The road to the superbowl is finalised, MLB hall of fame & NHL trade market hots up.

Matt & Tom review the NFC & AFC championship games.

Who is this seasons NFL MVP?

The recent nominations for the MLB hall of fame are announced and a huge trade in the NHL appears to have kick started the trade market.

Transcript

0:01

Welcome to TriplePlay UK, the UK's home of the NFL, NHL and MLB.

Matt: 0:14

Hello and welcome back to Triple Play uK. I'm your host Matt alongside my co host Tom again this week. We've got a great episode for you this week. We're going to do a recap in the NFL of the NFC and AFC Championship Games. We now know who is going to be in Super Bowl next week. We're going to go through the NHL. There was a big trade, involved in the abs and the hurricanes, which we're going to review a couple of games there, see how that trade affected those games. And then we will look at the MLB Hall of Fame induction the nominations took place last week. And then the big question this week, which we'll be discussing as part of the NFL roundup, who is the MVP? Tom, how are you this week, mate?

Tom: 0:58

Yeah, not too bad, mate, not too bad. It's been a long old week, but, mate, it's been some, it's been some, been a lot going on, a lot going on, so plenty to talk about.

Matt: 1:11

Yeah, I think the, the games on Sunday really sort of kicked off the week and we had a few bits and pieces go on in the other sports as well, which is nice. We've got a nice, nice bit to cover this week. I think the games. in the NFL were, were amazing, like chalk and cheese. One was really close. The other one, I think we saw a real powerhouse, didn't we? Against a team that, you know, fully deserved to be there, but I think it might've come too soon. So let's have a quick look at the Eagles and the commander's game. Then mate, what were your thoughts?

Tom: 1:45

look, first things first, it's, it was, it was a brilliant watch. Like you said, I mean, as a fan, I mean, I couldn't really ask for much more. I was a little bit nervous when the game started because were converting on a lot of third and fourth downs. I mean, Jaden Daniels is so, so composed, on third and fourth downs. It's like a, it's like a veteran back there. They were driving down the field, managed to limit them to a field goal. And I just thought, Oh no, is it just going to be one of them days where, yeah, they're just going to, they're just going to, they're just going to keep driving. They're going to score points and we're going to struggle. I think the time was kind of set with that first play. I think their opening drive lasted seven minutes. they've got three points out of it. ours was 18 seconds. and Saquon Barkley doing what he's been doing all season, which is just highlight real plays. 60 yard touchdown runs and yeah, opening play score and didn't really look back from there.

Matt: 2:43

Yeah. I think when you get 14 points on the board in the first quarter, I think the writing's pretty much on the wall. I didn't, I didn't see, the commanders coming back from it from that point, to be honest. I think, like you said, their first play. It took them 18 plays to get within field goal distance. So the Eagles, their defense was quite resolute. And then, the commander's defense, not so much. I think one play to get a touchdown and then second possession, touchdown with two minutes to go in the first quarter. There was really no come back. And I think the commander's fumbled it as well in the first quarter. So I think. Overall, mate, it was a, it was a really good, sort of, first quarter for the Eagles, and I think the, the second quarter was a little bit closer?

Tom: 3:38

I think to be fair, I think you kind of mentioned it there about the turnovers and the fumbles. I think for a lot of the game, the first half, I would say that in terms of like the actual play, we were kind of having a look at it at halftime. I watched it with a couple of friends, and we were just kind of looking at the stats and yeah, the actual play, I mean, it was kind of neck and neck in terms of. just driving down the field, plays, how, how both offenses were doing, how both defenses were doing. They were kind of quite well matched for the first half. The big difference was the turnovers. The Eagles didn't turn the ball over once in the whole game. the commanders turn it over at least four times. The Eagles scored off of every turnover, so it ended up being a big difference. And then once the score kind of starting it from yourselves, you go 18 19 points down and becomes a lot harder to kind of rally yourself and get back to it. And like you kind of touched on, I think they've done brilliantly to get there. It probably was just a step too far to go that next step. And I mean, like I said, I don't say it because I'm a fan. I think the Eagles are a bit of a bit of a force this year. the defense is the best in the league. They've got the best offensive line, the best running back. and I just want to give a little shout out as well to my guy, Jalen Hurts. I mean, he gets so much stick and abuse, sort of from a lot of fans around the league. and I really don't get why. I think, like, you look at his numbers in the postseason. I mean, all the guy does is win. he's got a winning record in postseason in his career. He's, I think he joins a list of five quarterbacks, which includes Ben Roethlisberger and I think Tom Brady as quarterbacks under 27, sorry, not Brady, Mahomes as quarterbacks under 27 who have got to two Superbowls. Do you know what I mean? So all the guy does is win. And I mean, he hasn't turned the ball over once in the postseason I think he had a great game. He threw for a lot of yards, rushed in a few touchdowns as well. I think he scored four touchdowns, including a pass, sack one with three. So like, it was, I think you just kind of saw where the teams were at. I think Washington with Jaden Daniels, who was unreal, by the way. This was this season, postseason, maybe, probably is the best season by a rookie quarterback I've ever seen. So yeah, I think they're going to be great for years to come, but just came into up against the side this year that I just think, look, I mean, fingers crossed that I did say it'd be Tom's take, that are just going to be a bit too strong for everyone whether that be the case in the Super Bowl, I guess we'll have to wait and see, but yeah it was a great game and thought we, thought the Eagles quality kind of showed out.

Matt: 6:16

Yeah, it really did, especially in that final quarter. They they put some big numbers on the board, didn't they? They scored 21 points unanswered in the final quarter. They really did put the commanders to the sword. Like you said, that this team seems to be built differently this year. Obviously, we've got a rematch of the Super Bowl two years ago. I think based on, you know, we won't go predictions this week, but I think it's going to be a very, very interesting game, mate. And I think, I think there's a very good chance that Tom's take from, from our first podcast may very well come to fruition. Obviously you touched on Saquon Barkley. I think he's about 100 yards shy of the overall rushing record, including postseason, isn't he? So, that's going to be an interesting watch. I think it's a very, very, very good matchup, this one coming.

Tom: 7:12

All right.

Matt: 7:22

I think I said it last week. The Chiefs haven't been that, I wouldn't say like dominant, like overtly dominant team in games this year. They've played well and they found a way to win and they did it again here against the Bills. But I think there's been quite a bit of controversy around decisions made in favor of the Chiefs. And again, in this game and on the back of this game, there's been some, some controversies that have come out about the way the referees are making calls. And obviously the one they call it a big call. I don't think it would have really had an effect. It was a call on first down, I believe. It's fourth down. So I don't think overall that one call would have made a difference in the game. But again, it's it's controversy that surrounding the chiefs and it's not something you want in the game. I think my homes has been accused of flopping and I think it's something that NFL referees are going to start looking at. I mean, did you see the call?

Tom: 8:33

I saw the call. Like you said, it was a good game. It was a really close game. I actually thought, funnily enough, it was probably the best game that the Chiefs have played all year. Mahomes was back to his best. I thought Sunday. He was excellent. He sort of led them down the field of every drive. He was captain in that offense which obviously he does every postseason. Like we said, they're almost inevitable. It gets to this time of year and they almost switch it up a gear, but I think that was their best game they've played. They look good on all fronts. The run game was going for them. The passing game was strong. He didn't even have to use Kelsey that often in this game. And I think that's when you know that they're looking dangerous when they're winning games and playing well. And I think it was the first time they scored over 30 points where he hasn't even had to use Kelsey that often, which I think bodes well for them going into the Super Bowl. Just touching on, like you said there, the fourth down play. I don't know. there's a lot of controversy about it. I think that we all know the Chiefs are not a very popular team at the moment and I think a lot of that comes from what you probably call like the football purists where because of the almost the celebrity aspect to it with the Travis Kelsey and Taylor Swift relationship and the fan base that that then brings in and you then get people kind of going along the lines of like, Oh, well, Did they get favourable decisions because of the fact that they want to protect my homes and they want to protect Kelsey and they want to protect the fact that if the Chiefs don't get to the Super Bowl then it won't generate the money and are the refs giving them favourable calls? I like to think that, that necessarily isn't the case. I mean, look, we were maybe subject against it when we played them in the last Super Bowl. There was definitely some dodgy calls on a third and long which ended up getting them a first down and those points that they scored from the drive ended up separating the two teams at the end of the game. So, I've kind of been at the mercy of it as an Eagles fan. I get it, like you said, the flopping and all of that kind of stuff. But, I don't think The NFL is the only league that protects its star players. I think you go to any sports and I mean, we talked about it the other day when it kind of comes to the NHL and the McDavid situation. And I think in all sports, I think a lot of the star players get protected and don't get punished as much or get favorable calls because they've almost earned that right to get the decision from the referee because they are where they are in the game. Now with regards to the fourth down call. personally just thought it's one of those, if they'd given it as a first down, no one would have batted an eyelid. think if it wasn't against the Chiefs, I don't think, I think, look, there's always going to be, and especially Bills fans, that are going to turn around and go, it's unfair, it's controversial, we've been hard done by. Yeah, I get it, and I think if your season's on the line, and you didn't get that call, you are upset, but I think it was close to the halfway line. Yes, you get a first down. They're driving down the field. I saw one guy come out after the game doing a video who was like that decides the entire game. And if that gives us a first down the bills going to win. I don't know how you can say that because I just think anything can happen on the drive. Yes, they have momentum, but it's not like it was. It was fourth and goal. It was, they were the 50 yard line, so never a guarantee that was coming into school. I think the referees don't necessarily make a controversial call. I think they've reviewed it. And they haven't got enough there to say that he's definitely in. So, yeah, look, close call, close game. Like I said, I think it was the best game the Chiefs have played. And I actually think, look, preps to Josh Allen, what a season. I think we'll touch on him when we kind of talk about the MVP debate as well. the end of the day, the Chiefs played their best game, did what they needed to do to win. And I think as an Eagles fan, I'm a little bit scared kind of going into the Super Bowl because I just think that was their best game and if they're coming into it four, on form, then, yeah, I think it's a, I think it's a scary proposition for any team to play a team looking to three peat. When you say not ready, I don't think it's a case of ability wise not good enough to

Matt: 12:46

Yeah, like you said, my homes. found a way to win and really did lead that offense. And I think there was a couple of times where it looked like he was going to get sacked and somehow inside the pot, he managed to get out and he got the, got the ball away. And there was times where he was taken down and he still managed to get the ball away. And I think there was, there was one particular time where he ended up getting them within sort of a couple of yards of the goal line. And the wide receiver was. was man marked by two and still made the play. And when Mahomes is playing like that, there's nothing you can do to stop him. So I think we are lined up for a fantastic matchup in the Super Bowl. I'm really looking forward to it. I think it's going to be interesting. I think the Eagles are better prepared than they were two years ago. But the Chiefs are going for something that's never been done before. So exciting matchup mate. Really, really exciting matchup. So the MVP then, so this week's big question, NHL, sorry, NFL. Who is the MVP? The nominations are Josh Allen of the Bills. Saquon Barkley of the Eagles, Joe Burrow of the Bengals. You've got Goth of the Lions and Jackson of the Ravens. Straight away. I want to take somebody out of that. I think Joe Burrow straight away. Not quite there yet. Not ready. Do you agree?

Tom: 14:37

MVP because I think all of the guys that are nominated I think that if let's say they were the only ones, if they had that season again and you take the other guys out of it, then they are going to be win MVP. I think every player that's up for it has a reason for them to be there. I love Joe Burrow. I think he's a brilliant, brilliant player. I think other people have had better seasons. So yeah, in that sense, I agree. I think I take him out. I kind of look at the list and. I'd probably shortlist it down to three of them. And I know that the postseason doesn't necessarily get taken into it. But I do think that for me, there's three kind of standout players. And I think you've got Saquon Barkley just purely because of the season he's had for the Eagles. He's the Eagles MVP. I know the Lions finished with a better record than us. The Eagles, I thought were the best team and obviously proved it in the NFC this year. The only, the only reason they didn't get top, we didn't get top seed is because obviously Hertz went down with concussion for the last three games. And so they didn't play him. Obviously didn't play Saquon in the last game either. So again, I think he could have broke the single season rushing record if he plays in the last game, which I know came out and was like, stop giving me the credit. Because I wanted to play but obviously we rested him and it's kind of, kind of paid off with the way he's played in the postseason. And I think the other two, the obvious two is Lamar Jackson and Josh Burrow. those three, for me, are the three that I look at as they're kind of my favorites for it. Now, if I had to pick one, it's tough because I think they all, in some ways, There's a case for all of them. I think if I take the kind of the green visor off the green tinted goggles, as we say I think Saquon's probably a little bit out of it. because he doesn't deserve it, just because, look, you're always gonna, they always lean towards quarterbacks. They always have done, always will, unless you, unless there is a, like a, kind of like a season like Adrian Peetson where you, you kind of break a single season record and maybe if he'd done it, there'd have been a higher conversation for it. But I think it's between, or Josh, sorry, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Who do I give it to? I think I'm, I think I'm going Josh Allen just purely because, I mean, I love both of them. They're both brilliant. I just think if you take Lamar Jackson out of the Ravens. They've still got elements to their team. Defensively, they're still an absolute beast. I think they've still got Derek Ryan, who is a playmaker and wasn't too far behind Saquon Barkley for The rushing yards this year in terms of who finishes top. So he's a brilliant player as well. Whereas I think you take Josh Allen out of the bills and again, not saying they're a bad team, but I think they really kind of drop off from being a team that competes for the AFC championship with the chiefs to a team that. be looking at trying to get in on a wild card. And only just as well, because I think he has that much impact. So I think when you kind of break down MVP, who's the most valuable player to their team it's very, very close between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. But I think I'm giving it Josh this year.

Matt: 18:00

Yeah, I think I've been saying for quite a few weeks, Josh Allen seems to be doing something different this year and has done something different this year. He, like you say, if you took him out of the bills, they're not, they're not getting anywhere near sort of the championship game. I'd be interested to see. You know, somebody other than a quarterback winning the MVP this year. So Barkley would be a good shout for it because he's, you know, he's been the difference maker for the Eagles compared to two years ago. He's got nearly 12 1200 yards. Russian yards this year. Twelve thousand. I can't remember what the number is.

Tom: 18:47

rushing yards, I think he'd be a lock in for MVP. We've got so many stats going around in our head guys. When we, when we record these things and it's like, you're trying to pick the, you're trying to find the right one. No, he was he's very close to breaking the record. I think it was, it was over 2000 yards that you rushed for this year. So yeah, it was, I mean, it's a brilliant season, but yeah, no, like you said, it'd be good to see, good to see someone other than a quarterback winning it. But yeah, who'd you, who's your, who's your pick for it?

Matt: 19:18

Like I said, Joe Burrow, I mean, the Bengals finished the season nine and eight, you know, for me, that's not really an MVP winning season. So, he shouldn't be there for me. Jared Goff, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, all being really good leaders for their team, like you say. Lamar Jackson, he's done really well and. The bills Pipped the Ravens in that game which got the bills to the championship game. So I think Josh Allen, for me, I think it's all about how far you get. I mean, I know it's a, it's like a season. It's not post season award, but I think you have to take that into account to a degree. So I'm, I'm going to agree with you, mate, that Josh Allen should be the MVP this year, just simply because of how far the bills got. And based on the fact that if he wasn't at the bills, they, I don't think would get anywhere near the championship game. So, Josh Allen for MVP. So, let's move on then to the NHL. I think I messaged you not long after the the news broke on the trade. Which affected the avalanche, your team in a trade with the hurricanes and somewhere along the line, the Blackhawks are involved, but I will let you sort of break it all down because I'm indifferent on the trade. You weren't. I think your initial thoughts were disappointment, but then sort of talking about it a day or so after you had a different take. So what, what's your, what's your main takeaway from this trade?

Tom: 21:20

I think, I mean, guys, if you don't follow the NHL, you're not sure what's going on. Massive blockbuster trade. So Miko Rantanen, who is one of the premier players in the sport plays for the Yavs has been dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes. He was dealt an exchange for Martinacious and Drury. The Blackhawks were also got involved, so Taylor Hall's also gone over to the Hurricanes. I think the Yavs picked up a couple of draft picks as well. The Hawks picked up a third round pick in exchange. They're also covering a lot of. Branson and salary just because they've got the cap to do it. To help the canes with that one as well. But I think just kind of my initial reaction was obviously almost I wouldn't necessarily say as far as heartbreak, but You kind of it's a player that's been with us for so long now was part of that championship winning side has established himself as a top 10 player in the game. He's a 50 goal scorer. I think for the last two seasons now he's had over 100 points well on course to do that again this year as well. So just my initial thought was obviously disappointment. He's up for a free agency at the end of the year and the ABS very rarely miss when it comes to getting there. Yeah. Best players resigned. We did it with Landis Kog who obviously has been suffered with injuries the last couple of years, but when he was done, it got done. Natushkin, obviously McKinnon, McCarr, they got them all done to good deals, Devontae's, so the Alps have done really well at kind of keeping that core and their best players there. I really thought the deal would get done. Obviously something along the line has changed that and I was kind of reading into it, like I said, I think initial thought was sort of anger at the GMs and the board And then I think it kind of turned to, I wouldn't, I wouldn't necessarily understand it because I do think there are sides to both of it that I was like, yeah, Miko could have taken a deal or the Avs should have paid, I mean, the salary cap's going up, so maybe we should have just paid him more. Because they're definitely going to do it with the car. So when the car's deal is over there are a hundred percent going to break that what they call like the McKinnon threshold where they didn't want anyone earning more than Nathan McKinnon. But that's not going to come into play when KL McCar signs. And I think when you, if you want to compete. You need to resign your best players. Now whether it's a case that they didn't feel they could get it done the Leon Dry Cycle deal kind of threw everything kind of up in the air, I think.'cause I think from what I read, that we were pretty close to getting it done. has the same agent as Dry cycle and as soon as Dry Cycle signed that big deal with the Oilers, I think that's when everything changed. And all of a sudden he was gonna go from maybe taking 11 and a half over nine, eight or nine 12, over eight or nine to. One in 13, 14, 14 and a half mil over sort of 7, 8, 9, 10 years. So is he worth that? No, he's not a center and I think players sometimes need to realize that. But look, good luck to him. We said it about the Soto deal. yes, from a personal standpoint, I'm upset because I wanted him to stay. I can't blame the guys for going out and going and get, get, get paid. Go get paid. Good luck to you. Hopefully a team goes and does it. But yeah, I think in terms of the trade, it's a brilliant trade for the Hurricanes. And for the Yavs, I think it's just one of those where you go, Okay, Neches, he's on 60 points this year. I mean, he's doing well. He's not the same level as Mikko, but He could come in and be really good for us, because he's quick and he works well. Could work well with a team, or he could come in and not do as well, but we'll see. I think it's, there's a lot of question marks. I think there's more questions that have been left unanswered about how it will do as opposed to sort of, that have been answered. Don't know how I feel about it at the moment. I think the jury's, the jury's still out.

Matt: 25:21

Yeah, I think it's always hard, isn't it? When you've got a player that the team value and the fans sort of love. It's done really well. I think when you get sort of a difference in opinion between a player and the team ownership management on. The value, you, you have to make tough choices sometimes. So I think it can be a bit of a pill to swallow for fans sometimes. But then when you kind of, like, you have removed the emotion. After a couple of days you were like, Okay, now that I've sort of like digested it and I can see. The reason behind it, you can't always throw money at sort of players and hope it all works out. Sometimes you do have to make that difficult decision and do what's right for the team or do what's best for business. So I think hopefully it doesn't derail your season too much. I think you're still in with a good shout of a wild card birth, certainly. You know, you may see them push for the division. I don't know. I don't know if it's just too far away at the moment, but there's still a fair bit of hockey to play. We've got a break coming up soon, haven't we? For the the four nations. So I think we'll see after that. After that sort of mini tournament, I think we'll see teams really pushing. And we'll see what the abs are made of. I mean, it'd be not, it'd be nice to see them up there, mate, just because obviously in terms of Rangers watch, we're, we're not going to make it. I think since we last spoke. We've been really inconsistent. We scored 10 goals in two games and just got pipped by yourselves again in the last couple of minutes. And then we went and battered the Flyers 6 1 and then we lost 4 0. So very, very inconsistent. We're still way outside the playoffs. I think the gap's extended now, but yeah, Rangers watch. I'm sort of keeping an eye. Don't, don't really see the Rangers doing it. So my second team, I'll, I'll take the abs, mate. And I'll I'll keep an eye on the abs and hope for the best for you.

Tom: 27:31

on the old Abs bandwagon. No, yeah, to be fair, I think, yeah, I think it's one of those. Hopefully it doesn't derail the season. I think it pushes the Canes up to potentially, I think they'll be able to close the gap down on the two teams above them now. Which would be interesting to see and yeah, for us, I think it's just the case of, which is why I think it was interesting that it happened because I think, like you said, I think if we were, I mean, we haven't had our best season by any stretch, but I think we're obviously we're still in, we're still top first wildcard spot. We're definitely in with a shout at the top three. I don't necessarily know if we'll have it in us to catch the jets first, but I think if we can get that top three, I can definitely see that being a, being a possibility. So. I think it's just, it's just one of those, like you said, hopefully it doesn't derail the season and if they can gel quick enough, then yeah, it will definitely be, definitely be something to watch and see if we can do it. I think, like I said, for the Canes, I think they're in a really good position now. I think you definitely put them up there like it doesn't always work. Getting all the big names, but I think they've got such a stacked team now. Especially up top that I think that that could, yeah, that could push them maybe that step further this year. I think we could see a Canes. In the Stanley Cup final. But you know what the NHL is like. Anything can change. All sorts of deals can happen we head towards the deadline. Injuries. But like you said, we've got the four nations coming up. So injuries get picked up. They're a player really performs there and he's on a team that's struggling and all of a sudden his value shoots up and Yeah, so it would be interesting to see, but I think you kind of touched on it. We, I mean, games of the week this week, we were going to go elsewhere, but then I'll see after the trade happened. I think there were just kind of two games that we focused on. So again, it was Abs Bruins because it was the day after the trade pretty much dominated the game. But I think it kind of just, I think it just kind of went with the whole mood around it at the moment. I think the boys just didn't quite have that jump. I think I'll see a few of them. Little bit down after what happened, sort of dominated for probably 55 minutes, leading 1 0 up until the third period, I think we were up shooting them. 25 or something. It was something stupid like that. End up losing the game three one. So yeah, I think it was just one of those. That game just away, came and played you guys like you said. And then yeah, obviously ended up winning brilliant play from Kayla McCar at the end, jumping out the box, driving up ice and squaring for like, and then to kind of win it with 15 seconds ago. I think the boys needed that. Because I think like you say, sometimes these kind of things have a negative impact and the season kind of derails. So, yeah, hopefully they can find that consistency. But yeah, it was a tough watch that game as well after it just happened. But yeah, what about you? I think you kept an eye on the Hurricanes game afterwards, didn't you? I'd see how they got on after the trade. No goals for Mikko or Taylor Hall. But yeah, how did the game kind of go?

Matt: 30:24

So the Hurricanes played the Islanders and this one went to overtime and they were picked by the Islanders, which I didn't see, to be honest, because they've been They've been fairly solid the last couple of weeks. So to lose to the Islanders, obviously I'm a Rangers fan. So I don't really like the Islanders. Plus they're, they share the same colors as the Mets. I'm very anti Islanders, but that's just me. But as I say that keeping an eye on some of their games recently, the hurricanes, I think the trade may sort of take a little bit of time for him to fit in there. I think just looking at they played recently they played the Rangers and won four nil and it was, you know. They outplayed the Rangers, which is unsurprising. And then the same night the Islanders slapped your boys 5 2. So it's, it's a strange watch. You know, they, they seem to be sort of like back and forth, And then they'll go and lose heavily. And then I go and win. So I think it's going to be an interesting couple of weeks once the four nations competitions done. But I think looking at the standings now, and by the way, where have the Dallas stars come from? I did not have them. On my radar, I was watching the jets. The jets have like been up there all season. And then the Minnesota wild have been there or thereabouts. The Avs have been there or thereabouts. And then all of a sudden you look at the standings and it's like Dallas stars, five points behind the jets. So five points ahead of the apps. Did you say, did you see that one coming? Did you, do you think they've been sort of like there were there abouts

Tom: 32:16

or thereabouts for the last few years. They were brilliant last season. They knocked us out of the playoffs. They, the stars were always going to, are always going to be good. I think a lot of people actually have them down to win the Stanley Cup this year, or at least make the Stanley Cup final. I think that they're, they're a great side. I mean, Heishkanen. Robertson. They got some great guys. So I'm on the forward side of things and obviously on the defensive side of things as well. So Matthew Shane's having a really good year for them as well. So I think now the stars are always going to be good. Always start the quickest, but I think that is how you finish the season and that they're finishing with a, with a, a bang. I, to most people, you actually wouldn't be surprised if they won the division. Because I do, I think they're better than the jets. I think the jets are I kind of feel behind the fact that Connor Hellebuyck is having another out of this world season. I think if the Jets lose Hellebuyck or his play, it dips ever so slightly. I think you'll see, I wouldn't say a fall off from the Jets, but I would say, I don't think they're as primed to win as they are when Hellebuyck isn't kind of standing on his head every game. I mean, he's up there for MVP. In terms of if you look at the betting odds not that like favorite, obviously dry cycling McKinnon, they're kind of well clear of that. But I think like when you look at how well he's doing this year, I think if you take him out of that lineup, are nowhere near as good. Whereas I think the stars, obviously they've got Ossinger in goal, who's unreal. And like I said so patient at the back, the forward lines that they've got. yeah, they're definitely in and around it again, would not be surprised to see them make the conference finals. And potentially go that one step further this year and actually get into the Stanley Cup. So yeah, they're a great side.

Matt: 34:04

also got an interesting couple of weeks coming up then should be a great race to the finish there. So MLB really sort of interesting week with the announcement of the nominees for the hall of fame. We had Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. Some really interesting stats on, on this. So Suzuki first year in the ballot got 99. 7 percent of the vote, which means one person, just one person didn't think he was worthy of being the, I've been in the Hall of Fame. I'm I'm sure if I was Suzuki, I'd be wanting to seek that person out and be like, you know, what's your problem? CC Sabathia again, first year on the ballot with 86. 8 percent of the vote. And I'm really happy for him obviously as a Yankees fan and then Billy Wagner. Sort of a little bit before my time in terms of my viewing of baseball. I think it's been a while since he last played because it was his tenth and final year on the ballot. So he managed to get in. But I, I haven't really seen much on him. I've seen little bits in terms of his highlights real and things like that. So. Yeah, really, really good class of 25. They joined Dick Allen and Dave Parker from the classic era committee vote. Again, before my time, don't know much about those guys, but in terms of Suzuki and CC then mate what are your memories of, of seeing these guys in the pinstripes?

Tom: 36:01

like I said, great class this year. Some really good players on the palate. I think, look, all three guys well deserving to get in. I would like we said we'll just quickly touch on Billy Wagner because it was before our time. But the guy was from what I've seen. And when you just look at the numbers was an out of this world picture. Sort of the back end of the bullpen, 422 career saves. I mean, his strikeouts over nine innings were, were a joke. Really, really good numbers from his end. I think he only had one season in his career had an ERA over three. And bearing in mind he was playing for Houston Astros, who If you're new to baseball, you just know the Astros is not just the cheats, but a team that that kind of gets in to the playoffs every year knocks our boys out of the, of the ALCS every year. But. No, there used to be a Western Conference side that were down the bottom of the the NL West at pretty much every season. So to have kind of one year where his ERA was over three and the rest were sort of mid twos, below twos he's a great player. So the fact that it took him kind of ten years, it's nice to see people kind of finally giving Billy Wagner the recognition he deserves. So yeah, props to Billy. But yeah, your your question, my memories of CC and each row, so love the fact that they've both done pinstripes. Each row, obviously at the end of his career, obviously CC, we kind of signed in oh nine. I mean, I got into baseball in 2010, so I didn't really know anything else other than CeCe pitching for the New York Yankees. He was our ace. He was the go to guy. I think, I think my best memories of CeCe is the fact that he was just not just a great guy off the field. But he was just such a winner and he just wanted to win. And I think when he was on the mound, you could just always, there was that competitive edge to him. It was always done in the right way and he just made you confident when you're on the mound. Like I said, I don't really remember anything other than him pitching for us. I love the fact that he dons the Yankees cap now for his, being his Hall of Fame plaque. So yeah, just an absolute workhorse. And then I'll give you, give you guys a couple of numbers on, on CC. So, over 3, 000 strikeouts. He's got over 250 career wins. He's won a Cy Young, the World Series. He's got a career war over 60. So these are all numbers that when you look at it, you just go. Yeah, kind of a shoe in for for all the fame. And then, yeah, each euro just what a player kind of came in. I think he was 27 when he came into the league from Japan. Kind of set the bar for Japanese players playing in playing in Major League Baseball. I think he won MVP in his first year. He's part of the 3000 hit club. I mean, the guy kind of changed the game. He made contact swinging for contact trendy, and people wanted to be each euro. I mean the, I think I had a stat the other day. He was so fast. I think his time from home plate or the bats box to first was, I think it was three seconds or 3.1 seconds, which I think it was Trevor Plu was kind of talking about it. On a podcast and he was like, he was one of those guys that if the ball comes to you in the infield, that's not a double clutch, set yourself, throw to first, that's a, you've got to be ready to pick that ball up and bomb it down to first because if you even hesitate for a second or have a second thought about how you're going to throw the ball over there, he was safe. So, I mean, what a player, just a pure contact speed machine like I said, just an absolute winner as well. Would love to have seen him at the Yankees a little bit younger, but glad he kind of had his time in Seattle. We'll go down as a legend there. love that he finished his career over there as well. And just such a humble bloke. I mean, like you said, I think the fact that somebody didn't feel he was a he was a Hall of Famer. I think I would personally be going to try and find that guy on myself and be like, what are you thinking? A little bit like the cheater one when there was just that one vote. But yeah, I think I think CC and and each other. They're great picks for for the Hall of Fame. And I think for the era that we kind of grew up in especially for myself and us kind of watching baseball. I think those are two kind of names that when I think of baseball, those two kind of come to mind for me. And I think that's the biggest compliment that I can I can pay both of them.

Matt: 40:31

Yeah,, it's, I was, I was looking at, I was looking at his numbers as well after the Hall of Fame ballot. And when you look at him. You don't look at him and think why he's a slugger because when you look at like the the build of sort of Pete Alonso and Aaron judge, those guys that, you know, absolutely slam the ball. Like Suzuki's are quite a small guy compared to those, but he had power in his hitting and like I say, he used to swing for contact all the time in 10 seasons in a row, 200 plus hits. That's just, that's a phenomenal stat in itself. And I think he's top of the top of the list for that. I think there's only one other guy that did it and I can't even remember his name. But yeah, over 3000 hits I think over 10 years, 12 years, I think he played in the MLB. So. The guy was just consistent, phenomenal, and you see him around the team when I was watching some Yankees highlights, the relationship that he had with some of the players and, you know, I think American, he wasn't, I think still today it's not one of his sort of. languages. He still speaks for interpreter, but he had like a really good camaraderie with the team and really fitted him well there. And like I say, went, went back to the Mariners, finished his career there, which is, which is a nice touch. You know, he spent a few seasons there, went to the Yankees and then went back. So yeah, really deserved for a Suzuki, Sabathia and Wagner. And just on the Hall of Fame, Andy Pettit, one of the core four, you know, as a Yankees fan, I think he needs to be in there. He's in his seventh year, so he's only got three years left on the on the ballot. I think if he doesn't get into the Hall of Fame, travesty, mate.

Tom: 42:31

Yes, it's a weird one. We pay it because I think I can see the argument for both sides. I think I'll see like I'm yeah, I use my Yankees bias, I think, yeah, I want to see him in there. I think the argument for Andy Pettit getting in there is, I think his regular season stats obviously wise obviously great, but ERA slightly, slightly up. I think it's his post season numbers that I think are where people kind of look at it and go. How do you, how do you kind of keep a guy out that did that well in the postseason? I think he's got better postseason stats. Obviously he played on that great Yankees team that won four World Series. So like, he's, he's obviously going to have great numbers because you're playing for a great side. But his postseason numbers are better than CeCe's. So I think, yeah, there's that argument. But then I also think the problem is for for a player like Pettit is that when you don't have the regular season stats to to kind of back up your postseason, it's always potentially going to go against you. Now, I actually think that Andy Pettit, I mean, I look at his, so we just give a good idea of his career line. So 256 wins. 3. 85 ERA 2, 448 strikeouts, nearly 2, 500 strikeouts. Just in regular season. But then you have a look at his kind of postseason line. And his postseason line, he's got 19. He's got 19 wins in the playoffs. 3.81 ERA in, in the playoffs in 44 games. And he was, and he's won the World Series at the end of the day. He's, he was a big part of the Yankees of the Yankees winning it. He's won five, so to win kind of five World Series. He's a three time All Star, five time World Series champion. He was the when the Yankees got there in 2001. So like, I think the guy's numbers are I don't know, I think they're good enough to get into the Hall of Fame. But maybe it's just a case that guys are kind of looking at that, they want you in that 3, 000 strikeout club before you're kind of guaranteed to get in. But, I don't know, I don't know, I'd have him in there.

Matt: 45:00

Yeah, fully agree with you, mate. I think he needs to be. But that's just, you know, we're probably wearing our Yankees colours. And yeah, he should be in there. So look forward to the next one then, mate. It's going to be very NFL heavy. Obviously we'll touch upon the other stuff, but we're going to go predictions on the next one. As we look forward to Super Bowl week I can't wait for it, mate. It's going to be an amazing matchup. Obviously, I'm going to hope that we have a good, you know, unbiased conversation about it and you're not wearing your Eagles shirt, glasses, hat, you name it. So now I'm looking forward to Super Bowl week, mate.

Tom: 45:46

will be on. I might have to, I'll order a hat and some glasses if we win. But yeah, no guys next week, obviously that we'll touch on any kind of breaking news or urgent things that kind of come up in the NHL and MLB, but it will be a big kind of Super Bowl preview. We're basically, we're just going to run down why both teams can win it. Obviously our predictions maybe give out a couple of season awards as well, like our own, but Kind of like take some things. But yeah, it's going to be a big kind of heavy, long NFL preview for that one. So yeah, stay tuned for that one guys.

Matt: 46:21

Thanks for, for this week, mate. It's been an enjoyable show and I will speak to you next week.

Tom: 46:27

percent. Let's get it.

Matt: 46:28

That does it for another episode of triple play UK. I've been your host, Matt, along with co host Tom. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to follow us on X and subscribe on whatever listing platform you're on. And we will catch you again next week. Cheers guys.