we wouldn't hit until I was done taking ground balls.
• 43:13
  SPEAKER_16: Like that's um that's a part of the game that he always emphasized for me, and I think it's the most fun.
• 43:19
  SPEAKER_21: What's one thing that you've noticed about the defensive work that you didn't get prior?
• 43:24
  SPEAKER_16: Just we do it every day, and it's very detailed reps.
• 43:29
  SPEAKER_16: You don't take a rep off here, and if you do, you're doing push-ups.
• 43:32
  SPEAKER_21: It's accountability.
• 43:33
  SPEAKER_21: It's it is accountability.
• 43:34
  SPEAKER_21: It's a good thing.
• 43:35
  SPEAKER_21: But you like that.
• 43:36
  SPEAKER_21: I do.
• 43:36
  SPEAKER_21: You're going for perfect practice.
• 43:38
  SPEAKER_21: Yeah.
• 43:38
  SPEAKER_21: It's an imperfect game.
• 43:40
  SPEAKER_06: If you're gonna win a college world series, that's what you have to do because it comes down to little things.
• 43:45
  SPEAKER_06: There will be plenty of teams that will be good enough to get there and good enough to win it, and a bunch won't get there, and several who do won't, you know, they'll be two and cue because they won't do little things.
• 43:58
  SPEAKER_21: Yeah.
• 43:58
  SPEAKER_21: We've been working with Chris on Getting out of his shell a little bit.
• 44:01
  SPEAKER_21: Not that he's shy.
• 44:02
  SPEAKER_21: It's not that he's shy, but it w playing in front of 10,000 people, which we hope Friday is close to that, you have to kind of demand.
• 44:10
  SPEAKER_21: He really does that.
• 44:12
  SPEAKER_21: And maybe in the last since 2021, Liam Spence did it.
• 44:17
  SPEAKER_21: Obviously, Cortland Lawson was a big part in Dean Curley in 24, but we haven't really had that guy.
• 44:23
  SPEAKER_21: So I think for the whole class, everyone that's watching, let's do a double cut right now.
• 44:28
  SPEAKER_21: Okay.
• 44:29
  SPEAKER_21: Get out of your shell a little bit.
• 44:30
  SPEAKER_21: What are you gonna do when the ball goes into the gap and you're gonna double cut?
• 44:34
  SPEAKER_16: I'm gonna run out there.
• 44:35
  SPEAKER_16: And you're gonna do what?
• 44:36
  SPEAKER_16: I'm gonna put my hands up.
• 44:37
  SPEAKER_16: Let's let's show the class.
• 44:38
  SPEAKER_16: Come on.
• 44:39
  SPEAKER_16: And I'm gonna scroll.
• 44:40
  SPEAKER_21: Oh, what are you gonna come on?
• 44:42
  SPEAKER_16: I'm gonna put my hands up just like that.
• 44:44
  SPEAKER_16: And I'm gonna say, hit me, hit me, hit me.
• 44:46
  SPEAKER_21: Wow, that wasn't that loud.
• 44:47
  SPEAKER_21: Hit me, hit me, hit me.
• 44:48
  SPEAKER_21: Correct.
• 44:48
  SPEAKER_21: And I think that's one thing, because it's not all rainbows and butterflies on Kip's Corner.
• 44:52
  SPEAKER_21: We talked about some of the stuff you're working on too.
• 44:54
  SPEAKER_21: Right.
• 44:55
  SPEAKER_21: The leadership ability is so there, and everybody gravitates to them in the clubhouse.
• 45:00
  SPEAKER_21: We just gotta make sure that we're loud so when we go on the road in Omaha that we're they can hear you.
• 45:05
  SPEAKER_06: Yeah.
• 45:05
  SPEAKER_06: Yeah.
• 45:06
  SPEAKER_06: About offense again, with Chris, with Wyatt, with some of the other guys you've recruited, did you as a staff actively go get offensive players who made better contact?
• 45:18
  SPEAKER_21: This is the question that everybody is asked, including him and Wyatt.
• 45:23
  SPEAKER_21: I thought maybe he texted you on the side.
• 45:24
  SPEAKER_21: He did.
• 45:25
  SPEAKER_21: If you look at the draft this year, too, all the guys that got the real money in the first 50 picks that are offensive players made a lot of contact or they dominate the zone.
• 45:36
  SPEAKER_21: So with Wyatt and with Chris and even Travis, who he might swing more than the other, but he doesn't swing and miss as much in zone.
• 45:44
  SPEAKER_21: We were really looking at guys that control the zone and don't swing and miss inside the strike zone.
• 45:50
  SPEAKER_21: Because if we're gonna coach it and go, hey, don't swing at balls, that's the easiest thing that like if Reese Kivitt was, you know, gearing up and I was flipping her a softball, I'd say, don't swing at a ball, right?
• 46:00
  SPEAKER_21: Get us get a strike.
• 46:01
  SPEAKER_21: Well, it's easy to say that and and coach it, but if they don't execute it, then we're not we're not doing our job.
• 46:08
  SPEAKER_21: I think we kind of hedged our bet in a way that we already have guys that do that now.
• 46:12
  SPEAKER_21: So to answer your question in a roundabout way, more simply, is yes, we wanted more contact.
• 46:18
  SPEAKER_21: But you still have to be able to leave the yard, especially in our ballpark, where, you know, late May, early June, when you're hosting a regional or super regional, which is the goal, you're hoping that you can clip a couple of balls, get them in that jet stream, and leave.
• 46:32
  SPEAKER_21: Or even our high school players, like Jack Dugan's a name that's been coming up, right?
• 46:37
  SPEAKER_21: And he kind of made a name for himself this last week.
• 46:39
  SPEAKER_21: He doesn't swing and miss that much.
• 46:41
  SPEAKER_21: And you know, Colt Springall's done a really nice job, and there's others, but I just think Andrew Duncan has done an unbelievable job this fall so far of really eliminating the swing and miss.
• 46:53
  SPEAKER_21: But more for how did you get that trait?
• 46:58
  SPEAKER_21: When we throw batting practice, you want to talk about you got to throw it into a solo cup.
• 47:02
  SPEAKER_21: That's how he is.
• 47:03
  SPEAKER_21: He doesn't even swing at my flips if they're in.
• 47:06
  SPEAKER_21: So is that something you work on all the time?
• 47:08
  SPEAKER_16: It really started in the Cape.
• 47:09
  SPEAKER_21: Shout out to the Cape, the Cape Cod Summer Collegiate Baseball.
• 47:13
  SPEAKER_21: I've always wanted to go.
• 47:14
  SPEAKER_21: Dude, you should.
• 47:15
  SPEAKER_21: It's an unbelievable experience.
• 47:16
  SPEAKER_21: Okay.
• 47:17
  SPEAKER_16: I mean, going for mid-major umpires, those guys they'll expand the zone a little bit, especially with two strikes, they're not afraid to ring you up.
• 47:23
  SPEAKER_16: So, like my freshman year, I would swing at essentially everything with two strikes.
• 47:27
  SPEAKER_16: But um, going out to the Cape, like I felt like the strike zone was as small as it's ever been.
• 47:32
  SPEAKER_16: If the ball wasn't right here, I wasn't gonna swing at it until I had two strikes, and that's kind of what I guess I carried into my sophomore year.
• 47:38
  SPEAKER_21: Your brother's a pretty good shortstop, and and your dad was a pretty good shortstop.
• 47:43
  SPEAKER_21: Is that something that runs in the family, or is that something you guys are all working at together?
• 47:47
  SPEAKER_16: I guess it might run in the family a little bit.
• 47:49
  SPEAKER_16: Nice.
• 47:49
  SPEAKER_16: Um, but it definitely started with my dad.
• 47:51
  SPEAKER_16: I mean, he's taught me everything I know, and then my brother watches me play.
• 47:57
  SPEAKER_16: My dad teaches him everything that he knows, plus what I now know.
• 48:01
  SPEAKER_16: So it's it's good.
• 48:02
  SPEAKER_06: Big night Friday night at Covenant Health Park.
• 48:05
  SPEAKER_06: Big, big night for Tennessee baseball fans.
• 48:08
  SPEAKER_06: You need to know about this, and it's vitally important to the Tennessee baseball program for a lot of reasons that you have a big crowd Friday night.
• 48:16
  SPEAKER_06: Tell everybody about it.
• 48:17
  SPEAKER_21: Yeah, I think it it's important one because we talk about it so much in recruiting of this fan base.
• 48:23
  SPEAKER_21: And I'm just really proud to work here because of the people that supported and the resources, and our fan base shows up at all times, whether that be on social media or in you know in the community.
• 48:34
  SPEAKER_21: It really helps with with how we recruit.
• 48:37
  SPEAKER_21: And when we sit these guys down and we talk about a fan base, we promise the the nine to ten thousand people every night during the spring.
• 48:45
  SPEAKER_21: And I think this is a great opportunity to show them that we show up for fall baseball as well.
• 48:50
  SPEAKER_21: It's a six o'clock start.
• 48:52
  SPEAKER_21: It's gonna be the majority of these new guys that I know everyone's excited to see.
• 48:56
  SPEAKER_21: We haven't announced it yet, but the guy on the mound is is gonna be an exciting watch as well, and and one of those newcomers that can really be in the Tegan Coons, Liam Doyle, etc.
• 49:06
  SPEAKER_21: I'm not afraid to say that.
• 49:07
  SPEAKER_21: And I think what's a better tailgate for Saturday than watching your pregame.
• 49:12
  SPEAKER_21: It's a good thing.
• 49:13
  SPEAKER_06: Okay, so I mean, until 3:30 on Saturday, you're gonna be up against it.
• 49:18
  SPEAKER_06: I mean, you know how you feel about Tennessee, Alabama, so you're gonna be up against it.
• 49:22
  SPEAKER_06: Why not go watch a baseball scrimmage Friday night, Covenant Health Park, six o'clock and see Chris Ramirez, number one player.
• 49:28
  SPEAKER_21: Yeah, he's gonna be out there.
• 49:29
  SPEAKER_21: It's he's exciting to watch.
• 49:31
  SPEAKER_21: We're glad to have you.
• 49:32
  SPEAKER_06: All right, so let's set it up.
• 49:33
  SPEAKER_06: Who are we playing?
• 49:34
  SPEAKER_06: Lipscomb University, yeah.
• 49:36
  SPEAKER_06: Lipscomb's coming in.
• 49:37
  SPEAKER_21: Yep.
• 49:37
  SPEAKER_21: Six o'clock.
• 49:38
  SPEAKER_21: Six o'clock starts.
• 49:39
  SPEAKER_21: Covenant Health Park.
• 49:40
  SPEAKER_21: They'll open the gates.
• 49:41
  SPEAKER_21: I think they said they're gonna open the gates just before an hour before.
• 49:45
  SPEAKER_21: So probably 445-ish.
• 49:47
  SPEAKER_21: Plenty of stuff to do around the Covenant Health Park.
• 49:49
  SPEAKER_21: It's fantastic.
• 49:50
  SPEAKER_21: Old City is, like I've said before, is an unbelievable spot for people to pregame.
• 49:55
  SPEAKER_21: You know, we're gonna play 10, maybe 11 innings.
• 49:58
  SPEAKER_21: We'll throw in some scenarios that are exciting.
• 50:00
  SPEAKER_21: There's gonna be um, you know, events with our players where they're signing autographs and taking pictures and other things.
• 50:08
  SPEAKER_21: So I think it's uh, like you said, the perfect pregame to Saturday.
• 50:12
  SPEAKER_06: Tennessee Lipscomb coming up this Friday, 6 o'clock, downtown Knoxville, Covenant Health Park, which is wonderful.
• 50:20
  SPEAKER_06: And they have great things to eat and drink there too, but so many places around.
• 50:24
  SPEAKER_06: Get some of the angst out about Alabama.
• 50:27
  SPEAKER_06: Just take a breath, go watch some ball baseball, watch Chris Ramirez play shortstop.
• 50:32
  SPEAKER_06: You could go to Calhoun's right before.
• 50:34
  SPEAKER_06: You could definitely go to Calhoun's.
• 50:36
  SPEAKER_06: Calhoun's is very close by.
• 50:37
  SPEAKER_06: I love Calhoun.
• 50:38
  SPEAKER_06: I love Calhoun's too.
• 50:39
  SPEAKER_06: Chris Ramirez, thank you.
• 50:40
  SPEAKER_06: Thanks, Chris.
• 50:42
  SPEAKER_06: All right, the show within a show, Kiv's Quarter, obviously sponsored by Calhoun's with Ross Kivitt.
• 50:47
  SPEAKER_06: We're back with more of the show right after this.
• 50:54
  SPEAKER_07: This is your home for coaches and players.
• 50:58
  SPEAKER_07: One-on-one from Rocky Top.
• 51:00
  SPEAKER_07: This is your ball network.
• 51:07
  SPEAKER_06: If you missed any edition of the Mike Keats Show, remember you can always find them at the Tennessee Athletics YouTube channel.
• 51:15
  SPEAKER_06: Actually, we'd love it if you became a subscriber of the Tennessee Athletics YouTube channel.
• 51:22
  SPEAKER_06: Get fantastic Vol and Lady Vol content if you become a subscriber, and the price is right.
• 51:28
  SPEAKER_06: It doesn't cost anything.
• 51:31
  SPEAKER_06: You can also listen to the Mike Keith show via the podcast if you choose.
• 51:36
  SPEAKER_06: You can find it on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcast.
• 51:42
  SPEAKER_06: One more note if you have a question for any member of our team on the Mike Keith Show or the Vol Radio Network, hit us up on the Vol Network text line.
• 51:53
  SPEAKER_06: 865-657-1278.
• 51:56
  SPEAKER_06: 865-657-1278.
• 51:59
  SPEAKER_06: Send them.
• 52:00
  SPEAKER_06: We would appreciate it, and we will answer.
• 52:03
  SPEAKER_06: 865-657-1278.
• 52:07
  SPEAKER_06: For our fine VOL Network staff, I'm Mike Keith.
• 52:11
  SPEAKER_06: Thanks for joining us, and we'll see you next time.
• 52:22
  SPEAKER_07: Delivered by Uber East at WT Sports.com.
• 52:26
  SPEAKER_07: We are the Vall Network.